3D Printer Coater Cleaning Device for Long Roller Deflection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing 3D printers with long coaters face challenges in achieving effective and efficient cleaning, particularly for large-scale printers, due to issues with roller deflection and the complexity of cleaning mechanisms, which can lead to incomplete removal of building material and blockages.
Innovation Solution
A 3D printer equipped with a coater cleaning device featuring a wiping element that moves longitudinally along the dispensing area, reducing resistance and allowing for easy and cost-effective cleaning, using a drive device that can move the wiping element along a linear path or orbit, and incorporating a sensor for precise control and efficient cleaning patterns.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If a roller coater is used for long coaters, then the coater can be implemented, but roller deflection occurs leading to poor cleaning effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical roller coater system with a container coater that dispenses particulate build material through a dispensing area. This substitution eliminates the roller deflection problem inherent in long roller coaters, as the container coater uses gravity and controlled dispensing rather than mechanical rolling contact, thereby maintaining cleaning effectiveness across long coater lengths.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a movable wiping element that can be dynamically positioned and moved along the dispensing area. The wiping element is movable in the longitudinal direction and can be raised and lowered, allowing adaptive cleaning that accommodates the length and geometry of long coaters, thereby maintaining effective cleaning across the entire dispensing area regardless of coater length.
2Reliability
If a complex cleaning mechanism is used, then cleaning thoroughness can be improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-service cleaning mechanism where the container coater itself is used to facilitate cleaning. The container coater is movable and can be positioned over the coater cleaning device, allowing the system to clean itself without requiring separate complex cleaning mechanisms. This reduces device complexity while maintaining cleaning thoroughness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a dynamically movable wiping element that can be positioned and moved along the dispensing area as needed. This dynamic approach allows thorough cleaning of the entire dispensing area using a relatively simple wiping mechanism, rather than requiring multiple fixed cleaning components. The wiping element can be moved in the longitudinal direction and raised/lowered to access different areas, achieving comprehensive cleaning with minimal complexity.
3Ease of operation
If a roller coater is used, then coating can be achieved, but cleaning becomes difficult and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the roller coater with a container coater that dispenses material through a dispensing area. This substitution fundamentally changes the coating mechanism from mechanical rolling to controlled dispensing, which inherently facilitates easier cleaning by eliminating the roller surface that requires thorough cleaning. The container coater design allows building material to be more easily removed from the dispensing area.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a self-service cleaning system where the container coater can be positioned over the cleaning device and cleaned automatically during operation. The movable wiping element continuously or periodically cleans the dispensing area, eliminating the need for separate manual cleaning operations and significantly reducing cleaning time while maintaining ease of coating operation.
4Device complexity
If the wiping element is stationary, then device complexity is reduced, but cleaning effectiveness along the entire dispensing area is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a movable wiping element that can be dynamically positioned and moved along the dispensing area in the longitudinal direction. The wiping element can be raised and lowered and moved horizontally to access different portions of the dispensing area. This dynamic capability ensures comprehensive cleaning coverage of the entire dispensing area while maintaining relatively simple device complexity, as the movement is achieved through basic actuation mechanisms rather than complex multi-component systems.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution enables reliable, efficient, and cost-effective cleaning of the coater, particularly for long coaters, by reducing resistance and allowing for a more compact design, ensuring thorough removal of building material and preventing collisions during operation.
Implementation Method 1
a wiping element (54) and a drive device for moving the wiping element (54), wherein the drive device is set up to move the wiping element (54) along the same for cleaning the output area (36) when the coater (30) is in the coater cleaner (50)
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed is a 3D printer 10 having a coating device 30 and a coating device cleaning device 50, wherein the coating device 30 comprises a container 32 which defines an inner cavity 34 for receiving particulate construction material and an elongated output region 36 for outputting the particulate construction material and can be moved into a cleaning position in which it is arranged above the coating device cleaning device 50, wherein the coating device cleaning device 50 comprises a wiping member 54 and a driving device for moving the wiping member, and wherein the driving device is configured to move the wiping member 54 for cleaning the output region 36 along the same when the coating device 30 is located above the coating device cleaning device 50.