Concrete 3D Printer with Adjustable Legs and Rotating Nozzle

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing 3D printing devices are unable to print non-horizontal planes or non-prefabricated foundation grounds, such as ramp protection, limiting their adaptability to complex terrains and environments.

Innovation Solution

A multi-functional concrete 3D printing device equipped with an angle adjusting member, a nozzle with altimeter and yaw power members, and a print carriage with adjustable legs and a camera, allowing for precise control and adaptation to different angles and terrains.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional erecting formwork and cast-in-place concrete are used for ramp protection, then construction can be performed on non-horizontal planes, but construction progress is slow, resource demands are high, and safety is lower

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveability to print non-horizontal planesVSAvoidconstruction progress
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The printing device is designed with movable and adjustable components including extendable legs with adjustable lengths, rotatable print carriages, and multi-directional nozzles. These dynamic features enable the device to adapt to non-horizontal planes and complex terrains while maintaining efficient 3D printing construction progress

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The 3D printing device integrates multiple functions including terrain adaptation through adjustable legs, multi-angle printing capability via rotatable carriages and nozzles, and automated concrete deposition. This multi-functional design replaces conventional formwork and casting methods, achieving both adaptability to various terrains and improved construction productivity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Productivity

If 3D printing is performed on flat ground or prefabricated members, then construction efficiency is improved, but application capability in complex terrains and narrow regions is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconstruction efficiencyVSAvoidenvironment adaptability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The device employs dynamically adjustable legs that can extend and rotate to different lengths and angles, allowing the printing carriage to maintain stable printing positions on uneven ground. The rotatable print carriage and multi-directional nozzle further enable adaptation to complex terrains and narrow regions while preserving 3D printing efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The printing device adds vertical and rotational dimensions to the conventional horizontal printing capability. Through extendable legs with adjustable heights and rotatable print carriages, the device can operate on non-horizontal planes and access complex terrains, expanding application capability beyond flat ground while maintaining construction efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the bottom of a to-be-printed building is not horizontally disposed, then real-world construction scenarios are covered, but existing 3D printing devices cannot perform printing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveterrain adaptabilityVSAvoidprinting capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The device incorporates dynamically adjustable legs with extendable and rotatable capabilities, allowing operators to easily adjust leg lengths and angles to match the underlying terrain. The rotatable print carriage and multi-directional nozzle further simplify operation on sloped surfaces, making the device easy to operate across diverse terrains

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The printing device includes self-leveling and terrain-adaptation capabilities through automated adjustment mechanisms. The system can automatically adjust leg extensions and carriage rotations to compensate for non-horizontal surfaces, reducing the need for manual intervention and maintaining printing capability across various terrains

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP4411073B1Multi-functional concrete 3D printing device
Publication Date: 2025.05.28 CHINA THREE GORGES CORPORATION
  • EP4411073B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4411073B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4411073B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The invention relates to the technical field of 3D printing, in particular to a multi-functional concrete 3D printing device and a use method. The multi-functional concrete 3D printing device includes: a control structure including a control chamber and an arm lever, wherein a controller of the control chamber is in transmission connection with the arm lever to control the action of the arm lever; a printing structure, being disposed at an end of the arm lever away from the control chamber, being connected to the arm lever, and including a print carriage, a nozzle disposed on the print carriage, and at least one adjustable leg disposed on the print carriage, wherein an angle adjusting member and a nozzle yaw power member are disposed between the print carriage and the arm lever, the nozzle is provided with an angle rotating member, the controller controls the extension length of the leg to cause the angle adjusting member to drive the print carriage to rotate, and the nozzle sprays from different angles by rotation of the print carriage, and rotation of the nozzle yaw power member and the angle rotating member. The multi-functional concrete 3D printing device solves the problem that the 3D printing devices cannot efficiently perform non-horizontal plane printing such as ramp protection.