Connection Point Lock for Powdered Material Exchange
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a risk of contamination with powdered building material during the exchange of cartridge containers in the building, unpacking, and sieve stations due to turbulence and adhesion issues at the interface of connection points in existing installations for producing three-dimensional components by selective solidification.
Innovation Solution
A connection point system with a docking port and closure members that form a lock to equalize pressure conditions and prevent turbulence, featuring a closure flap activated by a driver member to ensure safe handling and prevent unintentional material flow, with seals to prevent escape and ensure a sealing interface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the cartridge container is exchanged at the connection point without pressure equalization, then the exchange process is simple and quick, but turbulence and adhesion of powdered building material occur causing contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The closure members are opened in a predetermined sequence before the cartridge container is fully exchanged. The closure member at the emptying station is opened first to equalize pressure, then the closure member at the feeding station is opened. This preliminary pressure equalization action prevents turbulence and adhesion during the subsequent cartridge exchange, eliminating contamination while maintaining efficient operation.
2Reliability
If the closure members are kept closed during cartridge handling, then safe handling and prevention of unintentional material flow are ensured, but access to the chamber is blocked
Solution Approach 1:
The closure system is segmented into two independent closure members: one at the feeding station and one at the emptying station. This segmentation allows selective opening of closure members based on operational requirements. The closure member at the emptying station can be opened first for pressure equalization while the closure member at the feeding station remains closed to maintain safety and prevent unintentional material flow.
3Device complexity
If the closure members open simultaneously during cartridge exchange, then the exchange process is simplified, but pressure differences cause turbulence and adhesion of powdered material
Solution Approach 1:
The closure members are opened in a predetermined sequence rather than simultaneously. The closure member at the emptying station is opened first as a preliminary action to equalize pressure conditions, then the closure member at the feeding station is opened. This sequential approach prevents pressure differences that would cause turbulence and adhesion, eliminating contamination while maintaining a relatively simple closure mechanism.
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 effectively reduces contamination by equalizing pressure and preventing adhesion and turbulence, ensuring safe handling and efficient transfer of powdered building material during cartridge exchange, maintaining a clean environment around the stations.
Implementation Method 1
different pressure conditions in the cartridge container on the one hand and in the feeding station or emptying station on the other hand can be equalized before the powdered building material is exchanged
Data Source
AI summary
A connection point for a feeding station and/or an emptying station for powdered building material of a building station, unpacking station and/or sieve station which can be combined to form an installation for producing three-dimensional components by layer-by-layer solidification by means of a beam acting on the powdered building material, having a docking port which has a free connection side, having a closure member which opens and closes a passage in the docking port, having a connection port of a connecting device, which connection port can be connected to the docking port and, opposite the connection port, receives a cartridge container, having a closure member which is provided on the connection port and opens and closes a passage of the connection port, wherein, after the connection port has been connected to the docking port, the closure member in the connection port and the closure member in the docking port form a lock for the powdered building material in the feeding station for feeding and in the emptying station for discharging powdered building material.