3D Printed Container With Integrated Probe Unit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing containers for medium measurement require additional openings for probe insertion, leading to increased effort and costs for sealing and maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A container with an integrated membrane and oscillating fork probe unit manufactured using 3D printing, eliminating the need for additional openings by integrating the probe unit into the container wall, allowing direct connection to a transmitter/receiver unit without external access points.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If additional openings are provided in the container for probe insertion, then measurement functionality is enabled, but sealing effort and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The probe unit is merged with the container wall by integrating it directly into the additive manufacturing process. The vibrating fork probe and membrane are manufactured as integral parts of the container structure, eliminating the need for separate probe insertion and sealing operations. This combining of components resolves the contradiction by maintaining measurement functionality while removing the sealing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The additive manufacturing process serves multiple functions simultaneously: it creates the container structure, integrates the probe unit, forms the membrane, and ensures sealing all in one process. This multi-functionality approach enables measurement capability while eliminating separate sealing steps, thus resolving the technical contradiction.
2Reliability
If additional openings are provided in the container for probe insertion, then measurement functionality is enabled, but maintenance cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the probe unit with the container wall through additive manufacturing, the probe becomes an integral, non-separable component. This eliminates maintenance access requirements and simplifies repair procedures, as the integrated structure requires no disassembly or special access for maintenance, resolving the contradiction between functionality and ease of repair.
3Reliability
If the container is designed as disposable, then hygiene and cost-effectiveness improve, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The additive manufacturing process is specifically suited for disposable applications as it allows rapid, tool-free production of single-use containers with integrated probe units. The process can economically produce disposable items with the required precision through digital modeling and direct manufacturing, eliminating the need for expensive tooling and enabling high-precision disposable containers.
Solution Approach 2:
Additive manufacturing allows precise control of material parameters and geometric parameters during production. By adjusting printing parameters, layer thickness, and material properties, the process achieves the necessary manufacturing precision for disposable containers while maintaining cost-effectiveness and hygiene requirements.
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
Enables cost-effective, efficient, and hygienic measurement without additional openings, suitable for disposable applications in industries like food and pharmaceuticals, with the option to adapt materials for different media.
Implementation Method 1
the container with membrane and vibrating fork is created using a three-dimensional model and is manufactured in one piece from at least one raw material according to the three-dimensional model using an additive manufacturing process
Implementation Method 2
the vibronic limit switch includes an evaluation unit which determines, based on the frequency of the received signal, whether the vibrating probe is covered with the medium
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for producing a container for a medium, the container (1) having a probe unit (2) on one wall. The method comprises the steps: creating a three-dimensional model of the container (1) comprising the integrated probe unit (2); and additive layer manufacturing of the container (1) comprising the integrated probe unit (2) from at least one raw material according to the three-dimensional model.