3D Printed Elastic Structure With Variable Resin Thickness

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing manufacturing methods for structures like shoe insoles using three-dimensional modeling equipment face challenges in achieving varying elasticity across different parts without increasing the complexity of the two-dimensional moving path of the nozzle, which can lead to discontinuity and longer forming times.

Innovation Solution

The method involves using a three-dimensional modeling equipment that alternately laminates linear structures with different thicknesses to create first and second elastic regions, allowing for continuous and smooth changes in elasticity by adjusting the thickness of the linear resin ejected from the nozzle, while maintaining a constant moving pitch, thereby avoiding the need to change the arrangement interval of the linear resins.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the arrangement interval of linear resins is changed to vary elasticity across different parts, then elasticity distribution is improved, but the two-dimensional moving path of the nozzle becomes complex and discontinuous

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelasticity distributionVSAvoidmoving path complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by varying the thickness of linear resin at different locations while keeping the arrangement interval constant. The thickness is controlled by adjusting the ejection amount of linear resin from the nozzle, allowing different parts of the formed body to have different elasticity (first elastic region with greater thickness and second elastic region with lesser thickness) without changing the nozzle's moving path or arrangement interval

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Adaptability or versatility

If the arrangement interval of linear resins is changed to vary elasticity, then elasticity distribution is improved, but forming time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelasticity distributionVSAvoidforming time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the parameter of linear resin thickness (via ejection amount) rather than the arrangement interval to achieve varying elasticity. This allows the nozzle to maintain a constant moving pitch and simple two-dimensional moving path, thereby reducing forming time while still creating different elastic regions through controlled variations in resin thickness

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If the thickness of linear resin is varied to change elasticity, then elasticity distribution is improved, but the complexity of controlling the nozzle increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelasticity distributionVSAvoidnozzle control complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent varies the thickness of linear resin by controlling the ejection amount from the nozzle while maintaining a constant moving pitch. This approach simplifies nozzle control compared to changing arrangement intervals, as it only requires adjusting the ejection parameters rather than reprogramming the entire moving path or pitch, thereby achieving elasticity distribution with manageable control complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3815563B1Manufacturing method for a structure, and system for manufacturing a structure
Publication Date: 2022.11.16 KYORAKU CO LTD
  • EP3815563B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3815563B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2C
  • EP3815563B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

A purpose of present invention is to provide a structure in which complexity of the moving path of the nozzle during forming is suppressed even if the structure has regions with different elasticity and a manufacturing method for a structure that can suppress complexity of the moving path of the nozzle when forming the structure with regions with different elasticity. The present invention provides a structure comprising: a formed body including a linear structure formed of a linear resin; wherein the formed body includes first and second elastic regions, and the linear resin forming the first elastic region is thinner than the linear resin forming the second elastic region.