Expandable Bladder Object Holder for Direct-to-Object Printing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing direct-to-object print systems face challenges in securely retaining objects during printing, particularly for items with non-negligible depth, as they require effective object holders to maintain stability and alignment with printheads.
Innovation Solution
The object holder employs a shuttle mount with an expandable bladder that conforms to the object's shape, secured by a pump-filled gas or liquid, and an actuator system to move the object past the printheads, ensuring precise printing on complex surfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If an object holder is used to secure objects during printing, then printing stability and alignment are improved, but device complexity increases due to the need for additional retention mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The object holder employs an expandable bladder that can dynamically change its volume and shape to adapt to different objects. The bladder expands from a collapsed state during object insertion to a filled state that conforms to the object's exterior surface, providing adaptive retention without requiring complex mechanical structures
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the physical state of the bladder by controlling its inflation parameter. The bladder transitions from a deflated state (easy object insertion) to an inflated state (secure object retention), using pump-controlled fluid or gas pressure to achieve the desired retention force and shape conformity
2Manufacturing precision
If a rigid object holder is used to maintain object stability, then printing precision is improved, but adaptability to different object shapes decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The object holder uses a flexible bladder made of elastomeric material that can deform and conform to various object shapes. The bladder's flexibility allows it to adapt to different geometries while maintaining sufficient rigidity when inflated to provide stable object retention during printing
Solution Approach 2:
The bladder dynamically adjusts its physical properties by expanding and contracting. When deflated, it allows easy object insertion and shape adaptation; when inflated, it provides firm retention and stability for precise printing, enabling the same structure to serve multiple functions across different object types
3Adaptability or versatility
If an expandable bladder is used to conform to object shapes, then object retention for complex shapes is improved, but device complexity increases due to pump and control systems
Solution Approach 1:
The pump and control system serves multiple functions: it inflates the bladder for object retention, maintains pressure during printing, and deflates the bladder for object removal. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate mechanisms for each operation, thereby minimizing overall device complexity despite the added components
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
This solution enables secure retention and precise printing on objects with varying shapes, such as footwear, by using an expandable bladder and actuator system, allowing for efficient and accurate deposition of marking material directly on the object's surface.
Implementation Method 1
A pump then fills the bladder with either a gas or a liquid to cause the bladder to expand
Implementation Method 2
The expanded bladder inside the object's cavity enables a surface of the object to be printed
Data Source
AI summary
What is disclosed is an object holder for retaining an object in a direct-to-object print system and a direct-to-object print system configured to use various embodiments of the object holder of the present invention. The object holder comprises a shuttle mount configured to slideably traverse a support member positioned parallel to a plane formed by at least one printhead of a direct-to-object print system. An expandable bladder attached to either the shuttle mount or a restraint. The bladder is inserted in a cavity of an object to be printed. A pump then fills the bladder with either a gas or a liquid to cause the bladder to expand. The expanded bladder in the object's cavity enables a surface of the object to be printed. In one embodiment, the filled bladder substantially conforms to a shape of a human foot, and the object being printed is footwear.