3D Printer Extruder Cleaning Pad for Contaminant Removal

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Solution Overview

Problem

3D printers face challenges in maintaining a clean extruder nozzle and surrounding area due to rapid deterioration and contamination, leading to suboptimal print quality, material waste, and increased maintenance time.

Innovation Solution

A multifunctional, multilayered cleaning pad designed for easy removal of debris, oils, and contaminants from the extruder nozzle and surrounding volume, featuring a filament-adherent surface for capturing and examining filament material, an oil-absorbing layer, and a thermal insulating layer for user safety.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If traditional cleaning methods are used on the extruder nozzle, then cleaning effort is required, but print quality deteriorates due to contamination and material waste increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprint qualityVSAvoidmaterial waste

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The cleaning pad is applied to the extruder nozzle before printing begins, performing preliminary cleaning to remove contaminants and prevent them from affecting print quality. This proactive approach eliminates the need for mid-print cleaning interruptions and prevents material waste from failed prints.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The cleaning pad is designed as a disposable component that is used once and then discarded. This eliminates the need for repeated cleaning of the same pad, ensuring consistent cleaning performance without contamination from reused pads, and reduces maintenance time between prints.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Reliability

If frequent cleaning of the extruder nozzle is performed, then contamination is reduced, but maintenance time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenozzle cleanlinessVSAvoidmaintenance time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The cleaning pad is divided into multiple functional layers, each performing a specific cleaning function. This segmentation allows the pad to address different types of contamination simultaneously, reducing the frequency of cleaning operations needed while maintaining consistent nozzle cleanliness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The cleaning pad integrates multiple cleaning functions into a single component, including abrasive cleaning, adhesive removal, and general contaminant removal. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for multiple different cleaning tools or repeated cleaning operations, reducing maintenance time while ensuring comprehensive nozzle cleanliness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If aggressive cleaning methods are used to remove contaminants, then cleaning effectiveness improves, but nozzle damage risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontaminant removalVSAvoidnozzle damage risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The cleaning pad uses segmented layers with progressively different cleaning mechanisms, starting with gentle adhesive removal and progressing to controlled abrasive action. This segmentation allows effective contaminant removal while preventing excessive force or heat that could damage the nozzle.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The cleaning pad controls the parameters of cleaning action through its layered structure, regulating the intensity and type of cleaning at each stage. This prevents any single aggressive cleaning mechanism from causing nozzle damage while still achieving effective contaminant removal through the cumulative effect of multiple gentler actions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 cleaning pad effectively minimizes material waste, improves print quality, extends nozzle lifespan, and simplifies maintenance by efficiently removing contaminants and debris, reducing the risk of cross-contamination and damage from unwanted materials.

Implementation Method 1

The top layer has a debris-removing filament-adherent surface

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Implementation Method 2

The second and third layers constitute the core and provide thermal insulation to protect your hand from heat

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Implementation Method 3

The fourth layer removes oils and unwanted contaminants

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Data Source

PatentUS12042826B13D printer extruder cleaning pad

Publication Date: 2024.07.23 SWARTZ MITCHELL ROBERT

AI summary

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, there is disclosed an article of manufacture for cleaning the external surface of a 3D printer's extruder comprising: A filament adherent surface capable of removing unwanted material and providing samples of post-extruder filament material for examination, an oil absorbing volume capable of removing and storing for disposal oils and other hydrophobic fluid materials unintentionally or inadvertently on the external extruder surface, a thermal insulating layer to protect the hand cleaning the external extruder volume, a cowoven material for improving structural strength, and a perimeter edge modification to improve material removal.