Filament Container With Sensor Guide Mechanism

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing digital manufacturing systems face challenges in efficiently managing and interchanging filaments for building 3D models, particularly in distinguishing between modeling and support filaments and ensuring continuous supply without interruption.

Innovation Solution

A container system with a filament guide mechanism that includes a sensor for detecting filament presence and an electrical connection for communication with the digital manufacturing system, allowing for seamless integration and automatic switching between filament spools, preventing user confusion and ensuring uninterrupted operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual filament management is used, then device complexity is reduced, but user error increases and continuous supply cannot be ensured

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontinuous filament supplyVSAvoidcontainer system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The filament guide mechanism automatically detects filament presence through a sensor and communicates with the digital manufacturing system to trigger filament replacement, eliminating the need for manual monitoring and ensuring continuous supply without proportionally increasing system complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The sensor provides real-time feedback on filament presence to the control system, which automatically manages filament replacement timing and coordination, maintaining reliability while keeping the user interface simple

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple filament types are managed manually, then adaptability is improved, but user confusion increases and operation difficulty worsens

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefilament type switchingVSAvoidfilament loading simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically identifies and manages different filament types through the sensor and electrical connection, eliminating the need for users to manually distinguish between modeling and support filaments while maintaining full adaptability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The electrical connection acts as an intermediary between the filament guide mechanism and the digital manufacturing system, automatically transmitting filament presence information and coordinating replacements without requiring user interpretation or decision-making

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If automated detection is implemented, then productivity is improved through uninterrupted operation, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebuild operation continuityVSAvoidsensor and electrical connection complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical filament management with an automated sensor-based detection system and electrical communication, enabling uninterrupted productivity while keeping the added complexity minimal through straightforward sensing and signaling mechanisms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS8157202B2Filament container and methods of use thereof

Publication Date: 2012.04.17 STRATASYS INC

AI summary

A container comprising a housing that is configured to rotatably mount a filament supply spool, and a filament guide mechanism mountable within a channel of the housing, where the filament guide mechanism comprises a filament pathway configured to guide the filament from the filament supply spool rotatably mounted in the interior chamber, and a sensor configured to detect the presence of the filament through at least a portion of the filament pathway.