Filament Spool Dry Box with Rotating Sleeve and Dehumidifier
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Solution Overview
Problem
FDM/FFF 3D printers face issues with filament moisture absorption leading to print failures, and the lack of a universal reusable spool for filament winding, resulting in resource wastage and environmental impact.
Innovation Solution
A filament spool dry box with a detachable shell, engaging components, a sleeve component, and a dehumidifier, which isolates the filament from external moisture and allows for the reuse of the spool by replenishing the filament without replacing the entire spool.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a closed dry box is used to prevent filament moisture absorption, then printing reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The dry box is divided into a shell portion and a lid portion that can be detachably combined. This segmentation allows for easier manufacturing, assembly, and maintenance while still providing effective moisture protection for the filament storage function.
Solution Approach 2:
A sealing component is introduced as an intermediary element between the shell portion and lid portion to achieve the sealing function. This separates the sealing function from the structural components, making the system more modular and easier to manufacture while maintaining reliability.
2Ease of manufacture
If a disposable plastic spool is used for filament winding, then ease of manufacture is improved, but resource waste increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spool is designed as a reusable component that remains in the dry box while only the filament is consumed and replaced. This allows the spool to be recovered and reused multiple times, significantly reducing plastic waste while maintaining ease of filament replacement for users.
Solution Approach 2:
The spool is designed with a universal structure that can accommodate different filament types and be reused across multiple printing projects. The standardized design allows it to serve multiple functions and be compatible with various filament specifications.
3Loss of substance
If the spool structure is simplified for reuse, then resource efficiency is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The spool adopts a universal design with standardized dimensions and features that can accommodate different filament types. This universality is achieved through precise manufacturing of key interfaces and mounting features, ensuring compatibility while maintaining resource efficiency through reuse.
Solution Approach 2:
The spool structure is segmented into functional components with standardized interfaces. This segmentation allows for modular manufacturing where critical precision features are focused on specific interfaces rather than the entire structure, balancing manufacturing precision requirements with resource efficiency.
4Ease of operation
If the shell structure is made detachable for spool replacement, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The shell is divided into detachable shell portion and lid portion connected by engaging components. This segmentation enables easy access to the spool for filament replacement while using simple, standardized connection mechanisms that minimize the increase in device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The engaging components are designed with localized sealing features at the interface between shell portions. This concentrates the sealing function at specific locations rather than requiring complex sealing throughout the entire structure, improving ease of operation while controlling device complexity.
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 dry box effectively prevents filament moisture absorption, ensuring reliable 3D printing and reducing resource wastage by allowing the reuse of the spool, thus being energy-saving and environmentally friendly.
Implementation Method 1
The dehumidifier is disposed inside the shell and configured to remove moisture from an internal environment inside the shell
Implementation Method 2
The at least one engaging component is configured to engage with the first shell portion and the second shell portion for combining the first shell portion and the second shell portion together in a sealing manner
Implementation Method 3
The first shell portion and the second shell portion are deformed when the first shell portion and the second shell portion are engaged by the at least one engaging component
Implementation Method 4
The sleeve component is rotatably disposed inside the shell and configured to allow a loose filament coil to be disposed on, ensuring the loose filament coil or the sleeve component to rotate freely without any frictional interference
Data Source
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AI summary
A filament spool dry box(1A) is provided and includes a shell(11A), an engaging component(17A), a sleeve component and a dehumidifier. The shell(11A) includes a first shell portion(115A) and a second shell portion(116A). The first shell portion(115A) and the second shell portion(116A) are combined with each other by the engaging component(17A). The sleeve component is rotatably disposed inside the shell(11A) and configured to allow a loose filament coil to be disposed on. The dehumidifier is disposed inside the shell(11A) and includes a containing case(121A). The containing case(121A) includes a first case portion(1211A), a second case portion(1212A) and a fastening assembly(1213A). The first case portion(1211A) and the second case portion(1212A) are combined with each other by the fastening assembly(1213A). The fastening assembly(1213A) is located between and abutted by the first shell portion(115A) and the second shell portion(116A) for preventing the loose filament coil or the sleeve component from being over-pressed by shell(11A).