Flexible Build Material Container with Venting and Collection

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing additive manufacturing technologies face challenges in efficiently and automatically removing build materials from containers without human intervention, leading to potential waste and operational inefficiencies.

Innovation Solution

The development of build material containers with features such as flexible reservoirs, reinforcement structures, and integrated collection systems that allow for automatic emptying and efficient removal of build materials, including powder-based materials, using vacuum suction and design features that facilitate easy stacking, storage, and transportation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If build material is stored in a container with rigid walls, then structural stability is maintained, but automatic emptying becomes difficult due to material adhesion and compaction

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomatic emptyingVSAvoidcontainer structural stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The container employs a flexible reservoir made of collapsible material that can deform and collapse as build material is removed. This flexibility enables automatic emptying through vacuum suction while the reinforcement structure prevents complete collapse and maintains structural integrity during operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The container transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic flexible system where the reservoir can change shape and collapse during the emptying process. The flexible walls allow the container to adapt its form as material is removed, facilitating complete evacuation while the reinforcement structure provides necessary structural stability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If a funnel-shaped lower portion is added to facilitate material flow, then emptying efficiency improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveemptying efficiencyVSAvoidcontainer structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The container incorporates a funnel-shaped lower portion with curved surfaces that guide build material toward the outlet. This geometric modification improves material flow and emptying efficiency by utilizing gravity and surface curvature to direct material movement without requiring additional active components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The funnel shape is integrated directly into the container wall structure, merging the flow guidance function with the storage reservoir. This combines multiple functions (storage and material directed flow) into a single structural element, improving efficiency without proportionally increasing complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Extent of automation

If flexible reservoir material is used to enable collapse, then automatic collection is improved, but resistance to negative pressure increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomatic build material collectionVSAvoidresistance to negative pressure

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible reservoir material allows the container to collapse inward during vacuum suction, enabling automatic collection of build material. The flexibility permits the structure to deform under negative pressure rather than resist it rigidly, facilitating the automation of material removal

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The reinforcement structure acts as an intermediary between the flexible reservoir and the external environment. It provides the necessary structural support to withstand negative pressure while allowing the flexible reservoir to collapse for automatic emptying, mediating between the need for flexibility and pressure resistance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

Enables automated and efficient removal of build materials, reducing waste and improving operational efficiency in additive manufacturing processes by allowing for easy handling and connection to additive manufacturing apparatuses.

Implementation Method 1

a pressure unit to suck build material from the container

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectNegative pressure (Vacuum suction): Vacuum

Data Source

PatentUS11110659B2Build material container, and collection tube structure

Publication Date: 2021.09.07 PERIDOT PRINT LLC

AI summary

An additive-manufacturing build-material container comprises a reservoir to hold build material, a build-material outlet structure to allow build material to exit the reservoir through an outlet opening in a top portion of the reservoir, a longitudinal collection unit (313a) to collect build material from the bottom and guide the build material to the outlet opening at the top, and bottom-venting structure to admit vent gas into a bottom portion of the reservoir. The bottom-venting structure may include a vent tube to admit venting gas into the bottom portion of the reservoir. A concentric collection tube structure may be employed including the longitudinal collection tube nested within a vent tube (333A, 354A). The concentric collection tube structure may be mounted along the central axis of the reservoir.