Fluid Dispensing Device Circulation Path for Additive Manufacturing

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Solution Overview

Problem

In additive manufacturing machines, the rapid movement of the carriage during the build process can cause turbulence, leading to powder particles being ingested into the fluid dispensing device, which can result in blockages and disrupt the fluid dispensing operation.

Innovation Solution

The obstacles, such as pillars, between the fluid chambers and the backside channel of the fluid dispensing device are removed, allowing particles ingested through the orifices to pass through and be carried away by a fluid circulation path, which includes a filter to remove these particles.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If obstacles such as pillars are kept between fluid chambers and backside channel, then fluid containment is improved, but particle blockages increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid containmentVSAvoidparticle blockages

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the obstacles (pillars) between the fluid chambers and backside channel, extracting the harmful element that causes blockages while maintaining fluid containment through the circulation path design

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The circulation path acts as an intermediary mechanism that allows particles to be carried away from the fluid chambers through controlled fluid flow, preventing blockages without requiring obstacles to block particle ingress

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If rapid carriage movement is used, then manufacturing speed is improved, but turbulence causes particle ingestion into fluid dispensing device

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing speedVSAvoidparticle ingestion

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful effect of particle ingestion into a beneficial cleaning mechanism, where the circulation path uses fluid flow to carry away ingested particles and prevent blockages, allowing rapid carriage movement to continue

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs self-service by using its own fluid circulation to automatically remove particles from the fluid chambers, eliminating the need for external intervention or obstacles to prevent blockages

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 prevents blockages in the fluid dispensing device by allowing particles to be removed from the fluid chambers, ensuring continuous and uninterrupted fluid dispensing during the additive manufacturing process.

Implementation Method 1

supplying a fluid through a circulation path to a fluid chamber of the fluid dispensing device, the circulation path transporting the fluid from the fluid chamber

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid flow:

Implementation Method 2

flowing the circulation path fluid through a filter in the circulation path, the filter removing the particles from the circulation path

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFiltration: Filter (physical)

Data Source

PatentUS12202039B2Circulation paths for fluid dispensing devices

Publication Date: 2025.01.21 HEWLETT PACKARD DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LP

AI summary

In some examples, a fluid system includes a support structure to attach a fluid dispensing device comprising a fluid chamber to contain a fluid, and an orifice to dispense the fluid from the fluid chamber. The fluid system includes a circulation path comprising a path portion in the fluid dispensing device, the circulation path to circulate a fluid flow through the fluid chamber to remove, from the fluid chamber, a particle ingested through the orifice. A filter in the circulation path is to remove the particle from the circulation path.