Hidden Nozzle Cleaning Module for 3D Printers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing nozzle cleaning modules for 3D printers are bulky and costly due to protruding components that interfere with the printing area, limiting product size and requiring multiple motors and gears for independent wiper and cover operation.
Innovation Solution
A hidden-type nozzle cleaning module with a base housing, main carrier, sub-carrier, and driving assembly, where a single motor and gear set drive the main carrier to move obliquely along slopes, using an interference structure to vertically lift the wiper and cover, eliminating the need for separate motors and gears for each component.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the wiper and cover are disposed protrudingly on the formation plane, then the cleaning function is achieved, but the printing area is reduced and the device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The wiper and cover are extracted from the protruding position on the formation plane and relocated to a recessed position below the formation plane. This extraction eliminates the interference with the printing area while maintaining the cleaning and protective functions when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning module transitions from a two-dimensional protruding layout to a three-dimensional recessed structure. By utilizing the vertical dimension (below the formation plane), the wiper and cover are positioned without occupying horizontal printing space, effectively resolving the area conflict.
2Reliability
If two sets of motors and gears are used to drive the wiper and cover independently, then the cleaning and covering functions are achieved, but the device complexity and production cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Two independent driving systems (motors and gears for wiper and cover) are merged into a single integrated driving assembly. The driving assembly uses one motor and gear set to simultaneously control both the wiper's cleaning motion and the cover's protective motion through mechanical coupling via the slopes and interference structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The single driving assembly performs multiple functions: it drives the wiper for cleaning operations and simultaneously controls the cover for protective operations. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate motors and gears, reducing device complexity and production cost.
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 design reduces the overall size of the cleaning module, allows for more printing area, and lowers production costs by using a single motor to control both wiper and cover movement, enhancing operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The sub-carrier is accommodated in the main carrier, a cover protruding upwardly is arranged on the sub-carrier, and at least a portion of the sub-carrier is in contact with the sub-slope. The driving assembly is connected to the main carrier and obliquely lifts or lowers the main carrier with respect to the base housing to lift or lower the wiper, and the movement of the main carrier moves the sub-carrier at the same time... when the interference structure contacts the sub-carrier while the sub-carrier is moving, the interference structure moves the sub-carrier along the sub-slope with respect to the main carrier, and the cover thereby ascends.
Data Source
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AI summary
A nozzle cleaning module including a base housing (100), a main carrier (200), a sub-carrier (300), a driving assembly (400) and an interference structure (120) is provided. The main carrier (200) is received in the base housing (100), a wiper (230) protrudes upwardly from the main carrier (200), and the main carrier (200) has a sub-slope (220). The sub-carrier (300) is received in the main carrier (200), a cover (320) protrudes upwardly from the sub-carrier (300), and at least a portion of the sub-carrier (300) is in contact with the sub-slope (220). The driving assembly (400) is connected to the main carrier (200) and obliquely lifts the main carrier (200) in relation to the base housing (100) to lift the wiper (230). The sub-carrier (300) moves along with the main carrier (200) at the same time. The interference structure (120) is arranged corresponding to the sub-carrier (300) to move the sub-carrier (300) along the sub-slope (220), so the cover (300) can be raised.