3D Printed Lattice Surfaces for Light Reflection Suppression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for creating 3D printed optical devices with reduced light reflection and scattering are time-consuming, costly, and require hazardous materials, leading to premature degradation and limited environmental compatibility.
Innovation Solution
A 3D printing system that combines geometric design elements like surface lattices with special laser sintering, heat treatment, or chemical processes to create surfaces with high porosity and specific textures, reducing light reflection and scattering without the need for traditional coatings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional coating techniques are used to reduce light reflection and scattering, then light reflection and scattering are reduced, but the process becomes time-consuming and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the structural design phase with the light reflection suppression function by integrating surface lattices and geometric features directly into the 3D printed optical device housing. This merges the form-giving process with the optical performance optimization, eliminating the need for separate coating applications and reducing overall production time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables the optical device housing to suppress light reflection and scattering through its own geometric structure (surface lattices, textures, and features) rather than requiring external coatings. The structure serves dual purposes: structural integrity and optical performance, making the device self-sufficient for light control.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional coating techniques are used to reduce light reflection and scattering, then light reflection and scattering are reduced, but the process becomes expensive and requires hazardous materials
Solution Approach 1:
The optical device housing uses its own geometric structure (surface lattices, textures, and features) to suppress light reflection and scattering, eliminating the need for external coating materials. This self-service approach removes hazardous chemicals from the process entirely.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the light reflection suppression function from the domain of chemical coatings and transfers it to the domain of geometric structure. By taking out the dependency on coating materials, the solution eliminates hazardous chemicals while maintaining optical performance.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional coating techniques are used to reduce light reflection and scattering, then light reflection and scattering are reduced, but the coatings may degrade prematurely reducing service lifetime
Solution Approach 1:
The housing structure itself provides light reflection suppression through integrated surface lattices and geometric features, eliminating the need for degradable coating layers. The structural features are inherently durable and maintain optical performance throughout the device's service life.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates light reflection suppression features directly into the manufacturing process of the housing, before the device is put into service. This beforehand integration ensures that the optical performance is built-in and protected from the effects of time, environmental exposure, and mechanical stress that would degrade separate coatings.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If 3D printing techniques are combined with coating processes, then light reflection and scattering are reduced, but the overall production time extends to weeks or months
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the 3D printing process with the light reflection suppression function by integrating surface lattices and geometric features directly into the printed housing. This combination eliminates the need for separate coating processes and their associated drying and curing times, significantly improving production efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent maintains continuous useful action by performing light reflection suppression as an inherent part of the 3D printing process itself, rather than as a separate subsequent step. The geometric features are created continuously during printing, eliminating idle time between manufacturing and optical optimization.
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 system achieves significant reduction in light reflection and scattering, extending the service lifetime of optical devices, reducing production time and costs, and enabling use in various environments with improved performance and reduced chemical emissions.
Implementation Method 1
surface lattices have characteristics, such as high surface area, that make them useful for certain applications, such as absorption and emission of electromagnetic radiation, suppression of light reflection and light scattering
Implementation Method 2
suppression of light reflection and light scattering
Implementation Method 3
3D printing system that combines geometric design elements like surface lattices with special laser sintering
Implementation Method 4
special laser sintering processes
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, methods, and other embodiments for printing products having 3-dimensional lattice surfaces, including providing a plurality of additive manufacturing (AM) units each adapted to produce a product having 3-dimensional lattice surfaces using additive manufacturing (AM), determining a desired surface lattice to print upon a surface of the product, printing the desired surface lattice on the surface of the product, wherein the desired surface lattice is capable of reducing and controlling a light reflection and a light scattering of light that interacts with the surface lattice on the product, determining a desired surface porosity coating to print upon the desired surface lattice, and printing the desired surface porosity coating upon the desired surface lattice, wherein the desired surface porosity coating is capable of further reducing a light reflection and a light scattering of light that interacts with the surface lattice.