Light Irradiation Apparatus with Tilted Cylindrical Lens
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional light irradiation apparatuses for printing and 3D fabrication face issues with light projection onto discharge parts, leading to unstable ink ejection due to direct or indirect light irradiation, and existing solutions result in increased apparatus size to mitigate this problem.
Innovation Solution
A light irradiation apparatus with a specific positional relationship between the light source unit and cylindrical lens, where the light source unit is separated from the lens reference plane in the y-direction, and the light from the cylindrical lens is tilted away from the light source reference plane, using a light shield to block unwanted light and a lens holding mechanism to control light exit direction, preventing light projection onto adjoining parts while allowing miniaturization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the light irradiation apparatus is disposed close to the head unit, then the apparatus size is reduced, but light projects onto the discharge parts causing unstable ink ejection
Solution Approach 1:
A light shield is introduced as an intermediary component between the light irradiation apparatus and the head unit discharge parts. The light shield blocks stray light from reaching the discharge parts while allowing the light irradiation apparatus to be positioned close to the head unit, thus maintaining compact apparatus size while ensuring stable ink ejection by preventing light-induced ink curing in the discharge parts
Solution Approach 2:
The harmful effect of light projection onto the discharge parts is extracted and isolated using a dedicated light shield component. This separates the light blocking function from the main light irradiation function, allowing the light irradiation apparatus to operate close to the head unit without causing instability in ink ejection
2Reliability
If the light irradiation apparatus is separated by a large distance and obliquely disposed to suppress light projection, then light projection on discharge parts is reduced, but the apparatus becomes large in size
Solution Approach 1:
The light shield serves as a mediator that enables effective light projection suppression without requiring large separation distances or oblique positioning. By placing the light shield strategically between the light source and discharge parts, the system achieves reliable light blocking while maintaining a compact overall apparatus configuration
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 configuration effectively prevents light projection onto adjacent parts, ensuring stable ink ejection and allowing for a compact apparatus design by optimizing light usage and reducing the need for large distances between components.
Implementation Method 1
a cylindrical lens that has an elongated shape extending in the x direction along the light source unit, a longitudinal peripheral surface of the cylindrical lens including a light reception surface for receiving light from the light source unit and a light-exiting surface for allowing the received light to exit therethrough
Implementation Method 2
a light shield that blocks the light from the light source unit may be arranged in an area opposite from the lens reference plane with respect to the light source reference plane
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are a light irradiation apparatus that prevents or suppresses projection of light on adjoining other portions and can be miniaturized overall, and a photocurable material treatment apparatus that includes this light irradiation apparatus. The light irradiation apparatus includes: a light source having a plurality of light emitting elements arranged in the x direction; and an elongated cylindrical lens extending in the x direction along the light source unit. A light source reference plane that includes a center of a light emission surface of each light emitting element is located on a plane separated in the y direction from a lens reference plane that includes a center axis of the cylindrical lens. A direction of the light from the cylindrical lens is tilted in a direction away from the light source reference plane with respect to the lens reference plane