Mixed Powder Chamber Geometry for Precise Additive Feed Ratios
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing additive manufacturing devices face challenges in accurately and quickly mixing multiple types of powders in a desired ratio due to issues like valve wear and clogging, as well as instability in material mixing ratios controlled by shutter opening and closing mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A mixed powder production device with a mixing chamber featuring a container and insertion member with low surface roughness, where the gap space between them has a larger cross-sectional area at the top than the total of the powder supply passages, allowing for efficient and clog-free mixing of powders under negative pressure, ensuring accurate and quick attainment of desired mixing ratios.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a branch valve and adjustment control mechanism are provided for each powder to control supply amount, then the supply amount can be controlled, but the device becomes large-scale and complex, and powder clogging occurs due to adhesion to the valve
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the branch valve and its adjustment control mechanism from the powder supply system. Instead of using valves to control supply amount, the patent uses a mixing chamber where powders are mixed in a desired ratio without requiring complex valve mechanisms for each powder type, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining supply control precision
Solution Approach 2:
The mixing chamber acts as an intermediary device that receives multiple powder supplies and mixes them in the desired ratio. This intermediary approach allows precise mixing ratios to be achieved through the mixing chamber design rather than through complex valve control mechanisms for each powder supply line
2Manufacturing precision
If a branch valve is used to control powder supply amount, then supply control is possible, but powder clogs in the supply flow passage due to adhesion to the branch valve
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the branch valve from the powder supply system entirely, eliminating the source of powder adhesion and clogging. The supply amount control is achieved through alternative means that do not involve valve mechanisms where powder can adhere and cause clogging
Solution Approach 2:
The mixing chamber serves as an intermediary that receives powders from multiple supply lines and combines them in the desired ratio. This approach maintains reliable powder flow without the clogging issues associated with branch valves, as the mixing chamber design prevents powder adhesion problems
3Manufacturing precision
If material supply amount is adjusted by shutter opening and closing area, then mixing ratio control is possible, but stable mixing state cannot be achieved quickly due to wear and control instability
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the shutter mechanism from the powder supply system. Instead of using shutters that are prone to wear and control instability, the patent employs a mixing chamber-based approach that achieves mixing ratio control without mechanical shutters, thereby reducing stabilization time
Solution Approach 2:
The mixing chamber acts as an intermediary that receives powders and achieves stable mixing in the desired ratio. This approach eliminates the need for precise shutter control and wear-prone mechanisms, allowing stable mixing to be achieved quickly through the mixing chamber design rather than through gradual shutter adjustment
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 solution enables accurate and rapid mixing of multiple powders in a desired ratio, even with varying supply amounts and different densities, resulting in a stable and uniform mixture suitable for additive manufacturing processes.
Implementation Method 1
a mixing chamber (110) including a container (120) and an insertion member (170) disposed in the container (120), wherein a gap space (140) is formed between an inner wall (121) of the container (120) and an outer wall (171) of the insertion member (170), wherein a cross-sectional area of an upper part of the gap space (140) connected to an opening (130) is larger than a total of cross-sectional areas of a plurality of powder supply passages (12), and a cross-sectional area of a lower part of the gap space (140) connected to a discharge passage (150) is smaller than the total of cross-sectional areas of the plurality of powder supply passages (12)
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4(b)
Figure 4(c)~4(e)
AI summary
The objective of the present invention is to provide a mixed powder production method, a mixed powder production device, an additive manufacturing method, and an additive manufacturing device, with which a plurality of types of powders can be accurately and quickly mixed in a desired mixing ratio. This mixed powder production method uses a plurality of types of powders as a raw material, and has: a first step, in which a plurality of raw material powder supply passages, which are provided respectively for each of the plurality of types of powders, are used to pressure-feed the plurality of types of powders to a gap space; a second step, in which the pressure-fed plurality of types of powders are sprayed into the gap space, which has a cross-sectional area larger than the total of the cross-sectional areas (the total cross-sectional area) of the plurality of raw material powder supply passages, thereby mixing the plurality of types of powders and obtaining a mixed powder; and a third step, in which the mixed powder is discharged from a discharge opening provided downstream from the gap space.