Movable Probe Resin Level Sensing for Additive Manufacturing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing additive manufacturing devices struggle to accurately measure the remaining amount of printing resin, leading to potential printing failures when the resin runs out.
Innovation Solution
A measurement apparatus with a probe assembly and driving assembly that adjusts its height position to generate signals when contacting or separating from the resin, allowing the processor to determine the liquid level and resin amount accurately.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a fixed measurement component is used to detect resin level, then the device structure is simple, but the measurement precision is insufficient because it can only determine whether the liquid surface is higher than the electrodes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the measurement component movable rather than fixed. The driving assembly enables the measurement component to move vertically along the cartridge, allowing it to dynamically adjust its position and accurately measure the resin level at any height, thereby resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a driving assembly as an intermediary mechanism between the fixed structure and the measurement component. This intermediary enables precise control of the measurement component's position, allowing accurate resin level detection without requiring a completely complex redesign of the measurement system
2Reliability
If the measurement component is fixed at the cartridge level, then the device complexity is low, but the reliability is insufficient because it cannot accurately measure the remaining amount of resin
Solution Approach 1:
By making the measurement component movable through the driving assembly, the system can reliably monitor resin levels throughout the entire printing process. The dynamic positioning capability ensures accurate measurement regardless of resin consumption, thereby improving reliability while adding only moderate complexity through the driving mechanism
3Measurement precision
If electrodes are used to measure resin level, then the measurement method is simple, but the measurement precision is limited because it can only determine binary states (higher or lower than electrodes)
Solution Approach 1:
The driving assembly serves as an intermediary that enables the measurement component to achieve precise positioning at different heights. This allows the system to transition from binary electrode detection to continuous, precise level measurement while maintaining operational simplicity through automated control
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the static mechanical electrode arrangement with a dynamic measurement system controlled by the driving assembly. This substitution enables continuous position adjustment and precise measurement, transforming the measurement approach from fixed binary detection to dynamic continuous measurement
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
Enables precise measurement of the resin level, preventing printing failures by ensuring adequate resin supply during the process.
Implementation Method 1
the probe assembly being configured to generate and transmit a signal to the processor when the measurement portion comes into contact with and/or is separated from a printing resin
Data Source
AI summary
A measurement apparatus and method, and an additive manufacturing device are provided. A driving assembly is mainly controlled to drive a probe assembly to come into contact with or be separated from a printing resin to generate a signal, the height of the probe assembly when the signal is generated is acquired from control information, and then the liquid level of the printing resin is determined from the height. The measurement apparatus is mainly used for measuring the remaining amount of a printing resin.