3D Printer Thermal Head with Cooling Element and Protective Sheet
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current three-dimensional printing technologies face challenges in achieving high resolution and reducing bleeding and tear of electronics in the print head, leading to suboptimal quality of the 3-D models.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a thermal print head with selectively activatable heating elements and a cooling element to precisely control temperature differences between heating and non-heating elements, along with a protective sheet to prevent overheating and improve model quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a thermal print head is used to heat-treat green material in 3D printing, then the model quality and resolution are improved, but the print head overheats causing electronics tear and reduced reliability
Solution Approach 1:
A heat dissipating element is introduced as an intermediary component between the heating element and the environment. This element acts as a thermal mediator that selectively conducts heat away from the print head electronics while allowing the heating element to function, thus protecting the electronics from overheating without compromising the heating capability needed for model quality
Solution Approach 2:
The thermal management is segmented by separating the heating function from the cooling function. The heating element remains focused on providing localized heat for sintering green material, while a dedicated heat dissipating element handles thermal removal. This segmentation allows each component to optimize its specific function without interfering with the other, improving both model quality and print head reliability
2Measurement precision
If the thermal print head operates at high temperature for precise heating control, then the selectivity and temperature control are improved, but the electronics in the print head suffer from heat-induced tear
Solution Approach 1:
The heat dissipating element serves as a thermal intermediary that is positioned to conduct excess heat away from the electronics while not interfering with the heating element's ability to provide precise temperature control. This intermediary structure allows the system to maintain high temperature control precision for selective heating while simultaneously protecting the electronics from harmful heat exposure
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the print head assembly are given different thermal properties. The heating element region maintains high temperature for precise control of green material sintering, while the electronics region is provided with heat dissipation pathways. This local differentiation of thermal quality allows precise temperature control where needed while protecting sensitive components from heat damage
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 enhances the selectivity and control of temperature differences, resulting in improved quality and structural integrity of the 3-D models by reducing bleeding and protecting the print head from overheating.
Implementation Method 1
a thermal head movable relative to a material bed over the deposited layer, the thermal head comprising an array of selectively activatable heating elements arranged to emit heat energy there from to heat-treat a selectable area of green material in the deposited layer to transform it into a fixed state
Implementation Method 2
In order to increase resolution of each layer of a three-dimensional model i.e. reduce bleeding, it is advantageous to cool the printer head. Also, the print head needs cooling to reduce tear of the electronics in the print head.
Data Source
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AI summary
A printer head for a thermal printer (106) for building a three-dimensional model by sequential deposition of a plurality of cross-sectional layers, the thermal print head (1) being movable relative to a material bed (102) over a deposited layer (6). A protective sheet (3) might be disposed between the thermal print head (1) and deposited layer (6) in a thermal printer according to the invention. Temperature control of the material bed (102) to prevent warping of the model is provided by an independently heatable cover (52, 58) in contact with the surface of the material bed (102). The thermal print head further comprises a cooling element.