3D Printer Secondary Chamber for Controlled Atmosphere Printing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing three-dimensional printing machines face complexity due to drive systems and sealing members, thermal inertia leading to high energy consumption, and limited temperature capabilities, with inadequate monitoring of the printing process.
Innovation Solution
A three-dimensional printing machine with a secondary chamber delimited by a second wall, allowing a transparent observation window for direct visual monitoring and a controlled atmosphere, reducing the working volume to enhance temperature control and visibility without using cameras.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a large main chamber is used to accommodate the printing platform and nozzle, then the machine can support larger parts, but the thermal inertia increases and energy consumption rises when heating and maintaining temperature
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the single large chamber into two separate chambers: a main chamber for housing the printing platform and a secondary chamber for the nozzle assembly. This segmentation allows independent temperature control, where only the smaller secondary chamber needs to be heated to elevated temperatures, significantly reducing thermal inertia and energy consumption while still accommodating large parts in the main chamber.
2Temperature
If the main chamber is heated to elevated temperatures for certain printing materials, then the printing process can proceed, but the camera and electronic components suffer from heat sensitivity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent separates the heating zone (secondary chamber containing the nozzle) from the sensitive electronic zone (main chamber containing the platform and camera). The secondary chamber can be heated to elevated temperatures required for certain printing materials, while the main chamber remains at lower temperatures, protecting the camera and electronic components from heat damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary structure (the partition wall with observation window) between the hot secondary chamber and the cooler main chamber. This intermediary allows thermal isolation while maintaining visual monitoring capability, enabling the system to achieve elevated temperatures where needed without exposing sensitive components to harmful heat levels.
3Loss of information
If a camera is integrated in the oven for monitoring, then the printing process can be monitored, but the camera size and heat sensitivity limit the accessible temperature level
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a transparent observation window as an intermediary that allows optical transmission from the hot secondary chamber to the cooler main chamber where the camera is located. This enables the camera to monitor the printing process without being exposed to elevated temperatures, removing the temperature limitation that would otherwise constrain camera operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates an optical copy of the printing process by allowing light to pass through the transparent observation window from the secondary chamber to the main chamber. The camera captures this optical copy (image) of the printing process, enabling monitoring without direct exposure to the high-temperature environment.
4Ease of operation
If drive system members and sealing members are integrated in the chamber, then the machine can operate, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the drive system into components located in different chambers. The nozzle assembly with its drive mechanisms is isolated in the secondary chamber, separated from the main chamber components. This segmentation simplifies the overall system by allowing independent operation and maintenance of each chamber's drive system, reducing the complexity of integrating all components in a single large chamber.
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 temperature control and reliable visual monitoring of the printing process at elevated temperatures with reduced energy consumption and simplified drive systems.
Implementation Method 1
the second wall separating said secondary chamber from the main chamber and having... at least one secondary observation window, which is transparent over at least part of the visible light spectrum
Implementation Method 2
the second wall which delimits the secondary chamber, and more particularly the second observation window integrated in said wall, advantageously screens transfers of heat but not vision
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a three-dimensional printing machine (1) comprising a main chamber (2) which is delimited by a first wall (3) and inside which there are a main platform (5), intended to support a part (4) being printed, and a nozzle (6) designed to supply and deposit a printing material (7) in successive layers, the first wall (3) having at least one transparent main observation window (11), the main chamber (2) containing a secondary chamber (20) which is delimited by a telescopic second wall (21) provided with an insertion orifice (22), through which the nozzle (6) enters the secondary chamber (20), and a transparent secondary observation window (23) allowing an observer (25) stationed outside the main chamber (2) to view the part being printed in the secondary chamber (20).