Description:FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a liquid-based three-dimensional printing assistive device that is developed to create three-dimensional objects by accurately controlling and shaping liquid materials, and adapting to environmental conditions and user movements for consistent results, thus enhancing ease of use, color variety, and print quality.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Three-dimensional (3D) printing has become a widely used technique in many fields, including design, manufacturing, healthcare, and education. It allows for the creation of complex structures from digital models, offering flexibility and customization. Among the different types of 3D printing, liquid-based printing methods such as stereolithography (SLA) and digital light processing (DLP) are valued for their high resolution and smooth surface finishes. These systems use liquid resin materials that are cured layer by layer to build the final object.

[0003] Traditional liquid-based 3D printers often rely on single-resin systems that only print using one color or type of resin at a time. Changing resins usually requires manual intervention, including draining the existing resin, cleaning the system, and refilling it with a new resin. This process is time-consuming and increases the risk of contamination or printing errors. Additionally, existing technologies lack adaptive control based on real-time conditions such as temperature, wind, or operator hand movement. In many environments, factors like inconsistent temperatures or external airflow negatively affects the print quality. Similarly, handheld or semi-portable printing tools may suffer from inaccuracies caused by unsteady motion, which leads to defects in the final structure.

[0004] US10406758B2 discloses an apparatus and method for multi-stage printing teaches a 3D printer in combination with one or more additional dispensing nozzles. One or more additional dispensing nozzles are combined with the 3D for filling cavities with other compounds such as foam, sterilizing parts by spraying printed mold with disinfectant or antibacterial treatments, and embedding parts or other materials such as paper, fiberglass, or carbon fiber within the printing layers for additional strength and changing mold properties of a final product. In other embodiments, the apparatus of the present invention can be used in combination with a robotic packaging mechanism for bagging sterilized parts for shipment.

[0005] CN111148621B discloses a method of manufacturing an object via three-dimensional printing is disclosed. Data about an object is received. And performing three-dimensional printing on the object according to the data. The packages are also printed in three dimensions according to the data. The wrapper encloses the object and includes information about the object.

[0006] Conventionally, many devices exist for performing liquid-based three-dimensional printing. However, the cited arts have certain limitations pertaining to lacking real-time sensing capabilities and do not account for variable environmental conditions during printing. Furthermore, existing printers generally support only a single resin type at a time and are not designed to dynamically switch between different resins or colors during a single print cycle.

[0007] In order to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks, there exists a need in the art to develop a device that requires to be capable of handling multiple resins without the need for manual replacement, maintaining consistent printing quality in varied environmental conditions, and improving user control and output precision and significantly reduce operational interruptions.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The principal object of the present invention is to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art.

[0009] An object of the present invention is to develop a device that is capable of performing three-dimensional printing using liquid resin materials, ensuring precise level of control over the flow, placement, and curing of materials.

[0010] Another object of the present invention is to develop a device that is capable of switching between different resin colors or types during the printing process for complex or multi-coloured objects without requiring manual intervention, resulting in time savings and higher productivity.

[0011] Another object of the present invention is to develop a device that improves the quality and consistency of printed structures by adapting to changing environmental conditions, such as temperature and airflow.

[0012] Yet another object of the present invention is to develop a device that is capable of enhancing the printing accuracy by adjusting to unintentional hand movements during manual operation to achieve smoother and more precise results.

[0013] The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0014] The present invention relates to a liquid-based three-dimensional printing assistive device that focuses on improving the process of building complex three-dimensional shapes by means of managing the flow and hardening of materials with real-time adjustments of colors, and maintaining print quality in varying surroundings.

[0015] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a liquid-based three-dimensional printing assistive device, comprises of a body equipped with a multi-sectioned chamber radially arranged, on an upper portion of the body, wherein each of the section is configured to hold a distinct colored resin material, a computing unit wirelessly linked with the body, comprising a user interface that is accessed by a user to upload images intended for three-dimensional printing, wherein a microcontroller is linked with a processing unit of the computing unit, for processing the uploaded images to generate printing instructions, a Peltier unit integrated in each of the section that is selectively activated by the microcontroller to precisely melt the respective resin to a desired consistency, wherein a plurality of conduits, each connected to a respective section of the chamber, configured to direct the melted resin towards a lower portion of the body in a dispensing area at a lower portion of the body, a motorized iris lid disposed at distal end of the conduits for controlling thickness of the extruded resin and selectively the resin flow by opening/closing the lid, wherein a slidable plate is installed within the iris lid for removing clearing solidified resin from the conduit, a nozzle coupled to the dispensing area via a motorized swivel joint, configured to dispense the melted resin material in a spatial pattern, wherein a holographic projection unit is installed on the body for projecting three-dimensional visuals to guide creation of the three-dimensional structure, a gyroscopic sensor installed in the body detects hand tremors, a miniature ultraviolet (UV) lamp affixed to the body for emitting ultraviolet rays of varying intensities to selectively cure the dispensed resin for layer-by-layer solidification to form the three-dimensional structures.

[0016] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the device further includes a sensing module including a temperature sensor and a wind sensor is integrated in the body for detecting optimal environmental conditions for printing to modify dispensing techniques at a first threshold, or halt printing at a higher threshold, each of the section is equipped with a level sensor for detecting depleted colors, based on which the microcontroller regulates operation of the iris lids, for switching the dispensed color to any other color preferably white for ensuring unobstructed 3-D printing, the first environmental threshold includes a temperature range of 15°C to 30°C and a wind speed below 5 m/s, and the second environmental threshold includes a temperature below 10°C or above 35°C or a wind speed above 10 m/s, the microcontroller is further configured to store a history of environmental conditions and printing parameters in a linked database for optimizing future printing operations, the Peltier unit is linked with a temperature sensor for measuring temperature of the heat being dispensed by the Peltier unit to properly melt the resin material, and the holographic projection unit is installed with a motorized rotary joint for multi-directional visual projections.

[0017] While the invention has been described and shown with particular reference to the preferred embodiment, it will be apparent that variations might be possible that would fall within the scope of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where:
Figure 1 illustrates an isometric view of a liquid-based three-dimensional printing assistive device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] The following description includes the preferred best mode of one embodiment of the present invention. It will be clear from this description of the invention that the invention is not limited to these illustrated embodiments but that the invention also includes a variety of modifications and embodiments thereto. Therefore, the present description should be seen as illustrative and not limiting. While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions, it should be understood, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form disclosed, but, on the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims.

[0020] In any embodiment described herein, the open-ended terms "comprising," "comprises,” and the like (which are synonymous with "including," "having” and "characterized by") may be replaced by the respective partially closed phrases "consisting essentially of," consists essentially of," and the like or the respective closed phrases "consisting of," "consists of, the like.

[0021] As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” designate both the singular and the plural, unless expressly stated to designate the singular only.

[0022] The present invention relates to a liquid-based three-dimensional printing assistive device that is capable of assisting users to produce detailed three-dimensional models by controlling material application with high precision, offering multi-color capabilities, and preventing handling errors to improve final output quality.

[0023] Referring to Figure 1, a liquid-based three-dimensional printing assistive device is illustrated, comprises of a body 101 equipped with a multi-sectioned chamber 102 radially arranged on an upper portion of the body, a plurality of conduits 103, each connected to a respective section of the chamber 102, a motorized iris lid 104 disposed at distal end of the conduits 103, a slidable plate 105 is installed within the iris lid, a nozzle 106 coupled to the dispensing area via a motorized swivel joint 107, a holographic projection unit 108 is installed on the body, a miniature ultraviolet (UV) lamp 109 affixed to the body, and the holographic projection unit 108 is installed with a motorized rotary joint 110.

[0024] The present invention discloses a body 101 of the device that is manually handled by a user for three-dimensional printing. The body 101 is installed with a multi-sectioned chamber 102 to hold a distinct coloured resin material. This chamber 102 is radially arranged on the upper portion of the body 101 having the sections organized in a circular pattern, similar to spokes on a wheel, extending out from a central point. Each individual section within the chamber 102 is separate and isolated from the others to prevent mixing of the liquid materials.

[0025] To initiate the operation of three-dimensional printing, a push button installed on the body, associated with the device is pressed by the user for the activation of the device. The button is typically connected to the device's internal circuitry, allowing the user to activate or deactivate the device through a simple press. Upon pressing of the button, the push force leads to completing of an internal circuit, that in turn sends an electrical signal to an inbuilt microcontroller linked with the device. The microcontroller receives the signal from button and executes instructions to initiate the working of the device. The microcontroller is pre-fed with a defined set of instructions to further actuate the other components to perform three-dimensional printing.

[0026] A user interface is installed in a computing unit wirelessly associated with the device, that is accessed by the user to upload images intended for three-dimensional printing. The user interacts with the interface through a touch screen, keyboard, or other input methods available on the computing unit. The computing unit is linked with an inbuilt microcontroller via a communication module to facilitate wireless communication. The communication module facilitates data exchange between computing unit and microcontroller by encoding and sending information over various channels, such as Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi), Bluetooth, or cellular networks.

[0027] The communication module, such as a Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) module connects to the microcontroller to wirelessly transfer data to the computing unit, like a smartphone or server, over a Wi-Fi network. The microcontroller sends the data via the Wi-Fi module to a remote server or cloud service using standard communication protocols (such as HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) or MQTT (Message Queuing Telemetry Transport)). The computing unit then send the input to the microcontroller that process the input to upload images intended for three-dimensional printing. The microcontroller is linked with a processing unit of the computing unit, for processing the uploaded images to generate printing instructions.

[0028] According to the instruction, the microcontroller selectively activates a Peltier unit integrated in each of the section to precisely melt the respective resin to a desired consistency. The Peltier unit operates based on the thermoelectric Peltier effect, wherein an applied electric current causes heat to be transferred from one side of the unit to the other, resulting in one side heating up while the opposite side cools down. When activated, the hot side of the Peltier unit comes into contact with the resin chamber 102 wall, precisely raising the temperature of the resin to a level suitable for extrusion, while the other side dissipates excess heat.

[0029] The Peltier unit is linked with a temperature sensor to monitor temperature of the heat being dispensed by the Peltier unit to properly melt the resin material. The temperature sensor works by detecting and measuring the thermal energy (heat) in its environment and converting it into a readable electrical signal. The temperature sensor used here incudes thermistors, which change their electrical resistance or generate a voltage in response to temperature changes. The sensor sends real-time temperature data to the microcontroller, which compares the detected temperature with the predefined optimal range required to melt the resin to the desired consistency.

[0030] Upon achieving the desired consistency, the melted resin is directed towards a lower portion of the body 101 in a dispensing area at a lower portion of the body 101 via a plurality of conduits 103, each connected to a respective section of the chamber 102. The distal end of each of the conduits 103 is installed with a motorized iris lid 104 for controlling thickness of the extruded resin and selectively the resin flow by opening/closing the lid.

[0031] The iris lid 104 is an adjusting circular aperture comprised of an actuation ring and a plurality of blades according to the size of the lid. The blades are engraved with the protrusions through which the actuation ring is affixed to each blade. The actuation ring is connected to a control mechanism, such as a motor, which helps in the movement of the actuation ring leading to the movement of blades inward or outward to change the size of the opening. When the blades close, the aperture becomes smaller, closing the lid. When the blades open, the aperture widens, opening the lid. This adjustment arrangement allows the iris lid 104 to control the resin flow.

[0032] Each of the section is equipped with a level sensor for detecting depleted colors. The level sensor used herein is a capacitive level sensor detects changes in capacitance caused by the presence or absence of resin. When the sensor determines that the resin level has dropped below a set threshold, it sends a signal to the microcontroller. Based on the detection of depleted colors, the microcontroller regulates operation of the iris lids, for switching the dispensed color to any other color preferably white for ensuring unobstructed 3-D printing.

[0033] The iris lid 104 has an attached slidable plate 105 for removing clearing solidified resin from the conduit 103 to maintain an unobstructed resin flow. The unobstructed resin flow is regulated by a motorized pump integrated in the conduit 103. This sliding arrangement is typically driven by a small linear actuator is controlled by the microcontroller. When a blockage is detected through a sensor, the microcontroller sends a signal to activate the actuator, causing the plate 105 to slide along the inner wall of the conduit 103. As it moves, the plate 105 physically scrapes or pushes away the solidified resin build-up, clearing the passage to restore proper resin flow.

[0034] In an embodiment of the present invention, a sensor used for measuring the rate at liquid resin moves is a flow sensor. The flow sensor contains a small rotor or turbine that spins as the liquid passes through it. The speed of the rotor’s rotation is directly proportional to the flow rate. The sensor detects this rotation and converts it into an electrical signal that the microcontroller interprets.

[0035] The dispensing area is configured with a nozzle 106 to dispense the melted resin material in a spatial pattern. The nozzle 106 is configured via a motorized swivel joint 107 to dispense the material in desired pattern. The nozzle, used herein, controls flow of resin material by varying the size of the flow passage as directed by a signal from a microcontroller. This enables the direct control of flow rate and the consequential control of process quantities such as pressure, and resin material level in view of dispensing the resin material as per the determined requirement of respective.

[0036] The nozzle 106 is mounted on the motorized swivel joint 107, which allows it to rotate or pivot in multiple directions based on commands from the microcontroller. The swivel joint 107 uses small electric motors to adjust the angle and position of the nozzle 106 in real time. This movement enables the nozzle 106 to trace specific paths across the printing surface, applying resin exactly where needed to form the intended 3D structure.

[0037] The pattern designing by the nozzle 106 is guided through a holographic projection unit 108 installed on the body 101 for projecting three-dimensional visuals to guide creation of the three-dimensional structure. The 3D holographic projection unit 108 uses interference patterns of light to create realistic three-dimensional images in mid-air. It typically consists of a laser source, beam splitters, mirrors, and a holographic screen or projection surface. The projection unit 108 projects light onto a surface from multiple angles, using the interference of light waves to produce 3D images visible from different perspectives. In an educational setting, this allows the students to view complex experimental setups, models, or simulations in three dimensions. By interacting with the holographic projections, students are able to better understand spatial relationships, experiment processes, and visualize scientific concepts that are otherwise difficult to demonstrate physically.

[0038] The holographic projection unit 108 is installed with a motorized rotary joint 110 for multi-directional visual projections. The motorized rotary joint 110 typically consists of small electric motors connected to a rotational axis that spin or tilt the projection unit 108 smoothly and precisely. When the microcontroller sends control signals, these motors rotate the joint to adjust the angle and orientation of the holographic projector. This movement enables the projector to display three-dimensional visuals from different directions, helping guide the user in real-time during the 3D printing process.

[0039] The body 101 is integrated with a gyroscopic sensor (not shown in figure) to detect hand tremors. The gyroscopic sensor activated by the microcontroller, consists of a spinning rotor that maintains its axis of rotation regardless of the orientation of the device. When the body 101 tilts or changes its inclination, the gyroscope's rotor tends to resist this change due to its angular momentum. The resistance to changes in orientation allows the gyroscopic sensor to detect the inclination level of the frame. By measuring the forces applied as the rotor resists the changes in orientation, the signals are sent to the microcontroller. Based on the projection unit’s 108 visuals, the microcontroller activates the swivel joint 107 for adjusting angle of the nozzle 106 to counteract the tremors for enhanced 3-D printing accuracy.

[0040] Once the 3-D structure is created, a miniature ultraviolet (UV) lamp 109 affixed to the body, is activated by the microcontroller for emitting ultraviolet rays of varying intensities. When the microcontroller activates the lamp, it controls the intensity and duration of the UV rays based on the printing instructions. The UV light causes a chemical reaction in the resin called photo-polymerization, where the liquid resin hardens and solidifies into a solid layer. By adjusting the intensity of the UV light. These ultraviolet rays selectively cure the dispensed resin for layer-by-layer solidification to form the three-dimensional structures.

[0041] The body 101 is installed with a sensing module including a temperature sensor and a wind sensor for detecting optimal environmental conditions for printing. The temperature sensor (not shown in figure) is integrated on the frame that is activated by the microcontroller to monitor temperature of surroundings of the user. The temperature sensor used herein, is composed of two type of metal wire joint together when the sensor experiences a heat then a voltage is generated in the two terminal of the temperature sensor that is proportional to the temperature and the signal is sent to the microcontroller. The microcontroller calibrates the voltage in terms of temperature from the received signal of the temperature sensor in order to monitor the temperature of surroundings of the user.

[0042] The wind sensor (not shown in figure) works by detecting the speed and sometimes the direction of airflow around the printing device. The wind sensor used herein include anemometers, which measure wind speed using rotating cups or blades that spin faster as wind speed increases. The wind sensor continuously monitors the surrounding air conditions and sends data to the microcontroller. I

[0043] The readings of the environmental conditions are compared to a pre-defined threshold. The first environmental threshold includes a temperature range of 15°C to 30°C and a wind speed below 5 m/s, and the second environmental threshold includes a temperature below 10°C or above 35°C or a wind speed above 10 m/s. Based on the detected environmental conditions, the microcontroller regulates operation of the projection unit 108 to modify dispensing techniques at a first threshold, or halt printing at a higher threshold.

[0044] The microcontroller is further configured to store a history of environmental conditions and printing parameters in a linked database for optimizing future printing operations.

[0045] Moreover, a battery (not shown in figure) is associated with the device to supply power to electrically powered components which are employed herein. The battery is comprised of a pair of electrodes known as a cathode and an anode. A voltage is generated between the anode and cathode via oxidation/reduction and thus produces the electrical energy to provide to the device.

[0046] The present invention works best in the following manner, where the body 101 as disclosed in the invention is installed with the radially arranged multi-sectioned chamber 102 that holds distinct colored resin materials, each section isolated to prevent mixing. The user activates the device via the push button, which signals the microcontroller to initiate the printing process based on image data uploaded wirelessly through the computing unit connected via the communication module such as Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. The microcontroller processes these images into printing instructions and selectively activates Peltier units in each chamber 102 section to precisely melt the resin to the desired consistency, monitored by temperature sensors that provide real-time thermal feedback. Melted resin is directed through conduits 103 ending with motorized iris lids that control resin flow and thickness. Each section includes capacitive level sensors to detect resin depletion, prompting the microcontroller to switch colors automatically. The slidable plate 105 within the iris lid, controlled by the linear actuator, clears any solidified resin blockage, while the motorized pump ensures continuous resin flow. The melted resin is dispensed via the nozzle 106 mounted on the motorized swivel joint 107, which adjusts the nozzle’s angle and position based on commands from the microcontroller, enabling precise spatial deposition guided by the holographic projection unit 108 mounted on the motorized rotary joint 110 for multi-directional visual guidance. The gyroscopic sensor detects hand tremors, allowing the microcontroller to compensate nozzle 106 movements for improved printing accuracy. Once the structure is formed, the miniature ultraviolet (UV) lamp 109 cures the resin layer-by-layer through controlled UV light emission. Environmental conditions are monitored by temperature and wind sensors, and the microcontroller adjusts or halts printing based on predefined thresholds. Additionally, printing parameters and environmental data are stored in the linked database to optimize future operations.

[0047] Although the field of the invention has been described herein with limited reference to specific embodiments, this description is not meant to be construed in a limiting sense. Various modifications of the disclosed embodiments, as well as alternate embodiments of the invention, will become apparent to persons skilled in the art upon reference to the description of the invention. , Claims:1) A liquid-based three-dimensional printing assistive device, comprising:

a) a body 101 equipped with a multi-sectioned chamber 102 radially arranged, on an upper portion of the body, wherein each of the section is configured to hold a distinct colored resin material;
b) a computing unit wirelessly linked with the body, comprising a user interface that is accessed by a user to upload images intended for three-dimensional printing, wherein a microcontroller is linked with a processing unit of the computing unit, for processing the uploaded images to generate printing instructions;
c) a Peltier unit integrated in each of the section that is selectively activated by the microcontroller to precisely melt the respective resin to a desired consistency, wherein a plurality of conduits 103, each connected to a respective section of the chamber 102, configured to direct the melted resin towards a lower portion of the body 101 in a dispensing area at a lower portion of the body;
d) a motorized iris lid 104 disposed at distal end of the conduits 103 for controlling thickness of the extruded resin and selectively the resin flow by opening/closing the lid, wherein a slidable plate 105 is installed within the iris lid 104 for removing clearing solidified resin from the conduit 103 to maintain an unobstructed resin flow, that is regulated by a motorized pump integrated in the conduit 103;
e) a nozzle 106 coupled to the dispensing area via a motorized swivel joint 107, configured to dispense the melted resin material in a spatial pattern, wherein a holographic projection unit 108 is installed on the body 101 for projecting three-dimensional visuals to guide creation of the three-dimensional structure, while a gyroscopic sensor installed in the body 101 detects hand tremors, based on which the microcontroller activates the swivel joint 107 for adjusting angle of the nozzle 106 to counteract the tremors for enhanced 3-D printing accuracy; and
f) a miniature ultraviolet (UV) lamp 109 affixed to the body 101 for emitting ultraviolet rays of varying intensities to selectively cure the dispensed resin for layer-by-layer solidification to form the three-dimensional structures, wherein a sensing module including a temperature sensor and a wind sensor is integrated in the body 101 for detecting optimal environmental conditions for printing, based on which the microcontroller regulates operation of the projection unit 108 to modify dispensing techniques at a first threshold, or halt printing at a higher threshold.

2) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the section is equipped with a level sensor for detecting depleted colors, based on which the microcontroller regulates operation of the iris lids, for switching the dispensed color to any other color preferably white for ensuring unobstructed 3-D printing.

3) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first environmental threshold includes a temperature range of 15°C to 30°C and a wind speed below 5 m/s, and the second environmental threshold includes a temperature below 10°C or above 35°C or a wind speed above 10 m/s.

4) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the microcontroller is further configured to store a history of environmental conditions and printing parameters in a linked database for optimizing future printing operations.

5) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the Peltier unit is linked with a temperature sensor for measuring temperature of the heat being dispensed by the Peltier unit to properly melt the resin material.

6) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the holographic projection unit 108 is installed with a motorized rotary joint 110 for multi-directional visual projections.