Replaceable screen cartridge system for three-dimensional printers
A replaceable illumination cartridge system for three-dimensional (3D) printers. The illumination cartridge system includes a cradle assembly that is mounted to an underneath side of a resin tank in a 3D printing system. An illumination cartridge assembly is removably attached to and supported by the cradle for use in providing resin-curing light into the resin tank. Quick release attachment mechanisms may be used to secure the cartridge assembly to the cradle. The illumination cartridge assembly may be removed from the cradle for replacement and/or maintenance, and a new and/or refurbished cartridge may be subsequently reattached to the cradle for continued 3D printing. The illumination cartridge may include a liquid crystal display (LCD) screen or other suitable illumination device.
1 . A screen cartridge system for a three-dimensional (3D) printer, the 3D printer including a resin tank with a first side for receiving resin-curing light, the screen cartridge system comprising:
a cradle attachable to the first side of the resin tank; and
an illumination screen cartridge releasably attachable to the cradle; wherein:
the illumination screen cartridge provides resin-curing light to the first side of the resin tank,
the illumination screen cartridge is releasably attachable to the cradle using one or more quick-release locking mechanisms, and
the quick-release locking mechanisms include one or more cam levers.
2 . The screen cartridge system of claim 1 wherein the illumination screen cartridge includes a liquid crystal display (LCD) screen to provide the resin-curing light.
3 . The screen cartridge system of claim 1 wherein the cradle includes a frame defining a cavity and the illumination screen cartridge is releasably attachable within the cavity.
4 . The screen cartridge system of claim 1 wherein the illumination screen cartridge includes one or more first side extensions, and the one or more cam levers, when locked, apply a locking force to the one or more first side extensions.
5 . The screen cartridge system of claim 1 wherein the illumination screen cartridge includes one or more first side extensions and one or more second side extensions, each one or more first side extensions aligned with, parallel to, and forming a slot between a corresponding one or more second side extensions.
6 . The screen cartridge system of claim 5 wherein the one or more cam levers, when locked, apply a locking force to the one or more first side extensions and to the one or more second side extensions.
7 . The screen cartridge system of claim 5 wherein the one or more cam levers, when locked, includes a first cam that applies a first locking force to the one or more first side extensions and a second locking force to the one or more second side extensions, and a second cam that applies a third locking force to the one or more second side extensions.
8 . The screen cartridge system of claim 7 wherein the one or more second side extensions includes an indentation, and the second cam applies the third locking force to the indentation.
9 . The screen cartridge system of claim 1 wherein the one or more cam levers are configured on an outer side surface of the cradle.
10 . The screen cartridge system of claim 1 wherein the cradle includes a first electrical connector and the illumination screen cartridge includes a second electrical connector, and the first electrical connector is mated with the second electrical connector when the illumination screen cartridge is attached to the cradle.
11 . The screen cartridge system of claim 1 wherein the illumination screen cartridge includes an illuminating surface, and the screen cartridge system further comprises a sheet of tempered glass positioned over the illuminating surface.
12 . The screen cartridge system of claim 1 wherein the illumination screen cartridge includes a Fresnel lens.
13 . The screen cartridge system of claim 1 wherein the cradle includes one or more hooks adapted to releasably attach the cradle to the first side of the resin tank.