Wire buffering device and method for 3D printer

Abstract

The invention belongs to the technical field of printers, and provides a wire buffering device and method for a 3D printer, and the buffering device comprises a shell, a buffering module and a detection module; the buffer module comprises a buffer cavity, a first guide surface and a second guide surface; the buffer cavity is formed in the shell, the first guide surface and the second guide surface are oppositely arranged in the buffer cavity, and the curvature of the second guide surface is larger than that of the first guide surface; a feeding hole and a discharging hole are formed in the shell; the detection module comprises a swing part and an inductor; one end of the swing part is rotationally connected with the shell, and the other end of the swing part is a sensing end; the inductor is used for detecting the position of the induction end; and an elastic element is arranged between the swinging piece and the shell. According to the device, the buffering and adjusting effects can be achieved between conveying devices with different conveying efficiencies, stable and synchronous conveying of wires is guaranteed, and the stability and reliability of 3D printing are improved advantageously.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention belongs to the technical field of printers, and in particular relates to a wire buffer device and method for a 3D printer. Background Art

[0002] 3D printing (3 Dimensional Printing) is a type of additive manufacturing technology that uses software to control layered manufacturing based on computer three-dimensional models. 3D printing technology is usually implemented using digital technology printers. 3D printers can be used in any industry and are widely used in medicine, construction, automobiles, aerospace, and education.

[0003] FDM 3D printing is a molding method that melts linear consumables and then deposits them layer by layer. During the transmission of the wire, the printing effect is often not ideal due to various resistances in the transmission structure. Therefore, adding a graded transmission device to the transmission structure can effectively reduce the above risks; however, in actual applications, since the control of the transmission devices at each level cannot be completely synchronized, the transmission devices generate forces between each other, which seriously affects the stability of the transmission. Therefore, adding a buffer device between different transmission devices can effectively solve this type of problem and ensure good printing quality. Summary of the invention

[0004] In order to overcome the above-mentioned shortcomings of the prior art, the purpose of the present invention is to provide a wire buffer device for a 3D printer, which can play a buffering and regulating role between transmission devices with different transmission efficiency, ensure the stable and synchronous transmission of the wire, and help improve the stability and reliability of 3D printing.

[0005] The technical solution adopted by the present invention to solve its technical problem is: A wire buffer device for a 3D printer, comprising a housing, a buffer module and a detection module; The buffer module comprises a buffer cavity, a first guide surface and a second guide surface; the buffer cavity is arranged on the housing, the first guide surface and the second guide surface are arranged oppositely in the buffer cavity, and the curvature of the second guide surface is greater than that of the first guide surface; The shell is provided with a feed inlet and a discharge port, the feed inlet and the discharge port are communicated with the buffer cavity and are respectively located at two ends of the buffer cavity; The detection module includes a swinging member and a sensor; one end of the swinging member is rotatably connected to the shell, and the other end of the swinging member is a sensing end, and the sensing end is located in the buffer cavity and between the first guide surface and the second guide surface; the sensor is used to detect the position of the sensing end and feed back the position information to the previous conveying device and / or the next conveying device; an elastic element is provided between the swinging member and the shell, and the elastic force of the elastic element causes the sensing end to swing toward the side close to the second guide surface.

[0006] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the second guide surface includes an arc segment and two narrowed segments; the two narrowed segments are respectively connected to the two ends of the arc segment; each of the narrowed segments extends toward an end away from the arc segment and gradually approaches the first guide surface, and ends at the discharge port or the feed port.

[0007] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the housing is provided with an installation cavity, and the installation cavity is located below the buffer cavity; the buffer cavity is provided with a slide groove penetrating the buffer cavity and the installation cavity, and the slide groove matches the swing path of the sensing end; The sensor is arranged in the installation cavity; The sensing end is provided with an identification block for being detected and identified by the sensor, and the identification block extends into the installation cavity after passing through the sliding slot.

[0008] Preferably, the sensor includes the first sensing switch and the second sensing switch; the first sensing switch is located at a side of the sensing end close to the first guide surface, and the second sensing switch is located at a side of the sensing end close to the second guide surface.

[0009] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the sensing end is provided with a roller; the wire abuts against the roller when passing through the buffer cavity.

[0010] Preferably, a recess and a connecting arm are provided at the sensing end, the connecting arm is connected to the top of the sensing end and extends to the recess; the roller is rotatably connected to the connecting arm and is adapted to be located at the recess.

[0011] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the swinging member is rotatably connected to the buffer cavity, and a rotational connection point is located on a side of the first guide surface facing away from the second guide surface.

[0012] Preferably, the first guide surface is provided with a notch; and the swinging member extends to the area between the first guide surface and the second guide surface after crossing the notch.

[0013] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the elastic element comprises a torsion spring; one end of the torsion spring abuts against a side wall of the swinging member, and the other end abuts against a side wall of the housing.

[0014] The present invention also provides a wire buffering method based on the buffering device.

[0015] A wire buffering method for a 3D printer comprises the following steps: The wire enters the buffer cavity of the shell through the feed port, abuts against the sensing end of the swing member, and is finally output through the discharge port; the speed at which the wire enters the buffer cavity is higher than the output speed at the discharge port, and the wire is moved in contact with the second guide surface in the buffer cavity under the guiding action of the swing member; When the sensor detects that the sensing end of the swinging member moves close to the second guide surface, that is, a certain length of wire is temporarily stored in the buffer chamber, the sensor sends a pause signal to the conveying device connected to the feed port, and the conveying device pauses conveying the wire; The wire is continuously discharged through the discharge port, the total length of the wire in the buffer cavity is shortened, and the force exerted by the wire on the sensing end gradually causes the swinging member to swing toward the side close to the first guide surface; When the wire approaches or fits the first guide surface, the sensor also detects that the sensing end moves close to the first guide surface. At this time, the sensor sends a transmission signal to the transmission device connected to the feed port, and the transmission device restarts the transmission of the wire, and the transmission rate is higher than the output rate of the discharge port; The length of the wire in the buffer chamber gradually increases, and the force of the wire on the sensing end gradually decreases. Under the elastic force of the elastic element, the sensing end of the swing member swings toward the side close to the second guide surface, and the wire gradually changes into a curved state, approaching or fitting the second guide surface; until the sensor detects that the sensing end of the swing member moves close to the second guide surface, the sensor sends a pause signal to the conveying device connected to the feed port, and the conveying device pauses conveying the wire to complete the entire buffering process.

[0016] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects: The present invention combines a buffer module with a detection module to perform buffering adjustment on two front and rear conveying devices with different transmission rates, which is beneficial to the stable transmission of consumables and improves the printing quality. During the transmission of consumables, the consumables enter the buffer cavity through the feed port, abut against the sensing end of the swinging member, and are output from the discharge port. When the transmission rate of the previous conveying device is greater than the transmission rate of the next conveying device, the consumables will accumulate in the buffer cavity, and combined with the tightening effect of the swinging member, the consumables will fit on the second guide surface with a larger curvature, and the sensor will detect and identify the position of the sensing end of the swinging member, and timely feedback to the previous conveying device, so that the conveying device pauses or slows down the transmission rate. When the discharge port continuously outputs wires, shortening the length of the wires in the buffer chamber, the wires exert force on the sensing end, the swinging member swings, and the wires gradually approach or even fit the first guide surface. At this time, when the sensor detects and identifies that the sensing end is in an extreme position (for example, the wire is straightened), timely feedback is given to the previous conveyor device, causing the conveyor device to restart or speed up the conveying rate, allowing a certain length of wires to continue to accumulate in the buffer chamber, and the force exerted by the wires on the sensing end is weakened, the swinging member swings toward the second guide surface, and the wires approach and fit the second guide surface again. This is repeated continuously to provide a stable and reliable buffering effect for the front and rear conveyors.

[0017] Of course, after the sensor detects and identifies the position of the sensing end of the swinging member, the relevant signal can also be fed back to the next transmission device, and the transmission rate of the next transmission device can be adjusted to achieve the buffering of the wire in the buffer cavity. Alternatively, the relevant signal can be fed back to the previous transmission device and the next transmission device at the same time, and the buffering of the wire can be achieved by adjusting both at the same time. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention, the accompanying drawings required for use in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the accompanying drawings described below are some embodiments of the present invention. For ordinary technicians in this field, other accompanying drawings can be obtained based on these accompanying drawings without paying any creative work.

[0019] Figure 1 The present invention is a three-dimensional diagram of a wire buffer device of a 3D printer.

[0020] Figure 2 for Figure 1 Top view after the cover is hidden.

[0021] Figure 3 It is a three-dimensional exploded view of a wire buffer device of a 3D printer of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 4 It is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the identification block and the sensor on the swing member in the present invention.

[0023] Figure 5 It is a three-dimensional diagram of the swinging member in the present invention.

[0024] in: 1-shell, 2-feed port, 3-discharge port, 4-buffer cavity, 5-first guide surface, 6-second guide surface, 7-swinging member, 8-elastic element, 9-sensing end, 10-roller, 11-connecting arm, 12-slide groove, 13-recess, 14-identification block, 15-cover plate, 16-notch, 17-avoidance groove, 18-installation cavity, 19-first induction switch, 20-second induction switch, 21-arc section, 22-narrowing section. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] In order to more clearly understand the above-mentioned objects, features and advantages of the present invention, the present invention is described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. It should be noted that, in the absence of conflict, the embodiments of the present application and the features in the embodiments can be combined with each other. In the following description, many specific details are set forth in order to fully understand the present invention, and the embodiments described are only a part of the embodiments of the present invention, rather than all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments in the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in the art without making creative work are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0026] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as those commonly understood by those skilled in the art of the present invention. The terms used in the specification of the present invention herein are only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the present invention.

[0027] Example 1 See also Figure 1-Figure 5 This embodiment discloses a wire buffer device for a 3D printer, including a housing 1, a buffer module and a detection module. The buffer module includes a buffer cavity 4, a first guide surface 5 and a second guide surface 6; the buffer cavity 4 is arranged on the housing 1, the first guide surface 5 and the second guide surface 6 are relatively arranged in the buffer cavity 4, and the curvature of the second guide surface 6 is greater than that of the first guide surface 5. The housing 1 is provided with a feed port 2 and a discharge port 3, the feed port 2 and the discharge port 3 are connected to the buffer cavity 4 and are respectively located at the two ends of the buffer cavity 4; the feed port 2 is connected to the previous conveying device, and the discharge port 3 is connected to the next conveying device.

[0028] The detection module of this embodiment includes a swinging member 7 and a sensor. One end of the swinging member 7 is rotatably connected to the housing 1, and the other end of the swinging member 7 is a sensing end 9, which is located in the buffer cavity 4 and between the first guide surface 5 and the second guide surface 6; the sensor is used to detect the position of the sensing end 9 and feed back the position information to the transmission device connected to the feed port 2; an elastic element 8 is provided between the swinging member 7 and the housing 1, and the elastic force of the elastic element 8 causes the sensing end 9 to swing toward the side close to the second guide surface 6.

[0029] Furthermore, the second guide surface 6 of the present embodiment includes an arc segment 21 and two narrowing segments 22; the two narrowing segments 22 are respectively connected to the two ends of the arc segment 21; each narrowing segment 22 extends toward one end away from the arc segment 21 and gradually approaches the first guide surface 5, and ends at the discharge port 3 or the feed port 2. The first guide surface 5 of the present embodiment is a straight line, and the two ends are respectively connected to the feed port 2 and the discharge port 3. Of course, the first guide surface 5 can also be set as a streamline structure with a certain curvature, but its curvature should be smaller than the first guide surface 5.

[0030] The housing 1 of this embodiment is provided with a mounting cavity 18, and the mounting cavity 18 is located below the buffer cavity 4; the buffer cavity 4 is provided with a slide groove 12 that passes through the buffer cavity 4 and the mounting cavity 18, and the slide groove 12 matches the swing path of the sensing end 9. The sensor is arranged in the mounting cavity 18. The sensing end 9 is provided with an identification block 14 for being detected and identified by the sensor, and the identification block 14 extends into the mounting cavity 18 after passing through the slide groove 12.

[0031] Furthermore, the sensor of this embodiment includes a first induction switch 19 and a second induction switch 20 ; the first induction switch 19 is located on a side of the induction end 9 close to the first guide surface 5 , and the second induction switch 20 is located on a side of the induction end 9 close to the second guide surface 6 .

[0032] Specifically, the first induction switch 19 and the second induction switch 20 of this embodiment can adopt photoelectric switches or touch switches or other sensors in the prior art that can detect and identify whether the induction end 9 of this embodiment reaches a specified position. For details, please refer to the prior art.

[0033] In order to better guide the wire and reduce the impact on the wire transportation process, the present embodiment is provided with a roller 10 at the sensing end 9; the wire abuts against the roller 10 when passing through the buffer chamber 4. A recess 13 and a connecting arm 11 are provided at the sensing end 9, and the connecting arm 11 is connected to the top of the sensing end 9 and extends to the recess 13; the roller 10 is rotatably connected to the connecting arm 11 and is adapted to be located at the recess 13.

[0034] The swing member 7 of this embodiment is rotatably connected to the buffer cavity 4, and the rotation connection point is located on the side of the first guide surface 5 facing away from the second guide surface 6. In addition, a notch 16 is provided on the first guide surface 5 of this embodiment; the swing member 7 extends to the area between the first guide surface 5 and the second guide surface 6 after crossing the notch 16. The notch 16 allows the swing member 7 to extend from the outside of the first guide surface 5 to the inside, so that the swing member 7 has a certain swing space.

[0035] The elastic element 8 of this embodiment is a torsion spring, one end of which abuts against the side wall of the swinging member 7, and the other end abuts against the side wall of the housing 1. As other embodiments, the elastic element 8 of this embodiment may also be other components with elastic reset, not limited to the torsion spring of this embodiment.

[0036] The housing 1 of this embodiment further includes a cover plate 15, which covers the top of the buffer chamber 4 to form a relatively closed space, which can protect the components and wire transportation therein. In order to better adapt to the swing member 7, the cover plate 15 is provided with an avoidance groove 17, which matches the swing path of the connecting arm 11 on the swing member 7.

[0037] This embodiment also discloses a wire buffering method based on a 3D printer, which specifically includes the following steps: The wire enters the buffer cavity 4 of the housing 1 through the feed port 2, abuts against the sensing end 9 of the swing member 7, and is finally output through the discharge port 3; the speed at which the wire enters the buffer cavity 4 is higher than the output speed of the discharge port 3, and the wire is moved in contact with the second guide surface 6 in the buffer cavity 4 under the guidance of the swing member 7; When the sensor detects that the sensing end 9 of the swinging member 7 moves close to the second guide surface 6, that is, when a certain length of wire is temporarily stored in the buffer chamber 4, the sensor sends a pause signal to the conveying device connected to the feed port 2, and the conveying device pauses conveying the wire; The wire material is continuously discharged through the discharge port 3, the total length of the wire material in the buffer chamber 4 is shortened, and the force exerted by the wire material on the sensing end 9 gradually causes the swing member 7 to swing toward the side close to the first guide surface 5; When the wire approaches or fits the first guide surface 5, the sensor also detects that the sensing end 9 moves close to the first guide surface 5. At this time, the sensor sends a transmission signal to the transmission device connected to the feed port 2, and the transmission device restarts the transmission of the wire, and the transmission rate is higher than the output rate of the discharge port 3. The length of the wire in the buffer chamber 4 gradually increases, and the force of the wire on the sensing end 9 gradually decreases. Under the elastic force of the elastic element 8, the sensing end 9 of the swing member 7 swings toward the side close to the second guide surface 6, and the wire gradually changes into a curved state, approaching or fitting the second guide surface 6; until the sensor detects that the sensing end 9 of the swing member 7 moves close to the second guide surface 6, the sensor sends a pause signal to the conveying device connected to the feed port 2, and the conveying device pauses conveying the wire to complete the entire buffering process.

[0038] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and does not limit the present invention in any form. Therefore, any modification, equivalent change and modification made to the above embodiment according to the technical essence of the present invention without departing from the technical solution of the present invention shall still fall within the scope of the technical solution of the present invention.

Claims

1. A wire buffer device for a 3D printer, characterized in that: It includes a shell, a buffer module and a detection module; the buffer module includes a buffer cavity, a first guide surface and a second guide surface; the buffer cavity is arranged on the shell, the first guide surface and the second guide surface are relatively arranged in the buffer cavity, and the curvature of the second guide surface is larger than that of the first guide surface; a feed port and a discharge port are provided on the shell, the feed port and the discharge port are connected with the buffer cavity and are respectively located at two ends of the buffer cavity; the detection module includes a swinging member and a sensor; one end of the swinging member is rotatably connected to the shell, and the other end of the swinging member is a sensing end, the sensing end is located in the buffer cavity and between the first guide surface and the second guide surface; the sensor is used to detect the position of the sensing end, and feed back the position information to the previous conveying device or / and the next conveying device; an elastic element is provided between the swinging member and the shell, and the elastic force of the elastic element causes the sensing end to swing to the side close to the second guide surface.

2. The wire buffer device of the 3D printer according to claim 1, characterized in that: The second guide surface includes an arc segment and two narrowing segments; the two narrowing segments are respectively connected to the two ends of the arc segment; each narrowing segment extends toward an end away from the arc segment and gradually approaches the first guide surface, and ends at the discharge port or the feed port.

3. The wire buffer device of the 3D printer according to claim 1, characterized in that: The shell is provided with an installation cavity, and the installation cavity is located below the buffer cavity; the buffer cavity is provided with a slide groove that passes through the buffer cavity and the installation cavity, and the slide groove matches the swing path of the sensing end; the sensor is arranged in the installation cavity; the sensing end is provided with an identification block for being detected and identified by the sensor, and the identification block extends into the installation cavity after passing through the slide groove.

4. The wire buffer device of the 3D printer according to claim 1 or 3, characterized in that: The sensor includes a first sensing switch and a second sensing switch; the first sensing switch is located at a side of the sensing end close to the first guide surface, and the second sensing switch is located at a side of the sensing end close to the second guide surface.

5. The wire buffer device of the 3D printer according to claim 1, characterized in that: The sensing end is provided with a roller; the wire abuts against the roller when passing through the buffer cavity.

6. The wire buffer device of the 3D printer according to claim 5, characterized in that: The sensing end is provided with a recess and a connecting arm, the connecting arm is connected to the top of the sensing end and extends to the recess; the roller is rotatably connected to the connecting arm and is adapted to be located in the recess.

7. The wire buffer device of a 3D printer according to claim 1, characterized in that: The swinging member is rotatably connected to the buffer cavity, and a rotation connection point is located on a side of the first guide surface facing away from the second guide surface.

8. The wire buffer device of a 3D printer according to claim 1 or 7, characterized in that: The first guide surface is provided with a notch; the swinging member extends to the area between the first guide surface and the second guide surface after crossing the notch.

9. The wire buffer device of a 3D printer according to claim 1, characterized in that: The elastic element comprises a torsion spring; one end of the torsion spring abuts against the side wall of the swinging member, and the other end of the torsion spring abuts against the side wall of the shell.

10. A buffering method for a wire buffer device of a 3D printer based on any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that: The following steps are involved: The wire enters the buffer cavity of the shell through the feed port, abuts against the sensing end of the swing member, and is finally output through the discharge port; the speed at which the wire enters the buffer cavity is higher than the output speed at the discharge port, and the wire is moved in contact with the second guide surface in the buffer cavity under the guiding action of the swing member; When the sensor detects that the sensing end of the swinging member moves close to the second guide surface, that is, a certain length of wire is temporarily stored in the buffer chamber, the sensor sends a pause signal to the conveying device connected to the feed port, and the conveying device pauses conveying the wire; The wire is continuously discharged through the discharge port, the total length of the wire in the buffer cavity is shortened, and the force exerted by the wire on the sensing end gradually causes the swinging member to swing toward the side close to the first guide surface; When the wire approaches or fits the first guide surface, the sensor also detects that the sensing end moves close to the first guide surface. At this time, the sensor sends a transmission signal to the transmission device connected to the feed port, and the transmission device restarts the transmission of the wire, and the transmission rate is higher than the output rate of the discharge port; The length of the wire in the buffer chamber gradually increases, and the force of the wire on the sensing end gradually decreases. Under the elastic force of the elastic element, the sensing end of the swing member swings toward the side close to the second guide surface, and the wire gradually changes into a curved state, approaching or fitting the second guide surface; until the sensor detects that the sensing end of the swing member moves close to the second guide surface, the sensor sends a pause signal to the conveying device connected to the feed port, and the conveying device pauses conveying the wire to complete the entire buffering process.

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