Air outlet mechanism and additive manufacturing equipment

Abstract

The utility model belongs to the technical field of additive manufacturing, and discloses an air outlet mechanism and additive manufacturing equipment. The air outlet mechanism comprises an air inlet assembly and a rectifying part, the air inlet assembly comprises an air inlet channel, one end of the air inlet channel is connected with an air source, and the other end of the air inlet channel is communicated with an air bellow; the rectifying part is arranged in the air inlet channel and is perpendicular to the air inlet direction in the air inlet channel, a first hole set and second hole sets located on the two sides of the first hole set are formed in the rectifying part, the hole diameter of the first hole set is larger than that of the second hole sets, and air entering the air inlet channel from the air source enters the air bellow after passing through the first hole set or the second hole sets. The air speed of the air close to the pipe wall of the air inlet channel is higher, the second hole set with the smaller hole diameter is arranged to rectify the part of the air, the air flowing through the rectifying piece is uniform in overall air speed, and therefore the quality of a printed piece is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to the technical field of additive manufacturing, in particular to an air outlet mechanism and an additive manufacturing device. Background Art

[0002] Additive manufacturing technology, also known as 3D printing technology, is a manufacturing method for fabricating three-dimensional objects by stacking materials layer by layer. During the 3D printing process, inert gases such as argon or nitrogen are usually used as protective gases to prevent the oxidation of metal materials at high temperatures; moreover, the flow of the protective gas can make the temperature distribution in the printing area uniform; in addition, the protective gas can also blow the sintered materials splashed during printing away from the printing area, improving the quality of the printed parts.

[0003] The protective gas output by the existing air outlet structure usually has the problem of uneven air outlet, which easily leads to problems such as surface deformation of the printed parts, uneven temperature in the printing area, and splashing of sintered materials.

[0004] Therefore, there is an urgent need for an air outlet mechanism and an additive manufacturing device to solve the above problems. Summary of the Utility Model

[0005] The purpose of the utility model is to provide an air outlet mechanism and an additive manufacturing device, which can improve the uniformity of air outlet, thereby improving the quality of the printed parts.

[0006] To achieve this purpose, the utility model adopts the following technical solutions:

[0007] An air outlet mechanism, comprising:

[0008] An air inlet assembly, including an air inlet channel, one end of the air inlet channel is connected to a gas source, and the other end is communicated with an air box;

[0009] A rectifying member, arranged in the air inlet channel and perpendicular to the air inlet direction in the air inlet channel, the rectifying member is provided with a first hole group and second hole groups located on both sides of the first hole group, the aperture of the first hole group is larger than the aperture of the second hole group, and the gas entering the air inlet channel from the gas source enters the air box after passing through the first hole group or the second hole group.

[0010] Furthermore, the first hole group includes a plurality of first ventilation holes arranged in an array; and / or the second hole group includes a plurality of second ventilation holes arranged in an array.

[0011] Furthermore, the rectifying member includes a first rectifying member and second rectifying members respectively connected to both sides of the first rectifying member, the first hole group is opened on the first rectifying member, and the second hole group is opened on the second rectifying member.

[0012] Further, the rectifying member further includes a third rectifying member, the third rectifying member is connected between the first rectifying member and the second rectifying member, and a plurality of transition holes arranged in an array are formed in the third rectifying member, and the aperture diameters of the plurality of transition holes on each third rectifying member gradually increase in a direction close to the first rectifying member.

[0013] Further, the rectifying member is of an integral structure or a split structure.

[0014] Further, the rectifying member is detachably installed in the air inlet passage, and a pick-and-place opening for installing the air inlet passage is formed in the side wall of the air inlet passage.

[0015] Further, the number of the air inlet passages is at least two, at least two air inlet passages are connected in parallel between the air source and the air box, and the rectifying member is arranged in each air inlet passage.

[0016] Further, the number of the air inlet passages is two, and the air inlet assembly further includes a connecting pipeline and a tee pipe. Two ends of the connecting pipeline are respectively connected to an air supply hole of the air source and an inlet of the tee pipe, and two outlets of the tee pipe are respectively connected to inlets of the two air inlet passages.

[0017] The present utility model further provides an additive manufacturing device, including an air source, a printing assembly and the above-mentioned air outlet mechanism, the printing assembly is arranged inside the air box, and the air source is connected to the air box through the air outlet mechanism for conveying a protective gas into the air box.

[0018] Further, the additive manufacturing device further includes an exhaust mechanism, and the exhaust mechanism is communicated with an air outlet of the air box for exhausting the gas in the air box.

[0019] Advantages of the present utility model:

[0020] The present utility model provides an air outlet mechanism and an additive manufacturing device, including an air inlet assembly and a rectifying member. The air inlet assembly includes an air inlet passage, one end of the air inlet passage is connected to an air source, and the other end is communicated with an air box; the rectifying member is arranged in the air inlet passage and perpendicular to the air inlet direction in the air inlet passage. The rectifying member is provided with a first hole group and second hole groups on both sides of the first hole group. The aperture of the first hole group is larger than that of the second hole group. The gas entering the air inlet passage from the air source enters the air box after passing through the first hole group or the second hole group. When gas passes through a narrow pipe, usually the gas flow velocity near the pipe edge is faster. Therefore, when the gas passes through a certain cross-section, the flow velocity at the short side of the rectangle is faster. It can be seen that the rectifying member is provided with a first hole group and second hole groups on both sides of the first hole group. The first hole group and the second hole groups are arranged along the length direction of the rectangle, and the aperture of the first hole group is larger than that of the second hole group. By setting the first hole group and the second hole groups with different apertures, the gas flow velocity after passing through the rectifying member is made uniform, thereby improving the quality of the printed part. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] Figure 1 is a schematic structural diagram of the air outlet mechanism and the additive manufacturing device provided by the present utility model;

[0022] Figure 2 is a front view of the rectifying member provided by the present utility model.

[0023] In the figure:

[0024] 100, air box; 200, exhaust mechanism;

[0025] 1, air inlet assembly; 11, air inlet passage; 12, connecting pipeline; 13, tee pipe;

[0026] 2, rectifying member; 21, first rectifying member; 22, second rectifying member. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0027] The following further describes the present utility model in detail with reference to the drawings and embodiments. It can be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only used to explain the present utility model, rather than limiting the present utility model. In addition, it should be noted that for the sake of description, only parts related to the present utility model are shown in the drawings, rather than all the structures.

[0028] In the description of the present utility model, unless otherwise clearly defined and limited, the terms "connected", "connected", and "fixed" shall be understood in a broad sense. For example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or integrated; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can be directly connected or indirectly connected through an intermediate medium, and it can be the internal communication of two elements or the interaction relationship between two elements. For those of ordinary skill in the art, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present utility model can be understood according to specific situations.

[0029] In the present utility model, unless otherwise clearly defined and limited, the first feature being "above" or "below" the second feature may include the direct contact of the first and second features, or may include the contact of the first and second features not directly but through additional features therebetween. Moreover, the first feature being "above", "over" and "on" the second feature includes the first feature being directly above and obliquely above the second feature, or merely indicating that the horizontal height of the first feature is higher than that of the second feature. The first feature being "below", "under" and "beneath" the second feature includes the first feature being directly below and obliquely below the second feature, or merely indicating that the horizontal height of the first feature is lower than that of the second feature.

[0030] In the description of this embodiment, the orientation or positional relationships such as "upper", "lower", "right", etc. are based on the orientation or positional relationships shown in the drawings, and are only for the convenience of description and simplifying the operation, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and thus should not be construed as a limitation to the present utility model. In addition, the terms "first" and "second" are only used for distinction in description and have no special meaning.

[0031] As Figure 1 shown, during the additive manufacturing production process, it is necessary to fill the printing area with a protective gas. Usually, the printing component is arranged in the bellows 100, and the air source is communicated with the bellows 100 through the air outlet mechanism, so as to convey the protective gas output from the air source into the bellows 100. However, during the gas transportation process, the air outlet mechanism may have the defect of uneven air outlet, which is likely to cause the surface deformation of the printed part, uneven temperature in the printing area, and the splashing of sintered materials.

[0032] To solve the above problems, as Figures 1 to 2As shown in the figure, this embodiment provides an air outlet mechanism, which includes an air inlet component 1 and a rectifying component 2. The air inlet component 1 includes an air inlet channel 11. One end of the air inlet channel 11 is connected to a gas source, and the other end is communicated with an air box 100. The rectifying component 2 is arranged in the air inlet channel 11 and is perpendicular to the air inlet direction in the air inlet channel 11. The rectifying component 2 is provided with a first hole group and second hole groups located on both sides of the first hole group. The aperture of the first hole group is larger than that of the second hole group. The gas entering the air inlet channel 11 from the gas source enters the air box 100 after passing through the first hole group or the second hole group. It should be noted that when gas passes through a narrow pipe, the gas flow velocity is usually faster near the edge of the pipe. Exemplarily, in this embodiment, the cross-section of the air inlet channel 11 perpendicular to its air inlet direction is a rectangular structure with a length much larger than the width. Therefore, when the gas passes through a certain cross-section, the flow velocity is faster at the short side of the rectangular structure. Therefore, the rectifying component 2 is provided with a first hole group and second hole groups located on both sides of the first hole group. The first hole group and the second hole group are arranged along the length direction of the rectangle, and the aperture of the first hole group is larger than that of the second hole group. By setting the first hole group and the second hole group with different apertures, the gas flow velocity after passing through the rectifying component 2 is made uniform, thereby improving the quality of the printed part.

[0033] In other embodiments, when the cross-section of the air inlet channel 11 is circular, the second hole group can also be arranged around the first hole group to reduce the gas flow velocity at the pipe wall, so that the overall gas flow velocity after passing through the rectifying component 2 is consistent. Optionally, the cross-section of the air inlet channel 11 can be of any shape. By simulating the gas flow velocity in the air inlet channel 11 through simulation technology and adjusting the positions of the first hole group and the second hole group according to the simulation effect, the gas flow velocity after passing through the rectifying component 2 can be made consistent, achieving the effect of uniform air outlet.

[0034] Specifically, the first hole group includes a plurality of first ventilation holes arranged in an array. The uniformly distributed first ventilation holes can make the gas flow velocity more uniform. Similarly, the second hole group includes a plurality of second ventilation holes arranged in an array, which will not be elaborated here.

[0035] Further, the rectifying component 2 includes a first rectifying component 21 and second rectifying components 22 respectively connected to both sides of the first rectifying component 21. The first hole group is opened on the first rectifying component 21, and the second hole group is opened on the second rectifying component 22. Workers can conveniently select the first rectifying component 21 and the second rectifying component 22 with appropriate apertures and specifications for combination according to the wind speed data obtained from the simulation.

[0036] To make the wind speed more uniform, the flow rectifier 2 further includes a third flow rectifier. A third flow rectifier is connected between the first flow rectifier 21 and the second flow rectifier 22. A plurality of transition holes arranged in an array are formed in the third flow rectifier. The aperture diameters of the plurality of transition holes on each third flow rectifier gradually increase in the direction close to the first flow rectifier 21, so that the aperture diameters from the first hole group to the second hole group are evenly transitioned to obtain a more uniform air outlet effect.

[0037] In some embodiments, the flow rectifier 2 can be an integral structure, and the first hole group, the second hole group, and the transition holes with different aperture diameters are processed in different regions on the whole plate, which is convenient for mass production. In other embodiments, the flow rectifier 2 is a split structure, and the staff can flexibly splice the first flow rectifier 21, the second flow rectifier 22, and the third flow rectifier 2 to obtain a better air outlet effect. Among them, the connection methods between the first flow rectifier 21, the second flow rectifier 22, and the third flow rectifier include but are not limited to snap connection or welding, etc.

[0038] To facilitate installation and replacement, the flow rectifier 2 is detachably installed in the air inlet passage 11, and a placement opening for installing the air inlet passage 11 is formed on the side wall of the air inlet passage 11. Further, at least two limiting bosses are provided on the side walls on both sides of the placement opening, and the flow rectifier 2 is snap-connected in the limiting space formed by the at least two limiting bosses and the side wall.

[0039] Since the space in the air box 100 is large, the number of air inlet passages 11 is at least two. At least two air inlet passages 11 are connected in parallel between the air source and the air box 100, so that the gas can quickly fill the entire interior of the air box 100. A flow rectifier 2 is provided in each air inlet passage 11 to make the air outlet of each air inlet passage 11 uniform.

[0040] In this embodiment, the number of air inlet passages 11 is two. The air inlet assembly 1 further includes a connecting pipeline 12 and a tee pipe 13. The two ends of the connecting pipeline 12 are respectively connected to the air supply hole of the air source and the inlet of the tee pipe 13. The two outlets of the tee pipe 13 are respectively connected to the inlets of the two air inlet passages 11, so that the gas output by the air source enters the air box 100 through the two air inlet passages 11. In addition, according to the specific situation of the production site, an air inlet passage 11 with a suitable length can be selected to communicate with the connecting pipeline 12, so that the size of the air outlet mechanism in this embodiment is flexibly adjustable.

[0041] It should be noted that the above air outlet mechanism can not only be used in additive manufacturing equipment, but also in any equipment or processing scenario that requires improving the air outlet uniformity, which is not limited here.

[0042] This embodiment also provides an additive manufacturing device, which includes a gas source, a printing component, and the above-mentioned air outlet mechanism. The printing component is arranged inside the air box 100. The gas source is connected to the air box 100 through the air outlet mechanism to convey a protective gas into the air box 100 to protect the printing component and the workpiece printed by the printing component.

[0043] Specifically, the printing component includes a printing platform and a laser emitting head located inside the air box 100. An air inlet channel 11 is communicated with the air inlet of the air box 100 at the position of the printing platform to ensure that there is sufficient protective gas in the printing area, prevent the printing material from oxidizing, keep the printing area at a uniform temperature, and at the same time be able to blow away the excess sintered matter; another air inlet channel 11 is communicated with the air inlet of the air box 100 at the position of the laser emitting head to form an air field around the laser emitting head to prevent the sintered matter from falling onto the laser heating head and avoid contaminating the laser heating head. Optionally, the position of the air inlet on the air box 100 can be adjusted adaptively according to the position of the printing component.

[0044] Optionally, the additive manufacturing device further includes an exhaust mechanism 200. The exhaust mechanism 200 is communicated with the air outlet of the air box 100 and is used to exhaust the gas in the air box 100 to timely remove the sintered matter and take away the excess heat generated by the printing component.

[0045] Obviously, the above embodiments of the present invention are only examples for clearly explaining the present invention, rather than limiting the implementation manners of the present invention. For those of ordinary skill in the art, various obvious changes, re-adjustments, and substitutions can be made without departing from the protection scope of the present invention. It is not necessary and impossible to enumerate all the implementation manners here. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, and improvements made within the spirit and principle of the present invention shall be included in the protection scope of the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. An air outlet mechanism, characterized in that: include: An air inlet assembly (1) comprises an air inlet channel (11), one end of the air inlet channel (11) is connected to an air source, and the other end is connected to a wind box (100); A rectifying member (2) is arranged in the air inlet channel (11) and is perpendicular to the air inlet direction in the air inlet channel (11); a first hole group and a second hole group located on both sides of the first hole group are provided on the rectifying member (2); the aperture of the first hole group is larger than the aperture of the second hole group; the gas entering the air inlet channel (11) from the air source enters the wind box (100) after passing through the first hole group or the second hole group.

2. The air outlet mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first hole group includes a plurality of first ventilation holes arranged in an array; and / or the second hole group includes a plurality of second ventilation holes arranged in an array.

3. The air outlet mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that: The rectifying member (2) comprises a first rectifying member (21) and second rectifying members (22) respectively connected to two sides of the first rectifying member (21); the first hole group is provided on the first rectifying member (21); and the second hole group is provided on the second rectifying member (22).

4. The air outlet mechanism according to claim 3, characterized in that: The rectifying component (2) further comprises a third rectifying component, wherein the third rectifying component is connected between the first rectifying component (21) and the second rectifying component (22), and the third rectifying component is provided with a plurality of transition holes arranged in an array, wherein the aperture of the plurality of transition holes on each of the third rectifying components gradually increases in a direction approaching the first rectifying component (21).

5. The air outlet mechanism according to claim 3, characterized in that: The rectifying component (2) is an integrated structure or a split structure.

6. The air outlet mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that: The rectifying component (2) is detachably installed in the air inlet channel (11), and a take-in and put-out opening for installing the air inlet channel (11) is provided on the side wall of the air inlet channel (11).

7. The air outlet mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that: The number of the air inlet channels (11) is at least two, and at least two of the air inlet channels (11) are connected in parallel between the air source and the wind box (100), and each of the air inlet channels (11) is provided with the rectifying component (2).

8. The air outlet mechanism according to claim 7, characterized in that: The number of the air inlet channels (11) is two, and the air inlet assembly (1) further comprises a connecting pipeline (12) and a three-way pipe (13), the two ends of the connecting pipeline (12) are respectively connected to the air supply hole of the air source and the inlet of the three-way pipe (13), and the two outlets of the three-way pipe (13) are respectively connected to the inlets of the two air inlet channels (11).

9. An additive manufacturing device, characterized in that: It comprises an air source, a printing component and an air outlet mechanism as described in any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the printing component is arranged inside the bellows (100), and the air source is connected to the bellows (100) through the air outlet mechanism for conveying protective gas into the bellows (100).

10. The additive manufacturing device according to claim 9, characterized in that: The additive manufacturing equipment further comprises an exhaust mechanism (200), wherein the exhaust mechanism (200) is in communication with an air outlet of the bellows (100) and is used to exhaust the gas in the bellows (100).

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