A foldable 3D printer

Abstract

The present invention relates to a foldable 3D printer, comprising a chassis, an X-axis screw, a Y-axis screw, a Z-axis, a hot bed platform that translates along the direction of the Y-axis screw, and a nozzle that translates along the direction of the X-axis screw, wherein the X-axis screw translates along the Z-axis direction, the Y-axis screw is rotatably connected to the chassis, the Z-axis comprises an F-shaped frame and a Z-axis screw, the F-shaped frame comprises a longitudinal rod, a first crossbar connected to the longitudinal rod and perpendicular to the longitudinal rod, and a second crossbar connected to the longitudinal rod and perpendicular to the longitudinal rod, the chassis is provided with a slide bar, the slide bar is sleeved with a lower slide bar that is slidably connected to the slide bar, and the first crossbar is hinged to the lower slide bar. The present invention provides a foldable 3D printer with the advantages of high flexibility, easy assembly, stable structure, high strength, etc., while making up for the shortcomings of common direct foldable 3D printers on the market, such as structural size limitations, insufficient deployment stability, and low cost performance.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of 3D printing, and in particular to a foldable 3D printer. Background Art

[0002] Additive manufacturing, a rapidly developing and emerging rapid prototyping technology, is primarily used for the rapid production of models or prototype parts. This allows designers to rapidly transform their virtual designs from 3D drawings into physical objects, greatly facilitating subsequent design revisions and verification. 3D printers using fused deposition modeling (FDM) are the most common type of 3D printer, enjoying widespread popularity across various industries due to their cost-effectiveness and ease of use. However, their large frame-based structure makes them difficult to transport. This makes it difficult to print once the 3D printer is no longer in its original location, resulting in reduced productivity. Finding another 3D printer can also be challenging. Therefore, the need for a foldable 3D printer is crucial. Summary of the Invention

[0003] In view of this, the present invention provides a foldable 3D printer with the advantages of high flexibility, easy assembly, stable structure, high strength, etc., while making up for the shortcomings of common direct foldable 3D printers on the market, such as structural size limitations, insufficient unfolding stability, and low cost performance.

[0004] The purpose of the present invention is achieved through the following technical solutions:

[0005] A foldable 3D printer includes a chassis, an X-axis screw, a Y-axis screw, a Z-axis, a hot bed platform that translates along the direction of the Y-axis screw, and a nozzle that translates along the direction of the X-axis screw. The X-axis screw translates along the Z-axis direction, the Y-axis screw is rotatably connected to the chassis, the Z-axis includes an F-shaped frame and a Z-axis screw, the F-shaped frame includes a longitudinal rod, a first cross rod connected to the longitudinal rod and perpendicular to the longitudinal rod, and a second cross rod connected to the longitudinal rod and perpendicular to the longitudinal rod. The chassis is provided with a sliding rod, the sliding rod is sleeved with a lower sliding block that is slidably connected to the sliding rod, the first cross rod is hinged to the lower sliding block, and the chassis is provided with a hydraulic rod, one end of the hydraulic rod is hinged to the chassis, and the other end is hinged to the second cross rod.

[0006] Preferably, the lower sliding block includes a block and a rotating column rigidly connected to the block, and a through hole is dug on the block.

[0007] Preferably, a first hole is provided on the first crossbar, and the first hole is externally mounted on the rotating column and can rotate relative to the rotating column.

[0008] Preferably, the first hole is rotatably connected to the rotating column via a damping bearing.

[0009] Preferably, the first cross bar is connected to the end of the longitudinal bar.

[0010] Preferably, one end of the longitudinal rod is connected to the first cross rod and the other end is provided with a supporting piece, the first cross rod is provided with a Z-axis motor, one end of the Z-axis screw rod is connected to the Z-axis motor and the other end is connected to the supporting piece.

[0011] Preferably, a frame moving spring is sleeved on the surface of the slide rod, one end of the frame moving spring is connected to the lower slider, and the other end is connected to the chassis.

[0012] Preferably, the lower slider further includes a lower limit support plate rigidly connected to the block.

[0013] Preferably, when the F-shaped frame is flipped and folded, the F-shaped frame is locked to the chassis through a spring, a knob or magnetic attraction.

[0014] Preferably, it comprises two F-shaped frames and two Z-axis screw rods, and the two F-shaped frames are connected into one by a connecting plate.

[0015] The beneficial effects of the present invention compared to the prior art are:

[0016] The foldable 3D printer described in this invention is a foldable and portable improvement for the common gantry-truss, three-axis 3D printer. Its primary function is to allow users to fold the gantry-truss, three-axis 3D printer, significantly reducing its footprint and making it portable. This allows users to quickly fold and store the printer, taking it with them on business trips or trips, ensuring they can convert 3D drawings into physical objects anytime, anywhere.

[0017] Compared with several folding configuration schemes for gantry truss three-axis layout 3D printers on the market, the advantages of this foldable 3D printing mechanism are: through its unique F-shaped frame part design and other moving components, the connecting rod linkage compression and folding system ensures that when the F-shaped frame is compressed, the plane where the Z-axis screw rod is located and the plane where the hot bed platform is located are not in the same horizontal plane, that is, the Z-axis screw rod is located above the hot bed platform, avoiding the mutual restriction between the Z-axis screw rod and the hot bed platform, so that the printer printing size can be designed more freely and the structure is more stable after unfolding, which can meet the folding needs of larger-sized printers with printing sizes far larger than the common foldable 3D printers on the market.

[0018] In summary, compared with the traditional foldable 3D printing mechanism, the prefabricated template of the foldable 3D printing mechanism has the advantages of high flexibility, easy assembly, stable structure, and high strength. At the same time, it makes up for the shortcomings of the common direct foldable 3D printers on the market, such as structural size limitations, insufficient unfolding stability, and low cost performance. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] Figure 1 FIG1 is a structural diagram of a foldable 3D printer in a folded state according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 2 2 is a structural diagram of the Z-axis in one embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 3 2 is a structural diagram of a lower slider in one embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 4 This is a structural diagram of a foldable 3D printer in an open state according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 5 This is a structural diagram of a foldable 3D printer in an open state according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] To facilitate understanding by those skilled in the art, the present invention will be described in further detail below with reference to specific embodiments and accompanying drawings.

[0025] Please refer to Figure 1-5 , embodiments of the present invention include:

[0026] A foldable 3D printer includes a chassis 1, an X-axis screw 22, a Y-axis screw 21, a Z-axis, a hot bed platform 2 that translates along the direction of the Y-axis screw 21, and a nozzle 3 that translates along the direction of the X-axis screw 22. The X-axis screw 22 translates along the Z-axis direction, the Y-axis screw 21 is rotatably connected to the chassis 1, the Z-axis includes an F-shaped frame 4 and a Z-axis screw 5, the F-shaped frame 4 includes a longitudinal rod 6, a first cross bar 7 connected to the longitudinal rod 6 and perpendicular to the longitudinal rod 6, and a second cross bar 8 connected to the longitudinal rod 6 and perpendicular to the longitudinal rod 6, a slide bar 9 is provided on the slide bar 9, a lower slide bar 10 that is slidably connected to the slide bar 9 is sleeved on the slide bar 9, the first cross bar 7 is hinged to the lower slide bar 10, and a hydraulic rod 11 is provided on the chassis 1, one end of the hydraulic rod 11 is hinged to the chassis 1, and the other end is hinged to the second cross bar 8. In this embodiment, two F-shaped frames and two Z-axis screw rods are included, and the two F-shaped frames are connected into one by a connecting plate 20.

[0027] F-shaped frame structure Figure 2 As shown, when the F-shaped frame rotates and the Z-axis enters the folded state, the Z-axis screw rod will be lifted, causing the Z-axis screw rod to offset a certain distance, thereby preventing the Z-axis screw rod from colliding with the surface of the hot bed platform.

[0028] The lower slider 10 includes a block 12 and a rotating post 13 rigidly connected to the block 12. The block 12 is provided with a through-hole 14. A first hole 15 is provided on the first crossbar 7. The first hole 15 is positioned over the rotating post 13 and is rotatable relative to the rotating post 13. The first hole 15 is rotatably connected to the rotating post 13 via a damping bearing. The first crossbar 7 is connected to the end of the longitudinal bar 6. The lower slider 10 also includes a lower limit plate 19 rigidly connected to the block 12.

[0029] The F-shaped frame is connected to the slide bar on the chassis via a lower slider, allowing the bottom of the F-shaped frame to slide along the Y-axis screw. When the F-shaped frame is fully rotated, it contacts the lower limit plate, forming a 90-degree angle with the Y-axis screw. A damping bearing is installed within the first hole to limit the rotational speed of the F-shaped frame during unfolding and folding, thus preventing collisions. This damping bearing is a commercially available, proven product and is not shown in the diagram.

[0030] One end of the longitudinal rod 6 is connected to the first crossbar 7, and the other end is provided with a support plate 16. The first crossbar 7 is equipped with a Z-axis motor 17. The Z-axis lead screw 5 is connected to the Z-axis motor 17 at one end and to the support plate 16 at the other end. A frame movement spring is sleeved on the surface of the slide bar 9. One end of the frame movement spring is connected to the lower slider 10 and the other end is connected to the chassis 1. When the F-shaped frame 4 is flipped and folded, it is locked to the chassis 1 via a spring, knob, or magnetic attraction.

[0031] The hydraulic rod, lower slider, frame moving spring and F-shaped frame constitute a connecting rod linkage compression folding system. When folding, press the top of the F-shaped frame diagonally downward (in the direction of the hydraulic rod). At this time, the hydraulic rod and frame moving spring are compressed and contracted, and the F-shaped frame finally rotates 45 degrees as a whole, with the back parallel to the hot bed platform, completing the folding.

[0032] During deployment, the opposite occurs. Simply apply initial force to the top of the F-shaped frame. Once the hydraulic rod and the frame's springs pass through dead center, the entire mechanism automatically moves under the influence of their elastic potential energy until the F-shaped frame finally erects itself. Furthermore, a damping bearing at the connection between the lower slider and the F-shaped frame limits the speed of the erection process, ensuring smooth deployment and folding.

[0033] When unfolding, the hydraulic rods and the frame moving springs also act as anti-shake support rods. Because the hot bed platform will continuously move along the Y-axis screw direction during the printing process, the impact of its movement on the chassis will be transmitted to the F-shaped frame. At this time, the hydraulic rods and the frame moving springs play the role of anti-shake support, ensuring the overall stability of the F-shaped frame and providing it with a buffer, thereby ensuring printing accuracy and overall structural rigidity.

[0034] It's important to note that when the F-shaped frame is in place, a locking mechanism exists between its lower slider and the chassis, ensuring structural stability. When the F-shaped frame is folded, a locking mechanism also exists between its top and the chassis to prevent it from erecting due to external impact. This locking mechanism can utilize a spring, knob, or magnetic structure. Numerous proven solutions exist for this purpose, so they are not illustrated here.

[0035] It should be noted that there are several simplified versions of this linkage compression and folding system, and this is just one example. The operating principle is exactly the same, but the hydraulic rod and frame movement spring are removed, and the entire movement is manually driven.

[0036] Although the present invention has been described with reference to the above specific embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many substitutions, modifications, and variations can be made based on the above. Therefore, all such substitutions, modifications, and variations are intended to be encompassed within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A foldable 3D printer comprising a chassis (1), an X-axis screw, a Y-axis screw, a Z-axis, a hot bed platform (2) that translates along the direction of the Y-axis screw, and a nozzle (3) that translates along the direction of the X-axis screw, wherein the X-axis screw translates along the Z-axis direction, and the Y-axis screw is rotatably connected to the chassis (1), characterized in that: The Z-axis comprises an F-shaped frame (4) and a Z-axis screw rod (5), the F-shaped frame (4) comprises a longitudinal rod (6), a first transverse rod (7) connected to the longitudinal rod (6) and perpendicular to the longitudinal rod (6), and a second transverse rod (8) connected to the longitudinal rod (6) and perpendicular to the longitudinal rod (6), the chassis (1) is provided with a slide rod (9), the slide rod (9) is sleeved with a lower slider (10) slidably connected to the slide rod (9), the first transverse rod (7) is hinged to the lower slider (10), the chassis (1) is provided with a hydraulic rod (11), one end of the hydraulic rod (11) is hinged to the chassis (1), and the other end is hinged to the second transverse rod (8), the lower slider ( 10) includes a block (12), a rotating column (13) rigidly connected to the block (12), and a through hole (14) is dug on the block (12); a first hole (15) is provided on one end of the first cross bar (7), and the first hole (15) is sleeved on the rotating column (13) and can rotate relative to the rotating column (13); one end of the longitudinal bar (6) is connected to the other end of the first cross bar (7), and the other end of the longitudinal bar (6) is provided with a supporting plate (16), and a Z-axis motor (17) is provided on the first cross bar (7), and one end of the Z-axis screw rod (5) is connected to the Z-axis motor (17) and the other end is connected to the supporting plate (16).

2. The foldable 3D printer according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first hole (15) is rotatably connected to the rotating column (13) via a damping bearing.

3. The foldable 3D printer according to claim 1, wherein: The first cross bar (7) is connected to the end of the longitudinal bar (6).

4. The foldable 3D printer according to claim 1, wherein: A frame moving spring is sleeved on the surface of the slide bar (9), one end of the frame moving spring is connected to the lower slide block (10), and the other end is connected to the chassis (1).

5. The foldable 3D printer according to claim 1, wherein: The lower slider (10) further includes a lower limit support plate (19) rigidly connected to the block (12).

6. The foldable 3D printer according to claim 1, characterized in that: When the F-shaped frame (4) is turned over and folded, the F-shaped frame (4) is locked with the chassis (1) via a spring, a knob, or magnetic attraction.

7. The foldable 3D printer according to claim 1, characterized in that: It comprises two F-shaped frames and two Z-axis screw rods, and the two F-shaped frames are connected into one through a connecting plate (20).

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