3D Printer Precision Feed Control Device

Abstract

The embodiment of the present invention discloses a precise feeding control device for a 3D printer, the device comprising: a base, a pressure rod, an elastic member, a feeding wheel, a driving device, a light emitter and a receiver, the light emitter and the receiver cooperate; the feeding wheel and the friction wheel are both arranged at the bottom of an opening, after the solid-state printing consumable passes through the bottom of the opening, it enters between the feeding wheel and the friction wheel, the elastic member is in a tension state, so that the friction wheel and the feeding wheel squeeze the solid-state printing material to generate friction, so as to drive the solid-state printing consumable to move; the light emitter emits light, the receiver collects an image of the solid-state printing consumable in the feeding hole, so as to determine the diameter of the solid-state printing consumable according to the image, so as to determine the volume of the solid-state printing consumable passing through the opening according to the diameter of the solid-state printing consumable, and the rotation speed of the driving device is adjusted according to the volume of the solid-state printing consumable passing through the opening.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of printers, and in particular to a precise feeding control device for a 3D printer. Background Art

[0002] The 3D feeding drive mainly adopts a stepper motor, which uses the friction between the feeding wheel, the pressure wheel and the wire material to feed the material. During the feeding process, due to resistance or changes in material diameter, the material is easy to slide, resulting in material shortage. Summary of the invention

[0003] In view of the above technical problems, an embodiment of the present invention provides a precise feeding control device for a 3D printer.

[0004] A first aspect of an embodiment of the present invention provides a 3D printer precise feeding control device, the device comprising:

[0005] Pedestal;

[0006] A pressure rod is fixed on the base, the pressure rod has an opening, a first opening, a second opening and a friction wheel, the top of the opening is used for allowing a cylindrical solid-state printing consumable to pass through, so that the solid-state printing consumable enters the opening, the first opening and the second opening are located between the two ends of the opening, and the radial dimensions of the first opening and the second opening of the opening are larger than the diameter of the opening;

[0007] An elastic member, one end of which is connected to the pressure rod, and the other end of which is connected to the base;

[0008] Feed wheel;

[0009] A driving device, used for driving the feeding wheel to rotate;

[0010] A light emitter installed in the first opening; and

[0011] A receiver is installed in the second opening, and the light emitter cooperates with the receiver;

[0012] Wherein, the feed wheel and the friction wheel are both arranged at the bottom of the opening, and after the solid-state printing consumable passes through the bottom of the opening, it enters between the feed wheel and the friction wheel, and the elastic member is in a tension state, so that the friction wheel and the feed wheel squeeze the solid-state printing material to generate friction, so as to drive the solid-state printing consumable to move;

[0013] The light emitter emits light, and the receiver collects an image of the solid-state printing consumable in the feed hole to determine the diameter of the solid-state printing consumable based on the image, and to determine the volume of the solid-state printing consumable passing through the opening based on the diameter of the solid-state printing consumable. The rotation speed of the drive device is adjusted according to the volume of the solid-state printing consumable passing through the opening.

[0014] Optionally, the first opening and the second opening are facing each other.

[0015] Optionally, the feeding wheel is a gear.

[0016] Optionally, the driving device includes a motor, and a main shaft of the motor passes through the base and is connected to the feeding wheel to drive the feeding wheel to rotate.

[0017] Optionally, the light emitter is embedded in the first opening.

[0018] Optionally, the receiver is embedded in the second opening.

[0019] Optionally, the receiver is a CCD image sensor or a CMOS image sensor.

[0020] Optionally, the elastic member is a spring.

[0021] A second aspect of an embodiment of the present invention provides a printer, the printer comprising:

[0022] a feed pipe; and

[0023] As described in the 3D printer precise feeding control device of the first aspect of the embodiment of the present invention, the bottom of the opening of the feeding device is directly opposite to the top of the feeding tube.

[0024] In the technical solution provided by the embodiment of the present invention, the optical imaging principle is used to detect the feed, calculate the real-time feed amount, and adjust the rotation speed of the driving device according to the real-time feed amount, so as to achieve precise control of the feed amount and improve the printing quality. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] Figure 1 It is a structural schematic diagram of a precise feeding control device for a 3D printer in one embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 2 It is a schematic diagram of the structural disassembly of a precise feeding control device for a 3D printer in one embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] Reference numerals:

[0028] 100: solid-state printing consumables;

[0029] 1: base; 2: pressure rod; 21: opening; 22: first opening; 23: friction wheel; 24: screw shaft; 3: elastic member; 4: feeding wheel; 5: driving device; 51: main shaft; 6: light emitter; 7: receiver. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] The following will be combined with the drawings in the embodiments of the present invention to clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative work are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0031] It should be noted that the following embodiments can be combined if there is no conflict.

[0032] Please combine Figure 1 and Figure 2 , an embodiment of the present invention provides a 3D printer precise feeding control device, the feeding device may include a base 1, a pressure rod 2, an elastic member 3, a feeding wheel 4, a driving device 5, a light emitter 6 and a receiver 7. Among them, the pressure rod 2 is fixed on the base 1. The pressure rod 2 of this embodiment has an opening 21, a first opening 22, a second opening and a friction wheel 23. The top of the opening 21 is used for passing a cylindrical solid-state printing consumable 100, so that the solid-state printing consumable 100 enters the opening 21, and the solid-state printing consumable 100 can pass through the bottom of the opening. It should be understood that the solid-state printing consumable 100 can also be other regular shapes, not limited to a cylindrical state. In this embodiment, the first opening 22 and the second opening are located between the two ends of the opening 21, that is, the first opening 22 and the second opening are located between the top of the opening 21 and the bottom of the opening 21. Further, the radial size of the first opening 22 and the second opening of this embodiment in the opening 21 is greater than the diameter of the opening 21. The feeding wheel 4 and the friction wheel 23 are both arranged at the bottom of the opening 21 , the light emitter 6 is installed in the first opening 22 , the receiver 7 is installed in the second opening, and the light emitter 6 and the receiver 7 cooperate with each other.

[0033] In this embodiment, one end of the elastic member 3 is connected to the pressure rod 2, and the other end of the elastic member 3 is connected to the base 1. When the feeding device performs the feeding operation, the solid-state printing consumable 100 enters the opening from the top of the opening 21, and the driving device 5 is used to drive the feeding wheel 4 to rotate. After the solid-state printing consumable 100 passes through the bottom of the opening 21, it enters between the feeding wheel 4 and the friction wheel 23. The elastic member 3 is in a tension state, so that the friction wheel 23 and the feeding wheel 4 squeeze the solid-state printing material to generate friction, so as to drive the solid-state printing consumable 100 to move.

[0034] Further, the light emitter 6 emits light, and the receiver 7 collects an image of the solid-state printing consumable 100 in the feed hole to determine the diameter of the solid-state printing consumable 100 according to the image, and to determine the volume of the solid-state printing consumable 100 passing through the opening 21 according to the diameter of the solid-state printing consumable 100. The diameter of the solid-state printing consumable 100 determines the volume of the solid-state printing consumable 100 passing through the opening 21, that is, the feed amount of the solid-state printing consumable 100. In this embodiment, the rotation speed of the driving device 5 is adjusted according to the volume of the solid-state printing consumable 100 passing through the opening 21.

[0035] The 3D printer precise feed control device of the embodiment of the present invention detects the feed using the optical imaging principle, calculates the real-time feed amount, and adjusts the rotation speed of the driving device 5 according to the real-time feed amount, thereby achieving precise control of the feed amount and improving the printing quality.

[0036] The precise feeding control device for a 3D printer of the present embodiment may further include a controller, which is electrically connected to the receiver 7 and the driving device 5, respectively. The controller determines the diameter of the solid-state printing consumable 100 according to the image captured by the receiver 7, and determines the volume of the solid-state printing consumable 100 passing through the opening 21 according to the diameter of the solid-state printing consumable 100, and then determines the volume of the solid-state printing consumable 100 passing through the opening 21 and the target volume according to the diameter of the solid-state printing consumable 100, and controls the rotation speed of the driving device 5 so that the volume of the solid-state printing consumable 100 passing through the opening 21 approaches the target volume, thereby achieving the purpose of precise control of the feeding amount.

[0037] Among them, when the target volume is greater than the volume of the solid-state printing consumables 100 passing through the opening 21, the controller increases the rotation speed of the driving device 5 according to the difference between the target volume and the volume of the solid-state printing consumables 100 passing through the opening 21, thereby increasing the feed amount; when the target volume is less than the volume of the solid-state printing consumables 100 passing through the opening 21, the controller reduces the rotation speed of the driving device 5 according to the difference between the target volume and the volume of the solid-state printing consumables 100 passing through the opening 21, thereby reducing the feed amount.

[0038] Optionally, in some embodiments, the first opening 22 and the second opening are directly opposite to each other, so that the light emitter 6 and the receiver 7 are directly opposite to each other, thereby ensuring that a complete radial image of the solid-state printing consumable 100 is captured. Of course, in some other embodiments, the first opening 22 and the second opening may also be arranged non-directly opposite to each other, but the light emitter 6 and the receiver 7 must cooperate to obtain the image of the solid-state printing consumable 100.

[0039] The shapes of the first opening 22 and the second opening can be set as needed. For example, the first opening 22 and the second opening can be square, circular, or other shapes.

[0040] The feeding wheel 4 of this embodiment can be a gear or other rotating wheel.

[0041] The structure of the driving device 5 can be selected as needed. For example, in some embodiments, see Figure 1 The driving device 5 includes a motor, and the main shaft 51 of the motor passes through the base 1 and is connected to the feeding wheel 4. The main shaft 51 rotates to drive the feeding wheel 4 to rotate synchronously. It is understandable that the driving device 5 can also be designed as other structures.

[0042] Optionally, the light emitter 6 is embedded in the first opening 22. Of course, the light emitter 6 can also be fixed in the first opening 22 in other fixing ways.

[0043] Optionally, the receiver 7 is embedded in the second opening. Of course, the receiver 7 can also be fixed in the second opening in other fixing ways.

[0044] The type of the light emitter 6 can be selected as needed. For example, the light emitter 6 can be an LED light source. It should be understood that the light emitter 6 can also be other types of light sources.

[0045] The type of the receiver 7 can also be selected as needed. Optionally, the receiver 7 is a CCD image sensor or a CMOS image sensor or other image sensors.

[0046] The elastic member 3 may be a spring or other types of elastic structures.

[0047] For further information, see Figure 1 The pressure rod 2 can rotate around the screw shaft 24 to facilitate the feeding of the opening 21.

[0048] The embodiment of the present invention further provides a printer, which may include a feed tube and the 3D printer precision feed control device of the above embodiment, wherein the bottom of the opening 21 of the feed device is directly opposite to the top of the feed tube. In this embodiment, the solid-state printing consumable 100 passes through the bottom of the opening and enters the feed tube, and then is heated into a molten printing consumable in the feed tube, and finally extruded by the extruder of the printer to achieve printing. The molten printing consumable is a liquid printing consumable.

[0049] The above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, rather than to limit the same. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the aforementioned embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that the technical solutions described in the aforementioned embodiments may still be modified, or some of the technical features may be replaced by equivalents. However, these modifications or replacements do not deviate the essence of the corresponding technical solutions from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. A 3D printer precise feeding control device, characterized in that: The device comprises: Base (1); A pressure rod (2) fixed on the base (1), the pressure rod (2) having an opening (21), a first opening (22), a second opening and a friction wheel (23), the top of the opening (21) being used for allowing a cylindrical solid-state printing consumable to pass through so that the solid-state printing consumable enters the opening (21), the first opening (22) and the second opening being located between two ends of the opening (21), and the radial dimensions of the first opening (22) and the second opening of the opening (21) being larger than the diameter of the opening (21); An elastic member (3), one end of the elastic member (3) being connected to the pressure rod (2), and the other end of the elastic member (3) being connected to the base (1); Feed wheel (4); A driving device (5) for driving the feeding wheel (4) to rotate; A light emitter (6) mounted in the first opening (22); and A receiver (7) is mounted on the second opening, and the light emitter (6) cooperates with the receiver (7); The feed wheel (4) and the friction wheel (23) are both arranged at the bottom of the opening (21); after the solid-state printing consumable passes through the bottom of the opening (21), it enters between the feed wheel (4) and the friction wheel (23); the elastic member (3) is in a tension state, so that the friction wheel (23) and the feed wheel (4) squeeze the solid-state printing material to generate friction, thereby driving the solid-state printing consumable to move; The light emitter (6) emits light, and the receiver (7) collects an image of the solid-state printing consumable in the feed hole to determine the diameter of the solid-state printing consumable according to the image, and to determine the volume of the solid-state printing consumable passing through the opening (21) according to the diameter of the solid-state printing consumable, and the rotation speed of the drive device (5) is adjusted according to the volume of the solid-state printing consumable passing through the opening (21); The first opening (22) and the second opening are directly opposite to each other; The feeding wheel (4) is a gear; The driving device (5) comprises a motor, wherein the main shaft (51) of the motor passes through the base (1) and is connected to the feeding wheel (4), and is used to drive the feeding wheel (4) to rotate.

2. The 3D printer precise feeding control device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The light emitter (6) is embedded in the first opening (22).

3. The 3D printer precise feeding control device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The receiver (7) is embedded in the second opening.

4. The 3D printer precise feeding control device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The receiver (7) is a CCD image sensor or a CMOS image sensor.

5. The 3D printer precise feeding control device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The elastic member (3) is a spring.

6. A printer, characterized in that: The printer comprises: a feed pipe; and The 3D printer precision feeding control device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the bottom of the opening (21) of the feeding device is directly opposite to the top of the feeding tube.

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