Wire feeding mechanism and 3D printer

Abstract

The present invention proposes a wire feeding mechanism and a 3D printer, wherein the wire feeding mechanism includes a housing, a first driving wheel, an adjusting handle, a second driving wheel, an elastic member, a cam, a transmission assembly and a driving motor; the first driving wheel is rotatably arranged on the housing; the adjusting handle is swingably arranged on the housing; the second driving wheel is rotatably arranged on the adjusting handle and is parallel to the first driving wheel; one end of the elastic member is connected to the housing and the other end is connected to the adjusting handle to press the second driving wheel installed on the adjusting handle toward the first driving wheel; the cam is rotatably arranged on the adjusting handle or the housing, and is used to push the adjusting handle and the housing to swing the adjusting handle; wherein, when the adjusting handle swings, the first driving wheel can be separated from the second driving wheel, so that the feeding channel between the first driving wheel and the second driving wheel is enlarged; the driving motor is installed on the housing, and is used to drive the first driving wheel and the second driving wheel to rotate through the transmission assembly.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] 3D printers typically utilize a wire feeder to transport filament. The quality of this mechanism directly impacts the ease and efficiency of loading. Prior art loading typically requires manual, continuous force to separate the filament transport components, opening the feed channel wide enough to allow smooth entry of the filament. Summary of the Invention

[0003] Based on the problems of the prior art, the present invention provides a wire feeding mechanism and a 3D printer.

[0004] The present invention provides a wire feeding mechanism, which includes a housing, a first driving wheel, an adjustment handle, a second driving wheel, an elastic member, a cam, a transmission assembly and a driving motor;

[0005] The first driving wheel is rotatably disposed on the housing;

[0006] The adjustment handle is swingably arranged on the housing;

[0007] The second driving wheel is rotatably disposed on the adjusting handle and is parallel to the first driving wheel;

[0008] One end of the elastic member contacts the housing, and the other end contacts the adjustment handle, so as to press the second driving wheel mounted on the adjustment handle toward the first driving wheel;

[0009] The cam is rotatably disposed on the adjustment handle or the housing, and is used to push the adjustment handle and the housing to swing the adjustment handle; wherein, when the adjustment handle swings, the first drive wheel can be separated from the second drive wheel, thereby enlarging the feeding channel between the first drive wheel and the second drive wheel;

[0010] The driving motor is mounted on the housing and is used to drive the first driving wheel and the second driving wheel to rotate through the transmission assembly.

[0011] Furthermore, the wire feeding mechanism further comprises a first slider, a second slider and an adjusting screw;

[0012] The adjusting handle is provided with a receiving groove, and the first slider and the second slider are arranged in the receiving groove;

[0013] The adjusting screw passes through the adjusting handle and then enters the receiving groove to be threadedly connected to the first sliding block;

[0014] One end of the elastic member abuts the housing, and the other end penetrates the accommodating groove and abuts the second slider, so that the second slider abuts the first slider, and the first slider abuts the adjustment handle; wherein,

[0015] The first slider and the second slider are connected by an inclined section. When the adjusting screw is fed, the adjusting screw drives the first slider to move along the section, so that the first slider increases the thrust of the adjusting handle under the elastic force of the elastic member, thereby reducing the feeding channel.

[0016] Furthermore, the wire feeding mechanism further includes a first rotating shaft and a second rotating shaft; the first driving wheel is arranged on the housing through the first rotating shaft; and the second driving wheel is arranged on the adjusting handle through the second rotating shaft.

[0017] Further, the transmission assembly includes a first gear, a second gear, a third gear and a fourth gear;

[0018] The first gear is arranged on the motor shaft of the driving motor; the second gear and the third gear are arranged on the first rotating shaft; the fourth gear is arranged on the second rotating shaft; wherein,

[0019] The first gear is meshed with the second gear, and the third gear is meshed with the fourth gear.

[0020] Furthermore, the wire feeding mechanism further comprises a claw joint, a material guide tube and a delivery tube;

[0021] The claw joint is arranged on the housing;

[0022] The material guide pipe is arranged on the claw joint, and one end of the material guide pipe extends toward the outlet of the material feeding channel, so that the outlet of the material feeding channel faces the inlet of the material guide pipe;

[0023] The delivery pipe is arranged on the claw joint and is communicated with the material guiding pipe.

[0024] Furthermore, the shell includes a base and a cover; the cover is arranged on the base and forms an installation cavity with the base; the first driving wheel, the adjustment handle, the second driving wheel, the elastic member and the transmission assembly are located in the installation cavity; the driving motor is arranged on the base and the motor shaft of the driving motor passes through the base and then enters the installation cavity to be connected with the transmission assembly.

[0025] Furthermore, the wire feeding mechanism also includes a third rotating shaft; one end of the adjustment handle is arranged on the base through the third rotating shaft so that the adjustment handle can swing around the third rotating shaft; one end of the elastic member is connected to the inner side of the cover body, and the other end is connected to the other end of the adjustment handle.

[0026] Furthermore, the cover body is provided with a notch groove, and the cam is provided at the other end of the adjustment handle and is located in the notch groove.

[0027] Furthermore, a material guide hole is provided on the cover body, and the outlet of the material guide hole faces the inlet of the feeding channel.

[0028] The present invention also provides a 3D printer, comprising any one of the wire feeding mechanisms described above.

[0029] The beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows: when the user rotates the cam, the cam can respectively contact the adjustment handle and the housing, so that the adjustment handle overcomes the elastic force of the elastic member and swings, thereby enlarging the feeding channel between the first drive wheel and the second drive wheel, so that the user can feed the printing filament into the feeding channel. After the printing filament is fed into the feeding channel, the cam is rotated in the opposite direction and the cam returns to its original position. The adjustment handle, pushed by the elastic member, drives the second drive wheel to press against the first drive wheel, thereby reducing the feeding channel and clamping the printing filament. Driven by the drive motor, the first drive wheel and the second drive wheel rotate, thereby driving the movement of the printing filament between the first drive wheel and the second drive wheel, thereby realizing the transportation of the printing filament. After the user rotates the cam, the adjustment handle is pushed open by the cam, so that the first drive wheel and the second drive wheel are separated, and the user does not need to continuously apply force to the adjustment handle, thereby improving the user experience. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] Figure 1 This is a structural diagram of a wire feeding mechanism provided by one embodiment of the present invention;

[0031] Figure 2 This is an exploded view of a wire feeding mechanism provided by one embodiment of the present invention;

[0032] Figure 3 This is a partial structural diagram of a wire feeding mechanism provided by one embodiment of the present invention;

[0033] Figure 4 It is a structural schematic diagram of an adjustment handle in a wire feeding mechanism provided by one embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] The following will clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. All other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field based on the embodiments of the present invention without making any creative efforts shall fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0035] It should be noted that all directional indications in the embodiments of the present invention (such as up, down, left, right, front, back, horizontal, vertical, etc.) are only used to explain the relative position relationship, movement status, etc. between the components under a certain specific posture (as shown in the accompanying drawings). If the specific posture changes, the directional indication will also change accordingly. The "connection" mentioned above can be a direct connection or an indirect connection, and the "setting", "setting at", and "setting at" can be directly set at or indirectly set at.

[0036] In addition, in the present invention, descriptions such as "first" and "second" are for descriptive purposes only and should not be understood as indicating or implying their relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of the indicated technical features. Therefore, the features defined as "first" and "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of such features. In addition, the technical solutions between the various embodiments can be combined with each other, but this must be based on the fact that they can be implemented by ordinary technicians in this field. When the combination of technical solutions is contradictory or cannot be implemented, it should be deemed that such combination of technical solutions does not exist and is not within the scope of protection required by the present invention.

[0037] Figure 1 1 is a structural diagram of a wire feeding mechanism provided by an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 1 is an exploded view of a wire feeding mechanism provided by one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 31 is a partial structural diagram of a wire feeding mechanism provided by an embodiment of the present invention; in this embodiment, the wire feeding mechanism includes a housing 10, a first driving wheel 50, an adjusting handle 30, a second driving wheel 60, an elastic member 80, a cam 40, a transmission assembly 70 and a driving motor 20; the first driving wheel 50 is rotatably arranged on the housing 10; the adjusting handle 30 is swingably arranged on the housing 10; the second driving wheel 60 is rotatably arranged on the adjusting handle 30 and is parallel to the first driving wheel 50; one end of the elastic member 80 is connected to the housing 10, and the other end is connected to the adjusting handle 30. The handle 30 is used to press the second drive wheel 60 installed on the adjustment handle 30 toward the first drive wheel 50; the cam 40 is rotatably provided on the adjustment handle 30 or the housing 10, and is used to push the adjustment handle 30 and the housing 10 to swing the adjustment handle 30; wherein, when the adjustment handle 30 swings, the first drive wheel 50 can be separated from the second drive wheel 60, so that the feeding channel between the first drive wheel 50 and the second drive wheel 60 is enlarged; the drive motor 20 is installed on the housing 10, and is used to drive the first drive wheel 50 and the second drive wheel 60 to rotate through the transmission assembly 70.

[0038] In this embodiment, when the user rotates the cam 40, it contacts the adjustment handle 30 and the housing 10, respectively, causing the adjustment handle 30 to swing against the elastic force of the elastic member 80. This in turn widens the feed channel between the first and second drive wheels 50, 60, allowing the user to feed the printing filament 100 into the feed channel. After the printing filament 100 has entered the feed channel, the cam 40 is rotated in the opposite direction, returning to its original position. The adjustment handle 30, driven by the elastic member 80, presses the second drive wheel 60 against the first drive wheel 50, narrowing the feed channel and clamping the printing filament 100. Driven by the drive motor 20, the first and second drive wheels 50, 60 rotate, thereby driving the printing filament 100 between the first and second drive wheels 50, 60, thereby transporting the printing filament 100. After the user rotates the cam 40 , the adjustment handle 30 is pushed open by the cam 40 , so that the first drive wheel 50 is separated from the second drive wheel 60 . The user does not need to continuously apply force to the adjustment handle 30 , thereby improving the user experience.

[0039] In an optional embodiment, such as this embodiment, Figure 2As shown, the wire feeding mechanism also includes a first slider 83, a second slider 82 and an adjusting screw 42; the adjusting handle 30 is provided with a receiving groove 31, and the first slider 83 and the second slider 82 are arranged in the receiving groove 31; the adjusting screw 42 passes through the adjusting handle 30 and then enters the receiving groove 31 and is threadedly connected to the first slider 83; one end of the elastic member 80 is connected to the shell 10, and the other end enters the receiving groove 31 and is connected to the second slider 82, so that the second slider 82 is connected to the first slider 83, and the first slider 83 is connected to the adjusting handle 30; wherein, the first slider 83 and the second slider 82 are connected by an inclined cross-section 84. When the adjusting screw 42 is fed, the adjusting screw 42 drives the first slider 83 to move along the cross-section 84, so that the first slider 83 increases the thrust on the adjusting handle 30 under the elastic force of the elastic member 80, thereby reducing the feeding channel.

[0040] In this embodiment, when the user advances the adjustment screw 42 , the feeding channel can be reduced, so that the printing filament 100 entering the feeding channel is clamped, and the resistance to the entry of the printing filament 100 is increased, so that the first slider 83 and the second slider 82 can clamp and convey printing filaments 100 of different sizes.

[0041] In this embodiment, the first slider 83 and the second slider 82 are both provided with the cut surface 84 . It is understandable that in other embodiments, the cut surface 84 may be provided only on the first slider 83 or the second slider 82 .

[0042] In an optional embodiment, such as this embodiment, Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the wire feeding mechanism further includes a first rotating shaft 52 and a second rotating shaft 62 ; the first driving wheel 50 is disposed on the housing 10 via the first rotating shaft 52 ; the second driving wheel 60 is disposed on the adjusting handle 30 via the second rotating shaft 62 .

[0043] In an optional embodiment, such as this embodiment, Figure 2 As shown, the transmission assembly 70 includes a first gear 71, a second gear 74, a third gear 73 and a fourth gear 72; the first gear 71 is arranged on the motor shaft of the drive motor 20; the second gear 74 and the third gear 73 are arranged on the first rotating shaft 52; the fourth gear 72 is arranged on the second rotating shaft 62; wherein, the first gear 71 is engaged with the second gear 74, and the third gear 73 is engaged with the fourth gear 72.

[0044] In this embodiment, the drive motor 20 can simultaneously drive the first rotating shaft 52 and the second rotating shaft 62 to rotate through the cooperation of the first gear 71, the second gear 74, the third gear 73 and the fourth gear 72, and then drive the first driving wheel 50 on the first rotating shaft 52 and the second driving wheel 60 on the second rotating shaft 62 to rotate, so as to transport the printing filament 100.

[0045] Furthermore, a material guide groove 51 is provided on the outer side of the first driving wheel 50 and the second driving wheel 60 . The first driving wheel 50 and the second driving wheel 60 are in contact with the printing filament 100 through the material guide groove 51 , so as to limit the printing filament 100 more stably when conveying the printing filament 100 .

[0046] In an optional embodiment, such as this embodiment, Figure 2 As shown, the wire feeding mechanism also includes a claw joint 91, a material guide tube 92 and a delivery tube 93; the claw joint 91 is arranged on the shell 10; the material guide tube 92 is arranged on the claw joint 91, and one end extends toward the outlet of the feeding channel so that the outlet of the feeding channel faces the inlet of the material guide tube 92; the delivery tube 93 is arranged on the claw joint 91 and is connected to the material guide tube 92.

[0047] Furthermore, the feeding channel, the pipe of the guide pipe 92 and the pipe of the delivery pipe 93 are in a straight line.

[0048] In this embodiment, the printing filament 100 emerges from the feed channel, passes through the guide tube 92 and the delivery tube 93 in sequence, and then enters the feed tube of the print head. Because the printing filament 100 is in a rolled form, it is initially curved and lacks good straightness. During the feeding process, the printing filament 100 often fails to enter the feed tube of the print head. In this embodiment, the guide tube 92 and the delivery tube 93 are provided, so that the printing filament 100 becomes straight after passing through the guide tube 92 and the delivery tube 93, thus avoiding the situation in which the printing filament 100 cannot enter the feed tube of the print head due to poor straightness.

[0049] In an optional embodiment, such as this embodiment, Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the shell 10 includes a base 11 and a cover 12; the cover 12 is covered on the base 11 and forms an installation cavity 13 with the base 11; the first driving wheel 50, the adjustment handle 30, the second driving wheel 60, the elastic member 80, the transmission assembly 70 and the guide tube 92 are located in the installation cavity 13; the driving motor 20 is arranged on the base 11 and the motor shaft of the driving motor 20 passes through the base 11 and then enters the installation cavity 13 to be connected with the first gear 71 of the transmission assembly 70.

[0050] In an optional embodiment, such as this embodiment, Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the wire feeding mechanism also includes a third rotating shaft 32; one end of the adjusting handle 30 is arranged on the base 11 through the third rotating shaft 32, so that the adjusting handle 30 can swing around the third rotating shaft 32; one end of the elastic member 80 is connected to the inner side of the cover body 12, and the other end is connected to the other end of the adjusting handle 30.

[0051] Furthermore, the cover body 12 is provided with a notch groove 121 , and the cam 40 is provided at the other end of the adjustment handle 30 and is located in the notch groove 121 .

[0052] Furthermore, a receiving groove 31 is provided at the other end of the adjustment handle 30, and an opening is provided on the side of the adjustment handle 30 so as to face the side of the cover body 12. After one end of the elastic member 80 contacts the side of the cover body 12, the other end enters the receiving groove 31 through the opening of the receiving groove 31 and contacts the second slider 82. Furthermore, the elastic member 80 includes a spring 81.

[0053] Furthermore, the cut surface 84 of the first slider 83 faces the upper side of the adjusting handle 30, and the cut surface 84 of the second slider 82 faces the lower side of the adjusting handle 30; the adjusting screw 42 passes through the accommodating groove 31 from the upper side of the adjusting handle 30, wherein the cam 40 is arranged on the upper side of the adjusting handle 30 and is sleeved on the adjusting screw 42 to position the cam 40, so that the overall structure of the wire feeding mechanism is more compact.

[0054] Furthermore, a rotating portion 41 is provided on the cam 40 , and a user can rotate the cam 40 through the rotating portion 41 .

[0055] Furthermore, one end of the first rotating shaft 52 is arranged on the base 11, and the other end is arranged on the cover 12; the second rotating shaft 62 is arranged in the slot 33 in the middle of the adjustment handle 30 (such as Figure 4 shown).

[0056] In an optional embodiment, such as the present embodiment, a material guide hole 122 is provided on the cover body 12 , the outlet of the material guide hole 122 faces the inlet of the feeding channel, and the printing filament 100 is fed into the feeding channel through the material guide hole 122 .

[0057] The present invention also provides a 3D printer, comprising the wire feeding mechanism described in any one of the above embodiments, and having the beneficial effects of the wire feeding mechanism described in any one of the above embodiments.

[0058] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and does not limit the patent scope of the present invention. Any equivalent structure or equivalent process transformation made by using the contents of the present invention description and drawings, or directly or indirectly applied in other related technical fields, are also included in the patent protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A wire feeding mechanism, characterized in that: The wire feeding mechanism includes a housing, a first driving wheel, an adjustment handle, a second driving wheel, an elastic member, a cam, a transmission assembly and a driving motor; The first driving wheel is rotatably disposed on the housing; The adjustment handle is swingably arranged on the housing; The second driving wheel is rotatably mounted on the adjusting handle and is arranged parallel to the first driving wheel; one end of the elastic member abuts the housing, and the other end abuts the adjusting handle, so as to press the second driving wheel mounted on the adjusting handle toward the first driving wheel; The cam is rotatably disposed on the adjustment handle or the housing, and is used to push the adjustment handle and the housing to swing the adjustment handle; wherein, when the adjustment handle swings, the first drive wheel can be separated from the second drive wheel, thereby enlarging the feeding channel between the first drive wheel and the second drive wheel; The driving motor is mounted on the housing and is used to drive the first driving wheel and the second driving wheel to rotate through the transmission assembly; The wire feeding mechanism further includes a first slider, a second slider and an adjusting screw; The adjusting handle is provided with a receiving groove, and the first slider and the second slider are arranged in the receiving groove; The adjusting screw passes through the adjusting handle and then enters the receiving groove to be threadedly connected to the first sliding block; One end of the elastic member abuts the housing, and the other end penetrates the accommodating groove and abuts the second slider, so that the second slider abuts the first slider, and the first slider abuts the adjustment handle; wherein, The first slider and the second slider are connected by an inclined section. When the adjusting screw is fed, the adjusting screw drives the first slider to move along the section, so that the first slider increases the thrust of the adjusting handle under the elastic force of the elastic member, thereby reducing the feeding channel.

2. The wire feeding mechanism according to claim 1, wherein: The wire feeding mechanism further includes a first rotating shaft and a second rotating shaft; the first driving wheel is arranged on the housing via the first rotating shaft; and the second driving wheel is arranged on the adjusting handle via the second rotating shaft.

3. The wire feeding mechanism according to claim 2, wherein: The transmission assembly includes a first gear, a second gear, a third gear and a fourth gear; The first gear is arranged on the motor shaft of the driving motor; the second gear and the third gear are arranged on the first rotating shaft; the fourth gear is arranged on the second rotating shaft; wherein, The first gear is meshed with the second gear, and the third gear is meshed with the fourth gear.

4. The wire feeding mechanism according to claim 1, wherein: The wire feeding mechanism also includes a claw joint, a material guide tube and a conveying tube; The claw joint is arranged on the housing; The material guide pipe is arranged on the claw joint, and one end of the material guide pipe extends toward the outlet of the material feeding channel, so that the outlet of the material feeding channel faces the inlet of the material guide pipe; The delivery pipe is arranged on the claw joint and is communicated with the material guiding pipe.

5. The wire feeding mechanism according to claim 1, wherein: The shell includes a base and a cover; the cover is arranged on the base and forms an installation cavity with the base; the first driving wheel, the adjustment handle, the second driving wheel, the elastic member and the transmission assembly are located in the installation cavity; the driving motor is arranged on the base and the motor shaft of the driving motor passes through the base and then enters the installation cavity to be connected with the transmission assembly.

6. The wire feeding mechanism according to claim 5, characterized in that: The wire feeding mechanism also includes a third rotating shaft; one end of the adjustment handle is arranged on the base through the third rotating shaft so that the adjustment handle can swing around the third rotating shaft; one end of the elastic member is connected to the inner side of the cover body, and the other end is connected to the other end of the adjustment handle.

7. The wire feeding mechanism according to claim 6, wherein: The cover body is provided with a notch groove, and the cam is arranged at the other end of the adjustment handle and is located in the notch groove.

8. The wire feeding mechanism according to claim 7, wherein: The cover body is provided with a material guide hole, and the outlet of the material guide hole faces the inlet of the feeding channel.

9. A 3D printer, characterized in that: The 3D printer comprises the wire feeding mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

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