Nozzle of a single-screw extrusion 3D printer

Abstract

The present invention discloses a nozzle of a single-screw extrusion type 3D printer, which includes a driving mechanism, a stirring mechanism, and an extrusion mechanism. One side of the driving mechanism is connected to the stirring mechanism to drive the rotation of the stirring mechanism, and the other side is connected to the extrusion mechanism to drive the rotation of the extrusion mechanism; the extrusion mechanism is connected to the stirring mechanism to convey the uniformly stirred granular material to the stirring mechanism. The compact design of the present invention realizes the miniaturization and light weight of the screw extrusion type nozzle, which is convenient for the application of desktop 3D printers and realizes the molten 3D printing of granular materials.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention belongs to the technical field of 3D printers, and particularly relates to a nozzle of a single-screw extrusion type 3D printer. Background Art

[0002] 3D printing is an industry that has been booming in recent years. Its forming method has many advantages over traditional subtractive manufacturing, and thus has received extensive attention in the manufacturing industry. So far, the most widely used filament 3D printer device still has defects that need to be solved urgently. Material problems such as the filament forming process puts higher requirements on the material itself, and materials of pellets and powders cannot be printed. Mechanical structure problems such as the piston-like extrusion state formed by the molten filament at the nozzle and the unmolten filament at the upper end make it difficult to ensure a stable extrusion pressure to ensure a stable and rapid forming process; adaptability problems such as the screw in a common screw extrusion device is not easy to disassemble for cleaning and replacement, the heat source position is fixed, and it cannot achieve flexible production for multiple printing materials, and large-scale extrusion devices cannot adapt to desktop-level 3D printers. Summary of the Invention

[0003] In view of this, the main purpose of the present invention is to provide a nozzle of a single-screw extrusion type 3D printer.

[0004] To achieve the above object, the technical solution of the present invention is realized as follows:

[0005] An embodiment of the present invention provides a nozzle of a single-screw extrusion type 3D printer, including a driving mechanism, a stirring mechanism, and an extrusion mechanism. One side of the driving mechanism is connected to the stirring mechanism to drive the rotation of the stirring mechanism, and the other side is connected to the extrusion mechanism to drive the rotation of the extrusion mechanism; the extrusion mechanism is connected to the stirring mechanism to convey the uniformly stirred granular material to the extrusion mechanism.

[0006] In the above solution, the driving mechanism includes a dual-output shaft stepper motor and a support bracket, and the dual-output shaft stepper motor is connected to the support bracket; one side of the dual-output shaft stepper motor is connected to the stirring mechanism through a pair of cooperatively arranged first bevel gears, and the other side is connected to the extrusion mechanism through a pair of cooperatively arranged second bevel gears.

[0007] In the above solution, the stirring mechanism includes a stirring shaft fixing plate, a stirring shaft, stirring claws, a hopper, and a feed pipe. The stirring shaft fixing plate is connected to the support bracket. One end of the stirring shaft is arranged on the stirring shaft fixing plate, and the other end extends into the hopper. The stirring claws are arranged on the stirring shaft and are located in the hopper; the bottom of the hopper is connected to the extrusion mechanism through the feed pipe; a first bevel gear is arranged on the stirring shaft, and a first bevel gear that cooperates with it is arranged at the output end of one side of the dual-output shaft stepper motor.

[0008] In the above solution, the extrusion mechanism includes a pallet, a spline shaft, a screw, a barrel, and a nozzle. One side of the pallet is connected to a support bracket. One end of the spline shaft is arranged on the pallet, and the other end is connected to the screw. The screw is sleeved with a barrel, and the bottom of the barrel is provided with a nozzle. The feed pipe is connected to the barrel. A heating and heat dissipation assembly is also arranged on the lower side of the barrel.

[0009] In the above solution, the spline shaft is connected to the splined screw through a spline sleeve, and a threaded locking sleeve is sleeved outside the spline shaft for axially locking the spline sleeve.

[0010] In the above solution, the screw is positioned and supported by a flange bearing and a bearing seat. The barrel is connected to the bearing seat through a flange structure and screws. The bearing seat and the support bracket are positioned by a positioning pin and connected and locked by bolts.

[0011] In the above solution, the heating and heat dissipation assembly includes a heating jacket, a fan, and a heat dissipation sleeve. The heating jacket is sleeved on the lower side of the barrel, and the heat dissipation sleeve is sleeved on the barrel and located above the heating jacket. The fan is located outside the heat dissipation sleeve and fixed to the support bracket through a fan seat.

[0012] In the above solution, a heat insulation board is arranged between the fan seat and the support bracket.

[0013] In the above solution, a strengthening mechanism is further included. The strengthening mechanism is located below the stirring mechanism and is connected to the extrusion mechanism on one side.

[0014] In the above solution, the strengthening mechanism includes a plurality of strengthening plates and a pallet. The plurality of strengthening plates are connected to the pallet by screws, and the pallet is fixed to the support bracket of the extrusion mechanism by screws.

[0015] Compared with the prior art, the compact design of the present invention realizes the miniaturization and light weight of the screw extrusion type nozzle, which is convenient for the application of desktop 3D printers and realizes the fused 3D printing of granular materials. Description of the Drawings

[0016] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional view of a nozzle of a single-screw extrusion type 3D printer provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0017] Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional view of a nozzle of a single-screw extrusion type 3D printer provided by an embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] In the figure, 1. Stepper motor, 2. Support bracket, 3. Bevel gear, 4. Bearing, 5. Pallet, 6. Spline shaft, 7. Thread locking sleeve, 8. Spline sleeve, 9. Screw, 10. Flange bearing, 11. Bearing housing, 12. Barrel, 13. Heat insulation plate, 14. Fan base, 15. Fan, 16. Heat dissipation sleeve, 17. Heating sleeve, 18. Nozzle, 19. Stirring shaft fixing plate, 20. Stirring shaft, 21. Bevel gear, 22. Stirring claw, 23. Hopper, 24. Feed pipe, 25. Reinforcing plate, 26. Pallet Detailed implementation manner

[0019] In order to make the objectives, technical solutions and advantages of the present invention clearer and more understandable, the present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only used to explain the present invention and are not used to limit the present invention.

[0020] An embodiment of the present invention provides a nozzle of a single-screw extrusion type 3D printer, including a driving mechanism, a stirring mechanism, and an extrusion mechanism. One side of the driving mechanism is connected to the stirring mechanism to drive the rotation of the stirring mechanism, and the other side is connected to the extrusion mechanism to drive the rotation of the extrusion mechanism; the extrusion mechanism is connected to the stirring mechanism to convey the uniformly stirred granular material to the extrusion mechanism.

[0021] Compared with traditional 3D printers, the present invention has a wider selection of printing materials and can adapt to the printing of granular materials. The pressure during the feeding process is stable and smooth.

[0022] The driving mechanism includes a double-output shaft stepper motor 1 and a support bracket 2, and the double-output shaft stepper motor 1 is connected to the support bracket 2; one side of the double-output shaft stepper motor 1 is connected to the stirring mechanism through a pair of cooperatively arranged first bevel gears 21, and the other side is connected to the extrusion mechanism through a pair of cooperatively arranged second bevel gears 3.

[0023] The stirring mechanism includes a stirring shaft fixing plate 19, a stirring shaft 20, stirring claws 22, a hopper 23, and a feed pipe 24. The stirring shaft fixing plate 19 is connected to the support bracket 2. One end of the stirring shaft 20 is arranged on the stirring shaft fixing plate 19, and the other end extends into the hopper 23. The stirring claws 22 are arranged on the stirring shaft 20 and are located in the hopper 23; the bottom of the hopper 23 is connected to the extrusion mechanism through the feed pipe 24; a first bevel gear 21 is arranged on the stirring shaft 20, and a first bevel gear 21 that cooperates with it is arranged at the output end of one side of the double-output shaft stepper motor 1.

[0024] The stirring shaft fixing plate 19 is connected to the support bracket 2 by screws, and the stirring shaft 20 is positioned on the stirring shaft fixing plate 19 by a shaft circlip. The stirring claw 22 is made of resin material and is connected to the stirring shaft 20 by set screws to stir the granular material in the hopper 23 and prevent the granular material from bridging and blocking.

[0025] The extrusion mechanism includes a support plate 5, a spline shaft 6, a screw 9, a barrel 12, and a nozzle 18. One side of the support plate 5 is connected to the support bracket 2. One end of the spline shaft 6 is arranged on the support plate 5, and the other end is connected to the screw 9. The screw 9 is sleeved with the barrel 12, and the nozzle 18 is arranged at the bottom of the barrel 12. The feed pipe 24 is connected to the barrel 12. A heating and heat dissipation component is also arranged on the lower side of the barrel 12.

[0026] The spline shaft 6 is connected to the splined screw 9 through a spline sleeve 8, and a threaded locking sleeve 7 is sleeved outside the spline shaft 6 for axially locking the spline sleeve 8.

[0027] The spline shaft 6 is connected to the support plate 5 through a bearing 4 to play a fixing role. The support plate 5 is positioned by a positioning pin and the support bracket 2 and is connected by bolts.

[0028] The support bracket 2 is assembled on a lead screw nut and a linear bearing to realize the Z-direction movement of the nozzle, ensuring that the entire printing device can avoid tipping during the movement process and improving the moving accuracy of the nozzle.

[0029] A stepped shaft is provided on the spline shaft 6, and a thread is provided on the stepped shaft, which cooperates with the threaded locking sleeve 7 to axially lock the spline sleeve 8.

[0030] The rotational motion transmitted by the spline shaft 6 is transmitted to the splined screw 9 through the spline sleeve 8. When the screw 9 rotates, the printing material in the barrel 12 is extruded from the nozzle 18. By loosening the threaded locking sleeve 7, the spline sleeve 8 can be pulled out upward to achieve rapid disconnection of the transmission.

[0031] The threaded locking sleeve 7 is used for the axial quick opening and closing of the cooperation between the spline sleeve and the screw.

[0032] The screw 9 is positioned and supported by a flange bearing 10 and a bearing seat 11. The barrel 12 is connected to the bearing seat 11 through a flange structure and screws. The bearing seat 11 and the support bracket 2 are positioned by a positioning pin and are connected and locked by bolts.

[0033] The bearing seat 11 and the flange bearing 10 use a clearance fit. An easy-to-remove outlet is provided on the bearing seat 11 to facilitate the disassembly of the flange bearing 10 and the screw 9. The bearing seat 11 and the support bracket 2 are positioned by a positioning pin and are connected and locked by bolts.

[0034] The convenient disassembly of the screw 9 for cleaning or replacement. For different types of printing materials, the heating and heat dissipation components can slide in the guide grooves of the barrel 12 for corresponding position adjustment. It realizes the screw extrusion device and the feeding device with a compact structure and can be applied to desktop 3D printers.

[0035] The heating and heat dissipation components include a heating sleeve 17, a fan 15, and a heat dissipation sleeve 16. The heating sleeve 17 is sleeved on the lower side of the barrel 12, and the heat dissipation sleeve 16 is sleeved on the barrel 12 and is located above the heating sleeve 17; the fan 15 is located outside the heat dissipation sleeve 16 and is fixed on the support bracket 2 through a fan seat 14.

[0036] A guide groove is provided outside the barrel 12, and it cooperates with the corresponding set screws on the heat dissipation sleeve 16 and the heating sleeve 17 to achieve longitudinal positioning.

[0037] The heating sleeve 17 is provided with 8 small holes for embedding heating resistance wires. By controlling the number of working heating resistance wires, the heat input can be controlled, and printing can be carried out for different materials. The positions of the small holes are symmetrically designed to ensure uniform heat conduction.

[0038] A heat dissipation sleeve 16 is installed outside the barrel 12 in the space between the fan supports 14, which increases the heat dissipation performance of the screw and prevents excessive heat accumulation of the miniaturized screw extrusion device due to the heating device, resulting in the printing material becoming liquid.

[0039] The side of the fan support 14 is provided with a "convex" groove, which can realize the lateral extraction of the fan 15, or a magnetic strip is embedded in the groove, and iron materials corresponding to the four corners of the fan are fixed with bolts to achieve magnetic adsorption, which is convenient for disassembly and assembly.

[0040] The set screw threaded holes help to position the heating sleeve 17 on the barrel 12. The heating sleeve 17 is provided with 8 small holes for embedding heating resistance wires. By controlling the number of working heating resistance wires, the heat input can be controlled, and printing can be carried out for different materials. The positions of the small holes are symmetrically designed to ensure uniform heat conduction.

[0041] An insulating board 13 is provided between the fan seat 14 and the support bracket 2 to prevent heat from being conducted into the holes for installing the lead screw nut and the linear bearing below the support plate, thus affecting the accuracy of the entire device.

[0042] Further, it further includes a strengthening mechanism. The strengthening mechanism is located below the stirring mechanism and is connected to the extrusion mechanism on one side.

[0043] The strengthening mechanism includes a plurality of strengthening plates 25 and a support plate 26. The plurality of strengthening plates 25 are connected to the support plate 26 by screws, and the support plate 26 is fixed to the support bracket 2 by screws.

[0044] The above are only the preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. The nozzle of a single-screw extrusion type 3D printer, characterized in that, It includes a driving mechanism, a stirring mechanism, and an extrusion mechanism. One side of the driving mechanism is connected to the stirring mechanism to drive the rotation of the stirring mechanism, and the other side is connected to the extrusion mechanism to drive the rotation of the extrusion mechanism. The extrusion mechanism is connected to the stirring mechanism to convey the uniformly stirred granular material to the extrusion mechanism. The extrusion mechanism includes a support plate, a spline shaft, a screw, a barrel, and a nozzle. One side of the support plate is connected to a support bracket. One end of the spline shaft is arranged on the support plate, and the other end is connected to the screw. The screw is sleeved outside the barrel, and the nozzle is arranged at the bottom of the barrel. The feed pipe is connected to the barrel. The spline shaft is connected to the spline-equipped screw through a spline sleeve, and a threaded locking sleeve is sleeved outside the spline shaft for axially locking the spline sleeve. The screw is positioned and supported by a flange bearing and a bearing seat. The bearing seat and the flange bearing are in clearance fit, and a detachable outlet is arranged on the bearing seat to enable the disassembly of the flange bearing and the screw.

2. The nozzle of the single-screw extrusion type 3D printer according to claim 1, wherein, The driving mechanism includes a double-output shaft stepper motor and a support bracket. The double-output shaft stepper motor is connected to the support bracket. One side of the double-output shaft stepper motor is connected to the stirring mechanism through a pair of cooperatively arranged first bevel gears, and the other side is connected to the extrusion mechanism through a pair of cooperatively arranged second bevel gears.

3. The nozzle of the single-screw extrusion type 3D printer according to claim 2, characterized in that, The stirring mechanism includes a stirring shaft fixing plate, a stirring shaft, stirring claws, a hopper, and a feed pipe. The stirring shaft fixing plate is connected to the support bracket. One end of the stirring shaft is arranged on the stirring shaft fixing plate, and the other end extends into the hopper. The stirring claws are arranged on the stirring shaft and are located inside the hopper. The bottom of the hopper is connected to the extrusion mechanism through the feed pipe. A first bevel gear is arranged on the stirring shaft, and a first bevel gear that cooperates with it is arranged at the output end on one side of the double-output shaft stepper motor.

4. The nozzle of the single-screw extrusion type 3D printer according to claim 3, characterized in that, A heating and heat dissipation assembly is also arranged on the lower side of the barrel.

5. The nozzle of the single-screw extrusion type 3D printer according to claim 1, wherein, The barrel is connected to the bearing seat through a flange structure and screws. The bearing seat and the support bracket are positioned by a positioning pin and are connected and locked by bolts.

6. The nozzle of the single-screw extrusion type 3D printer according to claim 4, characterized in that, The heating and heat dissipation assembly includes a heating sleeve, a fan, and a heat dissipation sleeve. The heating sleeve is sleeved on the lower side of the barrel, and the heat dissipation sleeve is sleeved on the barrel and is located above the heating sleeve. The fan is located outside the heat dissipation sleeve and is fixed to the support bracket through a fan seat.

7. The nozzle of the single-screw extrusion type 3D printer according to claim 6, characterized in that, A heat insulation plate is arranged between the fan seat and the support bracket.

8. The nozzle of the single-screw extrusion type 3D printer according to any one of claims 1-7, characterized in that, It also includes a strengthening mechanism. The strengthening mechanism is located below the stirring mechanism and is connected to the extrusion mechanism on one side.

9. The nozzle of the single-screw extrusion type 3D printer according to claim 8, characterized in that, The strengthening mechanism includes several strengthening plates and a support plate. The several strengthening plates are connected to the support plate by screws, and the support plate is fixed to the support bracket of the extrusion mechanism by screws.

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