3D printing system suitable for microgravity space environment

Abstract

The present application relates to a 3D printing system suitable for microgravity space environment, the 3D printing system suitable for microgravity space environment comprising a gravity simulation device and a printing mechanism.The gravity simulation device is used to generate a constant force field.The printing mechanism is provided with a forming chamber, the forming chamber has opposite first end and second end, the forming chamber is located in the constant force field generated by the gravity simulation device, so that the printing material can be moved from the first end of the forming chamber to the second end under the action of the constant force field.Under the action of the constant force field, the printing material has the tendency to move along the direction of the force in the constant force field.Firstly, the constant force field can drive the printing material to move from the first end of the forming chamber to the second end and lay in the forming chamber.And under the action of the constant force field, the printing material will be extruded to form a dense printing layer, thereby facilitating the printing mechanism to print the printing material into a dense 3D printing model, and further improving the structural strength of the 3D printing model.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of 3D printing technology, and in particular to a 3D printing system suitable for microgravity space environments. Background Technology

[0002] As humanity explores space, more space exploration equipment will be built, such as space probes, space stations, and spacecraft. However, space exploration is full of uncertainties, requiring space exploration equipment to have a certain degree of self-repair capability and functional expansion capability to cope with some unexpected situations that may occur in space.

[0003] Currently, most 3D printing equipment on the market is used in environments governed by Earth's gravity. Under the influence of Earth's gravitational field, the printing material tends to move in the direction of gravity, and once laid out, it will remain stationary on the printing platform. Furthermore, gravity causes the printing material to compress against each other, which helps to create a dense 3D printed model, thus increasing its structural strength. However, in the environment of space, gravity is absent or extremely weak, making it impossible for the printing material to move in any direction and achieve a dense and stationary state. Consequently, it is impossible to print a dense 3D printed model, resulting in a lower structural strength. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In view of this, it is necessary to provide a 3D printing system suitable for microgravity space environment to solve the problem that existing 3D printing systems and methods cannot make the printing material move in a certain direction and reach a dense and static state in microgravity space environment, thus making it impossible to print the printing material into a dense 3D printed model.

[0005] This invention provides a 3D printing system suitable for microgravity environments. The system includes a gravity simulation device and a printing mechanism. The gravity simulation device generates a constant force field. The printing mechanism has a forming chamber with opposing first and second ends. The forming chamber is located within the constant force field generated by the gravity simulation device, allowing the printing material to move from the first end to the second end of the forming chamber under the influence of the constant force field.

[0006] In one embodiment of the present invention, the gravity simulation device is equipped with a rotary table, and the printing mechanism is connected to the rotary table. The rotary table can drive the printing mechanism to rotate at a constant speed, thereby generating a constant centrifugal force field in the molding chamber. Under the action of the centrifugal force field, the printing material moves from the first end of the molding chamber toward the second end and is laid in the molding chamber. Furthermore, under the action of the centrifugal force field, the printing material will be squeezed together to form a dense printing layer, which is beneficial for the printing mechanism to print the printing material into a dense 3D printed model, thereby improving the structural strength of the 3D printed model.

[0007] In one embodiment of the present invention, the printing mechanism includes a powder spreader and a slide rail. The slide rail is located at the first end of the forming chamber, and the powder spreader is movably mounted on the slide rail to spread printing material into the forming chamber. Thus, the powder spreader can evenly spread printing material into the forming chamber during the sliding process.

[0008] In one embodiment of the present invention, the slide rail is arc-shaped, and the center of the circle corresponding to the slide rail coincides with the rotation axis of the rotary table. In this way, the centrifugal force in the centrifugal field remains perpendicular to the slide rail, ensuring that the printing material is uniformly dispersed when leaving the slide rail, and avoiding uneven force on the printing material causing inconsistent thickness of the printed layer.

[0009] In one embodiment of the present invention, the printing mechanism further includes a printing base plate, which is movably disposed in the forming chamber along a direction from the first end to the second end. The printing base plate has a printing surface on the side facing the slide rail. The printing surface is an arc surface, and the curvature of the printing surface is the same as the curvature of the slide rail. This arrangement facilitates close adhesion between each layer of printing material separated from the slide rail and the printing surface, and also facilitates close adhesion between the next layer of printing material and the previous layer.

[0010] In one embodiment of the present invention, the printing mechanism further includes a first drive motor, the output end of which is provided with a first screw, and the printing base plate is provided with a first threaded portion that is threadedly engaged with the first screw. The first drive motor can drive the first screw to rotate, so that the first threaded portion drives the printing base plate to move along the axial direction of the first screw. In this way, the circular motion of the first drive motor can be cleverly converted into the linear motion of the printing base plate.

[0011] In one embodiment of the present invention, the printing mechanism further includes a powder supply chamber and a recycling chamber, which are sequentially arranged along the length of the slide rail on one side. This significantly improves the powder spreading efficiency of the powder spreader, and the remaining printing material in the powder spreader can be poured into the recycling chamber, facilitating the recycling of printing material.

[0012] In one embodiment of the present invention, a material stacking plate is provided in the powder supply chamber, and the printing mechanism further includes a second drive motor connected to the material stacking plate. The second drive motor can drive the material stacking plate to move toward the slide rail so as to push the printing material in the powder supply chamber to the slide rail.

[0013] In one embodiment of the present invention, the printing mechanism further includes a housing, a fixed bracket is provided inside the housing, the fixed bracket is installed inside the housing, the slide rail, the powder supply chamber, the forming chamber and the recycling chamber are all installed on the fixed bracket, and the first drive motor and the second drive motor are both installed on the side wall of the housing.

[0014] In one embodiment of the present invention, the rotary table is disc-shaped. The 3D printing system suitable for microgravity environments further includes a connector located on the outer periphery of the rotary table, with one end connected to the rotary table and the other end connected to the printing mechanism. This facilitates a more secure connection between the printing mechanism and the rotary table.

[0015] In one embodiment of the present invention, the printing mechanism further includes a laser emitting device for emitting a laser into the forming chamber to solidify the printing material. This facilitates rapid solidification of the printing material within the forming chamber.

[0016] The 3D printing system provided by this invention, suitable for microgravity environments, exhibits a tendency for the printing material to move along the direction of the force in a constant force field. Firstly, the constant force field drives the printing material to move from the first end of the forming chamber towards the second end and lay it within the chamber. Furthermore, under the influence of the constant force field, the printing material compresses itself to form a dense printing layer, which facilitates the printing mechanism in printing the material into a dense 3D model, thereby improving the structural strength of the 3D printed model. Attached Figure Description

[0017] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a 3D printing system suitable for microgravity space environment according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0018] Figure 2 This is a partial cross-sectional view of a 3D printing system suitable for microgravity space environments according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0019] Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional view of a printing mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 4 This is a partial structural schematic diagram of a printing mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the support layer and printing layer according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 6 This is a control circuit system diagram according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] Reference numerals: 100, Printing material; 101, First region; 102, Second region; 103, Third region; 104, Fourth region; 105, Fifth region; 106, Support layer; 107, Printing layer; 1, Connector; 2, Gravity simulation device; 21, Rotary table; 22, Base; 221, Support surface; 222, First seat; 223, Second seat; 3, Printing mechanism; 31, Forming chamber; 311, First end; 312, Second end; 313, Printing base plate; 314, Printing surface; 315, First drive motor; 316, First screw; 317, First threaded part 3171, First threaded plate; 3172, First connecting rod; 32, Powder supply chamber; 321, Stacking plate; 322, Second drive motor; 323, Second screw; 324, Second threaded part; 3241, Second threaded plate; 3242, Second connecting rod; 33, Recovery chamber; 34, Powder spreader; 35, Slide rail; 351, Track groove; 36, Housing; 37, Fixed bracket; 371, First side plate; 372, Second side plate; 373, Connecting plate; 374, Support plate; 38, Laser emitting device; 381, Laser; 382, ​​Laser deflector; 4, Camera; 5, Controller. Detailed Implementation

[0024] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present invention, and not all of them. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0025] In the description of this invention, it should be understood that the terms "center," "longitudinal," "lateral," "length," "width," "thickness," "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inner," "outer," "clockwise," "counterclockwise," "axial," "radial," and "circumferential" indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are used only for the convenience of describing this invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this invention.

[0026] Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Thus, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of that feature. In the description of this invention, "a plurality of" means at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0027] In this invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," "linking," and "fixing," etc., should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components, unless otherwise explicitly limited. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention according to the specific circumstances.

[0028] In this invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, "above" or "below" the second feature can mean that the first feature is in direct contact with the second feature, or that the first feature is in indirect contact with the second feature through an intermediate medium. Furthermore, "above," "over," and "on top" of the second feature can mean that the first feature is directly above or diagonally above the second feature, or simply that the first feature is at a higher horizontal level than the second feature. "Below," "below," and "under" the second feature can mean that the first feature is directly below or diagonally below the second feature, or simply that the first feature is at a lower horizontal level than the second feature.

[0029] It should be noted that when an element is referred to as being "fixed to" or "set on" another element, it can be directly on the other element or there may be an intervening element. When an element is considered to be "connected to" another element, it can be directly connected to the other element or there may be an intervening element. The terms "vertical," "horizontal," "upper," "lower," "left," "right," and similar expressions used herein are for illustrative purposes only and do not represent the only possible implementation.

[0030] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains. The terminology used herein in the description of the invention is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. The term "and / or" as used herein includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0031] Currently available 3D printing equipment operates under Earth's gravitational influence. Under Earth's gravitational field, the printing material 100 tends to move in the direction of gravity, and after being laid out, it will remain stationary on the printing platform. Furthermore, gravity causes the printing material 100 to compress against each other, which helps to print a dense 3D model, thus increasing its structural strength. However, in space, gravity is absent or extremely weak, making it impossible for the printing material 100 to move in any direction and achieve a dense and stationary state. Therefore, it is impossible to print a dense 3D model, resulting in a lower structural strength for the 3D model.

[0032] To address the aforementioned technical problems, this invention provides a 3D printing system suitable for microgravity environments. For details, please refer to... Figure 1 and Figure 2 The 3D printing system suitable for microgravity environments includes a gravity simulation device 2 and a printing mechanism 3. The gravity simulation device 2 is used to generate a constant force field. The printing mechanism 3 is provided with a forming chamber 31, which has a first end 311 and a second end 312 opposite to each other. The forming chamber 31 is located within the constant force field generated by the gravity simulation device 2, so that the printing material 100 can move from the first end 311 towards the second end 312 of the forming chamber 31 under the action of the constant force field.

[0033] As can be seen from the above, under the action of a constant force field, the printing material 100 tends to move along the direction of the force in the constant force field. First, the constant force field can drive the printing material 100 to move from the first end 311 of the molding chamber 31 towards the second end 312 and lay it inside the molding chamber 31. Furthermore, under the action of the constant force field, the printing material 100 will compress each other to form a dense printing layer 107, which is beneficial for the printing mechanism 3 to print the printing material 100 into a dense 3D printed model, thereby improving the structural strength of the 3D printed model.

[0034] The gravitational field on Earth is essentially a form of universal gravitation, which acts on all matter with mass. Similarly, in a space environment, the gravity simulation device 2 needs to create a constant force field that acts on the printing material 100, and this constant force field should be uniform and stable.

[0035] In order to create a uniform, stable, constant force field, in one embodiment, such as Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the gravity simulation device 2 is equipped with a rotating platform 21, and the printing mechanism 3 is mounted on the rotating platform 21. The rotating platform 21 can drive the printing mechanism 3 to rotate at a constant speed so that a constant centrifugal force field is generated in the forming chamber 31.

[0036] As we know from basic physics, the centrifugal force in a centrifugal field is uniformly radiated outward from the rotation center of the rotary table 21 along its rotational radial direction. When the rotational speed of the rotary table 21 is constant, the centrifugal force field is constant. Furthermore, when the position of the printing mechanism 3 relative to the rotation center of the rotary table 21 remains unchanged, the magnitude of the centrifugal force on the printing mechanism 3 is also constant, and the centrifugal force field within the forming chamber 31 is also constant. Therefore, it can be seen from the above that the printing mechanism 3 connected to the uniformly rotating rotary table 21 can generate a constant centrifugal force field within the forming chamber 31, satisfying the requirement of a uniform and stable constant force field. Under the action of the centrifugal force field, the printing material 100 moves from the first end 311 of the forming chamber 31 towards the second end 312 and is laid within the forming chamber 31. Moreover, under the action of the centrifugal force field, the printing material 100 will compress against each other to form a dense printing layer 107, which facilitates the printing mechanism 3 in printing the printing material 100 into a dense 3D printed model, thereby improving the structural strength of the 3D printed model.

[0037] However, it is not limited to this. When the printing material 100 is a magnetic material, the gravity simulation device 2 can also drive the printing material 100 to move along the magnetic direction by generating a constant magnetic field.

[0038] To allow the rotary table 21 to better drive the printing mechanism 3 to rotate, in one embodiment, as... Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the gravity simulation device 2 also includes a base 22, which is fixed on a support surface 221. A rotating platform 21 is rotatably connected to the base 22. Further, the base 22 includes a first seat body 222 and a second seat body 223 spaced apart. A rotating shaft (not shown) is provided between the first seat body 222 and the second seat body 223. The disc-shaped rotating platform 21 is rotatably mounted on the rotating shaft. The printing mechanism 3 is located on the outer periphery of the rotating platform 21. The maximum distance between the printing mechanism 3 and the rotating shaft is less than the distance between the support surface 221 and the rotating shaft, thus preventing the printing mechanism 3 from touching the support surface 221 during rotation and causing damage. Furthermore, both the first seat body 222 and the second seat body 223 are triangular and mirror-symmetrically arranged. The rotating shaft is located at the apex of the triangle, and the base of the triangle is connected to the support surface 221. This helps the printing mechanism 3 maintain stability during rotation.

[0039] To maintain a stable centrifugal force field, in one embodiment, the gravity simulation device 2 further includes a rotary motor (not shown), which drives the rotary table 21 to rotate at a constant speed relative to the base 22. In this embodiment, the rotary motor is located at the rotation axis of the base 22. In other embodiments, the rotary motor may be located at other parts of the base 22, and the rotary motor drives the rotary table 21 to rotate via a conveyor belt or gears.

[0040] Typically, 3D printing involves layering printing materials, and to achieve better printing results, the printing material 100 is usually in powder form. To uniformly distribute the powder within the forming chamber 31, in one embodiment, such as... Figure 3 As shown, the printing mechanism 3 includes a powder spreader 34 and a slide rail 35. The slide rail 35 is located at the first end 311 of the forming chamber 31, and the powder spreader 34 is movably mounted on the slide rail 35 to spread the printing material 100 into the forming chamber 31. Thus, the powder spreader 34 can evenly spread the printing material 100 into the forming chamber 31 during the sliding process. Specifically, the slide rail 35 has track grooves 351 on opposite sides, and the powder spreader 34 is engaged within the track grooves 351.

[0041] In a centrifugal field, the printing material 100 at a distance equidistant from the rotation center of the rotary table 21 experiences the same centrifugal force. Therefore, in order to ensure that the centrifugal force experienced by the laid printing material 100 as it moves toward the second end 312 of the forming chamber 31 is the same, in one embodiment, such as... Figure 3 As shown, the slide rail 35 is arc-shaped, and the center of the circle corresponding to the slide rail 35 coincides with the rotation axis of the rotary table 21. It should be noted that the center of the circle corresponding to the slide rail 35 refers to the center of the circle containing the arc-shaped slide rail 35. In this way, the centrifugal force in the centrifugal field remains perpendicular to the slide rail 35, ensuring that the printing material 100 is uniformly dispersed when leaving the slide rail 35, and avoiding uneven force on the laid printing material 100, which would cause inconsistent thickness of the printed layer 107.

[0042] Typically, the molding chamber 31 has a printing surface 314, on which the printing material 100 is printed into a 3D model. To ensure that the printing material 100 falls evenly onto the printing surface 314 of the molding chamber 31, in one embodiment, such as... Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the printing mechanism 3 also includes a printing base plate 313, which is movably disposed in the forming chamber 31 along the direction from the first end 311 to the second end 312. A printing surface 314 is provided on the side of the printing base plate 313 facing the slide rail 35. The printing surface 314 is an arc surface, and the curvature of the printing surface 314 is the same as the curvature of the slide rail 35; that is, the printing surface 314 and the slide rail 35 are arranged parallel to each other. In the actual printing process, the thickness of each layer of printing material 100 is very small (not exceeding 0.5 mm). Therefore, before the first layer of printing material 100 is laid on the printing surface 314, the gap between the printing surface 314 and the slide rail 35 is equal to or slightly greater than the thickness of the first layer of printing material 100. Thus, the movement of the printing material 100 between the slide rail 35 and the printing surface 314 is approximately parallel. This arrangement facilitates close contact between each layer of printing material 100 separated from the slide rail 35 and the printing surface 314, and also facilitates close contact between the next layer of printing material 100 and the previous layer of printing material 100.

[0043] Specifically, such as Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, after the first layer of printing material 100 is laid on the printing surface 314 and printed into a printing layer 107 by the printing mechanism 3, the printing base plate 313 moves a fixed distance away from the slide rail 35. This fixed distance is equal to the thickness of the printing layer 107 formed by the first layer of printing material 100. Then, the second layer of printing material 100 is laid on the first printing layer 107 and printed into a printing layer 107 by the printing mechanism 3, and the printing base plate 313 moves a fixed distance away from the slide rail 35. This fixed distance is equal to the thickness of the printing layer 107 formed by the second layer of printing material 100. This process continues until all printing layers 107 are printed. Typically, the thickness of each printing layer 107 is the same, which helps improve the printing accuracy of the 3D model.

[0044] More specifically, when printing mechanism 3 prints a specific 3D model, taking the printing of a cube as an example, such as... Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown. Common sense tells us that all six faces of a cube are planes. When printing under Earth's gravity, because the Earth's diameter is large enough, the gravitational force on the printing material 100 can be approximated as a parallel force, and the printing surface 314 can be designed as a plane. Printing a cube on a plane is technically relatively easy. However, the printing mechanism 3 provided by this invention operates in a weightless space environment. The printing material 100 laid inside the printing mechanism 3 is arc-shaped, and the printing surface 314 is also arc-shaped. Therefore, printing a cube model on an arc-shaped printing surface 314 is much more difficult. Therefore, this invention provides a 3D printing method suitable for microgravity space environments for printing cube models, specifically including the following steps:

[0045] First, the printing material 100 is printed into an arc-shaped support layer 106 on the printing surface 314. The support layer 106 can be one layer or multiple layers. The support layer 106 mainly serves to support the printed model and accelerate the heat dissipation of the printed model.

[0046] Then, printing material 100 is laid on the support layer 106 in sections. The printing material 100 in the first section 101 is printed into the support layer 106, and the printing material 100 in the second section 102 and the third section 103 is printed into the printing layer 107. The second section 102 and the third section 103 are symmetrically distributed on both sides of the support layer 106.

[0047] First, print out the support layer 106 of the first region 101. The support layer 106 of the first region 101 forms a structure with an arc-shaped cross-section.

[0048] Then, the printing layers 107 of the second region 102 and the third region 103 are printed respectively. It should be noted that the boundary between the second region 102 and the first region 101 is planar, and the boundary between the third region 103 and the first region 101 is planar, and the two boundaries are located in the same plane. In this way, the bottom surface of the cube is printed. The boundary of the second region 102 away from the first region 101 is also planar, and this plane is perpendicular to the bottom surface of the cube. Similarly, the boundary of the third region 103 away from the first region 101 is also planar, and this plane is perpendicular to the bottom surface of the cube.

[0049] Next, the fourth region 104 is printed out, and the printing layers 107 of the fourth region 104 are stacked one after another.

[0050] Finally, the remaining fifth region 105 is printed out. The cross-section of the fifth region 105 is also arc-shaped. Finally, a cube model composed of the second region 102, the third region 103, the fourth region 104, and the fourth and fifth regions is printed out.

[0051] It should be noted that the first region 101, the second region 102, and the third region 103 can also be printed in layers simultaneously.

[0052] To better drive the printing base plate 313 to move within the forming chamber 31, in one embodiment, such as Figure 3 As shown, the printing mechanism 3 is also equipped with a first drive motor 315. The output end of the first drive motor 315 is provided with a first screw 316. The printing base plate 313 is provided with a first threaded portion 317 that is threadedly engaged with the first screw 316. The first drive motor 315 can drive the first screw 316 to rotate, so that the first threaded portion 317 drives the printing base plate 313 to move along the axial direction of the first screw 316. Specifically, the first threaded portion 317 includes a first threaded plate 3171 and a first connecting rod 3172 that is fixedly connected to the first threaded plate 3171 and the printing base plate 313. The first threaded plate 3171 is provided with a first internal threaded hole (not shown). The first screw 316 is threadedly engaged with the first internal threaded hole to move the first threaded plate 3171 along the axial direction of the first screw 316. In this way, the circular motion of the first drive motor 315 can be cleverly converted into the linear motion of the printing base plate 313. However, it is not limited to this; the first drive motor 315 can also be replaced by a cylinder.

[0053] In order for the powder spreader 34 to perform a rapid powder picking action, thereby improving the powder spreading efficiency of the powder spreader 34, in one embodiment, such as Figure 3As shown, the printing mechanism 3 also includes a powder supply chamber 32, and the powder supply chamber 32 and the forming chamber 31 are arranged along the length of the slide rail 35 on one side of the slide rail 35. With this arrangement, the powder spreader 34 can first take a certain amount of printing material 100 from the powder supply chamber 32 on one side of the forming chamber 31, and then slide along the slide rail 35 to the first end 311 of the forming chamber 31. As the powder spreader 34 moves along the slide rail 35 to the first end 311, it spreads the printing material 100 towards the printing base plate 313. Under the action of centrifugal force, the printing material 100 moves towards the printing base plate 313 and is evenly spread on the printing surface 314. This greatly improves the powder spreading efficiency of the powder spreader 34.

[0054] Furthermore, in order for the powder spreader 34 to quickly pick up the printing material 100 from the powder supply chamber 32, in one embodiment, such as Figure 3 As shown, a material stacking plate 321 is provided inside the powder supply chamber 32. The printing mechanism 3 also includes a second drive motor 322 connected to the material stacking plate 321. The second drive motor 322 can drive the material stacking plate 321 to move toward the slide rail 35, so as to push the printing material 100 in the powder supply chamber 32 to the slide rail 35. Furthermore, the output end of the second drive motor 322 is provided with a second screw 323, and the printing base plate 313 is provided with a second threaded part 324 that is threaded with the second screw 323. The second drive motor 322 can drive the second screw 323 to rotate around the axis, so that the second threaded part 324 drives the material stacking plate 321 to move along the axial direction of the second screw 323. Specifically, the second threaded portion 324 includes a second threaded plate 3241 and a second connecting rod 3242 that is fixedly connected to the second threaded plate 3241 and the material stacking plate 321. The second threaded plate 3241 is provided with a second internal threaded hole (not shown in the figure). The second screw 323 is threadedly engaged with the second internal threaded hole to allow the second threaded plate 3241 to move along the axial direction of the second screw 323. In this way, the circular motion of the second drive motor 322 can be cleverly converted into the linear motion of the material stacking plate 321, so that the material stacking plate 321 in the powder supply chamber 32 can overcome the centrifugal force and push the printing material 100 to the area traversed by the powder spreader 34, making it convenient for the powder spreader 34 to remove the printing material 100. However, it is not limited to this; the second drive motor 322 can also be replaced by a cylinder.

[0055] In order to recover the unused printing material 100 within the powder spreader 34, in one embodiment, such as Figure 3 As shown, the printing mechanism 3 is also provided with a recycling chamber 33, and the powder supply chamber 32, the forming chamber 31 and the recycling chamber 33 are arranged along the length of the slide rail 35 on one side of the slide rail 35. In this way, the remaining printing material 100 in the powder spreader 34 can be poured into the recycling chamber 33, which is beneficial to the recycling of the printing material 100.

[0056] To improve the structural strength of the printing mechanism 3, in one embodiment, such as Figure 3 As shown, the printing mechanism 3 also includes a housing 36, within which a fixed bracket 37 is installed. The fixed bracket 37 is mounted within the housing 36, and the slide rail 35, powder supply chamber 32, forming chamber 31, and recovery chamber 33 are all mounted on the fixed bracket 37. Specifically, the fixed bracket 37 includes a first side plate 371, a second side plate 372, and a connecting plate 373 connecting the first side plate 371 and the second side plate 372. The connecting plate 373 is arc-shaped, and the curvature of the connecting plate 373 is the same as the curvature of the slide rail 35. The first side plate 371 and the second side plate 372 are fixedly connected to the opposite side walls of the housing 36, and the two ends of the slide rail 35 are connected to the first side plate 371 and the second side plate 372, respectively. The fixed bracket 37 also includes a support plate 374, with its two ends connected to the first side plate 371 and the second side plate 372, respectively. The powder supply chamber 32, the forming chamber 31, and the recovery chamber 33 are all mounted on the support plate 374, and the openings of the powder supply chamber 32, the forming chamber 31, and the recovery chamber 33 all face the slide rail 35. Furthermore, to further improve the structural strength of the printing mechanism 3, the end of the powder supply chamber 32 away from the forming chamber 31 is fixedly connected to the first side plate 371, and the end of the recovery chamber 33 away from the forming chamber 31 is fixedly connected to the second side plate 372. Moreover, to improve the assembly strength of the first drive motor 315 and the second drive motor 322, both the first drive motor 315 and the second drive motor 322 are mounted on the side wall of the housing 36 away from the gravity simulation device 2.

[0057] To ensure a more secure connection between the printing mechanism 3 and the rotary table 21, in one embodiment, such as Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the rotary table 21 is disk-shaped. The 3D printing system suitable for microgravity environments also includes a connector 1. The connector 1 is located on the outer periphery of the rotary table 21, with one end connected to the rotary table 21 and the other end connected to the printing mechanism 3. Specifically, the end of the connector 1 connected to the outer periphery of the rotary table 21 is tightly fitted to the outer periphery of the rotary table 21, while the end of the connector 1 connected to the housing 36 of the printing mechanism 3 is tightly fitted to the outer wall of the housing 36.

[0058] In order to rapidly solidify and mold the printing material 100 within the molding chamber 31, in one embodiment, such as Figure 3 As shown, the printing mechanism 3 also includes a laser emitting device 38, which emits a laser into the forming chamber 31 to solidify the printing material 100. Specifically, the laser emitting device 38 is located inside the housing 36 on the side near the rotary table 21, and includes a laser 381 and a laser deflector 382. The laser 381 emits a laser towards the laser deflector 382, ​​and the laser deflector 382 reflects the laser emitted by the laser 381 into the forming chamber 31, so that the printing material 100 melts into a printing layer 107.

[0059] In order to monitor the printing process within the printing mechanism 3 in real time, in one embodiment, such as Figure 3 As shown, a camera 4 is also provided inside the housing 36. The camera 4 has the function of recording and storing images, which can ensure that the printing process of the printing mechanism 3 is monitored in real time and can play the video recording.

[0060] To achieve automated control of a 3D printing system suitable for microgravity environments, in one embodiment, such as... Figure 6 As shown, the 3D printing system suitable for microgravity space environment is also equipped with a controller 5. The controller 5 is electrically connected to the powder spreader 34, the rotary motor, the first drive motor 315, the second drive motor 322, the laser emitting device 38 and the camera 4, respectively, so as to realize the automatic control of the above components and improve the intelligence level of the 3D printing system suitable for microgravity space environment.

[0061] The technical features of the above-described embodiments can be combined in any way. For the sake of brevity, not all possible combinations of the technical features in the above embodiments are described. However, as long as there is no contradiction in the combination of these technical features, they should be considered to be within the scope of this specification.

[0062] Those skilled in the art should recognize that the above embodiments are merely illustrative of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. Any appropriate changes and variations made to the above embodiments within the essential spirit of the present invention fall within the scope of protection claimed by the present invention.

Claims

1. A 3D printing system suitable for microgravity environments, characterized in that, include Gravity simulation device (2) is used to generate a constant force field; as well as, The printing mechanism (3) is provided with a forming chamber (31), which has a first end (311) and a second end (312) opposite to each other. The forming chamber (31) is located in a constant force field generated by the gravity simulation device (2) so that the printing material (100) can move from the first end (311) of the forming chamber (31) toward the second end (312) under the action of the constant force field. The gravity simulation device (2) is equipped with a rotating platform (21), and the printing mechanism (3) is connected to the rotating platform (21). The rotating platform (21) can drive the printing mechanism (3) to rotate at a constant speed so that a constant centrifugal force field is generated in the molding chamber (31). The printing mechanism (3) includes a powder spreader (34) and a slide rail (35). The slide rail (35) is located at the first end (311) of the forming chamber (31). The powder spreader (34) is movably mounted on the slide rail (35) to spread the printing material (100) in the forming chamber (31). The slide rail (35) is arc-shaped, and the center of the circle corresponding to the slide rail (35) coincides with the rotation axis of the rotary table (21); The printing mechanism (3) further includes a printing base plate (313), which is movably disposed in the forming chamber (31) along the direction from the first end (311) to the second end (312). The printing base plate (313) has a printing surface (314) on the side facing the slide rail (35). The printing surface (314) is an arc surface, and the curvature of the printing surface (314) is the same as the curvature of the slide rail (35).

2. The 3D printing system suitable for microgravity space environments according to claim 1, characterized in that, The printing mechanism (3) further includes a first drive motor (315), the output end of which is provided with a first screw (316), and the printing base plate (313) is provided with a first threaded part (317) that is threadedly engaged with the first screw (316). The first drive motor (315) can drive the first screw (316) to rotate so that the first threaded part (317) drives the printing base plate (313) to move along the axial direction of the first screw (316).

3. The 3D printing system suitable for microgravity space environments according to claim 2, characterized in that, The printing mechanism (3) is also provided with a powder supply chamber (32) and a recycling chamber (33). The powder supply chamber (32), the forming chamber (31) and the recycling chamber (33) are arranged sequentially on one side of the slide rail (35) along the length direction of the slide rail (35).

4. The 3D printing system suitable for microgravity space environments according to claim 3, characterized in that, The powder supply chamber (32) is provided with a stacking plate (321). The printing mechanism (3) also includes a second drive motor (322) connected to the stacking plate (321). The second drive motor (322) can drive the stacking plate (321) to move toward the slide rail (35) to push the printing material (100) in the powder supply chamber (32) to the slide rail (35).

5. The 3D printing system suitable for microgravity space environments according to claim 4, characterized in that, The printing mechanism (3) also includes a housing (36), and a fixed bracket (37) is provided inside the housing (36). The fixed bracket (37) is installed inside the housing (36). The slide rail (35), the powder supply chamber (32), the forming chamber (31) and the recycling chamber (33) are all installed on the fixed bracket (37). The first drive motor (315) and the second drive motor (322) are both installed on the side wall of the housing (36).

6. The 3D printing system suitable for microgravity space environments according to claim 1, characterized in that, The rotating platform (21) is in the shape of a disk. The 3D printing system suitable for microgravity space environment also includes a connector (1). The connector (1) is located on the outer periphery of the rotating platform (21), and one end of the connector (1) is connected to the rotating platform (21), and the other end is connected to the printing mechanism (3).

7. The 3D printing system suitable for microgravity space environments according to any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that, The printing mechanism (3) further includes a laser emitting device (38) for emitting a laser into the forming chamber (31) to solidify the printing material (100).

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