An automated filling mechanism for a printhead

Abstract

The application discloses an automatic feeding mechanism of a printing head, which comprises a printing head, a servo motor, a feeding pipe and a nozzle arranged outside the printing head, and a working cavity and a movable cavity arranged inside the printing head, wherein the working cavity is communicated with the movable cavity, and an extrusion screw is arranged in the working cavity, and particularly relates to the technical field of printing heads. The automatic feeding mechanism of the printing head is characterized in that the movable cavity and the working cavity are arranged inside the printing head, when materials are sequentially output to the nozzle through the feeding pipe and the working cavity, a photographic scanner arranged in the movable cavity can take and identify the liquid level of the materials, then the rotating speed of the servo motor is controlled by a control unit to adjust the rotating speed of the extrusion screw, when the liquid level is low, the rotating speed of the extrusion screw is reduced to weaken the output speed of the nozzle, so that the problem of power waste is solved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of printhead technology, specifically relating to an automated feeding mechanism for a printhead. Background Technology

[0002] A printhead is a type of 3D printing head. As the name suggests, a 3D printhead is a device mounted on a 3D printer to allow the printer to print 3D models. 3D printers using 3D printheads can smoothly print 3D models of different shapes.

[0003] Because 3D printing heads require material to print models, but existing 3D printing heads are generally designed to be closed, the material inside is difficult to observe from the outside. Therefore, personnel cannot know how much material is available, and often the 3D printing head continues to work even when the material is exhausted. This results in the 3D printing head running idle, which not only wastes energy but also damages the 3D model, leading to a decrease in the printing yield and an increase in printing costs. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide an automated feeding mechanism for a printhead to solve the problems mentioned in the background art.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following technical solution: an automated feeding mechanism for a printhead, comprising a printhead, a servo motor, a feed pipe, and a nozzle disposed on the outer side of the printhead, a working chamber and a movable chamber being formed inside the printhead, the working chamber and the movable chamber being connected, a pressing screw being disposed inside the working chamber, a driven wheel being disposed at one end of the pressing screw, a driving wheel being disposed at one end of the servo motor, the driven wheel and the driving wheel being meshed with each other, a device base being disposed inside the movable chamber, a photographic scanner being disposed on one side of the device base, an observation slot being formed on the side of the movable chamber near the working chamber, the photographic scanner capturing and scanning the interior of the working chamber through the observation slot.

[0006] Preferably, the photographic scanner is equipped with an IPC algorithm processor, which includes an acquisition unit, a storage unit, an IPC image processing unit, and a control unit. The acquisition unit and the storage unit respectively acquire and save images captured by the photographic scanner. The IPC image processing unit analyzes the images saved in the storage unit, selects and extracts the chroma and three-dimensional coordinates of the liquid level in the image, and converts the chroma and three-dimensional coordinates of the liquid level into corresponding dense point clouds. The IPC image processing unit filters and eliminates interference clusters in the dense point clouds, selects the dense point cloud that best matches the liquid level, and drives the control unit to work. The control unit drives the servo motor to control the rotation speed of the drive wheel.

[0007] Preferably, the device includes a defining component, which comprises a tension spring disposed below the device base and sliders disposed on both sides of the device base. A ring is connected to both the movable cavity and the opposite side of the device base, and the tension spring is movably connected to the ring.

[0008] Preferably, a protective assembly is included, comprising a hinge, a connecting strip, and a protective cover. The connecting strip is hinged to the printhead via the hinge, and the protective cover is disposed at the end of the connecting strip away from the hinge, and the protective cover is movably connected to the printhead.

[0009] Preferably, the device includes a fixing assembly, which includes a suction cup, a screw, a screw plate, and a turntable. The screw plate is fixedly connected to the print head, the screw is screwed to the screw plate, and the suction cup and the turntable are respectively located at both ends of the screw.

[0010] Preferably, it includes a limiting component, wherein a hinge plate is provided inside the limiting component, the hinge plate is hinged to the print head, and the connecting belt is movably connected to the hinge plate.

[0011] Preferably, the slider is movably connected to the slider groove.

[0012] Preferably, a plug is provided on one side of the hinge plate, and a plug hole is provided on the surface wall of the print head, with the plug fitting into the plug hole.

[0013] Preferably, a latching plate is hinged to one side of the movable cavity.

[0014] Preferably, the turntable is provided with a turntable handle at the eccentric part for easy gripping.

[0015] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following advantages:

[0016] (1) The automated feeding mechanism of the print head is designed with an active chamber and a working chamber inside the print head. When the material is output to the print head through the feed pipe and the working chamber, the photoelectric scanner inside the active chamber can capture and identify the liquid level of the material. Then, the control unit controls the speed of the servo motor to adjust the speed of the extrusion screw. When the liquid level is low, the speed of the extrusion screw is reduced to weaken the output speed of the print head, so as to prevent the print head from working normally and not outputting material when the material supply inside the working chamber is insufficient, thus solving the problem of power waste.

[0017] (2) The automated feeding mechanism of the printhead, by setting protective components and limiting components on the side of the printer, when the printer is working, the connecting strap can be flipped and wrapped inside the hinge plate through the hinge to prevent the connecting strap and protective cover from shaking and hitting the printhead and affecting the printhead operation. When the printer is not working, the connecting strap and protective cover can be reset by loosening the hinge plate, and then the protective cover can be inserted into the opening of the printhead to protect the printhead and improve the service life of the printhead.

[0018] (3) The automated feeding mechanism of the print head, since the working chamber is connected to the moving chamber, when the liquid level drops, the tension spring and the tension ring can support the equipment seat and prevent the equipment seat from contacting the bottom of the moving chamber, thereby eliminating the problem of the photogrammetric scanner coming into contact with the material and improving the safety of the photogrammetric scanner. Attached Figure Description

[0019] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the disassembled structure of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the printhead structure of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional view of the printhead of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the component defined in this invention;

[0024] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the fixing component of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the limiting component of the present invention;

[0026] In the diagram: 1. Printhead; 11. Extrusion screw; 12. Driven wheel; 13. Drive wheel; 14. Working chamber; 15. Slider groove; 16. Observation groove; 17. Movable chamber; 18. Buckle plate; 2. Feed pipe; 3. Servo motor; 4. Nozzle; 5. Fixing assembly; 51. Suction cup; 52. Screw; 53. Screw plate; 54. Turntable; 6. Protective assembly; 61. Hinge; 62. Connecting belt; 63. Protective cover; 7. Photographic scanner; 8. Limiting assembly; 81. Equipment base; 82. Slider; 83. Tension spring; 84. Ring; 9. Limiting assembly; 91. Hinge plate; 92. Insert rod; 93. Insertion hole. Detailed Implementation

[0027] 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 some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. 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.

[0028] Please see Figures 1-7As shown, the present invention provides the following technical solution: an automated feeding mechanism for a printhead, including a printhead 1, a servo motor 3, a feed pipe 2 and a nozzle 4 arranged on the outside of the printhead 1, a working chamber 14 and a movable chamber 17 opened inside the printhead 1, the working chamber 14 and the movable chamber 17 are connected, a pressing screw 11 is arranged inside the working chamber 14, a driven wheel 12 is arranged at one end of the pressing screw 11, a driving wheel 13 is arranged at one end of the servo motor 3, the driven wheel 12 and the driving wheel 13 mesh with each other, a device base 81 is arranged inside the movable chamber 17, a photographic scanner 7 is arranged on one side of the device base 81, an observation slot 16 is opened on the side of the movable chamber 17 near the working chamber 14, and the photographic scanner 7 captures and scans the inside of the working chamber 14 through the observation slot 16.

[0029] Furthermore, the photographic scanner 7 is equipped with an IPC algorithm processor, which includes an acquisition unit, a storage unit, an IPC image processing unit, and a control unit. The acquisition unit and the storage unit respectively acquire and save the images captured by the photographic scanner 7. The IPC image processing unit analyzes the images saved in the storage unit, selects and extracts the chroma and three-dimensional coordinates of the liquid level in the image, and converts the chroma and three-dimensional coordinates of the liquid level into corresponding dense point clouds. The IPC image processing unit filters and eliminates interference groups in the dense point clouds, selects the dense point cloud that best matches the liquid level, and drives the control unit to work. The control unit drives the servo motor 3 to work to control the rotation speed of the drive wheel 13.

[0030] Furthermore, it includes a limiting component 8, which includes a tension spring 83 disposed below the device base 81 and sliders 82 disposed on both sides of the device base 81. A ring 84 is connected to both the movable cavity 17 and the opposite side of the device base 81, and the tension spring 83 is movably connected to the ring 84.

[0031] Furthermore, it includes a protective component 6, which includes a hinge 61, a connecting strap 62, and a protective cover 63. The connecting strap 62 is hinged to the printhead 1 via the hinge 61, and the protective cover 63 is located at the end of the connecting strap 62 away from the hinge 61. The protective cover 63 is movably connected to the printhead 4.

[0032] Furthermore, it includes a fixing component 5, which includes a suction cup 51, a screw 52, ​​a screw plate 53, and a turntable 54. The screw plate 53 is fixedly connected to the print head 1, the screw 52 is screwed to the screw plate 53, and the suction cup 51 and the turntable 54 are respectively located at both ends of the screw 52.

[0033] Furthermore, it includes a limiting component 9, which has a hinge plate 91 inside. The hinge plate 91 is hinged to the print head 1, and the connecting belt 62 is movably connected to the hinge plate 91.

[0034] Furthermore, slider 82 is movably connected to slider groove 15.

[0035] Furthermore, a plug 92 is provided on one side of the hinge plate 91, and a socket 93 is provided on the surface wall of the print head 1, with the plug 92 and the socket 93 being compatible.

[0036] Specifically, a latch plate 18 is hinged to one side of the movable cavity 17.

[0037] It is worth noting that the turntable 54 has an off-center turntable handle for easy gripping.

[0038] During operation, firstly, print head 1 is removed. Then, on one hand, the feed tube 2 is connected to the material output port of the 3D printer. On the other hand, the position of print head 1 is adjusted and the turntable 54 is rotated so that the turntable 54 drives the screw 52 to rotate. The screw 52 then drives the suction cup 51 to squeeze the printer so that print head 1 can be smoothly loaded onto the printer. Next, material is injected into the working chamber 14 inside print head 1 through feed tube 2. Then, the servo motor 3 is driven to work so that the servo motor 3 drives the drive wheel 13 to rotate. After the drive wheel 13 rotates, it drives the meshing driven wheel 12 to rotate, so that the driven wheel 12 drives the extrusion screw 11 to work to extrude the material, so that the material can be ejected through the nozzle 4.

[0039] Since the material inside the working chamber 14 decreases when the material is ejected, and the working chamber 14 is connected to the movable chamber 17, the device base 81 will cause the photographic scanner 7 to descend. When the photographic scanner 7 descends, it instantly captures and identifies the liquid surface of the material. Specifically, the identification principle is that the acquisition unit and the storage unit respectively capture and save the images captured by the photographic scanner 7. The IPC image processing unit analyzes the images saved in the storage unit, selects and extracts the chroma and three-dimensional coordinates of the liquid level in the image (the origin of the three-dimensional coordinates is the bottom wall of the movable chamber 17), and converts the chroma and three-dimensional coordinates of the liquid level into corresponding dense point clouds. The IPC image processing unit filters and eliminates interference groups of dense point clouds, selects the dense point cloud that best matches the liquid level, and drives the control unit to work. The control unit drives the servo motor 3 to work to control the speed of the drive wheel 13. Then, by controlling the speed of the servo motor 3, the speed of the extrusion screw 11 is adjusted. When the liquid level is low, the speed of the extrusion screw 11 is reduced to weaken the output speed of the nozzle 4. At the same time, due to the presence of the tension spring 83 and the ring 84, the tension spring 83 can support the equipment base 81 to prevent the equipment base 81 from being too low and touching the bottom of the active cavity 17, which would cause the photogrammetric scanner 7 to come into contact with the material and damage the photogrammetric scanner 7.

[0040] Although embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes, modifications, substitutions and alterations can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. An automated feeding mechanism for a printhead, characterized in that: The device includes a printhead (1), a servo motor (3), a feed pipe (2) and a nozzle (4) on the outside of the printhead (1). The printhead (1) has a working chamber (14) and a movable chamber (17) inside. The working chamber (14) and the movable chamber (17) are connected. The working chamber (14) has a pressing screw (11) inside. One end of the pressing screw (11) has a driven wheel (12). One end of the servo motor (3) has a driving wheel (13). The driven wheel (12) and the driving wheel (13) mesh with each other. The movable chamber (17) has a device base (81) inside. One side of the device base (81) has a photographic scanner (7). The movable chamber (17) has an observation slot (16) on the side near the working chamber (14). The photographic scanner (7) captures and scans the inside of the working chamber (14) through the observation slot (16). The photographic scanner (7) is equipped with an IPC algorithm processor, which includes an acquisition unit, a storage unit, an IPC image processing unit, and a control unit; The acquisition unit and storage unit respectively acquire and save the images captured by the photographic scanner (7). The IPC image processing unit analyzes the images saved by the storage unit, selects and extracts the chroma and three-dimensional coordinates of the liquid level in the image, and converts the chroma and three-dimensional coordinates of the liquid level into the corresponding dense point cloud. The IPC image processing unit filters and eliminates the interference groups of the dense point cloud, selects the dense point cloud that best matches the liquid level, and drives the control unit to work. The control unit drives the servo motor (3) to work to control the rotation speed of the drive wheel (13). Includes a limiting component (8), which includes a tension spring (83) disposed below the device base (81) and sliders (82) disposed on both sides of the device base (81). The movable cavity (17) and the opposite side of the device base (81) are connected to a ring (84), and the tension spring (83) is movably connected to the ring (84). The device includes a protective assembly (6), which includes a hinge (61), a connecting strip (62), and a protective cover (63). The connecting strip (62) is hinged to the print head (1) via the hinge (61), and the protective cover (63) is located at the end of the connecting strip (62) away from the hinge (61). The protective cover (63) is movably connected to the print head (4).

2. The automated feeding mechanism for a printhead according to claim 1, characterized in that: The device includes a fixing component (5), which includes a suction cup (51), a screw (52), a screw plate (53), and a turntable (54). The screw plate (53) is fixedly connected to the print head (1), and the screw (52) is screwed to the screw plate (53). The suction cup (51) and the turntable (54) are respectively located at both ends of the screw (52).

3. The automated feeding mechanism for a printhead according to claim 1, characterized in that: It includes a limiting component (9), and a hinge plate (91) is provided inside the limiting component (9). The hinge plate (91) is hinged to the print head (1), and the connecting strip (62) is movably connected to the hinge plate (91).

4. The automated feeding mechanism for a printhead according to claim 1, characterized in that: The slider (82) is movably connected to the slider groove (15).

5. The automated feeding mechanism for a printhead according to claim 3, characterized in that: A plug rod (92) is provided on one side of the hinge plate (91), and a socket (93) is provided on the surface wall of the print head (1). The plug rod (92) is adapted to the socket (93).

6. The automated feeding mechanism for a printhead according to claim 1, characterized in that: A latch plate (18) is hinged to one side of the movable cavity (17).

7. An automated feeding mechanism for a printhead according to claim 2, characterized in that: The turntable (54) is provided with a turntable handle at the eccentric part for easy gripping.

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