A foldable 3D printer for small teaching model printing

Abstract

This application discloses a foldable 3D printer for printing small teaching models, belonging to the field of 3D printing. It includes a printer frame; multiple legs evenly spaced around the circumference of the printer frame, each leg comprising a first arm, a second arm, and a third arm. One end of the first arm is rotatably connected to the printer frame, and the second arm is rotatably connected between the first and third arms. The end of the third arm furthest from the second arm serves as a support end. A printer nozzle is located at the bottom of the printer frame. This design allows the legs to form a spider-leg shape. Based on the principle that spider legs can straighten and curl, the legs in this application, when straightened, can raise the printer frame while reducing the printing space between the legs, folding the entire 3D printer into a slender shape for easy handling and carrying. When curled, the printer frame lowers, increasing the printing space between the legs, thus enabling the printing of short and stout teaching models.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of 3D printing technology, and more particularly to a foldable 3D printer for printing small educational models. Background Technology

[0002] 3D printing, also known as additive manufacturing, is a rapid prototyping technology. It's a technique that uses digital model files as a base and employs powdered metals or plastics as binders to construct objects layer by layer. Currently, 3D printers are commonly used in industrial, light industrial, and aerospace fields, and the printed parts are relatively expensive components. Due to the high precision requirements of industrial production, 3D printers used in industrial applications are generally high-precision and expensive. Using them for printing educational models would be wasteful. Furthermore, current 3D printers typically have the print head mounted on a gantry within the working housing. Two coordinate movement devices on the gantry are used to change the height and horizontal position of the print head. While this method can meet the requirement of constantly changing the print head's position and height, this structure cannot simultaneously change the size of the printing space to adapt to the needs of different types of educational models, such as switching between elongated and short / stout educational models that require different printing space sizes. Meanwhile, the structural dimensions and overall shape of the 3D printer with the above structure will not change. One way to change its structural dimensions is to disassemble it into several parts. This is not only troublesome to operate, but also requires on-site installation during use, which increases the installation time. Especially when moving and carrying it, because its structural dimensions cannot be folded, it is quite troublesome to move and carry. Summary of the Invention

[0003] Existing 3D printers are generally used for industrial production, but these industrial 3D printers are expensive and unsuitable for printing educational models. Furthermore, existing 3D printers primarily change the position of the printing head through a gantry structure, but cannot change the printing space simultaneously by altering the height and position. Additionally, the gantry structure remains largely unchanged, making it inconvenient to handle and carry. This application designs a foldable 3D printer for printing small educational models, and the specific technical solution adopted is as follows:

[0004] A foldable 3D printer for printing small educational models includes:

[0005] Printer stand;

[0006] Multiple legs are evenly spaced around the circumference of the printer frame. Each leg includes a first leg arm, a second leg arm, and a third leg arm. One end of the first leg arm is rotatably connected to the printer frame. The second leg arm is rotatably connected between the first leg arm and the third leg arm. The end of the third leg arm away from the second leg arm is the support end.

[0007] The printer printhead is located at the bottom of the printer frame;

[0008] The base is positioned between multiple legs and below the printer head.

[0009] Preferably, the connection between the first leg arm and the printer frame, the connection between the first leg arm and the second leg arm, and the connection between the second leg arm and the third leg arm are connected by locking members. The locking members have a locked state and a released state. In the locked state, the first leg arm is fixed to the printer frame, the connection between the first leg arm and the second leg arm, and the connection between the second leg arm and the third leg arm. In the released state, the first leg arm is hinged to the printer frame, the connection between the first leg arm and the second leg arm, and the connection between the second leg arm and the third leg arm.

[0010] Preferably, the printer rack includes:

[0011] Go to the platform;

[0012] Multiple guide posts are evenly spaced around the circumference of the upper platform. One end of each guide post is vertically positioned on the upper platform, and the other end extends downward. Each guide post has a first guide rail along its length. A first leg arm extends into the first guide rail and is rotatably connected to the guide post.

[0013] Preferred options also include:

[0014] Connecting ring, which is connected to the lower end of multiple guide posts.

[0015] Preferably, each guide post has a second guide rail along its length, and the printer nozzle is slidably mounted on the second guide rail via multiple telescopic connectors.

[0016] Preferably, the base is hinged to the lower ends of multiple third leg arms via multiple connecting rods. Each connecting rod includes a first rod segment and a second rod segment. The first rod segment is hinged to the second rod segment, the first rod segment is hinged to the third leg arm, and the second rod segment is hinged to the base.

[0017] Preferably, the base includes:

[0018] The outer casing is hinged to the lower ends of multiple third leg arms via connecting rods;

[0019] Heating element, which is located inside the outer casing.

[0020] Preferably, the second segment of each connecting rod has a third guide rail, and the base has a slider that cooperates with the third guide rail. The width of the slider is smaller than the width of the third guide rail, and the base is slidably mounted on the third guide rail by the slider.

[0021] Preferably, the lower end of the third leg arm is hinged to a support, which includes an upper support and a lower support. The third leg arm is hinged to the upper support, and a threaded connector is used to connect the upper support and the lower support.

[0022] Preferred options also include:

[0023] Multiple reflective rings are mounted on the printer frame via uprights. The reflective rings have different diameters, with the diameter gradually increasing from bottom to top. The uprights are equipped with multiple lights corresponding to the height of the largest reflective ring, and the lights are evenly spaced along the circumference of the reflective ring.

[0024] This invention incorporates support legs, specifically three rotatably connected leg arms, creating a spider-leg shape. Based on the principle that spider legs can straighten and curl, the support legs in this application can also straighten and curl. When straightened, they raise the printer frame, reducing the printing space between the legs and folding the entire 3D printer into a long, slender shape for easy handling and transport. When curled, the printer frame lowers, increasing the printing space between the legs and unfolding the entire 3D printer into a short, stout shape for printing short, stout teaching models. Attached Figure Description

[0025] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 2 This is the front view of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 3 This is a diagram showing the state of the outrigger after it slides within the first guide rail.

[0028] Figure 4 A diagram showing the state of the three arms and legs of the supporting leg after relative motion (approaching a straightened state).

[0029] In the diagram, 1. Printer frame, 101. Upper platform, 102. Guide post, 103. Connecting hole, 104. Second guide rail, 105. First guide rail, 106. Connecting ring, 2. Telescopic connector, 3. Printer nozzle, 4. Base, 5. Connecting rod, 501. Second rod segment, 502. Third guide rail, 503. First rod segment, 6. Support, 601. Upper support, 602. Lower support, 603. Threaded connector, 7. Support leg, 701. First leg arm, 702. Second leg arm, 703. Third leg arm, 8. Lighting lamp, 9. Reflector ring, 10. Upright pole, 11. Slider. Detailed Implementation

[0030] To clearly illustrate the technical features of this solution, the invention will be described in detail below through specific implementation methods and in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0031] Furthermore, in the description of this invention, it should be understood that the terms "center," "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inner," "outer," "axial," "radial," and "circumferential" indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are 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.

[0032] like Figure 1-4 As shown, a foldable 3D printer for printing small teaching models includes a printer frame 1, multiple legs 7, a printer nozzle 3, and a base 4.

[0033] The printer frame 1 is used to install the printer nozzle 3. The printer nozzle 3 is located at the bottom of the printer frame 1, below the printer frame 1. The printer nozzle 3 sprays out powdered metal or plastic and other adhesive materials to construct objects by printing layer by layer.

[0034] The aforementioned multiple support legs 7 serve as supporting components, supporting the ground. In this application, there are three support legs 7, which are evenly spaced around the circumference of the printer frame 1. Each support leg 7 includes a first leg arm 701, a second leg arm 702, and a third leg arm 703. One end of the first leg arm 701 is rotatably connected to the printer frame 1. The second leg arm 702 is rotatably connected between the first leg arm 701 and the third leg arm 703. The end of the third leg arm 703 away from the second leg arm 702 is the supporting end, which is supported on the ground.

[0035] In this embodiment, the base 4 is located in the printing space between the three legs 7 and below the printer nozzle 3. The base 4 is used to support the three-dimensional object to be printed and cooperates with the printer nozzle 3 to perform 3D printing.

[0036] Since this application pertains to printing small educational models, the required printing space is relatively small. The printing space is created between the three legs 7. By changing the form of the three legs 7, the printing space is altered. Although the changed printing space is still small, it meets the usage requirements. Furthermore, the folding of the three legs 7 is similar to the extension and retraction of a spider's legs. When the three legs 7 are folded (equivalent to when a spider's legs are straight), they lift the printer frame 1, allowing the printer nozzle 3 to move not only within a small range on the printer frame 1 but also, through the extension and retraction of the three legs 7, to move the entire printer frame 1 and printer nozzle 3 over a large range. However, while changing the height of the printer frame 1, the three legs 7 also change the printing space between them. For slender educational models, it is suitable to straighten the three legs 7; for short and stout educational models, it is suitable to curl the three legs 7, facilitating the switching of the leg 7 modes for different types of educational models. Meanwhile, because the 3D printer in this application changes the printing space for different teaching models, the moving distance and range of the printer nozzle 3 are smaller, the overall size of the 3D printer is smaller, and the average material consumption is relatively less. The materials used are all ordinary metal materials, so the price is relatively lower than that of industrial 3D printers. It is more suitable for the field of education, especially for some remote and poor areas to purchase and use, thus increasing its scope of use.

[0037] Furthermore, the rotational connection between the legs and the rotational connection between the legs and the printer frame 1 is specifically as follows: the connection between the first leg 701 and the printer frame 1, the connection between the first leg 701 and the second leg 702, and the connection between the second leg 702 and the third leg 703 are respectively provided with connection holes 103. The connection holes 103 are connected by locking members, which can be bolt and nut structures. The locking members have a locked state and a released state. In the locked state, the first leg 701 is fixed to the printer frame 1, the connection between the first leg 701 and the second leg 702, and the connection between the second leg 702 and the third leg 703. In the released state, the first leg 701 is hinged to the printer frame 1, the connection between the first leg 701 and the second leg 702, and the connection between the second leg 702 and the third leg 703.

[0038] When it is necessary to raise printer rack 1, such as Figure 4As shown, loosen the locking parts and manually increase the included angle between the first leg arm 701, the second leg arm 702, and the third leg arm 703. When raised to the required height, tighten the locking parts to fix the first leg arm 701, the second leg arm 702, and the third leg arm 703 together, fixing the support leg 7 at this height. At the same time, the printer frame 1 is also fixed at this height. However, as the support leg 7 drives the printer frame 1 to rise, the three support legs 7 also move closer to each other to a certain extent, reducing the printing space between the three support legs 7. At this time, the slender teaching model can be printed.

[0039] When lowering the printer frame 1, loosen the locking mechanism and manually reduce the angle between the first leg arm 701, the second leg arm 702, and the third leg arm 703. When it reaches the desired height, tighten the locking mechanism to fix the first leg arm 701, the second leg arm 702, and the third leg arm 703 together, thus fixing the support legs 7 at this height and simultaneously fixing the printer frame 1 at this height. When lowering the height of the printer frame 1, the three support legs 7 also move away from each other to a certain extent, increasing the printing space between the three support legs 7. At this point, the short and stout teaching model can be printed.

[0040] In addition, when it is necessary to move or carry this 3D printer, the bolts can be loosened to increase the included angle between the first leg arm 701, the second leg arm 702 and the third leg arm 703 of each leg 7, so that the horizontal distance between the three legs 7 is reduced. At this time, the 3D printer is folded into a slender shape, reducing the space occupied in the horizontal direction, making it easier to move and carry.

[0041] Furthermore, the aforementioned printer frame 1 specifically includes an upper platform 101 and multiple guide pillars 102. The upper platform 101 is horizontally positioned and houses the circuit board, small motor, and other components used in the printer. The upper platform 101 is disc-shaped, which reduces its size, further decreasing the overall volume of the 3D printer when the support legs 7 are folded. There are three guide pillars 102, the same number as the support legs 7, and each guide pillar 102 corresponds to one support leg 7. The three guide pillars 102 are evenly spaced along the circumference of the upper platform 101. The upper end of each guide pillar 102 is vertically positioned on the upper platform 101, and the lower end extends downwards. A first guide rail 105 is provided along the length of each guide pillar 102. The first leg arm 701 of the support leg 7 extends into the first guide rail 105 and is connected to the guide pillar 102 via a locking mechanism.

[0042] By setting guide posts 102 and first guide rails 105, such as Figure 3As shown, in addition to changing its height via the support legs 7, the height of the printer stand 1 can also be further changed by sliding the support legs 7 within the first guide rail 105 of the guide post 102. In this way, the height of the printer stand 1 can be changed in two ranges, further increasing the height of the printing space, so as to meet the needs when printing thinner and taller teaching models.

[0043] Furthermore, to prevent the lower end of the guide post 102 from vibrating or tilting inward when the support leg 7 slides within the first guide rail 105 of the guide post 102, the printer frame 1 also includes a connecting ring 106. The connecting ring 106 is connected to the lower end of the three guide posts 102. The presence of the connecting ring 106 is to fix the three guide posts 102 and further improve the stability of the three guide posts 102.

[0044] It should be noted that the locking of the outrigger 7 within the first guide rail 105 is achieved through the connection hole 103 provided on the guide post 102 and the locking member. That is, there are multiple connection holes 103, which are spaced apart along the direction of the first guide rail 105. When the outrigger 7 slides within the first guide rail 105 and is fixed in a certain position, the locking member passes through the connection hole 103 to fix the outrigger 7 in this position.

[0045] Furthermore, each of the aforementioned guide posts 102 is provided with a second guide rail 104 along its length. The second guide rail 104 and the first guide rail 105 are located on different sides of the guide post 102. This is done to stagger the first guide rail 105 and the second guide rail 104, and the printer head 3 is slidably mounted on the second guide rail 104 via three telescopic connectors 2. The telescopic connectors 2 here are automatic telescopic rods, and the printer head 3 is slidably mounted on the second guide rail 104 via the three automatic telescopic rods.

[0046] It should be noted that the sliding of the three automatic telescopic rods within the second guide rail 104 is achieved by a motor driving a roller to rotate, with a suspension rope wound around the roller. The other end of the suspension rope is connected to a slide block located within the second guide rail 104, and one end of the electric telescopic rod is hinged to the slide block.

[0047] By sliding the printer nozzle 3 within the second guide rail 104, the printer nozzle 3 can achieve the small-range height change required during printing. The printer nozzle 3 is slidably mounted on the second guide rail 104 via three automatic telescopic rods. The extension and retraction of the three automatic telescopic rods change the position of the printer nozzle 3 within a small range in the horizontal plane. Since the 3D printer of this application is designed for printing small teaching models, the movement distance of the printer nozzle 3 in the horizontal plane is small. The need can be met by moving the position of the printer nozzle 3 in the horizontal plane through the automatic telescopic rods, without the need to use the three-coordinate moving device of the gantry in industrial 3D printers.

[0048] Furthermore, regarding the aforementioned base 4, specifically, the base 4 is hinged to the lower ends of the three third leg arms 703 via three connecting rods 5. Each connecting rod 5 includes a first rod segment 503 and a second rod segment 501. The first rod segment 503 is hinged to the second rod segment 501, the first rod segment 503 is hinged to the lower end of the third leg arm 703, and the second rod segment 501 is hinged to the base 4. The reason for setting the connecting rod 5 to be hinged in two segments is to accommodate the change in printing space between the legs 7 when they are folded or unfolded. Because the printing space between the legs 7 decreases when the legs 7 are folded, the length of the connecting rod 5 needs to change. Therefore, the hinged rotation of the first rod segment 503 and the second rod segment 501 accommodates the change in the length of the connecting rod 5.

[0049] Furthermore, the aforementioned base 4 specifically includes a shell and a heating core. The shell is made of aluminum profile, which covers the heating core inside. The heating core here uses ceramic heating. When electricity is applied to the ceramic, the ceramic heating will transfer heat to the shell, and then the shell will transfer heat to the printed material, keeping the material heated and avoiding the problem of poor adhesion between the printed layer and subsequent printed layers after the printed layer is cooled down quickly.

[0050] Furthermore, to ensure that the base 4 can move in the horizontal plane, third guide rails 502 are respectively provided on the second section 501 of the three connecting rods 5. The base 4 has a slider 11 that cooperates with the third guide rail 502. The width of the slider 11 is smaller than the width of the third guide rail 502, so that the slider 11 can disengage from the third guide rail 502 under the action of external force. Since there are three connecting rods 5, and the included angle between the three in the horizontal plane is 120°, the base 4 can only move along the direction of the three connecting rods 5. Therefore, the movement direction is only three. However, since the base 4 has a large area, it does not affect the base 4 from bearing the printed object in any direction.

[0051] In this embodiment, the width of the slider 11 is smaller than the width of the third guide rail 502 in order to ensure that when the slider 11 moves along one of the connecting rods 5, the sliders 11 on the other two connecting rods 5 can disengage from the third guide rail 502, thereby ensuring that the movement of the base 4 is not affected.

[0052] Furthermore, to ensure the 3D printer remains level at all positions, thereby guaranteeing the accuracy of the printed object (where accuracy refers to good fit between each layer of the printed object, ensuring minimal deviation), a support 6 is hinged to the lower end of the third leg 703. This support 6 includes an upper support 601 and a lower support 602. The third leg 703 is hinged to the upper support 601, and a threaded connector 603 connects the upper support 601 and the lower support 602. When one leg 7 is positioned too low or too high, its height is adjusted by tightening the threaded connector 603 between the upper support 601 and the lower support 602 to ensure that all three legs 7 are essentially level.

[0053] Furthermore, the 3D printer in this application also includes multiple reflective rings 9. In this application, there are three reflective rings 9, which are set above the upper platform 101 of the printer frame 1 by a support rod 10. The support rod 10 is set vertically to the upper platform 101, and the three reflective rings 9 are set vertically and alternately. At the same time, the projection of the center point coincides and is on the support rod 10. The diameters of the three reflective rings 9 are different. In this application, the diameters of the three reflective rings 9 gradually increase from bottom to top. Four lighting lamps 8 are provided on the support rod 10 at the height corresponding to the uppermost reflective ring 9. The four lighting lamps 8 are evenly spaced along the circumference of the reflective ring 9.

[0054] In this embodiment, the reason for setting the reflective rings 9 and setting the three reflective rings 9 in the above manner is to use the reflective rings 9 to diffuse the light of the above-mentioned lighting lamp 8, so that the illumination range will be expanded and the illumination blind spot of the 3D printer will be reduced.

[0055] The above specific embodiments should not be construed as limiting the scope of protection of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, any alternative improvements or modifications made to the embodiments of the present invention shall fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0056] Any aspects of this invention not described in detail are well-known to those skilled in the art.

Claims

1. A foldable 3D printer for printing small educational models, characterized in that, include: Printer stand; Multiple support legs are evenly spaced around the circumference of the printer frame. Each support leg includes a first leg arm, a second leg arm, and a third leg arm. One end of the first leg arm is rotatably connected to the printer frame. The second leg arm is rotatably connected between the first leg arm and the third leg arm. The end of the third leg arm away from the second leg arm is a support end. The printer frame includes an upper platform and multiple guide columns. The multiple guide columns are evenly spaced around the circumference of the upper platform. One end of each guide column is vertically disposed on the upper platform, and the other end extends downward. Each guide column is provided with a first guide rail along its length direction. The first leg arm extends into the first guide rail and is rotatably connected to the guide column. A printer printhead, wherein the printer printhead is disposed at the bottom end of the printer frame; The base is disposed between the plurality of legs and located below the printer nozzle. The base is hinged to the lower ends of the plurality of third leg arms via a plurality of connecting rods. Each connecting rod includes a first rod segment and a second rod segment. The first rod segment is hinged to the second rod segment, the first rod segment is hinged to the third leg arm, and the second rod segment is hinged to the base. The base includes a housing and a heating core. The housing is hinged to the lower ends of the plurality of third legs via the connecting rod. The heating core is disposed inside the housing. The second segment of each connecting rod has a third guide rail. The base has a slider that cooperates with the third guide rail. The width of the slider is smaller than the width of the third guide rail. The base is slidably disposed on the third guide rail via the slider.

2. A foldable 3D printer for printing small teaching models according to claim 1, characterized in that, The connection between the first leg arm and the printer frame, the connection between the first leg arm and the second leg arm, and the connection between the second leg arm and the third leg arm are connected by locking members. The locking members have a locked state and a released state. In the locked state, the first leg arm is fixed to the printer frame, the connection between the first leg arm and the second leg arm, and the connection between the second leg arm and the third leg arm. In the released state, the first leg arm is hinged to the printer frame, the connection between the first leg arm and the second leg arm, and the connection between the second leg arm and the third leg arm.

3. A foldable 3D printer for printing small teaching models according to claim 1, characterized in that, Also includes: A connecting ring is attached to the lower end of the plurality of guide posts.

4. A foldable 3D printer for printing small teaching models according to claim 1, characterized in that, Each of the guide posts has a second guide rail along its length, and the printer nozzle is slidably mounted on the second guide rail via multiple telescopic connectors.

5. A foldable 3D printer for printing small teaching models according to claim 1, characterized in that, The lower end of the third leg arm is hinged to a support, which includes an upper support and a lower support. The third leg arm is hinged to the upper support, and a threaded connector connects the upper support and the lower support.

6. A foldable 3D printer for printing small teaching models according to claim 1, characterized in that, Also includes: Multiple reflective rings are mounted on the printer frame via uprights. The reflective rings have different diameters, with the diameter gradually increasing from bottom to top. The uprights are equipped with multiple lights corresponding to the height of the largest reflective ring, and the lights are evenly spaced along the circumference of the reflective ring.

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