A wind field control structure for a 3D printer and its control method

Abstract

The present invention discloses a wind field control structure and a control method therefor for a 3D printer, including a bottom plate. The upper surface of the bottom plate is fixedly connected with a printer housing. Two first circular through grooves are provided on one side of the housing. A circular ring is rotatably connected in the two first circular through grooves. The inner arc surfaces of the two circular rings are fixedly connected with support plates. A wind turbine is installed on one side of each of the two support plates. The wind turbine is used to generate a wind field inside the housing to blow the dust generated during printing. A dust extraction device is provided on one side of the housing for extracting the smoke and dust out of the housing; by providing a circular ring and adjusting the angle of rotation of the circular ring, the generated air flow wind field can be blown towards the upper part of the model, which is convenient for keeping the smoke and dust generated during printing away from the model. At the same time, by adjusting and changing the wind field, the smoke and dust are blown towards the top, which is convenient for centralized treatment of the smoke.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of printer wind field control, and specifically provides a wind field control structure and a control method for a 3D printer. Background Art

[0002] 3D printing, also known as additive manufacturing, is a process of manufacturing an object by stacking materials layer by layer starting from three-dimensional model data, rather than the traditional subtractive manufacturing method. This manufacturing method without the need for a raw embryo and a mold can bring new design flexibility to the industry, reduce energy use, and shorten the time to market. The main applications of additive manufacturing include rapid prototyping, rapid tooling, direct part production, and part repair of plastics, metals, ceramics, and composite materials.

[0003] When 3D printing metals, a large amount of heat is released in the form of smoke. Most of the wind fields generated by existing printers are fixed and cannot adapt to models of different heights. Since the printing contact point heights are different for models of different heights, the height at which the smoke is generated gradually increases. Due to the relatively high height, the wind field air flow cannot reach the smoke, causing the smoke to float upward and diffuse, which is not conducive to centralized treatment. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of the present invention is to provide a wind field control structure and a control method for a 3D printer in view of the deficiencies of the prior art, so as to solve the problems presented in the background art.

[0005] To achieve the above object, the present invention provides the following technical solutions:

[0006] A wind field control structure and a control method for a 3D printer, including a bottom plate. The upper surface of the bottom plate is fixedly connected to a printer housing. Two first circular through-holes are provided on one side of the housing. A circular ring is rotatably connected in the two first circular through-holes. The inner arc surfaces of the two circular rings are fixedly connected to support plates. A wind turbine is installed on one side of each of the two support plates. The wind turbine is used to generate a wind field inside the housing to blow the dust generated during printing. A dust extraction device is provided on one side of the housing for extracting the smoke and dust out of the housing.

[0007] As a preferred technical solution of the present invention, two second circular through grooves are provided on the side surface of the outer shell. The dust extraction device includes two circular cylinders, and the two circular cylinders are respectively fixedly connected in the two second circular through grooves. One end of each of the two circular cylinders is fixedly connected to a fixing plate, and through grooves are provided on both fixing plates. First one-way rotating plates are rotatably connected in the through grooves. Through holes are provided on the side walls of the two circular cylinders, and second one-way rotating plates are rotatably connected in the two through holes. Pistons are slidably connected to the inner walls of the two circular cylinders. One side of each of the two pistons is rotatably connected to a rotating seat, and one side of each of the two rotating seats is hinged to a push rod. One end of the push rod is hinged to the same cross bar. A support plate is fixedly connected to the outside of the outer shell (11), and a servo motor is fixedly connected to the lower surface of the support plate. The main shaft of the servo motor penetrates through the support plate and is fixedly connected to the cross bar.

[0008] As a preferred technical solution of the present invention, a wiping assembly is provided at the top of the inner cavity of the outer shell for wiping the dust stains remaining on the top due to the rise of soot. Transverse sliding grooves are provided on both sides of the inner cavity of the outer shell, and sliders are slidably connected in the two sliding grooves. The wiping assembly includes a support rod fixed between the two sliders. A sponge wiping block is fixedly connected to the upper surface of the support rod. The sponge wiping block is in contact with the top of the outer shell. An arc-shaped shielding plate is provided on the side of the support rod for catching the dust falling during wiping. A connecting rod is fixedly connected to the other side of the support rod, and the connecting rod penetrates through the outer shell.

[0009] As a preferred technical solution of the present invention, a sewage outlet is provided on one side of the outer shell, and the sewage outlet is matched with the arc-shaped shielding plate. Mounting blocks are fixedly connected to both sides of the outer shell where the sewage outlet is located, and a cover plate is rotatably connected between the two mounting blocks.

[0010] As a preferred technical solution of the present invention, a rack is fixedly connected to one side of the connecting rod, and a driving gear is fixedly connected to the upper end of the main shaft of the servo motor. The driving gear meshes with the rack.

[0011] A wind field control structure for a 3D printer and its control method, which uses the wind field control structure for a 3D printer and its control method described in any one of the claims. The technological process includes the following steps:

[0012] First step: Turn on the wind turbine to generate a wind field inside the printer;

[0013] Second step: Rotate the circular ring to adjust the orientation of the wind turbine so that the wind blows towards the upper part of the model and blows the soot upwards;

[0014] Third step: The dust extraction device is started to extract the smoke and dust that is blown to the upper part by the wind field;

[0015] Step 4: The wiping component wipes off the dust particles of the soot residue blown towards the top by the wind field.

[0016] Compared with the prior art, the present invention provides a wind field control structure for a 3D printer and its control method, having the following

[0017] Advantages:

[0018] 1. For the wind field control structure for a 3D printer and its control method, by setting a circular ring and turning on two wind turbines, a wind field is generated in the forming cavity. Rotating the circular ring makes the two wind turbines generate wind obliquely upwards, blowing away the soot generated during printing away from the model being printed. By installing the wind turbines in an adjustable circular ring, an adjustable wind field is generated inside the housing to adapt to models of different sizes and heights. When the model is relatively high, adjusting the rotation angle of the circular ring to become larger makes the two wind turbines have a larger oblique upward angle, enabling the generated airflow wind field to blow towards the upper part of the model, facilitating the removal of the soot generated during printing from the model.

[0019] 2. For the wind field control structure for a 3D printer and its control method, by setting a circular cylinder and turning on the driving motor, the cross bar is driven to rotate regularly back and forth left and right, causing the two push rods to exhibit different motion states. When one push rod pulls the piston away from the fixed plate, the soot inside the housing is sucked into the circular cylinder, and the other push rod pushes the piston towards the fixed plate, pushing the soot inside the circular cylinder out of the circular cylinder. The working states inside the two circular cylinders are opposite to each other, always keeping one extracting soot from the housing and the other discharging the soot entering the circular cylinder, enabling the two circular cylinders to alternately extract soot from the housing interior for continuous extraction work, avoiding excessive soot concentration inside the housing.

[0020] 3. For the wind field control structure for a 3D printer and its control method, by setting a wiping component, the rack pushes the connecting rod, causing the two sliders to move towards the sewage outlet in the chute. During the movement, the sponge wiping block moves to wipe the top, wiping off the adhered dust, which is beneficial for keeping the interior of the printer clean. When the arc-shaped baffle moves to the sewage outlet, the arc-shaped baffle pushes open the cover plate on one side of the sewage outlet, enabling the arc-shaped baffle and the sponge wiping block to extend out of the housing through the sewage outlet. The staff cleans the dirt on the arc-shaped baffle and the sponge wiping block. Then, when the driving motor rotates in reverse, it pulls the arc-shaped baffle and the sponge wiping block back to their original positions, and then starts wiping the top again from the initial point. After multiple wipings, the dirt residue is reduced. While the driving motor drives the circular cylinder to handle the soot, it also drives the arc-shaped baffle and the sponge wiping block to clean the top, with high working efficiency and time saving.

[0021] 4. The wind field control structure and its control method for a 3D printer. By setting an arc-shaped baffle, as it moves, dust accumulates on one side of the sponge wiping block. When the dust and dirt accumulate to a large amount, it falls under the action of gravity and is caught by the arc-shaped baffle, preventing it from falling on the model and contaminating the model. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] Figure 1 is a three-dimensional structural schematic diagram of the device;

[0023] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional structural schematic diagram of the device;

[0024] Figure 3 is a structural schematic diagram of the dust extraction device;

[0025] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional structural schematic diagram of the circular cylinder;

[0026] Figure 5 is Figure 4 an enlarged structural schematic diagram of part A in

[0027] Figure 6 is a structural schematic diagram of the wiping assembly;

[0028] Figure 7 is a connection schematic diagram of the dust extraction device and the wiping assembly.

[0029] In the figure: 1. Bottom plate; 11. Outer shell; 12. Circular ring; 13. Support plate; 14. Wind turbine; 15. First circular through groove; 16. Slide groove; 17. Slide block; 18. Drain port; 19. Mounting block; 2. Dust extraction device; 21. Circular cylinder; 22. Fixed plate; 23. First one-way rotating plate; 24. Second one-way rotating plate; 25. Piston; 26. Rotating seat; 27. Push rod; 28. Cross bar; 29. Support plate; 201. Servo motor; 3. Wiping assembly; 31. Support rod; 32. Sponge wiping block; 33. Arc-shaped baffle; 34. Connecting rod; 4. Rack; 41. Driving gear. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0030] Next, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present invention, rather than all the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative efforts shall fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

[0031] Please refer to Figure 1-7 , in this implementation scheme:

[0032] A wind field control structure and its control method for a 3D printer, including a bottom plate 1. The upper surface of the bottom plate 1 is fixedly connected with a printer housing 11. There are two first circular through grooves 15 on one side of the housing 11. A circular ring 12 is rotatably connected in the two first circular through grooves 15. The inner arc surfaces of the two circular rings 12 are fixedly connected with support plates 13. Wind turbines 14 are installed on one side of the two support plates 13. The wind turbines 14 are used to generate a wind field inside the housing 11 to blow the dust generated during printing. There is a dust extraction device 2 on one side of the housing 11, which is used to extract the smoke and dust from the housing 11.

[0033] When a metal 3D printer is printing, smoke and dust will be generated in the forming cavity. At this time, the two wind turbines 14 are turned on to generate a wind field in the forming cavity. The circular ring 12 is rotated to make the two wind turbines 14 generate wind obliquely upward, blowing the smoke and dust generated during printing upward, away from the model being printed. By installing the wind turbines 14 in the adjustable circular ring 12, an adjustable wind field is generated inside the housing 11 to adapt to models of different sizes and heights. When the model is relatively high, the angle of the circular ring 12 is adjusted to become larger, and the two wind turbines 14 are at a larger oblique upward angle, so that the generated airflow wind field can blow towards the upper part of the model, facilitating the removal of the smoke and dust generated during printing from the model. When the wind turbines 14 blow the smoke and dust upward, the smoke and dust impact and accumulate at the upper end of the inner cavity of the housing 11. At this time, the smoke and the heat generated during printing are extracted from the housing 11 through the dust extraction device 2, avoiding the excessive smoke concentration inside the housing 11 during the printing of the metal model, surrounding the model and affecting the smooth progress of printing, and at the same time cooling the inside.

[0034] There are two second circular through grooves on the side of the housing 11. The dust extraction device 2 includes two circular cylinders 21, which are respectively fixedly connected in the two second circular through grooves. One end of each of the two circular cylinders 21 is fixedly connected with a fixing plate 22. Through grooves are provided on both fixing plates 22. First one-way rotating plates 23 are rotatably connected in the through grooves. Through holes are provided on the side walls of the two circular cylinders 21. Second one-way rotating plates 24 are rotatably connected in the two through holes. Pistons 25 are slidably connected to the inner walls of the two circular cylinders 21. One side of each of the two pistons 25 is rotatably connected with a rotating seat 26. One side of each of the two rotating seats 26 is hinged with a push rod 27. One end of the two push rods 27 is hinged to the same cross bar 28. A support plate 29 is fixedly connected to the outside of the housing 11. A servo motor 201 is fixedly connected to the lower surface of the support plate 29. The main shaft of the servo motor 201 passes through the support plate 29 and is fixedly connected with the cross bar 28.

[0035] When soot accumulates at the top of the inner cavity of the outer shell 11, the drive motor 201 is turned on at this time, driving the cross bar 28 to start rotating regularly back and forth left and right, causing the two push rods 27 to present different motion states. When one of the push rods 27 pulls the piston 25 away from the fixed plate 22, under the action of air pressure, the first one-way rotating plate 23 rotates and opens, and the second one-way rotating plate 24 closes, sucking the soot in the outer shell 11 into the circular cylinder 21. The other push rod 27 pushes the piston 25 close to the fixed plate 22. The air pressure inside the circular cylinder 21 pushes the first one-way rotating plate 23 to close, and at the same time pushes the second one-way rotating plate 24 to open, pushing the soot inside the circular cylinder 21 out of the circular cylinder 21 through the opened second one-way rotating plate 24. The working states inside the two circular cylinders 21 are opposite. One always sucks soot from the outer shell 11, and the other discharges the soot entering the circular cylinder 21, enabling the two circular cylinders 21 to alternately extract soot from the inner part of the outer shell 11 for continuous extraction work, avoiding excessive soot concentration inside the outer shell 11. At the same time, compared with using an exhaust fan to extract soot, when the exhaust fan is turned off, external dust may pass through the exhaust fan and enter the outer shell 11. This avoids external dust from entering the inner part of the outer shell 11 and avoids interference from external factors during the printing process.

[0036] A wiping assembly 3 is provided at the top of the inner cavity of the outer shell 11 for wiping the dust and stains remaining at the top due to the rising of soot. Transverse chutes 16 are provided on both sides of the inner cavity of the outer shell 11. Sliders 17 are slidably connected in the two chutes 16. The wiping assembly 3 includes a support rod 31 fixed between the two sliders 17. A sponge wiping block 32 is fixedly connected to the upper surface of the support rod 31, and the sponge wiping block 32 is in contact with the top of the outer shell 11. An arc-shaped baffle 33 is provided on the side of the support rod 31 for catching the dust that falls during wiping. A connecting rod 34 is fixedly connected to the other side of the support rod 31. The connecting rod 34 penetrates the outer shell 11. A sewage discharge port 18 is provided on one side of the outer shell 11, and the sewage discharge port 18 cooperates with the arc-shaped baffle 33. Mounting blocks 19 are fixedly connected to both sides of the outer shell 11 where the sewage discharge port 18 is located. A cover plate 101 is rotatably connected between the two mounting blocks 19. A rack 4 is fixedly connected to one side of the connecting rod 34, and a driving gear 41 is fixedly connected to the upper end of the main shaft of the servo motor 201. The driving gear 41 meshes with the rack 4.

[0037] When smoke and heat rise, they will scorch the top of the inner cavity of the housing 11, leaving dirt on the top. While the driving motor 201 starts to drive the two circular cylinders 21 to extract soot, the main shaft of the driving motor 201 drives the driving gear 41 to rotate. The driving gear 41 drives the rack 4 to move. The rack 4 pushes the connecting rod 34, causing the two sliders 17 to move towards the sewage outlet 18 in the sliding groove 16. During the movement, the sponge wiping block 32 moves to wipe the top, wiping off the adhered dust, which is beneficial to keeping the inside of the printer clean. As it moves, the dust accumulates on one side of the sponge wiping block 32. When the dust and dirt accumulate more, they fall under the action of gravity and are caught by the arc-shaped baffle 33 to prevent them from falling on the model and polluting the model. When the arc-shaped baffle 33 moves to the sewage outlet 18, the arc-shaped baffle 33 pushes open the cover plate 101 on one side of the sewage outlet 18, so that the arc-shaped baffle 33 and the sponge wiping block 32 pass through the sewage outlet 18 and extend out of the housing 11. The staff cleans the dirt on the arc-shaped baffle 33 and the sponge wiping block 32. Then when the driving motor 201 rotates in reverse, it pulls the arc-shaped baffle 33 and the sponge wiping block 32 back to their original positions, and then starts wiping the top again from the initial point. After multiple wipings, the dirt residue is reduced. While the driving motor 201 drives the circular cylinder 21 to process the soot, it also drives the arc-shaped baffle 33 and the sponge wiping block 32 to clean the top, with high working efficiency and time saving.

[0038] A wind field control structure and its control method for a 3D printer, using a wind field control structure and its control method described in any one of claims 1-6. The process flow includes the following steps: First step: Turn on the wind turbine to generate a wind field inside the printer;

[0039] Second step: Rotate the circular ring to adjust the orientation of the wind turbine so that the wind blows towards the upper part of the model and blows the soot upwards; Third step: Start the dust extraction device to extract the smoke and dust that are blown to the upper part by the wind field; Fourth step: The wiping assembly wipes off the dust particles remaining from the soot blown to the top by the wind field.

[0040] Working principle and usage process of the present invention: When the metal 3D printer is printing, dust will be generated in the forming cavity. At this time, two wind turbines 14 are turned on to generate a wind field in the forming cavity. The circular ring 12 is rotated to make the two wind turbines 14 generate wind obliquely upward to blow away the dust generated during printing. The drive motor 201 is turned on to drive the cross bar 28 to start moving left and right regularly back and forth, so that the two push rods 27 present different motion states. One of the push rods 27 pulls the piston 25 away from the fixed plate 22 to suck the dust in the housing 11 into the circular cylinder 21, and the other push rod 27 pushes the piston 25 close to the fixed plate 22 to push the dust inside the circular cylinder 21 out of the circular cylinder 21 through the opened second one-way rotating plate 24. At the same time, the main shaft of the drive motor 201 drives the drive gear 41 to rotate, the drive gear 41 drives the rack 4 to move, the rack 4 pushes the connecting rod 34, so that the two sliders 17 move in the chute 16 towards the sewage outlet 18. During the movement, the sponge wiping block 32 moves to wipe the top to wipe off the adhered dust.

[0041] Finally, it should be noted that the above are only the preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, for those skilled in the art, they can still modify the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or perform equivalent replacements for some of the technical features. Any modifications, equivalent replacements, improvements, etc. made within the spirit and principle of the present invention shall be included within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A wind field control structure for a 3D printer, characterized in that: It includes a bottom plate (1). The upper surface of the bottom plate (1) is fixedly connected with a printer housing (11). On one side of the housing (11), there are two first circular through grooves (15). A circular ring (12) is rotatably connected in the two first circular through grooves (15). The inner arc surfaces of the two circular rings (12) are fixedly connected with support plates (13). On one side of each of the two support plates (13), a wind turbine (14) is installed. The wind turbine (14) is used to generate a wind field inside the housing (11) to blow the dust generated during printing. On one side of the housing (11), there is a dust extraction device (2) for extracting the smoke and dust out of the housing (11). On the side surface of the housing (11), there are two second circular through grooves. The dust extraction device (2) includes two circular cylinders (21). The two circular cylinders (21) are respectively fixedly connected in the two second circular through grooves. One end of each of the two circular cylinders (21) is fixedly connected with a fixing plate (22). Through grooves are provided on the two fixing plates (22). First one-way rotating plates (23) are rotatably connected in the through grooves. Through holes are provided on the side walls of the two circular cylinders (21). Second one-way rotating plates (24) are rotatably connected in the two through holes. Pistons (25) are slidably connected to the inner walls of the two circular cylinders (21). One side of each of the two pistons (25) is rotatably connected with a rotating seat (26). One side of each of the two rotating seats (26) is hinged with a push rod (27). One end of the two push rods (27) is hinged to the same cross bar (28). By setting the circular ring (12), when the two wind turbines (14) are turned on, a wind field is generated in the forming cavity. By rotating the circular ring (12), the two wind turbines (14) generate wind obliquely upward. By setting the circular cylinder (21), when the drive motor (201) is turned on, it drives the cross bar (28) to start moving left and right regularly back and forth, so that the two push rods (27) present different motion states. When one of the push rods (27) pulls the piston (25) away from the fixing plate (22), the soot and dust in the housing (11) are sucked into the circular cylinder (21). The other push rod (27) pushes the piston (25) close to the fixing plate (22) to push the soot and dust inside the circular cylinder (21) out of the circular cylinder (21).

2. The wind field control structure for a 3D printer according to claim 1, characterized in that: A support plate (29) is fixedly connected to the outside of the housing (11). A servo motor (201) is fixedly connected to the lower surface of the support plate (29). The main shaft of the servo motor (201) penetrates through the support plate (29) and is fixedly connected with the cross bar (28).

3. The wind field control structure for a 3D printer according to claim 1, characterized in that: At the top of the inner cavity of the housing (11), there is a wiping assembly (3) for wiping the dust and stains remaining on the top due to the rise of soot. On both sides of the inner cavity of the housing (11), there are horizontal sliding grooves (16). In both of the two sliding grooves (16), there are sliding blocks (17) connected. The wiping assembly (3) includes a support rod (31). The support rod (31) is fixed between the two sliding blocks (17). On the upper surface of the support rod (31), there is a sponge wiping block (32) fixedly connected. The sponge wiping block (32) is in contact with the top of the housing (11). On the side of the support rod (31), there is an arc-shaped baffle (33) which is used to catch the dust falling during wiping. On the other side of the support rod (31), there is a connecting rod (34) fixedly connected. The connecting rod (34) penetrates through the housing (11).

4. A wind field control structure for a 3D printer according to claim 1, characterized in that: On one side of the housing (11), there is a sewage outlet (18). The sewage outlet (18) is matched with the arc-shaped baffle (33). On both sides of the housing (11) where the sewage outlet (18) is located, there are mounting blocks (19) fixedly connected. A cover plate (101) is rotatably connected between the two mounting blocks (19).

5. The wind field control structure for a 3D printer according to claim 3, characterized in that: On one side of the connecting rod (34), there is a rack (4) fixedly connected. At the upper end of the main shaft of the servo motor (201), there is a driving gear (41) fixedly connected. The driving gear (41) meshes with the rack (4).

6. A wind field control method for a 3D printer, characterized in that: When using a wind field control structure for a 3D printer according to any one of claims 1-5, the technological process includes the following steps: The first step: Turn on the wind turbine to generate a wind field inside the printer. The second step: By setting the circular cylinder, when the driving motor is turned on, the cross bar starts to rotate left and right regularly, causing the two push rods to present different motion states. When one of the push rods pulls the piston away from the fixed plate, the soot inside the housing is sucked into the circular cylinder. The other push rod pushes the piston close to the fixed plate to push the soot inside the circular cylinder out of the circular cylinder. Rotate the circular ring to adjust the orientation of the wind turbine so that the wind blows towards the upper part of the model and blows the soot upwards. The third step: Start the dust extraction device to extract the smoke and dust that is blown to the upper part by the wind field. The fourth step: The wiping assembly wipes off the dust particles remaining from the soot blown to the top by the wind field.

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