A toner lifting assembly, a toner spreading mechanism, a mobile printing carriage, and a 3D printer

Abstract

This application discloses a powder lifting assembly, a powder spreading mechanism, a mobile printing carriage, and a 3D printer. The powder lifting assembly includes a powder-containing component and a powder lifting component, which together form a powder lifting cavity for containing powder. The powder lifting cavity opens upwards and is adjacent to the printing cavity along the powder spreading direction. The powder lifting component is adapted to move relative to the powder-containing component along the powder spreading direction to reduce the volume of the powder lifting cavity. The powder spreading mechanism, the mobile printing carriage, and the 3D printer employ the aforementioned powder lifting assembly. This technical solution can improve upon the defect in the prior art where powder lifted above the powder spreading plane collapses on the surface of the printing cavity.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of 3D printing, specifically to a powder lifting component, a powder spreading mechanism, a mobile printing carriage, and a 3D printer. Background Technology

[0002] See Figure 1 The existing 3D printer 1 includes a receiving component 8, a support component 9, a nozzle 40, a heating component 41, a powder spreading component 39, and a powder lifting assembly. The receiving component 8 is located along its width direction ( Figure 1The container 8 has two opposing cavity walls arranged in the paper feeding direction (center), and two opposing cavity walls arranged in the powder spreading direction 44 perpendicular to the width direction. The four cavity walls enclose a rectangular receiving cavity. The upper boundary of the receiving member 8 forms a powder spreading plane 43, which is generally horizontally arranged. The support member 9 is housed in the rectangular receiving cavity and is adapted to move up and down relative to the receiving member 8 in the height direction 45. The portion of the receiving cavity above the upper surface of the support member 9 forms a printing cavity 10. The printing cavity 10 has a certain width in the width direction and a certain length in the powder spreading direction 44. The height direction 45 has a variable depth, which is perpendicular to the width direction and the powder spreading direction 44. The printing cavity 10 serves as the printing work area of ​​the 3D printer 1. Powder, as the building material, is laid layer by layer into the printing cavity 10. Specifically, after each layer of powder is laid, energy is applied to the powder in a specific area of ​​that layer to sinter adjacent powder together and to sinter with the powder in the specific area of ​​the layer below it. After the powder in the specific area is sintered, the support member 9 descends one layer. The above process is continuously repeated until printing is completed. After printing is completed, the printing cavity 10 will contain a three-dimensional printed part formed by powder winding and a powder body formed by unsintered powder, wherein the printed part is embedded in the powder body. The nozzle 40 is used to spray a sintering agent onto the powder in the specific area, and the heating element 41 is used to apply energy to the powder non-selectively to achieve sintering. Of course, in the prior art, the heating element 41 can selectively apply energy to sinter the powder in a specific area, and the nozzle 40 can also spray an endothermic agent onto the powder outside the specific area, and the heating element 41 can non-selectively apply energy to prevent the powder outside the specific area from sintering while the powder in the specific area sinters. The powder lifting assembly is used to lift the powder onto the powder spreading plane 43, and the powder lifted onto the powder spreading plane 43 is spread into the printing cavity 10 by the powder spreading member 39 along the powder spreading direction 44. The powder lifting assembly includes a powder-containing component 13 and a powder lifting component 14. The powder-containing component 13 is used to contain powder and is fixed or integrated with the containing component 8. The upper boundary of the powder-containing component 13 is located on the powder-spreading plane 43. The cross-section of the powder-containing component 13 perpendicular to the width direction is approximately arc-shaped, thus forming a groove for containing powder. The powder is conveyed from the bottom of the groove into the groove. The powder lifting component 14 rotates relative to the powder-containing component 13 about a rotating shaft extending in the width direction, and its end away from the rotating shaft is always in contact with the inner wall of the powder-containing component 13. The powder lifting component 14 is adapted to extract powder from the groove and then rotate clockwise to lift the powder onto the spreading plane 43. When the powder lifting function is implemented using the above technical solution, the surface of the powder lifted above the spreading plane 43 that faces the printing cavity 10 often collapses and falls into the printing cavity 10 because it is very steep relative to the spreading plane 43, thus affecting the construction of the printed part. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of this application is to overcome the aforementioned defects or problems in the prior art and to provide a powder lifting component, a powder spreading mechanism, a mobile printing carriage, and a 3D printer, which can improve the defect of powder collapse on the surface of the printing cavity when the powder is lifted above the powder spreading plane.

[0004] To achieve the above objectives, the following technical solution is adopted.

[0005] The first technical solution relates to a powder lifting component for lifting powder, wherein the powder, as a 3D printing build material, is suitable for being laid into the printing cavity of a 3D printer along the powder spreading direction. The component includes a powder-containing element and a powder lifting element. The powder-containing element has a first wall. The powder-containing element and the powder lifting element together form a powder lifting cavity for containing the powder. The powder lifting cavity opens upward and is adjacent to the printing cavity along the powder spreading direction. The first wall is located between the powder lifting cavity and the printing cavity along the powder spreading direction. The powder lifting element is adapted to move relative to the powder-containing element along the powder spreading direction to reduce the volume of the powder lifting cavity.

[0006] The second technical solution is based on the first technical solution, wherein the powder receiving component is provided with a powder receiving port for receiving powder from the outside, and the powder lifting cavity is adapted to receive powder input from the powder receiving port.

[0007] The third technical solution is based on the second technical solution, wherein the width range of the printing cavity along the width direction is within the width range of the powder lifting cavity, and the width direction is perpendicular to the powder spreading direction.

[0008] The fourth technical solution is based on the third technical solution and further includes a powder dispensing component; the powder receiving component is provided with a powder dispensing cavity between the powder lifting cavity and the powder receiving port, the powder lifting cavity and the powder dispensing cavity are connected through a powder inlet, the powder inlet extends in the width direction, the powder dispensing component is housed in the powder dispensing cavity and rotates about a rotation axis extending in the width direction to distribute the powder received from the powder receiving port in the width direction.

[0009] The fifth technical solution is based on the fourth technical solution, wherein the powder dispensing chamber is located below the powder lifting chamber; the powder receiving port is located at the lower part and the middle part along the width direction of the powder dispensing chamber; the powder dispensing component has a shaft, at least one first powder dispensing part arranged along the width direction, and at least one second powder dispensing part arranged along the width direction; the first powder dispensing part and the second powder dispensing part are respectively used to dispense powder from the middle part along the width direction to the corresponding end along the width direction; the first powder dispensing part includes a first large ring and a first small ring, both connected to the shaft, the first large ring being sleeved on the outside of the first small ring, the first large ring and the first small ring being inclined relative to the cross section perpendicular to the axis of rotation and intersecting each other; the second powder dispensing part includes a second large ring and a second small ring, both connected to the shaft, the second large ring being sleeved on the outside of the second small ring, the second large ring and the second small ring being inclined relative to the cross section and intersecting each other; the first large ring and the second small ring have the same inclination direction, and the first small ring and the second large ring have the same inclination direction.

[0010] The sixth technical solution is based on the fifth technical solution and further includes an opening and closing component. The opening and closing component moves between an open position and a closed position relative to the powder receiving component. In the open position, the opening and closing component opens the powder inlet, and in the closed position, the opening and closing component blocks the powder inlet.

[0011] The seventh technical solution is based on the sixth technical solution, wherein the powder receiving component is provided with a partition wall between the powder lifting chamber and the powder dispensing chamber, the powder inlet is disposed on the partition wall, and the opening and closing component slides against the partition wall.

[0012] The eighth technical solution is based on the seventh technical solution, wherein the opening and closing component is located below the partition wall and has a downward protruding abutting part, and the powder dispensing component has a radially protruding actuating part around its periphery, and the actuating part is adapted to actuate the abutting part to change the position of the opening and closing component.

[0013] The ninth technical solution is based on the seventh technical solution, wherein the opening and closing component is located above the partition wall, and the powder lifting component is connected to the opening and closing component and drives the opening and closing component to move in the same direction.

[0014] The tenth technical solution is based on the ninth technical solution and further includes an elastic element. The powder lifting element is connected to the opening and closing element through the elastic element to drive the opening and closing element to move.

[0015] The eleventh technical solution relates to a powder spreading mechanism for lifting powder and spreading it along a powder spreading direction into the printing cavity of a 3D printer, the upper boundary of which is located on a powder spreading plane; it includes a powder spreading component and at least one powder lifting component as described in any one of the first to fifth technical solutions; the upper boundary of the powder lifting cavity is located on the powder spreading plane; the powder lifting component is adapted to move from a first position along the powder spreading direction and sequentially stop at a second position and a third position; when the powder lifting component stops at the second position, the powder lifting cavity is filled with powder; the powder lifting component is also adapted to return from the third position to the first position; the powder spreading component is adapted to move away from the powder spreading direction when the powder lifting component stops at the second position to remove powder from the powder spreading plane; it is also adapted to move along the powder spreading direction when the powder lifting component stops at the third position to spread powder into the printing cavity.

[0016] The twelfth technical solution is based on the eleventh technical solution, wherein the number of powder lifting components is two, and the two powder lifting components are respectively adjacent to both sides of the printing cavity along the powder spreading direction, and the powder spreading directions of the two powder lifting components are opposite.

[0017] The thirteenth technical solution relates to a powder spreading mechanism for lifting powder and spreading it along a powder spreading direction into the printing cavity of a 3D printer, the upper boundary of which is located on a powder spreading plane; it includes a powder spreading component and at least one powder lifting component as described in any one of the sixth to tenth technical solutions; the upper boundary of the powder lifting cavity is located on the powder spreading plane; the powder lifting component is adapted to move from a first position along the powder spreading direction and sequentially stop at a second position and a third position; when the powder lifting component stops at the second position, the powder lifting cavity is filled with powder; the powder lifting component is also adapted to return from the third position to the first position; the powder spreading component is adapted to move away from the powder spreading direction to remove powder from the powder spreading plane when the powder lifting component stops at the second position; it is also adapted to move along the powder spreading direction to spread powder into the printing cavity when the powder lifting component stops at the third position; the opening and closing component is in a closed position at least from when the powder lifting component stops at the second position until the powder spreading component passes the powder lifting cavity along the powder spreading direction.

[0018] The fourteenth technical solution is based on the twelfth technical solution, wherein the number of powder lifting components is two, and the two powder lifting components are respectively adjacent to both sides of the printing cavity along the powder spreading direction, and the powder spreading directions of the two powder lifting components are opposite.

[0019] The fifteenth technical solution relates to a mobile printing cart for detachably connecting to a printing workstation of a 3D printer. The printing workstation is provided with a powder-spreading component that reciprocates along the powder-spreading direction, the lower boundary of which is tangent to the powder-spreading plane. The mobile printing cart includes: a cart body; a receiving assembly mounted on and fixedly connected to the cart body for forming the printing cavity, which also has a powder-receiving cavity for receiving powder as a building material; a powder-lifting assembly as described in any of the second to tenth technical solutions, mounted on the cart body; and a powder-feeding assembly connecting the receiving assembly and the powder-lifting assembly for conveying powder from the powder-receiving cavity to the powder-receiving port.

[0020] The sixteenth technical solution is based on the fifteenth technical solution, wherein the accommodating assembly includes an accommodating member and a supporting member; the accommodating member has an accommodating cavity, the upper boundary of which is located on the powder spreading plane; the supporting member is accommodated in the accommodating cavity and is adapted to move up and down relative to the accommodating member in a height direction perpendicular to the powder spreading plane, the portion of the accommodating cavity above the upper surface of the supporting member forms the printing cavity; the portion of the accommodating cavity below the lower surface of the supporting member forms the powder holding cavity; the powder holding member is fixedly connected to or integrated with the accommodating member, and the upper boundary of the powder lifting cavity is located on the powder spreading plane; the powder lifting member is adapted to move from a first position along the powder spreading direction and stop sequentially at a second position and a third position; the second position is located within the stroke of the powder spreading member and is configured to fill the powder lifting cavity with powder; the powder lifting member is also adapted to return from the third position to the first position; the powder feeding assembly includes a powder feeding tube and a conveying member; one end of the powder feeding tube is connected to the powder holding cavity, and the other end is connected to the powder receiving port, and the conveying member is used to convey the powder in the powder feeding tube from the powder holding cavity to the powder receiving port.

[0021] The seventeenth technical solution is based on the sixteenth technical solution, wherein the number of powder lifting components is two, and the two powder lifting components are respectively adjacent to both sides of the receiving component along the powder spreading direction, and the powder spreading directions of the two powder lifting components are opposite.

[0022] The eighteenth technical solution relates to a 3D printer, which includes a printing workstation and a mobile printing carriage as described in the sixteenth or seventeenth technical solutions. The printing workstation is provided with a powder-spreading member that reciprocates relative to the receiving member along a powder-spreading direction. The lower boundary of the powder-spreading member is tangent to the powder-spreading plane. The powder-spreading member is configured to move away from the powder-spreading direction to remove powder from the powder-spreading plane when the powder-lifting member is stopped in a second position. It is also configured to move along the powder-spreading direction to spread powder into the printing cavity when the powder-lifting member is stopped in a third position.

[0023] Compared with existing technologies, the above solution has the following beneficial effects:

[0024] The first technical solution reduces the volume of the powder lifting cavity by moving the powder lifting component along the powder spreading direction, thereby squeezing the powder in the powder lifting cavity and lifting some of the powder. Therefore, during the process of the powder being lifted, the slope of its surface continuously increases from zero and is completely determined by the stroke of the powder lifting component. Thus, it can effectively avoid the problem of the powder collapsing on the surface of the printing cavity.

[0025] The second technical solution involves setting up a powder receiving port to receive the powder and allowing the powder to enter the powder lifting chamber through the powder receiving port. Compared to the solution where the powder directly enters the powder lifting chamber from the opening, this allows the powder to be easily contained in a closed pipe, reducing environmental pollution.

[0026] The third technical solution defines the width range of the printing cavity as being within the width range of the toner lifting cavity. This means that the first line segment is located within the second line segment, and both endpoints of the first line segment are at a distance from the corresponding endpoints of the second line segment. This distance should ensure that the lifted powder does not collapse within the width range of the printing cavity. The first line segment is the projection of the first projection onto the third plane; the second line segment is the projection of the second projection onto the third plane; the first projection is the projection of the printing cavity onto the toner spreading plane; the second projection is the projection of the toner lifting cavity onto the toner spreading plane; and the third plane is a plane perpendicular to the toner spreading direction. This limitation is made because when the powder in the toner lifting cavity is lifted, the shape of its two ends along the width direction is still defined by the inner surfaces of the two second walls. Since the inner surfaces of the two second walls are perpendicular to the width direction, the lifted powder may still collapse at both ends along the width direction. To ensure that this collapse does not affect the powder within the width range of the printing cavity, and to ensure the consistency of the powder distribution along the width direction within the width range of the printing cavity, the width range of the printing cavity is defined as being within the width range of the toner lifting cavity.

[0027] The fourth technical solution, by setting up a powder dispensing chamber and powder dispensing components, enables the powder entering from the powder receiving port to be distributed approximately uniformly along the width direction. After entering the powder lifting chamber through the powder inlet extending along the width direction, it avoids the situation where the powder lifting chamber cannot be effectively lifted at its width end due to insufficient powder. The powder inlet extending along the width direction should be interpreted as potentially including one or more powder feeding units. When there are multiple powder feeding units, each unit is allowed to be arranged along the powder spreading direction. Each unit should have at least one powder feeding channel. When there is only one powder feeding channel, the channel extends along the width direction; when there are two or more powder feeding channels, each channel is arranged along the width direction.

[0028] The fifth technical solution places the powder dispensing chamber below the powder lifting chamber and the powder receiving port at the bottom of the powder dispensing chamber. This allows the powder to flow into the powder dispensing chamber from bottom to top, and after being distributed by the powder dispensing components, it flows into the powder lifting chamber more evenly from bottom to top along the width direction. This powder feeding method avoids the situation where powder entering the powder lifting chamber from the side travels too far along the width direction, resulting in insufficient powder dispensing. It also avoids the situation where powder entering from top to bottom falls outside the powder lifting chamber when entering the upward-opening powder lifting chamber. The powder receiving port is located in the middle of the powder dispensing chamber along the width direction, which shortens the travel distance to both sides, saving time and improving efficiency. Both the first and second powder dispensing sections are equipped with large and small rings. The large and small rings are arranged in a cross pattern and nested with each other, achieving unidirectional conveying while fully agitating the powder.

[0029] The sixth technical solution, by setting up an opening and closing component, prevents the powder lifting chamber from receiving powder during the lifting process, which is beneficial for dispensing the powder to be laid into the printing chamber.

[0030] The seventh technical solution achieves the opening and closing of the powder inlet by sliding the opening and closing component against the partition wall, making the structure of the opening and closing component simpler.

[0031] The eighth technical solution utilizes the rotation of the powder dispensing component to control the opening and closing components to change their positions, making the structure simpler and the cost lower.

[0032] The ninth technical solution utilizes the horizontal sliding of the powder lifting component to drive the opening and closing component to change position, making the structure simpler and the cost lower.

[0033] In the tenth technical solution, the powder lifting component is softly connected to the opening and closing component through an elastic element, so that the powder lifting component can stop at multiple positions without affecting the position change of the opening and closing component.

[0034] In the eleventh technical solution, when the powder lifting component stops at the second position, the powder lifting cavity is filled with powder. Meanwhile, the powder spreading component removes the powder above the powder spreading plane from the powder lifting cavity by moving away from the powder spreading direction. This helps ensure that the powder above the powder spreading plane maintains a consistent distribution along the width direction when the powder lifting component moves to the third position. Simultaneously, both the powder spreading stroke and the reset stroke of the powder spreading component have corresponding functions, fully utilizing the movement process of the powder spreading component, reducing structural complexity, and improving work efficiency.

[0035] In the twelfth technical solution, powder-lifting components are evenly distributed on both sides of the printing cavity along the powder-laying direction. By sharing a powder-laying component, each stroke of the powder-laying component can be effectively utilized. In one stroke, the powder-laying component can not only lay powder from the powder-lifting component adjacent to the starting point into the printing cavity, but also remove powder from the powder-lifting component adjacent to the ending point. Therefore, the pace of powder laying into the printing cavity is accelerated, improving the working efficiency of the 3D printer.

[0036] In the thirteenth technical solution, the opening and closing component is in the closed position from the time the powder lifting component stops at the second position until the powder spreading component passes the powder lifting cavity along the powder spreading direction. This helps to ensure that the amount of powder remains constant after the powder spreading component removes the powder located on the powder spreading plane above the powder lifting cavity. This ensures that the powder distribution on the powder spreading plane along the width direction remains consistent after the powder lifting component moves to the third position until the powder spreading component passes the powder lifting cavity.

[0037] In the fourteenth technical solution, powder lifting components are evenly distributed on both sides of the printing cavity along the powder spreading direction. By sharing a powder spreading component, each stroke of the powder spreading component can be effectively utilized. This allows the powder spreading component to not only spread powder from the powder lifting component adjacent to the starting point to the printing cavity within one stroke, but also remove powder from the powder lifting component adjacent to the ending point. Therefore, the pace of powder spreading into the printing cavity is accelerated, improving the working efficiency of the 3D printer.

[0038] The fifteenth technical solution integrates the powder lifting component and the containing component onto the mobile printing carriage, and allows the mobile printing carriage to be detached from the printing workstation. This is because, after printing, the powder and printed parts contained in the printing cavity require a relatively long cooling time, typically several times the printing time. By separating the mobile printing carriage from the printing workstation, this technical solution facilitates the full utilization of the printing workstation, enabling one printing workstation to support multiple mobile printing carriages, thereby improving work efficiency and overall output.

[0039] In the sixteenth technical solution, the toner-containing cavity is located within the receiving component, making full use of the receiving component's space. That is, during the printing process, the volume of the printing cavity gradually increases, while the volume of the toner-containing cavity gradually decreases as the toner is removed. Furthermore, the toner feeding assembly can also feed toner from bottom to top, which helps save space. The sixteenth technical solution also has technical effects comparable to the eleventh technical solution.

[0040] The technical effect of the seventeenth technical solution is comparable to that of the twelfth or fourteenth technical solutions.

[0041] The technical effect of the eighteenth technical solution is equivalent to that of the corresponding technical solution in the sixteenth or seventeenth technical solution. Attached Figure Description

[0042] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments, the accompanying drawings used are briefly described below:

[0043] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a 3D printer in the existing technology;

[0044] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the powder lifting component in Embodiment 1 when the powder lifting element is in the first position;

[0045] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the powder lifting component in Embodiment 1 when the powder lifting element is in the second position;

[0046] Figure 4 This is a three-dimensional view of the powder dispensing component in Example 1;

[0047] Figure 5 This is a side view of the powder dispensing component in Example 1;

[0048] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the powder spreading mechanism in the initial state in Example 1;

[0049] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the powder spreading mechanism in the powder feeding state in Embodiment 1;

[0050] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the powder spreading mechanism in the first powder lifting state in Embodiment 1;

[0051] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the powder spreading mechanism in the dispensing state in Example 1;

[0052] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of the powder spreading mechanism in the second powder lifting state in Embodiment 1;

[0053] Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram of the powder spreading mechanism in the powder spreading state in Embodiment 1;

[0054] Figure 12 This is a schematic diagram of the 3D printer structure in Example 2;

[0055] Figure 13 This is a schematic diagram of the powder spreading mechanism in the first state in Embodiment 2;

[0056] Figure 14 This is a schematic diagram of the powder spreading mechanism in the second embodiment when it is in the second state;

[0057] Figure 15 This is a schematic diagram of the powder spreading mechanism in the third state in Example 2;

[0058] Figure 16 This is a schematic diagram of the powder spreading mechanism in the fourth state in Example 2;

[0059] Figure 17 This is a schematic diagram of the powder spreading mechanism in the fifth state in Example 2;

[0060] Figure 18 This is a schematic diagram of the powder spreading mechanism in the sixth state in Example 2;

[0061] Figure 19 This is a schematic diagram of the powder spreading mechanism in the seventh state in Example 2;

[0062] Figure 20 This is a schematic diagram of the powder spreading mechanism in the eighth state in Example 2;

[0063] Figure 21 This is a schematic diagram of the powder spreading mechanism in the ninth state in Example 2;

[0064] Figure 22 This is a schematic diagram of the powder lifting component in Embodiment 3 when the powder lifting element is in the first position;

[0065] Figure 23 This is a schematic diagram of the powder lifting component in Embodiment 3 when the powder lifting element is in the second position;

[0066] Figure 24 This is a schematic diagram of the powder lifting component in Embodiment 4 when the powder lifting element is in the first position;

[0067] Figure 25 This is a schematic diagram of the powder lifting component in Embodiment 4 when the powder lifting element is in the second position;

[0068] Figure 26 This is a schematic diagram of the powder lifting component in Embodiment 4 when the powder lifting element is in the third position.

[0069] Explanation of key figure labels:

[0070] 1. 3D printer; 2. Mobile printing carriage; 3. Printing workstation; 4. Carriage body; 5. Receiving assembly; 6. Toner lifting assembly; First toner lifting assembly 6a; Second toner lifting assembly 6b; 7. Toner delivery assembly; 8. Receiving component; 9. Support component; 10. Printing cavity; 11. Toner receiving cavity; 12. Receiving cavity; 13. Toner receiving component; 14. Toner lifting component; 15. Toner dispensing component; 16. Opening and closing component; 17. First wall; 18. Second wall; 19. Partition wall; 20. Third wall; 21. Toner inlet; 22. Toner outlet; 23. Toner receiving port; 24. Shaft; 25. First dispensing component Powder section; 25a, First large ring; 25b, First small ring; 26, Second powder dispensing section; 26a, Second large ring; 26b, Second small ring; 27, Powder lifting chamber; 28, First powder passage; 29, Second powder passage; 30, Powder dispensing chamber; 31, Actuating part; 32, Abutting part; 33, Elastic element; 34, Powder delivery pipe; 35, Conveying element; 36, Valve; 37, Station body; 38, Sliding seat; 39, Powder spreading element; 40, Nozzle; 41, Heating element; 42, Powder spreading mechanism; 43, Powder spreading plane; 44, Powder spreading direction; 45, Height direction. Detailed Implementation

[0071] Unless otherwise specified, the terms “first,” “second,” or “third,” etc., in the claims and description are used to distinguish different objects and not to describe a particular order.

[0072] Unless otherwise specified, the terms “comprising,” “having,” and variations thereof in the claims and description shall mean “including but not limited to.”

[0073] Unless otherwise specified in the claims and description, the term "fixed connection" shall be interpreted as any connection between two objects that does not involve displacement or relative rotation, that is, including non-removable fixed connections, detachable fixed connections, and fixed connections by other means or components.

[0074] Unless otherwise specified in the claims and description, the term "integrated" shall be interpreted as two parts with different functions belonging to one object and being spatially inseparable.

[0075] Unless otherwise specified in the claims and description, the term "uniformity of powder distribution along the width direction" shall be interpreted as the degree to which the volume of each unit differs from the other when the portion of powder between the first plane and the second plane is divided into several units along the width direction. The smaller the error, the higher the uniformity, and the larger the error, the lower the uniformity. The first plane and the second plane are the planes containing the inner surfaces of the two opposing cavity walls along the width direction that constitute the printing cavity.

[0076] Unless otherwise specified in the claims and description, the term "the width range of the printing cavity is within the width range of the powder lifting cavity" shall be interpreted as follows: the first line segment is located within the second line segment, and both endpoints of the first line segment are at a distance from the corresponding endpoints of the second line segment, and this distance shall be sufficient to ensure that the powder lifted onto the powder spreading plane does not collapse within the width range of the printing cavity; the first line segment is the projection of the first projection onto the third plane; the second line segment is the projection of the second projection onto the first plane; the first projection is the projection of the printing cavity onto the powder spreading plane; the second projection is the projection of the powder lifting cavity onto the powder spreading plane; the third plane is a plane perpendicular to the powder spreading direction.

[0077] Unless otherwise specified in the claims and description, the term "powder inlet extending in the width direction" shall be interpreted as possibly including one or more powder inlet units. When there are multiple powder inlet units, each unit is allowed to be arranged in the powder spreading direction. Each unit shall have at least one powder inlet channel. When there is only one powder inlet channel, the powder inlet channel extends in the width direction. When there are two or more powder inlet channels, each powder inlet channel is arranged in the width direction.

[0078] The technical solutions in the embodiments will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0079] Example 1

[0080] See Figure 2 , Figure 2 The powder lifting assembly 6 in Embodiment 1 is shown. The powder lifting assembly 6 is used to lift powder, which, as a 3D printing build material, is suitable for being laid along the powder laying direction 44 into the printing cavity 10 of the 3D printer 1. Figure 2 As shown, the powder lifting component 6 includes a powder receiving component 13, a powder lifting component 14, a powder dispensing component 15, and an opening and closing component 16.

[0081] The powder-containing component 13 includes a first wall 17, two second walls 18, a third wall 20, a partition wall 19, and a bottom wall. The upper boundaries of the first wall 17, the two second walls 18, and the third wall 20 are all located on the powder-spreading plane 43. The first wall 17 is adjacent to the printing cavity 10 along the powder-spreading direction 44 and along the width direction ( Figure 2 The first wall 17 extends in the paper feeding direction. Two second walls 18 are arranged opposite each other in the width direction, and the second walls 18 extend from both sides of the first wall 17 in the powder spreading direction 44. The third wall 20 is arranged opposite to the first wall 17 in the powder spreading direction 44 and extends in the width direction. The partition wall 19 and the bottom wall are perpendicular to the first wall 17, the second wall 18 and the third wall 20. The bottom wall is located at the bottom of the powder receiving component 13 and is provided with a powder receiving port 23. The powder receiving port 23 is located in the middle of the bottom wall in the width direction and is used to receive powder from the outside. The partition wall 19 is provided with a powder inlet 21 and a powder outlet 22. The powder inlet 21 is closer to the first wall 17 than the powder outlet 22. Both the powder inlet 21 and the powder outlet 22 extend in the width direction. In this embodiment, the powder inlet 21 includes multiple powder feeding units. Each powder feeding unit is arranged in the powder spreading direction. Each powder feeding unit includes several powder feeding channels. The powder feeding channels of the same unit are arranged in the width direction. The powder mixing cavity 30 is formed by the partition wall 19, the first wall 17, the two second walls 18, the third wall 20 and the bottom wall. The powder receiving port 23 is located at the lower part of the powder mixing cavity 30 and in the middle part along the width direction.

[0082] The powder-lifting component 14 is disposed opposite to the first wall 17 and extends along the width direction, with its upper boundary also located on the powder-spreading plane 43. The powder-containing component 13 and the powder-lifting component 14 enclose a powder-lifting cavity 27 for containing powder. Specifically, the powder-lifting cavity 27 is enclosed by the first wall 17, two second walls 18, the powder-lifting component 14, and a partition wall 19. The powder-lifting cavity 27 opens upward and is adjacent to the printing cavity 10 along the powder-spreading direction 44 (see...). Figure 6 ).like Figure 2 and Figure 3As shown, the powder lifting member 14 is adapted to move relative to the powder receiving member 13 along the powder spreading direction to reduce the length and volume of the powder lifting cavity 27 along the powder spreading direction 44. A connecting handle is connected to the rear of the powder lifting member 14, which is connected to a drive member that drives the powder lifting member 14. The powder lifting cavity 27 is connected to the powder dispensing cavity 30 through the powder inlet 21. The powder lifting cavity 27 is adapted to receive powder input from the powder receiving port 23 through the powder dispensing cavity 30 and the powder inlet 21.

[0083] In this embodiment, the width of the printing cavity 10 along the width direction is within the width range of the powder lifting cavity 27. This means that the first line segment is located within the second line segment and both endpoints of the first line segment are at a distance from the corresponding endpoints of the second line segment. This distance should ensure that the powder lifted onto the powder spreading plane 43 does not collapse within the width range of the printing cavity 10. The first line segment is the projection of the first projection onto the third plane. The second line segment is the projection of the second projection onto the first plane. The first projection is the projection of the printing cavity 10 onto the powder spreading plane. The second projection is the projection of the powder lifting cavity 27 onto the powder spreading plane. The third plane is a plane perpendicular to the powder spreading direction 44.

[0084] like Figure 3 As shown, when the powder lifting component 14 moves to a certain position along the powder spreading direction 44, a powder discharge cavity will be formed on the right side of the powder lifting component 14. The powder discharge cavity is connected to the powder dispensing cavity 30 through the powder outlet 22.

[0085] like Figure 2 As shown, the powder dispensing component 15 is housed in the powder dispensing cavity 30 and rotates about a rotation axis extending in the width direction to distribute the powder received from the powder receiving port 23 along the width direction, so that the powder is distributed approximately uniformly along the width direction as it enters the powder lifting cavity 27 from the powder inlet 21. Specifically, as... Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, the powder dispensing component 15 includes a shaft 24, at least one first powder dispensing section 25 arranged along the width direction, and at least one second powder dispensing section 26 arranged along the width direction. The first powder dispensing section 25 and the second powder dispensing section 26 are respectively used to dispense powder from the middle part along the width direction to the corresponding ends along the width direction. The first powder dispensing section 25 includes a first large ring 25a and a first small ring 25b, both connected to the shaft 24. The first large ring 25a is sleeved outside the first small ring 25b. The first small rings 25b are all inclined relative to each other on their cross sections perpendicular to the axis of rotation and intersect each other; the second powder dispensing part 26 includes a second large ring 26a and a second small ring 26b, both of which are connected to the shaft 24. The second large ring 26a is sleeved on the outside of the second small ring 26b. The second large ring 26a and the second small ring 26b are all inclined relative to each other on their cross sections and intersect each other; the first large ring 25a and the second small ring 26b are inclined in the same direction, and the first small ring 25b and the second large ring 26a are inclined in the same direction.

[0086] like Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the opening and closing member 16 is plate-shaped, with a plurality of first powder passage openings 28 and second powder passage openings 29. In this embodiment, the opening and closing member 16 slides between the open position and the closed position along the powder spreading direction 44 against the partition wall 19. Figure 2 The diagram shows the opening / closing element 16 in the open position. At this time, the first powder passage 28 is connected to the powder inlet 21, and the second powder passage 29 is connected to the powder outlet 22, thereby keeping the powder lifting chamber 27 connected to the powder dispensing chamber 30. Figure 3 The diagram shows the opening / closing member 16 in the closed position. In this position, the opening / closing member 16 blocks the powder inlet 21, preventing the powder lifting chamber 27 from communicating with the powder dispensing chamber 30. However, the second powder outlet 29 remains connected to the powder outlet 22, maintaining communication between the powder discharge chamber and the powder dispensing chamber 30. In this embodiment, the rear part of the opening / closing member 16 extends out of the third wall 20 of the powder receiving member 13 away from the powder spreading direction 44 and is adapted to connect with the driving member to achieve movement.

[0087] Figure 6 The powder spreading mechanism 42 of this embodiment is shown. As shown, the powder spreading mechanism 42 is used to lift the powder, which is the building material, and spread the powder along the powder spreading direction 44 into the printing cavity 10 of the 3D printer 1. The upper boundary of the printing cavity 10 is located at the powder spreading plane 43. The powder spreading mechanism 42 includes the powder lifting component 6 and the powder spreading component 39 of this embodiment.

[0088] like Figure 6 As shown, in the powder lifting assembly 6, the upper boundary of the powder lifting cavity 27 is located on the powder spreading plane 43. Specifically, the upper boundaries of the first wall 17, the two second walls 18, and the powder lifting component 14 are all located on the powder spreading plane 43. Figures 6 to 11 As shown, the powder lifting component 14 is adapted to... Figure 6 , Figure 7 The first position shown moves along the powder spreading direction 44 and stops sequentially as follows: Figure 8 , Figure 9 The second position shown and as Figure 10 , Figure 11 The third position is shown. The powder lifting member 14 is also adapted to return from the third position to the first position. When the powder lifting member 14 is stopped in the second position, the powder lifting cavity 27 is filled with powder, which should be interpreted as the second position being configured to ensure that the powder can at least fill the powder lifting cavity 27.

[0089] like Figure 9 As shown, the powder spreading member 39 is adapted to move away from the powder spreading direction 44 when the powder lifting member 14 is stopped in the second position to remove powder from the powder spreading plane 43. Figure 11 As shown, the powder spreading member 39 is adapted to move along the powder spreading direction 44 to spread powder into the printing cavity 10 when the powder lifting member 14 is stopped in the third position.

[0090] The specific process by which the powder spreading mechanism 42 in this embodiment achieves powder lifting and spreading is as follows:

[0091] Figure 6 The diagram shows the structure of the powder spreading mechanism 42 in its initial state according to Embodiment 1. At this time, the printing cavity 10 has been lowered by one layer to facilitate powder spreading. The powder lifting component 14 is located in the first position, i.e., the rightmost position, and the opening and closing component 16 is in the open position. That is, at this time, the powder lifting cavity 27 is connected to the powder dispensing cavity 30 through the powder inlet 21 and the first powder passage 28. In the initial state, the powder lifting cavity 27 has not yet received powder, and the powder spreading component 39 is located on the other side of the printing cavity 10 away from the powder lifting component 6.

[0092] Then as Figure 7 As shown, the powder flows from the powder mixing chamber 30 into the powder lifting chamber 27. The powder flowing in has a relatively uniform distribution along the width direction and also has a certain uniformity along the powder spreading direction 44. This is because the powder inlet 21 includes multiple powder inlet units arranged along the powder spreading direction 44.

[0093] Then as Figure 8 As shown, the powder lifting component 14 moves from the first position to the second position along the powder spreading direction 44, and the opening and closing component 16 moves to the closed position. At this time, the powder lifting chamber 27 is isolated from the powder dispensing chamber 30, but the powder discharge chamber is connected to the powder dispensing chamber 30. The powder fills the powder lifting chamber 27 and is pushed up so that part of the powder is higher than the powder spreading plane 43. The powder that is lifted up above the powder spreading plane 43 will collapse at both ends along the width direction due to the steepness. However, since the width range of the printing cavity 10 is within the width range of the powder lifting chamber 27, this collapse will not affect the consistency of the powder distribution along the width direction when it is spread into the printing cavity 10. The width of the printing cavity 10 is within the width of the powder lifting cavity 27, meaning that the first line segment is located within the second line segment and both endpoints of the first line segment are at a distance from the corresponding endpoints of the second line segment. This distance should ensure that the powder lifted onto the powder spreading plane 43 does not collapse within the width of the printing cavity 10. The first line segment is the projection of the first projection onto the third plane. The second line segment is the projection of the second projection onto the third plane. The first projection is the projection of the printing cavity 10 onto the powder spreading plane 43. The second projection is the projection of the powder lifting cavity 27 onto the powder spreading plane 43. The third plane is a plane perpendicular to the powder spreading direction 44.

[0094] Then as Figure 9 As shown, the powder spreading component 39 moves away from the powder spreading direction 44 and passes over the powder lifting component 14, removing the powder above the powder spreading plane 43 into the powder discharge chamber, and then falling from the powder discharge chamber into the powder dispensing chamber 30. At this time, since the upper boundary of the powder lifting chamber 27 is located on the powder spreading plane, the amount of powder in the powder lifting chamber 27 is completely determined by the shape of the powder lifting chamber 27, which is a cuboid with length, width and height.

[0095] Then as Figure 10As shown, the powder lifting member 14 continues to move from the second position to the third position along the powder spreading direction 44. At this time, the opening and closing member 16 is still in the closed position, and the powder is lifted again. Some of the powder is higher than the powder spreading plane 43, and the powder higher than the powder spreading plane 43 also has a consistent distribution along the width direction.

[0096] Then as Figure 11 As shown, the powder spreading component 39 moves along the powder spreading direction 44 and passes over the powder lifting cavity 27, spreading the powder higher than the powder spreading plane 43 into the printing cavity 10.

[0097] After the paving is completed, the powder lifting component 14 is reset from the third position to the first position, returning to its initial state.

[0098] As can be seen from the above description, in this embodiment, the opening / closing member 16 is in the closed position from the moment the powder lifting member 14 moves to the second position until the powder lifting member 14 returns to the first position from the third position. In other embodiments, in order to save time and improve work efficiency, the opening / closing member 16 can switch from the closed position to the open position when the powder spreading member 39 passes over the powder lifting cavity 27 along the powder spreading direction 44.

[0099] In this embodiment, the powder lifting component 14 moves along the powder spreading direction 44 to reduce the volume of the powder lifting cavity 27, thereby squeezing the powder located in the powder lifting cavity 27 and lifting some of the powder. Therefore, during the process of the powder being lifted, the slope of its surface is continuously increased from zero and is completely determined by the stroke of the powder lifting component 14. Therefore, it can effectively avoid the problem of the powder collapsing on the surface of the printing cavity 10.

[0100] In this embodiment, the powder receiving port 23 is set to receive powder from the outside and allow the powder to enter the powder lifting chamber 27 through the powder receiving port 23. Compared with the scheme where the powder directly enters the powder lifting chamber 27 from the opening of the powder lifting chamber 27, the powder can be easily contained in a closed pipe, reducing environmental pollution.

[0101] This embodiment limits the width range of the printing cavity 10 to be within the width range of the powder lifting cavity 27 to ensure the consistency of powder distribution along the width direction within the width range of the printing cavity 10. Therefore, it is specified that the width range of the printing cavity 10 is within the width range of the powder lifting cavity 27.

[0102] In this embodiment, by setting up a powder dispensing chamber 30 and a powder dispensing component 15, the powder entering from the powder receiving port 23 can be distributed to a generally uniform degree along the width direction. After entering the powder lifting chamber 27 through the powder inlet 21 extending along the width direction, the situation where the powder lifting chamber 27 cannot be effectively lifted at the end along the width direction due to insufficient powder can be avoided.

[0103] In this embodiment, the powder dispensing chamber 30 is positioned below the powder lifting chamber 27, and the powder receiving port 23 is located at the lower part of the powder dispensing chamber 30. This allows the powder to flow into the powder dispensing chamber 30 from bottom to top, and after being distributed by the powder dispensing component 15, it flows into the powder lifting chamber 27 more evenly from bottom to top along the width direction. This powder feeding method avoids the situation where insufficient powder is dispensed due to excessive movement along the width direction when the powder enters the powder lifting chamber 27 from the side, and also avoids the situation where powder falls outside the powder lifting chamber when entering from top to bottom and entering the upward-opening powder lifting chamber 27. The powder receiving port 23 is located in the middle of the powder dispensing chamber along the width direction, which shortens the travel distance for dispensing powder to both sides, saves time, and improves efficiency. Both the first powder mixing section 25 and the second powder mixing section 26 are provided with large rings 25a and 26a and small rings 25b and 26b. The large rings 25a and 26a and the small rings 25b and 26b are arranged in a cross pattern and nested with each other, so as to achieve unidirectional conveying and thorough mixing of powder.

[0104] In this embodiment, by setting the opening and closing component 16, the powder lifting chamber 27 no longer receives powder during the lifting process, which is beneficial for dispensing the powder to be laid into the printing chamber 10. The opening and closing of the powder inlet 21 is achieved by setting the opening and closing component 16 to slide against the partition wall 19, making the structure of the opening and closing component 16 simpler.

[0105] In this embodiment, when the powder lifting member 14 stops at the second position, the powder lifting cavity 27 is filled with powder. Meanwhile, the powder spreading member 39 removes the powder above the powder lifting cavity 27 and above the powder spreading plane 43 by moving away from the powder spreading direction 44. This helps to ensure that the powder above the powder spreading plane 43 maintains a consistent distribution along the width direction when the powder lifting member 14 moves to the third position. Simultaneously, both the powder spreading stroke and the reset stroke of the powder spreading member 39 have corresponding functions, fully utilizing the movement process of the powder spreading member 39, reducing structural complexity, and improving work efficiency.

[0106] In this embodiment, the opening and closing member 16 is in the closed position from when the powder lifting member 14 stops at the second position until the powder spreading member 39 passes over the powder lifting cavity 27 along the powder spreading direction 44. This helps to ensure that the amount of powder remains constant after the powder spreading member 39 removes the powder on the powder spreading plane 43 above the powder lifting cavity 27. This also ensures that after the powder lifting member 14 moves to the third position, the powder on the powder spreading plane 43 can be distributed consistently along the width direction.

[0107] Second Embodiment

[0108] Figure 12The second embodiment of the 3D printer 1 is shown. In this embodiment, the 3D printer 1 includes a mobile printing carriage 2 and a printing workstation 3. The mobile printing carriage 2 can be detachably connected to the printing workstation 3, that is, when the mobile printing carriage 2 is connected to the printing workstation 3, the two together constitute the 3D printer 1. After printing is completed, the mobile printing carriage 2 is detached from the printing workstation 3. The mobile printing carriage 2 facilitates post-processing, especially cooling of the printed parts and powder in the printing cavity 10, and the cooling time is very long, several times the printing time. Therefore, after the mobile printing carriage 2 is detached, the printing workstation 3 can be connected to other mobile printing carriages 2 to perform printing work. Therefore, the printing workstation 3 and the mobile printing carriage 2 are generally in a one-to-many relationship. Wherein, as long as one of its mobile printing carriages 2, when combined with the printing workstation 3, meets the definition of the 3D printer 1 in this application, the printing workstation 3 and the mobile printing carriage 2 should fall within the protection scope of this application.

[0109] In this embodiment, the mobile printing vehicle 2 includes a vehicle body 4, a housing component 5, two toner lifting components 6, and two toner feeding components 7.

[0110] The carriage 4 is equipped with casters and forms a cavity containing a housing assembly 5, two toner lifting assemblies 6, and a toner delivery assembly 7. Lugs protrude from both sides of the carriage 4, facilitating its suspension on the printing workstation 3 and allowing the mobile printing carriage 2 to be detachably and securely attached to the workstation 3. When the carriage 4 is removed from its suspended position, the mobile printing carriage 2 can leave the printing workstation 3.

[0111] The receiving assembly 5 is mounted on and fixedly connected to the vehicle body 4. The receiving assembly 5 includes a receiving member 8 and a support member 9. The receiving member 8 has a rectangular cavity 12 with a horizontal cross-section, and the upper boundaries of the four side walls constituting the cavity 12 are located on the powder-spreading plane 43. The support member 9 is received in the cavity 12 and slides in contact with the four side walls. The support member 9 moves up and down relative to the receiving member 8 along a height direction 45 perpendicular to the powder-spreading plane 43. The portion of the cavity 12 above the upper surface of the support member 9 forms a printing cavity 10, and the portion of the cavity 12 below the lower surface of the support member 9 forms a powder-containing cavity 11. The printing cavity 10 has a certain width along the width direction, a certain length along the powder spreading direction 44, and a variable depth along the height direction 45. The printing cavity 10 serves as the printing work area of ​​the 3D printer 1. Powder, as the building material, is laid layer by layer into the printing cavity 10. Specifically, after each layer of powder is laid, energy is applied to the powder within a specific area of ​​that layer to sinter adjacent powder together and to sinter with the powder within the specific area of ​​the layer below it. After the powder in the specific area is sintered, the support member 9 descends one layer. This process is continuously repeated until printing is complete. After printing, the printing cavity 10 will contain a three-dimensional printed part formed by the powder being wound and shaped, as well as a powder body formed by the unsintered powder, wherein the printed part is embedded in the powder body. The powder-containing cavity 11 is used to contain the powder as the building material. During the printing process, the volume of the printing cavity 10 increases with the increase of the depth in the height direction 45, while the volume of the powder-containing cavity 11 decreases with the decrease of the depth in the height direction 45.

[0112] The powder lifting component 6 is the same as that in Embodiment 1. In this embodiment, there are two powder lifting components 6, which are respectively adjacent to both sides of the receiving member 8 along the powder spreading direction 44. Figure 12 The component on the left is the first powder-lifting component 6a, located in... Figure 12 The one on the right is the second powder lifting component 6b; the powder spreading directions 44 of the two powder lifting components 6a and 6b are opposite to each other. Specifically, in each powder lifting component 6, the powder receiving element 13 is fixedly connected to or integrated with the receiving element 8, and the upper boundary of the powder lifting cavity 27 is located on the powder spreading plane 43; the powder lifting element 14 is adapted to move from the first position along the powder spreading direction 44 and stop sequentially at the second position and the third position, wherein the second position should ensure that the powder lifting cavity 27 is filled with powder; the powder lifting element 14 is also adapted to move from the third position away from the powder spreading direction 44 and return to the first position.

[0113] In this embodiment, two powder feeding components 7 are respectively arranged corresponding to two powder lifting components 6. Each powder feeding component 7 includes a powder feeding pipe 34, a conveying element 35, and a valve 36. One end of the powder feeding pipe 34 is connected to the powder receiving chamber 11, and the other end is connected to the powder receiving port 23. The conveying element 35 is used to convey the powder in the powder feeding pipe 34 from the powder receiving chamber 11 to the powder receiving port 23. Specifically, the conveying element 35 can be a screw feeder, or other powder feeding devices or lifting devices well known to those skilled in the art. The valve 36 is used to open and close the connection between the powder feeding pipe 34 and the powder receiving port 23. In this embodiment, when the opening / closing element 16 of the powder lifting component 6 is in the closed position, the conveying element 35 also stops working.

[0114] In this embodiment, the printing workstation 3 includes a station body 37, a sliding seat 38, a powder spreading component 39, a nozzle 40, and a heating component 41. The station body 37 has suspension platforms on both sides of its inner cavity to support the protruding lugs on both sides of the carriage 4, thus fixing the mobile printing carriage 2 relative to the printing workstation 3. The sliding seat 38 is slidably connected to the station body 37 and slides back and forth relative to the station body 37 along the powder spreading direction 44. The powder spreading component 39, nozzle 40, and heating component 41 are mounted on the sliding seat 38. Specifically, the powder spreading component 39 can be a powder spreading roller located in the middle, two nozzles 40 are located on either side of the powder spreading component 39, and two heating components 41 are located on the outer sides of the nozzles 40. When the sliding seat 38 moves, for example, to the right, the left nozzle 40 and heating component 41 are activated. The nozzle 40 sprays a sintering agent onto a specific area of ​​the powder layer, and the heating component 41 applies energy to the powder layer, causing the powder in the specific area to sinter. When the sliding seat 38 moves to the left, the right-side nozzle 40 and heating element 41 come into play. The nozzle 40 sprays a sintering accelerator onto a specific area of ​​the powder layer, and the heating element 41 applies energy to the powder layer, causing the powder in the specific area to sinter. Therefore, during the same stroke of the powder spreading component 39, the nozzle 40 can spray the sintering accelerator, and the heating element 41 can apply energy, thus effectively improving work efficiency. In this embodiment, the powder spreading component 39 slides back and forth with the sliding seat 38 along or away from the powder spreading direction 44. It should be noted that during each sliding stroke, the second position of the powder lifting component 14 of the two powder lifting components 6 is within the sliding stroke. Specifically, for each powder lifting assembly 6, the powder spreading member 39 is configured to move away from the powder spreading direction 44 of the powder lifting assembly 6 when the powder lifting member 14 is stopped in the second position to remove powder on the powder spreading plane 43, and to move along the powder spreading direction corresponding to the powder lifting assembly 6 when the powder lifting member 14 is stopped in the third position to spread powder onto the printing cavity 10.

[0115] In this embodiment, the powder spreading component 39 and the two powder lifting components 6 constitute the powder spreading mechanism 42. Assume that the left-hand stopping position of the powder spreading component 39 (closer to the first powder lifting component 6a) is the first stopping position, and the right-hand stopping position (closer to the second powder lifting component 6b) is the second stopping position. The process of the powder spreading component 39 moving from one stopping position to another is defined as the stroke. See also... Figures 13 to 21 , Figures 13 to 21 The powder spreading process of the powder spreading mechanism 42 in this embodiment is shown. A brief description follows.

[0116] First, the opening and closing elements 16 of both powder lifting components 6 follow the rule that when the powder lifting component 14 is in the first position, the opening and closing element 16 is in the open position, and when the powder lifting component 14 is in the second or third position, the opening and closing element 16 is in the closed position. Simultaneously, when the opening and closing element 16 is in the open position, the powder lifting chamber 27 is connected to the powder dispensing chamber 30; when the opening and closing element 16 is in the closed position, the powder lifting chamber 27 isolates the powder dispensing chamber 30, but the powder discharge chamber is connected to the powder dispensing chamber 30. Therefore, the following brief description will not involve the position changes of the opening and closing element 16.

[0117] In the initial state, the powder lifting component 14 of the first powder lifting component 6a and the powder lifting component 14 of the second powder lifting component 6b are both in the first position;

[0118] First step: The powder feeding components 7 corresponding to the two powder lifting components 6 feed powder into the powder lifting cavity 27 until the desired powder level is reached. Figure 13 The first state shown;

[0119] Second step: The powder lifting component 14 of the second powder lifting assembly 6b moves to the second position. Figure 14 The second state shown;

[0120] Third step: The powder spreading component 39 moves from the first stop position to the second stop position, removing the powder above the powder lifting chamber 27 of the second powder lifting component 6b. Figure 15 The third state shown;

[0121] Fourth step: The powder lifting component 14 of the first powder lifting assembly 6a moves to the second position and the powder lifting component 14 of the second powder lifting assembly 6b moves to the third position. Figure 16 The fourth state shown;

[0122] Fifth step: The powder spreading component 39 moves from the second stop position to the first stop position, spreading the powder above the powder lifting chamber 27 of the second powder lifting component 6b into the printing chamber 10, and removing the powder above the powder lifting chamber 27 of the first powder lifting component 6a. Figure 17 The fifth state shown;

[0123] Sixth step: The powder lifting component 14 of the first powder lifting assembly 6a moves to the third position and the powder lifting component 14 of the second powder lifting assembly 6b resets to the first position. The powder feeding component 7 corresponding to the second powder lifting assembly 6b feeds powder into the powder lifting cavity 27 of the second powder lifting assembly 6b, and the support component 9 descends one layer to... Figure 18 The sixth state shown;

[0124] Step 7: The powder lifting component 14 of the second powder lifting assembly 6b moves to the second position. Figure 19 The seventh state shown;

[0125] Step 8: The powder-laying component 39 moves from the first stop position to the second stop position, laying the powder above the powder-lifting chamber 27 of the first powder-lifting component 6a into the printing chamber 10, and removing the powder above the powder-lifting chamber 27 of the second powder-lifting component 6b. Figure 20 The eighth state shown;

[0126] Ninth step: The powder lifting component 14 of the second powder lifting component 6b moves to the third position and the powder lifting component 14 of the first powder lifting component 6a resets to the first position. The powder feeding component 7 corresponding to the first powder lifting component 6a feeds powder into the powder lifting cavity 27 of the first powder lifting component 6a, and the support component 9 descends one layer to... Figure 21 The ninth state shown;

[0127] Step 10: The powder lifting component 14 of the first powder lifting assembly 6a moves to the second position. Figure 16 The fourth state shown;

[0128] Next, the powder spreading mechanism 42 will return to step five and will enter a cycle from step five to step ten.

[0129] In this embodiment, the powder lifting component 6 and the containing component 5 are combined on the mobile printing carriage 2, and the mobile printing carriage 2 is designed to be detachable from the printing workstation 3. This is because, after printing, the powder and printed parts contained in the printing cavity 10 require a relatively long cooling time, which is generally several times the printing time. This technical solution, by separating the mobile printing carriage 2 from the printing workstation 3, facilitates the full utilization of the printing workstation 3, allowing one printing workstation 3 to correspond to multiple mobile printing carriages 2, thereby improving work efficiency and overall output.

[0130] In this embodiment, powder-lifting components 6 are evenly distributed on both sides of the receiving member 8 along the powder-laying direction 44. By sharing the powder-laying component 39, each stroke of the powder-laying component 39 can be effectively utilized. In one stroke, the powder-laying component 39 can not only lay powder from the powder-lifting component 6 adjacent to the starting point to the printing cavity 10, but also remove powder from the powder-lifting component 6 adjacent to the ending point. Therefore, the pace of powder laying to the printing cavity 10 is accelerated, improving the working efficiency of the 3D printer 1.

[0131] In this embodiment, the toner-containing cavity 11 is disposed in the receiving member 8, making full use of the receiving cavity 12 of the receiving member 8. That is, during the printing process, the volume of the printing cavity 10 gradually increases, and correspondingly, the volume of the toner-containing cavity 11 is allowed to gradually decrease as the powder is removed. In addition, the toner feeding assembly 7 can also achieve bottom-up toner feeding, which helps to save space.

[0132] Example 3

[0133] See Figure 22 and Figure 23 , Figure 22 and Figure 23 The powder lifting component 6 in Embodiment 3 is shown. As shown in the figure, the powder lifting component 6 in Embodiment 3 differs from that in Embodiment 1 as follows: the opening and closing member 16 has a downwardly protruding abutment portion 32, and the powder dispensing member 15 has a radially protruding actuating portion 31 around its periphery. The actuating portion 31 is adapted to actuate the abutment portion 32 to change the position of the opening and closing member 16. Specifically, as shown... Figure 22 As shown, the powder dispensing component 15 rotates clockwise, causing the actuating part 31 to push the abutting part 32 from the left, and causing the abutting part 32 to move to the right until the opening / closing component 16 moves to the open position. Figure 23 As shown, the powder dispensing component 15 rotates counterclockwise, causing the actuating part 31 to push the abutting part 32 from the right, and causing the abutting part 32 to move to the left until the opening and closing component 16 moves to the closed position.

[0134] In this embodiment, the rotation of the powder dispensing component 15 is used to control the opening and closing component 16 to change its position, making the structure simpler and the cost lower.

[0135] Example 4

[0136] See Figure 24 , Figure 25 and Figure 26 The figure shows the powder-lifting component 6 in Embodiment 4. As shown, the powder-lifting component 6 in Embodiment 4 differs from that in Embodiment 1 as follows: The powder-lifting component 6 in Embodiment 4 further includes an elastic element 33, and the opening and closing element 16 is located above the partition wall. One end of the elastic element 33 is connected to the rear of the powder-lifting component 14, and the other end is connected to a protruding connecting protrusion on the opening and closing element 16. Figure 24 As shown, when the powder lifting member 14 is in the first position, the elastic member 33 and the connecting protrusion are both located on the right side of the powder lifting member 14, and the opening and closing member 16 is in the open position. Figure 25 As shown, when the powder lifting member 14 moves from the first position to the second position, the powder lifting member 14 pulls the opening and closing member 16 to the closed position via the elastic member 33. Figure 26 As shown, when the powder lifting member 14 moves from the second position to the third position, the opening and closing member 16 abuts against the first wall 17 and can no longer move, remaining in the closed position. The powder lifting member 14 overcomes the elastic force of the elastic member 33 and moves to the third position.

[0137] In this embodiment, the powder lifting component 14 is softly connected to the opening and closing component 16 via the elastic element 33, allowing the powder lifting component 14 to stop at multiple positions without affecting the position change of the opening and closing component 16. Specifically, the powder lifting component 14 stops at three positions: the first position, the second position, and the third position, while the opening and closing component 16 stops at only two positions: the open position and the closed position. This embodiment, through the soft connection, ensures that when the powder lifting component 14 stops at the second and third positions, the opening and closing component 16 is always in the closed position.

[0138] The description of the above specification and embodiments is used to explain the scope of protection of this application, but does not constitute a limitation on the scope of protection of this application.

Claims

1. A powder lifting assembly (6) for lifting powder, said powder being suitable as a 3D printing build material to be laid in the printing cavity (10) of a 3D printer (1) along the powder laying direction, characterized in that, include: The powder-containing component (13) and the powder-lifting component (14) are provided with a first wall (17). The powder-containing component (13) and the powder-lifting component (14) are arranged together to form a powder-lifting cavity (27) for containing powder. The powder-lifting cavity (27) opens upward and is adjacent to the printing cavity (10) along the powder spreading direction. The first wall (17) is located between the powder-lifting cavity (27) and the printing cavity (10) along the powder spreading direction. The powder-lifting component (14) is adapted to move relative to the powder-containing component (13) along the powder spreading direction to reduce the volume of the powder-lifting cavity (27). The powder receiving component (13) is provided with a powder receiving port (23) for receiving powder from the outside, and the powder lifting chamber (27) is adapted to receive powder input from the powder receiving port (23); The width range of the printing cavity (10) along the width direction is within the width range of the powder lifting cavity (27), and the width direction is perpendicular to the powder spreading direction.

2. The powder-lifting component (6) as described in claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a powder dispensing component (15); the powder receiving component (13) is further provided with a powder dispensing cavity (30) between the powder lifting cavity (27) and the powder receiving port (23). The powder lifting cavity (27) and the powder dispensing cavity (30) are connected through a powder inlet (21). The powder inlet (21) extends along the width direction. The powder dispensing component (15) is housed in the powder dispensing cavity (30) and rotates about a rotation axis extending along the width direction to distribute the powder received from the powder receiving port (23) along the width direction.

3. The powder-lifting component (6) as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The powder dispensing chamber (30) is located below the powder lifting chamber (27); the powder receiving port (23) is located at the lower part and the middle part along the width direction of the powder dispensing chamber (30); the powder dispensing component (15) is provided with a shaft (24), at least one first powder dispensing part (25) arranged along the width direction, and at least one second powder dispensing part (26) arranged along the width direction; the first powder dispensing part (25) and the second powder dispensing part (26) are respectively used to dispense powder from the middle part along the width direction to the corresponding end along the width direction; the first powder dispensing part (25) includes a first large ring (25a) and a first small ring (25b) both connected to the shaft (24), the first large ring (25a) is sleeved on Outside the first small ring (25b), the first large ring (25a) and the first small ring (25b) are both inclined relative to the cross section perpendicular to the axis of rotation and intersect each other; the second powder dispensing part (26) includes a second large ring (26a) and a second small ring (26b) both connected to the shaft (24), the second large ring (26a) is sleeved outside the second small ring (26b), the second large ring (26a) and the second small ring (26b) are both inclined relative to the cross section and intersect each other; the first large ring (25a) and the second small ring (26b) are inclined in the same direction, and the first small ring (25b) and the second large ring (26a) are inclined in the same direction.

4. The powder-lifting component (6) as described in claim 3, characterized in that, It also includes an opening and closing element (16), which moves relative to the powder receiving element (13) between an open position and a closed position. In the open position, the opening and closing element (16) opens the powder inlet (21), and in the closed position, the opening and closing element (16) blocks the powder inlet (21).

5. A powder-lifting component (6) as described in claim 4, characterized in that, The powder container (13) has a partition wall (19) between the powder lifting chamber (27) and the powder dispensing chamber (30), the powder inlet (21) is located on the partition wall (19), and the opening and closing member (16) slides against the partition wall (19).

6. The powder-lifting component (6) as described in claim 5, characterized in that, The opening and closing component (16) is located below the partition wall (19) and has a downward protruding abutment part (32). The powder dispensing component (15) has a radially protruding actuating part (31) around its periphery. The actuating part (31) is adapted to actuate the abutment part (32) to change the position of the opening and closing component (16).

7. A powder-lifting component (6) as described in claim 5, characterized in that, The opening and closing component (16) is located above the partition wall (19), and the powder lifting component (14) is connected to the opening and closing component (16) and drives the opening and closing component (16) to move in the same direction.

8. The powder-lifting component (6) as described in claim 7, characterized in that, It also includes an elastic element (33), through which the powder lifting element (14) is connected to the opening and closing element (16) to drive the opening and closing element (16) to move.

9. A powder spreading mechanism (42) for lifting powder and spreading it along a powder spreading direction to the printing cavity (10) of a 3D printer (1), the upper boundary of the printing cavity (10) being located on the powder spreading plane; characterized in that, It includes a powder spreading component (39) and at least one powder lifting component (6) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3; The upper boundary of the powder lifting cavity (27) is located on the powder spreading plane; the powder lifting component (14) is adapted to move from the first position along the powder spreading direction and stop at the second position and the third position in sequence; when the powder lifting component (14) stops at the second position, the powder filling the powder lifting cavity (27) is completed; the powder lifting component (14) is also adapted to return from the third position to the first position; The powder spreading component (39) is adapted to move away from the powder spreading direction to remove powder from the powder spreading plane when the powder lifting component (14) is stopped in the second position; it is also adapted to move along the powder spreading direction to spread powder into the printing cavity (10) when the powder lifting component (14) is stopped in the third position.

10. The powder spreading mechanism (42) as described in claim 9, characterized in that, There are two powder lifting components (6), and the two powder lifting components (6) are respectively adjacent to the two sides of the printing cavity (10) along the powder spreading direction. The powder spreading directions of the two powder lifting components (6) are opposite.

11. A powder spreading mechanism (42) for lifting powder and spreading it along a powder spreading direction to the printing cavity (10) of a 3D printer (1), the upper boundary of the printing cavity (10) being located on the powder spreading plane; characterized in that, It includes a powder spreading component (39) and at least one powder lifting component (6) as described in any one of claims 4 to 8; The upper boundary of the powder lifting cavity (27) is located on the powder spreading plane; the powder lifting component (14) is adapted to move from the first position along the powder spreading direction and stop at the second position and the third position in sequence; when the powder lifting component (14) stops at the second position, the powder filling the powder lifting cavity (27) is completed; the powder lifting component (14) is also adapted to return from the third position to the first position; The powder spreading component (39) is adapted to move away from the powder spreading direction to remove powder from the powder spreading plane when the powder lifting component (14) is stopped in the second position; it is also adapted to move along the powder spreading direction to spread powder into the printing cavity (10) when the powder lifting component (14) is stopped in the third position. The opening and closing element (16) is in the closed position from the time the powder lifting element (14) stops at the second position until the powder spreading element (39) passes the powder lifting cavity (27) along the powder spreading direction.

12. The powder spreading mechanism (42) as described in claim 11, characterized in that, There are two powder lifting components (6), and the two powder lifting components (6) are respectively adjacent to the two sides of the printing cavity (10) along the powder spreading direction. The powder spreading directions of the two powder lifting components (6) are opposite.

13. A mobile printing cart (2) for detachably connecting to a printing workstation (3) of a 3D printer (1), the printing workstation (3) having a powder spreading component (39) that reciprocates along a powder spreading direction, the lower boundary of the powder spreading component (39) being tangent to the powder spreading plane; characterized in that, The mobile printing vehicle (2) includes: Vehicle body (4); The receiving component (5) is mounted on the vehicle body (4) and fixed to the vehicle body to form the printing cavity (10), and it is also provided with a powder receiving cavity (11) for receiving powder as a building material. The powder-lifting assembly (6) as described in any one of claims 1 to 8 is mounted on the vehicle body; and The powder feeding assembly (7), which connects the receiving assembly (5) and the powder lifting assembly (6), is used to transport powder from the powder receiving chamber (11) to the powder receiving port (23).

14. A mobile printing vehicle (2) as described in claim 13, characterized in that: The receiving assembly (5) includes a receiving member (8) and a support member (9); the receiving member (8) has a receiving cavity (12), the upper boundary of which is located on the powder spreading plane; the support member (9) is received in the receiving cavity (12) and is adapted to move up and down relative to the receiving member (8) in a height direction perpendicular to the powder spreading plane; the portion of the receiving cavity (12) above the upper surface of the support member (9) forms the printing cavity (10); the portion of the receiving cavity (12) below the lower surface of the support member (9) forms the powder holding cavity (11). The powder receiving component (13) is fixedly connected to or integrated with the receiving component (8), and the upper boundary of the powder lifting cavity (27) is located on the powder spreading plane; the powder lifting component (14) is adapted to move from the first position along the powder spreading direction and stop sequentially at the second position and the third position; the second position is located within the stroke of the powder spreading component (39) and is configured to fill the powder lifting cavity (27) with powder; the powder lifting component (14) is also adapted to return from the third position to the first position; The powder feeding assembly (7) includes a powder feeding pipe (34) and a conveying component (35); one end of the powder feeding pipe (34) is connected to the powder receiving cavity (11), and the other end is connected to the powder receiving port (23); the conveying component (35) is used to convey the powder in the powder feeding pipe (34) from the powder receiving cavity (11) to the powder receiving port (23).

15. A mobile printing vehicle (2) as described in claim 14, characterized in that: There are two powder lifting components (6), and the two powder lifting components (6) are respectively adjacent to the two sides of the receiving member (8) along the powder spreading direction. The powder spreading directions of the two powder lifting components (6) are opposite.

16. A three-dimensional printer (1) comprising a printing workstation (3) and a mobile printing carriage (2) as claimed in claim 14 or 15, the printing workstation (3) having a powder spreading member (39) reciprocating relative to the receiving member (8) in a powder spreading direction, the lower boundary of the powder spreading member (39) being tangent to the powder spreading plane; the powder spreading member (39) being configured to move away from the powder spreading direction to remove powder on the powder spreading plane when the powder lifting member (14) is stopped in a second position; and further configured to move in the powder spreading direction to spread powder onto the printing cavity (10) when the powder lifting member (14) is stopped in a third position.

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