A food 3D printing device and a method for quickly switching nozzle types thereof

Abstract

The present invention relates to the field of 3D printing technology, and in particular to a food 3D printing device and a method for quickly switching nozzle shapes thereof, which is implemented by a nozzle nozzle quick switching mechanism, wherein the nozzle nozzle quick switching mechanism includes a rotating and pressing mechanism, a connecting rod mechanism, a plurality of nozzle combination pieces, and an extrusion discharge channel assembled together, wherein the connecting rod mechanism is provided with a plurality of connecting rod groups, the rotating and pressing mechanism is provided with an extrusion rod, the extrusion rod rotates with the rotating and pressing mechanism, and cooperates with different connecting rod groups during the rotation process; a tapered discharge port is provided on the extrusion discharge channel, and each connecting rod group forms a movable installation that fits in and away from the tapered discharge port; the nozzle combination piece is fixedly installed on the corresponding connecting rod group, and the nozzle combination pieces on different connecting rod groups together form different nozzle shapes. The present invention can realize the rapid conversion of nozzle shapes and complete the quick change molding of nozzles in the work of food 3D printing, thereby meeting the needs of artistic 3D printing of food.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of 3D printing technology, and in particular to a food 3D printing device and a method for quickly switching the nozzle type of the same. Background Art

[0002] 3D printing, also known as additive manufacturing, creates three-dimensional objects by adding material layer by layer. Food 3D printing technology is an evolution of this technology. Its primary operating principle involves passing an edible slurry through an extruder. Under the control of 3D software, the slurry is extruded and printed through a nozzle according to a pre-set printing program. The printed objects can be eaten immediately or processed further. In recent years, with the widespread application of 3D printing technology in food printing and production, the demand for artistic processing of 3D printing equipment has also increased. The ability to diversify and artistically process food products by switching the nozzles of food 3D printers is becoming increasingly important. Currently, 3D printers in commercial use typically use multiple nozzles to achieve this. This makes disassembly and cleaning difficult.

[0003] A Chinese invention patent application with publication number CN116020671A and publication date 2023.04.28 discloses a cavitation jet test device and an adjustable-caliber nozzle. The nozzle body has a through-channel in the middle, and a plurality of circumferentially distributed sealing adjustment blocks are provided in the through-channel. One end of the adjustment rod of the adjustment unit is connected to a sealing adjustment block and extends away from the sealing adjustment block. The linkage gear is rotatably mounted on the nozzle body. The two sides of the adjustment rod are respectively provided with teeth that mesh with the linkage gears on both sides, and the linkage gears of two adjacent adjustment units are meshed. Although the adjustable-caliber nozzle provided in this invention application can adjust the nozzle shape of different diameters and styles without frequently changing the nozzle style; however, due to its structural constraints, it cannot meet the artistic processing requirements of food 3D printing. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of the present invention is to provide a mechanism whose nozzle shape can be quickly changed during operation to meet the needs of artistic 3D printing of food, and to at least provide a beneficial option or create conditions for solving one or more technical problems existing in the prior art.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solutions.

[0006] A method for quickly switching the nozzle shape of a food 3D printing device is achieved by using a nozzle shape quick switching mechanism. The nozzle shape quick switching mechanism includes a rotating and pressing mechanism, a connecting rod mechanism, a plurality of nozzle shape assembly pieces and an extrusion discharge channel assembled together. The connecting rod mechanism is provided with a plurality of connecting rod groups, and the rotating and pressing mechanism is provided with an extrusion rod. The extrusion rod rotates with the rotating and pressing mechanism and cooperates with different connecting rod groups during the rotation process; a tapered discharge port is provided on the extrusion discharge channel, and each connecting rod group constitutes a movable installation that fits in and away from the tapered discharge port; the nozzle shape assembly piece is fixedly installed on the corresponding connecting rod group, and the nozzle shape assembly pieces of different connecting rod groups together constitute different nozzle shapes.

[0007] During operation, the rotating and pressing mechanism is rotated to a position corresponding to the connecting rod group, and then the connecting rod group is pushed by the extrusion rod, thereby driving the nozzle assembly piece to fit with the conical discharge port to form a corresponding nozzle nozzle shape, completing the nozzle assembly process of the extrusion-type food 3D printer nozzle, and preparing for the artistic processing of food 3D printing.

[0008] When the nozzle shape needs to be switched, the rotating and pressing mechanism only needs to be rotated to the corresponding position of the different connecting rod groups, and then pressure is applied to push the corresponding connecting rod group to achieve the switching of different nozzle shapes.

[0009] More preferably, the rotating and pressing mechanism and the connecting rod mechanism are both hollow structures, the rotating and pressing mechanism is installed on the upper side of the connecting rod mechanism, and the extrusion discharge channel passes through the rotating and pressing mechanism and the connecting rod mechanism from top to bottom.

[0010] More preferably, the rotating and pressing mechanism includes a rotating head, an extrusion rod mounting guide groove arranged on the inner wall of the rotating head and corresponding to the extrusion rod one by one, and a plurality of first return springs; the extrusion rod is inserted into the extrusion rod mounting guide groove, and the first return spring is used to realize the pressing and resetting of the extrusion rod.

[0011] More preferably, each of the connecting rod groups has the same number of connecting rods, and the number of the extrusion rods is consistent with the number of connecting rods in each of the connecting rod groups.

[0012] More preferably, a pressing plate that can be lifted and lowered is provided on the rotating head, and the pressing plate corresponds to all the pressing rods, and synchronous pressing of all the pressing rods is achieved by pressing the pressing plate.

[0013] More preferably, a limiting guide rod is provided on the extrusion disk, and a limiting groove corresponding to the limiting guide rod is provided on the rotating head.

[0014] More preferably, the connecting rod mechanism includes a connecting rod, a second return spring, a slider and a connecting rod mounting cavity, a slider track corresponding to the connecting rod is provided on the inner wall of the connecting rod mounting cavity, the slider can be slidably installed on the slider track, the connecting rod is passed through the slider, and the second return spring is connected between the slider and the connecting rod; an inclined portion is provided on the connecting rod, and an inclined surface corresponding to the inclined portion is provided in the connecting rod mounting cavity.

[0015] During operation, the connecting rod overcomes the reset force of the second reset spring under the action of the pressing force and moves downward. At the same time, the interaction between the inclined portion and the inclined surface gives the connecting rod a force to move toward the center position of the connecting rod mounting cavity, so that the slider and the connecting rod move together toward the center position of the connecting rod mounting cavity, thereby driving the mouth-shaped assembly piece installed on the connecting rod to fit with the conical discharge port to form a corresponding nozzle mouth shape.

[0016] More preferably, the lower end portion of the connecting rod is formed with the inclined portion inclined downward and inward and a mounting slot for mounting the mouth-shaped assembly piece, and each mouth-shaped assembly piece and the corresponding mounting slot form a detachable mounting fixation.

[0017] More preferably, there are eight nozzle assembly pieces in total, two of which form a group, forming a straight-line, cross-shaped, arc-shaped and star-shaped nozzle nozzles respectively.

[0018] On the other hand, the present invention also provides a food 3D printing device, which realizes the change of the nozzle shape through the nozzle shape rapid switching mechanism method as described above.

[0019] The technical solution provided by the present invention has at least the following technical effects or advantages.

[0020] The present invention provides a food 3D printing device and a method for quickly switching the nozzle shape thereof, which organically combines structures such as a rotating pressing mechanism, a connecting rod mechanism, and a nozzle shape assembly piece. It can realize the rapid conversion of the nozzle shape and complete the quick replacement molding of the nozzle during the food 3D printing operation, thereby meeting the needs of artistic 3D printing of food. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] Figure 1 Shown is a schematic structural diagram of the nozzle type quick switching mechanism in the present invention.

[0022] Figure 2 Shown is a schematic structural diagram of the pressing mechanism.

[0023] Figure 3 Shown is the internal structure diagram of the pressing mechanism.

[0024] Figure 4Shown is a structural schematic diagram of the connecting rod mechanism.

[0025] Figure 5 Shown is a schematic structural diagram of the connecting rod.

[0026] Figure 6 Shown Figure 5 A partial enlarged view of .

[0027] Figure 7 Shown is the assembly diagram of the connecting rod and the mouth-shaped assembly piece.

[0028] Figure 8 Shown Figure 7 A partial enlarged view of .

[0029] Figure 9 Shown is a schematic diagram of the assembly of the nozzle assembly piece and the discharge port.

[0030] Description of the accompanying drawings.

[0031] 1: Rotating and pressing mechanism, 2: Connecting rod mechanism, 3: Mouth-shaped assembly piece, 4: Extrusion discharge channel.

[0032] 1-1: Extrusion rod, 1-2: Rotating head, 1-3: Extrusion rod mounting guide groove, 1-4: First return spring, 1-5: Extrusion disk, 1-6: Limiting guide rod.

[0033] 2-1: connecting rod assembly, 2-2: connecting rod, 2-3: second return spring, 2-4: slider, 2-5: connecting rod mounting cavity, 2-6: slider track, 2-7: inclined portion, 2-8: mounting slot.

[0034] 4-1: Conical discharge port. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] The following description of the embodiments of the present invention is further described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings to make the technical solutions and beneficial effects of the present invention clearer and more specific. The following description of the embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings is illustrative and intended to explain the present invention, but is not to be construed as limiting the present invention.

[0036] Additional aspects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the description which follows, or may be learned by practice of the invention.

[0037] Example 1.

[0038] Reference Figure 1 、 Figure 3 、 Figure 4 、 Figure 5 and Figure 7As shown, a method for quickly switching the nozzle type of a food 3D printing device is achieved by a nozzle type quick switching mechanism, which includes a rotating and pressing mechanism 1, a connecting rod mechanism 2, a plurality of nozzle type assembly pieces 3 and an extrusion discharge channel 4 assembled together, a plurality of connecting rod groups 2-1 are provided on the connecting rod mechanism 2, an extrusion rod 1-1 is provided on the rotating and pressing mechanism 1, the extrusion rod 1-1 rotates with the rotating and pressing mechanism 1 and cooperates with different connecting rod groups 2-1 during the rotation process; a conical discharge port 4-1 is provided on the extrusion discharge channel 4, and each connecting rod group 2-1 constitutes a movable installation that fits in and away from the conical discharge port 4-1; the nozzle type assembly piece 3 is fixedly installed on the corresponding connecting rod group 2-1, and the nozzle type assembly pieces 3 of different connecting rod groups 2-1 together constitute different nozzle types.

[0039] During operation, the rotating and pressing mechanism 1 is rotated to the position corresponding to the connecting rod assembly 2-1. Then, the extrusion rod 1-1 applies pressure to push the connecting rod assembly 2-1, which in turn drives the nozzle assembly piece 3 to mate with the tapered discharge port 4-1 to form the corresponding nozzle shape. This completes the nozzle assembly process of the extrusion-type food 3D printer nozzle head and prepares for the artistic processing of food 3D printing. When the nozzle shape needs to be changed, simply rotate the rotating and pressing mechanism 1 to a different position of the connecting rod assembly 2-1 to achieve quick conversion and molding of different nozzle shapes, making nozzle shape switching convenient and fast.

[0040] In this embodiment, the rotating and pressing mechanism 1 and the connecting rod mechanism 2 are both hollow structures, the rotating and pressing mechanism 1 is installed on the upper side of the connecting rod mechanism 2, and the extrusion discharge channel 4 is set from top to bottom through the rotating and pressing mechanism 1 and the connecting rod mechanism 2. The advantage of this arrangement is that it is convenient to connect with the material extrusion mechanism of the food 3D printing equipment. Obviously, those skilled in the art can appropriately change the shape and layout of the rotating and pressing mechanism 1, the connecting rod mechanism 2 and the extrusion discharge channel 4 according to different actual needs, as long as they can play the role of rotating and cooperating with different connecting rod groups for pressing, and the mouth-shaped assembly piece 3 can be in contact with and away from the tapered discharge port 4-1 during movement; it is not limited to this embodiment.

[0041] Refer again Figure 2 、 Figure 3As shown, the rotating and pressing mechanism 1 includes a rotating head 1-2, an extrusion rod mounting guide groove 1-3 arranged on the inner wall of the rotating head 1-2 and corresponding to the extrusion rod 1-1, and a first return spring 1-4; the extrusion rod 1-1 is passed through the extrusion rod mounting guide groove 1-3, and the first return spring 1-4 is used to realize the pressing and resetting of the extrusion rod 1-1; that is, after the pressure on the extrusion rod 1-1 is released, the extrusion rod 1-1 is automatically reset under the action of the first return spring 1-4, so as to facilitate the rotating pressing mechanism 1 to make the extrusion rod 1-1 correspond to the next group of connecting rod groups 2-1.

[0042] It should be noted that the number of connecting rods in each connecting rod group 2-1 is the same, and the number of extrusion rods 1-1 is the same as the number of connecting rods in the connecting rod group 2-1, so that the pressing process can press all connecting rods in the connecting rod group 2-1. In this embodiment, it is preferred that there are four connecting rod groups 2-1, each of which has two connecting rods. Accordingly, it is only necessary to provide two extrusion rod mounting guide grooves 1-3 in the rotating head 1-2, and to mount one extrusion rod 1-1 in each extrusion rod mounting guide groove 1-3.

[0043] Refer again Figure 2 As shown, the rotating head 1-2 is further provided with a squeeze plate 1-5 that can be raised and lowered. By pressing the squeeze plate 1-5, the two squeeze rods 1-1 are pressed synchronously. Preferably, three limiting guide rods 1-6 are provided on the squeeze plate 1-5, and limiting grooves that cooperate with the limiting guide rods are provided on the rotating head 1-2 to prevent the squeeze plate 1-5 from being misplaced or stuck during the raising and lowering process.

[0044] Refer again Figure 4-Figure 6 As shown, the connecting rod mechanism 2 includes a connecting rod 2-2, a second return spring 2-3, a slider 2-4 and a connecting rod mounting cavity 2-5, and a slider rail 2-6 corresponding to the connecting rod 2-2 is provided on the inner wall of the connecting rod mounting cavity 2-5, and the slider 2-4 can be slidably installed on the slider rail 2-6. The connecting rod 2-2 is passed through the slider 2-4, and the second return spring 2-3 is connected between the slider 2-4 and the connecting rod 2-2; an inclined portion 2-7 is provided on the connecting rod 2-2, and an inclined surface corresponding to the inclined portion 2-7 is provided in the connecting rod mounting cavity 2-5 (not shown).

[0045] During operation, the connecting rod 2-2 overcomes the reset force of the second reset spring 2-3 under the action of the pressing force and moves downward. At the same time, the interaction between the inclined portion 2-7 and the inclined surface gives the connecting rod 2-2 a force to move toward the center position of the connecting rod mounting cavity 2-5, so that the slider 2-4 and the connecting rod 2-2 move together toward the center position of the connecting rod mounting cavity 2-5, thereby driving the mouth-shaped assembly piece 3 installed on the connecting rod 2-2 to fit with the conical discharge port 4-1 to form a corresponding nozzle mouth shape.

[0046] In this embodiment, the lower end of the connecting rod 2-2 is preferably formed with the inclined portion 2-7 that is inclined downward and inward. Obviously, those skilled in the art can change the shape and position of the inclined portion 2-7 according to different actual needs, as long as it can push the connecting rod 2-2 to move inward when the connecting rod 2-2 moves downward.

[0047] In this embodiment, the lower end of the connecting rod 2-2 is preferably formed with a mounting slot 2-8 for mounting the mouth-shaped assembly piece 3, and each mouth-shaped assembly piece 3 and the corresponding mounting slot 2-8 form a detachable installation fixation so that mouth-shaped assembly pieces 3 of different shapes can be integrated together according to actual needs.

[0048] Recombination Figure 7 、 Figure 8 As shown, the nozzle assembly pieces 3 in this embodiment are eight in total, two in a group, and can form straight-line, cross-shaped, arc-shaped, and star-shaped nozzles, respectively. Obviously, those skilled in the art can also use nozzle assembly pieces of other shapes to form nozzles of other shapes according to different actual needs; this is not limited to this embodiment.

[0049] It should also be noted that the specific structural designs of the rotational force applying mechanism and the pressure applying mechanism of the rotation and pressure mechanism 1 are common technical knowledge mastered by those skilled in the art and will not be described in detail here. To achieve accurate positioning of the rotational position and the pressure position, corresponding sensing mechanisms may also be provided, and the specific structural designs of the sensing mechanisms are also common technical knowledge mastered by those skilled in the art.

[0050] Example 2.

[0051] A food 3D printing device having the nozzle type rapid switching mechanism and nozzle type rapid switching method as described in Example 1. Obviously, the food 3D printing device provided in this embodiment has all the technical effects of Example 1, which will not be repeated here.

[0052] It should also be noted that, in the description of the present invention, directional words such as the terms "center", "horizontal", "longitudinal", "length", "width", "thickness", "up", "down", "front", "back", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inside", "outside", "clockwise", "counterclockwise" and the like indicating directions and positional relationships are based on the directions or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific direction, be constructed and operated in a specific direction, and should not be understood as limiting the specific scope of protection of the present invention.

[0053] Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features. Therefore, the terms "first" and "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of these features. Throughout the description of the present invention, "at least" means one or more than one, unless otherwise specifically defined.

[0054] In the present invention, unless otherwise specified or limited, the terms "assemble," "connect," and "connect" should be understood in a broad sense. For example, they may refer to fixed connection, detachable connection, or integral connection; mechanical connection; direct connection, connection through an intermediate medium, or internal communication between two components. Those skilled in the art will understand the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention based on specific circumstances.

[0055] In the present invention, unless otherwise specified or limited, a first feature being "above" or "below" a second feature may include the first and second features being in direct contact, or may include the first and second features being in contact not directly but through another feature therebetween. Furthermore, a first feature being "above," "below," and "above" a second feature may include the first feature being directly above or obliquely above the second feature, or may simply mean that the first feature is higher in level than the second feature. A first feature being "above," "below," and "below" a second feature may include the first feature being directly below or obliquely below the second feature, or may simply mean that the first feature is lower in level than the second feature.

[0056] Through the description of the above structure and principle, those skilled in the art should understand that the present invention is not limited to the above specific embodiments. Improvements and substitutions based on the present invention using the known technology in the art fall within the scope of protection of the present invention, which is defined by the claims and their equivalents. Any parts not described in the specific embodiments are prior art or common knowledge.

Claims

1. A method for quickly switching the nozzle type of a food 3D printing device, characterized in that: The nozzle type quick switching mechanism is used for this purpose. The nozzle type quick switching mechanism includes a rotating and pressing mechanism, a connecting rod mechanism, a plurality of nozzle type assembly pieces and an extrusion discharge channel that are assembled together. The connecting rod mechanism is provided with a plurality of connecting rod groups. The rotating and pressing mechanism is provided with an extrusion rod. The extrusion rod rotates with the rotating and pressing mechanism and cooperates with different connecting rod groups during the rotation process. A conical discharge port is provided on the extrusion discharge channel. Each connecting rod group is configured to be movably mounted to fit the conical discharge port and can be moved away from the conical discharge port. The nozzle type assembly piece is fixedly mounted on the corresponding connecting rod group. The nozzle type assembly pieces of different connecting rod groups together form different nozzle types. The rotating and pressing mechanism includes a rotating head, an extrusion rod mounting guide groove provided on the inner wall of the rotating head and corresponding to the extrusion rods, and a plurality of first return springs; the extrusion rods are inserted into the extrusion rod mounting guide grooves, and the first return springs are used to realize the pressing and returning of the extrusion rods; The connecting rod mechanism includes a connecting rod, a second return spring, a slider, and a connecting rod mounting cavity. The inner wall of the connecting rod mounting cavity is provided with a slider track corresponding to the connecting rod. The slider is slidably mounted on the slider track. The connecting rod is passed through the slider. The second return spring is connected between the slider and the connecting rod. An inclined portion is provided on the connecting rod, and an inclined surface corresponding to the inclined portion is provided in the connecting rod mounting cavity. During operation, the connecting rod overcomes the restoring force of the second restoring spring under the action of the pressing force and moves downward. At the same time, the interaction between the inclined portion and the inclined surface exerts a force on the connecting rod to move toward the center position of the connecting rod installation cavity, so that the slider and the connecting rod move toward the center position of the connecting rod installation cavity together, thereby driving the nozzle assembly piece installed on the connecting rod to fit with the tapered discharge port to form a corresponding nozzle nozzle shape; During operation, the rotating and pressing mechanism is rotated to a position corresponding to the connecting rod group, and then the connecting rod group is pushed by the extrusion rod, thereby driving the nozzle assembly piece to fit with the conical discharge port to form a corresponding nozzle nozzle shape, completing the nozzle assembly process of the extrusion-type food 3D printer nozzle head, and preparing for the artistic processing of food 3D printing; When the nozzle shape needs to be switched, the rotating and pressing mechanism only needs to be rotated to the corresponding position of the different connecting rod groups, and then pressure is applied to push the corresponding connecting rod group to achieve the switching of different nozzle shapes.

2. The method for quickly switching nozzle types of a food 3D printing device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The rotating and pressing mechanism and the connecting rod mechanism are both hollow structures. The rotating and pressing mechanism is installed on the upper side of the connecting rod mechanism. The extrusion discharge channel penetrates the rotating and pressing mechanism and the connecting rod mechanism from top to bottom.

3. The method for quickly switching nozzle types of a food 3D printing device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The number of connecting rods in each connecting rod group is the same, and the number of the extrusion rods is the same as the number of connecting rods in each connecting rod group.

4. The method for quickly switching nozzle types of a food 3D printing device according to claim 1, characterized in that: A pressing plate capable of lifting and moving is provided on the rotating head. The pressing plate corresponds to all the pressing rods. By pressing the pressing plate, all the pressing rods are pressed synchronously.

5. The method for quickly switching nozzle types of a food 3D printing device according to claim 4, characterized in that: A limiting guide rod is provided on the extrusion disk, and a limiting groove corresponding to the limiting guide rod is provided on the rotating head.

6. The method for quickly switching nozzle types of a food 3D printing device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The lower end portion of the connecting rod is formed with the inclined portion inclined downward and inward and a mounting slot for mounting the mouth-shaped assembly piece, and each mouth-shaped assembly piece and the corresponding mounting slot form a detachable mounting fixation.

7. The method for quickly switching nozzle types of a food 3D printing device according to claim 1, characterized in that: There are eight nozzle assembly pieces in total, two of which form a group, respectively forming a straight-line, cross-shaped, arc-shaped and star-shaped nozzle nozzle shapes.

8. A food 3D printing device, characterized in that: The nozzle shape is changed by the nozzle shape rapid switching method as described in any one of claims 1 to 7.

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