Printing head assembly and 3D printing equipment

Abstract

The invention relates to a printing head assembly which comprises a printing head (100), a cleaning mechanism (200) and a driving mechanism, one end of the driving mechanism is connected to the printing head (100), the other end of the driving mechanism is connected with the cleaning mechanism (200), the driving mechanism drives the cleaning mechanism (200) to move, and when the driving mechanism is in a first state, the cleaning mechanism (200) is driven by the driving mechanism to move. The driving mechanism drives the cleaning mechanism (200) to be located on the side edge of the printing head (100). And in the second state, the driving mechanism drives the cleaning mechanism (200) to be opposite to the bottom of the printing head (100), and the cleaning mechanism (200) is used for cleaning the bottom of the printing head (100). The invention further relates to 3D printing equipment. According to the scheme, the problem that due to the fact that a printing head in existing 3D printing equipment cannot be cleaned in real time, the product forming quality and precision are affected can be solved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of 3D printing equipment, and in particular to a print head assembly and a 3D printing equipment. Background Art

[0002] The core of current 3D printing technology, especially three-dimensional powder printing (3DP), is additive manufacturing technology, which reshapes complex components by stacking, sintering, melting or bonding various material powders layer by layer. This technical process mainly includes several key steps: first, the slicing of the design model, followed by the sanding and printing operations of each layer, followed by the necessary cleaning and maintenance of the print head and sander, as well as the lifting and lowering of the work platform. In this continuous process, keeping the print head and sander clean and in good condition is an indispensable link, and its maintenance time is inevitably included in the processing time of each layer, which significantly affects the overall printing efficiency.

[0003] It is worth noting that the vibration operation during the printing process and the natural fall of the sand will cause dust. If these tiny particles are deposited on the wet print head, they will gradually harden and interfere with its ability to accurately spray materials. Therefore, the effective cleaning and maintenance of the print head is directly related to the quality and precision of the product molding. In view of the increasing structural complexity and performance requirements of casting design, it is particularly urgent and important to develop a new mechanism that can instantly follow the printing process and efficiently complete the cleaning and maintenance work. This will be a forward-looking and innovative expansion of the existing 3DP printing technology. Summary of the invention

[0004] Based on this, it is necessary to provide a print head assembly and a 3D printing device to address the problem that the print head in the current 3D printing device cannot be cleaned in real time, which affects the quality and accuracy of product molding.

[0005] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention adopts the following technical solutions:

[0006] In the first aspect, an embodiment of the present invention discloses a print head assembly, including a print head, a cleaning mechanism and a driving mechanism, wherein one end of the driving mechanism is connected to the print head, and the other end of the driving mechanism is connected to the cleaning mechanism, and the driving mechanism drives the cleaning mechanism to move. When in a first state, the driving mechanism drives the cleaning mechanism to be on the side of the print head; when in a second state, the driving mechanism drives the cleaning mechanism to be opposite to the bottom of the print head, and the cleaning mechanism is used to clean the bottom of the print head.

[0007] In one embodiment, the driving mechanism includes a first driving member and a second driving member connected to each other, the first driving member is connected to the print head, the second driving member is connected to the cleaning mechanism, the first driving member drives the second driving member and the cleaning mechanism to move along a first direction, the second driving member drives the cleaning member to move along a second direction, and the first direction and the second direction intersect.

[0008] In one embodiment, the second driving member drives the cleaning mechanism to move forward and backward along the bottom surface of the print head to clean the print head.

[0009] In one embodiment, the cleaning mechanism includes a liquid receiving tank and a cleaning piece, wherein the cleaning piece is disposed in the liquid receiving tank. When in the second state, the liquid receiving tank and the cleaning piece are relative to the bottom of the print head, and both the liquid receiving tank and the cleaning piece extend along the length direction of the print head, and the cleaning piece is used to clean the bottom of the print head.

[0010] In one embodiment, the cleaning member is detachably disposed in the liquid receiving tank, and the cleaning member is in the shape of a long strip.

[0011] In one embodiment, the cleaning element is located in the middle of the liquid receiving tank.

[0012] In one embodiment, a liquid outlet is provided at the bottom of the liquid receiving tank, and the liquid outlet is used to discharge the liquid in the liquid receiving tank.

[0013] In one embodiment, a liquid level sensor is disposed in the liquid receiving tank, and the liquid level sensor is used to detect the liquid level in the liquid receiving tank.

[0014] In one embodiment, it further includes a shell, and the shell is provided with a side of the print head. When in the first state, the driving mechanism drives the cleaning mechanism to retract into the shell.

[0015] In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present invention further discloses a 3D printing device, comprising the print head assembly described above.

[0016] The technical solution adopted by the present invention can achieve the following beneficial effects:

[0017] In the print head assembly disclosed in the embodiment of the present invention, a cleaning mechanism is integrated on the print head, so that the print head can be cleaned at any time, so as to realize real-time cleaning of the print head, and then realize effective cleaning and maintenance of the print head, and efficiently complete the maintenance and cleaning work of the print head; and the cleaning mechanism has two working states, and the two states of the cleaning mechanism are switched in real time. While realizing real-time cleaning of the print head, it can also ensure that when the print head is not cleaned, the cleaning mechanism can be retracted to the non-working area of ​​the print head to prevent affecting the working state of the print head. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of a print head assembly disclosed in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0019] Figure 2 for Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the structure in another state;

[0020] Figure 3 It is a partial structural schematic diagram of the 3D printing device disclosed in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] Description of reference numerals:

[0022] 100 - print head, 200 - cleaning mechanism, 210 - liquid receiving tank, 211 - liquid outlet, 212 - liquid level sensor, 220 - cleaning member, 310 - first driving member, 320 - second driving member, 400 - powder spreader, 500 - working box. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] In order to facilitate the understanding of the present invention, the present invention will be described more fully below with reference to the relevant drawings. The preferred embodiments of the present invention are given in the drawings. However, the present invention can be implemented in many different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein. On the contrary, the purpose of providing these embodiments is to make the disclosure of the present invention more thoroughly understood.

[0024] It should be noted that when an element is referred to as being "disposed on" another element, it may be directly on the other element or there may be a centered element. When an element is considered to be "connected to" another element, it may be directly connected to the other element or there may be a centered element at the same time. The terms "vertical", "horizontal", "left", "right", "top", "bottom", "bottom end", "top end" and similar expressions used herein are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to be the only implementation method.

[0025] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as those commonly understood by those skilled in the art of the present invention. The terms used herein in the specification of the present invention are only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the present invention. The term "and / or" used herein includes any and all combinations of one or more related listed items.

[0026] like Figure 1-Figure 3 As shown, an embodiment of the present invention discloses a print head assembly, and the disclosed print head assembly includes a print head 100, a cleaning mechanism 200 and a driving mechanism.

[0027] One end of the driving mechanism is connected to the print head 100, and the other end of the driving mechanism is connected to the cleaning mechanism 200. The driving mechanism drives the cleaning mechanism 200 to move. At this time, it is equivalent to integrating the cleaning mechanism 200 on the print head 100 through the driving mechanism, so that the cleaning mechanism 200 can move with the print head 100.

[0028] In the specific working state, when in the first state, the driving mechanism drives the cleaning mechanism 200 to be at the side of the print head 100, that is, the cleaning mechanism 200 is hidden at the side of the print head 100 by the driving mechanism. At this time, the cleaning mechanism 200 will not affect the working state of the print head 100. Please refer to Figure 1 When in the second state, the driving mechanism drives the cleaning mechanism 200 so that it is opposite to the bottom of the print head 100, such as Figure 2 As shown, the cleaning surface of the cleaning mechanism 100 faces the bottom of the print head 100 , and the cleaning mechanism 200 is used to clean the bottom of the print head 100 .

[0029] It can be seen from the above content that in the print head assembly disclosed in the embodiment of the present invention, by integrating a cleaning mechanism 200 on the print head 100, the print head 100 can be cleaned at any time, so as to achieve real-time cleaning of the print head, and then achieve effective cleaning and maintenance of the print head 100, and efficiently complete the maintenance and cleaning work of the print head 100; and, the cleaning mechanism 200 has two working states, and the two states of the cleaning mechanism 200 are switched in real time. While achieving real-time cleaning of the print head 100, it can also ensure that when the print head 100 is not cleaned, the cleaning mechanism 200 can be retracted to the non-working area of ​​the print head 100 to prevent affecting the working state of the print head.

[0030] In an optional embodiment, the driving mechanism may include a first driving member 310 and a second driving member 320 connected to each other, the first driving member 310 may be connected to the print head 100, the second driving member 320 may be connected to the cleaning mechanism 200, the first driving member 310 may drive the second driving member 320 and the cleaning mechanism 200 to move along a first direction, the second driving member 320 may drive the cleaning member 220 to move along a second direction, and the first direction and the second direction may intersect. In this case, the first direction may be a direction along the height of the print head 100, and the second direction may be a direction along the bottom surface of the print head 100.

[0031] In the specific working process, the cleaning mechanism 200 can be driven by the first driving member 310 and the second driving member 320 to be located at the bottom of the print head 100, thereby cleaning the bottom of the print head 100, that is, cleaning the nozzle; at the same time, the cleaning mechanism 200 can also be located at the side of the print head 100, that is, in the non-working area of ​​the print head 100, so as to prevent affecting the work of the print head 100. This method is simple and easy to implement, so as to facilitate the state conversion of the cleaning mechanism 200.

[0032] Of course, the first driving member 310 and the second driving member 320 may be common telescopic motors or lead screw drive mechanisms, etc. The embodiment of the present invention does not limit the specific structure of the first driving member 310 and the second driving member 320.

[0033] Further, the second driving member 320 can drive the cleaning mechanism 200 to move forward and backward along the bottom surface direction of the print head 100 to clean the print head 100. That is, in the process of cleaning, the cleaning mechanism 200 can be directly driven by the second driving member 320 to move forward and backward in the bottom surface direction of the print head 100 to clean the print head 100. In this case, in the process of cleaning the print head 100, no other driving member needs to be added, and the cleaning of the print head 100 can be achieved, thereby saving costs and reducing the number of components, so as to facilitate the overall structural layout, and also facilitate the hiding of the cleaning mechanism 200 in a non-working state.

[0034] In an optional embodiment, the cleaning mechanism 200 may include a liquid receiving tank 210 and a cleaning member 220. The cleaning member 220 may be disposed in the liquid receiving tank 210. When in the second state, the liquid receiving tank 210 and the cleaning member 220 may be relative to the bottom of the print head 100, that is, the liquid receiving tank 210 and the cleaning member 220 may be driven toward the bottom of the print head 100 by the second driving member 320, and the liquid receiving tank 210 and the cleaning member 220 may both extend along the length direction of the print head 100. The cleaning member 220 may be used to clean the bottom of the print head 100. In this case, the bottom of the print head 100 is cleaned by the independent cleaning member 220 to ensure the cleanliness of the print head and improve the printing quality. The liquid receiving tank 210 may receive the waste liquid generated during the cleaning process of the bottom of the print head 100 by the cleaning member 220 to prevent the waste liquid from dripping to other places, thereby ensuring the overall cleanliness of the printing device and the quality of the printing surface.

[0035] Of course, during the cleaning process of the print head 100, the cleaning member 220 can clean the bottom of the print head 100 by moving forward and backward by itself, or the cleaning member 220 can be driven forward and backward by the second driving member 320 to clean the bottom of the print head 100. The present invention does not limit the setting method of the cleaning member 220 and the cleaning method of the print head 100.

[0036] In the embodiment of the present invention, the cleaning member 220 is detachably disposed in the liquid receiving tank 210, and the cleaning member 220 may be in the shape of a long strip. In this case, the long strip-shaped cleaning member 220 contacts the bottom of the print head 100 during the cleaning process, so that the waste liquid can be scraped off and the bottom of the print head 100 can be cleaned better to better ensure the cleanliness of the bottom of the print head 100. In addition, the long strip-shaped cleaning member 220 extending along the length direction of the print head 100 can also achieve the function of drainage, so that the waste liquid on the cleaned print head 100 can flow more easily into the liquid receiving tank 210, so as to improve the printing effect.

[0037] At the same time, the cleaning member 220 is detachable, so that the cleaning member 220 can be replaced, so as to ensure the cleaning effect on the bottom of the print head 100 in time.

[0038] In an optional embodiment, the cleaning member 220 may be located in the middle of the liquid receiving groove 210 to ensure the cleaning effect while being able to better receive the liquid to improve the cleaning quality of the bottom of the print head 100 .

[0039] In the embodiment of the present invention, a liquid outlet 211 may be provided at the bottom of the liquid receiving groove 210 , and the liquid outlet 211 may be used to discharge the liquid in the liquid receiving groove 210 , thereby preventing the liquid in the liquid receiving groove 210 from overflowing during the movement of the print head 100 .

[0040] Furthermore, a liquid level sensor 212 may be provided in the liquid receiving tank 210, and the liquid level sensor 212 may be used to detect the liquid level in the liquid receiving tank 210. In this case, the liquid level in the liquid receiving tank 210 can be monitored by the liquid level sensor 212, so that the waste liquid in the liquid receiving tank 210 can be discharged in time, so as to better prevent the liquid in the liquid receiving tank 210 from overflowing during the movement of the print head 100.

[0041] The print head assembly disclosed in the embodiment of the present invention may further include a housing, and the housing may be provided with a side of the print head 100. When in the first state, the driving mechanism may drive the cleaning mechanism 200 to retract into the housing. In this case, the housing may protect the cleaning mechanism 200 and the driving mechanism to prevent the dust generated by printing when the cleaning mechanism 200 is not in operation from affecting the quality of the cleaning mechanism 200 and the driving mechanism.

[0042] Based on the print head assembly disclosed in the embodiment of the present invention, the embodiment of the present invention further discloses a 3D printing device, including the print head assembly described in any of the above embodiments.

[0043] The above-mentioned embodiments only express several implementation methods of the present invention, and the descriptions thereof are relatively specific and detailed, but they cannot be understood as limiting the scope of the invention patent. It should be pointed out that, for ordinary technicians in this field, several variations and improvements can be made without departing from the concept of the present invention, and these all belong to the protection scope of the present invention. Therefore, the protection scope of the patent of the present invention shall be subject to the attached claims.

Claims

1. A print head assembly, characterized in that: The invention comprises a print head (100), a cleaning mechanism (200) and a driving mechanism, wherein one end of the driving mechanism is connected to the print head (100), and the other end of the driving mechanism is connected to the cleaning mechanism (200). The driving mechanism drives the cleaning mechanism (200) to move. When in a first state, the driving mechanism drives the cleaning mechanism (200) to be located at the side of the print head (100); when in a second state, the driving mechanism drives the cleaning mechanism (200) to be opposite to the bottom of the print head (100), and the cleaning mechanism (200) is used to clean the bottom of the print head (100).

2. The print head assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The driving mechanism comprises a first driving member (310) and a second driving member (320) which are connected to each other, wherein the first driving member (310) is connected to the print head (100), and the second driving member (320) is connected to the cleaning mechanism (200), the first driving member (310) drives the second driving member (320) and the cleaning mechanism (200) to move along a first direction, and the second driving member (320) drives the cleaning member (220) to move along a second direction, and the first direction and the second direction intersect.

3. The print head assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that: The second driving member (320) drives the cleaning mechanism (200) to move forward and backward along the bottom surface direction of the print head (100) to clean the print head (100).

4. The print head assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that: The cleaning mechanism (200) comprises a liquid receiving groove (210) and a cleaning member (220), wherein the cleaning member (220) is arranged in the liquid receiving groove (210); when in the second state, the liquid receiving groove (210) and the cleaning member (220) are relative to the bottom of the print head (100), and the liquid receiving groove (210) and the cleaning member (220) both extend along the length direction of the print head (100); and the cleaning member (220) is used to clean the bottom of the print head (100).

5. The print head assembly according to claim 4, characterized in that: The cleaning member (220) is detachably disposed in the liquid receiving tank (210), and the cleaning member (220) is in the shape of an elongated strip.

6. The print head assembly according to claim 5, characterized in that: The cleaning element (220) is located in the middle of the liquid receiving tank (210).

7. The print head assembly according to claim 4, characterized in that: A liquid outlet (211) is provided at the bottom of the liquid receiving tank (210), and the liquid outlet (211) is used to discharge the liquid in the liquid receiving tank (210).

8. The print head assembly according to claim 7, characterized in that: A liquid level sensor (212) is provided in the liquid receiving tank (210), and the liquid level sensor (212) is used to detect the liquid level in the liquid receiving tank (210).

9. The print head assembly according to claim 1, wherein: It also comprises a shell, the shell is provided with a side of the print head (100), and when in the first state, the driving mechanism drives the cleaning mechanism (200) to retract into the shell.

10. A 3D printing device, characterized in that: A print head assembly comprising any one of claims 1 to 9.

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