Powder supply system and three-dimensional printer

Abstract

The invention relates to the field of additive manufacturing, in particular to a powder supply system and a three-dimensional printer. The powder supply system comprises a first stock bin, a second stock bin, a powder supply device and a powder supply device, the driven part is located at the discharging port of the first stock bin, the driven part is provided with a powder containing area, and the powder containing area is used for receiving powder discharged from the discharging port of the first stock bin; the transmission part is in transmission connection with the driven part; a discharging port of the first stock bin and a feeding port of the second stock bin are oppositely arranged, the second stock bin is used for driving the transmission part to make contact with the driven part when moving into a discharging range corresponding to the discharging port of the first stock bin, and the driven part is driven through the transmission part, so that powder in the powder containing area is discharged to the second stock bin through the driven part. The cost of the powder supply system can be reduced on the basis of guaranteeing that all the components of the powder supply system can supply powder cooperatively and cooperatively.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of additive manufacturing, and in particular to a powder supply system and a three-dimensional printer. Background Art

[0002] In the 3D manufacturing method, the 3D printer can form a powder layer of a certain thickness to spray glue and stack to make a 3D shape. If you want to improve the manufacturing accuracy, you need to accurately control the thickness of the powder layer and evenly compact the powder on the work area.

[0003] The powder supply system of a 3D printer generally includes a powder storage unit for storing powder, a powder dispensing component for taking powder from the powder storage unit, and a powder spreader for spreading the powder. Each component is controlled by its corresponding power source. For example, the power source corresponding to the powder dispensing component controls the movement of the powder dispensing component to control the powder feeding, and the power source corresponding to the powder spreader controls the powder spreading to spread the powder in the working area.

[0004] However, the power source is relatively expensive, and if each component is provided with a power source, the cost of the powder supply system will be higher. Summary of the invention

[0005] In view of this, the present application provides a powder supply system and a three-dimensional printer, aiming to reduce the cost of the powder supply system by ensuring that the various components of the powder supply system can cooperate with each other to supply powder.

[0006] The present application embodiment provides a powder supply system, comprising:

[0007] A first silo, the first silo is used to store powder, and the first silo is provided with a discharge port;

[0008] A follower, the follower is located at the discharge port of the first silo, the follower is provided with a powder receiving area, and the powder receiving area is used to receive the powder discharged from the discharge port of the first silo;

[0009] A transmission member, the transmission member is transmission-connected with a driven member;

[0010] The second silo, the discharge port of the first silo and the feed port of the second silo are arranged opposite to each other, and the second silo is used to drive the transmission member to contact the driven member when it moves to the discharge range corresponding to the discharge port of the first silo, and the driven member is driven by the transmission member, so that the driven member discharges the powder in the powder containing area into the second silo.

[0011] The powder supply system of the embodiment of the present application is provided with a follower and a transmission member. The second hopper can drive the follower to move through the transmission member, so as to feed the material through the powder containing area provided in the follower, that is, the coordinated work of various components of the powder supply system is achieved through mechanical transmission to ensure the powder supply efficiency. Since the cost of the mechanical transmission structure is lower than that of the power source, the powder supply cost of the powder supply system is reduced on the basis of ensuring smooth powder supply.

[0012] In some embodiments, the driven member includes a gear and a roller, the gear is coaxially connected to the roller, the roller is disposed at the discharge port of the first material bin, and the roller can rotatably block the discharge port of the first material bin, the gear is used to drive the roller to roll, and the powder containing area is disposed on the roller;

[0013] The transmission member includes a transmission rack, which is arranged on the second silo. The transmission rack is used to mesh with the gear when the second silo moves to a discharge range corresponding to the discharge port of the first silo, so as to drive the roller to roll, so that the powder in the powder container area set on the roller is poured into the second silo.

[0014] The embodiment of the present application can drive the powder containing area to deliver powder by meshing the gear and the transmission rack, thereby realizing low-cost powder delivery. Moreover, the roller rotates to block the discharge port of the first silo, thereby preventing the powder from falling out of the gap between the first silo and the roller, thereby improving the accuracy of powder delivery.

[0015] In some embodiments, the driven member includes a powder containing box, the powder containing area is arranged in the inner cavity of the powder containing box; the powder containing box is further provided with a first movable side wall and a second movable side wall, the first movable side wall is arranged opposite to the second movable side wall;

[0016] The transmission member includes a pusher, a first end of the pusher is arranged opposite to the first movable side wall, a second end of the pusher is arranged corresponding to the second hopper, the pusher is used to push the first movable side wall to move along the cavity of the powder containing box, and the powder in the inner cavity of the powder containing box is pushed by the first movable side wall to push the second movable side wall to move out of the cavity of the powder containing box;

[0017] The second material bin is used to contact the second end of the pushing member to drive the pushing member to move when the second material bin moves to a discharging range corresponding to the discharging port of the first material bin.

[0018] In some embodiments, the powder supply system further includes a limiting member, which is slidably connected to the pushing member, and the limiting member is used to limit the pushing member from moving along a fixed path.

[0019] In some embodiments, the transmission member further includes a reset member, the reset member is connected to the pushing member, and the reset member is used to restore the position of the pushing member when the second material bin leaves the second end of the pushing member.

[0020] In some embodiments, the reset member includes a reset gear, a rotating shaft and a torsion spring, the spring body of the torsion spring is coaxial with the reset gear and is installed on the rotating shaft, one end of the torsion spring is fixed to the rotating shaft, and the other end of the torsion spring is fixed to the reset gear, the reset gear is meshed and linked with the pushing member, and the torsion spring is used to provide elastic force to the reset gear so that the reset gear drives the pushing member back to the initial position.

[0021] In some embodiments, the powder supply system further includes a powder supply control device, which is communicatively connected to the second silo, and the powder supply control device is used to obtain a powder supply demand and control the movement of the second silo based on the powder supply demand.

[0022] In some embodiments, the powder supply control device is also used to obtain the total powder holding capacity of the powder holding area; determine the current movement information of the follower based on the current movement information of the second silo; and determine the current powder supply capacity of the powder supply system based on the current movement information of the follower and the total powder holding capacity.

[0023] An embodiment of the present application further provides a three-dimensional printer, which includes the above-mentioned powder supply system.

[0024] In some embodiments, the 3D printer includes a powder spreading roller, which is placed on the working platform of the 3D printer. The powder spreading roller is also in contact with and connected to the outer wall of the second silo in the powder supply system. The powder spreading roller is used to spread the powder on the working platform under the push of the second silo. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] Figure 1 It is a structural schematic diagram of the upper powder feeding system in the related technology.

[0026] Figure 2 It is a first three-dimensional structural schematic diagram of a powder supply system provided in one embodiment of the present application.

[0027] Figure 3 A schematic structural diagram of a first silo provided in one embodiment of the present application.

[0028] Figure 4 A schematic structural diagram of a powder supply system including a powder supply control device provided in one embodiment of the present application.

[0029] Figure 5This is a schematic diagram of the planar structure of a powder supply system provided in one embodiment of the present application.

[0030] Figure 6 A second three-dimensional structural schematic diagram of a powder supply system provided in one embodiment of the present application.

[0031] Figure 7 A schematic diagram of the structure of a second silo provided in one embodiment of the present application.

[0032] Figure 8 A schematic diagram of the movement process of feeding into the second silo provided in one embodiment of the present application.

[0033] Fig. 9 A schematic diagram of the rotation of the roller during the feeding process of the second silo provided in one embodiment of the present application.

[0034] Fig.10 A schematic plan view of the structure of a powder supply system according to another embodiment of the present application.

[0035] Fig.11 A schematic diagram of a scenario in which a pushing member provided in an embodiment of the present application enters the inner cavity of a powder containing box.

[0036] Fig.12 A schematic diagram of the structure of a limiter provided in one embodiment of the present application.

[0037] Main component symbols

[0038] Powder storage unit 111

[0039] Powder dispensing element 112

[0040] Baffle 113

[0041] Powder spreader 114

[0042] Measuring vibration device 115

[0043] Powder outlet 116

[0044] First silo 1

[0045] First outlet 10

[0046] Installation section 11

[0047] Second silo 2

[0048] Feed port 20

[0049] Second discharge port 21

[0050] Rack mounting position 22

[0051] Follower 3

[0052] Powder holding area 300

[0053] Roller 310

[0054] Groove 311

[0055] Gear connection position 312

[0056] Gear 320

[0057] Transmission parts 4

[0058] Transmission rack 40

[0059] Pusher 41

[0060] Reset 42

[0061] Reset gear 421

[0062] Torsion spring 422

[0063] Shaft 423

[0064] Powder supply control equipment 5

[0065] Powder container 6

[0066] First movable side wall 61

[0067] Second movable side wall 62

[0068] Limiter 7

[0069] Limiting groove 71

[0070] Powder roller 8

[0071] The following specific implementation methods will further illustrate the present application in conjunction with the above-mentioned drawings. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0072] The following description will refer to the accompanying drawings to more fully describe the content of the present application. Shown in the accompanying drawings are exemplary embodiments of the present application. However, the present application can be implemented in many different forms and should not be interpreted as being limited to the exemplary embodiments set forth herein. These exemplary embodiments are provided to make the present application thorough and complete, and to fully convey the scope of the present application to those skilled in the art. Similar reference numerals represent identical or similar components.

[0073] The terms used herein are only used for the purpose of describing specific exemplary embodiments and are not intended to limit the present application. As used herein, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are intended to also include the plural forms. In addition, when used herein, "including" and / or "comprising" and / or "having", integers, steps, operations, components and / or components, but do not exclude the existence or addition of one or more other features, regions, integers, steps, operations, components, components and / or groups thereof.

[0074] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by those of ordinary skill in the art to which this application belongs. In addition, unless explicitly defined herein, terms such as those defined in general dictionaries should be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with their meaning in the relevant technology and the content of this application, and will not be interpreted as an idealized or overly formal meaning.

[0075] The following will describe exemplary embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the components depicted in the reference drawings are not necessarily shown to scale; and the same or similar components will be given the same or similar reference numerals or similar technical terms.

[0076] In the 3D manufacturing method, the 3D printer can form a powder layer of a certain thickness to spray glue and stack to make a 3D shape. If you want to improve the manufacturing accuracy, you need to accurately control the thickness of the powder layer and evenly compact the powder on the work area.

[0077] The powder supply system of a 3D printer generally includes a powder storage unit for storing powder, a powder dispensing member for taking powder from the powder storage unit, and a powder spreader for spreading powder.

[0078] For example, refer to Figure 1 As shown, Figure 1 The figure is a schematic diagram of an upper powder supply system of a 3D printer in the related art. The upper powder supply system includes an upper module and a lower module.

[0079] The upper module further includes a powder storage unit 111 (also called a hopper) for storing powder, a powder dispensing member 112 (also called a powder metering device) for taking powder from the powder storage unit, and a baffle 113, etc.

[0080] The lower module further includes a powder spreader 114 (also called a mobile coater) for spreading the powder, a metering vibration device 115, a powder outlet 116, etc.

[0081] The above-mentioned upper powder supply system is complex, wherein most components are controlled by their corresponding power sources. For example, the power source corresponding to the powder distribution component controls the movement of the powder distribution component to control the powder feeding, and the power source corresponding to the powder spreader controls the movement of the powder spreader in the working area to spread the powder, thereby enabling the various components to cooperate in powder supply to ensure manufacturing accuracy.

[0082] However, the power source is relatively expensive, and if each component is provided with a power source, the cost of the powder supply system will be higher.

[0083] In view of the above, the present application embodiment provides a powder supply system, as shown below with reference to the attached Figure 2 to Figure 10 , the embodiments of the present application are further described in detail.

[0084] First, refer to Figure 2 and Fig.10 As shown, the powder supply system provided in the embodiment of the present application may include a first silo 1, a second silo 2, a driven member 3, and a transmission member 4.

[0085] refer to Figure 3 As shown, the first silo 1 is used to store powder, and the first silo 1 is provided with a first discharge port 10. The second silo 2 is provided with a feed port 20, and the feed port 20 of the second silo 2 is arranged opposite to the first discharge port 10 of the first silo 1. The follower 3 is located at the first discharge port 10 of the first silo 1. The follower 3 is provided with a powder holding area 300, and the powder holding area 300 is used to receive the powder discharged from the first discharge port 10 of the first silo 1. The follower 3 is connected to the transmission member 4 in a transmission connection. The second silo 2 is used to drive the transmission member 4 to contact the follower 3 when it moves to the discharge range corresponding to the first discharge port 10 of the first silo 1, thereby driving the follower 3 through the transmission member 4, so that the follower 3 discharges the powder in the powder holding area 300 to the second silo 2.

[0086] Among them, the volume of the powder holding area 300 is fixed, and powder can be quantitatively obtained from the first silo 1, so that during a single movement of the follower 3, a quantitative amount of powder can be discharged to the second silo 2, thereby realizing quantitative transportation of powder, which is convenient for subsequent statistics of powder transportation volume and powder residue.

[0087] The powder supply system of the embodiment of the present application can be applied to a three-dimensional printer, and can also be applied to other devices that require powder supply, and the embodiment of the present application is not limited to this.

[0088] The powder supply system of the embodiment of the present application is provided with a follower 3 and a transmission member 4. The second silo 2 can drive the follower 3 to move through the transmission member 4, so as to feed the material through the powder containing area 300 provided in the follower 3, that is, the coordinated work of various components of the powder supply system is achieved through mechanical transmission, and the use of local power sources such as motors and cylinders is reduced to ensure the powder supply efficiency. Since the cost of the mechanical transmission structure is lower than that of the power source, the powder supply cost of the powder supply system is also reduced on the basis of ensuring smooth powder supply.

[0089] For further reference, Figure 4 As shown, the powder supply system may further include a powder supply control device 5, and the powder supply control device 5 may be communicatively connected with the second silo 2. The powder supply system may realize precise control of the powder supply amount.

[0090] For example, the powder supply control device 5 can be used as a power source for the second silo 2 to control the movement of the second silo 2. The second silo 2 can also be provided with detection devices such as displacement sensors and pressure sensors, and the powder supply control device 5 can be connected to the detection devices on the second silo 2 through circuit routing communication, and control the moving distance, moving direction, etc. of the second silo 2 according to the corresponding detection signal.

[0091] The communication connection method of the powder supply control device 5 is only an example. In actual application, it can be set according to needs, and the embodiment of the present application is not limited to this.

[0092] In this embodiment, the powder supply control device 5 can be used to obtain the powder supply requirement. For example, when the powder supply system is applied to a 3D printer, the powder supply requirement can be determined based on the area of ​​each slice of the 3D model to be printed, and then the movement of the second silo 2 is controlled based on the powder supply requirement.

[0093] Among them, controlling the movement of the second silo 2 based on the powder supply demand may include: obtaining a mapping relationship between the movement amount of the follower 3 and the powder delivery amount of the powder holding area set in the follower 3; determining, based on the mapping relationship, the total movement amount that the follower 3 needs to perform when the powder supply demand is reached; determining a movement strategy of the second silo 2 based on the total movement amount that the follower 3 needs to perform; and controlling the second silo 2 to move based on the movement strategy of the second silo 2.

[0094] The mapping relationship between the movement amount of the follower 3 and the powder feeding amount of the powder containing area 300 set in the follower 3 needs to be determined according to the movement form of the follower and the size of the powder containing area, which is not limited in this embodiment.

[0095] For example, the mapping relationship may be: for every displacement of x1 mm of the follower 3, the corresponding powder delivery amount is y1 grams. For another example, the mapping relationship may be: for every rotation of x1 degrees of the follower 3, the corresponding powder delivery amount is y1 grams.

[0096] In the above steps, the movement strategy of the second silo 2 is determined based on the amount of movement that the follower 3 needs to perform, and it also needs to be determined according to the specific structural type of the follower 3 and the transmission member 4, that is, there is also a mapping relationship between the amount of movement of the follower 3 and the amount of movement of the second silo 2, and this embodiment does not limit the mapping relationship. For example, the mapping relationship can be that the second silo 2 drives the transmission member 4 to move x3 mm, and the follower 3 is displaced x3 mm. For another example, the mapping relationship can be that the second silo 2 drives the transmission member 4 to move x3 mm, and the follower 3 rotates y3 degrees.

[0097] In some embodiments, the powder supply control device 5 may also be used to obtain current movement information of the second silo 2 , and determine the current powder supply amount of the powder supply system based on the current movement information of the second silo 2 .

[0098] Specifically, based on the movement information of the second silo 2, determining the current powder supply amount of the powder supply system may include:

[0099] First, the powder supply control device 5 determines the motion information of the follower based on the motion information of the second silo 2. For example, the current motion information may include the current motion track of the second silo 2 during the current powder feeding process, and the current motion track may reflect the motion amount of the follower 3.

[0100] Then, the total powder holding capacity of the powder holding area 300 is obtained, and the current powder supply capacity of the powder supply system is determined based on the movement information of the follower 3 and the total powder holding capacity. For example, the powder supply capacity of the powder supply system in this powder feeding process is determined based on the movement amount of the follower 3 and the total powder holding capacity.

[0101] For example, if the total powder holding capacity of the powder holding area 300 is m grams, based on the movement trajectory of the second silo 2, it can be determined that the second silo 2 pushes the follower 3, so that the follower 3 delivers all the powder in the powder holding area 300 into the second silo 2 twice. At this time, the powder supply capacity of the powder supply system can be 2 m grams.

[0102] As the structures of the follower 3 and the transmission member 4 are different, the mapping relationship between the movement of the follower 3 and the powder delivery amount of the powder containing area 300 set in the follower 3 is different, and the mapping relationship between the movement of the second silo 2 and the movement of the follower 3 is also different. The following embodiments of the present application will combine the specific structures of the follower and the transmission member to illustrate the powder delivery process of the powder supply system, but in actual applications, the structures of the follower and the transmission member are not limited to the following embodiments.

[0103] In some embodiments, reference Figure 2 and Figure 5As shown, the driven member 3 of the powder supply system may include a gear 320, and the transmission member 4 may include a transmission rack 40, and the gear 320 and the transmission rack 40 may be meshed and linked.

[0104] Specifically, the driven member 3 in the powder supply system may include a roller 310 and a gear 320. The roller 310 and the gear 320 are coaxially connected. The powder receiving area 300 may be disposed on the roller 310. Figure 1 As shown, the roller 310 can be in the shape of a long axis or other shapes. At least one groove 311 is provided in the roller 310, and the groove 311 can be used as the powder holding area 300. Among them, the side outer wall of the roller 310 is rotatably sealed with the inner cavity side wall of the discharge port of the first silo 1. The opening width of the powder holding area 300 is not greater than the opening width of the discharge port of the first silo 1, that is, the opening width of the groove 311 is not greater than the opening width of the first discharge port 10 of the first silo 1, so that when the groove 311 corresponds to the first discharge port 10 of the first silo 1, the side outer walls of the roller 310 on both sides of the groove 311 can maintain a rotatable seal with the first discharge port 10, thereby preventing the powder from leaking from the connection between the roller 310 and the first discharge port 10. The roller 310 is provided at the first discharge port 10 of the first silo 1, and the roller 310 can rotatably block the first discharge port 10 of the first silo 1.

[0105] Specifically, along the axial direction of the roller 310, mounting portions 11 are provided at both ends of the first discharge port 10 of the first bin 1, and both ends of the roller 310 are rotatably connected to the two mounting portions 11. A gear connection position 312 is also provided at the axis of at least one end of the roller 310, so that the roller 310 and the gear 320 are coaxially connected.

[0106] refer to Figure 6 As shown, Figure 6 The schematic diagram of the structure of the powder supply system with meshing linkage from another angle is as follows: the roller 310 can span the first discharge port 10 of the first silo 1, so as to receive the powder discharged from the first discharge port 10 of the first silo 1. Since the roller 310 and the gear 320 are coaxially connected, the gear 320 can drive the roller 310 to roll when it rotates, so as to change the relative position of the groove 311 relative to the first discharge port 10 of the first silo 1.

[0107] Reference again Figure 5 The transmission member 4 in the powder supply system may be a transmission rack 40 , which is disposed in the second silo 2 and corresponds to the gear 320 .

[0108] The structure of the second silo 2 can be referred to Figure 7As shown, a second discharge port 21 is provided at the bottom of the second silo 2, and the second discharge port 21 may be a long hole-shaped structure so that the powder can be evenly distributed. The powder can be smoothly discharged from the second discharge port 21 of the second silo 2, which is convenient for subsequent powder to be evenly spread on the working platform of the 3D printer.

[0109] A rack mounting position 22 may also be provided at the edge of the second silo to facilitate installation of the transmission rack 40 .

[0110] The transmission rack 40 is used to engage with the gear 320 when the second silo 2 moves to the discharge range corresponding to the discharge port of the first silo 1, so as to drive the roller 310 to roll, so that the discharge port of the powder holding area 300 (i.e., the groove 311) set on the roller 310 moves out of the first discharge port 10 of the first silo 1, and pours the powder in the powder holding area 300 into the feed port 20 set on the second silo 2.

[0111] For example, refer to Figure 8 and Fig. 9 As shown, Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the movement process of the second silo feeding. Fig. 9 This is a schematic diagram of the roller rotation during the feeding process of the second silo. Figure 8 and Fig. 9 The process of feeding the second silo is described.

[0112] Step 1: The second silo 2 moves toward the bottom of the first silo 1, and the gear 320 and the transmission rack 40 are ready to mesh. Figure 8 From the perspective of FIG. 1 , the second silo 2 moves from left to right.

[0113] Step 2: The second silo 2 continues to move, the gear 320 is meshed with the transmission rack 40, and starts to drive the roller 310 to roll. Figure 8 From a viewing angle, the rolling direction of the roller 310 is counterclockwise.

[0114] refer to Fig. 9 As shown, during the rolling process of the roller 310, the groove 311 in the roller 310 will rotate out of the first discharge port 10 from the position facing the first discharge port 10 of the first silo 1. When the groove 311 faces the first discharge port 10, the powder in the first silo 1 falls into the groove 311, and as the roller 310 continues to roll in the counterclockwise direction, the groove 311 carries the powder out of the first discharge port 10.

[0115] In step 3, the second silo 2 stops moving, the roller 310 rotates nearly half a circle, the groove 311 takes the powder from the first silo 1 and rotates out of the first discharge port 10, and the powder originally in the groove 311 (i.e., the powder containing area 300) of the roller 310 is all poured into the second silo 2.

[0116] It can be understood that when the second silo 2 is reset from right to left, the transmission rack 40 can drive the gear 320 to rotate clockwise, and the groove 311 on the roller 310 can return to the position corresponding to the first discharge port 10 to receive powder again and wait for the next material collection.

[0117] Alternatively, the second silo 2 can continue to move from left to right and drive the roller 310 to continue to roll counterclockwise, so that the groove 311 in the roller 310 is again facing the first discharge port 10 of the first silo 1, so as to take out materials next time.

[0118] Furthermore, the second silo 2 in the powder supply system may be communicatively connected to the powder supply control device 5 .

[0119] In the powder supply system, assuming that the total powder holding capacity of the powder holding area is m grams, the mapping relationship between the movement amount of the follower and the powder delivery amount of the powder holding area set in the follower is: during the rotation of the roller 310, the powder delivery amount is m grams each time the groove 311 passes through the outlet of the first silo and the feed port of the second silo.

[0120] For example, a groove 311 is provided in the roller 310. When the starting position of the groove 311 faces the discharge port of the first silo 1, the roller 310 rotates 180 degrees, and the powder delivery amount is m grams.

[0121] If the powder supply requirement is 3 m g, the powder supply control device 5 can divide the powder supply requirement by the total powder capacity to determine that the groove 311 needs to pass through the first discharge port 10 of the first silo 1 three times and pass through the feed port of the second silo 2 three times. Then, the powder supply control device 5 drives the second silo 2 to drive the transmission rack 40, and the transmission rack 40 engages with the gear 320 to rotate the gear 320, thereby causing the groove 311 to pass through the discharge port of the first silo 1 three times and pass through the feed port of the second silo 2 three times.

[0122] That is, the powder supply control device 5 can control the movement of the second silo 2 based on the powder supply demand, thereby achieving precise control of the powder supply amount.

[0123] During the movement of the second silo 2, the powder supply control device 5 can also obtain the current movement information of the second silo 2, thereby obtaining the current powder supply amount. For example, the second silo 2 currently drives the roller 310 to rotate two circles, and the powder supply amount is 2 mg.

[0124] In the above-mentioned embodiment, the powder supply system can realize transmission through meshing linkage between the gear 320 and the transmission rack 40 . In other embodiments, transmission can also be realized through the pusher 41 .

[0125] refer to Fig.10 As shown, Fig.10A schematic plan view of the structure of a powder supply system according to another embodiment of the present application.

[0126] In this embodiment, the follower 3 is a powder containing box 6, the powder containing area 300 is arranged in the inner cavity of the powder containing box 6, and the powder containing box 6 is also provided with a first movable side wall 61 and a second movable side wall 62, and the first movable side wall 61 and the second movable side wall 62 are arranged opposite to each other.

[0127] The transmission member 4 includes a pushing member 41, a first end of which is arranged opposite to the first movable side wall 61, and the pushing member 41 is used to push the first movable side wall 61 to move into the cavity of the powder containing box 6. The powder in the inner cavity of the powder containing box 6 is pushed by the first movable side wall 61 to push the second movable side wall 62 to move out of the cavity of the powder containing box.

[0128] In some embodiments, reference Fig.11 As shown, when the pusher 41 enters the inner cavity of the powder containing box, the pusher 41 contacts the inner walls of the powder containing box 6 on all sides, thereby reducing the powder between the outer wall of the pusher and the inner wall of the powder containing box 6, so that the displacement of the pusher 41 in the powder containing box 6 can accurately reflect the powder supply, thereby improving the accuracy of the powder supply calculation.

[0129] The second material bin 2 is used to contact the second end of the pushing member 41 and drive the pushing member 41 to move when the second material bin 2 moves to a discharging range corresponding to the first discharging port 10 of the first material bin 1 .

[0130] In some embodiments, reference Fig.12 As shown, the powder supply system may further include a limiter 7, which is disposed on the movement path of the pusher 41, and is slidably connected to the pusher 41, and is used to limit the movement of the pusher along a fixed path.

[0131] For example, the limiting member 7 may have a limiting groove 71, the shape of which matches the movement path of the pushing member 41, and the pushing member 41 may slide in the limiting groove 71, so that when the second material bin 2 pushes the second end of the pushing member 41, the pushing member 41 may move along the limiting groove 71, so that the first end of the pushing member 41 pushes the first movable side wall 61 and moves into the cavity of the powder holding box 6.

[0132] The above-mentioned limiting member 7 with the limiting groove 71 is only an example. In actual application, it can be set according to needs. For example, the limiting member 7 can adopt a plurality of limiting blocks for limiting so that the pushing member can move along a fixed path, but it is not limited to this.

[0133] The second material bin 2 in the powder supply system is out of contact with the second end of the pushing member 41 , that is, after the second material bin 2 leaves the pushing member 41 , the pushing member 41 can automatically return to its original position.

[0134] For example, after the second material bin 2 leaves the pushing member 41, the second material bin 2 cannot provide power for the pushing member 41 to move, and the pushing member 41 can slide along the limiting groove to the initial position under the action of gravity.

[0135] For another example, the pushing member 41 can be restored by using the restoring member 42 .

[0136] Specifically, the transmission member further includes a reset member 42 , which is connected to the pushing member 41 , and is used to restore the position of the pushing member 41 when the second silo 2 leaves the second end of the pushing member.

[0137] In some embodiments, again referring to Fig.11 As shown, the reset member 42 may include a reset gear 421 meshed with the push member 41, and a torsion spring 422 for driving the reset gear 421 to reset, and also includes a rotating shaft 423 for mounting the reset gear 421 and the torsion spring 422. The rotating shaft 423 may be fixedly connected to an external frame or a mounting seat to locate the position of the reset gear 421.

[0138] The spring body of the torsion spring 422 is coaxial with the reset gear 421, and the spring body of the torsion spring 422 can be sleeved on the rotating shaft 423. One end of the torsion spring 422 is fixed to the rotating shaft 423, and the other end is fixed to the reset gear 421. The side of the pusher 41 close to the reset gear 421 has a tooth shape that matches the reset gear 421, so that the reset gear 421 can mesh and link with the pusher 41.

[0139] When the second material bin 2 pushes the pushing member 41 to move, the pushing member 41 is meshed and linked with the reset gear 421. The reset gear 421 drives one end connected to the torsion spring 422 to rotate, causing the torsion spring 422 to deform. After the second material bin 2 leaves the pushing member, the second material bin 2 cannot provide power for the pushing member 41. At this time, the torsion spring 422 can return to its original state. When the torsion spring 422 returns to its original state, it provides elasticity to the reset gear 421 to drive the reset gear 421 to rotate and reset. The reset gear is meshed with the pushing member 41, driving the pushing member 41 to move, so that the pushing member 41 is reset.

[0140] The structure of the above-mentioned reset member 42 is only an example. For example, the reset member 42 may also only include a torsion spring 422. One end of the torsion spring 422 is fixed, and the other end is directly connected to the pushing member 41. In actual applications, the structure of the reset member can be set according to needs. The embodiment of the present application does not specifically limit the structure of the reset member.

[0141] Furthermore, during the process of the pusher 41 automatically returning to its original position, the first movable side wall 61 and the second movable side wall 62 may also be gradually returned to their original positions. For example, the first movable side wall 61 and the second movable side wall 62 return to their original positions under the action of gravity.

[0142] During the process of automatic reset and restoration of the pushing member 41, the pushing member 41 will gradually leave the inner cavity of the powder containing box 6, and the pushing member 41 cannot provide power for the powder in the inner cavity to push open the second movable side wall 62, so that the second movable side wall 62 can automatically reset. After the pushing member 41 leaves the powder containing box, the pushing member 41 cannot contact the first movable side wall 61, so that the first movable side wall 61 can automatically reset.

[0143] In some embodiments, the powder supply system may further include a powder supply control device 5, which is in communication with the second silo 2, and the powder supply control device 5 is used to obtain a powder supply demand and control the movement of the second silo 2 based on the powder supply demand.

[0144] For example, the powder supply control device 5 can obtain the powder supply amount corresponding to the pushing member 41 pushing the powder to move 1 mm in the inner cavity of the powder holding box 6, and divide the powder supply demand by the powder supply amount corresponding to the pushing member 41 pushing the powder to move 1 mm in the inner cavity of the powder holding box 6. The total distance that the pushing member 41 needs to push the powder to move can be obtained. Based on the total distance that the pushing member needs to push the powder to move, the movement trajectory of the second silo 2 can be determined, thereby controlling the movement of the second silo 2.

[0145] Taking the example that the pushing member 41 pushes the powder in the inner cavity of the powder holding box 6 for every 1 mm, y mg of powder is supplied, the total length of the powder holding box 6 is x mm, and the total powder holding capacity of the powder holding box 6 is xy mg, the process of controlling the movement of the second silo 2 based on the powder supply demand is explained.

[0146] For example, if the powder supply demand is 40 mg and the total length of the powder holding box 6 is greater than 40 mm, the pusher needs to push the powder to move 40 mm. The powder supply control device 5 can control the second hopper 2 to push the pusher to move 40 mm into the cavity of the powder holding box 6 and then leave the pusher.

[0147] For example, if the powder supply demand is 2xy mg, the pushing member needs to push the powder to move 2x mm. The powder supply control device 5 can control the second silo 2 to push the pushing member 41 to move x mm into the cavity of the powder holding box 6, and then control the second silo 2 to leave the pushing member. After the pushing member 41 is reset, the powder supply control device 5 can again control the second silo 2 to push the pushing member 41 to move x mm into the cavity of the powder holding box 6, and then control the second silo 2 to leave the pushing member 41.

[0148] The powder supply control device 5 can also be used to obtain the total powder holding capacity of the powder holding area 300; determine the current movement information of the follower 3 based on the current movement information of the second silo 2; and determine the current powder supply capacity of the powder supply system based on the current movement information of the follower 3 and the total powder holding capacity.

[0149] For example, the second silo 2 pushes the pusher 41 to move 2.5x mm, and the current powder supply amount is 2.5xy mg.

[0150] Compared with the multiple components of the powder supply system that require a power source to cooperate with powder delivery, the powder supply system in the embodiment of the present application uses a transmission structure to enable the various components of the powder supply system to work together to cooperate with powder delivery and reduce the cost of powder supply. Moreover, the powder delivery amount can be controlled by controlling the movement of the second silo, thereby achieving precise control of the powder delivery amount.

[0151] An embodiment of the present application further provides a three-dimensional printer, which includes the above-mentioned powder supply system.

[0152] For example, the above-mentioned powder supply system can be used as the upper powder supply system of the 3D printer of this embodiment.

[0153] The 3D printer of this embodiment may be a 3D metal printer with an upper powder supply system such as a Metal Binder jetting (MBJ) 3D printer, a Selective Laser Melting (SLM) 3D printer, or a Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) 3D printer, or a 3D printer for printing sand molds. The embodiment of this application does not specifically limit the model of the 3D printer.

[0154] When the above-mentioned powder supply system is applied to a 3D printer, the second silo 2 may also be referred to as a mobile coater and a powder spreader.

[0155] The second silo 2 can be moved across the working platform of the 3D printer to distribute the powder to the working platform of the 3D printer.

[0156] In some embodiments, the 3D printer may further include a powder spreading roller 8, which is placed on the working platform of the 3D printer. The powder spreading roller 8 is also in contact with and connected to the outer wall of the second silo 2 in the powder supply system. The powder spreading roller is used to spread the powder on the working platform under the push of the second silo 2.

[0157] The embodiments of the present application can not only reduce the power source of the powder supply system of the 3D printer, thereby reducing the cost of the 3D printer, but also achieve precise powder delivery and enable the powder to be evenly spread on the working platform of the 3D printer, thereby improving the printing effect and the printing success rate.

[0158] In the above, the specific implementation of the present application is described with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various changes and substitutions may be made to the specific implementation of the present application without departing from the spirit and scope of the present application. These changes and substitutions are all within the scope defined by the present application.

Claims

1. A powder supply system, characterized in that: The powder supply system comprises: A first silo, the first silo is used to store powder, and the first silo is provided with a discharge port; A follower, the follower is located at the discharge port of the first silo, the follower is provided with a powder receiving area, the powder receiving area is used to receive the powder discharged from the discharge port of the first silo; A transmission member, the transmission member being in transmission connection with the driven member; A second silo, the discharge port of the first silo is arranged opposite to the feed port of the second silo, and the second silo is used to drive the transmission member to contact the driven member when moving to the discharge range corresponding to the discharge port of the first silo, and the driven member is driven by the transmission member, so that the driven member discharges the powder in the powder containing area into the second silo.

2. The powder supply system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The driven member includes a gear and a roller, the gear is coaxially connected to the roller, the roller is arranged at the discharge port of the first material bin, and the roller can rotatably block the discharge port of the first material bin, the gear is used to drive the roller to roll, and the powder containing area is arranged on the roller; The transmission member includes a transmission rack, which is arranged on the second silo. The transmission rack is used to mesh with the gear when the second silo moves to a discharge range corresponding to the discharge port of the first silo, so as to drive the roller to roll, so that the powder in the powder container area set on the roller is poured into the second silo.

3. The powder supply system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The driven member includes a powder containing box, the powder containing area is arranged in the inner cavity of the powder containing box; the powder containing box is further provided with a first movable side wall and a second movable side wall, the first movable side wall is arranged opposite to the second movable side wall; The transmission member includes a pusher, a first end of the pusher is arranged opposite to the first movable side wall, a second end of the pusher is arranged corresponding to the second silo, the pusher is used to push the first movable side wall to move along the cavity of the powder containing box, and the powder in the inner cavity of the powder containing box is pushed by the first movable side wall to push the second movable side wall to move out of the cavity of the powder containing box; The second material bin is used to contact the second end of the pushing member to drive the pushing member to move when the second material bin moves to a discharging range corresponding to the discharging port of the first material bin.

4. The powder supply system according to claim 3, characterized in that: The powder supply system further comprises a limiting member, which is slidably connected to the pushing member and is used to limit the pushing member from moving along a fixed path.

5. The powder supply system according to claim 3, characterized in that: The transmission member further includes a reset member, which is connected to the pushing member and is used to restore the position of the pushing member when the second material bin leaves the second end of the pushing member.

6. The powder supply system according to claim 5, characterized in that: The reset member includes a reset gear, a rotating shaft and a torsion spring. The spring body of the torsion spring is coaxial with the reset gear and is installed on the rotating shaft. One end of the torsion spring is fixed to the rotating shaft, and the other end of the torsion spring is fixed to the reset gear. The reset gear is meshed and linked with the pushing member.

7. The powder supply system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that: The powder supply system further includes a powder supply control device, which is in communication with the second silo, and is used to obtain a powder supply demand and control the movement of the second silo based on the powder supply demand.

8. The powder supply system according to claim 7, characterized in that: The powder supply control device is also used to obtain the total powder holding capacity of the powder holding area; determine the current movement information of the follower based on the current movement information of the second silo; and determine the current powder supply capacity of the powder supply system based on the current movement information of the follower and the total powder holding capacity.

9. A three-dimensional printer, characterized in that: The three-dimensional printer comprises the powder supply system according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. The three-dimensional printer according to claim 9, characterized in that: The 3D printer includes a powder spreading roller, which is placed on the working platform of the 3D printer. The powder spreading roller is also in contact with and connected to the outer side wall of the second silo in the powder supply system. The powder spreading roller is used to spread the powder on the working platform under the push of the second silo.

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