A consumable transfer buffer device for a 3D printer

Abstract

The application belongs to the technical field of 3D printers, and provides a consumable transmission buffer device of a 3D printer, which comprises a base and a rotating part; the base is provided with a first consumable channel; the rotating part is rotatably arranged on the base; the rotating part is provided with a second consumable channel; the second consumable channel and the first consumable channel can be in conduction at different angles; an elastic element is arranged between the rotating part and the base, and the elastic force of the elastic element always promotes the second consumable channel on the rotating part and the first consumable channel to be in linear conduction; when the consumable pushes the rotating part to rotate against the elastic force of the elastic element, the arc length change of the rotating part due to rotation plays a buffering role on the transmission of the consumable. The application can effectively solve the problem of unstable transmission caused by the asynchronization of the transmission devices at different levels in the multi-stage transmission process of the consumables of the 3D printer.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of 3D printer technology, specifically relating to a consumable transport buffer device for a 3D printer. Background Technology

[0002] FDM 3D printing is a molding method that uses melted filament to build up layers one by one. During the filament transport process, various resistances in the transport structure often lead to unsatisfactory printing results. Therefore, adding a tiered transport device to the transport structure can effectively reduce these risks. However, in practical applications, the inability to achieve complete synchronization of the control of each level of the transport device results in forces between the devices, which seriously affects the stability of the transport. Therefore, adding a buffer device between different transport devices can effectively solve this problem and ensure good print quality. Summary of the Invention

[0003] In order to overcome the above-mentioned shortcomings of the prior art, the purpose of this invention is to provide a consumable transport buffer device for 3D printers, which can effectively solve the problem of unstable transport caused by the asynchronous transport of each level of transport device during the multi-level transport of 3D printer consumables.

[0004] The technical solution adopted by this invention to solve its technical problem is:

[0005] A filament transport buffer device for a 3D printer, comprising a base and a rotating component;

[0006] The base is provided with a first consumable channel, which is used to connect to the previous feeding device;

[0007] The rotating component is rotatably mounted on the base; the rotating component is provided with a second consumable channel, which is used to connect to the next-stage material guiding device; the second consumable channel and the first consumable channel can be connected at different angles; an elastic element is provided between the rotating component and the base, and the elastic force of the elastic element always causes the second consumable channel on the rotating component to be connected to the first consumable channel in a straight line;

[0008] When the consumable pushes the rotating component to rotate against the elastic force of the elastic element, the change in arc length caused by the rotation of the rotating component buffers the transmission of the consumable.

[0009] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the second consumable channel includes a first straight segment and an arc segment; the arc segment is connected to one end of the first straight segment near the first consumable channel; the outer side of the arc segment is provided with an arc-shaped feed inlet, which is always in communication with the end of the first consumable channel near the second consumable channel; when the consumable is not pushing the rotating component, the elastic force of the elastic element causes the first straight segment to align with the first consumable channel to form a linear transmission. By providing such a feed inlet, the rotating component can maintain communication between the second and first consumable channels during rotation, and the consumable can enter the second consumable channel from different angles.

[0010] Preferably, the second consumable channel further includes a second straight segment tangent to the arc segment, one end of the second straight segment being connected to the arc segment; the feed inlet corresponds to the second straight segment and the arc segment.

[0011] Preferably, the base has an arc-shaped seat body, and the feed inlet is adapted to the arc-shaped seat body; the first consumable channel is disposed on the arc-shaped seat body, and the port of the first consumable channel near the feed inlet is disposed on the side wall of the arc-shaped seat body.

[0012] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the rotating component includes a connecting seat and a channel seat, the channel seat being located on the side of the connecting seat; the connecting seat is rotatably connected to the base, and the second consumable channel is disposed on the channel seat.

[0013] Preferably, the base has a boss, the connecting seat has a circular hole, the boss is located in the circular hole and is concentric; a bearing is provided between the boss and the circular hole.

[0014] Preferably, the base is provided with a first limiting part and a second limiting part for limiting the rotation angle of the rotating component; when the rotating component rotates to the first limit angle, the first limiting part blocks the rotating component; when the rotating component rotates to the second limit angle, the second limiting part blocks the rotating component.

[0015] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a detection component is further included for detecting the rotation angle of the rotating component. The detection component transmits the rotation angle information of the rotating component to the control module of the 3D printer. The control module of the 3D printer adjusts the transmission speed of the upper-level material guide device and / or the lower-level material guide device according to the rotation angle information.

[0016] Preferably, the elastic element is a torsion spring, which is sleeved on the boss; a stop is provided on the top of the boss, and the stop is located in the circular hole of the connecting seat; one end of the torsion spring is restricted by the stop, and the other end of the torsion spring is restricted by the connecting seat.

[0017] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first consumable channel is provided with a first interface at the end away from the second consumable channel, and the first interface is used to connect to the previous level material guiding device; the second consumable channel is provided with a second interface at the end away from the first consumable channel, and the second interface is used to connect to the next-next level material guiding device.

[0018] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are:

[0019] This invention can buffer the problem of asynchronous operation between different stages of the transport structure in a 3D printer, effectively improve the stability of filament transport, and thus improve print quality.

[0020] Specifically, when the upper and lower feeding devices are out of sync, especially when the feed rate of the upper feeding device is greater than that of the lower feeding device, the consumable material between the two feeding devices gradually increases. Since the entire consumable material channel is a continuous whole, the increase in consumable material between the two feeding devices generates a force between them. This force drives the rotating component to rotate, causing a change in its arc length. This increases the length of the second consumable material channel, thus offsetting the increase in consumable material and achieving a buffering effect. Conversely, when the feed rate of the upper feeding device is less than that of the lower feeding device, the consumable material in the consumable material channel of the buffer device between the two feeding devices gradually decreases. This pulls back the rotation angle originally required for buffering, and combined with the elastic force of the elastic element, the rotating component resets.

[0021] The consumable transmission buffer device of this invention innovatively uses the arc motion generated by rotation (angular displacement) to solve the consumable buffering problem. It has a certain decomposition pressure effect on the next-stage material guiding device (PTFE tube). The rotation buffering method can distribute part of the force to the inner wall of the second consumable channel. In particular, compared with the linear buffering method, all the impact force is applied to the inner wall of the PTFE tube at the bend. This invention is beneficial to the longer service life of the consumable channel (including the upper and lower-stage material guiding devices) inside the entire buffer structure. Attached Figure Description

[0022] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention, the drawings used in the following description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0023] Figure 1 This is an exploded perspective view of the consumable transport buffer device for the 3D printer of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 2 This is a perspective view of the consumable transport buffer device of the 3D printer of the present invention after the cover is hidden (in the non-buffered state).

[0025] Figure 3 This is a top view (in the non-buffered state) of the consumable transport buffer device of the 3D printer of the present invention after the cover is hidden.

[0026] Figure 4 This is a top view (in buffer state) of the consumable transport buffer device for the 3D printer of the present invention.

[0027] Figure 5 A top view (in buffer state) of the consumable transport buffer device of the 3D printer of the present invention after the cover is hidden.

[0028] Figure 6 This is a perspective view of the rotating component of the consumable transport buffer device for the 3D printer of the present invention.

[0029] in:

[0030] 1-Base, 101-Arc-shaped seat, 102-Boss, 2-Rotating component, 201-Connecting seat, 2011-Round hole, 202-Channel seat, 2021-Step, 203-Cover plate, 205-Arc-shaped surface, 204-Feed inlet, 3-First interface, 4-Second interface, 5-First consumable channel, 6-Second consumable channel, 601-First straight segment, 602-Second straight segment, 603-Arc-shaped segment, 7-Cover, 8-Elastic element, 9-Stop, 10-First limiting part, 11-Second limiting part, 12-First detection component, 13-Second detection component, 14-Bearing. Detailed Implementation

[0031] To better understand the above-mentioned objectives, features, and advantages of the present invention, the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. It should be noted that, unless otherwise specified, the embodiments and features described in this application can be combined with each other. Many specific details are set forth in the following description to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention; the described embodiments are merely some, not all, of the embodiments of the present invention. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of the present invention without inventive effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0032] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains. The terminology used herein in the description of the invention is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention.

[0033] Example 1

[0034] See Figures 1-6 This embodiment discloses a filament transport buffer device for a 3D printer, including a base 1, a rotating component 2, and a cover 7. The base 1 has a first filament channel 5. The rotating component 2 is rotatably mounted on the base 1; the rotating component 2 has a second filament channel 6; the second filament channel 6 and the first filament channel 5 can be connected at different angles; an elastic element 8 is provided between the rotating component 2 and the base 1, and the elastic force of the elastic element 8 always ensures that the second filament channel 6 on the rotating component 2 is connected to the first filament channel 5 in a straight line. When the transport speed of the upstream material guide device is too fast, causing a large amount of filament to accumulate in the first filament channel 5 and the second filament channel 6, the filament will push the rotating component 2 to rotate against the elastic force of the elastic element 8. The change in arc length caused by the rotation of the rotating component 2 buffers the transport of the filament.

[0035] The first consumable channel 5 is provided with a first interface 3 at the end away from the second consumable channel 6. The first interface 3 is used to connect with the previous level material guiding device. The second consumable channel 6 is provided with a second interface 4 at the end away from the first consumable channel 5. The second interface 4 is used to connect with the next-next level material guiding device.

[0036] Furthermore, the second consumable channel 6 in this embodiment includes a first straight segment 601, a second straight segment 602, and an arc segment 603. One end of the second straight segment 602 is connected to and tangent to the arc segment 603, and the other end of the arc segment 603 is connected to the end of the first straight segment 601 near the first consumable channel 5. The arc segment 603 is concentric with the rotation point of the rotating component 2. An arc-shaped feed inlet 204 is provided at the corresponding outer side of the arc segment 603 and the second straight segment 602. The feed inlet 204 is always connected to the end of the first consumable channel 5 near the second consumable channel 6. When the consumable does not push the rotating component 2, the elastic force of the elastic element 8 causes the first straight segment 601 to align with the first consumable channel 5 to form a straight transmission. By providing such a feed inlet 204, the rotating component 2 can maintain the connection between the second consumable channel 6 and the first consumable channel 5 during rotation, and the consumable can enter the second consumable channel 6 from different angles.

[0037] The rotating component 2 in this embodiment includes a connecting seat 201 and a channel seat 202, with the channel seat 202 located on the side of the connecting seat 201. In this embodiment, the connecting seat 201 has a circular cross-section, and the channel seat 202 is located on the circumferential side of the connecting seat 201. The connecting seat 201 is rotatably connected to the base 1, and the second consumable channel 6 is disposed on the channel seat 202. The channel seat 202 in this embodiment has an arc-shaped surface 205, and the feed inlet 204 is located on the arc-shaped surface 205. The arc-shaped surface 205 is concentric with the rotation point of the rotating component 2. The channel seat 202 in this embodiment has a cover plate 203, which is assembled on the channel seat 202, and the second consumable channel 6 is formed between the cover plate 203 and the channel seat 202.

[0038] In this embodiment, the base 1 is provided with an arc-shaped seat 101, and the arc-shaped surface 205 and the feed inlet 204 on the channel seat 202 are adapted to the arc-shaped seat 101. The first consumable channel 5 is disposed on the arc-shaped seat 101, and the port of the first consumable channel 5 near the feed inlet 204 is disposed on the side wall of the arc-shaped seat 101. By setting the arc-shaped seat 101, on the one hand, it can better adapt to the rotation action of the rotating component 2 and protect the feed inlet 204 to prevent consumables from running out; on the other hand, it can also make the outlet of the first consumable channel 5 arc-shaped, which cooperates with the arc-shaped feed inlet 204 to allow consumables to smoothly enter the second consumable channel 6 from the first consumable channel 5.

[0039] Furthermore, the base 1 is provided with a boss 102, and the connecting seat 201 is provided with a circular hole 2011. The boss 102 is located in the circular hole 2011 and is concentric. A bearing 14 is provided between the boss 102 and the circular hole 2011. In this embodiment, the bearing 14 can be a thrust ball bearing, which can generate less friction when the rotating component 2 rotates relative to the base 1.

[0040] Furthermore, the base 1 is provided with a first limiting part 10 and a second limiting part 11 for limiting the rotation angle of the rotating component 2; when the rotating component 2 rotates to the first limit angle, the first limiting part 10 blocks the rotating component 2; when the rotating component 2 rotates to the second limit angle, the second limiting part 11 blocks the rotating component 2.

[0041] Specifically, in this embodiment, the first limiting part 10 is a protruding structure on the base 1. When the rotating component 2 rotates and reaches the first limit angle, one side of the channel seat 202 abuts against the protruding structure, thereby limiting the rotation angle of the rotating component 2. In this embodiment, the arc-shaped seat 101 is provided with an extension, and the end face of the extension constitutes the second limiting part 11. The corresponding part of the channel seat 202 and the extension is provided with a protruding step 2021. The cooperation between the step 2021 and the second limiting part 11 forms the positioning of the second limit angle of the rotating component 2. When the elastic force of the elastic element 8 causes the rotating component 2 to rotate in the opposite direction and reset, the positioning can be achieved by the cooperation of the second limiting part 11 and the step 2021.

[0042] Of course, the structure and position of the first limiting part 10 and the second limiting part 11 in this embodiment can be flexibly adjusted, and the present invention is not limited to the above-described manner. For example, the first limiting part 10 and the second limiting part 11 can limit the connecting seat 201, and limiting the rotation angle of the connecting seat 201 can also achieve the same purpose.

[0043] The consumable transport buffer device in this embodiment also includes a detection component for detecting the rotation angle of the rotating component 2. This detection component can transmit the rotation angle information of the rotating component 2 to the control module of the 3D printer. The control module of the 3D printer adjusts the transport speed of the upstream material guide device and / or the downstream material guide device based on the rotation angle information. The control module can refer to existing technologies, such as controllers, processors, or other electronic components with functions of receiving, sending, and transmitting information.

[0044] Specifically, in this embodiment, two sets of detection components are provided: a first detection component 12 and a second detection component 13. The first detection component 12 and the second detection component 13 detect and monitor two different angles of the rotating component 2. When the first detection component 12 detects that the rotating component 2 has rotated to the first angle, indicating that there is a large amount of consumable material temporarily stored in the second consumable material channel 6, or that the rotating component 2 has rotated to its limit angle, the rotation angle information is fed back to the control module, and the control module pauses the transmission operation of the previous-level material guiding device. When the rotating component 2 rotates in the opposite direction and resets to the second angle, it is detected by the second detection component 13. Upon receiving the rotation angle information detected by the second detection component 13, the control module controls the previous-level material guiding device to restart and continue the consumable material transmission operation. In this embodiment, both the first detection component 12 and the second detection component 13 include a first sensor and a second sensor. The first sensor can be placed on the rotating component 2, and the second sensor can be placed on the base 1. Position detection can be achieved through the cooperation of both. For example, photoelectric sensors, Hall sensors, and other sensors can be used to detect position information; when using a photoelectric sensor, the optocoupler triggering device can be set on the cover plate 203 of the channel seat 202, and the optocoupler switch detection board can be set on the base 1; when using a Hall sensor, the magnet can be set on the cover plate 203 of the channel seat 202, and the Hall detection board can be set on the base 1.

[0045] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the elastic element 8 is a torsion spring, sleeved on the boss 102. The boss 102 in this embodiment is cylindrical, which is more conducive to matching the torsion spring. A stop 9 is provided at the top of the boss 102, located in the circular hole 2011 of the connecting seat 201. One end of the torsion spring is restricted to the stop 9, and the other end is restricted to the connecting seat 201. To facilitate cooperation with the torsion spring, the connecting seat 201 in this embodiment is provided with a first limiting groove, and the stop 9 is provided with a second limiting groove. The two protruding ends of the torsion spring are correspondingly inserted into the first and second limiting grooves. When in the buffered state, the rotating component 2 rotates, and the two ends of the torsion spring are compressed to a smaller angle. When the rotating component 2 returns to its original position or is no longer pushed by consumables, the two ends of the torsion spring spring back to their initial angle.

[0046] During the operation of a 3D printer, various material guiding devices transport filament. In this embodiment, a filament transport buffer device can be placed between the various material guiding devices to buffer the transport speed of the upper and lower level material guiding devices, allowing the filament to be transported to the print head more stably. Specifically, when the upper and lower level material guiding devices are not synchronized, especially when the feed rate of the upper level material guiding device is greater than that of the lower level, the amount of filament between the two levels will gradually increase. Since the entire filament channel is a continuous whole, when the amount of filament between the two levels increases, a force will be generated between them. This force will drive the rotating component 2 to rotate, causing a change in the arc length of the rotating component 2 due to rotation. That is, the length of the second filament channel 6 will increase, thereby offsetting the increase in filament and achieving a buffering effect. Conversely, when the feed rate of the upper-level feeding device is less than that of the lower-level feeding device, the consumable material in the consumable channel of the buffer device located between the two feeding devices will gradually decrease, which will pull back the rotation angle originally caused by the buffering needs to a smaller value. At the same time, combined with the elastic force of the elastic element 8, the rotating component 2 will be reset.

[0047] In conjunction with the consumable transport buffer device of this embodiment, the upper-level feeding device can transport consumables at a relatively high speed during the printing process (this speed is much higher than the feeding speed of the lower-level feeding device). This causes a certain length of consumables to accumulate in the buffer device, causing the rotating component 2 to rotate. By changing the arc length, a certain length of consumables is buffered. In conjunction with the use of the detection component, specifically in this embodiment, the first detection component 12 detects the rotation angle of the rotating component 2. At this time, the upper-level feeding device can pause the transport, while the lower-level feeding device continues to feed and print. When the consumables buffered in the first consumable channel 5 and / or the second consumable channel 6 are almost exhausted, the rotating component 2 rotates in the opposite direction and resets under the action of the elastic element 8. When the second detection component 13 detects the rotation angle of the rotating component 2, the upper-level feeding device transports consumables again at a relatively high speed. The rotating component 2 rotates again, and the consumable transport buffer device temporarily stores a certain length of consumables again. After the first detection component 12 detects the rotation angle of the rotating component 2, the upper-level feeding device pauses the transport, while the lower-level feeding device continues to work. This cycle repeats the consumable transport process.

[0048] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention in any way. Therefore, any modifications, equivalent changes, and alterations made to the above embodiments based on the technical essence of the present invention without departing from the scope of the present invention shall still fall within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A consumable transport buffer device for a 3D printer, characterized in that, Includes base and rotating parts; The base is provided with a first consumable channel, which is used to connect to the previous feeding device; The rotating component is rotatably mounted on the base; the rotating component is provided with a second consumable channel, which is used to connect to the next-stage material guiding device; the second consumable channel and the first consumable channel can be connected at different angles; an elastic element is provided between the rotating component and the base, and the elastic force of the elastic element always causes the second consumable channel on the rotating component to be connected to the first consumable channel in a straight line; When the consumable pushes the rotating component to rotate against the elastic force of the elastic element, the change in arc length caused by the rotation of the rotating component plays a buffering role in the transmission of the consumable. The second consumable channel includes a first straight segment and an arc segment; the arc segment is connected to one end of the first straight segment near the first consumable channel; the outer side of the arc segment is provided with an arc-shaped feed inlet, which is always connected to the end of the first consumable channel near the second consumable channel; when the consumable does not push the rotating component, the elastic force of the elastic element causes the first straight segment to align with the first consumable channel to form a straight transmission. The second consumable channel also includes a second straight segment tangent to the arc segment, one end of which is connected to the arc segment; the feed inlet corresponds to the second straight segment and the arc segment; The base is provided with an arc-shaped seat body, and the feed port is adapted to the arc-shaped seat body; the first consumable channel is provided on the arc-shaped seat body, and the port of the first consumable channel near the feed port is provided on the side wall of the arc-shaped seat body.

2. The consumable transport buffer device for a 3D printer according to claim 1, characterized in that, The rotating component includes a connecting seat and a channel seat, the channel seat being located on the side of the connecting seat; the connecting seat is rotatably connected to the base, and the second consumable channel is disposed on the channel seat; the channel seat has an arc-shaped surface, and the feed port is located on the arc-shaped surface.

3. The consumable transport buffer device for a 3D printer according to claim 2, characterized in that, The base is provided with a boss, and the connecting seat is provided with a circular hole. The boss is located in the circular hole and is concentric. A bearing is provided between the boss and the circular hole.

4. The consumable transport buffer device for a 3D printer according to claim 1, characterized in that, The base is provided with a first limiting part and a second limiting part for limiting the rotation angle of the rotating component; when the rotating component rotates to the first limit angle, the first limiting part blocks the rotating component; when the rotating component rotates to the second limit angle, the second limiting part blocks the rotating component.

5. The consumable transport buffer device for a 3D printer according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a detection component for detecting the rotation angle of the rotating component. The detection component transmits the rotation angle information of the rotating component to the control module of the 3D printer. The control module of the 3D printer adjusts the transmission speed of the upper-level material guide device and / or the lower-level material guide device according to the rotation angle information.

6. The consumable transport buffer device for a 3D printer according to claim 3, characterized in that, The elastic element is a torsion spring, which is sleeved on the boss; a stop is provided on the top of the boss, and the stop is located in the circular hole of the connecting seat; one end of the torsion spring is restricted by the stop, and the other end of the torsion spring is restricted by the connecting seat.

7. The consumable transport buffer device for a 3D printer according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first consumable channel has a first interface at the end away from the second consumable channel, which is used to connect to the previous feeding device; the second consumable channel has a second interface at the end away from the first consumable channel, which is used to connect to the next feeding device.

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