Laser scanning head for 3D printer

By designing a laser scanning head for 3D printers and using an X and Y galvanometer structure with symmetrical arrangements in the angle, the problems of slow laser scanning speed and poor processing accuracy in the prior art are solved, efficient and economical printing effects are achieved, and the stable operation of the galvanometer is ensured through uniform cooling water circuit design.

CN119657953AActive Publication Date: 2025-03-21PRECISION SCAN INC

Patent Information

Application Number
CN202411984040.4
Authority / Receiving Office
CN · China
Patent Type
Applications(China)
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2024-12-31
Publication Date
2025-03-21
Estimated Expiration
2044-12-31

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

In the existing 3D printing technology, the melting temperature of metal powder is high, resulting in slow laser scanning speed, affecting printing efficiency; at the same time, the machining accuracy of large-scale parts is poor, and when multiple small-form laser scanning galvanometers are combined, the misalignment and installation space problems lead to low efficiency.

Method used

A laser scanning head for 3D printers is designed, and the structure of two inlet ports, two X galvanometers and two Y galvanometers is adopted. Through the symmetrical arrangement of the X galvanometer and the Y galvanometer, the light beams of the two inlet ports enter light on the same side, saving installation space; at the same time, a near-distance and dense cooling water circuit design is adopted to ensure the uniformity of the cooling effect.

Benefits of technology

The compact arrangement of multiple small scanning formats is achieved, which improves printing efficiency and processing accuracy, saves installation space, reduces laser energy requirements, and reduces the impact of thermal effects.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

Smart Images

  • Figure CN119657953A_ABST
    Figure CN119657953A_ABST
Patent Text Reader

Abstract

The invention relates to the technical field of powder laser sintering manufacturing, and particularly discloses a laser scanning head for a 3D printer, the laser scanning head comprises a shell, a top cover and a galvanometer system, and the top cover is connected to the top end of the shell; the galvanometer system comprises two galvanometer brackets, two X galvanometers and two Y galvanometers; the two galvanometer supports are installed on the bottom faces of the two ends of the shell respectively, one side face of the shell is provided with light inlets corresponding to the two galvanometer supports respectively, and the bottom face of the shell is provided with light outlets corresponding to the two galvanometer supports respectively. The two X galvanometers are installed on the top faces of the two galvanometer supports and extend into the containing cavity, and the two X galvanometers are symmetrically arranged along the center line. The two Y galvanometers are installed on the side faces, away from the light inlets, of the two galvanometer supports respectively and stretch into the containing cavity, the axes of the two Y galvanometers are close to each other and are symmetrical about the center line, and the axes of the two Y galvanometers are located between the axes of the two light inlets. The scanning head has the effects of reducing the space volume occupied by the scanning head and improving the printing efficiency.
Need to check novelty before this filing date? Find Prior Art

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to the technical field of powder laser sintering manufacturing, and in particular to a laser scanning head for a 3D printer. Background Art

[0002] Metal 3D printing usually uses a galvanometer to reflect a single laser beam and scan and print images on a two-dimensional work plane. Metal 3D printing uses metal powder to melt under the heat of a laser beam, cool and condense, and stack layer by layer to manufacture parts. Since metal powder needs to be melted at a very high temperature, in order to fully melt the metal powder under the irradiation of the laser, the laser needs to move at a lower speed during the scanning process, which seriously affects the printing speed.

[0003] In addition, for large-scale parts with large formats, a large-format laser scanning galvanometer that can cover its size is required. However, a large-format laser scanning galvanometer means a long focal length, a long working distance, a coarse focus spot, and poor processing accuracy. At the same time, the corresponding laser energy effect will be reduced, the energy after focusing will be lower, and the printing speed will be slower. To achieve the ideal printing effect, a higher-energy laser is required, but the thermal effect of a high-energy laser is also stronger, which will cause problems such as focal drift in the lens.

[0004] In modern industry, 3D printing is a relatively mature application, and its pain point is low processing efficiency. Therefore, in practical applications, it is often considered to combine multiple small-format laser scanning galvanometers for multi-head synchronous scanning to improve printing efficiency. Small-format laser scanning galvanometers have a short working distance, require low laser energy, have low thermal effects, and are economical. However, for the combination of small-format laser scanning galvanometers, due to the staggered splicing arrangement caused by the limitations of the box structure, the relative distance between two or more small-format single-head laser scanning galvanometers is large, and the scanning formats of different small-format single-head laser scanning galvanometers may be greatly misaligned, resulting in a smaller actual effective printing area and reduced utilization.

[0005] In addition, multiple small-format single-head laser scanning galvanometers require light input from multiple sides, which increases the required installation space. Even if an L-shaped light input device is used for 90° light input, although the installation space can be slightly reduced, a reflector needs to be added inside the L-shaped light input device to reflect the light at 90°. The thermal effect of the laser will also cause the reflector to drift in temperature, so its accuracy in the light input stage has been reduced, and the overall processing accuracy will also be affected.

[0006] Therefore, in order to realize the effective combination application of multiple small-format laser scanning galvanometers, it is particularly important to invent a laser scanning head for 3D printers that can reduce the misalignment between scanning formats, reduce the volume (more galvanometers can be placed in the same space), and thus achieve efficient and economical printing effects. Summary of the invention

[0007] In view of the above problems in the prior art, the present application provides a laser scanning head for a 3D printer.

[0008] The laser scanning head for a 3D printer provided in this application adopts the following technical solution: A laser scanning head for a 3D printer, comprising a shell, a top cover and a galvanometer system, wherein the top cover is connected to the top of the shell, and the galvanometer system is installed in the shell; the galvanometer system comprises two galvanometer brackets, two X galvanometers and two Y galvanometers; the two galvanometer brackets are respectively installed on the bottom surfaces at both ends of the shell, a side surface of the shell is provided with a light inlet corresponding to each of the two galvanometer brackets, and the bottom surface of the shell is provided with a light outlet corresponding to each of the two galvanometer brackets; and the two galvanometer brackets are both provided with a The two galvanometer brackets are provided with light holes connected to the accommodating cavity on one side close to the light entrance; the two X galvanometer mirrors are installed on the top surfaces of the two galvanometer mirror brackets and extend into the accommodating cavity, and the two X galvanometer mirrors are arranged in a symmetrical manner along the center lines of the two light entrance axes; the two Y galvanometer mirrors are respectively installed on the sides of the two galvanometer mirror brackets away from the light entrance and extend into the accommodating cavity, the axes of the two Y galvanometer mirrors are close to each other and symmetrical about the center line, and the axes of the two Y galvanometer mirrors are located between the two light entrance axes.

[0009] Optionally, the two Y galvanometers are arranged along the center line direction, and the lens planes of the two Y galvanometers are parallel to the center line.

[0010] Optionally, the X-ray galvanometer that is closer to the light entrance is provided with a short light-pass sleeve, one end of which is installed in the corresponding light entrance, and the other end of which is directed toward the side of the galvanometer bracket close to the light entrance; the X-ray galvanometer that is farther from the light entrance is provided with a long light-pass sleeve, one end of which is installed in the corresponding light entrance, and the other end of which passes through the galvanometer bracket closer to the light entrance and toward the side of the galvanometer bracket farther away.

[0011] Optionally, the short light-through sleeve and the long light-through sleeve have a trumpet-shaped structure on the circumference of the end surface away from the galvanometer bracket, and the inner wall of the light entrance is in contact with the circumference of the trumpet-shaped structure. The short light-through sleeve and the long light-through sleeve are provided with a positioning notch connected to the circumference of the trumpet-shaped structure on the end surface away from the galvanometer bracket, and the inner wall of the light entrance is provided with a screw mounting port connected to the outer side surface of the shell, and the screw mounting port corresponds to the positioning notch, and the screw mounting port is used to screw in a screw, and the screw nut is pressed against the bottom surface of the positioning notch.

[0012] Optionally, a plurality of galvanometer systems are installed in the shell, and a plurality of pairs of light inlets are correspondingly arranged at the same end of the shell, and a plurality of pairs of light outlets are arranged on the bottom surface of the shell.

[0013] Optionally, a middle position of an inner wall at one end of the shell away from the light entrance protrudes outward and is symmetrically formed about a center line to form a protrusion for accommodating the Y galvanometer motor farther from the light entrance.

[0014] Optionally, two connecting plates are integrally formed at both ends of the shell, the connecting plates are connected to a mounting plate for mounting the shell, the shell is detachably connected to the top surface of the mounting plate, and the laser scanning head is mounted on the top surface of the mounting plate.

[0015] Optionally, a plurality of laser scanning heads are installed on the top surface of the mounting plate, and the plurality of laser scanning heads are evenly arranged in a single row in the horizontal direction. Two adjacent shells are close to each other, and the light inlets of all the shells are on the same side, and the light outlets are also on the same bottom surface.

[0016] Optionally, a plurality of laser scanning heads are mounted on the top surface of the mounting plate, and the plurality of laser scanning heads are divided into two rows, wherein the laser scanning heads in one row correspond one-to-one to the laser scanning heads in the other row, and the light inlets of the two rows of the shells are located on the sides away from each other.

[0017] Optionally, a plurality of laser scanning heads are mounted on the top surface of the mounting plate, and the plurality of laser scanning heads are divided into two rows, wherein the shells in one row are staggered with the shells in another row, and wherein the protrusions in one row are located between two adjacent protrusions in the other row.

[0018] Optionally, two positioning blocks are connected to the top surface of the mounting plate, and the connecting plates on both sides of the raised portion correspond to the two positioning blocks one by one, and the positioning blocks are each provided with a first slot for the connecting plate to be inserted into along the center line direction; two movable blocks are slidably connected to the top surface of the mounting plate, and the two movable blocks are located on both sides of the center line, and the movable blocks slide obliquely from the center line to both sides, and the two movable blocks are located between the two connecting plates away from the raised portion; second slots for the two connecting plates to enter are respectively provided on the sides of the two movable blocks away from each other; and a fixing component for fixing the movable block is installed on the movable block.

[0019] Optionally, the fixing assembly includes a rotating plate and a limit block; one end of the rotating plate is rotatably connected to the bottom of the side of the movable block away from the shell; the limit block is connected to the top surface of the mounting plate, the limit block is located on the side of the movable block away from the shell, and the limit block is attached to the side of the rotating plate away from the movable block; two T-blocks are connected to the bottom surface of the movable block, and the top surface of the mounting plate is provided with a T-slot for the T-block to slide.

[0020] Optionally, a water inlet channel and a water outlet channel are provided in the top cover, and the water outlet channel and one end of the water inlet channel close to the light inlet are connected to the end surface of the top cover and to an external waterway; four branch channels connected between the water outlet channel and the water inlet channel are provided in the top cover.

[0021] Optionally, one of the branch flow channels is close to the water inlet end of the water inlet flow channel, and the other three branch flow channels are far away from the water inlet end of the water inlet flow channel and are evenly distributed.

[0022] Optionally, a first flow channel, a second flow channel and a third flow channel are arranged in the side panel of the shell where the light entrance is located, the first flow channel is arranged vertically, the top end of the first flow channel is connected to the water inlet flow channel, the second flow channel is arranged horizontally, the second flow channel is located below the light entrance, one end of the second flow channel is connected to the bottom end of the first flow channel, the third flow channel is arranged vertically, the top end of the third flow channel is connected to the water outlet flow channel, and the bottom end of the third flow channel is connected to the other end of the second flow channel.

[0023] Optionally, a cooling pipe is provided in the shell, one end of the cooling pipe is connected to the bottom end of the first flow channel, and the other end of the cooling pipe is connected to the bottom end of the third flow channel, the cooling pipe is arranged around the edge of the inner wall of the shell, and the cooling pipe is located below the motor of the Y galvanometer farther from the light entrance; an auxiliary cooling pipe is connected between the cooling pipes, and the auxiliary cooling pipe is located below the motor of the Y galvanometer closer to the light entrance; the cooling pipe is installed on the inner wall of the shell.

[0024] In summary, the present application includes at least one of the following beneficial technical effects: 1. The laser is injected from two light inlets, and then injected into the accommodating cavity from the light hole. The laser is reflected by the X-galvanometer to the Y-galvanometer, and the Y-galvanometer reflects the laser from the light outlet. Since the two X-galvanometers are arranged symmetrically at an angle along the center line of the two light inlet axes, the light beams from two different light inlets on the same side of the shell can be reflected by the X-galvanometers on the left and right of the center line and then emitted to the Y-galvanometer whose axis is close to the center line of the two light inlet axes. Therefore, the light can be injected on the same side of the shell, and the two sets of galvanometers can work at the same time. There is no need to arrange light input devices on the other side, which greatly saves the overall space required for the installation of the scanning galvanometer, that is, more galvanometers can be arranged in the same space, thereby improving printing efficiency. 2. Cooling water is injected from the water inlet channel, and the cooling water flows into the water outlet channel through four tributary channels, and finally discharged to the outside through the water outlet channel; as the distance between the tributary channel and the water inlet changes, considering the attenuation of water pressure with the length of the channel, if a uniformly distributed water channel structure is used, it will cause a temperature difference at both ends of the top cover, and the cooling effect on the top cover will be uneven, affecting the dynamic performance of the galvanometer; therefore, the tributary channel in the top cover adopts a design method of near sparse and far dense, that is, one tributary channel is arranged at a position close to the water inlet, and three tributary channels are arranged at a position far from the water inlet, so that the temperature difference at various parts of the top cover is small and the cooling is more uniform; 3. The water flow in the water inlet channel flows into the first channel, the water flow in the first channel flows into the second channel, the water flow in the second channel flows into the third channel, and the water flow in the third channel flows into the water outlet channel and flows to the outside; the water flow in the second channel cools the shell, especially the light inlet, the short light sleeve and the long light sleeve; 4. More scanning mirrors can be compactly arranged in the same space for synchronous scanning, enabling simultaneous printing of multiple scanning areas, effectively improving printing efficiency. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] Figure 1 is a schematic structural diagram of the laser scanning head in Example 1 of the present application; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the top structure of the laser scanning head in Example 1 of the present application without the top cover; Figure 3 yes Figure 2 The structure shown is a schematic diagram of the top orthographic projection structure after removing the galvanometer bracket and the galvanometer fixing half clamp; Figure 4 It is a structural schematic diagram of the galvanometer system of an embodiment of the present application; Figure 5 It is a schematic diagram of the orthographic projection structure of the bottom of the laser scanning head in Example 1 of the present application; Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the maximum scanning format effect of the combination of 2 sets of X / Y galvanometers; Figure 7This is a schematic diagram of the waterway structure of the laser scanning head in Example 1 of the present application; Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the light-transmitting sleeve of Example 1 of the present application; Fig. 9 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the laser scanning head installed on the mounting plate in Example 1 of the present application; Fig.10 This is a schematic diagram of the top structure of the laser scanning head in Example 2 of the present application without the top cover; Fig.11 This is a schematic diagram of the maximum scanning format effect of the combination of 4 sets of X / Y galvanometers; Fig.12 is a schematic diagram of the structure in which multiple laser scanning heads are installed on a mounting plate in Example 3 of the present application; Fig.13 is a schematic diagram of the structure in which a plurality of laser scanning heads are installed on a mounting plate in Example 4 of the present application; Fig.14 This is a schematic diagram of the structure in which multiple laser scanning heads are installed on a mounting plate in Example 5 of the present application; Fig.15 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the laser scanning head installed on the mounting plate in Example 6 of the present application; Fig.16 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the fixing assembly of Example 6 of the present application; Fig.17 It is a schematic diagram of the structure of the cooling pipe of Example 7 of the present application.

[0026] Description of reference numerals: 1. Shell; 11. Light inlet; 12. Light outlet; 13. Short light-through sleeve; 14. Long light-through sleeve; 15. First flow channel; 16. Second flow channel; 17. Third flow channel; 18. Trumpet-shaped structure; 19. Positioning notch; 110. Screw installation port; 111. Raised portion; 112. Connecting plate; 2. Top cover; 21. Water inlet channel; 22. Water outlet channel; 23. Branch channel; 3. Galvanometer system; 31. Galvanometer bracket; 311. Accommodating cavity; 312 , light-through hole; 313, through hole; 314, galvanometer fixing half clamp; 32, X galvanometer; 33, Y galvanometer; 4, mounting plate; 41, positioning block; 411, first slot; 42, movable block; 421, second slot; 422, T-block; 43, fixing assembly; 431, rotating plate; 432, limiting block; 44, T-slot; 5, cooling pipe; 51, auxiliary cooling pipe; 511, flat section; A-1, center line; Y-1, axis of Y galvanometer. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] The following is combined with Figure 1-17 This application is described in further detail.

[0028] Example 1 The present application embodiment discloses a laser scanning head for a 3D printer. Figure 1 , 2, 3, 4, the laser scanning head includes a shell 1, a top cover 2 and a galvanometer system 3, the top cover 2 is sealed and connected to the top of the opening side of the shell 1, one side of the shell 1 is provided with two light inlets 11, the bottom surface of the shell 1 is provided with two light outlets 12, and the galvanometer system 3 is installed in the shell 1; the galvanometer system 3 includes two galvanometer brackets 31, two X galvanometers 32 and two Y galvanometers 33; the two galvanometer brackets 31 are respectively installed on the bottom surfaces at both ends of the shell 1, and the two galvanometer brackets 31 are respectively provided with accommodating cavities 311 connected with the two light outlets 12; the two galvanometer brackets 31 are both provided with light holes 312 connected with the accommodating cavity 311 on the side close to the light inlet 11, and the two light holes 312 are respectively aligned with the two light inlets 11, and the galvanometer brackets closer to the light inlet 11 are A through hole 313 is provided on the side of 31, and the through hole 313 is located on a side of the accommodating cavity 311 closer to the light entrance 11, and the light through hole 312 farther from the light entrance 11 is aligned with the through hole 313; the two X galvanometer mirrors 32 are respectively installed on the top surfaces of the two galvanometer mirror brackets 31 through the galvanometer mirror fixing half clamps 314 and extend into the accommodating cavity 311, and the two X galvanometer mirrors 32 are symmetrically arranged at an angle to the left and right along the center line A-1 of the axes of the two light entrances 11; the two Y galvanometer mirrors 33 are respectively installed on the sides of the two galvanometer mirror brackets 31 away from the light entrance 11 through the galvanometer mirror fixing half clamps 314 and extend into the accommodating cavity 311, the axes Y-1 of the two Y galvanometer mirrors are close to each other and symmetrical about the center line A-1, and the axes Y-1 of the two Y galvanometer mirrors are located between the axes of the two light entrances 11.

[0029] There are two sets of X / Y galvanometer mirrors 33 in one set of galvanometer mirror system 3. Laser is injected from two light inlets 11, and the laser is injected into the accommodating cavity 311 from the light through hole 312. The laser is reflected to the Y galvanometer mirror 33 by the X galvanometer mirror 32, and the Y galvanometer mirror 33 reflects the laser out from the light outlet 12. Since the two X galvanometer mirrors 32 are symmetrically arranged at an angle to the left and right of the center line A-1 of the axes of the two light inlets 11, it can be achieved that the light beams of two different light inlets 11 on the same side of the shell 1 are reflected by the X galvanometer mirrors 32 on the left and right of the center line A-1 and then are emitted to the Y galvanometer mirror 33 whose axis is close to the center line A-1 of the axes of the two light inlets 11. Therefore, light can be injected on the same side of the shell 1, and the two sets of galvanometer mirrors can work simultaneously. There is no need to arrange light input devices on the other side, which greatly saves the overall space required for the installation of the scanning galvanometer mirror. That is, more galvanometer mirrors can be arranged in the same space, thereby improving printing efficiency.

[0030] Reference Figure 5, the two Y galvanometer mirrors 33 are arranged in the same direction along the center line A-1, and the lens planes of the two Y galvanometer mirrors 33 are parallel to the center line A-1; the distance a between the two X galvanometer mirrors 32 along the center line A-1 direction can be effectively shortened, thereby bringing the respective scanning formats of the two sets of X / Y galvanometer mirrors 33 along the center line A-1 direction closer, and eliminating the gap between the two scanning formats along the center line A-1 direction.

[0031] Reference Figure 2 , 3, 4 The X-ray galvanometer 32 closer to the light entrance 11 is correspondingly provided with a short light-through sleeve 13, the axis of the short light-through sleeve 13 is collinear with the axis of the light-through hole 312, one end of the short light-through sleeve 13 is installed in the corresponding light entrance 11, and the other end of the short light-through sleeve 13 is inserted into the side of the galvanometer bracket 31 close to the light entrance 11; the X-ray galvanometer 32 farther from the light entrance 11 is correspondingly provided with a long light-through sleeve 14, the axis of the long light-through sleeve 14 is collinear with the axis of the light-through hole 312, one end of the long light-through sleeve 14 is installed in the corresponding light entrance 11, and the other end of the long light-through sleeve 14 passes through the through hole 313 and is inserted into the side of the galvanometer bracket 31 close to the light entrance 11; light-through sleeves of different lengths are designed according to the arrangement of the galvanometer mirrors, and brass material with good thermal conductivity is used, which can not only realize effective protection of optical paths of different lengths, but also can well take away the heat near each galvanometer mirror.

[0032] Reference Figure 5 Regarding how to arrange the two Y galvanometer mirrors 33, due to the space requirements for the arrangement of the galvanometer mirrors themselves and the light-transmitting sleeve, the axes Y-1 of the two Y galvanometer mirrors cannot be completely overlapped. Under the premise of not affecting the use effect, by selecting a field mirror with a larger M1, the distance M1 between the lens of the Y galvanometer mirror 33 and the lens of the X galvanometer mirror 32 is increased, the axes Y-1 of the two Y galvanometer mirrors can be closer, the distance b between the axes Y-1 of the two Y galvanometer mirrors is smaller, the coaxiality of the two Y galvanometer mirrors 33 is better, and the two light outlets 12 are basically on a straight line, thereby achieving a smaller misalignment between the scanning formats of the two sets of X / Y galvanometer mirrors 33 along the left and right directions of the shell 1.

[0033] Reference Figure 6 , Figure 6It is a schematic diagram of the combination effect of two sets of X / Y galvanometers 33, wherein Figure (a) is a schematic diagram of the maximum scanning format effect that can be achieved by using a set of galvanometer system 3 arrangement method of the present application (the dotted line shows the effective printing range), and Figure (b) is a schematic diagram of the maximum scanning format effect using two single-head X / Y galvanometers 33 of the same specification (the dotted line shows the effective printing range); it can be seen that when using the arrangement method of the device of the present application, it can be achieved that the two scanning formats just overlap to the maximum (between the scanning formats along the left and right directions of the shell 1, there will still be some misalignment because the two Y galvanometers 33 cannot be completely coaxial, but the misalignment is already very small). If two sets of X / Y galvanometers 33 of the same specification are replaced and located in two shells 1, the misaligned splicing arrangement method is limited due to the structural limitation of the shell 1, which will lead to obvious misalignment between the two scanning formats as shown in Figure (b), and the effective printing area is greatly reduced. At this time, if you want to achieve the effective scanning format shown in Figure (a), you need to use a galvanometer with a larger scanning format and a higher power laser, and the economy will be worse. In addition, multiple small-format single-head laser scanning galvanometers require light input from multiple sides, which increases the required installation space. Even if an L-shaped light input device is used for 90° light input, although the installation space can be slightly reduced, a reflector needs to be added inside the L-shaped light input device to reflect the light at 90°. The thermal effect of the laser will also cause the reflector to drift in temperature, so its accuracy in the light input stage has been reduced, and the overall processing accuracy will also be affected.

[0034] The arrangement method of the device of the present application can economically and efficiently realize the effective replacement of large-format scanning galvanometers by the arrangement combination of multiple small-format scanning galvanometers, thereby improving printing efficiency, shortening the working distance, requiring lower laser energy, and requiring smaller installation space. More galvanometers can be installed in the same space, greatly improving printing efficiency.

[0035] Reference Figure 7 A water inlet channel 21 and a water outlet channel 22 parallel to each other are arranged in the top cover 2. The end of the water outlet channel 22 and the water inlet channel 21 close to the light inlet 11 are connected to the end surface of the top cover 2 and connected to the external waterway; four branch channels 23 connected between the water outlet channel 22 and the water inlet channel 21 are arranged in the top cover 2; one of the branch channels 23 is close to the water inlet end of the water inlet channel 21, and the other three branch channels 23 are far away from the water inlet end of the water inlet channel 21 and are evenly distributed.

[0036] Cooling water is injected from the water inlet channel 21, and the cooling water flows into the water outlet channel 22 through four branch channels 23, and is finally discharged to the outside through the water outlet channel 22; as the position distance between the branch channel 23 and the water inlet end changes, considering the attenuation change of water pressure with the length of the channel, if a uniformly distributed water channel structure is adopted, it will cause a temperature difference at both ends of the top cover 2, and the cooling effect on the top cover 2 is uneven, which affects the dynamic performance of the galvanometer; therefore, the branch channel 23 in the top cover 2 adopts a design method of near sparse and far dense, that is, a branch channel 23 is arranged at a position close to the water inlet end, and three branch channels 23 are arranged at a position far from the water inlet end, so that the temperature difference at various parts of the top cover 2 is small and the cooling is more uniform.

[0037] A first flow channel 15, a second flow channel 16 and a third flow channel 17 are arranged in the side panel of the shell 1 where the light entrance 11 is located. The first flow channel 15 is arranged vertically, and the top end of the first flow channel 15 is connected to the water inlet flow channel 21. The second flow channel 16 is arranged horizontally, and the second flow channel 16 is located below the light entrance 11. One end of the second flow channel 16 is connected to the bottom end of the first flow channel 15. The third flow channel 17 is arranged vertically, and the top end of the third flow channel 17 is connected to the water outlet flow channel 22, and the bottom end of the third flow channel 17 is connected to the other end of the second flow channel 16.

[0038] Part of the water flow in the water inlet channel 21 flows into the first channel 15, the water flow in the first channel 15 flows into the second channel 16, the water flow in the second channel 16 flows into the third channel 17, and the water flow in the third channel 17 flows into the water outlet channel 22 and flows to the outside; the water flow in the second channel 16 realizes cooling of the shell 1, especially the light inlet 11 and the short light sleeve 13 and the long light sleeve 14.

[0039] Reference Figure 8 The short light-through sleeve 13 and the long light-through sleeve 14 are provided with a trumpet-shaped structure 18 on the circumference of the end portion away from the galvanometer bracket 31, and the inner wall of the light entrance 11 is in contact with the circumference of the trumpet-shaped structure 18. The short light-through sleeve 13 and the long light-through sleeve 14 are provided with two positioning notches 19 connected with the circumference of the trumpet-shaped structure 18 on the end surface away from the galvanometer bracket 31. The two positioning notches 19 are symmetrically arranged about the axis of the light entrance 11. The inner wall of the light entrance 11 is provided with two screw mounting openings 110 connected with the outer side surface of the shell 1. The two screw mounting openings 110 correspond to the two positioning notches 19. The screw mounting openings 110 are used to screw in screws, and the screw nuts are pressed tightly against the bottom surface of the positioning notches 19.

[0040] When installing the short light-through sleeve 13 and the long light-through sleeve 14, the end of the light-through sleeve is inserted into the light entrance 11 from outside the housing 1, and the light-through sleeve slides in the light entrance 11 until the circumference of the trumpet-shaped structure 18 of the light-through sleeve is in close contact with the inner wall of the light entrance 11. At this time, the light-through sleeve is inserted into the set position; then, the screw is screwed into the screw installation port 110, and the screw is pressed against the bottom surface of the positioning notch 19. At this time, the light-through sleeve is fixed.

[0041] Reference Figure 2 The middle position of the inner wall at one end of the shell 1 away from the light entrance 11 protrudes outward and is symmetrical about the center line A-1 to form a protrusion 111 for accommodating the Y galvanometer 33 motor farther away from the light entrance 11; this arrangement makes the external space occupied by the shell 1 to accommodate two sets of X / Y galvanometers 33 smaller.

[0042] Reference Fig. 9 Two connecting plates 112 are integrally formed at both ends of the shell 1. The two connecting plates 112 located at one end of the light entrance 11 are respectively located on both sides of the shell 1; the two connecting plates 112 located at one end of the raised portion 111 are located on both sides of the raised portion 111; the connecting plates 112 are connected to a mounting plate 4 for mounting the shell 1 through screws, and the shell 1 is detachably connected to the top surface of the mounting plate 4 through the connecting plates 112 and the screws, and the laser scanning head is installed on the top surface of the mounting plate 4.

[0043] The implementation principle of a laser scanning head for a 3D printer in an embodiment of the present application is as follows: laser light is injected from two light inlets 11, laser light is injected into the accommodating cavity 311 from the light through hole 312, laser light is reflected by the X-galvanometer 32 to the Y-galvanometer 33, and the Y-galvanometer 33 reflects the laser light out from the light outlet 12; since the two X-galvanometers 32 are symmetrically arranged at an angle to the left and right of the center line A-1 of the axes of the two light inlets 11, it can be achieved that light beams from two different light inlets 11 on the same side of the shell 1 are reflected by the X-galvanometer 32 on the left and right of the center line A-1 and then are emitted to the Y-galvanometer 33 whose axis is close to the center line A-1 of the axes of the two light inlets 11, so that light can be injected on the same side of the shell 1, and two sets of galvanometers can work simultaneously, and there is no need to arrange light input devices on the other side, which greatly saves the overall space required for the installation of the scanning galvanometer, that is, more galvanometers can be arranged in the same space, thereby improving printing efficiency.

[0044] Example 2 The present application embodiment discloses a laser scanning head for a 3D printer. Fig.10 , which is different from Example 1, is that multiple sets of galvanometer systems 3 are installed in the shell 1, which may be 2, 3, 4, 5 sets, etc.; in the embodiment of the present application, 2 sets of galvanometer systems 3 are installed in the shell 1; correspondingly, two pairs of light inlets 11 are provided at the same end of the shell 1, that is, four light inlets 11, and two pairs of light outlets 12 are provided on the bottom surface of the shell 1, that is, four light outlets 12.

[0045] Fig.11 FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of the combined effect of four sets of X / Y galvanometers 33, FIG. (c) is a schematic diagram of the maximum scanning format effect that can be achieved by using the scanning galvanometer arrangement method of the present application, and FIG. (d) is a schematic diagram of the maximum scanning format effect of using four single-head X / Y galvanometers 33 of the same specification; Figure 10-11It can be seen from the diagram that the galvanometer arrangement method in the present application is not only applicable to the arrangement of 2 sets of X / Y galvanometers 33, but also applicable to the compact arrangement of more than 2 sets (such as 4 sets, 6 sets, 8 sets, etc.) of X / Y galvanometers 33 in a single shell 1, which can achieve the purpose of economic efficiency and space saving.

[0046] The required size of the shell 1 for accommodating two galvanometer systems 3 is smaller than the sum of the sizes of the two shells 1 for accommodating one galvanometer system 3, so that the more galvanometer systems 3 are installed in the shell 1, the smaller the required size of the shell 1 is.

[0047] Example 3 The present application embodiment discloses a laser scanning head for a 3D printer. Fig.12 The difference from Example 1 is that a plurality of laser scanning heads are installed on the top surface of the mounting plate 4, and the plurality of laser scanning heads are evenly arranged in a single row in the horizontal direction. Two adjacent shells 1 are close to each other, and the light inlets 11 of all shells 1 are on the same side, and the light outlets 12 are also on the same bottom surface, which increases the scanning format and efficiency while saving the required installation space.

[0048] Example 4 The present application embodiment discloses a laser scanning head for a 3D printer. Fig.13 , which is different from Example 3, is that the multiple laser scanning heads are divided into two rows, the laser scanning heads in one row correspond to the laser scanning heads in the other row, and the light inlets 11 of the two rows of shells 1 are located on the sides away from each other; when double-row arrangement is performed, the light outlets 12 are on the same bottom surface, and the light inlets 11 are oppositely arranged, with light entering from both sides. At this time, the installation space requirement increases accordingly, but a larger scanning format and higher scanning efficiency can be achieved.

[0049] Example 5 The present application embodiment discloses a laser scanning head for a 3D printer. Fig.14 , which is different from Example 4, is that the shells 1 in one row are staggered with the shells 1 in the other row, and the protrusions 111 in one row are located between two adjacent protrusions 111 in the other row; when staggered double rows are arranged, the light outlets 12 are on the same bottom surface, and the light inlets 11 are arranged back to back, with light entering from both sides. At this time, the installation space requirement is reduced accordingly, and the scanning format and scanning efficiency remain unchanged.

[0050] Example 6 The present application embodiment discloses a laser scanning head for a 3D printer. Fig.15 and Fig.16, which is different from Example 1, is that two positioning blocks 41 are connected to the top surface of the mounting plate 4, and the two positioning blocks 41 are respectively located on both sides of the raised portion 111, and the connecting plates 112 on both sides of the raised portion 111 correspond to the two positioning blocks 41 one by one, and the positioning blocks 41 are each provided with a first slot 411 for the connecting plate 112 to be inserted along the center line A-1 direction; two movable blocks 42 are slidably connected to the top surface of the mounting plate 4, and the two movable blocks 42 are located on both sides of the center line A-1, and the movable blocks 42 slide obliquely from the center line A-1 to both sides, and the two movable blocks 42 are located between the two connecting plates 112 away from the raised portion 111; the sides of the two movable blocks 42 away from each other are respectively provided with second slots 421 for the two connecting plates 112 to enter; a fixing component 43 for fixing the movable block 42 is installed on the movable block 42.

[0051] The fixing assembly 43 includes a rotating plate 431 and a limit block 432; one end of the rotating plate 431 is rotatably connected to the bottom of the side of the movable block 42 away from the shell 1 through a rotating shaft; the limit block 432 is connected to the top surface of the mounting plate 4, the limit block 432 is located on the side of the movable block 42 away from the shell 1, and the limit block 432 is attached to the side of the rotating plate 431 away from the movable block 42; two T-blocks 422 are connected to the bottom surface of the movable block 42, and a T-slot 44 for the T-block 422 to slide is provided on the top surface of the mounting plate 4.

[0052] When it is necessary to install the shell 1 on the top surface of the mounting plate 4, first slide the two movable blocks 42 closer to each other so that the two movable blocks 42 make way for the shell 1 to be placed on the bottom surface of the mounting plate 4, and then place the shell 1 flat on the bottom surface of the mounting plate 4, with the two movable blocks 42 located between the two connecting plates 112. At this time, the shell 1 is pushed into the first slot 411 of the fixed block, and the two connecting plates 112 are respectively inserted into the two first slots 411; then slide the two movable blocks 42 to the side away from the center line A-1, so that the two connecting plates 112 are respectively inserted into the second slots 421, and the connecting plates 112 are pressed tightly into the first slots 411 by the movable blocks 42, and the rotating plate 431 is rotated to between the limit block 432 and the movable block 42, the limit block 432 is squeezed on the rotating plate 431, and the rotating plate 431 is then squeezed on the movable block 42, so that the shell 1 is fixed on the top surface of the mounting plate 4, and no screws are required to achieve quick disassembly and assembly.

[0053] Example 7 The present application embodiment discloses a laser scanning head for a 3D printer. Fig.17, which is different from Example 1, is that a cooling pipe 5 is arranged in the shell 1, one end of the cooling pipe 5 is connected to the bottom end of the first flow channel 15, and the other end of the cooling pipe 5 is connected to the bottom end of the third flow channel 17, and the cooling pipe 5 is arranged around the edge of the inner wall of the shell 1, and the cooling pipe 5 is located below the motor of the Y galvanometer 33 which is far away from the light entrance 11; an auxiliary cooling pipe 51 is connected between the cooling pipes 5, and the auxiliary cooling pipe 51 is located below the motor of the Y galvanometer 33 which is close to the light entrance 11, and the auxiliary cooling pipe 51 has a flat section 511, and the flat section 511 is arranged around the circumference of the long light-pass sleeve 14 from the top of the long light-pass sleeve 14; the cooling pipe 5 is installed on the inner wall of the shell 1.

[0054] Part of the cooling water in the first flow channel 15 flows into the cooling pipe 5 , and part of the water in the cooling pipe 5 flows into the auxiliary cooling pipe 51 . The auxiliary cooling pipe 51 cools the other end of the long light-pass sleeve 14 , and the cooling pipe 5 takes away the heat in the shell 1 .

[0055] The above are all preferred embodiments of the present application, and the protection scope of the present application is not limited thereto. Therefore, any equivalent changes made according to the structure, shape, and principle of the present application should be included in the protection scope of the present application.

Claims

1. A laser scanning head for a 3D printer, characterized in that: The invention comprises a shell (1), a top cover (2) and a galvanometer system (3), wherein the top cover (2) is connected to the top of the shell (1), and the galvanometer system (3) is installed in the shell (1); the galvanometer system (3) comprises two galvanometer brackets (31), two X galvanometers (32) and two Y galvanometers (33); the two galvanometer brackets (31) are respectively installed on the bottom surfaces at both ends of the shell (1); a light inlet (11) corresponding to each of the two galvanometer brackets (31) is provided on one side surface of the shell (1), and a light outlet (12) corresponding to each of the two galvanometer brackets (31) is provided on the bottom surface of the shell (1); a receiving cavity (311) connected to the light outlet (12) is provided in each of the two galvanometer brackets (31); the two galvanometer brackets (31) are provided with a receiving cavity (311) connected to the light outlet (12); A light hole (312) communicating with the accommodating cavity (311) is provided on one side of the mirror bracket (31) close to the light entrance (11); the two X-mirrors (32) are mounted on the top surfaces of the two galvanometer brackets (31) and extend into the accommodating cavity (311); the two X-mirrors (32) are arranged in a manner symmetrically at an included angle along the center line (A-1) of the axes of the two light entrances (11); the two Y-mirrors (33) are respectively mounted on the sides of the two galvanometer brackets (31) away from the light entrance (11) and extend into the accommodating cavity (311); the axes (Y-1) of the two Y-mirrors are close to each other and symmetrical about the center line (A-1); the axes (Y-1) of the two Y-mirrors are located between the axes of the two light entrances (11).

2. A laser scanning head for a 3D printer according to claim 1, characterized in that: The two Y-vibration mirrors (33) are arranged along the direction of the center line (A-1), and the lens planes of the two Y-vibration mirrors (33) are parallel to the center line (A-1).

3. The laser scanning head for a 3D printer according to claim 1, characterized in that: The X-ray galvanometer (32) closer to the light entrance (11) is provided with a short light-pass sleeve (13), one end of which is installed in the corresponding light entrance (11), and the other end of which faces the side of the galvanometer bracket (31) close to the light entrance (11); the X-ray galvanometer (32) farther from the light entrance (11) is provided with a long light-pass sleeve (14), one end of which is installed in the corresponding light entrance (11), and the other end of which passes through the galvanometer bracket (31) closer to the light entrance (11) and faces the side of the galvanometer bracket (31) farther away.

4. A laser scanning head for a 3D printer according to claim 3, characterized in that: The short light-through sleeve (13) and the long light-through sleeve (14) are provided with a trumpet-shaped structure (18) on the periphery of the end surface away from the galvanometer bracket (31); the inner wall of the light entrance (11) is in contact with the periphery of the trumpet-shaped structure (18); the end surfaces of the short light-through sleeve (13) and the long light-through sleeve (14) away from the galvanometer bracket (31) are provided with a positioning notch (19) which is connected with the periphery of the trumpet-shaped structure (18); the inner wall of the light entrance (11) is provided with a screw mounting opening (110) which is connected with the outer side surface of the shell (1); the screw mounting opening (110) corresponds to the positioning notch (19); the screw mounting opening (110) is used for screwing in a screw, and the screw nut is pressed against the bottom surface of the positioning notch (19).

5. The laser scanning head for a 3D printer according to claim 1, characterized in that: A plurality of galvanometer systems (3) are installed in the shell (1), and a plurality of pairs of light inlets (11) are arranged at the same end of the corresponding shell (1), and a plurality of pairs of light outlets (12) are arranged on the bottom surface of the shell (1).

6. The laser scanning head for a 3D printer according to claim 1, characterized in that: The middle position of the inner wall of one end of the housing (1) away from the light entrance (11) protrudes outward and is symmetrically formed about the center line (A-1) to form a protrusion (111) for accommodating the motor of the Y galvanometer (33) which is farther away from the light entrance (11).

7. The laser scanning head for a 3D printer according to claim 6, characterized in that: Two connecting plates (112) are integrally formed at both ends of the shell (1); the connecting plates (112) are connected to a mounting plate (4) for mounting the shell (1); the shell (1) is detachably connected to the top surface of the mounting plate (4), and the laser scanning head is mounted on the mounting plate (4).

8. The laser scanning head for a 3D printer according to claim 7, characterized in that: A plurality of laser scanning heads are mounted on the top surface of the mounting plate (4), and the plurality of laser scanning heads are evenly arranged in a single row in the horizontal direction. Two adjacent shells (1) are close to each other, and the light inlets (11) of all the shells (1) are on the same side, and the light outlets (12) are also on the same bottom surface.

9. The laser scanning head for a 3D printer according to claim 7, characterized in that: A plurality of laser scanning heads are mounted on the top surface of the mounting plate (4), and the plurality of laser scanning heads are divided into two rows, wherein the laser scanning heads in one row correspond one to one with the laser scanning heads in the other row, and the light inlets (11) of the two rows of shells (1) are located on sides away from each other.

10. The laser scanning head for a 3D printer according to claim 7, characterized in that: A plurality of laser scanning heads are mounted on the top surface of the mounting plate (4), and the plurality of laser scanning heads are divided into two rows, wherein the shells (1) in one row are arranged alternately with the shells (1) in the other row, and wherein the protrusions (111) in one row are located between two adjacent protrusions (111) in the other row.

11. The laser scanning head for a 3D printer according to claim 7, characterized in that: The top surface of the mounting plate (4) is connected to two positioning blocks (41), the connecting plates (112) on both sides of the protruding portion (111) correspond to the two positioning blocks (41) one by one, and the positioning blocks (41) are each provided with a first slot (411) for the connecting plates (112) to be inserted along the center line (A-1) direction; the top surface of the mounting plate (4) is slidably connected to two movable blocks (42), the two movable blocks (42) are located on both sides of the center line (A-1), the movable blocks (42) slide obliquely from the center line (A-1) to both sides, and the two movable blocks (42) are located between the two connecting plates (112) away from the protruding portion (111); the sides of the two movable blocks (42) away from each other are respectively provided with second slots (421) for the two connecting plates (112) to enter; and a fixing assembly (43) for fixing the movable block (42) is installed on the movable block (42).

12. The laser scanning head for a 3D printer according to claim 11, characterized in that: The fixing assembly (43) comprises a rotating plate (431) and a limiting block (432); one end of the rotating plate (431) is rotatably connected to the bottom of the side of the movable block (42) away from the shell (1); the limiting block (432) is connected to the bottom surface of the mounting plate (4), the limiting block (432) is located on the side of the movable block (42) away from the shell (1), and the limiting block (432) is attached to the side of the rotating plate (431) away from the movable block (42); the bottom surface of the movable block (42) is connected to two T-shaped blocks (422), and the top surface of the mounting plate (4) is provided with a T-shaped slot (44) for the T-shaped block (422) to slide.

13. The laser scanning head for a 3D printer according to claim 1, characterized in that: The top cover (2) is provided with a water inlet channel (21) and a water outlet channel (22); one end of the water outlet channel (22) and the water inlet channel (21) close to the light inlet (11) are connected to the end surface of the top cover (2) and to an external waterway; and four branch channels (23) connected between the water outlet channel (22) and the water inlet channel (21) are provided in the top cover (2).

14. The laser scanning head for a 3D printer according to claim 13, characterized in that: One of the branch flow channels (23) is close to the water inlet end of the water inlet flow channel (21), and the other three branch flow channels (23) are far away from the water inlet end of the water inlet flow channel (21) and are evenly distributed.

15. The laser scanning head for a 3D printer according to claim 14, characterized in that: A first flow channel (15), a second flow channel (16) and a third flow channel (17) are arranged in the side plate of the shell (1) where the light inlet (11) is located. The first flow channel (15) is arranged vertically, and the top end of the first flow channel (15) is connected to the water inlet flow channel (21). The second flow channel (16) is arranged horizontally, and the second flow channel (16) is located below the light inlet (11). One end of the second flow channel (16) is connected to the bottom end of the first flow channel (15). The third flow channel (17) is arranged vertically, and the top end of the third flow channel (17) is connected to the water outlet flow channel (22), and the bottom end of the third flow channel (17) is connected to the other end of the second flow channel (16).

16. The laser scanning head for a 3D printer according to claim 15, characterized in that: A cooling pipe (5) is arranged in the shell (1), one end of the cooling pipe (5) is connected to the bottom end of the first flow channel (15), and the other end of the cooling pipe (5) is connected to the bottom end of the third flow channel (17). The cooling pipe (5) is arranged around the edge of the inner wall of the shell (1), and the cooling pipe (5) is located below the motor of the Y galvanometer (33) which is far away from the light entrance (11); an auxiliary cooling pipe (51) is connected between the cooling pipes (5), and the auxiliary cooling pipe (51) is located below the motor of the Y galvanometer (33) which is close to the light entrance (11); the cooling pipe (5) is installed on the inner wall of the shell (1).

Citation Information

Patent Citations

  • Novel four-axis laser scanning head

    CN111843195A

  • Multi-laser-beam galvanometer system

    CN116493740A

  • Double-head laser galvanometer system

    CN209477540U

  • Large-format processing laser scanning galvanometer

    CN218332152U

  • Laser 3D printer

    US9561624B1

Cited By

  • High-power laser scanning welding galvanometer with heat dissipation function

    CN121928238A