3D printer nozzle wrapping detection device and detection method based on pressure monitoring

Abstract

The invention discloses a 3D printer nozzle wrapping detection device and method based on pressure monitoring, the 3D printer nozzle wrapping detection device based on pressure monitoring comprises a connecting piece, a pressure sensor and a nozzle assembly, the upper end of the pressure sensor is detachably fixed to the connecting piece, and the lower end of the pressure sensor is detachably fixed to the nozzle assembly; the lower end of the pressure sensor is detachably and fixedly connected with one side of the upper end of the spray head assembly and provided with a nozzle used for spraying out printing materials, and the pressure sensor is used for sensing the weight of the spray head assembly. According to the 3D printer nozzle wrapping detection method based on pressure monitoring in the scheme, whether the nozzle has the risks of accumulation and wrapping can be effectively judged in time, and printing pause and information prompt are made to a user for processing when the risks exist; therefore, the situations that the nozzle assembly is damaged and consumables are wasted due to the fact that molten materials are stacked and wrap the nozzle assembly are avoided.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention belongs to the technical field of printers, and in particular relates to a 3D printer nozzle wrapping detection device and a detection method based on pressure monitoring. Background Art

[0002] At present, 3D printing (3 Dimensional Printing) is a technology based on computer three-dimensional models and controlled by software to form layers. It is a kind of additive manufacturing technology. 3D printing technology is usually realized by using digital technology printers. 3D printers can be used in any industry and are widely used in medical, construction, automobile, aerospace and education.

[0003] Since many new users go directly into model printing without leveling during the use of FDM machines, and leave after clicking print without observing the printing of the first layer, the first layer of molten material may not adhere to the platform, which directly causes the extruded material to be carried away by the nozzle and gradually wrap around the head. Since the machine has no alarm prompts, it will continue to print, which will eventually damage the nozzle and waste consumables, and therefore cannot provide users with a better user experience.

[0004] Therefore, a new technology is needed to solve the problem in the prior art that it is difficult to effectively avoid the risk of nozzle damage caused by material accumulation. Summary of the invention

[0005] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems in the prior art, the present invention provides a 3D printer nozzle wrapping detection device and detection method based on pressure monitoring, which can timely detect the risk of material accumulation and wrapping the printer nozzle, and effectively avoid the risk of nozzle damage caused by material accumulation on the nozzle, thereby improving printing efficiency, enhancing user experience, and avoiding printer damage and waste of consumables and printing time.

[0006] The present invention adopts the following technical solutions: A 3D printer nozzle wrap detection device based on pressure monitoring, comprising a connecting piece, a pressure sensor and a nozzle assembly, wherein the upper end of the pressure sensor is detachably fixed to the connecting piece, and the lower end is detachably fixedly connected to one side of the upper end of the nozzle assembly, a nozzle is provided at the lower end of the nozzle assembly, and the pressure sensor is used to sense the weight of the nozzle assembly.

[0007] As a further improvement of the technical solution of the present invention, the pressure sensor includes a first body, a second body, and a third body that are connected in sequence from top to bottom to form a U shape. The first body is detachably and fixedly connected to the connecting member, and the third body is detachably and fixedly connected to the upper end of the nozzle. The upper and lower ends of the second body are respectively fixedly connected to the same end in the horizontal direction of the first body and the third body.

[0008] As a further improvement of the technical solution of the present invention, the nozzle assembly further includes a heat dissipation block and a throat tube. One side of the heat dissipation block is detachably and fixedly connected to the third body. The lower end of the throat tube passes through the heat dissipation block and communicates with the nozzle, and the nozzle is located below the heat dissipation block.

[0009] As a further improvement of the technical solution of the present invention, the nozzle assembly further includes a heating block. The heating block is sleeved outside the throat tube. The heating block is located between the heat dissipation block and the nozzle and has a spacing from the heat dissipation block.

[0010] As a further improvement of the technical solution of the present invention, the heating block is provided with a first through hole into which the lower end of the throat tube can be inserted, and the maximum outer diameter dimension of the nozzle is greater than the dimension of the first through hole.

[0011] As a further improvement of the technical solution of the present invention, a limiting portion is provided on the outer side of the upper end of the throat tube. The heat dissipation block is provided with a second through hole through which the throat tube can pass, and the dimension of the limiting portion is greater than the dimension of the second through hole.

[0012] As a further improvement of the technical solution of the present invention, two stud bolts are provided at intervals on one side of the connecting member. The first body is connected to the connecting member through the two stud bolts.

[0013] As a further improvement of the technical solution of the present invention, the first body is provided with stepped holes that are respectively matched with the stud bolts, and the stepped surfaces of the stepped holes can be close to or abut against the end surfaces of the corresponding stud bolts.

[0014] As a further improvement of the technical solution of the present invention, two threaded holes are provided at intervals on the third body; A connecting portion is provided on one side of the upper end of the heat dissipation block, and the connecting portion is provided with first through holes corresponding to the threaded holes.

[0015] A method for detecting nozzle wrapping of a 3D printer based on pressure monitoring, using the above-mentioned 3D printer nozzle wrapping detection device based on pressure monitoring, includes the following steps: During the printing process, the pressure sensor monitors the weight of the nozzle assembly in real time. A threshold is preset through the pressure sensor. If the nozzle assembly gradually increases in weight with time during the printing process, and the pressure sensor detects that the weight of the nozzle assembly exceeds the preset threshold, it can be determined that the nozzle has a risk of material accumulation and head wrapping, and the printer suspends printing. At the same time, the printer prompts the risk of material accumulation and head wrapping.

[0016] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects: The nozzle assembly of the present solution is movably connected to the pressure sensor, and the nozzle assembly and the pressure sensor are movably connected to the connecting piece. By arranging the structure of the pressure sensor between the nozzle assembly and the connecting piece, the pressure sensor calculates the weight change of the nozzle assembly through the high-precision resistance strain principle, so as to determine whether the weight of the nozzle assembly is abnormal. A threshold value can be set by the pressure sensor. If the nozzle assembly gradually increases in weight with time during the printing process, and the weight of the nozzle assembly exceeds the preset threshold value, it is determined that the nozzle is at risk of accumulation and head wrapping, and the printing is suspended and the information prompt is given to the user for processing, thereby avoiding the nozzle assembly being damaged and wasting consumables due to the accumulation of molten material wrapping the nozzle. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] The technology of the present invention is further described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments: Figure 1 It is an exploded view of the overall structure of the present invention; Figure 2 It is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the present invention.

[0018] Reference numerals: 1- nozzle assembly; 11- throat; 12- heat sink; 121- through hole; 13- heating block; 14- nozzle; 2-pressure sensor; 21-first body; 211-step hole; 22-second body; 23-third body; 231-threaded hole; 3-connecting piece; 31-stud; 32-hollow structure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] The following will be combined with the embodiments and drawings to clearly and completely describe the concept, specific structure and technical effects of the present invention, so as to fully understand the purpose, scheme and effect of the present invention. It should be noted that the embodiments in this application and the features in the embodiments can be combined with each other without conflict. The same reference numerals used throughout the drawings indicate the same or similar parts.

[0020] It should be noted that, unless otherwise specified, when a feature is referred to as being "fixed" or "connected" to another feature, it may be directly fixed or connected to the other feature, or it may be indirectly fixed or connected to the other feature. In addition, the descriptions of up, down, left, right, etc. used in the present invention are only relative to the relative positional relationship of the components of the present invention in the drawings.

[0021] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 2 A 3D printer nozzle wrapping detection device based on pressure monitoring includes a connector 3, a pressure sensor 2 and a nozzle assembly 1. The connector 3 is used to connect to the printer body. The upper end of the pressure sensor 2 is detachably fixed to the connector 3, and the lower end is detachably fixed to one side of the upper end of the nozzle assembly 1. The nozzle assembly 1 is provided with a nozzle 14 at the lower end. The pressure sensor 2 is used to sense the weight of the nozzle assembly 1. The nozzle 14 can preferably be a copper nozzle, and the printing material is sprayed out from the copper nozzle.

[0022] The situation of 3D printer nozzle wrapping usually occurs in the first layer when the printing action starts. Whether the first layer adheres to the printing platform determines whether the model can be completely printed. When the melted material spit out by the nozzle 14 does not stick to the platform, it will cause the material to accumulate around the nozzle 14 and wrap the nozzle. Due to the continuous feeding of the nozzle and the increasing material accumulation at the nozzle 14, there is a risk of damaging the nozzle assembly 1. The detection device of this solution can effectively avoid the occurrence of risks, improve printing efficiency, enhance user experience, avoid printer damage and waste of consumables and printing time.

[0023] The nozzle assembly 1 of the present solution is movably connected to the pressure sensor 2, and the nozzle assembly 1 and the pressure sensor 2 are movably connected to the connecting piece 3. By arranging the structure of the pressure sensor 2 between the nozzle assembly 1 and the connecting piece 3, the pressure sensor 2 calculates the weight change of the nozzle assembly 1 by the high-precision resistance strain principle, so as to determine whether the weight of the nozzle assembly 1 is abnormal. A threshold value can be set by the pressure sensor 2. If the nozzle assembly 1 gradually increases in weight with time during the printing process, when the weight of the nozzle assembly 1 exceeds the preset threshold value, it is determined that the nozzle is at risk of accumulation and head wrapping, and the printing is suspended and the information prompt is given to the user for processing, thereby avoiding the nozzle assembly 1 being damaged and wasting consumables due to the accumulation of molten material wrapping the head.

[0024] Specifically, the pressure sensor 2 includes a first body 21, a second body 22, and a third body 23 that are sequentially connected from top to bottom to form a U-shape. The first body 21 is detachably and fixedly connected to the connecting member 3, the third body 23 is detachably and fixedly connected to the upper end of the nozzle 14, and the upper and lower ends of the second body 22 are fixedly connected to the same end of the first body 21 and the third body 23 in the horizontal direction.

[0025] Specifically, the nozzle assembly 1 further includes a heat dissipation block 12 and a throat tube 11. One side of the heat dissipation block 12 is detachably and fixedly connected to the third body 23. The lower end of the throat tube 11 passes through the heat dissipation block 12 and communicates with the nozzle 14. The nozzle 14 is located below the heat dissipation block 12.

[0026] Specifically, the nozzle assembly 1 further includes a heating block 13. The heating block 13 is sleeved on the outer side of the lower end of the throat tube 11 and is detachably and fixedly connected to the throat tube 11. A threaded connection method or other detachably and fixedly connected methods can be selected. The heating block 13 is located between the heat dissipation block 12 and the nozzle 14 and has a spacing from the heat dissipation block 12 to avoid adverse effects of the heating block 13 on the heat dissipation effect of the heat dissipation block 12.

[0027] Specifically, the heating block 13 is provided with a first through hole for the lower end of the throat tube 11 to insert. The maximum outer diameter dimension in the middle of the nozzle 14 is larger than the dimension of the first through hole. The heating block 13 is connected to the heat dissipation block 12 through the throat tube 11. The copper nozzle is connected to the lower part of the heating block 13 by a threaded connection method. That is, the upper end of the nozzle 14 can be threadedly connected to the heating block 13, and the nozzle 14 is connected to the lower end opening of the first through hole on the heating block 13. The printing material can be ejected from the lower end of the nozzle 14.

[0028] Specifically, a limiting portion is provided on the outer side of the upper end of the throat tube 11. The heat dissipation block 12 is provided with a second through hole for the throat tube 11 to pass through. The dimension of the limiting portion is larger than the dimension of the second through hole, which can prevent the throat tube 11 from disengaging downward from the heat dissipation block 12.

[0029] Specifically, two stud bolts 31 are provided at intervals on one side of the connecting member 3. The first body 21 is connected to the connecting member 3 through the two stud bolts 31.

[0030] Specifically, the first body 21 is provided with a stepped hole 211 that matches each of the studs 31 one by one, and the stepped surface of each of the stepped holes 211 faces the direction of the stud 31. During installation, the two studs 31 can be respectively inserted into the corresponding stepped holes 211, and the stepped surfaces in the stepped holes 211 can be close to or abut against the corresponding end faces of the studs 31. When the studs 31 are inserted into the stepped holes 211, the bolts are tightened, and there is a gap between the end faces of the studs 31 and the stepped surfaces, one side of the sensor can abut against the connector 3, thereby firmly fixing the sensor on the connector 3. When the studs 31 are inserted into the stepped holes 211, the bolts are tightened, and the end faces of the studs 31 abut against the stepped surfaces, the sensor can be firmly fixed on the connector 3 through the tight connection between the studs 31 and the sensor.

[0031] Specifically, two threaded holes 231 are provided at intervals on the third body 23, and a connecting portion is provided on one side of the upper end of the heat sink 12, and a through hole 121 corresponding to each of the threaded holes 231 is provided on the connecting portion. The heat sink 12 and the pressure sensor 2 can be fixed by bolts, and the two bolts pass through a through hole 121 and are screwed into the corresponding threaded hole 231 and tightened. Among them, a hollow structure 32 is provided on the connector 3, and the hollow structure 32 corresponds to the third body 23 or the threaded hole 231 on the third body 23, so as to avoid obstruction to the tightening of the bolts or damage to the connector 3 when tightening the bolts.

[0032] A 3D printer nozzle wrapping detection method based on pressure monitoring, using the 3D printer nozzle wrapping detection device based on pressure monitoring as described above, comprises the following steps: During the printing process, the pressure sensor 2 monitors the weight of the nozzle assembly 1 in real time. A threshold value is preset by the pressure sensor 2. If the nozzle assembly 1 gradually increases in weight with time during the printing process, when the pressure sensor 2 detects that the weight of the nozzle assembly 1 exceeds the preset threshold value, it can be judged that the nozzle has the risk of material accumulation and head wrapping, and the printer pauses printing. At the same time, the printer prompts the risk information of material accumulation and head wrapping. Among them, the pressure sensor 2 can be electrically connected to the control system of the printer. The pressure sensor 2 monitors the weight of the nozzle assembly 1 in real time and feeds back the signal to the control system of the printer. The control system adopts a conventional controller and control circuit. When the pressure sensor 2 detects that the weight of the nozzle assembly 1 exceeds the preset threshold value, the control system of the printer can control the printer to suspend printing. When the printer is provided with a display screen or a human-computer interactive display screen, while pausing printing, the risk information of material accumulation and head wrapping can be displayed on the display screen of the printer. A warning light can also be set on the printer, and the warning light flashes or lights up to prompt the risk information of material accumulation and head wrapping on the nozzle. The circuit where the warning light is located can be set according to the commonly used circuit principle.

[0033] For other contents of the 3D printer nozzle wrapping detection device and detection method based on pressure monitoring described in the present invention, please refer to the prior art and will not be repeated here.

[0034] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and does not limit the present invention in any form. Therefore, any modification, equivalent change and modification made to the above embodiment based on the technical essence of the present invention without departing from the technical solution of the present invention shall still fall within the scope of the technical solution of the present invention.

Claims

1. A 3D printer nozzle wrapping detection device based on pressure monitoring, characterized in that: It includes a connecting piece, a pressure sensor and a nozzle assembly. The upper end of the pressure sensor is detachably fixed on the connecting piece, and the lower end is detachably fixedly connected to one side of the upper end of the nozzle assembly. The lower end of the nozzle assembly is provided with a nozzle, and the pressure sensor is used to sense the weight of the nozzle assembly.

2. The 3D printer nozzle wrapping detection device based on pressure monitoring according to claim 1 is characterized in that: The pressure sensor includes a first body, a second body and a third body that are sequentially connected from top to bottom in a C shape. The first body is detachably fixedly connected to the connecting piece, and the third body is detachably fixedly connected to the upper end of the nozzle. The upper and lower ends of the second body are respectively fixedly connected to the same end of the first body and the third body in the horizontal direction.

3. The 3D printer nozzle wrapping detection device based on pressure monitoring according to claim 2 is characterized in that: The nozzle assembly further includes a heat dissipation block and a throat tube. One side of the heat dissipation block is detachably fixedly connected to the third body. The lower end of the throat tube passes through the heat dissipation block and is communicated with the nozzle, and the nozzle is located below the heat dissipation block.

4. The 3D printer nozzle wrapping detection device based on pressure monitoring according to claim 3 is characterized in that: The nozzle assembly further includes a heating block. The heating block is sleeved outside the throat tube. The heating block is located between the heat dissipation block and the nozzle and has a spacing from the heat dissipation block.

5. The 3D printer nozzle wrapping detection device based on pressure monitoring according to claim 4 is characterized in that: The heating block is provided with a first through hole into which the lower end of the throat tube can be inserted, and the maximum outer diameter dimension of the nozzle is larger than the dimension of the first through hole.

6. The 3D printer nozzle wrapping detection device based on pressure monitoring according to claim 4 is characterized in that: A limiting portion is provided on the outer side of the upper end of the throat tube. The heat dissipation block is provided with a second through hole through which the throat tube can pass, and the dimension of the limiting portion is larger than the dimension of the second through hole.

7. The 3D printer nozzle wrapping detection device based on pressure monitoring according to claim 3 is characterized in that: Two studs are provided at intervals on one side of the connecting piece. The first body is connected to the connecting piece through the two studs.

8. The 3D printer nozzle wrapping detection device based on pressure monitoring according to claim 7 is characterized in that: The first body is provided with stepped holes that are respectively matched with the studs, and the stepped surfaces of the stepped holes can be close to or abut against the end surfaces of the corresponding studs.

9. The 3D printer nozzle wrapping detection device based on pressure monitoring according to claim 3 is characterized in that: Two threaded holes are provided at intervals on the third body; A connecting portion is provided on one side of the upper end of the heat dissipation block, and the connecting portion is provided with first through holes corresponding to the threaded holes.

10. A 3D printer nozzle wrapping detection method based on pressure monitoring, using the 3D printer nozzle wrapping detection device based on pressure monitoring according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that: It includes the following steps: During the printing process, the pressure sensor monitors the weight of the nozzle assembly in real time. A threshold is preset through the pressure sensor. If the weight of the nozzle assembly gradually increases with time during the printing process, and the pressure sensor detects that the weight of the nozzle assembly exceeds the preset threshold, it can be determined at this time that there is a risk of material accumulation and head wrapping in the nozzle. The printer pauses printing, and at the same time, the printer prompts the risk information of material accumulation and head wrapping in the nozzle.

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