Consumable buffering device

Abstract

The invention belongs to the technical field of printers, and provides a consumable buffering device which comprises a base, a first feeding seat, a second feeding seat and at least one magnetic reset assembly. The first feeding seat is fixedly arranged on the base, the second feeding seat is arranged on the base in a sliding mode, the first feeding seat is provided with a first feeding channel, and the second feeding seat is provided with a second feeding channel; the magnetic reset assembly comprises a first magnet and a second magnet, the first magnet and the second magnet extend in the feeding direction, and the magnetic poles of the two ends of the first magnet are opposite to the magnetic poles of the two ends of the second magnet. The first magnet is fixedly arranged, the second magnet is arranged on the second feeding seat, and the first magnet and the second magnet are oppositely arranged and can generate magnetic action mutually. Consumable buffering between consumable conveying devices of the 3D printer is achieved, stable conveying of consumables is ensured, and the 3D printing quality can be improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention belongs to the technical field of printers, and in particular relates to a consumables buffer device. Background Art

[0002] 3D printing (3 Dimensional Printing) is a type of additive manufacturing technology that uses software to control layered manufacturing based on computer three-dimensional models. 3D printing technology is usually implemented using digital technology printers. 3D printers can be used in any industry and are widely used in medicine, construction, automobiles, aerospace, and education.

[0003] FDM 3D printing is a molding method that melts the consumables and then deposits them layer by layer. During the process of conveying the consumables, the printing effect is often not ideal due to various resistances in the conveying structure. Therefore, adding a graded conveying device to the conveying structure can effectively reduce the above risks. However, in actual applications, since the control of the conveying devices at all levels cannot be completely synchronized, the conveying devices generate forces on each other, which seriously affects the stability of the conveying. Summary of the invention

[0004] In order to overcome the above-mentioned shortcomings of the prior art, an object of the present invention is to provide a consumables buffering device, which realizes consumables buffering between consumables conveying devices of a 3D printer, ensures stable conveyance of consumables, and is conducive to improving the quality of 3D printing.

[0005] The technical solution adopted by the present invention to solve its technical problem is: A consumable material buffer device comprises a base, a first feeding seat, a second feeding seat and at least one magnetic reset assembly; the first feeding seat is fixedly arranged on the base, the second feeding seat can be slidably arranged on the base along the feeding direction, the first feeding seat is provided with a first feeding channel, the second feeding seat is provided with a second feeding channel, and the first feeding channel is connected with the second feeding channel; The magnetic reset assembly includes a first magnet and a second magnet; the first magnet is fixedly arranged, and the second magnet is arranged on the second feeding seat. The first magnet and the second magnet are arranged opposite to each other and can produce magnetic effects on each other.

[0006] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, both the first magnet and the second magnet extend along the feeding direction, and the magnetic poles at both ends of the first magnet are opposite to the magnetic poles at both ends of the second magnet.

[0007] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first feeding seat comprises a feeding pipe, the feeding pipe extends along a feeding direction, the first feeding channel is located in the feeding pipe; the feeding pipe is located in the second feeding channel.

[0008] Preferably, the first feeding seat further comprises a fixed cover and a fixed seat, the fixed cover is located on the fixed seat, and the end of the feeding tube is connected to the fixed seat; a guide assembly is provided between the fixed cover and the second feeding seat.

[0009] Preferably, the guide assembly includes a guide member and a guide groove; one end of the guide member is connected to the fixed cover, and the other end extends along the feeding direction; the guide groove is arranged on a side of the second feeding seat away from the base; the guide members are located in the guide grooves and are adapted to each other.

[0010] Preferably, the second feeding seat comprises a movable cover and a movable seat, the movable cover is located on the movable seat, part of the second feeding channel is located on a side of the movable cover facing the movable seat, and part of the second feeding channel is located on a side of the movable seat facing the movable cover; the guide groove is located on a side of the movable cover away from the movable seat. That is, the second feeding channel is formed by the combination of the movable cover and the movable seat.

[0011] Preferably, the first feeding seat and the second feeding seat are respectively provided with a first tube-shaped buckle and a second tube-shaped buckle; The first tube-shaped buckle is located between the fixing cover and the fixing seat, and the first tube-shaped buckle is fixed by the locking connection between the fixing cover and the fixing seat; the first tube-shaped buckle is connected to a first delivery tube; The second tube-shaped buckle is located between the movable cover and the movable seat, and the second tube-shaped buckle is fixed by the locking connection between the movable cover and the movable seat; the second tube-shaped buckle is connected with a second delivery tube.

[0012] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a support is provided on the base, the support is located on one side of the second feeding seat, and the first magnet is arranged on a side of the support facing the second feeding seat; The second magnet is arranged on a side of the second feeding seat facing the support. Specifically, in this embodiment, the second magnet is arranged on the side of the movable cover.

[0013] Preferably, a first mounting groove is provided on a side of the support facing the second feeding seat, and the first magnet is arranged in the first mounting groove and is flush with the surface of the support; a second mounting groove is provided on a side of the second feeding seat facing the support, and the second magnet is arranged in the second mounting groove and is flush with the surface of the second mounting groove.

[0014] A preferred solution of the present invention further includes a Hall sensor; the Hall sensor detects the position of the second magnet to obtain position information of the second feeding seat.

[0015] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects: The magnetic resetting assembly of the present invention comprises a first magnet and a second magnet, uses magnetism to achieve buffering of consumables, has a simple and compact structure, effectively solves the problem of asynchronism of consumables between multi-stage conveying devices, and is beneficial to improving the quality of 3D printers.

[0016] Among them, during the printing process, the previous level conveying device is first used to quickly convey the consumables forward (this speed is much higher than the speed of the next level conveying device). Since the conveying speeds of the front and rear level conveying devices are inconsistent, a certain amount of consumables are temporarily stored in the consumable buffer device of the present invention. During the temporary storage of the consumables, the second feeding seat is pushed to overcome the magnetic attraction between the first magnet and the second magnet and move in the direction away from the first feeding seat until the second feeding seat moves to the specified position, so that the first magnet and the second magnet are offset by a longer distance. Subsequently, the previous level conveying device is paused, and the next level conveying device continues to feed. When the buffer consumables are almost consumed, under the action of the magnetic attraction between the first magnet and the second magnet, combined with the pulling force of the consumables, the second feeding device is prompted to slide in the direction close to the first feeding device, and finally the two are close to each other, restoring the initial state, and the offset distance between the first magnet and the second magnet is shortened. Immediately afterwards, the previous level conveying device quickly delivers the consumables again, and the buffered conveying of the consumables is repeatedly achieved in this way.

[0017] In addition, the initial positions of the first feeding device and the second feeding device of the present invention can be flexibly adjusted. For example, the initial state can be a state in which the first magnet and the second magnet attract and overlap each other, at which time the second feeding device and the first feeding device are close to each other, which can be understood as a zero buffer working state. During operation, the first feeding device and the second feeding device are relatively displaced and staggered until the maximum buffer working state. The initial state can also be a state in which the first magnet and the second magnet repel and stagger each other, which can be understood as a maximum buffer working state. When the two magnets are pulled to overlap relative to each other by the internal contraction force, this state is a zero buffer working state. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention, the accompanying drawings required for use in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the accompanying drawings described below are some embodiments of the present invention. For ordinary technicians in this field, other accompanying drawings can be obtained based on these accompanying drawings without paying any creative work.

[0019] Figure 1It is a three-dimensional diagram of the consumable buffer device of the present invention (zero buffer state).

[0020] Figure 2 It is a three-dimensional diagram of the consumable buffer device of the present invention (maximum buffering state).

[0021] Figure 3 for Figure 2 A three-dimensional view of the hidden movable cover.

[0022] Figure 4 for Figure 2 A perspective view from another angle with the fixed cover hidden.

[0023] Figure 5 It is a three-dimensional view of the second feeding seat.

[0024] Figure 6 A three-dimensional diagram of the base.

[0025] Figure 7 Schematic diagram of the first magnet and the second magnet in the zero buffer state.

[0026] Figure 8 Schematic diagram of the first magnet and the second magnet in the maximum buffering state.

[0027] in: 1-base, 101-connecting column; 2-first feeding seat, 201-fixing cover, 2011-guide member, 202-fixing seat, 2021-feeding pipe, 20211-first feeding channel, 203-first conveying pipe, 204-first tube buckle, 205-locking ear; 3-second feeding seat, 301-movable seat, 302-movable cover, 3011-movable seat, 303-second feeding channel, 304-second tube buckle, 305-second conveying pipe; 4- support; 5- Hall sensor; 6-Limiting seat; 7- first magnet; 8- Second magnet. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] In order to more clearly understand the above-mentioned objects, features and advantages of the present invention, the present invention is described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. It should be noted that, in the absence of conflict, the embodiments of the present application and the features in the embodiments can be combined with each other. In the following description, many specific details are set forth in order to fully understand the present invention, and the embodiments described are only a part of the embodiments of the present invention, rather than all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments in the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in the art without making creative work are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0029] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as those commonly understood by those skilled in the art of the present invention. The terms used in the specification of the present invention herein are only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the present invention.

[0030] Example 1 See also Figure 1-Figure 8 The present embodiment discloses a consumable material buffer device, comprising a base 1, a first feeding seat 2, a second feeding seat 3 and at least one magnetic reset assembly. The first feeding seat 2 is fixedly arranged on the base 1, the second feeding seat 3 can be slidably arranged on the base 1 along the feeding direction, the first feeding seat 2 is provided with a first feeding channel 20211, the second feeding seat 3 is provided with a second feeding channel 303, and the first feeding channel 20211 is connected to the second feeding channel 303.

[0031] The magnetic reset assembly of this embodiment can be set in several groups. In order to simplify the structure, this embodiment sets a group of magnetic reset assemblies, including a first magnet 7 and a second magnet 8. The first magnet 7 and the second magnet 8 both extend along the feeding direction, that is, the long sides of the first magnet 7 and the second magnet 8 are parallel to the feeding direction. Specifically, this embodiment sets the first magnet 7 and the second magnet 8 in a rectangular shape. In addition, the magnetic poles at both ends of the first magnet 7 are opposite to the magnetic poles at both ends of the second magnet 8; it can be understood that the two ends of the first magnet 7 and the second magnet 8 are S poles and N poles, respectively, the S pole of the first magnet 7 corresponds to the N pole of the second magnet 8, and the N pole of the first magnet 7 corresponds to the S pole of the second magnet 8.

[0032] Of course, the first magnet 7 and the second magnet 8 of this embodiment can also be set to other shapes, for example, they can be set to a circular ring shape, which can be mounted on the first feeding channel 20211 and the second feeding channel 303, and the purpose of using magnetism to achieve consumables buffering can also be achieved.

[0033] Furthermore, the first magnet 7 of this embodiment is fixedly arranged on the base 1, and the second magnet 8 is arranged on the second feeding seat 3. The first magnet 7 and the second magnet 8 are arranged opposite to each other and can produce magnetic effects on each other. At the same time, the long sides of the first magnet 7 and the second magnet 8 are greater than or equal to the buffer distance of the buffer device, that is, to ensure that the second feeding seat 3 can be reset.

[0034] Furthermore, the first feeding seat 2 of the present embodiment includes a feeding tube 2021, the feeding tube 2021 extends along the feeding direction, the first feeding channel 20211 is located in the feeding tube 2021; the feeding tube 2021 is located in the second feeding channel 303. The first feeding seat 2 also includes a fixed cover 201 and a fixed seat 202, the fixed cover 201 is located on the fixed seat 202, and the end of the feeding tube 2021 is connected to the fixed seat 202; a guide assembly is provided between the fixed cover 201 and the second feeding seat 3.

[0035] The guide assembly of the present invention can be implemented in a variety of ways, such as a slider and a groove, a pulley and a guide rail, etc. The guide assembly of this embodiment specifically includes a guide member 2011 and a guide groove 3011; one end of the guide member 2011 is connected to the fixed cover 201, and the other end extends along the feeding direction; the guide groove 3011 is arranged on a side of the second feeding seat 3 away from the base 1; the guide member 2011 is located in the guide groove 3011 and is adapted to each other.

[0036] Further, the second feeding seat 3 comprises a movable cover 302 and a movable seat 301, the movable cover 302 is located on the movable seat 301, part of the second feeding channel 303 is located on the side of the movable cover 302 facing the movable seat 301, and part of the second feeding channel 303 is located on the side of the movable seat 301 facing the movable cover 302; the guide groove 3011 is located on the side of the movable cover 302 away from the movable seat 301. That is, the second feeding channel 303 is formed by the combination of the movable cover 302 and the movable seat 301.

[0037] Furthermore, the first feeding seat 2 and the second feeding seat 3 are respectively provided with a first tube-shaped buckle 204 and a second tube-shaped buckle 304. The first tube-shaped buckle 204 is located between the fixed cover 201 and the fixed seat 202, and is fixed by the locking connection between the fixed cover 201 and the fixed seat 202; the first tube-shaped buckle 204 is connected with the first conveying pipe 203. The second tube-shaped buckle 304 is located between the movable cover 302 and the movable seat 301, and is fixed by the locking connection between the movable cover 302 and the movable seat 301; the second tube-shaped buckle 304 is connected with the second conveying pipe 305.

[0038] The first tube buckle 204 and the second tube buckle 304 in this embodiment can refer to the prior art. In addition, the fixing cover 201 and the fixing seat 202 are both provided with locking ears 205, and the fixing cover 201 and the fixing seat 202 can be locked and fixed by locking members such as screws and bolts. The base 1 is also provided with a connecting column 101 that cooperates with it.

[0039] The base 1 of this embodiment is provided with a support 4, the support 4 is located at one side of the second feeding seat 3, the first magnet 7 is arranged on the side of the support 4 facing the second feeding seat 3; the second magnet 8 is arranged on the side of the second feeding seat 3 facing the support 4. Specifically, in this embodiment, the second magnet 8 is specifically arranged on the side of the movable cover 302.

[0040] Furthermore, a first mounting groove is provided on one side of the support 4 facing the second feeding seat 3, and the first magnet 7 is arranged in the first mounting groove and is flush with the surface of the support 4; a second mounting groove is provided on one side of the second feeding seat 3 facing the support 4, and the second magnet 8 is arranged in the second mounting groove and is flush with the surface of the second mounting groove. In order to better allow the first magnet 7 and the second magnet 8 to function, the first magnet 7 and the second magnet 8 are arranged to be flat on the opposite sides, such as Figure 7 and Figure 8 shown.

[0041] In addition, in order to better exert the magnetic attraction effect between the first magnet 7 and the second magnet 8 in the zero buffer state and the maximum buffer state, and to facilitate the sliding of the second feeding seat 3, the first magnet 7 and the second magnet 8 of this embodiment are not completely overlapped in the zero buffer state, and there is a partial misalignment, such as Figure 7 Similarly, in the maximum buffering state, the first magnet 7 and the second magnet 8 partially overlap, but are not completely offset.

[0042] In this embodiment, a limit seat 6 is further provided on the base 1. The limit seat 6 and the support 4 are respectively located on both sides of the movable seat 301 and are flush with the movable seat 301, so that the support 4 and the limit seat 6 form a limit guide effect on the movable seat 301, further improving the stability of the movable seat 301 during buffering and sliding. In order to improve the reset effect of the second feeding seat 3 after buffering, an additional magnetic reset component can be provided, for example, a first magnet of another magnetic reset component is provided on the limit seat 6, and a second magnet of the magnetic reset component is provided on the side of the movable cover 302 corresponding to the limit seat 6. This is equivalent to that both sides of the second feeding seat 3 can be subjected to the magnetic reset effect of the magnet.

[0043] In order to accurately obtain the position information of the second feeding device, the present embodiment further includes a Hall sensor 5, which is arranged on the support 4. The Hall sensor 5 of the present embodiment detects the position of the second magnet 8 to obtain the position information of the second feeding seat 3. For obtaining the position information of the second feeding seat 3, in addition to the Hall sensor 5, other sensors that can detect position information can also be used. For details, please refer to the prior art. The Hall sensor 5 is cleverly combined with the magnetic reset component in the present embodiment, so that the second magnet 8 is used as both a functional component of magnetic reset and a measured component of position information. The design is novel and clever, and the structure is simplified. More specifically, when the Hall sensor 5 is used, a magnetic element needs to be set on the second feeding seat 3 as a measured component. At this time, another buffer structure needs to be set to realize the transmission buffer of the consumables. On this basis, the present embodiment adds a magnetic element (i.e., the first magnet 7) so that it cooperates with the second magnet 8 on the second feeding seat 3 to synchronously solve the buffer problem of the consumables, realize the multifunctional use of the magnetic element, and the structure becomes more compact. In the present embodiment, the first magnet 7 and the second magnet 8 are both located on the inside, that is, not exposed, and have good protection.

[0044] This embodiment also discloses a 3D printer including the above-mentioned consumable buffer device. The 3D printer includes a plurality of conveying devices, and the consumable buffer device is arranged between the plurality of conveying devices.

[0045] 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 according to 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 consumables buffer device, characterized in that: It includes a base, a first feeding seat, a second feeding seat and at least one magnetic reset assembly; the first feeding seat is fixedly arranged on the base, the second feeding seat can be slidably arranged on the base along the feeding direction, the first feeding seat is provided with a first feeding channel, the second feeding seat is provided with a second feeding channel, and the first feeding channel is connected with the second feeding channel; The magnetic reset assembly includes a first magnet and a second magnet; the first magnet is fixedly arranged, and the second magnet is arranged on the second feeding seat. The first magnet and the second magnet are arranged opposite to each other and can produce magnetic effects on each other.

2. The consumable material buffer device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first magnet and the second magnet both extend along the feeding direction, and the magnetic poles at both ends of the first magnet are opposite to the magnetic poles at both ends of the second magnet.

3. The consumable material buffer device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first feeding seat comprises a feeding tube, the feeding tube extends along a feeding direction, the first feeding channel is located in the feeding tube; the feeding tube is located in the second feeding channel.

4. The consumable material buffer device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The first feeding seat also includes a fixed cover and a fixed seat, the fixed cover is located on the fixed seat, and the end of the feeding pipe is connected to the fixed seat; a guide component is provided between the fixed cover and the second feeding seat.

5. The consumable material buffer device according to claim 4, characterized in that: The guide assembly includes a guide member and a guide groove; one end of the guide member is connected to the fixed cover, and the other end extends along the feeding direction; the guide groove is arranged on a side of the second feeding seat away from the base; the guide members are located in the guide groove and are adapted to each other.

6. The consumable material buffer device according to claim 5, characterized in that: The second feeding seat includes a movable cover and a movable seat, the movable cover is located on the movable seat, part of the second feeding channel is located on a side of the movable cover facing the movable seat, and part of the second feeding channel is located on a side of the movable seat facing the movable cover; the guide groove is located on a side of the movable cover away from the movable seat.

7. The consumable material buffer device according to claim 6, characterized in that: The first feeding seat and the second feeding seat are respectively provided with a first tube-shaped buckle and a second tube-shaped buckle; The first tube-shaped buckle is located between the fixing cover and the fixing seat, and the first tube-shaped buckle is fixed by the locking connection between the fixing cover and the fixing seat; the first tube-shaped buckle is connected to a first delivery tube; The second tube-shaped buckle is located between the movable cover and the movable seat, and the second tube-shaped buckle is fixed by the locking connection between the movable cover and the movable seat; the second tube-shaped buckle is connected with a second delivery tube.

8. The consumable material buffer device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that: A support is provided on the base, the support is located on one side of the second feeding seat, and the first magnet is arranged on a side of the support facing the second feeding seat; The second magnet is arranged on a side of the second feeding seat facing the support.

9. The consumable material buffer device according to claim 8, characterized in that: A first mounting groove is provided on a side of the support facing the second feeding seat, and the first magnet is arranged in the first mounting groove and is flush with the surface of the support; a second mounting groove is provided on a side of the second feeding seat facing the support, and the second magnet is arranged in the second mounting groove and is flush with the surface of the second mounting groove.

10. The consumable material buffer device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that: It also includes a Hall sensor; the Hall sensor detects the position of the second magnet to obtain the position information of the second feeding seat.

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