Powder storing-discharging device for vacuum 3D printing

Abstract

The invention discloses a powder storing-discharging device for vacuum 3D printing. The powder storing-discharging device comprises a powder bin used for storing powder, a feeding port capable of being opened and closed is formed in the upper end of the powder bin, a stirring mechanism used for stirring to prevent powder from being accumulated and blocked is arranged on the inner side of the upper portion of the powder bin, the lower portion of the powder bin is a hopper-shaped portion, and a linear discharging port is formed in the lower end of the powder bin; a motor used for driving the stirring mechanism, a discharging mechanism used for accurately controlling the discharging amount of the discharging port and a vibrator used for vibrating the hopper-shaped part to facilitate falling and discharging of the powder are installed outside the powder bin. The discharging mechanism comprises a rolling shaft rotatably arranged at the discharging port and a transmission assembly driving the rolling shaft to rotate, a linear powder groove is formed along the rolling shaft, when the powder groove of the rolling shaft faces the discharging port, all falling powder can be received, and when other parts face the discharging port, the discharging port can be completely blocked. By means of the device, accurate, quantitative and uniform powder can be provided during discharging, and the vacuum 3D printing requirement under the strict standard is met.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention belongs to the field of 3D printing forming and manufacturing, and specifically relates to a powder storage-discharging device for vacuum 3D printing. Background Art

[0002] Vacuum 3D printing is 3D printing in an oxygen-free or low-gas environment, which can reduce oxidation of materials and other gas contamination during the printing process, ensuring the purity and performance of the materials. The vacuum environment can significantly reduce pores and internal defects in the prints, improve the printing quality and material density; with the resurgence of lunar exploration and development, the utilization of in-situ resources on the lunar surface has become the key to long-term residence on the lunar surface. Facing the future deep development of the moon, vacuum 3D printing is one of the important technologies for in-situ manufacturing on the lunar surface.

[0003] In vacuum 3D printing technology, the quality of forming is directly related to the uniformity and accuracy of powder laying, and the uniformity and accuracy of powder laying is directly related to the uniformity and accuracy of powder discharge. The current powder discharge often has problems of accumulation and blockage, and the discharge amount cannot be accurately controlled. Therefore, the uniformity and accuracy of the discharge do not meet the strict standards of vacuum 3D printing. Summary of the invention

[0004] The purpose of the present invention is to provide a powder storage-discharging device for vacuum 3D printing, which can provide accurately quantitative and uniform powder during discharging, and meet the requirements of vacuum 3D printing under strict standards.

[0005] The technical solution adopted by the present invention is: A powder storage-discharging device for vacuum 3D printing comprises a powder bin for storing powder, wherein the upper end of the powder bin is provided with an openable and closable feeding port, the inner side of the upper part is provided with a stirring mechanism for stirring to prevent powder accumulation and clogging, the lower part is a bucket-shaped part, and the lower end is provided with a linear discharge port; the powder bin is externally provided with a motor for driving the stirring mechanism, a discharge mechanism for accurately controlling the discharge amount of the discharge port, and a vibrator for vibrating the bucket-shaped part to facilitate the falling and discharge of powder; the discharge mechanism comprises a roller rotatably arranged at the discharge port and a transmission assembly for driving the roller to rotate, a linear powder groove is provided along the roller, and when the powder groove of the roller faces the discharge port, all fallen powder can be received, and when the remaining part faces the discharge port, the discharge port can be completely blocked.

[0006] Preferably, the roller is rotatably supported on support members on both sides, the support members are installed outside the powder bin, the section where the powder groove in the middle of the roller is located is located between the support members and is axially limited, and the end of the roller extends out of the support member and is driven to rotate by the transmission assembly.

[0007] Preferably, the transmission assembly includes an electric push rod and a swing arm, the electric push rod is installed outside the powder bin, one end of the swing arm is hinged to the telescopic end of the electric push rod, and the other end is fixedly connected to the end of the roller.

[0008] Preferably, the stirring mechanism comprises a stirring shaft and at least two layers of stirring blades arranged on the stirring shaft.

[0009] Preferably, flanges are provided around the feed port, the feed port is opened and closed by a cover plate, the cover plate is mounted on the feed port through the flange, and the stirring mechanism and the motor are respectively mounted on the inner and outer sides of the cover plate.

[0010] Preferably, the upper part of the powder bin is provided with through holes for observation and weight reduction, and the inner wall of the powder bin is paved with a film layer covering all the through holes, and the film layer can transmit light and filter and purify the air.

[0011] Preferably, the membrane layer is made of PTFE composite semipermeable membrane.

[0012] Preferably, the vibrator is installed through a vibration seat, the vibration seat includes a clamp portion and a connecting portion, the vibrator is located in the clamp portion and is clamped and fixed, and the connecting portion is installed on the outside of the bucket-shaped portion.

[0013] Preferably, the vibrator adopts an eccentric vibration motor.

[0014] The beneficial effects of the present invention are: In the device, powder is stored in a powder bin and fills up a bucket-shaped part under the action of weight. When powder accumulates above the bucket-shaped part in the powder bin and causes blockage, the stirring mechanism is turned on to break up the blocked powder so that the powder falling into the bucket-shaped part is in a uniform state. When discharging is required, the transmission component drives the roller to rotate so that the powder trough faces the discharge port to receive all the fallen powder, and the vibrator vibrates the bucket-shaped part so that the powder quickly falls into the powder trough through the discharge port and is tight. After a certain period of time, the powder fills up the powder trough, and then the transmission component drives the roller to rotate. On the one hand, the powder trough faces outward and all the powder in the powder trough is poured out under the action of vibration, and on the other hand, the rest of the roller faces the discharge port to completely block the discharge port, and then the vibrator stops vibrating. In this way, the roller can provide precise, quantitative and uniform powder every time it performs a set of actions. When the powder in the powder bin is insufficient, the feed port is opened to replenish the powder. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] Figure 1 It is a stereoscopic diagram of a powder storage-discharging device for vacuum 3D printing in the present invention.

[0016] Figure 2 It is a three-dimensional diagram of a powder bin in the present invention after one side is cut open.

[0017] Figure 3 It is a schematic diagram of the stirring mechanism and the motor in the present invention.

[0018] Figure 4It is a schematic diagram of the roller and the transmission assembly in the present invention.

[0019] In the figure: 1-motor; 2-cover plate; 3-powder bin; 4-stirring mechanism; 5-through hole; 6-electric push rod; 7-support member; 8-swing arm; 9-roller; 10-bucket-shaped part; 11-vibration seat; 12-vibrator; 13-membrane layer; 14-flange; 15-discharge port; 16-stirring shaft; 17-stirring blade; 18-powder trough. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] The present application is further described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0021] The present application discloses a powder storage-discharging device for vacuum 3D printing, such as Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, it includes a powder bin 3, a stirring mechanism 4, a motor 1, a discharging mechanism and a vibrator 12; wherein: The powder bin 3 is used to store powder, and has an openable and closable feed port at the top, a bucket-shaped portion 10 at the bottom, and a linear discharge port 15 at the bottom. Figure 1 and Figure 2 ; The stirring mechanism 4 is used for stirring to prevent the powder from accumulating and clogging. It is arranged on the inner side of the upper part of the powder bin 3. Figure 1 ; The motor 1 is used to drive the stirring mechanism 4, which is installed outside the powder bin 3. Figure 1 and Figure 3 ; The discharging mechanism is used to accurately control the discharging amount of the discharging port 15, and includes a roller 9 and a transmission assembly. The roller 9 is rotatably arranged at the discharging port 15, and a linear powder groove 18 is arranged along the roller 9. The transmission assembly is used to drive the roller 9 to rotate. When the powder groove 18 of the roller 9 faces the discharging port 15, it can receive all the fallen powders, and when the remaining parts face the discharging port 15, the discharging port 15 can be completely blocked. Figure 1 and Figure 4 ; The vibrator 12 is used to vibrate the bucket 10 to facilitate the powder to fall and discharge. It is installed outside the bucket 10. Figure 1 and Figure 2 .

[0022] When working: The powder is stored in the powder bin 3 and fills the bucket 10 under the action of weight. When the powder accumulation above the bucket 10 in the powder bin 3 causes blockage, the stirring mechanism 4 is turned on to break up the blocked powder so that the powder falling into the bucket 10 is in a uniform state. When discharging is required, the transmission component drives the roller 9 to rotate so that the powder trough 18 faces the discharge port 15 to receive all the fallen powder, and the vibrator 12 vibrates the bucket 10 so that the powder quickly falls into the powder trough 18 through the discharge port 15 and is tight. After a certain period of time, the powder fills the powder trough 18, and then the transmission component drives the roller 9 to rotate. On the one hand, the powder trough 18 faces outward and all the powder in the powder trough 18 is poured out under the action of vibration, and on the other hand, the remaining part of the roller 9 faces the discharge port 15 to completely block the discharge port 15, and then the vibrator 12 stops vibrating. In this way, the roller 9 can provide accurate quantitative and uniform powder every time it performs a set of actions. When the powder in the powder bin 3 is insufficient, the feed port is opened to replenish the powder.

[0023] Regarding the installation of the roller 9, in this embodiment, preferably: Figure 1 and Figure 4 As shown, the roller 9 is rotatably supported on the support members 7 on both sides, the support members 7 are installed outside the powder bin 3, the section where the powder groove 18 in the middle of the roller 9 is located is located between the support members 7 and is axially limited, the end of the roller 9 extends out of the support member 9 and is driven to rotate by the transmission assembly, the roller 9 is installed through the support member 7, and the support member 7 will not interfere with the operation of the powder groove 18.

[0024] Regarding the transmission assembly, in this embodiment, preferably: Figure 1 and Figure 4 As shown, the transmission assembly includes an electric push rod 6 and a swing arm 8. The electric push rod 6 is installed outside the powder bin 3. One end of the swing arm 8 is hinged to the telescopic end of the electric push rod 6, and the other end is fixed to the end of the roller 9. The swing arm 8 is welded and fixed to the end of the roller 9 or is sleeved on the end of the roller 9 in the form of a square hole and square shaft. The transmission assembly is not driven by a motor, which can reduce the axial installation space requirement.

[0025] Regarding the stirring mechanism 4, in this embodiment, preferably: Figure 3 As shown, the stirring mechanism 4 includes a stirring shaft 16 and stirring blades 17 arranged on the stirring shaft 16 in at least two layers.

[0026] Regarding the feed inlet, in this embodiment, preferably: Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, flanges 14 are provided around the feed port, and the feed port is opened and closed by a cover plate 2 . The cover plate 2 is mounted on the feed port through the flange 14 , and the stirring mechanism 4 and the motor 1 are mounted on the inner and outer sides of the cover plate 2 , respectively.

[0027] Regarding the powder bin 3, in this embodiment, preferably: Figure 1 and Figure 2As shown, the upper part of the powder bin 3 is provided with through holes 5 for observation and weight reduction, and the inner wall of the powder bin 3 is paved with a membrane layer 13 covering all the through holes 5. The membrane layer 13 is light-transmitting and filters and purifies the air, so that the internal situation can be observed and interference from external impurities can be avoided; the membrane layer 13 can be made of a PTFE composite semi-permeable membrane.

[0028] Regarding the installation of the vibrator 12, in this embodiment, preferably: Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the vibrator 12 is installed through the vibration seat 11, the vibration seat 11 includes a clamp part and a connecting part, the vibrator 12 is located in the clamp part and is clamped and fixed, and the connecting part is installed on the outside of the bucket-shaped part 10; the vibrator 12 can use an eccentric vibration motor to provide weak vibration.

[0029] The embodiments described above are part of the embodiments of the present application, rather than all of the embodiments. The detailed description of the embodiments of the present application is not intended to limit the scope of the present application for protection, but merely represents the selected embodiments of the present application. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without creative work are within the scope of protection of the present application.

Claims

1. A powder storage-discharging device for vacuum 3D printing, characterized in that: It includes a powder silo for storing powder, wherein the upper end of the powder silo is provided with an openable and closable feeding port, the inner side of the upper part is provided with a stirring mechanism for stirring to prevent powder accumulation and blockage, the lower part is a bucket-shaped part, and the lower end is provided with a linear discharge port; the outside of the powder silo is equipped with a motor for driving the stirring mechanism, a discharge mechanism for accurately controlling the discharge amount of the discharge port, and a vibrator for vibrating the bucket-shaped part to facilitate the falling and discharge of powder; the discharge mechanism includes a roller rotatably arranged at the discharge port and a transmission assembly for driving the roller to rotate, a linear powder groove is provided along the roller, and when the powder groove of the roller faces the discharge port, it can receive all the fallen powder, and when the remaining part faces the discharge port, it can completely block the discharge port.

2. The powder storage-discharging device for vacuum 3D printing according to claim 1, characterized in that: The roller is rotatably supported on support members on both sides, the support members are installed outside the powder bin, the powder groove section in the middle of the roller is located between the support members and axially limited, and the end of the roller extends out of the support member and is driven to rotate by the transmission assembly.

3. The powder storage-discharging device for vacuum 3D printing according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The transmission assembly includes an electric push rod and a swing arm. The electric push rod is installed outside the powder bin. One end of the swing arm is hinged to the telescopic end of the electric push rod, and the other end is fixedly connected to the end of the roller.

4. The powder storage-discharging device for vacuum 3D printing according to claim 1, characterized in that: The stirring mechanism comprises a stirring shaft and at least two layers of stirring blades arranged on the stirring shaft.

5. The powder storage-discharging device for vacuum 3D printing according to claim 1, characterized in that: Flanges are arranged around the feed port, the feed port is opened and closed by a cover plate, the cover plate is mounted on the feed port through the flange, and the stirring mechanism and the motor are respectively mounted on the inner and outer sides of the cover plate.

6. The powder storage-discharging device for vacuum 3D printing according to claim 1, characterized in that: The upper part of the powder bin is provided with through holes for observation and weight reduction, and the inner wall of the powder bin is paved with a film layer covering all the through holes. The film layer can transmit light and filter and purify the air.

7. The powder storage-discharging device for vacuum 3D printing according to claim 6, characterized in that: The membrane layer adopts PTFE composite semi-permeable membrane.

8. The powder storage-discharging device for vacuum 3D printing according to claim 1, characterized in that: The vibrator is installed through a vibration seat, which comprises a clamping part and a connecting part. The vibrator is located in the clamping part and is clamped and fixed, and the connecting part is installed on the outer side of the bucket-shaped part.

9. The powder storage-discharging device for vacuum 3D printing according to claim 1, characterized in that: The vibrator adopts an eccentric vibration motor.

10. The powder storage-discharging device for vacuum 3D printing according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that: During operation, if the powder accumulation above the bucket-shaped part in the powder bin causes blockage, the stirring mechanism is turned on to break up the blocked powder so that the powder falling into the bucket-shaped part is in a uniform state, and then the transmission component drives the roller to rotate so that the powder trough faces the discharge port to receive all the fallen powder, and the vibrator vibrates the bucket-shaped part so that the powder falls into the powder trough quickly through the discharge port and is tight. After a certain period of time, the powder fills the powder trough, and then the transmission component drives the roller to rotate so that the powder trough faces outward and all the powder in the powder trough is poured out under the action of vibration, and the rest of the roller faces the discharge port to completely block the discharge port, and then the vibrator stops vibrating. In this way, each set of actions of the roller can provide precise, quantitative and uniform powder.

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