Powder storage-discharge device for vacuum 3d printing

Abstract

The application discloses a powder storage-discharging device for vacuum 3D printing, which 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 upper inner side of the powder bin is provided with a stirring mechanism for stirring to prevent powder accumulation and blockage, the lower part of the powder bin is in the shape of a bucket, and the lower end of the powder bin is provided with a linear discharging port; a motor for driving the stirring mechanism, a discharging mechanism for accurately controlling the discharging amount of the discharging port, and a vibrator for vibrating the bucket-shaped part to facilitate powder falling and discharging are installed outside the powder bin; the discharging mechanism comprises a roller shaft rotatably arranged at the discharging port and a transmission assembly for driving the roller shaft to rotate, the roller shaft is provided with a linear powder groove along the line, and when the powder groove of the roller shaft faces the discharging port, all the falling powder can be received, and when the remaining part of the roller shaft faces the discharging port, the discharging port can be completely blocked. The device can give accurate and uniform powder during discharging, and can meet the requirements of vacuum 3D printing under strict standards.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] Vacuum 3D printing is performed in an oxygen-free or low-gas environment, which reduces material oxidation and other gas contamination during the printing process, ensuring material purity and performance. The vacuum environment can significantly reduce porosity and internal defects in printed parts, improving printing quality and material density. With the resurgence of lunar exploration and development, the utilization of in-situ lunar resources has become crucial for long-term lunar habitation. For future deep lunar development, 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 the formed product is directly related to the uniformity and accuracy of powder laying, which in turn is directly related to the uniformity and accuracy of powder output. Currently, powder output often suffers from accumulation and blockage, and the output amount cannot be precisely controlled. Therefore, the uniformity and accuracy of output do not meet the requirements of vacuum 3D printing under strict standards. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide a powder storage-discharge device for vacuum 3D printing, which can provide a precise and uniform amount of powder during discharge, meeting the requirements of vacuum 3D printing under strict standards.

[0005] The technical solution adopted in this invention is:

[0006] A powder storage and discharge device for vacuum 3D printing includes a powder hopper for storing powder. The upper end of the powder hopper has an openable and closable inlet, the inner side of the upper part has a stirring mechanism for stirring to prevent powder accumulation and blockage, the lower part is a bucket-shaped part, and the lower end has a straight discharge port. The powder hopper is equipped with a motor for driving the stirring mechanism, a discharge mechanism for precisely controlling the discharge amount from the discharge port, and a vibrator for vibrating the bucket-shaped part to facilitate powder falling and discharge. The discharge mechanism includes a roller rotatably disposed at the discharge port and a transmission component for driving the roller to rotate. The roller has a straight powder trough along its line. When the powder trough of the roller faces the discharge port, it can catch all the falling powder. When the rest of the roller faces the discharge port, it can completely block the discharge port.

[0007] Preferably, the roller is rotatably supported on the support members on both sides, the support members are installed outside the powder hopper, the section of the roller containing the powder trough 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.

[0008] Preferably, the transmission assembly includes an electric actuator and a swing arm. The electric actuator is installed outside the powder hopper, and one end of the swing arm is hinged to the telescopic end of the electric actuator, while the other end is fixedly connected to the end of the roller.

[0009] Preferably, the stirring mechanism includes a stirring shaft and stirring blades arranged in at least two layers on the stirring shaft.

[0010] Preferably, the feed inlet is provided with flanges around it, the feed inlet is opened and closed by a cover plate, the cover plate is installed on the feed inlet by the flanges, and the stirring mechanism and the motor are respectively installed on the inner and outer sides of the cover plate.

[0011] Preferably, the upper part of the powder hopper has through holes for observation and weight reduction, and the inner wall of the powder hopper is covered with a membrane layer that covers all the through holes. The membrane layer is transparent to light and filters and purifies the air.

[0012] Preferably, the membrane layer is a PTFE composite semi-permeable membrane.

[0013] Preferably, the vibrator is installed via a vibrating seat, which includes a clamping part and a connecting part. The vibrator is located inside the clamping part and is clamped and fixed, while the connecting part is installed on the outside of the bucket-shaped part.

[0014] Preferably, the vibrator is an eccentric vibration motor.

[0015] The beneficial effects of this invention are:

[0016] In this device, powder is stored in a powder hopper and fills the hopper-shaped section under its own weight. When the powder accumulates above the hopper-shaped section in the powder hopper and causes a blockage, the stirring mechanism is activated to disperse the blocked powder, ensuring that the powder falling into the hopper-shaped section is in a uniform state. When discharge is required, the transmission component drives the roller to rotate, so that the powder trough faces the discharge port to receive all the falling powder. Meanwhile, the vibrator vibrates the hopper-shaped section, causing the powder to fall quickly and compactly into the powder trough through the discharge port. After a certain period of time, the powder trough is filled with powder. Then, the transmission component drives the roller to rotate, causing the powder trough to face outward and pour out all the powder in the trough under the action of vibration. On the other hand, the remaining part of the roller faces the discharge port to completely block the discharge port. Then, the vibrator stops vibrating. In this way, each set of actions of the roller can provide a precise and uniform amount of powder. When the powder in the powder hopper is insufficient, the feed port is opened to replenish the powder. Attached Figure Description

[0017] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the powder storage-discharge device for vacuum 3D printing in this invention.

[0018] Figure 2 This is a perspective view of the powder hopper after one side has been cut open in this invention.

[0019] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the stirring mechanism and motor in this invention.

[0020] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the roller and transmission assembly in this invention.

[0021] In the diagram: 1-Motor; 2-Cover plate; 3-Powder hopper; 4-Agitator; 5-Through hole; 6-Electric actuator; 7-Supporting component; 8-Swing arm; 9-Roller; 10-Fish-shaped part; 11-Vibrating seat; 12-Vibrator; 13-Membrane layer; 14-Flange; 15-Discharge port; 16-Agitator shaft; 17-Agitator blades; 18-Powder trough. Detailed Implementation

[0022] The present application will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0023] This application discloses a powder storage and discharging device for vacuum 3D printing, such as... Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, it includes a powder hopper 3, a stirring mechanism 4, a motor 1, a discharge mechanism, and a vibrator 12; wherein:

[0024] The powder hopper 3 is used to store powder. It has an openable / closable inlet at the top, a hopper-shaped section 10 at the bottom, and a straight outlet 15 at the bottom. (See attached image.) Figure 1 and Figure 2 ;

[0025] The stirring mechanism 4 is used to stir and prevent powder from accumulating and clogging. It is located on the upper inner side of the powder hopper 3, see... Figure 1 ;

[0026] Motor 1 is used to drive the stirring mechanism 4, which is installed outside the powder hopper 3, see Figure 1 and Figure 3 ;

[0027] The discharge mechanism is used to precisely control the discharge volume of the discharge port 15. It includes a roller 9 and a transmission assembly. The roller 9 is rotatably mounted at the discharge port 15. A straight powder trough 18 is provided along the roller 9. The transmission assembly is used to drive the roller 9 to rotate. When the powder trough 18 of the roller 9 faces the discharge port 15, it can catch all the falling powder; when the remaining part of the roller 9 faces the discharge port 15, it can completely block the discharge port 15. See [link / description]. Figure 1 and Figure 4 ;

[0028] Vibrator 12 is used to vibrate the bucket-shaped part 10 to facilitate the falling and discharge of powder. It is installed on the outside of the bucket-shaped part 10, see Figure 1 and Figure 2 .

[0029] During work:

[0030] The powder is stored in the powder hopper 3 and fills the hopper-shaped part 10 under the action of weight. When the powder accumulates above the hopper-shaped part 10 in the powder hopper 3 and causes blockage, the stirring mechanism 4 is turned on to break up the blockage and make the powder falling into the hopper-shaped part 10 in a uniform state. When it is necessary to discharge, the transmission component drives the roller 9 to rotate so that the powder trough 18 faces the discharge port 15 to receive all the falling powder. The vibrator 12 vibrates the hopper-shaped part 10 so that the powder falls quickly into the powder trough 18 through the discharge port 15 and is compacted. After a certain period of time, the powder fills the powder trough 18. Then the transmission component drives the roller 9 to rotate. On the one hand, the powder trough 18 faces outward and pours out all the powder in the powder trough 18 under the action of vibration. On the other hand, the remaining part of the roller 9 faces the discharge port 15 to completely block the discharge port 15. Then the vibrator 12 stops vibrating. In this way, each set of actions of the roller 9 can give a precise and uniform amount of powder. When the powder in the powder hopper 3 is insufficient, the feed port can be opened to replenish the powder.

[0031] Regarding the installation of roller 9, in this embodiment, preferably: as follows: 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 hopper 3. The section of the roller 9 where the powder trough 18 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 7 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 trough 18.

[0032] Regarding the transmission assembly, in this embodiment, preferably: such as 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 hopper 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 sleeved on the end of the roller 9 in the form of a square hole and square shaft. The transmission assembly does not use a motor drive, which can reduce the axial installation space requirements.

[0033] Regarding the stirring mechanism 4, in this embodiment, preferably: as follows: Figure 3 As shown, the stirring mechanism 4 includes a stirring shaft 16 and stirring blades 17 arranged in at least two layers on the stirring shaft 16.

[0034] Regarding the feed inlet, in this embodiment, preferably: as follows: Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, flanges 14 are provided around the feed inlet. The feed inlet is opened and closed by a cover plate 2. The cover plate 2 is installed on the feed inlet by the flanges 14. The stirring mechanism 4 and the motor 1 are respectively installed on the inner and outer sides of the cover plate 2.

[0035] Regarding the powder hopper 3, in this embodiment, preferably: as follows: Figure 1 and Figure 2As shown, the upper part of the powder chamber 3 has through holes 5 for observation and weight reduction. The inner wall of the powder chamber 3 is covered with a membrane layer 13 that covers all the through holes 5. The membrane layer 13 can transmit light and filter and purify the air, so that the internal situation can be observed and external impurities can be avoided. The membrane layer 13 can be a PTFE composite semi-permeable membrane.

[0036] Regarding the installation of the vibrator 12, in this embodiment, preferably: as follows Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the vibrator 12 is installed via the vibrating seat 11, which includes a clamping part and a connecting part. The vibrator 12 is located inside the clamping part and is clamped and fixed. The connecting part is installed on the outside of the bucket-shaped part 10. The vibrator 12 can be an eccentric vibration motor, which can provide weak vibration.

[0037] The embodiments described above are some, but not all, of the embodiments of this application. The detailed description of the embodiments of this application is not intended to limit the scope of the claimed application, but merely to illustrate selected embodiments. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of this application without inventive effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

Claims

1. A powder storage-discharge device for vacuum 3D printing, characterized in that: The device includes a powder hopper for storing powder, with an openable and closable inlet at the top, a stirring mechanism on the inner upper part to prevent powder accumulation and clogging, a hopper-shaped lower part, and a straight discharge outlet at the bottom. Externally mounted on the powder hopper are a motor for driving the stirring mechanism, a discharge mechanism for precisely controlling the discharge rate from the outlet, and a vibrator for vibrating the hopper-shaped part to facilitate powder falling and discharge. The discharge mechanism includes a roller rotatably mounted at the discharge outlet and a transmission assembly for driving the roller. A straight powder trough is provided along the roller, and when the powder trough faces the discharge outlet... It can receive all the falling powder, and when the rest of the part faces the discharge port, it can completely seal the discharge port; the upper part of the powder hopper is provided with through holes for observation and weight reduction, and the inner wall of the powder hopper is covered with a membrane layer that covers all the through holes. The membrane layer can transmit light and filter and purify the air; when the roller rotates so that the powder trough faces the discharge port to receive all the falling powder, the vibrator vibrates the bucket-shaped part so that the powder falls quickly into the powder trough through the discharge port and is compacted; after the powder trough is filled with powder, the roller rotates so that the powder trough faces outward and pours out all the powder in the powder trough under the action of vibration, and the rest of the roller faces the discharge port to completely seal the discharge port.

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

3. The powder storage-discharge device for vacuum 3D printing as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The transmission assembly includes an electric actuator and a swing arm. The electric actuator is installed outside the powder hopper, and one end of the swing arm is hinged to the telescopic end of the electric actuator, while the other end is fixed to the end of the roller.

4. The powder storage-discharge device for vacuum 3D printing as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The stirring mechanism includes a stirring shaft and stirring blades arranged in at least two layers on the stirring shaft.

5. The powder storage-discharge device for vacuum 3D printing as described in claim 1, characterized in that: Flanges are provided around the feed inlet, which is opened and closed by a cover plate. The cover plate is installed on the feed inlet by the flanges, and the stirring mechanism and motor are installed on the inner and outer sides of the cover plate, respectively.

6. The powder storage-discharge device for vacuum 3D printing as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The membrane layer is a PTFE composite semi-permeable membrane.

7. The powder storage-discharge device for vacuum 3D printing as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The vibrator is installed via a vibrating base, which includes a clamping part and a connecting part. The vibrator is located inside the clamping part and is clamped and fixed, while the connecting part is installed on the outside of the bucket-shaped part.

8. The powder storage-discharge device for vacuum 3D printing as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The vibrator uses an eccentric vibration motor.

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