A 3D printing platform leveling mechanism and leveling method thereof

Abstract

The present invention relates to the field of 3D printing technology, and in particular to a 3D printing platform leveling mechanism and a leveling method thereof, comprising: a support assembly, comprising a support seat and a lead screw arranged at each corner of the support seat; and a working platform that can be displaced in a vertical direction above the support seat; and a protection assembly, comprising a sleeve arranged in the working platform, and the sleeve is provided with an internal thread that is compatible with the outer wall thread of the lead screw, first movable channels are opened through the end face corners of the working platform, and the outer wall of the working platform is respectively provided with connecting channels connected to each of the first movable channels; the leveling mechanism provided by the present invention can prevent the working platform from excessively descending without the need for sensing equipment during the process of height adjustment, ensure that the threaded structure of the lead screw and the sleeve is not damaged, thereby ensuring the lifting stability of the working platform, and effectively solving the problems existing in the prior art.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of 3D printing, and in particular to a 3D printing platform leveling mechanism and a leveling method thereof. Background Art

[0002] 3D printing (3DP), also known as additive manufacturing (AM), is a technology that creates physical parts by adding material layer by layer based on 3D CAD data. The historical development of 3D printing technology has been one of continuous advancement and expansion.

[0003] In recent years, with the open source code of Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) technology, personal design and assembly of 3D printers has become popular. But this also brings problems, especially in the adjustment of the workbench. The traditional method usually involves installing adjustment springs and nuts between the printing platform and the support base, and using tools such as wrenches and pliers to adjust the nut position and spring tension to ensure the flatness of the printing platform. However, removing the print after printing is completed may apply tension or pressure to the workbench, causing the spring to deform. In addition, the vibration of the 3D printer during the printing process may cause the nut to loosen, or human error, all of which may seriously affect the flatness of the workbench, especially when the spring deforms and fails, making it impossible to level the workbench. Moreover, this method requires the use of multiple tools during the leveling process, which is cumbersome and time-consuming.

[0004] Therefore, finding a more efficient and convenient method to adjust the flatness of the worktable to improve the accuracy and quality of printed parts has become a technical challenge that urgently needs to be solved.

[0005] To this end, we propose a 3D printing platform leveling mechanism and a leveling method to solve the above problems. Summary of the Invention

[0006] In view of the problems existing in the prior art, a 3D printing platform leveling mechanism of the present invention is proposed.

[0007] In order to solve the above technical problems, the present invention provides the following technical solutions: a 3D printing platform leveling mechanism, comprising: a support assembly, comprising a support seat and a lead screw arranged at each corner of the support seat; and a working platform that can be displaced in a vertical direction above the support seat; and a protection assembly, comprising a sleeve arranged in the working platform, and the sleeve is provided with an internal thread that is compatible with the outer wall thread of the lead screw.

[0008] As a preferred solution of the 3D printing platform leveling mechanism described in the present invention, wherein: first movable channels are opened through the end face corners of the working platform, and the outer wall of the working platform is respectively provided with connecting channels connected to each of the first movable channels; a knob is welded to the outer wall of the lead screw, and a fixing block is installed on the outer wall of the support seat by bolts.

[0009] As a preferred solution of the 3D printing platform leveling mechanism of the present invention, the sleeve is movably arranged in the first movable channel, and a limiting groove is provided on the outer wall of the sleeve, and a plurality of positioning grooves are provided in a circumferential array on the outer wall of the limiting groove.

[0010] As a preferred solution of the 3D printing platform leveling mechanism of the present invention, it further includes a trigger component, including a movable block slidably arranged in the connecting channel, and a slider movably arranged in the movable block, and a positioning block that can movably cooperate with the positioning groove is provided at one end of the slider.

[0011] As a preferred solution of the 3D printing platform leveling mechanism of the present invention, a second movable channel is provided in the movable block, and a V-shaped groove connected to the second movable channel is provided through the outer wall of the movable block.

[0012] As a preferred solution of the 3D printing platform leveling mechanism of the present invention, the outer wall of the positioning block is provided with a connecting column, and the outer wall of the connecting column extends into the V-shaped groove and is movably connected thereto.

[0013] As a preferred solution of the 3D printing platform leveling mechanism of the present invention, one end of the movable block is provided with an interference end, and a first elastic member is provided outside the movable block.

[0014] As a preferred solution of the 3D printing platform leveling mechanism of the present invention, it also includes a fine-tuning component, including a top plate and a bottom plate, wherein the top plate can be fine-tuned in angle above the bottom plate, and a horizontal plate for fixing the angle of the top plate is also provided between the top plate and the bottom plate.

[0015] As a preferred solution of the 3D printing platform leveling mechanism of the present invention, wherein: a slide groove is provided in both the top plate and the bottom plate, and a connecting block is slidably provided in the slide groove, and a second elastic member is provided between the connecting block and the slide groove;

[0016] A connecting rod is hinged between the top plate and the bottom plate, the two connecting rods are in a cross shape, and a connecting rod channel is opened through the outer wall of the connecting rod;

[0017] A guide block is movably provided in the transverse plate, and one end of the guide block is connected to an insertion rod, insertion columns are provided on both sides of the outer wall of the guide block, and both ends of the insertion columns extend to the two connecting rod channels respectively and are movably connected thereto, and a third elastic member is provided between the end face of the guide block and the inner cavity of the transverse plate.

[0018] In view of the problems existing in the prior art, the leveling method of the present invention is proposed.

[0019] In order to solve the above technical problems, the present invention provides the following technical solutions: a leveling method, comprising:

[0020] Rotate the knob used to level the work platform; the movement of the knob can drive the screw to rotate, and the movement of the screw will cause the work platform to move vertically through cooperation with the sleeve. If the sleeve rotates too much, the trigger assembly will unlock the sleeve, causing the sleeve and the screw to rotate synchronously.

[0021] Beneficial effects of the present invention: The leveling mechanism provided by the present invention can prevent the excessive descent of the working platform without the need for sensing equipment during the height adjustment process, ensuring that the threaded structure of the screw and the sleeve is not damaged, thereby ensuring the lifting stability of the working platform and effectively solving the problems existing in the prior art. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention, the following briefly introduces the drawings required for describing the embodiments. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. Those skilled in the art can also derive other drawings based on these drawings without inventive effort. Among them:

[0023] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 2 It is a schematic diagram of the support base structure in the present invention.

[0025] Figure 3 It is a schematic diagram of the working platform structure in the present invention.

[0026] Figure 4 It is a schematic diagram of the structural combination of the working platform, protection component and trigger component in the present invention.

[0027] Figure 5 Schematic diagram of the trigger component structure in the present invention.

[0028] Figure 6 Schematic diagram of the fine-tuning component structure in the present invention.

[0029] In the figure: 100, support assembly; 101, support base; 101a, fixed block; 102, lead screw; 102a, knob; 200, working platform; 200a, first movable channel; 200b, connecting channel; 300, protection assembly; 301, sleeve; 301a, limit groove; 301a-1, positioning groove; 400, trigger assembly; 401, movable block; 401a, contact end; 401b, second movable channel; 401b-1, V-shaped groove; 402, slider; 402a, positioning block; 402a-1, connecting column; 403, first elastic member; 500, fine-tuning assembly; 501, top plate; 501a, slide groove; 501a-1, connecting block; 501b, second elastic member; 502, bottom plate; 502a, connecting rod; 502a-1, connecting rod channel; 503, cross plate; 503a, insertion rod; 503b, guide block; 503c, insertion column; 503d, third elastic member. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] In order to make the above-mentioned objects, features and advantages of the present invention more obvious and easy to understand, the specific embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0031] In the following description, many specific details are set forth to facilitate a full understanding of the present invention. However, the present invention may also be implemented in other ways different from those described herein. Those skilled in the art may make similar generalizations without violating the connotation of the present invention. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed below.

[0032] Secondly, the term "one embodiment" or "embodiment" herein refers to a specific feature, structure, or characteristic that may be included in at least one implementation of the present invention. The phrase "in one embodiment" appearing in various places throughout this specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, nor does it refer to a separate or selective embodiment that is mutually exclusive of other embodiments.

[0033] Example 1, with reference to Figures 1 to 5 , which is the first embodiment of the present invention, provides a protection measure to prevent the screw 102 from excessively rotating and causing damage to the sleeve 301 or its own structure.

[0034] Specifically, the support assembly 100 includes a support base 101 and a screw 102 arranged at each corner of the support base 101; and a working platform 200 that can be displaced in a vertical direction above the support base 101; and a protection assembly 300, including a sleeve 301 arranged in the working platform 200, and the sleeve 301 is provided with an internal thread that is compatible with the outer wall thread of the screw 102.

[0035] If the working platform 200 needs to be controlled, the rotation of the lead screw 102 can be controlled. The lead screw 102 in the rotating state will be threadedly engaged with the sleeve 301, and the sleeve 301 will cause the working platform 200 to move vertically.

[0036] Preferably, first movable channels 200a are formed through the corners of the end surface of the work platform 200, and connecting channels 200b are formed on the outer wall of the work platform 200, connecting to each first movable channel 200a. A knob 102a is welded to the outer wall of the lead screw 102. The first movable channel 200a has a circular cross-section, which supports the rotation of the sleeve 301 within the first movable channel 200a. Under normal circumstances, the sleeve 301 cannot rotate during leveling operations.

[0037] The sleeve 301 is movably disposed within the first movable channel 200a. A limiting groove 301a is defined on the outer wall of the sleeve 301. A plurality of positioning grooves 301a-1 are arranged in an array around the outer wall of the limiting groove 301a. To prevent the sleeve 301 from rotating within the first movable channel 200a under normal circumstances, the positioning grooves 301a-1 engage with the positioning block 402a.

[0038] The trigger assembly 400 is further provided, comprising a movable block 401 slidably disposed within the connecting channel 200b. A slider 402 is movably disposed within the movable block 401. A positioning block 402a is disposed at one end of the slider 402 and is movably engaged with the positioning groove 301a-1. The positioning block 402a initially contacts the positioning groove 301a-1, and the slider 402 and the positioning block 402a are integrally formed.

[0039] A second movable channel 401b is provided in the movable block 401, and a V-shaped groove 401b-1 connected to the second movable channel 401b is provided on the outer wall of the movable block 401. The slider 402 provides power support for the positioning block 402a during its movement.

[0040] The outer wall of positioning block 402a is provided with a connecting post 402a-1, which extends into and movably connects to V-shaped groove 401b-1. When connecting post 402a-1 moves within V-shaped groove 401b-1, positioning block 402a moves. Under normal circumstances, connecting post 402a-1 is located in the middle of V-shaped groove 401b-1.

[0041] One end of the movable block 401 is provided with an abutment end 401a, and a first elastic member 403 is disposed outside the movable block 401. The first elastic member 403 is a tension spring. A fixed block 101a is bolted to the outer wall of the support base 101. The fixed block 101a is configured to abut and contact the abutment end 401a on the movable block 401.

[0042] The first elastic member 403 is used to reset the movable block 401 after displacement. That is, when the movable block 401 is displaced by resistance, the first elastic member 403 will be stretched. When the movable block 401 loses contact with the fixed block 101a, the movable block 401 will be reset under the action of the first elastic member 403.

[0043] In summary, if the working platform 200 needs to be controlled, the rotation of the lead screw 102 can be controlled. The lead screw 102 in the rotating state will be threadedly engaged with the sleeve 301, and the sleeve 301 will cause the working platform 200 to be displaced in the vertical direction.

[0044] It should be noted that the knob 102 a provided in this embodiment facilitates the operator to control the rotational movement of the lead screw 102 .

[0045] When the working platform 200 rises or falls to a certain critical point, in order to avoid excessive displacement of the sleeve 301 and excessive rotation of the lead screw 102, taking the descent of the sleeve 301 as an example, when the sleeve 301 drives the working platform 200 to a certain height, the abutting end 401a on the movable block 401 will contact the fixed block 101a, causing the movable block 401 to move upward. Once the movable block 401 moves upward, the V-shaped groove 401b-1 will cooperate with the connecting column 402a-1 to cause the positioning block 402a to disengage from the positioning groove 301a-1. At this time, if the lead screw 102 continues to rotate, the sleeve 301 will also rotate synchronously, thereby ensuring that the lifting and lowering of the sleeve 301 and the rotation of the lead screw 102 do not conflict with each other. After the movable block 401 is displaced, if it needs to be reset, it only needs to be lifted relative to the movable block 401.

[0046] Example 2, reference Figures 1 to 6 , which is the second embodiment of the present invention, is different from the previous embodiment in that a fine-tuning component 500 is provided.

[0047] Specifically, it also includes a fine-tuning component 500, including a top plate 501 and a bottom plate 502, wherein the top plate 501 can be fine-tuned in angle above the bottom plate 502, and a horizontal plate 503 for fixing the angle of the top plate 501 is also provided between the top plate 501 and the bottom plate 502.

[0048] A sliding groove 501a is provided in both the top plate 501 and the bottom plate 502, and a connecting block 501a-1 is slidably provided in the sliding groove 501a. A second elastic member 501b is provided between the connecting block 501a-1 and the sliding groove 501a.

[0049] Connecting rods 502a are hinged between the top plate 501 and the bottom plate 502. The two connecting rods 502a are in a cross shape, and a connecting rod channel 502a-1 is formed through the outer wall of the connecting rod 502a.

[0050] A guide block 503b is movably provided in the horizontal plate 503, and one end of the guide block 503b is connected to the insertion rod 503a, and insertion columns 503c are provided on both sides of the outer wall of the guide block 503b, and the two ends of the insertion columns 503c extend to the two connecting rod channels 502a-1 respectively and are movably connected thereto, and a third elastic member 503d is provided between the end face of the guide block 503b and the inner cavity of the horizontal plate 503.

[0051] In summary, if the entire mechanism is uneven and requires fine-tuning of the angle, the fine-tuning assembly 500 can be used to achieve overall balance. It should be noted that the top plate 501 within the fine-tuning assembly 500 is hinged to the support base 101. The control rod 503a is displaced, pushing the guide block 503b to move with it. The pin 503c on the guide block 503b will cooperate with the connecting rod channel 502a-1, changing the intersection of the two connecting rods 502a, thereby adjusting the angle of the support base 101.

[0052] Example 3, reference Figures 1 to 5 , which is the third embodiment of the present invention. Different from the previous embodiment, this embodiment provides a leveling method.

[0053] Specifically, rotate the knob 102a for leveling the work platform 200; the movement of the knob 102a can drive the screw 102 to rotate, and the movement of the screw 102 will cause the work platform 200 to move vertically through cooperation with the sleeve 301. If the sleeve 301 rotates excessively, the trigger assembly 400 will unlock the sleeve 301, causing the sleeve 301 to rotate synchronously with the screw 102.

[0054] The standard parts used in this embodiment can be purchased directly from the market, and the non-standard structural components recorded in the specification and drawings can also be directly processed according to existing technical common sense without any doubt. At the same time, the connection method of each component adopts the mature conventional means in the existing technology, and the machinery, parts and equipment all adopt conventional models in the existing technology, so no specific description will be given here.

[0055] While embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes, modifications, substitutions, and variations may be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, and that the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

[0056] It is important to note that the construction and arrangement of the present application, as illustrated in various exemplary embodiments, are illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments are described in detail in this disclosure, those reading this disclosure will readily appreciate that numerous modifications are possible (e.g., variations in the size, dimensions, structure, shape, and proportions of various components, as well as parameter values ​​(e.g., temperature, pressure, etc.), mounting arrangements, use of materials, color, orientation, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter described herein. For example, components shown as integrally formed may be constructed from multiple parts or components, the positions of components may be inverted or otherwise altered, and the nature, number, or position of discrete components may be modified or changed. All such modifications are therefore intended to be encompassed within the scope of this invention. The order or sequence of any process or method steps may be altered or resequenced according to alternative embodiments. In the claims, any "means-plus-function" clause is intended to cover structures described herein that perform the recited function, and not only structural equivalents but also equivalent structures. Other substitutions, modifications, changes, and omissions may be made in the design, operating conditions, and arrangement of the exemplary embodiments without departing from the scope of this invention. Therefore, the invention is not limited to the specific embodiments, but extends to various modifications that still fall within the scope of the appended claims.

[0057] Additionally, in order to provide a concise description of exemplary embodiments, all features of an actual embodiment may not be described (ie, those features that are not relevant to the best mode presently contemplated for carrying out the invention or those that are not relevant to implementing the invention).

[0058] It will be appreciated that in the development of any actual embodiment, as in any engineering or design project, numerous implementation-specific decisions may be made. Such a development effort may be complex and time-consuming, but will, for those of ordinary skill having the benefit of this disclosure, be a routine undertaking of design, fabrication, and production without undue experimentation.

[0059] It should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that the technical solutions of the present invention may be modified or replaced by equivalents without departing from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the present invention, which should all be included in the scope of the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A 3D printing platform leveling mechanism, characterized in that: include: A support assembly (100) comprises a support base (101) and lead screws (102) arranged at corners of the support base (101); and a working platform (200) capable of vertically displacing above the support seat (101); and The protection assembly (300) includes a sleeve (301) disposed in the working platform (200), wherein the sleeve (301) is provided with an internal thread adapted to the outer wall thread of the lead screw (102); First movable channels (200a) are provided through the corners of the end faces of the working platform (200), and connecting channels (200b) communicating with the first movable channels (200a) are provided on the outer wall of the working platform (200); a knob (102a) is welded to the outer wall of the lead screw (102), and a fixing block (101a) is mounted on the outer wall of the support seat (101) via bolts; The sleeve (301) is movably arranged in the first movable channel (200a), and a limiting groove (301a) is provided on the outer wall of the sleeve (301), and a plurality of positioning grooves (301a-1) are provided in a circumferential array on the outer wall of the limiting groove (301a); It also includes a trigger assembly (400), including a movable block (401) slidably arranged in the connecting channel (200b), a slider (402) movably arranged in the movable block (401), and a positioning block (402a) movably engaged with the positioning groove (301a-1) is provided at one end of the slider (402); A second movable channel (401b) is provided in the movable block (401), and a V-shaped groove (401b-1) connected to the second movable channel (401b) is provided through the outer wall of the movable block (401); The outer wall of the positioning block (402a) is provided with a connecting column (402a-1), and the outer wall of the connecting column (402a-1) extends into the V-shaped groove (401b-1) and is movably connected thereto; One end of the movable block (401) is provided with a contact end (401a), and a first elastic member (403) is provided outside the movable block (401); The invention also includes a fine-tuning component (500), comprising a top plate (501) and a bottom plate (502), wherein the top plate (501) can be fine-tuned in angle above the bottom plate (502), and a transverse plate (503) for fixing the angle of the top plate (501) is provided between the top plate (501) and the bottom plate (502).

2. The 3D printing platform leveling mechanism according to claim 1, wherein: A sliding groove (501a) is provided in both the top plate (501) and the bottom plate (502), and a connecting block (501a-1) is slidably provided in the sliding groove (501a), and a second elastic member (501b) is provided between the connecting block (501a-1) and the sliding groove (501a); A connecting rod (502a) is hinged between the top plate (501) and the bottom plate (502), the two connecting rods (502a) are in a cross shape, and a connecting rod channel (502a-1) is provided through the outer wall of the connecting rod (502a); A guide block (503b) is movably provided in the transverse plate (503), and one end of the guide block (503b) is connected to an insertion rod (503a), and insertion columns (503c) are provided on both sides of the outer wall of the guide block (503b), and the two ends of the insertion columns (503c) respectively extend to the two connecting rod channels (502a-1) and are movably connected thereto, and a third elastic member (503d) is provided between the end face of the guide block (503b) and the inner cavity of the transverse plate (503).

3. A leveling method, characterized in that: The 3D printing platform leveling mechanism comprises: The knob (102a) for leveling the working platform (200) is rotated; the movement of the knob (102a) can drive the screw (102) to rotate, and the movement of the screw (102) will cause the working platform (200) to move vertically by cooperating with the sleeve (301). If the sleeve (301) rotates excessively, the trigger assembly (400) will unlock the sleeve (301), so that the sleeve (301) and the screw (102) rotate synchronously.

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