A 3D printer with a raw material processing structure

Abstract

The present invention relates to the technical field of 3D printers, and in particular to a 3D printer with a raw material processing structure, comprising: a cabin; a powder box, which is arranged inside the cabin; and a raw material processing module, which is arranged on the cabin and connected to the powder box; the raw material processing module comprises a shell, the shell is provided with a feed port, a heating chamber connected to the feed port is provided in the shell, and a side chamber is further provided in the shell next to the heating chamber. The air inside the side chamber can be heated by a heating mechanism. When the air pump is working, the air inside the side chamber enters the inner side of the movable cabin through the first air inlet, and the heated gas is transported to the inner side of the heating chamber through the exhaust port, and contacts with the raw material inside the heating chamber, thereby achieving the effect of preheating the raw material, and at the same time can evaporate the moisture in the raw material and reduce the water content of the raw material.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of 3D printers, and in particular to a 3D printer with a raw material processing structure. Background Art

[0002] 3D printing technology is a rapid prototyping manufacturing technology that builds three-dimensional objects by adding materials layer by layer. Currently, according to different principles and materials used, 3D printers can be divided into fused deposition modeling (FDM), stereolithography (SLA), selective laser sintering (SLS), and digital light processing (DLP).

[0003] Among them, the selective laser sintering 3D printer uses a laser to sinter powdered raw materials (such as nylon or metal) layer by layer. It can produce complex geometric shapes with high strength and is suitable for the production of functional components. Laser sintering requires the raw materials to be heated to the melting point by laser, but the temperature of the powdered raw materials is low before sintering, so a longer heating time is required, affecting production efficiency. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In view of the problem that the initial temperature of the raw materials in the above-mentioned prior art is low, the present invention is proposed.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a 3D printer with a material processing structure.

[0006] In order to solve the above technical problems, the present invention provides the following technical solutions: a 3D printer with a raw material processing structure, comprising:

[0007] cabin;

[0008] a powder box, disposed inside the cabin; and

[0009] A raw material processing module is provided on the cabin and connected to the powder box; the raw material processing module includes:

[0010] A housing, wherein the housing is provided with a feed port, a heating chamber connected to the feed port is provided in the housing, a side chamber is provided next to the heating chamber in the housing, and an outlet connected to the powder box is provided at the end of the housing;

[0011] a heating mechanism disposed inside the side cavity;

[0012] an air circulation mechanism comprising a movable cabin disposed inside the heating chamber and an air pump disposed inside the movable cabin;

[0013] The mobile cabin is provided with a first air inlet that can be communicated with the side cavity, and the end of the mobile cabin is also provided with an exhaust port that is communicated with the heating cavity. The air pump can suck the gas inside the side cavity into the mobile cabin from the first air inlet, and can transport the gas inside the mobile cabin to the heating cavity through the exhaust port.

[0014] As a preferred embodiment of the 3D printer with a raw material processing structure of the present invention, the housing is provided with a through side groove between the side cavity and the heating cavity, and a first filter is installed in the side groove;

[0015] The side cavity is further provided with a first communicating hole. When the first communicating hole corresponds to the first air inlet, the side cavity is connected to the movable cabin.

[0016] As a preferred solution of the 3D printer with a raw material processing structure of the present invention, wherein: the movable cabin is further provided with a second air inlet, and the shell is further provided with a second communicating hole;

[0017] The movable cabin can move inside the heating chamber, and when the second air inlet corresponds to the second communicating hole, the air pump can suck air outside the shell into the movable cabin.

[0018] As a preferred solution of the 3D printer with a raw material processing structure of the present invention, wherein: the heating chamber is provided with a transition port;

[0019] The 3D printer with a raw material processing structure further includes a closing mechanism, which includes a first closing body capable of closing the transition port, and a buckling body connecting the first closing body and the movable cabin.

[0020] As a preferred solution of the 3D printer with a raw material processing structure described in the present invention, a dehumidification chamber is further provided inside the shell, a dehumidification tank is opened in the shell in the dehumidification chamber, and a second filter is installed inside the dehumidification tank.

[0021] As a preferred solution of the 3D printer with a raw material processing structure of the present invention, wherein: a third communication hole is further provided on the housing;

[0022] The closing mechanism further includes an extension post connected to the first closing body, and a second closing body connected to the extension post;

[0023] The second closing body can close the discharge port.

[0024] As a preferred solution of the 3D printer with a raw material processing structure of the present invention, wherein: the number of the side chambers is at least two, and the side chambers are arranged around the heating chamber;

[0025] The side groove and the first communicating hole are respectively located at two ends of the side cavity.

[0026] As a preferred solution of the 3D printer with a raw material processing structure of the present invention, wherein: a limit plate is provided at the end of the movable cabin, and a buckle opening is provided at the end of the buckle body away from the first closing body;

[0027] The buckle body is buckled with the limiting plate through the buckle opening.

[0028] As a preferred solution of the 3D printer with a raw material processing structure described in the present invention, wherein: a limiting groove is provided on the limiting plate, and the buckle body passes through the limiting groove.

[0029] As a preferred solution of the 3D printer with a raw material processing structure of the present invention, it further includes a pushing mechanism;

[0030] The pushing mechanism is connected to the moving cabin, and the pushing mechanism can drive the moving cabin to move back and forth in a straight line.

[0031] The beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows: the air inside the side cavity can be heated by the heating mechanism; when the air pump is working, the air inside the side cavity enters the inner side of the movable cabin through the first air inlet, and the heated gas is transported to the inner side of the heating cavity through the exhaust port, and contacts the raw materials inside the heating cavity, thereby achieving the effect of preheating the raw materials, and at the same time being able to evaporate the moisture in the raw materials and reduce the water content of the raw materials. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention, the following briefly introduces the drawings required for use in the description of the embodiments. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative work.

[0033] Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the overall structure of the 3D printer with a raw material processing structure in the present invention.

[0034] Figure 2 This is a front view of the 3D printer with a raw material processing structure in the present invention.

[0035] Figure 3 This is a structural diagram of the raw material processing module in the present invention.

[0036] Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional view of the raw material processing module structure in the present invention.

[0037] Figure 5 It is a schematic diagram of the air circulation mechanism and side cavity structure in the present invention.

[0038] Figure 6It is a structural schematic diagram of the movable cabin and heating chamber in the present invention.

[0039] Figure 7 It is a schematic diagram of the sealing mechanism and dehumidification chamber structure in the present invention.

[0040] Figure 8 It is a structural schematic diagram of the movable cabin and the closing mechanism in the present invention.

[0041] Figure markings: 100, cabin; 200, powder box; 300, shell; 301, feed port; 302, heating chamber; 303, side chamber; 304, side groove; 305, first filter; 306, first connecting hole; 307, second connecting hole; 308, transition port; 309, dehumidification chamber; 310, second filter; 311, third connecting hole; 312, discharge port; 313, dehumidification groove; 400, heating mechanism; 500, air circulation mechanism; 501, movable cabin; 502, air pump; 503, first air inlet; 504, exhaust port; 505, second air inlet; 506, limiting plate; 507, limiting groove; 600, closing mechanism; 601, first closing body; 602, buckle body; 603, extension column; 604, second closing body; 605, buckle port; 700, pushing mechanism. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0042] 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.

[0043] 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.

[0044] 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 constitute a separate or selective embodiment that is mutually exclusive with other embodiments.

[0045] Furthermore, the present invention is described in detail with reference to schematic diagrams. For ease of illustration, when describing the embodiments of the present invention, cross-sectional views illustrating device structures may be partially enlarged and not to scale. Furthermore, the schematic diagrams are merely illustrative and should not limit the scope of protection of the present invention. Furthermore, in actual production, the three-dimensional dimensions of length, width, and depth should be included.

[0046] Example 1, with reference to Figure 1 and Figure 2, provides a 3D printer with a raw material processing structure, including a cabin 100; the interior of the cabin 100 is also provided with a substrate and a 3D printing execution structure, and the execution structure can adopt laser sintering technology.

[0047] The device further comprises a powder box 200 , which is arranged inside the cabin 100 and is used for loading powder raw materials. The powder raw materials can be laid layer by layer on the substrate through the powder feeding structure arranged inside the cabin 100 .

[0048] The device also includes a raw material processing module, which is arranged on the cabin 100 and connected to the powder box 200; through the raw material processing module, the powder raw material can be preheated and dehydrated, and the processed powder raw material is transported to the interior of the powder box 200, thereby reducing the moisture inside the powder raw material and increasing the initial temperature of the powder raw material, which is convenient for later laser sintering and molding.

[0049] Please refer to Figure 3 and Figure 4 The raw material processing module includes a housing 300, which is provided with a feed port 301. A heating chamber 302 connected to the feed port 301 is provided in the housing 300. A side chamber 303 is further provided next to the heating chamber 302 in the housing 300. An end of the housing 300 is further provided with a discharge port 312 connected to the powder box 200.

[0050] like Figure 4 The raw material processing module includes a heating mechanism 400, which is arranged inside the side cavity 303. The heating mechanism 400 can adopt a resistance heater, such as a heating rod. The heating mechanism 400 can heat the air inside the side cavity 303.

[0051] like Figure 4 and Figure 5 The raw material processing module further includes an air circulation mechanism 500 , including a movable cabin 501 disposed inside the heating chamber 302 , and an air pump 502 disposed inside the movable cabin 501 .

[0052] The mobile cabin 501 is provided with a first air inlet 503 which can be communicated with the side chamber 303, and the end of the mobile cabin 501 is also provided with an exhaust port 504 which is communicated with the heating chamber 302. The air pump 502 can suck the gas inside the side chamber 303 into the mobile cabin 501 from the first air inlet 503, and can transport the gas inside the mobile cabin 501 to the heating chamber 302 through the exhaust port 504.

[0053] The raw materials enter the interior of the heating chamber 302 through the feed port 301, and the air inside the side chamber 303 can be heated by the heating mechanism 400. When the air pump 502 is working, the air inside the side chamber 303 enters the inner side of the movable cabin 501 through the first air inlet 503, and is transported to the inner side of the heating chamber 302 through the exhaust port 504, and contacts the raw materials inside the heating chamber 302, thereby achieving the effect of preheating the raw materials. At the same time, it can evaporate the moisture in the raw materials and reduce the water content of the raw materials.

[0054] refer to Figure 5 Specifically, the shell 300 is provided with a through side groove 304 between the side cavity 303 and the heating cavity 302, and a first filter screen 305 is installed in the side groove 304; the side cavity 303 is also provided with a first connecting hole 306, and when the first connecting hole 306 corresponds to the position of the first air inlet 503, the side cavity 303 is connected with the movable cabin 501.

[0055] Through the side groove 304 and the first connecting hole 306, air can circulate continuously between the heating chamber 302 and the side chamber 303. When the air pump 502 is working, the heated gas inside the side chamber 303 enters the inner side of the mobile cabin 501 through the first connecting hole 306 and the first air inlet 503, and the air pump 502 transports the gas inside the mobile cabin 501 to the interior of the heating chamber 302 through the exhaust port 504. The air pressure inside the heating chamber 302 increases, and the gas returns to the interior of the side chamber 303 through the side groove 304.

[0056] In this way, after the gas and the raw material undergo heat exchange, the gas can be continuously heated by the heating mechanism 400, thereby improving the heating effect on the raw material and allowing the raw material to reach a good preheating temperature.

[0057] like Figure 4 and Figure 5 There are at least two side cavities 303, and the side cavities 303 are arranged around the heating chamber 302; the side grooves 304 and the first connecting holes 306 are respectively located at the two ends of the side chamber 303. In this embodiment, there are two side cavities 303, and heating mechanisms 400 are installed inside the two side cavities 303, wherein the heating chamber 302 is a cylindrical chamber and the side chamber 303 is a fan-shaped chamber. By arranging the side grooves 304 and the first connecting holes 306 at the two ends of the side chamber 303 respectively, the contact time between the gas and the heating mechanism 400 can be effectively increased when the gas flows from the side grooves 304 to the first connecting holes 306.

[0058] Example 2, reference Figure 6This embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that a second air inlet 505 is further provided on the movable cabin 501, and a second connecting hole 307 is further provided on the shell 300; the movable cabin 501 can move inside the heating chamber 302, and when the second air inlet 505 corresponds to the second connecting hole 307, the air pump 502 can suck air outside the shell 300 into the movable cabin 501.

[0059] like Figure 6 When the movable cabin 501 moves in the X direction, the first air inlet 503 is misaligned with the first connecting hole 306. At this time, the air pump 502 no longer absorbs the air inside the side cavity 303 when it is working. At the same time, the second air inlet 505 can correspond to the position of the second connecting hole 307. The air pump 502 draws in external air and blows the dehydrated raw materials inside the heating cavity 302 toward the powder box 200.

[0060] Specifically, the heating chamber 302 is provided with a transition port 308 ; the 3D printer with a raw material processing structure also includes a closing mechanism 600 , which includes a first closing body 601 capable of closing the transition port 308 , and a buckle body 602 connecting the first closing body 601 and the movable cabin 501 .

[0061] When the raw material is heated, the first air inlet 503 corresponds to the position of the first connecting hole 306. At this time, the first closing body 601 closes the transition port 308 under the limit of the movable cabin 501, which can prevent the gas and raw materials from being discharged from the heating chamber 302 from the transition port 308, ensuring that the gas circulates between the side chamber 303 and the heating chamber 302. When the heating is completed, the movable cabin 501 moves in the X direction. At this time, the first air inlet 503 is misaligned with the first connecting hole 306, and the second air inlet 505 can correspond to the position of the second connecting hole 307. The air pump 502 works to draw in external air and transports it to the inside of the heating chamber 302 through the exhaust port 504. At the same time, due to the movement of the movable cabin 501, the first closing body 601 is no longer limited by the movable cabin 501. The increased air pressure inside the heating chamber 302 can push open the first closing body 601, so that the transition port 308 is opened, and the preheated gas and raw materials are discharged from the transition port 308.

[0062] refer to Figure 6 and Figure 7 A dehumidification chamber 309 is further provided inside the shell 300 . A dehumidification tank 313 is opened in the dehumidification chamber 309 of the shell 300 . A second filter 310 is installed inside the dehumidification tank 313 .

[0063] The transition port 308 is connected to the dehumidification chamber 309. When the raw materials and gas are discharged from the transition port 308, they enter the interior of the dehumidification chamber 309. When the raw materials are heated, the moisture in the raw materials evaporates to form water vapor in the gas. When the gas and raw materials enter the interior of the dehumidification chamber 309, the gas can be discharged from the dehumidification tank 313 with the water vapor. The second filter 310 can prevent the raw materials from being discharged, thereby effectively removing water from the raw materials.

[0064] The device also includes a pushing mechanism 700; the pushing mechanism 700 is connected to the movable cabin 501, and the pushing mechanism 700 can drive the movable cabin 501 to move back and forth in a straight line. The pushing mechanism 700 can be a pneumatic push-pull structure or an electric push-pull structure. The main function of the pushing mechanism 700 is to push the movable cabin 501 to move in the X direction, or to pull the movable cabin 501 to move in the opposite direction of the X direction.

[0065] A limit plate 506 is provided at the end of the movable cabin 501 , and a buckle opening 605 is provided at the end of the buckle body 602 away from the first closed body 601 ; the buckle opening 605 is buckled on the limit plate 506 , and the limit plate 506 can prevent the first closed body 601 from moving in the X direction.

[0066] The fastening body 602 is fastened to the limiting plate 506 via a fastening opening 605. The limiting plate 506 defines a limiting slot 507, through which the fastening body 602 extends. The limiting plate 506 has six limiting slots 507 and six fastening bodies 602. Therefore, the closure mechanism 600 can slide relative to the movable cabin 501. When the fastening opening 605 is fastened to the limiting plate 506, the limiting plate 506 on the movable cabin 501 prevents the closure mechanism 600 from moving in the X direction.

[0067] For details, please refer to Figure 5 and Figure 6 The movement of the movable cabin 501 is achieved by the pushing mechanism 700. When the pushing mechanism 700 does not push the movable cabin 501, the position of the movable cabin 501 will not change. Therefore, when the buckle 605 of the closing mechanism 600 is locked with the limit plate 506 and the position of the movable cabin 501 does not change, the closing mechanism 600 cannot move in the X direction because the buckle 605 and the limit plate 506 are locked. When the pushing mechanism 700 pushes the movable cabin 501 to move a certain distance in the X direction, the limit plate 506 moves a certain distance in the X direction relative to the buckle 605, so a gap is generated between the limit plate 506 and the buckle 605. At this time, as the air pressure in the heating chamber 302 increases, the closing mechanism 600 can be pushed to move in the X direction.

[0068] Therefore, when the first air inlet 503 corresponds to the first connecting hole 306 , under the action of the limiting plate 506 , the first closing body 601 can maintain the state of closing the transition port 308 to prevent the raw material from escaping from the inside of the heating chamber 302 .

[0069] The rest of the structure is the same as that of Example 1.

[0070] Example 3, reference Figure 7 and Figure 8 This embodiment is different from the above embodiments in that: a third connecting hole 311 is further provided on the shell 300; the closing mechanism 600 also includes an extension column 603 connected to the first closing body 601, and a second closing body 604 connected to the extension column 603; the second closing body 604 can close the discharge port 312.

[0071] After the gas containing water vapor is discharged from the dehumidification tank 313, the pushing mechanism 700 can push the movable cabin 501 to continue to move in the X direction until the second air inlet 505 corresponds to the position of the third connecting hole 311. At this time, because the movable cabin 501 continues to move a distance in the X direction, the closing mechanism 600 can also move a distance in the X direction. Under the push of the airflow, the second closing body 604 is separated from the discharge port 312, and the airflow pushes the processed raw materials into the interior of the powder box 200.

[0072] In this embodiment, the length of the second enclosing body 604 is greater than that of the first enclosing body 601. Therefore, when the first enclosing body 601 is separated from the transition port 308, the second enclosing body 604 can still close the discharge port 312. When the movable cabin 501 moves again to the second air inlet 505 corresponding to the third connecting hole 311, the second enclosing body 604 can be separated from the discharge port 312, so that the discharge port 312 is no longer closed. This setting allows air containing water vapor to be discharged from the dehumidification tank 313 and will not enter the interior of the powder box 200.

[0073] The rest of the structure is the same as that of Example 2.

[0074] It will be understood 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 for those of ordinary skill having the benefit of this disclosure, the development effort will be a routine task of design, fabrication, and production without undue experimentation.

[0075] 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 printer with a material processing structure, characterized in that: include, Cabin (100); A powder box (200) is arranged inside the cabin (100); as well as, A raw material processing module is provided on the cabin (100) and is connected to the powder box (200); the raw material processing module comprises: A housing (300), wherein the housing (300) is provided with a feed port (301), a heating chamber (302) connected to the feed port (301) is provided in the housing (300), a side chamber (303) is provided next to the heating chamber (302) in the housing (300), and a discharge port (312) connected to the powder box (200) is provided at an end of the housing (300); a heating mechanism (400) disposed inside the side cavity (303); An air circulation mechanism (500) comprises a movable cabin (501) disposed inside the heating chamber (302), and an air pump (502) disposed inside the movable cabin (501); The movable cabin (501) is provided with a first air inlet (503) capable of communicating with the side chamber (303); an exhaust port (504) communicating with the heating chamber (302) is further provided at the end of the movable cabin (501); the air pump (502) is capable of sucking the gas inside the side chamber (303) into the movable cabin (501) through the first air inlet (503), and is capable of transporting the gas inside the movable cabin (501) into the heating chamber (302) through the exhaust port (504); The movable cabin (501) is further provided with a second air inlet (505), and the housing (300) is further provided with a second communication hole (307); The housing (300) is provided with a through side groove (304) between the side cavity (303) and the heating cavity (302), and a first filter (305) is installed in the side groove (304); The side cavity (303) is further provided with a first communicating hole (306); when the first communicating hole (306) corresponds to the position of the first air inlet (503), the side cavity (303) is connected to the movable cabin (501); The movable cabin (501) is capable of moving inside the heating chamber (302), and when the second air inlet (505) corresponds to the second connecting hole (307), the air pump (502) is capable of sucking air outside the shell (300) into the movable cabin (501).

2. The 3D printer with a material processing structure according to claim 1, wherein: The heating chamber (302) is provided with a transition opening (308); The 3D printer with a raw material processing structure further comprises a closing mechanism (600), wherein the closing mechanism (600) comprises a first closing body (601) capable of closing the transition port (308), and a fastening body (602) connecting the first closing body (601) and the movable cabin (501).

3. The 3D printer with a material processing structure according to claim 2, wherein: A dehumidification chamber (309) is further provided inside the housing (300), a dehumidification tank (313) is provided in the housing (300) in the dehumidification chamber (309), and a second filter (310) is installed inside the dehumidification tank (313).

4. The 3D printer with a material processing structure according to claim 3, wherein: The housing (300) is further provided with a third communication hole (311); The closing mechanism (600) further comprises an extension column (603) connected to the first closing body (601), and a second closing body (604) connected to the extension column (603); The second closing body (604) is capable of closing the discharge port (312).

5. The 3D printer with a material processing structure according to claim 4, wherein: The number of the side cavities (303) is at least two, and the side cavities (303) are arranged around the heating cavity (302); The side groove (304) and the first communicating hole (306) are respectively located at two ends of the side cavity (303).

6. The 3D printer with a material processing structure according to claim 5, wherein: A limiting plate (506) is provided at the end of the movable cabin (501), and a buckle opening (605) is provided at the end of the buckle body (602) away from the first closed body (601); The buckle body (602) is buckled with the limiting plate (506) via the buckle opening (605).

7. The 3D printer with a material processing structure according to claim 6, wherein: A limiting groove (507) is provided on the limiting plate (506), and the buckle body (602) passes through the limiting groove (507).

8. The 3D printer with a material processing structure according to claim 7, wherein: Also included is a propulsion mechanism (700); The pushing mechanism (700) is connected to the movable cabin (501), and the pushing mechanism (700) can drive the movable cabin (501) to move back and forth in a straight line.

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