Spray head device capable of achieving multi-material switching

Abstract

The invention discloses a spray head device capable of achieving multi-material switching. The spray head device comprises a cylindrical valve body. The invention discloses a valve plug assembled by two sections of hollow rotors. And the two ink cylinders are communicated with the plurality of ink storage tank drainage holes through connecting pipes. A liquid discharge hole in the ink storage tank can be opened and closed. The ink cylinder sucks ink from the ink storage tank without the liquid drainage holes, and when all the liquid drainage holes are plugged, the ink is squeezed out of the valve body. A first hole connected with an ink cylinder is formed in the inner wall semi-cylindrical surface of the valve body, and a second hole connected with a nozzle is formed in the middle of the lower semi-cylindrical surface. The upper half cylindrical surface and the lower half cylindrical surface of the rotor are respectively provided with a third hole and a fourth hole close to two ends of the rotor. The third hole and the fourth hole in the valve plug are close to and away from the adjacent rotors respectively. And when rotating in place, only one third hole is aligned with the first hole, and only one fourth hole is positioned on the inner circumference of the second hole. Multi-material printing can be achieved, the printing efficiency is high, and time and energy can be saved; and the direct ink writing nozzle is small in diameter, so that high-precision printing can be realized.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention belongs to the field of 3D printing, and in particular relates to a nozzle device capable of realizing multi-material switching. Background Art

[0002] Direct ink writing (DIW) technology is a processing technology used to manufacture three-dimensional structures. It uses a high-viscosity liquid or solid-liquid mixed slurry as the ink material (Ink) or paste (Paste) stored in a barrel connected to the nozzle. Mechanical or pneumatic pressure is used to push the ink material out of the fine needle nozzle into filaments. The ink is deposited layer by layer under computer control and pre-formed on the substrate. The final three-dimensional molded component is then obtained after corresponding post-processing (evaporation of solvents, thermal curing, light curing, sintering, immersion, etc.) based on the material properties.

[0003] Although DIW additive manufacturing technology has the advantages of low equipment requirements, low manufacturing costs, a wide range of raw material applications, high molding precision, and flexible manufacturing, current DIW printing equipment has only a single nozzle and can only print a single material. For products that require multi-material printing, frequent material changes are required, resulting in raw material waste. In addition, the nozzle diameter is large and does not have micro-printing capabilities, making it impossible to achieve mixed multi-material printing. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The present invention proposes a nozzle device capable of realizing multi-material switching, which can solve the problem that only a single nozzle can realize single-material printing and the nozzle cannot realize mixed printing of multiple materials.

[0005] To achieve the above-mentioned purpose, the technical solution of the present invention is a nozzle device that can realize multi-material switching, including a nozzle, a valve body, a valve plug, an ink tank and a driving device connected to the valve plug, wherein the valve body is a cylindrical inner wall with a horizontal elongated cavity; the valve plug can be rotatably accommodated in the valve body, and the valve plug is connected to each other by two hollow rotors of equal size; two ink tanks are provided and are respectively located above the two rotors, the upper semi-cylindrical surface of the inner wall of the valve body corresponding to each rotor includes a first hole connected to the corresponding ink tank, the lower semi-cylindrical surface of the inner wall of the valve body is centrally provided with a second hole connected to the nozzle, the upper semi-cylindrical surface and the lower semi-cylindrical surface of each rotor are respectively provided with a third hole and a fourth hole, and are respectively close to the two ends of each rotor, the two third holes and the fourth holes on the valve plug are respectively arranged close to the adjacent rotor and away from the adjacent rotor, when rotated into place, only one third hole on the valve plug is aligned with the first hole, and only one fourth hole is located inside the hole of the second hole.

[0006] The valve body further includes an ink storage tank, each ink tank being connected to the drainage holes of the plurality of ink storage tanks via a connecting pipe. The ink storage tank is provided with an opening and closing mechanism for controlling the opening and closing of the drainage holes. The ink tank is used to draw ink from the ink storage tank with unblocked drainage holes and squeeze ink into the valve body when all drainage holes are blocked. The drainage hole is provided at the bottom of the ink storage tank, and the opening and closing mechanism includes a liftable plunger valve, the lower side of the plunger valve is aligned with the drainage hole, the upper side of the plunger valve is connected to the valve stem passing through the top of the ink storage tank, and the top of the valve stem is connected to the driving mechanism for controlling the lifting and lowering of the plunger valve, and the plunger valve can block the drainage hole.

[0007] In a first optional solution, the upper end of the ink tank is connected to an air pump.

[0008] The second optional solution is that a piston rod, a screw pair, and a screw are provided in the ink cylinder. The upper end of the screw is connected to the output end of the stepper motor through a coupling, and the lower end of the screw is sleeved with the screw pair. The screw pair and the piston rod are connected by an elastic connection component. The stepper motor is used to drive the screw to rotate, so that the piston rod rises and falls along the screw pair in the ink cylinder. The piston rod is covered with a rubber ring and is slidably connected to the inner wall of the ink cylinder.

[0009] The second solution is further that the elastic connection assembly includes a guide column and a spring. The guide column can be extended and shortened, and its two ends are respectively connected to the screw pair and the piston rod. A spring is provided on the outer sleeve of the guide column, and the free length of the spring is greater than the length of the guide column.

[0010] The second solution is further provided with a proximity switch on the upper portion of the ink tank for detecting the state where the lead screw pair moves to the upper limit position in the ink tank.

[0011] A nozzle device capable of realizing multi-material switching also includes a fixed seat, a fixed frame, a connecting pipe protective plate, a fixed plate, and a clamp, wherein the ink tank is fixed on the fixed seat, a fixed frame is erected on one side of the fixed seat, the fixed frame is connected to the fixed plate, and a plurality of clamps are hung on the lower side of the fixed plate, and the plurality of clamps are arranged around the ink tank, and each clamp clamps an ink storage tank. A connecting pipe protective plate is also provided on the fixed seat, and the connecting pipe protective plate is arranged around the outside of the ink tank, and each connecting pipe outside the ink tank is wrapped in the connecting pipe protective plate.

[0012] The invention also includes a computer having a processor and a memory, wherein the memory stores instructions, and the instructions can be executed by the processor to implement the following steps: Controlling the opening and closing mechanisms of all ink storage tanks so that only the drainage holes in two ink storage tanks are not blocked and the drainage holes in the remaining ink storage tanks are all blocked; The ink reservoir draws ink from an ink tank with an unblocked drain hole; Operate the opening and closing mechanisms in all ink storage tanks to block all drainage holes; The driving device drives the valve plug to rotate, so that the valve plug rotates to a position where the third hole of the first rotor is aligned with the first hole, and the fourth hole is located inside the second hole, and the ink cylinder corresponding to the first rotor squeezes ink toward the first rotor, so that the ink is squeezed out of the nozzle; The valve plug rotates 180 degrees, aligning the third hole of the second rotor with the first hole and positioning the fourth hole within the inner periphery of the second hole. The ink reservoir corresponding to the second rotor forces ink toward the second rotor, forcing ink out of the nozzle. Beneficial Effects: The direct ink writing nozzle has two feed ports, allowing for precise control and the ability to print multiple materials without switching, resulting in high printing efficiency and saving time and energy. Furthermore, the direct ink writing nozzle has a small diameter, enabling high-precision printing and mixed printing of multiple materials. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] Figure 1 It is a structural schematic diagram of the present invention; Figure 2 A top view of the structure of the present invention; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure inside the ink tank of the second structural solution of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0014] like Figure 1 As shown, a printhead device capable of switching between multiple materials includes a nozzle 15, a valve body 13, a valve plug, an ink tank 5, an ink reservoir 9, and a drive device 16 connected to the valve plug. The valve body 13 is cylindrical with an inner wall defining a horizontal, elongated cavity. The valve plug is rotatably accommodated in the valve body 13 and interconnected by two hollow rotors 14 of equal size. Two ink reservoirs 9 are provided, one above each rotor 14. Each ink reservoir 9 is connected to the drainage holes of multiple ink tanks 5 via a connecting tube 3. The ink tanks 5 are provided with an opening and closing mechanism for controlling the opening and closing of the drainage holes. The ink reservoirs 9 are used to draw ink from the ink tanks 5 with unblocked drainage holes and to squeeze ink into the valve body 13 when all drainage holes are blocked. The drainage holes are located at the bottom of the ink tanks 5.

[0015] Furthermore, the upper semi-cylindrical surface of the inner wall of the valve body 13 corresponding to each rotor 14 includes a first hole 101 connected to the corresponding ink tank 9, and the lower semi-cylindrical surface of the inner wall of the valve body 13 is centrally provided with a second hole 102 connected to the nozzle 15. The upper semi-cylindrical surface and the lower semi-cylindrical surface of each rotor 14 are respectively provided with a third hole 401 and a fourth hole 402, and are respectively close to the two ends of each rotor 14. The two third holes 401 and the fourth holes 402 on the valve plug are respectively arranged close to the adjacent rotor 14 and away from the adjacent rotor 14, that is, the third hole 401 on the first rotor 14 is arranged away from the adjacent second rotor 14, the fourth hole 402 on the first rotor 14 is arranged close to the adjacent second rotor 14, the third hole 401 on the second rotor 14 is arranged close to the adjacent first rotor 14, and the fourth hole 402 on the second rotor 14 is arranged away from the adjacent second rotor 14, as shown in FIG. Figure 1 As shown, the first rotor 14 is the left rotor and the second rotor 14 is the right rotor.

[0016] like Figure 1 The left side of the valve plug is connected to the driving device 16, which controls the rotation of the rotor 4 inside the valve plug. The driving device 16 is fixed to the motor support frame. When it is rotated into place, only one third hole 401 on the valve plug is aligned with the first hole 101, and only one fourth hole 402 is located inside the second hole 102.

[0017] like Figure 2 As shown, the nozzle device capable of realizing multi-material switching also includes a fixed seat 1, a fixed frame 6, a connecting pipe protection plate 2, a fixed plate 12, and a clamp 7, wherein two ink cylinders 9 are centrally fixed on the fixed seat 1, a fixed frame 6 is erected on one side of the fixed seat 1, the upper end of the fixed frame 6 is connected to the horizontally arranged fixed plate 12, and a plurality of clamps 7 are suspended on the lower side of the fixed plate 12, and the plurality of clamps 7 are arranged around the two ink cylinders 9, and each clamp 7 clamps an ink storage tank 5. A connecting pipe protection plate 2 is also provided on the fixed seat 1, and the connecting pipe protection plate 2 is arranged around the outside of the two ink cylinders 9, so that each connecting pipe 3 outside the ink cylinder 9 is wrapped in the connecting pipe protection plate 2.

[0018] like Figure 1 As shown, a drainage hole is provided at the bottom of each ink storage tank 5, and the opening and closing mechanism includes a liftable plunger valve 4, the lower side of the plunger valve 4 is aligned with the drainage hole, the upper side of the plunger valve 4 is connected to the valve stem passing through the top of the ink storage tank 5, and the top of the valve stem is connected to the driving mechanism for controlling the lifting and lowering of the plunger valve 4, and the plunger valve 4 can block the drainage hole.

[0019] As an embodiment, the upper end of the ink tank 9 is connected to the air pump 10 for sucking in and squeezing out ink.

[0020] As another embodiment, Figure 3As shown, the ink tank 9 is provided with a piston rod 17, a lead screw pair 110, and a lead screw 112. The upper end of the lead screw 112 is connected to the output end 114 of the stepper motor 113 via a coupling 115. The lead screw pair 110 is sleeved on the lower end of the lead screw 112. The lead screw pair 110 and the piston rod 17 are connected by an elastic connection assembly. The stepper motor 113 is used to drive the lead screw 112 to rotate. The lead screw pair 110 and the lead screw 112 are connected by a lead screw nut, allowing the piston rod 17 to rise and fall along the lead screw 112 within the ink tank 9 along the lead screw pair 110. The piston rod 17 is covered with a rubber ring and is slidably connected to the inner wall of the ink tank 9. The elastic connection assembly includes a guide post 18 and a spring 19. The guide post 18 can be extended and shortened, and its ends are respectively connected to the lead screw pair 110 and the piston rod 17. The guide post 18 is covered with a spring 19. The free length of the spring 19 is greater than the length of the guide post 18. Four guide posts 18 are arranged around the center of the lead screw pair 110.

[0021] A proximity switch 120 is provided on the upper portion of the ink tank 9 for detecting the state where the lead screw pair 110 moves to the upper limit position in the ink tank 9 .

[0022] The second hole 102 on the lower semi-cylindrical surface of the inner wall of the valve body 13 is connected to the connecting pipe, the bottom of which is connected to the nozzle 15. The nozzle 15 is provided with a protective shell to protect the nozzle 15. The protective shell and the connecting pipe are threadedly connected. The diameter of the nozzle 15 is preferably 33 microns.

[0023] The nozzle device capable of realizing multi-material switching further includes a computer, which includes a processor and a memory. The memory stores instructions. When in use, the instructions can be executed by the processor to implement the following steps: Control the opening and closing mechanisms of all ink storage tanks 5 so that only the drainage holes in two ink storage tanks 5 are not blocked by the plunger valves 4, and the drainage holes in the remaining ink storage tanks 5 are all blocked by the plunger valves 4; The ink cylinder 9 draws ink from the ink storage tank 5 with an unblocked drainage hole, including drawing ink through an air pump 10 in one embodiment, or through a stepper motor 113 used to drive the screw 112 to rotate in another embodiment, so that the piston rod 17 rises along the screw pair 110 along the screw 112 in the ink cylinder 9 to draw ink. When the proximity switch 120 detects that the screw pair 110 moves to the upper limit position in the ink cylinder 9, the stepper motor 113 stops rotating.

[0024] Control the opening and closing mechanisms in all ink storage tanks 5 so that all drainage holes are blocked by the plunger valves 4; The drive device 16 rotates the valve plug, causing it to rotate into position, with the third hole 401 of the first rotor 14 aligned with the first hole 101, and the fourth hole 402 located within the inner periphery of the second hole 102. At this point, the third hole 401 of the second rotor 14 is offset from the first hole 101, and the fourth hole 402 is offset from the second hole 102. The ink reservoir 9 corresponding to the first rotor 14 squeezes ink toward the first rotor 14, causing the ink to be squeezed out of the nozzle 15. In one embodiment, this can be accomplished by injecting air into the ink reservoir 9 via an air pump 10 to squeeze the ink out of the first hole 101. In another embodiment, a stepper motor 113 is used to rotate the lead screw 112, causing the piston rod 17 to descend along the lead screw 112 within the ink reservoir 9 along with the lead screw assembly 110 to squeeze the ink. When the piston rod 17 reaches the lower end of the ink reservoir 9, the guide post 18 between the piston rod 17 and the lead screw assembly 110 shortens, compressing the spring 19.

[0025] The valve plug is then rotated 180°. The third hole 401 of the second rotor 14 is aligned with the first hole 101, and the fourth hole 402 is located inside the second hole 102. At this time, the third hole 401 of the first rotor 14 is staggered from the first hole 101, and the fourth hole 402 is staggered from the second hole 102. The ink cylinder 9 corresponding to the second rotor 14 squeezes ink toward the second rotor 14, so that the ink is squeezed out of the nozzle 15.

[0026] By executing the above steps through instructions, different types of ink are sucked into different ink tanks 9, and the extrusion nozzles 15 are switched from the first rotor and the second rotor in order.

[0027] Repeat the above instructions to execute the above steps. Each time the steps are executed, two ink storage tanks 5 containing different inks are selected as needed, so that the drainage holes in these two ink storage tanks 5 are not blocked by the plunger valve 4, and the drainage holes in the remaining ink storage tanks 5 are all blocked by the plunger valve 4. Through the above steps, the device can switch different ink extrusion nozzles 15. Although the above describes the specific embodiments of the present disclosure in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, it does not limit the scope of protection of the present disclosure. Those skilled in the art should understand that based on the technical solution of the present disclosure, various modifications or variations that can be made by those skilled in the art without creative work are still within the scope of protection of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A nozzle device capable of switching multiple materials, characterized in that: The invention comprises a nozzle (15), a valve body (13), a valve plug, an ink tank (9) and a driving device (16) connected to the valve plug, wherein the valve body (13) is a cylindrical inner wall having a horizontal elongated cavity; the valve plug is rotatably accommodated in the valve body (13), and the valve plug is connected to each other by two hollow rotors (14) of equal size; two ink tanks (9) are provided and are respectively located above the two rotors (14); the inner wall of the valve body (13) includes a first hole (101) connected to the corresponding ink tank (9) corresponding to the upper semi-cylindrical surface of each rotor (14); the valve body (13) is provided with a plurality of holes (101) connected to the corresponding ink tank (9); the upper semi-cylindrical surface of the inner wall of the valve body (13) corresponds to the upper semi-cylindrical surface of each rotor (14 ... ) is centrally provided with a second hole (102) connected to the nozzle (15) on the lower semi-cylindrical surface of the inner wall, and a third hole (401) and a fourth hole (402) are respectively provided on the upper semi-cylindrical surface and the lower semi-cylindrical surface of each rotor (14), and are respectively close to the two ends of each rotor (14). The two third holes and the fourth hole on the valve plug are respectively arranged close to the adjacent rotor (14) and away from the adjacent rotor (14). When the valve plug is rotated into place, only one third hole (401) on the valve plug is aligned with the first hole (101), and only one fourth hole (402) is located on the inner periphery of the second hole (102).

2. A nozzle device capable of realizing multi-material switching according to claim 1, characterized in that: The apparatus further comprises an ink storage tank (5), each ink cylinder (9) being connected to the drainage holes of the plurality of ink storage tanks (5) via a connecting pipe (3), an opening and closing mechanism being provided in the ink storage tank (5) for controlling the opening and closing of the drainage holes, the ink cylinder (9) being used to absorb ink from the ink storage tank (5) whose drainage holes are not blocked, and to squeeze ink toward the valve body (13) when all drainage holes are blocked.

3. A nozzle device capable of realizing multi-material switching according to claim 2, characterized in that: The bottom of the ink storage tank (5) is provided with the drainage hole, and the opening and closing mechanism includes a plunger valve (4) that can be raised and lowered, the lower side of the plunger valve (4) is aligned with the drainage hole, the upper side of the plunger valve (4) is connected to a valve stem that passes through the top of the ink storage tank (5), and the top of the valve stem is connected to a driving mechanism for controlling the raising and lowering of the plunger valve (4), and the plunger valve (4) can block the drainage hole.

4. The nozzle device capable of realizing multi-material switching according to claim 1, characterized in that: The upper end of the ink tank (9) is connected to the air pump (10).

5. The nozzle device capable of realizing multi-material switching according to claim 1, characterized in that: The ink cylinder (9) is provided with a piston rod (17), a lead screw pair (110), and a lead screw (112). The upper end of the lead screw (112) is connected to the output end (114) of the stepper motor (113) through a coupling (115). The lower end of the lead screw (112) is sleeved with the lead screw pair (110). The lead screw pair (110) and the piston rod (17) are connected through an elastic connection component. The stepper motor (113) is used to drive the lead screw (112) to rotate, so that the piston rod (17) moves up and down along the lead screw (112) in the ink cylinder (9) along with the lead screw pair (110). The piston rod (17) is provided with a rubber ring on its outer sleeve and is slidably connected to the inner wall of the ink cylinder (9).

6. The nozzle device capable of realizing multi-material switching according to claim 5, characterized in that: The elastic connection assembly includes a guide column (18) and a spring (19). The guide column (18) can be extended and shortened, and its two ends are respectively connected to the screw pair (110) and the piston rod (17). The guide column (18) is provided with a spring (19) on its outer sleeve, and the free length of the spring (19) is greater than the length of the guide column (18).

7. The nozzle device capable of realizing multi-material switching according to claim 5, characterized in that: A proximity switch (120) is provided on the upper portion of the ink tank (9) for detecting the state in which the lead screw pair (110) moves to the upper limit position in the ink tank (9).

8. The nozzle device capable of realizing multi-material switching according to claim 2, characterized in that: The ink tank (9) is fixed on the fixing seat (1), a fixing frame (6), a connecting pipe protection plate (2), a fixing plate (12), and a clamp (7), wherein the ink tank (9) is fixed on the fixing seat (1), a fixing frame (6) is erected on one side of the fixing seat (1), the fixing frame (6) is connected to the fixing plate (12), and a plurality of clamps (7) are suspended on the lower side of the fixing plate (12), the plurality of clamps (7) are arranged around the ink tank (9), and each clamp (7) clamps an ink storage tank (5), and a connecting pipe protection plate (2) is further provided on the fixing seat (1), and the connecting pipe protection plate (2) is arranged around the outside of the ink tank (9) to wrap each connecting pipe (3) outside the ink tank (9) in the connecting pipe protection plate (2).

9. The nozzle device capable of realizing multi-material switching according to claim 2, characterized in that: The invention also includes a computer having a processor and a memory, wherein the memory stores instructions, and the instructions can be executed by the processor to implement the following steps: Controlling the opening and closing mechanisms in all ink storage tanks (5) so that only the drainage holes in two ink storage tanks (5) are not blocked, and the drainage holes in the remaining ink storage tanks (5) are all blocked; The ink reservoir (9) draws ink from the ink storage tank (5) whose drainage hole is not blocked; Manipulating the opening and closing mechanisms in all ink storage tanks (5) so that all drainage holes are blocked; The driving device (16) drives the valve plug to rotate, so that the valve plug rotates to a position, wherein the third hole (401) of the first rotor (14) is aligned with the first hole (101), and the fourth hole (402) is located on the inner periphery of the second hole (102), and the ink cylinder (9) corresponding to the first rotor (14) squeezes ink toward the first rotor (14), so that the ink is squeezed out from the nozzle (15); The valve plug is rotated 180 degrees, the third hole (401) of the second rotor (14) is aligned with the first hole (101), and the fourth hole (402) is located inside the second hole (102). The ink cylinder (9) corresponding to the second rotor (14) squeezes ink toward the second rotor (14), so that the ink is squeezed out from the nozzle (15).

Images