3D printer, feeding and discharging device and feeding and discharging method

Abstract

The invention relates to a 3D printer, a feeding and discharging device and a feeding and discharging method. The feeding and returning device comprises a supporting shell; the driving mechanism comprises a driving part and a power transmission assembly; the feeding and retreating mechanism comprises an extrusion structure and a feeding structure, the extrusion structure is movably arranged on the supporting shell, and the extrusion structure is configured to push or draw back printing supplies; the feeding structure is connected with the supporting shell and drives the material disc wound with the printing supplies to rotate. And the adjusting mechanism is arranged in the supporting shell and is in transmission connection with the extrusion structure and the feeding structure, the power transmission assembly drives the extrusion structure to rotate, and meanwhile the feeding structure can be driven by the adjusting mechanism to rotate synchronously, so that the feeding structure drives the material disc to release or wind the printing consumables. In this way, the number of power sources can be reduced, a complex switching mode does not need to be arranged, and abrasion of the feeding and discharging device is reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of 3D printing technology, and in particular to a 3D printer, a feeding and unloading device, and a feeding and unloading method. Background Technology

[0002] In recent years, 3D printing has developed rapidly, and market demand has become increasingly diversified, with multi-material rapid printing becoming a future trend. Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) 3D printers typically use plastic as the printing material. The printer's nozzle is used to melt and extrude the molten material. Specifically, the printing material enters the nozzle under external force, is heated and melted inside the nozzle, and is extruded from the nozzle exit, layer by layer, to print the 3D model.

[0003] Currently, multi-color 3D printing is achieved using multi-material filaments. Multi-color 3D printing technology refers to the ability to print richly colored 3D models using multiple colors of filaments in a single printing process. This technology relies on the multi-material supply system of the 3D printer, allowing different parts of the same 3D model to be printed using different colors of filaments, thus achieving realistic and high-quality effects.

[0004] Currently, the feeding and unloading mechanisms of multi-material supply systems either use two motors to drive the feeding and unloading of printing filaments on the filament tray separately, which increases the cost of 3D printers; or they use the forward and reverse rotation of the motor to switch positions and change whether the filament is being fed or unloaded. However, this position switching is achieved by changing the meshing position of the gears, which can lead to severe wear or even damage to the gears after long-term use, affecting the stability of the feeding and unloading of printing filaments. Summary of the Invention

[0005] Therefore, it is necessary to address the high cost and severe wear and tear issues associated with current 3D printers driven by dual or single motors by providing a 3D printer, feeding / unloading device, and feeding / unloading method that can reduce power loss, reduce wear and tear on the feeding / unloading device, and ensure the stability of filament feeding and unloading.

[0006] A feeding / unloading device, comprising:

[0007] Support shell;

[0008] A drive mechanism includes a drive component and a power transmission assembly, wherein the drive component is disposed on the support housing, and the power transmission assembly is rotatably disposed on the support housing;

[0009] The feeding and unfeeding mechanism includes an extrusion structure and a feeding structure. The extrusion structure is movably disposed on the support housing and is configured to push or retract printing filament. The feeding structure is connected to the support housing and drives a filament tray wound with the printing filament to rotate.

[0010] An adjustment mechanism is disposed in the support housing and is connected to the extrusion structure and the feeding structure. While the power transmission component drives the extrusion structure to rotate, it can also drive the feeding structure to rotate synchronously through the adjustment mechanism, so that the feeding structure drives the tray to release or wind the printing consumables.

[0011] In one embodiment of this application, the adjustment mechanism includes an adjustment drive assembly, an adjustment transmission assembly, and an output wheel. The adjustment transmission assembly is rotatably disposed in the support housing and is drive-connected to the power transmission assembly. The output wheel is drive-connected to the feeding structure. The adjustment drive assembly drives the adjustment transmission assembly to move in order to change the rotation speed of the feeding structure driven by the output wheel.

[0012] In one embodiment of this application, the adjusting transmission assembly includes a first roller, a second roller, and a timing belt. The first roller and the second roller are rotatably disposed in the support housing and are arranged in parallel. The timing belt is sleeved on the first roller and the second roller.

[0013] In one embodiment of this application, the large-diameter end of the first roller is correspondingly disposed to the small-diameter end of the second roller, the small-diameter end of the first roller is correspondingly disposed to the large-diameter end of the second roller, and the diameter of the small-diameter end of the first roller is greater than or equal to the diameter of the large-diameter end of the second roller.

[0014] And / or, the output wheel is disposed at the small diameter end of the second roller.

[0015] In one embodiment of this application, the adjustment mechanism further includes a second detection element, which is disposed on the support housing and corresponding to the output wheel. The second detection element is used to detect the second rotation speed of the output wheel.

[0016] And / or, the adjustment drive assembly includes an adjustment drive component, an adjustment transmission component, and an adapter component. The adjustment drive component is disposed on the support housing. The adjustment transmission component is movably disposed on the support housing and outputs axial movement along the first roller. The adapter component is disposed at the output end of the adjustment transmission component and drives the synchronous belt. The adjustment transmission component is a ball screw structure, a gear and rack structure, or a belt drive structure.

[0017] In one embodiment of this application, the extrusion structure includes a feeding tube with a conveying channel and a first conveying assembly. The first conveying assembly is rotatably disposed on the support housing and is capable of contacting the printing consumable in the feeding tube. The power transmission assembly is drively connected to the first conveying assembly to drive the first conveying assembly to push or pull back the printing consumable along the conveying channel.

[0018] In one embodiment of this application, the first conveying assembly includes an extrusion drive wheel and an extrusion driven wheel. The feeding pipe has a first clearance groove and a second clearance groove communicating with the conveying channel. The extrusion drive wheel is rotatably disposed on the support housing and is at least partially located in the first clearance groove. It is also connected to the power transmission assembly in a transmission connection.

[0019] The extrusion driven wheel is rotatably disposed on the feeding pipe and is at least partially located in the second clearance groove. The outer wall of the extrusion driving wheel and the outer wall of the extrusion driven wheel form a feeding channel. The feeding channel is coaxially disposed and connected to the conveying channel.

[0020] In one embodiment of this application, the first conveying assembly further includes an elastic element, which is disposed radially in the support housing along the extrusion drive wheel and abuts against the support housing and the feeding tube. The elastic force of the elastic element can push the feeding tube toward the extrusion drive wheel, so that the extrusion drive wheel and the extrusion driven wheel clamp the printing consumable. Furthermore, the support housing has a first mounting portion, the feeding tube has a second mounting portion, and the two ends of the elastic element are respectively mounted on the first mounting portion and the second mounting portion.

[0021] And / or, the extrusion structure further includes a detection component; the detection component includes a positioning detection element, which is disposed at the inlet end of the feed tube and is used to detect whether the printing consumable is present at the inlet end of the feed tube; and / or, the detection component further includes a first detection element and a grating wheel, the first detection element is disposed at the feed tube, the grating wheel is coaxially disposed with the extrusion driven wheel and rotates synchronously with the extrusion driven wheel to detect a first rotational speed of the extrusion driven wheel, and the first detection element can determine the feeding and unfeeding speed and feeding and unfeeding length of the first conveying component based on the first rotational speed.

[0022] In one embodiment of this application, the feeding structure includes a carrier plate and a second conveying component. The carrier plate is connected to the support housing and houses the tray on which the printing consumables are wound. The second conveying component is rotatably disposed on the carrier plate and drives the tray to rotate.

[0023] The second conveying assembly includes a first drive shaft, a second drive shaft, and a feeding wheel. The first drive shaft and the second drive shaft are rotatably mounted on the bearing plate and rotatably support the material plate.

[0024] The feeding wheel is disposed on the first drive shaft and is connected to the output end of the adjustment mechanism. The adjustment mechanism can drive the feeding wheel to rotate the first drive shaft, so that the first drive shaft drives the material tray to rotate and drives the second drive shaft to rotate, so that the material tray releases or winds the printing consumables.

[0025] A feeding / unloading method, applied to a feeding / unloading device as described in any of the above technical features; the feeding / unloading method includes at least the following steps:

[0026] S1, Obtain the feeding signal, drive the power transmission assembly to drive the extrusion drive wheel to rotate around the first direction, the extrusion drive wheel drives the printing consumable to drive the extrusion driven wheel to rotate, so as to push the printing consumable;

[0027] S2, while the power transmission component moves, the power transmission component drives the adjustment transmission component to rotate the output wheel, so that the output wheel drives the second conveying component to release the printing consumables from the material tray;

[0028] S3, when the material ejection signal is obtained, the driving component drives the power transmission assembly to drive the extrusion drive wheel to rotate around the second direction, and the extrusion drive wheel drives the printing consumable to drive the extrusion driven wheel to rotate, so as to retract the printing consumable;

[0029] S4, while the power transmission component moves, the power transmission component drives the adjustment transmission component to rotate the output wheel, so that the output wheel drives the second conveying component to wind the printing consumable.

[0030] In one embodiment of this application, the feeding and unloading method further includes at least one of the following features:

[0031] The first item, the feeding and unloading method, further includes the following steps:

[0032] S5, obtain the first rotational speed of the extrusion driven wheel during feeding, and calculate the first feeding speed and first feeding length of the extrusion driving wheel pushing the printing consumable based on the first rotational speed;

[0033] S6, obtain the second rotation speed of the output wheel, calculate the third rotation speed of the material tray and the second feeding speed of the material tray based on the second rotation speed, and calculate the remaining material of the printing consumables in the material tray based on the third rotation speed and the second feeding speed;

[0034] Secondly, the feeding and unloading method further includes the following steps:

[0035] S7, Obtain the target rotation speed of the output wheel driven by the feeding wheel of the material tray during feeding;

[0036] S8, the adjusting drive assembly drives the synchronous belt in the adjusting transmission assembly to move axially along the first roller in the adjusting transmission assembly, so that the second rotational speed of the output wheel gradually reaches or exceeds the target rotational speed;

[0037] Thirdly, the feeding and unloading method further includes the following steps:

[0038] S9, obtain the first rotational speed of the extrusion driven wheel when the material is ejected, and calculate the first ejection speed of the extrusion driving wheel pushing the printing consumable based on the first rotational speed;

[0039] S10, calculate the third rotation speed and the second unloading speed of the material tray based on the last displayed remaining material in the tray;

[0040] S11, the adjusting drive assembly drives the synchronous belt in the adjusting transmission assembly to move axially along the first roller in the adjusting transmission assembly, so that the second unloading speed is greater than the first unloading speed.

[0041] A 3D printer includes a melting nozzle and a feeding / unloading device as described in any of the above technical features. The melting nozzle is disposed below the feeding / unloading device, which is used to carry a spool of printing filament wound around it. The feeding / unloading device can push the printing filament into the melting nozzle and can also retract the printing filament.

[0042] The number of feeding and unloading devices is at least one, and the number of melting nozzles is the same as the number of feeding and unloading devices, and they are arranged below the corresponding feeding and unloading devices.

[0043] By adopting the above technical solution, this application has at least the following technical effects:

[0044] The 3D printer, feeding / unloading device, and feeding / unloading method disclosed in this application include a feeding / unloading device in which a driving component is connected to a power transmission assembly. The power transmission assembly drives a first conveying assembly and is also connected to a second conveying assembly via an adjustment mechanism. A support tray is driven to rotate by the second conveying assembly. During feeding / unloading, the driving component drives the power transmission assembly to rotate, which in turn drives the first conveying assembly to push or pull the printing filament in the feed tube along the conveying channel. Simultaneously, the power transmission assembly drives the first conveying assembly to move, and also drives the second conveying assembly to rotate via the adjustment mechanism. This causes the second conveying assembly to drive the tray to rotate, releasing or winding the printing filament onto the tray.

[0045] This feeding and unloading device employs a single drive component to synchronously move the first and second conveying components. This allows the first conveying component to push the printing filament while the second conveying component drives the tray to release the filament, or vice versa. This single power source enables both feeding and unloading of the printing filament, reducing power consumption. Furthermore, switching between feeding and unloading requires no complex switching mechanisms, achieving synchronous feeding and unloading of the first and second conveying components, minimizing wear on the feeding and unloading device, and ensuring the stability of printing filament feeding and unloading. Attached Figure Description

[0046] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the material tray of the feeding and unloading device according to an embodiment of this application.

[0047] Figure 2 for Figure 1 The top view of the material receiving / receiving device carrying the material tray is shown.

[0048] Figure 3 for Figure 2 The shown is a cross-sectional view of the material receiving and unloading device along the AA direction.

[0049] Figure 4 for Figure 1 The diagram shown is a schematic representation of the feeding and unloading device from one perspective.

[0050] Figure 5 for Figure 4 The schematic diagram of the feeding and unloading device is shown from another perspective.

[0051] Figure 6 for Figure 5 The diagram shows an exploded view of the feeding and unloading device.

[0052] Figure 7 for Figure 6 The diagram shown is a schematic of the feeding and unloading device from one perspective after the feeding structure has been removed.

[0053] Figure 8 for Figure 7 The schematic diagram of the feeding and unloading device is shown from another perspective.

[0054] Figure 9 for Figure 7 The top view of the feeding and unloading device shown.

[0055] Figure 10 for Figure 7 The schematic diagram of the feeding and unloading device is shown from another perspective.

[0056] Figure 11 for Figure 7 The front view of the feeding and unloading device is shown.

[0057] Figure 12 for Figure 11 The side view of the feeding and unloading device shown.

[0058] Figure 13 for Figure 12 The feed / unfeed device shown is a cross-sectional view along the BB direction.

[0059] Figure 14 for Figure 7 The diagram shown is a schematic of the feeding and unloading device without the supporting housing, viewed from one perspective.

[0060] Figure 15 for Figure 14 The schematic diagram of the feeding and unloading device is shown from another perspective.

[0061] Figure 16 for Figure 12 The feed / unfeed device shown is a cross-sectional view along the CC direction.

[0062] Figure 17 for Figure 3 The diagram shows the feeding structure in the feeding and unloading device.

[0063] Figure 18 for Figure 12 The feed / unfeed device shown is a cross-sectional view along the DD direction.

[0064] Figure 19 for Figure 1 The flowchart for the feeding and unloading device is shown.

[0065] Figure 20 for Figure 19 The flowchart shows the feeding and unloading method of the feeding and unloading device.

[0066] Wherein: 10, feeding / unloading device; 100, supporting housing; 110, first mounting part; 200, drive mechanism; 210, drive component; 220, power transmission assembly; 221, transmission worm; 222, transmission worm wheel; 300, extrusion structure; 310, feeding pipe; 311, conveying channel; 312, first clearance groove; 313, second clearance groove; 314, second mounting part; 320, first conveying assembly; 321, extrusion drive wheel; 3211, conveying groove; 322, extrusion driven wheel; 323, elastic element; 330, detection assembly; 331, arrival detection element; 332, first detection element; 333, grating wheel; 340, first connector; 350, first feed pipe; 360, second connector; 370, second feed pipe; 400. Feeding structure; 410. Carrying plate; 411. Protrusion; 420. Second conveying assembly; 421. First drive shaft; 422. Second drive shaft; 423. Feeding wheel; 500. Adjusting mechanism; 510. Adjusting assembly; 511. Adjusting drive component; 512. Adjusting transmission component; 513. Adapter; 514. Guide rod; 520. Adjusting transmission assembly; 521. First roller; 522. Second roller; 523. Synchronous belt; 530. Output wheel; 540. Second detection component; 70. Material tray; 701. Printing consumable; w1. First rotation speed; w2. Second rotation speed; w3. Third rotation speed; v1. First feeding speed; v2. Second feeding speed; v3. First unloading speed; v4. Second unloading speed. Detailed Implementation

[0067] To make the above-mentioned objectives, features, and advantages of this application more apparent and understandable, the specific embodiments of this application are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Many specific details are set forth in the following description to provide a thorough understanding of this application. However, this application can be implemented in many other ways different from those described herein, and those skilled in the art can make similar modifications without departing from the spirit of this application. Therefore, this application is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed below.

[0068] In the description of this application, it should be understood that if terms such as "center", "longitudinal", "lateral", "length", "width", "thickness", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", "clockwise", "counterclockwise", "axial", "radial", "circumferential" appear, these terms indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing this application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this application.

[0069] Furthermore, where the terms "first" and "second" appear, these terms are for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Thus, a feature defined with "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of that feature. In the description of this application, where the term "multiple" appears, "multiple" means at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0070] In this application, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," "joining," and "fixing," etc., should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components, unless otherwise expressly limited. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this application based on the specific circumstances.

[0071] In this application, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the use of descriptions such as "above" or "below" the second feature indicates that the first and second features are in direct contact, or indirect contact via an intermediate medium. Furthermore, "above," "on top of," and "over" the second feature can mean that the first feature is directly above or diagonally above the second feature, or simply that the first feature is at a higher horizontal level than the second feature. Similarly, "below," "below," and "under" the second feature can mean that the first feature is directly below or diagonally below the second feature, or simply that the first feature is at a lower horizontal level than the second feature.

[0072] It should be noted that if an element is referred to as being "fixed to" or "set on" another element, it can be directly on the other element or there may be an intervening element. If an element is considered to be "connected to" another element, it can be directly connected to the other element or there may be an intervening element. If so, the terms "vertical," "horizontal," "upper," "lower," "left," "right," and similar expressions used in this application are for illustrative purposes only and do not represent the only possible implementation.

[0073] It's understandable that multi-color 3D printing is achieved by using multi-material filaments. Multi-color 3D printing technology refers to the ability to print richly colored 3D models using multiple colors of filaments in a single printing process. This technology relies on the multi-material supply system of the 3D printer, allowing different parts of the same 3D model to be printed using different colors of filaments, thus achieving a realistic and high-quality effect.

[0074] Currently, the feeding and unloading mechanisms of multi-material supply systems either use two motors to drive the feeding and unloading of printing filaments on the material tray separately, which increases the cost of 3D printers; or they use the forward and reverse rotation of the motor to switch positions and change whether the filaments are being fed or unloaded. However, this position switching is achieved by changing the meshing position of the gears, which can lead to severe wear or even damage to the gears over a long period of time, affecting the stability of the feeding and unloading of printing filaments.

[0075] For this purpose, please refer to Figures 1 to 6 This application provides a novel material feeding and unloading device 10. Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the material receiving / receiving device 10 carrying the material tray 70 according to an embodiment of this application. Figure 2 for Figure 1 The top view of the material feeding / unloading device 10 carrying the material tray 70 is shown. Figure 3 for Figure 2 The cross-sectional view of the material feeding / unloading device 10 carrying the material tray 70 along the AA direction is shown. Figure 4 for Figure 1 The schematic diagram shown is of the feeding / unloading device 10 from one perspective. Figure 5 for Figure 4 The schematic diagram of the feeding / unloading device 10 shown is from another perspective. Figure 6 for Figure 5 An exploded view of the feeding / unloading device 10 shown.

[0076] The feeding / retracting device 10 is used in a 3D printer (not shown). The feeding / retracting device 10 can push and pull back the printing filament 701. A material tray 70 is rotatably mounted in the feeding / retracting device 10, and the printing filament 701 is wound and stored on the material tray 70, i.e., the printing filament 701 is wound and stored. Of course, in other embodiments of this application, the feeding / retracting device 10 can also be applied to other filament feeding mechanisms, such as those in the spinning industry or automatic winding machines. This application only describes the application of the feeding / retracting device 10 in a 3D printer as an example.

[0077] When the feeding / unfeeding device 10 pushes the printing consumable 701, the feeding / unfeeding device 10 can move along... Figure 1 and Figure 3 The printing consumable 701 is pushed vertically, meaning the feeding / unfeeding device 10 can push the printing consumable 701 from top to bottom. Simultaneously, the feeding / unfeeding device 10 can drive the tray 70... Figure 1 and Figure 3 The feed mechanism rotates clockwise in the indicated direction to release the printing consumable 701 from the feed tray 70, thus performing the feeding operation. When the feed / retractor 10 retracts the printing consumable 701, it can move along... Figure 1 and Figure 3The printing consumable 701 is retracted from bottom to top in the direction shown, while the feeding / unfeeding device 10 drives the tray 70 to... Figure 1 and Figure 3 Rotate counterclockwise in the direction shown to allow the material tray 70 to wrap around the printing consumable 701 to achieve the material unloading operation.

[0078] Understandably, when the feeding / unloading device 10 feeds (i.e., pushes the printing consumable 701), it pushes the printing consumable 701 from top to bottom while simultaneously driving the tray 70 to release the printing consumable 701. When the feeding / unloading device 10 unloads (i.e., retracts the printing consumable 701), it retracts the printing consumable 701 from bottom to top while simultaneously driving the tray 70 to wind the printing consumable 701. In describing the structure of the feeding / unloading device 10, this application uses the direction of movement of the printing consumable 701 as the reference. Figure 1 , Figure 3 and Figure 6 Using the vertical direction as a reference, the overall structure of the feeding / unloading device 10 and the layout of its components are described. Furthermore, when describing the structure of each component, it is defined by the circumferential and radial directions of each component.

[0079] To better illustrate the structure of the feeding / unloading device 10, the structure of the 3D printer is briefly described below. The 3D printer includes at least a melting nozzle (not shown) and the feeding / unloading device 10 of this application. The melting nozzle is located below the feeding / unloading device 10. The feeding / unloading device 10 can push the printing filament 701 into the melting nozzle. The melting nozzle can transfer heat to the printing filament 701, causing it to melt into a molten filament. The melting nozzle then extrudes the molten filament for 3D printing.

[0080] When a 3D printer performs multi-material or multi-color printing, the previous printing filament 701 needs to be withdrawn and the next printing filament 701 needs to be pushed. Generally, there are at least two feed / retract device 10s, each pushing a printing filament 701 of one color and / or material. At this time, the previous feed / retract device 10 withdraws the corresponding previous printing filament 701, and then the next feed / retract device 10 pushes the corresponding next printing filament 701.

[0081] At least two feeding and unfeeding devices 10 are used to push printing consumables 701 of multiple materials or colors. In this way, after the feeding and unfeeding devices 10 deliver the corresponding printing consumables 701 to the melting nozzle, the melting nozzle can extrude the molten filament of the corresponding color or material and print and stack it layer by layer. In this way, at least two feeding and unfeeding devices 10 are continuously controlled to push printing consumables 701 to build a 3D model of multiple materials or colors.

[0082] Optionally, one feeding / unfeeding device 10 can be used to correspond to one melting nozzle, and the corresponding printing consumable 701 is extruded through the corresponding melting nozzle. In this way, when the melting nozzle extrudes the filament melt corresponding to the next printing consumable 701, it will not be contaminated with the filament melt of the previous printing consumable 701, which can avoid color mixing between different printing consumables 701 and ensure printing quality.

[0083] Of course, multiple feed / retractor devices 10 can correspond to one melting nozzle, with each feed / retractor device 10 conveying a type of printing consumable 701. After the previous feed / retractor device 10 has conveyed the corresponding printing consumable 701, the feed / retractor device 10 retracts the printing consumable 701 from the melting nozzle. Subsequently, the next feed / retractor device 10 conveys the corresponding printing consumable 701 to the melting nozzle.

[0084] Optionally, the printing consumable 701 is made of materials such as PLA (polylactic acid), ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene copolymer), PETG (polyethylene terephthalate-1,4-cyclohexanediethanol ester), PET (polyethylene terephthalate), TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane), PA (polyamide), ASA (acrylonitrile styrene-acrylonitrile copolymer), and PC (polycarbonate).

[0085] It is worth noting that the focus of this application is on the structure and working principle of the feeding and unloading device 10. The structure and working principle of the melting nozzle and other components of the 3D printer are not the focus of this application and will not be described later. Only the feeding and unloading device 10 will be described.

[0086] The feeding and unloading device 10 of this application uses a single power source to feed and unload the printing consumable 701, reducing power consumption. Furthermore, when switching between feeding and unloading, no complex switching method is required; synchronous feeding and unloading of the first conveying component 320 and the second conveying component 420 can be achieved, reducing wear on the feeding and unloading device 10 and ensuring the stability of the feeding and unloading of the printing consumable 701.

[0087] See Figures 1 to 10In one embodiment, the feeding / unloading device 10 includes a support housing 100, a drive mechanism 200, a feeding / unloading mechanism, and an adjustment mechanism 500. The drive mechanism 200 includes a drive component 210 and a power transmission assembly 220. The drive component 210 is disposed on the support housing 100, and the power transmission assembly 220 is rotatably disposed on the support housing 100. The feeding / unloading mechanism includes an extrusion structure 300 and a feeding structure 400. The extrusion structure 300 is movably disposed on the support housing 100 and is configured to push or retract the printing consumable 701. The feeding structure 400 is connected to the support housing 100 and drives the tray 70 wound with the printing consumable 701 to rotate.

[0088] The adjustment mechanism 500 is located in the support housing 100 and is connected to the extrusion structure 300 and the feeding structure 400. While the power transmission component 220 drives the extrusion structure 300 to rotate, it can also drive the feeding structure 400 to rotate synchronously through the adjustment mechanism 500, so that the feeding structure 400 drives the material tray 70 to release or wind the printing consumable 701. Figure 7 for Figure 6 The schematic diagram of the feeding / unloading device 10 shown below, with the feeding structure 400 removed, is taken from one perspective. Figure 8 for Figure 7 The schematic diagram of the feeding / unloading device 10 shown is from another perspective. Figure 9 for Figure 7 The top view of the feeding / unloading device 10 shown. Figure 10 for Figure 7 A schematic diagram of the feeding / unloading device 10 shown from another perspective.

[0089] The support housing 100 serves as the housing for supporting and mounting the drive mechanism 200, the feeding / unloading mechanism, and the adjusting mechanism 500. In this way, the support housing 100 can integrate the various components of the drive mechanism 200, the extrusion structure 300, and the adjusting mechanism 500, achieving integrated installation of the feeding / unloading device 10. Furthermore, the extrusion structure 300 and the feeding structure 400 in the feeding / unloading mechanism are also integrated into the support housing 100.

[0090] The drive mechanism 200 is the power source for the entire feeding and unloading device 10. The drive mechanism 200 is located in the support housing 100 and can extend into the support housing 100 to output power for pushing and pulling back the printing consumable 701. The feeding and unloading mechanism is a structure for pushing and pulling back the printing consumable 701. It integrates an extrusion structure 300 and a feeding structure 400. The extrusion structure 300 is located in the support housing 100 and is used for pushing and pulling back the printing consumable 701. The feeding structure 400 is located outside the support housing 100 and is supported and connected to it. The feeding structure 400 is a component that drives the material tray 70 to rotate, so that the material tray 70 releases or winds the printing consumable 701. The adjusting mechanism 500 is a component that transmits motion. The adjusting mechanism 500 can drive the drive mechanism 200, the extrusion structure 300, and the feeding structure 400, so that the drive mechanism 200 can simultaneously drive the extrusion structure 300 and the feeding structure 400 to move.

[0091] Specifically, in the drive mechanism 200, the drive component 210 is the power source for the drive mechanism 200 and also the power source for the entire feeding and unloading device 10 to achieve feeding and unloading. The power output by the drive component 210 can push and retract the printing consumable 701. The drive component 210 is disposed on the outside of the support housing 100, and its output end extends into the support housing 100. The power transmission component 220 is the power transmission component in the drive mechanism 200. The power transmission component 220 is rotatably disposed in the support housing 100 and disposed at the output end of the drive component 210. Optionally, the drive component 210 is a motor, etc.

[0092] The extrusion structure 300 is a component that pushes and retracts the printing consumable 701. The extrusion structure 300 is rotatably mounted in the support housing 100 and can contact the printing consumable 701. Furthermore, the extrusion structure 300 can also be driven by the power transmission assembly 220. When pushing the printing consumable 701, the drive component 210 drives the power transmission assembly 220 to rotate the extrusion structure 300, causing the extrusion structure 300 to push the printing consumable 701 downwards, thus achieving the feeding operation. When retracting the printing consumable 701, the drive component 210 drives the power transmission assembly 220 to rotate the extrusion structure 300, causing the extrusion structure 300 to push the printing consumable 701 upwards, thus retracting the printing consumable 701 upwards, thus achieving the unloading operation.

[0093] The feeding structure 400 is a component that drives the material tray 70 to rotate. The adjusting mechanism 500 is disposed in the support housing 100. The input end of the adjusting mechanism 500 can be connected to the power transmission assembly 220, and the output end of the adjusting mechanism 500 can be connected to the feeding structure 400. The driving component 210 drives the power transmission assembly 220 to rotate the adjusting mechanism 500 in the support housing 100, thereby driving the feeding structure 400 to rotate. In this way, the feeding structure 400 can drive the material tray 70 to rotate relative to the carrier plate 410, causing the material tray 70 to release or wind the printing consumable 701. Furthermore, while the driving component 210 drives the power transmission assembly 220 to rotate the feeding structure 400 through the adjusting mechanism 500, the driving component 210 also drives the extrusion structure 300 to rotate through the power transmission assembly 220.

[0094] When the feeding / unloading device 10 pushes the printing consumable 701, the driving component 210 drives the power transmission assembly 220 to rotate the extrusion structure 300, causing the extrusion structure 300 to push the printing consumable 701 from top to bottom in the feeding tube 310, thus realizing the feeding operation. Simultaneously, the power transmission assembly 220 drives the adjusting mechanism 500 to rotate the feeding structure 400, causing the feeding structure 400 to drive the material tray 70 to release the printing consumable 701. In this way, the feeding / unloading device 10 simultaneously pushes the printing consumable 701 through the extrusion structure 300 and releases it through the feeding structure 400.

[0095] When the printing consumable 701 is retracted, the drive component 210 drives the power transmission assembly 220 to rotate the extrusion structure 300, causing the extrusion structure 300 to retract the printing consumable 701 from bottom to top within the feeding tube 310, thus achieving the unloading operation. Simultaneously, the power transmission assembly 220 drives the adjustment mechanism 500 to rotate the feeding structure 400, causing the feeding structure 400 to drive the material tray 70 to wind the printing consumable 701. In this way, the feeding and unloading device 10 simultaneously retracts the printing consumable 701 through the extrusion structure 300 and winds the printing consumable 701 through the feeding structure 400.

[0096] The feeding and unloading device 10 in the above embodiment uses a single power source to feed and unload the printing consumable 701, reducing power consumption. Furthermore, when switching between feeding and unloading, no complex switching method is required; synchronous feeding and unloading of the extrusion structure 300 and the feeding structure 400 can be achieved, reducing wear on the feeding and unloading device 10 and ensuring the stability of the feeding and unloading of the printing consumable 701.

[0097] See Figures 1 to 10In one embodiment, the extrusion structure 300 includes a feed tube 310 with a conveying channel 311 and a first conveying assembly 320. The first conveying assembly 320 is rotatably disposed on the support housing 100 and can contact the printing consumable 701 in the feed tube 310. The power transmission assembly 220 is connected to the first conveying assembly 320 to drive the first conveying assembly 320 to push or pull back the printing consumable 701 along the conveying channel 311.

[0098] The feeding tube 310 is a component that houses the printing consumable 701. The feeding tube 310 is a hollow tube, and its hollow cavity serves as a conveying channel 311. The feeding tube 310 is disposed vertically within the support housing 100, allowing the printing consumable 701 to move vertically within the conveying channel 311 of the feeding tube 310, thus enabling the pushing and pulling of the printing consumable 701. The first conveying assembly 320 is an actuating component that enables the pushing and pulling of the printing consumable 701. The first conveying assembly 320 is rotatably disposed within the support housing 100 and can contact the printing consumable 701 in the feeding tube 310. Furthermore, the first conveying assembly 320 can also be driven in conjunction with the power transmission assembly 220.

[0099] When pushing the printing consumable 701, the drive component 210 can drive the power transmission component 220 to rotate the first conveying component 320, causing the first conveying component 320 to push the printing consumable 701 from top to bottom, thus achieving the feeding operation. When retracting the printing consumable 701, the drive component 210 can drive the power transmission component 220 to rotate the first conveying component 320, causing the first conveying component 320 to push the printing consumable 701 from bottom to top, thus achieving the unloading operation.

[0100] See Figures 1 to 10 In one embodiment, the feeding structure 400 includes a support tray 410 and a second conveying assembly 420. The support tray 410 is connected to the support housing 100 and houses the tray 70 on which printing consumables 701 are wound. The second conveying assembly 420 is rotatably disposed on the support tray 410 and drives the tray 70 to rotate. An adjusting mechanism 500 is connected to the power transmission assembly 220 and the second conveying assembly 420. While the power transmission assembly 220 drives the first conveying assembly 320 to rotate, it can also drive the second conveying assembly 420 to rotate synchronously through the adjusting mechanism 500, so that the second conveying assembly 420 drives the tray 70 to release or wind the printing consumables 701.

[0101] The support plate 410 is structured to support the material tray 70. The support plate 410 is disposed within the support housing 100, and the material tray 70 is rotatably mounted within the support plate 410. The second conveying assembly 420 is a component that drives the material tray 70 to rotate. The second conveying assembly 420 is rotatably disposed on the support plate 410, and the material tray 70 is in contact with the second conveying assembly 420. The adjusting mechanism 500 is disposed within the support housing 100. The input end of the adjusting mechanism 500 can be connected to the power transmission assembly 220, and the output end of the adjusting mechanism 500 can extend into the support plate 410 and be connected to the second conveying assembly 420.

[0102] The driving component 210 drives the power transmission assembly 220 to rotate the adjusting mechanism 500 within the support housing 100. This adjusting mechanism 500 then drives the second conveying assembly 420 to rotate, allowing the second conveying assembly 420 to rotate relative to the carrier disk 410, thus releasing or winding the printing consumable 701. Furthermore, while the driving component 210 drives the power transmission assembly 220 to rotate the second conveying assembly 420 via the adjusting mechanism 500, the driving component 210 also drives the first conveying assembly 320 to rotate via the power transmission assembly 220.

[0103] See Figures 6 to 15 In one embodiment, the first conveying assembly 320 includes an extrusion drive wheel 321 and an extrusion driven wheel 322. The feeding pipe 310 has a first clearance groove 312 and a second clearance groove 313 communicating with the conveying channel 311. The extrusion drive wheel 321 is rotatably disposed on the support housing 100 and is at least partially located in the first clearance groove 312, and is also connected to the power transmission assembly 220. The extrusion driven wheel 322 is rotatably disposed on the feeding pipe 310 and is at least partially located in the second clearance groove 313. The outer wall of the extrusion drive wheel 321 and the outer wall of the extrusion driven wheel 322 form a feeding channel (not shown), which is coaxially disposed and communicates with the conveying channel 311. Figure 11 for Figure 7 The front view of the feeding / unloading device 10 shown is shown. Figure 12 for Figure 11 The side view of the feeding / unloading device 10 shown is shown. Figure 13 for Figure 12 The cross-sectional view of the feeding / unloading device 10 shown along the BB direction. Figure 14 for Figure 7 The schematic diagram shown is of the feeding / unloading device 10 without the supporting housing 100, viewed from one perspective. Figure 15 for Figure 14 A schematic diagram of the feeding / unloading device 10 from another perspective.

[0104] The feed tube 310 has a first clearance groove 312 and a second clearance groove 313. The first clearance groove 312 and the second clearance groove 313 are located on both sides of the feed tube 310 along the radial direction of the printing consumable 701 and extend into the inner cavity of the feed tube 310. The first clearance groove 312 and the second clearance groove 313 are respectively connected to the conveying channel 311. The extrusion drive wheel 321 is the power wheel of the first conveying assembly 320. The extrusion drive wheel 321 is rotatably disposed in the support housing 100 and is connected to the power transmission assembly 220. The extrusion drive wheel 321 is partially located in the first clearance groove 312. The extrusion driven wheel 322 is the passive wheel of the first conveying assembly 320. The extrusion driven wheel 322 is rotatably disposed in the support housing 100 and is partially located in the second clearance groove 313.

[0105] The outer walls of the extrusion drive wheel 321 and the outer walls of the extrusion driven wheel 322 form a feeding channel, which is coaxially arranged and connected to the conveying channel 311. When installing the printing consumable 701 into the feeding / unloading device 10, one end of the printing consumable 701 is inserted into the feeding channel through the conveying channel 311. At this time, the extrusion drive wheel 321 and the extrusion driven wheel 322 can clamp the printing consumable 701 and apply extrusion pressure to the printing consumable 701.

[0106] When the drive component 210 drives the power transmission assembly 220 to rotate the extrusion drive wheel 321, the extrusion drive wheel 321, through the extrusion force and friction applied to the printing consumable 701, can push the printing consumable 701 up and down in the conveying channel 311 and the feeding channel, thereby driving the extrusion driven wheel 322 to rotate. That is, through the cooperation of the extrusion drive wheel 321 and the extrusion driven wheel 322, the pushing or pulling of the printing consumable 701 can be realized, reducing the resistance to the movement of the printing consumable 701.

[0107] Furthermore, the extrusion driven roller 322 is rotatably mounted in the feed tube 310 and is mounted on a support shaft (not shown). Simultaneously, both ends of the support shaft are rotatably mounted into the feed tube 310 via bearings. This allows the extrusion driven roller 322 to be rotatably mounted into the feed tube 310, preventing jamming during rotation and ensuring smooth rotation. Optionally, the extrusion driven roller 322 can be a roller.

[0108] It is worth noting that when the component is rotatably mounted to the support housing 100 in this application, both ends of the component are mounted to the support housing 100 via bearings, thus allowing the component to rotate relative to the support housing 100 via the bearings. Furthermore, when one component is rotatably mounted to another component, rotational support is also achieved via bearings. The principle is essentially the same as that of the extrusion driven roller 322 rotatably mounted to the feed tube 310. The description of the bearings will be omitted below, and only the rotatable mounting will be described.

[0109] In one embodiment, the outer wall of the extrusion drive wheel 321 and / or the extrusion driven wheel 322 has a recessed conveying groove 3211, in which the printing consumable 701 is located. In this embodiment, the outer wall of the extrusion drive wheel 321 has a conveying groove 3211, and the conveying groove 3211 and the outer wall of the extrusion driven wheel 322 form a feeding channel. The extrusion drive wheel 321 pushes the printing consumable 701 through the conveying groove 3211 and limits the movement of the printing consumable 701, so that the printing consumable 701 moves accurately along the conveying channel 311. Of course, in other embodiments of this application, the conveying groove 3211 may only be provided on the outer wall of the extrusion driven wheel 322, or both the outer walls of the extrusion drive wheel 321 and the extrusion driven wheel 322 may have conveying grooves 3211.

[0110] See Figures 6 to 15 In one embodiment of this application, the power transmission assembly 220 includes a transmission worm 221 and a transmission worm wheel 222. The transmission worm 221 is disposed at the output end of the drive component 210, and the transmission worm wheel 222 is coaxially disposed with the extrusion drive wheel 321 and meshes with the transmission worm 221. The transmission worm 221 is the power output component of the power transmission assembly 220, and the transmission worm wheel 222 is the power output component of the power transmission assembly 220.

[0111] The transmission worm gear 221 is located in the support housing 100 and is disposed at the output end of the drive component 210. The transmission worm wheel 222 is coaxially disposed with the extrusion drive wheel 321. The transmission worm wheel 222 and the extrusion drive wheel 321 are disposed on the same connecting shaft (not shown), which is rotatably mounted in the support housing 100. The transmission worm wheel 222 is meshed with the transmission worm gear 221. When the drive component 210 drives the transmission worm gear 221 to rotate, the transmission worm gear 221 can drive the transmission worm wheel 222 to rotate, and the transmission worm wheel 222 can drive the connecting shaft to rotate, so that the connecting shaft drives the extrusion drive wheel 321 to rotate.

[0112] In this way, the extrusion drive wheel 321 can push the printing consumable 701 to move up and down in the conveying channel 311 and the feeding channel, and drive the extrusion driven wheel 322 to rotate. At the same time, the transmission worm gear 222 is coaxially connected to the first roller 521 (mentioned later) in the adjustment mechanism 500, that is, the connecting shaft and the first roller 521 are an integral structure. In this way, the transmission worm gear 222 can simultaneously drive the extrusion drive wheel 321 and the first roller 521 to rotate synchronously through the connecting shaft.

[0113] Of course, the transmission worm gear 222 can also be connected to the extrusion drive wheel 321 and the first roller 521 via gear meshing or belt drive. In other embodiments of this application, the power transmission assembly 220 is a gear drive structure, a belt drive structure, or other structure capable of driving the extrusion drive wheel 321 to rotate, which will not be described in detail here.

[0114] See Figures 7 to 15 In one embodiment, the first conveying assembly 320 further includes an elastic element 323. The elastic element 323 is radially disposed in the support housing 100 along the extrusion drive wheel 321 and abuts against the support housing 100 and the feed tube 310. The elastic force of the elastic element 323 can push the feed tube 310 toward the extrusion drive wheel 321, so that the extrusion drive wheel 321 and the extrusion driven wheel 322 clamp the printing consumable 701. Optionally, the elastic element 323 is a compression spring.

[0115] The elastic element 323 extends along the line connecting the centers of the extrusion drive wheel 321 and the extrusion driven wheel 322, and is located on the side of the extrusion driven wheel 322. One end of the elastic element 323 abuts against the feed tube 310, and the other end abuts against the support housing 100. The elastic element 323 can apply an elastic force to the feed tube 310, causing the feed tube 310 to move towards the extrusion drive wheel 321, thereby reducing the center distance between the extrusion driven wheel 322 and the extrusion drive wheel 321, that is, reducing the distance of the feeding channel along the line connecting the centers of the extrusion drive wheel 321 and the extrusion driven wheel 322.

[0116] Thus, with the elastic element 323 in place, the elastic element 323 can ensure that the force exerted by the extrusion drive wheel 321 and the extrusion driven wheel 322 on the printing consumable 701, so that the extrusion drive wheel 321 and the extrusion driven wheel 322 clamp the printing consumable 701, and prevent slippage between the extrusion drive wheel 321, the extrusion driven wheel 322 and the printing consumable 701, so that the extrusion drive wheel 321 can accurately push the printing consumable 701, and realize the pushing or pulling of the printing consumable 701.

[0117] See Figure 13 In one embodiment, the support housing 100 has a first mounting portion 110, and the feed tube 310 has a second mounting portion 314. The two ends of the elastic member 323 are respectively mounted on the first mounting portion 110 and the second mounting portion 314. The first mounting portion 110 and the second mounting portion 314 can guide the installation of the elastic member 323, preventing the elastic member 323 from shifting position. Simultaneously, they can also prevent the elastic member 323 from bending, ensuring that the elastic member 323 accurately pushes the feed tube 310 towards the extrusion drive wheel 321.

[0118] In this embodiment, the first mounting portion 110 is a mounting protrusion, and the second mounting portion 314 is a mounting groove. That is, one end of the elastic member 323 is sleeved on the mounting protrusion of the mounting housing, and the other end is installed in the mounting groove of the feed pipe 310. Of course, in other embodiments of this application, the first mounting portion 110 may be a mounting groove, the second mounting portion 314 may be a mounting protrusion, or both the first mounting portion 110 and the second mounting portion 314 may be mounting protrusions or mounting grooves.

[0119] See Figures 11 to 13 In one embodiment, both ends of the feed tube 310 extend out of the support housing 100. For example... Figures 11 to 13 As shown, the upper part of the feeding tube 310 is the inlet pipe, and the lower part is the outlet pipe. The printing consumable 701 enters the conveying channel 311 through the inlet pipe and exits the conveying channel 311 through the outlet pipe. The two ends of the feeding tube 310 extend out of the support housing 100, which facilitates the conveying of the printing consumable 701 and avoids interference between the printing consumable 701 and the components in the support housing 100.

[0120] See Figures 11 to 13 In one embodiment, the extrusion structure 300 further includes a first connector 340 and a first feed pipe 350. The first connector 340 is disposed at the inlet end of the feed pipe 310 and installed on the support housing 100. The first feed pipe 350 is disposed at the end of the first connector 340 away from the feed pipe 310, and is used to introduce the printing consumable 701 into the feed pipe 310. The first connector 340 connects the feed pipe 310 and the first feed pipe 350 at the inlet end of the feed pipe 310. The first feed pipe 350 can guide the printing consumable 701 so that the printing consumable 701 passes through the first feed pipe 350 and enters the feeding channel.

[0121] See Figures 11 to 13 In one embodiment, the extrusion structure 300 further includes a second connector 360 and a second feed tube 370. The second connector 360 is disposed at the outlet end of the feed tube 310 and installed on the support housing 100. The second feed tube 370 is disposed at the end of the second connector 360 away from the feed tube 310, and is used to lead the printing consumable 701 out from the feed tube 310. The second connector 360 connects the feed tube 310 and the second feed tube 370 at the outlet end of the feed tube 310. The second feed tube 370 can guide the printing consumable 701 so that the printing consumable 701 passes through the feeding channel and enters the second feed tube 370.

[0122] See Figures 12 to 16 In one embodiment, the extrusion structure 300 further includes a detection component 330. Figure 16 for Figure 12The diagram shows a cross-sectional view of the feeding / unloading device 10 along the CC direction. The detection component 330 can detect whether printing consumables 701 are present at the inlet end of the feed tube 310, and can detect relevant motion parameters of the first conveying component 320. Understandably, the 3D printer has a controller that can be connected to the detection component 330, and the controller can determine the operating status of the first feeding / unloading component based on the relevant parameters of the detection component 330.

[0123] See Figure 16 In one embodiment, the detection component 330 includes a positioning detection element 331, which is disposed at the inlet end of the feed tube 310 and is used to detect whether printing consumable 701 is present at the inlet end of the feed tube 310. The positioning detection element 331 is disposed on the outer wall of the feed tube 310 and is positioned corresponding to the inlet end. The positioning detection element 331 can detect whether printing consumable 701 is present at the inlet end and feeds back the detection result to the controller.

[0124] If the printing consumable 701 is installed at the inlet end of the feed tube 310, the controller can control the feeding / unloading device 10 to perform a feeding operation. If the printing consumable 701 is not installed at the inlet end of the feed tube 310, the controller will issue an alarm prompt such as a buzzer, and the operator will then pass the printing consumable 701 through the first feed tube 350 and install it into the feed tube 310. Optionally, the positioning detection element 331 is a micro switch.

[0125] See 7 to Figure 16 In one embodiment, the detection component 330 further includes a first detection element 332 and a grating wheel 333. The first detection element 332 is disposed on the feed tube 310, and the grating wheel 333 is coaxially disposed with the extrusion driven wheel 322 and rotates synchronously with the extrusion driven wheel 322 to detect the first rotational speed w1 of the extrusion driven wheel 322. The first detection element 332 can determine the feeding and unfeeding speed and feeding and unfeeding length of the first conveying component 320 based on the first rotational speed w1. Optionally, the first detection element 332 is a U-shaped switch.

[0126] The first detection element 332 is disposed on the feed tube 310. The grating wheel 333 and the extrusion driven wheel 322 are coaxially disposed, that is, the grating wheel 333 and the extrusion driven wheel 322 are disposed on the same support shaft. When the extrusion drive wheel 321 drives the extrusion driven wheel 322 to rotate through the printing consumable 701, the extrusion driven wheel 322 can drive the grating wheel 333 to rotate synchronously. The grating wheel 333 is a component that reacts to the first rotational speed w1 of the extrusion driven wheel 322, and the first detection element 332 is disposed correspondingly to the grating wheel 333.

[0127] The grating wheel 333 is coaxially arranged with the extrusion drive wheel 321, meaning that the rotational speed of the grating wheel 333 is the same as the rotational speed of the extrusion driven wheel 322, both being a first rotational speed w1. The first detection element 332 can detect the rotational speed of the grating wheel 333, thereby obtaining the first rotational speed w1 of the extrusion driven wheel 322. The first detection element 332 feeds back the first rotational speed w1 of the extrusion driven wheel 322 to the controller, preparing for subsequent calculations of the first feed speed v1 and the first feed length.

[0128] The controller can calculate the first feeding speed v1 and the first feeding length of the printing consumable 701 pushed by the extrusion drive wheel 321 and the extrusion driven wheel 322 based on the first rotational speed w1, or calculate the first retraction speed v3 and the retraction length of the printing consumable 701 pulled back by the extrusion drive wheel 321 and the extrusion driven wheel 322. It is understandable that, given the radius of the extrusion driven wheel 322, the feeding speed and retraction speed can be calculated using the formula that speed equals rotational speed multiplied by the rotational radius, and the feeding length and retraction length can be calculated using the formula that rotational angle multiplied by the rotational radius; this will not be explained further below.

[0129] Thus, the presence of printing consumable 701 at the inlet end of the feed tube 310 can be detected by the arrival detection component 331, so as to determine whether the printing consumable 701 is in place, thereby facilitating the feeding operation of the feeding and unloading device 10. Through the cooperation of the first detection component 332 and the grating wheel 333, the first rotational speed w1 of the extrusion driven wheel 322 can be detected, so that the controller can calculate the feeding and unloading speed and feeding and unloading length of the extrusion driving wheel 321 and the extrusion driven wheel 322 based on the first rotational speed w1, which is convenient for calculating the remaining amount of printing consumable 701 on the material tray 70 and controlling the feeding and unloading device 10 to perform automatic feeding and unloading operations.

[0130] See Figures 1 to 6 , Figure 17 In one embodiment, the carrier disk 410 is arranged in an arc shape. Figure 17 for Figure 3 The diagram shows a feeding structure 400 in the feeding / unloading device 10. The support plate 410 is a component that supports the material tray 70. The arc-shaped support plate 410 can be adapted to the shape of the material tray 70, which facilitates the cooperation between the material tray 70 and the support plate 410 and reduces the space occupied by the support plate 410.

[0131] Optionally, the carrier plate 410 has protrusions 411 that protrude radially from the carrier plate 410. After the tray 70 is installed on the carrier plate 410, the protrusions 411 are located at both axial ends of the tray 70, axially limiting the tray 70 and preventing it from detaching from the carrier plate 410. Optionally, there are at least two protrusions 411, spaced apart circumferentially from the carrier plate 410. Optionally, each protrusion 411 includes two limiting plates, which are arranged opposite to each other and enclose a receiving space in which the housing of the tray 70 is located. The two limiting plates axially limit the tray 70 through the edge housing of the tray 70, preventing it from detaching from the carrier plate 410.

[0132] See Figures 1 to 6 , Figure 17 In one embodiment, the second conveying assembly 420 includes a first drive shaft 421, a second drive shaft 422, and a feeding wheel 423. The first drive shaft 421 and the second drive shaft 422 are rotatably mounted on the support disk 410 and rotatably support the material disk 70. The feeding wheel 423 is mounted on the first drive shaft 421 and is connected to the output end of the adjusting mechanism 500. The adjusting mechanism 500 can drive the feeding wheel 423 to rotate the first drive shaft 421, causing the first drive shaft 421 to drive the material disk 70 to rotate and drive the second drive shaft 422 to rotate, so that the material disk 70 releases or winds the printing consumable 701.

[0133] The first drive shaft 421 and the second drive shaft 422 are rotatably disposed in the support disk 410 along the axial direction of the material tray 70, and are spaced apart circumferentially along the support disk 410, with the distance between them being less than the radius of the material tray 70. After the material tray 70 is disposed in the support disk 410, the edge shell of the material tray 70 can abut against the first drive shaft 421 and the second drive shaft 422.

[0134] The feeding wheel 423 is driven by the output wheel 530 (mentioned later) of the adjusting mechanism 500. The feeding wheel 423 is mounted on the first drive shaft 421 and can drive the first drive shaft 421 to rotate synchronously. The output wheel 530 is located at the output end of the adjusting mechanism 500. The power transmission assembly 220 can drive the adjusting mechanism 500 to rotate the output wheel 530, which in turn drives the feeding wheel 423 to rotate. The feeding wheel 423 drives the first drive shaft 421 to rotate, the first drive shaft 421 drives the material tray 70 to rotate, and the rotation of the material tray 70 drives the second drive shaft 422 to rotate.

[0135] In this way, the adjusting mechanism 500 drives the feeding wheel 423 to rotate via the output wheel 530. The feeding wheel 423 drives the material tray 70 to rotate via the cooperation of the first drive shaft 421 and the second drive shaft 422, causing the material tray 70 to wind or release the printing consumable 701. Optionally, both the output wheel 530 and the feeding wheel 423 are gears, and the output wheel 530 and the feeding wheel 423 are driven by gear meshing. Of course, in other embodiments of this application, the output wheel 530 and the feeding wheel 423 may also be belt drive structures, etc.

[0136] See Figures 6 to 10 , Figures 13 to 15 , Figure 18 In one embodiment, the adjustment mechanism 500 includes an adjustment drive assembly 510, an adjustment transmission assembly 520, and an output wheel 530. The adjustment transmission assembly 520 is rotatably disposed in the support housing 100 and is driveably connected to the power transmission assembly 220. The output wheel 530 is driveably connected to the feeding structure 400. The adjustment drive assembly 510 is disposed in the support housing 100 and is driveably connected to the adjustment transmission assembly 520. The adjustment drive assembly 510 can drive the adjustment transmission assembly 520 to move, thereby changing the rotational speed of the output wheel 530 driving the feeding wheel 423. Figure 18 for Figure 12 The feed / unfeed device 10 shown is a cross-sectional view along the DD direction.

[0137] The adjusting transmission assembly 520 is a component that provides power transmission to the adjusting mechanism 500. The adjusting transmission assembly 520 is rotatably mounted in the support housing 100 and is connected to the power transmission assembly 220. The output wheel 530 is located at the output end of the adjusting transmission assembly 520 and is connected to the feeding wheel 423 of the second conveying assembly 420. When the driving component 210 drives the power transmission assembly 220, the power transmission assembly 220 can drive the adjusting transmission assembly 520 to move, which in turn drives the output wheel 530 to rotate the feeding wheel 423, thereby driving the material tray 70 to release or wind the printing consumable 701.

[0138] Understandably, the printing consumable 701 is wound onto the tray 70. When the tray 70 is full, its third rotational speed w3 is relatively low due to its weight. As the tray 70 gradually releases the printing consumable 701, the amount of printing consumable 701 on it decreases, making the tray 70 lighter, and its third rotational speed w3 gradually increases. In this situation, if the feed roller 423 drives the tray 70 to rotate at the same speed, the tray 70 will release excess printing consumable 701, causing it to accumulate and affecting the delivery of the printing consumable 701.

[0139] To this end, this application provides an adjustment drive assembly 510 in the adjustment mechanism 500. The adjustment drive assembly 510 can drive the adjustment transmission assembly 520 to move, thereby adjusting the output speed of the adjustment transmission assembly 520, that is, adjusting the second rotation speed w2 of the output wheel 530, so that the output wheel 530 drives the feeding wheel 423 and the material tray 70 to rotate at a suitable speed, ensuring that the printing consumable 701 is always in a taut state, which facilitates the pushing of the printing consumable 701. At the same time, when the printing consumable 701 is retracted, the adjustment drive assembly 510 can drive the second conveying assembly 420 to a speed greater than the speed of the first conveying assembly 320, so that the printing consumable 701 is always in a taut state, ensuring that the printing consumable 701 is more tightly wound on the material tray 70.

[0140] See Figures 6 to 10 , Figures 13 to 15 , Figure 18 In one embodiment, the adjusting transmission assembly 520 includes a first roller 521, a second roller 522, and a timing belt 523. The first roller 521 and the second roller 522 are rotatably disposed in the support housing 100 and are arranged in parallel. The timing belt 523 is sleeved on the first roller 521 and the second roller 522.

[0141] The first roller 521 and the second roller 522 extend axially along the extrusion drive wheel 321 and are located on the side of the transmission worm gear 222 away from the extrusion drive wheel 321. The first roller 521 is connected to a connecting shaft so that the first roller 521, the transmission worm gear 222, and the extrusion drive wheel 321 are coaxially arranged. In this way, when the transmission worm gear 221 drives the transmission worm gear 222 to rotate, the transmission worm gear 222 can simultaneously drive the extrusion drive wheel 321 and the first roller 521 to rotate via the connecting shaft. The second roller 522 is parallel to and spaced apart from the first roller 521.

[0142] A timing belt 523 is fitted around the outside of the first roller 521 and the second roller 522, and an output wheel 530 is located at one end of the second roller 522. The transmission worm gear 222 drives the extrusion drive wheel 321 to rotate, and also drives the first roller 521 to rotate. The first roller 521, via the timing belt 523, drives the second roller 522 to rotate. When the second roller 522 rotates, it drives the output wheel 530 to synchronously rotate the feeding wheel 423, so that the second conveying assembly 420 drives the material tray 70 to wind or release the printing consumable 701.

[0143] Furthermore, the adjusting drive assembly 510 is connected to the timing belt 523. The adjusting drive assembly 510 can drive the timing belt 523 to move axially along the first roller 521 to adjust the rotation speed of the second roller 522, thereby adjusting the second rotation speed w2 of the output wheel 530 so that the output wheel 530 drives the feeding wheel 423 and the material tray 70 to rotate at a suitable speed, so that the printing consumable 701 is always in a taut state when pushed or pulled back.

[0144] See Figures 6 to 10 , Figures 13 to 15 , Figure 18 In one embodiment, the large-diameter end of the first roller 521 corresponds to the small-diameter end of the second roller 522, and the small-diameter end of the first roller 521 corresponds to the large-diameter end of the second roller 522, and the diameter of the small-diameter end of the first roller 521 is greater than or equal to the diameter of the second roller 522. The output wheel 530 is disposed at the small-diameter end of the second roller 522.

[0145] In other words, the first roller 521 and the second roller 522 are tapered shafts, and the tapered layout of the first roller 521 is opposite to that of the second roller 522. Specifically, the large-diameter end of the first roller 521 is connected to the drive worm gear 222, the small-diameter end of the first roller 521 is rotatably mounted on the support housing 100, the small-diameter end of the second roller 522 is correspondingly set to the large-diameter end of the first roller 521, and both ends of the second roller 522 are rotatably mounted to the support housing 100.

[0146] by Figure 9 The up, down, left, and right directions illustrate the structure and working principle of the adjusting mechanism 500. The large-diameter end of the first roller 521 and the small-diameter end of the second roller 522 are located on the left side, and the small-diameter end of the first roller 521 and the large-diameter end of the second roller 522 are located on the right side.

[0147] In the initial state (when the feeding / unloading device 10 is not operating), the synchronous belt 523 is on the right side, meaning it is in contact with the small-diameter end of the first roller 521 and the large-diameter end of the second roller 522. When the feeding / unloading device 10 feeds material, the transmission worm gear 222 drives the extrusion drive wheel 321 to rotate in the first direction (i.e.,...). Figure 13As shown in the counter-clockwise direction, the extrusion drive wheel 321 pushes the printing consumable 701 from top to bottom, and drives the extrusion driven wheel 322 to rotate synchronously, realizing the feeding operation. During this process, the first rotational speed w1 of the extrusion driven wheel 322 is detected by the first detection element 332, and the controller calculates the first feeding speed v1 and the first feeding length based on the first rotational speed w1. At the same time, the transmission worm gear 221 drives the first roller 521 to rotate, and the first roller 521 drives the second roller 522 and the output wheel 530 to rotate synchronously through the synchronous belt 523. The output wheel 530 drives the first transmission shaft 421, the material tray 70 and the second transmission shaft 422 to rotate synchronously through the feeding wheel 423, so as to drive the material tray 70 to release the printing consumable 701.

[0148] Because the first roller 521 and the second roller 522 are synchronously connected, the rotational speed of the first roller 521 and the rotational speed of the second roller 522 are theoretically the same. Furthermore, on the right side, the diameter of the smaller diameter end of the first roller 521 is greater than or equal to the diameter of the larger diameter end of the second roller 522. When the first roller 521 rotates one small circle, the second roller 522 drives the output wheel 530 to rotate one large circle, resulting in a relatively low second rotational speed w2 for the output wheel 530. As the synchronous belt 523 gradually moves to the left, the diameter of the first roller 521 gradually increases, while the diameter of the second roller 522 gradually decreases. When the first roller 521 outputs one large circle, the second roller 522 outputs one small circle, and the second rotational speed w2 of the output wheel 530 gradually increases.

[0149] Understandably, at the start of feeding, the printing consumable 701 pulls the tray 70, causing it to rotate under the pulling force. The third rotational speed w3 of the tray 70 is greater than the second rotational speed w2 of the output wheel 530. Thus, the tray 70 drives the feed wheel 423 to rotate via the first drive shaft 421, which in turn drives the meshing output wheel 530 to rotate. At this time, the output wheel 530 rotates at a target rotational speed. This target rotational speed refers to the speed at which the tray 70 drives the output wheel 530 via the feed wheel 423. The target rotational speed of the output wheel 530 must be greater than its second rotational speed w2.

[0150] In this situation, if the first roller 521 rotates at its original speed, the timing belt 523 will slip, causing the rotational speed of the second roller 522 to decrease, which in turn will affect the release of printing consumables 701 from the filament tray 70. Therefore, it is necessary to adjust the position of the timing belt 523, thereby adjusting the second rotational speed w2 of the output wheel 530, so that the second rotational speed w2 of the output wheel 530 reaches or slightly exceeds the target rotational speed, to ensure the synchronicity of the movement of the first roller 521 and the second roller 522.

[0151] Specifically, at the start of feeding, the printing consumable 701 pulls the material tray 70 to rotate. The third rotational speed w3 of the material tray 70 is greater than the second rotational speed w2 of the output wheel 530. Thus, the material tray 70 drives the feeding wheel 423 to rotate via the first drive shaft 421. The feeding wheel 423 then drives the meshing output wheel 530 to rotate, at which point the output wheel 530 rotates at the target rotational speed. Simultaneously, the drive assembly 510 drives the synchronous belt 523 to move from right to left, gradually increasing the second rotational speed w2 of the output wheel 530. This causes the rotational speed of the output wheel 530 to gradually reach or slightly exceed the target rotational speed, thereby reducing the resistance when the extrusion drive wheel 321 pushes the printing consumable 701.

[0152] When the feeding / unfeeding device 10 unfeeds material, the transmission worm gear 222 drives the extrusion drive wheel 321 to rotate in the second direction (i.e., Figure 13 As shown in the clockwise direction, the extrusion drive wheel 321 retracts the printing consumable 701 from bottom to top, and drives the extrusion driven wheel 322 to rotate synchronously, realizing the material ejection operation. During this process, the first rotational speed w1 of the extrusion driven wheel 322 is detected by the second detection element 540, and the controller calculates the first ejection speed v3 and ejection length based on the first rotational speed w1. At the same time, the transmission worm gear 221 drives the first roller 521 to rotate, and the first roller 521 drives the second roller 522 and the output wheel 530 to rotate synchronously through the synchronous belt 523. The output wheel 530 drives the first transmission shaft 421, the material tray 70 and the second transmission shaft 422 to rotate synchronously through the feeding wheel 423, so as to drive the material tray 70 to wind the printing consumable 701.

[0153] The second rotational speed w2 of the output wheel 530 is detected by the second detection element 540. Combined with the remaining amount of printing filament 701 on the tray 70 from the previous operation, the third rotational speed w3 and the second ejection speed v4 of the tray 70 are calculated. At this time, the drive assembly 510 drives the timing belt 523 to move from right to left to gradually increase the second rotational speed w2 of the output wheel 530. This ensures that the second ejection speed v4 of the tray 70 is greater than the first ejection speed v3 of the extrusion driven wheel 322. This ensures that the printing filament 701 is tautly wound on the tray 70, thus ensuring that the printing filament 701 is more tightly wound on the tray 70. Of course, the timing belt 523 can also be moved directly to the far left, in which case there is no need to estimate the remaining material on the tray 70.

[0154] That is, when the adjustment mechanism 500 of this application uses the synchronous belt 523 to cooperate with the first roller 521 and the second roller 522, after the adjustment drive 511 adjusts the position of the synchronous belt 523 on the first roller 521 and the second roller 522, it can adjust the transmission ratio between the transmission worm gear 222 and the output wheel 530, thereby changing the third rotation speed w3 of the material tray 70, so that the third rotation speed w3 of the material tray 70 can meet the feeding and unloading requirements of the printing consumables 701.

[0155] See Figures 6 to 10 , Figures 13 to 15 In one embodiment, the adjustment mechanism 500 further includes a second detection element 540, which is disposed on the support housing 100 and corresponds to the output wheel 530. The second detection element 540 is used to detect the second rotational speed w2 of the output wheel 530. In the adjustment mechanism 500, the output wheel 530 is used as a grating wheel 333, which cooperates with the second detection element 540 to detect the second rotational speed w2 of the output wheel 530.

[0156] The second detection element 540 is disposed on the support housing 100, and is disposed corresponding to the output wheel 530. When the transmission assembly 520 drives the second roller 522 (mentioned later) to rotate, the second roller 522 can synchronously drive the output wheel 530 to rotate. The rotation speed of the output wheel 530 is recorded as the second rotation speed w2. The second detection element 540 can detect the second rotation speed w2 of the output wheel 530 and feed this second rotation speed w2 back to the controller to prepare for the later calculation of the third rotation speed w3 of the material tray 70 and the remaining amount of printing consumables 701.

[0157] After the controller acquires the second rotational speed w2 of the output wheel 530, since the diameters of the output wheel 530, the feeding wheel 423, and the tray 70 are known, the controller can calculate the third rotational speed w3 of the tray 70, the second feeding speed v2 of the tray 70, and the second feeding length based on the second rotational speed w2. The second feeding speed v2 of the tray 70 is denoted as the speed at which the tray 70 releases the printing consumable 701. Understandably, since the weight of the tray 70 when full is known, the initial length of the tray 70 can be calculated. Based on the second feeding speed v2 and the third rotational speed w3 of the tray 70, the first rotational speed w1 of the extrusion driven wheel 322, and the first feeding speed v1, the remaining amount of printing consumable 701 on the tray 70 can be calculated.

[0158] That is, given the first feed length of the printing filament 701 and the second feed length of the tray 70 within the same time frame, and considering the initial length of the tray 70, the remaining amount of printing filament 701 on the tray 70 can be calculated. Thus, the 3D printer can display the remaining amount of printing filament 701 on the tray 70 on a screen to alert the operator, allowing for timely tray replacement and improved printing efficiency.

[0159] Simultaneously, the first feeding length of the printing consumable 701 driven by the extrusion driven roller 322 can be calculated using the first feeding speed v1, and the second feeding length of the material tray 70 can be calculated using the second feeding speed v2. By comparing the first feeding length and the second feeding length, the amount of consumption of the printing consumable 701 can be calculated. Optionally, the second detection element 540 is a U-shaped switch.

[0160] See Figures 6 to 10 , Figures 13 to 15 , Figure 18 In one embodiment, the adjustment drive assembly 510 includes an adjustment drive member 511, an adjustment transmission member 512, and a transition member 513. The adjustment drive member 511 is disposed on the support housing 100, the adjustment transmission member 512 is movably disposed on the support housing 100 and outputs axial movement along the first roller 521, and the transition member 513 is disposed at the output end of the adjustment transmission member 512 and is connected to the synchronous belt 523. The adjustment transmission member 512 is a ball screw structure, a gear rack structure, or a belt drive structure.

[0161] The adjusting drive component 511 serves as the power source for the adjusting drive assembly 510. It is housed within the support housing 100 and extends into it, connecting to the adjusting transmission component 512. The adjusting transmission component 512 is located within the support housing 100 and outputs movement along the axial direction of the first roller 521. The output end of the adjusting transmission component 512 is connected to the synchronous belt 523. When the adjusting drive component 511 drives the adjusting transmission component 512, the adjusting transmission component 512 can move the synchronous belt 523 along the axial direction of the first roller 521, thereby adjusting the position of the synchronous belt 523.

[0162] In this embodiment, the adjusting transmission component 512 is a ball screw structure, with the screw shaft extending axially along the first roller 521. The screw nut is mounted on the screw shaft and engages with the timing belt 523 via an adapter 513. Figure 7 , Figure 13 and Figure 14 As shown, the adapter 513 has a through hole, and the timing belt 523 is located in the through hole. In this way, the adapter 513 can drive the timing belt 523 to move axially along the first roller 521 without affecting the rotation of the timing belt 523.

[0163] Of course, in other embodiments of this application, the adjusting transmission member 512 may also be a gear and rack structure or a belt drive structure, which outputs the axial movement along the first roller 521 through the rack or belt, which will not be described in this application.

[0164] In one embodiment, the adjustment drive assembly 510 further includes a guide rod 514, which extends axially along the first roller 521 and is disposed in the support housing 100. An adapter 513 is mounted to the guide rod 514 via a linear bearing or a guide hole. Thus, when the adjustment drive assembly 511 drives the adjustment transmission assembly 512 to move axially along the first roller 521, the adapter 513 in the adjustment transmission assembly 512 can drive the synchronous belt 523 to move along the guide rod 514, ensuring that the synchronous belt 523 moves accurately along the axial direction of the first roller 521.

[0165] by Figure 9 and Figure 13 The orientation shown illustrates the working process of the feeding / unloading device 10: The printing consumable 701 from the material tray 70 is manually fed into the feeding tube 310 until the arrival detection element 331 detects the presence of printing consumable 701 at the inlet end of the feeding tube 310, at which point manual feeding ends. During feeding, clicking on automatic feeding or controlling automatic feeding with the controller activates the drive component 210, which drives the transmission worm gear 221 to rotate the transmission worm wheel 222. The transmission worm wheel 222 drives the extrusion drive wheel 321 to rotate around the first direction (counterclockwise). Under the pressure of the extrusion drive wheel 321 and the extrusion driven wheel 322, the printing consumable 701 moves from top to bottom, thus pushing the printing consumable 701. At the same time, the transmission worm gear 221 drives the first roller 521 to rotate. The first roller 521 drives the second roller 522 and the output wheel 530 to rotate synchronously through the synchronous belt 523. The output wheel 530 drives the first transmission shaft 421, the material tray 70 and the second transmission shaft 422 to rotate synchronously through the feeding wheel 423, so as to drive the material tray 70 to release the printing consumable 701.

[0166] During the feeding process, the controller detects the rotation of the grating wheel 333 through the first detection element 332, calculates the first rotational speed w1 of the extrusion driven wheel 322, and then calculates the first feeding speed v1 and the first feeding length based on the first rotational speed w1. The controller detects the rotation of the output wheel 530 through the second detection element 540, calculates the second rotational speed w2 of the output wheel 530, calculates the third rotational speed w3 of the material tray 70 based on the second rotational speed w2, and calculates the second feeding speed v2 and the second feeding length of the material tray 70 based on the third rotational speed w3 of the material tray 70.

[0167] Furthermore, at the initial feeding stage, the printing consumable 701 pulls the material tray 70 to rotate. The third rotational speed w3 of the material tray 70 is greater than the second rotational speed w2 of the output wheel 530. Thus, the material tray 70 drives the feeding wheel 423 to rotate via the first drive shaft 421. The feeding wheel 423 then drives the meshing output wheel 530 to rotate, at which point the output wheel 530 rotates at the target rotational speed. Simultaneously, the drive assembly 510 adjusts the synchronous belt 523 to move from right to left, changing the position of the synchronous belt 523 to gradually increase the second rotational speed w2 of the output wheel 530, thereby gradually bringing the rotational speed of the output wheel 530 to or slightly exceeding the target rotational speed. In this way, the meshing of the output wheel 530 with the feeding wheel 423 assists the rotation of the material tray 70, thereby reducing the resistance when the extrusion drive wheel 321 drives the printing consumable 701.

[0168] Theoretically, the first feeding speed v1 of the extrusion driven wheel 322 pushing the printing consumable 701 is always equal to the second feeding speed v2 of the tray 70 releasing the printing consumable 701. However, as the amount of printing consumable 701 in the tray 70 decreases, the third rotational speed w3 of the tray 70 changes continuously under the action of the transmission worm gear 222, the timing belt 523, the output wheel 530, and the feed wheel 423, maintaining the first feeding speed v1 equal to the second feeding speed v2 for most of the time. At the same time, based on the ratio of the first rotational speed w1 of the extrusion driven wheel 322 to the third rotational speed w3 of the tray 70, the controller can calculate the remaining amount of printing consumable 701 on the tray 70.

[0169] Since the weight of the tray 70 when full is known, its initial length can be calculated. The first feeding length can be calculated using the first rotation speed w1, and the second feeding length can be calculated using the third rotation speed w3. Given the known first feeding length of the printing consumable 701 and the second feeding length of the tray 70 within the same time interval, and considering the known initial length of the tray 70, the remaining amount of printing consumable 701 on the tray 70 can be calculated. Furthermore, based on the difference between the first and second feeding lengths, the loss rate of the printing consumable 701 can also be calculated.

[0170] Once feeding is complete, the controller issues a stop feeding command based on signal feedback. At this time, the controller controls the drive component 210 to stop working, and the feeding operation stops. For unloading, clicking "automatic unloading" or selecting "automatic unloading" on the controller activates the drive component 210, which drives the transmission worm gear 221 to rotate the transmission worm wheel 222. The transmission worm wheel 222 drives the extrusion drive wheel 321 to rotate around the first direction (counterclockwise). The extrusion drive wheel 321 retracts the printing consumable 701 from bottom to top and drives the extrusion driven wheel 322 to rotate synchronously, thus achieving the unloading operation. Simultaneously, the transmission worm gear 221 drives the first roller 521 to rotate. The first roller 521 drives the second roller 522 and the output wheel 530 to rotate synchronously via the synchronous belt 523. The output wheel 530 drives the first drive shaft 421, the material tray 70, and the second drive shaft 422 to rotate synchronously via the feeding wheel 423, thereby driving the material tray 70 to wind the printing consumable 701.

[0171] During the material ejection process, the controller detects the rotation of the grating wheel 333 via the first detection element 332, calculates the first rotational speed w1 of the extrusion driven wheel 322, and then calculates the first ejection speed v3 and ejection length based on the first rotational speed w1. The controller detects the rotation of the output wheel 530 via the second detection element 540, and, combined with the remaining amount of printing consumable 701 on the material tray 70 from the previous operation, calculates the third rotational speed w3 and the second ejection speed v4 of the material tray 70.

[0172] By adjusting the drive assembly 510 to move the timing belt 523 from right to left, the position of the timing belt 523 is changed, thereby altering the transmission ratio between the transmission worm gear 222 and the output wheel 530. This gradually increases the second rotational speed w2 of the output wheel 530, ensuring that the second unloading speed v4 of the material tray 70 is greater than the first unloading speed v3 of the extrusion driven wheel 322. This ensures that the printing consumable 701 is taut on the material tray 70, thus ensuring that the printing consumable 701 is more tightly wound on the material tray 70. Of course, during unloading, the timing belt 523 can also be moved directly to the far left. In this case, there is no need to estimate the remaining material on the material tray 70, and the second unloading speed v4 of the material tray 70 can still be guaranteed to be greater than the first unloading speed v3 of the extrusion driven wheel 322.

[0173] When the feeding and unfeeding device 10 of this application feeds material, the driving component 210 transmits power to the extrusion drive wheel 321 through the cooperation of the transmission worm 221 and the transmission worm wheel 222, and makes it rotate to push the printing consumable 701 downward. At the same time, the transmission worm 221 can also transmit power to the feeding wheel 423 through the first roller 521, the timing belt 523, the second roller 522, and the output wheel 530, so that the feeding wheel 423 drives the material tray 70 to release the printing consumable 701, and cooperates with the adjustment drive component 510 to reduce the pulling force when the printing consumable 701 is pushed.

[0174] When the feeding / unloading device 10 unloads material, the drive component 210 transmits power to the extrusion drive wheel 321 through the cooperation of the transmission worm 221 and the transmission worm wheel 222, causing it to rotate and pull the printing consumable 701 upward. At the same time, the transmission worm 221 can also transmit power to the feeding wheel 423 through the first roller 521, the synchronous belt 523, the second roller 522, and the output wheel 530. The feeding wheel 423 drives the material tray 70 to wind the printing consumable 701. Furthermore, it ensures that the second unloading speed v4 of the material tray 70 is greater than the first unloading speed v3 of the extrusion driven wheel 322, ensuring that the printing consumable 701 is taut on the material tray 70.

[0175] Furthermore, when the feeding and unloading device 10 of this application uses a synchronous belt 523 in conjunction with the first roller 521 and the second roller 522, the adjusting drive member 511 can adjust the position of the synchronous belt 523 on the first roller 521 and the second roller 522, thereby adjusting the transmission ratio between the transmission worm gear 222 and the output wheel 530, thereby changing the third rotation speed w3 of the material tray 70, so that the third rotation speed w3 of the material tray 70 can meet the feeding and unloading requirements of the printing consumables 701.

[0176] The feeding / unloading device 10 of this application uses a single drive component 210 to drive both feeding and unloading, reducing the number of power sources and thus reducing power loss. Furthermore, when adjusting between feeding and unloading, no complex adjustment method is required to achieve synchronous feeding and unloading of the first conveying component 320 and the second conveying component 420, reducing wear on the feeding / unloading device 10 and ensuring the stability of the feeding and unloading of the printing consumable 701.

[0177] Simultaneously, by adjusting the first rotational speed w1 of the extrusion driven roller 322 and the third rotational speed w3 of the material tray 70, the remaining amount of printing filament 701 on the material tray 70 can be estimated. This remaining amount can be displayed as a percentage or by weight on the 3D printer's screen. In this way, the operation of the feeding / unloading device 10 is unaffected by the new or old material trays 70 and outputs warning information. Furthermore, by detecting the first rotational speed w1 of the extrusion driven roller 322, the first feed length can be calculated, facilitating the later calculation of the loss rate of the printing filament 701. Moreover, by adjusting the position of the timing belt 523 during feeding using the drive component 511, the resistance (tension) when the extrusion drive roller 321 pushes the printing filament 701 can be changed. By adjusting the position of the timing belt 523 during unloading using the drive component 511, the printing filament 701 can be tightly wound around the material tray 70.

[0178] See Figure 9 , Figure 13 and Figure 19 , Figure 19 for Figure 1The flowchart of the feeding and unloading device 10 is shown. This application also provides a feeding and unloading method applied to the feeding and unloading device 10 as described in any of the above embodiments; the feeding and unloading method includes at least the following steps:

[0179] S1, obtain the feeding signal, drive component 210 drives power transmission component 220 to drive extrusion drive wheel 321 to rotate around the first direction, extrusion drive wheel 321 drives printing consumable 701 to drive extrusion driven wheel 322 to rotate, so as to push printing consumable 701;

[0180] S2, while the power transmission component 220 is moving, the power transmission component 220 drives the adjustment transmission component 520 to rotate the output wheel 530, so that the output wheel 530 drives the second conveying component 420 to release the printing consumable 701 from the material tray 70;

[0181] S3, when the material ejection signal is obtained, the drive component 210 drives the power transmission assembly 220 to drive the extrusion drive wheel 321 to rotate around the second direction. The extrusion drive wheel 321 drives the printing consumable 701 to drive the extrusion driven wheel 322 to rotate, so as to retract the printing consumable 701.

[0182] S4, while the power transmission component 220 is moving, the power transmission component 220 drives the adjustment transmission component 520 to rotate the output wheel 530, so that the output wheel 530 drives the second conveying component 420 to wind the printing consumable 701.

[0183] During feeding, clicking the automatic feeding button or controlling the automatic feeding via the controller activates the drive component 210, which drives the transmission worm gear 221 to rotate the transmission worm wheel 222. The transmission worm wheel 222 then drives the extrusion drive wheel 321 to rotate in the first direction (counterclockwise). The printing consumable 701 moves from top to bottom under the pressure of the extrusion drive wheel 321 and the extrusion driven wheel 322, thus pushing the printing consumable 701. Simultaneously, the transmission worm gear 221 drives the first roller 521 to rotate. The first roller 521 drives the second roller 522 and the output wheel 530 to rotate synchronously via the synchronous belt 523. The output wheel 530 drives the first drive shaft 421, the material tray 70, and the second drive shaft 422 to rotate synchronously via the feeding wheel 423, thereby driving the material tray 70 to release the printing consumable 701.

[0184] Once feeding is complete, the controller issues a stop feeding command based on signal feedback. At this time, the controller controls the drive component 210 to stop working, and the feeding operation stops. For unloading, clicking "automatic unloading" or selecting "automatic unloading" on the controller activates the drive component 210, which drives the transmission worm gear 221 to rotate the transmission worm wheel 222. The transmission worm wheel 222 drives the extrusion drive wheel 321 to rotate around the first direction (counterclockwise). The extrusion drive wheel 321 retracts the printing consumable 701 from bottom to top and drives the extrusion driven wheel 322 to rotate synchronously, thus achieving the unloading operation. Simultaneously, the transmission worm gear 221 drives the first roller 521 to rotate. The first roller 521 drives the second roller 522 and the output wheel 530 to rotate synchronously via the synchronous belt 523. The output wheel 530 drives the first drive shaft 421, the material tray 70, and the second drive shaft 422 to rotate synchronously via the feeding wheel 423, thereby driving the material tray 70 to wind the printing consumable 701.

[0185] See Figure 20 , Figure 20 for Figure 19 A flowchart of the feeding / unloading method of the feeding / unloading device 10 is shown. In one embodiment, the feeding / unloading method further includes the following steps:

[0186] S5, obtain the first rotational speed w1 of the extrusion driven wheel 322 when feeding, and calculate the first feeding speed v1 and the first feeding length of the extrusion driving wheel 321 pushing the printing consumable 701 based on the first rotational speed w1;

[0187] S6, obtain the second rotation speed w2 of the output wheel 530, calculate the third rotation speed w3 of the material tray 70 and the second feeding speed v2 of the material tray 70 based on the second rotation speed w2, and calculate the remaining material of the remaining printing consumable 701 in the material tray 70 based on the third rotation speed w3 and the second feeding speed v2.

[0188] During the feeding process, the controller detects the rotation of the grating wheel 333 through the first detection element 332, calculates the first rotational speed w1 of the extrusion driven wheel 322, and then calculates the first feeding speed v1 and the first feeding length based on the first rotational speed w1. The controller detects the rotation of the output wheel 530 through the second detection element 540, calculates the second rotational speed w2 of the output wheel 530, calculates the third rotational speed w3 of the material tray 70 based on the second rotational speed w2, and calculates the second feeding speed v2 and the second feeding length of the material tray 70 based on the third rotational speed w3 of the material tray 70.

[0189] Theoretically, the first feeding speed v1 of the extrusion driven wheel 322 pushing the printing consumable 701 is always equal to the second feeding speed v2 of the tray 70 releasing the printing consumable 701. However, as the amount of printing consumable 701 in the tray 70 decreases, the third rotational speed w3 of the tray 70 changes continuously under the action of the transmission worm gear 222, the timing belt 523, the output wheel 530, and the feed wheel 423, maintaining the first feeding speed v1 equal to the second feeding speed v2 for most of the time. At the same time, based on the ratio of the first rotational speed w1 of the extrusion driven wheel 322 to the third rotational speed w3 of the tray 70, the controller can calculate the remaining amount of printing consumable 701 on the tray 70.

[0190] Since the weight of the tray 70 when full is known, its initial length can be calculated. The first feeding length can be calculated using the first rotation speed w1, and the second feeding length can be calculated using the third rotation speed w3. Given the first feeding length of the printing consumable 701 and the second feeding length of the tray 70 within the same time interval, and considering the known initial length of the tray 70, the remaining amount of printing consumable 701 on the tray 70 can be calculated.

[0191] In one embodiment, the feeding and unloading method further includes the following steps:

[0192] S7, obtain the target rotation speed of the material tray 70 driving the output wheel 530 to rotate through the feeding wheel 423 when feeding;

[0193] S8, the adjusting drive assembly 510 drives the synchronous belt 523 in the adjusting transmission assembly 520 to move along the axial direction of the first roller 521 in the adjusting transmission assembly 520, so that the second rotational speed w2 of the output wheel 530 gradually reaches or exceeds the target rotational speed.

[0194] At the start of feeding, the printing filament 701 pulls the material tray 70 to rotate. The third rotational speed w3 of the material tray 70 is greater than the second rotational speed w2 of the output wheel 530. Thus, the material tray 70 drives the feed wheel 423 to rotate via the first drive shaft 421. The feed wheel 423 then drives the meshing output wheel 530 to rotate, at which point the output wheel 530 rotates at the target speed. Simultaneously, the drive assembly 510 adjusts the synchronous belt 523, moving it from right to left, changing its position to gradually increase the second rotational speed w2 of the output wheel 530, so that the rotational speed of the output wheel 530 gradually reaches or slightly exceeds the target speed. In this way, the meshing of the output wheel 530 with the feed wheel 423 assists the rotation of the material tray 70, thereby reducing the resistance when the extrusion drive wheel 321 drives the printing filament 701.

[0195] In one embodiment, the feeding and unloading method further includes the following steps:

[0196] S9, obtain the first rotational speed w1 of the extrusion driven wheel 322 when the material is ejected, and calculate the first ejection speed v3 of the extrusion driving wheel 321 pushing the printing consumable 701 based on the first rotational speed w1;

[0197] S10, based on the remaining material in the last display of the material tray 70, calculate the third rotation speed w3 and the second unloading speed v4 of the material tray 70;

[0198] S11, the adjusting drive assembly 510 drives the synchronous belt 523 in the adjusting transmission assembly 520 to move along the axial direction of the first roller 521 in the adjusting transmission assembly 520, so that the second unloading speed v4 is greater than the first unloading speed v3.

[0199] During the material ejection process, the controller detects the rotation of the grating wheel 333 via the first detection element 332, calculates the first rotational speed w1 of the extrusion driven wheel 322, and then calculates the first ejection speed v3 and ejection length based on the first rotational speed w1. The controller detects the rotation of the output wheel 530 via the second detection element 540, and, combined with the remaining amount of printing consumable 701 on the material tray 70 from the previous operation, calculates the third rotational speed w3 and the second ejection speed v4 of the material tray 70.

[0200] By adjusting the drive assembly 510 to move the synchronous belt 523 from right to left, the position of the synchronous belt 523 is changed, thereby altering the transmission ratio between the transmission worm gear 222 and the output wheel 530. This gradually increases the second rotational speed w2 of the output wheel 530, ensuring that the second ejection speed v4 of the material tray 70 is greater than the first ejection speed v3 of the extrusion driven wheel 322, thus guaranteeing that the printing consumable 701 is taut on the material tray 70. Alternatively, during ejection, the synchronous belt 523 can be moved directly to the far left. In this case, there is no need to estimate the remaining material on the material tray 70, and the second ejection speed v4 of the material tray 70 will still be greater than the first ejection speed v3 of the extrusion driven wheel 322.

[0201] See Figures 1 to 10 This application also provides a 3D printer, including a melting nozzle and a feeding / unloading device 10 as described in any of the above embodiments. The melting nozzle is disposed below the feeding / unloading device 10, which carries a spool of printing filament 701. The feeding / unloading device 10 can push the printing filament 701 into the melting nozzle and can also retract the printing filament 701. At least one feeding / unloading device 10 is provided, and the number of melting nozzles is the same as the number of feeding / unloading devices 10, and they are disposed below the corresponding feeding / unloading device 10. By using the feeding / unloading device 10 of the above embodiments, the 3D printer of this application can reduce the number of power sources, thereby reducing power consumption. Simultaneously, it can also estimate the remaining amount of printing filament 701 on the filament spool 70.

[0202] The technical features of the above embodiments can be combined in any way. For the sake of brevity, not all possible combinations of the technical features in the above embodiments are described. However, as long as there is no contradiction in the combination of these technical features, they should be considered to be within the scope of this specification.

[0203] The embodiments described above are merely illustrative of several implementation methods of this application, and while the descriptions are relatively specific and detailed, they should not be construed as limiting the scope of the patent application. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various modifications and improvements without departing from the concept of this application, and these all fall within the protection scope of this application. Therefore, the protection scope of this patent application should be determined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A feeding / unloading device, characterized in that, include: Support housing (100); The drive mechanism (200) includes a drive component (210) and a power transmission assembly (220). The drive component (210) is disposed on the support housing (100), and the power transmission assembly (220) is rotatably disposed on the support housing (100). The feeding and unloading mechanism includes an extrusion structure (300) and a feeding structure (400). The extrusion structure (300) is movably disposed on the support housing (100) and is configured to push or pull back the printing consumable (701). The feeding structure (400) is connected to the support housing (100) and drives the tray (70) wound with the printing consumable (701) to rotate. as well as An adjustment mechanism (500) is disposed in the support housing (100) and is connected to the extrusion structure (300) and the feeding structure (400) in a transmission manner. While the power transmission assembly (220) drives the extrusion structure (300) to rotate, it can also drive the feeding structure (400) to rotate synchronously through the adjustment mechanism, so that the feeding structure (400) drives the tray (70) to release or wind the printing consumable (701).

2. The feeding / unloading device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The adjustment mechanism (500) includes an adjustment drive assembly (510), an adjustment transmission assembly (520), and an output wheel (530). The adjustment transmission assembly (520) is rotatably disposed in the support housing (100) and is connected to the power transmission assembly (220). The output wheel (530) is connected to the feeding structure (400). The adjustment drive assembly (510) drives the adjustment transmission assembly (520) to move to change the rotation speed of the output wheel (530) driving the feeding structure (400). The adjusting transmission assembly (520) includes a first roller (521), a second roller (522), and a timing belt (523). The first roller (521) and the second roller (522) are rotatably disposed in the support housing (100) and are arranged in parallel. The timing belt (523) is sleeved on the first roller (521) and the second roller (522).

3. The feeding / unloading device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The large-diameter end of the first roller (521) is correspondingly set to the small-diameter end of the second roller (522), and the small-diameter end of the first roller (521) is correspondingly set to the large-diameter end of the second roller (522), and the diameter of the small-diameter end of the first roller (521) is greater than or equal to the diameter of the large-diameter end of the second roller (522). And / or, the output wheel (530) is disposed at the small diameter end of the second roller (522).

4. The feeding / unloading device according to claim 3, characterized in that, The adjustment mechanism (500) further includes a second detection element (540), which is disposed on the support housing (100) and corresponding to the output wheel (530). The second detection element (540) is used to detect the second rotation speed of the output wheel (530). And / or, the adjustment drive assembly (510) includes an adjustment drive (511), an adjustment transmission (512), and a transition member (513). The adjustment drive (511) is disposed on the support housing (100). The adjustment transmission (512) is movably disposed on the support housing (100) and outputs axial movement along the first roller (521). The transition member (513) is disposed at the output end of the adjustment transmission (512) and drives the synchronous belt (523). The adjustment transmission (512) is a ball screw structure, a gear rack structure, or a belt drive structure.

5. The feeding / unloading device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The extrusion structure (300) includes a feed tube (310) with a conveying channel (311) and a first conveying assembly (320). The first conveying assembly (320) is rotatably disposed on the support housing (100) and is able to contact the printing consumable (701) in the feed tube (310). The power transmission assembly (220) is driven to the first conveying assembly (320) to push or pull back the printing consumable (701) along the conveying channel (311). The first conveying assembly (320) includes an extrusion drive wheel (321) and an extrusion driven wheel (322). The feeding pipe (310) has a first clearance groove (312) and a second clearance groove (313) communicating with the conveying channel (311). The extrusion drive wheel (321) is rotatably disposed on the support housing (100) and is at least partially located in the first clearance groove (312). It is also connected to the power transmission assembly (220) in a transmission connection. The extrusion driven wheel (322) is rotatably disposed on the feeding pipe (310) and at least partially located in the second clearance groove (313). The outer wall of the extrusion driving wheel (321) and the outer wall of the extrusion driven wheel (322) form a feeding channel. The feeding channel is coaxially disposed and connected to the conveying channel (311).

6. The feeding / unloading device according to claim 5, characterized in that, The first conveying assembly (320) further includes an elastic element (323), which is disposed radially in the support housing (100) along the extrusion drive wheel (321) and abuts against the support housing (100) and the feeding tube (310). The elastic force of the elastic element (323) can push the feeding tube (310) toward the extrusion drive wheel (321) so that the extrusion drive wheel (321) and the extrusion driven wheel (322) clamp the printing consumable (701). The support housing (100) has a first mounting part (110), and the feeding tube (310) has a second mounting part (314). The two ends of the elastic element (323) are respectively mounted on the first mounting part (110) and the second mounting part (314). And / or, the extrusion structure (300) further includes a detection component (330); the detection component (330) includes a positioning detection element (331), which is disposed at the inlet end of the feeding tube (310) and is used to detect whether the printing consumable (701) is present at the inlet end of the feeding tube (310); and / or, the detection component (330) further includes a first detection element (332) and a grating wheel (333), the first detection element (332) is disposed at the feeding tube (310), the grating wheel (333) is coaxially disposed with the extrusion driven wheel (322) and rotates synchronously with the extrusion driven wheel (322) to detect the first rotation speed of the extrusion driven wheel (322), and the first detection element (332) can determine the feeding and unloading speed and feeding and unloading length of the first conveying component (320) according to the first rotation speed.

7. The feeding / unloading device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The feeding structure (400) includes a support plate (410) and a second conveying assembly (420). The support plate (410) is connected to the support housing (100) and houses the tray (70) on which the printing consumable (701) is wound. The second conveying assembly (420) is rotatably disposed on the support plate (410) and drives the tray (70) to rotate. The second conveying assembly (420) includes a first drive shaft (421), a second drive shaft (422), and a feeding wheel (423). The first drive shaft (421) and the second drive shaft (422) are rotatably mounted on the bearing plate (410) and rotatably support the material plate (70). The feeding wheel (423) is disposed on the first transmission shaft (421). The feeding wheel (423) is connected to the output end of the adjustment mechanism (500). The adjustment mechanism (500) can drive the feeding wheel (423) to drive the first transmission shaft (421) to rotate, so that the first transmission shaft (421) drives the material tray (70) to rotate, and drives the second transmission shaft (422) to rotate, so that the material tray (70) releases or winds the printing consumable (701).

8. A feeding / unloading method, characterized in that, Applied to the feeding / unloading device (10) as described in any one of claims 1 to 7; the feeding / unloading method includes at least the following steps: S1, obtain the feeding signal, drive component (210) drives power transmission component (220) to drive extrusion drive wheel (321) to rotate around the first direction, the extrusion drive wheel (321) drives printing consumable (701) to drive extrusion driven wheel (322) to rotate, so as to push the printing consumable (701); S2, while the power transmission component (220) is moving, the power transmission component (220) drives the adjustment transmission component (520) to drive the output wheel (530) to rotate, so that the output wheel (530) drives the second conveying component (420) to drive the material tray (70) to release the printing consumable (701); S3, when the material return signal is obtained, the driving component (210) drives the power transmission assembly (220) to drive the extrusion drive wheel (321) to rotate around the second direction, and the extrusion drive wheel (321) drives the printing consumable (701) to drive the extrusion driven wheel (322) to rotate, so as to retract the printing consumable (701); S4, while the power transmission component (220) moves, the power transmission component (220) drives the adjustment transmission component (520) to drive the output wheel (530) to rotate, so that the output wheel (530) drives the second conveying component (420) to wind the printing consumable (701).

9. The feeding and unloading method according to claim 8, characterized in that, The feeding and unloading method further includes at least one of the following features: The first item, the feeding and unloading method, further includes the following steps: S5, obtain the first rotation speed of the extrusion driven wheel (322) during feeding, and calculate the first feeding speed and first feeding length of the extrusion driving wheel (321) pushing the printing consumable (701) based on the first rotation speed; S6, obtain the second rotation speed of the output wheel (530), calculate the third rotation speed of the material tray (70) and the second feeding speed of the material tray (70) based on the second rotation speed, and calculate the remaining material of the printing consumable (701) in the material tray (70) based on the third rotation speed and the second feeding speed; Secondly, the feeding and unloading method further includes the following steps: S7, obtain the target rotation speed of the feed tray (70) driving the output wheel (530) to rotate through the feed wheel (423) during feeding; S8, the adjustment drive assembly (510) drives the synchronous belt (523) in the adjustment transmission assembly (520) to move along the axial direction of the first roller (521) in the adjustment transmission assembly (520), so that the second rotation speed of the output wheel (530) gradually reaches or exceeds the target rotation speed; Thirdly, the feeding and unloading method further includes the following steps: S9, obtain the first rotation speed of the extrusion driven wheel (322) when the material is ejected, and calculate the first ejection speed of the extrusion driving wheel (321) pushing the printing consumable (701) based on the first rotation speed; S10, based on the remaining material in the tray (70) displayed last time, calculate the third rotation speed and the second unloading speed of the tray (70); S11, the adjusting drive assembly (510) drives the timing belt (523) in the adjusting transmission assembly (520) to move axially along the first roller (521) in the adjusting transmission assembly (520) so that the second unloading speed is greater than the first unloading speed.

10. A 3D printer, characterized in that, The device includes a melting nozzle and a feeding / unloading device (10) as described in any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the melting nozzle is disposed below the feeding / unloading device (10), the feeding / unloading device (10) is used to carry a coil of printing consumable (701) wound around it, the feeding / unloading device (10) is capable of pushing the printing consumable (701) into the melting nozzle, and the feeding / unloading device (10) is also capable of retracting the printing consumable (701); The number of feeding and unloading devices (10) is at least one, and the number of melting nozzles is the same as the number of feeding and unloading devices (10), and they are arranged below the corresponding feeding and unloading devices (10).

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