A clutching mechanism for continuous fiber composite 3D printing

Abstract

The application relates to the field of 3D printing, in particular to a clutching and feeding mechanism for continuous fiber composite 3D printing. The feeding pipe is fixed on a shell through a joint, the tail end of the feeding pipe is connected with a feeding path formed by a feeding groove of a pressing feeding wheel and a feeding groove of a driving feeding wheel, the lower end of the feeding groove is connected with a discharging path at the lower end of the shell, and the shell is fixed on a motor connecting plate; the pressing feeding wheel is driven by the driving feeding wheel through gear meshing, the driving feeding wheel is fixed on a driving feeding shaft, the driving feeding shaft is driven to rotate by a transmission wheel fixed thereon, the transmission wheel is in transmission connection with a driving wheel through gears, the driving wheel is fixed on a stepping motor, and the stepping motor is fixed on the motor connecting plate; the two ends of the driving feeding shaft are sleeved in bearing inner rings, and bearing outer rings are sleeved with the motor connecting plate and the shell respectively; the swing angle of a rudder arm of a rudder can be controlled through the rudder, different feeding modes can be switched, and the fiber tension can be controlled.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of 3D printing, and more specifically to a clutch filament feeding mechanism for 3D printing of continuous fiber composite materials. Background Technology

[0002] Continuous fiber FDM printing technology is widely used in many high-end manufacturing fields such as aerospace parts, automotive structural parts, and medical implants due to its advantages of lightweight, high strength and one-piece molding of printed components. As its application scenarios expand to precision components and complex functional parts and as the technology iterates and upgrades, the demand for precise control of the continuous fiber feeding process is also gradually increasing. This is mainly reflected in the precision and stability of fiber supply and the rapid response of clutch action, which directly determines the fiber arrangement accuracy and damage degree of the formed parts.

[0003] Currently, the filament feeding method in continuous fiber FDM printing technology mainly adopts constant clamping. When faced with fiber dragging caused by complex fiber arrangement paths, the constant clamping filament feeding method results in the extruded fiber length being much greater than the fiber length laid by the nozzle, and it is impossible to control the fiber tension during the printing process, which leads to problems in fiber laying and even filament breakage. Summary of the Invention

[0004] To overcome the shortcomings of the prior art, the present invention provides a clutch filament feeding mechanism for 3D printing of continuous fiber composite materials. Its advantage is that the swing angle of the servo motor rocker arm can be adjusted by the servo motor to switch different filament feeding modes and control the fiber tension during the printing process.

[0005] The technical solution adopted by this invention to solve its technical problem is:

[0006] A clutch-type filament feeding mechanism for continuous fiber composite material 3D printing includes a stepper motor, a motor connecting plate, a housing, a feed tube, a connector, a pressure plate reset head, a pressure plate, a clamping bearing, a servo rocker arm, a servo motor, a reset spring, a drive wheel, a bearing, a pressure plate rotating shaft, a transmission wheel, a drive filament feeding wheel, a drive filament feeding shaft, a clamping filament feeding wheel, a clamping filament feeding shaft, and a needle roller bearing. The feed tube is fixed to the housing via a connector, and its end connects to the filament feeding path formed by the filament feeding groove of the clamping filament feeding wheel and the filament feeding groove of the drive filament feeding wheel. The lower end of the filament feeding groove is connected to the discharge path at the lower end of the housing. The housing is fixed to the motor connecting plate. The clamping filament feeding wheel is driven by the drive filament feeding wheel through gear meshing. The drive filament feeding wheel is fixedly connected to the drive filament feeding shaft, which is in turn fixedly connected to the drive filament feeding shaft. The drive wheel on it rotates, and the drive wheel is connected to the drive wheel through gears. The drive wheel is fixed to the stepper motor, and the stepper motor is fixed to the motor connecting plate. The two ends of the drive wire feeding shaft are sleeved on the inner ring of the bearing, and the outer ring of the bearing is sleeved on the motor connecting plate and the housing respectively. The clamping wire feeding wheel is sleeved on the clamping wire feeding shaft through a needle roller bearing. The clamping wire feeding shaft is fixed to the pressure plate through a groove on the pressure plate. The pressure plate is constrained by the pressure plate rotation shaft and can rotate around it. The end of the pressure plate rotation shaft is fixed to the housing by a thread, and the other end is stuck in the recess of the motor connecting plate. The return spring is fixed to the pressure plate return head, and the pressure plate return head is fixed to the pressure plate. The clamping bearing is tangent to the pressure plate, and the inner ring of the clamping bearing is fixed to the boss of the servo rocker arm. The servo rocker arm is fixed to the servo.

[0007] Furthermore, the servo motor can drive the servo motor rocker arm to rotate clockwise, pressing the pressure plate through the clamping bearing, causing the clamping feed wheel on the pressure plate to mesh with the driving feed wheel, and the feed groove clamps the fiber. At this time, the feed mode changes to the clamping feed mode, in which the fiber and the feed wheel only experience static friction.

[0008] Furthermore, the servo motor can drive the servo motor rocker arm to rotate counterclockwise, and the pressure plate is reset under the action of the return spring, causing the clamping feed wheel to separate from the driving feed wheel, and the fiber is no longer clamped. At this time, the feed mode changes to passive feed mode, in which there is no friction between the fiber and the feed wheel, and the fiber is pulled out from the printed fiber.

[0009] Furthermore, the servo motor can adjust the distance between the clamping feed wheel and the feed groove of the drive feed wheel by controlling the rotation angle of the servo motor rocker arm, thereby controlling the clamping force and sliding friction of the fiber. At this time, the feed mode is changed to tension feed mode, in which the fiber and the feed wheel only experience sliding friction.

[0010] Furthermore, the stepper motor provides power for the wire feeding function. Through the transmission of the drive wheel, transmission wheel and drive wire feeding shaft, it drives the drive wire feeding wheel and the clamping wire feeding wheel to rotate synchronously to achieve the wire feeding action.

[0011] Furthermore, the clamping bearing is used to reduce friction with the pressure plate and extend the service life of the servo motor.

[0012] Furthermore, when the pressure bearing no longer presses the pressure plate, the reset spring can drive the pressure plate to rotate counterclockwise to reset, so that the pressure feeding wheel and the drive feeding wheel can be quickly separated.

[0013] Furthermore, the two feeding grooves on the driving feeding wheel and the pressing feeding wheel are arranged opposite each other to form a feeding path adapted to the fiber, ensuring the stability of the fiber feeding process.

[0014] Furthermore, the drive wire feeding shaft is rotatably connected to the motor connecting plate and the housing via bearings, thereby reducing the frictional resistance when the drive wire feeding shaft rotates.

[0015] Furthermore, the pressing and feeding roller is rotatably connected to the pressing and feeding shaft via a needle roller bearing, ensuring that the pressing and feeding roller rotates flexibly and improving the smoothness of the feeding.

[0016] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows:

[0017] By adjusting the swing angle of the servo arm using a servo motor, different filament feeding modes can be switched. The clamping filament feeding mode delivers the fiber out of the nozzle, reducing drag at corners prone to snagging. The passive filament feeding mode alleviates the problem of mismatch between the filament length and the layup length. The tension filament feeding mode controls the fiber tension during printing. Switching between these three modes is beneficial for 3D printing processes. Attached Figure Description

[0018] The present invention will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific implementation methods.

[0019] Figure 1 This is an overall schematic diagram of a clutch-and-filament feeding mechanism for 3D printing of continuous fiber composite materials.

[0020] Figure 2 This is an internal schematic diagram of a clutch-and-filament feeding mechanism for 3D printing of continuous fiber composite materials.

[0021] Figure 3 This is a partial structural diagram of the pressure plate and the clamping wire feeding wheel of this mechanism;

[0022] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the wire feeding mode switching of this organization;

[0023] In the diagram: Stepper motor 1; Motor connecting plate 2; Housing 3; Feeding tube 4; Connector 5; Pressure plate reset head 6; Pressure plate 7; Pressing bearing 8; Servo rocker arm 9; Servo 10; Reset spring 11; Drive wheel 12; Bearing 13; Pressure plate rotating shaft 14; Transmission wheel 15; Drive wire feeding wheel 16; Drive wire feeding shaft 17; Pressing wire feeding wheel 18; Pressing wire feeding shaft 19; Needle roller bearing 20. Detailed Implementation

[0024] The following is in conjunction with the appendix Figure 1-3 A clutch-and-filament feeding mechanism for continuous fiber composite material 3D printing according to the present invention will be described in detail.

[0025] I. Organizational Structure and Connections

[0026] A clutch-type filament feeding mechanism for continuous fiber composite material 3D printing includes a stepper motor 1, a motor connecting plate 2, a housing 3, a feed tube 4, a connector 5, a pressure plate reset head 6, a pressure plate 7, a clamping bearing 8, a servo rocker arm 9, a servo motor 10, a reset spring 11, a drive wheel 12, a bearing 13, a pressure plate rotation shaft 14, a transmission wheel 15, a drive filament feeding wheel 16, a drive filament feeding shaft 17, a clamping filament feeding wheel 18, a clamping filament feeding shaft 19, and a needle roller bearing 20. The feeding tube 4 is fixed to the housing 3 via a connector 5. The end of the feeding tube 4 is connected to the feeding path formed by the feeding groove of the pressing feeding wheel 18 and the feeding groove of the driving feeding wheel 16. The lower end of the feeding groove is connected to the discharge path at the lower end of the housing 3. The housing 3 is fixed to the motor connecting plate 2. The pressing feeding wheel 18 is driven by the driving feeding wheel 16 through gear meshing. The driving feeding wheel 16 is fixed to the driving feeding shaft 17. The driving feeding shaft 17 is driven to rotate by the transmission wheel 15 fixed to it. The transmission wheel 15 is connected to the driving wheel 12 through gear transmission. The driving wheel 12 is fixed to the stepper motor 1. The stepper motor 1 is fixed to the motor connecting plate 2. The two ends of the driving feeding shaft 17 are sleeved on the inner ring of the bearing 13. The outer ring of the bearing 13 is sleeved on the motor connecting plate 2 and the housing 3 respectively. The pressing feeding wheel 18 is sleeved on the pressing feeding shaft 19 through the needle roller bearing 20. The pressing feeding shaft 19 is connected to the pressure plate 7. The groove on the plate is fixed to the pressure plate 7. The pressure plate 7 is constrained by the pressure plate rotation shaft 14 and can rotate around it. The end of the pressure plate rotation shaft 14 is fixed to the housing 3 by a thread, and the other end is stuck in the recess of the motor connecting plate 2. The reset spring 11 is fixed to the pressure plate reset head 6, and the pressure plate reset head 6 is fixed to the pressure plate 7. The clamping bearing 8 is tangent to the pressure plate 7. The inner ring of the clamping bearing 8 is fixed to the boss of the servo rocker arm 9, and the servo rocker arm 9 is fixed to the servo 10.

[0027] The servo motor 10 can drive the servo motor rocker arm 9 to rotate clockwise, and press the pressure plate 7 through the pressure bearing 8, so that the pressure feeding wheel 18 on the pressure plate 7 meshes with the drive feeding wheel 16, and the feeding groove clamps the fiber to form a feeding path, realizing the pressure feeding mode. In this mode, the fiber and the feeding wheel only have static friction.

[0028] The servo motor 10 can drive the servo motor rocker arm 9 to rotate counterclockwise. The pressure plate 7 is reset under the action of the reset spring 11, so that the clamping feed wheel 18 is separated from the driving feed wheel 16, and the fiber is no longer clamped, realizing the passive feed mode. In this mode, there is no friction between the fiber and the feed wheel, and the fiber is pulled out by the printed fiber.

[0029] The servo motor 10 can control the rotation angle of the servo motor rocker arm 9 to adjust the distance between the clamping feed wheel 18 and the feed groove of the drive feed wheel 16, thereby controlling the clamping force and sliding friction of the fiber to achieve tension feeding mode, in which the fiber and the feed wheel only experience sliding friction.

[0030] The stepper motor 1 provides power for the wire feeding function. Through the transmission of the drive wheel 12, the transmission wheel 15 and the drive wire feeding shaft 17, it drives the drive wire feeding wheel 16 and the pressing wire feeding wheel 18 to rotate synchronously to achieve the wire feeding action.

[0031] The clamping bearing 8 is used to reduce friction with the pressure plate 7 and extend the service life of the servo motor 10.

[0032] When the pressure bearing 8 no longer presses the pressure plate 7, the reset spring 11 can drive the pressure plate 7 to rotate counterclockwise to reset, so that the pressure feeding wheel 18 and the drive feeding wheel 16 can be quickly separated.

[0033] The two feeding grooves on the drive feeding wheel 16 and the pressing feeding wheel 18 are arranged opposite each other to form a feeding path adapted to the fiber, ensuring the stability of the fiber feeding process.

[0034] The drive wire feeding shaft 17 is rotatably connected to the motor connecting plate 2 and the housing 3 via bearings 13, thereby reducing the frictional resistance when the drive wire feeding shaft 17 rotates.

[0035] The pressing and feeding roller 18 is rotatably connected to the pressing and feeding shaft 19 via the needle roller bearing 20, ensuring that the pressing and feeding roller 18 rotates flexibly and improving the smoothness of the feeding.

[0036] II. Organizational Work Process

[0037] Fiber conveying path: During operation, the fiber enters from the feeding pipe 4, reaches the groove of the drive feeding wheel 16, and finally leaves from the discharge path at the lower end of the housing 3.

[0038] Pressing and feeding mode: In this mode, the fiber only experiences static friction with the feeding wheel. The servo arm 9 rotates clockwise, pressing the pressure plate 7 via the pressing bearing 8. The pressure plate 7 rotates clockwise around the pressure plate rotation axis 14 until the pressing feeding wheel 18 on the pressure plate 7 meshes with the driving feeding wheel 16, and the feeding grooves of the two feeding wheels clamp the fiber. After the above actions are completed, the stepper motor 1 drives the driving feeding wheel 16 to start feeding the fiber.

[0039] Passive fiber feeding mode: In this mode, there is no friction between the fiber and the feeding wheel. The servo arm 9 rotates counterclockwise, and the pressure plate 7 begins to reset via the return spring 11. Driven by the return spring 11, the pressure plate 7 rotates counterclockwise around the pressure plate rotation axis 14 until the clamping feeding wheel 18 on the pressure plate 7 separates from the driving feeding wheel 16, and the fiber is no longer clamped. After the above actions are completed, the fiber is pulled out by the printed fiber.

[0040] Tension feeding mode: In this mode, the fiber and the feeding wheel only experience sliding friction. The servo rocker arm 9 controls the rotation angle of the pressure plate by controlling the rotation angle, which in turn controls the distance between the feeding groove of the clamping feeding wheel 18 and the driving feeding wheel 16, thereby controlling the clamping force of the fiber and thus controlling the sliding friction force to achieve fiber tension adjustment.

Claims

1. A clutch-type filament feeding mechanism for 3D printing of continuous fiber composite materials, characterized in that: The system includes a stepper motor (1), a motor connecting plate (2), a housing (3), a feeding tube (4), a connector (5), a pressure plate reset head (6), a pressure plate (7), a clamping bearing (8), a servo rocker arm (9), a servo motor (10), a reset spring (11), a drive wheel (12), a bearing (13), a pressure plate rotating shaft (14), a transmission wheel (15), a drive wire feeding wheel (16), a drive wire feeding shaft (17), a clamping wire feeding wheel (18), a clamping wire feeding shaft (19), and a needle roller bearing (20). The feeding tube (4) is fixed to the housing (3) via the connector (5). The end of the feeding tube (4) is connected to the wire feeding path formed by the wire feeding groove of the clamping wire feeding wheel (18) and the wire feeding groove of the drive wire feeding wheel (16). The lower end of the wire feeding groove is connected to the discharge path at the lower end of the housing (3). The housing (3) is fixed to the motor connecting plate (2). The pressure plate reset head (6), the pressure plate (7), the clamping bearing (8), the servo rocker arm (9), the servo motor (10), the reset spring (11), the drive wheel (12), the bearing (13), the pressure plate rotating shaft (14), the transmission wheel (15), the drive wire feeding wheel (16), the drive wire feeding wheel (16), the clamping wire feeding wheel (18), the clamping wire feeding shaft (19), and the needle roller bearing (20). The pressing feed wheel (18) is driven by the driving feed wheel (16) through gear meshing. The driving feed wheel (16) is fixed on the driving feed shaft (17). The driving feed shaft (17) is driven to rotate by the transmission wheel (15) fixed on it. The transmission wheel (15) is connected to the driving wheel (12) through gear transmission. The driving wheel (12) is fixed on the stepper motor (1). The stepper motor (1) is fixed on the motor connecting plate (2). The two ends of the driving feed shaft (17) are sleeved on the inner ring of the bearing (13). The outer ring of the bearing (13) is sleeved on the motor connecting plate (2) and the housing (3) respectively. The pressing feed wheel (18) is sleeved on the pressing feed shaft (19) through the needle roller bearing (20). The pressing feed shaft (19) is fixed on the pressure plate (7) through the groove on the pressure plate (7). The pressure plate (7) is constrained by the pressure plate rotation shaft (14) and can rotate around it. The end of the rotating shaft (14) is fixed to the housing (3) by a thread, and the other end is stuck in the recess of the motor connecting plate (2); the reset spring (11) is fixed to the pressure plate reset head (6), and the pressure plate reset head (6) is fixed to the pressure plate (7); the clamping bearing (8) is tangent to the pressure plate (7), the inner ring of the clamping bearing (8) is fixed to the boss of the servo rocker arm (9), and the servo rocker arm (9) is fixed to the servo (10).

2. The clutch-and-feed mechanism for 3D printing of continuous fiber composite materials according to claim 1, characterized in that: The servo motor (10) can drive the servo motor rocker arm (9) to rotate clockwise, and press the pressure plate (7) through the pressure bearing (8), so that the pressure feeding wheel (18) on the pressure plate (7) meshes with the driving feeding wheel (16), and the feeding groove clamps the fiber. At this time, the feeding mode is changed to the pressure feeding mode, in which the fiber and the feeding wheel only have static friction.

3. The clutch-and-feed mechanism for 3D printing of continuous fiber composite materials according to claim 1, characterized in that: The servo motor (10) can drive the servo motor rocker arm (9) to rotate counterclockwise. The pressure plate (7) is reset under the action of the reset spring (11), so that the clamping feed wheel (18) is separated from the driving feed wheel (16) and the fiber is no longer clamped. At this time, the feeding mode is changed to the passive feeding mode. In this mode, the fiber has no friction with the feed wheel and the fiber is pulled out by the printed fiber.

4. The clutch-and-feed mechanism for 3D printing of continuous fiber composite materials according to claim 1, characterized in that: The servo motor (10) can adjust the distance between the clamping feed wheel (18) and the feed groove of the drive feed wheel (16) by controlling the rotation angle of the servo motor rocker arm (9), thereby controlling the clamping force and sliding friction of the fiber. At this time, the feed mode is changed to tension feed mode, in which the fiber and the feed wheel only slide friction.

5. The clutch-and-feed mechanism for 3D printing of continuous fiber composite materials according to claim 1, characterized in that: The stepper motor (1) provides power for the wire feeding function. Through the transmission of the drive wheel (12), transmission wheel (15) and drive wire feeding shaft (17), it drives the drive wire feeding wheel (16) and the pressing wire feeding wheel (18) to rotate synchronously to realize the wire feeding action.

6. The clutch-and-feed mechanism for 3D printing of continuous fiber composite materials according to claim 1, characterized in that: The clamping bearing (8) is used to reduce friction with the pressure plate (7) and extend the service life of the servo motor (10).

7. The clutch-and-feed mechanism for 3D printing of continuous fiber composite materials according to claim 1, characterized in that: When the pressure bearing (8) no longer presses the pressure plate (7), the reset spring (11) can drive the pressure plate (7) to rotate counterclockwise to reset, so that the pressure feeding wheel (18) and the drive feeding wheel (16) can be quickly separated.

8. The clutch-and-feed mechanism for 3D printing of continuous fiber composite materials according to claim 1, characterized in that: The two feeding grooves on the drive feeding wheel (16) and the pressing feeding wheel (18) are arranged opposite each other to form a feeding path adapted to the fiber, ensuring the stability of the fiber feeding process.

9. A clutch-and-feed mechanism for 3D printing of continuous fiber composite materials according to claim 1, characterized in that: The drive wire feeding shaft (17) is rotatably connected to the motor connecting plate (2) and the housing (3) respectively through the bearing (13), thereby reducing the frictional resistance when the drive wire feeding shaft (17) rotates.

10. A clutch-and-feed mechanism for 3D printing of continuous fiber composite materials according to claim 1, characterized in that: The pressing wire feeding wheel (18) is rotatably connected to the pressing wire feeding shaft (19) through the needle roller bearing (20), ensuring that the pressing wire feeding wheel (18) rotates flexibly and improving the smoothness of wire feeding.

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