Automatic consumable replacement structure

Abstract

The utility model discloses an automatic consumable replacement structure which comprises a connecting plate, a straight pipe, an arc-shaped bifurcated pipe, a detection mechanism and a discharging pipe. The arc-shaped bifurcated pipe comprises two groups of arc-shaped branch pipes which are embedded in the front side of the connecting plate and are respectively connected with the straight pipe, and feeding pipes which are connected to the end parts, far away from the straight pipe, of the arc-shaped branch pipes, and the connecting plate is respectively provided with detection pieces which are used for detecting the positions of consumables in the straight pipe and the positions of the consumables in the arc-shaped branch pipes. Before printing, when the detection mechanism detects that the consumable allowance used in the straight pipe is not enough for printing the current model, the consumable in the straight pipe is withdrawn into the corresponding arc-shaped branch pipe by a part in the 3D printer, the consumable in the other arc-shaped branch pipe is conveyed into the straight pipe, and finally the consumable is conveyed to a printing head of the 3D printer. Therefore, the situation that consumables are insufficient in the printing process is avoided, continuous printing is achieved, and then the appearance quality and strength of the model are ensured.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to the technical field of 3D printing equipment, and in particular to an automatic consumable material replacement structure. Background Art

[0002] Traditional 3D printing equipment usually adopts a single consumable box design, and the consumables used are generally coiled material trays. After printing a roll of consumables, it is necessary to manually replace the second roll of consumables to continue printing, which not only reduces printing efficiency, but also increases the difficulty of operation. In addition, during use, operators often encounter problems such as not replacing the material tray in time, resulting in the machine running out of consumables and the model being scrapped; or due to stopping the machine to change materials in the middle of the process, the model has obvious splicing marks at the material change position, which affects the appearance quality and strength of the model.

[0003] In view of the above problems, various solutions have been proposed in the prior art, but these methods are either too complicated in structure, or during the automatic material changing process, the machine needs to pause printing, reverse the extruder, and withdraw the remaining section of the consumable in the consumable tube before the new consumable can be introduced. This method is time-consuming, and there will still be obvious splicing marks at the material changing position, so it cannot achieve true continuous printing and automatic material changing. Utility Model Content

[0004] The utility model aims to provide an automatic consumables replacement structure to solve the problem that the existing 3D printer has a long interval between replacing consumables, resulting in obvious model splicing marks and inability to achieve continuous printing of the model.

[0005] The technical solution of the utility model to solve the above technical problems is as follows:

[0006] A consumables automatic material replacement structure, comprising: a connecting plate, a straight tube transversely embedded in the front side of the connecting plate, an arc-shaped bifurcated tube embedded in the front side of the connecting plate and connected to one end of the straight tube, a detection mechanism arranged at the front side of the connecting plate and used to detect the running length of the consumables in the straight tube, and a discharge tube connected to the other end of the straight tube;

[0007] The arc-shaped bifurcated pipe includes two groups of arc-shaped branch pipes embedded in the front side of the connecting plate and respectively connected to the straight pipes, and a feed pipe connected to the end of the arc-shaped branch pipe away from the straight pipe. The connecting plate is respectively provided with detection parts for detecting the position of consumables in the straight pipe and the position of consumables in the arc-shaped branch pipe, and the number of detection parts corresponds one-to-one to the number of straight pipes and arc-shaped branch pipes.

[0008] Furthermore, a first notch communicating with the interior of the straight tube is provided on the straight tube, and a driving rod of the detection member corresponding to the straight tube extends into the first notch;

[0009] A second notch communicating with the interior of the corresponding arc-shaped branch pipe is provided on the arc-shaped branch pipe, and a driving rod of a detection member corresponding to the arc-shaped branch pipe extends into the second notch of the corresponding arc-shaped branch pipe.

[0010] Furthermore, the end of the straight pipe away from the arc-shaped branch pipe extends out of one side of the connecting plate, and the end of the arc-shaped branch pipe away from the straight pipe extends out of the other side of the connecting plate.

[0011] Furthermore, the end of the arc-shaped branch pipe away from the straight pipe is arranged to be inclined downward.

[0012] Furthermore, the straight pipe and the two groups of arc-shaped branch pipes are combined to form an R-shaped structure.

[0013] Furthermore, the arc-shaped branch pipes are arranged in at least two groups.

[0014] Furthermore, a third notch communicating with the interior of the straight tube is provided at the bottom of the straight tube;

[0015] The detection mechanism includes an L-shaped block arranged at the bottom of the connecting plate, and a code disk rotatably connected between the side wall of the L-shaped block and the connecting plate. A contact wheel corresponding to the third notch is arranged on the rotating shaft of the code disk, and the outer edge of the contact wheel contacts the consumables in the third notch. A groove-shaped photoelectric switch for detecting the code disk is arranged on the inner wall of the bottom end of the L-shaped block.

[0016] Furthermore, an L-shaped plate is provided on the back side of the connecting plate.

[0017] The utility model has the following beneficial effects:

[0018] 1. The utility model discloses an automatic material changing structure for consumables. A double consumable box is installed on the 3D printer, and the consumables are placed in corresponding consumable boxes. The consumables in the two consumable boxes are respectively transported to the feed pipe through the wire feeding component in the 3D printer, and enter into two arc-shaped branch pipes through the feed pipe. The consumables in one of the arc-shaped branch pipes enter into the straight pipe, and finally pass out from the discharge pipe and extend into the print head on the 3D printer. The detection mechanism is used to detect the running length of the consumables used in the straight pipe. Before printing, when the detection mechanism detects that the remaining consumables used in the straight pipe are insufficient to print the current model, the components in the 3D printer withdraw the consumables in the straight pipe into the corresponding arc-shaped branch pipe, and further transport the consumables in the other arc-shaped branch pipe into the straight pipe, and finally transport them to the print head of the 3D printer for continued printing, thereby avoiding the situation of insufficient consumables during the printing process, realizing continuous printing, and thus ensuring the appearance quality and strength of the model.

[0019] 2. The automatic material replacement structure of the consumables of the utility model, when the consumables need to be replaced, only the consumables in the straight tube need to be returned to the corresponding arc-shaped branch tube, and the consumables in the other arc-shaped branch tube need to be transported to the straight tube, and finally transported to the print head of the 3D printer. The above-mentioned replacement method is time-saving and has a fast response, while reducing the operation time. There is no need for staff to guard the printer for a long time, saving personnel costs.

[0020] 3. The detection mechanism of the utility model, as the model is printed, the consumables are gradually transported to the print head through the straight tube. When the consumables in the straight tube move, they will drive the contact wheel to rotate, and the rotation of the contact wheel will drive the code disk to rotate. The code disk is used to measure the rotation angle of the rotating shaft and transmit the above rotation angle to the control system of the 3D printer, so as to confirm the number of rotations of the contact wheel. The length of the used consumables can be calculated using the circumference of the contact wheel and the number of rotations. Therefore, the remaining consumables can be calculated through the control system, thereby avoiding the situation of insufficient consumables during the printing process and realizing continuous printing. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] Figure 1 It is a structural schematic diagram of the automatic material replacement structure for consumables;

[0022] Figure 2 It is a three-dimensional structural schematic diagram of the consumables automatic material replacement structure;

[0023] Figure 3 It is a structural schematic diagram of the connecting plate and the straight pipe;

[0024] Figure 4 It is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the automatic material changing structure for consumables installed with an L-shaped plate.

[0025] In the figure: 1. connecting plate; 2. straight tube; 21. first notch; 22. third notch; 3. arc-shaped bifurcated tube; 31. arc-shaped branch tube; 32. feed tube; 33. second notch; 4. detection mechanism; 41. L-shaped block; 42. code disk; 43. contact wheel; 44. slot-shaped photoelectric switch; 5. discharge tube; 6. detection part; 7. L-shaped plate. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] The principles and features of the present invention are described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The examples given are only used to explain the present invention and are not used to limit the scope of the present invention.

[0027] like Figure 1 and Figure 2As shown, in an embodiment of the utility model, there is provided a consumables automatic material changing structure, comprising: a connecting plate 1, a straight tube 2 transversely embedded in the front side of the connecting plate 1, that is, the straight tube 2 is arranged along the length direction of the connecting plate 1, an arc-shaped bifurcated tube 3 embedded in the front side of the connecting plate 1 and connected to one end of the straight tube 2, and a detection mechanism 4 arranged at the front side of the connecting plate 1 and used to detect the running length of the consumables in the straight tube 2, wherein the connecting plate 1 is used to set the side of the straight tube 2 as the front side, and the arc-shaped bifurcated tube 3 and the detection mechanism 4 are located on the same side as the straight tube 2, and no specific restrictions are made here; the detection mechanism 4 is communicatively connected to the control system of the 3D printer, used for the running length of the consumables, and the detection result is fed back to the printer, as well as a discharge tube 5 connected to the other end of the straight tube 2; the outer wall of the end of the straight tube 2 away from the arc-shaped bifurcated tube 3 is provided with an external thread, and the inner wall of the discharge tube 5 is provided with an internal thread matching the external thread at the end of the straight tube 2, so that the threaded connection between the discharge tube 5 and the straight tube 2 is realized;

[0028] The arc-shaped bifurcated pipe 3 includes two groups of arc-shaped branch pipes 31 embedded in the front side of the connecting plate 1 and connected to the straight pipe 2 respectively, and a feed pipe 32 connected to the end of the arc-shaped branch pipe 31 away from the straight pipe 2. The outer wall of the end of the arc-shaped branch pipe 31 away from the straight pipe 2 is provided with an external thread, and the inner wall of the feed pipe 32 is provided with an internal thread that cooperates with the external thread of the end of the arc-shaped branch pipe 31, so as to realize the threaded connection between the feed pipe 32 and the arc-shaped branch pipe 31; the threaded connection between the discharge pipe 5 and the straight pipe 2, and the threaded connection between the feed pipe 32 and the arc-shaped branch pipe 31 facilitate the installation and disassembly of the discharge pipe 5 and the feed pipe 32. The straight pipe 2 and the two groups of arc-shaped branch pipes 31 in this embodiment are combined to form an R-shaped structure; and the connecting plate 1 is provided with detection parts 6 for detecting the position of the consumables in the straight pipe 2 and the position of the consumables in the arc-shaped branch pipe 31, respectively, and the number of the detection parts 6 corresponds to the number of the straight pipe 2 and the arc-shaped branch pipe 31. The end of the straight tube 2 away from the arc-shaped branch tube 31 extends out of one side of the connecting plate 1, and the end of the arc-shaped branch tube 31 away from the straight tube 2 extends out of the other side of the connecting plate 1; the end of the arc-shaped branch tube 31 away from the straight tube 2 is tilted downward. The detection member 6 adopts a limit switch, specifically a KW4A (S) model, which is connected to the control system of the 3D printer for detecting the position of the consumables in the straight tube 2 and the arc-shaped branch tube 31.

[0029] The arc-shaped branch tubes 31 are arranged in at least two groups. In the present embodiment, the arc-shaped branch tubes 31 are arranged in two groups, so that they can be replaced in time according to the usage of the consumables when printing the model. In other embodiments of the present invention, the arc-shaped branch tubes 31 can be arranged in three groups.

[0030] In order to facilitate connection with a 3D printer, an L-shaped plate 7 is provided on the back side of the connecting plate 1 .

[0031] like Figures 2 to 4As shown, the straight tube 2 is provided with a first notch 21 connected to the interior of the straight tube 2, the first notch 21 is provided at the top of the straight tube 2, and the driving rod of the detection member 6 corresponding to the straight tube 2 extends into the first notch 21. The arc-shaped branch tube 31 is provided with a second notch 33 connected to the interior of the corresponding arc-shaped branch tube 31, and the driving rod of the detection member 6 corresponding to the arc-shaped branch tube 31 extends into the second notch 33 of the corresponding arc-shaped branch tube 31; in order to facilitate the setting of the detection member 6, the second notch 33 on the upper arc-shaped branch tube 31 is provided at the top, and the second notch 33 on the lower arc-shaped branch tube 31 is provided at the bottom. The detection member 6 is used to detect the consumables in the first notch 21 and the second notch 33.

[0032] The bottom of the straight tube 2 is provided with a third notch 22 connected to the inside of the straight tube 2; the detection mechanism 4 includes an L-shaped block 41 arranged at the bottom of the connecting plate 1, a certain distance between the side wall of the L-shaped block 41 and the connecting plate 1, and a code disk 42 rotatably connected between the side wall of the L-shaped block 41 and the connecting plate 1, and the two ends of the rotating shaft connected to the code disk 42 are rotatably connected between the connecting plate 1 and the side wall of the L-shaped block 41, and the two ends of the rotating shaft cooperate with the connecting plate 1 and the L-shaped block 41 through the shaft hole to realize rotation; a contact wheel 43 corresponding to the third notch 22 is provided on the rotating shaft of the code disk 42, The outer edge of the contact wheel 43 contacts the consumables in the third notch 22, and the inner wall of the bottom end of the L-shaped block 41 is provided with a groove-shaped photoelectric switch 44 for detecting the code disk 42. The code disk 42 and the groove-shaped photoelectric switch 44 are both communicatively connected to the control system of the 3D printer. The code disk 42 is used to measure the rotation angle of the rotating shaft, and then transmit the above rotation angle to the control system of the 3D printer, and confirm the number of rotations of the rotating shaft, and then confirm the number of rotations of the contact wheel 43, and finally confirm the length of the consumable material used. The groove-shaped photoelectric switch 44 is used to detect the position of the code disk 42.

[0033] The 3D printer is equipped with a double consumable box, and the consumables are placed in the corresponding consumable box; when in use, the consumables in the two consumable boxes are respectively transported to the feed pipe 32 through the wire feeding component in the 3D printer, and enter the two arc-shaped branch pipes 31 through the feed pipe 32. The consumables in one of the arc-shaped branch pipes 31 enter the straight pipe 2, and finally pass through the discharge pipe 5 and extend into the print head on the 3D printer. The consumables will gradually be consumed as the model is printed. When the consumables move in the straight pipe 2 along the direction of the discharge pipe 5, they will drive the contact wheel 43 to rotate, and then drive the code disk 42 to rotate. The code disk 42 is used to measure the rotation angle of the shaft, and transmit the above rotation angle to the control system of the 3D printer, and then the number of rotations of the contact wheel 43 can be confirmed. The length of the used consumables can be calculated using the circumference of the contact wheel 43 and the number of rotations, so the remaining consumables are calculated through the control system.

[0034] Before printing, when the detection mechanism 4 cooperates with the control system and detects that the remaining consumables used in the straight tube 2 are insufficient to print the current model, the components in the 3D printer will withdraw the consumables in the straight tube 2 into the corresponding arc-shaped branch tube 31, and withdraw them into the position of the second notch 33. The detection component 6 is used to detect whether there is consumable passing through the second notch 33, and then confirm the position of the consumables; the control system further transports the consumables in the other arc-shaped branch tube 31 to the straight tube 2, and the detection component 6 simultaneously detects whether there is consumable passing through the second notch 33 on the other arc-shaped branch tube 31. The consumables are finally transported to the print head of the 3D printer to continue printing, thereby avoiding the situation of insufficient consumables during the printing process, realizing continuous printing, greatly improving printing efficiency, and ensuring the appearance quality and strength of the model; at the same time, reducing operation time, and not requiring staff to be on duty at the printer for a long time, saving personnel costs.

[0035] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc. made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included in the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A consumables automatic material replacement structure, characterized in that: include: A connecting plate (1), a straight tube (2) transversely embedded in the front side of the connecting plate (1), an arc-shaped bifurcated tube (3) embedded in the front side of the connecting plate (1) and connected to one end of the straight tube (2), a detection mechanism (4) arranged in the front side of the connecting plate (1) and used to detect the running length of the consumables in the straight tube (2), and a discharge tube (5) connected to the other end of the straight tube (2); The arc-shaped bifurcated pipe (3) comprises two groups of arc-shaped branch pipes (31) embedded in the front side of the connecting plate (1) and respectively connected to the straight pipe (2), and a feed pipe (32) connected to the end of the arc-shaped branch pipe (31) away from the straight pipe (2). The connecting plate (1) is provided with detection parts (6) for detecting the position of consumables in the straight pipe (2) and the position of consumables in the arc-shaped branch pipe (31), and the number of the detection parts (6) corresponds to the number of the straight pipe (2) and the arc-shaped branch pipe (31).

2. The automatic consumable material replacement structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The straight tube (2) is provided with a first notch (21) which is in communication with the interior of the straight tube (2), and a driving rod of a detection member (6) corresponding to the straight tube (2) extends into the first notch (21); The arc-shaped branch pipe (31) is provided with a second notch (33) which is connected to the interior of the corresponding arc-shaped branch pipe (31), and the driving rod of the detection member (6) corresponding to the arc-shaped branch pipe (31) extends into the second notch (33) of the corresponding arc-shaped branch pipe (31).

3. The automatic consumable material replacement structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The end of the straight pipe (2) away from the arc-shaped branch pipe (31) extends out of one side of the connecting plate (1), and the end of the arc-shaped branch pipe (31) away from the straight pipe (2) extends out of the other side of the connecting plate (1).

4. The automatic consumable material replacement structure according to claim 3 is characterized in that: The arc-shaped branch pipe (31) is arranged to be inclined downward away from the end of the straight pipe (2).

5. The automatic consumable material replacement structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The straight pipe (2) and the two groups of arc-shaped branch pipes (31) are combined to form an R-shaped structure.

6. The automatic consumable material replacement structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The arc-shaped branch pipes (31) are arranged in at least two groups.

7. The automatic consumable material replacement structure according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that: A third notch (22) communicating with the interior of the straight tube (2) is provided at the bottom of the straight tube (2); The detection mechanism (4) comprises an L-shaped block (41) arranged at the bottom of the connecting plate (1), and a code disk (42) rotatably connected between the side wall of the L-shaped block (41) and the connecting plate (1); a contact wheel (43) corresponding to the third notch (22) is arranged on the rotating shaft of the code disk (42), and the outer edge of the contact wheel (43) contacts the consumables in the third notch (22); and a groove-shaped photoelectric switch (44) for detecting the code disk (42) is arranged on the inner wall of the bottom end of the L-shaped block (41).

8. The automatic consumable material replacement structure according to claim 5, characterized in that: An L-shaped plate (7) is arranged on the back side of the connecting plate (1).

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