Nozzle blockage detection mechanism and 3D printer

Abstract

The nozzle blockage detection mechanism comprises a nozzle body, a material conveying channel is formed in the nozzle body, a discharging opening is fixedly formed in the outer wall of the nozzle body, the discharging opening communicates with the material conveying channel, a detection assembly is fixedly arranged on the discharging opening, and the detection assembly communicates with the material conveying channel. Materials move in the discharging opening from bottom to top. The discharge port communicated with the conveying channel is formed in the outer wall of the nozzle, the detection assembly is arranged in the discharge port, when the nozzle is not blocked, materials cannot enter the discharge port to be detected by the detection assembly, the nozzle can be used normally, and when the nozzle is blocked, the materials can move upwards to enter the discharge port to be detected by the detection assembly; real-time observation of personnel is omitted, the printer can be turned off in time, manpower input is reduced, and damage to the printer is avoided.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of 3D printing technology. Specifically, it relates to a nozzle blockage detection mechanism and a 3D printer. Background Technique

[0002] Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) 3D printers are one of the most common desktop 3D printing technologies. They use thermoplastic materials to build objects layer by layer through a nozzle. When using a fused deposition 3D printer, the nozzle heats the consumable to a molten state and then pushes it out through an extrusion mechanism. Through the actions of relevant motion mechanisms, layers are stacked to form the required 3D geometry.

[0003] In the prior art, during the actual production process, when a special situation (such as excessive extrusion or a decrease in heating temperature) causes the nozzle to be blocked, and the material heating end is still continuously working to supply material to the nozzle, at this time, the consumable at the printer nozzle will extrude out through various gaps in the printer's material feeding channel, and a great pressure will be generated inside the nozzle, resulting in damage to the parts. This requires operators to observe the status of the printer in real time to avoid such a situation, but this wastes a lot of manpower and material resources. There is usually no device at the existing printer nozzle that can detect in real time whether the nozzle is blocked. Therefore, the printer cannot be shut down in time, causing problems of machine damage.

[0004] Therefore, it is necessary for the inventor to design a new nozzle blockage detection mechanism and 3D printer to overcome the above problems. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The main purpose of this application is to provide a nozzle blockage detection mechanism and a 3D printer to solve the problem that the nozzle blockage cannot be detected in time in the related technology.

[0006] To achieve the above object, in the first aspect, this application provides a nozzle blockage detection mechanism, including a nozzle body. The inside of the nozzle body has a material feeding channel. A discharge port is fixedly arranged on the outer wall of the nozzle body. The discharge port is communicated with the material feeding channel. A detection component is fixedly arranged on the discharge port. The movement direction of the material in the discharge port is from bottom to top.

[0007] Preferably, the detection component includes a sleeve and a probe. The probe is fixedly arranged in the sleeve. The output end of the probe is inserted into the discharge port.

[0008] Preferably, there is a disassembly structure between the probe and the sleeve.

[0009] Preferably, the disassembly structure includes a limiting ring, a rubber plug and a main body member. The limiting ring is fixedly arranged on the inner wall of the sleeve. The main body member is fixedly arranged on the probe. The rubber plug is fixedly inserted at the outer end of the sleeve, and the rubber plug presses the main body member against the limiting ring.

[0010] Preferably, the sleeve is threadedly connected to the discharge port.

[0011] Preferably, a sealing structure is also fixedly arranged between the sleeve and the discharge port.

[0012] Preferably, the sealing structure includes a sealing ring, and the sealing ring is fixedly arranged between the outer end faces of the limiting ring and the discharge port.

[0013] Preferably, the included angle range between the central axis of the discharge port and the central axis of the material conveying channel is 30° to 80°.

[0014] Preferably, the included angle between the central axis of the discharge port and the central axis of the material conveying channel is 45°.

[0015] On the other hand, the present application also provides a 3D printer, including a printer main body and a nozzle blockage detection mechanism as described above, and the nozzle blockage detection mechanism is fixedly arranged on the printer main body.

[0016] A nozzle blockage detection mechanism and a 3D printer provided by the present utility model, compared with the prior art, have the following beneficial effects:

[0017] By providing a discharge port communicating with the material conveying channel on the outer wall of the nozzle and arranging a detection component in the discharge port, when the nozzle is not blocked, the material will not enter the discharge port and be detected by the detection component, and the nozzle can be used normally. When the nozzle is blocked, the material will move upward into the discharge port and then be detected by the detection component, eliminating the need for personnel to observe in real time, and the printer can be shut down in time, which not only reduces the input of manpower but also avoids the damage of the printer. Description of the Drawings

[0018] The drawings constituting a part of the present application are used to provide a further understanding of the present application, making other features, objects and advantages of the present application more obvious. The schematic embodiments and descriptions thereof of the present application are used to explain the present application and do not constitute an improper limitation of the present application. In the drawings:

[0019] Figure 1 is the overall structure diagram of the present utility model;

[0020] Figure 2 is the cross-sectional view of the present utility model;

[0021] Figure 3is the present utility model Figure 3 The enlarged view of the structure at position A in it.

[0022] Wherein: 1. nozzle body; 2. material conveying channel; 3. discharge port; 4. sleeve; 5. probe; 6. limiting ring; 7. rubber plug; 8. main body part; 9. sealing ring. Specific embodiments

[0023] In order to enable those skilled in the art to better understand the solution of this application, the following will clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application with reference to the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of this application. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of this application, rather than all the embodiments. Based on the embodiments in this application, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative efforts shall fall within the protection scope of this application.

[0024] It should be noted that the terms "first", "second", etc. in the description of this application and the above-mentioned accompanying drawings are used to distinguish similar objects, and do not necessarily need to be used to describe a specific order or sequence. It should be understood that such used data can be interchanged under appropriate circumstances so as to describe the embodiments of this application here. In addition, the terms "including" and "having" and any variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process, method, system, product or device including a series of steps or units does not necessarily have to be limited to those clearly listed steps or units, but may include other steps or units not clearly listed or inherent to these processes, methods, products or devices.

[0025] In this application, the orientation or positional relationship indicated by the terms "upper", "lower", "left", "right", "front", "rear", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", "middle", "vertical", "horizontal", "lateral", "longitudinal", etc. is based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. These terms are mainly used to better describe this application and its embodiments, and are not used to limit that the indicated devices, elements or components must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation.

[0026] Moreover, in addition to being able to represent an orientation or positional relationship, some of the above terms may also be used to represent other meanings. For example, the term "upper" may also be used to represent a certain attachment relationship or connection relationship in some cases. For those of ordinary skill in the art, the specific meanings of these terms in this application can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0027] In addition, the meaning of the term "plural" should be two or more.

[0028] It should be noted that, without conflict, the embodiments in the present application and the features in the embodiments may be combined with each other. The present application will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings and in combination with the embodiments.

[0029] As Figures 1 to 3 shown, a nozzle blockage detection mechanism includes a nozzle body 1. An internal material conveying channel 2 is provided inside the nozzle body 1. A discharge port 3 is fixedly provided on the outer wall of the nozzle body 1. The discharge port 3 is communicated with the material conveying channel 2. A detection component is fixedly provided on the discharge port 3. The moving direction of the material in the discharge port 3 is from bottom to top. During operation, the molten printing material is conveyed from the throat pipe into the material conveying channel 2 in the nozzle and finally extruded from the bottom output end of the nozzle. When a special situation causes the output end of the nozzle to be blocked while the material is still continuously extruded downward, the subsequent material will move towards the discharge port 3 due to the extrusion force. When the detection component on the discharge port 3 senses that the material in the discharge port 3 reaches a certain position, the detection component transmits the information to an external control module, and the 3D printer is promptly shut down. In this embodiment, the setting direction of the discharge port 3 should be inclined upward. In this way, when the nozzle is working normally, the material moving downward will not move into the discharge port 3. Only when the nozzle is blocked, the material cannot move upward and can only enter the discharge port 3 and move upward. This embodiment provides a discharge port 3 communicated with the material conveying channel 2 on the outer wall of the nozzle and a detection component in the discharge port 3. When the nozzle is not blocked, the material will not enter the discharge port 3 and be detected by the detection component, and the nozzle can be used normally. When the nozzle is blocked, the material will move upward into the discharge port 3 and then be detected by the detection component, eliminating the need for personnel to observe in real time and enabling the printer to be promptly shut down, which not only reduces the labor input but also avoids damage to the printer.

[0030] The detection component includes a sleeve 4 and a probe 5. The probe 5 is fixedly provided in the sleeve 4. The output end of the probe 5 is inserted into the discharge port 3. During operation, the installation of the detection component is to insert the probe 5 into the discharge port 3 and fix the sleeve 4 to the discharge port 3 at the same time. It should be noted that the length of the probe 5 entering the discharge port 3 should not exceed the length of the discharge port 3.

[0031] There is a disassembly structure between the probe 5 and the sleeve 4; the disassembly structure includes a limit ring 6, a rubber plug 7 and a main body member 8. The limit ring 6 is fixedly arranged on the inner wall of the sleeve 4, the main body member 8 is fixedly arranged on the probe 5, the rubber plug 7 is fixedly inserted at the outer end of the sleeve 4, and the rubber plug 7 presses the main body member 8 against the limit ring 6. During operation, the main body member 8 is the main component for installing electronic components inside the probe 5. The probe 5 and the sleeve 4 can be disassembled and assembled through the disassembly structure. During assembly, insert the probe 5 into the sleeve 4, and then fix both ends of the main body member 8 through the rubber plug 7 and the limit ring 6. During disassembly, the rubber plug 7 can be removed through the pull ring on the rubber plug 7, and at this time the probe 5 can be taken out.

[0032] The sleeve 4 is threadedly connected to the discharge port 3; during operation, the threaded connection between the sleeve 4 and the discharge port 3 makes their assembly simple.

[0033] A sealing structure is also fixedly arranged between the sleeve 4 and the discharge port 3; the sealing structure includes a sealing ring 9, and the sealing ring 9 is fixedly arranged between the outer end faces of the limit ring 6 and the discharge port 3. During operation, the connection between the sleeve 4 and the discharge port 3 should be sealed to prevent external air from entering the nozzle through the discharge port 3 during normal operation of the nozzle, which may affect the printing quality. The sealing ring 9 can seal the connection between the two to prevent air from entering through the gap of their threaded connection.

[0034] The included angle range between the central axis of the discharge port 3 and the central axis of the material conveying channel 2 is 30° to 80°; during operation, the discharge port 3 should be inclined upward, and usually the outer wall of the nozzle is conical and has an inclination angle itself. Therefore, the included angle between the central axis of the discharge port 3 and the central axis of the material conveying channel 2 cannot be too small, and it should not exceed 90 degrees either. Otherwise, the material will enter the discharge port 3 during normal operation of the nozzle. After actual detection, the included angle range between 30° and 80° is a more suitable normal operation range. During actual use, 30°, 40°, 45°, 50°, 60°, 70°, 80°, etc. can be selected. Preferably, the included angle between the central axis of the discharge port 3 and the central axis of the material conveying channel 2 is 45°, which can adapt to most nozzles with conical angles and can also prevent the material from entering the discharge port 3 during normal operation of the nozzle.

[0035] On the other hand, the present application also provides a 3D printer, including a printer main body and a nozzle blockage detection mechanism as described above, and the nozzle blockage detection mechanism is fixedly arranged on the printer main body.

[0036] The above are only the preferred embodiments of the present application and are not intended to limit the present application. For those skilled in the art, various changes and modifications can be made to the present application. Any modification, equivalent replacement, improvement, etc. made within the spirit and principle of the present application shall be included within the protection scope of the present application.

Claims

1. A nozzle blockage detection mechanism, comprising a nozzle body (1), characterized in that: The interior of the nozzle body (1) has a material conveying channel (2). A discharge port (3) is fixedly arranged on the outer wall of the nozzle body (1). The discharge port (3) is communicated with the material conveying channel (2). A detection assembly is fixedly arranged on the discharge port (3). The movement direction of the material in the discharge port (3) is from bottom to top.

2. The nozzle blockage detection mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that: The detection assembly includes a sleeve (4) and a probe (5). The probe (5) is fixedly arranged in the sleeve (4). The output end of the probe (5) is inserted into the discharge port (3).

3. The nozzle blockage detection mechanism according to claim 2, characterized in that: There is a disassembly structure between the probe (5) and the sleeve (4).

4. The nozzle blockage detection mechanism according to claim 3, characterized in that: The disassembly structure includes a limit ring (6), a rubber plug (7) and a main body part (8). The limit ring (6) is fixedly arranged on the inner wall of the sleeve (4). The main body part (8) is fixedly arranged on the probe (5). The rubber plug (7) is fixedly inserted at the outer end of the sleeve (4). The rubber plug (7) presses the main body part (8) against the limit ring (6).

5. The nozzle blockage detection mechanism according to claim 3, wherein: The sleeve (4) is threadedly connected to the discharge port (3).

6. The nozzle blockage detection mechanism according to claim 4, characterized in that: A sealing structure is also fixedly arranged between the sleeve (4) and the discharge port (3).

7. The nozzle blockage detection mechanism according to claim 6, wherein: The sealing structure includes a sealing ring (9). The sealing ring (9) is fixedly arranged between the limit ring (6) and the outer end face of the discharge port (3).

8. The nozzle blockage detection mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that: The included angle range between the central axis of the discharge port (3) and the central axis of the material conveying channel (2) is 30° to 80°.

9. The nozzle blockage detection mechanism according to claim 8, wherein: The included angle between the central axis of the discharge port (3) and the central axis of the material conveying channel (2) is 45°.

10. A 3D printer, characterized in that, It includes a printer main body and a nozzle blockage detection mechanism as described in any one of claims 1 to 9. The nozzle blockage detection mechanism is fixedly arranged on the printer main body.

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