Feeding mechanism of plastic 3D printer

Abstract

The utility model provides a feeding mechanism of a plastic 3D printer, and belongs to the technical field of 3D printing. Which comprises a 3D printer shell and is characterized in that the rear side of the 3D printer shell is rotationally connected with a rotating disc, the rotating disc is connected with a built-in motor of the 3D printer shell, a plurality of material discs and positioning parts are arranged on the rotating disc at equal intervals, the material discs correspond to the positioning parts one to one, and the positioning parts are used for positioning material heads; a feeding port and a clamping component are arranged on the rear side of the 3D printer shell, and the clamping component is slidably connected to the rear side of the 3D printer shell. A sufficient number of material discs are installed on a rotating disc in advance, a built-in motor drives the rotating disc to rotate, the material discs rotate to the position under a feeding port, then a first motor drives a clamping component to descend, the clamping component clamps a material head, the first motor drives the clamping component to ascend, and the clamping component inserts the material head into the feeding port; therefore, automatic feeding is completed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model belongs to the field of 3D printing technology, specifically relating to a feeding mechanism for a plastic 3D printer. Background Technology

[0002] Chinese patent application number 202122722144.6 discloses a feeding mechanism for a plastic 3D printer. The mechanism uses a bidirectional push rod to drive clamping plates on the two movable ends of the push rod to clamp the part. At this time, a rotating screw drives the meshing frame to move from left to right, which in turn drives the part clamped by the two clamping plates on the protrusion at the front end of the sliding frame to move. When the sliding frame moves to the top of the track formed by the semi-circular arc of the limiting arc and the semi-circular arc in the middle of the feeding frame, the part is dried. At this time, the sliding frame moves up and down on the slide rod. When it reaches the right side of the track formed by the semi-circular arc of the limiting arc and the semi-circular arc in the middle of the feeding frame, the part is taken out.

[0003] However, most existing 3D printers require users to remove the filament tray and align the filament tip with the printer's feed inlet when feeding. This means that users need to manually replace the filament every time it runs out. This is especially true for printers that operate for extended periods, where the filament is used up quickly, resulting in a high frequency of tray replacements. It is inconvenient to automatically change the filament, reduce the user's workload, and make the printer work more smoothly. Utility Model Content

[0004] To address the inconvenience of automatic material changing in the existing technology, this utility model provides a feeding mechanism for a plastic 3D printer. This mechanism utilizes a turntable combined with a clamping component to achieve automatic material changing. The specific technical solution is as follows: A feeding mechanism for a plastic 3D printer includes a 3D printer housing. The turntable is rotatably connected to the rear side of the 3D printer housing. The turntable is connected to a built-in motor of the 3D printer housing. Multiple material trays and positioning components are equidistantly arranged on the turntable, with each material tray corresponding to one of the positioning components. The positioning component is used to position the material head. A feed inlet and a clamping component are respectively provided on the rear side of the 3D printer housing. The clamping component is slidably connected to the rear side of the 3D printer housing, and the feed inlet is adapted to the clamping component.

[0005] Preferably, the surface of the turntable is equidistantly connected to multiple mounting posts, and the material tray corresponds one-to-one with the mounting posts, with the material tray fixedly mounted on the mounting posts.

[0006] Preferably, the positioning component includes: a mounting plate, a positioning shell, and a threading hole. Multiple mounting plates are equidistantly mounted on the side wall of the turntable. Each mounting plate corresponds to a material tray. A positioning shell is provided on the side of the mounting plate away from the 3D printer housing. The surface of the positioning shell has a threading hole.

[0007] Preferably, a rotating shaft is symmetrically rotatably connected inside the threading hole, and a guide wheel is fixedly fitted on the outer wall of the rotating shaft; side plates are fixedly installed on both sides of the positioning shell, and the side plates are fixedly installed to the mounting plate by bolts.

[0008] Preferably, a groove is provided on the rear side of the 3D printer housing, and a screw is rotatably connected in the groove. A motor is provided on the top of the 3D printer housing. The top of the screw extends rotatably out of the 3D printer housing and is connected to the motor.

[0009] Preferably, the clamping component includes: a clamp housing, an inner slider one, a clamping plate, and an inner slider two. The inner slider two is fixedly installed on the surface of the clamp housing. The top of the inner slider two has a threaded hole, which is threaded onto the outer wall of the screw. The inner slider two is slidably connected in the slide groove one. Two slide grooves two are symmetrically opened on the side of the clamp housing away from the 3D printer housing. The inner slider one is slidably connected in the slide groove two. The surface of the inner slider one is fixedly installed with a clamping plate. Rubber pads are provided on the opposite surfaces of the two clamping plates.

[0010] Preferably, a bidirectional lead screw is rotatably connected to the two slide grooves, and the inner slider is threaded onto the outer wall of the bidirectional lead screw. One end of the bidirectional lead screw extends rotatably out of the positioning shell, and a motor is fixedly installed on one side of the positioning shell. The motor is connected to the bidirectional lead screw.

[0011] In addition, the feeding mechanism of the plastic 3D printer in the above-mentioned technical solution provided by this utility model may also have the following additional technical features: hydraulic cylinders are fixedly installed on both sides of the positioning shell, and the output end of the hydraulic cylinder is provided with an output shaft, and the output shaft corresponds one-to-one with the inner slider.

[0012] In the above technical solution, the end of the output shaft away from the hydraulic cylinder slides into the second slide groove and is connected to the first inner slider.

[0013] The feeding mechanism for a plastic 3D printer of this utility model has the following advantages compared with the prior art: This feeding mechanism pre-installs a sufficient amount of material trays on a turntable, and drives the turntable to rotate via a built-in motor, causing the material trays to rotate directly below the feed inlet. Then, a first motor drives a clamping component to descend, clamping the material head. The second motor then drives the clamping component to rise, inserting the material head into the feed inlet, thus completing automatic feeding. This greatly reduces the frequency of material tray replacement by the user. By increasing the number of material trays, the lifespan of the printer is extended, making it highly practical. Attached Figure Description

[0014] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the feeding mechanism for the plastic 3D printer provided by this utility model;

[0015] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the feeding mechanism for the plastic 3D printer provided by this utility model;

[0016] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the feeding mechanism for the plastic 3D printer provided by this utility model;

[0017] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of the feeding mechanism for the plastic 3D printer provided by this utility model;

[0018] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of the feeding mechanism for the plastic 3D printer provided by this utility model;

[0019] Figure 6 A schematic diagram of the feeding mechanism for the plastic 3D printer provided by this utility model;

[0020] in, Figures 1 to 6 The reference numerals and component names in the attached drawings are as follows: 1. 3D printer housing, 2. Turntable, 3. Mounting column, 4. Material tray, 5. Positioning component, 6. Feed port, 7. Clamping component, 8. Slide 1, 9. Screw, 10. Motor 1, 11. Bidirectional lead screw, 12. Motor 2, 13. Hydraulic cylinder, 14. Output shaft, 51. Mounting plate, 52. Positioning shell, 53. Side plate, 54. Bolt, 55. Wire hole, 56. Rotating shaft, 57. Guide wheel, 71. Fixture housing, 72. Slide 2, 73. Inner slider 1, 74. Clamping plate, 75. Rubber pad, 76. Inner slider 2, 77. Threaded hole. Detailed Implementation

[0021] The technical solutions of the present utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments of the present utility model. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present utility model, and not all embodiments. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of the present utility model without creative effort are within the protection scope of the present utility model.

[0022] Example 1: Please refer to Figures 1-5 A feeding mechanism for a plastic 3D printer includes: a 3D printer housing 1; a turntable 2 rotatably connected to the rear side of the 3D printer housing 1; the turntable 2 is connected to a built-in motor of the 3D printer housing 1; the built-in motor drives the turntable 2 to rotate 120 degrees each time, and each rotation of the turntable 2 rotates one material tray 4 to the top of the turntable 2; three material trays 4 and positioning components 5 are equidistantly arranged on the turntable 2, with each material tray 4 corresponding to one positioning component 5, and the positioning component 5 is used to position the material head; a feed port 6 and a clamping component 7 are respectively provided on the rear side of the 3D printer housing 1, the clamping component 7 is slidably connected to the rear side of the 3D printer housing 1, and the feed port 6 is adapted to the clamping component 7.

[0023] As a preferred option, the surface of the turntable 2 is equidistantly connected to three mounting posts 3, with the material tray 4 corresponding to each of the mounting posts 3, and the material tray 4 is fixedly mounted on the mounting posts 3.

[0024] As a preferred embodiment, the positioning component 5 further includes: a mounting plate 51, a positioning shell 52, and a wire hole 55. Three mounting plates 51 are equidistantly mounted on the side wall of the turntable 2, and the mounting plates 51 correspond one-to-one with the material tray 4. The mounting plate 51 is provided with a positioning shell 52 on the side away from the 3D printer housing 1, and the surface of the positioning shell 52 is provided with a wire hole 55.

[0025] As a preferred option, a rotating shaft 56 is symmetrically rotatably connected inside the thread hole 55. The rotating shaft 56 is arranged in the front-to-back direction. A guide wheel 57 is fixedly mounted on the outer wall of the rotating shaft 56. The guide wheel 57 clamps the material head and extends it outward to position the material head. Side plates 53 are fixedly installed on both sides of the positioning shell 52. The side plates 53 are fixedly installed to the mounting plate 51 by bolts 54.

[0026] As a preferred embodiment, the rear side of the 3D printer housing 1 is provided with a slide groove 8, and a screw 9 is rotatably connected in the slide groove 8. Both the slide groove 8 and the screw 9 are arranged in a vertical direction. A motor 10 is provided on the top of the 3D printer housing 1. The top of the screw 9 rotatably extends out of the 3D printer housing 1 and is connected to the motor 10.

[0027] As a preferred embodiment, the clamping component 7 further includes: a clamping housing 71, an inner slider 1 73, a clamping plate 74, and an inner slider 2 76. The inner slider 2 76 is fixedly mounted on the surface of the clamping housing 71. The top of the inner slider 2 76 has a threaded hole 77, which is threaded onto the outer wall of the screw 9. The inner slider 2 76 is slidably connected in the slide groove 1 8. Both the inner slider 2 76 and the slide groove 1 8 are rectangular structures, and the inner slider 2 76 slides against the inner wall of the slide groove 1 8. Two slide grooves 2 72 are symmetrically opened on the side of the clamping housing 71 away from the 3D printer housing 1. The two slide grooves 2 72 are located on the same straight line. The inner slider 1 73 is slidably connected in the slide groove 2 72. Both the slide groove 2 72 and the inner slider 1 73 are rectangular structures. The surface of the inner slider 1 73 is fixedly mounted with a clamping plate 74, and rubber pads 75 are provided on the opposite surfaces of the two clamping plates 74.

[0028] As a preferred embodiment, furthermore, a bidirectional lead screw 11 is rotatably connected within the two slide grooves 72, and an inner slider 73 is threaded onto the outer wall of the bidirectional lead screw 11. The threads of the bidirectional lead screw 11 within the two slide grooves 72 are opposite, thereby driving the two inner sliders 73 to move in opposite directions. One end of the bidirectional lead screw 11 extends rotatably out of a positioning shell 52, and a motor 12 is fixedly installed on one side of the positioning shell 52. The motor 12 is connected to the bidirectional lead screw 11.

[0029] Working Principle: All electrical components mentioned in this application are connected to an external power supply and control switch during use. After installation, first check the installation, fixation, and safety precautions before use. Before use, the user installs and secures the three material trays 4 filled with material onto the mounting posts 3. Then, the user removes the free end of the material and cuts it at an angle with scissors to prevent the material from getting stuck in the pipe when the end is at a right angle. Next, the material is passed through the corresponding threading hole 55, allowing it to extend beyond the threading hole 55 under the clamping action of the two guide wheels 57. The extension length must be greater than the width of the clamping plate 74, thus completing the preparation. During use, when the 3D printer detects that no material is being fed, it sends the information to the external control system, which then initiates the 3D printing process. The built-in motor inside the printer housing 1 drives the turntable 2 to rotate 120 degrees, rotating another material tray 4 filled with consumables to directly below the feed inlet 6. Then, motor 10 starts, driving screw 9 to rotate. Screw 9 drives inner slider 76 to slide in slide groove 8, causing clamping component 7 to move downward to the material head. Then, motor 12 starts, driving bidirectional lead screw 11 to rotate. Bidirectional lead screw 11 drives two inner sliders 73 to move towards each other, causing inner sliders 73 to drive clamping plate 74 to clamp the material head. Then, motor 10 drives screw 9 to rotate in the opposite direction, causing clamping plate 74 to move the material head upward and insert it into the feed inlet 6. After the material head is inserted into the feed inlet 6, motor 12 drives bidirectional lead screw 11 to rotate back, causing clamping plate 74 to release the material head, thus completing the automatic feeding of the printer.

[0030] Example 2: Please refer to Figure 6 A feeding mechanism for a plastic 3D printer differs from Embodiment 1 in that hydraulic cylinders 13 are fixedly installed on both sides of the positioning shell 52, and output shafts 14 are provided at the output ends of the hydraulic cylinders 13. The output shafts 14 correspond one-to-one with the inner sliders 73. The end of the output shaft 14 away from the hydraulic cylinders 13 slides into the slide groove 72 and is connected to the inner sliders 73.

[0031] When the 3D printer detects that no filament is being fed, it sends a message to the external control system. The control system then activates the built-in motor inside the printer housing 1, causing the turntable 2 to rotate 120 degrees, rotating another filament tray 4 filled with filament directly below the feed inlet 6. Then, motor 10 starts, driving screw 9 to rotate. Screw 9 drives inner slider 76 to slide within slide groove 8, moving clamping component 7 downwards to the filament head. Hydraulic cylinder 13 then activates, driving output shaft 14 to move. Output shaft 14 drives inner slider 73 to move within slide groove 72, causing inner slider 73 to clamp the filament head with clamping plate 74. Motor 10 then drives screw 9 to rotate in the opposite direction, causing clamping plate 74 to move the filament head upwards and insert it into the feed inlet 6. Once the filament head is inserted into the feed inlet 6, hydraulic cylinder 13 drives output shaft 14 to move back, causing clamping plate 74 to release the filament head, thus completing the automatic feeding process.

[0032] The 3D printer housing, material tray, motor one, motor two, and hydraulic cylinder in this case are existing technologies. Motor one and motor two are the same structure and connection method as those in the cited documents. As long as the 3D printer housing, material tray, motor one, motor two, and hydraulic cylinder meet the requirements of this case, they are all acceptable and not limited to a single model.

[0033] In the description of this utility model, the term "multiple" refers to two or more. Unless otherwise explicitly defined, the terms "upper," "lower," etc., 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 utility model 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 utility model. The terms "connection," "installation," "fixing," etc., should be interpreted broadly. For example, "connection" can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium. For those skilled in the art, the specific meaning of the above terms in this utility model can be understood according to the specific circumstances.

[0034] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of this utility model and is not intended to limit the utility model. Various modifications and variations can be made to this utility model by those skilled in the art. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of this utility model should be included within the protection scope of this utility model.

Claims

1. A plastic 3D printer feed mechanism comprising: 3D printer shell (1), it is characterized in to be connected with carousel (2) in rear side of the 3D printer shell (1), carousel (2) is connected with built-in motor of the 3D printer shell (1), multiple material trays (4) and positioning components (5) are equidistantly provided on carousel (2), material tray (4) corresponds with positioning component (5), positioning component (5) is used for positioning material head;Rear side of the 3D printer shell (1) is provided with feeding port (6) and clamping component (7) respectively, clamping component (7) is slidably connected in rear side of the 3D printer shell (1), feeding port (6) is matched with clamping component (7).

2. The plastic 3D printer feed mechanism of claim 1, wherein, The surface of carousel (2) is equidistantly connected with multiple mounting columns (3), the material tray (4) corresponds with the mounting column (3), the material tray (4) is fixedly sleeved on the mounting column (3).

3. The plastic 3D printer feed mechanism of claim 1, wherein, The positioning component (5) includes: mounting plate (51), positioning shell (52) and threading hole (55), multiple mounting plates (51) are equidistantly installed on the side wall of carousel (2), the mounting plate (51) corresponds with the material tray (4), the side, away from the 3D printer shell (1), of mounting plate (51) is provided with positioning shell (52), the surface of positioning shell (52) is provided with threading hole (55).

4. The plastic 3D printer feed mechanism of claim 3, wherein, The threading hole (55) is symmetrically connected with rotating shaft (56) inside, the outer wall of rotating shaft (56) is fixedly sleeved with guide wheel (57);Both sides of positioning shell (52) are fixedly installed with side plate (53), and the side plate (53) and the mounting plate (51) are fixedly installed through bolt (54).

5. The plastic 3D printer feed mechanism of claim 1, wherein, The rear side of the 3D printer shell (1) is provided with sliding groove one (8), the screw rod (9) is rotatably connected in the sliding groove one (8), and the motor one (10) is arranged on the top of the 3D printer shell (1);The top of the screw rod (9) extends out of the 3D printer shell (1) and is connected with the motor one (10).

6. The plastic 3D printer feed mechanism of claim 5, wherein, The clamping component (7) includes: clamp shell (71), inner sliding block one (73), clamping plate (74) and inner sliding block two (76), the surface of clamp shell (71) is fixedly installed with inner sliding block two (76), the top of inner sliding block two (76) is provided with threaded hole (77), the threaded hole (77) is threadedly sleeved on the outer wall of screw rod (9), the inner sliding block two (76) is slidably connected in the sliding groove one (8), the side, away from the 3D printer shell (1), of clamp shell (71) is symmetrically provided with two sliding grooves two (72), the inner sliding block one (73) is slidably connected in the sliding groove two (72), the surface of inner sliding block one (73) is fixedly installed with clamping plate (74), and the opposite surfaces of the two clamping plates (74) are provided with rubber pads (75).

7. The plastic 3D printer feed mechanism of claim 6, wherein, Two said sliding groove two (72) in the rotating connection with two-way screw (11), the inner slide block one (73) threaded on the outer wall of the two-way screw (11), one end of the two-way screw (11) rotating out of the positioning shell (52), one side of the positioning shell (52) is fixedly installed with motor two (12), the motor two (12) is connected with the two-way screw (11).

8. The plastic 3D printer feed mechanism of claim 6, wherein, Both sides of the positioning shell (52) are fixedly installed with hydraulic cylinder (13), the output end of the hydraulic cylinder (13) is provided with output shaft (14), the output shaft (14) corresponds with the inner slide block one (73); the output shaft (14) far away from the hydraulic cylinder (13) one end slidingly extends into the sliding groove two (72), and is connected with the inner slide block one (73).

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