Automatic feeding device of metal 3D printer

Abstract

An automatic feeding device of a metal 3D printer relates to the technical field of 3D printing equipment and comprises a tank body, a feeding hopper is arranged on one side of the upper portion of the tank body, and a discharging pipe is arranged in the center of the bottom of the tank body; the stirring assembly is vertically and rotatably arranged in the tank body; the scraping assembly is arranged in the tank body and is rotationally attached to the inner wall of the tank body; the transmission assembly is arranged at the upper part of the tank body, and the power output end of the transmission assembly is connected with the stirring assembly and the scraping assembly; the driving assembly is arranged on the upper portion of the transmission assembly, and the power output end of the driving assembly is connected with the transmission assembly; raw materials are poured into the tank body from the feeding hopper, the driving assembly is started to drive the stirring assembly and the scraping assembly to synchronously and reversely rotate through the transmission assembly, the stirring assembly can stir and mix the raw materials in the tank body, and meanwhile the scraping assembly can clean the raw materials adhering to the inner wall of the tank body.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of 3D printing equipment technology, specifically to an automatic feeding device for a metal 3D printer. Background Technology

[0002] A metal 3D printer is a device that uses metal powder for 3D printing. It can directly transform metal powder or filament into complex three-dimensional entities through the discrete-stacking principle of layer-by-layer manufacturing. During the use of a metal 3D printer, a feeding device is required to supply material to ensure that the printing process can proceed normally.

[0003] Chinese utility model patent CN215544937U discloses an automatic feeding device for a metal 3D printer. By setting up a scraper ring, spring and connecting rod, the device can remove the raw material adhering to the feeding device in time, saving raw material costs. By setting up a motor and stirring rod, the device can mix the raw material evenly, improving the printing effect. By setting up a heating device, the device can preheat and dehumidify the raw material, improving printing efficiency.

[0004] However, when cleaning the raw materials on the inner wall of the body, the aforementioned patent requires pressing down the pressure rod, which is located above the motor and the feed pipe. Therefore, pressing down the pressure rod will interfere with the two, resulting in a limited stroke of the pressure rod, which affects the cleaning effect. In addition, it requires manual operation, which is time-consuming and labor-intensive, resulting in low cleaning efficiency. Utility Model Content

[0005] In view of the shortcomings of the existing technology, the purpose of this utility model is to provide an automatic feeding device for metal 3D printers, so as to solve the problems of poor material cleaning effect and low cleaning efficiency of the automatic feeding devices for metal 3D printers in the existing technology.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:

[0007] An automatic feeding device for a metal 3D printer includes:

[0008] The tank body has a feed hopper on one side of its upper part and a discharge pipe at the center of its bottom;

[0009] The stirring assembly is vertically rotating inside the tank.

[0010] The scraping assembly is installed inside the tank and rotates to fit against the inner wall of the tank.

[0011] A transmission assembly, located at the top of the tank, has its power output end connected to both the stirring assembly and the scraping assembly; and

[0012] The drive assembly is located on top of the transmission assembly, and the power output end of the drive assembly is connected to the transmission assembly.

[0013] The drive component drives the mixing component and the scraping component to rotate synchronously in opposite directions through the transmission component.

[0014] Compared with the prior art, this utility model has the following beneficial effects: In use, the raw materials are poured into the tank from the feed hopper, and the drive component is started to drive the stirring component and the scraping component to rotate synchronously in opposite directions through the transmission component. This allows the stirring component to stir and mix the raw materials in the tank, while the scraping component can clean the raw materials adhering to the inner wall of the tank. The operation is simple and convenient, and it can prevent the raw materials from adhering to the inner wall of the tank while stirring and mixing them. Moreover, the fully automated operation can ensure a good cleaning effect on the raw materials on the inner wall of the tank, improving the cleaning efficiency. In addition, the scraping component can also play an auxiliary stirring role during the rotation process, so that the raw materials are more thoroughly mixed.

[0015] Preferably, a hollow fixing block is fixedly installed at the center of the top of the tank. The transmission assembly includes a bevel gear transmission component disposed within the fixing block. The power input ends of the stirring assembly and the scraping assembly, as well as the power output end of the driving assembly, are all freely inserted into the fixing block and connected to the bevel gear transmission component.

[0016] Preferably, the bevel gear transmission component includes two first bevel gears arranged horizontally and a second bevel gear arranged vertically. The two first bevel gears are arranged facing each other in the vertical direction and both mesh with the second bevel gears. The upper first bevel gear is connected to the power input end of the stirring assembly, and the lower first bevel gear is connected to the power input end of the scraping assembly. The power output end of the driving assembly is connected to the upper first bevel gear, and the second bevel gear is rotatably connected to the inner wall of the fixed block.

[0017] Preferably, the discharge pipe is provided with a support member at one end inside the tank. The scraping assembly includes a rotating sleeve that freely passes through the tank and the fixing block and is coaxially and fixedly connected to the first bevel gear located below, a connecting sleeve that is rotatably installed on the support member, and two scrapers that rotatably fit against the inner wall of the tank. The two scrapers are arranged vertically and are located on both sides of the rotating sleeve and the connecting sleeve, respectively. The upper end of each scraper is fixedly connected to the rotating sleeve through the first rotating plate, and the lower end is fixedly connected to the connecting sleeve through the second rotating plate.

[0018] Preferably, the stirring assembly includes a stirring shaft vertically rotatably disposed inside the tank and a plurality of stirring blades arranged along the axial direction of the stirring shaft. One end of the stirring shaft freely passes through the connecting sleeve and is rotatably connected to the support member, and the other end freely passes through the rotating sleeve and is coaxially fixedly connected to the first bevel gear located above. The plurality of stirring blades are evenly distributed along the circumference of the stirring shaft.

[0019] Preferably, the drive assembly includes a motor vertically fixedly mounted on the upper part of the fixed block, and the power output shaft of the motor freely passes through the fixed block and is coaxially and fixedly connected to the first bevel gear located above.

[0020] Preferably, the support includes two connecting plates arranged in a horizontal direction and a support plate. The two connecting plates are located on both sides of the support plate. One end of each connecting plate is fixedly connected to the side wall of the support plate, and the other end is fixedly connected to the inner wall of the discharge pipe. The stirring shaft and the connecting sleeve are rotatably connected to the upper end face of the support plate.

[0021] Preferably, the bottom of the tank has a funnel structure.

[0022] Other advantages, objectives and features of this invention will be partly apparent from the following description, and partly understood by those skilled in the art through study and practice of this invention. Attached Figure Description

[0023] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of one embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 2 for Figure 1 A sectional view.

[0025] Figure 3 for Figure 2 Top view of the discharge pipe.

[0026] The numbers in the diagram are as follows: 1. Tank body; 11. Feed hopper; 12. Discharge pipe; 13. Connecting plate; 14. Support plate; 2. Fixing block; 21. First bevel gear; 22. Second bevel gear; 3. Motor; 4. Stirring shaft; 41. Stirring blade; 5. Rotating sleeve; 51. First rotating plate; 6. Connecting sleeve; 61. Second rotating plate; 7. Scraper. Detailed Implementation

[0027] To make the technical means, creative features, achieved objectives and functions of this utility model clearer and easier to understand, the utility model will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments:

[0028] like Figure 1-2As shown, an embodiment of this utility model provides an automatic feeding device for a metal 3D printer, comprising: a tank 1, with a feeding hopper 11 on one side of its upper part and a discharge pipe 12 at the center of its bottom. A valve can be installed on the discharge pipe 12 to control the discharge; a stirring assembly, which is vertically rotatably disposed inside the tank 1; a scraping assembly, which is disposed inside the tank 1 and rotatably fits against the inner wall of the tank 1; a transmission assembly, which is disposed on the upper part of the tank 1, and the power output end of the transmission assembly is connected to both the stirring assembly and the scraping assembly; and a drive assembly, which is disposed on the upper part of the transmission assembly, and the power output end of the drive assembly is connected to the transmission assembly; the drive assembly drives the stirring assembly and the scraping assembly to rotate synchronously in opposite directions through the transmission assembly.

[0029] The raw materials are poured into the tank 1 from the feed hopper 11. The drive assembly is started, which drives the stirring assembly and the scraping assembly to rotate synchronously in opposite directions through the transmission assembly. This allows the stirring assembly to stir and mix the raw materials in the tank 1, while the scraping assembly cleans the raw materials adhering to the inner wall of the tank 1. The operation is simple and convenient. It can prevent the raw materials from adhering to the inner wall of the tank 1 while stirring and mixing them. Moreover, the fully automated operation can ensure a good cleaning effect on the raw materials on the inner wall of the tank 1, improving the cleaning efficiency. In addition, the scraping assembly can also play an auxiliary role in stirring during the rotation, so that the raw materials are more thoroughly mixed.

[0030] like Figure 2 As shown, according to another embodiment of the present invention, the automatic feeding device for a metal 3D printer further optimizes its transmission components. A hollow fixed block 2 is fixedly installed at the center of the top of the tank 1. The transmission components include a bevel gear transmission component disposed within the fixed block 2. The power input ends of the stirring component and the scraping component, as well as the power output end of the driving component, freely pass through the fixed block 2 and are connected to the bevel gear transmission component. The bevel gear transmission component includes two first bevel gears 21 arranged horizontally and a second bevel gear 22 arranged vertically. The two first bevel gears 21 are arranged facing each other vertically and both mesh with the second bevel gear 22. The upper first bevel gear 21 is connected to the power input end of the stirring component, and the lower first bevel gear 21 is connected to the power input end of the scraping component. The power output end of the driving component is connected to the upper first bevel gear 21, and the second bevel gear 22 is rotatably connected to the inner wall of the fixed block 2.

[0031] The drive assembly drives the upper first bevel gear 21 to rotate, and through the transmission of the second bevel gear 22, drives the lower first bevel gear 21 to rotate synchronously. However, the two first bevel gears 21 rotate in opposite directions, thereby realizing the synchronous reverse rotation of the scraping assembly and the stirring assembly.

[0032] like Figure 2As shown, according to another embodiment of the present invention, the automatic feeding device for a metal 3D printer further optimizes the scraping assembly. The discharge pipe 12 is provided with a support member at one end inside the tank 1. The scraping assembly includes a rotating sleeve 5 that freely passes through the tank 1 and the fixing block 2 and is coaxially fixedly connected to the first bevel gear 21 located below, a connecting sleeve 6 that is rotatably mounted on the support member, and two scrapers 7 that rotatably fit against the inner wall of the tank 1. The two scrapers 7 are arranged vertically and are located on both sides of the rotating sleeve 5 and the connecting sleeve 6, respectively. The upper end of each scraper 7 is fixedly connected to the rotating sleeve 5 through the first rotating plate 51, and the lower end is fixedly connected to the connecting sleeve 6 through the second rotating plate 61. The rotating sleeve 5 is rotatably engaged with the top side wall of the tank 1 to ensure that the rotating sleeve 5 does not shift vertically during rotation.

[0033] During the rotation of the first bevel gear 21 located below, the rotating sleeve 5 is driven to rotate. The rotating sleeve 5 drives the two scrapers 7 to rotate through the two first rotating plates 51, thereby cleaning the raw materials adhering to the inner wall of the tank 1. At the same time, the two second rotating plates 61 drive the connecting sleeve 6 to rotate. Through the cooperation between the rotating sleeve 5 and the connecting sleeve 6, the stability of the rotation of the two scrapers 7 can be ensured.

[0034] like Figure 2 As shown, according to another embodiment of the present invention, the automatic feeding device for a metal 3D printer further optimizes the stirring assembly. The stirring assembly includes a stirring shaft 4 vertically rotatably disposed in a tank 1 and a plurality of stirring blades 41 arranged along the axial direction of the stirring shaft 4. One end of the stirring shaft 4 freely passes through a connecting sleeve 6 and is rotatably connected to a support member, and the other end freely passes through a rotating sleeve 5 and is coaxially fixedly connected to a first bevel gear 21 located above. The plurality of stirring blades 41 are evenly distributed along the circumference of the stirring shaft 4. During the rotation of the first bevel gear 21 located above, it drives the stirring shaft 4 to rotate, and the raw materials in the tank 1 are stirred evenly by the plurality of stirring blades 41.

[0035] like Figure 1-2 As shown, according to another embodiment of the present invention, the automatic feeding device for a metal 3D printer further optimizes its driving component. Preferably, the driving component includes a motor 3 vertically fixedly mounted on the upper part of the fixed block 2. The power output shaft of the motor 3 freely passes into the fixed block 2 and is coaxially fixedly connected to the first bevel gear 21 located above. The driving component provides a power source for the rotation of the stirring shaft 4 and the rotation of the two scrapers 7.

[0036] like Figure 2-3As shown, according to another embodiment of the present invention, the automatic feeding device for a metal 3D printer preferably includes two connecting plates 13 arranged horizontally and a support plate 14. The two connecting plates 13 are located on both sides of the support plate 14. One end of each connecting plate 13 is fixedly connected to the side wall of the support plate 14, and the other end is fixedly connected to the inner wall of the discharge pipe 12. The stirring shaft 4 and the connecting sleeve 6 are rotatably connected to the upper end face of the support plate 14. The support plate 14 supports the stirring shaft 4 and the connecting sleeve 6, ensuring the stability of their rotation. Moreover, the diameter of the support plate 14 is smaller than the inner diameter of the discharge pipe, and there is sufficient space between the support plate 14, the two connecting plates 13 and the support pipe for the raw material to be discharged from the tank 1.

[0037] like Figure 2 As shown, according to another embodiment of the present invention, the automatic feeding device for a metal 3D printer preferably has a funnel structure at the bottom of the tank 1; this facilitates the accumulation of raw materials in the discharge pipe 12, so as to facilitate rapid discharge from the tank 1.

[0038] The working principle of this utility model is as follows: When using this utility model, the raw material is poured into the tank 1 from the feed hopper 11. The motor 3 is started to drive the first bevel gear 21 located above to rotate. Through the transmission of the second bevel gear 22, the first bevel gear 21 located below is driven to rotate synchronously in the opposite direction. During the rotation of the first bevel gear 21 located above, the stirring shaft 4 is driven to rotate. The raw material in the tank 1 is stirred evenly by several stirring blades 41. During the rotation of the first bevel gear 21 located below, the rotating sleeve 5 is driven to rotate. The rotating sleeve 5 drives the two scrapers 7 to rotate through the two first rotating plates 51, thereby cleaning the raw material adhering to the inner wall of the tank 1.

[0039] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of this utility model and are not intended to limit it. Although this utility model has been described in detail with reference to preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications or equivalent substitutions can be made to the technical solutions of this utility model without departing from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of this utility model, and all such modifications or substitutions should be covered within the scope of the claims of this utility model.

Claims

1. A metal 3D printer automatic feeding device, characterized in that, include: The tank body (1) has a feeding hopper (11) on one side of its upper part and a discharge pipe (12) at the center of its bottom; The stirring assembly is vertically rotatably installed inside the tank (1); The scraping assembly is installed inside the tank (1) and rotates to fit against the inner wall of the tank (1); A transmission assembly is disposed on the upper part of the tank body (1), and the power output end of the transmission assembly is connected to both the stirring assembly and the scraping assembly; and The drive assembly is located on top of the transmission assembly, and the power output end of the drive assembly is connected to the transmission assembly. The drive component drives the mixing component and the scraping component to rotate synchronously in opposite directions through the transmission component.

2. The automatic feeding device of a metal 3D printer according to claim 1, characterized in that, The tank (1) has a hollow fixed block (2) fixedly installed at the center of the top. The transmission assembly includes a bevel gear transmission component set in the fixed block (2). The power input end of the stirring assembly and the scraping assembly, as well as the power output end of the driving assembly, are all freely inserted into the fixed block (2) and connected to the bevel gear transmission component.

3. The automatic feeding device of a metal 3D printer according to claim 2, characterized in that, The bevel gear transmission component includes two first bevel gears (21) arranged horizontally and a second bevel gear (22) arranged vertically. The two first bevel gears (21) are arranged facing each other in the vertical direction and both mesh with the second bevel gears (22). The upper first bevel gear (21) is connected to the power input end of the stirring assembly, and the lower first bevel gear (21) is connected to the power input end of the scraping assembly. The power output end of the driving assembly is connected to the upper first bevel gear (21), and the second bevel gear (22) is rotatably connected to the inner wall of the fixed block (2).

4. The automatic feeding device of a metal 3D printer according to claim 3, characterized in that, The discharge pipe (12) is provided with a support at one end inside the tank (1). The scraping assembly includes a rotating sleeve (5) that freely passes through the tank (1) and the fixing block (2) and is coaxially fixedly connected to the first bevel gear (21) located below, a connecting sleeve (6) that is rotatably installed on the support, and two scrapers (7) that rotatably fit against the inner wall of the tank (1). The two scrapers (7) are arranged vertically and are located on both sides of the rotating sleeve (5) and the connecting sleeve (6), respectively. The upper end of each scraper (7) is fixedly connected to the rotating sleeve (5) through the first rotating plate (51), and the lower end is fixedly connected to the connecting sleeve (6) through the second rotating plate (61).

5. The automatic feeding device of a metal 3D printer according to claim 4, characterized in that, The stirring assembly includes a stirring shaft (4) that is vertically rotatably installed in the tank (1) and a plurality of stirring blades (41) arranged along the axial direction of the stirring shaft (4). One end of the stirring shaft (4) freely passes through the connecting sleeve (6) and is rotatably connected to the support member, and the other end freely passes through the rotating sleeve (5) and is coaxially fixedly connected to the first bevel gear (21) located above. The plurality of stirring blades (41) are evenly distributed along the circumference of the stirring shaft (4).

6. The automatic feeding device of a metal 3D printer according to claim 3, characterized in that, The drive assembly includes a motor (3) that is vertically fixed on the upper part of the fixed block (2). The power output shaft of the motor (3) freely passes through the fixed block (2) and is coaxially fixedly connected to the first bevel gear (21) located above.

7. The automatic feeding device for a metal 3D printer according to claim 5, characterized in that, The support includes two connecting plates (13) arranged in a horizontal direction and a support plate (14). The two connecting plates (13) are located on both sides of the support plate (14). One end of each connecting plate (13) is fixedly connected to the side wall of the support plate (14), and the other end is fixedly connected to the inner wall of the discharge pipe (12). The stirring shaft (4) and the connecting sleeve (6) are rotatably connected to the upper end face of the support plate (14).

8. The automatic feeding device of a metal 3D printer according to claim 1, characterized in that, The bottom of the tank (1) has a funnel structure.

Images