Nozzle protection device for 3D printer
By designing a nozzle protection device, airflow is used to flush away nozzle residue and block the feed pipe, solving the problems of nozzle clogging and impurity entry. This achieves efficient cleaning and long-life nozzle protection, improving 3D printing quality and efficiency.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-05-14
- Publication Date
- 2026-04-21
AI Technical Summary
In existing 3D printing technologies, printing material residue is prone to accumulate in the nozzle pipes, leading to blockages and overheating, which affects print quality and lifespan, and the cleaning efficiency is not high.
A nozzle protection device was designed, comprising a combination of a feed pipe, an air injection pipe, an air bladder, a ring, a spring, and a block. The device uses airflow to flush away residues and seal the feed pipe, preventing impurities from entering and ensuring nozzle cleanliness.
It effectively removes printhead residue, prevents clogging, maintains uniform and stable filament output, extends printhead life, reduces costs, and improves print quality and equipment maintenance efficiency.
Smart Images

Figure CN224145360U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model relates to the field of 3D printing technology, and in particular to a nozzle protection device for a 3D printer. Background Technology
[0002] 3D printing is a cutting-edge manufacturing technology that uses digital models to build up materials such as plastics and metals layer by layer. It can manufacture everything from complex aerospace components to personalized cultural and creative products. This technology breaks through the limitations of traditional processing, saves materials, and enables rapid customized production. It is continuously expanding its application areas, bringing transformative development to the manufacturing industry.
[0003] During 3D printing, the nozzle channel, as the "main passage" for delivering printing material, is prone to material residue buildup. If this residue isn't cleaned promptly, it will gradually accumulate. Over time, this accumulated residue can clog the nozzle, affecting the uniformity and stability of filament output, thus reducing print quality to some extent. Furthermore, residue buildup can cause localized overheating of the nozzle, increasing the risk of damage and shortening its lifespan, thereby increasing printing costs. Current cleaning methods are mostly inefficient and ineffective, failing to meet the demands of high-efficiency, high-quality 3D printing production. Utility Model Content
[0004] The purpose of this invention is to address the shortcomings of existing technologies by proposing a nozzle protection device for 3D printers.
[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:
[0006] A nozzle protection device for a 3D printer includes a 3D printer nozzle, a feed pipe connected to the nozzle, an air injection pipe connected to one end of the feed pipe, an air bladder connected to the air injection pipe, a ring connected inside the air injection pipe, a spring connected to the ring, a block connected to one end of the spring, a channel formed in the block, and the block and the air injection pipe being fitted together with a clearance fit.
[0007] Preferably, a rope is connected to the 3D printing nozzle, and a rubber plug is connected to the rope, with the rubber plug in contact with the feed tube.
[0008] Preferably, the airbag is made of rubber and has resilience.
[0009] Preferably, one end of the airbag is connected to a one-way valve.
[0010] Preferably, the channel is L-shaped.
[0011] Preferably, a rubber block is connected to the block.
[0012] Preferably, a lever is connected to the rubber stopper.
[0013] The beneficial effects of this utility model are as follows:
[0014] 1. Through the coordinated design of the feed pipe, air injection pipe, airbag, ring, spring, block, and channel, after the printing operation is completed, the airbag is squeezed to move the block into the feed pipe, blocking it. Simultaneously, the airflow flows into the 3D printing nozzle through the block's channel. This directional airflow flushes away residual printing material inside the nozzle, effectively reducing its accumulation. Furthermore, the block's movement into the feed pipe prevents external impurities from entering the nozzle, further ensuring its cleanliness. This avoids nozzle clogging, ensures consistently uniform and stable filament output, significantly improves print quality, reduces the risk of localized overheating damage due to residual material buildup, extends nozzle lifespan, lowers printing costs, and meets the urgent need for efficient and high-quality 3D printing production.
[0015] 2. Through the coordinated arrangement of the feed pipe, rope, and rubber plug, when not in operation, the rubber plug blocks the feed pipe, forming an effective physical barrier at the feed pipe inlet. This effectively prevents dust, debris, and other foreign objects from entering the feed pipe, thus avoiding interference with subsequent material conveying and equipment operation, ensuring normal operation of the equipment next time, and reducing malfunctions and losses caused by foreign object contamination. Attached Figure Description
[0016] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a nozzle protection device for a 3D printer proposed in this utility model;
[0017] Figure 2 for Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of the middle rope, rubber stopper, and paddle;
[0018] Figure 3 for Figure 1 Cross-sectional view of the feed pipe and air injection pipe;
[0019] Figure 4 for Figure 3 Schematic diagram of the central feed pipe, the tracking pipe, and the airbag;
[0020] Figure 5 for Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the structure of the rubber stopper, the paddle, and the rope.
[0021] In the diagram: 1. 3D printing nozzle; 2. Feed pipe; 3. Air injection pipe; 4. Airbag; 5. One-way valve; 6. Ring; 7. Spring; 8. Block; 9. Channel; 10. Rope; 11. Rubber stopper; 12. Rubber block; 13. Paddle. Detailed Implementation
[0022] 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.
[0023] Example 1, referring to Figures 1 to 5 A nozzle protection device for a 3D printer includes a 3D printing nozzle 1, a feed pipe 2 connected to the nozzle 1, an air injection pipe 3 connected to one end of the feed pipe 2, an air bladder 4 connected to the air injection pipe 3, a ring 6 connected inside the air injection pipe 3, a spring 7 connected to the ring 6, and a block 8 connected to one end of the spring 7. The block 8 has a channel 9 inside it. The block 8 and the air injection pipe 3 are fitted together with a clearance, ensuring that the block 8 can move flexibly within the air injection pipe 3 while maintaining stability during movement, preventing shaking or displacement. When the air bladder 4 is compressed, the airflow in the air bladder 4 propels the block 8. As the block 8 enters the feed pipe 2, the airflow flows through the channel 9 inside the block 8 towards the 3D printing nozzle 1. This directional airflow can flush out residual printing material inside the printhead, carrying the residue out of the printhead, effectively reducing residue buildup in the printhead pipes, preventing printhead blockage due to residue, ensuring uniform and stable filament output, and improving print quality.
[0024] In this embodiment, a rope 10 is connected to the 3D printing nozzle 1, and a rubber plug 11 is connected to the rope 10. The rubber plug 11 is in contact with the feed tube 2, and when the 3D printer is not working, it becomes a strong defense for the feed tube 2. The rubber plug 11 can effectively prevent dust, debris and other foreign objects from entering the feed tube 2, avoiding these foreign objects from interfering with subsequent material conveying and equipment operation. The airbag 4 is made of rubber and has elasticity. This characteristic allows the airbag 4 to quickly return to its original shape after being squeezed, preparing it for subsequent operations. One end of the airbag 4 is connected to a one-way valve 5. When the airbag 4 is squeezed flat and needs to be restored, the one-way valve 5 is opened by air pressure, which facilitates the injection of air into the airbag. Inside 4, the airbag 4 is restored to its previous shape. The channel 9 is L-shaped. A rubber block 12 is connected to the block 8. When the block 8 is moved into the feed pipe 2 for blocking, the rubber block 12 can fit tightly against the inner wall of the feed pipe 2, effectively preventing external impurities from entering the nozzle pipe and further ensuring the cleanliness of the inside of the nozzle. A lever 13 is connected to the rubber plug 11. The user can easily insert or remove the rubber plug 11 into the feed pipe 2 by moving the lever 13. The operation is simple and convenient, which greatly improves the maintenance efficiency of the equipment.
[0025] The working principle of this embodiment is as follows: When the 3D printing nozzle 1 completes the printing operation, the air in the airbag 4 is used to push the block 8 into the feed tube 2. At this time, the block 8, together with the rubber block 12, can block one end of the feed tube 2. At the same time, the airflow will flow downwards in the feed tube 2 through the channel 9 of the block 8. This allows the airflow to flush out the residue inside the 3D printing nozzle 1. After completion, the block 8 can be reset by the spring 7. At the same time, the airbag 4 deflates. Using the elasticity of the rubber material of the airbag 4, the one-way valve 5 is opened, and the airbag 4 is refilled with gas for easy cleaning next time. When not in use, the rubber plug 11 can also be used to block the feed tube 2 to prevent debris from falling into the feed tube 2.
[0026] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present utility model, but the protection scope of the present utility model is not limited thereto. Any equivalent substitutions or changes made by those skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in the present utility model, based on the technical solution and the inventive concept of the present utility model, should be included within the protection scope of the present utility model.
Claims
1. A nozzle guard for a 3D printer comprising a 3D printing nozzle (1), characterized in that, The 3D printing nozzle (1) is connected to a feed pipe (2), one end of which is connected to an air injection pipe (3), and an air bag (4) is connected to the air injection pipe (3). A ring (6) is connected inside the air injection pipe (3), and a spring (7) is connected to the ring (6). One end of the spring (7) is connected to a block (8), and a channel (9) is opened inside the block (8). The block (8) and the air injection pipe (3) are fitted together with a clearance and are compatible.
2. A nozzle guard for a 3D printer according to claim 1, wherein, A rope (10) is connected to the 3D printing nozzle (1), and a rubber plug (11) is connected to the rope (10). The rubber plug (11) is in contact with the feed tube (2).
3. The nozzle guard for a 3D printer of claim 1, wherein, The airbag (4) is made of rubber and has resilience.
4. The nozzle guard for a 3D printer of claim 1, wherein, One end of the airbag (4) is connected to a one-way valve (5).
5. The nozzle guard for a 3D printer of claim 1, wherein, The channel (9) is L-shaped.
6. The nozzle guard for a 3D printer of claim 1, wherein, A rubber block (12) is connected to the block (8).
7. The nozzle guard for a 3D printer of claim 2, wherein, A lever (13) is connected to the rubber stopper (11).