Powder suction components and additive manufacturing equipment

Abstract

A powder-collecting assembly for additive manufacturing equipment, used to transport powder raw materials from a first powder storage container to a second powder storage container, includes a housing (10) and a powder inlet pipe (20). The housing (10) is mounted on top of the second powder storage container. The housing (10) has a cavity (11) and an opening (12) communicating with the second powder storage container. The opening (12) is disposed opposite to the top wall (18) of the housing (10) along the height direction (H) of the housing (10). The powder inlet pipe (20) passes through the housing (10) and includes a continuously disposed powder inlet section (21) and a powder guide section (23). The powder inlet section (21) is located outside the housing (10). The powder guide section (23) is at least partially disposed in the cavity and extends from the top wall (18) in a manner that gradually moves away from the top wall (18) along the height direction (H). By providing a powder guide section in the powder-collecting assembly, it is beneficial to reduce the volume of the powder-collecting assembly and improve the application scenarios of the additive manufacturing equipment. In addition, an additive manufacturing apparatus employing this powder-absorbing component is also disclosed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of additive manufacturing, and more specifically, to a powder suction component for use in additive manufacturing equipment, and additive manufacturing equipment using this powder suction component. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, in additive manufacturing equipment, i.e., 3D printers, powder from the post-processing system is typically drawn into the powder supply system by providing negative pressure to the powder suction assembly, thus providing the powder raw materials for 3D printing. To prevent the powder from being sucked into the negative pressure tube of the powder suction assembly, the assembly is designed to be bulky, making it unsuitable for small 3D printers, such as desktop 3D printers; or, in space-constrained environments, it would occupy too much space, limiting the layout and flexibility of the additive manufacturing equipment. Furthermore, its large size increases the difficulty of transportation and installation, raising operating costs. Utility Model Content

[0003] The purpose of this invention is to provide a powder suction component that reduces the volume of the powder suction component, thereby reducing the space ratio of the powder suction component and improving the adaptability of additive manufacturing equipment to the workspace.

[0004] Another objective of this invention is to provide an additive manufacturing equipment that employs the aforementioned powder suction component, thereby reducing the size of the additive manufacturing equipment and improving its adaptability to the workspace.

[0005] This invention provides a powder-collecting assembly for an additive manufacturing device, used to transport powder raw materials from a first powder storage container to a second powder storage container, comprising a housing and a powder inlet pipe. The housing is mounted on top of the second powder storage container and has a cavity and an opening for communicating with the second powder storage container. The opening is disposed opposite to the top wall of the housing along the height direction of the housing. The powder inlet pipe passes through the housing and includes a continuously disposed powder inlet section and a powder guide section. The powder inlet section is located outside the housing. One end of the powder inlet section communicates with the first powder storage container, and the other end terminates in the top wall of the housing. The powder guide section is at least partially disposed in the cavity and extends from the top wall of the housing in a manner that gradually moves away from the top wall along the height direction of the cavity.

[0006] By designing a powder guiding section for the powder inlet pipe of the powder suction assembly, with the powder guiding section at least partially located inside the housing and extending from the top wall of the housing in a manner that gradually moves away from the top wall along the height direction of the cavity, it is possible to reduce the size of the housing of the powder suction assembly while preventing the powder being sucked into the negative pressure pipe of the powder suction assembly.

[0007] In one illustrative embodiment of the powder suction assembly, the powder inlet pipe is integrally formed with the housing, thereby providing good sealing performance and making the structure more robust.

[0008] In another illustrative embodiment of the powder suction assembly, the powder guiding section includes a continuously arranged spiral section and a straight section. The spiral section extends from the top wall of the shell along a tapered spiral with a gradually decreasing radius. The straight section extends along the tangent at the end of the tapered spiral. The spiral section is designed in a spiral shape to maintain the continuity and stability of the air / powder path and reduce its energy loss; at the same time, the gradually decreasing radius of the spiral section helps to increase the initial velocity of the powder material before it enters the powder feeding hopper, which is beneficial to improving the efficiency of powder-air separation. Designing the powder guiding section of the powder inlet pipe to be connected to the straight section after the spiral section allows the powder material to have a large initial velocity when it enters the powder storage container, while controlling the specific direction and position of the powder in the powder storage container, avoiding excessive dust generation when the powder falls into the powder storage container. In addition, when multiple powder suction assemblies are provided in the additive manufacturing equipment, opening the powder outlets of multiple powder suction assemblies further avoids excessive dust generation when the powder falls into the powder storage container.

[0009] In another illustrative embodiment of the dust-collecting component, the angle between the straight section and the plane perpendicular to the height direction is in the range of 0 to 30 degrees, to prevent the falling dust from blowing directly onto the dust-collecting surface and stirring up dust.

[0010] In another illustrative embodiment of the powder suction component, the powder guide section extends out of the opening, further distancing the powder outlet of the powder suction component from the negative pressure unit, thus preventing the falling powder from being sucked away by the negative pressure generated by the negative pressure unit.

[0011] In another illustrative embodiment of the powder suction assembly, a negative pressure unit and a powder shield are also included. The negative pressure unit passes through the housing and has an air inlet located in the cavity. The negative pressure unit is used to connect to a negative pressure source to provide negative pressure to the cavity. The powder shield is located in the cavity and is disposed between the air inlet and the powder outlet located at the end of the powder guiding section to prevent powder material output from the powder outlet from being drawn into the negative pressure unit by the air inlet.

[0012] In another illustrative embodiment of the powder suction assembly, both the negative pressure unit and the powder inlet pipe are installed through the top wall of the housing. A powder shield is disposed between the air inlet and the powder outlet along the height direction of the housing. The powder shield has an arc-shaped notch, through which the powder guide section passes, more effectively preventing the powder material output from the powder outlet from being sucked into the air inlet.

[0013] In another illustrative embodiment of the powder-absorbing assembly, the powder shield divides the cavity along the height direction of the housing into a first cavity near the top wall and a second cavity near the opening. An annular vent is formed between the first and second cavities, surrounding the edge of the powder shield. The flow area of ​​the annular vent is greater than or equal to the total flow area of ​​the air inlet of the negative pressure unit, so as to maintain a suitable negative pressure environment inside the housing.

[0014] In another illustrative embodiment of the powder suction assembly, the housing has a mounting hole and at least one first snap-fit ​​member, and the negative pressure unit has the same number of second snap-fit ​​members as the first snap-fit ​​members. After the negative pressure unit is inserted into the mounting hole, it is fixed to the housing by the cooperation of the first snap-fit ​​members and the second snap-fit ​​members.

[0015] This utility model also provides an additive manufacturing equipment, including the above-mentioned powder suction component, thereby reducing the size of the additive manufacturing equipment and improving its adaptability to the workspace.

[0016] This invention designs a powder guiding section for the powder inlet pipe of the powder suction component. This guiding section extends from the top wall of the housing, gradually moving away from the top wall along the height of the housing. This reduces the size of the powder suction component's housing while preventing powder from being drawn into the negative pressure unit of the powder suction component. Furthermore, it reduces the space occupied by the powder suction component, thereby reducing the size of the additive manufacturing equipment and improving its adaptability to different workspaces. Simultaneously, it facilitates transportation and installation, reducing manufacturing and operating costs. Attached Figure Description

[0017] The following figures are for illustrative purposes only and do not limit the scope of the present invention.

[0018] Figure 1 A schematic perspective view of a powder-absorbing assembly according to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0019] Figure 2 It shows Figure 1 A schematic partial cross-sectional view of the powder-absorbing component shown.

[0020] Figure 3 It shows Figure 1 A schematic exploded view of the powder-absorbing component shown.

[0021] Figure 4 It shows Figure 1 A schematic perspective view of the powder-absorbing component from another angle.

[0022] Figure 5 It shows Figure 1 The diagram shows the usage status of the powder-absorbing component.

[0023] Label Explanation

[0024] 10. Shell

[0025] 11. Cavity

[0026] 111 First Cavity

[0027] 113 Second Chamber

[0028] 12 Openings

[0029] 13 Inner Wall

[0030] 14 Grooves

[0031] 15 mounting holes

[0032] 17. Boss

[0033] 18. Top Wall

[0034] 19 First Card Receipt

[0035] 191 Notch

[0036] 193 Stop section

[0037] 20 Powder Inlet Pipe

[0038] 21. Powder Inlet Section

[0039] 23 Powder guiding section

[0040] 231 Spiral segment

[0041] 233 Straight Section

[0042] 235 Powder outlet

[0043] 237 Support component

[0044] 30 negative pressure units

[0045] 31 End Cap

[0046] 33 Negative pressure pipe

[0047] 35 Air Inlet

[0048] 351 Air Inlet

[0049] 37 Second Card Attachment

[0050] 371 protrusions

[0051] 40 Concealer

[0052] 41. Arc-shaped notch

[0053] 43 Edge

[0054] 50 Annular Vent

[0055] 80 Powder Feeding Hopper

[0056] P plane

[0057] β angle

[0058] H (height direction) Detailed Implementation

[0059] To provide a clearer understanding of the technical features, objectives, and effects of this utility model, specific embodiments of the present utility model are now described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, the same reference numerals indicate components with the same or similar structures but the same function.

[0060] In this document, “illustrative” means “serving as an example, illustration or description”, and any illustration or implementation described herein as “illustrative” should not be construed as a more preferred or advantageous technical solution.

[0061] In this document, terms such as "first" and "second" do not indicate their importance or order, but are only used to distinguish them to facilitate the description of the document.

[0062] To keep the drawings simple, each drawing only schematically shows the parts related to this utility model, and they do not represent the actual structure of the product.

[0063] Figure 1 A schematic perspective view of a powder-absorbing assembly according to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention is shown. Figure 2 It shows Figure 1 A schematic partial cross-sectional view of the powder suction assembly shown. The powder suction assembly of the additive manufacturing equipment is used, for example, to convey powder raw materials from a first powder storage container to a second powder storage container. The side peripheral walls of the housing 10 are, for example, generally inverted frustum cones, but are not limited thereto; they may also be cylinders or other suitable shapes. The first powder storage container is, for example, a powder storage container in the post-processing system of the additive manufacturing equipment, but is not limited thereto; it may also be any other suitable container for storing powder raw materials. The second powder storage container is, for example, a powder feeding hopper 80 in the powder feeding system of the additive manufacturing equipment (e.g., Figure 5 (as shown), but not limited to, it can also be any other applicable container. Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the powder suction assembly includes a housing 10, a powder inlet pipe 20, and a negative pressure unit 30. The housing 10 is mounted on top of the second powder storage container, as shown. Figure 2As shown, the housing 10 has a cavity 11 and an opening 12 for communicating with a second powder storage container. The opening 12 is disposed opposite to the top wall 18 of the housing 10 along the height direction H of the housing 10. A powder inlet pipe 20 passes through the top wall 18 of the housing 10 and includes a continuously disposed powder inlet section 21 and a powder guide section 23. The powder inlet section 21 is located outside the housing 10. One end of the powder inlet section 21 is used to communicate with the first powder storage container, and the other end terminates at the top wall 18 of the housing 10. The powder guide section 23 is at least partially disposed in the cavity 11 and extends from the top wall 18 of the housing 10 in a manner that gradually moves away from the top wall 18 along the height direction H. Specifically, in this illustrative embodiment, the powder guide section 23 passes through the opening 12 and exits the housing 10. A negative pressure unit 30 communicates with the cavity 11 and is used to connect a negative pressure source, such as a negative pressure fan, to provide negative pressure to the cavity 11.

[0064] By designing a powder guiding section for the powder inlet pipe of the powder suction assembly, the powder guiding section is at least partially located inside the housing and extends from the top wall of the housing in a manner that gradually moves away from the top wall along the height direction H. In this way, while reducing the size of the housing of the powder suction assembly, the powder sucked into the powder suction assembly is prevented from being sucked into the negative pressure unit.

[0065] In one illustrative embodiment of the powder suction assembly, the powder inlet pipe 20 is integrally formed with the housing 10, for example, by 3D printing, processing the powder inlet pipe 20 and the housing 10 into a single, complete unit, eliminating the assembly step. This provides excellent sealing performance while also making the structure more robust.

[0066] Figure 3 It shows Figure 1 An exploded schematic diagram of the powder-absorbing component is shown. (As shown) Figure 2 and 3 As shown, in one schematic embodiment of the powder absorption assembly, the negative pressure unit 30 includes an end cap 31, a negative pressure pipe 33, and an air inlet 35. The negative pressure pipe 33 communicates with the air inlet 35 via the end cap 31. For example, in one embodiment, the end cap, negative pressure pipe, and air inlet are integrally formed. The negative pressure unit 30 passes through the housing 10, and the air inlet 35 is placed within the cavity 11. The negative pressure pipe 33 is used to connect to a negative pressure source. The air inlet 35 has a plurality of air inlet holes 351, for example, such as... Figure 3 As shown, the air inlet 35 is cylindrical, and its peripheral wall has an array of small rectangular air inlet holes 351. Air from the cavity 11 is drawn into the negative pressure pipe 33 through the air inlet holes 351, thereby providing a suitable negative pressure to the cavity 11. The powder suction assembly also includes a powder shield 40. The powder shield 40 is located in the cavity 11 and is positioned between the air inlet 35 and the powder outlet 235 located at the end of the powder guiding section 23, to prevent powder material output from the powder outlet 235 from being drawn into the negative pressure unit 30 through the air inlet 35.

[0067] like Figure 1 ,2 As shown in Figure 3, in one schematic embodiment of the powder suction assembly, both the negative pressure unit 30 and the powder inlet pipe 20 pass through the top wall 18. A powder shield 40 is disposed along the height direction H of the housing 10 between the air inlet 35 and the powder outlet 235. For example, it is detachably fixed to the bottom of the air inlet 35. The powder shield 40 has an arc-shaped notch 41 through which the powder guide section 23 passes. This configuration of the powder shield more effectively blocks dust generated by the powder material output from the powder outlet 235, preventing dust from being drawn into the negative pressure pipe 33 via the air inlet 351 and entering the negative pressure unit 30.

[0068] For example, such as Figure 2 and 3 As shown, in an illustrative embodiment of the powder absorption assembly, the powder shield 40 divides the cavity 11 along the height direction H of the housing 10 into a first cavity 111 near the top wall 18 and a second cavity 113 near the opening 12. An annular vent 50 surrounding the edge 43 of the powder shield 40 is formed between the first cavity 111 and the second cavity 113. The flow area of ​​the annular vent 50 is greater than or equal to the total flow area of ​​the air inlet 35 of the negative pressure unit 30; that is, the projected area of ​​the gap 50 between the edge 43 of the powder shield 40 and the inner wall 13 of the housing 10 along the height direction H of the housing 10 is greater than or equal to the total air inlet area formed by all the air inlets 351, so as to maintain a suitable negative pressure environment inside the housing 10. The powder shield 40 can be generally umbrella-shaped or flat, but is not limited to these shapes. When the projected area of ​​the slit 50 along the height direction H of the shell 10 is the same, the body area of ​​the umbrella-shaped powder shield is larger than that of the flat powder shield, and the powder blocking effect of the umbrella-shaped powder shield is better than that of the flat powder shield. In this way, the powder material output from the powder outlet 235 is effectively blocked from entering the first chamber 111, and then sucked into the negative pressure pipe 33 through the air inlet 351.

[0069] like Figure 3 As shown, in an illustrative embodiment of the powder suction assembly, the top wall 18 of the housing 10 has a groove 14, the bottom wall of the groove 14 has a mounting hole 15, the bottom wall of the groove 14 surrounds the mounting hole 15 to form a boss 17, the peripheral wall of the groove 14 has at least one first snap-fit ​​member 19 extending toward the center of the housing 10, the peripheral wall of the end cap 31 of the negative pressure unit 30 has the same number of second snap-fit ​​members 37 as the first snap-fit ​​members 19, after the negative pressure unit 30 is inserted into the mounting hole 15, the negative pressure unit 30 is fixed to the housing 10 with the cooperation of the first snap-fit ​​members 19 and the second snap-fit ​​members 37.

[0070] For example, such as Figure 3As shown, in an illustrative embodiment of the powder-absorbing assembly, the bottom of the first snap-fit ​​member 19 has a notch 191 and a stop portion 193. Each second snap-fit ​​member 37 has a protrusion 371 on the side facing the negative pressure tube 33. After the negative pressure unit 30 is inserted into the mounting port 15, during the process of screwing the second snap-fit ​​member 37 toward the stop portion 193 into the first snap-fit ​​member 19, the protrusion 371 snaps into the notch 191, thereby fixing the negative pressure unit 30 to the housing 10. The stop portion 193 further serves to limit the position of the second snap-fit ​​member 37, thereby strengthening the fixed connection between the negative pressure unit 30 and the housing 10. In addition, as... Figure 3 As shown, in one illustrative embodiment, the stop 193 may extend to and be integral with the boss 17 to increase the strength of the stop 193.

[0071] Figure 4 It shows Figure 1 A three-dimensional view of the powder-absorbing component from another angle. (See image below.) Figure 4 As shown, in a schematic embodiment of the powder suction assembly, the powder guiding section 23 includes a continuously arranged spiral section 231 and a straight section 233 (separated by dashed lines for easy distinction). The spiral section 231 extends from the housing 10 along a tapered spiral with a gradually decreasing radius, the central axis of which is, for example, parallel to the height direction H of the housing 10. The spiral section 231 is designed in a spiral shape to maintain the continuity and stability of the air / powder path and reduce its energy loss; at the same time, the radius of the spiral section 231 gradually decreases to increase the initial velocity of the powder material before entering the powder feeding hopper, which is beneficial to improving the efficiency of powder-air separation. The straight section 233 extends tangentially along the end of the tapered spiral. By designing the powder guiding section of the powder inlet pipe to be connected to the straight section after the spiral section, the powder material has a large initial velocity when entering the powder feeding hopper, while controlling the specific direction and position of the powder in the powder feeding hopper, avoiding excessive dust generation when the powder falls into the powder feeding hopper. In addition, when multiple powder suction components are provided in the additive manufacturing equipment, opening the powder outlet of the multiple powder suction components further avoids excessive dust generation when the powder falls into the container.

[0072] like Figure 4 As shown, the powder guide tube 23 is provided with a support member 237 that connects to the inner wall 13 of the housing 10 to enhance the stability of the powder guide tube 23 during operation. For example, the support member 237 is integrally formed with the powder guide tube 23 and the housing 10, but it is not limited to this and other fixing methods such as threaded connection can also be used.

[0073] Figure 5 It shows Figure 1 The diagram shows the usage status of the powder-absorbing component. Figure 5As shown, in one schematic embodiment of the dust-collecting assembly, the angle β between the straight section 233 and the plane P perpendicular to the height direction H of the housing 10 ranges from 0 to 30 degrees. When in use, the height direction H of the housing 10 is parallel to the direction of gravity; therefore, the plane P is, for example, the dust-falling surface within the powder hopper 80. This prevents the falling powder from blowing directly onto the dust-falling surface and stirring up dust; the smaller the angle β, the less dust is stirred up.

[0074] like Figure 5 As shown, in one schematic embodiment of the powder suction assembly, the powder guiding section 23 extends out of the opening 12, further distancing the powder outlet 235 away from the negative pressure unit 30, thereby further preventing the falling powder from being sucked away by the negative pressure generated by the negative pressure unit 30.

[0075] This utility model also provides an additive manufacturing equipment, including the above-mentioned powder suction component, thereby reducing the size of the additive manufacturing equipment and improving its adaptability to the workspace.

[0076] This invention designs a powder guiding section for the powder inlet pipe of the powder suction component, extending it from the top wall of the housing in a manner that gradually moves away from the top wall along the height direction. Through the technical solution provided by this invention, the height of the powder suction component's housing is reduced while preventing powder from being drawn into the negative pressure pipe of the powder suction unit. This reduces the space occupied by the powder suction component, thereby reducing the size of the additive manufacturing equipment and improving its adaptability to different workspaces. Simultaneously, it facilitates transportation and installation, reducing manufacturing and operating costs.

[0077] The detailed descriptions listed above are merely specific descriptions of feasible embodiments of the present utility model, and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present utility model. All equivalent implementation schemes or modifications made without departing from the spirit of the present utility model, such as combinations, divisions or repetitions of features, should be included within the scope of protection of the present utility model.

Claims

1. A powder-collecting component of an additive manufacturing equipment, used to transport powder raw materials from a first powder storage container to a second powder storage container, characterized in that, include: A housing (10) mounted on top of a second powder storage container, the housing (10) having a cavity (11) and an opening (12) for communicating with the second powder storage container, the opening (12) being disposed opposite to the top wall (18) of the housing (10) along the height direction (H) of the housing (10); and A powder inlet pipe (20) is provided through the top wall (18) and includes continuously arranged components: A powder inlet section (21) is located outside the housing (10). One end of the powder inlet section (21) is used to connect to the first powder storage container, and the other end terminates in the top wall (18) of the housing (10). A powder guiding section (23) is at least partially disposed in the cavity (11) and extends from the top wall (18) of the housing (10) in a manner that gradually moves away from the top wall (18) along the height direction (H).

2. The powder-absorbing component as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The powder inlet pipe (20) is integrally formed with the shell (10).

3. The powder-absorbing component as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The powder guiding section (23) includes continuously arranged sections: A helical segment (231) extending from the top wall (18) of the housing (10) along a tapered helix with a gradually decreasing radius; and The straight section (233) extends along the tangent at the end of the conical spiral.

4. The powder-absorbing component as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The angle (β) between the straight section (233) and the plane (P) perpendicular to the height direction (H) ranges from 0 to 30 degrees.

5. The powder-absorbing component as described in claim 4, characterized in that, The powder guiding section (23) extends out of the opening (12).

6. The powder-absorbing component as described in claim 3, characterized in that, Also includes: A negative pressure unit (30), which passes through the housing (10) and has an air inlet (35) located in the cavity (11), the negative pressure unit (30) is used to connect to a negative pressure source to provide negative pressure to the cavity (11); and A powder shield (40) is located in the cavity (11) and is disposed between the air inlet (35) and the powder outlet (235) at the end of the powder guide section (23) to prevent the powder material output from the powder outlet (235) from being drawn into the negative pressure unit (30) through the air inlet (35).

7. The powder-absorbing component as described in claim 6, characterized in that, The negative pressure unit (30) and the powder inlet pipe (20) are both installed on the top wall (18); the powder shield (40) is installed between the air inlet (35) and the powder outlet (235) along the height direction (H), and the powder shield (40) has an arc-shaped notch (41), and the powder guide section (23) passes through the arc-shaped notch (41).

8. The powder-absorbing component as described in claim 7, characterized in that, The powder shield (40) divides the cavity (11) along the height direction (H) into a first cavity (111) near the top wall (18) and a second cavity (113) near the opening (12). An annular vent (50) surrounding the edge (43) of the powder shield (40) is formed between the first cavity (111) and the second cavity (113). The flow area of ​​the annular vent (50) is greater than or equal to the total flow area of ​​the air inlet (35) of the negative pressure unit (30).

9. The powder-absorbing component as described in claim 6, characterized in that, The housing (10) has a mounting hole (15) and at least one first snap-fit ​​member (19). The negative pressure unit (30) has the same number of second snap-fit ​​members (37) as the first snap-fit ​​members (19). After the negative pressure unit (30) is inserted into the mounting hole (15), the negative pressure unit (30) is fixed to the housing (10) with the cooperation of the first snap-fit ​​members (19) and the second snap-fit ​​members (37).

10. Additive manufacturing equipment, characterized in that, Includes the powder-absorbing component as described in any one of claims 1 to 9.

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