Multi-channel feed assembly, consumable cartridge, and additive manufacturing apparatus

Abstract

The application relates to the technical field of additive manufacturing, in particular to a multi-channel feeding assembly, a consumable box and an additive manufacturing device, wherein the multi-channel feeding assembly comprises a base and at least two groups of parallel feeding units; the feeding unit comprises a driving mechanism, a driving extrusion wheel and a driven extrusion wheel; the driven extrusion wheel is coaxially provided with a rotating part; and a sensor is arranged beside the rotating part to collect the rotating signal of the rotating part. The above arrangement can realize closed-loop feedback control, directly measure the conveying amount in real time, compensate for errors, ensure printing precision and mixing ratio, detect abnormalities in real time, avoid printing failure and waste, improve flexibility, simplify consumable replacement, adapt to multi-material printing requirements, and effectively solve the problems that the prior art cannot accurately monitor the conveying of consumables in real time, has accumulated errors in open-loop control, and cannot respond to feeding abnormalities in real time.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of additive manufacturing technology, and in particular to a multi-channel feeding assembly, a consumable box, and additive manufacturing equipment. Background Technology

[0002] In additive manufacturing (3D printing) equipment, the feeding assembly is the core component responsible for accurately delivering filament to the heated nozzle. In related technologies, the feeding assembly typically employs an open-loop control system. This type of system indirectly estimates the filament delivery length by controlling the number of steps taken by the stepper motor. However, this open-loop control method has inherent drawbacks: during printing, slippage may occur between the filament and the active extrusion wheel, the diameter of the filament itself may be uneven, or the stepper motor may lose steps under excessive load. These factors can all cause a deviation between the actual filament delivery volume and the theoretical stepping volume of the motor, and this deviation accumulates with increasing printing time, ultimately severely affecting the dimensional accuracy and surface quality of the printed product. Utility Model Content

[0003] The embodiments of this application provide a multi-channel feeding component, a consumable box, and an additive manufacturing equipment to solve the problems of related technologies being unable to perform real-time and accurate quantitative monitoring of the actual feeding process of consumables, having cumulative errors due to open-loop control, and being unable to respond to feeding anomalies in a timely manner.

[0004] Additional aspects and advantages of this application will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description or may be learned by practice of this application.

[0005] According to one aspect of this application, a multi-channel feeding assembly is provided, which mainly includes a base and at least two sets of feeding units arranged in parallel on the base; the feeding unit includes: a drive mechanism; an active extrusion wheel, which is convexly connected to the drive mechanism; a driven extrusion wheel, which is driven to rotate by a consumable held between the active extrusion wheel and the driven extrusion wheel; a rotating component, which is coaxially arranged with the driven extrusion wheel and rotates with the driven extrusion wheel; a sensor, which is disposed on the base and located next to the rotating component; and a controller, which is electrically connected to the sensor and the drive mechanism; the controller is configured to: sense the rotation of the rotating component through the sensor; and when the rotation state of the rotating component is sensed to be abnormal according to a preset condition, change the control state of the drive mechanism and / or activate an alarm.

[0006] This type of embodiment has the following technical effects:

[0007] By coaxially aligning the rotating component with the driven extrusion wheel, which is driven by the actual movement of the consumables, and fixing a sensor next to the rotating component, a physical monitoring link is cleverly constructed that can directly and in real-time reflect the actual feeding status of the consumables. The monitoring results of this link can faithfully reflect the actual displacement of the consumables, unaffected by abnormalities at the active end such as drive mechanism idling or consumable slippage. Based on this, since the controller, as the control core, is physically electrically connected to both the sensor and the drive mechanism, which serves as the power source, the controller can monitor the actual feeding process of the consumables in real-time and accurately based on the rotation of the rotating component sensed by the sensor. Therefore, when feeding abnormalities such as blockage or interruption occur, causing a change in the speed of the driven extrusion wheel (e.g., a sudden drop to zero), this abnormal rotational state can be immediately sensed by the controller, and according to its configured control logic, the control state of the drive mechanism is immediately changed (e.g., suspending its operation) and / or an alarm is activated. This overall solution, through the synergistic effect of the aforementioned features, fundamentally solves the technical problem of "decoupling between command and actual execution" commonly found in background technologies, which rely solely on open-loop feeding control based on drive mechanism output parameters. It can intervene instantly when a feeding anomaly occurs, rather than being discovered only after significant material waste or printing failures. This transforms a potential, invisible feeding fault into a definite, automatically processed physical event. In summary, this solution, through the overall design of the aforementioned structure and control logic, significantly improves the automation level and system reliability of the feeding process, ensuring the accurate execution of printing commands. Especially in scenarios with multiple channels operating in parallel, it provides a solid technical guarantee for completing complex printing tasks with high quality and high success rates.

[0008] The technical effects of this type of embodiment are further described in detail below:

[0009] By coaxially mounting a rotating component on a structurally independent driven extrusion wheel and integrating it with sensors, closed-loop feedback control of the feeding process is achieved. This solution fundamentally changes the open-loop control mode that relies on motor steps to estimate the feeding amount. By directly measuring the rotation of the driven extrusion wheel driven by the actual movement of the filament, real-time and direct measurement of the actual filament delivery amount is achieved, forming a high-precision closed-loop feedback system. Furthermore, because it can accurately measure the delivery amount of each segment of filament, the system can compensate for errors caused by slippage, diameter changes, and other factors, ensuring extremely high dimensional accuracy of the printed model. In multi-color or multi-material printing, it can guarantee the accurate mixing ratio of different filaments, thereby obtaining the expected color and material properties.

[0010] In addition, the sensor can continuously monitor the rotational status of the rotating parts. Once material blockage, material interruption, or severe slippage occurs, the rotational speed of the driven extrusion wheel will immediately change abnormally (such as suddenly dropping to zero), which in turn will cause the rotational speed of the rotating parts coaxial with the driven extrusion wheel to also immediately change abnormally (such as suddenly dropping to zero). The sensor can detect this abnormality instantly and trigger a pause or alarm, thereby avoiding printing failures and material waste caused by prolonged dry printing or insufficient feeding.

[0011] The rotating component is coaxially arranged with the driven extrusion wheel, synchronously recording the number of rotations and angle of the driven extrusion wheel. The actual filament delivery length can be accurately calculated using preset driven extrusion wheel diameter parameters. Sensors collect the rotation signals of the rotating component in real time and feed them back to the control system, forming a closed-loop control. Furthermore, the sensor data can be used to precisely control the filament feed rate or detect abnormalities such as filament blockage or slippage. This effectively improves the intelligence and control precision of the feeding unit. Combined with the advantages of multi-channel operation, it enables independent and precise monitoring and management of multiple filament paths, thereby significantly improving printing reliability and quality.

[0012] Specifically, when the consumables are being fed normally, the driven extrusion wheel is driven to rotate synchronously by the friction of the consumables, and the output of the rotating parts and the drive mechanism are matched. If a material interruption occurs, the driven extrusion wheel loses the drive of the consumables and stops rotating. At this time, the rotation signal and the output signal of the drive mechanism deviate, and the sensor can quickly identify the abnormality and trigger an alarm.

[0013] The above settings can address the cumulative error caused by traditional feeding systems relying solely on motor output parameters to estimate the feeding amount, as well as the printing interruption and material waste caused by traditional equipment continuously idling after material loss. They ensure that the conveying length of multi-color and multi-material consumables matches the printing instructions, improve the dimensional accuracy and color transition effect of finished products, and reduce waste, especially in multi-channel feeding scenarios.

[0014] By applying this rotating component and sensor configuration to multiple parallel feeding units, the delivery of each consumable can be independently and accurately monitored and managed. This provides a solid technical guarantee for completing complex multi-task printing tasks that require extremely high coordination between the feeding channels.

[0015] By arranging at least two independent feeding units side-by-side on the same base, the flexibility and processing capacity of the feeding system are enhanced, adapting to market demands for multi-material printing applications. Specifically, the multi-channel design allows the device to simultaneously process or quickly switch between multiple consumables of different properties (such as different colors, different materials, and different diameters). Furthermore, this side-by-side structure also enables the miniaturization and integration of the device.

[0016] Meanwhile, the consumable replacement process has been effectively simplified, reducing operational complexity. Due to the design of at least two independently driven feeding units, a multi-channel feeding assembly is formed. When switching printing materials, the feeding channel can be switched directly, eliminating the need to unload and reload consumables in the original channel, significantly simplifying the consumable replacement process. Even if subsequent printing tasks require replacement of consumables in the original channel, it will not affect the implementation of the manufacturing task, avoiding time wasted on non-manufacturing tasks.

[0017] In some exemplary embodiments of this application, the feeding unit further includes an extrusion mechanism, which includes a fixed base and a lever, one end of which is rotatably connected to the fixed base; the lever is used to move the driven extrusion wheel closer to or further away from the driving extrusion wheel.

[0018] In this type of embodiment, a convenient and reliable method for loading and unloading consumables is provided by adding an extrusion mechanism consisting of a fixed base and a rotatable lever. Users can quickly move the driven extrusion wheel away from the active extrusion wheel by operating the lever, creating a sufficiently large channel opening, thereby easily and without damage inserting or removing consumables, greatly improving operational convenience and efficiency.

[0019] By introducing a lever-type extrusion mechanism, the movement of the driven extrusion wheel closer to or further away becomes more direct and controllable. The lever's rotation design enables precise alignment and pressure adjustment between the driven and driven extrusion wheels, further improving the reliability and accuracy of the feed channel formation and release, thereby indirectly enhancing the stability and repeatability of consumable delivery.

[0020] The rotatable connection between the lever and the fixed base provides an intuitive and effortless way to adjust the position of the driven extrusion wheel. Users can quickly adjust the distance between the driven and driven extrusion wheels simply by rotating the lever, without the need for tools or complex mechanical operations, making it easier to use. The lever also allows for quick loading and unloading of consumables, further simplifying the pre-printing material preparation process.

[0021] The minimalist "fixed base + lever" structure has fewer parts and simpler manufacturing processes, which not only reduces production costs but also simplifies assembly. At the same time, the simple structure reduces potential points of failure, facilitates later maintenance and repair, and lowers the total lifecycle cost of the equipment.

[0022] The rotating shaft of the lever is fixed to the fixed base, forming a stable adjustment fulcrum. This provides a clear trajectory constraint for the position adjustment of the driven extrusion wheel, avoiding potential offset or jamming. This structure ensures the adjustment accuracy of the feeding channel spacing and is more reliable when adapting to consumables of different sizes.

[0023] Furthermore, the lever design, which allows the driven extrusion wheel to move closer to or further away from the driving extrusion wheel, ensures adaptability to consumables of different sizes or states. It also effectively releases the channel when not feeding consumables, preventing jamming or wear. This avoids excessive compression of brittle consumables due to excessively small spacing, preventing breakage and jamming, while also preventing situations where excessively large spacing prevents effective application of driving force, thus improving adaptability to consumables of diverse sizes.

[0024] In some exemplary embodiments of this application, the feeding unit further includes a driven shaft, a driven extrusion wheel fixedly connected to the driven shaft, a rotating component fixedly connected to the driven shaft, and a driven shaft rotatably connected to a lever.

[0025] In this type of embodiment, the driven extrusion wheel and the lever are connected by a driven shaft, ensuring the posture stability and positional accuracy of the driven extrusion wheel during the oscillation process. This structure avoids wobbling or skew of the driven extrusion wheel, ensuring that it can be precisely aligned when pressing against the driving extrusion wheel, thereby forming a stable and reliable feeding channel.

[0026] Both the driven extrusion wheel and the rotating component are fixedly mounted on the driven shaft and connected to the lever. The driven extrusion wheel drives the driven shaft to rotate, which in turn drives the rotating component. The rotation of the rotating component accurately reflects the actual rotation of the driven extrusion wheel. The rotation of the driven shaft does not affect the connection with the lever, ensuring smooth rotation of the driven extrusion wheel under pressure. It also allows for precise oscillation or movement based on the lever's movement. The optimized motion freedom of the driven extrusion wheel allows for better engagement with the driving extrusion wheel, forming a more stable feeding channel. This improves the smoothness of consumable delivery and reduces wear or uneven delivery caused by extrusion wheel jamming or improper angle.

[0027] The driven extrusion wheel is fixedly connected to the driven shaft, while the driven shaft is rotatably connected to the lever, eliminating assembly gaps between them. This design ensures the driven extrusion wheel remains in an accurate position, preventing positional shifts caused by gaps. This allows for precise coordination with the active extrusion wheel to form a stable feeding channel, guaranteeing accurate adaptation to consumables of different sizes. The reduced contact float of the driven extrusion wheel with the consumables allows for continuous and stable application of contact force during feeding, preventing fluctuations in contact force caused by float. This effectively prevents consumables from slipping or being over-compressed, improving the stability and reliability of the feeding process.

[0028] In some exemplary embodiments of this application, the feeding unit further includes a first bearing, the inner ring of which is fitted onto the driven shaft, and the outer ring of which is fixedly connected to the lever.

[0029] In this type of embodiment, the rolling friction of the first bearing replaces the sliding friction between the driven shaft and the lever, reducing the resistance when they rotate relative to each other. This makes the operation of the lever (i.e., opening and closing the feeding channel) easier and smoother, reducing operating force and wear between components, thus extending service life. Simultaneously, the first bearing also enhances structural stability and ensures positioning accuracy: the rigid structure of the bearing provides precise radial support for the driven shaft, effectively limiting its radial wobble.

[0030] This configuration not only improves the flexibility and response speed of the extrusion mechanism, but also makes the driven extrusion wheel more smoothly and accurately adjusted in position. It plays a positive role in achieving controllable channel formation and release, and further enhances the reliability and lifespan of the feeding unit.

[0031] In some exemplary embodiments of this application, the extrusion mechanism further includes an elastic element connected between the fixed base and the lever, and used to apply a force to the lever so that the driven extrusion wheel presses against the driving extrusion wheel.

[0032] In this type of embodiment, by adding an elastic element, a continuous and adaptive clamping force is provided to the driven extrusion wheel. This clamping force can automatically compensate for minor fluctuations in the diameter of the consumable, ensuring that the consumable is always stably clamped, thereby guaranteeing the continuous and effective transmission of driving force between the driving extrusion wheel, the consumable, and the driven extrusion wheel, and improving the stability of feeding. This continuous force avoids gaps or loosening that may occur in rigid connections, solves the problem of consumable slippage caused by insufficient pressure, and improves the reliability of the feeding process.

[0033] The elastic element can adapt to minute dimensional changes, enhancing dimensional adaptability. For radial dimensional fluctuations of consumables within a few millimeters, the elastic element can automatically compensate through elastic deformation, with minimal change in elastic force within this range, maintaining consistent pressure on consumables of different sizes. Compared to structures relying on manual spacing adjustment, this design adapts to consumables with minute dimensional differences without frequent operation, significantly improving compatibility with diverse consumable specifications. It is particularly suitable for scenarios with slight dimensional deviations between different batches of consumables in multi-color cartridges.

[0034] In some exemplary embodiments of this application, the fixing seat is provided with a screw, the screw is threadedly connected to the fixing seat, the elastic element is sleeved on the outer periphery of the screw, one end of the elastic element is connected to the lever, and the other end abuts against the top of the screw.

[0035] In this type of embodiment, the screw and elastic element work together to achieve quantifiable and precise adjustment of the clamping force. The threaded connection between the screw and the fixed base allows the extension length of the screw to be changed by rotating it, thereby adjusting the compression of the elastic element. The greater the compression, the stronger the force generated by the elastic element. The operator can precisely set the optimal clamping force by rotating the screw according to the hardness, brittleness, or surface smoothness of different consumables (such as PLA, TPU, PVA, etc.) or according to printing requirements. This gives the feeding assembly broad consumable compatibility, enhances its applicability, avoids damage to brittle consumables due to excessive pressure or slippage due to insufficient pressure, and improves the controllability and stability of printing quality.

[0036] Combining the self-locking characteristic of the thread (maintaining stable position without additional locking components), the screw can be fixed in multiple locking positions, enabling graded or continuous adjustment of the elastic force. This allows each feeding unit to precisely match the elastic force to consumables of different materials (e.g., rigid consumables require greater resistance pressure, while flexible consumables require less resistance pressure) and different degrees of brittleness, avoiding compatibility limitations caused by fixed elastic force and further expanding the consumable compatibility range of multi-channel feeding components.

[0037] The threaded connection between the screw and the fixed base is detachable. When the elastic element fails due to fatigue after long-term use, the screw can be quickly unscrewed to replace the elastic element without disassembling the entire extrusion mechanism or base, which greatly shortens the maintenance time.

[0038] In some exemplary embodiments of this application, the lever is provided with an operating part.

[0039] In this type of embodiment, by providing an operating part on the lever, the user can directly and conveniently apply force to the lever to manually adjust the gap between the driven extrusion wheel and the driving extrusion wheel, thereby improving the ergonomic performance of human-machine interaction. This greatly facilitates the rapid loading, unloading, or manual fine-tuning of consumables. In scenarios requiring rapid response or manual intervention, such as clearing jammed materials or replacing consumables, this design can significantly improve operational efficiency and user experience.

[0040] In some exemplary embodiments of this application, the feeding unit further includes a drive shaft, and the drive extrusion wheel is fixed on the drive shaft; the output end of the drive mechanism is connected to a worm gear, and a helical gear is fixed on the drive shaft, with the worm gear meshing with the helical gear.

[0041] In this type of embodiment, a high reduction ratio and transmission self-locking are achieved by using a worm gear and helical gear transmission combination. The high reduction ratio allows the drive mechanism to output a powerful extrusion torque with relatively low power; while the transmission self-locking characteristic can maintain the position of the active extrusion wheel when the drive mechanism stops or is powered off, preventing the consumable from being pulled back, thereby further ensuring the accuracy of consumable delivery.

[0042] The meshing transmission of the worm gear and helical gear features a stable transmission ratio and good self-locking properties (preventing the helical gear from reverse driving when the worm is on the drive), effectively avoiding transmission loosening caused by reverse forces during the feeding process. Simultaneously, the active extrusion wheel is fixedly connected to the drive shaft, and the rigid transmission of the worm gear and helical gear reduces transmission backlash, ensuring stable rotational speed of the active extrusion wheel, improving the accuracy of drive force control for consumable conveying, and reducing feeding slippage or jamming caused by transmission errors.

[0043] In some exemplary embodiments of this application, the rotating component is a magnetic component, and the sensor is a magnetic force sensor.

[0044] In this type of embodiment, the magnetic component rotates synchronously with the driven extrusion wheel, generating periodic magnetic field changes. The magnetic sensor can accurately capture these changes to achieve high-precision measurement of the number of rotations and angles. Its magnetic field signal has good linearity and is unaffected by extrusion wheel wear or contamination, ensuring long-term accuracy in calculating the material delivery length and providing reliable support for multi-color matching and printing precision. The non-contact design avoids component friction and wear, significantly extending the lifespan of the detection system (magnetic component and magnetic sensor) and reducing maintenance frequency. Magnetic lines can penetrate non-magnetic contaminants such as dust and oil, and have strong anti-electromagnetic interference capabilities, enabling stable operation in complex printing environments and ensuring the reliability of material breakage detection and speed monitoring. The magnetic component and magnetic sensor are small in size and simple in structure, easily integrated into a compact feeding unit, reducing assembly and calibration difficulties. Simultaneously, the magnetic field signal transmission is delay-free, and the magnetic sensor's response speed reaches the microsecond level, quickly capturing sudden changes in the driven extrusion wheel's speed and promptly triggering a material breakage alarm, reducing material waste and printing defects. This is particularly beneficial for the rapid isolation of faulty channels in multi-channel systems.

[0045] In some exemplary embodiments of this application, the rotating component is a light-transmitting code disk, and the sensor is a photoelectric switch.

[0046] In this type of embodiment, when the light-transmitting code disk rotates synchronously with the driven extrusion wheel, the light-transmitting holes evenly distributed along its edge periodically block or open the optical path of the photoelectric switch. High-precision measurement of the number of rotations and angles can be achieved through the light on / off signal. The code disk grating density can be flexibly designed to meet higher resolution detection requirements, ensuring accurate calculation of consumable delivery length and facilitating the proportioning control and accuracy improvement of multi-color printing. It employs non-contact optical detection, eliminating mechanical wear, extending component lifespan, and is unaffected by magnetic field interference, making it suitable for multi-drive mechanisms and strong electromagnetic environments. It can still maintain signal stability, ensuring the reliability of material breakage detection and speed monitoring; the light-transmitting code disk has a thin and flexible design, making it easy to integrate with the driven extrusion wheel coaxially; the photoelectric switch is small in size and can be placed next to the light-transmitting code disk, adapting to the compact layout of multi-channel feeding components and reducing assembly complexity; at the same time, the photoelectric switch has a fast response speed to changes in the light path, and can quickly capture sudden changes in the speed of the driven extrusion wheel (such as stopping when material breaks), shortening alarm delay and reducing material waste. Especially in multi-channel systems, it can quickly isolate faulty channels and ensure the stability of the overall printing process.

[0047] In some exemplary embodiments of this application, the number of at least two sets of feeding units is two, three, four or five.

[0048] In this type of embodiment, the number of feeding units can be flexibly adapted to different printing needs: two sets can meet basic two-color or two-material printing, while three or more sets can support more complex multi-color mixed printing and multi-material composite printing, covering printing scenarios from simple to complex and improving the versatility of the equipment; multiple sets of feeding units arranged in parallel can achieve multi-channel synchronous feeding, avoiding the efficiency loss caused by frequent switching of consumables in a single set of units, and greatly improving the continuity and efficiency of multi-material printing; at the same time, the flexibility of the number selection can match the space and functional requirements of printing equipment of different sizes, which is suitable for the compact configuration of small equipment and can also meet the complex printing tasks of large equipment, reducing the cost for users to replace equipment due to upgrade needs and enhancing the market adaptability of the equipment.

[0049] In some exemplary embodiments of this application, the structures of two, three, four, or five feeding units are identical.

[0050] In these embodiments, the identical structure enables a high degree of standardization and modularity, reducing production costs and improving production efficiency. Only one set of spare parts needs to be prepared for maintenance. This structural simplicity and economy further enhance the practical value and commercial competitiveness of multi-channel feeding components.

[0051] Understandably, standardized parts specifications facilitate supply chain management and spare parts replacement, reducing component matching errors during maintenance. A completely consistent assembly process helps shorten the production assembly cycle; furthermore, the identical structure ensures uniform assembly precision for both sets of units, avoiding performance deviations caused by design differences and guaranteeing consistency in multi-channel feeding parameters (such as driving force and speed). Operation and debugging are also simplified, as the debugging logic and parameter settings for multiple feeding units are completely identical, eliminating the need to debug parameters for different structures separately, reducing calibration time for multi-channel collaborative feeding, and improving equipment startup efficiency.

[0052] According to one aspect of this application, a consumable box is provided, which mainly includes a box body and a multi-channel feeding assembly as described above, wherein the multi-channel feeding assembly is disposed in the box body.

[0053] In this type of embodiment, the consumable box integrates a box body and a multi-channel feeding component to form an integrated consumable supply unit, which is compatible with the consumable conveying system of multi-color additive manufacturing. The box body is used to store consumables and provide storage space for them, while the multi-channel feeding component is responsible for driving the movement of the consumables to achieve precise delivery. This design highly integrates the storage and delivery functions of consumables, making the replacement and management of consumables more convenient.

[0054] The multi-channel feeding assembly, by setting at least two independently driven feeding units, can realize the parallel and synchronous feeding of multi-color and multi-material consumables, and forms a multi-channel feeding device. When facing the change of printing materials, the feeding channel can be switched directly without the need to unload and reload the consumables in the original channel, which greatly simplifies the consumable replacement steps.

[0055] According to one aspect of this application, an additive manufacturing apparatus is provided, which mainly includes a housing and a multi-channel feeding assembly as described above, the multi-channel feeding assembly being disposed within the housing; or the additive manufacturing apparatus includes a consumable box as described above.

[0056] In this type of embodiment, by integrating the multi-channel feeding assembly into the housing of the device, or by directly using a consumable cartridge that integrates the multi-channel feeding assembly, the additive manufacturing equipment can easily achieve multi-color and multi-material printing capabilities, or significantly improve printing speed and production efficiency.

[0057] The multi-channel feeding assembly, by setting up at least two independently driven feeding units, can directly switch feeding channels when changing printing materials, without having to unload and reload the consumables in the original channel, greatly simplifying the consumable replacement process. Attached Figure Description

[0058] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form part of this specification, illustrate embodiments consistent with this application and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of this application. It is obvious that the drawings described below are merely some embodiments of this application, and those skilled in the art can obtain other drawings based on these drawings without any inventive effort.

[0059] Figure 1 A three-dimensional structural schematic diagram of a multi-channel feeding assembly provided in one embodiment of this application is shown.

[0060] Figure 2 The diagram shows a rear view of a multi-channel feeding assembly provided in one embodiment of this application.

[0061] Figure 3 A cross-sectional schematic diagram of a multi-channel feeding assembly provided in one embodiment of this application is shown.

[0062] Figure 4 This illustration shows a cross-sectional view of another section of a multi-channel feeding assembly provided in one embodiment of this application.

[0063] Figure 5 This is a front view schematic diagram of the driven part of a multi-channel feeding assembly provided in one embodiment of this application.

[0064] Figure 6 This is a front view schematic diagram of the active part of a multi-channel feeding assembly provided in one embodiment of this application.

[0065] Figure 7 This is a front view schematic diagram of the drive mechanism and worm gear of a multi-channel feeding assembly provided in one embodiment of this application.

[0066] The above figures include the following reference numerals:

[0067] 10. Base; 20. Feeding unit; 21. Drive mechanism; 211. Worm gear; 22. Driving extrusion wheel; 23. Driven extrusion wheel; 24. Extrusion mechanism; 241. Fixed seat; 242. Lever; 2421. Operating part; 243. Elastic element; 244. Screw; 245. Pivot shaft; 25. Driven shaft; 26. First bearing; 27. Drive shaft; 271. Helical gear; 28. Second bearing; 30. Rotating component; 40. Sensor; 50. Feed port; 60. Discharge port; 70. Material handling mechanism; 80. Consumables. Detailed Implementation

[0068] Exemplary embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, these exemplary embodiments can be implemented in many forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, they are provided so that this application will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the concept of the exemplary embodiments to those skilled in the art. The same reference numerals in the drawings denote the same or similar structures, and therefore their detailed description will be omitted.

[0069] The features, structures, or characteristics described above can be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments, and where possible, the features discussed in the various embodiments are interchangeable. In the above description, numerous specific details are provided to give a full understanding of embodiments of this application. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that the technical solutions of this application can be practiced without one or more of the specific details described, or other methods, components, materials, etc., can be employed. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring various aspects of this application.

[0070] Although this application uses relative terms such as "up" and "down" to describe the relative relationship of one component of an icon to another, these terms are used only for convenience, such as the orientation of the example shown in the accompanying drawings. It is understood that if the icon's arrangement is flipped so that it is upside down, the component described as "up" will become the component described as "down". Other relative terms, such as "high", "low", "top", "bottom", "front", "back", "left", and "right", also have similar meanings. When a structure is "up" of another structure, it may mean that the structure is integrally formed on the other structure, or that the structure is "directly" mounted on the other structure, or that the structure is "indirectly" mounted on the other structure through another structure.

[0071] In this application, the terms “a,” “an,” “the,” “the,” and “at least one” are used to indicate the presence of one or more elements / components / etc.; the terms “comprising,” “including,” and “having” are used to indicate an open-ended inclusion meaning and to mean that there may be other elements / components / etc. in addition to the listed elements / components / etc.

[0072] Additional aspects and advantages of this application will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description or may be learned by practice of this application.

[0073] Before introducing the multi-channel feeding component of this application, we will first provide detailed examples of feeding components in related technologies and their existing problems, so that the advantages and features of this application can be more easily understood by those skilled in the art.

[0074] In additive manufacturing equipment, the feeding assembly is one of the core components ensuring smooth printing. One related technology discloses a structure including a worm gear driven by a stepper motor, which meshes with a driving worm wheel, which is also the driving extrusion wheel. The filament is held between the driving worm wheel and the driven extrusion wheel. This scheme uses open-loop control, estimating the filament feed rate by controlling the number of rotations of the stepper motor. An inherent problem with this open-loop control is that when slippage occurs between the filament and the driving extrusion wheel, or when the filament itself has an uneven diameter, the actual feed rate deviates from the theoretical calculation, resulting in cumulative errors. Furthermore, the related technology also discloses another implementation with dual worm gear drive, where both extrusion wheels on both sides of the filament are driven by the same worm gear; however, this is also an open-loop control system and cannot measure or compensate for the actual movement of the filament.

[0075] To achieve multi-color or multi-material printing, multi-channel feeding solutions have emerged in related technologies. This solution uses two independent feeding components, each responsible for a specific type of filament. While achieving multi-channel feeding, its purpose is automatic switching when filaments are depleted. To this end, it uses sensors to detect the presence of filaments, a "present / absent" logical judgment. These sensors cannot quantitatively and accurately measure the conveying length of the filaments. Therefore, the feeding process in each channel remains essentially open-loop, failing to address the aforementioned cumulative error problem.

[0076] In summary, the feeding components in related technologies, whether single-channel or multi-channel, generally employ open-loop control. This results in the inability to perform real-time, accurate quantitative monitoring of the actual material feeding process, the accumulation of errors inherent in open-loop control, and the inability to respond promptly to feeding anomalies. Therefore, there is an urgent need in this field for a new technical solution to address these issues.

[0077] For this purpose, please refer to Figures 1 to 4 In some exemplary embodiments of this application, a multi-channel feeding assembly is provided, which mainly includes a base 10 and at least two sets of feeding units 20, which are arranged side by side on the base 10. The feeding unit 20 includes a drive mechanism 21, an active extrusion wheel 22 and a driven extrusion wheel 23. The active extrusion wheel 22 is driven by the drive mechanism 21. The driven extrusion wheel 23 is driven to rotate by a consumable 80 held between the active extrusion wheel 22 and the driven extrusion wheel 23. A rotating component 30 is coaxially arranged on the driven extrusion wheel 23. The feeding unit 20 also includes a sensor 40, which is arranged next to the rotating component 30 and is used to collect the rotation signal of the rotating component 30.

[0078] This type of embodiment has the following technical effects:

[0079] By coaxially aligning the rotating component 30 with the driven extrusion wheel 23, which is driven by the actual movement of the consumable 80, and fixing the sensor 40 beside the rotating component 30, a physical monitoring link is cleverly constructed that can directly and in real-time reflect the actual feeding status of the consumable 80. The monitoring results of this link can faithfully reflect the actual displacement of the consumable 80, without being disturbed by abnormalities at the active end such as the drive mechanism 21 idling or the consumable 80 slipping. Based on this, since the controller (not shown), which is the core of the control, is physically electrically connected to both the sensor 40 and the drive mechanism 21, which is the power source, the controller can monitor the actual feeding process of the consumable 80 in real-time and accurately based on the rotation of the rotating component 30 sensed by the sensor 40. Therefore, when feeding anomalies such as material blockage or interruption occur, causing a change in the rotational speed of the driven extrusion wheel 23 (e.g., a sudden drop to zero), this rotational anomaly can be immediately sensed by the controller. Based on its configured control logic, the controller then changes the control state of the drive mechanism 21 (e.g., suspends its operation) and / or activates an alarm (not shown). This overall solution, through the synergistic effect of the aforementioned features, fundamentally solves the technical problem of "decoupling of command and actual execution" commonly found in the prior art, which relies solely on open-loop feeding control based on drive mechanism output parameters. It can intervene instantly when a feeding anomaly occurs, rather than being discovered only after significant material waste or printing failure. This transforms a potential, invisible feeding fault into a definite physical event that can be automatically processed by the system. In other words, through the overall design of the aforementioned structure and control logic, this solution significantly improves the automation level and system reliability of the feeding process, ensuring the accurate execution of printing commands. Especially in scenarios with multiple channels operating in parallel, it provides a solid technical guarantee for completing complex printing tasks with high quality and high success rates.

[0080] The technical effects of this type of embodiment are further described in detail below:

[0081] By coaxially mounting a rotating component 30 on the structurally independent driven extrusion wheel 23, and in conjunction with a sensor 40, closed-loop feedback control of the feeding process is achieved. This solution fundamentally changes the open-loop control mode that relies on the number of motor steps to estimate the feeding amount. By directly measuring the rotation of the driven extrusion wheel 23 driven by the actual movement of the consumable 80, real-time and direct measurement of the actual feeding amount of the consumable 80 is achieved, forming a high-precision closed-loop feedback system. Furthermore, because it can accurately measure the feeding amount of each segment of consumable 80, the system can compensate for errors caused by slippage, diameter changes, and other factors, ensuring that the printed model has extremely high dimensional accuracy. In multi-color or multi-material printing, it can ensure that the mixing ratio of different consumables 80 is accurate, thereby obtaining the expected color and material properties.

[0082] In addition, sensor 40 can continuously monitor the rotational status of rotating component 30. Once material blockage, material interruption, or severe slippage occurs, the rotational speed of driven extrusion wheel 23 will immediately change abnormally (e.g., drop to zero), which in turn will cause the rotational speed of rotating component 30, which is coaxially arranged with driven extrusion wheel 23, to also immediately change abnormally (e.g., drop to zero). Sensor 40 can detect this abnormality instantly and trigger a pause or alarm, thereby avoiding printing failures and material waste caused by prolonged dry printing or insufficient feeding.

[0083] The rotating component 30 is coaxially arranged with the driven extrusion wheel 23, which can synchronously record the number of rotations and angles of the driven extrusion wheel 23. The actual pushing length of the consumable 80 can be accurately calculated using the preset diameter parameter of the driven extrusion wheel 23. The sensor 40 collects the rotation signal of the rotating component 30 in real time and feeds it back to the control system, forming a closed-loop control. Furthermore, the data from the sensor 40 can be used to precisely control the feed rate of the consumable 80, or detect whether there are abnormalities such as blockage or slippage of the consumable 80. This effectively improves the intelligence level and control accuracy of the feeding unit 20. Combined with the advantages of multi-channel operation, it can achieve independent and precise monitoring and management of multiple consumables 80, thereby significantly improving the reliability and quality of printing.

[0084] Specifically, when the consumable 80 is being conveyed normally, the driven extrusion wheel 23 is driven to rotate synchronously by the friction force of the consumable 80, and the output of the rotating component 30 and the drive mechanism 21 are matched. If a material interruption occurs, the driven extrusion wheel 23 loses the drive of the consumable 80 and stops rotating. At this time, the rotation signal deviates from the output signal of the drive mechanism 21, and the sensor 40 can quickly identify the abnormality and trigger an alarm.

[0085] The above settings can address the cumulative error caused by traditional feeding systems relying solely on motor output parameters to estimate the feeding amount, as well as the printing interruption and material waste caused by traditional equipment continuously idling after material loss. This ensures that the conveying length of multi-color and multi-material consumables matches the printing instructions, improving the dimensional accuracy and color transition effect of the finished product, and reducing waste, especially in multi-channel feeding scenarios.

[0086] By applying the configuration of the rotating component 30 and the sensor 40 to multiple parallel feeding units 20, the delivery of each consumable 80 can be independently and accurately monitored and managed. This provides a solid technical guarantee for completing complex multi-task printing that requires extremely high coordination between the feeding channels.

[0087] By arranging at least two independent feeding units 20 side-by-side on the same base 10, the flexibility and processing capacity of the feeding system are improved, adapting to market demands for multi-material printing applications. Specifically, the multi-channel design enables the device to simultaneously process or quickly switch between multiple consumables 80 of different properties (such as different colors, different materials, and different diameters). Furthermore, this side-by-side structure also makes miniaturization and integration of the device possible.

[0088] Specifically, the multi-channel design enables the device to process or quickly switch between multiple types of consumables 80 with different properties (such as different colors, different materials, and different diameters), overcoming the limitations of a single channel in terms of diverse processing and rapid response of consumables 80.

[0089] The replacement process for consumable 80 is effectively simplified, reducing operational complexity. Due to the design of at least two independently driven feeding units 20, a multi-channel feeding assembly is formed. When switching printing materials, the feeding channel 24 can be directly switched without needing to remove or reload the consumable 80 in the original channel, significantly simplifying the consumable 80 replacement process. Even if subsequent printing tasks require replacing the consumable 80 in the original channel, it will not affect the implementation of the manufacturing task, avoiding time wasted on non-manufacturing tasks.

[0090] It should also be noted that the configuration of this application is to drive the consumable 80 within the feeding channel 24 by setting the active extrusion wheel 22, while the driven extrusion wheel 23 on the other side continuously applies pressure to the consumable 80 and can rotate. This forms a situation where the active extrusion wheel 22 drives the consumable 80 to move, and the consumable 80 drives the driven extrusion wheel 23 to rotate. The driven extrusion wheel 23 becomes the pressure application component, which can increase the friction between the consumable 80 and the rolling element. This not only meets the accuracy of driving the consumable 80, but also allows for adjustment according to the diameter of the consumable 80, resulting in higher adaptability.

[0091] Furthermore, the specific location of the controller can be set according to the installation location of the multi-channel feeding assembly. For example, when the entire multi-channel feeding assembly is an independent unit, the controller can be set on the base 10; when the multi-channel feeding assembly is set in the consumable box, working with the material tray to make the consumable box the feeding mechanism of the additive manufacturing equipment, the controller can also be set on the consumable box, integrated with other electrical control components; when the multi-channel feeding assembly works with the feeding rack to feed materials to the additive manufacturing equipment, the controller can be set on the additive manufacturing equipment, integrated with other electrical control components of the additive manufacturing equipment, and so on. Similarly, the alarm can be installed in the consumable box or the additive manufacturing equipment, or integrated into the consumable box or the additive manufacturing equipment, as long as it is convenient for the user to notice.

[0092] In some exemplary embodiments of this application, the multi-channel feeding assembly operates as follows: The control system (e.g., motherboard firmware) sends a command to the drive mechanism 21 of the feeding unit to feed a pre-set length L1 of consumable 80. During the feeding process, the consumable 80 drives the driven extrusion wheel 23 to rotate, and the sensor 40 collects the rotation signal of the rotating component 30 in real time and transmits it to the control system. The control system converts the received rotation signal into the actual feeding length L2 of the consumable in real time according to the pre-set circumference parameters of the driven extrusion wheel 23 and the resolution of the rotating component 30. The control system has a built-in PID (proportional-integral-derivative) control algorithm, which dynamically adjusts the drive pulse frequency or total number of steps of the drive mechanism 21 (e.g., a stepper motor) by comparing the difference (i.e., error) of L1 and L2 in real time, thereby compensating for the feeding amount and ensuring that the actual feeding amount always accurately follows the commanded feeding amount throughout the printing process. When L2 is detected to suddenly become zero while the drive mechanism is working, it is determined that a material breakage or blockage has occurred, and the control system can trigger a pause or alarm.

[0093] Please see Figures 1 to 4 In some exemplary embodiments of this application, the feeding unit 20 further includes an extrusion mechanism 24, which includes a fixed base 241 and a lever 242. One end of the lever 242 is rotatably connected to the fixed base 241. The lever 242 is used to move the driven extrusion wheel 23 closer to or away from the active extrusion wheel 22.

[0094] In this type of embodiment, by adding an extrusion mechanism 24 consisting of a fixed base 241 and a rotatable lever 242, a convenient and reliable method for loading and unloading consumables 80 is provided. By operating the lever 242, the user can quickly move the driven extrusion wheel 23 away from the active extrusion wheel 22, forming a sufficiently large channel opening, thereby easily and without damage inserting or removing consumables 80, greatly improving operational convenience and efficiency.

[0095] By introducing the lever-type extrusion mechanism 24, the movement of the driven extrusion wheel 23 closer to or further away becomes more direct and controllable. The rotational design of the lever 242 makes it possible to achieve precise alignment and pressure adjustment between the driven extrusion wheel 23 and the driving extrusion wheel 22, further improving the reliability and accuracy of the feeding channel formation and release, thereby indirectly enhancing the stability and repeatability of the consumable 80 conveying.

[0096] The rotatable connection between lever 242 and fixed base 241 provides an intuitive and effortless way to adjust the position of the driven extrusion wheel 23. Users can quickly adjust the distance between the driven extrusion wheel 23 and the driving extrusion wheel 22 simply by rotating lever 242, without the need for tools or complex mechanical operations, making it easier to use. The lever 242 also allows for quick loading and unloading of consumables 80, further simplifying the pre-printing material preparation process.

[0097] The minimalist structure of "fixed base 241 + lever 242" has fewer parts and simpler manufacturing processes, which not only reduces production costs but also simplifies the assembly process. At the same time, the simple structure reduces potential points of failure, facilitates later maintenance and repair, and lowers the total lifecycle cost of the equipment.

[0098] The rotating shaft of the lever 242 is fixed to the fixed base 241, forming a stable adjustment fulcrum. This ensures that the position adjustment of the driven extrusion wheel 23 has a clear trajectory constraint, avoiding possible offset or jamming. This structure ensures the adjustment accuracy of the feeding channel 24 spacing, making it more reliable when adapting to consumables 80 of different sizes, and reducing problems such as consumable 80 compression damage or insufficient driving force caused by spacing errors.

[0099] The rotational connection between the lever 242 and the fixed base 241 provides excellent mechanical stability, ensuring consistent adjustment functionality over long-term use. Furthermore, this structure is adaptable to driven parts 23 of varying weights and materials. Through the lever 242's leverage effect, users can easily overcome the reaction force during material feeding, ensuring stable contact between the driven extrusion wheel 23 and the material 80, thus improving the stability of the feeding process.

[0100] Furthermore, the lever 242's design, which allows the driven extrusion wheel 23 to move closer to or further away from the driving extrusion wheel 22, ensures adaptability to consumables 80 of different sizes or states, and effectively releases the channel when not feeding consumables 80, preventing consumables 80 from jamming or wearing. This avoids excessive compression of brittle consumables 80 due to excessively small spacing, preventing breakage and jamming, and also avoids situations where excessively large spacing prevents effective application of driving force, thus improving adaptability to consumables 80 of diverse sizes.

[0101] Compared to existing technologies that require disassembling parts or complex linkage structures for adjustment, the lever 242 is designed in accordance with ergonomic operating logic. The adjustment process is highly visual, allowing users to intuitively judge whether the spacing is suitable for the 80 size consumable, reducing operational errors and improving the ease of use and user satisfaction of the device.

[0102] In some embodiments, the lever 242 is rotatably connected to the fixed base 241 via a pivot 245.

[0103] In some embodiments, the levers 242 of the plurality of feeding units 20 are rotatably connected to the fixed base 241 via the same pivot axis 245.

[0104] In some embodiments, a bearing for rotational support may be provided between the lever 242 and the pivot shaft 245.

[0105] In some embodiments, the fixing base 241 may be an integral structure or integrally formed with the base 10.

[0106] Please see Figures 3 to 5 In some exemplary embodiments of this application, the feeding unit 20 further includes a driven shaft 25, a driven extrusion wheel 23 fixedly connected to the driven shaft 25, a rotating component 30 fixedly connected to the driven shaft 25, and a driven shaft 25 rotatably connected to a lever 242.

[0107] In this type of embodiment, the driven extrusion wheel 23 and the lever 242 are connected by the driven shaft 25, ensuring the posture stability and positional accuracy of the driven extrusion wheel 23 during the oscillation process. This structure avoids the wobbling or deflection of the driven extrusion wheel 23, ensuring that it can be accurately aligned when pressing against the driving extrusion wheel 22, thereby forming a stable and reliable feeding channel.

[0108] Both the driven extrusion wheel 23 and the rotating component 30 are fixedly mounted on the driven shaft 25 and connected to the lever 242. The driven extrusion wheel 23 can drive the driven shaft 25 to rotate, which in turn drives the rotating component 30 to rotate. The rotation of the rotating component 30 accurately reflects the actual rotation of the driven extrusion wheel. The rotation of the driven shaft 25 does not affect the connection with the lever, ensuring that the driven extrusion wheel 23 can rotate smoothly under pressure and can also swing or move precisely according to the action of the lever 242. The degree of freedom of movement of the driven extrusion wheel 23 is optimized, allowing it to better fit with the driving extrusion wheel 22, forming a more stable feeding channel. This improves the smoothness of the consumable 80 conveying and reduces wear or uneven conveying of the consumable 80 caused by extrusion wheel jamming or improper angle.

[0109] The driven extrusion wheel 23 is fixedly connected to the driven shaft 25, and the driven shaft 25 is rotatably connected to the lever 242, eliminating assembly gaps between them. This design ensures that the position of the driven extrusion wheel 23 remains accurate at all times, avoiding positional deviations caused by gaps. This allows it to precisely cooperate with the active extrusion wheel 22 to form a stable feeding channel 24, ensuring the accuracy of fitting consumables 80 of different sizes. The reduced contact float of the driven extrusion wheel 23 with the consumable 80 means that during feeding, the driven extrusion wheel 23 can continuously and stably apply contact force, avoiding fluctuations in contact force caused by float. This effectively prevents the consumable 80 from slipping or being over-compressed, improving the stability and reliability of the feeding process.

[0110] The fixed connection structure simplifies the assembly process of the driven part 23 and reduces assembly errors caused by the clearance fit of multiple parts. At the same time, the clear connection relationship reduces the operational difficulty during the assembly process, ensures that each feeding unit 20 can maintain consistent assembly accuracy, and improves the overall consistency of the equipment.

[0111] Meanwhile, the gapless fixed structure reduces relative friction and wobbling between components, thus reducing mechanical wear caused by gaps. Especially in long-term, high-frequency feeding operations, it can effectively reduce the wear of components such as the driven shaft 25, driven extrusion wheel 23, and lever 242, extending the service life of the equipment and reducing maintenance costs.

[0112] Stable positioning accuracy and minimal contact fluctuation allow for more precise control of the extrusion of consumable 80 by the feeding unit 20. When conveying brittle or easily deformable consumable 80, precise control of the contact force can prevent breakage or jamming, further adapting to the diverse conveying needs of consumable 80. This, combined with the ease of adjustment of the lever 242, enhances the overall performance of the feeding system.

[0113] Please see Figures 3 to 5 In some exemplary embodiments of this application, the feeding unit 20 further includes a first bearing 26, the inner ring of the first bearing 26 is fitted on the driven shaft 25, and the outer ring of the first bearing 26 is fixedly connected to the lever 242.

[0114] In this type of embodiment, the rolling friction of the first bearing 26 replaces the sliding friction between the driven shaft 25 and the lever 242, reducing the resistance when they rotate relative to each other. This makes the operation of the lever 242 (i.e., the opening and closing of the feeding channel) easier and smoother, reducing operating force and wear between components, and extending service life. At the same time, the first bearing 26 also enhances structural stability and ensures positional accuracy: the rigid structure of the bearing provides precise radial support for the driven shaft 25, effectively limiting the radial wobble of the driven shaft 25.

[0115] This configuration not only improves the flexibility and response speed of the extrusion mechanism 24, but also makes the driven extrusion wheel 23 more smoothly and accurately adjusted in position, which plays a positive role in achieving controllable channel formation and release, and further enhances the reliability and lifespan of the feeding unit 20.

[0116] The structure of the inner ring of the first bearing 26 being fitted with the driven shaft 25 and the outer ring being fixed to the lever 242, replaces the sliding friction between the driven shaft 25 and the lever 242 with the rolling friction of the bearing, significantly reducing the resistance when the two rotate relative to each other. This makes it easier and smoother for the lever 242 to drive the driven extrusion wheel 23 to adjust its position, avoiding the jamming that may occur in a bearingless design and improving the smoothness of the user's adjustment operation.

[0117] The rigid structure of the bearing provides precise radial support for the driven shaft 25, effectively limiting its radial wobble. Combined with the previously designed fixed connection between the driven extrusion wheel 23 and the driven shaft 25, the positional stability of the driven extrusion wheel 23 is further enhanced, ensuring more precise adjustment of the gap between it and the driving extrusion wheel 22, reducing the fluctuation of contact force caused by rotational clearance, and preventing the consumable 80 from breaking or slipping due to uneven force.

[0118] The bearing disperses the contact stress between the driven shaft 25 and the lever 242, avoiding localized wear caused by direct friction between the two. Especially during long-term, high-frequency adjustment or feeding processes, it can significantly reduce the wear on the surface of the driven shaft 25 and the connecting hole of the lever 242, extend the service life of core components, and reduce equipment maintenance frequency and costs.

[0119] The stable rotational support allows the driven shaft 25 to transmit the driving force to the driven extrusion wheel 23 more evenly as it moves with the lever 242. During the feeding process, the contact force between the driven extrusion wheel 23 and the consumable 80 is more stable, avoiding force transmission fluctuations caused by poor rotation, ensuring more precise application of the driving force to consumables 80 of different sizes, and improving the overall reliability of the feeding system.

[0120] Please see Figures 1 to 4 In some exemplary embodiments of this application, the extrusion mechanism 24 further includes an elastic element 243, which is connected between the fixed base 241 and the lever 242 and is used to apply force to the lever 242 so that the driven extrusion wheel 23 presses against the active extrusion wheel 22.

[0121] In this type of embodiment, by adding an elastic element 243, a continuous and adaptive clamping force is provided to the driven extrusion wheel 23. This clamping force can automatically compensate for minor fluctuations in the diameter of the consumable 80, ensuring that the consumable 80 is always stably clamped, thereby guaranteeing the continuous and effective transmission of driving force between the driving extrusion wheel 22, the consumable 80, and the driven extrusion wheel 23, and improving the stability of feeding. This continuous force avoids gaps or loosening that may occur in rigid connections, solves the problem of consumable 80 slippage caused by insufficient pressure, and improves the reliability of the feeding process.

[0122] This configuration not only improves the flexibility and response speed of the extrusion mechanism 24, but also makes the driven extrusion wheel 23 more smoothly and accurately adjusted in position, which plays a positive role in achieving controllable channel formation and release, and further enhances the reliability and lifespan of the feeding system.

[0123] The elastic element 243 is designed to adapt to minute dimensional changes, enhancing dimensional adaptability: For radial dimensional fluctuations within a few millimeters of the consumable 80, the elastic element 243 can automatically compensate through elastic deformation, and the elastic force changes minimally within this range, maintaining a consistent pressure on consumables 80 of different sizes. Compared to structures relying on manual spacing adjustment, this design adapts to consumables 80 with minute dimensional differences without frequent operation, significantly improving compatibility with diverse specifications of consumables 80, and is particularly suitable for scenarios with slight dimensional deviations between different batches of consumables 80 in multi-color cartridges.

[0124] The elastic element 243 (such as a spring) provides a continuous and stable preload to the driven extrusion wheel 23, reliably pressing it against the driving extrusion wheel 22. This allows the consumable 80 to obtain sufficient friction for efficient conveying when clamped, and it can accommodate minor changes in the size of the consumable 80. This adaptive preload not only improves the gripping ability and stability of the consumable 80 conveying, but also simplifies the requirement for external driving force, making the entire feeding assembly design more compact and efficient.

[0125] The elastic force of the elastic element 243 has a buffering characteristic. When the consumable 80 experiences instantaneous dimensional fluctuations due to uneven material composition or minute impurities, the elastic force can absorb the impact through deformation, preventing breakage or surface damage to the consumable 80 caused by rigid compression. Furthermore, the automatic compensation function of the elastic element 243 reduces the frequency of manual adjustment of the lever 242 due to minor changes in the size of the consumable 80. Operators no longer need to repeatedly calibrate the pressure; only coarse adjustments are required during large-scale size changes, with other minor adjustments handled automatically by the elastic element 243. This, combined with the convenient adjustment feature of the lever 242, further simplifies the material preparation process and improves equipment usability.

[0126] The rotation adjustment of the elastic element 243 and the lever 242, and the smooth rotation of the first bearing 26 form a synergistic structure: the lever 242 realizes coarse adjustment of the spacing, the elastic element 243 realizes micro-dimensional self-adaptation, and the bearing ensures smooth rotation.

[0127] Please see Figures 1 to 4 In some exemplary embodiments of this application, the fixed base 241 is provided with a screw 244, the screw 244 is threadedly connected to the fixed base 241, and the elastic member 243 is sleeved on the outer periphery of the screw 244. One end of the elastic member 243 is connected to the lever 242, and the other end abuts against the top of the screw 244.

[0128] The screw 244 and the elastic element 243 work together to achieve quantifiable and precise adjustment of the clamping force. The threaded connection between the screw 244 and the fixed base 241 allows the extension length of the screw 244 to be changed by rotating the screw 244, thereby adjusting the compression of the elastic element 243. The greater the compression, the stronger the force generated by the elastic element 243. The operator can precisely set the optimal clamping force by rotating the screw 244 according to the hardness, brittleness, or surface smoothness of different consumables 80 (such as PLA, TPU, PVA, etc.) or according to printing requirements. This gives the feeding assembly broad compatibility with consumables 80, enhances the applicability of the feeding unit 20, avoids damage to brittle consumables 80 due to excessive pressure or slippage due to insufficient pressure, and improves the controllability and stability of printing quality.

[0129] Combining the self-locking characteristic of the thread (maintaining stable position without additional locking components), the screw 244 can be fixed in multiple locking positions, enabling graded or continuous adjustment of the elastic force. This allows each feeding unit 20 to precisely match the elastic force to consumables 80 of different materials (e.g., rigid consumables 80 require greater resistance pressure, while flexible consumables 80 require less resistance pressure) and different degrees of brittleness, avoiding compatibility limitations caused by fixed elastic force and further expanding the compatibility range of consumables 80 for the multi-channel feeding assembly.

[0130] The threaded connection between the screw 244 and the fixed base 241 is detachable. When the elastic element 243 fails due to fatigue after long-term use, the screw 244 can be quickly unscrewed to replace the elastic element 243 without disassembling the entire extrusion mechanism 24 or the base 10, which greatly shortens the maintenance time.

[0131] The threaded connection between the screw 244 and the fixed base 241 has a high-strength self-locking capability. Compared with snap-fit ​​or plug-in connections, it can maintain a stable connection under long-term vibration and frequent adjustment conditions, preventing the elastic element 243 from weakening or shifting due to loosening of the connection. At the same time, the elastic element 243 is sleeved on the outer circumference of the screw 244, and the screw 244 provides radial limit for the elastic element 243, preventing it from shifting laterally during deformation. This ensures that the elastic force always acts axially on the lever 242, guaranteeing the stability of the pressing direction of the driven extrusion wheel 23 against the driving extrusion wheel 22.

[0132] Operators can intuitively adjust the compression of the elastic element 243 by rotating the screw 244, without the need for professional tools or complex calibration procedures, making the adjustment process convenient and efficient. The pitch design of the thread structure allows for fine-tuning of the elastic force (such as a fixed compression change per rotation), enabling operators to quickly find the optimal elastic force parameters based on the characteristics of consumable 80.

[0133] Meanwhile, the standardized structure of threaded connections facilitates the mass production and replacement of parts, reducing the management costs of spare parts.

[0134] In some embodiments, the elastic element 243 is a spring, which is fitted on the outer periphery of the screw 244. One end of the elastic element 243 is fixedly disposed, and the other end of the elastic element 243 is fixedly connected to or abuts against the pressure surface of the lever 242.

[0135] In some embodiments, a through hole is provided on the pressure section of the lever 242, and the screw 244 passes through the through hole and is adjustablely connected to the fixing seat 241, with the screw 244 and the through hole having a clearance fit.

[0136] In some embodiments, the end of the screw 244 away from the fixed base 241 is the fixed end, the elastic element 243 is fixedly connected to or abuts against the fixed end, and the other end of the elastic element 243 is fixedly connected to or abuts against the side of the pressure section of the lever 242 away from the driven extrusion wheel.

[0137] In some embodiments, the elastic element 243 is fixedly connected to the fixed base 241, and the elastic element 243 is fixedly connected to the side of the lever 242 near the driven compression wheel. The elastic element 243 is a tension spring.

[0138] Please see Figures 1 to 4 In some exemplary embodiments of this application, the lever 242 is provided with an operating part 2421.

[0139] A control unit 2421 is provided on the lever 242, allowing the user to directly and conveniently apply force to the lever 242 to manually adjust the gap between the driven extrusion wheel 23 and the driving extrusion wheel 22, thus improving the ergonomics of human-machine interaction. This greatly facilitates the rapid loading, unloading, or manual fine-tuning of the consumable 80. In scenarios requiring rapid response or manual intervention, such as clearing jams or replacing consumable 80, this design can significantly improve operational efficiency and user experience.

[0140] In some embodiments, the operating part 2421 is set at an angle to the extending direction of the screw 244 axis.

[0141] In this type of embodiment, the operation unit 2421 provides a clear point of force application, improving the ease of operation; and it can reduce the difficulty of operation by using the lever principle with the fixed base 241 and the lever 242, thus achieving the effect of saving effort.

[0142] In addition, this setting also improves adjustment accuracy, reduces operational errors, enhances operational safety, and avoids damage to components. It works in conjunction with the adjustment of screw 244 to optimize the operation during the replacement of consumable 80.

[0143] Please see Figure 3 , Figure 4 , Figure 6 as well as Figure 7In some exemplary embodiments of this application, the feeding unit 20 further includes a drive shaft 27, and the drive extrusion wheel 22 is fixed on the drive shaft 27; the output end of the drive mechanism 21 is connected to a worm gear 211, and a helical gear 271 is fixed on the drive shaft 27, with the worm gear 211 meshing with the helical gear 271.

[0144] The transmission combination of worm gear 211 and helical gear 271 typically offers a higher transmission ratio and better self-locking performance compared to traditional spur gear transmissions (especially in the worm gear 211 transmission). When the drive mechanism 21 is a motor, the higher transmission ratio means that the motor can generate a larger output torque at a lower speed. This is beneficial for driving the active extrusion wheel 22 to complete the delivery of consumable 80 with less power, thereby reducing energy consumption and potentially reducing the size of the drive mechanism 21. The self-locking performance maintains the position of the extrusion wheel when the drive mechanism 21 stops working, preventing the consumable 80 from retracting and ensuring the accuracy of consumable 80 delivery.

[0145] The meshing transmission between the worm gear 211 and the helical gear 271 features a stable transmission ratio and good self-locking properties (the worm gear 211 can prevent the helical gear 271 from driving in the opposite direction when braking), effectively avoiding transmission loosening caused by reverse forces during the feeding process. Simultaneously, the active extrusion wheel 22 is fixedly connected to the drive shaft 27, and the rigid transmission of the worm gear 211 and the helical gear 271 reduces transmission backlash, ensuring stable rotational speed of the active extrusion wheel 22, improving the driving force control accuracy for the consumable 80, and reducing feeding slippage or jamming caused by transmission errors.

[0146] In some embodiments, the drive shaft 27 is rotatably connected to the fixed base 241, and at least one second bearing 28 is provided between the drive shaft 27 and the fixed base 241.

[0147] In some embodiments, the drive shaft 27 is provided with two second bearings 28, which are respectively disposed at both ends of the drive shaft 27.

[0148] In some exemplary embodiments of this application, the rotating component 30 is a magnetic component, and the sensor 40 is a magnetic force sensor.

[0149] In this type of embodiment, the magnetic component rotates synchronously with the driven extrusion wheel 23, generating periodic magnetic field changes. The magnetic sensor can accurately capture these changes to achieve high-precision measurement of the number of rotations and angles. Its magnetic field signal has good linearity and is unaffected by wear or dirt on the extrusion wheel, ensuring the long-term accuracy of the 80mm feed length calculation and providing reliable support for multi-color matching and printing accuracy. The non-contact design avoids friction and wear of components, significantly extending the service life of the detection system (magnetic component and magnetic sensor) and reducing maintenance frequency. The magnetic lines can penetrate non-magnetic contaminants such as dust and oil, and have strong anti-electromagnetic interference capabilities, enabling stable operation in complex printing environments and ensuring the reliability of material breakage detection and speed monitoring. The magnetic component and magnetic sensor are small in size and simple in structure, making them easy to integrate into the compact feeding unit 20, reducing assembly and calibration difficulties. At the same time, the magnetic field signal transmission has no delay, and the magnetic sensor's response speed reaches the microsecond level, which can quickly capture sudden changes in the speed of the driven extrusion wheel 23 (such as stopping when material breaks), shortening alarm delay, reducing material waste, and is especially beneficial for the rapid isolation of faulty channels in multi-channel systems.

[0150] In some exemplary embodiments of this application, the rotating component 30 is a light-transmitting code disk, and the sensor 40 is a photoelectric switch. When the light-transmitting code disk rotates synchronously with the driven extrusion wheel 23, the light-transmitting holes evenly distributed on its edge periodically block or open the light path of the photoelectric switch. High-precision measurement of the number of rotations and angles can be achieved through the light on / off signal. The code disk grating density can be flexibly designed to meet the needs of higher resolution detection, ensuring accurate calculation of the push length of consumable 80, and assisting in the proportion control and accuracy improvement of multi-color printing. Non-contact optical detection is adopted, with no mechanical wear, extending the service life of components, and is not affected by magnetic field interference, maintaining performance even in multi-drive mechanisms 21 and strong electromagnetic environments. The signal is stable, ensuring the reliability of material breakage detection and speed monitoring; the light-transmitting encoder has a thin and flexible structure, making it easy to integrate with the driven extrusion wheel 23 coaxially; the photoelectric switch is small in size and can be placed next to the light-transmitting encoder, adapting to the compact layout of multi-channel feeding components and reducing assembly complexity; at the same time, the photoelectric switch has a fast response speed to changes in the light path, and can quickly capture sudden changes in the speed of the driven extrusion wheel 23 (such as stopping when material breaks), shortening alarm delay and reducing material waste. Especially in multi-channel systems, it can quickly isolate faulty channels and ensure the stability of the overall printing process.

[0151] Whether it's a combination of magnetic components and magnetic sensors, or a combination of transparent code disks and photoelectric switches, both belong to mature and reliable encoder technologies. These technologies can provide high-resolution rotational signals, ensuring accurate measurement of the consumable's 80° movement. Different encoder types can be selected for optimal configuration based on specific application scenarios (such as environmental tolerance, cost, and accuracy requirements). This provides operability and feasibility for implementing monitoring functions, enhancing the overall system's accuracy and reliability.

[0152] Please see Figure 1 and Figure 2 In some exemplary embodiments of this application, the number of at least two sets of feeding units 20 is two, three, four or five.

[0153] The number of feeding units 20 can be flexibly adapted to different printing needs: two sets can meet basic two-color or two-material printing, while three or more sets can support more complex multi-color mixed printing and multi-material composite printing, covering printing scenarios from simple to complex and improving the versatility of the equipment; multiple feeding units 20 arranged in parallel can achieve multi-channel synchronous feeding, avoiding the efficiency loss caused by frequent switching of consumables 80 in a single unit, and greatly improving the continuity and efficiency of multi-material printing; at the same time, the flexibility of quantity selection can match the space and functional requirements of printing equipment of different sizes, which is suitable for the compact configuration of small equipment and can also meet the complex printing tasks of large equipment, reducing the cost of users replacing equipment due to upgrade needs and enhancing the market adaptability of the equipment.

[0154] In some embodiments, the number of at least two sets of feeding units 20 is two sets.

[0155] In some embodiments, the number of at least two sets of feeding units 20 is three sets.

[0156] In some embodiments, the number of at least two sets of feeding units 20 is five.

[0157] In the above embodiments, by providing a reasonable upper limit on the number (e.g., five groups), the advantages of multi-channel technology are maximized while meeting the requirements for device integration and complexity. The diversity in the number of groups (two to five) allows this design to be applicable to different levels of application needs, from basic multicolor printing to more complex mixed-material printing or parallel processing scenarios. This effectively expands the application scope and market potential of multi-channel feed assembly solutions, enabling them to address a wider range of technical challenges.

[0158] Furthermore, in some exemplary embodiments of this application, the structures of two, three, four, or five sets of feeding units 20 are identical.

[0159] It is understandable that a uniform structure enables standardized mass production of components, reducing the types of molds and parts inventory, and lowering manufacturing costs. Simultaneously, standardized parts specifications facilitate supply chain management and spare parts replacement, reducing component matching errors during maintenance. A completely consistent assembly process helps shorten the production assembly cycle; furthermore, the identical structure ensures uniform assembly precision for both sets of units, avoiding performance deviations caused by design differences and guaranteeing consistency of multi-channel feeding parameters (such as driving force and speed). Operation and debugging are also facilitated, as the debugging logic and parameter settings for multiple sets of feeding units 20 are completely identical, eliminating the need to debug parameters for different structures separately, reducing calibration time for multi-channel collaborative feeding, and improving equipment startup efficiency.

[0160] In some embodiments, two, three, four, or five sets of feeding units 20 are arranged symmetrically.

[0161] Please see Figures 1 to 4 As shown in some exemplary embodiments of this application, the feeding unit 20 further includes an inlet 50 and an outlet 60.

[0162] The clearly defined inlet 50 and outlet 60 design makes the loading and conveying process of consumable 80 clearer and more standardized. The inlet 50 is designed to facilitate the introduction and positioning of consumable 80, while the outlet 60 can be directly connected to the print nozzle or other downstream devices. This complete interface design makes the entire feeding assembly easy to integrate into more complex systems, and also facilitates user operation and maintenance, ensuring the availability and integrity of the multi-channel feeding assembly.

[0163] In some embodiments, a feeding mechanism 70 is also provided at the discharge port 60. The feeding mechanism 70 is an integral structure that includes at least two feeding channels and can be adapted to two sets of feeding units 20.

[0164] According to one aspect of this application, a consumable box 80 is provided, which mainly includes a box body and a multi-channel feeding assembly as described above, wherein the multi-channel feeding assembly is disposed in the box body.

[0165] In this type of embodiment, the consumable 80 box integrates a box body and a multi-channel feeding assembly to form an integrated consumable 80 supply unit, which is compatible with the consumable 80 conveying system for multi-color additive manufacturing. The box body is used to store the consumable 80, providing storage space for the consumable 80, while the multi-channel feeding assembly is responsible for driving the movement of the consumable 80, achieving precise delivery of the consumable 80. This design highly integrates the storage and delivery functions of the consumable 80, making the replacement and management of the consumable 80 more convenient.

[0166] The multi-channel feeding assembly, by setting at least two independently driven feeding units 20, can realize the parallel and synchronous feeding of multi-color and multi-material consumables 80, and forms a multi-channel feeding device. When facing the change of printing materials, the feeding channel 24 can be switched directly without the need to unload and reload the consumables 80 in the original channel, which greatly simplifies the steps of replacing consumables 80.

[0167] The driven extrusion wheel 23 and the active extrusion wheel 22 of the multi-channel feeding assembly can move closer or further apart to form or release the feeding channel 24. The distance between them can be flexibly adjusted, allowing the feeding channel 24 to accurately adapt to consumables 80 of different sizes. Pre-printing material preparation does not require complex mechanical adjustments; operators can quickly clamp consumables 80 of different sizes and materials, shortening the printing preparation cycle and improving the actual efficiency of the equipment.

[0168] Furthermore, when the multi-channel feeding assembly is installed inside the consumable 80 box, the user-applied control part 2421 can be positioned at the opening of the consumable 80 box. This allows the user to apply force to the control part 2421 to adjust the gap between the driven extrusion wheel 23 and the active extrusion wheel 22 even without opening the consumable 80 box. This greatly facilitates the rapid loading, unloading, or manual fine-tuning of the consumable 80. In scenarios requiring rapid response or manual intervention, such as clearing jams or replacing consumable 80, it can significantly improve operational efficiency and user experience.

[0169] According to one aspect of this application, an additive manufacturing apparatus is provided, which mainly includes a housing and a multi-channel feeding assembly as described above, the multi-channel feeding assembly being disposed within the housing; or the additive manufacturing apparatus includes a consumable 80 box as described above.

[0170] By integrating the multi-channel feeding assembly into the housing of the equipment, or by directly using the 80-pack of consumables with the feeding assembly integrated, additive manufacturing equipment can easily achieve multi-color and multi-material printing capabilities, or significantly improve printing speed and production efficiency.

[0171] In this type of embodiment, the multi-channel feeding assembly can realize the parallel and synchronous feeding of multi-color and multi-material consumables 80 by setting at least two independently driven feeding units 20, and forms a multi-channel feeding device. When facing the change of printing materials, the feeding channel 24 can be switched directly without the need to unload and reload the consumables 80 in the original channel, which greatly simplifies the steps of replacing consumables 80.

[0172] The driven extrusion wheel 23 and the active extrusion wheel 22 of the multi-channel feeding assembly can move closer or further apart to form or release the feeding channel 24. The distance between them can be flexibly adjusted, allowing the feeding channel 24 to accurately adapt to consumables 80 of different sizes. Pre-printing material preparation does not require complex mechanical adjustments; operators can quickly clamp consumables 80 of different sizes and materials, shortening the printing preparation cycle and improving the actual efficiency of the equipment.

[0173] Furthermore, when the multi-channel feeding assembly is installed inside the additive manufacturing equipment housing, the operating part 2421, which allows the user to apply force, can be positioned at the housing opening. This allows the user to apply force to the operating part 2421 even without opening the housing, adjusting the gap between the driven extrusion wheel 23 and the driving extrusion wheel 22. This greatly facilitates the rapid loading, unloading, or manual fine-tuning of the consumable 80. In scenarios requiring rapid response or manual intervention, such as clearing jams or replacing consumable 80, it can significantly improve operational efficiency and user experience.

[0174] It should be understood that this application is not limited to the detailed structure and arrangement of the components proposed in this application. This application can have other embodiments and can be implemented and executed in various ways. The foregoing variations and modifications fall within the scope of this application. It should be understood that the disclosure and definition of this application extends to all alternative combinations of two or more individual features mentioned or apparent in the text and / or drawings. All these different combinations constitute multiple alternative aspects of this application. The embodiments described in this application illustrate the best known mode for implementing this application and will enable those skilled in the art to utilize this application.

Claims

1. A multi-channel feeding assembly, characterized in that, include: A base and at least two sets of feeding units arranged side by side on the base; The feeding unit includes: Drive mechanism; An active extrusion wheel, which is connected to the drive mechanism in a transmission manner; Driven extrusion wheel, the driven extrusion wheel is driven to rotate by a consumable held between the driving extrusion wheel and the driven extrusion wheel; A rotating component, which is coaxially arranged with the driven extrusion wheel and rotates as the driven extrusion wheel rotates; A sensor, wherein the sensor is disposed on the base and located next to the rotating component; and The controller is electrically connected to the sensor and to the drive mechanism; the controller is configured to: The sensor detects the rotation of the rotating component; When a preset abnormality is detected in the rotation state of the rotating component, the control state of the drive mechanism is changed and / or an alarm is activated.

2. The multi-channel feeding assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, The feeding unit further includes an extrusion mechanism, which includes a fixed base and a lever. One end of the lever is rotatably connected to the fixed base. The lever is used to move the driven extrusion wheel closer to or further away from the active extrusion wheel.

3. The multi-channel feeding assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that, The feeding unit also includes a driven shaft, the driven extrusion wheel is fixedly connected to the driven shaft, the rotating component is fixedly connected to the driven shaft, and the driven shaft is rotatably connected to the lever.

4. The multi-channel feeding assembly according to claim 3, characterized in that, The feeding unit also includes a first bearing, the inner ring of which is fitted onto the driven shaft, and the outer ring of which is fixedly connected to the lever.

5. The multi-channel feeding assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that, The extrusion mechanism further includes an elastic element connected between the fixed base and the lever, which applies a force to the lever to press the driven extrusion wheel against the driving extrusion wheel.

6. The multi-channel feeding assembly according to claim 5, characterized in that, The fixed base is provided with a screw, which is threadedly connected to the fixed base. The elastic element is sleeved on the outer circumference of the screw, with one end of the elastic element connected to the lever and the other end abutting against the top of the screw.

7. The multi-channel feeding assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that, The lever is equipped with an operating part.

8. The multi-channel feeding assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, The feeding unit also includes a drive shaft, and the drive extrusion wheel is fixed on the drive shaft; the output end of the drive mechanism is connected to a worm gear, and a helical gear is fixed on the drive shaft, with the worm gear meshing with the helical gear.

9. The multi-channel feeding assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, The rotating component is a magnetic component, and the sensor is a magnetic force sensor; or, The rotating component is a light-transmitting code disk, and the sensor is a photoelectric switch.

10. The multi-channel feeding assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, The number of the at least two sets of feeding units is two, three, four, or five.

11. The multi-channel feeding assembly according to claim 10, characterized in that, The two, three, four, or five feeding units have the same structure.

12. A consumable box, characterized in that, It includes a housing and a multi-channel feeding assembly as described in any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the multi-channel feeding assembly is disposed within the housing.

13. An additive manufacturing apparatus, characterized in that, The additive manufacturing equipment includes a housing and a multi-channel feeding assembly as described in any one of claims 1 to 11, the multi-channel feeding assembly being disposed within the housing; or... The additive manufacturing equipment includes the consumable box as described in claim 12.

Images