A herringbone-shaped metal 3D-printed air distribution duct

Abstract

This utility model discloses a herringbone-shaped metal 3D printing air distribution duct, including an air distribution pipe connected to a fan. The air distribution pipe is connected to an upper air inlet pipe and a lower air inlet pipe. An internal flow divider plate is provided within the air distribution pipe, dividing the interior into independent small-diameter channels and a large-diameter channel. The upper air inlet pipe communicates with the small-diameter channel of the air distribution pipe, and the lower air inlet pipe communicates with the large-diameter channel. Through the built-in flow divider plate, the total airflow from the fan is structurally divided into two independent, non-interfering airflows according to functional requirements. This structure meets the needs of different areas, ensuring that the lower air inlet pipe receives a larger airflow for efficiently blowing away slag and oxides in the molten pool area, improving printing quality; the upper air inlet pipe receives a smaller airflow, sufficient to protect the top optical components and suppress dust rising, avoiding excessive airflow interference with the molten pool, thus solving the problem of existing single-inlet structures.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of additive manufacturing equipment technology, specifically to a herringbone-shaped metal 3D printed air distribution duct. Background Technology

[0002] In the process of metal laser 3D printing, two key functions need to be accomplished through the airflow system: bottom air intake: delivers high-speed airflow to the molten pool area to remove slag and oxides; top air intake: delivers low-speed airflow to the optical lens group area to suppress the rise of smoke and dust and protect the optical components.

[0003] Traditional equipment uses a single air inlet duct with direct branching structure. The airflow distribution depends on the adjustment of the duct bending angle and length, resulting in an uncontrollable ratio of upper and lower airflows, low slag removal efficiency, or contamination of optical components. High-speed airflow can easily impact the molten pool and cause splashing, while low-speed airflow uneven coverage leads to the escape of smoke and dust.

[0004] Therefore, there is an urgent need for a distribution duct structure that can distribute airflow. Utility Model Content

[0005] To address the shortcomings of existing technologies, this utility model provides a herringbone-shaped metal 3D-printed air distribution duct. By controlling the upper and lower airflow distribution ratio through an internal partition plate, it meets the needs of different areas and solves the problems of existing single-inlet structures and uncontrollable airflow distribution.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, this utility model provides the following technical solution:

[0007] A herringbone-shaped metal 3D-printed air distribution duct includes an air distribution pipe connected to a fan, an upper air inlet pipe and a lower air inlet pipe connected to the air distribution pipe, and a flow divider plate inside the air distribution pipe, which divides the interior of the air distribution pipe into independent small-diameter channels and large-diameter channels, wherein the upper air inlet pipe is connected to the small-diameter channel of the air distribution pipe, and the lower air inlet pipe is connected to the large-diameter channel of the air distribution pipe.

[0008] Furthermore, the air distribution duct has an overall herringbone structure, with the top end being the fan connection end, and the left and right ends being connected to the upper air inlet duct and the lower air inlet duct, respectively.

[0009] Furthermore, both the upper and lower air inlet pipes have a gradually expanding structure, and the diameter of the input port connected to the branch pipe is smaller than the diameter of the output port facing the printing cavity.

[0010] Furthermore, both the upper and lower air inlet pipes are equipped with several guide plates, which are evenly distributed along the axial direction of the air inlet pipes.

[0011] Furthermore, the connection ends of the branch duct and the main fan duct, the upper air inlet duct and the lower air inlet duct are all equipped with flange structures.

[0012] Compared with existing technologies, this patented technical solution achieves the following beneficial effects: Through a built-in flow divider, the total airflow from the fan is structurally divided into two independent, non-interfering airflows according to functional requirements. Meeting the needs of different areas, this structure ensures that the lower air inlet receives a larger airflow for efficiently blowing away slag and oxides from the molten pool area, improving printing quality; the upper air inlet receives a smaller airflow, sufficient to protect the top optical components and suppress dust rising, avoiding excessive airflow interference with the molten pool, thus solving the problem of existing single-inlet structures. Attached Figure Description

[0013] Figure 1 The figure shown is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the herringbone-shaped metal 3D printed air distribution duct of this utility model;

[0014] Figure 2 The figure shown is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the herringbone-shaped metal 3D printed air distribution duct of this utility model;

[0015] Figure 3 The figure shown is a top view of the herringbone-shaped metal 3D printed air distribution duct of this utility model;

[0016] Figure 4 The image shown is a bottom view of the herringbone-shaped metal 3D-printed air distribution duct of this utility model.

[0017] Figure 5 The diagram shown is a cross-sectional view of the herringbone-shaped metal 3D-printed air distribution duct of this utility model.

[0018] In the diagram: 1. Air distribution duct; 2. Upper air inlet duct; 3. Lower air inlet duct; 4. Guide plate; 10. Flow divider plate; 100. Small diameter channel; 101. Large diameter channel. Detailed Implementation

[0019] The technical solutions of the present utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present utility model, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the protection scope of the present utility model.

[0020] See Figure 1-5As shown, this embodiment provides a herringbone-shaped metal 3D-printed air distribution duct, including an air distribution pipe 1 connected to a fan. An upper air inlet pipe 2 and a lower air inlet pipe 3 are connected to the air distribution pipe 1. An internal flow divider plate 10 is provided inside the air distribution pipe 1, which divides the interior of the air distribution pipe 1 into two independent small-diameter channels 100 and large-diameter channels 101. The upper air inlet pipe 2 is connected to the small-diameter channel 100 of the air distribution pipe 1, and the lower air inlet pipe 3 is connected to the large-diameter channel 101 of the air distribution pipe 1. Through the built-in flow divider plate 10, the total airflow from the fan is structurally divided into two independent, non-interfering airflows according to functional requirements. For example, the gas flow rate allocated to the large-diameter channel 101 accounts for 70%-80% of the total flow rate, while the gas flow rate allocated to the small-diameter channel 100 accounts for 20%-30%, in order to meet the needs of different areas. This structure ensures that the lower air inlet duct 3 receives a larger airflow, which is used to efficiently blow away slag and oxides in the molten pool area and improve printing quality. The upper air inlet duct 2 receives a smaller airflow, which is sufficient to protect the top optical components and suppress the rise of smoke and dust, and avoid excessive airflow from interfering with the molten pool. This solves the problem that most existing structures are single-inlet structures.

[0021] The air distribution duct 1 has an overall herringbone shape, with the top end serving as the fan connection point, and the left and right ends connecting to the upper air inlet duct 2 and the lower air inlet duct 3, respectively. The herringbone shape, which is similar to a Y-shape, provides the most direct and smoothest airflow branching path, making the entire air distribution duct layout compact and reasonable, and facilitating installation and arrangement within the limited space of the 3D printer.

[0022] Both the upper air inlet duct 2 and the lower air inlet duct 3 have a gradually expanding structure, with the diameter of the input port connecting to the branch duct 1 being smaller than the diameter of the output port facing the printing cavity. This gradually expanding structure reduces airflow velocity and increases airflow coverage area. Airflow enters from the smaller diameter input end and flows within the gradually expanding duct, naturally reducing its velocity. This ensures that the airflow entering the printing cavity is uniformly diffused and at a moderate velocity, preventing high-speed jets from directly impacting the molten pool or field lens, while simultaneously ensuring that the low-speed airflow better covers the target area, improving smoke suppression and slag removal effects.

[0023] Both the upper air inlet duct 2 and the lower air inlet duct 3 are equipped with several guide plates 4, which are evenly distributed along the axial direction of the air inlet duct. The function of the axially evenly distributed guide plates 4 in the duct is to guide the airflow, form a stable and uniform blowing air field in the printing cavity, and improve the overall printing quality.

[0024] The connection ends of the branch duct 1 with the main fan duct, upper air inlet duct 2, and lower air inlet duct 3 are all equipped with flange structures. The flange structure provides a standardized and highly reliable connection method. Combined with sealing gaskets, it effectively ensures the airtightness of each connection, preventing leakage of inert protective gas. At the same time, the flange connection facilitates disassembly and reassembly, making installation and subsequent maintenance simple and quick, improving maintainability and service life.

[0025] The airflow path of the distribution duct is as follows: the inert protective gas is output by the fan and connected to the top inlet of the distribution duct (1) through the flange interface. The airflow hits the flow divider plate (10) and is physically divided into two independent airflows. The main airflow enters the lower air inlet duct 3 and is blown out through the outlet, while the secondary airflow enters the upper air inlet duct 2 and is blown out through the outlet.

Claims

1. A herringbone-shaped metal 3D-printed air distribution duct, characterized in that, The system includes a distribution duct (1) connected to a fan. The distribution duct (1) is connected to an upper air inlet duct (2) and a lower air inlet duct (3). The distribution duct (1) is provided with a flow divider plate (10) inside. The flow divider plate (10) divides the interior of the distribution duct (1) into a small-diameter channel (100) and a large-diameter channel (101) that are independent of each other. The upper air inlet duct (2) is connected to the small-diameter channel (100) of the distribution duct (1), and the lower air inlet duct (3) is connected to the large-diameter channel (101) of the distribution duct (1).

2. The herringbone-shaped metal 3D-printed air distribution duct according to claim 1, characterized in that, The air duct (1) is in the shape of a herringbone, with the top end being the fan connection end, and the left and right ends being connected to the upper air inlet duct (2) and the lower air inlet duct (3) respectively.

3. The herringbone-shaped metal 3D-printed air distribution duct according to claim 1, characterized in that, Both the upper air inlet pipe (2) and the lower air inlet pipe (3) have a gradually expanding structure, and the diameter of the input port connected to the branch air pipe (1) is smaller than the diameter of the output port facing the printing cavity.

4. The herringbone-shaped metal 3D-printed air distribution duct according to claim 2, characterized in that, Both the upper air inlet pipe (2) and the lower air inlet pipe (3) are equipped with several guide plates (4), and each guide plate (4) is evenly distributed along the axial direction of the air inlet pipe.

5. The herringbone-shaped metal 3D-printed air distribution duct according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The connection ends of the branch duct (1) with the main fan duct, the upper air inlet duct (2) and the lower air inlet duct (3) are all equipped with flange structures.

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