A locking mechanism and cartridge and 3D printer thereof

Abstract

The utility model discloses a kind of lock catch mechanism and its material box, 3D printer, lock catch mechanism includes lock body and lock catch, the lock body includes: pedestal assembly, installation cavity and lock hole for the lock catch insertion installation cavity are equipped in the pedestal assembly;Slider, the slider is equipped with the lock hook portion matched with the lock catch, the slider is set in the installation cavity;Driving assembly, the driving assembly is set in the installation cavity, and the driving assembly is connected in the slider, the driving assembly drives slider to move and makes lock hook portion move to lock position or makes the lock hook portion separate lock position. Its simple structure, easy operation, and further increase the elastic member of the reset of top block assembly and driving operating element, always maintain certain elastic retention force in the process of locking and unlocking operation, operation hand feeling is stronger, user experience is better.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of 3D printing equipment technology, and in particular to a locking mechanism and its material box, and a 3D printer. Background Technology

[0002] In 3D printers, situations such as ink leakage or breakage of the ink cartridge, replacement of ink cartridges with different materials, needing to clean the ink cartridge, or damage to the printing screen necessitate removing the ink cartridge from the printer body. During printing, the ink cartridge and printer body need to be locked together. Existing technologies offer various ink cartridge locking mechanisms with different structures to secure the ink cartridge to the printer body; however, these mechanisms are complex, inconvenient to operate, and offer poor tactile feedback, negatively impacting the user experience. Utility Model Content

[0003] The purpose of this utility model is to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art and provide a locking mechanism, its material box, and a 3D printer to solve the technical problems of complex structure, inconvenient operation, and poor feel of the existing locking mechanism.

[0004] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:

[0005] An embodiment of this utility model provides a locking mechanism, including a lock body and a lock latch, wherein the lock body includes:

[0006] A base assembly, wherein the base assembly has a mounting cavity and a locking hole for inserting the latch into the mounting cavity;

[0007] A slider, wherein the slider is provided with a locking hook portion that cooperates with the latch, and the slider is disposed in the mounting cavity;

[0008] A driving component is disposed in the mounting cavity and connected to the slider. The driving component drives the slider to move so that the locking hook part moves to the locking position or disengages from the locking position.

[0009] The latch is driven to engage with the slider. When the latch is inserted into the mounting cavity from the lock hole, it drives the slider to move so that the latch hook part disengages from the locking position.

[0010] The drive assembly includes an elastic reset member for resetting the slider to the locked position, the elastic reset member being installed between the slider and the base assembly.

[0011] The slider is further provided with a first guide portion, and the slider engages with the buckle through the first guide portion. When the buckle is inserted into the mounting cavity from the lock hole in the first direction, the slider is driven to move in the second direction to disengage the locking hook portion from the locking position and avoid the buckle, so that the buckle enters the locking position.

[0012] The drive assembly further includes an operating element, which is at least partially inserted into the mounting cavity and is connected to the slider via a transmission.

[0013] The slider is further provided with a second guide portion. The slider is connected to the operating member through the second guide portion. The operating member drives the slider to move in a second direction to disengage the locking hook portion from the locking position, so that the lock buckle is released from the locking hook portion to unlock.

[0014] The operating member has at least one guide groove on its side wall, and the mounting cavity has a guide position corresponding to the guide groove on its side wall. When the operating member is pressed and moved by an external force, it simultaneously compresses the reset member. When the external force is released, the operating member moves in the opposite direction under the action of the reset member to reset.

[0015] The driving assembly includes: the elastic reset member and the guide member, the guide member passing through or embedded in the slider, one end of the elastic reset member abutting against the slider, and the other end abutting against the cavity wall of the mounting cavity.

[0016] The guide member is a guide rod, the elastic reset member is a spring, the spring is sleeved on the guide rod, and the guide rod passes through the slider.

[0017] The slider includes a base plate, a first side plate and a second side plate extending in the same direction from the top surface of the base plate, a first guide portion disposed at the top edge of the first side plate, a second guide portion disposed at the top edge of the second side plate, and a locking hook portion disposed at the top of the first side plate and away from the first guide portion; the base plate has a through hole, and the guide member passes through the through hole.

[0018] The base assembly includes a base and a top cover. The base has a mounting cavity with an opening at the top, and the top cover closes to the opening. The top cover has a lock hole and an operating component insertion interface. The operating component is at least partially inserted into the operating component insertion interface, and the outer end of the operating component is also connected to a cap.

[0019] The mounting cavity is further provided with a top block assembly, which includes a top block and an elastic element. The top end of the elastic element abuts against the bottom of the top block, and the bottom end of the elastic element abuts against the cavity wall of the mounting cavity. The top of the top block extends at least partially out of the base assembly, and the elastic element provides the top block with a restoring elastic force.

[0020] This utility model embodiment also provides a material box, which is installed on the 3D printer body by a locking mechanism as described in any of the above claims. The locking mechanism includes a latch and a locking body, one of which is connected to the material box and the other is connected to the 3D printer body.

[0021] The assembly direction between the material box and the 3D printer body is the same as the assembly direction between the latch and the lock body; the assembly direction between the material box and the 3D printer body is the same as or opposite to the unlocking direction between the lock body and the latch.

[0022] The material box further includes a detection plate, and the 3D printer body is provided with a spring pin that aligns with the detection plate. When the spring pin contacts the detection plate, the detection plate and the spring pin form a conductive path. This embodiment of the invention also provides a material box, which includes a locking mechanism as described in any of the above embodiments. The locking mechanism is connected to the material box, and the locking body is connected to the 3D printer body.

[0023] The material box also includes a positioning detection component, which includes a spring pin connected to the main body of the 3D printer and a detection plate connected to the box body. When the spring pin contacts the detection plate, the detection plate and the spring pin form a conductive path.

[0024] This utility model embodiment also provides a 3D printer, which includes the locking mechanism described in any of the above embodiments.

[0025] This utility model embodiment also provides a 3D printer, which includes the material box as described above.

[0026] The locking mechanism, its material box, and the 3D printer of this utility model utilize a slider, a drive component, and an operating component installed in the mounting cavity of the base. When locking, the latch is directly pushed into the lock hole; when unlocking, the operating component is pressed, and the latch automatically unlocks and exits the lock hole. Its structure is simple and easy to operate. Furthermore, it adds an elastic component for resetting the top block component and the drive operating component, maintaining a certain elastic holding force throughout the locking and unlocking operations, resulting in a stronger operating feel and a better user experience.

[0027] The above description is only an overview of the technical solution of this utility model. In order to better understand the technical means of this utility model, it can be implemented according to the contents of the specification. In order to make the above and other objects, features and advantages of this utility model more obvious and easy to understand, the following are preferred embodiments, which are described in detail below. Attached Figure Description

[0028] Figure 1This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the locking mechanism in an embodiment of this utility model.

[0029] Figure 2 This is an exploded view of the locking mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the base portion of the locking mechanism in an embodiment of the present utility model.

[0031] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the operating component of the locking mechanism in an embodiment of the present utility model.

[0032] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the slider part of the locking mechanism in an embodiment of the present utility model.

[0033] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the top block assembly of the locking mechanism in an embodiment of the present utility model.

[0034] Figure 7 This is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the locking mechanism according to an embodiment of the present utility model.

[0035] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram showing the connection state between the material box and the locking mechanism in an embodiment of this utility model.

[0036] Figure 9 for Figure 8 Longitudinal sectional view.

[0037] Figure 10 for Figure 9 A magnified schematic diagram of part A in the diagram.

[0038] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0039] Locking mechanism 100, lock 20, base assembly 10, base 1, mounting cavity 11, through hole 12, connecting hole 13, guide position 14, top cover 2, lock hole 21, operating component insertion interface 22, through hole 23, slider 3, bottom plate 31, first side plate 33, second side plate 32, locking hook 34, interval space 35, through hole 310, first guide part 331, second guide part 321, top block assembly 4, top block 41, elastic element 42, top block body 411, guide post 412, operating assembly 5, operating component 51, reset component 52, third guide part 511, connecting cavity 512, connecting post 513, guide groove 514, cap 6, drive assembly 7, elastic reset component 71, guide component 72, material box 201, protrusion 202, connecting plate 101. Detailed Implementation

[0040] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this utility model clearer, the present utility model will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0041] 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 skilled in the art without creative effort are within the protection scope of the present utility model.

[0042] In the description of this utility model, it should be understood that the terms "center", "longitudinal", "transverse", "length", "width", "thickness", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "resin", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", "clockwise", "counterclockwise", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing this utility model and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this utility model.

[0043] Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of indicated technical features. Thus, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature. In the description of this utility model, "a plurality of" means two or more, unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0044] In this utility model, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," "joining," and "fixing," etc., should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this utility model according to the specific circumstances.

[0045] In this invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, "above" or "below" the second feature can include direct contact between the first and second features, or contact between the first and second features through another feature between them. Furthermore, "above," "over," and "on top" of the second feature includes the first feature directly above or diagonally above the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is at a higher horizontal level than the second feature. "Below," "below," and "under" the second feature includes the first feature directly below or diagonally below the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is at a lower horizontal level than the second feature.

[0046] In the description of this specification, the references to terms such as "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "example," "specific example," or "some examples," etc., indicate that a specific feature, structure, material, or characteristic described in connection with that embodiment or example is included in at least one embodiment or example of the present invention. The illustrative expressions of the above terms in this specification should not be construed as necessarily referring to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples.

[0047] Please see Figures 1 to 10 This embodiment provides a locking mechanism, which includes a lock body 100 and a latch 20. The lock body 100 has a locking hole 21. The lock body 100 is fixedly connected to a first main body, and the latch 20 is fixedly connected to a second main body. The latch 20 is inserted into the lock body 100 through the locking hole 21 and locks with the lock body 100. The first main body and the second main body are two opening and closing bodies of a mechanism or device that needs to be locked and fixed. For example, when this locking mechanism is applied to a 3D printer, one of the lock body 100 and the latch 20 is connected to the material box, and the other is connected to the 3D printer body.

[0048] Specifically, the lock body 100 includes: a base assembly 10, a slider 3, and a drive assembly 7. The base assembly 10 has a mounting cavity 11, and the lock hole 21 communicates with the mounting cavity 11. The slider 3 has a first guide portion 331, a second guide portion 321, and a locking hook portion 34, and is disposed in the mounting cavity 11. The slider 3 is driven to engage with the latch 20 via the first guide portion 331. When the latch 20 is inserted into the mounting cavity 11 from the lock hole 21 along a first direction, the slider 3 is driven to move along a second direction, causing the locking hook portion 34 to disengage from the locking position and avoid the latch, so that the latch 20 enters the locking position. The slider 3 is driven to engage with the operating member 51 via the second guide portion 321. The operating member 51 drives the slider 3 to move along the second direction, causing the locking hook portion 34 to disengage from the locking position, so that the latch 20 is released from the locking hook portion 34 to unlock.

[0049] The drive assembly 7 is disposed in the mounting cavity 11, and the moving end of the drive assembly 7 is connected to the slider 3. The drive assembly 7 is used to drive the slider 3 to move the locking hook 34 to the locking position or to disengage the locking hook 34 from the locking position. The drive assembly 7 can also automatically return to the initial state after the slider 3 is disengaged from the initial position under the action of external force.

[0050] When the latch 20 is inserted into the mounting cavity 11 to the locking position and the hook portion 34 is in the locking position, the latch 20 and the hook portion 34 are locked together.

[0051] The latch 20 is driven to cooperate with the slider 3. When the latch 20 is inserted into the mounting cavity 11 from the locking hole 21, it drives the slider 3 to move so that the locking hook part 34 is disengaged from the locking position.

[0052] The drive assembly 7 includes an elastic reset member 71 for resetting the slider 3 to the locked position, the elastic reset member 71 being installed between the slider 3 and the base assembly 10.

[0053] The locking mechanism also includes an operating component 5, which extends at least partially into the mounting cavity 11. The operating component 5 is provided with a third guide portion 511 and is connected to the slider 3 in a transmission manner.

[0054] When the latch 20 is inserted into the lock hole 21 in the first direction, the lower end of the latch 20 acts on the first guide 331. As it continues to move in the first direction, it drives the slider 3 to move in the second direction, so that the latch 20 slides past the first guide 331 and enters the lock hook 34, thereby locking the latch 20 with the lock body 100. At this time, the latch 20 and the lock hook 34 remain locked under the action of the drive component 7. When the operation component 5 is pressed in the third direction, the third guide 511 of the operation component 5 acts on the second guide 321 on the slider 3, driving the slider 3 to move in the second direction, so that the latch 20 exits from the lock hook 34 to unlock. At this time, the slider 3 is driven to return to the initial position again under the action of the drive component 7.

[0055] In this embodiment, the locking mechanism can lock the latch 20 and the lock body 100 by simply pressing the latch 20 when locking; when unlocking, simply press the operation component 5, and the latch 20 will automatically and quickly exit from the key hole 21, thereby unlocking. Its structure is simple and easy to operate.

[0056] like Figure 7As shown, the first direction and the third direction are in the same direction, and both the first direction and the third direction are perpendicular to the second direction. In this embodiment, the first direction and the third direction are both vertical directions, and the second direction is a horizontal direction. The first direction, the second direction, and the third direction are all relative directions. In specific application scenarios, their actual directions are determined according to their assembly angles.

[0057] In this embodiment, since the first direction in which the latch 20 is inserted into the lock body 100 is the same as the third direction of the pressing operation of the operating component 5, the locking and unlocking operation directions are both vertical. That is, in this embodiment, both locking and unlocking of the latch mechanism are operated from the top of the latch mechanism. For users, this positional design makes operation more convenient and more ergonomic. Of course, in other embodiments, the first direction and the third direction can be different, as long as the latch 20 and the operating component 5 can both drive the slider 3 to reciprocate in the same direction.

[0058] Please refer to it again. Figure 2 The driving component 7 includes an elastic reset member 71 and a guide member 72. The guide member 72 passes through or is embedded in the slider 3. One end of the elastic reset member 71 abuts against the slider 3, and the other end abuts against the cavity wall of the mounting cavity 11. The guide member 72 is used to guide the movement of the slider 3. Therefore, the guide member 72 can be passed through the slider 3 or embedded in a manner similar to a guide rail and guide groove. As shown in the figure, in this embodiment, the driving component 7 is used to drive the slider 3 to move reciprocally left and right in the horizontal direction. Since the slider 3 needs to return to its initial state during locking or unlocking or after the action is completed, the driving component 7 is used to drive its automatic reset. At the same time, the driving component 7 can also maintain the operating tension during the unlocking and locking process, so that the operating component 5 or the latch 20 does not feel loose, and the feel is significantly better.

[0059] In this embodiment, the guide member 72 is a guide rod, the elastic reset member 71 is a spring, the spring is sleeved on the guide rod, and the guide rod passes through the slider 3. The two ends of the guide rod are respectively connected to the through holes 12 on the base 1.

[0060] Please refer to it again. Figure 3 and Figure 4 The operating component 5 includes an operating element 51 and at least one reset element 52. The reset element 52 is symmetrically arranged at the bottom of the operating element 51 and is used to drive the operating element 51 to automatically reset after the external force is released when the operating element 51 is pressed by an external force.

[0061] Specifically, each of the side walls of the operating member 51 is provided with at least one guide groove 514, and the side wall of the mounting cavity 11 is provided with a guide position 14 corresponding to the guide groove 514. The guide groove 514 is a longitudinally extending groove recessed in the side wall of the operating member 51, and the guide position 14 is a protruding structure protruding from the inner wall of the mounting cavity 11 and extending longitudinally. The guide position 14 is used to guide the guide groove 514 to move back and forth in the vertical direction, thereby avoiding the operating member 51 from shaking or getting stuck during operation, which would affect the feel.

[0062] When the operating member 51 is pressed by an external force and moves along the third direction, the reset member 52 is compressed simultaneously; when the external force is released, the operating member 51 moves in the opposite direction along the third direction under the action of the reset member 52 to reset. In this embodiment, the reset member 52 is a spring. The bottom of the operating member 51 is also provided with a connecting post 513, and the spring is connected to the connecting post 513.

[0063] Furthermore, the third guide portion 511 is disposed on the front side of the operating member 51 near the bottom edge, and the connecting post 513 and the reset member 52 connected thereto are symmetrically distributed on both sides of the third guide portion 511.

[0064] Please refer to it again. Figure 5 The slider 3 includes a base plate 31, a first side plate 33 and a second side plate 32 extending in the same direction from the top surface of the base plate 31, a first guide portion 331 disposed at the top edge of the first side plate 33, a second guide portion 321 disposed at the top edge of the second side plate 32, and a locking hook portion 34 disposed at the top of the first side plate 33 and away from the first guide portion 331. The base plate 31 has a through hole 310, and the guide member 72 passes through the through hole 310. At least two through holes 310 are provided, and a guide member 72 passes through each through hole 310, so that when the slider 3 is subjected to force, it performs left-right reciprocating movement in the horizontal direction without vertical swaying, thus affecting the operating feel.

[0065] In this embodiment, the first guide portion 331, the second guide portion 321 and the third guide portion 511 are all inclined planes. The contact design of the inclined planes can enable the power along the first direction to drive the slider 3 to move along the second direction, so that the latch 20 and the operating member 51 can both perform the locking and unlocking actions from the same side of the lock body 100.

[0066] The first side plate 33 and the second side plate 32 are arranged in parallel to each other, forming a gap space 35 between them. The first guide part 331 and the second guide part 321 are arranged on the same side of the first side plate 33 and the second side plate 32. The gap space 35 provides room for the downward movement of the operating member 51. This design is conducive to miniaturization of the lock body 100 and saves space in the mounting cavity 11.

[0067] The base assembly 10 includes a base 1 and a top cover 2. The base 1 has a mounting cavity 11 with an opening at the top, and the top cover 2 covers the opening. The top cover 2 has a locking hole 21 and an operating component insertion interface 22. The operating component 51 is at least partially inserted into the operating component insertion interface 22. The outer end of the operating component 51 is also connected to a cap 6. The cap 6 has a large operating surface, which helps to increase the contact area with the hand when pressing and improve the operating feel. The operating component 51 also has a connecting cavity 512, and the bottom of the cap 6 is inserted into the connecting cavity 512. The two are fixedly connected by screws.

[0068] The guide position 14 is also provided with a connecting hole 13, and the upper cover 2 is screwed to the connecting hole 13 to fix it to the base 1. The base 1 is also provided with a plurality of relatively distributed through holes 12 communicating with the mounting cavity 11, and the two ends of the guide member 72 are respectively inserted into the through holes 12. The side wall of the base 1 is also provided with a connecting plate 101 extending outward, which is used to fix the lock body 200 to the second body.

[0069] Please refer to it again. Figure 6 and Figure 7 The mounting cavity 11 is further provided with a top block assembly 4, which includes a top block 41 and an elastic member 42. The top end of the elastic member 42 abuts against the bottom of the top block 41, and the bottom end of the elastic member 42 abuts against the cavity wall of the mounting cavity 11. The top of the top block 41 extends at least partially out of the base assembly, and the elastic member 42 provides the top block 41 with a spring force to restore movement along the first direction. Specifically, the top block 41 includes a top block body 411 and a guide post 412 extending from the top of the top block body 411. An annular step is formed between the guide post 412 and the top block body 411, and the annular step abuts against the upper cover 2. The upper cover 2 is used to confine the top block 41 within the mounting cavity 11. In this embodiment, two sets of top block assemblies 4 are provided and are located on the front side of the operating member 51, close to the lock hole 21. The top block assembly 4 is used to provide support for the material box 201 and to provide a spring force for the material box 201 when unlocked.

[0070] This embodiment also provides a material box 201, which includes a locking body 100 or a locking buckle 20 as described above. The material box 201 is used in a 3D printer, and is detachably connected to the main body of the 3D printer through the locking mechanism. The locking buckle 20 is connected to the material box 201, and the locking body 100 is connected to the main body of the 3D printer. When the material box 201 is installed on the main body of the 3D printer, it is fixedly locked to the main body of the 3D printer by the locking mechanism. When the material box 201 is assembled onto the main body of the 3D printer from top to bottom, the locking buckle 20 is inserted into the locking body 100 from top to bottom and enters the locked position. When unlocking, the operating member 51 is pressed from top to bottom so that the locking buckle 20 disengages from the locked position, making it easy to remove the material box 201 from the main body of the 3D printer.

[0071] It is understood that, in another embodiment, the latch 20 and the lock body 100 may also interchange positions on the material box 201 and the 3D printer body.

[0072] The material box 201 also includes a detection plate for detecting whether the material box and the 3D printer body are properly installed. The 3D printer body has spring pins that cooperate with the detection plate. The positioning detection component includes a spring pin and a detection plate. When the spring pin contacts the detection plate, the detection plate and the spring pin form a conductive path. Specifically, there are two spring pins, each with an internal wire and a detection circuit connected to its inner end. When both spring pins simultaneously contact the detection plate, the detection circuit is activated, indicating that the material box has reached its installation position with the 3D printer body and is properly installed.

[0073] The detection components can be set in one, two, three or more groups. Preferably, multiple groups of detection components are set and distributed. For example, when two groups of detection components are set, a detection plate is set on each of the opposite sides of the material box 201, and a spring pin is set on the 3D printer body accordingly. Preferably, the detection components and the locking mechanism are set on the same side.

[0074] This embodiment also provides a 3D printer, which includes a locking body 100 or a locking latch 20 of the locking mechanism as described above. The 3D printer includes a 3D printer body, the locking body 100 of the locking mechanism is disposed on the 3D printer body, and the locking latch 20 of the locking mechanism is disposed on the material box, or the locking latch 20 of the locking mechanism is disposed on the 3D printer body and connected to the material box 201. It should be noted that the locking mechanism has two, three or more sets. Preferably, the locking mechanism has two sets. A locking body 100 or a locking buckle 20 of the locking mechanism is respectively provided on opposite sides of the material box 201. For example, a locking body 100 is provided on one side of the material box 201 and a locking body 100 is also provided on the opposite side. Alternatively, a locking buckle 20 is provided on one side of the material box 201 and a locking buckle 20 is also provided on the opposite side. Alternatively, a locking body 100 is provided on one side of the material box 201 and a locking buckle 20 is provided on the opposite side. The 3D printer body is provided with the other locking mechanism corresponding to the material box 201.

[0075] This embodiment also provides a 3D printer, which includes the material cartridge 201 as described above. The 3D printer includes a 3D printer body, and the material cartridge 201 is detachably mounted on the 3D printer body. The material cartridge and the 3D printer body are locked and fixed or unlocked and detached by a locking mechanism. The locking mechanism includes a lock body 100 and a latch 20, one of which is located in the material cartridge 201 and the other is located in the 3D printer body.

[0076] Please refer to the following again. Figures 1 to 10 The working process of the locking mechanism in this embodiment is briefly described as follows:

[0077] When the material box 201 approaches the main body of the 3D printer, its edge is supported on the top of the top block 41 of the top block assembly 4, pressing the material box 201 down. The lower end of the latch 20 abuts against the first guide portion 331 of the slider 3. Since the first guide portion 331 is an inclined plane, as the latch 20 continues to descend, it pushes the slider 3 to the right. Guided by the guide member 72, the slider 3 slides quickly to the right until the latch 20 bypasses the first guide portion 331 and enters the locking position. It should be noted that the directions described as left and right during this process are the directions shown in the attached drawings of this embodiment and do not represent the direction of the actual product. When the latch 20 bypasses the locking hook portion 34 and returns to the locking position, it abuts against the lower end of the latch 20 and locks. The drive assembly 7 maintains a certain elastic force on the slider 3. At this time, the latch 20 and the lock body 100 are in a locked state. The lower end of the latch 20 has a protrusion 202 that protrudes toward the slider 3. When both the latch 20 and the hook portion 34 are in the locked position, the hook portion 34 is located above the protrusion 202, preventing the protrusion 202 from disengaging from the mounting cavity.

[0078] When unlocking is required, manually press the cap 6 to simultaneously lower the operating component 51. The third guide part 511 on the operating component 51 abuts against the second guide part 321 on the slider 3. Since the second guide part 321 is an inclined plane, during the descent of the operating component 51, the slider 3 is driven to move to the right again in the horizontal direction. The first side plate 331 moves to the right simultaneously. When it moves a certain distance, the locking hook part 34 disengages from the locking position and no longer blocks the protrusion 202 of the latch 20. The lower end of the latch 20 disengages from the locking hook part 34 and unlocks. At this time, the latch 20 is ejected from the lock hole 21 under the action of the top block assembly 4. At this time, the material box 201 can be removed from the 3D printer body. When the external force pressing the cap 6 is released, the slider 3 is driven to reset again under the action of the driving assembly 7. At the same time, the operating component 51 and the cap 6 also move upward to reset under the action of the reset component 52.

[0079] The locking mechanism, its material box, and the printer in this embodiment utilize a slider, a drive assembly, and an operating component installed in the mounting cavity of the base. When locking, the latch is directly pushed into the lock hole; when unlocking, the operating component is pressed, and the latch automatically unlocks and exits the lock hole. Its structure is simple and easy to operate. Furthermore, it adds an elastic component for resetting the top block assembly and the drive operating component, maintaining a certain elastic holding force throughout the locking and unlocking operations, resulting in a better feel and user experience.

[0080] The above examples are merely illustrative of the technical content of this utility model to facilitate reader understanding, but do not imply that the implementation of this utility model is limited to these embodiments. Any technical extensions or re-creations made based on this utility model are protected by this utility model. The scope of protection of this utility model is defined by the claims.

Claims

1. A locking mechanism, comprising a lock body and a latch, characterized in that, The lock body includes: A base assembly, wherein the base assembly has a mounting cavity and a locking hole for inserting the latch into the mounting cavity; A slider, wherein the slider is provided with a locking hook portion that cooperates with the latch, and the slider is disposed in the mounting cavity; A driving component is disposed in the mounting cavity and connected to the slider. The driving component drives the slider to move so that the locking hook part moves to the locking position or disengages from the locking position.

2. The locking mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that, The latch engages with the slider, and when the latch is inserted into the mounting cavity from the lock hole, it drives the slider to move, causing the latch hook to disengage from the locking position.

3. The locking mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that, The drive assembly includes a resilient reset member for resetting the slider to the locked position, the resilient reset member being mounted between the slider and the base assembly.

4. The locking mechanism according to claim 3, characterized in that, The slider is also provided with a first guide portion, and the slider is in transmission cooperation with the buckle through the first guide portion; when the buckle is inserted into the mounting cavity from the lock hole in the first direction, the slider is driven to move in the second direction to make the hook portion disengage from the locking position to avoid the buckle, so that the buckle enters the locking position.

5. The locking mechanism according to claim 4, characterized in that, The drive assembly further includes an operating element, which is at least partially inserted into the mounting cavity and is drive-connected to the slider.

6. The locking mechanism according to claim 5, characterized in that, The slider is also provided with a second guide portion. The slider is connected to the operating member through the second guide portion. The operating member drives the slider to move in the second direction to disengage the locking hook portion from the locking position, so that the lock buckle is released from the locking hook portion to unlock.

7. The locking mechanism according to claim 6, characterized in that, Each of the operating components has at least one guide groove on its side wall, and the mounting cavity has a guide position corresponding to the guide groove on its side wall. The bottom of the operating component also has a reset component. When the operating component is pressed and moved by an external force, the reset component is compressed simultaneously. When the external force is released, the operating component moves in the opposite direction under the action of the reset component to reset itself.

8. The locking mechanism according to claim 6, characterized in that, The driving assembly includes: the elastic reset member and the guide member, the guide member passing through or embedded in the slider, one end of the elastic reset member abutting against the slider, and the other end abutting against the cavity wall of the mounting cavity.

9. The locking mechanism according to claim 8, characterized in that, The guide is a guide rod, the elastic reset member is a spring, the spring is sleeved on the guide rod, and the guide rod passes through the slider.

10. The locking mechanism according to claim 8, characterized in that, The slider includes a base plate, a first side plate and a second side plate extending in the same direction from the top surface of the base plate, a first guide portion disposed at the top edge of the first side plate, a second guide portion disposed at the top edge of the second side plate, and a locking hook portion disposed at the top of the first side plate and away from the first guide portion; the base plate has a through hole, and the guide member passes through the through hole.

11. The locking mechanism according to claim 5, characterized in that, The base assembly includes a base and a top cover. The base has a mounting cavity with an opening at the top, and the top cover closes to the opening at the top. The top cover has a lock hole and an operating component insertion interface. The operating component is at least partially inserted into the operating component insertion interface, and a cap is connected to the outer end of the operating component.

12. The locking mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that, The mounting cavity is further provided with a top block assembly, which includes a top block and an elastic element. The top end of the elastic element abuts against the bottom of the top block, and the bottom end of the elastic element abuts against the cavity wall of the mounting cavity. The top of the top block extends at least partially out of the base assembly, and the elastic element provides the top block with a restoring elastic force.

13. A material box, characterized in that, The material box is mounted on the 3D printer body via a locking mechanism as described in any one of claims 1 to 12, the locking mechanism comprising a latch and a locking body, one of the latch and the locking body being connected to the material box and the other being connected to the 3D printer body.

14. The material box according to claim 13, characterized in that, The assembly direction between the material box and the 3D printer body is the same as the assembly direction between the latch and the lock body; the assembly direction between the material box and the 3D printer body is the same as or opposite to the unlocking direction between the lock body and the latch.

15. The material box according to claim 14, characterized in that, The material box also includes a detection piece, and the 3D printer body is provided with a spring pin that aligns with the detection piece. When the spring pin contacts the detection piece, the detection piece and the spring pin form a conductive path.

16. A 3D printer, characterized in that, The 3D printer includes a locking mechanism as described in any one of claims 1 to 12.

17. A 3D printer, characterized in that, The 3D printer includes the cartridge as described in claim 14 or 15.

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