3D printing filament connector

Abstract

The utility model belongs to the device technical field that connects 3D printing filamentous consumables, specifically relates to a 3D printing wire material connector. The 3D printing wire material connector includes connector body, base plate, melt lower pressing block, melt upper pressing block, stepping motor, hot melt module fixed groove, feed slot, heating block, lower forming groove, upper forming groove, the middle part of base plate is provided with hot melt module fixed groove, and hot melt module fixed groove is used to accommodate melt lower pressing block and is used to heat the heating block of 3D printing wire material, melt lower pressing block is provided with the lower forming groove of accommodating 3D printing wire material, and melt upper pressing block is provided with the upper forming groove of accommodating 3D printing wire material, the lower forming groove and upper forming groove can jointly form cylindrical cavity structure, the lower part of base plate is provided with stepping motor, and stepping motor is used to provide kinetic energy for the conveyance of 3D printing wire material. The utility model has solved the problem of material breakage and material replacement, and can also automatically connect consumables, without the need for open flame.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model belongs to the technical field of equipment for connecting 3D printing filament consumables, and more specifically, relates to a 3D printing filament connector. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, in 3D printing technology, the main material for FDM molding process is filament material, usually ABS or PLA. In daily production, the material is prone to breakage due to oxidation caused by prolonged exposure to air. If the filament breaks during the 3D printing process or you want to change to a different color, stopping the printing process and changing the material or manually connecting the filament will affect production efficiency and may even lead to printing failure in severe cases.

[0003] Chinese utility model patent CN 205818473 U discloses an FDM 3D printer consumable connection device. During operation, the various parts are first connected and fixed in sequence. Then, one end of the two 3D printer consumables to be connected is inserted into the first channel and the second channel respectively. The two ends abut against the working area. The ends of the two 3D printer consumables in the working area are heated to melt by open flame or other heating methods. The 3D printer consumables are quickly inserted into the first channel from one side with force to a certain distance, so that the fused ends of the two 3D printer consumables are located inside the second channel and slowly cool and solidify. After at least 15 seconds, the second screw is loosened to separate the first fixing part and the second fixing part, and the two connected 3D printer consumables can be removed.

[0004] While the aforementioned FDM 3D printer consumables have solved the consumables connection problem, their production efficiency is low, and they also require the use of an open flame during operation. Utility Model Content

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems and provide a 3D printing filament connector. This device not only solves the problems of material breakage and replacement, but also automatically connects consumables, and does not require the use of an open flame.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the technical solution of this utility model is as follows: A 3D printed filament connector includes a connector body, a substrate, a molten material lower pressure block, a molten material upper pressure block, a stepper motor, a hot melt module fixing groove, a feeding groove, a heating block, a lower forming groove, and an upper forming groove. The substrate is used to support the various components; A hot melt module fixing groove is provided in the middle of the substrate. The hot melt module fixing groove is used to accommodate the molten material pressing block and the heating block for heating the 3D printing filament. The lower pressure block of the molten material is provided with a lower forming groove that can accommodate 3D printing filament, and the upper pressure block of the molten material is provided with an upper forming groove that can accommodate 3D printing filament; the lower forming groove and the upper forming groove can together form a cylindrical cavity structure; the feed groove is connected to the lower forming groove; A stepper motor is located at the bottom of the substrate, which provides kinetic energy for feeding the 3D printing filament.

[0007] Preferably, the 3D printing filament connector further includes: a guide wheel, which is disposed above the guide wheel mounting holes on both sides of the substrate, for conveying the 3D printing filament into the lower forming groove or the upper forming groove.

[0008] Preferably, the stepper motor is disposed in the stepper motor mounting slot at the bottom of the substrate.

[0009] Preferably, the 3D printed filament connector further includes a feeding gear, wherein the stepper motor output shaft of the stepper motor drives the feeding gear to rotate.

[0010] Preferably, in the hot melt module fixing groove, the molten material pressing block is positioned above the heating block.

[0011] Preferably, the diameter of the cylindrical cavity structure is 1~3mm.

[0012] Preferably, the 3D printing filament connector further includes: a circuit board, which is connected to the stepper motor cable of the stepper motor and the heating block cable on the heating block.

[0013] Preferably, the 3D printed filament connector further includes a screen disposed on the connector body for controlling the 3D printed filament connector.

[0014] Preferably, the 3D printed filament connector further includes: a top cover, the top cover and the molten material pressure block being an integral structure.

[0015] Preferably, the 3D printing filament is selected from at least one of ABS and PLA.

[0016] The beneficial effects of this utility model are: It solves the problems of material shortage and replacement, and can automatically connect consumables without the need for open flame.

[0017] Other features and advantages of this invention will be described in detail in the following detailed description section. Attached Figure Description

[0018] The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the more detailed description of exemplary embodiments of the present invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein the same reference numerals generally represent the same parts.

[0019] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the overall structure of one embodiment of the present invention is shown; Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the internal parts disassembly of one embodiment of the present invention is shown; Figure 3 A schematic diagram of a substrate according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown; Figure 4 A schematic diagram of the top cover of one embodiment of the present invention is shown; Figure 5 A schematic diagram of the internal structure installation of one embodiment of the present invention is shown; Figure 6 A schematic diagram of a stepper motor according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown; Figure 7 A schematic diagram of the circuit board and housing disassembly according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown; Figure 8 A schematic diagram of the outer casing of one embodiment of the present invention is shown; Figure 9 A schematic diagram of a circuit board according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0020] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures: 1 is the screen; 2 is the substrate; 3 is the lower pressure block of the molten material; 4 is the upper pressure block of the molten material; 5 is the top cover; 6 is the outer shell; 7 is the power port; 8 is the feeding gear mounting hole; 9 is the feeding gear; 10 is the guide wheel fixing screw; 11 is the guide wheel fixing hole; 12 is the guide wheel; 13 is the stepper motor; 14 is the stepper motor fixing screw; 15 is the guide wheel mounting hole; 16 is the hot melt module fixing groove; 17 is the stepper motor output shaft hole; 18 is the feeding groove; 19 is the heating block; 20 is the heating block fixing hole; 21 is the heating block fixing screw; 22 is the heating block ribbon cable; 23 is the lower forming groove; 24 is the substrate fixing hole. 25 is the heating block mounting hole; 26 is the stepper motor mounting hole; 27 is the stepper motor fixing slot; 28 is the upper molding slot; 29 is the upper cover fixing shaft; 30 is the upper cover fixing hole; 31 is the stepper motor output shaft; 32 is the stepper motor fixing hole; 33 is the stepper motor ribbon cable; 34 is the circuit board fixing screw; 35 is the circuit board; 36 is the substrate fixing screw; 37 is the screw hole; 38 is the substrate mounting hole; 39 is the circuit board mounting hole; 40 is the screen fixing slot; 41 is the upper cover mounting hole; 42 is the heat dissipation hole; 43 is the stepper motor ribbon cable connector; 44 is the heating block ribbon cable connector; 45 is the circuit board fixing hole. Detailed Implementation

[0021] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described in more detail. While preferred embodiments of the present invention are described below, it should be understood that the present invention can be implemented in various forms and should not be limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided to make the present invention more thorough and complete, and to fully convey the scope of the present invention to those skilled in the art.

[0022] See Figures 1-9 , Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the overall structure of one embodiment of the present invention is shown; Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the internal parts disassembly of one embodiment of the present invention is shown; Figure 3 A schematic diagram of a substrate according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown; Figure 4 A schematic diagram of the top cover of one embodiment of the present invention is shown; Figure 5 A schematic diagram of the internal structure installation of one embodiment of the present invention is shown; Figure 6 A schematic diagram of a stepper motor according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown; Figure 7 A schematic diagram of the circuit board and housing disassembly according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown; Figure 8 A schematic diagram of the outer casing of one embodiment of the present invention is shown; Figure 9 A schematic diagram of a circuit board according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0023] The 3D printed filament connector includes a connector body, a substrate 2, a molten material lower pressure block 3, a molten material upper pressure block 4, a stepper motor 13, a hot melt module fixing groove 16, a feeding groove 18, a heating block 19, a lower forming groove 23, and an upper forming groove 28. The base plate 2 is used to support various parts, such as fixing other parts, such as fixing the stepper motor 13, heating block 19, molten material pressing block 3, etc. A hot melt module fixing groove 16 is provided in the middle of the substrate 2. The hot melt module fixing groove 16 is used to accommodate the molten material pressing block 3 and the heating block 19 for heating the 3D printing filament (melting the 3D printing filament). The molten material lower pressure block 3 is provided with a lower forming groove 23 that can accommodate 3D printing filament, and the molten material upper pressure block 4 is provided with an upper forming groove 28 that can accommodate 3D printing filament; the lower forming groove 23 and the upper forming groove 28 together form a cylindrical cavity structure. The molten material lower pressure block 3 and the molten material upper pressure block 4 cooperate to melt the two sections of 3D printing filament that need to be connected, and fuse them in the cylindrical cavity structure they form to complete the connection of the two sections of 3D printing filament; the feed groove 18 is connected to the lower forming groove 23; A stepper motor 13 is provided at the lower part of the substrate 2. The stepper motor 13 is used to provide kinetic energy for the feeding of 3D printing filament and to provide power for the feeding gear 9.

[0024] As a preferred option, the 3D printed filament connector also includes: The guide wheel 12 is located above the guide wheel mounting holes 15 on both sides of the substrate 2 and cooperates with the feeding gear 9 to transport the 3D printing filament that enters through the feed groove 18 to the lower forming groove 23 or the upper forming groove 28.

[0025] As a preferred embodiment, the stepper motor 13 is disposed in the stepper motor mounting groove 27 at the bottom of the substrate 2.

[0026] As a preferred option, the 3D printed filament connector also includes: The feeding gear 9 is driven by the stepper motor output shaft 31 of the stepper motor 13. Under the drive of the stepper motor 13, the feeding gear 9 rotates and, relying on the meshing force of the gears, feeds the 3D printing filament into the forming groove 23.

[0027] As a preferred embodiment, the molten material pressing block 3 is positioned above the heating block 19 within the hot melt module fixing groove 16.

[0028] As a preferred option, the diameter of the cylindrical cavity structure is 1~3mm, such as 1.75mm.

[0029] As a preferred option, the 3D printed filament connector also includes: Circuit board 35 is connected to stepper motor cable 33 of stepper motor 13 and heating block cable 22 on heating block 19.

[0030] As a preferred option, the 3D printed filament connector also includes: Screen 1, located on the connector body, provides an operating interface for controlling the 3D printed filament connector, such as controlling the equipment feeding, material feeding, and adjusting the heating temperature.

[0031] As a preferred option, the 3D printed filament connector also includes: The upper cover 5 and the upper pressure block 4 of the molten material are an integral structure.

[0032] The 3D printing filament is preferably selected from at least one of ABS and PLA. Of course, this invention can also be applied to other 3D printing filaments.

[0033] As a preferred embodiment, the 3D printed filament connector also includes: a top cover fixing hole 30, a top cover mounting hole 41, and a top cover fixing shaft 29. The top cover fixing hole 30 on the top cover 5 is aligned with the top cover mounting hole 41 on the outer shell 6, and the top cover mounting hole 41 is positioned between the two top cover fixing holes 30. The top cover fixing shaft 29 is then inserted into the top cover mounting hole 41 and the top cover fixing hole 30 to complete the installation of the top cover 5.

[0034] As a preferred embodiment, the 3D printed filament connector also includes: guide wheel fixing screw 10, guide wheel fixing hole 11, and guide wheel mounting hole 15. The guide wheel 12 is installed above the guide wheel mounting hole 15 on the substrate 2, and the guide wheel fixing screw 10 is inserted into the guide wheel fixing hole 11 and screwed into the guide wheel mounting hole 15 to complete the installation of the guide wheel 12.

[0035] As a preferred embodiment, the 3D printing filament connector also includes: a stepper motor output shaft 31, a stepper motor output shaft hole 17, a stepper motor mounting hole 32, and a stepper motor mounting hole 26. The stepper motor 13 is mounted in the stepper motor mounting groove 27 on the substrate 2. The stepper motor output shaft 31 passes through the stepper motor output shaft hole 17. The stepper motor fixing screw 14 is inserted into the stepper motor mounting hole 32 and screwed into the stepper motor mounting hole 26 to complete the installation of the stepper motor 13. The feed gear mounting hole 8 on the feed gear 9 is aligned with the stepper motor output shaft 31, and the stepper motor output shaft 31 is inserted into the feed gear mounting hole 8 to complete the installation of the feed gear 9.

[0036] As a preferred embodiment, the 3D printed filament connector also includes: a heating block fixing hole 20, a heating block mounting hole 25, and a heating block fixing screw 21. The heating block 19 is inserted into the hot melt module fixing groove 16, ensuring that the heating block fixing hole 20 is aligned with the heating block mounting hole 25 on the substrate 2, and the heating block fixing screw 21 is used to fix it, thus completing the installation of the heating block 19.

[0037] As a preferred embodiment, the 3D printed filament connector also includes: circuit board fixing holes 45, circuit board mounting holes 39, circuit board fixing screws 34, and screen fixing grooves 40. The circuit board 35 is installed inside the housing 6, and the circuit board fixing holes 45 on the circuit board 35 are aligned with the circuit board mounting holes 39 on the housing 6. The circuit board fixing screws 34 are used to fix it. The screen 1 is installed in the screen fixing grooves 40 of the housing 6, thus completing the installation of the circuit board 35.

[0038] As a preferred option, the 3D printed filament connector also includes: a stepper motor cable connector 43 and a heating block cable connector 44. The stepper motor cable 33 on the stepper motor 13 is inserted into the stepper motor cable connector 43 on the circuit board 35, and the heating block cable 22 on the heating block 19 is inserted into the heating block cable connector 44 on the circuit board 35 to complete the circuit connection.

[0039] As a preferred embodiment, the 3D printed filament connector also includes: substrate fixing hole 24, substrate mounting hole 38, substrate fixing screw 36, and screw hole 37. The substrate 2 is installed inside the housing 6, the substrate fixing hole 24 is aligned above the substrate mounting hole 38, and the substrate fixing screw 36 is inserted into the screw hole 37 at the bottom of the housing 6. The screw will protrude from the substrate mounting hole 38 and finally be screwed into the substrate fixing hole 24 on the substrate 2, thus completing the fixing of the substrate 2.

[0040] Those skilled in the art can select the quantity of each component as needed. As a preferred embodiment, the quantity of each component satisfies at least one of the following conditions: the number of feeding gear mounting holes 8 is 2; the number of feeding gears 9 is 2; the number of guide wheel fixing screws 10 is 2; the number of guide wheel fixing holes 11 is 2; the number of guide wheels 12 is 2; the number of stepper motors 13 is 2; the number of stepper motor fixing screws 14 is 8; the number of guide wheel mounting holes 15 is 2; the number of stepper motor output shaft holes 17 is 2; the number of heating block fixing holes 20 is 2; the number of heating block fixing screws 21 is 2; and the number of substrate fixing holes 24 is... 4; 2 heating block mounting holes 25; 8 stepper motor mounting holes 26; 2 stepper motor fixing slots 27; 2 top cover fixing holes 30; 2 stepper motor output shafts 31; 8 stepper motor fixing holes 32; 2 stepper motor ribbon cables 33; 4 circuit board fixing screws 34; 4 substrate fixing screws 36; 4 screw holes 37; 4 substrate mounting holes 38; 4 circuit board mounting holes 39; 2 stepper motor ribbon cable connectors 43. Example 1

[0041] This embodiment provides a 3D printed filament connector, which includes a connector body, a screen 1, a substrate 2, a molten material lower pressure block 3, a molten material upper pressure block 4, an upper cover 5, a feeding gear 9, a guide wheel 12, a stepper motor 13, a hot melt module fixing groove 16, a feeding groove 18, a heating block 19, a lower forming groove 23, an upper forming groove 28, and a circuit board 35. Screen 1 is mounted on the connector body and is used to control the 3D printed filament connector; The top cover 5 and the molten material pressing block 4 are an integral structure; A hot melt module fixing groove 16 is provided in the middle of the substrate 2. The hot melt module fixing groove 16 is used to accommodate the molten material pressing block 3 and the heating block 19 for heating the 3D printing filament. In the hot melt module fixing groove 16, the molten material pressing block 3 is disposed above the heating block 19. The lower pressure block 3 is provided with a lower forming groove 23 that can accommodate 3D printing filament, and the upper pressure block 4 is provided with an upper forming groove 28 that can accommodate 3D printing filament; the lower forming groove 23 and the upper forming groove 28 together form a cylindrical cavity structure with a diameter of 1.75mm; the feed groove 18 is connected to the lower forming groove 23. A stepper motor 13 is provided at the lower part of the substrate 2. The stepper motor 13 is used to provide kinetic energy for feeding the 3D printing filament.

[0042] The guide wheel 12 is positioned above the guide wheel mounting holes 15 on both sides of the substrate 2, and is used to transport the 3D printing filament into the lower forming groove 23 or the upper forming groove 28.

[0043] The stepper motor 13 is installed in the stepper motor mounting groove 27 at the bottom of the substrate 2, and the stepper motor output shaft 31 of the stepper motor 13 drives the feeding gear 9 to rotate.

[0044] The circuit board 35 is connected to the stepper motor cable 33 of the stepper motor 13 and the heating block cable 22 on the heating block 19.

[0045] The installation method is as follows: Installation of the upper cover 5: The upper cover 5 and the upper cover 4 are an integral structure. The two upper cover fixing holes 30 on the upper cover 5 are aligned with the upper cover mounting holes 41 on the outer shell 6, and the upper cover mounting holes 41 are in the middle of the two upper cover fixing holes 30. The upper cover fixing shaft 29 is inserted into the upper cover mounting holes 41 and the upper cover fixing holes 30 to complete the installation of the upper cover 5.

[0046] Installation of guide wheel 12: Install guide wheel 12 above guide wheel mounting hole 15 on base plate 2, insert guide wheel fixing screw 10 into guide wheel fixing hole 11 and screw it into guide wheel mounting hole 15 to complete the installation of guide wheel 12.

[0047] Installation of stepper motor 13: Stepper motor 13 is installed in stepper motor mounting slot 27 on substrate 2. Stepper motor output shaft 31 passes through stepper motor output shaft hole 17. Stepper motor mounting screw 14 is inserted into stepper motor mounting hole 32 and screwed into stepper motor mounting hole 26 to complete the installation of stepper motor 13.

[0048] Installation of feeding gear 9: Align the feeding gear mounting hole 8 on the feeding gear 9 with the stepper motor output shaft 31, insert the stepper motor output shaft 31 into the feeding gear mounting hole 8, and complete the installation of feeding gear 9.

[0049] Installation of heating block 19: Insert heating block 19 into hot melt module fixing groove 16, ensuring that heating block fixing hole 20 is aligned with heating block mounting hole 25 on substrate 2, and fix it with heating block fixing screw 21 to complete the installation of heating block 19.

[0050] Installation of molten material pressing block 3: Place the molten material pressing block 3 into the hot melt module fixing groove 16 of the substrate 2. The pressing block 3 is above the heating block 19. The pressing block 3 and the heating block 19 are together in the hot melt module fixing groove 16, thus completing the installation of the molten material pressing block 3.

[0051] Installation of circuit board 35: Circuit board 35 is installed inside the housing 6. The circuit board mounting holes 45 on circuit board 35 are aligned with the circuit board mounting holes 39 on the housing 6. Circuit board mounting screws 34 are used to fix it. Screen 1 is installed in the screen mounting groove 40 of housing 6, thus completing the installation of circuit board 35.

[0052] Circuit connection: Insert the stepper motor cable 33 on the stepper motor 13 into the stepper motor cable socket 43 on the circuit board 35, and then insert the heating block cable 22 on the heating block 19 into the heating block cable socket 44 on the circuit board 35 to complete the circuit connection.

[0053] Fixing the substrate 2: Install the substrate 2 inside the housing 6, align the substrate fixing hole 24 above the substrate mounting hole 38, insert the substrate fixing screw 36 into the screw hole 37 at the bottom of the housing 6, the screw will protrude from the substrate mounting hole 38, and finally screw it into the substrate fixing hole 24 on the substrate 2 to complete the fixing of the substrate 2.

[0054] During use, the 3D printing filament connector needs to be powered on. The two filament sections are placed into the two feed slots 18 respectively, ensuring they are between the guide wheel 12 and the feeding gear 9. The top cover 5 is then closed. The 3D printing filament connector is then started, and the heating block 19 is powered on, transmitting power to the molten material lower pressure block 3 and the molten material upper pressure block 4. When the temperature reaches the set temperature, the two stepper motors 13 rotate, feeding the two filament sections into the space between the molten material lower pressure block 3 and the molten material upper pressure block 4. At this time, the two filament sections melt. Since the upper forming slot 28 and the lower forming slot 23 are semi-cylindrical structures, the diameter of the cylinder formed when they merge is 1.75mm, which is consistent with the diameter of commonly used filaments. The melted filaments are integrated within the cylindrical space formed by the upper forming slot 28 and the lower forming slot 23. After the equipment cools down, the top cover is opened to complete the connection of the two filament sections.

[0055] The various embodiments of the present invention have been described above. These descriptions are exemplary and not exhaustive, nor are they limited to the disclosed embodiments. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the described embodiments.

Claims

1. A 3D printed filament connector, characterized in that, The 3D printed filament connector includes a connector body, a substrate (2), a molten material lower pressure block (3), a molten material upper pressure block (4), a stepper motor (13), a hot melt module fixing groove (16), a feeding groove (18), a heating block (19), a lower forming groove (23), and an upper forming groove (28). The substrate (2) is used to support the components; The substrate (2) is provided with a hot melt module fixing groove (16) in the middle. The hot melt module fixing groove (16) is used to accommodate the molten material pressing block (3) and the heating block (19) for heating the 3D printing filament. The lower pressure block (3) of the molten material is provided with a lower forming groove (23) that can accommodate 3D printing filament, and the upper pressure block (4) of the molten material is provided with an upper forming groove (28) that can accommodate 3D printing filament; the lower forming groove (23) and the upper forming groove (28) can together form a cylindrical cavity structure; the feed groove (18) is connected to the lower forming groove (23); A stepper motor (13) is provided at the lower part of the substrate (2), and the stepper motor (13) is used to provide kinetic energy for the feeding of 3D printing filament.

2. The 3D printed filament connector according to claim 1, characterized in that, The 3D printed filament connector also includes: The guide wheel (12) is located above the guide wheel mounting holes (15) on both sides of the substrate (2) and is used to transport the 3D printing filament to the lower forming groove (23) or the upper forming groove (28).

3. The 3D printed filament connector according to claim 1, characterized in that, The stepper motor (13) is disposed in the stepper motor fixing groove (27) at the bottom of the substrate (2).

4. The 3D printed filament connector according to claim 1, characterized in that, The 3D printed filament connector also includes: The feeding gear (9) is driven to rotate by the stepper motor output shaft (31) of the stepper motor (13).

5. The 3D printed filament connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: Inside the hot melt module fixing groove (16), the molten material pressing block (3) is positioned above the heating block (19).

6. The 3D printed filament connector according to claim 1, characterized in that, The diameter of the cylindrical cavity structure is 1~3mm.

7. The 3D printed filament connector according to claim 1, characterized in that, The 3D printed filament connector also includes: Circuit board (35), which is connected to the stepper motor cable (33) of the stepper motor (13) and the heating block cable (22) on the heating block (19).

8. The 3D printed filament connector according to claim 1, characterized in that, The 3D printed filament connector also includes: A screen (1) is set on the connector body and is used to control the 3D printed filament connector.

9. The 3D printed filament connector according to claim 1, characterized in that, The 3D printed filament connector also includes: The upper cover (5) and the upper pressure block (4) of the molten material are an integral structure.

Images