Hot end structure, nozzle kit, and stereolithography apparatus

Abstract

The application provides a hot end structure, a nozzle kit and a stereoscopic printing device. The hot end structure comprises a heating assembly, a heat dissipation assembly and a quick release assembly. The heating assembly is configured to heat a nozzle assembly. The heat dissipation assembly is configured to dissipate heat from the nozzle assembly. The quick release assembly comprises a clamping seat and a movable piece. The clamping seat is connected to the heat dissipation assembly. The movable piece is movably connected to the clamping seat. Based on the movement of the movable piece relative to the clamping seat, the movable piece can make the clamping seat clamp or release the heating assembly.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of 3D printing technology, and in particular to a hot-end structure, a nozzle kit, and a 3D printing device. Background Technology

[0002] The heating and cooling structures in the nozzle kit are usually connected to the same mounting base by screws, making the disassembly and assembly of the heating and cooling structures cumbersome. Utility Model Content

[0003] This application provides a hot-end structure, a nozzle kit, and a 3D printing device to solve the problem of cumbersome disassembly and assembly of heating and heat dissipation structures in known technologies.

[0004] This application provides a hot-end structure, including a heating component, a heat dissipation component, and a quick-release component; the heating component is configured as a heating nozzle assembly; the heat dissipation component is configured to dissipate heat from the nozzle assembly; the quick-release component includes a clamping seat and a movable member, the clamping seat being connected to the heat dissipation component, and the movable member being movably connected to the clamping seat. Based on the movement of the movable member relative to the clamping seat, the movable member can cause the clamping seat to clamp or release the heating component.

[0005] In one possible implementation, the clamping seat includes a first clamping portion and a second clamping portion, and the movable member is movably connected to at least one of the first clamping portion and the second clamping portion for clamping or releasing the nozzle assembly.

[0006] In one possible implementation, one end of the movable member is movably connected to the first clamping portion, and the other end of the movable member is configured to move the second clamping portion toward one side of the first clamping portion.

[0007] In one possible implementation, when the second clamping part clamps the heating component with the first clamping part, the movable member can engage with the second clamping part to fix the second clamping part relative to the first clamping part.

[0008] In one possible implementation, the clamping seat further includes a base, one end of the first clamping portion and the second clamping portion are connected to the same side of the base, one end of the movable member is movably connected to the end of the first clamping portion away from the base, and the other end of the movable member is used to engage with the end of the second clamping portion away from the base.

[0009] In one possible implementation, the movable member includes a movable part and a snap-fit ​​part. The movable part is rotatably connected to the first clamping part, one end of the snap-fit ​​part is rotatably connected to the movable part, and the other end of the snap-fit ​​part is used to snap-fit ​​with the second clamping part.

[0010] In one possible implementation, the clamp is detachably connected to the heat dissipation assembly.

[0011] In one possible implementation, the heat dissipation assembly includes a heat sink and a connector, the connector being connected to the heat sink, and the clamping seat being detachably connected to the connector.

[0012] In one possible implementation, the clamp is configured to prevent heat transfer between the heating component and the heat dissipation component.

[0013] This application also provides a nozzle kit, including a nozzle assembly and the above-mentioned hot end structure, wherein the nozzle assembly is sequentially disposed within the heat dissipation assembly and the heating assembly.

[0014] This application also provides a stereoscopic printing apparatus, including the above-described hot end structure or the above-described nozzle kit.

[0015] In the hot-end structure of this application, the clamping seat in the quick-release assembly can clamp the heating component, and the movement of the movable part relative to the clamping seat can clamp or release the heating component, thereby allowing the heating component to be quickly separated from the heat dissipation assembly, improving assembly and disassembly efficiency. Furthermore, fixing the heating component by clamping reduces the assembly steps for each component compared to threaded connections, and also reduces the risk of loosening due to thermal expansion at the contact surfaces of different materials. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the nozzle kit of this application in one embodiment.

[0017] Figure 2 This is an exploded schematic diagram of the nozzle kit of this application in one embodiment.

[0018] Figure 3 for Figure 1 The diagram shows the hot end structure in one embodiment, with the clamp in a state where the heating component is released.

[0019] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the quick-release assembly of the hot end structure in one embodiment of this application, in which the clamping seat is in the state of clamping the heating assembly.

[0020] Figure 5 This is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the hot end structure of this application in one embodiment.

[0021] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the stereoscopic printing device of this application in one embodiment.

[0022] Key component symbols: 300, 3D printing equipment; 200, nozzle kit; 100, hot end structure; Z, first direction; X, second direction; Y, third direction; 10, heat dissipation assembly; 11, heat sink; 111, heat dissipation body; 1110, perforation; 112, heat dissipation fins; 12, connector; 121, first section; 122, second section; 1221, second connecting hole; 1222, fourth connecting hole; 20, heating assembly; 21, inner sleeve; 22, outer sleeve; 23, heater; 30, quick-release assembly; 31, clamping seat; 311, first clamping part; 3111, mounting protrusion; 311 2. Second rotating hole; 3113. First clamping groove; 312. Second clamping part; 3120. Third connecting hole; 3121. Snap-fit ​​protrusion; 3122. Snap-fit ​​groove; 3123. Second clamping groove; 313. Base; 3130. First connecting hole; 314. First gap; 315. Second gap; 32. Movable part; 321. Movable part; 3211. Mounting groove; 3212. First rotating hole; 3213. Movable hole; 322. Snap-fit ​​part; 3221. First vertical part; 3222. Second vertical part; 3223. Horizontal part; 40. Nozzle assembly; 41. Nozzle; 42. Throat; 50. Frame.

[0023] The following detailed description, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, will further illustrate this application. Detailed Implementation

[0024] The following description will refer to the accompanying drawings to provide a more complete picture of the present application. The drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments of the present application. However, the present application may be implemented in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the exemplary embodiments set forth herein. These exemplary embodiments are provided to make the present application thorough and complete, and to fully convey the scope of the present application to those skilled in the art. Similar reference numerals denote the same or similar components.

[0025] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular exemplary embodiments only and is not intended to limit the application. As used herein, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to also include the plural forms. Furthermore, when used herein, “comprising” and / or “including” and / or “having,” integers, steps, operations, components, and / or components, but does not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, regions, integers, steps, operations, components, and / or groups thereof.

[0026] Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein (including technical and scientific terms) have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this application pertains. Furthermore, unless expressly defined herein, terms such as those defined in a general dictionary should be interpreted as having the same meaning as they have in the relevant art and in the content of this application, and will not be interpreted as having an idealized or overly formal meaning.

[0027] The specific embodiments of this application will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0028] like Figures 1 to 3 As shown, this embodiment provides a hot-end structure 100 applied to a nozzle assembly 40. The hot-end structure 100 includes a heating assembly 20, a heat dissipation assembly 10, and a quick-release assembly 30. The nozzle assembly 40 includes a nozzle 41 and a throat 42. One end of the throat 42 is used to receive consumables, and the other end of the throat 42 is connected to the nozzle 41 to deliver the consumables received by the throat 42 to the nozzle 41.

[0029] The throat 42 passes sequentially through the heat dissipation assembly 10 and the heating assembly 20, with the heating assembly 20 located at one end of the heat dissipation assembly 10 near the nozzle 41 of the nozzle assembly 40. The heating assembly 20 is configured to heat the nozzle assembly 40, and the heat dissipation assembly 10 is configured to dissipate heat from the nozzle assembly 40. The quick-release assembly 30 includes a clamping seat 31 and a movable member 32. The clamping seat 31 is connected to the heat dissipation assembly 10, and the movable member 32 is movably connected to the clamping seat 31. Based on the movement of the movable member 32 relative to the clamping seat 31, the movable member 32 can cause the clamping seat 31 to clamp or release the heating assembly 20.

[0030] Thus, in the hot-end structure 100 of this application, the clamping seat 31 in the quick-release assembly 30 can clamp the heating assembly 20, and the clamping seat 31 can be clamped or released by the movement of the movable member 32 relative to the clamping seat 31, thereby allowing the heating assembly 20 to be quickly separated from the heat dissipation assembly 10, improving the efficiency of disassembly and assembly. In addition, fixing the heating assembly 20 by clamping reduces the assembly steps of each component compared to threaded connection, and reduces the possibility of thermal expansion loosening caused by the contact surfaces of different materials.

[0031] For ease of reading, this application introduces the terms first direction Z, second direction X, and third direction Y to describe the embodiments of this application. The first direction Z, second direction X, and third direction Y can be three non-parallel straight lines in space; further, the first direction Z, second direction X, and third direction Y can be three mutually perpendicular directions in a three-dimensional coordinate system (a three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system). In subsequent embodiments, the first direction Z is described as the Z-axis direction of the three-dimensional coordinate system, the second direction X as the X-axis direction of the three-dimensional coordinate system, and the third direction Y as the Y-axis direction of the three-dimensional coordinate system.

[0032] Please combine Figures 2 to 4 In one embodiment, the clamp 31 is detachably connected to the heat dissipation assembly 10.

[0033] The heat dissipation assembly 10 includes a heat sink 11 and a connector 12. The connector 12 is connected to the heat sink 11, and the clamping base 31 is detachably connected to the connector 12.

[0034] In this embodiment, the heat sink 11 includes a heat sink body 111 and a plurality of heat sink fins 112. The heat sink body 111 is disposed along a first direction Z, and along a second direction X, a plurality of heat sink fins 112 are provided on opposite sides of the heat sink body 111, and the plurality of heat sink fins 112 on any side of the heat sink body 111 are arranged sequentially at intervals along the first direction Z. The plurality of heat sink fins 112 are integrally formed with the heat sink body 111, and both the plurality of heat sink fins 112 and the heat sink body 111 are made of thermally conductive materials such as aluminum.

[0035] Specifically, the heat dissipation body 111 has a perforation 1110, and the throat 42 passes through the perforation 1110. The portion of the throat 42 located inside the perforation 1110 contacts the wall of the perforation 1110, so that the throat 42 is thermally coupled to the heat dissipation body 111, and then the heat dissipation body 111 and the heat dissipation fins 112 dissipate heat from the throat 42.

[0036] In this embodiment, the number of connectors 12 is set to two, and along the second direction X, the two connectors 12 are respectively connected to opposite sides of the heat dissipation body 111.

[0037] The connector 12 has an approximately "L" shaped cross-section and includes a first section 121 and a second section 122. The first section 121 is disposed along a second direction X, with one end integrally formed on the top sidewall of the heat dissipation body 111, and the first section 121 extends beyond the heat dissipation fins 112 in the second direction X. The second section 122 is disposed along a first direction Z, with one end integrally formed on the end of the first section 121 that extends beyond the heat dissipation fins 112, so that the second section 122 is spaced apart from the heat dissipation fins 112 to avoid contact between the second section 122 and the heat dissipation fins 112. The other end of the second section 122 extends beyond the heat dissipation body 111 in the first direction Z, and a clamping seat 31 is connected to the end of the second section 122 that extends beyond the heat dissipation body 111, so that the clamping seat 31 is spaced apart below the heat dissipation body 11.

[0038] Please combine Figures 2 to 4 In one embodiment, the clamping seat 31 includes a first clamping portion 311 and a second clamping portion 312, and the movable member 32 is movably connected to at least one of the first clamping portion 311 and the second clamping portion 312 for clamping or releasing the nozzle assembly 40.

[0039] The clamping base 31 is located between the second sections 122 of the two connectors 12, and the clamping base 31 also includes a base 313. Along the third direction Y, one end of the first clamping part 311 and the second clamping part 312 are connected to the same side of the base 313. Along the second direction X, the first clamping part 311 and the second clamping part 312 are spaced apart, and one end of the first clamping part 311 and one end of the second clamping part 312 are integrally formed with the base 313, so that the first clamping part 311 and the second clamping part 312 clamp the heating component 20 by stress deformation relative to the base 313, and release the heating component 20 by the reset action of the first clamping part 311 and the second clamping part 312.

[0040] In this embodiment, along the second direction X, the base 313 has first connecting holes 3130 on both opposite sides. Each of the two second sections 122 has a second connecting hole 1221, which corresponds to the two first connecting holes 3130. Both the second connecting holes 1221 and the two first connecting holes 3130 are threaded holes, allowing the base 313 to be connected to the two second sections 122 by fasteners such as bolts threadedly connecting to the first connecting holes 3130 and the second connecting holes 1221.

[0041] Along the third direction Y, the first clamping part 311 and the second clamping part 312 are both provided with a third connecting hole 3120 at the end away from the base 313, and the two second sections 122 are both provided with a fourth connecting hole 1222. The two third connecting holes 3120 and the two fourth connecting holes 1222 are correspondingly arranged, and the two third connecting holes 3120 and the two fourth connecting holes 1222 are threaded holes. Thus, the base 313 is connected to the first clamping part 311 and the second clamping part 312 by fasteners such as bolts threadedly connecting to the third connecting holes 3120 and the fourth connecting holes 1222.

[0042] Furthermore, the clamp 31 is configured to prevent heat transfer between the heating component 20 and the heat dissipation component 10. The clamp 31 may be made of heat-insulating material to avoid heat transfer between the heating component 20 and the heat dissipation component 10, which are simultaneously connected to the clamp 31. This would prevent the heating effect of the heating component 20 from reaching the expected value and would also affect the heat dissipation of the heat dissipation component 10.

[0043] It is understood that, in other embodiments, a heat insulation layer may be provided on the contact surface of the clamping base 31 that contacts the heating component 20 and the heat dissipation component 10.

[0044] In this embodiment, a first gap 314 is provided between the ends of the first clamping portion 311 and the second clamping portion 312 near the base 313, and a second gap 315 is provided between the ends of the first clamping portion 311 and the second clamping portion 312 away from the base 313. Furthermore, along the second direction X, a first clamping groove 3113 is formed on the side of the middle section of the first clamping portion 311 near the second clamping portion 312, and a second clamping groove 3123 is formed on the side of the middle section of the second clamping portion 312 near the first clamping portion 311. Both the first clamping groove 3113 and the second clamping groove 3123 are semi-circular in shape and are connected to form a clamping groove. The heating component 20 is partially located within the clamping groove, thereby clamping the heating component 20 by the first clamping portion 311 and the second clamping portion 312.

[0045] Furthermore, both the first gap 314 and the second gap 315 are connected to the clamping groove, so that the ends of the first clamping part 311 and the second clamping part 312 near the base 313 can undergo stress deformation relative to the base 313, thereby bringing the first clamping part 311 and the second clamping part 312 closer to each other to clamp the heating assembly 20, and can be reset after the first clamping part 311 and the second clamping part 312 undergo stress deformation.

[0046] Please combine Figures 2 to 4 In one embodiment, one end of the movable member 32 is movably connected to the first clamping part 311, and the other end of the movable member 32 is configured to move the second clamping part 312 toward one side of the first clamping part 311.

[0047] Furthermore, when the movable part 32 moves relative to the first clamping part 311, the movable part 32 can also drive the first clamping part 311 to move toward the side of the second clamping part 312, thereby realizing the close movement of the first clamping part 311 and the second clamping part 312 and ensuring the stability of clamping.

[0048] When the second clamping part 312 clamps the heating assembly 20 with the first clamping part 311, the movable member 32 can engage with the second clamping part 312 to fix the second clamping part 312 relative to the first clamping part 311. One end of the movable member 32 is movably connected to the end of the first clamping part 311 away from the base 313, and the other end of the movable member 32 is used to engage with the end of the second clamping part 312 away from the base 313.

[0049] When the movable member 32 clamps the heating assembly 20 with the first clamping part 311 and the second clamping part 312, the movable member 32 engages with the second clamping part 312, thereby fixing the second clamping part 312 relative to the first clamping part 311, thus ensuring that the first clamping part 311 and the second clamping part 312 continuously clamp the heating assembly 20. Subsequently, the movement of the movable member 32 releases the engagement with the second clamping part 312, and the first clamping part 311 and the second clamping part 312 reset, thus releasing the heating assembly 20.

[0050] In this embodiment, the movable part 32 includes a movable part 321 and a snap-fit ​​part 322. The movable part 321 is rotatably connected to the first clamping part 311, one end of the snap-fit ​​part 322 is rotatably connected to the movable part 321, and the other end of the snap-fit ​​part 322 is used to snap-fit ​​with the second clamping part 312.

[0051] The quick-release assembly 30 also includes a rotating shaft, the axis of which is parallel to the first direction Z. Along the third direction Y, the end of the first clamping part 311 away from the base 313 has a mounting protrusion 3111, and the end of the movable part 321 has a mounting groove 3211, with the mounting protrusion 3111 located within the mounting groove 3211. The movable part 321 has a first rotating hole 3212, and the mounting protrusion 3111 has a second rotating hole 3112. The rotating shaft is fixed within the second rotating hole 3112, and the rotating shaft portion is rotatably disposed within the first rotating hole 3212, so that the movable part 321 can rotate relative to the first clamping part 311 about the axis of the rotating shaft.

[0052] Along the third direction Y, the second clamping part 312 has a snap-fit ​​protrusion 3121 at the end away from the base 313. Along the second direction X, the snap-fit ​​protrusion 3121 has a snap-fit ​​groove 3122 on the side away from the mounting protrusion 3111.

[0053] The locking part 322 is generally a rectangular ring structure, and it is not easily deformed to ensure that it can apply sufficient force to the first clamping part 311 and the second clamping part 312, thereby clamping the heating assembly 20. The locking part 322 can be a rectangular ring structure formed by bending a single metal wire, or it can be a rectangular ring structure that is directly machined.

[0054] The snap-fit ​​portion 322 includes a first vertical portion 3221, a second vertical portion 3222, and two horizontal portions 3223. The first vertical portion 3221 and the second vertical portion 3222 are spaced apart along the second direction X, and both are arranged along the first direction Z. The two horizontal portions 3223 are also arranged along the second direction X, located between the first vertical portion 3221 and the second vertical portion 3222, and respectively connect the two ends of the first vertical portion 3221 and the second vertical portion 3222 to form a rectangular ring structure.

[0055] The movable part 321 has a movable hole 3213 extending from the top surface to the bottom surface of the movable part 321 along the first direction Z. The first vertical part 3221 is rotatably disposed in the movable hole 3213, and the second vertical part 3222 is used to hold in the snap-fit ​​groove 3122.

[0056] Thus, when it is necessary to clamp the heating assembly 20, the movable part 321 is rotated toward the side of the second clamping part 312 until the second vertical part 3222 can pass over the snap-fit ​​protrusion 3121 and enter the snap-fit ​​groove 3122. Subsequently, the movable part 321 is rotated toward the side away from the second clamping part 312 until the second vertical part 3222 abuts against the side of the snap-fit ​​protrusion 3121 away from the mounting protrusion 3111, thereby applying force to the first clamping part 311 and the second clamping part 312 through the snap-fit ​​part 322, so that the first clamping part 311 and the second clamping part 312 come closer to each other and clamp the heating assembly 20.

[0057] Specifically, when the first clamping part 311 and the second clamping part 312 clamp the heating component 20, the movable part 321 is attached to the end face of the first clamping part 311 away from the base 313, so as to ensure that the movable part 321 is not easy to shake and cause the first clamping part 311 and the second clamping part 312 to loosen.

[0058] It is understandable that a torsion spring may be provided between the movable part 321 and the mounting protrusion 3111 to apply an elastic force to the movable part 321, thereby preventing the movable part 321 from rotating toward the side of the second clamping part 312, thus ensuring the stability of the clamping.

[0059] Please combine Figure 5And see Figure 2 In one embodiment, the heating assembly 20 includes an outer sleeve 22, an inner sleeve 21, and a heater 23. Both the outer sleeve 22 and the inner sleeve 21 are hollow cylindrical structures. The inner sleeve 21 is fitted around the outer periphery of the throat 42, and the outer sleeve 22 is fitted around the outer periphery of the inner sleeve 21. The outer sleeve 22 is made of a thermally conductive material. The heater 23 is thermally coupled to the outer sleeve 22 so that the heater 23 heats the outer sleeve 22, thereby heating the consumables inside the throat 42.

[0060] The inner sleeve 21 is made of a thermally conductive material, and the inner sleeve 21 is thermally coupled with the outer sleeve 22 and the throat 42 to transfer the heat of the outer sleeve 22 to the throat 42.

[0061] In this embodiment, along the first direction Z, the end of the inner sleeve 21 near the heat dissipation assembly 10 extends beyond the outer sleeve 22. The first clamping part 311 and the second clamping part 312 clamp the end of the inner sleeve 21 that extends beyond the outer sleeve 22 to prevent the first clamping part 311 and the second clamping part 312 from directly contacting the outer sleeve 22 heated by the heater 23.

[0062] like Figure 1 As shown, this embodiment also provides a nozzle kit 200, including a nozzle assembly 40 and the aforementioned hot end structure 100, wherein the nozzle assembly 40 is sequentially disposed in the heat dissipation assembly 10 and the heating assembly 20.

[0063] like Figure 6 As shown, this embodiment also provides a stereoscopic printing device 300, including the above-described hot end structure 100 or the above-described nozzle kit 200.

[0064] The stereoscopic printing apparatus 300 also includes a frame 50 to which the printhead assembly 200 is movably connected. It is understood that the stereoscopic printing apparatus 300 also includes other necessary structures for realizing stereoscopic printing, which are not specifically described in this application.

[0065] The specific embodiments of this application have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, those skilled in the art will understand that various changes and substitutions can be made to the specific embodiments of this application without departing from the scope of this application. All such changes and substitutions fall within the scope defined by this application.

Claims

1. A hot-end structure, characterized in that, include: A heating assembly configured as a heating nozzle assembly; A heat dissipation assembly configured to dissipate heat from the nozzle assembly; The quick-release assembly includes a clamping base and a movable member. The clamping base is connected to the heat dissipation assembly, and the movable member is movably connected to the clamping base. Based on the movement of the movable member relative to the clamping base, the movable member can cause the clamping base to clamp or release the heating assembly.

2. The hot-end structure as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The clamping seat includes a first clamping part and a second clamping part, and the movable member is movably connected to at least one of the first clamping part and the second clamping part for clamping or releasing the nozzle assembly by the first clamping part and the second clamping part.

3. The hot-end structure as described in claim 2, characterized in that, One end of the movable member is movably connected to the first clamping part, and the other end of the movable member is configured to move the second clamping part toward one side of the first clamping part.

4. The hot-end structure as described in claim 3, characterized in that, When the second clamping part clamps the heating component with the first clamping part, the movable part can engage with the second clamping part to fix the second clamping part relative to the first clamping part.

5. The hot-end structure as described in claim 4, characterized in that, The clamping base further includes a base, one end of the first clamping part and the second clamping part are connected to the same side of the base, one end of the movable member is movably connected to the end of the first clamping part away from the base, and the other end of the movable member is used to engage with the end of the second clamping part away from the base.

6. The hot-end structure as described in claim 4, characterized in that, The movable part includes a movable part and a snap-fit ​​part. The movable part is rotatably connected to the first clamping part. One end of the snap-fit ​​part is rotatably connected to the movable part, and the other end of the snap-fit ​​part is used to snap-fit ​​with the second clamping part.

7. The hot-end structure as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The clamp is detachably connected to the heat dissipation assembly.

8. The hot-end structure as described in claim 7, characterized in that, The heat dissipation assembly includes a heat sink and a connector, the connector being connected to the heat sink, and the clamping seat being detachably connected to the connector.

9. The hot-end structure as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The clamp is configured to prevent heat transfer between the heating component and the heat dissipation component.

10. A nozzle kit, characterized in that, It includes a nozzle assembly and a hot end structure as described in any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the nozzle assembly is sequentially disposed within the heat dissipation assembly and the heating assembly.

11. A stereoscopic printing device, characterized in that, Includes the hot end structure as described in any one of claims 1 to 9 or the nozzle kit as described in claim 10.

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