Automatic leveling device of 3D printer and 3D printer

Abstract

The utility model relates to 3D printer technical field especially is 3D printer's automatic leveling device and 3D printer, automatic leveling device includes base, platform, movable connecting mechanism, limiting mechanism and drive mechanism, is provided with the storage groove on the base, is provided with ball head connecting assembly A in the storage groove, platform is connected with ball head connecting assembly, movable connecting mechanism includes two groups and is all set up in the storage groove, and movable connecting mechanism's movable end is connected with platform, limiting mechanism sets up on the lug plate, and limiting mechanism locks movable connecting mechanism's state under the working condition, drive mechanism sets up on the base and drives the connecting mounting base, is provided with the disc on the mounting base, the bottom surface of disc sets up a plurality of positioning columns, and the mounting base sets up the lifting drive part that drives disc sliding, the utility model provides an automatic leveling device based on center ball hinge support, two side linkage fine adjustment and mechanical rigidity locking mechanism, and simple and convenient operation.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of 3D printer technology, and in particular to an automatic leveling device for a 3D printer and a 3D printer. Background Technology

[0002] In fused deposition modeling (FDM) 3D printers, the initial levelness of the printing stage is a critical factor determining the quality of the first layer and even the success or failure of the entire printing operation. This is especially true for users mass-producing small, intricate models such as 3D toys; issues like poor first-layer adhesion and uneven bottom surfaces caused by a non-parallel stage can directly lead to product scrap, severely impacting production efficiency and costs.

[0003] Currently, common leveling methods for 3D printers mainly include manual leveling and automatic leveling. Manual leveling relies on the operator's experience and feel, adjusting by rotating several knobs under the stage. This process is cumbersome, time-consuming, and difficult to achieve and maintain high precision, failing to meet the consistency and efficiency requirements of industrial mass production. Existing automatic leveling solutions, while reducing manual intervention to some extent, mostly suffer from structural complexity, high cost, or insufficient stability. For example, some solutions using multiple independent Z-axis motors have complex control logic and high costs; while some leveling mechanisms using servo motors and linkages are insufficient in terms of locking reliability and long-term stability, and are prone to drifting in vibration environments, leading to inaccurate leveling during printing.

[0004] Therefore, there is an urgent need in this field for an automatic leveling device that has a reasonable structure, high leveling accuracy, reliable locking, and is suitable for industrial environments. Utility Model Content

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to address the problems existing in the background technology by proposing an automatic leveling device for a 3D printer and a 3D printer.

[0006] The technical solution of this utility model is as follows: On the one hand, this utility model proposes an automatic leveling device for a 3D printer, including a base, a storage groove on the base, and a ball head connection component A centrally located in the storage groove; A platform, which is mounted on a base and connected to the movable end of a ball joint assembly; The movable connecting mechanism includes two sets, both of which are set in the storage slot. The distance between the two sets of movable connecting mechanisms and the fixed part of the ball head connecting component A is the same. The movable end of the movable connecting mechanism is connected to the platform. The two sets of movable connecting mechanisms and the fixed part of the ball head connecting component A are arranged in a right-angled isosceles triangle. The limiting mechanism is installed on the ear plate and locks the state of the movable connecting mechanism when it is in operation. The system includes a drive mechanism mounted on a base and driving a connecting mounting base. The mounting base has a disc that slides along its height direction. Several positioning posts are arranged in a circular array around the bottom surface of the disc's axis. The mounting base also has a lifting drive component that drives the disc to slide along its height direction. When the limiting mechanism is released, the lifting drive component presses down the disc when it moves above the ball joint assembly A, so that each positioning post abuts against the surface of the platform.

[0007] Preferably, the ball joint assembly A includes a fixed base A and a ball head A. The fixed base A is provided with a spherical groove, the ball head A is located in the spherical groove and is slidably connected to its inner wall, and a column rod A is provided at one end of the ball head A that extends out of the spherical groove. The axis of the column rod A passes through the center of the ball head A, and the platform is connected to the end of the column rod A away from the ball head A.

[0008] Preferably, the movable connection mechanism includes an ear plate, a connecting rod A, a connecting rod B, and a ball joint connection assembly B. The ear plate is connected to the inner wall of the storage groove, and a spline shaft is provided on the ear plate for rotatable connection. One end of the connecting rod A is connected to the spline shaft, and both ends of the connecting rod B are respectively connected to the end of the connecting rod A away from the spline shaft and the movable end of the ball joint connection assembly B. The fixed part of the ball joint connection assembly B is connected to the bottom surface of the platform.

[0009] Preferably, the limiting mechanism includes a brake disc, a spring rod, a brake pad, and a drive assembly A. The brake disc is coaxially connected to the spline shaft, and an anti-slip layer is provided on the outer arc surface of the brake disc. One end of the spring rod is connected to a lug plate, and the movable end of the spring rod is connected to a slider that is slidably connected to the lug plate. A brake pad is provided at the end of the slider away from the spring rod, and the brake pad is in a damping engagement with the arc surface of the brake disc. The drive assembly A is provided on the lug plate, and in the working state, the drive assembly A drives the slider to move away from or closer to the brake disc.

[0010] Preferably, a basalt protective cover is provided on the outside of the storage slot on the base, and the top of the basalt anti-slip cover is connected to the platform.

[0011] Preferably, the drive mechanism includes a carriage, a drive assembly B, a movable plate, a drive assembly C, and a drive assembly D. The carriage and drive assembly B are both mounted on the base, and drive assembly B drives the carriage to move along the Y-axis. The movable plate and drive assembly C are both mounted on the carriage, and drive assembly C drives the movable plate to slide along the Z-axis. The mounting base and drive assembly D are both mounted on the movable plate, and drive assembly D drives the mounting base to slide along the X-axis.

[0012] On the other hand, this utility model also proposes a 3D printer, including the above-mentioned automatic leveling device, and also including a print head, which is disposed at the bottom of the mounting base.

[0013] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial technical effects: By using a ball-joint connection assembly as the central fulcrum and combining it with two sets of movable connection mechanisms arranged in right-angled isosceles triangles, a stable support structure is formed that allows for multi-degree-of-freedom micro-rotation of the platform. This structure has a reasonable mechanical distribution and strong load-bearing capacity. Meanwhile, the limiting mechanism uses a non-contact electromagnetic drive to control the mechanical brake, avoiding the impact of frequent starts and stops on components, resulting in less wear and a longer service life. The entire leveling operation does not require complex calculations or debugging, making it simple and convenient. Attached Figure Description

[0014] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of one embodiment of the present utility model; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the connection structure of the various components inside the storage slot; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the connection structure between the ear plate and the fixed base B; Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the connection structure of the various components on the mounting base.

[0015] Reference numerals: 1. Base; 101. Storage slot; 2. Fixed seat A; 3. Ball head A; 4. Column A; 5. Platform; 6. Ear plate; 7. Spline shaft; 8. Connecting rod A; 9. Connecting rod B; 10. Ball head B; 11. Fixed seat B; 12. Brake disc; 13. Spring rod; 14. Slider; 15. Brake pad; 16. Permanent magnet; 17. Electromagnet; 18. Carriage; 19. Linear module A; 20. Movable plate; 21. Linear module B; 22. Mounting seat; 23. Linear module C; 24. Print head; 25. Disc; 26. Positioning column; 27. Servo electric cylinder. Detailed Implementation

[0016] Example 1, as Figures 1-4 As shown, this utility model proposes an automatic leveling device for a 3D printer, including a base 1, a stage 5, a movable connecting mechanism, a limiting mechanism, and a driving mechanism. The base 1 has a receiving groove 101, and a ball-head connecting assembly A is centrally located within the receiving groove 101. The ball-head connecting assembly A includes a fixed base A2 and a ball head A3. The fixed base A2 has a spherical groove, and the ball head A3 is located within the spherical groove and slidably connected to its inner wall. A column rod A4 is provided at one end of the ball head A3 extending out of the spherical groove, and the axis of the column rod A4 passes through the center of the ball head A3. The stage 5 is mounted on the base 1, and the stage 5 is connected to the end of the column rod A4 furthest from the ball head A3.

[0017] The movable connection mechanism includes two sets, both of which are set in the storage slot 101. The two sets of movable connection mechanisms are spaced at the same distance from the fixed part of the ball head connection component A. The movable end of the movable connection mechanism is connected to the platform 5. The two sets of movable connection mechanisms and the fixed part of the ball head connection component A are arranged in a right-angled isosceles triangle. The movable connection mechanism includes an ear plate 6, a connecting rod A8, a connecting rod B9, and a ball head connection assembly B. The ear plate 6 is connected to the inner wall of the storage groove 101. A spline shaft 7 is provided on the ear plate 6 and rotatably connected thereto. One end of the connecting rod A8 is connected to the spline shaft 7, and the other end is rotatably connected to the connecting rod B9. The ball head connection assembly B includes, but is not limited to, a ball head B10, a fixed seat B11, and a column B. The column B is connected to the end of the connecting rod B9 away from the connecting rod A8. The column B is connected to the ball head B10, and the axis of the column B passes through the center of the ball head B10. The fixed seat B11 is connected to the bottom surface of the platform 5. A spherical groove with an opening facing downwards is provided on the fixed seat B11. The ball head B10 is located in the spherical groove and slidably connected to its inner wall.

[0018] A limiting mechanism is mounted on the ear plate 6. The limiting mechanism includes a brake disc 12, a spring rod 13, a brake pad 15, and a drive assembly A. The brake disc 12 is coaxially connected to the spline shaft 7, and an anti-slip layer is provided on the outer arc surface of the brake disc 12. One end of the spring rod 13 is connected to the ear plate 6, and the movable end of the spring rod 13 is connected to a slider 14 that is slidably connected to the ear plate 6. The end of the slider 14 away from the spring rod 13 is provided with the brake pad 15, which engages with the arc surface damping of the brake disc 12. The drive assembly A includes, but is not limited to, a permanent magnet 16 and an electromagnet 17. The permanent magnet 16 is mounted on the slider 14, and the electromagnet 17 is mounted on the ear plate 6. By changing the direction of the current flowing to the electromagnet 17, the permanent magnet 16 drives the slider 14 away from or towards the brake disc 12, thereby limiting or releasing the rotation of the spline shaft 7.

[0019] The drive mechanism is mounted on the base 1 and drives the connecting mounting base 22. The drive mechanism includes a slide 18, a drive assembly B, a movable plate 20, a drive assembly C, and a drive assembly D. Both the slide 18 and the drive assembly B are mounted on the base 1. The drive assembly B uses, but is not limited to, a linear module A19. The output end of the linear module A19 is connected to the slide 18, and the linear module A19 drives the slide 18 to move along the Y-axis in the working state. Both the movable plate 20 and the drive assembly C are mounted on the slide 18. The drive assembly C includes, but is not limited to, a linear module B21. The output end of the linear module B21 is connected to the movable plate 20, and the linear module B21 drives the movable plate 20 to slide along the Z-axis in the working state. Both the mounting base 22 and the drive assembly D are mounted on the movable plate 20. The drive assembly D includes, but is not limited to, the linear module C23. The output end of the linear module C23 is connected to the mounting base 22. In the working state, the linear module C23 drives the mounting base 22 to slide along the X-axis. The mounting base 22 is provided with a disc 25 that slides along its height direction. The bottom surface of the disc 25 is arranged in a circular array around its axis with several positioning posts 26. The mounting base 22 is also provided with a lifting drive component that drives the disc 25 to slide along its height direction. The lifting drive component includes, but is not limited to, a servo electric cylinder 27. The body of the servo electric cylinder 27 is connected to the mounting base 22, and the output end of the servo electric cylinder 27 is connected to the disc 25. When the limiting mechanism is released, and the disc 25 moves above the ball joint assembly A, the servo electric cylinder 27 presses the disc 25 down until each positioning post 26 abuts against the surface of the platform 5.

[0020] In this embodiment, before leveling begins, the controller first energizes the electromagnet 17 of the drive component A in the limiting mechanism, causing it to generate a magnetic force that attracts the permanent magnet 16. This repulsive force pushes the slider 14 to overcome the elastic force of the spring rod 13 and slide along the ear plate 6, causing the brake pad 15 fixed on the slider 14 to move away from and disengage from the brake disc 12. At this point, the rotation restriction of the spline shaft 7 is released, and the movable connecting mechanism connected to it (including the ear plate 6, connecting rod A8, connecting rod B9, and ball joint connecting component B) is in a free-moving state. Therefore, the platform 5 can be tilted with multiple degrees of freedom through the ball joint connecting component A and the two sets of movable connecting mechanisms.

[0021] Next, the drive mechanism begins to operate. Linear module A19 of drive assembly B drives the carriage 18 to move along the Y-axis; linear module B21 of drive assembly C drives the movable plate 20 to rise and fall along the Z-axis; and linear module C23 of drive assembly D drives the mounting base 22 to move along the X-axis. Through the coordinated movement of these three components, the disc 25 at the bottom of the mounting base 22 is precisely moved to the first preset measurement point (usually directly above the ball joint assembly A). Subsequently, the servo electric cylinder 27 of the lifting drive unit actuates, driving the disc 25 downwards until all the positioning posts 26 in the annular array on the bottom surface of the disc 25 are stably in contact with the upper surface of the platform 5. Because the positioning posts 26 are distributed in a annular array, they collectively define a reference plane.

[0022] After the stage 5 is adjusted to a horizontal position, the controller changes the direction of the current to the electromagnet 17. The electromagnet 17, combined with the repulsive force of the permanent magnet 16 and the restoring force of the spring rod 13, pushes the slider 14 and brake pad 15 towards the brake disc 12. The brake pad 15 and the anti-slip layer on the curved surface of the brake disc 12 generate a strong damping friction force, instantly locking the spline shaft 7 and preventing it from rotating. The movable connection mechanism is thus firmly locked in the adjusted position, and the stage 5 is reliably fixed in this horizontal state. Finally, the servo electric cylinder 27 lifts the disk 25, and the drive mechanism moves it back to the initial position, completing the entire automatic leveling process. The 3D printer can then begin high-precision printing.

[0023] Example 2, as Figure 1 and Figure 4 As shown, this utility model proposes a 3D printer, including the automatic leveling device described in Embodiment 1, and also includes a print head 24. The print head 24 is disposed at the bottom of the mounting base 22, and the slide 18 is provided with a feeding tray for the print head 24 to supply printing consumables. At the same time, a control panel (not shown) is provided on the base 1. The control panel adopts a combination of HMI (human-machine interface) and a general-purpose microprocessor-based 3D printer main control board.

[0024] In this embodiment, the HMI provides users with an intuitive and user-friendly interface, allowing them to easily issue various commands by touching the screen.

[0025] The embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. Various changes can be made within the scope of knowledge possessed by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

Claims

1. An automatic leveling device for a 3D printer, characterized in that, include: A base (1) is provided with a storage slot (101) and a ball head connection component A is provided in the center of the storage slot (101); The platform (5) is set on the base (1) and connected to the movable end of the ball head connection assembly; The movable connection mechanism includes two sets, both of which are set in the storage slot (101). The distance between the two sets of movable connection mechanisms and the fixed part of the ball head connection component A is the same. The movable end of the movable connection mechanism is connected to the platform (5). The two sets of movable connection mechanisms and the fixed part of the ball head connection component A are arranged in a right-angled isosceles triangle. The limiting mechanism is set on the ear plate (6). The limiting mechanism locks the state of the movable connecting mechanism in the working state. And a drive mechanism, which is set on the base (1) and drives the connecting mounting base (22). The mounting base (22) is provided with a disc (25) that slides along its height direction. The bottom surface of the disc (25) is arranged in a ring array around its axis with several positioning posts (26). The mounting base (22) is provided with a lifting drive component that drives the disc (25) to slide along its height direction. When the limiting mechanism is released, the lifting drive component presses down the disc (25) when the disc (25) moves above the ball head connecting assembly A, so that each positioning post (26) abuts against the surface of the platform (5).

2. The automatic leveling device for a 3D printer according to claim 1, characterized in that, The ball joint assembly A includes a fixed seat A (2) and a ball head A (3). A spherical groove is provided on the fixed seat A (2). The ball head A (3) is located in the spherical groove and is slidably connected to its inner wall. A column rod A (4) is provided at one end of the ball head A (3) that extends out of the spherical groove. The axis of the column rod A (4) passes through the center of the ball head A (3), and the platform (5) is connected to the end of the column rod A (4) away from the ball head A (3).

3. The automatic leveling device for a 3D printer according to claim 1, characterized in that, The movable connection mechanism includes an ear plate (6), a connecting rod A (8), a connecting rod B (9), and a ball head connection assembly B. The ear plate (6) is connected to the inner wall of the storage groove (101). A spline shaft (7) is provided on the ear plate (6) and rotates therewith. One end of the connecting rod A (8) is connected to the spline shaft (7). Both ends of the connecting rod B (9) are connected to the end of the connecting rod A (8) away from the spline shaft (7) and the movable end of the ball head connection assembly B, respectively. The fixed part of the ball head connection assembly B is connected to the bottom surface of the platform (5).

4. The automatic leveling device for a 3D printer according to claim 3, characterized in that, The limiting mechanism includes a brake disc (12), a spring rod (13), a brake pad (15), and a drive assembly A. The brake disc (12) is coaxially connected to the spline shaft (7), and the outer arc surface of the brake disc (12) is provided with an anti-slip layer. One end of the spring rod (13) is connected to the ear plate (6), and the movable end of the spring rod (13) is connected to a slider (14) that is slidably connected to the ear plate (6). The end of the slider (14) away from the spring rod (13) is provided with a brake pad (15), and the brake pad (15) is damped by the arc surface of the brake disc (12). The drive assembly A is set on the ear plate (6), and the drive assembly A drives the slider (14) away from or close to the brake disc (12) in the working state.

5. The automatic leveling device for a 3D printer according to claim 1, characterized in that, A snake belly protective cover is installed on the outside of the storage slot (101) on the base (1), and the top of the snake belly anti-slip cover is connected to the platform (5).

6. The automatic leveling device for a 3D printer according to claim 1, characterized in that, The drive mechanism includes a slide (18), a drive assembly B, a movable plate (20), a drive assembly C, and a drive assembly D. The slide (18) and the drive assembly B are both mounted on the base (1). The drive assembly B drives the slide (18) to move along the Y-axis. The movable plate (20) and the drive assembly C are both mounted on the slide (18). The drive assembly C drives the movable plate (20) to slide along the Z-axis. The mounting base (22) and the drive assembly D are both mounted on the movable plate (20). The drive assembly D drives the mounting base (22) to slide along the X-axis.

7. A 3D printer, comprising the automatic leveling device according to any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that, It also includes a printhead (24), which is located at the bottom of the mounting base (22).

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