Hotend device of a printer

Abstract

Hotend device of a printer, characterized in that it comprises: - a heating block (10) on one side of which a mounting groove (11) is formed continuously; - a printhead (20) which is locked into the mounting groove (11); - a locking mechanism (30) comprising a movable connecting part (31) and a locking clamping element (32), wherein one end of the movable connecting part (31) is movably pivotally connected to a side of the heating block (10) which is located on a side of the mounting groove (11), and wherein one end of the locking clamping element (32) is pivotally connected to the other end of the movable connecting part (31); - wherein, when the other end of the locking element (32) engages on another side of the heating block (10) which is located on the other side of the mounting groove (11), the locking element (32) presses the print head (20) into the mounting groove (11); wherein the locking element (32) and the movable connecting part (31) assume a mutually folded locking state, and wherein a pivoting end of the movable connecting part (31) has a spatial component directed away from the opening direction of the mounting groove (11).

Description

Technical field

[0001] The invention relates to the technical field of components for 3D printing, in particular a hotend device of a printer. State of the art

[0002] The hotend of a 3D printer is a central component for melting and extruding printing material; its main function is to heat and melt the filament and then precisely extrude it through the print head to perform the 3D printing process. In existing printer hotends, the print head is predominantly mounted to the heating block using a screw connection and clamp. If the print head needs to be replaced due to clogging, wear, or similar issues, disassembly typically requires tools such as a screwdriver, which is cumbersome and reduces replacement efficiency.

[0003] Furthermore, while existing snap-fit ​​mounting structures are easy to assemble and disassemble, they are often complex in design, require a lot of build space, and have insufficient clamping force, leading to stability issues. The main reason for this is that the high temperature of the heating block during the printing process easily causes thermal deformation of the snap-fit ​​structure, creating a gap between the print head and the heating block and impairing heat transfer efficiency. This, in turn, leads to uneven melting of the printing material and problems such as filament breakage and intermittent material extrusion, which can further loosen the print head and significantly compromise 3D printing quality. Content of the present invention

[0004] To solve the aforementioned technical problems, the invention provides a hotend device for a printer, comprising: a heating block, on one side of which a mounting groove is formed continuously; a printhead that is locked into the mounting groove; a locking mechanism comprising a movable connecting part and a locking element, wherein one end of the movable connecting part is movably pivotally attached to a side of the heating block which is located on a side of the mounting groove, and wherein one end of the locking element is pivotally attached to the other end of the movable connecting part; wherein, if the other end of the locking element can engage on another side of the heating block, which is located on the other side of the mounting groove, the locking element can press the print head into the mounting groove; wherein the locking element and the movable connecting part assume a mutually folded locking state, and wherein a pivoting end of the movable connecting part has a spatial component directed away from the opening direction of the mounting groove.

[0005] In some possible embodiments, a bearing eye and a locking head are provided on each of two sides of the mounting groove of the heating block; one end of the movable connecting part is movably pivotally attached to the bearing eye, and the end of the locking element furthest from the movable connecting part can hook onto the locking head.

[0006] In some possible embodiments, a clevis head is provided at a corresponding end of the movable connecting part, wherein two ends of the clevis head are each pivotally attached to two sides of the bearing eye.

[0007] In some possible embodiments, the locking element comprises a connecting section and a hooking section, wherein the connecting section is pivotally hinged to one end of the movable connecting part, the hooking section can hook onto a side of the heating block associated with the mounting groove, and wherein a receiving slot is provided in the connecting section to release the movable connecting part.

[0008] In some possible embodiments, a locking groove is provided in the connecting section, which is designed to adapt to an outer surface of the print head.

[0009] In some possible embodiments, an inclined ramp surface is provided on one side of the heating block where the movable connecting part is hinged, with a ramp crest of the inclined ramp surface being located near the mounting groove; and if the other end of the locking element can hook onto a side associated with the mounting groove, both the locking element and the movable connecting part bear against the inclined ramp surface in partial areas.

[0010] In some possible embodiments, a heating groove is provided on one side of the heating block opposite the mounting groove, with a heating element being provided in the heating groove.

[0011] In some possible embodiments, a spring plate is provided in the heating groove on an outside side of the heating element, wherein the spring plate is fastened in the heating groove by means of a screw, and wherein the spring plate can rest against the heating element and press it against a bottom surface of the heating groove.

[0012] In some possible embodiments, a limiting projection is provided in the mounting groove, and a limiting groove adapted to the limiting projection is provided on the outer wall of the printhead.

[0013] In some possible embodiments, a vent hole is connected to the mounting groove at one end of the mounting groove, which is located at the discharge end of the print head.

[0014] Compared to the prior art, the advantageous effect of the invention lies in the fact that the hotend assembly of a printer according to the invention forms a locking mechanism by means of a movable connecting element and a locking clamp, thereby enabling tool-free quick assembly and disassembly of the printhead. The locking mechanism is formed by the movable connecting element and the locking clamp being articulated to each other, creating a hinged linkage structure. When the locking clamp engages with the heating block, the linkage structure is in a locked position, can generate a stable locking force, and presses the printhead into the mounting groove of the heating block, thus ensuring reliable heat conduction.At the same time, the pivoting end of the movable connecting part in the locking position has a spatial component directed away from the opening direction of the mounting groove, so that only a slight actuation of the locking element is required to unlock it and easily release the locking state, thereby greatly simplifying the assembly and disassembly process of the printhead and facilitating maintenance and replacement by the user. Brief description of the characters

[0015] To clarify the technical solutions in the embodiments of the invention, the drawings used in the description of these embodiments are briefly presented below. Obviously, the drawings described below relate only to some embodiments of the invention; a person skilled in the art can derive further drawings from these without inventive step. Fig. Figure 1 is a first schematic structural view of the hotend device of a printer provided in an embodiment of the invention; Fig. Figure 2 is a second schematic structural view of the hotend device of a printer provided in an embodiment of the invention; Fig. Figure 3 is a sectional view of the hotend device of a printer provided in an embodiment of the invention; Fig. Figure 4 is a schematic structural view of the hotend device of a printer provided in a further embodiment of the invention. Detailed descriptions

[0016] The technical solutions in the exemplary embodiments of the invention are clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the drawings. Obviously, the described exemplary embodiments represent only a part of the embodiments of the invention and not all of them. All other embodiments that a person skilled in the art obtains on the basis of the exemplary embodiments of the invention without inventive step fall within the scope of protection of the invention.

[0017] With reference to Fig. 1 to Fig. Figure 4 shows a hotend device of a printer comprising a heating block 10, a printhead 20, and a locking mechanism 30. A mounting groove 11 is formed continuously along one side of the heating block 10, and the printhead 20 is locked into the mounting groove 11. The locking mechanism 30 comprises a movable connecting part 31 and a locking clamp 32, wherein one end of the movable connecting part 31 is pivotally connected to one side of the heating block 10, which lies on one side of the mounting groove 11, and wherein one end of the locking clamp 32 is pivotally connected to the other end of the movable connecting part 31. If the other end of the locking element 32 hooks onto another side of the heating block 10, which is located on the other side of the mounting groove 11, the locking element 32 can press the print head 20 into the mounting groove 11.In this case, the locking element 32 and the movable connecting part 31 assume a mutually folded locking state, and a pivoting end of the movable connecting part 31 has a spatial component directed away from the opening direction of the mounting groove 11.

[0018] Specifically, the heating block 10 is made of a metal material with high thermal conductivity, such as copper, aluminum, or an aluminum alloy, ensuring that the heat from the heating block 10 can be quickly transferred to the print head 20 for efficient melting of the printing material. The print head 20 is designed as a hollow, tubular structure; its feed end is connected to a feed mechanism of the 3D printer, and its discharge end is used to expel the molten printing material. An outer wall of the print head 20 rests against an inner wall of the mounting groove 11, thus maximizing the contact area and increasing heat transfer efficiency.The movable connecting part 31 and the locking clamping element 32 of the locking mechanism 30 are each made of a high-temperature-resistant engineering plastic or a metal alloy to prevent deformation and malfunction caused by the high temperature of the heating block 10. A pivot axis at the joint is made of wear-resistant stainless steel or a metal material to ensure the rotational mobility of the joint structure and its service life.

[0019] With reference to Fig. 1 to Fig. 3. To achieve a stable, articulated connection and engagement of the locking mechanism 30 on the heating block 10, a bearing eye 12 and a locking head 13 are integrally formed on each of two sides of the mounting groove 11 of the heating block 10. One end of the movable connecting part 31 is movably pivotally connected to the bearing eye 12, and the end of the locking clamping element 32 furthest from the movable connecting part 31 can engage with the locking head 13. The locking head 13 is designed as a boss-like structure or as an inverted L-shaped structure; an arcuate locking groove is provided on one outer surface of the locking head 13. A hook is provided at an engaging end of the locking element 32, which is adapted to the arcuate locking groove, wherein the hook engages with the arcuate locking groove of the locking head 13, so that a quick engaging and releasing of the locking element 32 relative to the heating block 10 is realized.Furthermore, the locking structure exhibits good connection stability and can effectively prevent the locking clamping element 32 from coming loose during the printing process.

[0020] To increase the stability of the articulated connection between the movable connecting part 31 and the bearing eye 12, and to prevent the movable connecting part 31 from assuming an offset position during the pivoting process, a clevis 33 is integrally formed at a corresponding end of the movable connecting part 31. Two ends of the clevis 33 are each articulated to two sides of the bearing eye 12. The fork-like clamping structure of the clevis 33 causes the pivot end of the movable connecting part 31 and the bearing eye 12 to form a articulated connection on both sides, thus achieving an even distribution of force. This effectively prevents wear or breakage of a pivot axis due to excessive one-sided loading, and ensures the torsional stability and service life of the joint structure.

[0021] With reference to Fig. 1 to Fig. 4. The locking element 32 can be designed as a one-piece, block-like structure or as a hollow structure formed by bending a steel wire. To achieve a flexible, articulated connection between the locking element 32 and the movable connecting part 31, and at the same time to prevent both from interfering with each other during folding, the locking element 32 comprises a one-piece connecting section 34 and a hooking section 35. The connecting section 34 is pivotally connected to one end of the movable connecting part 31, and the hooking section 35 can engage on a side of the heating block 10 associated with the mounting groove 11; a receiving slot 36 is provided in the connecting section 34 to release the movable connecting part 31.When the locking element 32 and the movable connecting part 31 are folded against each other, a free end of the movable connecting part 31 can be embedded in the receiving slot 36, thereby achieving a compact folding of the two, reducing the overall installation space requirement of the locking mechanism 30, and simultaneously avoiding a hard collision during folding, so that both lie more securely against the surface of the heating block 10. This allows the movable connecting part 31, in an inclined position, to provide a stable locking support force; this support force can be decomposed into a clamping force component that runs perpendicular to the opening direction of the mounting groove 11, whereby this clamping force component pulls the corresponding end of the locking element 32 taut and causes it to bear against the heating block 10.

[0022] To increase the contact pressure of the locking element 32 on the printhead 20 and to ensure the printhead 20's mounting stability, a locking groove 37 is provided in the connecting section 34. This groove is designed to conform to an outer surface of the printhead 20. The locking groove 37 is shaped as an arc-shaped groove, with its curvature matching the curvature of the printhead 20's outer wall. When the locking element 32 engages with the heating block 10, an inner wall of the locking groove 37 rests tightly against the outer wall of the printhead 20, so that the contact force of the locking element 32 is distributed evenly across the printhead 20's outer wall. This prevents locally excessive pressure from causing deformation or damage to the printhead 20.

[0023] At the same time, it can be effectively prevented that the printhead 20 performs a circumferential rotation in the mounting groove 11, thus ensuring the mounting accuracy of the printhead 20.

[0024] With reference to Fig. 1 and Fig. 3. To further increase the stability of the locking mechanism 30 after engagement and simultaneously to optimize the force transmission of the clamping force on one side of the heating block 10, where the movable connecting part 31 is pivotally attached, an inclined ramp surface 14 is provided, with one ramp crest of the inclined ramp surface 14 being located near the mounting groove 11. When the other end of the locking clamp 32 can engage on a side corresponding to the mounting groove 11, both the locking clamp 32 and the movable connecting part 31 bear against the inclined ramp surface 14 in certain areas. The inclined ramp surface 14 provides a contact surface for the locking clamp 32 and the movable connecting part 31, so that the engaged locking mechanism 30 and the heating block 10 form a surface contact instead of a point contact, thus effectively preventing the locking mechanism 30 from wobbling.At the same time, the inclination design of the inclined ramp surface 14 causes the contact force exerted by the movable connecting part 31 on the locking clamping element 32 to include a force component directed towards the bottom of the mounting groove 11, so that the print head 20 is pressed further against the bottom surface of the mounting groove 11 and thereby the contact between the print head 20 and the heating block 10 is improved.

[0025] With reference to Fig. 2 and Fig. 3. To heat the print head 20 so that the printing material in the print head 20 melts, a heating groove 15 is formed on one side of the heating block 10 opposite the mounting groove 11, wherein a heating element 16 is provided in the heating groove 15. A ceramic heating plate or a heating cartridge is used as the heating element 16. The heating element 16 is electrically connected to a temperature control system of the 3D printer; the temperature control system detects the temperature of the heating element 16 in real time and regulates the heating power according to the printing requirements in order to achieve precise control of the heating temperature. The aforementioned temperature control is prior art and is not further explained in the present application.

[0026] In the preceding embodiments, a spring plate 17 is provided on one outer side of the heating element 16 to ensure a tight fit between the heating element 16 and the bottom surface of the heating groove 15, and to increase heat transfer efficiency in the heating groove 15. The spring plate 17 is fastened in the heating groove 15 by means of a screw, and the spring plate 17 can bear against the heating element 16 and press it against the bottom surface of the heating groove 15. The spring plate 17 is made of an elastic metal material, for example, a copper sheet or a stainless steel sheet. After the screw is tightened, the spring plate 17 undergoes elastic deformation and exerts a continuous contact force on the heating element 16, so that the bottom surface of the heating element 16 and the bottom surface of the heating groove 15 are always in close contact.This ensures good heat transfer even if the heating element 16 and the heating block 10 undergo dimensional changes due to thermal expansion and contraction. At the same time, the removable design of the spring plate 17 facilitates the replacement and maintenance of the heating element 16.

[0027] With reference to Fig.3. To limit the printhead 20 longitudinally, prevent it from moving within the mounting groove 11, and ensure the printhead 20's dispensing accuracy, a limiting projection 18 is integrally formed within the mounting groove 11. A limiting groove 21, adapted to the limiting projection 18, is formed on the outer wall of the printhead 20. The limiting projection 18 and the limiting groove 21 form a concave-convex fit. When the printhead 20 is locked into the mounting groove 11, the limiting projection 18 engages in the limiting groove 21, thus axially limiting the printhead 20. This effectively prevents the printhead 20 from retreating during the printing process due to factors such as conveying force and extrusion force, thus ensuring the positional accuracy of the discharge end of the printhead 20 and improving the shaping quality of the 3D printing.

[0028] In the preceding embodiments, to improve air permeability within the mounting groove 11 and to prevent the accumulation of water vapor, hot air, or the like, which arises due to the high temperature at the dispensing end of the printhead 20 and can accumulate on a contact surface between the mounting groove 11 and the printhead 20, thereby impairing the printing effect, a vent hole 19 is connected to the mounting groove 11 at one end, which is located at the dispensing end of the printhead 20. The vent hole 19 is designed as a through-hole and is connected to the outside atmosphere so that water vapor and hot air can be dissipated from the mounting groove 11 in a timely manner.At the same time, air circulation is achieved within the mounting groove 11, thereby providing supportive heat dissipation, thus preventing aging of the connection structure between the print head 20 and the heating block 10 due to local overheating and effectively extending the service life of the device.

[0029] The foregoing merely presents specific embodiments of the invention; however, the scope of protection of the invention is not limited thereto. Any modifications or replacements within the technical scope disclosed in the invention shall fall within the scope of protection of the invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of the invention is determined by the scope of protection of the claims. List of designations 10 Heating block 11 Mounting groove 12 bearing eyelets 13 Locking head 14 Inclined ramp area 15 heating groove 16 Heating element 17 Spring sheet 18 Limiting lead 19 vent hole 20 printhead 21 Limit groove 30 locking mechanism 31 Movable connecting part 32 Latching link 33 Fork head 34 Connecting section 35 Hook section 36 recording slots 37 Locking groove

Claims

[1] Hotend device of a printer, characterized by that it includes: - a heating block (10) on one side of which a mounting groove (11) is formed continuously; - a printhead (20) which is locked into the mounting groove (11); - a locking mechanism (30) comprising a movable connecting part (31) and a locking clamping element (32), wherein one end of the movable connecting part (31) is movably pivotally connected to a side of the heating block (10) which is located on a side of the mounting groove (11), and wherein one end of the locking clamping element (32) is pivotally connected to the other end of the movable connecting part (31); - wherein, when the other end of the locking element (32) engages on another side of the heating block (10) which is located on the other side of the mounting groove (11), the locking element (32) presses the print head (20) into the mounting groove (11); wherein the locking element (32) and the movable connecting part (31) assume a mutually folded locking state, and wherein a pivoting end of the movable connecting part (31) has a spatial component directed away from the opening direction of the mounting groove (11). [2] Hotend device of a printer according to claim 1, characterized by , that a bearing eyelet (12) and a locking head (13) are provided on each of the two sides of the mounting groove (11) of the heating block (10); wherein one end of the movable connecting part (31) is movably pivotally connected to the bearing eyelet (12), and wherein the end of the locking clamping element (32) furthest from the movable connecting part (31) engages the locking head (13). [3] Hotend device of a printer according to claim 2, characterized by , that a clevis head (33) is provided at a corresponding end of the movable connecting part (31), wherein two ends of the clevis head (33) are each pivotally connected to two sides of the bearing eyelet (12). [4] Hotend device of a printer according to claim 1, characterized by , that the locking element (32) comprises a connecting section (34) and a hooking section (35), wherein the connecting section (34) is pivotally attached to one end of the movable connecting part (31), wherein the hooking section (35) can engage on a side of the heating block (10) associated with the mounting groove (11), and wherein a receiving slot (36) is provided in the connecting section (34) for releasing the movable connecting part (31). [5] Hotend device of a printer according to claim 4, characterized by, that a locking groove (37) is provided on the connecting section (34) which adapts to an outer surface of the print head (20). [6] Hotend device of a printer according to claim 1, characterized by , that on one side of the heating block (10) to which the movable connecting part (31) is hinged, an inclined ramp surface (14) is provided, wherein a ramp crest of the inclined ramp surface (14) is located near the mounting groove (11); and that, if the other end of the locking element (32) can engage on one side associated with the mounting groove (11), both the locking element (32) and the movable connecting part (31) bear against the inclined ramp surface (14) in partial areas. [7] Hotend device of a printer according to claim 1, characterized by , that a heating groove (15) is provided on the side of the heating block (10) opposite a mounting groove (11), wherein a heating element (16) is provided in the heating groove (15). [8] Hotend device of a printer according to claim 7, characterized by , that a spring plate (17) is provided in the heating groove (15) on an outside side of the heating element (16), wherein the spring plate (17) is fastened in the heating groove (15) by means of a screw, and wherein the spring plate (17) can bear against the heating element (16) and press it against a bottom surface of the heating groove (15). [9] Hotend device of a printer according to claim 1, characterized by , that a limiting projection (18) is provided in the mounting groove (11), and that a limiting groove (21) adapted to the limiting projection (18) is provided on the outer wall of the printhead (20). [10] Hotend device of a printer according to claim 1, characterized by , that one end of the mounting groove (11), which is located at the discharge end of the print head (20), is connected to a vent hole (19).

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