3D printer cartridge

Abstract

The present invention relates to a 3D printer cartridge that can be simply filled with a liquid-phase material and can suppress the generation of bubbles. To this end, the 3D printer cartridge of the present invention comprises: a housing comprising a chamber filled with a liquid-phase material, a piston which seals the lower portion of the chamber, an outlet formed in the upper portion of the chamber, and a discharge groove formed in the upper surface to be connected to the outlet; and a cover sealing the upper surface of the housing, wherein the liquid-phase material is moved through a flow path formed between the discharge groove and the lower surface of the cover, a discharge port is formed in the top edge portion of the cover, to be connected to the discharge groove, and the top edge portion of the cover, in which the discharge port is formed, forms a placement portion.

Description

3D printer cartridges

[0001] The present invention relates to a 3D printer cartridge, and more particularly, to a detachable 3D printer cartridge for supplying liquid materials to a 3D printer for producing a 3D object.

[0002] 3D printing technology has developed and is being utilized in many industrial fields. In particular, 3D printers that use photocuring can be used to easily produce precise 3D objects.

[0003] A typical photocuring 3D printer creates a 3D object by continuously repeating the process of placing a photocurable liquid material inside a tank, irradiating light onto a work plate, and adjusting the height of the work plate.

[0004] However, the 3D printer of the above-described type has the disadvantage of taking a lot of time because the liquid material remaining inside the tank after producing a 3D object cannot be reused, and the tank and the liquid material remaining inside the tank must be cleaned in order to produce the next object after producing one object.

[0005] In order to solve these problems, the applicant has applied for and received registration of a 3D printer (Patent No. 10-2378863) comprising a liquid material supply unit (10), a liquid layer forming unit (20), and a 3D forming unit (30), as shown in Fig. 1.

[0006] The above liquid material supply unit (10) is a unit that supplies a liquid material (R) for manufacturing a three-dimensional object, the above liquid layer forming unit (20) is a unit that forms a liquid layer (L) for forming each layer of the three-dimensional object, and the above three-dimensional forming unit (30) is a unit that hardens the liquid material (R) by irradiating the liquid layer (L) with a forming beam (UV-L) in a pattern corresponding to the shape of the three-dimensional object.

[0007] The above liquid material (R) has a predetermined viscosity, and the cartridge (11) is configured so that the lower part is open and the liquid material (R) can be filled and used.

[0008] However, in order to charge the liquid material (R) into the cartridge (11), there was a problem in that air bubbles were generated in the liquid material (R) having a predetermined viscosity during the process of inverting the cartridge (11) after charging the liquid material (R) with the open lower portion of the cartridge (11) facing upward, and there was a disadvantage in that a long stabilization time was required to completely discharge the air bubbles.

[0009] Prior art document: Patent No. 10-2378863 (registration date: March 22, 2022)

[0010] The purpose of the present invention to solve the problems of the above-mentioned prior art is to provide a 3D printer cartridge that can easily fill a liquid material into a cartridge and suppress the generation of air bubbles.

[0011] The 3D printer cartridge of the present invention for solving the above technical problem is a 3D printer that comprises a work holder that can be lowered in steps, and forms a 3D object by stacking each layer of a 3D object on top of the work holder while lowering the work holder in steps, the 3D printer comprising: a liquid material supply unit having a discharge port for discharging a liquid material and a loading unit connected to the discharge port for loading the discharged liquid material; a liquid layer forming unit that moves and applies the liquid material loaded on the loading unit to the upper portion of the work holder so that a liquid layer having a thickness corresponding to a height of one step of lowering of the work holder is formed on the upper portion of the work holder; A 3D printer cartridge provided in a 3D printer including a 3D forming unit including a light irradiation device that performs 3D forming by irradiating a forming beam in a desired pattern on a liquid layer formed on the work holder and an up-and-down driving unit that gradually lowers or raises the work holder; wherein the cartridge comprises a housing including a chamber in which a liquid material is filled, a piston that seals the lower part of the chamber, an outlet formed in the upper part of the chamber, and an outlet groove formed on an upper surface to be connected to the outlet; and a cover that is in close contact with the upper surface of the housing; and the liquid material is configured to move through a flow path formed between the outlet groove and the lower surface of the cover, and the outlet is formed on one upper side of the cover connected to the outlet groove, and the upper side of the cover on which the outlet is formed is configured as the loading unit.

[0012] Preferably, the chamber is composed of multiple chambers, and a piston, an outlet, and a discharge groove can be formed in each chamber.

[0013] Preferably, a joining groove is further formed on the upper surface of the housing in which the ends of each discharge groove are joined, and the liquid material in each chamber can be configured to move through the discharge port and discharge groove connected to each chamber, join at the joining groove, and then be discharged through the discharge port.

[0014] Preferably, the discharge port is formed in a slit shape, and the connecting portion of the joining groove communicating with the discharge port is formed corresponding to the shape of the discharge port, and an island-shaped protrusion protruding to the upper height of the joining groove may be formed at the center of the joining groove for distributing discharge pressure.

[0015] Preferably, the remaining discharge grooves are configured to join one of the plurality of discharge grooves, and the liquid material in each chamber can be configured to move through the discharge port and discharge groove connected to each chamber and join the one discharge groove.

[0016] Preferably, a buffer groove is further formed at the end of the one discharge groove, and the liquid material joined to the one discharge groove can be collected in the buffer groove and then discharged through the discharge port.

[0017] Preferably, the discharge port is formed in a slit shape, and the connecting portion of the buffer groove communicating with the discharge port is formed corresponding to the shape of the discharge port, and an island-shaped protrusion protruding to the upper height of the buffer groove may be formed at the center of the buffer groove for distributing discharge pressure.

[0018] Preferably, the remaining discharge grooves joining the one discharge groove may be configured to join each other alternately.

[0019] Preferably, a stepped groove is formed on one side of the upper surface of the cover, the stepped groove is configured as the loading portion, and the discharge port can be formed in the stepped groove.

[0020] Preferably, a sealing pad may be integrally formed on the lower surface of the cover.

[0021] Preferably, an air vent hole may be formed in a portion of the discharge groove to discharge air bubbles generated when filling the chamber with liquid material.

[0022] Preferably, the piston may be configured to include a pair of extensions extending downwardly from both sides of the lower surface and a pair of engaging portions extending centrally from the ends of the pair of extensions.

[0023] Preferably, the piston is configured to be separated into an upper part and a lower part so that they can be assembled, and an O-ring may be provided between the upper part and the lower part corresponding to the circumference of the piston and between the lower surface of the upper part and the upper surface of the lower part.

[0024] Preferably, one side of the cover is fixed by being caught on a hook bracket fixed to one edge of the upper surface of the housing, and the other side of the housing and the other side of the cover can be fixed with a hook clamp.

[0025] Preferably, one side of the housing and one side of the cover, and the other side of the housing and the other side of the cover can each be fixed with a hook clamp.

[0026] Preferably, both sides of the cover can be fixed by being hung on a pair of hanging brackets fixed to both sides of the upper surface of the housing.

[0027] Preferably, the lower surface of the cover is configured with a sealing pad as an integral part, and a filling hole is formed that penetrates the entire cover and the sealing pad at each position corresponding to the discharge port formed at the upper portion of the chamber, and the filling hole can be configured to be opened and closed with a sealing stopper.

[0028] As described above, the present invention has the advantage of being able to easily fill a liquid material having a predetermined viscosity into a chamber of a cartridge and suppressing bubbles that may be generated during the filling process.

[0029] In addition, since the chambers within the cartridge housing are configured in multiple numbers and each liquid material with different properties is filled, the color and texture of each layer forming the three-dimensional structure can be controlled, and there is an advantage in that external painting and post-processing are not required after the three-dimensional structure is manufactured.

[0030] The effects of the present invention are not limited to the effects mentioned above, and other effects not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description below.

[0031] Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the operation of a conventional 3D printer.

[0032] FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which a 3D printer cartridge according to one embodiment of the present invention is mounted on a 3D printer.

[0033] FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a 3D printer cartridge according to an embodiment of the present invention separated from a 3D printer.

[0034] FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating a 3D printer cartridge according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0035] FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a 3D printer cartridge according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0036] FIG. 6 is a plan view and a bottom view illustrating a 3D printer cartridge according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0037] FIG. 7 is a bottom perspective view illustrating a 3D printer cartridge according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0038] FIG. 8 is a drawing illustrating a piston constituting a 3D printer cartridge according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0039] FIG. 9 is a drawing illustrating a cover constituting a 3D printer cartridge according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0040] FIG. 10 is a drawing illustrating a process of mounting a 3D printer cartridge according to an embodiment of the present invention to a 3D printer.

[0041] FIG. 11 is a drawing illustrating a process of discharging a liquid material filled in a 3D printer cartridge according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0042] FIG. 12 is a perspective view illustrating a 3D printer cartridge according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0043] FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a 3D printer cartridge according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0044] FIG. 14 is a perspective view illustrating a 3D printer cartridge according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0045] FIG. 15 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a 3D printer cartridge according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0046] The present invention may be embodied in various forms without departing from its technical spirit or essential characteristics. Therefore, the embodiments of the present invention are merely exemplary in all respects and should not be construed as limiting.

[0047] Terms such as first, second, etc. may be used to describe various components, but such components should not be limited by such terms.

[0048] The above terms are used solely to distinguish one component from another. For example, without departing from the scope of the present invention, a first component could be referred to as a second component, and similarly, a second component could also be referred to as a first component.

[0049] The term and / or includes any combination of multiple items or any item among multiple items.

[0050] When it is said that a component is 'connected' or 'connected' to another component, it should be understood that it may be directly connected or connected to that other component, but there may also be other components in between.

[0051] On the other hand, when it is said that a component is 'directly connected' or 'directly connected' to another component, it should be understood that there are no other components in between.

[0052] The terminology used in this application is solely for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and is not intended to limit the present invention. Singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0053] In this application, terms such as “include,” “have,” and “have” are intended to specify the presence of a feature, number, step, operation, component, part, or combination thereof described in the specification, but should be understood not to exclude in advance the possibility of the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

[0054] Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention belongs.

[0055] Terms defined in commonly used dictionaries should be interpreted to have a meaning consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant technology, and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly defined in this application.

[0056] Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. Regardless of the drawing numbers, identical or corresponding components are given the same reference numbers, and redundant descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0057] In describing the present invention, if it is determined that a detailed description of a related known technology may obscure the gist of the present invention, the detailed description is omitted.

[0058]

[0059] First, a 3D printer equipped with a 3D printer cartridge (100) according to one embodiment of the present invention will be briefly described.

[0060] As illustrated in FIG. 1, the 3D printer is a 3D printer that includes a work holder (WH) that can be lowered in steps, and forms a 3D object by stacking each layer of a 3D object on top of the work holder (WH) while lowering the work holder (WH) in steps, and is configured to include a liquid material (R) supply unit (10), a liquid layer forming unit (20), and a 3D forming unit (30).

[0061] The above liquid material (R) supply unit (10) is a unit that supplies liquid material (R) for manufacturing a three-dimensional object, and is provided with a discharge port (11h) for discharging the liquid material (R) and a loading unit (11.1) connected to the discharge port (11h) and where the discharged liquid material (R) is loaded.

[0062] The above liquid layer forming unit (20) is a unit that forms a liquid layer (L) for forming each layer of a three-dimensional object, and is configured to move and apply the liquid material (R) placed on the placing unit (11.1) to the upper portion of the work holder (WH) so that a liquid layer (L) having a thickness corresponding to a one-step lowering height of the work holder (WH) is formed on the upper portion of the work holder.

[0063] The above 3D shaping unit (30) is configured to harden the liquid material (R) by irradiating the liquid layer (L) with a shaping beam (UV-L) in a pattern corresponding to the shape of the 3D shaping object.

[0064] The 3D printer having the configuration described above operates by first mounting a cartridge (11) on the 3D printer as shown in (a) of FIG. 1, and then, as shown in (b) of FIG. 1, compressing the compression plate (11.3) of the cartridge (11) through the compression means (12) to discharge the liquid material (R) inside the cartridge (11) through the discharge port (11h) and depositing it on the loading portion (11.1).

[0065] Next, as shown in (c) of Fig. 1, the recoater blade (21) is moved to the right side of the drawing so that a liquid layer (L) is formed on the work holder (WH).

[0066] Next, as shown in (d) of Fig. 1, the liquid layer (L) on the work holder (WH) is irradiated with ultraviolet light from the light irradiator (31) in a desired pattern to cause curing.

[0067] Next, the upper and lower driving unit (32) is operated to lower the work holder (WH) one step down, and the process of (b) to (c) of Fig. 1 is repeated to form a three-dimensional object.

[0068]

[0069] Hereinafter, a 3D printer cartridge (100) of the present invention for use by mounting it on a 3D printer as described above will be described.

[0070]

[0071] A 3D printer cartridge (100, collectively referred to as a cartridge) according to one embodiment of the present invention is configured to be mountable to a cartridge mounting portion (A) of the 3D printer as described above, as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3.

[0072] Specifically, the cartridge (100) of the present embodiment can be fastened by a fastening means such as a hook clamp while being slidably inserted into the cartridge mounting portion (A) of the 3D printer.

[0073] The cartridge mounting portion (A) of the above 3D printer may be provided with an operating portion (12.1, 12.2, 12.3) for discharging the liquid material (R) filled in the cartridge (100) through the discharge port (130h), and a guide portion (12.4) for guiding the mounting of the cartridge (100).

[0074] The above operating part (12.1, 12.2, 12.3) is configured to include a rotation drive unit (12.1), a reciprocating movement unit (12.2) that moves up and down when the rotation drive unit (12.2) rotates, and a pusher unit (12.3) provided on the upper portion of the reciprocating movement unit (12.3).

[0075] As shown in Fig. 3, the guide portion (12.4) is formed in the form of an inclined groove, and an inclined portion (110s) inserted into the guide portion (12.4) may be formed on one side of the lower portion of the cartridge (100).

[0076] Meanwhile, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the cartridge (100) is configured to include a housing (110) and a cover (130), and for example, the housing (110) and the cover (130) can be fastened with a hook bracket (151) and a hook clamp (153).

[0077] That is, one side of the cover (130) is fixed by being caught on a catch bracket (151) fixed to one side of the upper surface edge of the housing (110), and the other side of the housing (110) and the other side of the cover (130) are fixed by a hook clamp (153).

[0078] Meanwhile, as another structure for fastening the housing (110) and the cover (130), as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, a structure may be adopted in which one side of the housing (110) and one side of the cover (130), and the other side of the housing (110) and the other side of the cover (130) are each fixed with a hook clamp (153a, 153b).

[0079] In addition, as another structure for fastening the housing (110) and the cover (130), as shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, a structure in which both sides of the cover (130) are respectively fastened to a pair of fastening brackets (151a, 151b) fixed to both edges of the upper surface of the housing (110) may be adopted.

[0080] Meanwhile, an inclined surface ('130s' in FIG. 9) may be formed on one side of the cover (130) to facilitate insertion into the hanging bracket (151).

[0081] As illustrated in Fig. 3, a stepped groove (131) is formed on one side of the upper portion of the cartridge (100), the stepped groove (131) is configured as a loading portion, and the discharge port (130h) is formed in the stepped groove (131). The loading portion is an element corresponding to the loading portion (11.1) of Fig. 1, and the discharge port (130h) is an element corresponding to the discharge port (11h).

[0082] The above cartridge (100) is configured to include a housing (110) and a cover (130), as shown in FIG. 5.

[0083] The housing (110), as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, is configured to include a chamber (111a to 111e) in which a liquid material (R) is filled, a piston (112) that seals the lower portion of the chamber (111a to 111e), a discharge port (113a to 113e) formed at the upper portion of the chamber (111a to 111e), and a discharge groove (114a to 114e) formed on the upper surface to be connected to the discharge port (113a to 113e), and the cover (130) is configured to be in close contact with the upper surface of the housing (110).

[0084] Accordingly, the liquid material (R) filled in the chamber (111a to 111e) is discharged through the discharge port (113a to 113e) and then can move through the flow path formed between the discharge groove (114a to 114e) formed on the upper surface of the housing (110) and the lower surface of the cover (130).

[0085]

[0086] First, the configuration of the housing (110) will be described in detail.

[0087] As shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, the housing (110) is configured to include a plurality of chambers (111a to 111e) in which liquid material (R) is filled, a plurality of pistons (112) that seal the lower portions of the plurality of chambers (111a to 111e), a plurality of discharge ports (113a to 113e) formed on the upper portions of the plurality of chambers (111a to 111e), and discharge grooves (114a to 114e) formed on the upper surface and connected to each of the plurality of discharge ports (113a to 113e).

[0088] In this embodiment, a case in which the first to fifth chambers (111a to 111e), the first to fifth discharge ports (113a to 113e), and the first to fifth discharge grooves (114a to 114e) are configured is described as an example, and the number of chambers, discharge ports, and discharge grooves can be changed and applied in various ways.

[0089] The above housing (110) is formed to have a body having a roughly square box shape, and the inside of the body is configured with first to fifth chambers (111a to 111e) filled with a liquid material (R).

[0090] The first to fifth chambers (111a to 111e) are each formed in a shape with an open bottom, and a piston (112) is individually provided at the bottom of each of the first to fifth chambers (111a to 111e).

[0091] The piston (112) is configured to seal the open lower portions of the first to fifth chambers (111a to 111e), and as illustrated in FIG. 11, as the piston (112) is slidably pressed toward the inside of the chambers (111a to 111e), the liquid material (R) filled in the first to fifth chambers (111a to 111e) can be discharged through the discharge ports (113a to 113e). The liquid material (R) discharged through the discharge ports (113a to 113e) flows into the discharge grooves (114a to 114e).

[0092] The pistons (112) individually provided in the open lower portions of the first to fifth chambers (111a to 111e) are operated up and down by the operating parts (12.1, 12.2, 12.3), and each piston (112) can be operated alone or multiple pistons can be operated simultaneously.

[0093] Meanwhile, the piston (112), as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, may be configured to include a pair of extension parts (112-1) extending downward from both sides of the lower surface and a pair of catch parts (112-2) extending from the ends of the pair of extension parts (112-1) toward the center, and an O-ring (O) may be provided on the outer periphery.

[0094] Accordingly, when the pusher unit (12.3) is inserted between a pair of extensions (112-1) of the piston (112), the piston (112) can also move up and down when the reciprocating movement unit (12.2) moves up and down.

[0095] The piston (112) operates to discharge the liquid material (R) filled in the chambers (111a to 111e) when moving upward, and operates to return to the original position after all of the liquid material (R) in the chambers (111a to 111e) has been discharged.

[0096] Meanwhile, the O-ring (O) is made of a hard material, and in order to facilitate the installation of the O-ring, as shown in (b) of FIG. 8, the piston (112) may be configured to be separated into an upper part (112P1) and a lower part (112P2) so that they can be assembled, and O-rings (O1, O2) may be provided between the upper part (112P1) and the lower part (112P2) corresponding to the circumference of the piston (112) and between the lower surface of the upper part (112P1) and the upper surface of the lower part (112P2), respectively.

[0097] Accordingly, when the upper part (112P1) and the lower part (112P2) are separated and the O-rings (O1, O2) are installed, the upper part (112P1) and the lower part (112P2) can be assembled to form one piston (112).

[0098] Meanwhile, as illustrated in Fig. 5, a first discharge port (113a) is formed connected to the upper portion of the first chamber (111a), and a first discharge groove (114a) is formed connected to the first discharge port (113a). When the piston (112) provided in the open lower portion of the first chamber (111a) moves upward, the liquid material (R) filled in the first chamber (111a) is discharged through the first discharge port (113a) and then moves through the first discharge groove (114a).

[0099] In addition, a second discharge port (113b) is formed connected to the upper portion of the second chamber (111b), and a second discharge groove (114b) is formed connected to the second discharge port (113b). When the piston (112) provided in the open lower portion of the second chamber (111b) moves upward, the liquid material (R) filled in the second chamber (111b) is discharged through the second discharge port (113b) and then moves through the second discharge groove (114b).

[0100] In addition, a third discharge port (113c) is formed connected to the upper portion of the third chamber (111c), and a third discharge groove (114c) is formed connected to the third discharge port (113c). When the piston (112) provided in the open lower portion of the third chamber (111c) moves upward, the liquid material (R) filled in the third chamber (111c) is discharged through the third discharge port (113c) and then moves through the third discharge groove (114c).

[0101] In addition, a fourth discharge port (113d) is formed connected to the upper portion of the fourth chamber (111d), and a fourth discharge groove (114d) is formed connected to the fourth discharge port (113d). When the piston (112) provided in the open lower portion of the fourth chamber (111d) moves upward, the liquid material (R) filled in the fourth chamber (111d) is discharged through the fourth discharge port (113d) and then moves through the fourth discharge groove (114d).

[0102] In addition, a fifth discharge port (113e) is formed connected to the upper portion of the fifth chamber (111e), and a fifth discharge groove (114e) is formed connected to the fifth discharge port (113e). When the piston (112) provided in the open lower portion of the fifth chamber (111e) moves upward, the liquid material (R) filled in the fifth chamber (111e) is discharged through the fifth discharge port (113e) and then moves through the fifth discharge groove (114e).

[0103] Meanwhile, when the liquid material (R) moves through the first to fifth discharge grooves (114a to 114e), the upper portions of the first to fifth discharge grooves (114a to 114e) are blocked by the cover (130), so the liquid material (R) flowing into the first to fifth discharge grooves (114a to 114e) moves through a flow path formed between the first to fifth discharge grooves (114a to 114e) and the lower surface of the cover (130).

[0104] Meanwhile, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, a joining groove (115) may be further formed on the upper surface of the housing (110) where the ends of the first internal fifth discharge grooves (114a to 114e) all join, and an island-shaped protrusion (116) protruding to the upper height of the joining groove (115) may be formed in the center of the joining groove (115) for the purpose of distributing discharge pressure.

[0105] Accordingly, the liquid material (R) moving through at least one or a plurality of discharge grooves (114a to 114e) of the first internal fifth discharge grooves (114a to 114e) can be discharged to the discharge port (130h) of the cover (130) in a state where the discharge amount is distributed by joining the joining groove (115).

[0106] Meanwhile, an air vent hole (h1) for discharging air bubbles generated when filling the liquid material (R) into the first to fifth chambers (111a to 111e) may be formed in at least a portion of the first internal fifth discharge groove (114a to 114e).

[0107] That is, in the process of opening the cover (130) and filling the liquid material (R) through the first discharge port (113a) to the fifth discharge port (113e) while pistons (112) are respectively provided in the open lower portions of the first to fifth chambers (111a to 111e), air bubbles generated are discharged through the air vent hole (h1).

[0108] Meanwhile, an assembly guide groove (110h1) may be formed on the upper surface of the housing (110) to guide the assembly position of the cover (130), and an assembly guide protrusion (130g) may be formed at a corresponding position of the cover (130) corresponding to the assembly guide groove (110h1).

[0109] In addition, a bolt head receiving groove (110h2) for receiving the head of the bolt (b) below may be further formed on the upper surface of the housing (110).

[0110]

[0111] Next, the configuration of the cover (130) will be described in detail.

[0112] The cover (130) is configured to seal the upper surface of the housing (110), and the lower surface of the cover (130) blocks and seals the upper portions of the first to fifth discharge grooves (114a to 114e) formed on the upper surface of the housing (110), thereby forming a path through which the liquid material (R) moves.

[0113] A stepped groove (131) is formed on one side of the upper portion of the cover (130), and the stepped groove (131) is configured as a loading portion. A discharge port (130h) is formed in the stepped groove (131).

[0114] The above-mentioned loading part corresponds to the loading part (11.1) of Fig. 1, and the above-mentioned discharge port (130h) corresponds to the discharge port (11h) of Fig. 1, respectively.

[0115] A soft sealing pad (130a) is integrally provided on the lower surface of the cover (130), and the upper portions of the first to fifth discharge grooves (114a to 114e) and the joining groove (115) can be hermetically sealed by the sealing pad (130a).

[0116] The above sealing pad (130a) can be fixed to the lower surface of the cover (130) with a bolt (b), and as described above, a bolt head receiving groove (110h2) for receiving the head of the bolt (b) can be formed on the upper surface of the housing (110).

[0117] Meanwhile, the discharge port (130h) is formed in a slit shape, and the connecting portion of the joining groove (115) communicating with the discharge port (130h) can be formed to correspond to the shape of the discharge port (130h).

[0118] In addition, a pad slit (130s1) corresponding to the shape of the discharge port (130h) is formed on the sealing pad (130a).

[0119]

[0120] FIG. 12 and FIG. 13 are perspective views illustrating a 3D printer cartridge (100) according to another embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 12 and FIG. 13, a 3D printer cartridge (100') according to another embodiment will be described.

[0121] The housing (110) constituting the cartridge (100') illustrated in FIGS. 12 and 13 is configured such that the remaining discharge grooves (114b to 114e) join one of the plurality of discharge grooves (114a to 114e) to one of the discharge grooves (114a). For example, the second to fifth discharge grooves (114b to 114e) may be configured such that they join the first discharge groove (114a).

[0122] Accordingly, the liquid material (R) in the first to fifth chambers (111a to 111e) is discharged through the first to fifth discharge ports (113a to 113e) respectively connected to the first to fifth chambers (111a to 111e), and the liquid material (R) discharged from the second to fifth discharge grooves (114b to 114e) joins the liquid material (R) passing through the first discharge groove (114a).

[0123] Meanwhile, a buffer groove (117) is further formed at the end of the first discharge groove (114a), and the liquid material (R) that has joined the first discharge groove (114a) is collected in the buffer groove (117) and then discharged through the discharge port (130h).

[0124] The connecting portion of the buffer groove (117) communicating with the discharge port (130h) is formed corresponding to the shape of the slit-shaped discharge port (130h), and an island-shaped protrusion (116) protruding to the upper height of the buffer groove (117) may be formed in the center of the buffer groove (117) for the purpose of distributing discharge pressure.

[0125] Meanwhile, the second to fifth discharge grooves (114b to 114e) joining the first discharge groove (114) may be configured to join each other alternately.

[0126] According to the configuration described above, the liquid material (R) that reaches the buffer groove (117) through one discharge groove (114a) is discharged through the island-shaped protrusion (116) to the discharge port (130h), thereby enabling effective discharge pressure distribution.

[0127]

[0128] FIG. 14 and FIG. 15 are perspective views illustrating a 3D printer cartridge (100) according to another embodiment of the present invention. The 3D printer cartridge (100'') according to another embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 12 and FIG. 13.

[0129] The cover (130) constituting the cartridge (100'') illustrated in FIGS. 14 and 15 has a filling hole (h2) formed at each position corresponding to the first to fifth discharge ports (113a to 113e) formed on the upper portion of the first to fifth chambers (111a to 111e).

[0130] The above charging hole (h2) is formed to penetrate the entirety of the cover (130) and the sealing pad (130a) provided on the lower surface of the cover (130).

[0131] Meanwhile, the charging hole (h2) is equipped with a sealing plug (133) so that it can be opened and closed.

[0132] According to the configuration described above, the liquid material (R) can be filled by separating only the sealing plug (133) without separating the cover (130) from the housing (110).

[0133]

[0134] While the present invention has been described with reference to the accompanying drawings, focusing on preferred embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that numerous obvious modifications are possible without departing from the scope of the invention. Therefore, the scope of the present invention should be construed as encompassing these numerous modifications as defined by the claims.

Claims

1. A 3D printer comprising a work holder capable of being lowered in steps, and forming a 3D object by stacking each layer of a 3D object on top of the work holder while lowering the work holder in steps, the 3D printer comprising: a liquid material supply unit having a discharge port for discharging a liquid material and a loading unit connected to the discharge port for loading the discharged liquid material; a liquid layer forming unit for moving and applying the liquid material loaded on the loading unit to the upper portion of the work holder so that a liquid layer having a thickness corresponding to a height of one step of lowering of the work holder is formed on top of the work holder; and a 3D forming unit including a light irradiation unit for performing 3D forming by irradiating a forming beam in a desired pattern onto the liquid layer formed on the work holder and an up-and-down driving unit for lowering or raising the work holder in steps; A 3D printer cartridge provided in a 3D printer, The above cartridge, It is composed of a chamber in which a liquid material is filled, a piston that seals the lower part of the chamber, a housing including a discharge port formed in the upper part of the chamber, and a discharge groove formed on the upper surface to be connected to the discharge port; and a cover that is in close contact with the upper surface of the housing; and it is configured so that the liquid material moves through a path formed between the discharge groove and the lower surface of the cover. A 3D printer cartridge in which the discharge port is formed on one upper side of the cover and connected to the discharge groove, and the upper side of the cover in which the discharge port is formed is configured as the loading part.

2. In paragraph 1, A 3D printer cartridge characterized in that the chamber is composed of a plurality of chambers, and a piston, an outlet, and a discharge groove are formed in each chamber.

3. In paragraph 2, On the upper surface of the above housing, a joining groove is further formed where the ends of each discharge groove join together. A 3D printer cartridge characterized in that the liquid material in each chamber is configured to move through the discharge port and discharge groove connected to each chamber, merge at the merging groove, and then be discharged through the discharge port.

4. In paragraph 3, The above discharge port is formed in a slit shape, The connecting portion of the above-mentioned joining groove communicating with the above-mentioned outlet is formed corresponding to the shape of the above-mentioned outlet, A 3D printer cartridge characterized in that an island-shaped protrusion is formed in the center of the above joining groove to the upper height of the above joining groove for distributing discharge pressure.

5. In paragraph 2, It is configured so that the remaining discharge grooves join one of the plurality of discharge grooves, A 3D printer cartridge characterized in that the liquid material in each chamber moves through the discharge port and discharge groove connected to each chamber and merges into one discharge groove.

6. In paragraph 5, A buffer groove is further formed at the end of the above one discharge groove, A 3D printer cartridge characterized in that the liquid material joined to the above one discharge groove is configured to be collected in the above buffer groove and then discharged through the above discharge port.

7. In paragraph 6, The above discharge port is formed in a slit shape, The connecting portion of the buffer groove communicating with the above discharge port is formed corresponding to the shape of the above discharge port, A 3D printer cartridge characterized in that an island-shaped protrusion is formed in the center of the buffer groove to the upper height of the buffer groove for distributing discharge pressure.

8. In paragraph 5, A 3D printer cartridge characterized in that the remaining discharge grooves joining the above one discharge groove are configured to join each other alternately.

9. In paragraph 1, A 3D printer cartridge characterized in that a step groove is formed on one side of the upper surface of the cover, the step groove is configured as the loading portion, and the discharge port is formed in the step groove.

10. In paragraph 1, A 3D printer cartridge characterized in that a sealing pad is integrally formed on the lower surface of the cover.

11. In paragraph 1, A 3D printer cartridge characterized in that an air vent hole is formed in a portion of the discharge groove to discharge air bubbles generated when filling the chamber with liquid material.

12. In paragraph 1, The above piston, A 3D printer cartridge characterized in that it comprises a pair of extensions extending downward from both sides and a pair of catches extending toward the center from the ends of the pair of extensions.

13. In paragraph 1, A 3D printer cartridge characterized in that the piston is configured to be separated into an upper part and a lower part so that assembly is possible, and an O-ring is provided between the upper part and the lower part corresponding to the circumference of the piston and between the lower surface of the upper part and the upper surface of the lower part.

14. In paragraph 1, A 3D printer cartridge characterized in that one side of the cover is fixed by being caught on a catch bracket fixed to one side of the upper surface of the housing, and the other side of the housing and the other side of the cover are fixed with a hook clamp.

15. In paragraph 1, A 3D printer cartridge characterized in that one side of the housing and one side of the cover, and the other side of the housing and the other side of the cover are each fixed with a hook clamp.

16. In paragraph 1, A 3D printer cartridge characterized in that both sides of the cover are respectively caught and fixed by a pair of catch brackets fixed to both sides of the upper surface of the housing.

17. In paragraph 15, A 3D printer cartridge characterized in that a sealing pad is integrally formed on the lower surface of the cover, and a filling hole is formed that penetrates the entire cover and the sealing pad at each position corresponding to the discharge port formed on the upper portion of the chamber, and the filling hole is configured to be opened and closed with a sealing plug.

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