Spring-mounted dispensing roller

Abstract

The present invention relates to a dispensing roller used in a binder jet-type 3D printer, wherein irregular discharge of powder is detected, and accordingly, the pressure and speed of the roller are automatically adjusted to prevent the roller from being clogged and overloaded, thereby achieving effects such as improved reliability and efficiency in a 3D printing process.

Description

Spring-loaded dispensing roller

[0001] The present invention relates to a dispensing roller that can detect irregular discharge of powder during the printing process of a binder jet of a 3D printer and automatically adjust the pressure and speed of the roller to spread the powder more evenly.

[0002] Binder jetting printing technology is a powder-based 3D printing method used across a wide range of industries. This technology offers the advantage of being able to economically produce parts with complex shapes and internal structures.

[0003] In the binder jet printing process, powder material must first be evenly spread across the print bed. This process is accomplished by the rollers in the 3D printer's internal recoater. The rollers evenly spread the powder, which directly impacts the accuracy and quality of the final printed product. However, uneven powder dispensing can cause problems during this process. Excessive or uneven powder dispensing makes it difficult for the rollers to evenly spread the powder, putting a strain on them and, in the worst case, causing them to stop.

[0004] Roller stalling can interrupt the printing process, damage the equipment, delay printing times, and lead to material waste. Furthermore, irregular layer formation can weaken the structural strength of the product, affecting the quality of the printed part.

[0005] Meanwhile, the background technology described above is technical information that the inventor possessed for the purpose of deriving the present invention or acquired in the process of deriving the present invention, and cannot necessarily be said to be publicly known technology disclosed to the general public prior to the application for the present invention.

[0006] The purpose of the present invention is to provide a roller that can detect irregular discharge of powder and automatically adjust the pressure and speed of the roller to discharge powder more uniformly.

[0007] One embodiment of the present invention includes a variable bearing structure connected to rollers and a motor, which structure can provide a device for adjusting the distance between the rollers in response to increased torque from the motor.

[0008] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the problem of irregular powder discharge of a binder jet can be solved, and clogging and overload of a roller caused thereby can be prevented.

[0009] In addition, according to one embodiment of the present invention, the reliability and efficiency of the 3D printing process are improved, and the roller gap is automatically adjusted to minimize stoppages and material waste during printer operation.

[0010] Additionally, according to one embodiment of the present invention, consistent print quality can be maintained and the need for user intervention can be reduced, thereby saving time and resources.

[0011] In addition, according to one embodiment of the present invention, uniform layer formation is possible without powder clogging, thereby improving the structural integrity and surface finish of printed parts.

[0012] Additionally, according to one embodiment of the present invention, a more reliable and efficient manufacturing solution can be provided to industries that rely on 3D printing for detailed parts, such as aerospace, automotive, and medical devices.

[0013] The effects that can be obtained from the disclosed embodiments are not limited to the effects mentioned above, and other effects that are not mentioned can be clearly understood by a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the disclosed embodiments belong from the description below.

[0014] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a dispensing roller equipped with a spring according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0015] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a dispensing roller equipped with a spring according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0016] FIG. 3 is a front view showing a dispensing roller equipped with a spring according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0017] FIG. 4 is a right side view showing a dispensing roller equipped with a spring according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] Below, with reference to the attached drawings, embodiments of the present invention are described in detail so that those skilled in the art can easily implement them. However, the present invention may be implemented in various different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein. In the drawings, irrelevant parts have been omitted for clarity of description, and similar reference numerals have been used throughout the specification to indicate similar elements.

[0019] Throughout the specification, when a part is said to be "connected" to another part, this includes not only the cases where the parts are "directly connected" but also the cases where the parts are "electrically connected" with other elements intervening. Furthermore, when a part is said to "include" a component, this does not exclude other components, but rather includes other components, unless otherwise stated.

[0020] The present invention is centered around a dispensing roller for powder dispensing. This dispensing roller is designed for the purpose of uniform dispensing and dispersing of powder, and comprises a pair of rollers (300) specially designed for this purpose, a motor (100) for driving the rollers, and a variable bearing or spring (200) and guide (500) system capable of adjusting the gap between the rollers.

[0021] A pair of rollers (300), which are components of the present invention, are configured to be capable of discharging powder into the space between the pair of rollers (300), and these rollers are made of a material having high strength and durability, and are configured to be capable of discharging powder efficiently while minimizing damage caused by friction with the powder.

[0022] A pair of rollers (300) is shown in a model close to a gear in Fig. 1, but this is only an example, and any shape, such as a gear, cylinder, etc., that can discharge powder located on the upper part of the roller (300) through rotation is possible.

[0023] Additionally, in the present invention, the powder may be a SIC (silicon carbide) material, but this is only an example and any configuration used in an actual 3D printer is possible.

[0024] Meanwhile, in the case of SIC, the shape is spherical in principle, but in reality, it is common for it to be non-uniform, and due to the non-uniform configuration, powder is not discharged between a pair of rollers (300), and the distance between the rollers (300) can be further increased.

[0025] To solve the above problem, the motor (100) driving the roller (300) of one embodiment of the present invention has a control function capable of high precision and speed adjustment, thereby enabling precise control of the discharge speed and amount of powder. This motor can maintain the rotational speed of the roller (300) at a constant level.

[0026] In addition, in one embodiment of the present invention, the spring (200) and the guide (500) enable adjustment of the gap between the rollers (300) to optimize the discharge conditions of the powder. The spring (200) can adjust the gap between the rollers (300) according to pressure, and the guide (500) can stably maintain the position of the rollers (300) by including a guide groove (510) through which the roller pin (400) can move. Through this, it is possible to adjust the gap between the rollers (300) according to the type or characteristics of the powder, thereby enabling optimized powder discharge.

[0027] A pair of rollers (300) are equipped with a spring (200) to facilitate the discharge of powder, and this spring (200) allows the distance between the rollers (300) to be flexibly adjusted, thereby controlling the discharge amount according to the characteristics of the powder.

[0028] Specifically, the spring (200) is configured to compensate for the excessive separation of the rollers (300) due to powder discharge. If the rollers (300) are separated more than necessary due to an irregular powder shape between the rollers (300), excessive powder discharge may occur. To prevent this, the spring (200) can apply elastic force to the rollers (300).

[0029] Meanwhile, the configuration and position of the roller pin (400) of the roller (300), and the rotation and power transmission method of the roller (300) through the same are described below.

[0030] A roller pin (400), which is a component of one embodiment of the present invention, is formed on at least one of the longitudinal ends of the roller (300). The roller pin (400) extends in the longitudinal direction of the roller (300) and is supplied with power through a band (600) connected to a motor (100). Through this structure, the roller pin (400) plays a role in ensuring the stability and efficient rotation of the roller (300).

[0031] In one embodiment of the present invention, roller pins (400) are positioned at both ends of the roller (300) to facilitate uniform rotation of the roller (300), which contributes to effective discharge and dispersion of powder. The longitudinal extension of the roller pin (400) plays an important role in transmitting stable rotational force across the entire roller (300), thereby enabling even powder discharge.

[0032] In one embodiment of the present invention, a power transmission method through a band (600) connected to a motor (100) efficiently transmits power to a roller pin (400) to enable smooth rotation of the roller (300). The band (600) ensures continuous and stable operation of the roller (300), thereby minimizing problems that may occur during the powder dispensing process.

[0033] In one embodiment of the present invention, power transmission through the roller pin (400) and the band (600) can be combined with a spring (200) and guide (500) system to optimize the powder discharging process. The spring (200) maintains an appropriate gap between the rollers (300), and the guide (500) system can ensure stable movement of the roller pin (400).

[0034] In addition, as described above, high efficiency and stability can be achieved through a spring (200) having an automatic adjustment function of the gap between rollers (300) according to the load of the motor (100) when discharging powder.

[0035] In one embodiment of the present invention, the spring (200) automatically adjusts the gap between the rollers (300) in response to the amount of powder discharged between the rollers. When the amount of powder increases and a load is applied to the motor (100), the spring (200) is activated to move the roller pin (400) along the groove of the guide (500). This action automatically widens the gap between the rollers (300), thereby enabling additional powder discharge.

[0036] In one embodiment of the present invention, the interaction between the roller pin (400) and the guide (500) groove enables automatic adjustment of the gap between the rollers (300). The roller pin (400) moves along the guide (500) groove, allowing precise changes in the gap between the rollers (300). This allows the discharge speed and amount of powder to be maintained at a constant level.

[0037] One embodiment of the present invention is designed to flexibly respond to unexpected load situations that may arise during the powder dispensing process. The function of automatically adjusting the gap between the rollers (300) when a load is applied to the motor (100) simultaneously increases the efficiency and stability of the 3D printer, and enables continuous operation of the process.

[0038] One embodiment of the present invention can be applied to various types of powder and various dispensing conditions through an automatic gap adjustment function. This increases the versatility of the dispensing roller system and enhances its applicability in various industrial fields.

[0039] Meanwhile, the following describes a guide groove (510) and a plurality of steps (520) included therein within the guide (500) of the dispensing roller. This structure can improve the adjustment of the gap between rollers (300) and the precision of powder discharge through the steps (520) arranged in the longitudinal direction of the guide groove (510).

[0040] In one embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of steps (520) arranged in a guide groove (510) can precisely control the movement of a roller pin (400). The steps (520) have a structure in which they become higher the farther they are from the center of the guide (500), and can more precisely control the gap between the rollers (300).

[0041] In one embodiment of the present invention, the structure of the step (520) can diversify the movement path of the roller pin (400), thereby expanding the range of adjustment for the gap between the rollers (300). The step (520), which increases as it moves away from the center of the guide groove (510), allows the roller pin (400) to move within a wider range, and allows for more precise gap adjustment according to powder discharge conditions. In addition, the space between the rollers (300) can be prevented from becoming excessively wide.

[0042] Additionally, the step (520) can respond to unexpected load conditions that may occur during the powder discharge process. As the load increases, the roller pin (400) moves along the step (520), automatically adjusting the gap between the rollers (300) to maintain smooth powder discharge.

[0043] In one embodiment of the present invention, the step structure (520) can enhance the stability and accuracy of the powder discharge process. The gap between the rollers (300) can be precisely adjusted depending on the amount and properties of the powder, thereby improving the stability and productivity of the process results.

[0044] Meanwhile, the following describes a special shape of a step (520) within a guide groove (510) of a dispensing roller system. The step (520) is configured such that a surface closer to the center of the guide (500) is higher than the opposite surface, which can improve the adjustment of the gap between the rollers (300) and the efficiency of powder discharge. Although the drawing shows the opposite, this is merely an example, and the surface closer to the center may be configured to be higher than the opposite surface, which can make it easier for the roller to face the middle of a pair of guide grooves (510).

[0045] In one embodiment of the present invention, the shape of the step (520) is such that the surface closer to the center of the guide (500) is formed higher, allowing the roller pin (400) to move to a higher position, and allowing the gap between the rollers (300) to be adjusted wider. This is particularly useful when the amount of powder discharged is large, and can effectively manage the load of the motor (100).

[0046] In one embodiment of the present invention, the roller pin (400) moves along the step (520) of the guide groove (510), thereby allowing adjustment of the gap between the rollers (300) in more diverse directions. This enables more flexible adjustment according to the powder discharge conditions.

[0047] In one embodiment of the present invention, the shape of the step (520) can enhance the ability to respond to unexpected load situations during the powder discharge process. As the load increases, the roller pin (400) moves to a higher position along the step (520), automatically adjusting the gap between the rollers (300), thereby ensuring smooth powder discharge.

[0048] In one embodiment of the present invention, the step (520) can improve the stability and accuracy of the powder discharge process. The gap between the rollers (300) can be precisely adjusted depending on the amount and properties of the powder, ensuring high-quality process results.

[0049]

[0050] 100: Motor

[0051] 200: Spring

[0052] 300: Roller

[0053] 400: Rollerpin

[0054] 500: Guide

[0055] 510: Guide Home

[0056] 520: Guide step

[0057] 600: Belt

Claims

1. A pair of rollers for powder dispensing; A motor connected to the above pair of rollers; It includes a spring and a guide that can adjust the above roller spacing, The above guide includes a guide groove through which a roller pin extending from the roller can move, A dispensing roller equipped with a spring that expands the distance between the rollers through the spring and guide to facilitate the discharge of powder.

2. In paragraph 1, The above roller pin is, A dispensing roller having a spring formed at at least one of the longitudinal ends of the roller, the spring extending in the longitudinal direction of the roller and being powered by a band connected to a motor to rotate the roller.

3. In paragraph 2, A dispensing roller equipped with a spring, characterized in that the spring is configured such that when the amount of powder discharged between the rollers increases and a load is applied to the motor, the roller pin moves along the groove of the guide to widen the gap between the rollers, thereby enabling the powder to be discharged smoothly.

4. In paragraph 3, In the above guide home, It includes a plurality of steps arranged in the longitudinal direction of the above guide home, The above steps are, A spring-loaded dispensing roller that increases the height of the guide as it moves away from the center of the guide.

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