Consumable switching device and 3D printer

Abstract

Disclosed in the present application are a consumable switching device and a 3D printer. The consumable switching device comprises: a frame, a feeding port and a discharging port being respectively provided at two ends of the frame; and a consumable cutting module disposed on the frame and in communication with the feeding port by means of a main consumable channel, the consumable cutting module being configured to selectively cut a consumable passing through the main consumable channel, wherein the consumable cutting module comprises a driving member, a rotating base driven by the driving member, and a material cutting member disposed on the rotating base.

Description

Consumable material switching device and 3D printer

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims priority to the Chinese patent application filed with the China Patent Office on February 5, 2024, with application number 202420277991.7, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference into this application. Technical Field

[0003] The present application relates to the field of 3D printing technology, and in particular to a consumables switching device and a 3D printer. Background Art

[0004] 3D printing is a technology that uses consumables to construct three-dimensional objects layer by layer, based on digital model files. When a 3D printer constructs a three-dimensional product layer by layer, consumables are placed in the 3D print head, heated and melted, and then ejected into a stacked print. During printing, consumables are cut to allow for material replacement or return.

[0005] Summary of the Invention

[0006] The purpose of this application is to solve the above-mentioned problems and provide a consumable switching device and a 3D printer; the consumable switching device includes a consumable cutting module, which is externally mounted on the 3D printing nozzle, realizing the consumable cutting function while ensuring the 3D printing quality.

[0007] In order to solve the above technical problems, the technical solutions adopted in this application are as follows:

[0008] In a first aspect, a consumable material switching device is provided, comprising:

[0009] A frame, wherein both ends of the frame are respectively provided with a feed port and a discharge port;

[0010] a consumable material cutting module, the consumable material cutting module being arranged on the frame and being in communication with the feed port through a consumable material main channel, the consumable material cutting module being configured to selectively cut consumable materials passing through the consumable material main channel;

[0011] The consumable material cutting module includes a driving member, a rotating base driven by the driving member, and a cutting member provided on the rotating base; the rotating base is provided with a cutting channel arranged along a first direction and a cutting channel provided in the consumable material channel; the consumable material channel is connected to the consumable material main channel;

[0012] The cutting piece is arranged on the rotating seat and is configured to be arranged close to the discharge port, and the cutting piece cuts the consumables passing through the cutting channel under the drive of the rotating seat.

[0013] Optionally, the cutting piece is arranged perpendicular to the axial direction of the rotating seat; the consumable material through hole is arranged along the central axis of the rotating seat, and the cutting channel is arranged eccentrically relative to the central axis of the rotating seat.

[0014] Optionally, a fixed seat connected to the rotating seat is provided on the frame, and the fixed seat includes a first part provided on the frame, and a second part extending into the consumable through hole, and a rotating bearing is provided between the outer wall of the second part and the inner wall of the consumable through hole; the consumable main channel is provided on the first part, and the cutting channel is provided on the second part.

[0015] Optionally, a consumables detection component is provided on the consumables main channel, and the consumables detection component is configured to detect whether the consumables pass through the consumables main channel.

[0016] Optionally, the consumable material cutting module further includes a cutting piece detection component, and the cutting piece detection component is configured to detect the rotation position of the cutting piece.

[0017] Optionally, the consumable switching device further includes a first consumable conveying channel, which is provided on the frame and communicated with the feed port, and the consumable main channel is connected between the cutting channel and the first consumable conveying channel.

[0018] Optionally, the first consumable material conveying channel is arranged on the second surface of the frame, and the first consumable material conveying channel includes several branch channels connected to the feed port and a main conveying channel connected to the cutting channel, and the branch channels intersect with the main conveying channel.

[0019] Optionally, the number of the branch channels is greater than or equal to 2, and the feed port is arranged corresponding to the branch channels.

[0020] Optionally, the first consumable material conveying channel is integrally formed with the frame, and the first consumable material conveying channel is formed by the second surface of the frame being recessed toward the first surface. A cover is provided on the second surface of the frame, and the cover covers the first consumable material conveying channel.

[0021] In a second aspect, a 3D printer is provided, wherein the 3D printer includes the consumable material switching device as described above. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] FIG1 is a schematic structural diagram of the consumable switching device of the present application in one or more embodiments.

[0023] FIG2 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a consumable cutting module in one or more embodiments.

[0024] FIG3 is a schematic structural diagram of the consumable cutting module from another angle in one or more embodiments.

[0025] FIG4 is a schematic diagram of the connection structure between the rotating seat and the fixed seat in one or more embodiments.

[0026] FIG5 is a schematic structural diagram of the first consumable material conveying channel in one or more embodiments.

[0027] FIG6 is a schematic diagram showing the state of the cutting piece and the cutting channel when no consumables are cut.

[0028] FIG7 is a schematic diagram showing the state of the cutting piece and the cutting channel when cutting consumables.

[0029] Among them, 1-frame, 11-feed port, 12-discharge port, 2-first consumable material conveying channel, 21-branch channel, 22-main conveying channel, 3-consumable material cutting module, 31-driving part, 32-consumable material main channel, 33-rotating seat, 331-consumable material through hole, 34-cutting part, 35-cutting channel, 36-blocking piece, 37-sensing part, 38-fixed seat, 381-first part, 382-second part, 383-consumable material detection part, a-first side, b-second side. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] To facilitate understanding of the present application, a more comprehensive description of the present application will be provided below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The accompanying drawings illustrate preferred embodiments of the present application. However, the present application may be implemented in many different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided to provide a more thorough and comprehensive understanding of the disclosure of the present application.

[0031] It should be noted that when an element is referred to as being “fixed to” another element, it may be directly on the other element or there may be an intermediate element. When an element is referred to as being “connected to” another element, it may be directly connected to the other element or there may be an intermediate element.

[0032] In this application, descriptions such as “first”, “second”, etc. are only used for descriptive purposes and should not be understood as indicating or implying their relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of the indicated technical features.

[0033] In the description of this application, the indicated orientations or positional relationships are based on the orientations or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings and are only for the convenience of describing this application and simplifying the description. They do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore cannot be understood as a limitation on this application.

[0034] As shown in Figures 1 to 4, the consumable switching device described in this application includes:

[0035] The frame 1 has a feed port 11 and a discharge port 12 at both ends of the frame 1; the number of feed ports 11 can be set according to actual needs;

[0036] a consumable material cutting module 3, which is disposed on the frame 1 and communicates with the feed port 11 through a consumable material main channel 32, and is configured to selectively cut consumable materials passing through the consumable material main channel 32;

[0037] The consumable material cutting module 3 includes a driving member 31, a rotating base 33 driven by the driving member 31, and a cutting member 34 provided on the rotating base 33; the rotating base is provided with a consumable material through hole 331 arranged along a first direction and a cutting channel 35 provided in the consumable material through hole 331; the consumable material main channel 32 is connected to the cutting channel 35;

[0038] The cutting member 34 is disposed on the rotating base 33 and is configured to be disposed close to the discharge port 12 , and the cutting member cuts the consumables passing through the cutting channel 35 under the drive of the rotating base.

[0039] Optionally, the driving member 31 can be a driving motor, mounted on the first surface a of the frame 1. In some embodiments, a transmission member is provided at the rotating end of the driving member 31, connected to the rotating base 33. Rotation of the driving member 31 drives the transmission member, which in turn drives the rotating base 33. The transmission member is a gear, and the rotating base 33 can be a gear seat that meshes with the transmission member. It is understood that, depending on actual needs, the transmission member and the rotating base 33 can be directly connected or connected via other adapters.

[0040] In the prior art, a cutting mechanism is generally provided on a 3D printing nozzle without actually performing the cutting operation. This increases the weight of the 3D printing nozzle and reduces its operational flexibility. The consumable switching device described in this application is a separate device external to the printing nozzle, which implements the consumable cutting function while avoiding the increase in the weight of the printing nozzle assembly, thereby ensuring the printing accuracy of the printing nozzle and thus the accuracy of the printed model.

[0041] 3 and 4 , the cutting piece 34 is arranged perpendicular to the axial direction of the rotating seat 33 ; the consumable through hole 331 is arranged along the central axis of the rotating seat 33 , and the cutting channel 35 is arranged eccentrically relative to the central axis of the rotating seat 33 .

[0042] When cutting consumables, the consumables pass through the consumable main channel 32 into the cutting channel 35, and the cutting piece 34 rotates under the drive of the rotating seat 33. When the cutting piece 34 rotates to the area corresponding to the cutting channel 35, the cutting channel 35 is projected axially onto the cutting piece 34, and the cutting piece 34 cuts the consumables.

[0043] The rotating seat 33 is protruded from the frame body 1 , and the frame body 1 is provided with a first mounting hole for mounting the rotating seat 33 .

[0044] As shown in Figure 4, the frame 1 is provided with a fixed seat 38 connected to the rotating seat 33. The fixed seat 38 includes a first portion 381 provided on the frame 1 and a second portion 382 extending into the consumable through hole 331. A rotating bearing is provided between the outer wall of the second portion 382 and the inner wall of the consumable through hole 331. The consumable main channel 32 is provided on the first portion 381, and the cutting channel 35 is provided on the second portion 382. Specifically, the second portion 382 is cylindrical and coaxial with the consumable through hole 331, and the cutting channel 35 is eccentric relative to the central axis of the second portion 382. The fixed seat 38 is fixedly connected to the frame 1 and is rotationally fixedly connected to the rotating seat 33 via the second portion 382. This serves to position the rotating seat 33 and ensures stable rotation of the rotating seat 33 within the driving member 31.

[0045] A consumables detection component 383 is provided on the consumables main channel 32 , and the consumables detection component 383 is configured to detect whether the consumables pass through the consumables main channel 32 .

[0046] The consumable material cutting module 3 further includes a cutting piece detection component, which is configured to detect the rotation position of the cutting piece 34 .

[0047] Optionally, the cutting piece detection component includes a photoelectric detection component, a contact detection component, or a Hall sensor component. Referring to FIG2 , in some embodiments, the cutting piece detection component includes a baffle 36 provided on the rotating seat 33, and a sensing component 37 provided on the frame 1 and cooperating with the baffle 36, wherein the baffle 36 is provided corresponding to the cutting piece 34. During use, when cutting is not required, the baffle 36 is provided corresponding to the sensing component 37, and the cutting piece detection component performs real-time detection of the position of the cutting piece 34 to ensure that the cutting piece 34 does not damage the consumables passing through the cutting channel 35 when cutting is not required; during cutting, driven by the rotating seat 33, the cutting piece 34 rotates synchronously with the baffle 36, and the baffle 36 is away from the sensing component 37. The setting of the cutting piece detection component detects the position of the cutting piece 34, ensuring that the cutting piece 34 avoids the cutting channel 35 when not cutting consumables, and does not damage the consumables passing through the cutting channel.

[0048] In other embodiments, the consumable switching device also includes a first consumable conveying channel 2, which is provided on the frame 1 and connected to the feed port 11, and the consumable main channel 32 is connected between the cutting channel and the first consumable conveying channel.

[0049] As shown in Figures 1 and 5, the first consumable material conveying channel 2 is arranged on the second side b of the frame 1. The first consumable material conveying channel 2 includes several branch channels 21 connected to the feed port 11 and a main conveying channel 22 connected to the cutting channel 35. The branch channels 21 intersect with the main conveying channel 22.

[0050] The first consumable material conveying channel 2 can be connected to a plurality of storage boxes with different colors through a plurality of branch channels 21. According to printing requirements, consumable materials of different colors can be selected for printing, thereby realizing multi-color 3D printing.

[0051] The number of branch channels 21 is greater than or equal to 2, and the feed port 11 is provided corresponding to the branch channels 21. Optionally, in the embodiment of the present application, the number of branch channels 21 can be 4, and after two adjacent branch channels 21 intersect to form an intermediate intersection area, the two adjacent intermediate intersection areas further intersect and connect to the main transmission channel 22. The feed port 11 is integrally formed on the frame 1.

[0052] Furthermore, in some embodiments, the first consumable material conveying channel 2 is integrally formed with the frame 1, and the first consumable material conveying channel 2 is formed by the second surface b of the frame 1 being recessed toward the first surface a. A cover (not shown) is provided on the second surface b of the frame 1, and the cover is provided to cover the first consumable material conveying channel 2. The provision of the cover protects and guides the consumables, preventing the consumables from being contaminated or bent and damaged in the first consumable material conveying channel 2.

[0053] Furthermore, the consumable material switching device further includes a shell, and the shell is covered on two sides of the frame 1 to form an installation chamber together with the frame 1.

[0054] Specifically, the shell includes a first shell and a second shell, the first shell cover is arranged on the first surface a of the frame 1, and the second shell cover is arranged on the second surface b of the frame 1; the edge of the frame 1 is provided with a ridge connected to the first shell and the second shell respectively, and the first shell and the second shell are respectively connected to the ridge; the frame 1 and the corner areas of the first shell and the second shell are fixedly connected to each other by fixed connectors. It also includes a third consumables conveying channel, which connects the first consumables conveying channel 2 and the discharge port 12 respectively. The feed port 11 is funnel-shaped as a whole, and the feed port 11 plays a guiding role for the consumables, avoiding the consumables from bending when entering the first consumables conveying channel 2 from the feed port 11.

[0055] When in use, the operating process of the consumable switching device described in this application includes the following steps:

[0056] As shown in Figure 6, the consumables are conveyed from the feed port 11 into the consumable main channel 32, then pass through the consumable main channel 32 into the cutting channel 35, and then are conveyed out from the discharge port 12 through the cutting channel 35. During the consumable material conveying process, the cutting piece 34 is arranged to avoid the cutting channel 35; as shown in Figure 7, when cutting, the driving member 31 drives the rotating seat 33 to rotate, and the rotating seat 33 drives the cutting piece 34 provided thereon to rotate, and the cutting piece 34 rotates to the area corresponding to the cutting channel 35 to cut the consumables.

[0057] The present application also provides a 3D printer, which includes the above-mentioned consumable switching device.

[0058] The technical features of the above embodiments can be combined arbitrarily. To make the description concise, not all possible combinations of the technical features in the above embodiments are described. However, as long as there is no contradiction in the combination of these technical features, they should be considered to be within the scope of this specification.

[0059] The above embodiments merely represent optional implementation methods of the present application. Although the descriptions are relatively specific and detailed, they should not be construed as limiting the scope of the patent application. It should be noted that a person of ordinary skill in the art may make a number of modifications and improvements without departing from the concept of the present application, and these modifications and improvements fall within the scope of protection of the present application. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present patent application shall be based on the appended claims.

Claims

1. A consumables switching device, characterized in that: include: A frame, wherein both ends of the frame are respectively provided with a feed port and a discharge port; a consumable material cutting module, the consumable material cutting module being arranged on the frame and being in communication with the feed port through a consumable material main channel, the consumable material cutting module being configured to selectively cut consumable materials passing through the consumable material main channel; The consumable material cutting module includes a driving member, a rotating base driven by the driving member, and a cutting member provided on the rotating base; the rotating base is provided with a consumable material through hole arranged along a first direction and a cutting channel provided in the consumable material through hole; the consumable material main channel is connected to the cutting channel; The cutting piece is arranged on the rotating seat and is configured to be arranged close to the discharge port, and the cutting piece cuts the consumables passing through the cutting channel under the drive of the rotating seat.

2. The consumable material switching device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The cutting piece is arranged perpendicular to the axial direction of the rotating seat; the consumable material through hole is arranged along the central axis of the rotating seat, and the cutting channel is arranged eccentrically relative to the central axis of the rotating seat.

3. The consumable material switching device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The frame is provided with a fixed seat connected to the rotating seat, and the fixed seat includes a first part provided on the frame, and a second part extending into the consumable through hole, and a rotating bearing is provided between the outer wall of the second part and the inner wall of the consumable through hole; the consumable main channel is provided on the first part, and the cutting channel is provided on the second part.

4. The consumable material switching device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The second portion is coaxially arranged with the consumable through hole, and the cutting channel is eccentrically arranged relative to the central axis of the second portion.

5. The consumable material switching device according to claim 3, characterized in that: A consumables detection component is provided on the consumables main channel, and the consumables detection component is configured to detect whether the consumables pass through the consumables main channel.

6. The consumable material switching device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The consumable material cutting module further includes a cutting piece detection component, which is configured to detect the rotation position of the cutting piece.

7. The consumable material switching device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that: The consumable material switching device also includes a first consumable material conveying channel, which is arranged on the frame and connected to the feed port, and the consumable material main channel is connected between the cutting channel and the first consumable material conveying channel.

8. The consumable material switching device according to claim 6, characterized in that: The first consumable material conveying channel is arranged on the second surface of the frame, and the first consumable material conveying channel includes a plurality of branch channels connected to the feed port and a main conveying channel connected to the cutting channel, and the branch channels intersect with the main conveying channel.

9. The consumable material switching device according to claim 6, characterized in that: The number of the branch channels is greater than or equal to 2, and the feed port is arranged corresponding to the branch channels.

10. The consumable material switching device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that: The first consumable material conveying channel is integrally formed with the frame, and the first consumable material conveying channel is formed by the second surface of the frame being recessed toward the first surface. A cover is provided on the second surface of the frame, and the cover covers the first consumable material conveying channel.

11. A 3D printer, characterized in that: The 3D printer includes the consumable switching device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the consumable switching device includes: A frame, wherein both ends of the frame are respectively provided with a feed port and a discharge port; a consumable material cutting module, the consumable material cutting module being arranged on the frame and being in communication with the feed port through a consumable material main channel, the consumable material cutting module being configured to selectively cut consumable materials passing through the consumable material main channel; The consumable material cutting module includes a driving member, a rotating base driven by the driving member, and a cutting member provided on the rotating base; the rotating base is provided with a consumable material through hole arranged along a first direction and a cutting channel provided in the consumable material through hole; the consumable material main channel is connected to the cutting channel; The cutting piece is arranged on the rotating seat and is configured to be arranged close to the discharge port, and the cutting piece cuts the consumables passing through the cutting channel under the drive of the rotating seat.

12. The 3D printer according to claim 11, wherein: The cutting piece is arranged perpendicular to the axial direction of the rotating seat; the consumable material through hole is arranged along the central axis of the rotating seat, and the cutting channel is arranged eccentrically relative to the central axis of the rotating seat.

13. The 3D printer according to claim 12, wherein: The frame is provided with a fixed seat connected to the rotating seat, and the fixed seat includes a first part provided on the frame, and a second part extending into the consumable through hole, and a rotating bearing is provided between the outer wall of the second part and the inner wall of the consumable through hole; the consumable main channel is provided on the first part, and the cutting channel is provided on the second part.

14. The 3D printer according to claim 13, wherein: The second portion is coaxially arranged with the consumable through hole, and the cutting channel is eccentrically arranged relative to the central axis of the second portion.

15. The 3D printer according to claim 13, wherein: A consumables detection component is provided on the consumables main channel, and the consumables detection component is configured to detect whether the consumables pass through the consumables main channel.

16. The 3D printer according to any one of claims 11 to 15, characterized in that: The consumable material cutting module further includes a cutting piece detection component, which is configured to detect the rotation position of the cutting piece.

17. The 3D printer according to any one of claims 11 to 16, characterized in that: The consumable material switching device also includes a first consumable material conveying channel, which is arranged on the frame and connected to the feed port, and the consumable material main channel is connected between the cutting channel and the first consumable material conveying channel.

18. The 3D printer according to claim 16, wherein: The first consumable material conveying channel is arranged on the second surface of the frame, and the first consumable material conveying channel includes a plurality of branch channels connected to the feed port and a main conveying channel connected to the cutting channel, and the branch channels intersect with the main conveying channel.

19. The 3D printer according to claim 16, wherein: The number of the branch channels is greater than or equal to 2, and the feed port is arranged corresponding to the branch channels.

20. The 3D printer according to any one of claims 11 to 19, wherein: The first consumable material conveying channel is integrally formed with the frame, and the first consumable material conveying channel is formed by the second surface of the frame being recessed toward the first surface. A cover is provided on the second surface of the frame, and the cover covers the first consumable material conveying channel.

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