Multi-output-head module for 3D printer

Abstract

The present invention relates to a 3D printer and, specifically, to a multi-output-head module for a 3D printer, enabling filaments of various materials or colors to be supplied in one 3D printer, and comprising: a plurality of output heads provided in a standby station; and a moving head which has mobility and which couples to any one of the output heads so as to provide rotational force for supplying the filament provided therein.

Description

Multi-output head module for 3D printers

[0001] The present invention relates to a 3D printer, and more particularly, to a multi-output head module for a 3D printer that enables filaments of various materials or colors to be supplied from a single 3D printer.

[0002] As 3D printers become more widespread, users can now more easily create complex shapes. In the past, creating prototypes or molds for an item required creating mockups, which was both time-consuming and costly.

[0003] As the performance of 3D printers rapidly improves and filaments of a wider variety of materials are developed and distributed, the utility and potential of 3D printers are expected to expand further.

[0004] Meanwhile, most common 3D printers have only one nozzle and can print with only one type of filament. However, 3D printers are also being released that can combine two or more materials or colors of filament to create a single object.

[0005] In other words, if you can mix two or more colors or different materials of filament when printing a single product using a 3D printer, it can be useful for testing or producing samples for more functional and creative products.

[0006] Accordingly, the present invention proposes a multi-output head module capable of outputting multiple filaments of different colors or materials to a single 3D printer.

[0007] The multi-output head module for a 3D printer of the present invention for achieving the task as presented is characterized by including: a plurality of output heads provided in a waiting station; a moving head having mobility and coupled to one of the output heads to provide rotational force for supplying filament mounted on the output head;

[0008] And the output head is characterized in that a driven gear part for pushing the filament downward is formed near the top, a heating block for melting the filament is formed at the bottom side, and a nozzle for discharging the molten filament is formed at the bottom of the heating block, and the moving head includes a driving gear connected to the rotational shaft of the motor and incorporated into the driven gear part, and a heating block that contacts the heating block to transmit heat for melting the filament.

[0009] And the output head and the moving head are provided with facing coupling plates so that they are coupled by magnetic force, and a male and female positioning projection and a male and female positioning groove are formed on the coupling plate, and the contact surface of the heating block and the heating block is formed with a male and female protrusion and a concave portion, and the protrusion and the concave portion are formed to form a predetermined inclination angle.

[0010] In addition, one side of the heating block is formed at the above-described angle, and the opposite side is connected to be supported by an elastic member.

[0011] And, a protective cover is formed around the heating block, and the lower front end of the protective cover is in contact with the catch of the nozzle that is coupled to the lower end of the heating block facing the heating block, so that the heating blocks can be coupled to each other at an accurate position.

[0012] According to the multi-output head module for a 3D printer according to the present invention, a plurality of output heads are provided, and a single moving head moves to exchange the necessary output heads, outputting different types or different colors of filaments to create any shape, thereby having the effect of maximizing the usability of the 3D printer.

[0013] In particular, the multi-output head module for a 3D printer according to the present invention has the effect of minimizing output errors even when the output head is replaced by presenting a structure in which the combination of the moving head and the output head can always be accurately combined.

[0014] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a multi-output head module for a 3D printer according to the present invention.

[0015] Figure 2 is a perspective view of the multi-output head module for a 3D printer viewed from another direction.

[0016] Figure 3 is a perspective view of the output head and moving head constituting the multi-output head module for a 3D printer separated from each other.

[0017] Figure 4 is a perspective view of the output head and moving head in a separated state as seen from another direction.

[0018] Figure 5 is a perspective view with the protective cover removed.

[0019] Figure 6 is a perspective view of Figure 5 seen from another direction.

[0020] Hereinafter, a more detailed description will be given of a multi-output head module for a 3D printer according to the present invention, with reference to the attached drawings.

[0021]

[0022] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a multi-output head module for a 3D printer according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the multi-output head module for a 3D printer viewed from another direction, FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an output head and a moving head constituting the multi-output head module for a 3D printer in a separated state, FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an output head and a moving head viewed from another direction in a separated state, FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a state in which a protective cover is removed, and FIG. 6 is a perspective view of FIG. 5 viewed from another direction.

[0023]

[0024] As illustrated, the multi-output head module for a 3D printer according to the present invention includes a plurality of output heads (100) and one moving head (200) as main components.

[0025] A waiting station (not shown) is provided on one side of the basic frame of the 3D printer, and a plurality of output heads (100) are prepared in the waiting station. Each output head (100) is configured to be supplied with filament of a different material or color.

[0026] That is, the multi-output head module for a 3D printer according to the present invention is equipped with multiple output heads (100) in one 3D printer, so that filaments of various colors or materials can be provided, thereby enabling the output of a wider variety of products.

[0027] A plurality of output heads (100) are provided so that filaments having different characteristics can be supplied to each output head (100), and one moving head (200) moves and is combined with any one of the plurality of prepared output heads (100) to perform output, and even during output, output can be temporarily stopped and replaced with another output head, and then output can be performed continuously.

[0028] That is, the moving head (200) is provided with mobility that can move along a predetermined sliding mechanism, and is coupled with one of the output heads (100) to provide rotational force that allows the filament to be supplied from the output head (100). In other words, the filament provided in the output head (100) can be discharged when the moving head (200) and the output head (100) are coupled.

[0029] Let us look into the operational relationship and characteristics between the output head (100) and the moving head (200) in more detail.

[0030] A driven gear (110) is formed near the top of the output head (100) to push the filament downward, a heating block (120) is formed at the bottom to melt the filament, and a nozzle (130) through which the molten filament is discharged is formed at the bottom of the heating block (120).

[0031] Meanwhile, the moving head (200) is equipped with a motor (210) and a driving gear (220) connected to the rotational axis of the motor (210). The driving gear (220) meshes with the driven gear (110) provided in the output head (100) to provide rotational force. In addition, a heating block (230) is included that can contact the heating block (120) provided in the output head (100) to transmit heat capable of melting the filament.

[0032] The output head (100) and the moving head (200) can be mutually coupled or separated, and when the output head (100) is replaced, the moving head (200) moves to the standby station and operates to hang the output head (100) that was already coupled on the standby station, and then moves to the front of another output head (100) and couples with the required output head, and then moves to a position where output is possible.

[0033]

[0034] The output head (100) and the moving head (200) must be able to be integrated by being combined at an accurate position. To this end, a male and female positioning projection (P1) and a positioning groove (P2) are formed on each of the coupling plates (P) of the output head (100) and the moving head (200) so as to form an accurate coupling position. In addition, it is preferable that a magnet (M) be provided on the coupling plate (P) so that a predetermined coupling force can be formed by magnetic force.

[0035] One moving head (200) must be combined with one of the multiple output heads (100) and then separated when replaced and then combined with another output head (100). Here, when the moving head (200) and the output head (100) are combined, they must always be precisely combined at a constant position so that the position of the nozzle from which the filament is finally discharged does not change.

[0036] To this end, firstly, mutual coupling is achieved by using positioning projections (P1) and positioning grooves (P2) formed in a male and female shape on the joining plate (P), and at the same time, the contact surfaces of the heating block (120) and the heating block (230) are also formed in a male and female shape with a protrusion (121) and a concave portion (231).

[0037] In particular, more preferably, the protrusion (121) and the concave portion (231), which are the combined structures of the heating block (120) and the heating block (230), are arranged to form a predetermined inclination angle. For example, one side of the heating block (120) is formed as a protrusion (121) at an inclination angle, and one side of the corresponding heating block (230) is formed as a concave portion (231).

[0038] In addition, preferably, the opposite side of the heating block (120) is supported by an elastic member (122) so that a predetermined elastic force is applied to naturally induce the heating block (120) and the heating block (230) to be accurately coupled.

[0039] Meanwhile, in order to assist in accurately combining the heating block (230) and the heating block (120), a protective cover (240) is provided around the heating block (230). The protective cover (240) is provided except for the front part of the heating block (230), and in particular, the lower front end of the protective cover (240) is brought into contact with the catch (140) of the nozzle (130) coupled to the lower end of the heating block (120), so that the upper and lower positions can be accurately determined in the coupling position relationship between the heating block (120) and the heating block (230).

[0040]

[0041] As described above, the multi-output head module for a 3D printer of the present invention presents a structure that is structurally simple while not compromising output precision through a combination of a plurality of output heads (100) and a single moving head (200), and through this, when the moving head (200) is combined with any one of the plurality of output heads (100) to output a predetermined filament and then, when output of a filament of a different color is required for a specific part, the moving head moves to a waiting station so that the previously combined output head (100) is separated, and then combined with a new output head (100) so that continuous output of the filament is possible.

[0042] Since the moving head (200) must output filament after being combined with one of a plurality of output heads (100), the combination between the moving head (200) and the output head (100) must always be made at a constant position, and if the combination between the two is not accurate, the quality of the output deteriorates. Therefore, the present invention proposes a unique combination method to solve this problem.

[0043] [Explanation of symbols]

[0044] 100: Output head

[0045] 110: Driven gear fisherman

[0046] 120: Heating block

[0047] 121: Protrusion

[0048] 122: Elastic member

[0049] 130: Nozzle

[0050] 140: The Stumbling Piece

[0051] 200: Moving Head

[0052] 210: Motor

[0053] 220: Drive gear

[0054] 230: Heating block

[0055] 240: Protective cover

[0056] 231: Concave

[0057] P: Combination plate

[0058] P1: Positioning protrusion

[0059] P2: Positioning home

[0060] M: Magnet

Claims

As a multi-output head module for 1.3D printers, Multiple output heads provided in the waiting station; A multi-output head module for a 3D printer, characterized in that it includes a moving head that is coupled to one of the output heads while having mobility and provides rotational force for supplying filament mounted on the output head.

2. In paragraph 1, The above output head, A driven gear is formed near the top to push the filament downward, a heating block is formed at the bottom to melt the filament, and a nozzle is formed at the bottom of the heating block to discharge the molten filament. The above moving head, A multi-output head module for a 3D printer, characterized in that it includes a driving gear connected to the rotational shaft of the motor, is assembled to the driven gear section, and includes a heating block that contacts the heating block to transmit heat for melting the filament.

3. In paragraph 2, The above output head and the above moving head are provided with facing coupling plates so that they are coupled by magnetic force, and a male and female positioning projection and a positioning groove are formed on the coupling plate, The contact surface of the above heating block and the above heating block is formed of a male and female shape with a protrusion and a concave part, A multi-output head module for a 3D printer, characterized in that the protrusions and concave portions are formed to form a predetermined inclination angle.

4. In paragraph 3, A multi-output head module for a 3D printer, characterized in that one side of the heating block is formed at the above-mentioned angle, and the opposite side is connected to be supported by an elastic member.

5. In paragraph 3 or 4, A multi-output head module for a 3D printer, characterized in that a protective cover is formed around the heating block, and the lower front end of the protective cover is in contact with a catch piece of a nozzle that is coupled to the lower end of the heating block facing the heating block, so that the heating blocks can be coupled at an accurate position.

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