Multi-consumable extrusion apparatus, print head, and 3D printing device

Abstract

A multi-consumable extrusion apparatus (100a, 100b), a print head (200), and a 3D printing device (300). The multi-consumable extrusion apparatus (100a, 100b) comprises a mounting frame (10), at least two first extrusion wheels (21), movable units (22), a rotating member (30), and a first driving assembly (40a, 40b). The at least two first extrusion wheels (21) are sequentially arranged, and the first extrusion wheels (21) are rotatably connected to the mounting frame (10). At least one side of each first extrusion wheel (21) among the at least two first extrusion wheels (21) is provided with one movable unit (22), the movable unit (22) is movably connected to the mounting frame (10) and is capable of approaching or moving away from the first extrusion wheel (21), and the movable unit (22) is used for forming an extrusion channel (24) by approaching the first extrusion wheel (21). The rotating member (30) is configured to allow at least one movable unit (22) to approach the first extrusion wheel (21) and to hold the remaining movable units (22) away from the first extrusion wheel (21), and the rotating member (30) is rotatably connected to the mounting frame (10) and is used for enabling different movable units (22) to approach the first extrusion wheel (21); and the first driving assembly (40a, 40b) is transmittingly connected to the rotating member (30), and the first driving assembly (40a, 40b) is used for driving the rotating member (30) to rotate.

Description

Multi-material extrusion device, print head and 3D printing equipment

[0001] Cross-reference to related applications

[0002] This application claims priority to the Chinese patent application No. 202421244554.1 filed on May 31, 2024 with the Chinese Patent Office, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] The present application relates to the technical field of 3D printing, in particular to a multi-material extrusion device, a print head and a 3D printing equipment. BACKGROUND

[0004] A conventional dual-color 3D printer is configured with a material switching mechanism to switch two different material extrusion channels. With the rise of multi-color printing technology, a 3D printer needs to be configured with multiple material switching mechanisms to switch multiple material extrusion channels, resulting in a larger volume of the print head of the 3D printer, which not only increases the space occupied by the print head, but also affects the movement accuracy of the print head. SUMMARY

[0005] The present application provides a multi-material extrusion device, a print head and a 3D printing equipment to solve the problem of a larger volume of the print head of a multi-color 3D printer and lower movement accuracy in the known technology.

[0006] In a first aspect, the present application provides a multi-material extrusion device, which comprises a mounting frame, at least two first extrusion wheels, a movable unit, a rotating member and a first driving assembly; the at least two first extrusion wheels are arranged in sequence, and the first extrusion wheels are rotatably connected to the mounting frame; at least one side of each of the at least two first extrusion wheels is provided with the movable unit, the movable unit is movably connected to the mounting frame and can approach or move away from the first extrusion wheel, and the movable unit is used to form an extrusion channel after approaching the first extrusion wheel; the rotating member is configured to allow at least one movable unit to approach the first extrusion wheel and resist the remaining movable units to move away from the first extrusion wheel, the rotating member is rotatably connected to the mounting frame and is used to make different movable units approach the first extrusion wheel; and the first driving assembly is drivingly connected to the rotating member, and the first driving assembly is used to drive the rotating member to rotate.

[0007] In a possible implementation, the rotating member is provided with a groove portion, the groove portion is used to at least partially accommodate the movable unit to allow the accommodated movable unit to form the extrusion channel after approaching the first extrusion wheel, and when the groove portion accommodates the movable unit, the rotating member resists the remaining movable units to move away from the first extrusion wheel.

[0008] In a possible implementation, the movable unit is provided with an abutting part, the abutting part of at least one of the movable units is arranged around the outer circumferential surface of the rotating member, the outer circumferential surface of the rotating member is used for abutting the abutting part, and the recessed part is recessed inward from the outer circumferential surface of the rotating member and is used for accommodating the abutting part.

[0009] In a possible implementation, the movable unit comprises:

[0010] A movable support, one end of the movable support is rotatably connected to the mounting frame, and the other end of the movable support is provided with an abutting part, the abutting part is used for abutting the rotating member.

[0011] A second extrusion wheel, the second extrusion wheel is rotatably connected to the movable support, and the second extrusion wheel is used for driving connection to the first extrusion wheel, so that the extrusion channel is formed between the first extrusion wheel and the second extrusion wheel.

[0012] In a possible implementation, the multi-material extrusion device further comprises an elastic member, the elastic member is arranged between each movable unit and the mounting frame, and two ends of the elastic member are respectively elastically connected to the movable unit and the mounting frame, and the elastic member is used for applying an elastic force close to the first extrusion wheel to the movable unit.

[0013] In a possible implementation, the first driving assembly comprises a first driving member and a rotating shaft, the rotating shaft is drivingly connected to the first driving member, the rotating shaft is rotatably connected to the mounting frame, and the rotating member is sleeved on the outer circumferential surface of the rotating shaft.

[0014] In a possible implementation, the first driving assembly comprises:

[0015] A pushing member, the pushing member comprises a first end and a second end, the first end is rotatably connected to the mounting frame, and the second end is used for colliding with a support frame of a 3D printing device to provide a driving force for driving the pushing member to rotate.

[0016] A reverse prevention member, the reverse prevention member is connected to the pushing member, the reverse prevention member is drivingly connected to the rotating member, and the reverse prevention member is used for driving the rotating member to rotate in one direction.

[0017] In a possible implementation, the multi-material extrusion device further comprises a second driving assembly, the second driving assembly is drivingly connected to the at least two first extrusion wheels, and the second driving assembly is used for driving the at least two first extrusion wheels to rotate synchronously.

[0018] In a second aspect, the embodiments of the present application further provide a print head, comprising a nozzle device and the multi-material extrusion device as described above, wherein the nozzle device is connected to the multi-material extrusion device, and is configured to guide the material extruded by the multi-material extrusion device to a forming substrate.

[0019] In a third aspect, the embodiments of the present application further provide a 3D printing device, comprising a support frame and the print head as described above, wherein the print head is movably connected to the support frame, and the support frame is configured to support a rotating member of the multi-material extrusion device in a moving state, so as to drive the rotating member to rotate. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0020] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the multi-material extrusion device according to the present application in embodiment 1.

[0021] FIG. 2 is a top view of the multi-material extrusion device according to the present application in embodiment 1.

[0022] FIG. 3 is a partial structure view of the multi-material extrusion device according to the present application in embodiment 1.

[0023] FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the multi-material extrusion device according to the present application in embodiment 1.

[0024] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the multi-material extrusion device according to the present application in embodiment 2.

[0025] FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the multi-material extrusion device according to the present application in embodiment 2.

[0026] FIG. 7 is an installation view of the rotating member and the non-return member of the multi-material extrusion device according to the present application in embodiment 2.

[0027] FIG. 8 is a structure view of the print head according to the present application in one or more embodiments.

[0028] FIG. 9 is a structure view of the 3D printing device according to the present application in one or more embodiments.

[0029] FIG. 10 is a top view of the 3D printing device according to the present application in one or more embodiments.

[0030] Main element symbol explanation: 3D printing device 300 print head 200 multi-material extrusion device 100a, 100b first direction X second direction Y third direction Z first curved surface P1 second curved surface P2 mounting frame 10 side plate 11 first rotating hole 110 third perforation 111 bottom plate 12 second protrusion 121 mounting column 1210 second perforation 1211 material passing hole 122 top plate 13 fixed protrusion 131 fixed groove 1310 partition plate 14 limiting column 15 second rotating hole 150 receiving cavity 16 movable cavity 17 first extrusion wheel 21 first engaging part 211 first extrusion part 212 first rotating shaft 213active unit 22 active support 221 resistance part 2210 installation groove 2211 third rotating hole 2212 first protruding part 2213 first perforation 2214 second extrusion wheel 222 second engaging part 2221 second extrusion part 2222 second rotating shaft 2223 third rotating shaft 223 elastic member 23 extrusion channel 24 rotating member 30 concave groove part 31 rotating groove 32 reverse stopping groove 33 first driving assembly 40a, 40b first driving member 41 rotating shaft 42 actuating member 43 first end part 431 second end part 432 reverse stopping member 44 central part 441 extension part 442 torsion spring 45 second driving assembly 50Second driving member 51 Transmission mechanism 52 First gear 521 Second gear 522 Third gear 523 Nozzle device 60 Guide passage 61 Molded substrate 70 Support frame 80 Support body 81 Impact portion 810 Optical axis 82 DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] The following description will refer to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate example embodiments of the application. However, the application can be implemented in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these example embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the application to those skilled in the art. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout.

[0032] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular example embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the application. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Furthermore, to the extent that the terms "including", "includes", "having", "has", "a", "an", "one" or "said one" are used in this specification and / or claims, they are intended to be inclusive (meaning that there can be additional items) and / or to be construed as functionally open-ended (meaning that an item or items can have additional functions), unless otherwise indicated.

[0033] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this application belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and the present disclosure and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

[0034] The specific embodiments of the present application will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0035] Embodiment 1

[0036] As shown in FIGS. 1-4, the present embodiment provides a multi-material extrusion device 100a. The multi-material extrusion device 100a includes a mounting frame 10, at least two first extrusion wheels 21, a movable unit 22, a rotating member 30, and a first driving assembly 40a.

[0037] For the convenience of subsequent reading, the present application introduces the first direction X, the second direction Y and the third direction Z to describe the embodiments of the present application. The first direction X, the second direction Y and the third direction Z can be three mutually non-parallel straight line directions in space; further, the first direction X, the second direction Y and the third direction Z can be three mutually perpendicular directions in a three-dimensional coordinate system (three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system). In the subsequent embodiments, the first direction X is taken as the X-axis direction of the coordinate axis of the three-dimensional coordinate system, the second direction Y is taken as the Y-axis direction of the coordinate axis of the three-dimensional coordinate system, and the third direction Z is taken as the Z-axis direction of the coordinate axis of the three-dimensional coordinate system.

[0038] And along the first direction X, the at least two first extrusion wheels 21 are sequentially and spaced apart. The first extrusion wheel 21 is rotatably connected to the mounting frame 10, and the first extrusion wheel 21 can rotate around the first direction X. Along the second direction Y, the movable unit 22 is arranged on at least one side of the first extrusion wheel 21.

[0039] For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the number of first extrusion wheels 21 in the present embodiment is set to two, and each first extrusion wheel 21 is provided with two movable units 22 cooperating therewith, and the two movable units 22 are arranged on opposite sides of the first extrusion wheel 21, that is, four-color printing can be achieved. It can be understood that the number of first extrusion wheels 21 can also be set to one or three or more, and the number of movable units 22 corresponding to a single first extrusion wheel 21 can also be set to only one. The number of first extrusion wheels 21 and the number of movable units 22 corresponding to each first extrusion wheel 21 of the present application can be adaptively selected according to actual design requirements.

[0040] Further, the movable unit 22 is movably connected to the mounting frame 10, and the movable unit 22 can rotate around the first direction X to approach or move away from the first extrusion wheel 21. The movable unit 22 is used to form an extrusion channel 24 after approaching the first extrusion wheel 21, and the material is extruded through the cooperation of the movable unit 22 and the first extrusion wheel 21.

[0041] The rotating member 30 is configured to allow at least one movable unit 22 to approach the first extrusion wheel 21 and resist the remaining movable units 22 from the first extrusion wheel 21. The rotating member 30 is rotatably connected to the mounting frame 10 and rotates around the third direction Z to make different movable units 22 approach the first extrusion wheel 21. The first driving assembly 40a is drivingly connected to the rotating member 30, and the first driving assembly 40a is used to drive the rotating member 30 to rotate.

[0042] Thus, the multi-material extrusion device 100a of the present application realizes the extrusion of multi-color consumables by sequentially arranging at least two first extrusion wheels 21 and arranging at least one movable unit 22 on each side of each first extrusion wheel 21, and forming an extrusion channel 24 of consumables after the movable unit 22 approaches the first extrusion wheel 21. In addition, the present application only has a single rotating member 30, which is used in cooperation with each movable unit 22, can allow at least one movable unit 22 to approach the first extrusion wheel 21 to form an extrusion channel 24, and the rotating member 30 resists the remaining movable units 22 from the first extrusion wheel 21. Different movable units 22 approach the first extrusion wheel 21 by driving the rotating member 30 to rotate by the first driving assembly 40a, thereby realizing the formation of the extrusion channel 24 of consumables of different colors to facilitate the extrusion of consumables of the required color.

[0043] Please refer to FIGS. 2-4, in the present embodiment, the mounting frame 10 includes two side plates 11, a bottom plate 12, and a top plate 13.

[0044] Along the first direction X, the two side plates 11 are arranged in parallel and spaced apart. Along the third direction Z, the bottom plate 12 is connected to the bottom ends of the two side plates 11, and the top plate 13 is connected to the top ends of the two side plates 11.

[0045] The end of the bottom plate 12 close to the top plate 13 is provided with a limiting column 15, the limiting column 15 protrudes towards the top plate 13, and the top end of the limiting column 15 is spaced apart from the top plate 13. The top end of the limiting column 15 is provided with a partition plate 14, the two ends of the partition plate 14 are connected to the two side plates 11 respectively, the partition plate 14 is spaced apart from the top plate 13, and a receiving cavity 16 is formed between the two, and the rotating member 30 is rotatably received in the receiving cavity 16.

[0046] Further, the limiting column 15 is located at the middle region between the two side plates 11 to divide the space between the two side plates 11 into two movable cavities 17. The two first extrusion wheels 21 are arranged in the two movable cavities 17 respectively.

[0047] It can be understood that when the first extrusion wheel 21 is three or more, the number of limiting columns 15 can be multiple, and the multiple limiting columns 15 are sequentially and spaced apart along the first direction X to form multiple movable cavities 17, and each movable cavity 17 receives one first extrusion wheel 21.

[0048] Please refer to FIG. 2 to FIG. 4 again, in the embodiment, the first extrusion wheel 21 is further provided with a first rotating shaft 213, the axial direction of the first rotating shaft 213 is parallel to the first direction X, and the first rotating shaft 213 is coaxially arranged with the first extrusion wheel 21. The first rotating shaft 213 penetrates the first extrusion wheel 21, and the two ends of the first rotating shaft 213 are respectively rotatably connected to the side plate 11 and the limiting column 15. The two side plates 11 are respectively provided with a first rotating hole 110, and the limiting column 15 is provided with a second rotating hole 150. The first rotating hole 110 and the second rotating hole 150 are coaxially arranged, and the axial directions of the two are parallel to the first direction X. The two ends of the first rotating shaft 213 are rotatably accommodated in the first rotating hole 110 and the second rotating hole 150 respectively.

[0049] The movable unit 22 includes a movable support 221 and a second extrusion wheel 222. One end of the movable support 221 is rotatably connected to the mounting frame 10, and the other end of the movable support 221 is provided with an abutting portion 2210 for abutting the rotating member 30. The second extrusion wheel 222 is rotatably connected to the movable support 221, and the second extrusion wheel 222 is used for driving connection with the first extrusion wheel 21, so that the extrusion channel 24 is formed between the first extrusion wheel 21 and the second extrusion wheel 222.

[0050] In some embodiments, along the second direction Y, the second extrusion wheel 222 is located on one side of the first extrusion wheel 21, and the axial direction of the second extrusion wheel 222 is parallel to the axial direction of the first extrusion wheel 21. The first extrusion wheel 21 includes a first meshing portion 211 and a first extrusion portion 212 which are coaxially arranged, and the second extrusion wheel 222 includes a second meshing portion 2221 and a second extrusion portion 2222 which are coaxially arranged.

[0051] When the second extrusion wheel 222 is close to the first extrusion wheel 21, the second meshing portion 2221 meshes with the first meshing portion 211, the second meshing portion 2221 is driven to rotate by the rotating first meshing portion 211, and the second extrusion portion 2222 is further driven to rotate by the second meshing portion 2221. When the second meshing portion 2221 meshes with the first meshing portion 211, there is a gap between the second extrusion portion 2222 and the first extrusion portion 212, and the gap forms the extrusion channel 24. The first extrusion portion 212 and the second extrusion portion 2222 are used for conveying the consumables along the extrusion channel 24 through rotation.

[0052] In some embodiments, the movable support 221 is provided with a mounting slot 2211, and the mounting slot 2211 penetrates the movable support 221 along the second direction Y. The second extrusion wheel 222 is rotatably accommodated in the mounting slot 2211.

[0053] The second extrusion wheel 222 is further provided with a second rotating shaft 2223, which is coaxial with the second extrusion wheel 222 and parallel to the first direction X. The second rotating shaft 2223 penetrates the second extrusion wheel 222 and is rotatably connected to the two inner walls of the mounting groove 2211 at the two ends of the second extrusion wheel 222. Along the first direction X, the two inner walls of the mounting groove 2211 are provided with third rotating holes 2212, and the axis of the third rotating hole 2212 is parallel to the first direction X. The two ends of the second rotating shaft 2223 are rotatably accommodated in the two third rotating holes 2212.

[0054] Along the second direction Y, the bottom end of the side of the movable bracket 221 away from the first extrusion wheel 21 is provided with a first protrusion 2213, and the first protrusion 2213 is provided with a first through hole 2214. Along the second direction Y, the two opposite sides of the bottom plate 12 are provided with second protrusions 121, and the second protrusions 121 are located between the two adjacent movable brackets 221 along the second direction Y. The second protrusions 121 are provided with second through holes 1211. Along the second direction Y, the two opposite ends of the side plate 11 are provided with third through holes 111. The first through hole 2214, the second through hole 1211 and the third through hole 111 located on the same side of the first extrusion wheel 21 are coaxial, and the axes of the three are parallel to the first direction X.

[0055] The mounting frame 10 is further provided with a third rotating shaft 223, which is parallel to the first direction X and penetrates the first through hole 2214, the second through hole 1211 and the third through hole 111. The two ends of the third rotating shaft 223 are accommodated in the two third through holes 111. Each movable bracket 221 located on the same side of the first extrusion wheel 21 can rotate around the axis of the third rotating shaft 223, so that the second extrusion wheel 222 mounted on the movable bracket 221 approaches or moves away from the first extrusion wheel 21.

[0056] It can be understood that in other embodiments, the third rotating shaft 223 can be provided in multiple, i.e. each movable bracket 221 is provided with a third rotating shaft 223. The two ends of the third rotating shaft 223 are accommodated in the third through hole 111 and the second through hole 1211.

[0057] Please refer to FIGS. 2-4, in the embodiment, the multi-material extrusion device 100a further comprises an elastic member 23, and the elastic member 23 is arranged between each movable unit 22 and the mounting frame 10. The two ends of the elastic member 23 are elastically connected to the movable unit 22 and the mounting frame 10, respectively, for applying an elastic force to the movable unit 22 to approach the first extrusion wheel 21, so that the movable unit 22 always maintains a rotating trend close to the first extrusion wheel 21.

[0058] Specifically, the top end of the second protrusion 121 is provided with two mounting columns 1210, and two elastic members 23 adjacent to the second protrusion 121 in the first direction X are respectively mounted on the two mounting columns 1210. One end of the elastic member 23 is elastically connected to the mounting column 1210, and the other end of the elastic member 23 is elastically connected to the movable support 221, and the elastic member 23 is in a compressed state. In the first direction X, the two mounting columns 1210 are arranged at intervals, and the mounting columns 1210 are arranged upward and inclined toward the limiting column 15, so that the elastic member 23 is arranged inclined to exert an elastic force on the movable support 221 toward the rotation of the first extrusion wheel 21.

[0059] It is worth noting that when the rotating member 30 allows one movable unit 22 to approach the first extrusion wheel 21, the elastic member 23 is gradually reset to drive the movable support 221 to rotate toward the first extrusion wheel 21 until the movable support 221 drives the second engaging portion 2221 of the second extrusion wheel 222 to engage with the first engaging portion 211, and the movable support 221 is partially abutted on the limiting column 15 to prevent the movable support 221 from continuing to rotate toward the first extrusion wheel 21, so as to avoid damage to the first engaging portion 211 caused by the extrusion of the second engaging portion 2221.

[0060] Please refer to FIGS. 2 to 4 again. In the embodiment, the multi-material extrusion device 100a further comprises a second driving assembly 50, and the second driving assembly 50 is drivingly connected to at least two first extrusion wheels 21 for driving the at least two first extrusion wheels 21 to rotate synchronously.

[0061] Specifically, the second driving assembly 50 comprises a second driving member 51 and a transmission mechanism 52.

[0062] The second driving member 51 is mounted on the outer side of the side plate 11 of the mounting frame 10, and the second driving member 51 is an electric motor or a motor, etc. The second driving member 51 is drivingly connected to each of the at least two first extrusion wheels 21 through the transmission mechanism 52 to drive each of the first extrusion wheels 21 to rotate synchronously. The use of a single second driving member 51 in combination with the transmission mechanism 52 can avoid the increase of the volume and the cost of the entire multi-material extrusion device 100a caused by the arrangement of multiple second driving members 51.

[0063] The transmission mechanism 52 comprises a first gear 521, a second gear 522 and a third gear 523. The first gear 521 is drivingly connected to the driving end of the second driving member 51, and the first gear 521 is meshingly connected with a second gear 522 adjacent thereto. The number of the second gears 522 is the same as the number of the first extrusion wheels 21. In the embodiment, the number of the first extrusion wheels 21 is two, and two second gears 522 are respectively arranged on the outer sides of the two side plates 11. One end of the first shaft 213 of the first extrusion wheel 21 arranged on the side plate 11 is connected to one second gear 522 after penetrating through the side plate 11, so as to drive the first gear 521 to rotate by the second driving member 51, and then drive the second gear 522 meshingly connected with the first gear 521 to rotate.

[0064] The number of the third gears 523 is the same as the number of the second gears 522, that is, the number of the third gears 523 is two, and each third gear 523 is located on the same side of the first extrusion wheel 21. The two third gears 523 are respectively rotatably connected to the two side plates 11. One third gear 523 is rotatably connected to the side plate 11 close to the second driving member 51, and the third gear 523 is meshingly connected with the second gear 522 meshingly connected with the first gear 521, so as to further drive one third gear 523 meshingly connected with the second gear 522 to rotate after the second gear 522 is driven to rotate by the first gear 521. Each of the remaining third gears 523 is respectively meshingly connected with each of the remaining second gears 522, and each third gear 523 is coaxially connected to the third shaft 223, so that the third gear 523 driven to rotate by the second gear 522 drives the third shaft 223 to rotate, the third shaft 223 drives the remaining third gears 523 to rotate, the remaining third gears 523 further drive the second gears 522 meshingly connected therewith to rotate, and the second gears 522 further drive the first extrusion wheels 21 connected therewith to rotate, so as to realize the synchronous rotation of each first extrusion wheel 21.

[0065] In this way, each third gear 523 shares the same third shaft 223 with each movable bracket 221 located on the same side of the third gear 523, which can reduce the volume of the entire multi-material extrusion device 100a. When the third shaft 223 rotates with the third gear 523, the third shaft 223 will exert a certain torque on the movable bracket 221 sleeved on the outer circumferential surface of the third shaft 223, which is easy to cause the second extrusion wheel 222 to deviate when cooperating with the first extrusion wheel 21. Therefore, when actually designing, the compression degree of the elastic member 23 needs to be adjusted to ensure that the elastic force exerted by the elastic member 23 on the movable bracket 221 can ensure the stability of the second extrusion wheel 222 when cooperating with the first extrusion wheel 21.

[0066] It can be understood that when other embodiments are adopted, each third gear 523 can also be connected through other shaft members, and the third rotating shaft 223 is only provided for mounting the movable support 221, so that the stability of the second extrusion wheel 222 when cooperating with the first extrusion wheel 21 can be improved.

[0067] Please refer to Figs. 2 to 4 again. In the embodiment, the rotating member 30 is substantially disc-shaped. The rotating member 30 is located in the accommodating cavity 16, and the bottom end surface of the rotating member 30 abuts against the partition plate 14, so that the partition plate 14 supports the rotating member 30. The top end surface of the rotating member 30 is spaced apart from the top plate 13, so as to avoid the top plate 13 affecting the rotation of the rotating member 30.

[0068] Each movable unit 22 is provided with an abutting portion 2210. The abutting portion 2210 protrudes outward from the top end surface of the movable support 221, and the position of the top end surface of the abutting portion 2210 along the third direction Z is higher than the position of the partition plate 14, so that the rotating member 30 can abut against the abutting portion 2210. The abutting portion 2210 of each movable unit 22 is arranged around the outer circumferential surface of the rotating member 30. The outer circumferential surface of the rotating member 30 is used to abut against the abutting portion 2210, and the force applied by the rotating member 30 to the abutting portion 2210 is greater than the elastic force applied by the elastic member 23 to the movable support 221, so as to avoid the movable support 221 from moving close to the first extrusion wheel 21 under the action of the elastic force of the elastic member 23.

[0069] Further, the outer circumferential surface of the rotating member 30 is provided with a groove portion 31 recessed inward from the outer circumferential surface of the rotating member 30. The groove portion 31 is used to accommodate the abutting portion 2210, so as to allow the movable unit 22 in which the abutting portion 2210 is accommodated to move close to the first extrusion wheel 21 to form the extrusion channel 24. When the groove portion 31 accommodates the abutting portion 2210, the rotating member 30 simultaneously abuts against the abutting portion 2210 of the remaining movable unit 22, so that the second extrusion wheel 222 of the remaining movable unit 22 moves away from the first extrusion wheel 21.

[0070] It can be understood that the number of the groove portions 31 can be one or more. When the number of the groove portions 31 is one, the rotating member 30 allows only one second extrusion wheel 222 to move close to the first extrusion wheel 21, that is, the multi-material extrusion device 100a only extrudes a single color of material. When the number of the groove portions 31 is more than one, the rotating member 30 allows multiple second extrusion wheels 222 to move close to the first extrusion wheel 21, that is, the multi-material extrusion device 100a can simultaneously extrude multiple colors of material.

[0071] In another embodiment, the number of first extrusion wheels 21 is three or more. In this case, the rotating member 30 can be arranged in an elliptical strip structure. Along the rotation direction of the rotating member 30, a plurality of protrusions are sequentially spaced on the outer peripheral surface of the rotating member 30. The number of protrusions is the same as the number of movable supports 221, and each protrusion is used to abut against the abutment portion 2210 of a movable support 221. One or more of the protrusions have a recessed groove portion 31 on the side away from the rotating member 30. The groove portion 31 is used to accommodate a abutment portion 2210, thereby realizing the switching function of a single rotating member 30 on the extrusion channels 24 of three or more first extrusion wheels 21.

[0072] Referring again to Figures 2 to 4, in this embodiment, the first drive assembly 40a includes a first drive member 41 and a rotating shaft 42.

[0073] The first driving component 41 is installed on the end of the top plate 13 away from the bottom plate 12. The first driving component 41 is a motor or similar device. One end of the rotating shaft 42 is connected to the driving end of the first driving component 41, and the other end of the rotating shaft 42 is rotatably connected to the top plate 13. The end of the rotating shaft 42 away from the first driving component 41 passes through the top plate 13 and is connected to the rotating component 30. The first driving component 41 drives the rotating component 30 to rotate through the rotating shaft 42, and the rotation direction of the rotating component 30 can be switched by adjusting the forward and reverse rotation direction of the first driving component 41.

[0074] Example 2

[0075] As shown in Figures 5 to 7, this embodiment provides a multi-consumable extrusion device 100b. The multi-consumable extrusion device 100b includes a mounting frame 10, at least two first extrusion wheels 21, a movable unit 22, a rotating component 30, a first drive assembly 40b, and a second drive assembly 50.

[0076] In this embodiment, the first drive component 40b includes a toggle member 43 and a backstop member 44.

[0077] The actuating member 43 is generally L-shaped and includes a first end 431 and a second end 432. The first end 431 and the second end 432 are perpendicular to each other, and one end of the second end 432 is connected to one end of the first end 431. The second end 432 is integrally formed with the first end 431 or detachably connected. The second end 432 is located on the side of the top plate 13 away from the bottom plate 12, and is used to drive the actuating member 43 to rotate after colliding with the support frame 80 during movement relative to the support frame 80. The first end 431 is rotatably connected to the top plate 13 of the mounting bracket 10, and the end of the first end 431 away from the second end 432 passes through the top plate 13 and is connected to the anti-reverse member 44.

[0078] The anti-reverse component 44 is connected to the rotating component 30 and is used to drive the rotating component 30 to rotate in one direction.

[0079] Specifically, a rotating groove 32 is formed on the end face of the rotating member 30 near the top plate 13. A backstop member 44 is housed within the rotating groove 32 and includes a central portion 441 and an extension portion 442 connected to the outer peripheral surface of the central portion 441. The central portion 441 is fitted onto the outer peripheral surface of the first end portion 431 and rotates with the first end portion 431. Multiple extension portions 442 are arranged sequentially and at intervals around the outer peripheral surface of the central portion 441, and are integrally formed with the central portion 441. The extension portions 442 are generally curved in shape.

[0080] The inner peripheral wall of the rotating groove 32 is provided with multiple anti-reverse grooves 33, the number of which is the same as the number of extensions 442. The anti-reverse grooves 33 are used to accommodate the end of the extension 442 away from the center portion 441. The anti-reverse groove 33 has a first curved surface P1 and a second curved surface P2, which are set at an angle, and the angle between them is acute. Along the bending direction of the extension 442, both the first curved surface P1 and the second curved surface P2 extend inward and forward from the inner peripheral wall of the rotating groove 32, and the second curved surface P2 is located in front of the first curved surface P1. When the actuating member 43 rotates along the bending direction of the extension 442, it drives the anti-reverse member 44 to rotate along the bending direction of its extension 442. After the extension 442 of the anti-reverse member 44 abuts against the second curved surface P2, it drives the rotating member 30 to rotate synchronously. When the direction of rotation of the actuating member 43 is opposite to the bending direction of the extension 442, the extension 442 slides along the first curved surface P1 until it disengages from the anti-reverse groove 33. Then, the anti-reverse member 44 will not apply external force to the rotating member 30 to make the rotating member 30 rotate when it rotates with the actuating member 43, thereby realizing the unidirectional rotation of the rotating member 30.

[0081] Furthermore, the first drive assembly 40b also includes a torsion spring 45. The torsion spring 45 is sleeved on the first end 431 and exposed at one end of the top plate 13. The top plate 13 has two fixing protrusions 131, each of which has a fixing groove 1310. The two ends of the torsion spring 45 are respectively received in the two fixing grooves 1310, so that the torsion spring 45 applies an elastic force to the actuating member 43. When the actuating member 43 collides with the support frame 80, the torsion spring 45 provides a certain elastic force to the actuating member 43 to balance the external force applied to the actuating member 43 when the support frame 80 collides with the actuating member 43, thus preventing damage to the actuating member 43. At the same time, the torsion spring 45 can also provide an elastic force to the actuating member 43 to drive the actuating member 43 to reset, so that the actuating member 43 can switch consumables after it hits the support frame 80 again.

[0082] Apart from the above structure, the structure and principle of the mounting frame 10, the first extrusion wheel 21, the movable unit 22, the rotating part 30, and the second drive assembly 50 in the multi-consumable extrusion device 100b of this embodiment 2 are the same as those in embodiment 1, and will not be repeated here.

[0083] As shown in Figure 8, and referring to Figures 4 and 5, this application embodiment also provides a printhead 200, including a printhead device 60 and a multi-consumable extrusion device 100a in Embodiment 1 or a multi-consumable extrusion device 100b in Embodiment 2. Specifically, the printhead device 60 is connected to the multi-consumable extrusion device 100a, and the printhead device 60 is provided with guide channels 61. The number of guide channels 61 is the same as the number of extrusion channels 24 that can be formed by the multi-consumable extrusion device 100a, and the guide channels 61 of the printhead device 60 are connected to the extrusion channels 24 of the multi-consumable extrusion device 100a, for guiding the consumables extruded by the multi-consumable extrusion device 100a onto the molding substrate 70 for forming. Specifically, the base plate 12 has a feed hole 122, which is connected to the extrusion channel 24 and the guide channel 61.

[0084] As shown in Figures 9 and 10, and referring to Figures 2 and 4, this application embodiment also provides a 3D printing device 300, including a support frame 80, a molding substrate 70, and the aforementioned print head 200. The molding substrate 70 is located below the print head 200, and the print head 200 is movably connected to the support frame 80. The print head 200 can slide relative to the support frame 80 along a first direction X, a second direction Y, or a third direction Z to adjust the position of the print head 200 relative to the molding substrate 70.

[0085] In some implementation methods, the 3D printing equipment 300 of this embodiment adopts the multi-material extrusion device 100b of embodiment 2. Specifically, the support frame 80 includes two support bodies 81 and an optical axis 82. The two support bodies 81 are spaced apart along the second direction Y. The axial direction of the optical axis 82 is parallel to the second direction Y, and the two ends of the optical axis 82 are respectively connected to the two support bodies 81. The print head 200 is slidably mounted on the optical axis 82 so that the print head 200 can slide along the axial direction of the optical axis 82. Only one of the two support bodies 81 uses an impact part 810. The impact part 810 is used to drive the actuating member 43 to rotate after colliding with it. During the movement of the print head 200 relative to the optical axis 82, each time the print head 200 approaches the impact part 810, the impact part 810 collides with the actuating member 43, causing the actuating member 43 to drive the rotating member 30 to rotate by a certain rotation angle. This rotation angle is required to rotate the rotating member 30 until its groove 31 accommodates another supporting part 2210, so that the multi-consumable extrusion device 100a switches from the currently formed extrusion channel 24 to the extrusion channel 24 of another consumable.

[0086] In some other implementations, the 3D printing equipment 300 of this embodiment uses the multi-material extrusion device 100a in embodiment 1, so the support frame 80 does not need to be provided with the impact part 810.

[0087] It is understandable that the impact part 810 can be set at other positions on the support frame 80 so that when the print head 200 moves relative to the support frame 80 in the first direction X or the third direction Z, the impact part 810 collides with the actuating member 43, causing the actuating member 43 to drive the rotating member 30 to rotate.

[0088] Furthermore, the 3D printing equipment 300 also includes a feeding assembly (not shown in the figure), which is connected to the feed end of the multi-material extrusion device 100a via a pipe. The feeding assembly can be installed at the proximal or distal end of the multi-material extrusion device 100a to achieve proximal or distal material feeding of the 3D printing equipment 300.

[0089] The specific embodiments of this application have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, those skilled in the art will understand that various changes and substitutions can be made to the specific embodiments of this application without departing from the scope of this application. All such changes and substitutions fall within the scope defined by this application.

Claims

1. A multi-consumable extrusion device, characterized in that, include: Mounting rack; At least two first extrusion wheels are arranged sequentially, and the first extrusion wheels are rotatably connected to the mounting frame; The movable unit is provided on at least one side of each of the at least two first extrusion wheels. The movable unit is movably connected to the mounting frame and can be close to or away from the first extrusion wheel. The movable unit is used to form an extrusion channel when it is close to the first extrusion wheel. A rotating member configured to allow at least one of the active units to approach the first extrusion wheel and to hold the remaining active units away from the first extrusion wheel, the rotating member being rotatably connected to the mounting bracket for bringing different of the active units closer to the first extrusion wheel; A first drive assembly is connected to the rotating member via a transmission connection, and the first drive assembly is used to drive the rotating member to rotate.

2. The multi-consumable extrusion apparatus as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The rotating member is provided with a groove for at least partially accommodating the movable unit, so that the accommodated movable unit can approach the first extrusion wheel to form the extrusion channel. When the groove accommodates the movable unit, the rotating member abuts the remaining movable unit away from the first extrusion wheel.

3. The multi-consumable extrusion apparatus as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The movable unit is provided with a supporting part, and at least one of the supporting parts of the movable unit is arranged around the outer peripheral surface of the rotating member. The outer peripheral surface of the rotating member is used to support the supporting part. The groove portion is recessed inward from the outer peripheral surface of the rotating member and is used to receive the supporting part.

4. The multi-consumable extrusion apparatus as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The activity unit includes: A movable bracket, one end of which is rotatably connected to the mounting frame, and the other end of which is provided with a supporting part for supporting the rotating component; The second extrusion wheel is rotatably connected to the movable support. The second extrusion wheel is driven to be connected to the first extrusion wheel so that the extrusion channel is formed between the first extrusion wheel and the second extrusion wheel.

5. The multi-consumable extrusion apparatus as described in any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The multi-consumable extrusion device also includes an elastic element. Each movable unit is provided with the elastic element between itself and the mounting frame. The two ends of the elastic element are elastically connected to the movable unit and the mounting frame, respectively, and are used to apply an elastic force close to the first extrusion wheel to the movable unit.

6. The multi-consumable extrusion apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, The first drive assembly includes a first drive member and a rotating shaft. The rotating shaft is drively connected to the first drive member and rotatably connected to the mounting bracket. The rotating member is sleeved on the outer peripheral surface of the rotating shaft.

7. The multi-consumable extrusion apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, The first driving component includes: A toggle element includes a first end and a second end, the first end being rotatably connected to the mounting bracket, and the second end being used to collide with the support frame of the 3D printing equipment to provide a driving force for rotating the toggle element; A backstop is connected to the actuating member, and the backstop is connected to the rotating member for driving the rotating member to rotate in one direction.

8. The multi-consumable extrusion apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that, The multi-consumable extrusion device further includes a second drive assembly, which is connected to the at least two first extrusion wheels and is used to drive the at least two first extrusion wheels to rotate synchronously.

9. The multi-consumable extrusion apparatus as described in claim 8, characterized in that, The second drive assembly includes a second drive member and a transmission mechanism. The second drive member is driven to each of the at least two first extrusion wheels via the transmission mechanism to drive each of the first extrusion wheels to rotate synchronously.

10. A printhead, characterized in that, It includes a nozzle assembly and a multi-consumable extrusion device as described in claim 1, wherein the nozzle assembly is connected to the multi-consumable extrusion device and is used to guide the consumables extruded by the multi-consumable extrusion device to a molding substrate. The multi-consumable extrusion device includes: Mounting rack; At least two first extrusion wheels are arranged sequentially, and the first extrusion wheels are rotatably connected to the mounting frame; The movable unit is provided on at least one side of each of the at least two first extrusion wheels. The movable unit is movably connected to the mounting frame and can be close to or away from the first extrusion wheel. The movable unit is used to form an extrusion channel when it is close to the first extrusion wheel. A rotating member configured to allow at least one of the active units to approach the first extrusion wheel and to hold the remaining active units away from the first extrusion wheel, the rotating member being rotatably connected to the mounting bracket for bringing different of the active units closer to the first extrusion wheel; A first drive assembly is connected to the rotating member via a transmission connection, and the first drive assembly is used to drive the rotating member to rotate.

11. The printhead as claimed in claim 10, characterized in that, The rotating member is provided with a groove for at least partially accommodating the movable unit, so that the accommodated movable unit can approach the first extrusion wheel to form the extrusion channel. When the groove accommodates the movable unit, the rotating member abuts the remaining movable unit away from the first extrusion wheel.

12. The printhead as claimed in claim 11, characterized in that, The movable unit is provided with a supporting part, and at least one of the supporting parts of the movable unit is arranged around the outer peripheral surface of the rotating member. The outer peripheral surface of the rotating member is used to support the supporting part. The groove portion is recessed inward from the outer peripheral surface of the rotating member and is used to receive the supporting part.

13. The printhead as described in any one of claims 10 to 12, characterized in that, The activity unit includes: A movable bracket, one end of which is rotatably connected to the mounting frame, and the other end of which is provided with a supporting part for supporting the rotating component; The second extrusion wheel is rotatably connected to the movable support. The second extrusion wheel is driven to be connected to the first extrusion wheel so that the extrusion channel is formed between the first extrusion wheel and the second extrusion wheel.

14. The printhead as described in any one of claims 10 to 13, characterized in that, The multi-consumable extrusion device also includes an elastic element. Each movable unit is provided with the elastic element between itself and the mounting frame. The two ends of the elastic element are elastically connected to the movable unit and the mounting frame, respectively, and are used to apply an elastic force close to the first extrusion wheel to the movable unit.

15. The printhead as described in any one of claims 10 to 14, characterized in that, The first drive assembly includes a first drive member and a rotating shaft. The rotating shaft is drively connected to the first drive member and rotatably connected to the mounting bracket. The rotating member is sleeved on the outer peripheral surface of the rotating shaft.

16. The printhead as described in any one of claims 10 to 15, characterized in that, The first driving component includes: A toggle element includes a first end and a second end, the first end being rotatably connected to the mounting bracket, and the second end being used to collide with the support frame of the 3D printing equipment to provide a driving force for rotating the toggle element; A backstop is connected to the actuating member, and the backstop is connected to the rotating member for driving the rotating member to rotate in one direction.

17. The printhead as described in any one of claims 10 to 16, characterized in that, The multi-consumable extrusion device further includes a second drive assembly, which is connected to the at least two first extrusion wheels and is used to drive the at least two first extrusion wheels to rotate synchronously.

18. The printhead as claimed in claim 17, characterized in that, The second drive assembly includes a second drive member and a transmission mechanism. The second drive member is driven to each of the at least two first extrusion wheels via the transmission mechanism to drive each of the first extrusion wheels to rotate synchronously.

19. A 3D printing device, characterized in that, It includes a support frame and a printhead as described in any one of claims 10 to 18, the printhead being movably connected to the support frame.

20. The 3D printing equipment as described in claim 19, characterized in that, The support frame is used to abut against the actuating element of the multi-consumable extrusion device in a moving state, so as to drive the actuating element to rotate.

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