Print head apparatus and 3D printing device

Abstract

The present application relates to the field of 3D printing, aims to solve the problem of existing complex structures for implementing switching of multiple consumables, and provides a print head apparatus and a 3D printing device. The print head apparatus comprises an extrusion mechanism and a nozzle mechanism. The extrusion mechanism comprises a switching assembly and a plurality of extrusion assemblies, switch members of the plurality of extrusion assemblies are distributed in a first direction, and the switching assembly is configured to selectively control, in the first direction, a switch member to be in a triggered state, so that a corresponding extrusion assembly allows a consumable to be conveyed in an extrusion channel. The nozzle mechanism comprises a fixing frame, a pushing member, and a plurality of nozzle assemblies; and the pushing member is movably arranged on the fixing frame in the horizontal direction, the nozzle assemblies are movably arranged on the fixing frame in a Z direction, and the nozzle assemblies abut against the pushing member in the Z direction. When the switch member of the extrusion assembly is in a triggered state, the pushing member is pushed, so that a corresponding nozzle assembly moves relative to the fixing frame in the Z direction to a printing position. The present application has the following beneficial effects: the structure is simple, and switching between multiple consumables can be conveniently implemented.

Description

Printing head device and 3D printing equipment

[0001] The present application claims priority to the Chinese patent application No. 202410703576.8, filed on May 31, 2024, entitled "Printing head device and 3D printing equipment", and the Chinese patent application No. 202421244519.X, filed on May 31, 2024, entitled "Extrusion device, printing head device and 3D printing equipment", the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present application relates to the field of 3D printing, in particular, to a printing head device and a 3D printing equipment. BACKGROUND

[0003] The existing 3D printing equipment, such as the 3D printing equipment based on the Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) technology, can only realize single-material printing or can realize multi-material switching, but the structure is relatively complex. SUMMARY

[0004] The present application provides a printing head device and a 3D printing equipment to solve the problem that the existing 3D printing equipment has a relatively complex structure for realizing multi-material switching.

[0005] In a first aspect, the present application provides a printing head device, which is installed on a rack of a 3D printing equipment. The printing head device comprises an extrusion mechanism and a nozzle mechanism. The extrusion mechanism comprises a switching assembly and a plurality of extrusion assemblies. Each extrusion assembly has an extrusion channel and a switch piece. The switch pieces of the plurality of extrusion assemblies are distributed along a first direction. The switching assembly is configured to selectively control the switch pieces to be in a triggered state in the first direction. The extrusion assembly corresponding to the switch piece in the triggered state is configured to allow the material to be transported in the extrusion channel. The nozzle mechanism comprises a fixed frame, a pushing piece and a plurality of nozzle assemblies. Each nozzle assembly is respectively connected to one extrusion assembly. The pushing piece is movably arranged in the fixed frame along a horizontal direction. The nozzle assemblies are movably arranged in the fixed frame along a Z direction. The nozzle assemblies directly or indirectly abut the pushing piece in the Z direction. When the switch piece of the extrusion assembly is in the triggered state, the pushing piece is pushed to move the corresponding nozzle assembly relative to the fixed frame along the Z direction to a printing position.

[0006] The printing head device in the present application can trigger the switch of the selected extrusion assembly by switching the switching assembly along the first direction; meanwhile, the pusher is collided with the column by controlling the horizontal displacement of the nozzle mechanism, so as to realize the horizontal displacement of the pusher relative to the nozzle assembly, thereby making the corresponding nozzle assembly displace along the Z direction to the printing position. In this way, the selected extrusion assembly can extrude the consumables from the extrusion channel to the printing channel of the corresponding nozzle assembly, and then spray out from the printing channel to form the printing piece.

[0007] The printing head device of the present application has simple structure and can conveniently realize the switching of multiple consumables.

[0008] In a possible implementation, the switching assembly comprises a driving motor, a movable piece and a transmission piece, the driving motor is drivingly connected to the movable piece through the transmission piece, and is used to drive the movable piece to displace along the first direction to the corresponding switch, so as to make the corresponding switch in the triggered state.

[0009] In a possible implementation, the multiple extrusion assemblies are distributed on both sides of the movable piece along the second direction, and the switches of the multiple extrusion assemblies are located on the side close to the movable piece and are spaced from each other along the first direction. The movable piece has a pusher on each of the two sides along the second direction, and the pushers on the two sides are respectively used to trigger the switches of the extrusion assemblies on the two sides.

[0010] In a possible implementation, the extrusion assembly further comprises a bracket, a driving extrusion wheel and a driven extrusion wheel, the driving extrusion wheel and the driven extrusion wheel are spaced apart along the second direction, and the extrusion channel is opened in the bracket and extends between the driving extrusion wheel and the driven extrusion wheel along the third direction. The switch is a movable frame movably connected to the bracket, and the driven extrusion wheel is rotatably installed on the movable frame to move along the second direction close to or away from the driving extrusion wheel.

[0011] In a possible implementation, the extrusion mechanism further comprises an extrusion driving piece. At least part of the multiple driving extrusion wheels are coaxially arranged and drivingly connected to the extrusion driving piece through the same rotation shaft, and rotate under the driving of the extrusion driving piece.

[0012] In a possible implementation, the extrusion assembly further comprises an elastic piece arranged between the movable frame and the bracket, and used to elastically support the driven extrusion wheel at a position away from the driving extrusion wheel.

[0013] In a possible implementation, the extrusion mechanism further comprises a first end plate and a second end plate, and the first end plate and the second end plate are spaced apart along the first direction. The extrusion assemblies are arranged in two rows, and the two rows of extrusion assemblies are spaced apart along the second direction to define a movable space. Each row of extrusion assemblies comprises multiple extrusion assemblies stacked between the first end plate and the second end plate along the first direction.

[0014] In a possible implementation, the movable frame has a top end, and the top ends of the plurality of movable frames are respectively located close to one side of the activity space; and each top end extends into the activity space.

[0015] In a possible implementation, the top ends of the plurality of movable frames are staggered along the first direction, and the two pushing portions of the movable member are collinear along the second direction.

[0016] In a possible implementation, the top ends of the movable frames in the same row are equally spaced by a distance d, and the two rows of extrusion assemblies are staggered by d / 2 along the first direction; and when the pushing portion on one side abuts against the top end of the movable frame on the corresponding side, the pushing portion on the other side is located at a gap between two adjacent movable frames on the corresponding side.

[0017] In a possible implementation, each extrusion assembly has the same shape and size, and d is equal to the thickness of the extrusion assembly.

[0018] In a possible implementation, the movable member is respectively connected with a sensor on both sides along the second direction. The extrusion assembly further comprises a sensed member movably connected to the support along the second direction, and the sensed member can be extruded by the consumable to a position close to the sensor along the second direction to be sensed by the sensor when the consumable passes through the extrusion channel.

[0019] In a possible implementation, the support is provided with a second mounting slot, and a resilient member is connected between the two side walls of the second mounting slot; the sensed member is a block-shaped opaque member, and the sensed member is connected to the resilient member. The second mounting slot is connected to the extrusion channel, and the sensed member is located close to the extrusion channel when no consumable passes through the extrusion channel; and the consumable pushes the sensed member outward to extrude the sensed member to a position that can be sensed by the sensor when the consumable passes through the extrusion channel.

[0020] In a possible implementation, a ball is arranged at the connection between the second mounting slot and the extrusion channel; the ball is elastically limited to the side close to the extrusion channel by the resilient member and the sensed member when no consumable passes through the extrusion channel; and the consumable pushes the ball outward, and then overcomes the elastic force of the resilient member to push the sensed member outward when the consumable passes through the extrusion channel.

[0021] In a possible implementation, the sensor is a photoelectric sensor, and the sensor generates a signal to prompt the movable member to move to the position when the sensed member is shielded between the emitting end and the receiving end of the photoelectric sensor.

[0022] In a possible implementation, the pusher is provided with a roller on one side close to the pusher; there are four nozzle assemblies, and the rollers of the four nozzle assemblies are distributed in a rectangle. Each nozzle assembly is provided with a spray channel, and each spray channel is connected to each extrusion channel. The pusher includes two pusher bars, and the pusher bars extend along a horizontal direction perpendicular to the Z direction; the pusher bars are provided with a base surface on the side close to the roller along the Z direction, and the base surface is provided with two mutually spaced convex surfaces protruding from the base surface to the side close to the roller. The four convex surfaces are spaced along the horizontal direction, and different convex surfaces abut against the rollers of the corresponding nozzle assemblies when the pusher is displaced to different positions along the horizontal direction relative to the mounting frame, so as to push the corresponding nozzle assemblies to the printing position along the Z direction.

[0023] In a possible implementation, the pusher bar further includes a slope surface connecting the convex surface and the base surface, so that the roller rolls between the base surface and the convex surface when the pusher bar is displaced relative to the mounting frame. The pusher includes two connecting bars connected to the two ends of the two pusher bars, and the two connecting bars and the two pusher bars are connected to form a rectangular frame structure.

[0024] In a possible implementation, the nozzle mechanism further includes a guide plate connected to the fixed frame and located at one end of the outlet of the printing channel of the nozzle assembly; the guide plate is provided with a plurality of guide holes on the side close to the nozzle assembly, and the guide holes are conical. The nozzle assembly includes a nozzle located at the outlet of the printing channel, and the nozzle is conical and matches the guide holes, so that the guide holes guide the position of the nozzle during the displacement of the nozzle assembly to the printing position along the Z direction.

[0025] In a possible implementation, the extrusion mechanism is fixedly connected to the nozzle mechanism and can move along the horizontal direction together with the nozzle mechanism, or the extrusion mechanism is fixedly connected to the optical axis arranged to be slidable along the Z direction relative to the mounting frame, and the extrusion channel of the extrusion mechanism and the printing channel of the nozzle mechanism are connected through the consumable pipeline.

[0026] In a second aspect, the present application provides a 3D printing device, which includes a mounting frame, an optical axis, and the aforementioned printing head device. The mounting frame includes two vertical columns arranged to be spaced along the horizontal direction. The optical axis is connected between the two vertical columns. The nozzle mechanism is slidably arranged on the optical axis along the horizontal direction; the extrusion mechanism is fixedly arranged relative to the optical axis arranged to be slidable along the Z direction relative to the mounting frame, or the extrusion mechanism is fixedly arranged relative to the nozzle mechanism. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0027] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, the drawings in the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. It should be understood that the following drawings only show some of the embodiments of the present application, and therefore should not be regarded as a limitation on the scope. Other related drawings can also be obtained by those skilled in the art without creative labor.

[0028] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a 3D printing device according to an embodiment of this application;

[0029] Figure 2 is a three-dimensional view of the extrusion apparatus according to an embodiment of this application (sliding rod not shown);

[0030] Figure 3 is a top view of the extrusion device in Figure 2;

[0031] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the extrusion device in Figure 2 along line AA;

[0032] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the extrusion device in Figure 3 along line BB;

[0033] Figure 6 is a three-dimensional view of the extrusion assembly according to an embodiment of this application;

[0034] Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of the extrusion assembly in Figure 6 along the CC line;

[0035] Figure 8 is an exploded view of the extrusion assembly in Figure 6;

[0036] Figure 9 is another perspective view of the extrusion assembly in Figure 6;

[0037] Figure 10 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the movable component in an embodiment of this application;

[0038] Figure 11 is a three-dimensional view of the nozzle mechanism according to an embodiment of this application;

[0039] Figure 12 is an exploded view of the nozzle mechanism in Figure 11;

[0040] Figure 13 is a cross-sectional view of the nozzle mechanism in Figure 11;

[0041] Figure 14 is another cross-sectional view of the nozzle mechanism in Figure 11;

[0042] Figure 15 is a three-dimensional view of the nozzle mechanism in Figure 11 from another perspective;

[0043] Figure 16 is an exploded view of the nozzle assembly of the nozzle mechanism in Figure 11;

[0044] Figure 17 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a 3D printing device according to another embodiment of this application.

[0045] Main element symbol explanation: 3D printing device 1000, 1000a printing platform 200 rack 300 gantry 310 base 320 column 311 crossbeam 312 optical axis 400 print head device 100 nozzle mechanism 120 extrusion mechanism 110 channel piece 130 switching assembly 11 extrusion driving piece 12 extrusion assembly 13 driving extrusion wheel 14 driven extrusion wheel 15 switching driving piece 16 movable piece 17 support 18 switch piece 19 movable frame 19a elastic piece 20, 20a entrance connecting piece 21 inductive piece 22 ball 23 first end plate 24 second end plate 25 positioning protrusion 26 driving motor 27 wire rod 28 sliding rod 29 pushing part 30 abutting end 31 gear set 33 driving gear 34 driven gear35 intermediate gear 36 sensor 37 rotating shaft 38 extrusion channel T1 first mounting groove C1 second mounting groove C2 positioning groove C3 active space Q1 sliding hole K1 matching hole K2 through hole K3 first connecting hole K4 second connecting hole K5 third connecting hole K6 gap f1 third direction Y1 second direction Y2 first direction Y3 fixed frame 50 pushing piece 51 nozzle assembly 52 roller 54 pushing strip 55 connecting strip 56 bottom wall 64 top wall 65 side wall 66 guide block 68 sliding part 70 guide part 71 guide protrusion 73 baffle 74 feeding joint 75 nozzle support 76 heat-conducting pipe 77 heating pipe 78 nozzle 79 heat dissipation fin80 heat insulating sleeve 81 spacer column 82 guide plate 83 consumable pipe 85 throat 86 printing path T2 base surface P1 convex surface P2 inclined surface P3 first convex surface P21 second convex surface P22 third convex surface P23 fourth convex surface P24 avoiding hole K7 guide hole K8 guide hole K9 guide groove C4 DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0046] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the drawings in the embodiments of the present application. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present application, rather than all the embodiments of the present application.

[0047] It should be noted that when an element is referred to as being "fixed" to another element, it can be directly on the other element or intervening elements can also be present. When an element is referred to as being "connected" or "coupled" to another element, it can be directly connected or coupled to the other element or intervening elements can also be present. When an element is referred to as being "disposed on" another element, it can be directly disposed on the other element or intervening elements can also be present. The terms "vertical", "horizontal", "left", "right" and similar expressions used herein are for the purpose of illustration only.

[0048] Unless otherwise defined, all 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. The terminology used in the description of the application herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the application. As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0049] Some embodiments of this application are described in detail. Unless otherwise specified, the following embodiments and features can be combined with each other.

[0050] Example

[0051] Referring to Figure 1, this embodiment provides a 3D printing device 1000, which can specifically be a 3D printing device 1000 based on FDM technology.

[0052] The 3D printing equipment 1000 includes a frame 300, a printing platform 200, a print head assembly 100, and displacement components in the X, Y, and Z directions. The print head assembly 100 and the printing platform 200 move relative to each other in a controlled manner under the action of the displacement components. For example, the printing platform 200 can be displaced relative to the frame 300 in the Y direction under the action of the Y-direction displacement component, and the print head assembly 100 can be displaced in the X and / or Z directions under the action of the X and Z-direction displacement components, heating and melting the filament according to a set path and printing it onto the printing platform 200.

[0053] The displacement components in the X, Y, and Z directions can be driven by lead screws and nuts, belts, or other drive mechanisms, and there are no restrictions here.

[0054] In this embodiment, the printhead assembly 100 includes an extrusion mechanism 110 and a nozzle mechanism 120. The extrusion mechanism 110 is fixedly connected to the nozzle mechanism 120 (for example, both are connected to the same frame for mutual fixation) so that they can move synchronously along the X or Z direction. The extrusion mechanism 110 is used to extrude filament, and the nozzle mechanism 120 is used to receive the filament extruded by the extrusion mechanism 110 and heat and melt it for printing onto the printing platform 200 to form a printed part.

[0055] For example, the extrusion mechanism 110 is connected to the printhead mechanism 120 via a channel member 130, which also provides a channel connecting the extrusion channel of the extrusion mechanism 110 and the printing channel of the printhead mechanism 120.

[0056] In this embodiment, the frame 300 includes a base 320 and a gantry 310, with the gantry 310 vertically connected to the base 320. The printing platform 200 is movably disposed on the base 320. The gantry 310 includes two columns 311 spaced apart along the X-direction and a crossbeam 312 connecting the ends of the two columns away from the base 320, wherein the columns extend along the Z-direction. An optical axis 400 movable along the Z-direction can be connected between the two columns, and the printhead assembly 100 is movably connected to the optical axis 400 along the X-direction. Thus, the printhead assembly can be displaced along the X-direction or displaced along the Z-direction together with the optical axis 400.

[0057] Figures 2-10 illustrate an extrusion mechanism 110 according to an embodiment of the present application, which is capable of multi-material extrusion, for example, extrusion of multiple different colors of material; Figures 11-16 illustrate a nozzle mechanism 120 according to an embodiment of the present application, which is capable of receiving and ejecting multiple materials extruded by the printing extrusion mechanism 110, which will be described below.

[0058] Referring to Figures 2 and 3, the extrusion mechanism 110 according to the present embodiment includes a switching assembly 11, an extrusion drive 12, and multiple extrusion assemblies 13. The extrusion drive 12 is configured to provide extrusion power to each of the extrusion assemblies 13. The switching assembly 11 is configured to switch between the multiple extrusion assemblies 13, thereby enabling extrusion of different materials.

[0059] Referring to Figures 4 and 5, in the present embodiment, each of the extrusion assemblies 13 includes a driving extrusion wheel 14 and a driven extrusion wheel 15, and the extrusion channel T1 of each of the extrusion assemblies 13 passes between the driving extrusion wheel 14 and the driven extrusion wheel 15. The driven extrusion wheel 15 is configured to be movable and to be capable of moving towards or away from the driving extrusion wheel 14. The extrusion drive 12 is configured to drive rotation of each of the driving extrusion wheels 14.

[0060] The switching assembly 11 includes a switching drive 16 and a movable member 17. The switching drive 16 is configured to drive movement of the movable member 17 to a position corresponding to a selected extrusion assembly 13, so as to cause the driven extrusion wheel 15 of the selected extrusion assembly 13 to move towards the corresponding driving extrusion wheel 14.

[0061] The extrusion mechanism 110 according to the present embodiment is configured to enable extrusion of multiple materials by the multiple extrusion assemblies 13. When a certain extrusion assembly 13 is required to extrude a material, the switching drive 16 is configured to drive movement of the movable member 17 to a position corresponding to the extrusion assembly 13, and to press the driven extrusion wheel 15 of the extrusion assembly 13 towards the side of the driving extrusion wheel 14, so as to cause the driven extrusion wheel 15 and the driving extrusion wheel 14 to jointly press the material passing through the extrusion channel T1. In this way, when the extrusion drive 12 drives rotation of the driving extrusion wheels 14, the driving extrusion wheels 14 and the driven extrusion wheels 15 are configured to jointly extrude the material.

[0062] For example, as shown in Figure 4, there are two rows of extrusion assemblies 13, each row having two extrusion assemblies 13. The movable member 17 corresponds to the lowermost extrusion assembly 13 on the right, which is configured to extrude a material, while the other extrusion assemblies 13 are configured to be in a state in which the driven extrusion wheels 15 and the driving extrusion wheels 14 are separated, and thus are unable to extrude a material.

[0063] Thus, the extrusion mechanism 110 according to the present embodiment is compact and reasonable in structure, and is capable of facilitating switching between multiple materials.

[0064] Referring to FIGS. 6-9, in the embodiment, the extrusion assembly 13 further comprises a bracket 18, a switch member 19 and an elastic member 20. The switch members 19 are spaced apart along a first direction Y3, and the movable member 17 is capable of being driven to displace along the first direction Y3 to trigger a selected switch member 19 of the extrusion assembly 13. When the switch member 19 is triggered, the driven extrusion wheel 15 of the corresponding extrusion assembly 13 is moved to a position close to the driving extrusion wheel 14, so that the driven extrusion wheel 15 and the driving extrusion wheel 14 cooperate to extrude the consumable from the extrusion channel T1.

[0065] The bracket 18 is provided with an extrusion channel T1, and the extrusion channel T1 penetrates the bracket 18 along a third direction Y1. One end of the extrusion channel T1 can be provided with an inlet connecting member 21. The driving extrusion wheel 14 is rotatably installed on the bracket 18, and the driven extrusion wheel 15 is spaced apart from the driving extrusion wheel 14 along a second direction Y2 and is movably connected to the bracket 18 along the second direction Y2, wherein the second direction Y2 is perpendicular to the third direction Y1. In the embodiment, the third direction Y1 is parallel to the Z direction, and the second direction Y2 is parallel to the Y direction.

[0066] The bracket 18 is provided with a through hole K3 penetrating along the first direction Y3, and the driving extrusion wheel 14 is rotatably arranged in the through hole K3. In the embodiment, the first direction Y3 is parallel to the Z direction. Further, the through hole K3 communicates with the extrusion channel T1 along the second direction Y2, so that one side of the outer circumferential surface of the driving extrusion wheel 14 extends into the extrusion channel T1. Optionally, the outer circumferential surface of the driving extrusion wheel 14 can be provided as a rough surface, such as a sawtooth surface or a tooth surface.

[0067] In the embodiment, the switch member 19 is an active frame 19a connected to the bracket 18 through the elastic member 20, and the driven extrusion wheel 15 is rotatably installed on the active frame 19a. The elastic member 20 is used to elastically support the driven extrusion wheel 15 away from the driving extrusion wheel 14. In this way, when the active frame 19a is not pressed by the movable member 17, the elastic member 20 can move the driven extrusion wheel 15 away from the driving extrusion wheel 14, so that even if the driving extrusion wheel 14 rotates, the consumable in the extrusion channel T1 will not be extruded. When the active frame 19a is pressed by the movable member 17, the active frame 19a can be pushed towards the driving extrusion wheel 14 (i.e. the active frame 19a as the switch member 19 is triggered), so that the driven extrusion wheel 15 can press the consumable against the driving extrusion wheel 14. In this way, the driving extrusion wheel 14 can drive the consumable to move along the extrusion channel T1 by friction.

[0068] In this embodiment, the elastic member 20 can be a spring, the support 18 is provided with a first mounting slot C1, both ends of the elastic member 20 are connected to the two side walls of the first mounting slot C1 respectively, and the movable frame 19a is connected to the middle position of the elastic member 20 and is partially accommodated in the first mounting slot C1. The first mounting slot C1 is communicated to the extrusion channel T1 along the second direction Y2, and the driven extrusion wheel 15 is rotatably mounted on the side of the movable frame 19a close to the extrusion channel T1 and can extend into the extrusion channel T1 to co-extrude the consumable with the driving extrusion wheel 14.

[0069] In this embodiment, the extrusion assembly 13 further includes a sensed member 22 for being sensed by a sensor 37 (see FIG. 5) to determine whether there is a consumable in the extrusion channel T1. The sensed member 22 is movably connected to the support 18 along the second direction Y2, and when the consumable passes through the extrusion channel T1, the consumable will extrude the sensed member 22 along the second direction Y2 to a position close to the sensor 37. Alternatively, the support 18 is provided with a second mounting slot C2, and another elastic member 20a (for example, a spring) is connected between the two side walls of the second mounting slot C2. The sensed member 22 can be a block-shaped light-tight member, and the sensed member 22 is connected to the elastic member 20a. The second mounting slot C2 communicates the extrusion channel T1, and when there is no consumable in the extrusion channel T1, the sensed member 22 is located closer to the side of the extrusion channel T1, and when there is a consumable in the extrusion channel T1, the consumable will push the sensed member 22 outward so that the sensed member 22 is in a position that can be sensed.

[0070] Alternatively, a ball 23 is arranged at the communication between the second mounting slot C2 and the extrusion channel T1, and when there is no consumable in the extrusion channel T1, the ball 23 is elastically limited to the side close to the extrusion channel T1 by the elastic member 20a and the sensed member 22, and when there is a consumable in the extrusion channel T1, the consumable will push the ball 23 outward, thereby overcoming the elastic force of the elastic member 20a to push the sensed member 22 outward.

[0071] Referring again to FIGS. 3-5, in this embodiment, the extrusion mechanism 110 further includes a first end plate 24 and a second end plate 25, and the first end plate 24 and the second end plate 25 are spaced apart from each other along the first direction Y3. There are two rows of extrusion assemblies 13 in total, and the two rows of extrusion assemblies 13 are spaced apart from each other along the second direction Y2 to define a movement space Q1; each row of extrusion assemblies 13 includes a plurality of extrusion assemblies 13 stacked in order between the first end plate 24 and the second end plate 25 along the first direction Y3.

[0072] For example, as shown in FIG. 3 or FIG. 4, two rows of extrusion assemblies 13 respectively include two extrusion assemblies 13. In other embodiments, the number of rows of extrusion assemblies 13 can also be set as needed. In the present embodiment, the support 18 of the extrusion assembly 13 is roughly cuboid in shape, and the size along the first direction Y3 is small (as the thickness direction size of the support 18), so that when a plurality of extrusion assemblies 13 are stacked along the first direction Y3, the total size along the first direction Y3 is also small.

[0073] Optionally, one side of the extrusion assembly 13 along the first direction Y3 is recessed with a positioning groove C3, and the other side is protruded with a positioning protrusion 26, and two adjacent extrusion assemblies 13 along the first direction Y3 are positioned and matched by the positioning groove C3 and the positioning protrusion 26. In the present embodiment, the positioning groove C3 and the positioning protrusion 26 of each extrusion assembly 13 are two respectively, and the two positioning grooves C3 and the two positioning protrusions 26 are arranged along the diagonals of the rectangle. In this way, when a plurality of extrusion assemblies 13 are stacked along the first direction Y3, each extrusion assembly 13 can be positioned and matched with each other by the positioning groove C3 and the positioning protrusion 26.

[0074] Referring again to FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, the switching assembly 11 in the present embodiment is configured to selectively control the switch member 19 to be in a triggered state in the first direction Y3; wherein the extrusion assembly 13 corresponding to the switch member 19 in the triggered state is configured to allow the consumable to be transported in the extrusion channel T1. Wherein the transportation of the consumable in the extrusion channel T1 includes discharging and feeding back. Wherein the switching drive member 16 includes a drive motor 27 and a transmission member, the drive motor 27 is drivingly connected to the movable member 17 through the transmission member, for driving the movable member 17 to displace along the first direction Y3 to the corresponding switch member 19, so that the corresponding switch member 19 is in the triggered state. Optionally, the transmission member can be a lead screw 28, the lead screw 28 extends along the first direction Y3, the lead screw 28 is rotatably connected between the first end plate 24 and the second end plate 25 and located in the activity space Q1; the drive motor 27 is installed on the side of the second end plate 25 away from the first end plate 24 and drivingly connected to the lead screw 28. The movable member 17 is movably arranged in the activity space Q1 along the first direction Y3, and the movable member 17 is drivingly connected to the lead screw 28 to move along the first direction Y3 under the driving of the lead screw 28. In this way, when the drive motor 27 drives the lead screw 28 to rotate, the lead screw 28 can drive the movable member 17 to move along the first direction Y3. The movement of the movable member 17 to different positions can make different extrusion assemblies 13 be selected to output the consumable.

[0075] In the embodiment, the two ends of the screw rod 28 can be rotatably installed on the first end plate 24 and the second end plate 25 respectively, and a screw rod nut pair can be formed between the screw rod 28 and the movable piece 17. Alternatively, the movable piece 17 is in the shape of a long strip extending along the third direction Y1, and a matching hole K2 allowing the screw rod 28 to pass through is arranged at the middle position of the movable piece 17 along the third direction Y1, and sliding holes K1 are arranged at both ends of the movable piece 17.

[0076] The first end plate 24 and the second end plate 25 are also connected with two sliding rods 29, and the two sliding holes K1 of the movable piece 17 are slidably sleeved on the two sliding rods 29, so as to achieve the slidable arrangement of the movable piece 17 along the first direction Y3. The matching hole K2 can be a threaded hole screwing with the screw rod 28. The matching hole K2 can also be a through hole larger than the screw rod 28, and at this time, the screw rod 28 is screwing with a nut, and the nut is connected to the movable piece 17, so that the screw rod 28 drives the nut and the movable piece 17 to move along the first direction Y3.

[0077] In other embodiments, the movement of the movable piece 17 along the first direction Y3 can also be directly realized by a linear motor or other power pieces capable of realizing linear driving, which is not limited herein.

[0078] Continuing to refer to FIGS. 4 and 5, in the embodiment, the movable piece 17 includes two pushing parts 30, and the two pushing parts 30 are respectively located at both sides of the movable piece 17 along the second direction Y2 (also shown in FIG. 10). The movable frame 19a has an abutting end 31, and the abutting ends 31 of the plurality of movable frames 19a are respectively located near one side of the activity space Q1. Alternatively, each abutting end 31 extends into the activity space Q1 to facilitate being pushed by the movable piece 17.

[0079] The abutting ends 31 of the plurality of movable frames 19a are sequentially staggered along the first direction Y3, and the two pushing parts 30 of the movable piece 17 are collinear along the second direction Y2 and not staggered along the first direction Y3. For example, as shown in the figure, the abutting ends 31 of the movable frames 19a in the same row have equal intervals d, and the two rows of extrusion assemblies 13 are staggered by d / 2 along the first direction Y3. Alternatively, each extrusion assembly 13 has the same shape and size, and d is equal to the thickness size of the extrusion assembly 13. When the pushing part 30 on one side abuts against the abutting end 31 of the movable frame 19a on the corresponding side, the pushing part 30 on the other side is located at the gap f1 between the two adjacent movable frames 19a on the corresponding side. In this way, the movable piece 17 can be moved by d / 2 to sequentially trigger different extrusion assemblies 13, so that the selected extrusion assembly 13 is extruded by the driven extrusion wheel 15 and the driving extrusion wheel 14. Alternatively, the pushing part 30 and the abutting end 31 have relatively convex arc surfaces, so that the pushing part 30 can smoothly push or release each abutting end 31 along the second direction Y2 when the pushing part 30 is displaced along the first direction Y3.

[0080] In the embodiment, the part of the first end plate 24 close to the left extrusion assembly 13 protrudes a distance of d / 2, and the part of the second end plate 25 close to the right extrusion assembly 13 protrudes a distance of d / 2, so that the two extrusion assemblies 13 can be staggered conveniently.

[0081] In other embodiments, the two rows of extrusion assemblies 13 can not be staggered, and the two pushing parts 30 of the movable member 17 can be staggered by a distance of d / 2 to achieve the approaching effect.

[0082] In the embodiment, the number of the extrusion assemblies 13 of the extrusion mechanism 110 can be increased or decreased as needed for convenience. For example, when more kinds of consumables need to be extruded, the extrusion assemblies 13 can be added between the first end plate 24 and the second end plate 25.

[0083] In other embodiments, the extrusion assemblies 13 can be arranged in a single row, and the movable member 17 can include only one pushing part 30.

[0084] Referring to FIG. 4, in the embodiment, the driving extrusion wheels 14 of the rows of extrusion assemblies 13 are rotatably installed between the first end plate 24 and the second end plate 25 through a rotating shaft 38. The two ends of the rotating shaft 38 are rotatably connected to the first connecting hole K4 of the first end plate 24 and the second connecting hole K5 of the second end plate 25, respectively.

[0085] The switching assembly 11 further includes a gear set 33, which includes a driving gear 34 and two driven gears 35. The extrusion driving member 12 is transmissionally connected to the driving gear 34, and the driving gear 34 is engaged with the two driven gears 35, respectively. The two driven gears 35 are transmissionally connected to the two rotating shafts 38, respectively, to drive the two rotating shafts 38 to rotate. For example, the driven gear 35 is provided with a third connecting hole K6, and one end of the rotating shaft 38 passes through the first connecting hole K4 and is connected to the third connecting hole K6. The gear set 33 can further include one or more intermediate gears 36 to transmit the power of the driving gear 34 to the driven gears 35.

[0086] Through the arrangement, only one extrusion driving member 12 can drive the driving extrusion wheels 14 of the plurality of extrusion assemblies 13 to rotate, which simplifies the structure and saves the cost.

[0087] In other embodiments, each driving extrusion wheel 14 can be driven by other means, which is not limited herein.

[0088] Referring to FIG. 5 and FIG. 10, in the embodiment, the movable member 17 is connected with a sensor 37 on each side along the second direction Y2, and the two sensors 37 correspond to the two sensing members 22 on the two rows of extrusion assemblies 13, respectively.

[0089] When there is consumable in the extrusion channel T1 of the extrusion assembly 13, the inductee 22 on the extrusion assembly 13 is pushed to the side of the sensor 37, at this time, if the movable member 17 moves to the position corresponding to the extrusion assembly 13, the sensor 37 senses the inductee 37, thereby a signal can be sent to indicate that the extrusion driving member 12 operates, and in turn drives the driving extrusion wheel 14 to rotate to cooperate with the driven extrusion wheel 15 to extrude the consumable.

[0090] When there is no consumable in the extrusion channel T1 of the extrusion assembly 13, even if the movable member 17 moves the driven extrusion wheel 15 of the extrusion assembly 13 close to the driving extrusion wheel 14, the driving extrusion wheel 14 will not be driven to rotate.

[0091] Optionally, the sensor 37 can be a photoelectric sensor, when the inductee 22 blocks between the emitting end and the receiving end of the photoelectric sensor, the photoelectric sensor generates a signal to prompt the movable member 17 to move to the position.

[0092] Therefore, it can be seen that the extrusion mechanism 110 in the embodiment of the present application has a compact structure, and can conveniently realize the extrusion and switching of multiple consumables.

[0093] The nozzle mechanism 120 provided by the embodiment of the present application will be described below in combination with FIGS. 11-16.

[0094] The nozzle mechanism 120 provided by the embodiment includes a fixed frame 50, a pushing member 51, and a plurality of nozzle assemblies 52. The plurality of nozzle assemblies 52 are movably mounted to the fixed frame 50 along the Z direction. The plurality of nozzle assemblies 52 can be distributed in the XY plane. The pushing member 51 is slidably arranged on the fixed frame 50 along the X direction, and the plurality of nozzle assemblies 52 are respectively abutted on different positions of the pushing member 51 along the Z direction. In the embodiment, the pushing member 51 is slidably arranged along the X direction. Optionally, each nozzle assembly 52 can be elastically supported below the pushing member 51 along the Z direction by an elastic supporting member (such as a spring, a spring sheet, etc.).

[0095] In the embodiment, the number of the nozzle assemblies 52 can be equal to the number of the extrusion assemblies 13. For example, as shown in the figure, the number of the nozzle assemblies 52 is four, which is equal to the number of the extrusion assemblies 13. The nozzle assembly 52 has a printing channel T2, and the printing channels T2 of the plurality of nozzle assemblies 52 respectively correspond to the extrusion channels T1 of the plurality of extrusion assemblies 13. In this way, the consumables extruded by each extrusion assembly 13 can enter the printing channel T2 of the nozzle assembly 52 one by one, and the ejection of different consumables can be realized. The printing channel T2 can be directly connected to the extrusion channel T1 along the Z direction.

[0096] Each nozzle assembly 52 has a standby position and a printing position. In the embodiment, the position along the Z direction downward is the printing position, and the position along the Z direction upward is the standby position.

[0097] As described before (see Fig. 1), in this embodiment, the printhead device 100 is movably mounted on the optical axis 400 of the gantry 300 of the 3D printing apparatus 1000 along the X direction.

[0098] When the consumable needs to be switched, the printhead device 100 (including the printhead mechanism 120) can be displaced along the X direction, after the printhead mechanism 120 is displaced to the position where the pusher 51 abuts against one of the columns 311, the printhead mechanism 120 continues to be displaced along the X direction to the side of the column 311, at this time, although the pusher 51 is limited by the column 311 and cannot continue to move, the fixed frame 50 and the plurality of printhead assemblies 52 of the printhead mechanism 120 can continue to be displaced along the X direction, so that the pusher 51 is relatively displaced along the X direction relative to the printhead assemblies 52 and the fixed frame 50. That is, by controlling the displacement of the printhead mechanism 120 along the X direction, the relative displacement of the pusher 51 along the X direction relative to the fixed frame 50 and the printhead assemblies 52 can be controlled, and under different relative displacements, the pusher 51 can push different printhead assemblies 52 to be displaced along the Z direction to the printing position.

[0099] In this embodiment, the side of the printhead assembly 52 close to the pusher 51 is provided with a roller 54; the printhead assembly 52 has four in total, and the rollers 54 of the four printhead assemblies 52 are distributed in a rectangular shape, i.e., arranged in the form of two rows and two columns. The direction of the rotation shaft of the roller 54 is along the Y direction.

[0100] The pusher 51 includes two pusher bars 55 and two connecting bars 56, the pusher bar 55 extends along the X direction, the connecting bar 56 extends along the Y direction, the two connecting bars 56 are respectively connected to the two ends of the two pusher bars 55, and the two connecting bars 56 and the two pusher bars 55 are connected to form a rectangular frame structure of the pusher 51.

[0101] Each pusher bar 55 is respectively matched to abut against the rollers 54 of two printhead assemblies 52. In this way, when the pusher 51 is relatively displaced along the X direction relative to the printhead assemblies 52, the rollers 54 are rolled to different positions along the X direction relative to the pusher bar 55.

[0102] In this embodiment, each pusher bar 55 has a base surface P1 facing the roller 54 along the Z direction. The pusher bar 55 protrudes from the base surface P1 toward the roller 54 to form two spaced-apart convex surfaces P2. The four convex surfaces P2 of the two pusher bars 55 are spaced apart along the X direction. Optionally, the pusher bar 55 also includes a slope surface P3, which transitionally connects the convex surfaces P2 and the base surface P1, so that when the pusher bar 55 is displaced relative to the fixed frame 50, the roller 54 rolls between the base surface P1 and the convex surfaces P2. Optionally, the slope surface P3 can be an inclined plane, or an arc or S-shaped arc surface. In this way, when the pusher 51 undergoes relative displacement, some rollers 54 can smoothly roll from the convex surface P2 across the slope surface P3 to the base surface P1, or they can smoothly roll from the base surface P1 across the slope surface P3 to the convex surface P2, thereby realizing the switching of the printhead assembly 52 between the printing position and the standby position.

[0103] In this embodiment, the two convex surfaces P2 of one pusher bar 55 are located at its longitudinal ends, and the base surface P1 of the pusher bar 55 is located between the two convex surfaces P2. The base surface P1 and the two convex surfaces P2 are connected by a slope surface P3. The two convex surfaces P2 of the other pusher bar 55 are located at the middle position along its longitudinal direction, so that the four convex surfaces P2 are all spaced apart in the X direction. As the pusher 51 moves to different positions relative to the fixed frame 50 in the X direction, the different convex surfaces P2 abut against the rollers 54 of the corresponding printhead assembly 52 to push the printhead assembly 52 downward in the Z direction to the printing position. The rollers 54 of the remaining printhead assemblies 52 abut against the base surface P1 of the corresponding pusher bar 55, so that the corresponding printhead assembly 52 is in the standby position.

[0104] In this embodiment, since the convex surfaces P2 are arranged at intervals along the X direction, only one printhead assembly 52 is in the printing position at any given time, while the other printhead assemblies 52 are in the standby position. Of course, in other embodiments, multiple printhead assemblies 52 can also be arranged in the printing position simultaneously. In this case, the arrangement position of the convex surfaces P2 can be adjusted appropriately as needed.

[0105] In this embodiment, the nozzle assembly 52 is slidably fitted to the fixing frame 50 along the Z direction. In other embodiments, the sliding direction of the nozzle assembly 52 may be located between the Z and X directions, and its specific sliding direction can be adjusted according to actual needs. This embodiment does not specifically limit it.

[0106] The working process of the nozzle mechanism 120 switching nozzle assembly 52 in this embodiment is described below by way of example.

[0107] For ease of description, see Figures 12 and 13. The two convex surfaces P2 on one of the push bars 55 are defined as the first convex surface P21 and the second convex surface P22, respectively, and the two convex surfaces P2 on the other push bar 55 are defined as the third convex surface P23 and the fourth convex surface P24, respectively.

[0108] As shown in the state of Fig. 13, the first convex surface P21 of the pusher 51 abuts against the roller 54 of one of the nozzle assemblies 52, which is in the printing position downward along the Z direction, while the rollers 54 of the other nozzle assemblies 52 abut against the base surface P1, thereby being in the upper standby position. In this state, the nozzle mechanism 120 is displaced rightward along the X direction until the pusher 51 abuts against the right column 311, and then the nozzle mechanism 120 is continuously displaced rightward along the X direction, so that the fixed frame 50 and the plurality of nozzle assemblies 52 are displaced rightward along the X direction relative to the pusher 51, which is embodied as that the rollers 54 of the nozzle assemblies 52 are rolled rightward along the X direction relative to the pusher 51, so that the roller 54 of the nozzle assembly 52 in the printing position in the state of Fig. 13 is rolled to the position abutting against the base surface P1 and the nozzle assembly 52 is changed to the standby position, and the roller 54 of the other nozzle assembly 52 is rolled to the corresponding second convex surface P22 on the rightmost side and the nozzle assembly 52 is changed to the printing position. Thus, the switching of different nozzle assemblies 52 to the printing position can be realized.

[0109] Referring to the above process, the switching of different nozzle assemblies 52 can be realized by displacing the nozzle mechanism 120 along the X direction by different displacement amounts.

[0110] In order to switch any nozzle assembly 52, it can be necessary for the pusher 51 to collide with the corresponding column 311 of the two columns 311 according to the required displacement direction.

[0111] In the embodiment, by the interval design of the plurality of convex surfaces P2 along the X direction, the pusher 51 which can only move along the X direction can realize the switching of the plurality of nozzle assemblies 52 which are distributed in the X and Y directions, which is beneficial to the compact arrangement of the plurality of nozzle assemblies 52 and avoids that the plurality of nozzle assemblies 52 arranged in a single row cause the size of the nozzle mechanism 120 along the arrangement direction to be too large; and the pusher 51 arranged in this form can realize the switching of the nozzle assemblies 52 by colliding with the columns 311 of the gantry, realize the separate switching action of the four nozzle assemblies 52 between the printing position and the standby position, without the need for additional motor and other driving structures, which simplifies the structure, saves the cost of the printhead device 100, and has good economic benefits.

[0112] In the embodiment, referring to FIG. 13 and FIG. 14, the fixing frame 50 comprises a bottom wall 64, a top wall 65 and two side walls 66, the bottom wall 64 and the top wall 65 are spaced apart along the Z direction, the two side walls 66 are spaced apart along the Y direction, two ends of the two side walls 66 are connected with the bottom wall 64 and the top wall 65 respectively, the pushing member 51 is slidably arranged on the side of the top wall 65 facing the bottom wall 64 along the third direction, and a plurality of nozzle assemblies 52 are arranged in a rectangular array between the two side walls 66. The bottom wall 64 is provided with a plurality of avoiding holes K7 corresponding to the plurality of nozzle assemblies 52 respectively, so that the pushing member 51 can push the selected nozzle assembly 52 to extend out of the bottom wall 64 from the avoiding hole K7 and enter the printing position, and the other nozzle assemblies 52 remain between the top wall 65 and the bottom wall 64 and remain in the standby position.

[0113] Optionally, referring to FIG. 13 to FIG. 15, the fixing frame 50 further comprises a plurality of guide blocks 68, the guide blocks 68 are provided with guide holes K8, the guide holes K8 are arranged through along the Z direction, and the nozzle assemblies 52 are slidably matched in the guide holes K8 along the Z direction, so that the nozzle assemblies 52 are more accurate in movement along the Z direction under the driving of the pushing member 51, to improve the accuracy of the selected nozzle assembly 52 entering the printing position and improve the printing accuracy.

[0114] Optionally, in the embodiment, the guide blocks 68 are two, and the two guide blocks 68 are spaced apart along the X direction on the bottom wall 64. Each guide block 68 is provided with two guide holes K8 distributed along the Y direction.

[0115] Optionally, referring to FIG. 14 and FIG. 15, the nozzle assembly 52 comprises a sliding part 70, the top wall 65 is further provided with a guide part 71, the guide part 71 is provided with a guide groove C4, the sliding part 70 is slidably matched in the guide groove C4 along the Z direction, and the guide groove C4 cooperates with the sliding part 70 to guide the nozzle assembly 52 in the Z direction and limit the nozzle assembly 52 in the X direction, so as to prevent the nozzle assembly 52 from moving along the X direction under the driving of the pushing member 51.

[0116] Referring to FIG. 15, the guide part 71 comprises a guide protrusion 73 and a baffle 74, the guide groove C4 is arranged in the guide protrusion 73, and the guide groove C4 is provided with an opening on one side of the X direction and the Z direction, and the baffle 74 covers the opening of the guide groove C4 in the X direction, so that the baffle 74 can stop and limit in the X direction.

[0117] Optionally, referring to FIG. 13 and FIG. 14, the fixing frame 50 further comprises a feeding connector 75, the feeding connector 75 is fixedly arranged on the top wall 65, so as to guide the consumables to pass through the top wall 65 and enter the printing channel T2 of the nozzle assembly 52.

[0118] In this embodiment, referring to FIG. 16, the nozzle assembly 52 comprises a nozzle support 76, a heat conduction pipe 77, a heating pipe 78 and a nozzle 79. The nozzle support 76 is connected with the pusher 51 at one end along the Z direction and connected with the heat conduction pipe 77 at the other end. The nozzle support 76 is provided with a first channel and the heat conduction pipe 77 is provided with a second channel. The first channel and the second channel are communicated to form a printing channel T2. The nozzle 79 is connected with the heat conduction pipe 77 at the end away from the nozzle support 76 and communicated with the second channel. The heating pipe 78 is sleeved outside the heat conduction pipe 77 and used to heat the heat conduction pipe 77, thereby heating the consumable in the second channel to melt and extrude from the nozzle 79.

[0119] Optionally, referring to FIG. 16, the sliding part 70 is arranged on the top of the nozzle support 76. The roller 54 is rotatably connected with the top of the nozzle support 76.

[0120] Optionally, referring to FIG. 16, the side surface of the nozzle support 76 is provided with a heat dissipation fin 80 to dissipate heat, so as to ensure that the consumable in the first channel is not melted and blocked, and the printing is carried out smoothly.

[0121] Optionally, referring to FIG. 16, the nozzle assembly 52 further comprises a heat insulation sleeve 81. The heat insulation sleeve 81 is sleeved outside the heat conduction pipe 77 to improve the heat preservation effect of the nozzle assembly 52, reduce the cooling speed of the consumable and ensure that the nozzle 79 is not blocked by the consumable.

[0122] Optionally, referring to FIG. 16, the nozzle assembly 52 further comprises a throat pipe 86. One end of the throat pipe 86 extends into the first channel and the other end extends into the second channel to achieve a heat insulation effect, so as to ensure that the consumable in the first channel is not melted and blocked.

[0123] Optionally, referring to FIG. 16, the nozzle assembly 52 further comprises an isolation column 82 supported between the heat conduction pipe 77 and the nozzle support 76.

[0124] Referring to FIG. 14 and FIG. 15, in this embodiment, the nozzle mechanism 120 further comprises a guide plate 83 connected with the fixed frame 50 and located at the outlet end of the printing channel T2 of the nozzle assembly 52. The guide plate 83 is provided with a plurality of guide holes K9 on the surface facing the nozzle assembly 52. The guide holes K9 are conical.

[0125] The nozzle 79 of the nozzle assembly 52 is located at the outlet end of the printing channel T2. The nozzle 79 is conical to fit the guide holes K9, so that the guide holes K9 guide the position of the nozzle 79 during the process of moving the nozzle assembly 52 to the printing position along the Z direction.

[0126] By guiding the nozzle 79 of the nozzle assembly 52 through the guide hole K9, the spacing of the nozzle 79 from the printing platform 200 and the projection position of the nozzle 79 on the printing platform 200 are more in line with the set requirements, which is conducive to ensuring the printing accuracy of the print head device 100, and also has the effects of saving the leveling step and improving the printing efficiency.

[0127] In the foregoing embodiments, the extrusion mechanism 110 and the nozzle mechanism 120 of the print head device 100 are proximal extrusion schemes that are fixed to each other and move synchronously in the X direction.

[0128] In the 3D printing device 1000a shown in FIG. 17, the print head device 100a adopts a distal extrusion scheme. In the print head device 100a, the nozzle mechanism 120 is movably arranged along the X direction on the optical axis 400, while the extrusion mechanism 110 is fixedly arranged opposite to the optical axis 400 (for example, fixedly arranged on the connecting portion at the longitudinal end of the optical axis 400) of the gantry 310 slidably arranged along the Z direction on the frame 300. The extrusion channel T1 of the extrusion mechanism 110 and the printing channel T2 of the nozzle mechanism 120 are connected through the consumable pipe 85, which can be a Teflon pipe.

[0129] The print head device in the embodiments can be used not only in the gantry type 3D printing device 1000 or 1000a shown in FIGS. 1-17, but also in a single cantilever type 3D printing device, an all-in-one type 3D printing device, an infinite Z-axis type 3D printing device, a delta type 3D printing device, etc.

[0130] When applied to other types of 3D printing devices, the pusher 51 and the print head device movably in the X direction can be changed to be movably in the Y direction or in any horizontal direction perpendicular to the Z direction as needed.

[0131] The above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present application and not to limit the present application. Although the present application has been described in detail with reference to the above preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that the technical solutions of the present application can be modified or replaced by equivalents without departing from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the present application.

Claims

1. A printhead assembly, mounted on the frame of a 3D printing device, characterized in that, The printhead assembly includes: An extrusion mechanism; the extrusion mechanism includes a switching component and a plurality of extrusion components, each extrusion component having an extrusion channel and a switching element, the switching elements of the plurality of extrusion components being distributed along a first direction, the switching component being configured to selectively control the switching element to be in a triggered state in the first direction; wherein, the extrusion component corresponding to the switching element in the triggered state is configured to allow consumables to be conveyed in the extrusion channel; A nozzle mechanism includes a fixed frame, a pusher, and multiple nozzle assemblies; each nozzle assembly is respectively used to connect to one of the extrusion assemblies; the pusher is movably disposed on the fixed frame in the horizontal direction, and the nozzle assembly is movably disposed on the fixed frame in the Z direction, and the nozzle assembly directly or indirectly abuts against the pusher in the Z direction; When the switch of the extrusion assembly is in the triggered state, the pusher is pushed so that the corresponding nozzle assembly moves relative to the fixing frame along the Z direction to the printing position.

2. The printhead device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The switching component includes a drive motor, a movable component, and a transmission component. The drive motor is connected to the movable component via the transmission component and is used to drive the movable component to move along the first direction to the corresponding switch component, so that the corresponding switch component is in the triggered state.

3. The printhead device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The plurality of extrusion components are distributed on both sides of the movable member along the second direction, and the switching elements of the plurality of extrusion components are located on the side closer to the movable member and spaced apart from each other along the first direction; The movable member has a pushing part on each of its two sides in the second direction, and the pushing parts on both sides are used to trigger the switching parts of the extrusion assembly on both sides.

4. The printhead device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The extrusion assembly further includes a support, an active extrusion wheel, and a driven extrusion wheel, wherein the active extrusion wheel and the driven extrusion wheel are spaced apart along a second direction, and the extrusion channel is formed in the support and extends along a third direction between the active extrusion wheel and the driven extrusion wheel; The switch is a movable frame that is movably connected to the bracket, and the driven extrusion wheel is rotatably mounted on the movable frame so that it moves closer to or further away from the driving extrusion wheel along the second direction with the movable frame.

5. The printhead device according to claim 4, characterized in that: The extrusion mechanism further includes an extrusion drive component; At least some of the plurality of active extrusion wheels are coaxially arranged and are connected to the extrusion drive via the same rotating shaft, and rotate under the drive of the extrusion drive.

6. The printhead device according to claim 4, characterized in that: The extrusion assembly also includes an elastic element disposed between the movable frame and the support, for elastically supporting the driven extrusion wheel at a position away from the driving extrusion wheel.

7. The printhead device according to claim 4, characterized in that: The extrusion mechanism further includes a first end plate and a second end plate; the first end plate and the second end plate are spaced apart from each other along the first direction; The extrusion assembly has two rows, and the two rows of extrusion assemblies are spaced apart from each other along the second direction to define the activity space; Each row of extrusion assemblies includes a plurality of extrusion assemblies that are sequentially stacked between the first end plate and the second end plate along the first direction.

8. The printhead device according to claim 7, characterized in that: The movable frame has a top end, and the top ends of the plurality of movable frames are respectively located on the side close to the movable space; and each top end extends into the movable space.

9. The printhead device according to claim 8, characterized in that: The abutment tops of the plurality of movable frames are staggered sequentially along a first direction, and the two pushing parts of the movable member are collinear along a second direction.

10. The printhead device according to claim 9, characterized in that: The distance between the abutting ends of the movable frames in the same row is equal, d, and the two rows of extrusion assemblies are staggered by d / 2 along the first direction; and when the pushing part on one side abuts the abutting end of the movable frame on the corresponding side, the pushing part on the other side is located in the gap between the two adjacent movable frames on the corresponding side.

11. The printhead device according to claim 10, characterized in that: Each of the extrusion components has the same shape and dimensions, where d is equal to the thickness of the extrusion component.

12. The printhead device according to claim 4, characterized in that: Sensors are connected to both sides of the movable component along the second direction; The extrusion assembly also includes a sensing element, which is movably connected to the support along a second direction. When consumables pass through the extrusion channel, the sensing element can be extruded by the consumables along the second direction to a position close to the sensor so that it can be sensed by the sensor.

13. The printhead device according to claim 12, characterized in that: The bracket is provided with a second mounting groove, and an elastic element is connected between the two side walls of the second mounting groove. The sensing element is a block-shaped opaque element, and the sensing element is connected to the elastic element. The second mounting slot is connected to the extrusion channel, and when no consumable passes through the extrusion channel, the sensed component is located closer to the extrusion channel; when the consumable passes through the extrusion channel, the consumable pushes the sensed component outward to extrude the sensed component to a position that can be sensed by the sensor.

14. The printhead device according to claim 13, characterized in that: A ball bearing is provided at the connection between the second mounting groove and the extrusion channel; when there is no consumable in the extrusion channel, the ball bearing is elastically limited to the side near the extrusion channel by the elastic element and the sensing element; when there is consumable in the extrusion channel, the consumable pushes the ball bearing outward, thereby overcoming the elastic force of the elastic element and pushing the sensing element outward.

15. The printhead device according to claim 13, characterized in that: The sensor is a photoelectric sensor. When the sensed element is blocked between the transmitter and receiver of the photoelectric sensor, the sensor generates a signal to prompt the movable element to move into place.

16. The printhead device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The nozzle assembly has a roller on the side near the pusher; there are four nozzle assemblies in total, and the rollers of the four nozzle assemblies are arranged in a rectangular shape; each nozzle assembly has a printing channel, and each printing channel is connected to each extrusion channel. The pusher includes two push bars that extend in a horizontal direction perpendicular to the Z-direction; each push bar has a base surface facing the roller side in the Z-direction, and the base surface protrudes from the base surface to the roller side to form two spaced-apart convex surfaces; The four convex surfaces are spaced horizontally. When the pusher is displaced to different positions relative to the mounting bracket in the horizontal direction, the different convex surfaces abut against the rollers of the corresponding printhead assembly to push the corresponding printhead assembly to the printing position in the Z direction.

17. The printhead apparatus according to claim 16, characterized in that: The push bar also includes a slope, which is transitionally connected between the convex surface and the base surface, so that when the push bar is displaced relative to the mounting bracket, the roller rolls between the base surface and the convex surface; The pusher includes two connecting strips, which are respectively connected to the two ends of the two pushers, and the two connecting strips and the two pushers are connected to form a rectangular frame structure.

18. The printhead device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The printhead mechanism also includes a guide plate, which is connected to the fixing frame and located at one end of the printing channel of the printhead assembly; the guide plate has a plurality of guide holes on the side facing the printhead assembly, and the guide holes are conical. The printhead assembly includes a nozzle located at the outlet end of the printing channel. The nozzle is tapered to fit the guide hole, so that the guide hole guides the position of the nozzle as the printhead assembly is displaced along the Z-direction to the printing position.

19. The printhead device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The extrusion mechanism is fixedly connected to the nozzle mechanism and can move horizontally together with the nozzle mechanism, or... The extrusion mechanism is fixed to the horizontal optical axis that is slidably disposed on the frame along the Z direction, and the extrusion channel of the extrusion mechanism and the printing channel of the nozzle mechanism are connected by a consumable pipe.

20. A 3D printing device, characterized in that, include: The frame includes two horizontally spaced columns. The optical axis connects the two columns; The printhead device according to any one of claims 1-19; The nozzle mechanism is slidably mounted on the optical axis in the horizontal direction; the extrusion mechanism is fixedly disposed relative to the optical axis slidably disposed on the frame in the Z direction, or the extrusion mechanism is fixedly disposed relative to the nozzle mechanism.

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