Printing device, print head and three-dimensional printer

Abstract

A printing device, a print head and a three-dimensional printer. The printing device comprises an extrusion mechanism, a path merging mechanism and a nozzle assembly, wherein the extrusion mechanism is configured to selectively drive, among several consumables, a target consumable to move forward or backward; the extrusion mechanism is located upstream of a consumable path between the path merging mechanism and the nozzle assembly; the path merging mechanism comprises a plurality of feed channels and at least one discharge channel in communication with the feed channels; and the nozzle assembly is in communication with the discharge channel. According to the technical solution of the present application, multi-color printing can be realized without the need to cut off consumables.

Description

Printing device, printing head and three-dimensional printer TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of 3D printing, and in particular to a printing device, a printing head and a three-dimensional printer. BACKGROUND

[0002] Three-dimensional printer technology is a technology that uses a digital model file to construct a three-dimensional object by layering a powder-like metal or plastic or other adhesive material as a printing material. Three-dimensional printer technology belongs to a kind of rapid prototyping technology, and can print complex geometric shapes and functional parts. 3D printing technology is rapidly developing, and its application range is continuously expanding, having a profound impact on manufacturing, medicine, construction, art and other fields.

[0003] Three-dimensional printers include various types of printers, such as FDM (Fused Deposition Modeling) three-dimensional printers. In FDM printers, multi-color printing technology is now the mainstream. In existing multi-color printing technology, when using consumables for printing, in order to switch different colors, the consumables need to be cut off and returned. To switch the consumables, the printing device needs to be moved to a specific position so that the cutting knife of the printing device is stressed, thereby cutting off the consumables. The process of cutting off the consumables takes a long time and the printing efficiency is low. SUMMARY

[0004] To overcome the problems in the related art, the purpose of the present application is to provide a printing device, a printing head and a three-dimensional printer that do not need to cut off consumables when printing in multiple colors.

[0005] In a first aspect, the present application provides a printing device (1), which comprises an extrusion mechanism (10), a line merging mechanism (20) and a nozzle assembly (30), the extrusion mechanism (10) being configured to selectively drive a target consumable among a plurality of consumables to advance or retreat; the extrusion mechanism (10) is located upstream of the consumable path of the line merging mechanism (20) and the nozzle assembly (30), the line merging mechanism (20) comprises a plurality of feeding channels (21) and at least one discharging channel (22) in communication with the feeding channels (21); the nozzle assembly (30) is in communication with the discharging channel (22).

[0006] In a second aspect, the present application also provides a printing head, which is the printing device (1) described above.

[0007] In a second aspect, the present application also provides a three-dimensional printer, which comprises the printing device (1) described above or the printing head described above.

[0008] The beneficial effects of the present application are:

[0009] The printing device of the present application, by setting the extrusion mechanism (10), the nozzle assembly (30), and the line merging mechanism (20) between the nozzle assembly (30) and the extrusion mechanism (10), when printing consumables of multiple colors or multiple materials, the consumables can be directly returned to the discharge channel (22) without using the cutter device for cutting off the consumables, and then the advancement and printing of the new target consumables can be performed. Since the extrusion mechanism (10) of the present application is located upstream of the consumable path of the line merging mechanism (20) and the nozzle assembly (30), that is, the line merging mechanism (20) is located between the extrusion mechanism (10) and the nozzle assembly (30) in the consumable path, when the consumables retreat, the end of the consumables does not need to pass through the extrusion mechanism (10), and even if the end of the consumables has irregularities, it will not affect the work of the extrusion mechanism (10), that is, it will not affect the retreat of the consumables and the next advancement of the consumables, so that when switching the consumables for printing, the consumables do not need to be cut off, and only the corresponding advancement or retreat of the consumables needs to be controlled, thereby saving the cutting time of the consumables, improving the printing speed of the model, and eliminating the need to set a cutter device for cutting off the consumables on the printing device (1), saving the manufacturing cost of the printing device (1), and reducing the volume of the printing device (1).

[0010] Other features and advantages of the present application will be set forth in the following description, and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the description, or can be learned by practice of the present application. The objects and other advantages of the present application can be achieved and obtained by the structures specifically pointed out in the written description, claims, and drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0011] Fig. 1 is a perspective structural schematic view of the printing device provided by the embodiment of the present application.

[0012] Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional structural schematic view of the printing device provided by the embodiment of the present application.

[0013] Fig. 3 is a partial exploded structural schematic view of the printing device provided by the embodiment of the present application.

[0014] Fig. 4 is a perspective structural schematic view of the material replacement driving device and the switching device cooperating with each other provided by the embodiment of the present application.

[0015] Fig. 5 is a perspective structural schematic view of the active driving device provided by the embodiment of the present application.

[0016] Fig. 6 is a perspective structural schematic view of the heat dissipation device provided by the embodiment of the present application.

[0017] Fig. 7 is a perspective structural schematic view of the throat provided by the embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] Preferred embodiments of the present application will be described in greater detail below, with reference to the accompanying drawings. While the preferred embodiments of the present application are shown in the drawings, it is understood that the present application can be embodied in various forms without being limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these 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.

[0019] 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 herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the application. As used in this description and the appended claims, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms "comprises" and / or "comprising," when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof.

[0020] It is to be understood that the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. It is to be further understood that the terms "comprise," "comprises," and / or "comprising" will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated step, condition, process, and / or element, but not the exclusion of any other step, condition, process, and / or element. It is to be further understood that the terms "comprise", "comprises" and / or "comprising" will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated step, condition, process, and / or element but not the exclusion of any other step, condition, process, and / or element.

[0021] The methods and devices employed in the present application are those conventional in the art, unless otherwise specified.

[0022] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the printing device 1 according to the embodiments of the present application is applied to a three-dimensional printer and is used for multi-color printing. Specifically, the printing device 1 can advance a target consumable among multiple consumables or retreat the target consumable that has been printed to a set position, and then advance a new target consumable to print a model using the new target consumable.

[0023] The number of consumables is not limited, and in the present application, the multiple consumables are at least one consumable, such as four consumables.

[0024] The printing device 1 comprises a housing 40, an extrusion mechanism 10, a line merging mechanism 20 and a nozzle assembly 30. The extrusion mechanism 10 is configured to selectively drive a target consumable among the consumables to advance or retreat; the extrusion mechanism 10 is located upstream of the consumable paths of the line merging mechanism 20 and the nozzle assembly 30; the line merging mechanism 20 comprises a plurality of feeding channels 21 and at least one discharging channel 22 in communication with the feeding channels 21; the nozzle assembly 30 is connected with the line merging mechanism 20 and is in communication with the discharging channel 22. In the present application, the printing device 1 can not comprise a cutter device for cutting the consumable. It can be understood that the consumables refer to at least one consumable.

[0025] The consumable path refers to a path for moving the consumable. The extrusion mechanism 10 is located upstream of the consumable paths of the line merging mechanism 20 and the nozzle assembly 30, i.e. the line merging mechanism 20 is located on the consumable paths of the extrusion mechanism 10 and the nozzle assembly 30, and the consumable passes through the extrusion mechanism 10, then the line merging mechanism 20 and then the nozzle assembly 30. The line merging mechanism 20 and the nozzle assembly 30 can be directly connected or indirectly connected through other devices.

[0026] In the present application, the printing device 1 can comprise a print head or further comprise components other than the print head. Specifically, the printing device 1 of the present application can at least comprise the following cases:

[0027] Case one: the printing device 1 comprises a print head, the print head comprises the nozzle assembly 30, and the extrusion mechanism 10 and the line merging mechanism 20 are located outside the print head; i.e. if the print head moves, the extrusion mechanism 10 and the line merging mechanism 20 do not move synchronously with the print head. In this case, the print head of the printing device can further comprise the housing 40, and the nozzle assembly 30 can be directly or indirectly arranged on the housing 40, i.e. can move synchronously with the housing 40.

[0028] Case two: the printing device 1 comprises a print head, the print head comprises the nozzle assembly 30 and the line merging mechanism 20, and the extrusion mechanism 10 is located outside the print head; i.e. if the print head moves, the line merging mechanism 20 moves synchronously with the print head, while the extrusion mechanism 10 does not move synchronously with the print head. In this case, the print head of the printing device can further comprise the housing 40, and the nozzle assembly 30 and the line merging mechanism 20 can be directly or indirectly arranged on the housing 40, i.e. can move synchronously with the housing 40.

[0029] Case three: the printing device 1 comprises a printing head, the printing head comprises the extrusion mechanism 10, the line merging mechanism 20 and the nozzle assembly 30, i.e. if the printing head moves, the extrusion mechanism 10, the line merging mechanism 20 and the nozzle assembly 30 will move synchronously. In this case, the printing head of the printing device can further comprise a housing 40, and the extrusion mechanism 10, the line merging mechanism 20 and the nozzle assembly 30 can be directly or indirectly arranged on the housing 40, i.e. can move synchronously with the housing 40.

[0030] It can be understood that, in case one or case two, if a component does not belong to the printing head, the component is not connected to the housing 40, i.e. does not move synchronously with the housing. The cases shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 belong to case three.

[0031] The printing device 1 will be further described below. The following description can be used for case one and / or case two and / or case three.

[0032] The number of the feeding channels 21 can be the same as the number of the consumables, and corresponds to the positions of the consumables, so as to accommodate the consumables.

[0033] The same feeding channel 21 can comprise one channel or a plurality of channels in communication, such as the feeding channel 21 can comprise a first feeding channel 231 and a second feeding channel 251.

[0034] In use, a user manually inserts an end of a consumable into the extrusion mechanism 10, or other devices insert an end of a consumable into the extrusion mechanism 10, if a target consumable is needed to print a model, the target consumable is driven to advance, after the target consumable passes through the feeding channel 21 of the line merging mechanism 20, the target consumable enters the discharging channel 22 and enters the nozzle assembly 30, the nozzle assembly 30 melts and sprays the consumable to print the model on the printing platform of the three-dimensional printer. If the current target consumable is temporarily used up, the extrusion mechanism 10 is controlled to drive the target consumable to retreat, and the target consumable at least retreats out of the discharging channel 22, so that the target consumable does not hinder the advancement of a new target consumable. The use process of the new target consumable is the same as the previous target consumable advancing and printing process, which will not be further described here. It can be understood that, during printing, if a certain consumable is included in the discharging channel 22, the certain consumable is not the consumable needed to be used, the certain consumable is retreated out of the target channel.

[0035] In the present application, by setting the extrusion mechanism 10, the nozzle assembly 30, and the line merging mechanism 20 between the nozzle assembly 30 and the extrusion mechanism 10, when printing multiple colors or multiple materials of consumables, the cutting device for cutting off the consumables is not used to cut off the consumables, and the consumables can be directly returned to the discharge channel 22, and then the advancement and printing of the new target consumables can be performed. Since the extrusion mechanism 10 of the present application is located upstream of the consumable path of the line merging mechanism 20 and the nozzle assembly 30, that is, the line merging mechanism 20 is located between the extrusion mechanism 10 and the nozzle assembly 30, when the consumables retreat, the end of the consumables does not need to pass through the extrusion mechanism 10, and even if the end of the consumables has irregularities, it will not affect the operation of the extrusion mechanism 10, that is, it will not affect the retreat of the consumables and the next advancement of the consumables, so that when switching the consumables printing, the consumables do not need to be cut off, and only the corresponding advancement or retreat of the consumables needs to be controlled, thereby saving the cutting time of the consumables, improving the printing speed of the model, and eliminating the need to set a cutting device for cutting off the consumables on the printing equipment 1, thereby saving the manufacturing cost of the printing equipment 1 and reducing the volume of the printing equipment 1.

[0036] Please refer to FIG. 3, the specific structure of the extrusion mechanism 10 is not limited, and it can drive the advancement or retreat of the consumables. The extrusion mechanism 10 can adopt any existing extrusion mechanism 10 or a newly designed extrusion mechanism 10 in the future.

[0037] Optionally, the extrusion mechanism 10 includes a material replacement driving device 11, a switching device 12, a driving device 14, and at least two clamping devices 13. The clamping devices 13 are located on at least one side of the driving device 14. The material replacement driving device 11 is drivingly connected with the switching device 12, and the switching device 12 is drivingly connected with the clamping devices 13, so that the target clamping device 13 among the at least two clamping devices 13 selectively clamps the consumables with the driving device 14 to drive the target consumables to advance or retreat. Specifically, the material replacement driving device 11 can drive the switching device 12 to rotate, so that the clamping device 13 connected with the switching device 12 is close to or away from the driving device 14, and the driving device 14 is used to rotate to drive the target consumables to advance or retreat.

[0038] The extruding mechanism 10 comprises a material replacing driving device 11, a switching device 12, a driving device 14 and at least two clamping devices 13, the clamping devices 13 are located at least on one side of the driving device 14, the material replacing driving device 11 is drivingly connected with the switching device 12, the switching device 12 is drivingly connected with the clamping devices 13, so that a target clamping device 13 in the at least two clamping devices 13 selectively clamps the consumable with the driving device 14 to drive the target consumable to advance or retreat, the present application only has one driving device, which can selectively clamp the target consumable with different clamping devices to drive the target consumable to advance or retreat, thereby reducing the number of driving devices, making the extruding mechanism simple in structure and reducing the volume of the extruding mechanism.

[0039] In the embodiment, the number of the clamping devices 13 is not limited, and the number of the clamping devices 13 is the same as the number of the consumables, each clamping device 13 is used to clamp one consumable to make the driving device 14 drive the consumable to advance or retreat. For example, the printing device 1 comprises four clamping devices 13, two clamping devices 13 are located on one side of the driving device 14, and the other two clamping devices 13 are located on the other side of the driving device 14, so that the space can be saved, the space utilization is improved, more clamping devices 13 can be contained in the limited space, which is beneficial to the miniaturization of the printing device 1 and does not affect the arrangement of other components such as the line combining mechanism 20, the structure is simple, easy to manufacture and low in cost. Alternatively, the extruding mechanism 10 comprises at least four material replacing driving devices, at least two clamping devices 13 are located on one side of the driving device 14, and at least two clamping devices 13 are located on the other side of the driving device 14.

[0040] It can be understood that the number and the partial arrangement of the clamping devices 13 are exemplary and are not limited in number and arrangement. For example, in other arrangements, the four clamping devices 13 can be arranged in a straight line and all arranged on the same side of the driving device.

[0041] The clamping device 13 comprises a passive wheel 131, a movable rod 132 and a resilient member 133, the movable rod 132 is movably connected with the housing 40, the passive wheel 131 is rotatably connected with the movable rod 132, and the resilient member 133 is connected with the housing 40 and the movable rod 132 respectively, the resilient member 133 is used to provide a force to the movable rod 132 close to the driving device 14, so that the passive wheel 131 clamps the consumable with the driving device 14. In the present application, the connection includes the abutting condition.

[0042] The structure of the passive wheel 131 is not limited, as long as it can contact the consumable to clamp the consumable with the driving device 14. For example, the passive wheel 131 is provided with a first groove for accommodating the consumable, and the side wall of the first groove can be roughened to increase the friction between the consumable and the passive wheel 131, such as the side wall of the first groove can be provided with a concave groove, and the concave groove is arranged along the circumference of the passive wheel 131. The number of passive wheels 131 included in each clamping device 13 is not limited, such as one or more passive wheels 131. In the embodiment of the application, each clamping device 13 can include one passive wheel 131, and the printing device 1 includes four passive wheels 131, two passive wheels 131 are located on one side of the driving device 14, and the other two passive wheels 131 are located on the other side of the driving device 14, so that the passive wheels on the same side of the driving device 14 are arranged side by side.

[0043] The structure and type of the elastic member 133 are not limited, such as the elastic member 133 can be a torsion spring, a spring, an elastic silica gel, etc. The number of elastic members 133 is not limited, and one clamping device 13 can include one or more elastic members 133, as long as the elastic member 133 can provide a force to the movable rod 132 close to the driving device 14. In the embodiment of the application, the elastic member 133 is a torsion spring, and each clamping device 13 includes only one torsion spring, and the torsion spring is connected with the shell 40 and the movable rod 132 respectively.

[0044] The movable rod 132 includes a rotating part 1321 and a connecting part 1322, and the rotating part 1321 and the connecting part 1322 are connected. The end of the rotating part 1321 away from the connecting part 1322 is rotatably connected with the shell 40, the passive wheel 131 is connected with the end of the connecting part 1322 close to the rotating part 1321, and the elastic member 133 is connected with the shell 40 and the connecting part 1322 respectively. The end of the rotating part 1321 away from the connecting part 1322 is rotatably connected with the shell 40, the passive wheel 131 is connected with the end of the connecting part 1322 close to the rotating part 1321, so that the passive wheel 131 protrudes towards the driving device 14, thereby the rotating part 1321 and the connecting part 1322 are not easy to interfere with the driving device 14. The end of the rotating part 1321 away from the connecting part 1322, i.e. the position on the rotating part 1321 away from the connecting part 1322, is greater than one half of the length of the rotating part 1321. The end of the connecting part 1322 close to the rotating part 1321, i.e. the position on the connecting part 1322 away from the rotating part 1321, is less than one half of the length of the connecting part 1322.

[0045] The rotating part 1321 and the connecting part 1322 can be integrally formed. The materials of the rotating part 1321 and the connecting part 1322 are not limited, such as the rotating part 1321 and the connecting part 1322 can both be plastic or metal, etc.

[0046] The connecting portion 1322 of the movable rod 132 is provided with an abutting portion 1323, which is used to abut against the switching device 12. The switching device 12 is used to push the abutting portion 1323 away from the switching device 12 or give the abutting portion 1323 space, so that the abutting portion 1323, the movable rod 132 and the driven wheel 131 are close to the driving device 14. The abutting portion 1323 can be convex to the switching device 12. The shape of the abutting portion 1323 is not limited. In this application, the abutting portion 1323 is in the shape of a rod, and the end of the abutting portion 1323 close to the switching device 12 is smooth, so as to facilitate the switching device 12 to push the abutting portion 1323, for example, the end of the abutting portion 1323 close to the switching device 12 is in the shape of a circular arc. The abutting portion 1323 can be integrally formed with the connecting portion 1322. The material of the abutting portion 1323 is not limited, for example, the abutting portion 1323 can be plastic.

[0047] The housing 40 can be provided with a rotating shaft 41, so that the rotating portion 1321 of the movable rod 132 of the clamping device 13 is in rotating connection with the rotating shaft 41, that is, the rotating portion 1321 is in rotating shaft connection with the rotating portion 1321.

[0048] The switching device 12 is used to make the driven wheel 131 and the driving device 14 clamp the consumables at one time, for example, clamp one or two consumables at one time. In this application, the switching device 12 is used to make the driven wheel 131 and the driving device 14 clamp at most one consumable at one time. The switching device 12 is provided with a reversing groove 121 arranged in the circumferential direction, which is used to give the abutting portion 1323 of the clamping device 13 space, so that the abutting portion 1323, the connecting portion 1322 and the driven wheel 131 can be close to the driving device 14, so that the driven wheel 131 and the driving device 14 can clamp the consumables. The material of the switching device 12 is not limited, for example, the material of the switching device 12 can be plastic or metal.

[0049] The specific structure of the reversing groove 121 is not limited, for example, the shape of the reversing groove 121 matches the abutting portion. In this application, the cross-sectional shape of the reversing groove 121 is arc-shaped, so as to facilitate the rotation of the switching device 12, realize the contact and separation of the abutting portion 1323 and the groove wall of the reversing groove 121. The reversing groove 121 is arranged in the circumferential direction, that is, the reversing grooves 121 are arranged in a staggered manner. The projections of different reversing grooves 121 on the cross section of the switching device 12 are located at different positions, so that at any time, only one clamping device 13 clamps the consumables. The reversing grooves 121 can be distributed on different planes; so that the clamping devices 13 can be distributed on different planes, which can improve the space utilization. At least one reversing groove 121 is distributed on each plane. In this application, one reversing groove is distributed in each plane to drive at least two clamping devices 13 arranged on the plane.

[0050] If the printing device 1 comprises at least four clamping devices 13, the switching device 12 is provided with at least two switching grooves 121, and the switching grooves 121 are distributed on at least two planes, and at least one switching groove 121 is arranged on each plane. In an embodiment, the number of switching grooves 121 is two. The positions of the switching grooves can be reasonably arranged, so that the gears of the clamping devices 13 can be adjusted to five, that is, one of the positions is a neutral gear, and in the neutral gear state, none of the clamping devices 13 and the driving device 14 clamps the consumable.

[0051] Please refer to FIG. 4, the material replacement driving device 11 is used to drive the switching device 12 to rotate. The specific structure of the material replacement driving device 11 is not limited, as long as it can drive the switching device 12 to rotate.

[0052] Specifically, the material replacement driving device 11 comprises a first motor 111, a worm 112 connected with the first motor 111, and a worm gear 113 drivingly connected with the worm 112, and the worm gear 113 is coaxially connected with the switching device 12; or,

[0053] The material replacement driving device 11 comprises a first motor 111, a first gear drivingly connected with the first motor 111, and a second gear drivingly connected with the first gear, the diameter of the second gear is greater than that of the first gear, the second gear is coaxially connected with the switching device 12, and the diameter of the second gear is greater than that of the switching device 12.

[0054] The above-mentioned two structures of the material replacement driving device 11 are exemplary descriptions of the embodiments of the present application, and the specific structure of the material replacement driving device 11 is not limited.

[0055] Please refer to FIG. 5, the driving device 14 comprises a driving mechanism and a driving wheel 141 drivingly connected with the driving mechanism, and the driving wheel 141 is used to clamp the consumable with the clamping device 13.

[0056] The specific structure of the driving mechanism is not limited, as long as it can drive the driving wheel 141 to rotate. For example, the driving mechanism comprises a second motor 142, a motor driving wheel 143 drivingly connected with the second motor 142, and a speed reduction wheel 144 drivingly connected with the motor driving wheel 143, the diameter of the speed reduction wheel 144 is greater than that of the motor driving wheel 143, the speed reduction wheel 144 is coaxially connected with the driving wheel 141, and the diameter of the speed reduction wheel 144 is greater than that of the driving wheel 141.

[0057] The specific structure of the driving wheel 141 is not limited, as long as it can contact the consumable to clamp the consumable with the passive wheel 131. For example, the driving wheel 141 is provided with a second groove for accommodating the consumable, and the side wall of the second groove can be roughened to increase the friction between the consumable and the driving wheel 141, for example, the side wall of the second groove can be provided with concave grooves, and the concave grooves are arranged along the circumferential direction of the passive wheel 131.

[0058] The active driving device 14 comprises at least two active wheels 141, and different active wheels 141 are located in different planes. In the embodiment of the application, the at least two active wheels 141 are coaxially connected with the reduction wheel 144 of the driving mechanism to realize the same angle rotation.

[0059] Each active wheel 141 corresponds to at least one clamping device 13, that is, each active wheel 141 corresponds to at least one passive wheel 131. In the embodiment of the application, each active wheel 141 corresponds to two clamping devices 13, that is, each active wheel 141 corresponds to two passive wheels 131. One clamping device 13 is arranged on each side of the active wheel 141, that is, two clamping devices 13 are arranged on the two sides of the active wheel 141. If the printing device 1 comprises four clamping devices 13, the printing device 1 comprises two active wheels 141.

[0060] The line merging mechanism 20 comprises a number of discharge channels 22, and the number of the discharge channels 22 is not limited,

[0061] One discharge channel 22, the printing device 1 comprises one nozzle assembly 30, and the number of the nozzle assemblies 30 is the same as the number of the discharge channels 22; or

[0062] The line merging mechanism 20 comprises a plurality of discharge channels 22, and the printing device 1 comprises a plurality of nozzle assemblies 30, and the number of the nozzle assemblies 30 is the same as the number of the discharge channels 22.

[0063] Specifically, the line merging mechanism 20 can comprise a feeding piece and a discharging piece; the feeding piece and the discharging piece are connected, the feeding piece is provided with a feeding channel 21, the discharging channel 22 is arranged on the discharging piece, or the discharging channel 22 is arranged on the discharging piece and the feeding piece at the same time; the feeding channel 21 corresponds to the consumable passing through the extrusion mechanism 10, and the discharging piece is connected with the nozzle assembly 30.

[0064] It can be understood that the feeding channel 21 corresponds to the consumable passing through the extrusion mechanism 10, that is, the consumable of the extrusion mechanism 10 can enter the feeding channel.

[0065] The line merging mechanism 20 comprises the feeding piece and the discharging piece, that is, the line merging mechanism 20 is divided into two parts, that is, the feeding piece and the discharging piece, so that the feeding channel 21 and the discharging channel 22 are more easily opened and the processing difficulty is lower.

[0066] In the case that the line merging mechanism 20 is located on the print head, it includes the case two and the case three. The print head can further include a heat dissipation device 23 and a throat pipe 24, the heat dissipation device 23 is connected with the throat pipe 24, and the throat pipe 24 is connected with the nozzle assembly 30. The feeding part and the discharging part of the line merging mechanism 20 can be located upstream of the material path of the heat dissipation device 23 and the throat pipe 24, for example, the heat dissipation device 23 can be directly or indirectly connected with the line merging mechanism 20; or the feeding part includes the heat dissipation device 23, and the discharging part includes the throat pipe 24. If the feeding part includes the heat dissipation device 23, and the discharging part includes the throat pipe 24, the volume of the print head can be further reduced, the material return length of the consumable can be reduced, the model printing time can be shorter, and the printing efficiency can be improved.

[0067] Please refer to FIG. 2, FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, alternatively, in the case two or the case three that the line merging mechanism 20 is located on the print head, the nozzle assembly 30 can be connected with the line merging mechanism 20.

[0068] In the case that the line merging mechanism 20 is located on the print head, it includes the case two and the case three. The print head can further include a heat dissipation device 23 and a throat pipe 24, the heat dissipation device 23 is connected with the throat pipe 24, and the throat pipe 24 is connected with the nozzle assembly 30. The feeding part and the discharging part of the line merging mechanism 20 can be located upstream of the material path of the heat dissipation device 23 and the throat pipe 24, for example, the heat dissipation device 23 can be directly or indirectly connected with the line merging mechanism 20; or the feeding part includes the heat dissipation device 23, and the discharging part includes the throat pipe 24. If the feeding part includes the heat dissipation device 23, and the discharging part includes the throat pipe 24, the volume of the print head can be further reduced, the material return length of the consumable can be reduced, the model printing time can be shorter, and the printing efficiency can be improved.

[0069] The heat dissipation device 23 is provided with a plurality of first feeding channels 231 and a connecting channel 232 in communication with the feeding channel 21, and the throat pipe 24 is provided with a discharging channel 22. One end of the throat pipe 24 is connected with the heat dissipation device 23 through the connecting channel 232, so that the first feeding channel 231 is in communication with the discharging channel 22. The specific shape and material of the heat dissipation device 23 are not limited, for example, the heat dissipation device 23 further includes heat dissipation fins, and the material of the heat dissipation device 23 can be aluminum or copper metal which is easy to dissipate heat.

[0070] The first feeding passage 231 is used for passing the consumable. The shape of the first feeding passage 231 is not limited, for example, the first feeding passage 231 can be linear or arc-shaped. In the present application, the cross-sectional area of the first feeding passage 231 is circular. The first feeding passage 231 is arranged at the first end of the heat dissipation device 23 away from the connecting passage 232, so as to facilitate the arrangement of the first feeding passage 231. The length of the first feeding passage 231 is 6-20 mm, and the diameter of the first feeding passage 231 is 1.5-2.5 mm. The diameter of the first feeding passage 231 can be reasonably set according to the consumable to be passed. It can be understood that the diameter of the passage or hole for passing the consumable needs to be greater than or equal to the diameter of the consumable. If the length of the first feeding passage 231 is too long, it will affect the time of the initial consumable passing through the first feeding passage 231, and will also cause the height of the print head to be too large, which is not conducive to the miniaturization of the print head. If the length of the first feeding passage 231 is too short, it is not conducive to the combination of the first feeding passage 231 and the discharge passage 22, and can cause the size of the heat dissipation device 23 to be too small, affecting the heat dissipation efficiency. Among them, the distance between the ends of the plurality of first feeding passages 231 away from the connecting passage 232 is smaller than the distance between the ends of the plurality of first feeding passages 231 close to the connecting passage 232, that is, the distance between the ends of any two first feeding passages 231 away from the nozzle assembly 30 is farther than the distance between the ends close to the nozzle assembly 30, so that the distance between the ends of the two first feeding passages 231 away from the nozzle assembly 30 is larger, leaving more space for components such as Teflon tubes or other components that limit the movement of the consumable, such as channels in the shell 50.

[0071] The connecting passage 232 is used for connecting the throat pipe 24 and the heat dissipation device 23. The shape of the connecting passage 232 is not limited, for example, it can be linear. In the present application, the cross-sectional area of the connecting passage 232 is circular. The specific connection mode of the throat pipe 24 and the heat dissipation device 23 is not limited, for example, it can be threaded connection, riveting or fixed by a jackscrew, etc. The inner wall of the connecting passage 232 can be provided with threads, etc. Optionally, the throat pipe 24 and the heat dissipation device 23 can be detachably connected, and the detachable connection mode is not limited, which can realize the quick disassembly of the throat pipe 24 and the heat dissipation device 23. The length of the connecting passage 232 is 5-15 mm, and the diameter of the connecting passage 232 is 5.3-7 mm. If the length of the connecting passage 232 is too short, it is difficult to firmly fix the throat pipe 24, and if the length of the connecting passage 232 is too long, it will cause the heat dissipation device 23 to be too large, which is not conducive to the miniaturization of the print head.

[0072] The connecting channel 232 is arranged at a second end of the heat dissipation device 23 opposite to the first end, so as to facilitate the arrangement of the connecting channel 232. The projection of the plurality of first feeding channels 231 on the connecting channel 232 is located on the connecting channel 232. Since the first feeding channel 231 and the connecting channel 232 are in the projection relationship, the first feeding channel 231 is arranged directly from the first end of the heat dissipation device 23, and the connecting channel 232 is arranged directly from the second end of the heat dissipation device 23, so that the first feeding channel 231 and the connecting channel 232 are directly communicated, the arrangement of the first feeding channel 231 and the connecting channel 232 is facilitated, and the processing difficulty of the heat dissipation device 23 is reduced.

[0073] The connection mode of the throat pipe 24 and the nozzle assembly 30 is not limited, for example, the throat pipe 24 can be threadedly connected, interference connected, riveted, connected through a jackscrew, or the like with the nozzle assembly 30. The length of the throat pipe 24 is 14-25 mm. If the length of the throat pipe 24 is too small, it is difficult to firmly fix the heat dissipation device 23 and the nozzle assembly 30, and if the length of the throat pipe 24 is too large, it is difficult to reduce the size of the print head.

[0074] The throat pipe 24 is further provided with a communication channel 241 in communication with the discharge channel 22, and the plurality of first feeding channels 231 are respectively communicated through the communication channel 241 and the discharge channel 22, that is, the plurality of first feeding channels 231 are all communicated through the communication channel 241 and the discharge channel 22, and one end of the discharge channel 22 provided on the throat pipe 24 is connected with the nozzle assembly 30. The length of the discharge channel 22 is 5-15 mm, and the diameter of the discharge channel 22 is 1.5-2.5 mm. The length of the communication channel 241 is 5-15 mm, and the maximum diameter of the communication channel 241 is 5-7 mm. The maximum diameter of the communication channel 241 is 5-7 mm, which makes the consumable of the first feeding channel more easily enter the communication channel 241, so as to enter the discharge channel 22. The length of the discharge channel 22 and the length of the communication channel 241 are moderate, which facilitates the miniaturization of the print head.

[0075] The size of the communication channel 241 is greater than the size of the discharge channel 22, so that when the consumable retreats, the end of the consumable does not need to retreat to the first feeding channel 231, but can remain in the communication channel, so that the end of the consumable can not block the advancement of other consumables. Specifically, the size of the end of the communication channel 241 close to the nozzle assembly 30 is smaller than the size of the end of the communication channel 241 away from the nozzle assembly 30. That is, the shape of the communication channel 241 is conical.

[0076] The projections of the plurality of first feeding channels 231 on the communication channel 241 near one end of the connecting channel 232 are located in the other end of the connecting channel 232 away from the nozzle assembly 30, so that the first feeding channels 231 can be directly aligned with the communication channel 241 when the throat 24 is installed in the connecting channel 232, facilitating assembly.

[0077] Optionally, the line merging mechanism 20 further comprises a communication device 25, the communication device 25 is provided with a plurality of second feeding channels 251 corresponding to the consumables passing through the extrusion mechanism 10, and the second feeding channels 251 correspond one-to-one to the first feeding channels 231.

[0078] The specific structure of the communication device 25 is not limited, and the communication device 25 can be connected with the shell 40. Optionally, the communication device 25 can be integrally formed with the shell 40. In other embodiments, the communication device 25 is a consumable guide pipe. The distance between the communication device 25 and the heat dissipation device 23 is 0.1-5mm, that is, there is a gap between the communication device 25 and the heat dissipation device 23.

[0079] The printing device 1 can further comprise an elastic connecting piece connected with the shell 40 and a force sensor provided on the elastic connecting piece, and the heat dissipation device 23 is connected with the shell 40 through the elastic connecting piece. When the nozzle assembly 30 of the printing device 1 touches the printing platform of the three-dimensional printer, the elastic connecting piece deforms to enable the force sensor to sense the deformation of the elastic connecting piece, that is, the contact between the nozzle assembly 30 and the printing platform, so as to facilitate the leveling of the three-dimensional printer. There is a gap between the communication device 25 and the heat dissipation device 23, which facilitates the deformation of the elastic connecting piece.

[0080] The nozzle assembly 30 comprises a heating device 31 and a nozzle 32. The heating device 31 is connected with the nozzle 32. The heating device 31 can also be connected with the discharge piece, that is, the heating device 31 can also be connected with the throat 24. It can be understood that if the throat 24 does not belong to the line merging mechanism 20, the heating device 31 can be connected with the throat 24.

[0081] The heating device 31 is used for melting the consumables entering the heating device 31 from the discharge channel 22, so as to spray the printing from the nozzle 32. The heating device 31 and the nozzle 32 are common structures in the art, and any existing nozzle assembly 30 or future designed nozzle assembly 30 within the design concept of the present application is within the protection scope of the present application.

[0082] The printing device 1 can further comprise a material breakage detection device, the material breakage detection device is arranged at the other end of the extrusion mechanism 10 away from the nozzle assembly 30; and / or

[0083] The printing device 1 further comprises a blockage detection device, which is arranged at the end of the extrusion mechanism 10 away from the nozzle assembly 30. The specific structure of the blockage detection device or the material breakage detection device is not limited in the present application, as long as it can detect the material breakage or blockage.

[0084] In the above embodiment, the material in the nozzle assembly 30 is melted material, the material in the feeding channel 21 is unmelted material, and at least part of the material in the discharging channel 22 is solid material.

[0085] The present application further provides a printing head, which can be the printing device 1 of the above embodiments, and has all the functions and advantages of the printing device 1. The printing head can comprise the extrusion mechanism 10, the line merging mechanism 20, the heat dissipation device 23, or the throat 24 of the above embodiments.

[0086] The present application further provides a three-dimensional printer, which comprises the extrusion mechanism 10, the line merging mechanism 20, the heat dissipation device 23, or the throat 24, or the printing device 1 or the printing head of the above embodiments, and has all the functions and advantages of the extrusion mechanism 10, the line merging mechanism 20, the heat dissipation device 23, or the throat 24, or the printing device 1 or the printing head of the above embodiments.

[0087] Finally, it should be noted that: the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present application, and not to limit them; although the present application has been described in detail with reference to the above embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that: it can still modify the technical solutions recorded in the above embodiments, or make equivalent replacement for part of the technical features; and these modifications or replacements do not make the essence of the corresponding technical solutions deviate from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application.

Claims

1. A printing device (1), wherein, The printing device (1) comprises an extrusion mechanism (10) for selectively driving a target consumable among several consumables to advance or retreat, a line merging mechanism (20) and a nozzle assembly (30), the extrusion mechanism (10) is located upstream of the consumable paths of the line merging mechanism (20) and the nozzle assembly (30), the line merging mechanism (20) comprises a plurality of feeding channels (21) and at least one discharging channel (22) in communication with the feeding channels (21), and the nozzle assembly (30) is in communication with the discharging channel (22).

2. The printing device (1) according to claim 1, wherein, The printing device (1) comprises a print head, and the print head comprises the extrusion mechanism (10), the line merging mechanism (20) and the nozzle assembly (30).

3. The printing device (1) according to claim 2, wherein The line merging mechanism (20) comprises a feeding part and a discharging part, the feeding part and the discharging part are connected, the feeding channels (21) are formed on the feeding part, and the discharging channel (22) is arranged on the discharging part or the discharging channel (22) is arranged on the discharging part and the feeding part at the same time; The feeding channels (21) correspond to the consumables passing through the extrusion mechanism (10), and the discharging part is connected with the nozzle assembly (30); The feeding part comprises a heat dissipation device (23), the discharging part comprises a throat (24), the heat dissipation device (23) is connected with the throat (24), the feeding channels (21) are formed on the heat dissipation device (23), and the discharging channel (22) is arranged on the throat (24) or the discharging channel (22) is arranged on the throat (24) and the heat dissipation device (23) at the same time; The feeding channels (21) correspond to the consumables passing through the extrusion mechanism (10), and the throat (24) is connected with the nozzle assembly (30).

4. The printing device (1) according to claim 3, wherein A plurality of first feeding channels (231) are formed on the heat dissipation device (23), a connecting channel (232) in communication with the feeding channels (21) is arranged on the heat dissipation device (23), and the throat (24) is connected with the heat dissipation device (23) through the connecting channel (232) at one end, so that the first feeding channels (231) are in communication with the discharging channel (22); The length of the connecting channel (232) is 5-15 mm, and the diameter of the connecting channel (232) is 5.3-7 mm; The length of the first feeding channel (231) is 6-20 mm, and the diameter of the first feeding channel (231) is 1.5-2.5 mm.

5. The printing device (1) according to claim 4, wherein, The throat (24) is further provided with a communication channel (241) in communication with the discharging channel (22), a plurality of first feeding channels (231) are respectively in communication with the discharging channel (22) through the communication channel (241), and one end of the throat (24) provided with the discharging channel (22) is connected with the nozzle assembly (30). The size of the one end of the communication channel (241) close to the nozzle assembly (30) is smaller than the size of the other end of the communication channel (241) far from the nozzle assembly (30). The projection of the plurality of first feeding channels (231) on the communication channel (241) close to the one end of the connection channel (232) is located in the other end of the connection channel (232) far from the nozzle assembly (30).

6. The printing device (1) according to claim 5, wherein The length of the throat (24) is 14-25mm; the length of the discharge channel (22) is 5-15mm, the diameter of the discharge channel (22) is 1.5-2.5mm, the length of the communication channel (241) is 5-15mm, and the maximum diameter of the communication channel (241) is 5-7mm.

7. The printing device (1) according to claim 1, wherein, The printing device (1) does not include a cutter device for cutting consumables.

8. The printing device (1) according to claim 1, wherein, The printing device (1) includes a print head, the print head includes the nozzle assembly (30), the extrusion mechanism (10) and the line merging mechanism (20) are located outside the print head; or, The printing device (1) includes a print head, the print head includes the nozzle assembly (30) and the line merging mechanism (20), and the extrusion mechanism (10) is located outside the print head.

9. The printing device (1) according to claim 8, wherein, If the print head includes the nozzle assembly (30) and the line merging mechanism (20), the extrusion mechanism (10) is located outside the print head, the print head further includes a heat dissipation device (23) and the throat (24), the heat dissipation device (23) is connected with the throat (24), the throat (24) is connected with the nozzle assembly (30), and the heat dissipation device (23) is directly or indirectly connected with the line merging mechanism (20).

10. The printing device (1) according to claim 1, wherein, The extrusion mechanism (10) includes a material replacement driving device (11), a switching device (12), a driving device (14), and at least two clamping devices (13), the clamping devices (13) are located on at least one side of the driving device (14), the material replacement driving device (11) is drivingly connected with the switching device (12), the switching device (12) is drivingly connected with the clamping devices (13), so that a target clamping device (13) in the at least two clamping devices (13) selectively clamps the consumables with the driving device (14) to drive the target consumables to advance or retreat.

11. The printing device (1) according to claim 10, wherein The printing device (1) includes four clamping devices (13), two of which are located on one side of the driving device (14), and the other two are located on the other side of the driving device (14).

12. The printing device (1) according to claim 10, wherein The printing device (1) further comprises a housing (40), the clamping device (13) comprises a passive wheel (131), a movable rod (132) and an elastic member (133), the movable rod (132) is movably connected with the housing (40), the passive wheel (131) is rotatably connected with the movable rod (132), and the elastic member (133) is connected with the housing (40) and the movable rod (132) respectively, and the elastic member (133) is used for providing a force for the movable rod (132) to approach the driving device (14), so that the passive wheel (131) and the driving device (14) clamp the consumable.

13. The printing device (1) according to claim 12, wherein, The movable rod (132) is provided with an abutting portion (1323), the abutting portion (1323) is used for abutting with the switching device (12), and the switching device (12) is used for pushing the abutting portion (1323) away from the switching device (12) or giving the abutting portion (1323) a space, so that the abutting portion (1323), the movable rod (132) and the passive wheel (131) approach the driving device (14).

14. The printing device (1) according to claim 13, wherein, The switching device (12) is provided with a direction-changing groove (121) arranged in a circumferential direction, the direction-changing groove (121) is used for giving the abutting portion (1323) a space, and the direction-changing groove (121) is distributed on different planes.

15. A printhead, wherein, The printing head is the printing device (1) of any one of claims 1-7 or 10-14.

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