CN219634555U

CN219634555U - Powder discharging device and 3D printing equipment

Info

Publication number: CN219634555U
Application number: CN202320505609.9U
Authority: CN
Inventors: 何涛; 李米峰; 张志勇; 潘良明; 刘鑫炎
Original assignee: Hunan Farsoon High Tech Co Ltd
Current assignee: Hunan Farsoon High Tech Co Ltd
Priority date: 2023-03-15
Filing date: 2023-03-15
Publication date: 2023-09-05
Anticipated expiration: 2033-03-15

Abstract

The utility model provides a powder feeding device and 3D printing equipment, and relates to the field of additive manufacturing equipment. The powder discharging device comprises a first transition bin assembly and a powder discharging assembly; the first transition bin assembly comprises a first transition bin and a first powder homogenizing piece, the first powder homogenizing piece is arranged in the first transition bin, and the first powder homogenizing piece is provided with a tip arranged towards an inlet of the first transition bin; the powder discharging component is connected with an outlet of the first transition bin so as to control powder in the first transition bin to fall down. In the powder discharging process, the powder enters the first transition bin, contacts with the tip end of the first powder homogenizing piece, is split by the first powder homogenizing piece, and then falls under the control of the powder discharging component. In the process, the powder flows uniformly under the flow guiding effect of the first powder homogenizing part, so that the situation of accumulation and even blockage is not easy to occur, the normal operation of the 3D printing equipment is facilitated, and the production efficiency of the 3D printing equipment is ensured.

Description

Powder discharging device and 3D printing equipment

Technical Field

The utility model relates to the field of additive manufacturing equipment, in particular to a powder feeding device and 3D printing equipment.

Background

Before powder is paved by powder bed type additive manufacturing equipment, quantitative and uniform underground powder is needed to be carried out on the equipment by a powder unloading device.

The existing powder discharging device mainly controls the powder feeding amount through a powder feeding port capable of being selectively opened and closed. The powder enters the transition bin through the powder inlet, and then is discharged through the powder outlet of the powder feeding mechanism. However, powder is easily accumulated and even blocked when passing through the transition bin, so that the equipment cannot normally operate, and the production efficiency of the equipment is reduced.

Disclosure of Invention

In order to solve the problems in the prior art, one of the purposes of the present utility model is to provide a powder discharging device.

The utility model provides the following technical scheme:

a powder discharging device comprises a first transition bin assembly and a powder discharging assembly;

the first transition bin assembly comprises a first transition bin and a first powder homogenizing piece, wherein the first powder homogenizing piece is arranged in the first transition bin and is provided with a tip arranged towards an inlet of the first transition bin;

the powder discharging component is connected with an outlet of the first transition bin so as to control powder in the first transition bin to fall.

As a further alternative scheme of the powder discharging device, the first transition bin assembly further comprises a screen, wherein the screen is arranged in the first transition bin and is positioned on one side of the first powder homogenizing part, which faces to the outlet of the first transition bin.

As a further alternative scheme of the powder discharging device, the powder discharging device further comprises a second transition bin assembly, the second transition bin assembly comprises a second transition bin and a second powder homogenizing piece, and the powder discharging assembly is connected with an outlet of the first transition bin through the second transition bin;

the second powder homogenizing piece is arranged in the second transition bin and provided with a tip arranged towards the inlet of the second transition bin.

As a further alternative scheme of the powder discharging device, a powder discharging hole is formed in the side wall, close to one end of the powder discharging component, of the second transition bin, and a blocking piece is detachably arranged in the powder discharging hole.

As a further alternative scheme of the powder discharging device, a material level monitoring part is arranged on the second transition bin.

As a further alternative to the powder feeding device, the powder feeding assembly comprises a powder feeding box body, a powder feeding shaft and a driving piece;

the inlet of the powder discharging box body is connected with the outlet of the first transition bin, and a cavity is arranged in the powder discharging box body;

the powder discharging shaft is embedded in the cavity and is in running fit with the powder discharging box body, and a groove is formed in the side wall of the powder discharging shaft;

the driving piece is arranged on the powder discharging box body, and the output end of the driving piece is connected with the powder discharging shaft.

As a further alternative scheme of the powder discharging device, the powder discharging device further comprises a powder storage component, wherein the powder storage component comprises a cyclone separating tank, a powder feeding pipe and a powder returning pipe;

the outlet of the cyclone separating tank is connected with the inlet of the first transition bin, and the powder feeding pipe and the powder returning pipe are connected with the cyclone separating tank.

As a further alternative scheme of the powder discharging device, the first transition bin assembly further comprises a bin cover, the bin cover is arranged at an inlet of the first transition bin, the bin cover is connected with an outlet of the cyclone separating tank, and a valve is arranged between the bin cover and the outlet of the cyclone separating tank.

It is another object of the present utility model to provide a 3D printing apparatus.

The utility model provides the following technical scheme:

A3D printing device comprises the powder feeding device.

As a further alternative scheme of the 3D printing device, the 3D printing device further comprises a device main body, a molding cavity is arranged in the device main body, an opening communicated with the molding cavity is formed in the side face of the device main body, and the powder discharging component is embedded and fixed in the opening.

The embodiment of the utility model has the following beneficial effects:

in the powder discharging process, the powder enters the first transition bin, contacts with the tip end of the first powder homogenizing piece, is split by the first powder homogenizing piece, and then falls under the control of the powder discharging component. In the process, the powder flows uniformly under the flow guiding effect of the first powder homogenizing part, so that the situation of accumulation and even blockage is not easy to occur, the normal operation of the 3D printing equipment is facilitated, and the production efficiency of the 3D printing equipment is ensured.

In order to make the above objects, features and advantages of the present utility model more comprehensible, preferred embodiments accompanied with figures are described in detail below.

Drawings

In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present utility model, the drawings that are needed in the embodiments will be briefly described below, it being understood that the following drawings only illustrate some embodiments of the present utility model and therefore should not be considered as limiting the scope, and other related drawings may be obtained according to these drawings without inventive effort for a person skilled in the art.

Fig. 1 shows a schematic overall structure of a powder feeding device according to an embodiment of the present utility model;

FIG. 2 shows a front view of a breading unit according to an embodiment of the utility model;

FIG. 3 shows a schematic view of the cross-section A-A of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 shows a schematic view of the B-B cross-section of FIG. 2;

fig. 5 shows a schematic structural diagram of a powder discharging component in a powder discharging device according to an embodiment of the present utility model;

FIG. 6 shows a schematic view of the C-C cross-section of FIG. 5;

fig. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating an overall structure of a 3D printing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present utility model.

Description of main reference numerals:

10-a powder discharging device; 20-an apparatus body; 21-forming a cavity; 30-a powder feeding trolley;

100-frames; 200-a powder storage component; 210-a cyclone separator tank; 220-a powder feeding pipe; 230-a powder return pipe; 300-a first transition silo assembly; 310-a first transition silo; 320-bin cover; 321-valve; 330-a first powder homogenizing part; 340-screen; 400-a second transition silo assembly; 410-a second transition bin; 420-a second powder homogenizing part; 430—a level monitor; 440-blocking piece; 500-powdering component; 510, powder feeding box body; 511-rolling bearings; 512-seals; 520-a powder feeding shaft; 521-grooves; 530-a driver; 540-a fixed seat; 550-a driving pulley; 560-driven pulleys; 570-synchronous belt.

Detailed Description

Embodiments of the present utility model are described in detail below, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like or similar reference numerals refer to like or similar elements or elements having like or similar functions throughout. The embodiments described below by referring to the drawings are illustrative only and are not to be construed as limiting the utility model.

It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being "fixed to" another element, it can be directly on the other element or intervening elements may also be present. When an element is referred to as being "connected" to another element, it can be directly connected to the other element or intervening elements may also be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being "directly on" another element, there are no intervening elements present. The terms "vertical," "horizontal," "left," "right," and the like are used herein for illustrative purposes only.

In the present utility model, unless explicitly specified and limited otherwise, the terms "mounted," "connected," "secured," and the like are to be construed broadly, and may be, for example, fixedly connected, detachably connected, or integrally formed; can be mechanically or electrically connected; can be directly connected or indirectly connected through an intermediate medium, and can be communication between two elements or interaction relationship between the two elements. The specific meaning of the above terms in the present utility model can be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art according to the specific circumstances.

Furthermore, the terms "first," "second," and the like, are used for descriptive purposes only and are not to be construed as indicating or implying a relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of technical features indicated. Thus, a feature defining "a first" or "a second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more such feature. In the description of the present utility model, the meaning of "a plurality" is two or more, unless explicitly defined otherwise.

Unless defined otherwise, 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 utility model belongs. The terminology used in the description of the templates herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the utility model. The term "and/or" as used herein includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

In the existing powder discharging device, the sizes of the powder inlet and the powder outlet are generally difficult to be consistent. Therefore, in the through-flow section of the transition bin, powder in one part of the region can flow smoothly, and powder in the other part of the region tends to flow slowly due to resistance, so that the powder is easy to accumulate and even block.

In addition, the stacked powder is easily compacted and agglomerated due to the influence of the material, temperature, humidity and the like of the powder, so that the blocking condition is increased. This may cause the apparatus to fail to operate properly, thereby resulting in a decrease in the production efficiency of the apparatus.

Example 1

Referring to fig. 1 and 2 together, the present embodiment provides a powder discharging device 10, which includes a first transition bin assembly 300 and a powder discharging assembly 500.

Referring to fig. 3, the first transition bin assembly 300 includes a first transition bin 310 and a first powder homogenizing member 330. The first powder shim 330 is disposed within the first transition bin 310, and the first powder shim 330 has a tip disposed toward an inlet of the first transition bin 310.

In addition, the powder discharging assembly 500 is connected to the outlet of the first transition bin 310 for controlling the powder in the first transition bin 310 to fall down.

In the powder discharging process, the powder enters the first transition bin 310, contacts with the tip of the first powder homogenizing element 330, is split by the first powder homogenizing element 330, and then falls under the control of the powder discharging assembly 500. In this process, the powder accumulated and compacted into clusters is broken by the tip of the first powder homogenizing member 330, and then flows uniformly under the flow guiding action of the first powder homogenizing member 330, so that the situation of accumulation and even blockage is not easy to occur.

Example 2

Referring to fig. 1 and 2 together, the present embodiment provides a powder discharging device 10, which is applied to a 3D printing apparatus. The breading unit 10 includes a frame 100, a powder storage assembly 200, a first transition bin assembly 300, a second transition bin assembly 400, and a breading assembly 500.

Wherein, the powder storage assembly 200 and the first transition bin assembly 300 are both fixedly arranged on the frame 100, and the powder storage assembly 200 is connected with the top of the first transition bin assembly 300. The top of the second transition bin assembly 400 is fixedly connected with the bottom of the first transition bin assembly 300, and the powder discharging assembly 500 is fixedly connected with the bottom of the second transition bin assembly 400.

In use, the powder storage assembly 200 stores powder and supplies the stored powder to the first transition bin assembly 300. The powder flows uniformly in the first transition bin assembly 300 and the second transition bin assembly 400 in sequence, and is then quantitatively supplied to other devices of the 3D printing apparatus under the control of the powder discharging assembly 500, so as to realize uniform and quantitative powder discharging of the 3D printing apparatus.

Specifically, the powder storage assembly 200 is composed of a cyclone tank 210, a powder feeding pipe 220 and a powder returning pipe 230.

The cyclone tank 210 is fixedly provided on the frame 100 and vertically provided, and powder is stored in the cyclone tank 210. One end of the powder feeding pipe 220 is connected to the top end of the cyclone tank 210 through a selectively openable member, and the middle part of the powder feeding pipe 220 is fixedly connected to the frame 100. One end of the return pipe 230 is connected to the side of the cyclone tank 210 through another optional opening and closing member, and the middle of the return pipe 230 is fixedly connected to the frame 100.

When the selectively openable and closable member between the powder feeding pipe 220 and the cyclone tank 210 is opened, a powder feeding action is performed. When the optional opening and closing member between the return pipe 230 and the cyclone tank 210 is opened, a return operation is performed.

In some embodiments, the selectable opening and closing element is preferably a pneumatic butterfly valve.

In other embodiments, alternative opening and closing elements may be used, such as manual butterfly valves, ball valves, and the like, having similar functions.

Referring specifically to fig. 3, the first transition bin assembly 300 includes a first transition bin 310, a bin cover 320, a first powder homogenizing member 330, and a screen 340.

The upper part of the first transition bin 310 is arranged in a cone shape and is fixedly arranged on the frame 100. The lower portion of the first transition bin 310 is flat box-shaped, and the lower portion of the first transition bin 310 is disposed obliquely with respect to the vertical direction.

The bin cover 320 is disposed at an inlet of the first transition bin 310 and is sealingly connected to the first transition bin 310. The outlet of the cyclone tank 210 is connected to a bin cover 320 and in turn to the inlet of a first transition bin 310. In addition, a valve 321 is provided between the outlet of the cyclone tank 210 and the bin cover 320.

When the valve 321 is opened, the powder in the cyclone tank 210 enters the first transition bin 310.

In some embodiments, valve 321 is preferably a pneumatic butterfly valve.

In other embodiments, the valve 321 may also employ a manually operated butterfly valve, ball valve, or other similar function opening and closing element.

The first powder shim 330 is disposed within the first transition bin 310, and the first powder shim 330 has a tip disposed toward an inlet of the first transition bin 310.

The powder enters the first transition bin 310 and contacts the tip of the first powder homogenizing member 330, and is split by the first powder homogenizing member 330. In addition, the powder accumulated and compacted into a cluster is broken by the tip of the first powder homogenizing member 330, and then flows uniformly under the flow guiding action of the first powder homogenizing member 330, so that the situation of accumulation and even blockage is not easy to occur.

In some embodiments, the first powder homogenizing elements 330 are arranged in at least two rows along the flow direction of the powder (schematically indicated by X direction in the figure), and the number of the first powder homogenizing elements 330 in each row increases sequentially. The plurality of first powder homogenizing members 330 are arranged in a tower shape, so that the powder can flow more uniformly.

The screen 340 is disposed within the first transition bin 310 on a side of the first powder shim 330 facing the outlet of the first transition bin 310.

In use, the screen 340 is capable of filtering coarse particles in the powder, preventing coarse particles in the powder from entering the second transition bin assembly 400.

Referring specifically to fig. 4, the second transition bin assembly 400 includes a second transition bin 410, a second level monitor 420, a level monitor 430, and a plug 440.

The second transition bin 410 is flat box-shaped and is arranged obliquely relative to the vertical direction. The top inlet of the second transition bin 410 is flange-connected with the first transition bin 310, and the bottom outlet of the second transition bin 410 is connected with the powder discharging assembly 500.

The second powder shim 420 is disposed within the second transition bin 410, and the second powder shim 420 has a tip disposed toward an inlet of the second transition bin 410.

The powder enters the second transition bin 410 and contacts the tip of the second powder homogenizing member 420, and is split by the second powder homogenizing member 420. In addition, the powder piled up and compacted into clusters is broken by the tip of the second powder homogenizing member 420, and then flows uniformly under the flow guiding effect of the second powder homogenizing member 420, so that the situation of piling up and even blocking is not easy to occur.

In some embodiments, the second powder homogenizing elements 420 are provided in at least two rows along the flow direction of the powder (schematically indicated by Y direction in the figure), and the number of the second powder homogenizing elements 420 in each row increases in sequence. The plurality of second powder homogenizing members 420 are arranged in a tower shape, so that the powder can flow more uniformly.

The level monitor 430 is disposed at a middle portion of the second transition bin 410 for monitoring a powder level position within the second transition bin 410.

In some embodiments, the level monitor 430 may employ a reflective photoelectric switch. The level monitor 430 gives a starved signal when the powder in the second transition bin 410 is below the level monitor 430.

The side wall at the bottom end of the second transition bin 410 is provided with a plurality of powder discharging holes, and the blocking piece 440 is correspondingly arranged with the powder discharging holes and is detachably embedded in the corresponding powder discharging holes. If necessary, the worker can remove the blocking member 440 to treat the powder accumulation and the powder blocking in the second transition bin 410 in the abnormal situation.

Referring to fig. 5 and 6 together, in particular, the powder feeding assembly 500 includes a powder feeding box 510, a powder feeding shaft 520, and a driving member 530.

Wherein, the top surface of the lower powder box 510 is provided with an inlet, the bottom surface is provided with an outlet, a cavity is arranged in the lower powder box 510, and the inlet and the outlet of the lower powder box 510 are communicated with the cavity.

The inlet of the lower powder box 510 is connected with the outlet of the second transition bin 410, and the aperture of the inlet of the lower powder box 510 is consistent with that of the outlet of the second transition bin 410, so that the powder in the second transition bin 410 can be uniformly conveyed to the cavity.

The lower powder shaft 520 is embedded in the cavity and is in a rotating fit with the lower powder box 510. It should be noted that the gap between the lower powder shaft 520 and the inner wall of the cavity is small, and the powder cannot move from the inlet of the lower powder tank 510 to the outlet of the lower powder tank 510 through the gap.

In addition, the sidewall of the lower powder shaft 520 is provided with a plurality of grooves 521. The grooves 521 are opened along the axial direction of the lower powder shaft 520, and the grooves 521 are uniformly distributed along the circumferential direction of the lower powder shaft 520. When powder enters the cavity, the groove 521 exposed to the inlet of the lower powder tank 510 is filled with powder.

In some embodiments, both ends of the lower powder container 510 in the axial direction of the lower powder shaft 520 are provided with a rolling bearing 511 and a seal 512. The rolling bearing 511 rotatably supports the lower powder shaft 520, and the sealing member 512 contacts the side wall of the lower powder shaft 520 and the inner wall of the cavity at the same time to seal the junction between the lower powder shaft 520 and the lower powder container 510.

The driving member 530 is fixedly disposed on the lower powder container 510, and an output end of the driving member 530 is connected with the lower powder shaft 520.

When the lower powder shaft 520 is rotated by the driving member 530, the powder filled in the groove 521 moves to the outlet of the lower powder box 510 along with the lower powder shaft 520 and then falls down, thereby achieving the lower powder.

Optionally, the driving member 530 employs a servo motor to control the rotational speed and rotational duration of the lower powder shaft 520.

In some embodiments, a fixing base 540 is fixedly arranged on the end surface of the lower powder box 510, and the fixing base 540 is perpendicular to the axis of the lower powder shaft 520. The driving member 530 is mounted on one side of the fixed base 540 facing the lower powder box 510, and a shaft of the driving member 530 passes through the fixed base 540 and is sleeved with a driving pulley 550.

Correspondingly, the lower powder shaft 520 passes through the fixed seat 540 after passing through the lower powder box 510, and is sleeved with the driven belt pulley 560. A timing belt 570 is wound around the driving pulley 550 and the driven pulley 560.

In use, the shaft of the driving member 530 rotates to drive the driving pulley 550 to rotate, and then the driven pulley 560 is driven to rotate by the synchronous belt 570, so as to finally drive the powder feeding shaft 520 to rotate.

Optionally, the fixing base 540 is provided with a bar hole, and the driving member 530 is installed in the bar hole. The tension of the timing belt 570 can be adjusted by adjusting the position of the driving member 530 in the longitudinal direction of the bar-shaped hole.

In other embodiments, the shaft of the drive 530 may be coupled directly to the breading shaft 520, or through a gear drive, chain drive, V-belt drive, or the like.

In the above-described powder discharging apparatus 10, powder is first introduced into the cyclone tank 210 through the powder feeding pipe 220. During production operation, the valve 321 between the bin cover 320 and the cyclone separating tank 210 is opened, and the powder in the cyclone separating tank 210 flows into the first transition bin 310 and then flows into the second transition bin 410 through the first transition bin 310.

In this process, the powder sequentially contacts the tips of the first and second powder homogenizing members 330 and 420, and is split by the first and second powder homogenizing members 330 and 420. The stacked and compacted powder is broken by the tip of the first powder homogenizing member 330 and the tip of the second powder homogenizing member 420, and then flows uniformly under the flow guiding effect of the first powder homogenizing member 330 and the second powder homogenizing member 420, so that the stacking and even blocking conditions are not easy to occur, the normal operation of the 3D printing equipment is facilitated, and the production efficiency of the 3D printing equipment is ensured.

Finally, the powder flows into the powder discharging box body 510 through the second transition bin 410, and is quantitatively supplied under the control of the powder discharging assembly 500, so that quantitative and uniform powder discharging of the 3D printing equipment is realized.

In addition, the powder filters out coarser particles through the screen 340 after entering the first transition bin 310, avoiding accumulation and clogging of large particles at the first and second transition bins 310, 410.

Furthermore, when an abnormal condition occurs and powder in the second transition bin 410 needs to be processed for stacking, or powder replacement operation is performed, the blocking piece 440 can be disassembled and assembled, so that powder can be cleaned quickly, and the working efficiency is improved.

Example 3

Referring to fig. 7, the present embodiment provides a 3D printing apparatus, which includes the powder discharging device 10 in embodiment 1 or 2.

In some embodiments, the 3D printing apparatus further includes an apparatus body 20 and a powder feeding cart 30.

Wherein, the device main body 20 is internally provided with a molding cavity 21, the side surface of the device main body 20 is provided with an opening, and the opening is communicated with the molding cavity 21. Accordingly, the second transition bin assembly 400 and the breading unit 500 in the breading unit 10 are both embedded and secured within the opening.

In addition, the powder feeding trolley 30 is disposed below the powder storage assembly 200, and a powder feeding port of the powder feeding trolley 30 is connected with the powder feeding pipe 220, and a powder returning port of the powder feeding trolley 30 is connected with the powder returning pipe 230, so that automatic powder feeding and powder returning of the cyclone separating tank 210 can be realized.

In the above 3D printing apparatus, the second transition bin assembly 400 and the powder discharging assembly 500 of the powder discharging device 10 are integrally embedded into the molding cavity 21, and the rest of the powder discharging device 10 is of an external structure, so that the powder discharging device 10 is quickly separated from the apparatus main body 20 under abnormal conditions or during powder changing operation, thereby improving the convenience of use and maintenance of the 3D printing apparatus, further improving the working efficiency, and reducing the cost.

Any particular values in all examples shown and described herein are to be construed as merely illustrative and not a limitation, and thus other examples of exemplary embodiments may have different values.

It should be noted that: like reference numerals and letters denote like items in the following figures, and thus once an item is defined in one figure, no further definition or explanation thereof is necessary in the following figures.

The above examples merely represent a few embodiments of the present utility model, which are described in more detail and are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the present utility model. It should be noted that it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that several variations and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the utility model, which are all within the scope of the utility model.

Claims

1. The powder discharging device is characterized by comprising a first transition bin assembly and a powder discharging assembly;

2. The breading unit of claim 1 wherein said first transition bin assembly further comprises a screen disposed within said first transition bin and on a side of said first powder homogenizing member facing an outlet of said first transition bin.

3. The powder feeding device according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a second transition bin assembly comprising a second transition bin and a second powder homogenizing member, the powder feeding assembly being connected to the outlet of the first transition bin via the second transition bin;

4. The powder discharging device according to claim 3, wherein a powder discharging hole is formed in a side wall, close to one end of the powder discharging assembly, of the second transition bin, and a blocking piece is detachably arranged in the powder discharging hole.

5. A breading unit as in claim 3 wherein the second transition bin is provided with a level monitor.

6. The breading unit of claim 1 wherein said breading assembly comprises a breading box, a breading shaft and a drive member;

7. The breading unit of claim 1 further comprising a breading assembly comprising a cyclone canister, a breading tube and a breading tube;

8. The breading unit of claim 7 wherein the first transition bin assembly further comprises a bin cover disposed at an inlet of the first transition bin, the bin cover being connected to an outlet of the cyclone canister and a valve disposed between the bin cover and the outlet of the cyclone canister.

9. A 3D printing apparatus comprising a powdering device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. The 3D printing device of claim 9, further comprising a device body, wherein a molding cavity is provided in the device body, an opening communicating with the molding cavity is provided on a side surface of the device body, and the powder discharging assembly is embedded and fixed in the opening.