KR20200013169A - Discharging device having nozzle clogging prevention function - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a 3D printer nozzle having a clogging prevention function and, more specifically, to a 3D printer nozzle having a clogging prevention function which can easily prevent clogging of a nozzle. The 3D printer nozzle having a clogging prevention function comprises: a nozzle unit provided to discharge a material to a substrate; and a washing unit accommodating a washing liquid therein and preventing clogging by allowing a discharge port side of the nozzle unit to be immersed in the washing liquid when the nozzle unit does not discharge the material.

Description

3D printer nozzle with anti-clogging function {DISCHARGING DEVICE HAVING NOZZLE CLOGGING PREVENTION FUNCTION}

The present invention relates to a 3D printer nozzle having a clogging prevention function, and more particularly to a 3D printer nozzle having a clogging prevention function that can easily eliminate and prevent the clogging of the nozzle without removing the nozzle unit.

A 3D printer refers to a machine that outputs a solid three-dimensional shape based on a three-dimensional drawing. Its use is becoming increasingly popular due to the innovative technical features that only 3D drawings of the finished product can form complex geometric models that would be difficult to produce with conventional manufacturing methods to 3D output.

The 3D printer uses materials having various characteristics such as powder, liquid, and thread-type materials, and a technology of forming an output using liquids such as ceramic materials is mainly used.

In addition, since 3D printers form outputs by stacking materials one by one, a highly viscous material such as a ceramic material is used. However, since the 3D printer forms the output using a highly viscous material, a phenomenon in which the ejection opening side is frequently clogged in the case of a nozzle for ejecting the material.

Hereinafter, a conventional problem will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is an operating state diagram showing a general nozzle when discharging the material.

As shown in FIG. 1, in general, when the nozzle 20 discharges the material 1 onto the substrate 10, a phenomenon occurs that the material aggregates at the discharge port side of the nozzle 20. A portion of) is applied to the inner and outer surfaces of the nozzle.

As such, when the nozzle 20 forms the output by discharging the material 1 onto the substrate 10, the material 1 buried on the outer surface of the nozzle 20 may cause problems such as contact with the output. There is a problem that makes it difficult to form the output.

In the nozzle 20 used in the 3D printer, the raw material 1 in which the raw material particles 2 and the solvent are mixed is mainly discharged. At this time, when the injection of the material 1 is temporarily or temporarily stopped, all of the solvent is evaporated at the discharge port side of the nozzle 20 and only the material particles 2 remain. Therefore, a clogging phenomenon occurs in which the discharge port side of the nozzle 20 is clogged by the material particles 2.

Therefore, conventionally, there was a problem that the nozzle 20 is frequently clogged, and if the nozzle is clogged in this way, the nozzle 20 has to be separated and washed or replaced with a new nozzle, which is cumbersome. In addition, when the new nozzle 20 is separated and washed or replaced with a new nozzle, time is delayed and there is a problem that is not economical.

In addition, in recent years, as the cross-sectional area of the nozzle 20 decreases while the high resolution printing technique is required, a clogging phenomenon in which the discharge port side of the nozzle 20 used in the 3D printer is clogged more frequently occurs.

Accordingly, there is a need for a 3D printer nozzle with a clogging prevention function that can easily prevent clogging of the nozzle without separate cleaning and replacement of the nozzle.

Korea Patent Registration No. 10-0986804

An object of the present invention for solving the above problems is to provide a 3D printer nozzle having a clogging prevention function that can easily prevent clogging of the nozzle.

The technical problem to be achieved by the present invention is not limited to the technical problem mentioned above, and other technical problems not mentioned above may be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description. There will be.

The configuration of the present invention for achieving the above object is a nozzle unit provided to discharge the material on the substrate; And a cleaning unit accommodating the washing liquid, and the washing unit provided to prevent the clogging phenomenon by immersing the discharge port side of the nozzle unit in the washing liquid when the nozzle unit does not discharge the material. It provides a 3D printer nozzle having.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the cleaning unit, the well portion is provided to accommodate the washing liquid inside; A washing extension part extending from the well part to one side; And a washing solution supply line which is formed inside the washing extension part and forms a passage for supplying a washing solution to the well, wherein the well part contains the nozzle unit in the washing solution accommodated inside to wash the nozzle unit. It may be characterized in that it is provided to.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the washing unit may further include a sponge provided inside the well to prevent shaking and overflow of the washing liquid.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the washing unit further includes an ultrasonic unit provided on the outside of the well portion, wherein the ultrasonic unit irradiates ultrasonic waves toward the washing liquid to perform ultrasonic cleaning on the nozzle unit. It may be characterized in that provided.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the material is stored, it may be characterized in that it further comprises a material tank unit provided to provide the material to the nozzle unit.

In an embodiment of the present invention, it may be characterized in that it further comprises a positioning unit for moving the washing unit to immerse the nozzle unit in the washing liquid, or to separate the nozzle unit from the washing liquid.

In an embodiment of the present invention, it is provided on the nozzle unit, it may be characterized in that it comprises a core tank provided to support the material tank unit and the positioning unit.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the positioning unit, the main body portion coupled to one side from the core unit; A guide part provided on the main body and extending toward the nozzle unit; A motion part provided to slide along the guide part; An actuator unit coupled to the motion unit and the guide unit; A lifting unit sliding and lifting from the motion unit; And coupled to the lower portion of the lifting unit, it may be characterized in that it comprises a docking unit provided to be detachable the washing unit.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the docking portion is coupled to the lower portion of the lifting portion, it may be characterized in that it is formed to extend further toward the washing extension of the washing unit protruding from the lifting portion.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the docking portion is further provided with a first magnet on the upper portion of the protruding portion extending from the lifting unit toward the washing unit, the second magnet is disposed on the lower portion of the washing extension of the washing unit More arrangements. The washing extension part and the docking part may be provided to be detachable using the first magnet and the second magnet.

The effect of the present invention according to the above configuration, can eliminate the clogging phenomenon of the nozzle unit without separation of the nozzle unit.

In addition, according to the present invention, the washing unit can be easily detached from the positioning unit using a magnet, so that the washing liquid can be easily replaced and the washing unit can be easily managed.

In addition, when the washing unit moves together with the nozzle unit, the sponge part prevents the shaking and overflow of the washing liquid, thereby preventing the washing liquid from falling on the output.

In addition, when the washing unit moves together with the nozzle unit and the discharge of the nozzle unit is completed, the nozzle unit may be immersed in the washing unit immediately to prevent a phenomenon in which the material blocks the discharge port side of the nozzle unit.

The effects of the present invention are not limited to the above-described effects, but should be understood to include all the effects deduced from the configuration of the invention described in the detailed description or claims of the present invention.

1 is an operating state diagram showing a general nozzle when discharging the material.
2 is a perspective view of a 3D printer nozzle having a clogging prevention function according to an embodiment of the present invention.
3 is an operation example of a 3D printer nozzle having a clogging prevention function according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 4 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the washing unit of the 3D printer nozzle having a clogging prevention function according to an embodiment of the present invention.
5 is a perspective view illustrating a detachment state of a washing unit and a positioning unit of a 3D printer nozzle having a clogging prevention function according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 6 is a perspective view showing before putting the nozzle unit in the washing unit of the 3D printer nozzle with a clogging prevention function according to an embodiment of the present invention.
7 is a perspective view showing the nozzle unit after the washing unit of the 3D printer nozzle having a clogging prevention function according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings will be described the present invention. As those skilled in the art would realize, the described embodiments may be modified in various different ways, all without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention. In the drawings, parts irrelevant to the description are omitted in order to clearly describe the present invention, and like reference numerals designate like parts throughout the specification.

Throughout the specification, when a part is said to be "connected (connected, contacted, coupled) with another part, it is not only" directly connected "but also" indirectly connected "with another member in between. "Includes the case. In addition, when a part is said to "include" a certain component, it means that it may further include other components, without excluding the other components unless otherwise stated.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. Singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In this specification, terms such as "comprise" or "have" are intended to indicate that there is a feature, number, step, operation, component, part, or combination thereof described on the specification, and one or more other features. It is to be understood that the present disclosure does not exclude the possibility of the presence or the addition of numbers, steps, operations, components, components, or a combination thereof.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

2 is a perspective view of a 3D printer nozzle with a clogging prevention function according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 3 is an operation example of a 3D printer nozzle with a clogging prevention function according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 4 Is a longitudinal sectional view of the cleaning unit of the 3D printer nozzle having a clogging prevention function according to an embodiment of the present invention.

And, Figure 5 is a perspective view showing a detachment state of the washing unit and the positioning unit of the 3D printer nozzle having a clogging prevention function according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 6 is a clogging prevention function according to an embodiment of the present invention 3 is a perspective view showing a before putting the nozzle unit in the washing unit of the 3D printer nozzle, Figure 7 is a perspective view showing a nozzle unit in the washing unit of the 3D printer nozzle having a clogging prevention function according to an embodiment of the present invention to be.

2 to 7, the 3D printer nozzle 100 having a clogging prevention function includes a nozzle unit 110, a core unit 120, a material tank unit 130, a positioning unit 140, and a washing unit ( 150).

The nozzle unit 110 is provided on the substrate to discharge the material on the substrate to form an output.

The core unit 120 may be provided above the nozzle unit 110 and may be provided to support the material tank unit 130 and the positioning unit 140.

In addition, the core unit 120 may be provided with a screw motor (not shown) therein, and the screw motor may be provided to rotate the screw inside the nozzle unit 110.

The nozzle unit 110 is coupled to the lower portion of the core unit 120, is elevated, it may be provided to enable height adjustment.

In addition, the nozzle unit 110 may be provided to adjust the diameter of the discharge port.

The material tank unit 130 is provided to be coupled to the upper side of the nozzle unit 110 and one side of the core unit 120, the material may be stored. In addition, the material tank unit 130 may be provided to provide the material to the nozzle unit 110.

In addition, a screw provided between the material tank unit 130 and the nozzle unit 110 or inside the nozzle unit 110 is provided to be rotated in the screw motor, and as the screw is rotated, the nozzle unit ( 110 may discharge the material.

In this case, the nozzle unit 110 may be provided to discharge the material by the pneumatic pump as well as the auger (Auger) pump.

The positioning unit 140 moves the washing unit 150 to immerse the nozzle unit 110 in the washing liquid W or to separate the nozzle unit 110 from the washing liquid W. can do.

The positioning unit 140 may include a main body 141, a guide 142, a motion 143, a first actuator 144a, a second actuator 144b, a lifting unit 145, and a docking unit. 146, the first magnet 147 may be provided.

The main body 141 may be coupled to one side from the core unit 120.

The guide part 142 may be provided in the main body part 141 and may extend toward the nozzle unit 110. Specifically, the guide portion 142 is provided in the main body portion 141, when viewed from the side, may be formed extending in the diagonal direction. In particular, the guide part 142 may have one side extending toward the nozzle unit 110 and the other side extending in the opposite direction. That is, the guide portion 142 may be formed to extend closer to the substrate as the nozzle unit 110 is closer.

The motion part 143 may be provided to slide along the guide part 142. That is, the motion part 143 may slide in the longitudinal direction of the guide part 142.

The actuator part may be adjusted in length in a state coupled to the motion part 143 and the guide part 142 to allow the motion part 143 to move along the length direction of the guide part 142.

In detail, the actuator part may include a first actuator extending along a center of the guide part 142 and a center line of the motion part 143, a lower part of the guide part 142, and a lower part of the motion part 143. Or a second actuator coupled to a lower portion of the main body 141 and the motion part 143 to slide in a state of supporting the weight of the motion part 143.

As such, the motion part 143 is coupled to the actuator part, so that when the actuator part slides along the length direction of the guide part 142, the motion part 143 slides along the length direction of the guide part 142 together with the nozzle unit 110. It may be near or away from the discharge port side of the.

The lifting unit 145 may be provided under the motion unit 143, and may be provided to slide up and down by the motion unit 143. In addition, the docking unit 146 may be coupled to the lower portion of the lifting unit 145 and may be provided to detach the washing unit 150.

In detail, as the lifting unit 145 is lifted from the lower portion of the motion unit 143, the docking unit 146 may be controlled to move away from or close to the discharge port of the nozzle unit 110.

In addition, the docking portion 146 is coupled to the lower portion of the elevating portion 145, a portion of the protruding from the elevating portion 145 is further extended toward the washing extension portion 154 of the washing unit 150 Can be formed.

The first magnet 147 may be provided in the docking part 146. In detail, the first magnet 147 may be provided at an upper portion of the docking part 146 protruding from the lifting unit 145 toward the cleaning unit 150.

The washing unit 150 is provided to wash the nozzle unit 110 when the washing liquid W is accommodated inside the nozzle unit 110 and the nozzle unit 110 does not discharge the material, and the washing unit 150 is It may be characterized in that the nozzle unit 110 is contained in the cleaning liquid (W) accommodated inside to be cleaned of the nozzle unit (110).

To this end, the washing unit 150 is a well part 151, an ultrasonic part 152, a sponge part 153, a washing extension part 154, a washing liquid (W) supply line 155, the second magnet 156 It may include.

The well part 151 may have an accommodation space to accommodate the washing liquid W therein, and may be provided in a well shape with an open top. Here, the washing liquid (W) may be a washing solvent such as isopropyl (IPA), ethanol, acetone, water, but the type of washing liquid (W) is not limited thereto, and the nozzle unit 110 is dissolved by dissolving the material. ) May include all washing solvents capable of washing.

When the outlet of the nozzle unit 110 is immersed in the cleaning liquid W accommodated in the well part 151, all the materials buried inside and outside of the outlet of the nozzle unit 110 are dissolved and removed. The clogging phenomenon can be easily solved without removing the nozzle unit 110.

In addition, according to the present invention, when the washing unit 150 moves together with the nozzle unit 110 and the discharge of the nozzle unit 110 is completed, immediately, the nozzle unit 110 is immersed in the washing unit 150 to the nozzle unit. By minimizing the time for exposing the material at the discharge port side of the 110 to the air, the solvent at the discharge port side of the nozzle unit 110 may be prevented from evaporating and clogging.

The ultrasound unit 152 may be provided outside the well part 151. As illustrated, the ultrasound unit 152 is provided below the well part 151, but the position of the ultrasound unit 152 is not limited thereto. The ultrasonic unit 152 may be provided at a position capable of irradiating ultrasonic waves toward the cleaning liquid (W). In addition, the ultrasonic unit 152 may be provided to perform ultrasonic cleaning on the nozzle unit 110 by irradiating ultrasonic waves toward the cleaning liquid W.

More specifically, the ultrasonic unit 152 prepared as described above irradiates the washing liquid W with ultrasonic waves to generate fine bubbles, and the generated fine bubbles are formed between the surface of the nozzle unit 110 and the narrow gap inside the discharge port side. Because it quickly dissolves even the hardened material, clean cleaning is more efficient and efficient than simply dipping the nozzle unit 110 in a conventional washing solution.

The sponge part 153 may be provided inside the well part 151 to prevent shaking and overflow of the cleaning liquid W. Specifically, when the 3D printer nozzle 100 having the clogging prevention function moves or stops while the washing solution W is accommodated in the well part 151, the washing solution W contained in the well part 151 is It may shake or overflow and fall on the printout. As such, when the washing solution W falls on the output, defects may occur in the output by dissolving the material forming the output. Therefore, the sponge portion 153 is positioned on the cleaning liquid W, and when the cleaning unit 150 moves, the sponge 153 is provided to prevent the cleaning liquid W from shaking or overflowing to the extent of splashing on the substrate. Can be.

The washing extension part 154 may be provided extending from the well part 151 to one side. Specifically, the washing extension 154 may be provided extending from the well part 151 toward the positioning unit 140 side.

The washing solution supply line 155 is formed to extend in the longitudinal direction of the washing extension 154 in the washing extension 154 and to form a passage for supplying the washing liquid W to the well part 151. It can be hollow formed.

The second magnet 156 may be provided below the washing extension part 154 of the washing unit 150. More specifically, the second magnet 156 is provided below the cleaning extension part 154, when the cleaning extension part 154 is mounted on the docking part 146, the first magnet ( It may be provided to be located at a position corresponding to 147.

Using the first magnet 147 and the second magnet 156 provided as described above, the washing unit 150 can be easily detached from the positioning unit 140, so that the cleaning liquid W can be replaced and cleaned. Management of the 150 can be made easily.

Hereinafter, the cleaning process of the nozzle unit 110 will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. 3.

First, as shown in FIG. 3A, the nozzle unit 110 completes the operation of discharging the material. At this time, the washing unit 150 is attached to the positioning unit 140.

As shown in FIG. 3B, the lifting unit 145 may descend to lower the docking unit 146. In this case, the lifting unit 145 may be lowered so that the upper surface of the docking unit 146 is located at a lower position than the lower end of the nozzle unit 110.

Next, as shown in (c) of FIG. 3, the first actuator part 144a and the second actuator part 144b extend or slide to move the motion part 143 toward the nozzle unit 110. Can be. In this case, the motion part 143 may be moved to a position where the center of the well part 151 of the washing unit 150 coincides with the center of the nozzle unit 110.

Next, as shown in (d) of FIG. 4, the elevating part 145 may be raised to allow the discharge port of the nozzle unit 110 to be immersed in the cleaning liquid W accommodated in the well part 151. In this state, the ultrasonic unit 152 may irradiate the washing liquid W with ultrasonic waves to quickly wash the hardened or adhered material on the inside and the outside of the discharge port side of the nozzle unit 110.

Then, when all the material on the nozzle unit 110 is washed, the operation of the ultrasonic unit 152 is stopped until the discharge operation of the nozzle unit 110 is required, the nozzle unit 110 is The discharge port side of the nozzle unit 110 may be blocked by maintaining the state accommodated in the cleaning liquid W.

When the nozzle unit 110 intends to discharge the material on the substrate again, the cleaning process may be performed after the cleaning process 150 is performed in the reverse order.

When the discharge port side of the nozzle unit 110 is blocked, the 3D printer nozzle 100 having the clogging prevention function provided as described above may solve the problem without removing the nozzle unit 110 from the core unit 120. It is possible to prevent the outlet side from being blocked in advance, which is convenient.

In addition, since the 3D printer nozzle 100 having the clogging prevention function provided as described above does not discharge the material in a state where the material remains on the outside of the nozzle unit 110, the phenomenon of the material clumping outside the nozzle unit 110 also occurs. It is also possible to produce high quality outputs without generating them.

The foregoing description of the present invention is intended for illustration, and it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention may be easily modified in other specific forms without changing the technical spirit or essential features of the present invention. will be. Therefore, it should be understood that the embodiments described above are exemplary in all respects and not restrictive. For example, each component described as a single type may be implemented in a distributed manner, and similarly, components described as distributed may be implemented in a combined form.

The scope of the present invention is represented by the following claims, and it should be construed that all changes or modifications derived from the meaning and scope of the claims and their equivalents are included in the scope of the present invention.

100: 3D printer nozzle with clogging
110: nozzle unit 120: core unit
130: material tank unit 140: positioning unit
141: main body 142: guide
143: motion unit 144a: first actuator
144b: second actuator 145: lifting unit
146: docking portion 147: first magnet
150: washing unit 151: well part
152: ultrasonic portion 153: sponge portion
154: washing extension 155: washing liquid supply line
156: second magnet W: washing liquid

Claims (10)

A nozzle unit provided to discharge a material onto the substrate; And
The cleaning solution is accommodated therein, and when the nozzle unit does not discharge the material, the clogging prevention function, characterized in that it comprises a cleaning unit provided to prevent the clogging phenomenon so that the discharge port side of the nozzle unit is immersed in the cleaning liquid Having a 3D printer nozzle.
The method of claim 1,
The washing unit,
A well part provided to accommodate the washing solution therein;
A washing extension part extending from the well part to one side; And
It is formed in the washing extending portion, and includes a washing liquid supply line for forming a passage for supplying the washing liquid to the well,
The well part is a 3D printer nozzle having a clogging prevention function, characterized in that the nozzle unit is contained in the cleaning liquid accommodated inside so that the cleaning of the nozzle unit can be made.
The method of claim 2,
The washing unit,
3D printer nozzle having a clogging function, characterized in that it further comprises a sponge provided inside the well to prevent shaking and overflow of the cleaning liquid.
The method of claim 2,
The washing unit,
Further comprising an ultrasound unit provided on the outside of the well portion,
And the ultrasonic unit irradiates ultrasonic waves toward the cleaning liquid to perform ultrasonic cleaning on the nozzle unit.
The method of claim 1,
The material is stored, 3D printer nozzle having a clogging prevention function, characterized in that it further comprises a material tank unit provided to provide the material to the nozzle unit.
The method of claim 1,
And a positioning unit for controlling the nozzle unit to move the washing unit to immerse the nozzle unit in the washing liquid or to separate the nozzle unit from the washing liquid.
The method of claim 6,
3D printer nozzle having a clogging prevention function, which is provided on the nozzle unit, and includes a core unit provided to support the material tank unit and the positioning unit.
The method of claim 7, wherein
The positioning unit,
A main body unit coupled to one side from the core unit;
A guide part provided on the main body and extending toward the nozzle unit;
A motion part provided to slide along the guide part;
An actuator unit coupled to the motion unit and the guide unit;
A lifting unit sliding and lifting from the motion unit; And
3D printer nozzle having a clogging prevention function is coupled to the lower portion of the lifting unit, characterized in that it comprises a docking unit provided so that the washing unit is detachable.
The method of claim 8,
The docking unit is coupled to the lower portion of the lifting unit, protruding from the lifting unit has a 3D printer nozzle having a clogging prevention function, characterized in that it is further extended toward the cleaning extension of the cleaning unit.
The method of claim 9,
The docking portion is further provided with a first magnet on the upper portion of the protruding portion extending from the lifting unit toward the washing unit,
A second magnet is further provided below the washing extension of the washing unit.
3D printer nozzle having a clogging prevention function, characterized in that the washing extension and the docking portion is provided to be detachable using the first magnet and the second magnet.

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