Patent Publication Number: US-11034184-B2

Title: 3D pen capable of feeding out drawing materials of different colors simultaneously and a nozzle thereof

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present invention is a divisional application of Ser. No. 15/884,356 filed Jan. 30, 2018 claiming Chinese priority application 201710952298.X filed Oct. 12, 2017. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to the field of 3D printing, and more specifically relates to a 3D pen. 
     As 3D pens are more widely used nowadays, consumers&#39; expectation for 3D pens are growing higher. Most of the 3D pens now available in the market can only extrude a single color drawing material. When there is a need for color change, the 3D pen has to be powered off and replaced with another drawing material before being powered on again to operate. Usually, creating a work product requires more than one color. Therefore, operators have to change the drawing materials of different colors frequently during the drawing process. Such a frequent change of drawing materials occupies much of an operator&#39;s time and lower his working efficiency, and it is so bothering that the operator may be affected of his creation of the work product. 
     In actual use, a work product may need a color which is a blend of different colors. Since the 3D pens of the prior art can only extrude a single color drawing material at one time, but cannot extrude drawing materials of different colors simultaneously, it is not possible for the prior art 3D pens to blend different colors and extrude a mixed color. 
     Therefore, the market requires a novel 3D pen capable of changing colors quickly to increase the operators&#39; working efficiency as well as achieving the function of color blending. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     To fulfill the above objects, the present invention has the following technical solution: 
     A 3D pen capable of feeding out drawing materials of different colors simultaneously, comprising a shell and a power source disposed inside the shell, a control mechanism, transmission mechanisms, feeding mechanisms and a nozzle; the shell and the control mechanism are connected with each other; the control mechanism is electrically connected with the power source; the control mechanism is electrically connected also with the transmission mechanisms; the transmission mechanisms are connected with the feeding mechanisms by partially sleeving the feeding mechanisms; the feeding mechanisms are connected with the nozzle by being partially inserted into the nozzle. 
     The shell comprises an upper shell and a lower shell; the upper shell and the lower shell are fixedly connected with each other; the upper shell and the control mechanism is fixedly connected with each other; the lower shell and the nozzle are fixedly connected. 
     The upper shell is provided with several material inlet holes, a hole for the power source, a display window, a temperature adjustment button, a transmission control button, a switch button, and a speed adjustment button; the material inlet holes and the hole for the power source are disposed at a right end surface of the upper shell; the material inlet holes are positioned with respect to the hole for the power source being a center. 
     The control mechanism comprises a microprocessor control unit (MCU) of a main board, a display device, a transmission control device, a temperature adjustment device and a speed adjustment device; the display device, the transmission control device, the temperature adjustment device and the speed adjustment device are electrically connected with the MCU; the MCU is electrically connected with the hole for the power source and the transmission mechanisms. 
     There are several said transmission mechanisms; the transmission mechanisms are electrically connected with the MCU; the transmission mechanisms have identical structures. 
     Each of the transmission mechanisms has a worm gear motor and a worm gear motor supporting panel; the worm gear motor and the worm gear motor supporting panel are fixedly connected; the worm gear motor and the MCU are electrically connected; the worm gear motor supporting panel is connected with a corresponding feeding mechanism by partially sleeving the corresponding feeding mechanism. 
     There are several said feeding mechanisms; the feeding mechanisms have identical structures; a quantity of the feed mechanisms is the same as a quantity of the transmission mechanisms; the feeding mechanisms are connected with the transmission mechanisms respectively. 
     A nozzle of a 3D pen comprises a heater tip, a first installation seat and a second installation seat; the heater tip and the first installation seat are fixedly connected with each other by insertion; the first installation seat and the second installation seat are fixedly connected with each other by insertion; wherein an outer wall of the heater tip has a recessed portion provided with a winding portion for installation of a heating device; a right end of the heater tip is provided with a third insertion portion; the third insertion portion is connected with the first installation seat by insertion; at least three feeding channels independent of one another are provided inside the heater tip; two ends of each of the feeding channels extend to a left end surface and a right end surface of the heater head respectively. 
     A pen tip is also provided; the pen tip sleeves a front end of a heater tip. 
     A left end of the first installation seat is provided with a first sleeving portion; the third insertion portion of the heater tip is connected with the first sleeving portion of the first installation seat by insertion. 
     A right end of the first installation seat is provided with a first insertion portion; the first insertion portion is connected with the second installation seat by insertion. 
     At least three first connection channels independent of one another are provided inside the first installation seat; two ends of each of the first connection channels extend to a left end surface and a right end surface of the first installation seat respectively. 
     A right end of the second installation seat is provided with a second insertion portion; the first insertion portion of the first installation seat is connected with the second sleeving portion of the second installation seat by insertion. 
     At least three second connection channels independent of one another are provided inside the second installation seat; two ends of each of the second connection channels extend to a left end surface and a right end surface of the second installation seat respectively. 
     The first connection channels of the first installation seat are in communication with the second connection channels of the second installation seat respectively. 
     The present invention has the following beneficial effects: The present invention enables users to install all the required drawing materials into the 3D pen all at the same time before starting to draw. When it is necessary to change color, it is only required to press the control button to extrude the material having the desired color and there is no need to power off the pen and restart it again. Therefore, operating time is saved and the working efficiency of the user is increased. Since it is not required to change drawing materials, users may not be so bothered so that they can be more focused on their creation. 
     A nozzle of the 3D pen is also given. The feeding channels can feed materials at the same time, and the materials gathered in the pen tip will be mixed in the pen tip to attain evenly blended color. By using the three primary colors, the desired colors of the work product can be created. In other words, By outputting the three primary colors (red, green and blue) at different outputting speed, the three primary colors are mixed according to determined ratio to attain a desired mixed color for the work product, and then the pen will extrude this mixed color. By saving complicated procedures, the passion of the user for creating work products can be significantly elevated. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present invention is further described in detail below with reference to the drawings. However, the drawings do not constitute any limitation to the present invention. 
         FIG. 1  is a front perspective view showing a structure of a 3D pen capable of feeding out drawing materials of different colors simultaneously according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a front perspective view showing an internal structure of the 3D pen capable of feeding out drawing materials of different colors simultaneously according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a rear perspective view showing the internal structure of the 3D pen capable of feeding out drawing materials of different colors simultaneously according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a structural view of a nozzle of the 3D pen of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic view of a heater tip of the nozzle of the 3D pen of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a sectional view of the heater tip of the nozzle of the 3D pen of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7  is the sectional views of the first installation seat and the second installation seat of the nozzle of the 3D pen of the present invention. 
         FIG. 8  is a structural view of another nozzle according to the 3D pen of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     REFERENCE SIGNS IN THE FIGURES 
       1 -shell,  2 -control mechanism,  201 -MCU of a main board,  202 -display device,  203 -transmission control device,  204 -temperature control device,  20   b -speed adjustment device,  3 -transmission mechanisms,  301 -worm gear motor,  3011 -worm,  302 -worm gear motor supporting panel,  3021 -sleeve portion,  30211 -trough,  4 -feeding mechanisms,  5 -nozzle,  501 -heater tip,  502 -first installation seat,  503 -second installation seat,  5011 -first feeding channels,  5012 -winding portion,  5013 -third insertion portion,  5014 -recessed portion,  5021 -first connection channels,  5022 -first sleeving portion,  5023 -first insertion portion,  5031 -second connection channels,  5032 -second sleeving portion,  5033 -second insertion portion,  504 -pen tip. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is described further in detail below with reference to the drawings. All directional references described below are based on the position of the present invention shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1-8 , a 3D pen capable of changing colors quickly comprises a shell  1  and a power source disposed inside the shell  1 , a control mechanism  2 , transmission mechanisms  3 , feeding mechanisms  4 , a nozzle  5  and a pen tip  504 ; the shell  1  and the control mechanism  2  are connected with each other; the control mechanism  2  is electrically connected with the power source; the control mechanism  2  is electrically connected also with the transmission mechanisms  3 ; the transmission mechanisms  3  are connected with the feeding mechanisms  4  by partially sleeving the feeding mechanisms; the feeding mechanisms  4  are connected with the nozzle  5  by being partially inserted into the nozzle  5 ; the pen tip is connected with the nozzle  5  by partially sleeving the nozzle  5 . 
     The shell  1  comprises an upper shell and a lower shell; the upper shell and the lower shell are connected with each other by insertion; the upper shell and the control mechanism  2  is connected with the control mechanism by buckling; the lower shell and the nozzle  5  are fixedly connected; the upper shell and the lower shell together form a closed pen shaft for grabbing while leaving a cavity inside to accommodate the nozzle  5 , the power source, the control mechanism  2 , the transmission mechanisms  3  and the feeding mechanisms  4 . 
     The upper shell has a front surface and a back surface; the upper shell is provided with three material inlet holes, a hole for the power source, a display window, a temperature adjustment button, a transmission control button, a switch button, and a speed adjustment button; the three material inlet holes and the hole for the power source are disposed at a right end surface of the upper shell; the three material inlet holes are positioned with respect to the hole for the power source being a center to facilitate material inlet and battery recharge; the display window, the temperature adjustment button, the transmission control button, the switch button, and the speed adjustment button are arranged sequentially from top to bottom along a middle section of the front surface of the upper shell. The upper shell is a prior art and hence will not be described here in detail. 
     The lower shell is an integral hollowed structure to facilitate dissipation of heat produced by the heater tip so that the 3D pen can have a longer service life. The lower shell is also a prior art and hence will not be described here in detail. 
     The control mechanism  2  comprises a microprocessor control unit (MCU)  201  of a main board, a display device  202 , a transmission control device  203 , a temperature adjustment device  204  and a speed adjustment device  205 ; the display device  202 , the transmission control device  203 , the temperature adjustment device  204  and the speed adjustment device  205  are electrically connected with the MCU  201 ; the MCU  201  is electrically connected with the hole for the power source and the transmission mechanisms; the MCU  201 , the display device  202 , the transmission control device  203 , the temperature adjustment device  204  and the speed adjustment device  205  are prior arts and hence will not be described here in detail. 
     There are three said transmission mechanisms  3 ; the three transmission mechanisms  3  are electrically connected with the MCU  201 ; the three transmission mechanisms  3  have identical structures. Each of the transmission mechanisms  3  has a worm gear motor  301  and a worm gear motor supporting panel  302 ; the worm gear motor  301  and the worm gear motor supporting panel  302  are fixedly connected; the worm gear motor  301  and the MCU  201  are electrically connected; the worm gear motor supporting panel  302  is connected with a corresponding feeding mechanism  4  by partially sleeving the corresponding feeding mechanism  4 . 
     The worm gear motor  301  comprises a worm  3011  rotatably connected with a corresponding feeding mechanism  4 . The worm gear motor is a prior art and hence will not be described here in detail. 
     The worm gear motor supporting panel  302  comprises a sleeve portion  3021  having a cylindrical shape; the sleeve portion  3021  comprises a trough  30211 ; the worm passes through the trough  30211  to be rotatably connected with the corresponding feeding mechanism  4 ; the worm  3011  controls a speed of the corresponding feeding mechanism  4 . 
     There are three of said feeding mechanisms  4 . The three feeding mechanisms  4  are connected with the three transmission mechanisms  3  respectively; the three feeding mechanisms  4  have identical structures; each of the feeding mechanisms  4  comprises an upper guiding tube and a lower guiding tube; the upper guiding tube and the lower guiding tube are in communication with each other; the upper guiding tube and the lower guiding tube are partially inserted into a respective sleeve portion  3021  to be rotatably connected with a respective worm  3011 . 
     The nozzle  5  comprises a heater tip  501 , a first installation seat  502  and a second installation seat  503 ; the heater tip  501  and the first installation seat  502  are fixedly connected by insertion; the first installation seat  502  and the second installation seat  503  are fixedly connected with each other by insertion. 
     First feeding channels independent of one another are provided inside the heater tip  501 ; a quantity of the first feeding channels is three; two ends of each of the first feeding channels extend to a left end surface and a right end surface of the heater tip  501  respectively; an outer wall of the heater tip  501  has a recessed portion  5014  provided with a winding portion for installation of a heating device (heating wire); a right end of the heater tip  501  is provided with a third insertion portion. 
     First connection channels independent of one another are provided inside the first installation seat  502 ; a quantity of the first connection channels is three; two ends of each of the first connection channels extend to a left end surface and a right end surface of the first installation seat  502  respectively; a left end of the first installation seat is provided with a first sleeving portion; a right end of the first installation seat is provided with a first insertion portion; the third insertion portion of the heater tip  501  is fixedly connected with the first sleeving portion of the first installation seat  502  by insertion, so that the three first feeding channels of the heater tip  501  are in communication with the three first connection channels of the first installation seat  502  respectively. 
     Second connection channels independent of one another are provided inside the second installation seat  503 ; a quantity of the second connection channels is three; two ends of each of the second connection channels extend to a left end surface and a right end surface of the second installation seat  503  respectively; a left end of the second installation seat  503  is provided with a second sleeving portion; a right end of the second installation seat  503  is provided with a second insertion portion; the first insertion portion of the first installation seat  502  is fixedly connected with the second sleeving portion of the second installation seat  503  by insertion, so that the three first connection channels of the first installation seat  502  are in communication with the three second connection channels of the second installation seat  503  respectively; the second insertion portion of the second installation seat  503  is connected with the feeding mechanisms by partially sleeving the feeding mechanisms. 
     The pen tip has a conical shape; a larger end of the pen tip sleeves a front end of the heater tip  501 . The three first feeding channels independent of one another inside the heater tip  501  extrude materials of three different colors, and the three different colors are mixed and blended evenly inside the pen tip before feeding out to draw a 3D object. The 3D object can be drawn with the colors desired by mixing and blending the three primary colors into different desired colors. 
     A nozzle of a 3D pen capable of feeding out drawing materials of different colors simultaneously comprises a heater tip  501 , a first installation seat  502 , a second installation seat  503  and a pen tip  504 ; the nozzle  5  and the first installation seat  502  are fixedly connected with each other by insertion; the first installation seat  502  and the second installation seat  503  are fixedly connected with each other by insertion. 
     First feeding channels  5011  independent of one another are provided inside the nozzle  5 ; a quantity of the first feeding channels  5011  is three; two ends of each of the first feeding channels extend to a left end surface and a right end surface of the nozzle  5  respectively; an outer wall of the heater tip  501  has a recessed portion  5014  provided with a winding portion  5012  for installation of a heating device (heating wire); a right end of the nozzle  5  is provided with a third insertion portion  5013 . 
     First connection channels  5021  independent of one another are provided inside the first installation seat  502 ; a quantity of the first connection channels is three; two ends of each of the first connection channels  5021  extend to a left end surface and a right end surface of the first installation seat  502  respectively; a left end of the first installation seat  502  is provided with a first sleeving portion  5022 ; a right end of the first installation seat  502  is provided with a first insertion portion  5023 ; the third insertion portion  5013  of the heater tip  501  is fixedly connected with the first sleeving portion  5022  of the first installation seat  502  by insertion, so that the three first feeding channels  5011  of the heater tip  501  are in communication with the three first connection channels  5021  of the first installation seat  502  respectively. 
     Second connection channels  5031  independent of one another are provided inside the second installation seat  503 ; a quantity of the second connection channels  5031  is three; two ends of each of the second connection channels  5031  extend to a left end surface and a right end surface of the second installation seat  503  respectively; a left end of the second installation seat  503  is provided with a second sleeving portion  5032 ; a right end of the second installation seat  503  is provided with a second insertion portion  5033 ; the first insertion portion  5022  of the first installation seat  502  is fixedly connected with the second sleeving portion  5031  of the second installation seat  503  by insertion, so that the three first connection channels  5021  of the first installation seat  502  are in communication with the three second connection channels  5031  of the second installation seat  503  respectively; the second insertion portion of the second installation seat  503  is connected with other structures of the 3D pen. 
       FIG. 8  shows a pen tip  504  sleeving a front end of the heater tip. By using the pen tip  504 , the drawing materials coming out from the three feeding channels are mixed and blended inside the pen tip to create desired colors for drawing. 
     The above detailed and specific description only shows some embodiments of the present invention. The above description should not be understood as limiting the scope of the present invention. It should be noted that, a person skilled in this field of art may carry out various changes and modifications without deviating from the inventive concept of the present invention, and all these changes and modifications should fall within the scope of protection of the present invention. The scope of protection of the present invention is defined by the appended claims.