US 12,134,231 B2
Plasticizing device, three-dimensional shaping apparatus, and injection molding apparatus
Masayuki Gozu, Ina (JP)
Assigned to Seiko Epson Corporation, Tokyo (JP)
Filed by SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION, Tokyo (JP)
Filed on Jun. 14, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/806,795.
Claims priority of application No. 2021-099987 (JP), filed on Jun. 16, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2022/0402210 A1, Dec. 22, 2022
Int. Cl. B29C 64/321 (2017.01); B29C 45/58 (2006.01); B29C 45/76 (2006.01); B29C 64/386 (2017.01); B33Y 30/00 (2015.01); B33Y 40/00 (2020.01)
CPC B29C 64/321 (2017.08) [B29C 45/58 (2013.01); B29C 45/76 (2013.01); B29C 64/386 (2017.08); B33Y 30/00 (2014.12); B33Y 40/00 (2014.12); B29C 2945/7618 (2013.01); B29C 2945/76658 (2013.01)] 18 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A plasticizing device comprising:
a material storage unit having a container configured to store a pellet-shaped plasticizing material and a material supply mechanism configured to supply the plasticizing material to an outside, the material supply mechanism including a guide case having a material inlet on a container side and a charging port on an opposite side from the container and inside of the guide case being hollow;
a plasticizing unit having a supply port in communication with the charging port and configured to plasticize at least a part of the plasticizing material to generate a shaping material;
a coupling pipe having a coupling path through which the pellet-shaped plasticizing material falls from the charging port to the supply port;
a first material sensor configured to detect a remaining quantity of the plasticizing material in the coupling path; and
a control unit, wherein
the material supply mechanism includes a slide member being provided inside the guide case and having a hole, and a slide drive unit configured to slide the slide member inside the guide case, and
when the remaining quantity detected by the first material sensor is less than a first reference value, the control unit controls the material supply mechanism to supply a predetermined quantity of the plasticizing material to the coupling path, wherein
when viewed from a first direction perpendicular to a second direction in which the slide member slides, the material inlet does not overlap the charging port, and
the slide drive unit drives the slide member to switch between a first state, in which the plasticizing material in the material storage unit is not charged into the coupling pipe, and a second state in which the plasticizing material in the material storage unit is charged into the coupling pipe, and
the hole provided in the slide member has a first side surface and a second side surface that is closer to the charging port than the first side surface in the second direction, and the first side surface is inclined so that a size of the hole becomes smaller in the first direction.