DE3404059A1 - DEVICE FOR GALVANIC TREATING WORKPIECES - Google Patents

Description

Saafo AG, Seilergraben 49, Zurich

Device for the galvanic treatment of workpieces

The invention relates to a device for the galvanic treatment of workpieces, with an elongated handle and a holder that receives an exchangeable container filled with an electrolyte and which has a contact that is electrically connected to a pole of a DC voltage source and which is connected to one of the contacts the container protruding electrolyte generator is electrically connected via a mating contact, and with a the other pole of the DC voltage source is electrically connected terminal for establishing an electrical connection to the workpiece.

Devices of this type enable, for example, the production of metal coatings on electrically conductive ones Work pieces. Depending on the electrolyte used, coatings can be made from different metals. Special electrolytes also enable polishing

Asamstrasse 8, D-8000 Munich 90 Patent attorney Dr. Ing. Dipl.-Ing. W. Hasse

Te Won (089) 653665; Fax (089) 653218 Patent attorney Dr.-Ing. Dipl.-Ing. A. SoIf

Telex: 5214168 soza d patent attorney Dipl.-Ing. Chr. Zapf

Ren or etching of the workpiece surface. In the application In such a device, the workpiece to be treated is first electrically connected to the terminal tied together. The device is then held manually by its handle and by means of the electrolyte dispenser the electrolyte contained in the container is applied to the workpiece surface in the desired manner. For example, the workpiece can be labeled in this way. The electrolyte donor is then designed as a writing tip.

From Canadian patent 85 00 85 is one for the device of the type mentioned generic device is known in which the for the power connection to the electrolyte generator necessary counter-contact extends through the bottom wall of the container, so that the outside of the container lying area of the mating contact with a correspondingly arranged, connected to the DC voltage source Contact of the device cooperate. Can. The area of the mating contact located inside the container is connected to connecting wires that lead through the container to the electrolyte generator, which is on the bottom wall opposite end of the container is held in a cap, wherein - by a distance or a To enable replacement of the cap - provision is made for these connecting wires through interacting plug-in contacts to subdivide. The known device has proven itself in practice, but it has due to the the interior of the container running line routing a relatively complicated structure, it also requires Particular care is taken in the manufacture of the plug-in contacts located in the electrolyte in order to avoid contact errors. In addition, the container is fastened by screwing it in, which makes changing the container relatively cumbersome power.

From DE-GM 70 11 583 a device is the initially mentioned type is known in which the electrolyte container has a lid, which protrudes into the container approach has, which carries a counter-contact designed as a metal sleeve, in which the electrolyte generator is held. The end tabs of the sleeve are bent around the insert in such a way that they are used for contacting them and for holding them of the container by means of a contact clamp connected to the DC voltage source to lie in windows of the approach come. The contact terminal is in a hollow finger-like, for receiving the container serving approach of the housing of the device and arranged by means of a band-shaped, housed in the hollow finger-like approach Conductor connected to the DC voltage source. The power is thus supplied via the ribbon-shaped Conductor to the contact terminal and from there over the end tabs into the interior of the container, to the one there arranged sleeve-shaped counter-contact area, which is located inside the container on the electrolyzer is present. The structure of the known device, which has also proven itself well in practice, is due to the power supply running into the interior of the container, which the relatively complicated Lid with its approach and its window formation makes it necessary, quite expensive.

The invention is therefore based on the object of providing a device for the galvanic treatment of workpieces to be designed in such a way that it has a simple structure and good contact with the electrolyte generator.

This object is achieved according to the invention in that the mating contact is arranged on the outside of the container. This inventive arrangement is a very simple construction of the device is achieved, because there is no need for complex guiding into the interior of the container

340A059

renden contact devices or more complicated container inserts. Rather, the mating contact is outside the The container is arranged on this and is for the function of the device according to the invention on the one hand on the contact for the power supply and on the other hand to the electrolyte generator. With this amazingly simple measure the manufacturing costs of the device can be reduced considerably and there is good contact to the electrolyte donor achieved.

According to a further development of the invention it is provided that the mating contact can be plugged onto the container. This achieves a particularly simple design of the device according to the invention, because the manufacturing step of fastening the mating contact to the electrolyte container (embedding the mating contact in corresponding plastic parts of the container), which is necessary with the devices known from the prior art, is omitted. Rather, the counter contact is supported by simply attaching ^to the container. This also leads to the advantage that a mating contact can be used for different electrolyte containers, so that an associated mating contact is not necessary for each electrolyte container.

Other advantageous developments of the inventions are characterized in the subclaims.

The drawings illustrate the invention using an exemplary embodiment; namely shows:

FIG. 1 shows a longitudinal section through a device according to the invention;

FIG. 2 shows a side view of the device in FIG

gur 1 with a cover cap shown in section;

FIG. 3 shows a longitudinal section on an enlarged scale through the nib area of the invention Device with electrolyte container shown broken;

Figure 4 is a side view of an inventive Bracket on an enlarged scale;

Figure 5 is a rear view of the holder in Figure 4;

FIG. 6 shows a plan view of the foot area of the holder in FIG. 4, specifically in section the line IV - IV in Figure 4;

FIG. 7 shows a plan view of the contact area in FIG Holder in Figure 4 in the direction of arrow VII; and

FIG. 8 shows a longitudinal section on an enlarged scale through the nib area with the tip attached Protective cap and mating contact fixed on this,

According to FIG. 1, the device 1 according to the invention for the galvanic treatment of workpieces an elongated handle 2 and a holder 3, in which a with a Electrolyte 4 filled container 5 is held, the has an electrolyte generator 6 designed as a writing tip. The handle 2 is approximately circular cylindrical as well Hollow inside, and forms a housing for a DC voltage source 7, which is connected in series from three arranged one behind the other in the longitudinal direction Stick batteries 8 consists. For the insertion and removal of the stick batteries 8, the handle 2 is in two parts and consists of the first housing part 9 shown at the top in FIG. 1 and that in FIG. 1

Second housing part 10 shown below. Both housing parts 9, 10 are fastened to one another by means of latching means 13. In the case of the second housing part 10, the latching means 13 are formed from a sleeve-shaped projection 14, which engages in an annular recess 15 in the inner housing wall of the first housing part 9. To the Fixing the two housing parts 9 and 10 to one another is formed on the shoulder 14 an annular bead 16, the engages in a corresponding recess 17 in the first housing part 9. At its the sleeve-shaped approach 14 opposite end 18 of the second housing part 10, this has a rear wall 19 which is centered by a Hole 20 is penetrated. From the hole 20 an electrical line 21 emerges to the outside, which at its free End of an electrical connection for making an electrical connection to one to be galvanically treated Has workpiece (not shown). The other, located in the second housing part 10, the end of the electrical Line 21 is conductively connected to a helical coil spring 22, which supported on one side on the inside of the rear wall 19 and on the other side on the lowermost stick battery 8 in FIG. The spiral spring 22 rests against the negative pole of the said stick battery 8. Because of . the coil spring 22, the rod batteries 8 arranged in the handle 2 are preloaded in the direction of the arrow 23, so that the top rod battery 8 in FIG. 1 is pressed with its positive pole against a fastening element 26 that a front wall 27 of the first housing part 9 reaches through in the middle.

The fastening element 26 is designed as a rivet, the consists of a material of high electrical conductivity and that on the outside 28 of the front wall 27 the bracket 3 attached..The bracket 3 also exists made of a material of high electrical conductivity and, according to FIGS. 4 to 7, has a straight line Web 30 which, according to FIG. 5, is slightly upward

rejuvenates. The footbridge goes on the tapered side 30 into a first end region 31 which, according to FIG has an annular contact 32. The central axis 36 of the circular opening 37 of the annular contact 32 runs parallel at a distance from the Web 30. The wall 35 of the annular contact 32 is designed such that the opening 37 is opposite the direction of arrow VII entered in FIG. 4 tapers conically; that is, the inside of the wall 35 of the contact 32 forms the jacket of an imaginary truncated cone, its central axis with the central axis coincides. The web 30 has a second end region 38 facing away from the annular contact 32 circular shape and is penetrated by a hole 39 in the center. The second end region 38 is such bent at right angles from the straight-n web 30 that the Central axis 36 penetrates the circular hole 39 in the middle. The second end area 38 is used for fastening the holder 3 on the outside 28 of the front wall

27 of the first housing part 9 (see Figure 1). The attachment takes place by means of the fastening element 26, which is designed as a rivet, which the hole 39 of the second end region 38 takes action. The riveting is carried out in such a way that a good mechanical and also electrical Connection between the fastening element 26 and the bracket 3 is given. According to Figure 1 is on the front wall 27, a projection 42 is formed, which forms an anti-twist device for the holder 3. 30th

FIG. 2 shows the device according to the invention removed container 5. In this state, the holder 3 can be covered with a cap 45 which can be clamped onto the handle 2. The cover cap 45 has a clip 46 on the side, with the aid of which the device 1 can be attached to a suitable one when not in use Objects can be attached. The inventive advantage

direction is a handy device due to its dimensions and shape and receives in particular through the cap 45 provided with clip 46 looks like an oversized fountain pen.

The container 5 filled with an electrolyte 4 is designed in the shape of a cartridge, it being an elongated, circular-cylindrical one Has storage part 50 with a bottom wall 51. The storage part 50 is made of plastic.

does. According to FIG. 3, a finger-like extension 53 is inserted into the open end 52 of the storage part 50, which is also made of plastic. The finger-like extension 53 consists, in FIG. 3, from below viewed upwards, from a circular cylindrical section 54 which has an annular collar 56 at its upper end 55 having. The circular cylindrical section 54 is followed by a conical section 57, which extends in the direction its free end 58 tapers. Overall, the conical section 57 has a frustoconical outer contour with an end face 59 which has a bevel 60 on the outer edge. In its circular cylindrical Section 54 is the extension 53 of a circular cylindrical recess 61 in the middle in the longitudinal direction passes through, which merges into a likewise conical recess 62 in the area of the conical section 57. The conical recess 62 runs approximately to the middle of the longitudinal extension of the conical section 57 and from there it merges into an axial, cylindrical opening 63 which extends as far as the end face 59.

The electrolyte generator 6 is clamped in the opening 63 arranged, the electrolyte generator 6 protruding at one end from the finger-like extension 53 and at the other end extends into the circular cylindrical recess 61 or the conical recess 62.

The finger-like extension 53 is similar to a plug

placed on the upper end 52 of the storage part 50 of the container 5, the outside of the circular cylindrical Section 54 rests against a corresponding area of the inside of the storage part 50. The ring collar 56 is supported on the front edge 64 of the storage part 50. For the secure hold of the finger-like extension 53 in the storage part 50 is an annular bead 65 on the outside of the circular cylindrical section 54 which engages in a corresponding recess 66 in the inside of the storage part 50. Of the finger-like extension 53 sits tightly on the storage part 50, so that no electrolyte 4 from the joint can escape.

The electrolyte generator 6 has an elongated shape and a circular cross section. Being outside of the The end located at the container 5 is rounded and thus ensures a clean application of the electrolyte 4. The material of the electrolyte generator 6 is absorbent and porous, so that a good transport of the electrolyte 4 from the container 5 is guaranteed out.

FIG. 3 shows a longitudinal section through the mating contact 70 according to the invention. The mating contact 70 is sleeve-like formed and has a frustoconical wall 71 on its tapering End 72 an end wall 73 is attached. The end wall 73 is penetrated in the middle by an opening 74. On the outside 75 of the end wall 73, a sleeve-like extension 76 is arranged, the inner wall 77 of which with the opening 74 is aligned. According to FIG. 3, the mating contact 70 is on the finger-like extension 52 of the container 5 attached. Here lies the inside 78 of the frustoconical jacket-shaped Wall 71 flat on the outer contour of the conical section 57 of the finger-like extension 53 on and the inside of the end wall 73 of the

Mating contact 70 rests on end face 59 of finger-like extension 53. The side wall is also located 79 of the opening 74 and the inner wall 77 of the sleeve-like extension 76 of the mating contact 70 on the flank wall 80 of the electrolyte dispenser 6, so that an electrical connection to the electrolyte 4 is thereby established, which is stored in the electrolyte generator 6.

It is now essential to the invention that the mating contact 70 is arranged on the outside of the container 5. In the simplest case, this arrangement takes place - as already described above - By plugging onto the finger-like extension 53 of the container 5. Here, the rod-shaped Electrolyte generator 6 inserted through the opening 74 already described with its sleeve-like extension 76, wherein in the plugged-on state the side wall 79 of the opening 74 and also the inner wall 77 of the sleeve-like Approach 76 come into contact with the flank wall 80 of the electrolyte generator 6. By the invention external attachment of the mating contact 70 on the container 5 is a particularly simple embodiment of the invention Device achieved, whereby there is no costly, leading into the interior of the container Contact devices or more complicated container inserts are required, as is known from the prior art is. The invention also makes the known, sensitive plug-in contacts located in the electrolyte unnecessary, so that good contact with the electrolyte generator can be achieved. Notes on the invention Solution cannot be found in the cited prior art.

FIG. 1 shows how the container 5 with the mating contact 70 placed thereon is received by the holder 3. Here, the ring-shaped contact 32 of the holder 3 engages around the mating contact 70, the inside of the ring-shaped

moderate contact 32 on the outer contour of the mating contact 70 is present. Since the conical inside of the ring contact 32 of the conicity of the outer contour of the mating contact 70 is adapted, there is a large contact area between these two parts, so that a good electrical connection is established between them. The length of the container 5 is chosen so that its The bottom wall 51 is supported on the angled, second end region 38 of the holder 3 or on the fastening element 26, at the other end the annular contact 32 rests against the mating contact 70 with pretension. This bias results from the elasticity of the web 30 of the holder 3. The mating contact 70 thus has two Functions too; because on the one hand the contact to the electrolyte generator 6 is established via it and on the other hand the attachment of the container 5 to the handle 2 takes place on it by means of the holder 3.

The container 5 with the mating contact 70 placed thereon can be removed from the holder 3 in a simple manner and replaced, for example, by another container filled with electrolyte. To do this, the container 5 gripped manually and raised slightly in the direction of arrow 23 (Figure l). This lifting is due to the elasticity of the bracket 3 possible. By lifting the bottom wall 51 of the storage part 50 from the extension 42 of the first housing part 9 released, so that a pivoting of the lower region of the container 5 can be done to the right out of the holder 3 (Figure 1). Then the finger-like Extension 53 with mating contact 70 pulled down from the annular contact 32 of the holder 3. That A different container, which may be filled with a different electrolyte, is inserted accordingly the opposite of the procedure just described.

From the container 5 removed from the holder 3, the mating contact 70 is first withdrawn and then one The protective cap covering the electrolyte generator 6 is placed on the finger-like extension 53 of the container 5. Afterward the mating contact 70 is then pushed onto a correspondingly designed area of the protective cap 85. This arrangement is shown in FIG. 8 and enables optimal storage of unused ones Containers 5, wherein dehydration is prevented and

IQ addition, the belonging to the container 5 opposite contact 70 held captive thereon by means of the protective cap. According to FIG. 8, the outer contour of the protective cap 85 is designed in the shape of a truncated cone. The protective cap 85 has an axial, conical recess 86, the inner diameter of which decreases continuously in the direction of the tapering end of the protective cap 85 and merges into a cylindrical recess 87 approximately halfway along the longitudinal extension of the protective cap 85. The transition takes place with the formation of an annular step 88, since the inner diameter of the cylindrical recess 87 is smaller than the smallest inner diameter of the conical recess 86; At its tapered end 89, the protective cap 85 has an end face 90 on which a centrally

axial, cylindrical retaining projection 91 is formed. 25th

To protect the electrolyte dispenser designed as a writing tip 6, the protective cap 85 is pushed onto the finger-like extension 53 according to FIG. Here the conical recess 86 of the protective cap 85 lies flat on the frustoconical outer contour of the conical Section 57 of the finger-like extension 53. The ring step 88 of the protective cap 85 borders in the attached State of the end face 59 of the finger-like extension 53. To ensure a secure hold of the protective cap 85 on the. to reach finger-like extension 53,

the depth of the conical recess 86 is chosen such that its walls the conical outer contour of the finger-like The extension 53 engages over the container 5 in a clamping manner when the protective cap 85 is pressed. In the cylindrical In this case, the end of the electrolyte dispenser 6 protruding from the container 5 is accommodated in recess 87 with play. The mating contact 70 is then pushed onto the protective cap 85 as shown in FIG. The conical Inside 78 engages over the upper area 92 of the protective cap 85 in the figure and the inside of the End wall 73 of mating contact 70 rests on end face 90 of protective cap 85. The retaining lug 91 of the Protective cap 85 engages clamping into the opening 74 of the mating contact 70, so that it cannot be lost on the Protective cap 85 is held.

The individual parts, namely the mating contact 70, the protective cap 85 and the finger-like extension 53 of the container 5 are designed according to the invention in such a way that they are only in the various positions described above Can be arranged on top of one another, so that there is a distinctive assembly for both use the device according to the invention as well as for the La-r. of the individual components. This prevents incorrect operation due to incorrect assembly of the Device according to the invention excluded.

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Claims (14)

3A04059 +1 / na / M 245 Claims: 1. Device for the galvanic treatment of workpieces, with an elongated handle as well a holder that holds a replaceable container filled with an electrolyte and which has a contact electrically connected to a pole of a DC voltage source, the one with an electrolyte generator protruding from the container via a mating contact electrically is connected, and with one electrically connected to the other pole of the DC voltage source Connection for establishing an electrical connection to the workpiece, thereby marked I mean that the mating contact (70) is arranged on the outside of the container (5). 2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that that the mating contact (70) is plugged onto the container (5). 3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the mating contact (70) is sleeve-like and with an inner area (74,77) rests against the electrolyte generator (6) and with another inner area (78) the container (5) partially overlaps. 4. Device according to one or more of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that that by means of the mating contact (70) both the holder of the container (5) and the electrical The electrolyte generator (6) is contacted. 5. Device according to one or more of the claims 1 to 4, identified by this, show that the mating contact (70) bears against the contact (32) of the holder (3) under bias, wherein the container (5) on an area of the holder (3) that acts as a counter bearing or on a front wall (27) of the handle (2). 6. Device according to one or more of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that that the outer contour of the mating contact (70) tapers in the shape of a truncated cone towards the electrolyte dispenser (6), and that the contact (32) is annular and on the frustoconical outer contour of the mating contact encompasses this. 7. Device according to one or more of the claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the holder (3) made of a material of high electrical Conductivity exists, one end is attached to the handle (2) and one side next to the container (5) running web (30) extending in the longitudinal direction of the handle (2) has, whose first end region (31) facing away from the handle (2) in the shape of a tier towards the container ter (5) is cranked and has the annular contact (32) at the end. 8..Vorrichtung according to one or more of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the handle (2) is hollow and forms a housing in which at least one rod battery (8) forming the DC voltage source (7) is arranged ^that . ^the handle piece (2) at the end facing the holder (3) has a front wall (27), on the outside (28) of which the annular contact (32) facing away from the second end region of the web (30) is fastened with a fastening element (26) wherein the fastening element (26) extends through the front wall (27) and one pole of the battery (8) rests against the part of the fastening element (26) located inside the handle piece (2). 9. Device according to one or more of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that -that the container (5) has a 'finger-like extension (53) with an axial one Has breakthrough (63) in which the electrolyte generator (6) is arranged in a clamping manner, wherein the electrolyte generator (6) protrudes from the finger-like extension (53) at one end and at the other end is in contact with the electrolyte (4) in the container (5). 10. Apparatus according to claim 9, characterized in that the finger-like Extension (53) a frustoconical> tapering towards its free end (58) Has the outer contour that the mating contact (70) -A- is arranged on the finger-like extension (53), the corresponding inner region (78) of the mating contact (70) is conical in such a way that it at least partially extends the extension (53) overlaps and rests flat on it, 11. The device according to claim 10, characterized characterized in that the mating contact (70) has an end wall (73) at its tapered end (72), and that the rod-shaped formed electrolyte generator (6) protrudes through an opening (74) in the end wall (73), wherein the side wall of the opening (74) on the flank wall (80) of the electrolyte dispenser (6) for making electrical contact. 12. The device according to claim 11, characterized in that .that on the outside (75) of the end wall (73) a sleeve-like extension (76) is arranged, the inner wall of which (77) to enlarge the contact area between the electrolyte generator (6) and the Mating contact (70) is aligned with the opening (74). 13. Device according to one or more of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that that the electrolyte generator (6) as a rod-shaped, circular in cross-section, is designed as a wick-acting writing element. 14. Device according to one or more of claims 1 to 13, characterized through one on the finger-like appendage (53) attachable protective cap (85) covering the electrolyte dispenser (6) on its frustoconical Outer wall (92) of the mating contact (70) can be attached, in which its conical de inner side (78) the outer wall (92) of the protective cap (85) partially overlaps and one Fixation between the mating contact (70) and the protective cap (85) through an in the opening (74) of the mating contact (70) engaging in a clamping manner, cylindrical retaining projection (91) of the protective cap (85) takes place.