GB880058A - Improvements in or relating to conveyors particularly for use in electroplating apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

880,058. Step-by-step conveyers. UDYLITE RESEARCH CORPORATION. March 7, 1960 [June 15, 1959], No. 8028/60. Class 78 (1). In a conveyer for conveying articles automatically through a series of treating stations, e.g. the tanks of electroplating apparatus, and in which electric power is supplied to each article carrier when at a station, an electrical contactor on each carrier is positioned so as to engage power supplying means at each station and when this occurs to cause the power supplying means to be supplied from the power source. The work carriers 28, Fig. 1, are moved intermittently along the straight runs of a rail 24 mounted above the tanks by pushers 30 which are pivotally mounted on reciprocating bars 29. The carriers are moved around the curved ends of the rail by pushers mounted on sector plates 32 which are connected to the bars 29 by links 35. The bars are reciprocated by a double-acting hydraulic cylinder 36 which is pivotally mounted on a cross-member 38 of the frame. The end of the piston of the cylinder 36 is pivoted to a link 41, one end of which is pivoted to a lug 43 on one bar 29 and the other end of which is pivotally connected to the frame by a link 42. Electrical contactors 45 are secured to longitudinal members 46 mounted outside the straight run of the carriers, and on the curved ends of the track 24. Each work-carrier 28, Fig. 2, comprises an inverted U-shaped frame 48 provided with roller assemblies 49 for running on the track 24. A barrel 71 containing the articles to be treated is rotatably mounted on the lower ends of the side members 51 of a frame 50 which slidably engages the side members of the frame 48. Stops 55 on the frame 48 limit the downward movement of the frame 50. The side members 51 are connected by a cross-member 52 on which is mounted a three-phase electric motor 56. This motor drives a gear reduction unit 58 mounted on the lower side of the member 52. One end of the output shaft 60 of the unit 58 drives an over-running clutch 62 which is mounted on a shaft 64 provided at its ends with pinions 65. These pinions engage racks 66 fixed to the frame 48. The other end of the shaft 60 drives a gear 70 mounted on the barrel 71 through gears 68, 69. Conductors 79 extend through bearings in the end of the barrel to contact the workpieces therein. Insulation 78 is provided to insulate the barrel from the frame 50. The upper ends of the conductors are connected to a contact shoe 80 mounted on rearwardlyextending members 83, Fig. 5, connected to the frame 48. A cathode bar 81 is secured to the frame by bars 82 at each work station at which current is required and is engaged by the shoe 80. A stationary contactor 45 is located at each such station and controls the supply of current to the motor. Each contactor is supported by a bracket 84, the lower end of which carries a limit switch LS1 and a cam 86. An actuator 88 on the frame 50 coacts with the switch LS1 when the frame is in the raised position. A motor stop limit switch LS2 is actuated by the cam 86 to cut out the motor as the frame approaches its raised position. All the switches LS1 are connected to a central control system so as to ensure that all the frames 50 are in raised position before the workcarriers are moved along the rail 24 to the next station. A manually-operated switch 89 is mounted on the cross-member 52 to control the motor. When the downward movement of the frame 50 is started by energizing the motor 56, the weight of the frame moves the pinions 65 downwards on the racks 66 at the speed of rotation permitted by the clutch 62. When the frame contacts the stops 55, since the clutch is an over-running one, the motor will continue to rotate and the barrel 71 to turn. After a predetermined time the central control system reverses the motor, the clutch is caused to lock and the frame rises. Upward movement of the frame ceases when the switch LS2 is actuated. A self-locking worm wheel in the unit 58 maintains the frame in the raised position. Pick-up switches 90 are mounted on the frame 48 in such a position that brushes 92 on the contactors 45 co-operate with shoes 94 on the switches when the work carriers are in the appropriate position at each station. Means may be provided for moving a section of the track 24 laterally along a supporting horizontal guide, the removable section having connected to it an auxiliary portion of track which replaces it in the main track. The auxiliary portion is provided with power supplying means for engagement by a contactor on a work-carrier.