JPH0328246B2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] (Industrial Application Field) The present invention relates to an apparatus for correcting cathode distortion generated during electrolytic refining of metals such as nickel, and obtaining flat, high-quality products. .

(Prior Art) Generally, when electrolytically refining nickel metal, electrodeposition is first performed using a stainless steel mother plate as a cathode for a predetermined period of time. Thereafter, the cathode is lifted from the battery case, the electrodeposited thin nickel metal is peeled off from the mother plate, and the seed plate, which is formed into a flat surface using a press, is used again as a cathode for electrolytic refining.

However, if electrolysis is continued continuously for a long time, the cathode will gradually become curved and deformed, causing problems such as short circuits between the electrodes and poor product quality. As a countermeasure, it is necessary to pull up the cathode once during electrolysis to correct the strain, but conventionally, this strain correction has been done using a normal press machine, which leaves stress behind and cannot be completely corrected, so workers have to use a hammer to correct the strain. He was doing things with his hands such as rings.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) However, this work not only requires interruption of operation for a long time, but also requires skill and is hard labor, so there has been a desire for improvement.

(Means for Solving the Problems) The present invention was developed as a result of various tests in order to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems. The strain is corrected by detecting the convex side and pressing the opposite side against the elastic flat side of the press.

(Example) Fig. 1 is a front view showing one embodiment of the strain correction device of the present invention, Fig. 2 is a plan view taken along the line A-A in Fig. 1, and Fig.
The figure is a side view of the strain detection mechanism, and FIG. 4 is a side view of the press machine. This device includes a transport mechanism 2 for suspending, transporting and rotating a cathode 1;
Transfer machine 3 for transferring or removing cathode 1 to
and a detection mechanism 4 that detects the strain direction of the cathode 1.
, a press machine 5 for correcting distortion of the cathode 1, and a controller for controlling these mechanisms.

The conveying mechanism 2 includes a link chain 6 that is provided horizontally and endlessly on the same center line as the center line of the press surface, and is arranged at a predetermined pitch on this link chain 6, and rotates at 90 degrees around the vertical center axis. It consists of a hanger 9 which is rotatable and has a hanger 8 fixed to its lower end for suspending the cathode beam 7, and a rotating mechanism 10 for the hanger 9. This rotating machine 1
0 are provided at two locations on the center line of the link chain 6, directly above the strain detection mechanism 4 and immediately before transfer after pressing, and the rotating portion 10a can be vertically raised and lowered by the cylinder 10b, and the lower end thereof is It can be fitted to the upper end of the hanger 9. (See Figure 3) The transfer device 3 includes a member 3b that can be horizontally reciprocated on the center line of the link chain 6 by means of a cylinder 3a, and a claw that is arranged at the lower end of the member 3b and can be rotated around a horizontal axis. 3c, and the cathode beam 7 is connected to the claw 3c.
can be lifted up and transferred to or removed from the hanging part of the hanger 9.

The strain detection mechanism 4 (see Fig. 3) is a vertical cylinder 4a and a horizontal cylinder 4b that determine a predetermined detection position, and a pair of horizontal cylinders arranged at a desired pitch on the sides of the front and back sides of the cathode at the predetermined position. 3 sets of photoelectric devices (one set has a light emitting and a light receiving part) 4c
The strain direction of the cathode 1 can be detected depending on which photoelectric device is activated.

The press 5 (see FIG. 4) has two vertical surfaces that are reciprocated horizontally by cylinders 13 and 14, and a plurality of hemispherical protrusions 5c are fixed to the surface of one surface 5a. An elastic flat plate 5d such as a rubber plate is fixed to the surface of the other side 5b. The shape, arrangement, number, etc. of the protrusions 5c can be appropriately selected depending on the thickness, material, etc. of the cathode 1, and can be replaced.

Regarding the operation of the device configured as above,
This will be explained below.

First, the cathode 1 in the initial stage of electrolysis that has been pulled up from the electrolytic cell is suspended on the chain conveyor 15 on the left side of FIG. The claw 3c, which was waiting at the left end of the loading machine 3, rotates and lifts up the cathode beam 7 suspended on the chain conveyor 15. Next, the cylinder 3a is activated and the hanging hand 8 of the hanger 9 is located at the detection position on the right side of the figure.
The cathode beam 7 is moved to just above the handle 8, and the claw 3c is rotated in the opposite direction to transfer the cathode beam 7 to the hanger 8. Thereafter, the cylinders 3a and 16 operate again and return to their original state. When the cathode 1 is transferred to the hanger 9, the positioning cylinders 4a and 4b are activated to fix the lower end of the cathode 1.

Next, the photoelectric devices 4c provided on both sides of the cathode 1 are activated, and if there is a displacement of a predetermined size or more, it is detected by any of the photoelectric devices 4c, so that the direction of the distortion can be determined. And after the detection is completed, cylinder 4
a and 4b are restored. Then, the cylinder 10b of the rotating machine 10 is activated, and the rotating part 10a is lowered, fitted into the hanger 9, and rotated 90 degrees so that the distorted protrusion of the cathode 1 faces the protruding surface 5a of the press 5. After that, the rotating portion 10a is pulled up by the cylinder 10a. Therefore, the link chain 6 of the transport mechanism 2
is driven by a drive device 6a, and the cathode 1 suspended from the hanger 9 is transported to a predetermined position in the press 5. In the press 5, cylinders 13 and 14 press both sides of the cathode 1. At this time, the projections 5c of the press surface 5a strongly press against the elastic surface 5d, thereby correcting the distortion of the cathode 1. When the straightening is completed, the link chain 6 is driven again to convey the hanger 9 to the right end in the figure, and as described above, the hanger 9 is moved to the right end by the rotating machine 10.
After rotating the chain conveyor 17 by transfer machine 3,
Transfer to and transport. This operation is repeated, and when the desired number of sheets has been processed, they are arranged in the electrolytic pitch and returned to the electrolytic cell, and electrolysis is restarted. Although the control of these mechanisms is not shown, they can be controlled fully automatically according to the program using a sequence controller.

In this way, (1) one side of the press has a protruding surface and the other side has an elastic flat plate surface to press the thin cathode, thereby eliminating the stress during electrodeposition and almost completely correcting the distortion. be able to. Furthermore, the degree of correction can be adjusted by changing the shape and arrangement of the protrusions depending on the thickness and material of the cathode. Furthermore, by driving both sides of the press surface, misalignment of the suspended cathode can be prevented.
(2) By using multiple sets of photoelectric strain detection devices on both sides of the cathode and appropriately selecting the spacing between both sides, displacement and direction can be detected with high accuracy. (3) The process from loading the cathode to straightening and unloading can be done fully automatically in a short time. It goes without saying that this device can be used not only for cathodes but also for straightening distortions of thin metal plates and the like.

(Effects of the Invention) As explained in detail above, according to the present invention, the process from detecting and correcting the distortion of the cathode to transporting it can be carried out fully automatically, thereby eliminating the need for heavy labor by skilled workers. This has extremely significant effects on improving safety and health, improving operating efficiency, and improving product quality.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Fig. 1 is a front view showing one embodiment of the strain correction device of the present invention, Fig. 2 is a plan view taken from plane A-A in Fig. 1, Fig. 3 is a side view of the strain detection mechanism, and Fig. 4 is a It is a side view of a press machine. 1... Cathode, 2... Transport mechanism, 3... Transfer machine, 4... Strain detection mechanism, 5... Press machine, 7...
Cathode beam, 9... hanger, 10... turning machine, 15, 17... chain conveyor.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. In a device for correcting distortion of an electrolytic cathode by moving it from a carry-in device to a carry-out device by a transfer device, the electrolytic cathode is disposed on both sides of the electrolytic cathode suspended perpendicularly to the moving direction, and parallel to the plate surface of the cathode. It consists of a strain detection mechanism that detects displacements in a plurality of horizontal and diagonal directions, and a pair of pressing surfaces parallel to the movement direction, one pressing surface is a flat surface covered with an elastic body, and the other pressing surface is a flat surface covered with an elastic body. a press machine having a plurality of protrusions disposed on a surface; a transfer device having a hanger disposed horizontally on the same center line as the center line of the press surface and suspending the cathode; a pair of rotators disposed above the transfer device on both sides of the press machine, capable of being raised and lowered, and having a lower end portion that can be fitted to the upper end surface of the hanger; Rotate the cathode 90 degrees around the vertical central axis so that the convex side of the cathode is pressed against the surface, and the other rotating mechanism rotates the cathode around the vertical central axis.
An electrolytic cathode distortion correction device that features 90 degree rotation.