JPH07305198A - Electronic structure of plating device and device for replenishing pellet to the electrode - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To easily replenish a pellet consisting of a soluble anodic material of nickel, etc., in a device for electroplating the inner face of a hollow work. CONSTITUTION:In this device to plate the inner face of a hollow work, an electrode 10 has a cylindrical electrode main body and many pellets 11 consisting of a soluble anodic material placed in pellet housing 14 in the electrode main body. The electrode main body is fixed to the main body 2 of a plating device and projected upward from a work supporting part 3, and a pellet introducing opening 17 communicating with the housing 14 is provided at the upper end of the electrode main body. Consequently, the replenishing of the pellet is efficiently operated.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electrode structure applied to a plating apparatus for electroplating the inner surface of a hollow work such as an engine cylinder block and a pellet replenishing apparatus for the electrode.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an electrode is provided on the main body of a plating apparatus, and the electrode and the portion to be plated of the work are opposed to each other with the plating solution interposed therebetween,
By connecting to the power source so that the work piece becomes the cathode,
An apparatus adapted to perform electroplating on a plated portion of a work is generally known.

As a device for performing nickel plating on the inner surface of a hollow work such as a cylinder block of an engine, there is known a device as disclosed in, for example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 4-333594. In this device, a cylindrical electrode is arranged above the work setting table so that when the work is set on the setting table, the electrode is located inside the work and faces the peripheral surface of the hollow portion of the work. At the same time, by supplying the plating solution into the work and circulating the plating solution so that the plating solution flows in the work, high-speed plating can be performed.

Further, in the device shown in this publication,
The electrode part has a structure in which a soluble anodic substance such as nickel lumps is housed between a net-like anodic tube (electrode body) and the tube inside the anodic tube. It is supposed to elute inside.

The apparatus disclosed in the above publication is capable of high-speed plating by circulating a plating solution. However, the plating apparatus main body is equipped with a plating bath, and the plating bath It is generally known that a work is immersed in a plating solution to perform plating. Also in this method, when the inner surface of the hollow work is plated, the electrode is formed in a cylindrical shape so that the electrode is positioned inside the work when the work is set in the plating bath.

[0006]

By the way, when electroplating is carried out using an electrode having a soluble anode substance contained in the electrode body, the soluble anode substance in the electrode decreases as the plating is repeated. It is necessary to replenish the soluble anode substance in the electrode after a certain period of time. Conventionally, such replenishment of the soluble anode substance is generally performed manually. Further, in the apparatus as disclosed in the above publication, a relatively troublesome work such as removing the electrode and replenishing the soluble anode substance is required.

Moreover, the electrode of the apparatus for plating the inner surface of the work is relatively small so that it can penetrate into the work, and it is difficult to store a large amount of soluble anode material in the electrode. Therefore, it is necessary to perform the replenishment work relatively frequently. Particularly, in an apparatus for performing high-speed plating while flowing a plating solution, the soluble anode substance decreases at a high rate, so that the frequency of replenishment increases. Therefore, the replenishment work tends to be complicated and inefficient.

In view of the above-mentioned circumstances, the present invention provides an electrode structure which has a structure suitable for electroplating the inner surface of a hollow work and which can easily replenish the soluble anode substance. It is a thing. Further, the present invention provides a pellet replenishing device capable of efficiently replenishing an electrode with a pellet made of a soluble anode material.

[0009]

The invention according to claim 1 is
In a plating apparatus in which the plating apparatus main body is provided with an electrode that projects into the hollow portion of the work during plating so as to plate the inner surface of the hollow work, the above-mentioned electrode projects upward from the work supporting portion of the plating apparatus main body. The cylindrical electrode body attached to the main body of the plating apparatus in a state of having a large number of pellets made of a soluble anode substance stored in the pellet storage portion in the electrode body, and the pellet storage as the plating is performed. It is characterized in that the soluble anode substance is eluted from the pellets in the part into the plating solution, and the upper end of the electrode body is provided with an opening for introducing a pellet leading to the pellet accommodating portion. .

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the structure according to the first aspect, the plating apparatus is provided with a work supporting portion, a plating solution introduction passage connected to the plating solution supply means, and a plating solution discharge passage. An electrode is attached to the main body, and when a work is set on the work supporting part, a flow path of a plating solution is formed inside and outside the electrode in the hollow part of the work, The electrode body has an inner cylinder part and an outer cylinder part, and a pellet storage part is formed between the inner cylinder part and the outer cylinder part.

The invention according to claim 3 is the invention according to claim 1 or 2.
In the structure described in (1), the electrode main body is formed so as to extend above a position of an upper end of a plated portion of the work when the work is set on the work supporting portion.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the structure according to the second aspect, the inner cylinder portion and the outer cylinder portion of the electrode body are the portions to be plated of the work when the work is set on the work supporting portion. It is formed so as to extend to a position higher than the position of the upper end, and in the vicinity of the upper end of the electrode body, a communication pipe that connects the outside of the outer tubular portion and the inside of the inner tubular portion is provided. Characterize.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the structure according to the second aspect, the outer cylindrical portion of the electrode body is formed so as to extend above the inner cylindrical portion, and the outer cylindrical portion is porous near the upper end portion. And a cover that allows the plating solution to flow through is provided at the upper end of the inner cylindrical portion.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a work supporting portion,
Electrodes are attached to the plating apparatus main body in which a plating solution introduction passage connected to the plating solution supply means and a plating solution discharge passage are formed, and the hollow work is set when the hollow work is set on the work support part. An electrode structure of a plating apparatus, in which an electrode is located inside a part, and a flow path of a plating solution is formed across the inside and the outside of the electrode,
The electrode body has an inner cylinder part and an outer cylinder part, a pellet storage part is formed between the inner cylinder part and the outer cylinder part, and a large number of pellets made of a soluble anode substance are stored in the pellet storage part. In addition, a large number of slits linearly extending in the vertical direction are formed in the outer cylindrical portion of the electrode body.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a work supporting part,
Electrodes are attached to the plating apparatus main body in which a plating solution introduction passage connected to the plating solution supply means and a plating solution discharge passage are formed, and the hollow work is set when the hollow work is set on the work support part. An electrode structure of a plating apparatus, in which an electrode is located inside a part, and a flow path of a plating solution is formed across the inside and the outside of the electrode,
The electrode body has an inner cylinder part and an outer cylinder part, a pellet storage part is formed between the inner cylinder part and the outer cylinder part, and a large number of pellets made of a soluble anode substance are stored in the pellet storage part. In addition, an insoluble anode portion is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the inner cylindrical portion of the electrode body.

The invention according to claim 8 is a plating apparatus in which an electrode that projects into the hollow portion of the work during plating is provided in the plating apparatus main body so that the inner surface of the hollow work is plated. A cylindrical electrode body attached to the plating machine body in a state of protruding upward from the work supporting part of the plating machine body, and a large number of pellets made of a soluble anode substance stored in a pellet storing section in the electrode body. Having a soluble anode material is eluted from the pellets in the pellet storage portion into the plating solution as the plating is performed, the upper end of the pellet storage portion is closed, and the lower portion of the electrode body, When the work is set on the plating machine body, it extends below the lower end of the plated part of the work. Replenishment pellet storage part that communicates with the pellet storage part in the range corresponding to the plating part, vertically movable pellet support that is located in this supplemental pellet storage part and supports pellets, and this pellet support is directed upward And an urging means for urging.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the structure according to the eighth aspect, the plating apparatus is provided with a work supporting portion, a plating solution introduction passage connected to the plating solution supply means, and a plating solution discharge passage. An electrode is attached to the main body, and when a work is set on the work supporting part, a flow path of a plating solution is formed inside and outside the electrode in the hollow part of the work, The electrode body has an inner cylinder part and an outer cylinder part, and a pellet storage part is formed between the inner cylinder part and the outer cylinder part.

The invention according to claim 10 is the invention as claimed in claim 1,
The structure according to any one of 8 and 9 is characterized in that an insoluble anode portion is provided near the upper end portion of the electrode body.

According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, in a plating apparatus in which an electrode that protrudes into the hollow portion of the work at the time of plating is provided in the plating apparatus main body so that the inner surface of the hollow work is plated, the electrode is A cylindrical electrode main body attached to the plating apparatus main body, and a large number of pellets made of a soluble anode substance stored in the pellet storage unit in the electrode main body, and in the pellet storage unit at the upper end of the electrode main body. An opening for introducing a pellet is provided, and a pellet replenishing means for replenishing the electrode with pellets from above is provided outside the plating apparatus main body for this electrode.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the structure according to the eleventh aspect, the pellet replenishing means has a state in which pellets sent from the pellet supply source are discharged from the pellet discharge port and a state in which the pellet discharge is stopped. It is provided with a pellet discharging means that can be switched, and a moving means that moves the pellet discharging means between a supply position corresponding to the upper end of the electrode of the plating apparatus main body and a retracted position retracted from this supply position. And

[0021]

According to the structure of the first aspect of the present invention, the electrode is positioned in the work during plating, the inner surface of the work is plated, and as the plating is performed, the soluble anode is formed from the pellets in the pellet storage portion of the electrode. The substance elutes in the plating solution. As a result, the pellets in the pellet storage section gradually decrease, and when the pellets decrease to a certain extent or more, the pellets are replenished.At this time, the pellets can be replenished from the opening at the upper end of the electrode body without removing the electrode. Becomes

According to the structure of the invention according to claim 2,
At the time of plating, plating is performed at a high speed while the plating solution flows while the electrodes are located in the work. This high-speed plating also increases the speed at which the pellets in the pellet storage unit decrease, but without removing the electrodes as described above. In addition, since the pellets can be easily replenished, it is possible to avoid complicated replenishment work depending on the decrease in the pellets.

According to the structure of the invention described in claim 3,
By extending the electrode main body above the range corresponding to the portion to be plated, the pellet storage portion is extended upward, and the pellet storage amount is increased, so that the pellet replenishment frequency is reduced.

According to the structure of the invention described in claim 4,
In order to reduce the frequency of pellet replenishment, the electrode is extended above the range corresponding to the plated portion of the work to increase the pellet storage capacity as much as possible, and when high-speed plating is performed, The fluidity of the plating solution is ensured across the flow path outside the electrode and the flow path inside the electrode.

Also according to the structure of the fifth aspect of the present invention, the amount of pellets accommodated can be increased as much as possible, and the fluidity of the plating solution can be ensured across the outer and inner flow paths of the electrode.

According to the structure of the invention of claim 6,
The outer cylinder portion of the electrode is formed with a large number of slits that linearly extend in the vertical direction, so that the permeation of the soluble anode substance eluted into the plating solution from the pellet storage portion is allowed,
In addition, it is possible to prevent the pellets in the pellet storage unit from being caught in the middle of the pellet storage unit when the pellets are naturally dropped as the diameter of the pellet storage unit decreases due to wear.

According to the structure of the invention described in claim 7,
Even if the pellet is caught in the middle of the pellet housing and a cavity is formed therebelow, the insoluble anode portion maintains the function as the anode.

According to the structure of the invention described in claim 8,
Replenishment pellets are stored in the replenishment pellet storage below the electrodes, and as the pellets in the pellet storage in the range corresponding to the plated portion of the work decrease, the pellets are automatically replenished from the replenishment pellet storage. It

According to the structure of the invention as defined in claim 9,
In a plating apparatus that performs high-speed plating, pellets are automatically replenished from the replenishment pellet storage unit as the number of pellets decreased due to the high-speed plating.

According to the structure of the tenth aspect of the invention, it is possible to prevent the plating film thickness from becoming thin near the upper end of the plated portion of the work.

According to the apparatus of the invention as defined in claim 11, the pellet replenishing means can efficiently replenish the electrodes with the pellets.

According to the twelfth aspect of the present invention, the pellet discharging means is located above the electrode of the plating apparatus main body at the time of replenishing the pellet, and the pellet is thrown into the opening at the upper end of the electrode from the pellet discharging port. Except when the pellets are being replenished, the pellet discharging means moves to the retracted position so that it does not interfere with the plating work or the like.

[0033]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 schematically shows a plating apparatus having an electrode structure according to an embodiment of the present invention. This plating apparatus is for performing plating on the inner peripheral surface of a hollow work 1 and, for example, a cylinder block of an engine is used as the work 1, and nickel composite plating is applied to the cylinder inner peripheral surface of this cylinder block. There is. In particular, in the illustrated embodiment, the plating apparatus is configured so that the plating solution is caused to flow on the surface to be plated of the work 1 for high-speed plating.

That is, in FIG. 1, the plating apparatus is
The plating apparatus main body 2 having the work support portion 3 on the upper surface side is provided, and the electrode 1 is attached to the plating apparatus main body 2 via the holder 4.
0 is attached, and the electrode 10 projects above the work supporting portion 3. Further, a plating solution introduction passage 5 and a plating solution discharge passage 6 are formed in the plating apparatus body 2.

The electrode 10 is provided with a pellet accommodating portion 14 in a cylindrical electrode body, and a large number of pellets 11 made of nickel as a soluble anode substance are accommodated in the pellet accommodating portion 14. The electrode body is composed of an inner cylindrical portion 12 made of a metal pipe and an outer cylindrical portion 13 made of a porous metal plate or the like, and a pellet storage portion 14 is formed between the inner and outer cylindrical portions 12, 13.

At the time of plating, the work 1 and the sealing jig 7 are set on the work supporting portion 3 with the sealing jig 7 attached to the upper end portion of the work 1 and are not shown in the drawing. It is fixed by the clamp means, but when the work 1 etc. is set in this way, the electrode 1
0 rushes into the hollow portion (cylinder bore) of the work 1 and a constant gap is maintained between the outer cylindrical portion 13 of the electrode 10 and the inner surface of the work 1. In this state, the space outside the outer cylindrical portion 13 and the space inside the inner cylindrical portion 12 in the hollow portion of the work 1 become the flow paths 15 and 16 of the plating solution, and these flow paths 15 and 16 are the electrode tips. The channels 15 communicate with each other on the side, the outer flow path 15 communicates with the plating solution introduction passage 5, and the inner flow path 16 communicates with the plating solution discharge passage 6.

The electrode body composed of the inner and outer cylindrical portions 12 and 13 is located above the position of the upper end of the cylinder bore (upper end of the portion to be plated) of the work 1 when the work 1 is set in the plating apparatus body 2. Since the upper end of the outer cylindrical portion 13 is formed as an open end, an opening 17 for introducing a pellet communicating with the pellet accommodating portion 14 is formed at the upper end of the electrode body. .

For a work 1 having a plurality of cylinder bores, a plurality of electrodes 10 are arranged in the plating apparatus body 2 so as to correspond to the respective cylinder bores (see FIG. 2).

The supply / discharge system and the electric system of the plating solution for the main body 2 of the plating apparatus are not shown, but
The plating solution is sent from the plating bath into the plating solution introduction passage 5 through a plating solution supply pipe equipped with a pump, passes through the passage 15.16, and then from the plating solution outlet passage 6 through a plating solution recovery pipe. To be collected in the plating bath,
A plating solution supply / discharge system is configured. In addition, the electrode 1
0 is connected to the positive side of the power supply circuit, and the work 1 is connected to the negative side of the power supply circuit via the sealing jig 7 or the like, so that a voltage is applied between the electrode 10 and the work 1. The electrical system is configured to be applied.

This plating apparatus is the same as the plating apparatus body 2 described above.
A plating solution is circulated between the electrode 10 and the work 1 while a plating solution is circulated between the electrode 10 and the work 1 in the plating apparatus main body 2 while the plating solution flows between the electrode 10 and the work 1. As a result, plating is performed, and in this case, the plating solution flows to increase the current density and the plating deposition rate.

Further, with respect to the electrode 10 of this plating apparatus,
Pellet replenishing means 20 is provided to replenish the pellets 11 according to the consumption of the pellets in the pellet container 14. The pellet replenishing means 20 is configured so that pellets can be charged into the opening 17 at the upper end of the electrode 10 from above.

That is, the pellet replenishing means 20 is shown in FIG.
Further, as shown in FIG. 3, a pellet discharging means 22 for charging the pellets 11 sent from the pellet supply source into the pellet accommodating portion 14 of the electrode 10 and a moving means 21 for moving the pellet discharging means 22 are provided. ing. The pellet discharging means 22 can switch between a state of discharging the pellet 11 from the pellet discharging port and a state of stopping the discharging of the pellet. Further, the moving means 21 can move the pellet discharging means 22 between a supply position corresponding to the pellet introduction opening 17 of the electrode 10 and a retracted position retracted from this supply position.

Specifically, as the moving means 21, a frame 211 is movably arranged on the side of the plating apparatus main body 2, and an arm extending above the plating apparatus main body 2 is provided above the frame 211. 212 is attached so as to be movable up and down, and these frame 211 and arm 212 are attached.
Are operated by drive devices 213 and 214 such as air cylinders. A pellet passage 221 that penetrates vertically is formed in the arm 212, and a pellet discharge port 222 that communicates with the pellet passage 221.
Is provided on the lower surface side, and the pellet passage 22
A slide-type opening / closing member 223 for opening / closing 1 and an actuator 224 composed of an air cylinder for operating the opening / closing member 223 are attached, and these constitute the pellet discharging means 22. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the pellet discharging means 22 is provided at a plurality of positions of the arm 212 corresponding to the plurality of electrodes 10 arranged in the plating apparatus main body 2.

Further, in the vicinity of the pellet discharge port 222 on the lower surface side of the arm 212, a touch sensor or the like for detecting that the pellet storage portion 14 of the electrode 10 is full at the time of replenishing the pellets to the electrode 10 is provided. A full sensor 23 is provided. On the other hand, the plating device body 2
Is provided with a pellet reduction sensor 24 for detecting that the pellets 11 in the plating container 14 have decreased by a predetermined amount. The pellet reduction sensor 24 is, for example, a photoelectric switch and is plated at a position above the electrodes. Storage 14
The presence or absence of the pellets 11 inside is detected.
The signals of these sensors are input to a controller (not shown), and the controller releases the pellet discharging means 2
The actuators 224 of 0, the driving device of the moving means 21 and the operation of the pellet supply source are controlled.

The pellet supply source is composed of, for example, a parts feeder 25, which is capable of storing a large number of pellets and sequentially sending them out, separately from the moving means 20. Is also located in a high place. The arm 212 is attached to the parts feeder 25.
Each pellet passage 223 formed in the
The pellets 11 connected via 6 and fed from the parts feeder 25 are dropped through the hose 26 into the pellet passage 223.

The size of the pellets stored in the pellet supply source is regulated to a predetermined value or less so that the pellets 11 are not supported in the pellet accommodating portion 14 of the electrode 10, for example, a sieving device or the like. Pellets larger than a predetermined value are removed in advance by the pellet selection means 27, and only pellets having a size smaller than the predetermined value are stored in the pellet supply source.

The operation of the plating apparatus of this embodiment, the electrode structure thereof and the pellet replenishing apparatus as described above will be described below.

At the time of plating by the plating apparatus, the plating solution supplied by the pump (not shown) is used as the plating solution introduction passage 5 with the work 1 and the sealing jig 7 set on the work supporting portion 3 of the plating apparatus body 2. Flow into the flow path 15,
It flows out from the plating solution outlet passage 6 through 16. Thus, high speed plating is performed by applying a voltage between the electrode 10 and the work 1 while the plating solution flows along the inner surface of the cylinder of the work 1 which is the surface to be plated. Then, as the nickel in the plating solution is deposited on the non-plated surface of the work 1, nickel is eluted from the pellets 11 in the pellet storage portion 14 of the electrode 10 into the plating solution. As a result, the pellets 1 in the pellet storage unit 14
1 is gradually consumed and decreases.

In this case, the electrode body composed of the inner and outer cylindrical portions 12 and 13 extends above the position of the upper end of the plated portion of the work 1 when the work 1 is set in the plating apparatus body 2. With such a configuration, the pellet storage portion 14 is extended above the range corresponding to the portion to be plated, and the pellet storage amount is increased, so that the pellet replenishment frequency can be reduced. Further, when the amount of the pellets 11 in the pellet storage unit 14 decreases by a predetermined amount or more, it is necessary to replenish the pellets 11. However, an opening 17 for introducing the pellets leading to the pellet storage unit 14 is provided at the upper end of the electrode body. Since it is provided, the pellets 11 can be easily replenished without removing the electrode 10 from the plating apparatus main body 2.

In particular, since the pellet replenishing means 20 is provided, when the pellets 11 are reduced by a predetermined amount or more, the pellet reduction sensor 24 can detect the workpiece 1 when the workpiece 1 is removed from the plating apparatus main body 2. Based on this, the pellet replenishing means 20 is activated to automatically replenish the pellets 11. That is, the moving means 2
By the operation of 1, the pellet discharging means 22 causes the electrode 10
Of the pellet discharge port 222,
The pellet discharging means 22 descends to a position close to the upper end opening 17 of 0. And the parts feeder 25
Is operated and the opening / closing member 223 of the pellet discharging means 22 is opened, the pellet 11 is replenished from above into the pellet storage portion 14 of the electrode 10. When the pellet storage unit 14 becomes full due to this replenishment, the opening / closing member 223 is closed based on the detection by the full sensor 23, so that the replenishment of the pellet 11 is stopped.

In this way, pellet replenishment is automatically and efficiently performed. Further, in this embodiment, the plurality of electrodes 10
A pellet discharging means 22 is provided for each of the electrodes, and the pellets 11 can be replenished to each electrode 10 at the same time.

The structure of the pellet replenishing means 20 is not limited to the above embodiment, but can be variously modified. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the moving means 21 for moving the pellet discharging means 22 may be constituted by an articulated robot. That is,
The moving means 21 shown in this figure includes a main body portion 215, a first arm 216 attached to the main body portion 215 so as to be vertically movable and rotatable, and a second arm rotatably connected to the first arm 216. Arms 217 and each arm 21
6, 217, and a motor (not shown) that drives the pellets discharging means 22 at the tip of the second arm 217. Then, each arm 216, 217
By moving the pellet discharging means 22 by the operation of the
The pellets 11 can be replenished sequentially with respect to each other.

Further, as shown in FIG. 5, at the tip of the arm of the moving means 21, the pellet discharging means 22, a small parts feeder 25 'as a pellet supply source, and a short hose 26' connecting these are collectively installed. You may equip it appropriately.

Further, the pellet discharging means 22 may open and close the pellet passage 221 by a rotary on-off valve 226 driven by a motor 227, as shown in FIG. The opening / closing valve 226 is a columnar valve having a cutout hole 225 and is arranged so as to cross the pellet passage 221. In the state where the cutout hole 225 faces the direction corresponding to the pellet passage 221, the pellet passage 2 is opened.
21 is opened, and the pellet passage 221 is closed when rotated from this state by 90 °.

Further, although the full sensor 23 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 is formed in a rod shape, as shown in FIG.
It may be formed in a cylindrical shape corresponding to the above. By doing so, the fullness of the pellet storage unit 14 can be detected more accurately.

Next, various embodiments of the electrode structure of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. It should be noted that among these various examples, there are ones corresponding to the specific examples of the electrode structure shown in FIG. 1 and electrode structures of different types.

FIG. 8 shows the main body 2 of the plating apparatus including the electrode 10.
An example of a specific structure of the plating apparatus main body 2 is shown in FIG.
And an intermediate block 2 having a plating solution introduction passage 5 inside
b, a base portion 2c that supports them, and a plating solution lead-out pipe 2d attached to the lower surface side of the base portion 2c.
Etc. The plating solution introduction passage 5 extends in a direction orthogonal to the paper surface. An electrode holder 4 is fixedly provided below the plating solution introducing passage 5 inside the plating apparatus main body 2, and the lower end portion of the electrode 10 is attached to the electrode holder 4. A plating solution discharge passage 6 communicating with the flow path 16 inside the electrode 10 is formed across the electrode holder 4, the base portion 2c, and the plating solution outlet pipe 2d.

An opening 5a communicating with the plating solution introducing passage 5 is provided at the electrode insertion portion of the upper block 2a, and the hollow portion of the work 1 is set in the state where the work 1 is set on the work supporting portion 3. It is adapted to communicate with the plating solution introduction passage 5 through the opening 5a. In the present embodiment, the work 1 has a shape in which a hollow portion is opened vertically. Further, the sealing jig 7 is formed in a substantially inverted U-shaped cross section, and is fastened to the upper end of the work 1 by fastening means (not shown).

The electrode 10 has the inner cylindrical portion 12 as described above.
A large number of pellets 11 are loaded in a pellet storage portion 14 formed in an electrode body having a porous outer cylindrical portion 13, and the electrode 10 passes upward through the opening 5a of the upper block 2a. It is protruding. Then, when the work 1 is set on the work supporting portion 3, the electrode 10 is positioned inside the hollow portion of the work 1. Especially, the upper part of the electrode 10 is the upper end of the cylinder bore of the work 1 (the upper end of the plated portion). Extending above the height of the outer cylindrical portion 13
Has a size set in advance so as to extend above the inner cylindrical portion 12 and reach the position where the upper end thereof approaches the upper wall of the sealing jig 7.

The inner cylinder portion 12 inside the outer cylinder portion 13
The space extending from the outside to the top of the pellet storage unit 14
Therefore, the pellets 11 are stored in the pellet storage portion 14. At the upper end of the inner cylinder part 12, the pellets 11 in the pellet storage part 14 are provided with a flow path 16 inside the inner cylinder part 12.
The shield plate 3 that closes the upper end of the flow path 16 so as not to fall into the
1 is integrally formed.

In the vicinity of the upper end of the electrode, a plurality of communication pipes 32 are arranged radially across the pellet accommodating portion 14, for example, in four directions. Both ends of each of the communication pipes 32 are open to the outer circumference of the outer cylinder portion 13 and the inner circumference of the inner cylinder portion 12, and the flow passage 15 formed outside the outer cylinder portion 13 in the work set state.
And the flow path 16 inside the inner tubular portion 12 are communicated with each other.

Reference numeral 33 is a reinforcing ring provided on the outer periphery of the upper end portion of the outer cylindrical portion.

According to such a structure, the work 1 and the sealing jig 7 are set in the plating apparatus main body 2, and the electrode 10 is located inside the work 1 and the sealing jig 7, and the pellets in the range corresponding to the plated portion of the work 1 are formed. The pellets 11 existing in the storage portion 14 function as a soluble anode, and the pellets 11 in this portion are gradually consumed as the plating process is performed. In this case, since the electrode 10 extends above the upper end of the hollow portion of the work 1 and the pellet 11 is loaded in the pellet storage portion 14 extending to the upper end of the electrode, the electrode structure shown in FIG. As in the basic example of 1., the frequency of pellet replenishment can be reduced.

More specifically, when the number of pellets 11 in the range corresponding to the surface to be plated decreases, the upper pellet 11 descends by its own weight, so that the pellets 11 fall in the range corresponding to the surface to be plated. Will be replenished. It is not necessary to replenish the pellets 11 from the outside while the replenished pellets 11 remain, so that a relatively large number of pellets 11 can be stored above the range corresponding to the plated surface. By forming 10 in advance, the frequency of pellet replenishment from the outside can be reduced.

The pellet replenishing means 20 as described above is also used.
Electrode 10 to facilitate replenishment of pellets 11 by
Although the upper end of the plate is open, the work 1
Also, since the opening 17 is closed by the sealing jig 7 when the sealing jig 7 is set, the pellets 11 in the pellet storage portion will not jump out from the opening 17 during plating.

The electrode 1 inside the work 1 is also
The flow of the plating solution between the outer flow passage 15 and the inner flow passage 16 is ensured by the communication pipe 32. Therefore,
During plating, the plating solution is used for the flow path 15, the communication pipe 32, and the flow path 1.
Flows through 6 and high speed plating is satisfactorily performed.

FIG. 9 shows another embodiment of the structure above the electrode 10. Also in the example shown in this figure, the upper portion of the electrode 10 extends above the height of the upper end of the hollow portion of the work 1 when the work 1 and the sealing jig 7 are set in the plating apparatus main body 2, and the upper end of the outer tubular portion 13 is Is set so as to reach a position close to the upper wall of the sealing jig 7,
Although it is similar to that shown in FIG. 8, the structure for ensuring the flowability of the plating solution between the flow paths 15 and 16 is different from that shown in FIG. 8 and is as follows.

That is, near the upper end of the outer cylindrical portion 13, a porous plating solution circulating portion which allows free passage of the plating solution is provided. Specifically, the outer cylindrical portion 13 of the electrode 10 is a lath. In addition to being formed by a (mesh), a portion 13a in a predetermined range on the upper portion of the outer tubular portion 13 is especially formed on the other portion 13b.
By being formed with a lath that is coarser than this, this portion 13a serves as a plating solution flow portion. In addition, the inner tube portion 1
A cover 35 that allows the plating solution to flow through is attached to the upper end of 2, and specifically, a cover 35 formed of a coarse lath is attached. The pellets 11 in the pellet accommodating portion 14 are loaded at a position higher than the upper end of the hollow portion of the work 1 and to such a level that the cover 35 is not blocked. The cover 35 is shown in FIG.
3, it may have a lattice shape as shown in FIG.

According to this embodiment, the upper portion 1 of the outer cylindrical portion 13 is
Since 3a and the cover 35 at the upper end of the inner cylindrical portion are formed of coarse laths, the pellet 14 in the pellet storage portion 14 is prevented from jumping out into the flow paths 15 and 16, and at these portions. Free circulation of the plating solution is allowed,
The flowability of the plating solution between the flow paths 15 and 16 is secured.
Further, since the pellets 11 are stored in the pellet storage portion 14 to a position higher than the upper end of the hollow portion of the work 1, the frequency of pellet replenishment from the outside can be reduced.

10 and 11 show still another embodiment of the structure of the electrode 10. In this example, the pellet storage unit 1 is used.
The shape of the outer cylindrical portion 13 of the electrode 10 is improved so that the pellet can be prevented from being caught in the middle of 4 and the pellet storage state can be appropriately maintained.

To be more specific, the electrode 1 shown in this figure is
No. 0 is also for high-speed plating, and the outer cylinder part 13 and the inner cylinder part 12 constitute an electrode body, and the pellet storage part 14 is formed between the outer cylinder part 13 and the inner cylinder part 12. A large number of pellets 11 are stored in the pellet storage unit 14. The outer cylinder portion 13 is formed of a conductive metal plate, and has a plurality of slits 36 extending linearly in the vertical direction at regular intervals in the circumferential direction at least in a range corresponding to the plated surface of the work 1. Has been formed.

According to this structure, nickel is eluted from the pellets 11 in the pellet accommodating portion 14 into the plating solution in the flow path 15 through the slits 36 while the workpiece 1 is being plated. When the pellets 11 in the pellet storage unit 14 are consumed and the diameter thereof is reduced, the upper pellets 11 are naturally dropped, so that the pellets 11 are kept in a closely stacked state. In this case, since the outer tubular portion 13 is formed with the slit 36 that extends linearly in the vertical direction,
Compared with the case where the outer cylinder portion 13 is formed of a lath, the pellets 11 along the outer cylinder portion 13 are more likely to slide down, and an appropriate pellet storage state is maintained.

That is, the outer cylinder portion 13 has the pellet 11
It is necessary to allow the permeation of nickel that is eluted into the plating solution from the above. However, if the outer cylinder portion 13 is formed of a lath or the like for that purpose, the slip of the pellets 11 becomes worse at this portion, so that the pellet storage portion 14 There is a concern that the pellet 11 will be caught during the course of the process, and if the pellet 11 is caught and does not fall like this, the pellet 11 will be below the
There is a void 38 (see FIG. 12 to be described later) in which there is no void, and this portion does not function as a soluble anode, resulting in defective plating such as reduction of the plated film. The structure of this embodiment is devised so as to prevent such a situation as much as possible.

FIG. 12 shows a cavity 3 inside the pellet storage unit 14.
An example will be shown to prevent defective plating even when No. 8 occurs. That is, it is desirable to prevent the situation in which the pellet 11 is caught in the middle of the pellet storage portion 14 and the cavity 38 is formed below the pellet storage portion 14 as described above as much as possible, but on the other hand, even if such a situation should occur, the plating may occur. It is desirable not to invite defects. Therefore, in this embodiment, the insoluble anode portion 37 is provided on the electrode body.

Specifically, the inner cylinder portion 12 and the outer cylinder portion 13 constitute an electrode body, and a large number of pellets 11 are accommodated in the pellet accommodating portion 14 between the inner and outer cylinder portions. In the electrode, an insoluble anode portion 37 made of platinum plating or the like is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the inner cylindrical portion 12.

According to this structure, the pellet 11 is caught in the middle of the pellet accommodating portion 14 and the cavity 28 is formed therebelow.
When this occurs, the insoluble anode portion 37 supplements the function as an anode in the hollow portion, so that the plating deposition action on the surface to be plated is maintained well in this portion as well, and the plating failure is prevented. Further, the insoluble anode portion 37 also has an effect of improving the electricity supply to each pellet 11 in the pellet storage portion 14.

13 to 15 show another embodiment of the electrode structure. Also in the electrode 10 of this embodiment, the electrode body has an inner cylindrical portion 12 and a porous outer cylindrical portion 13, and a pellet storage portion 14 formed between the inner and outer cylindrical portions 12 and 13.
Are loaded with a large number of pellets 11. The inner cylinder part 1
A grid-shaped (or porous) cover 41 is provided on the upper end of the inner and outer cylindrical portions 1 in the upper part of the electrode body.
A connecting bar 42 is arranged between the Nos. 2 and 13.

A joint member 44 having a threaded portion 45 is attached to the lower portion of the electrode body, and the joint member 44 is screwed to the electrode holder 43 of the plating apparatus body 2. The joint member 44 is provided with a cylindrical protruding portion 46 that partially masks the pellet storage portion 14. Further, as shown in FIG. 15, an opening 5 is formed in the work supporting portion 3 of the plating apparatus main body 2.
A ring-shaped seal material 47 for sealing and masking the lower end of the work 1 is fixedly provided on the upper surface around a.

According to this structure, it is possible to prevent the plating from rising on the lower edge portion of the work 1. That is, with the work 1 set on the work supporting portion 3 and the electrode 10 positioned inside the work supporting portion 3, the electrode 10 and the work 1 are
When a voltage is applied between the electrodes 1 and 2, the current tends to concentrate on the lower end edge portion of the work 1 so that plating swelling tends to occur at this portion. If the cylindrical protruding portion 46 for partially masking is provided, the above tendency is corrected. The range of masking by the cylindrical protrusion 46 can be changed by replacing the joint member 44, and can be adjusted according to the plating conditions and the like. Further, the ring-shaped sealing material 47 on the main body side of the plating apparatus can also provide the action of correcting the above tendency.

FIG. 16 shows a structure suitable for the case where there is not enough space to store the replenishment pellets in the upper portion of the electrode 10 so that the pellets can be replenished from below the electrode 10. An example is shown. That is, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 8, FIG.
An opening is provided at the upper end of the electrode body to allow pellets to be replenished from the outside, and in order to reduce the replenishment frequency, the electrode body is extended above the range corresponding to the plated surface of the work 1 and its upper portion. Although the replenished pellets 11 can be stored in the above, as shown in FIG. 12, the hollow portion of the work 1 is closed by the upper wall 1a or the like of the work near the upper end of the surface to be plated. In this case, there is no space above the range corresponding to the plated surface of the work 1. In view of this, the present embodiment has a structure in which a portion for storing replenishment pellets is provided below the electrode 10 and a mechanism for pushing up the pellets is built in this portion.

More specifically, the electrode 10 has an inner cylindrical portion 12, an outer cylindrical portion 13 and a pellet accommodating portion 14 between the inner cylindrical portion 12 and the outer cylindrical portion 13. The point of attachment to the holder 4 is the same as in each of the above-described embodiments, but the lower part of the electrode from the lower end of the electrode to the position corresponding to the work supporting surface has a sufficient length, while the upper end of the electrode 10 is The plating apparatus main body 2 and the electrode 10 are arranged so that the height is substantially the same as the upper end of the plated surface of the work 1.
Are formed. At the upper end of the electrode 10, a donut plate-shaped cap 53 that closes the pellet storage unit 14 is provided.

A portion of the pellet accommodating portion 14 below the range corresponding to the surface to be plated (this portion is referred to as the main pellet accommodating portion 14a in this embodiment) is the replenishing pellet accommodating portion 14b. This replenishing pellet storage section 14
A ring-shaped pellet support 51 and a spring (urging means) 52 for urging the pellet support 51 upward are inserted in the lower part of b. Then, a large number of pellets 11 are provided over the supplementary pellet storage portion 14b and the main pellet storage portion 14a above the pellet support 51.
Is loaded.

According to the structure of this embodiment, when the pellets 11 in the main pellet storage portion 14a decrease due to the plating process, the replenishment pellet storage portion 1
The pellet 11 in 4b is pushed up by the spring 52 via the pellet support 51. Thus, as the number of pellets 11 in the main pellet storage unit 14a decreases, the pellets 11 are automatically replenished from the supply pellet storage unit 14b to the main pellet storage unit 14a.

When the remaining amount of the pellets 11 in the replenishing pellet storage unit 14b becomes small, the electrode 10 may be removed from the plating apparatus main body 2 and the pellets may be reloaded into the pellet storage unit 14. Such a loading operation may be performed, for example, periodically, and if the capacity of the replenishment pellet storage portion 14b is sufficiently large, the loading operation frequency may be low.

17 and 18 show an embodiment suitable for a case where a seal member 55 also serving as masking is attached to a position corresponding to the upper end of the surface to be plated in the hollow portion of the work 1. Also in this embodiment, since there is no space in space for projecting the electrode 10 above the range corresponding to the plated surface of the work 1, the structure for pellet replenishment is the same as that of the embodiment shown in FIG. That is,
The replenishing pellet storage portion 14b below the main pellet storage portion 14a of the electrode 10, the pellet support 51, and the spring 52 can automatically replenish the main pellet storage portion 14a with pellets from below. It has a structure. Further, in this embodiment, in order to improve the plating state near the upper end of the surface to be plated, the insoluble anode portion 54 is provided at the upper end of the electrode body.

More specifically, the seal member 55 described above.
Is attached to the inside of the upper end of the hollow part of the work 1, and the upper end of the peripheral surface of the hollow part of the work 1 is the sealing member 55.
It is covered with a masking portion 56 on the outer periphery of and its lower portion is the surface to be plated. The position of the upper end of the electrode 10 is slightly lower than the lower end of the outer peripheral edge of the seal member 55 (the upper end of the surface to be plated) in order to secure a plating liquid flow path between the electrode 10 and the seal member 55. And
An insoluble anode part 54 made of platinum plating is formed on the cap 53 at the upper end of the electrode.

According to this structure, the insoluble anode portion 53 corrects the tendency that the thickness of the plated film 57 becomes thin near the upper end of the plated surface.

That is, as a tendency in the case where the insoluble anode portion 53 is not provided, according to the arrangement of the electrode 10 and the seal member 55 as described above, a portion far from the electrode 10 on the upper end side of the plated surface of the work 1 Current decreases, and the current easily concentrates at the boundary position between the surface to be plated and the masking portion 56 (upper end of the surface to be plated), and the current decreases correspondingly near the upper end of the surface to be plated. further,
Although the plating solution flows as shown by the arrow in FIG. 18, the flow of the plating solution becomes poor at the corners between the surface to be plated and the masking portion 56. Due to these factors, the electrodeposition efficiency in the vicinity of the upper end portion A of the plated surface becomes lower than that in the other portion B, and the plating film 57 tends to be thin as shown by the solid line in FIG.

In contrast to this tendency, when the insoluble anode part 53 made of platinum plating is formed on the upper end of the electrode 10, the effective area as an anode increases in this part, and platinum is more effective than nickel pellets. However, it becomes easier for current to flow. Therefore, from the electrode 10 to the vicinity of the upper end of the plated surface A
18 increases the electrodeposition efficiency of this portion A, and the above tendency is corrected by this. As shown by the broken line in FIG. It is possible to obtain a uniform film thickness distribution by making the film as thick as the portion.

FIG. 19 shows another embodiment of the structure in which an insoluble anode portion is provided on the upper part of the electrode body. The electrode 10 of this embodiment is of a type in which pellets are replenished from above, but when there is no space to allow the electrode 10 to project above a range corresponding to the plated surface of the work 1 (for example, In the case where the seal member 55 is mounted in the hollow portion of the work 1 as shown in this figure), when the pellets 11 in the pellet accommodating portion 14 are reduced, the function of the electrode main body is supplemented to compensate for the function as the anode. The insoluble anode portions 58A and 58B are provided in the upper predetermined area.

Specifically, the electrode main body has an inner cylindrical portion 12 and a porous outer cylindrical portion 13, and the pellet 11 is loaded in the pellet storage portion 14 between the inner and outer cylindrical portions 12 and 13, and
An opening 1 for introducing a pellet, which leads to the pellet storage unit 14.
7 is formed on the upper end of the electrode body, and the outer cylinder 13
Insoluble electrode portions 58A, 58B made of platinum plating are provided on the upper end portion of and the upper portion of the inner cylindrical portion 12. In this figure, the seal member 55 mounted inside the hollow portion of the work 1 closes the opening 17 when the work 1 and the seal member 55 are set in the main body of the plating apparatus to prevent the pellet 11 from popping out. A lid member 59 is provided, and the lid member 59 is formed of a porous plate or the like so as to allow the plating solution to flow.

According to this embodiment, the pellet storage unit 14
Even when the amount of the pellets 11 in the inner portion is reduced to some extent, the function as the anode is supplemented by the insoluble electrode portions 58A and 58B, so that the plated state is kept good.
That is, when the pellets 11 in the pellet storage unit 14 are reduced and the pellets 11 are not present at the position corresponding to the upper portion of the plated surface, if the insoluble electrode portion is not provided, the upper portion of the plated surface is not provided. The plating film 57 tends to be thin as shown by the solid line in FIG.
By providing the insoluble electrode portions 58A and 58B, this tendency is corrected and the plating film thickness is appropriately maintained as shown by the broken line in FIG. The plating state is kept good until the number of the pellets 11 in the pellet storage unit 14 is considerably reduced, so that the frequency of replenishing the pellets can be reduced.

There are various possible means for transporting the work to the plating apparatus and means for sealing the work. For example, these jigs may be attached to the work in advance in a state where a sealing jig is attached. Also, the work may be transported by a transporting means, or in FIG.
As shown in Fig. 2, a work transfer carrier that transfers only the work is installed on the plating processing line, and jig mounting means that automatically mounts a jig for sealing etc. during plating is installed on the side of the plating device. You may be equipped with. Further, as shown in these drawings, the design of the plating apparatus, the work transfer carrier, the jig mounting means, etc. may be appropriately changed according to the type of work.

That is, FIG. 20 shows an example of a plating apparatus and the like when the work 1A is a cylinder block of a two-cycle engine for a motorcycle. In this example, two work 1A can be processed at the same time. The apparatus main body 2 is formed so that the two works 1A can be placed side by side on the work supporting portion 3, and the two electrodes 10 are arranged on the plating apparatus main body 2 at predetermined intervals. Also,
In order to simplify the sealing of the scavenging port and the like of the cylinder block of the two-cycle engine that is the work 1A, the plating apparatus main body 2 is provided with the processing tank 80, and the work supporting portion 3 and the electrode 10 are arranged in the processing tank 80. Has been done.

On the other hand, the work transfer carrier 60 is located above the plating processing line and is movable in the direction of the plating processing line, and the frame 61 is mounted so as to be movable up and down and is operated by the air cylinder 63. The lifting member 62 is provided with a pair of work chucks 64. The jig mounting means 65 is connected to a driving means (not shown) and moves between an operating position above the plating processing apparatus main body 2 and a retreat position outside the processing line, and the movable arm 66. And an elevating member 67 which is attached to the elevating member and is operated by an air cylinder 68.
A jig 69 is attached to 7. The jig 69 has a seal portion 69a for sealing the upper end of the processing bath 80 and a pair of work holding portions 69b, and also serves as a power supply portion for the work 1A.

According to this example, at the time of plating, the two works 1A are carried by the work carrier 60 and placed on the work supporting portion 3 of the plating apparatus body 2, and then the jig is mounted. When the means 65 is operated and the jig 69 is attached to the processing tank 80, the processing tank 80 is sealed and the work 1A is pressed. In this state,
While the processing bath 80 is filled with the plating solution and the plating solution sent from the plating solution introduction passage 5 flows inside the work 1A, a voltage is applied between the electrode 10 and the work 1A to perform high-speed plating. Be seen.

FIG. 21 shows an example of a plating apparatus and the like when the work 1B is a cylinder block of a 4-cycle 4-cylinder engine for automobiles. The plating apparatus main body 2 mounts the work 1B on the work supporting portion 3. The plating device main body 2 is provided with four electrodes 10 corresponding to the cylinder bores of the work 1B at predetermined intervals. On the other hand, the work transfer carrier 70 is shown in FIG.
The frame 7 is similar to the work carrier 60 shown in FIG.
1, a lifting member 72, an air cylinder 73, and the like, and a chuck mechanism 74 that holds the work 1B from both sides is provided on the lifting member 72. Also, the jig mounting means 75
20 includes a movable arm 76, an elevating member 77, an air cylinder 78, and the like similar to the jig mounting means 65 shown in FIG. 20, and the jig 79 is attached to the elevating member 77. The jig 79 has a work holding portion 79a and a seal portion 79b for sealing the upper end of each cylinder bore of the work 1B, and also serves as a power feeding portion for the work 1B.

According to this example, at the time of plating, after the work 1B is carried by the work carrier 70 and placed on the work supporting portion 3 of the plating apparatus body 2, the jig mounting means 75 is used. The jig 79 is operated and the workpiece 1B
When the work 1B is pressed, the upper end of each cylinder bore is sealed and high speed plating is performed in this state.

As shown in FIGS. 20 and 21, the work transfer carrier 60 or 70 and the jig mounting means 65 or 7 are used.
5 is provided, and when the pellet replenishing means 20 is further provided, the jig mounting means 65 or 75 and the pellet replenishing means 2 are provided on the side of the plating apparatus main body 2.
0 and 0 are arranged so as not to interfere with each other. The jig mounting means 65 or 75 is operated during plating, and the pellet replenishing means 20 is operated with the jig mounting means 65 or 75 in the retracted position during pellet replenishment.

[0101]

The invention according to claim 1 is, in a plating apparatus for plating the inner surface of a hollow work, in the plating apparatus main body in a state in which an electrode body having a pellet storage portion therein is projected upward from the work support portion. Attached, and at the upper end of the electrode body, since an opening for introducing a pellet leading to the pellet storage portion is provided, when the pellets in the pellet storage portion is reduced, the electrode is not removed from the plating apparatus body. However, the pellet can be easily replenished from above the electrode. Therefore, in the plating apparatus of this type, in which the electrodes are formed so as to be located in the work during plating and the pellets need to be replenished relatively frequently, the pellet replenishment work that tends to be complicated is simplified. be able to.

Particularly, when the main body of the plating apparatus and the electrodes are constructed so that the plating liquid flows in the work during plating to enable high-speed plating (claim 2), the pellets in the pellet storage section are Since the rate of decrease becomes faster and the frequency of replenishment increases, it is very effective to make the electrode easy to replenish as described above.

Further, in such an electrode structure, when the electrode body is formed so as to extend above the range corresponding to the portion to be plated (claim 3), since the pellet storage amount increases, the pellet It is possible to reduce the replenishment frequency of the above, and it is more effective to reduce the complexity of the replenishment work.

Further, in the electrode structure for high speed plating as claimed in claim 2, the inner cylinder part and the outer cylinder part of the electrode body extend above the range corresponding to the plated portion of the work and the vicinity of the upper end. A communication pipe is provided in the outer cylinder (claim 4), or the outer cylinder part is formed so as to extend above the inner cylinder part, and a porous plating solution flow part is provided near the upper end part of the outer cylinder part. When the structure is provided and a cover is provided on the upper end of the inner cylindrical portion to allow the circulation of the plating solution (Claim 5), the pellet accommodation amount in the electrode is increased as much as possible in order to reduce the replenishment frequency. Moreover, it is possible to secure the fluidity of the plating solution necessary for high-speed plating while preventing the pellets from jumping out of the pellet storage section.

According to a sixth aspect of the invention, the electrode body has an inner cylinder portion and an outer cylinder portion, and a large number of pellets made of a soluble anode material are contained in a pellet storage portion between the inner cylinder portion and the outer cylinder portion. While the outer cylinder of the electrode body is formed with a large number of slits linearly extending in the vertical direction, the soluble anode substance can be eluted into the plating solution while the pellets are stored. It is possible to prevent the pellets in the section from being caught in the middle of the pellet storage section when the diameter of the pellets naturally drops as the diameter decreases due to wear, and it is possible to maintain a good pellet storage state.

Further, in the invention according to claim 7, since the insoluble anode portion is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the inner cylindrical portion of the electrode, when the pellet is caught in the middle of the pellet accommodating portion and a cavity is formed therebelow. However, the function of the anode is maintained by the insoluble anode portion, and the plating failure can be prevented.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, a pellet accommodating portion is formed in the cylindrical electrode body, the upper end of the pellet accommodating portion is closed, and a replenishing pellet accommodating portion is provided below the electrode body. A vertically movable pellet support member that is located in the replenishing pellet storage unit and supports pellets,
Since a biasing means for biasing this pellet support member upward is provided, as the pellets in the pellet storage portion in the range corresponding to the portion to be plated decrease,
The pellets can be automatically replenished from below. In particular, even when the plating apparatus main body and the electrodes are configured so that the plating solution flows in the work during plating to enable high-speed plating (claim 9), pellets that correspond to the consumption of pellets can be removed. Replenishment can be performed effectively.

Further, when the insoluble anode portion is provided near the upper end of the electrode body (claim 10), it is possible to prevent the plating film thickness from becoming thin near the upper end of the plated portion of the work and The quality can be improved.

According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, pellet replenishing means for replenishing pellets from above with respect to an electrode having an opening for introducing a pellet leading to the pellet storage portion provided at the upper end of the electrode body. Is provided outside the main body of the plating apparatus, the pellets can be replenished to the electrodes efficiently without requiring manual labor, and the replenishment work can be simplified.

In particular, it is provided with a pellet discharging means capable of switching between the pellet discharging state and the discharge stopping state, and a moving means for moving the pellet discharging means between a supply position and a retracted position (Claims). 12) The pellets can be easily replenished by the pellet discharging means when the pellets are replenished while not being an obstacle to the plating work or the like by being set to the retracted position except when the pellets are replenished.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view showing an example of a plating apparatus provided with an electrode structure of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic partial cross-sectional view showing an example of pellet replenishing means.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing a part of pellet replenishing means and electrodes.

FIG. 4 is a schematic view showing another example of moving means in the pellet replenishing means.

FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional side view of a main part showing another example of the arrangement of the discharging means and the pellet supply source in the pellet replenishing means.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a main part showing another example of the discharging means in the pellet replenishing means.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a main part showing another example of a full sensor in the pellet replenishing means.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing a specific structure of a plating apparatus main body including electrodes.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing another example of the structure of the upper portion of the electrode.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing an embodiment of an electrode structure for preventing the pellet from being caught in the middle of the pellet storage section.

11 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of the electrode shown in FIG.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of a main portion showing an embodiment of an electrode structure for preventing defective plating even when a cavity is formed in the pellet storage portion.

FIG. 13 is a sectional view showing still another embodiment of the electrode structure.

FIG. 14 is a plan view of the electrode shown in FIG.

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of essential parts in a state where the electrode shown in FIG. 13 is attached to the plating apparatus main body.

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view showing an embodiment of an electrode structure suitable for a case where there is not enough space for accommodating pellets for replenishment on the upper part of the electrode.

FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view showing still another embodiment of the electrode structure which is suitable for the case where there is not enough space for accommodating the supplementary pellets in the upper part of the electrode.

18 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of the electrode and the work shown in FIG.

FIG. 19 is a sectional view showing still another embodiment of the electrode structure.

FIG. 20 is a schematic view showing an example of a plating apparatus, a work conveying means, a jig mounting means, and the like.

FIG. 21 is a schematic view showing another example of a plating apparatus, a work conveying means, a jig mounting means, and the like.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Work 2 Plating Equipment Main Body 3 Work Support 10 Electrode 11 Pellet 12 Inner Cylinder 13 Outer Cylinder 14 Pellet Storage 15 and 16 Flow Path 17 Pellet Introducing Opening 20 Pellet Replenishing Means 21 Moving Means 22 Ejecting Means 25 Parts Feeder 32 Communication tube 36 Slit 37 Insoluble anode part 14b Replenishing pellet storage part 51 Pellet support 52 Spring 54 Insoluble anode part 58A, 58B Insoluble anode part

Claims (12)

[Claims] 1. A plating apparatus in which an electrode that projects into a hollow portion of a work during plating is provided in the plating apparatus main body so as to plate the inner surface of the hollow work, the electrode supporting the work of the plating apparatus main body. Plating is performed by having a cylindrical electrode body attached to the plating apparatus body in a state of protruding upward from the portion and a large number of pellets made of a soluble anode substance stored in a pellet storage portion in the electrode body. As a result, the soluble anode substance is eluted from the pellets in the pellet storage into the plating solution, and the upper end of the electrode body is provided with an opening for introducing a pellet that communicates with the pellet storage. An electrode structure for a plating apparatus, which is characterized in that 2. An electrode is attached to a plating apparatus main body having a work support part, a plating solution introduction passage connected to a plating solution supply means, and a plating solution discharge passage, and a work is set on the work support part. The flow path of the plating solution is formed over the inside and the outside of the electrode in the hollow portion of the work when the electrode body has an inner tubular portion and an outer tubular portion, The electrode structure of the plating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a pellet storage portion is formed between the inner cylinder portion and the outer cylinder portion. 3. The electrode body is formed so as to extend above a position of an upper end of a plated portion of the work when the work is set on the work supporting portion. The electrode structure of the plating apparatus according to 1 or 2. 4. The inner cylinder part and the outer cylinder part of the electrode body are formed so as to extend above the position of the upper end of the plated portion of the work when the work is set on the work support part, and The electrode structure of the plating apparatus according to claim 2, wherein a communication pipe that connects the outer side of the outer cylindrical section and the inner side of the inner cylindrical section is provided near the upper end of the electrode body. 5. The outer cylinder part of the electrode body is formed so as to extend above the inner cylinder part, a porous plating solution circulating part is provided near the upper end part of the outer cylinder part, and the upper end of the inner cylinder part. The electrode structure of the plating apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a cover that allows the plating solution to flow therethrough. 6. An electrode is attached to a plating apparatus main body having a work supporting part, a plating solution introducing passage connected to a plating solution supplying means, and a plating solution discharging passage, and a hollow work is a work supporting part. An electrode structure of a plating apparatus in which an electrode is positioned inside a hollow portion of a work when set on the electrode, and a flow path of a plating solution is formed across the inside and the outside of the electrode, which is an electrode body. Has an inner cylinder part and an outer cylinder part, a pellet storage part is formed between the inner cylinder part and the outer cylinder part, and a large number of pellets made of a soluble anode substance are stored in this pellet storage part. An electrode structure in a plating apparatus, wherein a large number of slits linearly extending in the vertical direction are formed in an outer cylinder portion of the electrode body. 7. An electrode is attached to a plating apparatus main body having a work supporting part, a plating solution introducing passage connected to a plating solution supplying means, and a plating solution discharging passage, and a hollow work is a work supporting part. An electrode structure of a plating apparatus in which an electrode is positioned inside a hollow portion of a work when set on the electrode, and a flow path of a plating solution is formed across the inside and the outside of the electrode, which is an electrode body. Has an inner cylinder part and an outer cylinder part, a pellet storage part is formed between the inner cylinder part and the outer cylinder part, and a large number of pellets made of a soluble anode substance are stored in this pellet storage part. An electrode structure in a plating apparatus, wherein an insoluble anode portion is formed on an outer peripheral surface of an inner cylindrical portion of the electrode body. 8. A plating apparatus in which an electrode that projects into the hollow portion of a work during plating is provided in the plating apparatus main body so as to plate the inner surface of the hollow work, and the electrode is attached to the plating apparatus main body. Having a tubular electrode body and a large number of pellets made of a soluble anode material contained in a pellet storage part in the electrode body, and as the plating is performed, the soluble anode material is plated from the pellets in the pellet storage part. It is configured to be eluted into a liquid, the upper end of the pellet storage section is closed, and the lower part of the electrode body is lower than the lower end of the plated portion of the work when the work is set in the plating apparatus body. A replenishing pellet storage portion that extends downward and communicates with a pellet storage portion in a range corresponding to the plated portion of the work, below the electrode body, Plating characterized by being provided with a vertically movable pellet support for supporting pellets located in the replenishing pellet storage section, and a biasing means for biasing the pellet support upward. Device electrode structure. 9. An electrode is attached to a plating apparatus main body having a work support part, a plating solution introduction passage connected to a plating solution supply means, and a plating solution discharge passage, and a work is set on the work support part. The flow path of the plating solution is formed over the inside and the outside of the electrode in the hollow portion of the work when the electrode body has an inner tubular portion and an outer tubular portion, The electrode structure of the plating apparatus according to claim 8, wherein a pellet storage portion is formed between the inner cylinder portion and the outer cylinder portion. 10. The insoluble anode part is provided near the upper end of the electrode body,
The electrode structure of the plating apparatus according to any one of 9 and 10. 11. A plating apparatus in which an electrode for projecting into a hollow portion of a work at the time of plating is provided in the main body of the plating apparatus so as to plate the inner surface of the hollow work, the electrode supporting the work of the main body of the plating apparatus. The electrode body mounted on the main body of the plating apparatus so as to project upward from the electrode part, and a large number of pellets made of a soluble anode substance stored in the pellet storage part in the electrode body. An opening for introducing a pellet that communicates with the pellet storage is provided at the upper end of the electrode, and a pellet replenishing means for replenishing the above-mentioned opening with pellets is provided outside the plating apparatus main body for this electrode. A pellet replenishing device for an electrode of a plating device, which is characterized in that 12. The pellet replenishing means is capable of switching between a state in which pellets sent from a pellet supply source are discharged from a pellet discharge port and a state in which the discharge of pellets is stopped, and the pellet discharging means. The pellet replenishing device for an electrode of a plating apparatus according to claim 11, further comprising: a supply position corresponding to the upper end of the electrode of the plating apparatus main body, and a moving means for moving the electrode from the supply position to a retracted position. .