WO2017097300A1

WO2017097300A1 - Frame for receiving annular components and method

Info

Publication number: WO2017097300A1
Application number: PCT/DE2016/200574
Authority: WO
Inventors: Josef KUSNIERZ; Joanna PROCELEWSKA; Robert Krautwald; Bertram Haag; Milan Madron
Original assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
Priority date: 2015-12-08
Filing date: 2016-12-01
Publication date: 2017-06-15
Also published as: EP3178970B1; KR102642760B1; CN108291322A; HUE039958T2; EP3178970B8; EP3178970A1; CN108291322B; KR20180090278A

Abstract

The invention relates to a frame for receiving annular components, in particular bearing rings or cages of rolling bearings or plain bearings, and for chemically or galvanically coating the components in an electrolyte bath, comprising the following: - a support frame which has at least one first drive unit, at least one second drive unit, and at least one horizontally arranged first transverse bracing, - at least one drive motor for driving the at least one first drive unit, wherein the at least one first drive unit is drivingly connected to the at least one second drive unit; and - at least two horizontally arranged drive pins, which can be rotated about their longitudinal axes and which are arranged on the at least one first transverse bracing, for receiving the annular components. The at least two drive pins are connected to the at least one second drive unit so as to be driven by the second drive unit. The invention further relates to a method for chemically or galvanically coating annular components.

Description

Frame for receiving annular components and method

The invention relates to a frame for receiving annular components, in particular bearing rings or cages of rolling or sliding bearings, and for the chemical or electroplating of the components in an electrolyte bath. The invention further relates to a method for the chemical or electroplating of annular components, in particular bearing rings or cages of rolling or plain bearings, in an electrolyte bath.

There are already known racks for the chemical or electroplating of components in an electrolyte bath, in which the components to be coated are fastened to the frame, in particular clamped. In this case, the component is fixed to the frame and the frame is introduced by means of a crane in different electrolyte baths for applying a chemical or galvanic coating.

The disadvantage here is that in the region of the contact points between the component and the frame after the coating layer defects are visible, the uneven thicknesses in the coating formed, contact traces and / or entirely

uncoated areas of the component are due.

Furthermore, tilting racks are known in which the components are moved during the coating by tilting in the electrolyte bath. As a result, the layer defects visible in the region of the contact points between the component and the frame after the coating can be reduced, but not completely prevented.

Both known methods are in particular for components with large external dimensions in the range of 10 to 300 cm in use.

It is an object of the invention to provide a frame and a method for coating annular components, with which the quality of the coating formed can be significantly improved. The object is achieved for a frame for receiving annular components, in particular bearing rings or cages of rolling or sliding bearings, and for the chemical or electroplating of the components in an electrolyte bath, in that it comprises the following:

a carrier frame which has at least one first drive unit, at least one second drive unit and at least one horizontally arranged first cross brace,

- At least one drive motor for driving the at least one first drive unit, wherein the at least one first drive unit with the at least one second drive unit and drivingly connected thereto; and

- At least two rotatable about its longitudinal axis, horizontally arranged drive pin for receiving the annular components, which are arranged on the at least one first cross-brace, wherein the at least two drive pins are connected to the at least one second drive unit and driven by this.

The frame allows a permanent rotational drive of the annular component to be coated by means of the drive pin. As a result, the component can be moved uniformly and permanently in the electrolyte bath, so that a particularly uniform layer thickness and no layer defects are formed.

The at least one first drive unit preferably comprises at least one vertically arranged first drive shaft and the at least one second drive unit at least one horizontally arranged second drive shaft, wherein the at least one second drive shaft is drivably connected to the at least one first drive shaft via at least one first worm gear, and wherein the at least one drive motor is provided for driving the at least one first drive shaft.

The respective first worm gear has a first worm arranged on the first drive shaft and a first worm wheel arranged on the second drive shaft, wherein the first worm drives the first worm wheel. Alternatively, the first drive unit is formed by a belt drive and the at least one second drive unit comprises at least one horizontally arranged second drive shaft, wherein the at least one drive motor is connected via the belt drive with the at least one second drive shaft.

Both variants of the first drive unit enable a uniform and reliable drive of the second drive shaft (s) and thus a uniform coating process.

It has proven useful if a second cross-brace is arranged parallel to each second drive shaft, which has at least one horizontally disposed auxiliary pin. This auxiliary pin can be fixed or designed to be rotatable about its longitudinal axis. The auxiliary pin allows for improved, captive retention of the respective annular member on the frame.

In particular, the at least two drive pins are drivably connected to the at least one second drive shaft via at least one second worm gear. This allows a uniform and reliable drive of the drive pin and thus a uniform coating process of at least one component.

The respective second worm gear has a second worm arranged on the second drive shaft and a second worm wheel arranged on a rotational axis of the respective drive journal, wherein the second worm drives the second worm wheel. The axis of rotation of a drive pin corresponds to its longitudinal axis.

Preferably, the longitudinal axes of the at least two drive pins, which are arranged on a common first cross-brace, arranged in a horizontal plane (E). As a result, the patch on the two drive pin annular member receives a uniform support and support, which can be improved by an optional auxiliary pin.

Since the component to be coated must be supplied with electrical current in the event that a galvanic coating is to be formed, an electrical contacting of the component is required. For this purpose, it has proven useful if at least the at least two drive pins and the at least one first cross-brace are formed from metal and connected to at least one power supply rail. Optionally, the auxiliary pins and the at least one second cross-brace may also be formed from metal and connected to at least one power supply rail. The standing with the drive pin, optionally continue with the auxiliary pin, in direct contact component is thereby electrically contacted and can be electroplated.

If a chemical (electroless) deposition is to take place from the electrolyte bath, an electrical contacting of the drive pin or other parts of the frame is not required.

In order to be able to coat components of different external dimensions by means of the frame according to the invention, it has proved to be advantageous if the positions of the two drive unit (s) together with the second cross brace and the first cross brace relative to the support frame and the first drive unit (s) are adjustable. For example, bearing rings or cages of rolling bearings with different outer diameters can be supported in a frame.

In order to avoid coating of the frame itself, the parts of the frame, which need not be metallic and thus electrically conductive for power transmission, in particular coated with an electrically insulating protective coating or protective coating. This protective coating preferably has a surface which repels with respect to the electrolyte bath, for example by a dirt and liquid repellent lotus coating, or hydrophobic and further electrically insulating is formed.

Preferably, at least four pairs of drive pins are provided for each first cross-brace, wherein in each case a pair of drive pins is adapted for receiving an annular component. However, the number of drive pin pairs is not limited. In particular, at least 16 drive pin pairs are provided per frame.

The object is for the process for the chemical or electroplating of annular components, in particular bearing rings or cages of rolling or sliding bearings, in an electrolyte bath, comprising the following steps:

- Providing at least one frame according to the invention;

- placing at least one annular component on each of two drive pins of the at least one frame such that an outer diameter of the annular member rests on the horizontal drive pin;

- Driving the at least one first drive unit by means of the at least one drive motor, driving the at least one second drive unit by means of the at least one first drive unit, and driving the drive pin by means of the at least one second drive unit, wherein the annular member is rotated about its center axis;

- introducing the at least one frame into at least one electrolyte bath; and

- Applying a chemical or galvanic coating on the annular member.

The method allows by means of the frame a permanent rotational drive of the annular component to be coated by means of the drive pin. As a result, the component can be moved uniformly and permanently in the electrolyte bath, so that a particularly uniform layer thickness and no layer defects are formed. The introduction of the rack into an electrolyte bath or one after the other several electrolyte baths, possibly also rinsing baths, can take place before or after the annular components are set in rotation about their center axis. Preference is given to enable the components in rotation before the onset of the frame in the electrolyte bath in order to avoid formation of contact traces from the beginning. When converting the frame from one into another electrolyte or rinsing bath, the rotation of the components is preferably maintained.

In particular, annular components with outside diameters in the range of 10 to 300 cm are coated. Above all, bearing rings or cages of roller bearings or plain bearings are preferred here as ring-shaped components.

To form a galvanic coating, the at least two drive pins and the at least one first crossbar are preferably formed from metal and electrically contacted via the at least one power supply rail and supplied with electrical current.

FIGS. 1 to 10 are intended to illustrate by way of example frames according to the invention and the method according to the invention. So shows:

1 shows a three-dimensional front view of a first frame;

2 shows a schematic side view of the frame of FIG. 1;

3 shows a rear view of the frame of FIG. 1;

4 shows a three-dimensional front view of a second frame;

5 shows an enlarged view of the second frame according to FIG 4;

6 shows a further enlarged view of the second frame according to FIG 4;

7 shows a schematic representation of the second frame according to FIG. 6;

8 shows a further enlarged view of the second frame according to FIG. 6;

9 shows a front view of a support frame of the second frame with the first drive unit; and

a rear view of the support frame of the second frame according to FIG 9 with the first drive unit. The same reference numerals in FIGS. 1 to 10 designate the same elements.

1 shows a three-dimensional front view of a first frame 1 for receiving annular components 2, here in the form of bearing rings, and for the chemical or electroplating of the components 2 in an electrolyte bath. The first frame 1 comprises a support frame 1 a, a first drive unit 3 and four second drive units 4 and per second drive unit 4 a horizontally arranged first cross-brace 5. The first frame 1 further comprises a drive motor 6 for driving the first drive unit 3, wherein the first Drive unit 3 with the four second drive units 4 and this is drivingly connected. Furthermore, the first frame 1 per first transverse strut 5 comprises a plurality of pairs of drive pins 8a, 8b rotatable about their longitudinal axis L (see FIG. 2) for receiving the annular components 2, which are arranged on the first cross struts 5, wherein the pairs of Drive pin 8a, 8b are each connected to a second drive unit 4 and driven by this. The first drive unit 3 is formed by a belt drive comprising a belt 3b and a plurality of deflection rollers 3c, wherein each second drive unit 4 comprises a horizontally arranged second drive shaft 4a, and wherein the drive motor 6 is connected to the second drive shafts 4a via the belt drive. In this case, drives a motor drive drum 6a of the drive motor 6, the band 3b, which drives the pulleys 3c and the second drive shafts 4a. Parallel to each second drive shaft 4a, a second cross-brace 9 is arranged, which has a horizontally arranged auxiliary pin 10. This is optionally mounted rotatably about its longitudinal axis L1 (see FIG. 2). The drive pins 8a, 8b are drivably connected to a second drive shaft 4a via a second worm gear 7 ^' .

The longitudinal axes L of the two drive pins 8a, 8b, which are arranged on a common first cross-brace 5, are arranged in a horizontal plane E (see FIG. 7). The two drive pins 8a, 8b and the first cross-brace 5, optionally further the auxiliary pins 10 and the second cross braces 9 are formed of metal and connected to a power rail 1 1. Total are Here 16 pairs of drive pins 8a, 8b are provided with which 16 annular components 2 are driven.

A method for chemical or galvanic coating of the annular components 2, here the bearing rings, comprises the following steps:

Provision of the frame 1 and placing the annular components 2 on two drive pins 8a, 8b of the frame 1 such that an outer diameter of the annular components 2 rests on the horizontally arranged drive pin 8a, 8b. Driving the first drive unit 3 by means of the drive motor 6, wherein the second drive units 4 are driven by means of the first drive unit 3 and the drive pins 8a, 8b by means of the second drive units 4. The annular component 2 is set in rotation about its center axis 2a. The introduction of the frame 1 in an electrolyte bath, not shown, can take place before or after the components 2 are set in rotation. The application of a chemical or galvanic coating on the annular component 2 is now carried out with permanent rotation of the component 2 in the electrolyte bath.

2 shows a schematic side view of the frame 1 of FIG. 1 In this view, the center axis 2a of the annular member 2 can be seen, around which the component 2 rotates when the drive pins 8a, 8b, on which the component 2 is arranged, are driven.

3 shows a rear view of the frame 1 of FIG. 1 In this view, it can be seen that on the second drive shafts 4a four screws 7a ^'of the second worm gear 7 ^' are arranged, each driving two worm wheels 7b ^' , which in turn drive the drive pins 8a, 8b rotating.

4 shows a three-dimensional front view of a second frame 1 ^' , which comprises a first drive unit with a first drive shaft 3a. The gray parts of the second frame 1 ^' are covered with an electrically insulating protective lacquer, the shiny silver parts are uncovered and current-carrying, so that a galvanic see deposition can be made on the components 2. The power supply lines 1 1 a supply the drive pins 8 a, 8 b with electric current.

Provision of the frame 1 ^' and placing the annular components 2 on two drive pins 8a, 8b of the frame 1 ^' such that an outer diameter of the annular components 2 rests on the horizontally arranged drive pin 8a, 8b. Driving the first drive shaft 3a by means of the drive motor 6, wherein the second drive units 4 are driven by means of the first drive shaft 3a and the drive pins 8a, 8b by means of the second drive units 4. The annular component 2 is set in rotation about its center axis 2a (see FIG. 2). The introduction of the frame 1 ^' in an electrolyte bath, not shown, takes place after the components 2 have been set in rotation. The application of a chemical or galvanic coating on the annular component 2 is now carried out with permanent rotation of the component 2 in the electrolyte bath.

FIG. 5 shows an enlarged view of the second frame 1 ^' according to FIG. 4.

6 shows a further enlarged view of the second frame 1 ^' according to FIG. 4.

7 shows a schematic representation of the second frame 1 ^' according to FIG. 6. The first drive unit here comprises a vertically arranged first drive shaft 3a (compare FIG. 9 and FIG. 10). Each second drive unit 4 comprises a horizontally arranged second drive shaft 4a, wherein the second drive shafts 4a are drivably connected to the first drive shaft 3a via first worm gears 7 (cf. FIGS. 9 and 10). The drive motor 6 (see FIGS. 9 and 10) is designed to drive the first drive shaft 3 a.

The longitudinal axes L of the pairs of drive pins 8a, 8b, which are arranged on a common first cross-brace 5, are arranged in a horizontal plane E. Parallel to each second drive shaft 4a is a second cross brace. 9 arranged, which has a horizontally arranged auxiliary pin 10. This is optionally mounted rotatably about its longitudinal axis L1 (see FIG. 2). The drive pins 8a, 8b are drivably connected to one of the second drive shafts 4a via a second worm gear 7 ^' (see FIG. 3).

8 shows a further enlarged view of the second frame 1 ^' according to FIG. 6, the annular component 2 being pushed straight onto the drive pins 8a, 8b and not yet touching the drive pin 8a.

9 shows a front view of a support frame 1a of the second frame 1 ^' with the first drive unit 3. The first drive unit 3 comprises the vertically arranged first drive shaft 3a. Four second drive units, each with a horizontally arranged second drive shaft 4a are driven by the first drive shaft 3a via four first worm gear 7, each first worm gear 7 comprises a worm 7a, which is arranged on the first drive shaft 3a and a worm wheel 7b, which on one of the second drive shafts 4a is arranged.

10 shows a rear view of the support frame 1a of the second frame 1 ^' according to FIG. 9 with the first drive unit 3.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1, 1 ^' frame

1 a support frame

2 annular component

2a center axis

3 first drive unit

3a first drive shaft

3b band

3c pulley

4 second drive unit

4a second drive shaft

5 first cross-bracing

6 drive motor

6a engine lifting drum

7, 7 ^' worm gear

7a, 7a ^' snail

7b, 7b ^' worm wheel

8a, 8b drive pin

9 second cross-bracing

10 auxiliary pins

1 1 power supply rail

1 1 a Power supply line

L, L1 longitudinal axis

E horizontal plane

Claims

claims

1 . Frame (1, 1 ^' ) for receiving annular components (2), in particular bearing rings or cages of rolling or sliding bearings, and for the chemical or electroplating of the components (2) in an electrolyte bath, comprising:

a support frame (1a) which has at least one first drive unit (3), at least one second drive unit (4) and at least one horizontally arranged first transverse strut (5),

- At least one drive motor (6) for driving the at least one first drive unit (3), wherein the at least one first drive unit (3) with the at least one second drive unit (4) and drivingly connected thereto; and

- At least two horizontally arranged drive pins (8a, 8b) each having a longitudinal axis (L), wherein the drive pins (8a, 8b) for receiving one of the annular components (2) are arranged, wherein the drive pins (8a, 8b) each to their Longitudinal axis (L) are rotatable, wherein the drive pins (8a, 8b) on the at least one first cross-brace (5) are arranged, and wherein the at least two drive pins (8a, 8b) with the at least one second drive unit (4) for rotating drive the drive pins (8a, 8b) are connected about their longitudinal axes (L).

2. Frame according to claim 1, wherein the at least one first drive unit (3) comprises at least one vertically arranged first drive shaft (3a), wherein the at least one second drive unit (4) at least one horizontally disposed second drive shaft (4a), wherein the at least a second drive shaft (4a) is drivably connected to the at least one first drive shaft (3a) via at least one first worm gear (7), and wherein the at least one drive motor (6) is provided for driving the at least one first drive shaft (3a).

3. Frame according to claim 1, wherein the first drive unit (3) is formed by a belt drive, wherein the at least one second drive unit (4) at least a horizontally arranged second drive shaft (4a), and wherein the at least one drive motor (6) via the belt drive with the at least one second drive shaft (4a) is connected.

4. Frame according to one of claims 2 or 3, wherein parallel to each second drive shaft (4a) a second cross-brace (9) is arranged, which has at least one horizontally arranged auxiliary pin (10), which is optionally rotatable about its longitudinal axis (L1) ,

5. Frame according to one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the at least two drive pins (8a, 8b) with the at least one second drive shaft (4a) via at least one second worm gear (7 ^' ) are drivably connected.

6. Frame according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the longitudinal axes (L) of the at least two drive pins (8a, 8b), which are arranged on a common first cross brace (5), in a horizontal plane (E) are arranged.

7. Frame according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein at least the at least two drive pins (8a, 8b) and the at least one first cross brace (5), optionally further the auxiliary pin (10) and the at least one second cross brace (9), from Metal formed and connected to at least one power supply rail (1 1).

8. Frame according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein for each first cross brace (5) at least four pairs of drive pins (8a, 8b) are provided, wherein in each case a pair of drive pins (8a, 8b) for receiving an annular member (2) is set up.

9. Process for the chemical or electroplating of annular components (2), in particular bearing rings or cages of rolling or sliding bearings, in a an electrolyte bath, comprising the following steps:

- Providing at least one frame (1, Γ) according to one of claims 1 to 8;

- placing at least one annular component (2) on two drive pins (8a, 8b) of the at least one frame (1, 1 ^' ) such that the annular component (2) in the region of its outer diameter on the horizontally disposed drive pin (8a, 8b );

- Driving the at least one first drive unit (3) by means of the at least one drive motor (6), driving the at least one second drive unit (4) by means of the at least one first drive unit (3), and driving the drive pin (8a, 8b) by means of at least a second drive unit (4), wherein the annular member (2) is set in rotation about its center axis (2a);

- introducing the at least one frame (1, 1 ^' ) into at least one electrolyte bath; and

- Applying a chemical or galvanic coating on the annular member (2).

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein for forming a galvanic coating, the at least two drive pins (8a, 8b) and the at least one first cross-brace (5) are formed of metal and electrically contacted via the at least one power rail (1 1) and with electrical Be supplied with electricity.