JP3352839B2 - Electrode structure of plating device and pellet replenishing device for the electrode - Google Patents

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 an inner surface of a hollow work such as a cylinder block of an engine and a pellet replenishing apparatus for the electrodes.

[0002]

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

As a device for applying nickel plating or the like to the inner surface of a hollow work such as a cylinder block of an engine, for example, a device disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 4-333594 is known. In this device, a cylindrical electrode is arranged above a work table so that when the work is set on the table, the electrode is located in the work and faces the peripheral surface of the hollow portion of the work. At the same time, the plating solution is supplied into the work, and the plating solution is circulated so that the plating solution flows in the work, so that high-speed plating can be performed.

In the device disclosed in this publication,
The electrode portion has a structure in which a soluble anode material such as a nickel lump is stored between a mesh-shaped anode tube (electrode main body) and a tube on the inner side thereof. It elutes inside.

The apparatus disclosed in the above publication is capable of performing high-speed plating by circulating a plating solution. However, a plating bath is provided in a plating apparatus main body, and the plating bath is provided in the plating bath. It is generally known that plating is performed by immersing a work in a plating solution. In this method, when plating the inner surface of a hollow work, the electrode is formed in a cylindrical shape so that the electrode is located in the work when the work is set in the plating bath.

[0006]

When electroplating is performed using an electrode containing a soluble anode material inside the electrode body, the amount of soluble anode material in the electrode decreases as plating is repeated. It is necessary to replenish the soluble anode material in the electrode after a certain period of time, and in the past, such a replenishment of the soluble anode material has generally been performed manually. In the apparatus disclosed in the above publication, relatively troublesome work such as removing the electrode and replenishing the soluble anode material is required.

Moreover, the electrodes of the apparatus for plating the inner surface of the work are relatively small enough to enter the work, and it is difficult to store a large amount of soluble anode material in the electrodes. Therefore, it is necessary to perform the supply operation relatively frequently. In particular, in an apparatus that performs high-speed plating while flowing a plating solution, the rate of reduction of the soluble anode material increases, and the frequency of replenishment increases. Therefore, the replenishment work tends to be complicated and inefficient.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and provides an electrode structure having a structure suitable for electroplating the inner surface of a hollow work and capable of easily supplying a soluble anode material. Things. It is another object of the present invention to provide a pellet replenishing apparatus capable of efficiently performing a task of replenishing an electrode with pellets made of a soluble anode material.

[0009]

The invention according to claim 1 is
In a plating apparatus in which an electrode that protrudes into a hollow portion of the work at the time of plating is provided in the plating apparatus main body so as to plate the inner surface of the hollow work, the plating apparatus main body includes a work supporting portion, a plating solution supply A plating solution introduction passage connected to the means and a plating solution discharge passage are formed, and the electrode is attached to the plating device main body so as to protrude upward from the work support portion of the plating device main body, and the inner cylindrical portion and the outer cylinder portion are connected to each other. A cylindrical electrode main body having a cylindrical portion, and a large number of pellets made of a soluble anode material stored in a pellet storing portion formed between the inner cylindrical portion and the outer cylindrical portion; When the workpiece is set on the workpiece, a plating solution flow path is formed inside and outside the electrode in the hollow part of the workpiece, and the pellet in the pellet storage part is formed as plating is performed. The soluble anode material is configured to elute from the plating solution into the plating solution, and the inner cylindrical portion and the outer cylindrical portion of the electrode main body form a portion to be plated of the work when the work is set on the work supporting portion. A communication pipe formed so as to extend above the position of the upper end and communicating with the outside of the outer cylinder and the inside of the inner cylinder in the vicinity of the upper end of the electrode body, and Is provided with an opening for introducing the pellet, which communicates with the above-mentioned pellet accommodating section, at the upper end.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a plating apparatus, wherein an electrode which protrudes into a hollow portion of the workpiece at the time of plating is provided in the plating apparatus main body so as to plate an inner surface of the hollow workpiece. A plating solution supply passage connected to the plating solution supply means, and a plating solution discharge passage formed therein, and the electrode is plated so as to protrude upward from the work support portion of the plating apparatus body. A tubular electrode body attached to the device body and having an inner tubular portion and an outer tubular portion, and a large number of soluble anode materials contained in a pellet containing portion formed between the inner tubular portion and the outer tubular portion. Having a pellet, the flow path of the plating solution is formed over the inside and outside of the electrode in the hollow portion of the work when the work is set on the work support portion, and
As the plating is performed, the soluble anode material is eluted into the plating solution from the pellets in the pellet storage portion, and the outer cylinder portion is formed to extend above the inner cylinder portion, and the outer cylinder portion is formed. A porous plating solution flow portion is provided near the upper end of the inner body, a cover allowing the plating solution to flow is provided at the upper end of the inner cylindrical portion, and the pellet housing portion is provided at the upper end of the electrode body. Characterized in that an opening for introducing the pellet is provided.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a plating apparatus in which an electrode which enters a hollow portion of a workpiece during plating is provided in a plating apparatus main body so as to plate an inner surface of a hollow workpiece. A cylindrical electrode body attached to the plating apparatus main body in a state protruding upward from the work supporting portion of the plating apparatus main body, and a number of pellets made of a soluble anode material stored in a pellet storage section in the electrode main body. And a soluble anode material is eluted into the plating solution from the pellets in the pellet storage portion as the plating is performed, and an insoluble anode portion is provided near the upper end of the electrode body; and Is provided with an opening for introducing the pellet, which communicates with the above-mentioned pellet accommodating section, at the upper end.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a plating apparatus according to the third aspect, wherein a work supporting portion, a plating solution introduction passage connected to plating solution supply means, and a plating solution discharge passage are formed. An electrode is attached to the main body, and when the work is set on the work supporting portion, a flow path of the plating solution is formed over the inside and outside of the electrode in the hollow portion of the work, The electrode body has an inner cylindrical portion and an outer cylindrical portion, and a pellet accommodating portion is formed between the inner cylindrical portion and the outer cylindrical portion.

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

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a work supporting portion,
An electrode is attached to a plating apparatus main body in which a plating solution introduction passage connected to a plating solution supply means and a plating solution discharge passage are formed, and when a hollow work is set on a work supporting portion, the hollow of the work becomes hollow. An electrode structure of a plating apparatus in which an electrode is located in a portion, and a plating solution flow path is formed over the inside and 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 number of pellets made of a soluble anode material 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.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a plating apparatus, wherein an electrode which enters the hollow portion of the workpiece at the time of plating is provided in the plating apparatus main body so as to plate the inner surface of the hollow workpiece. A cylindrical electrode body attached to the plating apparatus main body in a state protruding upward from the work supporting portion of the plating apparatus main body, and a number of pellets made of a soluble anode material stored in a pellet storage section in the electrode main body. Having, as the plating is performed, the soluble anode material is eluted into the plating solution from the pellets in the pellet storage portion, and the upper end of the pellet storage portion is closed, and the lower portion of the electrode body is When the work is set in the plating apparatus main body, the work extends below the lower end of the plated portion of the work, and the work is A replenishing pellet storage unit communicating with a pellet storage unit in a range corresponding to a plating portion, a vertically movable pellet support positioned in the replenishment pellet storage unit to support pellets, and the pellet support is directed upward. And an urging means for urging the object.

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

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the structure according to the eighth aspect, an insoluble anode portion is provided near an upper end portion of the electrode body.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a plating apparatus in which an electrode which protrudes into a hollow portion of a workpiece at the time of plating is provided in a plating apparatus main body so as to plate an inner surface of a hollow workpiece. It has a cylindrical electrode body attached to the plating apparatus body, and a number of pellets made of a soluble anode material stored in a pellet storage section in the electrode body, and a pellet storage section at the upper end of the electrode 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.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the structure according to the tenth aspect, the pellet replenishing means switches the state in which the pellet sent from the pellet supply source is discharged from the pellet discharge port and the state in which the discharge of the pellet is stopped. It is characterized by comprising a pellet discharging means which can be switched, and a moving means for moving the pellet discharging means between a supply position corresponding to the upper end of the electrode of the plating apparatus main body and a retreat position for retreating from the supply position. And

[0020]

According to the structure of the first aspect of the present invention, at the time of plating, the electrode is located in the work and the inner surface of the work is plated, and as the plating is performed, the soluble anode is removed from the pellet in the pellet storage portion of the electrode. The substance elutes into the plating solution. As a result, the pellets in the pellet storage section gradually decrease, and when the pellets decrease to a certain extent, the pellets are replenished.In this case, the pellets can be replenished from the opening at the upper end of the electrode body without removing the electrode. Becomes Further, at the time of plating, plating is performed at a high speed while the plating solution flows while the electrodes are positioned in the work, and the speed at which the pellets in the pellet storage portion decrease due to the high-speed plating is increased. Since the pellets can be easily replenished without removing the pellets, the replenishment operation according to the decrease in the pellets can be prevented from being complicated. Further, since the electrode main body extends above the range corresponding to the portion to be plated, the pellet accommodating portion is extended upward and the amount of pellet accommodating increases, so that the frequency of replenishing pellets decreases.
Furthermore, in order to reduce the frequency of pellet replenishment, the electrodes are extended to a position higher than the range corresponding to the portion to be plated of the work, so that the pellet accommodation capacity is increased as much as possible, and high-speed plating is performed. Sometimes, the fluidity of the plating solution over the flow path outside the electrode and the flow path inside the electrode is ensured.

According to the structure of the second aspect of the present invention,
At the time of plating, the electrode is located in the work and the inner surface of the work is plated. As the plating is performed, the soluble anode material elutes from the pellet in the pellet storage portion of the electrode into the plating solution. As a result, the pellets in the pellet storage section gradually decrease, and when the pellets decrease to a certain extent, the pellets are replenished.In this case, the pellets can be replenished from the opening at the upper end of the electrode body without removing the electrode. Becomes Further, at the time of plating, plating is performed at a high speed while the plating solution flows while the electrodes are positioned in the work, and the speed at which the pellets in the pellet storage portion decrease due to the high-speed plating is increased. Since the pellets can be easily replenished without removing the pellets, the replenishment operation according to the decrease in the pellets can be prevented from being complicated. Furthermore, the amount of the pellets accommodated is increased as much as possible, and the fluidity of the plating solution over the outer flow path and the inner flow path of the electrode is ensured.

According to the structure of the third aspect of the present invention,
At the time of plating, the electrode is located in the work and the inner surface of the work is plated. As the plating is performed, the soluble anode material elutes from the pellet in the pellet storage portion of the electrode into the plating solution. As a result, the pellets in the pellet storage section gradually decrease, and when the pellets decrease to a certain extent, the pellets are replenished.In this case, the pellets can be replenished from the opening at the upper end of the electrode body without removing the electrode. Becomes Further, it is possible to prevent the plating film thickness from becoming thin near the upper end of the portion to be plated of the work.

According to the structure of the fourth aspect of the present invention,
At the time of plating, plating is performed at a high speed while the plating solution flows while the electrodes are positioned in the work, and the speed at which the pellets in the pellet storage section decrease due to this high-speed plating increases, but without removing the electrodes as described above. Since the replenishment of the pellets can be easily performed, the replenishment operation according to the reduction of the pellets can be prevented from being complicated.

According to the structure of the fifth aspect of the present invention,
By forming a large number of slits extending linearly in the vertical direction in the outer cylindrical portion of the electrode, the permeation of a soluble anode material eluted from the pellet storage portion into the plating solution is allowed,
Further, it is possible to prevent the pellets in the pellet storage portion from being caught in the middle of the pellet storage portion when naturally falling as the diameter of the pellets decreases due to wear.

According to the structure of the sixth aspect of the present invention,
Even if the pellet is caught in the middle of the pellet storage part and a cavity is formed below the pellet, the function as an anode is maintained by the insoluble anode part.

According to the structure of the invention according to claim 7,
The replenishment pellets are stored in the replenishment pellet storage section below the electrode, and the pellets are automatically replenished from the replenishment pellet storage section as the pellets in the pellet storage section corresponding to the portion to be plated of the work decrease. You.

According to the structure of the invention according to claim 8,
In a plating apparatus that performs high-speed plating, pellets are automatically replenished from the replenishing pellet storage section as the number of pellets decreases due to the high-speed plating.

According to the structure of the ninth aspect,
The plating film thickness is prevented from becoming thin near the upper end of the portion to be plated of the work.

According to the apparatus of the tenth aspect, the pellets are efficiently supplied to the electrodes by the pellet supply means.

In the apparatus according to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, at the time of replenishing pellets, the pellet discharging means is positioned above the electrode of the plating apparatus main body and puts the pellet from the pellet discharging port into the opening at the upper end of the electrode. Except during the replenishment of the pellets, the pellet discharging means moves to the retracted position, so that it does not hinder the plating operation or the like.

[0031]

An embodiment 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 one embodiment of the present invention. In this plating apparatus, plating is performed on the inner peripheral surface of a hollow workpiece 1. For example, using a cylinder block of an engine as a workpiece 1, nickel composite plating is performed on the inner peripheral surface of the cylinder of the cylinder block. I have. In particular, in the illustrated embodiment, the plating apparatus is configured to perform a high-speed plating by flowing a plating solution on the surface to be plated of the work 1.

That is, in FIG. 1, the plating apparatus
A plating apparatus main body 2 having a work supporting portion 3 on the upper surface side is provided.
0 is attached, and the electrode 10 protrudes above the work supporting portion 3. Further, a plating solution introduction passage 5 and a plating solution outlet passage 6 are formed in the plating apparatus main body 2.

The electrode 10 is provided with a pellet accommodating portion 14 in a cylindrical electrode main body, in which a large number of pellets 11 made of nickel as a soluble anode material are accommodated. The electrode main body includes 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. A pellet accommodating portion 14 is formed between the inner and outer cylindrical portions 12 and 13.

At the time of plating, the work 1 and the sealing jig 7 are mounted on the work supporting portion 3 while the sealing jig 7 is attached to the upper end of the work 1. The electrode 1 is fixed by the clamping means.
0 enters the hollow portion (cylinder bore) of the work 1, and a state where 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 plating solution flow paths 15 and 16, and these flow paths 15 and 16 correspond to the electrode tips. On the sides, the outer flow path 15 communicates with the plating solution introduction passage 5, and the inner flow path 16 communicates with the plating solution outlet passage 6.

The electrode body constituted by the inner and outer cylindrical portions 12 and 13 is located above the position of the upper end of the cylinder bore (the upper end of the portion to be plated) of the work 1 when the work 1 is set on the plating apparatus main body 2. , And the upper end of the outer cylindrical portion 13 is an open end, so that an opening 17 for introducing a pellet, which communicates 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 provided in the plating apparatus main body 2 so as to correspond to the respective cylinder bores (see FIG. 2).

The supply and discharge system and the electric system of the plating solution to and from the plating apparatus main body 2 are not shown in the drawings.
The plating solution is sent from the plating bath to the plating solution introduction passage 5 through a plating solution supply tube provided with a pump, and after passing through the flow passage 15.16, from the plating solution outlet passage 6 through a plating solution collection tube. As collected in the plating bath,
A plating solution supply / discharge system is configured. 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 a sealing jig 7 or the like, so that a voltage is applied between the electrode 10 and the work 1. An electrical system is configured to be applied.

This plating apparatus is composed of the plating apparatus main body 2
A plating solution is circulated between the plating bath and the plating bath, and a voltage is applied between the electrode 10 and the work 1 while the plating solution flows through a portion between the electrode 10 and the work 1 in the plating apparatus main body 2. In this case, plating is performed, and in this case, the plating solution flows, whereby the current density can be increased, and the plating deposition rate can be increased.

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

That is, the pellet replenishing means 20 is provided as shown in FIG.
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 is switchable between a state in which the pellets 11 are discharged from the pellet discharging port and a state in which the discharging of the pellets is stopped. 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 retreat position for retreating from the supply position.

More specifically, a frame 211 is movably disposed on the side of the plating apparatus main body 2 as the moving means 21, and an arm extending toward the upper part of the plating apparatus main body 2 is provided above the frame 211. The frame 211 and the arm 212
Are operated by driving devices 213 and 214 such as air cylinders, respectively. A pellet passage 221 penetrating vertically is formed in the arm 212, and a pellet discharge port 222 communicating with the pellet passage 221 is formed.
Are provided on the lower surface side, and the pellet passage 22 is provided.
A slide type opening / closing member 223 for opening / closing the opening / closing member 1 and an actuator 224 composed of an air cylinder for operating the opening / closing member 223 are attached, and these constitute a pellet discharging means 22. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the pellet discharging means 22 is provided at a plurality of positions on the arm 212 corresponding to the plurality of electrodes 10 arranged on the plating apparatus main body 2.

Further, a touch sensor for detecting that the pellet accommodating portion 14 of the electrode 10 is full when the pellet is supplied to the electrode 10 is provided near the pellet discharge port 222 on the lower surface side of the arm 212. A full sensor 23 is provided. On the other hand, the plating apparatus main body 2
Is provided with a pellet reduction sensor 24 for detecting that the pellet 11 in the plating storage unit 14 has decreased by a predetermined amount, and the pellet reduction sensor 24 is formed of, for example, a photoelectric switch. Storage unit 14
The presence or absence of the pellets 11 is detected.
The signals from these sensors are input to a controller (not shown), which controls the pellet discharging means 2.
The operation of the zero actuator 224, the driving device of the moving means 21, the pellet supply source, and the like are controlled.

The above-mentioned pellet supply source comprises, for example, a parts feeder 25, which can store a large number of pellets and sequentially send them out. Are also located at high altitudes. The parts feeder 25 is mounted on the arm 212
Each pellet passage 223 formed in the hose 2
6, the pellets 11 sent from the parts feeder 25 fall through the hose 26 to 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 storage portion 14 of the electrode 10. The pellets having a size larger than a predetermined value are removed in advance by the pellet sorting means 27, and only the pellets having a size equal to or smaller than the predetermined value are stored in the pellet supply source.

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

At the time of plating by the plating apparatus, the plating solution supplied by a pump (not shown) is supplied to the plating solution introducing passage 5 while the work 1 and the sealing jig 7 are set on the work supporting portion 3 of the plating apparatus main body 2. Into the flow path 15,
It flows out of the plating solution outlet passage 6 through the passage 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 precipitates on the non-plated surface of the work 1, nickel elutes from the pellets 11 in the pellet storage portion 14 of the electrode 10 into the plating solution. Thereby, the pellet 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 portion to be plated of the work 1 when the work 1 is set on the plating apparatus body 2. With such a configuration, the pellet accommodating portion 14 is extended above the range corresponding to the portion to be plated, and the amount of pellet accommodating is increased, so that the frequency of replenishing pellets can be reduced. In addition, when the amount of the pellets 11 in the pellet storage unit 14 decreases by a predetermined amount or more, it is necessary to supply the pellets 11, but the opening 17 for introducing the pellet into the pellet storage unit 14 is provided at the upper end of the electrode body. Because of the provision, the pellets 11 can be easily supplied without removing the electrode 10 from the plating apparatus main body 2.

In particular, when the pellet replenishing means 20 is provided, when the pellet 11 is reduced by a predetermined amount or more, the pellet reduction sensor 24 detects the pellet 11 during non-plating when the work 1 is removed from the plating apparatus main body 2. Based on this, the pellet replenishing means 20 operates to automatically replenish the pellets 11. That is, the moving means 2
1 causes the pellet discharging means 22 to move the electrode 10
, And the pellet discharge port 222 is
The pellet discharging means 22 descends to a position near the upper end opening 17 of the zero. And the parts feeder 25
Is activated and the opening / closing member 223 of the pellet discharging means 22 is opened, whereby the pellets 11 are replenished from above into the pellet storage portion 14 of the electrode 10. When the pellet storage unit 14 becomes full due to this supply, the opening and closing member 223 is closed based on the detection by the full sensor 23, and the supply of the pellets 11 is stopped.

Thus, the replenishment of the pellets is performed automatically and efficiently. In this embodiment, the plurality of electrodes 10
Are provided with pellet discharging means 22, respectively, so that the pellets 11 can be supplied to each electrode 10 at the same time.

The structure of the pellet replenishing means 20 is not limited to the above embodiment, and can be variously changed. 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 the 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 pivotable, and a second arm 216 pivotally connected to the first arm 216. Arm 217 and each arm 21
And a motor (not shown) for driving the second arm 217, and the tip of the second arm 217 is provided with a pellet discharging means 22. Then, each of the arms 216, 217
By moving the pellet discharging means 22 by the operation of the above, the plurality of electrodes 10 can be
The supply of the pellets 11 can be sequentially performed.

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

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 on-off valve 226 is a cylindrical valve having a notch hole 225, and is disposed so as to cross the pellet passage 221. When the notch hole 225 faces in a direction corresponding to the pellet passage 221, the pellet passage 2
21 is opened, and the pellet passage 221 is closed when rotated by 90 ° from this state.

Although the full sensor 23 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 is formed in a rod shape, as shown in FIG.
May be formed in a cylindrical shape corresponding to the above, so that the detection of the fullness of the pellet storage portion 14 can be performed 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 these various embodiments include those corresponding to the specific examples of the electrode structure shown in FIG. 1 and those of a different type.

FIG. 8 shows a plating apparatus main body 2 including an electrode 10.
Is shown, and the housing of the plating apparatus main body 2 includes an upper block 2 a
And an intermediate block 2 having a plating solution introduction passage 5 therein
b, a base portion 2c for supporting them, and a plating solution outlet pipe 2d attached to the lower surface side of the base portion 2c.
And so on. The plating solution introduction passage 5 extends in a direction orthogonal to the paper surface. An electrode holder 4 is fixed below the plating solution introduction passage 5 inside the plating apparatus main body 2, and the lower end 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 tube 2d.

An opening 5a communicating with the plating solution introducing passage 5 is provided at the electrode insertion portion of the upper block 2a. When the work 1 is set on the work support 3, the hollow portion of the work 1 is opened. It communicates 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. The sealing jig 7 has 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 is connected to the inner cylinder 12 as described above.
A large number of pellets 11 are loaded into 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. When the work 1 is set on the work support 3, the electrode 10 is positioned inside the hollow portion of the work 1. Especially, the upper part of the electrode 10 is located at the upper end of the cylinder bore of the work 1 (the upper end of the portion to be plated). Of the outer cylinder 13
The dimension of the is set in advance so that it extends above the inner cylindrical portion 12 and its upper end reaches a position close to the upper wall of the sealing jig 7.

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

In the vicinity of the upper end of the electrode, a plurality of communication pipes 32 traversing the pellet accommodating section 14 are radially arranged, for example, arranged in four directions. Both ends of the communication pipe 32 are opened at the outer periphery of the outer cylinder 13 and the inner periphery of the inner cylinder 12, and the flow path 15 formed outside the outer cylinder 13 in the work setting state.
And the flow path 16 inside the inner cylindrical portion 12.

Reference numeral 33 denotes a reinforcing ring provided on the outer periphery of the upper end of the outer cylinder.

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 positioned inside the work 1 and the pellets in the range corresponding to the portion to be plated of the work 1 are set. The pellets 11 existing in the storage section 14 function as soluble anodes, 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 accommodating portion 14 extending to the upper end of the electrode, the electrode structure shown in FIG. As in the basic embodiment, the frequency of replenishment of pellets can be reduced.

More specifically, as the number of pellets 11 in the area corresponding to the surface to be plated decreases, the upper pellet 11 descends by its own weight, whereby the pellets 11 fall in the area corresponding to the surface to be plated. Be replenished. As long as the refilled pellets 11 remain, it is not necessary to replenish the pellets 11 from outside, so that a relatively large number of pellets 11 can be stored above the area corresponding to the surface to be plated. By forming 10, the frequency of pellet replenishment from the outside can be reduced.

Further, the pellet replenishing means 20 as described above
Electrodes 10 to facilitate the replenishment of pellets 11 by
Of the work 1
When the sealing jig 7 is set and the sealing jig 7 is set, the opening 17 is closed by the sealing jig 7, so that the pellet 11 in the pellet storage section does not jump out of the opening 17 during plating.

The electrode 1 inside the work 1
The flow of the plating solution between the outer flow path 15 and the inner flow path 16 is ensured by the communication pipe 32. Therefore,
During plating, the plating solution flows through the flow path 15, the communication pipe 32 and the flow path 1.
6, and high-speed plating is performed favorably.

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 on the plating apparatus main body 2, and the upper end of the outer cylindrical portion 13. Is set to reach a position close to the upper wall of the sealing jig 7,
8 is the same as that shown in FIG. 8, but 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, in the vicinity of the upper end of the outer cylindrical portion 13, a porous plating solution circulating portion is provided to allow free flow of the plating solution. Specifically, the outer cylindrical portion 13 of the electrode 10 is (Net), and in particular, a portion 13a of a predetermined range above the outer cylindrical portion 13 is
The portion 13a is formed as a plating solution flowing portion by being formed with a coarser lath. Also, the inner cylinder 1
A cover 35 that allows the plating solution to flow is attached to the upper end of 2, and specifically, a cover 35 made of a coarse lath is attached. The pellets 11 in the pellet storage section 14 are loaded to a level higher than the upper end of the hollow portion of the work 1 and to such a level that the cover 35 is not closed. In addition, the cover 35 is described later with reference to FIG.
3, it may be a lattice shape as shown in FIG.

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

FIGS. 10 and 11 show still another embodiment of the structure of the electrode 10.
The shape of the outer cylindrical portion 13 of the electrode 10 is improved so that the pellet is prevented from being caught in the middle of 4 and the stored state of the pellet can be properly maintained.

More specifically, the electrode 1 shown in FIG.
Reference numeral 0 is also for high-speed plating, and the outer cylinder 13 and the inner cylinder 12 constitute an electrode body, and a pellet accommodating section 14 is formed between the outer cylinder 13 and the inner cylinder 12. A large number of pellets 11 are stored in the pellet storage section 14. The outer cylindrical portion 13 is formed of a conductive metal plate, and has a number of slits 36 extending linearly in the vertical direction at regular intervals in the circumferential direction at least in a range corresponding to the surface to be plated of the work 1. Is formed.

According to this structure, nickel is eluted from the pellets 11 in the pellet accommodating section 14 into the plating solution in the flow path 15 through the slits 36 during the plating of the work 1. When the diameter of the pellets 11 in the pellet accommodating portion 14 is reduced due to wear, the pellets 11 on the upper side are naturally dropped, thereby maintaining a state in which the pellets 11 are closely stacked. In this case, the slit 36 extending linearly in the vertical direction is formed in the outer cylindrical portion 13,
Compared to a 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 a proper pellet storage state is maintained.

That is, the outer cylindrical portion 13 is
It is necessary to allow the permeation of nickel eluted from the plating solution into the plating solution. However, if the outer cylindrical portion 13 is formed of a lath or the like for this purpose, the sliding of the pellet 11 at this portion becomes worse, and the pellet storage portion 14 There is a concern that the pellets 11 may be caught in the middle of the process.
Is formed (see FIG. 12 described later), and this portion does not function as a soluble anode, resulting in poor plating such as a decrease in the plating film. The structure of the present embodiment is devised to prevent such a situation from occurring as much as possible.

FIG. 12 shows that the cavity 3
An example for preventing plating failure from occurring even when 8 occurs will be described. That is, as described above, it is desirable to prevent the pellet 11 from being caught in the middle of the pellet accommodating portion 14 to form the cavity 38 below the pellet 11 as much as possible. It is desirable not to cause defects. Therefore, in this embodiment, the insoluble anode portion 37 is provided on the electrode body.

More specifically, an electrode main body is constituted by the inner cylindrical portion 12 and the outer cylindrical portion 13, and a large number of pellets 11 are stored in the pellet storing portion 14 between the inner and outer cylindrical 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
When the occurrence 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 well maintained even in this portion, and poor plating is prevented. Further, the insoluble anode portion 37 has an effect of improving the power distribution to each of the pellets 11 in the pellet storage unit 14.

FIGS. 13 to 15 show still another embodiment of the electrode structure. Also in the electrode 10 of this embodiment, the electrode main body has an inner cylindrical portion 12 and a porous outer cylindrical portion 13, and a pellet accommodating portion 14 formed between the inner and outer cylindrical portions 12, 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 at the upper part of the electrode body.
A connection bar 42 is provided between the connection bars 2 and 13.

Further, a joint member 44 having a screw portion 45 is attached to a 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 projecting portion 46 for partially masking the pellet accommodating 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 sealing member 47 for sealing and masking the lower end of the work 1 is fixedly provided on the upper surface around the area a.

According to this structure, the swelling of the plating at the lower edge portion of the work 1 can be prevented. That is, in a state where the work 1 is set on the work supporting portion 3 and the electrode 10 is located inside the work 1, the electrode 10 and the work 1
When a voltage is applied between the electrodes, the current tends to concentrate on the lower edge portion of the work 1, which tends to cause a swelling of the plating in this portion. By providing a cylindrical projection 46 for partially masking the above, 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 plating conditions and the like. The effect of correcting the above tendency can also be obtained by the ring-shaped sealing material 47 on the plating apparatus main body side.

FIG. 16 shows a structure adapted to a case where there is not enough space to store the refilled pellets in the upper part of the electrode 10 so that the pellets can be replenished from below the electrode 10. An example is shown. That is, in the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1, 8 and 9 described above,
An opening is provided at the upper end of the electrode body to enable external replenishment of pellets, and in order to reduce the frequency of replenishment, the electrode body is extended above a range corresponding to the surface to be plated of the work 1 and the upper part thereof is formed. As shown in FIG. 16, the hollow portion of the work 1 is closed by an upper wall 1a of the work near the upper end of the surface to be plated, as shown in FIG. In this case, there is no space above the range corresponding to the surface of the work 1 to be plated. Therefore, the present embodiment has a structure in which a portion for accommodating a refill pellet is provided below the electrode 10 and a mechanism for pushing up the pellet 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 attached to the holder 4 is the same as in the above embodiments, except that 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 positioned so as to be substantially at the same height as the upper end of the workpiece 1 to be plated.
Is formed. At the upper end of the electrode 10, a donut plate-shaped cap 53 for closing the lid of the pellet accommodating portion 14 is provided.

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

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

When the remaining amount of the pellets 11 in the replenishing pellet storage section 14b becomes small, the electrode 10 may be removed from the plating apparatus main body 2 and the pellets may be reloaded in the pellet storage section 14. Such a loading operation may be performed, for example, on a regular basis. If the capacity of the replenishing pellet storage section 14b is made sufficiently large, the frequency of the loading operation can be reduced.

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

More specifically, the sealing member 55
Is attached inside the upper end of the hollow portion of the work 1, and the peripheral surface of the hollow portion of the work 1
Is covered with a masking portion 56 on the outer periphery, and a portion below the masking portion 56 is a 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 solution flow passage with the seal member 55. And
An insoluble anode portion 54 made of platinum plating is formed on the cap 53 at the upper end of the electrode.

According to this structure, the tendency of the thickness of the plating film 57 to be thin near the upper end of the surface to be plated is corrected by the insoluble anode portion 54.

That is, when the insoluble anode portion 54 is not provided, according to the arrangement of the electrode 10 and the sealing member 55 as described above, the portion farther from the electrode 10 is located on the upper end side of the plating surface of the work 1. And the current tends to concentrate at the boundary position between the plating surface and the masking portion 56 (upper end of the plating surface), and the current decreases correspondingly near the upper end of the plating surface. further,
Although the plating solution flows as indicated by the arrow in FIG. 18, the flow of the plating solution is poor at the corner between the surface to be plated and the masking portion 56. Due to these factors, the electrodeposition efficiency is lower in the vicinity A of the upper end of the surface to be plated than in the other portion B, and the plating film 57 tends to be thinner as shown by the solid line in FIG.

In response to such a tendency, when an insoluble anode portion 54 made of platinum plating is formed on the upper end of the electrode 10, the effective area as an anode is increased at this portion, and the platinum is more effective than the nickel pellet. However, current easily flows. For this reason, from the electrode 10 to the vicinity of the upper end of the surface to be plated A
As a result, the electrodeposition efficiency of the portion A is increased, thereby correcting the above tendency. As shown by the broken line in FIG. It is possible to obtain a uniform film thickness distribution by making it 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. However, when there is not enough space to allow the electrode 10 to protrude above a range corresponding to the surface to be plated of the work 1 (for example, When the number of the pellets 11 in the pellet storage unit 14 is reduced, the electrode main body is used to supplement the function as an anode so as to be compatible with the case where the sealing member 55 is attached in the hollow portion of the work 1 as shown in FIG. Insoluble anode portions 58A and 58B are provided in a predetermined upper region.

More specifically, the electrode body has an inner cylindrical portion 12 and a porous outer cylindrical portion 13, and pellets 11 are loaded in a pellet storage portion 14 between the inner and outer cylindrical portions 12, 13.
Opening 1 for pellet introduction leading to pellet storage unit 14
7 is formed at the upper end of the electrode body, and the outer cylindrical portion 13
Are provided on the upper end of the inner cylinder 12 and on the upper part of the inner cylindrical portion 12. Insoluble electrode portions 58A and 58B made of platinum plating are provided. In this figure, the sealing member 55 attached in the hollow portion of the work 1 closes the opening 17 when the work 1 and the seal member 55 are set in the plating apparatus main body to prevent the pellet 11 from jumping out. A cover member 59 is provided, and the cover member 59 is formed of a perforated plate or the like so as to allow the plating solution to flow.

According to this embodiment, the pellet storage section 14
Even when the amount of the pellets 11 inside is reduced to some extent, the function as an anode is supplemented by the insoluble electrode portions 58A and 58B, so that a good plating state is maintained.
That is, when the pellets 11 in the pellet storage portion 14 decrease and the pellets 11 do not exist at positions corresponding to the upper portion of the surface to be plated, the insoluble electrode portion is not provided unless the insoluble electrode portion is provided. Although 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 properly maintained as shown by the broken line in FIG. Then, since the plating state is kept good until the amount of the pellets 11 in the pellet storage unit 14 is considerably reduced, the frequency of replenishment of the pellets can be reduced.

Various means for transporting the work to the plating apparatus and means for sealing the work are conceivable. For example, these jigs may be mounted on a work with a sealing jig attached in advance. And the workpiece may be transported by the transport means, or as shown in FIGS.
As shown in (1), a work transfer carrier for transferring only the work is arranged on the plating line, and a jig mounting means for automatically mounting a jig for sealing or the like during plating is provided on the side of the plating apparatus. It may be equipped with. Further, as shown in these figures, the design of the plating apparatus, the work transport carrier, the jig mounting means, and the like may be appropriately changed according to the type of the work.

That is, FIG. 20 shows an example of a plating apparatus or the like in the case where the work 1A is a cylinder block of a two-cycle engine for a motorcycle. In this example, two works 1A can be processed at the same time. The apparatus main body 2 is formed so that two works 1A can be placed side by side on the work supporting section 3, and 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 a processing tank 80, in which the work support 3 and the electrode 10 are provided. Have been.

On the other hand, the work transport carrier 60 is positioned above the plating line and is movable in the direction of the plating line, and is mounted on the frame 61 so as to be able to move 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 apparatus main body 2 and a retreat position outside the processing line. And an elevating member 67 which is mounted on the elevating member and is operated by an air cylinder 68.
A jig 69 is attached to 7. The jig 69 has a seal part 69a for sealing the upper end of the processing tank 80 and a pair of work holding parts 69b, and also serves as a power supply part for the work 1A.

According to this example, at the time of plating, after two works 1A are carried by the work carrying carrier 60 and placed on the work supporting portion 3 of the plating apparatus main body 2, 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,
A plating solution is filled in the treatment tank 80, and while the plating solution sent from the plating solution introduction passage 5 flows in the work 1A, a voltage is applied between the electrode 10 and the work 1A to perform high-speed plating. Will be

FIG. 21 shows an example of a plating apparatus or the like in the case where the work 1B is a cylinder block of a four-cycle four-cylinder engine for an automobile. The plating apparatus main body 2 places the work 1B on a work supporting portion 3. The plating apparatus main body 2 is provided with four electrodes 10 corresponding to the respective cylinder bores of the work 1B at predetermined intervals. On the other hand, the work transport carrier 70 is
0 and the frame 7 in substantially the same manner as the work transport carrier 60 shown in FIG.
1, a lifting member 72, an air cylinder 73, etc., and a chuck mechanism 74 for holding the work 1B from both sides is provided on the lifting member 72. Also, the jig mounting means 75
Has a movable arm 76, an elevating member 77, an air cylinder 78 and the like in substantially the same manner as the jig mounting means 65 shown in FIG. 20, and a 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 supply portion for the work 1B.

According to this example, at the time of plating, after the workpiece 1B is transported by the workpiece transport carrier 70 and placed on the workpiece support 3 of the plating apparatus main body 2, the jig mounting means 75 is moved The jig 79 is activated and the work 1B
The work 1B is pressed down and 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 carrier 60 or 70 and the jig mounting means 65 or 7 are used.
5 is provided, and when the above-described pellet replenishing means 20 is further provided, the jig mounting means 65 or 75 and the pellet replenishing means 2 are provided beside the plating apparatus main body 2.
0 are arranged so as not to interfere with each other. Then, the jig mounting means 65 or 75 is operated at the time of plating, and the pellet replenishing means 20 is operated with the jig mounting means 65 or 75 at the retracted position at the time of pellet replenishment.

[0099]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a plating apparatus for plating an inner surface of a hollow work, wherein the electrode body having a pellet accommodating portion therein is protruded upward from the work supporting portion. Attached, and, at the upper end of the electrode body, provided with an opening for pellet introduction to communicate with the pellet storage section, when the pellets in the pellet storage section is reduced, without removing the electrode from the plating apparatus main body However, pellets can be easily supplied from above the electrodes. Therefore, in this type of plating apparatus in which the electrodes are formed in a small size so as to be located in the workpiece at the time of plating and the pellets need to be replenished relatively frequently, the pellet replenishment work which tends to be complicated is simplified. be able to. In addition, since the plating apparatus main body and the electrodes are configured so that the plating solution flows in the work during plating and the plating can be performed at a high speed, the speed at which the pellets in the pellet storage portion are reduced is increased and the replenishment is performed. Since the frequency of the electrodes increases, it is very effective to provide a structure in which the electrodes are easily supplied as described above.
Further, since the electrode body is formed so as to extend above the range corresponding to the portion to be plated, the amount of stored pellets increases, so that the frequency of replenishment of the pellets can be reduced, and the replenishment work is complicated. It is even more effective to reduce Furthermore, since the inner and outer cylindrical portions of the electrode body extend above the area corresponding to the portion to be plated of the work and a communication pipe is provided near the upper end, it is possible to reduce the supply frequency. As a result, it is possible to secure the fluidity of the plating solution necessary for high-speed plating, while increasing the amount of pellets stored in the electrode and preventing the pellets from jumping out of the pellet storage section.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a plating apparatus for plating an inner surface of a hollow workpiece, wherein the electrode body having a pellet accommodating portion inside the plating apparatus body projects upward from the work supporting section. Attached, and, at the upper end of the electrode body, provided with an opening for pellet introduction to communicate with the pellet storage section, when the pellets in the pellet storage section is reduced, without removing the electrode from the plating apparatus main body However, pellets can be easily supplied from above the electrodes. Therefore, in this type of plating apparatus in which the electrodes are formed in a small size so as to be located in the workpiece at the time of plating and the pellets need to be replenished relatively frequently, the pellet replenishment work which tends to be complicated is simplified. be able to. In addition, since the plating apparatus main body and the electrodes are configured so that the plating solution flows in the work during plating and the plating can be performed at a high speed, the speed at which the pellets in the pellet storage portion are reduced is increased and the replenishment is performed. Since the frequency of the electrodes increases, it is very effective to provide a structure in which the electrodes are easily supplied as described above. Further, the outer cylindrical portion is formed to extend above the inner cylindrical portion, and a porous plating solution circulating portion is provided near the upper end portion of the outer cylindrical portion, and the plating solution flows through the upper end of the inner cylindrical portion. Since the cover that allows is provided, it is necessary for high-speed plating while increasing the amount of pellets in the electrode as much as possible to reduce the frequency of replenishment and preventing the pellets from jumping out of the pellet storage part. Fluidity of the plating solution can be ensured.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a plating apparatus for plating an inner surface of a hollow workpiece, wherein the electrode body having a pellet storage portion therein projects upward from the work support section. Attached, and, at the upper end of the electrode body, provided with an opening for pellet introduction to communicate with the pellet storage section, when the pellets in the pellet storage section is reduced, without removing the electrode from the plating apparatus main body However, pellets can be easily supplied from above the electrodes. Therefore, in this type of plating apparatus in which the electrodes are formed in a small size so as to be located in the workpiece at the time of plating and the pellets need to be replenished relatively frequently, the pellet replenishment work which tends to be complicated is simplified. be able to. Further, since the insoluble anode portion is provided near the upper end portion of the electrode body, the plating film thickness can be prevented from being reduced near the upper end portion of the portion to be plated of the workpiece, and the quality of plating can be improved.

In particular, when the plating apparatus main body and the electrode are configured such that the plating solution can flow in the work during plating to perform plating at high speed (claim 4), the pellets in the pellet accommodating portion are not formed. Since the decreasing speed is increased and the frequency of replenishment is increased, it is very effective to make the electrode easy to replenish as described above.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the electrode body has an inner cylindrical portion and an outer cylindrical portion, and a large number of pellets made of a soluble anode material are stored in a pellet storage portion between the inner cylindrical portion and the outer cylindrical portion. Is stored, and a large number of slits extending linearly in the vertical direction are formed in the outer cylindrical portion of the electrode body, so that the soluble anode material can be eluted into the plating solution while the pellet is stored. It is possible to prevent the pellets in the section from being caught in the middle of the pellet storage section when naturally falling as the diameter of the pellets decreases due to wear, and to maintain the pellet storage state in a good condition.

The invention according to claim 6 is characterized in that, since the insoluble anode portion is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the inner cylindrical portion of the electrode, the pellet is caught in the middle of the pellet accommodating portion and a cavity is formed below it. However, the function as an anode is maintained by the insoluble anode portion, and plating failure can be prevented.

The invention according to claim 7 is characterized in that a pellet accommodating portion is formed in a cylindrical electrode main body, an upper end of the pellet accommodating portion is closed, and a refilling pellet accommodating portion is provided below the electrode main body. A pellet support member that can move up and down to support the pellets located in the replenishment pellet storage section,
Since the urging means for urging the pellet supporting member upward is provided, as the number of pellets in the pellet storage portion corresponding to the portion to be plated decreases,
The pellets can be automatically refilled from below. In particular, even when the plating apparatus main body and the electrode are configured so that the plating solution flows in the work at the time of plating and plating can be performed at a high speed (claim 8), the pellets corresponding to the consumption of the pellets are removed. Replenishment can be performed effectively.

When an insoluble anode is provided near the upper end of the electrode body (claim 9), the thickness of the plated film is prevented from becoming thin near the upper end of the portion to be plated of the work, and Quality can be improved.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a pellet replenishing means for replenishing pellets from above with respect to an electrode provided with an opening for introducing a pellet, which communicates with a pellet housing, at an upper end of an electrode body. Is provided outside the plating apparatus main body, the supply of pellets to the electrodes can be efficiently performed without relying on humans, and the supply operation can be simplified.

In particular, there is provided a pellet discharging means which can be switched between the above-mentioned pellet discharging state and the discharging stopped state, and a moving means for moving the pellet discharging means between the supply position and the retreat position. 11) The pellets can be easily replenished by the pellet discharging means at the time of pellet replenishment, while being kept at the above-mentioned retreat position except when pellets are replenished, so as not to hinder plating work or the like.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view showing an example of a plating apparatus having an electrode structure according to the present invention.

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

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

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

FIG. 5 is a partial 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 sectional view of a main part showing another example of a discharging means in the pellet replenishing means.

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

FIG. 8 is a 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 part of the electrode.

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

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

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

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.

15 is a cross-sectional view of a main part in a state where the electrode shown in FIG. 13 is attached to a 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 to store a refilled pellet in the upper part of the electrode.

FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view showing still another embodiment of an electrode structure suitable for a case where there is not enough space to store a refilled pellet in the upper part of the electrode.

18 is a 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 means for transporting a work, a jig mounting means, and the like.

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

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Work 2 Plating apparatus main body 3 Work support part 10 Electrode 11 Pellet 12 Inner cylinder part 13 Outer cylinder part 14 Pellet storage part 15, 16 Channel 17 Pellet introduction opening 20 Pellet replenishing means 21 Moving means 22 Ejection means 25 Parts Feeder 32 Communication pipe 36 Slit 37 Insoluble anode part 14b Refill pellet storage part 51 Pellet support 52 Spring 54 Insoluble anode part 58A, 58B Insoluble anode part

Claims (11)

(57) [Claims] An inner surface of a hollow workpiece is plated.
The electrode that enters the hollow part of the workpiece during plating
In the plating equipment provided in the equipment main body,
The work body and the plating solution supply means
And a plating solution discharge passage connected to the
Is formed, and the electrodes are supported by the work of the plating apparatus main body.
Attached to the plating equipment body so that it protrudes upward from the part
A cylindrical electrode body having an inner cylindrical portion and an outer cylindrical portion;
Stored in the pellet storage section formed between the cylinder and outer cylinder
A large number of pellets of
When the work is set on the work support
Inside and outside the electrode
When a plating solution flow path is formed and plating is performed
Take the soluble anode from the pellet in the pellet storage section
Substances are configured to elute into the plating solution and
, The inner cylindrical portion and the outer cylindrical portion of the electrode body is formed so as to work on a workpiece support extends to above the position of the upper end of the plated portion of the work when it is set,
Near the upper end portion of the electrode body, communicating pipe for communicating the inside of the outer and the inner cylindrical portion of the outer cylindrical portion is provided, and the electrostatic
At the upper end of the pole body,
Electrode structure of the fit <br/> Kki apparatus characterized by opening of preparative introduction are provided. 2. A method for plating an inner surface of a hollow workpiece.
The electrode that enters the hollow part of the workpiece during plating
In the plating equipment provided in the equipment main body,
The work body and the plating solution supply means
And a plating solution discharge passage connected to the
Is formed, and the electrodes are supported by the work of the plating apparatus main body.
Attached to the plating equipment body so that it protrudes upward from the part
A cylindrical electrode body having an inner cylindrical portion and an outer cylindrical portion;
Stored in the pellet storage section formed between the cylinder and outer cylinder
A large number of pellets of
When the work is set on the work support
Inside and outside the electrode
When a plating solution flow path is formed and plating is performed
Take the soluble anode from the pellet in the pellet storage section
Tomo when material is configured to elute into the plating solution
The outer cylindrical portion is formed so as to extend above the inner cylindrical portion, a porous plating solution flow portion is provided near the upper end of the outer cylindrical portion, and the plating solution is provided at the upper end of the inner cylindrical portion. A cover that allows circulation is provided , and the upper end of the electrode body is provided.
The opening for introducing the pellets into the pellet storage section
An electrode structure for a plating apparatus, wherein an opening is provided . 3. An inner surface of a hollow workpiece is plated.
The electrode that enters the hollow part of the workpiece during plating
In the plating apparatus provided in the apparatus body,
The pole protrudes upward from the work support of the plating equipment body
Cylindrical electrode book attached to the plating equipment body
Body and the pellet stored in the
Having a large number of pellets made of a soluble anode material and plating
The pellets in the pellet storage section as
So that the soluble anode material elutes into the plating solution from the
And an insoluble anode portion is provided near the upper end of the electrode body , and the upper end of the electrode body is
There is an opening for introducing pellets leading to the
Electrode structure of a plating apparatus characterized by being. 4. An electrode is attached to a plating apparatus main body in which a work support portion, a plating solution introduction passage connected to a plating solution supply means, and a plating solution discharge passage are formed, and a work is set on the work support portion. When the plating solution flow path is formed over the inside and outside of the electrode in the hollow portion of the work, the electrode body has an inner cylindrical portion and an outer cylindrical portion, 4. An electrode structure for a plating apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein a pellet accommodating portion is formed between said inner cylindrical portion and said outer cylindrical portion. 5. An electrode is attached to a plating apparatus main body in which a work supporting portion, a plating solution introducing passage connected to a plating solution supplying means, and a plating solution discharging passage are formed. An electrode structure of a plating apparatus, wherein an electrode is located in a hollow portion of a work when set on the upper surface, and a flow path of a plating solution is formed over the inside and outside of the electrode, wherein the electrode body Has an inner cylinder portion and an outer cylinder portion, a pellet storage portion is formed between the inner cylinder portion and the outer cylinder portion, and a number of pellets made of a soluble anode material are stored in the pellet storage portion. An electrode structure in a plating apparatus, wherein a large number of slits extending linearly in a vertical direction are formed in an outer cylindrical portion of the electrode body. 6. An electrode is attached to a plating apparatus main body in which a work support portion, a plating solution introduction passage connected to a plating solution supply means, and a plating solution discharge passage are formed. An electrode structure of a plating apparatus, wherein an electrode is located in a hollow portion of a work when set on the upper side, and a flow path of a plating solution is formed over the inside and outside of the electrode, the electrode body comprising: Has an inner cylinder portion and an outer cylinder portion, a pellet storage portion is formed between the inner cylinder portion and the outer cylinder portion, and a number of pellets made of a soluble anode material are stored in the pellet storage portion. 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. 7. A plating apparatus in which an electrode which protrudes into a hollow portion of the work at the time of plating is provided in the plating apparatus main body so as to plate the inner surface of the hollow work, wherein the electrode is attached to the plating apparatus main body. Having a cylindrical electrode body and a number of pellets made of a soluble anode material stored in a pellet storage portion in the electrode body, and as the plating is performed, the soluble anode material is plated from the pellets in the pellet storage portion. Along with being configured to elute into the solution, the upper end of the pellet storage portion is closed, and the lower portion of the electrode main body is lower than the lower end of the portion to be plated of the work when the work is set in the plating apparatus main body. Extending downward, at the lower part of the electrode body, a replenishing pellet storage unit communicating with the pellet storage unit in a range corresponding to the portion to be plated of the work, Plating characterized by being provided with a vertically movable pellet support for supporting pellets positioned in the replenishment pellet storage section and a biasing means for biasing the pellet support upward. The electrode structure of the device. 8. An electrode is attached to a plating apparatus main body in which a work support portion, a plating solution introduction passage connected to a plating solution supply means, and a plating solution discharge passage are formed, and a work is set on the work support portion. When the plating solution flow path is formed over the inside and outside of the electrode in the hollow portion of the work, the electrode body has an inner cylindrical portion and an outer cylindrical portion, The electrode structure of a plating apparatus according to claim 7 , wherein a pellet accommodating portion is formed between the inner cylindrical portion and the outer cylindrical portion. 9. An electrode structure for a plating apparatus according to claim 8 , wherein an insoluble anode portion is provided near an upper end of the electrode body. 10. A plating apparatus in which an electrode which projects into a hollow portion of a workpiece at the time of plating is provided on a plating apparatus main body such that an inner surface of a hollow workpiece is plated. A cylindrical electrode main body attached to the plating apparatus main body in a state protruding upward from the portion, and a large number of pellets made of a soluble anode material stored in a pellet storage portion in the electrode main body, An opening for introducing a pellet leading to a pellet storage portion is provided at an upper end portion of the plating apparatus, and a pellet replenishing means for replenishing the opening from above with respect to the electrode is provided outside the plating apparatus main body. A pellet replenishing device for an electrode of a plating device. 11. A pellet replenishing means comprising: a pellet discharging means capable of switching between a state in which pellets sent from a pellet supply source are discharged from a pellet discharging port and a state in which the discharging of pellets is stopped; The pellet replenishing device for an electrode of a plating apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising: a supply position corresponding to an upper end portion of the electrode of the plating apparatus main body; and a moving means for moving the supply position to a retreat position retracted from the supply position. .