An automatic conveying device for electroplating and a method of using the same

Abstract

This invention discloses an automatic conveying device for electroplating and its usage method, relating to the field of electroplating-related technology. It includes a slide rail and a railcar. A lift is fixedly connected to the lower end of the railcar, and a connecting plate is fixedly connected to the lower moving end of the lift. Multiple connecting mechanisms for connecting electroplated workpieces are installed on the connecting plate. Each connecting mechanism includes a slide rod, a first spring, a connecting rope, and a clamp. A fixing mechanism for securing the multiple connecting mechanisms is also installed inside the connecting plate. The fixing mechanism includes an upper clamping plate, a lower clamping plate, and a side plate. The connecting mechanisms can adapt to the height differences of different parts of the upper end of the electroplated workpiece, and the fixing mechanism can secure the connecting mechanisms during transport to prevent workpiece swaying. This invention solves the problems of existing automatic conveying devices for electroplating, such as the limited number of hooks, inability to adapt to multi-point lifting needs, lack of adaptive adjustment between multiple lifting points leading to workpiece tilting, complex disassembly and assembly of lifting devices, and poor workpiece stability during transport.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of electroplating technology, specifically to an automatic conveying device for electroplating and its usage method. Background Technology

[0002] Electroplating is a surface treatment process that uses the principle of electrolysis to deposit a metal coating on the surface of a workpiece. It is widely used in machinery manufacturing, electronic components, hardware products, and other fields. Existing automatic conveying devices for electroplating typically include a circular slide rail, a railcar, a lifting mechanism, and a control system. The railcar is slidably mounted on the lower end of the slide rail and is powered by a sliding contact line. The lifting mechanism is fixedly connected below the railcar, and its lower end is equipped with a hook or hanger. In operation, the railcar moves along the slide rail to above the connecting platform. The lifting mechanism drives the hook to descend, and the operator hangs the workpiece on the hook. The lifting mechanism rises to lift the workpiece, and the railcar continues to move above the electroplating tank. The lifting mechanism descends again to immerse the workpiece in the electroplating solution for electroplating. After electroplating, the lifting mechanism rises to remove the workpiece, and the railcar transfers the workpiece to the unloading station. The entire conveying process is automatically controlled by the control system according to a preset program, controlling the movement of the railcar and the actions of the lifting mechanism to achieve automated workpiece transfer.

[0003] However, existing automatic conveying devices for electroplating have significant shortcomings in practical use. Firstly, when workpieces are large or irregularly shaped, multiple lifting points are needed simultaneously to ensure balance. However, existing devices have only a limited number of hooks, insufficient for multi-point lifting needs. Operators must use temporary auxiliary lifting tools, which is not only cumbersome but also lacks adaptive adjustment capabilities between lifting points. When there is a height difference at the top of the workpiece, some lifting points become suspended or overloaded, causing the workpiece to tilt and affecting the consistency of immersion depth during electroplating. Secondly, the connection between the hooks and the lifting mechanism in existing devices is relatively simple, typically using direct steel wire rope connection. When changing to different types of workpieces, the disassembly and assembly of the lifting tools is complex and time-consuming, reducing production efficiency. Furthermore, during transport, the lack of fixed lifting points in existing devices causes workpieces to sway, resulting in unstable positions when immersed in the electroplating solution and affecting the uniformity of the electroplated layer. To address these problems, an automatic conveying device for electroplating and its usage method are provided. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide an automatic conveying device for electroplating and its usage method, in order to solve the problems mentioned in the background art, such as the limited number of hooks in existing automatic conveying devices for electroplating, which cannot meet the needs of multi-point lifting, the lack of adaptive adjustment capability between multiple lifting points leading to workpiece tilting, the complexity of disassembling and assembling lifting tools, and the poor stability of workpieces during transportation.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following technical solution: an automatic conveying device for electroplating, comprising a slide rail and a railcar, wherein a lifting machine is fixedly connected to the lower end of the railcar, and a connecting plate is fixedly connected to the lower moving end of the lifting machine, wherein a plurality of connecting mechanisms for connecting electroplated workpieces are installed on the connecting plate, and a fixing mechanism for fixing the plurality of connecting mechanisms is also installed inside the connecting plate. The connecting mechanism can adapt to the height difference of different parts of the upper end of the electroplated workpiece, and the fixing mechanism can fix the connecting mechanism during the transfer process to prevent the workpiece from shaking.

[0006] In a further embodiment, the moving end of the elevator is provided with a connector, the lower end of which is fixedly connected to a connecting rod, the lower end of which has a slot on its inner side, and the upper end of the connecting plate is fixedly connected to a plug rod, the upper end of which is engaged in the slot at the lower end of the connecting rod. The outer walls of both the connecting rod and the plug rod are provided with external threads, and a connecting cylinder is threaded onto the outer wall of the connecting rod. The connecting cylinder is an internally threaded cylinder. After rotating and moving downward, the connecting cylinder is threaded onto the outer wall of the insert rod, thereby fixing the connecting rod and the insert rod together.

[0007] In a further embodiment, multiple connecting mechanisms are evenly distributed in a circular array with the central axis of the connecting plate as the center. The connecting mechanism includes a slide rod, a first spring, a connecting rope, and a clamp. The connecting plate has a through hole that extends vertically. The slide rod is slidably installed in the through hole. Limit heads are provided at both the upper and lower ends of the slide rod. The diameter of the limit head is larger than the inner diameter of the through hole. The first spring is sleeved on the upper end of the outer side wall of the slide rod. The lower end of the first spring contacts the upper end face of the connecting plate. The upper and lower ends of the connecting rope are respectively connected to the lower end of the slide rod and the clamp. The clamp is used to hold the workpiece.

[0008] In a further embodiment, the fixing mechanism includes an upper clamping plate, a lower clamping plate, and side plates. The upper and lower clamping plates are rotatably connected and rotatably installed inside the connecting plate. The upper and lower clamping plates are provided with holes that are aligned and communicate with the through holes of the connecting plate. The sliding rod is slidably installed in the holes. There are two side plates, which are respectively fixedly connected to one side of the upper and lower clamping plates. Screws are inserted into the two side plates, and nuts are threaded onto the screws after passing through the two side plates.

[0009] In a further embodiment, a limiting ring is provided on the side wall of one of the side plates, and a nut is installed inside the limiting ring. The upper and lower sides of the limiting ring are attached to the side wall of the nut, so that the nut can slide axially within the limiting ring.

[0010] In a further embodiment, limit strips are fixedly connected to the side walls of both the upper and lower clamping plates. A limit groove matching the limit strip is provided inside the connecting plate. The limit strip is slidably installed in the limit groove. When the limit strip is attached to one side of the limit groove, the holes of the upper and lower clamping plates are aligned with the through holes of the connecting plate.

[0011] In a further embodiment, mounting holes are provided on the sides of the two side plates that are close to each other. A second spring is installed in the mounting holes, and the two ends of the second spring abut against the mounting holes of the two side plates respectively, so as to apply an elastic force to the two side plates to move them away from each other.

[0012] In a further embodiment, the slide rail has a ring structure, the railcar is slidably mounted on the lower end of the slide rail, and the slide rail and the railcar are connected by a sliding contact line for power supply.

[0013] In a further embodiment, a connecting platform is provided below the slide rail, and an electroplating tank is provided on one side of the connecting platform. The connecting platform is used to place the workpiece to be electroplated, and the electroplating tank is used to contain the electroplating solution and perform electroplating treatment on the workpiece.

[0014] Preferably, the method of using the above-described automatic conveying device for electroplating includes the following steps: A1. During loading, the electroplated workpiece is placed on the connecting platform. The railcar moves the elevator and connecting plate above the connecting platform. The elevator drives the connecting plate to move downward to the workpiece position. The operator connects multiple clamps to the corresponding positions on the upper end of the workpiece. When there is a height difference between different parts of the upper end of the workpiece, some of the sliding rods are pulled downward in the through hole by the clamps through the connecting rope. The first spring is compressed, so that all clamps can effectively connect the workpiece. After the connection is completed, the screw is rotated to move the nut towards the side plate, which drives the upper and lower clamps to rotate relative to each other. This causes the inner wall of the hole to apply pressure to the outer wall of the sliding rod, thereby fixing multiple sliding rods at the same time. The elevator drives the connecting plate to move upward, suspending the workpiece through the connecting mechanism. A2. During transfer, the railcar moves the workpiece above the electroplating tank, and the elevator drives the connecting plate to move downward, immersing the workpiece in the electroplating tank for electroplating. During the electroplating process, the fixing mechanism keeps the slide rod in a fixed state to prevent the workpiece from shaking. After the electroplating is completed, the elevator drives the connecting plate to move upward to lift the workpiece, and the screw is rotated in the opposite direction. The second spring pushes the two side plates away from each other, so that the upper and lower clamping plates are reset, and the slide rod returns to a free sliding state, ready for the next operation.

[0015] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are: 1. The present invention is an automatic conveying device for electroplating and its usage method. By setting multiple connecting mechanisms, it solves the problem that the existing device has a single number of hooks and cannot meet the needs of multi-point lifting. Multiple connecting mechanisms can be connected to multiple positions on the upper end of the workpiece at the same time to achieve multi-point balanced lifting and ensure the balanced lifting of large or irregularly shaped workpieces. 2. By setting up a connecting mechanism, the height difference between different parts of the upper end of the electroplated workpiece can be adapted to the situation, which solves the problem of workpiece tilting caused by the lack of adaptive adjustment between multiple lifting points in the existing device. When there is a height difference at the upper end of the workpiece, some connecting mechanisms can automatically adapt to different heights through sliding adjustment, so that all connecting points can effectively connect the workpiece and ensure that the workpiece maintains a horizontal posture. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of an automatic conveying device for electroplating proposed in this invention; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the installation structure of the slide rail, railcar, and elevator of an automatic conveying device for electroplating proposed in this invention. Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the connection structure between the connector and the connecting plate of an automatic conveying device for electroplating proposed in this invention; Figure 4 This invention provides an automatic conveying device for electroplating. Figure 3 Enlarged view of point A in the middle; Figure 5 This is an exploded view of the connector and connecting plate of an automatic conveying device for electroplating proposed in this invention; Figure 6 This is a cross-sectional view of the connecting disc of an automatic conveying device for electroplating proposed in this invention; Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the fixing mechanism of an automatic conveying device for electroplating proposed in this invention; Figure 8 This invention provides an automatic conveying device for electroplating. Figure 7 Enlarged view at point B in the middle; Figure 9 This is an exploded view of the fixing mechanism of an automatic conveying device for electroplating proposed in this invention; Figure 10 This is a front view of the connection mechanism of an automatic conveying device for electroplating proposed in this invention; Figure 11 This invention provides an automatic conveying device for electroplating. Figure 10 Enlarged view of point C in the middle.

[0017] In the diagram: 1. Slide rail; 2. Railcar; 3. Elevator; 31. Connector; 32. Connecting rod; 33. Connecting cylinder; 4. Connecting plate; 41. Insert rod; 5. Connecting mechanism; 51. Slide rod; 52. First spring; 53. Connecting rope; 54. Clamp; 6. Fixing mechanism; 61. Upper clamp; 62. Lower clamp; 63. Side plate; 631. Second spring; 64. Limiting strip. Detailed Implementation

[0018] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0019] Please see Figure 1 - Figure 11 This embodiment provides an automatic conveying device for electroplating and its usage method, including a slide rail 1 and a track car 2. The slide rail 1 is a ring structure, fixedly connected to the workshop ceiling by a hanger. The track car 2 is slidably mounted on the lower end of the slide rail 1. The track car 2 and the slide rail 1 are connected by a sliding contact line for power supply, ensuring a continuous power supply to the track car 2 as it moves along the slide rail 1. The track car 2 serves as the mobile foundation of the entire device, capable of sliding along the slide rail 1 to different workstations, providing power support for subsequent workpiece transfer. This technology is existing technology.

[0020] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, a lifting platform 3 is fixedly connected to the lower end of the track vehicle 2. The lifting platform 3 adopts an electric hoist structure. A movable end is located below the lifting platform 3, which can move vertically. The movable end of the lifting platform 3 has a sufficient travel range to lower the workpiece from its upper position into the electroplating solution in the electroplating tank. After electroplating, the workpiece is then lifted out of the electroplating solution. The electric hoist structure of the lifting platform 3 features stable lifting and strong load-bearing capacity. During electroplating operations, it ensures smooth lifting of the workpiece, preventing splashing of the electroplating solution due to rapid lifting or shaking, and also preventing workpiece shaking from adversely affecting the uniformity of the plating layer.

[0021] like Figure 2 As shown, the moving end of the lifting platform 3 is configured as a connector 31, which is the lowest connecting component of the lifting platform 3. A connecting rod 32 is fixedly connected to the lower end of the connector 31. The connecting rod 32 is a vertically oriented metal rod-shaped structure. A groove is formed on the inner side of the lower end of the connecting rod 32, which is a recessed structure inside the lower end of the connecting rod 32 for initial positioning and connection with the insertion rod 41 on the connecting plate 4. The connecting plate 4 is a disc-shaped structure, and the insertion rod 41 is fixedly connected to the center of its upper end. The insertion rod 41 is vertically oriented. During installation, the upper end of the insertion rod 41 is inserted into the groove at the lower end of the connecting rod 32. This snap-fit ​​connection method enables rapid initial positioning of the connecting plate 4 and the connecting rod 32, keeping the insertion rod 41 and the connecting rod 32 coaxial and providing an accurate alignment basis for subsequent fixed connection.

[0022] like Figure 3 , Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, both the connecting rod 32 and the insert rod 41 have external threads on their outer walls. A connecting sleeve 33, which is an internally threaded cylindrical structure, is threaded onto the outer wall of the connecting rod 32. During installation, the upper end of the insert rod 41 is first inserted into the slot at the lower end of the connecting rod 32. Then, the connecting sleeve 33 is rotated to move downwards along the external thread of the connecting rod 32. When the connecting sleeve 33 moves downwards to the position of the insert rod 41, the lower internal thread of the connecting sleeve 33 engages with the external thread of the insert rod 41. Continuing to rotate the connecting sleeve 33 securely connects the connecting rod 32 and the insert rod 41 together. This dual connection method provides significant connection stability: the slot connection achieves initial positioning, and the connection of the connecting sleeve 33 with the external threads of both the connecting rod 32 and the insert rod 41 forms a complete fastening structure. When disassembly is required, simply rotate the connecting sleeve 33 in the opposite direction to disengage it from the insert rod 41, and then pull the insert rod 41 out of the slot of the connecting rod 32. This connection method is convenient for assembly and disassembly, requires no special tools, and facilitates daily maintenance and component replacement of the device.

[0023] like Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, the connecting plate 4 has a disc-shaped structure, and the insertion rod 41 is fixedly connected to the upper center of the connecting plate 4. Multiple connecting mechanisms 5 for connecting electroplated workpieces are installed on the connecting plate 4, and these mechanisms 5 are evenly distributed in a circular array around the central axis of the connecting plate 4. This circular array design has the advantage of uniform force distribution. When multiple connecting mechanisms 5 are connected to the upper end of the workpiece, the circular distribution ensures that the center of gravity of the workpiece is located as far below the center of the connecting plate 4 as possible, reducing the tendency for the workpiece to tilt during transport. Simultaneously, the circular distribution also facilitates the operator's access to the workpiece from various directions when connecting it, improving operational convenience. The uniform distribution of the circular array ensures that the spacing between each connecting mechanism 5 is equal, providing uniform support points when connecting large workpieces and avoiding the problem of excessive local stress caused by uneven distribution of support points.

[0024] like Figure 1 , Figure 10 and Figure 11As shown, the connecting plate 4 also houses a fixing mechanism 6 for securing multiple connecting mechanisms 5. The connecting mechanisms 5 can adapt to the height differences between different parts of the upper end of the electroplated workpiece, and the fixing mechanism 6 can secure the connecting mechanisms 5 during transport to prevent workpiece swaying. This design solves a common problem in electroplating operations: when the upper surface of the workpiece is uneven, such as having curved, protruding, or concave surfaces, the heights of multiple connection points will differ. If the connecting mechanisms 5 cannot adapt to this height difference, some connecting mechanisms 5 will be suspended and unable to connect, or some connecting mechanisms 5 will be overloaded, easily causing the workpiece to tilt or sway. By combining the adaptive function of the connecting mechanisms 5 with the locking function of the fixing mechanism 6, both the reliability of the workpiece connection and the stability during transport are ensured.

[0025] The connecting plate 4 has a through hole running vertically through it. This through hole is cylindrical and is used to install the slide rod 51 of the connecting mechanism 5. The connecting mechanism 5 includes the slide rod 51, a first spring 52, a connecting rope 53, and a clamp 54. Figure 10 and Figure 11 As shown, the slide rod 51 is a cylindrical rod-shaped structure. It is slidably installed within the through hole and can slide freely vertically within the hole. Limiting heads are provided at both the upper and lower ends of the slide rod 51. These limiting heads are protruding structures with a diameter larger than the inner diameter of the through hole. The upper limiting head prevents the slide rod 51 from sliding downwards from the upper end of the through hole under gravity, while the lower limiting head prevents the slide rod 51 from dislodging from the lower end of the through hole when sliding upwards. This bidirectional limiting design ensures that the slide rod 51 always moves within a predetermined sliding range, avoiding connection failures or safety accidents caused by the slide rod 51 dislodging.

[0026] The first spring 52 is sleeved on the upper end of the outer wall of the slide rod 51, and the lower end of the first spring 52 contacts the upper end surface of the connecting plate 4. The first spring 52 is a compression spring with a relatively small elastic force. Its main function is to keep the slide rod 51 tending to return to its original upward position without external force, but without causing excessive resistance to the operator manually pulling down the clamp 54. The connecting rope 53 is a flexible rope, and its upper and lower ends are respectively connected to the lower end of the slide rod 51 and the clamp 54.

[0027] The clamp 54 is used to hold the workpiece. The clamp 54 can be replaced according to the shape and structure of the workpiece, and a clamping structure that matches the workpiece can be adopted. For example, a spring clamp can be used for plate-shaped workpieces, a V-shaped clamp can be used for shaft-shaped workpieces, and a hook-shaped structure can be used for workpieces with holes, as long as it can be reliably connected to the workpiece.

[0028] Since the connecting rope 53 and the clamp 54 need to be immersed in the electroplating solution in the electroplating bath along with the workpiece, the connecting rope 53 is made of a corrosion-resistant material, such as acid and alkali resistant synthetic fibers, fluoroplastics, polypropylene, or corrosion-resistant metal wire rope. The clamp 54 is made of a corrosion-resistant material, such as stainless steel, titanium alloy, fluoroplastic-coated metal, or engineering plastic. These materials can maintain stable physical and chemical properties in the chemical environment of the electroplating solution and will not break or fail due to the corrosive effect of the electroplating solution, ensuring long-term reliability.

[0029] During use, when multiple clamps 54 are connected to different parts of the upper end of the workpiece, due to potential height differences on the workpiece surface, some slide rods 51 will be pulled downwards within the through hole by the clamps 54 via the connecting rope 53. Specifically, when the workpiece surface at a certain connection point is lower, the clamp 54 at that point will pull the slide rod 51 downwards via the connecting rope 53, causing the slide rod 51 to move downwards within the through hole, at which point the first spring 52 is compressed. When the workpiece surface at a certain connection point is higher, the slide rod 51 at that point remains in the upper position under the elastic force of the first spring 52. Through this adaptive adjustment, each clamp 54 can contact the workpiece in a suitable posture, ensuring that all clamps 54 can effectively connect to the workpiece, preventing some clamps 54 from being suspended and unable to connect. The beneficial effect of this adaptive mechanism is that it avoids connection difficulties or failures caused by uneven workpiece surfaces, allowing the same connecting disc 4 to be applicable to workpieces of various shapes, including flat workpieces, curved workpieces, and irregularly shaped workpieces, greatly improving the versatility and adaptability of the device. Meanwhile, the small elastic force design of the first spring 52 not only ensures the basic reset function of the slide bar 51, but also does not interfere with the operator's connection operation, reflecting the humanized design concept.

[0030] The fixing mechanism 6 includes an upper clamping plate 61, a lower clamping plate 62, and a side plate 63. For example... Figure 6 , Figure 7 and Figure 9 As shown, both the upper clamping plate 61 and the lower clamping plate 62 are disc-shaped structures, rotatably connected, and rotatably mounted within the connecting plate 4. Specifically, the upper clamping plate 61 and the lower clamping plate 62 are coaxially arranged and can rotate relative to each other at a certain angle. The upper clamping plate 61 and the lower clamping plate 62 have holes aligned with and communicating with the through holes of the connecting plate 4; these holes are circular holes with the same diameter as the through holes. The sliding rod 51 is simultaneously slidably mounted within these holes; that is, the sliding rod 51 passes through both the through hole of the connecting plate 4 and the holes of the upper clamping plate 61 and the lower clamping plate 62. These three holes together form the sliding channel for the sliding rod 51.

[0031] Two side plates 63 are provided, respectively fixedly connected to one side of the upper clamping plate 61 and the lower clamping plate 62. The two side plates 63 are vertically arranged plate-like structures, with screws inserted into each side plate 63, and nuts threaded onto the screws after passing through the two side plates 63. In the initial state, the holes in the upper clamping plate 61 and the lower clamping plate 62 are perfectly aligned with the through holes of the connecting plate 4, allowing the sliding rod 51 to slide freely within the holes. When it is necessary to fix the sliding rod 51, the operator rotates the screws, causing the nuts to move towards the side plates 63. The nuts push the side plates 63, bringing them closer together. Since the two side plates 63 are fixed to the upper clamping plate 61 and the lower clamping plate 62 respectively, the approach of the two side plates 63 will cause the upper clamping plate 61 and the lower clamping plate 62 to rotate relative to each other. During rotation, the holes on the upper clamping plate 61 and the lower clamping plate 62 are misaligned with the through hole of the connecting plate 4. The inner wall of the hole applies pressure to the outer wall of the slide rod 51, thereby fixing the slide rod 51 in its current position by increasing frictional damping.

[0032] This fixing method has significant advantages, including the ability to simultaneously secure multiple sliding rods 51 of the connecting mechanism 5, and its simple and quick operation. In practical use, the operator only needs to rotate one screw to lock all sliding rods 51 simultaneously, eliminating the need to operate each sliding rod 51 individually, greatly improving operational efficiency. Furthermore, the friction-based fixing method prevents scratches or indentations on the surface of the sliding rods 51, ensuring the long-term reliability and smooth sliding of the sliding rods 51. When it is necessary to loosen the sliding rods 51, simply rotate the screw in the opposite direction to release the fixation, allowing the sliding rods 51 to return to their free sliding state.

[0033] like Figure 8 As shown, a limiting ring is provided on the side wall of one of the side plates 63, and the nut is installed inside the limiting ring. The limiting ring is a ring structure, with its upper and lower sides fitting against the side wall of the nut, allowing the nut to slide axially within the limiting ring. When the screw is rotated, the nut is restricted by the limiting ring and cannot rotate, but it can slide along the axial direction of the screw, thus converting the rotational motion of the screw into the axial movement of the nut, thereby pushing or releasing the side plate 63. This structure avoids the inconvenience of simultaneously fixing the nut and rotating the screw; the operator only needs to rotate the screw with one hand to complete the fixing and loosening operations, greatly improving the ease of use. At the same time, the limiting ring restricts the axial sliding range of the nut, ensuring that the nut will not detach from the contact with the side plate 63, guaranteeing the reliability of the mechanism.

[0034] like Figure 6As shown, limit strips 64 are fixedly connected to the side walls of both the upper clamping plate 61 and the lower clamping plate 62. The limit strips 64 are strip-shaped protrusions. A limit groove matching the limit strip 64 is provided inside the connecting plate 4. The limit groove is a groove structure corresponding to the shape of the limit strip 64. The limit strip 64 is slidably installed in the limit groove. When the limit strip 64 is in contact with one side of the limit groove, the holes of the upper clamping plate 61 and the lower clamping plate 62 are precisely aligned with the through holes of the connecting plate 4. The cooperation between the limit strip 64 and the limit groove plays an important role in guiding and limiting movement. When the fixing mechanism 6 is released, the second spring 631 pushes the two side plates 63 away from each other, causing the upper clamping plate 61 and the lower clamping plate 62 to reset. When the limit strip 64 is in contact with one side of the limit groove, the upper clamping plate 61 and the lower clamping plate 62 stop rotating. At this time, the holes and through holes are precisely aligned, preparing for the next operation. This ensures that the upper clamping plate 61 and lower clamping plate 62 automatically return to their initial alignment position after each release, avoiding the hassle of manual alignment adjustment by the operator and greatly improving the convenience and accuracy of operation. At the same time, the sliding of the limiting strip 64 within the limiting groove also restricts the rotation range of the upper clamping plate 61 and lower clamping plate 62, preventing excessive rotation from causing damage to the mechanism or jamming of the slide bar 51.

[0035] like Figure 8 As shown, mounting holes are provided on the sides of the two side plates 63 that are close to each other. These mounting holes are located on the side walls of the side plates 63. A second spring 631 is installed in each mounting hole, with its two ends abutting against the mounting holes of the two side plates 63. The second spring 631 is a compression spring, used to apply a spring force that moves the two side plates 63 away from each other. When the fixing mechanism 6 is in the released state, the spring force of the second spring 631 keeps the two side plates 63 away from each other, thus keeping the upper clamp 61 and lower clamp 62 in their initial positions where the holes and through holes are aligned. When the screw is rotated to bring the two side plates 63 closer together, the second spring 631 is compressed, storing elastic potential energy. When it is necessary to release the slide rod 51, the screw is rotated in the opposite direction, and the second spring 631 releases its elastic potential energy, pushing the two side plates 63 away from each other, helping the upper clamp 61 and lower clamp 62 to quickly reset.

[0036] The beneficial effect of this automatic reset mechanism is that it improves operational efficiency, automatically restoring the device to its initial state without manual adjustment after release. It also ensures the accuracy of each reset, precisely aligning the hole and through-hole, preparing for the next free sliding of the slide bar 51. The design of the second spring 631 also provides a certain degree of cushioning, preventing sudden collisions between the two side plates 63 during the fixing process, reducing noise and wear.

[0037] A connecting platform is located below slide rail 1, and an electroplating tank is located on one side of the connecting platform. Neither the connecting platform nor the electroplating tank is shown in the figure. The connecting platform is a horizontally positioned structure used to place the workpiece to be electroplated. Operators can pre-place the workpiece on the connecting platform for easy connection of fixture 54. The electroplating tank is a pool structure containing the electroplating solution used for electroplating the workpiece. Positioning the connecting platform on one side of the electroplating tank separates the loading and electroplating areas, preventing interference from the loading operation and improving operational safety and efficiency.

[0038] The method of using the device of the present invention includes the steps of loading and connecting, and the steps of transfer and electroplating. Loading and connecting involves placing the workpiece to be electroplated on the connecting platform. The track car 2 starts and moves along the slide rail 1 to above the connecting platform. The elevator 3 starts and drives the connecting plate 4 downward to a position near the workpiece. The operator connects multiple clamps 54 to corresponding positions on the upper end of the workpiece, selecting appropriate clamp types and connection points according to the shape and size of the workpiece. When there is a height difference between different parts of the upper end of the workpiece, some of the slide bars 51 are pulled downward by the clamps 54 through the connecting rope 53 and slide downward within the through hole. The first spring 52 is compressed, ensuring that all clamps 54 can effectively connect to the workpiece in a suitable posture, preventing some clamps 54 from failing to contact the workpiece. After connection, the operator rotates the screw, causing the nut to move towards the side plate 63. The nut pushes the side plate 63, bringing the two side plates 63 closer together. This causes the upper clamping plate 61 and the lower clamping plate 62 to rotate relative to each other. The inner wall of the hole applies pressure to the outer wall of the sliding rod 51, thereby simultaneously fixing multiple sliding rods 51 in their current positions. After fixing, the elevator 3 starts, driving the connecting plate 4 to move upward, suspending the workpiece through the connecting mechanism 5, ready to be transferred to the electroplating tank.

[0039] The transfer and electroplating steps involve starting the railcar 2, which moves the workpiece along the slide rail 1 to above the electroplating tank. The elevator 3 starts, driving the connecting plate 4 downwards to slowly immerse the workpiece in the electroplating solution. During immersion, the fixing mechanism 6 maintains the fixed position of the slide rod 51 to prevent the workpiece from swaying due to gravity or buoyancy. The workpiece remains in the electroplating tank for a predetermined time for electroplating. Throughout the electroplating process, the fixing mechanism 6 maintains the fixed position of the slide rod 51 to ensure the workpiece's stability and prevent swaying due to the flow of the electroplating solution or air bubbles. After electroplating, the elevator 3 starts, driving the connecting plate 4 upwards to lift the workpiece from the electroplating solution. Then, the screw is rotated in the opposite direction, and the second spring 631 pushes the two side plates 63 away from each other, resetting the upper clamping plate 61 and lower clamping plate 62. The slide rod 51 returns to its free sliding state, ready for the next operation.

[0040] In summary, the adaptive function of the connecting mechanism 5 solves the connection problem when the workpiece surface is uneven, allowing the same device to adapt to various workpiece shapes without the need to change the connecting device for different workpieces. The locking function of the fixing mechanism 6 maintains workpiece stability during transport and electroplating, preventing problems such as uneven electroplating thickness and workpiece collision damage caused by shaking. The automatic reset function of the second spring 631 improves operational efficiency and accuracy, reducing manual adjustment time. The entire operation process is simple and convenient, requiring no complex electronic control system, reducing equipment costs and maintenance difficulty, while improving reliability in humid and corrosive electroplating environments.

[0041] During the transfer process, the fixing mechanism 6 plays a crucial stabilizing role in fixing the slide rod 51. When the railcar 2 moves along the slide rail 1, vibrations and accelerations are inevitable due to factors such as rail joints and wheel out-of-roundness. If the slide rod 51 is in a free-sliding state, these vibrations will cause it to slide up and down within the through hole, which will then be transmitted to the clamp 54 via the connecting rope 53, causing the workpiece to shake. Workpiece shaking not only affects the uniformity of the subsequent electroplating layer but may also cause the workpiece to collide with the electroplating tank wall, resulting in scratches on the workpiece surface or damage to the electroplating tank. After the slide rod 51 is fixed by the fixing mechanism 6, all slide rods 51 form a whole and are rigidly connected to the connecting plate 4, greatly improving the system's vibration resistance and overall rigidity. At the same time, since multiple clamps 54 are distributed at multiple positions on the upper end of the workpiece, the fixed overall structure can effectively resist the horizontal swing tendency of the workpiece, ensuring the stability of the workpiece's posture when entering the electroplating tank and during the electroplating process.

[0042] Meanwhile, due to the difference in workpiece surface height at each connection point, the compression of the first spring 52 is different, resulting in differences in the initial tension of each connecting rope 53 on different parts of the workpiece. By fixing multiple slide rods 51 simultaneously through the fixing mechanism 6, the uneven tension caused by the different spring compression can be eliminated, so that the tension of all clamps 54 on the workpiece remains uniform, thereby ensuring the force balance of the workpiece during the transfer and electroplating process.

[0043] In electroplating operations, the depth at which the workpiece is immersed in the plating solution has a significant impact on the plating quality. Inconsistent immersion depths can lead to variations in plating thickness across different parts of the workpiece, affecting product quality. This device, through precise control of the lifting mechanism 3, enables accurate workpiece immersion. During the immersion process, the fixing mechanism 6 maintains a fixed position on the sliding rod 51, ensuring the workpiece enters the plating solution in a stable posture and preventing inconsistent immersion depths caused by sliding of the sliding rod 51. Simultaneously, because multiple clamps 54 are connected to different parts of the workpiece, even irregularly shaped workpieces can maintain their balance, ensuring uniform immersion of all parts in the plating solution and guaranteeing the uniformity of the plating layer. During the electroplating process, factors such as the flow of the plating solution and the generation of bubbles can disturb the workpiece; the continuous locking of the fixing mechanism 6 effectively resists these disturbances, ensuring plating quality.

[0044] The connection method between the connecting plate 4 and the lifting platform 3 offers significant advantages in terms of ease of disassembly and maintenance. During long-term use, electroplating residue may accumulate on the connecting plate 4 and its connecting mechanism 5 and fixing mechanism 6, requiring cleaning, or some components may need repair or replacement. By rotating the connecting cylinder 33, the connecting plate 4 can be easily removed from the lifting platform 3 for separate handling. After handling, simply insert the upper end of the insertion rod 41 into the slot at the lower end of the connecting rod 32, and then rotate the connecting cylinder 33 to connect it to the insertion rod 41 to complete the installation. This quick-disassembly and assembly design greatly reduces maintenance difficulty and time costs, improving equipment availability. Simultaneously, the design of the connecting cylinder 33 ensures a very secure connection, preventing loosening due to vibration during use and guaranteeing safety.

[0045] The circular array design of the connecting mechanism 5 has several advantages. First, the circular distribution ensures that the center of gravity of the workpiece is located as far below the center of the connecting plate 4 as possible, reducing the tendency for the workpiece to tilt during transport. When the center of gravity of the workpiece deviates from the center, the circular distribution of connection points provides more uniform support, reducing the stress on individual connection points. Second, the circular distribution allows operators to approach the workpiece from all directions without positional restrictions, improving operational convenience and efficiency. Third, the uniform distribution of the circular array ensures that the spacing between each connecting mechanism 5 is equal, providing evenly distributed support points when connecting large workpieces, avoiding excessive local stress caused by uneven distribution of support points, and protecting the workpiece from damage. Fourth, the circular distribution allows multiple connecting mechanisms 5 to be locked simultaneously under the action of the fixing mechanism 6, making operation simple and efficient.

[0046] The limiting heads at both ends of the slide rod 51 provide crucial safety protection. The upper limiting head prevents the slide rod 51 from sliding downwards from the top of the through hole under gravity, ensuring that the slide rod 51 remains within the through hole and preventing the workpiece from falling due to accidental dislodgement. The lower limiting head prevents the slide rod 51 from dislodging from the bottom of the through hole when sliding upwards. Especially when the first spring 52 pushes the slide rod 51 to return to its original position, the lower limiting head restricts the upward travel of the slide rod 51, ensuring that the slide rod 51 does not detach from the through hole. This bidirectional limiting design ensures that the slide rod 51 always moves within a predetermined sliding range, avoiding connection failure or safety accidents caused by the slide rod 51 dislodging. Simultaneously, the limiting head design facilitates the installation and removal of the slide rod 51, allowing for easy removal from the through hole during maintenance.

[0047] The connecting rope 53, serving as the connector between the slide bar 51 and the clamp 54, plays a crucial role in buffering and adjustment due to its flexibility. During workpiece connection and transfer, the flexible connecting rope 53 absorbs some impact and vibration, reducing rigid impact on the workpiece and protecting its surface from damage. Simultaneously, the flexible connecting rope 53 allows the clamp 54 to freely adjust its angle within a certain range, facilitating connection between the clamp 54 and the workpiece. When the workpiece surface is not horizontal, the flexible connecting rope 53 automatically adjusts its direction, ensuring the clamp 54 holds the workpiece at the most suitable angle, thus improving connection reliability. Both the connecting rope 53 and the clamp 54 are made of corrosion-resistant materials. This design ensures that both the connecting rope 53 and the clamp 54 can be immersed in the electroplating solution along with the workpiece, maintaining stable physical and chemical properties in the chemical environment of the electroplating solution over a long period, without breaking or failing due to corrosion. The fixture 54 can be replaced according to the shape and structure of the workpiece, and adopts a clamping structure that matches the workpiece. This replaceable design enables the device to adapt to various types and shapes of workpieces, greatly expanding the application range of the device, from simple plate-shaped workpieces to complex irregular-shaped workpieces.

[0048] The working principle of the fixing mechanism 6 fully utilizes the advantages of mechanical structures. Through the relative rotation of the upper clamping plate 61 and the lower clamping plate 62, the holes and through-holes are misaligned, thereby creating frictional fixation for the slide rod 51. This fixing method does not require a complex electronic control system or sensor feedback; it relies entirely on a purely mechanical structure, resulting in extremely high reliability and environmental adaptability. In the humid, corrosive gas-filled environment of an electroplating workshop, electronic equipment is easily damaged by moisture, and sensors may fail due to corrosion, while the purely mechanical structure can operate stably for a long time. Furthermore, the operation of the fixing mechanism 6 is very simple; simply rotating a single screw is sufficient to fix or loosen all the slide rods 51, greatly improving operational efficiency. The cooperation between the screw and nut provides sufficient clamping force to ensure that the slide rods 51 do not loosen during transport and electroplating.

[0049] The second spring 631, together with the limiting strip 64 and the limiting groove, forms a complete reset mechanism. When the fixing mechanism 6 is released, the second spring 631 automatically pushes the two side plates 63 away from each other, resetting the upper clamping plate 61 and the lower clamping plate 62. The cooperation between the limiting strip 64 and the limiting groove ensures the accuracy of the reset position, making the hole and the through hole perfectly aligned, preparing for the next free sliding of the slide rod 51. This automatic reset design avoids the trouble and error of manual adjustment, improving the accuracy and efficiency of operation. At the same time, the design of the second spring 631 also plays a certain role in buffering, preventing the two side plates 63 from colliding violently during reset, reducing noise and wear, and extending the service life of the mechanism.

[0050] Compared with existing automatic conveying devices for electroplating, this invention adopts a purely mechanical adaptive connection mechanism 5 and a fixing mechanism 6. The automatic adaptation of the workpiece height difference is achieved through the cooperation of the slide rod 51 and the first spring 52. The simultaneous fixing of multiple slide rods 51 is achieved through the relative rotation of the upper clamping plate 61 and the lower clamping plate 62. This solves the problem of needing a complex control system or manual adjustment in the prior art, and realizes efficient, stable and reliable workpiece conveying and electroplating operations.

[0051] Although embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes, modifications, substitutions and alterations can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. An automatic conveying device for electroplating, comprising a slide rail (1) and a railcar (2), characterized in that: The lower end of the railcar (2) is fixedly connected to a lift (3), and the lower moving end of the lift (3) is fixedly connected to a connecting plate (4). Multiple connecting mechanisms (5) for connecting electroplated workpieces are installed on the connecting plate (4), and a fixing mechanism (6) for fixing multiple connecting mechanisms (5) is also installed inside the connecting plate (4). The connecting mechanism (5) can adapt to the height difference of different parts of the upper end of the electroplated workpiece, and the fixing mechanism (6) can fix the connecting mechanism (5) during the transfer process to prevent the workpiece from shaking.

2. The automatic conveying device for electroplating according to claim 1, characterized in that: The moving end of the elevator (3) is provided with a connector (31), and a connecting rod (32) is fixedly connected to the lower end of the connector (31). A slot is opened on the inner side of the lower end of the connecting rod (32). A plug rod (41) is fixedly connected to the center of the upper end of the connecting plate (4). The upper end of the plug rod (41) is engaged in the slot at the lower end of the connecting rod (32). The outer side walls of the connecting rod (32) and the plug rod (41) are both provided with external threads. A connecting cylinder (33) is threaded on the outer side wall of the connecting rod (32). The connecting cylinder (33) is an internally threaded cylinder. After the connecting cylinder (33) rotates and moves downward, it is threadedly connected to the outer wall of the insert rod (41), thereby fixing the connecting rod (32) and the insert rod (41) together.

3. The automatic conveying device for electroplating according to claim 2, characterized in that: Multiple connecting mechanisms (5) are evenly distributed in a circular array with the central axis of the connecting disk (4) as the center. The connecting mechanism (5) includes a slide rod (51), a first spring (52), a connecting rope (53), and a clamp (54). The connecting disk (4) has a through hole that runs vertically through it. The slide rod (51) is slidably installed in the through hole. Both the upper and lower ends of the slide rod (51) are provided with limit heads. The diameter of the limit head is larger than the inner diameter of the through hole. The first spring (52) is sleeved on the upper end of the outer wall of the slide rod (51). The lower end of the first spring (52) contacts the upper end face of the connecting disk (4). The upper and lower ends of the connecting rope (53) are respectively connected to the lower end of the slide rod (51) and the clamp (54). The clamp (54) is used to clamp the workpiece.

4. An automatic conveying device for electroplating according to claim 3, characterized in that: The fixing mechanism (6) includes an upper clamping plate (61), a lower clamping plate (62), and a side plate (63). The upper clamping plate (61) and the lower clamping plate (62) are rotatably connected and rotatably installed in the connecting plate (4). The upper clamping plate (61) and the lower clamping plate (62) are provided with holes that are aligned and connected to the through holes of the connecting plate (4). The sliding rod (51) is slidably installed in the holes. There are two side plates (63), which are fixedly connected to one side of the upper clamping plate (61) and the lower clamping plate (62) respectively. The two side plates (63) are inserted with screws, and the screws are threaded through the two side plates (63) and then connected with nuts.

5. An automatic conveying device for electroplating according to claim 4, characterized in that: One of the side plates (63) has a limiting ring on its side wall. The nut is installed inside the limiting ring. The upper and lower sides of the limiting ring are attached to the side wall of the nut, so that the nut can slide axially inside the limiting ring.

6. An automatic conveying device for electroplating according to claim 5, characterized in that: The side walls of the upper clamping plate (61) and the lower clamping plate (62) are fixedly connected with limiting strips (64). The connecting plate (4) has a limiting groove that matches the limiting strip (64). The limiting strip (64) is slidably installed in the limiting groove. When the limiting strip (64) is attached to one side of the limiting groove, the holes of the upper clamping plate (61) and the lower clamping plate (62) are aligned with the through holes of the connecting plate (4).

7. An automatic conveying device for electroplating according to claim 6, characterized in that: The two side plates (63) are provided with mounting holes on their adjacent sides. A second spring (631) is installed in the mounting holes. The two ends of the second spring (631) abut against the mounting holes of the two side plates (63) respectively, and are used to apply a spring force to the two side plates (63) to move away from each other.

8. An automatic conveying device for electroplating according to claim 7, characterized in that: The slide rail (1) has a ring structure, and the railcar (2) is slidably installed on the lower end of the slide rail (1). The slide rail (1) and the railcar (2) are connected by a sliding contact line for power supply.

9. An automatic conveying device for electroplating according to claim 8, characterized in that: A connecting platform is provided below the slide rail (1), and an electroplating tank is provided on one side of the connecting platform. The connecting platform is used to place the workpiece to be electroplated, and the electroplating tank is used to contain the electroplating solution and perform electroplating treatment on the workpiece.

10. A method of using an automatic conveying device for electroplating, comprising the automatic conveying device for electroplating as described in any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that, Includes the following steps: A1. When loading, place the electroplated workpiece on the connecting platform. The railcar (2) drives the elevator (3) and the connecting plate (4) to move above the connecting platform. The elevator (3) drives the connecting plate (4) to move downward to the workpiece position. The operator connects multiple clamps (54) to the corresponding positions on the upper end of the workpiece. When there is a height difference between different parts on the upper end of the workpiece, some slide rods (51) are pulled down in the through hole by the clamps (54) through the connecting rope (53). The first spring (52) is compressed so that all clamps (54) can effectively connect the workpiece. After the connection is completed, rotate the screw to move the nut towards the side plate (63), drive the upper clamp (61) and the lower clamp (62) to rotate relative to each other, so that the inner wall of the hole applies pressure to the outer wall of the slide rod (51), thereby fixing multiple slide rods (51) at the same time. The elevator (3) drives the connecting plate (4) to move upward and suspends the workpiece through the connecting mechanism (5). A2. During the transfer, the railcar (2) moves the workpiece to the top of the electroplating tank. The elevator (3) drives the connecting plate (4) to move downwards, immersing the workpiece in the electroplating tank for electroplating. During the electroplating process, the fixing mechanism (6) keeps the slide bar (51) in a fixed state to prevent the workpiece from shaking. After the electroplating is completed, the elevator (3) drives the connecting plate (4) to move upwards to lift the workpiece. The screw is rotated in the opposite direction, and the second spring (631) pushes the two side plates (63) away from each other, so that the upper clamp (61) and the lower clamp (62) are reset, and the slide bar (51) returns to a free sliding state, ready for the next operation.

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