FINISHING SYSTEM

MX433754BActive Publication Date: 2026-05-19SST SYSTEMS INC

Patent Information

Authority / Receiving Office: MX · MX
Patent Type: Patents
Current Assignee / Owner: SST SYSTEMS INC
Filing Date: 2023-04-17
Publication Date: 2026-05-19

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Conventional finishing processes for manufactured parts, such as electrophoretic deposition and electroplating, are limited by the linear movement of cranes, which restricts the flexibility and efficiency of the finishing process, particularly in processes requiring electrical charging for coating deposition.

Method used

A finishing system with a winch mechanism that allows for vertical and rotational movement of loads through multiple stations, incorporating an electrically conductive elevator and sprocket system to establish a conduction path for electrical charging, enabling efficient electrophoretic coating without separate connections.

Benefits of technology

Facilitates flexible and efficient deposition of coating materials by allowing tilting and manipulation of loads during electrophoretic processes, enhancing the coating process's efficiency and versatility.

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Abstract

A finishing system includes a frame that incorporates a bathing station configured to communicate with an electrode; a winch supported by the frame and movable towards the bathing station to establish electrical communication between the winch and a current generated by a power source; the current drives the deposition of a coating onto a load carried by the winch; a system drive unit is supported by the winch and can be operated to rotate a sprocket; the drive unit includes a rotating conductor electronically coupled to the sprocket and configured to enter into electrical communication with the frame; an electrically conductive lifting chain can be operated via the rotation of the sprocket to lower the load onto the bathing station;The frame transmits current from the power source to the rotating conductor, and the lifting chain transmits current from the rotating conductor to the load.

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Description

FINISHING SYSTEM FIELD OF INVENTION The present invention relates to finishing systems and processes for handling loads, such as manufactured products, parts, workpieces, and / or the like. More specifically, the present invention relates to product finishing systems that have winches that can be used to transport manufactured loads through one or more stages of a finishing process. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The finishing processes are known to include an electrophoretic deposition (EPD) or electrophoretic coating (e-coating) process, whereby the manufactured parts are immersed in one or a sequential plurality of fluids that are charged with an electric current to deposit latent coating material suspended in the fluids onto the manufactured and immersed parts. This process is described in U.S. Patent No. 4,772,374, the full contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. As another example, a finishing process may include electroplating, whereby the manufactured parts are also immersed in one or a sequential plurality of fluids to provide a metal coating on the parts. The electronic painting system described in U.S. Patent No. 4,772,374 includes at least one mobile crane 22 that functions to transfer a workpiece 36, such as a car body, supported on a carrier unit 30 along a plurality of processing stations, or tanks 20. The crane 22 is driven to move longitudinally along the processing line on a pair of elevated horizontal supports 32, 34. Once transported to a subsequent workstation in the line 20, the crane 22's hoist motors 60 operate to lower the carrier unit 30 and the workpiece 36 into the processing station 20. The crane 22 also functions to swing the carrier unit 30 and the workpiece 36 into the processing station 20.The crane 22 then operates to lift the carrier unit 30 and the workpiece 36 from the processing station 20, before continuing along the process line to the next processing station 20. As shown in Figure 2 with the carrier unit 30 removed, the crane 22 includes a hoist trolley 40 and a pair of vertical lifting masts 70, 72. Although the crane 22 can selectively uncouple a carrier unit 30 within a predetermined processing station 20, temporarily leaving a workpiece 36, the movement of the crane 22 is restricted to linear movement along the process line between the first and last processing stations 20. Other conventional finishing processes may include a winch that incorporates lifting chains coupled between a gear and a part load bar. Other conventional finishing processes may include a winch that incorporates lifting belts, such as nylon belts, polyester belts, etc., coupled between a roller and a part instead of a part load bar. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION In one aspect, the invention provides a finishing system comprising a frame extending in a process direction along a path comprising a plurality of stations, each configured to receive and treat a load. The plurality of stations includes an immersion station in which the face is submersible in a liquid, a coating material suspended in the liquid, the coating material configured to be electrophoretically deposited on the load, an operable power supply for generating an electrical load, a winch movable along the process direction through the plurality of stations, a rotating conductor supported by the winch, the rotating conductor being electrically connected to the power supply when the winch is positioned at the immersion station, and an electrically conductive lifting chain configured to support the load.An electrically conductive sprocket coupled to the rotating conductor and meshed with the lifting chain allows the load to be moved vertically by the lifting chain relative to the frame in response to the rotation of the sprocket. A conduction path between the load and the power supply is established via the rotating conductor, the sprocket, and the lifting chain. The load is supplied along the conduction path to drive the electrophoretic deposition of the coating material onto the load. In another aspect, the invention provides a finishing system that includes a frame extending in a process direction along a path that includes a bath station configured to communicate with an electrode, a winch supported by the frame and movable towards the bath station to establish electrical communication between the frame and a current generated by a power source, the current to drive the deposition of a coating towards the load carried by the winch, and a drive unit supported by the winch and operable to rotate a sprocket, the sprocket being configured to move the load vertically.The drive unit includes a rotating conductor electrically coupled to the sprocket and configured to enter into electrical communication with the frame, and an electrically conductive lifting chain actuated and meshed with the sprocket and supporting the load. The lifting chain can be operated by rotating the sprocket to lower the load to the bathing station where the load is immersed in a liquid, and to raise the load out of the liquid. The frame transmits current from the power source to the rotating conductor, and the lifting chain transmits current from the rotating conductor to the load. In another aspect, the invention provides a method for operating a finishing system that includes providing a plurality of stations along a frame in a process direction, each station configured to receive and treat a load, placing a dip station along the process direction, suspending a latent coating material in a liquid provided at the dip station, operating a power supply to generate an electrical charge for the frame and the liquid, providing a winch that can be moved along the process direction through the plurality of stations, the winch including an electrically conductive hoist chain and an electrically conductive sprocket meshed with the hoist chain, moving the winch towards the register with the dip station, and communicating electrically with the power supply and the sprocket through the winch.Connect the load to the lifting chain, immerse the load in the liquid, establish a conduction path between the sprocket and the load only through the lifting chain, and actuate the electrophoretic deposition of the coating material onto the load through the electrical charge generated by the power supply. Other aspects of the invention will become evident after considering the detailed description and accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a top plan view of the finishing system according to one modality of this disclosure. Figure 2 is a front elevation view of the system in Figure 1. Figure 3 is a side elevation view of the system in Figure 1. Figure 4 is a schematic view illustrating the circuits of an anodic or cathodic system for a coating station of the system in Figure 1. Figure 5 is an enlarged view of the referenced portion of Figure 3, which illustrates a winch and lifting mechanism of the coating station. Figure 6 is an isolated front view of the lifting mechanism referenced in Figure 5, illustrating a gear unit of the lifting mechanism. Figure 7A is a plan view of a portion of the gear unit of the unit in Figure 6, illustrating a separator of the gear unit. Figure 7B is a plan view of a portion of the gear unit from Figure 6, illustrating a side plate of the gear unit. Figure 7C is a plan view of a portion of the gear unit from Figure 6, illustrating a center plate of the gear unit. Figure 8 is an isolated front elevation view of the winch mechanism and the load to be finished, illustrating a side-to-side tilt of the load. Figure 9 is an isolated side elevation view of the winch mechanism and load, illustrating an end-to-end tilt of the load. Figure 10 is an isolated front elevation view of the winch mechanism and load, illustrating a side-to-side tilt of the load, in accordance with another application of the winch mechanism. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Before explaining the embodiments in detail, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to the construction details and component arrangement set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and can be practiced or carried out in various ways. Furthermore, the phraseology and terminology used herein are for descriptive purposes only and should not be considered exhaustive. The use of the phrases "includes," "comprises," or "has," and variations thereof, herein means that they encompass the items listed below and their equivalents, as well as additional items. Figures 1 to 3 illustrate a finishing system 20 comprising a frame 22 that defines a plurality of workstations forming multiple process lines extending along a process direction PD, as shown in the plan view of Figure 1 and the elevation views of Figures 2 and 3. Some or all of the workstations may include immersion tanks 23 filled with liquid for cleaning, rinsing, and / or coating a load 24, such as a product, part, manufactured workpiece, and / or the like, conveyed through the process lines. In some configurations, the finishing system 20 may also include additional non-immersion workstations, such as spray stations, heating sections or ovens, or inspection stations, among others. In any case, each workstation may be configured to treat the loads 24 in some way.Additional stations can be provided along the process lines for purposes other than handling the load (e.g., inspection, waiting, workpiece handling, etc.). In some constructions, the finishing system 20 workstations may include combinations of the following: Pre-cleaning / flooding spray; Alkaline cleaner spray; Alkaline cleaner immersion; DI / RO rinse spray; DI / RO rinse immersion; Conversion coating immersion; DI / RO rinse spray; DI / RO rinse immersion; Electroplating immersion with corona rinse; Spray permeate rinse; and Permeate rinse immersion. Thus, different treatment methods can be performed by the various workstations as part of an overall finishing process (e.g., electroplating or electroplating). As described below, workstations can be subdivided into different sections or groups, such as a pre-treatment section (i.e., process steps prior to applying a finish or coating to the workpiece) and a coating section. The coating section may also include post-treatment workstations for processing the workpiece after the coating has been applied (e.g., to enhance, cure, or complete the coating). In some constructions, the PD process direction of the process lines extends along three generally straight lines, as the rows of workstations are arranged in staggered linear rows. Although less common, it is also possible for workstations to be arranged along arcs, curves, or other nonlinear rows so that the corresponding direction is not linear. With reference to Figure 1, the polished finishing system 20 includes three process lines, each having a plurality of stations or stages that can be housed in / by the frame 22. Generally speaking, each stage is configured to receive and treat the load 24. A first line 28 of the multiple process lines includes an inlet 32 to the conveyor belt (e.g., from the finishing system 20) followed subsequently by a pre-rinse immersion stage 36, an immersion cleaning stage 42, and first and second immersion rinsing stages 46, 50. A second line 54 of the multiple process lines includes a first immersion stage for electrophoretic coating 58, and a third line 62 of the multiple process lines includes a second immersion stage for electrophoretic coating 66 as well as, in some constructions, an outlet from the conveyor belt.The 20 finishing system also includes a first lateral transfer stage 70 between the first line 28 and the second line 54 and a second legal transfer stage 74 between the second line 54 and the third line 62. In some constructions, the load 24 may include individual or assembled workpiece(s), a frame, a basket, etc. In some operations, the load 24, such as a lattice basket, retains or otherwise supports another portion of the load, such as a plurality of fabricated parts, workpieces, etc. The finishing system 20 illustrated can, in some applications, eliminate the separate workpiece carrier so that the winch 78 (e.g., an overhead crane unit, winch mechanism, etc.) directly supports the item to be finished, as explained in more detail below. Referring now to Figures 2 and 3, the winch 78 can be movably supported by the frame 22 through the plurality of stages. In other words, the winch 78 is configured to move (for example, by an onboard drive, which may include one or more electric motors) along the bridge 22 to traverse the plurality of stages. Specifically, the winch 78 transports one or more related loads 24 along the PD process direction. That is, the winch 78 and the load(s) can move through the plurality of stages together. The winch 78 is further configured to selectively raise and lower the load 24 so that the winch 78 may or may not raise and lower the load 24 at each of the plurality of stages. In addition to moving the load 24 between stages, the winch 78 operates, in stages where the load 24 is immersed in a liquid bath (for example, a coating fluid present in any of the electrophoretic coating stages 58, 66), to lower the load 24 into the liquid bath and to raise the load 24 out of the liquid bath. The winch 78 can additionally operate to tilt or balance the load 24 through selective manipulation of separate ends or sides of the load 24. The winch 78 provides tilting and / or other manipulation of the load 24, such as reorienting it from a nominal orientation, either in the liquid bath, directly above the liquid bath, or both. A conduction path 80, as partially shown in Figure 4, is established between a power supply 82 and the load 24 through integral portions (for example, structures, frames, load-bearing members, etc.).) of system 20 instead of through a separate cable or connector. In the operation of the winch 78, the driving path 80 allows tilting and / or other manipulation of the load 24 described herein. The electrophoretic coating process is based on the transmission of the coating material (e.g., paint, zinc, laminate, and / or similar) suspended in the liquid bath onto the charge 24 when the components of the electrophoretic coating process are electrically charged with an electric current. Specifically, when the conduction path 80 is continuous (e.g., in any of the electrophoretic coating stages 58, 66) so that the voltage potential from the power supply 82 can generate a current, the coating can be deposited onto the charge 24. With reference to Figure 4, according to an illustrative arrangement in the disclosure, the conduction path 80 or electrophoretic coating circuit includes the power supply 82 having negative conductors or terminals 86 and positive conductors or terminals 90. In the illustrated embodiment, the power supply 82 provides charging power to the electrophoretic coating circuit 80 and includes a DC rectifier. In other embodiments, for example, the power supply is an AC power source combined with a converter, inverter, and / or the like. Before the relative cathodic and anodic designations are made with reference to the illustrated modality in Figure 4, it should be understood that the finishing system 20 of this disclosure can be arranged as either a cathodic coating system or an anodic coating system. Regardless of the charge / polarity arrangement, the structure through which the conduction path 80 is provided is substantially the same, although the relative signs (i.e., + / -) and / or charge directions (e.g., ion) may be reversed or different based on a desired coating application (e.g., cathodic electrophoretic coating stage, anodic electrophoretic coating stage, etc.).For example, the first electrophoretic coating stage 58 can be an anodic or cathodic electrophoretic coating stage, and the second electrophoretic coating stage 66 can be another anodic electrophoretic coating stage or a cathodic electrophoretic coating stage. With the above clarification in mind, the illustrated arrangement will now be described for an anodic electrophoretic coating arrangement. Continuing with reference to Figure 4, a negative conductor 86 of the rectifier 82 is connected (for example, via a cable, connector, terminal box, direct contact, and / or the like) to a first electrode 94 located in the electrophoretic coating stages 58, 66. In the illustrated embodiment, the first electrode 94 is materialized as cathode plates immersed in coating liquid contained within a tank 23, which is present in the first electrophoretic coating stage 58. A positive side 90 of the rectifier 82 is connected to a clamp, such as a shoe 98, either via a designated connector (for example, cable) or via a portion of the frame 22, or via other means.Shoe 98 is present to make contact with the capstan 78 (Figure 5) at the electrophoretic coating stages 58, 56, so that the capstan 78 can be moved into the register with shoe 98 to provide electrical communication from the rectifier 82 to the capstan 78. Similarly, the movement of the capstan 78 away from the electrophoretic coating stages 58, 66 (e.g., disconnected, out of register, etc.) is configured to break the conduction path 80 between shoe 98 and rectifier 82, which breaks the conduction path 80 between rectifier 82 and load 24. For example, with brief reference to Figure 1, shoe 98 can be supported by frame 22 and offset laterally from tank 23 to allow winch 78 to move linearly in contact with shoe 98. More specifically, winch 78 c / hbnn / cznz / B / Yi includes a contact portion 100 configured to engage with shoe 98. Contact portion 100 and shoe 98 can be coupled to each other in various ways, depending on the construction. In some embodiments, for example, at least one of shoe 98 and contact portion 100 is planed, providing a planed connection.When in contact with the shoe 98 (for example, through the contact portion 100), the winch 78 is placed directly above the tank 23 in the electrophoretic coating stages 58, 66 so that the load 24 carried by the winch 78 is suspended in a position above the cathode plates forming the first electrode 94 and ready to be lowered into the coating liquid. With specific reference to Figure 5, the conduit path 80 from shoe 98 to winch 78 will be described in more detail. Starting from Figure 4, the polished electrophoretic coating circuit 80 continues from rectifier 82 and shoe 98 to winch 78, as long as winch 78 is in the polished position shown in Figure 5. In some constructions, a portion of frame 22 (e.g., a mount, bracket, and / or the like) is loaded such that shoe 98 and the portion of frame 22 share a common load. In other constructions, a connector extends from rectifier 82 to shoe 98. Referring again to Figure 5, winch 78 is polished in the position above tank 23 and in contact with shoe 98. Figure 5 further illustrates another portion of the electrophoretic coating circuit 80, which is supported by the winch 78 to deliver load from the lug 98 to a rotating conductor 102. Consequently, Figure 4 illustrates a circuit from the rectifier 82 to the lug 98, and Figure 5 illustrates a circuit from the lug 98 to the rotating conductor 102. In the illustrated configuration, the rotating conductor 102 can function as a rotating base. In some constructions, for example, the rotating conductor 102 is an ERG-400-01, marketed by Meridida Laboratory. In the illustrated embodiment, the rotating conductor 102 is supported by a transmission unit 106, such as a hoisting mechanism, mounted and movable together with the winch 78. The hoisting mechanism 106, which can provide vertical movement of the load 24, may include a transmission link 110 supporting a hoisting chain 114. The load 24 is suspended from the hoisting chain 114, which provides a winch line for raising / lowering the load 24. The transmission link 110 is materialized as a gear or sprocket 110, but may be a pulley mechanism or other transmittable member (e.g., rotating, translating, etc.) suitable for receiving links 118 of the chain 114.In another modality, by way of example, the load 24 can be suspended from another conducting winch line, such as a lock, flexible line or conducting belt, which is suitable to couple the c / hbnn / cznz / B / Yi transmission link 110 (for example, sprocket, pulley, etc.). In the polished embodiment, chain 114 is a lifting chain 114 formed by a series of links 118 (see Figure 6) connected to each other in alternating orientations. The lifting chain 114 and its links 118 are made of an electrically conductive material, for example, steel. In some embodiments, the links 118 are made of a high-strength alloy or material having a grade between approximately 40 (for example, G43) and approximately 120 (for example, G120), such as a G80 alloy chain. In the polished embodiment, the links 118 form a lifting chain of alloy with a grade of 100 (for example, G100). G100 alloy lifting chains that have a net weight of approximately 340.19 kg (e.g., 339.28 kg) (750 lbs (e.g., 748 lbs)) and a length of approximately 60.96 m (200 ft) have an operating load limit or rated capacity of 10.25 tonnes (22,600 lbs).The links for such conventional G100 lifting chains have an overall size of approximately 16mm (~5 / 8 inch), a wire diameter of approximately 1.62 cm (0.639 inch), a nominal inside diameter length of approximately 4.97 cm (1.960 inch), and a minimum inside diameter width of approximately 2.20 cm (0.870 inch). The links of a similar G80 alloy chain (e.g., a weight of ~3283.85 kg (~725 lbs), a length of ~60.96 m (~200 ft), load limit of 8.21 tons (18,100 lbs)) have an overall size of approximately 16 mm (~5 / 8 in.), a wire diameter of approximately 1.58 cm (0.625 in.), a nominal inner diameter length of approximately 4.97 cm (1.960 in.), and a minimum inner diameter width of approximately 2.20 cm (0.870 in.). The lifting chain 114 (for example, via links 118) is meshed with the sprocket 118 and can be coupled to the load 24. In the illustrated arrangement, the lifting mechanism 106 also includes a motor 120 (for example, an electric motor). The motor 120 is coupled to the sprocket 110, either directly or via a gear connection, and transmits the rotation of the sprocket 110. As the sprocket 110 rotates, the lifting chain 114 rides the sprocket 110 so that the load 24 can be lifted from the fluid or lowered into the fluid, depending on the condition of the load 24 (for example, coated, about to be coated, etc.). The gear 110 is mechanically coupled and electrically connected to the rotating conductor 102 such that the gear 110 and at least a portion of the rotating conductor 102 co-rotate as the motor 120 drives the gear 110. A mounting face 124 of the rotating conductor 102 is directly coupled to the gear 110, and a stem 128 of the rotating conductor 102 is connected to the shoe 98. In the illustrated embodiment, the rotating conductor 102 carries the load from the shoe 98 and to the gear 110, such that the gear 110 forms a portion of the electrophoretic coating circuit 80. A remaining link in the electrophoretic coating circuit 80 is provided via the lifting chain 114 to load 24 (see Figure 8), which, being in contact with the liquid in the electrophoretic coating stages 58 and 66 and being charged by the rectifier 82, receives the coating deposition. Load 24 serves as a second electrode in the electrophoretic coating circuit 80. In some cases, as illustrated in Figure 8, load 24 may include a carrier (e.g., a workpiece holder, such as a basket, carrier, platform, and / or the like). In any case, with respect to the illustrative anodic electrophoretic coating arrangement described herein, face 24 is the second electrode in the electrophoretic coating circuit 80 and functions as the anode. With brief reference to Figure 8, which illustrates the chart 24 supported by the lifting chain 114, the illustrated conduit path 80 is thus linked to the load 24 and / or the anode directly and / or solely through the lifting chain 114 instead of through a separate connection, such as a wire, cable, and / or the like, connecting the rectifier 82 to the load 24. The absence of the separate connection for system 20 allows tilting and / or other complex movements of the load 24 without entangling, trapping, or breaking such separate connections. In the illustrated configuration of Figures 1 to 9, the load 24 is held by a workpiece holder in the form of a basket, according to an illustrative construction. For coating deposition where the load 24 includes a workpiece holder, the electrophoretic coating is deposited on all the anodes formed by the load 24 (e.g., workpiece(s) and the holder, etc.). In other embodiments, as illustrated in Figure 10, the load 24 does not include a separate workpiece holder, and the workpiece alone constitutes the load 24. The workpiece is directly coupled to the hoisting chain 114 and lowered into the coating fluid. In general, the sprocket 110 and hoisting chain 114 provide the conductive link between the moving workpiece (e.g., vertically) and the stationary winch 38 (e.g., vertically) so that the electrophoretic coating circuit 80 extends through the sprocket 110 and hoisting chain 114 instead of through a separate cable or connector. With reference to Figure 5, the winch 78 further supports a movable bushing 132, which, like the contact portion 100, can be movable with the winch 78 to selectively contact the frame 22. Unlike the contact portion 100, the bushing 132 does not contact the frame 22 to provide a portion of the electrophoretic coating circuit 80. Instead, in some embodiments, the bushing 132 may be provided to ground the winch 78 to the frame 22. In other embodiments, for example, the bushing 132 selectively contacts the frame 22 to receive power to energize the motor 120. In still other embodiments, the bushing 132 contacts the frame 22 to ground the entire system 20. Referring now to Figures 6 and 7A to 7C, the gear 110, according to some embodiments, is a multi-piece gear unit 110, including two side plates 138 (Figure 7B), a center plate 142 (Figure 7C) positioned between the two side plates 138, and a spacer 146 (Figure 7A), such as a ring spacer located between the center plate 142 and each of the two side plates 138. The center plate 142 includes teeth 150 extending from an outer periphery of the center plate 142 and is constructed of a harder material than the two plates 138, which may be positioned to flank the toothed center plate 142. The center plate 142 may be sandwiched between two ring spacers 146, which, in turn, may be positioned between the two side plates 138. As best illustrated in Figure 7C, consecutive teeth 150 are separated by a cavity 154 located at least partially between the two side plates 138. The teeth 150 and the cavities 154 of the sprocket 110 are spaced to be alternately positioned and adjacent to the offset links 118 of the chain 114. In other words, the teeth 150 span links 118a in a first orientation, such as a horizontal or lying orientation, and between adjacent links 118b in a second orientation, such as a vertical or upright orientation. Each of the cavities 154 receives a complete upright link 118b. The cavities 154 and the upright chain links 118 can transmit force. The cavities 154 and / or side plates 138 include reliefs 158 to receive a weld on the chain links 118.In the illustrated version, an outer surface 159 of the side plates 138 includes the reliefs 158 for the recumbent links 118a. The recumbent chain links 118 are supported on both sides by the two side plates 138 and are configured to be mounted along the outer surface 159 (e.g., upper) of the two side plates 138. The illustrated sprocket unit 110 includes a pitch diameter that is slightly smaller for the chain links 118 so that the chain 114 has slack and can be more easily removed from the sprocket 110 on a non-driven side. The sprocket unit 110 can be joined by a plug weld at three locations 164, one on each side of the unit 110. These locations are provided by through-holes in the side plates 138 to allow the plug weld to penetrate the sides of the center plate. In the illustrated embodiment, the center plate 142 includes a central keyed opening 168 that can be laser-cut to a larger size (e.g., 0.79 mm (1 / 32 in.)) for a wrench / shank (e.g., from the motor 120) due to the potential for damage from drilling or milling tools to the center plate material 142.The two side plates 138, which can be constructed of a softer or non-hardened material compared to the center plate 142, can be precisely drilled or milled (not shown in the intermediate state of Figure 7B) to make the connection of c / hbnn / cznz / B / Yi transmission with the motor 120 and to provide more durability within the opening 168. The winch 78 may include a single hoisting mechanism 106 or, as illustrated in Figures 8 and 9, a plurality of hoisting mechanisms 106. In the illustrated embodiment, the winch 78 supports hoisting mechanisms 106 positioned in four separate regions (e.g., at four corners) of the winch 78. In the illustrated embodiment, each hoisting mechanism 106 includes a hoisting chain 114 meshed with a sprocket unit 110. Each hoisting chain 114 may be attached to an individual load 24, and the respective hoisting mechanisms 106 may be driven in the same or different quantities. Each hoisting mechanism 106 may be driven independently by, for example, separate motors 120 under joint control by means of an electronic controller or synchronized control of separate electronic controls.In this example, different motors 120 drive different lifting mechanisms 106 in different quantities to provide an inclined load 24 or in the same quantity to provide a substantially level load 24. In some embodiments, an individual component, such as a drive train, fork and / or the like, can be used to drive each lifting mechanism 106 together. As illustrated in Figure 8, the load 24, which includes a workpiece holder, can be supported by four lifting mechanisms 106 and tilted about a first axis 170 in a side-to-side manner. As illustrated in Figure 9, the load 24 can be tilted about a second axis 174 in an end-to-end manner (e.g., front-to-back). As illustrated in Figure 10, according to another illustrative application of the winch 78, the load 24 can consist of a single workpiece, the workpiece being directly connected to each of the lifting chains 114 and tilted about multiple axes.In some embodiments, each lifting mechanism 106 makes selective contact with the frame 22 to complete the electrophoretic coating circuit 80; however, the electrophoretic coating circuit 80 in electrophoretic coating stages 58, 66 can be completed by a single lifting mechanism 106 making contact with the frame 22 in some constructions. In other embodiments, the winch 78 includes more than four lifting mechanisms 106 that can collectively support the load 24 via conductive lifting chains 114 to manipulate (e.g., raise, lower, tilt, turn, etc.) the load 24 relative to the lifting mechanisms 106 and omit a separate conductor extending from the rectifier 82 to the anode. Although the invention has been described in detail with reference to certain preferred embodiments, there are variations and modifications within the scope and spirit of one or more independent aspects of the invention, as described.

Claims

NOVELTY OF THE INVENTION CLAIMS 1. A finishing system comprising: a frame extending in a process direction along a path including a plurality of stations, each configured to receive and treat a load, the plurality of stations including an immersion station in which the load can be immersed in a liquid; a coating material suspended in the liquid, the coating material configured to be electrophoretically deposited onto the load; an operable power supply for generating the electrical load; a winch movable along the process direction through the plurality of stations; a rotating conductor supported by the winch, the rotating conductor being electrically connected to the power supply when the winch is positioned at the immersion station; an electrically conductive lifting chain configured to support the load;an electrically conductive wheel coupled to the rotating conductor and meshed with the lifting chain, the load being vertically movable with the lifting chain relative to the frame in response to the rotation of the sprocket; and a conduction path between the load and the power supply established through the rotating conductor, the sprocket, and the lifting chain, wherein the load is supplied along the conduction path to drive the electrophoretic deposition of the coating material onto the load.

2. The finishing system according to claim 1, further characterized in that it additionally comprises: a first electrode in communication with the fluid, the first electrode receiving the charge from the power supply; and a second electrode in selective communication with the fluid and forming part of the conduction path, the second electrode including the charge.

3. The finishing system according to claim 2, wherein the second electrode is electrically connected to the sprocket via the lifting chain.

4. The finishing system according to claim 1, further characterized in that it additionally comprises: a first electrode in communication with the fluid, the first electrode receiving the load from the power supply; and a second electrode in selective communication with the fluid and forming part of the conduction path; and a load holder supported by the lifting chain and configured to retain the second electrode, wherein the second electrode includes the load, and wherein the conduction path between the load and the power supply includes the second electrode and the load holder. c / hbnn / pznz / B / Yi 5. The finishing system according to claim 4 further characterized in that the load holder is electrically connected to the sprocket only through the lifting chain.

6. The finishing system according to claim 1, further characterized in that the winch can be moved over and into a tank of the immersion station and in contact with an electrically conductive portion of the frame to form a portion of the driving path extending between the rotating conductor and the power supply.

7. The finishing system according to claim 6, further characterized in that the winch can be moved out of the immersion station to break the driving path between the load and the power supply.

8. The finishing system according to claim 1, further characterized in that the gear includes a unit of two side plates and a center plate positioned between the two side plates, the unit further including a spacer positioned between the center gear plate and each of the two side plates.

9. The finishing system according to claim 8, further characterized in that the sprocket additionally includes teeth extending from a periphery of the center plate, consecutive teeth being separated by a sprocket positioned between the two side plates, wherein the lifting chain includes a series of connected links, each alternating in an orientation relative to the preceding link, and wherein the teeth are configured to extend towards the links of the lifting chain in a first orientation and the cavity is configured to receive links of the lifting chain in a second orientation.

10. The finishing system according to claim 9, further characterized in that the links of the lifting chain in a first orientation are configured to be mounted along an outer surface of the two side plates, and wherein the outer surface includes a recess formed to receive a weld of one of the chain links.

11. A finishing system comprising: a frame extending in a process direction along a path including a bathing station configured to be in communication with an electrode; a winch supported by the frame and movable towards the bathing station to establish electrical communication between the winch and a current generated by a power source, the current to drive the deposition of a coating onto a load carried by the winch;and a winch-supported drive unit operable to rotate a sprocket, the sprocket being configured to move the load vertically, the drive unit including a rotating conductor electronically coupled to the sprocket and configured to enter into electrical communication with the frame, and an electrically conductive hoisting chain actuably meshed with the sprocket and supporting the load, the hoisting chain being operable by rotation of the sprocket to lower the load to the bathing station where the load is immersed in a liquid, and to raise the load out of the liquid, wherein the frame communicates current from the power source to the rotating conductor, and wherein the hoisting chain communicates current from the rotating conductor to the load.

12. The finishing system according to claim 11, further characterized in that the transmission unit is a first transmission unit of a plurality of transmission units and each one bears the load.

13. The finishing system according to claim 12, further characterized in that the winch supports the first transmission unit on a first side of the winch and a second transmission unit on a second side of the winch, and wherein the first and second transmission units can be operated to drive the first and second lifting chains, respectively, in different amounts to tilt the load.

14. The finishing system according to claim 13, further characterized in that the winch supports a third transmission unit on the first side of the winch and a fourth transmission unit on the second side of the winch, and wherein the third and fourth transmission units are operable to rotate the respective third and fourth lifting chains of the respective transmission in different amounts to tilt the load.

15. The finishing system according to claim 14, further characterized in that the first and third transmission units are offset from each other, and where the second and fourth transmission units are offset from each other.

16. The finishing system according to claim 15, further characterized in that the respective first, second, third and fourth lifting chains are connected to four corners of the load.

17. A method of operating a finishing system, the method comprising: providing a plurality of stations along a frame in a process direction, each station configured to receive and treat a load; positioning a dip station along a process direction; suspending a latent coating material in a liquid provided at the dip station; operating a power supply to generate an electrical charge to the frame and the liquid; providing a winch movable along the process direction through the plurality of stations, the winch including an electrically conductive lifting chain and an electrically conductive sprocket meshed with the lifting chain; moving the winch towards the register with the dip station; electrically communicating the power supply and the sprocket through the winch; connecting the load to the lifting chain;Immerse the load in the liquid; establish a conduction path between the sprocket and the load solely through the lifting chain; actuate the electrophoretic deposition of the coating material onto the load through the electrical charge generated by the power supply. 5; 18. The method according to claim 17, further characterized in that it additionally comprises: supporting a rotating conductor on the winch; and electrically connecting the power supply to the rotating conductor through the physical connection between the winch and the frame.

19. The method according to claim 18, further characterized in that the sprocket is electrically connected to the rotating conductor when the winch is positioned at the immersion station, and wherein the drive path further extends from the sprocket to the rotating conductor, so that the power supply and load are electrically connected via the rotating conductor, the sprocket, and the lifting chain.

20. The method according to claim 17, further characterized 15 in that it additionally comprises moving the winch out of the register with the diving station, thereby breaking the electrical communication between the power supply and the gear.