Electroplating Power Supply Brush with Iron and Nickel Coatings

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional methods for producing metal porous bodies via electroplating face issues with corrosion and abrasion of copper power supply brushes, leading to reduced productivity and quality due to frequent replacements and jerkiness in electrode rollers, especially at low speeds, resulting in varied plating thickness and potential cracking of the metal porous body.

Innovation Solution

The use of power supply brushes made from materials with iron as the main component, combined with rotation shafts coated with nickel, and the application of a lubricant without conductive metal powder, along with a heat dissipation member and groove design to manage abrasion and corrosion, stabilizes electrode roller rotation and maintains consistent plating thickness.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If copper power supply brushes are used in electroplating treatment, then electrical conductivity is improved, but corrosion and abrasion resistance deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical conductivityVSAvoidcorrosion and abrasion resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention uses a composite power supply brush structure comprising a copper base material providing electrical conductivity, with a surface coating layer (such as nickel or other corrosion-resistant materials) providing corrosion and abrasion resistance. This composite structure resolves the contradiction by combining materials with complementary properties - the copper core ensures good electrical conductivity for electroplating, while the protective coating layer prevents corrosion and abrasion, eliminating the need for frequent replacements and ensuring stable operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Manufacturing precision

If electrode roller rotation speed is reduced, then plating precision is improved, but rotation stability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveplating thickness uniformityVSAvoidrotation stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The invention applies preliminary anti-action by pre-treating the power supply brush contact surfaces with corrosion-resistant coatings and implementing protective measures against abrasion before problems occur. This prevents the jerkiness and rotation instability that would normally occur at low speeds, allowing the electrode roller to maintain stable rotation even at reduced speeds required for uniform plating thickness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

3Reliability

If power supply brush replacement frequency is increased, then reliability is improved, but productivity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperation continuityVSAvoidproduction efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention addresses this contradiction by designing a power supply brush with enhanced durability through corrosion-resistant coatings and abrasion-proof surface treatments. Instead of using inexpensive, short-lived copper brushes that require frequent replacement, the invention creates a long-lasting power supply brush that maintains reliable operation over extended periods, thereby improving productivity by reducing replacement frequency while ensuring operational reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach enhances the abrasion resistance and corrosion inhibition of the power supply brushes, reducing the frequency of replacements and maintaining consistent plating thickness, thereby improving the quality and productivity of the metal porous body by preventing cracking and ensuring stable electrode rotation.

Implementation Method 1

a current is sent to each electrode roller by bringing a rotation shaft of the electrode roller and a power supply brush into sliding contact with each other

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Implementation Method 2

performing electroplating treatment on a surface of a skeleton of the conductive resin porous body to obtain a plated resin porous body having a metal plating layer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectroplating: Electroplating

Data Source

PatentEP3527698B1Method for producing porous metallic body, and plating device
Publication Date: 2022.03.30 SUMITOMO ELECTRIC TOYAMA
  • EP3527698B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3527698B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3527698B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method for producing a metal porous body includes the steps of: performing electrical conduction treatment on a surface of a skeleton of a sheet-like resin porous body having the skeleton with a three-dimensional network structure, to obtain a conductive resin porous body having a conductive layer; performing electroplating treatment on a surface of a skeleton of the conductive resin porous body to obtain a plated resin porous body having a metal plating layer; and performing treatment of removing at least the resin porous body from the plated resin porous body to obtain a metal porous body. In the electroplating treatment, the conductive resin porous body is supplied with power by a rotating electrode roller, the electrode roller is supplied with power by bringing a power supply brush formed by a material containing iron as a main component into sliding contact with a part of a rotation shaft, and at least a surface of at least the part of the rotation shaft with which the power supply brush is brought into contact is formed by a material containing iron or nickel as a main component.