Rotating Frame for Uniform Galvanic Coating of Bearing Rings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing coating frames for ring-shaped components, such as bearing rings or cages, suffer from layer defects due to uneven coating thickness and uncoated areas at contact points, especially when using traditional clamping or tilting methods for chemical or galvanic coating in electrolytic baths.
Innovation Solution
A frame with rotatable drive pins and a dual drive system, including a first and second drive unit connected via worm gears or belt drives, allows for permanent rotary motion of ring-shaped components within the electrolyte bath, ensuring uniform coating and minimizing defects. The frame is adjustable to accommodate components of varying sizes and includes metal components for electrical contacting during galvanic coating.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If traditional clamping or tilting methods are used to hold components on the frame, then the component can be fixed and moved in the electrolyte bath, but layer defects occur at contact points due to uneven coating thickness and uncoated areas
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by implementing a rotary drive system that continuously rotates the component during coating. The drive pins (8a, 8b) are connected to drive units (3, 4) that rotate the component about its central axis, ensuring all surfaces are uniformly exposed to the coating process without stationary contact points that would create defects.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the harmful contact points by replacing traditional clamping methods with drive pins that rotate with the component. The component rests on the drive pins during rotation, eliminating fixed contact areas where layer defects would form, while still providing necessary support and electrical contacting.
2Ease of operation
If the component is held stationary on the frame, then it can be easily positioned, but the coating thickness becomes uneven and layer defects appear at contact areas
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from static positioning to dynamic rotation. The drive units (3, 4) with worms (7a) and worm wheels (7b) provide controlled rotational movement, making the component easy to position and rotate while ensuring uniform coating exposure without stationary contact points.
3Manufacturing precision
If tilting frames are used to move components during coating, then layer defects at contact points are reduced, but they are not completely prevented
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements full rotational dynamics rather than partial tilting movement. The drive pins and drive units rotate the component 360 degrees around its central axis, ensuring all surfaces are uniformly coated without any stationary contact points, completely preventing layer defects that tilting frames could only reduce.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the frame structure is made complex to accommodate various component sizes, then adaptability improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The frame structure is designed with universal features: multiple pairs of drive pins (at least four pairs per cross brace, preferably sixteen pairs total) that can accommodate components with outside diameters from 10 to 300 cm. The adjustable positioning of drive units and cross braces allows the same frame to handle various component sizes without requiring complex reconfiguration.
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
The solution provides a uniform layer thickness and eliminates layer defects, enabling high-quality chemical or galvanic coating of ring-shaped components with improved retention and support, suitable for components with external diameters ranging from 10 to 300 cm.
Implementation Method 1
the drive pins are each rotatable about their longitudinal axis
Implementation Method 2
the at least one second drive shaft being drivably connected to the at least one first drive shaft via at least one first worm gear
Implementation Method 3
for chemically or galvanically coating the components in an electrolytic bath
Implementation Method 4
for chemically or galvanically coating the components in an electrolytic bath
Implementation Method 5
This protective coating preferably has a surface which is designed to be repellent with regard to the electrolyte bath, for example by means of a lotus coating which repels dirt and liquids, or is hydrophobic
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a frame for receiving ring-shaped components, in particular bearing rings or cages of rolling or sliding bearings, and for chemically or galvanically coating the components in an electrolyte bath, comprising: - a support frame having at least one first drive unit, at least one second drive unit and at least one horizontally arranged first cross brace, - at least one drive motor for driving the at least one first drive unit, wherein the at least one first drive unit is connected to the at least one second drive unit and drives it; and - at least two horizontally arranged drive pins rotatable about their longitudinal axis for receiving the ring-shaped components, which are arranged on the at least one first cross brace, wherein the at least two drive pins are connected to the at least one second drive unit and can be driven by it.The invention further relates to a method for the chemical or galvanic coating of ring-shaped components.