Selective Plating Apparatus for Connector Parts
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing selective electroplating equipment is unable to handle connector parts of various shapes and sizes efficiently, often resulting in incorrect orientation and physical stress on the parts, leading to uneven plating and increased costs due to the need for custom machines for each type of connector.
Innovation Solution
A selective plating apparatus featuring a vibrobowl, vibratory linear feeder, support wheel with rotary mechanisms, and pressure belt system that allows for automatic and continuous feeding of parts to a plating solution bath, enabling precise plating on either side of connector parts irrespective of their center of gravity, with minimal physical stress and without the need for custom tooling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If existing selective electroplating equipment is used, then plating can be applied to specific surfaces, but the equipment cannot handle connector parts of various shapes and sizes efficiently, resulting in incorrect orientation and physical stress on the parts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a vibratory linear feeder that dynamically adjusts the feeding mechanism based on part orientation, allowing parts to be fed in any direction regardless of their shape or size. The vibratory motion continuously adapts to different part geometries, maintaining consistent feeding without requiring custom tooling for each part type.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses mechanical vibration in the linear feeder to move parts along the plating path. The vibratory motion creates a self-aligning effect that orients parts correctly for plating while accommodating various shapes and sizes. The vibration frequency and amplitude are adjusted to work with different part geometries, eliminating the need for custom fixtures.
2Manufacturing precision
If custom tooling is used for each connector type, then plating precision can be improved, but capital expenditures and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs a universal linear feeder that can handle multiple connector types without requiring custom tooling. The feeder uses adjustable components and vibratory motion that can be reconfigured to accommodate different part shapes and sizes. This multi-functional design eliminates the need to purchase and maintain separate tooling sets for each connector type, reducing capital expenditures while maintaining plating precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adjusts operational parameters such as vibratory frequency, feeding speed, and orientation angles to optimize plating for different connector types. By changing these parameters rather than modifying the physical tooling, the system maintains precision across various part types while avoiding the cost of custom tooling for each design.
3Reliability
If physical contact is used to hold and move parts, then parts can be securely handled, but physical stress is placed on the parts leading to uneven plating
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses pneumatic pressure from a vacuum chamber to hold parts on the support wheel instead of mechanical contact. The vacuum creates a non-contact holding force that securely grasps parts without applying physical stress to their surfaces. This pneumatic holding method ensures reliable part retention while maintaining surface integrity, preventing the kind of physical stress that would cause uneven plating deposits.
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
Enables efficient and uniform plating of connector parts of any shape or size, reducing material costs by over 80% and minimizing labor and capital expenditures, while ensuring consistent and reliable plating deposits on the correct contact surfaces.
Implementation Method 1
a vibratory linear feeder attached to the vibrobowl for moving the parts via linear vibration
Implementation Method 2
a vacuum chamber underneath the support wheel for generating air pressure throughout the selective plating apparatus
Implementation Method 3
A selective plating apparatus for plating contact surfaces of parts using a plating solution bath
Data Source
AI summary
This invention relates generally to an apparatus and method for electroplating selected portions of a connector part, such as a pin or a socket. The selective plating apparatus of the present invention is capable of continuously depositing plating solution on precisely the right contact surface of the connector part irrespective of its shape and center of gravity. According to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the selective plating apparatus is capable of plating either side of the connector part, such as a pin or a socket, allowing plating of different type of metals on each side of the machined or stamped parts. The parts are handled automatically with minimum physical stress resulting in more consistent and reliable plating deposits.