Solderable Mesh Electrode Thick Tinning Uniformity

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing solderable mesh electrodes often have non-homogeneous coating thicknesses due to galvanic coating methods, leading to quality control issues and potential component failure, making it difficult to ensure consistent quality and reliability.

Innovation Solution

The method involves applying a thick layer of tinning to wires before weaving, followed by surface treatment with a thin metal layer to smooth the surface, and optionally adding a protective layer to enhance weaving and remove post-production, ensuring consistent solder distribution and reduced abrasion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If galvanic coating method is used to apply solder layer to the mesh, then the mesh becomes solderable, but the coating thickness becomes non-homogeneous with local variations at crossing points and free wires

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesolderabilityVSAvoidcoating thickness uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The wires are pre-coated with a thick layer of tinning (at least 10 micrometers) before the mesh is woven. This preliminary coating ensures that each wire has sufficient solderable material before assembly, eliminating the non-homogeneous coating problem that occurs with post-weaving galvanic coating methods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the coating thickness parameter from the conventional thin galvanic layer (less than 1 micrometer) to a thick tinning layer (at least 10 micrometers). This parameter change ensures homogeneous coating distribution and provides adequate solderable material throughout the mesh structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Manufacturing precision

If thick layer of tinning is applied to wires before weaving, then homogeneous solderable quality is achieved, but the rough surface causes high abrasion during weaving process

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoating thickness uniformityVSAvoidweaving process difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

A protective layer is applied to the thick-tinned wires before the weaving process. This protective coating prevents the rough tinning surface from causing excessive abrasion during weaving, while still allowing the thick tinning layer to provide homogeneous solderable quality in the finished mesh.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The protective layer acts as an intermediary between the rough thick tinning surface and the weaving machinery. It reduces direct contact and abrasion during the weaving process, making the manufacturing easier while preserving the beneficial thick coating properties.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Quantity of substance

If thick layer of tinning is used on wires, then sufficient solderable material is provided at crossing points, but the rough surface leads to contamination and undefined properties

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesolderable material amountVSAvoidcontamination and surface roughness
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The wires are coated with a protective layer before weaving to prevent contamination during the manufacturing process. After weaving, the protective layer is removed to reveal the clean, thick tinning surface that provides sufficient solderable material without the harmful effects of process-induced contamination.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The protective layer is temporarily applied during manufacturing, then discarded after weaving is complete. This allows the thick tinning surface to remain clean and free from contamination that would occur if the rough surface were exposed during the weaving process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #34Discarding and recovering

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 results in a more uniform solderable mesh with reduced abrasion and contamination, facilitating easier quality control and producing high-quality, reproducible meshes suitable for various applications, including electrical contacting and internal combustion engines.

Implementation Method 1

a thick layer of tinning of at least one solder is applied to at least some wires (3, 4) before production of the net (1)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGalvanic coating: Electroplating

Implementation Method 2

The wire provided with a thick layer of tinning can be pulled for smoothing before the network is produced, by pulling the wire through a hole, a drawing die or a template or a die

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAbrasion: Abrasion

Data Source

PatentEP1927419B1Grid electrode with a grid comprising netted wires having a thick tinning ; Method of manufacturing such a grid electrode
Publication Date: 2015.06.17 WALDEMAR HOENING
  • EP1927419B1 patent drawingFigure 1~4

AI summary

Solderable mesh (1) is woven from wires (2) with a thick coating (6) produced by tinning. The surfaces of the tinned wires are treated to smooth them and they are drawn before weaving. Independent claims are included for: (A) mesh electrodes containing the mesh; and (B) a method for producing the mesh by producing a thick coating on wires by tinning, surface treating to smooth them and drawing them before weaving.