JP3586420B2

JP3586420B2 - Plating method and plating line for bag-like work

Info

Publication number: JP3586420B2
Application number: JP2000312629A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 洋次太田; 恒弘清水; 謙一清水
Original assignee: 株式会社杉浦製作所; 合資会社清水鍍金工業所
Priority date: 2000-03-21
Filing date: 2000-10-12
Publication date: 2004-11-10
Anticipated expiration: 2020-10-12
Also published as: JP2001335993A

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
この発明は、複数の袋状ワーク（袋ナット等）を例えばツリー状に保持してめっき槽に浸漬して袋状ワークにめっきを施す技術に関する。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
従来、例えば袋ナットに酸電解（焼入後のスケール取り）や電解めっき等の処理を施す場合は、いわば魚の骨を逆さ吊りしたような浸漬保持具を用いる場合が多い。その浸漬保持具のそれぞれの枝部に、１個ずつ袋ナットをその開口から取り付けることにより、多数の袋ナットをそれぞれが斜め上を向く姿勢（開口部が斜め下を向く姿勢）でツリー状に保持し、その保持具を多数の袋ナットとともに酸電解槽（硫酸液等を主体とする）やめっき槽等に浸漬して脱スケール処理やめっき処理等を行っている。
【０００３】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
そこで、浸漬保持具を多数の袋ナットとともに例えば酸電解槽に浸漬していく過程で、袋ナットの閉ざされた空間（閉鎖空間）には酸電解液が入り込み、その液面が相対的に上昇していくが、閉鎖空間内に閉じ込められる空気により液はその閉鎖空間に充満することはできず、袋ナットの内面には酸電解液と接触できない部分が残る。袋ナットの酸電解液と接触しない内面部分では焼入時等に生じたスケール（いわゆる黒皮）が残りやすく、防錆等の点で必ずしも充分でない。そのため、めっき処理工程後に、バレル槽等で防錆液（油）を袋ナットの内面に付ける工程が必要となる場合がある（図２１参照）。
しかし、防錆油を入れたバレル槽に多数の袋ナットを入れて回転させる場合、袋ナット同士がぶつかり合って、せっかくめっきをしたナット表面にキズ付きやすい問題がある。また、めっき工程が終わってから、個々の袋ナットを取り出し、それらをバレル槽に入れ、防錆油を付着させる工程が終われば、再び多数の袋ナットをバレル槽から取り出さなければならず、めっき工程と防錆工程とが分断され、これらを連続工程で行うことができないため、生産効率を高める上での障害となる。
【０００４】
この発明の課題は、袋ナット等の袋状ワークの所定の液槽への浸漬時に、その袋状ワークの閉鎖空間の内面の全体に可及的に液がまわるようにすることで、袋ナット等に対するめっき工程と防錆工程とを連続的な工程で行い得る技術を提供することにある。
【０００５】
【課題を解決するための手段及び発明の効果】
この発明は、袋状の空間（閉鎖空間）を有する袋状ワーク（ここでワークとは、素材・中間品又は完成品を問わず、何らかの処理（加工含む）がなされる物をいう。以下同じ）を、その袋状空間の開口部から内部の液が自然流下できる下向き等の姿勢で保持部に保持した状態で、その保持部とそれに保持されたワークとを共にめっき槽に浸漬するとともに、その浸漬の工程において、前記袋状ワークの袋状の空間に閉じ込められる空気等の気体を前記袋状ワークを保持した状態で前記保持部に形成された逃がし通路により外部に逃がして、袋状ワークにめっきを施す工程と、
めっき後の袋状ワークを前記保持部に保持したままの状態で前記めっき槽から引き上げることにより、袋状ワークの袋状空間からめっき液を自然流下させ、その後の所定の工程において、めっき後の袋状ワークを前記保持部に保持したままの状態でそれら袋状ワーク及び前記保持部を防錆槽に浸漬するとともに、その浸漬の工程において、前記袋状ワークの袋状の空間に閉じ込められる空気等の気体を前記袋状ワークを保持した状態で前記保持部に形成される逃がし通路を経て外部に逃がして、めっき後の袋状ワークに防錆油を付ける工程と、
を含むことを特徴とする。
なお、上記工程を実施する雰囲気が空気中以外の場合（例えば不活性ガス中等）は、袋状ワークから逃がされる対象は空気以外の特定の工程雰囲気の気体となるが、以下では空気で代表させる。
【０００６】
これにより、めっき槽や防錆油等の液槽への浸漬の過程で、袋状ワークの閉鎖空間と液面との間に閉じ込められる空気が、上記逃がし通路を経て外部に逃がされ、同空間内に密閉される空気によって液の進入が妨げられることがなくなるため、袋状ワークの内面の多くの部分に液が接触することができ、めっき及び防錆の効果・効率を高めることが可能となる。
つまり、従来では、めっき後の防錆工程は、袋ナット等の袋状ワークの閉鎖空間に閉じこめられる空気により、そのワーク内面に十分に防錆油が回らない傾向があり、そのためにめっき後に、わざわざ別工程で、袋状ワークをバレル防錆油槽に入れて、ワーク内面全体に防錆油を付着させる必要があった。これが、上述のように、ワーク内面の空気を逃がしつつ、袋状ワークをめっき液層及び防錆油槽に浸漬するにより、めっき工程と連続的に防錆工程を実施することができ、工程効率が随分と改善されるし、またバレル槽を使わないことで、袋状ワーク同士がぶつかり合うこともないから、ワーク表面にキズが付きにくいメリットがある。
【０００７】
上記管路は例えば支持竿部をパイプ状（管状）のものとすることによりその内部に形成することができる。さらにワーク浸漬保持具の形態としては、昇降方向に長手状に形成されて内部に空気を通す本体管路が形成された本体軸部と、その本体軸部に枝状に所定の間隔で複数連結されて内部に空気を通す分岐管路が前記本体管路と連通するように形成された複数の支持竿部と、本体軸部の下端部に液排出部を設けた構成とすることができ、また、その液排出部を前記本体管路の管路断面より小さい断面の液排出孔とし、さらにその液排出孔に絞り部の機能を付与する構成とすることもできる。
【０００８】
このようにすれば、液槽への浸漬により袋状ワークの袋状の空間から前記管路に流入した液を、当該ワーク浸漬保持具の前記液槽からの上昇の際に、液排出孔（排出部）から排出することができる。また絞り部は、ワーク浸漬保持具が液槽に浸漬される過程で、袋状の空間（閉鎖空間）の空気を管路を経て逃がし終えるまでは、その管路への液の流入を遅らせ、その後管路が液で満ちることとなる。つまり、液槽への浸漬で直ちに上記管路が液で満たされてしまうと、袋状ワークの閉鎖空間からその管路を経て空気を逃がすことが困難になるが、絞り部で上記管路への液の進入を遅らせることにより、確実に空気を逃がしてから管路が液で満ちるようにしやすい。なお、絞り部の機能を液排出孔に持たせた場合は、ワーク浸漬保持具が液槽から上昇した際には、その絞り部を経て管路内の液が流下することとなる。
【０００９】
また、この発明の好適な形態では、前記本体軸部がパイプ材で構成され、同じくパイプ材で構成された支持竿部が本体軸部に、パイプ材同士で互いに連通する管路を形成するように連結され、その本体軸部の上部開口が通気排出部とされて、その上部開口を経て袋状ワークの袋状空間の空気が逃がされる一方、その本体軸部の下端部の閉塞部に形成された液排出孔が前記液排出部及び絞り部として機能する。
【００１０】
【発明の実施の形態】
以下、この発明の実施の形態を図面に示す実施例に基づいて説明する。
図１は袋状ワークの一例として袋ナットを示すものである。袋ナット１はめねじ部４を有する本体２と、本体２のおねじ部材の螺入側とは反対側の開口を塞ぐキャップ部３とを備え、めねじ部４とその奥部の空所（ボルト等のおねじ部材の先端部が進入する部分）とにより袋状の空間（閉鎖空間）５が形成される。このような袋ナット１が、鍛造加工さらに転造もしくは切削等によるねじ加工、キャップ部３の溶接及び熱処理の後、洗浄や防錆、めっき等のために所定の液槽に浸漬される。
【００１１】
その際、図２に示すような浸漬保持具７を用いる。この浸漬保持具７は、昇降方向に長手状に延びる金属製の本体軸部（本体部）８と、この本体軸部８から枝状に、所定の間隔で斜め上方を向くように連結された複数の支持竿部（枝部）９とを備え、それら支持竿部９に１つずつ袋ナット１が装着される。
【００１２】
図２（ｂ）に示すように、支持竿部９とほぼ平行に弾性押圧部（線状のばね部材）１０が本体軸部８に固定され、これら支持竿部９と弾性押圧部１０とに袋ナット１が差し込まれて、（ａ）のように、ツリー状に多数の袋ナット１が浸漬保持具７に保持される。そして、図３に示すように、この状態で所定の液槽１２（例えば電解めっき槽、無電解めっき槽、酸電解（脱スケール）液槽、防錆液（油）槽、脱脂液槽、洗浄液槽その他適宜の液槽）に浸漬され、所定の処理が終われば、液槽１２から浸漬保持具７が処理後の袋ナット１とともに引き上げられることとなる。
【００１３】
さらに、図４のように、例えば電解めっきライン等においては、搬送ライン１３に沿ってそのラインの連結部１５に上述の袋ナット１を保持した浸漬保持具７が連結され、各工程の液槽１２に浸漬を繰り返して所定の工程が終了する。例えば１２ａが脱脂液槽、１２ｂが酸電解槽、１２ｃが電解めっき槽というように工程順に液槽が並べられる。なお、図示はしないが、これらの間に通常は洗浄液槽が設けられる。そして、（ｂ）のように各工程の液槽１２に対しそれぞれの浸漬保持具７が袋ナット１とともに昇降装置（昇降ガイド）１６に沿って下降し、所定時間液槽に浸漬した後上昇し、搬送ライン１３に沿って前進して次の工程に移動することとなる。
【００１４】
図５は、上述の浸漬保持具７をより具体的に示すもので、本体軸部８及び支持竿部９及び弾性押圧部１０はいずれも金属製のものであるが、例えば電解めっき槽に浸漬される場合、めっきが付かないように樹脂等の絶縁層３５で被覆される。ただし、支持竿部９及び弾性押圧部１０の先端側部分は被めっき材との通電性を得るために金属が露出している。
【００１５】
図６は、本体軸部８と支持竿部９の各構造並びにその連結構造を示すものである。本体軸部８は長手状のパイプ形態（例えば角パイプ状、丸パイプ状）をなしており、その内部が空気の流通のための本体管路１８とされている。また、支持竿部９もパイプ材とされ、その内部が空気の流動のための分岐管路１９とされている。このようなパイプ状の支持竿部９の基端部を本体軸部８に、パイプ同士で互いに連通するように固定するために、本体軸部８には取付孔２２が形成され、その取付孔２２に支持竿部９の基端部が挿入された状態で、ロー付けや溶接又はねじ込み、圧入その他適宜の固定方法によって固定される。支持竿部９は、本体軸部８の軸線に対し、水平な姿勢より斜め上方を向くように傾斜して固定されている。本例の場合、これら支持竿部９は図示のように本体軸部８の軸線を挟んで同じ高さで両側の側面に固定されるが、これらは千鳥状に配置してもよく、条件によっては本体軸部８の三面乃至四面から三方又は四方に突出するように設けることもできる。また、本例の場合、支持竿部９はそれぞれ片側同士で等間隔等所定の間隔で配列され、互いに平行となっている。なお、取付孔２２は、支持竿部９の斜め上方を向く軸線に沿って斜め上方を向くように形成され得る。
【００１６】
各支持竿部９の分岐管路１９からの空気は、本体軸部８の本体管路１８を経て上方に抜けることが可能で、本体軸部８の上端開口２７が通気排出部（空気排出口）となる。一方、本体軸部８の下端部は、閉塞部２０によって閉塞され、その閉塞部２０には液排出部と絞り部を兼ねる液排出絞り孔２１が形成され、支持竿部９の分岐管路１９を経て本体軸部８の本体管路１８に入った液を、浸漬保持具７の上昇時にその液排出絞り孔２１から下方へ排出するようになっている。
【００１７】
図７は、絶縁層３５を省略した浸漬保持具７をさらに具体的に示すものである。本体軸部８の、上記支持竿部９等が固定される面とは９０度異なる面に、電極部材としてのブスバー２３が固定されている。このブスバー２３は、本体軸部８とほぼ同じ長さを有する長手状のもので、本体軸部８の上端部にほぼ対応してフック状の通電連結部２３ａ（図１０も参照）が形成され、図示しない通電電極部（例えば図４の連結部１５に設置される）に通電連結部２３ａにおいて連結される。この際、通電電極部とブスバー２３との電気的な接触を確保するため、導電材料からなるばね部材２４がブスバー２３の外面に固定され、このばね部材２４と通電連結部２３ａとの間に、相手方の通電電極部が入り込み、電気的に接触状態となる。本例では、このようなブスバー２３を本体軸部８に固定するために、その長手方向に所定の間隔で複数の固定金具３２が設けられ、これらの固定金具３２によりブスバー２３が本体軸部８に固定される。また本体軸部８の上端部には、ブスバー２３のフック状の通電連結部２３ａと背中合わせになるようにフック部２６が固定され、浸漬保持具７の保管や運搬その他必要なときにフック部２６が利用される。なお、ブスバー２３の通電連結部２３ａの構造や、本体軸部８への固定構造として他の構造を採用することも勿論可能である。
【００１８】
前述の弾性押圧部１０は、ここでは本体軸部８の両側から斜め上方に突出する一対の部分が連結部２５により連結されて、上方に向かって開く形態の一体の部品を構成する。その連結部２５がブスバー２３に固定金具３１によって電気的に接触した状態で固定される。固定金具３１は、弾性押圧部１０の部品の連結部２５をブスバー２３に圧着した状態でブスバー２３に溶接等によって固定される。このように両側の弾性押圧部１０を構成する部品は、図９に示すように、その連結部２５がブスバー２３、さらに本体軸部８に嵌る箱形断面をなし、その部分が図７に示すように、ブスバー２３及び本体軸部８に跨るように固定され、その連結部２５の両端から前述の弾性押圧部１０が支持竿部９とほぼ同一の垂直面内に位置するようにして、支持竿部９と近接して対向する。このように本例では、本体軸部８を挟んで対向する弾性押圧部１０が連結部２５を介して一体の構造となっているため、個々に固定する場合に比べて製作が簡単で強度的にも優れている。
【００１９】
弾性押圧部１０はその中間部に支持竿部９との対向方向とは反対側（外側）に膨らむような山形もしくは湾曲状の突出部３０を備え、この突出部３０が図１の袋ナット１の雌ねじ部４に内側から押し付けられこととなる。また、この例では、支持竿部９にも、弾性押圧部１０との対向方向とは反対側（外側）に突出する山形又は湾曲状の突出部２９が形成され、この突出部２９と弾性押圧部１０の突出部３０が互いに外向きとなるように近接している。そして、図１に示す袋ナット１がこれらの支持竿部９及び弾性押圧部１０に差し入れられる際は、袋ナット１の例えば雌ねじ部４の内面が弾性押圧部１０の突出部３０に接触して、この弾性押圧部１０を内側に弾性変形しつつ奥まで進入し、この際支持竿部９の突出部２９も雌ねじ部４の内面に弾性押圧部１０の弾性力の反作用で押し付けられて、袋ナット１は実質的にガタツキなく支持竿部９及び弾性押圧部１０により保持される。
【００２０】
なお、支持竿部９の突出部２９を省略して、図７（ｃ）に示すように、直線的なパイプ状の支持竿部９とすることもできる。この場合は、支持竿部９の上側の外面が袋ナット１の雌ねじ部４の内面に直線に沿って全面的又は部分的に接触して袋ナット１が支持されることとなる。また、前述の本体軸部８の側壁に形成される取付孔２２を、その本体軸部８の軸線と直交する方向に形成し、支持竿部９の基端部に基端曲部３３を形成して、この基端曲部３３で取付孔２２に固定するようにすることもできる。
【００２１】
図８は、その支持竿部９の形態の例を示すもので，（ａ）の支持竿部９は、その基端部が本体軸部８に斜めに形成された取付孔２２に嵌め込まれるタイプのもの、（ｂ）が基端曲部３３において本体軸部８に長手方向と直角（例えば水平方向）に形成された取付孔２２に嵌め込まれるものである。なお、いずれにしても支持竿部９の中間部に突出部２９が形成される又はされないにかかわらず、支持竿部９の内部の分岐管路１９は、その基端から先端まで連続するものである。
【００２２】
また支持竿部９の先端は、図１１（ｂ）に示すようにその軸線に対し直角な形態でもよいが、同図（ａ）のようにその先端を傾斜先端２８として分岐管路１９の先端開口を水平に近い状態で上方に開口するように設けることもできる。このような傾斜先端２８とすることにより、支持竿部９の分岐管路１９の開口位置を可及的に上方に位置させることができ、後述するように液槽への浸漬時に相対的に液面が上昇する際、その液の支持竿部９内への進入をできるだけ遅らせ、袋ナット１の内面のより多くの面積を液に浸漬させることが可能となる。また、例えば図１のキャップ部３に支持竿部９の先端が当接しても、傾斜先端２８により支持竿部９の先端開口がキャップ部３に密着することがなく、そのためキャップ部３等で塞がれにくくなる。
【００２３】
図１２に示すように、支持竿部９と弾性押圧部１０との関係は、（ａ）に示すように支持竿部９が上側に位置して突出部２９を有し、その下側の押圧部１０に突出部３０が形成される形態、（ｂ）のようにその上下の位置関係が逆になった形態、（ｃ）のように支持竿部９は直線的で上側に位置する形態、（ｄ）のように支持竿部９が直線的で下側に位置する形態でもよい。さらに、（ｅ）、（ｆ）のように、弾性押圧部もパイプ材で構成して、これを支持竿部９とすることもできる。この場合、一方又は双方の支持竿部９が弾性押圧部１０を兼ねるため、形式的には弾性押圧部１０は省略されたと見ることもできる。
【００２４】
図１２（ｅ）、（ｆ）のように、各支持竿部９はともにパイプ形態をなすため、双方の支持竿部９の内部を経て空気を逃がすことができる。なお、（ｅ）の例では、上側の支持竿部９が直線的で、下側の支持竿部９がその中間部に突出部２９を有する形態、（ｆ）では、上側も下側もそれぞれ突出部２９を有して、両者の中間線に対し互いに対称に形成される例である。また、浸漬保持具として電解めっき槽に使用するような場合は、図１３に示すように、この浸漬保持具７が一方の電極になるため、図７等のブスバー２３から弾性押圧部１０を分岐電極に利用してそれぞれの弾性押圧部１０に電圧が印加され、それら弾性押圧部１０と電気的に接触する袋ナット１が例えばマイナス極となり、電解めっきが行われる。なお、本例では本体軸部８及び支持竿部９が共に金属製のため、これらも電極として機能し得ることとなる。
【００２５】
また、図１２（ｅ）及び（ｆ）においては、一方又は双方の支持竿部９に電極の役割を果たさせることとなる。他方、電解を行わない単なる浸漬めっきであるとか、防錆液、脱脂液あるいは洗浄液等への浸漬専用の保持具であれば、電極は不要であり、この場合は、浸漬保持具７全体を樹脂等の絶縁性材料で構成することもできる。ただし電気めっき槽を含む工程ラインで使用される浸漬保持具は、通常前述のように脱脂槽、酸電解槽、電解めっき槽、洗浄槽等を経るため、汎用的な保持具とする必要上、前述のブスバー２３及び分岐電極としての弾性押圧部１０等、電極として機能する構造を有するものが使用されることとなる。
【００２６】
図１４は、この発明の一例である浸漬保持具７を模式的に示すとともにその作用を説明するためのものである。（ａ）に示すように、前記連結部１５のような通電電極部に装着されるブスバー２３を介して各弾性押圧部１０に通電路が分岐する。一方、各支持竿部９の分岐管路１９から本体軸部８の本体管路１８につながる空気通路が形成される。言い換えれば、本体管路１８に対し複数の分岐管路１９が並列に連通する。
【００２７】
ここで、本体軸部８は例えばステンレス製等の角パイプ材が用いられ、ブスバー２３は、電極材料として優れた良導電材料、例えば銅板が用いられる。また、同様に支持竿部９には耐食性並びに導電性のあるステンレスパイプが、弾性押圧部１０には銅棒が好適に使用される。そして、本体軸部８やブスバー２３及び支持竿部９及び弾性押圧部１０の基端部には、不要電流が流れないように、まためっき層が形成されないように、絶縁被覆として樹脂等の被覆層（絶縁層）３５が形成される（図５参照）。なお、本体軸部８と支持竿部９に電極として十分な機能及び構造をもたせた場合は、必ずしもブスバー２３を別体に設ける必要はない。
【００２８】
図１３に示したような電解めっき槽１２に多数の袋ナット１を保持した浸漬保持具７を浸漬する場合、この保持具７側が例えばマイナス極、これに対する対向電極３６が例えばプラス極としてめっき槽１２内に配置される。そのように保持具７を電解めっき槽等の液槽１２に浸漬していく過程で、図１４（ａ）のように支持竿部９にそれぞれ分岐管路１９が形成され、これが本体軸部８の本体管路１８を経て上部開口２７につながっているところから、袋ナット１の閉鎖空間に閉じこめられる空気が液面の相対的な上昇に従ってそれらの管路１９、１８を経て外部へ逃がされる。
【００２９】
図１４（ｂ）は、浸漬途上の過程を示すもので、浸漬保持具７が浸漬を開始すると、その本体軸部８の下部に形成された液排出絞り孔２１から液が本体軸部８の本体管路１８内に進入する。しかし、液排出絞り孔２１の絞り効果により液の進入に抵抗が付与されるため、本体管路１８内の相対的な液面の上昇と、浸漬保持具７の外部液面の相対的な上昇とには、格差ｈが生じる。このような液排出絞り孔２１の絞り効果（言い換えれば、本体管路１８の液面と液槽の液面とに浸漬過程で生じるｈの格差）により、袋ナット１の閉鎖空間に閉じ込められる空気が逃げ、液体が分岐管路１９の先端開口から流入するようになってから本体管路１８内の液面が当該分岐管路１９の基端側開口位置まで上昇することとなる。つまり、浸漬保持具７の浸漬の過程で液面が相対的に上昇し、袋ナット１の閉鎖空間に液が進入してその空間の開口部を塞ぐこととなるが、この時同空間は未だ分岐管路１９を通じて本体管路１８に気体通路として連通しているため、これらの管路１９、１８を通じて同空間内の空気を逃がすことにより、同空間内での液面の上昇を許容する。そして、その液面が分岐管路１９の先端開口に達し、その先端開口を通して液体が分岐管路１９内に流入するようになるまでは、当該支持竿部９の本体管路１８側の開口が液体で閉塞されないため、袋状空間内では分岐管路１９の先端開口の位置まで液面が確実に上昇することが許容され、従ってその高さ位置まで袋ナット１の内面が液体に確実に浸漬されることとなる。
【００３０】
ここで、仮に本体管路１８の液面と液槽の液面との格差ｈが全くないとすれば、分岐管路１９の基端側開口が液体で閉塞された時点で分岐管路１９と本体管路１８が遮断されるため、袋ナット１の閉鎖空間から分岐管路１９を経て本体管路１８側に逃げようとする空気の流れが遮断され、従って袋状空間内の液面はそれ以上上昇しないことになる。
【００３１】
図１５（ａ）に示すように、浸漬保持具７が液槽１２内へ完全に浸漬して安定した状態では、液槽の液面と本体管路１８の液面とが同レベルとなる。言い換えれば、各支持竿部９の分岐管路１９から袋ナット１の閉鎖空間の空気が逃がされた後、それら分岐管路１９から液が入り込んでその分岐管路１９を満たすとともに、それら分岐管路１９から流入した液並びに液排出絞り孔２１から進入した液により本体管路１８もまた液で満たされることとなる。
【００３２】
図１５（ｂ）に示すように、そのような状態から浸漬保持具７を上昇させて液槽１２から引き上げると、各支持竿部９の分岐管路１９内に存在する液は本体管路１８に流入し、さらに本体管路１８内の液は、液排出絞り孔２１を経て流下し、最終的に分岐管路１９及び本体管路１８内の液が共に排出されることとなる。なお、この液排出絞り孔２１の大きさは、前述の絞り機能と排出機能を共に満たすため、浸漬保持具７の下降・上昇速度や液の粘度等の条件に応じた大きさに設定されることとなる。
【００３３】
この液排出絞り孔２１としては、例えば図１６（ａ）に示すように、本体軸部８の閉塞部２０に形成された単純な孔２１、（ｂ）のように本体軸部８の下端部に傾斜面３７のようにテーパ状の部分を形成して、その下端部に設けた孔２１でもよい。さらに（ｃ）に示すように、本体軸部８の下端部に細管部３８を一体的に設け、この細管部３８の管路を液排出絞り孔２１としてもよい。この場合、（ｄ）に示すように、その細管部３８の上側をテーパ状にする斜面３７とし、いわば漏斗状の形態でその下部に液排出絞り孔２１を形成することもできる。（ｄ）のように漏斗状ないしテーパ状とすることで（これは（ｂ）についても言えることである）、液が流下しやすくなる効果を生じる。
【００３４】
さらに（ｅ）に示すように、複数の液排出絞り孔２１を形成することもできる。また、（ｆ）に示すように、絞り部４０を液排出部４１と別途設けることもできる。この場合、本体軸部８の本体管路１８の中間部に他の部分より断面積の少ない管部分を形成してその内側を絞り部４０とし、液排出部４１は本体軸部８の下端部に、本体管路１８と同じような断面積で形成することもできる。（ｇ）に示すように、閉塞部２０を本体軸部８に対して脱着可能な別部材として設けることもできる。このように脱着可能とすれば、本体管路１８内の清掃等を容易に行えるようになる。
【００３５】
さらに図１７に示すように、絞り部を省略して、本体軸部８の本体管路１８の下部に液排出部４１を形成し、この部分に開閉バルブ４２等の弁手段を設け、浸漬保持具を液槽に浸漬させる際は、（ｂ）に示すように、そのバルブ４２を閉じて液が本体管路１８に進入することを防止し、浸漬保持具を液槽から引き上げる（上昇させる）ときは、バルブ４２を開いて本体管路１８内の液が流れ落ちるようにすることもできる。さらに図１８のように、本体軸部８の本体管路１８の下部に液排出部４１を形成するとともに、この部分に例えば逆止弁４３を設けることにより、本体管路１８内への上方への液の進入は阻止し、その本体管路１８に貯まった液を下方へ排出するようにすることもできる。
【００３６】
次に、以上説明したような浸漬保持具を利用した電解めっき工程及び防錆工程の一例を説明する。図１９における５１〜６２に示す工程が巡回的に行われることにより、袋状ワークとしての袋ナット１に電解めっきを施こし、かつ袋ナット１の主に内面に防錆油を付着させる。いま、ロード／アンロード工程（ステーション）６２では、図２〜図７等に示す浸漬保持具７（保持部）の枝部９（支持竿部）に、鍛造加工された後に熱処理がされた多数の袋ナットが斜め上向きに（開口が斜め下を向くように）取り付けられる。そして、このように多数の袋ナットがツリー状に装着された浸漬保持具７は、前述の図４等に示す巡回搬送路（搬送ライン）１３に対し、着脱可能な連結部１５において連結され、その巡回搬送路１３に沿って間欠的に搬送されつつ、必要な液槽にその袋ナット付きの浸漬保持具７ごと浸漬される。
【００３７】
巡回搬送路１３は、例えばチェーン等の無限軌道が、モーター等の駆動装置により巡回させられるものであり、個々の連結部１５はそれぞれ図示しない昇降装置に接続され、各昇降装置も連結部１５と共に巡回する。その昇降装置は、例えば連結部１５が昇降可能なラックに固定され、このラックにかみ合うピニオンがモーター等の駆動手段によりラック、連結部１５ひいては浸漬保持具７を昇降させる。このようなラック・ピニオン機構が各連結部１５に対応して設けられ、各連結部１５と共に巡回することとなる。昇降装置としては、ラック・ピニオン機構に代えてボールねじ機構、あるいはエア等のシリンダ機構を採用することもできる。
【００３８】
浸漬保持具７が着脱可能に連結された各連結部１５は、図４に示す液槽１２ａ，ｂ，ｃ・・・の液槽のピッチｐに相当する距離で、上記無限軌道により間欠的に移動し、連結部１５が各液槽の上方で停止するとともに、その停止状態で、連結部１５が上述のように昇降装置により下降し、浸漬保持具７が液槽中に浸漬される。この際、各連結部１５が一斉に下降するように制御することができ、またその浸漬後、上記昇降装置を介して各連結部１５を一斉に上昇させて、各浸漬保持具７を液槽中から引き上げるようにすることができる。
【００３９】
また、浸漬保持具７の間欠的な停止時に、所定の液槽上（工程のステーション）で浸漬保持具７を下降させないように、各ステーションごとに昇降指令をオン・オフする切換装置を設けることができる。これは例えば、昇降装置の移動部と駆動源とを切断・接続するクラッチ等で構成し、各ステーションにそれぞれクラッチ断続装置（例えば切り位置と入り位置とに遠隔操作で選択的に移動するカム又はレバー等）を設け、移動してくる上記連結部１５のクラッチに上記クラッチ断続装置が作用してそれを切断又は接続することが可能である。
【００４０】
あるいは、昇降装置の駆動源（モーターやシリンダ等）を特定のステーションでは作動させないようにするスイッチ手段を設けてもよく、例えば各工程ステーションに切り位置と入り位置とに遠隔操作で選択的に移動するドグ等のスイッチ作動手段を設け、他方、移動してくる上記連結部１５にリミットスイッチ（マイクロスイッチ）等のスイッチ手段を設け、所定のステーションでこのスイッチ手段がスイッチ作動手段により作動させられて、昇降装置をオフ状態となるようにすることができる。このように特定のステーションで昇降装置が作動しないようにすれば、浸漬保持具７ひいては袋ナットは下降せず、液槽への浸漬はないから、その特定の工程ステーションをバイパスすること（単に通過させて工程不実施）が可能である。
【００４１】
上記のようにして、ある浸漬保持具７は、巡回搬送路１３に沿って間欠的に送られつつ、停止時の下降・上昇により各液槽への浸漬・引き上げを繰り返し、１巡することにより、その浸漬保持具７に装着されている多数の袋ナットに電解めっき及び防錆油塗布が相前後して連続工程で実施され、その工程終了後、図１９、２０のロード／アンロードステーション６２に戻る。ここで、それら処理後の袋ナットごと浸漬保持具７が連結部から取り外され、代わりに、未処理の袋ナットを多数保持する別の浸漬保持具７が連結部１５に装着される。
【００４２】
図１９に戻って、電解めっきの工程（５７、５９）に先立ち、通常は脱脂等の前工程が施される。図２０は図１９における工程の主要なものを抜き出し、脱脂槽５１、陰極酸電解槽５３、陽極電解脱脂槽５５、めっき槽５７（５９）、防錆油槽６１、ロード／アンロードステーション６２が、巡回搬送路１３に沿って配置された例を概念的に示すものであり、浸漬保持具７は連結部１５を介して、間欠的に巡回移動して、各液槽５１〜６１等への浸漬を繰り返す。
【００４３】
ここで、上述のように間欠移動の停止時に、各浸漬保持具７が一斉に下降することにより、ある浸漬保持具７は脱脂槽５１に浸漬されて脱脂工程が実施され、別の浸漬保持具７は陰極酸電解槽５３に浸漬されてスケール除去が行われ、さらに別の浸漬保持具７は陽極電解槽５５に浸漬されて袋ナット（素材）の活性化が図られ、また別の浸漬保持具７はめっき槽５７に浸漬されてめっき工程が実施され、さらにまた別の浸漬保持具７は防錆油槽６１に浸漬されて防錆油が付着される。このように全体的にみると、脱脂、スケール除去、活性化、めっき、防錆等の工程が並列的に実施される。なお、図２０の液槽では、図１９の水洗工程５２、５４、５６、５８、６０に対応する水洗槽は省略されているが、これらの水洗槽も液槽の一種であるから、それらに対する袋ナットの浸漬・引き上げも、上述の脱脂槽５１〜防錆油槽６１と同様に浸漬保持具７を介して行われる。
【００４４】
ここで、一つの浸漬保持具７に着目し、それに保持された複数の袋ナットに対する各工程を順を追って図１９、２０に従い説明する。
ロード／アンロードステーション６２で、浸漬保持具７を介して工程ライン（巡回搬送路１３）に供給された多数の袋ナットは、そのステーション６２から一定量前進して停止し、アルカリ脱脂工程５１で所定のアルカリ溶液（脱脂層５１）に浸漬（下降）されてアルカリ脱脂が行われる。次に、ここから引き上げられ（上昇）、一定量前進してから、水洗槽に浸漬（下降）されて、アルカリ溶液（脱脂液）を洗う水洗工程５２が実施される。その水洗の後、袋ナットは（浸漬保持具７と共に）引き上げられ、また一定量前進して、今度は袋ナットが硫酸溶液等に浸漬（下降）されて、熱処理により袋ナットに生じているスケールを除去する（スケールとばし）陰極酸電解工程５３が実施される。
【００４５】
それから、上記と同様の水洗工程５４で上記硫酸溶液等が洗われた後、袋ナットは所定のアルカリ溶液（陽極電解脱脂槽５５）に浸漬され、後工程で予定されているめっきの付きを良くするために、表面を活性化する陽極電解脱脂工程５５が施される。さらに、上記と同様の水洗工程５６を経て、めっき工程（めっき１）５７に至る。ここで、例えばニッケルめっきを施すために、めっき槽５７に多数の袋ナットが浸漬保持具７に保持された状態で浸漬（下降）され、前述した電解めっきにより主に袋ナットの外面にニッケル等のめっき層が形成される。ここでのめっき層は、例えば半光沢ニッケルめっき又は光沢ニッケルめっき等であり、それらのいずれか一方を施すこと又は相前後して半光沢及び光沢のめっきを別々のめっき槽で順番に行うこともできる。
【００４６】
いずれにしても、このめっき工程が終われば、多数の袋ナットを保持する浸漬保持具７が上述の昇降装置により引き上げられ（上昇）、それが一定量前進してから、水洗槽に浸漬されて水洗（５８）される。ここで、さらにめっき２の工程５９（別材質）を実施する場合は、上記水洗後、袋ナットを保持する浸漬保持具７が別のめっき槽まで前進して停止し、その袋ナットが浸漬保持具７とともに、例えばクロムめっきのためのめっき槽に浸漬される。そのめっき２の工程５９が終了すれば、めっき後の袋ナットが、浸漬保持具７の上昇によりめっき槽から引き上げられ、一定量前進して水洗の工程６０に至り、そこで上述と同様にめっき液が洗われる。
【００４７】
上記のようなめっき１及びめっき２は、双方を行う以外に、いずれか一方のみを行うこともでき、そのような場合は、前述のクラッチ・スイッチ等により浸漬保持具７が下降（浸漬）しないようにして、工程をバイパスすればよい。
【００４８】
いずれにせよ、めっき工程を実施し、その次に水洗をして袋ナットに付着している余分なめっき液を洗い流し、その後、連続的に防錆工程６１に続く。すなわち、多数の袋ナットを保持する浸漬保持具７は、めっき槽上で停止して下降・上昇し（浸漬・引き上げ）、一定量移動後に水洗槽上で停止して下降・上昇し（浸漬・引き上げ）、さらに引き続いて一定量移動することにより防錆油槽上で停止し、上記昇降装置により下降して、浸漬保持具７ごとめっき後の多数の袋ナットが防錆油中に浸漬される。この浸漬の過程で、図１４等で説明したのと同様に、防錆油が袋ナットの袋状空間を相対的に上昇するに伴って、その袋状空間に閉じこめられる空気が浸漬保持具７の通路１９、１８を経て外部へ逃がされるため、防錆油の液面は袋ナットの内部まで奥深く入り込んで、その最深部まで防錆油を付着させることができる。
【００４９】
その後、浸漬保持具７を昇降装置で引き上げれば、図１５で説明したのと同様に、袋ナット１の袋状空間に入り込んでいる防錆油は、袋ナット１の開口部より流下するため、袋ナットの内部に余分な防錆油が残留することがない。また、めっき後の袋ナットは浸漬保持具７に保持されたまま、防錆油中に浸漬され、かつ防錆油から引き上げられるだけで、袋ナットに防錆油が付着させられるので、防錆工程で袋ナットにキズが付いたりする心配もない。
【００５０】
このような防錆工程が終了すれば、めっき及び防錆油付着が完了した袋ナットは、浸漬保持具７に保持されたまま、前述のロード／アンロードステーション６２に戻り、ここで浸漬保持具７が巡回搬送路１３から取り外され、さらにその保持具７に保持されている多数の袋ナットが浸漬保持具７から離脱させられて、一連の工程が完了し、出荷等となる。
【００５１】
これに対し、袋ナットの内部の空気を逃がすことができない従来の浸漬保持具では、防錆油中に浸漬しても、空気が閉じ込められた部分には防錆油が入り込むことができない。よって袋ナットの内部（袋状空間）の相当部分には防錆油が付かず、この内部には実質的にめっき層も形成されておらず地肌のため、その内部に防錆油が付着しない部分があると、ここから錆びやすくなる。
【００５２】
そのため従来では、図２１に示すように、めっき工程▲１▼において脱脂、脱スケール及びめっきを施した後、浸漬保持具から袋ナットをすべて取り外し、その取り外しためっき後の袋ナットを全く別個独立の工程で、防錆油の入ったバレル槽に入れ、回転するバレル槽内で袋ナットと防錆油を撹拌することにより、袋ナットの内部の袋状空間の最深部まで防錆油を付着させるようしている。その後、バレル槽から袋ナットを取り出し、出荷ないし次の付加工程に回すことになる。
【００５３】
しかし、この方法では、まず第１に、めっきと防錆の工程がバラバラになり連続工程でできないから、全体の処理・生産効率が悪い。第２に、バレル槽で袋ナットが互いにぶつかり合うため、せっかくめっきを施した袋ナットにキズが付きやすい。さらに第３に、袋ナットの内部に余分な防錆油が残留する（溜まる）ことが避けられず、その残留した防錆油は後の輸送で周辺を汚したり、後に付加工程が予定されている場合は、それをやりにくくする問題がある。
【００５４】
この発明では、そのような問題をすべて解消し、めっき及び防錆を浸漬保持具７に保持したまま連続工程で行うことより生産効率を高め、バレル槽で生じるキズの問題もなく、さらに防錆油も内部に残留しにくいめっき及び防錆工程を実現している。
【００５５】
なお、以上の説明では、浸漬保持具７が巡回搬送路１３に着脱可能に連結されたが、このような浸漬保持具７に代えて、着脱を予定しない、巡回搬送路１３に備え付けの保持部としても、前述のような空気逃がし手段をもつ保持部であれば採用することができる。
【００５６】
さらに、以上の説明では袋状ワークとして袋ナット１を例に挙げたが、これに限らず、要するに袋状空間を有して、液槽への浸漬時に空気が閉じ込められるタイプのワークに対してすべて本発明を適用できる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】この発明の浸漬保持具が利用される袋状ワークの一例としての袋ナットを示す図。
【図２】この発明の実施に好適な浸漬保持具に袋状ワークを取り付けた状態を示す図。
【図３】それを所定の液槽に浸漬する動作を説明する図。
【図４】搬送ラインに沿って浸漬を繰り返す工程の一例を示す図。
【図５】この発明の実施に好適な浸漬保持具の一例を示す正面図。
【図６】本体軸部に支持竿部をパイプ材同士で連結する形態を示す図。
【図７】上記浸漬保持具をさらに具体的に示す図。
【図８】支持竿部の例を示す図。
【図９】弾性押圧部の部品例を示す図。
【図１０】ブスバーの形態例を示す図。
【図１１】支持竿部の先端形状の例を示す図。
【図１２】支持竿部と弾性押圧部との組合せのいくつかの例を示す図。
【図１３】上記浸漬保持具を電解めっき槽に使用する例を示す図。
【図１４】上記浸漬保持具の一例を概念的に断面で示すとともに、液槽への下降時の様子を説明する図。
【図１５】上記浸漬保持具の一例を概念的に断面で示すとともに、液槽での浸漬状態及び液槽からの上昇時の様子を説明する図。
【図１６】液排出絞り孔又は絞り部のいくつかの例を示す図。
【図１７】本体管路の下部にバルブ手段を設けた説明図。
【図１８】本体管路の下部に逆止弁を設けた例を示す図。
【図１９】この発明の工程の一例を示す工程図。
【図２０】その工程を実施する設備を概念的に示す平面図。
【図２１】従来例の説明図。
【符号の説明】
１袋ナット
５袋状空間（閉鎖空間）
７浸漬保持具
８本体軸部
９支持竿部
１０弾性押圧部
１２液槽
１３搬送ライン
１８本体管路
１９分岐管路
２１液排出絞り孔
２３ブスバー
２７上部開口
２９、３０突出部
３５絶縁層（被覆層）
４０絞り部
４１液排出部[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a technique in which a plurality of bag-like works (bag nuts or the like) are held in, for example, a tree shape, and immersed in a plating tank to perform plating on the bag-like works.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, for example, when a cap nut is subjected to a treatment such as acid electrolysis (scale removal after quenching) or electrolytic plating, a so-called immersion holder in which fish bones are hung upside down is often used. By attaching one cap nut to each branch portion of the immersion holder from the opening, a large number of cap nuts are formed in a tree shape in a posture in which each of them faces obliquely upward (the posture in which the opening faces obliquely downward). The holder is held, and the holder is immersed in an acid electrolytic bath (mainly a sulfuric acid solution or the like) or a plating bath together with a large number of cap nuts to perform descaling, plating, or the like.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In the process of immersing the immersion holder together with a large number of cap nuts in, for example, an acid electrolytic cell, the acid electrolyte enters the closed space (closed space) of the cap nut, and the liquid level rises relatively. However, the liquid cannot fill the closed space by the air trapped in the closed space, and a portion that cannot contact the acid electrolyte remains on the inner surface of the cap nut. The scale (so-called black scale) generated during quenching or the like is likely to remain on the inner surface of the cap nut that does not come into contact with the acid electrolyte, and is not always sufficient in terms of rust prevention and the like. Therefore, after the plating step, a step of applying a rust preventive liquid (oil) to the inner surface of the cap nut in a barrel tank or the like may be necessary (see FIG. 21).
However, when a large number of cap nuts are put into a barrel tank filled with rust-preventive oil and rotated, there is a problem that the cap nuts collide with each other and are easily scratched on the plated nut surface. Also, after the plating process is completed, take out the individual cap nuts, put them in the barrel tank, and when the process of attaching the rust-preventive oil is completed, many cap nuts must be removed from the barrel tank again, Since the process and the rust prevention process are separated from each other and cannot be performed in a continuous process, this is an obstacle to increasing the production efficiency.
[0004]
An object of the present invention is to provide a cap nut such as a cap nut which is immersed in a predetermined liquid tank so that the liquid flows as much as possible over the entire inner surface of the closed space of the cap workpiece. It is an object of the present invention to provide a technique capable of performing a plating process and a rust prevention process for the same in a continuous process.
[0005]
Means for Solving the Problems and Effects of the Invention
The present invention relates to a bag-shaped work having a bag-shaped space (closed space) (here, the work refers to a material that is subjected to some processing (including processing) irrespective of a material, an intermediate product, or a finished product. The same applies hereinafter. ) Is held in the holding portion in a position such as downward such that the liquid inside can flow naturally from the opening of the bag-shaped space, and both the holding portion and the work held therein are immersed in the plating tank, In the immersion step, a gas such as air confined in the bag-shaped space of the bag-shaped work is released to the outside by an escape passage formed in the holding portion while holding the bag-shaped work, and the bag-shaped work is released. A step of plating the
The plating solution is allowed to flow naturally from the bag-shaped space of the bag-like work by pulling up the bag-like work after plating from the plating tank while being held by the holding portion. The bag-shaped work and the holding unit are immersed in the rust prevention tank while the bag-shaped work is held in the holding unit, and in the dipping process, air trapped in the bag-shaped space of the bag-shaped work. A step of applying rust-preventive oil to the plated bag-like work by releasing the gas to the outside through a release passage formed in the holding portion while holding the bag-like work,
It is characterized by including.
When the atmosphere in which the above-described process is performed is not in the air (for example, in an inert gas), an object to be released from the bag-shaped work is a gas in a specific process atmosphere other than the air. .
[0006]
This allows air trapped between the closed space of the bag-shaped work and the liquid surface in the process of immersion in the plating tank or the liquid tank of rust-preventive oil or the like to escape to the outside via the above-described escape passage. Since the liquid is not hindered by the air that is sealed in the space, the liquid can contact many parts of the inner surface of the bag-like work, and the effect and efficiency of plating and rust prevention can be improved. It becomes.
In other words, in the past, in the rust prevention process after plating, the air trapped in the closed space of the bag-shaped work such as the cap nut tends to prevent the rust-preventive oil from rotating sufficiently on the inner surface of the work. In a separate step, it was necessary to put the bag-shaped work in a barrel rust-preventive oil tank and allow the rust-preventive oil to adhere to the entire inner surface of the work. This allows the rust-proofing step to be performed continuously with the plating step by immersing the bag-shaped work in the plating solution layer and the rust-preventive oil tank while releasing the air on the inner surface of the work as described above, thereby improving the process efficiency. This is considerably improved, and since the barrel-shaped tank is not used, the bag-shaped works do not collide with each other, and thus there is an advantage that the work surface is hardly scratched.
[0007]
The above-mentioned conduit can be formed in the inside thereof by, for example, forming the support rod portion into a pipe shape (tubular shape). Further, as a form of the workpiece immersion holder, a main body shaft portion formed in a longitudinal shape in the elevating direction and having a main body passage formed therein through which air is passed, and a plurality of branch members are connected to the main body shaft portion at predetermined intervals in a branch shape. A plurality of supporting rods formed so that a branch pipe through which air passes therethrough communicates with the main pipe, and a liquid discharge section may be provided at a lower end of the main shaft. Further, the liquid discharge portion may be a liquid discharge hole having a cross section smaller than the cross section of the main conduit, and the liquid discharge hole may have a function of a throttle portion.
[0008]
According to this configuration, the liquid that has flowed from the bag-shaped space of the bag-shaped work into the pipe line by immersion in the liquid tank is discharged from the liquid tank when the work immersion holder rises from the liquid tank. Discharge section). Also, in the process of immersing the work immersion holder in the liquid tank, the throttle section delays the flow of the liquid into the pipe line until the air in the bag-shaped space (closed space) has been released through the pipe line, Thereafter, the conduit will be filled with liquid. In other words, if the pipe is immediately filled with liquid by immersion in the liquid tank, it becomes difficult to release air from the closed space of the bag-shaped work through the pipe, By delaying the entry of the liquid, it is easy to ensure that the air is released before the pipe is filled with the liquid. In the case where the function of the throttle is provided in the liquid discharge hole, when the work immersion holder rises from the liquid tank, the liquid in the pipeline flows down through the throttle.
[0009]
In a preferred aspect of the present invention, the main body shaft portion is formed of a pipe material, and the support rod portion also formed of the pipe material forms a pipe in the main body shaft portion that communicates between the pipe materials. The upper opening of the main body shaft portion is a ventilation outlet, and air in the bag-shaped space of the bag-shaped work is released through the upper opening, while being formed at a closed portion at the lower end portion of the main body shaft portion. The liquid discharge hole functions as the liquid discharge part and the throttle part.
[0010]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described based on examples shown in the drawings.
FIG. 1 shows a bag nut as an example of a bag-shaped work. A cap nut 1 is provided with a main body 2 having an internal thread portion 4 and a cap portion 3 for closing an opening on the side opposite to the screwing side of the external thread member of the main body 2. A bag-shaped space (closed space) 5 is formed with the portion where the tip of the male screw member such as a bolt enters. Such a cap nut 1 is immersed in a predetermined liquid tank for cleaning, rust prevention, plating and the like after forging, threading by rolling or cutting, welding of the cap portion 3 and heat treatment.
[0011]
At that time, an immersion holder 7 as shown in FIG. 2 is used. The immersion holder 7 is connected to a metal main body shaft (main body) 8 extending longitudinally in the elevating direction, and is branched from the main body shaft 8 so as to face obliquely upward at a predetermined interval. A plurality of support rods (branches) 9 are provided, and the cap nuts 1 are mounted on the support rods 9 one by one.
[0012]
As shown in FIG. 2 (b), an elastic pressing portion (linear spring member) 10 is fixed to the main body shaft 8 substantially in parallel with the supporting rod portion 9. The cap nuts 1 are inserted, and a large number of cap nuts 1 are held by the immersion holder 7 in a tree shape as shown in FIG. Then, as shown in FIG. 3, in this state, a predetermined liquid tank 12 (for example, an electrolytic plating tank, an electroless plating tank, an acid electrolytic (descaling) liquid tank, a rust preventive liquid (oil) tank, a degreasing liquid tank, a cleaning liquid) After being immersed in a tank or other appropriate liquid tank and the predetermined processing is completed, the immersion holder 7 is pulled up from the liquid tank 12 together with the processed cap nut 1.
[0013]
Further, as shown in FIG. 4, for example, in an electrolytic plating line or the like, an immersion holder 7 holding the above-mentioned cap nut 1 is connected to a connecting portion 15 of the line along a transport line 13, and a liquid tank in each step is provided. The immersion is repeated in Step 12 to complete the predetermined process. For example, the liquid tanks are arranged in the order of steps such that 12a is a degreasing liquid tank, 12b is an acid electrolytic tank, and 12c is an electrolytic plating tank. Although not shown, a cleaning liquid tank is usually provided between them. Then, as shown in (b), each immersion holder 7 descends along with the lifting / lowering device (elevation guide) 16 with respect to the liquid tank 12 in each step together with the cap nut 1, and after being immersed in the liquid tank for a predetermined time, rises. , And moves forward to the next step.
[0014]
FIG. 5 shows the immersion holder 7 more specifically. The main body shaft portion 8, the support rod portion 9, and the elastic pressing portion 10 are all made of metal. In this case, it is covered with an insulating layer 35 of resin or the like so as not to be plated. However, the metal is exposed at the tip end portions of the support rod portion 9 and the elastic pressing portion 10 in order to obtain electrical conductivity with the material to be plated.
[0015]
FIG. 6 shows each structure of the main body shaft portion 8 and the support rod portion 9 and a connection structure thereof. The main body shaft portion 8 has a long pipe shape (for example, a square pipe shape or a round pipe shape), and the inside thereof is a main body conduit 18 for air flow. Further, the support rod portion 9 is also made of a pipe material, and the inside thereof is formed as a branch pipe line 19 for flowing air. In order to fix the base end portion of such a pipe-shaped support rod portion 9 to the main body shaft portion 8 so that the pipes communicate with each other, a mounting hole 22 is formed in the main body shaft portion 8. With the base end portion of the support rod 9 inserted into the support rod 22, the support rod 9 is fixed by brazing, welding, screwing, press-fitting, or any other appropriate fixing method. The support rod 9 is fixed at an angle with respect to the axis of the main body shaft 8 so as to face obliquely upward from a horizontal posture. In the case of this example, these support rod portions 9 are fixed to both side surfaces at the same height with the axis of the main body shaft portion 8 interposed therebetween as shown in the figure, but they may be arranged in a staggered manner, depending on conditions. May be provided so as to project in three or four directions from three or four surfaces of the main body shaft portion 8. In the case of the present example, the support rod portions 9 are arranged at predetermined intervals such as equal intervals on one side, and are parallel to each other. The mounting hole 22 can be formed so as to face obliquely upward along an axis that faces obliquely upward of the support rod portion 9.
[0016]
The air from the branch pipes 19 of the support rods 9 can escape upward through the main body pipes 18 of the main body shaft 8, and the upper end opening 27 of the main body shaft 8 is provided with a ventilation discharge part (air discharge port). ). On the other hand, the lower end of the main body shaft portion 8 is closed by a closing portion 20, and the closing portion 20 is formed with a liquid discharge throttle hole 21 which also serves as a liquid discharge portion and a throttle portion. Then, the liquid that has entered the main body conduit 18 of the main body shaft portion 8 is discharged downward from the liquid discharge throttle hole 21 when the immersion holder 7 rises.
[0017]
FIG. 7 shows the immersion holder 7 in which the insulating layer 35 is omitted, more specifically. A bus bar 23 as an electrode member is fixed to a surface of the main body shaft portion 8 which is different from the surface to which the support rod 9 and the like are fixed by 90 degrees. The bus bar 23 is of a long shape having substantially the same length as the main body shaft portion 8, and has a hook-shaped energization connecting portion 23 a (see also FIG. 10) substantially corresponding to the upper end of the main body shaft portion 8. , And is connected to a not-shown energizing electrode portion (for example, installed at the connecting portion 15 in FIG. 4) at the energizing connecting portion 23a. At this time, a spring member 24 made of a conductive material is fixed to the outer surface of the bus bar 23 in order to secure electrical contact between the energizing electrode portion and the bus bar 23, and between the spring member 24 and the energizing connecting portion 23a. The energized electrode part of the other party enters and becomes electrically in contact. In this example, in order to fix such a bus bar 23 to the main body shaft portion 8, a plurality of fixing brackets 32 are provided at predetermined intervals in the longitudinal direction, and the bus bar 23 is fixed to the main body shaft portion 8 by these fixing brackets 32. Fixed to. A hook 26 is fixed to the upper end of the main body shaft 8 so as to be back-to-back with the hook-shaped current-carrying connection 23a of the bus bar 23. Is used. Of course, it is also possible to adopt another structure as the structure of the current-carrying connection portion 23a of the bus bar 23 or the structure for fixing the bus bar 23 to the main body shaft portion 8.
[0018]
In this case, the elastic pressing portion 10 constitutes an integral part in which a pair of portions projecting obliquely upward from both sides of the main body shaft portion 8 are connected by a connecting portion 25 and open upward. The connecting portion 25 is fixed to the bus bar 23 in a state of being in electrical contact with the bus bar 23 by the fixing bracket 31. The fixing bracket 31 is fixed to the bus bar 23 by welding or the like in a state where the connecting portion 25 of the component of the elastic pressing portion 10 is pressed against the bus bar 23. As shown in FIG. 9, the components constituting the elastic pressing portions 10 on both sides have a box-shaped cross section in which the connecting portion 25 fits into the bus bar 23 and the main body shaft portion 8, and the portion is shown in FIG. As described above, the support portion is fixed so as to straddle the bus bar 23 and the main body shaft portion 8, and the elastic pressing portion 10 is positioned in substantially the same vertical plane as the support rod portion 9 from both ends of the connecting portion 25. It is close to and opposed to the rod portion 9. As described above, in the present embodiment, the elastic pressing portions 10 opposed to each other with the main body shaft portion 8 interposed therebetween have an integral structure via the connecting portion 25, and therefore are easier to manufacture and stronger than those in which they are individually fixed. Is also excellent.
[0019]
The elastic pressing portion 10 is provided with a mountain-shaped or curved protruding portion 30 which bulges in the middle (outside) opposite to the direction in which the supporting rod portion 9 faces, and the protruding portion 30 is the cap nut 1 shown in FIG. Is pressed from the inside against the female screw portion 4 of the second member. Further, in this example, the support rod portion 9 is also formed with a mountain-shaped or curved-shaped projection portion 29 projecting on the side (outside) opposite to the direction opposite to the elastic pressing portion 10. The protrusions 30 of the part 10 are close to each other so as to face outward. When the cap nut 1 shown in FIG. 1 is inserted into the support rod portion 9 and the elastic pressing portion 10, for example, the inner surface of the female screw portion 4 of the cap nut 1 contacts the protruding portion 30 of the elastic pressing portion 10. Then, the elastic pressing portion 10 enters the inner portion while being elastically deformed inward, and at this time, the protruding portion 29 of the support rod portion 9 is also pressed against the inner surface of the female screw portion 4 by the reaction of the elastic force of the elastic pressing portion 10, and The nut 1 is held by the support rod portion 9 and the elastic pressing portion 10 substantially without looseness.
[0020]
Note that the projecting portion 29 of the support rod 9 may be omitted, and the support rod 9 may be a straight pipe-shaped support rod 9 as shown in FIG. In this case, the outer surface on the upper side of the support rod portion 9 contacts the inner surface of the female screw portion 4 of the cap nut 1 entirely or partially along a straight line, and the cap nut 1 is supported. The mounting hole 22 formed in the side wall of the main body shaft 8 is formed in a direction orthogonal to the axis of the main body shaft 8, and a base curved portion 33 is formed in the base end of the support rod 9. Then, the base curved portion 33 can be fixed to the mounting hole 22.
[0021]
FIG. 8 shows an example of the form of the support rod portion 9. The support rod portion 9 shown in FIG. 8A has a base end portion fitted into a mounting hole 22 formed obliquely in the main body shaft portion 8. (B) is fitted into the mounting hole 22 formed at the base curved portion 33 in the main body shaft portion 8 at a right angle to the longitudinal direction (for example, in the horizontal direction). In any case, regardless of whether or not the projecting portion 29 is formed at the intermediate portion of the support rod portion 9, the branch conduit 19 inside the support rod portion 9 is continuous from its base end to the distal end. is there.
[0022]
The tip of the support rod 9 may be perpendicular to the axis as shown in FIG. 11B, but the tip of the branch pipe 19 is formed as an inclined tip 28 as shown in FIG. The opening may be provided so as to open upward near the horizontal. With such an inclined tip 28, the opening position of the branch conduit 19 of the support rod 9 can be positioned as high as possible, and as described later, the relative position of the liquid when dipping into the liquid tank is relatively high. When the surface rises, the entry of the liquid into the support rod 9 is delayed as much as possible, so that a larger area of the inner surface of the cap nut 1 can be immersed in the liquid. Also, for example, even if the tip of the support rod 9 abuts on the cap 3 of FIG. 1, the tip end of the support rod 9 does not come into close contact with the cap 3 due to the inclined tip 28, so that the cap 3 and the like do not. It becomes difficult to be blocked.
[0023]
As shown in FIG. 12, the relationship between the support rod 9 and the elastic pressing part 10 is such that the support rod 9 is located on the upper side and has a protruding part 29, as shown in FIG. A form in which the protruding part 30 is formed in the part 10, a form in which the upper and lower positional relations are reversed as in (b), a form in which the support rod 9 is linearly located on the upper side as in (c), As shown in (d), the support rod portion 9 may be linear and located on the lower side. Further, as shown in (e) and (f), the elastic pressing portion can also be made of a pipe material, and this can be used as the supporting rod portion 9. In this case, since one or both of the support rod portions 9 also serve as the elastic pressing portions 10, it can be seen that the elastic pressing portions 10 are formally omitted.
[0024]
As shown in FIGS. 12E and 12F, since each of the support rods 9 is in the form of a pipe, air can escape through the interior of both support rods 9. In the example of (e), the upper support rod 9 is linear, and the lower support rod 9 has a protruding portion 29 in the middle thereof. In (f), both the upper and lower sides are respectively provided. In this example, a projection 29 is formed symmetrically with respect to a middle line between the two. When the immersion holder is used in an electrolytic plating tank, as shown in FIG. 13, since the immersion holder 7 serves as one electrode, the elastic pressing portion 10 branches from the bus bar 23 of FIG. A voltage is applied to each of the elastic pressing portions 10 by utilizing the electrodes, and the cap nut 1 that is in electrical contact with the elastic pressing portions 10 becomes, for example, a negative pole, and electroplating is performed. In this example, since both the main body shaft portion 8 and the support rod portion 9 are made of metal, they can also function as electrodes.
[0025]
In FIGS. 12E and 12F, one or both of the support rods 9 function as electrodes. On the other hand, if it is a simple immersion plating without electrolysis or a holder dedicated to immersion in a rust preventive solution, a degreasing solution, a cleaning solution, or the like, an electrode is unnecessary. In this case, the entire immersion holder 7 is made of resin. And the like. However, the immersion holder used in the process line including the electroplating tank usually goes through a degreasing tank, an acid electrolytic tank, an electrolytic plating tank, a cleaning tank, etc. Those having a structure functioning as an electrode, such as the above-described bus bar 23 and the elastic pressing portion 10 as a branch electrode, are used.
[0026]
FIG. 14 schematically shows an immersion holder 7 which is an example of the present invention, and explains its operation. As shown in (a), the current path branches to each elastic pressing portion 10 via a bus bar 23 attached to the current-carrying electrode portion such as the connection portion 15. On the other hand, an air passage is formed from the branch conduit 19 of each support rod 9 to the main conduit 18 of the main shaft 8. In other words, the plurality of branch conduits 19 communicate with the main conduit 18 in parallel.
[0027]
Here, the main body shaft portion 8 is made of, for example, a square pipe made of stainless steel or the like, and the bus bar 23 is made of a good conductive material excellent as an electrode material, for example, a copper plate. Similarly, a stainless steel pipe having corrosion resistance and conductivity is preferably used for the support rod portion 9, and a copper bar is preferably used for the elastic pressing portion 10. The base shaft 8, the bus bar 23, the support rod 9, and the base end of the elastic pressing part 10 are coated with a resin or the like as an insulating coating so that unnecessary current does not flow and a plating layer is not formed. A layer (insulating layer) 35 is formed (see FIG. 5). When the main body shaft portion 8 and the support rod portion 9 have sufficient functions and structures as electrodes, it is not always necessary to provide the bus bar 23 separately.
[0028]
When the immersion holder 7 holding a large number of cap nuts 1 is immersed in the electrolytic plating tank 12 as shown in FIG. 13, the holder 7 side is, for example, a minus pole, and the counter electrode 36 is, for example, a plus pole. 12. In the process of immersing the holder 7 in the liquid tank 12 such as an electrolytic plating tank, branch pipes 19 are respectively formed in the support rod 9 as shown in FIG. Air that is confined in the closed space of the cap nut 1 from the portion connected to the upper opening 27 via the main body conduit 18 is released to the outside through the conduits 19 and 18 according to the relative rise of the liquid level.
[0029]
FIG. 14 (b) shows a process in the course of immersion. When the immersion holder 7 starts immersion, liquid is discharged from the liquid discharge throttle hole 21 formed in the lower part of the main body shaft portion 8 to form the main body shaft portion 8. It enters the main body conduit 18. However, since the restricting effect of the liquid discharge restricting hole 21 gives resistance to the inflow of the liquid, the relative rise in the liquid level in the main pipe 18 and the relative rise in the external liquid level of the immersion holder 7 are increased. And a disparity h occurs. Due to the restricting effect of the liquid discharge restricting hole 21 (in other words, the difference in h generated during the immersion process between the liquid level of the main pipe 18 and the liquid level of the liquid tank), the air trapped in the closed space of the cap nut 1 is reduced. Escapes, and after the liquid flows in from the distal end opening of the branch conduit 19, the liquid level in the main conduit 18 rises to the base-end opening position of the branch conduit 19. In other words, the liquid level rises relatively in the course of immersion of the immersion holder 7, and the liquid enters the closed space of the cap nut 1 and closes the opening of the space. Since the main pipe 18 is communicated with the main pipe 18 through the branch pipe 19 as a gas passage, the air in the same space is released through the pipes 19 and 18 to allow the liquid level in the same space to rise. Then, until the liquid surface reaches the distal end opening of the branch conduit 19 and the liquid flows into the branch conduit 19 through the distal end opening, the opening of the supporting rod portion 9 on the main conduit 18 side is kept. Since the liquid surface is not blocked by the liquid, the liquid surface is surely allowed to rise to the position of the leading end opening of the branch pipe line 19 in the bag-shaped space, so that the inner surface of the cap nut 1 is surely immersed in the liquid to that height position. Will be done.
[0030]
Here, assuming that there is no difference h between the liquid level of the main pipe 18 and the liquid level of the liquid tank, when the base end side opening of the branch pipe 19 is closed with the liquid, the branch pipe 19 and the liquid pipe are closed. Since the main body line 18 is shut off, the flow of air that escapes from the closed space of the cap nut 1 to the main body line 18 through the branch line 19 is cut off. It will not rise above.
[0031]
As shown in FIG. 15 (a), when the immersion holder 7 is completely immersed in the liquid tank 12 and is stable, the liquid level of the liquid tank and the liquid level of the main pipe 18 are at the same level. In other words, after the air in the closed space of the cap nut 1 is released from the branch pipes 19 of the support rod portions 9, the liquid enters from the branch pipes 19 to fill the branch pipes 19, and the branch pipes 19 are filled. The liquid that has flowed in from the pipe 19 and the liquid that has entered through the liquid discharge throttle hole 21 also fill the main body pipe 18 with the liquid.
[0032]
As shown in FIG. 15 (b), when the immersion holder 7 is lifted up from the liquid tank 12 from such a state, the liquid present in the branch pipes 19 of each support rod 9 is removed from the main pipe 18. Then, the liquid in the main pipe 18 flows down through the liquid discharge throttle hole 21, and the liquid in the branch pipe 19 and the liquid in the main pipe 18 are finally discharged together. In addition, the size of the liquid discharge throttle hole 21 is set to a size according to the conditions such as the descending / rising speed of the immersion holder 7 and the viscosity of the liquid in order to satisfy both the above-mentioned restricting function and discharging function. It will be.
[0033]
For example, as shown in FIG. 16A, the liquid discharge throttle hole 21 is a simple hole 21 formed in the closing portion 20 of the main body shaft portion 8, and as shown in FIG. Alternatively, a tapered portion like the inclined surface 37 may be formed, and the hole 21 provided at the lower end thereof may be used. Further, as shown in (c), a thin tube portion 38 may be integrally provided at the lower end of the main body shaft portion 8, and the conduit of the thin tube portion 38 may be the liquid discharge throttle hole 21. In this case, as shown in (d), the upper side of the narrow tube portion 38 may be a tapered slope 37, and the liquid discharge throttle hole 21 may be formed in a lower part in a so-called funnel shape. The funnel shape or the tapered shape as in (d) (this is also true for (b)) has an effect that the liquid easily flows down.
[0034]
Further, as shown in (e), a plurality of liquid discharge throttle holes 21 can be formed. Further, as shown in (f), the throttle section 40 can be provided separately from the liquid discharge section 41. In this case, a pipe portion having a smaller cross-sectional area than other portions is formed in the middle portion of the main body conduit 18 of the main body shaft portion 8, and the inside thereof is defined as a throttle portion 40. Alternatively, it may be formed with the same cross-sectional area as the main body conduit 18. As shown in (g), the closing part 20 can be provided as a separate member detachable from the main body shaft part 8. If it is detachable in this way, it is possible to easily clean the inside of the main pipe 18.
[0035]
Further, as shown in FIG. 17, a liquid discharge portion 41 is formed below the main body conduit 18 of the main body shaft portion 8 by omitting the throttle portion, and valve means such as an open / close valve 42 are provided in this portion, and immersion holding is performed. When the tool is immersed in the liquid tank, as shown in (b), the valve 42 is closed to prevent the liquid from entering the main pipe 18, and the immersion holder is pulled up (raised) from the liquid tank. At this time, the valve 42 may be opened so that the liquid in the main body conduit 18 flows down. Further, as shown in FIG. 18, a liquid discharge portion 41 is formed below the main body conduit 18 of the main body shaft portion 8, and a check valve 43 is provided in this portion, so that the liquid discharge portion 41 is moved upward into the main body conduit 18. Can be prevented from entering, and the liquid stored in the main pipe 18 can be discharged downward.
[0036]
Next, an example of the electrolytic plating step and the rust prevention step using the immersion holder as described above will be described. By performing the steps 51 to 62 in FIG. 19 cyclically, electrolytic plating is applied to the cap nut 1 as a bag-like work, and rust-preventive oil is attached mainly to the inner surface of the cap nut 1. Now, in the loading / unloading step (station) 62, a large number of forged heat treatments are applied to the branches 9 (supporting rods) of the immersion holder 7 (holding part) shown in FIGS. Is attached diagonally upward (so that the opening faces diagonally downward). Then, the immersion holder 7 having such a large number of cap nuts mounted in a tree shape is connected to the reciprocating transport path (transport line) 13 shown in FIG. While being intermittently conveyed along the circulating conveyance path 13, the immersion holder 7 with the cap nut is immersed in a necessary liquid tank.
[0037]
The circulating transport path 13 is one in which an endless track such as a chain is circulated by a driving device such as a motor, and each of the connecting portions 15 is connected to a lifting device (not shown). To patrol. The lifting device is, for example, fixed to a rack in which the connecting portion 15 can be moved up and down, and a pinion meshing with the rack moves the rack, the connecting portion 15 and the immersion holder 7 up and down by driving means such as a motor. Such a rack and pinion mechanism is provided corresponding to each connecting portion 15 and circulates with each connecting portion 15. As the elevating device, a ball screw mechanism or a cylinder mechanism such as air may be used instead of the rack and pinion mechanism.
[0038]
Each connecting portion 15 to which the immersion holder 7 is detachably connected is intermittently interposed by the endless track at a distance corresponding to the pitch p of the liquid tanks of the liquid tanks 12a, 12b, 12c shown in FIG. The connection unit 15 moves above and stops above the liquid tanks, and in the stopped state, the connection unit 15 is lowered by the elevating device as described above, and the immersion holder 7 is immersed in the liquid tank. At this time, each connecting part 15 can be controlled so as to simultaneously descend, and after immersion, each connecting part 15 is simultaneously raised via the above-mentioned elevating device, and each immersion holder 7 is placed in a liquid tank. It can be pulled up from inside.
[0039]
In addition, a switching device for turning on / off a lift command for each station is provided so that the immersion holder 7 is not lowered on a predetermined liquid tank (process station) when the immersion holder 7 is intermittently stopped. Can be. This includes, for example, a clutch or the like that disconnects / connects the moving unit of the lifting / lowering device and the drive source. It is possible to disengage or connect the clutch connecting / disconnecting device to the moving clutch of the connecting portion 15 by providing a lever or the like.
[0040]
Alternatively, a switch means for preventing the drive source (motor, cylinder, etc.) of the elevating device from operating at a specific station may be provided. For example, each process station can be selectively moved to a cutting position and an entering position by remote control. Switch means, such as a dog, is provided. On the other hand, switch means such as a limit switch (micro switch) is provided in the moving connecting portion 15, and the switch means is operated by the switch operation means at a predetermined station. The lifting device can be turned off. If the elevating device is not operated at a specific station in this way, the immersion holder 7 and the cap nut do not descend and there is no immersion in the liquid tank. (The process is not performed).
[0041]
As described above, while a certain immersion holder 7 is intermittently fed along the cyclic transport path 13, the immersion holder is repeatedly immersed and raised in each of the liquid tanks by descending and rising at the time of stop, thereby making one round. The electrolytic plating and the application of rust-preventive oil are successively performed on a large number of cap nuts mounted on the immersion holder 7 in a continuous process, and after the process is completed, the load / unload station 62 shown in FIGS. Return to Here, the immersion holder 7 together with the processed cap nuts is removed from the connecting portion, and another immersion holder 7 holding a large number of unprocessed cap nuts is attached to the connecting portion 15 instead.
[0042]
Returning to FIG. 19, prior to the electrolytic plating step (57, 59), a pre-step such as degreasing is usually performed. FIG. 20 shows the main steps in FIG. 19, and the degreasing tank 51, the cathodic acid electrolytic tank 53, the anodic electrolytic degreasing tank 55, the plating tank 57 (59), the rust-preventive oil tank 61, and the load / unload station 62 This is a conceptual illustration of an example in which the immersion holder 7 is intermittently moved via the connecting portion 15 and is immersed in each of the liquid tanks 51 to 61. repeat.
[0043]
Here, when the intermittent movement is stopped as described above, each immersion holder 7 is simultaneously lowered, so that one immersion holder 7 is immersed in the degreasing tank 51 to perform a degreasing step, and another immersion holder is 7 is immersed in the cathodic acid electrolytic cell 53 to remove the scale, and another immersion holder 7 is immersed in the anodic electrolytic cell 55 to activate the cap nut (material). The tool 7 is immersed in a plating tank 57 to perform a plating step, and another immersion holder 7 is immersed in a rust-proof oil tank 61 to which rust-proof oil is applied. As a whole, steps such as degreasing, scale removal, activation, plating, and rust prevention are performed in parallel. Although the washing tanks corresponding to the washing steps 52, 54, 56, 58, and 60 in FIG. 19 are omitted in the liquid tank of FIG. 20, since these washing tanks are a kind of the liquid tank, The immersion and lifting of the cap nut are also performed via the immersion holder 7 in the same manner as in the degreasing tank 51 to the rust-preventive oil tank 61 described above.
[0044]
Here, paying attention to one immersion holder 7, steps for a plurality of cap nuts held therein will be described in order with reference to FIGS.
At the loading / unloading station 62, a large number of cap nuts supplied to the process line (the circulating transport path 13) via the immersion holder 7 advance from the station 62 by a fixed amount and stop. It is immersed (downward) in a predetermined alkaline solution (degreasing layer 51) to perform alkali degreasing. Next, a water washing step 52 is performed in which the water is lifted up (ascended), advanced by a predetermined amount, and then immersed (down) in the water washing tank to wash the alkaline solution (degreasing liquid). After the washing, the cap nut is lifted (along with the immersion holder 7) and advanced by a certain amount. This time, the cap nut is immersed (down) in a sulfuric acid solution or the like, and the scale generated on the cap nut by the heat treatment. (Scale skipping) cathodic acid electrolysis step 53 is performed.
[0045]
Then, after the sulfuric acid solution or the like is washed in the same water washing step 54 as described above, the cap nut is immersed in a predetermined alkaline solution (anode electrolytic degreasing tank 55) so that the plating that is scheduled in the subsequent step will be sufficiently improved. For this purpose, an anodic electrolytic degreasing step 55 for activating the surface is performed. Further, through a washing step 56 similar to the above, the process reaches a plating step (plating 1) 57. Here, in order to perform, for example, nickel plating, a large number of cap nuts are immersed (down) in the plating tank 57 while being held by the immersion holder 7, and nickel or the like is mainly applied to the outer surface of the cap nut by the electrolytic plating described above. Is formed. The plating layer here is, for example, semi-bright nickel plating or bright nickel plating, and either one of them can be applied, or semi-bright and bright plating can be sequentially performed in separate plating tanks in succession. it can.
[0046]
In any case, when this plating step is completed, the immersion holder 7 holding a large number of cap nuts is lifted (elevated) by the above-described elevating device, and after being advanced by a certain amount, is immersed in the washing tank. It is washed (58). Here, in the case of further performing the step 59 (different material) of the plating 2, after the above-mentioned water washing, the immersion holder 7 holding the cap nut advances to another plating tank and stops, and the cap nut is immersed and held. Together with the tool 7, it is immersed in a plating tank for chrome plating, for example. When the plating 59 step is completed, the plated nut is lifted up from the plating tank by raising the immersion holder 7 and advances by a certain amount to the washing step 60, where the plating solution is treated in the same manner as described above. Is washed.
[0047]
In addition to performing both plating 1 and plating 2 as described above, it is also possible to perform only one of them. In such a case, the immersion holder 7 is not lowered (immersed) by the above-described clutch switch or the like. Thus, the process may be bypassed.
[0048]
In any case, the plating step is performed, and then, the board is rinsed with water to remove excess plating solution adhering to the cap nut, and then continuously proceeds to the rust prevention step 61. That is, the immersion holder 7, which holds a number of cap nuts, stops on the plating tank, descends and rises (immerses and raises), stops after moving by a certain amount, descends and rises on the washing tank (immerses and rises). Pulling up), followed by moving by a certain amount, stops on the rust-preventive oil tank, descends by the above-mentioned elevating device, and immerses a large number of plated nuts together with the immersion holder 7 in the rust-preventive oil. In the process of immersion, as described with reference to FIG. 14 and the like, as the rust-preventive oil relatively rises in the bag-shaped space of the cap nut, the air trapped in the bag-shaped space causes the immersion holder 7 to move. Is released to the outside through the passages 19 and 18, so that the liquid level of the rust-preventive oil can penetrate deep into the inside of the cap nut and adhere to the deepest portion.
[0049]
Thereafter, if the immersion holder 7 is lifted by the lifting device, the rust-preventive oil that has entered the bag-shaped space of the cap nut 1 flows down from the opening of the cap nut 1 as described with reference to FIG. No extra rust-preventive oil remains inside the cap nut. Also, the plated nut is immersed in the rust-preventive oil while being held by the immersion holder 7, and is simply pulled up from the rust-preventive oil. There is no need to worry about scratches on the cap nut during the process.
[0050]
When such a rust prevention process is completed, the cap nut on which plating and rust-preventive oil have been applied is returned to the above-described load / unload station 62 while being held by the immersion holder 7, where the immersion holder 7 is removed from the cyclic transport path 13, and a number of cap nuts held by the holder 7 are detached from the immersion holder 7 to complete a series of steps, such as shipping.
[0051]
On the other hand, in the conventional immersion holder which cannot release the air inside the cap nut, even if immersed in the rust-preventive oil, the rust-preventive oil cannot enter the portion where the air is trapped. Therefore, the rust-preventive oil is not applied to a considerable portion of the inside of the cap nut (bag-shaped space), and there is substantially no plating layer formed inside the cap nut, so that the rust-preventive oil does not adhere to the inside due to the ground. If there is a part, it is easy to rust from here.
[0052]
Therefore, conventionally, as shown in FIG. 21, after performing degreasing, descaling, and plating in the plating step (1), all cap nuts are removed from the immersion holder, and the removed cap nuts after plating are completely independent of each other. In the process, put the rust-preventive oil into the barrel tank containing the rust-preventive oil, and stir the cap nut and rust-preventive oil in the rotating barrel tub so that the rust-preventive oil adheres to the innermost part of the bag-shaped space inside the cap nut. I'm trying to make it. After that, the cap nut is taken out of the barrel tank and shipped or sent to the next additional step.
[0053]
However, in this method, first of all, the plating and rust prevention processes are different and cannot be performed in a continuous process, so that the overall processing and production efficiency is poor. Secondly, since the cap nuts collide with each other in the barrel tank, the plated cap nuts are easily scratched. Thirdly, it is inevitable that extra rust-preventive oil remains (accumulates) inside the cap nut, and the residual rust-preventive oil contaminates the surroundings in a later transportation, and an additional process is scheduled later. If so, there is a problem that makes it difficult.
[0054]
In the present invention, all such problems are solved, and the plating and rust prevention are carried out in a continuous process while being held by the immersion holder 7, so that the production efficiency is improved, and there is no problem of scratches generated in the barrel tank, and furthermore, rust prevention is achieved. A plating and rust prevention process that does not easily leave oil inside is realized.
[0055]
In the above description, the immersion holder 7 is detachably connected to the traveling path 13. However, instead of such an immersion holder 7, the holding unit provided in the traveling path 13 is not scheduled to be attached or detached. However, any holding unit having the above-described air release means can be adopted.
[0056]
Further, in the above description, the cap nut 1 has been described as an example of the bag-shaped work. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and is applicable to a work having a bag-shaped space in which air is trapped when immersed in a liquid tank. The present invention can be applied to all.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a view showing a cap nut as an example of a bag-like work in which the immersion holder of the present invention is used.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a state in which a bag-like work is attached to a dipping holder suitable for carrying out the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a view for explaining the operation of immersing it in a predetermined liquid tank.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a process of repeating immersion along a transport line.
FIG. 5 is a front view showing an example of an immersion holder suitable for carrying out the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a view showing a form in which a supporting rod portion is connected to a main body shaft portion by pipe materials.
FIG. 7 is a view more specifically showing the immersion holder.
FIG. 8 is a view showing an example of a support rod.
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of components of an elastic pressing portion.
FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the form of a bus bar.
FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a tip shape of a support rod portion.
FIG. 12 is a view showing some examples of combinations of a support rod portion and an elastic pressing portion.
FIG. 13 is a view showing an example in which the immersion holder is used in an electrolytic plating tank.
FIG. 14 is a view conceptually showing a cross section of an example of the immersion holder, and illustrating a state when the holder is lowered into a liquid tank.
FIG. 15 is a view conceptually showing a cross section of an example of the immersion holder, and illustrating a state of immersion in a liquid tank and a state of rising from the liquid tank.
FIG. 16 is a view showing some examples of a liquid discharge throttle hole or a throttle part.
FIG. 17 is an explanatory view in which a valve means is provided at a lower part of a main body conduit.
FIG. 18 is a view showing an example in which a check valve is provided at a lower portion of a main body conduit.
FIG. 19 is a process chart showing an example of the process of the present invention.
FIG. 20 is a plan view conceptually showing equipment for performing the process.
FIG. 21 is an explanatory view of a conventional example.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Cap nut
5. Bag-shaped space (closed space)
7 Immersion holder
8 Body Shaft
9 Support rod
10 Elastic pressing part
12 liquid tank
13 Transport line
18 Body pipe
19 Branch line
21 Liquid discharge throttle hole
23 Busbar
27 Upper opening
29, 30 Projection
35 Insulation layer (coating layer)
40 Aperture part
41 liquid outlet

Claims

袋状の空間を有する複数の袋状ワークを、保持部の本体部から複数延び出た枝部にそれぞれ差し入れし、個々の袋状空間の開口部から内部の液が自然流下できる下向きの姿勢で前記保持部に保持した状態で、その保持部とそれに保持されたワークとを共にめっき槽に浸漬するとともに、
前記本体部は長手状のパイプ形態をなしてその内部が空気流通のための本体管路とされ、前記枝部もパイプ材となしてその内部が空気流通のための分岐管路とされ、本体部と枝部はパイプ同士で互いに連通するように固定されており、前記本体部の下端を閉塞する閉塞部には液排出部と絞り部を兼ねる液排出絞り孔が形成され、
その浸漬の工程において、前記袋状ワークの袋状の空間に閉じ込められる空気等の気体を前記袋状ワークを保持した状態で前記保持部の前記枝部及び本体部に連なるように形成された空気等の逃がし通路により保持部の本体部の上部から外部に逃がすとともに、前記絞り部は、袋状ワークの袋状の空間の空気等の気体を本体管路を経て逃がし終えるまでは、その本体管路への液の流入を遅らせ、その後管路を液で満ちさせる袋状ワークにめっきを施す工程と、
めっき後の袋状ワークを前記保持部に保持したままの状態で前記めっき槽から引き上げることにより、袋状ワークの袋状空間からめっき液を自然流下させるとともに、前記保持部の本体管路に入った液体を前記液排出絞り孔から下方の液槽に排出させ、その後の所定の工程において、めっき後の袋状ワークを前記保持部に保持したままの状態でそれら袋状ワーク及び前記保持部を防錆槽に浸漬するとともに、その浸漬の工程において、前記袋状ワークの袋状の空間に閉じ込められる空気等の気体を前記袋状ワークを保持した状態で前記保持部に形成される逃がし通路を経て外部に逃がして、めっき後の袋状ワークに防錆油を付ける工程と、
を含むことを特徴とする袋状ワークのめっき方法。A plurality of bag-like workpiece having a bag-like space, and pledged to a plurality extends out the branch portion from the body portion of the holding portion, downward can naturally flows down the inside of the liquid from the opening of each bag-like space Kino While holding the holding part and the work held therein in the holding part in the posture together with the holding part in the plating tank,
The main body has a longitudinal pipe shape and the inside is a main body pipe for air circulation, and the branch part also forms a pipe material and the inside is a branch pipe for air circulation, The part and the branch part are fixed so as to communicate with each other by pipes, and a liquid discharge throttle hole that also serves as a liquid discharge part and a throttle part is formed in a closing part that closes a lower end of the main body part,
The air in the process of the immersion, which is formed a gas such as air confined in the bag-like space of the bag-like workpiece so as to be continuous with the branch portion and the body portion of the holding portion while holding the bag-shaped workpiece the escape to the outside together to the upper portion of the main body portion of the holding portion by the relief passage and the like, the throttle section, a gas such as air bag-shaped space of the bag-like workpiece until after escape through the body conduit, the A step of plating the bag-like work that delays the inflow of the liquid into the main body conduit and then fills the conduit with the liquid ;
By pulling up the bag-like work after plating from the plating tank while holding it in the holding part, the plating solution naturally flows down from the bag-like space of the bag-like work and enters the main body conduit of the holding part. The discharged liquid is discharged from the liquid discharge throttle hole to a lower liquid tank, and in a subsequent predetermined step, the bag-shaped work and the holding portion are held while the plated bag-like work is held in the holding portion. While immersing in the rust prevention tank, in the immersion step, an escape passage formed in the holding portion while holding the bag-shaped work with gas such as air trapped in the bag-shaped space of the bag-shaped work. Through the process to escape to the outside and apply rust-proof oil to the plated bag-like work.
A plating method for a bag-like work, comprising:

前記めっき工程後、そのめっき後の袋状ワークを前記保持部に保持したままの状態で、それら袋状ワーク及び前記保持部を洗浄槽に浸漬するとともに、その浸漬の工程において、前記袋状ワークの袋状の空間に閉じ込められる空気等の気体を前記袋状ワークを保持した状態で前記保持部に形成される逃がし通路を経て外部に逃がして、前記袋状ワークに付着するめっき液を洗浄する工程を含み、袋状ワークを前記保持部に保持したままの状態で前記洗浄槽から引き上げることにより、袋状ワークの袋状空間から洗浄液を自然流下させる請求項１に記載のめっき方法。After the plating step, the bag-shaped work and the holding part are immersed in a cleaning tank while the bag-shaped work after plating is held in the holding part. The gas such as air confined in the bag-shaped space is released to outside through a release passage formed in the holding portion while holding the bag-shaped work, and the plating solution attached to the bag-shaped work is washed. The plating method according to claim 1, further comprising a step of lifting the bag-like work from the cleaning tank while holding the bag-like work in the holding portion, whereby the cleaning liquid flows down naturally from the bag-like space of the bag-like work.

前記めっき槽に浸漬する前に、前記袋状ワークを前記保持部に保持した状態で、その保持部とそれに保持されたワークとを共に所定のスケール除去槽に浸漬するとともに、その浸漬の工程において、前記袋状ワークの袋状の空間に閉じ込められる空気等の気体を前記袋状ワークを保持した状態で前記保持部に形成された逃がし通路を経て外部に逃がして、袋状ワークのスケールを除去する工程を含み、袋状ワークを前記保持部に保持したままの状態で前記スケール除去槽から引き上げることにより、袋状ワークの袋状空間からスケール除去液を自然流下させる請求項１又は２に記載のめっき方法。Before being immersed in the plating tank, while holding the bag-shaped work in the holding section, the holding section and the work held therein are both immersed in a predetermined scale removing tank, and in the immersion step. The gas such as air confined in the bag-shaped space of the bag-shaped work is released to the outside through an escape passage formed in the holding portion while holding the bag-shaped work, thereby removing scale of the bag-shaped work. 3. The scale removing liquid according to claim 1, further comprising a step of lifting the bag-like work from the scale removing tank while holding the bag-like work in the holding section, thereby allowing the scale removing liquid to flow naturally from the bag-like space of the bag-like work. 4. Plating method.

本体部と該本体部の複数箇所から延び出た複数の枝部を有し、前記本体部は長手状のパイプ形態をなしてその内部が空気流通のための本体管路とされ、前記枝部もパイプ材となしてその内部が空気流通のための分岐管路とされ、本体部と枝部はパイプ同士で互いに連通するように固定されて、各枝部から本体部につながる空気等逃がし通路を備えるとともに、前記本体部の下端を閉塞する閉塞部には液排出部と絞り部を兼ねる液排出絞り孔が形成されている保持部と、A main body portion and a plurality of branch portions extending from a plurality of portions of the main body portion, wherein the main body portion has a shape of an elongated pipe, the inside of which is a main body conduit for air flow; The pipe is also formed as a pipe material, the inside of which is a branch pipe for air circulation, and the main body and the branch are fixed so that the pipes communicate with each other, and an escape passage for air etc. connected from each branch to the main body. And a holding unit in which a liquid discharge throttle hole that also serves as a liquid discharge unit and a throttle unit is formed in a closing unit that closes a lower end of the main body unit,
袋状の空間を有する袋状ワークを前記枝部に差し入れて、その袋状空間の個々の開口部から内部の液が自然流下できる下向きの姿勢で保持する前記保持部を搬送しつつ昇降を繰り返して所定の工程を実施するための搬送ラインと、  A bag-shaped work having a bag-shaped space is inserted into the branch portion, and the ascending and descending are repeatedly performed while transporting the holding portion that holds the liquid in the downward direction in which the liquid inside can naturally flow down from the individual openings of the bag-shaped space. A transfer line for performing a predetermined process,
その搬送ラインにおいてワーク供給部より下流に設けられ、前記保持部とそれに保持された袋状ワークとを共に浸漬することにより、その浸漬の工程において、前記袋状ワークの袋状の空間に閉じ込められる空気等の気体を袋状ワークを保持した状態で前記保持部に形成される前記逃がし通路を経て外部に逃がすとともに、前記液排出絞り孔の絞り効果により、液体が岐部の先端開口から流入するようになってから本体部内の液面が岐部の基端側開口位置まで上昇させて、袋状ワークにめっきを施すためのめっき槽と、  In the transfer line, provided downstream of the work supply unit, the holding unit and the bag-shaped work held by the holding unit are immersed together, so that in the immersion step, the bag-shaped work is confined in the bag-shaped space. A gas such as air is released to outside through the release passage formed in the holding portion while holding the bag-shaped work, and the liquid flows from the leading end opening of the branch portion by the restricting effect of the liquid discharge restricting hole. And a plating tank for raising the liquid level in the main body to the base end side opening position of the branch portion and plating the bag-like work,
前記搬送ラインにおいて前記めっき槽より下流側に設けられ、前記めっき後の袋状ワークを前記保持部に保持したままの状態で、それら袋状ワーク及び前記保持部を浸漬することにより、その浸漬の工程において、前記袋状ワークの袋状の空間に閉じ込められる空気等の気体を袋状ワークを保持した状態で前記保持部に形成された前記逃がし通路を経て外部に逃がすとともに、前記液排出絞り孔の絞り効果により、液体が岐部の先端開口から流入するようになってから本体部内の液面が岐部の基端側開口位置まで上昇させて、めっき後の袋状ワークに防錆油を付けるための防錆油槽と、  In the transfer line, provided downstream of the plating tank, the bag-shaped work after plating is immersed in the state where the sack-shaped work and the holding portion are immersed while being held in the holding portion. In the step, a gas such as air confined in the bag-shaped space of the bag-shaped work is released to the outside through the release passage formed in the holding portion while holding the bag-shaped work, and the liquid discharge throttle hole is provided. Due to the squeezing effect of the liquid, the liquid in the main body part rises to the base end opening position of the branch part after the liquid flows in from the tip opening of the branch part, and rust preventive oil is applied to the bag-shaped work after plating. Anti-rust oil tank,
その防錆油が付けられた袋状ワークを前記搬送ラインから回収するワーク回収部と、  A work collection unit that collects the bag-like work to which the rust-preventive oil is attached from the transfer line,
を含むことを特徴とするめっきライン。  A plating line comprising:

前記保持部は前記搬送ラインに対し連結・離脱が可能な着脱式の保持具とされ、その搬送ラインから離脱している保持具に袋状ワークを保持した状態で、その保持具が前記搬送ラインに連結されることにより該保持具を介して前記袋状ワークが前記搬送ラインに供給される一方、袋状ワークを保持した前記保持具が搬送ラインから離脱されることにより、袋状ワークが前記搬送ラインから回収され、さらに前記保持具から袋状ワークが回収される請求項４に記載のめっきライン。 The holding unit is a detachable holding tool that can be connected to and detached from the transfer line. In a state where the bag-like work is held by the holding tool detached from the transfer line, the holding tool is connected to the transfer line. The bag-shaped work is supplied to the conveyance line via the holding tool by being connected to the holding tool, while the holding tool holding the bag-shaped work is separated from the conveyance line, so that the bag-shaped work is The plating line according to claim 4, wherein the bag-like work is collected from the transfer line, and further, the bag-like work is collected from the holder .

前記搬送ラインは、少なくとも前記ワーク供給部、めっき槽、防錆油槽及びワーク回収部を巡回するように前記保持部を巡回的に搬送するものである請求項４又は５に記載のめっきライン。The plating line according to claim 4, wherein the transfer line cyclically conveys the holding unit so as to go around at least the work supply unit, the plating tank, the rust-preventive oil tank, and the work collection unit .