Abstract:
The present invention relates to a anodizing barrel with pump attached and, more particularly to such a barrel that can be adjusted to change the desired volume subject to the processing flow when having small aluminum parts to receive an anodization treatment, enabling the anodization treatment to be performed in the same electroplating drum. When receiving pre-treatment or post-treatment, regular aluminum parts require a relatively larger space, at this time the full space of the drum is used. However, during anodization, the parts must be closely attached together. At this time, the volume of the inside space of the drum can be compressed to squeeze the aluminum workpieces against one another. Further, the motive of the drum is used to drive the pump head connected thereto, keeping electroplating solution to be well circulated through the drum.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    The present invention relates to a anodizing barrel with pump attached and, more particularly to such a barrel that can be adjusted to change the desired volume subject to the processing flow when having small aluminum parts to receive an anodization treatment, enabling the anodization treatment to be performed in the same electroplating drum. Further, the barrel plating process is to put the workpieces in a semi-closed drum. Either in the pre-treatment or past-treatment, during the electroplating or anodization process, solution is difficult to circulate between the drum and the bath. The invention makes use of the motive of the drum to drive a pump-drive unit, causing it to pump the solution for circulating through the drum and the bath.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    The present invention is designed to improve two early inventions of the present inventor. The two inventions concerned have drawbacks. Because the pump of the invention of U.S. Pat. No. 4,946,573 has a low revolving speed; the flowrate of solution is low. The low flow rate problem has been eliminated in the other patent, namely, U.S. Pat. No. 5,391,277. However, because the accelerator is entirely immersed in working solution, it must be completely sealed, and maintenance work cannot be employed to the pump or the accelerator. If the pump or the accelerator is damaged, it must be thrown away and replaced with a new one. This arrangement is not economical. The present invention has been accomplished under the circumstances in view. The main object of the present invention is to use a self-priming pump instead of the previous design of pump. Therefore the maintenance work of the pump can be performed conveniently.  
           [0003]    Anodization process of an aluminum part is an important surface treatment. After anodization, an aluminum part can be further treated with dyeing and sealing processes, forming a beautiful and corrosion-proof product. Conventionally, in the anodization process for aluminum parts is usually performed by means of the racking process. When workpieces are firmly attached to rack, the contact area between rack and workpieces will not form aluminum oxide, and allow for the passing of electric current; however the other areas instantly form non-conductive aluminum oxide; therefore if the workpieces are not fixed securely, causing the electric current to be stopped, and the desired anodization coating thickness will not be achieved, i.e., bad quality products will then be produced.  
           [0004]    Conventionally, when processing small aluminum workpieces with anodization, aluminum workpieces are treated with a chemical polishing process in a heated acid solution in a larger basket or barrel. Polished aluminum workpieces are washed with water and divided into small batch, and then wrapped with cloth or meshed covering means for anodization. After the oxide film has reached the desired thickness, the aluminum workpieces are taken out of the packet and then put in a larger basket or barrel again for rinsing, dyeing, and sealing processes. Because workpieces must be frequently moved from one apparatus to another and the lot size of each anodize quantity is low, this manual method is not efficient.  
           [0005]    A barrel is an important implement for surface treatment on small workpieces Using a barrel for surface treatment on small workpieces is economical and efficient. However, an anodization process cannot be achieved in same electroplating barrel when treating small aluminum workpieces according to the conventional facilities. Because pre-treatment and past-treatment must be performed in a relatively large space and aluminum workpieces must be closely attached to one another during an anodization. Further, because aluminum workpieces must be tightly wrapped together during an anodization process, plating solution cannot easily pass to the interface between each workpiece. This limitation causes a high defective rate.  
           [0006]    A barrel designed according to the present invention enables an anodization to be performed from the beginning to the end without changing the implement; therefore the productivity is greatly increased. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0007]    The present invention will now be described by way of example, with reference to the annexed drawings in which:  
         [0008]    [0008]FIG. 1 is an exploded view of an anodizing barrel with pump attached according to a first embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0009]    [0009]FIG. 2 is an exploded view in an enlarged scale of a part of the first embodiment of the present invention, showing the structure of the slide.  
         [0010]    [0010]FIG. 3 is a side view in section of the anodizing barrel with pump attached according to the first embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 4 is a side view in section of an anodizing barrel with pump attached according to a second embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 5 is an exploded view of an anodizing barrel with pump attached according to a third embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 6 is an exploded view in an enlarged scale of a part of the third embodiment of the present invention, showing the structure of the drum.  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 7 is a side view in section in an enlarged scale of the anodizing barrel with pump attached according to the third embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 8 is a schematic drawing showing the handle rotated, the movable cover panel moved in the drums according to the third embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 9 is an exploded view of a part of the third embodiment of the present invention, showing the structure of the quick-release lock.  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 10 is an exploded view in an enlarged scale of a part of the fourth embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 11 is a schematic drawing showing the volume compressible mechanism of the fourth embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 12 is a schematic drawing showing the handle rotated, the movable cover plate moved in the drum according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0020]    Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and  3 , an anodizing barrel with pump attached in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention is shown comprised of a volume-adjustable drum unit, a pump-drive unit, and a solution circulation unit.  
         [0021]    The volume-adjustable electroplating drum unit is described hereinafter with reference to FIGS. from  1  through  3  again. Connecting rods  14  are connected between two upright support frames  1  to hold the upright support frames  1  in parallel. Screws  15  are respectively fastened to the upright support frames  1  and threaded into the end screw hole  141  in each end of each connecting rod  14  to fixedly secure the upright support frames  1  and the connecting rods  14  together. A horizontal partition plate  12  is fixedly connected between the upright support frames  1 . Two hollow, cylindrical holder members  11  are respectively installed in the upright support frames  1  at an elevation below the partition plate  12 . The hollow, cylindrical holder members  11  each have a center axle hole  111 . A perforated drum  2  is revolvably coupled between the hollow cylindrical holder members  11 . The perforated drum  2  comprises two end walls  22  and  23 , a perforated cover panel  21  hinged thereto and adapted to close an opening thereof. The perforated cover panel  21  has pores  211 . The end walls  22  and  23  each have a center coupling hole  221  or  231  respectively coupled to the hollow, cylindrical holder members  11 . A perforated titanium center contactor or conduit  3  is inserted through the center axle hole  111  of each hollow, cylindrical holder member  11 . The center contactor or conduit  3  has pores  31  extended through the peripheral wall thereof, and two sliding slots  32  longitudinally and bilaterally extended to one end thereof. Two plate electrodes, namely, the first plate electrode  25  and the second plate electrode  26  are respectively mounted on the center contactor or conduit  3  and disposed inside the perforated drum  2 . The second plate electrode  26  is fixedly fastened to one end wall  23  of the drum  2 . The first plate electrode  25  is mounted on a slide  251 , which is slidably mounted on the center contactor or conduit  3 . The slide  251  comprises a center shaft  252  inserted into the center contactor or conduit  3 , a screw hole  253  axially extended through the central axis of the center shaft  252 , and two radial ribs  254  radially extended from the periphery of the center shaft  252  at two sides and respectively perpendicularly inserted through the longitudinal sliding slots  32 . Because the radial ribs  254  of the slide  25  are respectively perpendicularly inserted through the longitudinal sliding slots  32 , the slide  251  can only be moved back and forth on the center contactor or conduit  3  along the sliding slots  32 . Two titanium coupling tubes  331  are respectively connected to the two distal ends of the center contactor or conduit  3 . Two vertical titanium conduct pipes  33  are respectively perpendicularly connected to the titanium coupling tubes  331 . Two metal conductive arms  112  are respectively fastened to the upright support frames  1  and the titanium conduct pipes  33  connected to it to transmit DC power to the center contactor or conduit  3  in the drum  2 . A guide screw rod  27  is inserted through one titanium coupling tube  331  and the center contactor or conduit  3 , and threaded into the screw hole  253  of the center shaft  252 . A hand bar  28  is fixedly fastened from the outside of coupling tubes to one end of the guide screw rod  27 . Rotating the hand bar  28  causes the first plate electrode  25  to be moved with the slide  251  along the center contactor or conduit  3  to adjust the operative volume of the drum  2  and to compact aluminum work pieces in the drum  2 .  
         [0022]    The pump-drive unit and the solution circulation unit are described hereinafter with reference to FIGS. from  1  through  3  again. A self-priming pump  41  is mounted on the partition plate  12 . Two intake pipes  421  are respectively connected between the vertical titanium conduct pipes  33  and the suction port  42  of the self-priming pump  41 . A motor  4  is mounted on the partition plate  12  and coupled to the self-priming pump  41 . A speed reduction gear  44  is mounted on the partition plate  12  and coupled to the motor  4  by an electromagnetic clutch  43 . A driven gear  24  is fixedly mounted on one end wall  22  of the drum  2 . A drive gear  441  is coupled to the speed reduction gear  44 . A transmission gear  442  is meshed between the drive gear  441  and the driven gear  24 . When starting the motor  4  to turn the speed reduction gear  44 , the drum  2  is rotated with the driven gear  24  by the drive gear  441  through the transmission gear  442 , and at the same time, the self-priming pump  41  draws electroplating solution from the inside of the electroplating apparatus through the pores  31  of the center contactor or conduit  3 , the coupling tubes  331 , the vertical conduct pipes  33  and the intake pipes  421  into the intake port  42 , and then drive electroplating solution out of the electroplating apparatus through an output pipe  422  for further circulation. During anode processing procedure, the electromagnetic clutch  43  is controlled to disconnect the speed reduction gear  44  from the motor  4 , preventing rotation of the drum  2  during operation of the self-priming pump  41 .  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 4 shows a side gear driving pump-drive unit of the present invention. According to this alternate form, a drive gear  51  is installed on the processing trough  5  of the electroplating apparatus, and driven by an external motor (not shown) to rotate a driven gear  471  at one end of a transmission rod  47 , which is supported between the upright support frames  1 . The transmission rod  47  is fixedly mounted with a plurality of transmission gears  472  and  474 , which are meshed with fixed gears  24  at the two distal ends of the drum  2 . A belt transmission mechanism  473  is coupled between the transmission rod  47  and a speed increaser  45 , which is mounted on the partition plate  12  and driven to drive the pump  41 . Therefore, when rotating the drive gear  51 , the drum  2  is rotated, and the pump  41  is operated to suck electroplating solution for circulation. Further, a one-way axle bearing  4721  is provided at the transmission gear  472 . When rotating the transmission gear  471  in the reversed direction, the transmission gear  472  runs idle without rotating the drum  2 .  
         [0024]    Referring to FIGS. 5, 6,  7 ,  8 , and  9 , there is shown a third embodiment of the present invention. According to this embodiment, a drum  6  is shafted between the hollow cylindrical holder members  11  at the upright support frames  1 . The drum  6  comprises two locating flanges  614  longitudinally connected between the end walls  62  at two sides of the top opening thereof, a plurality of vertical rails  615  symmetrically bilaterally disposed on the inside, a cover beam plate  63  covered over the locating flanges  614 , and a movable cover panel  61  connected to the cover beam plate  63  and moved along the vertical rails  615  to adjust the operation volume of the drum  6 . The movable cover panel  61  comprises a top center screw hole  612 , a plurality of coupling slots  613  symmetrically disposed at two sides thereof and respectively coupled to the vertical rails  615 . A screw rod  65  is mounted in the cover beam plate  63  and threaded into the top center screw hole  612  of the movable cover panel  61 . A handle  66  is fastened to a screw hole  651  at the top end of the screw rod  65 . When rotating the handle  66  in one direction, the screw rod  65  is rotated, thereby causing the movable cover panel  61  to be moved along the vertical rails  615  to adjust the operation volume of the drum  6 . Further, the end walls  62  of the drum  6  each comprise an upright lug  621  and a lock hole  622  in the upright lug  621 . The cover beam plate  63  comprises two locating flanges  631  disposed at two sides and respectively fitted over the locating flanges  614  of the drum  6 , and two quick-release locks  632  at two ends thereof. The quick-release locks  632  each comprise a locking rod  634 , and a locking lever  633  turned to move the locking rod  634  in and out of the lock hole  632  in the upright lug  621  of each end wall  62 . A motor  4  is mounted on the partition plate  12  between the upright support frames  1 . A self-priming pump  41  is coupled to the motor  4  by a belt transmission mechanism  46 . A speed reduction gear  44  is mounted on the partition plate  12  and coupled to the motor  4  through an electromagnetic clutch  43  and the belt transmission mechanism  46 . The speed reduction gear  44  is driven to rotate the drum  6  through gears  441 ,  442  and  64 . The other structure of this alternate form is same as that shown in FIGS. from  1  through  3 .  
         [0025]    Referring to FIGS. 10, 11 and  12 , there is shown a fourth embodiment of the present invention, using an upside down jack mechanism to adjust the volume of drum. As shown in the drawings, a bevel gear  661  is assembled with a handle bar  66  onto the opposite side of the central of the cover beam plate  63 . A pair of stands is disposed at two sides of bevel gear  661  under the cover beam plate  63  for mounting screw rod  663 , the bevel gear  661  meshed with another bevel gear  662 . The bevel gear  662  is assembled in alignment with screw rod  663  and settles between a couple of screws  6631 . The screw  6631  lies to both sides of the screw rod  663 , one in right screw, another in left screw, each one of screws  6631  coupling with a cylindrical nut  664 , the cylindrical nut  664  having a lug  6641  and a joint hole  6642  on lugs  6641 . A lug  67  with two joint holes  671  is disposed on the middle of the movable cover plate  61 . Two levers  665  are flexible joint between lug  67  of movable cover plate  61  and lugs  6641  on the cylindrical nuts  664  by both end of rips  6651  of levers  665 . When rotating the handle bar  66  on cover beam plate  63  in either direction, the primal bevel gear  661  will be driven to synchronously rotate the passive bevel gear  662  and the screw rod  663 , and the cylindrical nuts  664  will be pushed or pulled according to the direction of the handle bar  66 , to further drive the levers  665  to lift or lower the movable cover plate  61 , causing the movable cover plate  61  to achieve the purpose of adjusting the volume of drum of plating barrel.  
         [0026]    A prototype of anodizing barrel with pump attached has been constructed with the features of FIGS.  1 ˜ 12 . The anodizing barrel with pump attached functions smoothly to provide all of the features discussed earlier.  
         [0027]    Although a particular embodiment of the invention has been described in detail for purposes of illustration, various modifications and enhancements may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be limited except as by the appended claims.