Patent WO-2023126333-A1 (WO)
Title: Device for gripping a workpiece, method of manufacturing the device, and conveying system and apparatus for electrochemical surface treatment comprising at least one such device
Inventor: WIENER FERDINAND
IPC: C25D17/00
Filed: 2022-12-23
Abstract: A device for gripping a workpiece (2) and electrically contacting at least one surface of the workpiece (2) comprises a first member (9;44;82;120;155) extending between a first end (12;47;85;123;158) and a second end (13;48;86;124;159) and a second member (8;43;81; 119;154) extending between a first end (10;45;83;121;156) and a second end (11;46;84;122;157) and movably journalled with respect to the first member (9;44;82;120;155) to allow the workpiece (2) to be inserted between the respective first ends (10,12;45,47;83,85;121,123; 156,158) and held between the first and second members (8,9;43,44;81,82;119,120;154,155) at respective clamping locations that are closer to the first ends (10,12;45,47;83,85; 121,123;156,158) than to the second ends (11,13;46,48;84,86;122,124;157,159) along the extents of the first and second members (8,9;43,44;81,82;119,120;154,155). Each of the first and second members (8,9;43,44;81,82;119,120; 154,155) comprises at least a section located between the clamping location and the second end (11,13;46,48;84,86; 122,124;157,159) along the extent of that member (8,9;43,44;81,82;119,120;154,155). At least one of the first and second members (8,9;43,44;81,82;119,120;154,155) is electrically conducting and provided with a contact region at the clamping location for contacting a surface of the workpiece (2), the contact region comprising at least one exposed surface (25,30;63,68;100,105;137;142;173,178) facing towards the other of the first and second members (8,9;43,44;81,82;119,120;154,155). The device comprises at least one shielding part (17, 32-35, 38-40;70-72,75-78;93a,b, 94, 107-109, 112-114; 131, 144-147, 149,150;166a,b, 167, 180-182, 185-187), obtainable independently of the first and second members (8,9;43,44;81,82;119,120;154,155) and made of material with a lower electrical conductivity than electrically conducting material of the electrically conducting member(s) (8,9;43,44;81,82;119,120;154,155). At least the section located between the clamping location and the second end (11,13;46,48;84,86;122,124;157,159) of each of those of the first and second members (8,9;43,44;81,82; 119,120;154,155) that are electrically conducting is shielded on a side of that member (8,9;43,44;81,82;119,120;154,155) that faces the other of the first and second members (8,9;43,44;81,82; 119,120;154,155) by at least one of the shielding parts (17, 32-35, 38-40;70-72,75-78;93a,b, 94, 107-109, 112-114; 131, 144-147, 149,150; 166a, b, 167, 180-182, 185-187). Shielding parts (17,33,34,39,40;71,77,78;93a,b,94,108,113;131,145,146,150;166a,b,167,181,186) that section of any of the first and second members (8,9;43,44;81,82; 119,120;154,155) on a side of that member that faces the other of the first and second members (8,9;43,44;81,82;119,120;154,155) border a gap through which liquid can flow between the first and second members (8,9;43,44;81,82; 119,120; 154,155).