DE20005957U1 - Electrode device, especially for a tinning bath and the like. - Google Patents

Description

Wallinger & Partner

Patent and Attorneys

Wallinger & Partner · Zweibrückenstrasse 2 · 80331 Munich

Your Reference / Your Ref.

Our Ref.

5079G22 - tr Patent Attorneys:

Dr.-Ing. Michael Wallinger, Dipi.-mg.

European Patent and Trademark Attorney

Björn Sommer, npi.-ing. European Trademark Attorney

Lawyers: Isabelle Rapp

admitted to the LG Munich I, II and OLG Munich

Almut Gersting

admitted to the LG Munich I, II and OLG Munich

Zweibrückenstrasse 2 (Isartorplatz) 80331 Munich

Telephone: (0 89)2194 94 Fax: (0 89)2194 94 e-mail: post@wallinger.de

Date

March 31, 2000

Machine factory

Niehoff GmbH & Co. KG

Further Straße 30

91126 Schwabach

Electrode device, in particular for a tinning bath and the like

Partnership Register * · ··· * .* J ·· Bank Account: Registered Partnership ·.,! ·,,, .j*. ''„'· &iacgr;,Reusehe?& Ce. (Bt2?7pp _# 3o$OO) Munich No. PR 79 Account No. / Account: 1 305

VAT number: VAT Registration No. DE 130656865

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Maschinenfabrik Niehoff GmbH &'£&ogr;. k*G

Electrode device,

especially for a

Tinning bath and the like Description

The present invention relates to an electrode device for a tinning bath and the like.

The invention is described below using the example of a tinning bath for copper wires and copper strands. However, it should be noted that this exemplary description is not to be regarded as a restriction on the application of the invention and that the invention can also be used in other areas of the electrochemical and in particular electrolytic treatment of materials and workpieces.

In a tinning plant, tin is transferred electrochemically from the anode to the workpiece, e.g. the wire to be tinned.

Tin plates are traditionally used as anodes and are suspended in the electrolytic bath. As the material transfer progresses, the anode plates become smaller and must be replaced with new plates. The rest of the anode

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The anode plate is melted down again to produce new anode plates.

This procedure is cumbersome and has the disadvantage, especially when only one anode plate is used, that the electrolytic process must be interrupted while the anode is being replaced.

It has therefore been suggested that instead of these plates, baskets made of a metal, namely titanium, should be suspended in the electrolytic bath and then these baskets should be filled with individual tin balls, so-called pellets. However, this method also has a number of disadvantages.

It is therefore the object of the present invention to provide an electrode device for electrochemical processes which avoids the disadvantages of the known anode devices and enables a cost-effective implementation of the electrochemical process.

This object is achieved according to the invention by the subject matter of claim 1 or claim 2.

The object is further achieved by an electrochemical bath according to claim 20.

Preferred developments of the invention are the subject of the subclaims.

According to the invention, an electrode device for electrochemical baths, in particular for electrolytic tinning systems, is provided, which has a container, the wall of which consists at least partially of an electrically non-conductive material. The electrode device also has a metal body which is in electrically conductive con-

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contact with an electrochemically active substance material or the metal body is designed in such a way that electrochemically active substance material can be brought into contact with it, which is accommodated in the interior of the container.

The container can be designed in different ways and in particular has a container base, which is also referred to as a wall, as well as side walls and is open at the top. The outer contour of the side walls can be designed in different ways, such as rectangular or square or round or the like.

The container has at least one liquid-permeable wall. This wall is preferably designed as a grid or the like.

In the sense of the present invention, the term wall is to be understood in particular as a delimiting device of the container interior in a predetermined direction or in different directions or as an area of such a delimiting device.

The container walls consist of a material which is not vulnerable to predetermined electrochemical liquids, in particular not to electrochemical liquids such as are commonly used in electroplating or tinning plants.

The container is intended to hold a substance material required for the electrochemical process, in particular during galvanizing or tinning or the like.

This substance material is in particular a material that can release or absorb ions. Preferably, the sub-

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Punching material is an anode material. The substance material can be designed in different ways. Preferably, the substance material is a plurality of pellets which are spherical, conical or pill-shaped.

Particularly preferably, the substance material is made of tin, although other materials are also preferred.

The substance material or anode material is particularly designed in such a way that it decomposes over time during electroplating or tinning, the release of ions are moved by the electrochemical liquid to the body to be electroplated or tinned and create a surface layer there.

The metal body can be designed differently in the sense of the present invention.

Preferably, the metal body has a region which extends in a planar or rod-shaped manner.

Particularly preferably, the walls of the container are at least partially formed by the metal body.

The metal body rests on the walls of the container or is at least partially arranged within the container without contacting this container.

The metal body is designed in one piece or has several parts which are in contact by being fastened to one another or not. The fastening means between any different parts of the metal body can be designed such that these parts are detachable or non-detachable.

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The metal body particularly preferably has at least one first region and at least one second region. This first region or these first regions serve in particular to support the substance material. This first region preferably has tab-shaped or plate-shaped or flat or otherwise designed elements which can support the substance material. This first region or these first regions are preferably aligned substantially horizontally. Curved or otherwise designed first regions are also preferred according to the invention. At least one first region is designed like a sieve.

At least some of the second regions are preferably designed such that they extend in the direction of the container depth. This is to be understood in particular that the upper end of the second region is further away from the container bottom than the lower end of the second region.

Particularly preferably, at least a portion of the first regions extends laterally away from the second region and is electrically conductively connected to the second region.

The second region is preferably connected to one or more electrically conductive contact terminals which are made of copper or the like or which comprise copper and the like. This contact terminal enables an electrically conductive connection to be created between a line arrangement arranged outside the container and the second region or regions, which causes an electrical current to flow between the line arrangement and the second, and possibly first, region. The line arrangement is preferably designed in such a way that it comprises copper rails or the like into which the second region can be suspended.

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in particular in such a way that the contact connections contact the copper bars or the like.

If necessary, the second area has through openings.

The second region is preferably rod-shaped or plate-like or designed in some other way.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the second region is arranged within the container in such a way that it divides the container or a part of the container into different chambers. This division into chambers is designed in particular in such a way that a plate-shaped second region extends between two opposite walls of the container or between two - in particular diagonally - opposite corners of the container.

Preferably, the second region is arranged diagonally within the container, with respect to the container cross-section.

Particularly preferably, the first regions and the second regions are arranged substantially in the center of the container, with respect to the area of the container bottom or with respect to the container volume.

Preferably, the first and/or the second region are arranged in the container and in relation to one another in such a way that they support an electrolyte flow in the direction of the electron flow which occurs during electroplating or tinning by their shape, design and arrangement.

Preferably, the metal body, and in particular the second area, is designed as an attachment which is attached to the walls

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of the container, particularly on the inside of the container.

The non-electrically conductive material of the container walls is in particular plastic, such as polypropylene (PP) or polyethylene (PE) or the like.

The object is further achieved by an electrode device according to claim 2, which has a container with at least one metallic liquid-permeable wall and consists of a material that is not electrochemically attackable.

The electrode device also has a metal body which is designed and arranged in particular as already described, but is different from the metal wall of the container and is not in electrically conductive contact with it. The electrode device also has an electrical contact connection which is electrically conductively connected to the metal body and can create an electrically conductive connection to a line arrangement arranged outside the container. This contact connection is arranged and designed in such a way that during the electrochemical process, i.e. in particular during galvanizing or tinning, the electrical potential of the metal walls of the container is lower than the electrical potential of the substance material which is at least partially in an electrically conductive connection with the metal body.

Preferably, the metal body extends in the container in such a way that it rests on the container in the bottom area or it hangs in the container with or without contact with the container walls. Suspension devices for the metal body can

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in particular on the container walls or outside the container. The metal body is particularly preferably designed as an insert which can be inserted into the container, optionally removably.

The metal body is at least partially detachable or firmly connected to the container or can be completely removed from the container.

Preferably, the metal body has at least one component which is supported at different points on the walls of the container.

Preferably, the container bottom is a first region of the metal body.

Preferably, at least a first region has through-openings which enable the electrochemical liquid to flow through these openings to the substance material supported on or at the first region.

Preferably, the first regions and the substance material are designed such that these first regions, and optionally the second regions, are essentially completely surrounded, in particular covered, by the substance material, so that the surface of these first regions is essentially not washed around by the electrolyte. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the metal body is designed such that during electroplating the current flow from the metal body is directed essentially centrally outwards.

Particularly preferably, the metallic walls of the container and/or the metal body are at least partially made of titanium.

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The contact connection is preferably designed such that a copper element is surrounded by a titanium layer which is interrupted in the region of the contact to a line arrangement.

Preferably, at least one support device is provided which can support the container. This support device enables in particular that the container can be suspended in a line arrangement or the like, such as metal rails. These support devices are designed as hooks or the like and particularly preferably have the electrically conductive contact connection(s).

Preferably, at least a portion of the walls of the container or at least a first region has reinforcing means, such as ribs or the like. Preferably, the first regions are arranged within the container in such a way that the substance material supported thereby at least partially contacts the container walls.

Preferably, the container has at least one receiving device, such as hooks or eyes or the like, which can be used to transport the container. A transport device, such as a crane with crane hooks or the like, can engage in these receiving devices.

Preferably, the support device and/or the receiving devices are arranged below the upper wall end of the container so that substrate material can be easily refilled into the container during the electroplating operation. The device according to the invention is preferably used for electroplating extruded material.

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The invention is further solved by an electrochemical bath according to claim 20.

The electrochemical bath has a basin with an electrolyte into which an electrode device according to the invention or a container according to the invention with at least one liquid-permeable wall can be at least partially inserted or introduced.

This container is stored or suspended in particular by means of support devices.

The invention is not intended to be limited to the preferred and exemplary embodiments.

In the following, the invention will be explained in more detail using exemplary embodiments which are not intended to limit the invention.

It shows:

Fig. 1 shows a first exemplary embodiment of the invention in a schematic, partially sectioned view; and

Fig. 2 shows a second exemplary embodiment of the invention in a schematic, partially sectioned view.

Fig. 1 shows an electrode device 1 according to the invention with a container 10 and a metal body 12.

The container has walls or wall areas 14, 16, 18.

The walls or wall regions 14 are arranged essentially parallel and opposite one another.

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The wall regions 16 are also arranged substantially parallel to one another and opposite one another.

The wall 18, which is the bottom of the container 10, is a first region 22.

The walls 16, 18 are each made of metal, in particular titanium, and are essentially impermeable to liquids.

The walls 14 are designed to be permeable to liquids, which is achieved here by the fact that these walls 14 are designed as a grid. The walls 14 are made of a plastic, such as polypropylene or polyethylene.

The metal body 12 has different regions, namely second regions 20 and first regions 22.

The second regions 20 are each designed in the shape of a plate. Two of these plate-shaped second regions 20 each form a side wall 16 of the container. Two further second or plate-shaped regions 20 protrude at an angle, which is designed here as a 90° angle, from these second regions 20 forming the side walls 16 into the interior of the container, in such a way that they are spaced apart from the grid-shaped, non-electrically conductive walls 14. A further second region 20, which is designed essentially in the shape of a plate, is arranged at an oblique angle to the walls 14 of the container 10 and connects the opposite walls 14 to one another.

From the second regions 20, which form the side walls 16 of the container, plates 24 extend beyond the upper end of the container, which are also second regions 20 of the metal body.

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The container bottom 18, which is also referred to as a wall and is made of metal, is a second region of the metal body and is in electrically conductive contact with the second regions 20 which form the side walls 16 of the container 10, with the second regions 20 which extend from the side walls 16 into the interior of the container, and with the second region 20 which is arranged diagonally between the non-conductive walls 14 of the container 10.

The container can be filled with pellets, such as tin pellets or the like, in such a way that these pellets are received by the container bottom 18 and in particular contact the second regions 20 which form the side walls 16, the second regions 20 which protrude from the side walls 16 into the container, and the second region 20 which is arranged diagonally between the side, non-conductive walls 14.

At the upper ends of the second regions 20, which extend beyond the upper end 22 of the container, support devices 26 are arranged, which enable the container to be suspended in a line arrangement, such as copper strips or the like. These support devices are made of titanium and have electrically conductive contact connections 28, in which the titanium layer is interrupted, so that the copper can directly contact the line arrangement.

The second region arranged diagonally between the walls 14 is a continuous plate and causes the container 10 to be divided into different chambers 30, 32.

Fig. 2 shows a second exemplary embodiment of the invention, which essentially corresponds to the embodiment shown in Fig. 1, in a rotated representation.

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The embodiment according to Fig. 2 differs from the embodiment according to Fig. 1 essentially in that in the second region 2 0 arranged diagonally between the walls 14 of the container 10, through openings 4 0 are provided, which enable an electrolyte or a liquid to flow between the chamber 3 0 and the chamber 3 2 within the container 10.

Claims (20)

1. Electrode device for electrochemical baths, in particular for electrolytic tinning systems, with a container ( 10 ) which has at least one liquid-permeable wall ( 14 ) and consists of a material which is not attacked by the electrochemical liquid, this container ( 10 ) being intended to hold a substance material required in the electrochemical process, characterized in that - these walls ( 14 ) of the container ( 10 ) consist at least partially of an electrically non-conductive material, and - at least one metal body ( 12 ) is provided which is in electrically conductive contact with the electrochemically active substance material. 2. Electrode device for electrochemical baths, in particular for electrolytic tinning systems, with a container ( 10 ) which has at least one metallic, liquid-permeable wall and consists of a material which is not attacked by the electrochemical liquid, this container ( 10 ) being intended to hold a substance material required in the electrochemical process, characterized in that - at least one metal body is provided which is different from the metallic, liquid-permeable wall, which does not contact this wall and which is in electrically conductive contact with the electrochemically active substance material; and - at least one electrically conductive contact connection which is in electrically conductive contact with the metal body and is arranged and designed such that during an electrochemical process the electrical potential of the metallic liquid-permeable wall is lower than the electrical potential which exists in at least part of the substance material. 3. Electrode device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the metal body ( 20 ; 22 ) extends into or in the container ( 10 ) and optionally contacts this container ( 10 ). 4. Electrode device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the walls ( 14 ; 16 ; 18 ) of the container ( 10 ) are partially formed by this metal body ( 12 ). 5. Electrode device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the metal body ( 12 ) has at least a first region ( 22 ) which carries substance material. 6. Electrode device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the metal body ( 12 ) has at least one second region ( 20 ) which extends substantially in the depth direction of the container and from which at least one first region ( 22 ) branches off laterally for receiving the substance material. 7. Electrode device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least a first region ( 22 ) has through-openings which enable a fluid present in the container ( 10 ) to flow from the underside of this first region ( 22 ) through this first region ( 22 ) to the substance carried by the first region ( 22 ) on its upper side. 8. Electrode device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the metal body ( 12 ) is at least partially, in particular in the region of the first regions ( 22 ), substantially completely surrounded by the substance material. 9. Electrode device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the metal body ( 12 ) is at least partially an insert which is inserted, optionally removably, into the container ( 10 ). 10. Electrode device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least a first region ( 22 ) is detachably attached to a second region ( 20 ). 11. Electrode device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the container ( 10 ) is divided into different chambers ( 30 ; 32 ) by the metal body ( 10 ). 12. Electrode device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first ( 22 ) and/or second ( 20 ) region is arranged substantially in the middle of the container. 13. Electrode device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the metal body ( 12 ) has at least one component arranged substantially diagonally in the container ( 10 ). 14. Electrode device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the metal body ( 12 ) and/or the metallic walls ( 14 ; 16 ; 18 ) consist at least partially of Tintan. 15. Electrode device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by at least one support device ( 26 ) for supporting the container ( 10 ). 16. Electrode device according to claim 15, characterized in that in the region of the support devices ( 26 ) at least one electrically conductive contact connection ( 28 ) is provided, which is in electrically conductive contact with the metal body ( 12 ). 17. Electrode device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least a part of the walls ( 14 ; 16 ; 18 ) of the container ( 10 ) or at least a first region ( 22 ) of the container ( 10 ) has reinforcing devices, such as ribs or the like. 18. Electrode device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by at least one receiving device arranged on the container ( 10 ), into which a transport device, such as a crane with crane hook or the like, can engage for transporting the container ( 10 ). 19. Electrode device according to claim 15, characterized in that the supporting and/or receiving device are arranged below the upper wall ends of the container ( 10 ). 20. Electrochemical bath with a basin in which an electrolyte is arranged, into which the container ( 10 ) of the electrode device according to one of the preceding claims is introduced, in particular suspended.