DK178803B1

DK178803B1 - Fixation means for anodized aluminium objects

Info

Publication number: DK178803B1
Application number: DKPA201300695A
Authority: DK
Inventors: Jesper Abell
Original assignee: Bang & Olufsen As
Priority date: 2013-12-17
Filing date: 2013-12-17
Publication date: 2017-02-06
Also published as: DK201300695A1

Abstract

It's the object of the invention to further enhance the quality and the visual appearance of the anodized aluminium objects. The invention discloses means that non-destructively handle the specimen/object in a fixture during the anodizing process; the fixture includes means that is mounted onto the specimen without deforming the surface of this object. The invention may be used in all types of equipment and apparatus, where there is a demand for a high quality anodized surfaces including graphics patterns on the surface, with a very nice looking expression/display.

Description

Fixation means for anodized aluminium objects Reid of the invention

The present invention relates to a method and a process to handle anodized aluminium (Al) objects during anodizing.

Background of the invention

In the art it’s well known to anodize aluminum surfaces to decorative effects and/or to obtain an anti-corrosive effect.

The final result of the anodized surface depends strongly on the micro structure of the substrate, the Alloying impurities, and the components that are included in the substrate and how components are mixed and in addition to have a non-destructive handling of the anodized objects during processing.

Traditionally fixation means e.g. aluminium parts have been welded directly on to the aluminum object. The tension in the material caused by the welding process is normally visible especially in high quality surfaces after anodizing.

Prior art document US4,264,384 discloses a method and article for splicing two web ends such that an electrical connection is established between the two web ends. According to this method, the electrical connection is obtained by intercepting an elongated strip of an electrically conductive material between the two webs and gluing this strip to both the first and the second of the two webs by means of a double adhesive tape. This is a relatively complicated process that is not immediately applicable in the handling of anodized aluminium (Al) objects during anodizing.

The need for alternative fixation means that is not partly destructive is growing. This especially caused by more and more advanced aluminium surfaces with multicolored anodizing and with graphical design aspects.

Object of the invention

It’s the object of the invention to further enhance the anodizing method to obtain a high quality surface. The invention discloses means that non-destructively handle the specimen/object in a fixture during the anodizing process; the fixture includes means that is mounted onto the specimen without deforming the surface of this object.

Thus, the invention relates to fixation means according to claim 1.

Detailed description

The invention is very applicable on standard anodizing of high quality aluminium surfaces on e.g. consumer products. The final objects may be one colored or multicolored, and any graphical pattern may be configured on to the object according to any graphical or functional requirements.

The multicolored effect is obtained by successive processing steps, each applying standard methods of anodizing aluminium objects.

The standard processing includes:

Step a

This step could be any traditional machining operation, e.g. turning, grinding, polishing, blasting, and laser processing.

Step b

Anodizing is performed in a traditional anodizing electrolyte that reveals a decorative surface. Electrolyte is preferably sulfuric acid, but should not be limited to just this electrolyte.

Anodizing can be followed by a dying process, where preferably organic dye molecules are introduced into the nano-scale AI203 pores.

Anodizing is finalized by a sealing process.

An important aspect of the invention is to have a stable fixture of the specimen/object during the consecutive processing steps; this to have a non-destructive handling during anodizing.

It’s required having an electrical contact to the object as part of the anodizing process.

Traditionally this is obtained by means having physical contact via metallic/mechanical tools as a fixture. This means being e.g. an aluminum part welded onto the backside of the aluminium object. The drawback of this method is that tension in the aluminum (due to the welding) will be slightly visible on the front surface of the aluminium object.

Rgure 1 displays a detailed view of the support means (2) applied as a fixture of the aluminum object (1) during anodizing. A second object (2) is mounted into a third object (3) that is glued onto the first object (1) under pressure such that the end (4) of the second object (2) gets a physical contact that enables an electrical contact between the first object (1) and the second object (2,4).

In prior art having a welded aluminium support meansthe diameter may be e.g. 4mm. with this the object (2) restrains a vertical force in the interval 500N - 2200N. To obtain the same strength a diameter of approximately 017mm for the glued solution is required.

The third object may be of standard plastic materials like PC or PMMA.

The glue applied is of the type that hardens via UV light; this to speed up the preparing process for the anodizing.

The diameter of the second object is typically 4-5 mm.

The distance to the end of the second object from the bottom of the third object is typically 0.3 mm.

The invention may be used in all types of equipment and apparatus, where there is a demand for a high quality anodized surfaces including graphics patterns on the surface, with a very nice looking expression/display.

Examples of equipment are, but not limited to: Consumer electronics, furniture, control panels, loudspeaker grills in cars, boats and airplanes and alike.

Claims

An attachment means for supporting handling of a first object (1) which is an aluminum workpiece with a back and a front during anode feeding, said means comprising a second object (2), wherein a. The second object (2) has a touch point (4) which can be coupled to the back of the first object (1) such that a center line through the second object (2) is at right angles to the surface of the back of the first object (1), b. The third object (3) may be glued to the back of the first object (1); c. the second object (2) may establish a physical connection with the first object (1) such that an electrical contact between the two objects is established and wherein the fasteners are characterized by: said second object (2) is mounted within said third object (3).

2. Fasteners as claimed in claim 1, wherein the electrical contact between the first object (1) and the second object (2) can be obtained through a mechanical connection at one or more contact points.

3. Fasteners as claimed in claim 2, wherein the adhesive used for mounting the second object (2) to the third object (3) is sensitive to UV curing.