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EP3283671B1 - Method for coating a component and use of said method - Google Patents

Method for coating a component and use of said method Download PDF

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Publication number
EP3283671B1
EP3283671B1 EP16712213.4A EP16712213A EP3283671B1 EP 3283671 B1 EP3283671 B1 EP 3283671B1 EP 16712213 A EP16712213 A EP 16712213A EP 3283671 B1 EP3283671 B1 EP 3283671B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
coating
component
press
small
region
Prior art date
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EP16712213.4A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP3283671A1 (en
Inventor
Johannes Gündel
André Stein
Mario Lukas
Christian Buchholzer
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Diehl Metal Applications GmbH
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Diehl Metal Applications GmbH
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Publication of EP3283671A1 publication Critical patent/EP3283671A1/en
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    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C25—ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES; APPARATUS THEREFOR
    • C25D—PROCESSES FOR THE ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PRODUCTION OF COATINGS; ELECTROFORMING; APPARATUS THEREFOR
    • C25D7/00—Electroplating characterised by the article coated
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C25—ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES; APPARATUS THEREFOR
    • C25D—PROCESSES FOR THE ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PRODUCTION OF COATINGS; ELECTROFORMING; APPARATUS THEREFOR
    • C25D5/00—Electroplating characterised by the process; Pretreatment or after-treatment of workpieces
    • C25D5/48—After-treatment of electroplated surfaces
    • C25D5/50—After-treatment of electroplated surfaces by heat-treatment
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
    • H01R13/02—Contact members
    • H01R13/03—Contact members characterised by the material, e.g. plating, or coating materials
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R12/00—Structural associations of a plurality of mutually-insulated electrical connecting elements, specially adapted for printed circuits, e.g. printed circuit boards [PCB], flat or ribbon cables, or like generally planar structures, e.g. terminal strips, terminal blocks; Coupling devices specially adapted for printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables, or like generally planar structures; Terminals specially adapted for contact with, or insertion into, printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables, or like generally planar structures
    • H01R12/50—Fixed connections
    • H01R12/51—Fixed connections for rigid printed circuits or like structures
    • H01R12/55—Fixed connections for rigid printed circuits or like structures characterised by the terminals
    • H01R12/58—Fixed connections for rigid printed circuits or like structures characterised by the terminals terminals for insertion into holes
    • H01R12/585—Terminals having a press fit or a compliant portion and a shank passing through a hole in the printed circuit board
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R2201/00—Connectors or connections adapted for particular applications
    • H01R2201/26—Connectors or connections adapted for particular applications for vehicles

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a method for coating a component and the use of such a method.
  • a contact element made of a base material with at least one conductive layer made of indium or indium with an admixture or alloy of at least one of the elements from the group of elements containing copper, silver, gold, bismuth, nickel, antimony, palladium , Iron, carbon and phosphorus.
  • a method for producing a crimp connection which is formed from a copper-containing metal plate and a tin plating layer.
  • the thickness of the tin plating layer has a smaller thickness in a crimp surface area where the crimp section is to make contact with the end section of a cable than in a contact surface area where the contact section is to make contact with a counter terminal.
  • a tin plating layer is formed on the metal plate and in a subsequent heat treatment step, the tin plating layer is heated only in an area with the crimp surface area in order to bring this part of the tin plating layer into a mixed crystal state with the metal plate, which results in a reduction in thickness of the tin plating layer.
  • the "press-in technology" known in practice in the automotive industry is a very reliable technology for electrically connecting or contacting electrical components, in particular connectors and circuit boards.
  • a transition from lead-containing materials to pure tin materials was carried out in the past.
  • a major problem with pure tin materials is the formation of whiskers, i.e. the formation of tin chips, which can cause short circuits in the electrical system.
  • Indium as a soldering aid has long been known in practice. It is known to apply indium to a component in any form, but usually by galvanizing. The indium coating is then applied above its melting temperature of e.g. Remelted 150 degrees Celsius. A structural transformation or reflow in the indium coating is achieved in this way.
  • the object of the invention is to provide an improved method for coating a component and to provide an improved use of the method.
  • the method serves for coating a component, the component being in particular an electrical contact element.
  • a coating is applied to the component.
  • the coating has a first material structure.
  • a region of the coating is then selected as the conversion region.
  • a structural change is carried out on the coating.
  • the conversion area comprises at least a partial area of the coating or the entire coating.
  • the coating has a second material structure in the transformation region. In the remaining area of the coating, if necessary, it still has the first material structure.
  • the conversion area is divided into small areas.
  • the structural transformation takes place only in one of the small areas and within a short period of time. Outside the respective small area, there is no structural change within the short-term period.
  • the dimensioning of the small area and the short-term period is dependent on one another in such a way that outside of the small area the previous material structure of the coating is retained within the short-term period.
  • the structural transformation in the small area therefore takes place independently of the remaining coating, that is to say the structural transformation there does not affect the remaining coating.
  • the small area can also be a disjointed area, that is, the structural transformation can take place simultaneously at several locations or areas during the short-term period. In their respective surroundings, however, there is no conversion of the coating during the short period.
  • Small areas can also be processed multiple times within the same or different short-term periods.
  • the short-term periods can be selected to be different or of the same length.
  • the small areas can be chosen to be different or the same size.
  • the melting temperature of the coating is exceeded. Due to the coordinated dimensioning of the small area and the short-term period, the melting temperature becomes a structural change compared to one Conventional structural transformation is only exceeded locally in the small area and only briefly during the short-term period, so that this is sufficient for a structural change in the small area.
  • the remaining material i.e. the remaining coating outside the small area and the remaining component itself, are only slightly thermally stressed during the short period.
  • the process provides a locally and temporally selective reflow process, so that reflow within the small areas can be carried out in a system process independently of the remaining coating.
  • the structural conversion or an energy input necessary for this takes place briefly or quickly and specifically or precisely.
  • the remaining material, i.e. the remaining coating, outside the respective small area and outside the conversion area, as well as the component or basic component to be coated itself, are only slightly thermally stressed, which has an advantageous effect with regard to the mechanical properties of the remaining coating and the basic component, since no changes are to be expected here.
  • components can be machined statically or continuously as described.
  • a connector with a press-in zone is used as the component. At least one of the small areas is then selected so that it corresponds to the press-in zone or corresponds to part of the press-in zone.
  • the component is therefore in particular an element or contact element of a connecting device using press-fit technology.
  • the press-in zone comprises one or more punched edges of the component.
  • the press-in zones are or are located on pins, for example. The process enables a precise and precise structural transformation in the press-in zone, so that there in particular a high-quality coating material is made available, which is transformed with regard to its structure without, for example, melting or migrating or significantly changing in shape. Thus, the press-in zone remains completely and high-quality coated even after a structural change.
  • One with an edge is used as the component.
  • At least one of the small areas is selected so that it corresponds to an edge area or part of the edge area.
  • the at least one small area is thus selected such that it covers both the press-in zone or part of the press-in zone and an edge area or corresponds to part of the edge area.
  • this is achieved in particular in the edge area in that there is no migration of coating material and that the edges remain well wetted with coating material even after the structural change.
  • cut edges on components do not wet out or only slightly. This is especially necessary for contact pins in the edge area if the coating serves as a sliding coating for easy insertion and removal of the pins.
  • Stamped components in particular have such edges, so stamped components are used in particular as components.
  • the coating is applied to the component by means of a galvanizing process.
  • the coating material has the first material structure, which - as a rule only in certain areas, namely in the conversion area - is to be converted into a second material structure by structural conversion.
  • the method according to the invention is therefore particularly suitable for a galvanized component, since it can carry out the structural transformation locally in one work step without converting the remaining coating outside the conversion region.
  • the structural transformation is carried out by a heat source which only locally enters heat to the component.
  • the local limitation refers to the small area or part of the small area.
  • the aforementioned method can be carried out particularly well by an appropriate heat source, since the melting temperature of the coating is actually exceeded only in the small area and the structural transformation can only take place there, with the surrounding areas of the small area not being heated up accordingly and the melting point not being exceeded there and therefore also no structural change takes place.
  • a laser arrangement is used as the heat source.
  • the laser arrangement has a pulsed infrared laser.
  • the laser works in such a way that it has an angle of incidence of between 5 degrees and 90 degrees on the small area.
  • a laser arrangement or a laser beam is particularly suitable for the selective or locally limited introduction of heat and for the brief introduction of heat and is therefore particularly suitable for the method.
  • the laser beam can be dimensioned with such a small diameter that it covers the small area or only a part of the small area and still ensures sufficient heat input.
  • the angle at which the laser beam hits the Surface hits can vary between 5 degrees and 90 degrees depending on the application.
  • a laser is therefore used as a very precise heat source with regard to locality and amount of energy, especially in the area of reflow of surfaces or coatings in press-in zones of plug connectors, also in order to avoid dewetting of the functionally important punched edges.
  • a laser source with a deflection scanner is used as the laser arrangement.
  • the deflection scanner sweeps the small area at least once, in particular several times, during the short-term period.
  • the point of impact of the laser or the beam cross-section is, in particular, smaller, in particular significantly smaller, in particular by orders of magnitude smaller than the small area, and is guided over the small area with the aid of the deflection scanner in such a way that it is nevertheless completely covered by the laser beam at least once in succession within the short time span.
  • Such a laser arrangement enables a particularly well localized and temporally limited introduction of heat into the small area during the short period of time without significantly heating surrounding areas.
  • the energy input into a coating takes place so quickly and so precisely that, particularly on stamped parts, the area in which - for the purpose of structural change - the melting temperature of the coating is exceeded can be very precisely limited.
  • an indium or indium-containing coating is used as the coating.
  • indium alloys are used as the coating.
  • Indium alloys are particularly suitable as a coating for press-fit technology or for such components, since indium (containing) coatings hardly tend to form whiskers.
  • these coatings can advantageously be microstructured, as explained above, which reduces whisker formation.
  • the invention enables indium (containing) layers to be melted in the press-in technology of automotive connectors.
  • the method described above can be used for a component of a connecting device in press-fit technology. It is particularly so with press-fit technology It is important to coat components sufficiently, especially at the press-in edges, the coating being carried out in particular by electroplating and subsequent structural transformation.
  • the method can be used for structural transformation by a reflow at a transformation region, the transformation region being a coating or part of a coating of a press-in zone of a connector.
  • the method according to the invention results in a high-quality structural transformation as described above.
  • the method can be used for a structural transformation of an indium or indium-containing layer as a coating in press-in technology for plug connections in the automotive sector.
  • high-quality connectors are required, especially in press-fit technology, which have a microstructured indium (containing) layer as a coating.
  • Fig. 1 shows an indicated component 2, here a component in the form of a connector of a connecting device in press-in technology in the form of a connector in the automotive sector.
  • the component 2 is an electrical contact element in the form of a contact pin.
  • a coating 4 is first applied galvanically to the component 2 with the aid of a galvanizing process, which has a first material structure M1 after the application.
  • the coating 4 is an indium coating, alternatively an indium-containing coating.
  • the coating 4 is a coating 4 in press-fit technology for connectors in the automotive sector.
  • a structural change is then carried out on the coating 4.
  • the structural transformation takes the form of a reflow at the conversion region 6a.
  • the coating 4 has a second material structure M2 in the transformation region 6a.
  • the remaining area 6b of the coating 4 remains untreated, that is to say retains its first material structure M1.
  • the transformation area 6a is divided into parts, namely small areas 8a-h.
  • the structural transformation takes place only in one of the small areas 8a-h at a time.
  • the structural transformation takes place in a respective short period of time Ta - h.
  • the short-term periods Ta-h Within one of the short-term periods Ta-h, only one of the small areas 8a-h is converted.
  • the remaining small areas 8a-h there is no structural transformation at this short-term period.
  • the small area 8a is thus converted in the short-term period Ta.
  • the small area 8b is converted in the short time span Tb different therefrom and so on.
  • the component 2 as a connector has a press-in zone 10, which is used to make electrical contact with a counterpart, not shown, by press-in technology.
  • the small areas 8a-h are selected so that these parts correspond to the press-in zone 10.
  • the conversion area 6a is a coating in the area of the press-in zone 10 of the connector.
  • the component 2 also has an edge 12.
  • An edge area 14 extends in the area of the edge 12.
  • the small areas 8c and 8d are selected such that they each correspond to a part of the edge area 14. When the regions 8c and 8d are converted, only structures in the edge region 14 are therefore converted.
  • Fig. 2 shows a heat source 16 and is shown schematically again, small areas 8a-i of an alternative coating 4 on an alternative component 2, which is also only indicated here.
  • the heat source 16 serves to introduce heat into one of the small areas 8a-h at a time or during one of the short-term periods Ta-i.
  • the heat input takes place locally limited to one of the small areas 8a-i. For example, only the small area 8a is heated by heat input during the short period of time Ta, so that a structural transformation takes place only there.
  • the remaining small areas 8b-i are not significantly heated, so that no structural change takes place in them.
  • the heat source 16 is a laser arrangement 18, in particular with a pulsed infrared laser.
  • An angle of incidence ⁇ of the laser beam 24 generated by the laser arrangement 18 on the coating 4 is 80 degrees in the example and describes the angle which the laser beam 24 encloses with the tangential plane at the coating 4 at the point of impact.
  • the laser arrangement 18 comprises a laser source 20 which generates a laser beam 24 which is always rectified.
  • a deflection scanner 22 The laser arrangement 18 then deflects the laser beam 24 accordingly onto one of the small areas 8a-i and also within the small areas 8a-i. This is in Fig. 2 indicated by a dashed line of the point of impact of the laser beam 24 on the coating 4.

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  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • Electrochemistry (AREA)
  • Materials Engineering (AREA)
  • Metallurgy (AREA)
  • Organic Chemistry (AREA)
  • Electroplating Methods And Accessories (AREA)

Description

Die Erfindung betrifft ein Verfahren zum Beschichten eines Bauteils sowie die Verwendung eines solchen Verfahrens.The invention relates to a method for coating a component and the use of such a method.

Im Bereich der Bandgalvanik besteht in der Praxis oft der Bedarf, galvanisch verzinnte Bänder nach der Galvanik, also nach Abschluss der galvanischen Bearbeitung, zusätzlich so zu behandeln, dass ein Aufschmelzen der Beschichtung, also der Zinnschicht stattfindet. Im Allgemeinen wird dabei die gesamte Oberfläche bzw. Beschichtung erwärmt. Als Wärmequellen dienen dazu unter anderem Infrarotstrahler, Warmluftgebläse oder Induktoren. Oft besteht allerdings der Bedarf, nur partielle Bereiche der galvanischen Beschichtung aufzuschmelzen, um in anderen Bereichen das galvanische Kristallisationsgefüge der Beschichtung zu erhalten. Ziel einer Gefügeumwandlung, insbesondere in Form eines Reflow-Prozesses, ist es, eine Beschichtung bzw. Schicht mit Erstarrungsgefüge aus der Schmelze, also der aufgeschmolzenen Beschichtung, zu erzeugen, die arm an inneren Spannungen ist und eine beschleunigt gewachsene intermetallische Phase aufweist. Bei Steckverbindern werden so geringe Steck- und Ziehkräfte erzielt sowie eine geringe Neigung zur Bildung von Whiskern sicherstellt. Aus der Praxis bekannt ist beispielsweise ein Reflow-Prozess mit Hilfe von Heißluftgebläsen der Firma "HAPRO Industriegeräte GmbH Solingen", Solingen.In the field of strip electroplating, there is often a need in practice to additionally treat galvanically tinned strips after the electroplating, i.e. after the end of the galvanic processing, in such a way that the coating, ie the tin layer, melts. In general, the entire surface or coating is heated. Among other things, infrared sources, warm air blowers or inductors serve as heat sources. However, there is often a need to melt only partial areas of the galvanic coating in order to maintain the galvanic crystallization structure of the coating in other areas. The aim of a structural transformation, in particular in the form of a reflow process, is to produce a coating or layer with a solidification structure from the melt, i.e. the melted coating, that is low in internal stresses and has an accelerated intermetallic phase. This means that plug-in and pulling forces are achieved with connectors and a low tendency to form whiskers is ensured. A reflow process using hot air blowers from the company "HAPRO Industriegeräte GmbH Solingen", Solingen, is known from practice.

Aus der Praxis ist es bekannt, die Bearbeitung des Materials bzw. der Beschichtung in zwei Arbeitsgängen durchzuführen. In einem ersten Arbeitsgang wird der Bereich der Beschichtung, der umzuschmelzen ist, also die Reflow-Schicht bzw. -Beschichtung galvanisch aufgebracht und nach Abschluss der galvanischen Bearbeitung umgeschmolzen. Danach wird in einem zweiten Arbeitsgang beziehungsweise Durchlauf der restliche Bereich der Beschichtung, der im galvanischen Gefüge verbleiben soll, galvanisch beschichtet und nicht umgeschmolzen. Bedingt durch die oft gute Wärmeleitfähigkeit des Basismaterials ist eine derartige Bearbeitung, in Abhängigkeit der Schmelztemperaturen der Beschichtungen, selten in einem Arbeitsgang möglich.It is known from practice to carry out the processing of the material or the coating in two work steps. In a first step, the area of the coating that is to be remelted, ie the reflow layer or coating, is applied galvanically and remelted after the galvanic processing has been completed. The remaining area of the coating, which is to remain in the galvanic structure, is then galvanically coated and not remelted in a second operation or pass. Due to the often good thermal conductivity of the base material, such processing, depending on the melting temperatures of the coatings, is rarely possible in one operation.

Aus der Offenlegungsschrift DE 10 2010 042 526 A1 ist ein Kontaktelement aus einem Basismaterial bekannt mit wenigstens einer darauf aufgebrachten leitfähigen Schicht, die aus Indium oder aus Indium mit einer Beimischung oder Legierung von wenigstens einem der Elemente aus der Gruppe von Elementen enthaltend Kupfer, Silber, Gold, Bismut, Nickel, Antimon, Palladium, Eisen, Kohlenstoff und Phosphor besteht.From the published application DE 10 2010 042 526 A1 is known a contact element made of a base material with at least one conductive layer made of indium or indium with an admixture or alloy of at least one of the elements from the group of elements containing copper, silver, gold, bismuth, nickel, antimony, palladium , Iron, carbon and phosphorus.

Aus der US 2011/0045713 A1 ist ein Verfahren zur Herstellung eines Crimpanschlusses bekannt, der aus einer kupferhaltigen Metallplatte und einer Zinnplattierungsschicht gebildet ist. Die Dicke der Zinnplattierungsschicht weist dabei in einem Crimpoberflächenbereich, wo der Crimpabschnitt Kontakt mit dem Endabschnitt eines Kabels machen soll, eine geringere Dicke auf als in einem Kontaktoberflächenbereich, wo der Kontaktabschnitt Kontakt mit einem Gegenanschluss machen soll. Es wird vorgeschlagen, dass auf der Metallplatte in einem Plattierungsschritt eine Zinnplattierungsschicht ausgebildet wird und in einem nachfolgenden Wärmebehandlungsschritt die Zinnplattierungsschicht nur in einem Bereich mit dem Crimpoberflächenbereich erhitzt wird, um diesen Teil der Zinnplattierungsschicht in einen Mischkristallzustand mit der Metallplatte zu bringen, was mit einer Dickenverringerung der Zinnplattierungsschicht einhergeht.From the US 2011/0045713 A1 A method for producing a crimp connection is known which is formed from a copper-containing metal plate and a tin plating layer. The thickness of the tin plating layer has a smaller thickness in a crimp surface area where the crimp section is to make contact with the end section of a cable than in a contact surface area where the contact section is to make contact with a counter terminal. It is proposed that in a plating step, a tin plating layer is formed on the metal plate and in a subsequent heat treatment step, the tin plating layer is heated only in an area with the crimp surface area in order to bring this part of the tin plating layer into a mixed crystal state with the metal plate, which results in a reduction in thickness of the tin plating layer.

Die aus der Praxis bekannte "Einpresstechnik" in der Automobilindustrie ist eine sehr zuverlässige Technik, um elektrische Bauteile, insbesondere Stecker und Platinen, miteinander elektrisch zu verbinden bzw. zu kontaktieren. Aus Umweltschutzgründen wurde hierbei in der Vergangenheit ein Übergang von bleihaltigen Materialien auf Reinzinnmaterialien durchgeführt. Ein wesentliches Problem bei Reinzinnmaterialien ist die Whiskerbildung, das heißt die Entstehung von Zinnspänen, welche Kurzschlüsse in der Elektrik verursachen können. Indium als Löthilfe ist in der Praxis schon lange bekannt. Bekannt ist dabei, Indium in beliebiger Form, jedoch in der Regel durch Galvanisierung, auf ein Bauteil aufzubringen. Anschließend wird die Indium-Beschichtung oberhalb ihrer Schmelztemperatur von z.B. 150 Grad Celsius umgeschmolzen. So wird eine Gefügeumwandlung beziehungsweise ein Reflow in der Indiumbeschichtung erreicht.The "press-in technology" known in practice in the automotive industry is a very reliable technology for electrically connecting or contacting electrical components, in particular connectors and circuit boards. For environmental reasons, a transition from lead-containing materials to pure tin materials was carried out in the past. A major problem with pure tin materials is the formation of whiskers, i.e. the formation of tin chips, which can cause short circuits in the electrical system. Indium as a soldering aid has long been known in practice. It is known to apply indium to a component in any form, but usually by galvanizing. The indium coating is then applied above its melting temperature of e.g. Remelted 150 degrees Celsius. A structural transformation or reflow in the indium coating is achieved in this way.

Aufgabe der Erfindung ist es, ein verbessertes Verfahren zum Beschichten eines Bauteils anzugeben sowie eine verbesserte Verwendung des Verfahrens anzugeben.The object of the invention is to provide an improved method for coating a component and to provide an improved use of the method.

Hinsichtlich des Verfahrens wird die Aufgabe gelöst durch ein Verfahren gemäß Patentanspruch 1. Bevorzugte oder vorteilhafte Ausführungsformen der Erfindung ergeben sich aus den Unteransprüchen, der nachfolgenden Beschreibung sowie den beigefügten Figuren.With regard to the method, the object is achieved by a method according to claim 1. Preferred or advantageous embodiments of the invention result from the subclaims, the following description and the attached figures.

Das Verfahren dient zum Beschichten eines Bauteils, wobei das Bauteil insbesondere ein elektrisches Kontaktelement ist. Bei dem Verfahren wird auf dem Bauteil eine Beschichtung aufgebracht. Nach dem Aufbringen weist die Beschichtung ein erstes Materialgefüge auf. Anschließend wird ein Bereich der Beschichtung als Umwandlungsbereich gewählt. In diesem Umwandlungsbereich wird eine Gefügeumwandlung an der Beschichtung vorgenommen. Der Umwandlungsbereich umfasst hierbei zumindest einen Teilbereich der Beschichtung oder die gesamte Beschichtung. Nach der Gefügeumwandlung weist die Beschichtung im Umwandlungsbereich ein zweites Materialgefüge auf. Im eventuellen restlichen Bereich der Beschichtung weist diese weiterhin das erste Materialgefüge auf.The method serves for coating a component, the component being in particular an electrical contact element. In the process, a coating is applied to the component. After application, the coating has a first material structure. A region of the coating is then selected as the conversion region. In this conversion area, a structural change is carried out on the coating. The conversion area comprises at least a partial area of the coating or the entire coating. After the structural transformation, the coating has a second material structure in the transformation region. In the remaining area of the coating, if necessary, it still has the first material structure.

Bei dem Verfahren wird der Umwandlungsbereich in Kleinbereiche unterteilt. Die Gefügeumwandlung findet jeweils nur in einem der Kleinbereiche und innerhalb einer jeweiligen Kurzzeitspanne statt. Außerhalb des jeweiligen Kleinbereiches findet innerhalb der Kurzzeitspanne keine Gefügeumwandlung statt. Insbesondere erfolgt also die Dimensionierung des Kleinbereiches und der Kurzzeitspanne in Abhängigkeit voneinander derart, dass außerhalb des Kleinbereiches das bisherige Materialgefüge der Beschichtung innerhalb der Kurzzeitspanne erhalten bleibt. Die Gefügeumwandlung im Kleinbereich erfolgt also unabhängig von der restlichen Beschichtung, das heißt, die Gefügeumwandlung dort wirkt auf die restliche Beschichtung nicht ein.In the process, the conversion area is divided into small areas. The structural transformation takes place only in one of the small areas and within a short period of time. Outside the respective small area, there is no structural change within the short-term period. In particular, the dimensioning of the small area and the short-term period is dependent on one another in such a way that outside of the small area the previous material structure of the coating is retained within the short-term period. The structural transformation in the small area therefore takes place independently of the remaining coating, that is to say the structural transformation there does not affect the remaining coating.

Der Kleinbereich kann hierbei auch ein unzusammenhängendes Gebiet sein, das heißt, die Gefügeumwandlung kann während der Kurzzeitspanne an mehreren Orten beziehungsweise Bereichen gleichzeitig stattfinden. In deren jeweiliger Umgebung findet während der Kurzzeitspanne jedoch keine Umwandlung der Beschichtung statt.The small area can also be a disjointed area, that is, the structural transformation can take place simultaneously at several locations or areas during the short-term period. In their respective surroundings, however, there is no conversion of the coating during the short period.

Ist die Gefügeumwandlung in einem der Kleinbereiche abgeschlossen, wird diese während einer nachfolgenden, d.h. späteren Kurzzeitspanne in einem anderen der Kleinbereiche durchgeführt. Dies wird so lange wiederholt, bis alle Kleinbereiche und damit der gesamte Umwandlungsbereich abgearbeitet sind. Kleinbereiche können auch mehrfach innerhalb derselben oder unterschiedlicher Kurzzeitspannen bearbeitet werden. Die Kurzzeitspannen können dabei unterschiedlich oder gleich lange gewählt werden. Die Kleinbereiche können unterschiedlich oder gleich groß gewählt werden.If the structural transformation in one of the small areas has been completed, this is carried out during a subsequent, i.e. later short term in another of the small areas. This is repeated until all small areas and thus the entire conversion area have been processed. Small areas can also be processed multiple times within the same or different short-term periods. The short-term periods can be selected to be different or of the same length. The small areas can be chosen to be different or the same size.

Bei der Gefügeumwandlung wird die Schmelztemperatur der Beschichtung überschritten. Durch die aufeinander abgestimmte Dimensionierung von Kleinbereich und Kurzzeitspanne wird jedoch zur Gefügeumwandlung die Schmelztemperatur im Vergleich zu einer herkömmlichen Gefügeumwandlung nur lokal im Kleinbereich und nur kurzzeitig während der Kurzzeitspanne überschritten, so dass dies im Kleinbereich gerade für eine Gefügeumwandlung ausreicht. Das restliche Material, also die restliche Beschichtung außerhalb des Kleinbereiches und das restliche Bauteil selbst werden während der Kurzzeitspanne nur geringfügig thermisch beansprucht.During the structural transformation, the melting temperature of the coating is exceeded. Due to the coordinated dimensioning of the small area and the short-term period, the melting temperature becomes a structural change compared to one Conventional structural transformation is only exceeded locally in the small area and only briefly during the short-term period, so that this is sufficient for a structural change in the small area. The remaining material, i.e. the remaining coating outside the small area and the remaining component itself, are only slightly thermally stressed during the short period.

Durch das Verfahren wird ein örtlich sowie zeitlich selektiver Reflow-Prozess zur Verfügung gestellt, sodass Reflow innerhalb der Kleinbereiche jeweils unabhängig von der Restbeschichtung in einem Anlagenprozess durchgeführt werden kann. Im Vergleich zu einer herkömmlichen großflächigen beziehungsweise generellen Umwandlung einer Beschichtung erfolgt die Gefügeumwandlung beziehungsweise ein hierzu notwendiger Energieeintrag kurzzeitig beziehungsweise schnell und gezielt beziehungsweise ortsgenau. Restliches Material, das heißt die restliche Beschichtung, außerhalb des jeweiligen Kleinbereiches und außerhalb des Umwandlungsbereiches, wie auch das Bauteil bzw. zu beschichtende Grundbauteil selbst, werden nur geringfügig thermisch beansprucht, was sich hinsichtlich der mechanischen Eigenschaften der restlichen Beschichtung und des Grundbauteils vorteilhaft auswirkt, da hier keine Veränderungen zu erwarten sind.The process provides a locally and temporally selective reflow process, so that reflow within the small areas can be carried out in a system process independently of the remaining coating. In comparison to a conventional large-scale or general conversion of a coating, the structural conversion or an energy input necessary for this takes place briefly or quickly and specifically or precisely. The remaining material, i.e. the remaining coating, outside the respective small area and outside the conversion area, as well as the component or basic component to be coated itself, are only slightly thermally stressed, which has an advantageous effect with regard to the mechanical properties of the remaining coating and the basic component, since no changes are to be expected here.

Bei Bereitstellung einer genauen mechanischen Führung kann eine Bearbeitung von Bauteilen wie beschrieben statisch oder im Durchlauf erfolgen.If precise mechanical guidance is provided, components can be machined statically or continuously as described.

Entsprechend der Erfindung wird als Bauteil ein Steckverbinder mit einer Einpresszone verwendet. Mindestens einer der Kleinbereiche wird dann so gewählt, dass dieser der Einpresszone entspricht oder einem Teil der Einpresszone entspricht. Das Bauteil ist also insbesondere ein Element bzw. Kontaktelement einer Verbindungsvorrichtung in Einpresstechnik. Die Einpresszone umfasst erfindungsgemäß eine oder mehrere Stanzkanten des Bauteils. Die Einpresszonen sind bzw. befinden sich beispielsweise an Stiften. Durch das Verfahren gelingt eine ortsgenaue und präzise Gefügeumwandlung in der Einpresszone, sodass besonders dort ein hochqualitatives Beschichtungsmaterial zur Verfügung gestellt wird, welches hinsichtlich seines Gefüges umgewandelt ist, ohne beispielsweise abzuschmelzen oder abzuwandern oder sich wesentlich in der Form zu verändern. Somit bleibt die Einpresszone auch nach einer Gefügeumwandlung vollständig und hochqualitativ beschichtet. Dadurch wird ein verbessertes Einpressverhalten erzielt. Als Bauteil wird ein solches mit einer Kante verwendet. Mindestens einer der Kleinbereiche wird so gewählt, dass dieser einem Kantenbereich oder einem Teil des Kantenbereiches entspricht. Somit ist der mindestens eine Kleinbereich so gewählt, dass dieser sowohl der Einpresszone oder einem Teil der Einpresszone als auch einem Kantenbereich oder einem Teil des Kantenbereiches entspricht. Wie oben für die Einpresszone erläutert, wird insbesondere im Kantenbereich dadurch erreicht, dass keine Abwanderung von Beschichtungsmaterial stattfindet und die Kanten auch nach der Gefügeumwandlung gut mit Beschichtungsmaterial benetzt bleiben. Beispielsweise Schnittkanten an Bauteilen entnetzen sich dadurch nicht oder nur wenig. Vor allem für Kontaktstifte ist dies im Kantenbereich notwendig, wenn die Beschichtung als Gleitbeschichtung zur leichten Steck- und Ziehbarkeit der Stifte dient. Insbesondere Stanzbauteile weisen derartige Kanten auf, als Bauteile werden also insbesondere Stanzbauteile verwendet.According to the invention, a connector with a press-in zone is used as the component. At least one of the small areas is then selected so that it corresponds to the press-in zone or corresponds to part of the press-in zone. The component is therefore in particular an element or contact element of a connecting device using press-fit technology. According to the invention, the press-in zone comprises one or more punched edges of the component. The press-in zones are or are located on pins, for example. The process enables a precise and precise structural transformation in the press-in zone, so that there in particular a high-quality coating material is made available, which is transformed with regard to its structure without, for example, melting or migrating or significantly changing in shape. Thus, the press-in zone remains completely and high-quality coated even after a structural change. This improves the press-in behavior. One with an edge is used as the component. At least one of the small areas is selected so that it corresponds to an edge area or part of the edge area. The at least one small area is thus selected such that it covers both the press-in zone or part of the press-in zone and an edge area or corresponds to part of the edge area. As explained above for the press-in zone, this is achieved in particular in the edge area in that there is no migration of coating material and that the edges remain well wetted with coating material even after the structural change. For example, cut edges on components do not wet out or only slightly. This is especially necessary for contact pins in the edge area if the coating serves as a sliding coating for easy insertion and removal of the pins. Stamped components in particular have such edges, so stamped components are used in particular as components.

In einer bevorzugten Ausführungsform wird die Beschichtung auf dem Bauteil durch ein Galvanisierungsverfahren aufgebracht. Nach der Galvanisierung besitzt das Beschichtungsmaterial das erste Materialgefüge, welches - in der Regel nur bereichsweise, nämlich im Umwandlungsbereich - durch Gefügeumwandlung in ein zweites Materialgefüge umgewandelt werden soll. Für ein galvanisiertes Bauteil eignet sich daher das erfindungsgemäße Verfahren besonders gut, da es in einem Arbeitsgang die Gefügeumwandlung lokal vornehmen kann, ohne die restliche Beschichtung außerhalb des Umwandlungsbereiches umzuwandeln.In a preferred embodiment, the coating is applied to the component by means of a galvanizing process. After the galvanization, the coating material has the first material structure, which - as a rule only in certain areas, namely in the conversion area - is to be converted into a second material structure by structural conversion. The method according to the invention is therefore particularly suitable for a galvanized component, since it can carry out the structural transformation locally in one work step without converting the remaining coating outside the conversion region.

Entsprechend der Erfindung erfolgt die Gefügeumwandlung durch eine Wärmequelle, welche Wärme am Bauteil nur lokal begrenzt einträgt. Die lokale Begrenzung bezieht sich hierbei auf den Kleinbereich oder einen Teil des Kleinbereiches. Durch eine entsprechende Wärmequelle kann das vorgenannte Verfahren besonders gut durchgeführt werden, da tatsächlich nur im Kleinbereich die Schmelztemperatur der Beschichtung überschritten wird und die Gefügeumwandlung nur dort stattfinden kann, wobei umgebende Bereiche des Kleinbereichs nicht entsprechend aufgeheizt werden und dort der Schmelzpunkt nicht überschritten wird und somit auch keine Gefügeumwandlung stattfindet.According to the invention, the structural transformation is carried out by a heat source which only locally enters heat to the component. The local limitation refers to the small area or part of the small area. The aforementioned method can be carried out particularly well by an appropriate heat source, since the melting temperature of the coating is actually exceeded only in the small area and the structural transformation can only take place there, with the surrounding areas of the small area not being heated up accordingly and the melting point not being exceeded there and therefore also no structural change takes place.

Als Wärmequelle wird eine Laseranordnung verwendet. Insbesondere weist die Laseranordnung einen gepulsten Infrarotlaser auf. Insbesondere arbeitet der Laser derart, dass er einen Auftreffwinkel zwischen 5 Grad und 90 Grad auf den Kleinbereich aufweist. Eine Laseranordnung beziehungsweise ein Laserstrahl eignet sich besonders zur punktuellen beziehungsweise lokal begrenzten Einbringung von Wärme sowie zur kurzzeitigen Einbringung von Wärme und ist damit für das Verfahren besonders gut geeignet. Der Laserstrahl kann hierbei mit so kleinem Durchmesser dimensioniert werden, dass dieser allenfalls den Kleinbereich oder nur einen Teil des Kleinbereiches abdeckt und dennoch genügend Wärmeeintrag sicherstellt. Der Winkel, in dem der Laserstrahl auf die Oberfläche trifft, kann je nach Anwendungsfall zwischen 5 Grad und 90 Grad schwanken.A laser arrangement is used as the heat source. In particular, the laser arrangement has a pulsed infrared laser. In particular, the laser works in such a way that it has an angle of incidence of between 5 degrees and 90 degrees on the small area. A laser arrangement or a laser beam is particularly suitable for the selective or locally limited introduction of heat and for the brief introduction of heat and is therefore particularly suitable for the method. The laser beam can be dimensioned with such a small diameter that it covers the small area or only a part of the small area and still ensures sufficient heat input. The angle at which the laser beam hits the Surface hits, can vary between 5 degrees and 90 degrees depending on the application.

Gemäß der Erfindung erfolgt also der Einsatz eines Lasers als sehr präzise Wärmequelle bezüglich Lokalität und Energiemenge, speziell im Bereich Reflow von Oberflächen bzw. Beschichtungen bei Einpresszonen von Steckverbindern, auch um Entnetzungen der funktionell wichtigen Stanzkanten zu vermeiden.According to the invention, a laser is therefore used as a very precise heat source with regard to locality and amount of energy, especially in the area of reflow of surfaces or coatings in press-in zones of plug connectors, also in order to avoid dewetting of the functionally important punched edges.

Als Laseranordnung eine Laserquelle mit einem Ablenkscanner verwendet. Der Ablenkscanner überstreicht während der Kurzzeitspanne mindestens einmal, insbesondere mehrmals, den Kleinbereich. Der Auftreffort des Lasers beziehungsweise der Strahlquerschnitt ist insbesondere kleiner, insbesondere wesentlich kleiner, insbesondere um Größenordnungen kleiner als der Kleinbereich und wird mit Hilfe des Ablenkscanners so über den Kleinbereich geführt, dass dieser nacheinander innerhalb der Kurzzeitspanne dennoch vollständig mindestens einmal vom Laserstrahl überstrichen wird. Durch eine derartige Laseranordnung ist eine besonders gut lokal begrenzte und zeitlich begrenzte Wärmeeinbringung in den Kleinbereich während der Kurzzeitspanne möglich, ohne umliegende Bereiche signifikant zu erwärmen.A laser source with a deflection scanner is used as the laser arrangement. The deflection scanner sweeps the small area at least once, in particular several times, during the short-term period. The point of impact of the laser or the beam cross-section is, in particular, smaller, in particular significantly smaller, in particular by orders of magnitude smaller than the small area, and is guided over the small area with the aid of the deflection scanner in such a way that it is nevertheless completely covered by the laser beam at least once in succession within the short time span. Such a laser arrangement enables a particularly well localized and temporally limited introduction of heat into the small area during the short period of time without significantly heating surrounding areas.

Insbesondere mittels eines gepulsten Infrarotlasers und eines dazugehörigen Scanners erfolgt der Energieeintrag in eine Beschichtung derart schnell und derart genau, dass speziell an gestanzten Teilen der Bereich, in welchem - zum Zwecke der Gefügeumwandlung - die Schmelztemperatur der Beschichtung überschritten wird, sehr genau eingegrenzt werden kann.In particular, by means of a pulsed infrared laser and an associated scanner, the energy input into a coating takes place so quickly and so precisely that, particularly on stamped parts, the area in which - for the purpose of structural change - the melting temperature of the coating is exceeded can be very precisely limited.

Erfindungsgemäß wird als Beschichtung eine Indium- oder indiumhaltige Beschichtung verwendet. Insbesondere werden Indiumlegierungen als Beschichtung verwendet. Indiumlegierungen eignen sich besonders gut als Beschichtung für die Einpresstechnik bzw. für derartige Bauteile, da Indium(haltige) Beschichtungen kaum zur Whiskerbildung neigen. Durch das Verfahren können diese Beschichtungen wie oben erläutert vorteilhaft gefügeumgewandelt werden, wodurch eine Whiskerbildung vermindert wird.According to the invention, an indium or indium-containing coating is used as the coating. In particular, indium alloys are used as the coating. Indium alloys are particularly suitable as a coating for press-fit technology or for such components, since indium (containing) coatings hardly tend to form whiskers. By means of the method, these coatings can advantageously be microstructured, as explained above, which reduces whisker formation.

Insbesondere ist durch die Erfindung ein Aufschmelzen von Indium(haltigen) Schichten in der Einpresstechnik von Automotive-Steckverbindern möglich.In particular, the invention enables indium (containing) layers to be melted in the press-in technology of automotive connectors.

Das oben beschriebenene Verfahren kann für ein Bauteil einer Verbindungsvorrichtung in der Einpresstechnik verwendet werden. Insbesondere bei der Einpresstechnik ist es wichtig, Bauteile, vor allem an den Einpresskanten, ausreichend zu beschichten, wobei die Beschichtung insbesondere durch Galvanik und anschließende Gefügeumwandlung durchgeführt wird.The method described above can be used for a component of a connecting device in press-fit technology. It is particularly so with press-fit technology It is important to coat components sufficiently, especially at the press-in edges, the coating being carried out in particular by electroplating and subsequent structural transformation.

Durch die Verwendung des erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens können hier besonders gute Bauteile für die Einpresstechnik hergestellt werden, da beispielsweise Kanten und Einpressbereiche nicht von der Beschichtung entnetzt werden oder sich die geometrische Form der Beschichtung nicht oder für den Zweck der Einpresstechnik nur unwesentlich ändert.By using the method according to the invention, particularly good components for press-in technology can be produced here, since, for example, edges and press-in areas are not removed from the coating or the geometric shape of the coating does not change or changes only insignificantly for the purpose of press-in technology.

Das Verfahren kann für eine Gefügeumwandlung durch ein Reflow an einem Umwandlungsbereich verwendet werden, wobei der Umwandlungsbereich eine Beschichtung bzw. Teil einer Beschichtung einer Einpresszone eines Steckverbinders ist. Insbesondere in der Einpresszone, welche eine entscheidende Zone für entsprechende Steckverbinder darstellt, erfolgt durch die Verwendung des erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens eine hochqualitative Gefügeumwandlung wie oben beschrieben.The method can be used for structural transformation by a reflow at a transformation region, the transformation region being a coating or part of a coating of a press-in zone of a connector. In particular in the press-in zone, which is a crucial zone for corresponding plug connectors, the method according to the invention results in a high-quality structural transformation as described above.

Das Verfahren kann für eine Gefügeumwandlung einer Indium- oder indiumhaltigen Schicht als Beschichtung in der Einpresstechnik für Steckverbindungen im Automotive-Bereich verwendet werden. Insbesondere im Automotive-Bereich sind hochqualitative Steckverbinder, insbesondere in der Einpresstechnik erforderlich, welche als Beschichtung eine gefügeumgewandelte Indium(haltige) Schicht aufweisen. Durch das erfindungsgemäße Verfahren ergeben sich die oben genannten Vorteile auch für die entsprechenden Steckverbinder.The method can be used for a structural transformation of an indium or indium-containing layer as a coating in press-in technology for plug connections in the automotive sector. In the automotive sector in particular, high-quality connectors are required, especially in press-fit technology, which have a microstructured indium (containing) layer as a coating. The above-mentioned advantages also result from the method according to the invention for the corresponding plug connectors.

Weitere Merkmale, Wirkungen und Vorteile der Erfindung ergeben sich aus der nachfolgenden Beschreibung eines bevorzugten Ausführungsbeispiels der Erfindung sowie der beigefügten Figuren. Dabei zeigen in einer schematischen Prinzipskizze:

  • Fig. 1 ein Bauteil mit Beschichtung,
  • Fig. 2 ein nur schematisch angedeutetes alternatives Bauteil mit alternativer Beschichtung ohne dargestelltem Kantenbereich und Laseranordnung.
Further features, effects and advantages of the invention result from the following description of a preferred exemplary embodiment of the invention and the attached figures. A schematic diagram shows:
  • Fig. 1 a component with coating,
  • Fig. 2 an only schematically indicated alternative component with an alternative coating without shown edge area and laser arrangement.

Fig. 1 zeigt ein angedeutetes Bauteil 2, hier ein Bauteil in Form eines Steckers einer Verbindungsvorrichtung in Einpresstechnik in Form eines Steckverbinders im Automotive-Bereich. Das Bauteil 2 ist ein elektrisches Kontaktelement in Form eines Kontaktstiftes. Auf dem Bauteil 2 wird zunächst galvanisch eine Beschichtung 4 mit Hilfe eines Galvanisierungsverfahrens aufgebracht, die nach dem Aufbringen ein erstes Materialgefüge M1 aufweist. Die Beschichtung 4 ist eine Indium-Beschichtung, alternativ eine indiumhaltige Beschichtung. Die Beschichtung 4 ist eine Beschichtung 4 in der Einpresstechnik für Steckverbinder im Automotive-Bereich. In einem Umwandlungsbereich 6a der Beschichtung 4, die hier nur einen Teilbereich der gesamten Beschichtung 4 ausmacht, wird anschließend eine Gefügeumwandlung an der Beschichtung 4 vorgenommen. Die Gefügeumwandlung erfolgt in Form eines Reflow am Umwandlungsbereich 6a. Nach der Gefügeumwandlung weist die Beschichtung 4 im Umwandlungsbereich 6a ein zweites Materialgefüge M2 auf. Der restliche Bereich 6b der Beschichtung 4 bleibt unbehandelt, das heißt behält sein erstes Materialgefüge M1. Fig. 1 shows an indicated component 2, here a component in the form of a connector of a connecting device in press-in technology in the form of a connector in the automotive sector. The component 2 is an electrical contact element in the form of a contact pin. A coating 4 is first applied galvanically to the component 2 with the aid of a galvanizing process, which has a first material structure M1 after the application. The coating 4 is an indium coating, alternatively an indium-containing coating. The coating 4 is a coating 4 in press-fit technology for connectors in the automotive sector. In a conversion area 6a of the coating 4, which here only makes up a partial area of the entire coating 4, a structural change is then carried out on the coating 4. The structural transformation takes the form of a reflow at the conversion region 6a. After the structural transformation, the coating 4 has a second material structure M2 in the transformation region 6a. The remaining area 6b of the coating 4 remains untreated, that is to say retains its first material structure M1.

Zur Gefügeumwandlung wird der Umwandlungsbereich 6a in Teile, nämlich Kleinbereiche 8a - h aufgeteilt. Die Gefügeumwandlung findet zu einer Zeit jeweils nur in einem der Kleinbereiche 8a - h statt. In jedem der Kleinbereiche 8a-h findet die Gefügeumwandlung in einer jeweiligen Kurzzeitspanne Ta - h statt. Innerhalb einer der Kurzzeitspannen Ta - h wird nur einer der Kleinbereiche 8a - h umgewandelt. In den restlichen Kleinbereichen 8a-h findet zu dieser Kurzzeitspanne keine Gefügeumwandlung statt. So wird in der Kurzzeitspanne Ta der Kleinbereich 8a umgewandelt. Anschließend wird in der hiervon verschiedenen Kurzzeitspanne Tb der Kleinbereich 8b umgewandelt und so weiter.For structural transformation, the transformation area 6a is divided into parts, namely small areas 8a-h. The structural transformation takes place only in one of the small areas 8a-h at a time. In each of the small areas 8a-h, the structural transformation takes place in a respective short period of time Ta - h. Within one of the short-term periods Ta-h, only one of the small areas 8a-h is converted. In the remaining small areas 8a-h, there is no structural transformation at this short-term period. The small area 8a is thus converted in the short-term period Ta. Subsequently, the small area 8b is converted in the short time span Tb different therefrom and so on.

Das Bauteil 2 als Steckverbinder weist eine Einpresszone 10 auf, welch dazu dient, per Einpresstechnik mit einem nicht dargestellten Gegenstück elektrisch kontaktiert zu werden. Die Kleinbereiche 8a - h sind so gewählt, dass diese Teile der Einpresszone 10 entsprechen. Im Beispiel ist der Umwandlungsbereich 6a eine Beschichtung im Bereich der Einpresszone 10 des Steckverbinders.The component 2 as a connector has a press-in zone 10, which is used to make electrical contact with a counterpart, not shown, by press-in technology. The small areas 8a-h are selected so that these parts correspond to the press-in zone 10. In the example, the conversion area 6a is a coating in the area of the press-in zone 10 of the connector.

Das Bauteil 2 weist außerdem eine Kante 12 auf. Im Bereich der Kante 12 erstreckt sich ein Kantenbereich 14. Die Kleinbereiche 8c und 8d sind so gewählt, dass diese jeweils einem Teil des Kantenbereiches 14 entsprechen. Bei der Umwandlung der Bereiche 8c und 8d wird also nur Gefüge im Kantenbereich 14 umgewandelt.The component 2 also has an edge 12. An edge area 14 extends in the area of the edge 12. The small areas 8c and 8d are selected such that they each correspond to a part of the edge area 14. When the regions 8c and 8d are converted, only structures in the edge region 14 are therefore converted.

Fig. 2 zeigt eine Wärmequelle 16 und schematisch dargestellt nochmals alternative Kleinbereiche 8a - i einer alternativen Beschichtung 4 auf einem alternativen Bauteil 2, welches hier ebenfalls nur angedeutet ist. Fig. 2 shows a heat source 16 and is shown schematically again, small areas 8a-i of an alternative coating 4 on an alternative component 2, which is also only indicated here.

Die Wärmequelle 16 dient zum Eintrag von Wärme in jeweils einen der Kleinbereiche 8a-h zu einem Zeitpunkt bzw. während einer der Kurzzeitspannen Ta-i. Der Wärmeeintrag erfolgt dabei lokal jeweils begrenzt auf einen der Kleinbereiche 8a - i. Beispielsweise wird durch Wärmeeintrag während der Kurzzeitspanne Ta lediglich der Kleinbereich 8a erwärmt, so dass nur dort eine Gefügeumwandlung stattfindet. Die restlichen Kleinbereiche 8b - i werden nicht signifikant erwärmt, sodass in diesen keine Gefügeumwandlung stattfindet.The heat source 16 serves to introduce heat into one of the small areas 8a-h at a time or during one of the short-term periods Ta-i. The heat input takes place locally limited to one of the small areas 8a-i. For example, only the small area 8a is heated by heat input during the short period of time Ta, so that a structural transformation takes place only there. The remaining small areas 8b-i are not significantly heated, so that no structural change takes place in them.

Im Beispiel ist die Wärmequelle 16 eine Laseranordnung 18, insbesondere mit einem gepulsten Infrarotlaser. Ein Auftreffwinkel α des von der Laseranordnung 18 erzeugten Laserstrahls 24 auf die Beschichtung 4 beträgt im Beispiel 80 Grad und beschreibt den Winkel, den der Laserstrahl 24 mit der Tangentialebene an die Beschichtung 4 am Auftreffort einschließt. Die Laseranordnung 18 umfasst eine Laserquelle 20, welche einen stets gleichgerichteten Laserstrahl 24 erzeugt. Ein Ablenkscanner 22 Der Laseranordnung 18 lenkt den Laserstrahl 24 dann entsprechend auf einen der Kleinbereiche 8a-i und auch innerhalb der Kleinbereiche 8a-i ab. Dies ist in Fig. 2 durch eine gestrichelte Verlaufslinie des Auftreffortes des Laserstrahls 24 auf die Beschichtung 4 angedeutet.In the example, the heat source 16 is a laser arrangement 18, in particular with a pulsed infrared laser. An angle of incidence α of the laser beam 24 generated by the laser arrangement 18 on the coating 4 is 80 degrees in the example and describes the angle which the laser beam 24 encloses with the tangential plane at the coating 4 at the point of impact. The laser arrangement 18 comprises a laser source 20 which generates a laser beam 24 which is always rectified. A deflection scanner 22 The laser arrangement 18 then deflects the laser beam 24 accordingly onto one of the small areas 8a-i and also within the small areas 8a-i. This is in Fig. 2 indicated by a dashed line of the point of impact of the laser beam 24 on the coating 4.

BezugszeichenlisteReference list

22nd
BauteilComponent
44th
BeschichtungCoating
6a6a
UmwandlungsbereichConversion area
6b6b
restlicher Bereichremaining area
8a-i8a-i
KleinbereichSmall area
1010th
EinpresszonePress-in zone
1212th
KanteEdge
1414
KantenbereichEdge area
1616
WärmequelleHeat source
1818th
LaseranordnungLaser array
2020th
LaserquelleLaser source
2222
AblenkscannerDeflection scanner
2424th
Laserstrahllaser beam
M1,2M1.2
MaterialgefügeMaterial structure
Ta-iTa-i
KurzzeitspanneShort term

Claims (3)

  1. Method for coating a component (2) with an indium coating (4) or a coating (4) containing indium, in which
    - the coating (4) is applied on the component (2), which coating has a first material structure (M1) after the application, and subsequently
    - a structural transformation is carried out on the coating (4) in a transformation region (6a) which comprises at least one subregion of the coating (4), the coating (4) having a second material structure (M2) after the structural transformation,
    wherein
    - the transformation region (6a) is subdivided into small regions (8a-h),
    - the structural transformation is respectively carried out only in one of the small regions (8a-h) within their respective short time span (Ta-h), no structural transformation taking place outside the respective small region (8a-h) within their respective short time span (Ta-h),
    - after the end of the structural transformation in one of the small regions (8a-h), during a subsequent short time span (Tb-h), the structural transformation is carried out in one of the other small regions (8b-h), until all small regions (8ah), and therefore the entire transformation region (6a), have been processed,
    - the structural transformation is carried out using a heat source (14) introducing heat in a locally limited way onto the small region (8a-h) on the component (2), wherein
    - a laser arrangement (16) is used as the heat source (14), in particular comprising a pulsed infrared laser, in particular with an angle of incidence (α) on the small region (8a-i) of between 5° and 90°, and
    - a laser source (18) having a deflection scanner (20) is used as the laser arrangement (16), the deflection scanner (20), during the short time span (Ta-i), guides the laser beam of the laser source (18) over a small region (8a-i) in such a way that the latter is fully swept over at least once by the laser beam in succession,
    - a plug-in connector having a press-in zone (10) is used as the component (2), having a contact pin which comprises the press-in zone, wherein the press-in zone comprises one or more stamped edges, wherein
    - at least one of the small regions (8a-h) is selected in such a way that it corresponds to the press-in zone (10) or a part of the press-in zone (10),
    and
    - at least one of the small regions (8a-h) is selected in such a way that it corresponds to an edge region (14) or a part of the edge region (14).
  2. Method according to Claim 1,
    wherein the coating (4) is applied on the component by an electroplating method.
  3. Use of a method according to one of the preceding claims for a component (2) in the automotive sector.
EP16712213.4A 2015-04-15 2016-03-22 Method for coating a component and use of said method Active EP3283671B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE102015004651.9A DE102015004651B4 (en) 2015-04-15 2015-04-15 Method for coating a component and use of the method
PCT/EP2016/000496 WO2016165809A1 (en) 2015-04-15 2016-03-22 Method for coating a component and use of said method

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP3283671A1 EP3283671A1 (en) 2018-02-21
EP3283671B1 true EP3283671B1 (en) 2020-05-06

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EP16712213.4A Active EP3283671B1 (en) 2015-04-15 2016-03-22 Method for coating a component and use of said method

Country Status (3)

Country Link
EP (1) EP3283671B1 (en)
DE (1) DE102015004651B4 (en)
WO (1) WO2016165809A1 (en)

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WO2021188674A1 (en) * 2020-03-18 2021-09-23 Xtalic Corporation Nanostructured palladium-based alloys and related methods

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP4878735B2 (en) * 2004-01-22 2012-02-15 住友電気工業株式会社 Flat cable
US7820303B2 (en) 2004-09-10 2010-10-26 Kabushiki Kaisha Kobe Seiko Sho (Kobe Steel, Ltd.) Conductive material for connecting part and method for manufacturing the conductive material
JP5229785B2 (en) * 2007-12-28 2013-07-03 日本圧着端子製造株式会社 Plating layer and method for forming the same
EP2273621A4 (en) * 2008-03-19 2011-07-13 Furukawa Electric Co Ltd Terminal for connector and process for producing the terminal for connector
EP2273622A4 (en) * 2008-03-19 2011-07-06 Furukawa Electric Co Ltd Metallic material for connector and process for producing the metallic material for connector
JP5079605B2 (en) * 2008-06-30 2012-11-21 株式会社オートネットワーク技術研究所 Crimp terminal, electric wire with terminal, and manufacturing method thereof
DE102010042526A1 (en) 2010-10-15 2012-04-19 Continental Automotive Gmbh contact element
DE102011000984A1 (en) 2011-03-01 2012-09-06 Rasselstein Gmbh Process for refining a metallic coating on a steel strip
DE102012102230B4 (en) * 2012-03-16 2014-07-17 Thyssenkrupp Rasselstein Gmbh Process for refining a metallic coating on a steel sheet, coated steel sheet, and method of manufacturing cans of coated sheet steel

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Title
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Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO2016165809A1 (en) 2016-10-20
DE102015004651A1 (en) 2016-10-20
EP3283671A1 (en) 2018-02-21
DE102015004651B4 (en) 2018-09-27

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