TWM574156U - Frame carrier for electroplating machine - Google Patents

Abstract

A frame carrier (10) for releasably engaging a workpiece (S) is disclosed as including a frame-like structure formed by a top bar (12), a bottom bar (14) parallel to the top bar (12), a right bar (16), and a left bar (18) parallel to the right bar (16), a plurality of top clamps (24) engaged with the top bar (12) for releasably holding the workpiece (S), and a plurality of bottom clamps (26) engaged with the bottom bar (14) for releasably holding the workpiece (S), the top bar (12) being perpendicular to the right bar (16), and the top clamps (24) being made of an electrically conducting material.

Description

Frame bracket for electroplating machine

This creation is about frame brackets for electroplating machines. This creation is directed to a frame-shaped bracket for an electroplating machine, particularly but not limited to a carrier that carries a substrate, such as a printed wiring board, through a plating machine for disposal purposes.

Frame brackets have been utilized to releasably hold workpieces (e.g., printed wiring sheets) through various processing cabinets of the electroplating machine for disposal purposes. In such a plating machine in which the workpieces (the workpieces are in the form of sheets) are held "vertically", that is, in such a plating machine, which is generally referred to as a "vertical plating machine" in which the main surface of the workpiece faces laterally, the plating results are far from uniform. . For example, the edge of the workpiece will receive more plating due to the concentration of the electric field at or near the edge of the workpiece, resulting in more than necessary metal plating on the edge of the workpiece.

Accordingly, the object of the present invention is to provide a framed bracket and an electroplating machine having at least one of the framed brackets that alleviates the above disadvantages, or at least provides a useful alternative to trade and the public.

This creation proposes a frame bracket for an electroplating machine. According to a first aspect of the present invention, a frame-shaped bracket for releasably engaging a workpiece is provided, the bracket comprising: a frame-like structure by a ram, a bottom rod substantially parallel to the ram, a right rod, and a left rod substantially parallel to the right rod; a plurality of top clips engaged with the jack for releasably holding the workpiece; and a plurality of bottom clips engaged with the bottom rod Releasably holding the workpiece, wherein the ram is substantially perpendicular to the right rod, and wherein the top clips are made of a conductive material.

In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, an electroplating machine is provided, the electroplating machine including at least one frame-shaped bracket for releasably engaging a workpiece, the bracket including a frame-like structure that is substantially parallel by a ram Forming a bottom rod, a right rod, and a left rod substantially parallel to the right rod; a plurality of top clips engaged with the jack for releasably holding the workpiece; and a plurality of bottom clips Engaging with the bottom rod for releasably holding the workpiece, wherein the ram is substantially perpendicular to the right rod, and wherein the top clips are made of a conductive material.

A frame-shaped bracket according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. 1 and is generally designated 10. The bracket 10 includes a horizontal ram 12 when in use, an opposing shank 14 that is parallel to the ram 12, and a right lever 16 that is vertical (and thus perpendicular to both the ram 12 and the shank 14) when in use, And a left rod 18 opposite the right rod 16 and equal to the right rod. The jack 12, the bottom bar 14, the right bar 16, and the left bar 18 are connected to each other via the two top connecting members 20 and the two bottom connecting members 22 to form a rectangular frame-like structure. A plurality of top clips 24 (four shown in Figure 1) are mounted to the ram 12 for releasably holding the top edge of the workpiece S. A plurality of bottom clips 26 (four shown in Figure 1) are mounted to the bottom bar 14 for releasably retaining the bottom edge of the workpiece S. Although the top connecting member 20 and the two bottom connecting members 22 are shown here in the shape of a rectangular prism, the top connecting members and the bottom connecting members may have other suitable shapes, such as a cylinder.

As shown in Figures 2, 3 and 4, each top clip 24 has a first clip body portion 28 that is fixedly engaged with the ram 12 and is pivotally engageable with and relative to the first clip body portion 28. The first clip body portion is movable by the second clip body portion 30. Although FIG. 1 shows the top clip 24 in a clip closed configuration, the workpiece S is held by the first clip body portion 28 and the second clip body portion 30 and is positioned in the first clip body portion and the second clip body portion. Between, but Figures 2 through 4 show the top clip 24 in a clip open configuration in which the workpiece S can be inserted into or removed from the top clip 24. The top clips 24 are biased (eg, each by a coil spring) toward the clip closure configuration. Toward the longitudinal end of each of the first clip body portion 28 and the second clip body portion 30 of each of the top clips 24, two cylindrical clip tips 32 are provided, the two cylindrical clip tips being in the top clip 24 is in contact with the workpiece S when releasably engaging the workpiece S. The two cylindrical clip tips 32 of the first clip body portion 28 face the second clip body portion 30, and the two cylindrical clip tips 32 of the second clip body portion 30 face the first clip body portion 28. The top clip 24 (including the first clip body portion 28, the second clip body portion 30, and the cylindrical clip tip 32) is made of a conductive material such as a conductive metal. As shown more clearly in Figures 2 and 3, each of the second clip body portions 30 of the top clip 24 is electrically coupled to the jack 12 by a respective electrically conductive wire 34, such as a stainless steel wire.

It has been found in practice that the clip tip 32, each in the shape of a cylinder, prevents or at least reduces stress concentration due to the absence of any corners as compared to a clip tip having a shape having a rectangular cross section. Additionally, an electrical conductor (i.e., conductive wire 34) is provided to electrically connect the second clip body portion 30 (and thus the top clip 24) of the top clip 24 to the jack 12, resulting in the two major surfaces of the workpiece S. Better plating consistency between.

Turning to Figures 5 and 6, each bottom clip 26 has a first clip body portion 36 that is fixedly engaged with the bottom bar 14, and is pivotally engaged with the first clip body portion 36 and relative to the first clip body A partially movable second clip body portion 38. Although FIG. 1 shows the bottom clip 26 in a clip closed configuration, the workpiece S is held by the first clip body portion 36 and the second clip body portion 38 of the bottom clip 26 and is positioned in the first clip body portion and the first Between the body portions of the two clips, but Figures 5 and 6 show the bottom clip 26 in a clip open configuration in which the workpiece S can be inserted into or removed from the bottom clip 26. The bottom clips 26 are biased (e.g., each by a coil spring) toward the clip closure configuration. Toward the longitudinal ends of the first and second clip body portions 36 and 38 of each of the bottom clips 26, two cylindrical clip tips 40 are provided, the two cylindrical clip tips being releasable at the bottom clip 26. When the workpiece S is grounded, it is in contact with the workpiece S. The two cylindrical clip tips 40 of the first clip body portion 36 face the second clip body portion 38, and the two cylindrical clip tips 40 of the second clip body portion 38 face the first clip body portion 36. The bottom clip 26 (including the first clip body portion 36, the second clip body portion 38, and the cylindrical clip tip 40) is made of or coated with an electrically insulating material. For example, the first clip body portion 36 and the second clip body portion 38 are made of or coated with an electrically insulating plastic material, and the clip tip 40 is made of or coated with an electrically insulating rubber. . This rubber coating also provides a higher friction that assists the clip tip 40 (and thus the bottom clip 26) in retaining the workpiece S.

As shown in Figures 1, 7, and 8, one of the top attachment members 20 is fixedly engaged (e.g., by welding) to be fixedly engaged at or adjacent the longitudinal ends of the left rod 18. Similarly, the other of the top connecting members 20 is fixedly engaged (e.g., by welding) to be fixedly engaged at or adjacent the longitudinal ends above the right rod 16. Each of the top connecting members 20 has a rectangular groove/recess for receiving the respective longitudinal ends of the ram 12 so that the ram 12 and the right rod 16 are at one end and the ram at the other end The left rod 18 is securely interconnected. This configuration provides a strong buckle between the jack 12, the right lever 16 and the left lever 18 because the connection is not easily displaced or twisted.

Similarly, Figures 1, 9, and 10 show that one of the bottom connecting members 22 is fixedly engaged (e.g., by welding) to be fixedly engaged at or adjacent the longitudinal ends below the left rod 18. Similarly, the other of the bottom connecting members 22 is fixedly engaged (e.g., by welding) to be fixedly engaged at or adjacent the lower longitudinal end of the right rod 16. Each of the bottom connecting members 22 has a rectangular groove/recess for receiving the respective longitudinal ends of the bottom bar 14 to bring the bottom bar 14 to the right bar 16 at one end and the bottom bar at the other end The left rod 18 is securely interconnected. This configuration provides a strong buckle between the bottom bar 14, the right bar 16 and the left bar 18 because the connection is not easily displaced or twisted. In addition, the bottom connecting member 22 is coated with an electrically insulating material such as a plastic material. With this configuration, plating does not occur on the bottom connecting member 22, and thus the useless consumption of the plating solution is avoided in the plating bottom connecting member 22.

Both the right rod 16 and the left rod 18 are cylindrical in shape and are electrically conductive. Since the right rod 16 and the left rod 18 are electrically conductive, electroplating will occur on the right rod and the left rod. This will reduce the amount of metal plated on the left and right edges of the workpiece S, and thus will achieve better plating uniformity. Additionally, because the right and left bars 16 and 18 are cylindrical in shape, as opposed to a vertical bar having a rectangular cross-section, the right and left bars will not induce localized current during plating. Thus, the cylindrical right rod 16 and the cylindrical left rod 18 will achieve better plating consistency on the edge of the workpiece S.

11 and 12 show the lower portion of the bracket 10. An elongated conductive rod 42 parallel to the bottom rod 14 is on or above the bottom rod 14. When the workpiece S is releasably held by the frame bracket 10, the elongated conductive rod 42 is interposed between the workpiece S and the bottom rod 14. During electroplating, the metal will be electroplated onto the elongated conductive rod 42. This will reduce the metal plating on the lower edge of the workpiece S, thus contributing to better plating uniformity of the workpiece S.

It is to be understood that the above examples are merely illustrative of the present invention, and various modifications and/or changes may be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention. It is also to be understood that the various features of the present invention described herein in the context of a single embodiment may be provided separately or in any suitable sub-combination.

S‧‧‧Workpiece

10‧‧‧ bracket

12‧‧‧Pole

14‧‧‧ bottom pole

16‧‧‧right rod

18‧‧‧ Left pole

20‧‧‧Top connecting member

22‧‧‧Bottom connection member

24‧‧‧ top clip

26‧‧‧ bottom clip

28‧‧‧The main part of the first clip

30‧‧‧Second clip body part

32‧‧‧Cylindrical tip

34‧‧‧Conducting wire

36‧‧‧The main part of the first clip

38‧‧‧Second clip body part

40‧‧‧Cylindrical tip

42‧‧‧Small conductive rod

Referring now to the accompanying drawings, a frame-shaped bracket for releasably engaging a workpiece according to an embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example only, in which: Figure 1 is implemented in accordance with one of the present teachings A perspective view of a frame-shaped bracket in which the top and bottom clips are in a clip-close configuration; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the top clip of the frame-shaped bracket of Figure 1 in a clip-open configuration; Figure 4 is a perspective view of the top and bottom clamps of the frame-shaped bracket of Figure 1, wherein the top clamp is in the clip open configuration; Figure 5 is in Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the bottom bar of the frame bracket of Fig. 1 in the configuration of the clip; Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the bottom bar in the case where the bottom clip is in the clip open configuration; Figure 8 is a side view of the top connecting member of Figure 7; Figure 9 is a perspective view of the bottom connecting member of the frame-shaped bracket of Figure 1; Figure 10 is the bottom connecting member of Figure 9. Figure 11 is a perspective view of the bottom bar and the two bottom connecting members; and Figure 12 is a perspective view of the bottom bar, the two bottom connecting members and the bottom clip

Claims (16)

A frame-shaped bracket for releasably engaging a workpiece, the bracket comprising: a frame-like structure by a ram, a bottom rod substantially parallel to the ram, a right rod, and a general body Formed on a left rod parallel to the right rod, a plurality of top clips engaged with the jack for releasably holding the workpiece, and a plurality of bottom clips engaged with the bottom rod for releasable The workpiece is held in place, wherein the jack is substantially perpendicular to the right rod, and wherein the top clips are made of a conductive material. The frame-shaped bracket of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of top clips comprises two top clip body members, the two top clip body members being made of a conductive material, wherein the two top clips The body members are moveable relative to one another between an open configuration and a closed configuration in which the workpiece is removable from the top clamp, and in the closed configuration the workpiece is The top clip body member is retained and positioned between the two top clip body members, and wherein at least one of the two top clip body members includes at least one top clip tip member when the workpiece is clamped by the two top clips The at least one top clip tip member is adapted to contact the workpiece when the body member is retained and positioned between the two top clip body members. The frame-shaped bracket of claim 2, wherein each of the top clip body members includes at least one top clip tip member, the workpiece being held by the two top clip body members and positioned in the two top clip body members The at least one top clip tip member is adapted to be in contact with the workpiece. A frame-shaped bracket according to claim 2, wherein the top clip tip member is cylindrical in shape. The frame carrier of claim 1, further comprising an electrical conductor electrically connecting the jack to at least one of the plurality of top clips. A frame-shaped bracket according to claim 5, wherein the ram is electrically conductive. A frame-shaped bracket according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of bottom clip members are made of or coated with an electrically insulating material. The frame-shaped bracket of claim 7, wherein the electrically insulating material is a plastic material. The frame-shaped bracket of claim 7, wherein each of the plurality of bottom clips comprises two bottom clip body members, the two bottom clip body members being made of or coated with an electrically insulating material Cloth, wherein the two bottom clip body members are moveable relative to one another between an open configuration and a closed configuration in which the workpiece is removable from the bottom clip and in the closed set The workpiece is held by the two bottom clip body members and positioned between the two bottom clip body members, and wherein at least one of the two bottom clip body members includes at least one bottom clip tip member When the workpiece is held by the two bottom clip body members and positioned between the two bottom clip body members, the at least one bottom clip tip member is adapted to be in contact with the workpiece, and wherein the bottom clip tip member is comprised of The rubber material is made of or coated with the rubber material. The frame-shaped bracket of claim 1, wherein a first connecting member is disposed at or adjacent to a top end of the left rod, wherein the first connecting member includes a first groove, and wherein One of the longitudinal ends of the jack is received in the first groove of the first connecting member to connect the jack and the left rod to each other. The frame-shaped bracket of claim 1, wherein a second connecting member is disposed at or adjacent to a lower end of the left lever, wherein the second connecting member includes a second groove, and wherein the second connecting member One of the longitudinal ends of the bottom rod is received in the second groove of the second connecting member to connect the bottom rod and the left rod to each other. A frame-shaped bracket according to claim 11, wherein the second connecting member is made of or coated with an electrically insulating material. A frame-shaped bracket according to claim 1, wherein the right rod and/or the left rod are cylindrical in shape. The frame-shaped bracket of claim 1, wherein the right rod and/or the left rod is made of a conductive material. A frame bracket of claim 1 further comprising a conductive rod above or above the bottom rod. An electroplating machine comprising at least one frame-shaped bracket according to claim 1.