US2196132A - Electroprocessing machine - Google Patents

Description

April 2, 1940. G. TODD ELECTROPROCESSING MACHINE Filed Jan. 21, 1938 '7 Shets-Sheet 1 -April 2, 1940. G, TODD y2,196,132

ELECTROPROCESSING MACHINE Filed Jan. 2l, 1938 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 f7: zre ritor- GUER//v 7Z7DD April 2, 1940. G. TODD ELECTROPROCESSING MACHINE Filed Jan. 21, 1938 '7 Sheets-Sheet 5 5 s. W D w t D m N uw i 1 fm W A ....L.LLL+ N I| @u n xm. Nn w. .wb \v n mNN\ m )u A QE, w m, W Q N. -l l l l I I I I l I mM April 2, 1940. G. TODD 2,196,132

ELECTROPROCESSING MACHINE I Filed Jan. 21, 1938 7 shets-sheet 4 April 2, 1940.l G. TODD ELECTROPROCESSING MACHINE Filed Jan. 21, 1938 7 Sheets-SheeI 5 NNN NN April 2, 1940. G. TODD 2,196,132

ELECTROPROCESSING MACHINE Filed Jan. 21, 19,38 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 April 2, 1940. TQDD 2,196,132

ELECTROPROCE'SSING MACHINE Filed Jan. 21, 1938 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 seyfs ELfcT/a/c H20 V Hao MAQ/NG CLEA/vn? D/P Ac/D /P @LY-...b #MJ Attorneys 'carriers with the means Patented Apr. 2, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ELECTROPROCESSIN G MACHINE Application January 21, 193s, serial No. 186,191

18 Claims.

My invention relates to electroprocessing machines.

It is the object of my invention to provide an electroprocessing machine in 'which work pieces are transported, step by step, horizontally through treating solutions, and at intervals, groups of work pieces are successively elevated from the solution, transported horizontally above the solution and then lowered into another solution in an adjacent tank.

'I'he particular object of the present invention is to provide a full automatic electroprocessing machine in which there is a common elevator for elevating the groups of work pieces supported on carrier arms and for transporting them horizontallyfrom over one tank to a position over another tank and then lowering them into the second tank.

It is an object to provide means for counterbalancing such an elevating means in order to reduce the expenditure of power for this transfer purpose.

It is a further object of this inventior to provide means of synchronously driving the means for causing the horizontal movement of the work for raising and lowering the work carriers.

It is an object to provide such a counterbalancing means that permits the horizontal movement of the work carriers irrespective of the elevator as positioned to those carriers in their upper or lower positions.

It is an object of this counterbalancing means to yieldingly bring to rest the work piece carriers as they arrive at their destinations at either the upper or lower part of their movements.

' It is an object to provide such a machine in which upper and lower transversely moving chains are connected by pairs-of tracks or guide rods upon which the carriers reciprocate; and providing in such a combination a horizontally disposed common elevator attached to lift certain of the carriers and lower others in timed sequence with the horizontal moving means.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of one end of the machine embodying this invention with a processing tank in section;

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the counterbalancing mechanism shown on top of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a section on the line 3 3 of Figure 1 looking in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 1 showing a modied form of elevator actuating mechanism and counterbalancing mechanism;

port is at the bottom of standard I.

Figure 5 is a section on the line 5 5 oi Figure 4 showing in detail the connection between the;l actuating chain, its pin and the elevator slo Figure 6 is a section on ure 4;

Figure 7 is a section on ure 4; y

Figure 8 is a side elevation similar to Figure 1 showing a modiiied form of elevating and counterbalancing mechanism;

Figure 9 is a section on the line 9-9 of Figure 8 looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig-ure 10 is a section on the line III-I0 of Figure 8 looking in the direction of the arrows;

Figure i1 is a section on the line II-II oi' Figures l, 4 and 8 looking in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 12 is a section on the line I2-I2 of Figures 1, 4 and 8 looking in the direction of the arrows and showing the arrangement of the guide track elevator and rollers thereon;

Figure 13 is a diagram of -a typical plating the une e-s of Figthe line 'I--1 of Figcycle;

Figure 14 is a section through the elevator ram and partially through the carrier block showing the latching mechanism.

Referring to the drawings in detail, I and 2 representa series of vertically disposed standards having transverse bottom members 9 upon which are mounted the tanks Il and 5. On the standard I is mounted a support 6. This sup- Mounted upon the standard 6 in the bearing? is a driveshaft 8 journalled at its top in the frame 9 which supports the motor Ill that drives through the gear box II. It drives the shaft I2. The shaft 8 is driven by the motor 63 through the gear box 66; disk I3, which has a pin Ill that engages with the slots I5 of the Geneva gear I6. The vshaft 8 is provided with an upper sprocket Il and a lower sprocket i8, respectively, driving the chains I9 and 2li. 'I'he upper chain I9 is guided between the rails 2i and 22 carried on the horizontal platform or plate 23, mounted on top of the standards I, 2, et cetera. The chain I9 is provided with a series of heads 24, in which are mounted the guide rods or tracks 25. Upon these tracks travel the carrier arm heads 26,

which are provided with the rollers 21 and 28. 50

'Ihe bottom of the rods 25 are mounted in heads 29, carried upon the lower chain 20, which is guided by the rails 30 and 3l. These rails are mounted upon the lower platform 32, which is carried upon the standards I and 2. -This platform is further supported by the braces 53. The brackets 34 carry the contact rails 35 upon which ride the spring pressed shoes 36 that are mounted upon the carrier arms 31. These shoes are connected to the work piece carriers 38 by the cable 39.

The elevators 40 are guided in their vertical movement with respect to the standards 2, et cetera, by the rollers 4|, which operate between the tracks 42,.

The drive shaft I2 operates the elevators as follows. The beveled gears 43 and 44 rotate the shaft 45.

Mounted on the shaft 45 is a series of drums |00 on which are wound and unwound cables |02. These cables are connected at |03 to the elevators 40. The elevators are connected at spaced points |04 and |05 to cables |06 and |01, which are in turn connected to helical springs |08, that are anchored on the frame members 23 at 09. These are the counterbalancing springs. Therefore, all that is necessary for the actuating motor to do is to unbalance the elevating system with its load of carriers in order to get the advantage of the springs |09, which not only act as counterbalancing springs, but which provide a yielding medium which facilitates the operation of picking up and lowering the carriers. It will be understood that one of the problems in transporting and transferring carrier arms with heavy loads of work pieces mounted on the swinging racks is to prevent detachment of the work pieces and carriers during transfer and during the operations of picking up and sitting down on the chains.

Referring to Figures 4, 5, 6 and 7, in this form the elevator 40 is counterbalanced by the weights ||0, which are connected by cables over sheaves ||2 to the elevator at H3. The actuation of the elevator is through the shaft 45, gears 46, worm wheels 41 on the shafts 48 and the sprockets 49 on the shafts 48. The chains 50 travel around the sprockets 5|. On the sprockets are mounted the chains 50 cooperating with the pins 52, which work within the Slots 53a in the elevator 40. As the chain is actuated, the pins 52 reciprocate in the slots 53a. In this manner the elevator is raised and lowered, and is also permitted to dwell at the end of each movement during the necessary lateral shifting of the chains and carriers.

Referring to the modification in Figures 8, 9'

and l0, in this form the driving shaft 45 is provided with beveled pinions 3, which engage with beveled gears ||4 on the screw shafts H5, which work in the blocks ||6 on the elevators 40. Connected to the elevators are the piston rods ||1 having pistons I|8 working in cylinders |I9. These cylinders are connected by pipes |20 to a pressure source, such as an accumulator 2| having a weight |22 therein. As the elevator is raised and lowered it is counterbalanced in its movements by this pneumatic or hydraulic system of counterbalancing. There are a series of these cylinders H9, which are interconnected in a common pneumatic or hydraulic circuit, so that they are so interconnected as to be uniform in their action. Under some circumstances, the mechanical lifting and lowering screws can be omitted, and the raising and lowering takes place pneumatically or hydraulically.

It is possible that this counterbalancing mechanism can counterbalance the springs, weights, or pneumatic or hydraulic controls. These several controls have their respective advantages.

When the carrier block 29 reaches its uppermost position, its latch 54 has its hook 55 pushed over the stationary hook 51 to hold the arm in its upper position. When the elevator arrives for the purpose of lowering this arm, the shoulder 58 thereon engages the roller 59 and moves the block 28 upwardly and at the same time, the arm 55 has its roller 56a engaged by the unlocking head 60 on the elevator 40 to unlatch the hook 55 from the hook 51. As the hook is held out of position for l:cking by the uniatching member 60, the elevator can descend and take the block 26 with the arm 21 with it.

It will be understood that I desire to comprehend within my invention such modifications as may be necessary to adapt it to varying conditions and uses.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. In a processing machine for conveying work pieces through treating solutions having a plurality of successive treatment tanks through which the work pieces are conveyed,-a plurality of successively arranged work carriers, means for moving said carriers horizontally, elevator means for raising and lowering certain of said carriers as they are moved therealong, means for yieldably counterbalancing said elevator and the carriers transported thereby, and means for intermittently moving said horizontally moving means in timed relationship with the vertical movement of said elevator.

2. In an electroprocessing machine having a plurality of successive tanks and successive carriers, means comprising spaced conveyor chains adapted to move said carriers vhorizontally in predetermined spaced relationship with respect to one another, means connecting said chains for guiding said carriers vertically from one chain to the other, means associated with said guiding means and carriers for elevating certain of said carriers when moving in one direction, and lowering other of said carriers when moving in the other direction, and counterbalancing means for counterbalancing and regulating the movement of said carriers from one chain to the other.

3. In a processing machine having a plurality of successive tanks and successive carriers, means comprising spaced conveyor chains adapted to move said carriers horizontally in predetermined spaced relationship with respect to one another, means connecting said chains for guiding said carriers vertically from one chain to the other, means associated with said guiding means and carriers for elevating certain of said carriers when moving in one direction, and lowering other of said carriers when moving in the other direction, and counterbalancing means for counterbalancing and regulating the movement of said carriers from one chain to the other, and means for intermittently moving said chains between the vertical movements of said carriers.

4. In a processing machine for conveying work pieces in contact with treating solutions having a plurality of successively arranged tanks and carriers, means for moving said carriers horizontally, means for picking up certain of said carriers and moving them vertically at spaced intervals therealong, and counterbalancing means associated with the last mentioned means for yieldingly bringing said carriers to rest at their different stations as they are conveyed along.

5. In an electroprocessing machine having a plurality of successively arranged tanks and carlll riers i'or positioning in. and auto! said ltanks, means for moving said carriers horizontally, means for moving said carriers vertically at spaced intervals therealong, counterbalancing means associated with the last mentioned means and arranged to yieldingly bring said carriers to rest at their diiierent stations as they are moved along from one tank to another, said counterbalancing means comprising spring means interposed between the electroprocessing machine frame and the carrier vertically moving means, and means operatively connected to the horizontally moving member and the vertically moving member so that there is intermittent movement of said horizontally moving member between the vertical movements of said carriers.

6. In a processing machine for conveying work pieces in contact with treating solutions comprising a plurality of successively arranged tanks and carriers which are adapted to be moved in and out of said tanks, means for moving said carriers horizontally, means comprising a transversely arranged elevating bar to guide and move said carriers vertically at intervals therealong, and counterbalancing means associated with the last' mentioned means comprising yielding members which are interposed between the processing machine frame and the elevating bar member, said counterbalancing means comprising springs arranged horizontally, the ends of said springs being connected respectively to the elevating bar means and to said processing machine.

'7. In a processing machine for conveying work pieces in contact with treating solutions having a succession of treatment tanks and a plurality of successive carrier arms supporting work piece carriers, means comprising an endless moving member with fixed carrier guides positioned thereon at predetermined spaced intervals for moving said arms horizontally as a unit intermittently, means comprising a transverse elevating member to raise a portion of said arms vertically and to lower another portion thereof vertically, actuating means for said vertically moving means and oounterbalancing weights associated therewith to yieldingly bring said carriers to rest at their different stations as they are conveyed along.

8. In an electroprocessing machine, a horizontal conveyor means, a plurality of spaced arms supporting carriers mounted thereon, means on said conveyor means for guiding said arms vertically, means to mechanically move a portion of said arms vertically, said means comprising continuously operating moving means slidably engaging with saidv vertically moving means for the carrier arms and counterbalancing means associated therewith.

9. In an electroprocessing machine, a plurality of spaced carrier arms, means to transport said arms horizontally, means to guide said arms vertically without lateral misplacement on the horizontal transporting means, means to drive said transporting means intermittently, a continuously operating means for moving said carrier arms vertically comprising `spaced chains, an elevator slidably connected to said chains and adapted to engage portions of said arms, counterbalancing means for said elevator, means to latch a portion Aof said arms in their uppermost position from which they are unlatched and lowered by said elevator.

i0. In an electroprocessing machine, means for transporting carrier arms horizontally, an elevator for moving some of said arms vertically comprising :a transversely arranged elevating bar having slots therein and means to actuate said bar comprising vertically arranged chain loops having pins thereon operating in said slots.

11. In an electroprocessing machine, means for transporting carrier arms horizontally, an elevator for moving some of said arms vertically comprising a transversely arranged elevating bar having slots therein and means to actuate said bar comprising vertically arranged chain loops having pins thereon operating in said slots, and counterbalancing means associated with said elevator bar.

12. In an electroprocessing machine, a plurality of work piece carrier arms, means comprising an endless conveyor for moving said arms horizontally in predetermined spaced relationship, means for guiding said arms in vertical movements, an elevatorcomprising an elongated bar, the axis of which is parallel to the longitudinalv axis of the vendless conveyor means, said elevator being adapted to raise and lower certain of said arms as they are moved alongthe endless conveyor, power means for raising and lowering said elevator, and hydraulic means associated therewith for counterbalancing the weight of said elevator and work piece carrier load so as to yieldingly regulate the movement of said elevator and carriers.

13. In an electroprocessing machine, a frame, a horizontal elevator bar guided by said frame adapted to be raised and lowered intermittently, means comprising endless chains for conveying work piece carriers horizontally along,

a hydraulic counterbalancing mechanism comprising pistons andcylinders associated with Y said elevator bar. means to mechanically elevate and lower said elevator bar, means to guide carrier arms adjacent to said bar so as to be raised andV lowered thereby, means to `hold said arms in their uppermost position, means associated with said elevator bar for detaching said arms from their uppermost position to lower them and means of moving said arms as a unit horizontally intermittently and when said Velevator bar is in its uppermost raised position.

14. In combination, means for vertically guiding carrier arms, means for moving said carrier arms horizontally as a unit, an elevator for elevating certain of said arms and lowering others, screw operated means for regulating the movements of said elevator, and hydraulically operated means for counterbalancing said elevator and said arms.

15. In an electroprocessing machine, a vertically disposed frame work, tanks parallel thereto, a pair of horizontally disposed spaced chains, means of intermittently driving said chains together, carrier guide rods interconnecting said chains at spaced intervals, carrier arms mounted thereon, means to latch said arms at the top of said guides, means to comprise an elevator for elevating portions of said arms and lowering other portions after unlatching them from their upper position, and means carried on said frame connected to said elevator for counterbalancing said elevator and its load of' arms.

16. In an electroprocessing machine, a vertically disposed frame work, tanks parallel thereto, a pair of horizontally disposed spaced chains, means for intermittently driving said chains together, carrier guide rods interconnecting said chains at spaced intervals, carrier arms mounted thereon, means to latch said arms at the top of said guides, means to comprise an elevator for for raisins and. lowering said elevator compriselevating portions of said arms and lowering other ins a motor driven set of sheaves and cables portions after unlatching them from their upper wound thereon connected to their tree ends to said position, means carried on said frame connected elevator. to said elevator for counterbalancinz said elevaf GUERIN TODD. 5 tor and its load of arms. said mechanical means

Images