DESC:[001] The embodiments herein generally relate to an electro-deposition coating device. More particularly but not exclusively to an electro-deposition coating device having optimized design of current collector and bus bar fingers and a method thereof.
BACKGROUND
[002] Conventionally, electrodeposition coating apparatus is used in many vehicle manufacturing plants. The electro-deposition coating apparatus is used for coating many types of objects (for example, an automobile body or the like). The electrodeposition coating apparatus is used for coating an article with a large area or a small area (for example, large-sized automobile body and small-sized automobile body) in accordance with the voltage applied to the electrode set. The existing electrodeposition coating apparatus includes a current collector, a C hook, an oil tray support and plurality of bus bar fingers in the conveying arrangement as shown in FIGS 1a, 1b, 1c and 1d.
[003] Improper contact between the bus bar fingers and the current collector in the conveying arrangement induces a spark in electrodeposition coating bath. The electric spark may occur due to an abrupt electrical discharge that occurs when a sufficiently high electric field creates an ionized electrically conductive channel through a normally-insulating medium (often air or other gases or gas mixtures). The spark produced in the electrodeposition coating bath is around 15000 Degree Celsius. This temperature is sufficient to deform the current collector (SS 304) (the current collector easily deforms at 1800 Degree Celsius). Due to the spark generated the current collector deforms and entangles with the oil tray support. The current collector may change its angle from 90 Degree to 120 or 130 Degree.
[004] Conventionally, the current collector and the C hook are mounted at a predetermined distance from the oil tray support. The minimum clearance between the current collector and the oil tray is around 75 mm. When the current collector changes its angle, it reduces the clearance between the oil tray support and the current collector, and the current collector contacts the oil tray support. Thus, resulting in interruption of proper functioning of the C hook. The C hook entangles with the oil tray support and causes a major break down resulting in time and material wastage.
[005] Therefore, there exists a need for an electro-deposition coating device having optimized design of current collector and bus bar fingers that obviates the aforementioned drawbacks.
OBJECTS
[006] The principal object of an embodiment herein is to provide an electro-deposition coating device having optimized design of current collector and bus bar fingers.
[007] Another object of an embodiment herein is to provide a method of providing an electro-deposition coating device having optimized design of current collector and bus bar fingers.
[008] Yet another object of an embodiment herein is to provide a plurality of bus bar fingers having a surface contact with the current collector.
[009] Still another object of an embodiment herein is to provide a plurality of bus bar fingers having spring action to eliminate spark between the bus bar finger and the current collector.
[0010] These and other objects of the embodiments herein will be better appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with the following description and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the following descriptions, while indicating embodiments and numerous specific details thereof, are given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the embodiments herein without departing from the spirit thereof, and the embodiments herein include all such modifications.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0011] The embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, throughout which like reference letters indicate corresponding parts in the various figures. The embodiments herein will be better understood from the following description with reference to the drawings, in which:
[0012] FIG. 1a depicts a perspective view of a conventional an electro-deposition coating device having current collector, oil tray support and C hook, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein;
[0013] FIG. 1b depicts a perspective view of a conventional current collector, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein;
[0014] FIG. 1c depicts a perspective view of a conventional bus bar finger, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein;
[0015] FIG. 1d depicts a perspective view of a conventional conveying arrangement showing current collector and bus bar fingers, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein;
[0016] FIG. 2 depicts a perspective view of a conveying arrangement having optimized design of current collector and bus bar fingers, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein;
[0017] FIG. 3 depicts a perspective view of a current collector, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein;
[0018] FIG. 4 depicts a perspective view of a bus bar finger, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein; and
[0019] FIG. 5 depicts a flowchart of a method of providing an electro-deposition coating device having optimized design of current collector and bus bar fingers, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0020] The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and detailed in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.
[0021] The embodiments herein achieve an electro-deposition coating device having optimized design of current collector and bus bar fingers. Further, the embodiments herein achieve a method of providing an electro-deposition coating device having optimized design of current collector and bus bar fingers. Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIGS. 1 through 5, where similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the figures, there are shown embodiments.
[0022] FIG. 1a depicts a perspective view of a conventional an electro-deposition coating device having current collector, oil tray support and C hook, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein. The conventional electro-deposition coating device includes a current collector, a C hook, an oil tray support and plurality of bus bar fingers.
[0023] FIGS. 1b, 1c and 1d depict a perspective view of a conventional current collector, conventional bus bar finger, and conventional conveying arrangement, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein. Improper contact between the bus bar fingers and the current collector in the conveying arrangement induces a spark in electrodeposition coating bath. The electric spark may occur due to an abrupt electrical discharge that occurs when a sufficiently high electric field creates an ionized electrically conductive channel through a normally-insulating medium (often air or other gases or gas mixtures). The spark produced in the electrodeposition coating bath is around 15000 Degree Celsius. This temperature is sufficient to deform the current collector (SS 304) (the current collector easily deforms at 1800 Degree Celsius). Due to the spark generated the current collector deforms and entangles with the oil tray support. The current collector may change its angle from 90 Degree to 120 or 130 Degree.
[0024] Conventionally, the current collector and the C hook are mounted at a predetermined distance from the oil tray support. The minimum clearance between the current collector and the oil tray is around 75 mm. When the current collector changes its angle, it reduces the clearance between the oil tray support and the current collector, and the current collector contacts the oil tray support. Thus, resulting in interruption of proper functioning of the C hook. The C hook entangles with the oil tray support and causes a major break down resulting in time and material wastage.
[0025] FIG. 2 depicts a perspective view of a conveying arrangement having optimized design of current collector and bus bar fingers, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein. In an embodiment, the conveying arrangement for the electro-deposition coating includes at least one current collector 101, and a plurality of bus bar fingers 107. In an embodiment, the at least one current collector 101 is in communication with the plurality of bus bar fingers 107.
[0026] FIG. 3 depicts a perspective view of a current collector, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein. In an embodiment, the electro-deposition coating device 100 includes the at least one current collector 101. In an embodiment, the at least one current collector 101 includes a first vertical wall 103. In an embodiment, the first vertical wall 103 includes a top end 103a, and a bottom end 103b. In an embodiment, the at least one current collector 101 includes a horizontal wall 104 extending from the top end 103a of the first vertical wall 103. In an embodiment, the at least one current collector 101 includes a second vertical wall 106 extending from the horizontal wall 104 and is located opposite to the first vertical wall 103. In an embodiment, the horizontal wall 104 includes a left end 104a and a right end 104b. In an embodiment, the at least one current collector 101 further includes at least one left rib 105a connecting left end 104a of the horizontal wall 104 with the first vertical wall 103. Similarly the at least one current collector 101 further includes at least one right rib 105b connecting right end 104b of the horizontal wall 104 with the first vertical wall 103. Further, the at least one current collector 101 further includes at least one mid rib 105c connecting the second vertical wall 106 with the first vertical wall 103. In an embodiment, the at least one left rib 105a, the at least one right rib 105b, and the at least one mid rib 105c are tapered ribs. In an embodiment, the at least one current collector further includes a left curve extended portion 103c and a right curve extended portion 103d extending from left side and right side of the first vertical wall 103. In an embodiment, the at least one current collector 101 further includes at least one left side wall 103l connecting the at least one left rib 105a and the left curve extended portion 103c, similarly, the at least one current collector 101 further includes at least one right side wall 103r connecting the at least one right rib 105b and the right curve extended portion 103d. In an embodiment, the at least one current collector is made up of a conductive material. In an embodiment, the second vertical wall 106 includes at least two apertures 106a to connect the at least one current collector 101 to a predetermined member in the conveying arrangement.
[0027] FIG. 4 depicts a perspective view of a bus bar finger, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein. In an embodiment, the electro-deposition coating device 100 includes a plurality of bus bar fingers 107 (herein after “bus bar fingers 107”). In an embodiment, the bus bar finger 107 includes a first body portion 107a and a second body portion 107b. In an embodiment, the first body portion 107a and the second body portion 107b are in unitary. In an embodiment, the first body portion 107a includes an upper surface 109 and a lower surface (not shown). In an embodiment, the first body portion 107a includes a plurality of first holes (not shown) extending from the upper surface 109 to the lower surface. In an embodiment, the upper surface 109 communicates with the at least one current collector 101. In an embodiment, the second body portion 107b of the bus bar finger 107 includes a flat strip portion 111a, an angular strip portion 111b extending from the flat strip portion 111a, a curved portion 111c continuously extending from the angular strip portion 111b and an extended portion 111d continuously extending from the curved portion 111c. In an embodiment, the flat strip portion 111a is attached to the lower surface of the first body portion 107a. Further the flat strip portion 111a includes a plurality of second holes (not shown) corresponding to the plurality of first holes (not shown) provided in the first body portion 107a to connect the flat strip portion 111a to the first body portion 107a. In an embodiment, the extended portion 111d of the second body portion 107b includes a plurality of third holes 113. In an embodiment, the second body portion 107b is attached to a predetermined surface in the conveying arrangement by passing fastening means through the plurality of third holes 113 provided in the extended portion 111d. In an embodiment, the contact surface (i.e. the upper surface 109) of the bus bar fingers 107 makes a surface contact with the at least one current collector 101. In an embodiment, the bus bar fingers 107 are made of an elastic material such that it provides a spring action when in contact with the at least one current collector 101 to eliminate spark generation between the contact surface of the at least one current collector 101 and the bus bar fingers 107.
[0028] FIG. 5 depicts a flowchart of a method of providing an electro-deposition coating device having optimized design of current collector and bus bar fingers, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein. In an embodiment, the method 500 of providing an electro-deposition coating device having optimized design of current collector and bus bar fingers is provided. At step 502, the method includes, providing at least one current collector 101 in the conveying arrangement. At step 504, the method includes connecting a plurality of bus bar fingers 107 in communication with the at least one current collector 101 in the conveying arrangement.
[0029] In an embodiment, the method includes the at least one current collector 101 having a first vertical wall 103 having a top end 103a and a bottom end 103b, a horizontal wall 104 extending from the top end 103a of the first vertical wall 103, a second vertical wall 106 extending from the horizontal wall 104 and located opposite to the first vertical wall 103, at least one left rib 105a connecting the horizontal wall 104 with the first vertical wall 103, at least one right rib 105b connecting the horizontal wall 104 with the first vertical wall 103, at least one mid rib 105c disposed between the horizontal wall 104 and the second vertical wall 106 with the first vertical wall 103, a left curve extended portion 103c and a right curve extended portion 103d extending from a left side and a right side of the first vertical wall 103, at least one left side wall 103l connecting the at least one left rib 105a and the left curve extended portion 103c, and at least one right side wall 103r connecting the at least one right rib 105b and the right curve extended portion 103d.
[0030] In an embodiment, the method includes the a plurality of bus bar fingers 107 having a first body portion 107a and a second body portion 107b, the first body portion 107a includes an upper surface 109 and a lower surface, the second body portion 107b of the bus bar finger 107 includes a flat strip portion 111a, an angular strip portion 111b extending from the flat strip portion 111a, a curved portion 111c continuously extending from the angular strip portion 111b, an extended portion 111d continuously extending from the curved portion 111c, and the flat strip portion 111a attached to the lower surface of the first body portion 107a.
[0031] In an embodiment, the current collector and bus bar finger design facilitates in eliminating damage of the components in the conveying arrangement. Further, eliminates rework thereby reduces the rework cost and maintenance cost.
[0032] The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.
,CLAIMS:I/We claim,
1. An electro-deposition coating device 100, having a conveying arrangement for cathodic electro deposition, the device 100 comprising:
at least one current collector 101 mounted in the conveying arrangement; and
a plurality of bus bar fingers 107 in communication with the at least one current collector 101 in the conveying arrangement;
wherein
the at least one current collector 101 includes:
a first vertical wall 103 having a top end 103a and a bottom end 103b;
a horizontal wall 104 extending from the top end 103a of the first vertical wall 103;
a second vertical wall 106 extending from the horizontal wall 104 and located opposite to the first vertical wall 103;
at least one left rib 105a connecting the horizontal wall 104 with the first vertical wall 103;
at least one right rib 105b connecting the horizontal wall 104 with the first vertical wall 103;
at least one mid rib 105c disposed between the horizontal wall 104 and the second vertical wall 106 with the first vertical wall 103;
a left curve extended portion 103c and a right curve extended portion 103d extending from a left side and a right side of the first vertical wall 103;
at least one left side wall 103l connecting the at least one left rib 105a and the left curve extended portion 103c; and
at least one right side wall 103r connecting the at least one right rib 105b and the right curve extended portion 103d;
the a plurality of bus bar fingers 107 comprising:
a first body portion 107a and a second body portion 107b;
the first body portion 107a includes an upper surface 109 and a lower surface;
the second body portion 107b of the bus bar finger 107 includes
a flat strip portion 111a;
an angular strip portion 111b extending from the flat strip portion 111a;
a curved portion 111c continuously extending from the angular strip portion 111b;
an extended portion 111d continuously extending from the curved portion 111c; and
the flat strip portion 111a attached to the lower surface of the first body portion 107a.

2. The electro-deposition coating device 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one left rib 105a and the at least one right rib 105b are tapered ribs.
3. The electro-deposition coating device 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first body portion 107a includes a plurality of first holes (not shown) extending from the upper surface 109 to the lower surface.
4. The electro-deposition coating device 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein the upper surface 109 of the plurality of bus bar fingers 107 makes a surface contact with the at least one current collector 101.
5. The electro-deposition coating device 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of bus bar fingers 107 are made of elastic material.
6. The electro-deposition coating device 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein the flat strip portion 111a includes a plurality of second holes corresponding to a plurality of first holes provided in the first body portion 107a to connect the flat strip portion 111a to the first body portion 107a.
7. The electro-deposition coating device 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein the extended portion 111d of the second body portion 107b includes a plurality of third holes 113.
8. The electro-deposition coating device 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second vertical wall 106 includes at least two apertures 106a to connect the at least one current collector 101 to a predetermined member in the conveying arrangement.
9. The electro-deposition coating device 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second body portion 107b is attached to a predetermined surface in the conveying arrangement by passing a fastening means through the plurality of third holes 113 provided in the extended portion 111d.
10. A method 500 of providing an electro-deposition coating device having optimized design of current collector and bus bar fingers, the method 500 comprising steps of:
providing at least one current collector 101 in the conveying arrangement; and
connecting a plurality of bus bar fingers 107 in communication with the at least one current collector 101 in the conveying arrangement;
wherein
the at least one current collector 101 includes:
a first vertical wall 103 having a top end 103a and a bottom end 103b;
a horizontal wall 104 extending from the top end 103a of the first vertical wall 103;
a second vertical wall 106 extending from the horizontal wall 104 and located opposite to the first vertical wall 103;
at least one left rib 105a connecting the horizontal wall 104 with the first vertical wall 103;
at least one right rib 105b connecting the horizontal wall 104 with the first vertical wall 103;
at least one mid rib 105c disposed between the horizontal wall 104 and the second vertical wall 106 with the first vertical wall 103;
a left curve extended portion 103c and a right curve extended portion 103d extending from a left side and a right side of the first vertical wall 103;
at least one left side wall 103l connecting the at least one left rib 105a and the left curve extended portion 103c; and
at least one right side wall 103r connecting the at least one right rib 105b and the right curve extended portion 103d;
the a plurality of bus bar fingers 107 comprising:
a first body portion 107a and a second body portion 107b;
the first body portion 107a includes an upper surface 109 and a lower surface;
the second body portion 107b of the bus bar finger 107 includes a flat strip portion 111a;
an angular strip portion 111b extending from the flat strip portion 111a;
a curved portion 111c continuously extending from the angular strip portion 111b;
an extended portion 111d continuously extending from the curved portion 111c; and
the flat strip portion 111a attached to the lower surface of the first body portion 107a.