PATTERN FORMING DEVICE AND PATTERN FORMING METHOD
A pattern forming device includes a plurality of tanks, and a power supply device. Each of the tanks has an open end having the same shape as a profile shape of a corresponding one of regions of a surface of a workpiece, in which different types of films are to be formed, and stores a corresponding one of electrodeposition solutions used to form the different types of films in a state where the open end is in contact with the surface. The power supply device applies a predetermined voltage to between the workpiece that serves as a first electrode, and each one of second electrodes in the tanks.
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The disclosure of Japanese Patent Application No. 2012-183261 filed on Aug. 22, 2012 including the specification, drawings and abstract, is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a pattern forming device and a pattern forming method each for forming, by electrodeposition, different types of films in corresponding multiple regions of a surface of a workpiece to obtain a predetermined film pattern on the surface of the workpiece from these films.
2. Description of Related Art
In order to reduce frictional resistance on a surface of a metal workpiece, for example, a film of a resin is formed on the surface in some cases. As a method for forming such a film, electrodeposition is known. Specifically, as illustrated in
Further, as illustrated in
In a case where such a film pattern is formed, first, a workpiece and a counter electrode are placed in a tank filled with an electrodeposition solution used to form the first film. Note that a grid mask M1 is disposed on a surface of the workpiece as illustrated in
Similarly, the workpiece, on which the mask has been replaced with a mask M3 (see
As described above, in order to form the different types of films by electrodeposition in the corresponding multiple regions A1 to A9 of the surface of the workpiece to obtain a predetermined film pattern from these films, it is necessary to perform the electrodeposition treatment several times by sequentially placing the workpiece in the tanks respectively filled with the different types of electrodeposition solutions. Further, it is necessary to change the mask used to cover the workpiece every time the treatment is performed. Therefore, the conventional method causes a problem that both the number of man-hours and the product cost increase.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONOne object of the invention is to provide a pattern forming device and a pattern forming method that make it possible to reduce man-hours needed to form different types of films by electrodeposition in corresponding multiple regions of a surface of a workpiece to obtain a predetermined film pattern from these films.
An aspect of the invention relates to a pattern forming device that forms, by electrodeposition, different types of films in corresponding multiple regions of a surface of a workpiece to obtain a predetermined film pattern from the films. The pattern forming device includes: a plurality of tanks each of which has an open end having the same shape as a profile shape of a corresponding one of the regions in which the different types of films are to be formed, and each of which stores a corresponding one of electrodeposition solutions used to form the different types of films in a state where the open end is in contact with the surface; and a power supply device that applies a predetermined voltage to between the workpiece that serves as a first electrode, and each one of second electrodes in the tanks.
The foregoing and further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of example embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like numerals are used to represent like elements and wherein:
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
As shown in
The tanks 11 to 19 are able to store electrodeposition solutions (electrolyte solutions) used to form different types of films, respectively, with the open ends 21 to 29 in contact with the surface F.
In
Although not illustrated, the tanks 11 to 19 may be connected to server tanks via pipes, and the electrodeposition solutions stored in the server tanks may be supplied to the respective tanks 11 to 19 through the pipes.
Further, the pattern forming device includes sealing portions 8 that prevents leakage of the electrodeposition solutions (see
Particularly, in the present embodiment, the multiple regions A1 to A9 formed by partitioning the surface F of the workpiece W include regions adjacent to each other (e.g., A7 and A8). Thus, the tanks corresponding to these regions (the tank 17 and the tank 18, in
Further, in the tanks 11 to 19, second electrodes 31 to 39 are provided as counter electrodes for the first electrode (the workpiece W) (see
The pattern forming device further includes a power supply device 10 (see
Next, description will be provided on a pattern forming method for forming, with the use of the pattern forming device having the aforementioned configuration, different types of films in the corresponding multiple regions A1 to A9 of the surface F of the workpiece W by electrodeposition to obtain a predetermined film pattern from these films. As illustrated in
The electrodeposition solutions L1 to L4 used to form the films S1 to S4 of different types are stored in the corresponding tanks 11 to 19, and a direct-current voltage is applied, by the power supply device 10, to between the workpiece W, which serves as the first electrode, and each of the second electrodes 31 to 39 in the tanks 11 to 19.
By applying the voltage as described above, the films S1 to S4 of different types are formed in the regions A1 to A9 of the surface F of the workpiece W, and the film pattern as illustrated in
Particularly, in the present embodiment, in a state where the prescribed electrodeposition solutions L1 to L4 are stored in the corresponding tanks 11 to 19, a voltage is simultaneously applied to between each of the second electrodes 31 to 39 and the first electrode (the workpiece W). Thus, it is possible to perform electrodeposition on the regions A1 to A9 at the same time, thereby forming the films S1 to S4 of different types at the same time.
In contrast to this, in a conventional technique, as described above with reference to
Note that with regard to the control for the electrodeposition treatment that is performed with the use of the power supply device 10, the control may be executed such that the same condition such as a voltage or a current is achieved in all the tanks 11 to 19, or the control may be executed such that the condition may vary among the tanks 11 to 19. The condition includes at least one of a current, a voltage, and an application time. In order to execute this control, the power supply device 10 includes a controlling portion (not shown) for controlling the condition. The controlling portion is a microcomputer including a CPU and an internal memory.
For example, in the embodiment illustrated in
The pattern forming device according to the invention is not limited to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings, but may be implemented in other embodiments within a scope of the invention. For example, the workpiece W need not have a plate-like shape, but may have a cylindrical or columnar shape. The regions formed by partitioning the surface of the workpiece need not have a rectangular shape, but may have other shapes such as a shape including a curved portion, and the like. The tanks (open ends) may be formed in conformity to profile shapes of these regions.
According to the invention, different types of films are formed by electrodeposition in corresponding multiple regions of a surface of a workpiece to obtain a predetermined film pattern from these films. Therefore, unlike in the conventional technique, masks are no longer necessary. As a result, it is not necessary to change masks, thereby making it possible to reduce man-hours.
Claims
1. A pattern forming device that forms, by electrodeposition, different types of films in corresponding multiple regions of a surface of a workpiece to obtain a predetermined film pattern from the films, the pattern forming device comprising:
- a plurality of tanks each of which has an open end having the same shape as a profile shape of a corresponding one of the regions in which the different types of films are to be formed, and each of which stores a corresponding one of electrodeposition solutions used to form the different types of films in a state where the open end is in contact with the surface; and
- a power supply device that applies a predetermined voltage to between the workpiece that serves as a first electrode, and each one of second electrodes in the tanks.
2. The pattern forming device according to claim 1, wherein the power supply device applies the voltage to between the first electrode and the second electrodes in the tanks at the same time.
3. The pattern forming device according to claim 1, further comprising:
- sealing portions that prevent leakage of the electrodeposition solutions in the tanks from between the surface of the workpiece and the open ends of the tanks in the state where the open ends are in contact with the surface of the workpiece.
4. The pattern forming device according to claim 2, further comprising:
- sealing portions that prevent leakage of the electrodeposition solutions in the tanks from between the surface of the workpiece and the open ends of the tanks in the state where the open ends are in contact with the surface of the workpiece.
5. The pattern forming device according to claim 1, wherein inner wall surfaces of the tanks at least partially serve as the second electrodes.
6. The pattern forming device according to claim 2, wherein inner wall surfaces of the tanks at least partially serve as the second electrodes.
7. The pattern forming device according to claim 3, wherein inner wall surfaces of the tanks at least partially serve as the second electrodes.
8. The pattern forming device according to claim 4, wherein inner wall surfaces of the tanks at least partially serve as the second electrodes.
9. A pattern forming method for forming, by electrodeposition, different types of films in corresponding multiple regions of a surface of a workpiece to obtain a predetermined film pattern from the films, the method characterized by comprising:
- bringing each of a plurality of tanks having an open end having the same shape as a profile shape of a corresponding one of the regions of the surface of the workpiece, in which the different types of films are to be formed, into contact with a corresponding one of the regions;
- storing electrodeposition solutions used to form the different types of films in the corresponding tanks; and
- applying a voltage to between the workpiece that serves as a first electrode, and each one of second electrodes in the tanks.
Type: Application
Filed: Aug 2, 2013
Publication Date: Feb 27, 2014
Applicant: JTEKT CORPORATION (Osaka)
Inventors: Boyko STOIMENOV (Kashiba-shi), Kazuyoshi YAMAKAWA (Nishinomiya-shi), Masahiro SUZUKI (Kashiba-shi), Kazuaki MATSUO (Kashiwara-shi)
Application Number: 13/957,865
International Classification: C25D 5/02 (20060101);