WO2004113595A1 - Portable electrolytic marking unit - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to an electrolytic marking unit, comprising a body (2), with supports (5,6) which can be displaced with relation to each other, on which an exchangeable electrolyte reservoir (15,22) is arranged, a marker element (27), a conducting application body (3), a pair of electrodes (17,18) and means (19,21), for connection of the electrodes (17,18) to an independent electrical energy source (20). One (5) of the supports has a manual gripping body operated by the user and a guiding body for the second support (6) such that a relative displacement of the supports (5,6), made by the user, simultaneously causes the wetting of the application body (3), the bringing of the above close to the marking element (27) and a contacting of an electrode (18) with the piece for marking on pressing against a base (12,4) of the body (2).

Description

 Nomad electrolytic marking device.

The present invention is in the field of electrolytic labeling. Its purpose is a portable device for practicing such marking.

It will be recalled that the electrolytic marking consists in its generality of applying against a conductive part to be marked, a marking element such as a stencil, a stencil or the like, which has localized zones allowing the passage of an electric current, and which is previously sprayed with a liquid electrolyte, then circulate an electric current between the electrolyte and the part to be marked.

Apparatuses are known for this purpose mainly comprising a frame supporting a marking head which is arranged overhanging a table for receiving the part to be marked, and which is operable towards the latter. The marking head carries the marking element and of an absorbent and conducting member, consisting of a graphite pad in particular, intended to be soaked with electrolyte prior to the application of the marking head against the part. The apparatus further comprises a control panel associated with means for conveying electrolyte from a remote reserve to the marking head, and to a source generating a related electric current, by means of electrodes, with the marking head on the one hand, and with the part to be marked on the other. The positioning and maneuvering of the marking head towards the workpiece are operated manually or in a motorized manner, being in the latter case controllable from the control panel.

More specifically with regard to the marking head, it is in particular composed of said applicator member which carries a frame for holding the marking element. The applicator member is movable towards the marker element to exert pressure against the latter with a view to its application against the part to be marked. To obtain regular marking notwithstanding the irregularities of the part to be marked, and to preserve the applicator member consisting of a graphite pad, it is frequent to interpose between the latter and the marking element a flexible conductive element , such as a carbon fiber felt, associated with a conductive protective veil.

More specifically still, a first electrode is in relation to the applicator member while a second electrode is in relation to the part to be marked, possibly via the receiving table of the latter.

A problem posed in the field of electrolytic marking lies in the constraint of having to bring the part to be marked towards the apparatus. Indeed, the structure of the abovementioned marking devices does not allow their easy mobility from part to part, due in particular, in addition to their currently complex and massive character and their consequent bulk, difficulties to be overcome with regard to the supply of the electrolyte and a suitable electric current. In addition, the methods of use and operation of such devices customary in the field, and in particular the conditions of delivery of the electric current between the electrolyte and the part to be marked, imply taking into account necessary safety criteria. Finally, the usual operating cycle of these devices and the organization of their resulting structure, make it difficult to give them a nomadic character, that is to say that can be easily worn and used by a user from the move. of the appliance from parts to parts to be marked.

An approach for reducing the complexity of such devices has nevertheless been suggested by the document FR1320740 (ELECTROMARK), which proposes to provide the marking head with a consumable reserve of electrolyte. However, if such a suggestion makes it possible to exempt the apparatus from complex means of supplying the electrolyte to the marking element, it in no way resolves all of the difficulties to be overcome in order to achieve conferring on the apparatus a nomadic character.

It was suggested by the document DE2619978 (HIRSCH) to organize an electrolytic marking device as a portable device capable of being moved to a part to be marked. To this end, the device disclosed comprises a marking head comprising a body supporting the various organs necessary for carrying out electrolytic marking of a part. More particularly, the body supports a marker element and an electrode which is assigned to it, an electrolyte reserve and means for delivering the electrolyte to the marker element for watering, a second electrode assigned to the part to be mark, and means for connecting the electrodes with a source of electrical energy to cause the passage of current between them. The delivery of the electrolyte is carried out from the maintenance of pressure of the body against the part to be marked. This pressure causes the opening of the electrolyte reserve from the application of the second electrode against the part to be marked. More particularly, the electrolyte reserve is closed by the second electrode under the effect of a spring, against the pressure exerted against this electrode by the part to be marked during the marking operation.

It appears from these provisions that the distribution of electrolyte is random, which on the one hand is not desirable with regard to its consumption, and on the other hand does not lead to satisfactory labeling. In addition, the close relationship between the elastic application of the second electrode against the part to be marked and the delivery of the electrolyte to the marking element affects the sustainability of reliable operation of the device. Finally, the displacement of the electrode under the effect of a pressure exerted against the workpiece to be marked is caused concomitantly with the positioning of the device on the workpiece to be marked, with the consequence of a pronounced risk of unsatisfactory marking. The purpose of the present invention is to provide an electrolytic marking device whose structure gives it the ability to be nomadic. It is more particularly targeted by the present invention to provide such a device, the operation of which is long-lasting and reliable, in particular guaranteeing satisfactory marking for each operation, and the organization of which as a portable device takes into account suitable watering of the electrolyte marker element.

The apparatus of the present invention is intended for the electrolytic marking of a conductive part. The invention examined proposes in its entirety to organize the device in a body composed of two support members mounted movable one on the other, on which are respectively loaded the members necessary for electrolytic marking. The maneuvering means usually present in electrolytic marking devices to apply the marker element sprayed with electrolytic against the part to be marked, are means for causing the relative displacement between the two support members. This maneuver, carried out by the user from the gripping of the body, concomitantly causes the selective supply of a dose of electrolyte to an application member and a bringing together of this member towards the marker element, and a setting in contact with the electrodes respectively with the applicator member and the part to be marked

More particularly, the apparatus of the present invention is of the kind allowing them to be brought to the part to be marked, and mainly composed of a body on which is mounted a set of members necessary for the marking operation. These organs include in particular: a) a marking head comprising a marking element to which a first electrode is assigned, b) a reserve of liquid electrolyte and means for delivering the electrolyte to the applicator member for watering the marker element, c) a second electrode assigned to the part to be marked, d) means for connection to a source of electrical energy in relation to said first and second electrodes, to cause the passage of a current between them.

According to the present invention, such a marking device is mainly characterized in that the body is composed of at least two support members which are movable relative to each other, a first of these support members constituting a manual gripping by the user and a guide member for the second support member, on any one of which support members are at least on board said members necessary for the marking operation, the marking head further comprising a member conductor of application of the marking element against the part to be marked. The proposed organization of the apparatus of the present invention aims to allow a displacement of the support members relative to each other, carried out by the user from the gripping and the operation of the corresponding support member . This relative displacement of the support members with respect to each other concomitantly causes:

*) selective delivery of electrolyte to the applicator member, *) bringing the applicator member and the marker element together with a view to applying the latter against the part to be marked,

^* ) bringing any one of the first and second electrodes into contact with the application member and the part to be marked, respectively, resting against a sole of the body, the latter preferably comprising a bottom wall of the body and the frame for holding the marker element.

Such an arrangement of the apparatus of the present invention gives it a nomadic character, in particular thanks to its grip and to its manual manipulation, to the embarkation and to the relative mobility of the abovementioned elements making it up, and to the exclusively relative mobility of the two support members relative to each other. It will be noted that this nomadic nature conferred on the device is achieved by offering reliable and long-lasting operation of the device, a satisfactory marking in particular because of the comfort of use which allows a appropriate, stable and reliable positioning of the marker element at each marking operation, and with a metered, therefore economical, selective delivery of electrolytic for each of these marking operations.

It will also be noted that the delivery of the electric current is notably caused by control means whose maneuver is carried out, according to various variants:

*) or directly by the second support member during its movement, concomitantly with the delivery of the electrolyte and the approximation of the application member to the marking element. In this case and according to a preferred embodiment, the relative mobility of the support members causes the second electrode and the support plane of the sole to be flush with the surface, so that the second electrode is placed in contact with the part. to mark and therefore allows the passage of current from one to the other of the electrodes. It will be noted that according to another variant relating to this case of organization of the control means, these may consist of a contactor carried by any one of the support members and actuated by the other support member during their movement relative.

*) or, in a non-advantageous manner, by the user independently of the relative movement of the support members which it causes, said control means being in this case for example constituted by a contactor operable specifically by the user, this contactor being especially arranged in the vicinity of the source of electrical energy.

It will be noted that the device is preferably equipped with elastic means, in particular a spring, for returning the support members to the rest position relative to each other, these elastic return means being interposed in particular to take up an antagonistic support. against both of the support members. It will be understood that in the device's rest position, at least the passage of current from one to the other of the electrodes is prohibited. The electrolyte reserve is advantageously organized in a consumable reservoir equipped with a delivery head organized as a metering pump by elastic pressure, or the like, provided with a conduit for supplying the electrolyte to the application member. Said delivery head is supported in particular against the first support member, to cause a selective escape of the electrolyte from the reservoir under the effect of the displacement of the second support member. It should be noted however that this organization of the reservoir is cited as an example, and that this metered delivery organization of electrolyte is capable of being arranged differently according to analogous methods without derogating from the rules of the invention set out.

The first and second electrodes are preferably on board the first support member, the first electrode being held plunging in contact with the application member, while the second electrode extends inside the first support member towards the plane of support of the sole against the part to be marked. The second electrode is held, in the device's rest position, at a short distance from said support plane, to be flush with it under the effect of the displacement of the second support member.

It will be noted that the second electrode is preferably connected to the first support member by means of an elastic member, such as a leaf spring for example, to impart an elastic character proper to the contact by flush obtained between the part to be marked and the second electrode when operating the device.

The second electrode is optionally composed of at least two elementary electrodes, to allow it to be brought into certain contact with the part to be marked regardless of its dimensions and conformation, in particular.

The electrical energy source advantageously consists of an autonomous electrical energy source, in particular a battery. The means of connection of the energy source with the electrodes more particularly comprise an electronic card, which is advantageously carried by any of the support members and which is connected to the electrodes and to conductive elements which emerge outside the body, the latter being in particular equipped with connectors for their connection to the electrical energy source.

According to an advantageous embodiment, any one of the source of electrical energy and of the electronic card comprises means for converting a direct current produced by the source of electrical energy into pulse current. These provisions aim in particular to optimize the availability of a power current over a short period by preserving the autonomy of the electric power source. It will be noted that the current delivered is either a direct current and / or an alternating current. It appeared as an indication that an impulse alternating current of the order of 2A under a voltage of 12 V gave satisfactory results.

According to a preferred embodiment, the application member, the electrodes, and the means for bringing the electrodes into contact with the source of electrical energy are carried on the first support member. The electrolyte reserve and the marking element are on board on the second support member, which comprises said sole.

The first support member is advantageously shaped into a manually graspable housing, which envelops the second support member while being provided with at least one internal corridor for guiding the latter.

According to various variants, the orientation orientation of the second support member and the general orientation of extension of the first support member for its manual gripping, are indifferently substantially parallel and or concurrent. According to an exemplary embodiment in which the guide orientation of the second support member and the general orientation of extension of the first support member for its manual gripping are substantially parallel, the second support member is organized in two columns of substantially parallel extension at the base of which is interposed a removable frame for holding the marker element.

The first support member is in turn organized as a cap of the second support member, outside the outlet from which the cap emerges the sole which is advantageously formed by bottom walls of the columns and by the retaining frame.

One of the columns of the second support member advantageously constitutes a receptacle for the electrolyte reserve, an access hatch formed in the body allowing its replacement. The other column, for its part, is for example equipped with said return means which bear against the bottom of the cap. It will be noted that the elastic member of the metering pump of the electrolyte reserve advantageously participates in the means for returning the device to the rest position. It will also be noted that the number and arrangement of the return members of the device in the rest position are in particular determined according to the general conformations of the support members with respect to each other.

It will be understood that for ease of mounting the device, at least any one of the support members may be composed of a plurality of elements integrally and / or elastically assembled together. It will also be noted that the support members are advantageously obtained by molding a plastic material, or even if not are at least covered on their outer face with an insulating coating, in particular to give the device an insulating character with respect to its environment exterior and avoid galvanic corrosion of the various elements participating in the marking head. The present invention will be better understood, and details will be apparent from the description which will be made of exemplary embodiments in relation to the figures of the accompanying sheet, in which:

Fig. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an electrolytic marking apparatus according to a first embodiment of the invention,

Fig.2 is a perspective view of an electrolytic marking apparatus according to a second embodiment of the invention.

In fig.1, a head 1 of electrolytic marking is supported by a body 2 organized in a housing. This marking head 1 is mainly composed of a conductive applicator member 3 and of a marker element consisting of a stencil 27 held on a frame 4. The body 2 is mainly composed of two support members 5 and 6 mounted mobile relative to each other.

A first support member 5, external, is composed of two elements 7 and 8 assembled together to house in a guided manner in translation the second support member 6, internal. When the body 2 is assembled, the first support member 5 almost entirely envelops the second support member 6. The latter 6 is mainly formed by two braced columns 9 and 10, which support the frame 4 for holding the stencil 27 so removable and together with their base, by means of slides such as 11 in particular. The frame 4 for holding the stencil 27 is attached to the second support member 6 so as to be flush with the bottom 12 of the latter, to jointly form a support sole of the device against a part to be marked. The second support member 6 is guided in mobility through the columns 9 and 10, which slide inside corresponding housings 13 and 14 formed in the first support member 5. A first 9 of the columns of the second support member 6 accommodates an electrolyte reservoir 15, while the other column 10 is equipped with a return spring 16, which also bears against the first support member 5. The application member 3 is in turn fixed on the first support member 5, facing the frame 4 for holding the stencil 27, by interlocking for example. The first support member 5 is further equipped with a first electrode 17 plunging towards the application member 3, and a second electrode 18 plunging towards the support sole 4,12 of the device. These electrodes 17 and 18 are in relation to an electronic card 19 supported by the first support member 5, this electronic card 19 itself being in relation to a source of electrical energy 20 by means of conductors 21 emerging outside the body 2, and in particular outside the first support member 5.

It will be understood that in the device's rest position, the applicator member 3 is kept at a distance from the stencil, and the second electrode 18 is kept at a distance from the support sole 4.12 to prevent the passage of the current between the electrodes 17 and 18 notwithstanding their possible power supply, as long as the device is not operated by the user for marking the part. It will also be understood that this rest position is spontaneously maintained by virtue of the return spring 16 which jointly bears against the first 5 and the second 6 support members, and thanks to the elastic member equipping the delivery head 22 of the reservoir 15 electrolyte.

The electrolyte reserve consists of a consumable reservoir 15 equipped with a delivery head 22 organized as a dosing pump, which bears against the first support member 5, spontaneously thanks to the return member with which it is commonly provided. Note the presence at the top of the first support member 5 of a hatch 23 for access to the reservoir 15 of electrolyte for its replacement, against which hatch 23 the delivery head 22 is supported for its operation. The delivery head 22 is equipped with a conduit 24 for bringing the electrolyte to the application member 3, this supply being caused by the effect of a thrust exerted on the delivery head 22, which results from the operation of the device by the user. The electrical energy source 20 notably consists of at least one battery, which delivers a direct current transformed into pulsating alternating current by the electronic card 19.

To operate the marking of the part, the user grasps the device via the first support member 5, which is arranged as a handle, so as to place the support sole 4,12 of the second support member 6 against the piece to be marked.

The device being positioned at the convenience of the user, the latter exerts a thrust on the first support member 5 against the opposing thrust exerted by the return spring 16, with the result that the second support member 6 is retracted towards the interior of the first support member 5. The displacement of the second support member 6 simultaneously causes the delivery and the supply of the electrolyte towards the application member 3, bringing the latter 3 closer against the stencil, and bringing the second electrode 18 into contact with the part to be marked, causing the current to flow.

It will be noted that it is preferable that the stroke of the delivery head 22 is such with regard to that of the second support member 6, that a supply of the electrolyte to the application member 3 is carried out substantially before the pressing the latter 3 against the stencil and bringing the second electrode 18 into contact with the part to be marked. In addition, the organization of the electrolyte reserve in a reservoir 15 with a metering pump 22 allows a delivery of an appropriate quantity of electrolyte to the conductive application member 3, this delivery taking place with certainty at each operation of marking.

We will understand. however, these arrangements for supporting the sole 4.12 against the part to be marked to cause the device to maneuver against a thrust exerted by the user against the first support member are only given by way of example, the means of operation of the device may include a specific member for controlling and / or operating the two support members 5 and 6 relatively to each other.

It will be noted by comparison between the variants respectively represented in FIGS. 1 and 2, that the orientation of the guide of the second support member 6 on the first support member 5 and the general orientation of gripping of the body 2 can be indifferently substantially parallel, as shown in fig.1, or concurrent, as shown in fig.2.

It will be noted that the arrangement of the body and means of mobility exclusively one with respect to the other of the support members which compose it, allows the device to be maneuvered by the user comfortably with one hand.

More precisely in FIG. 2, the handle arrangement of the first support member 5 is limited to a first zone 25 of the latter, while a second zone 26 is formed at the top of the handle 25 to form a guide member specific of the second support member 6, not visible in the figure. The electrolyte reserve 15 is in turn attached to the first support member 5 substantially parallel to the handle 25. It will be understood that beyond these differences, the operation of this device is similar to that shown in fig.1 .

Claims

1.- Apparatus for the electrolytic marking of a conductive part, of the kind of apparatus mainly composed of a body on which a set of organs necessary for the marking operation is loaded, these organs comprising: a) a marking head (1) comprising a marking element (27) to which a first electrode (17) is assigned, b) a reserve (15) of liquid electrolyte and means (22,24) for delivering the electrolyte to the applicator member (3) for the sprinkling of the marker element (27), c) a second electrode (18) assigned to the part to be marked, d) means for connection to a source (20 ) of electrical energy in relation to said first and second electrodes, to cause the passage of a current between them, characterized in that the body (2) is composed of at least two support members (5,6) which are movable relative to each other, a first (5) of these support members constituting a gripping member manual training by the user and a guide member for the second support member (6), on any one of which support members (5,6) are at least the said members necessary for the marking operation, the marking head further comprising a conductive member for applying the marker element against the workpiece, so that a displacement of the support members (5,6) relative to each other effected by the user from the gripping and maneuvering of the corresponding support member (5,6), concomitantly firstly causes a selective delivery of electrolyte to the application member (3), secondly a reconciliation l 'one of the other of the application member (3) and the marker element (27) for the application of the latter against the workpiece, and thirdly the contacting of the '' at least any of the first (17) and second (18) electrodes with the member respectively application (3) and the part to be marked resting against a sole (12,4) of the body (2). 2. An electrolytic marking apparatus according to claim 1, in that it is equipped with return means (16) in the rest position of the support members (5,6) relative to one another, in which position at least the passage of current from one to the other of the electrodes is prohibited. 3.- electrolytic marking apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the electrolyte reserve is organized in a consumable reservoir (15) equipped with a delivery head (22) organized in a metering pump by pressure elastic, provided with a conduit (24) for supplying the electrolyte to the application member (3), said delivery head (22) bearing against the first support member (5) to cause selective escape of the electrolyte out of the reservoir (15) under the effect of its displacement. 4.- electrolytic marking apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, in that the first (17) and second (18) electrodes are embedded on the first support member (5), the first electrode (17) being kept plunging in contact with the application member (3) while the second electrode (18) extends inside the first support member (5) towards the bearing plane of the sole (4,12) against the part to be marked, at a short distance from which support plane the second electrode (18) is kept in the device's rest position to be flush with it under the effect of the displacement of the second support member (6). 5. Electrolytic marking apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second electrode (18) is composed of at least two elementary electrodes to allow it to be brought into certain contact with the part to be marked. 6.- electrolytic marking apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the source (20) of electrical energy is an autonomous source of electrical energy, the means of connection of the latter with the electrodes (17,18) comprising an electronic card (19) carried by any one of the support members (5,6), and connected to the electrodes (17,18) and to conductive elements (21 ) which emerge from the body (2), the latter (21) being fitted with connectors for their connection to the source (20) of electrical energy. 7. An electrolytic marking apparatus according to claim 6 characterized in that any one of the source (20) of electrical energy and of the electronic card (19) comprises means for converting a direct current produced by the source (20) of electrical energy in pulse current, to optimize the availability of a power current over a short period while preserving the autonomy of the source (20) of electrical energy. 8.- electrolytic marking apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the application member (3), the electrodes (17,18), and the means (19,21) for contacting electrodes (17,18) with the source (20) of electrical energy are loaded on the first support member (5) while the reserve (15) of electrolyte and the marking element (27) are loaded on the second support member (6), which comprises said sole (4,12). 9. An electrolytic marking apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first support member (5) forms a manually grippable housing, said housing enveloping the second support member (6) being provided with at least an internal corridor (13,14) for guiding the latter (6). 10.- electrolytic marking apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, in that the guide orientation of the second support member (6) and the general orientation of extension of the first support member (5) for its manual gripping , are indifferently substantially parallel and / or concurrent. 11.- electrolytic marking apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second support member (6) is organized in two columns (9,10) of extension substantially parallel to the base of which a frame is interposed ( 4) removable for holding the marker element (27), while the first support member (5) is organized as a cap of the second support member (6) outside the outlet from which the cap emerges the sole mainly formed by a bottom wall columns (9,10) and the holding frame (4). 12. An electrolytic marking apparatus according to claims 2 and 11, characterized in that one (9) of the columns of the second support member (5) constitutes a receptacle for the reserve (15) of electrolyte, while the another column (10) is equipped with said return means (16), which bear against the bottom of the cap.