Device for selective plating of electrical contacts for connectors
OwnerVolker von Detteninventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
This invention relates generally to a method and apparatus for electroplating selected portions of a high contact force, high elastic response range pin-receiving and cylindrical electrical contact having a pair of spaced apart cantilever beams which extend forwardly from a base to a pin-receiving end. In accordance with the invention at least one plating cell is provided including a cavity type of enclosure thereof in general matching the outer contour of the lower portion and pin receiving end of the contact whereas plating solution is ejected towards the pin receiving end including at least one conducting device for electric current is provided adjacent to the opposite region of the contact for engaging with thereof whereas electric current is being conducted.
Claims10
An electroplating apparatus comprising:
- an electrolyte reservoir having an electrolyte solution therein;
- a compartment positioned within the reservoir and filled with the electrolyte solution;
- an upper manifold covering and sealing the compartment;
- a plurality of plating cartridges extending upwardly from the upper manifold, each of the plating cartridges terminating with a contact;
- an insulator platen positioned above the compartment and spaced apart therefrom;
- a plurality of contactors fixed to the insulator platen, a lower extremity of each one of the contactors positioned in contact with an upper extremity of one of the contacts;
- an electrolyte recirculation pump engaged with the compartment and enabled for pressurizing the electrolyte solution within the compartment thus forcing the electrolyte solution to rise and flow through the plating cartridges;
- an anode positioned within the electrolyte solution within the compartment;
- and
- a power supply electrically interconnected with the anode and with each of the contactors for providing an electroplating current.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.