Device and method for electroplating

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for the electrolytic coating of a structured or full-surface base layer ( 9 ) on a surface of a substrate ( 7 ), which comprises at least one electrolyte bath ( 3 ) having at least one rotatably mounted roller ( 2 ) connectable as a cathode, which contacts the base layer ( 9 ) during the electrolytic coating, the base layer ( 9 ) being covered by an electrolyte solution ( 5 ) contained in the electrolyte bath ( 3 ) and being moved relative to the at least one roller ( 2 ) during the coating. The at least one roller ( 2 ) connectable as a cathode is connected cathodically during the contact with the base layer ( 9 ) and is connected neutrally or anodically as soon as there is no contact with the base layer ( 9 ). The invention furthermore relates to a method for the electrolytic coating of a structured or full-surface base layer ( 9 ) on a surface of a substrate ( 7 ), the base layer ( 9 ) being surrounded by an electrolyte solution ( 5 ) and being contacted by at least one roller ( 2 ) connectable as a cathode. The roller ( 2 ) connectable as a cathode is connected cathodically when it contacts the base layer ( 9 ) and is connected neutrally or anodically as soon as there is no contact with the base layer ( 9 ).

1 .- 15 . (canceled) 
   
   
       16 . A device for the electrolytic coating of a structured or full-surface base layer ( 9 ) on a surface of a substrate ( 7 ), which comprises at least one electrolyte bath ( 3 ) having at least one rotatably mounted roller ( 2 ) connectable as a cathode, which contacts the base layer ( 9 ) during the electrolytic coating, the base layer ( 9 ) being covered by an electrolyte solution ( 5 ) contained in the electrolyte bath ( 3 ) and being moved relative to the at least one roller ( 2 ) during the coating, wherein the at least one roller ( 2 ) connectable as a cathode is connectable cathodically during the contact with the base layer ( 9 ) and is connectable neutrally or anodically as soon as there is no contact with the base layer ( 9 ), wherein the rollers ( 2 ) are enclosed by shielding ( 21 ) which substantially prevents electrolyte solution ( 5 ) from being delivered onto the surface of the rollers ( 2 ), wherein a gap is formed between the shielding ( 21 ) and the surface of the substrate ( 7 ), and wherein the gap between the shielding ( 21 ) and the surface of the substrate ( 7 ) is sealed by a roller having a resilient surface. 
   
   
       17 . The device as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the at least one roller ( 2 ) connectable as a cathode is held statically in the electrolyte bath ( 3 ), while the substrate ( 7 ) with the base layer ( 9 ) is transported through the electrolyte bath ( 3 ). 
   
   
       18 . The device as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein at least two rollers ( 2 ) connectable as a cathode are connected in series in the electrolyte bath ( 3 ). 
   
   
       19 . The device as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein an anode ( 29 ) is held between the shieldings ( 21 ) of two rollers ( 2 ) connectable as a cathode. 
   
   
       20 . The device as claimed in  claim 19 , wherein the anode ( 29 ) is designed as a grid anode. 
   
   
       21 . The device as claimed in  claim 19 , wherein electrolyte solution can be delivered between two shieldings ( 21 ) in the region of the anode ( 29 ). 
   
   
       22 . The device as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the electricity supply to the rollers ( 2 ) connectable as a cathode takes place through sliding contacts ( 19 ). 
   
   
       23 . The device as claimed in  claim 22 , wherein the rollers ( 2 ) connectable as a cathode are pressed against the sliding contacts ( 19 ) by the substrate ( 7 ). 
   
   
       24 . The device as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein two rollers ( 2 ) respectively face one another, and the substrate ( 7 ) is fed through between them so that a base layer ( 9 ) on the upper side ( 11 ) and on the lower side ( 13 ) of the substrate ( 7 ) can be coated simultaneously. 
   
   
       25 . The device as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein a transport device, by which the substrate ( 7 ) is transported along the rollers ( 2 ), faces the rollers ( 2 ). 
   
   
       26 . The device as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the rollers ( 2 ) connectable as a cathode are arranged on the circumference of a rotating shaft ( 41 ). 
   
   
       27 . The device as claimed in  claim 26 , wherein the rotating shaft ( 41 ) is designed as a hollow shaft, in which at least one anode ( 43 ) is arranged. 
   
   
       28 . A method for the electrolytic coating of a structured or full-surface base layer ( 9 ) on a surface of a substrate ( 7 ), the base layer ( 9 ) being surrounded by an electrolyte solution ( 5 ) and being contacted by at least one roller ( 2 ) connectable as a cathode, wherein the roller ( 2 ) connectable as a cathode is connected cathodically when it contacts the base layer ( 9 ) and/or the substrate ( 7 ) and is connected neutrally or anodically in order to remove material deposited thereon as soon as there is no contact with the base layer ( 9 ) and/or the substrate ( 7 ). 
   
   
       29 . The method as claimed in  claim 28 , wherein after a first electrolytic coating process, the substrate ( 7 ) is rotated about an axis perpendicular to the surface to be coated, and subsequently passes through an electrolytic coating process again. 
   
   
       30 . The device as claimed in  claim 16  for producing conductor tracks on printed circuit boards, RFID antennas, transponder antennas or other antenna structures, chip card modules, flat cables, seat heaters, foil conductors, conductor tracks in solar cells or in LCD/plasma screens, for producing decorative or functional surfaces on products, which are used for shielding electromagnetic radiation, for thermal conduction or as packaging, or for producing electrolytically coated products in any form. 
   
   
       31 . The method as claimed in  claim 28  for producing conductor tracks on printed circuit boards, RFID antennas, transponder antennas or other antenna structures, chip card modules, flat cables, seat heaters, foil conductors, conductor tracks in solar cells or in LCD/plasma screens, for producing decorative or functional surfaces on products, which are used for shielding electromagnetic radiation, for thermal conduction or as packaging, or for producing electrolytically coated products in any form.