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Title:
ASSISTANCE ANODE FOR PLATING VEHICLES WHEEL
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO/2009/048223
Kind Code:
A1
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a device for eletroplating the surface of a vehicle wheel, and more particularly, to an auxiliary anode for plating a vehicle wheel that can form uniform plating thickness on the entire vehicle wheel by artificially applying current to cavities such as holes formed at a vehicle wheel and can freely change the configuration thereof to variably cope with various shapes of vehicle wheels.

Inventors:
LEE KWANG WOO (KR)
Application Number:
PCT/KR2008/004987
Publication Date:
April 16, 2009
Filing Date:
August 26, 2008
Export Citation:
Click for automatic bibliography generation   Help
Assignee:
LEE KWANG WOO (KR)
International Classes:
C25D17/10
Foreign References:
KR200318708Y12003-07-04
US20020104754A12002-08-08
JP2003342793A2003-12-03
KR200358908Y12004-08-12
KR20060004594A2006-01-12
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
IAM PATENT FIRM (249-2 Seohyeon-dong Bundang-g, Seongnam Gyeonggi-do 463-824, KR)
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Claims:

Claims

[1] An auxiliary anode for plating a vehicle wheel, the auxiliary anode comprising: an anode plate where a plurality of fastening holes is formed to be dispersed; an insertion protrusion that is provided at the center of the anode plate, protrudes from the front surface of the anode plate, and is inserted into a cavity of the vehicle wheel to be plated; a plurality of anode rods that is fixed to a plurality of fastening holes of the anode plate and protrudes from the front surface of the anode plate; outer electrode plates that are fixed to the peripheral portion of the anode plate; and a power connecting lead that is connected to and extends from the anode plate and is used to apply high current to the anode rods and the outer electrode plates, wherein the plurality of anode rods is selectively fixed to the fastening holes formed to be dispersed on the anode plate, so that the positions of the anode rod 130 to be fixed are adjusted in accordance with the change of the shape of the vehicle wheel to be plated.

[2] The auxiliary anode for plating a vehicle wheel according to claim 1, wherein the anode plate includes an outer rim that forms the outer periphery of the anode plate, an inner rim that is spaced apart from the outer rim in a radial direction by a predetermined distance, and a center disk that is formed at the center of the anode plate so as to be spaced apart from the inner rim in the radial direction by a predetermined distance, and the outer rim and the inner rim are connected to each other by connecting portions that extend from the center disk in the radial direction.

[3] The auxiliary anode for plating a vehicle wheel according to claim 1, wherein teeth of which the periphery has grooves having a predetermined depth are continuously formed on the insertion protrusion in a circumferential direction.

[4] The auxiliary anode for plating a vehicle wheel according to claim 1, wherein each of the outer electrode plates includes a fixing part that is fixed to the peripheral portion of the anode plate, and an electrode plate that extends from the fixing part and is bent at a predetermined angle, and a plurality of radius adjusting holes is formed at the fixing part at regular intervals, so that the length of each of the outer electrode plates extending from the peripheral portion of the anode plate is adjusted in the radial direction.

Description:

Description ASSISTANCE ANODE FOR PLATING VEHICLES WHEEL

Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates to a device for eletroplating the surface of a vehicle wheel, and more particularly, to an auxiliary anode for plating a vehicle wheel that can form uniform plating thickness on the entire vehicle wheel by artificially applying current to cavities such as holes formed at a vehicle wheel and can freely change the configuration thereof to variably cope with various shapes of vehicle wheels. Background Art

[2] In general, electroplating is a surface treatment technique using an electrodeposition phenomenon. In the electroplating, an object to be plated is used as a cathode, a plating dissolution member of metal to be deposited is used as an anode, the cathode and the anode are immersed in the electrolyte that contains metal ions to be deposited, and current is applied, so that the metal ions are deposited and coated on the surface of the object by electrolysis.

[3] The eletroplating technique has been widely used for the beautification, enhancement of the abrasion resistance, or prevention of corrosion of the object to be plated. In general, silver, gold, copper, nickel, and the like, which have a low ionization tendency and low reactivity, are generally used as metal used for the electroplating.

[4] Referring to Fig. 1, a general vehicle wheel 1 includes a rim 2 on which a tire is mounted, and a disk 3 that is integrally formed on one side portion of the rim 2 and forms the appearance of the vehicle wheel. The rim has a predetermined width so as to be in close contact with the tire.

[5] The disk 3 including a hub 11 postioned at the central portion of the vehicle wheel 1 is fastened to an axle and has a cavity 11', bolt holes 12 that are formed to be radially disposed around the hub 11 on the front surface of the vehicle wheel, a connection flange 13 that connects the hub 11 and the rim 2. Further, holes (see 14 in Fig. 3) having various shapes are formed at the connection flange 13.

[6] Referring to Fig. 2, the general vehicle wheel 1 having the above-mentioned shape is plated for the purpose of the beautification, enhancement of the abrasion resistance, or prevention of corrosion. In general, plating dissolution members 22 for deposition of plating are provided in a plating bath 21 having an electrolyte therein, the vehicle wheel 1 is immersed, anode power is applied to the plating dissolution members 22, and cathode power is applied to the vehicle wheel 1 that is an object to be plated. Accordingly, metal ions to be deposited by electrolysis are plated on the surface of the vehicle wheel 1.

Disclosure of Invention

Technical Problem

[7] However, according to the above-mentioned technique, since high current is applied to the surface of the disk 3 of the wheel and plating is performed on the surface of the disk with uniform thickness. In contrast, since only low current is applied to the inner surfaces of cavities, such as the bolt holes 12 and the holes 14, the inducing rate of the metal ions is decreased. For this reason, even though plating is performed during the same plating time, plating thickness is formed to be smaller.

[8] Due to the ununiformity of the plating thickness, corrosion is frequently generated at a portion that is plated with a relatively small thickness, and the difference in color is generated over the vehicle wheel. As a result, the quality of the final product significantly deteriorates.

[9] Further, a vehicle wheel is generally plated by two processes, that is, a copper plating process and a nickel plating. There is a problem in that these differences become serious between the surface of the disk 3 where high current is applied and the inner surfaces of the cavities where low current is applied, due to the two plating processes. When wheels are mounted on a vehicle and the vehicle is driven, the difference in plating thickness causes the imbalance of the vehicle, so that fuel efficiency and comfortableness deteriorate.

[10] The working time of the plating process has been lengthened in order to solve the above-mentioned problem. However, the lengthening of the working time causes the surface of the disk, which already has a sufficient plating thickness by the application of high current, to be additionally plated. For this reason, the plating thickness is unnecessarily increased. As a result, there are problems in that productivity deteriorates, the manufacturing cost of the vehicle wheel is increased, and the weight of the vehicle wheel is increased.

[11] When the vehicle wheels are mounted on a vehicle, the weight of the entire vehicle is increased due to the increase of the weight of the vehicle wheel. As a result, there are problems in that performance characteristics, such as fuel efficiency, acceleration performance, and instantaneous acceleration of the vehicle deteriorate. Technical Solution

[12] The present invention has been made to solve in consideration of the above- mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an auxiliary anode for plating a vehicle wheel that can complement and increase plating thickness at portions where low current has been applied in the related art by artificially applying current to cavities of such as holes formed at a vehicle wheel, thereby allowing the entire vehicle wheel to be plated with uniform thickness.

[13] Further, another object of the present invention is to provide an auxiliary anode for plating a vehicle wheel that can freely change the configuration thereof to variably cope with various shapes of vehicle wheels. Therefore, it is possible to improve plating efficiency and productivity per the same working time, to reduce plating cost, and to obtain optimum plating thickness so that the weight of a plated vehicle wheel is minimized, thereby solving problems art that are caused by difference in plating thickness in the related.

[14] In order to achieve the above-mentioned objects, according to an embodiment of the present invention, an auxiliary anode for plating a vehicle wheel includes an anode plate where a plurality of fastening holes is formed to be dispersed; an insertion protrusion that is provided at the center of the anode plate, protrudes from the front surface of the anode plate, and is inserted into a cavity of the vehicle wheel to be plated; a plurality of anode rods that is fixed to a plurality of fastening holes of the anode plate and protrudes from the front surface of the anode plate; outer electrode plates that are fixed to the peripheral portion of the anode plate; and a power connecting lead that is connected to and extends from the anode plate and is used to apply high current to the anode rods and the outer electrode plates. The plurality of anode rods and outer electrode plates is selectively fixed to the fastening holes formed to be dispersed on the anode plate, so that the positions of the anode rods and outer electrode plates to be fixed are adjusted in accordance with the change of the shape of the vehicle wheel to be plated.

[15] The anode plate may include an outer rim that forms the outer periphery of the anode plate, an inner rim that is spaced apart from the outer rim in a radial direction by a predetermined distance, and a center disk that is formed at the center of the anode plate so as to be spaced apart from the inner rim in the radial direction by a predetermined distance. The outer rim and the inner rim may be connected to each other by connecting portions that extend from the center disk in the radial direction.

[16] Teeth of which the periphery has grooves with a predetermined depth may be continuously formed on the insertion protrusion in a circumferential direction.

[17] Each of the outer electrode plates may include a fixing part that is fixed to the peripheral portion of the anode plate, and an electrode plate that extends from the fixing part and is bent at a predetermined angle. A plurality of radius adjusting holes may be formed at the fixing part at regular intervals, so that the length of each of the outer electrode plates extending from the peripheral portion of the anode plate can be adjusted in the radial direction.

Advantageous Effects

[18] As described above, according to the auxiliary anode for plating a vehicle wheel of

the present invention, it is possible to complement and increase plating thickness at portions where low current is to be applied by artificially applying current to cavities of such as holes formed at a vehicle wheel, thereby forming uniform thickness on the entire vehicle wheel. [19] Further, the present invention provides an auxiliary anode for plating a vehicle wheel that can freely change the configuration thereof to variably cope with various shapes of vehicle wheels. Therefore, it is possible to improve plating efficiency and productivity per the same working time, to reduce plating cost, and to obtain optimum plating thickness so that the weight of a plated vehicle wheel is minimized, thereby solving problems art that are caused by difference in plating thickness in the related.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[20] Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of a general vehicle wheel.

[21] Fig. 2 is a schematic view showing the arrangement of a general plating device that is used to electroplate the vehicle wheel shown in Fig. 1.

[22] Fig. 3 is a side view of other examples of vehicle wheels having various shapes.

[23] Fig. 4 is a front perspective view of an auxiliary anode for plating a vehicle wheel according to an embodiment of the present invention. [24] Fig. 5 is a rear perspective view of the auxiliary anode for plating the vehicle wheel shown in Fig. 4. [25] Fig. 6 is a perspective view of an insertion protrusion that is included in the auxiliary anode for plating the vehicle wheel shown in Fig. 4.

[26] Fig. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the insertion protrusion shown in Fig. 6.

[27] Fig. 8 is a perspective view of an outer electrode plate that is included in the auxiliary anode for plating the vehicle wheel shown in Fig. 4. [28] Fig. 9 is a schematic view showing the arrangement of a plating device that is used to electroplate a vehicle wheel and uses the auxiliary anode for plating the vehicle wheel shown in Fig. 4. [29] Fig. 10 is a perspective view showing portions where plating thickness is measured on a vehicle wheel plated by the auxiliary anode for plating the vehicle wheel shown in

Fig. 4.

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention [30] The configuration of an auxiliary anode 100 for plating a vehicle wheel according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to accompanying drawings. Meanwhile, the same structures as those in Figs.

1 to 3 are represented by the same reference numerals and the detailed description thereof will be omitted. [31] Referring to Figs. 4 and 5, the auxiliary anode 100 for plating a vehicle wheel

according to the embodiment of the present invention includes an anode plate 110 where a plurality of fastening holes 114, 114a, 114b, and 114c is formed to be dispersed; an insertion protrusion 120 that is provided at the center of the anode plate 110 and protrudes from the front surface of the anode plate; a plurality of anode rods 130 that is radially disposed around the center of the anode plate 110, fixed to the anode plate, and protrudes from the front surface of the anode plate; outer electrode plates 170 that are fixed to the peripheral portion of the anode plate 110; and a power connecting lead 140 that is connected to and extends from the rear surface of the anode plate 110 and is used to apply high current to the anode rods 130 and outer electrode plates 170.

[32] In this case, a handle 150, which is fitted to the insertion protrusion 120, protrudes from the rear surface of the anode plate 110. Accordingly, when attaching or detaching the auxiliary anode 100 to or from vehicle wheel 1, a user may grip the handle 150.

[33] The anode plate 110 is positioned close to the vehicle wheel (1, see Fig. 5) to which cathode power is applied, and functions to uniformly plate the vehicle wheel 1. The shape of the anode plate 110 is not particularly limited. As long as the anode plate is a plate having an area corresponding to the vehicle wheel 1 so as to be positioned close to the vehicle wheel 1 and uniformly plate the vehicle wheel 1, the anode plate may have any shape. Preferably, the anode plate 110 may be a circular plate corresponding to the circular shape of the vehicle wheel 1. More preferably, the anode plate 110 has the following structure.

[34] Referring to Fig. 4, the anode plate 110 includes an outer rim 111 that forms the outer periphery of the anode plate 110, an inner rim 160 that is spaced apart from the outer rim 111 in a radial direction by a predetermined distance, and a center disk 112 that is formed at the center of the anode plate 110 so as to be spaced apart from the inner rim 160 in a radial direction by a predetermined distance. Further, it is preferable that the outer rim 111 and the inner rim 160 be connected to each other by connecting portions 113 extending from the center disk 112 in the radial direction.

[35] A plurality of fastening holes 114, 114a, 114b, and 114c is formed at the outer rim

111, the inner rim 160, the connecting portions 113, and the center disk 112 of the anode plate 110. The fastening holes 114, 114a, 114b, and 114c are formed at various positions so as to be dispersed on the anode plate 110. The anode rods 130 and the outer electrode plates 170 to be described below are fixed to the fastening holes 114, 114a, 114b, and 114c. The anode rods 130 and the outer electrode plates 170 may be fastened to the anode plate 110 by holes (14a to 14f) that have various shapes and positions and are formed at vehicle wheels (Ia to If) having various shapes shown in Fig. 3. Therefore, the present invention can be applied regardless of the kinds of vehicle wheels.

[36] The fastening holes 114, 114a, 114b, and 114c includes a single fastening hole 114, and fastening holes 114a, 114b, and 114c where single fastening holes 114 communicate with each other. Since the shapes and the number of the fastening holes 114, 114a, 114b, and 114c are merely illustrative, fastening holes having various shapes may be proposed.

[37] However, a plurality of fastening holes is formed at the anode plate 110 in any case, and the scope of the present invention also includes the structure where the positions of the anode rods 130 and outer electrode plates 170 are freely changed using the plurality of dispersed fastening holes in accordance with the shape of the vehicle wheel 1.

[38] The anode plate 110 may be manufactured by press punching, and it is preferable that the anode plate 110 be made of titanium having small weight, high stiffness, and high corrosion resistance.

[39] The insertion protrusion 120 is fixed to the center of the anode plate 110 and protrudes from the front surface thereof. The insertion protrusion is fitted to a cavity 11 of the vehicle wheel 1 to be plated, so that the auxiliary anode 100 for plating a vehicle wheel is aligned with the vehicle wheel 1. General vehicle wheels 1 may have various shapes as shown in Fig. 3, but are the same in that a cavity 11 fitted to an axle is formed.

[40] Referring to Figs. 6 and 7, the insertion protrusion 120 includes a body 123 that includes an upper plate 125 and a lower plate 127, and an intermediate plate 121 of which the outer periphery is surrounded by a rubber ring 122. The insertion protrusion 120 is fitted to the anode plate 110 through the center of the front surface of the anode plate 110, that is, the center disk 112, and is fitted to the handle 150 that protrudes from the rear surface of the anode plate 110.

[41] The insertion protrusion 120 is inserted into the cavity 11 while protruding from the center of the front surface of the anode plate 110. When the handle 150 is rotated in this state, an expanded block 152 formed at the end of a connecting rod 151 connected to the handle expands the intermediate plate 121 in the radial direction and makes the insertion protrusion 120 be pressed against the inner surface of the cavity 11 of the vehicle wheel 1. Referring to Fig. 7, the intermediate plate 121 is partially cut out so as to be expanded or contracted in the radial direction.

[42] However, there is a problem in that the inner surface of the cavity 11 is not satisfactorily plated even though a plating process is performed while the insertion protrusion 120 is pressed against the inner surface of the cavity 11'.

[43] Teeth 129 of which the periphery has grooves with a predetermined depth are continuously formed on the periphery of the insertion protrusion 120, which is included in the auxiliary anode 100 for plating a vehicle wheel according to the embodiment of the present invention, in a circumferential direction.

[44] Accordingly, while the area of the insertion protrusion 120 pressed against the inner surface of the cavity 11 is minimized, a plating solution smoothly flows into the cavity through the grooves that have a predetermined depth and are formed on the teeth 129. Therefore, the inner surface of the cavity 11' can be uniformly plated.

[45] The shape of each of the teeth 129 or the depth of the groove of the teeth 129 is not particularly limited. As long as the inner surface of the cavity 11 is uniformly plated by minimizing the area of the insertion protrusion 120 pressed against the inner surface of the cavity 11', the teeth may have any shape and depth of the groove in any case.

[46] Returning to Figs. 4 and 5, each of the anode rods 130 is made of titanium, and includes a fastening part 131 having a thread 131a and an electrode part 132 integrally extending from the fastening part 131. It is preferable that the outer surface of the electrode part 132 be coated with iridium for the purpose of current conduction, corrosion prevention, life prolongation, and the like.

[47] If the electrode part 132 of the anode rod 130 is coated with iridium, the melting point of the electrode part rises to about 2447 C. Accordingly, the electrode part is not easily melted, so that it is possible to prevent the damage and breakage of the electrode part 132.

[48] Further, since the length of the fastening part 131 of the anode rod 130 may be adjusted in accordance with the adjustment of the pitch of the thread, it is possible to adjust the length of a protruding portion of the anode rod 130. Therefore, it is possible to appropriately cope with the depth of each of bolt holes 12 formed at vehicle wheels 1 that have various shapes and are shown in Fig. 3.

[49] The anode rods 130 may be fixed to the anode plate at various positions by using the plurality of fastening holes 114, 114a, 114b, and 114c dispersed on the anode plate 110, according to user's selection. Accordingly, the positions of the anode rods 130 to be fixed may be adjusted in accordance with the change of the shape of the vehicle wheel 1 to be plated, so that it is possible to plate various vehicle wheels 1.

[50] The power connecting lead 140 is connected to the rear surface of the anode plate

110, and is used to apply anode power to the anode plate 110. High current may be applied to the anode rod 130 and outer electrode plates 170, which will be described below, through the power connecting lead 140. The power connecting lead 140 is formed to have an appropriate length so that the power connecting lead is exposed to the outside during the plating process.

[51] As described above, the handle 150 is fixed to the insertion protrusion 120 and protrudes from the rear surface of the anode plate 110. Accordingly, while gripping the handle 150, and a user fixes the auxiliary anode 100 for plating a vehicle wheel according to the present invention to a vehicle wheel 1. A principle where the vehicle wheel 1 presses the insertion protrusion 120 against the cavity 11 through the rotation

of the handle 150 has been already described.

[52] As described above, the inner rim 160 is formed between the outer rim 111 and the center disk 112 of the anode plate 110 so as to be connected to the outer rim and the center disk by the connecting portions 113. This allows the auxiliary anode to appropriately cope with various shapes of the vehicle wheels. However, the inner rim 160 is merely illustrative. Accordingly, in any case, the scope of the present invention includes rims having various shapes, which are provided between the center disk 112 and the outer rim 111 forming the outer periphery of the anode plate 110 so as to cope with the various shapes of the vehicle wheels.

[53] The outer electrode plates 170 are fixed to the peripheral portion of the anode plate

110 and function to apply high current for the purpose of the uniform plating of the vehicle wheel like the anode rods 130. In addition, when the anode plate 110 approaches the vehicle wheel 1, the outer electrode plates 170 make the anode plate 110 be aligned with the vehicle wheel 1 at a predetermined position while being in contact with the inner surface of an outer rim 2 of the vehicle wheel 1.

[54] Referring to Fig. 8, each of the outer electrode plates 170 includes a fixing part 172 that is fixed to the peripheral portion of the anode plate 110, and an electrode plate 171 that extends from the fixing part 172 and is bent at a predetermined angle.

[55] A plurality of radius adjusting holes 173 is formed at the fixing part 172 at regular intervals, so that the length of each of the outer electrode plates 170 extending from the peripheral portion of the anode plate 110 can be adjusted in the radial direction. Since being merely illustrative, the shapes and the number of the radius adjusting holes 173 shown in Fig. 8 may be modified in various ways. In any case, the scope of the present invention includes the structure where the outer electrode plate is fixed to the anode plate by the fastening hole 114 formed at the anode plate 110 and the plurality of radius adjusting holes is formed to adjust the length of the outer electrode plate 170 in the radial direction.

[56] The operation of the plating of the vehicle wheel 1, which is performed by the auxiliary anode 100 for plating a vehicle wheel according to the embodiment of the present invention, will be described below with reference to Fig. 9.

[57] The auxiliary anode 100 according to the present invention is fixed to an inner portion of the rim 2 of the vehicle wheel 1. A user inserts the insertion protrusion 120, which protrudes from the center of the front surface of the anode plate 110, into the cavity 11 formed at a hub 11 on the rear side of the vehicle wheel 1. Then, the user rotates the handle 150 to expand the insertion protrusion 120 in the radial direction, so that the insertion protrusion 120 is pressed against the inner surface of the cavity 11'. Accordingly, auxiliary anode 100 is fixed to the vehicle wheel 1.

[58] In this case, the plurality of anode rods 130 and outer electrode plates 170, which are

positioned to be dispersed on the front surface of the anode plate 110, are inserted into the bolt holes 12 and a plurality of holes 14 that are cavities of the vehicle wheel 1.

[59] While being fixed to the vehicle wheel 1 as described above, the auxiliary anode 100 is immersed in a plating bath 21 having an electrolyte therein so as to be positioned between plating dissolution members 22 immersed in the plating bath 21. Anode power is applied to the plating dissolution members 22.

[60] Cathode power is applied to the vehicle wheel 1 that is an object to be plated and an anode power source is connected to the power connecting lead 140 of the auxiliary anode 100 that is fixed to the anode plate 110 and exposed to the outside of the plating bath 21, so that anode power is applied to the anode rods 130 and the outer electrode plates 170 through the power connecting lead 140.

[61] While power is applied, metal ions for plating are deposited by electrolysis in the plating bath 21 and the deposited metal ions are plated with uniform thickness on the vehicle wheel 1 where cathode power is applied.

[62] In this case, while high current is applied to the rim 2 and a disk 3 of the vehicle wheel 1, the deposited metal ions form a plated layer. Further, high current is applied to the inner surfaces of the bolt holes 12 and the holes 14 of the vehicle wheel 1 into which the anode rods 130 and the outer electrode plates 170 are inserted, through the anode rods 130 and the outer electrode plates 170. Accordingly, metal ions are deposited, so that a plated layer is formed like on the rim 2 and the disk 3.

[63] Furthermore, since a plating solution smoothly flows into the grooves of the teeth

129 that are formed on the periphery of the insertion protrusion 120, a uniform plating layer is formed on the inner surface of the cavity 11'.

[64] In addition, a process for plating a vehicle wheel is generally performed by two processes, that is, a copper plating process and a nickel plating process. If the auxiliary anode 100 according to the present invention is used to perform the copper plating process and the nickel plating process, it is possible to reliably solve the ununiformity of plating thickness, which is caused by low current applied to cavities of a wheel in the related art, by supplying high current.

[65] Further, since the plating thickness is increased on the inner surfaces of the bolt holes

12 and the holes 14 of the vehicle wheel that are portions of the wheel corresponding to low current in the related art, it is possible to simultaneously form a layer having a uniform thickness on the entire surface of the vehicle wheel 1, to improve plating quality, to reduce plating thickness, time, and cost per the same plating time, and to improve productivity.

[66] Accordingly, it is possible to complement and increase the plating thickness at the bolt holes 12 and the holes 14 of the vehicle wheel 1 where plating thickness is small and corrosion begins to occur in the related art, and to solve problems of vehicle

imbalance and the deterioration of fuel efficiency and comfortableness that may be caused by the difference in plating thickness of the wheel. Further, the auxiliary anode 100 according to the present invention may be used for a long time without concerns of oxidization, corrosion, and breakage during the plating. Furthermore, the auxiliary anode may be manufactured at low cost and conveniently used.

[67] The actual experimental results of the auxiliary anode 100 for plating a vehicle wheel according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to Fig. 10 and experimental data.

[68] In Fig. 10, Four specific positions a, b, c, and d, which include a position close to the cavity 11 on the surface of the disk 3 of the vehicle wheel 1 and a position on the inner surface of the hole 14, were selected and plating thickness was measured at each of the positions.

[69] The following Tables 1 and 2 show plating thickness, which is formed by nickel or copper plating, at each of the positions. [70] Table 1 [Table 1] [Table ]

[71] [72] Table 2

[Table 2] [Table ]

[73] [74] A unit used in Tables 1 and 2 is micrometer (mm), and a deviation means a deviation between the average plating thickness on the surface of the disk and the plating thickness on the inner surface of the hole. As described above, the plating in the related art means plating that is performed without using a separate auxiliary anode 100 as shown in Fig. 2.

[75] Referring to Table 1, when nickel plating was performed in the related art, the deviation between the average plating thickness on the surface of the disk and the plating thickness on the inner surface of the hole exceeded 80%. Accordingly, it could be seen that plating was very ununiform. The reason for this is that high current is applied to the surface of the disk but low current is applied to the inner surface of the hole.

[76] In contrast, when the auxiliary anode 100 according to the present invention is used, high current can be also applied to the inner surface of the hole through the anode rods 130 and the outer electrode plates 170. Therefore, it can be seen that the entire deviation is 20% and very uniform plating thickness is formed.

[77] Referring to Table 2, when copper plating was performed in the related art, the deviation between the plating thickness on the surface of the disk and the plating thickness on the inner surface of the hole also exceeded 80%. Accordingly, it could be seen that plating was very ununiform.

[78] In contrast, when the auxiliary anode 100 according to the present invention is used,

high current can be also applied to the inner surface of the hole through the anode rods 130 and the outer electrode plates 170, so that the entire deviation is 55% and higher than nickel relatively. However, it can be seen that very uniform plating thickness is formed as compared to the related art.

[79] Referring to the following Table 3, it can be seen that the present invention is improved as compared to the related art. [80] Table 3 [Table 3] [Table ]

[81] [82] The plating thickness in Table 3 means the plating thickness on the inner surface of the hole 14 where low current is applied in the related art. As shown in Table 3, the plating thickness on the inner surface of the hole 14 where low current was applied in the related art was less than 10 mm. Imbalance was very large in plating thickness at portions where low and high current were applied. However, when the auxiliary anode 100 according to the present invention was used, the plating thickness was 10 mm or more. Therefore, it was possible to obtain uniform plating thickness over the entire surface.