FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates to electrode plates used in electrolysis cells, and more particularly to insulator elements for spacing adjacent electrode plates from each other in an electrolysis cell. The present disclosure further concerns an electrode plate equipped with such an insulator element and an electrolysis cell having such electrode plates.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

In electrolysis cells for electrodeposition of metals, electrode plates, i.e. anodes and cathodes alternatingly, are typically suspended in the cell holding an electrolyte such that the electrode plates are spaced apart from each other. During transport or operation, for example due to internal stresses or insertion and removal of the electrode plates, the electrode plates may become deformed to the extent that adjacent electrode plate may become too close to each other, risking short-cutting the associated electrical circuit. To prevent this, insulator elements are often provided on at least some of the electrode plates. Typically, insulator elements are provided on anode plates, as the cathode plate a periodically removed from the electrolysis cell for removal of the deposited metal, most often copper or zinc. Industrial electrolysis cells often hold dozens of both anode and cathodes plates

Commonly, insulator elements have been provided as pieces of non-conducting material attached to the electrode plates by securing them with a pin. This requires both the electrode plate and the insulator element to be provided with a hole enabling the pin to be inserted therethrough. While having proved a reliable way of securing the insulator elements to the electrode plates, the task of inserting the pins is slow and laborious.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

An object of the present disclosure is to provide an insulator element enabling fast and reliable attachment of thereof to an electrode plate. It is an additional object of the present disclosure to provide an electrode plate equipped with such an insulator element, and an electrolysis cell having such electrode plates.

The objects of the disclosure are achieved by an insulator element, electrode plate and electrolysis cell which are characterized by what is stated in the independent claims. The preferred embodiments of the disclosure are disclosed in the respective dependent claims. The disclosure is based on the idea of providing the insulator element with a groove for receiving an edge portion of the electrode plate, wherein the groove being further equipped with at least one locking stud that resiliently extends from at least one opposite side of the groove towards the other, for engaging a corresponding recess on the electrode plate.

An advantage of the solutions according to the disclosure is that a quick clip-on -type attachment of the insulator element to the electrode plate is achieved simply by pushing the insulator element into place on the electrode plate, without the need for any tools.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the following the disclosure will be described in greater detail by means of preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which

Fig. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an insulator element according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

Fig. 2 illustrates an alternative perspective view of an insulator element according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

Fig. 3 illustrates a cut view of an insulator element according to an embodiment of the present disclosure

Fig. 4 illustrates an alternative cut view of an insulator element according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and

Fig. 5 illustrates schematically a cut view of an electrolysis cell having electrode plates spaced equipped with an insulator element according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, space apart from other electrode plates.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURECLAIMS

According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, an insulator element 1 for spacing adjacent electrode plates from each other is provided. The insulator element is at least partially of electrically non-conductive material. Suitably, the insulator element is wholly of a non-conductive material.

The insulator element comprises an engaging portion 2 and a spacing portion 3. The engaging portion 2 has a longitudinal groove 2a for receiving an edge portion 4a of an electrode plate 4. Most suitably, the groove 2a is dimensioned such that the electrode plate 4 received therein is tightly fitted, i.e. the width of the groove 2a conforms the thickness of the electrode plate 4. The spacing portion 3, in turn is arranged adjacent to the engaging portion 2 and extends from the engaging portion 2 towards a direction opposite to an opening direction of the groove 2a. The spacing portion 3 and the engaging portion 2 are further configured such that the insulator element spaces electrode plates 4 from each other by the spacing portion 3 extending from an associated electrode plate towards at least an adjacent electrode plate, when in use.

Moreover, the spacing 3 portion has a width defined in a direction between opposite sides of the groove 2a, said width of the spacing portion 3 being greater than that of the groove 2a. Preferably, the width of the spacing portion 3 does not exceed an intended spacing distance between adjacent electrode plates within an associated electrolysis cell.

Particularly, the groove 2a is equipped with at least one locking stud 5 resiliently extending from at least one opposite side 2a’; 2a” of the groove 2a towards the other 2a”; 2a’, for engaging a corresponding recess 4b on the electrode plate 4.

As the locking stud extends resiliently, it may slightly deform in an opposite direction thus enabling the insulator element to be pushed onto an edge portion of the electrode plate, the locking stud 5 then returning into its original shape when it is received within the corresponding recess 4b on the electrode plate, thereby securing the insulator element to the electrode plate 4.

In an embodiment according to the first aspect of the present disclosure, the insulator element 1 may comprising at least two locking studs 5 spaced form each other in the longitudinal direction. In addition to improved attachment, this ensures, that the insulator element may not pivot about a single locking stud.

In another embodiment according to the first aspect of the present disclosure, the insulator element 1 may comprise a pair of locking studs 5 extending from a side 2a’; 2a” of the groove 2 towards a respective opposing side 2a”; 2a’ of the groove 2a, said locking studs 5 being on opposite sides 2a’; 2a” of the groove 2a.

Suitably, the insulator element 1 comprises a pair of opposing locking studs 5 extending from respectively opposing sides 2a’; 2a” of the groove 2 towards each other. I.e. the opposing locking studs are aligned with respect to each other. As a result, the recess 4b on the electrode plate 4 may be engaged by two studs 5 from opposing sides. This enables as much as possible of the corresponding recess 4b on the electrode plate 4 to engage with the locking studs 5, while decreasing the required resiliency of the locking studs for enabling the insulator element to be pushed in place. That is, the locking studs 5 need to deform less, namely a distance corresponding to a half of the electrode plate’s 4 thickness, when attaching the insulator element 1 on the electrode plate 4, while the recess 4b may still engage the locking studs along its whole depth. As a result, the resiliency of the locking studs may be decreased, thus resulting in a more secure attachment.

Preferably, but not necessarily, the insulator element 1 may comprise at least two pairs of such opposing locking studs 5, spaced form each other in the longitudinal direction. In addition to improved attachment, this ensures, that the insulator element may not pivot about a single pair of locking studs 5.

Preferably, but not necessarily, and regardless of the used configuration of the locking stud(s) 5 discussed above, at least one locking stud 5 has a bevelled edge 5a opening towards the opening direction of the groove 2a. Suitably, each locking stud 5 has a bevelled edge 5a opening towards the opening direction of the groove 2a. This further facilitates the attachment of the insulator element to the electrode plate 4 by pushing the insulator element 1 over an edge portion 4b of the electrode plate 4, as the step-like transition of the locking stud 5 towards the opening direction of the groove 2a is eliminated. Consequently, the risk of damaging the locking stud and/or insulator element during attachment decreases, thereby ensuring an even more secure attachment. Simultaneously, as less force is required for attaching the insulator element 1 , the process of attachment becomes faster.

In still another embodiment according to the first aspect of the present disclosure, at least a section of the at least one opposite side 2a’; 2a” of the groove 2 is provided as a resilient tab 6 comprising the at least one locking stud 5. Providing such a tab 6 enables locally increasing the resiliency thereof in the width direction of the groove 2a, and in particular the resiliency of the locking stud 5 on the tab 6, while maintaining a more rigid structure for the remaining groove 2a, which is supported against the electrode plate 4, when in use. Moreover, such an arrangement achieves these advantages while still enabling a one- piece structure of the insulator element 1 .

Preferably, but not necessarily, the resilient tab 6 is separated in the longitudinal direction from the remaining at least one opposite side 2a’, 2a” of the groove 2a. That is, a narrow gap may be arranged between such a tab 6 and the associated side 2a’, 2a” of the groove 2a, in which case the tab 6 would be attached to the remaining insulator element 1 only at the bottom of the groove 2a.

More preferably, but not necessarily, the engaging portion 2 is longitudinally divided at least into two lateral sections 2b, and two intermediate sections 2d, such that the intermediate sections 2d reside between the lateral sections 2b. Each of these sections 2b, 2d are separated in the longitudinal direction from an adjacent section, i.e. a small gap resides therebetween. Moreover, each intermediate 2d section forms a resilient tab 6 comprising a locking stud 5, or a pair of opposing locking studs 5. Suitably, the bottom of the groove 2a is open towards an inside of the spacing portion 3 at the intermediate 2d sections, thus increasing the resiliency of the locking stud 5 provided on the intermediate 2d section. Suitably, the bottom of the groove 2a is closed at the lateral sections 2b, thus increasing the structural rigidity of the groove 2a thereat.

Most preferably, but not necessarily, the engaging portion 2 is further longitudinally divided into a central section 2c such that the central section 2c resides between the intermediate sections 2d. Again, each section 2b, 2c, 2d is separated in the longitudinal direction from an adjacent section. Suitably, also the bottom of the groove 2a is closed at the central section 2c, thus increasing the structural rigidity of the groove 2a thereat.

In another embodiment according to the first aspect of the present disclosure, the groove 2a comprises a stopper element 7 for abutting against an edge of an electrode plate 4, when in use. Such a stopper element 7 prevents the insulator element 1 from being pushed too far over the electrode plate 4, and consequently the locking studs 5 from being disengaged with the associated recess 4b. Suitably, such a stopper element 7 is arranged so that it delimits the movement of the insulator element 1 n the opening direction of the groove 2a up to position in which the locking studs 5 are engaged with their associated recesses.

Preferably, but not necessarily, the stopper element 7 is provided as a base surface of the groove 2a.

In another embodiment according to the first aspect of the present disclosure, the spacing portion 3 has an inclined outer surface 3a such that the width of the spacing portion 3 increases along the longitudinal direction of the insulator element 1 from both longitudinally delimiting edges 3b of the spacing portion towards a longitudinal centre of the spacing portion 3.

This facilitates insertion and removal in the longitudinal direction of electrode plates from an electrolysis cell having a plurality of electrode plates 4, as step-like transitions of the insulator element 1 , against which electrode plate 4 may get stuck during removal or insertion, are eliminated. More particularly, when cathode plates 9 are periodically removed and replaced with new ones, inclined outer surface 3a of the spacing portion 3 facilitates insertion of the new cathode plates 9 by helping them centre and align between the anodes plates 4 holding the insulator elements 1 . In yet another embodiment according to the first aspect of the present disclosure, the width of the spacing portion 3 is 40-80mm, preferably, 45-65mm, more preferably 50-60mm. Such dimensions have been proven suitable for typical electrolysis cell applications such as electrodeposition of copper and zinc.

In a further embodiment according to the first aspect of the present disclosure, the insulator element 1 is formed symmetrical along a longitudinal plane parallel with the groove 2a and extending along a middle thereof. This enables the same insulator element 1 to be used on both sides of the electrode plate 4.

In a still a further embodiment according to the first aspect of the present disclosure, the insulator element 1 is formed symmetrical along an axis extending in the opening direction of the groove (2a) through a middle point of the insulator element 1 . This facilitates attachment of the insulator element 1 to the electrode plate, as the insulator element 1 may be fitted in either orientation.

In another embodiment according to the first aspect of the present disclosure, the insulator element 1 is formed as a single piece, for example by injection moulding.

It should be noted, that the first aspect of the present disclosure encompasses any combination of one or more embodiments discussed above, including any variants thereof, in accordance with the appended Claims.

According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, an electrode plate 4 is provided.

Particularly, the electrode plate comprises an insulator element 1 according to the first aspect of the present disclosure.

The electrode plate 4 comprises at least a number of recesses 4b for attaching the insulator element 1 to the electrode plate 4. Moreover, the number of recesses 4b corresponds at least to the number of locking studs 5, or pairs of opposing locking studs 5, of the insulator element 1 . Suitably, such recess 4 are provided as through holes.

Particularly, the insulator element 1 is attached to the electrode plate 4 by the locking stud 5 being inserted into the recess 4b.

Naturally, the electrode plate 4 may comprise more than one insulator element 1 , in which case, the number of recesses 4 would be correspondingly increased.

In an embodiment according to the second aspect of the present disclosure, the recesses 4b are arranged at a distance from an edge of the electrode plate 4, said distance corresponding to a distance between the locking studs 5 and a stopper element 7 of the groove 2a for abutting against an edge of an electrode plate 4, when in use. Suitably, the stopping element 7 is provided as a base surface e of the groove 2a.

In another embodiment according to the second aspect of the present disclosure, the electrode plate 4 comprises at least a number of recesses 4b for attaching the insulator element 1 to the electrode plate 4, said number of recesses 4b corresponding to twice the number of locking studs 5, or pairs of opposing locking studs 5, of the insulator element 1 . Moreover, the recesses 4b are arranged in two groups of equal number, each group being arranged at a distance from opposing edges of the electrode plate 4. This distance then corresponding to the distance between the locking studs 5 and a stopper element 7 of the groove 2a for abutting against an edge of an electrode plate 4, when in use.

Suitably, the stopping element 7 is provided as a base surface e of the groove 2a.

Such an arrangement enables insulator elements 1 being attached to the electrode plate 4 at opposite sides thereof. Naturally, more than two insulator elements 1 may be provided, in which case the number of recesses 4 and the number of groups are increased accordingly.

It should be noted that the second aspect of the present disclosure encompasses any combination of one or more embodiments discussed above, including any variants thereof, in accordance with the appended Claims.

According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, an electrolysis cell 8 is provided. The electrolysis cell comprises a plurality of anode plates 4, provided as electrode plates 4 according to the second aspect of the present disclosure, and a plurality of cathode plates 9.

The electrolysis cell 8 further comprises a container 10 for holding an electrolyte 10a, and for at least partially receiving the anode plates 4 and the cathode plates 9.

The electrolysis cell 8 further comprises a suspension arrangement 1 1 for suspending the anode plates 4 and the cathode plates 9 in a mutually alternating order so as to be at least partially submerged in the electrolyte 10a within the container 10, when in use.

The insulator element 1 is arranged such that the spacing portion 3 extends from an associated anode plate 4 towards and adjacent cathode plate 9 for a distance corresponding to a minimum spacing distance between adjacent anode plates 4 and cathode plate 9. This minimum spacing distance is typically defined as the minimum distance between adjacent electrode plates at which the electrolysis cell can be operated without risking short-circuiting. Operating at the minimum spacing distance is typically a result of the electrode plates being deformed as a result of normal operation. Preferably, but not necessarily, the width of the spacing portion 3 is arranged to be no more than a predetermined nominal spacing distance between successive anode plates 4.

Fig. 1 illustrates an insulator element 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Particularly, Fig. 1 illustrates the insulator element 1 as seen from a side of the spacing portion 3 as a perspective view.

Fig. 1 shows the insulator element 1 having a spacing portion 3 and an engaging portion 2 adjacent to it.

The spacing portion 3 is formed of a hollow shell having an inclined outer surface 3a, the width of which increases from longitudinally delimiting edges 3b of the spacing portion towards the longitudinal centre of the spacing portion. Moreover, an inner strut is provided extending in the width direction within the hollow inside of the spacing portion.

Fig. 2 illustrates the insulator element 1 of Fig. 1 as seen from a side of the engaging portion 2 as a perspective view. Particularly, Fig. 2 shows a groove 2a extending in a longitudinal direction. Moreover, the engaging portion 2 divided into two lateral sections 2b, two intermediate sections 2d between the lateral sections 2b, and a central section 2c between the intermediate sections. These sections are separated from each other in the longitudinal direction by narrow gaps therebetween. The intermediate sections 2d constitute tabs 6, comprising locking studs 5 (not shown in Fig. 2).

As can be seen, the spacing portion 3 extends from the engaging portion 2 in a direction away from the opening direction of the groove 2a. Moreover, the spacing portion 3 has a width greater than that of the groove 2a, and also the engaging portion 2.

A stopper element 7 has been provided as a bottom surface of the groove 2a.

Fig. 3 illustrates the insulator element 1 of Fig. 1 as a cut view along a longitudinally extending centre plane of the insulator element 1 parallel with the electrode plate 4, attached to an electrode plate 4. As can be seen, the tabs 6 comprise locking studs 5, which are received within corresponding recesses 4b of the electrode plate.

In addition, it can be seen form Fig. 3 that the base of the groove 2 is open towards the inner space of the spacing portion, while the base of the groove is closed at the remaining sections of the engaging portion 2.

Fig. 4 illustrates the insulator element 1 of Fig. 1 as a cut view along a centre plane of the insulator element 1 transverse to the electrode plate 4, extending in the width direction thereof. Fig. 4 clearly shows an edge portion of the electrode plate 4 being received within the groove 2a, between opposite sides 2a’, 2a” thereof. Also, the locking studs 5 are received within corresponding recesses 4b of the electrode plate 4, thereby securing the insulator element 1 to the electrode plate 4.

Moreover, Fig. 4 illustrates the bevelled edges 5a of the locking studs 5, opening towards the opening direction of the groove 2a, thus facilitating the attachment of the insulator element 1 onto the electrode plate 4.

It should be noted that both in Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 the electrode plate 4 is shown only in portion for the purpose of clarity.

Fig. 5 schematically illustrates a cut view of an electrolysis cell 8 having anode plates 4 and cathode plates multiple electrode plates 4, 9 positioned in a mutually alternating order within a container 10 of the electrolysis cell. The anode plates 4 and cathode plates 9 are supported within the container with a suspension arrangement holding the anode and cathode plates 4, 9 at a spacing distance from each other, and at least partially submerged within an electrolyte 10a.

Each of the anode plates 4 are equipped with insulator elements 1 at or near distal ends of the anode plates 4, while each of the cathode plates 9 are equipped with edge strips 9a.

In Fig. 5 the electrode plates 4, 9 are shown positioned at a spacing distance from each other. However, during operation, the electrode plates 4, 9 often deform such that this spacing distance is not maintained. The use of insulator elements 1 , then ensures a minimum spacing distance is maintained even when the electrode plates 4, 9 become deformed.

It should be noted, that in Fig. 5 the electrolysis cell 8 is shown only in portion for the purpose of clarity.