The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Oct. 12, 1999
Filed:
Oct. 06, 1997
Osamu Sugiyama, Tokorozawa, JP;
Yukio Miya, Kawagoe, JP;
Ryota Koike, Tokorozawa, JP;
Takashi Toida, Tokyo, JP;
Toshiichi Sekine, Kamifukuoka, JP;
Citizen Watch Co., Ltd., Tokyo, JP;
Abstract
The present invention relates to a method of forming a two-layer intermediate film over the inner surface of a cylindrical member, such as a bushing or a cylinder, with a DLC film being formed on the intermediate film with a uniform thickness by using an auxiliary electrode, greatly enhancing of abrasion resistance of the inner surface. The cylindrical member is placed in a vacuum vessel, an auxiliary electrode of a first intermediate film forming material is inserted in the bore of the cylindrical member, a sputtering gas is supplied into the vacuum vessel, keep the auxiliary electrode at ground potential or a negative DC voltage is applied to the auxiliary electrode to produce a plasma around the auxiliary electrode in order that a first intermediate film is formed over the inner surface of the cylindrical member. A gas containing silicon or germanium is supplied into the vacuum vessel in which the cylindrical member and the auxiliary electrode are disposed, and a voltage is applied to the cylindrical member to produce a plasma, thereby forming a second intermediate film on the first intermediate film. Subsequently, a gas containing carbon, such as methane or the like, is supplied into the vacuum vessel in which the cylindrical member and the auxiliary electrode are disposed, and a voltage is applied to the cylindrical member to produce a plasma in the vacuum vessel in order that the DLC film is formed on the previously formed second intermediate film over the inner surface of the cylindrical member.