JP2011093642A - Replacing method of new and old material rolls with multilayer long size tape body wound thereon - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To replace a new and old material rolls by connecting a multilayer long size tape bodies wound on the new and old material rolls. <P>SOLUTION: In a cross section in the carrying direction of a tail end part cut by gripping three-layer long size tape bodies S<SB>OT-1</SB>, S<SB>OT-2</SB>and S<SB>OT-3</SB>rolled out of an old material roll S<SB>O</SB>in carrying, in a cross section in the carrying direction of a tail end part of three-layer long size tape bodies S<SB>NT-1</SB>, S<SB>NT-2</SB>and S<SB>NT-3</SB>rolled out of a new material roll S<SB>N</SB>so that respective layers become stairs-shaped step parts 1u, 2u and 3u in order, a cut is performed so as to become stairs-shaped step parts 1t, 2t and 3t substantially point symmetrical to the step parts 1u, 2u and 3u. The same kind of step parts 1t, 2t and 3t and step parts 1u, 2u and 2u are superposed while sandwiching a double-sided adhesive tape T, and the respective same kind layers of the new and old material rolls S<SB>N</SB>and S<SB>O</SB>are separately joined in a surface and connected, and the new and old material rolls S<SB>N</SB>and S<SB>O</SB>are replaced. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a roll material (hereinafter referred to as “old roll material”) in which the amount of winding of the multi-layer long tape body is reduced in the middle of conveying and continuously processing the multi-layer long tape body wound in a roll shape. The present invention also relates to an old and new roll material exchange method for exchanging a multi-layer long tape body by joining it to an untreated roll material (hereinafter referred to as “new roll material”) having a sufficient winding amount of the multi-layer long tape body.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is a manufacturing apparatus (hereinafter referred to as “roll-to-roll manufacturing apparatus”) related to a roll-to-roll that transports a long tape body wound in a roll shape and performs constant continuous processing.
In this roll-to-roll manufacturing device, if the remaining amount of the long tape wound around the old roll material becomes smaller during operation, the old roll material being transported and continuously processed is kept longer for further continuous operation. It is necessary to replace the roll material with a new roll material with a sufficient winding amount. An example for the replacement is shown in Patent Document 1.
According to Patent Document 1, a double-sided tape is attached to the upper surface or the lower surface of a terminal portion of an old and new roll material around which a single long tape body is wound, and the long tape body wound around the old and new roll material is surface-joined. By connecting the two, the new and old roll materials are exchanged, and conveyance and continuous processing are continued.

However, the long tape body that is conveyed and continuously processed by the roll-to-roll manufacturing apparatus is not limited to a single layer. In some cases, the long tape body is a multilayer (hereinafter referred to as a multilayer long tape body). In the case of this multi-layer long tape body, depending on the specifications of the continuous processing, a problem may occur during conveyance / continuous processing and the process may not be realized.
For example, an electrolyte membrane and an electrolyte membrane of a membrane-electrode assembly (MEMBRANE-ELECTRODE ASSEMBLY: hereinafter referred to as “MEA”) to be incorporated into a polymer electrolyte fuel cell (POLYMER ELECTRODE FUEL CELL: hereinafter referred to as “PEFC”) An example is a three-layer long tape body composed of a carrier sheet to be supported and a slip sheet for a spacer disposed under the carrier sheet.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-094472

  When the above-mentioned three-layer long tape body is surface-joined by the method according to Patent Document 1, the peripheral surfaces of the terminal portions are simply overlapped with the double-sided tape T so that the lowermost surface and the uppermost surface are overlapped, In the middle, for example, if one layer of the three-layer long tape body is branched and separated, there is a problem that the subsequent processes cannot be realized.

Hereinafter, this problem will be described with reference to FIGS.
In FIG. 10, the three-layer long tape body _SOT on the side unwound from the old roll material So (not shown) is _{one of} the slip sheet _SOT-1 , the carrier sheet _SOT-2, and the electrolyte membrane _SOT-3 . The three-layer long tape body _{SNT that} is formed of a set and is unwound from a new roll material S _N (not shown) is composed of a slip sheet S _NT-1 , a carrier sheet S _NT-2, and an electrolyte membrane S _NT-3 . It consists of a set.

According the method of Patent Document 1, according to the method of replacing the three-layer long tape body S _OT and three layer elongate tape body joining the S _NT (connecting Fit) be by old and new roll material So., S N _(not shown) if, as shown in FIG. 10, a slip sheet _{S OT-1} lowermost of the three-layer long tape body _{S OT,} an electrolyte membrane _{S NT-3} of the uppermost layer of a three layer elongate tape body _{S NT,} the Surface bonding is performed by the double-sided tape T.

However, when the three-layer long tape body joined in this way is conveyed downstream and subjected to continuous processing, as shown in FIG. 11, the three-layer long tape bodies S _OT and S _NT are in the middle of conveyance. Three-layer long tape from the new roll material S _N is separated and transported only by the electrolyte membrane S _NT-3 joined to the slip sheet _SOT-1 by a separation roll (not shown) for separating one layer of Of the body S _NT , the carrier sheet S _NT-2 and the slip sheet S _NT-1 may be left behind and may not be transported any more. Thus, the results of three layers all constituting the three-layered long tape body S _OT and S _NT is not bonded, old and new rolls S _O, since the processes after not established exchange S _N is does not hold, a continuous process become unable.

As another example, there is a catalyst ink coating process for forming a catalyst layer on an electrolyte membrane, which is included in the PEFC manufacturing process. In this step, it is necessary to prevent wrinkles from being generated in the electrolyte membrane due to a volume change caused by expansion and contraction of the electrolyte membrane with application of the catalyst ink to the electrolyte membrane and subsequent drying. Therefore, in the same step and the subsequent drying step, the electrolyte membrane is supported on the carrier sheet.
However, it is not preferable that the carrier sheet is left in the middle of conveyance and separated from the electrolyte membrane before applying the catalyst ink. However, according to the method of Patent Document 1, the above-described method described with reference to FIG. The same thing happens with the bug.

In another PEFC manufacturing process, a rectangular catalyst layer is used to protect the end of the PEFC MEA film after the catalyst ink has already been applied to the electrolyte film on the cathode side and the catalyst layer has been formed. A protective sheet with a window frame that protects the frame in a frame shape is provided on the electrolyte membrane, and when a catalyst ink is applied to the electrolyte membrane on the anode side, or a carrier sheet for a protective film for carrying this protective film is used. In some cases.
Even in such a case, it is not preferable that the protective sheet or the carrier sheet be separated from the electrolyte membrane while being transported before the application of the catalyst ink. However, according to the method of Patent Document 1, a similar problem occurs. Occur.

Therefore, the present inventor, as suggested by the cross-sectional view of FIG. 12, multi-layer long tape body S _OT unwound from the old and new roll _material, constituting the S _NT, corresponding long work together and the length of the same type The layers formed by the shaku sheet are joined (similar layers such as _{SNT- 1} and _SOT-I , _SNT-2 and _SOT-2 , _SNT-3 and _SOT-3 ), etc. Thus, the method for exchanging the old and new roll materials was sought, and as a result of intensive studies, the method for exchanging the old and new roll materials according to the present invention was found.

  In the present invention, the old roll material on which the multilayer long tape body being transported and processed is wound and the new roll material on standby are separately surface-bonded for each layer of the multilayer long tape body. The purpose is to replace old and new roll materials by matching.

In order to achieve the above object, a method for exchanging old and new roll materials around which a multi-layered long work is wound according to the present invention is exemplified in the following (aspect of the invention). Item (4) is an embodiment of an apparatus for carrying out the method.
(Aspect of the Invention)
In the following aspects of the invention, the items (1), (2) and (3) correspond to claims 1, 2 and 3.

(1) In the middle of conveyance / continuous processing of the multi-layer long tape body unwound from the old roll material, the multi-layer long tape body is cut while being gripped to form a terminal portion. Is a method of exchanging old and new roll materials by joining to the end of the same type of multilayer long tape body unwound from the old roll material and the new roll material, at least one long workpiece, The multi-layered long tape body of the same kind in which the long work is carried or protected and is overlapped with a long sheet that is branched and separated from the long work in the middle of conveyance. A multi-layer long tape body in which each layer of the end portion of the long work and the long sheet forms a stepped portion and an adhesive is disposed on each upper surface of the stepped portion is wound. The process of preparing the new roll material, and the old A step of forming a stepped portion having a step shape substantially point symmetrical with the stepped shape on each layer of the end portion of the multi-layer long tape body of a roll material, and winding from the old roll material and the new roll material A step of exchanging old and new roll materials, comprising the step of separately superimposing the stepped portions of the same kind of layers of the multi-layered long tape body to be put out and bonding them together by the adhesive.

  The method according to the item (1) includes a method in which both end portions of the multi-layer long tape body to be unwound and joined from the new roll material and the old roll material on which the same type of multi-layer long tape body is wound. Each of the layers of the same type of the multi-layer long tape body is processed between the layers so as to form stepped steps that are substantially point symmetrical with respect to the cross-sectional shape along the transport direction of the layers. By superposing and layer-bonding each layer, it is possible to exchange old and new rolls while the multilayer long tape body of the old roll material is being conveyed and continuously processed.

Hereinafter, the aspect of the present invention will be further described along the content of the above item (1).
According to this section, for old and new roll materials wound with a multi-layer long tape body composed of a long work and a long sheet, the long sheet is branched and separated during the conveyance, and is continuously processed in a constant manner. In the replacement method of the old and new roll material using the apparatus that performs the above, both end portions of the two multilayer long tape bodies from the old and new roll materials are cut in a step-like and substantially point symmetrical manner, respectively, A multi-layer long tape body of old and new roll materials is surface-bonded by an adhesive material such as a tape. At this time, the same kind of layers of the multi-layered long tape body unwound from the new and old roll materials are bonded together with an adhesive such as a double-sided tape so as to overlap at the terminal portion. As a result, branching (branching) occurs in the middle of conveyance, so that even if a certain layer (especially a long sheet) branches off from the multilayer long tape body and is separated, the remaining multilayer The tape body can be transported together with the same kind of layers.

  Although the positional relationship between the stepped step portions formed at both end portions of the multi-layer long tape body unwound from the old and new roll materials is “substantially point symmetrical”, the “substantially” is strictly, for example, This is because a point-symmetric positional relationship (positioning) in units of microns is unnecessary in this embodiment. In addition, “point symmetry” is because it is preferable for mass production to set cutting conditions to some extent when applying a cutting means such as a multistage half cutter to both end portions of a multi-layer long tape body. is there. That is, instead of forming a stepped portion at random, by always forming a stepped stepped portion of a certain shape, one long tape body of the old roll material becomes two layers of the new roll material, or It is possible to prevent the conveyance / constant processing from becoming unstable due to overlapping beyond that or by changing the area related to the surface joining by the double-sided tape.

  “Continuous processing” refers to, for example, processing related to application of catalyst ink to form a catalyst layer of MEA of PEFC and drying of the catalyst ink. In this case, the long workpiece refers to an electrolyte membrane that is an essential component of the PEFC MEA, and the long sheet refers to a carrier sheet and / or a slip sheet (spacer) that supports the electrolyte membrane. In addition, the certain treatment refers to, for example, treatment relating to catalyst application including application of catalyst ink and drying after application of the catalyst ink to form a catalyst layer on the electrolyte membrane. In this catalyst coating treatment, the catalyst coating can be performed on the electrolyte membrane while continuously peeling the carrier sheet and / or the interleaf.

  In addition, the “replacement of new and old roll materials” in the present specification includes a multilayer long tape body unwound from an old roll material being transported, and a multilayer long tape body unwound from a new roll material in standby. Are joined (joined), and the old roll material is not completely replaced with the new roll material as in the case of replacing the tires of an automobile. Therefore, the old and new roll material replacement method is a method of joining a multilayer long tape body unwound from a new roll material to a multilayer long tape body unwound from an old roll, a multilayer long tape unwound from a new roll material The tape body can also be expressed as a method of joining or joining the multi-layer long tape body unwound from the old roll.

(2) The multilayer long tape body is wound in an order of a fuel cell electrolyte membrane, a carrier sheet of the electrolyte membrane, and a slip sheet, and the slip sheet is branched and separated during the transport. The method for replacing old and new roll materials as described in (1).

This section exemplifies one aspect of the multilayer long tape body when the old and new roll material replacement method described in (1) is applied to the catalyst ink coating process of the fuel cell.
In this embodiment, when the carrier sheet carrying the electrolyte membrane and the electrolyte membrane is wound in a roll shape, a slip sheet for preventing the membrane and the sheet from rubbing against each other to be damaged is branched before the application of the catalyst ink. It is characterized by being separated. In the prior art, when one layer of the multi-layer long tape body is separated in this way, the other layers are left without being transported any more, and the subsequent steps are not realized. Can be solved by.

(3) The multi-layer long tape body is formed on a carrier sheet for supporting an electrolyte membrane of a fuel cell, an electrolyte membrane on which a catalyst layer is formed, an end portion of the catalyst layer and the electrolyte membrane. A protective sheet for protecting the protective sheet, and a protective sheet carrier sheet carrying the protective sheet, which are wound in order, and the carrier sheet and / or the protective sheet are branched and separated during the conveyance. The old and new roll material replacement method according to (1).

  This section exemplifies another aspect of the multilayer long tape body when the old and new roll material replacement method described in (1) is applied to the catalyst ink application step of the fuel cell. In this aspect, the carrier sheet for carrying the electrolyte membrane and / or the carrier sheet for the protective sheet carrying the protective layer for protecting the catalyst layer and the end of the electrolyte membrane is branched and separated before the application of the catalyst ink. It is characterized by that. In the same manner as in the previous section, this section can also solve problems that may occur in the prior art by this aspect.

(4) In order to replace the old roll material that is transporting the multilayer long tape with the new roll material in a stationary state in a state where the same kind of multilayer long tape is wound around the new roll material and the old roll material Each of the end portions of the multi-layer long tape unwound from the new roll material is formed in advance in a first step-shaped step along the transport direction, and the step A first vacuum suction means for adhering an adhesive to the upper surface of the new roll material, and vacuum suction fixing the terminal portion of the new roll material so that the longitudinal direction of the multilayer long tape is along the transport direction; Tape transport is temporarily stopped, the multi-layer long tape unwound from the old roll material is arranged along the transport direction of the multi-layer long tape, and vacuum suction is performed on the pressing surface of the pressing arm from above vertically. Second to fix The second step shape substantially symmetrical with the first step shape is formed on the multilayer long tape sucked and fixed to the pressing surface by the vacuum suction means and the second vacuum suction means. A stepped cutter set such that a plurality of cutting edges having the same height as the two stepped stepped portions are gradually lowered from the upstream direction, and the pressing until the highest cutting edge of the stepped cutter contacts the pressing surface. A first driving means for driving the arm vertically downward; a cutting cutter for cutting the multi-layer long tape downstream of the pressing arm after the driving of the first driving means; and the first vacuum suction. The stepped portion having the first staircase shape formed at the terminal portion fixed by means is connected to the stepped portion having the second staircase shape formed by the stepped cutter. Positioning means that moves to the position where the same kind of layers overlap, and the pressing arm is driven vertically downward to bring the stepped portion of the first step shape and the stepped portion of the second step shape into surface contact. And a second driving means for surface-bonding the multi-layer long tape unwound from the old and new roll materials with the adhesive.
According to the apparatus exemplified in this section, the method according to any one of the sections (1) to (3) can be performed.

  According to the present invention, the old roll material wound with the same type of multi-layered long tape body during conveyance / continuous processing is exchanged between the new roll materials, and each layer of the multilayer is separately surface-bonded and joined. Is possible.

A schematic perspective view of an MEA manufacturing apparatus (hereinafter referred to as “three-layer long tape body MEA manufacturing apparatus”) to which an old and new roll material replacement method around which a three-layer long tape body is wound according to the present embodiment is applicable. FIG. The outline for explaining the configuration and the operation of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1 in which the unwinding drive unit of the three-layer long tape body is replaced with the apparatus for performing the old and new roll material replacement method according to this embodiment. It is sectional drawing. It is a schematic sectional drawing for demonstrating the apparatus which implements joining of the three-layer long tape body unwound from the new and old roll material which concerns on this embodiment, and its operation | movement. 4 is a flow for explaining the operation of the apparatus shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. FIG. 4 is a flow of a schematic cross-sectional view for explaining a preferred joining method of a three-layer long tape body unwound from an old and new roll material by the apparatus shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. (A) is a schematic sectional view after joining the multi-layer long tape body of the old and new roll material shown in FIG. 5, (b) is a state in which the conventional problems are solved by this embodiment. It is a schematic sectional drawing for demonstrating. It is a schematic perspective view of the MEA manufacturing apparatus for four-layer long tape bodies to which the replacement method of the old and new roll materials wound with the four-layer long tape bodies is applied according to the present embodiment. (A), (b) and (c) are schematic cross-sections for explaining before and after joining of the four-layer long tape body from each of the old and new roll materials, particularly regarding the replacement of the old and new roll materials according to the present embodiment. FIG. The four-layer long tape body shown in (c) of FIG. 8 joined by the replacement method of the old and new roll materials of this example was conveyed to the MEA manufacturing apparatus for a four-layer long tape body shown in FIG. It is a schematic sectional drawing for demonstrating the state where the conventional malfunction was solved sometimes. It is a schematic sectional drawing which shows the three-layer elongate tape body unwound from the old and new roll material for demonstrating the replacement | exchange method of the conventional old and new roll material. It is a schematic sectional drawing which shows the three-layer long tape body unwound from the old and new roll material for demonstrating the malfunction which arises by the replacement | exchange method of the conventional old and new roll material. It is a schematic sectional drawing of the three-layer long tape body of the old and new roll material which suggests the solution means about the said malfunction.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention (hereinafter referred to as “the present embodiment”) will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The illustrated devices and members are examples, and in the drawings, the same reference numerals denote the same objects and members. Further, the dimensions and ratios of the apparatus and members do not reflect actual dimensions and actual ratios.

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of an MEA manufacturing apparatus 15 for a three-layer long tape body.
The method for exchanging the old and new roll materials according to the present embodiment is shown in FIGS. It replaces and implements the unwinding drive part 1 shown.

As shown in FIG. 5, the three-layer long tape body to be conveyed and continuously processed is unwound from the old roll material So and the new roll material So, respectively, and electrolyte membranes _SOT-3 and _SNT-3 , a carrier sheet _{S OT-2, S NT-} 2, the slip sheet _{S OT-1, S NT-} 1, and made of an electrolyte membrane _{S OT-3, S NT-} 3, the carrier sheet _{S OT-2} , and _{S NT-2,} by the method described one made of the slip sheet _{S OT-1, S NT-} 1 Tokyo below, is joined (spliced) is prepared by.

The electrolyte membranes _SOT-3 and _SNT-3 are finally included in the MEA in the PEFC, but the carrier sheets _SOT-2 and _SNT-2 and the slip sheets _SOT-1 and _SNT-1 are Finally, it is not included in the PEFC, and is branched and separated during the transportation. In the present specification, a long body included in a final product such as the former is referred to as a “long work”, and a long body that is branched and separated in the middle of the latter is referred to as a “long sheet”. .
Moreover, what wound the N layer long tape body which piled up the long workpiece | work and the long sheet | seat in roll shape is called N layer long tape body (N is an integer greater than or equal to 2).

Further, the MEA manufacturing apparatus 15 for a three-layer long tape body will be described below with reference to FIG.
The MEA manufacturing apparatus 15 for a three-layer long tape body shown in FIG. 1 is mounted perpendicular to the surfaces of the first splicer 2, the first accumulator A1 (R4, R5, R6), and the turret T0, and is rotatable. the unwinding drive unit M1 comprises a former roll material _{W O} roll R1 and the new roll material _{W N} roll R3, die coater 4, a support roll R7, a drying furnace 5, the second splicer 6, second accumulator A2 ( R8, R9, R10), having a catalyst layer S already formed roll material _{S W} roll R11, and a slip sheet _{S OT-1} unwinding 'unwinding take up drive unit M2 having a roll R12, the.

The first splicer 2 is a three-layer elongated tape body _{S OT,} when cut and joined _{S NT,} or process abnormalities, the emergency lot abnormality, the three-layer long tape body _{S OT,} sandwiching the _{S NT} (grip ) to, while preventing the three-layer long tape body S _OT, is S _NT not blown in the conveying direction, to assist the exchange operation of the new and old roll material.
The first accumulator A1, by moving the roll R5 in the vertical down direction, a three-layer elongated tape body S _OT, to convey speed adjustment and tensioning of the S _NT.
Die coater 4 receives a catalyst ink from an ink tank (not shown), the catalyst ink from the nozzle N of the lower end of the die coater 4, supported on the carrier sheet _{S OT-2, S NT-} 2 , which is supported backed by the support rolls R7 ejecting at regular intervals toward the electrolyte membrane _{S OT-3, S NT-} 3 , the rectangular catalyst layer S having a constant thickness, intermittently forming the electrolyte membrane _{S OT-3, S NT-} 3 .

The drying furnace 5 evaporates the solvent, moisture, and the like of the catalyst layer S formed by the die coater 4 with a heater (not shown).
Since the operations of the second splicer 6 and the second accumulator A2 are the same as the operations of the first splicer 2 and the first accumulator A1, the description thereof is omitted.
The winding drive unit M2 includes an upper turret T1 and a lower turret T2, and rolls R11 and R13, and R12 and R14 are arranged perpendicular to the respective surfaces.
Roll R11 is a roll 12 as a spacer of a new slip sheet _{S OT-1} 'to be unwound from the carrier sheet _{S OT-2, S} supported on _NT-2 and the catalyst layer S electrolyte membrane formed is _{S OT- 3.} Winding together with _SNT-3 to produce a roll material Sw.

Next, the old roll material _SO or the new roll material _SN provided to the upstream turret T0 will be described.
Towards substantially vertically downward slip sheet S _OT-1 wound around the old roll material S _O, allowed to transport while separating from the old roll material S _O, taken up by a roll R2. On the other hand, the carrier sheet _SO-2 and the electrolyte membrane _SOT-3 separated from the slip sheet _SOT-1 are conveyed in the downstream direction and continuously processed.

In this manner, (in the device of FIG. 1 15, the catalyst ink coating, continuous processing such as drying) old roll material S _O conveying-continuous process but Yuku being continued, at a constant timing, old roll material S _O when the remaining amount of the three-layer long tape body S _OT has become less of, it is necessary to replace the old roll material S _O to the new roll material S _N.
Therefore, according to this embodiment, a three-layer elongated tape body S _OT and joining the S _NT (joining) old roll material exchange method according to it is required, this method is shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 It implements using the new and old roll material exchange apparatus 1 made. Hereinafter, the configuration and operation of the apparatus 1 will be mainly described.

First, the unwinding drive unit M of the three-layer long tape body MEA manufacturing apparatus 15 shown on the left side of the arrow B in FIG. 1 is replaced with the old and new roll material changing apparatus 1 shown in FIG.
The old and new roll material changer 1 shown in FIG. 2 has a base 9 including a rectangular parallelepiped block body 11 provided with a new roll material _SN and a stepped half cutter 12 arranged in a stocker 9S, and a cutting edge is directed vertically downward. The cutting cutter 13 arranged in this way, the pressing arm 14 arranged so that the pressing surface faces vertically downward, the old roll material So, and the three-layer length unwound from the old roll material So and conveyed continuous tape body _{S OT,} or roll r2, r3, r4 to guide along the _{S NT} in the transport direction, r5, r6 and r7, and a slip sheet _{S OT-1,} winding roll r8 winding the _{S NT-1} Including.

New roll material _SN is arrange | positioned on the stocker 9S which the shaft center can fit. At this time, as shown in FIG. 5 (c), forming the upper surface of the end portion of the three-layer long tape body S _NT unwound from the new roll material S _N is stepped stepped portion 1t, the 2t and 3t It is processed in advance. Then, as shown in FIG. 2, the end portion is at the top surface of the rectangular parallelepiped block member 11, is vacuum sucked and secured, the three-layer long tape body S _NT and the terminal portion, from the old roll material So It waits in that state until the terminal part of the three-layer long tape body _SOT is joined.

As shown in FIG. 5 (b), the stepped half cutter 12 is integrated with three continuous cutter blades that can be displaced in the vertical vertical direction, and the cutting direction is a three-layer long tape body S. _It is formed so as to be perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the _OT and to have a cut width wider than that of the three-layer long tape body _SOT . In addition, as shown in the figure, the height of the blade edges of the three continuous cutters of the stepped half cutter 12 is gradually lowered stepwise toward the conveying direction, The level difference is set to be substantially equal to the film thickness of each layer S _OT-3 , S _OT-2 , S _OT-1 of the three-layer long tape body S _OT .

Furthermore, in order of each step of the flowchart shown in FIG. 4, the old and new roll materials S _O by joining (joining) the three-layer long tape bodies S _OT and S _NT with reference to FIGS. The operation of the device 1 related to the exchange of _SN will be described. In the following operations, a CPU (central processing unit) (not shown) issues a necessary command, and a robot (not shown) according to a command from the CPU appropriately assists the necessary operation. Thereby, automation of replacement _| exchange of the new and old roll materials S _O and S _N can be achieved.

<Step S1 shown in FIG. 4; deceleration start (accumulation acceleration) / stop process>
A sensor (not shown) monitors the end position of the outer diameter surface of the old roll material So fixed to the roll shaft. The sensor is, the outer diameter of the old roll material So reaches a predetermined value, upon sensing that the winding amount of remaining three layer elongate tape body W _OT is small, the roll r5 is vertically upward out of the accumulator A1 shown in FIG. 2 It is moved at an accelerated speed and placed at the position of the roll r5 shown in FIG. At that time, the transport speed of the three-layer long tape body _SOT is reduced. At this time, temporarily, splicer SP1 shown in FIG. 2, SP2 by sandwiching three layers long tape body S _OT (gripping) and fixed so as not to be conveyed.

<Step S2 shown in FIG. 4; pressing arm pressing (half-cut / sucking) step>
Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 5B, the pressing arm 14 is displaced vertically downward while the three-layer long tape body _SOT is vacuum-adsorbed by the lower surface 14U of the pressing arm 14, and the lower surface 14U is moved to the three layers. The long tape body _SOT is made to reach the tip of the highest blade of the stepped half cutter 12.
<Step S3 shown in FIG. 4; cutting process of three-layer long tape body of old roll material>
Then, at a timing slightly delayed from the operation of the pressing arm 14, the cutting cutter 13 shown in FIG. 2 is displaced vertically downward to cut the three-layer long tape body _SOT .
<Step S4 shown in FIG. 4; half-cut peeling step>
Next, the cut piece of the cut three-layer long tape body _SOT is sucked and discarded by a vacuum means (not shown). In this way, stair-shaped step portions 3u shown in (c) of FIG. 5, 2u and 1u is formed at the end of the three-layer long tape body S _OT unwound from the old roll material S _O.
<S5 shown in FIG. 4; arm pressing back step>
Next, the pressing arm 14 is displaced vertically upward to return to the original position shown in FIG. At this time, step-like step portions 3u, 2u and 1u is a three-layer elongated tape body W _OT formed is left to adsorb to the lower surface of the pressing arm 14 14U.

<S6 shown in FIG. 4; a three-layer elongated tape body _{W NT} feed forward process of the new roll material _{W T>}
Advance step-shaped step portion 3t, a three-layer elongated tape body S _NT of the new roll material 2t and 1t is formed have been vacuum suction on the top surface of the rectangular parallelepiped block 11, then the stepwise Double-sided tape T is affixed to each surface of the step portions 3t, 2t, and 1t. Furthermore, the upper surface of the seal of the double-sided tape T is peeled to expose the adhesive surface, the new roll material S _N of a three-layer elongated tape body S _NT to form a step-like step portion 3t, 2t and 1t is, half old roll material S _O of a three-layer elongated tape body S _OT stair-shaped step portions 3u formed by cutting separation process S4, for a 2u and 1u, between layers of the same kind is engaged interviews, as are bonded The base 9 is horizontally moved and positioned at the position.

<S7 shown in FIG. 4; arm pressing (joining, suction cutting) step>
Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the three-layer long tape body unwound from the old and new roll materials S _O and S _N by moving the pressing arm 14 vertically downward and pressing the lower surface thereof against the upper surface of the rectangular parallelepiped block body 11. the end of S _OT and _{S NT,} stair-shaped step portion 3t formed in substantially point symmetry, and 2t and 1t, stair-shaped step portion 3u, and a 2u and 1u, so as to be superimposed joined Is done. The layers that are superimposed at this time are of the same type.
Thereafter, the top surface of the rectangular parallelepiped block 11 to stop the vacuum suction of the three-layer long tape body S _NT.

<S8 shown in FIG. 4; arm pressing back step>
Next, the pressing arm 14 is displaced vertically upward to return to the original position shown in FIG.
<S9 shown in FIG. 4; acceleration start (accumulation deceleration) / stop process>
Finally, as shown in FIG. 3, the roll r5 of the accumulator A1 composed of rolls r4, r5, r6 is pushed down vertically, moved to the original position shown in FIG. 2, stopped, and necessary depending on, release splicer SP1, SP2 of the three-layer long tape body _{S OT,} the clamping state of the _{S NT.} Then, the old roll material _{S O} desorbed from the roll r1, placing the new roll material _{S N} to roll r1. Further, another new new roll material _SN is arranged in the stock 9S, and the new roll material _SN is made to wait in the same manner until the next new and old roll replacement.
In this way, three layers long been tape body and S _OT and S _NT of bonded, old and new roll replacement is found possible to continue the conveyance and continuous processing of a new three-layer long tape body S _W It becomes.

It relates trilayer long tape body S _W, at the point of separation roll r7 shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 6 (b), before the catalyst ink applying process for unnecessary since the catalyst ink is applied, the slip sheet S _OT-1 And the joined sheet S _Nt-1 branch vertically and separate. On the other hand, the remaining, two layers consisting of an electrolyte membrane _{S OT-3} and conjugate of the electrolyte membrane _{S NT-3,} and conjugates of the carrier sheet _{S OT-2} and the carrier sheet _{S NT-2} carrying the conjugate The long tape body Sw ′ is further conveyed and continuously processed in the upstream direction.
Thus, the operation at the point of the roll r7, three layer elongate tape body S _OT and S _NT and joined (spliced) old roll material S _O according to the present embodiment implemented by _the exchange of S _N It can be seen that the method solves the problems of the prior art.

With reference to FIG. 7, the Example which shows that the replacement | exchange method of the old and new roll material demonstrated in the said embodiment is applicable also at the time of replacement | exchange of the old and new roll material in which the multilayered long tape body was wound further. This will be described below.
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the MEA manufacturing apparatus 150 for a four-layer long tape body used in this embodiment. In, instead of unwinding roll R1 of four-layer long tape body V _OT of the old roll material V _O of the four-layer long tape body for MEA production apparatus 150 is wound around this example, FIGS. 2 and 3 The old and new roll material changing device 1 described above with reference to FIG. Since the basic operation of the joining relating to the replacement of the new and old roll materials V _N and V _O is the same as the contents shown in the above-described embodiment, the description thereof is omitted here.

In the four-layer long tape body MEA manufacturing apparatus 150 of the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 8 (a) and 8 (b), the transported / continuously processed products are old and new roll materials V _N and V _O, respectively. The electrolyte membrane-supporting carrier sheets V _OT-4 and V _NT-4 , the electrolyte membranes V _OT-3 and V _NT-3 supported on the carrier sheet, and a window frame shape that protects the electrolyte membrane Protective films V _OT-3 , V _NT-3, and a protective film carrier sheet carrying the protective film [also functioning as a slip sheet (spacer sheet)] V _OT-1 , V _{NT-1 These} are four-layer long tape bodies V _OT and V _NT .
Here, the long workpieces are electrolyte membranes _VOT-3 , _VNT-3 and protective films _VOT-3 , _VNT-3 , and the long sheets are carrier sheets _VOT-4 for supporting the electrolyte membrane, V _NT-4 and protective film carrier sheet V _OT-1 , V _NT-1 .
As described above, the long workpiece is finally incorporated into the unit cell of the PEFC, but the long sheet is branched and separated during the conveyance by the apparatus 150.
Then, the MEA manufacturing apparatus 150 for a four-layer long tape body has a rectangular catalyst layer S formed at regular intervals on the electrolyte membranes V _OT-3 and V _NT-3 , and this catalyst layer S is opened in a window. A long MEA that is surrounded by a frame and is made of a window frame-shaped protective film V _OT-3 or V _NT-3 is manufactured.

In the present embodiment, the number of blades of the stepped half cutter 12 described above with reference to FIG. 5B is required in total (not shown), and the four-layer length from the old and new roll materials V _N and V _{O is} required. The end portions of the scale tape bodies V _NT and V _OT are formed such that the four stepped step portions are substantially point-symmetric in the cross section along the transport direction.

As a result, according to the replacement of the old and new roll materials according to the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8C, the steps of the four-layer long tape body _VOT from the old roll material shown in FIG. Jo stepped portion u4, u3, u2, u1 is, with respect to the step portion u4, u3, u2, u1 said stepped to four layers long tape body V _NT from the new roll material shown in FIG. 8 (b) Are bonded to each other by a double-sided tape T affixed to the stepped steps t4, t3, t2, t1 formed in a substantially point symmetrical manner, and the four-layer long tape bodies _VOT , _VNT are terminated. The replacement of the old and new roll materials V _O and V _N by joining (joining) is preferably performed in the same manner as in the above-described embodiment.

Further, the operation according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 9 shows two long sheets one by one from the four-layer long tape bodies V _OT and V _NT over time (from the left to the right) by replacing the old and new roll materials according to this example. FIG. 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view (corresponding to a part of FIG. 7) for explaining a mode of branching and separating.
First, as shown in the left cross-sectional view of FIG. 9, the protective film carrier sheets V _OT-1 and V _NT-1 , which are long sheets of a joined body of V _OT-4 and V _NT-4 , are vertically downward. Toward, branch and separate.
Subsequently, as shown in the right cross-sectional view of FIG. 9, after the transport operation for a certain time, the roll R16 functions as a separation roll, and the electrolyte membrane-supporting carrier sheets _VOT-4 and _VNT-4 are also branched. Will be separated. On the other hand, obtained after these long sheet is separated, the electrolyte membrane for a protective film V _OT-2 and V _NT-2, the electrolyte membrane V _OT-3, V consists _NT-3 bilayer long workpiece.

Further, the two-layer long work is continuously conveyed while being in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the drying roll 21, and the anode side catalyst ink is transferred to the electrolyte membrane _VOT− by the die coater 17 receiving the catalyst ink from the catalyst ink tank 16 _{. 3} and applied to V _NT-3 , the catalyst layer S on the anode side is formed on the electrolyte membranes V _OT-3 and V _NT-3 . Further, by passing through the drying zone 22, moisture, solvent, etc. in the catalyst layer S are evaporated. Then, the roll R21 bordering Finally, apart from the electrolyte membrane V _OT-3, V consists _NT-3 bilayer long workpiece drying rolls 21, will be the (subsequent operations transported in the direction of arrow C above This is the same as that of the embodiment, and the description thereof is omitted).

  As described above, according to this example, even when the multilayer long tape body wound around the new and old roll material is such a four-layered product that is more multilayered (especially in this example, it is long It can be seen that the old and new roll materials are preferably exchanged (even when the separation timing of the length sheet is different between the two layers).

In addition, this invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment and Example, Of course, various changes can be added within the range which does not deviate from the summary of this invention.
For example, a stepped half-cutter having the same number of blades as the total number of layers is also obtained by replacing the old and new roll materials wound with a multi-layered long tape body of, for example, five or more layers, by the method according to the present invention. By forming a five-step stepped part, and joining long works and long sheets from old and new roll materials with an adhesive such as double-sided tape so that the same layer overlaps at the terminal part Good.

  The stepped half cutter 12 is used for the end portion of the multilayer long tape body, but each layer may be cut off with a thin single blade such as a razor blade so that a stepped stepped portion is formed. . In this case, limiter means corresponding to each layer thickness is provided in cooperation with the razor blade so as to prevent excessive cutting and control the movement of the razor blade in order to manage the depth length of the stepped portion. To do. Moreover, each layer may be a flexible and heat-resistant ceramic, metal, a composite material thereof, or other long tape body. At this time, in addition to the cutter and the razor blade, a heating wire (heating wire) such as a nichrome wire or an ultrasonic cutter can be appropriately used as the cutting means.

  Double-sided tape was basically used as an adhesive to bond multilayer long tape bodies from old and new roll materials layer by layer, but a thermoplastic or thermosetting adhesive was appropriately applied to the stepped steps. Then, the surface bonding may be performed by hot pressing.

  In addition, the method according to the present invention is not limited to the application to the catalyst application step as described above, and widely, in the middle of the roll-to-roll manufacturing apparatus or the manufacturing line, in particular, the remaining amount to be processed is The method according to this section can be applied to a production / mass production line in which the old roll material that has decreased is replaced with a new roll material and continuous processing is continued. Even if the remaining amount of the old roll material to be processed is small, the old roll material can be renewed as necessary, for example, at the time of a line stop that may occur accidentally such as process abnormality or lot abnormality. The same method can be applied when replacing the roll material.

So: Old roll material, S _N : New roll material, S _OT-1 , S _OT-3 : Long sheet, S _OT-2 : Long work, S _OT , S _NT : Multi-layer long tape body, 12: Cutter, 1t, 2t, 3t, 1u, 2u, 3u: Stepped step, T: Adhesive

Claims (3)

During transportation and continuous processing of the multi-layer long tape body unwound from the old roll material, the multi-layer long tape body is cut while grasping the multi-layer long tape body, and the end portion is unwound from the new roll material. A method of exchanging old and new roll materials by joining to the end of the same type of multi-layer long tape body,
The old roll material and the new roll material include at least one long work, and a long sheet that supports or protects the long work and is branched and separated from the long work during conveyance. , And the same kind of the multi-layer long tape body of the same type is wound,
Each layer of the long workpiece and the end portion of the long sheet has a stepped shape in which a single step portion is formed, and a new multi-layer long tape body in which an adhesive is disposed on each upper surface of the step portion is wound. Preparing a roll material;
A step of forming a stepped portion having a step shape substantially symmetric with the stepped shape on each layer of the end portion of the multilayer long tape body of the old roll material; and
The step of the same kind of layers of the multilayer long tape body unwound from the old roll material and the new roll material are separately overlapped, and are bonded by the adhesive material and are surface-bonded;
New and old roll material exchange method characterized by including.   The multilayer elongate tape body is wound in an order of a fuel cell electrolyte membrane, a carrier sheet of the electrolyte membrane, and an interleaf, and the interleaf is branched and separated during the conveyance. The new and old roll material replacement method according to claim 1.   The multi-layer long tape body is formed on a carrier sheet for supporting an electrolyte membrane of a fuel cell, an electrolyte membrane on which a catalyst layer is formed, and an end portion of the catalyst layer and the electrolyte membrane. The protective sheet and a protective sheet carrier sheet carrying the protective sheet are wound in an overlapping manner, and the carrier sheet and / or the protective sheet are branched and separated during the conveyance. The old and new roll material exchange method according to 1.