JP2012086144A - Coating apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a coating apparatus capable of applying a required quantity of an applying material even when the coating speed is increased.SOLUTION: The coating apparatus 30 is provided with a coating part 34 for applying a viscous fluid to a material to be coated and a control part 50 for controlling the supply quantity of the viscous fluid to be supplied to the coating part 34. The control part 50 is provided with: an introducing chamber 51 into which the viscous fluid is introduced; a discharge chamber 52 for discharging the viscous fluid introduced into the introducing chamber 51; a communication path 56a for making the introducing chamber 51 communicate with the discharge chamber 52; a first valve member 552 for closing the communication path 56a from the introducing chamber side; a second valve member 553 for closing the communication path 56a from a discharge chamber side; a shaft member 554 in which the first valve member 552 and the second valve member 553 are provided; and a driving part 53, 551 for driving the shaft member 554 to close the communication path 56a alternately by the first valve member 552 and the second valve member 553.

Description

  The present invention relates to a coating apparatus.

  Patent Document 1 discloses a coating apparatus provided with a valve for coating a coating object such as a synthetic resin liquid or a coating material at a predetermined interval.

JP 2001-38276 A

  In order to increase the production efficiency, it is effective to increase the coating speed and shorten the time required for completely applying a required amount of the coated material to the coated object.

  However, in the above-described conventional coating apparatus, it is necessary to reciprocate (two strokes) the valve body in the valve between opening and closing the valve, and it is necessary to pull back the valve body when closing the valve. .

  Therefore, if the application speed is increased, the time until the valve body is pulled back is inevitably shortened. Therefore, the valve body is pulled back before the valve body is fully pulled out (before the valve opening is fully opened). Therefore, there is a problem that a necessary amount of the coated material cannot be applied.

  The present invention has been made paying attention to such problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a coating apparatus capable of coating a required amount of a coated material even when the coating speed is increased.

  The present invention is an application apparatus including an application unit that applies a viscous fluid to an object to be applied, and a control unit that controls a supply amount of the viscous fluid supplied to the application unit. The control unit includes an introduction chamber into which the viscous fluid is introduced, a discharge chamber that discharges the viscous fluid introduced into the introduction chamber, a communication path that connects the introduction chamber and the discharge chamber, and a communication path from the introduction chamber side. A first valve member that closes the first valve member, a second valve member that closes the communication passage from the discharge chamber side, a shaft member provided with the first valve member and the second valve member, and a communication passage that is the first valve member and the second valve. And a drive unit that drives the shaft member so as to be alternately closed by the member.

  According to the present invention, the shaft member provided with the first valve member and the second valve member is driven, and the communication path connecting the introduction chamber and the discharge chamber is formed by the first valve member and the second valve member. Can be closed alternately. That is, when opening and closing the communication path from the state where the communication path is closed by the first valve member, the shaft member is driven to the discharge chamber side to open the communication path closed by the first valve member, and further The communication path can be closed by the second valve member by driving the shaft member toward the discharge chamber. On the other hand, when opening and closing the communication path from the state in which the communication path is closed by the second valve member, the shaft member is driven to the introduction chamber side to open the communication path closed by the second valve member, and further The communication path can be closed by the first valve member by driving the shaft member toward the introduction chamber.

  Accordingly, since the communication path can be opened and closed only by driving the shaft member in one direction (one stroke), a necessary amount of the applied material can be applied even if the application speed is increased.

It is the schematic of a lithium ion secondary battery. It is a schematic block diagram of the electrode manufacturing apparatus by 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the detail of the intermittent supply valve by 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the detail of the intermittent supply valve by 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the detail of the intermittent supply valve by 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is an enlarged view of the 2nd valve member by a 3rd embodiment of the present invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the detail of the intermittent supply valve by other embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the detail of the intermittent supply valve by other embodiment of this invention.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a lithium ion secondary battery 1. 1A is a perspective view of the lithium ion secondary battery 1, and FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB of FIG.

  As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the lithium ion secondary battery 1 includes a power storage element 2 and an outer case 3 that houses the power storage element 2.

  The electricity storage element 2 is configured as a laminate in which a positive electrode 4, a separator 5 as an electrolyte layer, and a negative electrode 6 are sequentially laminated. The positive electrode 4 has a positive electrode layer 4b on both sides of a plate-like positive electrode current collector 4a, and the negative electrode 6 has a negative electrode layer 6b on both sides of a plate-like negative electrode current collector 6a. In addition, about the positive electrode 4 arrange | positioned at the outermost layer of the electrical storage element 2, the positive electrode layer 4b is formed only in the single side | surface of the positive electrode collector 4a.

  The adjacent positive electrode 4, separator 5, and negative electrode 6 constitute one unit battery 7, and the lithium ion battery 1 is configured by electrically connecting a plurality of stacked unit batteries 7 in parallel.

  The outer case 3 is made of a sheet material of a polymer-metal composite laminate film in which a metal such as aluminum is covered with an insulator such as a polypropylene film. The outer case 3 is joined to the outer periphery of the case by thermal fusion in a state in which the electricity storage element 2 is housed. The outer case 3 is provided with a positive electrode tab 8 and a negative electrode tab 9 as external terminals in order to extract the electric power from the power storage element 2 to the outside.

  One end of the positive electrode tab 8 is disposed outside the outer case 3, and the other end of the positive electrode tab 8 is connected to the assembly portion of each positive electrode current collector 4 a inside the outer case 3. One end of the negative electrode tab 9 is disposed outside the outer case 3, and the other end of the negative electrode tab 9 is connected to the gathering portion of each negative electrode current collector 6 a inside the outer case 3.

  Next, a general method for producing an electrode (positive electrode 4 or negative electrode 6) will be briefly described.

  In general, an electrode is a coating process in which a slurry-like electrode kneaded material in which an electrode material and a solvent are kneaded is applied to a current collector (positive electrode current collector 4a or negative electrode current collector 6a) at a predetermined interval. Later, the electrode kneaded product is volatilized to produce an electrode layer (positive electrode layer 4b or negative electrode layer 6b) having a solid content of 100% to be manufactured. In the coating step, the electrode kneaded material is applied to the current collector at a predetermined interval by opening and closing an intermittent supply valve provided in the electrode kneaded material supply path or the like.

  Here, in order to increase the production efficiency of the lithium ion secondary battery 1, it is effective to shorten the time required for each process described above. Therefore, in this embodiment, the time required for the coating process is shortened by increasing the coating speed of the electrode kneaded product in the coating process. Hereinafter, the electrode manufacturing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of the electrode manufacturing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment used when manufacturing the electrode of the lithium ion battery 1.

  The electrode manufacturing apparatus 100 includes a transport device 10, a kneading device 20, a coating device 30, and a drying device 40.

  The electrode manufacturing apparatus 100 applies the electrode kneaded material 21 kneaded by the kneading device 20 to the surface of the metal foil 14 conveyed by the conveying device 10 by the coating device 30, and dries the electrode kneaded material 21 by the drying device 40. An apparatus for manufacturing an electrode.

  Hereinafter, each apparatus which comprises the electrode manufacturing apparatus 100 is demonstrated in detail.

  The transport device 10 includes a take-up roll 11, a take-up roll 12, and a support roll 13. The transport device 10 winds a thin film-like metal foil 14 (thickness 10 [μm] to 40 [μm]) that becomes the positive electrode current collector 4 a or the negative electrode current collector 6 a from the take-up roll 11 by a roll-to-roll method. Transport to roll 12.

  In the present embodiment, when the positive electrode 4 is manufactured, an aluminum foil is used as the metal foil 14 that becomes the positive electrode current collector 4a. When the negative electrode 6 is manufactured, the metal foil 14 that becomes the negative electrode current collector 6a is copper. Although foil is used, it is not limited to this.

  A metal foil 14 is wound around the take-up roll 11. The take-up roll 11 is provided with a braking mechanism 15, and the rotation of the take-up roll 11 is appropriately regulated by the braking mechanism 15 and a predetermined tension is applied to the metal foil 14.

  The take-up roll 12 is driven to rotate by a drive motor 16 and takes up the metal foil 14 taken up from the take-up roll 11.

  A plurality of support rolls 13 are provided in the metal foil transport path between the take-up roll 11 and the take-up roll 12 and hold the lower surface of the metal foil 14 being transported.

  The kneading apparatus 20 is a biaxial kneader, and is an apparatus for producing a slurry-like electrode kneaded material 21 by uniformly dispersing an electrode material in a solvent. The kneading apparatus 20 is not limited to the twin-screw kneader, and for example, a planetary mixer or a kneader may be used.

  The electrode kneaded material 21 includes a positive electrode kneaded material manufactured when the positive electrode 4 is manufactured and a negative electrode kneaded material manufactured when the negative electrode 6 is manufactured.

  When manufacturing a positive electrode kneaded material, the positive electrode active material, the conductive support agent, and a binder (binder) as an electrode material are put into the kneading apparatus 20, and these are uniformly disperse | distributed in a solvent. When manufacturing a negative electrode kneaded material, the negative electrode active material, conductive auxiliary agent, and binder as an electrode material are put into the kneading apparatus 20, and these are uniformly disperse | distributed in a solvent.

  The positive electrode active material is a material that absorbs and releases lithium ions such as lithium metal oxide. In this embodiment, lithium manganate is used as the positive electrode active material.

  The negative electrode active material is a substance that releases and occludes lithium ions such as lithium metal oxide, hard carbon, and graphite. In this embodiment, hard carbon is used as the negative electrode active material.

  The conductive additive is a substance that enhances conductivity, such as a carbon material (carbon powder or carbon fiber). As the carbon powder, various carbon blacks such as acetylene black, furnace black, and ketjen black, and graphite powder can be used. In the present embodiment, carbon black is used as a conductive additive both when the positive electrode kneaded material is manufactured and when the negative electrode kneaded material is manufactured.

  The binder is a substance that binds the active material fine particles to each other. In the present embodiment, polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) is used as a binder in both cases of producing a positive electrode kneaded material and a negative electrode kneaded material, but the present invention is not limited to this.

  The solvent is a liquid that dissolves the electrode material. In this embodiment, N-methylpyrrolidone (NMP) is used as a solvent in both the case where the positive electrode kneaded material is manufactured and the case where the negative electrode kneaded material is manufactured. However, the present invention is not limited to this.

  The coating device 30 is a device that applies the electrode kneaded material 21 manufactured by the kneading device 20 to the surface of the metal foil 14, and includes a supply pipe 31, a Mono pump 32, a filter 33, an intermittent supply valve 50, and a slit. A die 34, a recovery pipe 35, and a recovery valve 36 are provided.

  The supply pipe 31 is a pipe having one end connected to the lower side of the kneading apparatus 20 and the other end connected to the slit die 34.

  The Mono pump 32 is provided in the supply pipe 31 and pumps the electrode kneaded material 21 manufactured by the kneading apparatus 20 to the intermittent supply valve 50 via the supply pipe 31. In the present embodiment, the kneaded product of the electrode is pumped by the Mono pump 32 at a pressure of about 0.1 [MPa (megapascal)] to 0.2 [MPa].

  The filter 33 is provided in the supply pipe 31 downstream of the Mono pump 32 and removes contaminants such as dust, dust, and dust mixed in the electrode kneaded material 21.

  The intermittent supply valve 50 is a valve that is provided in the supply pipe 31 near the slit die 34 and is opened and closed at a predetermined interval. The detailed configuration of the intermittent supply valve 50 will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

  The slit die 34 extrudes the electrode kneaded material 21 that has been pressure-fed from the intermittent supply valve 50 at a predetermined interval from the slit 341 formed at the tip, and applies it to the surface of the metal foil 14 that is being conveyed. The slit die 34 extrudes and applies the electrode kneaded material 21 at right angles to the conveying direction of the metal foil 14.

  The recovery pipe 35 is a pipe having one end connected to the supply pipe 31 between the filter 33 and the intermittent supply valve 50 and the other end connected above the kneading apparatus 20.

  The recovery valve 36 is provided at a connection portion between the supply pipe 31 and the recovery pipe 35. If the recovery valve 36 is open, the electrode kneaded material 21 fed from the Mono pump 32 is returned to the kneading device 20 via the recovery pipe 35. On the other hand, if the recovery valve 36 is closed, the electrode kneaded material 21 fed from the Mono pump 32 is supplied to the intermittent supply valve 50 via the supply pipe 31.

  The drying device 40 is, for example, a hot air drying furnace, and is provided in the metal foil conveyance path. The drying device 40 blows hot air to the electrode kneaded product 21 while keeping the temperature in the device at a predetermined temperature, and volatilizes the solvent contained in the electrode kneaded product 21 to form the electrode layer 22 having a solid content of 100%.

  FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the intermittent supply valve 50 according to the present embodiment.

  The intermittent supply valve 50 includes a cylindrical casing 54 in which an introduction chamber 51, a discharge chamber 52, and a compressed air supply chamber 53 are defined, and a reciprocating movement inside the casing 54 in the axial direction of the casing 54. And an opening / closing valve 55.

  In the introduction chamber 51, the electrode kneaded material 21 that has been pumped by the Mono pump 32 and has flowed through the supply pipe 31 is introduced. In order to introduce the electrode kneaded material 21 into the introduction chamber 51, the housing 54 is formed with an introduction port 54a that opens to the introduction chamber 51 and is connected to the supply pipe 31a on the side of the mono pump.

  The discharge chamber 52 is formed adjacent to the introduction chamber 51 via a valve seat 56 that partitions the introduction chamber 51 and the discharge chamber 52. The discharge chamber 52 communicates with the introduction chamber 51 through a communication hole 56 a formed in the central portion of the valve seat 56. The electrode kneaded material 21 introduced into the introduction chamber 51 is introduced into the discharge chamber 52 through the communication hole 56a. The casing 54 is formed with a discharge port 54b that opens to the discharge chamber 52 and is connected to the supply pipe 31b on the slit die side. The electrode kneaded material 21 introduced into the discharge chamber 52 is disposed in the discharge port 54b. And is supplied to the slit die 34.

  The compressed air supply chamber 53 is formed below the introduction chamber 51 in the drawing. Compressed air for reciprocating the open / close valve 55 in the axial direction is supplied to the compressed air supply chamber 53. As a compressed air supply / discharge port, the housing 54 is formed with a first port 54 c and a second port 54 d that open into the compressed air supply chamber 53.

  The on-off valve 55 includes a piston 551 disposed in the compressed air supply chamber 53, a first valve member 552 disposed in the introduction chamber 51, a second valve member 553 disposed in the discharge chamber 52, a piston 551, And a shaft 554 that connects the first valve member 552 and the second valve member 553. The on-off valve 55 adjusts the flow rate of the electrode kneaded material 21 discharged from the discharge chamber 52 by alternately opening and closing the communication holes 56 a by the first valve member 552 and the second valve member 553.

  The piston 551 has an outer diameter that substantially matches the inner diameter of the compressed air supply chamber 53. When the compressed air is supplied from the first port 54c to the compressed air supply chamber 53, the piston 551 moves while being pressed downward in the figure by the compressed air, so that the on-off valve 55 as a whole moves downward in the figure. To do. On the other hand, when compressed air is supplied from the second port 54d to the compressed air supply chamber 53, the piston 551 moves while being pressed upward in the figure by the compressed air. Move to.

  The first valve member 552 is a conical member whose diameter gradually increases from the upper end side toward the lower end side. The first valve member 552 closes the communication hole 56a by bringing the side surface 552a into contact with the valve seat 56 when the on-off valve 55 moves upward in the drawing.

  The second valve member 553 is provided so as to face the first valve member 552 through the valve seat 56. The second valve member 553 is a conical member whose diameter gradually decreases from the upper end side toward the lower end side. The second valve member 553 closes the communication hole 56a by bringing the side surface 553a into contact with the valve seat 56 when the on-off valve 55 moves downward in the drawing.

  Next, the operation of the intermittent supply valve 50 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  A state in which compressed air is supplied from the first port 54c to the compressed air supply chamber 53 and the communication hole 56a is closed by the second valve member 553 is defined as an initial state.

  When compressed air is supplied to the compressed air supply chamber 53 from the initial state via the second port 54d, the piston 551 is pressed upward in the figure by the compressed air, and the on-off valve 55 as a whole moves upward in the figure.

  Thus, the communication hole 56a is opened until the side surface 552a of the first valve member 552 contacts the valve seat 56. In this state, the electrode kneaded material 21 introduced into the introduction chamber 51 is introduced into the discharge chamber 52 through the communication hole 56a and supplied to the slit die 34 through the discharge port 54b. Thereafter, when the tapered surface 552a of the first valve member 552 contacts the valve seat 56 and the communication hole 56a is closed by the first valve member 552, the introduction of the electrode kneaded material 21 into the discharge chamber 52 is stopped, and the slit The supply of the electrode kneaded material 21 to the die 34 is also stopped.

  Then, when the electrode kneaded material 21 is supplied to the slit die 34 next, compressed air is supplied from the first port 54c to the compressed air supply chamber 53, and the on-off valve 55 is moved downward in the figure.

  Thus, the communication hole 56a is opened until the side surface 553a of the second valve member 553 contacts the valve seat 56, and the electrode kneaded material 21 introduced into the introduction chamber 51 passes through the communication hole 56a. Are introduced into the discharge chamber 52 and supplied to the slit die 34 through the discharge port 54b. Thereafter, when the side surface 553a of the second valve member 553 contacts the valve seat 56 and the communication hole 56a is closed by the second valve member 553, the introduction of the electrode kneaded material 21 into the discharge chamber 52 is stopped, and the slit die The supply of the electrode kneaded material 21 to 34 is also stopped.

  Thus, according to the present embodiment, the first valve member 552 and the second valve member 553 are provided so as to face each other with the valve seat 56 therebetween, and the communication passage 56a is provided with the first valve member 552 and the second valve member. 553 and alternately closed. As a result, the communication hole 56a can be opened and closed simply by moving the open / close valve 55 upward (or one stroke) in the axial direction. Therefore, it is possible to pass through a state in which the valve opening is fully opened between the opening and closing of the communication hole 56a.

  Therefore, even if the application speed of the electrode kneaded product 21 is increased in the coating process, the required amount of the electrode kneaded product 21 can be discharged, and the production efficiency of the lithium ion secondary battery 1 can be increased.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The second embodiment of the present invention is different from the first embodiment in the shape of the second valve member 553. Hereinafter, the difference will be mainly described. In each embodiment described below, the same reference numerals are used for portions that perform the same functions as those of the above-described embodiments, and repeated description is appropriately omitted.

  FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the intermittent supply valve 50 according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 4, in the present embodiment, the diameter of the second valve member 553 is made larger than the diameter of the first valve member 552. In this way, by increasing the diameter of the second valve member 553, the electrode kneaded material 21 discharged from the intermittent supply valve 50 can be easily pulled back when the second valve member 553 closes the communication hole 56a. The pressure can be easily generated. Therefore, it is possible to suppress discharge of excess electrode kneaded material 21 from the slit die 34 after the valve is closed, and it is possible to stabilize the discharge amount at the end of coating.

  According to this embodiment described above, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained, and the diameter of the second valve member 553 is increased. Accordingly, when the communication hole 56a is closed by the second valve member 553, the discharged electrode kneaded material 21 discharged from the intermittent supply valve 50 can be easily pulled back, and the discharge amount at the end of coating can be stabilized. it can. Therefore, the sharpness (partially shaped linearity) of the terminal portion of the applied electrode kneaded product 21 can be improved.

(Third embodiment)
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. The third embodiment of the present invention is different from the second embodiment in the shape of the second valve member 553. Hereinafter, the difference will be mainly described.

  FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the intermittent supply valve 50 according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the second valve member 553 of the intermittent supply valve 50 according to the present embodiment includes a flange portion 553 b having a larger diameter at the upper end than the lower end side diameter of the first valve member 552. By providing the flange portion 553b, it is possible to easily generate a negative pressure when the communication hole 56a is closed by the second valve member 553, as in the second embodiment, so that the discharge amount at the end of application can be stabilized.

  However, by increasing the diameter, it becomes easier to receive the pressure of the electrode kneaded material 21 introduced into the discharge chamber 52 through the communication hole 56a, so that the second valve member 553 is less likely to return to the valve seat side. Therefore, in the present embodiment, a plurality of through holes 553c are provided in the flange portion 553b.

  FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of the second valve member 553. 6A is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the second valve member 553, and FIG. 6B is a bottom view of the second valve member 553.

  As shown in FIGS. 6 (A) and 6 (B), four through holes 553c are formed in the flange portion 553b at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction. In this way, when the communication hole 56a is closed by the second valve member 553, the electrode kneaded product 21 can be passed through the through hole 553c, so that the pressure received by the collar portion 553b from the electrode kneaded product 21 is reduced. Can be made. Therefore, the second valve member 553 can be easily returned to the valve seat side.

  According to the present embodiment described above, the same effects as those of the second embodiment can be obtained, and the second valve member 553 can be easily returned to the valve seat side by providing the through hole 553c in the collar portion 553b. it can.

  Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and it is obvious that various modifications can be made within the scope of the technical idea.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 7, the discharge amount can be changed by appropriately adjusting the diameters of the through hole 56a, the first valve member 552, and the second valve member 553. Further, as shown in FIG. 8, the discharge time can be changed by appropriately adjusting the interval between the first valve member 552 and the second valve member 553.

34 Slit die (application part)
50 Intermittent supply valve 50 (control unit)
51 Introduction chamber 52 Discharge chamber 53 Compressed air supply chamber (drive unit)
56a Communication path 551 Piston (drive part)
552 First valve member 553 Second valve member 554 Shaft (shaft member)

Claims (4)

An application part for applying a viscous fluid to an application object;
A control unit for controlling the amount of viscous fluid supplied to the application unit;
A coating apparatus comprising:
The controller is
An introduction chamber into which a viscous fluid is introduced;
A discharge chamber for discharging the viscous fluid introduced into the introduction chamber;
A communication path communicating the introduction chamber and the discharge chamber;
A first valve member for closing the communication path from the introduction chamber side;
A second valve member for closing the communication path from the discharge chamber side;
A shaft member provided with the first valve member and the second valve member;
A drive unit that drives the shaft member such that the communication path is alternately closed by the first valve member and the second valve member;
A coating apparatus comprising: The diameter of the second valve member is larger than the diameter of the first valve member,
The coating apparatus according to claim 1. The second valve member is
A flange having a diameter larger than the diameter of the first valve member;
A through hole penetrating the collar portion in the axial direction;
The coating apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: The drive unit is
A compressed air supply chamber to which compressed air is supplied;
The slidably disposed in the compressed air supply chamber and connected to the shaft member, and the communication passage is closed from the introduction chamber side by the first valve member by the supplied compressed air, or the communication A piston pressed in a direction in which a passage is closed from the discharge chamber side by the second valve member;
The coating apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising:

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