JP2015009233A - Coating apparatus and usage of the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a coating apparatus which is suitable for paste circulation for preventing gelation of a paste during non-coating time and prevention of clogging of a filter element, and to provide usage of the coating apparatus.SOLUTION: A coating apparatus 1 includes: a filter part 10 having a filter element 11; a supply passage 20; a coating part 30 which applies a passing paste 81 to a coated object MF; a feeding passage 40; a first return passage 50 which returns the passing paste; a second return passage 60 which returns a paste 80; passage switching devices V1 to V4 which switch a paste distribution destination between the second return passage and the first return passage; first pumps PS, PM which perform first paste circulation C1; and a second pump PM which performs second paste circulation C2.

Description

  The present invention relates to a coating apparatus for applying a paste to an object to be coated and a method for using the coating apparatus.

In recent years, a chargeable / dischargeable battery has been used as a driving power source for vehicles such as hybrid vehicles and electric vehicles, and portable electronic devices such as notebook computers and video camcorders.
When manufacturing such a battery, an electrode plate is produced by applying a paste containing a component constituting the active material layer of the electrode plate in a solvent to the surface of the metal foil. In applying the paste, a filter unit having a filter element for removing foreign matters in the paste, a supply path for supplying the paste toward the filter unit, and a paste that has passed through the filter unit (passing paste described later) There is a case in which a coating apparatus including a coating unit that coats a metal foil is used.
By the way, such a paste may re-aggregate and gel when allowed to stand. In particular, at the time of non-coating such as at night when the coating operation is not performed, the paste in the coating apparatus may be gelled, which may hinder the next coating operation such as the next day. Thus, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses a method of circulating a paste without leaving it stationary during non-coating in order to prevent the gelation of the coating apparatus. Specifically, it is equipped with a discharge slit (coating part), a suction slit for sucking a coating liquid (paste) from this discharge slit, and a coating liquid circulation device, and is discharged by the coating circulation device when not coating. A flow of the coating liquid flowing from the slit to the suction slit is generated, and the coating liquid is circulated as shown by an arrow B in FIG.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-113954

  However, when the coating liquid (paste) is circulated at the time of non-coating as in Patent Document 1 described above, this paste repeatedly passes through the filter element of the filter unit of the coating apparatus, and thus becomes overdispersed. The viscosity of the paste may increase. As a result, the filter element is clogged in the filter portion, and the paste may be difficult to circulate.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a problem, and is a coating device suitable for paste circulation for preventing gelation of a paste at the time of non-coating and prevention of clogging of a filter element, and this coating. It aims at providing the usage method of a construction apparatus.

  One aspect of the present invention is a filter unit having a filter element for removing foreign matters in a paste, a supply path for supplying the paste toward the filter unit, and a passing paste that has passed through the filter element among the pastes A coating portion for coating the article to be coated, a delivery path for delivering the passing paste from the filter section toward the coating section, and a first return position in the delivery path from a first return position in the delivery path. From the first return path for returning the passing paste to the 1 return position and the second return position upstream from the filter element, to the second return position located upstream from the second feedback position in the supply path A second return path for returning the paste and a distribution destination of the paste supplied from the supply path through the second return path, the filter element and the delivery path. A flow path switching device that switches to any one of the first return path, a downstream part of the first return position, the filter unit, an upstream part of the first return position of the delivery path, and the first A first pump that circulates the paste by circulating the return path; a portion of the supply path from the second return position to the second return position; and the paste that is circulated through the second return path. And a second pump to be circulated.

The above-described coating apparatus includes a second return path, a flow path switching device, and a second pump in addition to the first return path and the first pump described above. For this reason, in this coating apparatus, for example, by switching the flow path switching device at the time of non-coating, the upstream portion of the first return position in the supply path and the upstream portion of the first return position in the filter section and the delivery path In addition to the paste circulation through the first return path (hereinafter also referred to as the first circulation), the portion from the second return position to the second return position, and the paste through the second return path Circulation (hereinafter also referred to as second circulation) can be performed. In addition, while the paste is first circulated, gelation of the paste can be prevented, while the paste is second circulated to prevent the paste from being overdispersed. For this reason, for example, if the first circulation and the second circulation are alternately performed, the gelation of the paste can be prevented by the first and second circulations, and overdispersion of the paste due to repeated passage of the filter element is suppressed. The increase in the viscosity of the paste can be suppressed, and the occurrence of clogging of the filter element can be suppressed.
Thus, this coating apparatus is a coating apparatus suitable for paste circulation for preventing gelation of the paste during non-coating and for preventing clogging of the filter element.

In addition, as a form of a supply path, the form which consists only of piping which distribute | circulates a paste, and the form containing the tank which stores a paste other than piping are mentioned, for example. A pump for moving the paste, a paste, and a mixer for stirring may be disposed in the supply path. Moreover, as a form of a delivery path, the form which consists only of piping which distribute | circulates a passage paste, and the form containing the tank which stores passage paste other than piping are mentioned, for example. A pump or a mixer may be arranged in the delivery path.
Further, a pump for moving the passing paste and a mixer for stirring the passing paste may be arranged in the first return path. Moreover, you may arrange | position the pump which moves a paste, and the mixer which stirs a paste in a 2nd return path.

Further, the first return position and the second return position may be different positions in the supply path or may coincide with each other. Further, the second feedback position can be set at a position upstream of the filter element in the filter unit or a position downstream of the second return position in the supply path.
Further, the first pump and the second pump may be separated, or the same pump may be used as long as the first circulation and the second circulation of the paste can be performed. good.
Examples of the flow path switching device include a first valve that opens and closes a first return path and a second valve that opens and closes a second return path.

  Furthermore, it is the above-mentioned coating apparatus, Comprising: The control means which controls switching of the said flow-path switching apparatus and the drive of a said 1st pump and a said 2nd pump is provided, The said control means is to the said to-be-coated article. Non-coating flow means for causing the paste to flow during non-coating without coating, wherein the non-coating flow means switches the flow path switching device and drives the first pump. Then, the paste is circulated through the supply passage downstream of the first return position, the filter portion, the delivery passage upstream of the first return position, and the first return passage. The circulation means and the flow path switching device are switched and the second pump is driven to circulate the paste through the portion from the second return position to the second return position and the second return path. Second circulation hand When, the first circulation unit for a first period, the second circulation means over a second time period, and switching means for alternately performed, it may be set to be a coating apparatus including a.

  The above-described coating apparatus includes a control unit having a non-coating flow means, and the non-coating flow means includes the above-described first circulation means, second circulation means, and switching means. Yes. The switching means alternately executes the first circulation means over the first period and the second circulation means over the second period during non-coating. As a result, the coating apparatus can automatically perform operations for preventing paste from gelling and preventing clogging of the filter element.

  Further, in any one of the above-described coating apparatuses, the second return position is a position on the upstream side of the filter element in the filter unit, and the paste is passed through the second return path. When returning to 2 return position, it is good to set it as the coating apparatus used as a position which produces the flow of the said paste along the upstream surface of the said filter element in the said filter part.

As described above, when the first circulation is continued, the paste is excessively dispersed and the viscosity is increased, the filter element is clogged, and deposits made of solid content in the paste are deposited on the upstream surface thereof. Sometimes.
On the other hand, in the above-mentioned coating apparatus, the 2nd feedback position is made into the position which produces the flow of the paste which follows the upstream surface of a filter element in a filter part among filter parts. For this reason, when the paste is second circulated, deposits accumulated on the upstream surface of the filter element can be removed, and clogging of the filter element can be recovered. In addition, the deposit removed from the upstream surface can be returned to the solid content of the paste again by the second circulation.
Thus, a coating apparatus that can more reliably circulate the paste and prevent gelation of the paste during non-coating can be obtained.

  Furthermore, according to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a filter unit having a filter element for removing foreign matters in the paste, a supply path for supplying the paste toward the filter unit, and the filter element in the paste. A coating part that applies the passing paste to the coating object, a delivery path that delivers the passing paste from the filter part toward the coating part, and the supply from a first return position in the delivery path A first return path for returning the passing paste to a first return position in the path and a second return position upstream from the filter element, and a second position located upstream from the second feedback position in the supply path. 2 The second return path for returning the paste to the return position, the distribution destination of the paste supplied from the supply path, the second return path, the filter element and the upper A flow path switching device that switches to any one of the first return path through the delivery path, a downstream portion of the first return position in the supply path, the filter unit, and the first return position in the delivery path. Circulating the upstream part, the first pump for circulating the paste by circulating the first return path, the part from the second return position to the second return position, and the second return path A method of using a coating apparatus comprising a second pump for circulating the paste, wherein the flow path switching device is switched over a first period at the time of non-coating in which application to the workpiece is not performed. And driving the first pump to the downstream part of the first return position in the supply path, the filter part, the upstream part of the first return position in the delivery path, and the first return path. Paste above Over the first circulation to be circulated and the second period, the flow path switching device is switched and the second pump is driven, and the portion from the second return position to the second return position, and the second return It is the usage method of the coating apparatus which performs alternately the 2nd circulation which circulates the said paste on a path | route.

  In the usage method of the coating apparatus described above, the first circulation and the second circulation described above are alternately performed during non-coating. For this reason, compared with the case where only 1st circulation is performed at the time of non-coating, the paste dispersion | distribution by the filter element and the clogging of the filter element accompanying this can be suppressed. Accordingly, the gelation of the paste can be appropriately prevented at the time of non-coating.

  Furthermore, in the method for using the coating apparatus described above, the coating apparatus is configured such that the second feedback position is a position on the upstream side of the filter element in the filter unit, and the second return path. When the paste is returned to the second return position, it is preferable to use the coating apparatus as a position in the filter portion that causes the paste to flow along the upstream surface of the filter element.

  The above-mentioned coating apparatus makes the 2nd feedback position the position which produces the flow of the paste along the upstream surface of a filter element in a filter part among filter parts. For this reason, about this coating device, if the above-mentioned 2nd circulation is performed, a paste can be made to flow along the upstream surface of a filter element. Therefore, the clogging of the filter element can be recovered by removing the deposits accumulated on the upstream surface of the filter element during the first circulation during the second circulation.

It is explanatory drawing of the coating apparatus concerning embodiment. It is sectional drawing of the filter part of the coating device concerning embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the process of the coating device at the time of non-coating concerning embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the process of a 1st circulation subroutine among processes of the coating device at the time of non-coating concerning embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the process of a 2nd circulation subroutine among processes of the coating device at the time of non-coating concerning embodiment. It is a graph which shows a time-dependent change of the differential pressure | voltage of a filter element.

(Embodiment)
Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
First, the coating apparatus 1 concerning this embodiment is demonstrated with reference to FIG. The coating apparatus 1 is an apparatus that applies the paste 80 on the current collector foil MF when manufacturing an electrode plate (a positive electrode plate in the present embodiment).
The coating apparatus 1 includes a filter unit 10, a supply path 20 that supplies a paste 80 toward the filter unit 10, and a coating that coats the current collector foil MF with the paste 80 (passing paste 81 described below). Part 30 and a delivery path 40 for sending paste 80 (passage paste 81 described below) from filter part 10 to coating part 30 (see FIG. 1). Further, the first return path 50 for returning the paste 80 (passing paste 81) from the delivery path 40 (second tank section 45 described later) to the supply path 20 (first tank section 25 described below), and the filter section 10. And a second return path 60 for returning the paste 80 from the inside (housing 12 described later) into the supply path 20 (first tank portion 25). Further, the main pump PM and mixer M arranged in the supply path 20, the first valve V 1 and the fourth valve V 4 arranged in the delivery path 40, and the third valve arranged in the first return path 50. V3 and the sub pump PS, and the 2nd valve V2 arrange | positioned in the 2nd return path 60 are provided (refer FIG. 1).

  Of the coating apparatus 1 described above, the coating unit 30 includes a slit-shaped nozzle unit 31 that faces the current collector foil MF. Using this nozzle unit 31, the coating unit 30 applies the passing paste 81 that has passed through the filter element 11 (described later) of the filter unit 10 of the paste 80 onto the current collector foil MF.

  The supply path 20 includes a first tank unit 25 that stores the paste 80 and a pipe 21 that communicates the first tank unit 25 and the filter unit 10. In the pipe 21, a mixer M for stirring the paste 80 flowing through the pipe 21 and a main pump PM are arranged. The main pump PM pumps the paste 80 in the pipe 21 from the first tank portion 25 side to the filter portion 10 side.

  The first tank portion 25 of the supply path 20 is a tank that temporarily stores the paste 80 supplied from the outside. The first tank portion 25 includes a first connecting portion J1 that is connected to the first return path 50 and a second connecting portion J2 that is connected to the second return path 60. The paste 80 (passing paste 81) returns to the first tank portion 25 through the first connecting portion J1. Moreover, the paste 80 returns to the 1st tank part 25 through the 2nd connection part J2.

  The delivery path 40 of the coating apparatus 1 communicates the second tank unit 45 that stores the passing paste 81 that has passed through the filter element 11 of the filter unit 10 among the paste 80, and the second tank unit 45 and the filter unit 10. A first pipe 41 that communicates with the second tank unit 45 and the coating unit 30. A first valve V1 is arranged in the first pipe 41, and a fourth valve V4 is arranged in the second pipe. Of these, by operating (opening / closing) the first valve V <b> 1, it is possible to switch whether or not to pass the passing paste 81 through the first pipe 41. Further, by operating (opening / closing) the fourth valve V4, it is possible to switch whether or not to pass the passing paste 81 through the second pipe.

  Moreover, if the part between the 2nd tank part 45 and the 4th valve | bulb V4 among the 2nd piping 42 is made into the upstream 2nd piping 42X, the 2nd piping 42 will be 1st to this upstream 2nd piping 42X. It has the 3rd connection part J3 connected with the return path 50 (refer FIG. 1). For this reason, the passing paste 81 flowing out from the second tank portion 45 to the second pipe 42 (upstream second pipe 42X) can be circulated toward the first return path 50 through the third connecting portion J3. In addition, since the 3rd connection part J3 is provided in the position of the downstream rather than the 2nd tank part 45, if the passage paste 81 is poured into the 1st return path 50, first, the downstream of the 2nd tank part 45 will be carried out. The passing paste 81 located flows, and the passing paste 81 on the upstream side flows accordingly. Accordingly, the entire passing paste 81 stored in the second tank portion 45 can be flowed. Thus, when the passing paste 81 flows through the first return path 50 through the third connecting portion J3, the gelation of the passing paste 81 in the second tank portion 45 can be prevented.

  Further, in the first return path 50, a sub pump PS for moving the passing paste 81 flowing in the first return path 50 and a third valve V3 are arranged. For this reason, it is possible to switch whether or not to pass the passage paste 81 through the first return path 50 by opening and closing the third valve V3. The sub-pump PS pumps the passing paste 81 in the first return path 50 from the second tank section 45 side to the first tank section 25 side of the supply path 20. Thereby, the passing paste 81 in the first return path 50 can be reliably moved toward the first tank portion 25.

  On the other hand, a second valve V <b> 2 is disposed in the second return path 60. Therefore, whether or not the paste 80 is allowed to flow through the second return path 60 can be switched by opening and closing the second valve V2.

In addition, the filter unit 10 includes a filter element 11 that removes foreign matter in the paste 80 and a housing 12 that houses the filter element 11 therein. Among these, the filter element 11 has a bottomed cylindrical shape having an opening 11B at one end.
Moreover, the housing | casing 12 consists of the disk-shaped bottom part 13 and the cover part 14, and the cylindrical side wall part 15 located between these bottom parts 13 and the cover part 14 (refer FIG. 2). The bottom portion 13 of the housing 12 has a fifth connecting portion J5 connected to the supply passage 20 (pipe 21) described above, and the lid portion 14 connected to the delivery passage 40 (first pipe 41) described above. 6 connection part J6 and the 4th connection part J4 connected with the 2nd return path 60 mentioned above are each formed in the side wall part 15 (refer FIG. 2).
As shown in FIG. 2, in the present embodiment, the opening 11 </ b> B of the filter element 11 and the lid portion 14 are inside the housing 12 so that the sixth connecting portion J <b> 6 of the lid portion 14 is covered with the filter element 11. Connected. For this reason, the space inside the filter element 11 (the space Y described below) communicates with the delivery path 40 (first pipe 41) through the sixth connecting portion J6 (see FIG. 2).

  The space inside the housing 12 is divided by the filter element 11 into the space X located inside the housing 12 and outside the filter element 11, inside the housing 12, and inside the filter element 11. It is divided into a space Y that is located. In the present embodiment, the paste 80 moves from the space X to the space Y through the filter element 11. Accordingly, in the filter unit 10, the space X is relatively upstream and the space Y is relatively downstream. In addition, let the surface which faces the upstream space X among the surfaces of the filter element 11 be the upstream surface 11F.

Moreover, this filter part 10 has provided the 4th connection part J4 in the position near the edge by the side of the cover part 14 among the side wall parts 15. FIG. Therefore, when the paste 80 flows from the space X to the second return path 60 through the fourth connecting portion J4 without passing through the filter element 11, the upstream side of the filter element 11 is placed in the housing 12 of the filter portion 10. A flow of the paste 80 is generated along the surface 11F (upward in FIG. 2) (see the arrow in FIG. 2).
For example, when the paste 80 whose viscosity has increased due to overdispersion or the like passes through the filter element 11, deposits made of the solid content of the paste 80 are deposited on the upstream surface 11 </ b> F, and the filter element 11 is clogged. In such a case, the deposit deposited on the upstream surface 11F can be removed by the flow of the paste 80 along the upstream surface 11F, and the clogging of the filter element 11 can be recovered.

  The coating apparatus 1 includes a control unit 2 including a microcomputer (not shown) that operates according to a predetermined program. The control unit 2 controls the opening / closing of the above-described valves (first valve V1, second valve V2, third valve V3, fourth valve V4) and drive control of each pump (main pump PM, sub pump PS). I do. For example, at the time of coating, the first valve V1 and the fourth valve V4 are opened, and the second valve V2 and the third valve V3 are closed. Then, the main pump PM is driven while the sub pump PS is stopped. Thereby, the paste 80 (passage paste 81) does not flow through the first return path 50 and the second return path 60, but the first tank part 25 of the supply path 20, the pipe 21 of the supply path 20, the filter part 10, and the delivery. It moves to the coating part 30 via the first pipe 41, the second tank part 45, and the second pipe 42 in this order, and is applied onto the current collector foil MF.

  On the other hand, when the application to the current collector foil MF is not performed, the control unit 2 alternates between the first circulation C1 and the second circulation C2 for circulating the paste 80 (passing paste 81) in the coating apparatus 1. To do. In the present embodiment, the first circulation C1 refers to the first tank part 25, the pipe 21, the filter part 10 in the supply path 20, the first pipe 41 in the delivery path 40, the second tank part 45, and the upstream described above. This refers to circulation of the paste 80 (passing paste 81) passing through the second side piping 42X and the first return path 50 (see FIG. 1). In the present embodiment, the second circulation C2 refers to the circulation of the paste 80 passing through the first tank portion 25, the piping 21, the space X of the filter portion 10, and the second return passage 60 in the supply passage 20 ( (See FIG. 1).

Next, the drive process of the coating apparatus 1 by the control part 2 mentioned above at the time of coating and the time of non-coating is demonstrated, referring the flowchart of FIG.
First, in step S1, the passing paste 81 is applied onto the current collector foil using the coating apparatus 1. Specifically, the first valve V1 and the fourth valve V4 are opened. On the other hand, the second valve V2 and the third valve V3 are closed. At the same time, the main pump PM is driven. As a result, the paste 80 is moved from the first tank portion 25 of the supply path 20 to the filter portion 10 via the pipe 21 and passes through the filter element 11. Further, the passing paste 81 that has passed through the filter element 11 is moved to the coating unit 30 via the first pipe 41, the second tank unit 45, and the second pipe 42, and is applied onto the current collector foil MF. .

Next, in the coating apparatus 1, it is determined whether or not the application of the paste 80 (passing paste 81) has been completed (step S2). If NO, that is, if the coating has not been completed, step S2 is repeated. On the other hand, if the coating is terminated due to YES, for example, when the end work time is reached, the process proceeds to step S3 and the fourth valve V4 is closed. Thereby, the passage paste 81 is stopped from moving from the second tank portion 45 to the second pipe 42.
Thereafter, the process proceeds to the first circulation subroutine S10.

In the first circulation subroutine S10 (see FIG. 4), the first circulation C1 described above is performed for the paste 80 (passing paste 81) during the first period T1 (in this embodiment, 600 sec).
Specifically, first, in step S11, the third valve V3 is opened. Next, the sub pump PS arranged in the first return path 50 is driven (step S12). As a result, the passing paste 81 moves (returns) from the second tank part 45 to the first tank part 25 via the second pipe 42X upstream of the second pipe 42 and the first return path 50.
In the present embodiment, since the main pump PM is continuously driven even during the execution of the first circulation subroutine S10, the paste 80 in the first tank portion 25 is applied to the pipe 21, the filter, as in coating. It moves to the second tank part 45 via the part 10 (filter element 11) and the first pipe 41.
Thus, the paste 80 (passing paste 81) can be made to perform the first circulation C1 described above, and gelation of the paste 80 (passing paste 81) can be prevented.

In the subsequent step S13, it is determined whether or not a first period T1 (= 600 sec) has elapsed since the sub pump PS was driven. Here, NO, that is, if the first period T1 has not elapsed since the sub pump PS was driven, step S13 is repeated to wait for the first period T1 to elapse. On the other hand, if YES, that is, if the first period T1 has elapsed since driving, the process proceeds to step S14, where the sub pump PS is stopped.
Further, the third valve V3 is closed (step S15), and the process returns to the main routine shown in FIG.

In the main routine shown in FIG. 3, the process proceeds to the second circulation subroutine S20 after the first circulation subroutine S10.
In the second circulation subroutine S20 (see FIG. 5), the second circulation C2 described above for the paste 80 is performed during the second period T2 (60 seconds in the present embodiment).
First, in step S21, the second valve V2 is opened, and then the first valve V1 is closed (step S22). In the present embodiment, the main pump PM is continuously driven as in the first circulation subroutine S10 even during the execution of the second circulation subroutine S20. Thus, the second circulation C <b> 2 described above can be performed in the paste 80, overdispersion of the paste 80 due to repeated passage through the filter element 11 can be suppressed, and clogging of the filter element 11 can be prevented. Further, the clogging of the filter element 11 can be recovered by removing the deposits deposited on the upstream surface 11F of the filter element 11 generated during the first circulation C1 described above.

In step S23, it is determined whether or not the second period T2 (= 60 sec) has elapsed since the first valve V1 was closed. If NO, that is, if the second period T2 has not elapsed since the first valve V1 was closed, step S23 is repeated to wait for the second period T2. On the other hand, if YES, that is, if the second period T2 has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S24 and the first valve V1 is opened.
After opening the first valve V1, the second valve V2 is also opened (step S25), and the process returns to the main routine shown in FIG.

In the main routine, after the second circulation subroutine S20, it is determined whether or not to restart the coating using the coating apparatus 1. Here, if NO, that is, if the coating is not resumed, the process returns to the first circulation subroutine S10 described above, and the first circulation subroutine S10 and the second circulation subroutine S20 are alternately performed.
On the other hand, if YES, that is, if the coating is restarted, the process proceeds to step S5, the fourth valve V4 is opened, and then the process returns to step S1.

By the way, using the coating apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, the state of the filter element 11 of the filter unit 10 when the first circulation C1 and the second circulation C2 are alternately performed at the time of non-coating was examined. Specifically, the first pressure gauge P1 is placed at the upstream position of the filter element 11 (position near the fifth connecting portion J5 of the filter section 10 described above), and the downstream position (position near the sixth connecting section J6). ) Was prepared (see FIG. 1). Then, the first circulation subroutine S10 and the second circulation subroutine S20 described above were alternately performed for 20000 sec.
During the test period, the pressure at each position is measured every 10 seconds, and from this measurement result, the differential pressure every 10 seconds (from the measured pressure value of the first pressure gauge P1 to the measured pressure of the second pressure gauge P2). The value obtained by subtracting the value was calculated. The change over time in the differential pressure is shown by a solid line in the graph of FIG.

  On the other hand, as a comparative example, the state of the filter element 11 when only the first circulation C1 was performed was examined. Specifically, the third valve V3 was opened and the sub pump PS (and the main pump PM) was continuously driven for 20000 sec using the coating apparatus 1 in which the pressure gauge was arranged. Then, in the same manner as described above, the pressure at each position was measured every 10 seconds, and the differential pressure was calculated. The time-dependent change in the differential pressure in this comparative example is indicated by a broken line in the graph of FIG.

In the comparative example shown by the broken line graph, the differential pressure became the first differential pressure PD1 immediately after starting the test. The first differential pressure PD1 is a differential pressure generated by the characteristics of the filter element 11 that allows the paste 80 to pass therethrough.
In addition, the differential pressure has not increased from the first differential pressure PD1 for a while since immediately after the start of the test. As the clogging of the filter element 11 progresses (specifically, the amount of deposits deposited on the filter element 11 increases), the differential pressure increases from the first differential pressure PD1. For this reason, it can be seen from the graph results that the filter element 11 is not clogged for a while from the start of the test. This is because the paste 80 does not repeatedly pass through the filter element 11 during this period, so that the paste 80 is not excessively dispersed, and deposits derived from the solid content of the paste 80 are formed on the upstream surface 11F of the filter element 11. It is thought that it does not accumulate.

  On the other hand, after a while from the start of the test, the differential pressure increases almost linearly with time. From this, it can be seen that, after a while from the start of the test, the clogging of the filter element 11 progresses as the time for which the first circulation C1 is performed is longer. This is because, as the time of the first circulation C1 becomes longer, the paste 80 repeatedly passes through the filter element 11, so that the paste 80 becomes overdispersed and the viscosity increases. For this reason, it is considered that the differential pressure increased because more deposits derived from the solid content of the paste 80 were deposited on the filter element 11.

On the other hand, according to the graph of the example (solid line), the differential pressure changes during the first period T1 as in the graph of the comparative example (broken line) after starting the test. The maximum value of the differential pressure between the start of the test and the first period T1 is defined as the second differential pressure PD2.
After the first period T1, during the second period T2, the differential pressure becomes the third differential pressure PD3 lower than the second differential pressure PD2 (PD3 <PD2). This is because the paste 80 can be moved not through the filter element 11 that is difficult to pass through but the second return path 60 that is easy to move by switching from the first circulation C1 to the second circulation C2. This is considered to be because the pressure of the paste 80 on the upstream side of the plate has decreased, and the difference from the pressure on the downstream side has become smaller.

Subsequently, in the first period T1S after the second period T2, the differential pressure is higher than the second differential pressure PD2, and the differential pressure gradually increases with time. However, if the minimum value of the differential pressure during the first period T1 is the fourth differential pressure PD4, it is lower than the second differential pressure PD2 described above (PD4 <PD2). From this, the differential pressure immediately after the second period T2 (fourth differential pressure PD4) is lower than the differential pressure immediately before the second period T2 (second differential pressure PD2), and in the second period T2, It can be seen that the clogging of the filter element 11 has been recovered.
As described above, since the fourth connecting portion J4 of the filter portion 10 is provided at a position near the end on the lid portion 14 side of the side wall portion 15, the paste 80 is used in the second circulation C2. Flows along the upstream surface 11F of the filter element 11. For this reason, since the deposit deposited on the upstream surface 11F of the filter element 11 could be removed by performing the second circulation C2, the clogging of the filter element 11 was recovered.

  In the present embodiment, the first connecting portion J1 is at the first return position, the second connecting portion J2 is at the second return position, the third connecting portion J3 is at the first return position, and the fourth connecting portion J4 is at the second position. Each corresponds to two return positions. In addition, the first valve V1 and the second valve V2 are the flow path switching device, the first circulation means, the second circulation means, the switching means and the non-coating flow means, respectively, and the third valve V3 and the fourth valve V4 are respectively. The main pump PM is the first pump, the second pump, the first circulation means, the second circulation means, and the non-coating flow means, and the flow switching device, the first circulation means, the switching means, and the non-coating flow means. The sub pump PS corresponds to the first pump, the first circulation means, and the non-coating flow means, respectively.

As described above, the coating apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment includes the first return path 50 and the main pump PM that is the first pump, the second return path 60, and the valves V1 and V2 that are the flow path switching devices. , V3, V4 and a sub pump PS which is a second pump. Therefore, in the coating apparatus 1, for example, the second circulation C2 can be performed in addition to the first circulation C1 by switching the valves V1, V2, V3, and V4 during non-coating. The paste 80 (passing paste 81) can be prevented from gelation by the first circulation C1, while the paste 80 is prevented from being excessively dispersed by causing the paste 80 to be second circulation C2. can do. For this reason, for example, when the first circulation C1 and the second circulation C2 are alternately performed, the first and second circulations C1 and C2 can prevent the paste 80 from being gelled, and the filter element 11 is repeatedly passed. The excessive dispersion of the paste 80 can be suppressed, the increase in the viscosity of the paste 80 can be suppressed, and the occurrence of clogging of the filter element 11 can be suppressed.
Thus, this coating apparatus 1 is a coating apparatus 1 suitable for paste circulation for preventing gelation of the paste 80 during non-coating and for preventing clogging of the filter element 11.

Further, the coating apparatus 1 includes non-coating flow means (steps S2 to S4 including valves V1, V2, V3, V4, main pump PM, sub pump PS, first circulation subroutine S10, and second circulation subroutine S20). The non-coating flow means includes a first circulation subroutine S10, a second circulation subroutine S20, and valves V1, V2, V3, V4 which are switching means, step S13, and Step S23. Then, at the time of non-coating, the switching means alternately executes the first circulation subroutine S10 over the first period T1 and the second circulation subroutine S20 over the second period T2. Thereby, the coating apparatus 1 can be made to automatically perform the operations of preventing the gelation of the paste 80 and preventing the clogging of the filter element 11.

Moreover, in this coating apparatus 1, the 4th connection part J4 of the filter part 10 is made into the position which produces the flow of the paste 80 along the upstream surface 11F of the filter element 11 in the filter part 10 among the filter parts 10. Yes. For this reason, when the paste 80 is subjected to the second circulation C2, deposits deposited on the upstream surface 11F of the filter element 11 can be removed, and clogging of the filter element 11 can be recovered.
Thus, the coating apparatus 1 that can more reliably circulate the paste 80 and prevent gelation of the paste 80 during non-coating can be obtained.

  Moreover, in the usage method of the coating apparatus 1, the 1st circulation C1 and the 2nd circulation C2 which were mentioned above are alternately performed at the time of non-coating. For this reason, compared with the case where only 1st circulation C1 is performed at the time of non-coating, the overdispersion of the paste 80 by the filter element 11 and the clogging of the filter element 11 accompanying this can be suppressed. Therefore, the gelation of the paste 80 can be appropriately prevented during non-coating.

  Further, the fourth connecting portion J4 of the filter unit 10 is a position in the filter unit 10 where the flow of the paste 80 along the upstream surface 11F of the filter element 11 is generated in the filter unit 10. For this reason, when the second circulation C <b> 2 is performed on the coating apparatus 1, the paste 80 can flow along the upstream surface 11 </ b> F of the filter element 11. Therefore, the clogging of the filter element 11 can be recovered by removing the deposit deposited on the upstream surface 11F of the filter element 11 during the first circulation C1 during the second circulation C2.

In the above, the present invention has been described with reference to the embodiment. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and it is needless to say that the present invention can be appropriately modified and applied without departing from the gist thereof.
For example, in the above-described embodiment, the form having the pipe 21 and the first tank portion 25 is shown as the form of the supply path. However, it is good also as a form which consists only of piping. In such a case, there is a method of flowing the paste into a supply path from a tank portion provided outside the coating apparatus. Moreover, the form which has piping (1st piping 41, 2nd piping 42) and the 2nd tank part 45 was shown as a form of a delivery path. However, it is good also as a form which consists only of piping. In such a case, there is a method of moving the passing paste as it is from the filter part to the coating part through the delivery path.

Moreover, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the coating apparatus which has arrange | positioned the 1st pump to the 1st return path and the supply path was shown. However, as long as the first pump can perform the first circulation C1 of the paste, the first pump may be disposed in any part of the first circulation C1. Moreover, although what showed the 2nd pump arrange | positioned in the supply path was shown, if the 2nd pump can perform the 2nd circulation C2 of a paste, a 2nd pump will be arrange | positioned in any site | part of the 2nd circulation C2. May be.
Moreover, although the coating apparatus which has arrange | positioned the mixer M in the supply path was shown, the mixer was arrange | positioned in at least any one in a supply path, a delivery path, a 1st return path, and a 2nd return path. A coating device may be used. Moreover, it is good also as a coating device which does not arrange | position a mixer in any of a supply path, a delivery path, a 1st return path, or a 2nd return path.
Moreover, although the 2nd feedback position (4th connection part J4) was set to the position upstream from the filter element 11 among the filter parts 10, even if it sets to the position downstream from the 2nd return position among supply paths. good.

1 Coating device 2 Control unit (control means)
10 Filter section (part from the second return position to the second return position)
11 filter element 11F upstream surface 20 supply path 21 piping (downstream part of the first return position, part from the second return position to the second return position in the supply path)
25 1st tank part (portion downstream from first return position, second return position to second return position in supply path)
30 coating part 40 delivery path 41 1st piping (upstream part of 1st return position among delivery paths)
42X Upstream second piping (upstream part of the first return position in the delivery path)
45 Second tank part (upstream part of the first return position in the delivery path)
50 1st return path 60 2nd return path 80 Paste 81 Passing paste C1 1st circulation C2 2nd circulation J1 1st connection part (1st return position)
J2 Second connecting part (second return position, upstream position of filter element)
J3 Third connection (first return position)
J4 4th connecting part (2nd return position)
MF current collector foil (to be coated)
PM main pump (first pump, second pump, first circulation means, second circulation means, non-coating flow means)
PS sub pump (first pump, first circulation means, non-coating flow means)
T1 First period T2 Second period V1 First valve (flow path switching device, first circulation means, second circulation means, switching means, non-coating flow means)
V2 second valve (flow path switching device, first circulation means, second circulation means, switching means, non-coating flow means)
V3 3rd valve (flow path switching device, first circulation means, switching means, non-coating flow means)
V4 4th valve (flow path switching device, first circulation means, switching means, non-coating flow means)

Claims (5)

A filter unit having a filter element for removing foreign matter in the paste;
A supply path for supplying the paste toward the filter unit;
Among the pastes, a coating portion that applies a passing paste that has passed through the filter element to an object to be coated;
A delivery path for delivering the passing paste from the filter part toward the coating part;
A first return path for returning the passing paste from a first return position in the delivery path to a first return position in the supply path;
A second return path for returning the paste from a second feedback position upstream of the filter element to a second return position of the supply path upstream of the second feedback position;
A flow path switching device for switching the distribution destination of the paste supplied from the supply path to any one of the second return path, the filter element, and the first return path through the delivery path;
A first part that circulates the paste by circulating the downstream part of the first return position in the supply path, the filter part, the upstream part of the first return position in the delivery path, and the first return path. A pump,
A coating apparatus comprising: a portion from the second return position to the second return position; and a second pump for circulating the paste by circulating the second return path. The coating apparatus according to claim 1,
Control means for controlling switching of the flow path switching device and driving of the first pump and the second pump;
The control means includes
At the time of non-coating that does not apply to the object to be coated, the non-coating flow means for flowing the paste,
The non-coating flow means is:
The flow path switching device is switched and the first pump is driven to paste the paste at the first return position of the supply path downstream of the first return position, the filter unit, and the delivery path. An upstream portion and first circulation means for circulation through the first return path;
Second circulation means for switching the flow path switching device and driving the second pump to circulate the paste through the part from the second return position to the second return position and the second return path. When,
And a switching unit that alternately executes the first circulation unit over a first period and the second circulation unit over a second period. The coating apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,
The second feedback position is a position on the upstream side of the filter element in the filter unit,
A coating apparatus that serves as a position in the filter portion for causing the paste to flow along the upstream surface of the filter element when returning the paste to the second return position through the second return path. A filter unit having a filter element for removing foreign matter in the paste;
A supply path for supplying the paste toward the filter unit;
Among the pastes, a coating portion that applies a passing paste that has passed through the filter element to an object to be coated;
A delivery path for delivering the passing paste from the filter part toward the coating part;
A first return path for returning the passing paste from a first return position in the delivery path to a first return position in the supply path;
A second return path for returning the paste from a second feedback position upstream of the filter element to a second return position of the supply path upstream of the second feedback position;
A flow path switching device for switching the distribution destination of the paste supplied from the supply path to any one of the second return path, the filter element, and the first return path through the delivery path;
A first part that circulates the paste by circulating the downstream part of the first return position in the supply path, the filter part, the upstream part of the first return position in the delivery path, and the first return path. A pump,
A part from the second return position to the second return position, and a second pump that circulates the paste by circulating the second return path,
At the time of non-coating without applying to the above-mentioned object,
Over the first period, the flow path switching device is switched and the first pump is driven so that the downstream portion of the first return position in the supply path, the filter unit, and the first return position of the delivery path. And a first circulation for circulating the paste in the first return path,
Over the second period, the flow path switching device is switched and the second pump is driven to circulate the paste in the portion from the second return position to the second return position and the second return path. The usage method of the coating apparatus which performs 2nd circulation alternately. It is a usage method of the coating apparatus of Claim 4, Comprising:
The coating apparatus is
The second feedback position is a position on the upstream side of the filter element in the filter unit,
A method of using a coating apparatus as a position where the paste flows along the upstream surface of the filter element in the filter portion when returning the paste to the second return position through the second return path.

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