JP2015217354A - Coating film manufacturing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a coating film manufacturing device which prevents generation of defects of a coated film by restricting dehydration of a film surface after coating film formation, and protects the film surface after coating film formation from an outside air flow, and further avoids a temperature influence due to hot air leaking from a dehydration process.SOLUTION: A coating film manufacturing device 100 includes: a coating unit 20 for coating and forming a film on a substrate to be coated 1; and a dehydration unit 30 for drying the coated film continuously disposed and deposited on a wake flow side of the coating unit. The coating film manufacturing device includes: a protection cover 40 which is disposed at a region from a coating part 21 of the coating unit to an entrance 32 of the dehydration unit, and covers a surface side of the coated film on the substrate to be coated 1; and an air blow part 50 for blowing air onto an external side of the protection cover.

Description

  The present invention relates to a coating film manufacturing apparatus including a coating unit and a drying unit.

  As a coating film manufacturing apparatus, there is one in which a coating unit that performs a coating process and a drying unit that performs a drying process are continuously arranged (see Patent Document 1). This type of coating film manufacturing apparatus forms a coating film on a substrate to be coated by a die in a coating process. After the coating process, the coating film is conveyed to a drying process, and the coating film is dried. In the technique of Patent Document 1, drying of the coating film surface is promoted by further providing a pre-drying step before the drying step.

JP 2012-166549 A

  However, if drying of the coating film surface is excessively promoted, the film surface shrinks due to rapid drying, and defects such as cracks, peeling, and pinholes occur in the coating film. Therefore, it is necessary to perform drying in an appropriate environment.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and prevents excessive drying of the film surface after coating film formation to prevent the occurrence of defects in the coating film, and the film surface after coating film formation. An object of the present invention is to provide a coating film manufacturing apparatus capable of protecting a film from an external airflow.

  In order to achieve the above object, a coating film manufacturing apparatus according to the present invention comprises a coating unit that coats and forms a coating on a substrate to be coated, and a coating film that is continuously disposed on the downstream side of the coating unit and deposited. A drying unit. The coating film manufacturing apparatus is disposed in a region from the coating unit of the coating unit to the entrance of the drying unit, and covers a surface of the coating film on the substrate to be coated, and an outer side of the protective cover And an air blow part for blowing air onto.

  The coating film manufacturing apparatus according to the present invention covers a region from the coating unit of the coating unit to the inlet of the drying unit with a protective cover. By covering the region from the coating unit to the entrance of the drying unit with a protective cover, it is possible to suppress excessive drying of the film surface after coating film formation and to prevent the occurrence of coating film defects. In addition, air is blown to the outside of the protective cover by the air blow unit. By blowing air to the outside of the protective cover, the intrusion of the external airflow into the protective cover is prevented, so that the film surface after coating film formation can be protected from the external airflow.

It is a schematic diagram of the coating film manufacturing apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a typical perspective view of the coating film manufacturing apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment. In 1st Embodiment, it is a figure where it uses for description of the relationship of the width direction length of a protective cover. 4A to 4C are schematic diagrams of a multi-nozzle installation type, FIG. 4D is a schematic diagram of a single nozzle installation type, and FIG. 4E is an air nozzle discharge port in the first embodiment. FIG. It is a figure where it uses for description of the installation angle of the air nozzle in 1st Embodiment. It is a schematic diagram of the shape of the exhaust port in 1st Embodiment. It is a figure where it uses for description of the air control system in 1st Embodiment. FIG. 8A is a plan view of a double-sided open / close mesh size automatic switching mechanism in the first embodiment, and FIG. 8B is a front view. It is a front view of the one-side opening-and-closing type mesh automatic switching mechanism in a 1st embodiment. In 1st Embodiment, it is a figure where it uses for description of the drying inhibitory effect of the coating surface by cooling air. In 1st Embodiment, it is a figure with which it uses for description of the jet effect by the cooling air of an air nozzle, and a protective cover. It is a figure where it uses for description of the airflow in the coating film manufacturing apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment. In 1st Embodiment, it is a figure where it uses for description of the effect at the time of changing the mesh size of a mesh member to a base-material advancing direction. In 1st Embodiment, it is a figure where it uses for description of the effect at the time of changing the mesh size of a mesh member to the coating film width direction. In 2nd Embodiment, it is a schematic diagram in the case of installing an air nozzle horizontally. 16A is a diagram for explaining the state of the CCM coating solution, FIG. 16B is a diagram for explaining the state of the CCM coating solution being volatilized, and FIG. 16C is a diagram for explaining the state of the CCM coating film. FIG. 17A is a diagram for explaining the contact state of the external airflow, FIG. 17B is a diagram in which a crack is generated, and FIG.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the description of the drawings, the same elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted. The dimensional ratios in the drawings are exaggerated for convenience of explanation, and are different from the actual ratios.

(First embodiment)
First, the configuration of a coating film manufacturing apparatus according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a coating film manufacturing apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of the coating film manufacturing apparatus according to the first embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the coating film manufacturing apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment is generally arranged continuously on the downstream side of the coating unit 20 that coats and forms the coating unit 20 on the substrate 1 to be coated. And a drying unit 30 for drying the coated coating film 2. The coating film manufacturing apparatus 100 is disposed in a region from the die head 21 (corresponding to the coating unit) coating unit of the coating unit 20 to the inlet 32 of the drying unit 30, and is on the surface side of the coating film 2 on the substrate 1 to be coated. A protective cover 40 that covers the air and an air blow unit 50 for blowing air to the outside of the protective cover 40. In the illustrated coating film manufacturing apparatus 100, the coating unit 20 and the drying unit 30 are continuously arranged along the substrate to be coated 1 conveyed by the roll-to-roll unit 10. Details will be described below.

  The roll-to-roll unit 10 holds the coated substrate 1 from the unwinding side 11 to the winding side 12 with a constant tension. The roll-to-roll unit 10 conveys the substrate 1 to be coated by rotating and supporting the plurality of rolls 13 and 14 in each unit 20 and 30.

  Examples of the substrate 1 to be coated include a resin film, a metal foil, a cloth, and paper. However, the substrate 1 is not limited to the exemplified materials as long as it has a belt shape.

  In the roll-to-roll unit 10, the coated substrate 1 conveyed from the unwinding side 11 is supported by a plurality of support rolls 13. The substrate 1 to be coated is supported by the support roll 13 and passes through the backup roll 14 while maintaining a constant tension. A die head 21 is provided so as to face the backup roll 14. In the backup roll 14, the coating solvent is applied onto the substrate 1 by the die head 21 to form the coating film 2 (see FIG. 3).

  The substrate 1 to be coated is applied by the die head 21 while being supported by the backup roll 14. Therefore, the eccentric amount of the backup roll 14 is set to 3 μm or less, and the disturbance of accuracy with respect to the coating process C is suppressed.

  The coating process C is not limited to slit die coating by the die head 21, and various coating methods such as spray coating, ink jet coating, knife (blade) coating, gravure coating, and curtain coating can be selected.

  After the coating film is formed in the coating process C, it is conveyed to the drying unit 30 while being supported by the support roll 13. In the roll-to-roll unit 10, since the substrate 1 to be coated is coated and dried with a series of connections from unwinding to winding, the coating unit 20 and the drying unit 30 are continuously arranged.

  The drying unit 30 includes, for example, a drying unit 31 for performing the drying process D. As the drying unit 31, for example, a method of circulating hot air heated by heat from a heater is employed. Examples of the heater include general electric heaters, IH heaters, far-infrared heaters, and steam heaters, but are not limited to heaters.

  Generally, the drying part 31 is provided on the upper and lower sides of the to-be-coated base material 1, and the front and back surfaces of the to-be-coated base material 1 are dried. When the drying is performed only at the temperature, the volatile vapor does not circulate, which is a harmful effect of promoting the volatilization. If volatilization is not promoted, problems such as delay in drying of the coating film and uneven drying in the film occur, and therefore, hot air drying of both temperature and wind is desirable. After the drying step D in the drying unit 30, the substrate 1 to be coated is conveyed to the winding side.

  A protective cover 40 that covers the surface side of the coating film on the substrate 1 to be coated is disposed in a region from immediately after coating film formation by the die head 21 of the coating unit 20 to the inlet 32 of the drying unit 30.

  The material of the protective cover 40 is preferably a metal such as stainless steel such as SUS304 or aluminum, or a resin such as PTFE or MC nylon, but is not limited to the exemplified material.

  Moreover, it is preferable that the protective cover 40 is formed of a mesh member having air permeability such as a net member or a punching metal. The mesh size of the mesh member of the protective cover 40 can be arbitrarily changed according to the type of coating solution solvent and the coating film thickness. Moreover, in the same protective cover 40, all mesh members may be comprised by the same mesh size, and mesh sizes may differ partially.

  Next, the width direction length of the protective cover in this embodiment will be described. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the relationship of the length in the width direction of the protective cover in the first embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the width dimension of the protective cover 40 is Wc, the width dimension of the coated substrate 1 is Wf, and the width dimension of the coating film 2 is Wt. The relationship among these Wc, Wf, and Wt is desirably set to Wc> Wf ≧ Wt.

  Referring to FIG. 1 again, the coating unit 20 is provided with an air blow unit 50 for blowing air to the outside of the protective cover 40. The air in the air blow unit 50 is blown from the vicinity of the die head 21 toward the inlet 32 of the drying unit 30 along the outer surface of the protective cover 40. As the air blow unit 50, for example, an air nozzle 51 connected to an air control system 55 is suitable (see FIG. 7). The air blow unit 50 is not limited to the air nozzle 51, and may be another type of air blow unit such as a blower fan. The air control system is provided with a blower 56 (corresponding to a flow rate adjusting unit), a cooling device 57 (corresponding to a temperature adjusting unit), a filter 58, and the like, which will be described in detail later.

  As the material of the air nozzle 51, for example, stainless steel such as SUS304, aluminum, resin, or the like can be employed, and the material is not particularly limited. As the air nozzle, for example, an air nozzle manufactured by Spraying Systems Japan Co., Ltd. or Ikeuchi Co., Ltd. is adopted.

  An exhaust port 22 for exhausting air from the air blow unit 50 is provided in the ceiling portion of the coating unit 20 on the inlet 32 side of the drying unit 30.

  Next, the air nozzle 51 in the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 4A to 4C are schematic diagrams of a multi-nozzle installation type, FIG. 4D is a schematic diagram of a single nozzle installation type, and FIG. 4E is an air nozzle discharge port in the first embodiment. FIG.

  As shown in FIGS. 4A to 4C, the air nozzle 51 may be a multi-nozzle installation type in which a plurality of nozzles are arranged in parallel. As shown in FIG. It may be a mold.

  In the case of the multi-nozzle installation type, it is desirable that the plurality of air nozzles 51 be installed so that air is discharged over the entire surface of the protective cover 40 and set so that there is no region where air is not discharged between the air nozzles. . As shown in FIGS. 4B and 4C, the plurality of air nozzles 51 are arranged so as to discharge air along the surface of the protective cover 40.

  Moreover, as shown in FIG.4 (e), it is preferable that the shape of the discharge outlet 52 of the air nozzle 51 is slit shape. By discharging air from the slit-shaped discharge port 52, air does not diffuse. Further, the air discharged from the discharge port 52 does not enter the protective cover 40, and an increase in the discharge air volume can be expected. The slit-shaped discharge port 52 is formed by inserting a shim between the upper and lower molds to form a slit, or by forming a slit by facing the U-shaped upper and lower molds. The method to do is used.

  Next, the installation angle of the air nozzle 51 in the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the installation angle of the air nozzle in the first embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 5A, the inclination angle of the coated substrate 1 from the extension line of the central axis of the backup roll 14 toward the support roll 13 immediately before the drying unit 30 is defined as θf. Further, as shown in FIG. 5B, the inclination angle of the protective cover 40 from the extended line of the central axis of the backup roll 14 is θc, and the inclination angle of the air nozzle 51 is θn. The angle θn of the air nozzle 51 is equal to the air discharge angle. Then, it is desirable that the relationship between θf, θc, and θn is θf = θc = θn.

  Next, the shape of the exhaust port 22 in this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 6. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of the shape of the exhaust port in the first embodiment.

  As the exhaust port 22, a duct 23 such as a round duct or a square duct is used. As shown in FIG. 6, a trapezoidal collection port 24 may be provided at the tip of the duct 23 in order to improve the air accumulation effect. The collection efficiency can be further improved by setting the size of the collection port 24 to be larger than the width dimension Wc of the protective cover 40 (see FIG. 3).

  Next, the air control system 55 in the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the air control system in the first embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 7, an anemometer 60 is provided in front of the inlet 32 of the drying unit 30. The anemometer 60 measures the wind speed of hot air leaking from the drying process D. The detection signal system 61 of the anemometer 60 is connected to the blower 56.

  The wind speed data of the anemometer 60 is fed back to the blower 56. The air blower 56 adjusts the air flow rate and controls the air volume (wind speed) of the air nozzle 51. Desirably, the air velocity of the leaked hot air from the drying step D = the air velocity of the air nozzle 51 × 1.5 to 2 times.

  For example, in the slit nozzle type drying process from the top and bottom of the substrate 1 to be coated, when the set temperature is 100 ° C., the hot air blowing frequency is 60 Hz, and the distance between the substrate to be coated 1 and the air nozzle is 20 mm, directly below the air nozzle 51. The wind speed was about 30 m / s. At this time, since the wind speed of the leaked hot air to the coating process C was 1.0 to 1.5 m / s, the air speed of the air nozzle 51 was controlled to be 2.0 to 3.0 m / s.

  For example, a compressor or a blower having a flow rate adjusting function is used as the blower 56, but the blower 56 is not limited to the illustrated blower. The blower 56 is provided with a cooling device 57 as an accessory device. As the cooling device 57, for example, a refrigerant supply device or an air cooler is used, but the cooling device 57 is not limited to the exemplified cooling device.

  A filter 58 is interposed between the blower 56 and the air nozzle 51. In general, the coating process C is often in a clean environment, and contamination of foreign matters affects quality. Therefore, it is desirable to provide a filter 54 in the supply system 53 that connects the blower 52 and the air nozzle 51. . Moreover, if it is the application | coating process C performed in a dry environment, it will also be necessary to install apparatuses, such as an air dryer.

  Further, a thermometer 70 is provided in front of the inlet 32 of the drying unit 30. As the thermometer 70, for example, a resistance thermometer or a thermocouple is used, but the thermometer 70 is not limited to the illustrated thermometer. The thermometer 60 measures the temperature of hot air leaking from the drying process D. The detection signal system 71 of the thermometer 70 is connected to the cooling device 57.

  The temperature data of the thermometer 70 is fed back to the cooling device 57 attached to the blower 56. Then, the cooling device 57 is operated, and the temperature of the air blown from the blower device 56 is controlled to be cooled or warmed up (cooling stopped). The temperature of the cooling air is desirably controlled so that the hot air leakage temperature is always suppressed to about + 5 ° C. of the temperature of the coating process C.

  Next, an automatic switching mechanism for the mesh size of the mesh member of the protective cover 40 in the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 8A is a plan view of a double-sided open / close mesh size automatic switching mechanism in the first embodiment, and FIG. 8B is a front view.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the mesh member 42 of the automatic mesh size switching mechanism 41 </ b> A in the present embodiment has, for example, three types of mesh sizes: mesh size X, mesh size Y, and mesh size Z. The mesh size X is set to “fine”, the mesh size Y is set to “medium”, and the mesh size Z is set to “coarse”.

  For example, for fine mesh size X, 200 mesh (eye size 87 μm) is used. As the intermediate mesh size Y, 45 mesh (eye size 390 μm) is used. For the coarse mesh size Z, 18.8 mesh (eye size 850 μm) is used.

  The mesh member 42 can change the mesh size according to the difference in the boiling point (volatility) of the coating solution solvent and the thickness of the coating film, and controls so that the volatile vapor does not stay in the protective cover 40. For example, the discharge resistance value to the outside of the protective cover 40 is X + Y + Z> X + Y> X + Z> Y + Z> X> Y> Z.

  The mesh size of the mesh member 42 and the number of types of the mesh member 42 can be arbitrarily set for each line production type. Moreover, it is also possible to incorporate a control operation that can change the mesh size of the mesh member 42 according to the production timing, instead of always using the same mesh size.

  The mesh member 42 is stretched around a rectangular frame. The mesh member 42 is connected to a cylinder device 44 that can be advanced and retracted via a joint 43. The forward / backward movement of the cylinder device 44 serves as an opening / closing mechanism for the protective cover 40. The number of cylinder devices 44 is arbitrary, but by connecting the tip of the cylinder device 44 to the mesh member 42 via the joint 43, stress concentration can be dispersed and short-term deterioration of the connecting portion can be suppressed. Can do.

  The mesh member 42 slides along the pair of guide rails 45. By sliding the mesh member 42 along the guide rail 45, the mesh member 42 can be smoothly opened and closed.

  In the mesh size automatic switching mechanism 41A of the both-side opening and closing type shown in FIG. 8, a packing 46 is provided at a contact portion between the mesh members 42 and 42. By providing the packing 46 at the contact portion between the mesh members 42, 42, it is possible to prevent short-term deterioration of the mesh member 42 due to mutual collision. Furthermore, since the gap between the mesh members 42 and 42 is sealed by the packing 46, the leakage of steam can be prevented.

  FIG. 9 is a front view of the one-side opening / closing type automatic mesh switching mechanism in the first embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 9, you may comprise the automatic switching mechanism 41B of the mesh size of a one-side opening / closing type. There are no restrictions on the opening and closing method, and for example, a double door method or a method of sliding to the die head 21 side may be used.

  Note that the mesh size automatic switching mechanisms 41 </ b> A and 41 </ b> B of the present embodiment are configured as a mechanism that automatically switches the mesh member 42 disposed on the upper portion of the protective cover 40. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the automatic mesh size switching mechanism may be configured as a mechanism that automatically switches the mesh members disposed on both side surfaces of the protective cover 40.

  Next, the operation of the coating film manufacturing apparatus according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

  The coating film 2 that performs the coating / drying process using the coating film manufacturing apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment is, for example, a CCM (Catalyst Coated Membrane) configured by a catalyst layer and an electrolyte film in a fuel cell (FCV). CCM coating film for use.

  First, the shrinkage mechanism due to drying of the CCM coating film will be described with reference to FIG. 16A is a diagram for explaining the state of the CCM coating solution, FIG. 16B is a diagram for explaining the state of the CCM coating solution being volatilized, and FIG. 16C is a diagram for explaining the state of the CCM coating film.

  The CCM coating film (dry film) is present in a state in which a Pt (platinum) catalyst is supported on carbon particles and the carbon particles are covered with an ionomer (electrolyte).

  As shown in FIG. 16A, in the state of the CCM coating liquid (liquid), the ionomer 302 is dissolved and dispersed in the solvent 301. In FIG. 16, 303 is carbon particles, and black dots of 304 are Pt catalysts.

  As shown in FIG. 16B, the ionomers 302 and 302 are reassembled (coupled) with each other as the solvent 301 sequentially evaporates during the drying process. Here, the characteristic of carbon is an active substance, and it tries to become an inactive substance in order to stabilize energy. When the surface area of carbon is large, the active energy is also large. Therefore, the carban moves to reduce the surface area and binds to various substances. Carbonized materials used in deodorants and the like adsorb odorous substances using the properties of this carban.

  In the case of a CCM catalyst, carbon is particles, and the carbon particles 303 can move freely. Since the carbon particles 303 are light, they are very easy to move. Further, in order to efficiently carry the Pt catalyst 304, the surface of the carbon particles 303 is provided with irregularities. Therefore, the surface area of the carbon particles 303 is larger. Thus, the carbon particles 303 and 303 in the CCM catalyst are in a state of being easily bonded.

  Due to the characteristics of such carbon, the ionomers approach and bond with each other in the volatilization stage of the solvent. As shown in FIG. 16 (c), the carbon particles 303 and 303 covered by the ionomer 302 move closer to each other due to the approaching and bonding between the ionomers 302 and 302, so that the dry film contracts.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 17, the mechanism of cracking and peeling due to surface drying of the CCM coating film will be described. FIG. 17A is a diagram for explaining the contact state of the external airflow, FIG. 17B is a diagram in which a crack is generated, and FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 17A, when the coating film 2 touches the external airflow Ao, the coating film 2 contracts due to the drying behavior of the CCM coating film as described above. As shown in FIG. 17B, when the drying of the surface of the coating film 2 is promoted, if the film shrinks in the lateral direction, the coating films 2 and 2 are pulled together to generate a crack. Further, as shown in FIG. 17C, when contracting in the vertical direction, the substrate is pulled from the contact surface of the substrate 1 to be coated to the surface side, and thus peeled between the substrate 1 to be coated and the coating film 2. 3 occurs. When the peeling reaches the surface, it becomes a pinhole.

  Therefore, the coating film manufacturing apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment covers the region from immediately after coating film formation by the die head 21 of the coating unit 20 to the inlet 32 of the drying unit 30 with the protective cover 40, and the upper surface of the protective cover 40. Air is blown from the air blow unit 50 to the outside. The protective cover 40 covers the area from immediately after the coating film formation to the inlet 32 of the drying unit 30, thereby preventing the external airflow from touching the coating film surface and excessively promoting the drying. By suppressing excessive drying of the film surface after coating film formation, it is possible to prevent occurrence of defects in the coating film.

  Moreover, it has the function of an air curtain by blowing air on the outer surface of the upper surface of the protective cover 40. The air curtain prevents the inflow of the external air current, and the surface of the coating film after film formation can be protected from the external air current. Furthermore, although the ambient temperature rises due to the leaked hot air from the drying unit 30, the effect of promoting drying on the surface of the coating film can be suppressed by the cooling effect of the cooling air.

  With reference to FIG. 10, the drying suppression effect of the coating surface by the cooling air of the air nozzle 51 of this embodiment is demonstrated. FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining the effect of inhibiting drying of the coating surface by cooling air in the first embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 10, cooling air Ac is discharged from the air nozzle 51 to the outside of the upper surface of the protective cover 40. The hot air Ah leaking from the drying step D is cooled as a mixed air Am and wound up by the cooling air Ac flowing outside the upper surface of the protective cover 40. The wind-up mixed air Am is exhausted from the exhaust port 22 provided in the ceiling near the inlet 32 of the drying unit 30 of the coating unit 20.

  Due to the cooling air Ac flowing outside the upper surface of the protective cover 40, the inside of the protective cover 40 is in an air curtain state and is not affected by the external airflow. And this cooling air Ac can also suppress the influence of external temperature, especially the high temperature environment atmosphere of the drying process D.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 11, the jet effect by the cooling air of the air nozzle 51 of this embodiment and the protective cover 40 is demonstrated. FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining the jet effect by the cooling air of the air nozzle and the protective cover of the first embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 11, when cooling air is blown from the air nozzle to the outer side of the upper surface of the protective cover 40, a so-called jet effect is produced. That is, the volatile solvent vapor Vs of the coating film 2 gathered on the upper part of the protective cover 40 is naturally discharged outside the protective cover 40 as indicated by the arrow V due to the jet effect. Since the volatile solvent vapor Vs is naturally discharged and the volatile solvent vapor Vs is not forcibly discharged, drying acceleration or uneven drying of the film surface does not occur. Further, since the discharge of the volatile solvent vapor Vs is naturally promoted, the exposure of the solvent to the film surface due to the retention of the volatile solvent vapor Vs such as a hermetic cover and the occurrence of water droplet dropping due to condensation are prevented. In addition, Ao in FIG. 11 is an external airflow.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 12, the airflow in the coating film manufacturing apparatus which concerns on this embodiment is demonstrated. FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining airflow in the coating film manufacturing apparatus according to the first embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 12, the cooling air Ac discharged from the air nozzle 51 and hot air leaking from the inlet 32 of the drying device collide directly under the exhaust port 22. Then, the wound mixed air Am is exhausted from the exhaust port 22. The cooling air Ac is discharged along the outer surface of the upper surface of the protective cover 40. That is, since the cooling air Ac is blown with an upward inclination at the same angle as that of the protective cover 40, the mixed air Am becomes the hoisting air.

  Next, a case where the mesh size of the mesh member 42 in the present embodiment is changed in the traveling direction will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining the effect when the mesh size of the mesh member is changed in the traveling direction in the first embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 13, immediately after the coating film is formed by the coating unit 20, the coating solvent is discharged from the die head 21 and comes into contact with the atmosphere for the first time. Therefore, the coating film is in the most wet state. The amount of volatile solvent vapor in the coating film immediately after film formation is the largest and the concentration is high.

  However, the amount of solvent held in the coating film gradually decreases at the stage where the substrate 1 is transported toward the drying process. When the amount of solvent decreases, the amount of volatile solvent vapor decreases and the concentration also decreases. Therefore, the volatile solvent vapor can be stabilized by always setting the entire inside of the protective cover 40 under the same concentration environment.

  Therefore, immediately after the coating film is formed, the mesh size of the mesh member 42 is set to be the coarsest. Then, by gradually reducing the mesh size of the mesh member 42 at the stage where the coating film is conveyed, the inside of the protective cover 40 can be controlled in the same concentration environment.

  Next, a case where the mesh size of the mesh member 42 in the present embodiment is changed in the coating film width direction will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 14 is a diagram for explaining the effect when the mesh size of the mesh member is changed in the coating film width direction in the first embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 14, the amount of the volatile solvent vapor Vs from the side surface side of the coating film increases as the thickness of the coating film increases. Therefore, in the width direction of the coating film, both ends of the coating film 2 have the largest amount of volatile solvent vapor Vs and the concentration is high.

  Therefore, the mesh size of the mesh member 42 existing on both sides in the coating film width direction is set to be coarse. When the mesh size of the mesh members 42 on both sides is set to be coarse, the amount and concentration of the volatile solvent vapor Vs in the coating film width direction are made uniform. By uniformly controlling the amount and concentration of the volatile solvent vapor Vs, the coating film can be stabilized.

  That is, the coating film manufacturing apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment covers the region from immediately after the coating film formation by the die head 21 of the coating unit 20 to the inlet 32 of the drying unit 30 with the protective cover 40. By covering the area from immediately after the coating film formation to the inlet 32 of the drying unit 30 with the protective cover 40, it is possible to prevent the external air current from touching the coating film surface and promoting the drying. By suppressing the drying of the film surface after coating film formation, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of defects such as cracks and peeling of the coating film and pinholes.

  In addition, the coating film manufacturing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment blows air to the outside of the upper surface of the protective cover 40 by the air blow unit 50. By blowing air to the outer side of the upper surface of the protective cover 40, an external airflow is repelled like an air curtain, so that the surface of the coating film after film formation can be completely protected from the external airflow. Furthermore, although the ambient temperature rises due to the leaked hot air from the drying unit 30, the effect of promoting drying on the surface of the coating film can be suppressed by the cooling effect of the cooling air.

  The coating unit 20 and the drying unit 30 are continuously arranged along the substrate to be coated 1 conveyed by the roll-to-roll unit 10, and a coating process is performed while maintaining a certain tension on the substrate to be coated 1. And a drying process can be performed continuously.

  The protective cover 40 is formed of a mesh member 42 having air permeability. The mesh member 42 and the cooling air blown to the outside of the upper surface of the protective cover 40 combine to produce a so-called jet effect. That is, due to the jet effect, the solvent volatilized from the coating film does not stay in the protective cover 40 and naturally flows out of the protective cover 40.

  Further, the protective cover 40 can arbitrarily change the mesh size of the mesh member 42. Since the mesh size of the mesh member 42 can be arbitrarily changed, it is possible to flexibly cope with coating liquid solvents having different volatility, coating film thickness differences, coating environment differences, and the like.

  The coating film manufacturing apparatus 100 according to this embodiment includes automatic mesh size switching mechanisms 41A and 41B. By providing the mesh size automatic switching mechanisms 41A and 41B, workability can be improved. Also, the volatilization amount of the coating film can be controlled by changing the mesh size of the mesh member 42 during the coating film formation.

  In addition, in the coated film manufacturing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment, the mesh size of the mesh member 42 can be set to be partially different within the same protective cover. Since the mesh size of the mesh member 42 can be partially changed, the amount of the volatile solvent vapor can be controlled during the period from the coating film formation to the drying process.

  Further, in the coating film manufacturing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment, the air blow unit 50 includes a cooling device 57 and can spray cooling air or temperature-adjusted air onto the protective cover 40. Since cooling air or temperature-adjusted air is blown onto the protective cover 40, it is possible to prevent hot air leaking from the drying unit 30 from entering the protective cover 40. Furthermore, an increase in the atmospheric temperature in the coating unit 20 can be prevented, and drying of the coating film surface due to temperature can also be suppressed. Since the temperature of the cooling air can be adjusted, it is possible to flexibly cope with changes in the atmospheric temperature due to differences in the environment in the coating unit 20, the drying temperature, and the amount of drying air.

  The air blow unit 50 includes a flow rate adjusting unit, and can adjust the flow rate of air sprayed on the protective cover 40. Since the flow rate of the blowing air can be adjusted, the air flow rate can be changed according to the wind speed of the leaked hot air from the drying unit 30. Since the air flow rate is variable, it is possible to flexibly cope with coating film types having different drying conditions without changing the apparatus.

  Moreover, the coating film manufacturing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment includes an anemometer 60 that detects the speed of the leaked hot air from the drying unit 30 and a thermometer 70 that detects the temperature of the leaked hot air. Feedback control of the flow rate and temperature of the air discharged from the air blow unit 50 based on the detected value of the total 70 makes the atmospheric temperature in the coating unit 20 constant and prevents the cooling air from entering the drying unit 30. . That is, by feedback control based on the detected values of the anemometer 60 and the thermometer 70, it is possible to prevent an increase in the atmospheric temperature in the coating unit 20 due to insufficient cooling and insufficient wind speed, and intrusion of external airflow into the protective cover 40. it can. Furthermore, it is possible to prevent the coating film forming quality from being lowered due to the temperature drop in the coating unit 20 due to overcooling. In addition, it is possible to prevent the cooling air from entering the drying process due to excessive air blowing and to stabilize the coating / drying process.

  The air blow unit 50 includes an air nozzle 51, and can blow air evenly along the surface of the protective cover 40.

  Since the air exhaust port 22 is provided in the ceiling portion of the coating unit 20 on the inlet 32 side of the drying unit 30, the hot air Ah leaking from the drying unit 30 is mixed with the cooling air Ac flowing outside the upper surface of the protective cover 40. Then, the air can be cooled and exhausted from the exhaust port 22, and an increase in the ambient temperature of the coating unit 20 can be suppressed.

  As a coating film, a catalyst slurry coating film that forms a catalyst layer in a membrane electrode assembly of a fuel cell can be produced without generating defects such as cracks, peeling, and pinholes.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, with reference to FIG. 15, the coating film manufacturing apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment is demonstrated. FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram of a coating film manufacturing apparatus according to the second embodiment. In addition, about the member same as 1st Embodiment, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and demonstrated.

  As shown in FIG. 15, the coating film manufacturing apparatus 200 according to the second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the air nozzle 51 is installed horizontally and an air winding nozzle 80 is provided.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 15A, in the roll-to-roll unit 10, after the coating film formation by the die head 21, the substrate 1 to be coated may be conveyed to a drying device in a horizontal state. When the substrate 1 to be coated is horizontally arranged, an upward inclination angle cannot be set for the air nozzle 51. In order to maintain the jet effect on the protective cover 40, the air nozzle 51 needs to be provided horizontally along the protective cover 40.

  Therefore, as shown in FIG. 15B, when the substrate 1 to be coated is horizontally disposed, it is preferable to separately provide an air winding nozzle 80. The air hoisting nozzle 80 is preferably provided between the protective cover 40 and the inlet 32 of the drying unit 30 and in the vicinity immediately below the exhaust port 22. In addition, the air hoisting nozzles 80 are provided on both sides in the width direction of the substrate 1 to be coated, and are provided at an inclination angle so as to go to the confluence point P between the cooling air Ac and the hot air Ah leaking from the drying unit 30.

  The cooling air Ac discharged horizontally from the air nozzle 51 and the hot air Ah leaking from the drying unit 30 collide at the junction P. The collided cooling air Ac and hot air Ah are discharged to the exhaust port 22 together with the hoisting air Au of the hoisting nozzle 80. At that time, the hoisting air Au from the hoisting nozzle 80 can collect and discharge the mixed air Am that expands in the substrate to be coated 1 side and in the left-right direction to the exhaust port 22.

  The coating film manufacturing apparatus 200 according to the second embodiment has basically the same effects as the coating film manufacturing apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment. In particular, according to the coating film manufacturing apparatus 200 according to the second embodiment, since the air winding nozzle 80 is separately provided, the cooling air Ac and the hot air Ah collide with each other regardless of the posture of the protective cover 40, and spread. The mixed air Am to be collected can be collected and discharged to the exhaust port 22.

  The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, but these are examples for explaining the present invention, and the scope of the present invention is not intended to be limited to these embodiments. The present invention can be implemented in various modes different from the above-described embodiments without departing from the gist thereof.

1 substrate to be coated,
2 coating film,
10 Roll to roll,
20 coating unit,
21 Die head (application part),
22 Exhaust port,
30 drying units,
31 Drying section,
32 entrance,
40 protective cover,
41A, 41B Mesh size automatic switching mechanism 42 Mesh member,
50 Air blow part,
51 Air nozzle 55 Air control system,
56 Cooling device (temperature adjustment unit),
57 Blower (flow rate adjuster),
60 anemometer,
70 thermometer,
80 air hoisting nozzle,
100, 200 Coating film manufacturing apparatus.

Claims (13)

A coating film manufacturing apparatus comprising: a coating unit that coats and forms a film on a substrate to be coated; and a drying unit that continuously deposits and forms a coating film formed on the downstream side of the coating unit.
A protective cover that is disposed in a region from the coating portion of the coating unit to the entrance of the drying unit, and covers a surface side of the coating film on the substrate to be coated;
An air blow part for blowing air to the outside of the protective cover;
The coating film manufacturing apparatus characterized by having.   The said coating unit and the said drying unit are continuously arrange | positioned along the said to-be-coated base material conveyed by the roll to roll part, The coating film manufacturing apparatus of Claim 1 characterized by the above-mentioned.   The said protective cover is formed with the mesh member which has air permeability, The coating film manufacturing apparatus of Claim 1 or Claim 2 characterized by the above-mentioned.   The coating film manufacturing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the mesh size of the mesh member of the protective cover can be arbitrarily changed.   The coating film manufacturing apparatus according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the mesh size of the mesh member is partially different in the protective cover.   The coating film manufacturing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the protective cover has an automatic switching mechanism for switching a mesh size of the mesh member.   The said air blow part is provided with the temperature adjustment part which has a function which adjusts the temperature of the air to spray, The coating film manufacturing apparatus of any one of Claim 1 to 6 characterized by the above-mentioned.   The said air blow part is provided with the flow volume adjustment part which has a function which adjusts the flow volume of the air to spray, The coating film manufacturing apparatus of Claim 7 characterized by the above-mentioned.   An anemometer that detects the speed of the leaked hot air from the drying unit, and a thermometer that detects the temperature of the leaked hot air, and based on the detected values of the anemometer and the thermometer, The coating film manufacturing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the atmospheric temperature in the coating unit is made constant by feedback control of the flow rate and temperature, and cooling air is prevented from entering the drying unit.   The said air blow part is comprised from an air nozzle, The coating film manufacturing apparatus of any one of Claim 1 to 9 characterized by the above-mentioned.   The coating film manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an air exhaust port is provided in a ceiling portion of the coating unit on the inlet side of the drying unit.   The coating film manufacturing apparatus according to claim 11, further comprising an air winding nozzle for winding air toward the exhaust port.   The coating film manufacturing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the coating film is a catalyst slurry coating film that forms a catalyst layer in a membrane electrode assembly of a fuel cell.