JP2020022928A - Coating tool - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a coating tool capable of suppressing a variation in flow velocity of a coating liquid having various characteristics.SOLUTION: In a coating tool 10, a stirring rod 3 is arranged within a manifold 17. The stirring rod 3 is provided with a tapered part in which the sizes of a clearance between the tapered part and an inner wall of the manifold 17 for passage of a coating liquid are set different from one another depending on a longitudinal position of the stirring rod.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

  The present invention relates to a coating tool.

  2. Description of the Related Art An application tool called a die coater for applying a coating liquid to a substrate and forming a coating film on the surface of the substrate is known. The die coater includes a block in which an elongated hollow space called a manifold is formed, and a slit-shaped discharge port communicating with the manifold is formed on the surface. The application liquid stored in the manifold is applied to the substrate with an application width corresponding to the length of the slit-shaped discharge port. By moving the substrate relative to the application tool, a coating film can be formed on a predetermined region of the substrate surface.

  Patent Literature 1 discloses a coating tool for realizing uniform formation of a coating film in a width direction when a coating liquid containing an organic solvent is applied to a substrate by a die coating method. Patent Literature 1 discloses an application tool that optimizes these values by performing experiments with different widths and intervals of slits serving as discharge ports and different sizes of manifolds.

JP 2010-5616 A

  However, the technique described in Patent Literature 1 cannot sufficiently suppress the variation in the flow rate of the coating liquid that varies depending on the position of the discharge port.

  In particular, when a fluid called a thixotropic property, which has a property of decreasing the viscosity when agitated or shaken to apply a force, is used as the coating liquid, the viscosity increases as the speed of the coating liquid decreases and the viscosity increases. As a result, the variation in the flow rate of the coating liquid is further increased. As a result, problems such as the solid content of the coating solution (slurry) settling in the stagnant portion in the manifold and the problem that the coating solution gels due to increased viscosity are likely to occur. In addition, if the flow rate of the application liquid varies in the longitudinal direction of the discharge port, a pressure gradient corresponding to the variation is generated, and the discharge amount is changed. Therefore, it is difficult to form a coating film having a uniform thickness on the base material. Become.

  In order to suppress the variation in the flow velocity, it is conceivable to make the shape and the cross-sectional area of the manifold different in the longitudinal direction. However, when such means is adopted, different blocks must be prepared according to the characteristics of the coating solution.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a coating tool capable of suppressing a variation in the flow rate of a coating liquid with respect to a coating liquid having various characteristics.

  An application tool according to an aspect of the present disclosure has a main body block in which a supply port and a discharge port are respectively formed on a surface, and a manifold communicating with the supply port and the discharge port is formed therein, and a rod supported in the manifold. , Is provided. The application liquid supplied from the supply port, passes through the gap between the rod and the inner wall of the manifold in the main body block, and is applied from the discharge port. The rod has a tapered portion that varies the size of the gap with the inner wall of the manifold through which the coating liquid passes according to the position in the longitudinal direction of the rod.

  Further, a coating tool according to another aspect of the present disclosure has a main body block in which a supply port and a discharge port are respectively formed on a surface, and a manifold communicating with the supply port and the discharge port is formed inside, and is supported in the manifold. A coating tool for supplying a coating liquid supplied from a supply port, passing through a gap between the rod and the inner wall of the manifold in the main body block, and being discharged from a discharge port. The rod has a tapered portion that varies the size of the gap with the inner wall of the manifold through which the coating liquid passes according to the velocity of the coating liquid discharged from the discharge port in the longitudinal direction of the rod.

  Note that the discharge port may be formed by a slit having a long side parallel to the longitudinal direction of the rod.

  The long sides of the slit need not be parallel to the longitudinal direction, but may be inclined with respect to the longitudinal direction. Further, it may be a curve.

  Further, a plurality of discharge ports may be formed in the longitudinal direction. Further, in addition to the slit-shaped discharge port, a circular discharge port or the like may be formed at a unique position such as an end.

  Further, the surface of the tapered portion may be formed of a conical surface whose axis is the longitudinal direction of the rod.

  An application tool according to another aspect of the present disclosure has a main body block in which a supply port and a discharge port are respectively formed on a surface, and a manifold communicating with the supply port and the discharge port is formed inside, and is configured to be supported in the manifold. And a coating liquid supplied from the supply port, passes through a gap between the rod and the inner wall of the manifold in the main body block, and is applied to the base material by the discharge liquid discharged from the discharge port. The discharge port comprises an opening extending in the longitudinal direction of the main body block, and the manifold comprises a space extending in the longitudinal direction of the main body block. The rod is configured to be supported in the manifold so that its longitudinal direction is parallel to the longitudinal direction of the main body block. In addition, a taper portion is provided to vary the size of the gap between the manifold and the inner wall through which the coating liquid passes according to the position in the longitudinal direction of the rod.

Front view, plan view, bottom view, left side view, and right side view of coating tool 10 Exploded perspective view of the application tool 10 Sectional view of the application tool 10 passing through the third side surface 13 Sectional perspective view passing through the center of the stirring rod 3 Perspective view showing a modified example of the stirring rod 3

  Hereinafter, an application tool 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  1A to 1E are a front view, a plan view, a bottom view, a left side view, and a right side view of the application tool 10, respectively. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the application tool 10.

  As shown in these drawings, the application tool 10 includes a first block 1, a second block 2, a rod 3, two side seals 4, two oil seals 5, and two oil seals. And an enclosure 6. The first block 1 and the second block 2 constitute a main body block of the application tool 10.

  The first block 1 includes a first side surface 11, a second side surface 12 facing the first side surface, and a third side surface connected to each short side of the first side surface 11 and the second side surface 12. 13, a fourth side 14 connected to each long side of the first side 11 and the second side 12, and a third side 13 facing the third side 13. A fifth side surface 15 connected to the other short side, and a sixth side surface connected to the other long side, the third side surface, and the fifth side surface 15 of the first side surface 11 and the second side surface 12. And 16.

  The first side surface 11 (FIG. 2) is a surface facing the second block 2. The first side surface 11 is formed in a rectangular shape elongated in the longitudinal direction when viewed from the opposite direction. As will be described in detail later, the first side surface 11 is formed of two planes each having a rectangular shape elongated in the longitudinal direction and a curved surface sandwiched between the two planes and having a semi-cylindrical surface whose axis is the longitudinal direction. .

  The second side surface 12 (FIG. 1A) is a surface facing outward in a direction opposite to the first side surface 11. The second side surface 12 is formed in a rectangular shape elongated in the longitudinal direction when viewed from the opposite direction. Further, the second side surface 12 is parallel to two planes constituting the first side surface 11, respectively. However, the length of the second side surface 12 in the short direction is smaller than the length of the first side surface 11 in the short direction.

  The third side surface 13 is a surface facing outward in the longitudinal direction of the first block 1. The third side surface 13 is formed at an end of the first block 1 so as to be connected to each of the short sides of the first side surface 11 and the second side surface 12.

  The fourth side surface 14 is a surface that forms the bottom surface of the first block 1 and is formed in a rectangular shape elongated in the longitudinal direction when viewed from the opposite direction. The fourth side surface 14 is connected to each long side of the first side surface 11 and the second side surface 12, and to the third side surface 13 and the fifth side surface 15.

  The fifth side surface 15 is a surface facing outward in the longitudinal direction of the first block 1 in a direction opposite to the third side surface 13. The fifth side surface 15 is formed at the other end of the first block 1 so as to be connected to the other short sides of the first side surface 11 and the second side surface 12, respectively.

  The sixth side surface 16 is a surface that forms the upper surface of the first block 1 and is formed in a rectangular shape elongated in the longitudinal direction when viewed from the opposite direction. The sixth side surface 16 is connected to the other long side of the first side surface 11 and the second side surface 12, and to the third side surface 13 and the fifth side surface 15. However, the sixth side surface 16 is inclined with respect to the fourth side surface 14 such that the distance from the long side of the second side surface 12 increases as the distance from the fourth side surface 14 increases.

  The two planes and the second side 12 of the first side 11 and the third side 13, the fourth side 14, and the fifth side 15 are perpendicular to each other. In addition, the third side surface 13 and the fifth side surface 15 and the fourth side surface 14 are perpendicular to each other. The sixth side surface 16 is perpendicular to the third side surface and the fifth side surface 15 and is inclined with the other surface.

  FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the application tool 10 passing through the third side surface 13. As shown in this figure, the first side surface 11 has a curved surface 11c formed from a third side surface 13 to a fifth side surface 15 and formed of a semi-cylindrical surface with the longitudinal direction of the first block 1 as an axis. Is done.

  Also, for convenience, of the two planes forming the rectangle of the first side surface 11, the one connecting the curved surface 11c and the fourth side surface 14 is referred to as a lower portion 11b, and the curved surface 11c and the sixth side surface 16 are referred to as the lower portion 11b. The part to be connected is called the upper part 11a.

  As described above, the upper part 11a and the lower part 11b are two planes parallel to each other. However, the upper portion 11a and the lower portion 11b are not formed flush with each other, and are slightly displaced in the normal direction. As a result, the distance between the upper portion 11a and the second side surface 12 is smaller than the distance between the lower portion 11b and the second side surface 12. Also, the arc formed by the curved surface 11c in the cross section is not completely semicircular, but is slightly shorter than the semicircular arc because the upper portion 11a is slightly displaced outside the first block 1. . The axis of the curved surface 11c that forms a semi-cylindrical surface exists on a plane including the lower portion 11b. Since the displacement amount of the upper portion 11a and the lower portion 11b defines the length in the short direction when the coating liquid is discharged, the characteristics of the coating liquid, the material of the substrate to be coated, It is appropriately set based on the specification such as the film thickness.

  In addition, as shown in FIGS. 1A and 2, the first block 1 includes a supply channel 18 that penetrates the second side surface 12 and the curved surface 11c, and dust that may be included in the manifold. An air vent channel 19 for discharging air and air is formed. The supply flow path 18 is a cylindrical flow path having a circular cross section, one end of which opens to the outside as a supply port and the other end of which opens to the curved surface 11c. Further, the supply flow path 18 is formed so that the second side surface 12 is perpendicular and the same height as the rod 3 with respect to the fourth side surface 14. Therefore, the coating liquid supplied from the supply flow path 18 advances toward the rod 3 and flows into the manifold 17. In the present embodiment, the supply flow path 18 is formed near the third side surface 13 in order to supply the coating liquid from the longitudinal end of the first block 1. The dust discharge flow path 19 is formed at the other end in the longitudinal direction opposite to the supply flow path 18.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the second block 2 has almost the same shape as the first block 1. Hereinafter, each side surface of the second block 2 corresponding to the first side surface 11 to the sixth side surface 16 of the first block 1 is referred to as a first side surface 21 to a sixth side surface 26. The second side surface 22 to the sixth side surface 26 are substantially the same as the second side surface 12 to the sixth side surface 16 of the first block 1, and therefore the description is omitted.

  The second side surface 21 includes an upper portion 21a facing the upper portion 11a, a lower portion 21b facing the lower portion 11b, and a curved surface 21c facing the curved surface 11c.

  The upper part 21a and the lower part 21b are formed flush so as to share the same plane with each other. This is different from the first block 1 in which the upper portion 11a and the lower portion 11b are slightly displaced in the direction perpendicular to the plane. The curved surface 21c is formed of a semi-cylindrical surface having the longitudinal direction of the second block 2 as an axis from the third side surface 23 to the fifth side surface 25 so as to connect the upper portion 21a and the lower portion 21b. The axis of the curved surface 21c exists on a plane including the upper part 21a, the lower part 21b, and the lower part 11b. That is, the curved surface 11c and the curved surface 21c form a part of the same cylindrical surface. With such a configuration, as shown in the figure, the manifold 17 has a circular cross-sectional shape in the longitudinal direction, but a part of the arc communicates with the liquid outflow portion 7.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the bar 3 is formed to be elongated in a bar shape. However, the portion of the rod 3 that is present in the manifold 17 when supported has a side surface composed of a conical surface whose axis is a straight line passing through the center of the rod 3. In the present embodiment, when the rod 3 is supported in the manifold 17, the rod 3 has a circular cross section having a larger diameter as approaching the fifth side face 15 and a smaller diameter as approaching the third side face 13. Is formed. A portion in which the side surface forms a conical surface is called a tapered portion. Portions of the rod 3 that exist outside the manifold 17 including both ends of the rod 3 are formed in a columnar shape having a constant diameter in the longitudinal direction. Therefore, as will be described later, even if the rod 3 is replaced with another rod having a different taper angle, there is no need to replace parts such as bearings for supporting the rod. In the present embodiment, the rod 3 is rotatably supported by a bearing so as to be disposed inside the manifold 17, but is not positively rotated by an external drive source such as a motor. However, as will be described later, by connecting one end of the rod 3 protruding from the oil seal enclosure 6 to a drive source (not shown) such as a motor, the rod 3 is rotated around an axis, thereby stirring the coating liquid. For convenience, the rod 3 may be referred to as a stirring rod 3 in the present disclosure because it may have a function.

  The application tool 10 according to the present embodiment is configured to be disassembled into components as shown in FIG. The components are configured to be fixed to each other using a known technique such as a bolt (not shown). For example, the first block 1 and the second block 2 penetrate the second side surface 12 and the first side surface 11, and are formed as female screws formed to open in the first side surface 21 of the second block 2. And a bolt that penetrates the second side surface 22 and the first side surface 21 and that is screwed with a female screw formed to open in the first side surface 11 of the first block 1. By providing a plurality in the direction, they can be fixed to each other.

  Hereinafter, the positional relationship between the manifold 17 and the rod 3 when the first block 1 and the second block 2 are fixed will be described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in the figure, when the first block 1 and the second block 2 are fixed, the lower part 11b forming a plane and the lower part 21b forming a plane come into contact with each other. The upper part 11a forming a plane and the upper part 21a forming a plane face each other in parallel at a small distance. Further, a space called a manifold 17 is formed between the curved surface 11c recessed toward the inside of the first block 1 and the curved surface 21c recessed toward the inside of the second block 2. That is, the manifold 17 is a region surrounded by the curved surface 11c and the curved surface 21c facing the curved surface 11c, of the first side surface 11 of the first block 1 and the first side surface 21 of the second block 2 facing each other.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the axis of the rod 3 and the central axes of the curved surfaces 11c and 21c formed of cylindrical surfaces are parallel and coincide with each other. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 3, the rod 3 is separated from the inner wall of the block body forming the manifold 17, that is, the curved surface 11 c of the first block 1 and the curved surface 21 c of the second block 2 by a certain distance. Is held. As described above, the center axis of the rod 3 and the center axes of the curved surfaces 11c and 21c are provided at the same height with reference to the fourth side surfaces 14 and 24.

  FIG. 4 is a sectional perspective view taken along a plane parallel to the fourth side surfaces 14 and 24 and passing through the center axis of the rod 3. However, in order to make the description easy to understand, the oil seal 5 and the oil seal enclosure 6 are omitted from the drawing, and the rod 3 is modified so as to be supported near the center of the main body block in the lateral direction. As shown in this figure, the taper portion of the rod 3 becomes smaller in diameter, that is, becomes thinner as it approaches the third side surfaces 13, 23, and becomes larger in diameter, that is, becomes thicker as it approaches the fifth side surfaces 15, 25. It is formed as follows. On the other hand, the first side surfaces 11 and 21 forming the manifold 17 are parallel line segments on the cross section. For this reason, the distance between the surface of the rod 3 and the first side surface 11, which is the inner wall of the manifold 17 close to the rod 3, increases as the distance from the third side 13 increases and decreases as the distance from the fifth side 15 increases. . FIG. 4 shows that the distance D1 between the two at a position near the third side surface 13 is larger than the distance D2 between the two at a position near the fifth side surface 15. Similarly, the distance between the surface of the rod 3 and the first side surface 21, which is the inner wall of the manifold 17 close to the rod 3, increases as the distance from the third side surface 23 increases, and decreases as the distance from the fifth side surface 25 decreases. . In a cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, the gap between the inner wall surface of the manifold 17 and the surface of the rod 3 is constant.

  Furthermore, since the cross section of FIG. 4 also passes through the supply flow path 18, FIG. 4 also shows the supply flow path 18 and an opening to the curved surface 11c.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3, a liquid outflow portion 7 composed of a long slit-like gap is formed between the upper portion 11a and the upper portion 22a. That is, in a cross section perpendicular to the direction of travel of the coating liquid, the liquid outflow portion 7 is formed by two parallel long sides having the same length as the longitudinal direction of the main body block and the upper portion 11a and the lower portion 11b. It has an elongated rectangular channel cross-section surrounded by two parallel short sides with a linear distance. The liquid outflow portion 7 having such a rectangular flow path cross section opens on the surface of the main body block.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the first block 1 and the second block 2 are integrated by a side seal body 4 attached to the third side surfaces 13, 23 and the fifth side surfaces 15, 25. A through hole 41 is formed in the side seal body 4, and the rod 3 is passed through the through hole 41.

  The oil seal 5 is disk-shaped and has a through hole 51 formed at the center thereof. The rod 3 is passed through the through hole 51. The oil seal 5 is incorporated into an oil seal enclosure 6 described later, and is fixed to the side seal body 4 together with the oil seal enclosure 6.

The oil seal enclosure 6 has a plate shape and is joined to the side seal body 4. One side of the oil seal enclosure 6 has a recess having the same shape as the oil seal 5. When the oil seal enclosure 6 is joined to the side seal body 4, the oil seal 5 is housed in the recess. A bearing is provided in the oil seal enclosure 6 so as to be continuous with the above-mentioned depression, and the rod 3 is supported through the bearing. The rod 3 is disposed inside the manifold 17 and is rotatably mounted around its central axis. Both ends of the rod 3 shown in FIG. 4 protrude from the oil seal enclosure 6.
(Operation method of coating tool 10)

  Next, an operation method of the application tool 10 according to the embodiment will be described. First, a pump (not shown) is connected to the supply channel 18 and the supply of the application liquid to the application tool 10 is started. When the supply of the coating liquid is continued, the supply liquid 18 for discharging the coating liquid from the manifold 17 and the supply flow path 18 for supplying the coating liquid to the manifold 17 and the liquid outflow section 7 for discharging the coating liquid from the manifold 17 are eventually formed. Is filled with In addition, air filling the manifold 17 and dust remaining in the manifold 17 are discharged from the air vent channel 19 together with the coating liquid. Thereafter, the flow path 19 is blocked by a valve or a plug. In addition, the supply amount (liquid supply amount) of the coating liquid from the pump is set based on conditions such as a moving speed (m / min) of the base material with respect to the coating tool 10 and a film thickness (μm) of the coating film. However, in principle, it is kept constant during application.

  The coating liquid supplied from the supply channel 18 by the pump flows into the manifold 17 from the arc portion of the manifold 17. In the stable state, the coating liquid flowing into the manifold 17 advances in the counterclockwise direction in FIG. 3 around the central axis of the rod 3 by about 90 degrees, and then enters the liquid outflow portion 7 and has a lower pressure. In other words, the liquid advances in the liquid outflow section 7 in the upward direction on the paper surface in FIG. As will be described later, by rotating the rod 3 in the clockwise direction in FIG. 3 or the like, the coating liquid flowing into the manifold 17 is moved about 270 around the central axis of the rod 3 in the clockwise direction in FIG. After the liquid has been advanced, the liquid may be made to enter the liquid outflow portion 7, advance in the liquid outflow portion 7 in the upward direction in FIG. 3, and be discharged from the discharge port to the outside.

  Specifically, the coating liquid firstly travels in a direction away from the liquid outflow portion 7 (upward on the paper surface in FIG. 3) along the cylindrical surface of the curved surface 11c, and moves near the boundary between the upper portions 11a and 21a. 7 and is discharged (when the coating liquid moves clockwise in FIG. 3, first, the direction away from the liquid outflow portion 7 along the cylindrical surface of the curved surface 11 c or the inside of the liquid outflow portion 7). In the direction opposite to the traveling direction (downward on the paper surface in FIG. 3), passing near the boundary between the lower portions 11b and 21b, and then heading toward the liquid outlet 7 along the cylindrical surface of the curved surface 21c, or Then, it proceeds in the same direction as the traveling direction in the liquid outflow section 7 (upward on the paper surface in FIG. 3), enters the liquid outflow section 7 near the boundary between the upper portions 11a and 21a, and is discharged. Here, the main parts of the manifold 17 and the liquid outflow part 7 according to the present embodiment have the same shape regardless of the position in the longitudinal direction of the main body block, and the cross-sectional shape of the rod 3 also varies in diameter. Except that they have the same circle. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the application liquid from moving in the longitudinal direction and the pressure from fluctuating in the longitudinal direction. Further, in the cross section of FIG. 3, since the gap between the inner wall surface of the manifold 17 and the surface of the rod 3 is constant or almost constant, it is also possible to suppress the pressure fluctuation in the direction of travel of the coating liquid. .

  Using such an application tool 10, for example, a mixture slurry containing an active material, a conductive agent, and a binder is applied to an aluminum foil current collector, dried, and pressed to obtain a lithium secondary battery or the like. An electrode in a secondary battery can be formed. In addition, a process of forming a film by applying a coating solution using the coating tool according to the present invention can be applied to a process of manufacturing a thin film in a liquid crystal panel, an OLED, a multilayer ceramic capacitor, and the like.

  Even if the main body block is formed so as to have a constant flow path cross-section in the longitudinal direction, the inventors of the present application require that the advancing speed of the coating solution in the longitudinal direction of the main body block be temporally different for each position in the longitudinal direction. As a result, the inventors focused on a point having a velocity gradient in the longitudinal direction. According to the experiments by the inventors, if the rod 3 is not provided, at the beginning of the supply, the speed of the coating liquid is uniform regardless of the distance from the liquid supply side corresponding to the supply flow path. Rather, even in a flow path in which the speed of the coating liquid increases as the distance from the liquid supply side increases, as the time elapses from the start of supply, the velocity of the coating liquid gradually decreases as the distance from the liquid supply side decreases, It has been found that the coating has a velocity gradient such that the velocity is relatively lower than the velocity of the coating liquid close to the liquid supply side. Such a phenomenon may be attributable to the fact that stagnation tends to occur as the distance from the liquid supply side increases.

  Therefore, based on the value obtained by multiplying the supply flow rate by the effective cross-sectional area of the flow path, the flow rate is reduced based on the fact that the rod 3 is not provided or a rod having a constant diameter is provided. The rod 3 was formed with a tapered portion so that the effective cross-sectional area of the flow path in a region far from the liquid side was smaller than the effective cross-sectional area of the flow passage in a region near the liquid supply side. That is, at the opening of the supply channel through which the coating liquid flows into the manifold 17, the gap between the rod 3 and the inner wall of the manifold 17 is increased to increase the effective cross-sectional area of the channel, and the opening through which the coating liquid is supplied. The distance between the rod 3 and the inner wall of the manifold 17 was reduced as the distance from the portion became longer in the longitudinal direction, so that the effective sectional area of the flow path was reduced. As a result, the speed drop in the region far from the opening is corrected, and it is possible to suppress the variation in the speed in the longitudinal direction.

  The angle of the taper of the rod 3 can be appropriately set based on the characteristics of the coating liquid and other specifications and the results of experiments or simulations. For example, the inventors of the present application, in a state where the rod 3 is not mounted, when a coating liquid is supplied from the longitudinal end of a main body block formed with a plurality of slits having long sides in the longitudinal direction over the longitudinal direction, The amount of discharge from each slit was measured, and the amount of change in the amount of discharge for each slit, that is, for each position in the longitudinal direction, was measured to derive the position at which the tapered portion was provided and the angle of the taper. For example, the variation of the discharge amount in the longitudinal direction is within 5%, and the taper angle of the tapered portion is 10% or less, that is, the angle of the base is 1 or less with respect to the longitudinal height of 10 in the cross section. It is preferable to set

  Further, depending on the shape of the flow path, a pressure distribution and a velocity distribution may be generated regardless of the distance from the supply flow path. For example, for a portion where the stagnation is likely to occur, the speed may decrease even at a position where the distance from the supply channel is short. Therefore, when the rod 3 is not mounted, or when a rod having a constant diameter is provided, the distribution of the advancing speed of the coating liquid when the coating liquid is supplied in a state where the flow path cross section in the longitudinal direction is constant, In addition, the change in the traveling speed with time is simulated and measured, and one of the positions in the longitudinal direction is set so that the diameter at the position that causes a decrease in the speed is increased, that is, the cross-sectional area of the flow path is reduced. Alternatively, a plurality of tapered portions may be provided. As described above, the size of the gap with the inner wall of the manifold may be varied in accordance with the velocity of the application liquid discharged from the discharge port in the longitudinal direction of the rod.

  In addition, the inventors of the present application have found that, when a coating liquid is agitated by a member having projections or the like such as wings, a pulsation or the like is generated, and the temporal or positional pressure distribution of the coating liquid is increased, and the coating film thickness is increased. We focused on the factors that cause fluctuation. Since the rod 3 according to the present embodiment is formed so as to have a circular cross section, an excessive flow of the coating liquid is caused as compared with a case where a stirring rod having projections or the like is used. There is nothing.

  Note that the rod 3 may be rotated clockwise or counterclockwise in FIG. 3 simultaneously with the supply of the coating liquid. For example, when the stirring rod 3 is rotated by an external driving source, the stirring of the coating liquid in the manifold 17 can be promoted. For this reason, it is possible to suppress an increase in viscosity due to a decrease in speed, and to suppress the liquid from staying in the manifold.

  In the former case, since the stirring rod 3 rotates clockwise in FIG. 3, it is possible to promote the clockwise movement of the coating liquid also in the manifold 17. In the supply channel 18, since the coating liquid proceeds toward the central axis of the stirring rod 3, the coating liquid is applied by the stirring rod 3 in a direction away from the liquid outlet 7, which is a rotational tangential direction (downward in FIG. 3). The progress of the liquid can be promoted. Thereafter, when the coating liquid passes through the gap between the curved surface 21c of the second block 2 and the stirring rod 3, the rotation of the stirring rod 3 causes the coating liquid to be applied in a direction approaching the liquid outlet 7 (upward on the paper surface in FIG. 3). The progress of the liquid can be promoted.

  In this way, by rotating the stirring rod 3 using the external drive source, it is possible to further suppress the stagnation of the coating liquid. In particular, since the mixture slurry contains a large amount of solids (solid matter particles) in the liquid, if a conventional application tool is used, the solids are separated from the liquid, and the solids separate from the liquid at every position in the longitudinal direction of the discharge port. In addition, there is a problem that the ratio of the solid content in the liquid varies and the viscosity varies. However, according to the application tool 10 according to the present embodiment, even when a slurry in which solid particles are contained in a liquid is used as the application liquid, the application liquid is stirred using the stirring rod 3 in the manifold. In addition, since the coating liquid can be applied from the discharge port having the longitudinal direction, the variation in viscosity according to the position in the longitudinal direction can be suppressed as compared with the related art, and application with high uniformity can be realized.

  In the second block 2 in the above embodiment, a curved surface 21c that is depressed inward is formed between the upper part 21a and the lower part 21b. However, the side surface 21 may be formed so as to be a single plane including the upper portion 21a and the lower portion 21b without forming the curved surface 21c. In this case, the rod is formed so as to have a diameter smaller than the radius of the curved surface 11c that forms the cylindrical surface, and has a central axis on the first block 1 side so as to be separated from the side surface 21 and the curved surface 11c. Need to be supported.

  In the case of such a configuration, the distance between the surface of the rod and the inside of the manifold 17 varies according to the progress of the coating solution, but the coating solution flowing into the manifold 17 is transferred from the liquid outflow portion 7 along the arc portion. When the coating solution is allowed to flow from the position closest to the surface of the stirring rod 3 when traveling in the direction away from the sheet (downward in FIG. 5), the tangential direction due to the stirring rod 3 (downward in FIG. 5) Transfer of the coating liquid to the substrate can be promoted. Similarly, the rotational tangent direction of the stirring rod 3 at the position closest to the surface of the second block 2 coincides with the direction of travel of the coating liquid in the liquid outlet 7. That is, when the coating liquid passes through the gap between the second block 2 and the stirring rod 3, the coating liquid is likely to receive a force toward the liquid outlet 7 (upward force in FIG. 3) by the stirring rod 3. Thereafter, at least a part of the coating liquid flows into the liquid outflow portion 7 and advances in the liquid outflow portion 7 in parallel with the contact surface. At this time, the liquid outflow portion 7 and the straight portion of the manifold 17 are connected to the second block 2 in a plane. For this reason, the pressure fluctuation accompanying an obstacle etc. can be suppressed.

  When a fluid having a high rate of increase in viscosity according to a decrease in speed is used as the coating liquid, the angle of the taper can be increased. Even if the characteristics of the coating liquid change in this way, it is possible to suppress the variation in the speed in the longitudinal direction only by replacing the stirring rod 3 with a stirring rod having another taper. Further, since the stirring rod is formed in a cylindrical shape having the same diameter except for the tapered portion, it is not necessary to replace a part for supporting the stirring rod such as the side seal body 4.

  According to the coating tool 10 having the above-described configuration, it is possible to suppress stagnation in the manifold 17 and form a coating film having a more uniform thickness on the object to be coated, as compared with the related art. The surface roughness of the stirring rod is preferably smooth. If the surface roughness is large, pulsation occurs in the coating liquid, and it becomes impossible to provide a coating film having a uniform thickness.

  As described above, one embodiment of the present invention has been described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. That is, various modifications can be made without departing from the basic technical idea of disposing the stirring rod having the tapered portion in the manifold of the present invention.

  For example, although the manifold 17 is formed to have the same width as the first block 1 in the above embodiment, the manifold may be shorter than the width of the first block in the longitudinal direction. In addition, the shape of the liquid outflow portion can be appropriately changed according to the thickness of a target coating film, the type of a coating liquid to be used, and the like. For example, a shape other than the slit shape in the above embodiment may be used. Further, depending on the application, a plurality of liquid outflow portions may be formed. For example, a plurality of slot-shaped liquid outflow portions may be formed apart from each other over the longitudinal direction of the main body block.

  Regarding the cross-sectional shape of the manifold, it is preferable to form the manifold so that the region where the liquid outflow portion is formed has the same cross-sectional shape in the longitudinal direction. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the shape of the manifold in a cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the main body block may be different depending on the position in the longitudinal direction. For example, in order to suppress the fluctuation of the discharge amount in the longitudinal direction, so that the cross-sectional area of the manifold fluctuates gradually, for example, as the distance from the supply flow path increases, the cross-sectional area is gradually reduced while maintaining a similar shape of the cross-sectional shape. The manifold may be formed so as to be small. Even when such a manifold is used, the discharge amount in the longitudinal direction fluctuates according to the characteristics of the coating liquid, the discharge amount, and the like. For this reason, by using one or more stirring rods 3 having a taper angle and a length corresponding to the fluctuation amount of the discharge amount obtained based on experiments, simulations, and the like, the discharge amount and the like can be increased. Can be suppressed in the longitudinal direction. In addition, depending on the shape of the manifold, when the stir bar is not mounted, the first region where the discharge amount increases as the distance from the supply flow path increases and the second region where the discharge amount decreases as the distance from the supply flow path further increases in the longitudinal direction May be formed. In such a case, the second region is provided with a tapered portion in which the distance from the manifold in the cross section decreases as the distance from the supply flow path increases, and the first region moves away from the supply flow path in the first region. An inverse tapered portion may be provided in which the distance from the manifold in the cross section increases as the cross section increases.

  Further, the stirring rod does not necessarily need to be rotated. Even without rotation, the effective flow path cross-sectional area is reduced inclining in the longitudinal direction, so that convection can be generated by other means such as a pump.

  Further, the tapered portion does not necessarily have to be a cylindrical surface. For example, a curved surface having a quadratic cross-section passing through the central axis may be used such that the size of the gap with the inner wall of the manifold increases monotonically in a broad sense according to the position of the rod in the longitudinal direction.

Further, the cross-sectional shape of the manifold can be variously changed. For example, the arc portion may be formed from an ellipse, a quadratic curve, another curve, or a curve and a straight line. For example, a simulation may be performed on a plurality of cross-sectional shapes, and a cross-sectional shape that minimizes pressure fluctuation or the like may be selected. However, the wall surface forming the liquid outflow portion and a part of the wall surface of the manifold connected thereto are flush with the contact surface of the second block 2 of the application tool 10 according to the present embodiment, and are integrally formed. In this case, the application liquid can be more stably discharged by bringing the stirrer into close proximity. Further, the main body block may be integrally formed using a wire discharge or a mold. Further, the stirring rod or the like may be configured to be detachable from the main body block, or may be fixed so as not to be detachable.
[Modification]

  Hereinafter, a modified example of the stirring rod 3 will be described. FIG. 5A is a perspective view of a stirring rod 3 ′ having two tapered portions, and FIG. 5B is a perspective view of a stirring rod 3 ″ having four tapered portions.

  As shown in FIG. 5 (a), the stirring rod 3 'has a tapered portion 31' formed with a smaller diameter from the end portion 34 'to the end portion 35', and an end portion 35 'smaller than the tapered portion 31'. A second tapered portion 32 'is formed on the' side, and is formed to have a larger diameter toward the end 35 '. Further, a connecting portion 33 'for connecting the tapered portion 31' and the second tapered portion 32 'is provided. The end 34 ', the end 35', and the connecting portion 33 'are formed in a cylindrical shape having the same diameter as the diameter of the tip of the tapered portion 31'.

  When such a stirring rod 3 'is used, the supply flow path corresponding to the supply flow path 18 is preferably formed in the main body block so that the application liquid is supplied into the manifold from the central portion in the longitudinal direction. . That is, by forming a supply flow path having one end open to the outside of the main body block as a supply port and the other end open to the manifold at the position of the connection portion 33 ', the effective flow path at both ends where the flow velocity tends to decrease is formed. The area can be reduced. For this reason, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the flow rate of the coating liquid at both ends, and to suppress a variation in the flow rate in the longitudinal direction. Further, since the coating liquid flows into the manifold from the center in the longitudinal direction, the distance to the farthest end can be reduced. In addition, since the stirring bar can be formed symmetrically about the connection portion 33 ', the movement of the coating liquid in the longitudinal direction can be suppressed.

  The stirring rod 3 '' shown in FIG. 5B is preferably mounted on a main body block in which two supply channels, a manifold, two liquid outlets, and two discharge ports are formed. As shown in this figure, the stirring rod 3 ″ has a tapered portion 31 ″ having a smaller diameter as it approaches the end 39 ″ from the end 34 ″, and an end more than the tapered portion 31 ″. A second tapered portion 32 ″ formed on the side of the portion 39 ″ and having a larger diameter as approaching the end portion 39 ″, and a connecting portion connecting the tapered portion 31 ″ and the second tapered portion 32 ″ 33 ''. Further, a third taper portion 36 "which is formed closer to the end portion 39" than the second taper portion 32 "and has a smaller diameter as it approaches the end portion 39", and a third taper portion 36 ' , A fourth tapered portion 37 ″, a third tapered portion 36 ″, and a fourth tapered portion 37 ′ that are formed closer to the end 39 ″ and have a larger diameter toward the end 39 ″. And a connecting section 38 '' for connecting the '. In addition, a connecting portion 35 ″ for connecting the second tapered portion 32 ″ and the third tapered portion 36 ″ is provided.

  As a supply flow path corresponding to the supply flow path 18, a first supply flow path having one end open to the outside of the main body block as a supply port and the other end open to the manifold at the position of the connection portion 33 ″, A second supply channel is formed as a supply port, which opens to the outside of the main body block and the other end opens to the manifold at the position of the connection portion 38 ''. The manifold is divided into two parts by a support wall that supports the connection part 35 ″. Further, a slit-shaped liquid outflow portion and a discharge port corresponding to the liquid outflow portion 7 are formed corresponding to each manifold.

  With such a configuration, in the longitudinal direction, the coating film having the width of the tapered portion 31 ″, the second tapered portion 32 ″, and the connecting portion 33 ″ is spaced apart from the connecting portion 35 ″. , The third taper portion 36 ″, the fourth taper portion 37 ″, and a stripe coating that simultaneously forms a plurality of coating films having a width of the connection portion 38 ″. Note that the supply flow path may be branched midway and supplied to each manifold. Needless to say, the number of tapered portions and liquid outflow portions, the direction of the tapered portion, and the like can be appropriately changed depending on the application. Even with the use of the stirring bar 3 ″ as described above, the same effect as that of the stirring bar 3 of the application tool 10 can be exhibited.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... 1st block 11, 21 ... 1st side surface 11a ... 1st side upper part 11b ... 1st side lower part 11c ... 1st side curved surface 12, 22 ... 2nd side 13 , 23 ... third side surfaces 14, 24 ... fourth side surfaces 15, 25 ... fifth side surfaces 16, 26 ... sixth side surface 17 ... manifold 18 ... supply flow path 2 ... second block 3 ... stirring rod 4 ... Side seal body 5 ... Oil seal 6 ... Oil seal enclosure 7 ... Liquid outlet

Claims (10)

A supply block and a discharge port are respectively formed on the surface, and a main body block in which a manifold communicating with the supply port and the discharge port is formed,
A rod supported in the manifold,
An application tool for supplying the application liquid supplied from the supply port, passing through the gap between the rod and the inner wall of the manifold in the main body block, and applying the application liquid discharged from the discharge port to the base material,
An application tool, wherein the rod has a tapered portion that varies the size of a gap between the rod and the inner wall of the manifold through which the application liquid passes according to a position in a longitudinal direction of the rod. A supply block and a discharge port are respectively formed on the surface, and a main body block in which a manifold communicating with the supply port and the discharge port is formed,
A rod supported in the manifold,
An application tool for supplying the application liquid supplied from the supply port, passing through the gap between the rod and the inner wall of the manifold in the main body block, and applying the application liquid discharged from the discharge port to the base material,
The rod includes a taper portion that varies a size of a gap between the manifold and an inner wall of the manifold through which the coating liquid passes, according to a velocity of the coating liquid discharged from the discharge port in a longitudinal direction of the rod. , Coating tools.   The application tool according to claim 1, wherein the discharge port is formed by a slit having a long side parallel to a longitudinal direction of the rod.   The coating tool according to claim 3, wherein a plurality of the slits are formed in the longitudinal direction.   The coating tool according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a surface of the tapered portion is formed as a conical surface whose axis is a longitudinal direction of the rod. The rod has a tapered portion formed with a smaller diameter from one end to the other end, and a second taper formed on the other end side with respect to the tapered portion and formed with a larger diameter toward the other end. And a part,
In the main body block, a supply flow path that opens to the manifold at one end that opens to the outside as the supply port and the other end connects to the tapered portion and the second tapered portion in the longitudinal direction is formed. The application tool according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the application tool is applied. The rod is further formed on the other end side with respect to the second taper part, and a third taper part having a smaller diameter as approaching the other end, and the other end side with respect to the third taper part. And a fourth tapered portion formed to have a larger diameter as approaching the other end,
In the main body block, one end of the second supply port is opened to the outside as a second supply port, and the other end is opened to the manifold at the longitudinal position where the third tapered part and the fourth tapered part are connected. The coating tool according to claim 6, wherein a flow path is formed. A main body block in which a supply port and a discharge port are respectively formed on a surface, and a manifold communicating with the supply port and the discharge port is formed therein;
A rod that can be supported in the manifold,
An application tool for supplying the application liquid supplied from the supply port, passing through the gap between the rod and the inner wall of the manifold in the main body block, and applying the application liquid discharged from the discharge port to the base material,
The discharge port comprises an opening extending in a longitudinal direction of the main body block,
The manifold comprises a space extending in a longitudinal direction of the main body block,
The rod is configured to be able to be supported in the manifold so that its longitudinal direction is parallel to the longitudinal direction of the main body block, and the size of a gap between the manifold and an inner wall of the manifold through which the coating liquid passes. Including a tapered portion for varying according to the longitudinal position of the rod,
Application tool.   In a cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the rod, the magnitude of the distance between the surface of the tapered portion and the inner wall of the manifold is configured to decrease as the position of the supply port increases in the longitudinal direction of the rod. The application tool according to claim 6, characterized in that:   8. The application tool according to claim 6, wherein a shape of the manifold in a cross section perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the main body block varies depending on a position in the longitudinal direction. 9.