JP3046790B2 - Apparatus and method for drying coating substrate - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for drying a coated substrate on which a coating agent is intermittently applied along the direction of transport of the substrate.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a base material for intermittently applying a coating agent,
For example, there is an electrode substrate in a lithium ion secondary battery, and as a drying device for drying an electrode mixture applied to the electrode substrate, there is one shown in FIG. The electrode substrate 1 is conveyed rightward in FIG. 4, and is provided on the rear side in the conveying direction of the drying device 3 for intermittently applying the electrode mixture 5 to the electrode substrate 1. An application device 7 is provided. The coating device 7 includes slit dies 9 on both upper and lower surfaces of the electrode substrate 1, and the electrode mixture 5 supplied from the outside to the coating agent flow path formed in the slit die 9 is applied to both surfaces of the electrode substrate 1. It will be applied intermittently. On the rear side in the transport direction of the coating device 7 and on the front side in the transport direction of the drying device 3,
Transport rollers 11 and 13 are provided, respectively.

[0003] The drying device 3 is provided with a hot air duct 15 into which hot air is introduced from the outside, extending along the direction of transport of the electrode substrate 1. A plurality of hot air nozzles 17 are provided along the extension direction of the hot air duct 15. By blowing hot air from the hot air nozzle 17 toward the electrode substrate 1,
The applied electrode mixture 5 is dried.

[0004]

By the way, in such a conventional drying apparatus, the electrode substrate 1 is connected to the drying apparatus 3.
Although it is supported by the transport rollers 11 and 13 outside the device, it is not supported inside the drying device. In this case, particularly, in this case, the total length of the drying device 3 is as long as several tens of meters to several tens of meters. The electrode substrate 1, which is heavy due to its application, hangs down due to its own weight, as shown by a two-dot chain line, and sways due to hot air. As a result, the film in the coating portion to which the electrode mixture 5 is applied is applied. There is a problem that a thickness change occurs and a uniform coating film cannot be obtained. In order to suppress the sagging of the electrode substrate 1 described above, it is necessary to apply an excessive tension to the electrode substrate 1. Therefore, there is a disadvantage that the processing speed (transport speed of the electrode substrate 1) is limited, and the working efficiency is reduced.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to prevent the base material from sagging and shaking without lowering the processing speed, and to obtain a uniform coating film.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, a coating agent is applied to the surface so that non-coated portions are formed at predetermined intervals in the transport direction. In a coating substrate drying apparatus for drying a coated portion of the coated substrate to which the coating agent has been applied, the non-coated portion is disposed at a position opposed to both surfaces of the portion after the application operation of the coated substrate is completed. A configuration is provided in which substrate supporting means is provided which moves in accordance with the transport movement of the coating substrate while holding the coating unit from both sides.

[0007] According to the coating substrate drying apparatus having such a configuration, when the coating substrate on which the non-coated portion is formed is fed into the drying apparatus and transported, the substrate supporting means is provided with a coating means . Coating at the site after work is completed
The non-coated portion of the coating base material is moved together with the coating base material while pinching and fixing the non-coated portion from both sides, thereby preventing the coating base material from drooping and shaking after the coating operation is completed.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the configuration of the first aspect, the substrate supporting means conveys the coating substrate in a state where a part thereof is disposed at a position facing the surface of the coating substrate. An endless body that is guided and moved by the guide portion at the same speed as the movement, and a plurality of holding portions that are mounted on the endless body at the same interval as the interval between the non-coated portions and that hold the non-coated portion, And a drive unit for moving the endless body together with the holding unit.

According to the above construction, when the endless body is moved by the driving unit while being guided by the guide together with the movement of the coating base material, the holding portion mounted on the endless body also holds and fixes the non-coating portion. To move.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the configuration of the second aspect of the present invention, the substrate supporting means is configured such that the holding portion is detachable from the endless body and the tension adjusting means is capable of adjusting the tension with respect to the endless body. It has a mechanism.

According to the above configuration, the length of the endless body needs to be a dimension that can be divided by the distance between the non-coated portions, that is, the distance between the mounting positions of the holding portions. The endless body needs to be replaced due to the difference in the intervals. In such a case, only the endless body needs to be replaced by making the holding portion detachable, and by adjusting the tension of the endless body by the tension adjusting mechanism, the endless body having different lengths can be guided to the guide portion. Can be mounted.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the configuration of the third aspect, the endless body is constituted by a metal belt made of a magnetic material, and the holding portion includes a magnetic member that is attracted to the belt. .

According to the above construction, the holding portion is adjusted to the interval between the non-coated portions by freely attaching and detaching the magnetic member to and from the metal belt.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the configuration of the third aspect of the present invention, the endless body includes a mounting member for mounting the holding portions at arbitrary intervals.

According to the above configuration, since the holding portion is attached and detached so as to approximate the distance between the non-coated portions and not to hold the coated portion, it is possible to eliminate the need to replace the endless body. is there.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the configuration of the second aspect, the holding portion includes a rotating member rotatable while being in contact with the non-coating portion.

According to the above configuration, even if a slight displacement occurs in the transport direction between the coating base material and the endless body due to a slight vibration of the apparatus, the rotating member comes into contact with the non-coated portion. Rotating while rotating, the position deviation due to the micro vibration, etc.,
Absorb within the range of formation of the uncoated part.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the configuration of the second aspect, a hot air nozzle for blowing hot air toward the coating substrate is provided on the opposite side of the endless body from the coating substrate, and the endless body is provided. Are provided with hot air passage holes.

According to the above configuration, the hot air blown out from the hot air nozzle reaches a coating substrate partially through a hot air passage hole which is endless.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the configuration of the second aspect, a non-coated portion detector for detecting a position of the non-coated portion along the transport direction of the coating substrate is provided. A control unit is provided which receives a detection signal of the position of the non-coated portion detected by the detector and controls the driving unit so that the non-coated portion can be held by the holding portion.

According to the above configuration, when the non-coated portion detector detects the non-coated portion of the coating substrate, the control portion moves the endless body so that the holding portion can hold the non-coated portion. The drive unit is controlled as needed.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a coating base material having a coating material applied to a surface thereof such that a non-coating portion is formed at predetermined intervals in the transport direction. In the method of drying a coated base material for drying the part, the base material supporting means which moves along with the transfer movement of the coated base material is used to dry the part after the coating operation is completed.
In a drying method, the non-coated portion is dried while the non-coated portion of the coating base material is sandwiched and fixed from both sides.

According to the above-mentioned drying method, when the coated substrate on which the non-coated portion is formed is conveyed and moved, the substrate supporting means makes the coating at the site after the coating operation is completed.
The non-coated portion of the coating base material moves together with the coating base material while pinching and fixing the non-coated portion from both sides, thereby preventing the coating base material from sagging and swinging after the application operation.

[0024]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a front sectional view showing an entire intermittent coating system including an apparatus for drying a coating substrate according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this intermittent coating system, an electrode substrate 19 is a conventional example. Similarly, it is composed of an aluminum foil or a copper foil used for a lithium ion secondary battery. The intermittent coating system includes an electrode substrate 19
Feed rollers 2 for conveying
A coating unit 27 having upper and lower dies 25 for applying an electrode mixture as a coating agent to the electrode base material 19 transported by the feed unit 23; A drying unit 29 for drying the electrode base material 19 to which the electrode mixture has been applied by the electrode unit 27 is provided. At both ends in the width direction of the electrode base material 19, non-applied portions are provided which also serve as guides when being transported between the units.

In the feed unit 23, a pair of bases 31 are arranged on both left and right sides with respect to the transport direction of the electrode base material 19, and both ends of the feed roller 21 are supported by the pair of left and right bases 31. The coating unit 27 also has a base 33,
A pair of cylinders 35 are arranged on the left and right sides with respect to the transport direction of the electrode substrate 19, and cylinders 35 arranged vertically above and below the electrode substrate 19 are attached to the sides of the bases 33 facing each other. ing.

On the side of the base 33 on the side of the drying unit 29, a slider 37 that can move in the vertical direction is provided. The upper and lower dies 25 are fixed to the slider 37 such that both ends in the width direction of the electrode substrate 19 are sandwiched therebetween. The slider 37 positions the upper and lower dies 25 at the time of coating by abutting on upper and lower surfaces of a projection 33 a protruding toward the drying unit 29 side of the base 33.

The upper end of the slider 37 has a shaft 39
Is connected to a piston rod 43 of the cylinder 35 via a swing arm 41 which is swingably supported about the center of the cylinder 35. The operation of the cylinder 35 causes the upper and lower dies 25 to swing. And the slider 37 moves in a direction approaching and separating from the electrode substrate 19. Up,
The electrode mixture 44 is intermittently applied to the electrode base 19 through the coating agent flow path formed inside, with the lower dies 25 approaching the electrode base 19 to a predetermined position. As a result, non-coated portions 19a are formed on the electrode base material 19 at predetermined intervals (equal intervals) along the transport direction.

The drying unit 29 includes, in a hood 45, a first drying unit 47, which is a drying device according to the present invention, and a second drying unit 49 disposed forward of the first drying unit 47 in the transport direction. , Respectively. The hood 45 has an opening 45 a through which the electrode base material 19 intermittently applied by the coating unit 27 passes. The electrode base material 19 fed into the hood 45 from the opening part 45 a is subjected to the first drying. The drying is sequentially performed in the section 47 and the second drying section 49.

The first drying section 47 includes hot air ducts 51 disposed on both upper and lower surfaces of the electrode substrate 19 so as to face each other. The hot air duct 51 has a hot air inlet 53 for taking in hot air from outside the hood 45, And a plurality of hot air nozzles 55 for blowing hot air taken in from the hot air inlet 53 toward the electrode substrate 19.

A metal belt 57 made of a magnetic material as an endless body is guided by four rollers 59 as a guide part, and a part of the electrode base material 1 surrounds the periphery of the hot air duct 51. Are arranged in a state of facing.
The plurality of metal belts 57 are provided at predetermined intervals in the width direction of the electrode base material 19.
7 are guided by four common rollers 59 extending in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the paper of FIG. 1, or are guided by four separate rollers 59 fixed to four common rotation shafts. I have. Of the four rollers 59, one provided at a position close to the electrode substrate 19 on the front side in the transport direction of the electrode substrate 19 is provided with a driving unit 61 such as a motor, and thereby the metal belt 57 is provided. It moves in the direction indicated by arrow A. This movement is performed at the same speed as the transfer movement of the electrode substrate 19.

On the outer surface of each metal belt 57, a plurality of clamping portions 63 for clamping and fixing the non-coated portion 19a of the electrode substrate 19 from both sides are the same as the distance between the non-coated portions 19a. It is detachably mounted with a space between them. Nipping part 6
3 is a bearing 65 as a rotating member for pressing the non-coated portion 19a from both sides, as shown in FIG.
A swing arm 69 in which a bearing 65 is rotatably supported via a shaft 67, a plate-shaped magnetic member 91 that can be attracted to a metal belt 57, and a mounting plate 71 in which the magnetic member 91 is fixed by bolts 93. A bracket 75 having one end fixed and the other end rotatably supported at one end of the swing arm 69 via a shaft 73, between the other end of the swing arm 69 and the mounting member 71; A spring 77 is provided to urge the swing arm 69 away from the mounting member 71. The holding portion 63, the metal belt 57 guided by the roller 59, and the driving portion 61 constitute a base material supporting means.

As the magnetic member 91, a permanent magnet or a plastic magnet material can be used. Since the holding portion 63 is attracted by the magnetic member 91 in the width direction of the metal belt 57, the guide portion 59
When it moves along (four rollers), it does not fall off.

As another embodiment of the holding portion 63, as shown in FIG. 2B, a mounting member 57a provided with a plurality of female threads at an arbitrary interval r on the endless body 57 is provided in the width direction.
The holding portion 63 is fixed to the endless body 57 by a plurality of bolts 93.
, So that when moving along the guide portion 59 (four rollers), no excessive force is caused.

By the way, as shown in FIG.
9 (distance between the uncoated portions 19a (pitch P))
Varies depending on the battery size. On the other hand, the metal belt 5
In order to align all of the holding portions 63 mounted on 7 with the non-coating portion 19a, the length of the metal belt 57 needs to be a distance between the holding portions 63, that is, a dimension divisible by the pitch P. is there. Therefore, the metal belt 57
Needs to be replaced depending on the battery size. In the present embodiment, the metal belt 57 having a length corresponding to the battery size is used.
Are prepared in advance so that the metal belt 57 can be replaced. Although not shown, it is assumed that a tension adjusting mechanism capable of adjusting the tension of the metal belt 57 is provided so as to correspond to various lengths of the metal belt 57.

In the case of the endless metal belt 57, the uncoated portion 19a is provided over a length of several tens of millimeters. For example, as shown in FIG.
The holding portion 63 can be attached to an endless body so that ≒ n × r (n is an integer multiple). Therefore, it is possible to eliminate the trouble of replacing the endless body depending on the battery size, and this is the same when the holding portion 63 in FIG. 2A is attached.

In the vicinity of the opening 45a in the hood 45, a non-coated portion detector 79, such as an optical sensor, for detecting the non-coated portions 19a on both sides of the electrode substrate 19 is provided. Specifically, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.
The signal obtained by detecting the non-coated portion by the non-coated portion detector 79 is input to a control unit (not shown).
Controls the driving section 61 so that the non-coating section 19a can be clamped.

The second drying section 49 also has hot air ducts 81 disposed opposite to the upper and lower surfaces of the electrode substrate 19 like the first drying section 47, and the hot air duct 81 has a hot air intake (not shown). A plurality of hot air nozzles 83 for blowing hot air taken in from the inlet toward the electrode substrate 19 are provided.

In the apparatus for drying a coated base material configured as described above, the electrode base material 19 conveyed by the feed unit 23 is intermittently coated by the coating unit 27, whereby the electrode base material 19 is sent out from the coating unit 27. The electrode base material 19 to be formed has a coated portion to which the electrode mixture 44 is applied and a non-coated portion 19a to which no electrode mixture 44 is applied, formed on both sides. The non-coating portions 19a are formed at equal intervals along the transport direction. When the electrode substrate 19 is fed into the drying unit 29 and is conveyed and moved in the hood 45, the driving unit 61 of the first drying unit 47 operates to move the metal belt 57 to the electrode substrate 19. At the same speed as the transport speed of the holding member 63 in the direction indicated by the arrow A.

At this time, the four holding portions 63 (eight in the vertical direction) at positions facing the electrode base material 19 hold the non-coated portion 19a while pressing the non-coated portion 19a from both sides by bearings 65 pressed by springs 77. While moving together with the metal belt 57, the electrode base 19 prevents the electrode base material 19 from sagging due to its own weight and swinging due to receiving hot air blown out from the hot air nozzle 55. As a result, the electrode base material 19 is conveyed while being kept in a substantially horizontal state, so that a change in the film thickness at the coating portions on both surfaces is suppressed, and a uniform coating film is obtained. Further, since the electrode base material 19 is held by the holding portion 63, it is not necessary to apply an excessive tension to the electrode base material 19 in order to prevent the electrode base material 19 from sagging. It is advantageous because it is difficult to dry efficiently and the processing speed is increased to improve the working efficiency.

Since the holding portion 63 is formed of a bearing 65 at a portion in contact with the non-coating portion 19a, there is a slight displacement of the holding portion 63 in the transport direction with respect to the non-coating portion 19a due to slight vibration of the apparatus. Even if it occurs, the displacement can be absorbed within the range where the uncoated portion 19a is formed by rotating the bearing 65.

When the hot air blown from the hot air nozzle 55 is cut off by a plurality of metal belts 57 provided in the width direction of the electrode substrate 19, the drying effect is reduced by half. What is necessary is just to provide a hot air passage hole through which hot air passes through the belt 57. However, the drying operation for the electrode substrate 19 is performed in addition to the first drying section 47 and the second drying section 47.
In the drying section 49 of the first drying section 47, the progress of drying only on the surface of the coating film by rapid drying is prevented, and the inside is uniformly dried.
Therefore, even if the hot air is blocked by the metal belt 57, it is not so much a problem, and it is rather preferable.

When the electrode substrate 19 is sent out of the coating unit 27 and enters the drying unit 29, the non-coated portion 19a is detected by the non-coated portion detector 79,
By this detection operation, the holding portion 63 at the position facing the electrode base material 19 is always aligned with the non-coating portion 19a.
The moving speed of the metal belt 57 by the driving unit 61 is controlled by a control unit (not shown). That is, the pitch P between the non-coated portions 19a of the electrode base material 19 is detected by the non-coated portion detector 79, the moving speed is calculated, and the driving portion is set to have the same moving speed with respect to the moving speed. The moving speed of the metal belt 57 by the control unit 61 is controlled. Thereby, the holding portion 6
No. 3 prevents the displacement with respect to the non-coating portion 19a, that is, the pinching by the electrode mixture 44, and the holding operation in the non-coating portion 19a is reliably performed.

At the start of the start of the intermittent coating system, for example, as shown in FIG. 1, the electrode base material 19 is sandwiched by a total of eight sandwiching portions 63 each of four upper and lower portions. The distance between the holding portion 63 of the holding portion 63 closest to the coating unit 27 and the coating agent coating outlet by the upper and lower dies 25 of the coating unit 27 is substantially equal to the pitch P between the non-coating portions 19a. What is necessary is just to set so that it may become the same dimension. That is, the driving unit 61 is controlled at the same speed as the moving speed of the electrode substrate 19 simultaneously with the start of the coating.

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, when the coated substrate on which the non-coated portion is formed is fed into the drying device and transported, the substrate supporting means is provided with : Coating at the site after application is completed
Since the non-coated part of the coating base material moves together with the coating base material while pinching and fixing it from both sides, the coating base material is prevented from sagging and shaking after the coating operation is completed, and the film thickness change in the coating part is suppressed. And a uniform coating film can be obtained.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, when the endless body moves together with the movement of the coating base material by the driving of the driving unit, the holding portion mounted on the endless body holds the non-coating portion while holding the non-coating portion from both sides. It can move and prevent sagging and shaking of the coated substrate.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the holding portion can be detached even if the endless body is replaced with one having a different length so that the interval between the non-coated portions varies depending on the coating base material. And a tension adjustment mechanism capable of adjusting the tension of the endless body is provided. The coating portion can be sandwiched, and it is possible to prevent the coating base material from sagging and shaking.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the holding portion can be easily attached to and detached from the metal belt by the magnetic member.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the holding portion can be easily attached to and detached from the attachment member provided on the endless body.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, since the holding portion is provided with the rotating member rotatable while being in contact with the non-coating portion, the fine vibration of the device is provided between the coating base material and the endless body. Even if a slight displacement occurs in the transport direction due to, for example, the rotating member rotates while being in contact with the non-coated portion, the positional displacement due to the minute vibration or the like is absorbed within the forming range of the non-coated portion. And a stable holding operation can be performed.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, since the endless body is provided with the hot air passage hole through which the hot air blown from the hot air nozzle can pass, the hot air blown toward the coating base material passes through the hot air passage hole. It can reach the coating substrate and avoid a decrease in drying efficiency.

According to the invention of claim 8, when the non-coated portion detector detects the non-coated portion of the coating substrate, the control portion controls the endless so that the holding portion can hold the non-coated portion. Since the driving unit is controlled to move the body, the clamping operation of the clamping unit with respect to the non-coated portion is ensured.

According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, when the coated base material on which the non-coated portion is formed is transported and moved, the base support means is provided with a coating material at the site after the coating operation is completed.
The non-coated part of the coating base material moves together with the coating base material while pinching and fixing the coating base material from both sides, preventing the coating base material from sagging and shaking after the coating operation is completed, and suppressing the change in film thickness in the coating part. And a uniform coating film can be obtained.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front sectional view showing an entire intermittent coating system including a coating substrate drying apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

2A is an enlarged side view of a holding section for holding and fixing an electrode base material used in the drying apparatus of FIG. 1, and FIG. 2B is a side view showing another embodiment of the holding section. is there.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a pitch between non-coated portions of an electrode substrate.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the entire intermittent coating system including a drying apparatus for a coating substrate according to a conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

Reference Signs List 19 electrode base material (coating base material) 19a non-coating part 55 hot air nozzle 57 metal belt (base material supporting means, endless body) 57a mounting member 59 roller (guide part) 61 driving part (base material supporting means) 63 pinching Part (base member supporting means) 65 Bearing (rotating member) 79 Non-coated part detector 91 Magnetic member

Continuation of the front page (58) Field surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) B05C 9 / 12,9 / 14 B05D 3/00-3/14 B65H 20 / 06,20 / 16 H01M 4/04

Claims (9)

(57) [Claims] 1. A coating for drying a coated part of a coating substrate on which a coating material is applied so that a non-coated part is formed at predetermined intervals along a transport direction. In the substrate drying apparatus, with the transfer movement of the coating substrate while holding and fixing the non-coated portion from both sides at positions opposite to both surfaces of the site after the application operation of the coating substrate is completed. An apparatus for drying a coated substrate, comprising a moving substrate supporting means. 2. The endless substrate supporting means, wherein a part thereof is disposed at a position facing the surface of the coating substrate and is guided and moved by the guide portion at the same speed as the transport movement of the coating substrate. A body, a plurality of clamping portions that are attached to the endless body at the same interval as the non-coating portions, and that hold the non-coating portion, and a driving unit that moves the endless body together with the clamping portion. 2. The apparatus for drying a coated substrate according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus comprises: 3. The substrate supporting means according to claim 2, wherein the holding portion is detachable from the endless body and has a tension adjusting mechanism capable of adjusting the tension with respect to the endless body. Equipment for drying coated substrates. 4. The coated base material according to claim 3, wherein the endless body is formed of a metal belt made of a magnetic material, and the holding portion includes a magnetic member that is attracted to the belt. Drying equipment. 5. The apparatus for drying a coated substrate according to claim 3, wherein the endless body is provided with a mounting member for attaching a holding portion at an arbitrary interval. 6. The apparatus for drying a coated substrate according to claim 2, wherein the holding section includes a rotating member rotatable while being in contact with the non-coating section. 7. A hot-air nozzle for blowing hot air toward the coating substrate on the side opposite to the coating substrate with the endless body as a boundary, wherein the endless body is provided with a hot-air passage hole. The apparatus for drying a coated substrate according to claim 2. 8. A non-coated part detector for detecting a non-coated part position along the transport direction of the coating substrate, and a detection signal of the non-coated part position detected by the non-coated part detector 3. The apparatus for drying a coated substrate according to claim 2, further comprising: a control unit that controls the driving unit so that the non-coating unit can be held by the holding unit in response to the input. 9. A coating for drying a coated portion of a coating substrate on which a coating agent is applied so that an uncoated portion is formed at predetermined intervals along a transport direction. In the method of drying a base material, the non- coated portion of the coating base material at the site after the coating operation is completed is sandwiched from both sides by the base material supporting means that moves with the conveyance movement of the coating base material. A method for drying a coated substrate, comprising drying the uncoated portion in a fixed state.