JP4913916B2 - Alignment method and honeycomb filter manufacturing method - Google Patents

Abstract

Disclosed is a method for aligning a honeycomb structure and a sealing mask, comprising: a step for fixing at a predetermined position an alignment mask with an opening; a step for arranging at a position facing the alignment mask the honeycomb structure, which has a plurality of through-holes, so that the contour of the external wall of an end surface of the honeycomb structure is visible at a predetermined position inside the opening; a step for removing the alignment mask from the predetermined position after said arrangement; and a step for arranging the sealing mask at a predetermined position after said removal. Specifically disclosed is an alignment method that, as a result of the above, can readily and correctly align the through-holes of the honeycomb structure and the through-holes of the sealing mask. Also disclosed is a honeycomb filter production method.

Description

  The present invention relates to an alignment method and a honeycomb filter manufacturing method.

  Conventionally, honeycomb filters are widely used for DPF (Diesel particulate filter) and the like. This honeycomb filter has a structure in which one end side of some through holes of a honeycomb structure having a large number of through holes is sealed with a sealing material, and the other end side of the remaining through holes is sealed with a sealing material. Patent Document 1 discloses a method for manufacturing such a honeycomb filter. In Patent Document 1, by pressing a sealing material against a through-hole by a piston 8 through a sealing mask having a through-hole in a place to be sealed against one end surface of the honeycomb structure 1 disposed in the cylinder 7, A sealing material is supplied to an end portion of a desired through hole of the honeycomb structure.

Japanese Patent Publication No. 63-24731

  By the way, the diameter of the through hole of the honeycomb structure is small. Further, the diameter of the through hole of the sealing mask is about the same as or less than the through hole of the honeycomb structure. Therefore, in a state where the through holes of the honeycomb structure and the through holes of the mask are correctly overlapped, it is difficult to see the outline of the outer wall of the honeycomb structure and the outline of the through holes from the opening of the sealing mask. Therefore, accurate alignment of the through holes of the honeycomb structure and the through holes of the sealing mask has been very difficult.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an alignment method and a honeycomb filter manufacturing method capable of easily performing accurate alignment between the through holes of the honeycomb structure and the through holes of the sealing mask The purpose is to provide.

  A method for aligning a honeycomb structure and a sealing mask according to the present invention includes a step of fixing an alignment mask having an opening at a predetermined position, a honeycomb structure having a plurality of through holes, and an alignment mask. A step of arranging the outer wall of the end face of the honeycomb structure at opposite positions so that the outline of the outer wall appears at a predetermined position in the opening; a step of removing the alignment mask from the predetermined position after the arrangement; And a step of arranging a sealing mask at the position.

  In the conventional method, it is difficult to see the outline of the outer wall of the honeycomb structure from the opening of the sealing mask after the alignment is completed. On the other hand, in the present invention, an alignment mask different from the sealing mask is fixed at a predetermined position, and the outline of the outer wall of the end face of the honeycomb structure appears at a predetermined position in the opening of the alignment mask. By arranging the honeycomb structure as described above, the end face of the honeycomb structure can be accurately and easily aligned with respect to the alignment mask. Then, after aligning the positions in this way, by replacing the alignment mask at the predetermined position with the sealing mask, the alignment is performed while looking at the end face of the honeycomb structure from the opening of the sealing mask. Accurate alignment between the honeycomb structure and the sealing mask is possible without any work.

  Here, in the state after the honeycomb structure is arranged, the opening of the alignment mask has four portions which are 90 degrees apart around the center of the contour, or around the center of the contour, in the contour of the outer wall of the end face. Three portions separated by 120 degrees can be exposed. Thereby, the accuracy can be further improved.

  In the alignment step, the honeycomb structure can be further arranged so that the outlines of the plurality of through holes adjacent to each other in the honeycomb structure are aligned in a predetermined direction within the opening.

  In the conventional method, it is difficult to see the outline of the through hole of the honeycomb structure from the opening of the sealing mask in a state where the alignment is completed. Therefore, the direction in which the outlines of the plurality of through holes are aligned is seen. It was also difficult. In contrast, in the present invention, a positioning mask different from the sealing mask is used, and the honeycomb structure is arranged so that the outlines of the plurality of through holes are aligned in a predetermined direction from the opening of the positioning mask. As a result, the end face of the honeycomb structure can be more accurately and easily aligned with the alignment mask.

  Further, the contour of the opening of the alignment mask has a straight portion, and the direction and the straight portion can be parallel.

  In addition, the alignment mask has three or more openings and each opening is elongated, and the openings are radially arranged on the main surface of the alignment mask so that the extended lines of the long axes of the openings intersect at an equal angle to each other at one point. be able to. In the present application, the term “elongate opening” means that the shortest length of a line segment passing through the center of gravity of the opening and straddling the opening is the short diameter, and the length of the line segment orthogonal to the short diameter and straddling the opening is the long diameter In this case, the longer diameter means the longer opening than the shorter diameter. In the present specification, the “major axis of the opening” means a straight line perpendicular to the minor axis when the shortest length of the line segment passing through the center of gravity of the opening and straddling the opening is defined as the minor axis. .

  A method for manufacturing a honeycomb filter according to the present invention includes a step of aligning a honeycomb structure and a sealing mask by the above-described method, and a step of supplying a sealing material to some through holes through the sealing mask. Prepare.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the positioning method and manufacturing method of a honey-comb filter which can perform the exact alignment of the through-hole of a honeycomb structure and the through-hole of a sealing mask easily are provided.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an alignment apparatus 400 according to an embodiment of the present invention. 2A is a top perspective view of the fixing jig 100 of the alignment apparatus 400 of FIG. 1, and FIG. 2B is a bottom perspective view of the fixing jig 100. FIG. 3 is a side view of the fixing jig 100. FIG. 4 is a top view of the fixing jig 100. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a state in which the honeycomb structure is fixed to the alignment apparatus of FIG. FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of an end face of the honeycomb structure of FIG. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a state in which an alignment mask is fixed to the alignment apparatus of FIG. FIG. 8 is an enlarged top view of the alignment mask of FIG. FIG. 9 is an enlarged top view of the alignment mask and the honeycomb structure in the state of FIG. 7, and shows a state where the alignment is completed. FIG. 10 is an enlarged top view of the alignment mask and honeycomb structure in the state of FIG. 7, in which the positions of the alignment mask and honeycomb structure are shifted in the X direction. FIG. 11 is an enlarged top view of the alignment mask and the honeycomb structure in the state of FIG. 7, and shows a state in which the positions of the alignment mask and the honeycomb structure are shifted in the rotation direction around the Z axis. 12 is a perspective view showing a state in which a sealing mask is fixed to the alignment apparatus of FIG. FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a state where the fixing jig is removed from the alignment apparatus of FIG. FIG. 14 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a sealing device and a sealing method according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 15 is a top view showing an example of an alignment mask according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 16 is a top view showing an example of an alignment mask according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 17 is a top view showing an example of an alignment mask according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 18 is a top view showing an example of an alignment mask according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 19 (a) is a top view showing an example of a sealing mask according to another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 19 (b) shows a honeycomb structure of the sealing mask of FIG. 19 (a). It is a fragmentary sectional view which shows the state aligned with the end surface of the body. FIG. 20 is a top view showing an example of an alignment apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the description, the same reference numerals are used for the same elements or elements having the same function, and a duplicate description is omitted.

(Positioning device 400)
First, the alignment apparatus 400 used in this embodiment will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the alignment apparatus 400 according to an embodiment of the present invention mainly includes a fixing jig 100 and a gantry 300 that detachably fixes the fixing jig 100. The pedestal unit 300 mainly includes a pedestal 302, a moving mechanism 310 fixed to the pedestal 302, and a pedestal side mask fixing plate (pedestal side mask fixing member) 304 fixed to the pedestal 302.

(Pedestal 302)
The pedestal 302 is a plate-like member and is arranged so that the upper surface is a horizontal plane. The moving mechanism 310 is fixed to the upper surface of the pedestal 302.

(Movement mechanism 310)
A moving mechanism 310 illustrated in FIG. 1 includes a moving member 320 and a moving unit 310A that moves the moving member 320. The moving unit 310A includes a rotating unit 310θ, a Y moving unit 310Y, and an X moving unit 310X, and moves the moving member 320 in a direction parallel to the horizontal plane (XY plane) with respect to the pedestal 302. It is possible to rotate around an axis (Z axis) perpendicular to the horizontal plane. In addition, the moving unit 310A can include a Z moving unit 310Z.

  The rotation unit 310θ rotates the moving member 320 about the vertical axis (Z axis) with respect to the pedestal 302 in accordance with the operation of the handle 310θa, that is, rotates in both forward and reverse directions. The Y moving unit 310Y moves the moving member 320 in the ± Y direction with respect to the pedestal 302 in accordance with the operation of the handle 310Ya. The X moving unit 310X moves the moving member 320 in the ± X direction with respect to the pedestal 302 in accordance with the operation of the handle 310Xa. The Z moving unit 310Z moves the moving member 320 in the ± Z direction with respect to the pedestal 302 according to the operation of the handle 310Za.

  FIG. 13 shows the gantry 300 with the fixing jig 100 removed from the alignment apparatus 400 of FIG. The moving member 320 has a connecting part 320b to the moving part 310A, a disk-shaped disk part 320a connected to the connecting part 320b, and a convex part 320c provided at the center of the upper surface of the disk part 320a. .

(Fixing jig 100)
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the fixing jig 100 placed on the moving member 320 mainly includes a fixing jig base 10, an air picker 30, and an electromagnetic holder (fixing jig side mask fixing member) 20. Have. 2A is a top perspective view of the fixing jig 100 according to the present embodiment, FIG. 2B is a bottom perspective view of the fixing jig 100, FIG. 3 is a side view of the fixing jig 100, FIG. FIG. 3 is a top view of the fixing jig 100.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the fixing jig base 10 has a generally disc shape, and has a disc-like convex portion 12 at the center of the upper surface. A disc-shaped concave portion 14 is formed at the center of the upper surface of the convex portion 12, and the upper surface of the concave portion 14 serves as a mounting surface 14a on which the end face of the honeycomb structure is mounted. As shown in FIG. 5, the diameter of the recess 14 is set to a size that can accommodate the lower end portion of the honeycomb structure 70. As shown in FIGS. 2B and 3, a concave portion 10 a is formed on the bottom surface of the fixing jig base 10. The concave portion 10a of the fixing jig base 10 can be fitted to the convex portion 320c of the moving member 320 shown in FIG.

  Returning to FIG. 2, the air picker 30 is attached to the upper end of the support bar 31. Three support rods 31 are arranged so as to surround the placement surface 14a. Therefore, in this embodiment, three air pickers 30 are provided. As shown in FIG. 4, the three air pickers 30 are arranged at positions 120 degrees apart from each other around the center O of the placement surface 14a, and placed on the placement surface 14a as shown in FIG. The side surface 70s of the honeycomb structure to be formed is disposed at a position where it can be clamped from three directions.

  Returning to FIG. 2, the air picker 30 includes a base portion 30a having a gas inlet / outlet 30c, and a rubber hollow body 30b that can be expanded by a gas supplied from the gas inlet / outlet 30c. When gas is supplied from the gas inlet / outlet 30c to the air picker 30, the rubber hollow body 30b expands and the side surface of the honeycomb structure can be pressed from three directions. On the other hand, when gas is discharged from the gas inlet / outlet 30c, the rubber hollow body 30b It squeezes out and does not press the side surface of the honeycomb structure. The gas piping is not shown.

  The electromagnetic holder 20 is attached to the upper end of the support bar 21. Three support bars 21 are arranged so as to surround the mounting surface 14a. Therefore, in this embodiment, three electromagnetic holders 20 are provided. As shown in FIG. 4, the three electromagnetic holders 20 are arranged at positions 120 degrees apart from each other around the center O of the mounting surface 14a, and are arranged on the upper surface of the honeycomb structure 70 as shown in FIG. The positioning mask 270 and the sealing mask 170 (see FIG. 12) are arranged at positions facing the lower surface of the outer peripheral portion 170p from three directions. As shown in FIG. 4, the electromagnetic holder 20 and the air picker 30 are disposed at positions separated from each other by 60 degrees around the center O of the mounting surface 14 a.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the electromagnetic holder 20 has a flat upper surface 20 a. As shown in FIG. 3, the position of the upper surface 20a of the electromagnetic holder 20 is set to be flush with the upper end surface of the honeycomb structure 70 placed on the placement surface 14a.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the electromagnetic holder 20 has a permanent magnet 20b that emits magnetic flux from the upper surface 20a and an electromagnet 20c that can emit magnetic flux in the opposite direction to the magnetic flux. When no current flows through the electromagnet 20c, the lower surface of the magnetic metal plate on the upper surface 20a can be attracted and fixed by the magnetic field of the permanent magnet 20b, while the current flows through the electromagnet 20c. Since the magnetic field of the permanent magnet 20b is weakened by the magnetic field of the electromagnet, the metal plate on the upper surface 20a can be easily moved.

(Pedestal side mask fixing plate (pedestal side mask fixing member) 304)
Returning to FIG. 1, the pedestal-side mask fixing plate 304 (pedestal-side mask fixing member) is disposed to face the pedestal 302 with the moving mechanism 310 interposed therebetween.

  The pedestal side mask fixing plate 304 is fixed to the pedestal 302 by a support bar 306 so as to be separated from the pedestal 302 by a predetermined distance. On the upper surface of the pedestal-side mask fixing plate 304, a recess 304b is formed that can accommodate and fix the alignment mask 270 (see FIG. 7) and the sealing mask 170 (see FIG. 12). As shown in FIGS. 7 and 12, the recess 304 b is formed so that the center portion of the alignment mask 270 (see FIG. 7) and the sealing mask 170 (see FIG. 12) faces the upper end surface of the honeycomb structure 70. The mask is accommodated and the movement in the XY plane is fixed. Further, in the recess 304b, a flat contact portion 304of capable of contacting the orientation flat 270of (see FIG. 7) of the alignment mask 270 and the orientation flat 170of (see FIG. 12) of the sealing mask 170 is formed. When the masks 170 and 270 are fixed, the orientations of the masks 170 and 270 are fixed, and the rotation of the mask around the Z axis is also restricted.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the pedestal-side mask fixing plate 304 is formed with a notch 304a extending from one end of the side surface to the central portion of the recess 304b. As shown in FIG. 5, the notch 304 a accommodates the honeycomb structure 70 and the upper end portions of the electromagnetic holder 20 in a state where the fixing jig 100 is fixed to the moving member 320. Further, the notch 304a can be easily taken out without the honeycomb structure 70 and the electromagnetic holder 20 being caught by the base side mask fixing plate 304 when the fixing jig 100 detached from the moving member 320 is taken out. Yes. The width of the notch 304a in the X direction is smaller than the width of the recess 304b in the X direction, that is, the diameter of the mask.

  The bottom surface of the recess 304b of the pedestal-side mask fixing plate 304 is a flat surface, and the height thereof is the upper surface 20a of the electromagnetic holder 20 of the fixing jig 100 in a state where the fixing jig 100 is fixed on the moving member 320. To be on the same plane. Therefore, the bottom surface of the recess 304b of the base mask fixing plate 304 and the upper end surface of the honeycomb structure 70 to be placed are on the same plane. In addition, when the bottom surface of the recess 304b and the upper end surface of the honeycomb structure 70 are not on the same plane, the handle 310Za of the moving unit 310Z may be appropriately adjusted before the alignment step described later.

(Production method)
Next, a method for manufacturing a honeycomb filter using such an alignment apparatus 400 will be described.

  First, with respect to the fixing jig 100 separated from the alignment apparatus 400 as shown in FIG. 2, the honeycomb structure 70 is arranged so that one end surface (lower surface) having an opening faces the mounting surface 14a. It mounts on the mounting surface 14 a of the fixing jig 100. Thereafter, by supplying gas from the gas inlet / outlet port 30c of the air picker 30, the rubber hollow body 30b is expanded, and the side surfaces 70s of the honeycomb structure 70 are sandwiched from the three directions by the rubber hollow body 30b. Thereby, the honeycomb structure 70 is fixed to the fixing jig base 10 (fixing jig fixing step).

  Subsequently, as illustrated in FIG. 5, the fixing jig 100 to which the honeycomb structure 70 is fixed is placed on the moving member 320 of the moving mechanism 310 of the alignment apparatus 400, and the fixing jig 100 is attached to the moving member 320. Fix it. At this time, the convex portion 320c of the moving member 320 in FIG. 13 and the concave portion 10a on the bottom surface of the fixing jig base 10 of the fixing jig 100 in FIG.

(Honeycomb structure 70)
Here, the honeycomb structure 70 will be described. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the honeycomb structure 70 is a cylindrical body having a plurality of through holes 70 a extending in parallel to each other.

  The length in the direction in which the through hole 70a of the honeycomb structure 70 extends is not particularly limited, but may be, for example, 40 to 350 mm. Moreover, the outer diameter of the honeycomb structure 70 is not particularly limited, but may be, for example, 100 to 320 mm. In the present embodiment, the cross-sectional shape of the through hole 70a is a square, and for example, the size of the cross section of the through hole can be 0.8 to 2.5 mm on a side. The partition wall thickness, which is the distance between the through holes 70a, can be 0.05 to 0.5 mm.

  FIG. 6 is an end view of the honeycomb structure 70. As shown in FIG. 6, in the end surface 70e of the honeycomb structure 70, a large number of square-shaped through holes 70a are arranged in a matrix, and in particular, a square arrangement, that is, the center of each through hole 70a is a virtual square. It is placed at the vertex. The outer wall contour 70p is circular. Here, the center of the contour on the end face is O.

  The honeycomb structure 70 can be green (unfired body) that becomes porous ceramics by firing later. In this case, the honeycomb structure 70 can be a formed body containing a ceramic raw material or a formed body of ceramic particles. The ceramic is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include alumina, silica, mullite, cordierite, glass, oxides such as aluminum titanate, silicon carbide, silicon nitride, and metal. The aluminum titanate can further contain magnesium and / or silicon. Such a honeycomb structure 70 includes an inorganic compound source powder that is a ceramic raw material, an organic binder such as methylcellulose, and an additive that is added as necessary.

  For example, when the ceramic is aluminum titanate, the inorganic compound source powder includes an aluminum source powder such as α-alumina powder, and a titanium source powder such as anatase-type or rutile-type titania powder. Magnesium source powder such as magnesia powder and magnesia spinel powder and / or silicon source powder such as silicon oxide powder and glass frit can be included.

  Examples of the organic binder include celluloses such as methylcellulose, carboxymethylcellulose, hydroxyalkylmethylcellulose, and sodium carboxymethylcellulose; alcohols such as polyvinyl alcohol; and lignin sulfonate.

  Examples of the additive include a pore-forming agent, a lubricant and a plasticizer, a dispersant, and a solvent.

  Examples of the pore-forming agent include carbon materials such as graphite; resins such as polyethylene, polypropylene, and polymethyl methacrylate; plant materials such as starch, nut shells, walnut shells, and corn; ice; and dry ice.

  Lubricants and plasticizers include alcohols such as glycerin; higher fatty acids such as caprylic acid, lauric acid, palmitic acid, arachidic acid, oleic acid and stearic acid; stearic acid metal salts such as Al stearate; polyoxyalkylene alkyl Examples include ether. The addition amount of the lubricant and the plasticizer can be 0 to 10 parts by weight and can be 0.1 to 5 parts by weight with respect to 100 parts by weight of the inorganic compound source powder.

  Examples of the dispersant include inorganic acids such as nitric acid, hydrochloric acid and sulfuric acid; organic acids such as oxalic acid, citric acid, acetic acid, malic acid and lactic acid; alcohols such as methanol, ethanol and propanol; ammonium polycarboxylate Surfactant etc. are mentioned. The addition amount of a dispersing agent can be 0-20 weight part with respect to 100 weight part of an inorganic compound source powder, and can be 2-8 weight part.

  As the solvent, for example, alcohols such as methanol, ethanol, butanol and propanol; glycols such as propylene glycol, polypropylene glycol and ethylene glycol; and water can be used.

  Such a honeycomb structure 70 can be manufactured as follows, for example. First, an inorganic compound source powder, an organic binder, a solvent, and additives to be added as necessary are prepared. These are mixed by a kneader or the like to obtain a raw material mixture. The obtained raw material mixture is extruded from an extruder having an outlet opening corresponding to the shape of the partition wall, cut to a desired length, and then dried by a known method. By doing so, the honeycomb structure 70 can be obtained.

  Note that the honeycomb structure may not be an unfired body but may be a fired one (for example, porous ceramics).

  Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 7, the alignment mask 270 has a central portion facing the upper end surface of the honeycomb structure 70 and an orientation flat 270 of abutting against the abutting portion 304 of the recess 304 b. The base side mask fixing plate 304 is fitted into the concave portion 304b. As a result, the alignment mask 270 is restricted from moving relative to the pedestal 302 in the translational direction of the horizontal plane (XY plane) and in the rotational direction around the vertical axis (Z axis) (for alignment with the pedestal). Mask fixing step).

  Here, the alignment mask 270 will be described with reference to FIGS. The outer diameter of the alignment mask 270 is larger than the outer diameter of the honeycomb structure 70, and the alignment mask 270 has an annular outer peripheral portion 270 p that does not face the honeycomb structure 70. The material of the alignment mask 270 is not particularly limited, and it is not necessary to be able to be attracted by the electromagnetic holder 20 described later. Examples of the material include stainless steel, electrogalvanized steel plate (SECC), cold rolled steel plate (SPCC), resin plate, and the like.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the alignment mask 270 includes a disk-shaped plate 270b and four rectangular openings 270a formed in the plate 270b. The long axis extension line ax of each opening 270a passes through one point P on the plate 270b, and the angles formed by the long axis extension lines ax adjacent to each other are 90 degrees. One point P can be at the center of the disc. The alignment mask 270 includes a central opening 270h centered on the center P of the disk-shaped plate 270b.

  According to such an alignment mask 270, as shown in FIG. 9, when facing the end face 70e of the honeycomb structure 70, each end face of the honeycomb structure 70 is opened from each opening 270a of the alignment mask 270. The contoured portions 70p1, 70p2, 70p3 and 70p4 of the outer wall of 70e can be seen. In particular, in the present embodiment, the opening 270a has four contour portions 70p1, 70p2, 90 ° apart from each other around the center O of the end surface 70e of the honeycomb structure 70, as shown in FIG. 70p3 and 70p4 can be exposed. At this time, in the four openings 270a, when the shortest distances D1, D2, D3, and D4 between the contour portions 70p1 to 70p4 and the short side 270as on the outer periphery side of the opening 270a are all equal, the alignment mask 270 is used. And the center O of the end face of the honeycomb structure 70 can be matched. Here, the shortest distances D1 to D4 can be set to 0 to 10 mm. In the present embodiment, the portion 70p0 of the end face 70e of the honeycomb structure 70 can also be seen from the central opening 270h. Thereby, the center P of the alignment mask 270 and the center O of the end face of the honeycomb structure 70 can be easily matched.

  Further, in this state, the direction E in which the outlines of the plurality of adjacent through holes 70a of the honeycomb structure 70 are aligned can be seen from the opening 270a, and the alignment mask 270 of the present embodiment has the through hole 70a. The direction E in which the outlines are arranged and the long side 270ar extending in the radial direction in the opening 270a can be parallel to each other. The width W of the opening 270a is not particularly limited, but it is necessary that the width is larger than the diameter of the through hole 70a so that the direction in which the outlines of the adjacent through holes 70a are arranged can be seen. In particular, the width W of the short side of the opening 270a can be a distance that can expose the contours of two or more rows of through holes 70a in the width direction, can be 5 rows or less, and can be 4 rows or less. In addition, the radial length R of the opening 270a needs to be a length that allows two or more outlines of the through-holes 70a to be arranged, but is a length that can arrange three or more or ten or more. is there. In the present embodiment, the rotational position around the Z axis of the honeycomb structure 70 is aligned with the direction E in which the outlines of the plurality of adjacent through holes 70a are arranged in parallel with the long side 270ar of the opening 270a. It can be assumed that the rotational position of the mask 270 matches. That is, in the present embodiment, the state of FIG. 9 in which the distances D1 to D4 seen from the four openings 270 are the same and the direction E in which the outlines of the through holes 70a are aligned is parallel to the long side 270ar is the honeycomb structure 70. And the alignment with the alignment mask 270 is completed. In this case, in the portion 70p0 of the end face 70e of the honeycomb structure 70 that can be seen from the central opening 270h, depending on whether or not the intersection of the partition walls of the through holes 70a is located at the center P of the central opening 270h of the alignment mask 270. In addition, it can be determined whether or not the alignment is completed.

  Normally, when the alignment mask 270 is fitted in the recess 304b, the distances D1 to D4 seen from the four openings 270 are the same as shown in FIG. 9, and the central opening 270h of the alignment mask 270 is used. It is rare that the crossing portion of the partition wall of the through hole 70a is located at the center P, and the direction E in which the outline of the through hole 70a is aligned is parallel to the long side 270ar. Therefore, by rotating the handles 310θa, 310Xa, 310Ya of the moving part 310A as necessary, the through holes 70a of the honeycomb structure 70 and the openings 270a of the alignment mask 270 are aligned, thereby The horizontal position of the end face of the honeycomb structure 70 in the X and Y directions and the rotational position around the Z axis are aligned with a predetermined correct position with respect to the alignment mask 270 to obtain the state shown in FIG. Process).

  For example, when the center position O of the end face 70e of the honeycomb structure 70 and the center position P of the alignment mask 270 are displaced in the X direction, as shown in FIG. 10, the honeycomb is placed in the opening 270a on the −X side. The outline 70p of the outer wall of the structure cannot be seen and the distance D2 cannot be defined, or the distance D4 is larger than the other distances D3, D4, etc. Even in the portion 70p0 of the end face 70e of the honeycomb structure 70 that can be seen from the central hole portion 270h, the intersection of the partition walls of the through holes 70a is not positioned at the center P of the central opening portion 270h of the alignment mask 270. In this case, the X moving unit 310 is driven to move the honeycomb structure 70, and D1 to D4 become the same, and the partition of the through hole 70a intersects the center P of the central opening 270h of the alignment mask 270. The position may be adjusted so that the part is located.

  Further, when the rotational positions around the Z-axis of the end face 70e of the honeycomb structure and the alignment mask 270 are different, as shown in FIG. 11, the direction E in which the outlines of the through holes 70a are aligned in the opening and the opening The direction of the long side 270ar of 270a is not parallel and is oblique. In this case, the rotation unit 310θ may be driven to rotate the honeycomb structure 70 clockwise, and the positions may be aligned so that they are parallel to each other.

  The specific method of alignment is not particularly limited, and the distances D1 to D4, the position of the intersection of the partition walls of the through hole 70a in the central opening 270h of the alignment mask 270, the direction E, and the direction of the long side 270ar The handles 310θa, 310Xa, and 310Ya may be turned by hand while making visual judgment. Further, based on the image taken by the camera, the distances D1 to D4, the position of the intersection of the partition walls of the through hole 70a in the central opening 270h of the alignment mask 270, the direction E, and the long side 270ar by a known image analysis method. May be recognized, a required amount of movement may be obtained by a computer, and the moving unit may be automatically controlled by the computer.

  At the time of this alignment, the upper surface 20a of each electromagnetic holder 20 shown in FIG. 7 faces the outer peripheral portion 170p of the alignment mask 270. And then. When the alignment mask 270 is a material that is attracted to the magnet, an attracting force by the upper surface 20a of the electromagnetic holder 20 is obtained by passing a current through the electromagnet 20c of the electromagnetic holder 20 and canceling the magnetic flux of the permanent magnet 20b. The positioning mask 270 is allowed to move freely in the horizontal direction on the upper surface 20 a of the electromagnetic holder 20. In addition, such a process is unnecessary when the alignment mask 270 is made of a material that is not attracted to the magnet.

  Subsequently, the alignment mask 270 is removed from the recess 304b of the pedestal-side mask fixing plate 304 (alignment mask removal step). Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 12, the sealing mask 170 is fitted into the recess 304b so that the orientation flat 170of contacts the contact portion 304of of the recess 304b (sealing mask placement step). As a result, the sealing mask 170 is restricted from moving relative to the pedestal 302 in the translational direction of the horizontal plane and in the rotational direction around the vertical axis.

(Sealing mask 170)
Here, the sealing mask 170 will be described. As shown in FIG. 12, the sealing mask 170 is a plate-like member having the same outer shape as the alignment mask 270, and has a large number of through holes 170a. That is, the outer diameter of the sealing mask 170 is larger than the outer diameter of the honeycomb structure 70, and the sealing mask 170 has an annular outer peripheral portion 170 p that does not face the honeycomb structure 70. In addition, the sealing mask 170 is provided with an orientation flat 170of as a flat cutout at the end face to fix the movement of the mask in the rotational direction. In particular, the sealing mask 170 can be made of a ferromagnetic material that can be attracted by magnetic force, for example, ferritic stainless steel, so that the electromagnetic mask 20 can be attracted.

  The planar shape of the through hole 170a of the sealing mask 170 can be, for example, a square corresponding to the through hole 70a (see FIG. 6) of the honeycomb structure 70. The plurality of through holes 170a are arranged in a staggered manner as shown in FIG. 12, and each through hole 170a is mutually connected among the plurality of through holes 70a of the honeycomb structure 70 arranged in a square in FIG. It is arranged to face only a plurality of through-holes that are not adjacent to each other vertically and horizontally. In particular, the sealing mask 170 is in a state where the end face 70e of the honeycomb structure 70 and the alignment mask 270 are accurately aligned as described above, that is, the end face 70e of the honeycomb structure and the pedestal side. By fitting into the recess 304b in a state where the recess 304b of the mask fixing plate 304 is aligned, the through hole 70a to be sealed communicates with the through hole 170a, and the through hole 70a that should not be sealed is shielded. As shown, each through-hole 170a is arranged in advance with respect to the orientation flat 170of.

  By fitting such a sealing mask 170 into the recess 304b of the base side mask fixing plate 304 so that the orientation flat 170of contacts the contact portion 304of of the recess 304b, as shown in FIG. The through-hole 70a of the honeycomb structure 70 to be sealed and the through-hole 170a of the sealing mask 170 communicate with each other without performing a matching operation, and the through-hole 70a of the honeycomb structure 70 that is not desired to be sealed is sealed. It is shielded by the mask 170 for use. That is, it is not necessary to align these positions while looking at the end face 70e of the honeycomb structure from the through hole 170a of the sealing mask 170. At this time, the fitted sealing mask 170 is restricted in translation in the horizontal plane and in the rotational direction around the vertical axis with respect to the pedestal 302 (mask fixing process to the pedestal).

  Subsequently, the sealing mask 170 is fixed to the fixing jig base 10 by the electromagnetic holder 20 in a state where the honeycomb structure 70 and the sealing mask 170 are positioned (mask fixing process to the fixing jig). . For example, when an electric current is applied to the electromagnets of the electromagnetic holder 20, the lower surface of the outer peripheral portion 170p of the sealing mask 170 can be attracted by the magnetic flux generated by the permanent magnets 20b by cutting the electric current of the electromagnets 20c of the electromagnetic holders 20. . Note that the current may be turned off before the sealing mask 170 is fitted.

  Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 13, the fixing jig 100 is released from the fixed moving member 320 and the sealing mask 170 is released from the fixed base-side mask fixing plate 304 (fixing treatment). Opening step of the tool from the moving member). Here, for example, as shown by an arrow A in FIG. 13, the fixing jig base 10 of the fixing jig 100 may be moved slightly upward and then moved in the −Y direction along the notch 304a. As a result, in a state where the through hole 70a of the honeycomb structure 70 and the through hole 170a of the sealing mask 170 are located, the sealing member 170 is separated from the base 302 of the alignment device 400 together with the fixing jig 100. Can be transported to the device.

  Subsequently, in the sealing device 200 shown in FIG. 14, a sealing material is supplied to the desired through hole 70a of the honeycomb structure 70 through the through hole 170a of the sealing mask 170 (sealing step). The sealing device 200 according to the present embodiment mainly includes a main body 210, an elastic plate 220, and a pump 250.

  The main body 210 is made of a rigid material. Examples of the rigid material include metals such as stainless steel and polymer materials such as fiber reinforced plastic. A cylindrical recess 210d is formed on the upper surface 210a of the main body 210. A porous member 210p is attached to the inner surface of the recess 210d.

  The elastic plate 220 is disposed on the upper surface 210a of the main body 210 so as to cover the opening surface of the recess 210d. The elastic plate 220 has elasticity and can be easily deformed. The elastic plate 220 can be a rubber plate. Examples of the rubber include natural rubber, and synthetic rubber such as styrene butadiene rubber, butadiene rubber, butyl rubber, ethylene propylene rubber, nitrile rubber, chloroprene rubber, fluorine rubber, silicone rubber, and urethane rubber. Although the thickness of the elastic board 220 is not specifically limited, For example, it can be 0.3-3.0 mm.

  The elastic plate 220 is fixed to the main body 210 by a ring member 225 and a bolt 231. The ring member 225 has an opening 225a at a position corresponding to the recess 210d of the main body 210, thereby forming an annular shape. And the ring member 225 is arrange | positioned on the elastic board 220 so that the center part (opposite part with the recessed part 210d) in the elastic board 220 may be exposed. Accordingly, the outer peripheral portion of the elastic plate 220 is sandwiched between the main body portion 210 and the ring member 225. Through-holes h are formed in the ring member 225 and the elastic plate 220, respectively, screw holes j corresponding to the through-holes h are formed in the main body 210, and the bolts 231 pass through the through-holes h. The outer peripheral portion of the elastic plate 220 is fixed in close contact with the portion around the recess 210d on the upper surface 210a of the main body 210 by being screwed into the screw hole j and fixed.

  The main body 210 further includes a communication passage 210e that communicates with the porous member 210p on the bottom surface of the recess 210d. A pump 250 is connected to the communication path 210e through a connection pipe 214.

  The pump 250 includes a cylinder 251, a piston 253 disposed in the cylinder 251, and a piston rod 254 connected to the piston 253. A motor 255 that reciprocates the piston rod 254 in the axial direction is connected to the piston rod 254.

  In the present embodiment, a closed space V formed by the main body 210, the connection pipe 214, and the cylinder 251 is formed between the elastic plate 220 and the piston 253, and a gas is contained in the closed space V. A fluid FL such as a liquid is filled. Then, by moving the piston 53, the fluid FL can be discharged from the recess 210d of the main body 210, and the elastic plate 220 can be brought into close contact with the inner surface of the recess 210d to form the recess 220d by the elastic plate 220 (FIG. 5 on the left side of the recess 210d), and the elastic plate 220 can be pulled away from the bottom of the recess 210d (the state on the right side of the recess 210d in FIG. 5) to supply the fluid FL into the recess 210d.

  Then, by lowering the piston 253 in advance, a recess 220d by the elastic plate 220 is formed as shown on the left side of the recess 210d in FIG. 14, and the sealing material 130 is stored in the recess 220d.

  The sealing material 130 is not particularly limited as long as it can close the end of the through hole 70a of the honeycomb structure 70, but can be liquid. For example, as the sealing material, a slurry containing a ceramic material or a ceramic raw material, a binder, and a solvent can be exemplified.

  Examples of the ceramic material include the constituent material of the above-described honeycomb structure and the raw material thereof.

  Examples of the binder include celluloses such as methylcellulose, carboxymethylcellulose, hydroxyalkylmethylcellulose, and sodium carboxymethylcellulose; alcohols such as polyvinyl alcohol; and organic binders such as lignin sulfonate. The usage-amount of a binder can be 30.2-5000 mass parts with respect to 100 mass parts of ceramic source powder, for example.

  Lubricants include alcohols such as glycerin; higher fatty acids such as caprylic acid, lauric acid, palmitic acid, arachidic acid, oleic acid, stearic acid; stearic acid metal salts such as Al stearate; polyoxyalkylene alkyl ethers, etc. Can be mentioned. The usage-amount of a lubrication agent can be 2-20 mass parts with respect to 100 mass parts of ceramic source powder.

  As the solvent, for example, alcohols such as methanol, ethanol, butanol and propanol; glycols such as propylene glycol, polypropylene glycol and ethylene glycol; and water, ion-exchanged water and the like can be used. Among these, ion-exchanged water is used because it can be made of water and has few impurities. The amount of the solvent used can be, for example, 1520 to 460 parts by mass with respect to 100 parts by mass of the ceramic material.

  Subsequently, the fixing jig 100 described above is disposed on the recess 210 d of the main body 210. Here, the fixing jig 100 is turned upside down from the state shown in FIG. 13 so that the sealing mask 170 is on the lower side and the fixing jig base 10 is on the upper side, and the sealing mask 170 is attached to the ring member 225. It arrange | positions in the opening 225a, and it arrange | positions so that the mask 170 for sealing may oppose the recessed part 220d of the elastic board 220. FIG.

  Subsequently, by moving the piston of the pump 250 upward, the fluid FL is supplied into the recess 210d, thereby moving the elastic plate 220 toward the sealing mask 170 as shown on the right side of the recess 210d in FIG. To move. Thereby, the sealing material 130 is supplied into the partial through-hole 70a of the honeycomb structure 70 through the through-hole 170a of the sealing mask 170, and a sealing part is formed.

  Subsequently, the piston 53 is further raised to further supply the fluid FL between the elastic plate 220 and the main body 210, and the elastic plate 220 is deformed upward to fix the honeycomb structure 70 and the mask. The jig 100 is pulled away from the elastic plate 220. Thereafter, the honeycomb structure 70 can be detached from the fixing jig base 10 by driving the electromagnet of the electromagnetic holder 20 to remove the mask and then contracting the air picker 30. If necessary, the other surface of the honeycomb structure 70 can be fixed and sealed by the same operation. And a honeycomb filter can be manufactured by drying and baking the sealed honeycomb structure.

  Then, the effect | action of this embodiment is demonstrated. In the conventional method, the honeycomb structure and the mask are moved from the through hole 170a of the sealing mask 170 shown in FIG. In this case, it is difficult to see the outline 70p of the outer wall of the honeycomb structure 70 and the outline of the through hole 70a from the through hole 170a of the sealing mask 170 in a state where the alignment is completed, and the alignment is performed with high accuracy. Was very difficult.

  On the other hand, in the present embodiment, an alignment mask 270 different from the sealing mask 170 is fixed to the recess 304b (predetermined position) of the pedestal side mask fixing plate 304, and the distances D1 to D4 are the same. By disposing the honeycomb structure 70 so that the intersection of the partition walls of the through holes 70a is located at the center P of the central opening 270h of the mask 270 and the direction E and the direction of the long side 270ar are parallel to each other, The end face 70e of the honeycomb structure 70 can be accurately and easily aligned with the alignment mask 270. And after aligning in this way, the end face 70e of the honeycomb structure 70 is passed from the through-hole 170a of the sealing mask 170 by exchanging the positioning mask 270 and the sealing mask 170 in the recessed part 304b. It is possible to accurately align the honeycomb structure 70 and the sealing mask 170 without performing these alignment operations while looking at the image.

  In particular, in the present embodiment, the opening 270a of the alignment mask 270 is located at the center O of the end surface 70e in the outer wall contour 70p of the end surface 70e of the honeycomb structure 70 in a state after the alignment of the honeycomb structure 70. Since the four contour portions 70p1 to 70P4 separated by 90 degrees around each other are exposed (see FIG. 9), the alignment in the XY directions can be performed with particularly high accuracy.

  In addition, the contour of the opening 270a of the alignment mask 270 has a long side 270ar that is a straight line portion, and the alignment is performed so that the direction E and the long side 270a are parallel to each other. Can be aligned with high accuracy.

  The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, the openings 270a of the alignment mask 270 are isolated from each other. However, as shown in FIG. In addition, the strength of the mask becomes stronger when it is isolated.

  Further, the arrangement of the through holes 70a of the honeycomb structure 70 may not be a square arrangement, and may be, for example, a triangular arrangement, a staggered arrangement, or the like. In this case, the number and position of the openings 270a of the alignment mask 270 can be changed according to the arrangement of the through holes 70a.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 16, the through holes 70a (for example, circles) of the honeycomb structure 70 are arranged in an equilateral triangle, that is, the centers of the through holes 70a are respectively arranged at the vertices of a virtual equilateral triangle. If the number of the rectangular openings 270a of the alignment mask 270 is three, the long axis extension line ax of each opening 270a passes through one point P (for example, the center of the mask 270) and is adjacent to each other. The angles formed by the matching long axis extension lines ax can each be 120 degrees. Also in this case, the shortest distances D1 to D3 between the short side 270as on the outer peripheral side and the contour portions 70p1 to 70p3 are the same, and the center P of the center opening 270h of the alignment mask 270 and the center of the through hole 70a are set. And the alignment direction E of the adjacent through holes 70a and the long side 270ar of the opening 270a may be aligned.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 17, when the through holes 70a (for example, circles) of the honeycomb structure 70 are arranged in an equilateral triangle, the number of rectangular openings 270a of the alignment mask 270 is six, The long axis extension line ax of each opening 270a may pass through one point P (for example, the center of the mask 270), and the angle formed by the adjacent long axis extension lines ax may be 60 degrees. Also in this case, the shortest distances D1 to D6 are made the same, the center P of the center opening 270h of the alignment mask 270 and the center of the through hole 70a coincide, and the distance direction E and the opening 270a Positioning may be performed so that the long side 270ar is parallel. That is, as shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, when the through holes 70a (for example, circles) are arranged in an equilateral triangle, at least 3 of the contours of the outer wall of the end face are separated by 120 degrees around the center of the contour. One part can be exposed, and the outline of the adjacent through hole can also be exposed.

  Thus, the number and arrangement of the openings can be set in accordance with the direction in which the through holes 70a of the honeycomb structure 70 are arranged radially from the center to the outside, and the long and narrow openings are formed from the center of the alignment mask. Can be arranged radially. In particular, the alignment mask 270 includes three or more elongated openings 270a, and the long axis of each of the openings 270a is arranged along a straight line passing through the main surface of the mask (for example, the center of gravity and the center). The openings can be arranged radially so that the straight lines intersect at equal angles.

  The alignment determination method is not limited to the above as long as the outer wall contour 70p of the end face 70e of the honeycomb structure 70 appears at a predetermined position in the opening 270a. For example, in the above embodiment, the determination is made based on whether the shortest distances D1 to D4 of the short side 270as on the outer peripheral side and the contour portions 70p1 to 70p4 of the outer wall are the same. As shown, a scale 270L indicating the position where the contour of the end face 70e of the honeycomb structure 70 should be disposed is provided around the opening 270a of the alignment mask 270, and the contour is moved so as to overlap the scale 270L. Also good.

  In the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, the rotational positions are aligned so that the direction E in which adjacent through holes 70a are arranged and the long side 270ar of the opening 270a are parallel to each other. For example, in addition to aligning the direction E with the long axis of the opening 270a, the position may be aligned with something other than the mask, for example, the contour of the pedestal 302 or the like.

  Therefore, the shape of the opening 270a is not limited to a rectangle as long as it is an opening that exposes the outline of the outer wall and a plurality of adjacent through holes. For example, the opening 270a has a straight portion in addition to a curved short side of the rectangle. Various forms are possible, such as an oval shape. Also, it is not necessary that all the openings have the same shape and size. When the through holes 70a of the honeycomb filter 70 are regularly arranged such as a triangular arrangement, a quadrangular arrangement, a staggered arrangement, etc., the honeycomb filter 70 has three or more elongated openings, and the major axis of the opening 270a is formed on the main surface of the plate 20b. The openings 270a may be arranged radially such that the extension lines ax intersect at an angle with each other at a single point. The long axis of the elongated opening can be defined by a line that connects the centers of the short sides by making a rectangle with a minimum area circumscribing the opening 270a.

  Further, in FIGS. 9, 16, and 17 of the above embodiment, each opening 270a exposes both the outer wall contour 70p of the honeycomb structure 70 and the contours of the plurality of through holes 70a adjacent to each other. Each opening 270a may be separated into an opening exposing the outline 70p of the outer wall of the honeycomb structure 70 and an opening exposing the outlines of the plurality of through holes 70a adjacent to each other.

  In the above embodiment, the openings 270a expose the outlines of the plurality of through holes 70a adjacent to each other. However, if the openings 270a have at least the openings that expose the outline 70p of the outer wall of the honeycomb structure 70, the openings 270a The present invention can be implemented without having an opening that exposes the contours of a plurality of adjacent through holes 70a. For example, as shown in FIG. 18, when the outer shape of the honeycomb structure 70 is a polygon such as a square, the number corresponding to each corner of the polygon, for example, four if it is a quadrangle (for example, a square). If the corner part 70c in the outline 70p of the outer wall of the honeycomb structure 70 is exposed from the opening 270a, for example, the distance D between the outline 70p and the side of the opening 270a is moved to be the same. Both the center position and the rotation position can be aligned.

  In the above embodiment, the alignment mask 270 has a plurality of openings 270a for accurate alignment, but the number of openings 270a is not particularly limited. For example, in the case of FIG. 9, the present invention can be implemented even if only two openings 270 a having an angle of 90 degrees between adjacent long axis extension lines ax are provided. In this case, the two D values (for example, D1 and D2) may be set to predetermined values. Further, even when there are only 2701 openings, it is possible to provide a scale 270L as shown in FIG. 8 and move the contour so as to match the scale.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 18, the case where only the outline 70p is sufficient is possible even when only one opening 270a is provided, for example. In this case, the two contours 70p constituting the corner portion 70c and the two sides of the opening 270 may be parallel to each other, and the two Ds may be set to predetermined values.

  Further, the outer shape of the alignment mask 270 and the sealing mask 170 is not limited to a circle, and can be any shape. For example, an ellipse, a polygon such as a rectangle, a triangle, or a hexagon can be taken. In particular, it can be a regular polygon such as a square, a regular triangle, or a regular hexagon. Further, the point P at which the major axis extension of the opening 270a intersects can be the center of gravity of the shape of the main surface, and can be the center of a regular polygon or the like. Moreover, even if one point P is arrange | positioned in the position different from the gravity center of a main surface, and it decenters, implementation is possible.

  Moreover, the aspect of the fixing jig 100 is not limited to the said embodiment. In the above embodiment, the arrangement positions of the three air pickers 30 are 120 degrees apart from each other when viewed from the Z-axis in FIG. For example, the positions can be 80 to 100 degrees with respect to each other. Further, the number of air pickers 30 is not limited to three, but may be two or four or more. The angle when there are n can be 360 / n. From the viewpoint of firmly fixing the honeycomb structure 70, the number of air pickers 30 can be three or more so as to surround the side surface of the honeycomb structure 70.

  Further, in the above embodiment, the fixing jig 100 employs the air picker 30 so as to sandwich the side surface of the honeycomb structure 70. However, as long as the side surface of the honeycomb structure can be sandwiched, the fixing jig 100 is not an air picker. However, it can be implemented. For example, a rubber roller having an elliptical horizontal cross section is used, and when fixed, the long axis side is in contact with and sandwiched with the side surface of the honeycomb structure. A rubber roller that can be rotated may be used. Further, the side surface of the honeycomb structure may be sandwiched between belt-shaped members. The fixing jig 100 may fix the honeycomb structure by a method other than sandwiching the side surface of the honeycomb structure 70. For example, a surface in which a large number of needles corresponding to the through holes of the honeycomb structure are erected on the surface of the fixing jig base 10 may be used.

  Further, in the above embodiment, in the fixing jig 100, the arrangement positions of the three electromagnetic holders 20 are 120 degrees apart from each other when viewed from the Z axis in FIG. is there. For example, the positions can be 80 to 100 degrees with respect to each other. Further, the number of electromagnetic holders 20 is not limited to three but can be two or four or more. The angle when there are n can be 360 / n. It is preferable that there are three or more electromagnetic holders 20 so as to surround the side surface of the honeycomb structure 70.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the electromagnetic holder 20 which has a permanent magnet and an electromagnet is employ | adopted as an adsorption member of the lower surface of the outer peripheral part 170p of the mask 170 for sealing, it is not restricted to said electromagnetic holder. For example, the sealing mask 170 can be switched between an adsorbing state and a non-adsorbing state, and may be an electromagnetic holder having only an electromagnet without a permanent magnet, or using a vacuum attraction pad. Good. Moreover, it is not restricted to what adsorb | sucks as long as it can fix to the fixing jig base 10 and can fix the mask 170 for sealing, For example, what implements | pinches the periphery of a mask etc. is also possible.

  In the above embodiment, the electromagnetic holder 20 and the air picker 30 are separated from each other by 60 degrees as viewed from the Z axis. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and if the position of the Z axis in the height direction differs, This is possible even when the angles are 0 degrees, that is, overlap each other when viewed from the axis.

  Further, the shape of the fixing jig base 10 is not particularly limited, and the method for fixing the air picker 30 and the electromagnetic holder 20 to the fixing jig base 10 is not particularly limited. When these are supported by the support bars 21 and 31, a gap is formed between the support bars, so that the honeycomb structure 70 can be easily placed and taken out.

  Further, the configuration of the moving unit 310A of the moving mechanism 310, the shape of the moving member 320, and the like are not limited to the above embodiment. For example, the moving member 320 includes a convex portion 320 c as shown in FIG. 13, but without the convex portion 320 c, the moving member 320 has a concave portion on the top surface, and the fixing jig base 10 has a convex portion on the bottom surface. Even if it exists, it can implement even if both are flat. Further, as shown in FIG. 13, the convex portion 320 c is columnar, but may be conical (for example, conical). In this case, the convex portion 320 c corresponds to the bottom surface of the fixing jig base 10 of the fixing jig 100. What is necessary is just to form a cone-shaped recessed part.

  Further, the pedestal-side mask fixing plate (pedestal-side mask fixing member) 304 also has a concave portion that can fit the alignment mask 270 having the notch and the sealing mask 170 as in the above embodiment. The mask is not limited to a plate having a contact portion, and these masks are fixed to the pedestal 302 and detachably fixed at positions facing the end face of the honeycomb structure 70 (the restricting directions are the three moving directions of the moving portion 310A). For example, these masks may have a positioning through hole, and the concave portion may have a convex portion engageable with the through hole.

  Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the surface on which the moving mechanism 310 moves, the surface on which the mask is disposed, and the surface on which the end surface of the honeycomb structure is disposed are horizontal surfaces. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. Etc., it can be implemented. Moreover, the form of the base 302 is also free.

  The shape and structure of the honeycomb structure 70 are not limited to the above. For example, the outer shape of the honeycomb structure 70 may not be a cylinder, and may be a prism such as a quadrangular prism. Further, the cross-sectional shape of the through hole 70a of the honeycomb structure 70 may not be a square, and may be, for example, a rectangle, a triangle, a polygon, a circle, or the like.

  The form of the sealing mask 170 and the pattern of the through holes 70a of the sealing mask 170 are also free. Further, the form of the sealing device 200 is not particularly limited. Further, the outer shape of the sealing mask 170 and the sealing mask 170 is not limited to a substantially circular shape, and an oval shape, a rectangular shape, or the like can be used.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 19B, the cross-sectional shape of the through-hole 170 a of the sealing mask 170 can be a taper shape, whereby the honeycomb structure 70 and the sealing mask 170 are interposed. Even if there is a slight misalignment, the sealing material can be selectively supplied to the desired through hole 70a. In order to realize this, the sealing mask 170 is recognized so that the diameter of the through-hole 170a on the side of the through-hole 70a (the upper side in FIG. 19B) becomes large after recognizing the front and back of the sealing mask 170. Needs to be fitted into the recess 304b. In this case, as shown in FIG. 19A, the sealing mask 170 can have two orientation flats 170of1 and 170of2.

  In this case, for example, as shown in FIG. 19A, the angle formed by the perpendiculars f1 and f2 passing through the center P of the orientation flats 170of1 and 170of2 of the sealing mask 170 is other than 180 degrees, and The lengths Wof1 and Wof2 of the orientation flats 170of1 and of2 can be different from each other. In FIG. 19A, Wof1> Wof2. In this case, by visually observing the sealing mask 170, for example, based on the order of the lengths of the two orientation flats (specifically, for example, the direction toward the shortest distance from the short orientation flat to the long orientation flat is By setting the surrounding surface as the surface, the front and back of the sealing mask 170 can be easily arranged in the correct orientation. Further, as shown in FIG. 20, contact portions 304of1 and 304of2 of different lengths that can contact the two orientation flats 170of1 and 170of2 formed in this way are provided for the recess 304b. Thus, it is also possible to regulate disposing the sealing mask 170 in the recess 304b with the front and back sides reversed. The angle formed by the perpendicular lines f1 and f2 shown in FIG. 19 can be 20 to 160 degrees. The ratio of the lengths Wof1 and Wof2 of the orientation flats 170of1 and of2 can be 1: 1.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Base, 10a ... Recessed part, 20 ... Electromagnetic holder, 70 ... Honeycomb structure, 70e ... End face, 70p ... Contour, 170 ... Sealing mask, 170of ... Orientation flat, 270 ... Positioning mask, 270a ... Opening, 270ar ... long side (straight portion), 304 ... pedestal side mask fixing plate (pedestal side mask fixing member), 304a ... notch, 304b ... concave portion, 304of ... flat portion, 310 ... moving mechanism, 320 ... moving member, 320c ... convex Part, 100... Fixing jig, 400.

Claims (6)

Fixing an alignment mask having one or more openings at a predetermined position;
Disposing a honeycomb structure having a plurality of through holes at a position facing the alignment mask so that an outline of an outer wall of an end face of the honeycomb structure appears at a predetermined position in the opening;
Removing the alignment mask from the predetermined position after the placement;
Arranging the sealing mask at the predetermined position after the removal, and a method for aligning the honeycomb structure with the sealing mask. In the state after the arrangement of the honeycomb structure, the opening of the alignment mask,
2. The method according to claim 1, wherein four portions of the contour of the outer wall of the end face that are separated by 90 degrees around the center of the contour or three portions that are separated by 120 degrees around the center of the contour are exposed.   The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, in the alignment step, the honeycomb structure is further arranged so that outlines of a plurality of through holes adjacent to each other in the honeycomb structure are aligned in a predetermined direction in the opening. .   The method according to claim 3, wherein an outline of the opening of the alignment mask has a straight portion, and the direction and the straight portion are parallel to each other.   The alignment mask has three or more openings, and the openings are elongated. The openings are arranged such that, on the main surface of the alignment mask, the extended lines of the long axes of the openings intersect at an equal angle to each other at one point. The method according to claim 1, wherein the method is arranged radially. A step of aligning the honeycomb structure and the sealing mask by the method according to claim 1;
And a step of supplying a sealing material to a part of the through-holes through the sealing mask.

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