WO2014188619A1

WO2014188619A1 - Press apparatus, vacuum frame, and press-forming method

Info

Publication number: WO2014188619A1
Application number: PCT/JP2013/081609
Authority: WO
Inventors: 岡崎　静明; 功夫則清; 良次弓戸
Original assignee: 北川精機株式会社
Priority date: 2013-05-20
Filing date: 2013-11-25
Publication date: 2014-11-27
Also published as: KR20160006223A; TWI628072B; KR101737604B1; JPWO2014188619A1; JP6211074B2; TW201444673A

Abstract

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a press apparatus is provided with: an upper diaphragm, i.e., an elastic film, which vertically partitions an upper space and a main chamber from each other; a lower diaphragm, i.e., an elastic film, which is disposed to face the upper diaphragm, and which vertically partitions the main chamber and a lower space from each other; an atmospheric pressure control apparatus, which controls atmospheric pressure differences between the main chamber inside and the upper space, and between the main chamber inside and the lower space; and a heating apparatus, which heats a subject to be processed, said subject being disposed in the main chamber. The atmospheric pressure control apparatus is configured to perform: pressing wherein the atmospheric pressure in the main chamber is reduced to be lower than the atmospheric pressure in the upper space and that in the lower space, and the subject to be processed is pressed, said subject having been heated between the upper diaphragm and the lower diaphragm; and curing wherein the atmospheric pressure in the main chamber is increased to be higher than the atmospheric pressure in the lower space, and the subject to be processed is heated in a non-vacuum state.

Description

Press device, vacuum frame, and press molding method

The present invention relates to a press apparatus, a vacuum frame, and a press molding method used for laminating laminated products.

2. Description of the Related Art A hot press apparatus (hereinafter referred to as “laminate apparatus”) using a diaphragm (elastic film) for laminating laminated products such as solar cell panels is known. In a conventional diaphragm type laminating apparatus as disclosed in Patent Document 1, a vacuum chamber is formed between a hot platen and a diaphragm. By evacuating the inside of the vacuum chamber, the work piece placed on the hot platen is pressurized between the hot platen and the diaphragm, and laminating is performed.

JP 2012-196835 A

The above conventional laminating apparatus presses a work piece between a flat upper surface of a hot platen and a diaphragm, and therefore cannot be pressed with a uniform pressure unless the work piece is flat on at least one side. Proper lamination could not be performed.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a laminating apparatus capable of laminating a workpiece whose both surfaces are non-flat surfaces.

According to one embodiment of the present invention,
An upper diaphragm, which is an elastic membrane that partitions the upper space and the main chamber vertically;
A lower diaphragm, which is an elastic film that is disposed opposite to the upper diaphragm and divides the main chamber and the lower space vertically.
A pressure control device for controlling a pressure difference between the main chamber and the upper space and the lower space;
A heating device for heating a workpiece disposed in the main chamber;
With
The atmospheric pressure control device is
A press process for pressing the workpiece heated between the upper diaphragm and the lower diaphragm by lowering the pressure in the main chamber below the pressure in the upper space and the lower space;
A curing process in which the pressure in the main chamber is made larger than the pressure in the lower space, and the workpiece is heated in a non-vacuum;
A press apparatus configured to perform the above is provided.

According to one embodiment of the present invention,
An upper chamber whose upper surface is closed by an upper diaphragm, which is an elastic membrane, and a lower chamber, whose upper surface is closed by a lower diaphragm, which is an elastic membrane, is sandwiched vertically to form an airtight main chamber, and the main chamber The workpiece placed in the main chamber is pressed between the upper diaphragm and the lower diaphragm by lowering the pressure of the upper chamber and the lower chamber. An annular vacuum frame,
The main chamber has a vent for supplying and discharging air, and the vent is
An annular portion extending in the extending direction of the vacuum frame;
A first portion extending from the annular portion and opening in the outer peripheral surface of the vacuum frame;
A second portion extending from the annular portion and opening in the inner peripheral surface of the vacuum frame;
A vacuum frame is provided.

According to one embodiment of the present invention,
A workpiece is disposed in a main chamber that is airtightly partitioned from an upper space and a lower space by an upper diaphragm and a lower diaphragm, which are a pair of elastic films disposed vertically opposite to each other,
While heating the workpiece, the pressure in the main chamber is made lower than the pressure in the upper space and the lower space, and the workpiece heated between the upper diaphragm and the lower diaphragm is heated. Press processing to press,
There is provided a press molding method for performing a curing process in which the pressure in the main chamber is made larger than the pressure in the lower space and the workpiece is heated in a non-vacuum state.

According to the configuration of the embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to laminate a workpiece whose both surfaces are non-flat surfaces.

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a laminating apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an AA arrow view of FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the vacuum frame. FIG. 4 is a view for explaining the procedure of laminating according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of a laminating apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a laminating apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a view taken in the direction of arrows AA in FIG. The laminating apparatus 1 includes a main body 1a, a control unit 2, an atmospheric pressure control device 3, and a hydraulic pressure control device 4. The main body 1 a, the atmospheric pressure control device 3, and the hydraulic pressure control device 4 are each connected to the control unit 2 and operate under the control of the control unit 2.

The main body 1 a includes an outer chamber 10, an upper heating plate 20, a lower heating plate 40, and a hydraulic cylinder 50 arranged in the outer chamber 10. The external chamber 10 is connected to the atmospheric pressure control device 3 via the external chamber supply / exhaust pipe line 3a, and the internal pressure of the external chamber 10 is changed from a vacuum (for example, about 0.1 kPa) to an atmospheric pressure or more (for example, several) by the atmospheric pressure control device 3. (Atmospheric pressure).

The hydraulic cylinder 50 (drive device) is connected to the hydraulic control device 4 and operates according to the supply and discharge of hydraulic oil by the hydraulic control device 4. The cylinder tube 51 of the hydraulic cylinder 50 is fixed to the frame of the external chamber 10.

The upper heating plate 20 is fixed to the frame of the external chamber 10 with the lower surface horizontal. Further, the lower heating plate 40 is arranged so that the upper surface thereof faces the lower surface of the upper heating plate 20. The lower heating plate 40 is fixed to the ram 52 of the hydraulic cylinder 50 on the lower surface, and moves up and down together with the ram 52 in accordance with the supply and discharge of hydraulic oil to and from the hydraulic cylinder 50.

The upper heating plate 20 and the lower heating plate 40 are provided with an electric heater (not shown) and a temperature sensor (not shown), respectively, and the temperature of the upper heating plate 20 and the lower heating plate 40 is controlled by the control unit 2. Be controlled. Further, on the lower surface of the upper heating platen 20 and the upper surface of the lower heating platen 40, for example, far-infrared rays that generate high-efficiency far-infrared rays with strong absorption by the resin contained in the workpiece W using thermal energy. A layer (for example, a film or a plate) of the radiating material is provided so that the workpiece W can be efficiently heated. That is, the upper heating platen 20 and the lower heating platen 40 function as a heating device that heats the workpiece W.

The upper chamber unit 20U is attached to the lower surface of the upper heating platen 20. The upper chamber unit 20U includes an upper diaphragm fixing frame 21U, an upper diaphragm 22U, and an upper diaphragm protection plate 23U.

The upper diaphragm 22U is a highly stretchable sheet material (elastic film) formed of an elastomer having entropy elasticity such as silicone rubber.

The upper diaphragm fixing frame 21U is a substantially cylindrical member disposed with its central axis oriented in the vertical direction, and its upper end is joined in a state of being in airtight contact with the lower surface of the upper heating platen 20. For this joining, various methods such as welding, adhesion, and pressure welding via a sealing material can be used. The upper diaphragm fixing frame 21U has a tapered surface with a frustoconical side surface so that its thickness increases as it approaches the upper heating platen 20. The hollow portion of the upper diaphragm fixing frame 21U is airtightly closed at the lower end by the upper diaphragm 22U. Thus, an upper chamber 24U that is airtightly surrounded by the upper heating platen 20, the upper diaphragm fixing frame 21U, and the upper diaphragm 22U is formed. Further, since the upper heating plate 20 of the present embodiment is provided with a vent hole 20a that communicates the lower surface and the side surface thereof (that is, communicates the upper chamber 24U and the external chamber 10), The internal pressure of the external chamber 10 is approximately the same.

The hollow portion (upper chamber 24U) of the upper diaphragm fixing frame 21U is partitioned by an upper diaphragm protection plate 23U, which is a flat plate arranged in parallel with the lower surface of the upper diaphragm fixing frame 21U (that is, with the upper diaphragm 22U). For the upper diaphragm protection plate 23U, a plate material having air permeability, such as a punching plate or a porous plate, is used in order to prevent a pressure difference between the spaces on both sides thereof.

On the upper surface of the lower heating platen 40, a lower chamber unit 40L configured in the same manner as the upper chamber unit 20U is attached upside down with respect to the upper chamber unit 20U. That is, the lower chamber unit 40L includes a lower diaphragm fixing frame 41L joined in a state where the lower end is in airtight contact with the upper surface of the lower heating plate 40, and a lower diaphragm fixing so as to airtightly close a hollow portion of the lower diaphragm fixing frame 41L. A lower diaphragm 42L attached to the upper end of the frame 41L, and a lower diaphragm molding plate 43L attached to the inner peripheral surface of the lower diaphragm fixing frame 41L so as to partition the hollow portion vertically. The lower diaphragm molding plate 43L is a plate material having air permeability similar to that of the upper diaphragm protection plate 23U. In the lower chamber unit 40L, a lower chamber 44L is formed that is airtightly surrounded by the lower heating plate 40, the lower diaphragm fixing frame 41L, and the lower diaphragm 42L.

Further, the lower heating plate 40 is provided with a vent hole 40a that communicates the upper surface and the side surface thereof. One port of a three-port solenoid valve 47 is connected to one end of the vent hole 40a. Another port of the three-port solenoid valve 47 is connected to the atmospheric pressure control device 3 via the lower chamber supply / exhaust pipe 3c, and the remaining one port is opened in the external chamber 10. The 3-port solenoid valve 47 is controlled by the control unit 2 and is in a state in which the lower chamber 44L and the external chamber 10 are connected (open state) and in a state in which the lower chamber 44L and the atmospheric pressure control device 3 are connected (pressure control state). And switch.

Further, an annular vacuum frame 60 having substantially the same outer diameter as the lower diaphragm fixing frame 41L is airtightly attached to the upper surface of the lower chamber unit 40L. When the lower heating platen 40 is raised and the upper surface of the vacuum frame 60 is brought into close contact with the lower surface of the upper chamber unit 20U, the main chamber 26 (FIG. 4 (FIG. 4 (FIG. 4 (A))) is surrounded by the upper diaphragm 22U, the lower diaphragm 42L, b)) is formed. When an atmospheric pressure difference is generated between the internal pressure of the upper chamber 24U and the lower chamber 44L and the internal pressure of the main chamber 26, the upper diaphragm 22U and the lower diaphragm 42L expand to the lower pressure side of the chambers facing each other. .

3A is an enlarged plan view of a part of the vacuum frame 60, and FIG. 3B is a view taken along the line BB in FIG. 3A. As shown in FIG. 3B, on the inner peripheral side of the upper and lower surfaces of the vacuum frame 60, when the lower diaphragm 42L and the upper diaphragm 22U are expanded to the main chamber 26 side, along the corners of the vacuum frame 60. A tapered surface (or curved surface) 60a is formed so that it is not bent or deteriorated with a small radius of curvature.

The vacuum frame 60 includes an annular upper member 62, a lower member 64, and an O-ring 66, respectively. The upper member 62 and the lower member 64 are stacked one above the other, and the joint is hermetically sealed by an O-ring 66. In the vacuum frame 60, an annular hollow portion 60b (annular portion) extending in the extending direction over the entire circumference is formed. Further, on the inner peripheral side of the hollow portion 60b, the upper member 62 and the lower member 64 are closely opposed to each other, and a ventilation slit 60c that connects the hollow portion 60b and the main chamber 26 is formed therebetween. Yes. The ventilation slit 60 c is a slit-shaped ventilation path that extends over the entire circumference of the vacuum frame 60 and opens on the inner peripheral surface of the vacuum frame 60.

Further, on the outer peripheral side of the vacuum frame 60, a vent hole 60d that connects the hollow portion 60b and the external chamber 10 is formed. The vent hole 60d is enlarged in diameter on one end side (the outer peripheral surface side of the vacuum frame 60) to form a taper screw 60e. A main chamber supply / exhaust line 3b (FIG. 1) from the atmospheric pressure control device 3 is connected to the taper screw 60e, and air (air or dry nitrogen or the like) enters the main chamber 26 through the vacuum frame 60 by the atmospheric pressure control device 3. Inert gas) can be supplied and discharged.

The ventilation slit 60c has a constant cross-sectional dimension over the entire circumference so that the pressure loss when supplying and discharging air to the main chamber 26 through the ventilation slit 60c is substantially uniform over the entire circumference. The supply and discharge of air into the main chamber 26 is performed through a hollow portion 60b having a large cross-sectional area and a small pressure loss, and a ventilation slit 60c having a small cross-sectional area and a large pressure loss. Therefore, the supply and discharge of air to and from the main chamber 26 is performed substantially uniformly and gently from the entire circumference of the ventilation slit 60c.

Next, a procedure for laminating the workpiece W by the laminating apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

First, as shown in FIG. 4 (a), the hydraulic cylinder 50 (FIG. 1) is driven to lower the lower heating plate 40 so that the upper chamber unit 20U and the vacuum frame 60 are separated. At this time, the solenoid valve 37 (FIG. 1) of the main chamber supply / exhaust pipe line 3b connected to the vent hole 60d (FIG. 3) of the vacuum frame 60 provided in the atmospheric pressure control device 3 is closed. Supply / exhaust to 60 is stopped. The 3-port solenoid valve 47 connects the lower chamber 44L to the external chamber 10 (FIG. 1) (open state). Then, after placing the workpiece W on the lower diaphragm 42L, the external chamber 10 is evacuated by the atmospheric pressure control device 3. At this time, the upper chamber 24U and the lower chamber 44L communicating with the external chamber 10 through the vent holes 20a and 40a are also evacuated.

Next, as shown in FIG. 4B, the hydraulic cylinder 50 (FIG. 1) is driven to raise the lower heating platen 40 so that the upper chamber unit 20U and the vacuum frame 60 are brought into close contact with each other. Form. At this time, the outer chamber 10 (FIG. 1), the upper chamber 24U, the main chamber 26, and the lower chamber 44L are all in a vacuum.

Next, air is introduced into the external chamber 10 by the atmospheric pressure control device 3, and the atmospheric pressure in the external chamber 10 is gradually increased to atmospheric pressure (about 100 kPa). At this time, the pressure in the upper chamber 24U and the lower chamber 44L communicating with the external chamber 10 also rises to atmospheric pressure, but the sealed main chamber 26 is maintained in a vacuum state. Therefore, the upper diaphragm 22U and the lower diaphragm 42L expand to the main chamber 26 side due to the pressure difference between the upper chamber 24U and the lower chamber 44L and the main chamber 26. As a result, as shown in FIG. 4C, the workpiece W is sandwiched between the upper diaphragm 22U and the lower diaphragm 42L, and pressed by the pressure difference between the upper chamber 24U, the lower chamber 44L, and the main chamber 26. Is done. Then, if this state is maintained for a predetermined time, the workpiece W is processed by the radiant heat from the upper heating plate 20 and the lower heating plate 40 (when the thermosetting resin is used, the curing temperature of the resin, the thermoplastic resin is used). If the resin is heated to a temperature equal to or higher than the glass transition point of the resin, the resin contained in the workpiece W (for example, a thermosetting resin such as an epoxy resin or an ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer resin (EVA)) is used. The thermoplastic resin) is softened (and further cured in the case of a thermosetting resin), and the members constituting the workpiece W are joined together.

When gas is generated from the workpiece W during the pressing process, the main chamber 26 is pressed during the pressing process by the atmospheric pressure control device 3 via the main chamber supply / exhaust pipe line 3b connected to the vacuum frame 60. Can be evacuated. As a result, the gas generated from the workpiece W during the press process can be forcibly discharged from the main chamber 26, and the bonding failure of the workpiece W and the deterioration of the diaphragm due to the generation of the gas can be prevented. it can.

When the joining (pressing process) of the workpieces W is completed, a curing process is then performed. The curing process is a process of stabilizing the workpiece W by keeping the workpiece W after bonding at the curing temperature of the resin (in the case of a thermoplastic resin, a temperature equal to or higher than the glass transition point). In the present embodiment, the curing step is performed under non-vacuum (that is, in air or inert gas). Here, 0.1 atmosphere or more is referred to as non-vacuum. As shown in FIG. 4D, in the curing process of the present embodiment, compressed air having a pressure P1 higher than the atmospheric pressure is introduced into the main chamber 26 by the atmospheric pressure control device 3 (FIG. 1). At this time, the three-port solenoid valve 47 is switched to a state (pressure control state) in which the lower chamber 44L and the atmospheric pressure control device 3 are connected, and the lower chamber 44L is brought into the lower pressure P1 by the atmospheric pressure control device 3. Air having a pressure P2 is introduced into the main chamber 26.

At this time, since the difference between the internal pressure of the upper chamber 24U and the internal pressure of the main chamber 26 is large, the upper diaphragm 22U expands greatly toward the upper chamber 24U, and comes into close contact with the upper diaphragm protection plate 23U and becomes flat. The upper diaphragm protection plate 23U prevents the upper diaphragm 22U from coming into contact with the upper heating plate 20 heated to a high temperature and being deteriorated or thermally damaged. Further, since the upper diaphragm protection plate 23U is disposed in parallel and close to the lower surface of the upper heating platen 20, when the upper diaphragm 22U is in close contact with the upper diaphragm protection plate 23U, it is uniform due to the radiant heat from the upper heating platen 20. And it is efficiently heated to an appropriate temperature. The upper diaphragm protection plate 23U can be preheated by holding the upper diaphragm protection plate 23U in close contact with the upper diaphragm protection plate 23U before press molding. Also, the lower diaphragm molding plate 43L has the same function and effect as the above-described upper diaphragm protection plate 23U.

On the other hand, since the difference between the internal pressure P2 of the lower chamber 44L and the internal pressure P1 of the main chamber 26 is relatively small, the lower diaphragm 42L does not contact the lower diaphragm molding plate 43L, and the lower diaphragm 42L side according to the internal pressure difference. Inflates. In the present embodiment, an internal pressure difference that causes the lower diaphragm 42L to bend along the lower surface of the workpiece W in a state where the workpiece W is placed on the lower diaphragm 42L is obtained in advance by calculation or experimentally. The atmospheric pressure control device 3 controls the internal pressure P2 of the lower chamber 44L so that the obtained internal pressure difference is applied to the lower diaphragm 42L. As a result, the workpiece W is supported at a substantially uniform pressure by the lower diaphragm 42L expanded at the same curvature, so that the entire surface of the workpiece W can be cured with less distortion applied to the workpiece W. Done. As a result, a highly reliable product (workpiece W) with little residual stress is obtained.

Further, as shown in FIG. 4E, when the workpiece W has a flat bottom surface, the three-port solenoid valve 47 is switched so that the lower chamber 44L is opened to the external chamber 10 (open state). ) Increase the internal pressure difference between the lower chamber 44L and the main chamber 26. As a result, the lower diaphragm 42L greatly expands toward the lower chamber 44L and comes into close contact with the lower diaphragm molding plate 43L and becomes flat. As a result, the workpiece W is supported by the flat lower diaphragm 42L at a uniform pressure, so that the curing process is performed with little distortion, and as a result, there is little residual stress and a highly reliable product ( A workpiece W) is obtained.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, the laminating apparatus 100 according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of the laminating apparatus 100. In the following description, the same or similar reference numerals are used for the same or similar components as those in the first embodiment, and the description of overlapping items is omitted.

The first embodiment described above is an example in which the present invention is applied to a single-stage laminating apparatus, but the second embodiment is one or more intermediate hot plates 130 between the upper hot platen 120 and the lower hot platen 140. This is an example in which the present invention is applied to a multi-stage laminating apparatus provided with. The laminating apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment includes one intermediate heating platen 130, but has a configuration in which two or more intermediate heating plates 130 are arranged side by side between the upper heating platen 120 and the lower heating platen 140. You can also

A lower chamber unit 130L and an upper chamber unit 130U are respectively attached to the upper surface and the lower surface of the intermediate heating platen 130. The upper chamber unit 130U is the same as the upper chamber unit 120U (corresponding to the upper chamber unit 20U in the first embodiment) attached to the lower surface of the upper heating platen 120, and the lower chamber unit 130L is disposed on the upper surface of the lower heating platen 140. This is the same as the attached lower chamber unit 140L (corresponding to the lower chamber unit 40L in the first embodiment).

In the first embodiment described above, a configuration in which the entire main body 1a of the laminating apparatus 1 is accommodated in the external chamber 10 and the internal pressure of each chamber (the upper chamber 24U and the lower chamber 44L) is controlled via the external chamber 10 is adopted. However, in the second embodiment, the external chamber 10 is not provided, and each chamber unit (

upper chamber units

120U, 130U,

lower chamber units

130L, 140L) is directly connected to the atmospheric pressure control device 103, and the atmospheric pressure control device 103 is connected. Is used to individually control the internal pressure of each chamber unit. In this configuration, since it is not necessary to evacuate the entire external chamber 10 having a large volume, the time required for evacuation is greatly reduced, and the entire process time can be shortened.

In the present embodiment, since the vacuum frames 60A and 60B are attached to the upper chamber units 20U and 30U, the upper surfaces of the

lower chamber units

130L and 140L on which the workpiece W is placed become completely flat, and the laminating apparatus 100 It is possible to easily carry in / out the workpiece W to / from.

A pair of receiving

plates

120b and 130b protruding from the left and right side surfaces are attached to the upper heating plate 120 and the intermediate heating plate 130 of the laminating apparatus 100, respectively. The frame 110 of the laminating apparatus 100 is attached with two pairs of hot platen support mechanisms 112 (only a pair on the front side is shown) arranged to face each other in the width direction (left-right direction in FIG. 5). ing. The hot platen support mechanism 112 carries the unprocessed workpiece W into the laminating apparatus 100 or the unprocessed workpiece (product) W from the laminating apparatus 100 when the upper and lower chamber units are spaced apart. This is a mechanism for holding the hot platen immediately above the workpiece W to be conveyed at a predetermined height.

The hot platen support mechanism 112 includes a movable pin 112a that can reciprocate in the width direction. The hot platen support mechanism 112 is connected to the control unit 102, and the drive of the movable pin 112 a is controlled by the control unit 102. When the movable pin 112a is retracted (moved outward in the width direction of the main body 100a), the hot plate support mechanism 112 does not disturb the vertical movement of the upper heat plate 120 and the intermediate heat plate 130, and the movable pin 112a protrudes (the main body 100a In this state, the plate is disposed so as to contact the receiving plate 120b of the upper heating plate 120 or the receiving plate 130b of the intermediate heating plate 130.

Next, the operation of the laminating apparatus 100 when the workpiece W is carried out / into the laminating apparatus 100 will be described. During laminating (pressing), the movable pin 112 a of each hot platen support mechanism 112 is retracted, the intermediate hot platen 130 is placed on the lower hot platen 140, and the upper hot platen 120 is placed on the intermediate hot platen 130. Will be placed. In this state, when the hydraulic cylinder 150 is driven to move the lower heating plate 140 up and down, the intermediate heating plate 130 and the upper heating plate 120 stacked on the lower heating plate 140 move up and down together with the lower heating plate 140.

When the work W is carried out / in between the upper heating platen 120 and the intermediate heating platen 130, the position of the receiving plate 120b of the upper heating platen 120 is slightly smaller than the movable pin 112a of each heating platen support mechanism 112. The hydraulic cylinder 150 is driven to raise the lower heating platen 140 until it becomes higher. Next, the movable pin 112a of each hot platen support mechanism 112 is projected to the upper hot platen 120 side. In this state, when the hydraulic cylinder 150 is driven to lower the lower heating platen 140, the lower surface of the receiving plate 120b of the upper heating platen 120 comes into contact with the movable pin 112a of each heating platen support mechanism 112, and the upper heating platen 120 It is mounted on the two pairs of movable pins 112a. When the lower heat platen 140 is further lowered, the intermediate heat platen 130 is lowered together with the lower heat platen 140, but the upper heat platen 120 is supported by the two pairs of movable pins 112a and is not lowered any further. Leaves the upper heating platen 120. Then, when the distance between the upper heating platen 120 and the intermediate heating platen reaches a size sufficient to carry out / in the workpiece W, the hydraulic cylinder 150 is stopped.

Subsequently, when the workpiece W is carried out / in between the intermediate heating platen 130 and the lower heating platen 140, the upper heating platen 120 is placed on the intermediate heating platen 130, and the receiving plate 120b is connected to each of the receiving plate 120b. The hydraulic cylinder 150 is driven to raise the lower heat platen 140 until it slightly floats from the movable pin 112a of the heat plate support mechanism 112. Next, after retracting the movable pin 112a of each hot platen support mechanism 112, the hydraulic cylinder 150 is moved until the position of the receiving plate 130b of the intermediate hot platen 130 is slightly higher than the movable pin 112a of each hot platen support mechanism 112. Driven to raise the lower heating platen 140. Next, after the movable pin 112a of each hot platen support mechanism 112 is protruded to the intermediate hot platen 130 side and the hydraulic cylinder 150 is driven to lower the lower hot platen 140, the receiving plate 130b of the intermediate hot platen 130 is moved. The lower surface abuts on the movable pin 112a of each hot platen support mechanism 112, and the intermediate hot platen 130 is placed on the two pairs of movable pins 112a. When the lower heat platen 140 is further lowered, the intermediate heat platen 130 is supported by the two pairs of movable pins 112a and is not lowered any further, so that the lower heat platen 140 is separated from the intermediate heat platen 130. Then, when the distance between the intermediate heating platen 130 and the lower heating platen 140 reaches a size sufficient for carrying out / in the workpiece W, the hydraulic cylinder 150 is stopped. When the workpiece W is unloaded / loaded in, the intermediate heating platen 130 is placed on the lower heating platen 140, and the receiving plate 130b of the intermediate heating platen 130 is moved from the movable pin 112a of each heating plate support mechanism 112. The hydraulic cylinder 150 is driven to raise the lower heat platen 140 until it slightly floats, and then the movable pin 112a of each heat plate support mechanism 112 is retracted.

The above is the description of the embodiment of the present invention. However, the present invention is not limited to the configuration of the above embodiment, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the technical idea.

In each of the above embodiments, an electric heater is used for heating the hot platen, but the heating plate may be heated using other heating means. For example, as disclosed in International Publication No. 2006/103868, a configuration in which the heating plate is uniformly heated by flowing a heat medium such as silicone oil through a flow path provided in the heating plate can be employed. .

In each of the above embodiments, an upper (lower) diaphragm fixing frame and a vacuum frame formed in a cylindrical shape are used. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration, and other shapes (for example, It is also possible to use an upper (lower) diaphragm fixing frame or a vacuum frame of a polygonal tube shape.

Further, in each of the above embodiments, a flat plate-shaped lower diaphragm molding plate is used, but a lower diaphragm molding plate having the same shape as the lower surface of the workpiece W can also be used. In this case, during the curing process, the inner pressure of the main chamber is made sufficiently higher than the inner pressure of the lower chamber, and the lower diaphragm is brought into close contact with the lower diaphragm molding plate, so that the lower diaphragm has the same shape as the lower surface of the workpiece W. Can be molded. Thereby, since the workpiece W is supported by the lower diaphragm at a uniform pressure, a product (workpiece W) with less residual stress and high reliability can be obtained.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1,100 ... Laminating apparatus 2,102 ... Control part 3,103 ... Atmospheric pressure control apparatus 4,104 ... Hydraulic control apparatus 20,120 ... Upper hot platen 30,130 ... Intermediate hot platen 40,140 ... Lower hot platen 50 ... Hydraulic pressure Cylinder W ... Workpiece (laminate)

Claims

An upper diaphragm, which is an elastic membrane that partitions the upper space and the main chamber vertically;
A lower diaphragm, which is an elastic film that is disposed opposite to the upper diaphragm and divides the main chamber and the lower space vertically.
A pressure control device for controlling a pressure difference between the main chamber and the upper space and the lower space;
A heating device for heating a workpiece disposed in the main chamber;
With
The atmospheric pressure control device is
A press process for pressing the workpiece heated between the upper diaphragm and the lower diaphragm by lowering the pressure in the main chamber below the pressure in the upper space and the lower space;
A curing process in which the pressure in the main chamber is made larger than the pressure in the lower space, and the workpiece is heated in a non-vacuum;
A press device configured to perform
When the atmospheric pressure control device is a convex surface where the lower surface of the workpiece is curved, in the curing process, the lower diaphragm is curved along the lower surface of the workpiece so that the workpiece is substantially uniform. Configured to control the pressure difference between the main chamber and the lower space so as to support with pressure,
The press apparatus according to claim 1.
A diaphragm molding plate having a flat upper surface facing the diaphragm in the lower space;
When the lower surface of the workpiece is a flat surface, the pressure control device is configured so that, in the curing process, the lower diaphragm is in close contact with the diaphragm forming plate and is formed flat to make the workpiece substantially uniform. Control the pressure difference between the main chamber and the lower space so as to support with pressure,
The press apparatus according to claim 1.
An upper chamber unit that includes the upper diaphragm on a lower surface and hermetically surrounds the upper space;
A lower chamber unit that includes the lower diaphragm on an upper surface and hermetically surrounds the lower space;
A vacuum frame disposed between the upper chamber unit and the lower chamber unit and having a hollow portion penetrating vertically;
A driving device for driving up and down at least one of the upper chamber unit and the lower chamber unit;
With
The main chamber is formed by sandwiching the vacuum frame between the upper chamber unit and the lower chamber unit by driving the driving device.
The press apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein:
The heating device is
An upper heating plate in which the upper chamber unit is fixed to the lower surface;
Upper heating platen heating means for heating the upper heating platen;
A lower heating plate in which the lower chamber unit is fixed to the upper surface;
A lower heating plate heating means for heating the lower heating plate;
With
A layer of far infrared radiation material is provided on the lower surface of the upper heat plate and the upper surface of the lower heat plate,
The press apparatus according to claim 4.
The upper chamber unit and the lower chamber unit each include a diaphragm fixing frame having a hollow portion penetrating vertically.
Each of the diaphragm fixing frames has one end surface in the up-down direction closely fixed to the lower surface of the upper heat plate or the upper surface of the lower heat plate, and the opening of the hollow portion formed in the other end surface in the up-down direction is the upper diaphragm Or is hermetically closed by the lower diaphragm,
The press apparatus according to claim 5.
The upper heat plate is formed with a first vent hole for supplying and discharging air to the upper space,
The lower heat plate is formed with a second ventilation hole for supplying and discharging air to the lower space.
The press apparatus according to claim 5 or 6, characterized by the above.
The first vent communicates a lower surface and a side surface of the upper heating plate;
The second vent communicates an upper surface and a side surface of the lower heating plate;
The press apparatus according to claim 7.
The upper heating platen, the upper chamber unit, the vacuum frame, the lower chamber unit and the lower heating plate are accommodated, and includes an external chamber connected to the atmospheric pressure control device,
The first vent hole and the second vent hole are open to the external chamber;
By controlling the pressure of the external chamber, the pressure of the upper space and the lower space is controlled.
The press apparatus according to claim 7 or 8, wherein
An outer chamber connected to the atmospheric pressure control apparatus, containing the upper heating plate, the upper chamber unit, the vacuum frame, the lower chamber unit and the lower heating plate;
A three-port switching valve,
A first port of the three-port switching valve is connected to the second vent hole;
A second port of the three-port switching valve is opened to the external chamber;
A third port of the three-port switching valve is connected to the atmospheric pressure control device;
When the three-port switching valve is switched so that the first port and the second port are connected, the atmospheric pressure of the lower space is controlled by controlling the atmospheric pressure of the external chamber,
When the three-port switching valve is switched so that the first port and the third port are connected, the atmospheric pressure in the lower space is directly controlled by the atmospheric pressure control device.
The press apparatus according to claim 7 or 8, wherein
At least one of the first vent hole and the second vent hole is connected to the atmospheric pressure control device;
The press apparatus according to claim 7 or 8, wherein
The heating device is
The upper chamber unit is fixed to the lower surface, the lower chamber unit is fixed to the upper surface, and one or more intermediate heating plates disposed between the upper heating plate and the lower heating plate;
One or more intermediate heating plate heating means for respectively heating the one or more intermediate heating plates;
With
A layer of far-infrared radiation material is provided on the upper and lower surfaces of the intermediate heating platen,
The press apparatus according to any one of claims 5 to 11, wherein the press apparatus is characterized in that:
In the intermediate heating plate,
A first vent for supplying and discharging air to the upper chamber;
A second vent hole for supplying and discharging air to the lower chamber is formed,
The press apparatus according to claim 12.
The first vent communicates a lower surface and a side surface of the intermediate heating plate;
The second vent communicates the upper surface and the side surface of the intermediate heating plate;
The press apparatus according to claim 13.
A diaphragm protection plate disposed between the upper diaphragm and the upper heating plate or the intermediate heating plate, and preventing contact between the upper diaphragm and the upper heating plate or the intermediate heating plate;
The press apparatus according to any one of claims 5 to 14, wherein
The driving device is a hydraulic cylinder, and the lower heating plate is fixed to a ram of the hydraulic cylinder;
The press apparatus according to any one of claims 5 to 15, wherein
The vacuum frame has a third vent hole connected to the atmospheric pressure control device for supplying and discharging air to the main chamber.
The press apparatus according to any one of claims 4 to 16, wherein the press apparatus is characterized in that
The third vent hole is
An annular portion extending in the extending direction of the vacuum frame;
A first portion extending from the annular portion and opening in the outer peripheral surface of the vacuum frame;
A second portion extending from the annular portion and opening in the inner peripheral surface of the vacuum frame;
The press apparatus according to claim 17, comprising:
The second part is formed in a slit shape extending in the extending direction of the vacuum frame,
The press device according to claim 18.
The pressure loss when the gas passes through the second part is larger than the pressure loss when the gas passes through the first part.
The press apparatus according to claim 18 or 19, characterized by the above.
In the press process, the atmospheric pressure control device makes the atmospheric pressure in the main chamber a vacuum, and makes the atmospheric pressure in the upper space and the lower space atmospheric pressure,
The press apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 20, wherein:
The atmospheric pressure control device controls the atmospheric pressure difference between the upper space and the main chamber so that the upper diaphragm expands and adheres to the diaphragm protection plate before the pressing process or in the curing process.
The pressing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 21, wherein the pressing apparatus is characterized in that
At least one of the diaphragm molding plate and the diaphragm protection plate has a vent hole.
The press apparatus according to claim 3 or 5, characterized in that.
The workpiece is a laminate, and is configured to be capable of performing a laminating process in which the workpiece is pressed under heating to integrally join the components of the workpiece.
The press apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 23, wherein:
An upper chamber whose upper surface is closed by an upper diaphragm, which is an elastic membrane, and a lower chamber, whose upper surface is closed by a lower diaphragm, which is an elastic membrane, is sandwiched vertically to form an airtight main chamber, and the main chamber The workpiece placed in the main chamber is pressed between the upper diaphragm and the lower diaphragm by lowering the pressure of the upper chamber and the lower chamber. An annular vacuum frame,
The main chamber has a vent for supplying and discharging air, and the vent is
An annular portion extending in the extending direction of the vacuum frame;
A first portion extending from the annular portion and opening in the outer peripheral surface of the vacuum frame;
A second portion extending from the annular portion and opening in the inner peripheral surface of the vacuum frame;
Having a vacuum frame.
26. The vacuum frame according to claim 25, wherein the second part is formed in a slit shape extending in the extending direction of the vacuum frame.
The pressure loss for the gas to pass through the second part is configured to be larger than the pressure loss for the gas to pass through the first part.
The vacuum frame according to claim 25 or claim 26.
A workpiece is disposed in a main chamber that is airtightly partitioned from an upper space and a lower space by an upper diaphragm and a lower diaphragm, which are a pair of elastic films disposed vertically opposite to each other,
While heating the workpiece, the pressure in the main chamber is made lower than the pressure in the upper space and the lower space, and the workpiece heated between the upper diaphragm and the lower diaphragm is heated. Press processing to press,
A press molding method for performing a curing process in which the pressure in the main chamber is made larger than the pressure in the lower space and the workpiece is heated in a non-vacuum state.
In the curing process, when the lower surface of the workpiece is a curved convex surface, the lower diaphragm is curved along the lower surface of the workpiece to support the workpiece with a substantially uniform pressure. Controlling the pressure difference between the main chamber and the lower space;
The press molding method according to claim 28.
A diaphragm molding plate having a flat upper surface is disposed in the lower space so as to face the lower diaphragm,
When the lower surface of the workpiece is a flat surface, in the curing process, the lower diaphragm is in close contact with the upper surface of the diaphragm forming plate and is formed flat to support the workpiece with a substantially uniform pressure. So as to control the pressure difference between the main chamber and the lower space,
30. The press molding method according to claim 29.
A hot platen is arranged on the upper space side to face the upper diaphragm,
Between the upper diaphragm and the hot platen, a diaphragm protection plate for preventing contact between the upper diaphragm and the hot platen is disposed,
Before the pressing process or the curing process, the pressure difference between the main chamber and the upper space is controlled so that the upper diaphragm expands toward the upper space and comes into close contact with the diaphragm protection plate.
The press molding method according to any one of claims 28 to 30, wherein:
Between the upper diaphragm and the lower diaphragm, a vacuum frame having a hollow portion penetrating vertically is disposed,
The workpiece is placed on the lower diaphragm, and then at least one of the upper diaphragm and the lower diaphragm is moved up and down to sandwich the vacuum frame between the upper diaphragm and the lower diaphragm in an airtight manner. Forming the main chamber,
32. The press molding method according to any one of claims 28 to 31, wherein:
In the pressing process, the atmospheric pressure in the main chamber is evacuated, and the atmospheric pressure in the upper space and the lower space is atmospheric pressure.
The press molding method according to any one of claims 28 to 32, wherein:
The work piece is a laminate, and the work piece is pressed under heating to perform a laminating process for integrally bonding the constituent members of the work piece.
The press molding method according to any one of claims 28 to 33.