Conveying device and method for correcting meandering

Abstract

The levitation roller 20a non-contactingly supports the conveyed workpiece (W) by a force that acts non-contactingly on the workpiece (W). The levitation roller 20a is of a cylindrical shape extending in the width direction (B) of the workpiece (W), and at least a surface opposite to the workpiece (W) is formed by a peripheral surface. The drive section 20f rotates the levitation roller 20a in the yaw direction. In the wrap angle of the workpiece non-contactingly supported by the levitation roller, the wrap angle from the most top point to the in side is set to a different angle from the wrap angle from the most top point to the out side.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to a conveying device and a method for correcting serpentine movement. Background Technology

[0002] In recent years, the development of lithium metal secondary batteries using lithium metal as the negative electrode has been progressing. Lithium metal secondary batteries have a higher energy density than lithium-ion secondary batteries, and the theoretical capacity of lithium metal anodes is extremely high, approximately 10 times that of conventional graphite anodes. Through recent developments, measures to address dendrite formation, a critical issue in lithium metal secondary batteries, are also underway, with the expectation of widespread adoption of lithium metal secondary batteries.

[0003] There are methods for forming the negative electrode of a lithium metal secondary battery by bonding lithium foil onto a metal foil (e.g., copper foil) that should serve as a substrate. Lithium foil, rolled thinly to about 5-10 μm, is prone to breakage and requires careful handling during transport. Methods include transporting the lithium foil sandwiched between a film (e.g., PP film) and suspending and transporting the lithium foil in a non-contact manner using a suspension roller. This invention focuses on the latter method, which eliminates the need for a film bonding process and a peeling process.

[0004] In roll-to-roll conveying, non-contact overhead conveying, compared to contact conveying, allows for low-tension transport due to the absence of contact resistance. However, overhead conveying is prone to workpiece (also known as web) serpentination. Furthermore, since the rollers do not contact the workpiece, correcting serpentination in the workpiece structure becomes complex. In particular, lithium metal, being the lightest of the metallic elements, is prone to serpentination in overhead conveying.

[0005] Patent Document 1 discloses a conveying device that sprays airflow from a support pad onto the surface and back of the conveyed strip material to support the strip material in a non-contact manner. In this conveying device, the serpentine movement of the strip material is corrected by tilting the support pad in the width direction of the strip material.

[0006] [Prior Technology Documents]

[0007] [Patent Literature]

[0008] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-162121 Summary of the Invention

[0009] [The problem the invention aims to solve]

[0010] In a method of correcting workpiece serpentination by tilting the suspension roller in the width direction of the workpiece, when performing serpentination correction, a difference in load is applied to the right and left ends of the workpiece in the width direction, causing the suspension roller of the workpiece to twist in the vicinity, making the workpiece prone to tearing in the width direction.

[0011] This disclosure was made in view of such circumstances, and its purpose is to provide a technique for serpentine correction that reduces the risk of breakage of workpieces in suspended transport.

[0012] [Technical solutions used to address technical problems]

[0013] To address the aforementioned issues, one aspect of the conveying device disclosed herein includes: a suspension roller, which supports the conveyed workpiece non-contactly using a force acting on the workpiece, having a cylindrical shape extending along the width direction of the workpiece, and having at least one surface opposite the workpiece formed by a circumferential surface; and a drive unit for rotating the suspension roller in a yaw direction. In the wrap angle of the workpiece non-contactly supported by the suspension roller, the wrap angle from the apex to the inlet side and the wrap angle from the apex to the outlet side are set to different angles.

[0014] Any combination of the above-mentioned constituent elements, as well as schemes for converting the manifestation of this disclosure among methods, apparatuses, systems, etc., are also valid as solutions to this disclosure.

[0015] [Invention Effects]

[0016] According to this disclosure, a serpentine correction with low risk of breakage can be achieved for workpieces that are suspended and transported. Attached Figure Description

[0017] Figure 1 This is a side view schematically illustrating the conveying device of an embodiment.

[0018] Figure 2 It is a schematic representation Figure 1 The top view shows the conveyor system transporting the workpiece.

[0019] Figure 3 This is a side view schematically illustrating an example of a non-contact support roller whose inlet wrap angle is designed to be larger than the outlet wrap angle.

[0020] Figure 4 Figures (A)-(C) are used to illustrate the serpentine correction control of a non-contact support roller with the inlet wrap angle designed to be greater than the outlet wrap angle.

[0021] Figure 5 This is a side view schematically illustrating an example of a non-contact support roller whose inlet wrap angle is designed to be smaller than the outlet wrap angle.

[0022] Figure 6 Figures (A)-(C) are used to illustrate the serpentine correction control of a non-contact support roller with the inlet wrap angle designed to be smaller than the outlet wrap angle.

[0023] Figure 7Figures (A)-(B) are schematic diagrams illustrating an example of a non-contact support roller with the inlet and outlet wrap angles designed to be equal.

[0024] Figure 8 (A)-(C) are diagrams used to illustrate the snake correction control for the comparative example. Detailed Implementation

[0025] The present disclosure will now be described based on preferred embodiments and with reference to the accompanying drawings. These embodiments are illustrative rather than limiting, and not all features and combinations thereof described in the embodiments constitute the essential content of the present disclosure. Identical or equivalent constituent elements, components, and processes shown in the various drawings are labeled with the same reference numerals, and repetitive descriptions are omitted where appropriate. Furthermore, the scales and shapes of the parts shown in the figures are conveniently set for ease of explanation and are not interpreted as limiting unless specifically mentioned. Additionally, the use of terms such as "first," "second," etc., in this specification or claims does not indicate any order or importance unless specifically mentioned, but is used to distinguish one configuration from others. Furthermore, in the accompanying drawings, parts of less important components are omitted from the description of the embodiments.

[0026] Figure 1 This is a schematic side view of the conveying device 1 according to an embodiment. The conveying device 1 is a roller-to-roll conveying device, including an unwinding device 10, a suspension roller device 20, an edge sensor 30, a winding device 40, and a control device 50.

[0027] The unwinding device 10 is located at the beginning of the conveyor line, holding the workpiece W in a wound state and feeding it downstream. The winding device 40 is located at the end of the conveyor line, recovering the conveyed workpiece W in a wound state. Both the unwinding device 10 and the winding device 40 have servo motors (not shown), which can control the rotational speed and torque of the rollers. The unwinding speed of the unwinding device 10 and the winding speed of the winding device 40 are set to be substantially the same.

[0028] In this embodiment, the workpiece W is envisioned as a lithium foil intended to be used as the negative electrode plate of a lithium metal secondary battery. In this embodiment, the lithium foil being transported is rolled to a thickness of approximately 5 to 10 μm, posing a risk of breakage even with only a small amount of tension. Furthermore, lithium readily adheres to metals, so when using metal (e.g., aluminum) guide rollers, the tension can easily increase due to the guide rollers. Therefore, in this embodiment, a suspension roller device 20 capable of non-contact transport of the workpiece W is used.

[0029] The suspension roller device 20 is positioned between the unwinding device 10 and the winding device 40 on the conveyor line. Furthermore, in Figure 1 The details are omitted, but a tension control mechanism (e.g., tension regulating roller) for controlling the tension applied to the workpiece W to a certain value can also be configured between the unwinding device 10 and the suspension roller device 20 on the conveyor line.

[0030] The suspension roller device 20 supports the conveyed workpiece W in a non-contact manner. The suspension roller device 20 includes a non-contact support roller 20a, a support arm 20b, a rotating base 20c, a rotating shaft 20d, a fixed base 20e, and a motor 20f.

[0031] The non-contact support roller 20a is a cylindrical body extending along the width direction B of the workpiece W, supporting the workpiece W without contact by blowing fluid from its outer peripheral surface. In this embodiment, air is envisioned as the blown fluid, but other gases such as nitrogen can also be used. The radial cross-sectional shape of the non-contact support roller 20a may not be a full circle or a full ellipse, but may be a semicircle or a semi-ellipse. In this case, the cross-sectional shape of the side that does not form an arc is formed by a rectangle. The non-contact support roller 20a does not rotate, and the outer peripheral surface formed by the semicircle or semi-ellipse is set to face opposite to the workpiece W. Furthermore, the radial cross-sectional shape of the non-contact support roller 20a may also be a sector (e.g., a sector with a central angle of 90 degrees).

[0032] The non-contact support roller 20a can, for example, use a known air steering rod. The outer periphery of the air steering rod is covered by a sheet of metal (e.g., aluminum or stainless steel). The sheet of metal is, for example, a perforated screen with multiple discharge holes. Alternatively, porous materials, such as sheets or metals formed from porous foams, porous sheets of sintered metal, or mesh metal sheets, can be used instead of the perforated screen.

[0033] Alternatively, instead of creating multiple holes in the metal sheet, multiple slits extending in the extension direction of the non-contact support roller 20a can be formed radially at predetermined intervals. Furthermore, multiple lines arranged at predetermined intervals along the extension direction can be wound around the outer peripheral surface of the metal sheet.

[0034] A hollow fixed central shaft is inserted into the non-contact support roller 20a. An opening at one or both ends of the fixed central shaft is connected to an air supply pipe (not shown). Compressed air is supplied to the interior of the non-contact support roller 20a from an air supply device (not shown) such as a compressor through the air supply pipe. The supplied air is discharged from multiple holes on the outer peripheral surface of the non-contact support roller 20a.

[0035] The two ends of the fixed central shaft of the non-contact support roller 20a are supported by a pair of support arms 20b, which are equally spaced diagonally from the center of the support plane of the rotating base 20c. The fixed base 20e is fixedly mounted on the ground. The fixed base 20e is connected to the rotating base 20c via a rotating shaft 20d. The output shaft of the motor 20f is connected to the end of the rotating shaft 20d on the fixed base 20e side. The motor 20f is fixedly mounted inside the fixed base 20e. The end of the rotating shaft 20d on the rotating base 20c side is fixed to the rotating base 20c. If the motor 20f is driven and the rotating shaft 20d rotates, the rotating base 20c rotates. The drive of the motor 20f is controlled by the control device 50.

[0036] The control device 50, as a hardware component, is implemented by components and circuits, such as the CPU and memory of a computer; as a software component, it is implemented through computer programs, etc. Figure 1 In this context, they are depicted as functional blocks implemented through their cooperation. Those skilled in the art will understand that these functional blocks can be implemented in various forms through a combination of hardware and software. The control device 50 may also be, for example, a control panel.

[0037] An edge sensor 30 is provided downstream of the suspension roller device 20 on the conveyor line. The edge sensor 30 is a sensor used to detect the positional deviation of the workpiece W in the width direction B of the conveyor line. The edge sensor 30 has, for example, a light-emitting part and a light-receiving part. The light-emitting part and the light-receiving part are provided at predetermined intervals in the thickness direction C, such that the workpiece W is sandwiched between its two sides in the thickness direction C. Alternatively, the light-emitting part and the light-receiving part may be provided above and below a U-shaped housing having a gap for the workpiece W to pass through.

[0038] The light-emitting part irradiates the light-receiving part with light of a predetermined wavelength (e.g., infrared). The light-receiving part has a light-receiving element (e.g., CCD, CMOS) disposed on the surface opposite to the light-emitting part. When the light-receiving element receives the light irradiated from the light-emitting part, it converts the received light into an electrical signal and outputs it as an edge position signal to the control device 50. A portion of the light irradiated from the light-emitting part is blocked by the end of the workpiece W in the width direction B. Therefore, the edge sensor 30 can detect the edge position of the workpiece W in the width direction based on the light-receiving position of the light-receiving element. Alternatively, an ultrasonic edge sensor can be used instead of an optical one.

[0039] Figure 2 It is a schematic representation Figure 1 The top view shown is of the conveyor device 1 conveying workpiece W. Figure 2As shown, edge sensors 30 can also be disposed at both ends of the workpiece W in the width direction B. Facing the conveying direction A of the workpiece W, a first edge sensor 30a is disposed on the left end side of the width direction B, and a second edge sensor 30b is disposed on the right end side. The first edge sensor 30a outputs a first edge position signal indicating the left end position of the conveyed workpiece W in the width direction B to the control device 50. The second edge sensor 30b outputs a second edge position signal indicating the right end position of the conveyed workpiece W in the width direction B to the control device 50. Alternatively, it may not be as shown... Figure 2 Instead of providing edge sensors 30 at both ends of the width direction B as shown, they can be provided only on either the left or right end. Alternatively, the edge sensors 30 can be positioned upstream of the suspension roller device 20 on the conveyor line. However, the purpose of the edge sensors 30 is to confirm that no workpiece W has shifted when the workpiece W is wound using the winding device 40 located downstream. Therefore, the conveyor 1 is preferably configured such that the edge sensors 30 are positioned downstream of the suspension roller device 20.

[0040] In this embodiment, the control device 50 has a serpentine correction function using the edge sensor 30 and the motor 20f of the suspension roller device 20. To achieve this serpentine correction function, a difference needs to be set between the ingress and egress sides of the wrap angle of the workpiece W on the non-contact support roller 20a.

[0041] Figure 3 This is a side view schematically illustrating an example of a non-contact support roller 20a where the ingress wrap angle αin is designed to be greater than the exit wrap angle αo. The wrap angle α refers to the angle of the arc of the circumferential surface of the workpiece W that is non-contactly supported by the non-contact support roller 20a. In the case of the non-contact support roller 20a, there is no gap between the non-contact support roller 20a and the workpiece W; it is only necessary to determine the range of the circumferential surface of the workpiece W in contact with the roller 20a.

[0042] The wrap angle α is determined based on the position of the unwinding device 10 or guide roller (not shown) located upstream of the non-contact support roller 20a, the position of the winding device 40 or guide roller (not shown) located downstream, the tension applied from the upstream side, and the tension applied from the downstream side. In this invention, the wrap angle α is defined as the angle from the top point P1 of the workpiece W, which is non-contactly supported by the non-contact support roller 20a, to the ingress side as the ingress angle αin, and the angle from the top point P1 to the egress side as the egress angle αo. Figure 3 In the example shown, the containment angle α is set to 55 degrees, the ingress containment angle αin is set to 45 degrees, and the egress containment angle αo is set to 10 degrees.

[0043] The control device 50 detects the positional offset of the workpiece W from the target position in the width direction B based on the edge position signal input from the edge sensor 30. For example... Figure 2 As shown, when edge sensors 30a and 30b are installed at both ends of the workpiece W in the width direction B, the control device 50 calculates the midpoint between the left and right ends of the workpiece W. The left end position of the workpiece W is represented by a first edge position signal input from the first edge sensor 30a, and the right end position of the workpiece W is represented by a second edge position signal input from the second edge sensor 30b. The control device 50 uses the difference between the calculated midpoint position and the target center position in the width direction B of the workpiece W as the position offset.

[0044] When the conveying device 1 is equipped with only the first edge sensor 30a, the control device 50 uses the difference between the left end position of the workpiece W and the target left end position in the width direction B of the workpiece W as the position offset, and the left end position of the workpiece W is represented by the first edge position signal input from the first edge sensor 30a. When the conveying device 1 is equipped with only the second edge sensor 30b, the control device 50 uses the difference between the right end position of the workpiece W and the target right end position in the width direction B of the workpiece W as the position offset, and the right end position of the workpiece W is represented by the second edge position signal input from the second edge sensor 30b.

[0045] Based on the detected positional offset (deviation) in the width direction B of the workpiece W, the control device 50 calculates the rotation amount of the rotating shaft 20d driven by the motor 20f (i.e., the rotation amount in the lateral direction of the non-contact support roller 20a). For example, the control device 50 calculates the rotation amount (operation amount) of the rotating shaft 20d through PID compensation. The control device 50 performs feedback control on the rotation amount of the rotating shaft 20d to make the positional offset in the width direction B of the workpiece W zero. The control device 50 supplies a control signal containing the calculated rotation amount to the motor 20f. Through this feedback control, the non-contact support roller 20a rotates in a plane parallel to the conveying direction A of the workpiece W.

[0046] Figure 4 Figures (A)-(C) illustrate the serpentine correction control using a non-contact support roller 20a designed with an inward wrap angle αin greater than an outward wrap angle αo. When the inward wrap angle αin is greater than the outward wrap angle αo, in the region of the workpiece W supported non-contactly by the non-contact support roller 20a, the area closer to the inward side than the highest point P1 (hereinafter referred to as the inward-side holding area) is larger relative to the outward-side area (hereinafter referred to as the outward-side holding area) at a predetermined distance from the non-contact support roller 20a. Therefore, the wind force Win experienced by the inward-side holding area is greater than the wind force Wo experienced by the outward-side holding area.

[0047] Figure 4(A) indicates that the position offset of the workpiece W in the width direction B from the target position is 0, and the non-contact support roller 20a does not rotate in the yaw direction, but remains in the reference position.

[0048] Figure 4 (B) indicates that the workpiece W is offset to the left from the target position in the width direction B towards the conveying direction A. The control device 50 calculates the amount of counterclockwise rotation of the rotating shaft 20d based on this offset, and supplies the calculated rotation amount to the motor 20f, causing the motor 20f to rotate the non-contact support roller 20a in the counterclockwise direction.

[0049] If the non-contact support roller 20a rotates counterclockwise, the fluid's blowing direction relative to the inlet holding area changes to the right and rearward direction in the conveying direction A, and the workpiece W experiences a rightward moving pressure. Conversely, if the fluid's blowing direction relative to the outlet holding area changes to the left and forward direction in the conveying direction A, the workpiece W experiences a leftward moving pressure. Furthermore, the rearward or forward moving pressure is determined by the unwinding device 10, the winding device 40, the tension roller (not shown), the guide roller (not shown), etc., so the influence from the non-contact support roller 20a can be ignored.

[0050] When the wrap angle αin on the inlet side is greater than the wrap angle αo on the outlet side, the wind force Win on the inlet side's holding area is greater than the wind force Wo on the outlet side's holding area. Therefore, the rightward moving pressure relative to the workpiece W is greater than the leftward moving pressure. These two forces cancel each other out, applying a rightward moving pressure Fr to the workpiece W. The closer the counterclockwise rotation of the non-contact support roller 20a is to 90 degrees, the greater this rightward moving pressure Fr becomes. Due to this rightward moving pressure Fr, the workpiece W moves to the right towards the target position in the width direction B.

[0051] Figure 4 (C) indicates that the workpiece W is offset to the right from the target position in the width direction B towards the conveying direction A. The control device 50 calculates the clockwise rotation of the rotating shaft 20d based on this offset and supplies the calculated rotation to the motor 20f, causing the motor 20f to rotate the non-contact support roller 20a in the clockwise direction.

[0052] If the non-contact support roller 20a rotates clockwise, the fluid's blowing direction relative to the inlet-side holding area changes to the left and rearward direction relative to the conveying direction A, and the workpiece W is subjected to a leftward moving pressure. Conversely, if the fluid's blowing direction relative to the outlet-side holding area changes to the right and frontward direction relative to the conveying direction A, the workpiece W is subjected to a rightward moving pressure.

[0053] When the wrap angle αin on the inlet side is greater than the wrap angle αo on the outlet side, the wind force Win on the inlet side's holding area is greater than the wind force Wo on the outlet side's holding area. Therefore, the leftward moving pressure relative to the workpiece W is greater than the rightward moving pressure. These two forces cancel each other out, applying a leftward moving pressure Fl to the workpiece W. The closer the clockwise rotation of the non-contact support roller 20a is to -90 degrees, the greater this leftward moving pressure Fl becomes. Due to this leftward moving pressure Fl, the workpiece W moves to the left towards the target position in the width direction B.

[0054] Figure 5 This is a side view schematically illustrating an example of a non-contact support roller 20a where the inlet wrap angle αin is designed to be smaller than the outlet wrap angle αo. Figure 5 In the example shown, the containment angle α is set to 55 degrees, the ingress containment angle αin is set to 10 degrees, and the egress containment angle αo is set to 45 degrees.

[0055] Figure 6 Figures (A)-(C) illustrate the serpentine correction control of the non-contact support roller 20a, where the inlet wrap angle αin is designed to be smaller than the outlet wrap angle αo. When the inlet wrap angle αin is smaller than the outlet wrap angle αo, the area of ​​the outlet gripping area relative to the non-contact support roller 20a below a specified distance is larger than that of the inlet gripping area. Therefore, the wind force Wo experienced by the outlet gripping area is greater than the wind force Win experienced by the inlet gripping area.

[0056] Figure 6 (A) indicates that the position offset of the target position of the workpiece W from the width direction B is 0, and the non-contact support roller 20a does not rotate in the yaw direction, but remains in the reference position.

[0057] Figure 6 (B) indicates that the workpiece W is offset to the left from the target position in the width direction B toward the conveying direction A. The control device 50 calculates the amount of clockwise rotation of the rotating shaft 20d based on this offset, and supplies the calculated rotation amount to the motor 20f, so that the motor 20f causes the non-contact support roller 20a to rotate in the clockwise direction.

[0058] If the non-contact support roller 20a rotates clockwise, the fluid's blowing direction relative to the inlet-side holding area changes to the left and rearward direction relative to the conveying direction A, and the workpiece W is subjected to a leftward moving pressure. Conversely, if the fluid's blowing direction relative to the outlet-side holding area changes to the right and frontward direction relative to the conveying direction A, the workpiece W is subjected to a rightward moving pressure.

[0059] When the wrap angle αin on the inlet side is smaller than the wrap angle αo on the outlet side, the wind force Wo on the outlet side's holding area is greater than the wind force Win on the inlet side's holding area. Therefore, the rightward moving pressure on the workpiece W is greater than the leftward moving pressure. These two forces cancel each other out, resulting in a rightward moving pressure Fr applied to the workpiece W. The closer the clockwise rotation of the non-contact support roller 20a is to -90 degrees, the greater this rightward moving pressure Fr becomes. Due to this rightward moving pressure Fr, the workpiece W moves to the right towards the target position in the width direction B.

[0060] Figure 6 (C) indicates that the workpiece W is offset to the right from the target position in the width direction B towards the conveying direction A. The control device 50 calculates the amount of counterclockwise rotation of the rotating shaft 20d based on this offset, and supplies the calculated rotation amount to the motor 20f, causing the motor 20f to rotate the non-contact support roller 20a in the counterclockwise direction.

[0061] If the non-contact support roller 20a rotates counterclockwise, the direction of fluid flow relative to the inlet holding area changes to the right and rearward direction relative to the conveying direction A, and the workpiece W is subjected to a rightward moving pressure. Conversely, if the direction of fluid flow relative to the outlet holding area changes to the left and forward direction relative to the conveying direction A, the workpiece W is subjected to a leftward moving pressure.

[0062] When the wrap angle αin on the inlet side is smaller than the wrap angle αo on the outlet side, the wind force Wo on the outlet side's holding area is greater than the wind force Win on the inlet side's holding area. Therefore, the leftward moving pressure relative to the workpiece W is greater than the rightward moving pressure. These two forces cancel each other out, applying a leftward moving pressure Fl to the workpiece W. The closer the counterclockwise rotation of the non-contact support roller 20a is to 90 degrees, the greater this leftward moving pressure Fl becomes. Due to this leftward moving pressure Fl, the workpiece W moves to the left towards the target position in the width direction B.

[0063] The serpentine correction function in this embodiment utilizes the difference between the wind force Win received by the ingress gripping area and the wind force Wo received by the egress gripping area when the non-contact support roller 20a rotates in the yaw direction. Therefore, it cannot be used when the ingress wrap angle αin and the egress wrap angle αo are equal, and the wind force Win received by the ingress gripping area and the wind force Wo received by the egress gripping area are the same.

[0064] Figure 7 (A)-(B) are side views of an example of a non-contact support roller 20a schematically showing that the wrap angle αin on the inlet side and the wrap angle αo on the outlet side are designed to be equal. Figure 7(B) represents an example in which the workpiece W passes through the non-contact support roller 20a in a straight line without bending in the thickness direction C (the wrap angle α = the wrap angle αin on the inward side = the wrap angle αo on the outward side = 0 degrees).

[0065] Figure 8 Figures (A)-(C) are used to illustrate the serpentine correction control of the comparative example. The comparative example is an example of correcting the positional offset of the workpiece W in the width direction by rotating the non-contact support roller 20a in the rolling direction.

[0066] Figure 8 (A) indicates that the position offset of the target position of the workpiece W from the width direction B is 0, and the non-contact support roller 20a does not rotate in the rolling direction, but remains in the reference position.

[0067] Figure 8 (B) indicates that the workpiece W has shifted to the left from its target position in the width direction B toward the conveying direction A. The control device 50 rotates the non-contact support roller 20a clockwise in the rolling direction toward the conveying direction A based on this positional shift. That is, the right end of the non-contact support roller 20a is tilted toward the ground in such a way that its right end approaches the ground.

[0068] As a result, the wind force received by the workpiece W from the non-contact support roller 20a weakens on the right side of the workpiece W, while the wind force received by the workpiece W from the non-contact support roller 20a strengthens, applying a rightward moving pressure Fr to the workpiece W. The closer the clockwise rotation of the non-contact support roller 20a is to -90 degrees, the greater this rightward moving pressure Fr becomes. Due to this rightward moving pressure Fr, the workpiece W moves to the right towards the target position in the width direction B.

[0069] Figure 8 (C) indicates that the workpiece W has shifted to the right from the target position in the width direction B towards the conveying direction A. The control device 50 rotates the non-contact support roller 20a counterclockwise in the rolling direction towards the conveying direction A based on this positional shift. That is, the left end of the non-contact support roller 20a is tilted towards the ground so that its left end is close to the ground.

[0070] As a result, the wind force received by the workpiece W from the non-contact support roller 20a decreases on the left side and increases on the right side, applying a leftward moving pressure Fl to the workpiece W. The closer the counterclockwise rotation of the non-contact support roller 20a is to 90 degrees, the greater this leftward moving pressure Fl becomes. Due to this leftward moving pressure Fl, the workpiece W moves to the left towards the target position in the width direction B.

[0071] If we compare the method of rotating the non-contact support roller 20a in the yaw direction in the embodiment with the method of rotating the non-contact support roller 20a in the rolling direction in the comparative example, the load on the workpiece W from the non-contact support roller 20a increases during the modification in the comparative example. In the comparative example, as... Figure 8 As shown in (B), if the right end of the non-contact support roller 20a tilts towards the ground, the portion of the workpiece W supported on the right side of the non-contact support roller 20a sinks, and a load is applied to the workpiece W such that the length of the right side of the workpiece W is shorter than the length of the left side. Due to this load, the workpiece W is prone to tearing along the width direction B. In contrast, in the embodiment, since the load on the workpiece W from the non-contact support roller 20a is small during correction, the risk of breakage of the workpiece W can be minimized.

[0072] As explained above, according to the conveying device 1 of this embodiment, by rotating the non-contact support roller 20a in the yaw direction to correct the serpentine movement of the workpiece W, the risk of breakage of the suspended conveying workpiece W can be minimized. Suspended conveying has no contact resistance with the rollers, enabling low-tension conveying, and is suitable for conveying films that are fragile to changes in tension during conveying. For example, it is suitable for conveying thin-film metal foils.

[0073] In particular, lithium foil is lightweight and readily adheres to metals, making it suitable for suspension transport. Lithium foil can be used, for example, as a negative electrode material in lithium metal secondary batteries. Additionally, it can be used as a pre-doped material for the negative electrode of lithium-ion secondary batteries and lithium-ion capacitors.

[0074] However, because lithium foil is lightweight, it is prone to snake-like movement and is vulnerable to changes in tension. Therefore, low-load snake-like correction is required, and the conveying device 1 according to this embodiment can achieve low-load snake-like correction.

[0075] Furthermore, the workpiece W conveyed by the conveying device 1 of this embodiment is not limited to lithium foil; other metal foils such as copper foil, aluminum foil, stainless steel foil, and titanium foil may also be included in the object. In addition, resin film, paper, cloth, non-woven fabric, etc., may also be included in the object.

[0076] The embodiments of this disclosure have been described in detail above. The above embodiments are merely examples illustrating specific ways of implementing this disclosure. Furthermore, the above embodiments may also be configured to include processing techniques such as hole machining, rolling, and solvent coating on the workpiece. The content of the embodiments does not limit the technical scope of this disclosure; various design changes, such as alterations, additions, and deletions of constituent elements, can be made without departing from the inventive concept defined by the claims. New embodiments with applied design changes possess the respective effects of both the combined embodiments and variations. In the above embodiments, the content enabling such design changes is emphasized by markings such as "in this embodiment" or "in this embodiment," but design changes are also permitted even without such markings. Furthermore, any combination of constituent elements included in each embodiment is also valid as a form of this disclosure. The shaded lines marked on the cross-sections of the drawings are not intended to limit the material of the objects marked with shaded lines.

[0077] In the above embodiment, the non-contact support roller 20a is described as a non-contact support roller 20a that suspends the conveyed workpiece W by blowing air onto it. Regarding this, other types of non-contact support rollers can also be used, as long as they can support the workpiece W non-contactly using a force acting relative to the workpiece W. For example, an ultrasonic non-contact support roller can also be used. In an ultrasonic non-contact support roller, a vibrating plate (e.g., an ultrasonic probe) is provided on the conveying surface opposite to the workpiece W, and the vibrating plate vibrates at a high frequency, forming a compressed air film between the workpiece W and the conveying surface. The workpiece W is suspended by the rebound force of the compressed air film.

[0078] The implementation method can also be specified by the items described below.

[0079] [Project 1]

[0080] A conveying device (1) includes:

[0081] The suspension roller (20a) is a non-contact support roller for conveying the workpiece (W) by using a force acting on the workpiece (W) in a non-contact manner. It has a cylindrical shape extending along the width direction (B) of the workpiece (W), and at least the surface opposite to the workpiece (W) is formed by a circumferential surface.

[0082] A drive unit (20f) is used to rotate the suspension roller (20a) in the yaw direction;

[0083] In the wrap angle (α) of the workpiece (W) which is non-contactly supported by the suspension roller (20a), the wrap angle (αin) from the top point (P1) to the inlet side and the wrap angle (αo) from the top point (P1) to the outlet side are set to different angles.

[0084] This enables serpentine correction with low risk of breakage for suspended conveyed workpieces (W).

[0085] [Project 2]

[0086] As described in Project 1, the conveying device (1),

[0087] It also includes a control unit (50) that determines the amount of rotation of the suspension roller (20a) in the yaw direction based on the positional offset of the workpiece (W) in the width direction (B), and controls the drive unit (20f) based on the determined amount of rotation.

[0088] Therefore, feedback control based on the positional offset in the width direction (B) of the workpiece (W) is possible.

[0089] [Project 3]

[0090] As described in Item 2, the conveying device (1),

[0091] When the ingress angle (αin) is set to be greater than the egress angle (αo),

[0092] When the workpiece (W) shifts to the right from the target position in the width direction (B) toward the conveying direction (A), the control unit (50) instructs the drive unit (20f) to rotate the suspension roller (20a) counterclockwise according to the amount of shift. When the workpiece (W) shifts to the left from the target position in the width direction (B) toward the conveying direction (A), the drive unit (20f) instructs the suspension roller (20a) to rotate clockwise according to the amount of shift.

[0093] Therefore, when the wrap angle (αin) on the inlet side is set to be greater than the wrap angle (αo) on the outlet side, the workpiece (W) can be guided to the target position based on the angle difference and the rotation of the suspension roller (20a) in the yaw direction.

[0094] [Project 4]

[0095] As described in Project 2, the conveying device (1),

[0096] When the ingress angle (αin) is set to be smaller than the egress angle (αo),

[0097] When the workpiece (W) shifts to the right from the target position in the width direction (B) toward the conveying direction (A), the control unit (50) causes the drive unit (20f) to rotate the suspension roller (20a) clockwise according to the amount of shift. When the workpiece (W) shifts to the left from the target position in the width direction (B) toward the conveying direction (A), the drive unit (20f) causes the suspension roller (20a) to rotate counterclockwise according to the amount of shift.

[0098] Therefore, when the wrap angle (αin) on the inlet side is set to be smaller than the wrap angle (αo) on the outlet side, the workpiece (W) can be guided to the target position based on the angle difference and the rotation of the suspension roller (20a) in the yaw direction.

[0099] [Project 5]

[0100] As described in items 1 to 4, the conveying device (1),

[0101] The workpiece (W) is a lithium foil.

[0102] This allows for the transport of lightweight and easily broken lithium foil while simultaneously performing serpentine correction with low breakage risk.

[0103] [Project 6]

[0104] A serpentine correction method is a method that, based on the positional offset of a workpiece (W) in the width direction (B), rotates a suspension roller (20a) in the yaw direction. The suspension roller (20a) is a cylindrical shape extending along the width direction (B) of the workpiece (W) and at least the surface opposite to the workpiece (W) is formed by a circumferential surface.

[0105] In the wrap angle (α) of the workpiece (W) which is non-contactly supported by the suspension roller (20a), the wrap angle (αin) from the top point (P1) to the inlet side and the wrap angle (αo) from the top point (P1) to the outlet side are set to different angles.

[0106] This enables serpentine correction with low risk of breakage for suspended conveyed workpieces (W).

[0107] [Industrial Availability]

[0108] This disclosure can be used in the manufacture of batteries.

[0109] [Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures]

[0110] 1 Conveying device, 10 Unwinding device, 20 Suspension roller device, 20a Non-contact support roller, 20b Support arm, 20c Rotating base, 20d Rotating shaft, 20e Fixed base, 20f Motor, 30 Edge sensor, 40 Winding device, 50 Control device, W Workpiece.

Claims

1. A conveying device, comprising: A suspension roller is a roller that supports and transports a workpiece non-contactly by applying a force to the workpiece. It has a cylindrical shape extending along the width direction of the workpiece, and at least the surface opposite the workpiece is formed by a circumferential surface. A drive unit for rotating the suspension roller in the yaw direction; In the wrap angle of the workpiece supported non-contactly by the suspension roller, the wrap angle from the apex to the inlet side and the wrap angle from the apex to the outlet side are set to different angles. It also includes a control unit that determines the amount of rotation of the suspension roller in the yaw direction based on the positional offset in the width direction of the workpiece, and controls the drive unit based on the determined amount of rotation. When the wrap angle on the inbound side is set to be greater than the wrap angle on the outbound side, When the workpiece shifts to the left from the target position in the width direction toward the conveying direction, the control unit instructs the drive unit to rotate the suspension roller counterclockwise according to the amount of shift. When the workpiece shifts to the right from the target position in the width direction toward the conveying direction, the drive unit instructs the suspension roller to rotate clockwise according to the amount of shift.

2. The conveying device as described in claim 1, The workpiece is a lithium foil.

3. A serpentine correction method, which is based on the positional offset of a workpiece in the width direction, causing a suspension roller to rotate in the yaw direction. The suspension roller is a non-contact support roller for conveying the workpiece, utilizing a force applied to the workpiece. It has a cylindrical shape extending along the width direction of the workpiece, and at least the surface opposite to the workpiece is formed by a circumferential surface. In the wrap angle of the workpiece supported non-contactly by the suspension roller, the wrap angle from the apex to the inlet side and the wrap angle from the apex to the outlet side are set to different angles. When the wrap angle on the inbound side is set to be greater than the wrap angle on the outbound side, When the workpiece shifts to the left from the target position in the width direction toward the conveying direction, the suspension roller is rotated counterclockwise according to the amount of shift. When the workpiece shifts to the right from the target position in the width direction toward the conveying direction, the suspension roller is rotated clockwise according to the amount of shift.

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