A gap coating method and equipment

Abstract

This invention discloses a gap coating method and apparatus. The gap coating method includes the following steps: S2, dividing the coating area of ​​the electrode sheet into at least two groups, with the coating areas of the at least two groups alternately arranged along the length direction of the electrode sheet, and a blank area between two adjacent coating areas; S3, sequentially arranging at least two coating devices at intervals along the conveyor path of the electrode sheet, each coating device corresponding to one group of coating areas, and each coating device including a drive mechanism and a gravure roller, wherein the drive mechanism is used to drive the gravure roller to reciprocate in a direction closer to or away from the electrode sheet; S4, creating an electronic cam curve for the drive mechanism of each coating device, and calculating the parameters of the electronic cam curve for the drive mechanism of each coating device; S5, coating the electrode sheet. This invention can achieve high-speed gap coating and improve production efficiency.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of battery coating technology, specifically to a gap coating method and apparatus. Background Technology

[0002] In the production of lithium-ion battery electrodes, active materials need to be coated onto the current collector. To facilitate subsequent processes, the active material needs to be intermittently coated onto the substrate during electrode coating. Existing coating methods primarily employ gravure roller coating. Gravure roller coating typically involves a coating device positioned along the electrode's conveyor belt path. This device usually includes a drive mechanism and a gravure roller. The drive mechanism propels the gravure roller to reciprocate towards or away from the electrode, thus coating the electrode's areas and achieving intermittent coating. Since the drive mechanism's operating frequency is usually fixed, when the gap length between two adjacent coating areas of the electrode (the length of a blank area) is small, the electrode's conveyor belt speed needs to be reduced to allow sufficient time for the electrode to pass through the gap for the drive mechanism to perform one reciprocating motion of the gravure roller (i.e., one contact-separation-contact motion). However, reducing the electrode's conveyor belt speed makes high-speed intermittent coating difficult to achieve, reducing production efficiency. Summary of the Invention

[0003] To overcome the shortcomings of the prior art, the present invention provides a gap coating method and equipment, which can realize high-speed gap coating and improve production efficiency.

[0004] The technical solution adopted by this invention to solve its technical problem is:

[0005] The first aspect of the present invention provides a gap coating method, comprising the following steps: S2, dividing the coating area of ​​the electrode into at least two groups, wherein the coating areas of the at least two groups are alternately arranged along the length direction of the electrode, and a blank area is left between two adjacent coating areas; S3, sequentially arranging at least two coating devices at intervals along the conveyor path of the electrode, each coating device corresponding to one group of coating areas, each coating device including a driving mechanism and a gravure roller, wherein the driving mechanism is used to drive the gravure roller to reciprocate in a direction closer to or away from the electrode; S4, creating a driving mechanism for each coating device. The electronic cam curve of the structure is calculated, and the parameters of the electronic cam curve of the drive mechanism of each coating device are calculated; S5, coating the electrode: the belt travel distance of the electrode is measured, and the drive mechanism of each coating device is controlled to alternately operate according to the calculated electronic cam curve parameters of the drive mechanism of each coating device and the belt travel distance of the electrode. Thus, the drive mechanism of each coating device can alternately drive the corresponding gravure roller to make cam movement according to the corresponding electronic cam curve, so as to contact or separate from the electrode. Thus, the gravure roller of each coating device can respectively realize the coating of a corresponding group of coating areas.

[0006] As a preferred technical solution, step S4 includes the following steps: S42, setting at least one rotatable measuring roller between at least two coating devices, with an encoder at one end of the measuring roller; S43, using the encoder of the measuring roller as the master position axis, using the drive mechanism of each coating device as the slave axis, attaching cams to the gravure rollers of each coating device, establishing a cam table, and generating an electronic cam curve for the drive mechanism of each coating device; S44, calculating the number of pulses the gravure roller of each coating device stays at position 1 and position 2 based on the length of the coating area and the length of the blank area, where position 1 refers to the position where the gravure roller separates from the electrode, and position 2 refers to the position where the gravure roller contacts the electrode for coating; S45, setting the phase difference between the electronic cam curve of the drive mechanism of the first coating device and the master position axis to 0, and calculating the phase difference between the electronic cam curves of the drive mechanisms of the other coating devices (excluding the first coating device) and the electronic cam curve of the drive mechanism of the first coating device based on the distance between the gravure rollers of two adjacent coating devices, the length of the coating area, and the length of the blank area.

[0007] As a preferred technical solution, in step S5, the belt travel distance of the electrode sheet is measured by the encoder of the metering roller.

[0008] As a preferred technical solution, the drive mechanisms of each coating device are controlled to alternately operate based on the calculated number of pulses when the gravure roller of each coating device stops at position 1 and the number of pulses when it stops at position 2, the phase difference between the electronic cam curves of the drive mechanisms of the other coating devices (excluding the first coating device) and the electronic cam curve of the drive mechanism of the first coating device, and the belt travel distance of the electrode sheet measured by the encoder of the metering roller.

[0009] As a preferred technical solution, in step S2, the coating area of ​​the electrode is divided into two groups, and the coating areas of the two groups are alternately arranged along the length direction of the electrode; in step S3, two coating devices are arranged at intervals along the electrode conveyor path.

[0010] As a preferred technical solution, in step S2, the coating area of ​​the electrode is divided into three groups, and the coating areas of the three groups are alternately arranged along the length direction of the electrode; in step S3, three coating devices are arranged at intervals along the conveyor belt path of the electrode.

[0011] A second aspect of the present invention provides a gap coating apparatus for gap coating of an electrode using the gap coating method described above. The apparatus includes at least two coating devices, at least one rotatable measuring roller, and a controller. The measuring roller is disposed between the two coating devices. One end of the measuring roller is equipped with an encoder connected to the controller. The coating device includes a machine base, a base disposed at the top of the machine base, a drive mechanism, and a gravure roller. The drive mechanism includes two linear motors disposed at the top of the base, the two linear motors being arranged opposite to each other. Both ends of the gravure roller are rotatably disposed at the tops of the two linear motors via two gravure roller bearing seats. Both linear motors are connected to the controller, and the two linear motors are used to drive the gravure roller to reciprocate in a direction closer to or further away from the electrode.

[0012] As a preferred technical solution, the coating device further includes a gravure roller motor, which is disposed at the top of the base and connected to one end of the gravure roller via a universal joint coupling. The gravure roller motor is used to drive the gravure roller to rotate.

[0013] As a preferred technical solution, the coating device further includes a glue roller for supporting the electrode sheet. The two ends of the glue roller are rotatably mounted on the top of the machine base through two glue roller bearing seats, and the glue roller is arranged opposite to the gravure roller.

[0014] As a preferred technical solution, the coating device further includes a material box located below the gravure roller, the material box being located between the two linear motors, the two ends of the material box being connected to the two linear motors respectively, the top of the material box having a material groove, the gravure roller being partially located in the material groove, and one end of the material box having a feed port communicating with the material groove.

[0015] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows: By dividing the coating area of ​​the electrode sheet into at least two groups, with the coating areas of the at least two groups alternately arranged along the length of the electrode sheet, and at least two coating devices are sequentially spaced along the conveyor belt path of the electrode sheet, each coating device corresponding to a group of coating areas, the drive mechanism of each coating device is controlled by an electronic cam to alternately operate. Thus, the drive mechanism of each coating device can alternately drive the corresponding gravure roller to perform cam movement according to the corresponding electronic cam curve, so as to contact or separate from the electrode sheet. Therefore, the gravure roller of each coating device can achieve coating of the corresponding group of coating areas. Compared with the prior art, the gap length between two adjacent coating areas in each group is extended to at least one coating area length plus the length of two blank areas. This ensures that the time for the electrode sheet to pass through this gap is sufficient for the drive mechanism to drive the corresponding gravure roller to perform one reciprocating movement, without needing to reduce the conveyor belt speed of the electrode sheet. This enables high-speed gap coating and improves production efficiency. Attached Figure Description

[0016] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0017] Figure 1 This is a flowchart of a gap coating method provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0018] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 The diagram shows a step S2 of the gap coating method, in which the coating area of ​​the electrode is divided into two groups.

[0019] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the electronic cam curve of the drive mechanism of each coating device in the gap coating method shown;

[0020] Figure 4 yes Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the electronic cam curves of the drive mechanism of the first coating device and the drive mechanism of the second coating device in the gap coating method shown.

[0021] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of step S2 of a gap coating method according to another embodiment of the present invention, in which the coating area of ​​the electrode is divided into three groups;

[0022] Figure 6 This invention is based on Figure 1 The diagram shows a structural schematic of a gap coating apparatus provided by the gap coating method.

[0023] Figure 7 yes Figure 6 The diagram shows the structure of the coating device in the gap coating equipment. Detailed Implementation

[0024] The following will clearly and completely describe the concept, specific structure, and technical effects of the present invention in conjunction with embodiments and accompanying drawings, so as to fully understand the purpose, features, and effects of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of them. Other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of the present invention without creative effort are all within the scope of protection of the present invention. Furthermore, all connections / linkages involved in the patent do not simply refer to direct contact between components, but rather to the ability to form a better connection structure by adding or reducing connecting accessories according to specific implementation conditions. The various technical features in this invention can be combined interactively without contradicting each other.

[0025] Please refer to Figure 1 An embodiment of the present invention provides a gap coating method, comprising the following steps:

[0026] S2. Divide the coating area of ​​electrode 100 into two groups. The coating areas of the two groups are alternately arranged along the length of electrode 100, and there is a blank area between two adjacent coating areas.

[0027] In this embodiment, as Figure 2 As shown, in the two groups of coating areas, the first group consists entirely of coating area 1, and the second group consists entirely of coating area 2. There is a blank area between adjacent coating areas 1 and 2. The lengths of coating areas 1 and 2 are equal.

[0028] S3. Two coating devices are sequentially and spaced apart on the conveyor path of electrode 100, each coating device corresponding to a set of coating areas.

[0029] The two coating devices are a first coating device 10a and a second coating device 10b, as follows: Figure 6 As shown, the first coating device 10a corresponds to the coating area 1 of the first group and is used to coat the coating area 1 of the first group. The second coating device 10b corresponds to the coating area 2 of the second group and is used to coat the coating area 2 of the second group. Both the first coating device 10a and the second coating device 10b include a drive mechanism and a gravure roller 14 (see...). Figure 6 and Figure 7 The drive mechanism is connected to the PLC controller and includes two linear motors 13 arranged opposite each other.

[0030] S4. Use the PLC controller to create the electronic cam curve of the drive mechanism of the first coating device 10a and the electronic cam curve of the drive mechanism of the second coating device 10b, and calculate the parameters of the electronic cam curve of the drive mechanism of the first coating device 10a and the parameters of the electronic cam curve of the drive mechanism of the second coating device 10b.

[0031] Specifically, step S4 includes the following steps:

[0032] S42. A rotatable measuring roller 30 is provided between the first coating device 10a and the second coating device 10b, such as... Figure 6 As shown, an encoder is provided at one end of the counting roller 30. The encoder can rotate synchronously with the counting roller 30, and the encoder is connected to the PLC control. Understandably, the number of counting rollers 30 can also be, for example, two, and can be set according to the actual situation.

[0033] S43. In the PLC controller, the encoder of the metering roller 30 is used as the master position axis, and the drive mechanisms of the first coating device 10a and the second coating device 10b are used as slave axes respectively. Cams are attached to the gravure roller 14 of the first coating device 10a and the gravure roller 14 of the second coating device 10b. A cam table is established to generate the electronic cam curve of the drive mechanism of each coating device, such as... Figure 3 As shown, Figure 3 In the figure, the horizontal axis represents the number of pulses output by the encoder of the metering roller 30, and the vertical axis represents the position of the gravure roller 14. The position of the gravure roller 14 includes position 1 and position 2. Position 1 refers to the position where the gravure roller 14 is separated from the electrode 100, and position 2 refers to the position where the gravure roller 14 contacts the electrode 100 for coating.

[0034] S44. Based on the length of the coating area and the length of the blank area, the PLC controller calculates the number of pulses that the gravure roller 14 of each coating device stops at position 1 and the number of pulses that stops at position 2.

[0035] For example, the lengths of both coating area 1 and coating area 2 are set to L (in millimeters, for example), and the length of the blank area is set to d (in millimeters, for example). Figure 2 As shown. Let the radius of the measuring roller 30 be r (in millimeters, for example). When the electrode 100 moves the tape, it will drive the measuring roller 30 to rotate. Then, the distance the electrode 100 moves when the measuring roller 30 rotates once is the circumference of the measuring roller 30, which is 2πr. Let the number of pulses output by the encoder during the coating process be n. Since the encoder and the measuring roller 30 rotate synchronously, the number of pulses output by the encoder in one revolution is n / 2πr.

[0036] like Figure 3 As shown, taking the gravure roller 14 of the first coating device 10a as an example, the gravure roller 14 of the first coating device 10a is used to coat coating area 1. The lengths of coating area 1 and coating area 2 are both L. Therefore, the number of pulses when the gravure roller 14 stays at position 2 is Ln / 2πr. Since the distance between two adjacent coating areas 1 is the length of the blank area + the length of the coating area 2 + the length of the blank area, that is, the distance between two adjacent coating areas 1 is d + L + d, the number of pulses when the gravure roller 14 stays at position 1 is (d + L + d)n / 2πr. One control cycle of each gravure roller 14 is the sum of the number of pulses when the gravure roller 14 stays at position 2 and the number of pulses when the gravure roller 14 stays at position 1, which is Ln / 2πr + (d + L + d)n / 2πr.

[0037] The number of pulses that the gravure roller 14 of the second coating device 10b stops at position 2 and the number of pulses that stops at position 1 are the same as those of the gravure roller 14 of the first coating device 10a.

[0038] S45. Set the phase difference between the electronic cam curve of the drive mechanism of the first coating device 10a and the main position axis to 0, such as... Figure 4 As shown, the phase difference is the deviation distance of the slave axis relative to the master position axis. The PLC controller calculates the phase difference between the electronic cam curve of the drive mechanism of the second coating device 10b and the electronic cam curve of the drive mechanism of the first coating device 10a based on the distance between the gravure roller 14 of the first coating device 10a and the gravure roller 14 of the second coating device 10b, the length of the coating area and the length of the blank area.

[0039] For example, let D be the distance between the gravure roller 14 of the first coating device 10a and the gravure roller 14 of the second coating device 10b. After the gravure roller 14 of the first coating device 10a has finished coating the first coating area 1, if the gravure roller 14 of the second coating device 10b is to coat the first coating area 2, the electrode 100 needs to travel a distance of D+d+L. Only after the electrode 100 has traveled a distance of D+d+L can the gravure roller 14 of the second coating device 10b coat the first coating area 2. Thus, since the phase difference between the electronic cam curve of the drive mechanism of the first coating device 10a and the main position axis is 0, the PLC controller can calculate the phase difference between the electronic cam curve of the drive mechanism of the second coating device 10b and the electronic cam curve of the drive mechanism of the first coating device 10a as (D+d+L)n / 2πr pulses based on the distance D, length L, and length d. This phase difference is the number of pulses in the coating action interval between the gravure roller 14 of the second coating device 10b and the gravure roller 14 of the first coating device 10a. Figure 4 As shown, Figure 4 The horizontal axis represents the number of pulses output by the encoder of the metering roller 30, and the vertical axis represents the position of the gravure roller 14. The curve indicated by A is the electronic cam curve of the drive mechanism of the first coating device 10a, and the curve indicated by B is the electronic cam curve of the drive mechanism of the second coating device 10b. Positions A1 and A2 are positions 1 and 2 of the gravure roller 14 of the first coating device 10a, respectively, and positions B1 and B2 are positions 1 and 2 of the gravure roller 14 of the second coating device 10b, respectively.

[0040] S5. Coating the electrode 100: Measure the belt travel distance of the electrode 100. Using a PLC controller, control the driving mechanisms of the first coating device 10a and the second coating device 10b alternately based on the calculated electronic cam curve parameters of the driving mechanism of the first coating device 10a, the electronic cam curve parameters of the driving mechanism of the second coating device 10b, and the belt travel distance of the electrode 100. This allows the driving mechanisms of the first coating device 10a and the second coating device 10b to alternately drive the corresponding gravure rollers 14 to perform cam movements according to the corresponding electronic cam curves, so as to contact or separate from the electrode 100. Thus, the gravure rollers 14 of the first coating device 10a and the second coating device 10b can respectively achieve coating of a corresponding set of coating areas.

[0041] In step S5, the tape travel distance of the electrode 100 is measured by the encoder of the measuring roller 30. When the electrode 100 travels, it drives the measuring roller 30 to rotate. The encoder rotates synchronously with the measuring roller 30 and outputs pulses to the PLC controller. The PLC controller can calculate the tape travel distance of the electrode 100 based on the number of pulses output by the encoder. Thus, the tape travel distance of the electrode 100 can be measured by the encoder of the measuring roller 30.

[0042] In step S5, the PLC controller controls the drive mechanisms of the first coating device 10a and the second coating device 10b to operate alternately based on the calculated number of pulses when the gravure roller 14 of each coating device stops at position 1 and position 2, the phase difference between the electronic cam curve of the drive mechanism of the second coating device 10b and the electronic cam curve of the drive mechanism of the first coating device 10a, and the belt travel distance of the electrode 100 measured by the encoder of the metering roller 30.

[0043] Specifically, for ease of description, the gravure roller 14 of the first coating device 10a is named the first gravure roller 14, and the gravure roller 14 of the second coating device 10b is named the second gravure roller 14. For example, the PLC controller first controls the operation of the drive mechanism of the first coating device 10a. The drive mechanism of the first coating device 10a drives the first gravure roller 14 to perform cam movement according to the corresponding electronic cam curve, so that the first gravure roller 14 is in position 2 to contact the electrode 100. When the distance of the electrode 100 is the length L of the first coating area 1, the number of pulses fed back to the PLC controller by the encoder is Ln / 2πr. The number of pulses fed back by the encoder is the same as the number of pulses when the first gravure roller 14 stays in position 2, which indicates that the first gravure roller 14 has completed coating the first coating area 1. Then, the PLC controller controls the drive mechanism of the first coating device 10a to operate. The drive mechanism of the first coating device 10a drives the first gravure roller 14 to perform cam movement according to the corresponding electronic cam curve, so that the first gravure roller 14 is in position 1 to separate from the electrode 100. When the distance of the electrode 100 is the length d of the first blank area + the length L of the first coating area 2 + the length d of the second blank area, the number of pulses fed back to the PLC controller by the encoder is (d+L+d)n / 2πr. The number of pulses fed back by the encoder is the same as the number of pulses when the first gravure roller 14 stops at position 1, which indicates that the first gravure roller 14 has finished stopping. The PLC controller controls the drive mechanism of the first coating device 10a to operate again, so that the first gravure roller 14 performs cam movement again to contact the electrode 100 in the aforementioned manner, so that the second coating area 1 can be coated by the first gravure roller 14.

[0044] While the drive mechanism of the first coating device 10a drives the first gravure roller 14 to start cam motion and position the first gravure roller 14 at position 1, the PLC controller controls the drive mechanism of the second coating device 10b to operate according to the phase difference ((D+d+L)n / 2πr pulses) between the electronic cam curve of the drive mechanism of the second coating device 10b and the electronic cam curve of the drive mechanism of the first coating device 10a. The drive mechanism of the second coating device 10b drives the second gravure roller 14 to perform cam motion according to the corresponding electronic cam curve, so that the second gravure roller 14 is in position 2 and contacts the electrode 100. When the distance of the electrode 100 is the length L of the first coating area 2, the number of pulses fed back to the PLC controller by the encoder is Ln / 2πr. The number of pulses fed back by the encoder is the same as the number of pulses when the second gravure roller 14 stays at position 2, which indicates that the second gravure roller 14 has completed coating the first coating area 2. Then, the PLC controller controls the drive mechanism of the second coating device 10b to operate. The drive mechanism of the second coating device 10b drives the second gravure roller 14 to perform cam movement according to the corresponding electronic cam curve, so that the second gravure roller 14 is in position 1 to separate from the electrode 100. When the distance of the electrode 100 is the length d of the second blank area + the length L of the second coating area 1 + the length d of the third blank area, the number of pulses fed back to the PLC controller by the encoder is (d+L+d)n / 2πr. The number of pulses fed back by the encoder is the same as the number of pulses when the second gravure roller 14 stops at position 1, which indicates that the second gravure roller 14 has finished stopping. The PLC controller controls the drive mechanism of the second coating device 10b to operate again, so that the second gravure roller 14 performs cam movement again to contact the electrode 100 in the aforementioned manner, so that the second coating area 2 can be coated by the second gravure roller 14. This alternating control continues until all coating areas are coated, thus enabling coating of a corresponding set of coating areas to be achieved through the gravure rollers 14 of each coating device.

[0045] This invention divides the coating area of ​​the electrode 100 into two groups, with the two groups of coating areas alternately arranged along the length of the electrode 100. Two coating devices are sequentially spaced along the conveyor belt path of the electrode 100, each corresponding to a group of coating areas. An electronic cam is used to control the alternating operation of the drive mechanisms of each coating device. Thus, the drive mechanisms of each coating device can alternately drive the corresponding gravure roller 14 to perform cam movements according to the corresponding electronic cam curve, contacting or separating from the electrode 100. This allows the gravure roller 14 of each coating device to coat the corresponding group of coating areas. Compared to existing technologies, the gap length between two adjacent coating areas in each group is extended to the length of one coating area plus the length of two blank areas. This ensures that the time it takes for the electrode 100 to pass through the gap is sufficient for the drive mechanism to drive the corresponding gravure roller 14 to perform one reciprocating movement, without needing to reduce the conveyor belt speed of the electrode 100. This enables high-speed gap coating and improves production efficiency. Meanwhile, the use of electronic cam control makes the control more precise and flexible. When the size of the coating area and the blank area of ​​the electrode 100 changes, the product can be quickly changed by modifying the electronic cam parameters.

[0046] In another embodiment of the present invention, unlike the previous embodiment, in step S2, the coating area of ​​the electrode 100 is divided into three groups, and the three groups of coating areas are alternately arranged along the length direction of the electrode 100. A blank area is left between two adjacent coating areas. The three groups of coating areas are arranged as follows: Figure 7 As shown, the coating areas in the first group are all coating areas 1, the coating areas in the second group are all coating areas 2, and the coating areas in the third group are all coating areas 3. There are blank areas between adjacent coating areas 1 and 2, between adjacent coating areas 2 and 3, and between adjacent coating areas 3 and 1. The lengths of coating areas 1, 2, and 3 are all equal.

[0047] In step S3 of this embodiment, three coating devices are sequentially and spaced apart along the tape path of the electrode 100. The three coating devices are a first coating device, a second coating device, and a third coating device. The first coating device corresponds to and coats the coating area 1 of the first group; the second coating device corresponds to and coats the coating area 2 of the second group; and the third coating device corresponds to and coats the coating area 3 of the third group. The structure of the coating devices is the same as in the previous embodiment and will not be repeated here.

[0048] In step S4 of this embodiment, the PLC controller is used to create the electronic cam curves of the drive mechanism of the first coating device, the drive mechanism of the second coating device, and the drive mechanism of the third coating device, and the parameters of the electronic cam curves of the drive mechanism of the first coating device, the second coating device, and the third coating device are calculated.

[0049] Specifically, step S4 includes the following steps:

[0050] S42. A rotatable measuring roller 30 is installed between the first coating device, the second coating device, and the third coating device. One end of the measuring roller 30 is equipped with an encoder, which is connected to the PLC control. Understandably, the number of measuring rollers 30 can also be, for example, two, and can be set according to the actual situation.

[0051] S43. In the PLC controller, the encoder of the metering roller 30 is used as the master position axis, and the drive mechanisms of the first coating device, the second coating device, and the third coating device are used as slave axes respectively. Cams are attached to the gravure rollers 14 of the first, second, and third coating devices, a cam table is established, and an electronic cam curve for the drive mechanism of each coating device is generated. This electronic cam curve is compared with... Figure 3 The electronic cam curve is the same. The position of the gravure roller 14 also includes position 1 and position 2, where position 1 refers to the position where the gravure roller 14 is separated from the electrode 100, and position 2 refers to the position where the gravure roller 14 contacts the electrode 100 for coating.

[0052] S44. Based on the belt speed of the electrode 100, the length of the coating area, and the length of the blank area, the PLC controller calculates the number of pulses when the gravure roller 14 of each coating device stops at position 1 and the number of pulses when it stops at position 2.

[0053] For example, the lengths of coating area 1, coating area 2, and coating area 3 are all set to L (in millimeters, for example), and the length of the blank area is set to d (in millimeters, for example). Figure 5 As shown. Let the radius of the measuring roller 30 be r (in millimeters, for example). When the electrode 100 moves the tape, it will drive the measuring roller 30 to rotate. Then, the distance the electrode 100 moves when the measuring roller 30 rotates once is the circumference of the measuring roller 30, which is 2πr. Let the number of pulses output by the encoder during the coating process be n. Since the encoder and the measuring roller 30 rotate synchronously, the number of pulses output by the encoder in one revolution is n / 2πr.

[0054] Taking the gravure roller 14 of the first coating device 10a as an example, the gravure roller 14 of the first coating device 10a is used to coat coating area 1. The lengths of coating area 1, coating area 2, and coating area 3 are all L. Therefore, the number of pulses that the gravure roller 14 stops at position 2 is Ln / 2πr. Since the distance between two adjacent coating areas 1 is the length of the blank area + the length of coating area 2 + the length of the blank area + the length of coating area 3 + the length of the blank area, that is, the distance between two adjacent coating areas 1 is d+L+d+L+d, the number of pulses that the gravure roller 14 stops at position 1 is (d+L+d+L+d)n / 2πr.

[0055] The number of pulses that the gravure roller 14 of the second coating device stops at position 1 and position 2 is the same as that of the gravure roller 14 of the first coating device, and the number of pulses that the gravure roller 14 of the third coating device stops at position 1 and position 2 is the same as that of the gravure roller 14 of the first coating device.

[0056] S45. Set the phase difference between the electronic cam curve of the drive mechanism of the first coating device and the main position axis to 0. The PLC controller calculates the phase difference between the electronic cam curve of the drive mechanism of the second coating device and the electronic cam curve of the drive mechanism of the first coating device, and the phase difference between the electronic cam curve of the drive mechanism of the third coating device and the electronic cam curve of the drive mechanism of the first coating device, based on the distance between the gravure roller 14 of the first coating device and the gravure roller 14 of the second coating device, the distance between the gravure roller 14 of the second coating device and the gravure roller 14 of the third coating device, the length of the coating area, and the length of the blank area.

[0057] For example, let D1 be the distance between the gravure roller 14 of the first coating device and the gravure roller 14 of the second coating device, and D2 be the distance between the gravure roller 14 of the second coating device and the gravure roller 14 of the third coating device. After the gravure roller 14 of the first coating device finishes coating the first coating area 1, if the gravure roller 14 of the second coating device is to coat the first coating area 2, the electrode 100 needs to travel a distance of D1+d+L. Only after the electrode 100 has traveled a distance of D1+d+L can the gravure roller 14 of the second coating device coat the first coating area 2. Thus, since the phase difference between the electronic cam curve of the drive mechanism of the first coating device and the main position axis is 0, the PLC controller can calculate, based on the distance D1, length L, and length d, that the phase difference between the electronic cam curve of the drive mechanism of the second coating device and the electronic cam curve of the drive mechanism of the first coating device is (D1+d+L)n / 2πr pulses. After the gravure roller 14 of the second coating device finishes coating the first coating area 2, if the gravure roller 14 of the third coating device is to coat the first coating area 3, the electrode 100 needs to travel a distance of D2+d+L. Only after the electrode 100 has traveled a distance of D2+d+L can the gravure roller 14 of the third coating device coat the first coating area 3. Thus, since the phase difference between the electronic cam curve of the drive mechanism of the first coating device and the main position axis is 0, the PLC controller can calculate the phase difference between the electronic cam curve of the drive mechanism of the second coating device and the electronic cam curve of the drive mechanism of the first coating device as (D1+d+L)n / 2πr pulses based on the distances D1 and D2, the length L, and the length d. The phase difference between the gravure roller 14 of the third coating device and the gravure roller 14 of the first coating device is also (D1+d+L+D2+d+L)n / 2πr pulses.

[0058] In step S5 of this embodiment, the electrode 100 is coated: the encoder of the metering roller 30 measures the belt travel distance of the electrode 100, and the PLC controller controls the drive mechanisms of the first coating device, the second coating device, and the third coating device to move alternately according to the calculated electronic cam curve parameters of the drive mechanisms of the first coating device, the second coating device, and the third coating device, as well as the belt travel distance of the electrode 100. Thus, the drive mechanisms of the first coating device, the second coating device, and the third coating device can alternately drive the corresponding gravure rollers 14 to make cam movements according to the corresponding electronic cam curves, so as to move closer to or away from the electrode 100. Thus, the gravure rollers 14 of the first coating device, the second coating device, and the third coating device can respectively achieve coating of a corresponding set of coating areas.

[0059] In step S5, the PLC controller controls the drive mechanisms of the first coating device, the second coating device, and the third coating device to operate alternately based on the calculated number of pulses when the gravure roller 14 of each coating device stops at position 1 and the number of pulses when it stops at position 2, the phase difference between the electronic cam curve of the drive mechanism of the second coating device and the electronic cam curve of the drive mechanism of the first coating device, the phase difference between the electronic cam curve of the drive mechanism of the third coating device and the electronic cam curve of the drive mechanism of the first coating device, and the belt travel distance of the electrode 100 measured by the encoder of the metering roller 30.

[0060] Specifically, for ease of description, the gravure roller 14 of the first coating device is named the first gravure roller 14, the gravure roller 14 of the second coating device is named the second gravure roller 14, and the gravure roller 14 of the third coating device is named the third gravure roller 14. For example, the PLC controller first controls the drive mechanism of the first coating device to operate. The drive mechanism of the first coating device drives the first gravure roller 14 to perform cam movement according to the corresponding electronic cam curve, so that the first gravure roller 14 is in position 2 to contact the electrode 100. When the distance of the electrode 100 is the length L of the first coating area 1, the number of pulses fed back to the PLC controller by the encoder is Ln / 2πr. The number of pulses fed back by the encoder is the same as the number of pulses when the first gravure roller 14 stays in position 2, which indicates that the first gravure roller 14 has completed coating the first coating area 1. Then, the PLC controller controls the drive mechanism of the first coating device to move. The drive mechanism of the first coating device drives the first gravure roller 14 to move like a cam according to the corresponding electronic cam curve, so that the first gravure roller 14 is in position 1 to separate from the electrode 100. When the distance of the electrode 100 is the length d of the first blank area + the length L of the first coating area 2 + the length d of the second blank area + the length L of the first coating area 3 + the length d of the third blank area, the number of pulses fed back to the PLC controller by the encoder is (d+L+d+L+d)n / 2πr. The number of pulses fed back by the encoder is the same as the number of pulses when the first gravure roller 14 stops at position 1, which indicates that the first gravure roller 14 has finished stopping. The PLC controller controls the drive mechanism of the first coating device to move again, so that the first gravure roller 14 moves like a cam again to contact the electrode 100 in the aforementioned manner, so that the first gravure roller 14 can be coated on the second coating area 1.

[0061] While the drive mechanism of the first coating device drives the first gravure roller 14 to start cam motion and position the first gravure roller 14 at position 1, the PLC controller controls the operation of the drive mechanism of the second coating device according to the phase difference ((D1+d+L)n / 2πr pulses) between the electronic cam curve of the drive mechanism of the second coating device and the electronic cam curve of the drive mechanism of the first coating device. The drive mechanism of the second coating device drives the second gravure roller 14 to perform cam motion according to the corresponding electronic cam curve, so that the second gravure roller 14 is in position 2 and contacts the electrode 100. When the distance of the electrode 100 is the length L of the first coating area 2, the number of pulses fed back to the PLC controller by the encoder is Ln / 2πr. The number of pulses fed back by the encoder is the same as the number of pulses when the second gravure roller 14 stays at position 2, which indicates that the second gravure roller 14 has completed coating the first coating area 2. Then, the PLC controller controls the drive mechanism of the second coating device to operate. The drive mechanism of the second coating device drives the second gravure roller 14 to perform cam movement according to the corresponding electronic cam curve, so that the second gravure roller 14 is in position 1 to separate from the electrode 100. When the distance of the electrode 100 is the length d of the second blank area + the length L of the first coating area 3 + the length d of the third blank area + the length L of the second coating area 1 + the length d of the fourth blank area, the number of pulses fed back to the PLC controller by the encoder is (d+L+d+L+d)n / 2πr. The number of pulses fed back by the encoder is the same as the number of pulses when the second gravure roller 14 stops at position 1, which indicates that the second gravure roller 14 has finished stopping. The PLC controller controls the drive mechanism of the second coating device to operate again, so that the second gravure roller 14 performs cam movement again to contact the electrode 100 in the aforementioned manner, so that the second coating area 2 can be coated by the second gravure roller 14.

[0062] While the drive mechanism of the second coating device drives the second gravure roller 14 to start cam motion and position the second gravure roller 14 at position 1, the PLC controller controls the operation of the drive mechanism of the third coating device according to the phase difference ((D1+d+L+D2+d+L)n / 2πr pulses) between the electronic cam curve of the drive mechanism of the third coating device and the electronic cam curve of the drive mechanism of the first coating device. The drive mechanism of the third coating device drives the third gravure roller 14 to perform cam motion according to the corresponding electronic cam curve, so that the third gravure roller 14 is in position 2 and contacts the electrode 100. When the distance of the electrode 100 is the length L of the first coating area 3, the number of pulses fed back to the PLC controller by the encoder is Ln / 2πr. The number of pulses fed back by the encoder is the same as the number of pulses when the third gravure roller 14 stays at position 2, which indicates that the third gravure roller 14 has completed coating the first coating area 3. Then, the PLC controller controls the drive mechanism of the third coating device to move. The drive mechanism of the third coating device drives the third gravure roller 14 to make cam movement according to the corresponding electronic cam curve, so that the third gravure roller 14 is in position 1 to separate from the electrode 100. When the distance of the electrode 100 is the length d of the third blank area + the length L of the second coating area 1 + the length d of the fourth blank area + the length L of the second coating area 2 + the length d of the fifth blank area, the number of pulses fed back to the PLC controller by the encoder is (d+L+d+L+d)n / 2πr. The number of pulses fed back by the encoder is the same as the number of pulses when the third gravure roller 14 stops at position 1, which indicates that the third gravure roller 14 has finished stopping. The PLC controller controls the drive mechanism of the third coating device to move again, so that the third gravure roller 14 makes cam movement again to contact the electrode 100 in the aforementioned manner, so that the second coating area 3 can be coated by the third gravure roller 14. This alternating control continues until all coating areas are coated, thus enabling coating of a corresponding set of coating areas to be achieved through the gravure rollers 14 of each coating device.

[0063] In this embodiment, the coating area of ​​the electrode 100 is divided into three groups, which are alternately arranged along the length of the electrode 100. Three coating devices are sequentially spaced along the conveyor path of the electrode 100, each corresponding to a group of coating areas. An electronic cam is used to control the alternating operation of the drive mechanisms of each coating device. Thus, the drive mechanisms of each coating device can alternately drive the corresponding gravure roller 14 to perform cam movements according to the corresponding electronic cam curve, so as to contact or separate from the electrode 100. Therefore, the gravure roller 14 of each coating device can coat the corresponding group of coating areas. Compared to the prior art, the gap length between two adjacent coating areas in each group is extended to the length of two coating areas plus the length of three blank areas. This ensures that the time it takes for the electrode 100 to pass through the gap is sufficient for the drive mechanism to drive the corresponding gravure roller 14 to perform one reciprocating movement, thereby achieving the same technical effect as the aforementioned embodiment.

[0064] In other embodiments, the coating area of ​​the electrode 100 can be divided into other numbers of groups, such as 4 groups, 5 groups, etc., N groups. For example, 4, 5, etc., N coating devices are sequentially and spaced apart along the conveyor path of the electrode 100. The number of pulses for each gravure roller 14 at position 2 is Ln / 2πr. The number of pulses for each gravure roller 14 at position 1 can be expressed by the formula (Nd+(N-1)L)n / 2πr. Therefore, the number of pulses in one control cycle of each gravure roller 14 can be expressed by the formula N(d+L)n / 2πr. Except for the first coating device, the phase difference between the electronic cam curve of the drive mechanism of each of the other coating devices and the electronic cam curve of the drive mechanism of the first coating device can be expressed by the formula... express.

[0065] Please refer to Figure 6 and Figure 7 The present invention also provides a gap coating device, which uses the above-described gap coating method to perform gap coating on the electrode 100, and includes two coating devices, a rotatable metering roller 30 and a controller.

[0066] The controller is a PLC controller. The measuring roller 30 is set between the two coating devices. Specifically, one end of the measuring roller 30 is equipped with an encoder, which is connected to the PLC controller.

[0067] The two coating devices are a first coating device 10a and a second coating device 10b. Both the first coating device 10a and the second coating device 10b include a machine base, a base 12 disposed on the top of the machine base, a drive mechanism disposed on the top of the base 12, a gravure roller 14, a gravure roller motor 15, a glue roller 17, and a material box 18.

[0068] The drive mechanism includes two linear motors 13 mounted on the top of the base 12. The two linear motors 13 are arranged opposite each other and are both connected to a PLC controller. The two ends of the gravure roller 14 are rotatably mounted on the tops of the two linear motors 13 via two gravure roller bearing seats 142. The two linear motors 13 drive the gravure roller 14 to reciprocate in a direction closer to or further away from the electrode 100. The linear motors 13 are characterized by high precision and strong performance. By using linear motors 13 to drive the movement of the gravure roller 14, the stability of the contact between the gravure roller 14 and the electrode 100 can be improved, and precise control of the gravure roller 14 can be achieved.

[0069] The gravure roller motor 15 is mounted on the top of the base 12 and connected to one end of the gravure roller 14 via a universal joint coupling 16. The gravure roller motor 15 is connected to the PLC controller and is used to drive the gravure roller 14 to rotate. The gravure roller motor 15 is connected to one end of the gravure roller 14 via the universal joint coupling 16, so that the gravure roller motor 15 does not move synchronously with the gravure roller 14.

[0070] The pressure roller 17 is used to support the electrode sheet 100. The two ends of the pressure roller 17 are rotatably mounted on the top of the machine table through two pressure roller bearing seats 172. The pressure roller 17 is arranged opposite to the gravure roller 14.

[0071] The material box 18 is located below the gravure roller 14 and between the two linear motors 13. Both ends of the material box 18 are connected to the two linear motors 13 respectively. The top of the material box 18 has a material groove, and part of the gravure roller 14 is located in the material groove. One end of the material box 18 is provided with a feed port that communicates with the material groove, and the coating slurry can enter the material groove through the feed port.

[0072] In practical applications, the electrode 100 passes between the pressure roller 17 and the gravure roller 14. The pressure roller 17 supports the electrode 100, and the two linear motors 13 drive the gravure roller 14 to reciprocate in the direction of approaching or moving away from the electrode 100. The material box 18 can move synchronously with the gravure roller 14. At the same time, the gravure roller 14 is driven to rotate by the gravure roller motor 15. When the gravure roller 14 contacts the electrode 100, the rotation of the gravure roller 14 can lift the slurry in the material trough and coat the slurry onto the corresponding coating area of ​​the electrode 100.

[0073] In other embodiments, the number of coating devices may be, for example, three, and the number of metering rollers 30 may also be other, depending on the actual situation.

[0074] The above is a detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described. Those skilled in the art can make various equivalent modifications or substitutions without departing from the spirit of the present invention. All such equivalent modifications or substitutions are included within the scope defined by the claims of this application.

Claims

1. A gap coating method, characterized in that, Includes the following steps: S2. Divide the coating area of ​​the electrode into at least two groups, and the coating areas of the at least two groups are alternately arranged along the length of the electrode, with a blank area between two adjacent coating areas. S3. At least two coating devices are arranged sequentially at intervals on the conveyor path of the electrode sheet. Each coating device corresponds to a set of coating areas. Each coating device includes a drive mechanism and a gravure roller. S4. Create the electronic cam curves of the drive mechanisms of each coating unit, and calculate the parameters of the electronic cam curves of the drive mechanisms of each coating unit. S5. Coating the electrode: Measure the travel distance of the electrode, and control the drive mechanism of each coating device to alternately operate according to the calculated electronic cam curve parameters of the drive mechanism of each coating device and the travel distance of the electrode. Thus, the drive mechanism of each coating device can alternately drive the corresponding gravure roller to make cam movement according to the corresponding electronic cam curve, so as to contact or separate from the electrode. Thus, the gravure roller of each coating device can respectively achieve coating of the corresponding group of coating areas. Step S4 includes the following steps: S42. At least one rotatable measuring roller is provided between at least two coating devices, and an encoder is provided at one end of the measuring roller; S43. Use the encoder of the meter counting roller as the master position axis, the drive mechanism of each coating device as the slave axis, hang the cam on the gravure roller of each coating device, establish a cam table, and generate the electronic cam curve of the drive mechanism of each coating device. S44. Based on the length of the coating area and the length of the blank area, calculate the number of pulses when the gravure roller of each coating device stays at position 1 and the number of pulses when it stays at position 2, where position 1 refers to the position where the gravure roller is separated from the electrode, and position 2 refers to the position where the gravure roller contacts the electrode for coating. S45. Set the phase difference between the electronic cam curve of the drive mechanism of the first coating device and the main position axis to 0. Based on the distance between the gravure rollers of two adjacent coating devices, the length of the coating area, and the length of the blank area, calculate the phase difference between the electronic cam curve of the drive mechanism of the other coating devices (excluding the first coating device) and the electronic cam curve of the drive mechanism of the first coating device.

2. The gap coating method according to claim 1, characterized in that, In step S5, the tape travel distance of the electrode sheet is measured by the encoder of the metering roller.

3. The gap coating method according to claim 2, characterized in that, In step S5, the drive mechanisms of each coating device are controlled to alternately operate based on the calculated number of pulses the gravure roller of each coating device stops at position 1 and the number of pulses it stops at position 2, the phase difference between the electronic cam curves of the drive mechanisms of the other coating devices (excluding the first coating device) and the electronic cam curve of the drive mechanism of the first coating device, and the belt travel distance of the electrode sheet measured by the encoder of the metering roller.

4. The gap coating method according to claim 1, characterized in that, In step S2, the coating area of ​​the electrode is divided into two groups, and the coating areas of the two groups are alternately arranged along the length of the electrode; in step S3, two coating devices are arranged at intervals along the electrode conveyor path.

5. The gap coating method according to claim 1, characterized in that, In step S2, the coating area of ​​the electrode is divided into three groups, and the coating areas of the three groups are alternately arranged along the length of the electrode; in step S3, three coating devices are arranged at intervals along the conveyor belt path of the electrode.

6. A gap coating apparatus, comprising gap coating an electrode sheet using the gap coating method as described in any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that, The device includes at least two coating units, at least one rotatable measuring roller, and a controller. The measuring roller is disposed between the two coating units. One end of the measuring roller is equipped with an encoder, which is connected to the controller. The coating unit includes a machine base, a base disposed on the top of the machine base, a drive mechanism, and a gravure roller. The drive mechanism includes two linear motors disposed on the top of the base, which are arranged opposite to each other. The two ends of the gravure roller are rotatably disposed on the tops of the two linear motors through two gravure roller bearing seats. Both linear motors are connected to the controller and are used to drive the gravure roller to reciprocate in a direction closer to or away from the electrode.

7. The gap coating equipment according to claim 6, characterized in that, The coating apparatus also includes a gravure roller motor, which is located at the top of the base and connected to one end of the gravure roller via a universal joint coupling. The gravure roller motor is connected to the controller and is used to drive the gravure roller to rotate.

8. The gap coating equipment according to claim 6, characterized in that, The coating apparatus also includes a glue roller for supporting the electrode sheet. The two ends of the glue roller are rotatably mounted on the top of the machine base through two glue roller bearing seats, and the glue roller is arranged opposite to the gravure roller.

9. The gap coating equipment according to claim 6, characterized in that, The coating apparatus also includes a material box located below the gravure roller. The material box is located between the two linear motors, and both ends of the material box are connected to the two linear motors respectively. The top of the material box has a material groove, and the gravure roller is partially located in the material groove. One end of the material box is provided with a feed port communicating with the material groove.

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