Coating unit

Abstract

To provide a coating unit capable of suppressing a difference in elongation of a film depending on the region of an adherend.SOLUTION: A coating unit includes supporting means that supports a film on an adherend, so that an adherend is coated with the film supported by the supporting means. The supporting means includes first supporting means and second supporting means disposed separately from each other in a first direction, on both sides of the adherend. The first supporting means includes a first lower member and a first upper member that vertically hold a first end of the film in a first direction. The second supporting means includes a second lower member and a second upper member that vertically hold a second end on an opposite side of the first end of the film. Each of the first lower member and the second lower member extends in a second direction intersecting the first direction, while curving in the vertical direction, having a supporting face to support the film from a lower side.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a coating apparatus. [Background technology]

[0002] There are known forming methods for covering a film onto an adherend having a three-dimensional shape. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a method for covering an automobile or the like with a film in a flat, stretched state. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-62625 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] When a film is stretched out flat and applied to an adherend having a three-dimensional shape, the distance between the adherend and the film varies depending on the part of the adherend, causing the film to stretch by a different amount, which can lead to wrinkles.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to suppress the difference in the amount of elongation of a film depending on the location of an adherend. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] According to the present invention, A coating apparatus comprising a supporting means for supporting a film on an adherend, and for coating the adherend with the film supported by the supporting means, The support means is The adhesive tape includes a first support means and a second support means arranged to be spaced apart in a first direction so as to be located on both sides of the adhesive tape, the first support means includes a first lower member and a first upper member that vertically sandwich a first end portion of the film in the first direction; the second support means includes a second lower member and a second upper member that vertically sandwich a second end portion of the film opposite to the first end portion in the first direction, The first lower member and the second lower member each extend in a second direction intersecting the first direction while being curved in the up-down direction, and each have a support surface that supports the film from below. A coating apparatus is provided. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to suppress the amount of elongation of the film from differing depending on the location of the adherend. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] Schematic of a deposition system. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is an external view of a deposition apparatus constituting the deposition system of FIG. 1. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the deposition system of FIG. 1. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the deposition system of FIG. 1. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the deposition system of FIG. 1. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the deposition system of FIG. 1. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the deposition system of FIG. 1. [Figure 8] 2A and 2B are diagrams illustrating the operation of the deposition system of FIG. 1. [Figure 9] 2A and 2B are diagrams illustrating the operation of the deposition system of FIG. 1. [Figure 10] 2A and 2B are diagrams illustrating the operation of the deposition system of FIG. 1. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the deposition system of FIG. 1. [Figure 12] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing another example of the configuration of the upper member and the lower member. [Figure 13] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a film transport mechanism. [Figure 14]FIG. 2 is an external view of a deposition device showing an example of a film transport mechanism. [Figure 15] FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the example in FIG. 13 . [Figure 16] FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the example in FIG. 13 . [Figure 17] FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the example in FIG. 13 . [Figure 18] FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the example in FIG. 13 . [Figure 19] FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the example in FIG. 13 . [Figure 20] FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the example in FIG. 13 . [Figure 21] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing another example of a film transport mechanism. [Figure 22] FIG. 11 is an external view of a deposition apparatus showing another example of a film transport mechanism. [Figure 23] 1A and 1B are explanatory diagrams of examples of the configuration of a roller train and an O-ring. [Figure 24] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing yet another example of a film transport mechanism. [Diagram 25] FIG. 13 is an external view of a deposition apparatus showing yet another example of a film transport mechanism. [Figure 26] FIG. 25 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the example in FIG. 24 . [Figure 27] FIG. 25 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the example in FIG. 24 . [Figure 28] FIG. 25 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the example in FIG. 24 . [Figure 29] FIG. 25 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the example in FIG. 24 . [Diagram 30] FIG. 25 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the example in FIG. 24 . DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, the embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the invention according to the claims, and not all combinations of features described in the embodiments are essential to the invention. Two or more features among the multiple features described in the embodiments may be arbitrarily combined. In addition, the same reference numbers are used for the same or similar configurations, and duplicated descriptions are omitted.

[0010] First Embodiment <Overview of the Covering System> Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of a coating system 1 equipped with a coating device 4 according to one embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 2 is an external view of the coating device 4. In each figure, arrows X and Y indicate horizontal directions that intersect with each other, and in this embodiment, these directions are perpendicular to each other. Arrow Z indicates the up-down direction. Fig. 2 is an external view of the coating device 4 as viewed in the Y direction, and the coating device 4 in Fig. 1 corresponds to a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in Fig. 2.

[0011] The coating system 1 is a decoration system that coats an adherend with a film to decorate the adherend, and includes a film supplying device 2, a conveying device 3, and a coating device 4. The film supplying device 2 is a device that supplies a film F to the coating device 4. The film F is, for example, a film using a material having extensibility, specifically a thermoplastic resin, and has, for example, a multilayer structure having a decorative layer on the surface thereof that is provided with a color / pattern for decorating the adherend, and an adhesive layer on the bottom layer.

[0012] In this embodiment, the film F has the form of a band-like sheet and is wound in a roll around a shaft 20 supported so as to be rotatable about the X axis. The front and back sides of the film F are covered with protective sheets, and when the film F is supplied to the covering device 4, the protective sheets on the front and back sides are peeled off by winding rollers 21 and 22. The film supplying device 2 also includes a pair of guide rollers 23 that feed the film F horizontally in the Y direction, and a cutter 24 that cuts the film F.

[0013] The transport device 3 transports the adherend into and out of the coating device 4. In this embodiment, the transport device 3 is a roller conveyor equipped with a plurality of rollers 3a, and transports the adherend in the Y direction. The transport device 3 may be various conveyors other than a roller conveyor, such as a belt conveyor, or may be an articulated robot.

[0014] The coating device 4 is a device that adheres the film F to the adherend and coats the adherend with the film F. As an example, the coating device 4 in this embodiment is a vacuum forming type coating device that utilizes an air pressure difference to improve the adhesion of the film F to the adherend F.

[0015] The covering device 4 is mounted on a base 6 and includes a chamber 5 that forms an airtight internal space. The chamber 5 includes a lower space forming member 50 and an upper space restricting member 51, and has a box shape divided into two parts, upper and lower. The lower space forming member 50 has a rectangular box shape with an open top, a bottom wall 50a, walls 55 and 56 at both ends in the Y direction, and walls 53R and 53L on the left and right (both ends in the X direction). The upper space forming member 51 has a rectangular box shape with an open bottom, a top wall 51a, walls 57 and 58 at both ends in the Y direction, and walls 54R and 54L on the left and right (both ends in the X direction).

[0016] The covering device 4 includes a lifting device 12 having an arm portion 12a that moves up and down in the Z direction, and the upper space forming member 51 is connected to the arm portion 12a. The lifting device 12 includes a lifting mechanism that lifts and lowers the arm portion 12a using, for example, a motor as a drive source, and the lifting mechanism is, for example, a ball screw mechanism. The lifting device 12 lifts and lowers the upper space forming member 51 relative to the lower space forming member 50. When the upper space forming member 51 descends, the upper space forming member 51 and the lower space forming member 50 are combined vertically, and the chamber 5 forms an airtight internal space (closed state). When the upper space forming member 51 ascends, the internal space of the chamber 5 is opened (open state). Both Figs. 1 and 2 show the state (open state) of the covering device 4 when the upper space forming member 51 ascends.

[0017] The coating device 4 includes a heating unit 8 that heats the film F in the internal space of the chamber 5. The heating unit 8 is, for example, a heating element that generates heat when supplied with electricity. The heat from the heating unit 8 softens the film F, thereby improving the adhesion of the film F to the adherend. In this embodiment, the heating unit 8 is disposed inside the upper space forming member 51.

[0018] The coating apparatus 4 includes a lifting device 7 which lifts and lowers the adherend in the internal space of the chamber 5. The lifting device 7 includes a table 70 on which the adherend is placed, and a plurality of actuators 71. The table 70 has a transport function of transporting the adherend in the Y direction by rotation of rollers 70a, and is disposed inside the lower space forming member 50. The actuators 71 are fluid cylinders or electric cylinders, the main body of which is built into the base portion 6, and the rod portion of which passes through the bottom wall 50a of the lower space forming member 50 and is connected to the table 70. Both Figs. 1 and 2 show the state of the coating apparatus 4 when the table 70 is lowered.

[0019] The coating device 4 includes an air pressure adjusting device 9 that adjusts the air pressure in the internal space of the chamber 5. The air pressure adjusting device 9 includes a pipe 90 that communicates with the inside of the lower space forming member 50, a pipe 91 that communicates with the inside of the upper space forming member 51, a decompression unit 92, and valves 93 and 94. In this embodiment, the decompression unit 92 includes a pump 92a and a decompression tank 92b, and the decompression tank 92b is constantly decompressed by the pump 92a. The decompression unit 92 may be composed of only the pump 92a. By providing the decompression tank 92b, the chamber 5 can be decompressed in a relatively short time by the decompression tank 92b using the pump 92a with a relatively low output. The pipe 90 communicates with the decompression tank 92b, and the pipe 91 communicates with the decompression tank 92b via the valve 93, the pipe 96, and the valve 94.

[0020] The valve 93 switches the communication state between the pipe 96 and the reduced pressure tank 92b. The valve 94 switches the communication state between the pipe 91 and the pipes 95 and 96. The pipe 95 is open to the atmosphere. The valve 94 can be switched between a state in which the pipe 91 is connected only to the pipe 95 and a state in which the pipe 91 is connected only to the pipe 96.

[0021] The chamber 5 constitutes a support structure 52 that supports the film F on the adherend. The support structure 52 includes a right support structure 52R and a left support structure 52L that are spaced apart in the X direction. The right support structure 52R includes a lower member formed by a wall portion 53R and an upper member formed by a wall portion 54R, and the wall portion 53R may be referred to as the lower member 53R and the wall portion 54R may be referred to as the upper member 54R. The left support structure 52L includes a lower member formed by a wall portion 53L and an upper member formed by a wall portion 54L, and the wall portion 53L may be referred to as the lower member 53L and the wall portion 54L may be referred to as the upper member 54L.

[0022] The right support structure 52R and the left support structure 52L form a clamp structure that sandwiches the film F from above and below. The lower member 53R of the right support structure 52R has a support surface 53a that supports the film F from below. The support surface 53a is not horizontal, but extends in the Y direction while curving in the Z direction. In this embodiment, the support surface 53a has an inverted U shape. The curved profile of the support surface 53a is designed along the contour of the adherend. The upper member 54R of the right support structure 52R has an abutment surface 54a that abuts against the film F from above. The abutment surface 54a extends in the Y direction while curving in the Z direction along the support surface 53a. In this embodiment, the abutment surface 54a has a U shape corresponding to the support surface 53a. The support surface 53a and the abutment surface 54a are formed so as to fit together to sandwich the film F when the upper space forming member 51 descends, thereby maintaining airtightness in the chamber 5. In this embodiment, the lower member 53L and the upper member 54L of the left support structure 52L have the same configuration as the lower member 53R and the upper member 54R.

[0023] The walls 55 and 56 of the lower space forming member 50 and the walls 57 and 58 of the upper space forming member 51 also form a clamp structure that sandwiches the film F from above and below. The upper surfaces of the walls 55 and 56 each have a support surface 53b that supports the film F from below, and the lower surfaces of the walls 57 and 58 each have an abutment surface 54b that abuts against the film F from below. In this embodiment, the support surface 53b and the abutment surface 54b are both horizontal surfaces. The support surface 53b and the corresponding abutment surface 54b are formed to fit snugly together to sandwich the film F when the upper space forming member 51 descends, thereby maintaining airtightness within the chamber 5.

[0024] The control device 10 is an electronic circuit that controls the entire coating system 1. The control device 10 includes, for example, a processing unit, a memory unit, an input / output interface (I / O), a display unit, and an input unit. The processing unit is a processor such as a CPU, and controls the coating system 1 by executing a program stored in the memory unit. The memory unit is a storage device such as a ROM, RAM, or HDD, and stores various control information in addition to the program executed by the processing unit. The input / output interface is an interface that transmits and receives signals between the processing unit and external devices (actuators such as motors and sensors). The display unit is a display that displays information to the user. The input unit is a key switch that allows the user to input instructions. The display unit and the input unit may be configured as a touch panel.

[0025] <Example of operation> An operation example of the coating system 1 will be described with reference to Figures 3 to 11. In the case of this embodiment, the operation of the coating system 1 is basically automated by the control device 10, and some steps are performed manually by an operator.

[0026] 3 and 4 show the process of carrying the adherend W into the coating device 4. The adherend W is attached to a jig and placed on the conveying device 3 with the surface to be coated facing upward. In the illustrated example, the adherend W is assumed to be the front bumper of an automobile. The front bumper is carried into the coating device 4 with the vehicle width direction (left-right direction) when assembled to the vehicle being the Y direction, and the vehicle front-rear direction being the Z direction. As shown in FIG. 3, the contour of the adherend W has an inverted U-shape, and the support surface 53a and the contact surface 54a are curved in the up-down direction along the contour of the adherend W.

[0027] 3, the chamber 5 is in an open state, and the table 70 is raised to a position parallel to the conveying surface of the conveying device 3. When the rollers 3a of the conveying device 3 and the rollers 70a of the table 70 are driven, the adherend W is transferred from the conveying device 3 onto the table 70, as shown in FIG.

[0028] Next, the table 70 is lowered to temporarily accommodate the adherend W in the lower space forming member 50. The adherend W is positioned between the lower members 53R and 53L in the X direction. The film F is transported from the film supplying device 2 onto the adherend W. FIG. 5 shows an example of this. In the illustrated example, an operator manually pulls out the film F from the film supplying device 2 in the Y direction and transports it onto the adherend W.

[0029] When the film F is conveyed onto the adherend W, the process proceeds to a step of setting the film F on the support surface 53a. FIG. 6 shows an example of this. In the illustrated example, an operator manually places the film F on the left and right support surfaces 53a. At this time, the film F is pulled in the X direction so as not to wrinkle the film F, and the film F is attached to the support surface 53a using the adhesive layer of the film F. One end FR of the film F in the X direction is attached to the support surface 53a of the lower member 53R with a part of it protruding outward, and the opposite end FL is attached to the support surface 53a of the lower member 53L with a part of it protruding outward. In addition, one end of the film F in the Y direction is attached to the support surface 53b of the wall portion 56, and the other end is attached to the support surface 53b of the wall portion 55. As shown in FIG. 7, the film F is cut by the cutter 24, and the top part of the lower space forming member 50 is blocked.

[0030] Next, as shown in FIG. 8(A) and FIG. 8(B), the lifting device 12 is driven to lower the upper space forming member 51, and the chamber 5 is closed. The ends FR and FL of the film F in the X direction are sandwiched between the left and right support surfaces 53a and the abutment surface 54a. The end of the film F in the Y direction is also sandwiched between the support surface 53b and the abutment surface 54b. The film F also functions as a seal between the lower space forming member 50 and the upper space forming member 51, and the inside of the chamber 5 becomes an airtight space. The internal space of the chamber 5 is divided into an upper space defined by the upper space forming member 51 and the film F, and a lower space defined by the lower space forming member 50 and the film F, with the film F as a boundary. The adherend W is located in the lower space, and the film F is disposed on the adherend W.

[0031] After the chamber 5 is closed, the internal space of the chamber 5 is depressurized by the air pressure regulator 9. Here, the valve 94 is switched to a state in which the pipe 91 communicates with the pipe 96, and then the valve 93 is switched to a state in which the pipe 96 communicates with the decompression tank 92b. The air in the internal space of the chamber 5 is exhausted through the pipes 90 and 91, and both the upper and lower spaces are depressurized. In addition, after the chamber 5 is closed, the heating unit 8 is made to generate heat to heat the film F. The film F softens and becomes easily stretchable.

[0032] Next, the table 70 is raised as shown in Figures 9(A) and 10(A). Figure 10(A) is a cross-sectional view of line BB in Figure 9(A). The adherend W pushes up the film F, stretching the film F. The film F is supported in advance by the support surface 53a in an inverted U-shape when viewed in the X direction, and is pushed up by the adherend W in a state close to the contour shape of the adherend W. Compared to the case where the film F is pushed up on the adherend W in a state where it is stretched out flat, in this embodiment, the amount of stretch of the film F is suppressed to vary depending on the part of the adherend W, and the film F stretches uniformly overall.

[0033] Next, the valve 94 is switched to a state in which the pipe 91 and the pipe 95 communicate with each other. In the internal space of the chamber 5, the upper space above the film F is opened to the atmosphere through the pipe 91, and a pressure difference occurs between the upper space and the lower space. As shown in FIG. 9(B) and FIG. 10(B), the film F is sucked toward the lower space due to the pressure difference. FIG. 10(B) is a cross-sectional view of line CC in FIG. 9(B). The degree of adhesion of the film F to the adherend W increases, and the film F stretches to fit the fine irregularities of the adherend W tightly. The adherend W is covered by the film F. As already mentioned, in this embodiment, the amount of stretch of the film F is suppressed from differing depending on the part of the adherend W, and therefore, even during this adhesion, the amount of stretch of the film F is suppressed from being uneven depending on the part.

[0034] In addition, the device may further include a configuration for pressurizing the upper space above the film F, and by pressurizing the upper space, the air pressure difference between the upper space and the lower space when the adherend W is covered by the film F may be increased.

[0035] Next, the process proceeds to the step of carrying out the adherend W covered with the film F. The valve 93 is shut off, the pipe 90 is connected to the pipe 95, and the lower space of the chamber 5 is also opened to the atmosphere. As shown in FIG. 11, the lifting device 12 is driven to raise the upper space forming member 51 to open the chamber 5. After adjusting the height of the table 70 so that it is aligned with the conveying device 3, the rollers 70a and 3a are driven to carry out the adherend W from the covering device 4 to the conveying device 3. This completes the covering operation. Thereafter, if necessary, the excess portion of the film F covering the adherend W is trimmed.

[0036] In this manner, in this embodiment, by forming the support surface 53a in a curved shape, it is possible to suppress the amount of stretch of the film F from differing depending on the location of the adherend W. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of wrinkles.

[0037] Second Embodiment The support surface 53a may have a structure that allows the profile of the support surface 53a to be changed depending on the type of the adherend. Fig. 12 shows an example of such a structure, showing a configuration example of the lower member 53R and the upper member 54R. Here, the lower member 53R and the upper member 54R will be described, but the same applies to the lower member 53L and the upper member 54L.

[0038] In the example of FIG. 12, the lower member 53R includes a main body 531R and a replacement part 532R. The main body 531R is integrally formed with the lower space forming part 50, and the replacement part 532R has a structure that is detachable from the main body 531R. As an example, the structure of FIG. 12 is a structure in which a plurality of pins 53c provided in the replacement part 532R are fitted into a plurality of holes 53d provided in the main body 531R. Note that the pins 53c may be provided in the main body 531R, and the holes 53d may be provided in the replacement part 532R, and such an engagement structure may be a structure other than the pin and hole structure (such as a fastening structure using bolts). A seal material for improving the airtightness of the internal space of the chamber 5 may be provided between the replacement part 532R and the main body 531R.

[0039] The replacement part 532R has a support surface 53a formed thereon. The replacement part 532R' can be used in place of the replacement part 532R. The replacement part 532R' has a support surface 53a' having a different curved profile from the support surface 53a, and the remaining parts are configured in the same manner as the replacement part 532R. Depending on the type (shape) of the adherend, the replacement part 532R or the replacement part 532R' can be selectively used while sharing the main body part 531R, and it is possible to easily obtain a support surface 53a suited to the contour of the adherend.

[0040] Similarly, the upper member 54R includes a main body 541R and a replacement part 542R. The main body 541R is integrally formed with the upper space forming part 51, and the replacement part 542R has a structure that is detachable from the main body 541R. As an example, the structure of FIG. 12 is a structure in which a plurality of screw holes 53c are formed in the replacement part 542R, a through hole 54d is formed in the main body 541R, and a bolt 54e passes through the through hole 54d and screws into the screw hole 53c. Note that the example of FIG. 12 is a structure in which the main body 541R and the replacement part 542R are fastened in the Z direction using the bolt 54e, but a structure in which the fastening direction is the Y direction may also be used. In addition, such an engagement structure may have another structure. A seal material that improves the airtightness of the internal space of the chamber 5 may be provided between the replacement part 542R and the main body 541R.

[0041] The replacement part 542R has an abutment surface 54a formed thereon. The replacement part 542R' can be used in place of the replacement part 542R. The replacement part 542R' has a support surface 54a' with a different curved profile from the abutment surface 54a formed thereon, and the remaining configuration is the same as that of the replacement part 542R. The profile of the abutment surface 54a of the replacement part 542R' corresponds to the support surface 53a of the replacement part 532R', and the replacement part 532R' and the replacement part 542R' are replaced as a set with the replacement part 532R and the replacement part 542R. Depending on the type (shape) of the adherend, the set of the replacement part 532R and the replacement part 542R or the set of the replacement part 532R' and the replacement part 542R' can be selectively used while sharing the main body parts 531R and 541R, and it becomes possible to easily obtain the support surface 53a and the abutment surface 54a suitable for the contour of the adherend.

[0042] <Third embodiment> In the first embodiment, an operator manually pulls out the film F from the film supplying device 2, transports the film F onto the adherend W, and sets it on the support surface 53a (FIGS. 5 and 6), but this work can also be automated. As a result, the operations described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 11 can all be automated by the control device 10.

[0043] (Configuration example 1) Fig. 13 is a schematic diagram of the coating system 1 of this embodiment, and Fig. 14 is a diagram of the coating system 1 as viewed in the Y direction (the film supply device 2 and the conveying device 3 are not shown). A configuration different from that of the coating system 1 of the first embodiment will be described. The coating system 1 of this embodiment includes a conveying device 25 for the film F and a pressing device 13.

[0044] The conveying device 25 includes a pair of rail members 253 arranged on both sides of the covering device 4 in the X direction. Each rail member 253 extends in the Y direction. A slider 252 is engaged with each rail member 253. The slider 252 reciprocates in the Y direction guided by the rail member 253. Examples of a movement mechanism for the slider 252 include a linear motor and a ball screw mechanism using a motor as a drive source. A gripping unit 250 is provided on each slider 252 via a support member 251 extending in the vertical direction. The gripping unit 250 has a pair of gripping members 250a that releasably grip an end of the film F, and the pair of gripping members 250a are opened and closed by an actuator (not shown) such as a motor.

[0045] The pressing device 13 includes a pair of rail members 133 arranged on both sides of the covering device 4 in the X direction. Each rail member 133 extends in the Y direction. A slider 132 is engaged with each rail member 133. The slider 132 reciprocates in the Y direction guided by the rail member 133. Examples of a moving mechanism for the slider 132 include a linear motor and a ball screw mechanism using a motor as a driving source. Each slider 132 has an elevating mechanism for raising and lowering the support shaft 131. The elevating mechanism is, for example, a rack and pinion mechanism using a motor as a driving source. The support shaft 131 extends in the Z direction, and a pressing roller 130 is supported at its lower end. The pressing roller 130 is supported by the support shaft 131 so as to be rotatable around the X axis.

[0046] A curved frame 134 is provided on the outer side in the X direction of each of the lower members 53R and 53L. The curved frame 134 extends in the Y direction while curving in the Z direction along the support surface 53a. The upper surface of the curved frame 134 is located slightly lower than the support surface 53a. The curved frame 134 and the pressing roller 130 face each other in the Z direction, and are separated from each other in the preparation state. In the pressing stage, the pressing roller 130 is lowered onto the curved frame 134 by lowering the support shaft 131. At that time, the upper surface of the curved frame 134 functions as a rolling guide surface for the pressing roller 130 and also functions as a reaction force receiving surface that receives the pressing reaction force.

[0047] 15 to 20 are diagrams illustrating the operation of the transport device 25 and the pressing device 13, and correspond to the steps of FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 in the first embodiment.

[0048] 15 and 16 show the process of transporting the film F onto the adherend W. When each slider 252 is moved in the Y direction with each gripping unit 250 gripping an end of the film F, the film F is pulled out horizontally from the film supply device 2.

[0049] Next, the process proceeds to a step of pressing the film F against the support surface 53a by the pressing device 13. Please refer to Figures 17 and 18. Figure 18 corresponds to the cross-sectional view of line DD in Figure 17. Each support shaft 131 is lowered, and each pressing roller 130 is lowered onto the curved frame 134. The ends FR, FL of the film F are each sandwiched between the corresponding pressing roller 130 and the curved frame 134. The film F is pressed against the support surface 53a at the center of the support surface 53a in the Y direction. Thereafter, the gripping unit 250 releases the gripping of the film F.

[0050] Next, as shown in FIG. 19, the support shaft 131 is lowered to lower the pressure roller 130, while the slider 132 is moved in the Y direction, so that the pressure roller 130 rolls on the curved frame 134 with the film F sandwiched therebetween. As a result, the film F is pressed against the support surfaces 53a and 53b from the center of the support surface 53a in the Y direction to the support surface 53b of the wall portion 56. Next, the pressure roller 130 is returned to the position shown in FIG. 17, and the film F is cut by the cutter 24. Then, as shown in FIG. 20, the support shaft 131 is lowered to lower the pressure roller 130, while the slider 132 is moved in the Y direction, so that the pressure roller 130 rolls on the curved frame 134 with the film F sandwiched therebetween. As a result, the film F is pressed against the support surfaces 53a and 53b from the center of the support surface 53a in the Y direction to the support surface 53b of the wall portion 55.

[0051] 7 in the first embodiment, the film F is attached to the support surfaces 53a and 53b, and covers the top of the lower space forming member 50. The subsequent work steps are the same as those in the first embodiment.

[0052] (Configuration example 2) 21 and 22 show another example of the configuration for conveying the film F onto the adherend W. Note that the adherend W is omitted from these figures, and in Fig. 21, only the outline of the lower member 53R of the lower space forming member 51 is shown by a dashed line.

[0053] In the first configuration example, a two-step process is carried out: film F is pulled out horizontally, and then pressed by pressure roller 130. However, in this configuration example, film F is transported along support surface 53a.

[0054] The conveying device 14 includes a lower roller row 140, an upper roller row 141, and a drive unit 143, which are arranged on both sides of the coating device 4 in the X direction. The lower roller row 140 includes a plurality of rollers R1 arranged along the support surface 53a, and the upper roller row 141 includes a plurality of rollers R2 arranged along the support surface 53a.

[0055] The drive unit 143 rotatably supports the rollers R1 and R2, and includes motors 140a and 141a as drive sources. The motor 140a rotates one of the rollers R1 as a drive roller, and the other rollers R1 are driven to rotate by the drive force transmitted through an O-ring O1. Similarly, the motor 141a rotates one of the rollers R2 as a drive roller, and the other rollers R2 are driven to rotate by the drive force transmitted through an O-ring O2. Note that the O-rings O1 and O2 are not shown in FIG. 21.

[0056] 23(A) is a plan view of one of the lower roller rows 140, showing the arrangement of the O-rings O1. The other lower roller row 140 has a similar configuration. One O-ring O1 is wound between two adjacent rollers R1. Of the rollers R1 in the lower roller row 140, two O-rings O1 are wound around each roller R1 except for the two rollers R1 located at both ends in the Y direction.

[0057] 23(B) is a plan view of one of the upper roller rows 141, showing the arrangement of the O-rings O2. The other upper roller row 141 has a similar configuration. One O-ring O2 is wound between two adjacent rollers R2. Of the rollers R2 in the upper roller row 141, two O-rings O2 are wound around each roller R2 except for the two rollers R2 located at both ends in the Y direction.

[0058] The film F sent out from the film supply device 2 is transported in the Y direction with its X direction end portions (FR, FL) sandwiched between the lower roller row 140 and the upper roller row 141. More specifically, the film F is transported in the Y direction with its X direction end portion sandwiched between the O-ring O1 of the lower roller row 140 and the O-ring O2 of the upper roller row 141.

[0059] The conveying path between the lower roller row 140 and the upper roller row 141 is designed to be slightly higher than the support surface 53a while following the support surface 53a. In the case of this configuration example, after the film F is conveyed onto the adherend W, as illustrated in Figures 8(A) and 8(B) of the first embodiment, the chamber 5 is closed so that the film F is supported on the support surface 53a, and the shape of the film F becomes the shape illustrated in Figures 8(A) and 8(B). The subsequent work steps are the same as those of the first embodiment.

[0060] In this configuration example, the film F is transported by being sandwiched between O-rings O1 and O-rings O2, but it is also possible to adopt a configuration in which the film F is transported directly by rollers R1 and R2 without using O-rings O1 and O2.

[0061] (Configuration example 3) 24 and 25 show yet another configuration example in which the film F is transported onto the adherend W. In configuration example 1, a two-step process is carried out: the film F is pulled out horizontally, and then pressed by the pressure roller 130. In this configuration example, the film F is transported along the support surface 53a, as in configuration example 2. Note that the adherend W is not shown in these figures, and in Fig. 24, only the outline of the lower member 53R of the lower space forming member 51 is shown by a dashed line.

[0062] The conveying device 15 includes rail members 150 arranged on both sides of the coating device 4 in the X direction. The rail members 150 are configured to form an endless guide track (circulating track), and a part (upper part) of the guide track has a curved profile along the support surface 53a.

[0063] A plurality of gripping units 151 engage with each rail member 150. In the present embodiment, five gripping units 151 engage with one rail member 150. When distinguishing between the five gripping units 151, they are referred to as gripping units 151A to 151E. Each gripping unit 151 has a pair of gripping members 151a that releasably grip an end of the film F. The pair of gripping members 250a are rotated around the Y axis by an actuator such as a motor (not shown) as shown by the arrow in FIG. 25 to open and close. FIGS. 24 and 25 show the pair of gripping members 151a in an open state (gripping released state).

[0064] The gripping units 151 are cyclically moved along the rail member 150 by a drive unit 152. The drive unit 152 is, for example, a chain mechanism using a motor as a drive source, and each gripping unit 151 is attached to an endless chain. In the case of this embodiment, each gripping unit 151 cyclically moves counterclockwise as viewed in FIG.

[0065] 26 to 30 are explanatory diagrams of the operation of the conveying device 15. The drive units 152 arranged on both sides of the covering device 4 operate synchronously. FIGS. 26 and 27 show a state in which the leading gripping unit 151A grips the film F. After the gripping unit 151A moves to a position to grip the film F, the pair of gripping members 151a are rotated to a closed state (gripping state) to grip the film F. One of the left and right gripping units 151A grips the end FR of the film F, and the other grips the end FL.

[0066] Each gripping unit 151 is moved, and Fig. 28 shows the state in which second gripping unit 151B grips film F. In this way, as each gripping unit 151 moves, it sequentially grips film F. Fig. 29 shows the state in which fourth gripping unit 151D grips film F, and Fig. 30 shows the state in which film F has been cut by cutter 24 and fifth gripping unit 151E grips film F.

[0067] At the stage of FIG. 30, the conveyance of the film F is completed. The film F is held by the gripping units 151A-151E at a position slightly higher than the support surface 53a in a curved state along the support surface 53a. In the case of this configuration example, after the film F is conveyed onto the adherend W, as illustrated in FIG. 8(A) and FIG. 8(B) of the first embodiment, the chamber 5 is closed so that the film F is supported on the support surface 53a, and the shape of the film F becomes the shape illustrated in FIG. 8(A) and FIG. 8(B). The subsequent work process is the same as that of the first embodiment, and during this work process, the gripping of each gripping unit 151 is released, and they are returned to the position of FIG. 24.

[0068] <Fourth embodiment> In each of the above embodiments, the covering device 4 has been described as a covering device of a vacuum forming type, but a system in which the pressure inside the chamber 5 is not reduced during forming (covering) of the film F may also be adopted. That is, a system in which the covering process is completed at the stage of pushing up the adherend W against the film F as illustrated in Figs. 9(A) and 10(A) may be adopted. Alternatively, although the covering device 4 is a covering device of a vacuum forming type, a system in which the stage of pushing up the adherend W against the film F as illustrated in Figs. 9(A) and 10(A) is omitted and a process of covering the film F on the adherend W by using an air pressure difference as illustrated in Figs. 9(B) and 10(B) may be adopted.

[0069] In each of the above embodiments, the contact surface 54a is configured as a surface curved along the support surface 53a, but the shape of the contact surface 54a is not limited to this. The contact surface 54a may be a surface that is discontinuous in the Y direction and formed at a distance as long as it can hold the film F together with the support surface 53a. If a vacuum forming method is used in this configuration example, the airtightness of the internal space of the chamber 5 can be ensured by a different configuration.

[0070] The invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications and variations are possible within the scope of the gist of the invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0071] 4 covering device, 52 support structure, 52R right side support structure, 52L left side support structure, 53R lower member, 53L lower member, 54R upper member, 54L upper member, 53a support surface

Claims

1. A coating apparatus comprising a supporting means for supporting a film on an adherend, and for coating the adherend with the film supported by the supporting means, The support means is The adhesive tape includes a first support means and a second support means arranged to be spaced apart in a first direction so as to be located on both sides of the adhesive tape, the first support means includes a first lower member and a first upper member that vertically sandwich a first end portion of the film in the first direction; the second support means includes a second lower member and a second upper member that vertically sandwich a second end portion of the film opposite to the first end portion in the first direction, The first lower member and the second lower member each extend in a second direction intersecting the first direction while being curved in the up-down direction, and each have a support surface that supports the film from below. A coating apparatus comprising:

2. 2. The coating apparatus according to claim 1, The support surface is curved in the up-down direction along the contour of the adherend. A coating apparatus comprising:

3. 2. The coating apparatus according to claim 1, The first lower member and the second lower member each include A main body portion, An exchange part that is detachable from the main body part, The support surface is formed by the exchange part. A coating apparatus comprising:

4. 2. The coating apparatus according to claim 1, The first upper member and the second upper member each extend in the second direction while curving in the up-down direction along the corresponding support surface, and each have a contact surface that contacts the film from above. A coating apparatus comprising:

5. 5. The coating device according to claim 4, The first lower member and the second lower member each include A lower body portion; a lower replacement part that is detachable from the lower main body part, The first upper member and the second upper member each include An upper body portion; An upper replacement part that is detachable from the upper main body part, the support surface is formed by the lower exchange part; The abutment surface is formed by the upper replacement part. A coating apparatus comprising:

6. 2. The coating apparatus according to claim 1, a conveying means for conveying the film from a film supplying device onto the adherend in the second direction; a pressing means for pressing the film conveyed by the conveying means onto the support surface; Equipped with A coating apparatus comprising:

7. 2. The coating apparatus according to claim 1, a conveying means for conveying the film from the film supplying device onto the adherend along the support surface in the second direction; A coating apparatus comprising:

8. 8. The coating device according to claim 7, The conveying means is A gripping means for gripping the film; a rail for guiding movement of the gripping means along the support surface; A coating apparatus comprising:

9. 8. The coating device according to claim 7, The conveying means is a plurality of rollers disposed along the support surface; A coating apparatus comprising:

10. 2. The coating apparatus according to claim 1, a chamber that defines an upper space and a lower space in which the adherend is accommodated, the chamber being separated by the film; A heating means for heating the film; an air pressure adjusting means for adjusting the air pressure in the upper space and the lower space; and a lifting means for lifting and lowering the adherend, The chamber comprises: a lower space forming member having the first lower member and the second lower member and forming the lower space; an upper space forming member that is raised and lowered relative to the lower space forming member, has the first upper member and the second upper member, and forms the upper space; A coating apparatus comprising:

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