Electrode conveyance system

Abstract

To prevent a magnetically-levitated movable element from casually moving, in supplying operation force for clamp operation of the movable element that clamps a sheet-like electrode, from outside of the movable element.SOLUTION: An electrode conveyance system includes planar linear motors including a stator and a movable element, and clamp operation means. The movable element includes a movable element main body having a support table, a clamp arm that can oscillate with respect to the movable element main body, and a clamp operation plate in a horizontal attitude that can move up and down in a vertically direction with respect to the movable element main body. The movable element is configured to be switched between a clamp state in which the clamp arm clamps the sheet-like electrode between the support table and the arm when the clamp arm oscillates in interlock with the up and down movement of the clamp operation plate and an unclamp state in which the clamp arm does not clamp the sheet-like electrode. The clamp operation means includes a clamp operation part that can contact the clamp operation plate and a driving source that makes the clamp operation part move up and down.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an electrode transfer system.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an electrode transfer device including an oval rail and a plurality of movers capable of traveling on the rail. Each mover includes a transfer plate on which a sheet-like electrode is placed, and a plurality of clamps for holding the sheet-like electrode placed on the transfer plate. Each clamp includes an L-shaped clamp arm, a tension spring that constantly biases the clamp arm, and a roller attached to the clamp arm. With this configuration, the clamp arm is biased by the tension spring, so that the clamp arm presses the sheet-like electrode against the transfer plate. When the roller of each clamp engages with a fixed cam provided on the traveling path of the mover, the clamp arm rotates against the tension spring, and the sheet-like electrode is released from the clamp arm.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, when transporting a sheet-like electrode while levitating it in the air, it is conceivable to use a planar linear motor. That is, the sheet-like electrode can be transported by moving the mover in a magnetically levitated state while clamping the sheet-like electrode to the mover constituting the planar linear motor.

[0005] Here, in order to reduce the weight of the mover and the cost of the mover, it is conceivable to supply the operating force for the clamping operation of the mover from outside the mover. The clamping operation means switching between a clamped state in which the mover clamps the sheet-like electrode and an unclamped state in which the mover does not clamp the sheet-like electrode. However, when supplying the operating force for the clamping operation of the mover from outside the mover, there is a risk that the magnetically levitated mover may move horizontally inadvertently or the magnetically levitated mover may turn inadvertently.

[0006] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a technique for preventing inadvertent movement of a magnetically levitated mover when supplying the operating force for the clamping operation of a mover that clamps a sheet-like electrode from outside the mover.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] An electrode transfer system that clamps and transfers a sheet-like electrode levitated by air, including a planar linear motor including a stator and a mover, clamping operation means, and including, the planar linear motor is configured to horizontally drive and swing-drive the mover in a state where the mover is magnetically levitated on the stator, the mover includes a mover body having a support table, a clamping arm swingable with respect to the mover body, and a clamping operation plate in a horizontal posture vertically movable in the vertical direction with respect to the mover body. The clamping arm swings in conjunction with the vertical movement of the clamping operation plate, so that the clamping arm switches between a clamped state in which the sheet-like electrode is clamped between the clamping arm and the support table and an unclamped state in which the sheet-like electrode is not clamped. the clamping operation means includes a clamping operation portion that can contact the clamping operation plate and a drive source that moves the clamping operation portion up and down. An electrode transfer system is provided. According to the above configuration, when supplying the operating force for the clamping operation of the mover that clamps the sheet-like electrode from outside the mover, unintended movement of the magnetically levitated mover can be prevented.

[0008] The clamping operation unit may be a roller having a rotation axis orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the sheet-like electrode in a plan view. According to the above configuration, the clamping operation unit does not move the mover in the longitudinal direction and the width direction, nor does it turn the mover.

[0009] The mover may have a pair of clamping operation plates facing each other in the vertical direction as the clamping operation plate, and the clamping operation unit may be inserted between the pair of clamping operation plates. According to the above configuration, the clamping operation unit can switch the mover from the clamped state to the unclamped state, and can also switch from the unclamped state to the clamped state.

[0010] The mover may further have a coil spring that biases the clamping arm, and when the clamping arm switches from the clamped state to the unclamped state, the spring action line of the coil spring may be configured to straddle the swing axis of the clamping arm. According to the above configuration, the spring restoring force of the coil spring can hold the clamped state and the unclamped state.

[0011] The mover may be configured to be engageable with a floating prevention portion fixed in the vertical direction. According to the above configuration, there is no risk that the mover will float or sink during the clamping operation.

Advantages of the Invention

[0012] According to the present invention, when supplying the operating force for the clamping operation of the mover that clamps the sheet-like electrode from outside the mover, unintended movement of the magnetically levitated mover can be prevented.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0013]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0014] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described through embodiments of the invention, but the invention according to the claims is not limited to the following embodiments. Also, not all of the configurations described in the embodiments are essential as means for solving the problems. For clarity of explanation, the following description and drawings have been appropriately omitted and simplified. In each drawing, the same elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and duplicate explanations are omitted as necessary.

[0015] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an electrode transfer system 1. As shown in FIG. 1, the electrode transfer system 1 is incorporated and used in the manufacturing process of all-solid-state batteries. That is, the electrode transfer system 1 transports a sheet-like electrode 2, which is an all-solid-state battery electrode assembly in which a negative electrode composite layer, a solid electrolyte layer, and a positive electrode composite layer are formed on both sides of a negative electrode foil, in order to roll-transfer a positive electrode foil 3 onto the sheet-like electrode 2. To roll-transfer the positive electrode foil 3 onto the sheet-like electrode 2 means, in short, to attach the positive electrode foil 3 to the sheet-like electrode 2. The sheet-like electrode 2 is a specific example of a first sheet member. The positive electrode foil 3 is a specific example of a second sheet member. The first sheet member may be a positive electrode body in which a positive electrode composite layer is formed on both sides of the positive electrode foil, and the second sheet member may be used as a separator. The electrode transfer system 1 is also called a sheet transfer system.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 1, the electrode transfer system 1 includes an air floating stage 4 that air-floats the sheet-shaped electrode 2, a plurality of planar linear motors 5 that transfer the sheet-shaped electrode 2 air-floating on the air floating stage 4, a plurality of cameras 6 that image the sheet-shaped electrode 2, and a control device 7.

[0017] In this embodiment, the sheet-shaped electrode 2 is linearly transferred while maintaining a horizontal posture. Therefore, the air floating stage 4 is elongated along the transfer direction of the sheet-shaped electrode 2. Hereinafter, the longitudinal direction of the air floating stage 4 is simply referred to as the longitudinal direction. The direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction in plan view is referred to as the width direction. The direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction and the width direction is referred to as the vertical direction. The longitudinal direction, the width direction, and the vertical direction are orthogonal to each other.

[0018] The longitudinal direction includes the front and the rear as the transfer direction in which the sheet-shaped electrode 2 is transferred. The front is also called the transfer direction. The vertical direction includes the upper and the lower. The width direction includes the inner width direction as the direction approaching the center of the sheet-shaped electrode 2 in the width direction and the outer width direction as the direction moving away from the center of the sheet-shaped electrode 2 in the width direction.

[0019] The sheet-shaped electrode 2 is typically rectangular, the dimension in the longitudinal direction is typically from 50 centimeters to 150 centimeters, the dimension in the width direction is typically from 80 centimeters to 150 centimeters, and the thickness is typically from 0.5 millimeters to 1 millimeter.

[0020] The air floating stage 4 extends along the transfer direction of the sheet-shaped electrode 2. The air floating stage 4 is typically a ceramic porous body that injects air upward at a predetermined flow rate. Thereby, the sheet-shaped electrode 2 can float on the air floating stage 4.

[0021] In this embodiment, the plurality of planar linear motors 5 are of the magnetic levitation type and include a first planar linear motor 8 and a second planar linear motor 9. The first planar linear motor 8 and the second planar linear motor 9 are arranged so as to sandwich the air floating stage 4 in the width direction. The first planar linear motor 8 and the second planar linear motor 9 are controlled by the control device 7.

[0022] The first planar linear motor 8 includes a stator 10 and a plurality of movers 11. Each mover 11 is configured to move in the longitudinal direction and the width direction and to turn under the control of the control device 7. Here, the "turn" means turning around the vertical axis, so-called yaw turning. And in this embodiment, the plurality of movers 11 circulate and move counterclockwise in a plan view along a predetermined circulation path 12 defined on the stator 10.

[0023] Similarly, the second planar linear motor 9 includes a stator 13 and a plurality of movers 14. Each mover 14 is configured to move in the longitudinal direction and the width direction and to turn under the control of the control device 7. Here, the "turn" means turning around the vertical axis, so-called yaw turning. And in this embodiment, the plurality of movers 14 circulate and move clockwise in a plan view along a predetermined circulation path 15 defined on the stator 13.

[0024] With the above configuration, when the sheet-like electrode 2 is carried into the electrode conveyance system 1, the two movers 11 of the first planar linear motor 8 and the two movers 14 of the second planar linear motor 9 clamp the sheet-like electrode 2 that is floating in the air. That is, the sheet-like electrode 2 is clamped by the four movers 11 and 14. The four movers 11 and 14 move forward while clamping the sheet-like electrode 2. At this time, the sheet-like electrode 2 is imaged by the plurality of cameras 6. The control device 7 respectively acquires a plurality of captured images from the plurality of cameras 6, and acquires the position and orientation of the sheet-like electrode 2 in a plan view based on the plurality of captured images. Then, the control device 7 calculates a correction value regarding the position and orientation of the sheet-like electrode 2 by comparing the acquired position and orientation of the sheet-like electrode 2 with the proper position and proper orientation of the sheet-like electrode 2. The control device 7 corrects the position and orientation of the sheet-like electrode 2 by controlling the four movers 11 and 14 based on the calculated correction value. Next, the positive electrode foil 3 is roll-transferred onto the sheet-like electrode 2.

[0025] Here, during roll transfer, if the movers 11 and 14 clamp the sheet-like electrode 2, the positive electrode foil 3 to be roll-transferred at the end of the sheet-like electrode 2 may interfere with the movers 11 and 14. Therefore, during roll transfer, first, the clamping of the movers 11 and 14 in the forward conveyance direction is temporarily released. That is, in the early stage of roll transfer, the clamping of the movers 11 and 14 in the forward conveyance direction is released, and the movers 11 and 14 in the rear conveyance direction continue to clamp the sheet-like electrode 2. In the middle stage of roll transfer, both the movers 11 and 14 in the forward conveyance direction and the movers 11 and 14 in the rear conveyance direction clamp the sheet-like electrode 2. In the later stage of roll transfer, the clamping of the movers 11 and 14 in the rear conveyance direction is temporarily released. That is, in the later stage of roll transfer, the movers 11 and 14 in the forward conveyance direction clamp the sheet-like electrode 2, and the clamping of the movers 11 and 14 in the rear conveyance direction is released. After that, when the roll transfer is completed, again, the movers 11 and 14 in the rear conveyance direction clamp the sheet-like electrode 2. Then, for the unloading of the sheet-like electrode 2, the four movers 11 and 14 unclamp the sheet-like electrode 2. Note that "unclamp" means to release the clamp.

[0026] Briefly speaking, the four movers 11 and 14 clamp the sheet-like electrode 2 carried into the electrode conveyance system 1 and convey the sheet-like electrode 2 forward while clamping it. During conveyance, the position and posture of the sheet-like electrode 2 in a plan view are corrected, and after the correction, the positive electrode foil 3 is roll-transferred onto the sheet-like electrode 2. Then, for the unloading of the sheet-like electrode 2, the four movers 11 and 14 unclamp the sheet-like electrode 2.

[0027] The plurality of movers 11 of the first planar linear motor 8 and the plurality of movers 14 of the second planar linear motor 9 both have the same configuration. Therefore, hereinafter, one mover 11 will be described, and the description of the other movers will be omitted. When describing the mover 11, the longitudinal direction, width direction, and vertical direction defined in FIG. 1 will be used as they are. That is, as shown in FIG. 1, since the mover 11 clamps the end portion of the sheet-like electrode 2 in the width direction, the posture of the mover 11 in the state where the mover 11 clamps the sheet-like electrode 2 can be expressed using the longitudinal direction, width direction, and vertical direction. However, the mover 11 turns slightly when correcting the posture of the sheet-like electrode 2 in plan view. Hereinafter, when describing the configuration of the mover 11, the slight turning of the mover 11 for correcting the posture of the sheet-like electrode 2 in plan view may be ignored for convenience of explanation.

[0028] FIGS. 2 and 3 show perspective views of the mover 11. FIGS. 4 and 5 show side views of the mover 11.

[0029] As shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, the mover 11 includes a base 20, two rails 21, a support table 22, a lifting portion 23, a clamp arm 24, and two coil springs 25.

[0030] The base 20 is configured in a flat plate shape presenting a square in plan view. The base 20 houses a plurality of permanent magnets (not shown). The base 20 faces the stator 10 in the vertical direction and is magnetically levitated from the stator 10 typically by about 1 millimeter to 3 millimeters due to magnetic interaction with the stator 10.

[0031] The two rails 21 extend upward from the base 20 along the vertical direction. The two rails 21 extend parallel to each other. The two rails 21 are arranged apart from each other in the longitudinal direction.

[0032] The support table 22 is configured in a flat plate shape. The support table 22 is fixed to the upper ends of the two rails 21. The support table 22 is supported by the two rails 21 so as to be in a horizontal posture. The support table 22 protrudes inward in the width direction.

[0033] The elevating part 23 is supported by the two rails 21 so as to be reciprocally movable along the vertical direction. Two clamp operation plates 30, which are in a flat plate shape, are provided on the elevating part 23. The two clamp operation plates 30 are arranged so as to protrude inward in the width direction from the elevating part 23. The two clamp operation plates 30 are provided in a horizontal posture. The two clamp operation plates 30 are arranged apart from each other in the vertical direction. The two clamp operation plates 30 include an upper operation plate 30a and a lower operation plate 30b. The upper operation plate 30a is arranged above the lower operation plate 30b.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 4, the clamp arm 24 is swingably provided at the upper end of the elevating part 23. The swing axis 24a of the clamp arm 24 extends in the longitudinal direction. The clamp arm 24 is configured to be switchable between the clamped state shown in FIG. 4 and the unclamped state shown in FIG. 5.

[0035] The clamped state of the clamp arm 24 means the state of the clamp arm 24 when the mover 11 clamps the sheet-like electrode 2. The clamped state of the mover 11 means the state when the mover 11 clamps the sheet-like electrode 2.

[0036] The unclamped state of the clamp arm 24 means the state of the clamp arm 24 when the mover 11 unclamps the sheet-like electrode 2. The unclamped state of the mover 11 means the state when the mover 11 unclamps the sheet-like electrode 2.

[0037] When observed in the longitudinal direction, the clamp arm 24 is configured in an L shape. That is, the clamp arm 24 includes an arm body 31 extending upward from the swing axis 24a in the clamped state shown in FIG. 4, and a clamp execution portion 32 protruding inward in the width direction from the tip of the arm body 31. In the clamped state shown in FIG. 4, the clamp execution portion 32 faces the support table 22 in the vertical direction and is biased toward the support table 22 by two coil springs 25. As a result, the sheet-like electrode 2 is sandwiched between the support table 22 and the clamp execution portion 32, that is, the sheet-like electrode 2 is clamped by the mover 11.

[0038] The elevating portion 23 is further provided with a swing stopper 33. The swing stopper 33 defines the swing range on the unclamped side of the clamp arm 24. The clamp arm 24 is rotatably provided with a clamp roller 35 that can engage with a clamp cam 34 fixed to the two rails 21. In the clamped state of FIG. 4, when the elevating portion 23 descends, the clamp roller 35 engages with the clamp cam 34, causing the clamp arm 24 to swing counterclockwise. Due to this swing, the clamp execution portion 32 moves slightly upward, unclamping the sheet-like electrode 2. When the elevating portion 23 continues to descend, the clamp arm 24 eventually contacts the swing stopper 33, prohibiting further swing of the clamp arm 24 as shown in FIG. 5.

[0039] The two coil springs 25 are arranged to hold the clamped state shown in FIG. 4 and the unclamped state shown in FIG. 5. Specifically, one end of each coil spring 25 is rotatably supported by a spring support beam 36 protruding outward in the width direction from the upper end of each rail 21. The other end of each coil spring 25 is rotatably supported by the upper end of the clamp arm 24.

[0040] In the clamped state shown in Fig. 4, the spring action line 25a of each coil spring 25 passes above the swing axis 24a. Therefore, the spring restoring force of each coil spring 25 is converted into a clockwise torque acting on the clamp arm 24. This torque presses the clamp execution unit 32 toward the support table 22. Therefore, the spring restoring force of each coil spring 25 realizes the clamped state and holds the clamped state.

[0041] On the other hand, in the unclamped state shown in Fig. 5, the spring action line 25a of each coil spring 25 passes below the swing axis 24a. Therefore, the spring restoring force of each coil spring 25 is converted into a counterclockwise torque acting on the clamp arm 24. This torque presses the clamp arm 24 toward the swing stopper 33. Therefore, the spring restoring force of each coil spring 25 holds the unclamped state.

[0042] In short, when the elevating part 23 rises in the unclamped state of Fig. 5, the spring action line 25a of each coil spring 25 straddles the swing axis 24a of the clamp arm 24, and each coil spring 25 acts to hold the clamped state of the mover 11. On the other hand, when the elevating part 23 descends in the clamped state of Fig. 4, the spring action line 25a of each coil spring 25 straddles the swing axis 24a of the clamp arm 24, and each coil spring 25 acts to hold the unclamped state of the mover 11.

[0043] Next, the raising and lowering of the elevating part 23 will be described in detail. As shown in FIG. 3, an air floating stage 4 is provided with a clamp opening and closing motor 40. The clamp opening and closing motor 40 is a specific example of a clamp operating means. The clamp opening and closing motor 40 includes a motor stator 41 and a rotor 42. The rotation axis 42a of the rotor 42 extends along the width direction. A crank plate 43 is fixed to the rotor 42. A clamp opening and closing roller 44 as a clamp operating part is rotatably attached to the crank plate 43. The rotation axis 44a of the clamp opening and closing roller 44 extends in the width direction. The rotation axis 44a of the clamp opening and closing roller 44 is eccentric with respect to the rotation axis 42a of the rotor 42. Therefore, when the crank plate 43 rotates, when observed in the width direction, the rotation axis 44a of the clamp opening and closing roller 44 circulates along a circular orbit centered on the rotation axis 42a. In other words, when the crank plate 43 rotates, the clamp opening and closing roller 44 moves up and down. The clamp opening and closing motor 40 and the clamp opening and closing roller 44 are a specific example of a clamp operating means.

[0044] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, when the mover 11 moves forward and faces the clamp opening and closing motor 40 in the width direction, the clamp opening and closing roller 44 is inserted between the two clamp operating plates 30. In the clamped state shown in FIG. 4, when the clamp opening and closing roller 44 descends due to the rotation of the crank plate 43, the clamp opening and closing roller 44 pushes down the lower operating plate 30b. Then, the elevating part 23 also descends similarly, and as a result, the clamp arm 24 switches from the clamped state to the unclamped state. Conversely, in the unclamped state shown in FIG. 5, when the clamp opening and closing roller 44 rises due to the rotation of the crank plate 43, the clamp opening and closing roller 44 pushes up the upper operating plate 30a. Then, the elevating part 23 also rises similarly, and as a result, the clamp arm 24 switches from the unclamped state to the clamped state.

[0045] Here, please refer to FIG. 6. In order to correct the posture of the sheet-like electrode 2 in plan view, as shown in FIG. 6, the mover 11 may rotate in plan view. In contrast, the rotation axis 44a of the clamp opening / closing roller 44 that operates the two clamp operation plates 30 is orthogonal to the longitudinal direction in plan view. That is, the movement direction A at the contact point of the clamp opening / closing roller 44 where the clamp opening / closing roller 44 contacts either of the two clamp operation plates 30 and the conveyance direction B of the mover 11 are always parallel to each other. Therefore, whether the clamp opening / closing roller 44 pushes up the upper operation plate 30a or the clamp opening / closing roller 44 pushes down the lower operation plate 30b, the clamp opening / closing roller 44 neither moves the mover 11 in the longitudinal direction and the width direction nor rotates the mover 11. Therefore, the position and posture of the corrected sheet-like electrode 2 do not change due to the clamping operation and the unclamping operation of the mover 11. Thereby, even when the clamping operation and the unclamping operation of the mover 11 are executed when the positive electrode foil 3 is roll-transferred onto the sheet-like electrode 2, the roll transfer can be performed without problems.

[0046] Note that the clamp opening / closing roller 44 is merely an example of the clamp operation unit. Instead of the clamp opening / closing roller 44, a protrusion protruding in the width direction from the crank plate 43 may be adopted. In this case, whether the protrusion pushes up the upper operation plate 30a or the protrusion pushes down the lower operation plate 30b, the protrusion slides with respect to the upper operation plate 30a and the lower operation plate 30b that are both in a horizontal posture. Therefore, the protrusion neither moves the mover 11 in the longitudinal direction and the width direction nor rotates the mover 11. Therefore, the position and posture of the corrected sheet-like electrode 2 do not change due to the clamping operation and the unclamping operation of the mover 11. Thereby, even when the clamping operation and the unclamping operation of the mover 11 are executed when the positive electrode foil 3 is roll-transferred onto the sheet-like electrode 2, the roll transfer can be performed without problems.

[0047] Incidentally, as shown in FIG. 3, the mover 11 is configured to be engageable with a floating prevention unit 50 that is vertically fixed in position. The floating prevention unit 50 is composed of a plurality of sinking prevention rollers 51 and a plurality of floating prevention rollers 52 that are rotatably attached to the air floating stage 4. The rotation axes of the respective sinking prevention rollers 51 and the rotation axes of the respective floating prevention rollers 52 extend in the width direction. The base 20 is provided with a floating prevention plate 55 that is flat and in a horizontal posture.

[0048] When the mover 11 is conveyed and faces the clamp opening / closing motor 40 in the width direction, the plurality of sinking prevention rollers 51 substantially contact the lower surface 22a of the support table 22 of the mover 11 or face it in the vertical direction with a slight gap therebetween. Then, when the clamp opening / closing roller 44 pushes down the lower operation plate 30b and the support table 22 descends, the lower surface 22a of the support table 22 contacts the plurality of sinking prevention rollers 51, and further descent of the support table 22 is restricted.

[0049] Similarly, when the mover 11 is conveyed and faces the clamp opening / closing motor 40 in the width direction, the plurality of floating prevention rollers 52 substantially contact the upper surface 55a of the floating prevention plate 55 of the mover 11 or face it in the vertical direction with a slight gap therebetween. Then, when the clamp opening / closing roller 44 pushes up the upper operation plate 30a and the floating prevention plate 55 ascends, the upper surface 55a of the floating prevention plate 55 contacts the plurality of floating prevention rollers 52, and further ascent of the floating prevention plate 55 is restricted.

[0050] By configuring the mover 11 to be engageable with the floating prevention unit 50 that is vertically fixed in position in this way, it is possible to effectively prevent the base 20 from floating or sinking when the elevating unit 23 moves up and down with respect to the base 20.

[0051] Note that, as described above, the rotation axes of the respective sinking prevention rollers 51 and the rotation axes of the respective floating prevention rollers 52 extend along the width direction. Therefore, even if each sinking prevention roller 51 contacts the lower surface 22a of the support table 22 or each floating prevention roller 52 contacts the upper surface 55a of the floating prevention plate 55, the respective sinking prevention rollers 51 and the respective floating prevention rollers 52 will neither move the mover 11 in the longitudinal direction and the width direction nor turn the mover 11. Therefore, the position and orientation of the sheet-like electrode 2 after correction will not change due to the engagement with the floating and sinking prevention portion 50.

[0052] As described above, the preferred embodiments of the present disclosure have been described. The above embodiments have the following features.

[0053] The electrode transfer system 1 clamps and transfers the sheet-like electrode 2 floating in the air. The electrode transfer system 1 includes a first planar linear motor 8 (planar linear motor) including a stator 10 and a mover 11, and a clamping operation means. The first planar linear motor 8 is configured to horizontally drive and swing-drive the mover 11 in a state where the mover 11 is magnetically levitated on the stator 10. The mover 11 includes a mover body having a support table 22, a clamping arm 24 swingable with respect to the mover body, and a clamping operation plate 30 in a horizontal posture vertically movable in the vertical direction with respect to the mover body. In the present embodiment, the mover body is composed of a base 20 and two rails 21. The clamping arm 24 swings in conjunction with the vertical movement of the clamping operation plate 30, so that the clamping arm 24 switches between a clamping state in which the sheet-like electrode 2 is clamped between the clamping arm 24 and the support table 22 and an unclamping state in which the sheet-like electrode 2 is not clamped. The clamping operation means includes a clamping opening / closing roller 44 (clamping operation portion) capable of contacting the clamping operation plate 30, and a clamping opening / closing motor 40 (driving source) for vertically moving the clamping opening / closing roller 44. According to the above configuration, when supplying the operating force of the clamping operation of the mover 11 for clamping the sheet-like electrode 2 from the outside of the mover 11 (clamping operation means), inadvertent movement of the magnetically levitated mover 11 can be prevented. Note that the clamping operation means switching between the clamping state of FIG. 4 and the unclamping state of FIG. 5.

[0054] Further, the clamping opening / closing roller 44 has a rotation axis 44a orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the sheet-like electrode 2 in a plan view. According to the above configuration, the clamping opening / closing roller 44 neither moves the mover 11 in the longitudinal direction and the width direction nor swings the mover 11.

[0055] Further, the mover 11 has, as a clamp operation plate 30, an upper operation plate 30a and a lower operation plate 30b that face each other in the vertical direction. The upper operation plate 30a and the lower operation plate 30b are a specific example of a pair of clamp operation plates. The clamp opening / closing roller 44 is inserted between the upper operation plate 30a and the lower operation plate 30b. According to the above configuration, the clamp opening / closing roller 44 can switch the mover 11 from the clamped state in FIG. 4 to the unclamped state in FIG. 5, and can also switch the mover 11 from the unclamped state in FIG. 5 to the clamped state in FIG. 4.

[0056] Further, the mover 11 further has a coil spring 25 that biases the clamp arm 24. When the clamp arm 24 switches from the clamped state in FIG. 4 to the unclamped state in FIG. 5, the spring action line 25a of the coil spring 25 is configured to straddle the swing axis 24a of the clamp arm 24. According to the above configuration, the spring restoring force of the coil spring 25 can hold the clamped state in FIG. 4 and the unclamped state in FIG. 5. Also, it is not necessary to supply from the outside a holding force for holding the clamped state in FIG. 4 and the unclamped state in FIG. 5.

[0057] Further, the mover 11 is configured to be engageable with a floating prevention portion 50 that is fixed in the vertical direction. According to the above configuration, there is no possibility that the mover 11 will float or sink during the clamp operation.

[0058] The embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above. The above embodiments can be modified as follows.

[0059] In the above-described embodiment, an upper operation plate 30a and a lower operation plate 30b are provided on the elevating part 23. However, alternatively, the upper operation plate 30a may be omitted. That is, the spring action line 25a of the coil spring 25 is configured to pass above the swing axis 24a of the clamp arm 24 not only in the clamped state but also in the unclamped state, and a clockwise torque can be constantly applied to the clamp arm 24. In this case, when switching from the clamped state in FIG. 4 to the unclamped state in FIG. 5, as described above, the lower operation plate 30b is pushed down by the clamp opening / closing roller 44. To switch from the unclamped state in FIG. 5 to the clamped state in FIG. 4, the clamp opening / closing roller 44 simply needs to move upward. Thereby, the elevating part 23 automatically rises by the spring restoring force of the coil spring 25, and the clamp arm 24 clamps the sheet-like electrode 2.

[0060] Further, in the above-described embodiment, in order to prevent the floating and sinking of the mover 11, a floating and sinking prevention part 50 is provided on the air floating stage 4. Instead of including a sinking prevention roller 51 and a floating prevention roller 52, the floating and sinking prevention part 50 may be configured to jet air toward the lower surface 22a of the support table 22 and the upper surface 55a of the floating prevention plate 55. Even in this case, the floating and sinking of the mover 11 during the clamping operation can be prevented. Further, since the floating and sinking of the mover 11 during the clamping operation is prevented non-contact, the mover 11 may not need to be moved in the longitudinal direction and the width direction, nor rotated.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0061] 1 Electrode transfer system 2 Sheet-like electrode 4 Air floating stage 5 Planar linear motor 8 First planar linear motor 9 Second planar linear motor 10 Stator 11 Mover 12 Circulation path 13 Stator 14 Mover 15 Circulation path 22 Support table 24 Clamp arm 25 Coil spring

Claims

1. An electrode transfer system for clamping and transferring a sheet-shaped electrode floating in air, comprising: A planar linear motor including a stator and a mover; Clamping operation means; Including, The planar linear motor is configured to horizontally drive and swing-drive the mover in a state where the mover is magnetically levitated on the stator; The mover includes a mover main body having a support table, a clamp arm swingable with respect to the mover main body, and a clamp operation plate in a horizontal posture vertically movable in the vertical direction with respect to the mover main body. The clamp arm swings in conjunction with the vertical movement of the clamp operation plate, so that the clamp arm is configured to switch between a clamped state in which the sheet-shaped electrode is clamped between the support table and an unclamped state in which the sheet-shaped electrode is not clamped; The clamping operation means includes a clamping operation portion capable of contacting the clamping operation plate and a drive source for vertically moving the clamping operation portion; Electrode transfer system.

2. The electrode transfer system according to claim 1, wherein The clamping operation portion is a roller having a rotation axis orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the sheet-shaped electrode in a plan view; Electrode transfer system.

3. The electrode transfer system according to claim 1, wherein The mover has a pair of clamping operation plates facing each other in the vertical direction as the clamping operation plates; The clamping operation portion is inserted between the pair of clamping operation plates; Electrode transfer system.

4. The electrode transfer system according to claim 3, wherein The mover further has a coil spring for biasing the clamp arm; When the clamp arm switches from the clamped state to the unclamped state, the spring action line of the coil spring is configured to straddle the swing axis of the clamp arm; Electrode transfer system.

5. The electrode transfer system according to claim 1, wherein The mover is configured to be engageable with a floating and sinking prevention portion fixed in the vertical direction; Electrode transfer system.

Images