Cutting device

Abstract

To provide a cutting device capable of preventing cutting debris from falling onto a workpiece.SOLUTION: A cutting device 1 includes: a mounting table 5; an inner circumference pressing part 6 and an outer circumference pressing part 7 that press a workpiece 4 in a direction of the mounting table 5; and a blade part 21 that moves up and down between the pressing parts 6, 7 in a workpiece direction to cut the workpiece 4. The blade part 21 has a first blade surface that extends in the lifting direction from a tip of the blade part 21 to face the inner circumference pressing part 6, and a second blade surface that extends from the tip of the blade part 21 to face the outer circumference pressing part 7. The cutting device 1 includes: a blow mechanism (2, 81, 6) that continuously supplies blow gas into a tip region of the blade part 21 through a gap between the first blade surface and the inner circumference pressing part 6; and a suction mechanism (9, 31, 21, 7) that continuously suctions gas from the tip region of the blade part 21 through a gap between the second blade surface and the outer circumference pressing part 7.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a cutting device. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, cutting devices for cutting sheet-like workpieces have been known. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a cutting device for cutting an electrode sheet in a process for manufacturing unit electrodes of a lithium secondary battery. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2022 / 045828 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] When cutting a sheet-like workpiece with a cutting device, cutting debris may be generated. This debris may adhere to the cutter blade and fall onto the workpiece. If the debris adhering to the blade falls into the work area used for the product, it may cause defects when incorporated into the product. For example, when cutting a CP (carbon paper) material with an electrolyte membrane formed, if the debris falls onto the electrolyte membrane, the debris will pierce the electrolyte membrane and become difficult to remove, even with cleaning using gas. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] A cutting device according to one aspect of the present invention includes a mounting table on which a plate-shaped workpiece is placed, a first workpiece holder for pressing a first workpiece region of the workpiece toward the mounting table, a second workpiece holder provided at a distance from the first workpiece holder in the workpiece extension direction and for pressing a second workpiece region of the workpiece toward the mounting table, and a blade that moves up and down between the first workpiece holder and the second workpiece holder in the workpiece direction to cut the workpiece. The blade has a first blade surface that extends from a tip of the blade in the lifting direction and faces the first workpiece holder, and a second blade surface that extends from the tip of the blade and faces the second workpiece holder, and the cutting device is further equipped with a blow mechanism that constantly supplies blow gas from a gap between the first blade surface and the first workpiece holder to the tip region of the blade, and a suction mechanism that constantly suctions gas from the tip region of the blade through the gap between the second blade surface and the second workpiece holder. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] According to the present invention, cutting waste can be prevented from falling onto the workpiece. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a cutting device cutting a workpiece. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of the main part of the cutting device. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is an enlarged view showing the blade portion of FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the configuration of the blade unit and its surroundings when the blade unit is at the uppermost lift position. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a state in which the lower surface of the outer periphery holding portion is in contact with the workpiece. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a state in which the lower surface of the inner peripheral pressing portion is in contact with the workpiece. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a state when the blade portion has descended to the lift end position. [Figure 8]FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of the cut portion in the cut state shown in FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of the blade portion and its surroundings in the state shown in FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of the blade portion and its surroundings in the state shown in FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is an enlarged view of the blade portion and its surroundings when the blade portion has been raised to the uppermost lift position. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of a workpiece. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a mounting table provided with a suction channel and a suction hole. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The following description and drawings are examples for explaining the present invention, and appropriate omissions and simplifications have been made for clarity of explanation. Furthermore, in the following description, identical or similar elements and processes are given the same reference numerals, and duplicate explanations may be omitted. Note that the content described below merely shows an example of an embodiment of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the following embodiment, and can be implemented in various other forms.

[0009] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a cutting device for cutting a workpiece. The cutting device 1 is equipped with an upper die 3 to which a cutting blade 2 is fixed. A blade 21 for cutting a workpiece 4 is formed on the underside of the cutting blade 2. The workpiece 4 may be, for example, a sheet member formed by laminating a CP (carbon paper) material used for a gas diffusion layer in a fuel cell with a carrier film. The CP layer has a thickness of several hundred micrometers, and the thickness of the workpiece 4 including the carrier film is at most about 1 mm. The workpiece 4 may be, for example, a CP material having a microporous layer (MPL) layer formed on top of it, or a CP material having an electrode formed on top of the MPL layer on top of the CP material. The rolled sheet-like workpiece 4 is drawn onto the table 5 of the cutting device 1, and a cutting process (trim process) is performed to cut the workpiece 4 into a CP material for a desired shape.

[0010] In the following, as an example, a case where a sheet-like workpiece 4 is trimmed into a rectangular shape will be described, but the shape of the workpiece is not limited to a rectangle. Also, in the following explanation, a workpiece 4 made of CP material will be cut by the cutting device 1, but the workpiece 4 to be cut is not limited to a CP material for a fuel cell, and various sheet-like workpieces can be used.

[0011] FIG. 2 illustrates the essential components of the cutting device 1. The cutting tool 2 is fixed to the underside of the upper die 3 by bolts 300. As described below, the cutting blade 21 of the cutting tool 2 moves up and down between the inner peripheral holder 6 and the outer peripheral holder 7 toward the workpiece 4 to cut the workpiece 4. The outer peripheral holder 7 is a jig that holds down the excess area of ​​the workpiece that will not become a product toward the mounting table 5. It is attached to the underside of the upper die 3 by bolts 700. For example, as shown in the plan view of the workpiece in FIG. 12, when cutting a rectangular product area 4a from the workpiece 4, the inner peripheral holder 6 presses the product area 4a toward the mounting table. Meanwhile, the outer peripheral holder 7 presses down the hatched excess area 4c of the area 4b excluding the product area 4a toward the mounting table. A spring 702 is sandwiched between the flange 701 of the outer peripheral holder 7 and the upper die 3. A cylindrical spacer 704 is provided between the washer 703 and the upper die 3. The spring 702 is a compression spring, and the outer periphery pressing portion 7 is biased downward in the drawing by the spring 702.

[0012] The upper die 3 is formed with a suction flow path 31 connected to a suction device 9 such as a vacuum pump. A suction opening 310 provided at one end of the suction flow path 31 opens into the space S1 between the cutting blade 2 and the outer periphery pressing part 7. In other words, the suction flow path 31 connected to the suction device 9, and the blade portion 21 and outer periphery pressing part 7 that form the space S1 and the gap G2 function as a suction mechanism that constantly sucks in gas from the tip region of the blade portion 21 and the region of the blade surface 212.

[0013] The inner periphery pressing unit 6 is a jig that presses the product area 4a of the work area toward the mounting table 5 and is attached to a fixed plate 81 of the support unit 8. The support unit 8 includes a fixed plate 81, a support plate 82, and a fastening unit 83. A connecting unit 810 extending upward from the fixed plate 81 is attached to the support plate 82 by the fastening unit 83 and a bolt 800. By tightening the bolt 800 that threads into the fastening unit 83, the support plate 82 is sandwiched between the connecting unit 810 and the fastening unit 83. As a result, the fixed plate 81 to which the inner periphery pressing unit 6 is attached is fixed to the support plate 82. The support plate 82 is provided with a sealant 801 that seals the space above the support plate 82 from the space S2 below it. Although not shown in the figure, the support unit 8 is biased downward by a spring and is attached to the upper mold 3 so as to be slidable in the vertical direction.

[0014] A blow gas (e.g., air) is supplied to the space S2 between the cutting blade 2 and the support plate 82 by a blow device 10 provided separately from the cutting device 1. The space S3 between the cutting blade 2 and the fixed plate 81 communicates with the space S2 via an opening 200 formed in the cutting blade 2. Therefore, the blow gas is also supplied from the space S2 to the space S3 between the cutting blade 2 and the fixed plate 81.

[0015] A plurality of suction channels 60 connected to a suction device 9 are formed between the inner peripheral holding part 6 and the fixed plate 81. A plurality of suction holes 600 communicating with the suction channels 60 are formed in the underside 61 of the inner peripheral holding part 6. By suctioning through these suction holes 600, the workpiece 4 can be sucked onto the underside 61 of the inner peripheral holding part 6.

[0016] Fig. 3 is an enlarged view showing the blade portion 21 of Fig. 2. The blade portion 21 has a blade surface 211 formed on the inner peripheral pressing portion 6 side of the tip of the blade portion 21, and a blade surface 212 formed on the outer peripheral pressing portion 7 side of the tip of the blade portion 21. The blade surface 211 extends in the ascending / descending direction of the blade portion 21. The blade surface 212 facing the outer peripheral pressing portion 7 is inclined so as to approach the upper die 3 (see Fig. 2) as it moves away from the tip of the blade portion 21. In other words, the blade surfaces 211 and 212 are formed so that the angle θ1 formed by those surfaces is an acute angle (θ<90 degrees).

[0017] The inner peripheral pressing portion 6 has an end face 62 extending in the ascending / descending direction of the blade portion 21 and a rounded surface 63 connected to the upper end of the end face 62 on the side facing the blade portion 21. The blade surface 211 and the end face 62 are substantially parallel, and in this embodiment, the gap dimension g between the end face 61 and the blade surface 211 is set to approximately 0.1 mm. The outer peripheral pressing portion 7 has a surface 72 facing the blade surface 212 of the blade portion 21, which is an inclined surface. In this embodiment, the angle θ2 formed between the surface 72 and the lower surface 71 of the outer peripheral pressing portion 7 is set to approximately equal to the angle (90 degrees - θ1). In other words, the blade surface 212 and the surface 72 are substantially parallel, and the gap dimension between the surfaces is substantially constant along the surface. Of course, the angle θ2 does not have to be equal to the angle (90 degrees - θ1), but it is preferable to set them to approximately equal.

[0018] (Operation description) Next, we will explain the cutting operation and cutting waste removal process of the cutting device 1. First, we will explain the cutting operation in which the blade 21 descends from the upper lift end position to the lower lift end position to cut the workpiece 4. During the operation of the cutting device 1, which performs repeated cutting, the blow device 10 is always supplying blow gas, and the suction device 9 is always suctioning.

[0019] 4 is a diagram showing the state when the blade portion 21 is at the uppermost lift position. In this state, the workpiece 4 is set on the mounting table 5. At the uppermost lift position, the lower surface 71 of the outer peripheral pressing portion 7 is positioned lower than the lower surface 61 of the inner peripheral pressing portion 6. Since the space S1 is being suctioned by the suction device 9, the blow gas supplied to the space S3 flows into the space S1 through the gap between the blade surface 212 and the surface 72, as shown by the arrow.

[0020] 4, when the upper die 3 starts to move downward and the cutting edge 21 is lowered, the inner peripheral pressing portion 6 and the outer peripheral pressing portion 7 attached to the upper die 3 also lower together. Then, the lower surface 71 of the outer peripheral pressing portion 7 comes into contact with the workpiece 4 as shown in FIG.

[0021] When the upper die 3 moves further downward from the state shown in FIG. 5, the blade portion 21 and the inner peripheral pressing portion 6 further descend. Meanwhile, the outer peripheral pressing portion 7, which is in contact with the workpiece 4, maintains a constant position in the vertical direction while pressing the workpiece 4 downward due to the compression of the spring 702 shown in FIG. 2. When the upper die 3 moves further downward, the lower surface 61 of the inner peripheral pressing portion 6 comes into contact with the workpiece 4 as shown in FIG. 6, and suction is initiated by the suction holes 600 (see FIG. 2) of the inner peripheral pressing portion 6. Note that the gap dimension g1 between the tip of the blade portion 21 and the inner peripheral pressing portion 6 at the upper limit position of the blade portion 21 shown in FIG. 6 is larger than the gap dimension g (approximately 0.1 mm) between the end face 61 and the blade surface 211 due to the formation of the rounded surface 63.

[0022] When the upper die 3 is further moved downward from the state shown in Figure 6, the blade portion 21 further descends. Meanwhile, the inner peripheral pressing portion 6 maintains a constant position in the ascending / descending direction while pressing the workpiece 4 downward as a spring (not shown) that biases the inner peripheral pressing portion 6 downward contracts. Then, when the blade portion 21 is lowered to the ascending / descending end position as shown in Figure 7, the CP material 41 of the workpiece 4 is cut and the tip of the blade portion 21 pierces the carrier film 42. The gap dimension g2 between the surface 72 and the blade surface 212 at the ascending / descending end position is set larger than the gap dimension g1 (approximately 2 mm).

[0023] Next, the cutting debris removal process will be described. Fig. 8 is an enlarged view of the cut portion in the cutting state shown in Fig. 7. When the CP material 41 is cut, cutting debris 410 is generated. The generated cutting debris 410 adheres to the cut surface of the CP material 41, the end surface 62 of the inner peripheral pressing portion 6, the carrier film 42, the tip region of the blade portion 21 (for example, the blade surface 211, etc.), etc.

[0024] After the blade portion 21 is lowered to the lift end position to cut the workpiece 4, the upper die 3 is moved upward to raise the blade portion 21. FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of the blade portion 21 when it starts to rise and reaches the state shown in FIG. 3. When the blade portion 21 starts to rise and the tip of the blade portion 21 separates from the carrier film 42, as shown in FIG. 9, a gap G1 between the blade surface 211 and the end face 62 of the inner peripheral pressing portion 6 and a gap G2 between the blade surface 212 and the face 72 of the outer peripheral pressing portion 7 communicate with each other. As a result, as shown by arrow R1, the blown gas in the space S3 (see FIG. 3) flows from the gap G1 around the tip of the blade portion 21 toward the gap G2 and into the space S1 (see FIG. 3).

[0025] 7, when blade portion 21 is at the lifting end position, the tip of blade portion 21 is stuck in carrier film 42, so gap G2 does not communicate with gap G1. Therefore, gap G2 and space S1, which communicate with suction flow path 31, are in a negative pressure state. As a result, when the tip of blade portion 21 separates from carrier film 42, the blown gas in space S3 flows forcefully into gap G2.

[0026] As described above, the extremely small gap dimension g of gap G1 and the negative pressure state of gap G2 have a synergistic effect, resulting in a high flow rate of the blow gas flowing through gap G1. Furthermore, because gap G2 is suctioned by suction device 9, the blow gas flows in only one direction, from gap G1 to gap G2. As a result, cutting debris 410 adhering to the end face 62 of the inner peripheral holding portion 6, the carrier film 42, the blade surface 211, etc., is blown away by the high-speed blow gas and carried by the blow gas flow (R1) through gap G2 into space S1.

[0027] When the upper mold 3 moves upward from the state shown in FIG. 3 (i.e., the state shown in FIG. 9), the blade portion 21 rises to the state shown in FIG. 5, and then the inner periphery pressing portion 6 rises from the position shown in FIG. 3. As a result, as shown in FIG. 10, the CP material (i.e., the cut product CP 41a) adsorbed to the underside 61 of the inner periphery pressing portion 6 is peeled off from the carrier film 42. FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of the blade portion 21 and its surroundings in the state shown in FIG. 5 during the upward movement. As the cut product CP 41a is adsorbed to the underside 61 of the inner periphery pressing portion 6 and rises, blow gas also flows into the gap between the product CP 41a and the carrier film 42, as indicated by arrow R2, and cutting debris 410 adhering to the cut surface is blown away toward the gap G2 and space S1.

[0028] When the upper die 3 moves further upward from the state shown in Fig. 10 and the lower surface 71 of the outer periphery holding part 7 moves away from the workpiece 4 as shown in Fig. 11, air from outside the device flows in through the gap between the lower surface 71 of the outer periphery holding part 7 and the workpiece 4 (scrap part not used as a product) below it, as shown by arrow R3. Fig. 11 is an enlarged view of the cutting part 21 and its surroundings when the cutting part 21 has risen to the upper limit of its lifting position.

[0029] According to the embodiment of the present invention described above, the following advantageous effects are achieved.

[0030] (1) As shown in Figures 2, 12, etc., the cutting device 1 includes a mounting table 5 on which a plate-shaped workpiece 4 is placed, an inner peripheral pressing portion 6 (first workpiece pressing portion) for pressing a product area 4a (first workpiece area) of the workpiece 4 toward the mounting table 5, an outer peripheral pressing portion 7 (second workpiece pressing portion) provided at a distance from the inner peripheral pressing portion 6 in the workpiece extension direction and for pressing an excess area 4c (second workpiece area) of the workpiece 4 toward the mounting table 5, and a blade portion 21 that moves up and down in the workpiece direction between the inner peripheral pressing portion 6 and the outer peripheral pressing portion 7. The blade portion 21 includes a first blade surface 211 that extends from the tip of the blade portion 21 in the lifting direction and faces the inner peripheral pressing portion 6, and a second blade surface 212 that extends from the tip of the blade portion 21 and faces the outer peripheral pressing portion 7.

[0031] The cutting tool 2, fixing plate 81, and inner peripheral pressing portion 6, which form the space S3 and gap G1, function as a blow mechanism for constantly supplying blow gas to the tip region of the blade portion 21 through the gap G1 between the blade surface 211 and the inner peripheral pressing portion 6. The suction flow path 31 connected to the suction device 9, and the blade portion 21 and outer peripheral pressing portion 7, which form the space S1 and gap G2, function as a suction mechanism for constantly sucking gas from the tip region of the blade portion 21 and the region of the blade surface 212. As a result, blow gas flows in one direction from the gap G1, which faces the blade surface 211, through the tip of the blade portion 21, to the gap G2, which faces the blade surface 212. The cutting debris 410 is carried by the flow of blow gas and blown toward the outer peripheral pressing portion 7, which presses down the excess region 4c of the workpiece 4. This reliably prevents the cutting debris 410 from adhering to the blade surface 211 and falling from the blade surface 211 to the product region 4a.

[0032] (2) As shown in FIG. 3, the inner periphery holding portion 6 has a first end surface 62 that faces the first blade surface 211 with a predetermined gap dimension g (first clearance) when the blade portion 21 is raised or lowered. This gap dimension g is set smaller than the gap dimension g1 between the tip of the blade portion 21 and the inner periphery holding portion 6 when the blade portion 21 is at the uppermost lift position, as shown in FIG. 6. This setting increases the flow rate of the blow gas in the gap G1 during cutting of the workpiece, and also makes it possible to maintain the gas flow in one direction (direction R1 in FIG. 9). In the example shown in FIG. 6, a rounded surface 63 is formed at the upper end of the end surface 62, making the gap dimension g1 larger than the gap dimension g. However, a flat, chamfered shape may be used instead of the rounded surface 63.

[0033] (3) As shown in FIG. 7, the outer periphery pressing portion 7 has a surface (opposing surface) 72 that faces the second blade surface 212 of the blade portion 21, and the gap dimension g2 (second clearance) between the blade surface 212 and the surface 72 at the extreme lift position of the blade portion 21 is set to be larger than the gap dimension g. Therefore, even at the extreme lift position, the gap G2 can be maintained in a negative pressure state by suction using the suction device 9. As a result, when the blade portion 21 rises from the extreme lift position, a gas flow in the direction R1 can always be generated without gas backflow (a flow opposite to the arrow R1).

[0034] (4) The blade 21 that cuts the workpiece 4 is a trimming blade that removes the excess area 4c (excess work area) from the workpiece 4 to form the product area 4a (product work area), and the inner peripheral pressing portion 6 presses the product area 4a, while the outer peripheral pressing portion 7 presses the excess area 4c. Therefore, the blown and sucked gas flows from the product area 4a side to the excess area 4c side as shown by R1 in Fig. 9, preventing the adhesion of cutting waste 410 to the product area 4a side.

[0035] (5) As shown in FIG. 3, the angle θ1 between the first blade surface 211 and the second blade surface 212 is set to an acute angle, so that the gap G1 through which the blow gas flows and the gap G2 through which suction is performed by the suction device 9 communicate at an acute angle, and the cutting debris 410 can be effectively removed without reducing the gas flow rate.

[0036] (6) In the example shown in Fig. 2, a suction flow path 60 and a suction hole 600 are provided in the inner peripheral holding portion 6 as a suction mechanism, so that the workpiece 4 is suctioned to the underside 61 of the inner peripheral holding portion 6. However, this configuration is not limited to this, and as shown in Fig. 13, a suction flow path 50 and a suction hole 500 may be provided on the side of the mounting table 5 to suction the workpiece 4 to the mounting surface of the mounting table 5, or a suction mechanism may be provided on both the inner peripheral holding portion 6 and the mounting table 5.

[0037] The various embodiments and modifications described above are merely examples, and the present invention is not limited to these unless the features of the invention are impaired. Other embodiments that are conceivable within the scope of the technical idea of ​​the present invention are also included within the scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0038] 1...cutting device, 2...cutting blade, 3...upper die, 4...workpiece, 4a...product area, 4c...surplus area, 5...mounting table, 6...inner circumference holding portion, 7...outer circumference holding portion, 8...support portion, 9...suction device, 10...blowing device, 31, 50, 60...suction flow path, 21...blade portion, 61, 71...bottom surface, 62...end surface, 63...R surface, 72...surface, 81...fixing plate, 211, 212...blade surface, 310...suction opening, 500, 600...suction hole

Claims

1. a mounting table on which a plate-shaped workpiece is placed; a first workpiece holder for pressing a first workpiece region of the workpiece toward the mounting table; a second workpiece holder provided at a distance from the first workpiece holder in the workpiece extension direction, for pressing a second workpiece region of the workpiece toward the mounting table; A cutting device comprising: a blade portion that moves up and down between the first workpiece holder and the second workpiece holder in a workpiece direction to cut the workpiece; The blade portion has a first blade surface extending from the tip of the blade portion in the lifting direction and facing the first workpiece holding portion, and a second blade surface extending from the tip of the blade portion and facing the second workpiece holding portion, a blow mechanism that constantly supplies blow gas from a gap between the first blade surface and the first workpiece holder to a tip region of the blade portion; a suction mechanism that constantly sucks gas from a tip region of the blade portion through a gap between the second blade surface and the second workpiece holder; A cutting device comprising:

2. 2. The cutting device according to claim 1, the first workpiece holding portion has a first end surface that faces the first blade surface with a predetermined first clearance when the blade portion is raised and lowered, A cutting device characterized in that the first clearance is set smaller than the distance between the tip of the blade portion at the uppermost lift position and the first workpiece holder.

3. 3. The cutting device according to claim 2, The second workpiece holding portion has an opposing surface that faces the second blade surface of the blade portion, A cutting device, wherein a second clearance between the second blade surface and the opposing surface at an extreme lift position of the blade portion is larger than the first clearance.

4. 2. The cutting device according to claim 1, The blade portion that cuts the workpiece is a trimming blade portion that removes an excess work area from the workpiece to form a product work area, A cutting device, characterized in that the first work area is the product work area and the second work area is the excess work area.

5. 2. The cutting device according to claim 1, A cutting device, wherein the angle formed between the first blade surface and the second blade surface is set to an acute angle.

6. 2. The cutting device according to claim 1, A cutting device characterized in that the mounting table and / or the first workpiece holder is provided with a suction mechanism that sucks and adsorbs the workpiece.

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