Sheet conveyance apparatus

Abstract

To prevent a sheet from being easily brought in contact with a turn part for turning over the sheet.SOLUTION: A sheet conveyance apparatus according to the present invention has a first conveyance part for conveying a stipe-shaped sheet 1 having a first surface 1A and a second surface 1B as a rear surface of the first surface 1A with placing the first surface 1A at a down side, a turn part 30 provided at a downstream of the first conveyance part for turning over the sheet 1, and a second conveyance part provided at a downstream of the turn part 30 for conveying the sheet 1 with placing the second surface 1B at a down side. The turn part 30 has a convex surface 31 with its axial line extended in the width direction of the sheet 1 and turns over the sheet 1 along a convex surface 31 with facing the first surface 1A to an inner side. The convex surface 31 has a small diameter part 32 with an air nozzle 32a for ejecting air thereon and a pair of large diameter parts 33 disposed at both sides of an axial direction of the small diameter part 32 so as to be extended outwards in a diameter direction as compared with the small diameter part 32 and holding both edge portions in the width direction of the sheet 1.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a drying device that dries a strip of metal foil coated with a coating material while transporting the coated material. In the drying device described in Patent Document 1, the transport path is folded back twice in the vertical direction, resulting in a three-stage configuration. A semi-cylindrical air turn bar is provided at the folding point from the second stage to the third stage. In the air turn bar, the metal foil is transported along the semi-cylindrical outer periphery of the air turn bar with the coating material side facing inward. The air turn bar has a mesh wall that blows air out from the wall. According to Patent Document 1, the air blown out from the air turn bar lifts the metal foil from the air turn bar, allowing it to be transported while maintaining a predetermined gap between the air turn bar and the metal foil. The air turn bar allows the metal foil to be folded back without contact. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2023-003004 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the sheet conveying device described in Patent Document 1, if the metal foil comes into contact with the air turn bar that turns the metal foil over, the coating material applied to the metal foil will be damaged. Here, we propose a sheet conveying device that makes it less likely for the sheet to come into contact with the turn bar that turns the sheet over. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The sheet conveying device proposed here includes a first conveying section in which a band-shaped sheet having a first side and a second side opposite to the first side is conveyed with the first side facing down, a turn section located downstream of the first conveying section and flipping the sheet, and a second conveying section located downstream of the turn section and conveying the sheet with the second side facing down. The turn section has a convex curved surface whose axis extends in the width direction of the sheet, and flips the sheet along the convex curved surface so that the first side faces inward. The convex curved surface includes a small diameter section in which an air nozzle for spraying air is formed, and a pair of large diameter sections located on both sides of the axial direction of the small diameter section, protruding radially outward from the small diameter section, and supporting both widthwise ends of the sheet.

[0006] According to the sheet conveying device, by spraying air from the air nozzles in the small diameter portion and supporting both widthwise ends of the sheet with a pair of large diameter portions disposed on both ends of the small diameter portion, the portion of the sheet facing the small diameter portion can be reliably lifted from the small diameter portion, thereby making it less likely that the sheet will come into contact with the turning portion. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a sheet conveying device. [Figure 2] FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] An embodiment of a sheet conveying device will be described below. It should be noted that the embodiment described here is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. Furthermore, the drawings are schematic diagrams and do not necessarily faithfully reflect actual products. In the following, the same reference numerals will be used to designate components and parts that perform the same functions, and duplicate descriptions will be omitted or simplified as appropriate.

[0009] [Configuration of sheet transport device] 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a sheet conveying apparatus 10. The sheet conveying apparatus 10 is an apparatus that conveys an electrode sheet 1 of an electricity storage device. In this specification, the term "electricity storage device" is a term that generally refers to devices that can extract electrical energy, and is a concept that includes primary batteries and secondary batteries, as well as chemical batteries such as lithium-ion secondary batteries and nickel-metal hydride batteries, and physical batteries such as electric double layer capacitors.

[0010] As shown in FIG. 1, the sheet conveying device 10 is configured to turn over the electrode sheet 1 during conveyance. The electrode sheet 1 is formed in a strip shape by coating one surface of an electrode foil 2 with a coating material 3 (paste) containing an electrode active material. The electrode sheet 1 has a coated surface 1A coated with the coating material 3 and an uncoated surface 1B opposite the coated surface 1A. The electrode sheet 1 has a pair of uncoated portions 4A at both ends of the width direction of the coated surface 1A, where the coating material 3 is not coated (see FIGS. 2 and 3; in FIGS. 2 and 3, the coated surface 1A is the underside of the electrode sheet 1). Hereinafter, the area of ​​the coated surface 1A coated with the coating material 3 will also be referred to as the coated portion 3A. The illustrated portion of the sheet conveying device 10 conveys the electrode sheet 1 when the coating material 3 is still wet. However, the illustrated portion of the sheet conveying device 10 may also convey the electrode sheet 1 after the coating material 3 has been dried.

[0011] As shown in FIG. 1, the sheet conveying device 10 includes a first conveying section 20 through which the electrode sheet 1 is conveyed, a turning section 30 provided downstream of the first conveying section 20, and a second conveying section 40 provided downstream of the turning section 30. Here, the first conveying section 20 and the second conveying section 40 are each provided substantially horizontally. In the first conveying section 20, the electrode sheet 1 is conveyed with the coated side 1A facing downward. In the turning section 30, the electrode sheet 1 is turned over so that the coated side 1A faces inward and the uncoated side 1B faces downward. "Turning over" here means rotating the electrode sheet 1 so that the upper and lower surfaces are interchanged. In the second conveying section 40, the electrode sheet 1 is conveyed with the uncoated side 1B facing downward. The second conveying section 40 is disposed below the first conveying section 20.

[0012] The first conveying section 20 is equipped with an upstream air nozzle 21 that sprays air toward the coated surface 1A of the electrode sheet 1. The first conveying section 20 is configured so that the sprayed air can lift the electrode sheet 1. This prevents the undried (or dried) coating material 3 from coming into contact with the sheet conveying device 10 and causing the coating material 3 to peel off. The upstream air nozzle 21 is disposed below the conveying path of the electrode sheet 1 in the first conveying section 20, and sprays air upward. Upstream conveying rollers 22 are provided above the conveying path of the electrode sheet 1 in the first conveying section 20. The upstream conveying rollers 22 come into contact with the uncoated surface 1B of the electrode sheet 1 and convey the electrode sheet 1 downstream.

[0013] In this embodiment, the upstream air nozzle 21 also functions as a nozzle that sprays air to dry the coating material 3. In this embodiment, the electrode sheet 1 is dried while being transported by the sheet transport device 10. However, the sheet transport device 10 may transport the electrode sheet 1, with the coating material 3 still wet, to a separately provided drying device.

[0014] The turn section 30 has a convex curved surface 31 along which the electrode sheet 1 follows when it is turned over. The turn section 30 is configured to blow air from the convex curved surface 31 radially outward from the convex curved surface 31. As a result, the coated section 3A of the electrode sheet 1 is transported while being spaced apart from the convex curved surface 31. By separating the coated section 3A from the convex curved surface 31, damage to the coated section 3A due to contact with the turn section 30 is prevented. The detailed configuration of the turn section 30 will be described later.

[0015] The second conveying section 40 is equipped with a downstream air nozzle 41 that sprays air toward the coated surface 1A of the electrode sheet 1. The downstream air nozzle 41 is arranged above the conveying path of the electrode sheet 1 in the second conveying section 40, and sprays air downward. In the second conveying section 40, the electrode sheet 1 is conveyed with the coated surface 1A facing upward. Downstream conveying rollers 42 are provided below the conveying path of the electrode sheet 1 in the second conveying section 40. The downstream conveying rollers 42 come into contact with the uncoated surface 1B, which has become the lower surface of the electrode sheet 1, and convey the electrode sheet 1 downstream.

[0016] [Turn section configuration] The configuration of the turn section 30 will be described below. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the turn section 30. Fig. 3 is a plan view of the turn section 30. Fig. 4 is a side view of the turn section 30. As shown in Figs. 2 to 4, the turn section 30 has a convex curved surface 31 whose axis extends in the width direction of the electrode sheet 1. The turn section 30 turns the electrode sheet 1 over along the convex curved surface 31 so that the coated surface 1A faces inward. As shown in Figs. 2 to 4, the convex curved surface 31 has a small diameter section 32, a pair of large diameter sections 33 arranged on both sides of the small diameter section 32 in the axial direction (the width direction of the electrode sheet 1), a pair of upstream auxiliary rollers 34 that respectively contact the pair of large diameter sections 33, and a pair of downstream auxiliary rollers 35 that respectively contact the pair of large diameter sections 33.

[0017] The small-diameter portion 32 is semicircular in shape, with its axis extending in the width direction of the electrode sheet 1. As shown in FIG. 1 , the small-diameter portion 32 is hollow. A plurality of air nozzles 32a for spraying air are formed in the arc portion of the small-diameter portion 32. Here, each air nozzle 32a is a substantially circular through-hole formed to penetrate the arc portion of the small-diameter portion 32 and communicates with the internal space 32b of the small-diameter portion 32. The plurality of air nozzles 32a are evenly arranged throughout the arc portion of the small-diameter portion 32. However, the shape and arrangement of the plurality of air nozzles 32a are not particularly limited. For example, some or all of the plurality of air nozzles 32a may be configured as elongated holes that are long in the width direction of the electrode sheet 1. The plurality of air nozzles 32a may be arranged, for example, so that the upstream side in the conveyance direction of the electrode sheet 1 is denser than the downstream side.

[0018] 1, the small diameter portion 32 has an air inlet 32c that introduces air into the internal space 32b. The air inlet 32c is connected to a blower fan (not shown). The air supplied from the air inlet 32c to the internal space 32b by the blower fan is sprayed from the air nozzle 32a. Note that the air may be supplied not by the blower fan but by, for example, an air compressor that generates compressed air.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 2 , the pair of large diameter portions 33 are disposed on both axial sides of the small diameter portion 32 and protrude radially outward beyond the small diameter portion 32. Each large diameter portion 33 is configured concentrically with the small diameter portion 32. The radius of each large diameter portion 33 is larger than the radius of the small diameter portion 32. The difference between the radius of the large diameter portion 33 and the radius of the small diameter portion 32 is preferably, for example, 1 mm or more and 5 mm or less. The pair of large diameter portions 33 support both widthwise ends of the electrode sheet 1, more specifically, uncoated portions 4A provided on both ends of the coated surface 1A. The electrode sheet 1 contacts the turn portions 30 (large diameter portions 33) at the uncoated portions 4A on both ends. The coated portion 3A of the electrode sheet 1 does not contact either the small diameter portion 32 or the pair of large diameter portions 33.

[0020] The pair of large diameter portions 33 are configured to be rotatable around a rotation axis 33a extending in the axial direction (width direction of the electrode sheet 1). The turn portion 30 includes a support member 36 that rotatably supports the pair of large diameter portions 33. The outer axial portion of each large diameter portion 33 is rotatably supported by the support member 36. In this embodiment, each large diameter portion 33 is supported on one side by the support member 36. However, each large diameter portion 33 may also be rotatably supported by the small diameter portion 32. Note that in this embodiment, the support member 36 also supports the small diameter portion 32 so that it cannot rotate.

[0021] As shown in Fig. 2, each large diameter portion 33 has a plurality of suction holes 33b formed therein to suck in air. Each large diameter portion 33 is hollow and has an internal space (not shown). Here, each suction hole 33b is a substantially circular through-hole formed to penetrate the circumferential surface of large diameter portion 33 and communicates with the internal space of large diameter portion 33. The plurality of suction holes 33b are arranged around the entire circumference of large diameter portion 33. However, the shape, arrangement, etc. of suction holes 33b are not particularly limited.

[0022] The turn section 30 is provided with a pair of decompression pipes 37 that suck air out of the internal spaces of the pair of large diameter sections 33. The decompression pipes 37 are connected to the rotation shafts 33a of the large diameter sections 33 and communicate with the internal spaces of the large diameter sections 33. A fan (not shown) is connected to the other end of each decompression pipe 37. When the fan is driven, the pressure inside the internal spaces of the large diameter sections 33 is reduced, and external air is sucked in through a plurality of suction holes 33b formed on the circumferential surface of the large diameter sections 33. As a result, the electrode sheet 1 (more specifically, the uncoated sections 4A) supported by the large diameter sections 33 is adsorbed to the large diameter sections 33.

[0023] The pair of upstream auxiliary rollers 34 are configured to be rotatable around rotation axes 34a extending parallel to the rotation axes 33a of the pair of large diameter portions 33. A support member 36 rotatably supports the pair of upstream auxiliary rollers 34. The pair of upstream auxiliary rollers 34 abut against the pair of large diameter portions 33, respectively. Therefore, when the pair of large diameter portions 33 rotate, the pair of upstream auxiliary rollers 34 rotates accordingly. Here, the pair of upstream auxiliary rollers 34 are provided upstream of the small diameter portions 32 in the conveying direction of the electrode sheet 1. The pair of upstream auxiliary rollers 34 are disposed above the central axes of the small diameter portions 32 and the large diameter portions 33 (rotation axes 33a of the large diameter portions 33). The pair of upstream auxiliary rollers 34 abut against semicircular arc portions of the large diameter portions 33 opposite to the semicircular arc portion that supports the electrode sheet 1 (the semicircular arc portion arranged alongside the small diameter portions 32). The pair of upstream auxiliary rollers 34 suppress wobbling of the rotation of the large diameter portion 33 around the rotation axis 33a. The pair of upstream auxiliary rollers 34 receives the large diameter portion 33 that is pressed toward the first conveying section 20 (to the right in FIG. 1) by the electrode sheet 1, thereby suppressing wobbling of the large diameter portion 33 in rotation.

[0024] The pair of downstream auxiliary rollers 35 are also configured to be rotatable around rotation axes 35a extending parallel to the rotation axes 33a of the pair of large-diameter portions 33. The support member 36 rotatably supports the pair of downstream auxiliary rollers 35. The pair of downstream auxiliary rollers 35 also abut against the pair of large-diameter portions 33, respectively, and rotate following rotation of the pair of large-diameter portions 33. The pair of downstream auxiliary rollers 35 are provided downstream of the small-diameter portions 32 in the conveying direction of the electrode sheet 1. The pair of downstream auxiliary rollers 35 are disposed below the central axes (rotation axes 33a of the large-diameter portions 33) of the small-diameter portions 32 and the large-diameter portions 33. The pair of downstream auxiliary rollers 35 also abut against semicircular arc portions of the large-diameter portions 33 on the opposite side to the semicircular arc portion that supports the electrode sheet 1. The pair of downstream auxiliary rollers 35, together with the upstream auxiliary roller 34, suppress deviation in rotation of the large-diameter portions 33 around the rotation axes 33a. The upstream auxiliary roller 34 and the downstream auxiliary roller 35 do not have to be divided into two rollers corresponding to the pair of large diameter portions 33, and may be one long roller.

[0025] [Effects of the embodiment] The following describes the effects that can be achieved by the sheet conveying device 10 according to this embodiment.

[0026] The sheet conveying device 10 according to this embodiment includes a first conveying section 20 in which a strip-shaped electrode sheet 1 having a coated surface 1A and an uncoated surface 1B opposite to the coated surface 1A is conveyed with the coated surface 1A facing down, a turn section 30 having a convex curved surface 31 whose axis extends in the width direction of the electrode sheet 1 and disposed downstream of the first conveying section 20, which turns the electrode sheet 1 over along the convex curved surface 31 so that the coated surface 1A faces inward, and a second conveying section 40 disposed downstream of the turn section 30, in which the electrode sheet 1 is conveyed with the uncoated surface 1B facing down. The convex curved surface 31 includes a small diameter section 32 in which an air nozzle 32a for spraying air is formed, and a pair of large diameter sections 33 disposed on either side of the small diameter section 32 in the axial direction, which protrude radially outward beyond the small diameter section 32, and which support both widthwise ends of the electrode sheet 1.

[0027] According to this configuration, air is sprayed from the air nozzles 32a of the small-diameter portion 32, and both widthwise ends of the electrode sheet 1 are supported by a pair of large-diameter portions 33 arranged at both ends of the small-diameter portion 32. This ensures that the portion of the electrode sheet 1 facing the small-diameter portion 32 (here, the coated portion 3A) is lifted from the small-diameter portion 32. Specifically, the support of the large-diameter portion 33, which protrudes radially outward from the small-diameter portion 32, creates a gap between the coated portion 3A of the electrode sheet 1 and the small-diameter portion 32, separating the coated portion 3A from the small-diameter portion 32. Furthermore, contact between the electrode sheet 1 and the large-diameter portion 33 reduces the amount of air discharged from both widthwise sides of the electrode sheet 1, improving the lifting force of the air sprayed from the small-diameter portion 32. This makes it less likely that the electrode sheet 1 will come into contact with the turn portion 30. As a result, the risk of damage to the coated portion 3A due to contact with the turn portion 30 can be reduced.

[0028] In this embodiment, the electrode sheet 1 has a pair of uncoated portions 4A that are not coated with the coating material 3 at both widthwise ends of the coated surface 1A. The pair of large diameter portions 33 support the uncoated portions 4A. With this configuration, the portions of the electrode sheet 1 that are supported by the large diameter portions 33 are not coated with the coating material 3. Therefore, damage to the coating material 3 due to contact with the large diameter portions 33 can be prevented.

[0029] In this embodiment, the pair of large diameter portions 33 are configured to be rotatable around a rotation shaft 33a extending in the axial direction. With this configuration, the pair of large diameter portions 33 are rotated following the conveyance of the electrode sheet 1. This suppresses elongation of the uncoated portion 4A due to tension when wrapped around the large diameter portions 33. The turning unit 30 may also include a drive unit that rotates the pair of large diameter portions 33 in accordance with the conveyance speed of the electrode sheet 1.

[0030] In this embodiment, suction holes 33b that suck in air are formed in the pair of large diameter portions 33. With this configuration, the electrode sheet 1 is attracted to the large diameter portions 33 and adheres tightly to them. This ensures that the electrode sheet 1 is reliably supported by the large diameter portions 33. Furthermore, air leakage from both sides in the width direction of the electrode sheet 1 is reduced, further improving the buoyancy of the air injected from the small diameter portions 32.

[0031] The sheet conveying device 10 according to this embodiment is configured to be rotatable about rotation shafts 34a extending parallel to the rotation shafts 33a of the pair of large diameter portions 33, and includes a pair of upstream auxiliary rollers 34 that abut against the pair of large diameter portions 33. This configuration can suppress deviation in the rotation of the large diameter portions 33 around the rotation shafts 33a. By further providing a pair of downstream auxiliary rollers 35, deviation in the rotation of the large diameter portions 33 can be more effectively suppressed.

[0032] The sheet to be conveyed in this embodiment is an electrode sheet 1 having a coating surface 1A coated with a coating material 3 (paste) containing an electrode active material. The sheet conveying device 10 according to this embodiment can be suitably used for conveying such an electrode sheet 1.

[0033] The above describes one embodiment of the sheet conveying device proposed herein. However, the above embodiment is merely an example, and the present invention can be embodied in other ways. The above embodiment does not limit the present invention unless specifically stated otherwise. Furthermore, the technology disclosed herein can be modified in various ways, and the components and processes described herein can be omitted or combined as appropriate, provided that no particular problems arise.

[0034] For example, the sheet conveying device is not limited to conveying electrode sheets for power storage devices, but may also convey other strip-shaped sheets. For example, the small diameter portion may be an arc-shaped portion that is greater than or less than a semicircle. The first conveying unit may be configured to convey the sheet with the coating unit facing downward, and may convey the sheet in a direction other than horizontal. The second conveying unit may also be configured to convey the sheet with the coating unit facing upward, and may convey the sheet in a direction other than horizontal.

[0035] Furthermore, for example, the large diameter portion may be configured to be non-rotatable. Even if the large diameter portion does not rotate, the sheet conveying device can achieve the effect of reducing the risk of the electrode sheet coming into contact with the turning portion and damaging the coating portion.

[0036] This specification includes the disclosures set forth in the following sections:

[0037] Section 1: a first conveying section in which a strip-shaped sheet having a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface is conveyed with the first surface facing down; a turning unit having a convex curved surface whose axis extends in the width direction of the sheet, the turning unit being provided downstream of the first conveying unit and turning the sheet over along the convex curved surface so that the first surface faces inward; a second conveying section provided downstream of the turning section, through which the sheet is conveyed with the second surface facing downward; The convex curved surface is a small diameter portion in which an air nozzle for injecting air is formed; a pair of large diameter portions disposed on both axial sides of the small diameter portion, protruding radially outward from the small diameter portion, and supporting both widthwise ends of the sheet; Sheet transport device.

[0038] Section 2: The sheet has a pair of uncoated portions at both ends in the width direction of the first surface, the uncoated portions being uncoated with a coating material, The pair of large diameter portions support the uncoated portion. Item 1. A sheet conveying device according to item 1.

[0039] Section 3: The pair of large diameter portions are configured to be rotatable around a rotation axis extending in the axial direction. Item 1 or 2. The sheet conveying device.

[0040] Section 4: The pair of large diameter portions are formed with suction holes for sucking air. Item 4. The sheet conveying device according to item 3.

[0041] Section 5: The rotary shaft is configured to be rotatable about a rotation axis extending parallel to the rotation axis of the pair of large diameter portions, and further includes a pair of auxiliary rollers that abut against the pair of large diameter portions, respectively. Item 5. The sheet conveying device according to item 3 or 4.

[0042] Item 6: The sheet is an electrode sheet having a paste containing an electrode active material applied to the first surface. 6. A sheet conveying device according to any one of items 1 to 5. [Explanation of symbols]

[0043] 1 Electrode sheet (sheet) 1A Coated surface (first surface) 1B Uncoated side (2nd side) 2 Electrode foil 3 Coating material (paste) 3A Coating Department 4A Uncoated area 10. Sheet transport device 20 First conveying section 21 Upstream air nozzle 22 Upstream transport roller 30 Turn Section 31 Convex curved surface 32 Small diameter section 32a Air nozzle 32b Internal space 32c air inlet 33 Large diameter section 33a Rotation axis 33b Suction hole 34 Upstream auxiliary roller (auxiliary roller) 34a Rotation axis 35 Downstream auxiliary roller (auxiliary roller) 35a Rotation axis 36 Support member 37 Pressure reducing tube 40 Second conveying section 41 Downstream air nozzle 42 downstream transport roller

Claims

1. a first conveying section in which a band-shaped sheet having a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface is conveyed with the first surface facing down; a turning unit having a convex curved surface whose axis extends in the width direction of the sheet, the turning unit being provided downstream of the first conveying unit and configured to turn the sheet over along the convex curved surface so that the first surface faces inward; a second conveying section provided downstream of the turning section, through which the sheet is conveyed with the second surface facing downward; The convex curved surface is a small diameter portion in which an air nozzle for injecting air is formed; a pair of large diameter portions disposed on both axial sides of the small diameter portion, protruding radially outward from the small diameter portion, and supporting both widthwise ends of the sheet; Sheet transport device.

2. The sheet has a pair of uncoated portions at both ends in the width direction of the first surface, the uncoated portions being uncoated with a coating material, The pair of large diameter portions support the uncoated portion. The sheet transport device according to claim 1 .

3. The pair of large diameter portions are configured to be rotatable around a rotation axis extending in the axial direction. The sheet transport device according to claim 1 .

4. The pair of large diameter portions are formed with suction holes for sucking air. The sheet transport device according to claim 3 .

5. The rotary shaft is configured to be rotatable about a rotation axis extending parallel to the rotation axis of the pair of large diameter portions, and further includes a pair of auxiliary rollers that abut against the pair of large diameter portions, respectively. The sheet transport device according to claim 3 .

6. The sheet is an electrode sheet having a paste containing an electrode active material applied to the first surface. The sheet conveying device according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

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