Processing equipment

Abstract

We aim to improve the precision of web processing using compact processing equipment. [Solution] A processing apparatus (1) according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is a processing apparatus for processing a conveyed strip-shaped web (2), comprising: a detection unit (11) for detecting the inclination of the web (2); a processing unit (12) having a processing unit (21) that can move across the web (2); and a control unit (13) for controlling the processing unit (12). The control unit (13) controls the processing unit (12) so that the processing unit (21) moves in the longitudinal direction of the web (2) and in the width direction perpendicular to the thickness direction of the web (2) based on the amount of inclination of the web (2).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a processing apparatus, for example, a processing apparatus for processing a belt-shaped web to be conveyed.

Background Art

[0002] When the web is conveyed, the web meanders and tilts. However, since a general processing apparatus is configured to move the processing unit in a direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the web and the thickness direction of the web, the web cannot be processed accurately. Therefore, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses a processing apparatus that corrects the inclination (meandering) of the web by a meandering correction roller based on the amount of inclination of the web detected by a meandering detection sensor.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The applicant of the present application has found the following problems. The processing apparatus of Patent Document 1 requires a meandering correction roller in order to improve the processing accuracy of the web, and has a problem that the processing apparatus becomes large-sized.

[0005] The present disclosure realizes an improvement in the processing accuracy of the web with a small-sized processing apparatus.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] A processing apparatus according to an aspect of the present disclosure is a processing apparatus for processing a belt-shaped web to be conveyed, a detection unit for detecting the inclination of the web, a processing unit having a processing part movable so as to cross the web, a control unit for controlling the processing unit, Equipped with, The control unit controls the machining unit so that the machining unit moves in the longitudinal direction of the web and in the width direction perpendicular to the thickness direction of the web, based on the amount of inclination of the web.

[0007] In the processing apparatus described above, the processing unit is A first drive unit is positioned to cross the web and moves the processing unit across the web, A second drive unit moves one end of the first drive unit in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction of the web and the thickness direction of the web in an axial direction parallel to the transport direction of the web, A third drive unit moves the other end of the first drive unit in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction of the web and the thickness direction of the web in an axial direction parallel to the transport direction of the web, Equipped with, Preferably, the control unit controls the first drive unit, the second drive unit, and the third drive unit so that the processing unit moves in the width direction of the web based on the amount of inclination of the web.

[0008] In the processing apparatus described above, the control unit controls the second drive unit and the third drive unit based on the amount of inclination of the web, and preferably maintains a state in which one end of the first drive unit in the direction perpendicular to the web transport direction and the thickness direction of the web is moved significantly in the web transport direction relative to the other end, such that the central axis passing through the center of the web in the width direction and extending in the longitudinal direction of the web is perpendicular to the movement direction of the processing unit.

[0009] In the processing apparatus described above, it is preferable that the control unit controls the first drive unit, the second drive unit and the third drive unit based on the amount of inclination of the web, and moves both ends of the first drive unit in the direction perpendicular to the web transport direction and the thickness direction of the web equal to the web transport direction, so that the processing unit moves in the width direction of the web, while controlling the axial movement speed of the processing unit in the direction parallel to the web transport direction and the movement speed of the processing unit in the direction perpendicular to the web transport direction and the thickness direction of the web.

[0010] In the processing apparatus described above, the web is provided with electrodes arranged at intervals along the longitudinal direction of the web, Preferably, the detection unit detects the inclination of the web by detecting the position of the end of the web in the width direction on the foil of the electrode. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to this disclosure, it is possible to improve the machining accuracy of webs using a small machining device. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0012] [Figure 1] This is a view of the processing apparatus of Embodiment 1, seen from the Z-axis + side. [Figure 2] This is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control system of the processing apparatus according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 3] This figure shows how the tilt of the web electrode is detected using the processing apparatus of Embodiment 1. [Figure 4] This figure shows how the web is cut using the processing apparatus of Embodiment 1. [Figure 5] This figure shows how the web is cut using the processing apparatus of Embodiment 2. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0013] Hereinafter, specific embodiments to which the present disclosure is applied will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the present disclosure is not limited to the following embodiments. Also, for clarity of explanation, the following description and drawings are simplified as appropriate.

[0014] <Embodiment 1> First, the configuration of the processing apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described. In the following description, for clarity of explanation, a three-dimensional (XYZ) coordinate system will be used. FIG. 1 is a view of the processing apparatus according to the present embodiment as seen from the +Z side. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control system of the processing apparatus according to the present embodiment.

[0015] Here, the description of the configuration of the following processing apparatus 1 will be given in a state where the center axis AX passing through the center in the width direction (i.e., the short side direction) of the web 2 and extending in the longitudinal direction of the web 2 is parallel to the Y axis, that is, when the web 2 is conveyed to the +Y side without being inclined with respect to the Y axis.

[0016] The processing apparatus 1 is suitable for cutting the web 2 in which the electrodes 3 of the fuel cell are arranged at intervals in the Y-axis direction, for example, as shown in FIG. 1, and cutting out the electrodes 3. The web 2 is formed by connecting, for example, the electrodes 3 arranged in the Y-axis direction with the long-side seal 4 and the short-side seal 5 made of resin, and has a long strip shape in the Y-axis direction. The electrode 3 is formed by laminating, for example, a catalyst 3b on a copper foil 3a.

[0017] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the processing apparatus 1 includes a detection unit 11, a processing unit 12, and a control unit 13. The detection unit 11 detects the inclination of the web 2 conveyed toward the +Y side with respect to the Y axis. The detection unit 11 includes, for example, an edge sensor 11a. The edge sensors 11a are arranged on both sides of the web 2 in the X-axis direction.

[0018] As shown in Figure 1, the edge sensors 11a on the X-axis+ side are arranged with a gap in the Y-axis direction. The edge sensors 11a on the X-axis- side are also arranged with a gap in the Y-axis direction and are positioned opposite the edge sensors 11a on the X-axis+ side in the X-axis direction.

[0019] Then, for example, by detecting the positions of two points on the X-axis-positive side of the copper foil 3a of electrode 3 with the X-axis-positive edge sensor 11a, and detecting the positions of two points on the X-axis-negative side of the copper foil 3a of electrode 3 with the X-axis-negative edge sensor 11a, the tilt of the central axis AX of electrode 3 of web 2 around the Z axis with respect to the Y axis is detected.

[0020] The machining unit 12 performs machining in a direction that crosses the web 2. The machining unit 12 includes, for example, a machining section 21, a first drive unit 22, a second drive unit 23, and a third drive unit 24, as shown in Figures 1 and 2.

[0021] The machining unit 21 is equipped with a tool for machining the web 2, such as a cutter. The first drive unit 22 is positioned to cross the web 2 in the X-axis direction and moves the machining unit 21 in the X-axis direction. The first drive unit 22 is equipped with a linear actuator, such as a linear guide or a ball screw.

[0022] The second drive unit 23 moves the X-axis positive end of the first drive unit 22 in the Y-axis direction. The second drive unit 23 includes, for example, a ball screw 23a and a motor 23b, as shown in Figure 1.

[0023] As shown in Figure 1, the ball screw 23a extends in the Y-axis direction, and the X-axis positive end of the first drive unit 22 is fixed to the nut portion of the ball screw 23a so as to be rotatable around the Z-axis. The motor 23b is connected to the Y-axis positive end of the screw shaft of the ball screw 23a.

[0024] The third drive unit 24 moves the X-axis side end of the first drive unit 22 in the Y-axis direction. The third drive unit 24 includes, for example, a ball screw 24a and a motor 24b, as shown in Figure 1.

[0025] As shown in Figure 1, the ball screw 24a extends in the Y-axis direction, and the X-axis-side end of the first drive unit 22 is fixed to the nut portion of the ball screw 24a so as to be rotatable around the Z-axis. The motor 24b is connected to the Y-axis-+ end of the screw shaft of the ball screw 24a.

[0026] The control unit 13 controls the first drive unit 22, the second drive unit 23, and the third drive unit 24 so that the machining unit 21 moves in a direction perpendicular to the central axis AX and Z axis of the web 2 (i.e., in the width direction of the web 2), based on the amount of inclination of the electrode 3 of the web 2, as will be described in detail later.

[0027] Next, the process of cutting the web 2 using the processing device 1 of this embodiment will be explained. Figure 3 shows how the tilt of the electrodes on the web is detected using the processing device of this embodiment. Figure 4 shows how the web is cut using the processing device of this embodiment.

[0028] First, as shown in Figure 3, the control unit 13 obtains the detection result of the tilt of the electrode 3 of the web 2 being transported on the Y-axis + side from the detection unit 11, and derives the amount of tilt of the web 2 based on the detection result of the detection unit 11.

[0029] Next, the control unit 13 controls the motor 23b of the second drive unit 23 and the motor 24b of the third drive unit 24 in order to tilt the first drive unit 22 so that the machining unit 21 moves in the width direction of the web 2, based on the amount of inclination of the web 2 that has been derived.

[0030] In detail, for example, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, if the web 2 is tilted toward the X-axis+ side as it moves toward the Y-axis+ side, the control unit 13 controls the motor 23b of the second drive unit 23 and the motor 24b of the third drive unit 24 to move the X-axis- side end of the first drive unit 22 significantly toward the Y-axis+ side relative to the X-axis+ side of the first drive unit 22, thereby rotating the first drive unit 22 around the Z-axis, and aligning a predetermined cutting line CL extending in the width direction of the web 2 between adjacent electrodes 3 of the web 2 and the movement direction MD of the processing unit 21 substantially parallel to each other.

[0031] Then, for example, as shown in Figure 4, the control unit 13 controls the motor 23b of the second drive unit 23 and the motor 24b of the third drive unit 24 so that the transport speed of the web 2 and the movement speed of the first drive unit 22 toward the Y-axis + side are synchronized, while maintaining a state in which the cutting line CL of the web 2 and the movement direction MD of the processing unit 21 are arranged substantially parallel to each other.

[0032] Simultaneously, the control unit 13 controls the first drive unit 22 to move the processing unit 21 and cut the web 2 along the cutting line CL. This allows the electrode 3 to be cut out from the web 2. At this time, the cutting line CL of the web 2 and the direction of movement MD of the processing unit 21 are maintained to be approximately parallel, so the web 2 can be cut accurately in the width direction of the web 2.

[0033] Thus, the processing apparatus 1 of this embodiment can cut the web 2 with high precision without using a meandering correction roller like the processing apparatus in Patent Document 1. Therefore, the processing accuracy of the web 2 can be improved with a compact processing apparatus 1.

[0034] Furthermore, since a typical processing device is equipped with the first drive unit 22, the second drive unit 23, and the third drive unit 24 of the processing device 1 in this embodiment, the processing accuracy of the web 2 can be improved by using components that are generally available in a typical processing device.

[0035] <Embodiment 2> In Embodiment 1, the first drive unit 22 is rotated around the Z-axis according to the amount of inclination of the web 2, but the control unit 13 may control the first drive unit 22, the second drive unit 23, and the third drive unit 24 as follows. Figure 5 shows how the web is cut using the processing apparatus of this embodiment. First, the control unit 13 derives the amount of inclination of the web 2 based on the detection result of the detection unit 11.

[0036] Next, based on the derived amount of inclination of the web 2, the control unit 13 controls the motor 23b of the second drive unit 23 and the motor 24b of the third drive unit 24 so that the machining unit 21 moves in the width direction of the web 2, as shown in Figure 5. While moving the X-axis-side end of the first drive unit 22 and the X-axis+ side of the first drive unit 22 approximately equal to the Y-axis+ side, the control unit 13 also controls the first drive unit 22 to move the machining unit 21 in the X-axis direction, thereby cutting the web 2 along the cutting line CL.

[0037] In this case, for example, as shown in Figure 5, if the web 2 is tilted toward the X-axis+ side as it moves toward the Y-axis+ side, the control unit 13 controls the first drive unit 22, the second drive unit 23, and the third drive unit 24 to control the movement speed of the machining unit 21 in the X-axis and Y-axis directions, so that the machining unit 21 moves along the cutting line CL of the web 2, and moves the machining unit 21 toward the Y-axis+ side as it moves toward the X-axis- side. This makes it possible to cut out the electrode 3 from the web 2.

[0038] Thus, without using a meandering correction roller like the processing apparatus in Patent Document 1, the web 2 can be cut accurately in the width direction simply by controlling the movement speed of the processing unit 21 in the X-axis and Y-axis directions so that the processing unit 21 moves along a cutting line CL that is tilted according to the amount of inclination of the web 2. Therefore, the processing accuracy of the web 2 can be improved with a compact processing apparatus.

[0039] In this embodiment, the first drive unit 22 and the second drive unit 23, and the first drive unit 22 and the third drive unit 24 do not necessarily have to be fixed so as to be rotatable relative to each other around the Z axis.

[0040] In the above embodiment, the web 2 was cut, but the processing of the web 2 is not limited. Also, in the above embodiment, the web 2 is configured with fuel cell electrodes 3 arranged at intervals in the Y-axis direction, but it is not limited to fuel cell electrodes; other electrodes may be used, in short, any strip-shaped member will do.

[0041] This disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above, and may be modified as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the invention. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0042] 1 Processing equipment 2 Web 3 electrodes, 3a copper foil, 3b catalyst 4 Long edge sticker 5 Short-side stickers 11 Detection unit, 11a Edge sensor 12 processing units 13 Control Unit 21 Processing Department 22 First drive unit 23 Second drive unit, 23a ball screw, 23b motor 24 Third drive unit, 24a Ball screw, 24b Motor The central axis of the AX Web CL cutting line Direction of movement of the MD processing unit

Claims

1. A processing apparatus for processing a conveyed strip-shaped web, A detection unit for detecting the tilt of the web, A processing unit having a processing section that can move across the aforementioned web, A control unit for controlling the processing unit, Equipped with, The control unit controls the processing unit so that the processing unit moves in the longitudinal direction of the web and in the width direction perpendicular to the thickness direction of the web, based on the amount of inclination of the web.

2. The aforementioned processing unit is A first drive unit is positioned to cross the web and moves the processing unit so as to cross the web, A second drive unit moves one end of the first drive unit in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction of the web and the thickness direction of the web in an axial direction parallel to the transport direction of the web, A third drive unit moves the other end of the first drive unit in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction of the web and the thickness direction of the web in an axial direction parallel to the transport direction of the web, Equipped with, The processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit controls the first drive unit, the second drive unit, and the third drive unit so that the processing unit moves in the width direction of the web based on the amount of inclination of the web.

3. The processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the control unit controls the second drive unit and the third drive unit based on the amount of inclination of the web, and maintains a state in which one end of the first drive unit in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction of the web and the thickness direction of the web is moved significantly in the transport direction of the web relative to the other end, such that the central axis passing through the center of the web in the width direction and extending in the longitudinal direction of the web and the direction of movement of the processing unit are perpendicular to each other.

4. The processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the control unit controls the first drive unit, the second drive unit and the third drive unit based on the amount of inclination of the web, and moves both ends of the first drive unit in the direction perpendicular to the transport direction of the web and the thickness direction of the web equal to the transport direction of the web, so that the processing unit moves in the width direction of the web, while controlling the axial speed of the processing unit parallel to the transport direction of the web and the speed of the processing unit in the direction perpendicular to the transport direction of the web and the thickness direction of the web.

5. The web comprises electrodes arranged at intervals along the longitudinal direction of the web, The processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the detection unit detects the inclination of the web by detecting the position of the end of the web in the width direction on the foil of the electrode.

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