Conveyor roll

Abstract

This disclosure provides a conveying roll that can ensure conveying accuracy even when the sheet conveying speed is increased. [Solution] The conveying roll according to this disclosure comprises a roll body and an adsorption block formed on the outer circumferential surface of the roll body, which is controlled to switch between an adsorption state in which air is sucked in radially inward of the roll body to adsorb a sheet and a release state in which air is ejected radially outward of the roll body to release the sheet from the adsorption state. The adsorption block comprises a spool that is movable along the axial direction of the roll body and has a plurality of suction holes for sucking in air, a plurality of first ejection holes for ejecting air, and a plurality of annular grooves through which air flows on its outer surface. When the spool moves to one end of the roll body, the plurality of suction holes communicate with the annular grooves and the adsorption block switches to the adsorption state, and when the spool moves to the other end of the roll body, the plurality of first ejection holes communicate with the annular grooves and the adsorption block switches to the release state.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a conveyance roll.

Background Art

[0002] Conveyance rolls such as so-called transfer rolls and anvil rolls convey a sheet such as a plastic film, a metal film, or continuous paper along the outer peripheral surface. For example, Patent Document 1 proposes a conveyance roll provided with a region for adsorbing a sheet to the outer peripheral surface, that is, an adsorption region. The adsorption region is controllably switched between a state in which air is sucked from the through-holes to adsorb the sheet to the outer peripheral surface and a state in which air is ejected from the through-holes to release the adsorption. [[ID=1X]]

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Regarding the conveyance roll proposed in Patent Document 1, the inventors have found the following problems. For example, at the end of the conveyance roll, a valve is provided that can switch a flow path connected to the through-hole between an air suction flow path and an air supply flow path. In this case, the control for switching the state of the adsorption region is performed by switching the valve. However, in this method, there is a difference in responsiveness to reach a predetermined pressure between the through-holes located close to the valve and the through-holes located far from the valve. Therefore, there is a risk that conveyance accuracy cannot be ensured when the conveyance speed of the sheet is increased.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made to solve such problems, and provides a conveyance roll capable of ensuring conveyance accuracy when the conveyance speed of a sheet is increased.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The conveying roll according to this disclosure is a conveying roll for conveying a sheet for a battery, and comprises a roll body and an adsorption block formed on the outer circumferential surface of the roll body, which is controlled to be switchable between an adsorption state in which air is sucked in radially inward of the roll body to adsorb the sheet and a release state in which air is ejected radially outward of the roll body to release the sheet from the adsorption state, wherein the adsorption block comprises a plurality of suction holes for sucking in air, a plurality of first ejection holes for ejecting air, and a plurality of annular grooves through which air flows on its outer surface, and is movable along the axial direction of the roll body, wherein when the spool moves to one end of the roll body, the plurality of suction holes communicate with the annular grooves and the adsorption block switches to the adsorption state, and when the spool moves to the other end of the roll body, the plurality of first ejection holes communicate with the annular grooves and the adsorption block switches to the release state.

[0007] The roll body is further provided with support members on one end and the other end, respectively, which support the roll body, and a cam protruding inward in the axial direction from the support member, wherein the cam on the one end may move the spool to the other end, and the cam on the other end may move the spool to the one end.

[0008] The roll further comprises a levitation block formed at a different position from the adsorption block in the circumferential direction of the outer surface, which ejects air radially outward from the roll body to levitate the sheet, and an orifice plate provided between the roll body and the levitation block, wherein the levitation block is provided with a plurality of second ejection holes for ejecting air, and the orifice plate is provided with a plurality of orifice holes communicating with the plurality of second ejection holes, and the diameter of the plurality of orifice holes may decrease as they move away in the axial direction from an air supply source provided on at least one side of the one end and the other end of the roll body.

[0009] The floating blocks may be formed in multiple locations along at least one of the circumferential and axial directions, and each may be independently replaceable.

[0010] The adsorption blocks may be formed in multiple locations along at least one of the circumferential and axial directions of the roll body, and each may be independently replaceable. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] The present invention provides a conveying roll that can ensure conveying accuracy even when the sheet conveying speed is increased. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0012] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view of the conveying roll according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 2] Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of the conveyor roll at cutting line II. [Figure 3] This is an enlarged view of the area enclosed by the dashed circle in Figure 1. [Figure 4] This is a side view of the conveying roll according to Embodiment 1, on the y-axis positive side. [Figure 5] This diagram shows the relationship between the suction hole, the first ejection hole, and the spool in the adsorption block according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 6] This is a side cross-sectional view of the conveying roll according to Embodiment 1, on the negative y-axis side. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0013] The following describes specific embodiments of this disclosure in detail with reference to the drawings. However, this disclosure is not limited to the following embodiments. Also, for clarity, the following descriptions and drawings have been simplified as appropriate.

[0014] (Embodiment 1) <Conveyor Roll Configuration> First, the configuration of the conveyor roll according to this embodiment 1 will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 3. Figure 1 is a perspective view of the conveyor roll according to embodiment 1. Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the conveyor roll shown in Figure 1 at cutting line II. Figure 3 is an enlarged view of the area enclosed by the dashed circle in Figure 1.

[0015] The conveyor roll 1 shown in Figure 1 is a roll that conveys sheets to a subsequent process. The conveyor roll 1 is used, for example, in the manufacture of batteries. In this case, the conveyor roll 1 conveys sheets for batteries, such as separators and electrodes. As shown in Figure 1, the conveyor roll 1 comprises a roll body 10, a suction block 20, a levitation block 30, an orifice plate 40, a lever 50, and a support member 60.

[0016] In the following explanation, we will use the xyz 3D Cartesian coordinate system as appropriate. In this embodiment 1, the axial direction of the transport roll 1 is defined as the y-axis direction. In the following explanation, the z-axis direction is defined as the vertical direction, and the xy-plane is defined as the horizontal plane. Of course, the z-axis direction may be inclined from the vertical direction, and the xy-plane may also be a plane inclined from the horizontal plane.

[0017] The roll body 10 has a circular xz cross-section and extends in the y-axis direction. As shown in Figure 1, the outer surface of the roll body 10 is provided with a suction block 20, a levitation block 30, an orifice plate 40, and a lever 50, which will be described later. The roll body 10 is rotationally driven around the rotation axis Y by a motor (not shown) provided on one end (y-axis positive direction side) and the other end (y-axis negative direction side) of the roll body 10.

[0018] As shown in Fig. 2, a negative pressure chamber 11 extends in the y-axis direction at the center of the roll body 10. Further, in the roll body 10, a plurality of positive pressure chambers 12 extend in the y-axis direction at predetermined intervals along the circumferential direction so as to surround the negative pressure chamber 11. And from the negative pressure chamber 11 and the positive pressure chambers 12, one or a plurality of flow paths 13 extend toward the outside in the radial direction of the roll body 10. The negative pressure chamber 11 is connected to a decompression device such as a decompression pump (not shown), and is decompressed. Also, the positive pressure chamber 12 is connected to a pressurization device such as a compressor (not shown), and is pressurized. Note that the decompression device and the pressurization device (not shown) are provided on at least one of one end side (y-axis plus direction side) and the other end side (y-axis minus direction side) of the roll body 10.

[0019] As shown in Fig. 1, one or a plurality of suction blocks 20 are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the roll body 10. In the first embodiment, a plurality of suction blocks 20 are formed along the circumferential direction and the axial direction of the roll body. Thus, by making the shape of the suction block 20 divided along the circumferential direction and the axial direction of the roll body 10, the machining accuracy when manufacturing the suction block 20 can be relaxed. Also, the plurality of suction blocks 20 are each independently replaceable. Thereby, the maintainability of the suction block 20 is improved.

[0020] As shown in Fig. 2, the suction block 20 includes a suction hole 21, a first ejection hole 22, and a spool 23. A plurality of suction holes 21 and first ejection holes 22 are formed in the suction block 20. The suction hole 21 is a hole for sucking air, and is connected to the negative pressure chamber 11 via the flow path 13. On the other hand, the first ejection hole 22 is a hole for ejecting air, and is connected to the positive pressure chamber 12 via the flow path 13. In the first embodiment, the number of suction holes 21 in one suction block 20 is larger than the number of first ejection holes 22, but it is not limited thereto. That is, the number of suction holes 21 in one suction block 20 may be less than or the same as the number of first ejection holes 22. Also, the hole diameters of the suction hole 21 and the first ejection hole 22 are not particularly limited.

[0021] The spool 23 is provided on the suction block 20 so as to be movable along the axial direction (y-axis direction) of the roll body 10. In this embodiment 1, five spools 23 are provided for one row of suction blocks 20 arranged along the y-axis direction, but the number is not particularly limited.

[0022] The suction block 20 is controlled to switch between an adsorption state and a release state. The adsorption state is when air is drawn in radially inward from the roll body 10 through the suction hole 21, and the sheet is adsorbed to the outer surface of the suction block 20. On the other hand, the release state is when air is ejected radially outward from the roll body 10 through the first ejection hole 22, and the sheet is released from the adsorption state. The switching operation between the adsorption state and the release state will be explained in detail later.

[0023] As shown in Figure 1, one or more levitation blocks 30 are formed on the outer surface of the roll body 10 in the circumferential direction at positions different from the suction blocks 20. In this embodiment 1, multiple levitation blocks 30 are formed along the circumferential and axial directions of the roll body 10. Each levitation block 30 is fixed to the outer surface of the roll body 10 by bolts 33, as shown in Figure 2. That is, each levitation block 30 can be replaced independently simply by removing the bolts 33. This improves the maintainability of the levitation blocks 30. Also, as shown in Figure 3, the levitation blocks 30 are formed by bonding a porous plate 31, which has a porous material such as porous ceramic or porous carbon, to a metal plate 32.

[0024] As shown in Figure 3, the levitation block 30 is equipped with a plurality of second ejection holes 34. The second ejection holes 34 are holes for ejecting air and are connected to the positive pressure chamber 12 via the flow path 13. The levitation block 30 ejects air through the second ejection holes 34 radially outward from the roll body 10 to levitate the sheet. This allows the levitation block 30 to transport the sheet in a non-contact manner away from the outer surface of the levitation block 30.

[0025] As shown in Figure 3, the orifice plate 40 is provided between the roll body 10 and the levitation block 30 in the radial direction of the roll body 10. The orifice plate 40 has a plurality of orifice holes 41 that communicate with the second ejection hole 34. For example, the diameter of the orifice holes 41 decreases as it moves away from a pressurizing device such as a compressor (not shown), i.e., an air supply source, in the axial direction (y-axis direction). This allows the conveying roll 1 to equalize the amount of air ejected from the second ejection hole 34 in the y-axis direction.

[0026] As shown in Figure 2, the lever 50 is positioned opposite the outermost suction block 20 in the y-axis direction. The lever 50 is provided at both one end (y-positive direction side) and the other end (y-negative direction side) of the roll body 10. In other words, one or more levers 50 are provided at each end of the row of suction blocks 20 arranged along the y-axis direction. Each lever 50 is fixed to the roll body 10 so as to be independently movable along the y-axis direction.

[0027] As the lever 50 moves along the y-axis, the spool 23 is pushed by the lever 50 and moves along the y-axis. More specifically, as the lever 50 on the y-positive side of the roll body 10 moves in the y-negative direction, the spool 23 is pushed by the lever 50 and moves in the y-negative direction. Conversely, as the lever 50 on the y-negative side of the roll body 10 moves in the y-positive direction, the spool 23 is pushed by the lever 50 and moves in the y-positive direction. The lever 50 can move along the y-axis by contact with the cam 61, which will be described later.

[0028] As shown in Figure 1, the support members 60 are provided on one end (positive y-axis direction side) and the other end (negative y-axis direction side) of the roll body 10. More specifically, each of the support members 60 is provided on the outside of the lever 50 in the y-axis direction. The roll body 10 is rotatably supported by each of the support members 60. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the support members 60 are equipped with cams 61 that protrude inward in the y-axis direction from the support members 60.

[0029] As shown in Figure 2, the cam 61 has a protrusion 610 or a recess 611 at a position where the outer end of the lever 50 faces or contacts the cam 61 in the y-axis direction as the roll body 10 rotates. In the cam 61, the protrusion 610 projects inward in the y-axis direction, and recesses 611 are formed between the protrusions 610. The number and dimensions of the recesses 611 are not particularly limited. In the cam 61 on the y-positive side and the cam 61 on the y-negative side, the protrusion 610 and recess 611 are formed in positions symmetrical with respect to the xz plane. More specifically, in the cam 61 on the y-negative side, a recess 611 is formed at a position facing the protrusion 610 of the cam 61 on the y-positive side. Similarly, in the cam 61 on the y-negative side, a protrusion 610 is formed at a position facing the recess 611 of the cam 61 on the y-positive side. Therefore, as the roll body 10 rotates, the lever 50 is pushed by the protrusion 610 and moves towards the recess 611.

[0030] <Operation of the suction block> The configuration of the conveyor roll 1 according to Embodiment 1 has been described above. Next, the operation of the suction block 20 will be explained in detail with reference to Figures 4 to 6. Figure 4 is a side view of the conveyor roll according to Embodiment 1 on the positive y-axis side. For explanatory purposes, one of the suction blocks 20 is hidden in Figure 4. Figure 5 is a diagram showing the relationship between the suction hole, the first ejection hole, and the spool in the area enclosed by the dashed rectangle in Figure 4. Figure 6 is a side cross-sectional view of the conveyor roll according to Embodiment 1 on the negative y-axis side.

[0031] As shown in Figure 5, multiple annular grooves 230 through which air flows are formed on the outer surface of the spool 23 along the y-axis direction. As the spool 23 moves along the y-axis direction, the position of the annular grooves 230 changes along the y-axis direction, causing the adsorption block 20 to switch between an adsorption state and a release state. The details will be explained below.

[0032] As the roll body 10 rotates, as shown in Figure 6, the protrusion 610 of the cam 61 on the y-axis minus side pushes the lever 50 on the y-axis minus side towards the y-axis plus side. This causes the lever 50 to push the spool 23 towards the y-axis plus side. As shown in Figure 5, when the spool 23 moves towards the y-axis plus side, the position of the suction hole 21 and the position of the annular groove 230 of the spool 23 coincide in the radial direction of the roll body 10. As the suction hole 21 and the annular groove 230 of the spool 23 communicate, the suction hole 21 communicates with the negative pressure chamber 11, and the suction block 20 switches to the suction state. At this time, at least a part of the lever 50 on the y-axis plus side is housed in the recess 611 of the cam 61 on the y-axis plus side (see Figure 4).

[0033] As the roll body 10 rotates further, as shown in Figure 4, the protrusion 610 of the cam 61 on the y-axis positive side pushes the lever 50 on the y-axis positive side towards the y-axis negative side. This causes the lever 50 to push the spool 23 towards the y-axis negative side. As shown in Figure 5, when the spool 23 moves towards the y-axis negative side, the position of the first ejection hole 22 and the position of the annular groove 230 of the spool 23 coincide in the radial direction of the roll body 10. As the first ejection hole 22 and the annular groove 230 of the spool 23 communicate, the first ejection hole 22 communicates with the positive pressure chamber 12, and the suction block 20 switches to the released state. At this time, at least a part of the lever 50 on the y-axis negative side is housed in the recess 611 of the cam 61 on the y-axis negative side.

[0034] In the above description, when the spool 23 moves in the positive y-axis direction, the suction block 20 switches to the suction state, and when the spool 23 moves in the negative y-axis direction, the suction block 20 switches to the release state. However, the reverse is also possible. That is, when the spool 23 moves in the positive y-axis direction, the suction block 20 may switch to the release state, and when the spool 23 moves in the negative y-axis direction, the suction block 20 may switch to the suction state.

[0035] As described above, the spool 23 moves along the y-axis, switching the suction block 20 between an adsorbed state and a released state. In other words, the spool 23 functions as a valve to switch the suction block 20 between an adsorbed state and a released state. The spool 23, which performs the valve function, is incorporated into the suction block 20 and is located near the outer circumferential surface of the suction block 20. As a result, the shortest distance between each suction hole 21 and each first ejection hole 22 and the spool 23, which performs the valve function, is approximately the same. Therefore, the conveying roll 1 can equalize and improve the responsiveness of each suction hole 21 and each first ejection hole 22 to reaching a predetermined pressure when the suction block 20 switches between an adsorbed state and a released state. Thus, the conveying roll 1 can ensure conveying accuracy even when the sheet conveying speed is increased. Furthermore, even if the conveying roll 1 is lengthened, the responsiveness of each suction hole 21 and each first ejection hole 22 is maintained.

[0036] Furthermore, as described above, the spool 23, which performs the valve function, moves along the y-axis direction by the cam 61 in accordance with the rotation of the roll body 10. In this way, the spool 23 reciprocates in response to the rotation of the roll body 10, enabling the suction block 20 to perform high-speed and reliable switching operations. Moreover, because the spool 23 is incorporated into the suction block 20, the transport roll 1 can be made more space-efficient.

[0037] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 4, the transport roll 1 can switch between a suction state and a release state for each row of suction blocks 20 arranged along the y-axis. For example, by switching from the suction state to the release state sequentially, starting with the suction blocks 20 in the row closest to the front in the transport direction, the transport roll 1 can deliver the front end of the sheet to the next process with high precision.

[0038] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 6, the lever 50 may be provided with a roller 51 that rotates along the radial direction of the roll body 10 at a position where it contacts the protrusion 610 of the cam 61. By allowing the roller 51 to slide over the protrusion 610 and the recess 611, friction between the lever 50 and the cam 61 when the roll body 10 rotates can be suppressed. As a result, the roll body 10 can rotate smoothly.

[0039] As described above, in the conveying roll 1 according to this embodiment 1, the suction block 20 is switched between an adsorbed state and a released state by the movement of the spool 23 along the y-axis. Furthermore, because the spool 23, which performs the valve function, is incorporated into the suction block 20, the shortest distance between each suction hole 21 and each first ejection hole 22 and the spool 23, which performs the valve function, becomes approximately the same. Therefore, the conveying roll 1 can equalize and improve the responsiveness of each suction hole 21 and each first ejection hole 22, and conveying accuracy can be ensured even when the conveying speed of the sheet is increased.

[0040] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and can be modified as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0041] 1. Conveyor Roll 10 rolls 11. Negative pressure chamber 12 Positive pressure chamber 13 Flow channels 20 Adsorption Blocks 21 Suction hole 22 No. 1 blowout hole 23 Spools 30 Floating Blocks 31. Porous plate 32 Metal Plates 33 volts 34 2nd blowout hole 40 Orifice Plates 41 Orifice holes 50 Lever 51 Laura 60 Support member 61 Cam 230 Annular groove 610 Convex part 611 recess Y axis of rotation

Claims

1. A conveyor roll for transporting sheets for batteries, The roll body and The roll body comprises an adsorption block formed on its outer circumferential surface, which is controlled to switch between an adsorption state in which air is drawn radially inward from the roll body to adsorb the sheet, and a release state in which air is ejected radially outward from the roll body to release the sheet from the adsorption state. The adsorption block is, Multiple suction holes for drawing in air, Multiple first ejection holes for ejecting air, It comprises a spool having multiple annular grooves on its outer surface through which air flows, and which is movable along the axial direction of the roll body, When the spool moves to one end of the roll body, the plurality of suction holes communicate with the annular groove, and the suction block switches to the suction state. When the spool moves to the other end of the roll body, the plurality of first ejection holes communicate with the annular groove, and the suction block switches to the released state. Conveyor roll.

2. Support members are provided on one end and the other end of the roll body, respectively, to support the roll body, The support member further comprises a cam that protrudes inward in the axial direction, The cam at one end moves the spool to the other end. The cam on the other end moves the spool toward the one end. The conveying roll according to claim 1.

3. A levitation block is formed in the circumferential direction of the outer surface at a position different from the adsorption block, and which ejects air radially outward from the roll body to levitate the sheet. The roll body and the floating block are further provided with an orifice plate, The floating block is equipped with a plurality of second ejection holes for ejecting air, The orifice plate is provided with a plurality of orifice holes that communicate with the plurality of second ejection holes, The diameter of the plurality of orifice holes decreases as they move away in the axial direction from the air supply source provided on at least one of the one end and the other end of the roll body. The conveying roll according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The floating blocks are formed in multiple locations along at least one of the circumferential and axial directions, and each is independently replaceable. The conveying roll according to claim 3.

5. The adsorption blocks are formed in multiple locations along at least one of the circumferential and axial directions of the roll body, and each is independently replaceable. The conveying roll according to claim 1 or 2.

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