Powder loading device

Abstract

The present invention provides a powder placement device that can define the placement end of the powder at a predetermined position and maintain a constant width for the powder placement. [Solution] A powder placement device for placing powder on a substrate to a predetermined thickness and width, comprising: a conveying unit for conveying the substrate; a strip-shaped object forming unit for forming a powder strip of a predetermined thickness and width and transferring the powder strip onto the substrate to place the powder; a supply unit for supplying powder onto the strip-shaped object forming unit; a thickness-defining unit installed closer to the transfer position on the substrate than the supply unit and defining the thickness of the powder on the substrate; and a suction unit for sucking up the powder, wherein the supply unit supplies powder to the strip-shaped object forming unit to a thickness greater than the predetermined thickness, the thickness-defining unit is positioned at a predetermined distance from the strip-shaped object forming unit and includes a roll extending in the width direction of the powder strip that intersects the direction from the supply unit toward the transfer position on the substrate, and the suction unit sucks up powder that is located beyond the predetermined width.

Description

Technical Field

[0005] , ,

[0001] The present invention relates to a powder placement device.

Background Art

[0002] The demand for electrochemical devices such as lithium ion secondary batteries and electric double layer capacitors, which have a high energy density, can be charged and discharged multiple times, and are small and lightweight, is expanding. Lithium ion secondary batteries have a large energy density and are used in fields such as mobile phones and notebook personal computers, and electric double layer capacitors can be rapidly charged and discharged and are used as small power sources for memory backup in personal computers and the like. With the expansion and development of the applications of these electrochemical devices, further performance improvements such as lower resistance and larger capacity are required.

[0003] The electrodes of such electrochemical devices can be obtained as electrode sheets. For example, powder compression molding is performed to produce a sheet-shaped molded product such as an electrode sheet from a powder containing an electrode active material.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] Patent Document 1 discloses a first embodiment and a configuration in which powder placed on a substrate is rolled between two rolls, as shown in Figures 1 and 2. In this embodiment, a ribbon-shaped film is laid on the upper surface of both ends of the substrate. This is to prevent wrinkles and discoloration of the substrate by not applying pressure to both ends of the substrate. However, as shown in Figure 1, the substrate 16 is placed on roll 4A, and the film 12 is laid on top of it. Since there is a gap between the other opposing roll 4B and the film 12, powder can end up on the film, causing problems such as the powder thickness being smaller at the widthwise ends of the powder on the substrate than in the central part, or the powder edges becoming wavy and the width of the powder fluctuating. Similar problems occurred in the second to sixth embodiments of Patent Document 1 because the widthwise ends of the powder could not be precisely positioned.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above, and its object is to provide a powder placement device that can define the powder placement end at a predetermined position and keep the powder placement width constant. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The first powder placement apparatus of the present invention is a powder placement apparatus for placing powder on a substrate to a predetermined thickness and width, comprising: a conveying unit for conveying the substrate; a strip-shaped object forming unit for forming a powder strip of the predetermined thickness and width and transferring the powder strip onto the substrate; a supply unit for supplying the powder onto the strip-shaped object forming unit; a thickness defining unit installed closer to the transfer position to the substrate than the supply unit and defining the thickness of the powder on the substrate; and a suction unit for sucking up the powder, wherein the supply unit supplies the powder onto the strip-shaped object forming unit to a thickness greater than the predetermined thickness in at least a portion in the width direction; the thickness defining unit is arranged at a predetermined distance from the strip-shaped object forming unit and includes a roll extending in the width direction of the powder strip that intersects the direction from the supply unit toward the transfer position to the substrate; and the suction unit sucks up the powder located beyond the predetermined width.

[0008] The second powder placement apparatus of the present invention is a powder placement apparatus for placing powder on a substrate to a predetermined thickness and width, comprising: a conveying unit for conveying the substrate; a supplying unit for supplying the powder onto the substrate; a thickness defining unit installed on the side of the substrate's conveying direction relative to the supplying unit for defining the thickness of the powder on the substrate; and a suction unit for sucking up the powder, wherein the supplying unit supplies the powder onto the substrate to a thickness greater than the predetermined thickness in at least a portion of the width direction; the thickness defining unit comprises a roll positioned at a predetermined distance from the substrate and extending in the width direction of the substrate intersecting the conveying direction; and the suction unit sucks up the powder located beyond the predetermined width.

[0009] In the first and second powder placement devices described above, the suction portion may be formed on the end side in the width direction of the roll.

[0010] In the first and second powder placement devices described above, the roll has a first diameter that forms a predetermined interval over a length approximately equal to the predetermined width, and a second diameter smaller than the first diameter at the end of the roll beyond the length approximately equal to the predetermined width, and the suction portion may be formed at the boundary between the first diameter and the second diameter.

[0011] In the first and second powder placement devices described above, the suction unit may be located on the opposite side of the roll from the supply unit.

[0012] In the first and second powder placement devices described above, the strip-forming section moves in a direction toward the transfer position from the supply section to the substrate, the roll rotates in the same direction as the movement direction of the strip-forming section, and the rotation speed may be greater than the movement speed of the strip-forming section.

[0013] In the first and second powder placement devices described above, the rolls rotate in the same direction as the conveying direction, and the rotational speed may be greater than the conveying speed of the substrate. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] In the powder placement device of the present invention, since the powder existing at a position exceeding a predetermined width is sucked by the suction unit, the powder is continuously placed with a predetermined width, and the edges in the width direction of the placed powder are maintained at a predetermined position.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0015] [Figure 1] It is a schematic side view of the powder placement device according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 2] It is a schematic plan view of the powder placement device according to FIG. 1 as viewed from above. [Figure 3] It is a schematic side view of the powder placement device according to Embodiment 2. [Figure 4] It is a schematic plan view of the powder placement device according to FIG. 3 as viewed from above. [Figure 5] It is a schematic bottom view of the suction member according to Embodiment 2. [Figure 6] It is a schematic side view of the powder placement device according to Embodiment 3. [Figure 7] It is a schematic enlarged side view of the squeegee roll according to FIG. 6. [Figure 8] It is a schematic plan view of the powder placement device according to FIG. 6 as viewed from above. [Figure 9] It is a schematic side view of the powder placement device according to Embodiment 4. [Figure 10] It is a schematic plan view of the powder placement device according to FIG. 9 as viewed from above. [Figure 11] It is a schematic bottom view of the suction member according to Embodiment 4. [Figure 12] It is a schematic side view of the powder placement device according to Embodiment 5. [Figure 13] It is a schematic plan view of the powder placement device according to FIG. 12 as viewed from above. [Figure 14] It is a schematic side view of the powder placement device according to Embodiment 6. [Figure 15] It is a schematic plan view of the powder placement device according to FIG. 14 as viewed from above. [Figure 16]It is a schematic bottom view of the suction member according to Embodiment 6. [Figure 17] It is a schematic side view of the powder placement device according to Embodiment 7. [Figure 18] It is a schematic plan view of the powder placement device according to FIG. 17 as viewed from above. [Figure 19] It is a schematic bottom view of the suction member according to Embodiment 7. [Figure 20] It is a schematic side view of the powder placement device according to Embodiment 8. [Figure 21] It is a schematic plan view of the powder placement device according to FIG. 20 as viewed from above. [Figure 22] It is a schematic bottom view of the suction member according to Embodiment 8.

Embodiments for Carrying out the Invention

[0016] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail based on the drawings. The following description of the preferred embodiments is merely illustrative in nature and is not intended to limit the present invention, its applications, or its uses.

[0017] (Embodiment 1) As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the powder placement device according to Embodiment 1 transfers and places a sheet-like powder (powder belt) 81 having a predetermined thickness and a predetermined width placed on a transfer roll (belt-like material forming portion) 10 onto a base material 100 conveyed by a backup roll (transport portion) 20. In the drawings, the powders 80, the sheet-like powder 81, and the powder layer 82 are hatched so that they can be distinguished at a glance. Thereby, a powder-coated base material provided with a powder layer 82 on the base material 100 is formed. Examples of the powder 80 include powders in which at least a part of the surface of the electrode active material of a secondary battery is coated with a non-aqueous binder. In that case, the base material 100 can be, for example, a metal foil.

[0018] In Figure 1, the transfer roll 10 rotates counterclockwise, and the backup roll 20 rotates clockwise. Near the top of the transfer roll 10, the powder 80 is supplied and placed onto the transfer roll 10 from the hopper (supply unit) 200. Preferably, on the transfer roll 10, the powder 80 is supplied such that it is thicker than the sheet-like powder 81 in at least a portion of the width direction, and the width is about the same.

[0019] The powder 80 is transported towards the substrate 100 by the transfer roll 10, and along the way, it is leveled to a predetermined thickness by the squeegee roll 40, so that the thickness is uniform in the width direction and in the rotation direction of the transfer roll 10. The squeegee roll 40 is the thickness-defining section and is installed between the hopper 200 and the position where the sheet-like powder 81 is transferred to the substrate 100. The squeegee roll 40 extends in a direction that intersects the rotation direction of the transfer roll 10 (the direction in which the powder 80 travels) and in the width direction of the sheet-like powder 81. The squeegee roll 40 and the transfer roll 10 face each other with a predetermined distance that is the same length as the predetermined thickness, and this distance is constant in the width direction of the squeegee roll 40.

[0020] In Figure 1, the squeegee roll 40 rotates clockwise, and at a position opposite the transfer roll 10, the squeegee roll 40 rotates in the direction in which the transfer roll 10 is advancing. Furthermore, the peripheral speed of the squeegee roll 40 is greater than the peripheral speed of the transfer roll 10. Due to this relationship between the squeegee roll 40 and the transfer roll 10, the powder 80 is compressed appropriately, the powder density of the sheet-like powder 81 can be kept constant over time, and variations in powder density in the width direction can be suppressed. As a result, the powder density, or in other words, the powder weight per unit area, can be kept uniform at all locations in the width and length directions of the sheet-like powder 81. In addition, because the powder density of the sheet-like powder 81 is increased compared to the powder 80 supplied from the hopper 200, it becomes stronger and is prevented from collapsing before being transferred to the substrate 100.

[0021] As shown in Figure 2, multiple suction ports 31 (suction sections) are arranged around both ends of the squeegee roll 40 in a circumferential direction, and furthermore, multiple rows (3 rows in Figure 2) of suction ports 31 are arranged in the width direction of the squeegee roll 40. These multiple suction ports 31 suck up and remove from the transfer roll 10 any powder 80 on the transfer roll 10 that is positioned in the width direction corresponding to a position beyond both ends of the sheet-like powder 81. As a result, the sheet-like powder 81 maintains a predetermined width in the longitudinal direction, and the width direction ends of the sheet-like powder 81 extend linearly perpendicular to the width direction, maintaining the same position in the width direction over time. A suction pipe (not shown) is connected to the squeegee roll 40, and the powder sucked up by the suction ports 31 passes through the suction pipe and is discharged to the outside of the squeegee roll 40.

[0022] Of the rows of suction ports 31, the one located closest to the center in the width direction of the squeegee roll 40 faces the outer edge of the sheet-like powder 81. The number and position of the suction ports 31, the suction force of each suction port 31, etc., are preferably changed as appropriate, taking into consideration the type and amount of powder 80, the rotation speed of the transfer roll 10, etc.

[0023] Although there are multiple rows of suction ports 31 arranged circumferentially in the width direction of the squeegee roll 40, if the strength of the suction force can be changed for each row, for example, if there are four rows of suction ports 31 and only the three rows on the ends in the width direction of the squeegee roll 40 are used for suction, the predetermined width of the sheet-like powder 81 can be increased by the width of one row of suction ports 31 compared to when four rows are used for suction.

[0024] In this embodiment, multiple suction ports are arranged circumferentially at both ends in the width direction of the squeegee roll. As a result, powder placed on the width direction end of the transfer roll is sucked away by the suction ports, causing the sheet-like powder to extend linearly in the longitudinal direction at both ends, and maintaining a predetermined width over time. Furthermore, this simple structure and method of arranging multiple suction ports circumferentially at both ends of the width direction of the squeegee roll to suck away powder allows the positions of both ends of the sheet-like powder to be maintained at predetermined locations, and the predetermined width can also be maintained.

[0025] (Embodiment 2) The powder placement apparatus according to Embodiment 2 differs from Embodiment 1 in the structure of the squeegee roll and the suction member (suction section), but is otherwise the same as Embodiment 1. Therefore, a description of the configuration and structure that differs from Embodiment 1 will be provided.

[0026] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the powder loading apparatus according to Embodiment 2 does not have a suction port on the squeegee roll 41. Suction members 70 are installed on both ends of the squeegee roll 41 in the width direction, on top of the transfer roll 10. The suction members 70 are located on the opposite side of the hopper 200 from the squeegee roll 41.

[0027] Figure 5 shows a schematic diagram of the side (bottom surface) of the suction member 70 facing the transfer roll 10. Multiple suction ports 32 are provided on the bottom surface of the suction member 70. Multiple suction ports 32 are arranged in rows along the rotation direction of the transfer roll 10 (the direction of travel of the sheet-like powder 81), and multiple rows (four rows in Figure 5) are arranged in the width direction of the sheet-like powder 81. These suction ports 32 suck and remove the powder from both ends of the sheet-like powder 81 in the width direction, so when the sheet-like powder 81 is placed on the base material 100, the ends of the sheet-like powder 81 in the width direction extend linearly perpendicular to the width direction, maintaining the same position over time in the width direction, and continuously maintaining a predetermined width of the sheet-like powder 81 over time.

[0028] A suction pipe (not shown) is connected to the suction member 70, and the powder sucked up by the suction port 32 passes through the suction pipe and is discharged to the outside of the suction member 70. The suction member 70 may be separated from or in contact with the transfer roll 10.

[0029] Although there are multiple rows of suction ports 32, similar to Embodiment 1, the strength of the suction force can be changed for each row. For example, by suctioning only the three rows on the end side in the width direction of the squeegee roll 41, the predetermined width of the sheet-like powder 81 can be increased by the width of one row of suction ports 32 compared to the case where four rows are suctioned.

[0030] The powder placement device of Embodiment 2 provides the same effects as the powder placement device of Embodiment 1.

[0031] (Embodiment 3) The powder placement apparatus according to Embodiment 3 differs from Embodiment 1 in the structure of the squeegee roll and the suction member (suction section), but is otherwise the same as Embodiment 1. Therefore, a description of the configuration and structure that differs from Embodiment 1 will be provided.

[0032] As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the powder placement device according to Embodiment 3 has a squeegee roll 42 with different diameters in the central and end portions in the width direction, where the second diameter of the end portions (end squeegee rolls 43) is smaller than the first diameter of the central portion. The length of the central portion of the squeegee roll 42 in the width direction is approximately the same as the width (predetermined width) of the sheet-like powder 81.

[0033] The end face of the first diameter portion of the squeegee roll 42 is provided with multiple suction ports 34 (suction sections), except for the central portion where the end squeegee roll 43 is located. These suction ports 34 suck up and remove the powder 80 that is located outside the widthwise direction of the first diameter portion of the squeegee roll 42. As a result, similar to Embodiment 1, the sheet-like powder 81 moving away from the squeegee roll 42 toward the substrate 100 extends linearly in the longitudinal direction at both ends, and maintains a predetermined width over time. A suction pipe (not shown) is connected to the squeegee roll 42, and the powder sucked up by the suction ports 34 passes through the suction pipe and is discharged to the outside of the squeegee roll 42.

[0034] The powder placement device of Embodiment 3 provides the same effects as the powder placement device of Embodiment 1.

[0035] (Embodiment 4) The powder placement apparatus according to Embodiment 4 differs from Embodiment 1 in the structure of the squeegee roll and the suction member (suction section), but is otherwise the same as Embodiment 1. Therefore, a description of the configuration and structure that differs from Embodiment 1 will be provided.

[0036] In the powder placement device according to Embodiment 2, as shown in Figures 9 and 10, the squeegee roll 44 does not have suction ports. The squeegee roll 44 has different diameters in the central part and both end parts in the width direction, with the second diameter at both end parts (end squeegee rolls 45) being smaller than the first diameter at the central part. A box-shaped suction member 72 is positioned below the end squeegee rolls 45. The side surface of the suction member 72 is in contact with the end surface of the first diameter of the squeegee roll 44, and as shown in Figure 11, a plurality of suction ports 36 are provided on the surface (bottom surface) facing the transfer roll 10. Multiple suction ports 36 are arranged in rows along the rotation direction of the transfer roll 10 (the direction of travel of the sheet-like powder 81), and multiple rows (3 rows in Figure 5) are arranged in the width direction of the sheet-like powder 81. Since these suction ports 36 suck and remove the powder from both ends of the powder 80 in the width direction, when the sheet-like powder 81 is placed on the base material 100, the ends of the sheet-like powder 81 in the width direction extend linearly perpendicular to the width direction, maintaining the same position over time in the width direction, and continuously maintaining the predetermined width of the sheet-like powder 81 over time. In addition, the suction member 72 may be spaced away from the transfer roll 10 or in contact with it.

[0037] The powder placement device of Embodiment 4 provides the same effects as the powder placement device of Embodiment 2.

[0038] (Embodiment 5) The powder loading device according to Embodiment 5, as shown in Figures 12 and 13, is a device in which the base material 100 is transported to the right side of the figure by transport rolls (transport sections) 51, 52, and 53. First, powder 80 is placed directly onto the base material 100 from the hopper 200. Then, the powder 80 is transformed into a sheet-like powder 81 of a predetermined thickness and width on the base material 100 by a squeegee roll 46, which is a thickness-defining section with the same configuration and structure as Embodiment 1. Furthermore, the sheet-like powder 81 is compressed into a powder layer 85 by a compression roll 60.

[0039] Similar to Embodiment 1, hatching is applied to the powder 80, sheet-like powder 81, and compressed powder layer 85 in the drawings to facilitate explanation. This forms a powder-coated substrate with a compressed powder layer 85 on the substrate 100. As for the powder 80, as in Embodiment 1, for example, a mixture of electrode active material and binder for a secondary battery can be used. In that case, the substrate 100 can be, for example, metal foil. The following explanation will focus on the differences from Embodiment 1, and some of the same configurations and structures as in Embodiment 1 may be omitted.

[0040] First, powder 80 is supplied to the base material 100 from the hopper 200 and placed on top. When the powder 80 is placed on the base material 100, it is preferable that it is supplied in such a way that it is thicker than the sheet-like powder 81 but has approximately the same width.

[0041] The powder 80 is carried toward the compression roll 60 by the base material 100, but along the way it is leveled to a predetermined thickness by the squeegee roll 46 so that the thickness is uniform in both the width direction and the direction of travel. The squeegee roll 46 is in a direction that intersects the conveying direction of the base material 100 and extends in the width direction of the sheet-like powder 81. The squeegee roll 46 and the base material 100 face each other with a predetermined distance that is equal to the predetermined thickness, and this distance is constant in the width direction of the squeegee roll 46.

[0042] Multiple suction ports 37 (suction sections) are arranged around both ends of the squeegee roll 46 in a circumferential direction, and furthermore, multiple rows (3 rows in Figure 13) of suction ports 37 are arranged in the width direction of the squeegee roll 46. These multiple suction ports 37 suck up and remove from the substrate 100 any powder 80 on the substrate 100 that is positioned beyond both ends of the sheet-like powder 81. As a result, the sheet-like powder 81 maintains a predetermined width in the longitudinal direction, and the widthwise ends of the sheet-like powder 81 extend linearly perpendicular to the width direction, maintaining the same position over time in the width direction. A suction pipe (not shown) is connected to the squeegee roll 46, and the powder sucked up by the suction ports 37 passes through the suction pipe and is discharged to the outside of the squeegee roll 46.

[0043] Of the rows of suction ports 37, the one located closest to the center in the width direction of the squeegee roll 46 faces the outer edge of the sheet-like powder 81. The number and position of the suction ports 37, the suction force of each suction port 37, etc., are preferably changed as appropriate considering the type and amount of powder 80, the speed at which the base material 100 moves, etc.

[0044] In Figure 12, the squeegee roll 46 rotates counterclockwise, and at the position facing the substrate 100, the squeegee roll 46 rotates in the direction in which the substrate 100 is advancing. Furthermore, the peripheral speed of the squeegee roll 46 is greater than the advancing speed of the substrate 100. Due to this relationship between the squeegee roll 46 and the substrate 100, the powder 80 is compressed appropriately, similar to Embodiment 1, and the powder density of the sheet-like powder 81 can be kept constant over time, while variations in powder density in the width direction can be suppressed.

[0045] Although there are multiple rows of suction ports 37 arranged circumferentially in the width direction of the squeegee roll 46, if the strength of the suction force can be changed for each row, for example, if there are four rows of suction ports 37 and only the three rows on the ends in the width direction of the squeegee roll 46 are used for suction, the predetermined width of the sheet-like powder 81 can be increased by the width of one row of suction ports 37 compared to when four rows are used for suction.

[0046] Embodiment 5 achieves the same effects as Embodiment 1.

[0047] (Embodiment 6) The powder placement apparatus according to Embodiment 6 differs from Embodiment 5 in the structure of the squeegee roll and the suction member (suction section), but is otherwise the same as Embodiment 5. Therefore, a description of the configuration and structure that differs from Embodiment 5 will be provided.

[0048] In the powder placement apparatus according to Embodiment 6, as shown in Figures 14 and 15, the squeegee roll 47 does not have a suction port. Suction members 74 are installed on both ends of the squeegee roll 47 in the width direction, on the base material 100. The suction members 74 are located on the opposite side of the hopper 200 from the squeegee roll 41.

[0049] Figure 16 shows a schematic diagram of the side (bottom surface) of the suction member 74 facing the base material 100. Multiple suction ports 38 are provided on the bottom surface of the suction member 74. Multiple suction ports 38 are arranged in rows along the direction of travel of the base material 100 (the direction of travel of the sheet-like powder 81), and multiple rows (four rows in Figure 16) are arranged in the width direction of the sheet-like powder 81. These suction ports 38 suck and remove the powder from both ends of the sheet-like powder 81 in the width direction, so when the sheet-like powder 81 reaches the compression roll 60, the ends of the sheet-like powder 81 in the width direction extend linearly perpendicular to the width direction, maintaining the same position over time in the width direction, and continuously maintaining a predetermined width of the sheet-like powder 81 over time.

[0050] A suction pipe (not shown) is connected to the suction member 74, and the powder sucked up by the suction port 38 passes through the suction pipe and is discharged to the outside of the suction member 74. The suction member 74 may be spaced apart from or in contact with the base material 100.

[0051] Although there are multiple rows of suction ports 38, similar to Embodiment 5, the strength of the suction force can be changed for each row. For example, by suctioning only the three rows on the end side in the width direction of the squeegee roll 47, the predetermined width of the sheet-like powder 81 can be increased by the width of one row of suction ports 38 compared to the case where four rows are suctioned.

[0052] The powder placement device of Embodiment 6 provides the same effects as the powder placement device of Embodiment 5.

[0053] (Embodiment 7) The powder placement apparatus according to Embodiment 7 differs from Embodiment 5 in the structure of the squeegee roll and the suction member (suction section), but is otherwise the same as Embodiment 5. Therefore, a description of the configuration and structure that differs from Embodiment 5 will be provided.

[0054] As shown in Figures 17 and 18, the powder placement device according to Embodiment 7 has a squeegee roll 48 with different diameters in the central and end portions in the width direction, where the second diameter of the end portions (end squeegee rolls 49) is smaller than the first diameter of the central portion. The length of the central portion of the squeegee roll 48 in the width direction is approximately the same as the width (predetermined width) of the sheet-like powder 81.

[0055] Multiple suction ports 39 are provided on the end face of the first diameter portion of the squeegee roll 48, except for the central portion where the end squeegee roll 49 is located. These suction ports 39 suck up and remove the powder 80 that is located outside the widthwise direction of the first diameter portion of the squeegee roll 48. As a result, similar to Embodiment 5, the sheet-like powder 81 moving away from the squeegee roll 48 toward the substrate 100 extends linearly in the longitudinal direction at both ends, and maintains a predetermined width over time. A suction pipe (not shown) is connected to the squeegee roll 48, and the powder sucked up by the suction ports 39 passes through the suction pipe and is discharged to the outside of the squeegee roll 48.

[0056] The powder placement device of Embodiment 7 provides the same effects as the powder placement device of Embodiment 5.

[0057] (Embodiment 8) The powder placement apparatus according to Embodiment 8 differs from Embodiment 5 in the structure of the squeegee roll and the suction member (suction section), but is otherwise the same as Embodiment 5. Therefore, a description of the configuration and structure that differs from Embodiment 5 will be provided.

[0058] As shown in Figures 20 and 21, the powder placement device according to Embodiment 8 does not have suction ports on the squeegee roll 62. The squeegee roll 62 has different diameters in the central part and both end parts in the width direction, with the second diameter at both end parts (end squeegee rolls 63) being smaller than the first diameter at the central part. A box-shaped suction member 76 is positioned below the end squeegee rolls 63. The side surface of the suction member 76 is in contact with the end surface of the first diameter of the squeegee roll 62, and as shown in Figure 22, a plurality of suction ports 65 (suction parts) are provided on the surface (bottom surface) facing the base material 100. Multiple suction ports 65 are arranged in rows along the direction of travel of the base material 100 (the direction of travel of the sheet-like powder 81), and multiple rows (3 rows in Figure 22) are arranged in the width direction of the sheet-like powder 81. These suction ports 65 suck and remove the powder from both ends of the powder 80 in the width direction, so when the sheet-like powder 81 reaches the compression roll 60, the ends of the sheet-like powder 81 in the width direction extend linearly perpendicular to the width direction, maintaining the same position over time in the width direction, and continuously maintaining the predetermined width of the sheet-like powder 81 over time. The suction member 76 may be spaced away from the base material 100 or may be in contact with it.

[0059] The powder placement device of Embodiment 8 provides the same effects as the powder placement device of Embodiment 6.

[0060] (Other embodiments) The embodiments described above are illustrative examples of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to these examples. These examples may be combined with or partially replaced with well-known, conventional, or prior art. Modified inventions that would be easily conceived by a person skilled in the art are also included in the present invention.

[0061] It may further have a contact portion that comes into contact with the powder and moves the powder toward the suction port.

[0062] The shape of the suction section, its installation location, the number of suction ports, the number of rows of squeegee rolls in the width direction, etc., are not particularly limited. For example, it may be a box-shaped suction section, or it may be made up of multiple flexible pipes bundled together.

[0063] A suction port may be provided at the middle portion in the width direction of the squeegee roll. Alternatively, a suction member may be further installed at the middle portion in the width direction of the squeegee roll. Thereby, the powder at the middle portion can be sucked and removed, and a portion where the surface of the base material is exposed can be formed at the middle portion in the width direction of the base material.

[0064] In Embodiments 4 and 8, the suction member may be installed on the hopper side rather than the squeegee roll, at the boundary between the first diameter and the second diameter of the squeegee roll. In this case, the suction member may be installed above the powder.

[0065] The number, arrangement, shape, suction direction, etc. of the suction ports in each embodiment are not limited to the aspects shown in the figures or described in the text. By appropriately adjusting these, the powder can be quickly sucked and removed, the both ends of the sheet-like powder can be maintained in a straight line, and the powder thickness at both ends of the sheet-like powder can be made the same as that at the central portion of the sheet-like powder.

Explanation of Signs

[0066] 10 Transfer roll (band-like material forming part) 20 Backup roll (transport part) 31 Suction port 32 Suction port 34 Suction port 36 Suction port 37 Suction port 38 Suction port 39 Suction port 40 Squeegee roll (thickness regulating part) 41 Squeegee roll (thickness regulating part) 42 Squeegee roll (thickness regulating part) 44 Squeegee roll (thickness regulating part) <00?0287>46 Squeegee roll (thickness regulating part) 47 Squeegee roll (thickness regulating part) 48 Squeegee roll (thickness regulating part) 51 Transport roll (transport part) 52 Transport roll (transport part) 53 Transport roll (transport part) 62. Squeegee Roll (Thickness Control Section) 65 Suction port 70 Suction member (suction part) 72 Suction member (suction part) 74 Suction member (suction part) 76 Suction member (suction part) 80 powder 81. Sheet-like powder (powder strip) 100 Base material 200 hoppers (supply section)

Claims

1. A powder placement device that places powder on a substrate to a predetermined thickness and width, A conveying unit for conveying the aforementioned substrate, A strip-shaped material forming section is formed in which a powder strip of the predetermined thickness and width is formed, and the powder is placed on the substrate by transferring the powder strip onto the substrate. A supply unit for supplying the powder onto the strip-shaped material forming unit, A thickness defining section is installed closer to the transfer position to the substrate than the supply section, and defines the thickness of the powder on the substrate. A suction unit for sucking up the powder and It has, The supply unit supplies the powder onto the strip-shaped material forming unit in a thickness greater than the predetermined thickness in at least a portion of the width direction. The thickness-defining section is positioned at a predetermined distance from the strip-forming section and includes a roll that extends in the width direction of the powder strip, intersecting the direction toward the transfer position from the supply section to the substrate. The suction unit is a powder placement device that sucks up the powder located beyond the predetermined width.

2. A powder placement device that places powder on a substrate to a predetermined thickness and width, A conveying unit for conveying the aforementioned substrate, A supply unit that supplies the powder onto the substrate, A thickness defining unit is installed on the side of the substrate's transport direction relative to the supply unit, and defines the thickness of the powder on the substrate. A suction unit for sucking up the powder and It has, The supply unit supplies the powder onto the substrate in a thickness greater than the predetermined thickness in at least a portion of the width direction. The thickness-defining section comprises a roll positioned at a predetermined distance from the substrate and extending in the width direction of the substrate, intersecting the conveying direction. The suction unit is a powder placement device that sucks up the powder located beyond the predetermined width.

3. The powder loading device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the suction portion is formed on the end side in the width direction of the roll.

4. The roll has a first diameter that forms a predetermined interval at a length approximately equal to the predetermined width, and at the end end, it has a second diameter that is smaller than the first diameter at a length approximately equal to the predetermined width. The powder loading device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the suction portion is formed at the boundary between the first diameter and the second diameter.

5. The powder loading apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the suction section is located on the opposite side of the roll from the supply section.

6. The strip-shaped material forming unit moves in a direction toward the transfer position from the supply unit to the substrate, The powder loading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the roll rotates in the same direction as the movement direction of the strip-forming section, and its rotational speed is greater than the movement speed of the strip-forming section.

7. The powder loading apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the roll rotates in the same direction as the conveying direction, and its rotational speed is greater than the conveying speed of the substrate.

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