Coating apparatus, coating method

Abstract

To provide a technology that improves the efficiency of coating an object with a film. [Solution] A coating device for covering an object with a film, comprising: a coating section for covering the object with a film; a storage section for storing the film before coating; a transport section for transporting the film before coating from the storage section to the coating section; and a decoration section between the storage section and the coating section for decorating the film before coating.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a coating apparatus and a coating method.

Background Art

[0002] A molding method for coating a three-dimensional adherend with a film is known. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a method of attaching and molding a decorative sheet along a product prototype.

Prior Art Literature

Patent Literature

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problem to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the conventional art, when changing the decoration specification of a film, for example, changing the color of the film coated on an adherend, it is necessary to replace the decorative film itself. Such replacement work of the decorative film becomes a factor that reduces working efficiency when coating the adherend with the film. Therefore, there is a need for a technique that improves the efficiency when coating an adherend with a film.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a technique for improving the efficiency when coating an adherend with a film.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0006] According to the present invention, a coating apparatus for coating a film on an adherend, comprising: a coating section that coats the film onto the adherend; a storage section that stores the film before coating; a conveyance section that conveys the uncoated film from the storage section to the coating section; Between the housing portion and the covering portion, there is a decorative portion for decorating the film before covering, A coating device characterized by the above is provided. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, the efficiency of coating an object with a film can be improved. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] A diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of a coating device. [Figure 2] A diagram showing an example of some of the components of a coating device. [Figure 3] A diagram showing an example of some of the components of a coating device. [Figure 4] A diagram showing an example of some of the components of a coating device. [Figure 5] A partial cross-sectional view of the coating device. [Figure 6] A magnified view of a part of the coating device. [Figure 7] A magnified view of a part of the coating device. [Figure 8] Operational diagram of the coating device. [Figure 9] Operational diagram of the coating device. [Figure 10] Operational diagram of the coating device. [Figure 11] Operational diagram of the coating device. [Figure 12] Operational diagram of the coating device. [Figure 13] Operational diagram of the coating device. [Figure 14] Operational diagram of the coating device. [Figure 15] Operational diagram of the coating device. [Figure 16] Operational diagram of the coating device. [Figure 17] Operational diagram of the coating device. [Figure 18] A diagram showing an example of some of the components of a coating device. [Figure 19] A diagram showing an example of some of the components of a coating device. [Figure 20] Partial cross-sectional view of a coating apparatus. [Figure 21] (A) is a perspective view of a film support unit. (B) is a cross-sectional view of the film support unit. [Figure 22] (A) and (B) are plan views of the coated film. MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The following embodiments do not limit the invention according to the claims, and not all combinations of features described in the embodiments are essential to the invention. Two or more of the plurality of features described in the embodiments may be arbitrarily combined. In addition, the same or similar configurations are denoted by the same reference numerals, and duplicate descriptions are omitted.

[0010] <First Embodiment> In the present embodiment, a configuration example of a coating apparatus that forms a film by coating an adherend placed on a jig with a film will be described. In the present embodiment, the description is given on the assumption that the adherend to be coated with a film is a front bumper or a rear bumper of a vehicle (for example, a four-wheeled vehicle), but the adherend is not limited thereto, and the present invention can be applied to various objects. The coating apparatus decorates the film according to the vehicle color by a decoration unit, thereby reducing the labor of replacing the film for each vehicle color.

[0011] <Overall Configuration of Coating Apparatus> FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of a coating apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment. Arrows in the figure indicate the conveying direction of the adherend W alone, the jig J on which the adherend W is placed, or the jig J alone. In the following description, for convenience, the conveying direction of the film F may be referred to as the X direction, the conveying direction of the adherend W on the coating line L1 may be referred to as the Y direction, and the height direction (vertical direction) of the coating apparatus 100 may be referred to as the Z direction.

[0012] The coating device 100 includes a transport unit 101. The transport unit 101 grasps the object to be coated W, which has been transported on a transport vehicle 501, and places it on a jig J at the starting position (entrance) of the coating line L1. The jig J is placed on a transport table T. The transport unit 101 is, for example, a robot arm or the like. The first worker 901 checks whether the object to be coated W is properly placed on the jig J and manually wipes and degreases the object W placed on the jig J. If the object to be coated W is not properly placed on the jig J, the first worker 901 adjusts its position. The actions performed by the first worker 901 may be performed by a robot or the like.

[0013] Subsequently, the object to be coated W is transported along the coating line L1 to the dust removal area A while placed on the jig J. The coating device 100 includes transport units 102 and 112 that transport the object to be coated W placed on the jig J along the coating line L1. Transport unit 102 transports the jig J and the object to be coated W upstream of the coating unit 111 along the coating line 1, and transport unit 112 transports the jig J and the object to be coated W downstream of the coating unit 111. Transport units 102 and 112 are, for example, roller conveyors. Transport units 102 and 112 may be other conveyor devices such as belt conveyors, or they may be articulated robots. Furthermore, the transport of the jig J and the object to be coated W may be performed manually by an operator.

[0014] The coating device 100 includes a dust removal unit 103 that performs a cleaning operation on the object to be coated W in the dust removal area A. The dust removal unit 103 is a dust removal device that performs a cleaning operation by, for example, suctioning away dust. The dust removal unit 103 also has a wiping part, such as a mop, and performs a cleaning operation that does not discharge dust into the space of the dust removal area A by wiping the surface of the object to be coated W while simultaneously suctioning.

[0015] After cleaning by the dust removal unit 103, the object to be coated W, which is placed on the jig J, is transported to the coating area B by the transport unit 102. The coating device 100 in the coating area B is equipped with a storage unit 104, a transport roller 105, a decoration unit 106, a hardening unit 107, a winding roller 108, a cutting unit 109, a detection unit 110, and a coating unit 111.

[0016] Here, the various components of the coating device 100 in coating area B will be explained with reference to Figures 1, 2, and 3. Figure 2 is a plan view of the coating device 100 in coating area B. The dotted line portion of the chamber 7 of the coating unit 111 shown in Figure 2 represents the inside of the chamber 7. Figure 3 is a side view of the coating device 100 as seen from the downstream side of the coating line L1.

[0017] The storage unit 104 stores the film F before coating. The storage unit 104 includes a support roller 140, a winding roller 141, etc. The support roller 140 is a roller that rotatably supports the film F wound in a roll shape. The winding roller 141 is a roller for winding up the release film (protective film) when a release film is laminated on the surface of the film F. The film F is, for example, a film made of an extensible material, specifically a thermoplastic resin, and has an adhesive layer on the back side of the film F (the side that covers the adherend).

[0018] The transport rollers 105 are a pair of rollers for transporting the film F housed in the storage unit 104 to the coating unit 111. The transport rollers 105 pull the film F, supported by the support rollers 140, out into a planar shape. The transport rollers 105 may also be provided, for example, between the decoration unit 106 and the curing unit 107.

[0019] The decoration unit 106 is positioned between the storage unit 104 and the coating unit 111, and decorates the film F before coating. As the film F is transported from the storage unit 104 to the coating unit 111, the decoration layer is formed by the decoration operation of the decoration unit 106. This eliminates the need to change the decoration specifications, such as the color and pattern of the film F, according to the substrate W, even when changing the film stored in the storage unit 104 according to the decoration specifications. In other words, it is possible to increase the efficiency of coating the substrate W with the film F.

[0020] In this embodiment, the decoration unit 106 is a printing device that decorates the film F before coating by printing. The decoration unit 106 is, for example, an inkjet printing device that ejects ink onto the film F to form a decorative layer (printed layer) on the surface of the film F. The decoration unit 106 ejects a thermosetting ink that hardens when heated. However, the ink ejected by the decoration unit 106 is not limited to thermosetting ink. The decoration unit 106 may, for example, eject a photocurable resin that hardens when exposed to light. The photocurable resin may be, for example, an ultraviolet-curable ink that hardens when exposed to light in the ultraviolet region, or an electron beam-curable resin that hardens when exposed to an electron beam.

[0021] The decoration unit 106, for example, ejects red ink when the substrate W is a bumper for a red car body, and ejects blue ink when the substrate W is a bumper for a blue car body. In this way, the decoration unit 106 prints on the film F before coating, allowing the film F to be decorated with a desired color according to the substrate W. Furthermore, it is possible to decorate not only the color of the film F, but also the pattern of the film F.

[0022] The detection unit 110 is positioned, for example, upstream of the coating unit 111 in the coating line L1, and detects the shape of the object W when the object W and jig J are transported to the coating unit 111. The detection unit 110 is, for example, a camera or a sensor. The detection unit 110 may also be provided, for example, inside the coating unit 111. The decoration unit 106 decorates the film F before coating based on the detection result from the detection unit 110. Specifically, the decoration unit 106 forms a decorative layer in a specific area of ​​the film F according to the shape of the object detected by the detection unit 110. This reduces the cost of decoration compared to decorating the entire film F. In other words, it further improves the efficiency of coating the object W with the film F.

[0023] The decoration unit 106 may perform decoration based on, for example, the simulation results of coating the substrate W with the film F before decoration. For example, the decoration unit 106 may have decoration conditions set based on the simulation results of coating the substrate W. Alternatively, for example, the decoration conditions based on the simulation results of coating the substrate W may be stored in the control unit 116, which will be described later. The decoration unit 106 may also perform decoration based on the control of the control unit 116. In other words, the decoration unit 106 may perform decoration on the film F based on pre-set decoration conditions. The decoration conditions may include, for example, settings such as the print area (decoration area) and print color.

[0024] The coating device 100 includes a film support unit 121 positioned opposite the decoration unit 106 (see Figure 3). The film support unit 121 supports the film F when the decoration unit 106 performs a decoration operation. The film support unit 121 may be configured to move up and down in the Z direction, for example. Refer to Figures 21(A) and 21(B) here. Figure 21(A) is a perspective view of the film support unit 121. Figure 21(B) is a cross-sectional view taken along the N-N line of Figure 21(A). The film support unit 121 has an opposing surface S that faces the decoration unit 106. The opposing surface S is also a guide surface that guides the film F that has been conveyed by the conveyor roller 105. The opposing surface S is formed from a central portion 121a in the X and Y directions, an outer peripheral portion 121b, and an inclined portion 121c that slopes downward from the central portion 121a to the outer peripheral portion 121b. The central portion 121a and the outer peripheral portion 121b are both flat. Because the central portion 121a of the opposing surface S is higher than the outer peripheral portion 121b, the film F can be prevented from bending when the decoration unit 106 applies decoration to the film F. Furthermore, the presence of an inclined portion 121c on the opposing surface S allows for smooth transport of the film F.

[0025] The curing unit 107 is positioned between the decoration unit 106 and the coating unit 111 and cures the decorative layer formed on the film F before coating. After decoration, the film F is in a state where the decorative layer formed on the surface of the film F is cured by the curing operation (curing treatment) of the curing unit 107. By curing the decorative layer formed on the surface of the film F before coating with the curing unit 107, the adhesion between the decorative layer and the film F can be improved. In this embodiment, the curing unit 107 is equipped with, for example, a heater for heating the decorative layer, and the decorative layer is cured by heating with the heater.

[0026] Although the curing unit 107 has been described in an example where the decorative layer is cured by heating, it is not limited to this. For example, in a configuration where the decorative unit 106 extrudes a photocurable resin, the curing unit 107 may be equipped with an irradiation unit that irradiates the decorative layer with light, and the decorative layer may be cured by the light irradiated by the irradiation unit. The light irradiated by the curing unit 107 onto the decorative layer is ultraviolet light, for example, when the decorative unit 106 extrudes ultraviolet-curable ink. Also, the light irradiated by the curing unit 107 onto the decorative layer is an electron beam, for example, when the decorative unit 106 extrudes electron beam-curable ink.

[0027] The coating device 100 includes a film support unit 122 positioned opposite the curing unit 107 (see Figure 3). The film support unit 122 supports the film F when the curing process is performed by the curing unit 107. The film support unit 122 may be configured to move up and down in the Z direction, for example.

[0028] The winding roller 108 is a roller for winding up the release film (protective film) when a release film is laminated on the back surface of the film F. The cutting unit 109 cuts the film F between the storage unit 104 and the covering unit 111 when moving the film F into the covering unit 111. The cutting unit 109 may cut the film F by sliding a cutter in the width direction of the film F. The width direction of the film F is the axial direction of the roll-shaped film F. Alternatively, the cutting unit 109 may cut the film F by lowering a wide cutter provided along the width direction of the film F and pressing it against the thickness direction of the film F. Alternatively, the cutting unit 109 may cut the film F with a laser.

[0029] The coating unit 111 is, for example, a vacuum forming device that improves the adhesion of the film F to the adherend W by utilizing the pressure difference. The details of each component of the coating unit 111 will be described later. After the adherend W is transported into the internal space of the coating unit 111 (slide-in), the coating unit 111 sets the decorated film F in the desired position. Then, the coating unit 111 creates a vacuum in its internal space and performs a heating operation to coat the adherend W with the film F. The order of the vacuum operation (creating a vacuum in the internal space of the coating unit 111) and the heating operation (heating the internal space of the coating unit 111) is not limited. The heating operation may be performed after the vacuum operation, or after the heating operation, or the vacuum operation and heating operation may be performed at overlapping timings. Furthermore, the method of transporting the adherend W into the coating unit 111 is not limited to slide-in. For example, the object to be covered W may be lifted together with the jig J by a lifter (not shown) or a gripping robot and transported into the interior of the covering unit 111.

[0030] Once the coating operation is complete, the coating unit 111 transports the object to be coated W to the outside of the coating unit 111 (slides out). Simultaneously with this slide-out, the coating device 100 controls the transport unit 102 so that the next object to be coated W slides into the coating unit 111. Furthermore, the method of transporting the object to be coated W to the outside of the coating unit 111 is not limited to slide-out. For example, the object to be coated W may be lifted together with the jig J by a lifter (not shown) or a gripping robot and transported to the outside of the coating unit 111.

[0031] The coating operation by the coating unit 111 results in the film F covering the adherend W, the jig J, and their surrounding areas. The adherend W and jig J are then transported to the removal area C in this state (see Figure 1). In the above description, an example in which a curing unit 107 is provided between the decoration unit 106 and the coating unit 111 has been explained, but this is not the only example. For example, the curing unit 107 may be provided downstream of the coating unit 111 and upstream of the cutting unit 113. The adherend W and jig J may be transported to the removal area C after the curing process by the curing unit 107. Alternatively, the curing unit 107 may be provided in two locations: between the decoration unit 106 and the coating unit 111, and downstream of the coating unit 111 and upstream of the cutting unit 113.

[0032] The coating apparatus 100 includes a cutting unit 113 that cuts off the unnecessary portion of the coated film F in the removal region C. For example, the cutting unit 113 may cut the film F along the edge of the adherend W. Alternatively, for example, the cutting unit 113 may cut off the portion of the film F that extends beyond the adherend W. The cutting unit 113 cuts the film F using, for example, a CO2 laser.

[0033] Subsequently, after the unnecessary portion of the coated film F is cut by the cutting unit 113, the adherend W and jig J are transported by the transport unit 112 to the location of the recovery unit 114 in the coating line L1. The coating device 100 includes a recovery unit 114 that recovers the waste film cut by the cutting unit 113. Waste film refers to the scraps of film F (film offcuts) generated by cutting the film F. The recovery unit 114 peels the cut waste film from the jig J, grasps it, and places it in the first waste box 114a or the second waste box 114b. Release agents are applied in advance to the jig J other than the adherend W, and to the surrounding surfaces of the adherend W and jig J (the mounting surface of the jig J), making them easy to peel off by the recovery unit 114.

[0034] Subsequently, the object to be attached W and the jig J are further transported by the transport unit 112 to the position of the second worker 902. The second worker 902 manually peels off any film scraps that could not be removed by the recovery unit 114, cleans the object, checks the quality, and performs repair work as needed. After that, the object to be attached W and the jig J are transported outside the removal area C, and the object to be attached W is grasped by the transport unit 124 of the covering device 100, and the object to be attached W, covered with film F, is placed on the trolley 502.

[0035] Furthermore, the second worker 902 may be located in a separate work environment space from the cutting unit 113 and the recovery unit 114. That is, the space where the cutting unit 113 and the recovery unit 114 are located may be designated as removal area C1, and the space where the second worker 902 is located may be designated as removal area C2. In this case, removal area C1 and removal area C2 may be fluidly connected along the coating line L1. In this case, the coating device 100 may be configured to control the pressure in removal area C1 to be lower than that in removal area C2, so that air does not flow from removal area C1 to removal area C2. As a result, the second worker 902 is isolated from dust, smoke, etc. generated by the operation of the cutting unit 113 and the recovery unit 114, thereby improving the work environment.

[0036] After the object to be attached W is grasped and moved by the transport unit 124, only the jig J remains. This jig J is returned along the jig return line L2 by the transport unit 120 of the coating device 100 and reused. The jig J is transported along the jig return line L2 to the position of the third worker 903. The third worker 903 cleans up any debris remaining from the cutting process. The third worker 903 also applies a release agent to the jig J. Note that the debris cleaning and release agent application operations may be configured to be performed automatically by a robot. After that, the jig J is transported further along the jig return line L2 to the position of the transport unit 119. The coating device 100 includes a transport unit 119 that performs a jig replacement operation according to the type of object to be attached W. When a replacement operation is required, the transport unit 119 grasps the jig J and moves it out of the jig return line L2, and then moves another jig from outside the line to the jig return line L2. After that, the jig J is transported along the jig return line L2 to the starting position (entrance) of the coating line L1 where the object to be attached W is placed on the jig J. The same operation is repeated thereafter.

[0037] The covering device 100 includes a pressure adjustment unit 115. The pressure adjustment unit 115 is connected to the covering unit 111 by piping 80 and piping 81, and adjusts the air pressure inside the chamber 7 of the covering unit 111 under the control of the control device 116. The pressure adjustment unit 115 includes piping 80 communicating with the inside of the lower chamber member 72, piping 81 communicating with the inside of the upper chamber member 71, a pressure reduction unit 82, and valves 820 and 821. In this embodiment, the pressure reduction unit 82 includes a pump 822 and a pressure reduction tank 823, and the pressure reduction tank 823 is depressurized by the pump 822. The pressure reduction unit 82 may consist only of the pump 822. By providing the pressure reduction tank 823, the inside of the chamber 7 can be depressurized in a relatively short time using the pressure reduction tank 823 with a relatively low-output pump 822. Piping 80 is connected to the pressure reducing tank 823, and piping 81 is connected to the pressure reducing tank 823 via valve 821, piping 83, and valve 820.

[0038] Valve 820 switches the communication state between pipe 80 and pressure reducing tank 823. Valve 821 switches the communication state between pipe 81 and pipes 83 and 84. Pipe 84 is open to the atmosphere. Valve 821 can switch between a state where pipe 81 is connected only to pipe 83 and a state where pipe 81 is connected only to pipe 84.

[0039] The coating device 100 includes a control unit 116 that controls the entire coating device 100. The control unit 116 includes, for example, a processing unit, a storage unit, an input / output interface (I / O), a display unit, and an input unit. The processing unit is a processor, such as a CPU, which controls the entire coating device 1 by executing a program stored in the storage unit. The storage unit is a storage device such as a ROM, RAM, or HDD, which stores various control information in addition to the program executed by the processing unit. The input / output interface is an interface for sending and receiving signals between the processing unit and external devices (actuators such as motors or sensors). The display unit is a display that shows information to the user. The input unit is a key switch for the user to input instructions. The display unit and the input unit may be configured as a touch panel.

[0040] The coating device 100 also includes an air supply unit 117 and an exhaust unit 118. The air supply unit 117 supplies air to the dust removal area A and the coating area B so that the pressure in the dust removal area A and the coating area B becomes positive relative to atmospheric pressure. The exhaust unit 118 exhausts air so that the pressure in the removal area C becomes negative relative to atmospheric pressure. The space where the first worker 901 is located is in fluid communication with the dust removal area A. Similarly, the dust removal area A and the coating area B are in fluid communication, the coating area B and the removal area C are in fluid communication, and the removal area C and the space where the transport unit 115 is located are in fluid communication. The dust removal area A and the application area B are separated by a partition 123, but they are spatially in fluid communication.

[0041] <Coating Unit> Next, the various components of the covering unit 111 will be explained with reference to Figures 1 to 3, as well as Figure 4. Figure 4 corresponds to a view of the chamber 7 of the covering unit from the side of the housing unit 104.

[0042] The covering unit 111 includes a film moving unit 6 for moving the film F and a chamber 7 that defines the covering space in which the object to be adhered W is placed. The chamber 7 has an upper chamber member 71 and a lower chamber member 72. The film moving unit 6 performs a transport operation to transport the film F onto the object to be adhered W that has been transported inside the chamber 7. The film moving unit 6 also moves the film F during the covering operation in which the film F covers the object to be adhered W. The film moving unit 6 is provided on the upper chamber member 71 of the chamber 7 and moves up and down in the Z direction in synchronization with the upper chamber member 71. The film moving unit 6 includes a front gripping part 60, a rear gripping part 61, a first moving mechanism 62, and a second moving mechanism 63.

[0043] The tip gripping portion 60 grips the tip of the film F. The tip of the film F is the end portion that is pulled out in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the rolled film F. At the tip of the film F, the tip gripping portion 60 grips both ends of the film F in the Y direction. Alternatively, the tip gripping portion 60 may grip the entire width of the film F at the tip of the film F. Furthermore, the tip gripping portion 60 can switch between a gripping state in which it grips the tip of the film F and an open state in which it does not grip the tip of the film F. The tip gripping portion 60 is supported by the first moving mechanism 62 by a support member 622 that movably supports the tip gripping portion 60.

[0044] The rear end gripping portion 61 grips the rear end of the film F so that the film F covers the object W. As will be described later, the front end gripping portion 60 moves to cover the object W while gripping the front end of the film F by the first moving mechanism 62. After that, the rear end gripping portion 61 grips the rear end of the film F. At the rear end of the film F, the rear end gripping portion 61 grips both ends of the film F in the Y direction. The rear end gripping portion 61 may also grip the entire width of the film F at the rear end of the film F. Furthermore, the rear end gripping portion 61 can switch between a gripping state in which it grips the rear end that has been pulled out in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the roll-shaped film F, and an open state in which it does not grip the rear end of the film F and leaves it open. Furthermore, the rear end gripping portion 61 is supported by the second moving mechanism 63 by a support member 632 that movably supports the rear end gripping portion 61.

[0045] The first moving mechanism 62 allows the tip gripping portion 60 to move in the X direction, which transports the film F onto the object W, and in the direction opposite to the X direction. Specifically, the first moving mechanism 62 includes a rail 620 that allows the tip gripping portion 60 to move in the X direction and in the direction opposite to the X direction. In other words, the first moving mechanism 62 can also be described as a guide member that guides the movement of the tip gripping portion 60 in the X direction, which transports the film F onto the object W, and in the direction opposite to the X direction.

[0046] As shown in Figures 2 and 4, the rail 620 is provided on both side walls 71R to 71L on the outside of the upper chamber member 71 of the chamber 7. Also, as shown in Figures 2 and 4, the rail 620 is provided along the X direction of the chamber 7 and is provided so as to protrude from the upper chamber member 71. That is, the rail 620 is longer than the upper chamber member 71 in the X direction. This allows the tip gripping portion 60 to move outside the chamber 7 when the upper chamber member 71 descends and comes into contact with the lower chamber member 72.

[0047] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the first moving mechanism 62 includes a first control mechanism 621 inside the rail 620. The first control mechanism 621 may be, for example, an electric actuator, an electric cylinder, or an electric ball screw mechanism. By controlling the first control mechanism 621, the support member 622 that supports the tip gripping portion 60 moves, making the tip gripping portion 60 movable in the X direction and in the direction opposite to the X direction.

[0048] The second moving mechanism 63 allows the rear end gripping portion 61 to move in the X direction and in the direction opposite to the X direction. The second moving mechanism 63 includes a rail 630 that allows the rear end gripping portion 61 to move in the X direction and in the direction opposite to the X direction. In other words, the second moving mechanism 63 can also be said to be a guide member that guides the movement of the rear end gripping portion 61 in the X direction and in the direction opposite to the X direction.

[0049] As shown in Figures 2 and 4, the rail 630 is provided on both side walls 71R to 71L on the outside of the upper chamber member 71 of the chamber 7. Also, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, the rail 630 is provided along the X direction and is provided to protrude from the upper chamber member 71 toward the housing unit 104. This allows the rear end gripping portion 61 to move outside the chamber 7 when the upper chamber member 71 descends and comes into contact with the lower chamber member 72.

[0050] As shown in Figure 4, the second moving mechanism 63 includes a second control mechanism 631 inside the rail 630 that controls the movement of the rear end gripping portion 61. The second control mechanism 631 may be a drive device such as an electric actuator, electric cylinder, or electric ball screw mechanism. By controlling the second control mechanism 631, the support member 632 that supports the rear end gripping portion 61 moves, making the rear end gripping portion 61 movable in the X direction and in the direction opposite to the X direction.

[0051] The upper chamber member 71 has a front wall portion 71F, a rear wall portion 71B, a side wall portion 71R, a side wall portion 71L, and an upper wall portion 71U, and its bottom surface is open. Rails 620 are provided on the side wall portions 71R and 71L. Rails 630 are also provided on the side wall portions 71R and 71L. In other words, the upper chamber member 71 is a member that movably supports the front gripping portion 60 and the rear gripping portion 61.

[0052] Furthermore, the lower chamber member 72 is located below the upper chamber member 71, and the object to be adhered W is placed therein. The lower chamber member 72 has a front wall portion 72F, a rear wall portion 72B, a side wall portion 72R, a side wall portion 72L, and a bottom wall portion 72D, and its upper surface is open.

[0053] As shown in Figures 2 to 4, the covering unit 111 has a displacement unit 9 that displaces the upper chamber member 71 and the lower chamber member 72 relative to each other. The displacement unit 9 includes, for example, a support member 90, a moving mechanism 91, and a rail 92. The support member 90 supports the upper chamber member 71 so that it can move in the vertical direction of the covering unit. The moving mechanism 91 moves the support member 90 in the vertical direction of the covering unit 111. That is, the displacement unit 9 moves the upper chamber member 71 up and down, thereby displacing the first continuous body 13 and the second continuous body 14 (described later) and the object to be covered W relative to each other. The moving mechanism 91 may be, for example, a drive device such as an electric actuator, an electric cylinder, or an electric ball screw mechanism. The rail 92 extends in the Z direction and is a member that guides the movement of the moving mechanism 91 in the Z direction. Furthermore, the upper chamber member 71 is lowered by the displacement unit 9 and comes into contact with the lower chamber member 72, thereby sealing the inside of the chamber 7. In this embodiment, one example of the displacement unit 9 raising and lowering the upper chamber member 71 relative to the lower chamber member 72 has been described, but it is not limited to this. For example, the displacement unit 9 may be configured to raise and lower the lower chamber member 72 relative to the upper chamber member 71.

[0054] The covering unit 111 includes an object moving unit 10 inside the chamber 7, as shown in Figure 2. Here, in addition to Figures 2 to 4, Figure 5 is also referred to. Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the chamber 7 to illustrate its interior, and corresponds to the diagram showing the interior of the chamber 7 in Figure 3.

[0055] The object moving unit 10 is provided on the lower chamber member 72. The object moving unit 10 comprises an object lifting section 10a and an object transport section 10b supported by the object lifting section 10a. The object lifting section 10a lifts and lowers the object W, which has been brought into the chamber 7, in the vertical direction of the covering unit to adjust the position of the object W or to bring the object W into contact with the film F. The object transport section 10b transports the object W using a plurality of rotatable rollers. The object lifting section 10a and the object transport section 10b may be actuators such as electric cylinders or electric ball screw mechanisms.

[0056] As shown in Figure 2, the covering unit 111 includes a plurality of first contact members 11, a plurality of second contact members 12, a first continuum 13, and a second continuum 14 inside the chamber 7.

[0057] The multiple first contact members 11 are arranged along the first side edge of the film F conveyed on the adherend W, and are members that contact the first side edge. The multiple second contact members 12 are arranged along the second side edge of the film F opposite the first side edge, and are members that contact the second side edge. The multiple first contact members 11 and the multiple second contact members 12 are arranged in positions opposite to each other. Note that the number of multiple first contact members 11 and the multiple second contact members is not limited to the example shown in the figure and may be changed as appropriate.

[0058] The first continuous body 13 extends continuously in the extending direction along the first side edge of the film F, supports a plurality of first contact members 11, and is a member that can deform in the direction of contact and separation so that the plurality of first contact members 11 move toward and away from the film F.

[0059] The second continuous body 14 extends continuously in the extension direction along the second side edge of the film F, supports a plurality of second contact members 12, and is a member that can deform in the contact-to-separation direction so that the plurality of second contact members 12 move toward and away from the film F. The extension direction of the first continuous body 13 and the second continuous body 14 is the transport direction of the film F.

[0060] During the covering operation, the displacement unit 9 described above displaces the first continuous body 13 and the second continuous body 14 relative to the adherend W, using a plurality of first contact members 11 and a plurality of second contact members 12, so that the film F comes into contact with the adherend W.

[0061] During the coating process, depending on the shape of the adherend W, for example, the contact distance between multiple contact members that contact the film F may become too large. When the contact distance becomes too large, the film F stretches more, which can cause wrinkles in the film F. However, in this embodiment, the multiple contact members 11 and 12 that contact the film F are supported by deformable continuum members 13 and 14. This makes it possible to suppress the contact distance from becoming too large during the coating process. Therefore, when the film F is brought into close contact with the adherend W, it is possible to suppress the amount of stretching of the film F from changing depending on the part of the adherend W.

[0062] Now, refer to Figures 6 and 7. Figure 6 is a diagram illustrating the interior of Chamber 7, and is a partially enlarged view of the interior of Chamber 7 in the X direction. Figure 7 is a diagram illustrating the interior of Chamber 7, and is a partially enlarged view of the interior of Chamber 7 in the Y direction.

[0063] As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the first continuous body 13 and the second continuous body 14 are chains. The plurality of first contact members 11 are rotating members that are rotatably supported on the first continuous body 13. The plurality of second contact members 12 are rotating members that are rotatably supported on the second continuous body 14. The rotating members are, for example, rollers. By having rotating members that come into contact with the film F, it is possible to prevent the film F from rubbing against the plurality of first contact members 11 and the plurality of second contact members 12 when they come into contact with the film F.

[0064] As shown in Figure 6, each of the multiple first contact members 11 is provided on the first continuous body 13 via a pressing member 15a and an elastic member 15b. Similarly, each of the multiple second contact members 12 is provided on the second continuous body 14 via a pressing member 16a and an elastic member 16b.

[0065] The pressing member 15a is, for example, a member that presses the first contact member 11 when the first contact member 11 comes into contact with the film F. The pressing member 16a is, for example, a member that presses the second contact member 12 when the second contact member 12 comes into contact with the film F. The pressing members 15a and 16a may be, for example, actuators. The elastic members 15b and 16b may be, for example, springs. For example, some adherends W may have concave curved portions. When covering the adherend W with the film F, it may be difficult for the contact members 11 and 12 to come into contact with the film F in the concave curved portions of the adherend W. On the other hand, by providing the pressing members 15a and 16a, it is possible to support the contact between the contact members 11 and 12 and the film F when the contact members 11 and 12 come into contact with the film F.

[0066] As shown in Figure 2, the covering unit 111 includes a first suspension unit 17 and a second suspension unit 18 inside the chamber 7.

[0067] As shown in Figure 5, the first suspension unit 17 supports both ends of the first continuum 13 and suspends the first continuum 13. The first suspension unit 17 includes a first fixing member 170 that fixes one end of the first continuum 13 inside the upper chamber member 71. The first suspension unit 17 further includes a first adjustment device 171 for adjusting the slack of the first continuum 13. The first adjustment device 171 is, for example, an electric cylinder.

[0068] Figure 5 illustrates the first suspension unit 17 on the first continuum 13 side, but the second suspension unit 18 on the second continuum 14 side is similar (see Figures 2 and 4). That is, the second suspension unit 18 is provided inside the upper chamber member 71. The second suspension unit 18 includes a second fixing member 180 that fixes one end of the second continuum 14 inside the upper chamber member 71. The second suspension unit 18 further includes a second adjustment device 181 for adjusting the slack of the second continuum 14 (see Figure 2). The second adjustment device 181 is, for example, an electric cylinder.

[0069] The first adjustment device 171 allows for adjustment of the slack in the first continuum 13, enabling the first continuum 13 to conform to the shape of the object W. Furthermore, the second adjustment device 181 allows for adjustment of the slack in the second continuum 14, enabling the second continuum 13 to conform to the shape of the object W.

[0070] The first adjustment device 171 and the second adjustment device 181 may, for example, be a lifting mechanism provided on the upper wall portion 71U of the upper chamber member 71 and capable of moving up and down in the vertical direction inside the upper chamber member 71.

[0071] Furthermore, the covering unit 111 further comprises a first restricting unit 19, as shown in Figures 4 to 7. The first restricting unit 19 restricts the displacement of the first continuum 13 in a direction different from the direction of contact and separation. The first restricting unit 19 comprises a plurality of rails 190 arranged in the first extending direction and extending in the first contact and separation direction, and sliders 191 that engage with the rails 190 and the first continuum 13 and are displaceable along the rails 190. The first restricting unit 19 also comprises a support member that deformably supports the first continuum 13. The support member may be, for example, a sprocket.

[0072] The first regulating unit 19 restricts the displacement of the first continuum 13 in a direction different from the contact-to-separation direction, thereby suppressing a shift in the position of the first contact member 11 between when it first contacts the film F and when contact is finally completed during the covering operation.

[0073] The covering unit 111 further comprises a second restricting unit 20. The second restricting unit 20 restricts the displacement of the second continuum 14 in a direction different from the direction of contact and separation. The second restricting unit 20 comprises a plurality of rails 200 arranged in the second extending direction and extending in the second contact and separation direction, and sliders 201 that engage with the rails 200 and the second continuum 14 and are displaceable along the rails 200. The second restricting unit 20 also comprises a support member that deformably supports the second continuum 14. The support member may be, for example, a sprocket.

[0074] The second regulating unit 20 restricts the displacement of the second continuum 14 in a direction different from the contact-to-separation direction, thereby suppressing a shift in the position of the second contact member 12 between when it first contacts the film F and when contact is finally completed during the covering operation.

[0075] As shown in Figures 4 to 7, the coating unit 111 includes a heating unit 21 that heats the film F conveyed onto the adherend W within the internal space of the chamber 7. The heating unit 21 generates heat, for example, by supplying electricity. The heat from the heating unit 21 softens the film F, improving the degree of adhesion of the film F to the adherend W.

[0076] The heating unit 21 is a heater 210 provided corresponding to each of the multiple first contact members 11. The covering unit 111 includes connecting members 22a that connect the heaters 210 to the corresponding first contact members 11. The connecting members 22a are provided to connect the heating unit 21 to the first continuous body 13. The heating unit 21 is also a heater 210 provided corresponding to each of the multiple second contact members 12. The covering unit 111 includes connecting members 22b that connect the heaters 210 to the corresponding second contact members 12. The connecting members 22b are provided to connect the heating unit 21 to the second continuous body 14.

[0077] The heater 210 and the corresponding contact members 11 and 12 are connected by connecting members 22a and 22b, which prevents the distance between the heater 210 and the contact members 11 and 12 from becoming too large when the film F is brought into contact with the adherend W. As a result, the amount of heat applied to the film F does not vary significantly depending on the part of the adherend W, and changes in the amount of elongation of the film F can be suppressed.

[0078] As shown in Figures 4 to 6, the covering unit 111 comprises a third continuous body 23 and a fourth continuous body 24. As described above, the plurality of first contact members 11 and the plurality of second contact members 12 are arranged in positions facing each other. The covering unit 111 includes a bridge member 25 that connects the plurality of first contact members 11 and the plurality of second contact members 12. The heating unit 21 is provided for each combination of the plurality of first contact members 11 and the plurality of second contact members 12, and is also provided on the bridge member 25. That is, the heating unit 21 is supported by the third continuous body 23 and the fourth continuous body 24.

[0079] The third continuum 23 extends continuously in a first extending direction along the first side edge of the film F. The third continuum 23 is, for example, a chain. The third continuum 23 is suspended by a third suspension unit 26 provided on the upper wall of the upper chamber member 71. The third suspension unit 26 is a unit that supports both ends of the third continuum 23 and suspends the third continuum 23. The third suspension unit 26 includes a third fixing member 260 that fixes one end of the third continuum 23 and a third adjusting device 261 that adjusts the slack of the third continuum 23. The third adjusting device 261 is, for example, an electric cylinder.

[0080] As described above, the heating unit 21 is connected to the corresponding first contact member 11 by a connecting member 22a. That is, the third continuum 23 is connected to the first continuum 13 via the connecting member 22a. As a result, the third continuum 23 deforms in sync with the first continuum 13.

[0081] The fourth continuum 24 extends continuously in a second extending direction along the second side edge of the film F. The fourth continuum 24 is, for example, a chain. The fourth continuum 24 is suspended by a fourth suspension unit 27 provided on the upper wall of the upper chamber member 71. The fourth suspension unit 27 is a unit that supports both ends of the fourth continuum 24 and suspends the fourth continuum 24. The fourth suspension unit 27 includes a fourth fixing member 270 that fixes one end of the fourth continuum 24, and a fourth adjusting device 271 that adjusts the slack of the fourth continuum 24. The fourth adjusting device 271 is, for example, an electric cylinder.

[0082] As described above, the heating unit 21 is connected to the corresponding second contact member 12 by a connecting member 22b. That is, the fourth continuum 24 is connected to the second continuum 14 via the connecting member 22b. As a result, the fourth continuum 24 deforms in sync with the second continuum 14.

[0083] <Example of operation> An example of the operation of the coating device 1 in the coating area B will be explained with reference to Figures 8 to 17. Figures 8 to 17 are explanatory diagrams of the operation of the coating device, showing an example of the operation from the loading of the film F and the object to be coated W, to the loading of the film F onto the object W, and the loading of the object W covered with the film F.

[0084] <Transportation of the object to be attached, and decoration of the film> Refer to Figure 8. Figure 8 shows the state in which the object to be adhered W has been transported into the chamber 7. Also, Figure 8 shows the state in which the film F is being transported to the coating unit. The object to be adhered W is transported, for example, by the transport unit 102 described above onto the object to be adhered moving unit 10 provided on the lower chamber member 72. The object to be adhered moving unit 10 may adjust the position of the object to be adhered W after it has been transported into the chamber 7. The object to be adhered W is brought into the chamber 7 when the upper chamber member 71 is raised by the displacement unit 9 and the upper chamber member 71 and the lower chamber member 72 are separated.

[0085] When the object to be adhered W is transported into the chamber 7, the transport roller 105 grips the roll-shaped film F housed in the storage unit 104 and begins transporting the film F. The transport roller 105 may also begin transporting the film F before the object to be adhered W is transported into the chamber 7. The decoration unit 106 decorates the film F that has been transported by the transport roller 105. The curing unit 107 cures the decorative layer formed on the surface of the film F. After curing, the release film laminated on the back surface of the film F is wound up by the winding roller 108.

[0086] <Film transport operation into the chamber> Next, refer to Figures 9 and 10. Figure 9 shows the state in which the film F has been transported inside the chamber 7. Figure 10 shows the inside of the chamber 7 in the X direction of Figure 9. The film moving unit 6 transports the film F onto the object W. Specifically, the tip gripping unit 60 grips the leading edge of the film F that has been transported from the storage unit 104. Then, the first moving mechanism 62 moves the tip gripping unit 60 in the X direction so that the film F covers the object W. For example, the first control mechanism 621 may control the movement of the tip gripping unit 60 based on the shape (size) of the object W detected by the detection unit 110.

[0087] <Film cutting operation> Refer to Figure 11. Figure 11 shows the inside of the chamber 7 in the X direction. In Figure 11, the rear end gripping part 61 grips the film F and the cutting unit 109 cuts the film F. After the front end gripping part 60 moves in the X direction, the rear end gripping part 61 grips the rear end of the film F. The cutting unit 109 cuts the film F between the rear end gripping part 61 and the storage unit 104. This prevents unnecessary film F from being pulled out of the storage unit 104.

[0088] <Film movement> Refer to Figure 12. Figure 12 shows the interior of the chamber 7 in the X direction. Figure 12 shows the state in which the film F, gripped by the front gripping portion 60 and the rear gripping portion 61, has moved.

[0089] The front gripping section 60 and the rear gripping section 61 move the film F. The front gripping section 60 moves in the X direction by the first moving mechanism 62 while gripping the front end of the film F. The rear gripping section 61 moves in the X direction by the second moving mechanism 63 while gripping the rear end of the film F. When transporting the film F in the X direction, the front gripping section 60 and the rear gripping section 61 move in a way that applies tension to the film F. Applying tension to the film F means applying tension to the film to an extent that does not cause plastic deformation or breakage. In other words, the front gripping section 60 and the rear gripping section 61 transport the film F in a state where the film F is spread out in a flat plane. This prevents the film F from being covered by the adherend W in a state where wrinkles have formed in the film F. For example, the first control mechanism 621 may be controlled to start the movement of the front gripping section 60 in the X direction before the rear gripping section 61. Alternatively, for example, before the transport operation is performed by the front gripping portion 60 and the rear gripping portion 61, the second control mechanism 631 may control the rear gripping portion 61 to move in the opposite direction to the X direction, thereby applying tension to the film F.

[0090] <Contact operation> Refer to Figures 13 and 14. Figure 13 shows the state in which the covering unit 111 is in contact with the film F on the adherend W. Figure 14 shows the inside of the chamber 7 in the X direction of Figure 11.

[0091] The displacement unit 9 displaces the upper chamber member 71 and the lower chamber member 72 relative to each other. Specifically, the displacement unit 9 lowers the upper chamber member 71 toward the lower chamber member 72. When the upper chamber member 71 and the lower chamber member 72 are displaced relative to each other by the displacement unit 9, the plurality of first contact members 11 come into contact with the first side of the film F, and the plurality of second contact members 12 come into contact with the second side of the film F.

[0092] When multiple first contact members 11 come into contact with the film F, the first continuum 13 deforms in a first direction of contact and separation, where the multiple first contact members 11 move toward and away from the film F. As shown in Figure 13, the first continuum 13 is deformable along a jig J having a mounting surface that conforms to the shape of the object to be attached W. Figure 13 shows the configuration of the first continuum 13, but the configuration of the second continuum 14 is similar. That is, when multiple second contact members 12 come into contact with the film F, the second continuum 14 deforms in a second direction of contact and separation, where the multiple second contact members 12 move toward and away from the film F. The second continuum 14 is deformable along a jig J having a mounting surface that conforms to the shape of the object to be attached W.

[0093] Multiple first contact members 11 are supported by a first continuous body 13 that is deformable in a first contact-to-away direction in which the multiple first contact members 11 move toward and away from the film F. This makes it possible to make the spacing between the multiple first contact members 11 that contact the film F approximately uniform. Similarly, multiple second contact members 12 are supported by a second continuous body 14 that is deformable in a second contact-to-away direction in which the multiple second contact members 12 move toward and away from the film F. This makes it possible to make the spacing between the multiple second contact members that contact the film F approximately uniform. Therefore, it is possible to suppress variations in the amount of elongation of the film F depending on the location on the adherend W.

[0094] Furthermore, the first continuous body 13 and the second continuous body 14 are deformable along a jig J having a mounting surface that conforms to the shape of the object to be adhered to W. As a result, the multiple first contact members 11 and the multiple second contact members 12 can contact the film F in accordance with the shape of the object to be adhered to W.

[0095] Here, the displacement unit 9 can be said to be displacing the first continuous body 13 and the second continuous body 14 and the adherend W relatively so that the film F comes into contact with the adherend W, by means of a plurality of first contact members 11 and a plurality of second contact members 12. It can also be said that the displacement unit 9 is displacing the tip gripping portion 60 and the adherend W relatively so that the film F comes into contact with the adherend W. Furthermore, it can be said that the displacement unit 9 is displacing the film F, which is gripped by the tip gripping portion 60 and the rear end gripping portion 61, and the adherend W relatively by raising and lowering the upper chamber member 71.

[0096] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 13, after the film F and the adherend W begin to come into contact, the tip gripping portion 60 moves in the opposite direction to the X direction before contact is completed. That is, after the film F and the adherend W begin to come into contact, the tip gripping portion 60 moves in the opposite direction to the X direction guided by the guide member (rail 620). For example, when the film F and the adherend W begin to come into contact, the first control mechanism 621 may control the support member 622 that supports the tip gripping portion 60 to move in the opposite direction to the X direction. Alternatively, the first control mechanism 621 may release the control of the movement of the tip gripping portion 60, thereby reducing the friction between the support member 622 and the rail 620, allowing the tip gripping portion 60 to move due to the tension of the film F. In other words, the tip gripping portion 60 is not limited to being moved by the first control mechanism 621, but may also move in the opposite direction to the X direction due to the deformation of the film F when the film F covers the adherend W. In this way, when the film F and the object W come into contact, the tip gripping portion 60 moves in the direction opposite to the X direction. As a result, when the film F comes into contact with the object W, the tip gripping portion 60 grips the tip of the film F, thereby preventing the film F from being stretched.

[0097] Furthermore, after the film F and the adherend W begin to come into contact, the rear end gripping portion 61 moves in the X direction before contact is completed. For example, when the film F and the adherend W begin to come into contact, the second control mechanism 631 may control the support member 632 that supports the rear end gripping portion 61 to move in the X direction. Alternatively, the second control mechanism 631 may release the control of the movement of the rear end gripping portion 61, reducing friction with the rail 630, and allowing the front end gripping portion 60 to move due to the tension of the film F. In this way, when the film F and the adherend W come into contact, the rear end gripping portion 61 moves in the X direction. This prevents the film F from being stretched when it comes into contact with the adherend W because the rear end gripping portion 61 grips the rear end of the film F. Therefore, it is possible to further suppress the change in the amount of elongation of the film F depending on the part of the adherend W.

[0098] For example, contact may be considered to have started when a portion of the film F comes into contact with the object W. Alternatively, contact may be considered to have been completed when the film F covers the entire object W after a portion of the film F has come into contact with the object W. Specifically, for example, contact may be considered to have started when the upper chamber member 71 is lowered to a first height relative to the lower chamber member 72 by the displacement unit 9. Alternatively, contact may be considered to have been completed when the upper chamber member 71 is lowered to a second height lower than the first height relative to the lower chamber member 72 by the displacement unit 9. The first and second heights may be values ​​predetermined based on, for example, the size and shape of the object W.

[0099] Furthermore, the front gripping portion 60 and the rear gripping portion 61 move in a manner that applies tension to the film F during the contact operation in which the film F comes into contact with the object W. For example, under control by the first control mechanism 621, the front gripping portion 60 may move in the direction opposite to the X direction at a speed slower than the speed at which the displacement unit 9 lowers the upper chamber member 71, and at a speed that does not interfere with the contact operation. Also, for example, under control by the second control mechanism 631, the rear gripping portion 61 may move in the X direction at a speed slower than the speed at which the displacement unit 9 lowers the upper chamber member 71, and at a speed that does not interfere with the contact operation. In this way, by moving the front gripping portion 60 and the rear gripping portion 61 in a manner that applies tension to the film F, it is possible to suppress wrinkles in the film F.

[0100] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 13 and 14, in this embodiment, the jig J has a first protrusion G1 extending along the first side edge of the film F, and a first contact portion G2 that is on the opposite side of the first protrusion G1 from the mounting surface side of the adherend W and is lower in height than the first protrusion G1. The jig J also has a second protrusion G3 extending along the second side edge of the film F, and a second contact portion G4 that is on the opposite side of the second protrusion G3 from the mounting surface side of the adherend W and is lower in height than the second protrusion G3. Then, as shown in Figure 14, the plurality of first contact members 11 contact the first contact portion G2 via the film F, and the plurality of second contact members 12 contact the second contact portion G4 via the film F. By having multiple first contact members 11 and multiple second contact members 12 contact parts of the jig J, the airtightness of the enclosed space surrounded by the film F and the jig J on which the adherend W is placed can be improved. This improves the adhesion of the film F to the adherend W when the pressure inside the chamber 7 is adjusted by the pressure adjustment unit 115.

[0101] <Coating operation> Refer to Figures 15 and 16. Figure 15 shows the state in which the film F is covering the substrate W. Figure 16 shows the inside of the chamber 7 in the X direction of Figure 15.

[0102] The first moving mechanism 62 has a rail 620 that protrudes from the upper chamber member 71, allowing the front gripping portion 60 to move outward in the X direction relative to the upper chamber member 71. After the multiple first contact members 11 and multiple second contact members 12 have made contact with the film F, the front gripping portion 60 releases its grip on the film F and moves in the X direction to be positioned outside the upper chamber member 71. The second moving mechanism 63 has a rail 630 that protrudes toward the housing unit 104, allowing the rear gripping portion 61 to move outward in the direction opposite to the X direction relative to the upper chamber member 71. After the multiple first contact members 11 and multiple second contact members 12 have made contact with the film F, the rear gripping portion 61 releases its grip on the film F and moves in the direction opposite to the X direction to be positioned outside the upper chamber member 71. Then, after the tip gripping portion 60 and the rear end gripping portion 61 move to the outside of the upper chamber member 71, the displacement unit 9 lowers the upper chamber member 71 so that the upper chamber member 71 and the lower chamber member 72 come into contact.

[0103] After the film F has made contact with the multiple first contact members 11 and the multiple second contact members 12, the front gripping portion 60 and the rear gripping portion 61 release their grip on the film F. This prevents the edges of the film F from being stretched when the film F adheres tightly to the adherend W due to the pressure difference inside the chamber 7, as controlled by the pressure adjustment unit 115. Furthermore, by moving the front gripping portion 60 and the rear gripping portion 61 to the outside of the upper chamber member 71, it is possible to prevent the front gripping portion 60 and the rear gripping portion 61 from coming into contact with the lower chamber member 72 when the upper chamber member 71 and the lower chamber member 72 are brought into contact.

[0104] When the upper chamber member 71 and the lower chamber member 72 come into contact and the inside of the chamber 7 is sealed, the pressure adjustment unit 115 adjusts the pressure inside the chamber 7. Specifically, the pressure adjustment unit 115 adjusts the pressure between the sealed space enclosed by the film F and the jig J on which the adherend W is placed, and the outer space outside the sealed space, within the space enclosed by the upper chamber member 71 and the lower chamber member 72 (covering space). For example, the pressure adjustment unit 115 reduces the pressure inside the chamber 7. Here, valve 821 is switched to a state where pipe 81 and pipe 83 are connected, and then valve 820 is switched to a state where pipe 83 is connected to the pressure reduction tank 823 (see Figure 1). The air inside the chamber 7 is exhausted from pipes 81 and 83, and both the sealed space and the outer space are depressurized. After closing the chamber 7, the heating unit 21 is heated to heat the film F. The film F softens and becomes more pliable.

[0105] Next, valve 821 is switched to a state that connects piping 81 and piping 84. The outer space above film F within the internal space (covering space) of chamber 7 is opened to the atmosphere via piping 84, creating a pressure difference between the sealed space and the outer space. The pressure difference draws film F towards the sealed space. The degree of adhesion of film F to the adherend W increases, and film F stretches and adheres to the fine irregularities of the adherend W. In other words, adherend W is covered by film F. As described above, in this embodiment, the amount of stretching of film F is suppressed to differ depending on the part of adherend W, so even during this adhesion, the amount of stretching of film F is suppressed to be uneven depending on the part. The pressure adjustment unit 115 may further include a compressor or other configuration that pressurizes the outer space above film F, thereby increasing the pressure difference between the outer space and the sealed space when adherend W is covered by film F.

[0106] <Removal operation> Refer to Figure 17. Figure 17 shows the state in which the object W covered with film F is being removed. Figure 17 is a cross-sectional view showing the inside of the chamber 7 in the X direction. After covering the object W with film F, the displacement unit 9 raises the upper chamber member 71. After the upper chamber member 71 has risen, the object W covered with film F is removed from the chamber 7 by the film moving unit 6. The film moving unit 6 may, for example, adjust the height of the transport platform T so that it is aligned with the transport unit 112 when removing the object W. This completes the covering operation.

[0107] <Cutting and retrieval operations> As described above, after the coating operation of the coating unit 111, the film F and jig J are transported to the removal area C (see Figure 1). As described above, in the removal area C, the film F is cut by the cutting unit 113 and the waste film is collected by the collection unit 114. Here, examples of the cutting and collection operations will be explained.

[0108] Refer to Figure 22(A). Figure 22(A) is a plan view of the film F transported to the removal area C. The decorated film F has a decorated area A1 decorated by the decoration unit 106 and an undecorated area A2 that has not been decorated. The decorated area A1 is the area where the decorative layer is formed, and the undecorated area A2 is the area where the decorative layer has not been formed.

[0109] The cutting unit 113 performs, for example, a first cut on a first cut line CL1 on the non-decorated area A2, and a second cut on a second cut line CL2 on the decorated area A1. The second cut line CL2 is a line along the edge of the adherend W. In other words, the second cut is the cut of the film F that extends beyond the adherend W.

[0110] The collection unit 114 places the first waste film WF1, cut in the first cut, into the first waste box 114a, and the second waste film WF2, cut in the second cut, into the second waste box 114b. In other words, the collection unit 114 separates and collects the first waste film WF1 and the second waste film WF2. The first waste film WF1 is a film that has only an undecorated area A2, while the second waste film is a film that has both an decorated area A1 and an undecorated area A2. Because the first waste film WF1 has only an undecorated area A2, it is easier to recycle than the second waste film WF2. By separating and collecting the first waste film WF1 and the second waste film WF2, the collection unit 114 can improve the recycling efficiency of the unwanted portion of the film F that is generated when the film F is applied to the substrate W.

[0111] Note that the cutting and retrieval operations are not limited to the example described in Figure 22(A). Refer to Figure 22(B) to explain other examples of the cutting and retrieval operations. Figure 22(B) is a plan view of the film F transported to the removal area C. The decorated film F has a decorated area A1 decorated by the decorating unit 106 as described above, and an undecorated area A2 that has not been decorated.

[0112] The cutting unit 113 performs, for example, a first cut on the boundary line CL3 between the decorated area A1 and the undecorated area A2, and a second cut on the cut line CL2 on the decorated area A1.

[0113] The collection unit 114 places the first waste film WF1, cut in the first cut, into the first waste box 114a, and the second waste film WF2, cut in the second cut, into the second waste box 114b. The first waste film WF1 is a film having only the undecorated area A2, and the second waste film WF2 is a film having only the decorated area A1. By separating and collecting the first waste film WF1 and the second waste film WF2, the collection unit 114 can improve the recycling efficiency of the unnecessary portion of the film F when the film F is used to coat the substrate W.

[0114] <Second Embodiment> Other configuration examples of the covering unit 111 will be described with reference to Figures 18 to 20. Figures 18 to 20 show other internal configurations of the covering unit 111. Figures 18 and 19 correspond to views of the chamber 7 of the covering unit from the side of the housing unit 104. Figure 20 is a cross-sectional view showing the inside of the chamber 7 in the X direction.

[0115] In the first embodiment, a configuration was described in which the third continuum 23 deforms synchronously with the first continuum 13 via a connecting member 22a, and the fourth continuum 24 deforms synchronously with the second continuum 14 via a connecting member 22b. In this embodiment, the third continuum 23 deforms independently of the first continuum 13, and the fourth continuum 24 deforms independently of the second continuum 14.

[0116] As shown in Figures 18 and 19, the covering unit 111 includes a heater displacement unit 28 provided inside the upper chamber member 71. The heater displacement unit 28 is provided independently of the displacement unit 9. The heater displacement unit 28 supports the third continuum 23 and the fourth continuum 24 so that they can move up and down. In this embodiment, the first continuum 13 and the third continuum 23 are not connected. Also, the second continuum 14 and the fourth continuum 24 are not connected. For example, when heating the film F, the heater displacement unit 28 moves the third continuum 23 and the fourth continuum 24 up and down, so that the third continuum 23 deforms independently of the first continuum 13, and the fourth continuum deforms independently of the second continuum 14. In other words, the heater displacement unit 28 can displace the heating unit 21, which is supported by the third continuum 23 and the fourth continuum 24, relative to the object W to be heated. This allows the heating position of the object W by the heating unit 21 to be adjusted as appropriate.

[0117] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 20, a plurality of heater displacement units 28 are provided in a first extending direction along the first side edge of the film F. A plurality of heater displacement units 28 are also provided in a second extending direction along the second side edge of the film F (not shown).

[0118] As shown in Figures 18 and 19, for example, the heater displacement unit 28 includes a support member 281 that supports the third continuum 23, a moving mechanism 282 that moves the support member 281 vertically, and a rail 283 that guides the moving mechanism 282. The heater displacement unit 28 also includes a support member 284 that supports the fourth continuum 24, a moving mechanism 285 that moves the support member 284 vertically, and a rail 286 that guides the moving mechanism 285.

[0119] Support member 281 supports the third continuum 23 so that it is deformable. For example, support member 281 may have a pair of rotating members and support the third continuum 23 by sandwiching it with the pair of rotating members. Support member 284 supports the fourth continuum 24 so that it is deformable. Similarly, support member 284 may have a pair of rotating members and support the fourth continuum 24 by sandwiching it with the pair of rotating members. The rotating members may be, for example, rollers or sprockets that can rotate around an axis in the Y direction.

[0120] The moving mechanisms 282 and 285 may be, for example, actuators, electric cylinders, or electric ball screw mechanisms. For example, the moving mechanisms 282 and 285 are provided in positions opposite to each other. Figure 19 shows the state in which the heater displacement unit 28 has moved the third continuum 23 and the fourth continuum 24 upward inside the upper chamber member 71. The moving mechanisms 282 and 285 may also move the support members 281 and 284 in synchronous motion. In this way, by moving the third continuum 23 and the fourth continuum 24 vertically with the heater displacement unit 28, the heating unit 21 can be displaced relative to the object W.

[0121] Furthermore, although the first embodiment described an example in which the separation distance between the first continuum 13 and the second continuum 14 is constant, the separation distance between the first continuum 13 and the second continuum 14 may be variable.

[0122] As shown in Figures 18 to 20, the covering unit 111 includes a continuum moving unit 29 provided inside the upper chamber member 71. The continuum moving unit 29 moves at least one of the continuums, for example, so that the separation distance between the first continuum 13 and the second continuum 14 changes. This allows the positions of the first continuum 13 and the second continuum 14 to be adjusted according to the size of the object to be covered W.

[0123] Figure 19 shows an example where the continuum movement unit 29 moves the first continuum 13 in the Y direction and the second continuum 14 in the opposite direction to the Y direction. By moving them in this way, the distance between the first continuum 13 and the second continuum 14 becomes smaller. Alternatively, for example, the continuum movement unit 29 may move only the first continuum 13 in the Y direction, or only the second continuum 14 in the opposite direction to the Y direction.

[0124] The continuous movement unit 29 includes, for example, a support member 291 that movably supports a first fixed member 170 and a support member 292 that movably supports a second fixed member 180. The support members 291 and 292 are provided, for example, on a rail 293 that extends in the Y direction inside the upper chamber member 71. The rail 293 guides the support members 291 and 292 in the Y direction and the opposite direction. The continuous movement unit 29 also includes, for example, a movement mechanism 294 that can move at least one of the support members 291 and 292 in the Y direction and the opposite direction. The movement mechanism 294 may be, for example, an actuator, an electric cylinder, an electric ball screw mechanism, etc.

[0125] As shown in Figure 20, the continuous movement unit 29 includes, for example, a support member 295 that movably supports the first adjustment device 171. The continuous movement unit 29 also includes a support member (not shown) that movably supports the second adjustment device 181. The support members 295 and (not shown) are provided, for example, on a rail 297 that extends in the Y direction inside the upper chamber member 71. The continuous movement unit 29 also includes, for example, a movement mechanism 298 that can move either the support member 295 or the support member (not shown) in the Y direction and in the opposite direction to the Y direction. The movement mechanism 298 may be, for example, an actuator, an electric cylinder, an electric ball screw mechanism, etc.

[0126] In this example, the moving mechanisms 294 and 298 are shown to be supported by the side walls of the upper chamber member 71, but this is not limited to this configuration. For example, a moving mechanism such as an actuator may be provided inside the rail 293. Alternatively, a moving mechanism such as an actuator may be provided inside the rail 297.

[0127] <Other Embodiments> In the above-described embodiment, an example was explained in which the inside of the chamber 7 was depressurized by the pressure adjustment unit 115 and then opened to the atmosphere to cover the adherend W with the film F. However, the method of covering the adherend W with the film F is not limited to this. For example, the adherend W may be covered with the film F without heating it. Alternatively, the adherend W may be covered with the film F without depressurizing the inside of the chamber 7. For example, the film F may be pressurized with compressed air or the like from the side of the film F opposite to the side facing the adherend W to cover the film F. Or, the adherend W may be covered with the film F by pressing it against a mold or the like.

[0128] Furthermore, although the above-described embodiment described an example in which the decoration unit 106 is an inkjet printing device, it may be a printing device of another printing method. The decoration unit 106 may be, for example, an electrophotographic (laser beam) printing device that adheres toner to a film to form a decorative layer. In such a configuration, for example, the coating device 100 may include a fixing unit that is placed between the decoration unit 106 and the coating unit and fixes the decorative layer formed on the film F before coating. The fixing unit may include, for example, a heating roller and a pressure roller, and these rollers may fix the toner contained in the decorative layer to the film F before coating.

[0129] Furthermore, although the above embodiment describes an example where the decoration unit 106 is a printing device, it is not limited to a printing device. The decoration unit 106 may be, for example, a roll coater that coats a decorative layer onto the surface of the film F before coating. Alternatively, the decoration unit 106 may be, for example, a vapor deposition device that deposits a thin film of metal or oxide as a decorative layer onto the surface of the film F before coating, or an embossing device that forms uneven shapes or the like as a decorative layer on the surface of the film.

[0130] The invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications and changes are possible within the scope of the gist of the invention. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0131] 100 Coating device: 104 Storage unit: 105 Conveyor roller: 106 Decoration unit: 107 Curing unit: 110 Detection unit: 111 Coating unit: 113 Cutting unit: 114 Recovery unit: F Film:

Claims

1. A coating device for coating an object with a film, A covering portion that covers the adherend with a film, A storage section for storing the film before coating, A transport unit that transports the film before coating from the storage unit to the coating unit, Between the housing portion and the covering portion, there is a decorative portion for decorating the film before covering, A coating device characterized by the following features.

2. The coating device is It is equipped with a cutting section for cutting off the unnecessary portion of the film after decoration. The coating apparatus according to feature 1.

3. The decorated film is The system has a decorated area and an undecorated area, The aforementioned cut portion is A first cut made on the first cut line on the non-decorated area, A second cut is made by cutting along the second cut line on the decorative area. The coating apparatus according to feature 2.

4. The decorated film is The system has a decorated area and an undecorated area, The aforementioned cut portion is A first cut made on the boundary line between the decorated area and the undecorated area, A second cut is made on the cut line on the decorative area, The coating apparatus according to feature 2.

5. The coating device is The device includes a collection unit for separating and collecting the first waste film cut in the first cut and the second waste film cut in the second cut. The coating apparatus according to claim 3 or 4.

6. The coating device is The system includes a detection unit for detecting the shape of the object to be adhered to, The decorative part is, Based on the detection result from the detection unit, the film before coating is decorated. The coating apparatus according to feature 1.

7. The decorative part is, Based on the simulation results of the film coating onto the substrate, the film before coating is decorated. The coating apparatus according to feature 1.

8. The decorative part is, The aforementioned film before coating is decorated by printing. The coating apparatus according to feature 1.

9. The coating device is Between the decorative portion and the coating portion, there is a curing portion for curing the decorative layer formed on the film before coating. The coating apparatus according to feature 8.

10. The hardened portion is The decorative layer is heated to harden it. The coating apparatus according to feature 9.

11. The hardened portion is The decorative layer is irradiated with light to harden it. The coating apparatus according to feature 9.

12. The system includes a support unit that supports the film before coating at a position opposite to the decorative portion and the curing portion. The coating apparatus according to any one of claims 9 to 11.

13. A coating method for covering an object with a film, A transport step of transporting the film before coating from a storage section that stores the film before coating to a coating section that coats the adherend with the film, The system includes a decoration step between the housing section and the covering section, in which the film is decorated before covering. A coating method characterized by the above.

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