Next device

Abstract

In an adhesive device that adjusts the distance between the nozzle that dispenses adhesive onto the lower sheet and the lower sheet when the thickness of the lower sheet changes, the present invention provides an adhesive device that can maintain a constant width of the lower sheet where the adhesive has not been applied. [Solution] The lower clamping mechanism of the adhesive device rotates the lower clamping roller in accordance with the comparison between the detection result of the lower detection unit and a predetermined threshold, thereby moving the lower sheet in the left-right direction. The CPU of the adhesive device stops the rotation of the lower clamping roller when the thickness detection unit detects a change in the thickness of the lower sheet (S103). The CPU starts a gap change to change the distance between the nozzle and the lower sheet (S104). After changing the distance between the nozzle and the lower sheet (S105:YES), the CPU measures the amount of light received by the lower detection unit (S106). Based on the amount of light received measured in S106, the CPU sets a threshold for the lower sheet movement process and updates the threshold (S107). Based on the updated threshold, the CPU starts the lower sheet movement process (S108).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an adhesive apparatus.

Background Art

[0002] The adhesive apparatus described in Patent Document 1 includes a nozzle, a conveyance mechanism, a support member, a lower nipping roller, and an upper nipping roller. The nozzle discharges adhesive onto a lower sheet. The conveyance mechanism conveys the upper sheet and the lower sheet while nipping them in the vertical direction. The support member supports the upper sheet from below at a position upstream of the nozzle in the conveyance direction. The lower nipping roller nips the lower sheet together with the support member.

[0003] The upper nipping roller nips the upper sheet together with the support member. The lower nipping roller and the upper nipping roller are rotatable with the conveyance direction as the axial direction. The lower nipping roller moves the lower sheet in the left-right direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction and the vertical direction. The upper nipping roller moves the upper sheet in the left-right direction. When the thickness of the lower sheet changes, the CPU moves the lower conveyance mechanism provided with the lower nipping roller downward, in order to appropriately adjust the gap between the nozzle and the lower sheet.

[0004] The adhesive apparatus described in Patent Document 2 includes a lower detection unit that detects the position of the end portion of the lower sheet in the left-right direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction and the vertical direction. The lower detection unit includes a light-emitting lower portion and a light-receiving lower portion. The light-emitting lower portion and the light-receiving lower portion are at the same height position as each other. The light-emitting lower portion emits light toward a reflecting portion. The light-receiving lower portion is capable of receiving the light emitted by the light-emitting lower portion and reflected by the reflecting portion. The light-receiving lower portion detects whether the end portion of the lower sheet is present on the reflecting portion based on the amount of received light.

[0005] When the nozzle applies the adhesive onto the lower sheet, the lower sheet blocks the light emitted from the light-emitting lower portion, so that the amount of light reflected by the reflecting portion changes. Therefore, the CPU moves the end portion of the lower sheet with the lower nipping roller so that the amount of light received by the light-receiving lower portion becomes constant. Accordingly, the uncoated width, which is the distance from the end portion to the position where the adhesive is applied, is kept constant.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2021-109140 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2019-178472 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0007] In the bonding apparatus described in Patent Document 1, if the thickness of the lower sheet changes during bonding, the CPU moves the lower clamping roller downward to appropriately adjust the distance between the nozzle and the lower sheet. In this case, if the lower detection unit described in Patent Document 2 is included, the position of the lower clamping roller also changes downward, and the distance between the lower detection unit and the reflecting unit changes. Therefore, even if the lower sheet is in the same position, the amount of light reaching the lower light receiving unit of the lower detection unit changes. Consequently, the position of the edge of the lower sheet changes before and after the change in the thickness of the lower sheet, making it impossible to maintain a constant uncoated width.

[0008] The object of the present invention is to provide an adhesive device that can maintain a constant width of the uncoated adhesive on the lower sheet, in which the distance between the nozzle that dispenses adhesive onto the lower sheet and the lower sheet changes when the thickness of the lower sheet changes. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] An adhesive apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a nozzle for dispensing adhesive, a supply mechanism for supplying the adhesive to the nozzle, a lower conveying section for supporting a lower sheet, an upper conveying section that sandwiches the lower sheet and the upper sheet between itself and the lower conveying section, and a conveying mechanism that sandwiches and conveys the lower sheet and the upper sheet downstream of the nozzle in the conveying direction, and a control unit, wherein the control unit performs an adhesive operation in which the upper sheet and the lower sheet are bonded together while being conveyed downstream in the conveying direction with the adhesive dispensed by the nozzle in between, and further upstream of the nozzle in the conveying direction The device further includes an end position moving mechanism having a lower clamping roller that rotates around a lower clamping axis extending parallel to the transport direction, sandwiching the lower sheet between itself and an upper support portion that supports the upper sheet, and a lower detection portion that detects whether or not the lower sheet is present at a lower detection position which is a position between the nozzle and the lower clamping roller in the transport direction, a step portion detection portion that detects whether or not there is a change in the thickness of the lower sheet at a predetermined position located upstream of the lower detection position in the transport direction, and an upper and lower drive portion that changes the vertical position of the lower transport portion and can change the distance between the nozzle and the lower sheet. The control unit is characterized in that it performs an interval change process in which it changes the interval by controlling the up and down drive unit when the step detection unit detects a change in thickness, stops the rotation of the lower clamping roller for a predetermined time after the start of the interval change, detects the output value of the lower detection unit after the interval has been changed while the rotation of the lower clamping roller is stopped, and updates the threshold based on the output value, and after the predetermined time has elapsed, rotates the lower clamping roller based on the updated threshold to move the lower sheet in the orthogonal direction.

[0010] In the above bonding device, even if the thickness of the lower sheet changes and the output value of the lower detection unit changes, the threshold is updated through threshold update processing. Therefore, the control unit can maintain a constant width of unapplied adhesive by rotating the lower clamping roller based on the updated threshold. Thus, clean bonding can be achieved without wrinkles or twists in areas where the thickness of the lower sheet changes.

[0011] Furthermore, in the bonding apparatus, the end position movement mechanism may further include an upper clamping roller that clamps the upper sheet between itself and the upper support, upstream of the nozzle in the conveying direction, and rotates around an upper clamping axis extending parallel to the conveying direction, and an upper detection unit that detects whether or not the upper sheet is present at an upper detection position, which is a position between the upper conveying unit and the upper clamping roller in the conveying direction. The control unit may perform an upper sheet movement process to move the upper sheet in the orthogonal direction by rotating the upper clamping roller according to the detection result of the upper detection unit. The bonding apparatus described above can move the position of the upper sheet in an orthogonal direction perpendicular to the conveying direction and the vertical direction by the upper sheet movement process. Therefore, the position of the upper sheet can be aligned with the position of the lower sheet.

[0012] Furthermore, in the bonding apparatus, the step detection unit may include a vertical position detection unit that detects the vertical position of the lower clamping roller. The control unit may perform a thickness detection process that detects whether or not there is a change in the thickness of the lower sheet based on the vertical position detection unit. The bonding apparatus described above can detect whether or not there is a change in the thickness of the lower sheet by using the vertical position detection unit that detects the vertical position of the lower clamping roller.

[0013] Furthermore, in the bonding apparatus, the lower detection unit may include a light-emitting unit that emits light upward from the lower side of the lower sheet, a reflecting unit provided above the lower sheet, and a light-receiving unit that detects the amount of light reflected from the reflecting unit. In the bonding apparatus described above, even if the thickness of the lower sheet changes and the amount of light received by the light-receiving unit changes, the threshold is updated by a threshold update process. Therefore, the width of the uncoated adhesive remains constant, allowing for clean bonding without wrinkles or twists in areas where the thickness of the lower sheet changes.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0014] [Figure 1] A perspective view of the bonding apparatus 1. [Figure 2] A left side view of the bonding apparatus 1. [Figure 3] A perspective view of the lower conveyance mechanism 50. [Figure 4] A partially enlarged view of the nozzle 11, the lower conveyance roller 64, the lower nozzle roller 65, and the upper conveyance roller 12. [Figure 5] A perspective view of the lower conveyance operation unit 60, the lower clamping mechanism 80, and the gap adjustment unit 77. [Figure 6] An enlarged perspective view of the lower conveyance roller 64 and the lower nozzle roller 65. [Figure 7] A front view of the bonding apparatus 1. [Figure 8] A perspective view of the lower clamping mechanism 80 and the moving mechanism 81. [Figure 9] An enlarged perspective view of the upper conveyance roller 12, the lower clamping roller 76, and the lower nozzle roller 65. [Figure 10] A schematic diagram of the supply mechanism 40. [Figure 11] An electrical block diagram of the bonding apparatus 1. [Figure 12] A flowchart showing the main processing. [Figure 13] A flowchart showing the main processing continued from Fig. 12. [Figure 14] A flowchart of the lower sheet movement processing. [Figure 15] A flowchart of the upper sheet movement processing. [Figure 16] A flowchart of the subroutine of the step portion detection processing. [Figure 17] A perspective view showing the positional relationship among the lower detection unit 78, the lower sheet 8, and the lower surface 317 of the upper support portion 314. [Figure 18] A graph showing the relationship between the amount of received light of the lower detection unit 78 and the AD conversion value, and the rotation direction of the upper end of the lower clamping roller 76.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0015] Hereinafter, one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The drawings are used to illustrate the technical features that the present invention may adopt. The configuration of the apparatus shown in the drawings is not intended to be the sole limiting factor, but is merely an illustrative example. Hereafter, the upper left, lower right, lower left, upper right, lower, and upper sides of Figure 1 will be referred to as the left, right, front, rear, lower, and upper sides of the bonding apparatus 1, respectively.

[0016] <Configuration of bonding device 1> Referring to Figures 1 to 10, the configuration of the bonding device 1 will be explained. The bonding device 1 bonds the upper sheet 6 and the lower sheet 8 with the adhesive Z shown in Figure 10. The adhesive Z is thermally meltable, liquefies at its softening point, and solidifies at a temperature lower than its softening point.

[0017] The upper sheet 6 overlaps the lower sheet 8 from above. The upper sheet 6 and the lower sheet 8 are, for example, made of a flexible cloth. In this embodiment, the right end of the sheet 200 shown in Figure 3 is the upper sheet 6, and the left end of the sheet 200 is the lower sheet 8. The sheet 200 is rolled up into a cylindrical shape so that the upper sheet 6 overlaps the lower sheet 8 from above. The part of the upper sheet 6 that overlaps with the lower sheet 8 is called the upper specific end 6A, and the part of the lower sheet 8 that overlaps with the upper sheet 6 is called the lower specific end 8A.

[0018] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the bonding device 1 comprises a base 2, leg columns 3, arms 4, a head 5, and a transport mechanism 20. The base 2 is rectangular in shape and is fixed to the workbench. A support plate 51 is positioned at the left end of the base 2.

[0019] The support plate 51 extends in the front-rear direction. The front end of the support plate 51 is located in front of the front end of the base portion 2. A support plate 512 is positioned at the lower end of the support plate 51. The support plate 512 extends to the left from the lower end of the support plate 51.

[0020] The leg column 3 extends upward from the upper end of the base 2. The arm 4 extends to the left from the left end of the upper end of the leg column 3. The left end of the arm 4 is the head 5. A mounting part 41 is located at the upper end of the head 5. A nozzle oscillation mechanism 22, which will be described later, is located on the head 5.

[0021] An operating unit 19 is located at the front end of the arm 4. The operating unit 19 includes switches that accept various operations from the operator. The operator operates the operating unit 19 when giving instructions to the bonding device 1. An upper clamping mechanism 30, which will be described later, and an upper detection unit 85, which will be described later, are located at the lower end of the arm 4.

[0022] The conveying mechanism 20 includes a lower conveying mechanism 50 and an upper conveying mechanism 70. The lower conveying mechanism 50 is located on the support plate 51. The upper conveying mechanism 70 is located on the head 5.

[0023] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the lower transport mechanism 50 has a frame 55 and a lower transport operating unit 60. The frame 55 is box-shaped and extends in the front-rear direction. The frame 55 houses the lower transport operating unit 60, the gap adjustment unit 77, the lower clamping mechanism 80, and the thickness detection unit 950.

[0024] The frame 55 has a rear opening 553 shown in Figure 6 and an upper opening (not shown). The rear opening 553 opens the frame 55 to the rear. The rear end of the lower transport mechanism 60 protrudes further rearward than the frame 55 through the rear opening 553.

[0025] The upper opening opens upward through the frame 55. A support plate 57 is positioned at the upper end of the frame 55. The support plate 57 closes the opening at the upper end of the frame 55. The support plate 57 supports the lower sheet 8 from below.

[0026] A shaft portion 316 is positioned at the right rear end of the support plate 57. The shaft portion 316 extends upward from the upper end of the support plate 57. The shaft portion 316 rotatably supports the upper support portion 314.

[0027] The upper support portion 314 is plate-shaped with thickness in the vertical direction. The upper support portion 314 includes an upper surface 315 and a lower surface 317. The upper support portion 314 rotates around the shaft portion 316 and is movable between the operating position and the retracted position shown in Figure 3. The retracted position is rotated 90 degrees counterclockwise around the shaft portion 316 from the operating position.

[0028] Referring to Figures 5 and 6, the lower transport unit 60 housed in the frame 55 will be described. The lower transport unit 60 comprises a support frame 61, a lower transport roller 64, a nozzle lower roller 65, a lower transport motor 63, and a transport belt 67 as shown in Figure 9. The support frame 61 is box-shaped and extends in the front-rear direction. The support frame 61 houses the lower detection unit 78 and the end detection unit 79.

[0029] The support frame 61 has plates 611 and 612. Plate 611 extends in the front-rear direction. Plate 611 includes the right side of the support frame 61. Plate 611 has openings 615, 616, and 617.

[0030] Opening 615 opens the front end of the plate 611 in a left-right direction. Opening 616 is located at the front end of the plate 611 and below opening 615, and opens the plate 611 in a left-right direction. Opening 616 has a contact portion 619 that protrudes inward. The contact portion 619 is located at the lower end of opening 616. Opening 617 is located behind opening 615 and opens the plate 611 in a left-right direction.

[0031] Plate 612 is located to the left of plate 611 and extends in the front-rear direction. Plate 612 includes the left side of the support frame 61. The front end of plate 612 is located behind the front end of plate 611. Plate 612 has an opening 618. The opening 618 opens to the left-right direction at the front end of plate 612. The opening 618 is aligned with the opening 617 in the left-right direction.

[0032] The support frame 61 has an upper opening 613 and front and rear openings 614. The upper opening 613 and the front and rear openings 614 are defined by plates 611 and 612. The upper opening 613 opens the support frame 61 upwards. The front and rear openings 614 open the support frame 61 in the front and rear directions.

[0033] Plates 56 and 59 are positioned on the support frame 61. Plate 59 extends in the front-rear direction. Plate 59 is positioned at the upper end of the support frame 61 and closes the rear end of the upper opening 613. Plate 56 extends downward and rearward from the rear end of plate 59 and closes the front end of the front-rear opening 614.

[0034] The plate 59 has an opening 591. The opening 591 opens the plate 59 in the vertical direction. The opening 591 is located below the upper support portion 314, which is in the operating position.

[0035] Plates 56 and 59 have an opening 592. The opening 592 is located at the connection point between plate 56 and plate 59. The opening 592 opens in the thickness direction of both plate 59 and plate 56.

[0036] The lower conveyor roller 64 is fixed to the shaft portion 641. The shaft portion 641 extends in a left-right direction perpendicular to the vertical direction and is rotatably supported at its rear end inside the support frame 61. The upper end of the lower conveyor roller 64 protrudes above the plate 59 through the opening 592.

[0037] The nozzle lower roller 65 is fixed to the shaft portion 651. The shaft portion 651 extends in a left-right direction perpendicular to the vertical direction, is located inside the support frame 61 and behind the shaft portion 641, and is rotatably supported by the support frame 61. The upper end of the nozzle lower roller 65 protrudes above the plate 59 through the opening 591. The lower conveyor roller 64 and the nozzle lower roller 65 support the lower sheet 8 from below.

[0038] The lower conveyor motor 63 is positioned at the front end of the plate 611. The tip of the drive shaft of the lower conveyor motor 63 is located to the left of the plate 611 through the opening 615. The conveyor belt 67 is stretched over the drive shaft, shaft portion 641, and shaft portion 651 of the lower conveyor motor 63. The conveyor belt 67 transmits the driving force of the lower conveyor motor 63 to the lower conveyor roller 64 and the nozzle lower roller 65. Therefore, when the lower conveyor motor 63 is driven, the lower conveyor roller 64 and the nozzle lower roller 65 rotate with the left-right direction as their axial direction.

[0039] <Configuration of gap adjustment section 77> Referring to Figure 5, the gap adjustment section 77 housed in the frame 55 will be described. The gap adjustment section 77 changes the vertical position of the lower transport operation section 60. The gap adjustment section 77 comprises a gap adjustment motor 68, a cam plate 69, a shaft 62, and a spring (not shown). The gap adjustment motor 68 is located above the support plate 512 shown in Figure 1 and below the lower transport motor 63. The drive shaft 681 of the gap adjustment motor 68 passes through the opening 616.

[0040] The drive shaft 681 fixes the cam plate 69. The cam plate 69 is a roughly circular disc shape with thickness in the left-right direction. The center of the cam plate 69 is eccentric from the center of the drive shaft 681. The cam plate 69 is located inside the opening 616.

[0041] The shaft portion 62 is located at the rear end inside the frame 55 and extends in the left-right direction. The shaft portion 62 passes through the openings 617 and 618. The support frame 61 is rotatable around the shaft portion 62. A spring (not shown) biases the support frame 61 so that its rear end rotates counterclockwise when viewed from the left side. As a result, the cam plate 69 maintains contact with the contact portion 619 of the opening 616.

[0042] When the gap adjustment motor 68 is driven, the cam plate 69 rotates around the drive shaft 681. As the cam plate 69 rotates inside the opening 616, the part of the cam plate 69 that contacts the contact portion 619 switches. Consequently, the distance between the drive shaft 681 and the contact portion 619 changes, and the front end of the plate 611 moves vertically. The support frame 61 rotates around the shaft portion 62, and the rear end of the support frame 61 swings vertically.

[0043] The lower conveyor roller 64 and the nozzle lower roller 65 swing vertically in accordance with the vertical swing of the rear end of the support frame 61. The upper end of the swing range of the lower conveyor roller 64 and the nozzle lower roller 65 is called the lower conveyor position. The lower end of the swing range of the lower conveyor roller 64 and the nozzle lower roller 65 is called the lower position. In Figure 4, the lower conveyor roller 64 and the nozzle lower roller 65 are shown with solid lines when they are in the lower conveyor position. The lower conveyor roller 64 and the nozzle lower roller 65 are shown with dashed lines when they are in the lower position.

[0044] Referring to Figures 5 and 8, the lower clamping mechanism 80 housed in the frame 55 will be described. The lower clamping mechanism 80 comprises a base 71, a lower clamping motor 72, a shaft 910, a frame 73, a belt 74, a shaft 75, a lower clamping roller 76, and a moving mechanism 81. The base 71 is housed inside the frame 55 and is box-shaped. The base 71 has a hole 711 that penetrates it in the front-to-back direction.

[0045] The rotating part 717 is inserted through the hole 711. The base 71 supports the rotating part 717 so that it can rotate. The axis of rotation of the rotating part 717 is axis J extending in the front-rear direction. The rotating part 717 has a hole that penetrates it in the front-rear direction.

[0046] The lower clamping motor 72 is positioned in front of the rotating part 717. The drive shaft of the lower clamping motor 72 is inserted through a hole that penetrates the rotating part 717 and connected to the shaft portion 910. The shaft portion 910 extends in the front-rear direction. The rear end of the shaft portion 910 is located behind the rear end of the rotating part 717.

[0047] The frame portion 73 is located behind the base portion 71 and is box-shaped, extending upward and to the right with respect to the axis J. The frame portion 73 is fixed to the rear end of the rotating portion 717. The frame portion 73 is rotatable together with the rotating portion 717. The lower left portion of the frame portion 73 accommodates the rear end of the shaft portion 910. The frame portion 73 rotatably supports the shaft portion 910.

[0048] The shaft portion 75 is housed in the support frame 61 and extends in a front-to-back direction parallel to the conveying direction. The front end of the shaft portion 75 is housed in the upper right part of the frame portion 73. The frame portion 73 rotatably supports the shaft portion 75. The belt 74 is stretched over the shaft portion 910 and the shaft portion 75.

[0049] The lower clamping roller 76 is fixed to the rear end of the shaft portion 75. The axis of the lower clamping roller 76 extends in the front-rear direction and is aligned with the shaft portion 75 in the front-rear direction. When the upper support portion 314 is in the operating position, the lower clamping roller 76 is located above the upper support portion 314. In the front-rear direction, the lower clamping roller 76 is located in front of the front end of the plate 59. When the lower clamping motor 72 is driven, the lower clamping roller 76 rotates with the front-rear direction as its axial direction.

[0050] A pin 940 is fixed to the rear of the upper surface of the lower clamping motor 72. Pin 940 extends upward from the upper surface of the lower clamping motor 72. A pin 941 is fixed to the rear of the left side of the lower clamping motor 72. Pin 941 extends to the left from the left side of the lower clamping motor 72.

[0051] A spring 946 is fixed to the left end of pin 941. Spring 946 extends downward from the left end of pin 941. The lower end of spring 946 is fixed to frame 55. Spring 946 biases the lower clamping motor 72 so that it rotates counterclockwise when viewed from the front.

[0052] The moving mechanism 81 includes a plate 930, an air cylinder 28, and a plate 933. The plate 933 is positioned at the upper end of the base portion 71 and extends in the left-right direction.

[0053] The air cylinder 28 is located on the left side of the upper surface of the plate 930. The output shaft 281 of the air cylinder 28 extends in the left-right direction. The plate 933 is fixed to the right end of the output shaft 281 and is L-shaped when viewed from the front. The right end of the plate 933 is in contact with the pin 940 from the left.

[0054] As the output shaft 281 moves to the right, the plate 933 presses the pin 940 to the right. The lower clamping motor 72 is pressed by the plate 933 and rotates clockwise around axis J in a front view. The frame 73 rotates together with the lower clamping motor 72, and the lower clamping roller 76 swings downward.

[0055] When the output shaft 281 retracts to the left, the pressure on the pin 940 of the plate 933 is released. The lower clamping motor 72 rotates counterclockwise around axis J in a front view due to the biasing force of the spring 946. The frame 73 rotates together with the lower clamping motor 72, and the lower clamping roller 76 swings upward.

[0056] The upper end of the swing range of the lower clamping roller 76 is called the lower clamping position. When the lower clamping roller 76 is in the lower clamping position, the upper end of the lower clamping roller 76 protrudes above the plate 59. When the lower clamping roller 76 is in the lower clamping position and the upper support portion 314 is in the operating position, the lower clamping roller 76 can clamp the lower sheet 8 between itself and the lower surface 317 of the upper support portion 314. As the lower clamping roller 76 rotates while clamping the lower sheet 8 between itself and the lower surface 317, the lower clamping mechanism 80 can move the lower sheet 8 in the left-right direction.

[0057] The lower end of the oscillation range of the lower clamping roller 76 is called the lower release position. When the lower clamping roller 76 is in the lower release position, the upper end of the lower clamping roller 76 is located below the upper surface of the plate 59. When the lower clamping roller 76 is in the lower release position, the lower clamping roller 76 does not clamp the lower sheet 8 between itself and the lower surface 317. In Figure 4, the lower clamping roller 76 and the shaft portion 75 are shown with solid lines when the lower clamping roller 76 is in the lower clamping position. The lower clamping roller 76 and the shaft portion 75 are shown with dashed lines when the lower clamping roller 76 is in the lower release position.

[0058] <Configuration of the thickness detection unit 950> Referring to Figures 5 and 8, the thickness detection unit 950 housed in the frame 55 will be described. The thickness detection unit 950 comprises an extension 951, a magnetic material (not shown), a support plate 998, and a magnetic sensor 963. The extension 951 extends downward from the rear lower end of the lower clamping motor 72. The magnetic material is fixed to the lower end of the extension 951. The magnetic material is, for example, a permanent magnet.

[0059] The support plate 998 extends downward from the lower end of the front surface of the base portion 71. The support plate 998 is positioned in front of the magnetic material. The magnetic sensor 963 is fixed to the front surface of the support plate 998. The magnetic sensor 963 detects the strength of the magnetic field.

[0060] The vertical position of the lower clamping roller 76 changes according to the thickness of the lower sheet 8 that is clamped between it and the upper support portion 314. The lower clamping motor 72 rotates in accordance with the change in the position of the lower clamping roller 76, and the extension portion 951 rotates integrally with the lower clamping motor 72. Consequently, the distance between the magnetic material and the magnetic sensor 963 changes, and the strength of the magnetic field detected by the magnetic sensor 963 changes. Therefore, based on the strength of the magnetic field detected by the magnetic sensor 963, the CPU 91 of the bonding device 1, described later, can detect the thickness of the lower sheet 8.

[0061] <Configuration of the lower detection unit 78 and the terminal detection unit 79> Referring to Figure 4, the lower detection unit 78 and the end detection unit 79 housed in the support frame 61 will be described. The lower detection unit 78 and the end detection unit 79 are reflective type optical sensors in which a light-emitting unit and a light-receiving unit are integrated, respectively. As shown in Figure 17, the lower detection unit 78 includes a light-emitting unit 781 and a light-receiving unit 782.

[0062] The lower detection unit 78 is located inside the support frame 61 and below the opening 591. The lower detection unit 78 is aligned with the nozzle lower roller 65 in the left-right direction. In the front-rear direction, the lower detection unit 78 is located between the discharge port 13 of the nozzle 11 (described later) and the lower clamping roller 76.

[0063] As shown in Figure 17, the light-emitting part 781 of the lower detection unit 78 emits light upwards. The light emitted from the light-emitting part 781 passes through the opening 591 shown in Figure 6 and is reflected by the rear end of the lower surface 317 of the upper support unit 314 shown in Figure 17. The light-receiving part 782 of the lower detection unit 78 receives the reflected light that has passed through the opening 591 and outputs a current corresponding to the intensity of the received light.

[0064] The end detection unit 79 is located inside the support frame 61 and is positioned in front of the lower detection unit 78. The end detection unit 79 is aligned with the lower clamping roller 76 in the left-right direction. More specifically, the end detection unit 79 is positioned in front of the position where the lower clamping roller 76 clamps the lower sheet 8 between itself and the upper support unit 314.

[0065] The light-emitting part of the termination detection unit 79 emits light upwards. The light emitted from the light-emitting part is reflected by the front end of the lower surface 317 of the upper support part 314. The light-receiving part of the termination detection unit 79 receives the reflected light and outputs a current corresponding to the intensity of the received light.

[0066] <Configuration of the upper transport mechanism 70> Referring to Figure 2, the upper conveying mechanism 70 of the conveying mechanism 20 will be described. The upper conveying mechanism 70 comprises an arm 16, an upper conveying roller 12, an upper conveying motor 112, and an air cylinder 27 as shown in Figure 11. The arm 16 is box-shaped and extends forward and downward from the lower end of the head 5.

[0067] The arm portion 16 has a tip portion 160 at its front lower end. The tip portion 160 rotatably supports the shaft portion 121 shown in Figure 4. The shaft portion 121 extends in the left-right direction perpendicular to the vertical direction. An upper conveyor roller 12 is fixed to the shaft portion 121.

[0068] The upper conveyor motor 112 is located to the left rear of the arm 16. The transmission mechanism is housed in the arm 16. The upper conveyor motor 112 is connected to the shaft 121 via the transmission mechanism. The transmission mechanism is, for example, a pulley or a belt. When the upper conveyor motor 112 is driven, the upper conveyor roller 12 rotates with the left-right direction as its axial direction.

[0069] The air cylinder 27 is located on the head 5. The output shaft of the air cylinder 27 is connected to the arm 16 via a link mechanism. When the air cylinder 27 is driven, the arm 16 swings up and down. The upper conveyor roller 12 swings up and down in accordance with the up and down swing of the arm 16.

[0070] The lower end of the swing range of the upper conveyor roller 12 is called the upper conveyor position. When the upper conveyor roller 12 is in the upper conveyor position, it contacts the upper sheet 6 from above and clamps the lower sheet 8 and the upper sheet 6 between itself and the lower conveyor roller 64. In Figure 4, point P indicates the position where the upper conveyor roller 12 and the lower conveyor roller 64 clamp the lower sheet 8 and the upper sheet 6.

[0071] The upper end of the swing range of the upper conveyor roller 12 is called the upper position. When the upper conveyor roller 12 is in the upper position, the upper conveyor roller 12 does not clamp the lower sheet 8 between itself and the lower conveyor roller 64.

[0072] <Configuration of the upper clamping mechanism 30> Referring to Figure 7, the upper clamping mechanism 30 will be described. The upper clamping mechanism 30 comprises a support part 34, an arm part 31, a shaft part 33, an upper clamping roller 32, an upper clamping motor 38, a transmission mechanism, a spring 37, and an air cylinder 26. The support part 34 is located on the right side of the lower surface of the arm part 4 and is box-shaped.

[0073] The arm portion 31 is box-shaped and extends downward to the left. The upper right end of the arm portion 31 is rotatably supported by the support portion 34. The axis of rotation of the arm portion 31 is the axis W extending in the front-rear direction. The arm portion 31 has a tip portion 310 at its lower left end.

[0074] The tip portion 310 rotatably supports the shaft portion 33. The shaft portion 33 extends in a front-rear direction parallel to the conveying direction and fixes the upper clamping roller 32. As shown in Figure 4, the upper clamping roller 32 is located above the lower clamping roller 76 with the upper support portion 314 in between. The upper clamping roller 32 is located in front of the upper conveying roller 12.

[0075] The upper clamping motor 38 is located behind the support section 34. The transmission mechanism is housed in the support section 34 and the arm section 31. The upper clamping motor 38 is connected to the shaft section 33 via the transmission mechanism. The transmission mechanism is, for example, a pulley or a belt. When the upper clamping motor 38 is driven, the upper clamping roller 32 rotates with the front-rear direction as its axial direction.

[0076] The spring 37 biases the arm 31 so that it rotates clockwise around the axis W when viewed from the front. The air cylinder 26 is located on the support 34. The air cylinder 26 drives the arm 31 to rotate clockwise around the axis W when viewed from the front. In accordance with the rotation of the arm 31, the upper clamping roller 32 swings up and down.

[0077] The lower end of the swing range of the upper clamping roller 32 is called the upper clamping position. When the upper clamping roller 32 is in the upper clamping position and the upper support portion 314 is in the operating position, the upper clamping roller 32 can clamp the upper sheet 6 between itself and the upper surface 315 of the upper support portion 314. As the upper clamping roller 32 rotates while clamping the upper sheet 6 between itself and the upper surface 315, the upper clamping mechanism 30 can move the upper sheet 6 in the left-right direction.

[0078] The upper end of the swing range of the upper clamping roller 32 is called the upper separation position. When the upper clamping roller 32 is in the upper separation position, the upper clamping roller 32 does not clamp the upper sheet 6 between itself and the upper surface 315.

[0079] <Configuration of the upper detection unit 85> Referring to Figure 7, the upper detection unit 85 will be described. The upper detection unit 85 is a reflective type light sensor in which a light-emitting unit and a light-receiving unit are integrated. Although not shown in the figure, the upper detection unit 85 is located between the upper transport roller 12 and the upper clamping roller 32 in the front-rear direction. The upper detection unit 85 is aligned vertically with the lower detection unit 78 shown in Figure 4.

[0080] The light-emitting part of the upper detection unit 85 emits light downwards. The light emitted from the light-emitting part is reflected by the reflective surface 118 of the nozzle 11, which will be described later. The light-receiving part of the upper detection unit 85 receives the reflected light and outputs a current corresponding to the intensity of the received light.

[0081] <Configuration of the adhesive supply mechanism 40> Referring to Figure 10, the adhesive Z supply mechanism 40 will be described. The supply mechanism 40 comprises a mounting section 41, an upstream channel 44, a gear pump 46, a pump motor 114, and a downstream channel 47. As shown in Figure 1, the mounting section 41 is a box shape extending in the vertical direction. The mounting section 43 mounts the cartridge 42. The cartridge 42 contains the adhesive Z.

[0082] The mounting section 41 houses the heater 131. The heater 131 heats the cartridge 42, thereby heating the adhesive Z inside the cartridge 42. The adhesive Z inside the cartridge 42 is liquefied by the heater 131.

[0083] The upstream channel 44 is housed in the head unit 5. The upstream end of the upstream channel 44 is connected to the cartridge 42. The downstream end of the upstream channel 44 is connected to the upstream end of the gear pump 46. The internal pressure of the cartridge 42 becomes positive due to the operation of the compressor 89 shown in Figure 11. The adhesive Z flows from the cartridge 42 towards the gear pump 46 through the upstream channel 44.

[0084] The head 5 houses a heater 133. The heater 131 heats the upstream channel 44, thereby heating the adhesive Z inside the upstream channel 44.

[0085] The downstream end of the gear pump 46 is connected to the upstream end of the downstream flow path 47. The gear pump 46 is, for example, an external gear pump with two gears meshing together. The pump motor 114 rotates the two gears of the gear pump 46. When the pump motor 114 is driven, the gear pump 46 sucks the adhesive Z from the cartridge 42 and sends the sucked adhesive Z to the downstream flow path 47.

[0086] The downstream channel 47 is housed in the head 5, nozzle lever 18, and nozzle 11. The nozzle lever 18 is box-shaped and extends vertically. The upper end of the nozzle lever 18 is housed in the head 5. The lower end of the nozzle lever 18 protrudes below the lower end of the head 5. The nozzle 11 is positioned at the lower end of the nozzle lever 18.

[0087] As shown in Figure 9, the nozzle 11 comprises an extension portion 116 and a discharge portion 117. The extension portion 116 is box-shaped and extends downward and rearward from the lower end of the nozzle lever 18. The discharge portion 117 is box-shaped and extends to the right from the lower end of the extension portion 116. The upper surface of the discharge portion 117 has a reflective surface 118 for reflecting light irradiated from the upper detection portion 85.

[0088] The lower surface of the discharge section 117 is a nozzle surface 119 that extends horizontally. The nozzle surface 119 has a plurality of discharge ports 13. As shown in Figure 10, the plurality of discharge ports 13 are arranged in the left-right direction. The plurality of discharge ports 13 are connected to the downstream end of the downstream flow path 47. The adhesive Z sent out by the gear pump 46 flows through the downstream flow path 47 and is discharged downward from the plurality of discharge ports 13.

[0089] A pressure sensor 49 is located at the upstream end of the downstream channel 47. The pressure sensor 49 detects the pressure of the adhesive Z flowing through the downstream channel 47.

[0090] The nozzle lever 18 houses the heater 132, the nozzle valve 181, and the air cylinder 29 shown in Figure 11. The heater 132 heats the downstream passage 47, thereby heating the adhesive Z inside the downstream passage 47.

[0091] The nozzle valve 181 is located inside the nozzle lever 18, downstream of the heater 132 in the direction in which the adhesive Z flows. The nozzle valve 181 can open and close the downstream flow path 47.

[0092] The output shaft of the air cylinder 29 is connected to the nozzle valve 181. The nozzle valve 181 is opened and closed by the drive of the air cylinder 29. When the nozzle valve 181 is open, the nozzle 11 discharges the adhesive Z. When the nozzle valve 181 is closed, the nozzle 11 stops discharging the adhesive Z. The amount of adhesive Z discharged from the nozzle 11 per unit time changes according to the speed of the pump motor 114.

[0093] <Configuration of nozzle oscillation mechanism 22> Referring to Figure 7, the nozzle oscillating mechanism 22 located in the head 5 will be described. The nozzle oscillating mechanism 22 comprises a nozzle motor 113, a support shaft 9, and a nozzle lever 18. The nozzle motor 113 is located inside the head 5. The drive shaft of the nozzle motor 113 is connected to the motor gear 15.

[0094] The support shaft 9 is positioned above the nozzle motor 113 and extends in the left-right direction. A worm wheel 25 is fixed to the left-right center of the support shaft 9. The worm wheel 25 meshes with the motor gear 15. The upper end of the nozzle lever 18 is fixed to the left end of the support shaft 9.

[0095] When the nozzle motor 113 is driven, the nozzle lever 18 rotates around the support shaft 9. The nozzle 11 moves between the close-proximity position and the retracted position shown in Figure 2. When the nozzle 11 is in the close-proximity position, the discharge port 13 is located above the nozzle lower roller 65 and the discharge section 117 opens downwards. When the nozzle 11 is in the retracted position, the nozzle 11 is located in front of the upper clamping roller 32.

[0096] <Bonding operation of bonding device 1> Referring to Figures 4 and 10, the bonding operation by the bonding device 1 will be explained. The upper sheet 6 and the lower sheet 8 are bonded together by the bonding operation. To start the bonding operation, the operator operates the foot pedal 7 shown in Figure 11 with their foot. The foot pedal 7 is located below the workbench. The foot pedal 7 can be rotated by the operator's foot and moved to the stepping position or the return stepping position.

[0097] A potentiometer 95 is connected to the footplate 7. The potentiometer 95 detects the position of the footplate 7. When the footplate 7 is in the pressed position, the potentiometer 95 outputs a start command to the control device 90 (described later) to begin the bonding operation. When the footplate 7 is in the returned position, the potentiometer 95 outputs a stop command to the control device 90 to end the bonding operation.

[0098] When the control device 90 receives a start command, it drives the pump motor 114. The control device 90 drives the lower conveying motor 63 and the upper conveying motor 112. The driving of the lower conveying motor 63 causes the lower conveying roller 64 and the nozzle lower roller 65 to rotate, and the lower sheet 8 is conveyed backward. The driving of the upper conveying motor 112 causes the upper conveying roller 12 to rotate, and the upper sheet 6 is conveyed backward. In this embodiment, the front is the upstream direction in the conveying direction, and the rear is the downstream direction in the conveying direction.

[0099] The control device 90 drives the lower clamping motor 72. The rotation of the lower clamping roller 76 causes the lower sheet 8 to move left and right in the lower clamping position. The control device 90 controls the drive of the lower clamping motor 72 to align the lower specific end portion 8A in the left and right direction.

[0100] The control device 90 drives the upper clamping motor 38. The rotation of the upper clamping roller 32 causes the upper sheet 6 to move left and right in the upper clamping position. The control device 90 controls the drive of the upper clamping motor 38 to align the upper specific end portion 6A in the left and right directions.

[0101] The control device 90 emits light from the light-emitting part 781 of the lower detection unit 78, the light-emitting part of the terminal detection unit 79, and the light-emitting part of the upper detection unit 85. When the lower sheet 8 is being transported, the light emitted from the lower detection unit 78 is reflected by the lower sheet 8. The intensity of the light reflected by the lower sheet 8 is weaker than the intensity of the light reflected by the lower surface 317.

[0102] The control device 90 can determine whether or not the lower sheet 8 is present based on the magnitude of the current output from the light receiving unit 782 of the lower detection unit 78. Hereinafter, the position above the lower detection unit 78 where the lower detection unit 78 detects whether or not the lower sheet 8 is present will be referred to as the lower detection position. The lower detection position is located in the front-rear direction between the discharge port 13 of the nozzle 11 and the lower clamping position.

[0103] While the lower sheet 8 is being transported, the light emitted from the termination detection unit 79 and the light emitted from the termination detection unit 79 are reflected by the lower sheet 8. Therefore, the control device 90 can determine whether or not the lower sheet 8 is present based on the magnitude of the current output from the light receiving unit of the termination detection unit 79. Hereinafter, the position above the termination detection unit 79 where the termination detection unit 79 detects whether or not the lower sheet 8 is present will be referred to as the termination detection position. The termination detection position is located upstream in the transport direction from the lower clamping position and the upper clamping position.

[0104] While the upper sheet 6 is being transported, the light emitted from the upper detection unit 85 is reflected by the upper sheet 6. The intensity of the light reflected by the upper sheet 6 is weaker than the intensity of the light reflected by the reflective surface 118.

[0105] The control device 90 can determine whether or not the upper sheet 6 is present based on the magnitude of the current output from the light receiving unit of the upper detection unit 85. Hereinafter, the position below the upper detection unit 85, where the upper detection unit 85 detects whether or not it is present, will be referred to as the upper detection position. The upper detection position is located in the front-rear direction between the discharge port 13 of the nozzle 11 and the upper clamping position.

[0106] The control device 90 drives the air cylinder 29 to open the nozzle valve 181. Adhesive Z is discharged from the discharge port 13 of the nozzle 11 to the lower specific end 8A. Downstream from the nozzle 11 in the conveying direction, the lower sheet 8 is conveyed with the adhesive Z applied. The lower specific end 8A and the upper specific end 6A are sandwiched between the lower conveying roller 64 and the upper conveying roller 12. As a result, the lower sheet 8 and the upper sheet 6 are bonded together by the adhesive Z.

[0107] Before the bonding operation is complete, the upstream end of the lower sheet 8 in the transport direction reaches the end detection position. Light emitted from the end detection unit 79 is reflected by the lower surface 317. Therefore, the end detection unit 79, which had detected the presence of the lower sheet 8 at the end detection position, now detects that the lower sheet 8 is no longer at the end detection position. Hereinafter, the upstream end in the transport direction of the lower sheet 8 or upper sheet 6 will be referred to as the end.

[0108] With the end of the upper sheet 6 located downstream in the transport direction from the upper clamping position, the upper specific end 6A cannot move left or right due to the upper clamping roller 32. With the end of the lower sheet 8 located downstream in the transport direction from the lower clamping position, the lower specific end 8A cannot move left or right due to the lower clamping roller 76. The end of the lower sheet 8 and the end of the upper sheet 6 are clamped between the lower transport roller 64 and the upper transport roller 12, completing the bonding operation.

[0109] <Electrical configuration of bonding device 1> Referring to Figure 11, the electrical configuration of the bonding apparatus 1 will be described. The control device 90 includes a CPU 91, ROM 92, RAM 93, storage device 94, potentiometer 95, and drive circuits 96 and 97.

[0110] The CPU 91 provides overall control over the operation of the bonding device 1. The CPU 91 is connected to the ROM 92, RAM 93, storage device 94, drive circuits 96 and 97, operation unit 19, potentiometer 95, lower detection unit 78, upper detection unit 85, end detection unit 79, pressure sensor 49, magnetic sensor 963, heaters 131 to 133, compressor 89, and display unit 260.

[0111] ROM92 stores various programs, including the main program, which the CPU91 uses to execute the main processing shown in Figure 12. RAM93 temporarily stores various information and flags. Storage device94 stores various parameters necessary for the CPU91 to execute various programs.

[0112] The control unit 19 receives various operations from the operator and outputs a signal corresponding to the received operation to the CPU 91. The potentiometer 95 detects the position of the footplate 7. When the footplate 7 is in the pressed position, the potentiometer 95 outputs a start command to the CPU 91. When the footplate 7 is in the returned position, the potentiometer 95 outputs an end command to the CPU 91.

[0113] The lower detection unit 78 detects whether the lower sheet 8 is present at the lower detection position and outputs a signal to the CPU 91 according to the detection result. The upper detection unit 85 detects whether the upper sheet 6 is present at the upper detection position and outputs a signal to the CPU 91 according to the detection result. The termination detection unit 79 detects whether the lower sheet 8 is present at the termination detection position and outputs a signal to the CPU 91 according to the detection result.

[0114] The pressure sensor 49 detects the pressure of the adhesive Z flowing through the downstream channel 47 and outputs a signal to the CPU 91 corresponding to the detected pressure. The magnetic sensor 963 detects the strength of the magnetic field and outputs a signal to the CPU 91 corresponding to the detected strength of the magnetic field.

[0115] The CPU 91 drives the lower transport motor 63, upper transport motor 112, nozzle motor 113, pump motor 114, gap adjustment motor 68, lower clamping motor 72, and upper clamping motor 38 by sending control signals to the drive circuit 96. In this embodiment, the lower transport motor 63, upper transport motor 112, nozzle motor 113, pump motor 114, gap adjustment motor 68, lower clamping motor 72, and upper clamping motor 38 are stepping motors. The CPU 91 drives the air cylinders 26, 27, 28, and 29 by sending control signals to the drive circuit 97.

[0116] CPU91 drives heaters 131, 132, and 133. Heater 131 heats the adhesive Z inside cartridge 42. Heater 132 heats the adhesive Z flowing through the downstream channel 47. Heater 133 heats the adhesive Z flowing through the upstream channel 44. The adhesive Z liquefies due to the heating by heaters 131, 132, and 133.

[0117] The compressor 89 increases the internal pressure of the cartridge 42 to a positive pressure in response to a control signal from the CPU 91. The display unit 260 is located on the workbench. The display unit 260 displays various information in response to a control signal from the CPU 91.

[0118] <Main process for fabric bonding> Referring to Figures 12 and 13, the main fabric bonding process performed by the CPU 91 will be described. Before the main process begins, the lower transport roller 64 and the nozzle lower roller 65 are in the lower transport position. The upper transport roller 12 is in the upper transport position. The lower clamping roller 76 is in the lower clamping position. The upper clamping roller 32 is in the upper clamping position. The nozzle 11 is in the proximity position. The upper support section 314 is in the operating position.

[0119] The operator instructs the CPU 91 to execute the main process via the control unit 19. The CPU 91 reads the main program from the ROM 92 in response to the instruction and starts the main process.

[0120] As shown in Figure 12, when the main processing starts, the CPU 91 determines whether or not it has received a separation instruction from the operation unit 19 (S11). The separation instruction is an instruction to move the lower transport roller 64, the nozzle lower roller 65, the upper transport roller 12, the lower clamping roller 76, the upper clamping roller 32, and the nozzle 11, respectively. The CPU 91 waits until it receives a separation instruction from the operation unit 19 (S11:NO).

[0121] The operator inputs a release instruction to the CPU 91 via the control unit 19. When the CPU 91 receives the release instruction from the control unit 19 (S11:YES), it drives the air cylinder 26 to move the upper clamping roller 32 from the upper clamping position to the upper release position (S13). The CPU 91 drives the air cylinder 28 to move the lower clamping roller 76 from the lower clamping position to the lower release position (S15).

[0122] The CPU 91 drives the air cylinder 27 to move the upper conveyor roller 12 from the upper conveyor position to an upward position (S17). The CPU 91 drives the gap adjustment motor 68 to move the lower conveyor roller 64 and the nozzle lower roller 65 from the lower conveyor position to a downward position (S19). The CPU 91 drives the nozzle motor 113 to move the nozzle 11 from the close position to the retracted position (S21).

[0123] The operator places the lower sheet 8 on the lower transport roller 64 and the nozzle lower roller 65. The CPU 91 determines whether or not it has received a downward movement instruction from the operation unit 19 (S23). The downward movement instruction is an instruction to move the lower transport roller 64, the nozzle lower roller 65, the lower clamping roller 76, and the nozzle 11, respectively. The CPU 91 waits until it receives a downward movement instruction from the operation unit 19 (S23: NO).

[0124] The operator inputs a downward movement instruction to the CPU 91 via the control unit 19. When the CPU 91 receives the downward movement instruction from the control unit 19 (S23:YES), it drives the nozzle motor 113 to move the nozzle 11 from the retracted position to the close position (S25).

[0125] The CPU 91 drives the gap adjustment motor 68 to move the lower transport roller 64 and the nozzle lower roller 65 from the lower position to the lower transport position (S27). The distance between the nozzle 11 and the nozzle lower roller 65 becomes a predetermined length. The predetermined length is stored in the storage device 94.

[0126] The CPU 91 drives the air cylinder 28 to move the lower clamping roller 76 from the lower release position to the lower clamping position (S29). The lower sheet 8 is clamped between the lower clamping roller 76 and the lower surface 317 of the upper support portion 314.

[0127] The operator places the upper sheet 6 on the lower sheet 8, the nozzle 11, and the upper surface 315 of the upper support section 314. The CPU 91 determines whether or not it has received an upward movement instruction from the operation unit 19 (S31). An upward movement instruction is an instruction to move the upper transport roller 12 and the upper clamping roller 32, respectively. The CPU 91 waits until it receives an upward movement instruction from the operation unit 19 (S31: NO).

[0128] The operator inputs an upward movement instruction to the CPU 91 via the control unit 19. When the CPU 91 receives the upward movement instruction from the control unit 19 (S31: YES), it drives the air cylinder 27 to move the upper conveyor roller 12 from the upper position to the upper conveyor position (S33). The lower sheet 8 and the upper sheet 6 are sandwiched between the lower conveyor roller 64 and the upper conveyor roller 12.

[0129] The CPU 91 drives the air cylinder 26 to move the upper clamping roller 32 from the upper separation position to the upper clamping position (S35). The upper sheet 6 is clamped between the upper clamping roller 32 and the upper surface 315. The CPU 91 proceeds to S41 shown in Figure 13.

[0130] As shown in Figure 13, the CPU 91 determines whether or not it has received a start command via the potentiometer 95 (S41). The CPU 91 waits until it receives a start command from the potentiometer 95 (S41: NO).

[0131] The operator moves the footplate 7 to the stepping position and inputs a start command to the CPU 91 via the potentiometer 95. When the CPU 91 receives the start command from the potentiometer 95 (S41: YES), it illuminates the light-emitting part 781 of the lower detection unit 78, the light-emitting part of the upper detection unit 85, and the light-emitting part of the end detection unit 79 (S43). The lower detection unit 78 detects that the lower sheet 8 is at the lower detection position. The upper detection unit 85 detects that the upper sheet 6 is at the upper detection position. The end detection unit 79 detects that the lower sheet 8 is at the end detection position.

[0132] The CPU 91 drives the lower transport motor 63 and the upper transport motor 112 to begin transporting the lower sheet 8 and the upper sheet 6 to the rear (S45). Next, the CPU 91 starts dispensing the adhesive Z (S47). Specifically, the adhesive Z is liquefied by the heat generated by the heaters 131 and 132. The CPU 91 starts driving the pump motor 114, and the adhesive Z is supplied from the cartridge 42 to the nozzle valve 181 in the downstream passage 47. The CPU 91 drives the air cylinder 29, opening the downstream passage 47 by the nozzle valve 181. The adhesive Z is dispensed from the discharge port 13 of the nozzle 11 to the lower specific end 8A of the lower sheet 8 (S47). The upper transport roller 12, the lower transport roller 64, and the nozzle lower roller 65 transport the lower sheet 8 and the upper sheet 6 to the rear and bond them together.

[0133] <Processing to move the lower sheet> Next, the CPU 91 starts the lower sheet movement process (S48). The CPU 91 executes the lower sheet movement process in parallel with the main process. The lower sheet movement process will be explained with reference to Figure 14. The CPU 91 reads the program for the lower sheet movement process from the ROM 92 and starts the lower sheet movement process shown in Figure 14. The CPU 91 determines whether it is time to start controlling the lower sheet movement process (S111).

[0134] The CPU 91 determines that control of the lower sheet movement process has started because the lower sheet movement process has started in S48 of the main process (S111: YES). Also, the CPU 91 determines that control of the lower sheet movement process has started if the lower sheet movement process has started in the step detection process shown in Figure 16 (S108) (S111: YES). If the CPU 91 does not determine that control of the lower sheet movement process has started (S111: NO), it continues the decision in S111.

[0135] When the CPU 91 determines that control of the lower sheet movement process has started (S111: YES), it measures the amount of light received using the output value of the lower detection unit 78 (S112). The CPU 91 determines whether the amount of light received measured in the S112 process is smaller than a threshold value stored in the memory device 94 (S113). Specifically, the CPU 91 determines whether the AD conversion value of the output value of the lower detection unit 78 measured in the S112 process is smaller than a threshold value previously stored in the memory device 94 (S113). The threshold value is a predetermined reference value for detecting whether or not the lower sheet 8 is present at the lower detection position. When the adhesive device 1 is shipped, a predetermined value is stored in the memory device 94 as the threshold value based on the characteristics of the light-emitting part of the lower detection unit 78 and the reflection characteristics of the lower surface 317 of the upper support unit 314. Furthermore, after the step detection process described later, the CPU 91 executes the determination process in S113 using the threshold value set by the S107 process of the step detection process, i.e., the updated threshold value.

[0136] If the CPU 91 determines that the amount of light received is less than a threshold (S113: YES), it rotates the upper end of the lower clamping roller 76 in the direction of arrow A shown in Figures 17 and 18 (S114). Specifically, the CPU 91 drives the lower clamping motor 72 so that the rotation direction of the upper end of the lower clamping roller 76 is in the direction of arrow A (S114). Since the direction of arrow A is to the left in the bonding device 1, the lower clamping roller 76 moves the lower sheet 8 to the left relative to the discharge section 117 of the bonding device 1. By rotating the lower clamping roller 76 so that the lower sheet 8 moves in the direction of arrow A, the lower sheet 8 moves so that it comes out from between the lower detection section 78 and the lower surface 317 of the upper support section 314.

[0137] If the CPU 91 does not determine that the amount of light received is less than the threshold (S113: NO), it rotates the upper end of the lower clamping roller 76 in the direction of arrow B shown in Figures 17 and 18 (S115). Specifically, the CPU 91 drives the lower clamping motor 72 so that the rotation direction of the upper end of the lower clamping roller 76 is in the direction of arrow B (S115). Since the direction of arrow B is to the right in the bonding device 1, the lower clamping roller 76 moves the lower sheet 8 to the right relative to the discharge section 117 of the bonding device 1. By rotating the lower clamping roller 76 so that the lower sheet 8 moves in the direction of arrow B, the lower sheet 8 moves so that it fits between the lower detection section 78 and the lower surface 317 of the upper support section 314.

[0138] Next, the CPU 91 determines whether the control of the lower sheet movement process has been stopped (S116). The CPU 91 determines that the control of the lower sheet movement process has been stopped if the lower sheet movement process is stopped in the step detection process described later (S103) (S116: YES). The CPU 91 also determines that the control of the lower sheet movement process has been stopped if the end detection unit 79 detects the end of the lower sheet 8 (S116: YES). The CPU 91 stops the lower clamping motor 72 and stops the lower clamping roller 76 (S117). Next, the CPU 91 proceeds to S111 and repeats the processes from S111 to S117.

[0139] If CPU91 does not decide to stop the lower sheet movement process based on the judgment in S116 (S116: NO), it proceeds to S112, measures the amount of light received, and repeats the process from S112 to S116.

[0140] <Upper sheet movement process> In the main process shown in Figure 13, the CPU 91 starts the upper sheet movement process (S49) after starting the lower sheet movement process (S48). The CPU 91 executes the upper sheet movement process shown in Figure 15 in parallel with the main process. The upper sheet movement process will be explained with reference to Figure 15. The CPU 91 reads the program for the upper sheet movement process from ROM 92 and starts the upper sheet movement process. The CPU 91 determines whether it is time to start controlling the upper sheet movement process (S121: YES).

[0141] The CPU 91 determines that it has started controlling the upper sheet movement process because it has been instructed to start the upper sheet movement process in S49 of the main process (S121: YES). If the CPU 91 does not determine that it has started controlling the upper sheet movement process (S121: NO), it continues to make the decision in S121.

[0142] Next, the CPU 91 measures the amount of light received by the upper detection unit 85 (S122). The CPU 91 determines whether the amount of light received measured in the S122 process is smaller than the second threshold value stored in the storage device 94 (S123). Specifically, the CPU 91 determines whether the AD conversion value of the amount of light received measured in the S122 process is smaller than the second threshold value pre-stored in the storage device 94 (S123). The second threshold value is a reference value for detecting that the upper sheet 6 is present at the upper detection position. When the adhesive device 1 is shipped, a predetermined value is pre-stored in the storage device 94 as the second threshold value based on the characteristics of the light-emitting part of the upper detection unit 85 and the reflection characteristics of the reflective surface 118 on the upper surface of the discharge unit 117.

[0143] If the CPU 91 determines that the amount of light received measured in S122 is less than the second threshold (S123: YES), it rotates the lower end of the upper clamping roller 32 to the right relative to the discharge section 117 of the adhesive device 1 (S124). Specifically, the CPU 91 drives the upper clamping motor 38 so that the rotation direction of the lower end of the upper clamping roller 32 is to the right (S124).

[0144] If the CPU 91 does not determine that the amount of light received is less than the second threshold (S123: NO), it rotates the lower end of the upper clamping roller 32 to the left relative to the discharge section 117 of the adhesive device 1 (S125). Specifically, the CPU 91 drives the upper clamping motor 38 so that the rotation direction of the lower end of the upper clamping roller 32 is to the left (S125).

[0145] Next, the CPU 91 determines whether to stop the control of the upper sheet movement process (S126). The CPU 91 determines to stop the control of the upper sheet movement process when the end detection unit 79 detects the end of the upper sheet 6 (S126: YES). Next, the CPU 91 stops the upper clamping motor 38 and stops the upper clamping roller 32 (S127). Next, the CPU 91 proceeds to process S121 and repeats the process from S121 to S127.

[0146] If CPU91 does not determine that the upper sheet movement process should be stopped (S126: NO), it proceeds to S122, measures the amount of light received, and repeats the processes from S122 to S126.

[0147] <Step detection process> In the main process shown in Figure 13, the CPU 91 executes the step detection process (S50) shown in Figure 16 in parallel with the lower sheet movement process (S48) and the upper sheet movement process (S49). The CPU 91 executes the step detection process (S50) using the step detection process subroutine shown in Figure 16. The step detection process will be explained with reference to Figure 16.

[0148] First, the CPU 91 measures the thickness of the lower sheet using the thickness detection unit 950 (S101). The vertical position of the lower clamping roller 76 changes according to the thickness of the lower sheet 8 that is clamped between it and the upper support unit 314. The lower clamping motor 72 rotates in accordance with the change in the position of the lower clamping roller 76, and the extension unit 951 rotates together with the lower clamping motor 72. Consequently, the distance between the magnetic material and the magnetic sensor 963 changes, and the strength of the magnetic field detected by the magnetic sensor 963 changes. Therefore, based on the strength of the magnetic field detected by the magnetic sensor 963, the CPU 91 can determine the thickness of the lower sheet 8.

[0149] Next, the CPU 91 determines whether the thickness of the lower sheet 8 has changed (S102). The thickness of the lower sheet 8 measured in the previous S101 process is stored in the storage device 94. The CPU 91 compares the thickness of the lower sheet 8 measured in the current S101 process with the thickness of the lower sheet 8 stored in the storage device 94 to determine whether the thickness of the lower sheet 8 has changed (S102). In the process of S102, if the thickness of the lower sheet 8 measured in the previous process is not stored in the storage device 94, the CPU 91 determines that the thickness of the lower sheet 8 has changed (S102: YES). The part of the lower sheet 8 where the thickness has changed is the stepped section.

[0150] If the CPU 91 determines that the thickness of the lower sheet 8 has changed (S102: YES), it stops the lower sheet movement process shown in the flowchart in Figure 14 (S103). Therefore, the left-right position of the lower sheet 8 remains at the position it was at when the lower sheet movement process was stopped. The gap change process (S104), described later, takes approximately 0.1 to 0.2 seconds. Therefore, stopping the lower sheet movement process (S103) prevents the position of the lower sheet 8 from moving during the gap change process (S104).

[0151] Next, the CPU 91 starts changing the gap (S104). Specifically, the CPU 91 drives the gap adjustment motor 68 to move the lower transport roller 64 and the nozzle lower roller 65 upward or downward. As a result, the distance between the nozzle 11 and the nozzle lower roller 65 is adjusted to a predetermined length corresponding to the thickness of the lower sheet 8. The predetermined length is stored in the storage device 94.

[0152] The CPU 91 determines whether the gap change is complete (S105). The CPU 91 determines that the gap change is complete when the gap adjustment motor 68 has been driven a predetermined number of steps corresponding to the thickness of the lower sheet 8 (S105: YES). If the CPU 91 does not determine that the gap change is complete (S105: NO), it continues the determination in S105. If the CPU 91 determines that the gap change is complete (S105: YES), the lower detection unit 78 measures the amount of light received (S106). Next, the CPU 91 stores and sets the AD conversion value of the amount of light received in the storage device 94 as a threshold value to be used in the determination in S113 of the lower sheet movement process (S107). Therefore, the threshold value used in the determination in S113 of the lower sheet movement process is updated to the new threshold value after the gap change (S107).

[0153] Next, CPU 91 starts the lower sheet movement process that was stopped in S103 (S108). CPU 91 executes the lower sheet movement process shown in Figure 15 in parallel with the main process.

[0154] Next, the CPU 91 returns to the main process S51 in Figure 13 and determines whether the bonding operation is complete (S51). If the bonding process between the lower sheet 8 and the upper sheet 6 continues, the end of the lower sheet 8 will reach the end detection position. The CPU 91 determines whether the bonding operation is complete based on whether the end detection unit 79 has detected the end of the lower sheet 8 (S51). Specifically, the CPU 91 determines that the bonding operation is complete when the end detection unit 79, which had detected the presence of the lower sheet 8, detects that the lower sheet 8 is not present at the end detection position (S51: YES). If the CPU 91 does not determine that the bonding operation is complete (S51: NO), it proceeds to S50 and performs the processes of S50 and S51.

[0155] If the CPU 91 determines that the bonding operation is complete (S51: YES), it stops the lower sheet movement process and the upper sheet movement process. The CPU 91 also stops driving the upper transport motor 112, lower transport motor 63, upper clamping motor 38, lower clamping motor 72, and pump motor 114, and stops the bonding process (S52). Thus, the main process is completed.

[0156] <Effects of the Embodiment> In the bonding apparatus 1 of the above embodiment, the lower conveying mechanism 50 comprises a lower conveying roller 64 and a lower conveying motor 63. The upper conveying mechanism 70 comprises an upper conveying roller 12 and an upper conveying motor 112. The CPU 91 controls the rotation of the lower conveying roller 64 and the upper conveying roller 12 by driving the lower conveying motor 63 and the upper conveying motor 112 respectively with the drive circuit 96.

[0157] The bonding device 1 further comprises an upper support section 314, a lower clamping roller 76, a lower detection section 78, an upper clamping roller 32, and an upper detection section 85. The lower clamping roller 76 clamps the lower sheet 8 between itself and the lower surface 317 of the upper support section 314 and is rotatable in the front-rear direction as an axial direction. The lower detection section 78 detects whether or not the lower sheet 8 is present at the lower detection position. The lower detection position is located in the front-rear direction between the discharge port 13 of the nozzle 11 and the lower clamping position. The upper clamping roller 32 clamps the upper sheet 6 between itself and the upper surface 315 of the upper support section 314 and is rotatable in the front-rear direction as an axial direction.

[0158] The upper detection unit 85 detects whether or not the upper sheet 6 is present at the upper detection position. The upper detection position is located between the discharge port 13 of the nozzle 11 and the upper clamping position in the front-rear direction. The bonding device 1 can move the lower sheet 8 in the left-right direction using the lower clamping roller 76, and can move the upper sheet 6 in the left-right direction using the upper clamping roller 32.

[0159] When the thickness of the lower sheet 8 passing between the nozzle 11 and the nozzle lower roller 65 changes, the magnetic sensor 963 of the thickness detection unit 950 can detect in advance that the thickness of the lower fabric is changing. Therefore, when the stepped portion of the lower sheet 8 where the thickness changes passes under the nozzle 11, the gap between the nozzle 11 and the nozzle lower roller 65 can be changed by moving the position of the lower transport operation unit 60 up and down. In this case, when the gap between the nozzle 11 and the nozzle lower roller 65 is changed, the position of the lower transport operation unit 60 also moves up and down, so the distance between the lower surface 317 of the upper support unit 314 and the light receiving unit 782 of the lower detection unit 78 changes.

[0160] In conventional bonding devices, when the distance between the light-receiving part 782 of the lower detection unit 78 and the lower surface 317 increases, the amount of light reflected and received by the light-receiving part 782 of the lower detection unit 78 decreases. Therefore, if the position of the lower sheet 8 is controlled with the same threshold value as before the distance change, the lower sheet 8 moves to a position shifted by arrow A in Figures 17 and 18 compared to before the distance change. Conversely, when the distance between the light-receiving part 782 of the lower detection unit 78 and the lower surface 317 decreases, it moves to a position shifted by arrow B in Figures 17 and 18 compared to before the distance change. Therefore, conventionally, when bonding a lower sheet 8 with a stepped section where the thickness of the lower sheet 8 changes, there was a problem that the uncoated width, which is the distance from the left-right edge of the lower sheet 8 to the part where adhesive Z is not applied, was not constant at the stepped section.

[0161] The bonding apparatus 1 of the above embodiment solves the above problem. The CPU 91 of the bonding apparatus 1 stops the lower sheet movement process (S103) when it detects that the thickness of the lower sheet 8 has changed in the step detection process shown in Figure 16 (S102: YES). Therefore, the rotation of the lower clamping roller 76 is stopped from the start of the gap change (S104) until it is finished. Even if the amount of light received by the light receiving unit 782 of the lower detection unit 78 changes while the gap is being changed, the position of the lower specific end 8A of the lower sheet 8 does not change because the rotation of the lower clamping roller 76 is stopped.

[0162] The rotation of the lower clamping roller 76 stops for a very short time, about 0.1 to 0.2 seconds. Therefore, even when the rotation of the lower clamping roller 76 stops and the lower sheet 8 is being transported backward, the effect of misalignment of the edges of the lower sheet 8 and the upper sheet 6 can be almost ignored.

[0163] In the bonding apparatus 1 of the above embodiment, immediately after the gap change is completed (S105:YES), the CPU 91 sets the value obtained by AD changing the detected value of the lower detection unit 78 to a new threshold value (S107). Therefore, the CPU 91 can update the threshold value based on the output value of the light receiving unit 782 of the lower detection unit 78 after the gap has been changed. Thus, the CPU 91 can use the new threshold value as the threshold value for the lower sheet movement process until the gap is changed again.

[0164] Immediately after the gap change is completed (S105:YES) with the rotation of the lower clamping roller 76 stopped, the position of the lower specific end 8A of the lower sheet 8 is the same as immediately before the gap change. The CPU 91 uses the value obtained by AD changing the detection value of the light receiving unit 782 of the lower detection unit 78 immediately after the gap change is completed as the new threshold value. Therefore, the CPU 91 can maintain the lower specific end 8A in the same position as before the gap change by determining the rotation direction of the lower clamping roller 76 with the threshold value immediately after the gap change is completed. Thus, the lower specific end 8A of the lower sheet 8 can be kept in a constant position when the adhesive Z is applied, and the unapplied width of the adhesive Z can be kept constant.

[0165] In the bonding apparatus 1 of the above embodiment, the uncoated width remains constant before and after the thickness of the lower sheet 8 changes, so clean bonding can be achieved without wrinkles or twists at the point where the thickness of the lower sheet 8 changes. Furthermore, with the bonding apparatus 1, there is no need to prepare a program that changes the setting value so that the uncoated width of adhesive Z remains constant before and after the thickness of the lower sheet 8 changes.

[0166] In the bonding apparatus 1 of the above embodiment, the CPU 91 executes an upper sheet movement process based on the detection result of the upper detection unit 85. Therefore, the CPU 91 can move the position of the upper sheet 6 in the left-right direction by performing the upper sheet movement process. Thus, the CPU 91 can align the position of the upper sheet 6 with the position of the lower sheet 8.

[0167] The lower detection unit 78 includes a light-emitting unit 781 that emits light upward from the underside of the lower sheet 8, and a light-receiving unit 782 that detects the amount of reflected light from the lower surface 317 of the upper support unit 314. Therefore, even if the thickness of the lower sheet 8 changes and the amount of light received by the light-receiving unit 782 of the lower detection unit 78 changes, the threshold is updated (S107). Consequently, the uncoated width of the adhesive Z remains constant, allowing for clean adhesion without wrinkles or twists in areas where the thickness of the lower sheet changes.

[0168] <Variation> The adhesive device 1 of the above embodiment is not limited to the above embodiment and can be modified in various ways. For example, the discharge port 13 may open the discharge section 117 upwards. In this case, the nozzle 11 discharges the adhesive Z onto the upper sheet 6. The discharge port 13 may open the discharge section 117 vertically. In this case, the nozzle 11 discharges the adhesive Z onto the lower sheet 8 and the upper sheet 6.

[0169] The configuration of the conveying mechanism 20 may be changed as appropriate. The lower conveying mechanism 50 may be equipped with a belt instead of the lower conveying roller 64. The lower conveying mechanism 50 may be equipped with a belt instead of the nozzle lower roller 65. The belt supports the lower sheet 8 from below and conveys the lower sheet 8 downward. The lower conveying mechanism 50 does not need to be equipped with a lower conveying motor 63. In this case, the lower conveying roller 64 rotates in accordance with the rotation of the upper conveying roller 12.

[0170] The lower conveying mechanism 50 does not necessarily have to include a nozzle lower roller 65. The conveying belt 67 does not necessarily have to be placed over the shaft portion 651. In this case, the nozzle lower roller 65 does not rotate due to the drive of the lower conveying motor 63. The CPU 91 may control the rotation of the lower conveying roller 64 and the nozzle lower roller 65, respectively.

[0171] The upper conveying mechanism 70 may be equipped with a belt instead of the upper conveying roller 12. The belt sandwiches the lower sheet 8 and the upper sheet 6 between itself and the lower conveying roller 64, and conveys the upper sheet 6 downward. The upper conveying mechanism 70 does not need to be equipped with an upper conveying motor 112. In this case, the upper conveying roller 12 rotates in accordance with the rotation of the lower conveying roller 64.

[0172] The upper conveying mechanism 70 may use an electric cylinder instead of an air cylinder 26 to bias the lower conveying roller 64 from the upper conveying roller 12. The bonding device 1 may further include a biasing mechanism that biases the upper conveying roller 12 from the lower conveying roller 64.

[0173] The configuration of the lower clamping mechanism 80 may be modified as appropriate. The lower clamping mechanism 80 may be equipped with a belt instead of the lower clamping roller 76. The belt clamps the lower sheet 8 between itself and the lower surface 317 of the upper support portion 314, and moves the lower sheet 8 in the left-right direction. The lower clamping roller 76 does not need to be able to swing in the vertical direction. The lower clamping roller 76 may move up and down by a mechanism that guides it parallel to the vertical direction.

[0174] The configuration of the lower detection unit 78 may be changed as appropriate. The lower detection unit 78 may be, for example, a transmissive optical sensor, a CCD camera, etc. The lower detection position may be changed as appropriate in the front-rear direction between the discharge port 13 of the nozzle 11 and the lower clamping position. The bonding device 1 does not need to have an upper support unit 314.

[0175] The configuration of the terminal detection unit 79 may be changed as appropriate. The terminal detection unit 79 may be, for example, a through-type optical sensor, a CCD camera, etc. The position of the terminal detection position in the front-rear direction may be changed as appropriate at a position in front of the discharge port 13 of the nozzle 11. The terminal detection position may be located behind the lower clamping position, for example. The terminal detection position may be located behind the lower detection position. The terminal detection unit 79 may detect whether or not there is an upper sheet 6 instead of a lower sheet 8.

[0176] The bonding device 1 does not necessarily have to be equipped with an upper clamping mechanism 30. The configuration of the upper clamping mechanism 30 may be changed as appropriate. The upper clamping mechanism 30 may be equipped with a belt instead of an upper clamping roller 32. The belt clamps the upper sheet 6 between itself and the upper surface 315 of the upper support portion 314 and conveys the upper sheet 6 in the left-right direction.

[0177] The upper clamping roller 32 does not need to be able to swing in the vertical direction. The upper clamping roller 32 does not need to clamp the upper sheet 6 between itself and the upper surface 315. The upper clamping roller 32 does not need to be aligned with the lower clamping roller 76 in the vertical direction.

[0178] The bonding device 1 does not necessarily have to include an upper detection unit 85. The configuration of the upper detection unit 85 may be changed as appropriate. The upper detection unit 85 may be, for example, a transmissive optical sensor, a CCD camera, etc. The upper detection position may be changed as appropriate in the front-rear direction between the discharge port 13 of the nozzle 11 and the upper clamping position.

[0179] The gap adjustment unit 77 may change the distance between the nozzle 11 and the nozzle lower roller 65 by moving the nozzle 11 in the vertical direction. The gap adjustment unit 77 may also change the distance between the nozzle and the nozzle lower roller 65 by moving both the nozzle 11 and the nozzle lower roller 65 in the vertical direction. The gap adjustment unit 77 does not need to move the lower conveyor roller 64 in the vertical direction.

[0180] The configuration of the gap adjustment section 77 may be changed as appropriate. The gap adjustment section 77 may move the lower conveyor roller 64 and the nozzle lower roller 65 in the vertical direction by driving an air cylinder. The lower conveyor roller 64 and the nozzle lower roller 65 may be configured to be movable in the vertical direction by operation by an operator.

[0181] The thickness detection unit 950 may detect changes in the thickness of the upper sheet 6. The magnetic material may be an electromagnet instead of a permanent magnet. The magnetic sensor 963 may be a Hall element instead of an MR element, or another type of sensor. A proximity sensor is preferred among the other sensors. A proximity sensor is a general term for a sensor that can detect the position of an object without contact, and examples include inductive proximity sensors, capacitive proximity sensors, and laser displacement sensors.

[0182] The configuration of the supply mechanism 40 may be changed as appropriate. The supply mechanism 40 may supply adhesive Z to the nozzle 11 by driving a screw pump instead of a gear pump 46. The supply mechanism 40 may supply adhesive Z to the nozzle 11 by driving a piston pump instead of a gear pump 46.

[0183] The bonding device 1 does not need to include a heater 131 for heating the cartridge 42. The bonding device 1 does not need to include a heater 132 for heating the downstream flow path 47. The bonding device 1 does not need to include a heater 133 for heating the upstream flow path 44. The heating temperatures of heater 131, heater 132, and heater 133 may all be the same, or at least one of them may be a different heating temperature.

[0184] The bonding device 1 does not necessarily have to include a nozzle valve 181 for opening and closing the downstream flow path 47. The nozzle valve 181 may open and close the downstream flow path 47 by driving an electric cylinder instead of an air cylinder 29. The bonding device 1 may further include a nozzle valve for opening and closing the upstream flow path 44. The bonding device 1 does not necessarily have to have a swingable nozzle 11.

[0185] The programs for executing the main processing, lower sheet movement processing, upper sheet movement processing, and step detection processing only need to be stored in the storage device 94 until the CPU 91 executes the program. Therefore, the method of acquiring the program, the acquisition path, and the device that stores the program can each be changed as appropriate. Each program may be received from another device via cable or wireless communication. Other storage devices, such as non-volatile memory, may store each program. Other storage devices include, for example, a server connected via a network.

[0186] The steps of the main processing, lower sheet movement processing, upper sheet movement processing, and step detection processing are not limited to those performed by the CPU 91. Some or all of the steps of each processing may be performed by other electronic devices. Other electronic devices are, for example, ASICs. Each step of each processing may be distributed among multiple electronic devices. Each step of each processing can be reordered, omitted, or added as needed. The present invention also includes a mode in which an operating system (OS) or the like running on the control device 90 performs some or all of the processing in accordance with commands from the CPU 91.

[0187] The lower conveying mechanism 50 is an example of the "lower conveying section" of the present invention. The upper conveying mechanism 70 is an example of the "upper conveying section" of the present invention. The front-rear direction is an example of the "conveying direction" of the present invention. The position between the nozzle 11 and the lower clamping roller 76 is an example of the "lower detection position" of the present invention. The left-right direction is an example of the "orthogonal direction" of the present invention. The lower detection section 78 and the lower clamping mechanism 80 are examples of the "end position movement mechanism" of the present invention. The shaft section 75 is an example of the "lower clamping shaft" of the present invention. The shaft section 33 is an example of the "upper clamping shaft" of the present invention.

[0188] The position of the lower clamping roller 76 in the front-rear direction of the bonding device 1 is an example of a "predetermined position" in the present invention. The thickness detection unit 950 is an example of a "step detection unit" in the present invention. The gap adjustment unit 77 is an example of a "spacing change unit" in the present invention. The end detection unit 79 is an example of a "detection unit" in the present invention. The gap adjustment motor 68 is an example of a "vertical drive unit" in the present invention.

[0189] CPU91 is an example of the "control unit" of the present invention. The processing time from S104 to S108 of the step detection process is an example of the "predetermined time" of the present invention. Processing S104 is an example of the "interval change process" of the present invention. Processing S107 is an example of the "threshold update process" of the present invention. The lower sheet movement process in Figure 14 is an example of the "edge position movement process" of the present invention. The upper sheet movement process in Figure 15 is an example of the "upper sheet movement process" of the present invention. Magnetic sensor 963 is an example of the "upper and lower position detection unit" of the present invention. Processing S102 is an example of the "thickness detection process" of the present invention. The lower surface 317 of the upper support unit 314 is an example of the "reflector unit" of the present invention. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0190] 1 Gluing device 11 nozzles 20 Conveying mechanism 32 Upper clamping roller 33 Shaft section 40 Supply mechanism 50 Lower transport mechanism 70 Upper transport mechanism 75 Shaft 76 Lower clamping roller 77 Gap adjustment section 78 Lower detection unit 79 Termination detection unit 80 Lower clamping mechanism 85 Upper detection unit 91 CPU 314 Upper support part 317 Bottom surface 781 Light-emitting part 782 Light receiving section 950 Thickness detection unit

Claims

1. A nozzle for dispensing adhesive, A supply mechanism for supplying the adhesive to the nozzle, A conveying mechanism having a lower conveying section that supports the lower sheet, and an upper conveying section that sandwiches the lower sheet and the upper sheet between the lower conveying section and the nozzle, which sandwiches and conveys the lower sheet and the upper sheet downstream in the conveying direction of conveying the lower sheet and the upper sheet, It includes a control unit, In an adhesive apparatus, the control unit performs an adhesive operation in which the upper sheet and the lower sheet are bonded together while being transported downstream in the transport direction with the adhesive discharged by the nozzle in between, An end position moving mechanism having a lower clamping roller that rotates around a lower clamping axis extending parallel to the conveying direction, which sandwiches the lower sheet between the nozzle and an upper support portion that supports the upper sheet, located upstream of the nozzle in the conveying direction, and a lower detection portion that detects whether or not the lower sheet is present at a lower detection position which is a position between the nozzle and the lower clamping roller in the conveying direction, A step detection unit detects whether or not there is a change in the thickness of the lower sheet at a predetermined position located upstream of the lower detection position in the transport direction, It has a vertical drive unit that changes the vertical position of the lower transport unit, and a spacing change unit that can change the distance between the nozzle and the lower sheet, Furthermore, The control unit rotates the lower clamping roller in accordance with the comparison between the detection result of the lower detection unit and a predetermined threshold, thereby moving the lower sheet in an orthogonal direction perpendicular to the transport direction and the vertical direction. When the step detection unit detects a change in thickness, the vertical drive unit is controlled to perform a spacing change process that alters the spacing. A threshold update process is performed to stop the rotation of the lower clamping roller for a predetermined period of time after the start of changing the interval, to detect the output value of the lower detection unit after the interval has been changed, and to update the threshold based on the output value. An adhesive device characterized by performing an edge position movement process, which moves the lower sheet in the orthogonal direction by rotating the lower clamping roller based on the updated threshold after the predetermined time has elapsed.

2. The end position movement mechanism is, An upper clamping roller that clamps the upper sheet between itself and the upper support portion, located upstream of the nozzle in the conveying direction, and rotates around an upper clamping axis extending parallel to the conveying direction, An upper detection unit detects whether or not the upper sheet is present at the upper detection position, which is the position between the upper conveying unit and the upper clamping roller in the conveying direction. Furthermore, The bonding apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the control unit performs an upper sheet movement process by rotating the upper clamping roller in accordance with the detection result of the upper detection unit, thereby moving the upper sheet in the orthogonal direction.

3. The step detection unit includes a vertical position detection unit that detects the vertical position of the lower clamping roller, The bonding apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the control unit performs a thickness detection process to detect whether or not there is a change in the thickness of the lower sheet using the vertical position detection unit.

4. The bonding apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the lower detection unit comprises a light-emitting unit that emits light upward from the lower side of the lower sheet, a reflecting unit provided above the lower sheet, and a light-receiving unit that detects the amount of light reflected from the reflecting unit.

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