How to apply cushion tape

Abstract

To provide a sticking method that enables a cushion tape to accurately stick to a work-piece.SOLUTION: A method for sticking a cushion tape with a predetermined length to a work-piece includes: a peeling step of sequentially peeling a cushion tape from a sheet in which a number of cushion tapes with a predetermined length are arranged, in an arrangement direction which is a width direction of the sheet, in a separator; and a sticking step of sticking the cushion tapes peeled in the peeling step to the work-piece. In the peeling step, the cushion tape S1 positioned at a first end part in the arrangement direction of the sheet is peeled first, and the cushion tape E1 positioned at a second end part in the arrangement direction of the sheet is not peeled last time but peeled before the last time.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 18

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for attaching cushion tape to a workpiece. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 below describes an apparatus for attaching a seal packing formed to a predetermined width to a workpiece. This apparatus unwinds a roll of seal packing, attaches it to a workpiece, and cuts the seal packing to a predetermined length.

[0003] However, because the seal packing is wound in a roll, it is prone to becoming curled, which makes it difficult to attach the seal packing accurately and can lead to poor attachment when the seal packing is attached to a workpiece. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 9-213105 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a method for accurately applying cushion tape to a workpiece. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The cushion tape applying method of the present invention is a method for applying cushion tape of a predetermined length to a workpiece, and includes a peeling step of sequentially peeling cushion tapes from a sheet on which a number of cushion tapes of a predetermined length are arranged in parallel with their width direction on a separator, and an applying step of applying the cushion tapes peeled in the peeling step to the workpiece, in which in the peeling step, the cushion tape located at a first end of the sheet in the parallel direction is peeled first, and the cushion tape located at a second end of the sheet in the parallel direction is peeled before the last, rather than peeled last.

[0007] According to this method, instead of using a roll of cushion tape, a sheet of cushion tape with a predetermined length arranged side by side is used, which is less likely to curl than a roll of cushion tape, and the shape of the cushion tape peeled off from the separator is more stable.

[0008] Furthermore, in the peeling process, the cushion tape located at the first end in the parallel direction of the sheet is peeled first. On the other hand, the cushion tape located at the second end in the parallel direction of the sheet is not peeled in the last order. In other words, the cushion tape located at the second end is peeled in a order before the last. The cushion tapes located at both ends in the parallel direction of the sheet often have adhesive protruding onto the edge surface of the separator, making them difficult to peel from the separator. When peeling the cushion tape at the first end first, it can be peeled while holding down the cushion tape adjacent to it. When peeling the cushion tape located at the second end in a order before the last, there is cushion tape remaining adjacent to it that has not yet been peeled. Therefore, when peeling the cushion tape at the second end, it can be peeled while holding down the cushion tape adjacent to it. Therefore, the cushion tape at the second end can be easily peeled.

[0009] In particular, it is preferable to peel the cushion tape at the second end second to last, and peel the cushion tape next to the cushion tape at the second end last. According to this method, it is possible to peel the cushion tape from the cushion tape at the first end to the cushion tape in the third row counting from the second end in succession. Therefore, the cushion tapes can be peeled efficiently.

[0010] Furthermore, in the peeling step, it is preferable that an adsorbent that adsorbs and peels the cushion tape is placed in a predetermined position, a first stop member and a second stop member are placed on both sides of the adsorbent in the parallel direction, and when peeling the cushion tape at the first end, the cushion tape adjacent to the cushion tape at the first end is restrained by the first stop member, and when peeling the cushion tape at the second end, the cushion tape adjacent to the cushion tape at the second end is restrained by the second stop member. According to this method, by placing the first stop member and the second stop member on both sides of the adsorbent, the cushion tape can be peeled off efficiently.

[0011] Furthermore, in the peeling step, it is preferable to arrange a third regulating member on the same side as the second regulating member of both sides of the adsorbent in the parallel direction, and to regulate the separator with the third regulating member when peeling off the last cushion tape. When peeling off the last cushion tape, no cushion tape remains adjacent to it. Regulating the separator with the third regulating member makes it easy to peel off the last cushion tape. Since the third regulating member is arranged on the second regulating member side of the adsorbent, it can easily regulate the separator. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] As described above, by using a sheet of cushion tape with a predetermined length arranged in a row, the cushion tape can be accurately attached to the workpiece. Then, by peeling off the cushion tape at the second end in order from the last, the cushion tape can be easily and reliably peeled off from the sheet. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] 1A is a plan view showing a battery case to which a cushion tape has been attached by an attachment method according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 1A. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a sheet used in the bonding method. [Figure 3] (a) is a cross-sectional view of the sheet, and (b) is a cross-sectional view showing the state when the cushion tape is peeled off. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view showing the overall configuration of a bonding device using the bonding method. [Figure 5] FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. [Figure 7] 5A to 5C are cross-sectional views showing a bonding step of the bonding method. [Figure 8] FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 10(a) is a plan view showing the peeling step, and FIG. 10(b) is a side view showing the peeling step. [Figure 12] FIG. 10(a) is a front view showing the peeling step, and FIG. 10(b) is a plan view showing the peeling step. [Figure 13] 10(a) and 10(b) are front views showing the peeling step. [Figure 14] FIG. 10(a) is a plan view showing the peeling step, and FIG. 10(b) is a side view showing the peeling step. [Figure 15] FIG. 10(a) is a front view showing the peeling step, and FIG. 10(b) is a side view showing the peeling step. [Figure 16] FIG. 10(a) is a plan view showing the peeling step, and FIG. 10(b) is a side view showing the peeling step. [Figure 17] FIG. 10(a) is a plan view showing the peeling step, and FIG. 10(b) is a side view showing the peeling step. [Figure 18]10(a) to 10(c) are front views showing the peeling step. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] A cushion tape application method and application device according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 18. First, an example of a workpiece, which is an object to which a predetermined length of cushion tape (hereinafter simply referred to as tape 1) is applied, will be described. The type, shape, etc. of the workpiece are arbitrary. In this embodiment, a case will be described in which the workpiece is a battery case (hereinafter simply referred to as case 2). Case 2 is, for example, for use in a vehicle, and is made of metal, for example, die-cast. Case 2 may have various shapes, and the position, length, number, etc. of tape 1 applied thereto are also arbitrary, but an example will be described below.

[0015] FIG. 1 shows a case 2 with tape 1 attached. In the figure, the tape 1 is indicated by many dots, and this is the same in other figures. The tape 1 is attached to the inner surface of the case 2. The case 2 is box-shaped with a bottom and an opening on the top, and a battery 3 is housed inside. In FIG. 1, the battery 3 is indicated by a two-dot chain line. The shape of the case 2 in a plan view is arbitrary, but in this embodiment it is rectangular in a plan view, and more specifically, it is a rectangular shape that is long in a predetermined direction.

[0016] The case 2 has a bottom portion 4 and side portions 5 that rise upward from the peripheral edge of the bottom portion 4. A flange portion 6 extends outward from the upper end of the side portion 5. The flange portion 6 may be provided around the entire periphery, for example. The bottom portion 4 and side portions 5 define a storage space for accommodating the battery 3. The bottom portion 4 is provided with a partition wall 7 that divides the storage space into multiple sections. The presence or absence and number of partition walls 7 are optional, but in this embodiment, one partition wall 7 is provided in the center. The partition wall 7 rises upward from the bottom portion 4. The partition wall 7 is provided along the longitudinal direction of the case 2. The storage space is divided into two by the partition wall 7. Each storage space is a battery storage section 8 for accommodating a battery 3. The battery storage section 8 is elongated along the longitudinal direction of the case 2, and the batteries 3 accommodated therein are also elongated along the longitudinal direction of the case 2. Each battery storage section 8 accommodates one battery 3. In this embodiment, a total of two batteries 3 are housed, and the two batteries 3 are housed in parallel to each other.

[0017] The bottom surface 4 extends along the longitudinal direction of the case 2 and has a recessed groove 4a that is concave downward, and mounting surfaces 4b provided on both sides of the recessed groove 4a. A recessed groove 4a and a mounting surface 4b are provided for each storage space. Therefore, the bottom surface 4 has a pair of recessed grooves 4a and two pairs of mounting surfaces 4b. The battery 3 is placed on a pair of mounting surfaces 4b with the tape 1 interposed between them. That is, the mounting surfaces 4b are the surfaces to which the tape 1 is attached, and the tape 1 is attached to each mounting surface 4b, and the battery 3 is placed on the tape 1. The mounting surfaces 4b are elongated along the longitudinal direction of the case 2.

[0018] The tape 1 is strip-shaped and has a predetermined length. The tape 1 is attached along the longitudinal direction of the case 2. The width of the tape 1 is narrower than the width of the mounting surface 4b. The tape 1 is attached in a straight line to the mounting surface 4b. One tape 1 is attached to each of the four mounting surfaces 4b. Therefore, in this embodiment, a total of four tapes 1 are attached to the case 2, but the number of tapes 1 may vary. The tapes 1 are the same length and parallel to each other. Furthermore, since the heights of the mounting surfaces 4b are also the same, the attachment heights of the tapes 1 are all constant, but these may also be varied. In this embodiment, two tapes 1 support one battery 3. The tape 1 is interposed between the battery 3 and the case 2, specifically between the battery 3 and the mounting surface 4b, preventing air leakage and providing a sealing effect. Note that the tape 1 may also be provided for the purpose of cushioning or vibration-damping, and the purpose and effect of providing the tape 1 may vary. A space is formed between the recessed rib 4a and the underside of the battery 3, and this space is used, for example, for cooling the battery 3. A lid (not shown) may be attached to the case 2. The lid is attached to the flange portion 6, for example. The attachment method of this embodiment is a method of attaching the tape 1 to such a case 2.

[0019] The application method uses a cutting sheet (hereinafter simply referred to as sheet 10) as shown in Figures 2 and 3(a). The sheet 10 is a sheet type having a predetermined shape. The sheet 10 is made by arranging a large number of tapes 1 on a separator 11 (see Figure 3(a)) having a predetermined shape, with the width direction of the tapes 1 aligned in parallel along cut lines 14 described below. The sheet 10 is rectangular, such as a rectangular or square shape.

[0020] The directions of the two mutually perpendicular sides of the sheet 10 are referred to as the tape longitudinal direction X and the tape width direction Y, respectively. The tape longitudinal direction X and the tape width direction Y are perpendicular to each other. The tape longitudinal direction X is the longitudinal direction of the tape 1. The tape width direction Y is the width direction of the tape 1 and the parallel direction of the tapes 1. All tapes 1 have the same length and width. The width and length of the tape 1 and the number of tapes 1 per sheet 10 are arbitrary. The number of tapes 1 is three or more, and preferably ten or more.

[0021] The sheet 10 is made up of three layers, which are, from bottom to top, a separator 11 (release paper), an adhesive layer 12, and a cushion layer 13. The cushion layer 13 is preferably a foam layer made of various synthetic resins, such as a sponge. The adhesive layer 12 is, for example, a double-sided tape. The thickness of each layer is arbitrary, but the cushion layer 13 is the thickest and the adhesive layer 12 is thinner than the cushion layer 13. The thickness of the cushion layer 13 is preferably at least half the width of the tape 1. The adhesive layer 12 is laminated on the separator 11, and the cushion layer 13 is laminated on the adhesive layer 12. The adhesive layer 12 and cushion layer 13 are peeled off from the separator 11 as a unit. The adhesive layer 12 and cushion layer 13 constitute the tape 1.

[0022] The cushion layer 13 is cut at predetermined width intervals along the tape longitudinal direction X to form multiple tapes 1. When the cushion layer 13 is cut, the adhesive layer 12 is also cut at the same time. However, the adhesive layer 12 is not cut across its entire thickness, but rather only a portion (upper portion) of the entire thickness is cut. In other words, the adhesive layer 12 is half-cut. The cutting line along which the cushion layer 13 is cut is referred to as the cut line 14. The tapes 1 are arranged side by side with the cut lines 14 interposed therebetween. The cut lines 14 separate the cushion layer 13, but do not reach the underside of the adhesive layer 12 or the separator 11. Therefore, adjacent tapes 1 are connected by the incompletely cut adhesive layer 12. However, the cut lines 14 may reach the underside of the adhesive layer 12 or the separator 11 partially along their entire length. The depth of the cut lines 14 does not have to be uniform.

[0023] <Paste System 20> An overview of the application system 20 that automatically applies tape 1 to cases 2 will now be described. An overview of the application system 20 is shown in Figs. 4 to 10. Fig. 4 shows the overall configuration of the application system 20, and Fig. 5 shows the application system 20 as viewed from the direction of arrow B in Fig. 4. The application system 20 includes a conveying device 21 that conveys cases 2, and an application device 22 that peels tape 1 from sheet 10 and applies the tape 1 to cases 2.

[0024] The conveying device 21 is provided with an input station 30 where the cases 2 are input, an application station 31 where tape 1 is applied to the cases 2, and an inspection station 32 where the cases 2 with tape 1 applied are inspected. The input station 30, application station 31, and inspection station 32 are arranged in a straight line in that order. The conveying device 21 is provided with a case conveying table 33 on which the cases 2 are placed and which conveys the cases 2 from the input station 30 to the inspection station 32. The case conveying table 33 is, for example, a lift-and-carry or a belt conveyor. The cases 2 are placed on the case conveying table 33 so that their longitudinal direction corresponds to the case conveying direction P. The case conveying direction P corresponds to the longitudinal direction of the placement surface 4b and the longitudinal direction of the tape 1.

[0025] The case transport table 33 feeds the cases 2 intermittently. The case transport table 33 transports the cases 2 inserted into the insertion station 30 to the attachment station 31 and stops there. The case transport table 33 waits without transporting the cases 2 until the tape 1 is attached to the cases 2 at the attachment station 31. After the tape 1 has been attached to the cases 2, the case transport table 33 operates again to transport the cases 2 with the tape 1 attached to them to the inspection station 32 and stops there. At the inspection station 32, the attachment state of the tape 1 is inspected.

[0026] <Laminating device 22> The joining device 22 is adjacent to the joining station 31 of the conveying device 21. The joining device 22 includes a sheet conveying table 40 on which the sheet 10 is placed and which conveys the sheet 10 in a predetermined direction. The sheet conveying table 40 is, for example, a belt conveyor or a roller conveyor. The sheet 10 is placed on the sheet conveying table 40 so that the tape width direction Y coincides with the sheet conveying direction Q. The sheet conveying direction Q is, for example, perpendicular to the case conveying direction P of the conveying device 21 in a plan view. The sheet conveying table 40 conveys the sheet 10 toward the conveying device 21. That is, the conveying device 21 is disposed downstream of the sheet conveying direction Q.

[0027] The joining device 22 is provided with a supply station 41 to which the sheet 10 is supplied, and a peeling station 42 to which the tape 1 is peeled off from the sheet 10. The supply station 41 is far from the conveying device 21, and the peeling station 42 is close to the conveying device 21. The supply station 41 is located upstream in the conveying direction, and the peeling station 42 is located downstream in the conveying direction. In the supply station 41, the sheet 10 is placed on a sheet conveying table 40. The sheet conveying table 40 conveys the sheet 10 from the supply station 41 to the peeling station 42.

[0028] The joining device 22 includes a sheet guide 43 that guides the sheet 10 placed on the sheet conveying table 40, and a guide roller 44 that guides the sheet 10 to the sheet guide 43. The sheet guide 43 extends along the sheet conveying direction Q. The sheet guide 43 guides one end of the sheet 10 in the tape longitudinal direction X. Of the end ends of the sheet 10 in the tape longitudinal direction X, the end that is not guided by the sheet guide 43 is referred to as a first end 10a, and the end that is guided by the sheet guide 43 is referred to as a second end 10b. The first end 10a of the sheet 10 in the tape longitudinal direction X will hereinafter be simply referred to as the first end 10a of the sheet 10, and the second end 10b of the sheet 10 in the tape longitudinal direction X will hereinafter be simply referred to as the second end 10b of the sheet 10. In addition, the longitudinal end of tape 1 located at first end 10a of sheet 10 is referred to as first end 1a of tape 1, and the longitudinal end of tape 1 located at second end 10b of sheet 10 is referred to as second end 1b of tape 1.

[0029] The sheet 10 is conveyed while sliding along the sheet guide 43. The sheet guide 43 determines the position of the sheet 10 in the tape longitudinal direction X. The sheet guide 43 is provided from the supply station 41 to the vicinity of the peeling station 42. The guide roller 44 is located above the sheet 10. The sheet 10 passes between the guide roller 44 and the sheet conveying table 40. The guide roller 44 is linked to the sheet conveying table 40 and is rotated by a driving force transmitted from the sheet conveying table 40. The axis of the guide roller 44 is slightly inclined with respect to the tape longitudinal direction X in a plan view. As the guide roller 44 rotates, the sheet 10 is pressed against the sheet guide 43.

[0030] The sheet 10 is intermittently fed at least after being sent to the peeling station 42. The pitch of the intermittent feeding of the sheet 10 corresponds to the width of the tape 1. However, as will be described later, when the peeling order of the tape 1 is changed, the pitch of the intermittent feeding and the direction of conveyance (forward or backward) are changed. In this way, the conveyance of the sheet 10 is controlled according to the peeling status of the tape 1.

[0031] 3(b), the sheet conveying table 40 preferably has a built-in heater 45. The heater 45 is preferably provided at least in the peeling station 42. The heater 45 heats the sheet 10 in the peeling station 42. This makes it easier to peel the tape 1 from the separator 11.

[0032] Next, the peeling station 42 will be described. The peeling station 42 includes an attractor 50 that attracts the tape 1 and peels it off from the sheet 10 while attaching the tape 1 to the case 2, a main roller 51 that is adjacent to the upstream side of the attractor 50 in the sheet conveyance direction Q and serves as a first regulating member that regulates the floating of the sheet 10, a sub-roller 52 that is adjacent to the downstream side of the attractor 50 in the sheet conveyance direction Q and serves as a second regulating member that regulates the floating of the sheet 10, a regulating plate 53 that is located downstream of the attractor 50 in the sheet conveyance direction Q and serves as a third regulating member that regulates the floating of the separator 11, and a pressing member 54 that presses the end of the tape 1 in the tape longitudinal direction X immediately before peeling the tape 1. The main roller 51 and the sub-roller 52 are located on either side of the attractor 50 in the sheet conveyance direction Q.

[0033] Moreover, above the peeling station 42, there are disposed an elevator 55 for moving the adsorptive body 50 in a vertical direction, and a transport device 56 for moving the elevator 55 in a horizontal direction. For example, an electric cylinder is used for the elevator 55 and the transport device 56. The adsorptive body 50 is attached to the lower part of the elevator 55. The transport device 56 moves the elevator 55 together with the adsorptive body 50 back and forth between the peeling station 42 and the bonding station 31.

[0034] The adsorptive body 50 adsorbs and holds one strip of tape 1. The adsorptive body 50 peels the tape 1 from the sheet 10 one by one. The adsorptive body 50 has a suction port (not shown) on its underside, and adsorbs the tape 1 to its underside. That is, the underside of the adsorptive body 50 is the adsorption surface. The underside of the adsorptive body 50 is parallel to the upper surface of the sheet transport table 40 and the upper surface of the sheet 10. The size of the underside of the adsorptive body 50 corresponds to the length and width of one strip of tape 1. The adsorptive body 50 is, for example, plate-shaped as shown in FIG. 8, and the length and thickness of the plate correspond to the length and width of the tape 1. The longitudinal direction of the underside of the adsorptive body 50 is the tape longitudinal direction X, and the lateral direction of the underside of the adsorptive body 50 is the sheet transport direction Q (tape width direction Y). The adsorptive body 50 is disposed above the sheet transport table 40. The adsorptive body 50 approaches the sheet transport table 40 by descending and moves away from the sheet transport table 40 by ascending. The attracting member 50 stands by at a predetermined position in the sheet conveying direction Q, and the sheet 10 is conveyed below it.

[0035] <Main roller 51 and sub-roller 52> 8 to 10 show only the main roller 51 out of the main roller 51 and sub-roller 52. Figures 8 to 10 are perspective views seen from the upstream side in the sheet conveying direction Q. As shown in Figures 5 and 6, above the sheet conveying table 40, there are disposed a first driving device 57 that moves the main roller 51 parallel to the tape longitudinal direction X, and a second driving device 58 that moves the sub-roller 52 and the regulating plate 53 parallel to the tape longitudinal direction X.

[0036] The main roller 51 is attached to a first drive device 57 via a first stay 59. The first drive device 57 is located upstream of the main roller 51 in the sheet conveying direction Q. The sub-roller 52 and the regulating plate 53 are attached to a second drive device 58 via a second stay 60. The second drive device 58 is located downstream of the sub-roller 52 in the sheet conveying direction Q. The first drive device 57 and the second drive device 58 are, for example, electric cylinders. The first drive device 57 and the second drive device 58 are arranged parallel to each other and extend in the tape longitudinal direction X. The first drive device 57 and the second drive device 58 face each other at a predetermined distance in the sheet conveying direction Q.

[0037] The main roller 51 and the sub-roller 52 are disposed at a predetermined distance from each other in the sheet conveying direction Q. The attraction member 50 moves up and down between the main roller 51 and the sub-roller 52. The axis of the main roller 51 and the axis of the sub-roller 52 are both aligned with the sheet conveying direction Q. The main roller 51 and the sub-roller 52 are set at the same height, and the axis of the main roller 51 and the axis of the sub-roller 52 are coaxial with each other. The main roller 51 and the sub-roller 52 are set at a predetermined height relative to the sheet conveying table 40, and the main roller 51 and the sub-roller 52 move parallel to the tape longitudinal direction X while maintaining that predetermined height. The vertical separation distance between the main roller 51 and the sub-roller 52 and the sheet conveying table 40 is slightly greater than the thickness of the sheet 10. That is, the main roller 51 and the sub-roller 52 are disposed slightly above the upper surface of the sheet 10. The sheet 10 can pass between the main roller 51 and the sub-roller 52 and the sheet conveying table 40 via a small gap. The main roller 51 and the sub-roller 52 have the same diameter, but may have different diameters. The width of the main roller 51 and the sub-roller 52 is preferably wider than the width of the tape 1. Therefore, the width of the main roller 51 and the sub-roller 52 is preferably wider than the width of the lower surface of the adsorptive body 50.

[0038] <Regulation board 53> The regulating plate 53 moves parallel to the sub-roller 52. The regulating plate 53 is a thin, narrow plate in plan view. The regulating plate 53 extends downstream in the sheet conveying direction Q from below the sub-roller 52. In plan view, the regulating plate 53 is located on an extension of the axis of the sub-roller 52. The regulating plate 53 is elongated along the sheet conveying direction Q. The regulating plate 53 is disposed above the sheet conveying table 40 with a small gap therebetween. The separator 11 passes through the gap between the regulating plate 53 and the sheet conveying table 40. The gap between the regulating plate 53 and the sheet conveying table 40 is less than the thickness of the sheet 10, so the sheet 10 cannot pass below the regulating plate 53. An upstream end 53a of the regulating plate 53 in the sheet conveying direction Q is located below the sub-roller 52. The upstream end 53a of the regulating plate 53 in the sheet conveying direction Q is inclined upward toward the upstream side in the sheet conveying direction Q. An upstream end 53a of the regulating plate 53 in the sheet conveying direction Q guides the separator 11 below the regulating plate 53. The upstream end 53a of the regulating plate 53 in the sheet conveying direction Q is spaced from the adsorber 50 by one pitch or more.

[0039] <Pressing body 54> The pressing body 54 presses the end surface 1c of the first end 1a of the tape 1 in the tape longitudinal direction X. In plan view, the pressing body 54 is disposed outward of the adsorber 50 in the tape longitudinal direction X. That is, the pressing body 54 is located on the opposite side of the sheet guide 43 in the tape longitudinal direction X. In plan view, the pressing body 54 and the adsorber 50 are aligned in the tape longitudinal direction X. The pressing body 54 may have various shapes, but in this embodiment, it is rod-shaped and thinner than the width of the tape 1, and extends in the tape longitudinal direction X. A tip 54a of the pressing body 54 faces the adsorber 50 in plan view. The tip 54a of the pressing body 54 is inclined diagonally upward.

[0040] The pressing body 54 is driven by a pressing drive unit 61 to reciprocate in the tape longitudinal direction X. The pressing body 54 approaches and moves away from the sheet 10. The pressing body 54 is normally located at a side standby position spaced apart from the sheet 10. The pressing body 54 advances from the side standby position toward the sheet 10 and presses the end surface 1c of the first end 1a of the tape 1, and then retreats from the sheet 10 and returns to the side standby position. Figure 11 shows the pressing body 54 located at the side standby position.

[0041] <How to paste> The adhering method includes a peeling step of peeling the tape 1 from the sheet 10, and an adhering step of adhering the peeled tape 1 to the case 2. Each step will be described in detail below.

[0042] <Peeling process> The peeling process is performed in the peeling station 42. In the peeling process, the tape 1 to be peeled is attracted by the attractant 50, while the floating of the tape 1 adjacent to the tape 1 to be peeled is restricted by the main roller 51 or the sub-roller 52, and the attractant 50 is raised in this state. In this way, the tape 1 to be peeled is peeled off from the separator 11. The procedure for peeling the tape 1 to be peeled will be described below.

[0043] Note that when the multiple tapes 1 on the sheet 10 need to be distinguished, they will be referred to as follows, and when no distinction is made, they will simply be referred to as tape 1. The tape 1 at the downstream end in the sheet conveying direction Q (front end, first end in the parallel direction) is referred to as the leading first tape S1. The leading first tape S1 is the leading tape 1. The tape 1 adjacent to the leading first tape S1 on the upstream side is referred to as the leading second tape S2. Below, the tapes will be referred to as the leading third tape S3, the leading fourth tape S4, etc., going upstream. That is, counting from the downstream end in the sheet conveying direction Q, the tape 1 in the first row is the leading first tape S1, the tape 1 in the second row is the leading second tape S2, and the tapes 1 in the third and fourth rows are the leading third tape S3 and the leading fourth tape S4, respectively.

[0044] Conversely, the tape 1 at the upstream end (rear end, second end in the parallel direction) in the sheet conveying direction Q is referred to as the rear first tape E1. The rear first tape E1 is the last tape 1. Hereinafter, the tapes will be referred to as the rear second tape E2, rear third tape E3, rear fourth tape E4, etc., in order from the upstream end in the sheet conveying direction Q. That is, the tape 1 in the first row counting from the upstream end in the sheet conveying direction Q is the rear first tape E1, the tape 1 in the second row is the rear second tape E2, and the tapes 1 in the third and fourth rows are the rear third tape E3 and rear fourth tape E4.

[0045] In this embodiment, the front first tape S1, the front second tape S2, the front third tape S3, and the front fourth tape S4 are peeled off one by one from the sheet 10. First, the procedure for peeling off the front first tape S1, which is the first tape to be peeled, will be described below.

[0046] The procedure for peeling the front first tape S1 is shown in FIGS. 6 and 11 to 17. First, FIGS. 6 and 11 show a state in which the sheet 10 is being conveyed by the sheet conveying table 40 to the peeling station 42. Until the sheet 10 is sent to the peeling station 42, the adsorber 50 waits at an upper standby position above the sheet conveying table 40, as shown in FIG. 6. The main roller 51, the sub-roller 52, and the regulating plate 53 wait at positions corresponding to the center of the sheet 10 in the tape longitudinal direction X, as shown in FIG. 11. Then, as shown in FIG. 12, the front first tape S1 passes below the main roller 51 and reaches the peeling location 70. The peeling location 70 is located directly below the adsorber 50. At this time, the adsorber 50 waits at an upper standby position above the sheet conveying table 40, as shown in FIG. 6. Although the main roller 51 and the upper surface of the sheet 10 appear to be in contact with each other in the drawings, in reality, a small gap is present between them. However, if the sheet 10 is wavy or warped, the main roller 51 may come into contact with the upper surface of the sheet 10 .

[0047] When the front first tape S1 reaches the peeling location 70, the front second tape S2 is positioned below the main roller 51. The main roller 51 moves from the center of the sheet 10 in the tape longitudinal direction X to the first end 10a of the sheet 10, which is the peeling start position. That is, the main roller 51 moves to the opposite side of the sheet guide 43 in the tape longitudinal direction X. The main roller 51 is positioned above the first end 1a of the front second tape S2. Incidentally, the sub-roller 52 and the regulating plate 53 also move toward the first end 10a of the sheet 10 together with the main roller 51.

[0048] When the main roller 51 is positioned at the first end 1a of the front second tape S2, the adsorber 50 descends from the upper standby position and is positioned at a regulating position slightly above the front first tape S1, as shown in Figure 13(a). At the regulating position, the bottom surface of the adsorber 50 is positioned above the lowest point of the main roller 51. If the sheet 10 is wavy or warped and the height of the top surface of the front first tape S1 is not constant, the adsorber 50 at the regulating position will straighten the front first tape S1, thereby suppressing changes in the height of the top surface of the front first tape S1.

[0049] Next, with the adsorber 50 in the restricting position, the pressing body 54 advances toward the leading first tape S1, as shown in FIG. 14, and presses the end surface 1c of the leading first tape S1 in the tape longitudinal direction X. This pressing force of the pressing body 54 partially compresses the first end 1a of the leading first tape S1 in the tape longitudinal direction X, causing it to peel off from the separator 11. Because the adsorber 50 is in the restricting position, the pressing body 54 can reliably press the first end 1a of the leading first tape S1 even if the leading first tape S1 is undulating. As shown in FIG. 14(b), the tip 54a of the pressing body 54 is inclined obliquely upward, preventing the first end 1a of the leading first tape S1 from rising up and efficiently peeling it off from the separator 11. Furthermore, the tip 54a of the pressing body 54 is prevented from piercing the first end 1a of the leading first tape S1. The pressing body 54 then retreats and returns to its original side standby position.

[0050] Then, as shown in FIG. 13(b), the adsorber 50 further descends from the restricting position to a suction position where it adsorbs the front first tape S1. The adsorber 50 adsorbs the front first tape S1 by sucking air from a suction port on its underside. The adsorption position is where the underside of the adsorber 50 contacts the upper surface of the front first tape S1. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 15, the adsorber 50 rises to the peeling position while the main roller 51 is positioned at the first end 1a of the front second tape S2. As the adsorber 50 rises to the peeling position, the entire front first tape S1 is lifted by the adsorber 50. Furthermore, the sheet 10 is adsorbed to the adsorber 50 and floats up from the sheet conveying table 40. Meanwhile, the height of the main roller 51 remains constant. Next to the adsorber 50, the main roller 51 presses down on the first end 1a of the front second tape S2 from above, preventing it from floating up. As a result, the adhesive layer 12 is completely cut between the front first tape S1 and the front second tape S2, the first end 1a of the front first tape S1 is separated from the first end 1a of the front second tape S2, and the first end 1a of the front first tape S1 is peeled off from the separator 11. As described above, the pressing body 54 has already peeled off the first end 1a of the front first tape S1 once, so the first end 1a of the front first tape S1 is easily peeled off. The height of the peeling position of the adsorber 50 may be set to various values, but it is preferably at a height equal to or greater than the thickness of the sheet 10 relative to the adsorption position.

[0051] Next, with the adsorptive body 50 stopped at the peeling position, the main roller 51 is moved toward the second end 1b of the front second tape S2, as shown in Figures 10 and 16. As the main roller 51 moves parallel to the tape while maintaining its height, the main roller 51 runs while rotating on the upper surface of the front second tape S2. As the main roller 51 runs toward the second end 1b, the front first tape S1 gradually separates from the front second tape S2 in the tape longitudinal direction X and gradually peels off from the separator 11.

[0052] In this embodiment, the sub-roller 52 and the regulating plate 53 move toward the second end 10b of the sheet 10 together with the main roller 51, but only the main roller 51 may move. However, when a certain number of tapes 1 have been peeled off and the separator 11 is positioned below the regulating plate 53, it is preferable to move the regulating plate 53 toward the second end 10b in the tape longitudinal direction X together with the main roller 51. By moving the regulating plate 53, floating of the separator 11, such as undulation, is regulated, and the separator 11 becomes stable.

[0053] 17, the main roller 51 reaches the second end 1b of the front second tape S2. As a result, the front first tape S1 is separated from the front second tape S2 over its entire length and peeled off from the separator 11.

[0054] Thereafter, the adsorptive body 50 rises from the peeling position to the transfer position as shown in Fig. 5. Then, the adsorptive body 50 is transferred by the transfer device 56 from the peeling station 42 to the attachment station 31 shown by the two-dot chain line in Fig. 5. In the attachment station 31, the adsorptive body 50 descends and attaches the front first tape S1 to the case 2 as shown in Figs. 5 and 7, and then returns to the peeling station 42 again.

[0055] Meanwhile, the adhesive 50, which has returned to the peeling station 42, waits again at the upper standby position. The sheet conveying table 40 intermittently feeds the sheet 10 by one pitch to position the front second tape S2 at the peeling location 70 and the front third tape S3 below the main roller 51. Then, the front second tape S2 is peeled off in the same manner as the front first tape S1, and the peeled front second tape S2 is attached to the case 2. This operation is repeated sequentially, in the order of the front third tape S3 and the front fourth tape S4, until a total of four tapes 1 are attached to the case 2. The case 2 on which the tape 1 has been attached is transported from the attachment station 31 to the inspection station 32, and the next case 2 is transported from the loading station 30 to the attachment station 31. The order in which the four tapes 1 are attached is arbitrary. Alternatively, for example, multiple adhesive 50 may be provided, and multiple tapes 1 may be attached to the case 2 at once using the multiple adhesive 50.

[0056] Next, the procedure for peeling off the rear third tape E3 and onward will be described. Fig. 18(a) shows the state where the rear third tape E3 has reached the peeling location 70. The peeling operation from the front first tape S1 to the rear third tape E3 is the same as that described above, and from the front first tape S1 to the rear third tape E3, the tapes 1 are peeled off one by one in order in the sheet conveying direction Q.

[0057] Then, after peeling off the rear third tape E3, when the adsorptive body 50 returns from the joining station 31 to the standby position above the peeling station 42, the sheet transport table 40 feeds the sheet 10 downstream by two pitches. Normally, the sheet transport table 40 feeds the sheet 10 downstream by one pitch, i.e., the width of the tape 1, but in this case it feeds by two pitches. As a result, as shown in FIG. 18(b), the rear second tape E2 passes the peeling location 70 and is positioned below the sub-roller 52, and the rear first tape E1 is positioned at the peeling location 70. In other words, the rear first tape E1 is peeled off before the rear second tape E2.

[0058] In FIG. 18(b), the attracting body 50 descends from the upper standby position to the restricting position. As described above, the pressing body 54 advances to press the first end 1a of the trailing first tape E1 to peel it off. The attracting body 50 then descends to the attracting position and attracts the trailing first tape E1. The attracting body 50 then ascends to the peeling position, but the tape 1 is not present below the main roller 51. When peeling off the trailing first tape E1, the sub-roller 52 functions instead of the main roller 51. That is, when the attracting body 50 ascends to the peeling position, the sub-roller 52 presses down on the trailing second tape E2 from above to restrict its lifting. The sub-roller 52 then travels toward the second end 10b of the sheet 10. This separates the trailing first tape E1 from the trailing second tape E2 and peels it off the separator 11. The peeled trailing first tape E1, still adsorbed by the attracting body 50, is transported to the joining station 31 and joined to the case 2.

[0059] When the adsorptive body 50 returns to the joining station 31 after completing the joining operation of the rear first tape E1, the sheet transport table 40 moves the sheet 10 in the opposite direction to the normal direction. That is, the sheet transport table 40 feeds the sheet 10 backward by one pitch from the peeling station 42 toward the supply station 41, and returns the rear second tape E2, which was located below the sub-roller 52, to the peeling location 70 as shown in Figure 18(c).

[0060] Then, as before, the attracting body 50 descends to the restricting position, the pressing body 54 advances, pressing the first end 1a of the trailing second tape E2 to peel it off, and the attracting body 50 descends to the attracting position to attract and adhere the trailing second tape E2. The attracting body 50 then ascends to the peeling position. At this time, the tape 1 is not present below the main roller 51, and the tape 1 is not present below the sub-roller 52. When peeling off the trailing second tape E2, the restricting plate 53 functions in place of the main roller 51 and the sub-roller 52. That is, when the attracting body 50 ascends to the peeling position, the restricting plate 53 presses down on the separator 11 from above to restrict its lifting. The restricting plate 53 then moves parallel to the second end 10b of the sheet 10, gradually peeling the trailing second tape E2 from the separator 11 toward the second end 1b. The peeled trailing second tape E2 is similarly transported to the joining station 31 and joined to the case 2.

[0061] In this manner, all of the tapes 1 are peeled from the sheet 10. After all of the tapes 1 have been peeled, the separator 11 is sent further downstream to a disposal location. The next sheet 10 is then sent from the supply station 41 to the peeling station 42, where it is subjected to the peeling process in the same manner as described above.

[0062] As described above, the attachment method of this embodiment uses a sheet 10 in which many tapes 1 of a predetermined length are arranged side by side. Therefore, compared to a method in which a roll of tape 1 is unwound and cut to a predetermined length, the tape 1 is less likely to develop a curl. Therefore, the adhesive body 50 can firmly and stably attach the tape 1, and the tape 1 can be accurately attached to the mounting surface 4b of the case 2. In other words, attachment defects are less likely to occur, resulting in an excellent yield.

[0063] Furthermore, since the sheet 10 is used, there is an advantage that there are fewer restrictions on the application surface of the case 2 compared to a method using a roll of tape 1. That is, when peeling off the roll of tape 1 and applying it to the workpiece, the application surface must be free of obstacles around the application surface and must be flat or convex. Therefore, if the application surface is set on the inner surface (concave) of the case 2, as in this embodiment, the side surface 5 of the case 2 gets in the way, making application difficult. In contrast, in this embodiment, the tape 1 is peeled off from the sheet 10 on which multiple pieces of tape 1 cut to a predetermined length are arranged side by side, and then the peeled tape 1 is applied to the case 2. This makes it easy to apply the tape 1 to the bottom surface 4 of the case 2. Moreover, since the adsorbent 50 peels off the tape 1 and then applies the tape 1 to the case 2 as is during the peeling process, the tape 1 can be applied efficiently and accurately.

[0064] Meanwhile, in the peeling process, the adsorber 50 and the main roller 51 work together to peel the tapes 1 one by one from the sheet 10. Therefore, even if many tapes 1 are lined up with the cut lines 14 interposed between them, the tape 1 to be peeled can be reliably separated from the adjacent tapes 1 and peeled off. Then, the adsorber 50 moves to the attachment station 31 while adsorbing the tape 1, so that the tape 1 can be easily attached to the case 2 by the adsorber 50.

[0065] In particular, since the main roller 51 runs in the tape longitudinal direction X, the tape 1 can be continuously and smoothly peeled off along the tape longitudinal direction X. Furthermore, since the width of the main roller 51 is wider than the width of the tape 1, the tape 1 can be stably peeled off by the running of the main roller 51. The same applies to the width of the sub-roller 52.

[0066] Furthermore, before the attracting body 50 attracts the tape 1, the pressing body 54 presses the first end 1a of the tape 1 to locally peel off the first end 1a first, which allows the attracting body 50 and the main roller 51 to smoothly start peeling off the tape 1 thereafter. Also, because the attracting body 50 descends to the regulating position before the pressing body 54 presses the tape 1, even if the tape 1 is warped or wavy, the attracting body 50 corrects the warping or undulation of the tape 1 to some extent. Therefore, the pressing body 54 can reliably press the first end 1a of the tape 1, preventing peeling problems.

[0067] Furthermore, sheet guide 43 guides second end 10b of sheet 10, preventing sheet 10 from moving toward second end 10b. Therefore, when main roller 51 runs in tape longitudinal direction X, displacement of sheet 10 in tape longitudinal direction X is prevented, enabling stable peeling of tape 1. Furthermore, even when pressing body 54 presses tape 1 in tape longitudinal direction X, displacement of sheet 10 is prevented, and the pressing force of pressing body 54 is reliably applied to tape 1.

[0068] On the other hand, the peeling order is such that the rear first tape E1, which is the last tape, is not peeled last, but rather peeled in the order before it. Specifically, the rear first tape E1 is peeled second to last, and the adjacent rear second tape E2 is peeled last. Because the rear first tape E1 is located at the rear end of the sheet 10, the adhesive of the adhesive layer 12 protrudes onto the edge face of the separator 11, making it more difficult to peel than the other tapes 1, such as the rear second tape E2. Therefore, by peeling the rear first tape E1 before the rear second tape E2, the rear first tape E1 can be reliably peeled while holding down the rear second tape E2.

[0069] In particular, a sub-roller 52 is disposed downstream of the adsorber 50 in the sheet conveying direction Q. Therefore, the sub-roller 52 can restrict the floating of the trailing second tape E2, allowing the trailing first tape E1 to be easily peeled off. When the trailing second tape E2 is peeled off, the trailing first tape E1 is already peeled off, making the trailing second tape E2 easier to peel off than the trailing first tape E1. A regulating plate 53 is disposed downstream of the adsorber 50 in the sheet conveying direction Q, allowing the regulating plate 53 to restrict the floating of the separator 11. Therefore, even the trailing second tape E2, which is the last tape to be peeled off, can be reliably peeled off. The regulating plate 53 also moves in the tape longitudinal direction X, similar to the main roller 51 and sub-roller 52, allowing the trailing second tape E2 to be gradually and smoothly peeled off from the first end 1a toward the second end 1b. Furthermore, the movement of the regulating plate 53 eliminates undulations and the like of the separator 11, allowing the separator 11 to be smoothly conveyed downstream, reducing the likelihood of conveyance problems.

[0070] Furthermore, the adsorber 50, main roller 51, sub-roller 52, regulating plate 53, and pressing member 54 are arranged and kept on standby in the peeling station 42, and the sheet 10 is transported to the peeling station 42 while being fed intermittently, so that it is possible to easily peel off a large number of tapes 1 in succession. In particular, since the tape width direction Y (the direction in which the tapes 1 are arranged side by side) is set as the sheet transport direction Q, it is possible to easily peel off the tapes 1 one by one.

[0071] In this embodiment, the rear first tape E1 is peeled second to last, but it may also be peeled third to last, etc. For example, when the rear first tape E1 is peeled third to last, the rear third tape E3 may be peeled second to last and the rear second tape E2 may be peeled last, or the rear second tape E2 may be peeled second to last and the rear third tape E3 may be peeled last.

[0072] Although a roller is used as the regulating member, a non-rotating member may also be used. Also, although the regulating member is moved in parallel, the regulating point may be moved in the tape longitudinal direction X by multiple regulating members. For example, multiple regulating members may be arranged at intervals in the tape longitudinal direction X and spaced apart above the tape 1. The regulating members located at the first end 1a of the tape 1 may be lowered in order to regulate the floating of the tape 1 and move the regulating point toward the second end 1b.

[0073] In the above embodiment, the adsorptive body 50 peels off the tape 1 and applies the tape 1 to the case 2, but, for example, the adsorptive body 50 may transfer the tape 1 to another applying member, and the applying member may apply the tape 1. Alternatively, a person may receive the tape 1 from the adsorptive body 50 and apply the tape 1.

[0074] Furthermore, the tape 1 may be peeled off from the sheet 10 by means other than the adhesive body 50, and the peeling means is optional. [Explanation of symbols]

[0075] 1 Tape (cushion tape) 1a First end (longitudinal end) 1b Second end (other end in the longitudinal direction) 1c End face of first end 2 Case (Work) 3 Battery 4 Bottom part 4a groove 4b Placement surface (adhesion surface) 5 Side part 6 Flange 7 Partition Wall 8 Battery compartment 10 sheets 10a First end 10b Second end 11 Separator 12 Adhesive layer 13 Cushion layer 14 Cutting line 20 Adhesion System 21 Conveyor equipment 22 Pasting device 30 Insertion Station 31 Pasting Station 32 Inspection Stations 33 Case transport table 40 Sheet transport table 41 Supply Station 42 Peeling Station 43 Seat guide 44 Guide roller 45 Heater 50 Adsorbent 51 Main roller (first stop member) 52 sub-roller (second regulation member) 53 Restriction plate (third restriction member) 53a End 54 Pressurizing body 54a Tip 55 Lifting device 56 Transfer device 57 First Drive Unit 58 Second Drive Unit 59 First Stay 60 Second Stay 61 Pressing drive unit 70 Peeling location S1 Front first tape (Tape at the first end in the parallel direction) S2 Second tape before S3 Third tape before S4 Front fourth tape E1 Rear first tape (tape at second end in parallel direction) E2 Second tape after E3 Third tape E4 Fourth tape X Tape longitudinal direction Y Tape width direction P Case transport direction Q Sheet transport direction

Claims

1. A method for attaching a predetermined length of cushion tape to a workpiece, comprising: a separating step of sequentially separating cushion tapes from a rectangular, single-sheet sheet in which a number of cushion tapes are arranged in a row adjacent to each other across cut lines with their width directions parallel to each other on a separator having a dimension in the length direction of the cushion tapes corresponding to the length of the cushion tapes; and a bonding step of bonding the cushion tape peeled off in the peeling step to a workpiece, In the peeling step, The cushion tape adhering method involves first peeling off the cushion tape located at a first end in the parallel direction of the sheet, peeling off the cushion tape located at a second end in the parallel direction of the sheet second to last, and peeling off the cushion tape located next to the cushion tape at the second end last.

2. When peeling off the cushion tape at the first end, the cushion tape adjacent to it is pressed down while peeling off, When peeling off the cushion tape at the second end, the cushion tape adjacent to the second end is peeled off while being pressed down, 2. The cushion tape applying method according to claim 1, wherein when peeling off the cushion tape adjacent to the cushion tape at the second end, the cushion tape is peeled off while pressing the separator.

3. In the peeling step, An adsorbent that adsorbs and releases the cushion tape is placed at a predetermined position; a first stop member and a second stop member are disposed on both sides of the adsorbent in the parallel direction, When peeling off the cushion tape at the first end portion, the cushion tape adjacent to the cushion tape at the first end portion is regulated by a first regulating member, 3. The cushion tape applying method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of restricting the cushion tape adjacent to the cushion tape at the second end portion with a second restricting member when the cushion tape at the second end portion is peeled off.

4. In the peeling step, 4. The cushion tape application method according to claim 3, wherein a third regulating member is disposed on the same side as the second regulating member on both sides of the adhesive body in the parallel direction, and when peeling off the last cushion tape, the separator is regulated by the third regulating member.

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