Coating Equipment

Abstract

To provide a coating device capable of uniformly discharging a plurality of types of coating liquids while suppressing an increase in size. [Solution] The device comprises a main body block (11) having a first flow path system (R1) and a second flow path system (R2) that guide different first and second coating liquids (L1 and L2) to a first discharge section (44) and a second discharge section (54), and a first manifold (42) and a second manifold (52) provided in the first flow path system (R1) and the second flow path system (R2), respectively, and the second flow path system (R2) has a plurality of second flow paths (53) each having a second manifold (52) whose volume can be adjusted.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a coating device. [Background technology]

[0002] In the production of electronic components such as secondary batteries and capacitors, a coating liquid is applied to a thin strip of substrate. This type of coating process uses a coating device equipped with a die head.

[0003] In addition, when manufacturing an electrode for a lithium-ion battery, a coating liquid for an active material layer and a coating liquid for an insulating layer are simultaneously applied to a substrate made of a current collector using a coating device. In the electrode manufactured in this manner, in order to avoid a short circuit due to contact between the positive electrode and the negative electrode, it is necessary to uniformly apply each coating liquid to the substrate.

[0004] Patent Documents 1 and 2 disclose a method in which a valve mechanism is provided in each of a plurality of branched pipes that feed a coating liquid to a coating device, and the flow rate of the coating liquid in each pipe is adjusted by the valve mechanism, thereby uniformly applying the coating liquid to a substrate.

[0005] Furthermore, Patent Document 3 discloses that a flow control valve is provided in a flow path formed in a die head of a coating device, and this flow control valve adjusts the flow rate of the coating liquid flowing through the flow path, thereby adjusting the amount of coating liquid discharged from the die head. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-205262 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-41501 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-148730 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] However, in the techniques described in Patent Documents 1 and 2, providing a valve mechanism in the piping increases the space occupied by the piping, restricting layout and resulting in an increase in the size of the apparatus. Furthermore, adjusting the piping diameter with a valve mechanism may impede the flow of the coating liquid, resulting in the formation of stagnation. Furthermore, providing a valve mechanism may also lead to a deterioration in air removal performance and the generation of air bubbles when the flow rate increases.

[0008] Furthermore, in the technique of Patent Document 3, the flow rate adjustment valve provided in the flow path of the die head affects the flow of the coating liquid, and there is a risk that the flow rate of the coating liquid discharged from the die head may become unstable.

[0009] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and aims to provide a coating device that is capable of uniformly discharging multiple types of coating liquids while preventing the device from becoming too large. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] A coating device according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a main body block having a plurality of flow path systems that guide different types of coating liquids to a discharge section and manifolds provided in each of the flow path systems, and at least one of the flow path systems has a plurality of flow paths, each of which has a manifold whose volume can be adjusted.

[0011] In a coating device with the above structure, at least one flow path system has multiple flow paths, each with a volume-adjustable manifold, so that by individually adjusting the volume of the manifold, it is possible to suppress variations in the flow of the coating liquid in each flow path of this flow path system and discharge the coating liquid uniformly from each discharge unit. This is because changing the volume of the manifold changes the pressure loss in each flow path, making it possible to adjust the flow rate. Therefore, compared to a structure in which a valve mechanism is provided in the piping that introduces the coating liquid into each flow path, or a flow rate adjustment valve is provided in each flow path, it is possible to uniformly discharge the coating liquid with a simple structure without increasing the size.

[0012] The manifold with adjustable volume may have a volume adjustment mechanism that adjusts the volume by making a part of the inner wall surface protrude and retract.

[0013] The volume adjustment mechanism may have a hole communicating with the flow path and a volume change member that can move back and forth in the depth direction of the hole inside the hole, and the end face of the volume change member may be part of the inner wall surface of the manifold.

[0014] The main body block may have a coating fluid inlet portion that communicates with each manifold and through which the coating fluid is supplied. [Effects of the Invention]

[0015] According to the present invention, a coating device is provided that is capable of uniformly discharging a plurality of types of coating liquids while preventing an increase in size. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which the coating device is in use. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the main body block as viewed from below the first block side. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the main body block as viewed from below on the second block side. [Figure 4] FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the inner surface of the first block on which the shim is arranged. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a top view of the main body block. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the main body block taken along a vertical cross section in the short side direction in the first flow path. [Figure 8] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the main body block taken along a vertical cross section in the short side direction in the second flow path. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a state in which the coating device 10 is in use. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the main body block 11 as seen from below on the first block 21 side. Figure 3 shows FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the main body block 11 as viewed from below on the second block 22 side. Figure 4 shows FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the main body block 11. Figure 5 shows FIG. 2 is a view showing the inner surface of the first block 21 on which the shim 23 is arranged. Figure 6 shows FIG. 1 is a view of the main body block 11 as seen from the top 12. Figure 7 shows 4 is a cross-sectional view of the main body block 11 taken along a vertical cross section in the short side direction X in the first flow path 43. FIG. Figure 8 shows 1 is a cross-sectional view of the main body block 11 taken along a vertical cross section in the short side direction X in the second flow path 53. In this embodiment, the up and down directions are determined based on the posture of the coating device 10 shown in FIG.

[0018] 1, a coating device 10 according to this embodiment has a main body block 11 that is elongated in one direction (longitudinal direction Y) and has a generally rectangular parallelepiped shape. The lower surface of the main body block 11 protrudes downward so that the center in the short side direction X is lowest, and has a top portion 12 that is elongated in the longitudinal direction Y.

[0019] The main body block 11 has a first coating fluid inlet pipe 13 through which a first coating fluid (coating fluid) L1 is supplied, and a plurality of (four in this example) second coating fluid inlet pipes 14 through which a second coating fluid (coating fluid) L2 is supplied. The main body block 11 has a coating fluid discharge portion 15 at its top 12, and two different types of coating fluid, the first coating fluid L1 and the second coating fluid L2, supplied from the first coating fluid inlet pipe 13 and the second coating fluid inlet pipe 14, are discharged alternately from the coating fluid discharge portion 15 along the longitudinal direction Y. The first coating fluid L1 is discharged from the coating fluid discharge portion 15 in a wider area than the second coating fluid L2.

[0020] The second coating liquid L2 may be supplied from a single inlet pipe (not shown) to each of the second coating liquid inlet pipes 14 by branching it, or may be supplied to a plurality of second coating liquid inlet pipes 14 individually.

[0021] The main body block 11 is positioned so that the coating fluid discharge section 15 faces the roller 16. Then, as the roller 16 rotates, a strip-shaped material to be coated 17 is sent between the coating fluid discharge section 15 and the roller 16. As a result, a coated portion 18 in a stripe-shaped coating pattern is formed on the material to be coated 17 in the width direction, where the first coating fluid L1 and the second coating fluid L2 are alternately applied.

[0022] The coating device 10 is suitably used, for example, when manufacturing an electrode for a lithium ion battery by simultaneously applying a first coating liquid L1 that forms an active material layer and a second coating liquid L2 that forms an insulating layer to a coating material 17 that is made of a current collector.

[0023] 1 to 8, the main body block 11 has two blocks, a first block portion 21 and a second block portion 22, which are divided into left and right portions at the center in the short side direction X, and a shim 23 interposed between the first block portion 21 and the second block portion 22. The first block portion 21 and the second block portion 22 are fixed to each other by a fastening member (not shown) with the shim 23 sandwiched between them.

[0024] The shim 23 has a comb-like plate shape. The shim 23 has a base 30 extending in one direction and four flow path regulating plates 31 extending downward from the base 30 in a direction perpendicular to the base 30. The four flow path regulating plates 31 are arranged at equal intervals along the extension direction of the base 30. Two flow path regulating plates 31 are provided at both ends of the base 30, and the remaining two flow path regulating plates 31 are provided at an interval between these flow path regulating plates 31 at both ends. The four flow path regulating plates 31 have the same thickness and length. The flow path regulating plates 31 at both ends of the base 30 are wider than the remaining two flow path regulating plates 31.

[0025] The shim 23 has three first flow path forming recesses 32 surrounded by a base 30 and flow path regulating plates 31. In addition, an end of each flow path regulating plate 31 of the shim 23 has a U-shaped second flow path forming recess 33 that is open on the end side.

[0026] The main body block 11 has a first flow path system (flow path system) R1 that guides the first coating liquid L1 to the coating liquid discharge unit 15 (see FIG. 7). Furthermore, the main body block 11 has a second flow path system (flow path system) R2 that guides the second coating liquid L2 to the coating liquid discharge unit 15 (see FIG. 8).

[0027] The first flow path system R1 has a first coating fluid introduction section (coating fluid introduction section) 41, a first manifold (manifold) 42, and a first flow path (flow path) 43 (see FIG. 7). The first flow path system R1 has three first flow paths 43, and the first flow paths 43 have first discharge sections (discharge sections) 44 on the side of the coating fluid discharge section 15. The first coating fluid introduction section 41 is in communication with the first manifold 42, and the first manifold 42 is in communication with each of the first flow paths 43. A first coating fluid introduction pipe 13 is connected to the first coating fluid introduction section 41, and a first coating fluid L1 is supplied from the first coating fluid introduction pipe 13 (see FIG. 1).

[0028] The first coating fluid introduction portion 41 opens on the outer surface 21a of the first block portion 21. The first coating fluid introduction portion 41 is provided in one location near the center in the up-down direction at the center position in the longitudinal direction Y of the first block portion 21, and extends in the thickness direction of the first block portion 21.

[0029] The first manifold 42 is provided near the center of the first block portion 21 in the up-down direction. The first manifold 42 is formed along the longitudinal direction Y of the first block portion 21. The first manifold 42 is formed by recessing the inner surface 21b of the first block portion 21, which faces the shim 23, in a trapezoidal shape except for both ends. The first manifold 42 may also be formed by recessing the inner surface 21b of the first block portion 21 in an arc-shaped, curved, or rectangular shape.

[0030] The first flow paths 43 are formed in the first flow path forming recess 32 of the shim 23 between the inner surface 21b of the first block portion 21 and the inner surface 22b of the second block portion 22. Each of these first flow paths 43 opens at the top portion 12 of the main body block 11, and the opening of each first flow path 43 serves as a first discharge portion 44. Each of the first discharge portions 44 is formed in the shape of an elongated slit extending along the longitudinal direction Y of the main body block 11 (see FIG. 6).

[0031] The second flow path system R2 has a second coating fluid introduction section (coating fluid introduction section) 51, a second manifold (manifold) 52, and a second flow path (flow path) 53 (see FIG. 8). The second flow path system R2 has four second coating fluid introduction sections 51, four second manifolds 52, and four second flow paths 53. Each second flow path 53 has a second discharge section (discharge section) 54 on the side facing the coating fluid discharge section 15. The second manifold 52 is provided in the second flow path 53. The second coating fluid introduction section 51 is connected to the second flow path 53 in which the second manifold 52 is provided. A second coating fluid introduction pipe 14 is connected to each second coating fluid introduction section 51, and the second coating fluid L2 is supplied from this second coating fluid introduction pipe 14 (see FIG. 1).

[0032] Each second coating fluid introduction section 51 opens on the outer surface 21a of the first block section 21. The second coating fluid introduction sections 51 are provided at intervals in the longitudinal direction Y of the first block section 21, are arranged below the first manifold 42, and extend in the thickness direction of the first block section 21.

[0033] The second manifolds 52 are provided in the second block portion 22. The second manifolds 52 are provided by forming holes 55 that communicate with the second flow paths 53 in the inner surface 22b of the second block portion 22 that faces the shim 23. Each second manifold 52 formed in the second block portion 22 is provided at a position facing each second coating fluid introduction portion 51 formed in the first block portion 21. In this example, the holes 55 that become the second manifolds 52 are formed in a circular shape when viewed from the front.

[0034] The second flow paths 53 are formed in second flow path forming recesses 33 at the ends of the flow path regulating plates 31 of the shim 23, between the inner surface 21b of the first block portion 21 and the inner surface 22b of the second block portion 22. These second flow paths 53 open at the top portion 12 of the main body block 11, and the openings of the second flow paths 53 serve as second discharge portions 54. The second discharge portions 54 are provided at intervals in the longitudinal direction Y at the top portion 12 of the main body block 11, and the first discharge portions 44 of the first flow paths 43 of the first flow path system R1 are disposed between these second discharge portions 54 (see FIGS. 5 and 6).

[0035] The second manifold 52 has a volume adjustment mechanism 60. The volume adjustment mechanism 60 allows the volume of the second manifold 52 to be adjusted.

[0036] The volume adjustment mechanism 60 has a volume change member 61. The volume change member 61 is formed in a circular cylindrical shape when viewed from the front, and is housed in a hole 55 formed in the inner surface 22b of the second block portion 22. An end face 62 of the volume change member 61 on the second flow path 53 side is formed as part of the inner wall surface of the second manifold 52. In other words, the second manifold 52 is formed by the inner circumferential surface 55a of the hole 55 and the end face 62 of the volume change member 61. Note that there may be a gap between the inner circumferential surface 55a of the hole 55 and the outer circumferential surface of the volume change member 61, and in this case, this gap also becomes part of the second manifold 52.

[0037] The hole 55 and the volume change member 61 are not limited to being circular when viewed from the front, but may be polygonal, such as rectangular.

[0038] The axial length of the volume change member 61 is shorter than the depth of the hole 55. The volume change member 61 is capable of advancing and retreating in the depth direction of the hole 55 inside the hole 55. When the volume change member 61 advances and retreats in the depth direction inside the hole 55, a part of the inner wall surface of the second manifold 52, which is made up of the end face 62 of the volume change member 61, appears and disappears, and the volume of the second manifold 52 is adjusted.

[0039] The volume change member 61 has a rod 63 on the side opposite to the end face 62. The rod 63 is inserted into an insertion hole 64 formed in the second block portion 22 and communicating with the hole portion 55 and the outer surface 22a of the second block portion 22. The end of the rod 63 protrudes from the outer surface 22a of the second block portion 22. The volume change member 61 is moved back and forth in the short side direction X by a drive unit, such as a motor (not shown), connected to the rod 63.

[0040] In the first flow path system R1, the coating liquid L1 is supplied from the first coating liquid introduction pipe 13 to the first coating liquid introduction section 41, and is sent to a first manifold 42, which is a liquid reservoir, through the first coating liquid introduction section 41. The first coating liquid L1 sent to the first manifold 42 diffuses in the longitudinal direction Y in the first manifold 42, and the flow rate and pressure of the first coating liquid L1 are equalized before flowing through each first flow path 43 and being discharged from a first discharge section 44.

[0041] In the second flow path system R2, the second coating liquid L2 is supplied from the second coating liquid introduction pipe 14 to each second coating liquid introduction section 51, and is sent to a second manifold 52, which is a liquid pool, through the second coating liquid introduction section 51. The second coating liquid L2 sent to the second manifold 52 has its flow rate and pressure equalized in each second manifold 52, and then flows through the second flow path 53 and is discharged from the second discharge section 54.

[0042] In this way, the first coating liquid L1 and the second coating liquid L2 are discharged from the first discharge section 44 and the second discharge section 54 of the coating liquid discharge section 15 of the main body block 11 through the first flow path system R1 and the second flow path system R2, thereby forming a coated portion 18 in a stripe-shaped coating pattern in which the first coating liquid L1 and the second coating liquid L2 are alternately applied in the width direction of the strip-shaped coated material 17 (see Figure 1).

[0043] In the second flow path system R2, the volume of the second manifold 52 of each second flow path 53 can be adjusted by operating the volume adjustment mechanism 60.

[0044] Specifically, the rod 63 of the volume change member 61 protruding from the outer surface 22a of the second block portion 22 constituting the main body block 11 is moved in the short side direction X, and the volume change member 61 is moved back and forth in the depth direction within the hole portion 55.

[0045] For example, when the volume change member 61 is moved toward the opening side of the hole 55 (direction X1), which is one side of the short side direction X, the end face 62 of the volume change member 61, which is the inner wall surface of the second manifold 52, moves toward the second flow path 53, and the volume of the second manifold 52 decreases. In contrast, when the volume change member 61 is moved toward the bottom side of the hole 55 (direction X2), which is the other side of the short side direction X, the end face 62 of the volume change member 61, which is the inner wall surface of the second manifold 52, moves away from the second flow path 53, and the volume of the second manifold 52 increases. Note that the volume adjustment by the volume adjustment mechanism 60 of the second manifold 52 is preferably performed, for example, by sensing the amount of second application liquid L2 discharged from the second discharge portion 54 of each second flow path 53.

[0046] As described above, according to the coating apparatus 10 of this embodiment, the second flow path system R2, which has a plurality of second flow paths 53 through which the second coating liquid L2 flows, each has a volume-adjustable second manifold 52. Therefore, even if there is variation in the flow rate of the second coating liquid L2 supplied to each second flow path 53 from the second coating liquid inlet pipe 14 through the second coating liquid inlet portion 51, by individually adjusting the volume of the second manifold 52, the variation in the flow rate of the second coating liquid L2 in each second flow path 53 of this second flow path system R2 can be suppressed, and the second coating liquid L2 can be uniformly discharged from each second discharge portion 54.

[0047] Therefore, compared to a structure in which a valve mechanism is provided in the second coating liquid inlet pipe 14 that introduces the second coating liquid L2 into each second flow path 53, or a structure in which a flow rate control valve is provided in each second flow path 53, the second coating liquid L2 can be uniformly discharged with a simple structure without increasing the size or causing stagnation or air bubbles in the coating liquid.

[0048] As a result, the two types of first coating liquid L1 and second coating liquid L2 can be applied uniformly and without unevenness to the belt-shaped material 17 to form a high-quality coated portion 18.

[0049] It is preferable that the volume adjustment mechanism 60 of the second manifold 52 is provided closer to the second discharge port 54 in the second flow path 53. By providing the volume adjustment mechanism 60 closer to the second discharge port 54 in the second flow path 53 in this manner, the flow rate can be adjusted more effectively by adjusting the volume of the second manifold 52.

[0050] Furthermore, the present disclosure is not limited to the above specific examples, and designs that are appropriately modified by a person skilled in the art from these specific examples are also included within the scope of the present disclosure as long as they have the features of the present disclosure. The elements of each of the above specific examples, as well as their arrangement, conditions, shape, etc., are not limited to those exemplified and can be modified as appropriate. The elements of each of the above specific examples can be combined as appropriate as long as no technical contradictions arise. [Explanation of symbols]

[0051] 10 Coating device 11 Body block 41 First coating fluid introduction section (coating fluid introduction section) 42 First manifold (manifold) 43 First channel (channel) 44 1st discharge part (discharge part) 51 Second coating fluid introduction section (coating fluid introduction section) 52 Second manifold (manifold) 53 Second flow path (flow path) 54 2nd discharge part (discharge part) 55 Hole 60 Volume adjustment mechanism 61 Volume-changing member L1 First coating liquid (coating liquid) L2 2nd coating liquid (coating liquid) R1 First flow path system (flow path system) R2 Second flow path system (flow path system)

Claims

1. a plurality of flow path systems that guide different types of coating liquids to the discharge unit; manifolds provided in the flow path systems, respectively; a body block having At least one of the flow path systems has a plurality of flow paths and a plurality of manifolds provided individually for each of the plurality of flow paths, each of which is capable of adjusting a volume. Coating equipment.

2. a plurality of volume adjustment mechanisms provided for each of the plurality of manifolds, each of which is capable of adjusting a volume; each of the plurality of volume adjustment mechanisms adjusts the volume of the manifold by moving a part of an inner wall surface of the manifold toward the flow channel or toward an opposite side to the flow channel; The coating device according to claim 1 .

3. Each of the plurality of volume adjustment mechanisms includes a hole portion that communicates with the flow path and serves as the manifold; a volume change member that can move back and forth in a depth direction of the hole inside the hole; and an end surface of the volume change member is a part of the inner wall surface of the manifold; The coating device according to claim 2.

4. the main body block has a coating fluid inlet portion that communicates with each of the manifolds and through which the coating fluid is supplied; The coating device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

Images