Calendar device

Abstract

To provide a calendering device that can suppress wrinkles in the uncoated portion of an electrode sheet. [Solution] The strip-shaped sheet 100, which is conveyed in the longitudinal direction of the strip, has a coated portion 111 on both sides of the strip-shaped current collector 110 with an active material coated on both sides, and an uncoated portion 112 located on both sides of the coated portion 111 in the width direction X of the current collector 110 and not coated with an active material, and is arranged on both sides in the thickness direction of the strip-shaped sheet 100 and applies pressure to the coated portion 111, and a wiper mechanism 20 arranged downstream of the calendar rolls 15 in the conveying direction Y of the strip-shaped sheet 100 and has a plurality of circulating wiper blades 25, which wipe the uncoated portion 112 with the wiper blades 25 while circulating the wiper blades 25 at a peripheral speed different from the conveying speed of the strip-shaped sheet 100.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a calendar device, and more particularly to a calendar device used for manufacturing electrode sheets such as lithium ion batteries.

Background Art

[0002] A secondary battery such as a lithium ion battery is manufactured by calendaring a precursor sheet, which is an active material-coated sheet obtained by adhering an active material to a metal strip-shaped current collector, with a pair of calendar rolls to increase the density of the active material and fixing it to the current collector to form an electrode sheet, and then cutting, laminating or winding the electrode sheet. Here, the front and back surfaces of the electrode sheet are divided into a coating portion at the center in the width direction and non-coating portions at both ends in the width direction. The coating portion is a portion where the active material is coated and compressed on the current collector, and the active material is fixed to the current collector. The non-coating portion is a portion where the current collector is exposed without the active material being coated on the current collector.

[0003] Since the non-coating portion is thinner than the coating portion, when the precursor sheet is calendared, it is sent out to the downstream side in the transport direction without contacting or being pressed against the calendar roll. At that time, wrinkles may occur in the current collector located in the non-coating portion toward the outside in the width direction of the current collector from the boundary portion between the non-coating portion and the coating portion. That is, when the precursor sheet is calendared, while the coating portion is pressed by the calendar roll, the non-coating portion is not pressed, so wrinkles are likely to occur at the boundary portion between the coating portion and the non-coating portion in the non-coating portion due to the pressure difference with the coating portion.

[0004] Some conventional calendar devices attempt to suppress the wrinkles generated in the non-coating portion. For example, the roll press machine described in Patent Document 1 includes an auxiliary rolling roll for rolling the non-coating portion upstream of the rolling roll for rolling the coating portion of the continuous sheet-like base material. By pre-deforming the non-coating portion with the auxiliary rolling roll, the change between the coating portion and the non-coating portion is dulled, and the generation of wrinkles in the non-coating portion adjacent to the coating portion is suppressed.

[0005] Furthermore, in the electrode plate manufacturing method described in Patent Document 2, a straightening press step is performed to mitigate the difference in elongation between the coated and uncoated parts after the main pressing step, by pressing the uncoated part before or after the main pressing step in which the coated part is pressed. In the straightening press step, an elastic body is sandwiched between the current collector foil and the pressing member while pressing, thereby reliably pressing and stretching the current collector foil in the uncoated part, so that the elongation of the current collector foil in the coated and uncoated parts does not differ too greatly.

[0006] Furthermore, the electrode manufacturing method described in Patent Document 3 includes a first uncoated portion pressing step in which the uncoated portion is pressed before the coated portion pressing step in which the coated portion is pressed, and a second uncoated portion pressing step in which the uncoated portion is pressed after the coated portion pressing step. By pressing the uncoated portion a total of two times, before and after pressing the coated portion, the difference in the amount of stretching in the uncoated portion is reduced, thereby suppressing the occurrence of wrinkles. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2017-084545 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-134279 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2024-100486 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0008] However, as described in Patent Document 1, when rolling the uncoated portion with an auxiliary rolling roll, even a slight misalignment of the auxiliary rolling roll will prevent the load from being applied properly. This makes it difficult to pre-deform the uncoated portion with the auxiliary rolling roll, potentially making it difficult to suppress the occurrence of wrinkles in the uncoated portion. Furthermore, as described in Patent Document 2, when pressing is performed with an elastic body sandwiched between the current collector foil and the press member, even if there is a misalignment of the press roll, it is possible to suppress the uneven distribution of the load. However, the elastic body itself may deform during pressing, potentially making it difficult to effectively suppress the occurrence of wrinkles.

[0009] Furthermore, as described in Patent Document 3, when the uncoated portion is pressed a total of two times, before and after pressing the coated portion, press rolls are required to press the uncoated portion both before and after the press roll that presses the coated portion. In this case, it is necessary to balance the action of the two press rolls that press the uncoated portion, and adjustment and optimization of the operating conditions are required, which may make the adjustments to suppress wrinkle generation complicated. For these reasons, there was room for improvement in suppressing wrinkles that occur in the uncoated portion of the electrode sheet when the coated portion of the precursor sheet is calendered to form an electrode sheet.

[0010] The present invention has been made in view of the above, and aims to provide a calendering device that can suppress wrinkles in the uncoated portion of an electrode sheet. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] To solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the objective, the calendar device according to the present invention comprises a pair of calendar rolls positioned on both sides in the thickness direction of a strip-shaped sheet that is conveyed in the longitudinal direction of the strip, having a coated portion on both sides of the strip-shaped current collector having an active material coated on both sides of the coated portion and an uncoated portion located on both sides of the coated portion in the width direction of the current collector and not coated with the active material, and applying pressure to the coated portion; and a wiper mechanism positioned downstream of the calendar rolls in the conveying direction of the strip-shaped sheet and having a plurality of circulating wiper blades, which wipe the uncoated portion with the wiper blades while circulating the wiper blades at a peripheral speed different from the conveying speed of the strip-shaped sheet. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] The calendering apparatus according to the present invention has the effect of suppressing wrinkles in the uncoated portion of the electrode sheet. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0013] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a schematic side view of a calendar device according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a view taken along arrow AA in Figure 1. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a view from the BB arrow in Figure 2. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a detailed view of the rotary wiper shown in Figure 3. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the CC shown in Figure 4. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is an explanatory diagram showing the operating state of the wiper mechanism. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a schematic side view of a calendar device according to Embodiment 2. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is a view from the direction of arrow DD in Figure 7. [Figure 9] Figure 9 is a schematic side view of a calendar device according to Embodiment 3. [Figure 10] Figure 10 is a view along the EE arrow in Figure 9. [Figure 11]FIG. 11 is a schematic side view of a wiper mechanism included in the calendar device according to Embodiment 4. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a schematic side view of a wiper mechanism included in the calendar device 10 according to Embodiment 5. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is an explanatory view showing a modification of Embodiments 1 to 3 and 5, in which the wiper blade is arranged to be inclined with respect to the axial direction of the wiping cylinder. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is an explanatory view showing a modification of Embodiments 1 to 5, in which the wiper blade is rotated in a direction such that the wiping direction of the wiper blade is the same as the conveyance direction. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is an explanatory view showing a modification of Embodiment 1, in which a slide base is arranged below a non-coating portion wiped by a rotary wiper.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0014] Hereinafter, embodiments of the calendar device according to the present disclosure will be described in detail based on the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited by this embodiment. Further, the constituent elements in the following embodiments include those that can be replaced by those skilled in the art and can be easily conceived, or those that are substantially the same.

[0015] [Embodiment 1] Figure 1 is a schematic side view of the calendar device 10 according to Embodiment 1. Figure 2 is a view taken along arrow AA in Figure 1. In the following description, the vertical direction in the normal operating state of the calendar device 10 will be described as the vertical direction Z in the calendar device 10, the upper side in the normal operating state of the calendar device 10 will be described as the upper side in the calendar device 10, and the lower side in the normal operating state of the calendar device 10 will be described as the lower side in the calendar device 10. Furthermore, the horizontal direction in the normal operating state of the calendar device 10 will be described as the horizontal direction in the calendar device 10. In addition, within the horizontal direction, the direction in which the strip-shaped sheet 100 transported by the calendar device 10 moves will be described as the transport direction Y of the strip-shaped sheet 100, and within the horizontal direction, the direction perpendicular to the transport direction Y of the strip-shaped sheet 100 will be described as the width direction X of the strip-shaped sheet 100, or the width direction X of the calendar device 10. Furthermore, within the conveying direction Y, the upstream side in the direction in which the strip-shaped sheet 100 advances will be referred to as the upstream side in the conveying direction Y, and the downstream side in the direction in which the strip-shaped sheet 100 advances will be referred to as the downstream side in the conveying direction Y.

[0016] <Calendar device 10> The calendering apparatus 10 according to Embodiment 1 is a device for manufacturing electrode sheets used in secondary batteries such as lithium-ion batteries. The calendering apparatus 10 has a pair of calendering rolls 15 arranged on both sides in the thickness direction of a strip-shaped sheet 100, and is a device that applies pressure to the strip-shaped sheet 100 from both sides in the thickness direction by the pair of calendering rolls 15. The strip-shaped sheet 100 to which pressure is applied by the calendering apparatus 10 is a sheet-like member for manufacturing electrode sheets, and has a coated portion 111 on both sides of a strip-shaped current collector 110 on which an active material is coated, and an uncoated portion 112 located on both sides of the coated portion 111 in the width direction of the current collector 110 and on which the active material is not coated.

[0017] The current collector 110 in the strip-shaped sheet 100 is a strip-shaped member made of a conductive material such as aluminum foil or copper foil. The coated portion 111 of the strip-shaped sheet 100 is formed by coating the current collector 110 with an active material, which is an electrode material, using either a wet process or a dry process.

[0018] The wet method described here is a process in which, in the upstream process of the calendering device 10 in the electrode sheet manufacturing process, a slurry of active material is applied to both sides of a continuously transported strip-shaped current collector 110, and then the active material is dried to adhere to both sides of the current collector 110, thereby forming coated portions 111 on both sides of the current collector 110.

[0019] Furthermore, the dry method involves coating both sides of a continuously transported strip-shaped current collector 110 with an active material in a dry state or a semi-dry state containing a small amount of solvent, thereby forming coated portions 111 on both sides of the current collector 110 by ensuring the active material adheres tightly to both sides of the current collector 110. Examples of methods for coating the current collector 110 with the active material in the dry method include the calender method, in which the active material is kneaded into a sheet and then pressed onto the current collector 110 by a roll; the extrusion method, in which the active material is pushed from a kneader towards the current collector 110 and adhered tightly to it; and the electrostatic coating method, in which the active material is attached to the current collector 110 using static electricity.

[0020] The coated portion 111 of the strip-shaped sheet 100 in Embodiment 1 includes both coated portions 111 formed by coating the current collector 110 with active material using a wet method and coated portions 111 formed by coating the current collector 110 with active material using a dry method. The coated portion 111 is formed by coating the surface of the current collector 110 with active material, ensuring that the active material adheres tightly without any loss, and the surface of the current collector 110 is covered with active material. The coated portion 111 is located in the central part of the strip-shaped sheet 100 in the width direction X and is formed along the extending direction of the strip-shaped sheet 100.

[0021] The uncoated portion 112 of the strip-shaped sheet 100 on which the coated portion 111 is formed is the portion on both sides of the coated portion 111 in the width direction X of the strip-shaped sheet 100 where the active material is not coated onto the current collector 110. In other words, the active material coated on both sides of the strip-shaped sheet 100 is not coated near both ends in the width direction X of the strip-shaped sheet 100, and the current collector 110 is exposed near both ends in the width direction X of the strip-shaped sheet 100. The uncoated portion 112 is thus the portion on both ends of the coated portion 111 in the width direction X of the strip-shaped sheet 100 where the active material is not coated and the current collector 110 is exposed. The uncoated portion 112 is formed on both sides of the coated portion 111 in the width direction X of the strip-shaped sheet 100, along the extending direction of the strip-shaped sheet 100.

[0022] The calendering device 10 has a pair of calendering rolls 15 that apply pressure to the coated portion 111 of the strip-shaped sheet 100, which has a coated portion 111 formed on the current collector 110 in the upstream process, making it possible to apply pressure to the coated portion 111 while conveying the strip-shaped sheet 100. In Embodiment 1, there is a feeder 50 and a winder 55, and the pair of calendering rolls 15 are arranged between the feeder 50 and the winder 55.

[0023] The feeder 50 is a device that feeds the strip-shaped sheet 100, which has a coated section 111 formed on it and has been wound into a roll shape in the upstream process of the calendering device 10, toward the calendering roll 15. For this reason, the feeder 50 has a drive device such as a motor (not shown) that rotates the roll-shaped strip-shaped sheet 100 in the direction of feeding it out.

[0024] The winding machine 55 is a device that winds the strip-shaped sheet 100, on which the coated portion 111 is formed, into a roll shape, which has been unwound from the dispensing machine 50. For this reason, the winding machine 55 has a drive device such as a motor (not shown) that rotates the strip-shaped sheet 100 in the winding direction.

[0025] Between the feeder 50 and the winder 55, the strip-shaped sheet 100 is conveyed horizontally from the feeder 50 to the winder 55 with its thickness direction being the vertical direction Z. The pair of calender rolls 15 are positioned on both sides in the thickness direction of the strip-shaped sheet 100 that is conveyed in the longitudinal direction of the strip in the calendering device 10, making it possible to apply pressure to the coated portion 111.

[0026] More specifically, the pair of calender rolls 15 are both cylindrical roll members, and are positioned so that their axial direction is aligned with the width direction X of the strip sheet 100. The calender rolls 15 are rotatable about an axis extending in the width direction X. The length of the calender rolls 15 is longer than the width of the strip sheet 100. Of the pair of calender rolls 15, one calender roll 15 is positioned above the strip sheet 100, and the other calender roll 15 is positioned below the strip sheet 100. These calender rolls 15 are positioned at the same location relative to each other in the conveying direction Y of the strip sheet 100.

[0027] Furthermore, by adjusting the pair of calender rolls 15 to reduce the distance between them in the vertical Z direction, it is possible to apply pressure in the vertical Z direction to the coated portion 111 of the strip sheet 100. In Embodiment 1, the upper calender roll 15 of the pair of calender rolls 15 is movable in the vertical Z direction by a hydraulic cylinder (not shown), and by moving the upper calender roll 15 in the vertical Z direction, the distance between the calender rolls 15 in the vertical Z direction can be adjusted. As a result, by sliding the upper calender roll 15 downward, the pair of calender rolls 15 can sandwich the strip sheet 100 with the coated portion 111 formed on it from both sides in the vertical Z direction, and compress it in the vertical Z direction. This makes it possible for the pair of calender rolls 15 to apply pressure in the thickness direction of the strip sheet 100 to the coated portion 111 of the strip sheet 100 as it passes between the calender rolls 15 from upstream to downstream in the conveying direction Y of the strip sheet 100.

[0028] On the other hand, the thickness of the uncoated portion 112 of the strip-shaped sheet 100 is thinner than the thickness of the coated portion 111. Therefore, even when the coated portion 111 of the strip-shaped sheet 100 is compressed in the vertical direction Z by the pair of calender rolls 15, the calender rolls 15 do not come into contact with the uncoated portion 112. In other words, the pair of calender rolls 15 apply pressure to the coated portion 111 of the strip-shaped sheet 100 with a pressure that does not come into contact with the uncoated portion 112 of the strip-shaped sheet 100.

[0029] A wiper mechanism 20 is positioned downstream of the calender roll 15 in the conveying direction of the strip-shaped sheet 100. The wiper mechanism 20 has multiple revolving wiper blades 25, and is capable of wiping the uncoated portion 112 of the strip-shaped sheet 100 with the wiper blades 25 while the wiper blades 25 are revolving at a peripheral speed different from the conveying speed of the strip-shaped sheet 100.

[0030] <Wiper mechanism 20> Figure 3 is a view taken along arrow BB in Figure 2. Figure 4 is a detailed view of the rotary wiper 21 shown in Figure 3. Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along CC in Figure 4. More specifically, the wiper mechanism 20 includes a rotary wiper 21 and a motor 33 which is a drive device for rotating the rotary wiper 21, and multiple wiper blades 25 are arranged on the rotary wiper 21. The rotary wiper 21 has a cylindrical wiping cylinder 22, and the wiper blades 25 are attached to the wiping cylinder 22.

[0031] The cylindrical wiping cylinder 22 has a pair of side plates 23 made of circular plate-shaped members and a plurality of mounting plates 24 arranged between the pair of side plates 23. The pair of side plates 23 have the same diameter, their axes are aligned, and they are spaced apart in the thickness direction of the side plates 23. The distance between the side plates 23 is narrower than the width of the uncoated portion 112 in the width direction X of the strip-shaped sheet 100.

[0032] Multiple mounting plates 24 are made of roughly rectangular plate-shaped members and are positioned between a pair of side plates 23, with both ends connected to the side plates 23. Each mounting plate 24 is connected to the side surface of the side plate 23 near the outer circumference. The mounting plates 24 are oriented such that the thickness direction of the mounting plate 24 is roughly in the circumferential direction of the side plate 23, the longitudinal direction of the mounting plate 24 is aligned with the thickness direction of the side plate 23, and the short direction of the mounting plate 24 is roughly in the radial direction of the side plate 23.

[0033] As described above, the mounting plates 24, which are positioned between a pair of side plates 23, are arranged at equal intervals around the side plates 23. In Embodiment 1, the mounting plates 24 of one wiping cylinder 22 consist of eight mounting plates 24 arranged at equal intervals around the side plates 23. As a result, the external shape of the wiping cylinder 22, when the pair of side plates 23 and the multiple mounting plates 24 are combined, is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape, with multiple openings formed in the spaces between adjacent mounting plates 24.

[0034] The wiper blade 25 attached to the wiping cylinder 22 is made of an elastic material such as rubber and is formed in a roughly rectangular plate shape. The length of the wiper blade 25 in the longitudinal direction is approximately the same as the length of the mounting plate 24 of the wiping cylinder 22 in the longitudinal direction. The same number of wiper blades 25 as there are mounting plates 24 are provided and each is attached to a mounting plate 24. That is, in Embodiment 1, eight wiper blades 25 are provided for one wiping cylinder 22, and one wiper blade 25 is attached to one mounting plate 24.

[0035] The wiper blades 25 attached to the mounting plate 24 are positioned to protrude outward in the radial direction of the side plate 23 compared to the side plate 23. In other words, the multiple wiper blades 25 attached to the multiple mounting plates 24 of the wiping cylinder 22 are arranged to protrude radially outward in the radial direction of the side plate 23 when the wiping cylinder 22 is viewed in the thickness direction of the side plate 23, that is, in the axial direction of the circular side plate 23.

[0036] Furthermore, the mounting plate 24 is positioned so that its longitudinal direction is aligned with the thickness direction of the side plate 23, that is, it is positioned along the axial direction of the cylindrical wiping cylinder 22. Therefore, the wiper blade 25 attached to the mounting plate 24 is also positioned along the axial direction of the wiping cylinder 22.

[0037] Thus, the rotary wiper 21, formed by attaching the wiper blade 25 to the wiping cylinder 22, is positioned above the uncoated portion 112 with the axial direction of the wiping cylinder 22 aligned with the width direction X of the calendar device 10. Furthermore, the rotary wiper 21 is positioned so that the wiper blade 25 can contact the uncoated portion 112. In other words, the rotary wiper 21 is positioned at the same location in the width direction X as the uncoated portion 112 in the width direction X of the strip-shaped sheet 100.

[0038] The motor 33 is positioned outside the rotary wiper 21 in the width direction X of the calendar device 10, and its output shaft is connected to the wiping cylinder 22 of the rotary wiper 21 via a connecting shaft 34. For example, the side plate 23 of the wiping cylinder 22 is provided with a shaft portion extending in the width direction of the side plate 23 from the center of the circular side plate 23, and the connecting shaft 34 is connected to the shaft portion extending from the side plate 23 of the wiping cylinder 22. This makes it possible for the motor 33 to rotate the cylindrical wiping cylinder 22 in the circumferential direction about the central axis of the wiping cylinder 22.

[0039] Furthermore, a receiving roll 40 is positioned on the opposite side of the uncoated portion 112 of the strip-shaped sheet 100 from the portion where the rotary wiper 21 is positioned above the uncoated portion 112. The receiving roll 40 is a cylindrical roll member, and is positioned so that its axial direction is aligned with the width direction X of the strip-shaped sheet 100. In addition, the length of the receiving roll 40 in the axial direction is approximately the same as the width of the uncoated portion 112 in the width direction X of the strip-shaped sheet 100.

[0040] The receiving roll 40 formed in this manner is positioned in the width direction X of the strip-shaped sheet 100 at the same position as the uncoated portion 112 in the width direction X. Furthermore, the receiving roll 40 is positioned in the transport direction Y of the strip-shaped sheet 100 at the same position as the rotary wiper 21 in the same direction, and is positioned below the uncoated portion 112 of the strip-shaped sheet 100. In addition, the receiving roll 40 is positioned in the vertical direction Z at a position that is below the uncoated portion 112 of the strip-shaped sheet 100 and in contact with the uncoated portion 112.

[0041] The receiving roll 40 has shaft portions extending in the axial direction of the cylinder from both sides in the axial direction of the cylinder, which is the shape of the receiving roll 40, and the motor 41 is connected to the shaft portions via a connecting shaft 42. As a result, the receiving roll 40 is able to rotate in the circumferential direction about its central axis by the driving force transmitted from the motor 41 via the connecting shaft 42.

[0042] These rotary wipers 21 and receiving rolls 40 are supported by a frame 30. More specifically, the rotary wipers 21 are supported by support members 31 that support the shafts provided on each of the pair of side plates 23 of the wiping cylinder 22 of the rotary wipers 21, and the support members 31 are supported by the frame 30, thereby supporting the frame 30 via the support members 31. The support members 31 are formed between the shafts provided on each of the pair of side plates 23, and by rotatably supporting the shafts, they rotatably support the rotary wipers 21.

[0043] The frame 30 has an upper frame part 30a located above the rotating wiper 21 in the vertical direction Z, a lower frame part 30b located below the receiving roll 40 in the vertical direction Z, and a frame connecting part 30c that extends in the vertical direction Z outside the strip-shaped sheet 100 in the width direction X of the calendar device 10 and connects the upper frame part 30a and the lower frame part 30b.

[0044] A hydraulic cylinder 32 is positioned on the upper surface of the upper frame 30a, and the rod 32a of the hydraulic cylinder 32 penetrates the upper frame 30a and extends toward the lower side of the upper frame 30a. A support member 31 that supports the rotary wiper 21 is positioned on the lower side of the upper frame 30a, and the rod 32a of the hydraulic cylinder 32 is connected to the support member 31. As a result, the support member 31 and the rotary wiper 21 supported by the support member 31 are movable in the vertical direction Z in accordance with the extension and retraction of the rod 32a of the hydraulic cylinder 32.

[0045] The motor 33, which is the drive device for the rotary wiper 21, is located outside the frame connecting portion 30c in the width direction X of the calendar device 10. The connecting shaft 34, which connects the output shaft of the motor 33 to the rotary wiper 21, extends in the width direction X of the calendar device 10 between the motor 33 and the rotary wiper 21. The frame connecting portion 30c of the frame 30 has a hole formed through the frame connecting portion 30c in the width direction X of the calendar device 10, through which the connecting shaft 34 can pass. The connecting shaft 34 connects the output shaft of the motor 33 to the rotary wiper 21 by passing through the hole formed in the frame connecting portion 30c.

[0046] Here, the connecting shaft 34 is connected to the output shaft of the motor 33 and the shaft of the rotary wiper 21 by a so-called universal joint. Furthermore, the hole formed in the frame connecting portion 30c of the frame 30 through which the connecting shaft 34 passes is an elongated hole extending in the vertical direction Z. Therefore, even when the rotary wiper 21 supported by the support member 31 moves in the vertical direction Z together with the support member 31 due to the extension and retraction of the rod 32a of the hydraulic cylinder 32, the connecting shaft 34 can transmit the rotation of the motor 33 to the rotary wiper 21 while tilting in the vertical direction Z with respect to the width direction X inside the elongated hole in accordance with the vertical direction Z movement of the rotary wiper 21.

[0047] The lower part 30b of the frame 30 is provided with a receiving roll support portion 30ba on its upper surface. The receiving roll support portions 30ba are located at two locations on the lower part 30b of the frame, and the two receiving roll support portions 30ba extend upward from the lower part 30b of the frame. The two receiving roll support portions 30ba located on the lower part 30b of the frame are positioned on both sides in the axial direction of the receiving roll 40, and each supports the shaft portion extending from both sides in the axial direction of the receiving roll 40. As a result, the two receiving roll support portions 30ba located on the lower part 30b of the frame are able to support the receiving roll 40 so that it can rotate freely.

[0048] The motor 41, which is the drive device for the receiving roll 40, is located outside the frame connecting portion 30c in the width direction X of the calendering device 10. The connecting shaft 42, which connects the output shaft of the motor 41 to the receiving roll 40, extends in the width direction X of the calendering device 10 between the motor 41 and the receiving roll 40. The frame connecting portion 30c of the frame 30 has a hole formed through the frame connecting portion 30c in the width direction X of the calendering device 10, through which the connecting shaft 42 can pass. The connecting shaft 42 connects the output shaft of the motor 41 to the receiving roll 40 by passing through the hole formed in the frame connecting portion 30c. As a result, the motor 41 can rotate the receiving roll 40, which is supported by the receiving roll support portion 30ba.

[0049] The wiper mechanisms 20 are arranged on both sides of the strip-shaped sheet 100 in the width direction X. The wiper mechanisms 20 arranged on both sides of the strip-shaped sheet 100 in the width direction X are positioned at the same position relative to each other in the transport direction Y of the strip-shaped sheet 100; that is, each wiper mechanism 20 is positioned downstream of the calender roll 15 in the transport direction Y of the strip-shaped sheet 100.

[0050] <Operation of the calendar device 10> The calendering device 10 according to Embodiment 1 includes the configuration described above, and its operation will be explained below. In the following description, the strip-shaped sheet 100 in which a coated portion 111 is formed by coating the current collector 110 with an active material will be referred to as the precursor sheet 101 before the coated portion 111 is calendered by a pair of calendering rolls 15, and the sheet after calendering will be referred to as the electrode sheet 102.

[0051] In the manufacturing process of electrode sheets 102 used in secondary batteries such as lithium-ion batteries, the calendering apparatus 10 increases the density of the active material by performing calendering on the coated areas 111 on both sides of the precursor sheet 101 manufactured in the preceding process of the calendering apparatus 10 using a pair of calendering rolls 15, thereby fixing the active material to the current collector 110 and manufacturing the electrode sheet 102.

[0052] In more detail, the precursor sheet 101, which is wound into a roll, is unwound from the unwound machine 50 and transported in the transport direction Y toward the winding machine 55. A pair of calender rolls 15 are positioned between the unwound machine 50 and the winding machine 55, and the precursor sheet 101, unwound from the unwound machine 50 and transported toward the winding machine 55, undergoes calendering by passing between the pair of calender rolls 15.

[0053] The pair of calender rolls 15 through which the precursor sheet 101 passes have the upper calender roll 15 movable in the vertical direction Z. By sliding the upper calender roll 15 downward, it is possible to contact the strip-shaped sheet 100 with the coated portion 111 formed on it from both sides in the vertical direction Z, thereby compressing the strip-shaped sheet 100 in the vertical direction Z. As a result, as the precursor sheet 101 passes between the pair of calender rolls 15, pressure in the thickness direction of the precursor sheet 101 is applied to the coated portion 111 from the calender rolls 15. Since the calender rolls 15 have a cylindrical shape with their axial direction aligned with the width direction X, the calender roll 15 that contacts the coated portion 111 rotates as the precursor sheet 101 moves in the transport direction Y, applying pressure to the coated portion 111.

[0054] In other words, pressure is applied to the coated portion 111 of the precursor sheet 101 from a pair of calender rolls 15 in a direction that reduces the thickness of the coated portion 111 of the precursor sheet 101. The pair of calender rolls 15 apply pressure to the precursor sheet 101 by sandwiching it from both sides in the vertical Z direction, so the pressure applied to the coated portion 111 from the calender rolls 15 is applied to both coated portions 111 located on both sides of the precursor sheet 101. As a result, the density of the active material forming the coated portion 111 on both sides of the precursor sheet 101 is increased by the pressure applied to the coated portion 111 from the calender rolls 15, and the active material adheres to the current collector 110. The precursor sheet 101 is manufactured as an electrode sheet 102 by applying pressure to the coated portion 111 from the calender rolls 15 in this way and by calendering performed by the pair of calender rolls 15.

[0055] The electrode sheet 102 produced by calendering is conveyed in the transport direction Y from between the pair of calender rolls 15 toward the winding machine 55, and is wound up by the winding machine 55.

[0056] Here, the pair of calender rolls 15 are designed so that they do not come into contact with the uncoated portion 112 of the precursor sheet 101, even when the coated portion 111 of the precursor sheet 101 is compressed in the vertical Z direction. Therefore, even when the precursor sheet 101 passes over the pair of calender rolls 15, the calender rolls 15 do not come into contact with the uncoated portion 112 of the precursor sheet 101.

[0057] On the other hand, since pressure is applied to the coated portion 111 of the precursor sheet 101 from the pair of calender rolls 15 in a direction that reduces the thickness of the coated portion 111, wrinkles may occur in the portion of the uncoated portion 112 closer to the coated portion 111 due to the pressure difference between it and the coated portion 111.

[0058] The uncoated portion 112 of the electrode sheet 102 after calendering the precursor sheet 101 is used as tabs for the positive and negative electrodes in a later process for manufacturing a secondary battery. Therefore, wrinkles in the uncoated portion 112 affect the performance of the secondary battery, so it is preferable that no wrinkles are formed in the uncoated portion 112 of the electrode sheet 102. The calendering apparatus 10 according to Embodiment 1 is equipped with a wiper mechanism 20 that can disperse wrinkles in the uncoated portion 112 of the electrode sheet 102. Next, the operation of the wiper mechanism 20 will be described.

[0059] The wiper mechanism 20, positioned downstream of the calender roll 15 in the conveying direction Y of the strip-shaped sheet 100, wipes the uncoated portion 112 of the electrode sheet 102 being conveyed downstream from the calender roll 15 using a rotary wiper 21, thereby dispersing wrinkles in the uncoated portion 112.

[0060] More specifically, the wiper mechanism 20 performs wiping by rotating the rotary wiper 21 in a state where the wiper blade 25 of the rotary wiper 21 can come into contact with the uncoated portion 112 of the electrode sheet 102. To this end, the wiper mechanism 20 adjusts the position of the rotary wiper 21 in the vertical direction Z by operating the hydraulic cylinder 32, so that the wiper blade 25 of the rotary wiper 21 can come into contact with the uncoated portion 112. The adjustment of the position of the rotary wiper 21 in the vertical direction Z is, for example, adjusted to a preset position according to the conditions for performing calendering on the precursor sheet 101 by a control device (not shown) that controls each part of the calendering device 10.

[0061] Figure 6 is an explanatory diagram showing the operating state of the wiper mechanism 20. The wiper mechanism 20 rotates a rotary wiper 21 by a motor 33 in a state where multiple wiper blades 25 provided on the wiping cylinder 22 can contact the uncoated portion 112 of the electrode sheet 102. By rotating the rotary wiper 21 in a state where the wiper blades 25 can contact the uncoated portion 112, the multiple wiper blades 25 of the rotary wiper 21 sequentially rub the uncoated portion 112, thereby wiping the uncoated portion 112. In Embodiment 1, the wiper mechanism 20 rotates the wiper blades 25 in a direction in which the direction in which the wiper blades 25 wipe the uncoated portion 112 of the electrode sheet 102 is opposite to the transport direction Y of the strip-shaped sheet 100.

[0062] In other words, the rotary wiper 21 is rotated in a direction such that the wiper blades 25 that contact the uncoated portion 112 of the electrode sheet 102 move from downstream to upstream in the transport direction Y of the electrode sheet 102. The wiper mechanism 20 rotates the rotary wiper 21 in this way and wipes the uncoated portion 112 with the multiple wiper blades 25 of the rotary wiper 21, thereby stretching and flattening the uncoated portion 112. As a result, the wiper mechanism 20 can disperse the wrinkles generated in the uncoated portion 112 by pressing the coated portion 111 of the precursor sheet 101 with the pair of calender rolls 15, by stretching the uncoated portion 112 with the rotary wiper 21 located downstream of the calender rolls 15.

[0063] On the other hand, the receiving roll 40, which is positioned below the uncoated portion 112 and contacts the uncoated portion 112 from below, is rotated by the motor 41 so that the portion in contact with the uncoated portion 112 is oriented from upstream to downstream in the conveying direction Y of the electrode sheet 102. That is, the receiving roll 40 supports the uncoated portion 112 from below, while rotating in a direction along the conveying direction Y of the electrode sheet 102.

[0064] The wiper mechanism 20 supports the uncoated portion 112 from below with the receiving roll 40, and wipes the uncoated portion 112 from above with the wiper blade 25 of the rotary wiper 21. This allows the receiving roll 40 to prevent the uncoated portion 112 from moving downwards while wiping. As a result, the wiper mechanism 20 can effectively stretch and flatten the uncoated portion 112 with the rotary wiper 21, effectively dispersing wrinkles.

[0065] Furthermore, the support roll 40 that supports the uncoated portion 112 from below does not necessarily have to be driven by the motor 41, but may be a so-called free roll that rotates in conjunction with the movement of the uncoated portion 112 that the support roll 40 contacts.

[0066] Furthermore, the wiper mechanism 20 may be switched ON and OFF according to the operation of the operator operating the calendar device 10. When the wiper mechanism 20 is switched OFF, the motor 33 that rotates the rotary wiper 21 stops, and the rod 32a of the hydraulic cylinder 32 retracts. As a result, the rotary wiper 21 rises, and the wiper blade 25 positioned on the rotary wiper 21 moves upward away from the uncoated portion 112, so that the wiper blade 25 is no longer rubbed against the uncoated portion 112 moving in the transport direction Y of the electrode sheet 102.

[0067] The electrode sheet 102, whose uncoated portion 112 is stretched and wrinkles in the uncoated portion 112 are dispersed by wiping with the wiper mechanism 20, is transported downstream in the transport direction Y from the position of the wiper mechanism 20 and wound up by the winding machine 55. The electrode sheet 102 wound up by the winding machine 55 is sent to a later process in the secondary battery manufacturing process and used in the assembly of the secondary battery.

[0068] <Effects of Embodiment 1> In the calendar device 10 according to Embodiment 1 described above, a wiper mechanism 20 is arranged downstream of the calendar roll 15 in the conveying direction Y of the strip-shaped sheet 100. The wiper mechanism 20 has a plurality of wiper blades 25 and wipes the uncoated portion 112 with the wiper blades 25 while rotating the wiper blades 25 at a peripheral speed different from the conveying speed of the strip-shaped sheet 100. As a result, even if wrinkles occur in the uncoated portion 112 due to pressure being applied to the coated portion 111 of the strip-shaped sheet 100 by the calendar roll 15, the wiper mechanism 20 can stretch the uncoated portion 112 and disperse the wrinkles. As a result, wrinkles in the uncoated portion 112 of the electrode sheet 102 can be suppressed.

[0069] Furthermore, the wiper mechanism 20 rotates the wiper blade 25 in a direction opposite to the transport direction of the strip-shaped sheet 100, so that the wiper blade 25 can more reliably stretch the uncoated portion 112 by wiping with the wiper blade 25. As a result, even if wrinkles occur in the uncoated portion 112, the uncoated portion 112 can be more reliably flattened and the wrinkles can be dispersed. Consequently, wrinkles in the uncoated portion 112 of the electrode sheet 102 can be more reliably suppressed.

[0070] Furthermore, the wiper mechanism 20 includes a cylindrical wiping cylinder 22 and a motor 33 which is a drive device for rotating the wiping cylinder 22. Since multiple wiper blades 25 are arranged on the wiping cylinder 22, the uncoated portion 112 can be easily wiped with the wiper blades 25 by rotating the wiping cylinder 22. As a result, the uncoated portion 112 can be easily stretched and wrinkles can be dispersed by wiping the uncoated portion 112 with the wiper blades 25. Consequently, wrinkles in the uncoated portion 112 of the electrode sheet 102 can be easily suppressed.

[0071] [Embodiment 2] The calendar device 10 according to Embodiment 2 has substantially the same configuration as the calendar device 10 according to Embodiment 1, but is characterized by the inclusion of a nip mechanism 60. The other components are the same as those in Embodiment 1, so their description is omitted, and the same reference numerals are used.

[0072] Figure 7 is a schematic side view of the calendering device 10 according to Embodiment 2. Figure 8 is a view taken along the arrow DD in Figure 7. In the calendering device 10 according to Embodiment 2, similar to the calendering device 10 according to Embodiment 1, the wiper mechanism 20 is arranged downstream of the calendering roll 15 in the conveying direction Y of the strip-shaped sheet 100.

[0073] Furthermore, in Embodiment 2, nip mechanisms 60 are arranged on both the upstream and downstream sides of the wiper mechanism 20 in the transport direction Y of the strip-shaped sheet 100, sandwiching the uncoated portion 112 in the thickness direction of the current collector 110. The nip mechanisms 60 arranged on the upstream and downstream sides of the wiper mechanism 20 in the transport direction Y are each positioned in the vicinity of the wiper mechanism 20.

[0074] The nip mechanism 60 has a pair of nip rolls 61 positioned on both sides in the thickness direction of the strip-shaped sheet 100, which sandwich the uncoated portion 112 from both sides in the thickness direction of the strip-shaped sheet 100. The nip rolls 61 constituting the nip mechanism 60 are cylindrical roll members, and are positioned with their axial direction aligned with the width direction X of the strip-shaped sheet 100. In addition, the length of the nip rolls 61 in the axial direction is approximately the same as the width of the uncoated portion 112 in the width direction X of the strip-shaped sheet 100.

[0075] The nip mechanism 60 is formed by a pair of nip rolls 61, each forming a single nip mechanism 60. The pair of nip rolls 61 in the nip mechanism 60 are positioned on both sides of the uncoated portion 112 in the thickness direction of the strip sheet 100, and are positioned at the same location in the transport direction Y of the strip sheet 100. Furthermore, the pair of nip rolls 61 in the nip mechanism 60 are in contact with the uncoated portion 112 while applying pressure in the thickness direction. As a result, the nip mechanism 60 sandwiches the uncoated portion 112 of the strip sheet 100 from both sides in the thickness direction with the pair of nip rolls 61.

[0076] The nip mechanism 60 configured in this way is positioned on both sides of the strip-shaped sheet 100 in the width direction X. That is, the nip mechanism 60 is positioned near each of the wiper mechanisms 20 that are positioned on both sides of the strip-shaped sheet 100 in the width direction X.

[0077] In the calendar device 10 according to Embodiment 2, the nip mechanism 60 is arranged on the upstream and downstream sides of the wiper mechanism 20 in the transport direction Y of the strip-shaped sheet 100. Therefore, when wiping the uncoated portion 112 of the electrode sheet 102 with the wiper blade 25 of the wiper mechanism 20, the uncoated portion 112 can be wiped while being taut by the nip mechanism 60. This suppresses bending of the area near the part of the uncoated portion 112 that is in contact with the wiper blade 25 when wiping the uncoated portion 112 with the wiper blade 25 of the rotary wiper 21. Consequently, the uncoated portion 112 can be effectively stretched and flattened by the rotary wiper 21, and wrinkles can be effectively dispersed. As a result, wrinkles in the uncoated portion 112 of the electrode sheet 102 can be suppressed more reliably.

[0078] Furthermore, the nip mechanism 60 does not necessarily have to be positioned on both the upstream and downstream sides of the wiper mechanism 20 in the conveying direction Y of the strip-shaped sheet 100. The nip mechanism 60 only needs to be positioned on at least one of the upstream and downstream sides of the wiper mechanism 20 in the conveying direction Y of the strip-shaped sheet 100. By positioning the nip mechanism 60 on at least one of the upstream and downstream sides of the wiper mechanism 20, the uncoated portion 112 can be stretched by the nip mechanism 60 and wiped by the wiper mechanism 20. As a result, when the uncoated portion 112 is wiped by the wiper mechanism 20, the bending of the uncoated portion 112 can be suppressed, and the uncoated portion 112 can be effectively stretched and wrinkles can be dispersed, thereby more reliably suppressing wrinkles in the uncoated portion 112 of the electrode sheet 102.

[0079] [Embodiment 3] The calendar device 10 according to Embodiment 3 has substantially the same configuration as the calendar device 10 according to Embodiment 1, but is characterized by the inclusion of a press mechanism 65. The other components are the same as those in Embodiment 1, so their description is omitted, and the same reference numerals are used.

[0080] Figure 9 is a schematic side view of the calendering device 10 according to Embodiment 3. Figure 10 is a view taken along the arrow EE in Figure 9. In the calendering device 10 according to Embodiment 3, similar to the calendering device 10 according to Embodiment 1, a wiper mechanism 20 is arranged downstream of the calendering roll 15 in the conveying direction Y of the strip-shaped sheet 100. Furthermore, in Embodiment 3, a press mechanism 65 is arranged upstream of the calendering roll 15 in the conveying direction Y of the strip-shaped sheet 100 to press the uncoated portion 112 of the current collector 110 in the thickness direction.

[0081] The press mechanism 65 has a pair of press rolls 66 positioned on both sides of the strip-shaped sheet 100 in the thickness direction, which sandwich the uncoated portion 112 from both sides in the thickness direction of the strip-shaped sheet 100 and press the uncoated portion 112. The press rolls 66 constituting the press mechanism 65 are roll members formed in a cylindrical shape, and are positioned so that their axial direction is along the width direction X of the strip-shaped sheet 100. In addition, the length of the press rolls 66 in the axial direction is approximately the same as the width of the uncoated portion 112 in the width direction X of the strip-shaped sheet 100.

[0082] The press mechanism 65 is formed by a pair of press rolls 66, each forming a single press mechanism 65. The pair of press rolls 66 in the press mechanism 65 are positioned on both sides of the uncoated portion 112 in the thickness direction of the strip sheet 100, and are positioned at the same location in the transport direction Y of the strip sheet 100. Furthermore, the pair of press rolls 66 in the press mechanism 65 are in contact with the uncoated portion 112, applying pressure in the thickness direction. As a result, the press mechanism 65 uses the pair of press rolls 66 to press the uncoated portion 112 in the thickness direction of the strip sheet 100 from both sides.

[0083] The press mechanism 65 configured in this way is positioned on both sides of the strip sheet 100 in the width direction X. That is, the press mechanism 65 is positioned on both sides of the strip sheet 100 in the width direction X, on the upstream side of the calender roll 15 in the transport direction Y of the strip sheet 100. The press mechanism 65 positioned on the upstream side of the calender roll 15 is positioned relatively close to the calender roll 15 on the upstream side of the calender roll 15 in the transport direction Y of the strip sheet 100.

[0084] In the calendering apparatus 10 according to Embodiment 3, since the press mechanism 65 is positioned upstream of the calender roll 15 in the transport direction Y of the strip-shaped sheet 100, the uncoated portion 112 of the precursor sheet 101 can be pressed in the thickness direction by the press mechanism 65 before the calender roll 15 calenders the coated portion 111 of the precursor sheet 101. Therefore, by pressing the uncoated portion 112 of the precursor sheet 101 with the press mechanism 65 before calendering the coated portion 111 of the precursor sheet 101, the uncoated portion 112 can be made to a certain extent flat.

[0085] This makes it possible to prevent wrinkles from forming in the uncoated portion 112 even when the coated portion 111 of the precursor sheet 101 is calendered by the calender roll 15. Therefore, after calendering the coated portion 111 of the electrode sheet 102 with the calender roll 15, the uncoated portion 112 of the electrode sheet 102, which is less prone to wrinkle formation, can be wiped with the wiper mechanism 20, thereby dispersing any slight wrinkles that may have formed in the uncoated portion 112. As a result, wrinkles in the uncoated portion 112 of the electrode sheet 102 can be suppressed more reliably.

[0086] [Embodiment 4] The calendar device 10 according to Embodiment 4 has substantially the same configuration as the calendar device 10 according to Embodiment 1, but is characterized in that the wiper blade 25 of the wiper mechanism 20 is arranged on an endlessly formed belt 28. The other configurations are the same as in Embodiment 1, so their description is omitted and the same reference numerals are used.

[0087] Figure 11 is a schematic side view of the wiper mechanism 20 of the calendar device 10 according to Embodiment 4. As shown in Figure 11, the wiper mechanism 20 of the calendar device 10 according to Embodiment 4 includes a drive roll 26, a driven roll 27, a belt 28, and a roll support member 29. The drive roll 26 and the driven roll 27 are each cylindrical roll members, with the drive roll 26 having a larger diameter than the driven roll 27. The axial length of the drive roll 26 and the driven roll 27 is approximately the same as the width of the uncoated portion 112 in the width direction X of the strip-shaped sheet 100. Furthermore, the drive roll 26 and the driven roll 27 are arranged so that their axial direction is along the width direction X of the strip-shaped sheet 100, and therefore the drive roll 26 and the driven roll 27 are arranged parallel to each other.

[0088] The belt 28 is formed in an endless shape and is wrapped around both the drive roll 26 and the driven roll 27. Therefore, the belt 28 is wrapped around the space between the drive roll 26 and the driven roll 27.

[0089] The roll support member 29 supports the shaft portions of both the drive roll 26 and the driven roll 27. In other words, both the drive roll 26 and the driven roll 27 have shaft portions that protrude axially on both sides in the axial direction, and the roll support member 29 supports the shaft portions of both the drive roll 26 and the driven roll 27. As a result, the roll support member 29 can rotatably support both the drive roll 26 and the driven roll 27 while maintaining a predetermined distance between the drive roll 26 and the driven roll 27, which are arranged parallel to each other.

[0090] Furthermore, a motor 33, as shown in Figure 3, is connected to the drive roll 26. This allows the drive roll 26 to rotate using the driving force transmitted from the motor 33. Also, a belt 28 is wrapped between the drive roll 26 and the driven roll 27, so when the drive roll 26 rotates, the belt 28 circulates between the drive roll 26 and the driven roll 27. For this reason, in Embodiment 4, the motor 33 (see Figure 3) that rotates the drive roll 26 also functions as a drive device that circulates the belt 28.

[0091] The wiper mechanism 20 has multiple wiper blades 25 arranged on a belt 28. More specifically, the wiper blades 25 are arranged on the outer circumferential surface of the belt 28, and are positioned upright on the belt 28 with the shorter side of the rectangular shape of the wiper blade 25 aligned with the thickness direction of the belt 28.

[0092] Furthermore, in Embodiment 4, a slide 45 is used as a member to support the uncoated portion 112 of the electrode sheet 102 from below. The slide 45 is a platform-shaped member with a flat surface that contacts the underside of the uncoated portion 112. Unlike the receiving roll 40 in Embodiment 1 (see Figure 3), the slide 45 supports the uncoated portion 112 by sliding against it without rotating. For this reason, it is preferable that the surface of the slide 45 that contacts the uncoated portion 112 is formed with a low coefficient of friction, for example, by plating.

[0093] In the calendering apparatus 10 according to Embodiment 4, the electrode sheet 102 is manufactured from the precursor sheet 101 by calendering the coated portion 111 of the precursor sheet 101 with the calendering roll 15. Also in Embodiment 4, the uncoated portion 112 of the strip-shaped sheet 100 is wiped by the wiper mechanism 20 downstream of the calendering roll 15 in the transport direction Y of the strip-shaped sheet 100.

[0094] In the wiper mechanism 20 of Embodiment 4, the multiple wiper blades 25 are arranged on a belt 28 that is wrapped around a drive roll 26 and a driven roll 27. Therefore, when wiping is performed by the wiper mechanism 20, the belt 28 is made to circulate by rotating the drive roll 26. The direction in which the belt 28 circulates is such that, for example, the direction in which the wiper blades 25 that contact the uncoated portion 112 wipe the uncoated portion 112 is opposite to the conveying direction Y of the strip-shaped sheet 100.

[0095] As a result, in Embodiment 4 as well, the electrode sheet 102 can be stretched by wiping with the wiper blade 25, and even if wrinkles occur in the uncoated portion 112 due to calendering of the coated portion 111 by the calender roll 15, the uncoated portion 112 can be flattened and the wrinkles can be dispersed.

[0096] Furthermore, in the calendar device 10 according to Embodiment 4, the uncoated portion 112 of the electrode sheet 102 is supported from below by a slide 45 while wiping is performed, so that the portion of the uncoated portion 112 to be wiped can be supported with a simple configuration. This makes it possible to reduce manufacturing costs when the wrinkles in the uncoated portion 112 of the electrode sheet 102 are dispersed by wiping with the wiper mechanism 20.

[0097] In the calendar device 10 according to Embodiment 4, since the wiper blades 25 are arranged on an endlessly formed belt 28, multiple wiper blades 25 for wiping the uncoated portion 112 can be provided, while the shape of the wiper mechanism 20 can be made suitable for the position where the wiper mechanism 20 is placed. For example, if it is desired to reduce the size of the wiper mechanism 20 in the vertical direction Z, or to reduce the size of the wiper mechanism 20 in the conveying direction Y of the strip-shaped sheet 100, the shape of the wiper mechanism 20 can be made into a desired shape by adjusting the size and placement of the drive roll 26 and the driven roll 27. Therefore, the wiper mechanism 20 can be placed regardless of the shape of the area surrounding the position where the wiper mechanism 20 is placed, and wrinkles in the uncoated portion 112 can be more reliably dispersed by wiping with the wiper mechanism 20. As a result, wrinkles in the uncoated portion 112 of the electrode sheet 102 can be more reliably suppressed.

[0098] [Embodiment 5] The calendering device 10 according to Embodiment 5 has substantially the same configuration as the calendering device 10 according to Embodiment 1, but is characterized by the inclusion of a detection device 70 for detecting the presence or absence of wrinkles in the uncoated portion 112. The other configurations are the same as in Embodiment 1, so their description is omitted, and the same reference numerals are used.

[0099] Figure 12 is a schematic side view of the calendering device 10 according to Embodiment 5. The calendering device 10 according to Embodiment 5 is equipped with a detection device 70 that detects the presence or absence of wrinkles in the uncoated portion 112 of the electrode sheet 102. The detection device 70 is connected to a control device 75 that controls the operation of each part of the calendering device 10, and the control device 75 also controls the operation of the wiper mechanism 20. The control device 75 that controls the wiper mechanism 20 switches the operation of the wiper mechanism 20 depending on whether or not wrinkles are detected in the uncoated portion 112 by the detection device 70.

[0100] The detection device 70 is, for example, a camera that photographs the subject and converts it into image data. The detection device 70 is positioned downstream of the calender roll 15 and upstream of the wiper mechanism 20 in the transport direction Y of the electrode sheet 102. In other words, the detection device 70 is positioned between the calender roll 15 and the wiper mechanism 20 in the transport direction Y of the electrode sheet 102. Based on the detection result from the detection device 70, i.e., the image data captured by the detection device 70, the control device 75 does not operate the wiper mechanism 20 if no wrinkles have occurred in the uncoated portion 112, and operates the wiper mechanism 20 if wrinkles have occurred in the uncoated portion 112.

[0101] In the calendering apparatus 10 according to Embodiment 5 configured as described above, when manufacturing the electrode sheet 102 by calendering the coated portion 111 of the precursor sheet 101 with the calendering roll 15, the detection device 70 photographs the portion of the uncoated portion 112 of the electrode sheet 102 between the calendering roll 15 and the wiper mechanism 20.

[0102] The detection device 70 transmits image data of the uncoated portion 112 of the electrode sheet 102, captured by the detection device 70, to the control device 75. The control device 75 determines, based on the image data sent from the detection device 70, whether or not wrinkles have occurred in the uncoated portion 112. If the control device 75 determines, based on the image data sent from the detection device 70, that no wrinkles have occurred in the uncoated portion 112 of the electrode sheet 102, it does not operate the wiper mechanism 20 and does not allow the wiper mechanism 20 to perform wiping.

[0103] For example, if the control device 75 determines that no wrinkles have formed in the uncoated area 112, it controls the hydraulic cylinder 32 (see Figure 3) of the wiper mechanism 20 to separate the rotary wiper 21 from the uncoated area 112 and stops the motor 33, thereby stopping the rotation of the rotary wiper 21. As a result, the control device 75 stops the wiper mechanism 20 from wiping the uncoated area 112.

[0104] In response to this, if the control device 75 determines, based on the image data sent from the detection device 70 to the control device 75, that wrinkles have occurred in the uncoated portion 112 of the electrode sheet 102, it activates the wiper mechanism 20. That is, when the detection device 70 detects wrinkles in the uncoated portion 112 of the electrode sheet 102, the control device 75 activates the wiper mechanism 20 to wipe the uncoated portion 112.

[0105] For example, if the control device 75 determines that wrinkles have occurred in the uncoated area 112, it controls the hydraulic cylinder 32 of the wiper mechanism 20 to bring the wiper blade 25 of the rotary wiper 21 into contact with the uncoated area 112 and drives the motor 33. As a result, the control device 75 rotates the rotary wiper 21 with the wiper blade 25 in contact with the uncoated area 112, causing the wiper mechanism 20 to wipe the uncoated area 112.

[0106] In the calendar device 10 according to Embodiment 5, a detection device 70 is provided to detect the presence or absence of wrinkles in the uncoated portion 112. The control device 75 switches the operation of the wiper mechanism 20 according to whether or not wrinkles are detected in the uncoated portion 112 by the detection device 70, thereby preventing the wiper mechanism 20 from wiping the uncoated portion 112 more than necessary. In other words, since the current collector 110 (see Figure 3) that forms the uncoated portion 112 is very thin, wiping with the wiper mechanism 20 may cause damage such as tearing of the uncoated portion 112 of the current collector 110. For this reason, wiping is not performed when there are no wrinkles in the uncoated portion 112, and wiping is performed with the wiper mechanism 20 only when wrinkles are present in the uncoated portion 112. This suppresses damage to the uncoated portion 112, while allowing the wiper mechanism 20 to disperse wrinkles when they do occur in the uncoated portion 112. As a result, damage to the electrode sheet 102 can be suppressed while wrinkles in the uncoated portion 112 can be suppressed.

[0107] [Differentiation] In the embodiments 1 to 3 and 5 described above, the multiple wiper blades 25 of the wiper mechanism 20 are arranged in a direction along the axial direction of the wiping cylinder 22, but the wiper blades 25 may be arranged in a direction other than along the axial direction of the wiping cylinder 22.

[0108] Figure 13 is an explanatory diagram showing a modified version of Embodiments 1 to 3 and 5, in which the wiper blade 25 is arranged at an inclination with respect to the axial direction of the wiping cylinder 22. Figure 13 is a schematic diagram of the wiper mechanism 20 viewed from the upstream side in the transport direction Y of the electrode sheet 102, and the electrode sheet 102 is transported from the front side to the back side of the paper. The wiper blade 25 of the wiper mechanism 20 may be arranged at an inclination in the circumferential direction of the wiping cylinder 22 with respect to the direction along the axial direction of the wiping cylinder 22, as shown in Figure 13.

[0109] Thus, when the wiper blade 25 is inclined in a direction along the axial direction of the wiping cylinder 22, it is preferable that the wiping direction of the wiper blade 25 is in a direction toward the outside in the width direction X of the electrode sheet 102. In other words, it is preferable that the wiper blade 25 is inclined such that, of the ends of the wiper blade 25 on both sides in the width direction X, the front end in the direction of rotation of the rotary wiper 21 is located inward in the width direction X, and the rear end in the direction of rotation of the rotary wiper 21 is located outward in the width direction X.

[0110] More specifically, in the configuration shown in Figure 13, the rotary wiper 21 rotates such that the lower part in the vertical direction Z moves from the back to the front of the paper, and the upper part in the vertical direction Z moves from the front to the back of the paper. In such a case, it is preferable that, when the rotary wiper 21 is viewed from the upstream side in the transport direction Y, the wiper blade 25 located at the front of the plurality of wiper blades 25 is arranged in a direction that is inclined from top to bottom as it moves from the inside to the outside in the width direction X of the electrode sheet 102.

[0111] By inclining the wiper blade 25 of the wiper mechanism 20 in the circumferential direction of the wiping cylinder 22 with respect to the direction along the axial direction of the wiping cylinder 22, the direction of wiping by the wiper mechanism 20 with respect to the transport direction Y of the electrode sheet 102 can be made inclined with respect to the transport direction Y of the electrode sheet 102. As a result, the uncoated portion 112 can be stretched by wiping not only in the transport direction Y of the electrode sheet 102 but also in the width direction X of the electrode sheet 102, so that wrinkles generated in the uncoated portion 112 can be more reliably dispersed. As a result, wrinkles in the uncoated portion 112 of the electrode sheet 102 can be more reliably suppressed.

[0112] Furthermore, by aligning the inclination direction of the wiper blade 25 such that the front end of the wiper blade 25, in the direction of rotation of the rotary wiper 21, is located inward in the width direction X, and the rear end of the wiper blade 25, in the direction of rotation of the rotary wiper 21, is located outward in the width direction X, the wiping direction of the wiper blade 25 can be directed outward in the width direction X of the electrode sheet 102. This allows the uncoated portion 112 that is wiped by the wiper blade 25 to be stretched from the inside to the outside in the width direction X of the electrode sheet 102, and wrinkles generated in the uncoated portion 112 can be more reliably dispersed. As a result, wrinkles in the uncoated portion 112 of the electrode sheet 102 can be more reliably suppressed.

[0113] Furthermore, in embodiments 1 to 5 described above, the wiper mechanism 20 rotates the wiper blade 25 in a direction in which the direction in which the wiper blade 25 wipes the uncoated portion 112 is opposite to the transport direction Y of the strip-shaped sheet 100. However, the direction in which the wiper blade 25 rotates may be in any other direction.

[0114] Figure 14 is an explanatory diagram showing a modified example of Embodiments 1 to 5, in which the wiper blade 25 is rotated in a direction in which the wiping direction of the wiper blade 25 is the same as the transport direction Y. The wiper mechanism 20 may, for example, as shown in Figure 14, rotate the wiper blade 25 in a direction in which the direction in which the wiper blade 25 wipes the uncoated portion 112 is the same as the transport direction Y of the strip-shaped sheet 100. In other words, the wiper mechanism 20 may rotate the rotary wiper 21 in a direction in which the wiper blade 25 that contacts the uncoated portion 112 of the electrode sheet 102 moves from the upstream side to the downstream side in the transport direction Y of the electrode sheet 102.

[0115] In this case, the rotational speed of the rotary wiper 21 is such that the peripheral speed of the wiper blade 25 rotates at a speed different from the conveying speed of the strip-shaped sheet 100. Figure 14 shows a configuration in which the rotary wiper 21 rotates at a speed faster than the conveying speed of the strip-shaped sheet 100.

[0116] In this way, by rotating the wiper blade 25 in a direction such that the direction in which the wiper blade 25 wipes the uncoated portion 112 is the same as the transport direction Y of the strip-shaped sheet 100, the frictional force when the wiper blade 25 wipes the uncoated portion 112 can be suppressed. As a result, the frictional force when the wiper blade 25 of the wiper mechanism 20 wipes the uncoated portion 112 can be suppressed while the uncoated portion 112 is stretched by wiping. Therefore, damage to the uncoated portion 112 due to the frictional force generated between the wiper blade 25 and the uncoated portion 112 during wiping can be suppressed, while wrinkles generated in the uncoated portion 112 can be dispersed by the wiper mechanism 20. As a result, damage to the electrode sheet 102 can be suppressed while wrinkles in the uncoated portion 112 can be suppressed.

[0117] Furthermore, if the wiper blade 25 is rotated in a direction such that the direction in which it wipes the uncoated portion 112 is the same as the transport direction Y of the strip-shaped sheet 100, damage to the uncoated portion 112 can be suppressed in this way. Therefore, it is preferable to determine the direction in which the wiper blade 25 wipes according to the strength of the uncoated portion 112.

[0118] Furthermore, if the rotation direction of the rotary wiper 21 is such that the wiper blade 25, which contacts the uncoated portion 112 of the electrode sheet 102, rotates from the upstream side to the downstream side in the transport direction Y of the electrode sheet 102, the peripheral speed of the wiper blade 25 may be slower than the transport speed of the strip sheet 100. Even if the peripheral speed of the wiper blade 25 is slower than the transport speed of the strip sheet 100, the wiper blade 25 can still wipe the uncoated portion 112 and stretch the uncoated portion 112 to remove wrinkles, as the peripheral speed of the wiper blade 25 and the transport speed of the strip sheet 100 are different.

[0119] Furthermore, the direction in which the wiper blade 25 wipes the uncoated portion 112 of the electrode sheet 102 may be different from the transport direction Y of the electrode sheet 102. The direction in which the wiper blade 25 wipes the uncoated portion 112 may be, for example, the width direction X of the electrode sheet 102, or an oblique direction that intersects both the transport direction Y and the width direction X of the electrode sheet 102. In other words, the wiper mechanism 20 may be arranged such that the rotation axis of the rotary wiper 21 in embodiments 1 to 3 and 5, or the rotation axis of the drive roll 26 and driven roll 27 in embodiment 4, are aligned with the transport direction Y of the electrode sheet 102, or they may be arranged in an oblique direction that intersects both the width direction X and the transport direction Y. When the uncoated portion 112 is wiped by the wiper blade 25 of the wiper mechanism 20 arranged in these ways, it is preferable that the wiper blade 25 wipes the uncoated portion 112 from the inside to the outside in the width direction X of the electrode sheet 102.

[0120] Furthermore, although a camera is used for the detection device 70 in the above-described embodiment 5, the detection device 70 may be something other than a camera. For example, the detection device 70 may be an optical detection device 70. In other words, the detection device 70 may detect the presence or absence of wrinkles in the uncoated portion 112 by irradiating laser light toward the uncoated portion 112 and measuring the distance to the uncoated portion 112 based on the laser light reflected by the uncoated portion 112. The means and configuration of the detection device 70 are not limited as long as it can accurately detect whether or not wrinkles have occurred in the uncoated portion 112.

[0121] Furthermore, in embodiments 1 to 5 described above, the calendering device 10 has a feeder 50 and a winder 55, but the calendering device 10 does not have to have a feeder 50 or a winder 55. The calendering device 10 does not have to have a feeder 50 or a winder 55 if the manufacturing process of the electrode sheet 102 including the calendering device 10 is such that the precursor sheet 101 coated with the active material and the electrode sheet 102 that has undergone calendering of the coated portion 111 are not wound up once, and the strip-shaped sheet 100 is continuously conveyed during manufacturing.

[0122] Furthermore, in embodiments 1 to 5 described above, the wiper mechanism 20 is positioned downstream of the calender roll 15 in the transport direction Y of the electrode sheet 102, with one wiper mechanism 20 on each side in the width direction X of the electrode sheet 102. However, multiple wiper mechanisms 20 may be arranged side by side in the transport direction Y of the electrode sheet 102. By arranging multiple wiper mechanisms 20 side by side in the transport direction Y of the electrode sheet 102, the uncoated portion 112 extending in the transport direction Y can be wiped by multiple wiper mechanisms 20. This allows the uncoated portion 112 to be effectively stretched and flattened by multiple wiper mechanisms 20, and wrinkles in the uncoated portion 112 of the electrode sheet 102 can be suppressed more reliably.

[0123] Furthermore, in embodiments 1 to 3 and 5 described above, the rotary wiper 21 of the wiper mechanism 20 is positioned on the upper side of the uncoated portion 112 and the receiving roll 40 is positioned on the lower side of the uncoated portion 112. However, the wiper mechanism 20 may also be configured such that the rotary wiper 21 is positioned on the lower side of the uncoated portion 112 and the receiving roll 40 is positioned on the upper side of the uncoated portion 112. Similarly, in embodiment 4, the belt 28 on which the wiper blade 25 is positioned is positioned on the upper side of the uncoated portion 112 and the slide 45 is positioned on the lower side of the uncoated portion 112. However, the wiper mechanism 20 may also be configured such that the belt 28 on which the wiper blade 25 is positioned is positioned on the lower side of the uncoated portion 112 and the slide 45 is positioned on the upper side of the uncoated portion 112.

[0124] Furthermore, when multiple wiper mechanisms 20 are arranged in the transport direction Y of the electrode sheet 102, the rotary wipers 21 may be alternately arranged on the upper and lower sides of the uncoated portion 112, and the upper and lower positions of the rotary wipers 21 and the receiving rolls 40, which are arranged on both sides of the uncoated portion 112, may be different for each wiper mechanism 20.

[0125] Furthermore, the embodiments 1 to 5 and their variations described above may be combined as appropriate. Figure 15 is an explanatory diagram showing a variation of embodiment 1 in which a slide 45 is placed below the uncoated portion 112 that is wiped by the rotary wiper 21. For example, as shown in Figure 15, the receiving roll 40 used in embodiment 1 may be replaced with the slide 45 used in embodiment 4. By supporting the uncoated portion 112 of the electrode sheet 102 that is wiped by the rotary wiper 21 with the slide 45 from below the uncoated portion 112, the slide 45 can prevent the uncoated portion 112 from moving downward when wiping the uncoated portion 112. As a result, the wiper mechanism 20 can effectively stretch and flatten the uncoated portion 112 with the rotary wiper 21, and effectively disperse wrinkles. [Explanation of symbols]

[0126] 10 Calendar device 15 Calendar Roll 20 Wiper mechanism 21 Rotary wipers 22 Wiping tubes 23 Side panel 24 Mounting plate 25 Wiper Blades 26 Drive Rolls 27 Driven Roll 28 belts 29 Roll support member 30 frames 31 Support member 32 Hydraulic Cylinders 33 Motor 34 Connecting shaft 40 Receiving Roll 41 Motor 42 Connecting shaft 45 slides 50 feeding machine 55 Winding machine 60 Nip mechanism 61 Nip Roll 65 Press mechanism 66 Press Roll 70 Detection device 75 Control device 100 strip-shaped sheets 101 Precursor Sheet 102 Electrode Sheet 110 Current collector 111 Coating Section 112 Uncoated parts

Claims

1. A strip-shaped current collector has coated portions on both sides of the coated portion and uncoated portions located on both sides of the coated portion in the width direction of the current collector, and a pair of calender rolls are positioned on both sides in the thickness direction of the strip-shaped sheet that is conveyed in the longitudinal direction of the strip and apply pressure to the coated portion. A wiper mechanism is provided, which is positioned downstream of the calender roll in the conveying direction of the strip-shaped sheet and has a plurality of circulating wiper blades, and wipes the uncoated portion of the strip-shaped sheet with the wiper blades while circulating the wiper blades at a peripheral speed different from the conveying speed of the strip-shaped sheet. Equipped with, The wiper mechanism comprises a wiping cylinder formed in a cylindrical shape and a drive device for rotating the wiping cylinder. The wiping cylinder has a pair of circular side plates and a plurality of mounting plates arranged between the pair of side plates. Each of the wiper blades consists of a rectangular, plate-shaped rubber member and is attached to the mounting plate. A calendering device characterized in that the plurality of wiper blades wipe the uncoated portion of the strip-shaped sheet from the inside outward in the width direction.

2. The calendar device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of wiper blades are arranged inclined in the circumferential direction of the wiping cylinder with respect to the direction along the axial direction of the wiping cylinder.

3. The calendar device according to claim 1, wherein the wiping cylinder is arranged in a direction such that the axis of rotation of the wiping cylinder is in an oblique direction that intersects both the width direction and the conveying direction of the strip-shaped sheet.

4. A calendar device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising a nip mechanism positioned at least on the upstream and downstream side of the wiper mechanism in the conveying direction of the strip-shaped sheet, which sandwiches the uncoated portion in the thickness direction of the current collector.

5. A calendering device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising a press mechanism positioned upstream of the calender roll in the conveying direction of the strip-shaped sheet, which presses the uncoated portion in the thickness direction of the current collector.

6. A detection device for detecting the presence or absence of wrinkles in the uncoated portion, A control device that switches the operation of the wiper mechanism according to whether or not wrinkles are detected in the uncoated portion by the detection device, A calendar device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising:

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