JP7048927B2 - Coating device and coating method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a coating device and a coating method, and more specifically, to a coating device and a coating method for coating a surface of a sphere.

In order to form a uniform coating film on the surface of a small-diameter sphere, for example, the sphere is held by a jig such as a needle, or is held by a vacuum suction device or the like, and the sphere is immersed in the coating liquid. A method of pulling up from the coating liquid and drying the coating liquid is known. However, with such a method, it is often difficult to hold the sphere, and it is difficult to obtain a uniform coating film.

A method of forming a coating film on the surface of a sphere in a state where a minute sphere is suspended is well known from, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 3-018746. In the technique disclosed in this Patent Publication, a tracer for observing silicon melt convection is produced by spraying a gas from below and spraying carbon in a state where a spherical substance is suspended.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 3-018746

However, this patent publication does not specifically disclose a method of spray-coating carbon. Further, it is difficult to obtain a uniform coating film in a state where a spherical substance is suspended based on the spray coating method.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a coating device capable of easily obtaining a uniform coating film on the surface of a sphere, and a coating method using such a coating device.

The coating apparatus of the present invention for achieving the above object is
A cylindrical container that has a diameter larger than the diameter of the sphere and stores the sphere,
Floating means for floating spheres in a container, and
Coating liquid introduction part for applying the coating liquid to the surface of the sphere floating in the container,
It is equipped with.

In the coating method of the present invention for achieving the above object, the coating liquid is applied to the surface of the sphere while floating the sphere by a floating means in a cylindrical container having a diameter larger than the diameter of the sphere.

In the coating device or coating method of the present invention, since the coating liquid is applied to the surface of the sphere floating in the container, the floating sphere is restricted in movement in the container, but the floating sphere is the container. Since it does not come into contact with the side wall, a uniform coating film can be easily obtained on the surface of the sphere.

FIG. 1 is a schematic end view of the coating device of the first embodiment for explaining the coating method of the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic end view of the coating device of the first embodiment for explaining the coating method of the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a schematic end view of the coating device of the first embodiment for explaining the coating method of the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a schematic end view of the coating device of the first embodiment for explaining the coating method of the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a schematic end view of a modified example of the coating device of the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a schematic end view of another modification of the coating device of the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is a schematic end view of the coating device of the second embodiment. FIG. 8 is a schematic end view of the coating device of the third embodiment. FIG. 9 is a schematic end view of a modified example of the coating device of the third embodiment. FIG. 10 is a schematic end view of a coating liquid / pressurized fluid introduction nozzle suitable for use in the coating apparatus of the present invention, along the arrows AA of FIG. 12. FIG. 11 is a schematic end view of a modified example of the coating liquid / pressurized fluid introduction nozzle suitable for use in the coating apparatus of the present invention, along the arrows AA of FIG. 12. FIG. 12 is a schematic end view taken along the arrows BB of FIG. FIG. 13 is a schematic end view of a coating liquid / pressurized fluid introduction nozzle suitable for use in the coating apparatus of the present invention similar to that shown in FIG. FIG. 14 is a schematic end view of a coating liquid / pressurized fluid introduction nozzle suitable for use in the coating apparatus of the present invention similar to that shown in FIG. 10, in which the flow of the pressurized fluid and the coating liquid is schematically shown. It is a figure which shows. FIG. 15 is a conceptual diagram of a coating liquid supply system including a coating liquid / pressurized fluid introduction nozzle suitable for use in the coating apparatus of the present invention.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings, but the present invention is not limited to the examples, and various numerical values and materials in the examples are exemplified. The explanation will be given in the following order.
1. 1. Description of the coating apparatus of the present invention, the coating method of the present invention, and general description 2. Example 1 (coating apparatus of the present invention and coating method of the present invention)
3. 3. Example 2 (Modification of the coating device of Example 1)
4. Example 3 (Modification of the coating apparatus of Example 1 to Example 2)
5. Example 4 (Coating liquid / pressurized fluid introduction nozzle and coating liquid supply system suitable for use in the coating device of the present invention)
6. others

<Applying device of the present invention and coating method of the present invention>
In the coating apparatus of the present invention, the floating means can be in the form of a pressurized fluid introduction portion that introduces a pressurized fluid into the container in order to float the sphere in the container. And in this case, the bottom of the container is closed; the pressurized fluid introduction part is attached to the bottom of the container; the coating liquid introduction part can be arranged above the container. Further, a drying device may be further provided above the container. Examples of the drying device include a drying device that irradiates far infrared rays and a drying device that blows hot air. Depending on the coating liquid, the coating liquid can be dried by the pressurized fluid introduced from the pressurized fluid introduction portion without a drying device. As the floating means, a device capable of magnetically floating the sphere can also be mentioned, although it depends on the material of the sphere.

Further, in the various preferred embodiments of the coating apparatus of the present invention, the floating means further includes a second pressurized fluid introduction unit that introduces a pressurized fluid into the container in order to float the sphere in the container. It can be in the form. And in this case, the bottom of the container is closed; the second pressurized fluid introduction portion can be in the form of being attached to the bottom of the container. The number n of the second pressurized fluid introduction portions may be 1 or more. When n ≧ 2, it is desirable to arrange the second pressurized fluid introduction portion in n-fold symmetry (360 / n-degree symmetry) with the axis of the container as the axis of symmetry. The flow of the pressurized fluid introduced from the second pressurized fluid introduction portion is in the direction of flowing toward the sphere and toward the upper side of the container.

Furthermore, in the various preferred embodiments of the coating apparatus of the present invention, the pressurized fluid can be in the form of a gaseous substance. In this case, the thickness of the coating liquid can be controlled based on the pressure and flow rate of the pressurized fluid and the supply amount of the coating liquid. Specific examples of the gaseous substance include air and nitrogen gas. The thickness of the coating liquid can be controlled by controlling the gap G formed by the surface of the sphere and the side wall of the container. The gap G can be, for example, the pressure and flow rate of the pressurized fluid. Can be done by. The gap G may be in a non-uniform form along the surface of the sphere, but may include a uniform form in some cases. The gap G is when the diameter of the sphere is R ₁ and the diameter of the container is R ₂ .
0 <G <(R ₂ -R ₁ )
Can be represented by, for example
0.01 mm ≤ (R ₂ -R ₁ ) / 2 ≤ 0.5 mm
It is preferable to satisfy.

Alternatively, in the coating apparatus of the present invention, which comprises a floating means from a pressurized fluid introduction portion that introduces a pressurized fluid into the container to suspend the sphere in the container, the bottom of the container is closed; coating. The pressurized fluid introduction part that also serves as the liquid introduction part is attached to the bottom of the container; the pressurized fluid and the coating liquid made of a gaseous substance are introduced into the container from the pressurized fluid introduction part. be able to. In this case, the coating liquid introduced into the container can be discharged from the coating liquid discharging portion provided in the upper part of the container.

Furthermore, in the various preferred embodiments described above in the coating apparatus of the present invention, the axis of the pressurized fluid introduction portion may be formed not on the axis of the container, or the pressurized fluid introduction portion may be introduced. The axis of the portion can be in a form that is not parallel to the axis of the container.

Further, in the coating apparatus of the present invention including various preferable forms and configurations described above, the sphere can be in a form that can be rotated in a floating state. As the rotation speed of the sphere, 1 rpm to 8000 rpm can be exemplified. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the sphere may be in a non-rotating form in a floating state.

In the coating method of the present invention, a pool of coating liquid can be formed in the gap formed by the surface of the sphere and the side wall of the container. Then, the thickness of the coating liquid can be controlled by controlling the gap G between the surface of the sphere and the gap formed by the side wall of the container. The interval G is as described above.

In the coating method of the present invention including the above-mentioned preferable form, the coating liquid is applied to the surface of the sphere floating in the container, and then the coating liquid is dried while the sphere is floating in the container. After applying the coating liquid to the surface of the sphere floating in the container, the sphere is moved above the container by the floating means, and the coating liquid is dried while the sphere is floating above the container. be able to. The drying includes not only evaporation of a solvent such as water or an organic solvent, but also chemical changes and chemical reactions of the coating liquid composition. Examples of the drying method include a drying method of irradiating far infrared rays and a drying method of blowing hot air. Depending on the coating liquid, the coating liquid can also be dried by the pressurized fluid introduced from the pressurized fluid introduction unit.

In the coating method of the present invention including the above-mentioned various preferable forms, in order to suspend the sphere in the container, a pressurized fluid made of a gaseous substance may be introduced into the container from the suspending means. can. As the floating means in this case, the above-mentioned pressurized fluid introduction section can be mentioned. Then, in this case, the pressurized fluid can be introduced into the container from a plurality of places. As the floating means at a plurality of locations, the above-mentioned pressurized fluid introduction section and the second pressurized fluid introduction section can be mentioned. Further, in these cases, the thickness of the coating liquid can be controlled based on the pressure and flow rate of the pressurized fluid and the supply amount of the coating liquid.

Alternatively, in the coating method of the present invention including the above preferred embodiment, a pressurized fluid composed of a gaseous substance for suspending spheres in the container and a coating liquid are introduced into the container from the floating means. Can be configured to be. In this case, the coating liquid introduced into the container may be discharged from the upper part of the container.

Furthermore, in the preferred configuration described above of the coating method of the present invention, the main flow of the pressurized fluid introduced into the container (specifically, the addition flowing toward the sphere and toward the upper part of the container). The main flow of the pressure fluid (also in the following description) can be in a form that is not on the axis of the container, or the main flow of the pressurized fluid introduced into the container is the container. It can be in a form that is non-parallel to the axis of.

Furthermore, in the coating method of the present invention including the preferred forms and configurations described above, the sphere can be in a form that can be rotated in a floating state, but is not limited to this, and in a floating state. It can also be in a non-rotating form.

In the coating apparatus or coating method of the present invention, the diameter R ₁ of the sphere can be, for example, 0.5 mm to 30 mm. As materials constituting the sphere, acrylic resin, acrylonitrile resin, polyurethane resin, polyvinyl chloride resin, polystyrene resin such as polycarbonate and polystyrene, polymethylmethacrylate resin, polyacrylonitrile resin, polyamide resin, etc. Various plastic materials such as polysiloxane resin and melamine resin; silicon oxide, aluminum oxide, zirconium oxide, titanium oxide, cerium oxide, hafnium oxide, niobium pentoxide, tantalum pentoxide, indium oxide, tin oxide, ITO, zinc oxide Various oxides such as; various nitrides such as silicon nitride, aluminum nitride, gallium nitride; various glass materials; various carbides such as SiC; aluminum hydroxide, barium sulfate, magnesium silicate, silicon (Si), various metals, various An alloy can be mentioned. Alternatively, food can be mentioned as a material constituting the sphere.

Materials constituting the container may include stainless steel (SUS304, SUS316, etc.), silicon, quartz, or, for example, a polycarbonate (PC) resin; polytetrafluoroethylene, tetrafluoroethylene-perfluoroalkyl vinyl ether. Copolymers, tetrafluoroethylene-hexafluoropropylene copolymers, polychlorotrifluoroethylene, tetrafluoroethylene-ethylene copolymers, chlorotrifluoroethylene-ethylene copolymers, polyvinylidenefluorides, polyvinylfluorides, etc. Fluorine-based resin; Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) resin or polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) resin; Polyimide (PI) -based resin; Polypolymer (PA) -based resin; Polysulfone (PSF) -based resin; Polyether sulfone (PES) -based resin; Polyphenylene Various resins such as sulfide (PPS) -based resin; polyether ether ketone (PEEK) -based resin; polyethylene naphthalate (PEN) -based resin; cycloolefin polymer (COP) resin can also be mentioned.

The pressurized fluid introduction section and the second pressurized fluid introduction section can be configured from a well-known nozzle for the pressurized fluid. Further, the coating liquid introduction unit may be composed of, for example, a dispenser, a syringe, a small pump, or a micropump, or may be composed of a nozzle for spraying and discharging the coating liquid and the pressurized fluid.

The materials constituting the coating liquid include paints and inks [including conductive inks containing copper (Cu), silver (Ag), aluminum (Al), gold (Au), chromium (Cr), and alloys and compounds thereof]. , Wax-like substances, resist materials, titanium dioxide (TiO ₂ ). These materials constitute a coating liquid together with a solvent suitable for the material constituting the coating liquid, such as water and an organic solvent. As the viscosity of the coating liquid, 1 mPa · s to 400 mPa · s can be exemplified. The coating amount and the supply amount of the coating liquid may be determined from the surface area of the sphere, the required thickness of the coating film, and the like. As the thickness of the coating film after the coating liquid is dried, 5 × 10 ^-6 m (5 μm) to 2 × 10 ^-4 m (200 μm) can be exemplified, and the coating liquid coating amount at the time of coating can be exemplified. 0.004 cm ³ to 0.5 cm ³ can be exemplified. A desired coating film thickness can also be obtained by repeating coating and drying a desired number of times.

As paints, titanium dioxide, black iron oxide, etc. are added to a resin solution in which various paint binders such as acrylic resin, styrene / acrylic resin, vinyl acetate resin, acrylic / silicone resin are dispersed and dissolved in water or a solvent. Bengala, chrome green, carbon black, copper phthalocyanine, calcium carbonate, barium sulfate, talc, clay inorganic and organic pigments, dispersants, defoaming agents, leveling agents, thickeners, film forming aids, antifungal agents. Examples thereof include those in which a required amount of an additive such as an agent is added, mixed and dispersed.

Example 1 relates to a coating device and a coating method (spin coating method on a sphere surface) of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1 for a schematic end view, the coating device of the first embodiment is
A cylindrical container 20, having a diameter R ₂ larger than the diameter R ₁ of the sphere 10 and accommodating the sphere 10.
Floating means for suspending the sphere 10 in the container 20 and
Coating liquid introduction unit 40 for applying the coating liquid to the surface of the sphere 10 floating in the container 20,
It is equipped with.

In the coating device of the first embodiment, the floating means comprises a pressurized fluid introduction unit 30 that introduces a pressurized fluid into the container 20 in order to float the sphere 10 in the container 20. The bottom portion 21 of the container 20 is closed, and the pressurized fluid introduction portion 30 is attached to the center of the bottom portion of the container 20. The bottom 21 of the container 20 has a hemispherical shape. The axis of the pressurized fluid introduction section 30 coincides with the axis of the container 20. The coating liquid introduction portion 40 is arranged above the container 20. The coating liquid introduction portion 40 is not located on the axis of the container 20. As a result, as will be described later, when the coating liquid is dropped from the coating liquid introducing portion 40 onto the surface of the sphere 10 onto the surface of the sphere 10, the movement of the sphere 10 toward the region B becomes easier. The coating liquid introduction portion 40 is attached to one end of the arm portion 42, and the other end of the arm portion 42 is attached to a drive device 41 that rotates and moves the arm portion 42 up and down.

The pressurized fluid consists of a gaseous substance, specifically air. Then, the thickness of the coating liquid is controlled based on the pressure and flow rate of the pressurized fluid and the supply amount of the coating liquid. The thickness of the coating liquid is controlled by controlling the gap G between the surface of the sphere 10 and the gap G formed by the side wall 20A of the container 20. Here, the gap G is determined by, for example, the pressure and flow rate of the pressurized fluid. The gap G is uniform along the equatorial plane of the sphere 10 in FIG. 1, but is actually non-uniform as shown in FIG. The gap G is
0 <G <(R ₂ -R ₁ )
Can be represented by, for example
0.01 mm ≤ (R ₂ -R ₁ ) / 2 ≤ 0.5 mm
It is preferable to satisfy. Here, specifically, R ₁ is set to 5.0 mm, and R ₂ is set to (R ₁ + 0.01 mm) to (R ₁ + 0.5 mm). The sphere 10 is rotated in a floating state. As the rotation speed of the sphere 10, 1 rpm to 8000 rpm can be exemplified.

In Example 1, the sphere 10 is made of a glass sphere having a diameter R ₁ = 5.0 mm. As a material constituting the coating liquid, a metallic paint (viscosity 50 mPa · s) using acetone (viscosity 25 mPa · s) as a solvent was used as the coating liquid (viscosity 200 mPa · s). Further, the container 20 was made of stainless steel. The pressurized fluid introduction unit 30 was composed of a well-known nozzle for pressurized fluid, and the coating liquid introduction unit 40 was composed of, for example, a dispenser. In order to obtain a coating film having a thickness of 0.1 mm, when the solid content of the coating liquid was 30%, the coating amount at the time of coating was set to about 0.03 cm ³ .

In the coating method of Example 1, the coating liquid is applied to the surface of the sphere 10 while floating the sphere 10 by a floating means in a cylindrical container 20 having a diameter larger than the diameter of the sphere 10.

Hereinafter, the coating method of Example 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1, 2, 3, and 4 which are schematic end views of the coating apparatus of Example 1. In these figures, the axis of the container 20 and the axis of the pressurized fluid introduction portion 30 are shown by a alternate long and short dash line, and the center line of the sphere that passes through the center of the sphere 10 and is parallel to the axis of the container 20 is indicated by the alternate long and short dash line.

First, pressurized air is introduced into the container 20 from the pressurized fluid introduction unit 30 attached to the bottom 21 of the container 20. Then, as shown in FIG. 1, the sphere is arranged inside the container 20 by using, for example, a vacuum suction device (not shown) in a state where the coating liquid introduction portion 40 is not positioned above the container 20. In order to suspend the sphere 10 in the container 20, a pressurized fluid made of a gaseous substance (specifically, air) is introduced into the container 20 from the suspending means (pressurized fluid introduction unit 30). The sphere 10 is brought into a floating state by the pressurized fluid introduced from the floating means (specifically, the pressurized fluid introduction unit 30) in the cylindrical container 20. Specifically, air is injected from the pressurized fluid introduction unit 30, and the balance between the mass of the sphere 10 and the floating force (lift) is controlled by a mass flow controller (not shown) to float the sphere. Next, as shown in FIG. 2, the drive device 41 is operated to position the coating liquid introduction portion 40 above the container 20. Then, as shown in FIG. 3, the coating liquid is dropped from the coating liquid introduction portion 40 onto the surface of the sphere 10.

By the way, when air is blown to the sphere 10 from the pressurized fluid introduction portion 30 in a state where the spraying balance of the pressurized fluid is initially lost, in the region A of the sphere 10 shown by “A” in FIG. 1 and the side wall 20A of the container 20. The pressure and the pressure in the region B of the side wall 20A of the sphere 10 and the side wall 20A of the container 20 shown by “B” in FIG. 1 are not equal. As a result, the sphere 10 starts rotating in a floating state, the Magnus effect is generated, the pressure in the region A becomes high, and the pressure in the region B becomes low. Then, a force acts on the sphere 10, and the sphere 10 moves toward the region B by several tens of μm (see FIG. 2).

Then, in this state, when the coating liquid is dropped on the surface of the sphere 10 from the coating liquid introducing portion 40 on the surface of the sphere 10, a wedge effect also acts on the region B, and even if the pressure drops, it is from the equatorial plane of the sphere 10. However, it is difficult for the coating liquid to penetrate below, and an excess coating liquid pool is generated in the gap formed by the surface of the sphere 10 and the side wall 20A of the container 20 (see FIG. 3), and the coating liquid is leveled. , The excess coating liquid is pushed back and works so that the film thickness of the coating film becomes constant. On the other hand, the region A is on the high-pressure blowing side, and it is difficult for the coating liquid to penetrate below the equatorial plane of the sphere 10. Then, the coating liquid spreads evenly on the upper surface of the sphere 10, and the coating liquid develops on the surface of the sphere 10 (see FIG. 4). Since the sphere 10 shifts while rotating, the axis of rotation gradually shifts (because it moves) in various directions instead of rotating in a fixed direction, so that the coating liquid spreads over the entire surface of the sphere 10. Moreover, since the sphere 10 is floating, the sphere 10 does not touch the side wall 20A of the container 20 during and after coating. By controlling the gap G between the surface of the sphere 10 and the side wall 20A of the container 20, the thickness of the coating liquid can be controlled, the pressure and flow rate of the pressurized fluid, and the coating liquid can be controlled. The thickness of the coating liquid can be controlled based on the supply amount of. When the supply of the coating liquid is completed, the drive device 41 is operated to move the coating liquid introduction unit 40 to a position not located above the container 20.

After applying the coating liquid to the surface of the sphere 10 suspended in the container 20, the coating liquid is dried while the sphere 10 is suspended in the container 20. Specifically, after the coating of the coating liquid is completed, the coating liquid is dried by the pressurized fluid introduced from the pressurized fluid introduction unit 30. At this time, the pressurized fluid may be heated to perform hot air drying. Further, a drying device (not shown) may be further provided above the container 20. Examples of the drying device include a drying device that irradiates far infrared rays and a drying device that blows hot air, and even if the sphere 10 is dried by a drying method that irradiates far infrared rays using a drying device or a drying method that blows hot air. good. Alternatively, both may be performed.

Alternatively, after applying the coating liquid to the surface of the sphere 10 suspended in the container 20, the sphere 10 is moved above the container 20 by the floating means by increasing the flow rate and pressure of the pressurized fluid, and the container 20 is moved. It is also possible to dry the coating liquid with the sphere floating above. In this case, a drying device (not shown) may be placed above the container 20. Examples of the drying device include a drying device that irradiates far infrared rays and a drying device that blows hot air. If the sphere 10 is dried by a drying method that irradiates far infrared rays using a drying device or a drying method that blows hot air. good.

As described above, in the coating apparatus or coating method of the present invention, since the coating liquid is applied to the surface of the sphere floating in the container, the floating sphere is restricted in movement in the container, but floats. Since the sphere does not come into contact with the side wall of the container, a uniform coating film can be easily obtained on the surface of the sphere. Further, since it is not necessary to provide a special drying portion for drying the coating liquid, the structure and configuration of the coating apparatus can be simplified.

In order to blow air from the pressurized fluid introduction unit 30 onto the sphere 10 in a state where the spraying balance of the pressurized fluid is lost, the axis of the pressurized fluid introduction unit 30 is on the axis of the container 20 as shown in FIG. That is, the pressurized fluid introduction portion 30 may be attached to the bottom portion 21 of the container 20, except for the center of the bottom portion 21. The axis of the pressurized fluid introduction section 30 is parallel to the axis of the container 20. The main flow of the pressurized fluid introduced into the container 20 (specifically, the main flow of the pressurized fluid flowing toward the sphere 10 and upward of the container 20) is the axis of the container 20. Not on the line. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 6, the axis of the pressurized fluid introduction unit 30 may be in a form that is not parallel to the axis of the container 20. The pressurized fluid introduction portion 30 may be attached to the center of the bottom portion 21 of the container 20, or may be attached to a place other than the center of the bottom portion 21. The main flow of the pressurized fluid introduced into the container 20 is non-parallel to the axis of the container 20.

The coating device of the second embodiment is a modification of the coating device of the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 7 for a schematic end view, the floating means further includes a second pressurized fluid introduction unit 31 that introduces a pressurized fluid into the container 20 in order to suspend the sphere 10 in the container 20. There is. Then, the pressurized fluid is introduced into the container 20 from a plurality of places. The bottom portion 21 of the container 20 is closed, and the second pressurized fluid introduction portion 31 is attached to the bottom portion 21 of the container 20. The number of the second pressurized fluid introduction portions 31 may be 1 or more. Specifically, the pressurized fluid introduction portion 30 is attached to the center of the bottom 21 of the container 20, and the second pressurized fluid introduction portion 31 is attached to a place away from the center of the bottom 21 of the container 20. .. The number of the second pressurized fluid introduction portions 31 was set to 3, and each of the second pressurized fluid introduction portions 31 was arranged in a three-fold symmetry (120-degree symmetry) with the axis of the container 20 as the central axis. However, the number of the second pressurized fluid introduction units 31 and the arrangement state of each second pressurized fluid introduction unit 31 are not limited to this. Note that FIG. 7 illustrates one of the three second pressurized fluid introduction units 31. By arranging the second pressurized fluid introduction unit 31 in this way, it is possible to more easily perform highly accurate and highly accurate control of the pressure, flow rate and flow direction of the pressurized fluid.

Except for the above points, the configuration and structure of the coating device of Example 2 can be the same as the configuration and structure of the coating device of Example 1 or a modification thereof, and the coating using the coating device of Example 2 can be used. Since the method can be the same as the coating method of Example 1, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

Example 3 is a modification of the coating apparatus of Examples 1 to 2. Even in the coating device of the third embodiment, the floating means includes a pressurized fluid introduction unit that introduces a pressurized fluid into the container 20 in order to float the sphere 10 in the container 20. As shown in FIG. 8, a schematic end view shows that the bottom of the container 20 is closed, but unlike the coating device of the first embodiment, the pressurized fluid introduction portion 32 that also serves as the coating liquid introduction portion is the container. A pressurized fluid and a coating liquid, which are attached to the bottom of the 20 and are made of a gaseous substance, are introduced into the container 20 from the pressurized fluid introduction portion 32. In some cases, the coating liquid introduced into the container 20 is discharged from the coating liquid discharging portion provided in the upper part of the container 20. Further, in the coating method of Example 3, a pressurized fluid composed of a gaseous substance for suspending the sphere 10 in the container 20 and a coating liquid are introduced into the container 20 from the floating means. In some cases, the coating liquid introduced into the container 20 is discharged from the upper part of the container 20.

Also in Example 3, the coating liquid sprayed on the lower surface of the rotating sphere 10 is developed on the upper surface of the rotating sphere 10 from the region A side as the sphere 10 rotates, but the region where the wedge effect works. In B, it is difficult for the coating liquid to penetrate below the equatorial plane of the sphere 10. Then, a pool of excess coating liquid is generated in the gap formed by the surface of the sphere 10 and the side wall 20A of the container 20 (see FIG. 3), and the coating liquid is leveled and the excess coating liquid is pushed back. It works so that the film thickness of the coating film is constant. Then, the coating liquid spreads evenly on the surface of the sphere 10, and the coating liquid develops on the surface of the sphere 10 (see FIG. 4). Since the sphere 10 shifts while rotating, the axis of rotation gradually shifts (because it moves) in various directions instead of rotating in a fixed direction, so that the coating liquid spreads over the entire surface of the sphere 10. Moreover, since the sphere 10 is floating, the sphere 10 does not touch the side wall 20A of the container 20 during and after coating. By controlling the gap G between the surface of the sphere 10 and the side wall 20A of the container 20, the thickness of the coating liquid can be controlled, the pressure and flow rate of the pressurized fluid, and the coating liquid can be controlled. The thickness of the coating liquid can be controlled based on the supply amount of.

In some cases, as shown in FIG. 9 as a schematic end view, a lid 22 having a pressurized fluid discharge port 23 may be attached to the upper end portion of the container 20. The lid 22 may be opened and closed by an opening / closing device (not shown). The space formed by the lid 22 and the upper surface of the sphere 10 may be filled with the coating liquid. The coating liquid introduced into the container 20 can be discharged from the pressurized fluid discharge port 23, and the discharged coating liquid may be discarded or recovered.

Except for the above points, the configuration and structure of the coating apparatus of Example 3 can be the same as the configuration and structure of the coating apparatus of Examples 1 to 2 or a modification thereof, and the coating apparatus of Example 3 can be used. Since the coating method using the above can be the same as the coating method of Example 1, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

In the example in which the lid 22 whose schematic end view is shown in FIG. 9 is arranged, the pressurized fluid introduction portion 30 and the second pressurized fluid introduction portion 31 are attached to the bottom portion 21 of the container 20, and the coating liquid is attached to the lid 22. A supply port and a pressurized fluid discharge port may be provided. Then, the space formed by the lid 22 and the upper surface of the sphere 10 may be filled with the coating liquid. The coating liquid introduced into the container 20 can be discharged from the pressurized fluid discharge port, and the discharged coating liquid may be discarded or recovered. In some cases, a coating liquid discharge port may be provided at the bottom 21 of the container 20.

By the way, any device can be used as the pressurized fluid introduction unit 32 that also serves as the coating liquid introduction unit, and an example thereof will be described below as Example 4. In the following description, the pressurized fluid introduction unit 32 that also serves as the coating liquid introduction unit is referred to as a “coating liquid / pressurized fluid introduction nozzle”.

Example 4 relates to a coating liquid / pressurized fluid introduction nozzle (pressurized fluid introduction unit 32) incorporated in the coating apparatus of the present invention. The tip of the coating liquid / pressurized fluid introduction nozzle of Example 4 may be attached to the bottom 21 of the container 20 in the coating apparatus described in Examples 1 to 3 by an appropriate method.

Schematic end view of the coating liquid / pressurized fluid introduction nozzle of Example 4 along the arrows AA of FIG. 12 (introduction of coating liquid / pressurized fluid when cut in a second virtual plane extending in an arbitrary direction). A schematic cross-sectional view of the nozzle) is shown in FIG. 10, and a schematic end view along the arrows BB of FIG. 10 is shown in FIG. Further, a schematic end view of the coating liquid / pressurized fluid introduction nozzle of Example 4 similar to that shown in FIG. 10 is shown in FIG. 13, and the coating liquid / pressurized fluid of Example 4 similar to that shown in FIG. 10 is shown. In the schematic end view of the introduction nozzle, the flow of the pressurized fluid and the coating liquid is schematically shown in FIG. Further, FIG. 15 shows a conceptual diagram of the coating liquid supply system including the coating liquid / pressurized fluid introduction nozzle of Example 4. In the following description, the axis of the nozzle member is the X-axis, the axis perpendicular to the X-axis is the Y-axis, and the X-axis and the axis perpendicular to the Y-axis are the Z-axis.

As shown in FIG. 10, the coating liquid / pressurized fluid introduction nozzle 120 of the fourth embodiment is composed of a casing member 130 and a nozzle member 140 housed in the casing member 130, from the rear end portion of the nozzle member 140. This is a coating liquid / pressurized fluid introduction nozzle for obtaining a coating film by discharging the supplied coating liquid (indicated by a white arrow in FIG. 14) from the tip of the nozzle member 140.

The nozzle member 140 is composed of a first region 141, a second region 142, a third region 143, and a fourth region 144 from the tip end portion of the nozzle member 140 toward the rear end portion of the nozzle member 140.
The nozzle member 140 is
The coating liquid flow path 150, which penetrates the nozzle member 140 (specifically, the central portion of the nozzle member 140) along the axis AX of the nozzle member 140,
The coating liquid supply port 151 provided at the rear end of the coating liquid flow path 150, and
Coating liquid discharge port 152 provided at the tip of the coating liquid flow path 150,
It is equipped with.

Further, the outer surface 141'of the first region 141 has a cylindrical shape, and a first gap portion is provided between the inner surface 131 of the casing member 130 facing the first region 141 and the outer surface 141'of the first region 141. 161 is provided,
A space portion 145 is provided between the inner surface 133 of the casing member 130 facing the third region 143 and the outer surface 143'of the third region 143.
The casing member 130 facing the third region 143 is provided with a pressurized fluid supply port 135 communicating with the space portion 145.
The fourth region 144 closes the space portion 145.

Further, at least a part of the cross section of the outer surface 143'of the third region 143 when cut in the virtual plane parallel to the first virtual plane perpendicular to the axis AX of the nozzle member 140 is reduced toward the second region 142. And
In the second region 142, a slit portion 163 included in a virtual plane parallel to the second virtual plane including the axis AX of the nozzle member 140 (referred to as a “third virtual plane” for convenience) is formed. Slit (see Figure 12),
The pressurized fluid introduced into the space portion 145 from the pressurized fluid supply port 135 collides with the outer surface 143'of the third region 143 and becomes a swirling flow, and the pressurized fluid that has become a swirling flow is the first from the slit portion 163. 1 It is ejected (injected, discharged) to the outside via the gap portion 161.

More specifically, the second region 142 has a truncated cone-shaped outer surface 142'on the first region side, and the inner surface 132 of the casing member 130 facing the second region 142 and the second region 142. A second gap 162 is provided between the truncated cone-shaped outer surface 142'and the outer surface 142'. More specifically, the pressurized fluid introduced from the pressurized fluid supply port 135 into the space portion 145 collides with the outer surface 143'of the third region 143 and swirls (indicated by a black arrow in FIG. 14). ), And the pressurized fluid that has become a swirling flow is ejected (injected, discharged) from the second gap portion 162 and the slit portion 163 to the outside via the first gap portion 161. In FIG. 14, the pressurized fluid ejected (injected and discharged) to the outside (referred to as “spouting pressurized fluid” for convenience) is indicated by an arrow and a black arrow, and the coating liquid discharged from the coating liquid discharge port 152 is indicated by an arrow and a black arrow. Is indicated by a white circle.

The outer surface 141'of the first region 141 having a cylindrical shape and the outer surface 142' of the second region 142 having a truncated cone shape are connected to each other. At least a part of the cross section of the outer surface 143'of the third region 143 is a portion connected to the second region 142. That is, the reduced portion of the cross section of the outer surface 143'of the third region 143 extends from the portion connected to the second region toward the fourth region. The slit portion 163 communicates with the space portion 145 and also communicates with the first gap portion 161. The slit portion 163 may or may not communicate with the second gap portion 162, or may not communicate with the second gap portion 162. The slit portion 163 is included in the third virtual plane, but the third virtual plane does not have to be exactly parallel to the second virtual plane. It is desirable that the first gap portion 161 is provided on the entire circumference between the inner surface 131 of the casing member 130 facing the first region 141 and the outer surface 141'of the first region 141, but a part between them. It may be provided in. It is desirable that the second gap portion 162 is provided on the entire circumference between the inner surface 132 of the casing member 130 facing the second region 142 and the outer surface 142'of the second region 142, but a part between them. It may be provided in. The pressurized fluid supply port 135 is located in the second virtual plane. When the diameter of the outer surface 142'of the truncated cone shape on the rear end side of the nozzle member is R _TC-2 , and the diameter of the outer surface 143'of the third region 143 connected to the second region is R ₃₀ (see FIG. 13). , R _TC-2 and R ₃₀ are not limited, but preferably satisfy 0.3 ≤ R ₃₀ / R _TC-2 ≤ 0.7.

Further, as shown in FIG. 15, the coating liquid supply system 110 of Example 4 has a coating liquid supply system 110.
The coating liquid / pressurized fluid introduction nozzle 120 of Example 4 described above,
The coating liquid supply device 170 (coating liquid supply system) that supplies the coating liquid to the coating liquid supply port 151 constituting the nozzle member 140, and
Pressurized fluid supply device 180 (pressurized fluid supply system) that supplies pressurized fluid to the pressurized fluid supply port 135,
It is equipped with.

In the coating liquid supply system 110 of the fourth embodiment, as shown in FIG. 15, the coating liquid supply device (coating liquid supply system) 170 includes a pump 171 and a pipe 172 connecting the coating liquid supply port 151 and the pump 171. It is provided with two orifices 173 and 174 arranged in the middle of the pipe 172. Further, a discharge pipe 175 is connected to the pipe 172 between the two orifices 173 and 174, a trap portion 176 is provided in the middle of the discharge pipe 175, and the discharge pipe 175 is a pressure adjusting means 177. It is connected to the outside of the system via.

The pump 171 can be configured from any type of pump, for example, a syringe pump with a servo mechanism can be exemplified. Further, the trap portion 176 is provided for adjusting the flow rate of the coating liquid, and is provided for absorbing the pressure fluctuation and the pulsation of the pressure generated in the coating liquid, and is a thin tube (adjustment) wound in a coil shape. It consists of a pressure coil). By providing the two orifices 173 and 174, the pressure fluctuation and pressure pulsation generated in the coating liquid in the coating liquid / pressurized fluid introduction nozzle 120 when the coating liquid / pressurized fluid introduction nozzle 120 is moved are applied. The effect on the liquid supply system can be reduced. Specifically, the pressure adjusting means 177 includes a pressure adjusting throttle valve and a discharge valve for the coating liquid. A pressure gauge 178 is arranged upstream of the pressure adjusting means 177.

The pressurized fluid supply device (pressurized fluid supply system) 180 includes a pressurized fluid source, a pressurized fluid flow rate control device, and a pressurized fluid pressure control device. Specifically, for example, the pressurized fluid source 181 , Precision regulator 182, flow rate stabilizing accumulator 183, mass flow controller 184, and pressurized fluid flow rate control device 185, which are connected by a pipe 187. A pressure gauge 186 is arranged downstream of the precision regulator 182. The pressurized fluid consists of air or nitrogen gas. The pipe 187 is connected to the pressurized fluid supply port 135.

In the coating liquid / pressurized fluid introduction nozzle of Example 4, the cross-sectional shape of the third region 143 when cut in a virtual plane (YZ virtual plane) parallel to the first virtual plane is circular, and the second virtual plane ( The cross-sectional shape of the outer surface of the third region 143 when cut in the XY virtual plane) is arch-shaped (crown-shaped). The value of (maximum radius of the cross-sectional shape of the third region 143) / (length of the third region 143) is preferably 0.01 to 0.5, specifically 0.2. .. The pressurized fluid supply port 135 is a portion having the maximum cross-sectional shape of the third region 143 when cut in a virtual plane parallel to the first virtual plane (for convenience, it may be referred to as “maximum radius portion 143”). It is provided in the casing member 130 corresponding to the portion on the rear end side of the nozzle member 140. Specifically, the center of the pressurized fluid supply port 135 is 1 mm to 5 mm from the maximum radius portion 143 ". , It is located on the rear end side of the nozzle member 140, and more specifically, it is located on the rear end side of the 0.5 mm nozzle member 140. The number of the pressurized fluid supply ports 135 may be one or more, and may be a plurality.

When the number of the pressurized fluid supply ports 135 is a plurality (M), the normal projection image when the pressurized fluid supply port 135 is normally projected onto the first virtual plane has the axis of symmetry (rotational axis) as the axis of the nozzle member 140. It is preferable that the fluid is arranged symmetrically with respect to the rotation of M times, whereby the pressurized fluid introduced into the space portion 145 can be made into a swirling flow more easily. By making the cross-sectional shape of the outer surface of the third region 143 arch-shaped (crown-shaped) when cut in the second virtual plane, the pressurized fluid introduced into the space portion 145 from the pressurized fluid supply port 135 can be easily applied. It can be a swirling flow, and the swirling speed of the ejected pressurized fluid can be increased. In some cases, the cross-sectional shape of the outer surface of the third region 143 when cut in the second virtual plane may be linear (tapered). The axis of the pressurized fluid supply port 135 may or may not intersect the axis of the nozzle member 140. In the latter case, the pressurized fluid introduced into the space portion 145 can be made into a swirling flow more easily. Further, a normal projection image of the axis of the pressurized fluid supply port 135 to the virtual plane passing through the axis of the nozzle member 140 and the central portion of the entrance of the pressurized fluid supply port 135, and the axis of the nozzle member 140 to the virtual plane. The orthophotographs may intersect at 90 degrees or at angles other than 90 degrees. In the latter case, when the direction of the axis of the nozzle member 140 toward the tip of the nozzle member 140 is the positive direction, the normal projection image of the axis of the pressurized fluid supply port 135 to this virtual plane and the normal projection image to this virtual plane. It is preferable that the normal projection image of the axis of the nozzle member 140 intersects at a sharp angle.

Further, the front end surface of the casing member 130 facing the first region 141 is preferably located closer to the rear end portion of the nozzle member 140 than the front end surface of the first region 141. In this case, the first region 141 and the front end surface thereof. The distance L ₁ from the tip surface of the facing casing member 130 to the tip surface of the first region 141 may be, but is not limited to, 0.1 mm to 1 mm.

Further, the number (N) of the slit portions 163 may be appropriately determined depending on the coating liquid to be used, and may be, for example, 1 to 8. The width of the slit portion 163 is not limited, but 0.05 mm to 0.5 mm can be exemplified. When N ≧ 2, the orthographic image when the slit portion 163 is projected onto the first virtual plane is arranged in N rotation symmetry with the axis of symmetry (rotational axis) as the axis of the nozzle member 140. Is preferable. When the second gap portion 162 is provided, it is desirable that the slit portion 163 communicates with the second gap portion 162, but it does not have to communicate with the second gap portion 162. When a plurality of slit portions 163 are provided, the width of the slit portions 163 (or the cross-sectional area of the slit portions 163) may be the same or different.

The casing member 130 and the nozzle member 140 are, for example, stainless steel (SUS304, SUS316, etc.), polyetheretherketone (PEEK) resin, or total aromatic polyimide resin (specifically, for example, Vespel (registered trademark)). It is made from.

The tip surface 130A of the casing member 130 facing the first region 141 is located closer to the rear end portion of the nozzle member 140 than the tip surface 141A of the first region 141. Here, the distance L ₁ from the tip surface 130A of the casing member 130 facing the first region 141 to the tip surface 141A of the first region 141 is specifically set as shown in Table 1 below. In the coating liquid / pressurized fluid introduction nozzle of Example 4, the number (N) of the slit portions 163 is set to 4, and the width W _Slit (see FIG. 12) of the slit portions 163 is specifically shown in Table 1 below. I did. The orthographic image when the slit portion 163 is projected onto the first virtual plane is arranged in four rotational symmetries with the axis of symmetry as the axis AX of the nozzle member 140. The casing member 130 and the nozzle member 140 were made from a total aromatic polyimide resin (specifically, Vespel) by cutting. also,
(A) Width W ₁ of the first gap 161
(B) Width W ₂ of the second gap 162
(C) Maximum radius r _max of the cross-sectional shape of the third region 143
(D) Radius r ₃₀ of the inner surface of the casing member 130 facing the third region 143.
(E) Diameter R _in of the coating liquid supply port 151 provided at the rear end of the coating liquid flow path 150.
(F) Diameter R _out of the coating liquid discharge port 152 provided at the tip of the coating liquid flow path 150.
(G) Diameter R _gas of pressurized fluid supply port 135
(H) Diameter R _TC-1 on the tip side of the nozzle member of the outer surface 142'of the truncated cone shape.
(I) Diameter R _TC-2 on the rear end side of the nozzle member on the outer surface 142'of the truncated cone shape.
(J) The diameter of the outer surface 143'of the third region 143 connected to the second region is R ₃₀ .
(K) Distance D _Slit (see FIG. 12) between the second virtual plane including the axis AX of the nozzle member 140 and the virtual plane (third virtual plane) provided with the slit portion 163.
Is as shown in Table 1 below. See FIG. 13 for L ₁ , W ₁ , W ₂ , r _max , r ₃₀ , R _in , R _out , R _gas , _RTC-1 , _RTC-2 and _R30 described above.

<Table 1>
L ₁ : 0.5 mm
W _Slit : 0.3mm
D _Slit : 0.5mm
W ₁ : 0.1 mm
W ₂ : 0.1 mm
r _max : 252 mm
r ₃₀ : 4.2 mm
R _in : 1.0 mm
R _out : 2.0 mm
R _gas : 2.4 mm
R _TC-1 : 3.2 mm
R _TC-2 : 7.0 mm
R ₃₀ : 4.0 mm

In the coating liquid / pressurized fluid introduction nozzle of the fourth embodiment, since the slit portion is formed, the pressurized fluid (spouting pressurized fluid) ejected (injected and discharged) to the outside becomes a swirling flow. Moreover, due to the ejected pressurized fluid, the space in the vicinity of the coating liquid discharge port is in a reduced pressure state or a vacuum state. By making the ejected pressurized fluid a swirling flow, it is possible to more efficiently put the space in the vicinity of the coating liquid discharge port into a decompressed state or a vacuum state. As a result of the above, the coating liquid discharged from the coating liquid discharge port is mixed with the jet pressurized fluid that has become a swirling flow. By controlling the flow rate and pressure of the coating liquid and the pressurized fluid, the coating liquid discharged from the coating liquid discharge port can be in the form of uniform and homogeneous fine particles. Can be easily performed.

Moreover, the utilization efficiency of the coating liquid is high. For example, the amount of paint used could be reduced to about 1/2 as compared with the case of using a conventional spray device. For example, in paints, there are not many restrictions or restrictions on the particle size of pigments and additives, and there are not many restrictions on the solvent used. It is possible to form a coating film in a wide thickness range (for example, 5 μm to 200 μm).

In the coating liquid / pressurized fluid introduction nozzle of the fourth embodiment, since the slit portion is formed, the ejected pressurized fluid ejected (injected and discharged) to the outside becomes a swirling flow, and moreover, the ejected pressurization is performed. Depending on the fluid, the space near the coating liquid discharge port is in a depressurized state or a vacuum state. As a result, the coating liquid discharged from the coating liquid discharge port is mixed with the ejected pressurized fluid that has become a swirling flow.

Although the present invention has been described above based on preferred examples, the present invention is not limited to these examples. In the embodiment, the coating liquid is applied while the sphere is rotating, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the coating liquid may be applied even if the coating liquid is applied in a floating state but not in a rotating state. good. A so-called multi-piece picking method may be adopted by disposing a plurality of coating devices. The bottom of the container is hemispherical, but it may be flat. It is not essential to close the bottom of the container if the pressurized fluid introduction and the second pressurized fluid introduction can be attached to the bottom side of the container in an appropriate manner.

The configuration and structure of the coating liquid / pressurized fluid introduction nozzle and the coating liquid supply system described in the fourth embodiment are also examples, and can be appropriately changed. As shown in FIG. 11, a schematic end view of a modified example of the coating liquid / pressurized fluid introduction nozzle along the arrows AA of FIG. 13 is shown in FIG. 11, the third region 143 of the nozzle member 140 and the second nozzle member 140. A portion of the third region 143 of the nozzle member 140 near the boundary of the region 142 and / or a third region 143 of the nozzle member 140 near the boundary between the third region 143 of the nozzle member 140 and the fourth region 144 of the nozzle member 140. A recess 143a for controlling the flow of the swirling flow may be formed in the portion of the above.

The present invention may also have the following configuration.
[A01] << Coating device >>
A cylindrical container that has a diameter larger than the diameter of the sphere and stores the sphere,
Floating means for floating spheres in a container, and
Coating liquid introduction part for applying the coating liquid to the surface of the sphere floating in the container,
A coating device equipped with.
[A02] The coating device according to [A01], wherein the floating means comprises a pressurized fluid introduction unit that introduces a pressurized fluid into the container in order to float the sphere in the container.
[A03] The bottom of the container is closed and
The pressurized fluid inlet is attached to the bottom of the container and
The coating device according to [A02], wherein the coating liquid introduction portion is arranged above the container.
[A04] The coating device according to [A03], further comprising a drying device above the container.
[A05] In any one of [A02] to [A04], the floating means further includes a second pressurized fluid introduction section for introducing a pressurized fluid into the container in order to float the sphere in the container. The coating device described.
[A06] The bottom of the container is closed and
The coating device according to [A05], wherein the second pressurized fluid introduction section is attached to the bottom of the container.
[A07] The coating device according to any one of [A02] to [A06], wherein the pressurized fluid is made of a gaseous substance.
[A08] The coating apparatus according to [A07], which controls the thickness of the coating liquid based on the pressure and flow rate of the pressurized fluid and the supply amount of the coating liquid.
[A09] The bottom of the container is closed and
The pressurized fluid introduction part, which also serves as the coating liquid introduction part, is attached to the bottom of the container.
The coating device according to [A02], wherein the pressurized fluid and the coating liquid made of a gaseous substance are introduced into the container from the pressurized fluid introduction portion.
[A10] The coating device according to any one of [A02] to [A09], wherein the axis of the pressurized fluid introduction section is not on the axis of the container.
[A11] The coating device according to any one of [A02] to [A09], wherein the axis of the pressurized fluid introduction portion is not parallel to the axis of the container.
[A12] The coating device according to any one of [A01] to [A11], wherein the sphere is rotated in a floating state.
[B01] << Application method >>
A coating method in which a coating liquid is applied to the surface of a sphere while floating the sphere by a floating means in a cylindrical container having a diameter larger than the diameter of the sphere.
[B02] The coating method according to [B01], wherein a pool of coating liquid is generated in a gap formed by a surface of a sphere and a side wall of a container.
[B03] The coating method according to [B01] or [B02], wherein the coating liquid is applied to the surface of a sphere suspended in the container, and then the coating liquid is dried while the sphere is suspended in the container.
[B04] After applying the coating liquid to the surface of the sphere floating in the container, the sphere is moved above the container by the floating means, and the coating liquid is dried with the sphere floating above the container [B01] or. The coating method according to [B02].
[B05] The coating method according to any one of [B01] to [B04], wherein a pressurized fluid made of a gaseous substance is introduced into the container from the floating means in order to suspend the sphere in the container.
[B06] The coating method according to [B05], wherein the pressurized fluid is introduced into the container from a plurality of locations.
[B07] The coating method according to [B05] or [B06], wherein the thickness of the coating liquid is controlled based on the pressure and flow rate of the pressurized fluid and the supply amount of the coating liquid.
[B08] The item according to any one of [B01] to [B04], wherein the pressurized fluid made of a gaseous substance for suspending the sphere in the container and the coating liquid are introduced into the container from the suspending means. Application method.
[B09] The coating method according to any one of [B05] to [B08], wherein the main flow of the pressurized fluid introduced into the container is not on the axis of the container.
[B10] The coating method according to any one of [B05] to [B08], wherein the main flow of the pressurized fluid introduced into the container is non-parallel to the axis of the container.
[B11] The coating method according to any one of [B01] to [B10], wherein the sphere is rotated in a floating state.
[C01] << Coating liquid / pressurized fluid introduction nozzle >>
Introducing a coating liquid / pressurized fluid which is composed of a casing member and a nozzle member stored in the casing member and discharges a coating liquid supplied from the rear end portion of the nozzle member from the tip end portion of the nozzle member to obtain a coating film. It ’s a nozzle,
The nozzle member is composed of a first region, a second region, a third region, and a fourth region from the front end portion of the nozzle member toward the rear end portion of the nozzle member.
The nozzle member is
A coating liquid flow path that penetrates the nozzle member along the axis of the nozzle member,
A coating liquid supply port provided at the rear end of the coating liquid flow path, and a coating liquid supply port, and
Coating liquid discharge port provided at the tip of the coating liquid flow path,
Equipped with
The outer surface of the first region has a cylindrical shape, and a first gap portion is provided between the inner surface of the casing member facing the first region and the outer surface of the first region.
A space is provided between the inner surface of the casing member facing the third region and the outer surface of the third region.
The casing member facing the third region is provided with a pressurized fluid supply port communicating with the space.
The fourth region closes the space and
At least a part of the cross section of the outer surface of the third region when cut in the virtual plane parallel to the first virtual plane perpendicular to the axis of the nozzle member is reduced toward the second region.
In the second region, a slit portion included in a virtual plane parallel to the second virtual plane including the axis of the nozzle member is formed.
The pressurized fluid introduced into the space from the pressurized fluid supply port collides with the outer surface of the third region and becomes a swirling flow, and the pressurized fluid that has become a swirling flow passes from the slit portion to the first gap portion. A nozzle for introducing a coating liquid / pressurized fluid that is ejected to the outside.
[C02] The second region has a truncated cone-shaped outer surface on the first region side, and between the inner surface of the casing member facing the second region and the outer surface of the truncated cone shape of the second region. A second gap is provided,
The pressurized fluid introduced into the space from the pressurized fluid supply port collides with the outer surface of the third region and becomes a swirling flow, and the pressurized fluid that has become a swirling flow is the first from the second gap portion and the slit portion. The coating liquid / pressurized fluid introduction nozzle according to [C01], which is ejected to the outside via a gap.
[C03] The cross-sectional shape of the third region when cut in a virtual plane parallel to the first virtual plane is circular.
The coating liquid / pressurized fluid introduction nozzle according to [C01] or [C02], wherein the cross-sectional shape of the outer surface of the third region when cut in the second virtual plane is arch-shaped.
The coating liquid / pressurized fluid introduction nozzle according to [C03], wherein the value of [C04] (maximum radius of the cross-sectional shape of the third region) / (length of the third region) is 0.01 to 0.1.
[C05] The pressurized fluid supply port is a casing corresponding to a portion on the rear end portion side of the nozzle member rather than a portion having the maximum cross-sectional shape of the third region when cut in a virtual plane parallel to the first virtual plane. The coating liquid / pressurized fluid introduction nozzle according to [C03] or [C04] provided on the member.
[C06] The center of the pressurized fluid supply port is located 1 mm to 5 mm on the rear end side of the nozzle member with respect to the portion having the maximum cross-sectional shape of the third region when cut in the first virtual plane [C06]. C05]. The coating liquid / pressurized fluid introduction nozzle.
[C07] The coating according to any one of [C01] to [C06], wherein the front end surface of the casing member facing the first region is located closer to the rear end portion of the nozzle member than the front end surface of the first region. Liquid / pressurized fluid introduction nozzle.
[C08] The coating liquid / pressurized fluid introduction nozzle according to any one of [C01] to [C07], wherein the number of slit portions is 1 to 8.
[C09] The coating liquid / addition according to any one of [C01] to [C08], wherein the casing member and the nozzle member are made of stainless steel, polyetheretherketone resin, or all-aromatic polyimide resin. Pressure fluid introduction nozzle.
[C10] The coating liquid / pressurized fluid introduction nozzle according to any one of [C01] to [C09], wherein the pressurized fluid is composed of air or nitrogen gas.
[D01] << Coating liquid supply system >>
The coating liquid / pressurized fluid introduction nozzle according to any one of [C01] to [C10].
A coating liquid supply device that supplies the coating liquid to the coating liquid supply port that constitutes the nozzle member, and
Pressurized fluid supply device that supplies pressurized fluid to the pressurized fluid supply port,
The coating liquid supply system is equipped with.
[D02] The coating liquid supply system according to [D01], wherein the coating liquid supply device includes a pump, a pipe connecting the coating liquid supply port and the pump, and two orifices arranged in the middle of the piping.
[D03] A discharge pipe is connected to the pipe between the two orifices.
A trap part is provided in the middle of the discharge pipe,
The coating liquid supply system according to [D02], wherein the discharge pipe is connected to the outside of the system via a pressure adjusting means.
[D04] The coating liquid supply according to any one of [D01] to [D03], wherein the pressurized fluid supply device includes a pressurized fluid source, a pressurized fluid flow rate control device, and a pressurized fluid pressure control device. system.

10 ... Sphere, 20 ... Container, 20A ... Container side wall, 21 ... Container bottom, 22 ... Lid, 23 ... Pressurized fluid outlet, 30 ... Pressurized Fluid introduction section, 31 ... Second pressurized fluid introduction section, 32 ... Pressurized fluid introduction section that also serves as a coating liquid introduction section, 40 ... Coating solution introduction section, 41 ... Drive device, 42 ... Arm part, 110 ... Coating liquid supply system, 120 ... Coating liquid / pressurized fluid introduction nozzle, 130 ... Casing member, 130A ... Tip surface of casing member, 131 ... Inner surface of the casing member facing the 1st region, 132 ... Inner surface of the casing member facing the 2nd region, 133 ... Inner surface of the casing member facing the 3rd region, 135 ... Pressurized fluid supply port, 140 ... Nozzle member, 141 ... First region of nozzle member, 141'... Outer surface of first region, 141A ... Tip surface of first region, 142 ... Second region of nozzle member , 142'... outer surface of truncated conical shape, 143 ... third region of nozzle member, 143'... outer surface of third region, 143 "... maximum radius portion, 143a ... recessed, 144 ... Fourth region of nozzle member, 145 ... Space, 150 ... Coating liquid flow path, 151 ... Coating liquid supply port, 152 ... Coating liquid discharge port, 161 ... 1 gap, 162 ... second gap, 163 ... slit, 170 ... coating liquid supply device, 171 ... pump, 172 ... piping, 173, 174 ... orifice, 175 ... Discharge pipe, 176 ... Trap unit, 177 ... Pressure adjusting means, 178 ... Pressure gauge, 180 ... Pressurized fluid supply device, 181 ... Pressurized fluid source, 182 ... -Precision regulator, 183 ... Stable flow accumulator, 184 ... Mass flow controller, 185 ... Pressurized fluid flow control device, 186 ... Pressure gauge, 187 ... Piping, AX ... Nozzle member Axis

Claims (21)

A cylindrical container, which has a diameter larger than the diameter of the sphere, has a closed bottom, and stores the sphere.
A pressurized fluid introduction section for introducing a pressurized fluid into the container is attached to the bottom of the container, and the sphere is suspended in the container by the pressurized fluid jetted upward from the pressurized fluid introduction section. Means and
A coating liquid introduction unit for applying a coating liquid to the surface of the sphere floating in the container,
A coating device equipped with. The coating device according to claim 1 , wherein the coating liquid introduction unit is arranged above the container. The coating device according to claim 2 , further comprising a drying device above the container. One of claims 1 to 3 , wherein the floating means further includes a second pressurized fluid introduction unit that introduces a pressurized fluid into the container in order to float the sphere in the container. The coating device according to. The coating device according to claim 4 , wherein the second pressurized fluid introduction section is attached to the bottom of the container. The coating device according to any one of claims 1 to 5 , wherein the pressurized fluid is made of a gaseous substance. The coating device according to claim 6 , wherein the thickness of the coating liquid is controlled based on the pressure and flow rate of the pressurized fluid and the supply amount of the coating liquid. The pressurized fluid introduction portion that also serves as a coating liquid introduction portion is attached to the bottom of the container.
The coating device according to claim 1 , wherein the pressurized fluid and the coating liquid made of a gaseous substance are introduced into the container from the pressurized fluid introduction unit. The coating device according to any one of claims 1 to 8 , wherein the axis of the pressurized fluid introduction portion is not on the axis of the container. The coating device according to any one of claims 1 to 8 , wherein the axis of the pressurized fluid introduction portion is not parallel to the axis of the container. The coating device according to any one of claims 1 to 10 , wherein the sphere is rotated in a floating state. In a cylindrical container having a diameter larger than the diameter of the sphere, the coating is applied to a part of the gap formed between the sphere suspended by the pressurized fluid jetted into the container by the floating means and the side wall of the container. A coating method in which a coating liquid is applied to the surface of a sphere while creating a liquid pool . The coating method according to claim 1 and 2 , wherein the coating liquid is applied to the surface of the sphere floating in the container, and then the coating liquid is dried while the sphere is suspended in the container. After applying the coating liquid to the surface of the sphere floating in the container, the sphere is moved above the container by the jetted pressurized fluid, and the sphere is suspended above the container. The coating method according to claim 1 and 2 , wherein the coating liquid is dried. The coating method according to any one of claims 12 to 14 , wherein the pressurized fluid is made of a gaseous substance. The coating method according to claim 15 , wherein the pressurized fluid is introduced into the container from a plurality of locations. The coating method according to claim 15 or 16 , wherein the thickness of the coating liquid is controlled based on the pressure and flow rate of the pressurized fluid and the supply amount of the coating liquid. The coating according to any one of claims 12 to 14 , wherein the pressurized fluid for suspending the sphere in the container and the coating liquid are introduced into the container from the floating means. Method. The coating method according to any one of claims 15 to 18 , wherein the main flow of the pressurized fluid introduced into the container is not on the axis of the container. The coating method according to any one of claims 15 to 18 , wherein the main flow of the pressurized fluid introduced into the container is non-parallel to the axis of the container. The coating method according to any one of claims 12 to 20 , wherein the sphere is rotated in a floating state.

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