JP2002167246A - Method of fabricating glass panel - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method of fabricating a glass panel capable of filling a molten metallic material smoothly and surely into the gap of glass sheets using an introduction plate transferring in the gap so that the introduction plate never stands in the way of filling. SOLUTION: This method of fabricating a glass panel comprises filling a molten solder (a) carried by an introduction plate 8 inserted into the gap between a pair of sheet glasses 1 and 2 maintained at a reduced pressure close to vacuum and transferable in the gap at the periphery to seal the gap airtight, where in the filling step a storage 9 of the solder (a) is held higher than the introduction plate 8 generating a head H so that the feeding pressure of the molten solder (a) reaching the introduction plate is maintained at a positive value.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a glass panel in which a gap is formed between opposing surfaces of a pair of glass sheets, and the gap is hermetically sealed by the peripheral edges of the two glass sheets, and a manufacturing method thereof. It is about the method. Note that the pair of glass plates having a gap are all included in the category of the “multi-layer glass panel” regardless of the state of air, gas, or a pressure near a vacuum in the gap.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a double-pane glass or a glass panel having a sealed peripheral portion, in order to obtain airtightness of a gap between the glass plates, the entire periphery of a peripheral portion of a pair of glass plates facing each other is required. There is a technique in which a metal material such as solder is filled and joined to form a hermetic seal. Generally, the surface of a glass plate is hard to wet with molten metal, and has poor adhesion directly to molten solder. Therefore, for example, international publication number WO00 / 58
In Japanese Patent No. 234, the metal material can be adhered to a hardly wettable glass plate by soldering while inserting and moving an introduction plate into a gap between a pair of glass plates. And a manufacturing method capable of further improving airtightness are disclosed.

[0003]

However, in the above-mentioned publication, there is no particular mention of the points to be noted regarding the filling of the solder using the introduction plate. That is, in general, the size of the gap in the double-glazed glass panel is extremely small (about 0.2 mm), and the molten glass is inserted in a state where a thinner introduction plate (about 0.1 mm) is inserted into the narrow gap. Since the molten metal material is drawn into the gap, if the supply of the molten metal material to the gap entrance is insufficient, the metal material may not be able to be introduced into the gap well, and there is room for improvement in that respect. Seems to be.

It is an object of the present invention to reliably supply a molten metal material to a gap entrance while adopting a method of filling a gap with a metal material while moving an introduction plate in a gap between glass plates. Another object of the present invention is to provide a manufacturing method capable of smoothly and surely filling a gap with a molten metal material.

[0005]

Means for Solving the Problems [Configuration and Function] Claim 1
1 and FIG. 3, in a state inserted into the gap V in the gap V in the peripheral edge s of the pair of glass plates 1 and 2 opposed to each other with the gap V interposed therebetween. A method of manufacturing a glass panel in which both glass plates 1 and 2 are integrated with each other while filling a molten metal material a by being transferred to a movable introducing plate 8 so that a gap V is hermetically sealed. , The molten metal material a
Is filled in the gap V, the supply pressure when the molten metal material a reaches the introduction plate 8 is maintained at a positive value.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the supply pressure when the molten metal material reaches the introduction plate is maintained at a positive value, so that the molten metal material is drawn in by the introduction plate in the gap. Since the air is continuously supplied to the gap inlet, the gap can be reliably sealed without the metal material being interrupted halfway and airtightness being impaired.
Here, the supply pressure having a positive value refers to a state in which the pressure at the supply port when the supply port of the molten metal material is closed occurs in the direction in which the molten metal flows out from the supply port. If the supply pressure is negative, that is, if the pressure distribution is such that the molten metal is sucked from the supply port, the supply of the molten metal to the glass gap is interrupted, which is inconvenient.

The method of claim 2 is as shown in FIG.
2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of providing a storage section for supplying the molten metal material a to the introduction plate, and setting the supply pressure to a positive value by a drop H when the storage section is disposed above the introduction plate. Is maintained.

According to the method of claim 2, since the positive pressure is maintained by utilizing the gravity due to the head, it is only necessary to raise the set position of the storage unit, and special equipment such as a pressurizing mechanism is required. It becomes unnecessary. Also, by changing the height of the storage portion in the vertical direction, the value of the positive pressure can be easily changed and set.

The structure of claim 3 is as shown in FIG.
2. The method according to claim 1, wherein a storage section 9 for supplying the molten metal material a to the introduction plate 8 is provided, and the storage section 9 is pressurized to maintain the supply pressure at a positive value. Is what you do.

According to the method of claim 3, since the positive pressure is maintained by pressurizing the storage section, there is no restriction on the position and height of the storage section, and the storage section can be arranged anywhere. Thus, an advantageous state can be obtained on the layout of the equipment.
Further, the value of the positive pressure can be easily changed and set by changing the pressing force.

Note that, as described above, reference numerals are provided for convenience of comparison with the drawings, but the present invention is not limited to the method shown in the accompanying drawings.

[0012]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a glass panel G. The glass panel G is a so-called “vacuum multilayer glass” in which a gap close to a vacuum state is provided between the pair of glass plates 1 and 2. The structure is described in detail. A large number of spacers 3 are interposed between a pair of glass plates 1 and 2 whose plate surfaces are opposed to each other, and an outer peripheral seal is formed between the outer peripheral portions of the glass plates 1 and 2. A portion 4 is provided to form a gap V between the pair of glass plates 1 and 2 which is reduced in pressure near a vacuum. The thickness of each of the glass plates 1 and 2 is 2.6.
It is set to 5 mm to 3.2 mm.

The outer peripheral sealing portion 4 is formed of solder a, which is an example of a metal material, and seals between the outer peripheral edges of the two glass plates 1 and 2 to maintain the internal gap V in an airtight state. Is configured. The gap V is, for example, 1.33 Pa
(Corresponding to 0.01 Torr) or less, so that one glass plate 2 has a suction hole 5 for suction and pressure reduction.
Is provided, and the suction hole 5 is sealed after the suction operation. The solder a uses Sn—Zn—Ti-based molten solder.

The spacer 3 has a compressive strength of 4.9 × (10
Of the material) Pa or more, for example, stainless steel (SU
Using S304), a diameter of 0.3 mm to 1.0 mm
It is preferable that the height is about 0.15 mm to about 1.0 mm and the space between the spacers 3 is about 20 mm. The material of the spacer 8 is not particularly limited to stainless steel. For example, the spacer 3 can be formed of various materials such as Inconel 718 and other metal materials, quartz glass, and ceramics. Not only the shape but also a prismatic shape can be used. Also, the spacing between the spacers 3 can be appropriately changed.

As shown in FIG. 2, both glass plates 1 and 2
The inclined surfaces 1c, 2c obtained by chamfering the corners of the plate surfaces 1a, 2a facing each other are formed over the entire circumference of each of the plate surfaces 1a, 2a. In other words, the inclined surfaces 1c and 2c form a groove portion k formed in a flared shape in which the gap portion V is relatively widened toward the outside, and the groove portion k is formed of the glass plates 1 and 2. It is formed over the entire periphery of the peripheral portion s. These inclined surfaces 1c and 2c have the same angle and the same size, and therefore, the glass plates 1 and 2 are made of the same parts.

Next, a method for manufacturing the glass panel G will be described. FIG. 3 shows a joining device A in which solder a is poured into a peripheral portion of a gap formed between the glass plates 1 and 2. The joining device A includes a base 6, a supply tower 7, which can move linearly along the longitudinal direction of the base 6, and a very thin vertically extending laterally extending from the lower end of the supply tower 7. It is composed of a flat introduction plate 8 and the like.

The supply tower 7 includes a crucible portion (an example of a storage portion) 9 for storing molten solder (including unmelted solder) a, an electric heater 10 for heating the crucible portion 9 and keeping the temperature free, a crucible portion. A moving mechanism configured to have an introduction path 11 and the like connecting the bottom of the base 9 and a support portion of the introduction plate 8, and to be able to move and travel using a rail member 12 arranged near the surface plate 6. 13 is provided. Crucible part 9
Is arranged at a position higher than the position of the introduction plate 8, and the supply pressure at the time of reaching the introduction plate 8, that is, the exit pressure of the introduction passage 11 is set to a positive value due to the gravity caused by the head H of the two. The positive pressure applying means B for maintaining the pressure is constituted.

As shown in FIG. 8, the introduction plate 8 may have a shape in which two bent portions 8k which are wavy up and down a plurality of times in the moving direction are formed at an interval. In other words, the movement of the introduction plate 8 causes the bent portion 8k having a spring action to lightly rub the surfaces of the glass plates 1 and 2, thereby further improving the adhesion of the solder a to the glass surface and increasing the gap V The effect of ensuring the airtightness can be exhibited.

The molten solder “a” stored in the crucible portion 9 is supplied to the introduction plate 8 via the introduction passage 11 at a constant speed on the rail member 12 and at a constant speed. The molten solder a is forcibly supplied to the introduction plate 8 inserted in the gap V, so that the gap V can be moved.
And the molten solder a can be reliably filled.

First, rectangular glass plates 1 and 2 which are opposed to each other via a number of spacers 3 are placed on a surface plate 6 in a lying state. At this time, the setting is performed so that one side of the glass plates 1 and 2 and the rail member 12 are parallel in plan view. Next, the height of the introduction plate 8 is adjusted to be the center of the gap V between the glass plates 1 and 2 in the thickness direction. This can be automatically determined from the relative height and positional relationship between the platen 6 and the supply tower 7 and the width of the glass plates 1 and 2 and the gap V (see FIG. 4A).

When the height of the introduction plate 8 is determined, the moving mechanism 13
Is operated to move the supply tower 7, and the leading end 8 of the introduction plate 8 is moved.
a is inserted into the gap V. At this time, the molten solder a is guided to the introduction plate 8 through the introduction path 11, and propagates along the introduction plate 8 to fill the gap V.
In this insertion step, since the introduction plate 8 always enters the extremely narrow gap V from the groove portion k, the accuracy of the relative height position between the supply tower 7 and the platen 6 is poor or the introduction plate 8 does not collide with the end surfaces 1t and 2t of the glass plates 1 and 2,
The introduction plate 8 can be smoothly inserted into the gap V.

When the leading end 8a of the introduction plate 8 is inserted into the gap V, a filling step of moving the supply tower 7 at a constant speed while continuously supplying the solder a is performed. The solder filling operation is performed until one of the four sides of the rectangular glass panel is filled with solder, until the end of the rectangular glass panel reaches the outside of the gap V (see FIG. 4B).

The solder filling work of two of the remaining three sides is performed by first inserting the introduction plate 8 from the end on the side where the solder a is not filled [see FIG. 5 (a)]. For the solder filling operation on the last side, the introduction plate 8 may be inserted from either end, or, as shown in FIG. May be turned back at one end, and then the supply tower 7 may be moved to the other end.

[Alternative Embodiment] As shown in FIG. 6, a crucible portion 9 is provided with a lid 15 so as to be hermetically sealed. A nitrogen gas or the like is supplied from a supply passage 14 provided at an upper portion by a pressure pump 16 or the like. By supplying an inert gas having a pressure higher than the atmospheric pressure to bring the crucible portion 9 into a high pressure state, the supply pressure when the solder a reaches the introduction plate 8 is maintained at a positive value. The pressure applying means B may be configured.

As shown in FIG. 7, the storage portion 9 disposed at a position lower than the introduction plate 8 is formed in a cylindrical shape, and the molten solder a is sent to the introduction plate 8 while the piston 17 presses the molten solder a. The positive pressure applying means B described above may be used.

Hereinafter, another embodiment will be described.

<1> The glass panel of the present invention can be used for a wide variety of applications.
For vehicles (car window glass, railway vehicle window glass, ship window glass) and equipment elements (plasma display surface glass, refrigerator doors and walls, heat insulation doors and walls), etc. It can be used. Further, in the glass panel, the depressurized environment in the gap between the two glass plates was set to 1.33 Pa (0.01 Torr) as described in the previous embodiment.
The degree of decompression itself can be arbitrarily set, without being limited to the one configured below. Further, it is also possible to set the environment at an atmospheric pressure and an equal pressure.

<2> The glass plate is not limited to the glass plate having a thickness of 2.65 mm to 3.2 mm described in the above embodiment, and may be a glass plate having another thickness.
Further, a glass panel may be configured by combining one glass plate and another glass plate having different thickness dimensions. In addition, the type of glass can be arbitrarily selected. For example, a mold glass plate, ground glass (glass having a function of diffusing light by surface treatment), meshed glass, or tempered glass, heat-absorbing glass, UV absorption
It may be a glass plate provided with a function such as heat ray reflection, or a combination thereof. As for the glass composition, soda silicate glass (soda lime silica glass),
Borosilicate glass, aluminosilicate glass, or various crystallized glasses may be used.

<3> The spacer is not limited to the spacer made of Inconel 718 described in the above embodiment. For example, stainless steel and other metals, quartz glass, ceramics, glass, Low melting point glass or the like may be used. In short, any glass may be used as long as it is not easily deformed so that the two glass plates do not come into contact with each other under an external force.

<4> The inorganic material is not limited to the solder and low-melting glass described in the above embodiment.
Any one of bismuth, lead, zinc, indium, antimony, and the like, or one containing two or more as main components may be used. Furthermore, any one kind of silver, aluminum, copper, etc.,
Alternatively, two or more kinds may be added.

[0031]

In the method for manufacturing a glass panel according to the first aspect, the metal material that has reached the introduction plate in the filling step is maintained at a positive pressure, so that the molten metal material is inserted into the gap while the introduction plate is inserted. While the method of filling is used, there is no inconvenience that the seal is partially cut off, the airtightness can be surely ensured, and the glass plates can be joined with excellent reliability.

In the method for manufacturing a glass panel according to the second aspect, the above-described effect can be obtained without increasing the equipment cost required for joining the glass plates.

In the method for manufacturing a glass panel according to the third aspect of the present invention, the layout of the storage portion of the molten metal material, that is, the joining device can be flexibly used, and the supply pressure can be easily changed and set. According to the configuration of the first aspect, the effect can be obtained.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the structure of a glass panel.

FIG. 2 shows an end structure of a glass panel, wherein (a) is a cross-sectional view before solder filling, and (b) is a cross-sectional view after solder filling.

FIG. 3 is a side view of a partially cutaway showing a schematic structure of the joining apparatus.

FIG. 4A is a plan view at the start of the step of inserting the introduction plate into the gap, and FIG. 4B is a plan view of the first side at the end of the solder filling step.

FIG. 5A is a plan view at the start of an insertion process on a second side,
(B) is a plan view showing the step of filling the last side with solder.

FIG. 6 is a schematic side view showing another structure of the positive pressure applying means.

FIG. 7 is a schematic side view showing another structure of another positive pressure applying means.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged perspective view showing another shape of the introduction plate.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1, 2 glass plate 8 introduction plate 9 storage part a metal material s peripheral part V gap part H head

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing from the front page (72) Inventor Motoki Hashizume 3-1-1, Doshumachi, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka Inside Nippon Sheet Glass Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Shigeki Nakagaki Doshomachi, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka F-term (reference) for Nippon Sheet Glass Co., Ltd. 5-11-11 4G061 AA20 BA01 CB02 CB14 CD02 CD25 DA42

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A metal material that is melted by being transmitted to a movable introduction plate in a state of being inserted into the gap, into the gap at a peripheral portion of a pair of glass plates disposed to face each other via the gap. A method of manufacturing a glass panel in which the two glass plates are integrated with each other in a state in which the gap portion is hermetically sealed by filling the molten metal material with the introduction plate. In the filling step of filling the gap, a method of manufacturing a glass panel in which a supply pressure at which the molten metal material reaches the introduction plate is maintained at a positive value. 2. A supply section for supplying the molten metal material to the introduction plate is provided, and the supply pressure is set to a positive value by a drop when the storage section is disposed above the introduction plate. The method for manufacturing a glass panel according to claim 1, wherein the glass panel is maintained. 3. The storage unit according to claim 1, wherein a storage unit for supplying the molten metal material to the introduction plate is provided, and the supply pressure is maintained at a positive value by pressurizing the storage unit. Manufacturing method of glass panel.