JP6589886B2 - Glass plate manufacturing equipment - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an apparatus for manufacturing a glass plate that forms a scribe line on a glass ribbon continuously formed by a downdraw method, and applies a bending stress to a portion where the scribe line is formed to break the glass ribbon. .

  As is well known, the glass plate is used as a glass substrate for a flat panel display such as a liquid crystal display, a plasma display, an organic EL display, and a field emission display, or used as a cover glass for a smart phone, a tablet PC, or the like. Etc., and incorporated in a wide variety of electronic devices.

  As one of the methods for producing this glass plate, by cutting a glass ribbon continuously formed by a down draw method represented by an overflow down draw method, a slot down draw method, a redraw method, etc., every predetermined length, The method of cutting out a glass plate can be mentioned. An example of an apparatus used for such a manufacturing method is disclosed in Patent Document 1.

  The glass plate manufacturing apparatus disclosed in the same document is a scribing mechanism (in the same document, a score line) that forms a scribe line (score line in the same document) along the width direction of the glass ribbon conveyed downward after forming. A scoring device). Moreover, it is provided with a folding mechanism (in the same document, a glass plate engaging device) that breaks and cuts the glass ribbon by applying a bending stress to the site where the scribe line is formed. The apparatus is configured to repeatedly execute the formation of the scribe line by the scribe mechanism and the split cutting by the split mechanism.

  Furthermore, this glass plate manufacturing apparatus is configured such that the scribing mechanism and the splitting mechanism are integrated to follow the glass ribbon when forming the scribe line and performing the split cutting. That is, the structure in which both the scribing mechanism and the splitting mechanism follow the glass ribbon and move to a height position at which the split cutting is completed, from the start of scribe line formation until the split cutting is completed. It has become. In addition, after the split cutting is completed, the scribe mechanism and the split mechanism are integrated and returned upward, and moved to a height position where the formation of the scribe line is started, thereby forming the next scribe line. , And preparation for execution of split cutting.

JP 2002-137930 A

  However, when manufacturing a glass plate using the above glass plate manufacturing apparatus, there are the following problems to be solved.

  That is, in the above glass plate manufacturing apparatus, the scribing mechanism continues to follow and drop on the glass ribbon together with the splitting mechanism until the split cutting is completed even after the formation of the scribe line is completed. Further, after the split cutting is completed, the split mechanism passes through the height position at which the next split cutting is started together with the scribe mechanism and returns to the height position at which formation of the scribe line located above is started. To do. That is, both the scribing mechanism and the folding mechanism are moved up and down extraneous to the extent that their functions are required. Therefore, there is a problem that the glass plate manufacturing efficiency is inevitably deteriorated as much as both of them move up and down excessively.

  The present invention made in view of such circumstances technically improves the production efficiency of the glass plate when the glass plate is produced by breaking and cutting the glass ribbon continuously formed by the downdraw method. Let it be an issue.

  The present invention created in order to solve the above technical problem is to form a scribe line along the width direction on one side of a glass ribbon which is continuously formed by the downdraw method and conveyed downward. And forming the scribe line while descending and following the glass ribbon while being configured to repeatedly execute the split cutting of the glass ribbon by applying bending stress to the scribe line forming portion where the scribe line is formed. A scribing mechanism that performs operation and a return operation that returns to the upper side, and a split that performs cutting of the cut-out portion existing below the scribe line from the glass ribbon by executing the split cutting while descending following the glass ribbon. A glass plate manufacturing apparatus including a folding mechanism that performs an operation and a returning operation that returns upward, wherein the scribe mechanism and the folding mechanism are independent of each other. Characterized in that it is operatively configured to.

  According to such a configuration, since the scribe mechanism and the folding mechanism are configured to be operable independently of each other, each of the scribe mechanism and the folding mechanism requires its own function. Only the range needs to be moved up and down. That is, the scribing mechanism does not need to follow and drop the range for performing the split cutting to the glass ribbon after the formation of the scribe line is completed. Further, the folding mechanism does not need to move upward in the range for executing the formation of the scribe line after the cutting of the folding is completed. As a result, it becomes possible to improve the manufacturing efficiency of a glass plate.

  In the above configuration, it is preferable that the scribe mechanism is configured to start the feedback operation before the split mechanism completes the split operation.

  In this way, the scribing mechanism can start preparations for forming the next scribe line before the glass ribbon is broken and cut by the folding mechanism.

  In the above configuration, it is preferable that the folding mechanism is configured to complete the return operation before the scribing mechanism completes the forming operation.

  If it does in this way, before formation of the scribe line by a scribe mechanism will be completed, it will become possible to complete the preparation for starting the breaking cutting of the glass ribbon by a folding mechanism.

  In the above configuration, it is preferable that the scribe mechanism is configured to continuously start the feedback operation after the scribe mechanism has completed the forming operation.

  If it does in this way, after formation of the scribe line by a scribe mechanism will be completed, it will become possible for a scribe mechanism to start preparations for formation of the next scribe line continuously.

  In the above configuration, it is preferable that the folding mechanism is configured to start the returning operation continuously after the folding mechanism has completed the folding operation.

  If it does in this way, after the cutting of the glass ribbon by the splitting mechanism is completed, the splitting mechanism can continuously start preparation for the next cutting of the glass ribbon.

  Said structure WHEREIN: It is preferable that a scribe mechanism is provided with the cutter wheel which forms a scribe line by running along the width direction on the one surface of a glass ribbon.

  In this way, since the scribe line is formed by the cutter wheel, the scribe line can be formed at a high speed.

  In the above configuration, the bending mechanism causes the scribe line forming portion to bend so that the one surface side is convex by rotating from the one surface side to the other surface side while supporting the cutout portion. Preferably, the bending stress applying member includes an applying member and is configured to be capable of rotating about a central axis extending in the width direction.

  If it does in this way, the cut-out part cut out from the glass ribbon will be in the state which moved from the one surface side to the other surface side rather than before cutting with rotation of the bending stress provision member at the time of split cutting. Here, when the cut portion is transported to the downstream process after the split cutting, the cut portion is continuously moved in the direction from the one surface side to the other surface side, which is the moving direction of the cut portion at the time of the split cutting. Therefore, efficient transport can be performed. In addition, if the cut-out portion is raised from the posture immediately after the cut-out and is set in the vertical posture, the posture suitable for conveyance can be obtained. And according to said structure, since the bending stress provision member which supports a cut-out part can rotate centering on a center axis line, by rotating a bending stress provision member after split cutting, it accompanies with this. Thus, the cut-out portion can be set in a vertical posture. That is, it becomes possible to change the cut-out portion that has been moved from the one surface side to the other surface side at the time of the split cutting into a vertically placed posture at the position after the movement after the split cutting. Thereby, said conveyance form can be implement | achieved and it becomes possible to further improve the manufacture efficiency of a glass plate.

  In the above configuration, it is preferable that the folding mechanism is provided with swing regulating means for regulating the swing in the thickness direction of the glass ribbon after the split cutting on each of the one side and the other side of the glass ribbon.

  The glass ribbon on which the scribe line is formed and cut by the glass plate manufacturing apparatus is placed in a molding region of the glass ribbon and is suspended by a pair of rollers that sandwich the glass ribbon in the thickness direction. It has been. And, like the glass plate manufacturing apparatus according to the present invention, when the scribe mechanism and the folding mechanism are configured to be operable independently of each other, both the mechanisms operate integrally. Compared with the case where it is carried out, the distance (length of the site | part suspended with the roller pair in a glass ribbon) from said roller pair to the lower end part of a glass ribbon tends to become long. For this reason, after the glass ribbon has been split and cut, the glass ribbon after the cut is easily swayed in the thickness direction by the amount that the distance has increased. And when a glass ribbon rock | fluctuates, there exists a possibility that a glass ribbon and the machine etc. which were arrange | positioned along the conveyance path | route of a glass ribbon may contact, and a glass ribbon may be damaged. However, according to the above configuration, since the swing in the thickness direction of the glass ribbon is restricted by the swing restricting means provided in the folding mechanism, it is possible to accurately eliminate such fears. .

  In the above configuration, it is preferable that the swing restricting means is a roller.

  In this way, since the swing restricting means is a roller, it is possible to avoid the occurrence of a situation in which the glass ribbon is damaged by sliding between the swing restricting means and the glass ribbon.

  As described above, according to the present invention, when a glass plate is manufactured by breaking and cutting a glass ribbon continuously formed by the downdraw method, the manufacturing efficiency of the glass plate can be improved.

It is a front view which shows the outline of the manufacturing apparatus of the glass plate which concerns on 1st embodiment of this invention. It is a side view which shows the outline of the manufacturing apparatus of the glass plate which concerns on 1st embodiment of this invention. It is the top view which looked at the manufacturing apparatus of the glass plate which concerns on 1st embodiment of this invention from the AA direction shown in FIG. It is an enlarged plan view which expands and shows the periphery of the support roller which a deformation | transformation provision mechanism has. It is the top view which looked at the manufacturing apparatus of the glass plate which concerns on 1st embodiment of this invention from the BB direction shown in FIG. It is an enlarged plan view which expands and shows the periphery of the cutter wheel and wheel support roller which a scribe mechanism has. It is the vertical side view which looked at the periphery of the cutter wheel which a scribe mechanism has, and a wheel support roller from DD direction in FIG. It is an enlarged plan view which expands and shows the periphery of the cutter wheel and wheel support roller which a scribe mechanism has. It is the front view which looked at the manufacturing apparatus of the glass plate which concerns on 1st embodiment of this invention from CC direction shown in FIG. It is an enlarged side view which expands and shows the periphery of the bending stress provision member which a folding mechanism has. It is an enlarged plan view which expands and shows the periphery of the rocking | fluctuation control roller which a folding mechanism has. It is an enlarged plan view which expands and shows the periphery of the gas injection nozzle and suction nozzle which a folding mechanism has. It is an enlarged side view which expands and shows the periphery of the fulcrum bar which a folding mechanism has. It is an enlarged side view which expands and shows the periphery of the fulcrum bar which a folding mechanism has. It is an enlarged side view which expands and shows the periphery of the fulcrum bar which a folding mechanism has. It is a front view which shows the outline of the manufacturing apparatus of the glass plate which concerns on 2nd embodiment of this invention. It is an enlarged side view which expands and shows the periphery of the bending stress provision member which a folding mechanism has.

  Hereinafter, a glass plate manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the attached drawings, the width direction of the glass ribbon is represented by “XX direction”, the longitudinal direction of the glass ribbon is represented by “YY direction”, and the thickness direction of the glass ribbon is represented by “ZZ direction”. It is represented by

  First, the outline | summary of the manufacturing apparatus of the glass plate which concerns on 1st embodiment of this invention is demonstrated.

<First embodiment>
As shown in FIG.1 and FIG.2, the glass plate manufacturing apparatus 1 which concerns on 1st embodiment of this invention is the glass ribbon G which has the flexibility which is continuously shape | molded by the down draw method, and is conveyed below ( For example, it is an apparatus for continuously cutting a glass plate Gx as a cut-out portion from the glass ribbon G by cutting a thickness of 700 μm or less every predetermined length. The glass plate manufacturing apparatus 1 includes the formation of the scribe line S along the width direction (XX direction) with respect to the surface Ga of the glass ribbon G (the surface Ga of the front and back surfaces Ga and Gb of the glass ribbon G), and the scribing The glass ribbon G is configured to be repeatedly cut and cut by applying a bending stress to the scribe line forming portion Gs on which the line S is formed. In FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, illustration of some components of the glass plate manufacturing apparatus 1 is omitted, and the components omitted in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 are illustrated in FIG. Yes.

  The glass plate manufacturing apparatus 1 forms a scribe line S while descending and following the glass ribbon G as shown by arrows EE in FIG. A scribing mechanism 2 that performs a feedback operation for returning is provided. Further, on the downstream side of the conveying path of the glass ribbon G from the scribe mechanism 2, as shown by an arrow FF in FIG. 1, a folding operation for performing the breaking cutting while descending following the glass ribbon G, and A split mechanism 3 is provided for performing a return operation to return upward after the split cutting is executed. The scribing mechanism 2 and the folding mechanism 3 can move up and down independently of each other. The scribing mechanism 2 has a position indicated by a solid line in FIG. Moves up and down as the lower end. On the other hand, the folding mechanism 3 moves up and down with the position indicated by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 1 as the upper end and the position indicated by the solid line as the lower end.

  In addition, the glass plate manufacturing apparatus 1 has a surface Ga along the width direction (XX direction) of the glass ribbon G carried into the scribe mechanism 2 upstream of the scribe mechanism 2 in the conveyance path of the glass ribbon G. A deformation imparting mechanism 4 is provided to bend so that the side is convex. Furthermore, the transfer mechanism 5 for receiving the glass plate Gx cut out by execution of the split cutting from the split mechanism 3 and transferring it to a downstream process is provided.

  Here, the glass ribbon formed by the downdraw method includes ineffective portions that are removed in the manufacturing process of the product glass plate at both ends in the width direction. Furthermore, the ineffective portion includes an ear portion having a thickness larger than that of other portions. In the following description, when expressing a portion of the ineffective portion excluding the ear, it is expressed as “ineffective portion Gu”, and when expressing a portion of the ear, it is expressed as “ear Gm”.

  Details of the deformation imparting mechanism 4 will be described below.

  The deformation imparting mechanism 4 bends the glass ribbon G so that the surface Ga side becomes convex following the curvature along the width direction (XX direction) that the glass ribbon G originally has. As shown in FIG. 2, the deformation imparting mechanism 4 has two groups arranged along the conveyance path of the glass ribbon G, and the two groups have the same configuration. As shown in FIG. 3, each of the two deformation imparting mechanisms 4 is positioned between two positions spaced apart from each other along the width direction on the front surface Ga side of the glass ribbon G and the two positions described above on the back surface Gb side. The supporting roller 4a as an abutting member that abuts on the glass ribbon G is provided at each of the two locations. The two support rollers 4a on the front surface Ga side and the two support rollers 4a on the back surface Gb side are arranged symmetrically with respect to the center Gc in the width direction of the glass ribbon G, and are non-existent at both ends in the width direction of the glass ribbon G. It arrange | positions so that it may contact | abut to the effective part Gu. The glass ribbon G is sandwiched between the support roller 4a on the front surface Ga side and the support roller 4a on the back surface Gb side in the thickness direction (ZZ direction). The support roller 4a on the front surface Ga side and the support roller 4a on the back surface Gb side are both free rollers.

  Each support roller 4a is connected to an air cylinder 4b via a ball screw (not shown), and each air cylinder 4b is a frame disposed on the front surface Ga side and the back surface Gb side of the glass ribbon G, respectively. 6 is attached. Each support roller 4a moves along the thickness direction (ZZ direction) of the glass ribbon G as shown by arrows HH in FIG. 3 by adjusting the increase or decrease of the internal pressure of each air cylinder 4b. It is possible to adjust the position along the thickness direction by moving back and forth with a ball screw. Thereby, the support roller 4a on the front surface Ga side and the support roller 4a on the back surface Gb side are moved, and the width direction of the glass ribbon G is adjusted by adjusting the position along the thickness direction of the glass ribbon G of each support roller 4a. It is possible to arbitrarily change the curvature (curvature) along the (XX direction).

  Here, when the glass ribbon G is sandwiched between the support roller 4a on the front surface Ga side and the support roller 4a on the back surface Gb side, the glass ribbon G is reliably curved along the width direction (XX direction). As shown in FIG. 3, the overlap margin J (overlap margin when the support rollers 4a are viewed from the direction along the rotation axis) of the support roller 4a on the front surface Ga side and the support roller 4a on the back surface Gb side is 3 mm. It is preferable to be within a range of ˜100 mm. Further, the separation distance K (separation distance in the direction along the rotation axis of both support rollers 4a) between the support roller 4a on the front surface Ga side and the support roller 4a on the back surface Gb side is set within a range of 30 mm to 500 mm. Is preferred. Further, in order to carry the glass ribbon G into the scribe mechanism 2 in a state where the curvature along the width direction is stably maintained, the height at which the scribe mechanism 2 starts to form the scribe line S as shown in FIG. It is preferable that the separation distance L (the separation distance along the conveyance path of the glass ribbon G) from the position to the deformation imparting mechanism 4 closest to the scribe mechanism 2 is in the range of 100 mm to 1500 mm.

  With the configuration described above, the glass ribbon G carried into the scribe mechanism 2 is curved so that the surface Ga side is convex along the width direction (XX direction). Furthermore, in this glass ribbon G, the one side part and the other side part with the width direction center Gc as a boundary are in a state of being curved symmetrically.

  Hereinafter, modifications of the deformation imparting mechanism 4 will be described.

  In the present embodiment, the support roller 4a is used as a contact member that contacts the glass ribbon G, but this is not restrictive. For example, instead of each support roller 4a, a long belt conveyor (the feed direction is from the top to the bottom) may be arranged in the longitudinal direction (YY direction) of the glass ribbon G. Further, instead of each support roller 4a, a round bar or the like extending in the longitudinal direction of the glass ribbon G may be disposed.

  Details of the scribe mechanism 2 will be described below.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the scribe mechanism 2 is a cutter wheel as a forming member that forms a scribe line S by running on the surface Ga of the glass ribbon G along the width direction (XX direction). 2a and a wheel support as a forming auxiliary member that supports the cutter wheel 2a that is running from the back Gb side through the glass ribbon G and that runs along the width direction on the back Gb while being synchronized with the cutter wheel 2a. And a roller 2b. The diameter D2 of the wheel support roller 2b is larger than the diameter D1 of the cutter wheel 2a. Furthermore, before and after the traveling direction M of the cutter wheel 2a and the wheel support roller 2b, the glass ribbon G is sandwiched in the thickness direction (Z-Z direction) and along the width direction together with the cutter wheel 2a and the wheel support roller 2b. A pair of nipping rollers 7 that travel is disposed. The cutter wheel 2a, the wheel support roller 2b, and each clamping roller 7 can travel following the curvature along the width direction of the glass ribbon G. The wheel support roller 2b and each clamping roller 7 are all free rollers.

  Among the plurality of sandwiching rollers 7, the sandwiching roller 7 that travels on the surface Ga of the glass ribbon G behind the cutter wheel 2 a (hereinafter referred to as a specific sandwiching roller 7 a) has a different shape from the other sandwiching rollers 7. Have. As shown in FIG. 7, the other clamping roller 7 is formed in a cylindrical shape. On the other hand, the specific clamping roller 7a has a relatively small diameter portion 7aa and a relatively large diameter portion that rolls on the surface Ga of the glass ribbon G and that is continuous with both sides of the small diameter portion 7aa. 7ab. And the specific clamping roller 7a is comprised so that it may drive | work in the state which the small diameter part 7aa straddled the scribe line S which the cutter wheel 2a formed. Thereby, only the large diameter part 7ab will be in the state which contacted the surface Ga of the glass ribbon G among small diameter part 7aa and large diameter part 7ab during driving | running | working of the specific clamping roller 7a.

  The cutter wheel 2a and two sandwiching rollers 7 that travel on the surface Ga (hereinafter collectively referred to as a surface traveling group 8) are driven wheels that are driven by a servo motor as a power source, as shown in FIG. 9, a driven wheel 10, and a conveyor 12 having a belt 11 wound around them. The conveyor 12 is configured such that the width direction (XX direction) of the glass ribbon G is the feeding direction, and the direction in which the belt 11 turns can be reversed. Then, as the driving wheel 9 rotates, the belt 11 turns to move the surface traveling group 8 along the width direction of the glass ribbon G.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the cutter wheel 2 a constituting the surface traveling group 8 and the two sandwiching rollers 7 are connected to the conveyor 12 by the ball screws 12 a connected to each of them, and the glass ribbon G It is also possible to move along the thickness direction (ZZ direction). The driving of each ball screw 12a is controlled by a servo mechanism (not shown). And the surface running group 8 follows the curve along the width direction of the glass ribbon G by moving also along the thickness direction while moving along the width direction (XX direction) of the glass ribbon G. Run.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the conveyor 12 is arrange | positioned in the casing 13 which accommodated this. As shown in FIG. 2, the conveyor 12 moves up and down as the casing 13 moves up and down along the guide 16 installed on the frame 6 by the ball screw 15 connected to the servo motor 14.

  Similarly, as shown in FIG. 5, each of the wheel support roller 2b and the two sandwiching rollers 7 that travel on the back surface Gb (hereinafter collectively referred to as the back surface traveling group 17) also includes a ball screw 18a ( Ball screw 12a having the same configuration as that of the ball screw 12a), and having the same configuration as the conveyor 12 as shown in FIG. It is connected to the conveyor 18.

  With the configuration described above, when the scribe mechanism 2 performs the forming operation, the conveyors 12 and 18 are at the same speed as the conveyance speed of the glass ribbon G, and the front surface Ga side and the back surface Gb side mutually. The glass ribbon G follows the glass ribbon G in a synchronized state. Then, during the follow-down of the conveyors 12 and 18 to the glass ribbon G, the front surface traveling group 8 and the back surface traveling group 17 travel following the curve along the width direction (XX direction) of the glass ribbon G. . In the present embodiment, the front traveling group 8 and the rear traveling group 17 are controlled to travel following the curvature imparted to the glass ribbon G by the deformation applying mechanism 4. Further, in the glass ribbon G, the cutter wheel 2a and the wheel support roller 2b are so shaped that the portion sandwiched between the front surface traveling group 8 and the rear surface traveling group 17 (the portion subjected to cross hatching in FIG. 6) is flat. And the relative positional relationship between each clamping roller 7 is controlled. When the formation of the scribe line S on the glass ribbon G is completed, the following descent of the conveyors 12 and 18 to the glass ribbon G stops.

  On the other hand, when the scribe mechanism 2 performs the return operation, the conveyors 12 and 18 move upward in a state of being synchronized with each other on the front surface Ga side and the back surface Gb side. While the conveyors 12 and 18 are moving upward, the belt 11 turns in the opposite direction to that during the forming operation, and the front traveling group 8 and the rear traveling group 17 are moved in the width direction (X− X direction) moves in the opposite direction to that during the forming operation. At this time, by driving the ball screw 12a and the ball screw 18a controlled by the servo mechanism, the front surface traveling group 8 and the rear surface traveling group 17 are separated from the glass ribbon G along the thickness direction (ZZ direction) of the glass ribbon. By moving in this manner, the two traveling groups 8 and 17 are controlled so as not to contact the glass ribbon G during the return operation. Then, when the conveyors 12 and 18 return to the height position where the formation of the scribe line S (the scribe line S to be formed next time) is started, the upward movement of these conveyors stops.

  Hereinafter, modifications of the scribe mechanism 2 will be described.

  In the present embodiment, the cutter wheel 2a is used as a forming member for forming the scribe line S. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the scribe line S can be formed by moving on the surface Ga of the glass ribbon G. Others may be used if present. As an example, a needle-shaped forming blade or the like may be used as the forming member. Further, as the forming auxiliary member, a member other than the wheel support roller 2b may be used as long as it can support the moving forming member via the glass ribbon G.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the front traveling group 8 and the rear traveling group 17 are caused to travel following the curvature imparted to the glass ribbon G by the deformation imparting mechanism 4, but this is not restrictive. For example, while detecting the curvature of the glass ribbon G just before being carried into the scribe mechanism 2 by a plurality of displacement sensors arranged along the width direction (XX direction) of the glass ribbon G, based on the detection result, The front surface traveling group 8 and the back surface traveling group 17 may travel following the curvature along the width direction of the glass ribbon G. In this way, it is possible to reliably form the scribe line S even when the glass ribbon G has undulations.

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, between the cutter wheel 2a, the wheel support roller 2b, and each clamping roller 7 so that the shape of the part pinched | interposed by the surface traveling group 8 and the back surface traveling group 17 may become flat. The relative positional relationship is controlled. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the relative positions among the cutter wheel 2a, the wheel support roller 2b, and the respective sandwiching rollers 7 are maintained so that the curved portion sandwiched between the two traveling groups 8 and 17 is maintained. The relationship may be controlled.

  Further, instead of the specific clamping roller 7a used in the present embodiment, the width direction (XX direction) of the glass ribbon G at a height position shifted upward or downward from the scribe line S formed by the cutter wheel 2a. The nipping roller 7 traveling on the surface Ga may be arranged following the curve along the). Further, in place of each of the sandwiching rollers 7 used in the present embodiment, a guide roller that moves following the curve along the width direction of the glass ribbon G is disposed in a state where a gap is maintained between the glass ribbon G. May be. In this case, with respect to the pair of guide rollers facing on the front surface Ga side and the back surface Gb side of the glass ribbon G, the relative distance between the two is set so that the distance between the two is slightly longer than the thickness dimension of the glass ribbon G. The positional relationship is controlled. Moreover, you may replace only some clamping rollers 7 among the some clamping rollers 7 with a guide roller. When performing such replacement, as shown in FIG. 8, the holding roller 7 (specific holding roller 7a) running on the surface Ga of the glass ribbon G behind the cutter wheel 2a may be replaced with a guide roller 7x. preferable. The guide roller 7x is also a free roller. Here, the width AA of the gap formed between the guide roller 7x and the surface Ga of the glass ribbon G is preferably in the range of 0.5 mm to 5 mm.

  In addition, in the present embodiment, when the scribe mechanism 2 performs the return operation, the conveyors 12 and 18 move upward in a state of being synchronized with each other on the front surface Ga side and the back surface Gb side. Not limited to this, the conveyors 12 and 18 may be moved upward separately.

  Hereinafter, the details of the folding mechanism 3 will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the folding mechanism 3 includes a fulcrum bar 19 as a fulcrum member that abuts against the scribe line forming portion Gs from the back surface Gb side and serves as a fulcrum for fold cutting, and Bending stress imparting member 20 that imparts a bending stress by curving the scribe line forming portion Gs by rotating from the front surface Ga side to the back surface Gb side while supporting the existing glass plate Gx, and after the split cutting Oscillation regulating roller 21 as the oscillation regulating means for regulating the oscillation in the thickness direction (ZZ direction) of the glass ribbon G (after the cutting of the glass plate Gx), and occurred along with the split cutting The gas injection nozzle 22 which injects the gas 22a for blowing off the glass powder Gk, and the suction nozzle 23 for sucking the glass powder Gk are provided. Of the constituent elements of the folding mechanism 3, the swing restricting roller 21 positioned at the uppermost position is positioned below the scribe mechanism 3.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the fulcrum bar 19 extends along the width direction (XX direction) of the glass ribbon G, and its entire length is longer than the width dimension of the glass ribbon G. Therefore, the fulcrum bar 19 can come into contact with the entire width of the scribe line forming portion Gs. In addition, as shown in FIG. 5, the site | part which contact | abuts the scribe line formation part Gs in the fulcrum bar | burr 19 is curving in circular arc shape by planar view. Further, as shown in FIG. 10, the abutting portion is formed in a convex curved surface in a side view.

  The fulcrum bar 19 is connected to an air cylinder (not shown), and as the internal pressure of the air cylinder increases or decreases, the thickness direction (ZZ) of the glass ribbon G is indicated by arrows NN in FIG. Direction). Thereby, the fulcrum bar 19 can approach the glass ribbon G and can be separated from the glass ribbon G. As shown in FIG. 2, the air cylinder is fixed to a plate 27 that moves up and down along a guide 26 installed on the frame 6 by a ball screw 25 connected to a servo motor 24. As the plate 27 moves up and down, the air cylinder and the fulcrum bar 19 move up and down.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the bending stress applying member 20 includes a plurality of chucks 20a as a plurality of support members (supports) for supporting the glass plate Gx, and a plurality of chucks 20a in the thickness direction (Z−) of the glass plate Gx. And a folding arm 20b as a holding member that is slidably held along the (Z direction).

  The plurality of chucks 20a are arranged spaced apart from each other along the ears Gm existing at both ends in the width direction (XX direction) of the glass plate Gx, each of which grips the ears Gm, and It is possible to cancel. Each chuck 20a has a pair of claws 20aa that are opened and closed by the pressure of air, as indicated by an arrow PP in the figure, and holds the ear portion Gm by the pair of claws 20aa. Each chuck 20a can be arbitrarily set in its posture by rotating around an axis 28 extending along the width direction of the glass ribbon G, as indicated by arrows QQ in FIG. It has become.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the pair of split arms 20b is provided with a pair of glass plates Gx sandwiched in the width direction (XX direction). As shown in FIG. 10, each of the pair of split arms 20b is a straight arm body 20ba that extends straight, and a plurality of arm arms 20ba that are attached to the arm body 20ba at a distance from each other and that hold the chucks 20a. Holding plate 20bb and a bolt 20bc for attaching each of the plurality of holding plates 20bb to the arm body 20ba.

  The arm body 20ba can change its posture from the initial posture shown by a solid line in FIG. 10 to the split posture shown by a two-dot chain line (change as shown by an arrow RR in the same figure). As the posture of the arm body 20ba changes, the glass plate Gx held by the plurality of chucks 20a rotates around the scribe line forming portion Gs. Thereby, the scribe line forming part Gs is curved so that the surface Ga side is convex along the longitudinal direction (YY direction) of the glass ribbon G, and bending stress is applied to the scribe line forming part Gs. The change in the posture of the arm main body 20ba from the initial posture to the split posture is caused by the arm main body 20ba around the axis line 29 extending in the width direction (XX direction) along the scribe line forming portion Gs in contact with the fulcrum bar 19. Is performed by rotating. The bending stress applying member 20 as a whole is configured to rotate as the arm body 20ba rotates. The initial posture of the arm body 20ba is a posture inclined by an angle θ with respect to the vertical line 30 when viewed from the direction along the width direction of the glass ribbon G.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the arm main body 20 ba is fixed to a plate 35 that moves up and down along a guide 34 installed on a frame 33 by a ball screw 32 connected to a servo motor 31. As the plate 35 moves up and down, the arm body 20ba (the entire bending stress applying member 20) moves up and down. Further, the frame 33 can be moved along a guide 38 extending in the width direction (XX direction) of the glass ribbon G by a ball screw 37 connected to the servo motor 36. And the position along the width direction of the arm main body 20ba can be adjusted by moving the frame 33 according to the size of the width dimension of the glass plate Gx (glass ribbon G).

  As shown in FIG. 10, each of the plurality of holding plates 20bb has a long hole 20bba that is elongated in the thickness direction (ZZ direction) of the glass plate Gx, and is inserted into the long hole 20bba. The holding plate 20bb is attached to the arm body 20ba by fixing the bolt 20bc to the arm body 20ba. Accordingly, as indicated by the arrows WW in the figure, each holding plate 20bb has a thickness direction of the glass plate Gx with respect to the arm body 20ba by the length of the long hole 20bba formed in the holding plate 20bb. It is possible to slide along. Then, by adjusting the position of each holding plate 20bb relative to the arm body 20ba and the posture of each chuck 20a, each chuck 20a causes the glass plate Gx to move in the longitudinal direction of the glass ribbon G on the glass plate Gx ( It can be held while maintaining a curved shape along the (YY direction).

  Here, when the holding plate 20bb is slid in order to adjust the position of the holding plate 20bb with respect to the arm main body 20ba, the value of the angle θ is 0. It is preferable to be within a range of 1 ° to 10 °.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 10, the lower end portion of the arm main body 20 ba supports the surface Ga side of the lower end portion Gxa of the glass plate Gx along the width direction (XX direction) as shown in FIGS. A lower end receiving bar 39 as a lower end receiving member is attached. The lower end receiving bar 39 is attached to the arm body 20ba via a rod body 40 that can rotate in a state of being connected to the arm body 20ba and move along the thickness direction (ZZ direction) of the glass plate Gx. ing. And the lower end receiving bar 39 supports the lower end portion Gxa of the glass plate Gx along the width direction as the rod body 40 rotates or moves along the thickness direction of the glass plate Gx of the rod body 40. It is possible to move between the support position (the position indicated by the solid line in FIGS. 1 and 10) and the retracted position that deviates from the conveyance path of the glass ribbon G.

  Specifically, as the rod 40 rotates, as shown by an arrow TT in FIG. 1, the support position and the first spaced apart from the support position in the width direction (XX direction). Move between retreat positions. Further, as the bar 40 moves along the thickness direction (ZZ direction) of the glass plate Gx, as shown by an arrow U-U in FIG. It moves between second retracted positions (positions indicated by two-dot chain lines in FIG. 10) that are separated along the thickness direction. The lower end receiving bar 39 can be expanded and contracted in the longitudinal direction of the lower end receiving bar 39 in order to match the size of the width of the glass plate Gx (the mechanism for expansion and contraction is not shown).

  As shown in FIG. 10, the rocking | fluctuation control roller 21 is arrange | positioned at each of the surface Ga side and the back surface Gb side of the glass ribbon G, and when the rocking | fluctuation control roller 21 of the front and back both sides cooperates, folding is carried out. It is the structure which controls the rocking | fluctuation of the thickness direction (ZZ direction) in the glass ribbon G after a cutting | disconnection. In addition, all the rocking | fluctuation control rollers 21 of both front and back are free rollers.

  A swing regulation roller 21 on the surface Ga side (hereinafter referred to as a surface side roller 21) is a surface Ga and a surface of a part Gd (hereinafter referred to as an upper part Gd) located above the scribe line S in the glass ribbon G. Are arranged to be. The front roller 21 is connected to an air cylinder 41, and as the internal pressure of the air cylinder 41 increases or decreases, the thickness direction (ZZ direction) of the glass ribbon G is indicated by arrows O2-O2 in FIG. ) Can be moved along. As a result, a regulation position (position indicated by a solid line in FIG. 10) for regulating the swing by approaching the glass ribbon G and a retreat position (two-dot chain line in FIG. 10) for retreating away from the glass ribbon G. It is possible to move between the positions indicated by.

  In addition, the surface side roller 21 becomes a structure located in a control position at the time of a split cutting. As a result, the upper portion Gd that tries to rotate from the back surface Gb side to the surface Ga side (swells to the surface Ga side) around the scribe line forming portion Gs as the arm body 20ba rotates is moved to the surface Ga. The surface side roller 21 supports from the side to prevent the upper portion Gd from rotating. That is, the surface side roller 21 functions as a folding assisting means (folding assisting roller 21) that assists in the cutting of the glass ribbon G. Here, in order to make the front side roller 21 function reliably as the folding assisting means, the separation distance along the longitudinal direction (YY direction) of the glass ribbon G between the front side roller 21 and the fulcrum bar 19 is 10 mm to It is preferable to be within a range of 100 mm.

  The back surface Gb-side swing regulation roller 21 (hereinafter referred to as a back surface side roller 21) faces the back surface Gb of the upper portion Gd and is disposed at the same height as the front surface roller 21. The back roller 21 is connected to the air cylinder 41 in the same manner as the front roller 21. As the internal pressure of the air cylinder 41 increases or decreases, the air cylinder 41 can be moved along the thickness direction (Z-Z direction) of the glass ribbon G as indicated by arrows O1-O1 in FIG. Thereby, like the surface side roller 21, it is possible to move between the restriction position (the position indicated by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 10) and the retracted position (the position indicated by the solid line in FIG. 10). Here, as will be described in detail later, the timing of moving between the restriction position and the retracted position is different between the front side roller 21 and the back side roller 21.

  As shown in FIG. 11, when both the front side roller 21 and the back side roller 21 are moved to the restriction position, the ineffective portions Gu existing at both ends in the width direction (XX direction) of the glass ribbon G are both rollers. Is sandwiched in the thickness direction. In FIG. 11, both rollers sandwiching the ineffective portion Gu existing on one end side in the width direction in the thickness direction are illustrated, but the other end side also has the same configuration as both rollers on one end side. Both rollers are arranged. Further, when the front roller 21 and the rear roller 21 move to the restriction position, the restriction positions of both rollers are positioned so that a gap is formed between each of the rollers and the glass ribbon G. Yes. Here, the width BB of the gap formed between the surface side roller 21 moved to the restriction position and the surface Ga, and the gap formed between the back side roller 21 moved to the restriction position and the back face Gb. Both widths CC are preferably in the range of 0.5 mm to 5 mm, and more preferably in the range of 1 mm to 3 mm.

  The front roller 21 is connected to a plate 45 shown in FIG. 2 that moves up and down along a guide 44 installed on the frame 6 by a ball screw 43 connected to a servo motor 42 (the connecting portion is not shown). . And the surface side roller 21 moves up and down with the vertical movement of the plate 45. On the other hand, the back roller 21 is connected to the plate 27 shown in FIG. 2 (the connecting portion is not shown). The back roller 21 moves up and down as the plate 27 moves up and down.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the gas injection nozzle 22 is disposed on the back surface Gb side of the glass ribbon G and is disposed below the fulcrum bar 19. Also, as shown in FIG. 12, the posture of the gas injection nozzle 22 is adjusted so as to inject the gas 22a toward the pass line through which the ear portion Gm passes during the conveyance of the glass ribbon G. More specifically, when viewed in plan, the gas injection nozzle 22 is inclined with respect to the thickness direction (ZZ direction) of the glass ribbon G, and the tip of the nozzle is in the width direction (XX). Direction) tilted outward. The gas injection nozzle 22 is connected to the plate 27 shown in FIG. 2 (the connection portion is not shown) in the same manner as the back side roller 21 described above. Then, the gas injection nozzle 22 moves up and down as the plate 27 moves up and down.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the suction nozzle 23 is arranged on the surface Ga side opposite to the fulcrum bar 19 and the gas injection nozzle 22 with the glass ribbon G sandwiched in the thickness direction (ZZ direction). Yes. The suction nozzle 23 is formed in a long shape along the width direction (XX direction) of the glass ribbon G, and its full length is longer than the scribe line S. The suction nozzle 23 is connected to a dust collector (not shown), and sucks the glass powder Gk generated by the split cutting by generating a negative pressure along with the operation of the dust collector (details will be described later). . Further, the suction nozzle 23 is connected to an air cylinder (not shown). As the internal pressure of the air cylinder increases or decreases, the suction nozzle 23 extends along the thickness direction of the glass ribbon G as indicated by an arrow VV in FIG. It is possible to move. Thereby, the suction nozzle 23 can approach the glass ribbon G and can be separated from the glass ribbon G. The air cylinder is fixed to a plate 45 shown in FIG. As the plate 45 moves up and down, the air cylinder and the suction nozzle 23 move up and down.

  As shown in FIG. 12, an auxiliary suction nozzle 46 for sucking the glass powder Gk is disposed outside the width direction (XX direction) of the pass line through which the ear portion Gm passes during the conveyance of the glass ribbon G. ing. The auxiliary suction nozzle 46 is disposed at the same height as the suction nozzle 23. The auxiliary suction nozzle 46 is also connected to a dust collector in the same manner as the suction nozzle 23. The auxiliary suction nozzle 46 is connected to the plate 27 shown in FIG. 2 (the connection portion is not shown), similarly to the back roller 21 and the gas injection nozzle 22. As the plate 27 moves up and down, the auxiliary suction nozzle 46 moves up and down.

  With the configuration described above, when the folding mechanism 3 performs the folding operation, the fulcrum bar 19, the bending stress applying member 20, the swing regulating roller 21, the gas injection nozzle 22, the suction nozzle 23, and the auxiliary suction nozzle 46 follows the glass ribbon G at the same speed as the conveying speed of the glass ribbon G and is synchronized with each other. During the follow-down of these glass ribbons G, the glass plate Gx is cut out from the glass ribbon G as follows.

  First, as shown in FIG. 13, the fulcrum bar 19 and the suction nozzle 23 approach the glass ribbon G under the state in which the front roller 21 has already moved from the retracted position to the restricting position. It contacts the scribe line forming part Gs. Further, the plurality of chucks 20a (not shown) grip the ear portion Gm, and the lower end receiving bar 39 (not shown) moves from the first retracted position or the second retracted position to the support position.

  Next, the arm main body 20ba (not shown) rotates and starts changing its posture from the initial posture to the split posture. At this time, as shown in FIG. 14, the surface side roller 21 supports the upper portion Gd from the surface Ga side in order to prevent the upper portion Gd from rotating. Further, the gas injection nozzle 22 starts injection of the gas 22a, and the suction nozzle 23 and the auxiliary suction nozzle 46 start suction. That is, the gas injection nozzle 22, the suction nozzle 23, and the auxiliary suction nozzle 46 are configured to start the injection and suction of the gas 22a before cutting out the glass plate Gx, respectively.

  Next, when the split cutting of the glass ribbon G is completed and the glass plate Gx is cut out from the glass ribbon G, the fulcrum bar 19 is separated from the glass ribbon G and replaced with the fulcrum bar 19 as shown in FIG. The back roller 21 approaches the glass ribbon G and moves from the retracted position to the restricting position. Thereby, the rocking | fluctuation control roller 21 of the front and back both sides becomes the arrangement | positioning which pinched | interposed the lower end part Ge of the glass ribbon G after cutting out the glass plate Gx. Further, when the glass plate Gx is cut out, the gas 22a injected by the gas injection nozzle 22 passes through the gap formed between the lower end portion Ge of the glass ribbon G and the upper end portion Gxb of the glass plate Gx from the back surface Gb side. Passes toward the Ga side. A part of the glass powder Gk generated at the time of split cutting is blown off by the pressure of the gas 22 a and guided to the suction nozzle 23. Furthermore, another part of the glass powder Gk is guided to the auxiliary suction nozzle 46 by the pressure of the gas 22a.

  Finally, when the suction of the glass powder Gk is completed, the injection of the gas 22a by the gas injection nozzle 22 is stopped and the suction by the suction nozzle 23 is stopped. Further, the front roller 21 and the back roller 21 move from the restriction position to the retracted position, and the suction nozzle 23 is separated from the glass ribbon G. Further, the follow-up descent of the fulcrum bar 19, the bending stress applying member 20, the swing regulating roller 21, the gas injection nozzle 22, the suction nozzle 23, and the auxiliary suction nozzle 46 to the glass ribbon G is also stopped. The cut glass plate Gx is transferred from the folding mechanism 3 to the transfer mechanism 5.

  On the other hand, when the folding mechanism 3 performs the return operation, the fulcrum bar 19, the bending stress applying member 20, the swing regulating roller 21, the gas injection nozzle 22, the suction nozzle 23, and the auxiliary suction nozzle 46 are synchronized with each other. It moves upward in the state. Of the constituent elements of the folding mechanism 3, constituent elements that can approach and separate from the glass ribbon G move upward in a separated state. Further, during the movement of the components of the folding mechanism 3, the lower end receiving bar 39 moves from the support position to the first retracted position or the second retracted position. Height position at which the fulcrum bar 19, the bending stress applying member 20, the rocking regulation roller 21, the gas injection nozzle 22, the suction nozzle 23, and the auxiliary suction nozzle 46 start split cutting (fold cutting performed next time). When returning to the above, these upward movements are stopped.

  Here, it is preferable to select whether the lower end receiving bar 39 is moved to the first retracted position or the second retracted position as follows. That is, in the initial state before the glass ribbon G continuously formed by the downdraw method is carried into the glass plate manufacturing apparatus 1, it is preferable to move the lower end receiving bar 39 to the first retracted position. When the folding mechanism 3 starts the first (first) folding operation, the lower end receiving bar 39 is moved from the first retracted position to the support position. Moreover, it is preferable to move the lower end receiving bar 39 to the second retracted position after the splitting mechanism 3 completes the first splitting operation and before starting the second splitting operation. . Furthermore, it is preferable to move the lower end receiving bar 39 to the second retracted position until the next splitting operation is started after the splitting mechanism 3 completes the second and subsequent splitting operations. .

  Hereinafter, modifications of the folding mechanism 3 will be described.

  In the present embodiment, the plurality of chucks 20a are used as the plurality of support members (supports) that support the glass plate Gx, but this is not restrictive. You may use the suction pad etc. which can adsorb | suck the said glass plate Gx by generating a negative pressure in the glass plate Gx as a support member (support body). In the present embodiment, the lower end receiving bar 39 as the lower end receiving member supports the surface Ga side of the lower end Gxa of the glass plate Gx along the width direction (XX direction). This is not the case. Instead of the lower end receiving bar 39, a suction pad may be used as the lower end receiving member. In this case, it is not always necessary to support the front surface Ga side along the width direction, and the back surface Gb side may be supported along the width direction.

  In the present embodiment, when the folding mechanism 3 performs the return operation, the fulcrum bar 19, the bending stress applying member 20, the swing regulating roller 21, the gas injection nozzle 22, the suction nozzle 23, and the auxiliary suction nozzle 46 move upward in synchronization with each other, but this is not a limitation. A mechanism for moving them up and down may be provided separately, and these may be separately moved upward and returned.

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the front side roller 21 and the back side roller 21 move to the restriction position, the restriction position is positioned so that a gap is formed between each of the rollers and the glass ribbon. This is not the case. When both rollers move to the regulation position, the regulation position may be positioned so that each of the rollers and the glass ribbon G are in contact with each other, or only one of the two rollers is in contact with the glass ribbon G. The restriction position may be positioned.

  In addition, in the present embodiment, when the injection of the gas 22a by the gas injection nozzle 22 and the suction by the suction nozzle 23 are stopped, the front side roller 21 and the back side roller 21 move from the regulation position to the retracted position. However, it is not limited to this. Depending on the duration of the oscillation of the glass ribbon G and the amplitude of the oscillation, both rollers may be moved to the retracted position before the gas injection nozzle 22 and the suction nozzle 23 are stopped. Both rollers may be moved to the retracted position later.

  In the present embodiment, both the front roller 21 and the rear roller 21 are moved to the retracted position, and both rollers are moved upward along with the return operation of the folding mechanism 3. Not as long. The restricting position may be positioned so that a gap is formed between each of the rollers that have moved to the restricting position and the glass ribbon, and the rollers may be moved upward in a state where both rollers are in the restricting position. Moreover, in order to shorten the time required for cutting out per glass plate Gx, the regulation position is positioned so that the surface side roller 21 moved to the regulation position and the glass ribbon G are in contact with each other, and the surface side at the regulation position The roller 21 may be moved upward. That is, the surface side roller 21 and the glass ribbon G may always be in contact with each other regardless of whether the folding mechanism 3 is performing a breaking operation or a returning operation.

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, the rollers (the front side roller 21 and the back side roller 21) are used as the swing restricting means (folding assisting means), but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a rod-like member that is long in the width direction of the glass ribbon G may be employed as the swing restricting means (folding assisting means). In this case, it is preferable to position the restricting position so that a gap is formed between the rod-shaped member and the glass ribbon G when the rod-shaped member moves to the restricting position. Further, the portion facing the glass ribbon G in the rod-shaped member may be formed in a flat surface, or formed on a convex curved surface in order to prevent damage or the like due to contact with the glass ribbon G. May be.

  In addition, in the present embodiment, the gas injection nozzle 22 is configured to inject the gas 22a toward the pass line through which the ear portion Gm passes during the conveyance of the glass ribbon G, but is not limited thereto. Is not to be done. For example, it is good also as a structure which injects the gas 22a toward the pass line of glass ribbon G full width using the gas injection nozzle 22 provided with the elongate injection port in the width direction (XX direction) of the glass ribbon G. .

  Hereinafter, the interlocked operation of the scribe mechanism 2 and the folding mechanism 3 will be described.

  In an initial state before the glass ribbon G continuously formed by the downdraw method is carried into the glass plate manufacturing apparatus 1, the scribe mechanism 2 is waiting at a height position where the formation of the scribe line S is started. The splitting mechanism 3 stands by at a height position where the split cutting is started. When the glass ribbon G is carried into the glass plate manufacturing apparatus 1, the scribe mechanism 2 starts a forming operation (first time), and a scribe line S is formed on the glass ribbon G. The scribing mechanism 2 starts the feedback operation (first time) continuously after the formation operation (first time) is completed. That is, before the folding mechanism 3 completes the folding operation (first time), the scribe mechanism 2 starts the feedback operation (first time). Then, when the scribe line forming portion Gs reaches the height position where the folding mechanism 3 stands by (the height position at which the split cutting starts), the folding mechanism 3 starts the folding operation (first time). The folding mechanism 3 starts the returning operation (first time) continuously after the folding operation (first time) is completed. The scribe mechanism 2 returns to the height position where the formation of the scribe line S is started, and then the split mechanism 3 performs the split operation (first time) or the return operation (first time). Then, the forming operation (second time) is started again. Then, before the scribing mechanism 2 completes the forming operation (second time), the folding mechanism 3 completes the returning operation (first time) and returns to the height position at which the split cutting starts. Then, when the scribe line forming portion Gs reaches the height position where the folding mechanism 3 is on standby, the folding mechanism 3 starts the folding operation (second time). In this manner, the formation of the scribe line S by the scribe mechanism 2 and the breaking cutting of the glass ribbon G by the folding mechanism 3 are repeatedly performed.

  Hereinafter, details of the transfer mechanism 5 will be described.

  The transfer mechanism 5 has a receiving arm 5a for receiving and transferring the cut glass plate Gx from the folding mechanism 3. A chuck 5aa for holding and releasing the upper end Gxb of the glass plate Gx is provided at the tip of the receiving arm 5a. Then, with the chuck 5aa holding the glass plate Gx, the receiving arm 5a moves from the position shown by the solid line in FIG. 2 to the position shown by the two-dot chain line, so that the glass plate Gx can be transferred. It has become.

  Hereinafter, the manufacturing apparatus of the glass plate which concerns on 2nd embodiment of this invention is demonstrated. In the description of the second embodiment, the elements that have already been described in the first embodiment are the same as those in the description of the second embodiment or the drawings referred to in the description of the second embodiment. A duplicate description is omitted by attaching a reference numeral.

<Second embodiment>
The main point that the glass plate manufacturing apparatus 1 according to the second embodiment of the present invention differs from the glass plate manufacturing apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment described above is that during the rotation of the arm body 20ba, That is, it is possible to change the position of the axis 29 that is the center of rotation, and it is possible to further rotate the rotating arm body 20ba. In the second embodiment, the rod body 40 and the lower end receiving bar 39 may be arranged as in the first embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 16, the glass plate manufacturing apparatus 1 includes a rotation mechanism 48 for rotating the arm body 20ba around a central axis 47 extending in the width direction (XX direction) of the glass ribbon G, and a rotation mechanism. A moving mechanism 49 is provided for moving the arm main body 20ba connected to the rotating mechanism 48 by moving the arm 48 in a supported state. Further, the moving mechanism 49 includes a first moving mechanism 49a for moving the arm main body 20ba in the thickness direction (ZZ direction) of the glass ribbon G, and a second moving mechanism for moving the arm main body 20ba in the vertical direction. 49b. The moving mechanism 49 is installed on the floor wall 50 as a stationary system.

  The rotation mechanism 48 includes a shaft portion 48a that rotates about the central axis 47 in a state where it is connected to the arm body 20ba, and a housing 48b that houses a first servo motor (not shown) connected to the shaft portion 48a. A guide 51 for moving the casing 48b is installed, and a support base 48c for supporting the casing 48b from below through the guide 51 is provided.

  The shaft part 48a can control the forward and reverse rotation direction and the rotation speed by the first servo motor. The shaft portion 48a is connected to the central portion of the arm body 20ba in the longitudinal direction, and the arm body 20ba can rotate in synchronization with the rotation of the shaft portion 48a. The entire bending stress applying member 20 rotates around the central axis 47 as the arm body 20ba rotates. The casing 48b can be moved in the width direction (XX direction) of the glass ribbon G along the guide 51. Accordingly, the casing 48b is moved in accordance with the width dimension of the glass plate Gx (glass ribbon G), so that the arm body 20ba connected to the casing 48b via the shaft portion 48a is aligned in the width direction. The position can be adjusted.

  With the configuration described above, when the folding mechanism 3 performs the folding operation, the shaft portion 48a whose rotational direction and rotational speed are controlled by the first servo motor rotates, and in synchronism with this, the arm main body is rotated. 20ba rotates around the central axis 47. Thereby, the posture of the arm body 20ba during the folding operation is controlled, and the posture of the bending stress applying member 20 as a whole is controlled. Further, the arm main body 20ba rotates, whereby the position of the axis 29 that is the center of the rotation can be changed.

  The second moving mechanism 49b includes a movable body 49ba that moves up and down along a guide 54 installed on the frame 53, and a support table 49bb that supports the frame 53 by a ball screw 52 connected to a second servomotor (not shown). And have.

  The movable body 49ba is connected to a support base 48c provided in the rotation mechanism 48, and the second moving mechanism 49b can support the rotation mechanism 48 via the movable body 49ba. Further, as the movable body 49ba moves up and down, the support base 48c connected to the movable body 49ba moves up and down, so that the rotating mechanism 48 and the arm main body 20ba connected to the rotating mechanism 48 move up and down. Thus, the entire bending stress applying member 20 moves in the vertical direction in synchronization with the vertical movement of the movable body 49ba.

  Since the movable body 49ba lowers the bending stress applying member 20 to the glass ribbon G at the time of cutting, the movable body 49ba can move downward following the glass ribbon G. The moving speed of the movable body 49ba downward is controlled by the second servo motor. Thereby, the movable body 49ba can move at the same speed (hereinafter referred to as a basic speed) as the conveyance speed of the glass ribbon G. Furthermore, it is also possible to move downward at a speed accelerated with respect to the basic speed (hereinafter referred to as acceleration speed) or at a speed reduced with respect to the basic speed (hereinafter referred to as deceleration speed).

  With the configuration described above, when the folding mechanism 3 performs the folding operation, the movable body 49ba whose movement speed is controlled by the second servomotor moves downward, and the arm body 20ba is synchronized with this movement. Move down. At this time, the moving speed of the movable body 49ba is switched from the basic speed to the acceleration speed or the deceleration speed, so that the moving speed of the arm body 20ba is changed downward, and the fulcrum bar 19 and the arm body 20ba The relative positional relationship of changes. As the positional relationship changes, the entire bending stress applying member 20 can be moved in the vertical direction relative to the fulcrum bar 19. In addition, the position of the axis 29 can be changed in the vertical direction relative to the fulcrum bar 19 by changing the moving speed of the arm main body 20ba.

  The first moving mechanism 49a is movable so as to move in the thickness direction (Z-Z direction) of the glass ribbon G along the guide 57 installed on the frame 56 by a ball screw 55 connected to a third servo motor (not shown). It has a body 49aa.

  The movable body 49aa is connected to a support table 49bb provided in the second movement mechanism 49b, and the first movement mechanism 49a can support the second movement mechanism 49b via the movable body 49aa. Further, as the movable body 49aa moves in the thickness direction (Z-Z direction), the support table 49bb connected to the movable body 49aa moves in the thickness direction, whereby the second moving mechanism 49b and the second moving mechanism. The rotation mechanism 48 supported by 49b and the arm body 20ba connected to the rotation mechanism 48 move in the thickness direction. Thus, the entire bending stress applying member 20 moves in the thickness direction in synchronization with the movement of the movable body 49aa in the thickness direction. The moving direction and moving speed along the thickness direction of the movable body 49aa are controlled by the third servo motor.

  With the configuration described above, when the folding mechanism 3 performs the folding operation, the movable body 49aa whose movement direction and movement speed are controlled by the third servo motor moves, and the arm main body is synchronized with this movement. 20ba moves in the thickness direction (ZZ direction). Thus, the position in the thickness direction of the arm body 20ba during the folding operation is controlled, and the position in the thickness direction of the entire bending stress applying member 20 is controlled. Further, the arm body 20ba moves in the thickness direction, whereby the position of the axis 29 can be changed in the thickness direction.

  The rotating mechanism 48, the first moving mechanism 49a, and the second moving mechanism 49b can simultaneously operate these three members, and only one of the three members or only two mechanisms. Can be selectively operated.

  In the present embodiment, the rotation mechanism 48, the first movement mechanism 49a, and the second movement mechanism 49b are simultaneously operated. As a result, as shown in FIG. 17, when the arm body 20ba changes its posture from the initial posture shown by the solid line to the split posture shown by the two-dot chain line, it is the same as the fulcrum bar 19 that is following the glass ribbon G and descending. At the height position, the position of the axis line 29 is moved from the front surface Ga side to the back surface Gb side along the thickness direction (ZZ direction). When the posture of the arm body 20ba is changed, the rotation mechanism 48, the first movement mechanism 49a, and the second movement mechanism 49b perform the following operations.

  The rotation mechanism 48 rotates the arm body 20ba clockwise around the central axis 47, thereby gradually increasing the inclination angle of the arm body 20ba with respect to the vertical line 30 from the angle θ (θ <θ1 <θ2). .

  Here, if the arm main body 20ba performs only rotation, (1) the position of the axis 29 moves from the back surface Gb side to the front surface Ga side in the thickness direction (ZZ direction) along with the rotation. . Further, (2) the position of the axis 29 moves downward relative to the fulcrum bar 19 along with the rotation. Therefore, the first moving mechanism 49a performs the operation for canceling the movements of (1) and (2) and moving the position of the axis 29 from the front surface Ga side to the back surface Gb side at the same height position as the fulcrum bar 19. And the second moving mechanism 49b.

  The first moving mechanism 49a moves the arm main body 20ba from the front surface Ga side to the back surface Gb side along the thickness direction (ZZ direction) of the glass ribbon G. At this time, the moving speed of the arm main body 20ba is set to be faster than the moving speed of the axis 29 from the back surface Gb side to the front surface Ga side in the above (1). As a result, the movement (1) is canceled, and the position of the axis 29 moves from the front surface Ga side to the back surface Gb side in the thickness direction.

  The second moving mechanism 49b moves the arm body 20ba downward at a speed equal to the deceleration speed by moving the movable body 49ba at the deceleration speed. That is, the second moving mechanism 49 b performs an operation for moving the position of the axis 29 relatively upward with respect to the fulcrum bar 19. By this operation, the movement (2) is canceled and the position of the axis 29 is maintained at the same height as the fulcrum bar 19 in the vertical direction.

  When the rotation mechanism 48, the first movement mechanism 49a, and the second movement mechanism 49b perform the above-described operations, as shown by the solid line in FIG. 17, the longitudinal direction (Y− Even if the scribe line forming part Gs is lifted from the fulcrum bar 19 due to the warp along the Y direction), the scribe line forming part Gs is shown in FIG. The raised state is corrected.

  When the split cutting is completed and the glass plate Gx is cut out from the glass ribbon G, the arm body 20ba rotates counterclockwise about the central axis 47. As a result, the glass plate Gx supported by the bending stress applying member 20 rotates counterclockwise about the central axis 47 to be in a vertical position. Then, the glass plate Gx in the vertical orientation is transferred from the folding mechanism 3 to the transfer mechanism 5. The counterclockwise rotation of the arm body 20ba is executed after the back roller 21 has moved from the retracted position to the restricting position.

  Hereinafter, modifications of the present embodiment will be described.

  In the present embodiment, the shaft portion 48a provided in the rotation mechanism 48 is connected to the central portion in the longitudinal direction of the arm body 20ba, but this is not restrictive. Even if the shaft portion 48a is connected to a position shifted from the central portion in the longitudinal direction of the arm main body 20ba, the position of the central axis 47 serving as the center of rotation of the arm main body 20ba is changed to a position different from the present embodiment. Good.

  Here, the manufacturing apparatus of the glass plate which concerns on this invention is not limited to the structure demonstrated in said embodiment. The glass plate manufacturing apparatus according to the above-described embodiment is configured to cut and cut a flexible glass ribbon, but may be configured to cut and cut a non-flexible glass ribbon. In this case, in the glass plate manufacturing apparatus according to the above-described embodiment, a mechanism or a member provided so as to cope with the breaking of the glass ribbon having flexibility may be removed or changed. For example, the deformation imparting mechanism and the lower end receiving bar are not necessary when a non-flexible glass ribbon is cut and cut. Further, the cutter wheel and the wheel support roller do not need to run following the curvature of the glass ribbon, and therefore, the cutter wheel and the wheel support roller need only run along the width direction of the glass ribbon. Further, instead of the wheel support roller, the running cutter wheel may be supported (supported via the glass ribbon) by a surface plate on which a flat surface capable of contacting the entire width of the glass ribbon is formed. .

  Moreover, in the glass plate manufacturing apparatus according to the above-described embodiment, a gas injection nozzle for injecting gas for blowing glass powder and a suction nozzle for sucking glass powder are arranged. You don't have to. In this case, the glass ribbon is prevented from swinging in the thickness direction due to the pressure of the gas injected by the gas injection nozzle and the negative pressure generated by the suction nozzle. May be advantageous. Furthermore, among the swing restriction rollers on both the front and back sides, the back side swing restriction roller does not necessarily need to be disposed, only the front surface swing restriction roller is disposed, and the roller functions only as a folding assist roller. You may let them.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Glass plate manufacturing apparatus 2 Scribe mechanism 2a Cutter wheel 3 Folding mechanism 20 Bending stress giving member 47 Center axis G Glass ribbon Ga Surface Gb Back surface Gs Scribe line formation part Gx Glass plate S Scribe line 21 Oscillation control roller

Claims (9)

For glass ribbons that are continuously formed by the downdraw method and conveyed downward, scribe line formation along the width direction on one side and bending stress on the scribe line forming part where the scribe line is formed And is configured to repeatedly execute the split cutting of the glass ribbon by the application of,
A scribing mechanism that performs a forming operation for forming the scribe line while descending and descending on the glass ribbon, and a return operation for returning to the upper side, and performing the split cutting while descending and following the glass ribbon, A glass plate manufacturing apparatus comprising: a folding operation for performing cutting of a cut-out portion existing below the scribe line from a glass ribbon; and a folding mechanism for performing return operation for returning upward,
The glass plate manufacturing apparatus, wherein the scribing mechanism and the folding mechanism are configured to be operable independently of each other.   The apparatus for manufacturing a glass sheet according to claim 1, wherein the scribing mechanism is configured to start the feedback operation before the folding mechanism completes the folding operation.   The glass plate manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the folding mechanism is configured to complete the return operation before the scribing mechanism completes the forming operation.   The glass plate according to claim 1, wherein the scribing mechanism is configured to continuously start the feedback operation after the scribing mechanism completes the forming operation. Manufacturing equipment.   5. The structure according to claim 1, wherein the folding mechanism is configured to continuously start the return operation after the folding mechanism completes the folding operation. Glass plate manufacturing equipment.   The glass plate according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the scribe mechanism includes a cutter wheel that forms the scribe line by running on one side of the glass ribbon along a width direction. Manufacturing equipment. Bending stress that causes the scribe line forming portion to bend so that the one surface side is convex as the folding mechanism rotates from the one surface side toward the other surface side while supporting the cutout portion. Having an imparting member,
The glass plate manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the bending stress applying member is configured to be capable of rotating about a central axis extending in the width direction.   The said folding mechanism is equipped with the rocking | fluctuation control means which regulates the rocking | fluctuation of the thickness direction of the said glass ribbon after breaking cutting on each of the one surface side and the other surface side of the said glass ribbon. The manufacturing apparatus of the glass plate in any one of claim | item 1 -7.   The apparatus for producing a glass plate according to claim 8, wherein the swing restricting means is a roller.

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