JP2001206728A - Breaking device for glass substrate - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a device which breaks a glass substrate used for applications, such as liquid crystals, by imparting mechanical stress thereto, is compact and makes it possible to obtain a broken surface having good quality not affected by the working accuracy and assembly accuracy of the device. SOLUTION: This breaking device for the glass substrate has a table which has a means for fixing the glass substrate, clampers which are arranged in proximity to the end sides of this table, a positioning means which positions the glass substrate in a direction orthogonal with these sides end and an oscillation mechanism which oscillates the table or the clampers around the side ends or the axis parallel near the same. The clampers have clamping surfaces sufficiently shorter than the breaking length of the glass substrate. The clamping surfaces are positioned and set in the positions where the glass substrate is held at the ends of the breaking line.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an apparatus for breaking (breaking) a glass substrate used for an application such as a liquid crystal by applying a mechanical stress, and is provided along a dividing line of the glass substrate in a previous process. TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a device for breaking a glass substrate by applying bending stress to a scratch groove (scribe line), and more particularly to a device suitable for breaking an edge (removed edge) of a glass substrate.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An electronic device using a glass plate such as a liquid crystal as a substrate is manufactured by arranging a plurality of circuit elements and display elements on a large glass plate and dividing the product into individual product dimensions. I have. The division of this glass substrate
This is done by applying mechanical or thermal stress locally along a predetermined parting line.

In the case of division by mechanical stress, a scribing line is formed by scratching a glass substrate with a sharp edge such as a roller cutter in a first step, and bending or impact force is applied along the scribe line in a second step. A method of applying a break to act is used.

[0004] The break of the glass substrate includes a break for dividing a plurality of devices arranged on the glass plate,
There is a break for removing a margin on the edge of the glass substrate, and the latter is generally called an ear break.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a conventional ear break device for applying a bending stress along a scribe line.
The glass substrate 51 is positioned on a table 52 provided with a large number of air holes for floating and adsorbing the glass substrate 51. A scribe line to be broken is positioned at a desired position on an edge 53 of the table, and is fixed to the table 52 by suction. You. An elongated clamper 54 extending in a direction along the side is provided adjacent to an end side 53 of the table, and an ear portion 55 of a glass plate protruding from the table 52 is clamped by the clamper 54 to hold the table 52 or the clamper 54. The ear break is performed by rotating about a bending line near the end 53 of the table.

The clamper 54 has an elongated lower jaw 57 and an upper jaw 56 for gripping the entire length of the ear portion 55 so that a uniform bending stress can be applied along a long scribe line of about 30 to 200 cm. The pressing blade 56a, which is the contact portion of the upper jaw 56 with the glass plate, is made of urethane so as to absorb uneven clamping force.

[0007]

However, in the break device having the above structure, the accuracy of the break surface is greatly affected by the processing and mounting accuracy of the urethane pressing blade 56a, and the surface accuracy of the pressing surface of the pressing blade 56a is poor. If there is an error in the parallelism with respect to the scribe line, or if the holding force is not uniform, there is a problem that small cracks (sedges, crevices) and chippings occur on the break surface.

Further, the urethane pressing blade 56a generates a tensile force on the pressing surface when the pressing blade 56a is pinched, so that abrasion occurs.
Requires replacement of the presser blade. At the time of this replacement, a mounting error of the presser blade is apt to occur, and the quality of the break surface is easily deteriorated as described above.

In the case of an ear break, it is necessary to discharge the ear portion that has been cut off on the clamper side. However, in the past, a negative pressure was applied to the air hole provided in the presser blade 56a to break the ear portion. Although the ear portion is sucked and ejected, there is a problem that stability is lacked due to dropping during transportation. In addition, if the ear width is small, it is impossible to break or discharge the ear, so there is a problem that the ear must be left with a certain width.

In addition, the clamper becomes slender and needs rigidity to obtain a uniform gripping force, so that the clamper 54 becomes large and the presser blade 56a becomes a consumable as described above, which is uneconomical. is there.

The present invention solves the above-mentioned problems in the conventional apparatus, provides a compact, high-quality break surface which is not affected by the processing accuracy and assembly precision of the apparatus, and changes the dimensions and materials of the glass substrate. It is an object of the present invention to provide an economical glass substrate breaker that does not require troublesome setup change such as replacement of a clamper and does not have consumables, and thus can reduce the apparatus and the running cost of the apparatus.

[0012]

According to the present invention, there is provided a glass substrate breaker comprising: a table provided with glass substrate fixing means; and a clamper disposed close to an edge of the table. Positioning means 4 for positioning the glass substrate in a direction perpendicular to the side 1, and rocking mechanisms 28, 30 for rocking the table 2 or the clamper 11 around the side 1 or a parallel axis in the vicinity thereof. 31
Wherein the clamper 11 has a gripping surface sufficiently shorter than the break length of the glass substrate, and the gripping surface is set at a position where the glass substrate is gripped at the end of the break line. It is characterized by.

Although only one clamper 11 may be used when the width of the glass substrate is narrow, a preferred structure is to provide two clampers 11 and hold the two clampers by holding the glass at both ends of the break line. This is a structure for setting a position at a position where the substrate is gripped. Furthermore, by providing the lifting / lowering means 9 for immersing the clamper 11 below the upper surface of the table 2 when not in use, it is possible to transfer the glass substrate, cut a scribe line,
A multifunctional device capable of performing a break or the like by other means can be realized.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus capable of performing a plurality of break operations, comprising two tables 2a and 2b provided with opposing edges 1a and 1b so as to be able to approach and separate from each other. A guide 7 is provided in parallel with the end side, and a clamper 11 is provided so as to be movable and fixed along the guide. Further, the apparatus according to the fifth aspect is provided with a turning means 21 for turning the clamper 11 at least in a state of being immersed about an axis in the vertical direction, and has a structure suitable for discharging ears of the glass substrate that has been cut off. is there.

According to the breaking device of the present invention, the end of the scribe line is gripped at one end, preferably both ends, by the clamper 11 and a bending stress is applied to the end of the scribe line. To make a break along the entire length of the scribe line. Crack propagation proceeds instantaneously, but in order to cause crack propagation in a natural state that is not forcible, it is preferable to apply a bending force with a clamper at a slightly lower speed than that of the conventional structure. The result is obtained. Especially when the width of the ear is small in the ear break, the application of a sharp bending force should be avoided.

In the division by the break device of the present invention,
Only the end of the long scribe line has a short clamper 11
Since the break along the long scribe line is carried out by the natural propagation of cracks, a high quality break surface free of shavings and chipping is not affected by the surface accuracy of the clamping surface of the clamper and the inclination error of the jaw. . Further, since the holding surface is short and high uniformity of the gripping force is not required, the hardness of the gripping surface can be increased, and the problem of wear of the gripping surface can be avoided.

Further, the change in the size of the glass substrate can be dealt with by a simple changeover of the movement of the clamper, and even if the thickness or the quality of the glass substrate changes, it is not necessary to replace the clamp blade of the clamper.

Further, in the ear break, only the end of the broken ear portion is gripped by a small clamper, so that it is easy to transport and discharge while holding this, and the discharging operation is performed. Becomes stable.

When the size of the glass substrate is short, it is sufficient to hold only one end, but it is generally preferable to hold both ends to apply synchronized bending stress. If the scribe line is long, crack propagation may stop in the middle of the scribe line with a clamp at only one end. The discharge of the ear part at the ear break when the clamps are provided at both ends is achieved by opening one of the clampers and rotating or moving it while holding one end of the ear part with the other clamper to discharge the equipment. it can.

[0020]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of a break device according to the present invention will be described below with reference to an embodiment shown in the drawings. In FIGS. 1 and 2, the clamper 11 and the transport claws 6 are provided one by one in front of and behind the drawing (in the width direction of the glass substrate), but the front side is omitted. . 1 and 2 are overall perspective views of the apparatus according to the embodiment. This apparatus is composed of two tables 2 with the edges 1a and 1b adjacent to each other.
a and 2b. On the upper surface of these tables, a large number of air holes 3 are provided for floating the glass substrate by positive pressure and adsorbing the glass substrate by negative pressure.

The two tables 2a and 2b are movable in the direction in which the adjacent edges 1a and 1b are close to each other and are separated from each other. Around, it swings in a direction in which the opposite end side descends.

On both sides of the tables 2a and 2b, guide rails 4 are provided in parallel, and a low gate-shaped carrier 5 running along the guide rails 4 is provided. The carrier 5 is provided with transport claws 6 that open and close in the width direction of the tables 2a and 2b. The glass substrates on the tables 2 a and 2 b are floated by the positive pressure acting on the air holes 3, and are transported and positioned by moving the carrier 5 while nipping both sides of the glass substrate with the transport claws 6.

Two guides 7 parallel to the edges 1a and 1b are mounted below the opposing portions of the edges 1a and 1b of the two tables. A clamp table 8 is provided which can move along the guide and can be fixed at an arbitrary position. Elevating table 1 above clamp table 8
0 is provided, and a rotary joint 14 is provided below the lift table so as to be rotatable relative to the lift table 10 and immovable up and down.
Is connected to the cylinder rod 9a of the lifting cylinder 9 which is mounted on the cylinder. A clamper 11 is mounted on an upper portion of the lift 10.

Details of the clamper 11 are shown in FIGS. Lower jaw block 13 integrally provided with lower jaw 12
Is fixed to the upper part of the elevator 10. Lower jaw block 1
3 is provided with an upper jaw block 17 having an upper jaw 16 which is guided by two guide pins 15 in the vertical direction and is opened and closed while being moved in parallel.

A hollow ball spline 18 extends downward from the center of the elevator 10 via a fixture 25. The outer periphery of the hollow ball spline 18 is directly below the elevator 10 with a bearing 19 integral with the clamp table 8. It is supported vertically and rotatably. A sleeve 24 is mounted below the clamp base 8 so as to be vertically movable and rotatable. The sleeve 24 is fitted to the hollow ball spline 18 so as to be vertically movable and non-rotatable. A turning cylinder 21 having one end supported by a mounting bracket 26 integral with the clamp base 8 is mounted on a short horizontal arm 20 fixed to the sleeve 24.
Are connected. The expansion and contraction of the turning cylinder 21 causes the lower jaw 12 and the upper jaw 16 to rotate 90 degrees between a direction parallel to the end sides 1 a and 1 b of the table and a direction parallel to the guide rail 4.

At the lower end of the hollow ball spline 18, an opening / closing cylinder 22 is mounted.
7.

The clamper 11 configured as described above
The whole of the clamper 11 can be moved below the tables 2a and 2b when it is lowered by the lifting cylinder 9, and the two tables 2a and 2b have their ends 1a and 1b adjacent to each other in this state. Can be moved to a position.

On the other hand, the jaws 12, 16 of the clamper are oriented in a direction parallel to the side edges 1a, 1b of the table.
By raising the elevating cylinder 9 with the a and b separated from each other, the clamper 11 moves up to a height where the clamping surface of the lower jaw 12 coincides with the upper surfaces of the tables 2a and 2b. In this state, the upper jaw 16 is opened by the opening / closing cylinder 22, and the scribe line is positioned at the position of the bending line set near the end of the table 2 a or 2 b.
Is lowered, so that the clamper can move the table 2a, 2
b Grasp both ends of the scribe line of the glass substrate conveyed on the glass substrate.

When the size of the glass substrate is changed, it can be dealt with by moving the clamp table 8 along the guide 7 and fixing it at a position corresponding to the size of the new glass substrate.

The break operation will be described by taking as an example a case where the glass substrate is transported from the left side to the right side in FIGS. 1 and 2 showing the entire apparatus configured as described above. The incoming glass substrate has ears at its front and rear ends,
A plurality of patterns are arranged in the middle. A scribe line is previously provided between the ear portion and the pattern and between the patterns in the device of the first step.

In a state where the two tables 2a and 2b are separated from each other, and the clamper 11 moves upward and the upper jaw 16 is opened, the glass substrate is fed onto the table on the upstream side (left side in FIGS. 1 and 2). come. The fed glass substrate is floated on the table 2a by air pressure, and the scribe line between the ear portion of the tip and the pattern is folded in the upstream table 2a in a state where the side of the glass substrate is lightly sandwiched by the transport claws 6. It is fed to a position that matches the bending line. When the glass substrate is positioned, a negative pressure is applied to the air holes 3 to adsorb and fix the glass substrate on the upper surface of the table 2a.
a returns.

By lowering the upper jaws 16 of both clampers in this state, both ends of the ears at the tips are gripped by the clampers 11.

In this state, the table 2a swings around the bending line in the direction in which the upstream side edge descends, and a bending stress acts on the end of the ear portion gripped by the clamper 11, thereby causing both ends of the scribe line to move. Cracks are generated and propagate along the scribe line, and the leading ear portion is cut off.

Next, the clamper 11 is moved by the lifting cylinder 9.
Is held down while holding the cut ears, the two tables 2a, 2b move in the direction approaching each other, and the air levitation and the movement of the carrier move the scribe line between the next break patterns into the upstream table. By positioning the glass substrates on both sides of the scribe line by applying a negative pressure to the air holes of both tables, the table 2
a and 2b.

In this state, a bending stress acts on the scribed line portion by moving the opposite end of the upstream table (or the downstream table when positioned at the bending line of the downstream table) downward. Then, break the scribe line in the middle.

The clamper 11 descending below the table is
One of the clampers is opened, the other clamper is turned by 90 degrees, and then the upper jaw is opened to discharge the cut ear portion, return to 90 degrees, and wait.

After the break of the scribe line in the middle portion is completed, the remaining portion of the glass substrate is transferred to the upstream carrier 5a.
Is transported onto the downstream table 2b by the cooperative operation of the transport of the downstream carrier 5b and the transport of the downstream carrier 5b.
Open b. Then, with the clamper 11 moved up and the upper jaw 16 opened, the scribe line between the rear ear portion and the last pattern is moved by the movement of the downstream carrier 5b to the position of the folding line on the downstream table 2b. , And by closing the upper jaw 16 of the clamper, the both ends of the rear ear portion are gripped. Then, by moving the downstream end of the downstream table 2b downward, the ear at the rear end is broken. The ear portion at the rear end after the break is discharged by the above-described lowering and turning operations.

FIG. 5 is a diagram schematically showing a table support structure for performing the above operation. An arc-shaped guide bar 28 centered on the bending line 27 is fixed to the lower surface of the table 2, and an arc groove 30 for guiding the guide bar 28 is provided on a moving frame 29 supporting the table 2. Have been. Lower surface of table 2 and moving frame 29
And a bending cylinder 31 is mounted between them.
Moves along the arc groove 30 to swing the table 2 around the bending line 27.

The moving frame 29 is movably supported along a horizontal guide rail 33 of the base frame 32. Between the moving frame 29 and the base frame 32, the moving frame 29, and 2 is provided with a ball screw 34 for controlling the movement in the approach and separation directions.

In the above embodiment, the apparatus for breaking the glass substrate in a direction perpendicular to the direction of transport of the glass substrate has been described. However, a direction parallel to the feeding direction, that is, a side portion of the glass substrate is cut off. As the device, the structure of the present invention can be adopted. Further, in the above embodiment, the bending force is applied to the scribe line by tilting the table. However, the bending force can be applied by tilting the clamper 11 side. In a device that performs only the above-mentioned break, it is possible to simplify the entire structure of the device by adopting a structure in which the clamper side is tilted to apply a bending force.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall perspective view of a state where a table is opened due to an ear break.

FIG. 2 is an overall perspective view showing a state where a table is tilted to break between patterns.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a clamper.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a clamper.

FIG. 5 is a diagram schematically showing a table support structure.

FIG. 6 is a diagram schematically showing a conventional ear break device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 end side 2 table 3 air hole 4 guide rail 7 guide 11 clamper 21 swivel cylinder 28 guide bar 30 arc groove 31 bending cylinder

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A table (2) provided with a glass substrate fixing means (3), a clamper (11) arranged close to an edge (1) of the table, and a glass substrate attached to the edge (1). A positioning means (4) for positioning in a direction perpendicular to the direction, and a swing mechanism (28, 30 ,,) for swinging the table (2) or the clamper (11) around the end side (1) or a parallel axis near the end side (1). 31), the clamper (11) has a gripping surface sufficiently shorter than the break length of the glass substrate, and the gripping surface is located at a position where the glass substrate is gripped at the end of the break line. A glass substrate breaker characterized by being set. 2. The device according to claim 1, further comprising two clampers, wherein the two gripping surfaces are set at positions for gripping the glass substrate at both ends of the break line. Breaker for glass substrate. 3. The table (2) when the clamper (11) is not used.
3. The glass substrate breaking device according to claim 1, further comprising an elevating means (9) for immersing the glass substrate below the upper surface of the glass substrate. 4. Two tables (2a, 2b) having opposing edges (1a, 1b) provided so as to be able to approach and separate from each other, and a guide (7) provided below the tables in parallel with the edges. And a clamper movable and fixed along the guide.
The glass substrate breaking device according to claim 3, characterized by comprising (11). 5. The glass substrate breaking device according to claim 3, further comprising a turning means (21) for turning the clamper (11) at least in a state of being immersed about a vertical axis.