JP2022093901A - Method and apparatus for manufacturing glass plate - Google Patents

Abstract

To prevent a glass ribbon from being damaged when cutting the glass ribbon having flexibility while being conveyed downward in a vertical posture to cut a glass plate.SOLUTION: A method for manufacturing a glass plate comprises: a scribe step of forming a scribe line on one surface Ga of a cutting scheduled part of a glass ribbon G when cutting a flexible glass ribbon G in a width direction while being conveyed downward in a vertical posture to cut a glass plate; a splitting step P2 of curving the cutting scheduled part so that a side of the one surface Ga is convex in a state of supporting the glass ribbon G on a support member 7 from the side of the other surface Gb to split and cut the glass ribbon G along the scribe line. The splitting step P2 includes pulling a region (a part to be cut) lower than the cutting scheduled part in the glass ribbon G to curve the cutting scheduled part so that the side of the one surface Ga is convex after extending a region supported on the support member 7 in glass ribbon G in the width direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

The present disclosure relates to a method for manufacturing a glass plate and a manufacturing apparatus.

As is well known, as one of the methods for manufacturing a glass plate, a glass ribbon formed by a down draw method is cut out from the glass ribbon by transporting it downward in a vertical position and cutting it in the width direction. The method can be mentioned. Patent Document 1 discloses an example of a specific form of the method.

In the form disclosed in the same document, first, a scribe line is formed along the width direction with respect to one surface of the glass ribbon being conveyed downward in a vertical posture. Then, under the state where the glass ribbon is supported from the other side by the support member (fulcrum bar in the same document), the portion where the scribe line is formed is curved so that the one side is convex with the support member as the fulcrum. As a result, the glass ribbon is broken and cut along the scribe line. In the form disclosed in Patent Document 1, a flexible glass ribbon (for example, a thickness of 300 μm or less) is targeted for cutting.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2018-90446

When carrying out the above embodiment, since the glass ribbon has flexibility, wrinkles and slacks are likely to occur during the transportation. Due to this wrinkle or slack, when the glass ribbon is broken and cut, a part of the support member may be in a non-contact state with the glass ribbon. That is, the portion of the glass ribbon where wrinkles and slack are generated is partially lifted from the support member. In such a state, there is a problem that the cut portion that should be originally formed along the scribe line deviates from the scribe line, and as a result, the glass ribbon is damaged.

A technical problem to be solved in view of the above circumstances is to prevent damage to the glass ribbon when cutting the flexible glass ribbon being conveyed downward in a vertical posture to cut out the glass plate.

A method for manufacturing a glass plate for solving the above problems is to cut a glass plate from a glass ribbon by cutting the flexible glass ribbon in a vertical position while transporting it downward in the width direction. In the scribing process of forming a scribing line on one surface of the planned cutting portion extending in the width direction of the glass, and in a state where the glass ribbon after the scribing process is supported by the support member from the other surface side, the glass ribbon is cut with the support member as a fulcrum. It is a method of performing a folding step of bending the planned portion so that one side is convex and folding and cutting the glass ribbon along the scribing line. In the folding step, the glass ribbon is scheduled to be cut. Pull the part below the part in the width direction to extend the part supported by the support member in the glass ribbon in the width direction, and then bend the planned cutting part of the glass ribbon so that one side is convex. It is a feature.

In this method, in the folding step, the portion of the glass ribbon below the planned cutting portion is pulled in the width direction to extend the portion of the glass ribbon supported by the support member in the width direction, and then the planned cutting portion is cut. It is curved so that the direction side is convex. Therefore, even if the glass ribbon is wrinkled or slackened due to its flexibility, at least in the portion supported by the support member, before the glass ribbon is broken (before the planned cutting portion is curved). Wrinkles and slack can be extended in the width direction to eliminate them. As a result, it is possible to prevent a part of the support member from being in non-contact state with the glass ribbon due to wrinkles and slack during folding. As a result, it is possible to prevent the cut portion formed on the glass ribbon from deviating from the scribe line in the folding step, and it is possible to prevent the glass ribbon from being damaged.

In the above method, in the scribe step, the portion of the glass ribbon below the planned cutting portion is pulled in the width direction to extend the planned cutting portion in the width direction, and the planned cutting portion is supported by the scribe auxiliary member from the other side. It is preferable to form the scribe line by moving the scribe line forming tool on one surface of the planned cutting portion in the state of being moved.

By doing so, in the scribe process, the planned cutting portion where the scribe line will be formed can be extended in the width direction. That is, even if wrinkles or slacks occur in the glass ribbon, the wrinkles or slacks existing on the planned cutting portion can be extended in the width direction to disappear. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the planned cutting portion from partially floating from the scribe auxiliary member due to wrinkles or slack. As a result, it is possible to prevent the scribe line forming tool from passing through the part floating from the scribe auxiliary member, and the glass ribbon is damaged or the scribe line becomes discontinuous due to the formation of the scribe line. It is possible to avoid it as much as possible.

In the above method, it is preferable to use as the support member and the scribe auxiliary member a member in which the contact portion in contact with the glass ribbon is curved so as to be convex along the width direction of the glass ribbon.

By doing so, in the planned cutting portion of the glass ribbon, one surface on which the scribe line is formed becomes convexly curved along the width direction in the scribe step and the folding step. This makes it easier to form a scribe line in the scribe process and also makes it easier to break and cut the glass ribbon in the folding process. In addition, in this method, the portion of the glass ribbon below the planned cutting portion is pulled in the width direction. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the lower portion from being unintentionally curved so that the other surface side becomes convex at the time of folding. As a result, it is possible to prevent the direction of the curve from being reversed between the lower portion and the planned cutting portion, so that the glass ribbon can be folded more accurately.

In the above method, regarding the distance along the longitudinal direction of the glass ribbon, the separation distance from the part where the glass ribbon is pulled to the planned cutting portion is different between the scribing process and the folding process, and the separation distance in the scribing process. Is preferably shorter than the separation distance in the folding step.

By doing so, in the scribe process, by pulling the glass ribbon at a position relatively close to the planned cutting portion, the partial lifting of the planned cutting portion from the above-mentioned scribe auxiliary member is surely prevented. This makes it possible to stably form the scribe line. Further, in the folding step, by pulling the glass ribbon at a position relatively far from the planned cutting portion, the effect of eliminating wrinkles and slack in the portion supported by the support member described above is maintained, and then the effect is maintained. Prevents stress that adversely affects the folding of the glass ribbon (stress that is originally unnecessary for folding) from acting on the planned cutting portion. This makes it possible to perform folding in a stable manner.

In the above method, with respect to the distance along the longitudinal direction of the glass ribbon, it is preferable that the separation distance from the portion where the glass ribbon is pulled to the planned cutting portion in the folding step is 200 mm or more.

By doing so, it is possible to more reliably prevent the above-mentioned stress that adversely affects the folding from being applied to the planned cutting portion.

In the above method, it is preferable to pull a plurality of points in the longitudinal direction of the glass ribbon in the width direction.

By doing so, there is a possibility that a force acts locally on the glass ribbon as if only one place is pulled in the width direction, which adversely affects the scribing process and the folding process. It is possible to avoid it as much as possible.

Further, the glass plate manufacturing apparatus for solving the above-mentioned problems is a cutting mechanism for cutting a glass plate from the glass ribbon by cutting the flexible glass ribbon being conveyed downward in the vertical posture in the width direction. The cutting mechanism is such that the scribing mechanism that forms a scrib line on one side of the planned cutting portion extending in the width direction of the glass ribbon and the scheduled cutting portion of the glass ribbon on which the scrib line is formed are convex on one side. It has a folding mechanism that bends the glass ribbon along the scribing line and cuts it, and the folding mechanism supports the glass ribbon from the other side and a planned cutting portion of the glass ribbon. By moving the holding member that holds the lower part and the holding member that holds the lower part from one side to the other side of the glass ribbon, the glass ribbon is cut with the support member as a fulcrum. A moving device for bending the planned portion is provided, and when the glass ribbon is broken by the folding mechanism, the holding member pulls the lower portion in the width direction to widen the portion supported by the support member in the glass ribbon. It is characterized by being configured to extend in a direction.

According to this apparatus, the same operation and effect as the above-mentioned method for manufacturing a glass plate can be obtained.

According to the method and apparatus for manufacturing a glass plate according to the present disclosure, it is possible to prevent the glass ribbon from being damaged when cutting the flexible glass ribbon being conveyed downward in a vertical posture to cut out the glass plate. It will be possible.

It is a front view which shows the manufacturing apparatus of a glass plate. It is sectional drawing which shows the AA cross section in FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the scribe process in the manufacturing method of a glass plate. It is sectional drawing which shows the scribe process in the manufacturing method of a glass plate. It is sectional drawing which shows the folding process in the manufacturing method of a glass plate. It is sectional drawing which shows the folding process in the manufacturing method of a glass plate. It is sectional drawing which shows the folding process in the manufacturing method of a glass plate. It is sectional drawing which shows the folding process in the manufacturing method of a glass plate.

Hereinafter, a method for manufacturing a glass plate and a manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The X, Y, and Z directions shown in the drawings referred to in the description of the embodiment are orthogonal to each other.

<Glass plate manufacturing equipment>
First, the glass plate manufacturing apparatus 1 (hereinafter, simply referred to as manufacturing apparatus 1) shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 will be described.

The manufacturing apparatus 1 cuts the glass ribbon G being conveyed downward in the vertical posture in the width direction (X direction) along the planned cutting portion Gp, whereby the cutting target portion Gx existing below the scheduled cutting portion Gp is cut. It is provided with a cutting mechanism 2 for cutting out from the glass ribbon G. When the glass ribbon G is cut by the cutting mechanism 2, the cutout target portion Gx is cut out as a glass plate Gs.

The manufacturing apparatus 1 targets the flexible glass ribbon G for cutting. The glass ribbon G is glass formed by a down draw method (for example, an overflow down draw method). The glass ribbon G includes an effective portion G1 existing in the center in the width direction and an ineffective portion G2 existing at both ends in the width direction. The effective portion G1 is a portion including a portion that will later become a product glass plate, and the ineffective portion G2 is a portion that is discarded without becoming a product glass plate. The thickness of the effective portion G1 is, for example, 0.4 mm or less. In FIG. 1, the boundary between the effective portion G1 and the non-effective portion G2 is indicated by a two-dot chain line.

The cutting mechanism 2 includes a scribe mechanism 3 for forming a scribe line S (see FIGS. 3 and 4) on one surface Ga of the planned cutting portion Gp extending in the width direction of the glass ribbon G, and along the scribe line S. It has a folding mechanism 4 for folding and cutting the glass ribbon G (see FIGS. 5 to 8).

The scribe mechanism 3 forms a scribe line S while moving (running) on one surface Ga of the scheduled cutting portion Gp and the scribe auxiliary member 5 that supports the scheduled cutting portion Gp of the glass ribbon G from the other surface Gb side. It is equipped with a scribe wheel 6 as a line forming tool.

Both the scribe auxiliary member 5 and the scribe wheel 6 can be moved up and down along the vertical direction (Y direction) by an elevating device (not shown). Both 5 and 6 follow the glass ribbon G and descend at the same speed as the downward transport speed of the glass ribbon G when the scribe line S is formed. That is, when the scribe line S is formed, the relative positional relationship between the two 5 and 6 and the glass ribbon G in the vertical direction does not change.

The scribe auxiliary member 5 is formed so as to be elongated along the width direction of the glass ribbon G. The scribe auxiliary member 5 has a contact portion 5a that comes into direct contact with the glass ribbon G (scheduled cutting portion Gp). In the drawings other than FIG. 1, only the contact portion 5a is shown in the entire scribe auxiliary member 5. The contact portion 5a can come into contact with a portion of the entire width of the glass ribbon G (planned cutting portion Gp) excluding both ends in the width direction, and is convex along the width direction of the glass ribbon G. It is curved to (see FIG. 3).

Here, as a modification of the present embodiment, the contact portion 5a of the scribe auxiliary member 5 may be formed flat without being curved along the width direction of the glass ribbon G.

The scribe wheel 6 is a disk-shaped member having a blade-shaped peripheral portion. The scribe wheel 6 travels on the contact portion 5a of the scribe auxiliary member 5 via the glass ribbon G (scheduled cutting portion Gp). The scribe wheel 6 forms a scribe line S at a portion of the entire width of the glass ribbon G (scheduled cutting portion Gp) excluding both ends in the width direction as the vehicle travels (see FIG. 3).

Both the scribe auxiliary member 5 and the scribe wheel 6 can change their positions along the thickness direction (Z direction) of the glass ribbon G. More specifically, both 5 and 6 are the contact position in contact with the glass ribbon G (the position shown by the alternate long and short dash line in FIG. 2) and the standby position separated from the glass ribbon G (the position shown by the solid line in FIG. 2). It is possible to move between and. Both 5 and 6 are present at the contact position when the scribe line S is formed, and are present at the standby position except when the scribe line S is formed.

The folding mechanism 4 bends the planned cutting portion Gp of the glass ribbon G on which the scribe line S is formed so that one side Ga side becomes convex, and applies bending stress to the scheduled cutting portion Gp accordingly. , Has a function of cutting the glass ribbon G (see FIGS. 7 and 8).

The folding mechanism 4 holds a support member 7 that supports the glass ribbon G from the other side Gb side, a holding member 8 that holds the cutout target portion Gx of the glass ribbon G, and a state in which the cutout target portion Gx is held. It is equipped with a moving device 9 (not shown in FIG. 2) for moving the member 8. While the holding member 8 and the moving device 9 belong to the folding mechanism 4, they operate not only when the glass ribbon G is folded but also when the scribe line S is formed (details will be described later).

The support member 7 can be moved up and down along the vertical direction by an elevating device (not shown). As will be described in detail later, the holding member 8 can be moved in the vertical direction by the moving device 9. Both the support member 7 and the holding member 8 follow the glass ribbon G and descend at the same speed as the downward transport speed of the glass ribbon G when the glass ribbon G is folded. As a result, when the glass ribbon G is folded, the relative positional relationship between the members 7 and 8 and the glass ribbon G in the vertical direction does not change.

The support member 7 is a member that serves as a fulcrum for bending the planned cutting portion Gp when the glass ribbon G is broken and cut. The support member 7 is formed so as to be elongated along the width direction of the glass ribbon G. The support member 7 has a contact portion 7a that comes into direct contact with the glass ribbon G. In the drawings other than FIG. 1, only the contact portion 7a is shown in the entire support member 7. The contact portion 7a can come into contact with a portion of the entire width of the glass ribbon G excluding both ends in the width direction, and is curved so as to be convex along the width direction of the glass ribbon G (). See FIG. 6).

Here, as a modification of the present embodiment, the contact portion 7a of the support member 7 may be formed flat without being curved along the width direction of the glass ribbon G.

The position of the support member 7 can be changed along the thickness direction of the glass ribbon G. Specifically, the support member 7 has a contact position in contact with the glass ribbon G (position shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 2) and a standby position separated from the glass ribbon G (position shown by a solid line in FIG. 2). It is possible to move between and. The support member 7 is present at the contact position when the glass ribbon G is folded, and is present at the standby position except when the glass ribbon G is folded.

The holding member 8 has a pair of arms 10 and 10 facing each other on one end side and the other end side in the width direction in the cutout target portion Gx. Each of the pair of arms 10 and 10 has an arm body 11 extending in the vertical direction and a plurality of chucks 12 attached to the arm body 11 in a vertically arranged state.

Each of the plurality of chucks 12 includes a pair of claws 12a and 12a that grip the ineffective portion G2 of the cutout target portion Gx from both the thickness direction (Z direction). The pair of claws 12a and 12a can be opened and closed. As a result, by closing each claw 12a (the state shown by the solid line in FIG. 2), the cutout target portion Gx is grasped and each claw 12a is opened (two points in FIG. 2). By setting the condition as shown by the chain line), the gripping of the cutout target portion Gx is released. It should be noted that each of the plurality of chucks 12 can grip and release the gripping target portion Gx independently of the other chucks 12.

The arm main body 11 can rotate around an axis extending in the X direction by a guide mechanism (not shown) while being moved by the moving device 9. The axis that is the center of the rotational movement is located above the arm body 11. Along with the rotational movement, the arm body 11 has a vertical posture parallel to the vertical direction (the posture shown by the solid line in FIG. 2) and an inclined posture tilted with respect to the vertical posture (the posture shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 2). ) And can be taken. As a result, the posture of the arm main body 11 shifts from the vertical posture to the inclined posture while the plurality of chucks 12 hold the cutout target portion Gx, so that the planned cutting portion Gp of the glass ribbon G is curved.

The moving device 9 includes a first mechanism 13 for moving the arm 10 in the vertical direction (Y direction), a second mechanism 14 for moving the arm 10 in the width direction (X direction) of the glass ribbon G, and an arm. It is provided with a third mechanism 15 for moving the 10 in the thickness direction (Z direction) of the glass ribbon G.

The first mechanism 13 includes a plate 16 assembled to the arm 10 (arm body 11), a guide rail 17 for guiding the vertical movement of the plate 16, and a ball screw 18 for imparting power for the plate 16 to move up and down. It has a frame 19 in which a guide rail 17 and a ball screw 18 are installed, and a servomotor 20 connected to the ball screw 18.

In the manufacturing apparatus 1, the plate 16 moves up and down due to the operation of the first mechanism 13, so that the arm 10 moves up and down. Then, as the plate 16 moves downward, the arm 10 follows the glass ribbon G and descends.

The second mechanism 14 imparts a plate 21 fixed to the frame 19, a guide rail 22 for guiding the movement of the plate 21 along the width direction of the glass ribbon G, and a power for the plate 21 to move. It has a ball screw 23, a frame 24 in which a guide rail 22 and a ball screw 23 are installed, and a servomotor 25 connected to the ball screw 23.

In the present manufacturing apparatus 1, the plate 21 is moved by the operation of the second mechanism 14, so that the position of the arm 10 can be adjusted according to the size of the width dimension of the glass ribbon G. Further, under the state where the pair of arms 10 and 10 hold the cutout target portion Gx, the cutout target portion Gx is widened by moving each arm 10 to the outside in the width direction as the plate 21 moves. It is possible to pull in the direction (see FIGS. 3 and 6). Since the arm 10 has a plurality of chucks 12, the cutout target portion Gx is pulled at a plurality of locations in the longitudinal direction (Y direction) of the glass ribbon G in the width direction.

The third mechanism 15 includes a guide rail 26 for guiding the movement of the frame 24 along the thickness direction of the glass ribbon G, a ball screw 27 for imparting power for the frame 24 to move, and the guide rail 26 and the ball screw 27. It has a base 28 on which the ball screw 27 is installed and a servomotor (not shown) connected to the ball screw 27.

In the present manufacturing apparatus 1, as the frame 24 moves due to the operation of the third mechanism 15, the posture of the arm body 11 shifts from the vertical posture to the tilted posture, and the arm 10 is on one side Ga side of the glass ribbon G. Moves toward the other side Gb side.

<Manufacturing method of glass plate>
Hereinafter, a method for manufacturing a glass plate using the above-mentioned manufacturing apparatus 1 will be described.

In this manufacturing method, when cutting out the glass plate Gs from the glass ribbon G formed by the down draw method, the scribe step P1 (FIGS. 3 and 4) for forming the scribe wire S on the glass ribbon G and the scribe wire G for the glass ribbon G are formed. The folding step P2 (FIGS. 5 to 8) of folding and cutting along S is executed.

In the scribe step P1 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, first, regarding the glass ribbon G being conveyed downward after molding, the cutout target portion of the glass ribbon G is formed by a pair of arms 10 and 10 that follow the glass ribbon G and descend. Hold Gx. Specifically, in each of the plurality of chucks 12 possessed by each of the pair of arms 10 and 10, the pair of claws 12a and 12a are changed from the open state to the closed state to grip the cutout target portion Gx.

At this time, with respect to the distance along the longitudinal direction (Y direction) of the glass ribbon G, the separation distance L1 from the uppermost chuck 12 of the plurality of chucks 12 to the planned cutting portion Gp of the glass ribbon G is 100 mm or less. It is preferable to do so. The reason why the separation distance L1 is set to 100 mm or less is to preferably obtain the effect of eliminating wrinkles and slack on the planned cutting portion Gp, which will be described later. The separation distance L1 is preferably 30 mm or more so that the uppermost chuck 12 does not interfere with the scribe auxiliary member 5 and the scribe wheel 6.

Next, by moving each of the pair of arms 10 and 10 holding the cutout target portion Gx to the outside in the width direction of the glass ribbon G, each chuck 12 pulls the cutout target portion Gx in the width direction. .. At this time, the distance for moving each arm 10 to the outside in the width direction is, for example, 1 mm to 2 mm. Here, the distance between one of the pair of arms 10 and 10 and the other may be uniform as in the present embodiment, or may be uneven unlike the present embodiment, and one arm 10 may be moved. You may move only. As the cutting target portion Gx is pulled, the planned cutting portion Gp of the glass ribbon G is extended in the width direction. As a result, the wrinkles and slacks (shown by the alternate long and short dash line in FIG. 3) existing on the planned cutting portion Gp are extended in the width direction and disappear.

Next, both the scribe auxiliary member 5 and the scribe wheel 6 are moved down from the standby position to the contact position while following the glass ribbon G and descending. As a result, the contact portion 5a of the scribe auxiliary member 5 comes into contact with the glass ribbon G (scheduled cutting portion Gp), and the scheduled cutting portion Gp is in a state of being curved so that one surface Ga is convex along the width direction. Under this state, the scribe line S is formed by running the scribe wheel 6 on one surface Ga of the planned cutting portion Gp. With the above, the scribe process P1 is completed.

After the completion of the scribe step P1, both the scribe auxiliary member 5 and the scribe wheel 6 are moved from the contact position to the standby position. Further, both 5 and 6 are raised to the height position before the formation of the scribe line S. On the other hand, the pair of arms 10 and 10 follow the glass ribbon G and continue to be pulled by each chuck 12 in the width direction of the cutout target portion Gx. The pulling of the cutout target portion Gx by each chuck 12 is continued until the glass plate Gs is cut out from the glass ribbon G by executing the folding step P2.

Here, in the present embodiment, after moving the pair of arms 10 and 10 to pull the cutout target portion Gx in the width direction (after extending the planned cutting portion Gp in the width direction), the scribe auxiliary member 5 and the scribe The wheel 6 is moved from the standby position to the contact position. However, this is not limited to this, and as a modification of the present embodiment, after the scribe auxiliary member 5 is moved from the standby position to the contact position, the pair of arms 10 and 10 are moved to pull the cutout target portion Gx. May be good. Then, after that, the scribe wheel 6 may be moved from the standby position to the contact position.

As shown in FIG. 5, in the folding step P2, first, the pair of claws 12a and 12a of the uppermost chuck 12 among the plurality of chucks 12 is changed from the closed state to the open state to cut out the target portion. Release the grip of Gx. For the remaining chucks 12 excluding the uppermost stage, gripping of the cutout target portion Gx is continued. As a result, when the folding step P2 is executed, the cutting target portion Gx is pulled at a position far from the planned cutting portion Gp as compared with the time when the scribe step P1 is executed.

At this time, with respect to the distance along the longitudinal direction (Y direction) of the glass ribbon G, the chuck 12 in the second stage from the top (the uppermost chuck 12 among the chucks 12 in the state of gripping the cutout target portion Gx). The separation distance L2 from the glass ribbon G to the planned cutting portion Gp is 200 mm or more. Of course, the separation distance L2 is longer than the above separation distance L1. The reason why the separation distance L2 is set to 200 mm or more is to prevent the curvature of the curvature of the planned cutting portion Gp from becoming excessive when the glass ribbon G is broken.

Next, the support member 7 is moved from the standby position to the contact position while following the glass ribbon G and descending. As a result, the contact portion 7a of the support member 7 comes into contact with the glass ribbon G. In the present embodiment, the contact portion 7a is brought into contact with the glass ribbon G above the planned cutting portion Gp. Of course, this is not limited to this, and as a modification of the present embodiment, the contact portion 7a may be brought into contact with the planned cutting portion Gp. When the contact portion 7a of the support member 7 comes into contact with the glass ribbon G, as shown in FIG. 6, a portion of the glass ribbon G supported by the support member 7 (hereinafter referred to as a supported portion) becomes one along the width direction. The direction Ga is curved so as to be convex.

Here, as described above, the cutting target portion Gx is pulled in the width direction by each chuck 12 continuously from the time when the scribe step P1 is executed. As a result, the supported portion of the glass ribbon G is in a state of being extended in the width direction, that is, under a state in which wrinkles and slacks (shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 6) have disappeared, and the contact portion 7a of the support member 7 is provided. Contact with. The distance between the scribe step P1 and the folding step P2 to move each arm 10 outward in the width direction in order to pull the cutout target portion Gx in the width direction by each chuck 12 is the distance of the present embodiment. It may be the same as above, or it may be different from the present embodiment.

Next, as shown in FIG. 7, the posture of the arm main body 11 is changed from the vertical posture to the inclined posture by rotating the arm main body 11. As a result, the planned cutting portion Gp of the glass ribbon G is curved. When bending stress acts on the planned cutting portion Gp due to the bending, the glass ribbon G is broken along the scribe line S. Then, as shown in FIG. 8, the glass plate Gs is cut out from the glass ribbon G. With the above, the folding step P2 is completed.

After the folding step P2 is completed, the support member 7 is moved from the contact position to the standby position. Further, the support member 7 is raised to the height position before the folding of the glass ribbon G. Further, the glass plate Gs cut out from the glass ribbon G is delivered to a transfer device (not shown) for transferring the glass plate Gs to the downstream process. After the glass plates Gs are delivered to the transfer device, the pair of arms 10 and 10 return to the positions before the formation of the scribe line S.

Hereinafter, the main actions / effects of the above-mentioned manufacturing apparatus 1 and the manufacturing method will be described.

In the above-mentioned manufacturing apparatus 1 and manufacturing method, the cutout target portion Gx in the glass ribbon G is pulled in the width direction to extend the supported portion (the portion supported by the support member 7) in the glass ribbon G in the width direction. , The planned cutting portion Gp is curved. Therefore, even if the glass ribbon G is wrinkled or slackened due to its flexibility, at least in the supported portion, the glass ribbon G is wrinkled or slackened before the glass ribbon G is broken (before the planned cutting portion Gp is curved). Can be extended in the width direction to disappear. As a result, it is possible to prevent a part of the support member 7 (contact portion 7a) from being in a non-contact state with the glass ribbon G due to wrinkles or slack during folding. As a result, it is possible to prevent the cut portion formed on the glass ribbon G from deviating from the scribe line S at the time of folding, and it is possible to prevent the glass ribbon G from being damaged.

Here, it is also possible to apply the following modification to the above embodiment. In the above embodiment, as the pair of arms 10 and 10 are moved outward in the width direction of the glass ribbon G, the cutout target portion Gx is pulled in the width direction. However, as a modification, any mechanism may be adopted as long as the cutout target portion Gx can be pulled in the width direction. Further, in the above embodiment, the cutting target portion Gx is pulled in the width direction by the same means (pair of arms 10, 10) between the scribe step P1 and the folding step P2. However, as a modification, the cutting target portion Gx may be pulled in the width direction by different means (devices or mechanisms) between the scribe step P1 and the folding step P2. As a further modification, the pulling of the cutout target portion Gx in the width direction may be performed only in the folding step P2.

1 Glass plate manufacturing equipment 2 Cutting mechanism 3 Scrivener mechanism 4 Folding mechanism 5 Scrivener auxiliary member 5a Contact part 6 Scrivener wheel 7 Support member 7a Contact part 8 Holding member 9 Moving device 10 Arm G Glass ribbon Ga One side Gb One side Gp Scheduled cutting part Gs Glass plate Gx Cutting target part L1 Separation distance L2 Separation distance P1 Scribing process P2 Folding process S Scribing line

Claims (7)

In cutting a glass plate from the glass ribbon by cutting the flexible glass ribbon in the width direction while transporting it downward in a vertical posture.
A scribe step of forming a scribe line on one surface of a planned cutting portion extending in the width direction of the glass ribbon, and
In a state where the glass ribbon after the scribe step is supported by the support member from the other side, the planned cutting portion of the glass ribbon is curved so that the one side is convex with the support member as a fulcrum. The folding process of folding and cutting the glass ribbon along the line,
Is a method of manufacturing a glass plate that carries out
In the folding step, a portion of the glass ribbon below the planned cutting portion is pulled in the width direction to extend the portion of the glass ribbon supported by the support member in the width direction, and then the glass ribbon is formed. A method for manufacturing a glass plate, characterized in that the planned cutting portion is curved so that one side is convex. In the scribe process,
The portion of the glass ribbon below the planned cutting portion is pulled in the width direction to extend the planned cutting portion in the width direction, and at the same time.
A claim characterized in that the scribe line is formed by moving the scribe line forming tool on one surface of the planned cutting portion in a state where the scheduled cutting portion is supported by the scribe auxiliary member from the other surface side. Item 2. The method for manufacturing a glass plate according to Item 1. The second aspect of claim 2, wherein as the support member and the scribe auxiliary member, a member whose contact portion in contact with the glass ribbon is curved so as to be convex along the width direction of the glass ribbon is used. How to make a glass plate. With respect to the distance along the longitudinal direction of the glass ribbon
The separation distance from the part where the glass ribbon is pulled to the planned cutting portion is different between the scribing step and the folding step, and the separating distance in the scribing step is larger than the separating distance in the folding step. The method for manufacturing a glass plate according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the glass plate is shortened. With respect to the distance along the longitudinal direction of the glass ribbon
The method for manufacturing a glass plate according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the separation distance from the portion where the glass ribbon is pulled to the planned cutting portion is 200 mm or more in the folding step. The method for manufacturing a glass plate according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein a plurality of points in the longitudinal direction of the glass ribbon are pulled in the width direction. It is a glass plate manufacturing device
It is equipped with a cutting mechanism that cuts a glass plate from the glass ribbon by cutting the flexible glass ribbon being conveyed downward in the vertical position in the width direction.
The cutting mechanism has a scribe mechanism for forming a scribe line on one surface of a planned cutting portion extending in the width direction of the glass ribbon, and a convex cutting mechanism on one side of the scheduled cutting portion of the glass ribbon on which the scribe line is formed. It has a folding mechanism for folding and cutting the glass ribbon along the scribe line.
The folding mechanism holds a support member that supports the glass ribbon from the other side, a holding member that holds a portion of the glass ribbon below the planned cutting portion, and a state in which the lower portion is held. A moving device for bending the planned cutting portion of the glass ribbon with the support member as a fulcrum by moving the holding member from one side to the other side of the glass ribbon.
When the glass ribbon is folded by the folding mechanism, the holding member is configured to extend the portion of the glass ribbon supported by the support member in the width direction by pulling the lower portion in the width direction. A glass plate manufacturing device characterized by being made.

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