JP3968538B2 - Method and apparatus for bending glass plate - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for bending a glass sheet for transportation equipment such as automobiles, ships, railways, and aircraft, or for various other uses for construction.
[0002]
[Prior art]
A method of bending a glass sheet by conveying the glass sheet heated to near the softening point in a heating furnace with a plurality of curved rollers is known (for example, US Pat. No. 4,123,246). In this case, since the softened glass plate hangs down by its own weight, it is bent so as to follow the curvature of the roller.
[0003]
In addition, a method is known in which a glass plate is bent by conveying a glass plate heated to near the softening point in a heating path with a plurality of rollers arranged to be inclined in the conveying direction so that the conveying path is curved. (For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,820,327). In this case, since the softened glass plate hangs down by its own weight, it is bent so as to follow the curvature of the conveyance path.
[0004]
On the other hand, according to the method described in the above specification, since the glass plate is bent by a conveyance path formed by a roller and a curved roller after passing through a heating furnace, if the glass plate is not sufficiently heated, Cannot follow the curvature of the transport path or roller. For this reason, if the temperature of the glass plate is raised, a roller conveyance trace or the like remains on the glass plate, which may cause poor appearance or optical distortion. Furthermore, since it is bending by the conveyance on the roller of a glass plate, sufficient conveyance distance is required so that the curvature of a conveyance path and a roller may be followed. For this reason, even if the temperature of the glass plate is increased, the glass plate is deprived of heat by the roller and the required temperature of the glass plate may not be obtained. Further, since a sufficient transport distance is required, there is a problem that the molding apparatus is increased in size.
[0005]
In addition, in the method described in the above specification, it is difficult to sufficiently bend the peripheral region of the glass plate. That is, in the method described in US Pat. No. 4,820,327, the glass plate is formed so as to have a curvature in the conveyance direction. In this case, the glass sheet is bent so that the upstream edge and the downstream edge with respect to the conveying direction of the glass plate become substantial support portions and the central region of the glass plate falls downward. Therefore, the bending in the vicinity of the support portion is not sufficiently performed, and a desired curvature cannot be given to the upstream edge region and the downstream edge region with respect to the transport direction.
[0006]
Similarly, in the method described in US Pat. No. 4,123,246, the glass plate is formed so as to have a curvature in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the glass plate. In this case, the glass plate is bent so that the edge parallel to the conveyance direction of the glass plate becomes a substantial support portion and the central region of the glass plate falls downward. Therefore, the bending forming in the vicinity of the support portion (edge portion) is not sufficiently performed, and a desired curvature cannot be given to the edge regions on both sides parallel to the conveying direction.
[0007]
Therefore, for example, it is conceivable that a glass plate is further sandwiched between upper and lower rollers in the method described in the above-mentioned US Pat. No. 4,123,246. As a result, the glass plate can be made to follow the roller even at a temperature at which the appearance defect of the glass plate does not occur, and a glass plate bent to a desired curvature can be obtained without increasing the temperature of the glass plate. Can do. And the molding defect of an edge area | region can be reduced.
[0008]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, since the demand for a small variety of products is increasing in recent automobiles, a glass plate having a curvature corresponding to each type is required. For this reason, in the method described in the above-mentioned U.S. Pat. No. 4,123,246, it is necessary to replace the roller with a curvature suitable for the type for each type. This replacement takes time, and it is necessary to prepare a roller having a curvature required for each model. In the method described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,820,327, it is necessary to change the arrangement of the rollers so that the conveyance path has a curvature suitable for each model. This change was time consuming.
[0009]
Furthermore, in recent years, especially for automobiles, glass plates (compound glass plates) having curvatures in a plurality of directions as well as in one direction have been used. In U.S. Pat. No. 4,123,246, in order to obtain such a compound glass plate, a plurality of rollers for conveying the glass plate exiting the heating furnace are arranged so as to be inclined. A glass plate that has been bent and bent is obtained by a curvature provided in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction and an inclination provided in the conveying direction.
[0010]
However, in the method disclosed in the above specification, it has been impossible to give different curvatures depending on the part in the direction in which the glass plate is conveyed. That is, for example, in the case of a rear glass for an automobile, a glass plate having a large curvature (small curvature radius) near the left and right sides and a small curvature (large curvature radius) in the center may be used. In this case, there is a possibility that a glass plate having a large curvature in the vicinity of the left and right sides can be obtained by increasing the curvature of the end of the roller and transporting the glass plate so that the left and right sides of the rear glass face the transport direction. There is. However, in this case, since it is necessary to give a large curvature to the end portion of the roller, the rotation of the roller does not go smoothly. Therefore, if the direction in which the glass plate is transported is changed, only a uniform curvature is given by the inclination provided in the transport direction, so that it is difficult to bend the glass plate having a different curvature depending on the part.
[0011]
An object of the present invention is to eliminate the drawbacks of the prior art described above, and to provide a novel glass plate bending method and apparatus which have not been conventionally known.
[0012]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and a glass plate is placed in a heating furnace.Carry onIn the glass sheet bending method, the sheet is heated to a forming temperature while being conveyed in a substantially horizontal direction by a feeding means, and is bent by a forming means provided downstream of the heating furnace. It is provided with a group of rollers arranged above and below the transport surface to be transported, and a glass plate is sandwiched and bent between these upper and lower rollers, and the region in which the glass plate is sandwiched by the upper and lower rollers is changed. The glass plate is conveyed while moving the positions of the plurality of rollers in the conveying direction, and the glass plate is bent to a predetermined curvature.
[0013]
  The present invention also provides a heating furnace that heats the glass plate to a molding temperature, and the glass plate is transported in a substantially horizontal direction in the heating furnace.CarryingA glass plate bending apparatus comprising: a heating stage having a feeding means; and a molding means for bending a glass plate provided downstream of the heating furnace, wherein the molding means includes a plurality of rollers. A group of rollers arranged above and below a conveying surface on which the plate is conveyed so as to be movable in the conveying direction of the glass plate, a moving means for moving the plurality of rollers in the conveying direction of the glass plate, and conveyed from the heating stage. The glass plate is sandwiched between the upper and lower rollers and bent to a predetermined curvature, and the position of the plurality of rollers is conveyed while changing the region where the glass plate is bent by changing the region where the glass plate is sandwiched by the upper and lower rollers. And a control means for controlling the moving means so as to move in the direction. A glass plate bending apparatus is provided.
[0014]
  In this glass plate bending method and apparatus, the upstream edge region in the conveying direction of the glass plateAndWhen the upper and lower edge regions pass between the plurality of upper and lower rollers, the upper roller and the lower roller are relatively moved so that the lower roller follows the roller surface of the upper roller. The two edge regions can be bent to a predetermined curvature by moving the two regions. In addition, by making the upper and lower rollers into curved rollers, the conveyance direction of the glass plateDirection perpendicular toFurther, it is possible to change the curvature according to the region, and to reduce the conveyance failure due to the complicated bent glass plate.
[0015]
In this glass plate bending method and apparatus, the lower roller is at least two rollers, ie, a downstream roller in the transport direction of the glass plate and an upstream roller in the transport direction, and the glass plate is the downstream roller and the upstream roller. The upper roller is disposed between the downstream roller and the upstream roller and supported by the glass plate from above the glass plate, and the portion supported by the downstream roller of the glass plate and the upstream roller The upper roller is formed by bending the region between the portion supported by the upper portion and the lower portion so as to have a convex shape and moving the downstream roller and the upstream roller in the conveying direction to convey the glass plate in the conveying direction. The entire region of the glass plate to be bent by changing the region between the portion supported by the downstream roller and the portion supported by the upstream roller of the glass plate By sequentially bending, a predetermined curvature in the conveying direction can be given to the glass plate, and can be short zone the zone of bending.
[0016]
  Moreover, in this glass plate bending method and apparatus, a tempered bent glass plate can be obtained by rapidly cooling the glass plate by a cooling means after bending the glass plate. In this case, a cooling means for quenching and strengthening the glass plate is provided above the conveying means, and a path substantially matching the curved shape in the conveying direction of the glass plate is provided, and the upper and lower rollers are curved in the conveying direction of the glass plate. Form a path that roughly matches the shapeCarry onBy enabling movement between the feeding means and the cooling means, it is possible to smoothly convey the glass plate and shorten the zone for bending.
[0017]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the overall configuration of a glass sheet bending strengthening process including a glass sheet bending apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
The glass plate 10 is conveyed into the heating furnace 1 in the heating stage ST1 and heated to the molding temperature. At this time, the glass plate 10 is conveyed by the first conveying means 11 in the heating furnace 1.
[0018]
A molding stage ST2 is provided downstream of the heating furnace. In this forming stage ST2, a plurality of bending rollers 21 (first forming means = second transport means) for bending while the glass plate 10 is being transported are disposed so as to be inclined downward in the transport direction. A second forming means including a plurality of rollers 22 and 22 ′ disposed above and below the glass plate 10 to be conveyed is provided at the subsequent stage of the bending roller 21. The glass plate 10 is preliminarily bent by being conveyed onto the bending roller 21 and is sandwiched from above and below by the bending rollers 22 and 22 ′, so that the glass plate 10 is preliminarily provided in the conveying direction provided by the inclined arrangement of the plurality of bending rollers 21. A desired curvature is further given to the curvature.
[0019]
The glass plate 10 bent in this way is conveyed to the cooling stage ST3 and cooled by the cooling air blown from the cooling air blowing devices arranged above and below the conveying surface. At this time, it is preferable to quench and strengthen the glass plate by a heat treatment by appropriately selecting a cooling capacity according to the thickness of the glass plate.
FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an essential part showing an example of the forming means in the present invention. The plurality of curved rollers 22 and 22 ′ are arranged above and below the conveyance surface on which the glass plate 10 is conveyed, and sandwich the glass plate 10 when the glass plate 10 is conveyed. At this time, in order to change the curvature of the conveyance direction of the glass plate 10 according to the part, the bending rollers 22 and 22 'are positioned in the horizontal component direction (X-axis direction) and the vertical direction (Z-axis direction) of the conveyance direction. Variable.
[0020]
Specifically, for example, in the case where the downstream portion of the glass plate in the conveyance direction is bent to have a large curvature, when the glass plate 10 reaches the vicinity of the bending roller 22, the bending roller 22 presses the glass plate 10. Change the position below the transport surface. On the other hand, the position of the curved roller 22 'is changed from the curved roller 22' located on the left side in the figure to the left side and the curved roller 22 'on the right side in the figure to the right side (FIG. 2 (a); dotted line). From the position of the solid line).
[0021]
  Next, when the glass plate 10 is further transported, the curved roller 22 moves upward and the curved roller 22 ′ moves to the original position (FIG. 2B). ). In this way, it is possible to obtain a glass plate having a large curvature (small curvature radius) on the downstream side in the conveyance direction of the glass plate 10 and a small curvature (large curvature radius) at the center. As described above, the bending of the glass plate in this example is basically performed while supporting the glass plate using the two rollers, the downstream roller in the transport direction of the glass plate and the upstream roller in the transport direction. The upper plate is brought into contact with the upper surface of the glass plate between the downstream roller and the upstream roller to bend the glass plate. That is, the glass plate is supported upward by the two lower rollers, and a downward pressing force is applied to the glass plate by the upper roller, whereby the portion supported by the downstream roller of the glass plate and the upstream roller are provided. The area between the part to be supported is bent so as to be convex downward.
[0022]
In FIG. 2, only one bending roller 22 and two bending rollers 22 'are shown, but the number is appropriately determined according to the bent shape of the glass plate to be obtained. When the curvature is changed according to the portion of the glass plate as in this example, although not shown in the drawing, it is preferable that about three pieces are provided in the upper and lower directions in order to obtain a desired shape of the glass plate. In the drawings, the diameters of the curved rollers are shown for convenience, but the diameters of these curved rollers are not limited to the features shown in the drawings. The diameters of the upper and lower curved rollers may be the same size or different sizes. The size of each roller is determined so that each roller does not interfere with the movement of the other roller.
As described above, the glass plate is supported upward by the two lower rollers, the downward pressure is applied to the glass plate by the upper roller, and the portion supported by the downstream roller of the glass plate and the upstream roller In the case of bending the region between the portion supported by the upper portion and the lower portion so as to have a convex shape, it is preferable that the diameter of the upper roller is larger than the diameter of the lower roller.
[0023]
  further, CarryingTransfer of the curved roller to change the curvature according to the part in the feeding directionThe movementIt is preferable to carry out based on the shape data of the glass plate to be obtained. In particular, the shape of a glass plate for a vehicle window is prepared as CAD data. By linking this CAD data to the device for controlling the movement of the bending roller, a predetermined bent shape of the glass plate can be automatically obtained.
[0024]
In the above example, the curved rollers 21, 22, 22 'each have a curvature that is convex downward. Therefore, by conveying the glass plate onto the bending roller 21 which is a pre-bending molding, the glass plate is bent and formed by its own weight so that the central portion of the glass plate hangs downward.
In the present invention, these curved rollers may be convex upward as opposed to the above example. In this case, the glass plate is bent by its own weight as the peripheral edge of the glass plate hangs downward. Comparing the case where the central portion of the glass plate hangs down and the case where the peripheral portion hangs down, the latter may cause optical distortion due to roller conveyance in the central portion of the glass plate depending on the temperature of the glass plate. Further, when the roller is convex upward, in the above-described pre-bending molding, it is often easier to obtain a desired bent shape of the glass plate by arranging the plurality of curved rollers 21 to be inclined upward. In view of these circumstances, it is preferable that the curved roller is curved downward in a convex shape.
[0025]
The glass plate in the present invention is heated to about 600 to 700 ° C. in a heating furnace. In this case, the glass plate may be conveyed by a roller in the heating furnace, or may be conveyed while the glass plate is floated by heated air blown from below the heating furnace. From the point of conveying a glass plate with a roller in the next stage (molding stage), it is preferable to convey the glass plate with a roller even in a heating furnace.
[0026]
In the above example, two types of molding means in the molding stage were provided. In the present invention, the first forming means of the above example is provided as necessary. That is, as long as the glass plate can be bent without difficulty without pre-bending forming, the glass plate heated in the heating furnace without the first forming means is used with the second forming means. It may be bent. In this case, since it can be bent by the second forming means before the temperature of the heated glass plate cools, it is preferable.
[0027]
On the other hand, depending on the bent shape, it may be necessary to use the second forming means as the main bending after performing preliminary bending. In such a case, the glass plate is first pre-bent-molded to a certain extent by being conveyed on the curved roller as the second conveying means as the first shaping means, and then the upper and lower sides of the glass plate are moved by the second shaping means. A desired curvature can be given to a predetermined part of the glass plate by sandwiching the glass plate while changing the position of the curved roller disposed on the plate.
[0029]
  Furthermore, as described above, the position of the plurality of curved rollers is set so as to give a desired curvature in the conveyance direction of the glass plate and the direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction.PlaceMaking it variable has the following advantages. That is, for each modelShapeWhen glass plates having different shapes are bent, the replacement time of the forming means can be greatly shortened.
[0030]
FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an overall configuration of a glass sheet bending strengthening process including the glass sheet bending apparatus 30 according to the second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a side view thereof. In FIG. 3, a number of cold air blowing nozzles 32, 32... Shown in FIG. The glass plate bending apparatus 30 also bends a glass plate that can be bent without the pre-bending described above, for example, a glass plate 34 having a curvature in one direction, such as an automobile door glass. It is targeted. Therefore, the three rollers for molding applied by the molding apparatus 30, that is, the upper roller 36, the first lower roller 38, and the second lower roller 40 are not curved rollers but are straight. Show. Further, unlike the first embodiment, this is an example in which the pre-bending molding is not performed by the inclined curved rollers. The rollers 36, 38 and 40 will be described later.
[0031]
Next, the configuration of the molding apparatus 30 will be described.
As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the molding apparatus 30 includes a heating furnace 44 having a first transport device 42, three rollers 36, 38, 40 for molding, .., Secondary cooling cold air blowing nozzles 32, 32..., Secondary cooling cold air blowing nozzles 48, 48..., Slide transfer device 50 (see FIG. 5), rotary transfer device 52, and third transfer device 54. Arranged in order.
[0032]
Here, the process of forming the glass plate 34 in each of the above devices will be described. First, the glass plate 34 before bending is transported into the heating furnace 44 by the first transport device 42 and heated to the forming temperature. The heated glass plate 34 is bent into a desired unidirectional curvature by being sandwiched between the three rollers 36, 38, 40 immediately after leaving the heating furnace 44.
[0033]
  In this way, the glass plate in this example is bent in the same manner as in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, basically the downstream roller (first lower roller 38) in the transport direction and the upstream roller (first roller in the transport direction). The upper roller 36 is applied to the upper surface of the glass plate 34 between the first lower roller 38 and the second lower roller 40 while the glass plate 34 is supported by using two rollers (2 lower roller 40). The glass plate 34 is bent and brought into contact. That is, the glass plate 34 is supported upward by the two lower rollers 38 and 40, and a downward pressing force is applied to the glass plate 36 by the upper roller 36. The region between the part supported by the lower roller 38 and the part supported by the second lower roller 40 is bent so as to have a convex shape downward. AndWhile conveying the glass plate at leastFirst lower roller 38Towards the downstreamMovedLet1 Lower roller 38 andSecond lower roller 40 andofspanChangeSongThe entire region of the glass plate to be bent is bent and formed sequentially. In this case, apart from the detailed operation described in detail in FIGS. 8 and 9 below, the upper and lower rollers 36, 38, 40 are arranged in X and Z axes so as to form a path along the curvature of the glass plate to be bent. Move in the direction.
[0034]
Then, the bent glass plate 34 is lifted and conveyed by a second conveying device 46 arranged with the same curvature as that of the curved glass plate 34, and is used for primary cooling (for rapid cooling and strengthening) arranged on both sides of the glass plate 34. ) The cooling air is rapidly strengthened by the cooling air blown from the cold air blowing nozzles 32, 32. During the conveyance of the glass plate 34, the air pressure from the primary cooling cold air blowing nozzles 32, 32... Arranged on the upper surface side of the glass plate 34 is used as the primary cooling cold air blowing nozzles 32 ', 32' arranged on the lower surface side. The glass plate 34 is pressed against the second transport device 46 by the pressure difference and is transported sufficiently higher than the air pressure from. Thereby, the glass plate 34 is lifted and conveyed without sliding down.
[0035]
The glass plate 34 that has passed through the primary cooling cold air blowing nozzles 32, 32... Is continuously transported up and down by the second transport device 46, and the secondary cooling cold air blowing nozzles are arranged side by side in the horizontal direction. It cools with the cooling wind from 48,48 .... During the conveyance of the glass plate 34, the air pressure from the secondary cooling cold air blowing nozzles 48, 48... Arranged on the left side of the glass plate 34 is changed from the secondary cooling cold air blowing nozzles 49, 49. The air pressure is sufficiently higher than the air pressure, and the glass plate 34 is pressed against the second conveying device 46 by the pressure difference and conveyed. Thereby, the glass plate 34 is lifted and conveyed without sliding down. The secondary cooling cold air spray nozzle 48 is cooled to such an extent that the glass plate 34 is rapidly cooled and strengthened by primary cooling and does not change its shape, and does not strengthen the glass plate 34 by air cooling. The arrangement interval is set wider than the cold air blowing nozzles 32, 32.
[0036]
The glass plate 34 transported to the uppermost position by the second transport device 46 is transported to the rotary transport device 52 of FIG. 3 by the slide transport device 50 of FIG. 5 (not shown in FIGS. 3 and 4). The transferred glass plate 34 is received by a plurality of arms 53, 53... Of the rotary transfer device 52, and then placed on the third transport device 54 by the rotation indicated by the arrow in the drawing of the rotary transfer device 52. . Then, the glass plate 34 is transported to the inspection process by the third transport device 54. The above is the flow of the glass plate 34 in the forming apparatus 30 shown in FIGS.
[0037]
As shown in FIG. 4, the primary cooling cold air blowing nozzle 32, the second transfer device 46, the secondary cooling cold air blowing nozzles 48 and 49, and the slide transfer device 50 (see FIG. 5) are assembled as a unit. It has been. Further, the primary cooling cold air blowing nozzle 32, the second transport device 46, and the secondary cooling cold air blowing nozzles 48, 49 are connected to each other in a flexible manner. The unit configured in this manner is supported by a cage 56 installed at the outlet of the heating furnace 44 so that its lower part is pivotable, and its upper part is connected to a beam 58 of the cage 56 via a height adjustment bar 60. Has been. The curvature of the second transfer device 46 can be changed by changing the upper connection position with respect to the height adjustment bar 60. Thereby, the curvature of the 2nd conveying apparatus 46 can be united with the curvature suitable for the model of the glass plate 34. FIG.
[0038]
FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a control system of the molding apparatus 30. A control device 72 shown in the figure is a control device that performs overall control of the entire device. The first air supply device 74 shown in the figure is a device that supplies cooling air to the primary cooling cold air blowing nozzle 32, and the supply amount thereof is controlled by the control device 72. The second air supply device 76 is a device that supplies cooling air to the secondary cooling cold air blowing nozzles 48 and 49, and the supply amount thereof is controlled by the control device 72. Further, the control device 72 controls the upper roller rotation moving device 80, the first lower roller rotation moving device 82, and the second lower roller rotation moving device 84 based on the glass plate detection signal from the sensor 78. In the present embodiment, the sensor 78 is provided in the vicinity of the outlet of the heating furnace 44. However, the present invention is not limited to this.
[0039]
As shown in FIG. 6, the upper roller rotational movement device 80 mainly includes a rotation motor 86 (shown by a broken line in the figure), a Z-axis drive motor 88, and an X-axis drive motor 90. The X-axis drive motor 90 is fixed to the flange 56 shown in FIG. 4 with the output shaft (not shown) oriented horizontally, and the slider 92 shown in FIG. 6 is screwed onto a screw rod (not shown) connected to the output shaft. . Therefore, when the X-axis drive motor 90 is driven, the slider 92 slides in the horizontal direction (X-axis direction) by the action of the screw.
[0040]
The Z-axis drive motor 88 is fixed to the lower surface of the slider 92. An output shaft (not shown) of the Z-axis drive motor 88 is coupled to a speed reduction mechanism (not shown) provided in the gear box 94, and a rod 96 is connected to the output end of the speed reduction mechanism. Therefore, when the Z-axis drive motor 88 is driven, the rod 96 moves up and down in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction). The rod 96 is guided by a guide cylinder 98 and moves up and down.
[0041]
An upper roller 36 is rotatably connected to the lower end portion of the rod 96 via a pin 99, and an output shaft (not shown) of the rotary motor 86 is connected to the pin 99. Accordingly, the upper roller 36 is rotated by the rotary motor 86, moved up and down by the Z-axis drive motor 88, and horizontally moved by the X-axis drive motor 90. The rotational speed of the upper roller 36 is controlled by the control device 72 so that no slip occurs due to the speed difference between the upper roller 36 and the glass plate 34 no matter where the upper roller 36 is moved. Yes.
[0042]
The first lower roller rotational movement device 82 mainly includes a rotation motor 100 (shown by a broken line in the drawing), a Z-axis drive motor 102, and an X-axis drive motor 104.
The X-axis drive motor 104 is fixed on a pedestal 112 with an output shaft (not shown) oriented horizontally, and a slider 106 is screwed onto a screw rod (not shown) connected to the output shaft. The slider 106 is supported on the gantry 112 so as to be slidable in the horizontal direction. Therefore, when the X-axis drive motor 104 is driven, the slider 106 slides in the horizontal direction (X-axis direction) by the action of the screw.
[0043]
The Z-axis drive motor 102 is fixed to the upper surface of the slider 106. An output shaft (not shown) of the Z-axis drive motor 102 is coupled to a speed reduction mechanism (not shown) provided in the gear box 108, and a rod 110 is connected to an output end of the speed reduction mechanism. Therefore, when the Z-axis drive motor 102 is driven, the rod 110 moves up and down in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction). The rod 110 is guided by the guide cylinder 112 and moves up and down.
[0044]
A first lower roller 38 is rotatably connected to an upper end portion of the rod 110 via a pin 113, and an output shaft (not shown) of the rotary motor 100 is connected to the pin 113. Accordingly, the first lower roller 38 is rotated by the rotary motor 100, moved up and down by the Z-axis drive motor 102, and horizontally moved by the X-axis drive motor 104. The rotational speed of the first lower roller 38 is controlled so that no slip occurs due to the speed difference between the first lower roller 38 and the glass plate 34 no matter where the first lower roller 38 is moved. It is controlled by the device 72.
[0045]
The second lower roller rotation moving device 84 mainly includes a rotation motor 114 (shown by a broken line in the drawing), a Z-axis drive motor 116, and an X-axis drive motor 118.
The X-axis drive motor 118 is fixed on the gantry 112 with an output shaft (not shown) oriented horizontally, and a slider 120 is screwed to a screw rod (not shown) connected to the output shaft. The slider 120 is supported on the frame 112 so as to be slidable in the horizontal direction. Therefore, when the X-axis drive motor 118 is driven, the slider 120 slides in the horizontal direction (X-axis direction) by the action of the screw.
[0046]
The Z-axis drive motor 116 is fixed to the upper surface of the slider 120. An output shaft (not shown) of the Z-axis drive motor 116 is coupled to a speed reduction mechanism (not shown) provided in the gear box 122, and a rod 124 is connected to an output end of the speed reduction mechanism. Therefore, when the Z-axis drive motor 116 is driven, the rod 124 moves up and down in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction). The rod 124 is guided by the guide cylinder 126 and moves up and down.
[0047]
A second lower roller 40 is rotatably connected to the upper end portion of the rod 124 via a pin 127, and an output shaft (not shown) of the rotary motor 114 is connected to the pin 127. Therefore, the second lower roller 40 is rotated by the rotary motor 114, moved up and down by the Z-axis drive motor 116, and horizontally moved by the X-axis drive motor 118. The rotational speed of the second lower roller 40 is controlled so that no slip occurs due to the speed difference between the second lower roller 40 and the glass plate 34 no matter where the second lower roller 40 is moved. It is controlled by the device 72.
The control of the rollers 36, 38, 40 by the control device 72 is performed by numerical control, for example. The bent shape of the glass plate 34 is converted into data by CAD data or the like. Based on this data, according to the conveyance speed of the glass plate 34 and the position where the glass plate 34 is conveyed, the movement distances of the rollers 36 to 40 in the X-axis direction and Z-axis direction are respectively stored in advance in the control device 72. Enter it. As a result, the upper roller 36 comes into contact with a predetermined portion of the glass plate 34 of the glass plate 34 from above, and the lower rollers 38, 40 support the glass plate 34 on the upstream and downstream sides in the transport direction of the upper roller 36. The upper and lower rollers 36, 38, 40 can be moved to a predetermined position so that can be bent to a predetermined curvature. At this time, the rotational speeds of the rollers 36, 38, and 40 are further controlled as described above according to the conveying speed of the glass plate 34 and the moving speeds of the rollers 36, 38, and 40.
[0048]
Next, the bending operation of the glass plate 34 by the upper roller 36, the first lower roller 38, and the second lower roller 40 will be described with reference to FIG.
First, as shown in FIG. 7A, when the sensor 78 detects that the glass plate 34 has been unloaded from the heating furnace 44, the upper roller 36, the first lower roller 38, and the second lower roller 40 are The downstream edge region 34A is rotated at the same speed as the conveying speed of the glass plate 34 immediately before coming into contact with the glass plate 34 so that no slip occurs between the glass plate 34 and the downstream edge region 34A with respect to the conveying direction of the glass plate 34. Bending molding of is started. Details of the bending method of the downstream side edge region 34A will be described later.
[0049]
Next, when the bending of the downstream side edge region 34A is completed, as shown in FIGS. 7B and 7C, the upper roller 36 moves at a low speed in the right direction, and the first lower roller 38 moves further than that. Then, the span between the first lower roller 38 and the second lower roller 40 is widened, and the glass plate 34 passing through the center portion of the span is pushed by the upper roller 36. Thereby, the glass plate 34 is bent to a predetermined curvature.
[0050]
Then, as shown in FIG. 7D, when the upstream edge region 34B of the glass plate 34 passes below the sensor 78, the second lower roller 40 moves toward the upper roller 36 together with the glass plate 34. Go. Then, the second lower roller 40 and the upper roller 36 start bending the upstream edge region 34B. Details of the bending method of the upstream edge region 34B will be described later.
[0051]
When the bending of the upstream edge region 34B is completed, the second lower roller 40 moves over the upper roller 36 while supporting the upstream edge region 34B as shown in FIG. When the upstream edge region 34B passes through the first lower roller 38, the upper roller 36, the first lower roller 38, and the second lower roller 40 are moved to FIG. 7A as shown in FIG. Return to the indicated original position and stop. And it waits in that position until the next glass plate 34 is conveyed. The above is the bending operation of one glass plate 34 by the upper roller 36, the first lower roller 38, and the second lower roller 40.
[0052]
Next, the bending operation of the downstream edge region 34A by the upper roller 36 and the first lower roller 38 will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 8A shows a state immediately after the upstream edge region 34 </ b> A of the glass plate 34 is sandwiched between the upper roller 36 and the first lower roller 38. From this state, as shown in FIG. 8B, the upper roller 36 moves in the conveyance direction (arrow direction) at a slightly lower speed than the conveyance speed of the glass plate 34, and the first lower roller 38 synchronizes with this. The glass plate 34 moves along an arcuate locus in the counterclockwise direction at a speed slightly faster than the conveying speed of the glass plate 34. Accordingly, the downstream edge region 34A is shaped to have a predetermined curvature by following the roller surface of the upper roller 36 by the first lower roller 38. Here, when the molding device 30 of the present embodiment is compared with the conventional device, in the conventional device, the downstream edge region is a substantial support portion, and thus this region cannot be molded to a predetermined curvature. This is possible with the molding apparatus 30 of the present embodiment.
[0053]
FIG. 8C shows the positional relationship between the upper roller 36 and the first lower roller 38 immediately after the bending of the downstream edge region 34A is completed. The upper roller 36 moves slightly in the conveyance direction to bend the subsequent glass plate 34, and the first lower roller 38 moves in the conveyance direction while supporting the downstream edge region 34A. The first lower roller 38 supports the downstream side edge region 34A immediately after being bent, thereby preventing drooping deformation due to the weight of the downstream side edge region 34A. The above is the bending operation of the downstream edge region 34 </ b> A by the upper roller 36 and the first lower roller 38.
[0054]
Next, the bending operation of the upstream edge region 34B by the upper roller 36 and the second lower roller 40 will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 9A shows a state immediately before the downstream edge region 34 </ b> B of the glass plate 34 passes through the second lower roller 40. From this state, as shown in FIG. 9B, the second lower roller 40 moves to the upper right in the figure at a speed slightly faster than the conveying speed of the glass plate 34. As a result, the upstream edge region 34 </ b> B is made to follow the roller surface of the upper roller 36 by the second lower roller 40 and is formed to have a predetermined curvature.
[0055]
FIG. 9C shows the positional relationship between the upper roller 36 and the second lower roller 40 immediately after the formation of the upstream edge region 34A is completed. As shown in the figure, the second lower roller 40 moves in the transport direction while supporting the upstream edge region 34B. The second lower roller 40 supports the upstream side edge region 34B immediately after being bent, thereby preventing drooping deformation due to the weight of the upstream side edge region 34B. The above is the bending operation of the upstream edge region 34B by the upper roller 36 and the second lower roller 40.
[0056]
As described above, the molding apparatus 30 according to the present embodiment achieves the bending process in which the upstream edge region and the downstream edge region, which cannot be achieved by the conventional device, are given the same curvature as the other regions. Can do.
Also in the present embodiment, the diameters of the upper and lower rollers can be determined as appropriate. As described above, when bending is performed so as to follow the surface of the upper roller, the curvature of the upper roller is determined in accordance with the curvature of the glass plate to be obtained. In view of the movable area of the upper and lower rollers and the curvature of the glass plate to be obtained, it is usually preferable that the diameter of the upper roller is larger than the diameter of the lower roller. Further, the glass plate is supported upward by the two lower rollers, the downward pressure is applied to the glass plate by the upper roller, and the portion supported by the downstream roller of the glass plate and the upstream roller are supported. In view of the case where the area between the upper roller and the lower roller is bent so as to have a convex shape, it is preferable that the diameter of the upper roller is larger than the diameter of the lower roller.
[0057]
In addition, the shape of the upper and lower rollers in the molding apparatus 30 can be curved, and the curvature can be given in the direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the glass plate. In this case, curvature is given in the conveyance direction of the glass plate by movement and sandwiching of the upper and lower rollers, curvature is given in a direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction of the glass plate so as to follow the curved shape of the roller, A glass plate is obtained. Further, by appropriately selecting the timing of movement of the upper and lower rollers, not only a bent glass plate having a single curvature in the transport direction but also a glass plate having a different curvature in the transport direction depending on the part can be obtained.
[0058]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, since the position of the roller sandwiching the glass plate in the forming means can be moved, it is not necessary to raise the molding temperature of the glass plate more than necessary, so that the appearance defect of the glass plate can be reduced. In this case, since the glass plate is bent and formed by sandwiching with the upper and lower rollers, the forming zone can be made substantially the length in the conveying direction of the glass plate, so that heat radiation from the glass plate can be suppressed. . Also from this point, it is not necessary to raise the temperature of the glass plate more than necessary.
[0059]
In particular, in order to obtain a glass plate having a different curvature for each model, by moving the position of a plurality of rollers to the curvature according to the model, it is possible to omit the replacement work of the molding means that was conventionally required, By simply changing the roller movement control data, it is possible to substantially eliminate the job change time required to change to another type of glass sheet forming.
[0060]
  Furthermore, in this invention, the upstream edge area | region with respect to the conveyance direction of a glass plateAndWhen the lower edge region passes between a plurality of upper and lower rollers, the upper roller and the lower roller are relatively moved so that the lower roller follows the roller surface of the upper roller. By moving, both edge regions, which have been difficult in the past, can be bent to a predetermined curvature. In addition to this, by making the upper and lower rollers into curved rollers, the conveyance direction of the glass plateDirection perpendicular toThe curvature according to the part can be changed. In addition, poor conveyance due to a complicated bent glass plate can be reduced.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of the overall configuration of a glass sheet bending strengthening process including a glass sheet bending apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view of an essential part showing an example of molding means in the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an example of the overall configuration of a glass sheet bending strengthening process including a glass sheet bending apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
4 is a side view of the glass sheet bending apparatus shown in FIG. 3;
5 is a block diagram showing a control system of the glass sheet bending apparatus shown in FIG. 3;
FIG. 6 is a structural diagram of a rotational movement device for each roller, which is a molding device.
FIG. 7 is an operation explanatory diagram of the upper roller, the first lower roller, and the second lower roller.
FIG. 8 is an operation explanatory view of an upper roller and a first lower roller for bending a downstream end region of a glass plate.
FIG. 9 is an operation explanatory view of an upper roller and a second lower roller for bending the upstream end region of the glass plate.
[Explanation of symbols]
1, 44 ... heating furnace
10, 34 ... Glass plate
11, 42 ... 1st conveyance means (1st conveyance apparatus)
21, 22 ... curved rollers
36 ... Upper roller
38. First lower roller
40. Second lower roller
72. Control device
80. Upper roller rotation moving device
82. First lower roller rotational movement device
84 ... Second lower roller rotational movement device

Claims (13)

While transporting the schematic horizontal glass plate in conveyance unit in a heating furnace and heated to the forming temperature, in the method for bending a glass sheet to be bent by a molding means provided downstream of said heating furnace,
The forming means includes a group of rollers in which a plurality of rollers are arranged above and below the conveyance surface on which the glass plate is conveyed, and the glass plate is sandwiched between the upper and lower rollers to bend and formed by the upper and lower rollers. A glass plate bending method, wherein the glass plate is conveyed while the positions of the plurality of rollers are moved in the conveying direction so as to change a region where the glass plate is sandwiched, and the glass plate is bent to a predetermined curvature. 2. The method of bending a glass plate according to claim 1, wherein after the glass plate is bent by the forming means, the glass plate is cooled and strengthened by a cooling means provided downstream of the forming means. When the upstream edge region and the downstream edge region with respect to the conveying direction of the glass plate pass between the plurality of upper and lower rollers, the both edge regions are copied by the lower roller to the roller surface of the upper roller. The method of bending a glass plate according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the upper roller and the lower roller are relatively moved so as to be bent, and the both edge regions are bent to a predetermined curvature. The upper and lower rollers have a curved shape, the glass plate is bent in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the glass plate so as to follow the curved shape of these rollers, and the glass plate is moved in the conveying direction of the glass plate by being sandwiched by the upper and lower rollers. The method for bending a glass sheet according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the glass sheet is bent. The lower roller has at least two rollers, a downstream roller in the conveying direction of the glass plate and an upstream roller in the conveying direction, and supports the upper roller with the downstream roller while supporting the glass plate with the downstream roller and the upstream roller. Between the portion supported by the downstream roller of the glass plate and the portion supported by the upstream roller. while bending in a convex shape in the lower molding, transporting Shinano a glass plate in the conveying direction of the glass plate spans to be bent by changing the molding of the upstream row La and La lower flow side row La total The method of bending a glass sheet according to claim 1, 2, 3, or 4, wherein the regions are sequentially bent. In the forming zone in which the forming means is provided, the conveying direction substantially coincides with the curvature of the predetermined glass plate so that the glass plate is conveyed in the conveying direction substantially coincident with the curvature of the predetermined glass plate. The glass plate bending method according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5, wherein the glass plate is bent to a predetermined curvature while being moved to a position. Formed by bending a heating stage and a means feeding transportable you conveyed in schematic horizontal glass plate in a heating furnace and the heating furnace for heating the glass sheet to the forming temperature, the glass plate provided downstream of said heating furnace A glass plate bending apparatus comprising:
The molding means includes
A plurality of rollers, a group of rollers arranged on the top and bottom of the transport surface on which the glass plate is transported, so as to be movable in the transport direction of the glass plate,
Moving means for moving the plurality of rollers in the conveying direction of the glass plate;
While the glass plate conveyed from the heating stage is sandwiched between the upper and lower rollers and bent to a predetermined curvature, the region where the glass plate is sandwiched by the upper and lower rollers is changed to change the region where the glass plate is bent. Control means for controlling the moving means so as to move the position of the roller in the conveying direction;
A glass plate bending apparatus characterized by comprising: 8. A glass sheet bending apparatus according to claim 7, wherein a cooling stage for cooling and strengthening the glass sheet is provided downstream of the forming means. The upper roller and the lower roller are controlled such that the moving means is controlled by the control means so that the upstream edge region and the downstream edge region with respect to the conveying direction of the glass plate follow the roller surface of the upper roller with the lower roller. The glass plate bending apparatus according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the glass plate bending apparatus is relatively moved. 10. The glass plate bend forming according to claim 7, wherein the upper and lower rollers have a curved shape so as to bend the glass plate in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the glass plate. apparatus. The lower roller has at least two rollers, a downstream roller that supports the downstream side in the conveyance direction of the glass plate and an upstream roller that supports the upstream side in the conveyance direction of the glass plate, and the upper roller is downstream of the glass plate. The region between the portion supported by the side roller and the portion supported by the upstream roller is bent downward into a convex shape so that it can be brought into contact with the glass plate from above the upstream side of the glass plate. together disposed between the side roller, so as to sequentially bending the entire area of the glass plate to be bent by changing the span between the lower stream side row La and the upstream row La, lower downstream roller and The apparatus for bending a glass sheet according to claim 7, 8, 9 or 10, wherein the upstream roller is movable in the conveying direction. In the forming zone, the plurality of rollers are movable in a conveyance direction that roughly matches the curvature of the predetermined glass plate so that the glass plate is conveyed in a conveyance direction that roughly matches the curvature of the predetermined glass plate. The apparatus for bending a glass sheet according to claim 7, 8, 9, 10 or 11. It said cooling means is disposed above the conveyance means has a path that substantially aligned to the curved shape of the conveying direction of the glass plate, the upper and lower rollers are outlined in the curved shape in the conveying direction of the glass sheet glass sheet bending apparatus of claim 7,8,9,10,11 or 12, characterized in that between the conveyance means and the cooling means so as to form a matching path is movable.

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