WO2013035528A1 - Method and apparatus for cutting band-shaped plate glass - Google Patents

Method and apparatus for cutting band-shaped plate glass Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2013035528A1
WO2013035528A1 PCT/JP2012/071156 JP2012071156W WO2013035528A1 WO 2013035528 A1 WO2013035528 A1 WO 2013035528A1 JP 2012071156 W JP2012071156 W JP 2012071156W WO 2013035528 A1 WO2013035528 A1 WO 2013035528A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
plate glass
shaped plate
strip
cleaving
belt
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/JP2012/071156
Other languages
French (fr)
Japanese (ja)
Inventor
友厚 佐藤
Original Assignee
日本電気硝子株式会社
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Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by 日本電気硝子株式会社 filed Critical 日本電気硝子株式会社
Publication of WO2013035528A1 publication Critical patent/WO2013035528A1/en

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    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C03—GLASS; MINERAL OR SLAG WOOL
    • C03B—MANUFACTURE, SHAPING, OR SUPPLEMENTARY PROCESSES
    • C03B33/00—Severing cooled glass
    • C03B33/02—Cutting or splitting sheet glass or ribbons; Apparatus or machines therefor
    • C03B33/023—Cutting or splitting sheet glass or ribbons; Apparatus or machines therefor the sheet or ribbon being in a horizontal position
    • C03B33/0235—Ribbons
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C03—GLASS; MINERAL OR SLAG WOOL
    • C03B—MANUFACTURE, SHAPING, OR SUPPLEMENTARY PROCESSES
    • C03B33/00—Severing cooled glass
    • C03B33/02—Cutting or splitting sheet glass or ribbons; Apparatus or machines therefor
    • C03B33/0215—Cutting or splitting sheet glass or ribbons; Apparatus or machines therefor the ribbon being in a substantially vertical plane
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65G—TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
    • B65G2249/00—Aspects relating to conveying systems for the manufacture of fragile sheets
    • B65G2249/04—Arrangements of vacuum systems or suction cups

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a cleaving method and a cleaving apparatus for a sheet glass having a strip shape, and more particularly to a technique for reliably cleaving a strip-shaped sheet glass having a thickness smaller than that of the prior art.
  • FPDs flat panel displays
  • LCDs liquid crystal displays
  • PDPs plasma displays
  • FEDs field emission displays
  • OLEDs organic EL displays
  • the glass substrate described above for example, by cutting a plate glass formed into a strip shape by a plate glass forming method represented by various downdraw methods into a predetermined dimension, the width direction of the cut plate glass (parallel to the front and back surfaces of the strip plate glass, and This refers to the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, the same applies hereinafter.) After further cutting both end portions, it is obtained by polishing each cut surface.
  • cleaving has been proposed and actually used as a method for cutting a sheet glass of a predetermined size from a continuous belt-shaped sheet glass. This is because a scribe line extending in the width direction is engraved on either the front or back surface of the belt-shaped plate glass, and bending stress or thermal stress is generated in the belt-shaped plate glass formed with the scribe line, along the scribe line.
  • This is a method of cutting a strip-shaped plate glass.
  • Patent Document 1 as an example of a cleaving method by bending stress, the tip portion of the belt-shaped plate glass in which a scribe line is engraved by a holding means that can move at the same speed as the transport speed of the belt-shaped plate glass is held and held.
  • a technique for cleaving a strip-shaped plate glass by bending a portion with a scribe line as a fulcrum is disclosed.
  • Patent Document 2 a continuously formed belt-like plate glass is guided by being bent in a bow shape in the flow direction, and tensile strain is generated on the outer surface side of the curved portion of the belt-like plate glass.
  • a scribe line in the width direction is engraved on the outer side surface of the strip-shaped plate glass in the finished state, and then the front end portion of the strip-shaped plate glass transported in the horizontal direction is bent upward by an inclination operation of a conveyor that transports the front end portion.
  • JP 2002-137930 A JP-A-9-52725
  • the method of holding the leading end portion of the belt-shaped plate glass and bending the held portion with the scribe line as a fulcrum is an efficient method that can be cleaved during conveyance, It is effective when it has a thickness (for example, 0.7 mm or more), but when the thickness of the strip-shaped plate glass is further reduced, a sufficiently large bending stress may be generated in a region serving as a fulcrum for bending. It becomes difficult. Therefore, it is difficult to reliably cleave the strip-shaped plate glass by the above-described method.
  • the technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to reliably and accurately cleave strip-shaped plate glass.
  • the solution of the above-mentioned problem is achieved by the method for cleaving strip-shaped plate glass according to the present invention. That is, in this cleaving method, a scribing step of engraving a scribe line in a direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction with respect to a strip-shaped plate glass conveyed downward, and a pressing load on the strip-shaped plate glass engraved with the scribe line.
  • the cleaving method of the strip-shaped plate glass comprising the cleaving step of cleaving the strip-shaped plate glass along the scribe line by applying, the curvature having a predetermined curvature in the strip-shaped plate glass by changing the transport direction of the strip-shaped plate glass from below to above
  • a sculpture line is provided on the surface which is the outer surface of the curvature part of the front and back surfaces of the belt-like plate glass in the scribing process.
  • the scribe line is a curvature part. Is characterized by the point of imparting a pushing and bending load to the inner surface of the curvature portion when reaching. Note that the “direction perpendicular to the transport direction” here does not mean a complete right angle (90 °), but a thing with a slight fluctuation width.
  • the strip-shaped plate glass in the cleaving operation, by changing the transport direction of the strip-shaped plate glass from below to above, the strip-shaped plate glass is provided with a curvature portion having a predetermined curvature.
  • a constant tensile force can be applied to the curvature portion. Therefore, in the scribing process, a scribe line is engraved on the surface on the outer surface of the curved portion of the front and back surfaces of the strip-shaped plate glass, and after providing the curved portion as described above, the strip-shaped plate glass is continuously conveyed.
  • the scribe line engraving area in a state where a certain tensile force is applied is pushed and bent by applying a pressing load to the inner surface of the curvature part. be able to. Further, the region can be pushed and bent in the direction of opening along the scribe line. Therefore, even when the thickness of the strip-shaped plate glass is small, a sufficiently large bending stress can be generated at the planned cutting location, and the strip-shaped plate glass can be reliably cut. Moreover, since the part (curvature part) which has a predetermined curvature is provided by changing a conveyance direction, a curvature part is formed in the state supported by the conveyance surface.
  • the shape and position of the curvature portion serving as the cleaving portion are stabilized, and the shape of the curvature portion is maintained even when the belt-like plate glass is continuously conveyed and the scribe line reaches the curvature portion. Therefore, it is possible to accurately cleave the strip-shaped plate glass along the scribe line, and it is possible to stably obtain a highly accurate cut section.
  • the cleaving method according to the present invention may be one in which the strip-shaped plate glass is folded back vertically upward in the curvature portion providing step.
  • the cleaving method according to the present invention it is possible to cleave surely and accurately even when the strip-shaped plate glass is folded back obliquely upward, for example, but in that case, the strip-shaped glass is separated from the main body of the strip-shaped plate glass by cleaving. There is a risk that the lower end of the glass sheet (end on the cleaving side) will hang down and interfere with the surroundings. In this respect, if the belt-like plate glass is folded back vertically as described above, a situation where the lower end of the cleaved plate glass interferes with the surroundings can be prevented as much as possible. Therefore, handling (including transportation) after cleaving is also smooth and easy.
  • this cleaving device is formed by scribing a scribing means for engraving a scribe line in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction with respect to a band-shaped plate glass conveyed downward, and pressing and bending the band-shaped plate glass engraved with a scribe line.
  • a cleaving device for a strip-shaped plate glass comprising a cleaving means for cleaving the strip-shaped plate glass along a scribe line by applying a load, the cleaving means switches the strip-shaped plate glass by switching the transport direction from below to above.
  • the sheet glass has a conveyance direction switching mechanism for providing a curvature portion having a predetermined curvature, and a pushing / bending load applying mechanism for applying a pushing / bending load to the inner surface of the curvature portion, and the scribe means is provided on the front and back surfaces of the belt-like plate glass.
  • a conveyance direction switching mechanism for providing a curvature portion having a predetermined curvature
  • a pushing / bending load applying mechanism for applying a pushing / bending load to the inner surface of the curvature portion
  • the scribe means is provided on the front and back surfaces of the belt-like plate glass.
  • the transport direction switching mechanism switches the transport direction of the strip-shaped plate glass from below to the top, to the strip-shaped plate glass.
  • a curvature portion having a predetermined curvature is provided.
  • the scribing line is engraved on the surface on the outer surface of the curved portion of the front and back surfaces of the strip-shaped plate glass by the scribing means, and after the curved portion is provided as described above, the strip-shaped plate glass is continuously conveyed.
  • the scribe line engraved by the scribing means reaches the curvature portion, the push bending load is applied to the inner surface of the curvature portion by the push bending load applying mechanism, so that a certain tensile force is applied.
  • the scribe line engraving area can be pushed and bent. Further, the region can be pushed and bent in the direction of opening along the scribe line.
  • the part (curvature part) which has a predetermined curvature is provided by switching a conveyance direction, a curvature part is formed in the state supported by the conveyance surface of the conveyance direction switching mechanism.
  • the shape and position of the curvature portion serving as the cleaving portion are stabilized, and the shape of the curvature portion is maintained even when the belt-like plate glass is continuously conveyed and the scribe line reaches the curvature portion. Therefore, it is possible to accurately cleave the strip-shaped plate glass along the scribe line, and it is possible to stably obtain a highly accurate cut section.
  • the transport direction switching mechanism may be configured by a conveyor having a semi-cylindrical transport surface.
  • the "conveying surface” here should just function as a conveyance surface with respect to strip
  • a plurality of plate-shaped members provided with receiving surfaces capable of supporting the belt-shaped plate glass are arranged in the transport direction at a predetermined interval, and the diameter is constant.
  • the “conveying surface” includes a plurality of rollers having a receiving surface on the outer periphery arranged in the conveying direction at predetermined intervals.
  • the transport direction switching mechanism By configuring the transport direction switching mechanism with a conveyor having a transport surface having the shape described above, the strip-shaped plate glass transported downward can be smoothly introduced onto the transport surface, and the introduced strip-shaped plate glass is used as the transport surface. After being folded while being conveyed, the front end of the folded strip-shaped plate glass can be smoothly discharged upward from the conveying surface. Thereby, the folding
  • the curvature portion is pressed into a shape that follows the conveying surface, the shape and position of the curvature portion can be stabilized even when cleaving (when a bending load is applied), which is preferable.
  • the cleaving apparatus holds the leading end portion of the belt-shaped plate glass that is transported upward by the transport direction switching mechanism, and is capable of moving in the same direction as the transport direction after switching in the retained state. May further be provided.
  • the holding means having the above-described configuration, it is possible to hold the leading end portion of the belt-shaped plate glass conveyed upward and move it upward. Therefore, by cleaving while moving in the same direction as the conveying direction, the cleaved plate glass is continuously held by the holding means, and rises in a direction away from the main body of the belt-like plate glass. Therefore, it is possible to avoid as much as possible the situation where the lower end of the plate glass cut off from the strip-shaped plate glass main body by cleaving interferes with the surroundings, and it is possible to smoothly transport the cut plate glass toward the next process.
  • the holding means is configured to be movable at a speed equal to or higher than the conveyance speed of the belt-like plate glass while holding the belt-like plate glass. It is also possible to apply a push-bending load in a state where the curvature portion provided in is floated from the conveyance surface of the conveyance direction switching mechanism.
  • the region where the push-bending load is to be applied should be in a state where it can be in close contact with the conveyance surface over the entire surface. Even if there is a gap, a gap sufficient to cause sufficient deformation for cleaving can be provided between the conveyance surface and the portion to which the push bending load is to be applied. Thereby, irrespective of the form of a conveyance surface (conveyance direction switching mechanism), a strip-shaped plate glass can be reliably cleaved along a scribe line.
  • the strip glass can be cleaved reliably and accurately even when the plate thickness is small.
  • FIG. 1 It is a side view of the cleaving apparatus of the strip-shaped plate glass which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a principal part perspective view of the cleaving apparatus shown in FIG. It is a principal part side view for demonstrating an example of the cleaving method using the cleaving apparatus which concerns on this invention, Comprising: It is a principal part side view which shows the state which introduce
  • FIGS. In the present embodiment, a case where a plate-shaped material glass that becomes a glass substrate is cut out from the formed strip-shaped plate glass in the process of manufacturing a display glass substrate will be described as an example.
  • FIG. 1 shows a side view of a strip-shaped sheet glass cleaving apparatus 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 2 has shown the principal part perspective view of the cleaving apparatus 10 shown in FIG.
  • the cleaving device 10 has a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction with respect to the strip-shaped plate glass 1 formed by a predetermined forming device 11 (for example, from the molten glass by an overflow downdraw method), that is,
  • the scribing device 12 as a scribing means for engraving the scribe line 2 extending in the width direction of the band-shaped plate glass 1 and the band-shaped plate glass 1 engraved with the scribe line 2 are applied with a bending load to scribe the band-shaped plate glass 1.
  • the cleaving means 13 for cleaving along the line 2 and the leading end portion of the belt-shaped plate glass 1 conveyed upward by a conveyance direction switching mechanism (conveyor 15) described later are held, and after switching in the held state. And holding means 14 that can move in the same direction as the transport direction. Further, the cleaving means 13 is provided on the conveyor 15 serving as a conveyance direction switching mechanism for providing the curvature portion 3 having a predetermined curvature on the belt-like plate glass 1 by switching the conveyance direction of the belt-like glass plate 1 from below to above, and on the curvature portion 3. And a push-bending load applying mechanism 16 for applying a push-bending load.
  • the scribing device 12 is configured to be movable in the same transport direction and transport speed as the formed strip-shaped plate glass 1.
  • the strip-shaped plate glass 1 is formed from molten glass by a predetermined forming device 11 by a so-called overflow down draw method, and is drawn vertically downward with cooling. Therefore, the scribing device 12 is configured to be able to move up and down along the vertical direction, and thus can move vertically downward in synchronization with the transport direction of the strip-shaped glass sheet 1 drawn vertically downward.
  • the scribing device 12 includes a wheel cutter 17 for engraving the scribe line 2 on the surface of the strip-shaped plate glass 1, a cutter holding portion 18 for holding the wheel cutter 17 so as to be relatively movable, and the strip-shaped plate glass 1. It is disposed on the opposite side of the wheel cutter 17 and the cutter holding portion 18 and sandwiched by the support member 19 such as a surface plate that supports the surface of the belt-like plate glass 1.
  • the wheel cutter 17 is configured to be movable in a direction orthogonal to the moving direction of the scribing device 12 (cutter holding portion 18), that is, along the width direction of the strip-shaped plate glass 1. Both the wheel cutter 17 and the support member 19 are configured to be close to and away from the belt-like plate glass 1.
  • two wheel cutters 17 are provided for the cutter holding portion 18, and the locus drawn by the peripheral edge of each wheel cutter 17 on the side of the belt-like plate glass 1 is the same. It arranges so that it may be on a line.
  • the conveyor 15 as the transport direction switching mechanism has a transport surface 20 arranged along the direction of switching the transport direction of the belt-shaped plate glass 1 from below to above.
  • a transport surface 20 arranged along the direction of switching the transport direction of the belt-shaped plate glass 1 from below to above.
  • a plurality of receiving rollers 21 that roll while supporting both ends 1a in the width direction are arranged in a predetermined shape. Therefore, in this embodiment, the conveyance surface 20 is configured by the outer peripheral surfaces of the plurality of receiving rollers 21.
  • a driving source such as a motor (not shown) is connected to the predetermined receiving roller 21, and the receiving roller 21 receives a driving force from the driving source, and the receiving roller 21 is in a predetermined direction (counterclockwise in FIG. 1).
  • the belt-like plate glass 1 that contacts the outer peripheral surface of the receiving roller 21 can be conveyed in a predetermined direction.
  • the transport surface 20 is formed by arranging the receiving rollers 21 at predetermined positions so as to form a semi-cylindrical surface.
  • the curvature (curvature radius) of the conveyance surface 20 is a band shape in a semi-cylindrical surface shape in order to prevent cracking of the belt-like plate glass 1 during conveyance. It is preferable to set the size so as not to cause cracking when the glass sheet 1 is conveyed while being curved.
  • the width dimension is 1000 to 3000 mm
  • the thickness dimension at the center in the width direction is 50 to 500 ⁇ m (preferably 50 to 500 ⁇ m).
  • the radius of curvature is set to a range of 500 to 2000 mm, preferably 800 to 1600 mm.
  • the outer peripheral surface of the receiving roller 21 constituting the conveying surface 20 is configured to abut only on and support the width direction both ends 1a of the belt-like plate glass 1, and finally the width direction center which becomes the product portion.
  • the width direction dimension is set so as not to contact the part 1b.
  • the conveyor 15 having the above configuration can be driven to rotate at the same speed as the forming speed of the belt-like plate glass 1 or at a slightly higher speed. Thereby, it can introduce
  • the pushing / bending load applying mechanism 16 is disposed above the plurality of receiving rollers 21 constituting the conveyor 15, and a pushing / bending load applying member 22 that applies a pushing / bending load to the curvature portion 3 provided on the belt-like plate glass 1, It is comprised with the raising / lowering means 23 which raises / lowers the bending load provision member 22.
  • the push-bending load applying member 22 has a shape in which the tip is reduced in a substantially wedge shape, and is configured so as to apply a pushing-bending load by pressing the belt-like plate glass 1 over the entire width direction. Is done.
  • the holding means 14 holds the front end portion of the belt-like plate glass 1 and can be raised at the same speed as the conveying speed of the belt-like plate glass 1 by the conveyor 15, and the first holding means 24.
  • the second holding means 25 capable of delivering the belt-like plate glass 1 between the two.
  • the first holding means 24 and the second holding means 25 are both located above the conveyor 15 and are conveyed toward the conveyance surface 20 of the conveyor 15 and below the belt-shaped plate glass 1 before being folded back by the conveyor 15. Is disposed in a region (space) surrounded by the portion to be conveyed and the portion conveyed upward after being folded back.
  • the first holding means 24 is configured to be movable up and down along the vertical direction, and has a plurality of suction pads 26, and the plurality of suction pads 26 are sucked onto the surface of the strip-shaped plate glass 1. It is comprised so that the strip
  • the second holding means 25 is disposed above the first holding means 24 and is configured to be movable up and down along the vertical direction in the same manner as the first holding means 24 and a plurality of suction pads 27. have. And this 2nd holding means 25 is comprised so that it can raise with the strip
  • the 1st holding means 24 can be lowered
  • the belt-like plate glass 1 can be raised to a position where it can be delivered to the second holding means 25.
  • the second holding means 25 can lower the belt-like plate glass 1 held by the first holding means 24 to a position where it can be delivered to and from the first holding means 24.
  • the belt-like plate glass 1 discharged from the conveying surface 20 provided on the conveyor 15 is pulled up vertically upward by the first holding means 24 and the second holding means 25.
  • the raising / lowering position of both holding means 24 and 25 is set so that the strip-shaped plate glass 1 before cleaving can be delivered between the first holding means 24 and the second holding means 25. Has been.
  • the plate glass 4 separated from the main body of the strip-shaped plate glass 1 by cutting above the first holding means 24 and the second holding means 25 (see FIG. 8).
  • a transfer means 28 is provided for transferring the image to the next step.
  • the transfer means 28 is configured to be movable in the horizontal direction, and has a gripping mechanism 29 that can grip the plate glass 4 after being cut. Therefore, the transfer means 28 can move in the predetermined direction together with the grasped plate glass 4 by grasping the upper end of the cleaved sheet glass 4 conveyed upward integrally with the second holding means 25 by the grasping mechanism 29. It is like that.
  • the strip-shaped plate glass 1 formed by the forming device 11 disposed above the cleaving device 10 is sent downward by a pulling roller (not shown) so that it is cooled vertically. It is conveyed toward.
  • the front end portion of the belt-like plate glass 1 is introduced onto the conveying surface 20 of the conveyor 15 positioned below the forming device 11 and the scribe device 12, and the circumferential direction of the conveying surface 20 is predetermined.
  • the scribe line 2 is engraved when it reaches a position (for example, the position that becomes the lowest point), in other words, when it reaches a predetermined cutting length.
  • the scribing device 12 includes two wheel cutters 17 (see FIG. 2), for example, as shown in FIG. By moving the wheel cutter 17, the scribe line 2 is engraved in a part of the width direction both ends 1a of the belt-shaped plate glass 1 and the width direction center 1b continuous with the width direction both ends 1a.
  • the scribe lines 2 may be engraved over the entire width direction by controlling the operations of the wheel cutters 17 and the cutter holder 18.
  • the belt-like plate glass 1 conveyed downward is introduced from the one end side in the circumferential direction to the conveyance surface 20 provided on the conveyor 15 as described above, thereby switching the conveyance direction from the lower side to the upper side. That is, the conveyance surface 20 provided on the conveyor 15 has a semi-cylindrical surface shape. Therefore, by introducing the strip-shaped plate glass 1 from one end side in the circumferential direction of the transport surface 20 and transporting it on the transport surface 20, the strip-shaped plate glass 1 is folded back from vertically downward to vertically upward as shown in FIG. The conveying direction is switched vertically upward. Further, the belt-like plate glass 1 conveyed on the conveying surface 20 is formed with a curved portion 3 having a shape following the conveying surface 20, that is, a substantially semi-cylindrical surface shape.
  • the belt-like plate glass 1 in which the curvature portion 3 is formed in the belt-like plate glass 1 in this manner is continuously conveyed by the conveyor 15 to reach the end of the conveyance surface 20 (the left end in the circumferential direction in FIG. 5) and convey It is discharged from the surface 20 vertically upward.
  • the front end portion of the strip-shaped glass sheet 1 discharged vertically upward is adsorbed by a plurality of suction pads 26 provided on the first holding means 24, and the front-end portion of the strip-shaped glass sheet 1. Hold.
  • the first holding means 24 is raised in a state where the belt-like plate glass 1 is held, the belt-like plate glass 1 is moved vertically upward, and the first holding means 24 of the belt-like plate glass 1 moved upward is used. A portion further on the tip side than the holding portion is sucked by a plurality of suction pads 27 provided on the second holding means 25. Then, as shown in FIG. 6, when the belt-like plate glass 1 is held by the second holding means 25, the suction holding state by the first holding means 24 is released, and the belt-like plate glass 1 is removed only by the second holding means 25. Hold.
  • the belt-like plate glass 1 is delivered between the first holding means 24 and the second holding means 25, and the belt-like plate glass 1 is further moved upward by raising the second holding means 25.
  • the first holding means 24 moves down immediately after delivering the band-shaped glass sheet 1 to the second holding means 25, and holds the band-shaped glass sheet 1 to be cleaved next.
  • a predetermined position position shown in FIG. 3).
  • the scribing line engraved on the belt-like plate glass 1 by moving the belt-like plate glass 1 discharged from the conveying surface 20 vertically by the holding means 14 (first holding means 24 or second holding means 25) as described above.
  • the pushing / bending load applying member 22 disposed above the conveyor 15 (conveying surface 20) is moved up and down. 23, and a bending load is applied to the curvature portion 3 of the belt-shaped plate glass 1 from the inner surface side.
  • the push-bending load applying member 22 is pressed against the curvature portion 3 from the back of the portion where the scribe line 2 is engraved, and a predetermined bending stress is generated in the scribe line 2 or in the vicinity thereof, along the scribe line 2.
  • the strip-shaped plate glass 1 is cleaved.
  • the plate glass 4 after being cut is suspended and held by the second holding means 25. Therefore, the plate glass 4 does not slide down immediately after cleaving.
  • the plate glass 4 separated from the main body of the band-shaped plate glass 1 by cutting is further moved upward by the second holding means 25 as shown in FIG. Transport. Then, the gripping mechanism 29 provided on the transfer means 28 disposed above the second holding means 25 is used to hold the tip of the plate glass 4 and the suction state by the second holding means 25 is released, so that the second holding means 25 is released.
  • the plate glass 4 is delivered between the holding means 25 and the transfer means 28. After the plate glass 4 delivered to the transfer means 28 is transferred to the next process by the transfer means 28, for example, after cutting the both ends 1a in the width direction and, if necessary, re-cutting the cleaved end.
  • a glass substrate as a product is completed by polishing and cleaning the end face.
  • the belt 15 in the cleaving operation, the belt 15 is provided with the curvature portion 3 having a predetermined curvature by switching the transport direction of the belt-shaped glass sheet 1 from below to the top by the conveyor 15 as a transport direction switching mechanism. Since it did in this way, a fixed tensile force can be given to the curvature part 3 provided in the strip
  • the curvature part 3 which has a predetermined curvature is provided by switching a conveyance direction, the curvature part 3 is formed in the state supported by the conveyance surface 20 provided in the conveyor 15.
  • FIG. 1 the shape and position of the curvature portion 3 that is the planned cutting location are stabilized, and the shape of the curvature portion 3 is maintained even when the belt-like plate glass 1 is continuously conveyed and the scribe line 2 reaches the curvature portion 3. Therefore, it is possible to accurately cleave the strip-shaped glass sheet 1 along the scribe line 2 and to stably obtain a highly accurate fractured surface.
  • the molding speed increases as the thickness becomes thinner. Therefore, when the scribe line 2 is to be engraved on the strip-shaped glass sheet 1 that is transported downward, it is transported.
  • the moving speed of the wheel cutter 17 becomes smaller than the speed (forming speed), and it becomes difficult to engrave the scribe line 2 over the entire width direction of the belt-like plate glass 1 within a required time. In addition, when moving at an excessively high speed, it becomes difficult to engrave the scribe line 2 accurately.
  • the band-shaped plate glass 1 is provided with the curvature portion 3, and a bending load is applied to the curvature portion 3 so as to cleave, so that both ends in the width direction of the band-shaped plate glass 1 as in this embodiment.
  • a bending load is applied to the curvature portion 3 so as to cleave, so that both ends in the width direction of the band-shaped plate glass 1 as in this embodiment.
  • the curvature part provision process when the strip-shaped plate glass 1 is folded upward, in other words, when the strip-shaped plate glass 1 is viewed from a direction orthogonal to the transport direction (for example, the direction of FIG. 4), the transport direction
  • the curved portion 3 is provided on the belt-shaped plate glass 1 by changing the transport direction so that the portion before the change and the portion after the change appear to overlap each other.
  • the curvature part 3 has a size necessary for cleaving, while taking the size of the curvature part to be large enough to smoothly convey the band-shaped plate glass 1 without cracking. Can be applied uniformly over the entire region in the width direction.
  • the plate glass 4 separated from the main body of the strip-shaped plate glass 1 by cleaving is the second immediately after cleaving. Is continuously held by the holding means 25 and moved vertically upward. Therefore, the quality of the plate glass 4 can be maintained by avoiding a situation in which the plate glass 4 interferes with the main body of the belt-like plate glass 1 and surrounding facilities immediately after the cleaving. Further, by moving upward as it is and transferring it to the transfer means 28, the transfer to the next process can be performed smoothly.
  • the scribing device 12 is used. While arrange
  • the cleaving method or cleaving apparatus according to the present invention can naturally take any form within the scope of the present invention.
  • the transport surface 20 can be configured by the surface of a continuous endless belt 30 as shown in FIG. Required). In this case, it is possible to reliably avoid the situation where the cleaved end portion of the cleaved plate glass 4 falls between the plurality of receiving rollers 21 constituting the conveying surface 20 as shown in FIG.
  • FIG. 10 shows an example thereof.
  • a conveyor 15 according to FIG. 10 is an endless chain conveyor in which a plurality of rollers 31 are connected to each other by a plate-like connecting member 32, and is provided on the connecting member 32.
  • a plate-shaped receiving member 33 is attached to an attachment (not shown).
  • the conveying surface 20 of the conveyor 15 is configured by the upper end surfaces of the plurality of plate-shaped receiving members 33.
  • a part of each plate-like receiving member 33 in the minor axis direction overlaps with a part of the adjacent plate-like receiving member 33 in the minor axis direction (conveying direction of the conveying surface 20).
  • the conveyance surface 20 constituted by the upper end surface of the plate-shaped receiving member 33 has a substantially continuous form in the conveyance direction.
  • the width direction dimension of each plate-shaped receiving member 33 is set larger than the width direction dimension of the strip-shaped plate glass 1 so that the width direction both ends 1a of the strip-shaped plate glass 1 can be supported.
  • the width direction center part of the plate-shaped receiving member 33 is dented compared with both width direction both ends so that it may not contact with the width direction center part 1b of the strip
  • the conveyor 15 according to this configuration as in the case of the conveyor 15 shown in FIG. 9, there is no gap at a level where the sheet glass 4 is fitted on the conveying surface 20. It is possible to avoid the situation of being caught or caught and smoothly transport the plate glass 4 upward.
  • the shape of the transport surface 20 the case where the semi-cylindrical surface shape is formed is exemplified in the above embodiment, but any shape can be adopted as long as the transport direction of the belt-like plate glass 1 can be changed from the lower side to the upper side.
  • the introduction angle of the band-shaped plate glass 1 to the conveyance surface 20 or the discharge angle of the band-shaped plate glass 1 from the conveyance surface 20 is an acute angle (for example, 45 ° or more and less than 90 °) with respect to the horizontal direction, or the introduction angle and the conveyance It is also possible to make the conveyance surface 20 into a partial cylindrical surface shape so that both angles are acute.
  • the above description does not exclude the case where the conveyance surface 20 is formed so that the introduction angle or the discharge angle to the conveyance surface 20 is an obtuse angle with respect to the horizontal direction.
  • the belt-like plate glass 1 is held by the second holding means 25 that increases at the same speed as the conveying speed by the conveyor 15. After that, cleaving is performed. At this time, by raising the rising speed of the second holding means 25 slightly higher than the conveying speed by the conveyor 15, a part of the belt-like plate glass 1 is transferred to the conveyor 15 at the time of cleaving. It may be in a state of being slightly lifted from the provided conveyance surface 20.
  • the curved portion 3 is not restrained by the conveying surface 20 by pressing the pressing load application member 22 against the engraved portion of the scribe line 2 of the curved portion 3 (see FIG.
  • this method is particularly effective when the conveying surface 20 is continuously constituted by a relatively rigid member such as a plate-shaped receiving member 33.
  • the scribing line 2 may be engraved using a scribing device (not shown) provided with one wheel cutter 17. Further, the engraved region of the scribe line 2 does not necessarily include the width direction both ends 1a of the band-shaped plate glass 1, and the thickness between the width direction central portion 1b and the width direction end 1a of the band-shaped plate glass 1 is not necessarily included.
  • the engraved region may be set in accordance with the ratio of the above or in consideration of the forming speed of the strip-shaped plate glass 1, the size of the cleaving cycle, and the like. Therefore, the scribe line 2 may be engraved only at one end portion 1a in the width direction of the belt-shaped plate glass 1, or the scribe line 2 may be engraved only in the width direction central portion 1b.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
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Abstract

A method for cutting a band-shaped plate glass of the present invention comprises a scribing process in which a scribe line (2) is engraved in a direction perpendicular to a conveying direction of a band-shaped plate glass (1) which is conveyed downwards, and a cutting process in which the band-shaped plate glass (1) is cut along the scribe line (2) as a press bending load is provided to the band-shaped plate glass (1) engraved with the scribe line (2). The present invention further comprises a curved portion addition process in which a curved portion (3) which has a predetermined curvature is installed on the band-shaped plate glass (1) by switching the conveying direction of the band-shaped plate glass (1) from downwards to upwards. In the scribing process, the scribe line (2) is engraved at a surface which is an outer side surface of the curved portion (3) of front and back surfaces of the band-shaped plate glass (1). In the cutting process, the press bending load is provided to an inner side surface of the curved portion (3) when the scribe line (2) reaches the curved portion (3).

Description

帯状板ガラスの割断方法及び割断装置Cleaving method and apparatus for strip glass
　本発明は、帯状をなす板ガラスの割断方法及び割断装置に関し、特に、従来に比べて薄肉の帯状板ガラスを確実に割断するための技術に関する。 The present invention relates to a cleaving method and a cleaving apparatus for a sheet glass having a strip shape, and more particularly to a technique for reliably cleaving a strip-shaped sheet glass having a thickness smaller than that of the prior art.
　周知のように、近年における画像表示装置は、液晶ディスプレイ（ＬＣＤ）、プラズマディスプレイ（ＰＤＰ）、フィールドエミッションディスプレイ（ＦＥＤ）、有機ＥＬディスプレイ（ＯＬＥＤ）などに代表されるフラットパネルディスプレイ（以下、単にＦＰＤという）が主流となっている。これらのＦＰＤについては軽量化が推進されていることから、ＦＰＤに使用されるガラス基板についても薄板化に対する要求が高まっている。 As is well known, image display devices in recent years are flat panel displays (hereinafter simply referred to as FPDs) represented by liquid crystal displays (LCDs), plasma displays (PDPs), field emission displays (FEDs), organic EL displays (OLEDs) and the like. Is the mainstream. Since weight reduction is promoted about these FPD, the request | requirement with respect to thickness reduction is also increasing about the glass substrate used for FPD.
　上述したガラス基板は、例えば各種ダウンドロー法に代表される板ガラスの成形方法により帯状に成形した板ガラスを所定の寸法に切断し、切断した板ガラスの幅方向（帯状板ガラスの表裏面に平行で、かつ長手方向に直交する向きをいう。以下、同じ。）両端部分をさらに切断した後、各切断面に研磨加工を施す等により得られる。 The glass substrate described above, for example, by cutting a plate glass formed into a strip shape by a plate glass forming method represented by various downdraw methods into a predetermined dimension, the width direction of the cut plate glass (parallel to the front and back surfaces of the strip plate glass, and This refers to the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, the same applies hereinafter.) After further cutting both end portions, it is obtained by polishing each cut surface.
　ここで、連続する帯状の板ガラスから所定寸法の板ガラスを切り出すための方法として、割断と呼ばれる手法が提案され、実際に使用されている。これは、帯状板ガラスの表裏何れかの面に対して幅方向に延びるスクライブ線を刻設し、スクライブ線を刻設した帯状板ガラスに曲げ応力又は熱応力を発生させることで、スクライブ線に沿って帯状板ガラスを切断する手法である。例えば下記特許文献１には、曲げ応力による割断方法の一例として、帯状板ガラスの搬送速度と同じ速度で移動可能な保持手段によりスクライブ線を刻設した帯状板ガラスの先端部分を保持して、保持した部分をスクライブ線を支点として折り曲げることにより帯状板ガラスを割断する手法が開示されている。 Here, a method called cleaving has been proposed and actually used as a method for cutting a sheet glass of a predetermined size from a continuous belt-shaped sheet glass. This is because a scribe line extending in the width direction is engraved on either the front or back surface of the belt-shaped plate glass, and bending stress or thermal stress is generated in the belt-shaped plate glass formed with the scribe line, along the scribe line. This is a method of cutting a strip-shaped plate glass. For example, in Patent Document 1 below, as an example of a cleaving method by bending stress, the tip portion of the belt-shaped plate glass in which a scribe line is engraved by a holding means that can move at the same speed as the transport speed of the belt-shaped plate glass is held and held. A technique for cleaving a strip-shaped plate glass by bending a portion with a scribe line as a fulcrum is disclosed.
　また、下記特許文献２には、連続的に成形された帯状板ガラスを流れ方向に弓形に湾曲させて誘導して、帯状板ガラスの湾曲部分の外側面側に引張り歪みを発生させ、当該歪みが発生した状態の帯状板ガラスの外側面に幅方向のスクライブ線を刻設し、然る後、水平方向に搬送される帯状板ガラスの先端部を、当該先端部を搬送するコンベアの傾斜動作により上方に折り曲げることで、スクライブ線に沿って帯状板ガラスを折り割る手法が開示されている。 Further, in Patent Document 2 below, a continuously formed belt-like plate glass is guided by being bent in a bow shape in the flow direction, and tensile strain is generated on the outer surface side of the curved portion of the belt-like plate glass. A scribe line in the width direction is engraved on the outer side surface of the strip-shaped plate glass in the finished state, and then the front end portion of the strip-shaped plate glass transported in the horizontal direction is bent upward by an inclination operation of a conveyor that transports the front end portion. Thus, a method of breaking the belt-shaped plate glass along the scribe line is disclosed.
特開２００２－１３７９３０号公報JP 2002-137930 A 特開平９－５２７２５号公報JP-A-9-52725
　上記特許文献１に記載のように、帯状板ガラスの先端部分を保持し、保持した部分をスクライブ線を支点として折り曲げる手法は、搬送中に割断を行うことのできる効率的な手法であり、ある程度の厚み（例えば０．７ｍｍ以上）を有する場合には有効であるが、帯状板ガラスの薄肉化がさらに進んだ場合においては、折り曲げの支点となる領域に十分な大きさの曲げ応力を発生させることが難しくなる。そのため、上述の如き手法では、帯状板ガラスを確実に割断することは難しい。また、仮に折り曲げ角を大きく取る等することによって切断できたとしても、その場合には帯状板ガラスを半ば強制的に折り割ることになるため、スクライブ線に沿って正確に割断されない可能性が高い。そのため、上述の手法では、高精度の割断面を安定的に得ることは難しい。 As described in Patent Document 1, the method of holding the leading end portion of the belt-shaped plate glass and bending the held portion with the scribe line as a fulcrum is an efficient method that can be cleaved during conveyance, It is effective when it has a thickness (for example, 0.7 mm or more), but when the thickness of the strip-shaped plate glass is further reduced, a sufficiently large bending stress may be generated in a region serving as a fulcrum for bending. It becomes difficult. Therefore, it is difficult to reliably cleave the strip-shaped plate glass by the above-described method. Moreover, even if it can be cut by taking a large bending angle or the like, in that case, the belt-like plate glass is forcibly broken halfway, so there is a high possibility that it will not be cut correctly along the scribe line. Therefore, it is difficult to stably obtain a high-accuracy split section with the above-described method.
　上述の問題は、上記特許文献１と同様に搬送中の帯状板ガラスの先端部をスクライブ線を支点として折り曲げることで割断を行う上記特許文献２に記載の割断手法を採用する場合にも起こり得る。 The above-described problem can also occur when the cleaving method described in the above-mentioned Patent Document 2 is used, in which the cleaving is performed by bending the front end portion of the belt-shaped plate glass being conveyed with the scribe line as a fulcrum, as in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1.
　以上の事情に鑑み、帯状の板ガラスを確実かつ正確に割断することを、本発明により解決すべき技術的課題とする。 In view of the above circumstances, the technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to reliably and accurately cleave strip-shaped plate glass.
　前記課題の解決は、本発明に係る帯状板ガラスの割断方法により達成される。すなわち、この割断方法は、下方に向けて搬送される帯状の板ガラスに対して搬送方向に直交する向きのスクライブ線を刻設するスクライブ工程と、スクライブ線を刻設した帯状板ガラスに押し曲げ荷重を付与することで帯状板ガラスをスクライブ線に沿って割断する割断工程とを具備した帯状板ガラスの割断方法において、帯状板ガラスの搬送方向を下方から上方に変えることで、帯状板ガラスに所定の曲率を有する曲率部を設ける曲率部付与工程をさらに具備し、スクライブ工程において、帯状板ガラスの表裏面のうち曲率部の外側面となる側の面にスクライブ線を刻設し、割断工程において、スクライブ線が曲率部に到達した際に曲率部の内側面に押し曲げ荷重を付与する点をもって特徴付けられる。なお、ここでいう「搬送方向に直交する向き」とは、完全なる直角（９０°）のみを意味するものではなく、若干の振れ幅をもたせたものを意味するものとする。 The solution of the above-mentioned problem is achieved by the method for cleaving strip-shaped plate glass according to the present invention. That is, in this cleaving method, a scribing step of engraving a scribe line in a direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction with respect to a strip-shaped plate glass conveyed downward, and a pressing load on the strip-shaped plate glass engraved with the scribe line. In the cleaving method of the strip-shaped plate glass comprising the cleaving step of cleaving the strip-shaped plate glass along the scribe line by applying, the curvature having a predetermined curvature in the strip-shaped plate glass by changing the transport direction of the strip-shaped plate glass from below to above A sculpture line is provided on the surface which is the outer surface of the curvature part of the front and back surfaces of the belt-like plate glass in the scribing process. In the cleaving process, the scribe line is a curvature part. Is characterized by the point of imparting a pushing and bending load to the inner surface of the curvature portion when reaching. Note that the “direction perpendicular to the transport direction” here does not mean a complete right angle (90 °), but a thing with a slight fluctuation width.
　このように、本発明では、割断作業に際して、帯状板ガラスの搬送方向を下方から上方に変えることで、当該帯状板ガラスに所定の曲率を有する曲率部を設けるようにしたので、搬送状態の帯状板ガラス、特に曲率部に対して一定の引張り力を付与することができる。よって、スクライブ工程において、帯状板ガラスの表裏面のうち曲率部の外側面となる側の面にスクライブ線を刻設しておき、上述のように曲率部を設けた後、引き続き帯状板ガラスを搬送して予め刻設されたスクライブ線が曲率部に到達した際に、曲率部の内側面に押し曲げ荷重を付与することで、一定の引張り力が付与された状態のスクライブ線刻設領域を押し曲げることができる。また、当該領域がスクライブ線に沿って開口する向きに押し曲げることができる。従って、帯状板ガラスの厚みが小さい場合においても、割断予定箇所に十分な大きさの曲げ応力を発生させて、帯状板ガラスを確実に割断することができる。また、搬送方向を変えることで所定の曲率を有する部分（曲率部）を設けるようにしたので、搬送面に支持された状態で曲率部が形成される。これにより割断箇所となる曲率部の形状及び位置が安定し、引き続き帯状板ガラスが搬送されてスクライブ線が曲率部に到達した際も曲率部の形状は維持される。従って、帯状板ガラスをスクライブ線に沿って正確に割断することができ、また高精度の割断面を安定して得ることができる。 Thus, in the present invention, in the cleaving operation, by changing the transport direction of the strip-shaped plate glass from below to above, the strip-shaped plate glass is provided with a curvature portion having a predetermined curvature. In particular, a constant tensile force can be applied to the curvature portion. Therefore, in the scribing process, a scribe line is engraved on the surface on the outer surface of the curved portion of the front and back surfaces of the strip-shaped plate glass, and after providing the curved portion as described above, the strip-shaped plate glass is continuously conveyed. When the scribe line engraved in advance reaches the curvature part, the scribe line engraving area in a state where a certain tensile force is applied is pushed and bent by applying a pressing load to the inner surface of the curvature part. be able to. Further, the region can be pushed and bent in the direction of opening along the scribe line. Therefore, even when the thickness of the strip-shaped plate glass is small, a sufficiently large bending stress can be generated at the planned cutting location, and the strip-shaped plate glass can be reliably cut. Moreover, since the part (curvature part) which has a predetermined curvature is provided by changing a conveyance direction, a curvature part is formed in the state supported by the conveyance surface. As a result, the shape and position of the curvature portion serving as the cleaving portion are stabilized, and the shape of the curvature portion is maintained even when the belt-like plate glass is continuously conveyed and the scribe line reaches the curvature portion. Therefore, it is possible to accurately cleave the strip-shaped plate glass along the scribe line, and it is possible to stably obtain a highly accurate cut section.
　また、本発明に係る割断方法は、曲率部付与工程において、帯状板ガラスを鉛直上方に向けて折り返すものであってもよい。 Further, the cleaving method according to the present invention may be one in which the strip-shaped plate glass is folded back vertically upward in the curvature portion providing step.
　本発明に係る割断方法によれば、帯状板ガラスを例えば斜め上方に向けて折り返すようにしても、確実かつ正確な割断が可能であるが、その場合には、割断により帯状板ガラスの本体から分離した板ガラスの下端（割断側の端部）が垂れ下がって周囲と干渉するおそれが生じる。この点、上述のように帯状板ガラスを鉛直上方に向けて折り返すようにすれば、割断された板ガラスの下端が周囲と干渉する事態を極力防止することができる。従って、割断後の取り扱い（搬送を含む）も円滑かつ容易となる。 According to the cleaving method according to the present invention, it is possible to cleave surely and accurately even when the strip-shaped plate glass is folded back obliquely upward, for example, but in that case, the strip-shaped glass is separated from the main body of the strip-shaped plate glass by cleaving. There is a risk that the lower end of the glass sheet (end on the cleaving side) will hang down and interfere with the surroundings. In this respect, if the belt-like plate glass is folded back vertically as described above, a situation where the lower end of the cleaved plate glass interferes with the surroundings can be prevented as much as possible. Therefore, handling (including transportation) after cleaving is also smooth and easy.
　また、前記課題の解決は、本発明に係る帯状板ガラスの割断装置によっても達成される。すなわち、この割断装置は、下方に向けて搬送される帯状の板ガラスに対して搬送方向に直交する向きのスクライブ線を刻設するためのスクライブ手段と、スクライブ線を刻設した帯状板ガラスに押し曲げ荷重を付与することで帯状板ガラスをスクライブ線に沿って割断するための割断手段とを具備した帯状板ガラスの割断装置において、割断手段は、帯状板ガラスの搬送方向を下方から上方へと切替えることで帯状板ガラスに所定の曲率を有する曲率部を設ける搬送方向切替え機構と、曲率部の内側面に押し曲げ荷重を付与する押し曲げ荷重付与機構とを有し、かつスクライブ手段は、帯状板ガラスの表裏面のうち曲率部の外側面となる側の面にスクライブ線を刻設可能に配設される点をもって特徴付けられる。 Moreover, the solution of the above-mentioned problem is also achieved by the strip glass sheet cleaving apparatus according to the present invention. That is, this cleaving device is formed by scribing a scribing means for engraving a scribe line in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction with respect to a band-shaped plate glass conveyed downward, and pressing and bending the band-shaped plate glass engraved with a scribe line. A cleaving device for a strip-shaped plate glass comprising a cleaving means for cleaving the strip-shaped plate glass along a scribe line by applying a load, the cleaving means switches the strip-shaped plate glass by switching the transport direction from below to above. The sheet glass has a conveyance direction switching mechanism for providing a curvature portion having a predetermined curvature, and a pushing / bending load applying mechanism for applying a pushing / bending load to the inner surface of the curvature portion, and the scribe means is provided on the front and back surfaces of the belt-like plate glass. Of these, it is characterized by the fact that a scribe line can be engraved on the surface that is the outer surface of the curvature portion.
　この割断装置によれば、既に述べた本発明に係る帯状板ガラスの割断方法と同様に、割断作業に際して、搬送方向切替え機構により帯状板ガラスの搬送方向を下方から上方に切替えることで、当該帯状板ガラスに所定の曲率を有する曲率部が設けられる。これにより、搬送状態の帯状板ガラスに設けられた曲率部に一定の引張り力を付与することができる。よって、スクライブ手段により、帯状板ガラスの表裏面のうち曲率部の外側面となる側の面にスクライブ線を刻設しておき、上述のように曲率部を設けた後、引き続き帯状板ガラスを搬送してスクライブ手段により刻設されたスクライブ線が曲率部に到達した際に、押し曲げ荷重付与機構で曲率部の内側面に押し曲げ荷重を付与することで、一定の引張り力が付与された状態のスクライブ線刻設領域を押し曲げることができる。また、当該領域がスクライブ線に沿って開口する向きに押し曲げることができる。従って、帯状板ガラスの厚みが小さい場合においても、割断予定箇所に十分な大きさの曲げ応力を発生させて、帯状板ガラスを確実に割断することができる。また、搬送方向を切替えることで所定の曲率を有する部分（曲率部）を設けるようにしたので、搬送方向切替え機構の搬送面に支持された状態で曲率部が形成される。これにより割断箇所となる曲率部の形状及び位置が安定し、引き続き帯状板ガラスが搬送されてスクライブ線が曲率部に到達した際も曲率部の形状は維持される。従って、帯状板ガラスをスクライブ線に沿って正確に割断することができ、また高精度の割断面を安定して得ることができる。 According to this cleaving apparatus, as in the cleaving method of the strip-shaped plate glass according to the present invention already described, in the cleaving operation, the transport direction switching mechanism switches the transport direction of the strip-shaped plate glass from below to the top, to the strip-shaped plate glass. A curvature portion having a predetermined curvature is provided. Thereby, a fixed tensile force can be given to the curvature part provided in the strip | belt-shaped plate glass of a conveyance state. Therefore, the scribing line is engraved on the surface on the outer surface of the curved portion of the front and back surfaces of the strip-shaped plate glass by the scribing means, and after the curved portion is provided as described above, the strip-shaped plate glass is continuously conveyed. When the scribe line engraved by the scribing means reaches the curvature portion, the push bending load is applied to the inner surface of the curvature portion by the push bending load applying mechanism, so that a certain tensile force is applied. The scribe line engraving area can be pushed and bent. Further, the region can be pushed and bent in the direction of opening along the scribe line. Therefore, even when the thickness of the strip-shaped plate glass is small, a sufficiently large bending stress can be generated at the planned cutting location, and the strip-shaped plate glass can be reliably cut. Moreover, since the part (curvature part) which has a predetermined curvature is provided by switching a conveyance direction, a curvature part is formed in the state supported by the conveyance surface of the conveyance direction switching mechanism. As a result, the shape and position of the curvature portion serving as the cleaving portion are stabilized, and the shape of the curvature portion is maintained even when the belt-like plate glass is continuously conveyed and the scribe line reaches the curvature portion. Therefore, it is possible to accurately cleave the strip-shaped plate glass along the scribe line, and it is possible to stably obtain a highly accurate cut section.
　また、本発明に係る割断装置は、搬送方向切替え機構が、半円筒面形状の搬送面を有するコンベアで構成されているものであってもよい。なお、ここでいう「搬送面」とは、帯状板ガラスに対する搬送面として機能するものであればよい。そのため、必ずしも帯状板ガラスの搬送方向に沿って連続的に存在する必要はなく、例えば断続的かつ所定の間隔で帯状板ガラスを搬送方向に沿って支持できる構造を成すものも含まれる。例示すると、文字通り、帯状板ガラスの搬送方向に連続するベルトの外表面のほか、帯状板ガラスを支持可能な受け面を設けた複数の板状部材を所定間隔で搬送方向に配列したものや、径一定の受け面を外周に有する複数のローラを所定間隔で搬送方向に配列したものなどが「搬送面」に含まれる。 Further, in the cleaving apparatus according to the present invention, the transport direction switching mechanism may be configured by a conveyor having a semi-cylindrical transport surface. In addition, the "conveying surface" here should just function as a conveyance surface with respect to strip | belt-shaped plate glass. Therefore, it does not necessarily need to exist continuously along the conveyance direction of the strip-shaped plate glass, and includes, for example, a structure that can support the strip-shaped plate glass along the conveyance direction intermittently at a predetermined interval. Illustratively, in addition to the outer surface of the belt continuous in the transport direction of the belt-shaped plate glass, a plurality of plate-shaped members provided with receiving surfaces capable of supporting the belt-shaped plate glass are arranged in the transport direction at a predetermined interval, and the diameter is constant. The “conveying surface” includes a plurality of rollers having a receiving surface on the outer periphery arranged in the conveying direction at predetermined intervals.
　上述のような形状の搬送面を有するコンベアで搬送方向切替え機構を構成することで、下方に向けて搬送される帯状板ガラスをスムーズに搬送面上に導入でき、かつ導入した帯状板ガラスを搬送面に沿って搬送しながら折り返した後、当該折り返した帯状板ガラスの先端部を搬送面から上方に向けてスムーズに排出することができる。これにより、帯状板ガラスを安定的に支持した状態で折り返し作業を実施できる。また、曲率部が搬送面に倣った形状に押し付けられた状態となるので、割断時（押し曲げ荷重付与時）にも曲率部の形状及び位置を安定させることができ、好適である。 By configuring the transport direction switching mechanism with a conveyor having a transport surface having the shape described above, the strip-shaped plate glass transported downward can be smoothly introduced onto the transport surface, and the introduced strip-shaped plate glass is used as the transport surface. After being folded while being conveyed, the front end of the folded strip-shaped plate glass can be smoothly discharged upward from the conveying surface. Thereby, the folding | returning operation | work can be implemented in the state which supported the strip | belt-shaped plate glass stably. In addition, since the curvature portion is pressed into a shape that follows the conveying surface, the shape and position of the curvature portion can be stabilized even when cleaving (when a bending load is applied), which is preferable.
　また、本発明に係る割断装置は、搬送方向切替え機構により上方に向けて搬送される帯状板ガラスの先端部を保持し、かつ保持した状態で切替え後の搬送方向と同方向に移動可能な保持手段をさらに具備するものであってもよい。 Further, the cleaving apparatus according to the present invention holds the leading end portion of the belt-shaped plate glass that is transported upward by the transport direction switching mechanism, and is capable of moving in the same direction as the transport direction after switching in the retained state. May further be provided.
　上記構成の保持手段によれば、上向きに搬送される帯状板ガラスの先端部を保持して、上方に移動させることができる。よって、搬送方向と同方向に移動した状態で割断することで、割断された板ガラスは保持手段により引き続き保持され、帯状板ガラスの本体と離隔する向きに上昇する。そのため、割断により帯状板ガラス本体から切り離された板ガラスの下端が周囲と干渉する事態を極力避けることができると共に、割断された板ガラスを次工程に向けてスムーズに搬送することが可能となる。 According to the holding means having the above-described configuration, it is possible to hold the leading end portion of the belt-shaped plate glass conveyed upward and move it upward. Therefore, by cleaving while moving in the same direction as the conveying direction, the cleaved plate glass is continuously held by the holding means, and rises in a direction away from the main body of the belt-like plate glass. Therefore, it is possible to avoid as much as possible the situation where the lower end of the plate glass cut off from the strip-shaped plate glass main body by cleaving interferes with the surroundings, and it is possible to smoothly transport the cut plate glass toward the next process.
　また、本発明に係る割断装置が上述の保持手段を具備する場合、この保持手段は、帯状板ガラスを保持した状態で、帯状板ガラスの搬送速度以上の速度で移動可能に構成され、これにより帯状板ガラスに設けた曲率部を搬送方向切替え機構の搬送面から浮かせた状態で押し曲げ荷重を付与可能としているものであってもよい。 Further, when the cleaving apparatus according to the present invention includes the above-described holding means, the holding means is configured to be movable at a speed equal to or higher than the conveyance speed of the belt-like plate glass while holding the belt-like plate glass. It is also possible to apply a push-bending load in a state where the curvature portion provided in is floated from the conveyance surface of the conveyance direction switching mechanism.
　上述のように保持手段の動作を制御して、曲率部を浮かせた状態で押し曲げ荷重を付与するのであれば、仮に押し曲げ荷重を付与すべき領域が全面にわたって搬送面と密着可能な状態にあったとしても、押し曲げ荷重を付与すべき箇所に対して、割断に十分な変形を生じるだけのすき間を搬送面との間に付与することができる。これにより、搬送面（搬送方向切替え機構）の形態によらず、帯状板ガラスをスクライブ線に沿って確実に割断することができる。 If the operation of the holding means is controlled as described above to apply a push-bending load in a state where the curvature portion is floated, the region where the push-bending load is to be applied should be in a state where it can be in close contact with the conveyance surface over the entire surface. Even if there is a gap, a gap sufficient to cause sufficient deformation for cleaving can be provided between the conveyance surface and the portion to which the push bending load is to be applied. Thereby, irrespective of the form of a conveyance surface (conveyance direction switching mechanism), a strip-shaped plate glass can be reliably cleaved along a scribe line.
　以上のように、本発明に係る帯状板ガラスの割断方法および割断装置によれば、たとえ板厚が小さい場合においても、帯状の板ガラスを確実かつ正確に割断することができる。 As described above, according to the method and apparatus for cleaving strip glass according to the present invention, the strip glass can be cleaved reliably and accurately even when the plate thickness is small.
本発明の一実施形態に係る帯状板ガラスの割断装置の側面図である。It is a side view of the cleaving apparatus of the strip-shaped plate glass which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. 図１に示す割断装置の要部斜視図である。It is a principal part perspective view of the cleaving apparatus shown in FIG. 本発明に係る割断装置を用いた割断方法の一例を説明するための要部側面図であって、帯状板ガラスを搬送方向切替え機構に導入した状態を示す要部側面図である。It is a principal part side view for demonstrating an example of the cleaving method using the cleaving apparatus which concerns on this invention, Comprising: It is a principal part side view which shows the state which introduce | transduced the strip | belt-shaped plate glass into the conveyance direction switching mechanism. スクライブ線の刻設時、図３に係る割断装置のスクライブ手段を矢印Ａの方向から見た背面図である。It is the rear view which looked at the scribe means of the cleaving apparatus which concerns on FIG. 3 from the direction of arrow A at the time of marking of a scribe line. 本発明に係る割断装置を用いた割断方法の一例を説明するための要部側面図であって、第１の保持手段で帯状板ガラスの先端部を保持する際の状態を示す要部側面図である。It is a principal part side view for demonstrating an example of the cleaving method using the cleaving apparatus which concerns on this invention, Comprising: It is a principal part side view which shows the state at the time of hold | maintaining the front-end | tip part of a strip | belt-shaped plate glass with a 1st holding means. is there. 本発明に係る割断装置を用いた割断方法の一例を説明するための要部側面図であって、第１の保持手段と第２の保持手段との間で帯状板ガラスの受渡しを行う際の状態を示す要部側面図である。It is a principal part side view for demonstrating an example of the cleaving method using the cleaving apparatus which concerns on this invention, Comprising: The state at the time of delivering a strip-shaped plate glass between a 1st holding means and a 2nd holding means FIG. 本発明に係る割断装置を用いた割断方法の一例を説明するための要部側面図であって、押し曲げ荷重付与機構により曲率部に押し曲げ荷重を付与する際の状態を示す要部側面図である。It is a principal part side view for demonstrating an example of the cleaving method using the cleaving apparatus which concerns on this invention, Comprising: The principal part side view which shows the state at the time of giving a bending load to a curvature part with a pushing bending load provision mechanism It is. 本発明に係る割断装置を用いた割断方法の一例を説明するための要部側面図であって、割断により帯状板ガラスの本体と分離した板ガラスを第２の保持手段から移載手段へ受け渡す際の状態を示す要部側面図である。It is a principal part side view for demonstrating an example of the cleaving method using the cleaving apparatus which concerns on this invention, Comprising: When delivering the plate glass isolate | separated from the strip | belt-shaped plate glass main body by cleaving from a 2nd holding means to a transfer means It is a principal part side view which shows the state. 本発明の他の実施形態に係る割断装置の要部斜視図である。It is a principal part perspective view of the cleaving apparatus which concerns on other embodiment of this invention. 本発明の他の実施形態に係る割断装置の要部斜視図である。It is a principal part perspective view of the cleaving apparatus which concerns on other embodiment of this invention. 本発明に係る割断装置を用いた割断方法の他の例を説明するための要部側面図であって、押し曲げ荷重付与機構により曲率部に押し曲げ荷重を付与する際の状態を示す要部側面図である。It is a principal part side view for demonstrating the other example of the cleaving method using the cleaving apparatus which concerns on this invention, Comprising: The principal part which shows the state at the time of giving a pushing bending load to a curvature part with a pushing bending load provision mechanism It is a side view.
　以下、本発明の一実施形態を図１～図８を参照して説明する。なお、本実施形態では、ディスプレイ用ガラス基板を製作する過程において、成形した帯状板ガラスからガラス基板となる板状の素材ガラスを切り出す場合を例にとって説明する。 Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In the present embodiment, a case where a plate-shaped material glass that becomes a glass substrate is cut out from the formed strip-shaped plate glass in the process of manufacturing a display glass substrate will be described as an example.
　図１は、本発明の一実施形態に係る帯状板ガラスの割断装置１０の側面図を示している。また、図２は、図１に示す割断装置１０の要部斜視図を示している。図１及び図２に示すように、この割断装置１０は、所定の成形装置１１で（例えば溶融ガラスからオーバーフローダウンドロー法により）成形された帯状板ガラス１に対して搬送方向と直交する向き、すなわち帯状板ガラス１の幅方向に延びるスクライブ線２を刻設するためのスクライブ手段としてのスクライブ装置１２と、スクライブ線２を刻設した帯状板ガラス１に押し曲げ荷重を付与することで帯状板ガラス１をスクライブ線２に沿って割断するための割断手段１３と、後述する搬送方向切替え機構（コンベア１５）により上方に向けて搬送される帯状板ガラス１の先端部を保持し、かつ保持した状態で切替え後の搬送方向と同方向に移動可能な保持手段１４とを具備する。また、割断手段１３は、帯状板ガラス１の搬送方向を下方から上方へと切替えることで帯状板ガラス１に所定の曲率を有する曲率部３を設ける搬送方向切替え機構としてのコンベア１５と、曲率部３に押し曲げ荷重を付与する押し曲げ荷重付与機構１６とを有する。 FIG. 1 shows a side view of a strip-shaped sheet glass cleaving apparatus 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Moreover, FIG. 2 has shown the principal part perspective view of the cleaving apparatus 10 shown in FIG. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the cleaving device 10 has a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction with respect to the strip-shaped plate glass 1 formed by a predetermined forming device 11 (for example, from the molten glass by an overflow downdraw method), that is, The scribing device 12 as a scribing means for engraving the scribe line 2 extending in the width direction of the band-shaped plate glass 1 and the band-shaped plate glass 1 engraved with the scribe line 2 are applied with a bending load to scribe the band-shaped plate glass 1. The cleaving means 13 for cleaving along the line 2 and the leading end portion of the belt-shaped plate glass 1 conveyed upward by a conveyance direction switching mechanism (conveyor 15) described later are held, and after switching in the held state. And holding means 14 that can move in the same direction as the transport direction. Further, the cleaving means 13 is provided on the conveyor 15 serving as a conveyance direction switching mechanism for providing the curvature portion 3 having a predetermined curvature on the belt-like plate glass 1 by switching the conveyance direction of the belt-like glass plate 1 from below to above, and on the curvature portion 3. And a push-bending load applying mechanism 16 for applying a push-bending load.
　スクライブ装置１２は、成形された帯状板ガラス１と搬送方向及び搬送速度を同じくして移動可能に構成される。この実施形態では、所定の成形装置１１によって、いわゆるオーバーフローダウンドロー法により、溶融ガラスから帯状板ガラス１が成形され、冷却を伴って鉛直下方に引き出される。そのため、スクライブ装置１２は鉛直方向に沿って昇降可能に構成され、これにより鉛直下方に引き出された帯状板ガラス１の搬送方向に同期して鉛直下方に移動可能となっている。 The scribing device 12 is configured to be movable in the same transport direction and transport speed as the formed strip-shaped plate glass 1. In this embodiment, the strip-shaped plate glass 1 is formed from molten glass by a predetermined forming device 11 by a so-called overflow down draw method, and is drawn vertically downward with cooling. Therefore, the scribing device 12 is configured to be able to move up and down along the vertical direction, and thus can move vertically downward in synchronization with the transport direction of the strip-shaped glass sheet 1 drawn vertically downward.
　ここで、スクライブ装置１２は、帯状板ガラス１の表面に対してスクライブ線２を刻設するためのホイールカッタ１７と、ホイールカッタ１７を相対移動可能に保持するカッタ保持部１８と、帯状板ガラス１を挟んでホイールカッタ１７及びカッタ保持部１８と反対の側に配置され、帯状板ガラス１の表面を支持する定盤などの支持部材１９とで構成される。ホイールカッタ１７は、スクライブ装置１２（カッタ保持部１８）の移動方向に対して直交する向き、すなわち帯状板ガラス１の幅方向に沿って移動できるように構成されている。これらホイールカッタ１７と支持部材１９とは共に帯状板ガラス１に対して近接、離反可能に構成されている。この実施形態では、ホイールカッタ１７は、図２に示すように、カッタ保持部１８に対して２個設けられており、各々のホイールカッタ１７の帯状板ガラス１側の周縁部が描く軌跡が同一直線上となるように配置される。 Here, the scribing device 12 includes a wheel cutter 17 for engraving the scribe line 2 on the surface of the strip-shaped plate glass 1, a cutter holding portion 18 for holding the wheel cutter 17 so as to be relatively movable, and the strip-shaped plate glass 1. It is disposed on the opposite side of the wheel cutter 17 and the cutter holding portion 18 and sandwiched by the support member 19 such as a surface plate that supports the surface of the belt-like plate glass 1. The wheel cutter 17 is configured to be movable in a direction orthogonal to the moving direction of the scribing device 12 (cutter holding portion 18), that is, along the width direction of the strip-shaped plate glass 1. Both the wheel cutter 17 and the support member 19 are configured to be close to and away from the belt-like plate glass 1. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, two wheel cutters 17 are provided for the cutter holding portion 18, and the locus drawn by the peripheral edge of each wheel cutter 17 on the side of the belt-like plate glass 1 is the same. It arranges so that it may be on a line.
　搬送方向切替え機構としてのコンベア１５は、帯状板ガラス１の搬送方向を下方から上方へと切替える向きに沿って配置される搬送面２０を有するもので、例えば図２に示すように、帯状板ガラス１の幅方向両端部１ａをそれぞれ支持して転動する複数の受けローラ２１を所定形状に配置してなる。そのため、この実施形態では、搬送面２０は、複数の受けローラ２１の外周面で構成される。また、所定の受けローラ２１には例えば図示しないモータ等の駆動源が連結されており、この駆動源からの駆動力を受けて、受けローラ２１が所定方向（図１でいえば反時計回り）に回転し、これにより受けローラ２１の外周面に当接する帯状板ガラス１を所定方向に搬送できるようになっている。 The conveyor 15 as the transport direction switching mechanism has a transport surface 20 arranged along the direction of switching the transport direction of the belt-shaped plate glass 1 from below to above. For example, as shown in FIG. A plurality of receiving rollers 21 that roll while supporting both ends 1a in the width direction are arranged in a predetermined shape. Therefore, in this embodiment, the conveyance surface 20 is configured by the outer peripheral surfaces of the plurality of receiving rollers 21. Further, a driving source such as a motor (not shown) is connected to the predetermined receiving roller 21, and the receiving roller 21 receives a driving force from the driving source, and the receiving roller 21 is in a predetermined direction (counterclockwise in FIG. 1). Thus, the belt-like plate glass 1 that contacts the outer peripheral surface of the receiving roller 21 can be conveyed in a predetermined direction.
　搬送面２０は、例えば図１及び図２に示すように、半円筒面形状をなすよう各受けローラ２１を所定位置に配置してなる。このように搬送面２０を部分円筒面を含む形状とする場合、搬送面２０の曲率（曲率半径）は、搬送中の帯状板ガラス１の割れ防止の万全を図るために、半円筒面形状に帯状板ガラス１を湾曲させながら搬送した際に割れを生じない程度の大きさに設定するのがよく、例えば幅方向寸法が１０００～３０００ｍｍ、幅方向中央部の厚み寸法が５０～５００μｍ（好ましくは５０～３００μｍ）の帯状板ガラス１の場合、曲率半径を５００～２０００ｍｍ、好ましくは８００～１６００ｍｍの範囲に設定するのがよい。また、搬送面２０を構成する受けローラ２１の外周面は、帯状板ガラス１の幅方向両端部１ａにのみ当接しこれを支持するように構成されており、最終的に製品部分となる幅方向中央部１ｂには接触しないようにその幅方向寸法が設定されている。なお、搬送面２０の曲率（曲率半径）が、帯状板ガラス１の厚み寸法等に応じて調整可能なようにコンベア１５を構成するようにしてもよい。 For example, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the transport surface 20 is formed by arranging the receiving rollers 21 at predetermined positions so as to form a semi-cylindrical surface. Thus, when making the conveyance surface 20 into a shape including a partial cylindrical surface, the curvature (curvature radius) of the conveyance surface 20 is a band shape in a semi-cylindrical surface shape in order to prevent cracking of the belt-like plate glass 1 during conveyance. It is preferable to set the size so as not to cause cracking when the glass sheet 1 is conveyed while being curved. For example, the width dimension is 1000 to 3000 mm, and the thickness dimension at the center in the width direction is 50 to 500 μm (preferably 50 to 500 μm). In the case of a 300 μm) strip-shaped plate glass 1, the radius of curvature is set to a range of 500 to 2000 mm, preferably 800 to 1600 mm. Further, the outer peripheral surface of the receiving roller 21 constituting the conveying surface 20 is configured to abut only on and support the width direction both ends 1a of the belt-like plate glass 1, and finally the width direction center which becomes the product portion. The width direction dimension is set so as not to contact the part 1b. In addition, you may make it comprise the conveyor 15 so that the curvature (curvature radius) of the conveyance surface 20 can be adjusted according to the thickness dimension of the strip | belt-shaped plate glass 1, etc. FIG.
　上記構成のコンベア１５は、帯状板ガラス１の成形速度と同じ速度もしくは僅かに大きい速度で回転駆動できるようになっている。これにより、帯状板ガラス１をたわませることなくコンベア１５の円周方向一端側（図１でいえば右側）から搬送面２０上に導入でき、かつ円周方向他端側（図１でいえば左側）で搬送面２０から排出することが可能となる。なお、帯状板ガラス１の搬送面２０上への導入方向が鉛直方向に対して傾斜していても特にその後の作業に支障はないが、スクライブ装置１２の下降動作及びホイールカッタ１７の幅方向移動の制御を容易化することを考慮した場合、帯状板ガラス１の導入方向は鉛直下方が好ましい。 The conveyor 15 having the above configuration can be driven to rotate at the same speed as the forming speed of the belt-like plate glass 1 or at a slightly higher speed. Thereby, it can introduce | transduce on the conveyance surface 20 from the circumferential direction one end side (FIG. 1 right side), without deflecting the strip | belt-shaped plate glass 1, and the circumferential direction other end side (Speaking in FIG. 1). It becomes possible to discharge from the conveyance surface 20 on the left side). Even if the introduction direction of the belt-like plate glass 1 onto the conveying surface 20 is inclined with respect to the vertical direction, there is no problem in the subsequent work. However, the downward movement of the scribing device 12 and the movement of the wheel cutter 17 in the width direction are not affected. In consideration of facilitating control, the direction of introduction of the belt-like plate glass 1 is preferably vertically downward.
　押し曲げ荷重付与機構１６は、コンベア１５を構成する複数の受けローラ２１の上方に配設され、帯状板ガラス１に設けた曲率部３に押し曲げ荷重を付与する押し曲げ荷重付与部材２２と、押し曲げ荷重付与部材２２を昇降させる昇降手段２３とで構成される。押し曲げ荷重付与部材２２は、図２に示すように、略楔状に先端を縮径させた形状をなすもので、帯状板ガラス１を幅方向全域にわたって押圧し、押し曲げ荷重を付与できるように構成される。 The pushing / bending load applying mechanism 16 is disposed above the plurality of receiving rollers 21 constituting the conveyor 15, and a pushing / bending load applying member 22 that applies a pushing / bending load to the curvature portion 3 provided on the belt-like plate glass 1, It is comprised with the raising / lowering means 23 which raises / lowers the bending load provision member 22. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the push-bending load applying member 22 has a shape in which the tip is reduced in a substantially wedge shape, and is configured so as to apply a pushing-bending load by pressing the belt-like plate glass 1 over the entire width direction. Is done.
　保持手段１４は、この実施形態では、帯状板ガラス１の先端部を保持してコンベア１５による帯状板ガラス１の搬送速度と同じ速度で上昇可能な第１の保持手段２４と、第１の保持手段２４との間で帯状板ガラス１を受渡し可能な第２の保持手段２５とで構成される。これら第１の保持手段２４及び第２の保持手段２５は共にコンベア１５の上方に位置し、かつコンベア１５の搬送面２０と、帯状板ガラス１のうちコンベア１５により折り返される前の下方に向けて搬送される部分と、折り返された後の上方に向けて搬送される部分とで囲まれた領域（空間）内に配設される。 In this embodiment, the holding means 14 holds the front end portion of the belt-like plate glass 1 and can be raised at the same speed as the conveying speed of the belt-like plate glass 1 by the conveyor 15, and the first holding means 24. And the second holding means 25 capable of delivering the belt-like plate glass 1 between the two. The first holding means 24 and the second holding means 25 are both located above the conveyor 15 and are conveyed toward the conveyance surface 20 of the conveyor 15 and below the belt-shaped plate glass 1 before being folded back by the conveyor 15. Is disposed in a region (space) surrounded by the portion to be conveyed and the portion conveyed upward after being folded back.
　ここで、第１の保持手段２４は鉛直方向に沿って昇降可能に構成されると共に、複数の吸着パッド２６を有し、これら複数の吸着パッド２６が帯状板ガラス１の表面に吸着することで、帯状板ガラス１を保持可能に構成される。また、第１の保持手段２４は、帯状板ガラス１を保持した状態で、帯状板ガラス１と共に上昇可能に構成される。第２の保持手段２５は、第１の保持手段２４の上方に配設されるもので、第１の保持手段２４と同様に鉛直方向に沿って昇降可能に構成されると共に複数の吸着パッド２７を有している。そして、この第２の保持手段２５は、複数の吸着パッド２７で帯状板ガラス１を吸着保持した状態で、帯状板ガラス１と共に上昇可能に構成されている。 Here, the first holding means 24 is configured to be movable up and down along the vertical direction, and has a plurality of suction pads 26, and the plurality of suction pads 26 are sucked onto the surface of the strip-shaped plate glass 1. It is comprised so that the strip | belt-shaped plate glass 1 can be hold | maintained. Further, the first holding means 24 is configured to be able to rise together with the belt-like plate glass 1 while holding the belt-like plate glass 1. The second holding means 25 is disposed above the first holding means 24 and is configured to be movable up and down along the vertical direction in the same manner as the first holding means 24 and a plurality of suction pads 27. have. And this 2nd holding means 25 is comprised so that it can raise with the strip | belt-shaped plate glass 1 in the state which adsorbed-held the strip | belt-shaped plate glass 1 with the some suction pad 27. FIG.
　また、第１の保持手段２４は、コンベア１５に設けた搬送面２０の終端から鉛直上方に向けて排出される帯状板ガラス１の先端部を保持可能な鉛直方向位置まで下降できると共に、保持した状態の帯状板ガラス１を第２の保持手段２５に受渡し可能な位置まで上昇できるようになっている。同様に、第２の保持手段２５は、第１の保持手段２４に保持された状態の帯状板ガラス１を第１の保持手段２４との間で受渡し可能な位置まで下降できるようになっている。これにより、コンベア１５に設けた搬送面２０から排出された帯状板ガラス１を第１の保持手段２４及び第２の保持手段２５により鉛直上方に向けて引き上げられるようになっている。また、この実施形態では、割断前の帯状板ガラス１を第１の保持手段２４と第２の保持手段２５との間で受渡し可能なように、双方の保持手段２４，２５の昇降可能位置が設定されている。 Moreover, the 1st holding means 24 can be lowered | hung to the vertical direction position which can hold | maintain the front-end | tip part of the strip | belt-shaped plate glass 1 discharged | emitted vertically upwards from the terminal end of the conveyance surface 20 provided in the conveyor 15, and the state hold | maintained The belt-like plate glass 1 can be raised to a position where it can be delivered to the second holding means 25. Similarly, the second holding means 25 can lower the belt-like plate glass 1 held by the first holding means 24 to a position where it can be delivered to and from the first holding means 24. As a result, the belt-like plate glass 1 discharged from the conveying surface 20 provided on the conveyor 15 is pulled up vertically upward by the first holding means 24 and the second holding means 25. Moreover, in this embodiment, the raising / lowering position of both holding means 24 and 25 is set so that the strip-shaped plate glass 1 before cleaving can be delivered between the first holding means 24 and the second holding means 25. Has been.
　また、この実施形態では、図１に示すように、第１の保持手段２４及び第２の保持手段２５の上方に、割断により帯状板ガラス１の本体から分離された板ガラス４（図８を参照）を次の工程に移載するための移載手段２８が配設される。この移載手段２８は水平方向に移動可能に構成されるもので、割断後の板ガラス４を把持可能な把持機構２９を有する。そのため、移載手段２８は、第２の保持手段２５と一体に上方に搬送された割断後の板ガラス４の上端を把持機構２９で把持して、把持した板ガラス４と共に所定方向に向けて移動できるようになっている。 Moreover, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the plate glass 4 separated from the main body of the strip-shaped plate glass 1 by cutting above the first holding means 24 and the second holding means 25 (see FIG. 8). A transfer means 28 is provided for transferring the image to the next step. The transfer means 28 is configured to be movable in the horizontal direction, and has a gripping mechanism 29 that can grip the plate glass 4 after being cut. Therefore, the transfer means 28 can move in the predetermined direction together with the grasped plate glass 4 by grasping the upper end of the cleaved sheet glass 4 conveyed upward integrally with the second holding means 25 by the grasping mechanism 29. It is like that.
　以下、上記構成の割断装置１０を用いた帯状板ガラス１の割断方法について説明する。　 Hereinafter, a method for cleaving the strip-shaped glass sheet 1 using the cleaving apparatus 10 having the above configuration will be described. *
　まず、図１及び図２に示すように、割断装置１０の上方に配置された成形装置１１により成形された帯状板ガラス１が、図示しない牽引ローラにより下方に送り出されることで、冷却されつつ鉛直下方に向けて搬送される。この際、成形装置１１の下方に配置されるスクライブ装置１２を帯状板ガラス１と同期して下降させつつ、スクライブ装置１２のカッタ保持部１８及び支持部材１９を搬送中の帯状板ガラス１に近接させ、カッタ保持部１８に保持されたホイールカッタ１７を帯状板ガラス１の幅方向に沿って移動させることで、帯状板ガラス１の表面（ここでは、後述する曲率部３の外側面となる側の面）にスクライブ線２を刻設する。この実施形態では、図３に示すように、帯状板ガラス１の先端部が成形装置１１及びスクライブ装置１２の下方に位置するコンベア１５の搬送面２０上に導入され、搬送面２０の円周方向所定位置（例えば最下点となる位置）に到達した時点で、言い換えると所定の切断長さに到達した時点でスクライブ線２を刻設する。また、この実施形態では、スクライブ装置１２は、２個のホイールカッタ１７を具備しているので（図２を参照）、例えば図４に示すように、帯状板ガラス１の幅方向外側から内側に各ホイールカッタ１７を移動させることで、帯状板ガラス１の幅方向両端部１ａ及び幅方向両端部１ａと連続する幅方向中央部１ｂの一部にスクライブ線２が刻設される。もちろん、各ホイールカッタ１７及びカッタ保持部１８の動作を制御することで、幅方向全域にわたってスクライブ線２を刻設するようにしてもよい。 First, as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the strip-shaped plate glass 1 formed by the forming device 11 disposed above the cleaving device 10 is sent downward by a pulling roller (not shown) so that it is cooled vertically. It is conveyed toward. At this time, while lowering the scribing device 12 disposed below the forming device 11 in synchronization with the belt-like plate glass 1, the cutter holding portion 18 and the support member 19 of the scribing device 12 are brought close to the belt-like plate glass 1 being conveyed, By moving the wheel cutter 17 held by the cutter holding part 18 along the width direction of the belt-like plate glass 1, it is applied to the surface of the belt-like plate glass 1 (here, the surface to be the outer surface of the curvature part 3 described later). Scribe line 2 is engraved. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the front end portion of the belt-like plate glass 1 is introduced onto the conveying surface 20 of the conveyor 15 positioned below the forming device 11 and the scribe device 12, and the circumferential direction of the conveying surface 20 is predetermined. The scribe line 2 is engraved when it reaches a position (for example, the position that becomes the lowest point), in other words, when it reaches a predetermined cutting length. In this embodiment, since the scribing device 12 includes two wheel cutters 17 (see FIG. 2), for example, as shown in FIG. By moving the wheel cutter 17, the scribe line 2 is engraved in a part of the width direction both ends 1a of the belt-shaped plate glass 1 and the width direction center 1b continuous with the width direction both ends 1a. Of course, the scribe lines 2 may be engraved over the entire width direction by controlling the operations of the wheel cutters 17 and the cutter holder 18.
　一方、下方に向けて搬送された帯状板ガラス１を、上述の如くコンベア１５に設けた搬送面２０に円周方向一端側から導入することで、その搬送方向を下方から上方へと切替える。すなわち、このコンベア１５に設けられた搬送面２０は半円筒面形状を成している。よって、帯状板ガラス１を搬送面２０の円周方向一端側から導入して搬送面２０上を搬送させることで、図５に示すように、帯状板ガラス１が鉛直下方から鉛直上方へと折り返され、その搬送方向が鉛直上方へと切替えられる。また、搬送面２０上を搬送される帯状板ガラス１には、搬送面２０に倣った形状の、すなわち略半円筒面形状の曲率部３が形成される。 On the other hand, the belt-like plate glass 1 conveyed downward is introduced from the one end side in the circumferential direction to the conveyance surface 20 provided on the conveyor 15 as described above, thereby switching the conveyance direction from the lower side to the upper side. That is, the conveyance surface 20 provided on the conveyor 15 has a semi-cylindrical surface shape. Therefore, by introducing the strip-shaped plate glass 1 from one end side in the circumferential direction of the transport surface 20 and transporting it on the transport surface 20, the strip-shaped plate glass 1 is folded back from vertically downward to vertically upward as shown in FIG. The conveying direction is switched vertically upward. Further, the belt-like plate glass 1 conveyed on the conveying surface 20 is formed with a curved portion 3 having a shape following the conveying surface 20, that is, a substantially semi-cylindrical surface shape.
　このようにして帯状板ガラス１に曲率部３を形成した帯状板ガラス１は、引き続きコンベア１５により搬送されることで、搬送面２０の終端（図５でいえば円周方向左端）に到達し、搬送面２０から鉛直上方に向けて排出される。この際、図５に示すように、鉛直上方に向けて排出される帯状板ガラス１の先端部表面を第１の保持手段２４に設けた複数の吸着パッド２６で吸着し、帯状板ガラス１の先端部を保持する。然る後、この帯状板ガラス１を保持した状態で第１の保持手段２４を上昇させて、帯状板ガラス１を鉛直上方に移動させると共に、上方に移動した帯状板ガラス１の第１の保持手段２４による保持部よりもさらに先端側の部分を第２の保持手段２５に設けた複数の吸着パッド２７で吸着する。そして、図６に示すように、第２の保持手段２５により帯状板ガラス１が保持されたら第１の保持手段２４による吸着保持状態を解除して、帯状板ガラス１を第２の保持手段２５のみで保持する。これにより、第１の保持手段２４と第２の保持手段２５との間で帯状板ガラス１の受渡しが行われ、第２の保持手段２５を上昇させることで帯状板ガラス１がさらに上方へと運ばれる。なお、この実施形態では、第１の保持手段２４は、第２の保持手段２５に帯状板ガラス１を受け渡した後、直ちに下方に移動し、次に割断される予定の帯状板ガラス１を保持するために所定の位置（図３に示す位置）で待機する。 The belt-like plate glass 1 in which the curvature portion 3 is formed in the belt-like plate glass 1 in this manner is continuously conveyed by the conveyor 15 to reach the end of the conveyance surface 20 (the left end in the circumferential direction in FIG. 5) and convey It is discharged from the surface 20 vertically upward. At this time, as shown in FIG. 5, the front end portion of the strip-shaped glass sheet 1 discharged vertically upward is adsorbed by a plurality of suction pads 26 provided on the first holding means 24, and the front-end portion of the strip-shaped glass sheet 1. Hold. Thereafter, the first holding means 24 is raised in a state where the belt-like plate glass 1 is held, the belt-like plate glass 1 is moved vertically upward, and the first holding means 24 of the belt-like plate glass 1 moved upward is used. A portion further on the tip side than the holding portion is sucked by a plurality of suction pads 27 provided on the second holding means 25. Then, as shown in FIG. 6, when the belt-like plate glass 1 is held by the second holding means 25, the suction holding state by the first holding means 24 is released, and the belt-like plate glass 1 is removed only by the second holding means 25. Hold. As a result, the belt-like plate glass 1 is delivered between the first holding means 24 and the second holding means 25, and the belt-like plate glass 1 is further moved upward by raising the second holding means 25. . In this embodiment, the first holding means 24 moves down immediately after delivering the band-shaped glass sheet 1 to the second holding means 25, and holds the band-shaped glass sheet 1 to be cleaved next. At a predetermined position (position shown in FIG. 3).
　上述のようにして保持手段１４（第１の保持手段２４又は第２の保持手段２５）により搬送面２０から排出された帯状板ガラス１を鉛直上方に移動させ、帯状板ガラス１に刻設したスクライブ線２が搬送面２０上に形成される曲率部３の所定位置に到達したら、図７に示すように、コンベア１５（搬送面２０）の上方に配設された押し曲げ荷重付与部材２２を昇降手段２３により下降させて、帯状板ガラス１の曲率部３に内側面の側から押し曲げ荷重を付与する。これにより押し曲げ荷重付与部材２２をスクライブ線２が刻設された箇所の真裏から曲率部３に押し付けて、スクライブ線２又はこの近傍に所定の曲げ応力を発生させ、当該スクライブ線２に沿って帯状板ガラス１を割断する。また、この際、帯状板ガラス１の先端部は、第２の保持手段２５で保持されているため、割断後の板ガラス４は第２の保持手段２５により吊下げ保持された状態となる。よって、板ガラス４が割断直後に下方に滑り落ちることもない。 The scribing line engraved on the belt-like plate glass 1 by moving the belt-like plate glass 1 discharged from the conveying surface 20 vertically by the holding means 14 (first holding means 24 or second holding means 25) as described above. When 2 reaches a predetermined position of the curvature portion 3 formed on the conveying surface 20, as shown in FIG. 7, the pushing / bending load applying member 22 disposed above the conveyor 15 (conveying surface 20) is moved up and down. 23, and a bending load is applied to the curvature portion 3 of the belt-shaped plate glass 1 from the inner surface side. As a result, the push-bending load applying member 22 is pressed against the curvature portion 3 from the back of the portion where the scribe line 2 is engraved, and a predetermined bending stress is generated in the scribe line 2 or in the vicinity thereof, along the scribe line 2. The strip-shaped plate glass 1 is cleaved. At this time, since the leading end portion of the strip-shaped plate glass 1 is held by the second holding means 25, the plate glass 4 after being cut is suspended and held by the second holding means 25. Therefore, the plate glass 4 does not slide down immediately after cleaving.
　上述のようにして帯状板ガラス１を所定長さに割断により切断した後、図８に示すように、割断により帯状板ガラス１の本体から分離された板ガラス４を第２の保持手段２５でさらに上方に搬送する。そして、第２の保持手段２５の上方に配置した移載手段２８に設けた把持機構２９で板ガラス４の先端を把持し、第２の保持手段２５による吸着状態を解除することで、第２の保持手段２５と移載手段２８との間での板ガラス４の受渡しが行われる。移載手段２８への受渡しが行われた板ガラス４は移載手段２８により次工程へと搬送され、例えば幅方向両端部１ａの切断、必要に応じて割断側端部の再切断を行った後、端面の研磨、洗浄を経ることで製品としてのガラス基板が完成する。 After the band-shaped plate glass 1 is cut to a predetermined length by cutting as described above, the plate glass 4 separated from the main body of the band-shaped plate glass 1 by cutting is further moved upward by the second holding means 25 as shown in FIG. Transport. Then, the gripping mechanism 29 provided on the transfer means 28 disposed above the second holding means 25 is used to hold the tip of the plate glass 4 and the suction state by the second holding means 25 is released, so that the second holding means 25 is released. The plate glass 4 is delivered between the holding means 25 and the transfer means 28. After the plate glass 4 delivered to the transfer means 28 is transferred to the next process by the transfer means 28, for example, after cutting the both ends 1a in the width direction and, if necessary, re-cutting the cleaved end. A glass substrate as a product is completed by polishing and cleaning the end face.
　このように、本発明では、割断作業に際して、搬送方向切替え機構としてのコンベア１５により帯状板ガラス１の搬送方向を下方から上方に切替えることで、帯状板ガラス１に所定の曲率を有する曲率部３を設けるようにしたので、搬送面２０上を搬送される帯状板ガラス１に設けられた曲率部３に一定の引張り力を付与することができる。よって、スクライブ工程において、帯状板ガラス１の表裏面のうち曲率部３の外側面となる側の面にスクライブ線２を刻設しておき、上述のように曲率部３を設けた後、引き続き帯状板ガラス１を搬送して、先にスクライブ装置１２により刻設されたスクライブ線２が曲率部３に到達した際に、押し曲げ荷重付与機構１６で曲率部３に押し曲げ荷重を付与することで、一定の引張り力が付与された状態のスクライブ線２刻設領域を、当該領域がスクライブ線２に沿って開口する向きに押し曲げることができる。従って、帯状板ガラス１の厚みが小さい場合においても、割断予定箇所となるスクライブ線２刻設領域に十分な大きさの曲げ応力を発生させて、帯状板ガラス１を確実に割断することができる。また、搬送方向を切替えることで所定の曲率を有する部分（曲率部３）を設けるようにしたので、コンベア１５に設けた搬送面２０に支持された状態で曲率部３が形成される。これにより割断予定箇所となる曲率部３の形状及び位置が安定し、引き続き帯状板ガラス１が搬送されてスクライブ線２が曲率部３に到達した際も曲率部３の形状は維持される。従って、帯状板ガラス１をスクライブ線２に沿って正確に割断することができ、また高精度の割断面を安定して得ることができる。 As described above, in the present invention, in the cleaving operation, the belt 15 is provided with the curvature portion 3 having a predetermined curvature by switching the transport direction of the belt-shaped glass sheet 1 from below to the top by the conveyor 15 as a transport direction switching mechanism. Since it did in this way, a fixed tensile force can be given to the curvature part 3 provided in the strip | belt-shaped plate glass 1 conveyed on the conveyance surface 20. FIG. Therefore, in the scribing step, the scribing line 2 is engraved on the surface that is the outer surface of the curvature portion 3 of the front and back surfaces of the belt-shaped plate glass 1 and the curvature portion 3 is provided as described above. When the plate glass 1 is conveyed and the scribe line 2 previously engraved by the scribing device 12 reaches the curvature portion 3, by applying a pushing bending load to the curvature portion 3 by the pushing bending load applying mechanism 16, The engraved region of the scribe line 2 in a state in which a certain tensile force is applied can be pushed and bent in a direction in which the region opens along the scribe line 2. Therefore, even when the thickness of the strip-shaped plate glass 1 is small, the strip-shaped plate glass 1 can be reliably cleaved by generating a sufficiently large bending stress in the engraved region of the scribe line 2 that is the planned cutting location. Moreover, since the part (curvature part 3) which has a predetermined curvature is provided by switching a conveyance direction, the curvature part 3 is formed in the state supported by the conveyance surface 20 provided in the conveyor 15. FIG. As a result, the shape and position of the curvature portion 3 that is the planned cutting location are stabilized, and the shape of the curvature portion 3 is maintained even when the belt-like plate glass 1 is continuously conveyed and the scribe line 2 reaches the curvature portion 3. Therefore, it is possible to accurately cleave the strip-shaped glass sheet 1 along the scribe line 2 and to stably obtain a highly accurate fractured surface.
　特に、ダウンドロー法により帯状板ガラス１を成形する場合、薄肉になるほど成形速度が大きくなるために、下方に向けて搬送される帯状板ガラス１に対してスクライブ線２を刻設しようとした際、搬送速度（成形速度）に比べてホイールカッタ１７の移動速度が小さくなり、所要の時間内に帯状板ガラス１の幅方向全域にわたってスクライブ線２を刻設することが難しくなる。また、過度に高速で移動した場合には、正確にスクライブ線２を刻設することが難しくなる。この点、本発明では、帯状板ガラス１に曲率部３を設け、この曲率部３に押し曲げ荷重を付与して割断するようにしたので、本実施形態のように、帯状板ガラス１の幅方向両端部１ａに優先してスクライブ線２を刻設するだけで、従来に比べて板厚が小さく、かつ幅方向両端部１ａが残った状態の帯状板ガラス１であっても、確実に割断することができる。特に、この図示例のように、２個のホイールカッタ１７を使用してスクライブ線２を刻設することで、刻設作業に要する時間を実質半分にすることができる。 In particular, when the strip-shaped glass sheet 1 is formed by the downdraw method, the molding speed increases as the thickness becomes thinner. Therefore, when the scribe line 2 is to be engraved on the strip-shaped glass sheet 1 that is transported downward, it is transported. The moving speed of the wheel cutter 17 becomes smaller than the speed (forming speed), and it becomes difficult to engrave the scribe line 2 over the entire width direction of the belt-like plate glass 1 within a required time. In addition, when moving at an excessively high speed, it becomes difficult to engrave the scribe line 2 accurately. In this respect, in the present invention, the band-shaped plate glass 1 is provided with the curvature portion 3, and a bending load is applied to the curvature portion 3 so as to cleave, so that both ends in the width direction of the band-shaped plate glass 1 as in this embodiment. By simply engraving the scribe line 2 in preference to the portion 1a, even the strip-shaped plate glass 1 in which the plate thickness is smaller than the conventional one and the width direction both ends 1a remain can be reliably cleaved. it can. In particular, as shown in the illustrated example, by using the two wheel cutters 17 to engrave the scribe line 2, the time required for the engraving operation can be substantially halved.
　また、この実施形態では、曲率部付与工程において、帯状板ガラス１を上向きに折り返すことで、言い換えると、搬送方向に直交する向き（例えば図４の向き）から帯状板ガラス１を見た場合、搬送方向を変化させる前の部分と変化させた後の部分とが重なって見える程度に、搬送方向を変えることで帯状板ガラス１に曲率部３を設けるようにした。これにより、形成される曲率部の大きさを、割れが生じることなく帯状板ガラス１を円滑に搬送できる程度にまで大きく取りつつも、曲率部３には割断のために必要な大きさの引張り力を幅方向の全域にわたって万遍なく付与することができる。これにより、曲率部３の幅方向全域にわたって割断に十分な大きさの曲げ応力を発生させることができ、より確実性を高めた状態で帯状板ガラス１をスクライブ線２に沿って割断することができる。 Moreover, in this embodiment, in the curvature part provision process, when the strip-shaped plate glass 1 is folded upward, in other words, when the strip-shaped plate glass 1 is viewed from a direction orthogonal to the transport direction (for example, the direction of FIG. 4), the transport direction The curved portion 3 is provided on the belt-shaped plate glass 1 by changing the transport direction so that the portion before the change and the portion after the change appear to overlap each other. Thereby, the curvature part 3 has a size necessary for cleaving, while taking the size of the curvature part to be large enough to smoothly convey the band-shaped plate glass 1 without cracking. Can be applied uniformly over the entire region in the width direction. Thereby, bending stress of a magnitude | size large enough for cleavage can be generated over the width direction whole region of the curvature part 3, and the strip | belt-shaped plate glass 1 can be cleaved along the scribe line 2 in the state which improved more certainty. .
　また、この実施形態では、第２の保持手段２５で鉛直上方に搬送される帯状板ガラス１を割断するようにしたので、割断により帯状板ガラス１の本体から分離された板ガラス４は割断直後も第２の保持手段２５により引き続き保持され、鉛直上方に移動される。よって、割断直後に板ガラス４が、帯状板ガラス１の本体や周囲の設備と干渉する事態を避けて、板ガラス４の品質を維持することができる。また、そのまま上方に移動して、移載手段２８に受渡しされることで、次工程への搬送もスムーズに行うことができる。 Moreover, in this embodiment, since the strip-shaped plate glass 1 conveyed vertically upwards by the second holding means 25 is cleaved, the plate glass 4 separated from the main body of the strip-shaped plate glass 1 by cleaving is the second immediately after cleaving. Is continuously held by the holding means 25 and moved vertically upward. Therefore, the quality of the plate glass 4 can be maintained by avoiding a situation in which the plate glass 4 interferes with the main body of the belt-like plate glass 1 and surrounding facilities immediately after the cleaving. Further, by moving upward as it is and transferring it to the transfer means 28, the transfer to the next process can be performed smoothly.
　また、この実施形態では、帯状板ガラス１を上向きに折り返すための機構に、帯状板ガラス１を下方から支持する半円筒形状の搬送面２０を設けたコンベア１５を用いるようにしたので、スクライブ装置１２を帯状板ガラス１が下方に向けて搬送されている領域に配設すると共に、押し曲げ荷重付与機構１６を、曲率部３が形成される領域の上方に配置することができる。これにより、割断装置１０の設備スペースをコンパクトにまとめることができる。また既存の割断設備を利用することができるので、設備コストの高騰抑制にもつながる。 Moreover, in this embodiment, since the conveyor 15 provided with the semi-cylindrical conveyance surface 20 that supports the belt-like plate glass 1 from below is used as the mechanism for folding the belt-like plate glass 1 upward, the scribing device 12 is used. While arrange | positioning in the area | region where the strip | belt-shaped plate glass 1 is conveyed toward the downward direction, the pushing bending load provision mechanism 16 can be arrange | positioned above the area | region in which the curvature part 3 is formed. Thereby, the installation space of the cleaving apparatus 10 can be put together compactly. Moreover, since the existing cleaving equipment can be used, it leads to the suppression of the rise in equipment cost.
　以上、本発明の一実施形態を説明したが、本発明に係る割断方法又は割断装置は、当然に本発明の範囲内において任意の形態を採ることができる。 Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the cleaving method or cleaving apparatus according to the present invention can naturally take any form within the scope of the present invention.
　例えば搬送方向切替え機構としてのコンベア１５に関し、その搬送面２０は、図９に示すように、連続する無端ベルト３０の表面で構成することも可能である（ただし、途中でたるまないような工夫が必要となる）。この場合、割断された板ガラス４の割断端部が図２に示すように搬送面２０を構成する複数の受けローラ２１の間に落下する事態を確実に回避することができる。 For example, with respect to the conveyor 15 as a transport direction switching mechanism, the transport surface 20 can be configured by the surface of a continuous endless belt 30 as shown in FIG. Required). In this case, it is possible to reliably avoid the situation where the cleaved end portion of the cleaved plate glass 4 falls between the plurality of receiving rollers 21 constituting the conveying surface 20 as shown in FIG.
　また、コンベア１５は、受けローラ２１以外の要素で構成することも可能である。図１０はその一例を示すもので、同図に係るコンベア１５は、複数のローラ３１を板状の連結部材３２で相互に連結してなる無端状のチェーンコンベアであって、連結部材３２に設けたアタッチメント（図示は省略）に板状受け部材３３を装着してなるものである。この場合、コンベア１５の搬送面２０は、複数の板状受け部材３３の上端面で構成される。各板状受け部材３３の短軸方向の一部は隣接する板状受け部材３３と短軸方向（搬送面２０の搬送方向）の一部で重複している。そのため、板状受け部材３３の上端面で構成される搬送面２０は、搬送方向で実質的に連続した形態をなす。また、各板状受け部材３３の幅方向寸法は、帯状板ガラス１の幅方向両端部１ａを支持できるよう、帯状板ガラス１の幅方向寸法よりも大きく設定されている。また、帯状板ガラス１の幅方向中央部１ｂと接触しないように、板状受け部材３３の幅方向中央部を幅方向両端部に比べて凹ませ他形状としている。この構成に係るコンベア１５であれば、図９に示すコンベア１５と同様に、搬送面２０に板ガラス４がはまり込むレベルの隙間が生じないので、割断直後の板ガラス４が板状受け部材３３の間にはまり込み、あるいは引っ掛かる事態を回避して、当該板ガラス４を円滑に上方に向けて搬送することができる。 Further, the conveyor 15 can be constituted by elements other than the receiving roller 21. FIG. 10 shows an example thereof. A conveyor 15 according to FIG. 10 is an endless chain conveyor in which a plurality of rollers 31 are connected to each other by a plate-like connecting member 32, and is provided on the connecting member 32. A plate-shaped receiving member 33 is attached to an attachment (not shown). In this case, the conveying surface 20 of the conveyor 15 is configured by the upper end surfaces of the plurality of plate-shaped receiving members 33. A part of each plate-like receiving member 33 in the minor axis direction overlaps with a part of the adjacent plate-like receiving member 33 in the minor axis direction (conveying direction of the conveying surface 20). Therefore, the conveyance surface 20 constituted by the upper end surface of the plate-shaped receiving member 33 has a substantially continuous form in the conveyance direction. Moreover, the width direction dimension of each plate-shaped receiving member 33 is set larger than the width direction dimension of the strip-shaped plate glass 1 so that the width direction both ends 1a of the strip-shaped plate glass 1 can be supported. Moreover, the width direction center part of the plate-shaped receiving member 33 is dented compared with both width direction both ends so that it may not contact with the width direction center part 1b of the strip | belt-shaped plate glass 1, and it is set as another shape. In the case of the conveyor 15 according to this configuration, as in the case of the conveyor 15 shown in FIG. 9, there is no gap at a level where the sheet glass 4 is fitted on the conveying surface 20. It is possible to avoid the situation of being caught or caught and smoothly transport the plate glass 4 upward.
　また、搬送面２０の形状として、上記実施形態では半円筒面形状を成す場合を例示したが、帯状板ガラス１の搬送方向を下方から上方に変え得る限りにおいて任意の形状が採用可能である。例えば搬送面２０への帯状板ガラス１の導入角度あるいは搬送面２０からの帯状板ガラス１の排出角度が水平方向に対して鋭角（例えば４５°以上９０°未満）となるよう、もしくは上記導入角度と搬送角度が共に鋭角となるよう、搬送面２０を部分円筒面形状とすることも可能である。もちろん、上述の記載は、搬送面２０への導入角度や排出角度が水平方向に対して鈍角となるよう、搬送面２０を形成する場合を除外するものではない。 Further, as the shape of the transport surface 20, the case where the semi-cylindrical surface shape is formed is exemplified in the above embodiment, but any shape can be adopted as long as the transport direction of the belt-like plate glass 1 can be changed from the lower side to the upper side. For example, the introduction angle of the band-shaped plate glass 1 to the conveyance surface 20 or the discharge angle of the band-shaped plate glass 1 from the conveyance surface 20 is an acute angle (for example, 45 ° or more and less than 90 °) with respect to the horizontal direction, or the introduction angle and the conveyance It is also possible to make the conveyance surface 20 into a partial cylindrical surface shape so that both angles are acute. Of course, the above description does not exclude the case where the conveyance surface 20 is formed so that the introduction angle or the discharge angle to the conveyance surface 20 is an obtuse angle with respect to the horizontal direction.
　また、押し曲げ荷重付与機構１６による曲率部３への押し曲げ荷重の付与に関し、上記実施形態では、コンベア１５による搬送速度と同速度で上昇する第２の保持手段２５で帯状板ガラス１を保持した後、割断を行うようにしているが、この際、第２の保持手段２５の上昇速度をコンベア１５による搬送速度よりも少し大きくすることで、割断時、帯状板ガラス１の一部をコンベア１５に設けた搬送面２０から少し浮かせた状態としてもよい。帯状板ガラス１を少し浮かせた状態で、曲率部３のスクライブ線２刻設箇所に押し曲げ荷重付与部材２２を押し付けることにより（図１１を参照）、搬送面２０に拘束されること無く曲率部３のうち押し曲げ荷重を付与した箇所を変形させることができる。これにより、必要最小限の押し曲げ荷重で帯状板ガラス１をスクライブ線２に沿って正確に割断することができる。この手法は、特に図１０に示すように、板状受け部材３３など比較的剛性の高い部材で搬送面２０を連続的に構成する場合に有効である。 In addition, regarding the application of the pushing / bending load to the curvature portion 3 by the pushing / bending load applying mechanism 16, in the above embodiment, the belt-like plate glass 1 is held by the second holding means 25 that increases at the same speed as the conveying speed by the conveyor 15. After that, cleaving is performed. At this time, by raising the rising speed of the second holding means 25 slightly higher than the conveying speed by the conveyor 15, a part of the belt-like plate glass 1 is transferred to the conveyor 15 at the time of cleaving. It may be in a state of being slightly lifted from the provided conveyance surface 20. The curved portion 3 is not restrained by the conveying surface 20 by pressing the pressing load application member 22 against the engraved portion of the scribe line 2 of the curved portion 3 (see FIG. 11) with the strip-shaped plate glass 1 slightly lifted. The portion to which the push bending load is applied can be deformed. Thereby, the strip | belt-shaped plate glass 1 can be correctly cut along the scribe line 2 with the minimum required bending load. As shown in FIG. 10, this method is particularly effective when the conveying surface 20 is continuously constituted by a relatively rigid member such as a plate-shaped receiving member 33.
　また、上記実施形態ではホイールカッタ１７の移動速度と帯状板ガラス１の搬送速度との大小差を考慮してホイールカッタ１７を２個用いた場合を例示したが、上記速度差が特に問題にならない限りにおいて、ホイールカッタ１７を１個設けたスクライブ装置（図示は省略）を用いてスクライブ線２を刻設するようにしてもよい。また、スクライブ線２の刻設領域について、必ずしも帯状板ガラス１の幅方向両端部１ａが含まれている必要はなく、帯状板ガラス１の幅方向中央部１ｂと幅方向端部１ａとの間の厚みの比率に応じて、あるいは帯状板ガラス１の成形速度、割断サイクル等の大きさを考慮して、その刻設領域を設定すればよい。従って、帯状板ガラス１の幅方向何れかの一端部１ａのみにスクライブ線２を刻設してもよく、あるいは幅方向中央部１ｂのみにスクライブ線２を刻設するようにしてもよい。 In the above embodiment, the case where two wheel cutters 17 are used in consideration of the magnitude difference between the moving speed of the wheel cutter 17 and the conveying speed of the belt-like plate glass 1 is exemplified. However, as long as the speed difference is not particularly problematic. The scribing line 2 may be engraved using a scribing device (not shown) provided with one wheel cutter 17. Further, the engraved region of the scribe line 2 does not necessarily include the width direction both ends 1a of the band-shaped plate glass 1, and the thickness between the width direction central portion 1b and the width direction end 1a of the band-shaped plate glass 1 is not necessarily included. The engraved region may be set in accordance with the ratio of the above or in consideration of the forming speed of the strip-shaped plate glass 1, the size of the cleaving cycle, and the like. Therefore, the scribe line 2 may be engraved only at one end portion 1a in the width direction of the belt-shaped plate glass 1, or the scribe line 2 may be engraved only in the width direction central portion 1b.
１　　　　帯状板ガラス
１ａ　　　幅方向端部（幅方向両端部）
１ｂ　　　幅方向中央部
２　　　　スクライブ線
３　　　　曲率部
４　　　　板ガラス
１０　　　割断装置
１１　　　成形装置
１２　　　スクライブ装置
１３　　　割断手段
１４　　　保持手段
１５　　　コンベア
１６　　　押し曲げ荷重付与機構
１７　　　ホイールカッタ
１８　　　カッタ保持部
１９　　　支持部材
２０　　　搬送面
２１　　　ローラ
２２　　　押し曲げ荷重付与部材
２３　　　昇降手段
２４　　　第１の保持手段
２５　　　第２の保持手段
２６　　　吸着パッド（第１の保持手段）
２７　　　吸着パッド（第２の保持手段）
２８　　　移載手段
２９　　　把持機構
３０　　　無端ベルト
３１　　　ローラ
３２　　　連結部材
３３　　　板状受け部材 1 Band-shaped plate glass 1a Width direction end (width direction both ends)
1b Width direction center part 2 Scribe line 3 Curvature part 4 Sheet glass 10 Cleaving apparatus 11 Forming apparatus 12 Scribe apparatus 13 Cleaving means 14 Holding means 15 Conveyor 16 Push bending load applying mechanism 17 Wheel cutter 18 Cutter holding part 19 Support member 20 Conveying surface 21 Roller 22 Push-bending load applying member 23 Lifting means 24 First holding means 25 Second holding means 26 Suction pad (first holding means)
27 Suction pad (second holding means)
28 Transfer means 29 Grasping mechanism 30 Endless belt 31 Roller 32 Connecting member 33 Plate-shaped receiving member

Claims (6)

  1. 　下方に向けて搬送される帯状の板ガラスに対して搬送方向に直交する向きのスクライブ線を刻設するスクライブ工程と、前記スクライブ線を刻設した帯状板ガラスに押し曲げ荷重を付与することで前記帯状板ガラスを前記スクライブ線に沿って割断する割断工程とを具備した帯状板ガラスの割断方法において、
    　前記帯状板ガラスの搬送方向を下方から上方に変えることで、前記帯状板ガラスに所定の曲率を有する曲率部を設ける曲率部付与工程をさらに具備し、
    　前記スクライブ工程において、前記帯状板ガラスの表裏面のうち前記曲率部の外側面となる側の面に前記スクライブ線を刻設し、
    　前記割断工程において、前記スクライブ線が前記曲率部に到達した際に前記曲率部の内側面に押し曲げ荷重を付与することを特徴とする帯状板ガラスの割断方法。     A scribing step for engraving a scribe line in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction with respect to a strip-shaped plate glass conveyed downward, and the band-shaped plate glass by applying a pressing load to the strip-shaped plate glass formed with the scribe line. In the cleaving method of the strip-shaped plate glass comprising the cleaving step of cleaving the plate glass along the scribe line,
    By further changing the conveying direction of the strip-shaped plate glass from below to above, further comprising a curvature portion providing step of providing a curvature portion having a predetermined curvature on the strip-shaped plate glass,
    In the scribing step, the scribe line is engraved on the surface on the side that is the outer surface of the curvature portion of the front and back surfaces of the belt-shaped plate glass,
    In the cleaving step, when the scribe line reaches the curvature portion, a pressing and bending load is applied to the inner side surface of the curvature portion.
  2. 　前記曲率部付与工程において、前記帯状板ガラスを鉛直上方に向けて折り返す請求項１に記載の帯状板ガラスの割断方法。 The method for cleaving the strip-shaped plate glass according to claim 1, wherein, in the curvature portion applying step, the strip-shaped plate glass is folded back vertically upward.
  3. 　下方に向けて搬送される帯状の板ガラスに対して搬送方向に直交する向きのスクライブ線を刻設するためのスクライブ手段と、前記スクライブ線を刻設した帯状板ガラスに押し曲げ荷重を付与することで前記帯状板ガラスを前記スクライブ線に沿って割断するための割断手段とを具備した帯状板ガラスの割断装置において、
    　前記割断手段は、前記帯状板ガラスの搬送方向を下方から上方へと切替えることで前記帯状板ガラスに所定の曲率を有する曲率部を設ける搬送方向切替え機構と、前記曲率部の内側面に押し曲げ荷重を付与する押し曲げ荷重付与機構とを有し、かつスクライブ手段は、前記帯状板ガラスの表裏面のうち前記曲率部の外側面となる側の面に前記スクライブ線を刻設可能に配設されることを特徴とする帯状板ガラスの割断装置。     A scribing means for engraving a scribe line in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction with respect to a strip-shaped plate glass conveyed downward, and by applying a pressing load to the strip-shaped plate glass formed with the scribe line. In the cleaving device for the strip-shaped plate glass comprising the cleaving means for cleaving the strip-shaped plate glass along the scribe line,
    The cleaving means includes a conveyance direction switching mechanism for providing a curvature portion having a predetermined curvature on the belt-shaped plate glass by switching the conveyance direction of the belt-shaped plate glass from the lower side to the upper side, and a pressing load on the inner surface of the curvature portion. A push-bending load applying mechanism to be applied, and the scribing means is disposed so as to be able to engrave the scribe line on a surface of the front and back surfaces of the belt-shaped plate glass that is the outer surface of the curvature portion. An apparatus for cleaving a strip-shaped plate glass.
  4. 　前記搬送方向切替え機構は、半円筒面形状の搬送面を有するコンベアで構成されている請求項３に記載の帯状板ガラスの割断装置。 The strip sheet glass cleaving apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the transport direction switching mechanism is configured by a conveyor having a semi-cylindrical transport surface.
  5. 　前記搬送方向切替え機構により上方に向けて搬送される前記帯状板ガラスの先端部を保持し、かつ保持した状態で前記切替え後の搬送方向と同方向に移動可能な保持手段をさらに具備する請求項３又は４に記載の帯状板ガラスの割断装置。 The holding | maintenance means which hold | maintains the front-end | tip part of the said strip | belt-shaped plate glass conveyed upward by the said conveyance direction switching mechanism, and is movable in the same direction as the said conveyance direction after the switch in the state hold | maintained is provided. Or the cutting apparatus of the strip | belt-shaped plate glass of 4.
  6. 　前記保持手段は、前記帯状板ガラスを保持した状態で、前記帯状板ガラスの搬送速度以上の速度で移動可能に構成され、これにより前記帯状板ガラスに設けた曲率部を前記搬送方向切替え機構の搬送面から浮かせた状態で前記押し曲げ荷重を付与可能としている請求項５に記載の帯状板ガラスの割断装置。 The holding means is configured to be movable at a speed equal to or higher than the conveyance speed of the band-shaped plate glass while holding the band-shaped plate glass, and thereby the curvature portion provided on the band-shaped plate glass from the conveyance surface of the conveyance direction switching mechanism. The strip glass sheet cleaving apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the push-bending load can be applied in a floating state.
PCT/JP2012/071156 2011-09-09 2012-08-22 Method and apparatus for cutting band-shaped plate glass WO2013035528A1 (en)

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