Method for manufacturing glass article, and device for manufacturing glass article

Abstract

A method for manufacturing a glass article, the glass article having a through hole in a tube wall of a tube glass (G1), wherein the manufacturing method comprises a through hole forming step of heating from above the tube glass (G1) arranged with its tube axis (A1) along a horizontal direction, thereby forming the through hole.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a glass article and a device for manufacturing a glass article. Background Art

[0002] There is known a glass article in which a through hole is formed in a tube wall of a tube glass as disclosed in Patent Document 1. The through hole in the glass article can be formed by irradiating the tube glass with flame of a burner.

[0003] Prior art literature

[0004] Patent Literature

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-027864 Summary of the invention

[0006] Problems to be solved by the invention

[0007] In the above-mentioned patent document 1, Fig.10 As shown in FIG. 1 , the tube glass G10 is heated from below by heat lines HR such as a burner flame, thereby forming a through hole T10 in the tube wall of the tube glass G10. In this case, the tube wall of the tube glass G10 heated and softened by the heat lines HR is deformed by its own weight so as to protrude downward from the outer peripheral surface of the tube wall, thereby forming a through hole T10 in the tube wall of the tube glass G10. Fig.11 As shown, a protrusion P10 protruding outward from the outer peripheral surface of the tube wall of the tube glass G10 is easily formed around the through hole T10. The glass article G20 having such a protrusion P10 may be broken by an impact applied to the protrusion P10 during transportation of the glass article G20.

[0008] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a method for manufacturing a glass article and an apparatus for manufacturing a glass article, which can suppress the formation of protrusions that may cause breakage in the manufacture of a glass article having a through hole in the tube wall of a tube glass.

[0009] Means for solving problems

[0010] A method for manufacturing a glass article for solving the above-mentioned problems is a method for manufacturing a glass article having a through hole in a tube wall of a tube glass, the method comprising a through hole forming step of heating the tube glass arranged with its tube axis along a horizontal direction from above to form the through hole.

[0011] According to this method, the tube wall of the tube glass softened by heating is easily deformed downward from the inner peripheral surface of the tube wall due to its own weight. As a result, a protrusion protruding from the inner peripheral surface of the tube wall to the inner side of the tube glass is easily formed around the through hole. In other words, in the through hole forming step, a protrusion protruding from the outer peripheral surface of the tube wall to the outer side of the tube glass is not easily formed.

[0012] The method for producing a glass article preferably further comprises a preheating step of heating the tube glass while rotating the tube glass above a preheating device, wherein the through-hole forming step is performed after the preheating step.

[0013] According to this method, in the through-hole forming step, the thermal shock when the tube glass is heated can be alleviated.

[0014] The method for producing a glass article preferably comprises a slow cooling step (annealing step) after the through-hole forming step, wherein the tube glass is disposed above a slow cooling heating device with the through-hole facing downward.

[0015] According to this method, the periphery of the through hole can be efficiently and slowly cooled (annealed).

[0016] In the above-mentioned method for manufacturing glass articles, it is preferred to use a burner equipped with a fuel injection nozzle, irradiate flames from the fuel injection nozzle to form the through hole, and in the through hole forming step, the fuel injection nozzle is moved up and down between an irradiation position at which the flame is irradiated to the tube glass and a retreat position above the irradiation position.

[0017] According to this method, the time for irradiating the tube glass with flame can be easily controlled. In addition, by arranging the fuel injection nozzle of the burner at the retreat position, it is possible to ensure a sufficient space for carrying in and out the tube glass below the fuel injection nozzle.

[0018] In the above-mentioned method for producing a glass article, it is preferred that the tube glass has openings at both ends, and the through-holes are formed while sending air into the tube of the tube glass.

[0019] According to this method, for example, the inside of the tube glass can be cooled by blowing air, so that the temperature rise of the portion of the tube wall of the tube glass at a position opposite to the portion where the through hole is formed can be suppressed. In addition, by blowing air into the tube glass, foreign matter in the tube glass can be forcibly discharged from the opening at one end of the tube glass.

[0020] In the method for producing a glass article, the tube glass is preferably heated so that an angle between a central axis of a heating source and a tube axis of the tube glass falls within a range of 30° to 90°.

[0021] According to this method, the tube wall of the tube glass can be easily and efficiently heated, and the through-hole can be formed in a shorter time.

[0022] A manufacturing device for a glass article, wherein the glass article has a through hole in a tube wall of a tube glass, wherein the manufacturing device comprises: a support member that supports the tube glass in a posture where the tube axis is along a horizontal direction; and a heating device that heats the tube glass supported by the support member from above to form the through hole by heating.

[0023] In the above-mentioned manufacturing apparatus for glass articles, the heating device is preferably a burner including a fuel injection nozzle, and the fuel injection nozzle is configured to move up and down between an irradiation position for irradiating the tube glass with flame and a retreat position above the irradiation position.

[0024] Effects of the Invention

[0025] According to the present invention, in the production of a glass article having a through hole in the tube wall of a tube glass, the formation of a protrusion that may cause breakage can be suppressed. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] Figure 1 1 is a flowchart showing a method for producing a glass article in an embodiment.

[0027] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a glass article.

[0028] Figure 3 This is a schematic side view for explaining a preheating step in a method for producing a glass article.

[0029] Figure 4 It is a schematic front view explaining the preheating process.

[0030] Figure 5 This is a schematic side view for explaining a through-hole forming step in a method for producing a glass article.

[0031] Figure 6 It is a schematic front view for explaining the through-hole forming step.

[0032] Figure 7 This is a schematic front view for explaining a slow cooling step in a method for producing a glass article.

[0033] Figure 8 It is a schematic front view explaining the slow cooling process.

[0034] Fig. 9 It is a schematic side view explaining the slow cooling process.

[0035] Fig.10 This is a schematic front view for explaining a conventional method for manufacturing a glass article.

[0036] Fig.11 It is a cross-sectional view showing a conventional glass article. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0037] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a method for manufacturing a glass article and a device for manufacturing a glass article will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In addition, in the accompanying drawings, for the sake of convenience of description, a part of the structure is sometimes exaggerated or simplified. In addition, the dimensional ratio of each part is sometimes different from the actual one.

[0038] The manufacturing method of the glass article is to heat-process the tube glass G1 so that the tube wall of the tube glass G1 has Figure 2 The method of the glass article G2 through the hole T1 shown. Figure 1 As shown, the manufacturing method of the glass article in this embodiment includes a preheating step (step S1), a through-hole forming step (step S2) and a slow cooling step (step S3). As the tube glass G1, for example, a tube glass formed from molten glass by a Danner method or a down-draw method (corrugation method) and cut into a straight tube shape of a predetermined length can be used.

[0039] like Figure 3 as well as Figure 4 As shown in FIG. 1 , the manufacturing device 11 of the glass article includes a rotating mechanism 12 and a preheating device 13. In the preheating process of step S1, the tube glass G1 is heated by the preheating device 13 while the tube glass G1 is rotated by the rotating mechanism 12 above the preheating device 13. Through the preheating process of step S1, a part of the tube glass G1 in the tube axial direction of the tube glass G1 is preheated over the entire circumference of the tube glass G1.

[0040] The rotating mechanism 12 used in the preheating process of step S1 includes a first roller 12a and a second roller 12b. At least one of the first roller 12a and the second roller 12b is driven to rotate by a rotation drive unit (not shown). The tube glass G1 supported by the first roller 12a and the second roller 12b is driven to rotate by the driven rollers. The manufacturing device 11 of the glass article includes a plurality of rotating mechanisms 12, and the plurality of rotating mechanisms 12 correspond to the plurality of tube glasses G1, respectively.

[0041] In the preheating process of step S1 of the present embodiment, a burner is used as the preheating device 13. The burner has a fuel gas nozzle that ejects fuel gas FG. The burner of the present embodiment is a line burner. That is, the fuel gas nozzle has a long side direction along the arrangement direction of the tube glasses G1 so that a plurality of tube glasses G1 can be heated simultaneously.

[0042] like Figure 5 as well as Figure 6As shown, in the through hole forming step of step S2, the tube glass G1 arranged with the tube axis A1 along the horizontal direction is heated from above to form the through hole T1. That is, after the tube glass G1 is arranged with the tube axis A1 along the horizontal direction, the tube glass G1 is heated from above to form the through hole T1. The manufacturing device 11 of the glass article includes a support member 14 for supporting the tube glass G1 in the through hole forming step of step S2 and a heating device 15 for heating the tube glass G1 to form the through hole.

[0043] As the support member 14, for example, the first roller 12a and the second roller 12b that stop the rotation mechanism 12 can be used. The support member 14 is not limited to the first roller 12a and the second roller 12b of the rotation mechanism 12, and any structure can be used as long as it can support the tube glass G1 in the above-mentioned posture.

[0044] The heating device 15 irradiates the tube glass G1 with a heat beam HR as a heating source. The manufacturing device 11 of the glass article is equipped with a plurality of heating devices 15 so that the through hole T1 can be formed in a plurality of tube glasses G1 at the same time. The heating device 15 heats the tube wall of the tube glass G1 in a manner that forms a point-shaped heating area. In the through hole forming process of step S2 of the present embodiment, a burner is used as the heating device 15. For example, the inner diameter (nozzle diameter) of the fuel injection nozzle of the burner is preferably within the range of 0.2 mm or more and 1.0 mm or less. It is preferred that the angle θ1 formed by the central axis A2 of the heat beam HR irradiated from the heating device 15 and the tube axis A1 of the tube glass G1 is within the range of 30° or more and 90° or less. In this case, the tube wall of the tube glass G1 is easily and effectively heated, and the through hole T1 can be formed in a shorter time. The central axis A2 of the heat beam HR of the present embodiment coincides with the central axis of the tip of the fuel injection nozzle. In addition, a laser irradiation device can be used as the heating device 15. In this case, the central axis A2 of the heat beam HR represents the optical axis of the laser. In the through hole forming step of step S2, the heat beam HR is preferably irradiated so that the central axis A2 of the heat beam HR is perpendicular to the tube axis A1 of the tube glass G1. That is, in the through hole forming step of step S2, the heat beam HR is preferably irradiated so that the angle θ1 is 90°.

[0045] The fuel gas nozzle of the burner of this embodiment is configured to be movable up and down between an irradiation position for irradiating the tube glass G1 with flame and a retreat position above the irradiation position. Figure 5 as well as Figure 6In the figure, the fuel gas nozzle at the irradiation position is indicated by a solid line, and the fuel gas nozzle at the retreat position is indicated by a dotted line. In detail, the manufacturing device 11 for glass articles includes a lifting device (not shown), and the fuel gas nozzle is connected to the lifting device. The manufacturing device 11 for glass articles includes a control unit for controlling the lifting device. The time when the fuel gas nozzle is arranged at the irradiation position, that is, the time when the flame is irradiated to the tube glass G1, is controlled by the control unit of the manufacturing device 11 for glass articles. The irradiation time of the flame irradiating the tube glass G1 can be predetermined based on, for example, the wall thickness of the tube glass G1 and the glass composition.

[0046] like Figure 5 As shown, the tube glass G1 of this embodiment has openings at both ends, and in the through hole forming step of step S2, a through hole T1 is formed on the first end G1a side of the first end G1a and the second end G1b of the tube glass G1. Here, in the through hole forming step of step S2, it is preferred to form the through hole T1 while sending air into the tube of the tube glass G1 from the opening of the second end G1b toward the opening of the first end G1a. The air supply device 16 of the manufacturing device 11 of the glass article can be used to send air into the tube of the tube glass G1. The air supply device 16 includes an air supply nozzle that sprays an air supply gas VG toward the inside of the tube of the tube glass G1. As the air supply gas VG, air or an inert gas is preferably used.

[0047] like Figure 7 to Figure 9 As shown in FIG. 1 , the glass manufacturing apparatus 11 further includes a slow cooling heating device 17. The slow cooling process of step S3 can be performed using the above-mentioned rotating mechanism 12 and the slow cooling heating device 17. In the slow cooling process of step S3, the tube glass G1 is arranged above the slow cooling heating device 17 of the glass manufacturing apparatus 11 with the through hole T1 facing downward. Specifically, the tube glass G1 after the through hole forming process of step S2 is arranged with the through hole T1 facing upward, so as to Figure 7 As shown in FIG. 1 , the tube glass G1 is rotated around the tube axis of the tube glass G1. Figure 8 As shown, the tube glass G1 after the through-hole forming step of step S2 can be set to a posture in which the through-hole T1 faces downward.

[0048] In the slow cooling process of step S3 of this embodiment, a burner is used as the slow cooling heating device 17. The burner of this embodiment is a line burner. That is, the fuel gas nozzle has a long side direction along the arrangement direction of the tube glasses G1 so that a plurality of tube glasses G1 can be heated simultaneously.

[0049] The combustion method of the burner used in each of the preheating process of step S1, the through-hole forming process of step S2, and the slow cooling process of step S3 may be a premixing method in which the fuel gas FG and the air are premixed and burned, or a diffusion mixing method (premixing method) in which the fuel gas FG and the air are diffused and mixed while being burned. In the case of the premixing method, it may be a complete premixing method in which the premixed air is more than the theoretical amount of air, or it may be a partial premixing method in which the premixed air is less than the theoretical amount of air. As the fuel gas FG, it is preferred to use a mixed gas of a combustible gas and an combustion-supporting gas. As the combustible gas, for example, hydrogen, LPG (liquefied petroleum gas), and LNG (liquefied natural gas) can be cited. As the combustion-supporting gas, for example, oxygen can be cited.

[0050] The glass article manufacturing apparatus 11 may include a moving mechanism for moving the first roller 12a and the second roller 12b, and the first roller 12a and the second roller 12b may be moved by the moving mechanism to sequentially perform each step.

[0051] Next, the main functions of the method for manufacturing a glass article and the apparatus 11 for manufacturing a glass article will be described.

[0052] In the through hole forming process of step S2 of the method for manufacturing a glass article, the tube glass G1 arranged with the tube axis A1 in the horizontal direction is heated from above to form the through hole T1. According to this method, the tube wall of the tube glass G1 softened by heating is easily deformed downward from the inner peripheral surface of the tube wall due to its own weight. Figure 2 As shown, it is easy to form a protrusion P1 protruding from the inner peripheral surface of the tube wall to the inner side of the tube glass G1 around the through hole T1. That is, in the through hole forming step S2, it is not easy to form a protrusion P1 protruding from the outer peripheral surface of the tube wall to the outer side of the tube glass G1. Fig.11 A protrusion such as protrusion P10 shown.

[0053] Next, the operation and effects of this embodiment will be described.

[0054] (1) In the through-hole forming step (step S2) of the method for manufacturing a glass article, the tube glass G1 arranged with the tube axis A1 along the horizontal direction is heated from above to form the through-hole T1. According to this method, as described above, it is difficult to form a protrusion protruding outward from the outer peripheral surface of the tube wall of the tube glass G1. That is, in the glass article G2 having the through-hole T1 in the tube wall of the tube glass G1, the formation of a protrusion that may cause breakage can be suppressed.

[0055] (2) The method for manufacturing a glass article further includes a preheating step (step S1) in which the tube glass G1 is preheated while rotating it above the preheating device 13. After the preheating step in step S1, the through-hole forming step in step S2 is performed. In this case, the thermal shock when the tube glass G1 is heated in the through-hole forming step in step S2 can be alleviated. Therefore, the tube glass G1 is prevented from being damaged in the through-hole forming step in step S2, and the yield rate of the glass article G2 can be improved.

[0056] (3) The method for manufacturing a glass article further comprises a slow cooling step of step S3 of placing the tube glass G1 above the slow cooling heating device 17 with the through hole T1 facing downward after the through hole forming step S2. In this case, the area around the through hole T1 can be gradually cooled efficiently.

[0057] (4) In the through-hole forming process of step S2, the fuel injection nozzle of the burner is moved up and down between an irradiation position for irradiating the tube glass G1 with flame and a retreat position above the irradiation position. In this case, it is easy to control the time for irradiating the tube glass G1 with flame. In addition, by arranging the fuel injection nozzle of the burner at the retreat position, it is possible to ensure sufficient space for carrying in and out the tube glass G1 below the fuel injection nozzle.

[0058] (5) The tube glass G1 has openings at both ends, and the through hole T1 is formed in step S2 while air is blown into the tube of the tube glass G1. In this case, for example, the inside of the tube of the tube glass G1 can be cooled by blowing air, so that the temperature rise of the portion of the tube wall of the tube glass G1 facing the portion where the through hole T1 is formed can be suppressed. Therefore, the deformation of the tube wall of the tube glass G1 at the position facing the through hole T1 can be suppressed.

[0059] When the through hole T1 is formed in the tube glass G1, for example, foreign matter such as smoke may be generated, which may cause the cleanliness of the tube inside the tube glass G1 to decrease. As described above, by sending air into the tube glass G1, the foreign matter in the tube glass G1 can be forcibly discharged from the opening at one end of the tube glass G1. Therefore, the cleanliness of the tube inside the tube glass G1 can be suppressed from decreasing.

[0060] (Variation Example)

[0061] This embodiment can be implemented by changing as follows: This embodiment and the following modified examples can be implemented in combination with each other within the range of no technical contradiction.

[0062] The through-hole forming process of step S2 may be performed without sending air into the tube of the tube glass G1. That is, the through-hole T1 may be formed without sending air into the tube of the tube glass G1.

[0063] In the through-hole forming step of step S2 , the air blowing nozzle of the air blowing device 16 may be arranged outside the tube glass G1 , or may be inserted into the tube of the tube glass G1 .

[0064] The fuel injection nozzle used in the through-hole forming process of step S2 may be fixed at the irradiation position for irradiating the tube glass G1 with flame. That is, the through-hole forming process of step S2 can be performed without moving the fuel injection nozzle up and down between the irradiation position and the retreat position. In other words, the fuel injection nozzle is configured so as not to be able to move from the irradiation position.

[0065] When the fuel injection nozzle used in the through-hole forming step of step S2 is arranged obliquely instead of vertically, the direction in which the fuel injection nozzle is moved between the irradiation position and the retreat position may be oblique instead of the vertical direction.

[0066] The slow cooling process of step S3 can be omitted.

[0067] The slow cooling process in step S3 is not limited to the above-described method, and for example, the tube glass G1 may be disposed in the annealing furnace in a posture in which the through hole T1 faces upward.

[0068] The preheating process of step S1 can be omitted.

[0069] The preheating process in step S1 is not limited to the above-mentioned method, and for example, the tube glass G1 may be arranged in the preheating furnace without rotating the tube glass G1.

[0070] The preheating device 13 used in the preheating process of step S1 and the slow cooling heating device 17 used in the slow cooling process of step S3 are not limited to burners. That is, as the preheating device 13 or the slow cooling heating device 17, for example, a heating element that generates heat by resistance heating, a laser irradiation device, etc. can also be used.

[0071] The manufacturing apparatus 11 of a glass article is configured so that the through hole T1 is formed in each of the plurality of tube glasses G1 , but the manufacturing apparatus 11 of a glass article may be configured so that the through hole T1 is formed in one tube glass G1 .

[0072] In the method for manufacturing a glass article, the tube glass G1 may be conveyed to the rotating mechanism 12 disposed corresponding to the preheating device 13 and the slow cooling heating device 17 and the supporting member 14 disposed corresponding to the through-hole forming heating device 15, and each step may be sequentially performed.

[0073] In the tube glass G1, the position where the through hole T1 is formed is not limited. That is, the through hole T1 is not limited to being formed on the first end G1a side of the tube glass G1. In addition, the number of through holes T1 formed in one tube glass G1 may be single or plural.

[0074] The tube glass G1 is not limited to the tube glass G1 having openings at both ends, but may be a tube glass having at least one of both ends closed. The overall shape of the tube glass G1 is not limited to a straight tube, but may be, for example, a curved tube having a curved portion.

[0075] Description of Reference Numerals

[0076] 11... manufacturing device for glass articles, 13... preheating device, 14... supporting member, 15... heating device, 17... heating device for slow cooling, A1... tube axis, A2... center axis, G1... tube glass, G2... glass article, HR... hot wire (heating source), T1... through hole, θ1... angle.

Claims

1. A method for manufacturing a glass article, wherein the glass article has a through hole in the wall of a tube glass, wherein: The manufacturing method includes a through-hole forming step of heating the tube glass arranged with the tube axis along the horizontal direction from above to form the through-hole. In the through hole forming step, the through hole is formed while sending air into the tube from one opening of the tube glass toward the other opening, without closing the other opening of the tube glass.

2. The method for manufacturing a glass article according to claim 1, wherein: The method further includes a preheating step of heating the tube glass while rotating the tube glass above a preheating device, and performing the through-hole forming step after the preheating step.

3. The method for manufacturing a glass article according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein: After the through-hole forming step, a slow cooling step is provided in which the tube glass is disposed above a slow cooling heating device in a posture in which the through-hole is directed downward.

4. The method for manufacturing a glass article according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The through hole is formed by using a burner equipped with a fuel injection nozzle and irradiating a flame from the fuel injection nozzle. In the through-hole forming step, the fuel injection nozzle is moved up and down between an irradiation position at which the flame is irradiated onto the tube glass and a retreat position above the irradiation position.

5. The method for manufacturing a glass article according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: In the through-hole forming step, the tube glass is heated so that an angle formed between a central axis of a heating source and a tube axis of the tube glass is within a range of 30° to 90°.

6. A manufacturing device for a glass article, wherein the glass article has a through hole in the wall of a tube glass, and the tube glass has openings at both ends, wherein: The manufacturing device comprises: a supporting member that supports the tube glass in a posture where the tube axis is along a horizontal direction; and a heating device for heating the tube glass supported by the supporting member from above, The through hole is formed by heating, The invention also comprises a blower device for blowing gas into the tube from one opening of the tube glass and for discharging the gas from the other opening.

7. The manufacturing device for glass articles according to claim 6, wherein: The heating device is a burner equipped with a fuel injection nozzle. The fuel injection nozzle is configured to move up and down between an irradiation position at which the flame is irradiated onto the tube glass and a retreat position above the irradiation position.

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