Glass forming apparatus

Abstract

A glass forming apparatus (1) is provided with: a forming body (4) that forms a glass ribbon (3) from molten glass (2) using the overflow down-draw method; support bricks (6, 7) that support end portions of the forming body (4) in the length direction from below and press the forming body (4) from the side; a pressing device (8) that presses the support brick (6) toward the forming body (4) side; and a forming furnace (9) that houses the forming body (4) inside, the pressing device (8) having a lever mechanism (11) that amplifies a force applied to a force point (P1) to act on an action point (P2) and a cylinder (12) that is a source of the force applied to the force point (P1), and being configured to press the support brick (6) with the force acting on the action point (P2).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to a glass forming apparatus. BACKGROUND

[0002] As is well known, as one of methods for manufacturing a glass sheet, there is an overflow down-draw method. An example of a manufacturing apparatus capable of performing the overflow down-draw method is disclosed in Patent Literature 1.

[0003] The manufacturing apparatus disclosed in Patent Literature 1 is provided with: a wedge-shaped forming body that forms a glass ribbon (in this literature, a sheet glass plate SG) from molten glass; a pair of support bricks (in this literature, a first support member 410 and a second support member 420) that support the forming body in a state of sandwiching the forming body from one end side to the other end side in the length direction of the forming body; and a pressing device (in this literature, a pressurizing device 422) that presses one of the pair of support bricks toward the forming body side.

[0004] In the above manufacturing apparatus, a compressive stress in the length direction acts on the forming body in conjunction with the pressing device pressing the support bricks. Thereby, the creep deformation of the forming body caused by the dead weight of the forming body, the weight of the molten glass, and the like is suppressed.

[0005] PRIOR ART DOCUMENTS

[0006] PATENT LITERATURE

[0007] Patent Literature 1: International Publication No. 2012 / 132309 SUMMARY

[0008] PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION

[0009] In recent years, the large-scale of product glass sheets is being promoted, and in conjunction therewith, the forming body is also developing into a large scale. Therefore, in order to suppress the creep deformation of the forming body, a manufacturing apparatus capable of pressing the support bricks with a greater force is required, but the current situation is that such a requirement cannot be sufficiently dealt with due to the insufficient output of the pressing device.

[0010] The technical problem to be solved in view of the above is to provide a manufacturing apparatus capable of dealing with the suppression of the creep deformation even in the case where the forming body is large-scale.

[0011] MEANS FOR SOLVING THE PROBLEMS

[0012] A glass forming apparatus for solving the above-described problem includes: a formed body formed from molten glass by the overflow down-draw method; a support brick that supports an end portion of the formed body in the longitudinal direction from below and presses the formed body from the side; a pressing device that presses the support brick toward the formed body; and a forming furnace that houses the formed body inside, wherein the pressing device has a lever mechanism that amplifies a force applied to a force point and applies the amplified force to an action point, and a force generation source that generates the force applied to the force point, and the pressing device is configured to press the support brick with the force applied to the action point.

[0013] In the glass forming apparatus, the pressing device that presses the support brick toward the formed body has a lever mechanism that amplifies a force applied to a force point and applies the amplified force to an action point, and a force generation source that generates the force applied to the force point, and the support brick is pressed with the force applied to the action point. Thus, in the case where the formed body is large, even if a large force needs to be applied to the action point for the suppression of creep deformation, the force that should be applied to the force point is small in accordance with the amount of amplification of the lever mechanism. Therefore, the output of the force generation source (for example, the output of an actuator) that generates the force that should be applied is also small. As a result, even in the case where the formed body is large, the suppression of creep deformation can be addressed.

[0014] In the above-described structure, it is preferable that an opening portion that makes the inside and outside of the furnace continuous be formed in the forming furnace, the lever mechanism include: an arm member that has a pressure receiving portion that receives a force applied from the force generation source and corresponds to the force point, and a pressing portion that presses the support brick and corresponds to the action point; and a holding member that holds the arm member in a state that allows the arm member to swing around a fulcrum, the force generation source and the holding member are disposed outside the forming furnace, and the support brick or the arm member is disposed so as to straddle the inside and outside of the forming furnace through the opening portion.

[0015] In this way, both the force generation source and the holding member are disposed outside the forming furnace, and thus it is possible to avoid a situation in which both are damaged due to the action of heat.

[0016] In the above-described structure, it is preferable that the force generation source, the arm member, and the holding member be movable integrally with the forming furnace.

[0017] In this way, the forming furnace is moved while the state in which the support brick is pressed is maintained. Therefore, it is possible to easily perform position adjustment of the forming furnace during operation.

[0018] In the above-described structure, it is preferable that the force generation source be fixed to the pressure receiving portion in a manner that the force generation source is disposed between the outer surface of the forming furnace and the pressure receiving portion, and the glass forming apparatus be configured to press the outer surface of the forming furnace with an output portion of the force generation source and to apply a reaction force to the pressure receiving portion with the pressing.

[0019] In this way, the output portion of the force generating source presses the outer surface of the forming furnace, and the pressed portion of the arm member is pressed by the reaction force of the pressing, and the force received by the pressed portion is amplified by the lever mechanism and becomes the force for pressing the support brick (the force by which the pressed portion of the arm member presses the support brick). Also, in this configuration, the pressed portion of the arm member is fixed to the force generating source, so it is not necessary, for example, to install the force generating source to the forming furnace, and the structure of the apparatus can be simplified.

[0020] In the above configuration, it is preferable that the pressed portion of the arm member be disposed at a position higher than the pressing portion, and the center of gravity of the force generating source be located on the side opposite to the outer surface of the forming furnace with the fulcrum as a reference.

[0021] In this way, the weight of the force generating source can be effectively used to press the support brick. That is, (1) the pressed portion of the arm member is disposed at a position higher than the pressing portion, and (2) the center of gravity of the force generating source is located on the side opposite to the outer surface of the forming furnace with the fulcrum as a reference, so the torque of the force around the fulcrum generated by the weight of the force generating source can be used to press the support brick.

[0022] In the above configuration, it is preferable that the pressing portion be rotatable around an axis extending in parallel with the central axis of the swing of the arm member.

[0023] In this way, the pressing portion is rotatable around an axis extending in parallel with the central axis of the swing of the arm member, so the pressing portion swings in conjunction with the swing of the arm member, and the contact state of the pressing portion with the support brick can be appropriately maintained.

[0024] In the above configuration, it is preferable that the force generating source be disposed at a position higher than the support brick.

[0025] A roller for sandwiching the glass ribbon flowing from the formed body from both the front and back sides, and peripheral equipment thereof are generally disposed below the support brick. Therefore, in the case where the force generating source is disposed at a position lower than the support brick, it is easy to interfere with the roller and the peripheral equipment, so there is a risk that the structure of the apparatus becomes complicated in order to avoid the interference. However, if the force generating source is disposed at a position higher than the support brick, the above-mentioned risk can be reliably excluded.

[0026] In the above configuration, it is preferable that the support brick be disposed on both one end side and the other end side in the length direction of the formed body, and the pressing device be configured to press only one of the support bricks on both sides, and the other of the support bricks on both sides be unable to move with respect to the forming furnace.

[0027] In this way, the pressing device is configured to press only one of the support bricks on both sides, so the structure of the apparatus can be further simplified.

[0028] In the above structure, it is preferable that the glass forming apparatus be provided with a supply pipe that supplies the molten glass to the formed body from one end in the length direction of the formed body, and the pressing device be disposed on the opposite side to the supply pipe in the length direction of the formed body.

[0029] In this way, the pressing device is disposed on the opposite side to the supply pipe in the length direction of the formed body, so it is possible to avoid a situation in which the pressing device is damaged by the heat from the supply pipe and shortens the life. In addition, in a case in which the pressing device and the supply pipe are disposed on the same side in the length direction of the formed body, there is a risk that the structure of the equipment becomes complicated, but by being disposed on the opposite side, it is possible to reliably eliminate this risk. Furthermore, in the present structure, the molten glass is supplied to the formed body from the same side as the other support brick that cannot be moved with respect to the forming furnace (the same side in the length direction of the formed body) from the two support bricks described above. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a situation in which a gap is generated between the formed body and the supply pipe and the molten glass leaks out.

[0030] In the above structure, it is preferable that the force generation source be an actuator.

[0031] In this way, it is possible to easily apply the desired force to the force point, and it is possible to easily change the applied force. Therefore, it is possible to appropriately maintain the compressive stress that acts on the formed body.

[0032] In the above structure, it is also possible that the pressing device be provided with two or more of the lever mechanisms.

[0033] In this way, it is possible to further amplify the force applied to the force point, so it is possible to increase the pressing force imparted to the support brick.

[0034] Effects of Invention

[0035] According to the glass forming apparatus of the present application, even in a case in which the formed body is large, it is possible to cope with the suppression of creep deformation. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0036] Figure 1 is a side view that shows a glass forming apparatus of a first embodiment.

[0037] Figure 2 is a side view that shows a glass forming apparatus of a second embodiment.

[0038] Figure 3 is a perspective view that shows a pressing portion of an arm member of the glass forming apparatus of the second embodiment.

[0039] Figure 4 is a side view that shows a glass forming apparatus of a third embodiment.

[0040] Figure 5 This is a perspective view showing an enlarged view of the periphery of the pressure portion of the arm member of the glass forming apparatus of the third embodiment.

[0041] Figure 6 This is a side view showing the glass forming apparatus according to the fourth embodiment.

[0042] Figure 7 This is a side view showing the glass forming apparatus according to the fifth embodiment.

[0043] Figure 8 This is an exploded perspective view showing the lever mechanism of the glass forming apparatus of the fifth embodiment. Detailed Implementation

[0044] Hereinafter, the glass forming apparatus of the embodiments will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the X, Y, and Z directions shown in the drawings referred to in the description of the embodiments are mutually orthogonal. It should also be noted that the same reference numerals are used to denote corresponding components in each embodiment, thus sometimes omitting repeated descriptions. When only a part of the structure is described in each embodiment, the structures of other embodiments described earlier can be applied to the other parts of that structure. Furthermore, not only combinations of structures explicitly shown in the description of each embodiment, but also structures of multiple embodiments can be partially combined with each other even without explicit description, as long as there is no particular obstacle to combination.

[0045] <First Implementation Method>

[0046] like Figure 1 As shown, the glass forming apparatus 1 of the first embodiment (hereinafter referred to as forming apparatus 1) includes: a forming body 4, which forms a glass strip 3 from molten glass 2; a supply pipe 5, which supplies molten glass 2 to the forming body 4; a pair of support bricks 6 and 7, which support the forming body 4 in a state where the forming body 4 is sandwiched between one end side and the other end side in the longitudinal direction (X direction) of the forming body 4; a pressing device 8, which presses the support brick 6 of the two support bricks 6 and 7 toward the forming body 4; and a forming furnace 9, which houses the forming body 4 and the like inside.

[0047] The forming body 4 and two support bricks 6 and 7 are arranged inside the forming furnace 9. The forming furnace 9 includes: a metal frame 10 that holds the two support bricks 6 and 7; a refractory brick wall (not shown) that is arranged inside the frame 10 and is used to surround the forming body 4; and a heating device (not shown, for example, a panel heater) that is arranged between the frame 10 and the refractory brick wall in the state of being installed on the beam of the frame 10.

[0048] An opening portion 9a is formed in the forming furnace 9 so as to continue the inside and outside of the furnace. The opening portion 9a is formed at a position corresponding to the support brick 6, and a part of the surface of the support brick 6 is exposed at the opening portion 9a.

[0049] The shaped body 4 is a shaped body for overflow downdraw method having a wedge-shaped cross-sectional shape (the shape of a section orthogonal to the X direction). The shaped body 4 is composed of a refractory brick of dense zircon, alumina-based, zirconia-based, or the like.

[0050] After the molten glass 2 is caused to flow into a trough (not shown) formed in the upper portion of the shaped body 4, the molten glass 2 overflowing to both sides from the trough of the shaped body 4 is caused to flow down along a pair of side surfaces 4b, 4b (one of the pair is shown in the figure) of the shaped body 4, respectively. Thereafter, the molten glass 2 flowing down along the side surfaces 4b, 4b, respectively, is caused to join at a lower end portion 4c of the shaped body 4. Then, the glass ribbon 3 is formed from the molten glass 2 having joined at the lower end portion 4c. Figure 1

[0051] The dimension of the shaped body 4 in the lengthwise direction is, for example, 1500 mm to 6000 mm. The present forming apparatus 1 is particularly effective in the case of having a large-sized shaped body 4, and thus the preferable lower limit of the dimension of the shaped body 4 in the lengthwise direction is 2000 mm or more, 2500 mm or more, 3000 mm or more, 3500 mm or more, and particularly 4000 mm or more.

[0052] The supply pipe 5 supplies the molten glass 2 to the shaped body 4 from one end in the lengthwise direction of the shaped body 4.

[0053] The pair of support bricks 6, 7 each supports the end portion in the lengthwise direction of the shaped body 4 from below and presses the shaped body 4 from the side. In detail, both end portions in the lengthwise direction of the upper portion of the shaped body 4 are placed on the upper surfaces of the pair of support bricks 6, 7, thereby supporting the shaped body 4 in a standing state. In addition, the pair of support bricks 6, 7 each has a pressing surface S for pressing the shaped body 4, and presses the shaped body 4 from the side in a state where the pressing surface S is in surface contact with the end surface 4d in the lengthwise direction of the lower portion of the shaped body 4. Note that the pressing surfaces S of the two support bricks 6, 7 and the end surface 4d of the shaped body 4 are each a vertical plane, but can be an inclined surface, or can include a curved surface. The support brick 7 of the pair of support bricks 6, 7 is fixed in position so as not to move relative to the forming furnace 9. On the other hand, the support brick 6 is movable toward the shaped body 4 in conjunction with the pressing of the pressing device 8. More specifically, the support brick 7 is fixed to the frame 10, and the support brick 6 is held to the frame 10 so as to be movable in the lengthwise direction of the shaped body 4.

[0054] ​The pressing device 8 is arranged on the side opposite to the supply pipe 5 in the length direction of the shaped body 4. The pressing device 8 presses only the support brick 6 of the pair of support bricks 6, 7. Also, the pressing device 8 causes the compressive stress in the length direction to act on the shaped body 4 sandwiched by the two support bricks 6, 7 in conjunction with the pressing of the support brick 6. Thus, the creep deformation due to the dead weight of the shaped body 4 or the like is suppressed.

[0055] The pressing device 8 has a lever mechanism 11 that amplifies the force applied to the force point PI to act on the action point P2, and a cylinder 12 as an actuator that becomes the source of the force applied to the force point PI. Also, the pressing device 8 presses the support brick 6 using the force acting on the action point P2.

[0056] Here, in the present embodiment, the cylinder 12 as an actuator is used as the source of the force, but is not limited thereto. As a modification of the present embodiment, another actuator (for example, a hydraulic cylinder) can be used instead of the cylinder 12. In addition, a mechanical jack, a screw mechanism, or the like can be used as the source of the force.

[0057] The lever mechanism 11 includes an arm member 13 having a pressure receiving portion 13a and a pressing portion 13b, and a holding member 14 that holds the arm member 13 in a state in which the arm member 13 is allowed to swing about a fulcrum point P3.

[0058] The arm member 13 is a member that is longer in one direction extending in the up-down direction. The pressure receiving portion 13a on the lower end side of the arm member 13 is a portion that receives the force generated by the cylinder 12, and is a portion corresponding to the force point PI. On the other hand, the pressing portion 13b on the upper end side of the arm member 13 is a portion that presses the support brick 6, and is a portion corresponding to the action point P2. The pressing portion 13b of the arm member 13 contacts the support brick 6 in a point contact or a line contact. The distance LI from the fulcrum point P3 to the force point PI is longer than the distance L2 from the fulcrum point P3 to the action point P2. The distance LI can be, for example, 1.2 to 3.0 times the distance L2, whereby the force generated by the cylinder 12 can be amplified to 1.2 to 3.0 times and imparted to the support brick 6.

[0059] The holding member 14 is fixed to the side portion of the forming furnace 9 (the side portion of the frame 10). The holding member 14 has a rod body 14a that penetrates the arm member 13 in a state of extending in the Y direction, the rod body 14a becoming the center axis of the swing of the arm member 13 and also becoming the fulcrum point P3 of the lever mechanism 11.

[0060] The cylinder 12 is attached to an L-shaped attachment member 15 fixed below the forming furnace 9 (below the frame 10). The cylinder 12 presses the pressed portion 13a of the arm member 13 in conjunction with the operation. Specifically, the piston rod of the cylinder 12 presses the pressed portion 13a toward the direction away from the shaped body 4. The force applied to the force point PI in conjunction therewith is amplified by the lever mechanism 11 and then applied to the action point P2. Further, the pressed portion 13b of the arm member 13 is pressed against the support brick 6 under the action of the amplified force.

[0061] The lever mechanism 11 is provided with the holding member 14 and the cylinder 12 outside the forming furnace 9. On the other hand, the arm member 13 of the lever mechanism 11 is disposed so as to cross the inside and outside of the furnace through the opening portion 9a of the forming furnace 9. In detail, as for the pressed portion 13a of the arm member 13, the entire pressed portion 13a exists outside the forming furnace 9, and, on the contrary, at least the portion of the pressed portion 13b of the arm member 13 corresponding to the action point P2 enters the forming furnace 9.

[0062] Here, as a modification of the present embodiment, it is also possible to make a part of the support brick 6 protrude outside the forming furnace 9 through the opening portion 9a of the forming furnace 9, and the pressed portion 13b of the arm member 13 presses the protruding portion. In this case, the entire arm member 13 becomes in a state of existing outside the forming furnace 9.

[0063] The forming furnace 9 can be adjusted in position in the operation. When the position of the forming furnace 9 is adjusted, the cylinder 12, the arm member 13, and the holding member 14 can be moved integrally with the forming furnace 9. Thus, the movement of the forming furnace 9 can be easily performed.

[0064] Hereinafter, the main role and effects of the above-described forming apparatus 1 will be described.

[0065] In the above-described forming apparatus 1, the pressing apparatus 8 that presses the support brick 6 toward the shaped body 4 side has the lever mechanism 11 that amplifies the force applied to the force point PI and applies the amplified force to the action point P2, and the cylinder 12 that becomes the source of the force applied to the force point PI, and the pressing apparatus 8 presses the support brick 6 by the force applied to the action point P2. Therefore, in the case where the shaped body 4 is large, even if a large force needs to be applied to the action point P2 in order to suppress the creep deformation, the force that should be applied to the force point PI can be small in accordance with the amount of amplification by the lever mechanism 11. Thus, the output of the source of the force that should be applied, that is, the cylinder 12 can also be small. As a result, even in the case where the shaped body 4 is large, it is possible to cope with the suppression of the creep deformation.

[0066] Next, a glass forming apparatus of another embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that in the description of the other embodiment, as for elements substantially the same as those described in the first embodiment described above, the same reference numerals are used in the drawings referred to in the description of the other embodiment, and repeated description will be omitted.

[0067] <Second Embodiment>

[0068] As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the forming apparatus 1 of the second embodiment differs from the forming apparatus 1 of the first embodiment in that the pressing portion 13b of the arm member 13 is constituted by a plate-shaped member, the pressing portion 13b contacts the support brick 6 in a surface contact manner, the pressing portion 13b is rotatable about the shaft 16, and the opening portion 13c for weight reduction is formed in the arm member 13. Figure 2 Figure 3 As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the forming apparatus 1 of the second embodiment differs from the forming apparatus 1 of the first embodiment in that the pressing portion 13b of the arm member 13 is constituted by a plate-shaped member, the pressing portion 13b contacts the support brick 6 in a surface contact manner, the pressing portion 13b is rotatable about the shaft 16, and the opening portion 13c for weight reduction is formed in the arm member 13.

[0069] The arm member 13 has an intermediate portion 13d for allowing the rod body 14a provided to the holding member 14 to pass therethrough, an upper portion arm 13e for connecting the upper side of the intermediate portion 13d to hold the pressing portion 13b, and a lower portion arm 13f connected to the lower side of the intermediate portion 13d and having a pressure receiving portion 13a at the lower end.

[0070] The intermediate portion 13d is directly held to the holding member 14 via the rod body 14a.

[0071] The upper portion arm 13e has a pair of plate bodies 13ea, 13ea arranged apart from each other in the Y direction. Rectangular opening portions 13c are formed in the respective plate bodies 13ea, 13ea. The opening portions 13c are formed to have an area that can avoid breakage of the arm member 13 due to insufficient strength. The shaft 16 is in a state of extending in the Y direction to be erected at the upper end portions of the plate bodies 13ea, 13ea. The shaft 16 penetrates the pressing portion 13b. Thus, the pressing portion 13b is held rotatable between the plate bodies 13ea, 13ea. Note that the shaft 16 extends in parallel to the rod body 14a.

[0072] The pressing portion 13b is formed by a rectangular plate-shaped member. The end surface of the plate-shaped member constituting the pressing portion 13b is in surface contact with the support brick 6. The pressing portion 13b is rotatable about the shaft 16, and thus can appropriately maintain the surface contact of the pressing portion 13b with the support brick 6 even if the arm member 13 swings.

[0073] The rectangular opening portion 13c is formed in the lower portion arm 13f. The opening portion 13c is formed to have an area that can avoid breakage of the arm member 13 due to insufficient strength.

[0074] ​Here, as a modification of the present embodiment, the pressing portion 13b can be any shape as long as it can achieve surface contact with the support brick 6 and is rotatable about the shaft 16. Also, as the member constituting the upper portion arm 13e and the lower portion arm 13f, a hollow pipe, a ceramic porous body, or the like can be used for weight reduction.

[0075] <Third Embodiment>

[0076] As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the forming apparatus 1 of the third embodiment differs from the forming apparatus 1 of the first embodiment in that the configuration of the cylinder 12 is different, the pressing portion 13b of the arm member 13 has a convex curved surface that directly contacts the support brick 6, the pressing portion 13b is swingable about the shaft 17, the pressure receiving portion 13a of the arm member 13 is constituted by a cuboid-shaped member, and the pressure receiving portion 13a is rotatable about the shaft 18. Figure 4 Figure 5 The cylinder 12 is fixed to the upper side of the forming furnace 9 (the upper side of the frame 10). That is, the positional relationship is such that the cylinder 12 is disposed at a position higher than the support brick 6. Due to this, the positional relationship of the force point Pl and the action point P2 in the vertical direction is opposite to that of the first embodiment and the second embodiment.

[0077] The cylinder 12 is fixed to the upper side of the forming furnace 9 (the upper side of the frame 10). That is, the positional relationship is such that the cylinder 12 is disposed at a position higher than the support brick 6. Due to this, the positional relationship of the force point Pl and the action point P2 in the vertical direction is opposite to that of the first embodiment and the second embodiment.

[0078] The arm member 13 has a lower portion arm 13g that holds the pressing portion 13b and an upper portion arm 13h that holds the pressure receiving portion 13a.

[0079] The shaft 17 is provided at the lower end portion of the lower portion arm 13g. This shaft 17 penetrates the pressing portion 13b. Due to this, the pressing portion 13b is held in a swingable state at the lower end portion of the lower portion arm 13g. Note that the shaft 17 extends in parallel with the rod body 14a of the holding member 14. The convex curved surface provided to the pressing portion 13b is formed as a cylindrical surface or a spherical surface. By holding the pressing portion 13b in a swingable state and providing the convex curved surface to the pressing portion 13b, it is possible to prevent the corner portion of the pressing portion 13b from sinking into the support brick 6 due to the swing of the arm member 13, which would result in damage to the support brick 6.

[0080] The upper portion arm 13h has a pair of plate bodies 13ha and 13ha disposed apart in the Y direction. The shaft 18 is in a state of extending in the Y direction and being erected at the upper end portions of the two plate bodies 13ha and 13ha. This shaft 18 penetrates the pressure receiving portion 13a. Due to this, the pressure receiving portion 13a is held rotatable between the two plate bodies 13ha and 13ha. Note that the shaft 18 extends in parallel with the rod body 14a, like the shaft 17.

[0081] ​One face of the cuboid-shaped member constituting the pressure receiving portion 13a contacts the piston rod of the cylinder 12. Also, the pressure receiving portion 13a is able to rotate around the shaft 18, so that even if the arm member 13 swings, it is possible to appropriately maintain a state in which the piston rod is vertical to one face of the cuboid-shaped member.

[0082] <Fourth Embodiment>

[0083] As shown in Figure 6 , the main points in which the molding apparatus 1 of the fourth embodiment differs from the molding apparatus 1 of the first embodiment are that the cylinder 12 is fixed with respect to the pressure receiving portion 13a of the arm member 13, the positional relationship in the vertical direction of the pressure receiving portion 13a and the pressing portion 13b is reversed, the pressure receiving portion 13a is disposed at a position higher than the pressing portion 13b, and the pressing portion 13b is constituted by a disc body that is able to rotate around the shaft 19.

[0084] The end portion of the cylinder 12 (the end portion on the side opposite the front end of the piston rod) is fixed to the pressure receiving portion 13a of the arm member 13. The cylinder 12 is disposed between the pressure receiving portion 13a of the arm member 13 and the outer surface 9b of the molding furnace 9 (the side portion of the frame 10) at a position higher than the rod body 14a (fulcrum P3) possessed by the holding member 14.

[0085] The piston rod of the cylinder 12 becomes in contact with the outer surface 9b of the molding furnace 9. The piston rod extends in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the arm member 13, and the front end thereof (the portion directly contacting the outer surface 9b of the molding furnace 9) is formed into a convex curved surface.

[0086] The center of gravity of the cylinder 12 is located on the side opposite the outer surface 9b of the molding furnace 9 with respect to the rod body 14a (fulcrum P3) in the X direction. Due to this, the cylinder 12 generates a force moment around the rod body 14a in the clockwise direction (in the clockwise direction in Figure 6 ).

[0087] When the cylinder 12 is operated, the output portion thereof, that is, the piston rod, presses the outer surface 9b of the molding furnace 9. A force is applied to the pressure receiving portion 13a of the arm member 13 by the reaction force at this time. Also, the force received by the pressure receiving portion 13a is amplified by the lever mechanism 11 and becomes a force that presses the support brick 6. In addition to this, the support brick 6 is further pressed by the force moment generated by the weight of the cylinder 12 described above.

[0088] The shaft 19 is provided to the lower end portion of the arm member 13. This shaft 19 becomes the center of rotation of the disc body constituting the pressing portion 13b. Thus, at the lower end portion of the arm member 13, the pressing portion 13b is held so as to be able to rotate freely. Note that the shaft 19 extends in parallel with the rod body 14a possessed by the holding member 14.

[0089] <Fifth Embodiment>

[0090] As Figure 7 shown in the figure, the forming apparatus 1 of the fifth embodiment differs from the forming apparatus 1 of the fourth embodiment in that the lever mechanism 11 of the pressing device 8 is composed of the first lever mechanism 21 on the upper side and the second lever mechanism 22 on the lower side. The first lever mechanism 21 is provided with the first arm member 23 having the air cylinder 12 and the pressure receiving portion 13a (including the first force point Pla) at the upper end. In addition, the second lever mechanism 22 is provided with the second arm member 24 having the pressure receiving portion 13b (including the second force point P2b) at the lower end via the shaft 19.

[0091] The first fulcrum P3a of the first lever mechanism 21 is composed of the shaft protrusion 25 fixed to the lower end portion of the first arm member 23 and is disposed on the upper portion of the holding member 14. This shaft protrusion 25 does not pass through the second arm member 24. In addition, the first force point P2a of the first lever mechanism 21 is composed of the shaft 27 of the rod body supported at the intermediate portion in the vertical direction of the first arm member 23 and is inserted through the long hole 26 formed at the upper end portion of the second arm member 24.

[0092] The second fulcrum P3b of the second lever mechanism 22 is composed of the shaft 28 of the rod body disposed on the lower portion of the holding member 14 and supports the intermediate portion in the vertical direction of the second arm member 24. In addition, the second force point Plb of the second lever mechanism 22 is composed of the shaft 27 of the rod body already described. Thus, the shaft 27 of the rod body serves as both the first force point P2a of the first lever mechanism 21 and the second force point Plb of the second lever mechanism 22.

[0093] Based on Figure 8 The detailed structure of the lever mechanism 11 will be described. As shown in the figure, the first arm member 23 of the first lever mechanism 21 is provided with two first arm plates 23a arranged in parallel at a first prescribed interval. The shaft 27 of the rod body serving as both the first force point P2a and the second force point Plb is fixed across the two first arm plates 23a. The shaft protrusions 25 constituting the first fulcrum P3a are respectively protrusively provided on the outer sides 23aa of the two first arm plates 23a. These shaft protrusions 25 are respectively supported in the shaft holes 29 formed on the upper portion of the holding member 14.

[0094] The second arm member 24 of the second lever mechanism 22 has two second arm plates 24a arranged in parallel at a second prescribed interval that is smaller than the first prescribed interval. Long holes 26 that are long in the vertical direction are formed in the upper end portions of the two second arm plates 24a. The shaft 27 of the rod body is inserted through these long holes 26. The shaft 27 of the rod body is allowed to move relatively with respect to the length direction of the long holes 26 and is restricted from moving relatively with respect to the width direction that is orthogonal thereto. Shaft holes 30 are formed in the vertical direction intermediate portions of the two second arm plates 24a. The shaft 28 of the rod body that constitutes the second fulcrum P3b is supported to the lower portion of the holding member 14 and is inserted in these shaft holes 30.

[0095] The distance Lla from the first fulcrum P3a to the first force point Pla of the first lever mechanism 21 is, for example, 1.5 to 10 times the distance L2a from the first fulcrum P3a to the first action point P2a. On the other hand, the distance Llb from the second fulcrum P3b to the second force point Plb of the second lever mechanism 22 slightly varies in conjunction with the rotational movement of the first arm member 23, but is, for example, 1.5 to 10 times the distance L2b from the second fulcrum P3b to the second action point P2b.

[0096] Next, the effect of the molding apparatus 1 of the fifth embodiment having the above-described structure will be described. When the cylinder 12 is operated, the output portion of this cylinder 12, that is, the piston rod, presses the outer surface 9b of the molding furnace 9. A force is applied to the pressed portion 13a (the first force point Pla of the first lever mechanism 21) provided at the upper end of the first arm member 23 using the reaction force at this time. Further, the force received by the pressed portion 13a is amplified by the first lever mechanism 21 and a moment of force in the clockwise direction around the shaft protrusion 25 (the first fulcrum P3a of the first lever mechanism 21) is applied to the shaft 27 of the rod body (the first action point P2a of the first lever mechanism 21).

[0097] At this time, the force generated at the shaft 27 of the rod body (the second force point Plb of the second lever mechanism 22) is amplified by the second lever mechanism 22 and a moment of force in the clockwise direction around the shaft 28 of the rod body (the second fulcrum P3b of the second lever mechanism 22) is applied to the pressed portion 13b (the second action point P2b of the second lever mechanism 22) provided at the lower end of the second arm member 24. Thus, a pressing force is imparted to the support brick 6.

[0098] In the present embodiment, the force applied to the first force point Pla by the operation of the cylinder 12 is amplified 1.5 to 10 times by the first lever mechanism 21 and is further amplified 1.5 to 10 times by the second lever mechanism 22, and thus the support brick 6 is imparted from the second action point P2b. Thus, according to the molding apparatus 1 of the fifth embodiment, a stronger pressing force can be imparted to the support brick 6 compared to the case where a single lever mechanism is provided.

[0099] In the fifth embodiment, two lever mechanisms 21, 22 are provided, but three or more lever mechanisms can be provided.

[0100] Here, in each of the above embodiments, the following modification examples can also be applied.

[0101] In each of the above embodiments, the arm member 13 is configured to extend in the vertical direction, but is not limited thereto. As a modification example, the arm member 13 can be configured to extend in the horizontal direction, or can be configured to extend obliquely with respect to the vertical direction or the horizontal direction.

[0102] In each of the above embodiments, the pressing device 8 is configured to press only the support brick 6 of the pair of support bricks 6, 7, but is not limited thereto. As a modification example, the pressing device 8 can be configured to press only the support brick 7, or can be configured to press both of the pair of support bricks 6, 7 by providing the pressing device 8 (two pressing devices 8) corresponding to each of the pair of support bricks 6, 7.

[0103] In each of the above embodiments, the pressing device 8 is fixed to the forming furnace 9, but is not limited thereto. As a modification example, the holding member 14 of the pressing device 8 and the force generation source (cylinder 12) can be fixed to a building.

[0104] Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0105] 1 glass forming apparatus

[0106] 2 molten glass

[0107] 3 glass ribbon

[0108] 4 formed body

[0109] 5 supply pipe

[0110] 6 support brick

[0111] 7 support brick

[0112] 8 pressing device

[0113] 9 forming furnace

[0114] 9a opening portion

[0115] 9b outer surface

[0116] 11 lever mechanism

[0117] 12 cylinder (force generation source)

[0118] 13 arm member

[0119] 13a pressure receiving portion

[0120] 13b pressing portion

[0121] 14 holding member

[0122] 16 shaft

[0123] P1 force point

[0124] P2 action point

[0125] P3 fulcrum

[0126] 21 first lever mechanism

[0127] 22 second lever mechanism

[0128] 23 first arm member

[0129] 24 second arm member

[0130] 25 shaft protrusion

[0131] 27 shaft

[0132] 28 shaft

[0133] P1a first force point

[0134] P1b second force point

[0135] P2a first action point

[0136] P2b second action point

[0137] P3a first fulcrum

[0138] P3b second fulcrum

Claims

1. A glass forming apparatus comprising: a forming body formed of a glass ribbon by a down-draw method from a molten glass; a support block supporting an end portion of the forming body in a longitudinal direction from below and pressing the forming body from a side; a pressing device pressing the support block toward the forming body; and a forming furnace housing the forming body in an interior, wherein the glass forming apparatus is characterized in that the pressing device has a lever mechanism that amplifies a force applied to a force point and applies the force to an action point, and a force generation source that generates the force applied to the force point, the pressing device is configured to press the support block by the force applied to the action point, the lever mechanism has an arm member having a pressure receiving portion that receives the force applied from the force generation source and corresponds to the force point, and a pressing portion that presses the support block and corresponds to the action point, the force generation source is fixed to the pressure receiving portion in a manner that the force generation source is disposed between an outer surface of the forming furnace and the pressure receiving portion, the glass forming apparatus is configured to press the outer surface of the forming furnace by an output portion of the force generation source, and the pressure receiving portion is acted on by a reaction force of the pressing.

2. The glass forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an opening portion that makes the interior and the exterior of the furnace continuous is formed in the forming furnace, the lever mechanism further has a holding member that holds the arm member in a state that allows the arm member to swing around a fulcrum, the holding member is disposed outside the forming furnace, and the support block or the arm member is disposed in a manner that straddles the interior and the exterior of the forming furnace through the opening portion.

3. The glass forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the force generation source, the arm member, and the holding member are integrally movable with the forming furnace.

4. The glass forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the pressure receiving portion of the arm member is disposed at a position higher than the pressing portion, and a center of gravity of the force generation source is located on a side opposite to the outer surface of the forming furnace with the fulcrum as a reference.

5. The glass forming apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the pressing portion is rotatable around an axis extending in parallel with a central axis of the swing of the arm member.

6. The glass forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the force generation source is disposed at a position higher than the support block.

7. The glass forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the support block is disposed on both one end side and the other end side in the longitudinal direction of the forming body, the pressing device is configured to press only one of the support blocks on the both sides, and the other of the support blocks on the both sides is not movable relative to the forming furnace.

8. The glass forming apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising a supply pipe that supplies the molten glass to the forming body from one end in the longitudinal direction of the forming body. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ The pressing device is disposed on the side opposite to the supply tube in the length direction of the shaped body.

9. The glass forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein The force generating source is an actuator.

10. The glass forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein The pressing device has two or more lever mechanisms.

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