Glass plate manufacturing method and manufacturing device

Abstract

The invention provides a glass plate manufacturing method and a manufacturing device capable of stably cutting a glass ribbon for a long time. Comprises: a molding step for molding a glass ribbon (Gr) in a molding furnace (2); an annealing step for annealing the glass ribbon (Gr) in an annealing furnace (3); a scribing step of forming a scribing line (S) on the glass ribbon (Gr) in the cutting chamber (5); a breaking step of breaking the glass ribbon (Gr) along the scribe line (S) in the cutting chamber (5) to obtain a glass plate (Gp) of a predetermined size; and a cooling step of blowing a cooling gas (C1) to the glass ribbon (Gr) in a cooling chamber (4) before execution of the scribing step.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for manufacturing a glass plate. Background Art

[0002] As an example of a manufacturing device for a glass sheet, there can be cited the following manufacturing device for a glass sheet, which includes: a forming furnace that forms a glass ribbon from molten glass by a down-draw method; an annealing furnace that is connected to the bottom of the forming furnace and anneals the glass ribbon; a cooling chamber that is connected to the bottom of the annealing furnace and cools the glass ribbon; and a cutting chamber that is connected to the bottom of the cooling chamber and cuts the glass ribbon at predetermined lengths to obtain glass sheets.

[0003] In the cutting chamber, after a scoring line is formed in a glass ribbon by a scoring device, the glass ribbon is broken along the scoring line by a breaking device to obtain a glass sheet of a predetermined size (for example, see Patent Document 1).

[0004] Prior art literature

[0005] Patent Literature

[0006] Patent Document 1: International Publication No. 2020 / 129907 Summary of the invention

[0007] Problems to be solved by the invention

[0008] In recent years, in order to improve the production efficiency of glass sheets, there is a tendency to increase the flow rate of molten glass supplied to the forming furnace. With this, the conveying speed of the glass ribbon on the downstream side of the forming furnace increases, and the heat brought into the cooling chamber and the cutting chamber by the glass ribbon per unit time also increases.

[0009] When the amount of heat brought in by the glass ribbon increases, the glass ribbon cannot be sufficiently cooled in the conventional cooling chamber, and the insufficiently cooled glass ribbon is carried into the cutting chamber. Therefore, when forming the scribed line, the cutter of the scriber contacts the insufficiently cooled glass ribbon. However, the cutter of the scriber is often made of a material with low heat resistance, such as a diamond bit. As a result, there is a problem that the cutter of the scriber wears due to heat and the sharpness immediately decreases, and the scribed line cannot be properly formed on the glass ribbon. Furthermore, if the scribed line is poorly formed in this way, the glass ribbon is easily cut poorly (poorly broken) when it is broken by the breaking device.

[0010] An object of the present invention is to cut a glass ribbon stably over a long period of time.

[0011] Solutions to Solve Problems

[0012] (1) The present invention made in order to solve the above-mentioned problems is a method for manufacturing a glass sheet, comprising: a forming step of forming a glass ribbon; an annealing step of annealing the glass ribbon in an annealing furnace; a scoring step of forming a score line on the glass ribbon; and a breaking step of breaking the glass ribbon along the score line to obtain a glass sheet of a specified size, wherein the method for manufacturing a glass sheet includes a cooling step of blowing a first cooling gas to the glass ribbon before performing the scoring step.

[0013] Thus, in the scribing step, the scribed line can be formed on the glass ribbon that has been sufficiently cooled by blowing the first cooling gas. Therefore, the blade of the scribing device for forming the scribed line is less likely to be worn by heat, and the glass ribbon can be stably cut for a long time.

[0014] (2) In the configuration of (1) above, it is preferred that the first cooling gas is blown toward both surfaces of the glass ribbon.

[0015] In this manner, the glass ribbon can be efficiently cooled by the first cooling gas.

[0016] (3) In the configuration of (1) or (2) above, preferably, the temperature of the first cooling gas is 25° C. or less.

[0017] In this manner, the glass ribbon can be efficiently cooled by the first cooling gas.

[0018] (4) In any one of the above structures (1) to (3), it is preferred that the scoring step and the breaking step are performed in a cutting chamber, and the cooling step is performed in a cooling chamber which is provided upstream of the cutting chamber and downstream of the annealing furnace and communicates with the cutting chamber.

[0019] Thus, the cooling chamber for blowing the first cooling gas to the glass ribbon and the cutting chamber for cutting the glass ribbon are different chambers. Therefore, when blowing the first cooling gas, foreign matter (particles) is less likely to adhere to the glass ribbon, and the glass ribbon can be kept clean.

[0020] (5) In the configuration of (4) above, it is preferred that, in the cooling step, the first cooling gas has a flow along the glass ribbon from the cooling chamber toward the cutting chamber.

[0021] In this way, the direction in which the glass ribbon is conveyed becomes the same direction as the flow direction of the first cooling gas. Therefore, the time in which the glass ribbon is in contact with the first cooling gas can be lengthened, and the glass ribbon can be cooled efficiently.

[0022] (6) In the configuration of (5) above, it is preferred that the first cooling gas is blown toward the glass ribbon at a position close to the cutting chamber in the cooling chamber.

[0023] In this manner, the first cooling gas is blown near the cutting chamber, so that an airflow from the cooling chamber toward the cutting chamber is easily generated.

[0024] (7) In the configuration of (5) or (6) above, in the cooling step, the first cooling gas sucked and cooled from the cutting chamber may be blown toward the glass ribbon in the cooling chamber.

[0025] This makes it easier to generate an airflow from the cooling chamber toward the shutoff chamber.

[0026] (8) In any one of the above-mentioned structures (1) to (7), it is preferable that the first cooling gas is blown toward the glass ribbon after passing through a filter.

[0027] In this manner, when the first cooling gas is blown, foreign matter is less likely to adhere to the glass ribbon.

[0028] (9) In any one of the above structures (4) to (8), it is preferable that the second cooling gas is supplied into the cutoff chamber from a gas supply port provided in the cutoff chamber.

[0029] In this way, the room temperature in the cutting chamber can be lowered by the second cooling gas. Therefore, the glass ribbon can be further cooled in the cutting chamber. As a result, the blade of the scribing device is less likely to be worn due to heat.

[0030] (10) In the configuration of (9) above, the second cooling gas sucked and cooled from the cutting chamber may be supplied to the cutting chamber.

[0031] In this way, the room temperature in the cutoff room can be adjusted efficiently.

[0032] (11) In the configuration of (9) or (10) above, it is preferred that the second cooling gas is supplied into the shutoff chamber after passing through a filter.

[0033] In this way, the cleanliness of the gas in the cutoff chamber can be improved, and adhesion of foreign matter to the glass ribbon or the glass plate can be reduced.

[0034] (12) In any one of the above-mentioned structures (1) to (11), it is preferable that the thickness of the glass ribbon is 0.3 mm or more and 0.7 mm or less.

[0035] In this manner, a glass plate that can be suitably used as a cover glass, a substrate, or the like of various electronic terminals and display devices can be obtained.

[0036] (13) The present invention made in order to solve the above-mentioned problems is a glass sheet manufacturing device, comprising: a forming furnace that forms a glass ribbon; an annealing furnace that anneals the glass ribbon; a scoring device that forms a scoring line on the glass ribbon; and a breaking device that breaks the glass ribbon along the scoring line to obtain a glass sheet of a specified size. The glass sheet manufacturing device is characterized in that the glass sheet manufacturing device comprises a cooling device that blows a first cooling gas toward the glass ribbon before forming the scoring line using the scoring device.

[0037] In this way, the same effects as those of the corresponding structures described above can be achieved.

[0038] Effects of the Invention

[0039] According to the present invention, a glass ribbon can be cut stably over a long period of time. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0040] Figure 1 It is a longitudinal sectional side view which shows the manufacturing apparatus of the glass plate which concerns on embodiment of this invention.

[0041] Figure 2 It is a longitudinal sectional front view which shows the manufacturing apparatus of the glass plate which concerns on embodiment of this invention.

[0042] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 I-I section view.

[0043] Description of Reference Numerals

[0044] 1 Manufacturing equipment

[0045] 2 Forming furnace

[0046] 3 Annealing furnace

[0047] 4 Cooling chamber

[0048] 5 Cutting chamber

[0049] 5a First cutting chamber

[0050] 5b Second cutting chamber

[0051] 9 formed body

[0052] 15 First cutting device

[0053] 16 Scratching device

[0054] 17 Breaking device

[0055] 24 Second cutting device

[0056] 25 Recovery Room

[0057] 27 Cooling device

[0058] 28. First cooling device

[0059] 29 Second cooling device

[0060] 30 Main body

[0061] 31 Piping

[0062] 32 Air supply port

[0063] 33 Air supply port

[0064] 34 Air supply port

[0065] 35 Filters

[0066] 36 Main body

[0067] 37 Piping

[0068] 38 Air supply port

[0069] 39 Filters

[0070] C1 Cooling gas

[0071] C2 Cooling Gas

[0072] Gp Glass Plate

[0073] Gr Glass Ribbon

[0074] P1 Score line formation position

[0075] P2 fracture position

[0076] S Score line. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0077] Hereinafter, the embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that XYZ in the drawings is an orthogonal coordinate system. The X direction and the Y direction are horizontal directions, and the Z direction is a vertical direction. In addition, the X direction in the horizontal direction is sometimes referred to as the width direction.

[0078] (Glass plate manufacturing device)

[0079] like Figure 1 as well as Figure 2As shown in FIG. 1 , the glass sheet manufacturing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment includes: a forming furnace 2; an annealing furnace 3 located below the forming furnace 2; a cooling chamber 4 located below the annealing furnace 3; and a cutting chamber 5 located below the cooling chamber 4. The forming furnace 2 and the annealing furnace 3, the annealing furnace 3 and the cooling chamber 4, and the cooling chamber 4 and the cutting chamber 5 are separated by partition members (for example, the floor surface of a building) 6, 7, and 8 having openings (for example, slits) 6a, 7a, and 8a for the glass ribbon Gr to pass through, respectively. The glass ribbon Gr is sequentially conveyed to the forming furnace 2, the annealing furnace 3, the cooling chamber 4, and the cutting chamber 5, so that the upper side where the forming furnace 2 is arranged becomes the upstream side, and the lower side where the cutting chamber 5 is arranged becomes the downstream side. That is, the glass ribbon Gr is conveyed from the upper side to the lower side of the glass sheet manufacturing apparatus 1.

[0080] The forming furnace 2 is a region for forming a glass ribbon Gr from molten glass Gm by an overflow down-draw method. Arranged inside the forming furnace 2 are a forming body 9 for forming the glass ribbon Gr from the molten glass Gm and edge rollers 10 for cooling both ends of the glass ribbon Gr formed by the forming body 9 in the width direction.

[0081] A groove portion (overflow groove) 9a formed along the width direction is provided at the top of the forming body 9. A supply pipe 11 is connected to one end side of the groove portion 9a. Through the supply pipe 11, the molten glass Gm is supplied into the groove portion 9a.

[0082] The two outer side surfaces of the molded body 9 are respectively provided with a vertical surface 9b along the vertical direction and an inclined surface 9c connected to the bottom of the vertical surface 9b and inclined relative to the vertical direction. The vertical surface 9b is a plane parallel to each other. The inclined surface 9c is a plane inclined so as to approach each other as it goes downward. That is, the molded body 9 is formed with the inclined surface 9c, so that it has a wedge shape that becomes thinner at the front end when viewed from the side, and the corner where the inclined surface 9c intersects forms the lower end 9d of the molded body 9.

[0083] The edge roll 10 is configured as a pair of rolls that sandwich the respective ends of the glass ribbon Gr in the width direction below the forming body 9. The edge roll 10 is always internally cooled during the forming process. Therefore, the edge roll 10 is sometimes referred to as a cooling roll.

[0084] The annealing furnace 3 is a region for reducing the warpage and strain of the glass ribbon Gr. Annealing rollers 12 are arranged inside the annealing furnace 3. The annealing rollers 12 are configured as a pair of rollers that clamp both ends of the glass ribbon Gr in the width direction. The annealing rollers 12 are arranged in multiple stages along the conveying path of the glass ribbon Gr in the vertical direction.

[0085] The cooling chamber 4 is a region for cooling the glass ribbon Gr to near room temperature. Conveyor rollers 13 are arranged inside the cooling chamber 4. The conveyor rollers 13 are configured as a pair of rollers that clamp both ends in the width direction of the glass ribbon Gr. The conveyor rollers 13 are provided in multiple stages in the vertical direction.

[0086] The cutting chamber 5 is a region for cutting the glass ribbon Gr in the width direction at predetermined lengths to obtain a glass plate Gp. In the present embodiment, the cutting chamber 5 includes a first cutting chamber 5a and a second cutting chamber 5b located below the first cutting chamber 5a. The first cutting chamber 5a and the second cutting chamber 5b are separated by a partition member (e.g., a floor surface of a building) 14 having an opening (e.g., a slit) 14a through which the glass ribbon Gr can pass.

[0087] A first cutting device 15 is disposed inside the first cutting chamber 5 a. The first cutting device 15 includes a scoring device 16 and a breaking device 17 .

[0088] The scoring device 16 is a device for forming a scoring line S on the first main surface Ga of the glass ribbon Gr descending from the cooling chamber 4 at the scoring line forming position P1. In the present embodiment, the scoring device 16 includes a cutter (e.g., a cutter wheel) 18 for forming a scoring line S along the width direction on the first main surface Ga of the glass ribbon Gr; and a support member 19 (e.g., a support rod, a support roller) for supporting the second main surface Gb of the glass ribbon Gr at a position corresponding to the cutter 18. The cutter 18 and the support member 19 are configured to form the scoring line S on the entire region or a part of the width direction of the first main surface Ga of the glass ribbon Gr while following the glass ribbon Gr that continuously moves downward. Specifically, for example, the cutter 18 moves obliquely downward while contacting the first main surface Ga of the descending glass ribbon Gr in order to form a linear scoring line S along the width direction of the glass ribbon Gr.

[0089] The breaking device 17 is a device for breaking the glass ribbon Gr along the score line S at the breaking position P2 set below the score line forming position P1 to cut out the glass plate Gp. In the present embodiment, the breaking device 17 includes: a breaking member 20 that contacts the area where the score line S is formed from the second main surface Gb side; and a holding mechanism 21 that holds the lower area of ​​the glass ribbon Gr at a position lower than the breaking position P2. The breaking member 20 is composed of a plate-like body having a contact surface that contacts the entire area or a part of the width direction of the second main surface Gb of the glass ribbon Gr. The holding mechanism 21 includes: a chuck 22 that is provided at multiple locations in the up-down direction at both ends in the width direction of the glass ribbon Gr; and an arm 23 that holds the above-mentioned multiple chucks 22 at both ends in the width direction.

[0090] The breaking member 20 and the holding mechanism 21 perform the following actions. First, after the plurality of chucks 22 hold the glass ribbon Gr, the arm 23 moves the plurality of chucks 22 to follow the descent of the glass ribbon Gr. At this time, the breaking member 20 also moves to follow the lower side of the glass ribbon Gr. During these movements, the arm 23 performs an action to bend the glass ribbon Gr with the breaking member 20 as a fulcrum. Thus, bending stress is applied to the score line S and the vicinity thereof, and the glass ribbon Gr is broken in the width direction along the score line S. As a result of the cutting caused by the breaking, a glass sheet Gp is ​​cut out from the glass ribbon Gr.

[0091] A second cutting device 24 is disposed inside the second cutting chamber 5b. The second cutting device 24 is a device for cutting and recovering the continuously formed glass ribbon Gr when the first cutting device 15 cannot be used due to maintenance or the like. It should be noted that a recovery chamber 25 for recovering the glass cut by the second cutting device 24 is provided below the second cutting chamber 5b. The second cutting chamber 5b and the recovery chamber 25 are separated by a partition member (e.g., a floor surface of a building) 26 having an opening (e.g., a slit) 26a for allowing the cut glass to fall into the recovery chamber 25.

[0092] Here, when the glass ribbon Gr is not sufficiently cooled, the cutter 18 of the scoring device 16 wears out prematurely. As a result, the scoring line S cannot be properly formed and the cutting of the glass ribbon Gr cannot be stably continued. Therefore, the manufacturing device 1 further includes a cooling device 27 to sufficiently cool the glass ribbon Gr. In this embodiment, the cooling device 27 includes a first cooling device 28 and a second cooling device 29.

[0093] The first cooling device 28 includes a main body 30 , a pipe 31 , air supply ports 32 , 33 , 34 , and a filter 35 .

[0094] In the present embodiment, the main body 30 is disposed in the second cutting chamber 5b. The main body 30 is constituted by, for example, an air conditioner, and forms the cooling gas C1 by sucking and cooling the gas A1 in the second cutting chamber 5b. That is, the cooling gas C1 is air. The temperature of the cooling gas C1 is, for example, preferably 12°C or more and 25°C or less. The upper limit of the temperature of the cooling gas C1 is more preferably 23°C or less, and further preferably 20°C or less.

[0095] The pipe 31 is used to circulate the cooling gas C1 formed by the main body 30 inside, and extends from the second cutting chamber 5b to the cooling chamber 4 via the first cutting chamber 5a. In the present embodiment, the front end of the pipe 31 is branched into a first branch pipe 31a extending toward the first main surface Ga side of the glass ribbon Gr and a second branch pipe 31b extending toward the second main surface Gb side in the first cutting chamber 5a.

[0096] The gas supply ports 32 , 33 , and 34 are provided in the pipe 31 , and are used to supply the cooling gas C1 flowing through the pipe 31 to the outside.

[0097] The air supply port 32 provided in the middle part of the distribution pipe 31 is located in the first cutting chamber 5a. The air supply port 32 supplies cooling gas (equivalent to the second cooling gas) C1 into the first cutting chamber 5a at a position separated from the glass ribbon Gr in the first cutting chamber 5a. That is, the cooling gas C1 supplied from the air supply port 32 is not directly blown to the glass ribbon Gr in the first cutting chamber 5a, but is mainly used to adjust the temperature in the first cutting chamber 5a. It should be noted that the position of the air supply port 32 is not particularly limited as long as it is in the first cutting chamber 5a. For example, the air supply port 32 can also be provided in the middle position in the height direction of the first cutting chamber 5a, but in the present embodiment, it is provided at the top of the first cutting chamber 5a. In addition, the number of the air supply ports 32 can also be multiple, but in the present embodiment, it is one.

[0098] The gas supply ports 33 and 34 provided at the front end portion of the pipe 31 are located in the cooling chamber 4. The gas supply ports 33 and 34 blow the cooling gas (corresponding to the first cooling gas) C1 toward the glass ribbon Gr in the cooling chamber 4.

[0099] In detail, the cooling gas C1 supplied from the gas supply port 33 provided in the first branch pipe 31a is blown toward the first main surface Ga of the glass ribbon Gr where the score line S is formed. On the other hand, the cooling gas C1 supplied from the gas supply port 34 provided in the second branch pipe 31b is blown toward the second main surface Gb of the glass ribbon Gr where the score line S is not formed. The lower limit value of the surface temperature of the glass ribbon Gr when the cooling gas C1 is blown toward the glass ribbon Gr is preferably 100°C or more, more preferably 120°C or more, and further preferably 140°C or more. The upper limit value of the surface temperature of the glass ribbon Gr when the cooling gas C1 is blown toward the glass ribbon Gr is preferably 240°C or less, more preferably 220°C or less, and further preferably 200°C or less. In the present embodiment, as Figure 3As shown, a plurality of gas supply ports 33 and 34 are provided along the width direction of the glass ribbon Gr (three in the example shown in the figure), and the entire width direction region of the two main surfaces Ga and Gb of the glass ribbon Gr is cooled by the cooling gas C1. It should be noted that sometimes, ears Gy having a plate thickness greater than the width direction center Gx are formed at both ends of the glass ribbon Gr in the width direction. The ears Gy are difficult to be cooled because the plate thickness is greater than the width direction center Gx of the glass ribbon Gr. Therefore, when the cutter 18 of the scoring device 16 is used to form the scoring line S in the entire width direction of the glass ribbon Gr, it is preferable to directly blow the cooling gas C1 to the portion including the ears Gy. On the other hand, when the cutter 18 of the scoring device 16 is used to form the scoring line S only in the width direction center Gx of the glass ribbon Gr, it is preferable to directly blow the cooling gas C1 only to the width direction center Gx.

[0100] The positions of the air supply ports 33 and 34 are not particularly limited as long as they are in the cooling chamber 4, but in the present embodiment, they are located in the lower portion (near the opening 8a) of the cooling chamber 4. If the cooling gas C1 is supplied in the lower portion of the cooling chamber 4 in this way, it is easy to form an air flow F1 from the cooling chamber 4 toward the first cutting chamber 5a, so that foreign matter such as glass powder generated in the first cutting chamber 5a is unlikely to enter the cooling chamber 4.

[0101] The height position of the air supply port 33 may be different from the height position of the air supply port 34, but is preferably the same as the height position of the air supply port 34. If the air supply ports 33 and 34 are set at the same height position, the two main surfaces Ga and Gb of the glass ribbon Gr are pressed by the cooling gas C1 at the same height position at the same time. Therefore, even if the flow rate (air volume) of the cooling gas C1 blown is increased, it is possible to prevent the glass ribbon Gr from being improperly warped or swung.

[0102] Either of the air supply ports 33 and 34 may be omitted. When only one of the air supply ports 33 and 34 is provided, it is preferred to provide the air supply port 33 for blowing the cooling gas C1 toward the first main surface Ga of the glass ribbon Gr where the score line S is formed. However, from the viewpoint of efficiently cooling the portion of the glass ribbon Gr where the score line S is to be formed, it is preferred to provide both the air supply ports 33 and 34 and blow the cooling gas C1 toward both main surfaces Ga and Gb of the glass ribbon Gr.

[0103] The filter 35 is provided on the flow path of the piping 31 from the main body 30 to the air supply port 32 (the air supply port located closest to the main body 30), and removes foreign matter contained in the cooling gas C1 flowing in the piping 31. Thus, the cooling gas C1 with high cleanliness that has passed through the filter 35 can be supplied from the air supply ports 32, 33, and 34. That is, even if the cleanliness of the gas A1 sucked by the main body 30 in the second cutting chamber 5b is low, the cooling gas C1 with high cleanliness can be obtained by the filter 35. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the attachment of foreign matter to the glass ribbon Gr and the glass plate Gp. The filter 35 is composed of a high-performance filter such as a HEPA filter and a ULPA filter. In the present embodiment, the filter 35 is provided at a position separated from the air supply port 32 to the main body 30 side in the piping 31 (in the example shown, near the floor surface of the first cutting chamber 5a), but it can also be provided immediately before the air supply port 32. Alternatively, a filter may be separately provided immediately before each air supply port 32 , 33 , 34 .

[0104] The second cooling device 29 includes a main body 36, a pipe 37, an air supply port 38, and a filter 39. Unlike the first cooling device 28, the second cooling device 29 does not directly supply the cooling gas C2 into the cooling chamber 4.

[0105] In the present embodiment, the main body 36 is disposed in the second shutoff chamber 5b. The main body 36 is constituted by, for example, an air conditioner, and forms cooling gas C2 by sucking and cooling gas A2 in the second shutoff chamber 5b. That is, cooling gas C2 is air. The temperature of cooling gas C2 is, for example, preferably above 12°C and below 25°C. The upper limit of the temperature of cooling gas C2 is more preferably below 23°C, and further preferably below 20°C. The temperature of cooling gas C1 supplied by the first cooling device 28 and the temperature of cooling gas C2 supplied by the second cooling device 29 may be the same or different.

[0106] The flow rates of the cooling gas C1 supplied from the gas supply port 32 to the first cutting chamber 5a and the cooling gas C2 supplied from the gas supply port 38 to the first cutting chamber 5a can be set to, for example, 4000 m / s. 3 / hour and above and 25000m 3 The flow rates of the cooling gas C1 supplied from the gas supply port 32 to the first cutting chamber 5a and the cooling gas C2 supplied from the gas supply port 38 to the first cutting chamber 5a may be the same or different.

[0107] The pipe 37 allows the cooling gas C2 formed by the main body portion 36 to flow therein, and extends from the second shutoff chamber 5b to the first shutoff chamber 5a.

[0108] The air supply port 38 is provided in the piping 37, and is used to supply the cooling gas C2 flowing in the piping 37 to the outside. The air supply port 38 is provided in the first cutting chamber 5a. The air supply port 38 supplies the cooling gas (equivalent to the second cooling gas) C2 into the first cutting chamber 5a at a position separated from the glass ribbon Gr in the first cutting chamber 5a. It should be noted that the position of the air supply port 38 is not particularly limited as long as it is in the first cutting chamber 5a. For example, the air supply port 38 may also be provided at the middle position in the height direction of the first cutting chamber 5a, but in the present embodiment, it is provided at the top of the first cutting chamber 5a. In addition, the number of the air supply ports 38 may also be one, but in the present embodiment, it is a plurality (two in the example shown in the figure).

[0109] The filter 39 is provided on the flow path of the piping 37 from the main body 36 to the air supply port 38 (the air supply port located closest to the main body 30), and removes foreign matter contained in the cooling gas C2 flowing in the piping 37. The filter 39 is composed of a high-performance filter such as a HEPA filter or a ULPA filter. In the present embodiment, the filter 39 is provided at a position in the piping 37 that is separated from the air supply port 38 to the main body 36 side (in the example shown in the figure, near the floor surface of the first cutting chamber 5a), but it may also be provided immediately before the air supply port 38.

[0110] (Method for manufacturing glass plate)

[0111] The manufacturing method of the glass sheet of this embodiment is performed using the manufacturing apparatus 1 having the above-mentioned structure. This manufacturing method includes a forming step, an annealing step, a cooling step, and a cutting step.

[0112] In the forming process, in the forming furnace 2, molten glass Gm is supplied to the groove 9a of the forming body 9, and the molten glass Gm overflowing from the groove 9a to both sides flows down along the vertical surface 9b and the inclined surface 9c and merges again at the lower end 9d. Thus, the glass ribbon Gr is continuously formed from the molten glass Gm. The plate thickness of the glass ribbon Gr is preferably 0.3 mm or more and 0.7 mm or less. If the glass plate Gp cut from such a glass ribbon Gr can be appropriately used as a cover glass, substrate, etc. of various electronic terminals and display devices.

[0113] In the annealing step, in the annealing furnace 3 , the glass ribbon Gr is annealed while being conveyed downward by the annealing rollers 12 .

[0114] In the cooling step, the glass ribbon Gr is cooled to near room temperature in the cooling chamber 4 while being conveyed downward by the conveying rollers 13 .

[0115] In the cutting step, in the first cutting chamber 5a, the glass ribbon Gr is cut along the width direction at predetermined lengths by the first cutting device 15, thereby obtaining a glass sheet Gp. Specifically, the cutting step includes a scoring step of forming a scoring line S in the glass ribbon Gr by the scoring device 16, and a breaking step of breaking the glass ribbon Gr along the scoring line S by the breaking device 17 to obtain the glass sheet Gp. It should be noted that the cutting step may also include a step of removing ears (corresponding to ears Gy of the glass ribbon Gr) at both ends in the width direction of the glass sheet Gp by a cutting device (not shown) after the glass sheet Gp is ​​cut out from the glass ribbon Gr.

[0116] Here, in order to sufficiently cool the glass ribbon Gr in the above-mentioned cooling process, cooling gas C1 is blown from the air supply ports 33 and 34 of the first cooling device 28 to the two main surfaces Ga and Gb of the glass ribbon Gr in the cooling chamber 4 before the execution of the scoring process. As a result, the glass ribbon Gr that reaches the scoring line forming position P1 in the first cutting chamber 5a is in a sufficiently cooled state. Therefore, even if the cutter 18 is brought into contact with the first main surface Ga of the glass ribbon Gr at the scoring line forming position P1 to form the scoring line S on the first main surface Ga, the cutter 18 is unlikely to be worn due to heat. As a result, the scoring line S can be appropriately formed, and the glass ribbon Gr can be stably cut for a long time.

[0117] In addition, by blowing the cooling gas C1 toward the glass ribbon Gr in the cooling chamber 4, at least a part of the cooling gas C1 becomes the airflow F1 from the cooling chamber 4 toward the first cutting chamber 5a along the glass ribbon Gr. As a result, the direction in which the glass ribbon Gr is conveyed becomes the same as the direction in which the cooling gas C1 (airflow F1) is conveyed, and the time in which the glass ribbon Gr is in contact with the cooling gas C1 becomes longer, so that the glass ribbon Gr can be efficiently cooled. In addition, the airflow F1 can be used to suppress the intrusion of foreign matter such as glass powder generated in the first cutting chamber 5a into the cooling chamber 4. Here, by blowing the cooling gas C1 toward the glass ribbon Gr at the lower part in the cooling chamber 4, the airflow F1 is more easily generated. This is because the vicinity of the opening 8a in the cooling chamber 4 is pressurized by the cooling gas C1 and the gas easily flows from the cooling chamber 4 to the first cutting chamber 5a. In addition, by supplying the cooling gas C1 obtained by sucking and cooling the gas A1 in the first cutting chamber 5a and / or the second cutting chamber 5b (in this embodiment, the second cutting chamber 5b) into the cooling chamber 4, the airflow F1 is more easily generated. This is because the cooling chamber 4 is pressurized and the first shutoff chamber 5a and / or the second shutoff chamber 5b are depressurized.

[0118] In the cooling process, cooling gases C1 and C2 are also supplied into the first cutting chamber 5a from the air supply ports 32 and 38 provided in the first cutting chamber 5a. In this way, the room temperature of the first cutting chamber 5a can be lowered by the cooling gases C1 and C2. Therefore, the cooling effect of the glass ribbon Gr can be improved. In addition, when the room temperature of the first cutting chamber 5a is too high, there is a risk that the grease of various machines arranged in the first cutting chamber 5a will liquefy and contaminate the glass ribbon Gr and the glass plate Gp, but this risk can be prevented. As a result, it is easy to keep the glass ribbon Gr and the glass plate Gp in a clean state. The room temperature of the first cutting chamber 5a is preferably above 18°C ​​and below 25°C. If it is in this temperature range, it also has the advantage that it is easy for operators in the first cutting chamber 5a to work.

[0119] In this embodiment, the cooling gases C1 and C2 sucked and cooled from the second cutting chamber 5b are supplied to the first cutting chamber 5a by the first cooling device 28 and the second cooling device 29. Therefore, it is easier to adjust the room temperature in the first cutting chamber 5a. In addition, since the first cutting chamber 5a is pressurized and the second cutting chamber 5b is depressurized, it is easy to form the airflow F2 from the first cutting chamber 5a to the second cutting chamber 5b.

[0120] In order to form an air flow F1 from the cooling chamber 4 toward the first cut-off chamber 5a, an air flow F2 from the first cut-off chamber 5a toward the second cut-off chamber 5b, and an air flow F3 from the second cut-off chamber 5b toward the recovery chamber 25, it is preferred to adjust the air pressure of each chamber 4, 5a, 5b, 25 in a manner that the air pressure decreases in the order of the cooling chamber 4, the first cut-off chamber 5a and the second cut-off chamber 5b.

[0121] In the cooling process, the cooling gas C1 passing through the filter 35 is supplied to the cooling chamber 4, so that the glass ribbon Gr can be kept clean. In addition, the cooling gases C1 and C2 passing through the filters 35 and 39 are supplied to the first cutting chamber 5a, so that the cleanliness of the gas in the first cutting chamber 5a can be improved.

[0122] In addition, although the embodiment of the present invention has been described, the embodiment of the present invention is not limited to this, and various modifications can be made within the scope not departing from the gist of the present invention.

[0123] In the above-mentioned embodiment, the cooling gas C1 is blown to the entire width direction of the glass ribbon Gr. However, the cooling gas C1 may be blown only to a partial width direction of the glass ribbon Gr, for example, to the width direction center portion Gx of the glass ribbon Gr.

[0124] In the above-mentioned embodiment, when the cooling gas C1 is blown toward the glass ribbon Gr from a plurality of air supply ports, the temperature and / or flow rate of the cooling gas C1 supplied from one cooling port may be different from the temperature and / or flow rate of the cooling gas C1 supplied from other cooling ports. For example, the temperature and / or flow rate of the cooling gas C1 supplied from each air supply port may be adjusted so that the ear portion Gy of the glass ribbon Gr is cooled more strongly than the center portion Gx in the width direction of the glass ribbon Gr. Alternatively, the temperature and / or flow rate of the cooling gas C1 supplied from each air supply port may be adjusted so that the first main surface Ga side of the glass ribbon Gr is cooled more strongly than the second main surface Gb side of the glass ribbon Gr.

[0125] In the above-mentioned embodiment, the case where the cooling gas C1 is blown toward the glass ribbon Gr in the cooling chamber 4 is described, but it is not limited thereto. As long as the blowing position of the cooling gas C1 is at or above (upstream of) the scoring line forming position P1 (strictly speaking, the position where the cutter 18 first contacts the glass ribbon Gr), for example, it may be in the first cutting chamber 5a.

[0126] In the above-mentioned embodiment, the case where the cooling gas C1 is continuously blown at a predetermined position on the continuously descending glass ribbon Gr to cool a wide range including the portion where the score line S is to be formed, is described, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the cooling gas C1 may be intermittently blown at a predetermined position on the continuously descending glass ribbon Gr to cool only the portion where the score line S is to be formed or a narrow range including the portion where the score line S is to be formed (for example, a linear region extending in the width direction including the portion where the score line S is to be formed).

[0127] In the above-mentioned embodiment, the cooling gases C1 and C2 are described as air, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The cooling gases C1 and C2 may be oxygen, nitrogen, dry air, etc., for example.

[0128] In the above-mentioned embodiment, the arrangement location of the main body 30, 36 of the cooling device 28, 29 is not particularly limited. For example, the main body 30, 36 may be arranged in the first cutting chamber 5a. In this case, the main body 30, 36 forms the cooling gas C1, C2 by sucking and cooling the gas in the first cutting chamber 5a.

[0129] In the above-described embodiment, a case where the cutting chamber 5 is divided into two, namely, the first cutting chamber 5 a and the second cutting chamber 5 b has been described. However, the second cutting chamber 5 b may be omitted.

[0130] In the above embodiment, the glass ribbon Gr is formed by the overflow down-draw method, but the forming method of the glass ribbon Gr is not particularly limited. For example, other down-draw methods such as the slot down-draw method and the re-draw method, the float method, etc. may be used as the forming method of the glass ribbon Gr.

[0131] In the above-mentioned embodiment, the cooling gas C1 is blown toward the glass ribbon in the cooling chamber 4 by the first cooling device 28, thereby generating the airflow F1 from the cooling chamber 4 toward the first cutting chamber 5a, but the present invention is not limited thereto. In addition to the first cooling device 28, a gas supply device for supplying gas into the cooling chamber 4 may be provided. The gas supply device may supply gas from a location other than the second cutting chamber 5b in the glass sheet manufacturing device 1, or may supply gas from outside the glass sheet manufacturing device 1. In addition, the gas supplied to the cooling chamber 4 by the gas supply device may be cooled by the gas supply device, or may not be cooled by the gas supply device.

Claims

1. A method for manufacturing a glass plate, comprising: Forming process, forming the glass ribbon; An annealing step, annealing the glass ribbon in an annealing furnace; a scoring step of forming a scoring line on the glass ribbon; and a breaking step of breaking the glass ribbon along the scoring line to obtain a glass sheet of a predetermined size. The method for manufacturing the glass plate is characterized in that: The method for manufacturing a glass sheet includes a cooling step of blowing a first cooling gas toward the glass ribbon before performing the scribing step.

2. The method for manufacturing a glass plate according to claim 1, wherein: The first cooling gas is blown toward both surfaces of the glass ribbon.

3. The method for producing a glass plate according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The temperature of the first cooling gas is 25° C. or lower.

4. The method for producing a glass plate according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The scribing step and the breaking step are performed in a cutting chamber, and the cooling step is performed in a cooling chamber which is provided on the upstream side of the cutting chamber and the downstream side of the annealing furnace and communicates with the cutting chamber.

5. The method for manufacturing a glass plate according to claim 4, wherein: In the cooling step, the first cooling gas has a flow along the glass ribbon from the cooling chamber toward the cutting chamber.

6. The method for manufacturing a glass plate according to claim 5, wherein: The first cooling gas is blown toward the glass ribbon at a position close to the cutting chamber in the cooling chamber.

7. The method for manufacturing a glass plate according to claim 5, wherein: In the cooling step, the first cooling gas sucked from the cutting chamber and cooled is blown toward the glass ribbon in the cooling chamber.

8. The method for manufacturing a glass plate according to claim 7, wherein: The first cooling gas is blown toward the glass ribbon after passing through a filter.

9. The method for manufacturing a glass plate according to claim 4, wherein: A second cooling gas is supplied into the cutting chamber from a gas supply port provided in the cutting chamber.

10. The method for manufacturing a glass plate according to claim 9, wherein: The second cooling gas sucked and cooled from the cutting chamber is supplied to the cutting chamber.

11. The method for manufacturing a glass plate according to claim 10, wherein: The second cooling gas is supplied into the shutoff chamber after passing through a filter.

12. The method for producing a glass plate according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The glass ribbon has a thickness of 0.3 mm to 0.7 mm.

13. A glass sheet manufacturing device, comprising: a forming furnace for forming a glass ribbon; an annealing furnace for annealing the glass ribbon; a scoring device for forming a score line on the glass ribbon; and a breaking device for breaking the glass ribbon along the score line to obtain a glass sheet of a predetermined size, The glass sheet manufacturing device is characterized in that: The glass sheet manufacturing apparatus includes a cooling device that blows a first cooling gas toward the glass ribbon before the scoring line is formed by the scoring device.

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