Glass plate manufacturing method and manufacturing device

Abstract

The manufacturing method of the glass plate comprises a breaking step (P2) of breaking a glass plate (G) which is set to be in a longitudinal posture and is provided with a scribe line (S) extending along the longitudinal direction on the surface (Ga) side so as to break a first region (G1) and a second region (G2) which are adjacent in the transverse direction by taking the scribe line (S) as a boundary. The method also includes a preparation step (P1) in which the glass plate (G) before breaking is bent so that the shape of the surface (Ga) becomes a convex curved surface in a cross section parallel to the transverse direction, and a breaking step (P2) is performed on the bent glass plate (G) after the preparation step (P1).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a technique for breaking a glass sheet in a vertical position along a score line extending in the vertical direction. Background Art

[0002] As a method for manufacturing a glass sheet, there is a method using a down-draw method represented by an overflow down-draw method, a slot down-draw method, a redraw method, etc. As an example of a manufacturing process of a glass sheet based on this method, the following manufacturing process can be mentioned.

[0003] First, a glass ribbon is continuously formed from molten glass. At this point, edges, known as ear portions, are formed at both ends of the glass ribbon in the width direction, thicker than the center. Next, the glass ribbon is cut along the width direction at predetermined intervals, continuously cutting out glass sheets, which will become the raw material for finished glass sheets. Unnecessary portions (portions that will not become finished products), including the ear portions, are then cut out of the cut glass sheets. The cut glass sheets are then subjected to various processes, such as grinding, polishing, and cleaning, to produce finished glass sheets.

[0004] When a glass sheet is manufactured using the down-draw method, the formed glass ribbon is in a longitudinal position. Therefore, to save space in the plane direction, a glass sheet cut from a longitudinal glass ribbon is sometimes conveyed in the longitudinal position, and unnecessary portions are cut out of the glass sheet along the conveyance path. Patent Document 1 discloses a method for cutting out unnecessary portions in this manner.

[0005] In the method disclosed in Patent Document 1, a glass sheet in a longitudinal orientation is first conveyed transversely and placed in a score-line forming area on a conveyance path. A score line is then formed longitudinally on the front surface of the glass sheet. Subsequently, a back support member is brought into contact with the back surface of the glass sheet at a position downstream of the score-line forming area. Using this member as a fulcrum, the periphery of the score line is bent so that the front surface becomes convex, thereby breaking the glass sheet along the score line and removing the unnecessary portion.

[0006] Prior art literature

[0007] Patent Literature

[0008] Patent Document 1: International Publication No. 2022 / 219922 Summary of the Invention

[0009] Problems to be solved by the invention

[0010] When a vertical glass sheet is broken, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, the end surface of the broken glass sheet may exhibit poor end surface properties, such as numerous glass peelings and microcracks. In view of this situation, a technical problem to be solved is to improve the end surface properties of a broken glass sheet when the vertical glass sheet is broken along a score line extending in the longitudinal direction.

[0011] Solutions to Problems

[0012] After extensive research, the inventors discovered that the factor that influences the quality of the end surface properties of a vertically positioned glass sheet after breaking along a longitudinally extending score line is the curvature of the glass sheet in a cross-section parallel to the transverse direction. Specifically, the inventors discovered that when the glass sheet is broken while the surface forming the score line forms a concave curved surface in a cross-section parallel to the transverse direction due to warping of the glass sheet, the end surface properties are poor. This is because the contact between the member (the back support member in Patent Document 1) that serves as the fulcrum for bending the glass sheet during breaking and the glass sheet is unstable. Furthermore, the inventors discovered that when the glass sheet is broken while the surface forming the score line forms a convex curved surface in a cross-section parallel to the transverse direction, the contact between the member (the back support member) and the glass sheet is stable, resulting in good end surface properties.

[0013] Based on the above insights, a method for manufacturing a first glass plate for solving the above-mentioned problem includes a breaking process of breaking a glass plate that is set in a vertical position and has a score line extending in the longitudinal direction formed on the surface side, thereby disconnecting a first area and a second area that are adjacent in the transverse direction with the score line as the boundary. The method for manufacturing the first glass plate is characterized in that the method for manufacturing the first glass plate also includes a preparation process of setting the glass plate before breaking to a bent state in such a manner that the shape of the surface in a cross section parallel to the transverse direction becomes a convex curved surface, and after the preparation process, the breaking process is performed on the glass plate in the bent state.

[0014] In a first glass sheet manufacturing method, when a glass sheet in a longitudinal position is broken along a score line extending in the longitudinal direction, a preparatory step is performed to bend the glass sheet before breaking so that its surface in a cross section parallel to the transverse direction forms a convex curved surface. Thus, in this manufacturing method, after the preparatory step has been performed to form the surface (surface) where the score line is formed into a convex curved surface in a cross section parallel to the transverse direction, the breaking step is performed to break the glass sheet. This stabilizes the contact between the member serving as a fulcrum for bending the glass sheet around the score line during breaking and the glass sheet, thereby improving the end surface properties of the broken glass sheet.

[0015] The second glass plate manufacturing method is based on the above-mentioned first glass plate manufacturing method, except that, in the preparation step, the glass plate is pressed from the back side by a pressing member.

[0016] In the second glass sheet manufacturing method, the glass sheet is pressed from the back side by the pressing member in the preparation step, so that the surface (surface) where the ruled lines are formed in the glass sheet can be smoothly and reliably made convexly curved in a cross section parallel to the transverse direction.

[0017] The third glass plate manufacturing method is based on the above-mentioned second glass plate manufacturing method, and is set as follows: the glass plate has the first region sandwiched in the middle and the second region on both sides in the horizontal direction. In the preparation step, the upper part of the glass plate is held by a holding member and the glass plate is suspended, and the lower part of the first region is pressed by a pressing member.

[0018] In the third glass sheet manufacturing method, during the preparatory step before breaking the glass sheet, the lower portion of the first region of the glass sheet suspended by the holding member is pressed by a pressing member. By pressing the lower portion of the first region with the pressing member, vibration originating from the lower portion of the glass sheet during breaking can be avoided, thereby preventing unstable breaking caused by the vibration.

[0019] The fourth glass sheet manufacturing method is based on the third glass sheet manufacturing method described above, wherein the first region includes a valid portion that becomes a product and an ineffective portion that does not become a product, and in the preparation step, the pressing member is brought into contact with only the ineffective portion of the valid portion and the ineffective portion.

[0020] In the fourth glass sheet manufacturing method, during the preparatory step, the pressing member contacts only the ineffective portion, which does not become a product, of the effective portion and the ineffective portion included in the first region of the glass sheet. Therefore, the pressing member does not contact the effective portion, which becomes a product. This effectively prevents damage to the effective portion and contamination of the effective portion, thereby protecting the effective portion.

[0021] The manufacturing method of the fifth glass plate is set as follows based on the manufacturing method of the third or fourth glass plate mentioned above: in the preparation process, when the supporting members support the one lateral end and the other lateral end of the first area from both the front and back sides respectively and the pressing member presses the lower part of the first area between the supporting member supporting the one lateral end and the supporting member supporting the other lateral end, the action of causing the supporting member to support the first area and the action of causing the pressing member to press the first area are synchronized.

[0022] In the fifth glass sheet manufacturing method, during the preparatory step, the operation of the support member supporting the first region is synchronized with the operation of the pressing member pressing the first region, thereby achieving a fixed timing of the operation of the support and pressing members. By fixing the timing of these operations, the timing of the contact between the pressing member and the first region can be easily adjusted, for example, simply by adjusting the relative position of the support member and the pressing member.

[0023] The sixth method for manufacturing a glass sheet is based on the method for manufacturing any one of the second to fifth glass sheets described above, wherein a pressing member is configured to extend in a transverse direction, and a curvature of a contact portion of the pressing member that contacts the glass sheet in a cross section parallel to the transverse direction can be adjusted.

[0024] In the sixth method for manufacturing a glass sheet, the curvature of the contact portion of the pressing member can be adjusted, and therefore the curvature of the surface of the glass sheet forming a convex curved surface can be easily changed.

[0025] A seventh method for manufacturing a glass sheet is the method for manufacturing any one of the first to sixth glass sheets, wherein in the preparation step, the glass sheet before breaking is bent so that the surface in a cross section parallel to the longitudinal direction has a convex curved surface.

[0026] In the seventh glass sheet manufacturing method, as the preparation step is performed, the surface (surface) where the scribed lines are formed becomes a convex curved surface in a cross section parallel to the longitudinal direction. This stabilizes the starting point of the break in the breaking step near the center of the glass sheet in the longitudinal direction.

[0027] Based on the above insights, an eighth method for manufacturing a glass plate for solving the above-mentioned problems includes a breaking step of breaking a glass plate that is set in a vertical position and has a score line extending in the longitudinal direction formed on the surface side, thereby separating a first region and a second region that are adjacent in the transverse direction with the score line as a boundary. The eighth method for manufacturing a glass plate is characterized in that the glass plate sandwiches the first region in the middle in the transverse direction and has the second region on both sides. The eighth method for manufacturing a glass plate also includes a preparation step for setting the glass plate in a state for breaking. After the preparation step, the bending glass plate is subjected to a breaking step. In the preparation step, the upper part of the glass plate is held by a holding member, the glass plate is suspended, and the lower part of the first region is pressed from the back side by a pressing member.

[0028] In the eighth glass sheet manufacturing method, when breaking a glass sheet in a longitudinal position along a score line extending in the longitudinal direction, a preparatory step is performed before breaking by pressing the lower portion of a first region of the glass sheet suspended by a holding member from the back side. By pressing the lower portion of the first region, located between the second regions on either side in the lateral direction, from the back side, the surface (surface) where the score line is formed can be formed into a convex curved surface in a cross-section parallel to the lateral direction, allowing the glass sheet to be broken in the subsequent breaking step. Consequently, the contact between the member serving as the fulcrum for bending the glass sheet around the score line during breaking and the glass sheet is stabilized, improving the end surface quality of the broken glass sheet. Furthermore, in this manufacturing method, the lower portion of the first region of the glass sheet is pressed by the pressing member during the preparatory step before breaking the glass sheet. By pressing the lower portion of the first region with the pressing member, the generation of vibration originating from the lower portion of the glass sheet during breaking can be avoided, thereby preventing unstable breaking caused by such vibration.

[0029] Based on the above insights, a first glass plate manufacturing device for solving the above-mentioned problem includes a breaking mechanism for breaking a longitudinal glass plate having a scored line extending in the longitudinal direction formed on the surface side, thereby disconnecting a first region and a second region adjacent in the transverse direction with the scored line as the boundary. The first glass plate manufacturing device is characterized in that the breaking mechanism includes a bending mechanism for bending the glass plate before breaking so that the shape of the surface in a cross section parallel to the transverse direction becomes a convex curved surface.

[0030] In the manufacturing apparatus of the first glass sheet, the same operations and effects as those of the above-mentioned manufacturing method of the first glass sheet can be obtained.

[0031] Based on the above insights, a second glass plate manufacturing device for solving the above-mentioned problems includes a breaking mechanism for breaking a vertical glass plate having a longitudinally extending score line formed on the surface side, thereby disconnecting a first region and a second region adjacent to each other in the transverse direction with the score line as the boundary. The second glass plate manufacturing device is characterized in that the glass plate sandwiches the first region in the transverse direction and has the second region on both sides, and the breaking mechanism includes a holding member for holding the upper part of the glass plate and suspending the glass plate, and a pressing member for pressing the lower part of the first region from the back side.

[0032] In the manufacturing apparatus of the second glass sheet, the same operations and effects as those of the manufacturing method of the eighth glass sheet described above can be obtained.

[0033] Effects of the Invention

[0034] According to the method and apparatus for manufacturing a glass sheet of the present invention, when a vertical glass sheet is broken along a score line extending in the longitudinal direction, the end surface properties of the broken glass sheet can be improved. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0035] Figure 1 It is a front view showing the manufacturing apparatus of a glass plate.

[0036] Figure 2 It shows Figure 1 Cross-sectional view of section A-A in FIG.

[0037] Figure 3 It shows Figure 1 A cross-sectional view showing a point in time before the preparation step is performed is taken along the BB section in FIG.

[0038] Figure 4 It is a cross-sectional view showing a point in time during the execution of the preparation process.

[0039] Figure 5 It is a plan view showing the curvature imparting mechanism.

[0040] Figure 6 It is a cross-sectional view showing the breaking step. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0041] The following describes a method and apparatus for manufacturing a glass sheet according to an embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the X, Y, and Z directions shown in the drawings referenced in the description of the embodiment are mutually orthogonal. The Y direction coincides with the vertical direction.

[0042] exist Figure 1 FIG. 1 shows a glass sheet manufacturing apparatus 1 (hereinafter referred to as manufacturing apparatus 1). In a glass sheet manufacturing method using this manufacturing apparatus 1, a breaking step P2 (see FIG. 2 ) is performed to break a glass sheet G having a longitudinal orientation and having a scribed line S extending in the longitudinal direction (Y direction) formed on the surface Ga side. Figure 6 This manufacturing method includes the above-mentioned breaking step P2 and a preparation step P1 for setting the glass sheet G in a state for breaking (see Figure 4 ), and after the preparation step P1, the breaking step P2 is performed to break the glass sheet G. In the preparation step P1, the glass sheet G before breaking is bent so that the shape of the surface Ga in a cross section parallel to the transverse direction (X direction) becomes a convex curved surface.

[0043] The glass sheets G to be broken are continuously cut from a glass ribbon formed by a down-draw method (e.g., an overflow down-draw method) by cutting the glass ribbon at predetermined length intervals. A plurality of glass sheets G cut from the glass ribbon are sequentially fed into the manufacturing apparatus 1 and broken.

[0044] The glass sheet G has a rectangular shape. The transverse dimension of the glass sheet G is, for example, 1500 mm to 3500 mm, and the longitudinal dimension is, for example, 1500 mm to 3500 mm. Ears Gx are formed at each transverse end of the glass sheet G during the forming of the glass ribbon. The ear portions Gx are thicker than the rest of the glass sheet G. The glass sheet G is flexible. As an example, the thickness of the glass sheet G (excluding the ear portions Gx) is 150 μm to 2000 μm.

[0045] Score lines S are formed on one and one of the other lateral sides of the glass sheet G. The score lines S form the boundary between a first region G1 and a second region G2 included in the glass sheet G. The first and second regions G1 and G2 are adjacent in the lateral direction, sandwiching the score lines S. In this embodiment, the glass sheet G has a second region G2 on either side, sandwiching the first region G1 in the lateral direction. The first and second regions G1 and G2 are separated during the breaking step P2, and the second region G2 is discarded as an unnecessary portion. The lateral dimension of the second region G2 is, for example, not less than 20 mm and not more than 700 mm.

[0046] The first region G1 of the glass sheet G includes an effective portion G1a which is a portion that will later become a finished glass sheet and an ineffective portion G1b which is a portion that will not become a finished glass sheet and is removed. Figure 1 In the figure, the boundary between the effective portion G1a and the ineffective portion G1b is indicated by a double-dashed line. The effective portion G1a is located in the center of the first region G1, and the ineffective portion G1b is arranged to surround the effective portion G1a. The ineffective portion G1b is cut and removed in a later process. The width of the ineffective portion G1b is, for example, less than 200 mm. Meanwhile, the glass sheet formed by the effective portion G1a cut out in a later process is divided into multiple glass sheets by cutting as needed. Furthermore, the glass sheet formed by the effective portion G1a undergoes end surface processing using a grindstone, cleaning, inspection, and other processes to become a finished glass sheet. Such finished glass sheets are used, for example, as glass substrates for displays.

[0047] The manufacturing apparatus 1 includes a breaking mechanism 2 for executing a preparation step P1 and a breaking step P2 .

[0048] The breaking mechanism 2 includes as its main components: a holding member 3, which holds the upper part (upper edge) of the glass plate G and suspends the glass plate G; a supporting member 4, which supports one lateral end portion and the other lateral end portion of the first region G1 from both the front and back sides, respectively; a bending imparting mechanism 5, which is used to perform the preparation process P1; and a pressing member 6, which presses the second region G2 from the surface Ga side during the breaking process P2 after the preparation process P1 to bend the periphery of the scribed line S in a manner such that the surface Ga side becomes convex.

[0049] Multiple (three in this embodiment) holding members 3 are arranged along the upper portion of the first region G1 of the glass sheet G. In this embodiment, the holding members 3 are clamps that grip and hold the upper portion of the first region G1 from both the front and back sides. The clamps grip the inactive portion G1b of the first region G1. It should be noted that suction pads that attract and hold the upper surface Ga or back surface Gb of the first region G1 can also be used as the holding members 3. In this case, the suction pads attract and hold the inactive portion G1b of the first region G1.

[0050] Each of the plurality of holding members 3 is connected to a traveling body 7. The traveling body 7 is capable of traveling along a track (not shown) extending in the X direction. As the traveling body 7 travels along the track, the glass sheet G before the preparation step P1 is loaded into the manufacturing apparatus 1, and the first region G1 after the breaking step P2 (the glass sheet G from which the second region G2 has been cut) is unloaded from the manufacturing apparatus 1.

[0051] The support member 4 extends in the longitudinal direction and can support the entire longitudinal length of the first region G1. Figure 2 As shown, the support member 4 includes a fulcrum member 8 disposed on the back surface Gb side of the glass plate G and a pressing member 9 disposed on the front surface Ga side of the glass plate G so as to face the fulcrum member 8 with the glass plate G interposed therebetween.

[0052] The fulcrum member 8 and the pressing member 9 can each be Figure 2 As shown by the arrow in the middle, it moves in the Z direction (the thickness direction of the glass plate G). Before the preparation step P1, the supporting member 8 and the pressing member 9 are in a state where they have retreated from the glass plate G ( Figure 2 (see the state shown). When preparation step P1 begins, the fulcrum members 8 and pressing members 9 advance toward the glass sheet G, sandwiching and supporting the first region G1 from both the front and back sides. The fulcrum members 8 and pressing members 9 continue supporting the first region G1 until the breaking step P2 is completed. After breaking step P2, the fulcrum members 8 and pressing members 9 retreat from the glass sheet G, releasing their support of the first region G1.

[0053] The fulcrum member 8 contacts the first region G1 from the back surface Gb side and serves as a fulcrum when the pressing member 6 bends the periphery of the scribe line S so that it becomes convex toward the front surface Ga. The pressing member 9 contacts the first region G1 from the front surface Ga side and presses the first region G1 so that it does not float away from the fulcrum member 8 when the pressing member 6 bends the periphery of the scribe line S. The distance along the X direction between the fulcrum member 8 and the pressing member 9 and the scribe line S is, for example, 10 to 60 mm.

[0054] The fulcrum member 8 has a central convex portion 8a in the center of the portion facing the glass sheet G. The central convex portion 8a is smoothly curved, with the protruding length gradually decreasing from the center to the ends in the longitudinal direction. The longitudinal length of the central convex portion 8a is 1 / 4 to 3 / 4 of the longitudinal length of the glass sheet G. The central convex portion 8a is located below the retaining member 3 that holds the upper portion of the glass sheet G. The portion of the fulcrum member 8 that contacts the glass sheet G, including the central convex portion 8a, is elastically deformable and is formed from a porous resin, such as sponge or low-resilience sponge, or a foamed resin. The lower limit of the protruding length of the central convex portion 8a is preferably 10 mm or greater. The upper limit of the protruding length of the central convex portion 8a is preferably 300 mm or less, and more preferably 100 mm or less.

[0055] The pressing member 9 has an upper convex portion 9a at the upper portion of the portion facing the glass sheet G, and a lower convex portion 9b at the lower portion of the portion facing the glass sheet G. The protrusion lengths of both the upper convex portion 9a and the lower convex portion 9b gradually increase from the center in the longitudinal direction toward the ends. Both the upper convex portion 9a and the lower convex portion 9b are positioned so as not to overlap with the middle convex portion 8a of the fulcrum member 8 in the longitudinal direction. Furthermore, the upper convex portion 9a is positioned so as to overlap with the holding member 3 that holds the upper portion of the glass sheet G in the longitudinal direction. The portion of the pressing member 9 that contacts the glass sheet G, including the upper convex portion 9a and the lower convex portion 9b, is elastically deformable and is formed from a porous resin, such as sponge or low-resilience sponge, or a foamed resin. The lower limit of the protrusion length of the upper convex portion 9a and the lower convex portion 9b is preferably at least 10 mm. The upper limit of the protruding length of the upper convex portion 9a and the lower convex portion 9b is preferably 300 mm or less, and more preferably 100 mm or less.

[0056] Due to the structure of the above-mentioned fulcrum member 8 and pressing member 9, the portion of the first area G1 clamped by the fulcrum member 8 and the pressing member 9 from both sides of the front and back (one side end and the other side end of the first area G1 in the horizontal direction) is curved in such a way that the surface Ga becomes a convex curved surface in the cross section parallel to the longitudinal direction.

[0057] like Figure 1 As shown, the curvature imparting mechanism 5 includes a pressing member 10 that presses the lower portion (lower edge) of the first region G1 of the glass sheet G from the back surface Gb. The pressing member 10 presses the lower portion of the first region G1 between the support members 4 on one side and the support members 4 on the other side in the transverse direction. The pressing member 10 has a laterally elongated shape. The pressing member 10 contacts only the active portion G1a and the inactive portion G1b of the first region G1.

[0058] Figure 3 shows the time point before the execution of the preparation process P1, Figure 4The figure shows a point in time during the execution of the preparation step P1. As can be understood from the two figures, the pressing member 10 is movable in the Z direction. Before the preparation step P1, the pressing member 10 has retreated from the glass sheet G. When the preparation step P1 begins, the pressing member 10 advances toward the glass sheet G, pressing the lower portion of the first region G1, bending the glass sheet G before breaking so that the surface Ga in a cross section parallel to the transverse direction forms a convex curved surface. After the breaking step P2, the pressing member 10 retreats from the glass sheet G, releasing the pressure on the lower portion of the first region G1.

[0059] The pressing member 10 is curved so as to gradually protrude toward the glass sheet G as it moves toward the center in the horizontal direction. The pressing member 10 is a longitudinally deformable plate, for example, made of a resin plate. The pressing member 10 has a higher rigidity than the glass sheet G, and the glass sheet G deforms when the pressing member 10 and the glass sheet G come into contact.

[0060] The pressing member 10 is held by two arms 11. Each arm 11 is provided with a holder 12 for holding the pressing member 10. The holder 12 is provided with a Figure 3 as well as Figure 4 The tilt θ relative to the X direction can be adjusted by rotating around the point 13 shown. For example, a screw is provided at the point 13. The tilt θ is preferably less than 30°. By adjusting the tilt θ, the curvature of the contact portion (the surface of the resin plate) in the pressing member 10 that contacts the first area G1 in the cross section parallel to the transverse direction can be adjusted. The "curvature" mentioned here means the curvature of the portion between the retaining member 12 on one side and the retaining member 12 on the other side of the pressing member 10. With the adjustment of this curvature, the curvature of the surface Ga of the glass plate G that becomes a convex curved surface can be changed. It should be noted that by setting the tilt θ to 0°, the pressing member 10 can also be made to extend straight without bending (see Figure 5 ).

[0061] The ratio of the lateral dimension L2 of the pressing member 10 to the lateral dimension L1 of the first region G1 (L1 and L2 in Figure 1 (shown in the figure) is preferably set to 60% or greater. This is for the purpose of appropriately preventing the occurrence of vibration originating from the lower portion of the glass sheet G during breaking, and for the purpose of making the curvature of the glass sheet G in a cross section parallel to the transverse direction during breaking as uniform as possible when a plurality of glass sheets G are continuously broken using the manufacturing apparatus 1.

[0062] The two arms 11 are each connected to a drive unit 14. The drive unit 14 connected to one arm 11 and the drive unit 14 connected to the other arm 11 are configured to operate in a synchronized manner. Each of the two drive units 14, 14, for example, incorporates a linear motion mechanism combining a cylinder or ball screw with a linear motion guide. This mechanism moves the plate 15 included in the arm 11 in the Z direction. As the plate 15 moves in the Z direction, the pressing member 10 moves in the Z direction.

[0063] The fulcrum member 8 is attached to the plate 15 via a dust collector 16. The fulcrum member 8's forward movement toward the glass plate G and its backward movement away from the glass plate G are accompanied by the movement of the plate 15 in the Z direction. Furthermore, because the fulcrum member 8 and the pressing member 10 are connected to the common plate 15, they move in the Z direction in sync with each other. That is, the fulcrum member 8 and the pressing member 10 move as a single unit in the Z direction. It should be noted that the Z-direction positions of the fulcrum member 8 and the pressing member 10 do not necessarily need to be identical. By changing the Z-direction positions of the fulcrum member 8 and the pressing member 10, the timing at which the fulcrum member 8 and the pressing member 10 contact the glass plate G can be adjusted.

[0064] Two drive units 17 having the same structure as the drive unit 14 described above are arranged on the surface Ga side of the glass sheet G. The two drive units 17, 17 are configured to operate in a synchronized manner. Each of the drive units 17, 17 can move the plate 18 in the Z direction. A pressing member 9 is attached to the plate 18 via a dust collector 19. The pressing member 9 moves forward toward the glass sheet G and backward from the glass sheet G in conjunction with the movement of the plate 18 in the Z direction. The drive units 17 operate in synchronization with the drive unit 14 described above, and the pressing member 9 moves in the Z direction in synchronization with the fulcrum member 8 and the pressing member 10. In other words, the action of the support member 4 (the fulcrum member 8 and the pressing member 9) supporting the first region G1 is synchronized with the action of the pressing member 10 pressing the first region G1.

[0065] Dust collectors 16 and 19 each include flexible cover members 20 and 21. Cover members 20 and 21 are deformable along the front surface Ga or back surface Gb of the glass sheet G as they come into contact with it. Thus, cover members 20 and 21 function to close the space surrounding the scribed line S in the glass sheet G in coordination with dust collectors 16 and 19, fulcrum member 8, and pressing member 9. Dust collectors 16 and 19 can attract glass powder generated when the glass sheet G breaks and recover it from the closed space.

[0066] The pressing member 6 is formed, for example, in the shape of a plate extending in the longitudinal direction. The pressing member 6 is movable in the Z direction. As the pressing member 6 moves in the Z direction, the second region G2 is pressed from the front surface Ga side toward the back surface Gb side when the glass sheet G is broken.

[0067] A suction member 22 is disposed opposite the pressing member 6 across the glass sheet G (second region G2). The suction member 22 is composed, for example, of a plurality of suction pads arranged in a longitudinal direction. The suction member 22 holds the second region G2 after it is cut by suctioning the back surface Gb of the second region G2 before and after breaking.

[0068] Hereinafter, a flow of executing the preparation step P1 and the breaking step P2 using the above-described manufacturing apparatus 1 will be described.

[0069] First, as the traveling body 7 travels, the glass sheet G suspended in a vertical position by the holding member 3 is carried into the manufacturing device 1. When the carrying of the glass sheet G into the manufacturing device 1 is completed, it becomes Figure 1 as well as Figure 3 The state shown is from which the preparation step P1 is started.

[0070] It should be noted that in Figure 3 In the example shown, the glass sheet G is formed flat in the transverse direction. However, depending on the thermal history of the glass sheet G, the glass sheet G may have warpage such that its surface Ga forms a convex curved surface in a cross section parallel to the transverse direction, or its back surface Gb forms a convex curved surface in a cross section parallel to the transverse direction. The "warp" mentioned here refers to the inherent warpage of the glass sheet G, not warpage caused by external forces acting on it.

[0071] In the preparation process P1, the two driving parts 14, 14 and the two driving parts 17, 17 are operated to move the fulcrum member 8, the pressing member 9 and the pressing member 10 toward the glass plate G, respectively. Thus, the fulcrum member 8 and the pressing member 9 are used to clamp and support the first area G1 of the glass plate G from both the front and back sides. At the same time, the pressing member 10 is used to press the lower part of the first area G1 from the back side Gb, and the glass plate G before breaking is bent in such a way that the surface Ga becomes a convex curved surface in a cross section parallel to the transverse direction. Thus, the contact state between the fulcrum member 8 and the glass plate G is stabilized. Moreover, the space around the scribed line S is closed by the cover members 20, 21, etc. In addition, the pressing member 6 is brought into contact with the surface Ga of the second area G2 of the glass plate G, and the adsorption member 22 is used to adsorb the back side Gb of the second area G2. When the preparation process P1 is completed, it becomes Figure 4 The status shown.

[0072] Here, if the glass sheet G has warp such that the rear surface Gb forms a convex curved surface in a cross section parallel to the transverse direction as described above, the front surface Ga of the glass sheet G forms a concave curved surface in a cross section parallel to the transverse direction before the execution of preparatory step P1. Therefore, the convex and concave aspects of the front and back surfaces of the glass sheet G in cross sections parallel to the transverse direction before and after preparatory step P1 are reversed. On the other hand, if the glass sheet G has warp such that the front surface Ga forms a convex curved surface in a cross section parallel to the transverse direction, the convex and concave aspects of the front and back surfaces of the glass sheet G in cross sections parallel to the transverse direction before and after preparatory step P1 are not reversed. That is, if preparatory step P1 is executed, even if either the front surface Ga or the rear surface Gb of the glass sheet G forms a convex curved surface in a cross section parallel to the transverse direction, the curved state of the glass sheet G in cross sections parallel to the transverse direction remains the same after the execution of preparatory step P1.

[0073] When the preparation process P1 is completed, the breaking process P2 is started, and the glass plate G set as a convex curved surface in the preparation process P1 is broken along the scribed line S. Specifically, with the adsorption member 22 adsorbing the back surface Gb of the second area G2, the second area G2 is pressed from the surface Ga side by the pressing member 6. As a result, the periphery of the scribed line S is bent in such a way that the surface Ga becomes convex with the fulcrum member 8 as a fulcrum, and the glass plate G is broken under the action of the bending stress. The second area G2 after being cut is held by the adsorption member 22 and discarded to a specified disposal location. The glass powder generated during the breaking is recovered by the dust collectors 16 and 19. Through the above, the breaking process P2 is completed, and as Figure 6 As shown, the first region G1 of the glass sheet G is separated from the second region G2.

[0074] Here, the following modified examples can also be applied to the above-mentioned embodiment.

[0075] In the above embodiment, the pressing member 10 is used to press the lower portion (lower edge) of the first region G1 of the glass sheet G, but this is not limiting. The pressing member 10 may also be used to press a position above the lower portion of the first region G1. However, even in this case, it is preferable to press the ineffective portion G1b with the pressing member 10 to avoid damage or contamination of the effective portion G1a.

[0076] In the above embodiment, the lower end of the pressing member 10 is located below the lower end (lower side) of the glass sheet G, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0077] In the above-described embodiment, the portion of the first region G1 sandwiched between the front and back sides by the support member 4 (the fulcrum member 8 and the pressing member 9) (one end and the other end in the lateral direction of the first region G1) is curved so that the surface Ga forms a convex curved surface in a cross section parallel to the longitudinal direction. However, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. Alternatively, the portion of the support member 4 facing the glass sheet G may be configured to be substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction, and the portion of the first region G1 sandwiched between the front and back sides by the support member 4 may not be curved in a cross section parallel to the longitudinal direction.

[0078] In the above embodiment, the action of the support member 4 (the fulcrum member 8 and the pressing member 9) supporting the first region G1 is synchronized with the action of the pressing member 10 pressing the first region G1. However, this is not limiting. Alternatively, the pressing member 10 may press the first region G1 after the support member 4 supports the first region G1, or the support member 4 may support the first region G1 after the pressing member 10 presses the first region G1.

[0079] In the above embodiment, a plate (resin plate) is used as the pressing member 10, but the present invention is not limited to this. The pressing member 10 may be a member other than a plate, as long as the portion of the pressing member 10 that contacts the glass sheet G is curved so that it gradually protrudes toward the glass sheet G as it moves toward the center in the horizontal direction. However, a member with an adjustable curvature is preferred.

[0080] Description of Reference Numerals

[0081] 1 Glass sheet manufacturing device

[0082] 2 Breaking mechanism

[0083] 3. Retaining components

[0084] 4 Supporting components

[0085] 5. Bending mechanism

[0086] 10 Pressing member

[0087] G Glass Plate

[0088] G1 First Area

[0089] G1a effective part

[0090] G1b Invalid part

[0091] G2 Second Area

[0092] Ga surface

[0093] Gb back

[0094] P1 Preparation process

[0095] P2 Breaking Process

[0096] S scored line.

Claims

1. A method for manufacturing a glass sheet, comprising: breaking a glass sheet in a vertical position and having a score line extending in the longitudinal direction formed on a surface thereof, thereby separating a first region and a second region adjacent to each other in the transverse direction with the score line as a boundary; The method for manufacturing the glass plate is characterized in that: The method for manufacturing a glass sheet further includes a preparatory step of setting the glass sheet before breaking to a curved state such that the shape of the surface in a cross section parallel to the transverse direction becomes a convex curved surface. After the preparation step, the breaking step is performed on the curved glass sheet.

2. The method for manufacturing a glass plate according to claim 1, wherein: In the preparation step, the glass plate is pressed from the back side by a pressing member.

3. The method for manufacturing a glass plate according to claim 2, wherein: The glass plate sandwiches the first region in the transverse direction and has the second region on both sides. In the preparation process, The glass plate is suspended by holding the upper portion of the glass plate with a holding member, The lower portion of the first region is pressed by the pressing member.

4. The method for manufacturing a glass plate according to claim 3, wherein: The first area includes an effective portion that becomes a product and an ineffective portion that does not become a product. In the preparation step, the pressing member is brought into contact with only the ineffective portion of the effective portion and the ineffective portion.

5. The method for manufacturing a glass plate according to claim 3 or 4, wherein: In the preparation process, When the support members support the one end portion and the other end portion of the first region in the lateral direction from both the front and back sides, and the pressing member presses the lower portion of the first region between the support member supporting the one end portion and the support member supporting the other end portion, The operation of causing the supporting member to support the first region and the operation of causing the pressing member to press the first region are synchronized.

6. The method for manufacturing a glass plate according to claim 3 or 4, wherein: The pressing member is configured to extend in the transverse direction. Regarding the contact portion of the pressing member that comes into contact with the glass plate, a curvature of the contact portion in a cross section parallel to the transverse direction can be adjusted.

7. The method for producing a glass plate according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: In the preparation step, the glass sheet before breaking is bent so that the shape of the surface becomes a convex curved surface in a cross section parallel to the longitudinal direction.

8. A method for manufacturing a glass sheet, comprising the step of breaking a glass sheet in a vertical position and having a score line extending in the longitudinal direction formed on a surface thereof, thereby separating a first region and a second region adjacent to each other in the transverse direction with the score line as a boundary; The method for manufacturing the glass plate is characterized in that: The glass plate sandwiches the first region in the transverse direction and has the second region on both sides. The method for manufacturing a glass sheet further includes a preparation step of setting the glass sheet to a state for breaking, and after the preparation step, performing the breaking step on the bent glass sheet. In the preparation step, the upper portion of the glass plate is held by a holding member to be suspended, and the lower portion of the first region is pressed from the rear side by a pressing member.

9. A glass plate manufacturing apparatus comprising a breaking mechanism for breaking a vertical glass plate having a longitudinally extending score line formed on a surface thereof, thereby separating a first region and a second region adjacent to each other in a transverse direction with the score line as a boundary. The glass plate manufacturing device is characterized in that: The breaking mechanism includes a curvature imparting mechanism for curving the glass sheet before breaking so that the shape of the surface becomes a convex curved surface in a cross section parallel to the transverse direction.

10. A glass plate manufacturing apparatus comprising a breaking mechanism for breaking a vertical glass plate having a longitudinally extending score line formed on a surface thereof, thereby separating a first region and a second region adjacent to each other in a transverse direction with the score line as a boundary. The glass plate manufacturing device is characterized in that: The glass plate sandwiches the first region in the transverse direction and has the second region on both sides. The breaking mechanism includes a holding member that holds the upper portion of the glass plate to suspend the glass plate, and a pressing member that presses the lower portion of the first region from the rear surface side.

Images