Glass plate conveying device

Abstract

The utility model provides a glass plate carrying device which is provided with a rectification guide piece for limiting swinging in the thickness direction when a glass plate suspended in a longitudinal posture state is carried, and the height of the rectification guide piece can be adjusted through simple operation. The rectification guide (53) is provided with: a pair of guide main bodies (7, 7) which are disposed so as to face each other in a plan view orthogonal direction with the conveyance path (Y) therebetween, and which gradually decrease in spacing from the upstream side to the downstream side of the conveyance path (Y); and height adjustment mechanisms (8, 8) for adjusting the vertical position of each of the guide main bodies (7, 7), the height adjustment mechanisms (8) having: a base member (base member) (81) capable of holding the guide main bodies (7) at a plurality of positions in the vertical direction; and a fixing member (82) capable of fixing the guide main body section (7) to the base member (base member) (81).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to a technology of a glass plate conveying device for conveying a glass plate suspended in a vertical posture. Background Art

[0002] As is well known, various glass plates used in substrates, cover glasses, and the like of displays such as liquid crystal displays and organic EL displays are manufactured by forming molten glass melted in a melting furnace into a long ribbon-shaped glass ribbon, and then cutting the formed glass ribbon into predetermined outer dimensions after cooling.

[0003] Specifically, a continuously formed long glass ribbon is cut at predetermined lengths in the width direction to produce rectangular glass sheets (cutting process). After the width ends of the cut glass sheets are cut (ear cutting process), the glass sheets are subjected to various processes such as an inspection process to produce the final glass sheet.

[0004] Here, as a method for forming a glass ribbon, in addition to the float process, a down-draw method typified by an overflow down-draw method (fusion process) and a slot down-draw method is generally used.

[0005] When utilizing the above-mentioned down-draw method, the glass ribbon is continuously formed in a vertical posture.

[0006] Therefore, from the perspective of saving space in the manufacturing equipment, with the aim of omitting the steps that require changing the posture of the glass sheet, the glass sheet is cut from the glass ribbon in a longitudinal posture and then conveyed in the longitudinal posture while undergoing various steps such as the ear cutting step and the inspection step.

[0007] The respective work areas for performing the ear portion cutting process, the inspection process, etc. are provided adjacent to each other along the conveyance path of the glass plate in a common work room, for example, and these work areas are isolated from each other by walls.

[0008] Furthermore, the wall portion is provided with slit-shaped openings extending in the up-down direction as entrances and exits of the respective work areas.

[0009] Then, the glass sheet enters each work area through the opening while being conveyed in a longitudinal posture in a direction parallel to the main surface, and is subjected to predetermined steps.

[0010] On the other hand, a glass sheet in a vertical position is generally conveyed by supporting its upper end and hanging (suspending). Therefore, it is easily affected by air resistance, inertia, etc. and tends to swing in the thickness direction like a vibrator.

[0011] Therefore, when the glass plate suspended in a vertical position passes through the above-mentioned opening, it swings greatly in the thickness direction and collides with the wall portion where the opening is provided, which may cause breakage, defects, etc. Therefore, a rectifying guide for limiting the swing of the glass plate is pre-installed near the upstream side of the conveying direction of each opening and in each working area (for example, refer to "Patent Document 1" and "Patent Document 2").

[0012] Prior art literature

[0013] Patent Literature

[0014] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-206407

[0015] Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2019-89674 Utility Model Content

[0016] Issues to be solved by utility models

[0017] However, a glass sheet cut out from a glass ribbon has ineffective surfaces located at the periphery of the main surface (ie, the upper and lower ends and both side ends of a vertically oriented glass sheet) and effective surfaces located in areas other than the ineffective surfaces.

[0018] The ineffective surface is a portion where there are ears (portions with a thickness greater than the desired thickness) generated during the glass ribbon forming process, uneven cut surfaces generated when cutting out a glass sheet, etc., and is a portion that is cut off and discarded in a subsequent process.

[0019] The effective surface is a portion of the glass sheet whose quality is guaranteed.

[0020] Here, when the flow regulating guide contacts the effective surface of the glass sheet being conveyed in a vertical posture, scratches, chips, etc. may be generated, and the glass sheet as a final product may be defective.

[0021] Furthermore, from the viewpoint of restricting the swing of the glass sheet suspended by supporting the upper end portion, it is preferable to arrange the flow regulating guide at a position capable of contacting the lower side of the glass sheet.

[0022] Therefore, the flow regulating guide needs to be arranged at a position where it can come into contact with the non-effective surface on the lower end side with respect to the glass sheet in a vertical posture.

[0023] On the other hand, there are a plurality of external dimensions of a glass sheet cut out from a glass ribbon (more specifically, the vertical dimension of a glass sheet in a vertical position) in accordance with the type of glass sheet as a final product.

[0024] Therefore, when the outer dimensions of the glass sheet are changed, for example, due to a change in product type, it is necessary to adjust the vertical position (height) of the flow straightening guide so that the flow straightening guide can contact the inactive surface on the lower end side of the glass sheet.

[0025] However, as mentioned above, the straightening guide is set near the entrance and exit (slit-shaped opening) of each work area and within each work area, so it is difficult to fully ensure the working space for adjusting the height of the straightening guide. A straightening guide that can be adjusted in height through simple operations is required.

[0026] The present invention is completed in view of the current problems shown above, and its subject is to provide a glass plate conveying device having a rectifying guide that restricts the swing in the thickness direction of a glass plate suspended in a vertical posture during conveyance and capable of adjusting the height of the rectifying guide through simple operations.

[0027] Solutions to Problems

[0028] The problems to be solved by the present invention are as described above, and the means for solving the problems will be described below.

[0029] Specifically, a glass plate conveying device according to claim 1 of the present invention conveys a glass plate suspended in a longitudinal position along a conveyance path in a plurality of work areas adjacently arranged along a conveyance path, via slit-shaped openings extending in the vertical direction provided in a wall portion separating each of the work areas. The device is characterized in that the glass plate conveying device comprises: a support portion that supports an upper end portion of the glass plate; a conveying mechanism that suspends and conveys the glass plate via the support portion; and a flow-regulating guide that restricts swinging of the glass plate in a thickness direction during conveyance. The flow-regulating guide comprises: a pair of guide main bodies that are arranged to face each other in a direction orthogonal to the conveyance path when viewed from above, with the distance therebetween gradually decreasing from the upstream side to the downstream side of the conveyance path; and a height-adjusting mechanism that adjusts the vertical position of each of the guide main bodies, the height-adjusting mechanism comprising: a base member that can hold the guide main bodies at a plurality of vertical positions; and a fixing member that can fix the guide main bodies to the base member.

[0030] According to the glass plate conveying device having such a structure, the height of the rectifying guide can be easily adjusted simply by arbitrarily selecting a position from a plurality of positions on the base member and fixing the guide body at the selected position using the fixing member.

[0031] That is, according to the glass plate conveying device of the present invention, the height adjustment of the flow regulating guide included in the glass plate conveying device can be performed by a simple operation.

[0032] In addition, the glass plate conveying device of Scheme 2 of the present invention is characterized in that, based on the above-mentioned Scheme 1, the interval on the downstream side of the conveying path in the pair of guide body parts is set to be smaller than the width dimension of the slit-shaped opening part and set to be larger than the thickness dimension of the glass plate.

[0033] With this configuration, the glass sheet can be stably guided toward the slit-shaped opening at the most downstream side of the conveyance path in the pair of guide main bodies, and the glass sheet can be reliably prevented from colliding with the wall portion providing the opening.

[0034] In addition, the glass plate conveying device of Scheme 3 of the present invention is based on the above-mentioned Scheme 1 or Scheme 2, and is characterized in that the base member has a plurality of first fixing parts arranged along the up and down directions and capable of fixing the fixing member, and the guide main body has a locking part that can be engaged with the fixing member fixed to the first fixing part.

[0035] By having such a structure, in the base member, the guide body can be fixed to the base member simply by arbitrarily selecting a first fixing portion from a plurality of pre-set first fixing portions and engaging the engaging portion of the guide body with respect to the fixing member fixed to the selected first fixing portion, thereby making it possible to easily adjust the height of the rectifying guide.

[0036] In addition, the glass plate conveying device of Scheme 4 of the present invention is based on the above-mentioned Scheme 3 and is characterized in that the first fixing part is composed of a through hole with an internal thread shape, and the fixing member is composed of a bolt with a handle having a bolt part that can be screwed into the through hole and a handle part arranged at the end of the bolt part.

[0037] With this structure, the fixing member can be attached to and detached from the first fixing portion of the base member without using a tool, and the height adjustment of the flow regulating guide can be performed more easily.

[0038] In addition, the glass plate conveying device of Scheme 5 of the present invention is based on the above-mentioned Scheme 4 and is characterized in that the guide member main body has a plate-shaped engaged member engaged by the fixing member, and the engaging portion is composed of a U-shaped notch extending from the outer edge end of the engaged member toward the center of the plane.

[0039] In this way, by utilizing the U-shaped cutout portion to form the engaging portion, the engaging portion can be easily engaged with the fixing member by only temporarily loosening the fixing member screwed (fixed) to the first fixing portion of the base member, inserting the engaged member through the cutout portion in a direction intersecting with the fixing member, and then screwing the fixing member in again.

[0040] Furthermore, the engagement state of the engaging portion can be easily released simply by temporarily loosening the fixing member screwed (fixed) to the first fixing portion of the base member and pulling the engaged member away from the fixing member through the cutout.

[0041] In addition, the glass plate conveying device of Scheme 6 of the present invention is based on the above-mentioned Scheme 4 and is characterized in that the guide member main body has a plate-shaped engaged member engaged by the fixing member, and the engaging portion is composed of a gourd hole having a large diameter portion that can coaxially insert the handle portion of the fixing member relative to the fixing member screwed on the first fixing portion and a small diameter portion that can engage with the bolt portion of the fixing member screwed on the first fixing portion.

[0042] In this way, by utilizing the gourd hole to form the engaging portion, the engaging portion can be easily engaged with the fixing member by only temporarily loosening the fixing member screwed (fixed) on the first fixing portion of the base member, inserting the fixing member into the large diameter portion of the gourd hole, moving the engaged member in such a way that the fixing member is located in the small diameter portion of the gourd hole, and screwing in the fixing member again.

[0043] In addition, the engaged state of the engaging portion can be easily released by simply loosening the fixing member screwed (fixed) to the first fixing portion of the base member temporarily, moving the engaged member so that the fixing member located in the small diameter portion of the gourd hole is located in the large diameter portion, and then pulling the engaged member away from the fixing member.

[0044] Furthermore, in the glass plate conveying device according to claim 7 of the present invention, in addition to the above-mentioned claim 3, the first fixing portion is constituted by a through hole, and the fixing member is constituted by a fixing pin that can be inserted into the through hole.

[0045] With this structure, the fixing member formed by the fixing pin can be attached to and detached from the first fixing portion formed by the through hole simply by inserting and removing the fixing member. This makes it easier to adjust the height of the flow regulating guide.

[0046] In addition, the glass plate conveying device of Scheme 8 of the present invention is based on the above-mentioned Scheme 1 or Scheme 2, and is characterized in that the base member has a second fixing portion that can fix the fixing member at any position continuously along the up and down directions, and the guide body has a locking portion that can be engaged with the fixing member fixed to the second fixing portion.

[0047] With such a configuration, the fixing member can be fixed at any position along the vertical direction in the second fixing portion of the base member, and the height of the flow regulating guide can be adjusted more precisely.

[0048] In addition, the glass plate conveying device of Scheme 9 of the present invention is based on the above-mentioned Scheme 8 and is characterized in that the second fixing portion is composed of a groove portion extending in the up and down directions, and the fixing component is composed of a bolt with a handle having a bolt portion that can be inserted into the groove portion and a handle portion provided at the end of the bolt portion, and a nut that can be screwed into the bolt with the handle to clamp the base component.

[0049] With this structure, the height of the guide body can be changed simply by temporarily loosening the fixing member fixed to the second fixing portion of the base member without having to attach or detach the fixing member, thereby making it easier to adjust the height of the flow regulating guide.

[0050] In addition, the glass plate conveying device of Scheme 10 of the present invention is based on the above-mentioned Scheme 8 and is characterized in that the second fixing part is composed of a guide rail extending in the up and down directions, the engaging part is composed of a linear block that can slide on the guide rail, and the fixing member is composed of a linear brake that clamps the guide rail to maintain the position of the guide body.

[0051] With such a configuration, the height of the guide body can be changed simply by controlling the operation of the linear brake, making it possible to more easily adjust the height of the flow regulating guide.

[0052] Utility model effect

[0053] The following effects are achieved as the effects of the present invention.

[0054] That is, according to the glass plate conveying device of the present invention, the height adjustment of the flow regulating guide can be performed by a simple operation. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0055] Figure 1 It is a sectional top view which shows the whole structure of the glass plate manufacturing apparatus provided with the glass plate conveying apparatus of this invention.

[0056] Figure 2It is a cross-sectional side view showing the overall structure of the glass plate manufacturing apparatus.

[0057] Figure 3 It is a plan view showing the structure of the flow straightening guide in this embodiment.

[0058] Figure 4 This is a diagram showing the structure of the flow straightening guide in this embodiment, and is along Figure 3 The side view obtained by observing in the direction of view X1.

[0059] Figure 5 This is an enlarged side view showing another example of a fixed portion fixed by a fixing member in a height adjustment mechanism provided in the flow regulating guide.

[0060] Figure 6 This is a side view showing the structure of a flow straightening guide in a first alternative embodiment.

[0061] Figure 7 It is a plan view showing the structure of a flow straightening guide in a second alternative embodiment.

[0062] Figure 8 This is a diagram showing the structure of the flow straightening guide in the second other embodiment, and is along Figure 7 The side view obtained by observing in the direction of view X2.

[0063] Figure 9 It is a plan view showing the structure of a flow straightening guide in a third alternative embodiment.

[0064] Figure 10 This is a diagram showing the structure of the flow straightening guide in the third other embodiment, and is along Figure 9 The side view obtained by observing in the direction of view X3.

[0065] Figure 11 This is a plan view showing the structure of a flow straightening guide having a different structure of a base member in a third alternative embodiment.

[0066] Figure 12 This is a diagram showing the structure of a flow straightening guide member having a different structure of a base member in a third alternative embodiment, and is a diagram showing the structure of a flow straightening guide member having a different structure of a base member in a third alternative embodiment. Figure 11 The side view obtained by observing in the direction of view X4.

[0067] Figure 13 It is a plan view showing the structure of a flow straightening guide in a fourth alternative embodiment.

[0068] Figure 14 1 is a diagram showing the structure of a flow straightening guide in a fourth other embodiment, and is a diagram showing the structure of a flow straightening guide in a fourth other embodiment. Figure 13 The side view obtained by observing in the direction of view X5.

[0069] Description of Reference Numerals

[0070] 183 Pillar (base component)

[0071] 183a Internal threaded hole (first fixing part)

[0072] 21 Wall

[0073] 21a Opening

[0074] 273b3 Connecting portion side through hole (engaging portion)

[0075] 281a Base member side through hole (first fixing portion)

[0076] 373b3 Connecting portion side through hole (engaging portion)

[0077] 374a Groove (second fixing portion)

[0078] 381a Groove (second fixing portion)

[0079] 382a Bolt with handle

[0080] 382a1 Bolt part

[0081] 382a2 Handle

[0082] 382b Nut

[0083] 473b1 Linear block (engaging part)

[0084] 481a Guide rail (second fixing part)

[0085] 482a Linear brake (fixed member)

[0086] 5. Second transport device (glass plate transport device)

[0087] 51 Second supporting portion (supporting portion)

[0088] 52 Second transport mechanism (transport mechanism)

[0089] 53 fairing guide

[0090] 7, 107, 207, 307, 407 Guide body

[0091] 73b2 Notch (engaging portion)

[0092] 73b Connecting portion (engaged member)

[0093] 73b2 Notch (engaging portion)

[0094] 73c gourd hole (locking part)

[0095] 73c1 Large diameter part

[0096] 73c2 Small diameter part

[0097] 8 Height adjustment mechanism

[0098] 81, 281, 381, 481 base components (base components)

[0099] 81a Internally threaded through hole (first fixing portion)

[0100] 82, 182, 282, 382, ​​482 fixed components

[0101] 82a Bolt part

[0102] 82b Handle

[0103] d1 interval

[0104] d2 width dimension

[0105] d3 thickness dimension

[0106] G Glass Plate

[0107] S1 Moving into the work area (work area)

[0108] S2 Marking the working area (working area)

[0109] S3 Breaking operation area (operation area)

[0110] S4 Check the working area (working area)

[0111] Y transport path. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0112] Next, use Figures 1 to 14 An embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0113] It should be noted that in the following description, for convenience, Figure 1 as well as Figure 2 The directions of arrows A and B shown in FIG. 1 define the conveyance direction of the glass sheet G and are described.

[0114] In addition, Figures 3 to 14 In the description, the front-rear direction, the left-right direction, and the up-down direction of the flow regulating guides 53 , 153 , 253 , 353 , and 453 are defined by the directions of arrows.

[0115] [Overall Structure of Glass Sheet Manufacturing Apparatus 100]

[0116] First, use Figure 1 as well as Figure 2 The entire structure of a glass plate manufacturing apparatus 100 including the second conveying device 5 embodying the glass plate conveying device of the present invention will be described.

[0117] The glass plate manufacturing apparatus 100 in the present embodiment is an apparatus for manufacturing various rectangular plate-shaped glass plates G used for substrates, cover glasses, and the like of displays such as liquid crystal displays and organic EL displays, for example.

[0118] The glass plate manufacturing apparatus 100 is as follows Figure 1 The glass processing apparatus shown mainly comprises: a forming device 1, which forms a long strip of glass ribbon by an overflow down-draw method; a first cutting device (not shown), which cuts out a rectangular plate-shaped glass sheet G from the formed glass ribbon; and a workroom 2, which performs various processes on the cut glass sheet G.

[0119] The glass plate manufacturing apparatus 100 further comprises: a first conveying device 3 for conveying the glass plate G cut out by the first cutting device into the workroom 2; a holding guide 4 for temporarily holding the posture (more specifically, the vertical posture) of the glass plate G conveyed into the workroom 2; and a second conveying device 5 for conveying the conveyed glass plate G in a predetermined direction ( Figure 1 and a second cutting device 6, which will be the second conveying device 5 conveying the glass sheet G at both ends in the width direction (described later "ear Z") cut.

[0120] The forming device 1 has a structure substantially similar to that of conventional forming devices, and causes molten glass overflowing from the top of a forming body (not shown) to flow down the two side surfaces of the forming body having a wedge-shaped cross section and merge at the lower end. Thereafter, the molten glass is allowed to hang down and anneal while being supported by a plurality of rollers (not shown), thereby continuously forming a long ribbon-like glass ribbon.

[0121] In addition, the above-mentioned first cutting device, which is composed of a structure roughly equivalent to that of the conventional cutting device, is arranged directly below the forming device 1. While the formed glass ribbon is being conveyed downward in a longitudinal posture, it is cut (severed) by the first cutting device at predetermined lengths along the width direction (a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the glass ribbon).

[0122] Thereby, the rectangular plate-shaped glass sheet G consisting of predetermined outer dimensions is continuously cut out from the glass ribbon in the state of a vertical posture.

[0123] In addition, detailed description of the structures of the forming device 1 and the above-mentioned first cutting device is omitted.

[0124] Here, in the glass ribbon formed by the forming apparatus 1, the regions located at both ends in the width direction (hereinafter referred to as "ear portions Z" as appropriate). Figure 2 ) Due to the influence of shrinkage during the forming process, there is a tendency for the thickness to be larger than the area located in the center of the width direction.

[0125] Moreover, in the glass sheet G immediately after being cut out from the glass ribbon, there are often uneven cut surfaces at both upper and lower ends thereof, which are generated when the glass sheet G is cut out by the first cutting device.

[0126] Thus, in the glass sheet G immediately after being cut, the area located at the peripheral edge of the main surface (i.e., the area including the upper and lower ends and both side ends (ears Z, Z) of the glass sheet G in a vertical position) is defined as the ineffective surface G1 to be cut and discarded in the subsequent process (in the Figure 2 The area indicated by the "hatched line" in the figure) and the area other than the ineffective surface G1 is defined as the effective surface G2 (refer to Figure 2 ).

[0127] Inside the workroom 2 , along the transport path Y of the second transport device 5 , a loading work area S1 , a scribing work area S2 , a breaking work area S3 , and an inspection work area S4 are provided, which are arranged adjacent to each other in order from upstream to downstream.

[0128] The conveyance path Y is a path passing through openings 21 a , 21 a . . . which will be described later.

[0129] That is, the conveyance path Y is provided along the arrow A direction.

[0130] Here, as will be described later, the carrying-in work area S1 is a work area (carrying-in process) where a carrying-in work of carrying the glass sheet G into the workroom 2 is performed.

[0131] In addition, the scoring operation area S2 is an operation area for performing a scoring operation to form scoring lines L, L at both side ends of the glass plate G, and the breaking operation area S3 is an operation area for performing a cutting operation to cut both side ends of the glass plate G along the formed scoring lines L, L (ear cutting process).

[0132] The inspection area S4 is an inspection area (inspection process) for inspecting the quality of the glass sheet G with both ends cut off (quality inspection of the state of the cut surface, external dimensions, thickness, defects in the glass sheet G, etc.).

[0133] Furthermore, the plurality of work areas (the carrying-in work area S1 , the scribing work area S2 , the breaking work area S3 , the inspection work area S4 , etc.) are isolated from one another by the walls 21 , 21 . . . . . .

[0134] In addition, slit-shaped openings 21a, 21a... extending in the up-down direction are respectively provided on the above-mentioned multiple wall portions 21, 21... as entrances and exits of each work area. After the glass plate G is transported into the workroom 2, it is transported in a vertical posture by the second transport device 5 and enters each work area through (passes through) these openings 21a, 21a... and undergoes the prescribed process.

[0135] The first conveying device 3 includes: a first support portion 31 that supports the upper end portion of the glass sheet G and sets the glass sheet G in a suspended (suspended) state; and a first conveying mechanism (not shown) that can move the first support portion 31 along a predetermined direction ( Figure 1 The device moves back and forth in the direction of arrow B.

[0136] The first support portion 31 is composed of a pair of clamping mechanisms 31 a and 31 a , and is configured to support the glass sheet G by clamping the upper end portion of the glass sheet G from both the front and back sides.

[0137] It should be noted that the first supporting portion 31 preferably holds the non-effective surface G1 of the peripheral portion of the glass sheet G. For example, in this embodiment, the first supporting portion 31 is configured to hold the glass sheet G within 30 mm from the upper end surface of the glass sheet G.

[0138] On the other hand, the first conveying mechanism is composed of a driving source such as an electric, pneumatic, or hydraulic actuator, and a rail that guides the movement of the first support portion 31 based on the driving source in the predetermined direction (the direction of arrow B).

[0139] The first conveying device 3 supports the upper end of the glass sheet G cut out in a vertical posture from the glass ribbon by the first support portion 31 at the first position P1 located below the forming device 1 , and suspends the glass sheet G.

[0140] That is, the first conveying device 3 supports and suspends the glass sheet G in a vertical posture so that both side end portions extending in the vertical direction serve as ear portions Z, Z.

[0141] Thereafter, the first conveying device 3 moves the first supporting portion 31 toward the second position P2 in the carrying-in work area S1 of the workroom 2 using the first conveying mechanism.

[0142] Thus, the glass sheet G is conveyed in the thickness direction (a direction substantially perpendicular to the main surface) by the first conveying device 3 and carried into the carrying-in work area S1 of the workshop 2 .

[0143] When the first conveying device 3 reaches the second position P2 , it delivers the glass sheet G suspended in the vertical posture to the second conveying device 5 in the vertical posture, and then moves again toward the first position P1 .

[0144] The holding guide 4 includes a plurality of roller guides 41 , 41 . . . , a plurality of arm members 42 , 42 . . . rotatably supporting the plurality of roller guides 41 , 41 . . . , and a frame member 43 supporting the plurality of arm members 42 , 42 . . .

[0145] Each roller guide 41 is arranged with its axial direction being the up-down direction.

[0146] Furthermore, the plurality of roller guides 41 , 41 . . . are arranged at equal intervals from one another along the conveying direction (the direction of arrow A) of the second conveying device 5 .

[0147] Furthermore, the holding guide 4 is arranged in the carrying-in work area S1 of the workroom 2 at a position where the plurality of roller guides 41 , 41 . . . can come into contact with the lower end portion of the glass sheet G that has reached the second position P2 .

[0148] It should be noted that the multiple roller guides 41, 41... preferably abut against the area of ​​the non-effective surface G1 located at the peripheral portion of the glass plate G. For example, in this embodiment, it is constructed to be able to abut against the glass plate G within 30 mm from the lower end surface of the glass plate G.

[0149] The glass sheet G conveyed in the predetermined direction (direction of arrow B) by the first conveying device 3 and immediately after stopping at the second position P2 swings in the thickness direction around the first support portion 31 like a vibrator due to air resistance, inertial force, and the like.

[0150] By providing the holding guide 4 having such a structure, the plurality of roller guides 41 , 41 . . . come into contact with the lower end of the main surface on the conveying direction side (arrow B side) of the glass sheet G, and the conveying posture of the glass sheet G based on its vertical posture can be maintained.

[0151] In addition, when the roller guides 41, 41... are in contact with the glass sheet G, even if the glass sheet G is conveyed along the conveying direction of the second conveying device 5 (the direction of arrow A), the roller guides 41, 41... rotate, making it difficult for the glass sheet G to be damaged such as scratches.

[0152] The second conveying device 5 is an example of a glass plate conveying device of the present invention, and is a device that receives a glass plate G in a vertical position from the first conveying device 3 at a second position P2 within the conveying operation area S1 and conveys the glass plate G along the conveying path Y in a state in which the main surface of the glass plate G is parallel to the conveying path Y.

[0153] The second conveying device 5 includes: a second support portion 51 that supports the upper end portion of the glass plate G and sets the glass plate G in a suspended (suspended) state; a second conveying mechanism 52 that can reciprocate the second support portion 51 in a predetermined direction (the direction of arrow A) (refer to Figure 2 ); and a rectifying guide 53, which restricts the swing of the glass sheet G in the thickness direction during transportation.

[0154] Here, the second support portion 51 is an example of a support portion of the present invention, and the second conveyance mechanism 52 is an example of a conveyance mechanism of the present invention.

[0155] The second support portion 51 is composed of a pair of clamping mechanisms 51 a and 51 a , and is configured to support the glass sheet G by clamping the upper end portion of the glass sheet G from both the front and back sides.

[0156] It should be noted that the second supporting portion 51 preferably holds the non-effective surface G1 of the peripheral portion of the glass sheet G. For example, in this embodiment, the second supporting portion 51 is configured to hold the glass sheet G within 30 mm from the upper end surface.

[0157] Here, as Figure 2 As shown, a pair of clamping mechanisms 51a, 51a is constructed to support the area on the inner side relative to the ears Z, Z on both side ends and the inner side relative to the pair of clamping mechanisms 31a, 31a of the first conveying device 3 in the upper end portion of the glass plate G reaching the second position P2.

[0158] When the glass sheet G conveyed by the first conveying device 3 reaches the second position P2 , the second support portions 51 clamp and support the upper end portion of the glass sheet G. Thereafter, the first support portions 31 (clamping mechanism 31 a ) of the first conveying device 3 release the clamping state.

[0159] Thereby, the glass sheet G is delivered to the second conveying device 5 while the conveying posture by the vertical posture of the first conveying device 3 is maintained.

[0160] It should be noted that the structure of the second support portion 51 is not limited to this embodiment, and may be composed of, for example, a pair of adsorption pads that hold the upper end of the glass plate G on either side of the front and back surfaces by negative pressure adsorption.

[0161] The second conveying mechanism 52 includes, for example: a main body 52a having a driving source composed of a servo motor, etc.; a pair of arm members 52b, 52b, which respectively support a pair of clamping mechanisms 51a, 51a from the main body 52a; and a rail (not shown) which guides the moving direction of the main body 52a along the above-mentioned specified direction (the direction of arrow A).

[0162] The pair of arm members 52 b and 52 b are fixed to the main body 52 a so that the pair of clamping mechanisms 51 a and 51 a are arranged with a predetermined interval in the width direction of the glass sheet G (the direction of arrow A) relative to the glass sheet G at the second position P2 .

[0163] It should be noted that the structure of the pair of arm members 52b, 52b is not limited to the present embodiment. For example, it can also be configured to be able to move independently relative to the main body 52a, and to enable the pair of clamping mechanisms 51a, 51a to move toward and away from each other along the above-mentioned width direction.

[0164] With this configuration, even when the outer dimensions (more specifically, the dimensions in the width direction) of the glass sheet G are changed, the positions of the pair of clamping mechanisms 51 a and 51 a can be easily adjusted.

[0165] Furthermore, by applying tension to the glass sheet G in the width direction, the swinging of the glass sheet G can be reduced.

[0166] Furthermore, when the glass sheet G supported by the second support portion 51 at the second position P2 is suspended in a vertical posture, the second conveyance mechanism 52 moves the second support portion 51 in a predetermined direction (the direction of arrow A).

[0167] Thereby, the 2nd conveyance mechanism 52 conveys the glass plate G suspended in the state of a vertical posture via the 2nd support part 51.

[0168] The flow regulating guide 53 is preferably disposed at least near the upstream side of the opening 21 a of each wall portion 21 in the conveying direction (the direction of arrow A) of the second conveying device 5 .

[0169] For example, in this embodiment, the openings 21a, 21a... of the wall portions 21, 21... that isolate each work area (the carrying-in work area S1, the scoring work area S2, the breaking work area S3, and the inspection work area S4) are respectively arranged near the upstream side and the downstream side of the above-mentioned conveying direction (the direction of arrow A) and in the approximate center of the above-mentioned conveying direction (the direction of arrow A) within the scoring work area S2 and the breaking work area S3.

[0170] It is preferable that each flow regulating guide 53 is in sliding contact with the region of the non-effective surface G1 located in the peripheral portion of the glass sheet G.

[0171] Furthermore, it is preferable to arrange the flow regulating guide 53 at a position where it can come into contact with the lower side of the glass sheet G from the viewpoint of restricting the swing of the glass sheet G suspended by supporting the upper end portion.

[0172] For example, in the present embodiment, the structure is configured so as to be able to come into sliding contact with the glass sheet G within a range of 30 mm from the lower end surface of the glass sheet G.

[0173] Furthermore, the flow regulating guide 53 in this embodiment is provided with a height adjusting mechanism 8 (see Figure 4 ), it becomes a structure in which the position (height) of the guide body portion 7 in the vertical direction that is in sliding contact with the lower end portion of the glass sheet G can be easily adjusted by using the height adjustment mechanism 8.

[0174] Note that the structure of the flow regulating guide 53 will be described in detail later.

[0175] The second cutting device 6 includes: a scoring line forming device 61, which is arranged in the scoring operation area S2 and forms a scoring line L on the boundary between the non-effective surface G1 (more specifically, the ear Z) and the effective surface G2 of the glass plate G; and a cutting device 62, which is arranged in the breaking operation area S3 and cuts the glass plate G along the formed scoring line L.

[0176] The scoring line forming device 61 comprises: a pair of rectangular plate-shaped support plates 61a, 61a, which support the area of ​​the scoring line L from the back side relative to the glass plate G suspended in a vertical posture at the third position P3 within the scoring operation area S2; and a pair of cutter wheels 61b, 61b, which form the scoring line L on the surface side of the glass plate G.

[0177] Here, each cutter wheel 61b is configured to form the scribed lines L on the entire region or a portion of the glass plate G in the vertical direction.

[0178] For example, in the present embodiment, the scribed lines L are formed on a portion of the glass sheet G in the vertical direction excluding the upper and lower end portions.

[0179] It should be noted that the scribed lines L may also be formed by other methods such as laser irradiation.

[0180] Then, when the glass sheet G conveyed by the second conveying device 5 reaches the third position P3, the second conveying device 5 temporarily stops moving, and the scribed line forming device 61 performs a scribing operation.

[0181] Specifically, a pair of support plates 61a, 61a abut against the back of the glass plate G to support the glass plate G, and then a pair of cutter wheels 61b, 61b slide on the surface of the glass plate G in the up and down directions, thereby forming a pair of scoring lines L, L at the two side ends of the glass plate G.

[0182] When the scribing operation is completed, the second conveying device 5 starts moving again and conveys the glass sheet G toward the breaking operation area S3.

[0183] The cutting device 62 includes: a pair of abutting members 62a, 62a, which abut against the effective surface G2 of the glass plate G suspended in a vertical posture from the back side along the scoring line L at the fourth position P4 within the breaking operation area S3; and a pair of pressing members 62b, 62b, which abut against the ineffective surface G1 of the glass plate G from the front side along the scoring line L and press.

[0184] Here, the contact member 62a and the pressing member 62b are formed of rectangular plate-shaped members, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, they may be round rod members whose contact surfaces are formed of curved surfaces.

[0185] Then, when the glass sheet G conveyed by the second conveying device 5 reaches the fourth position P4, the second conveying device 5 temporarily stops moving, and the cutting operation by the cutting device 62 is performed.

[0186] Specifically, after a pair of abutting members 62a, 62a abut against the effective surface G2 of the glass plate G from the back side, a pair of pressing members 62b, 62b abut against the ineffective surface G1 of the glass plate G from the front side. Thereafter, the pair of pressing members 62b, 62b continue to press the ineffective surface G1 toward the back side, thereby generating bending stress on the scoring line L and its vicinity, and cutting off the ear portion Z serving as the ineffective surface G1 along the scoring line L.

[0187] When the cutting operation is completed, the second conveying device 5 starts moving again and conveys the glass sheet G toward the inspection operation area S4.

[0188] Then, in the inspection work area S4 , when the glass sheet G is delivered from the second conveying device 5 to a predetermined inspection device or the like, the second conveying device 5 moves toward the second position P2 again.

[0189] The glass sheets G carried into the inspection work area S4 are subjected to a predetermined quality inspection and then transported to a subsequent process such as a packaging operation.

[0190] In this manner, the glass sheet G as a final product is manufactured by the glass sheet manufacturing apparatus 100 in this embodiment.

[0191] [Structure of the Straightening Guide 53 (Present Embodiment)]

[0192] Next, use Figures 3 to 5 The structure of the flow regulating guide 53 in this embodiment will be described in detail.

[0193] As described above, the flow-regulating guide 53 is provided so as to be able to be connected to the second conveying device 5 (see Figure 1) Sliding contact is made with the lower end portion of the glass sheet G being transported in a suspended vertical position, thereby restricting the swing of the glass sheet G in the thickness direction during transportation.

[0194] The rectifying guide 53 is as follows Figure 3 The main components shown are: a pair of guide body parts 7, 7, which sandwich the conveying path Y of the second conveying device 5 and are arranged opposite to each other in the orthogonal direction when viewed from above; and a pair of height adjustment mechanisms 8, 8, which respectively adjust the positions of the pair of guide body parts 7, 7 in the up and down directions.

[0195] Here, the pair of guide main bodies 7, 7 have substantially the same structure as each other. In addition, the pair of height adjustment mechanisms 8, 8 also have substantially the same structure as each other.

[0196] Therefore, the following description mainly focuses on the guide body 7 and the height adjustment mechanism 8 located on one side (the left side in this embodiment) in the plan view orthogonal to the conveying path Y, and the description of the guide body 7 and the height adjustment mechanism 8 located on the other side (the right side in this embodiment) in the plan view orthogonal to the conveying path Y is omitted.

[0197] The guide body 7 includes a guide member 71 , an assembly member 72 , a support member 73 , and the like.

[0198] The guide member 71 is a member that comes into contact with the lower end portion of the glass sheet G when restricting the swing of the glass sheet G in the thickness direction during conveyance.

[0199] The guide member 71 is formed of a rectangular flat plate-shaped elongated member made of a resin such as engineering plastic, for example, and has a groove 71 a extending in the longitudinal direction provided on one side surface.

[0200] Furthermore, the guide member 71 sets the side surface on the opposite side to the side surface of the above-mentioned one side as a sliding surface 71b, and when viewed from above, the sliding surface 71b is arranged in a state where it extends in a horizontal direction and is inclined from the upstream side of the conveying path Y to the downstream side and gradually approaches the conveying path Y with the sliding surface 71b facing the conveying path Y.

[0201] Here, in the pair of guide body parts 7, 7 provided in the rectifying guide 53, the interval d1 on the most downstream side of the conveying path Y of the pair of guide members 71, 71 is set to be larger than the width dimension d2 of the slit-shaped opening 21a provided in each wall part 21 of the aforementioned workroom 2 (refer to Figure 1 ) is smaller (d1<d2), and is set to be smaller than the thickness dimension d3 of the glass plate G (refer to Figure 1 ) is large (d1>d3).

[0202] With this structure, the glass sheet G can be stably guided toward the slit-shaped opening 21a on the most downstream side of the conveyance path Y of the pair of guide main bodies 7, 7, and the glass sheet G can be reliably prevented from colliding with the walls 21 provided with the opening 21a.

[0203] The fitting member 72 is a member to which the guide member 71 is fitted.

[0204] The attachment member 72 includes, for example, a fitting portion 72 a formed of a rectangular plate-shaped portion and a mounting portion 72 b formed of a rectangular plate-shaped portion bent in a substantially L-shape.

[0205] The attachment portion 72b protrudes from a longitudinal center portion of the fitting portion 72a toward one side in a direction perpendicular to the fitting portion 72a.

[0206] The cross-sectional shape of the fitting portion 72 a as viewed in the longitudinal direction is set to a shape that can fit into the groove portion 71 a of the guide member 71 .

[0207] Furthermore, the mounting portion 72 b is provided with a through hole 72 b 1 penetrating in the thickness direction and a notched hole 72 b 2 having an arc shape centered on the through hole 72 b 1 .

[0208] Then, the guide member 71 is assembled by fitting the fitting portion 72 a of the assembly member 72 along the groove portion 71 a of the guide member 71 .

[0209] As will be described later, the assembly member 72 is fixed to the front end portion of the support member 73 via the through-hole 72 b 1 and the cutout hole 72 b 2 of the mounting portion 72 b .

[0210] The support member 73 is a member that supports the guide member 71 from the height adjustment mechanism 8 via the mounting member 72 .

[0211] The support member 73 includes an arm portion 73 a to which the attachment member 72 is mounted, and a connection portion 73 b provided on the base end side of the arm portion 73 a .

[0212] The arm portion 73a is composed of an L-shaped portion, for example, and has a first arm portion 73a1 extending in one direction (the front-to-back direction in the present embodiment) and a second arm portion 73a2 extending from one end portion in the longitudinal direction of the first arm portion 73a1 (the rear end portion in the present embodiment) in a right-angled direction relative to the first arm portion 73a1 (the right direction in the present embodiment).

[0213] In addition, a plurality of (for example, two in this embodiment) internal threaded holes, not shown, are provided at the end portion (right end portion) in the extension direction of the second arm portion 73a2, so that fastening members such as bolts that respectively penetrate the through hole 72b1 and the cutout hole 72b2 of the mounting portion 72b are screwed into the internal threaded holes, thereby fixing the assembly member 72 at the end portion of the second arm portion 73a2.

[0214] It should be noted that in this embodiment, when the assembly member 72 is fixed to the second arm portion 73a2, the assembly member 72 is swung around the through hole 72b1 within a range where the cutout hole 72b2 and the fastening member passing through the cutout hole 72b2 do not interfere with each other, thereby making it possible to fine-tune the inclination angle of the guide member 71 assembled on the assembly member 72 relative to the conveying path Y (more specifically, the inclination angle when viewed from above).

[0215] The connecting portion 73b is an example of a member to be engaged in the present invention. Figure 4 As shown, it is composed of, for example, a rectangular flat plate-shaped portion and is provided at the other end portion (the front end portion in this embodiment) in the longitudinal direction of the first arm portion 73a1.

[0216] Specifically, the connecting portion 73 b is provided in a state where the flat surface 73 b 1 is along the side surface on the extending direction side (right side) of the second arm portion 73 a 2 at the other end portion (front end portion) of the first arm portion 73 a 1 .

[0217] Furthermore, the connection portion 73b is disposed so as to protrude in the vertical direction relative to the first arm portion 73a1.

[0218] A pair of U-shaped cutouts 73b2, 73b2 are provided at one end portion (front side in this embodiment) of the connecting portion 73b, for example, along the extending direction (front-rear direction) of the first arm portion 73a1. The cutouts extend from the end portion toward the center of the flat surface 73b1.

[0219] The pair of cutout portions 73b2, 73b2 are respectively arranged on upper and lower sides of the first arm portion 73a1.

[0220] Furthermore, as will be described later, the pair of notch portions 73 b 2 , 73 b 2 function as engaging portions that can engage with a fixing member 82 provided in the height adjustment mechanism 8 .

[0221] The connecting portion 73 b engages with the pair of fixing members 82 , 82 via the pair of notches 73 b 2 , 73 b 2 , whereby the support member 73 is fixed to the height adjustment mechanism 8 and the guide member 71 is supported from the height adjustment mechanism 8 via the mounting member 72 .

[0222] The height adjustment mechanism 8 includes a base member 81 , a fixing member 82 , and the like.

[0223] The base member 81 is an example of a base member of the present invention, and is a member that holds the guide body 7 at a plurality of positions in the vertical direction.

[0224] The base member 81 is formed of, for example, a member in the shape of a rectangular flat plate extending in the vertical direction, and is arranged so as to be able to face the connecting portion 73 b of the guide main body 7 .

[0225] The base member 81 is detachably fixed to, for example, the opening 21a (see FIG. 1 ) provided in each wall portion 21 using a fastening member such as a bolt. Figure 1 ) near the pillar M, etc.

[0226] A plurality of internally threaded through holes 81 a , 81 a . . . arranged in the up-down direction are provided on the plane of the base member 81 .

[0227] Each of the through holes 81 a described above is an example of a first fixing portion to which a fixing member 82 described later can be fixed.

[0228] Furthermore, the base member 81 is configured to be able to hold the guide body 7 at any position where the plurality of through holes 81 a , 81 a . . . are arranged.

[0229] The fixing member 82 is a member that fixes the guide main body 71 to the base member 81 .

[0230] The fixing member 82 is composed of a bolt with a handle including a bolt portion 82 a that can be screwed into each through-hole 81 a and a handle portion 82 b provided at an end of the bolt portion 82 a .

[0231] The fixing members 82 , 82 . . . are screwed into all the through holes 81 a , 81 a . . . in the base member 81 in advance.

[0232] Furthermore, a pair of adjacent fixing members 82, 82 are arbitrarily selected from the above-mentioned multiple fixing members 82, 82..., so that the connecting portion 73b of the supporting member 73 is engaged with the selected pair of fixing members 82, 82 via a pair of cutout portions 73b2, 73b2, so that the guide main body 7 can be detachably maintained on the base member 81 at multiple positions in the up and down directions.

[0233] Thus, in this embodiment, the structure is as follows: the base member (base member) 81 has a plurality of first fixing portions (i.e., through holes 81a) arranged along the up-down direction and capable of fixing the fixing member 82, and on the other hand, the guide body 7 has an engaging portion (i.e., notch portion 73b2) capable of engaging with the fixing member 82 fixed to the first fixing portion (through hole 81a).

[0234] By having such a structure, in the base member (base member) 81, by arbitrarily selecting a first fixing portion (a pair of through holes 81a, 81a) from a plurality of pre-set first fixing portions (through holes 81a, 81a...), and engaging the engaging portion (a pair of notches 73b2, 73b2) of the guide body 7 with respect to the fixing members 82, 82 fixed to the selected first fixing portion (through holes 81a, 81a), the guide body 7 can be fixed to the base member 81, and the height adjustment of the rectifying guide 53 can be easily performed.

[0235] In addition, in this embodiment, as described above, the structure is as follows: the first fixing portion is composed of a through hole 81a with an internal thread shape, and on the other hand, the fixing member 82 is composed of a bolt with a handle having a bolt portion 82a that can be screwed into the through hole 81a and a handle portion 82b provided at the end of the bolt portion 82a.

[0236] With this structure, the fixing member 82 can be attached to and detached from the first fixing portion (through hole 81 a ) of the base member (base member) 81 without using a tool, and the height of the flow regulating guide 53 can be adjusted more easily.

[0237] Moreover, in this embodiment, as described above, the structure is as follows: the guide member main body 7 has a plate-shaped connecting portion (engaged member) 73b that is engaged by the fixing member 82, and the engaging portion is composed of a U-shaped cutout portion 73b2 extending from the outer edge end portion (the side end portion on the front side in this embodiment) of the connecting portion (engaged member) 73b toward the center portion of the plane.

[0238] In this way, the engaging portion is formed by utilizing the U-shaped cutout portion 73b2, so that the engaging portion (cutout portion 73b2) can be easily engaged with the fixing member 82 by merely temporarily loosening the fixing member 82 screwed (fixed) in the through hole 81a of the base member (base member) 81, inserting the connecting portion (engaged member) 73b through the cutout portion 73b2 in a direction intersecting with the fixing member 82, and then screwing the fixing member 82 in again.

[0239] In addition, the engaged state of the engaging portion (notch portion 73b2) can be easily released by simply temporarily loosening the fixing member 82 screwed (fixed) in the through hole 81a of the base member (base member) 81 and pulling the connecting portion (engaged member) 73b in a direction away from the fixing member 82 through the notch portion 73b2.

[0240] It should be noted that the structure of the engaging portion provided in the connecting portion 73 b of the guide body 7 is not limited to this embodiment.

[0241] For example, it can be a simple circular through hole, or it can be Figure 5 As shown, the above-mentioned engaging portion is constituted by a gourd hole 73c having a large diameter portion 73c1 that can coaxially insert the handle portion 82b of the fixing member 82 screwed into the through hole 81a serving as the first fixing portion, and a small diameter portion 73c2 that can engage with the bolt portion 82a of the fixing member 82 screwed into the through hole 81a serving as the first fixing portion.

[0242] Even in the case where the engaging portion is formed by utilizing the gourd hole 73c, the engaging portion (gourd hole 73c) can be easily engaged with respect to the fixing member 82 by temporarily loosening the fixing member 82 screwed (fixed) in the through hole 81a of the base member (base member) 81, inserting the fixing member 82 into the large diameter portion 73c1 of the gourd hole 73c, moving the connecting portion (engaged member) 73b so that the fixing member 82 is located in the small diameter portion 73c2 of the gourd hole 73c, and screwing in the fixing member 82 again.

[0243] In addition, the engaged state of the engaging portion (gourd hole 73c) can be easily released by simply temporarily loosening the fixing member 82 screwed (fixed) in the through hole 81a of the base member (base member) 81, moving the connecting portion (engaged member) 73b in such a manner that the fixing member 82 located in the small diameter portion 73c2 of the gourd hole 73c is located in the large diameter portion 73c1, and then pulling the connecting portion (engaged member) 73b away from the fixing member 82.

[0244] As described above, the second conveying device (glass plate conveying device) 5 in the present embodiment is a glass plate conveying device as follows: in a plurality of work areas (such as the carrying-in work area S1, the scoring work area S2, the breaking work area S3, and the inspection work area S4) adjacently arranged along the conveying path Y, a glass plate G suspended in a vertical posture is conveyed along the conveying path Y in a state in which the main surface of the glass plate G is parallel to the conveying path Y via a slit-shaped opening 21a provided in a wall portion 21 that isolates each work area and extends in the up-down direction.

[0245] The second conveying device (glass sheet conveying device) 5 includes: a second support portion (support portion) 51 that supports the upper end portion of the glass sheet G; a second conveying mechanism (conveying mechanism) 52 that suspends and conveys the glass sheet G via the second support portion (support portion) 51; and a rectifying guide 53 that restricts the swing of the glass sheet G in the thickness direction during conveyance.

[0246] In addition, the rectifying guide 53 comprises: a pair of guide body parts 7, 7, which are arranged opposite to each other in a plan view in an orthogonal direction with the conveying path Y sandwiched in the middle, and the interval between them gradually decreases from the upstream side to the downstream side of the conveying path Y; and height adjustment mechanisms 8, 8, which adjust the position of each guide body part 7, 7 in the up and down direction.

[0247] The height adjustment mechanism 8 is configured to include a base member 81 capable of holding the guide body 7 at a plurality of positions in the vertical direction, and a fixing member 82 capable of fixing the guide body 7 to the base member 81 .

[0248] According to the second conveying device (glass plate conveying device) 5 having such a structure, in the height adjustment mechanism 8, the height of the rectifying guide 53 can be easily adjusted simply by arbitrarily selecting a position from a plurality of positions in the base member (base member) 81 and fixing the guide body 7 at the selected position using the fixing member 82.

[0249] That is, according to the second conveying device (glass plate conveying device) 5 in the present embodiment, the height adjustment of the flow regulating guide 53 included in the second conveying device (glass plate conveying device) 5 can be performed by a simple operation.

[0250] [Structure of the Rectification Guide 153 (First Alternative Embodiment)]

[0251] Next, use Figure 6 The structure of the flow regulating guide 153 in the first alternative embodiment will be described.

[0252] The rectifying guide 153 in the first other embodiment has a structure substantially the same as that of the rectifying guide 53 in the aforementioned present embodiment. On the other hand, when adjusting the position of the guide main body 107 in the vertical direction, it is not necessary to temporarily remove the guide main body 107 from the base member 181, but this is done by changing the position of the base member 181 itself in the vertical direction, which is different from the rectifying guide 53.

[0253] Therefore, in the following description, differences from the flow straightening guide 53 in the present embodiment will be mainly described, and description of the configuration equivalent to that of the flow straightening guide 53 will be omitted.

[0254] The rectifying guide 153 mainly includes a pair of guide body parts 107, 107, which separate the conveying path Y (see Figure 3) are sandwiched in the middle and arranged opposite to each other in a plan view in an orthogonal direction; and a pair of height adjustment mechanisms 108, 108, which respectively adjust the position of the pair of guide body parts 107, 107 in the up and down directions.

[0255] It should be noted that, in this other embodiment, as in the aforementioned embodiment, the guide body 107 and the height adjustment mechanism 108 located on one side (the left side in this embodiment) in the plan view orthogonal to the conveying path Y are mainly described, and the description of the guide body 107 and the height adjustment mechanism 108 located on the other side (the right side in this embodiment) in the plan view orthogonal to the conveying path Y is omitted.

[0256] The guide body 107 includes a guide member 171 , an attachment member 172 , a support member 173 , and the like.

[0257] Note that the guide member 171 , the assembly member 172 , and the support member 173 have substantially the same configuration as the guide member 71 , the assembly member 72 , and the support member 73 in the present embodiment described above, and therefore description thereof will be omitted.

[0258] The height adjustment mechanism 108 includes a base member 181 , a fixing member 182 , a support column 183 , and the like.

[0259] Note that the fixing member 182 has a structure substantially equivalent to that of the fixing member 82 in the present embodiment described above, and therefore description thereof will be omitted.

[0260] The base member 181 is a member to which the guide main body 107 is fixed.

[0261] The base member 181 is formed of, for example, a rectangular flat plate-shaped member extending in the vertical direction, and is arranged so as to be able to face the connection portion 173 b of the guide main body 107 .

[0262] A pair of internal threaded holes (not shown) are provided in the vertical center of the base member 181 in a plane. The guide body 107 is fixed to the base member 181 using a pair of fixing members 182 , 182 screwed into the internal threaded holes.

[0263] In the plane of the base member 181 , a plurality of (six in total in this other embodiment) through holes 181 a , 181 a . . . are provided at equal intervals in the vertical direction on both upper and lower sides of the pair of internally threaded holes.

[0264] Furthermore, as will be described later, the plurality of through holes 181 a , 181 a . . . function as engaging portions that can engage with the fixing member 182 provided on the support column 183 .

[0265] The support column 183 is an example of a base member of the present invention, and is a member that holds the guide body 107 at a plurality of positions in the vertical direction.

[0266] The support 183 is arranged at the opening 21a of each wall portion 21 (see Figure 1 ) is located near the base member 181, and a pair of internal threaded holes 183a, 183a separated in the up-down direction are provided in a plane facing the base member 181.

[0267] It should be noted that the pair of internal threaded holes 183 a and 183 a are an example of a first fixing portion capable of fixing the fixing member 82 .

[0268] Furthermore, after the base member 181 is arranged on the pillar (base member) 183 in such a manner that any pair of through holes (engaging portions) 181a, 181a... provided in the base member 181 and a pair of internal threaded holes (first fixing portions) 183a, 183a are coaxial, a pair of fixing members 182 are screwed together with the pair of internal threaded holes (first fixing portions) 183a, 183a to be fixed.

[0269] Thus, the fixing members 182 , 182 fixed to the pair of internal thread holes (first fixing portions) 183 a , 183 a engage with the pair of through holes (engaging portions) 181 a , 181 a , and the guide body 107 is fixed to the support column 183 via the base member 181 .

[0270] According to the flow straightening guide 153 in this other embodiment having such a structure, the height of the flow straightening guide 153 can be easily adjusted by simply changing the mounting position of the base member 181 in the vertical direction relative to the support (base member) 183 without temporarily removing the guide body 107 from the base member 181.

[0271] [Structure of the Rectification Guide 253 (Second Alternative Embodiment)]

[0272] Next, use Figure 7 as well as Figure 8 The structure of the flow regulating guide 253 in the second alternative embodiment will be described.

[0273] The flow regulating guide 253 in the second alternative embodiment has a substantially similar structure to the flow regulating guide 53 in the present embodiment described above, but differs from the flow regulating guide 53 in the structure for holding the guide body 207 relative to the base member 281 .

[0274] Therefore, in the following description, differences from the flow straightening guide 53 in the present embodiment will be mainly described, and description of the configuration equivalent to that of the flow straightening guide 53 will be omitted.

[0275] The rectifying guide 253 mainly comprises: a pair of guide body parts 207, 207, which sandwich the conveying path Y of the second conveying device 5 in the middle and are arranged opposite to each other in the orthogonal direction when viewed from above; and a pair of height adjustment mechanisms 208, 208, which respectively adjust the positions of the pair of guide body parts 207, 207 in the up and down directions.

[0276] It should be noted that, in this other embodiment, as in the aforementioned embodiment, the guide body 207 and the height adjustment mechanism 208 located on one side (the left side in this embodiment) in the plan view orthogonal to the conveying path Y are mainly described, and the description of the guide body 207 and the height adjustment mechanism 208 located on the other side (the right side in this embodiment) in the plan view orthogonal to the conveying path Y is omitted.

[0277] The guide body 207 includes a guide member 271 , an attachment member 272 , a support member 273 , and the like.

[0278] Note that the guide member 271 and the assembly member 272 have substantially the same structure as the guide member 71 and the assembly member 72 in the present embodiment described above, and therefore, description thereof will be omitted.

[0279] The support member 273 is a member that supports the guide member 271 from the height adjustment mechanism 208 via the fitting member 272 .

[0280] The supporting member 273 includes an arm portion 273 a to which the attachment member 272 is attached, and a connecting portion 273 b provided on the base end side of the arm portion 273 a .

[0281] It should be noted that the arm portion 273 a has a structure substantially equivalent to that of the arm portion 73 a in the present embodiment described above, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0282] The connecting portion 273b is composed of, for example, a rectangular planar portion extending in the up-down direction, and has a pair of opposing surfaces 273b1, 273b1 opposing each other in the horizontal direction and in one direction (the left-right direction in this other embodiment) and a connecting surface 273b2 connecting one side end portion (the rear end portion in this other embodiment) of the pair of opposing surfaces 273b1, 273b1.

[0283] Furthermore, the connection portion 273 b is fixed to the other end portion (the front end portion in this embodiment) in the longitudinal direction of the first arm portion 273 a 1 via a connecting surface 273 b 2 .

[0284] The connecting portion 273 b is provided with a pair of connecting portion side through holes 273 b 3 and 273 b 3 that penetrate simultaneously through the pair of facing surfaces 273 b 1 and 273 b 1 .

[0285] The pair of connection side through holes 273b3, 273b3 are as follows Figure 8 As shown, the connection portions are provided at positions separated from each other in the vertical direction, and each connection portion side through-hole 273b3 is formed so as to penetrate a pair of facing surfaces 273b1, 273b1 in the orthogonal direction.

[0286] As will be described later, the pair of connection portion side through holes 273 b 3 , 273 b 3 function as an engagement portion that can engage with a fixing member 282 provided in the height adjustment mechanism 208 .

[0287] The connecting portion 273 b engages with a pair of fixing members 282 , 282 via a pair of connecting portion-side through holes 273 b 3 , 273 b 3 , whereby the support member 273 is fixed to the height adjustment mechanism 208 and supports the guide member 271 from the height adjustment mechanism 208 via the mounting member 272 .

[0288] The height adjustment mechanism 208 includes a base member 281 , a fixing member 282 , and the like.

[0289] The base member 281 is an example of a base member of the present invention, and is a member that holds the guide main body 207 at a plurality of positions in the vertical direction.

[0290] The base member 281 is formed of, for example, a rectangular rod-shaped member extending in the vertical direction, and is configured to be fittable between a pair of facing surfaces 273 b 1 and 273 b 1 of the connecting portion 273 b of the guide body 207 .

[0291] In addition, the base member 281 is provided along the opening 21a (see Figure 1 ) is fixed on the side of the nearby pillar M, etc.

[0292] The base member 281 is provided with a plurality of base member side through holes 281 a , 281 a . . . arranged in the up-down direction.

[0293] The plurality of base member side through holes 281 a , 281 a . . . are provided at positions where a pair of connection portion side through holes 273 b 3 , 273 b 3 provided in the connection portion 273 b can be coaxially arranged when the connection portion 273 b is fitted into the base member 281 .

[0294] Furthermore, each base member side through-hole 281 a is configured to have a shape substantially identical to that of the connection portion side through-hole 273 b 3 provided in the connection portion 273 b .

[0295] In addition, each base member side through hole 281a is an example of a first fixing portion that can fix a fixing member 282 described later.

[0296] Furthermore, the base member 281 is configured to be able to hold the guide main body 207 at any position where the plurality of base member-side through holes 281 a , 281 a . . . are arranged.

[0297] The fixing member 282 is a member that fixes the guide main body 207 to the base member 281 .

[0298] The fixing member 282 is composed of a fixing pin that can be inserted into the connection portion side through-hole 273 b 3 of the connection portion 273 b of the guide main body 207 and the base member side through-hole 281 a of the base member 281 .

[0299] Furthermore, after a pair of mutually adjacent base member side through holes (first fixing portions) 281a, 281a are arbitrarily selected from a plurality of base member side through holes (first fixing portions) 281a, 281a, ... provided in the base member 281, and the connecting portion 273b is fitted into the base member 281 so that a pair of connecting portion side through holes (engaging portions) 273b3, 273b3 provided in the connecting portion 273b are coaxial with the selected base member side through holes (first fixing portions) 281a, 281a, the fixing member 282 is simultaneously fitted into these through holes (the connecting portion side through holes 273b3 and the base member side through holes 281a), thereby the guide main body 207 is detachably held on the base member 281 at a plurality of positions in the vertical direction.

[0300] In other words, the connecting portion 273b is engaged with the fixing member 282 fixed to the base member side through hole (first fixing portion) 281a of the base member 281 via the connecting portion side through hole (engaging portion) 273b3, so that the guide tool main body 207 can be detachably held on the base member 281 at multiple positions in the vertical direction.

[0301] Thus, in this other embodiment, the guide main body 207 is held on the base member 281 by using a fixing member 282 (fixing pin) that is simultaneously inserted into the connecting portion side through hole (engaging portion) 273b3 provided in the connecting portion 273b of the guide main body 207 and the base member side through hole (first fixing portion) 281a provided in the base member 281.

[0302] That is, in this other embodiment, the structure is as follows: the first fixing portion provided on the base member (base member) 281 is composed of a through hole (i.e., the base member side through hole 281a), and the fixing member 282 is composed of a fixing pin that can be inserted into the through hole (base member side through hole 281a).

[0303] By having such a structure, the fixing member 282 can be attached and detached relative to the first fixing portion (base member side through hole 281a) of the base member (base seat member) 281 simply by inserting and removing the fixing member 282 composed of the fixing pin relative to the first fixing portion composed of the through hole (base member side through hole 281a), thereby making it easier to adjust the height of the straightening guide 253.

[0304] [Structure of the Rectification Guide 353 (Third Alternative Embodiment)]

[0305] Next, use Figures 9 to 12 The structure of the flow regulating guide 353 in the third alternative embodiment will be described.

[0306] The rectifying guide 353 in the third other embodiment has a structure substantially equivalent to that of the rectifying guide 53 in the present embodiment described above, but differs from the rectifying guide 53 in that the guide body 207 can be held continuously at any position in the vertical direction in the base member 381 .

[0307] Therefore, in the following description, differences from the flow straightening guide 53 in the present embodiment will be mainly described, and description of the configuration equivalent to that of the flow straightening guide 53 will be omitted.

[0308] like Figure 9 as well as Figure 10 As shown, the rectifying guide 353 mainly comprises: a pair of guide body parts 307, 307, which sandwich the conveying path Y of the second conveying device 5 in the middle and are arranged opposite to each other in the orthogonal direction when viewed from above; and a pair of height adjustment mechanisms 308, 308, which respectively adjust the positions of the pair of guide body parts 307, 307 in the up and down directions.

[0309] It should be noted that, in this other embodiment, as in the aforementioned embodiment, the guide body 307 and the height adjustment mechanism 308 located on one side (the left side in this embodiment) in the plan view orthogonal to the conveying path Y are mainly described, and the description of the guide body 307 and the height adjustment mechanism 308 located on the other side (the right side in this embodiment) in the plan view orthogonal to the conveying path Y is omitted.

[0310] The guide body 307 includes a guide member 371 , an attachment member 372 , a support member 373 , and the like.

[0311] Note that the guide member 371 and the assembly member 372 have substantially the same structure as the guide member 71 and the assembly member 72 in the present embodiment described above, and therefore, description thereof will be omitted.

[0312] The support member 373 is a member that supports the guide member 371 from the height adjustment mechanism 308 via the fitting member 372 .

[0313] The supporting member 373 includes an arm portion 373 a to which the attachment member 372 is mounted, and a connecting portion 373 b provided on the base end side of the arm portion 373 a .

[0314] It should be noted that the arm portion 373 a has a structure substantially equivalent to that of the arm portion 73 a in the present embodiment described above, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0315] In addition, the connection portion 373b is formed by the connection portion 273b (see Figure 7 、 8 ) have roughly the same structural composition, so the description is omitted.

[0316] The height adjustment mechanism 308 includes a base member 381 , a fixing member 382 , and the like.

[0317] The base member 381 is an example of a base member of the present invention, and is a member that holds the guide body 307 at an arbitrary position continuously in the up-down direction.

[0318] The base member 381 is formed of, for example, a rectangular rod-shaped member extending in the vertical direction, and is configured to be fittable between a pair of facing surfaces 373 b 1 and 373 b 1 of the connecting portion 373 b of the guide body 307 .

[0319] In addition, the base member 381 is provided along the opening 21a (see Figure 1 ) is fixed on the side of the nearby pillar M, etc.

[0320] The base member 381 is provided with a groove portion 381 a extending in the up-down direction.

[0321] The groove 381a is provided at a position where a pair of connection-side through holes 273b3, 273b3 provided in the connection portion 373b overlaps with the groove 381a when viewed in the axial direction (left-right direction in this embodiment) when the connection portion 373b is fitted into the base member 381.

[0322] Furthermore, the groove portion 381 a is formed so as to penetrate the base member 381 in the axial direction (left-right direction).

[0323] It should be noted that the groove portion 381 a is an example of a second fixing portion that can fix a fixing member 382 described later.

[0324] Furthermore, the base member 381 is configured to be able to hold the guide body 307 at any position continuous in the up-down direction along the groove portion 381 a .

[0325] The fixing member 382 is a member that fixes the guide main body 307 to the base member 381 .

[0326] The fixing member 382 is composed of a bolt 382a with a handle having a bolt portion 382a1 that can be inserted into the groove portion 381a of the base member 381, a handle portion 382a2 provided at the end of the bolt portion 382a1, and a nut 382b that can be screwed into the bolt 382a with a handle to clamp the base member 381.

[0327] Furthermore, after the connecting portion 373b is engaged with the base member 381 at any position along the up-down direction of the groove portion 381a, the bolt 382a with a handle is simultaneously inserted into the connecting portion side through hole 373b3 of the connecting portion 373b and the groove portion 381a, and then the nut 382b is screwed in, so that the connecting portion 373b and the base member 381 are both clamped by the fixing member 382, ​​and the guide main body 307 is maintained on the base member 381 at any position continuously along the up-down direction.

[0328] In other words, the connecting portion 373b is engaged with the fixing member 382 (more specifically, the bolt portion 382a1 of the bolt 382a with a handle) fixed to the groove portion (second fixing portion) 381a of the base member 381 via the connecting portion side through-hole (engaging portion) 373b3, so that the guide body 307 is held on the base member 381 at any position continuously in the up-down direction.

[0329] Thus, in this other embodiment, the structure is as follows: the base member (base member) 381 has a second fixing portion (a groove portion 381a in this other embodiment) that can fix the fixing member 382 at any position continuously in the up and down direction, and the guide member main body 307 has a connecting portion side through hole (engaging portion) 373b3 that can engage with the fixing member 382 (the bolt portion 382a1 of the bolt 382a with the handle) fixed to the second fixing portion (groove portion 381a).

[0330] With this structure, the fixing member 382 (the bolt portion 382a1 of the bolt 382a with a handle) can be fixed at any position along the vertical direction in the second fixing portion (the groove portion 381a) in the base member (base member) 381, and the height adjustment of the flow regulating guide 353 can be performed more precisely.

[0331] In addition, in this other embodiment, the above-mentioned second fixing portion is composed of a groove portion 381a extending in the up-down direction, and the fixing member 382 is composed of a bolt 382a with a handle having a bolt portion 382a1 that can be inserted into the groove portion 381a and a handle portion 382a2 provided at the end of the bolt portion 382a1, and a nut 382b that can be screwed into the bolt 382a with the handle to clamp the base member (base member) 381.

[0332] By having such a structure, there is no need to perform the installation and removal operation of the fixing member 382 (more specifically, the bolt 382a with a handle) fixed to the second fixing portion (groove portion 381a) of the base member (base member) 381. The height of the guide body 307 can be changed by simply temporarily loosening the fixing member 382 (the bolt 382a with a handle), and the height adjustment of the rectifying guide 353 can be performed more easily.

[0333] In addition, in this other embodiment, the structure of the base member 381 is not limited to the above-mentioned rectangular bar-shaped member having the groove portion 381a extending in the vertical direction.

[0334] For example, you can also Figure 11 as well as Figure 12 As shown, the base member 381 is formed by using a general-purpose aluminum frame 374 having grooves 374a extending in the longitudinal direction pre-formed on each side surface.

[0335] [Structure of the Rectification Guide 453 (Fourth Alternative Embodiment)]

[0336] Next, use Figures 13 and 14 The structure of the flow regulating guide 453 in the fourth alternative embodiment will be described.

[0337] The flow straightening guide 453 in the fourth alternative embodiment has a structure substantially similar to that of the flow straightening guide 53 in the present embodiment described above, but differs from the flow straightening guide 53 in that the height adjustment mechanism 408 is constituted by a linear guide mechanism.

[0338] Therefore, in the following description, differences from the flow straightening guide 53 in the present embodiment will be mainly described, and description of the configuration equivalent to that of the flow straightening guide 53 will be omitted.

[0339] The rectifying guide 453 mainly comprises: a pair of guide body parts 407, 407, which sandwich the conveying path Y of the second conveying device 5 in the middle and are arranged opposite to each other in the orthogonal direction when viewed from above; and a pair of height adjustment mechanisms 408, 408, which respectively adjust the positions of the pair of guide body parts 407, 407 in the up and down directions.

[0340] It should be noted that, in this other embodiment, as in the aforementioned embodiment, the guide body 407 and the height adjustment mechanism 408 located on one side (the left side in this embodiment) in the plan view orthogonal to the conveying path Y are mainly described, and the description of the guide body 407 and the height adjustment mechanism 408 located on the other side (the right side in this embodiment) in the plan view orthogonal to the conveying path Y is omitted.

[0341] The guide body 407 includes a guide member 471 , an attachment member 472 , a support member 473 , and the like.

[0342] It should be noted that the guide member 471 and the assembly member 472 have substantially the same structure as the guide member 71 and the assembly member 72 in the present embodiment described above, and therefore description thereof will be omitted.

[0343] The support member 473 is a member that supports the guide member 471 from the height adjustment mechanism 408 via the fitting member 472 .

[0344] The supporting member 473 includes an arm portion 473 a to which the attachment member 472 is attached, and a connecting portion 473 b provided on the base end side of the arm portion 473 a .

[0345] It should be noted that the arm portion 473 a has a structure substantially equivalent to that of the arm portion 73 a in the present embodiment described above, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0346] The connecting portion 473b is composed of, for example, a rectangular flat plate-shaped portion extending in the up-down direction, and is fixed to the arm portion 473a in a plane on one side (the rear side in this embodiment), and is fixed to a pair of linear blocks 473b1, 473b1 arranged in the up-down direction in a plane on the other side (the front side in this embodiment).

[0347] Furthermore, the pair of linear blocks 473 b 1 , 473 b 1 functions as an engaging portion that can engage with a guide rail 481 a provided in the height adjustment mechanism 408 as will be described later.

[0348] The connecting portion 273 b slidably engages with the guide rail 481 a via a pair of linear blocks 473 b 1 , 473 b 1 , thereby fixing the support member 473 to the height adjustment mechanism 408 and supporting the guide member 471 from the height adjustment mechanism 408 via the mounting member 472 .

[0349] The height adjustment mechanism 408 includes a base member 481 , a fixing member 482 , and the like.

[0350] The base member 481 is an example of the base member of the present invention, and is a member that holds the guide body 407 at an arbitrary position continuously in the up-down direction.

[0351] The base member 481 is formed of, for example, a rectangular flat plate-shaped portion extending in the vertical direction, and is disposed so as to face the connection portion 473 b of the guide main body 407 .

[0352] In addition, the base member 481 is provided along the opening 21a (see Figure 1 ) is fixed on the side of the nearby pillar M, etc.

[0353] A guide rail 481 a extending in the up-down direction is provided on a surface of the base member 481 that faces the connecting portion 473 b (a rear flat surface in this embodiment).

[0354] The guide rail 481 a is slidably engaged with a pair of linear blocks 473 b 1 and 473 b 1 provided in the connection portion 473 b of the guide body 407 .

[0355] Note that the guide rail 481 a is an example of a second fixing portion that can fix a fixing member 482 to be described later.

[0356] Furthermore, the base member 481 is configured to be able to hold the guide body 407 at any position continuous in the up-down direction along the guide rail 481 a .

[0357] The fixing member 482 is a member that fixes the guide main body 407 to the base member 481 .

[0358] The fixing member 482 is constituted by a common linear brake 482 a , and is disposed between the pair of linear blocks 473 b 1 , 473 b 1 on the plane on the other side (front side) of the connecting portion 373 b of the guide body 407 , and fixed to the plane.

[0359] Furthermore, the fixing member 482 is slidably engaged with respect to the guide rail 481 a together with the pair of linear blocks 473 b 1 , 473 b 1 .

[0360] Furthermore, after the pair of linear blocks 473b1, 473b1 are stopped at any position along the guide rail 481a in the up-down direction, the linear brake 482a is operated to clamp the guide rail 481a (i.e., the linear brake 482a is fixed to the guide rail 481a), so that the guide body 407 is held on the base member 481 at any position continuously along the up-down direction.

[0361] In other words, the connection portion 473b is engaged with the fixing member 482 (more specifically, the linear brake 482a) fixed to the guide rail (second fixing portion) 481a of the base member 481 via the linear block (engaging portion) 473b1, and the position of the connection portion 473b is fixed, so that the guide member main body 407 is held on the base member 481 at any position continuously in the up and down direction.

[0362] Thus, in this other embodiment, the structure is the same as the third embodiment described above: the base member (base member) 481 has a second fixing portion (a guide rail 481a in this other embodiment) that can fix the fixing member 482 at any position continuously in the up and down direction, and the guide member main body 407 has an engaging portion (a pair of linear blocks 473b1, 473b1) that can engage with the fixing member 482 (linear brake 482a) fixed to the second fixing portion (guide rail 481a).

[0363] In addition, in this other embodiment, the structure is as follows: the above-mentioned second fixing portion is composed of a guide rail 481a extending in the up and down directions, the above-mentioned engaging portion is composed of a linear block 473b1 that can slide on the guide rail 481a, and the above-mentioned fixing member 482 is composed of a linear brake 482a that clamps the guide rail 481a to maintain the position of the guide body 407.

[0364] With such a configuration, the height of the guide body 407 can be changed simply by controlling the operation of the linear actuator 482 a , thereby making it easier to adjust the height of the flow regulating guide 453 .

[0365] The above describes an embodiment of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited by this embodiment and is ultimately an example. Of course, it can be implemented in various ways without departing from the main purpose of the present invention. The scope of the present invention is represented by the record of the utility model technical solution, and also includes the equivalent meaning recorded in the utility model technical solution and all changes within the scope.

[0366] For example, the structure may be as follows: a rectangular flat-plate-shaped magnetic member extending in the up-down direction is used to form a base member provided in the height adjustment mechanism, and a magnet is provided in the guide body, so that the guide body can be fixed at any position in the up-down direction in the base member via the magnet.

Claims

1. A glass plate conveying device, wherein, in a plurality of work areas adjacently arranged along a conveying path, a glass plate suspended in a vertical position is conveyed along the conveying path with its main surface parallel to the conveying path via a slit-shaped opening provided in a wall portion separating the work areas from each other and extending in the vertical direction. It is characterized in that The glass plate conveying device comprises: a support portion that supports an upper end portion of the glass sheet; a conveying mechanism that suspends and conveys the glass plate via the supporting portion; and a flow regulating guide for restricting the swing of the glass sheet in the thickness direction during transportation; The flow straightening guide comprises: a pair of guide main bodies disposed opposite to each other in a plan view in a direction perpendicular to the conveying path with the conveying path interposed therebetween, with the interval gradually decreasing from the upstream side to the downstream side of the conveying path; and A height adjustment mechanism for adjusting the vertical position of each guide body. The height adjustment mechanism comprises: a base member capable of holding the guide body at a plurality of positions in the vertical direction; and A fixing member is configured to fix the guide body to the base member.

2. The glass plate conveying device according to claim 1, wherein: In the pair of guide main bodies, a distance between the guide main bodies on the most downstream side of the conveyance path is set to be smaller than a width dimension of the slit-shaped opening and to be larger than a thickness dimension of the glass sheet.

3. The glass plate conveying device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The base member has a plurality of first fixing portions arranged in the vertical direction and capable of fixing the fixing member. The guide body has an engaging portion that can engage with the fixing member fixed to the first fixing portion.

4. The glass plate conveying device according to claim 3, wherein: The first fixing portion is formed by a through hole in the shape of an internal thread. The fixing member is formed of a bolt with a handle including a bolt portion that can be screwed into the through hole and a handle portion provided at an end portion of the bolt portion.

5. The glass plate conveying device according to claim 4, wherein: The guide body has a plate-shaped engaged member engaged with the fixing member. The engaging portion is formed of a U-shaped notch extending from an outer edge end portion of the engaged member toward a planar center portion.

6. The glass plate conveying device according to claim 4, wherein: The guide body has a plate-shaped engaged member engaged with the fixing member. The engaging portion is composed of a gourd hole having a large diameter portion that can coaxially insert the handle portion of the fixing member screwed on the first fixing portion and a small diameter portion that can engage with the bolt portion of the fixing member screwed on the first fixing portion.

7. The glass plate conveying device according to claim 3, wherein: The first fixing portion is formed by a through hole, The fixing member is composed of a fixing pin that can be inserted into the through hole.

8. The glass plate conveying device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The base member has a second fixing portion capable of fixing the fixing member at any position continuously in the vertical direction. The guide body has an engaging portion that can engage with the fixing member fixed to the second fixing portion.

9. The glass plate conveying device according to claim 8, wherein: The second fixing portion is composed of a groove portion extending in the up-down direction, The fixing member includes a bolt with a handle having a bolt portion insertable through the groove portion and a handle portion provided at an end of the bolt portion, and a nut threadably engaged with the bolt with a handle to clamp the base member.

10. The glass plate conveying device according to claim 8, wherein: The second fixing portion is composed of a guide rail extending in the up-down direction. The engaging portion is composed of a linear block that can slide on the guide rail. The fixing member is constituted by a linear brake that clamps the guide rail to maintain the position of the guide main body.

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