Apparatus for manufacturing glass sheet

Abstract

The utility model provides a glass plate's manufacturing device of continuously manufacturing glass plate and sequentially placing the glass plate made in tray and baling, it can realize the shortening of production interval time as the whole equipment. Have: handling device (horizontal width direction handling device) (7), it keeps glass plate (Ga) in the state of vertical posture, and transports glass plate (Ga) along as with the plate thickness direction in the plan view orthogonal horizontal width direction (front direction) handling; And transfer device (61) is transferred to tray (T) on glass plate (Ga), and transfer device (61) is transferred to tray (T) on glass plate (Ga) received from handling device (horizontal width direction handling device) (7) along the plate thickness direction (right direction) handling, in manufacturing device (1), transfer device (61) is provided with four or more.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to an apparatus for manufacturing glass plates. Background Technology

[0002] In the manufacturing process of glass sheets using down-drawing methods such as overflow down-drawing (fusion method) and slit down-drawing, the process includes: a cutting process, in which a strip of glass formed continuously flowing down is cut into a single sheet of glass; a scribing process, in which scribing lines are formed on the cut glass sheet; a cutting process, in which the glass sheet is cut along the scribing lines to form a glass sheet with unwanted parts, including ears, removed; an inspection process, in which the formed glass sheet is inspected for defects; and a bundling process, in which the inspected glass sheets are sequentially placed on a tray and bundled using a specified transfer device.

[0003] In addition, generally speaking, the above-mentioned processes (cutting process, engraving process, severing process, inspection process and bundling process) are arranged sequentially from upstream to downstream along the transport path of the glass plate (or glass raw plate) transported by the prescribed transport device.

[0004] As an example of a glass plate manufacturing apparatus capable of performing such manufacturing processes, Patent Document 1 discloses a glass plate manufacturing apparatus comprising: a conveying device (horizontal conveying device) that, while holding the glass plate in a longitudinal position, conveys the glass plate to each process along the horizontal direction (a direction orthogonal to the plate thickness direction in a top view); and a loading device (transfer device) that, while holding the glass plate that has arrived at the loading area (bundling process) in a longitudinal position, conveys the glass plate along the plate thickness direction and transfers it onto a tray.

[0005] It should be noted that the above-mentioned transverse transport device transports the glass plate in a suspended state by maintaining the upper end of the glass plate in a longitudinal orientation.

[0006] In addition, the aforementioned transfer device also transports the glass plate in a suspended state by maintaining its longitudinal orientation at the upper end of the glass plate.

[0007] Existing technical documents

[0008] Patent documents

[0009] Patent Document 1: International Publication No. 2020 / 090625 Utility Model Content

[0010] The problem to be solved by utility models

[0011] In recent years, the goal of improving productivity in conventional glass plate manufacturing equipment has been to reduce the overall production interval time (the time required to manufacture a unit number of glass plates).

[0012] Here, in each process from the cutting process to the inspection process, there is still room to increase the operating speed of the various devices used to perform each process and to increase the transport speed of the transport device in the horizontal direction, thereby reducing the production interval time of the manufacturing device as a whole.

[0013] However, in the bundling process, the glass plates are transported along the thickness direction using a transfer device. Therefore, when the transport speed of the transfer device is increased, the swing amplitude of the glass plates caused by air resistance increases, posing a risk of glass plate breakage. As a result, it is difficult to increase the processing speed of the bundling process.

[0014] Therefore, since it is impossible to increase the processing speed of the bundling process, even if the processing speed of other processes is increased, it is difficult to shorten the overall production interval of the equipment. Further countermeasures are needed.

[0015] This invention was made in view of the current problems described above, and its objective is to provide a glass manufacturing apparatus that continuously manufactures glass plates and sequentially places the manufactured glass plates on a tray and bundles them together, thereby reducing the production interval time of the entire equipment.

[0016] Solution for solving the problem

[0017] The problem to be solved by this utility model is as described above. The solution to solve this problem will be described below.

[0018] That is, the glass plate manufacturing apparatus of Scheme 1 of this utility model continuously manufactures glass plates and sequentially places the manufactured glass plates on a tray and bundles them. The glass plate manufacturing apparatus is characterized by comprising: a transverse width direction conveying device that holds the glass plate in a longitudinal position and conveys the glass plate along a transverse width direction that is orthogonal to the plate thickness direction in a planar view; and a transfer device that transfers the glass plate onto the tray. The transfer device conveys the glass plate received from the transverse width direction conveying device along the plate thickness direction and transfers it onto the tray. In the manufacturing apparatus, four or more transfer devices are provided.

[0019] Thus, in the glass plate manufacturing apparatus of this utility model, four or more transfer devices are provided. Therefore, even if it is difficult to increase the transport speed when the glass plate is transported along the thickness direction using each transfer device, the overall processing speed of the packaging process can be increased by using these four or more transfer devices.

[0020] Therefore, for example, by increasing the processing speed of other processes from the cutting process to the inspection process, it is possible to shorten the production interval time of the equipment as a whole.

[0021] Furthermore, the glass plate manufacturing apparatus of Scheme 2 of this utility model is based on Scheme 1 above, characterized in that, in terms of the external dimensions of the glass plate, in the longitudinal orientation, the dimension in the horizontal width direction is 1000 mm or more, and the dimension in the vertical direction is 1000 mm or more.

[0022] Here, the larger the size of the glass plate, the greater the swing amplitude caused by air resistance when the glass plate is transported longitudinally along the thickness direction using a transfer device, making it more difficult to increase the transport speed of the transfer device.

[0023] According to the glass plate manufacturing apparatus of this utility model, even when manufacturing glass plates with relatively large external dimensions, having a width of 1000 mm or more and a height of 1000 mm or more, the overall production interval of the equipment can be shortened without increasing the handling speed of the transfer device.

[0024] Furthermore, the glass plate manufacturing apparatus of Scheme 3 of this utility model is based on Scheme 1 or Scheme 2 above, characterized in that the speed ratio of the transverse width direction transport speed Vw, which is the transport speed when the glass plate is transported along the transverse width direction using the transverse width direction transport device, to the thickness direction transport speed Vt, which is the transport speed when the glass plate is transported along the thickness direction using the transfer device, i.e., Vw / Vt, is 2 or more.

[0025] Thus, in the glass plate manufacturing apparatus of this invention, the speed ratio (Vw / Vt) of the transverse width transport speed Vw to the thickness transport speed Vt is 2 or more, and the thickness transport speed Vt is set relatively slowly. Therefore, when the glass plate is transported along the thickness direction using the transfer device, it can be transported in a stable state while suppressing the swaying amplitude of the glass plate caused by air resistance.

[0026] In addition, the transverse transport speed Vw is set relatively fast, so the processing speed of each process located upstream of the bundling process (e.g., each process from the cutting process to the inspection process) can be increased, and the overall production interval time of the equipment can be shortened more reliably.

[0027] Furthermore, the glass plate manufacturing apparatus of Scheme 4 of this utility model is based on any one of Schemes 1 to 3 above, characterized in that four or more of the transfer devices are arranged along the horizontal width direction.

[0028] With this structure, the glass plate manufacturing apparatus according to the present invention, for example, compared to the case where four or more transfer devices are respectively branched out in the transverse direction which is the transport direction of the transverse direction transport device, can transport the glass plate to each transfer device via the shortest path, and can shorten the transport time from the transverse direction transport device to each transfer device.

[0029] Furthermore, the glass plate manufacturing apparatus of embodiment 5 of this utility model, based on any one of embodiments 1 to 4 above, is characterized in that the glass plate manufacturing apparatus has an inspection device for inspecting the quality of the glass plate on the upstream side of the transport direction relative to the transfer device, which is transported by the transverse transport device. The inspection device has: a defect detection mechanism that detects defects in the glass plate; and a quality determination mechanism that determines, based on the detection result detected by the defect detection mechanism, whether the quality of the glass plate is good or defective. The manufacturing apparatus also has a waste chute for discarding the glass plate if the quality determination mechanism determines that the quality of the glass plate is defective. The waste chute is provided below at least one of the four predetermined positions where the transverse transport device transfers the glass plate relative to each of the transfer devices.

[0030] With this structure, the glass plate manufacturing apparatus according to the present invention can reliably discard glass plates that are determined to be defective by the quality judgment mechanism before they are handed over from the transverse transport device to the transfer device via the waste chute. Therefore, for example, it can prevent the deterioration of the processing speed in the bundling process due to the need to unbundle the temporarily bundled bundles because defective glass plates are mixed on the tray.

[0031] Furthermore, the glass plate manufacturing apparatus of Scheme 6 of this utility model, based on any one of Schemes 1 to 5 above, is characterized in that the glass plate manufacturing apparatus has an inspection device for inspecting the quality of the glass plate on the upstream side of the transport direction relative to the transfer device, which is transported by the transverse transport device. The inspection device includes: a defect detection mechanism that detects defects in the glass plate; and a quality judgment mechanism that, based on the detection result detected by the defect detection mechanism, determines whether the quality of the glass plate is good or defective, and further determines whether the glass plate determined to be good is a first good product of high quality or a second good product of lower quality than the first good product. At least two of the four or more transfer devices are first transfer devices that transfer the glass plates determined to be first good products by the quality judgment mechanism to the tray respectively, and at least two of the four or more transfer devices other than the first transfer devices are second transfer devices that transfer the glass plates determined to be second good products by the quality judgment mechanism to the tray respectively.

[0032] Here, if there is only one first transfer device, for example, when the first transfer device malfunctions, is under maintenance, or when consumables such as protective sheets for the glass plates placed on the tray are replaced, the glass plates that have been judged as first good products by the quality inspection agency cannot be bundled through the bundling process, thus causing the operation of the entire equipment to be temporarily stopped.

[0033] In addition, if only one second transfer device is provided, the situation is the same as with the first transfer device. For example, when the second transfer device malfunctions, is under maintenance, or when consumables such as protective sheets for the glass plates placed on the tray are replaced, the glass plates that have been judged as second-good products by the quality inspection agency cannot be bundled through the bundling process, thus causing the overall operation of the equipment to be temporarily stopped.

[0034] In the glass plate manufacturing apparatus of this utility model, at least two of the first transfer device and the second transfer device are provided. Therefore, even in the event of the aforementioned malfunction, maintenance, or replacement of consumables, other first or second transfer devices can be used to cope with the situation, so that the overall operation of the equipment can continue to operate without being temporarily stopped, thus preventing a reduction in the equipment's capacity.

[0035] Utility Model Effect

[0036] As a result of this utility model, it achieves the effects shown below.

[0037] That is, the glass plate manufacturing apparatus according to this utility model can shorten the production interval time of the entire equipment. Attached Figure Description

[0038] Figure 1 This is a top view showing the overall structure of a glass plate manufacturing apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0039] Figure 2 This is a diagram showing the overall structure of the glass plate manufacturing apparatus and is along... Figure 1 A sectional side view observed in the X-direction.

[0040] Figure 3 This is a side view showing the structure of the conveying device.

[0041] Figure 4 This is a front view showing the structure of the transfer device.

[0042] Figure 5 This is a diagram showing the structure of the first horizontal conveying device. Figure 5 (a) is its side view. Figure 5 (b) is its front view.

[0043] Figure 6 This is a diagram showing the structure of a vertical conveying device. Figure 6 (a) is its side view. Figure 6 (b) is its front view.

[0044] Figure 7 This is a diagram showing the structure of the second horizontal conveying device. Figure 7 (a) is its side view. Figure 7 (b) is its front view.

[0045] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0046] 1. Glass plate manufacturing apparatus

[0047] 100b Discarded chute

[0048] 51 Inspection device

[0049] 51a Imaging Department (Defect Detection Agency)

[0050] 51b Control device (quality assessment mechanism)

[0051] 61 Transfer device

[0052] 7. Handling equipment (transfer equipment in the horizontal direction)

[0053] 75. Main body of the fifth transport device (transport device in the horizontal direction)

[0054] Ga glass plate

[0055] P6 Move-out location (designated location)

[0056] T-tray

[0057] Vt Thickness direction transport speed

[0058] Vw is the lateral transport speed. Detailed Implementation

[0059] Next, use Figures 1 to 7 One embodiment of this utility model will be described.

[0060] It should be noted that, for convenience, the following explanation uses... Figures 1 to 7 The directions of the arrows shown are used to explain the front-back, left-right, and up-down directions of the glass plate manufacturing apparatus 1. Additionally, using... Figures 1 to 3 The direction of arrow A shown in the illustration specifies the direction of transport of the glass plate Ga (or the original glass plate Ga1).

[0061] [Overall structure of the manufacturing apparatus 1 for glass plate Ga]

[0062] First, use Figures 1 to 3 The overall structure of the manufacturing apparatus 1 (hereinafter appropriately referred to as "manufacturing apparatus 1") for manufacturing glass plate Ga, which embodies the present invention, will be described.

[0063] The manufacturing apparatus 1 in this embodiment is an apparatus that continuously manufactures glass plates Ga using a pull-down method, and then sequentially places the manufactured glass plates Ga onto a tray T and bundles them to construct a specified glass plate bundle body M.

[0064] Here, the glass plate Ga used in manufacturing can be exemplified by rectangular glass plates used in glass substrates and cover glass of liquid crystal displays, organic EL displays, etc.

[0065] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the tray T is of the vertical type, and the constructed glass plate bundle M has a structure comprising a glass plate stack G composed of multiple stacked glass plates Ga and a tray T that bundles the glass plate stack G in an upright state (see reference). Figure 4 ).

[0066] It should be noted that, as for the external dimensions of the glass plate Ga, in the longitudinal orientation, the dimension in the horizontal width direction (the orthogonal direction to the thickness direction in a top view) is 1000 mm or more, and the dimension in the vertical direction is 1000 mm or more.

[0067] Here, the larger the external dimensions of the glass plate Ga, the greater the swing amplitude caused by air resistance when the glass plate Ga is transported in a longitudinal posture along the thickness direction using the transfer device 61 described later, making it more difficult to increase the transport speed of the transfer device 61.

[0068] According to the manufacturing apparatus 1 in this embodiment, even when manufacturing a glass plate Ga with a relatively large external dimension of 1000 mm or more in both the width and height directions, it is possible to shorten the overall production interval time of the equipment without increasing the transport speed of the transfer device 61, as will be described later.

[0069] like Figure 1 as well as Figure 2 As shown, the manufacturing apparatus 1 mainly includes a cutting section 2, a scribing section 3, a cutting section 4, an inspection section 5, and a bundling section 6 arranged sequentially along a straight line along the transport direction A (the forward direction in this embodiment) of the glass plate Ga.

[0070] In addition, the manufacturing apparatus 1 includes a conveying device 7 for moving glass plate Ga between the above-mentioned parts and a transfer device 61 provided in the bundling part 6.

[0071] It should be noted that the conveying device 7 is an example of the transverse conveying device of this utility model.

[0072] In this embodiment, for example, to address delays in operations in the bundling section 6, a standby section 10 for temporarily suspending the glass plate Ga is provided between the inspection section 5 and the bundling section 6.

[0073] In addition, there are four or more bundled sections 6 along the transport direction A (front and back direction) (four in this embodiment). As will be described later, the glass plate Ga is appropriately allocated to the designated bundled sections 6 according to the inspection results of the inspection section 5, and then placed on the tray T.

[0074] Cutting section 2 is used to cut the glass strip R (see reference). Figure 3 The section of the cutting process S01, which involves cutting a single sheet of glass Ga1 to a specified size.

[0075] like Figure 3 As shown, the cutting section 2 includes an arm assembly 21 and a scribing support rod 22 and a cutting wheel 23 disposed above the arm assembly 21.

[0076] It should be noted that the scribing support rod 22 and the cutting wheel 23 are positioned offset from the glass plate Ga1 being transported by the transport device 7 on the other side (right side in this embodiment) in the plate thickness direction.

[0077] The arm assembly 21 has a pair of arm frames 21a extending in the vertical direction and facing each other along the transport direction A (front-back direction), and a plurality of (four in this embodiment) grippers 21b arranged at predetermined intervals in the vertical direction along the opposite sides of each arm frame 21a.

[0078] The engraving support rod 22 is, for example, made of a long rectangular plate-shaped component, and is arranged above the arm device 21 in such a way that its length direction is along the transport direction A with the plane facing the plate thickness direction (left and right direction in this embodiment).

[0079] The cutter wheel 23 is located on the other side (right side) in the plate thickness direction, and the glass strip R is clamped by the cutter wheel 23 and the scribing support rod 22, so that the axial direction is set in the vertical direction.

[0080] In addition, the cutter wheel 23 is configured to rotate around the axis and to reciprocate along the first cutting predetermined line L1 in the front-back direction.

[0081] Above the cut-out section 2 is a wedge-shaped molding body (not shown) in cross-section, which is covered by a molding furnace (not shown) with an opening at the bottom.

[0082] Furthermore, the molten glass (not shown) overflowing from the top of the molded body flows down both sides of the molded body and then fuses at the lower end of the molded body, forming a strip-shaped glass strip R.

[0083] The glass ribbon R formed in the forming furnace is annealed when it flows down into an annealing furnace (not shown) located below the forming furnace, thereby reducing residual stress.

[0084] Afterwards, the glass strip R passes through the annealing furnace in a longitudinal orientation and is then supplied to the arm assembly 21 (more specifically, between a pair of arm frames 21a) in a state where the thickness direction is set to be orthogonal to the transport direction A in a top-view orthogonal direction (left-right direction).

[0085] When the glass strip R arrives between a pair of arm frames 21a, the arm device 21 uses the chucks 21b provided on each arm frame 21a to clamp the two ends of the glass strip R in the transverse direction (along the direction of the transport direction A, and in this embodiment, the front-back direction).

[0086] When the glass strip R is clamped by the chuck 21b, the scribing support rod 22 contacts the back side of the glass strip R (the main surface on one side in the thickness direction, and in this embodiment, the main surface on the left side). Then, the cutter wheel 23 moves along the first cutting predetermined line L1 to form a scribing line on the glass strip R.

[0087] When a scribe line is formed on the glass strip R, the broken fulcrum bar (not shown) contacts the surface of the glass strip R (the main surface on the other side in the thickness direction, and in this embodiment, the main surface on the right side) and near the upper side of the scribe line formed.

[0088] After the aforementioned breakage fulcrum rod contacts the glass strip R, while the glass strip R is held in place by the chuck 21b, the arm device 21 rotates towards the surface side (left side) of the glass strip R with the vicinity of the scribed line as the center, thereby cutting (severing) the glass strip R along the scribed line, and the glass plate Ga1 made of the specified size is cut out in a longitudinal position.

[0089] When the original glass plate Ga1 is cut out, the arm device 21, while maintaining the clamping state of the original glass plate Ga1, moves to one side in the thickness direction (left side in this embodiment) and temporarily stops at a predetermined position below the conveying device 7 (hereinafter appropriately referred to as "putting-in position P1"). Figure 1 ).

[0090] Then, the upper end of the glass plate Ga1 is held by the transport device 7 (more specifically, the first transport device body 71 described later), thereby releasing the clamping state of the glass plate Ga1 by the arm device 21.

[0091] Thus, the cut glass plate Ga1 is transferred from the arm device 21 to the transport device 7.

[0092] It should be noted that the method for cutting the glass strip R is not limited to the bending stress-based cutting shown in this embodiment. For example, it can also be laser cutting, laser melting, etc.

[0093] Additionally, in the cutting section 2, a waste chute 100a is provided below the conveying device 7 to pre-discard glass blanks Ga1 that are damaged or broken due to poor cutting before being handed over to the conveying device 7 (see reference). Figure 1 ).

[0094] The scribing section 3 is the section that performs scribing process S02, which forms a specified scribing line at both ends of the glass plate Ga1 cut out by the cutting process S01 in the horizontal (front-back) direction.

[0095] The engraving section 3 has a pair of engraving devices 31 arranged along the transport direction A (front and back direction).

[0096] Each marking device 31 has a marking support rod 31a and a cutting wheel 31b.

[0097] The engraving support rod 31a is composed of a rectangular plate-shaped component, for example, and is configured with its length direction set in the vertical direction when the plane is facing the thickness direction (left-right direction).

[0098] In addition, the scribing support rod 31a is configured to contact the surface (main surface on the left side) of the glass plate Ga1 along a pre-set second cutting predetermined line L2.

[0099] It should be noted that the second cutting predetermined line L2 is set at both ends of the horizontal width direction (front and back direction) of the glass plate Ga1.

[0100] The cutter wheel 31b is positioned on the opposite side (right side) of the plate thickness direction relative to the scribing support rod 31a, with its axial direction set in the front-to-back direction.

[0101] In addition, the cutter wheel 31b is configured to rotate around the axis and to reciprocate in the vertical direction along the second cutting predetermined line L2.

[0102] Furthermore, when the glass plate Ga1 cut by the cutting section 2 is supplied to the scribing section 3 in a longitudinal position, the scribing support rod 31a contacts the surface (main surface on the left side) of the glass plate Ga1, and the cutting wheel 31b moves along the second cutting predetermined line L2.

[0103] Thus, scribing lines are formed at both ends of the glass plate Ga1 in the transverse (front-back) direction.

[0104] The cutting section 4 is the section that performs the cutting process S03, which cuts (cuts) the glass plate Ga1 along the scribing line formed by the scribing process S02 and removes the non-essential portion, including the ear Gb, from the glass plate Ga1.

[0105] It should be noted that the term "ear" (Gb) refers to the two ends of the glass strip R in the transverse (front-back) direction where the thickness of the strip is relatively greater than that of the central part in the transverse (front-back) direction during the process of forming the glass strip R from molten glass by the pull-down method.

[0106] The cutting section 4 is equipped with a pair of cutting devices 41 arranged along the transport direction A (front and back direction).

[0107] Each cutting device 41 includes: a breaking fulcrum rod 41a, which is elongated in the vertical direction and can be arranged to contact the surface (main surface on the left side) of the original glass plate Ga1 when the plane is facing the thickness direction (left-right direction); and a pressing rod 41b, which extends in the vertical direction and can be arranged to contact the back side (main surface on the right side) of the original glass plate Ga1 when the plane is facing the thickness direction (left-right direction).

[0108] When viewed along the thickness direction of the original glass plate Ga1 (in this embodiment, the left-right direction), the break fulcrum rod 41a and the pressing rod 41b are arranged parallel to each other, with the pre-set second cutting line L2 sandwiched in the middle.

[0109] In addition, the break fulcrum rod 41a is disposed near the center of the glass plate Ga1 relative to the second cutting predetermined line L2, and the pressing rod 41b is disposed near the end of the glass plate Ga1 (the side opposite to the center) relative to the second cutting predetermined line L2.

[0110] Furthermore, when the glass plate Ga1, which has been formed by the scribing section 3 along the second cutting predetermined line L2, is supplied to the cutting section 4 in a longitudinal orientation, a pair of breakage fulcrum rods 41a respectively contact the surface (main surface on the left side) of the glass plate Ga1 and the vicinity of each scribing line formed thereon.

[0111] Additionally, the upper end of the glass plate Ga1 (more specifically, the area between a pair of scribe lines at the upper end) is held using a holding device (not shown).

[0112] Afterwards, after a pair of pressing rods 41b respectively contact the back side (right side main surface) of the glass plate Ga1 and the vicinity of each scribed line formed, the pair of pressing rods 41b press the glass plate Ga1 toward the surface side (left side) of the glass plate Ga1, thereby cutting off and removing the ears Gb at both ends in the horizontal (front-back direction) to form the glass plate Ga.

[0113] Inspection section 5 is the section that performs inspection process S04 to check the quality of the formed glass plate Ga.

[0114] The inspection unit 5 is equipped with an inspection device 51 and a moving device 52.

[0115] The inspection device 51 has an imaging section 51a located on the surface side (left side) of the glass plate Ga and elongated in the vertical direction, and a light source section (not shown) disposed across the glass plate Ga at a position corresponding to the imaging section 51a.

[0116] In addition, the inspection device 51 has a control device 51b that determines the quality of the glass plate based on the image data obtained by the imaging unit 51a.

[0117] It should be noted that the imaging unit 51a is an example of the defect detection mechanism of this utility model.

[0118] In addition, the control device 51b is an example of the quality determination mechanism of this utility model.

[0119] The shooting unit 51a may be, for example, a shooting unit obtained by arranging multiple digital cameras at equal intervals along the vertical direction.

[0120] In this case, the light source unit can also be a light source unit obtained by arranging multiple light sources at equal intervals in the vertical direction at positions corresponding to each digital camera.

[0121] The control device 51b includes an arithmetic processing unit consisting of a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a storage unit consisting of ROM (Read Only Memory), RAM (Random Access Memory), HDD (Hard Disk Drive), etc. The storage unit stores in advance programs for processing image data obtained by the imaging unit 51a and programs for determining the quality of the glass plate Ga based on the image data.

[0122] It should be noted that the structure of the control device 51b is not limited to this embodiment. For example, it may also have the function of controlling the operation of the entire manufacturing device 1.

[0123] Furthermore, as will be described later, the inspection device 51 determines the number and size of defects in the glass plate Ga based on the image data captured by the imaging unit 51a, and determines the quality of the glass plate Ga.

[0124] The moving device 52 has an upper moving device 52a disposed above the inspection device 51 and a lower moving device 52b disposed below the inspection device 51. The upper moving device 52a and the lower moving device 52b are configured to move along the transport direction A (forward direction) while holding the glass plate Ga in a longitudinal position.

[0125] The upper moving device 52a has: a self-moving moving frame 52a2, which has a drive part 52a1 as a drive source composed of a drive motor or the like; and a pair of clamps 52a3, which protrude downward at both ends (front and rear ends in this embodiment) on the lower surface of the moving frame 52a2 and along the direction of the transport direction A.

[0126] On the other hand, the lower moving device 52b has: a self-moving moving frame 52b2, which has a driving part 52b1 as a driving source composed of a drive motor or the like; and a pair of clamps 52b3, which protrude upward at both ends (front and rear ends in this embodiment) on the upper surface of the moving frame 52b2 and along the direction of the transport direction A.

[0127] Furthermore, when the glass plate Ga is supplied from the cutting section 4 to the inspection section 5 in a longitudinal position, the moving device 52 uses a pair of clamps 52a3 in the upper moving device 52a to clamp the two ends of the upper end of the glass plate Ga in the horizontal width direction (front-back direction), and uses a pair of clamps 52b3 in the lower moving device 52b to clamp the two ends of the lower end of the glass plate Ga in the horizontal width direction (front-back direction).

[0128] Thus, the glass plate Ga is held in a longitudinal position by the moving device 52.

[0129] Then, while holding the glass plate Ga in a longitudinal orientation, the moving device 52 moves at a predetermined constant speed along the transport direction A (forward direction).

[0130] In addition, as the moving device 52 moves, the inspection device 51 uses the imaging unit 51a to capture the main surface of the glass plate Ga and obtain image data.

[0131] Based on the image data thus obtained, the control device 51b executes a prescribed procedure, thereby the inspection unit 5 inspects the quality of the glass plate Ga.

[0132] Specifically, the image data of the glass plate Ga acquired by the imaging unit 51a is immediately sent to the control device 51b. Upon receiving the image data, the control device 51b executes a prescribed procedure to detect the quantity and size of defects such as breaks, cracks, foreign objects, and bubbles present in the glass plate Ga.

[0133] Furthermore, based on the above-mentioned detection results, the control device 51b performs a comparison operation that compares the glass plate Ga with a predetermined threshold stored in the storage unit (not shown). This firstly determines whether the quality of the glass plate Ga is good or defective. Then, for the glass plate Ga that is determined to be good, it determines whether it is a first good product with high quality or a second good product with lower quality than the first good product.

[0134] It should be noted that the criteria for judging good and bad products in glass plate Ga are as follows: for example, glass plates Ga with defects such as missing parts, cracks, foreign objects, and bubbles, whose quantity and size are inappropriate for the final product and are properly discarded are judged as bad products, while glass plates with all other defects are judged as good products.

[0135] In addition, regarding the criteria for judging the quality of glass plate Ga as first-good and second-good, for example, a glass plate Ga with a quality level where the number and size of defects such as defects, cracks, foreign objects, and bubbles are below a predetermined threshold is judged as first-good, and other glass plates are judged as second-good.

[0136] After the quality inspection performed by the inspection unit 5 is completed, the glass plate Ga is temporarily transferred to the standby unit 10. Then, based on the judgment result determined by the control device 51b, it is transferred to the designated bundling unit 6 (see reference). Figure 1 The equipment is transported and handed over to the transfer device 61 described later.

[0137] However, at least one of the four bundling sections 6 (in this embodiment, the first bundling section 6a located on the most upstream side) is included. Figure 1 In the process, a waste chute 100b is provided below the conveying device 7 for the glass plate Ga that is determined to be defective by the control device 51b to be discarded before being handed over to the conveying device 7 (see reference). Figure 1 ).

[0138] Thus, in this embodiment, the glass plate Ga manufacturing apparatus 1 has an inspection device 51 for inspecting the quality of the glass plate Ga on the upstream side of the transport direction A, in which the transport device (horizontal transport device) 7 transports the glass plate Ga relative to the bundling section 6 (more specifically, the transfer device 61 described later).

[0139] In addition, the inspection device 51 includes: an imaging unit (defect detection mechanism) 51a, which detects defects in the glass plate Ga; and a control device (quality judgment mechanism) 51b, which determines whether the glass plate Ga is a good product or a defective product based on the detection results detected by the imaging unit (defect detection mechanism) 51a.

[0140] On the other hand, the manufacturing apparatus 1 for glass plate Ga also includes a waste chute 100b for discarding the glass plate Ga if the control device (quality determination mechanism) 51b determines that the glass plate Ga is a defective product.

[0141] Furthermore, the waste chute 100b is disposed in at least one of the four bundling sections 6 (bundling section 6a) below the transport device 7, and more specifically, below at least one of the four designated positions (the removal position P6 described later) where the glass plate Ga is handed over from the transport device (horizontal transport device) 7 relative to each transfer device 61.

[0142] With this structure, the glass plate Ga manufacturing apparatus 1 according to this embodiment can reliably discard glass plates Ga that are determined to be defective by the control device (quality judgment mechanism) 51b before they are handed over from the transport device (horizontal transport device) 7 to the transfer device 61 via the waste chute 100b. Therefore, for example, it is possible to prevent the deterioration of the processing speed in the bundling process S05 due to the need to unbundle the temporarily bundled glass plate bundles M because the defective glass plates Ga are mixed on the tray T.

[0143] The bundling section 6 is the section that performs the bundling process S05, which involves collecting multiple glass plates Ga that have been inspected by the inspection process S04, placing them together on the tray T, and bundling them to form a glass plate bundle M.

[0144] like Figure 1 As shown, the bundling section 6 has a transfer device 61 that transfers the glass plate Ga to the tray T in a longitudinal orientation.

[0145] The transfer device 61 is, for example, positioned between a pallet T pre-configured at a predetermined location on the floor and the handling device 7.

[0146] It should be noted that, as described above, in this embodiment, the structure is as follows: four bundling sections 6 are provided along the transport direction A (front-back direction). In the first bundling section 6a, the second bundling section 6b, the third bundling section 6c, and the fourth bundling section 6d arranged sequentially from the upstream side to the downstream side, for example, in the first bundling section 6a and the second bundling section 6b, the glass plate Ga determined by the control device 51b to be the first good product is transferred onto the tray T and bundled. In addition, in the third bundling section 6c and the fourth bundling section 6d, the glass plate Ga determined by the control device 51b to be the second good product is transferred onto the tray T and bundled.

[0147] In other words, the transfer devices 61 respectively provided in the first bundling section 6a and the second bundling section 6b are first transfer devices that transfer the glass plates Ga determined by the control device 51b to be the first good products to the tray T. In addition, the transfer devices 61 respectively provided in the third bundling section 6c and the fourth bundling section 6d are second transfer devices that transfer the glass plates Ga determined by the control device 51b to be the second good products to the tray T.

[0148] Thus, in this embodiment, the structure is as follows: four or more (four in this embodiment) transfer devices 61 are provided. At least two of these four or more transfer devices 61 (two in this embodiment) (more specifically, the transfer devices 61 provided in the first bundling section 6a and the second bundling section 6b respectively) are first transfer devices that transfer the glass plates Ga determined by the control device (quality determination mechanism) 51b to the tray T respectively. In addition, at least two other transfer devices 61 (two in this embodiment) (more specifically, the transfer devices 61 provided in the third bundling section 6c and the fourth bundling section 6d respectively) are second transfer devices that transfer the glass plates Ga determined by the control device (quality determination mechanism) 51b to the tray T respectively.

[0149] Here, if only one of the first transfer device and / or the second transfer device is provided, for example, when the first transfer device and / or the second transfer device malfunctions, during maintenance, or when consumables such as protective sheets for the glass plate Ga placed on the tray T are replaced, the glass plate Ga that has been determined to be the first good product and / or the second good product by the control device (quality judgment mechanism) 51b cannot be bundled through the bundling process S05, thus causing the overall operation of the equipment to be temporarily stopped.

[0150] In the glass plate Ga manufacturing apparatus 1 of this embodiment, at least two of both the first transfer device and the second transfer device are provided. Therefore, even in the event of a malfunction, maintenance, or replacement of consumables as described above, other first or second transfer devices can be used to deal with the situation, so that the operation of the entire equipment can continue without temporarily stopping, thus preventing a reduction in the equipment's capacity.

[0151] The transfer device 61 receives the glass plates Ga that are being transported by the transport device 7 in a longitudinal orientation in sequence and transfers them to the tray T.

[0152] Furthermore, when a specified number of glass plates Ga are transferred onto a pallet T, these multiple glass plates Ga are bundled together with the pallet T and then moved to a temporary storage location or shipped to a specified destination.

[0153] It should be noted that the detailed structure of the transfer device 61 will be described later.

[0154] like Figure 3 As shown, the conveying device 7 includes: a first conveying device body 71, which conveys the cut glass plate Ga1 from the cutting part 2 toward the scribing part 3; a second conveying device body 72, which conveys the glass plate Ga1 with scribing lines formed from the scribing part 3 toward the cutting part 4; a third conveying device body 73, which conveys the glass plate Ga1 with the ears Gb and other parts removed from the cutting part 4 toward the inspection part 5; a fourth conveying device body 74, which conveys the glass plate Ga that has completed inspection from the inspection part 5 toward the standby part 10; and a fifth conveying device body 75, which conveys the glass plate Ga as the final product from the standby part 10 toward the desired bundling part 6.

[0155] Furthermore, these first transport device bodies 71, second transport device bodies 72, third transport device bodies 73, fourth transport device bodies 74, and fifth transport device bodies 75 are configured to hold the glass plate Ga (or the original glass plate Ga1) hanging down in a longitudinal position while being transported in the transverse direction (the forward direction in this embodiment) along the transport direction A.

[0156] Therefore, in this embodiment, the transfer devices 61 provided in four or more (four in this embodiment) of the bundling section 6 are arranged in a structure that is arranged in a horizontal (forward) direction along the transport direction of the transport device 7.

[0157] With this structure, the glass plate Ga manufacturing apparatus 1 according to this embodiment, for example, compared to the case where four or more transfer devices 61 are respectively branched in the transverse direction relative to the transport direction of the transport device (transverse direction transport device) 7, can transport the glass plate Ga to each transfer device 61 by the shortest path, and can shorten the transport time of transporting the glass plate Ga to each transfer device 61 by the transport device (transverse direction transport device) 7.

[0158] Furthermore, the conveying device 7 has a guide rail 76 extending along the conveying direction A (front-back direction) and guiding the movement direction of the first conveying device body 71, the second conveying device body 72, the third conveying device body 73, the fourth conveying device body 74 and the fifth conveying device body 75.

[0159] It should be noted that the structure of the guide rail 76 is not limited to this embodiment. It can also be provided separately for the first transport device body 71, the second transport device body 72, the third transport device body 73, the fourth transport device body 74, and the fifth transport device body 75.

[0160] The main body 71 of the first conveying device includes: a self-moving moving frame 71b, which has a drive unit 71a as a drive source composed of a drive motor or the like; and a pair of clamps 71c that protrude downward at both ends (front and rear ends) on the lower surface of the moving frame 71b and along the conveying direction A.

[0161] In addition, a pair of clamps 71c are configured to move up and down relative to the movable frame 71b.

[0162] Furthermore, as described above, when the glass plate Ga1 is moved to the input position P1 using the arm device 21, the first transport device body 71, which is waiting in the cutting process S01, lowers a pair of chucks 71c and clamps the upper end of the glass plate Ga1.

[0163] Then, the main body 71 of the first conveying device moves the glass plate Ga1 in a vertical position toward the marking section 3. When the glass plate Ga1 reaches the predetermined first intermediate stop position P2 in the marking section 3, after the upper end of the glass plate Ga1 is held by the first support device (not shown), the clamping state of the pair of clamps 71c is released.

[0164] Thus, the glass plate Ga1 is transported from the cutting section 2 to the marking section 3 by the main body 71 of the first transport device, and supplied to the marking section 3.

[0165] It should be noted that after the first conveying device body 71 releases the clamping state of the pair of chucks 71c, it raises the chucks 71c, then moves towards the cutting part 2 again, and returns to the designated standby position.

[0166] The second transport device body 72 also has the same features as the first transport device body 71: a self-moving moving frame 72b, which has a drive unit 72a as a drive source composed of a drive motor or the like; and a pair of clamps 72c that protrude downwards at both ends (front and rear ends) on the lower surface of the moving frame 72b and along the transport direction A.

[0167] In addition, a pair of clamps 72c are configured to move up and down relative to the movable frame 72b.

[0168] Furthermore, the second transport device body 72 lowers a pair of chucks 71c at the first intermediate stop position P2, and uses the chucks 72c to clamp the upper end of the glass plate Ga1, which has scribed lines formed by the scribed part 3.

[0169] In addition, the aforementioned first support device (not shown) releases the holding state of the upper end of the glass plate Ga1.

[0170] Then, the second transport device body 72 moves the glass plate Ga1 in a vertical orientation toward the cutting section 4. When the glass plate Ga1 reaches the predetermined second intermediate stop position P3 in the cutting section 4, the clamping state of the pair of clamps 72c is released after the upper end of the glass plate Ga1 is held by the second support device (not shown).

[0171] Thus, the glass plate Ga1 is transported from the scribing section 3 to the cutting section 4 by the main body 72 of the second transport device, and supplied to the cutting section 4.

[0172] It should be noted that, similar to the first transport device body 71, after the clamping state of the pair of chucks 72c is released, the second transport device body 72 raises the chucks 72c, then moves towards the engraving part 3 again, and returns to the designated standby position.

[0173] The third transport device body 73 also has the same features as the first transport device body 71: a self-moving moving frame 73b, which has a drive unit 73a as a drive source composed of a drive motor or the like; and a pair of clamps 73c that protrude downwards at both ends (front and rear ends) on the lower surface of the moving frame 73b and along the transport direction A.

[0174] In addition, a pair of clamps 73c are configured to move up and down relative to the movable frame 73b.

[0175] Furthermore, the third transport device body 73 lowers a pair of chucks 73c at the second intermediate stop position P3, and uses the chucks 73c to clamp the upper end of the glass plate Ga1 from which the ear Gb and other parts have been removed by the cut-off part 4.

[0176] In addition, the aforementioned second support device (not shown) releases the holding of the upper end of the glass plate Ga1.

[0177] Then, the main body 73 of the third transport device moves toward the inspection section 5 with the glass plate Ga1 in a vertical orientation hanging down.

[0178] When the glass plate Ga1, which is being transported by the main body 73 of the third transport device, reaches the designated third intermediate stop position P4 in the inspection section 5, the upper moving device 52a and the lower moving device 52b in the moving device 52 respectively hold the upper end and the lower end of the glass plate Ga1.

[0179] Then, the main body 73 of the third transport device releases the clamping state of the pair of chucks 72c.

[0180] Thus, the glass plate Ga1 is transported from the cutting section 4 to the inspection section 5 by the main body 73 of the third transport device, and supplied to the inspection section 5.

[0181] It should be noted that, similar to the first transport device body 71, after the clamping state of the pair of chucks 73c is released, the third transport device body 73 raises the chucks 73c, then moves towards the cutting part 4 again, and returns to the designated standby position.

[0182] The fourth transport device body 74 also has the same features as the first transport device body 71: a self-moving moving frame 74b, which has a drive unit 74a as a drive source composed of a drive motor or the like; and a pair of clamps 74c that protrude downward at both ends (front and rear ends) on the lower surface of the moving frame 74b and along the transport direction A.

[0183] In addition, a pair of clamps 74c are configured to move up and down relative to the movable frame 74b.

[0184] Furthermore, the fourth transport device body 74 lowers a pair of chucks 74c at the third intermediate stop position P4, and uses the chucks 74c to clamp the upper end of the glass plate Ga, which has finished the inspection performed by the inspection unit 5.

[0185] In addition, the upper moving device 52a and the lower moving device 52b release the holding state of the upper and lower ends of the glass plate Ga1.

[0186] Then, the fourth transport device body 74 moves the glass plate Ga in a vertical orientation toward the standby unit 10. When the glass plate Ga1 reaches the predetermined fourth intermediate stop position P5 in the standby unit 10, the clamping state of the pair of clamps 74c is released after the upper end of the glass plate Ga is held by the third support device (not shown).

[0187] Thus, the glass plate Ga is transported from the inspection section 5 to the standby section 10 by the main body 74 of the fourth transport device, and supplied to the standby section 10.

[0188] It should be noted that, similar to the first transport device body 71, after releasing the clamping state of a pair of chucks 74c, the fourth transport device body 74 raises the chucks 74c, then moves towards the inspection unit 5 again, and returns to the designated standby position.

[0189] The fifth transport device body 75 also has the same features as the first transport device body 71: a self-moving moving frame 75b, which has a drive unit 75a as a drive source composed of a drive motor or the like; and a pair of clamps 75c that protrude downward at both ends (front and rear ends) on the lower surface of the moving frame 75b and along the transport direction A.

[0190] In addition, a pair of clamps 75c are configured to move up and down relative to the movable frame 75b.

[0191] Furthermore, the fifth transport device body 75 lowers a pair of chucks 75c at the fourth intermediate stop position P5 and uses the chucks 75c to clamp the upper end of the glass plate Ga of the standby unit 10.

[0192] In addition, the aforementioned third support device (not shown) releases the holding state of the upper end of the glass plate Ga.

[0193] Then, the fifth transport device body 75 moves the glass plate Ga, which is in a vertical orientation and hanging down, toward the desired bundling section 6 (the appropriately selected bundling section 6 among the four bundling sections 6).

[0194] When the glass plate Ga, carried by the main body 75 of the fifth transport device, reaches the designated removal position P6 in each bundle section 6 (refer to...), Figure 2 When the glass plate Ga is in use, the transfer device 61 (more specifically, the first horizontal transport device 611 described later) holds the upper end of the glass plate Ga.

[0195] Then, the fifth transport device body 75 releases the clamping state of the pair of chucks 75c.

[0196] Thus, the glass plate Ga is transported from the standby section 10 to the desired bundling section 6 by the main body 75 of the fifth transport device, and supplied to the bundling section 6.

[0197] It should be noted that, similar to the first transport device body 71, after the fifth transport device body 75 releases the clamping state of the pair of chucks 75c, it raises the chucks 75c, then moves towards the standby unit 10 again and returns to the designated standby position.

[0198] On the other hand, as will be described later, the transfer device 61, which takes over the glass plate Ga from the fifth transport device body 75, places the glass plate Ga on a tray T positioned at a predetermined location on the floor.

[0199] [Structure of transfer device 61]

[0200] Next, use Figures 4 to 7 The structure of the transfer device 61 will be described in detail.

[0201] The transfer device 61 is a device that is provided in each of the bundling sections 6 of the manufacturing device 1 as described above, and sequentially transfers the glass plate Ga, which is transported by the transport device 7 (more specifically, the main body of the fifth transport device 75) in a longitudinal position, onto the tray T and bundles it.

[0202] like Figure 4 As shown, the transfer device 61 mainly includes: a first horizontal transport device 611, which transports the glass plate Ga, which is transported by the fifth transport device body 75 to the transfer position P6, in a generally horizontal direction towards the other side (right side) in the thickness direction; a vertical transport device 612, which receives the glass plate Ga from the first horizontal transport device 611 and transports the glass plate Ga to the vertical direction (the lower side in this embodiment); and a second horizontal transport device 613, which receives the glass plate Ga from the vertical transport device 612 and transports the glass plate Ga again in a generally horizontal direction towards the thickness direction and places it on the tray T.

[0203] like Figure 5 As shown in (a) and (b), the first horizontal transport device 611 is positioned relative to the glass plate Ga located at the transport position P6 on one side of the plate thickness direction (left side in this embodiment) and near the upper end of the glass plate Ga.

[0204] The first horizontal transport device 611 includes: a pair of movable frames 611a, which are separately arranged relative to the glass plate Ga located at the transport position P6 along the lateral (front-back) direction of the glass plate Ga; a pair of guide mechanisms 611b, which enable each movable frame 611a to reciprocate in the left-right direction; and a pair of clamps 611c, which protrude downward at the end of each movable frame 611a on the glass plate Ga side (the right end in this embodiment).

[0205] Furthermore, when the glass plate Ga, which is being transported by the fifth transport device body 75, reaches the transport position P6, a pair of moving frames 611a move simultaneously from the designated standby position Q10 toward the other side (right side) in the plate thickness direction. When the chuck 611c reaches the intermediate stop position Q11 located above the glass plate Ga, it temporarily stops.

[0206] When the pair of moving frames 611a stop at the intermediate stop position Q11, the pair of chucks 611c clamp and hold the upper end of the glass plate Ga.

[0207] On the other hand, after the glass plate Ga is held by a pair of chucks 611c in the first horizontal transport device 611, the fifth transport device body 75 releases the clamping state of the pair of chucks 75c, and then raises the pair of chucks 75c toward the standby unit 10 (see reference). Figure 3 )move.

[0208] Then, the pair of moving frames 611a simultaneously begin to move again toward the other side (right side) in the plate thickness direction, and stop when the chuck 611c reaches the specified stop position Q12.

[0209] Thus, the glass plate Ga is transported by the first horizontal transport device 611 in a longitudinal orientation toward the thickness direction (rightward direction in this embodiment) and arrives at a predetermined first intermediate placement position P7 located at approximately the same height as the transport position P6.

[0210] like Figure 6 As shown in (a) and (b), the vertical transport device 612 has: a plurality of (in this embodiment, a pair) chucks 612a, which are capable of holding the upper end of the glass plate Ga in a longitudinal orientation at the first intermediate placement position P7; a support frame 612b, which supports the pair of chucks 612a; a pair of guides 612c, which guide the direction of movement of the support frame 612b; and a pair of direct-acting actuators 612d, which serve as a drive source for moving the support frame 612b.

[0211] A pair of clamps 612a protrude downwards and are configured separately from each other along the transverse (front-back) direction of the glass plate Ga located at the first intermediate placement position P7.

[0212] The support frame 612b is composed of a long strip-shaped member and is configured relative to the glass plate Ga located at the first intermediate placement position P7 in such a way that it extends on the upper side and along the glass plate Ga in the horizontal (front-back) direction.

[0213] In addition, the support frame 612b supports a pair of clamps 612a on its lower surface.

[0214] A pair of guides 612c are respectively constructed by, for example, a general linear guide, and are configured at both ends (both ends in the front and rear directions) of the support frame 612b in the extension direction to guide the movement direction of the support frame 612b in the up and down direction.

[0215] A pair of direct-acting actuators 612d are configured such that the telescopic rods 612d1 face upwards and are upright relative to each other.

[0216] In addition, a pair of direct-acting actuators 612d are arranged parallel to each other on both sides (front and rear sides in this embodiment) of the glass plate Ga located at the first intermediate mounting position P7 in the lateral direction.

[0217] Furthermore, the pair of direct-acting actuators 612d are connected to the two ends (two ends in the front and rear directions) of the support frame 612b via the front end of the telescopic rod 612d1.

[0218] In the vertical transport device 612 constructed with this structure, the support frame 612b is in a standby state at the specified upper limit position Q21. When the glass plate Ga, which is transported by the first horizontal transport device 611, reaches the first intermediate placement position P7, a pair of clamps 612a clamp and hold the upper end of the glass plate Ga.

[0219] On the other hand, after the glass plate Ga is clamped by a pair of chucks 612a in the vertical transport device 612, the first horizontal transport device 611 releases the clamping state of the pair of chucks 611c, and then causes the pair of moving frames 611a to move simultaneously and return to the predetermined standby position Q10 (see reference). Figure 5 (b)

[0220] Thus, the glass plate Ga is transferred from the first horizontal direction conveying device 611 to the vertical direction conveying device 612.

[0221] Then, the support frame 612b moves downward and stops when it reaches the specified lower limit position Q22.

[0222] Thus, the glass plate Ga is transported by the vertical transport device 612 to a predetermined second intermediate placement position P8 located below the first intermediate placement position P7.

[0223] like Figure 7 As shown in (a) and (b), the second horizontal transport device 613 is positioned above the glass plate Ga, which is located in a longitudinal orientation at the second intermediate placement position P8, and the tray T, which is positioned at a predetermined position on the floor (more specifically, near the opposite side (right side) of the thickness direction of the glass plate Ga).

[0224] The second horizontal conveying device 613 includes: a movable frame 613a; a pair of first guide mechanisms 613b that enable the movable frame 613a to reciprocate in the left-right direction; a movable frame 613c located below the movable frame 613a; a pair of second guide mechanisms 613d that enable the movable frame 613c to move up and down relative to the movable frame 613a; and a pair of clamps 613e that protrude downward from the lower surface of the movable frame 613c.

[0225] In addition, a pair of clamps 613e are arranged separately from each other relative to the glass plate Ga located at the second intermediate placement position P8 along the transverse (front-back) direction of the glass plate Ga.

[0226] Here, in this embodiment, the height of the glass plate Ga when it is placed on the tray T in a vertical position (more specifically, the height of the second intermediate placement position P8) is set based on the lower end face of the glass plate Ga. For example, it is structured such that when the external dimensions (vertical dimensions) of the glass plate Ga are changed according to the type of glass plate Ga being manufactured, and the position of the upper end of the glass plate Ga is different, the movable frame 613c is moved up and down appropriately via the second guide mechanism 613d, thereby adjusting the height of the pair of clamps 613e according to the position of the upper end.

[0227] In the second horizontal transport device 613 with this structure, the movable frame 613a is in a standby state at the specified standby position Q31. When the glass plate Ga, which is transported by the vertical transport device 612, reaches the second intermediate placement position P8, a pair of clamps 613e clamp and hold the upper end of the glass plate Ga.

[0228] On the other hand, after the glass plate Ga is clamped by a pair of chucks 613e in the second horizontal transport device 613, the vertical transport device 612 releases the clamping state of the pair of chucks 612a, then moves the support frame 612b and returns it to the predetermined upper limit position Q21 (see reference). Figure 6 (a)).

[0229] Thus, the glass plate Ga is transferred from the vertical transport device 612 to the second horizontal transport device 613.

[0230] When the support frame 612b of the vertical conveying device 612 moves toward the upper limit position Q21, the moving frame 613a moves toward the other side (right side) in the plate thickness direction and stops when it reaches the specified stop position Q32.

[0231] Afterwards, the clamping state of the pair of chucks 613e is released, and the moving frame 613a moves again toward the standby position Q31.

[0232] Thus, the glass plate Ga is transported by the second horizontal transport device 613 and placed on the tray T.

[0233] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the transverse transport speed Vw is the transport speed when the glass plate Ga is transported along the transverse direction (the direction of transport direction A, and in this embodiment, the forward direction) using the transport device (transverse transport device) 7 (refer to...). Figure 3 ) and the thickness-direction transport speed Vt (refer to) when the glass plate Ga is transported along the thickness direction (to the right in this embodiment) using each transfer device 61. Figure 5 (b) and Figure 7 The speed ratio (Vw / Vt) of (b) is set to 2 or higher.

[0234] Thus, in the glass plate Ga manufacturing apparatus 1 of this embodiment, the speed ratio (Vw / Vt) of the transverse width direction transport speed Vw to the thickness direction transport speed Vt is 2 or more, and the thickness direction transport speed Vt is set relatively slowly. Therefore, when the glass plate Ga is transported along the thickness direction (right direction) using each transfer device 61, it is possible to suppress the swaying amplitude of the glass plate Ga caused by air resistance and transport it in a stable state.

[0235] In addition, the transverse transport speed Vw is set relatively fast, which can improve the processing speed of each process located upstream of the bundling process S05 (e.g., each process from the cutting process S01 to the inspection process S04), and more reliably achieve a reduction in the overall production interval time of the equipment.

[0236] As described above, the glass plate Ga manufacturing apparatus 1 in this embodiment continuously manufactures glass plates Ga, and sequentially places the manufactured glass plates Ga onto the tray T and bundles them. The glass plate manufacturing apparatus includes: a transport device (horizontal transport device) 7, which holds the glass plate Ga in a longitudinal position and transports the glass plate Ga along the horizontal direction (forward direction), which is orthogonal to the plate thickness direction in a top view; and a transfer device 61, which transfers the glass plate Ga onto the tray T.

[0237] Here, the transfer device 61 is a structure that transports and transfers the glass plate Ga received from the transport device (horizontal transport device) 7 (more specifically, the fifth transport device body 75) along the thickness direction (right direction) onto the tray T.

[0238] Furthermore, in the glass plate Ga manufacturing apparatus 1 of this embodiment, the transfer device 61 is provided with four or more (four in this embodiment).

[0239] Thus, in the glass plate Ga manufacturing apparatus 1 of this embodiment, four or more (four in this embodiment) transfer devices 61 are provided. Therefore, even if it is difficult to increase the transport speed when the glass plate Ga is transported along the thickness direction (right direction) using each transfer device 61, the processing speed of the entire packaging process S05 can be increased by using these four or more transfer devices 61.

[0240] Therefore, for example, by also increasing the processing speed of other processes from the cutting process S01 to the inspection process S04, it is possible to shorten the production interval time of the equipment as a whole.

[0241] The above describes one embodiment of the present utility model, but the present utility model is not limited to this embodiment in any way and is merely an example. Of course, it can be implemented in various ways without departing from the spirit of the present utility model. The scope of the present utility model is indicated by the description of the utility model technical solution, and also includes all equivalent meanings and modifications within the scope of the utility model technical solution.

Claims

1. A glass plate manufacturing apparatus, comprising continuously manufacturing glass plates and sequentially placing the manufactured glass plates onto a tray and bundling them. Its features are, The glass plate manufacturing apparatus includes: A transverse transport device that holds a glass plate in a longitudinal position and transports the glass plate along a transverse direction that is orthogonal to the thickness direction in a top view. as well as A transfer device that transfers the glass plate onto a tray. The transfer device transports the glass plate received from the transverse transport device along the thickness direction and transfers it onto the tray. In the manufacturing apparatus, there are four or more transfer devices.

2. The glass plate manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, Regarding the external dimensions of the glass plate, In longitudinal orientation, The dimension in the lateral width direction is 1000mm or more. The vertical dimension is 1000mm or more.

3. The glass plate manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The ratio of the transverse width transport speed Vw, which is the transport speed when the glass plate is transported along the transverse width direction using the transverse width transport device, to the thickness direction transport speed Vt, which is the transport speed when the glass plate is transported along the thickness direction using the transfer device, i.e., Vw / Vt, is 2 or more.

4. The glass plate manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, Four or more of the aforementioned transfer devices are arranged along the horizontal width direction.

5. The glass plate manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The glass plate manufacturing apparatus is equipped with an inspection device for inspecting the quality of the glass plate on the upstream side of the transport direction relative to the transfer device, in the transport direction where the glass plate is transported by the transverse transport device. The inspection device has: A defect detection agency that detects defects in the glass plate; as well as The quality assessment body, based on the inspection results from the defect detection body, determines whether the glass plate is a good product or a defective product. The manufacturing apparatus also includes a waste chute for discarding the glass plate if the quality determination mechanism determines that the glass plate is a defective product. The waste chute is located below at least one of four designated locations where the glass plates are handed over from the transverse transport device relative to each of the transfer devices.

6. The glass plate manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The glass plate manufacturing apparatus is equipped with an inspection device for inspecting the quality of the glass plate on the upstream side of the transport direction relative to the transfer device, in the transport direction where the glass plate is transported by the transverse transport device. The inspection device has: A defect detection agency that detects defects in the glass plate; as well as The quality assessment agency, based on the inspection results from the defect detection agency, determines whether the glass plate is a good product or a defective product. Furthermore, for glass plates determined to be good, it further determines whether they are a first-grade good product of high quality or a second-grade good product of lower quality. At least two of the four or more transfer devices are first transfer devices that transfer the glass plates determined by the quality assessment mechanism to the first good products onto the tray. At least two of the four or more transfer devices, other than the first transfer device, are second transfer devices that transfer the glass plates determined by the quality assessment mechanism to the second good products onto the tray.

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