Manufacturing apparatus and manufacturing method

JP2023060872A5Pending Publication Date: 2025-07-25SUMITOMO ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES LTD
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Patent Information

Application Number
JP2023031143
Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
Priority Date
2021-08-30
Filing Date
2023-03-01
Publication Date
2025-07-25

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

In the manufacturing of glass rods with bends, the rods tend to swing around the rotation axis during processing, making it difficult to center them effectively.

Method used

A glass rod manufacturing apparatus and method that utilizes a centering jig with a contact portion and a sliding portion to apply forces in intersecting directions, elastically displacing and sliding against the whirling portion of the glass rod to facilitate centering, using rollers and heat-resistant materials to support and correct the bends.

Benefits of technology

Enables easy and efficient centering of glass rods with bends by continuously applying forces to correct their alignment, preventing damage and ensuring precise processing even for long glass rods.

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Abstract

A glass rod manufacturing apparatus and a glass rod manufacturing method are provided that allow easy centering. [Solution] The glass rod manufacturing apparatus is a glass rod manufacturing apparatus that produces a centered glass rod from a starting rod having at least one bent portion, and includes a holding portion that holds one end of the starting rod, a heating portion that heats one of the at least one bent portion, and a centering jig that applies a force in a first direction that intersects the axis to a swinging portion between the one bent portion and the other end of the starting rod as the starting rod rotates around its axis, and the centering jig has an abutting portion that abuts against the portion, an elastic displacement portion that elastically displaces the abutting portion in a first direction depending on the swing amplitude of the portion, and a sliding portion that slides the abutting portion in a second direction that intersects the axis and the first direction depending on the swing amplitude of the portion.
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Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a glass rod manufacturing apparatus and a glass rod manufacturing method. This application claims priority based on Japanese Application No. 2021-140168 filed on August 30, 2021, and incorporates all the descriptions described in the Japanese application.

Background Art

[0002] In the manufacturing process of an optical fiber, a glass lathe is used to process a glass rod made of silica glass (for example, Patent Document 1). In the glass lathe, by gripping the glass rod and heating it with a heat source such as a flame, processing such as connection, stretching, or glass synthesis with another glass rod is performed. At this time, by rotating the glass rod, the heat applied to the glass rod can be made uniform. The glass rod is typically a glass body having a generally cylindrical outer shape, but the cross-sectional shape is not limited to a circle, and includes those having a polygonal, elliptical, star-shaped, or D-shaped cross-section, and those in which the outer diameter and shape change in the longitudinal direction. Further, those having one or more openings in the cross-section like a cylinder are also included. Further, those in which a plurality of glass rods are connected in the longitudinal direction are also included.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

[0004] The glass rod manufacturing apparatus of the present disclosure is a glass rod manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing a centered glass rod from a starting rod having at least one bent portion, comprising: a holding portion for holding one end of the starting rod; a heating portion for heating one of the at least one bent portion; and a centering jig for applying a force in a first direction intersecting the axis to a swinging portion between one bent portion and the other end of the starting rod as the starting rod rotates around its axis, wherein the centering jig comprises: a contact portion for contacting the portion; an elastic displacement portion for elastically displacing the contact portion in a first direction according to the amplitude of the swing of the portion; and a sliding portion for sliding the contact portion in a second direction intersecting the axis and the first direction according to the amplitude of the swing of the portion.

[0005] The glass rod manufacturing method of the present disclosure is a glass rod manufacturing method for manufacturing a centered glass rod from a starting rod having at least one bent portion, and includes holding one end of the starting rod, heating one of the at least one bent portion, and centering the starting rod by rotating the starting rod around an axis, thereby applying a force in a first direction intersecting the axis to the swinging portion between the one bent portion and the other end of the starting rod, wherein the centering is performed by elastically displacing the contact portion that abuts the portion in a first direction according to the amplitude of the swing of the portion, and sliding the contact portion in a second direction intersecting the axis and the first direction according to the amplitude of the swing of the portion. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0006] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a side view illustrating the glass rod manufacturing apparatus and the glass rod to be processed according to this embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a front view illustrating the glass rod manufacturing apparatus and the glass rod to be processed according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a diagram illustrating the swing of the starting rod. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a flowchart showing a glass rod manufacturing method according to an embodiment. [Figure 5]Figure 5 is a side view of a modified glass rod manufacturing apparatus. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0007] [Problems the invention aims to solve] In the manufacturing process described above, if there is a bend (bend) in the glass rod, it becomes a problem because the glass rod will wobble around the axis of rotation when it is rotated. Therefore, the glass rod is centered. Centering is a process that reduces the bend in the glass rod and reduces the wobble of the glass rod over its entire length or at least a portion of its length.

[0008] The purpose of this disclosure is to provide a glass rod manufacturing apparatus and a glass rod manufacturing method that can easily perform centering.

[0009] [Effects of this disclosure] According to this disclosure, it is possible to provide a glass rod manufacturing apparatus and a glass rod manufacturing method that can easily perform centering.

[0010] [Description of Embodiments in this Disclosure] Embodiments of the present disclosure will be listed and described first. A glass rod manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is a glass rod manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing a centered glass rod from a starting rod having at least one bend, comprising: a holding part for holding one end of the starting rod; a heating part for heating one of the at least one bends; and a centering jig for applying a force in a first direction intersecting the axis to a swinging portion between one bend and the other end of the starting rod as the starting rod rotates around its axis, wherein the centering jig has a contact part that contacts the portion; an elastic displacement part that elastically displaces the contact part in a first direction according to the swing amplitude of the swing of the portion; and a sliding part that slides the contact part in a second direction intersecting the axis and the first direction according to the swing amplitude of the swing of the portion.

[0011] In the glass rod manufacturing apparatus described above, the contact portion that abuts against the part that swings due to the rotation of the starting rod is elastically displaced in a first direction by an elastic displacement portion and slides in a second direction by a sliding portion, according to the amplitude of the swing of that portion. Therefore, the contact portion can automatically and continuously apply force in the first direction to the part of the starting rod that it abuts. This makes centering easy.

[0012] The contact portion may include a pair of contact members arranged side by side in a second direction. In this case, the starting rod can be supported at two points by the pair of contact members.

[0013] The pair of contact members may each have a central axis along the axis and may be rollers that can rotate around the central axis. In this case, the pair of contact members rotate in accordance with the rotation of the starting rod, so that they do not interfere with the rotation of the starting rod.

[0014] The pair of contact members may face each other in a second direction at a distance shorter than the diameter of the starting rod. In this case, the pair of contact members can reliably support the starting rod at two points.

[0015] The contact portion may have a V-groove. In this case, the starting rod can be supported at two points by the pair of surfaces of the V-groove.

[0016] The contact portion may contain heat-resistant resin. In this case, since the contact portion is heat-resistant, it can be brought into contact with a heated starting rod. Also, since the contact portion is made of resin, damage to the starting rod is suppressed.

[0017] The centering jig may further include a position adjustment unit for adjusting the position of the contact portion in the first direction. In this case, the contact portion can be reliably brought into contact with the starting rod.

[0018] The contact portion is fixed to the sliding portion, and the elastic displacement portion may elastically displace the sliding portion in the first direction together with the contact portion. In this case, a configuration in which the contact portion elastically displaces in the first direction and slides in the second direction can be easily realized.

[0019] The glass rod manufacturing method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is a glass rod manufacturing method for manufacturing a glass rod drawn from a starting rod having at least one bent portion, including holding one end of the starting rod, heating one of the at least one bent portions, and applying a force in a first direction intersecting the axis to the swinging portion between one bent portion and the other end of the starting rod by rotating the starting rod around the axis, and performing drawing of the starting rod. By performing drawing, a contact portion that contacts the portion is elastically displaced in the first direction according to the swing width of the swing of the portion, and slides in a second direction intersecting the axis and the first direction according to the swing width of the swing of the portion.

[0020] In the above glass rod manufacturing method, the contact portion that contacts the swinging portion due to the rotation of the starting rod elastically displaces in the first direction by the elastic displacement portion and slides in the second direction by the sliding portion according to the swing width of the swing of the portion. Therefore, the contact portion can continuously automatically apply a force in the first direction to the portion where the starting rod contacts. Thereby, drawing can be easily performed.

[0021] Performing drawing may be carried out in order for at least one of the at least one bent portions starting from one bent portion on one end side of the at least one bent portion. In this case, drawing can be performed efficiently.

[0022] [Details of Embodiments of the Present Disclosure] A specific example of the glass rod manufacturing apparatus of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to these examples, but is defined by the claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims. In the description of the drawings, the same elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions are omitted.

[0023] FIG. 1 is a side view for explaining a glass rod manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment together with a glass rod to be processed. FIG. 2 is a front view for explaining a glass rod manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment together with a glass rod to be processed. The glass rod manufacturing apparatus 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is a glass lathe that uses a glass rod having at least one bent portion as a starting rod 10 and manufactures a glass rod centered from the starting rod 10.

[0024] The starting rod 10 and the centered glass rod are rod-shaped bodies and include, for example, silica glass. The starting rod 10 and the glass rod may be solid or hollow. The starting rod 10 may have one or more openings (through holes) extending along the central axis 10a of the starting rod 10. Similarly, the glass rod may have one or more openings (through holes) extending along the central axis of the glass rod. The starting rod 10 has a longitudinal one end 10b and the other end 10c.

[0025] In this embodiment, the starting rod 10 has a main body 11 and a dummy rod 12. The main body 11 is the part that becomes the glass rod to be modified in shape and to which glass is deposited by applying the heating part of the manufacturing apparatus, and has at least one bent portion. The main body 11 is, for example, a long glass rod formed by connecting a plurality of glass rods. The bent portion of the main body 11 consists of, for example, the connection portion between the glass rods. The dummy rod 12 is a rod used primarily for adjusting the position of the main body 11 relative to the heating part of the manufacturing apparatus. The dummy rod 12 is, for example, made of the same material as the main body 11, and is a glass rod that is smaller in diameter and shorter than the starting rod 10. In this embodiment, the dummy rod 12 does not have a bent portion.

[0026] The main body 11 and the dummy rod 12 are connected to each other at their ends. The dummy rod 12 is attached to the main body 11, for example, by welding. The dummy rod 12 includes one end 10b. The main body 11 includes the other end 10c. The starting rod 10 may not have the dummy rod 12 and consist only of the main body 11. In this case, the main body 11 includes one end 10b and the other end 10c, with a bent portion between them.

[0027] For example, if the central axis of the dummy rod 12 is tilted relative to the central axis of the main body 11 due to an installation error of the dummy rod 12, the connection portion 10d between the main body 11 and the dummy rod 12 constitutes one of the bent portions of the starting rod 10. As described above, the main body 11 has at least one bent portion other than the connection portion 10d. Therefore, if the connection portion 10d is a bent portion, the starting rod 10 has at least two bent portions.

[0028] The glass rod manufacturing apparatus 1 comprises a centering jig 2, a holding part 3, and a heating part 4. The holding part 3 is configured to hold (or support) one end 10b of the starting rod 10. The holding part 3 is, for example, a chuck that grips one end 10b. The holding part 3 holds the starting rod 10 in a cantilevered manner. One end 10b is fixed because it is fixed by the holding part 3. The other end 10c (tip) is a free end. While holding the starting rod 10, the holding part 3 is rotated around a predetermined axis A by a drive mechanism (not shown). Axis A is the rotation axis of the holding part 3. The holding part 3 holds one end 10b such that the central axis 10a coincides with axis A at least at one end 10b. In this embodiment, the holding part 3 holds one end 10b such that the central axis of the dummy rod 12 coincides with axis A.

[0029] In Figure 2, the central axis 10a of the starting rod 10 is shown to coincide with axis A. However, since the starting rod 10 has a bent section, the central axis 10a actually has a portion on the other end 10c side of the bent section that does not coincide with axis A. For example, if the connecting section 10d is the bent section (when the central axis of the dummy rod 12 is tilted with respect to the central axis of the main body 11), the central axis 10a will no longer coincide with axis A on the other end 10c side of the connecting section 10d. When the starting rod 10 rotates around axis A due to the rotation of the holding section 3, the portion of the starting rod 10 in which the central axis 10a does not coincide with axis A will swing around axis A.

[0030] The heating unit 4 is configured to heat one of the at least one bent sections 10e of the starting rod 10 that is to be centered. The heating unit 4 is, for example, a burner that burns hydrogen gas. The heating unit 4 is, for example, provided to be movable along axis A, and can heat a predetermined location in the longitudinal direction of the starting rod 10. Since the bend of the bent section 10e is slight, it is shown as a straight line in Figure 2.

[0031] The centering jig 2 is configured to apply a force in a first direction D1 intersecting axis A to a predetermined portion 10f that swings between the bent portion 10e and the other end 10c as the starting rod 10 rotates around axis A. That is, the centering jig 2 is configured to apply a force in a first direction D1 to a predetermined portion 10f that is located on the other end 10c side of the bent portion 10e and swings due to rotation, on the starting rod 10, which is heated with one end 10b held and rotated around axis A. The predetermined portion 10f is, for example, the bent portion or the other end 10c located on the other end 10c side of the bent portion 10e. In this embodiment, the first direction D1 is the direction of gravity and is perpendicular to axis A. The first direction D1 is not necessarily limited to the direction of gravity, but may be, for example, the horizontal direction. The centering jig 2 has a contact portion 5, a sliding portion 6, an elastic displacement portion 7, and a position adjustment portion 8.

[0032] The contact portion 5 has a pair of contact members 13 that contact a predetermined portion 10f of the starting rod 10 which swings due to rotation. The pair of contact members 13 are arranged side by side in a second direction D2 that intersects the axis A and the first direction D1. In this embodiment, the second direction D2 is perpendicular to the axis A and the first direction D1. The pair of contact members 13 face each other in the second direction D2 at a distance shorter than the diameter of the starting rod 10.

[0033] Each of the pair of contact members 13 has a central axis 13a along axis A and is a roller that can rotate around the central axis 13a. The pair of contact members 13 rotate in accordance with the rotation of the starting rod 10. The contact members 13 are circular in shape when viewed from the direction along the central axis 13a. The contact members 13 are, for example, disc members or spherical members. The contact surface of the contact member 13 has a shape in which the center bulges outward. More specifically, the contact surface has a curved shape such that it moves away from the central axis 13a as it approaches the center in the direction along the central axis 13a. The contact surface may have a chamfered shape with rounded ends in the direction along the central axis 13a. With a contact surface that does not have corners in this way, the starting rod 10 can be supported without damaging the starting rod 10.

[0034] The contact portion 5 contains a heat-resistant resin. The heat resistance temperature of the contact portion 5 is preferably 100°C or higher, and more preferably 200°C or higher. Examples of heat-resistant resins include fluororesins such as Teflon (registered trademark). In this embodiment, the contact member 13 is a Teflon roller. Such resin materials are less hard than glass, have a smooth surface with minimal irregularities, and are slippery. Therefore, the starting rod 10 can be supported without scratching it.

[0035] The contact portion 5 has support members 14 that pivotally support a pair of contact members 13. In this embodiment, a pair of support members 14 is provided for each contact member 13. That is, the contact portion 5 has four support members 14. The pair of support members 14 are arranged on both sides of the contact member 13 in a direction along the central axis 13a. The support members 14 are fixed to the first slide member 15 of the slide portion 6, which will be described later. As a result, the contact portion 5 is fixed to the slide portion 6.

[0036] The sliding section 6 is configured to slide the contact portion 5 in a second direction D2 according to the amplitude of the swing of a predetermined portion 10f of the starting rod 10. The sliding section 6 has a first sliding member 15 to which the contact portion 5 is fixed, and a second sliding member 16 that supports the first sliding member 15 so that it can slide in the second direction D2. The first sliding member 15 slides together with the contact portion 5 in the second direction D2 relative to the second sliding member 16, absorbing the swing of the starting rod 10 in the second direction D2 relative to the contact portion 5.

[0037] The first slide member 15 and the second slide member 16 are, for example, plate-shaped members arranged facing each other in a first direction D1. As an example, the second slide member 16 has a rail extending along a second direction D2, and the first slide member 15 has an engaging portion that engages with the rail. The sliding mechanism of the slide portion 6 is realized when the engaging portion of the first slide member 15 engages with the rail of the second slide member 16. The sliding mechanism may be realized by other known means.

[0038] The elastic displacement section 7 is configured to elastically displace the contact section 5 in a first direction D1 according to the amplitude of the runout of a predetermined portion 10f of the starting rod 10. The elastic displacement section 7 is fixed to the sliding section 6 and elastically displaces the sliding section 6 together with the contact section 5 in the first direction D1. The elastic displacement section 7 is attached to the second sliding member 16 on the side opposite to the first sliding member 15. The elastic displacement section 7 is, for example, a coil spring or an air spring and absorbs the runout of the starting rod 10 in the first direction D1 relative to the contact section 5.

[0039] The position adjustment unit 8 is configured to adjust the position of the contact portion 5 in a first direction D1. The position adjustment unit 8 includes, for example, a cylinder that is extendable and retractable in the first direction D1. The position adjustment unit 8 is located on the opposite side of the sliding portion 6 of the elastic displacement unit 7 and supports the contact portion 5 via the elastic displacement unit 7 and the sliding portion 6. The position adjustment unit 8 adjusts the position of the contact portion 5 in the first direction D1 by, for example, operating a handle.

[0040] Figure 3 is a diagram illustrating the swing of the starting rod. Figure 3 shows the swing of a predetermined portion 10f of the starting rod 10. The predetermined portion 10f swings, for example, around axis A as the axis of rotation. As an example, the swing amplitude L1 of the starting rod 10 in the first direction D1 is equivalent to the swing amplitude L2 of the starting rod 10 in the second direction D2, but the swing amplitudes L1 and L2 can be different from each other. The elastic displacement portion 7 is configured to absorb swing of at least swing amplitude L1 in the first direction D1. That is, the elastic displacement portion 7 is configured such that the movable range of the contact portion 5 in the first direction D1 is greater than or equal to the swing amplitude L1. The slide portion 6 is configured to absorb swing of at least swing amplitude L2 in the second direction D2. That is, the slide portion 6 is configured such that the movable range of the contact portion 5 in the second direction D2 is greater than or equal to the swing amplitude L2.

[0041] Figure 4 is a flowchart illustrating a glass rod manufacturing method according to an embodiment. The glass rod manufacturing method according to the embodiment is a method for manufacturing a centered glass rod from a starting rod 10 having at least one bent portion. The glass rod manufacturing method is carried out using a glass rod manufacturing apparatus 1. As shown in Figure 4, the glass rod manufacturing method includes steps S1 to S8.

[0042] Step S1 is the step of holding one end 10b of the starting rod 10 with the holding part 3. The starting rod 10 is held in the holding part 3 such that its central axis 10a coincides with axis A at least at one end 10b. In this embodiment, the starting rod 10 is attached to the holding part 3 such that at least the central axis of the dummy rod 12 coincides with axis A.

[0043] Step S2 is the step of moving the heating unit 4 to the bent portion 10e (heating point) to be centered. Here, the bent portion 10e to be centered is set to be the bent portion 10e closest to one end 10b. The bent portion closest to one end 10b can be easily identified as the part where the runout is minimized when the starting rod 10 is rotated by the holding unit 3. This step may be performed while the starting rod 10 is rotating.

[0044] Step S3 is the step of moving the centering jig 2 to a predetermined part 10f (fulcrum). The predetermined part 10f is located on the other end 10c side of the bent part 10e to be centered, and can be any part that swings around when rotated. Here, the part closest to the bent part 10e to be centered is set as the predetermined part 10f from among the bent part and the other end 10c. The predetermined part 10f can be easily identified as the part where the swing is maximized when the starting rod 10 is rotated by the holding part 3. This step may be performed, for example, while the starting rod 10 is rotating.

[0045] Step S4 is a step in which the position adjustment unit 8 adjusts the height of the contact portion 5 (position in the first direction D1). The height of the contact portion 5 is adjusted so that the contact portion 5 contacts the starting rod 10 even when the starting rod 10 is rotated to the furthest point away from the centering jig.

[0046] Step S5 is the step of starting to heat the bent portion 10e to be centered using the heating unit 4. If the heating unit 4 is a burner, this step is performed by igniting the burner.

[0047] Step S6 is a step in which the bending portion 10e to be centered is centered using the centering jig 2. This step is performed with the starting rod 10 held at one end 10b by the holding part 3 and rotated around axis A. This step is also performed while heating the bending portion 10e with the heating part 4. In this step, as the starting rod 10 rotates around axis A, a force in the first direction D1 is applied to a predetermined portion 10f that swings between the bending portion 10e and the other end 10c. That is, the contact part 5 applies a force in the first direction D1 to the predetermined portion 10f that swings due to rotation and is located on the other end 10c side of the bending portion 10e.

[0048] In this process, the contact portion 5 is displaced in a first direction D1 by the elastic displacement portion 7 according to the amplitude of the swing of the predetermined portion 10f, and simultaneously brought into contact with the predetermined portion 10f while sliding in a second direction D2 according to the amplitude of the swing of the predetermined portion 10f by the sliding portion 6. By softening the bent portion 10e to be centered and continuously applying a force in the first direction D1 from the side to the predetermined portion 10f on the other end 10c side of the bent portion 10e, the bent portion 10e can be straightened and centered. Straightening the bent portion 10e means reducing the curvature of the bent portion 10e.

[0049] Step S7 is the step of ending the heating by the heating unit 4. If the heating unit 4 is a burner, this step is performed by stopping the burner.

[0050] Step S8 is a step of cooling the starting rod 10. This step is performed, for example, while rotating the starting rod 10.

[0051] Processes S2 to S8 are repeated as needed. Processes S2 to S8 are repeated until all the bends in the starting rod 10 are straightened. The bends in the starting rod 10 are straightened sequentially, starting from one end 10b. That is, processes S2 to S8 are performed on all of at least one bend, starting from the bend closest to the one end 10b.

[0052] As described above, in the glass rod manufacturing apparatus 1 and glass rod manufacturing method according to this embodiment, the contact portion 5 is elastically displaced in a first direction D1 by the elastic displacement portion 7 and slides in a second direction D2 by the slide portion 6, according to the amplitude of the swing of the predetermined portion 10f. Therefore, the contact portion 5 can automatically and continuously apply a force in the first direction D1 to the predetermined portion 10f. This allows the bent portion to be centered automatically, making centering easier. In particular, when manufacturing long glass rods, the number of centering operations increases and the working time also increases, so the glass rod manufacturing apparatus 1 and glass rod manufacturing method according to this embodiment are effective.

[0053] The contact portion 5 includes a pair of contact members 13 arranged side by side in the second direction D2. Therefore, the starting rod 10 can be supported at two points by the pair of contact members 13.

[0054] Each of the pair of contact members 13 has a central axis 13a along axis A and is a roller that can rotate around the central axis 13a. Since the pair of contact members 13 rotate in accordance with the rotation of the starting rod 10, interference with the rotation of the starting rod 10 is suppressed.

[0055] The pair of contact members 13 are spaced apart from each other in the second direction D2 at a distance shorter than the diameter of the starting rod 10. Therefore, the pair of contact members 13 can reliably support the starting rod 10 at two points.

[0056] The contact portion 5 contains heat-resistant resin. Because the contact portion 5 is heat-resistant, it can be brought into contact with the heated starting rod 10. In addition, because the contact portion 5 is made of resin material, it is less likely to scratch the starting rod 10.

[0057] The centering jig 2 includes a position adjustment unit 8 that adjusts the position of the contact portion 5 in the first direction D1, so that the contact portion 5 can be reliably brought into contact with the starting rod 10.

[0058] The contact portion 5 is fixed to the sliding portion 6, and the elastic displacement portion 7 elastically displaces the sliding portion 6 together with the contact portion 5 in the first direction D1. Therefore, a configuration in which the contact portion 5 elastically displaces in the first direction D1 and slides in the second direction D2 can be easily realized.

[0059] In the glass rod manufacturing method according to this embodiment, steps S2 to S8 are performed sequentially on at least one bent portion, starting from the bent portion on one end 10b of the at least one bent portion. This allows for efficient centering of the glass rod.

[0060] Figure 5 is a side view of a modified glass rod manufacturing apparatus. As shown in Figure 5, the modified glass rod manufacturing apparatus 1A differs from the glass rod manufacturing apparatus 1 (see Figure 1) in that the centering jig 2 has a contact portion 5A. The contact portion 5A has a V-groove 17, and a pair of surfaces of the V-groove 17 contact a predetermined portion 10f. The V-groove 17 is fixed to the first slide member 15 of the slide portion 6. The V-groove 17 is formed of, for example, a heat-resistant resin. In the glass rod manufacturing apparatus 1A, since the contact portion 5A has a V-groove 17, the starting rod 10 can be supported at two points by the pair of surfaces of the V-groove 17.

[0061] This disclosure is not limited to the embodiments and modifications described above. The embodiments and modifications may be combined as appropriate. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0062] 1,1A...Glass rod manufacturing equipment 2…Centering jig 3...Holding part 4...Heating part 5,5A…Contact part 6…Sliding part 7...Elastic displacement section 8...Position adjustment section 10…Departure Rod 10a…Central axis 10b…one end 10c...the other end 10d...Connection part 10e…Bending part 10f...Specified part 11…Main unit 12... Dummy rod 13... Contact member 13a...Central axis 14…Support member 15…First sliding member 16…Second slide member 17...V groove A…Axis line D1…first direction D2…Second direction L1... Range of motion L2...range of fluctuation

Claims

A manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing a glass rod drawn from a starting rod having a bent portion, comprising: a holding portion for holding one end of the starting rod; a heating portion for heating the bent portion; a drawing jig for applying a force in a first direction intersecting the axis to a swinging portion between the bent portion and the other end of the starting rod when the starting rod rotates around the axis; the drawing jig includes: a contact portion that contacts the portion; a displacement portion that displaces the contact portion in the first direction; a sliding portion that slides the contact portion in a second direction intersecting the axis and the first direction; a movable range of the displacement portion is equal to or greater than a swing width in the first direction of the swinging of the portion; a movable range of the sliding portion is equal to or greater than a swing width in the second direction of the swinging of the portion; a manufacturing apparatus. A manufacturing method for manufacturing a glass rod drawn from a starting rod having a bent portion, comprising: holding one end of the starting rod; heating the bent portion; applying a force in a first direction intersecting the axis to a swinging portion between the bent portion and the other end of the starting rod when the starting rod rotates around the axis, and performing drawing of the starting rod, wherein, in performing the drawing, the contact portion that contacts the portion is displaced in the first direction by an amount equal to or greater than a swing width in the first direction of the swinging of the portion, and the contact portion that contacts the portion is slid in the second direction by an amount equal to or greater than a swing width in the second direction intersecting the axis and the first direction of the swinging of the portion; a manufacturing method.