Glass plate transportation system

Abstract

To provide a glass plate transportation system including a straightening guide for restricting a swing in a thickness direction of a glass plate hanged in a longitudinal posture in transportation capable of performing a height adjustment of the straightening guide by a simple operation.SOLUTION: A straightening guides 53 includes: a pair of guide bodies 7, 7 which are arranged to face each other in an orthogonal direction in a plane view across a transportation route Y, and have an interval therebetween gradually decreased from an upstream side to a downstream side of the transportation route Y; and height adjustment mechanisms 8, 8 which adjusts a position in a vertical direction of each of the guide bodies 7, 7. The height adjustment mechanism 8 has: a base member 81 which can hold the guide body part 7 in multiple positions in the vertical position; and a fixing member 82 which can fix the guide body part 7 to the base member 81.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a technique of a glass plate conveying device that conveys a glass plate suspended in a vertical posture.

Background Art

[0002] As is well known, various glass plates used for substrates of displays such as liquid crystal displays and organic EL displays, cover glasses, etc. are manufactured by forming molten glass melted in a melting furnace into a long strip-shaped glass ribbon, cooling the formed glass ribbon, and then cutting it into a predetermined outer dimension. Specifically, a long strip-shaped glass ribbon that is continuously formed is cut in the width direction at predetermined lengths to cut out a rectangular plate-shaped glass plate (cutting-out step), and after cutting both end portions in the width direction of the cut-out glass plate (ear cutting step), through various steps such as an inspection step, a glass plate as a final product is manufactured.

[0003] Here, as a method for forming a glass ribbon, in addition to the float method, a down-draw method typified by an overflow down-draw method (fusion method) or a slot down-draw method is generally used. When using the above down-draw method, the glass ribbon is continuously formed in a vertical posture. Therefore, from the perspective of space saving of manufacturing equipment, for the purpose of omitting steps that require changing the posture of the glass plate, the glass plate is cut out from the glass ribbon in a vertical posture and then conveyed while remaining in the vertical posture, and various steps such as an ear cutting step and an inspection step are performed.

[0004] Each work area where steps such as an ear cutting step and an inspection step are performed is provided adjacent to each other along the conveyance path of the glass plate, for example, within a common booth, and these work areas are isolated from each other by wall portions. In addition, slit-shaped openings extending in the vertical direction are respectively provided in the wall portions as entrances and exits of each work area. Then, while being conveyed in a direction parallel to the main surface in a vertical posture, the glass plate passes through the opening and enters each working area, where predetermined processes are performed.

[0005] On the other hand, since the conveyance of the glass plate in a vertical posture is generally carried out in a state where the upper end portion of the glass plate is supported and suspended, it is likely to swing in the thickness direction like a pendulum under the influence of air resistance, inertial force, etc. Therefore, when the glass plate suspended in a vertical posture passes through the opening, it swings greatly in the thickness direction and may collide with the wall portion where the opening is provided, resulting in breakage, chipping, etc. Therefore, near the upstream side in the conveyance direction of each opening and within each working area, a flow rectifying guide for restricting the swing of the glass plate is provided in advance (see, for example, "Patent Document 1" and "Patent Document 2").

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0006]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0007] By the way, in a glass plate cut out from a glass ribbon, there are a non-effective surface located at the peripheral portion of the main surface (that is, the upper and lower end portions and both side end portions in the glass plate in a vertical posture), and an effective surface located in the region excluding the non-effective surface. The non-effective surface is a portion where there are ears (portions having a thickness larger than the desired thickness) generated in the forming process of the glass ribbon, uneven cut surfaces generated when cutting out the glass plate, etc., and is a portion that is cut and discarded in a subsequent process. Also, the effective surface is a portion of the glass plate where the quality is guaranteed.

[0008] Here, when the above-described flow guide contacts the glass plate being conveyed in the vertical posture on the effective surface, scratches, chips, etc. may occur, and the glass plate as the final product may become a defective product. Also, from the viewpoint of restricting the sway of the glass plate supported at the upper end and suspended, it is preferable to arrange the flow guide at a position where it can contact the lower side of the glass plate. Therefore, the flow guide needs to be arranged at a position where it can contact the non-effective surface on the lower end side with respect to the glass plate in the vertical posture. On the other hand, there are a plurality of outer dimensions of the glass plate cut out from the glass ribbon (more specifically, the dimensions in the vertical direction of the glass plate in the vertical posture) according to the type of the glass plate as the final product.

[0009] For this reason, for example, when the outer dimension of the glass plate is changed due to a change in product type or the like, the vertical position (height) at which the flow guide is arranged is adjusted each time so that the flow guide can abut against the non-effective surface on the lower end side of the glass plate.

[0010] However, as described above, since the flow guide is provided near the entrance and exit (slit-shaped opening) of each work area or inside each work area, it is difficult to secure a sufficient work space for adjusting the height of the flow guide, and there has been a demand for a flow guide that can be adjusted in height by a simple operation.

[0011] The present invention has been made in view of the above-described current problems, and is a glass plate conveying device including a flow guide for restricting the sway in the thickness direction during conveyance of a glass plate suspended in a vertical posture, and an object thereof is to provide a glass plate conveying device capable of adjusting the height of the flow guide by a simple operation.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0012] The problem to be solved by the present invention is as described above. Next, means for solving this problem will be described.

[0013] That is, the glass plate conveying device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention is provided with a slit-shaped opening extending in the vertical direction provided in a wall portion that separates each of the work areas arranged adjacent to each other along the conveying path. Through this opening, a glass plate suspended in a vertical posture is conveyed along the conveying path with the main surface of the glass plate parallel to the conveying path. The glass plate conveying device includes a support portion that supports the upper end portion of the glass plate, a conveying mechanism that suspends and conveys the glass plate via the support portion, and a rectifying guide that restricts the sway in the thickness direction when the glass plate is conveyed. The rectifying guide includes a pair of guide main body portions that are arranged to face each other in a direction orthogonal to the conveying path in a plan view with the conveying path therebetween, and the distance between them gradually decreases from the upstream side to the downstream side of the conveying path, and a height adjustment mechanism that adjusts the vertical position of each of the guide main body portions. The height adjustment mechanism is characterized by having a base member that can hold the guide main body portion at a plurality of positions in the vertical direction, and a fixing member that can fix the guide main body portion to the base member. According to the glass plate conveying device having such a configuration, in the height adjustment mechanism, it is possible to easily adjust the height of the rectifying guide by simply selecting an arbitrary position from among a plurality of positions in the base member and fixing the guide main body portion using the fixing member at the selected position. That is, according to the glass plate conveying device of the present invention, the height of the rectifying guide provided in the glass plate conveying device can be adjusted by a simple operation.

[0014] Further, the glass plate conveying device according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention is, in the above Embodiment 1, characterized in that the distance between the pair of guide main body portions at the most downstream side of the conveying path is set to be smaller than the width dimension of the slit-shaped opening and significantly larger than the thickness dimension of the glass plate. By having such a configuration, at the most downstream side of the conveying path in the pair of guide main body portions, the glass plate can be stably guided toward the slit-shaped opening, and it is possible to surely prevent the glass plate from colliding with the wall portion provided with the opening.

[0015] Further, in the glass plate conveying device according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention, in the above Embodiment 1 or the above Embodiment 2, the base member has a plurality of first fixing portions that are arranged along the vertical direction and can fix the fixing member, and the guide main body portion has an engaging portion that can engage with the fixing member fixed to the first fixing portion. By having such a configuration, in the base member, a first fixing portion can be arbitrarily selected from a plurality of pre-provided first fixing portions, and the engaging portion of the guide main body portion can be engaged with the fixing member fixed to the selected first fixing portion, so that the guide main body portion can be fixed to the base member, and the height adjustment of the rectifying guide can be easily performed.

[0016] Further, in the glass plate conveying device according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention, in the above Embodiment 3, the first fixing portion is formed of a through hole having a female screw shape, and the fixing member is a bolt with a handle having a bolt portion that can be screwed with the through hole and a handle portion provided at an end of the bolt portion. By having such a configuration, the attachment and detachment operation of the fixing member to the first fixing portion of the base member can be performed without using tools, and the height adjustment of the rectifying guide can be performed more easily.

[0017] Further, in the glass plate conveying device according to Embodiment 5 of the present invention, in the above Embodiment 4, the guide main body portion has a plate-shaped engaged member that is engaged by the fixing member, and the engaging portion is formed of a U-shaped notch portion that extends from an outer edge end portion of the engaged member toward a plane central portion. In this way, by configuring the engaging portion with a U-shaped notch portion, after loosening the fixing member screwed (fixed) to the first fixing portion of the base member once, inserting the engaged member in a direction intersecting the fixing member through the notch portion, and then screwing the fixing member again, the engaging portion can be easily engaged with the fixing member. Further, by simply loosening the fixing member screwed (fixed) to the first fixing portion of the base member once and pulling out the engaged member in a direction away from the fixing member through the notch portion, the engaged state in the engaging portion can be easily released.

[0018] Further, in the glass plate conveying measure according to Aspect 6 of the present invention, in the above Aspect 4, the guide main body portion has a plate-shaped engaged member engaged by the fixing member, and the engaging portion has a large-diameter portion through which the handle portion of the fixing member can be coaxially inserted with respect to the fixing member screwed to the first fixing portion, and a small-diameter portion engageable with the bolt portion of the fixing member, and is characterized by being a cam hole. Thus, since the engaging portion is constituted by the cam hole, after loosening the fixing member screwed (fixed) to the first fixing portion of the base member once and inserting the fixing member into the large-diameter portion of the cam hole, the engaged member is moved so that the fixing member is positioned within the small-diameter portion of the cam hole, and by simply screwing the fixing member again, the engaging portion can be easily engaged with the fixing member. Further, after loosening the fixing member screwed (fixed) to the first fixing portion of the base member once and moving the engaged member so that the fixing member positioned within the small-diameter portion of the cam hole is positioned within the large-diameter portion, by simply separating the engaged member from the fixing member, the engaged state in the engaging portion can be easily released.

[0019] Further, in the glass plate conveying device according to Aspect 7 of the present invention, in the above Aspect 3, the first fixing portion is constituted by a through hole, and the fixing member is constituted by a fixing pin that can be inserted into the through hole, which is characterized. By having such a configuration, by simply inserting and removing the fixing member constituted by the fixing pin into the first fixing portion constituted by the through hole, the attachment and detachment operation of the fixing member with respect to the first fixing portion of the base member can be performed, and the height adjustment of the straightening guide can be performed more easily.

[0020] Further, in the glass plate conveying device according to aspect 8 of the present invention, in the above aspect 1 or the above aspect 2, the base member has a second fixing portion capable of fixing the fixing member at an arbitrary position continuous in the vertical direction, and the guide main body portion has an engaging portion capable of engaging with the fixing member fixed to the second fixing portion. By having such a configuration, in the base member, the fixing member can be fixed at an arbitrary position along the vertical direction in the second fixing portion, and the height adjustment of the straightening guide can be performed more precisely.

[0021] Further, in the glass plate conveying device according to aspect 9 of the present invention, in the above aspect 8, the second fixing portion is composed of a groove portion extending in the vertical direction, and the fixing member is composed of a bolt portion with a handle having a handle portion provided at an end of the bolt portion that can be inserted into the groove portion, and a nut that can be screwed with the bolt portion with a handle to sandwich the base member. By having such a configuration, without performing the detachment operation of the fixing member fixed to the second fixing portion of the base member, the height of the guide main body portion can be changed only by loosening the fixing member once, and the height adjustment of the straightening guide can be performed more easily.

[0022] Further, in the glass plate conveying device according to aspect 10 of the present invention, in the above aspect 8, the second fixing portion is composed of a guide rail extending in the vertical direction, the engaging portion is composed of a linear block slidable on the guide rail, and the fixing member is composed of a linear brake that holds the position of the guide main body portion by sandwiching the guide rail. By having such a configuration, the height of the guide main body portion can be changed only by controlling the operation of the linear brake, and the height adjustment of the straightening guide can be performed more easily.

Effects of the Invention

[0023] As an effect of the present invention, the following effects are achieved. That is, according to the glass plate conveying device of the present invention, the height adjustment of the rectifying guide can be performed by simple operations.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0024]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

Figure 13

Figure 14

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0025] Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 14. In the following description, for convenience, the conveyance direction of the glass plate G is defined and described according to the directions of arrows A and B shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. In addition, in FIGS. 3 to 14, the front-rear direction, left-right direction, and up-down direction of the rectifying guides 53·153·253·353·453 are defined and described according to the directions of the arrows.

[0026] [Overall Configuration of Glass Plate Manufacturing Apparatus 100] First, the overall configuration of the glass plate manufacturing apparatus 100 including the second conveyance device 5 embodying the glass plate conveyance device according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0027] The glass plate manufacturing apparatus 100 in the present embodiment is an apparatus for manufacturing various rectangular plate-shaped glass plates G used for substrates of displays such as liquid crystal displays and organic EL displays, cover glasses, and the like.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 1, the glass plate manufacturing apparatus 100 mainly includes a forming apparatus 1 that forms a long strip-shaped glass ribbon by the overflow down-draw method, a first cutting apparatus (not shown) that cuts out a rectangular plate-shaped glass plate G from the formed glass ribbon, and a booth 2 that performs various processes on the cut-out glass plate G. Further, the glass plate manufacturing apparatus 100 includes a first transfer device 3 that transfers the glass plate G cut out by the first cutting device into the booth 2, a holding guide 4 that temporarily holds the posture (more specifically, the vertical posture) of the glass plate G carried into the booth 2, a second transfer device 5 that transfers the carried-in glass plate G in a predetermined one direction (the direction of arrow A in FIG. 1), and a second cutting device 6 that cuts both end portions in the width direction (the "ear portion Z" described later) of the glass plate G transferred by the second transfer device 5.

[0029] The forming device 1 has a configuration substantially equivalent to that of a conventional forming device. The molten glass overflowing from the top of a formed body (not shown) is made to flow along both side surfaces of the formed body having a wedge-shaped cross section and merged at the lower end, and then is continuously formed into a long strip-shaped glass ribbon by being suspended while being supported by a plurality of rollers (not shown) and gradually cooled.

[0030] And directly below the forming device 1, the first cutting device having a configuration substantially equivalent to that of a conventional cutting device is arranged. The formed glass ribbon is cut (severed) in the width direction (the direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the glass ribbon) at predetermined lengths while being conveyed downward in a vertical posture by the first cutting device. Thereby, a rectangular plate-shaped glass plate G having a predetermined outer dimension size is continuously cut out from the glass ribbon in a vertical posture. Note that detailed descriptions of the configurations of the forming device 1 and the first cutting device are omitted.

[0031] Here, in the glass ribbon formed by the forming device 1, regions located at both end portions in the width direction (hereinafter, appropriately referred to as "ear portion Z". Refer to FIG. 2) tend to have a larger thickness than the region located at the central portion in the width direction due to the influence of shrinkage during the forming process and the like. Further, in the glass plate G immediately after being cut out from the glass ribbon, there are often non-uniform cut surfaces generated when cutting out by the first cutting device at both upper and lower end portions thereof.

[0032] For this reason, in the glass plate G immediately after being cut out, the region located at the peripheral portion of the main surface (that is, the region including the upper and lower end portions and both side end portions (ear portions Z·Z) in the vertically oriented glass plate G) is defined as the non-effective surface G1 (the region indicated by "hatching" in Fig. 2) to be cut and discarded in subsequent processes, and the region located in the region excluding the non-effective surface G1 is defined as the effective surface G2 (see Fig. 2) for which the quality to be treated as the final product is guaranteed.

[0033] Inside booth 2, along the conveyance path Y of the second conveyance device 5, there are provided, in order from upstream to downstream, a loading work area S1, a scribing work area S2, a breaking work area S3, an inspection work area S4, etc., which are arranged adjacent to each other. The conveyance path Y is a path passing through the openings 21a·21a··· described later. That is, the conveyance path Y is provided along the direction of arrow A.

[0034] Here, as will be described later, the loading work area S1 is a work area where the loading work of loading the glass plate G into booth 2 is performed (loading process). Also, the scribing work area S2 is a work area where scribing lines L·L are formed on both side end portions of the glass plate G, and the breaking work area S3 is a work area where the both side end portions of the glass plate G are cut along the formed scribing lines L·L (ear portion cutting process). Furthermore, the inspection work area S4 is a work area where inspection work for inspecting the quality of the glass plate G with both side end portions cut (quality inspection regarding the state of the cut surface, outer dimensions, plate thickness, defects included in the glass plate G, etc.) is performed (inspection process).

[0035] And these multiple work areas (loading work area S1, scribing work area S2, breaking work area S3, inspection work area S4, etc.) are separated from each other by the wall portions 21·21···. Further, in these multiple wall portions 21, 21,... there are provided slit-shaped openings 21a, 21a,... extending in the vertical direction as entrances and exits for each working area. The glass plate G carried into the booth 2 then enters each working area through (passes through) these openings 21a, 21a,... while being conveyed in a vertical posture by the second conveying device 5, and is subjected to predetermined processes.

[0036] The first conveying device 3 includes a first support portion 31 that supports the upper end portion of the glass plate G and suspends the glass plate G, and a first conveying mechanism (not shown) that can reciprocate the first support portion 31 along a predetermined direction (the direction of arrow B in FIG. 1).

[0037] The first support portion 31 is composed of a pair of chucking mechanisms 31a, 31a, and is configured to support the glass plate G by clamping the upper end portion from both the front and back sides of the glass plate G. Note that the first support portion 31 preferably clamps the region of the non-effective surface G1 located at the peripheral edge portion of the glass plate G. For example, in the present embodiment, it is configured to be able to clamp the glass plate G within a range of 30 mm or less from the upper end surface of the glass plate G.

[0038] On the other hand, the first conveying mechanism is composed of, for example, a drive source such as an electric actuator or a pneumatic / hydraulic actuator, and rails or the like that guide the moving direction of the first support portion 31 by the drive source along the predetermined direction (the direction of arrow B).

[0039] Then, at the first position P1 located below the forming device 1, the first conveying device 3 supports the upper end portion of the glass plate G cut out from the glass ribbon in a vertical posture by the first support portion 31 and suspends the glass plate G. That is, the first conveying device 3 supports and suspends the glass plate G in a vertical posture such that both side end portions extending in the vertical direction become the ear portions Z, Z.

[0040] Thereafter, the first transfer device 3 moves the first support portion 31 by the first transfer mechanism toward the second position P2 within the loading work area S1 of the booth 2. As a result, the glass plate G is transferred by the first transfer device 3 in the thickness direction (substantially orthogonal direction to the main surface) and is loaded into the loading work area S1 of the booth 2.

[0041] Note that when the first transfer device 3 reaches the second position P2, the glass plate G suspended in the vertical posture is transferred to the second transfer device 5 in the same vertical posture, and then moves again toward the first position P1.

[0042] The holding guide 4 includes a plurality of roller guides 41, 41,...; a plurality of arm members 42, 42,... that rotatably support the plurality of roller guides 41, 41,...; and a frame member 43 that supports the plurality of arm members 42, 42,....

[0043] Each roller guide 41 is arranged with its axial direction as the vertical direction. Also, the plurality of roller guides 41, 41,... are arranged at equal intervals along the transfer direction (direction of arrow A) of the second transfer device 5.

[0044] Then, the holding guide 4 is arranged at a position where the plurality of roller guides 41, 41,... can contact the lower end portion of the glass plate G that has reached the second position P2 within the loading work area S1 of the booth 2. Note that the plurality of roller guides 41, 41,... preferably contact the region of the non-effective surface G1 located at the peripheral edge of the glass plate G. For example, in the present embodiment, it is configured to be able to contact the glass plate G within a range of 30 mm or less from the lower end surface of the glass plate G.

[0045] The glass plate G that has been transferred in the predetermined direction (direction of arrow B) by the first transfer device 3 and stopped at the second position P2 is affected by air resistance, inertial force, etc., and tends to swing in the thickness direction like a pendulum around the first support portion 31. By providing the holding guide 4 having such a configuration, a plurality of roller guides 41, 41,... abut against the lower end portion on the main surface of the glass plate G on the conveyance direction side (arrow B side), and the conveyance posture of the glass plate G in the vertical posture can be held. Further, even when the glass plate G is conveyed in the conveyance direction (direction of arrow A) of the second conveyance device 5 with the roller guides 41, 41,... in contact with the glass plate G, the roller guides 41, 41,... rotate, making it difficult for damage such as scratches to occur on the glass plate G.

[0046] The second conveyance device 5 is an example of the glass plate conveyance device according to the present invention. In the second position P2 within the loading work area S1, it receives the glass plate G in the vertical posture from the first conveyance device 3, and conveys the glass plate G along the conveyance path Y with the main surface of the glass plate G parallel to the conveyance path Y.

[0047] The second conveyance device 5 includes a second support portion 51 that supports the upper end portion of the glass plate G and suspends (hangs) the glass plate G, a second conveyance mechanism 52 (see FIG. 2) that can reciprocate the second support portion 51 along a predetermined direction (direction of arrow A), and a rectifying guide 53 that regulates the sway in the thickness direction when the glass plate G is conveyed. Here, the second support portion 51 is an example of the support portion according to the present invention, and the second conveyance mechanism 52 is an example of the conveyance mechanism according to the present invention.

[0048] The second support portion 51 is composed of a pair of chucking mechanisms 51a, 51a, and is configured to be able to support the glass plate G by sandwiching the upper end portion from both the front and back sides of the glass plate G. Note that the second support portion 51 preferably sandwiches the region of the non-effective surface G1 located at the peripheral edge portion of the glass plate G. For example, in the present embodiment, it is configured to be able to sandwich the glass plate G within a range of 30 mm or less from the upper end surface of the glass plate G.

[0049] Here, as shown in FIG. 2, a pair of chucking mechanisms 51a, 51a are configured to be able to support an area inside the ear portions Z, Z at both side ends and inside the pair of chucking mechanisms 31a, 31a in the first transfer device 3 at the upper end portion of the glass plate G that has reached the second position P2.

[0050] When the glass plate G conveyed by the first transfer device 3 reaches the second position P2, the second support portion 51 clamps and supports the upper end portion of the glass plate G, and then the first support portion 31 (chucking mechanism 31a) of the first transfer device 3 releases the clamped state. Thereby, the glass plate G is delivered to the second transfer device 5 while maintaining the vertical posture conveyance posture by the first transfer device 3.

[0051] Note that the configuration of the second support portion 51 is not limited to this embodiment. For example, it may be configured by a pair of suction pads that hold one of the front and back surfaces on either side at the upper end portion of the glass plate G by negative pressure suction.

[0052] The second transfer mechanism 52 includes, for example, a main body portion 52a having a drive source such as a servo motor, a pair of arm members 52b, 52b that respectively support the pair of chucking mechanisms 51a, 51a from the main body portion 52a, and a rail (not shown) that guides the moving direction of the main body portion 52a along the predetermined direction (the direction of arrow A).

[0053] The pair of arm members 52b, 52b are fixed to the main body portion 52a such that the pair of chucking mechanisms 51a, 51a are arranged at a predetermined interval in the width direction (the direction of arrow A) of the glass plate G at the second position P2.

[0054] Note that the configuration of the pair of arm members 52b, 52b is not limited to this embodiment. For example, they may be provided so as to be independently movable with respect to the main body portion 52a, and the pair of chucking mechanisms 51a, 51a may be configured to be movable in the approaching direction and the separating direction with respect to each other along the width direction. With such a configuration, even when the outer dimensions of the glass plate G (more specifically, the dimensions in the width direction) are changed, the positions of the pair of chucking mechanisms 51a and 51a can be easily adjusted. In addition, by applying tension to the glass plate G along the width direction, the sway of the glass plate G can be reduced.

[0055] Then, when the glass plate G supported by the second support portion 51 is suspended in a vertical posture at the second position P2, the second transfer mechanism 52 moves the second support portion 51 along a predetermined direction (the direction of arrow A). Thereby, the second transfer mechanism 52 transfers the glass plate G suspended in a vertical posture via the second support portion 51.

[0056] The flow rectifying guides 53 are preferably arranged at least in the vicinity of the upstream side in the transfer direction (the direction of arrow A) of the second transfer device 5 with respect to the openings 21a of the respective wall portions 21. For example, in the present embodiment, with respect to the openings 21a, 21a,... of the wall portions 21, 21,... that separate the respective work areas (the loading work area S1, the scribing work area S2, the breaking work area S3, and the inspection work area S4), they are arranged in the vicinity of the upstream side and the downstream side in the transfer direction (the direction of arrow A), and in the vicinity of the substantially central portion in the transfer direction (the direction of arrow A) within the scribing work area S2 and within the breaking work area S3, respectively.

[0057] Each flow rectifying guide 53 preferably makes sliding contact with the region of the non-effective surface G1 located at the peripheral edge portion of the glass plate G. Also, from the viewpoint of restricting the sway of the glass plate G supported and suspended at the upper end portion, it is preferable to arrange the flow rectifying guide 53 at a position where it can contact the lower side of the glass plate G. For example, in the present embodiment, it is configured to be able to make sliding contact with the glass plate G within a range of 30 mm or less from the lower end surface of the glass plate G.

[0058] And the rectifying guide 53 in the present embodiment is provided with a height adjusting mechanism 8 (see FIG. 4), and the height adjusting mechanism 8 enables easy adjustment of the vertical position (height) of the guide main body 7 that is in sliding contact with the lower end of the glass plate G. Details of the configuration of the rectifying guide 53 will be described later.

[0059] The second cutting device 6 includes a scribing line forming device 61 that is disposed in the scribing work area S2 and forms a scribing line L at the boundary between the non-effective surface G1 (more specifically, the ear part Z) and the effective surface G2 of the glass plate G, and a cutting device 62 that is disposed in the breaking work area S3 and cuts the glass plate G along the formed scribing line L.

[0060] The scribing line forming device 61 includes a pair of rectangular plate-shaped support plates 61a, 61a that support the area where the scribing line L is to be formed from the back surface side with respect to the glass plate G suspended in a vertical posture at the third position P3 in the scribing work area S2, and a pair of wheel cutters 61b, 61b that form the scribing line L on the front surface side of the glass plate G.

[0061] Here, each wheel cutter 61b is configured to form the scribing line L over the entire vertical range or a part of the glass plate G. For example, in the present embodiment, it is configured to form the scribing line L over a part in the vertical direction excluding the upper and lower end portions of the glass plate G. Note that the scribing line L may be formed by other methods such as laser irradiation.

[0062] When the glass plate G conveyed by the second conveying device 5 reaches the third position P3, the second conveying device 5 temporarily stops moving, and the scribing operation by the scribing line forming device 61 is performed. Specifically, a pair of support plates 61a·61a abut against the back surface of the glass plate G to support the glass plate G. Then, a pair of wheel cutters 61b·61b slide along the surface of the glass plate G in the vertical direction, whereby a pair of scribe lines L·L are formed at both side ends of the glass plate G.

[0063] When the scribing operation is completed, the second transfer device 5 starts moving again and transfers the glass plate G toward the breakage work area S3.

[0064] The cutting device 62 includes a pair of contact members 62a·62a that contact the effective surface G2 of the glass plate G from the back side along the scribe line L and a pair of pressing members 62b·62b that contact and press against the non-effective surface G1 of the glass plate G from the front side along the scribe line L, when the glass plate G suspended in a vertical posture is at the fourth position P4 within the breakage work area S3. Here, these contact members 62a and pressing members 62b are each made of a rectangular plate-shaped member, but are not limited thereto. For example, they may be round bar members or the like having a contact surface formed as a curved surface.

[0065] When the glass plate G conveyed by the second transfer device 5 reaches the fourth position P4, the second transfer device 5 temporarily stops moving, and the cutting operation by the cutting device 62 is performed. Specifically, after the pair of contact members 62a·62a contact the effective surface G2 of the glass plate G from the back side, the pair of pressing members 62b·62b contact the non-effective surface G1 of the glass plate G from the front side. Then, the pair of pressing members 62b·62b continue to press the non-effective surface G1 toward the back side, whereby bending stress is generated along the scribe line L and in its vicinity, and the ear portion Z, which is the non-effective surface G1, is cut along the scribe line L.

[0066] When the cutting operation is completed, the second transfer device 5 starts moving again and transfers the glass plate G toward the inspection work area S4. Then, in the inspection work area S4, when the glass plate G is delivered from the second transfer device 5 to a predetermined inspection device or the like, the second transfer device 5 moves again toward the second position P2.

[0067] The glass plate G carried into the inspection work area S4 is subjected to a predetermined quality inspection, and then is sent to a subsequent process such as a packing operation. Thus, the glass plate manufacturing apparatus 100 in the present embodiment manufactures the glass plate G which is the final product.

[0068] [Configuration of the straightening guide 53 (present embodiment)] Next, the configuration of the straightening guide 53 in the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 3 to 5.

[0069] As described above, the straightening guide 53 is provided so as to be slidably contacted with the lower end portion of the glass plate G which is conveyed in a vertically suspended state by the second transfer device 5 (see FIG. 1), and regulates the sway in the thickness direction when the glass plate G is conveyed. As shown in FIG. 3, the straightening guide 53 mainly includes a pair of guide body portions 7·7 which are arranged to face each other in a direction orthogonal to the conveyance path Y of the second transfer device 5 in a plan view, with the conveyance path Y therebetween, and a pair of height adjustment mechanisms 8·8 which respectively adjust the vertical positions of the pair of guide body portions 7·7.

[0070] Here, the pair of guide body portions 7·7 have substantially the same configuration as each other. Also, the pair of height adjustment mechanisms 8·8 similarly have substantially the same configuration as each other. Therefore, in the following description, mainly, the guide body portion 7 and the height adjustment mechanism 8 located on one side (the left side in the present embodiment) in the direction orthogonal to the conveyance path Y in a plan view will be described, and the description of the guide body portion 7 and the height adjustment mechanism 8 located on the other side (the right side in the present embodiment) in the direction orthogonal to the conveyance path Y in a plan view will be omitted.

[0071] The guide body portion 7 includes a guide member 71, a mounting member 72, a support member 73, and the like.

[0072] The guide member 71 is a member that contacts the lower end portion of the glass plate G when restricting the shaking of the glass plate G in the thickness direction during conveyance. The guide member 71 is composed of a long member having a rectangular flat plate shape made of a resin such as engineering plastic, and a groove portion 71a extending along the longitudinal direction is provided on one side surface.

[0073] Then, the guide member 71 has the other side surface located on the side opposite to the above one side surface as a sliding surface 71b, and in a plan view, extends horizontally in a state where the sliding surface 71b faces the conveyance path Y side, and is inclined so as to gradually approach the conveyance path Y from the upstream side to the downstream side of the conveyance path Y.

[0074] Here, in the pair of guide body portions 7·7 provided in the flow rectifying guide 53, the interval d1 between the pair of guide members 71·71 on the most downstream side of the conveyance path Y is set smaller than the width dimension d2 of the slit-shaped opening 21a provided in each wall portion 21 of the booth 2 described above (see FIG. 1) (d1 < d2), and is set larger than the thickness dimension d3 of the glass plate G (see FIG. 1) (d1 > d3).

[0075] By having such a configuration, at the most downstream side of the conveyance path Y in the pair of guide body portions 7·7, the glass plate G can be stably guided toward the slit-shaped opening 21a, and it is possible to surely prevent the glass plate G from colliding with each wall portion 21 provided with the opening 21a.

[0076] The mounting member 72 is a member to which the guide member 71 is mounted. The mounting member 72 has, for example, a fitting portion 72a formed of a rectangular plate-shaped portion and a mounting portion 72b formed of a rectangular plate-shaped portion bent in a substantially L shape. The mounting portion 72b protrudes on one side in the direction orthogonal to the fitting portion 72a at the longitudinal center portion of the fitting portion 72a.

[0077] The cross-sectional shape of the fitting portion 72a as viewed in the longitudinal direction is set to a shape that can be fitted to the groove portion 71a of the guide member 71. Further, the attachment portion 72b is provided with a through hole 72b1 that penetrates in the thickness direction and an arc-shaped notch hole 72b2 centered on the through hole 72b1.

[0078] Then, the mounting member 72 mounts the guide member 71 by fitting the fitting portion 72a along the groove portion 71a of the guide member 71. Also, as will be described later, the mounting member 72 is fixed to the tip of the support member 73 through the through hole 72b1 and the notch hole 72b2 of the attachment portion 72b.

[0079] The support member 73 is a member that supports the guide member 71 from the height adjustment mechanism 8 via the mounting member 72. The support member 73 has an arm portion 73a to which the mounting member 72 is attached and a connection portion 73b provided on the base end side of the arm portion 73a.

[0080] The arm portion 73a is composed of, for example, an L-shaped part, a first arm portion 73a1 extending in one direction (in the front-rear direction in this embodiment), and from one end in the longitudinal direction of the first arm portion 73a1 (the rear end in this embodiment), it has a second arm portion 73a2 extending in a direction perpendicular to the first arm portion 73a1 (in the right direction in this embodiment).

[0081] And a plurality of female screw holes (for example, two in this embodiment) (not shown) are provided at the end (right end) in the extending direction of the second arm portion 73a2. By screwing fastening members such as bolts that penetrate through the through hole 72b1 and the notch hole 72b2 of the attachment portion 72b into the female screw holes, the mounting member 72 is fixed to the end of the second arm portion 73a2.

[0082] In addition, in the present embodiment, when fixing the mounting member 72 to the second arm portion 73a2, the mounting member 72 is swung about the through hole 72b1 within a range where the notch hole 72b2 and the fastening member passed through the notch hole 72b2 do not interfere with each other, so that the inclination angle of the guide member 71 mounted on the mounting member 72 with respect to the conveyance path Y (more specifically, the inclination angle in a plan view) can be finely adjusted.

[0083] The connecting portion 73b is an example of an engaged member according to the present invention, and as shown in FIG. 4, it is composed of, for example, a rectangular flat plate-shaped portion and is provided at the other end in the longitudinal direction (the front end portion in the present embodiment) of the first arm portion 73a1. Specifically, the connecting portion 73b is provided on the side surface on the extending direction side (right side) of the second arm portion 73a2 at the other end (front end portion) of the first arm portion 73a1 in a state where the plane 73b1 is along. Further, the connecting portion 73b is arranged in a state of protruding in the vertical direction with respect to the first arm portion 73a1.

[0084] On one side end portion (the front side in the present embodiment) of the connecting portion 73b, for example, along the extending direction (front-rear direction) of the first arm portion 73a1, a pair of U-shaped notch portions 73b2·73b2 extending from the side end portion toward the central portion of the plane 73b1 are provided. The pair of notch portions 73b2·73b2 are respectively arranged on the upper and lower sides with respect to the first arm portion 73a1.

[0085] Then, as will be described later, the pair of notch portions 73b2·73b2 function as an engaging portion that can be engaged with a fixing member 82 provided in the height adjustment mechanism 8. By engaging the connecting portion 73b with the pair of fixing members 82·82 via the pair of notch portions 73b2·73b2, the support member 73 is fixed to the height adjustment mechanism 8, and supports the guide member 71 from the height adjustment mechanism 8 via the mounting member 72.

[0086] The height adjustment mechanism 8 includes a base member 81, a fixing member 82, and the like.

[0087] The base member 81 is an example of the base member according to the present invention, and is a member that holds the guide main body 7 at a plurality of positions in the vertical direction. The base member 81 is composed of, for example, a rectangular flat plate member extending in the vertical direction, and is arranged so as to be opposed to the connection portion 73b of the guide main body 7. Further, the base member 81 is detachably fixed to, for example, a support column M or the like arranged near the opening 21a (see FIG. 1) of each wall portion 21 by using a fastening member such as a bolt.

[0088] A plurality of female screw-shaped through holes 81a·81a··· arranged along the vertical direction are provided in the plane of the base member 81. Each of the above through holes 81a is an example of a first fixing portion to which a fixing member 82 described later can be fixed.

[0089] And the base member 81 is configured to be able to hold the guide main body 7 at an arbitrary position where the plurality of through holes 81a·81a··· are arranged.

[0090] The fixing member 82 is a member that fixes the guide main body 71 to the base member 81. The fixing member 82 is constituted by a bolt with a handle having a bolt portion 82a that can be screwed into each through hole 81a and a handle portion 82b provided at an end of the bolt portion 82a.

[0091] The fixing members 82·82··· are pre-screwed into all the through holes 81a·81a··· in the base member 81. Then, a pair of adjacent fixing members 82·82 are arbitrarily selected from among the plurality of fixing members 82·82···, and the connection portion 73b of the support member 73 is engaged with the pair of fixing members 82·82 via a pair of notches 73b2·73b2, whereby the guide main body 7 is detachably held by the base member 81 at a plurality of positions in the vertical direction.

[0092] Thus, in this embodiment, the base member 81 is arranged along the vertical direction and has a plurality of first fixing portions (i.e., through holes 81a) capable of fixing the fixing member 82. On the other hand, the guide main body portion 7 is configured to have an engaging portion (i.e., notch portion 73b2) that can engage with the fixing member 82 fixed to the first fixing portion (through hole 81a).

[0093] With such a configuration, in the base member 81, arbitrarily select a first fixing portion (a pair of through holes 81a·81a) from among the plurality of previously provided first fixing portions (through holes 81a·81a···), and only engage the engaging portions (a pair of notch portions 73b2·73b2) of the guide main body portion 7 with the fixing members 82·82 fixed to the selected first fixing portion (through holes 81a·81a), then the guide main body portion 7 can be fixed to the base member 81, and the height adjustment of the rectifying guide 53 can be easily performed.

[0094] Also, in this embodiment, as described above, the first fixing portion is composed of a female screw-shaped through hole 81a, while the fixing member 82 is composed of a bolt with a handle having a bolt portion 82a that can be screwed into the through hole 81a and a handle portion 82b provided at the end of the bolt portion 82a.

[0095] With such a configuration, the attachment and detachment operation of the fixing member 82 can be performed on the first fixing portion (through hole 81a) of the base member 81 without using tools, and the height adjustment of the rectifying guide 53 can be performed more easily.

[0096] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as described above, the guide main body portion 7 has a plate-shaped connecting portion (engaged member) 73b engaged by the fixing member 82, and the engaging portion is composed of a U-shaped notch portion 73b2 extending from the outer edge end portion (in this embodiment, the front side end portion) of the connecting portion (engaged member) 73b toward the plane center portion.

[0097] In this way, since the engaging portion is formed by the U-shaped notch portion 73b2, the fixing member 82 screwed (fixed) into the through hole 81a of the base member 81 is loosened once, and after inserting the connecting portion (engaged member) 73b in the direction intersecting the fixing member 82 through the notch portion 73b2, by simply screwing the fixing member 82 again, the engaging portion (notch portion 73b2) can be easily engaged with the fixing member 82. Also, by simply loosening the fixing member 82 screwed (fixed) into the through hole 81a of the base member 81 and pulling out the connecting portion (engaged member) 73b in the direction away from the fixing member 82 through the notch portion 73b2, the engaged state in the engaging portion (notch portion 73b2) can be easily released.

[0098] Note that the configuration of the engaging portion provided in the connecting portion 73b of the guide main body portion 7 is not limited to this embodiment. For example, a simple circular through hole may be used, or as shown in FIG. 5, with respect to the fixing member 82 screwed into the through hole 81a which is the first fixing portion, the engaging portion may be configured by a spindle hole 73c having a large-diameter portion 73c1 through which the handle portion 82b of the fixing member 82 can be coaxially inserted and a small-diameter portion 73c2 engageable with the bolt portion 82a of the fixing member 82.

[0099] Even in the case where the engaging portion is formed by such a spindle hole 73c, the fixing member 82 screwed (fixed) into the through hole 81a of the base member 81 is loosened once, after inserting the fixing member 82 into the large-diameter portion 73c1 of the spindle hole 73c, by moving the connecting portion (engaged member) 73b so that the fixing member 82 is positioned within the small-diameter portion 73c2 of the spindle hole 73c and then simply screwing the fixing member 82 again, the engaging portion (spindle hole 73c) can be easily engaged with the fixing member 82. Also, the fixing member 82 screwed (fixed) to the through-hole 81a of the base member 81 is loosened once, and after moving the connecting portion (engaged member) 73b so that the fixing member 82 located within the small-diameter portion 73c2 of the daruma hole 73c is positioned within the large-diameter portion 73c1, by simply pulling away the connecting portion (engaged member) 73b from the fixing member 82, the engaged state in the engaging portion (daruma hole 73c) can be easily released.

[0100] As described above, the second transfer device (glass plate transfer device) 5 in the present embodiment is a glass plate transfer device that transfers the glass plate G suspended in a vertical posture along the transfer path Y through the slit-shaped openings 21a extending in the vertical direction provided in the wall portion 21 that separates each work area (loading work area S1, scribing work area S2, breaking work area S3, inspection work area S4, etc.) arranged adjacent to each other along the transfer path Y, with the main surface of the glass plate G being parallel to the transfer path Y.

[0101] The second transfer device (glass plate transfer device) 5 includes a second support portion (support portion) 51 that supports the upper end portion of the glass plate G, a second transfer mechanism (transfer mechanism) 52 that suspends and transfers the glass plate G via the second support portion (support portion) 51, and a rectifying guide 53 that regulates the sway in the thickness direction when the glass plate G is transferred. The rectifying guide 53 includes a pair of guide body portions 7·7 that are arranged to face each other in a direction orthogonal to the transfer path Y in a plan view with the transfer path Y interposed therebetween, and the interval between them gradually decreases from the upstream side to the downstream side of the transfer path Y, and a height adjustment mechanism 8·8 that adjusts the vertical position of each guide body portion 7·7.

[0102] The height adjustment mechanism 8 is configured to include a base member (base member) 81 that can hold the guide body portion 7 at a plurality of positions in the vertical direction, and a fixing member 82 that can fix the guide body portion 7 to the base member (base member) 81.

[0103] According to the second transfer device (glass plate transfer device) 5 having such a configuration, in the height adjustment mechanism 8, by arbitrarily selecting a position from among a plurality of positions on the base member (base member) 81 and fixing the guide main body portion 7 using the fixing member 82 at the selected position, the height adjustment of the straightening guide 53 can be easily performed. That is, according to the second transfer device (glass plate transfer device) 5 in the present embodiment, the height adjustment of the straightening guide 53 provided in the second transfer device (glass plate transfer device) 5 can be performed by a simple operation.

[0104] [Configuration of the straightening guide 153 (first alternative embodiment)] Next, the configuration of the straightening guide 153 in the first alternative embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 6. The straightening guide 153 in the first alternative embodiment has a configuration substantially equivalent to that of the straightening guide 53 in the present embodiment described above. However, when adjusting the vertical position of the guide main body portion 107, it is different from the straightening guide 53 in that the vertical position of the base member 181 itself is changed without temporarily removing the guide main body portion 107 from the base member 181. Therefore, in the following description, mainly the differences from the straightening guide 53 in the present embodiment will be described, and the description of the configuration equivalent to that of the straightening guide 53 will be omitted.

[0105] The straightening guide 153 mainly includes a pair of guide main body portions 107, 107 that are arranged to face each other in a direction orthogonal to each other in a plan view with the transfer path Y (see FIG. 3) of the second transfer device 5 interposed therebetween, and a pair of height adjustment mechanisms 108, 108 that adjust the vertical positions of the pair of guide main body portions 107, 107, respectively.

[0106] In this separate embodiment as well, similar to the above-described embodiment, mainly, the guide body portion 107 and the height adjustment mechanism 108 located on one side (the left side in this embodiment) in the direction orthogonal to the conveyance path Y in plan view will be described, and the description of the guide body portion 107 and the height adjustment mechanism 108 located on the other side (the right side in this embodiment) in the direction orthogonal to the conveyance path Y in plan view will be omitted.

[0107] The guide body portion 107 includes a guide member 171, a mounting member 172, a support member 173, and the like. Since the guide member 171, the mounting member 172, and the support member 173 have substantially the same configuration as the guide member 71, the mounting member 72, and the support member 73 in the above-described embodiment, the description thereof will be omitted.

[0108] The height adjustment mechanism 108 includes a base member 181, a fixing member 182, a support column 183, and the like. Since the fixing member 182 has substantially the same configuration as the fixing member 82 in the above-described embodiment, the description thereof will be omitted.

[0109] The base member 181 is a member for fixing the guide body portion 107. The base member 181 is, for example, a member having a rectangular flat plate shape extending in the vertical direction, and is arranged to face the connection portion 173b of the guide body portion 107.

[0110] In the plane of the base member 181, a pair of female screw holes (not shown) are provided at the central portion in the vertical direction. The guide body portion 107 is fixed to the base member 181 by using a pair of fixing members 182·182 screwed into the pair of female screw holes. Also, in the plane of the base member 181, a plurality (a total of six in this separate embodiment) of through holes 181a·181a··· are provided at equal intervals along the vertical direction on both the upper and lower sides of the pair of female screw holes.

[0111] Then, as will be described later, these plurality of through holes 181a·181a··· function as engaging portions that can engage with a fixing member 182 provided on the support column 183.

[0112] The support column 183 is an example of a base member according to the present invention, and is a member that holds the guide main body portion 107 at a plurality of positions in the vertical direction. The support column 183 is disposed near the opening 21a (see FIG. 1) of each wall portion 21, and a pair of female screw holes 183a·183a that are spaced apart in the vertical direction are provided in a plane facing the base member 181. Note that the pair of female screw holes 183a·183a is an example of a first fixing portion capable of fixing the fixing member 82.

[0113] Then, among the plurality of through holes (engaging portions) 181a·181a··· provided in the base member 181, after the base member 181 is disposed on the support column (base member) 183 such that any pair of through holes (engaging portions) 181a·181a are coaxial with the pair of female screw holes (first fixing portions) 183a·183a, a pair of fixing members 182 are screwed and fixed to the pair of female screw holes (first fixing portions) 183a·183a. Thereby, the pair of through holes (engaging portions) 181a·181a engage with the fixing members 182·182 fixed to the pair of female screw holes (first fixing portions) 183a·183a, and the guide main body portion 107 is fixed to the support column 183 via the base member 181.

[0114] According to the rectifying guide 153 in the present alternative embodiment having such a configuration, it is not necessary to once remove the guide main body portion 107 from the base member 181, and the height of the rectifying guide 153 can be easily adjusted only by changing the vertical attachment position of the base member 181 with respect to the support column (base member) 183.

[0115] [Configuration of the rectifying guide 253 (second alternative embodiment)] Next, the configuration of the rectifying guide 253 in the second alternative embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8. The rectifying guide 253 in the second alternative embodiment has a configuration substantially equivalent to that of the rectifying guide 53 in the above-described embodiment. However, the holding structure of the guide main body 207 with respect to the base member 281 is different from that of the rectifying guide 53. differs from the rectifying guide 53. Therefore, in the following description, mainly the differences from the rectifying guide 53 in this embodiment will be described, and the description of the configuration equivalent to that of the rectifying guide 53 will be omitted.

[0116] The rectifying guide 253 mainly includes a pair of guide main bodies 207·207 that are arranged to face each other in a direction orthogonal to the plane view with the transport path Y of the second transport device 5 interposed therebetween, and a pair of height adjustment mechanisms 208·208 that respectively adjust the vertical positions of the pair of guide main bodies 207·207.

[0117] In this alternative embodiment as well, similar to the above-described embodiment, mainly the guide main body 207 and the height adjustment mechanism 208 located on one side (the left side in this embodiment) in the direction orthogonal to the plane view with respect to the transport path Y will be described, and the description of the guide main body 207 and the height adjustment mechanism 208 located on the other side (the right side in this embodiment) in the direction orthogonal to the plane view with respect to the transport path Y will be omitted.

[0118] The guide main body 207 includes a guide member 271, a mounting member 272, a support member 273, and the like. Since the guide member 271 and the mounting member 272 have substantially the same configuration as the guide member 71 and the mounting member 72 in the above-described embodiment, the description thereof will be omitted.

[0119] The support member 273 is a member that supports the guide member 271 from the height adjustment mechanism 208 via the mounting member 272. The support member 273 has an arm portion 273a to which the mounting member 272 is attached, and a connection portion 273b provided on the proximal end side of the arm portion 273a. Since the arm portion 273a has substantially the same configuration as the arm portion 73a in the above-described embodiment, the description thereof will be omitted.

[0120] The connecting portion 273b is composed of, for example, a rectangular planar portion extending in the vertical direction, and has a pair of opposing surfaces 273b1 and 273b1 that face each other in the horizontal direction and in one direction (in this alternative embodiment, the left - right direction), and a connecting surface 273b2 that connects one - side end portions (in this alternative embodiment, the rear - end portions) of these pair of opposing surfaces 273b1 and 273b1. Also, the connecting portion 273b is fixed via the connecting surface 273b2 at the other end portion in the longitudinal direction (the front - end portion in this embodiment) of the first arm portion 273a1.

[0121] A pair of connecting - portion - side through - holes 273b3 and 273b3 that penetrate the pair of opposing surfaces 273b1 and 273b1 simultaneously are provided in the connecting portion 273b, respectively. As shown in FIG. 8, the pair of connecting - portion - side through - holes 273b3 and 273b3 are provided at positions spaced apart from each other in the vertical direction, and each connecting - portion - side through - hole 273b3 is formed so as to penetrate the pair of opposing surfaces 273b1 and 273b1 in the orthogonal direction.

[0122] And, as will be described later, these pair of connecting - portion - side through - holes 273b3 and 273b3 function as engaging portions that can be engaged with a fixing member 282 provided in the height - adjustment mechanism 208. By engaging the connecting portion 273b with the pair of fixing members 282 and 282 through the pair of connecting - portion - side through - holes 273b3 and 273b3, the support member 273 is fixed to the height - adjustment mechanism 208, and supports the guide member 271 from the height - adjustment mechanism 208 via the mounting member 272.

[0123] The height - adjustment mechanism 208 includes a base member 281, a fixing member 282, and the like.

[0124] The base member 281 is an example of the base member according to the present invention, and is a member that holds the guide main body portion 207 at a plurality of positions in the vertical direction. The base member 281 is, for example, a member having a rectangular bar shape extending in the vertical direction, and is configured to be fitted between a pair of opposing surfaces 273b1 and 273b1 with respect to the connection portion 273b of the guide main body portion 207. Further, the base member 281 is, for example, arranged in the vicinity of the opening 21a (see FIG. 1) of each wall portion 21 and fixed along the side surface of a support column M or the like.

[0125] The base member 281 is provided with a plurality of base member side through holes 281a, 281a,... arranged along the vertical direction. The plurality of base member side through holes 281a, 281a,... are provided at positions where a pair of connection portion side through holes 273b3, 273b3 provided in the connection portion 273b can be coaxially arranged in a state where the connection portion 273b is fitted to the base member 281. Further, each base member side through hole 281a has a shape substantially equivalent to that of the connection portion side through hole 273b3 provided in the connection portion 273b. Note that each base member side through hole 281a is an example of a first fixing portion to which a fixing member 282 described later can be fixed.

[0126] And the base member 281 is configured to be able to hold the guide main body portion 207 at an arbitrary position where the plurality of base member side through holes 281a, 281a,... are arranged.

[0127] The fixing member 282 is a member for fixing the guide main body portion 207 to the base member 281. The fixing member 282 is constituted by fixing pins that can be respectively inserted into the connection portion side through hole 273b3 of the connection portion 273b in the guide main body portion 207 and the base member side through hole 281a of the base member 281.

[0128] Then, from among the plurality of base member side through holes (first fixing portions) 281a, 281a,... provided in the base member 281, a pair of adjacent base member side through holes (first fixing portions) 281a, 281a are arbitrarily selected. After fitting the connection portion 273b to the base member 281 so that a pair of connection portion side through holes (engagement portions) 273b3, 273b3 provided in the connection portion 273b are coaxial with respect to the selected base member side through holes (first fixing portions) 281a, 281a, a fixing member 282 is simultaneously inserted into these through holes (connection portion side through hole 273b3 and base member side through hole 281a). Thus, the guide main body portion 207 is detachably held by the base member 281 at a plurality of positions in the vertical direction. In other words, the connection portion 273b is engaged with the fixing member 282 fixed to the base member side through hole (first fixing portion) 281a of the base member 281 via the connection portion side through hole (engagement portion) 273b3. Thus, the guide main body portion 207 is detachably held by the base member 281 at a plurality of positions in the vertical direction.

[0129] As described above, in the present alternative embodiment, the guide main body portion 207 is held by the base member 281 by the fixing member 282 (fixing pin) that is simultaneously inserted into the connection portion side through hole (engagement portion) 273b3 provided in the connection portion 273b of the guide main body portion 207 and the base member side through hole (first fixing portion) 281a provided in the base member 281. That is, in the present alternative embodiment, the first fixing portion provided in the base member (base portion member) 281 is composed of a through hole (that is, the base member side through hole 281a), and the fixing member 282 is composed of a fixing pin that can be inserted into the through hole (base member side through hole 281a).

[0130] By having such a configuration, the attachment and detachment operation of the fixing member 282 can be performed with respect to the first fixing portion (base member side through hole 281a) of the base member (base portion member) 281 only by inserting and removing the fixing member 282 composed of a fixing pin into and from the first fixing portion composed of the through hole (base member side through hole 281a), and the height adjustment of the rectifying guide 253 can be performed more easily.

[0131] [Configuration of the Rectifying Guide 353 (Third Alternative Embodiment)] Next, the configuration of the rectifying guide 353 in the third alternative embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 to 12. The rectifying guide 353 in the third alternative embodiment has a configuration substantially equivalent to that of the rectifying guide 53 in the present embodiment described above. However, it differs from the rectifying guide 53 in that the guide main body 207 can be held at any position continuous in the vertical direction in the base member 381. Therefore, in the following description, mainly the differences from the rectifying guide 53 in the present embodiment will be described, and the description of the configuration equivalent to that of the rectifying guide 53 will be omitted.

[0132] As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the rectifying guide 353 mainly includes a pair of guide main bodies 307·307 that are arranged to face each other in a direction orthogonal in plan view with the transport path Y of the second transport device 5 interposed therebetween, and a pair of height adjustment mechanisms 308·308 that adjust the vertical positions of these pair of guide main bodies 307·307.

[0133] Also in this alternative embodiment, similar to the present embodiment described above, mainly the guide main body 307 and the height adjustment mechanism 308 located on one side (the left side in this embodiment) in a direction orthogonal in plan view with respect to the transport path Y will be described, and the description of the guide main body 307 and the height adjustment mechanism 308 located on the other side (the right side in this embodiment) in a direction orthogonal in plan view with respect to the transport path Y will be omitted.

[0134] The guide main body 307 includes a guide member 371, a mounting member 372, a support member 373, and the like. Since the guide member 371 and the mounting member 372 have substantially the same configuration as the guide member 71 and the mounting member 72 in the present embodiment described above, the description thereof will be omitted.

[0135] The support member 373 is a member that supports the guide member 371 from the height adjustment mechanism 308 via the mounting member 372. The support member 373 has an arm portion 373a to which the mounting member 372 is attached and a connection portion 373b provided on the proximal end side of the arm portion 373a. Since the arm portion 373a has substantially the same configuration as the arm portion 73a in the above-described embodiment, the description thereof is omitted. Further, since the connection portion 373b has substantially the same configuration as the connection portion 273b (see FIGS. 7 and 8) in the second alternative embodiment described above, the description thereof is omitted.

[0136] The height adjustment mechanism 308 includes a base member 381, a fixing member 382, and the like.

[0137] The base member 381 is an example of the base member according to the present invention and is a member that holds the guide main body portion 307 at an arbitrary position continuous in the vertical direction. The base member 381 is, for example, a member having a rectangular bar shape extending in the vertical direction and is configured to be fitted between a pair of opposing surfaces 373b1·373b1 with respect to the connection portion 373b of the guide main body portion 307. Further, the base member 381 is fixed, for example, along the side surface of a support column M or the like disposed near the opening 21a (see FIG. 1) of each wall portion 21.

[0138] A groove portion 381a extending in the vertical direction is provided in the base member 381. In a state where the connection portion 373b is fitted to the base member 381, the groove portion 381a is provided at a position where a pair of connection portion side through holes 273b3·273b3 provided in the connection portion 373b overlap in the axial direction (in the present embodiment, the left-right direction) when viewed in the axial direction. Further, the groove portion 381a is formed so as to penetrate the base member 381 in the axial direction (left-right direction). Note that the groove portion 381a is an example of a second fixing portion to which a fixing member 382 described later can be fixed.

[0139] The base member 381 is configured to be able to hold the guide main body portion 307 at an arbitrary position continuous in the vertical direction along the groove portion 381a.

[0140] The fixing member 382 is a member that fixes the guide main body portion 307 to the base member 381. The fixing member 382 includes a bolt portion 382a1 that can be inserted into the groove portion 381a of the base member 381, and a bolt with a handle 382a having a handle portion 382a2 provided at an end of the bolt portion 382a1, and a nut 382b that can be screwed with the bolt with a handle 382a to clamp the base member 381.

[0141] Then, after fitting the connection portion 373b to the base member 381 at an arbitrary position in the vertical direction along the groove portion 381a, the connection portion side through hole 373b3 of the connection portion 373b and the bolt with a handle 382a are simultaneously inserted into the groove portion 381a, and then the nut 382b is screwed, whereby both the connection portion 373b and the base member 381 are clamped by the fixing member 382, and the guide main body portion 307 is held by the base member 381 at an arbitrary position continuous in the vertical direction. In other words, the connection portion 373b is engaged via the connection portion side through hole (engagement portion) 373b3 with respect to the fixing member 382 (more specifically, the bolt portion 382a1 of the bolt with a handle 382a) fixed to the groove portion (second fixing portion) 381a of the base member 381, whereby the guide main body portion 307 is held by the base member 381 at an arbitrary position continuous in the vertical direction.

[0142] Thus, in this alternative embodiment, the base member (base member) 381 has a second fixing portion (in this alternative embodiment, the groove portion 381a) capable of fixing the fixing member 382 at an arbitrary position continuous in the vertical direction, and the guide main body portion 307 has a connection portion side through hole (engagement portion) 373b3 capable of engaging with the fixing member 382 (the bolt portion 382a1 of the bolt with a handle 382a) fixed to the second fixing portion (groove portion 381a).

[0143] By having such a configuration, in the base member 381, the fixing member 382 (the bolt portion 382a1 of the bolt 382a with a handle) can be fixed at any position along the vertical direction in the second fixing portion (groove portion 381a), and the height adjustment of the rectifying guide 353 can be performed more precisely.

[0144] Also, in this alternative embodiment, the second fixing portion is composed of a groove portion 381a extending in the vertical direction, and the fixing member 382 is composed of a bolt 382a with a handle having a bolt portion 382a1 that can be inserted into the groove portion 381a and a handle portion 382a2 provided at an end of the bolt portion 382a1, and a nut 382b that can be screwed with the bolt 382a with a handle to sandwich the base member (base member) 381.

[0145] By having such a configuration, without performing the attachment / detachment operation of the fixing member 382 (more specifically, the bolt 382a with a handle) fixed to the second fixing portion (groove portion 381a) of the base member (base member) 381, the height of the guide main body portion 307 can be changed only by loosening the fixing member 382 (bolt 382a with a handle) once, and the height adjustment of the rectifying guide 353 can be performed more easily.

[0146] Note that, in this alternative embodiment, the configuration of the base member 381 is not limited to the rectangular bar-shaped member having the groove portion 381a extending in the vertical direction as described above. For example, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the base member 381 may be constituted by an aluminum frame 374, which is a general-purpose product, in which groove portions 374a extending in the longitudinal direction are provided in advance on each side surface.

[0147] [Configuration of the rectifying guide 453 (fourth alternative embodiment)] Next, the configuration of the rectifying guide 453 in the fourth alternative embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 13 to 14. The rectifying guide 453 in the fourth alternative embodiment has a configuration substantially equivalent to that of the rectifying guide 53 in the present embodiment described above. However, it differs from the rectifying guide 53 in that the height adjustment mechanism 408 is constituted by a linear guide mechanism. Therefore, in the following description, mainly the differences from the rectifying guide 53 in the present embodiment will be described, and the description of the configuration equivalent to that of the rectifying guide 53 will be omitted.

[0148] The rectifying guide 453 mainly includes a pair of guide body portions 407·407 that are arranged to face each other in a direction orthogonal to the plane view with the conveyance path Y of the second conveyance device 5 interposed therebetween, and a pair of height adjustment mechanisms 408·408 that respectively adjust the vertical positions of the pair of guide body portions 407·407.

[0149] Also in this alternative embodiment, similar to the present embodiment described above, mainly the guide body portion 407 and the height adjustment mechanism 408 located on one side (the left side in this embodiment) in the direction orthogonal to the plane view with respect to the conveyance path Y will be described, and the description of the guide body portion 407 and the height adjustment mechanism 408 located on the other side (the right side in this embodiment) in the direction orthogonal to the plane view with respect to the conveyance path Y will be omitted.

[0150] The guide body portion 407 includes a guide member 471, a mounting member 472, a support member 473, and the like. Since the guide member 471 and the mounting member 472 have substantially the same configuration as the guide member 71 and the mounting member 72 in the present embodiment described above, the description thereof will be omitted.

[0151] The support member 473 is a member that supports the guide member 471 from the height adjustment mechanism 408 via the mounting member 472. The support member 473 has an arm portion 473a to which the mounting member 472 is attached, and a connection portion 473b provided on the proximal end side of the arm portion 473a. Since the arm portion 473a has substantially the same configuration as the arm portion 73a in the present embodiment described above, the description thereof will be omitted.

[0152] The connecting portion 473b is composed of, for example, a rectangular flat plate-shaped portion extending in the vertical direction, and is fixed to the arm portion 473a on one side (the rear side in this embodiment) plane, and is fixed to a pair of linear blocks 473b1 and 473b1 arranged in the vertical direction on the other side (the front side in this embodiment) plane.

[0153] And these pair of linear blocks 473b1 and 473b1 function as engaging portions that can engage with a guide rail 481a provided in a height adjustment mechanism 408, as will be described later. The connecting portion 273b is slidably engaged with the guide rail 481a via the pair of linear blocks 473b1 and 4731, whereby the support member 473 is fixed to the height adjustment mechanism 408, and supports the guide member 471 from the height adjustment mechanism 408 via the mounting member 472.

[0154] The height adjustment mechanism 408 includes a base member 481, a fixing member 482, and the like.

[0155] The base member 481 is an example of the base member according to the present invention, and is a member that holds the guide main body portion 407 at an arbitrary position continuous in the vertical direction. The base member 481 is composed of, for example, a rectangular flat plate-shaped portion extending in the vertical direction, and is arranged to face the connecting portion 473b of the guide main body portion 407. Further, the base member 481 is fixed, for example, along the side surface of a support column M or the like arranged near the opening 21a (see FIG. 1) of each wall portion 21.

[0156] A guide rail 481a extending in the vertical direction is provided on the opposing surface (the rear side plane in this embodiment) of the base member 481 with respect to the connecting portion 473b. The guide rail 481a slidably engages with a pair of linear blocks 473b1 and 473b1 provided at the connecting portion 473b of the guide main body portion 407. Note that the guide rail 481a is an example of a second fixing portion to which a fixing member 482 described later can be fixed.

[0157] And the base member 481 is configured to be able to hold the guide main body 407 at any position continuous in the vertical direction along the guide rail 481a.

[0158] The fixing member 482 is a member for fixing the guide main body 407 to the base member 481. The fixing member 482 is composed of a general-purpose linear brake 482a, and is disposed between a pair of linear blocks 473b1 and 473b1 on the plane on the other side (front side) of the connecting portion 373b of the guide main body 407, and is fixed to the plane. Further, the fixing member 482 is slidably engaged with the guide rail 481a together with the pair of linear blocks 473b1 and 473b1.

[0159] Then, after stopping the pair of linear blocks 473b1 and 473b1 at an arbitrary position in the vertical direction along the guide rail 481a, the linear brake 482a is operated to clamp the guide rail 481a (that is, the linear brake 482a is fixed to the guide rail 481a), whereby the guide main body 407 is held by the base member 481 at an arbitrary position continuous in the vertical direction. In other words, the connecting portion 473b is engaged with the fixing member 482 (more specifically, the linear brake 482a) fixed to the guide rail (second fixing portion) 481a of the base member 481 via the linear block (engaging portion) 473b1, and the position of the connecting portion 473b is fixed, whereby the guide main body 407 is held by the base member 481 at an arbitrary position continuous in the vertical direction.

[0160] Thus, in this alternative embodiment, similar to the above-described third embodiment, the base member 481 has a second fixing portion (in this alternative embodiment, the guide rail 481a) at an arbitrary position continuous in the vertical direction where the fixing member 482 can be fixed, and the guide main body portion 407 has an engaging portion (a pair of linear blocks 473b1·473b1) that can engage with the fixing member 482 (linear brake 482a) fixed to the second fixing portion (guide rail 481a).

[0161] Further, in this alternative embodiment, the second fixing portion is composed of a guide rail 481a extending in the vertical direction, the engaging portion is composed of a linear block 473b1 that can slide on the guide rail 481a, and the fixing member 482 is composed of a linear brake 482a that holds the position of the guide main body portion 407 by sandwiching the guide rail 481a.

[0162] By having such a configuration, the height of the guide main body portion 407 can be changed only by controlling the operation of the linear brake 482a, and the height adjustment of the rectifying guide 453 can be performed more easily.

[0163] As described above, an embodiment for embodying the present invention has been explained. However, the present invention is not limited to such embodiments at all, but is merely illustrative, and it goes without saying that the present invention can be implemented in various other forms without departing from the gist of the present invention. The scope of the present invention is shown by the description in the claims, and further includes the equivalent meaning described in the claims and all modifications within the scope. For example, a base member provided in the height adjustment mechanism may be constituted by a rectangular flat plate-shaped magnetic member extending in the vertical direction, and a magnet may be provided on the guide main body portion, and the guide main body portion may be fixed at an arbitrary position in the vertical direction of the base member via the magnet.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0164] 183 Support column (base member) 183a Female screw hole (first fixing part) 21 Wall part 21a Opening 273b3 Connecting part side through hole (engaging part) 281a Base material side through hole (first fixing part) 373b3 Connecting part side through hole (engaging part) 374a Groove part (second fixing part) 381a Groove part (second fixing part) 382a Bolt with handle 382a1 Bolt part 382a2 Handle part 382b Nut 473b1 Linear block (engaging part) 481a Guide rail (second fixing part) 482a Linear brake (fixing member) 5 Second conveying device (glass plate conveying device) 51 Second supporting part (supporting part) 52 Second conveying mechanism (conveying mechanism) 53 Rectifying guide 7·107·207·307·407 Guide body part 73b2 Notch part (engaging part) 73b Connecting part (member to be engaged) 73b2 Notch part (engaging part) 73c Daruma hole (engaging part) 73c1 Large diameter part 73c2 Small diameter part 8 Height adjusting mechanism 81、281、381、481 Base material (base member) 81a Female screw shaped through hole (first fixing part) 82·182·282·382·482 Fixing member 82a Bolt part 82b Handle part d1 Interval d2 Width dimension d3 Thickness dimension G Glass plate S1 Loading work area (work area) S2 Scribe work area (work area) S3 Folding Work Area (Work Area) S4 Inspection Work Area (Work Area) Y Conveyor Route

Claims

1. In a plurality of work areas arranged adjacent to each other along a conveyance path, a glass plate suspended in a vertical posture is conveyed along the conveyance path through a slit-shaped opening extending in the vertical direction provided in a wall portion that separates each of the work areas, with the main surface of the glass plate being parallel to the conveyance path. The glass plate conveyance device includes: a support portion that supports the upper end portion of the glass plate; a conveyance mechanism that suspends and conveys the glass plate via the support portion; a rectifying guide that regulates the sway in the thickness direction during conveyance of the glass plate, wherein the rectifying guide includes a pair of guide main body portions that are arranged to face each other in a direction orthogonal to the conveyance path in a plan view with the conveyance path therebetween, and the distance between them gradually decreases from the upstream side to the downstream side of the conveyance path; and a height adjustment mechanism that adjusts the vertical position of each of the guide main body portions. The height adjustment mechanism includes a base member that can hold the guide main body portion at a plurality of positions in the vertical direction; and a fixing member that can fix the guide main body portion to the base member. The glass plate conveyance device is characterized by the above.

2. In the pair of guide main body portions, the distance at the most downstream side of the conveyance path is set to be smaller than the width dimension of the slit-shaped opening and, is set to be significantly larger than the thickness dimension of the glass plate. The glass plate conveyance device according to claim 1, characterized by the above.

3. The base member has a plurality of first fixing portions arranged along the vertical direction and capable of fixing the fixing member. The guide main body portion has an engaging portion that can engage with the fixing member fixed to the first fixing portion. The glass plate conveyance device according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized by the above.

4. The first fixing portion is formed of a through-hole having a female screw shape. The fixing member is a bolt with a handle having a bolt portion that can be screwed into the through-hole and a handle portion provided at an end of the bolt portion. The glass plate conveyance device according to claim 3, characterized by the above.

5. The guide main body portion has a plate-shaped engaged member that is engaged by the fixing member. The engaging portion is formed of a U-shaped notch portion that extends from the outer edge end portion of the engaged member toward the plane central portion. The glass plate conveyance device according to claim 4, characterized by the above.

6. The guide main body portion has a plate-shaped engaged member that is engaged by the fixing member. The engaging portion With respect to the fixing member screwed to the first fixing portion, a large-diameter portion through which the handle portion of the fixing member can be coaxially inserted, a drooping hole having a small-diameter portion engageable with the bolt portion of the fixing member, The glass plate conveying device according to claim 4, characterized in that.

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

8. The base member, has a second fixing portion capable of fixing the fixing member at an arbitrary position continuous in the vertical direction, The guide main body portion, has an engaging portion engageable with the fixing member fixed to the second fixing portion, The glass plate conveying device according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that.

9. The second fixing portion, is formed of a groove portion extending in the vertical direction, The fixing member, a bolt portion with a handle having a handle portion provided at an end of the bolt portion that can be inserted into the groove portion, is composed of a nut that can be screwed with the bolt with a handle to sandwich the base member, The glass plate conveying device according to claim 8, characterized in that.

10. The second fixing portion, is formed of a guide rail extending in the vertical direction, The engaging portion, is formed of a linear block slidable on the guide rail, The fixing member, is formed of a linear brake that holds the position of the guide main body portion by sandwiching the guide rail, The glass plate conveying device according to claim 8, characterized in that.

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