Molding apparatus and molding method

Abstract

To provide a technique for improving a surface accuracy of a glass plate after molding.SOLUTION: A molding apparatus molds a glass plate to a shape including a curved surface on a first principle surface and a second principle surface, the glass plate including the first principle surface and the second principle surface opposite to the first principle surface. The molding apparatus includes a lower die supporting the glass plate from below in a state where the first principle surface of the glass plate faces downward. The lower die has: a pair of side plates having an upper surface with a shape same as or similar to that of the glass plate after molding; multiple rods linearly laid on the pair of side plates; and an alignment member for aligning the multiple rods at an interval. Each of the rods is movable in an alignment direction of the rod in a state in contact with an upper surface of the pair of side plates. The alignment member defines a movable range of the rod in the alignment direction such that the multiple rods do not contact each other.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a molding apparatus and a molding method.

Background Art

[0002] The mold described in Patent Document 1 has a curved shaping strip. On the upper surface of the shaping strip, a plurality of grooves for fitting a tube are formed at intervals in the arrangement direction of the tubes. A glass plate is disposed on the plurality of tubes. The glass plate is heated and bent along the upper surface of the shaping strip.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The tubes described in Patent Document 1 are fitted in the grooves of the shaping strip and are immovable in the arrangement direction of the tubes. Therefore, the mold described in Patent Document 1 has difficulty releasing dimensional changes due to temperature changes and is prone to distortion. Accordingly, as the number of uses of the mold increases, the surface accuracy of the glass plate after molding tends to decrease.

[0005] One embodiment of the present disclosure provides a technique for suppressing a decrease in the surface accuracy of a glass plate after molding.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] A molding apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure forms a glass plate including a first main surface and a second main surface opposite to the first main surface into a shape including a curved surface on the first main surface and the second main surface. The molding apparatus includes a lower mold that supports the glass plate from below with the first main surface of the glass plate facing downward. The lower mold includes a pair of side plates having an upper surface with a shape identical to or similar to the first main surface of the glass plate, a plurality of bars linearly bridging the pair of side plates, and an array member that arranges the plurality of bars at intervals. Each of the bars is movable in the arrangement direction of the bars while being in contact with the upper surfaces of the pair of side plates. The array member defines a movement range of each bar so that the plurality of bars do not contact each other.

Advantages of the Invention

[0007] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, by arranging a plurality of bars movably and so that they do not contact each other, it is easy to release dimensional changes due to temperature changes, and the occurrence of distortion can be suppressed. Therefore, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the surface accuracy of the glass plate after molding.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

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Figure 2

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MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, the same or corresponding components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof may be omitted. In the specification, "~" indicating a numerical range means that the numerical values described before and after it are included as the lower limit value and the upper limit value. The numerical range includes the rounded range.

[0010] In each drawing, the X-axis direction, the Y-axis direction, and the Z-axis direction are orthogonal to each other. The X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction are horizontal directions, and the Z-axis direction is a vertical direction. The X-axis direction includes the positive X-axis direction and the negative X-axis direction. The Y-axis direction includes the positive Y-axis direction and the negative Y-axis direction. The Z-axis direction includes the positive Z-axis direction and the negative Z-axis direction.

[0011] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4, the molding apparatus 1 according to an embodiment will be described. The molding apparatus 1 is used for bending and molding the glass plate 2. The molding apparatus 1 is, for example, placed inside a heating furnace (not shown) with the glass plate 2 placed thereon. The heating furnace may be of a batch type or a continuous type. The heating furnace may include a conveyor for transporting the molding apparatus 1 and may be of a continuous transport type. The continuous transport type heating furnace is partitioned into a plurality of zones along the transport path. The glass plate 2 is heated, for example, while being transported together with the molding apparatus 1.

[0012] The glass sheet 2 is preferably heated so that the viscosity of the glass sheet 2 becomes 10 12 Pa·s or less. The glass sheet 2 is softened by heating and deformed along the lower mold 10 by the weight of the glass sheet 2. Note that an upper mold (not shown) may be provided above the glass sheet 2. The upper mold presses the glass sheet 2 against the lower mold 10. To press the glass sheet 2 against the lower mold 10, only the weight of the upper mold may be used, or the load of a press machine may be further used. After the glass sheet 2 is bend-formed, it is preferably cooled and solidified.

[0013] The glass sheet 2 preferably contains alkali-free glass, soda-lime glass, soda-lime silicate glass, aluminosilicate glass, borosilicate glass, lithium aluminosilicate glass, or borosilicate glass. Alkali-free glass means glass that substantially does not contain alkali metal oxides such as Na2O and K2O. Here, substantially not containing alkali metal oxides means that the total content of alkali metal oxides is 0.1 mass% or less.

[0014] When the use of the glass sheet 2 is a cover glass for a display device, it is preferable to use glass containing an alkali metal oxide as shown below. By subjecting the glass containing an alkali metal oxide to chemical strengthening treatment after forming, a compressive stress layer can be formed on the glass surface, and the strength can be increased.

[0015] The glass containing an alkali metal oxide is not particularly limited. For example, in terms of mol% based on oxides, it contains 50% to 80% of SiO2, 0.1% to 25% of Al2O3, 3% to 30% of Li2O + Na2O + K2O, 0% to 25% of MgO, 0% to 25% of CaO, and 0% to 5% of ZrO2. Specific examples include the glasses of the following (i) to (vi). The glass of the following (i) is included in soda-lime silicate glass. The glasses of the following (ii), (iii), and (iv) are included in aluminosilicate glass. The glasses of the following (v) and (vi) are included in lithium aluminosilicate glass.

[0016] (i) A glass containing, on an oxide basis and expressed in mol%, 63% to 73% of SiO2, 0.1% to 5.2% of Al2O3, 10% to 16% of Na2O, 0% to 1.5% of K2O, 0% to 5% of Li2O, 5% to 13% of MgO, and 4% to 10% of CaO. Note that "containing 0% to 1.5% of K2O" means that K2O is not essential but may be contained up to 1.5%. The same applies hereinafter when the content of other substances is described as "0% to".

[0017] (ii) A glass containing, on an oxide basis and expressed in mol%, 50% to 74% of SiO2, 1% to 10% of Al2O3, 6% to 14% of Na2O, 3% to 11% of K2O, 0% to 5% of Li2O, 2% to 15% of MgO, 0% to 6% of CaO, and 0% to 5% of ZrO2, wherein the total content of SiO2 and Al2O3 is 75% or less, the total content of Na2O and K2O is 12% to 25%, and the total content of MgO and CaO is 7% to 15%.

[0018] (iii) A glass containing, on an oxide basis and expressed in mol%, 68% to 80% of SiO2, 4% to 10% of Al2O3, 5% to 15% of Na2O, 0% to 1% of K2O, 0% to 5% of Li2O, 4% to 15% of MgO, and 0% to 1% of ZrO2.

[0019] (iv) A glass containing, on an oxide basis and expressed in mol%, 67% to 75% of SiO2, 0% to 4% of Al2O3, 7% to 15% of Na2O, 1% to 9% of K2O, 0% to 5% of Li2O, 6% to 14% of MgO, and 0% to 1.5% of ZrO2, wherein the total content of SiO2 and Al2O3 is 71% to 75%, the total content of Na2O and K2O is 12% to 20%, and when containing CaO, its content is less than 1%.

[0020] (v) A glass containing, in terms of mol% based on oxides, 56% to 73% of SiO2, 10% to 24% of Al2O3, 0% to 6% of B2O3, 0% to 6% of P2O5, 2% to 7% of Li2O, 3% to 11% of Na2O, 0% to 2% of K2O, 0% to 8% of MgO, 0% to 2% of CaO, 0% to 5% of SrO, 0% to 5% of BaO, 0% to 5% of ZnO, 0% to 2% of TiO2, and 0% to 4% of ZrO2.

[0021] (vi) A glass having a composition expressed in terms of mol% based on oxides, containing 58% to 80% of SiO2, 13% to 18% of Al2O3, 0% to 5% of B2O3, 0.5% to 4% of P2O5, 3% to 10% of Li2O, 5% to 20% of Na2O, 0% to 2% of K2O, 0% to 11% of MgO, 0% to 20% of CaO, 0% to 20% of SrO, 0% to 15% of BaO, 0% to 10% of ZnO, 0% to 1% of TiO2, and 0% to 2% of ZrO2.

[0022] The glass sheet 2 can be flat before forming. The thickness of the glass sheet 2 is preferably 0.2 mm or more, more preferably 0.7 mm or more, still more preferably 0.8 mm or more, and yet more preferably 1 mm or more. The thickness of the glass sheet 2 is preferably 5 mm or less, more preferably 3 mm or less, still more preferably 2 mm or less. When the glass sheet 2 is a cover glass for an in-vehicle display device, the thickness of the glass sheet 2 is preferably 0.8 mm or more and 3 mm or less.

[0023] The formed glass sheet 2 includes, as shown in FIG. 4, a first main surface 2a and a second main surface 2b opposite to the first main surface 2a. Note that, in FIG. 4, only a part of the glass sheet 2 is illustrated, so the glass sheet 2 appears not to be curved, but it is actually curved. The first main surface 2a and the second main surface 2b can be flat before forming and include curved surfaces after forming. Note that the formed first main surface 2a and second main surface 2b only need to include curved surfaces and may include flat surfaces in part.

[0024] The formed first main surface 2a and the second main surface 2b have a curved surface in a cross section perpendicular to the Y-axis direction. The radius of curvature of the curved surface is preferably 50 mm or more, more preferably 100 mm or more, and still more preferably 200 mm or more. The radius of curvature of the curved surface is, for example, 10000 mm or less, preferably 5000 mm or less, and more preferably 3000 mm or less.

[0025] The formed first main surface 2a and the second main surface 2b may have the same cross-sectional shape at any position in the Y-axis direction. In other words, the formed first main surface 2a and the second main surface 2b do not have to have a curved surface in a cross section perpendicular to the X-axis direction and may have a flat surface.

[0026] The formed glass plate 2 is mounted on, for example, an automobile. The uses of the glass plate 2 are, for example, a windshield, a head-up display, a dashboard, a cover glass for a display device, a cover glass for a camera, a cover glass for a radar, or a cover glass for a sensor. The front windshield is curved convexly outwardly as a whole or in part. In recent years, cover glasses for in-vehicle display devices have been required to have a complex bending shape and high surface quality from the viewpoint of design, and the significance of applying the technology of the present disclosure is great.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 4, the lower mold 10 supports the glass plate 2 from below with the first main surface 2a of the glass plate 2 facing downward. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the lower mold 10 includes a pair of side plates 20 and a plurality of bars 30. The pair of side plates 20 are provided at intervals in the Y-axis direction, for example, and are provided vertically. Each side plate 20 has the same or a similar shape to the formed glass plate 2 on the upper surface 21.

[0028] Each bar 30 is linearly spanned over the pair of side plates 20. Each bar 30 is provided parallel to the Y-axis direction, for example. That is, the axial direction of each bar 30 is the Y-axis direction. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the plurality of bars 30 are arranged at intervals in the X-axis direction, for example. As shown in FIG. 3, when the lower mold 10 is viewed from above, it is preferable that the pair of side plates 20 and the plurality of bars 30 are provided in a ladder shape.

[0029] Instead of the plurality of rods 30, it is also conceivable to attach a top plate (not shown) onto the pair of side plates 20. However, the entire top plate would need to be processed to match the target shape of the glass plate 2. According to the present embodiment, only the upper surface 21 of each side plate 20 needs to be processed to match the target shape of the glass plate 2, and the production of the lower mold 10 is easy. In addition, since each rod 30 is linear, it can be easily produced with high precision.

[0030] The upper surface 21 of each side plate 20 can be subjected to a cutting process in which the radius of curvature continuously changes along the arrangement direction of the rods 30 when viewed from the Y-axis direction. On the other hand, it is realistically difficult to produce the top plate by cutting, and it is produced by bending. Therefore, for the top plate, it is possible to perform processing with a constant radius of curvature when viewed from the Y-axis direction, but it is difficult to perform processing in which the radius of curvature continuously changes. According to the present embodiment, since the rods 30 are used instead of the top plate, it is possible to manufacture the glass plate 2 having a shape in which the radius of curvature continuously changes when viewed from the Y-axis direction.

[0031] The upper surface 21 of each side plate 20 preferably has a minimum radius of curvature of 7 mm or more when viewed from the Y-axis direction. If the minimum radius of curvature is 7 mm or more, the arrangement of the rods 30 is easy. The minimum radius of curvature is more preferably 50 mm or more, and even more preferably 100 mm or more. The upper limit value of the minimum radius of curvature is not particularly limited, but for example, the minimum radius of curvature is preferably 10000 mm or less, and more preferably 5000 mm or less.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 3, each side plate 20 preferably has a width w of 2 mm to 10 mm when viewed from above. If the width w is 2 mm or more, each side plate 20 can sufficiently support the weight of the rod 30. The width w is preferably 2 mm or more, and more preferably 3 mm or more.

[0033] On the one hand, if the width w of each side plate 20 is 10 mm or less, each side plate 20 can be deformed in the Y-axis direction, and the dimensional change due to temperature change can be released in the Y-axis direction. The deformation of each side plate 20 in the Y-axis direction has little influence on the dimensional accuracy of the glass plate 2. It is preferable that the width w is 10 mm or less, and more preferably 8 mm or less.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 3, each rod 30 preferably has a length L of 50 mm or more, more preferably 100 mm or more, and even more preferably 200 mm or more when viewed from above. The length L only needs to be larger than the interval between the pair of side plates 20. Preferably, the length L is larger than the dimensional size of the glass plate 2 in the Y-axis direction. Furthermore, in order to suppress the thermal influence on the side plate 20, preferably the length L is 20 mm or more larger than the dimensional size of the glass plate 2 in the Y-axis direction, and more preferably 100 mm or more larger. From the viewpoint of the bending rigidity of the rod 30, preferably the length L is 1000 mm or less, and more preferably 500 mm or less.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 3, each rod 30 preferably has a width W of 2 mm to 19 mm when viewed from above. If the width W is 2 mm or more, the bending rigidity of the rod 30 is good. More preferably, the width W is 3 mm or more. On the other hand, if the width W is 19 mm or less, the number of rods 30 is large, and the shape of the upper surface 21 of each side plate 20 can be smoothly transferred to the glass plate 2. More preferably, the width W is 15 mm or less, even more preferably 10 mm or less, and still more preferably 5 mm or less. By reducing the width W of the rod 30, the heat capacity can be lowered.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 4, for each rod 30, preferably the thickness T when viewed from the axial direction (for example, the Y-axis direction) of the rod 30 is 3 times or less the width W. The thickness T is measured, for example, in a direction orthogonal to the upper surface 21 of each side plate 20. More preferably, the thickness T is 2 times or less the width W. Note that preferably the thickness T is 0.5 times or more the width W.

[0037] It is preferable that the pitch P in the arrangement direction of each rod 30 is 2 mm to 19 mm. The pitch P is the distance between the centers of adjacent rods 30 and is measured along the upper surface 21 of the side plate 20 when viewed from the Y-axis direction. If the pitch P is 2 mm or more, contact between the rods 30 can be suppressed. More preferably, the pitch P is 3 mm or more. On the other hand, if the pitch P is 19 mm or less, the number of rods 30 is large, and the shape of the upper surface 21 of each side plate 20 can be smoothly transferred to the glass plate 2. More preferably, the pitch P is 15 mm or less.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 4, each rod 30 is movable in the arrangement direction of the rods 30, that is, the X-axis direction in FIG. 4, in contact with the upper surfaces 21 of the pair of side plates 20 when viewed from the Y-axis direction. Since the height of the rod 30 after movement is determined by the upper surface 21 of the side plate 20, the surface accuracy of the glass plate 2 does not decrease even if the rod 30 moves. According to the present embodiment, each rod 30 can be moved so as to escape dimensional changes due to temperature changes, and the generation of distortion can be suppressed. Therefore, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the surface accuracy of the glass plate 2 after molding as the number of times of using the lower mold 10 increases.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 3, the lower mold 10 has an arrangement member 40. The arrangement member 40 arranges a plurality of rods 30 at intervals. However, unlike the shaping strip described in Patent Document 1, the arrangement member 40 of the present embodiment defines the movement range in the arrangement direction of each rod 30 so that the plurality of rods 30 do not contact each other. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 5, one rod 30 does not ride on another rod 30, and a decrease in the surface accuracy of the glass plate 2 after molding can be suppressed.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 3, the arrangement member 40 may have a pair of arrangement plates 41. The pair of arrangement plates 41 are arranged to face the pair of side plates 20. The pair of arrangement plates 41 may be arranged outside the pair of side plates 20 as shown in FIG. 3, or may be arranged inside the pair of side plates 20 (not shown). The pair of arrangement plates 41 are provided at intervals in the Y-axis direction, for example, and are provided vertically.

[0041] As shown in Fig. 4, each array plate 41 has a recess 42 for inserting the rod 30 for each rod 30. A plurality of recesses 42 are provided in the arrangement direction of the rods 30. The number of recesses 42 may be equal to or more than the number of rods 30. Each recess 42 defines the movement range of the rod 30 in the arrangement direction of the rods 30. The movement range of the rod 30 is determined so that dimensional changes due to temperature changes can escape and the rods 30 do not contact each other.

[0042] Each array plate 41 is provided, for example, below the rod 30 and has a recess 42 on the upper surface of each array plate 41. Each recess 42 preferably has a pair of planes 42a, 42b when viewed from the axial direction (for example, the Y-axis direction) of the rod 30. The pair of planes 42a, 42b defines the movement range of the rod 30 in the arrangement direction of the rods 30. During molding, the rod 30 does not contact the pair of planes 42a, 42b simultaneously. The upper surface 21 of the side plate 20 supports the rod 30 so that the rod 30 does not contact the pair of planes 42a, 42b simultaneously.

[0043] Each recess 42 may be formed, for example, in a V shape when viewed from the axial direction (for example, the Y-axis direction) of the rod 30. V-shaped processing is easy. Note that each recess 42 may be formed, for example, in a U shape when viewed from the axial direction of the rod 30. In any case, the pair of planes 42a, 42b can define the movement range of the rod 30 in the arrangement direction of the rods 30. The rod 30 is movable in the arrangement direction of the rods 30 while being in contact with the upper surfaces 21 of the pair of side plates 20.

[0044] Each rod 30 is preferably a round rod whose outer peripheral surface is a circumferential surface. The round rod can roll in the arrangement direction of the rods 30 while being in contact with the upper surfaces 21 of the pair of side plates 20, and the movement resistance can be reduced. Also, round rods are easy to process. However, each rod 30 may be a square rod whose outer peripheral surface is composed of a plurality of planes. The square rod can slide in the arrangement direction of the rods 30 while being in contact with the upper surfaces 21 of the pair of side plates 20.

[0045] In this embodiment, each rod 30 is solid as shown in FIG. 4. However, each rod 30 is preferably hollow as shown in FIG. 6. That is, each rod 30 is preferably tubular. The weight of each rod 30 can be reduced, and the specific rigidity (elastic modulus / density) of each rod 30 can be improved. Therefore, the sagging of each rod 30 due to gravity can be suppressed. Further, if each rod 30 is hollow, the heat capacity of each rod 30 is small, and the temperature change of each rod 30 is easy. Therefore, even when the lower surface of the glass plate 2 is in contact with the rod 30 during slow cooling of the glass plate 2, the temperature difference between the lower surface and the upper surface of the glass plate 2 is small. As a result, warping of the glass plate 2 can be suppressed. On the other hand, if each rod 30 is solid, the cost of each rod 30 is low.

[0046] As shown in FIG. 7, the lower mold 10 preferably has a restricting member 50 above a plurality of rods 30. The restricting member 50 restricts the plurality of rods 30 from rising from the upper surface 21 of the side plate 20. The restricting member 50 usually does not contact each rod 30. Only when each rod 30 rises from the upper surface 21 of the side plate 20, the lower surface 51 of the restricting member 50 contacts each rod 30.

[0047] The lower surface 51 of the restricting member 50 is formed along the upper surface 21 of the side plate 20. A certain gap is formed between the lower surface 51 of the restricting member 50 and the upper surface 21 of the side plate 20. The side plate 20 and the restricting member 50 are fixed with a connecting plate 61 and bolts 62 so that a certain gap is formed.

[0048] As shown in FIG. 8, the molding apparatus 1 preferably includes a cloth 70 made of stainless steel fibers or ceramic fibers between the plurality of rods 30 and the glass plate 2. The cloth 70 can disperse the stress acting from the rod 30 to the glass plate 2 and suppress the formation of marks of the rod 30 on the glass plate 2.

[0049] As shown in FIG. 9, each side plate 20 preferably has a through hole 22 that penetrates the side plate 20 in the axial direction (Y-axis direction) of the rod 30. The through holes 22 may be dispersed and arranged at a plurality of locations as shown in FIG. 9, for example, or may be arranged as a large hole at one location. Each side plate 20 can be lightened, and the specific rigidity (elastic modulus / density) of each side plate 20 can be improved. Therefore, the sagging of each side plate 20 due to gravity can be suppressed.

[0050] Next, with reference to FIG. 10, a first modification of the array member 40 will be described. Hereinafter, the differences from the above-described embodiment will be mainly described. Each array plate 41 of this modification is provided above the rod 30 instead of below the rod 30, and has a recess 42 on the lower surface of each array plate 41. Each recess 42 preferably has a pair of flat surfaces 42a, 42b when viewed from the axial direction (for example, the Y-axis direction) of the rod 30. The pair of flat surfaces 42a, 42b defines the movement range of the rod 30 in the arrangement direction of the rod 30.

[0051] Since each array plate 41 of this modification is provided above the rod 30 instead of below the rod 30, it can also serve as the restricting member 50 of the above-described embodiment. The rod 30 comes into contact with the pair of flat surfaces 42a, 42b simultaneously only when the rod 30 floats above the upper surface 21 of the side plate 20. A certain gap is formed between the lower surface of each array plate 41 and the upper surface 21 of the side plate 20. The side plate 20 and the array plate 41 are fixed with a connecting plate 61 and bolts 62 so that a certain gap is formed.

[0052] Each recess 42 may be formed, for example, in an inverted V shape when viewed from the axial direction (for example, the Y-axis direction) of the rod 30. The inverted V-shaped processing is easy. Note that each recess 42 may be formed, for example, in an inverted U shape when viewed from the axial direction of the rod 30. In any case, the pair of flat surfaces 42a, 42b can define the movement range of the rod 30 in the arrangement direction of the rod 30. The rod 30 is movable in the arrangement direction of the rod 30 while being in contact with the upper surfaces 21 of the pair of side plates 20.

[0053] Next, with reference to FIG. 11, a second modification of the array member 40 will be described. Hereinafter, the differences from the above-described embodiment will be mainly described. The recess 42 of this modification is not provided on the upper surface of each array plate 41, but is provided so as to penetrate each array plate 41 in the axial direction of the rod 30 (for example, the Y-axis direction). The recess 42 is a through hole. Each recess 42 is preferably a long hole that is long in the vertical direction when viewed from the axial direction of the rod 30 (for example, the Y-axis direction). The recess 42 preferably has a pair of planes 42a and 42b when viewed from the axial direction of the rod 30. The pair of planes 42a and 42b define the movement range of the rod 30 in the arrangement direction of the rod 30.

[0054] Since the recess 42 of this modification is not provided on the upper surface of each array plate 41, but is provided so as to penetrate each array plate 41 in the axial direction of the rod 30 (for example, the Y-axis direction), it can also serve as the restricting member 50 of the above-described embodiment. The rod 30 contacts the upper end of the recess 42 only when each rod 30 rises from the upper surface 21 of the side plate 20. Note that the upper surface of the side plate 20 supports the rod 30 so that the rod 30 does not contact the lower end of the recess 42. The rod 30 is movable in the arrangement direction of the rod 30 while being in contact with the upper surfaces 21 of the pair of side plates 20.

[0055] Although not shown, both ends of the rod 30 are preferably thinner than the center of the rod 30, similar to the third modification described later (see FIG. 12). Since the thinner portion is inserted into the recess 42, the recess 42 can be made smaller. In the above-described embodiment and the first modification, both ends of the rod 30 may be thinner than the center of the rod 30, and the thinner portion may be inserted into the recess 42.

[0056] Next, with reference to FIG. 12, a third modification of the array member 40 will be described. Hereinafter, the differences from the above-described embodiment will be mainly described. The array member 40 of this modification has a block 43 into which the rod 30 is inserted for each rod 30. Each block 43 has a recess 44 provided so as to penetrate the block 43 in the axial direction of the rod 30 (for example, the Y-axis direction). The recess 44 is a through hole. Both ends of the rod 30 are thinner than the center of the rod 30, and the thinner portion is inserted into the recess 44.

[0057] The recess 44 is preferably a long hole that is long in the vertical direction when viewed from the axial direction (e.g., the Y-axis direction) of the rod 30, similar to the recess 42 shown in FIG. 11. The recess 44 preferably has a pair of planes 44a and 44b when viewed from the axial direction of the rod 30. The pair of planes 44a and 44b define the movement range of the rod 30 in the arrangement direction of the rods 30.

[0058] Since the recess 44 is provided to penetrate in the axial direction (e.g., the Y-axis direction) of the rod 30, it can also serve as the limiting member 50 of the above-described embodiment, similar to the recess 42 shown in FIG. 11. The rod 30 contacts the upper end of the recess 44 only when each rod 30 rises from the upper surface 21 of the side plate 20. Note that the upper surface 21 of the side plate 20 supports the rod 30 so that the rod 30 does not contact the lower end of the recess 44. The rod 30 is movable in the arrangement direction of the rods 30 while being in contact with the upper surfaces 21 of the pair of side plates 20.

[0059] Next, with reference to FIG. 13, a fourth modification of the array member 40 will be described. Hereinafter, the differences from the above-described embodiment will be mainly described. The array member 40 of this modification has protrusions 45 on the inner side surfaces of the respective array plates 41. The protrusions 45 are provided for each rod 30 and are inserted into the through grooves 31 that penetrate the rod 30 in the vertical direction. The protrusions 45 define the movement range of the rod 30 in the arrangement direction of the rods 30. The rod 30 is movable in the arrangement direction of the rods 30 while being in contact with the upper surfaces 21 of the pair of side plates 20.

[0060] When viewed from above, the protrusion 45 is formed smaller than the through groove 31. The shapes of the protrusion 45 and the through groove 31 when viewed from above are, for example, rectangular. Note that the shapes of the protrusion 45 and the through groove 31 when viewed from above are not limited to rectangular, and may be, for example, semi-circular or triangular. It is only necessary that the rod 30 be movable in the arrangement direction of the rods 30 while being in contact with the upper surfaces 21 of the pair of side plates 20.

[0061] Next, referring to FIG. 14, a fifth modification of the array member 40 will be described. Hereinafter, the differences from the above-described embodiment will be mainly described. The array member 40 of this modification has protrusions 46 protruding from the upper surfaces 21 of the respective side plates 20. The protrusions 46 are provided for each rod 30 and are inserted into through holes 32 penetrating the rod 30 in the vertical direction. The protrusions 46 define the movement range of the rod 30 in the arrangement direction of the rods 30. The rod 30 is movable in the arrangement direction of the rods 30 while being in contact with the upper surfaces 21 of the pair of side plates 20.

[0062] Next, referring to FIG. 15, a sixth modification of the array member 40 will be described. Hereinafter, the differences from the above-described embodiment will be mainly described. The array member 40 of this modification has a thread 47 that connects a plurality of rods 30 at intervals. The thread 47 is composed of a wire or a heat-resistant fiber. The thread 47, for example, penetrates and connects a plurality of rods 30 in the arrangement direction, and a member for preventing contact between the plurality of rods 30 is provided between the plurality of rods 30. Each rod 30 is movable in the arrangement direction of the rods 30 while being in contact with the upper surfaces 21 of the pair of side plates 20.

[0063] Regarding the above-described embodiment and the like, the following supplementary notes are disclosed. [Supplementary Note 1] A molding device for molding a glass plate including a first main surface and a second main surface opposite to the first main surface into a shape including a curved surface on the first main surface and the second main surface, comprising a lower mold that supports the glass plate from below with the first main surface of the glass plate facing downward, the lower mold having a pair of side plates having an upper surface with the same or similar shape as the glass plate after molding, a plurality of rods linearly spanned on the pair of side plates, and an array member that arranges the plurality of rods at intervals, each of the rods being movable in the arrangement direction of the rods while being in contact with the upper surfaces of the pair of side plates, the array member being a molding device that defines the movement range of the rods in the arrangement direction so that the plurality of rods do not contact each other. [Supplementary Note 2] The array member has a pair of array plates arranged to face the pair of side plates, Each of the above-mentioned array plates has a recess for inserting the above-mentioned rod for each rod. Each of the above-mentioned recesses defines the movement range of the above-mentioned rod in the above-mentioned arrangement direction, and the molding apparatus according to Supplementary Note 1. [Supplementary Note 3] Each of the above-mentioned array plates is provided below the above-mentioned rod, and the above-mentioned recess is provided on the upper surface of each of the above-mentioned array plates, and the molding apparatus according to Supplementary Note 2. [Supplementary Note 4] Each of the above-mentioned recesses has a pair of planes when viewed from the axial direction of the above-mentioned rod, and the pair of the above-mentioned planes defines the movement range of the above-mentioned rod in the above-mentioned arrangement direction, and the molding apparatus according to Supplementary Note 2 or 3. [Supplementary Note 5] Each of the above-mentioned rods is a round rod whose outer peripheral surface is a circumferential surface, and the molding apparatus according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 4. [Supplementary Note 6] Each of the above-mentioned rods is tubular, and the molding apparatus according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 5. [Supplementary Note 7] Each of the above-mentioned rods has a length of 100 mm or more when viewed from above, a width of 2 mm to 19 mm when viewed from above, and a thickness of 3 times or less of the width when viewed from the axial direction of the above-mentioned rod, and the molding apparatus according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 6. [Supplementary Note 8] The pitch of the above-mentioned rods in the above-mentioned arrangement direction is 2 mm to 19 mm, and the molding apparatus according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 7. [Supplementary Note 9] Each of the above-mentioned side plates has a through hole that penetrates each of the above-mentioned side plates in the axial direction of the above-mentioned rod, and the molding apparatus according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 8. [Supplementary Note 10] Each of the above-mentioned side plates is provided vertically, and the width when viewed from above is 2 mm to 10 mm, and the molding apparatus according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 9. [Supplementary Note 11] The upper surface of each of the above-mentioned side plates has a portion where the radius of curvature continuously changes along the above-mentioned arrangement direction, and the molding apparatus according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 10. [Supplementary Note 12] The upper surface of each of the above-mentioned side plates has a minimum radius of curvature of 7 mm or more, and the molding apparatus according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 11. [Supplementary Note 13] The lower mold according to any one of appendices 1 to 12, having a limiting member above the plurality of the rods to limit the lifting of the plurality of the rods from the upper surface of the side plate, of the molding apparatus. [Appendix 14] The molding apparatus according to any one of appendices 1 to 13, having a cloth made of stainless steel fibers or ceramic fibers between the plurality of the rods and the glass plate. [Appendix 15] A molding method of molding the glass plate into a shape including a curved surface on the first main surface and the second main surface, using the molding apparatus according to any one of appendices 1 to 14.

[0064] As described above, the molding apparatus and the molding method according to the present disclosure have been described, but the present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiments. Within the scope described in the claims, various changes, modifications, substitutions, additions, deletions, and combinations are possible. Naturally, those also belong to the technical scope of the present disclosure.

Explanation of Signs

[0065] 1 Molding apparatus 2 Glass plate 2a First main surface 2b Second main surface 10 Lower mold 20 Side plate 21 Upper surface 30 Rod 40 Arrangement member

Claims

1. A molding device for molding a glass plate including a first main surface and a second main surface opposite to the first main surface into a shape including a curved surface on the first main surface and the second main surface, comprising: a lower mold that supports the glass plate from below with the first main surface of the glass plate facing downward; The lower mold has a pair of side plates having a shape identical or similar to that of the glass plate after molding on the upper surface, a plurality of bars linearly spanned on the pair of side plates, and an array member that arranges the plurality of bars at intervals; Each of the bars is movable in the arrangement direction of the bars while being in contact with the upper surfaces of the pair of side plates; The array member defines a movement range of the bars in the arrangement direction so that the plurality of bars do not contact each other.

2. The array member has a pair of array plates arranged to face the pair of side plates; Each of the array plates has a recess into which the bar is inserted for each bar; The molding device according to claim 1, wherein each of the recesses defines a movement range of the bar in the arrangement direction.

3. The molding device according to claim 2, wherein each of the array plates is provided below the bar and has the recess on the upper surface of each of the array plates.

4. The molding device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein each of the recesses has a pair of planes when viewed from the axial direction of the bar, and the pair of planes define a movement range of the bar in the arrangement direction.

5. The molding device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein each of the bars is a round bar having a circumferential surface as an outer peripheral surface.

6. The molding device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein each of the bars is tubular.

7. The molding device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein each of the bars has a length of 100 mm or more when viewed from above, a width of 2 mm to 19 mm when viewed from above, and a thickness of 3 times or less of the width when viewed from the axial direction of the bar.

8. The molding device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a pitch of the bars in the arrangement direction is 2 mm to 19 mm.

9. The molding device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein each of the side plates has a through hole penetrating the side plate in the axial direction of the bar.

10. The molding device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein each of the side plates is provided vertically and has a width of 2 mm to 10 mm when viewed from above.

11. The forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the upper surface of each of the side plates has a portion where the radius of curvature continuously changes along the arrangement direction.

12. The forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the upper surface of each of the side plates has a minimum radius of curvature of 7 mm or more.

13. The forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the lower mold has a restricting member above the plurality of rods for restricting the plurality of rods from lifting off the upper surface of the side plates.

14. The forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, having a cloth made of stainless steel fibers or ceramic fibers between the plurality of rods and the glass plate.

15. A forming method of forming the glass plate into a shape including a curved surface on the first main surface and the second main surface, using the forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

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