Forming device

Abstract

To provide a molding device for glass plate manufacturing facility capable of quickly increasing and decreasing a temperature.SOLUTION: A molding device for forming a glass ribbon by molding molten glass has a main body, and a plate member provided at a portion contacting the molten glass of the main body. The plate member is constituted by plural plate members including a first plate member, and each plate member has thickness in a range between 0.5 mm to 100 mm, and is made of an inactive material to the molten glass. The first plate member is in contact with one or more adjacent members except for the main body, at a first end and the first plate member is constituted so that first and second contact faces are formed between the one or more adjacent members.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 13

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a forming device for a glass sheet manufacturing facility. [Background technology]

[0002] Glass sheets can be manufactured continuously using processes such as, for example, the fusion process and the slit downdraw process.

[0003] For example, in the fusion method, molten glass obtained by melting glass raw materials is supplied to the top of a forming device (hereinafter referred to as a "forming device"). The forming device has a cross section that is roughly wedge-shaped with a downwardly pointed edge, and the molten glass flows down along two opposing side surfaces of the forming device. The molten glass flowing down along both sides joins and is integrated at a lower end (also referred to as a "junction") of the forming device, and a glass ribbon is formed. Thereafter, the glass ribbon is pulled downward by a pulling member such as a roller while being slowly cooled, and is cut to a predetermined size (for example, Patent Document 1).

[0004] In the slit downdraw method, a forming device that contains molten glass has a slit-shaped opening at the bottom. The molten glass flows down through this opening and becomes a glass ribbon. The glass ribbon is then gradually cooled and cut to produce a glass sheet. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] JP 2016-028005 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] In a manufacturing facility for manufacturing glass sheets by the above-mentioned method or another method, from the viewpoint of improving the manufacturing efficiency of glass sheets, it is desirable for the forming device to have a configuration that can withstand rapid temperature increase and decrease. However, in order to achieve this, it is necessary to use a material that is resistant to thermal shock for the forming device.

[0007] However, such materials having thermal shock resistance are often highly reactive with glass, and it is difficult to use them as materials for forming devices. Therefore, in conventional forming devices, the heating and cooling rates cannot be increased significantly, and therefore it is difficult to improve the production efficiency of glass sheets.

[0008] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above background, and an object of the present invention is to provide a forming device for use in a glass sheet manufacturing facility, which is capable of heating and cooling more quickly than conventional methods. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The present invention provides a forming apparatus for forming molten glass into a glass ribbon, comprising: The main body, a plate member provided on a portion of the body that comes into contact with the molten glass; having the plate member is composed of a plurality of plate members including a first plate member, each plate member having a thickness in the range of 0.5 mm to 100 mm and composed of a material that is inactive with respect to the molten glass; The first plate member is abutted at a first end portion against one or more adjacent members excluding the main body, A forming apparatus is provided, wherein the first plate member is configured to define first and second abutment surfaces with the one or more adjacent members. Effect of the Invention

[0010] The present invention can provide a forming device for use in a glass sheet production facility, which is capable of heating and cooling more quickly than ever before. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration example of a glass sheet manufacturing facility having a forming device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] 2 is a cross-sectional view that typically shows a cross section taken along line AA of the glass plate manufacturing equipment shown in FIG. 1. [Diagram 3] 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a portion of a main body on which a plate member is installed; FIG. [Figure 4] 5A to 5C are schematic diagrams for explaining the effect of the configuration of a plate member that covers the main body of the molding device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic example of the configuration of adjacent plate members. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic example of the configuration of adjacent plate members. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic example of the configuration of adjacent plate members. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic example of the configuration of adjacent plate members. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic example of the configuration of adjacent plate members. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic example of the configuration of adjacent plate members. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic example of the configuration of adjacent plate members. [Figure 12] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic example of the configuration of adjacent plate members. [Figure 13] 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a molding apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 14] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration example of another manufacturing facility having a molding device according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0013] (Glass sheet manufacturing equipment having a forming device according to one embodiment of the present invention) First, with reference to Figs. 1 and 2, an outline of a glass sheet manufacturing facility having a forming device according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0014] 1 and 2 show a schematic configuration of a glass sheet manufacturing facility (hereinafter referred to as a "first manufacturing facility") 100 having a forming device according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the first manufacturing facility 100, glass sheets can be continuously manufactured by the fusion method.

[0015] FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the first manufacturing facility 100 taken along line AA in FIG.

[0016] 1 and 2, the first manufacturing facility 100 includes a molding device 110 according to an embodiment of the present invention, a furnace 150 that houses the molding device 110, and a plurality of rollers 160 disposed below the molding device 110. Although not shown in the drawings, the first manufacturing facility 100 further includes a cutting member below the furnace 150.

[0017] The forming apparatus 110 has a function of forming a glass ribbon GR from the molten glass MG. The forming apparatus 110 is connected to a supply pipe 105, and the molten glass MG is supplied to the forming apparatus 110 through the supply pipe 105.

[0018] The molding device 110 has a main body 120 and a plate member 130 .

[0019] The body 120 of the molding device 110 has a generally wedge-shaped cross section as shown in Fig. 2. More specifically, the body 120 has a recess 122 provided on an upper surface 121 of the body 120, a first side surface 124a and a second side surface 124b opposed to each other, and a lower end portion 129 which is an intersection of the first side surface 124a and the second side surface 124b.

[0020] The recess 122 is formed along the longitudinal direction of the main body 120, that is, along the X direction in FIGS.

[0021] The first side 124a has a first upper side 126a and a first lower side 128a. Similarly, the second side 124b has a second upper side 126b and a second lower side 128b.

[0022] The first upper side surface 126a and the second upper side surface 126b each extend in a substantially longitudinal direction (X direction) and a substantially vertical direction (Z direction) of the main body 120, and are therefore disposed substantially parallel to the XZ plane. On the other hand, the first lower side surface 128a and the second lower side surface 128b are inclined with respect to the vertical direction (Z direction) and are disposed so as to intersect with each other at a lower end portion 129 of the main body 120.

[0023] An upper portion of the first lower side surface 128a is connected to a lower portion of the first upper side surface 126a, and an upper portion of the second lower side surface 128b is connected to a lower portion of the second upper side surface 126b.

[0024] Furthermore, plate member 130 of forming device 110 is placed at least at a portion of the exposed surface of main body 120 that comes into direct contact with the glass.

[0025] For example, in the example shown in FIG. 2, the plate member 130 is arranged to cover the upper surface 121, the recess 122, the first side surface 124a (the first upper side surface 126a and the first lower side surface 128a), and the second side surface 124b (the second upper side surface 126b and the second lower side surface 128b) of the main body 120.

[0026] The molding device 110 has a shape that is substantially conformal to the shape of the main body 120. That is, the molding device 110 has an upper surface 111, a recess 112, a first side surface 114a (first upper side surface 116a and first lower side surface 118a), a second side surface 114b (second upper side surface 116b and second lower side surface 118b), and a lower end portion 119, all of which have shapes similar to the corresponding portions of the main body 120. In addition, all of these portions are formed by the exposed surface of the plate member 130.

[0027] Each roller 160 has a role of transporting the glass ribbon GR downward while adjusting the thickness of the glass ribbon GR.

[0028] When a glass sheet is manufactured using such a first manufacturing facility 100 , first, molten glass MG is supplied to a forming device 110 via a supply pipe 105 .

[0029] The molten glass MG supplied to the forming apparatus 110 is contained in the recess 112. However, when the molten glass MG is supplied in an amount exceeding the capacity of the recess 112, the molten glass MG overflows along the first side surface 114a and the second side surface 114b of the forming apparatus 110 and flows downward.

[0030] As a result, first molten glass portion 190a is formed on first upper side surface 116a of forming apparatus 110, and second molten glass portion 190b is formed on second upper side surface 116b of forming apparatus 110.

[0031] First molten glass portion 190a then flows further downward along first lower side 118a of forming apparatus 110. Similarly, second molten glass portion 190b flows further downward along second lower side 118b of forming apparatus 110.

[0032] As a result, first molten glass portion 190a and second molten glass portion 190b reach lower end 119 of forming apparatus 110 and are integrated therein. In this way, glass ribbon GR is formed.

[0033] Thereafter, the glass ribbon GR is further pulled downward in the vertical direction by the rollers 160, and is gradually cooled in the process.

[0034] Thereafter, the glass ribbon GR that has been sufficiently cooled slowly is discharged from the furnace 150 and cut to a predetermined size by cutting means (not shown).

[0035] Through the above steps, glass sheets can be produced continuously.

[0036] (Molding device according to one embodiment of the present invention) The features of molding apparatus 110 according to one embodiment of the present invention will now be described in more detail.

[0037] From the viewpoint of improving the production efficiency of glass sheets, etc., a forming device included in a glass sheet production facility is desired to have a configuration capable of withstanding rapid temperature increases and decreases.

[0038] However, in conventional manufacturing equipment, the main parts of the molding equipment are often made of materials such as heat-resistant bricks, and there is a risk of the main body being damaged by thermal shock when the temperature is increased or decreased rapidly. Therefore, in conventional manufacturing equipment, there is a problem that the temperature increase and decrease rates cannot be increased very much. Here, damage caused by thermal shock includes either brittle fracture, which is caused by a temperature distribution caused in a material by a sudden temperature change, or ductile deformation, which is caused by a large temperature distribution caused in a material by a sudden temperature change, or both.

[0039] In order to deal with this problem, it is conceivable to use a material that is resistant to thermal shock as the material for the body of the molding device, but in general, materials with good thermal shock resistance are highly reactive with glass, making it difficult to use them for the body of the molding device.

[0040] In contrast, in first manufacturing equipment 100, as described above, the main portion of forming device 110 has main body 120 and plate member 130 having a thickness in the range of 0.5 mm to 100 mm. Moreover, plate member 130 is made of a material inactive to molten glass MG, and is placed in a location of main body 120 where it comes into contact with molten glass MG.

[0041] In the first manufacturing equipment 100 having such characteristics, the possibility that the main body 120 of the forming device 110 comes into contact with the molten glass MG during the manufacturing of the glass plate is significantly reduced because the main body 120 is protected by the plate member 130. Therefore, a material having thermal shock resistance can be selected for the main body 120.

[0042] Furthermore, the plate member 130 of the molding device 110 has a thickness in the range of 0.5 mm to 100 mm, and is characterized in that it is difficult to crack even when subjected to thermal shock.

[0043] Due to the above-mentioned effects, in the first manufacturing facility 100, the temperature of the forming device 110 can be increased and decreased quickly. This also makes it possible for the first manufacturing facility 100 to manufacture glass sheets more efficiently.

[0044] However, simply placing the plate member 130 on the main body 120 of the molding device 110 may result in the plate member 130 being displaced from its predetermined position while the first manufacturing facility 100 is in operation.

[0045] In particular, in the case where the main body 120 is covered by using a plurality of plate members 130 in the forming apparatus 110, each plate member 130 expands at high temperatures and the positions of the respective plate members 130 are displaced, which may result in the formation of gaps between adjacent plate members 130. Once such gaps are formed, the main body 120 is exposed to the molten glass MG, and there is a possibility that the main body 120 may be damaged.

[0046] In this regard, in one embodiment of the present invention, A forming apparatus for forming molten glass into a glass ribbon, comprising: The main body, a plate member provided on a portion of the body that comes into contact with the molten glass; having the plate member is composed of a plurality of plate members including a first plate member, each plate member having a thickness in the range of 0.5 mm to 100 mm and composed of a material that is inactive with respect to the molten glass; The first plate member is abutted at a first end portion against one or more adjacent members excluding the main body, A forming apparatus is provided, wherein the first plate member is configured to define first and second abutment surfaces with the one or more adjacent members.

[0047] It should be noted that in this application, the term "end" includes not only the end face of the target component, but also the area in the vicinity of the end face, specifically, the area up to 50 x G away from the target end face, where G is the thickness of the target component at the end face.

[0048] Moreover, the term "adjacent member" refers to a member other than the main body of the molding device, which is disposed adjacent to the target plate member (e.g., the first plate member). More specifically, the term "adjacent member" refers to a plate member (second plate member) other than the first plate member, and / or an additional member described below.

[0049] In a molding apparatus having such a configuration, even if the molding apparatus 110 becomes hot during operation of the first manufacturing equipment 100 and adjacent plate members 130 move away from each other, one or more abutment surfaces can still be maintained between the first plate member and the "adjacent members."

[0050] Therefore, even if the plate member 130 is displaced from a predetermined position while the first manufacturing equipment 100 is in operation, the possibility of the main body 120 being damaged can be significantly avoided.

[0051] This effect will be explained in more detail below with reference to FIGS.

[0052] 3 and 4 show schematic cross sections of a portion of a molding device 110 in which a plate member 130 is mounted on a main body 120. In FIG.

[0053] 3, in this example, two plate members, i.e., a first plate member 130A and a second plate member 130B, are arranged on the main body 120 so as to be perpendicular to each other. That is, the first plate member 130A is arranged on the upper part of the main body 120 so as to extend in the horizontal direction, and the second plate member 130B is arranged so as to extend in the vertical direction.

[0054] The first plate member 130A has a leading end surface 168A at the end portion 165A, and the second plate member 130B has a leading end surface 168B at the end portion 165B. The first plate member 130A is disposed relative to the second plate member 130B such that the leading end surface 168A abuts against the first surface 131B of the second plate member 130B.

[0055] When the plate member 130 is configured in such an arrangement, the first plate member 130A and the second plate member 130B may be displaced from their original positions during operation of the molding device 110. In particular, when the first plate member 130 is displaced in the direction indicated by the arrow F in FIG. 3, the tip surface 168A moves away from the second plate member 130B, resulting in a gap being generated between the first plate member 130A and the second plate member 130B.

[0056] Moreover, once such a gap occurs, the main body 120 is exposed to the molten glass MG.

[0057] On the other hand, in the example shown in FIG. 4, the shape of the end portion 165A of the first plate member 130A is different from that in FIG.

[0058] That is, the end 165A of the first plate member 130A has a configuration in which two abutment surfaces are formed between the end 165A of the first plate member 130A and the end 165B of the second plate member 130B. Specifically, the end 165A of the first plate member 130A has a first abutment surface 170 that abuts against the first surface 131B of the second plate member 130B, and a second abutment surface 172 that abuts against the tip surface 168B of the second plate member 130B. In this example, the first abutment surface 170 and the second abutment surface 172 are mutually orthogonal. However, the first abutment surface 170 and the second abutment surface 172 may intersect each other at an acute angle or may intersect each other at an obtuse angle.

[0059] In this configuration, even if the first plate member 130A is displaced in the direction indicated by the arrow F during use of the forming apparatus 110, it is possible to prevent the main body 120 from being exposed to the molten glass MG. This is because even if the first abutment surface 170 of the first plate member 130A moves away from the first surface 131B of the second plate member 130B, the second abutment surface 172 still maintains abutment between the first plate member 130A and the second plate member 130B.

[0060] In this manner, by arranging the first plate member 130A and the second plate member 130B so that at least two abutment surfaces 170, 172 are formed between them, the possibility of the main body 120 being damaged can be significantly avoided.

[0061] In the above description, the structural effects have been explained with a focus on the first plate member 130A, but the same can be said when the focus is on the second plate member 130B.

[0062] For example, the end 165B of the second plate member 130B has, on the first surface 131B, a first abutment surface 170 that abuts against a portion of the end 165A of the first plate member 130A, and a second abutment surface 172 that corresponds to the tip surface 168B.

[0063] Therefore, even if the second plate member 130B shifts in the direction opposite to that indicated by arrow F and the first abutment surface 170 of the second plate member 130B moves away from the first plate member 130, the second abutment surface 172 maintains abutment between the second plate member 130B and the first plate member 130A.

[0064] In this way, the effects obtained from the viewpoint of the first plate member 130A and the effects obtained from the viewpoint of the second plate member 130B are substantially equivalent. Therefore, in the following description, the effects when focusing on the second plate member 130B will basically be omitted.

[0065] Here, the configuration of first plate member 130A and second plate member 130B for achieving the above effects is not limited to the embodiment shown in FIG.

[0066] Hereinafter, other configuration examples of the first plate member 130A and the second plate member 130B will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0067] 5, the first plate member 130A has an end portion 165A having a tip surface 168A. The second plate member 130B has an end portion 165B having a tip surface 168B. The end portion 165B of the second plate member 130B is configured in a substantially L-shape. Therefore, the first plate member 130A can be disposed relative to the second plate member 130B such that the tip surface 168A becomes the first contact surface 170 and the lower surface (second surface 132A) becomes the second contact surface 172.

[0068] Even in such a configuration, even if the first plate member 130A moves in a direction away from the second plate member 130B (in the direction of arrow F) during use, the second abutment surface 172 can still be maintained between the first plate member 130A and the second plate member 130B.

[0069] 6, the first plate member 130A has an end 165A with a tip surface 168A, and the second plate member 130B has an end 165B with a tip surface 168B.

[0070] The end 165A of the first plate member 130A has a protrusion 171A (having a horizontal surface 173A and a concave surface 175A) including a tip surface 168A. The end 165B of the second plate member 130B has a protrusion 171B (having a horizontal surface 173B and a concave surface 175B) including a tip surface 168B. The protrusions 171A and 171B have shapes that are compatible with each other.

[0071] Therefore, when the first plate member 130A and the second plate member 130B are arranged side by side, the first plate member 130A can be positioned relative to the second plate member 130B so that the tip surface 168A becomes the first abutment surface 170, the horizontal surface 173A becomes the second abutment surface 172, and the concave surface 175A becomes the third abutment surface 174.

[0072] In such a configuration, even if the first plate member 130A moves in a direction away from the second plate member 130B (in the direction of arrow F) during use, the second abutment surface 172 can still be maintained between the first plate member 130A and the second plate member 130B.

[0073] 7, the first plate member 130A has an end 165A with a tip surface 168A, and the second plate member 130B has an end 165B with a tip surface 168B.

[0074] The end 165A of the first plate member 130A has a mortise and tenon-like recess, i.e., first and second recess walls 163A and 169A connected to a leading end surface 168A, and a recess bottom surface 167A.

[0075] Further, the end 165B of the second plate member 130B has a protrusion like a tenon in a mortise and tenon style. The recess of the end 165A and the protrusion of the end 165B have shapes that can fit together.

[0076] In this case, when the first plate member 130A and the second plate member 130B are arranged side by side, five abutment surfaces are formed between them. That is, in the first plate member 130A, a part of the tip surface 168A becomes the first abutment surface 170, the first recess wall 163A becomes the second abutment surface 172, the recess bottom surface 167A becomes the third abutment surface 174, the second recess wall 169A becomes the fourth abutment surface 176, and another part of the tip surface 168A becomes the fifth abutment surface 178.

[0077] In such a configuration, even if the first plate member 130A moves in a direction away from the second plate member 130B (in the direction of arrow F) during use, the second abutment surface 172 and the fourth abutment surface 176 can still be maintained between the first plate member 130A and the second plate member 130B.

[0078] 8, the first plate member 130A has an end 165A with a tip surface 168A, and the second plate member 130B has an end 165B with a tip surface 168B.

[0079] In this example, unlike the above-described FIG. 5, the second plate member 130B is adjacent to the first plate member 130A in a state inclined from the vertical direction.

[0080] However, even in this case, the first plate member 130A can be positioned relative to the second plate member 130B so that the tip surface 168A becomes the first abutment surface 170 and the second surface 132A of the end portion 165A becomes the second abutment surface 172.

[0081] Therefore, even in this configuration, even if the first plate member 130A moves in a direction away from the second plate member 130B (in the direction of arrow F) during use, the second abutment surface 172 can still be maintained between the first plate member 130A and the second plate member 130B.

[0082] The configuration and effects of the molding device according to one embodiment of the present invention have been described above with reference to Figs. 4 to 8, taking as an example a case in which the "adjacent member" is constituted only by the second plate member 130B.

[0083] However, the configuration of the molding apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. For example, the "adjacent member" may include an "additional member" in addition to the second plate member 130B or instead of the second plate member 130B.

[0084] Hereinafter, a configuration in which an "adjacent member" has such an "additional member" will be described with reference to Figs.

[0085] FIG. 9 shows a schematic cross section of a part of a molding device having a plate member mounted on a main body.

[0086] 4 to 8, the first plate member 130A is in contact with the second plate member 130B and the additional member 180. Therefore, the "adjacent members" of the first plate member 130A include the second plate member 130B and the additional member 180.

[0087] Specifically, the first plate member 130A has a first surface 131A, a second surface 132A, and an end 165A having a tip surface 168A. The second plate member 130B has a first surface 131B, a second surface 132B, and an end 165B having a tip surface 168B.

[0088] The first plate member 130A is arranged in parallel with the second plate member 130B such that a tip surface 168A is in contact with a tip surface 168B of the second plate member 130B.

[0089] Further, an additional member 180 is disposed below the first plate member 130A and the second plate member 130B. The additional member 180 is disposed so as to abut against the second surface 132A of the first plate member 130A and the second surface 132B of the second plate member 130B. In other words, the additional member 180 is disposed so as to include the first abutment surface 170 when viewed from the thickness direction of the first plate member 130A.

[0090] As a result, a second abutment surface 172A is formed between the first plate member 130A and the additional member 180. Similarly, a second abutment surface 172B is formed between the second plate member 130B and the additional member 180.

[0091] In this configuration, even if the first plate member 130A is displaced in the direction indicated by the arrow F in Fig. 9, it is possible to prevent the main body 120 from being exposed to the molten glass MG. This is because, even if the first contact surface 170 of the first plate member 130A is separated from the tip surface 168B of the second plate member 130B, the first plate member 130A can still maintain contact with the second contact surface 172A due to the additional member 180.

[0092] As a result, in the configuration shown in FIG. 9, even if the plate member 130 is displaced from a predetermined position while the molding device 110 is in operation, the possibility of the main body 120 being damaged can be significantly avoided.

[0093] It should be noted that the configurations of the first plate member 130A, the second plate member 130B, and the additional member 180 for achieving the above effects are not limited to the embodiment shown in FIG.

[0094] Hereinafter, with reference to Figs. 10 to 12, another configuration example of the arrangement of each member will be described.

[0095] 10, the first plate member 130A has an end portion 165A having a tip surface 168A. The second plate member 130B has an end portion 165B having a tip surface 168B. An additional member 180 is disposed below the second surface 132A of the first plate member 130A. The additional member 180 also abuts against the tip surface 168B of the second plate member 130B.

[0096] In such a configuration, in the first plate member 130A, the tip surface 168A that abuts against the second plate member 130B becomes the first abutment surface 170, and a second abutment surface 172A is formed in a portion that abuts against the additional member 180. Also, in the second plate member 130B, the tip surface 168B that abuts against the first plate member 130A becomes the first abutment surface 170, and the tip surface 168B that abuts against the additional member 180 becomes the second abutment surface 172B.

[0097] Even in such a configuration, even if the first plate member 130A moves in a direction away from the second plate member 130B (in the direction of arrow F) during use, the first plate member 130A can still maintain abutment with the second abutment surface 172A due to the additional member 180.

[0098] Therefore, the possibility of the body 120 being damaged during operation of the molding apparatus 110 can be significantly reduced.

[0099] 11, the first plate member 130A has an end portion 165A having a tip surface 168A. The second plate member 130B has an end portion 165B having a tip surface 168B. An additional member 180 is disposed below both plate members 130A and 130B.

[0100] In this example, unlike the above-described FIG. 10, the second plate member 130B is adjacent to the first plate member 130A in a state inclined from the vertical direction.

[0101] Even in such a configuration, even if the first plate member 130A moves in a direction away from the second plate member 130B (in the direction of arrow F) during use, the first plate member 130A can still maintain abutment with the second abutment surface 172A due to the additional member 180.

[0102] Therefore, the possibility of the main body 120 being damaged during operation of the first manufacturing facility 100 can be significantly avoided.

[0103] 12, the first plate member 130A has an end portion 165A having a tip surface 168A. The second plate member 130B has an end portion 165B having a tip surface 168B. An additional member 180 is disposed below both plate members 130A and 130B.

[0104] In this example, unlike the configuration in FIG. 9 described above, the first plate member 130A and the second plate member 130B are not in direct contact with each other.

[0105] That is, the first plate member 130A is in contact with the additional member 180 formed in a convex shape over two surfaces. Similarly, the second plate member 130B is in contact with the additional member 180 formed in a convex shape over two surfaces.

[0106] Specifically, the additional member 180 has a protrusion having first and second side walls 182A and 182B thereof, and first and second horizontal surfaces 184A and 184B.

[0107] The first plate member 130A is disposed relative to the additional member 180 such that the tip surface 168A abuts against the first side wall 182A of the additional member 180 and the second surface 132A of the end portion 165A abuts against the first horizontal surface 184A of the additional member 180. Similarly, the second plate member 130B is disposed relative to the additional member 180 such that the tip surface 168B abuts against the second side wall 182B of the additional member 180 and the second surface 132B of the end portion 165B abuts against the second horizontal surface 184B of the additional member 180.

[0108] As a result, the first plate member 130A is formed with a first abutment surface 170A corresponding to the tip surface 168A and a second abutment surface 172A abutting against the first horizontal surface 184A of the additional member 180. Similarly, the second plate member 130B is formed with two abutment surfaces 170B, 172B.

[0109] Even in such a configuration, even if the first plate member 130A moves in a direction away from the second plate member 130B (in the direction of arrow F) during use, the first plate member 130A can still maintain abutment with the second abutment surface 172A due to the additional member 180.

[0110] Therefore, the possibility of the body 120 being damaged during operation of the molding apparatus 110 can be significantly reduced.

[0111] As described above, in the forming apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention, even if the first plate member 130A moves in a direction away from the second plate member 130B during use, one or more abutment surfaces can still be maintained between the first plate member 130A and the adjacent members (the second plate member 130B and / or the additional member 180). Therefore, the main body 120 remains covered by the first plate member 130A and / or the additional member 180, and exposure of the main body 120 to the molten glass MG is avoided.

[0112] As a result, in the forming apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention, even if the position of first plate member 130A is shifted relative to second plate member 130B, it is possible to prevent main body 120 from coming into contact with molten glass MG.

[0113] In a configuration in which one plate member and an adjacent member (a second plate member and / or an additional member) are arranged to abut against each other, the dimensions of the "permanent abutment surface" play an important role.

[0114] Here, "permanent abutment surface" means an abutment surface that can still maintain abutment between a plate member and an adjacent member even when, during operation of the molding apparatus 110, a plate member moves relative to an adjacent member such that some abutment surfaces are no longer maintained.

[0115] For example, in the configurations of Figures 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12, the second abutment surface 172 or 172A is the "permanent abutment surface." Also, in the configuration of Figure 7, the second abutment surface 172 and the fourth abutment surface 176 are the "permanent abutment surfaces."

[0116] The width W of the "permanent contact surface" is preferably 0.5 mm or more, more preferably 1 mm or more, even more preferably 3 mm or more, and particularly preferably 5 mm or more. The upper limit of the width W is not particularly limited, but is usually 300 mm or less, more preferably 200 mm or less, and even more preferably 100 mm or less.

[0117] The width W is defined as the dimension of the permanent abutment surface of the first plate member 230 before the molding apparatus 110 is operated (i.e., at room temperature) in a direction perpendicular to the thickness of the first plate member 130, i.e., parallel to the direction of the arrow F. Also, for example, in the configurations of Figures 6 and 7, the width W of the permanent abutment surface can also be defined as the distance between the first abutment surface 170 and the third abutment surface 174 and / or the distance between the third abutment surface 174 and the fifth abutment surface 178.

[0118] By setting the width W of the permanent contact surface to 0.5 mm or more, even if the first plate member 130 moves, the permanent contact surface can reliably maintain contact between the first plate member 130 and the adjacent member. Furthermore, by setting the width W of the permanent contact surface to 300 mm or less, the amount of material used for the member can be reduced, thereby suppressing the manufacturing cost of the molding device.

[0119] (Specific configuration example of a molding device according to one embodiment of the present invention) Next, a specific configuration example of a molding apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

[0120] FIG. 13 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a molding apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention (hereinafter referred to as a "first molding apparatus").

[0121] As shown in Fig. 13, the first molding apparatus 210 has a main body 220. The structure of the main body 220 is similar to that of the main body 120 of the molding apparatus 110 shown in Figs. 1 and 2 described above, and details thereof will be omitted here.

[0122] Moreover, first forming device 210 further includes plate member 230 disposed at a portion of main body 220 that comes into contact with molten glass. As described above, plate member 230 is configured by combining a plurality of plate members and adjacent members. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 13, plate member 230 includes a plurality of plate members 230A-230G and a plurality of additional members 280.

[0123] As described above, each of the plate members 230A to 230G is disposed between itself and another adjacent plate member and / or additional member 280 so that at least two contact surfaces are formed.

[0124] In the first molding device 210 having such a plate member 230, as described above, even if the molding device 210 becomes hot during operation and adjacent plate members 230 move away from each other, one or more abutment surfaces can still be maintained between the first plate member 230 and the "adjacent member."

[0125] Therefore, even if the plate member 230 deviates from a predetermined position during operation, the possibility of the main body 220 being damaged can be significantly avoided.

[0126] (Each component of the molding device) Next, each member constituting the molding apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described in more detail. Note that each member will be described here using the first molding apparatus 210 shown in Fig. 13 as an example. Therefore, when representing each member, the reference symbols shown in Fig. 13 will be used.

[0127] (Main body 220) The body 220 is constructed from a material that is resistant to thermal shock.

[0128] Specifically, the body 220 has a thermal conductivity of κ (W / mK) at room temperature and a thermal expansion coefficient of ρ (10 -6 / K), the ratio κ / ρ is 1 or greater.

[0129] Such materials have the characteristic that they are unlikely to be damaged even when they are rapidly heated from room temperature to the glass forming temperature (for example, 500° C. to 1500° C.) or rapidly cooled from the glass forming temperature to room temperature.

[0130] Examples of materials having a ratio κ / ρ of 1 or more include carbon (C) with a ratio κ / ρ of 23.5, silicon carbide (SiC) with a ratio κ / ρ of 60.0, silica sintered body with a ratio κ / ρ of 2.7, nickel (Ni) with a ratio κ / ρ of 7.3, molybdenum (Mo) with a ratio κ / ρ of 28.8, stainless steel with a ratio κ / ρ of 1.2, alumina sintered body with a ratio κ / ρ of 4.4, and mullite sintered body with a ratio κ / ρ of 1.2. The silica sintered body may contain 0.2 to 5% by weight of a component other than normal silica based on the total amount of the sintered body. The alumina sintered body may contain 0.2 to 10% by weight of a component other than normal alumina based on the total amount of the sintered body. The mullite sintered body may contain 0.5 to 5% by weight of a component other than normal mullite based on the total amount of the sintered body.

[0131] (Plate member 230A~230G) The plate member 230 (i.e., each of the plate members 230A to 230G) is made of a material that is inactive against the glass used. For example, the material for the plate member 230 may be metal oxides such as silicon oxide, zirconium oxide, aluminum oxide, magnesium oxide, etc. These metal oxides may be made of only one type, or may be made of two or more types. In addition, the plate member 230 may contain a composite oxide of two or more metals that constitute these metal oxides. In addition, the plate member 230 may contain a metal such as molybdenum. Specifically, the plate member 230 may be made of one or more materials selected from the group consisting of quartz, zirconia, mullite, zircon, magnesia, alumina, and molybdenum. It is preferable that the material that constitutes the plate member 230 contains impurities of 1% by weight or less with respect to the total amount of the material.

[0132] The material that is inactive to the glass varies depending on the composition of the glass used. Therefore, as the material constituting the plate member 230, a material that is low in reactivity with the glass used, i.e., an inactive material, is appropriately selected.

[0133] As described above, the thickness of the plate member 230 is in the range of 0.5 mm to 100 mm. The thickness is preferably in the range of 0.75 mm to 50 mm, and more preferably in the range of 1 mm to 30 mm.

[0134] (Additional Item 280) The additional member 280 is made of a material that is inert to the glass used. For example, the material for the additional member 280 may be selected from the group consisting of quartz, zirconia, mullite, zircon, and magnesia.

[0135] The additional member 280 may be made of the same material as the plate member 230 or may be made of a different material.

[0136] (Another glass sheet manufacturing facility having a forming device according to one embodiment of the present invention) Next, with reference to FIG. 14, a brief description will be given of another glass sheet manufacturing facility having a forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0137] 14 shows a schematic configuration example of another glass sheet manufacturing facility (hereinafter referred to as "second manufacturing facility") 300 having a forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the second manufacturing facility 300, glass sheets can be continuously manufactured by a slit downdraw method.

[0138] 14, the second manufacturing equipment 300 includes a molding device 310, a furnace 350 that houses the molding device 310, and a plurality of rollers 360 disposed below the molding device 310. Although not shown in the figure, the second manufacturing equipment 300 further includes a cutting member below the furnace 350.

[0139] The forming device 310 has a function of forming a glass ribbon GR from the molten glass MG. The forming device 310 is connected to a supply pipe (not shown), and the molten glass MG is supplied to the forming device 310 through the supply pipe.

[0140] The molding device 310 has a body 320 .

[0141] Body 320 of molding device 310 has a "box-like" cross-sectional shape as shown in Figure 14. More specifically, body 320 has inner side surface 321, inner bottom surface 325, outer bottom surface 327, and slit 329. Slit 329 penetrates from inner bottom surface 325 to outer bottom surface 327.

[0142] Although it is not clear from Fig. 14, each member of the forming device 310 extends in a direction perpendicular to the paper surface. Therefore, the forming device 310 shown in Fig. 14 has an elongated shape along the longitudinal direction (X direction).

[0143] Each roller 360 has a role of conveying the glass ribbon GR discharged from the forming device 310 downward while adjusting the thickness of the glass ribbon GR.

[0144] When a glass sheet is manufactured using such second manufacturing equipment 300, first, molten glass MG is supplied to a forming device 310 via a supply pipe (not shown).

[0145] Molten glass MG supplied to forming apparatus 310 is first contained in the interior defined by inner side surface 311 and inner bottom surface 315 .

[0146] Next, the molten glass MG flows downward through the slit 319 of the forming device 310, and is cooled along the way. As a result, a glass ribbon GR is formed.

[0147] Thereafter, the glass ribbon GR is further pulled vertically downward by the rollers 360, and is gradually cooled in the process.

[0148] Thereafter, the glass ribbon GR that has been sufficiently cooled slowly is discharged from the furnace 350 and cut to a predetermined size by a cutting means (not shown).

[0149] In the second production facility 300, glass sheets can be continuously produced by the above steps.

[0150] Here, in the second manufacturing facility 300, as the molding device 310, a molding device according to an embodiment of the present invention is used.

[0151] That is, forming apparatus 310 has main body 320 and plate member 330 having a thickness in the range of 0.5 mm to 100 mm. Plate member 330 is made of a material inactive to molten glass MG, and is placed on main body 320 at a location where it comes into contact with the glass.

[0152] For example, in the example shown in FIG. 14, the plate member 330 is disposed so as to cover the inner side surface 321, the inner bottom surface 325, and the slits 329 of the main body 320.

[0153] The molding device 310 has a shape that is generally conformal to the shape of the main body 320. For example, the molding device 310 has an inner side surface 311, an inner bottom surface 315, and a slit 319, all of which have similar shapes to the corresponding portions of the main body 320. In addition, all of these portions are formed by the exposed surface of the plate member 330.

[0154] In the second manufacturing equipment 300 having such characteristics, the possibility that the body 320 of the forming device 310 comes into contact with the glass during the manufacturing of the glass plate is significantly reduced because the body 320 is protected by the plate member 330. Therefore, a material having thermal shock resistance can be selected for the body 320.

[0155] Furthermore, plate member 330 of molding device 310 has a thickness in the range of 0.5 mm to 100 mm, and is characterized in that it is difficult to crack even when subjected to thermal shock.

[0156] Furthermore, in the second manufacturing equipment 300, the plate member 330 is applied as a "plate" onto the main body 320, unlike a film such as a coating film. Therefore, defects caused by the difference in thermal expansion between the plate member 330 and the main body 320 are unlikely to occur.

[0157] Moreover, in the forming device 310, the plate member 330 is composed of a plurality of plate members 331A to 331D, and each of the plate members 331A to 331D is configured to have the above-mentioned characteristics.

[0158] For example, the first plate member 331A is configured to abut against an adjacent member (second plate member 331B) at a first end portion. The first plate member 331A is also configured to form at least two abutment surfaces between the first plate member 331A and the adjacent member (second plate member 331B).

[0159] Therefore, in forming apparatus 310, even if forming apparatus 310 becomes hot during operation of manufacturing apparatus 300 and the position of first plate member 331A shifts relative to second plate member 331B, main body 320 can be prevented from coming into contact with molten glass MG.

[0160] The same can be said about the other plate members 331B to 331D.

[0161] As a result of the above-mentioned effects, in the second manufacturing facility 300, it is possible to rapidly increase and decrease the temperature of the forming device 310. This also makes it possible for the second manufacturing facility 300 to more efficiently manufacture glass sheets.

[0162] 14 is merely one example, that is, the plate member 330 may be configured with any combination of multiple shapes as long as it has the above-mentioned characteristics.

[0163] The configuration and features of a molding apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention have been described above with reference to molding apparatuses 110, 210, and 310.

[0164] However, these are merely examples, and it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the forming apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention may have other configurations. In particular, the forming apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention may be applied to a manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing a glass sheet by a method other than the fusion method and the slit downdraw method. [Explanation of symbols]

[0165] 100 First manufacturing facility 105 Supply pipe 110 Molding equipment 111 Top surface of molding device 112 Recess of molding device 114a: First side of molding device 114b second side of molding device 116a: first upper surface of molding device 116b second upper surface of the molding device 118a: first lower surface of molding device 118b second lower surface of the molding device 119 Lower end of molding device 120 Body 121 Top of the main body 122 Body recess 124a First side of the body 124b Second side of the body 126a: first upper surface of the body 126b second upper surface of the body 128a: first lower surface of the body 128b second lower surface of the body 129 Lower end of the body 130 Plate members 130A First plate member 130B Second plate member 131A First surface of first plate member 131B First surface of second plate member 132A Second surface of the first plate member 132B Second surface of second plate member 150 furnace 160 Lola 163A First recess wall 165A, 165B end 167A Bottom of recess 168A, 168B tip surface 169A Second recess wall 170, 170A, 170B First contact surface 171A, 171B protrusion 172, 172A, 172B Second abutment surface 173A, 173B horizontal plane 174 Third abutment surface 175A, 175B concave 176 Fourth abutment surface 178 Fifth abutment surface 180 Additional Materials 182A First Side Wall 182B Second side wall 184A First Horizontal Plane 184B Second horizontal plane 190a first molten glass portion 190b second molten glass portion 210 First molding device 220 Main Unit 230 Plate members 230A~230G plate parts 280 Additional Materials 300 Second manufacturing facility 310 Molding equipment 311 Inside side of molding device 315 Inner bottom surface of molding device 319 Slits in molding equipment 320 Main Unit 321 Inner side of the main body 325 Bottom of the inside of the main body 327 External bottom surface of the main body 329 Body slit 330 Plate members 331A-331D Multiple plate members 350 furnace 360 Lola GR Glass Ribbon MG Molten Glass

Claims

1. A forming apparatus for forming molten glass into a glass ribbon, comprising: The main body, a plate member provided on a portion of the body that comes into contact with the molten glass; having the plate member is composed of a plurality of plate members including a first plate member, each plate member having a thickness in the range of 0.5 mm to 100 mm and composed of a material that is inactive with respect to the molten glass; The first plate member is abutted at a first end portion against one or more adjacent members excluding the main body, A molding apparatus, wherein the first plate member is configured to form first and second abutment surfaces between the first plate member and the one or more adjacent members.

2. The molding apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first and second abutment surfaces are orthogonal to each other.

3. The molding apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first and second abutment surfaces meet at an acute angle.

4. The molding apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first and second abutment surfaces intersect at an obtuse angle.

5. The molding apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the second contact surface extends in a direction perpendicular to a thickness direction of the first plate member.

6. The molding apparatus according to claim 5, wherein when the dimension of the second contact surface in a direction perpendicular to the first contact surface is defined as a width W, the width W is in the range of 0.5 mm to 300 mm.

7. The forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the adjacent member comprises a second plate member disposed adjacent to the first plate member.

8. 8. The molding apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the first end of the first plate member has a first protrusion including a first tip surface and a first concave surface provided at a position recessed from the first tip surface, the end of the second plate member has a second protrusion including a second tip surface and a second concave surface provided at a position recessed from the second tip surface, and the first end of the first plate member has at least three abutment surfaces further including a third abutment surface between the end of the first plate member and the end of the second plate member.

9. The first and third abutment surfaces extend in a direction parallel to a thickness direction of the first plate member, The molding apparatus according to claim 8 , wherein the second contact surface extends in a direction perpendicular to a thickness direction of the first plate member.

10. The forming apparatus according to claim 7 , wherein the adjacent member comprises an additional member disposed adjacent to the first and second plate members.

11. the first plate member and the second plate member are abutted against each other at a single abutment surface, The molding apparatus according to claim 10 , wherein the additional member is disposed so as to include the contact surface when viewed in a thickness direction of the first plate member or the second plate member.

12. The molding apparatus according to claim 10 , wherein the first plate member and the second plate member are not in direct contact with each other.

13. The body has a thermal conductivity of κ (W / mK) at room temperature and a thermal expansion coefficient of ρ (10 －６ 13. The molding apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the molding apparatus is made of a material having a ratio κ / ρ of 1 or more when κ=ρ / ρ.

14. 14. The molding apparatus of claim 1, wherein the body is made of one or more materials selected from the group consisting of carbon (C), silicon carbide (SiC), sintered silica, nickel (Ni), molybdenum (Mo), and stainless steel.

15. 15. The molding apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the plate member is made of one or more materials selected from the group consisting of quartz, zirconia, mullite, zircon, and magnesia.

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