Glass fiber manufacturing apparatus and glass fiber manufacturing method

Abstract

To provide an apparatus and method for manufacturing glass fiber, capable of stably molding a glass filament.SOLUTION: An apparatus 11 for manufacturing glass fiber includes: a feeder 12 for circulating molten glass: and a bushing 13 arranged below the feeder 12 and having a plurality of nozzles N discharging the molten glass. The feeder 12 of the apparatus 11 for manufacturing the glass fiber includes a bottom wall W1 and a pair of side walls W2 provided on both sides of the bottom wall W1; the bottom wall W1 of the feeder 12 includes a discharge part 15 for discharging the molten glass downward; the discharge part 15 of the bottom wall W1 includes a refractory wall 16 and a passage 17 surrounded by the refractory wall; and the refractory wall 16 of the discharge part 15 includes division parts 16a for dividing the refractory wall 16 into a plurality of refractory members B in a plan view.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a glass fiber manufacturing apparatus and a glass fiber manufacturing method. [Background technology]

[0002] As described in Patent Document 1, a manufacturing apparatus is used to manufacture glass fibers, which includes a feeder for circulating molten glass and a bushing disposed below the feeder and having a plurality of nozzles for discharging the molten glass. In such a glass fiber manufacturing apparatus, a plurality of glass filaments can be formed by discharging the molten glass from each nozzle of the bushing. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-091954 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The feeder of the conventional glass fiber manufacturing apparatus described above has a bottom wall and a pair of side walls provided on both sides of the bottom wall. The bottom wall of the feeder is provided with an outlet portion through which molten glass flows downward. The outlet portion has a refractory wall and a flow path surrounded by the refractory wall. When the refractory wall of such an outlet portion is heated by the molten glass, it may crack due to thermal expansion. Relatively small fragments generated by cracking of the refractory wall of the outlet portion may flow into the bushing, causing instability in the formation of glass filaments.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a glass fiber manufacturing apparatus and a glass fiber manufacturing method that enable stable molding of glass filaments. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A glass fiber manufacturing apparatus that solves the above problem includes a feeder for circulating molten glass and a bushing disposed below the feeder and having a plurality of nozzles from which the molten glass flows, wherein the feeder has a bottom wall and a pair of side walls disposed on either side of the bottom wall, the bottom wall of the feeder having an outlet portion for flowing the molten glass downward, the outlet portion having a refractory wall and a flow path surrounded by the refractory wall, and the refractory wall has dividing portions that divide the refractory wall into a plurality of refractory members in a plan view. With this configuration, when the refractory wall of the outlet portion thermally expands, the thermal stress of the refractory wall of the outlet portion can be released by the relative movement of the plurality of refractory members that make up the outlet portion. This makes it possible to suppress cracks in the refractory wall of the outlet portion.

[0007] In the glass fiber manufacturing apparatus, the fire-resistant wall may have a peripheral edge formed of a plurality of frame portions including linear portions in a plan view. With this configuration, for example, the fire-resistant wall can be formed of a frame portion with a simple shape.

[0008] In the glass fiber manufacturing apparatus, at least one of the plurality of frames may have a pair of adjacent partitions that are closer to each other inward in a plan view. With this configuration, when the fireproof wall of the outflow portion thermally expands, the refractory member between the pair of partitions can be prevented from moving relative to the inward side of the outflow portion. This makes it possible to prevent, for example, the flow path of the outflow portion from narrowing due to the relative movement of the refractory member between the pair of partitions.

[0009] In the glass fiber manufacturing apparatus, at least one of the plurality of frames may have a pair of adjacent segments that are closer to each other as viewed downward in a side view. With this configuration, when the fireproof wall of the outflow section thermally expands, the fireproof member between the pair of segments can be prevented from moving downward relative to the outflow section. This makes it possible to easily prevent the fireproof member between the pair of segments from falling off.

[0010] In the above-described glass fiber manufacturing apparatus, the pair of dividing portions may each have a shape extending linearly, and the angle formed by the pair of dividing portions may be within a range of 5° or more and 90° or less. When the angle formed by the pair of dividing portions in a plan view of the fire wall is 5° or more, the fireproof member can be more effectively prevented from moving relatively inwardly of the outflow portion. When the angle formed by the pair of dividing portions in a side view of the fireproof wall is 5° or more, the fireproof member can be more effectively prevented from moving relatively downward. When the angle formed by the pair of dividing portions in a plan view and a side view of the fireproof wall is 90° or less, for example, processing of the refractory material to form the fireproof wall becomes easier.

[0011] In the glass fiber manufacturing apparatus, each of the plurality of frame sections may have one or more dividing sections. With this configuration, thermal stresses generated in the plurality of frame sections can be released in a balanced manner. This makes it possible to further suppress cracks in the fire-resistant wall of the outflow section.

[0012] In the glass fiber manufacturing apparatus, the refractory members of the refractory wall may include a pair of first refractory members and a second refractory member disposed between the pair of first refractory members. This configuration allows the thermal stress generated in the refractory wall to be easily released. This makes it possible to further suppress the occurrence of cracks in the refractory wall at the outflow portion.

[0013] In the glass fiber manufacturing apparatus, the upper surface of the second refractory member may protrude upward beyond the upper surfaces of the pair of first refractory members. In this manner, for example, by moving the second refractory member upward relative to the pair of first refractory members, thermal stress in the refractory wall can be released.

[0014] The above-described glass fiber manufacturing apparatus may further include a downstream flow path section that supplies the molten glass from the feeder to the bushing, the downstream flow path section having a downstream refractory wall and a downstream flow path surrounded by the downstream refractory wall, the downstream refractory wall having a downstream dividing section that divides the downstream refractory wall into a plurality of downstream refractory members in a plan view. According to this configuration, when the downstream refractory wall of the downstream flow path section thermally expands, the thermal stress of the downstream refractory wall of the downstream flow path section can be released by the relative movement of the plurality of downstream refractory members that constitute the downstream flow path section. This makes it possible to suppress the occurrence of cracks in the downstream refractory wall.

[0015] The glass fiber manufacturing method includes a molding step of molding a plurality of glass filaments using a glass fiber manufacturing apparatus, and the glass fiber manufacturing apparatus includes a feeder for circulating molten glass and a bushing arranged below the feeder and having a plurality of nozzles from which the molten glass flows, the feeder having a bottom wall and a pair of side walls provided on both sides of the bottom wall, the bottom wall of the feeder having an outlet portion for flowing the molten glass downward, the outlet portion having a fire-resistant wall and a flow path surrounded by the fire-resistant wall, and the fire-resistant wall having a dividing portion that divides the fire-resistant wall into a plurality of fire-resistant members in a plan view. [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] According to the present invention, it is possible to stably form glass filaments. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a glass fiber manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a glass fiber manufacturing apparatus. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a glass fiber manufacturing apparatus. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the outlet portion of the feeder. [Figure 5]FIG. 2 is a side view showing the outlet portion of the feeder. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a downstream flow path section. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a plan view showing the outlet portion of a feeder according to a modified example. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view showing a modified example of a glass fiber manufacturing apparatus. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a glass fiber manufacturing apparatus and a glass fiber manufacturing method will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that in the drawings, for the sake of convenience, some of the components may be shown exaggerated or simplified. Furthermore, the dimensional ratios of each part may differ from the actual ratios.

[0019] 1 to 3, the glass fiber production apparatus 11 includes a feeder 12 that circulates molten glass MG, and a bushing 13 that is disposed below the feeder 12. The glass fiber production apparatus 11 of this embodiment further includes a downstream flow path portion 14 that supplies molten glass MG from the feeder 12 to the bushing 13.

[0020] <Feeder 12> Molten glass MG obtained in a glass melting furnace (not shown) is supplied to a feeder 12 of a glass fiber manufacturing apparatus 11.

[0021] The feeder 12 has a bottom wall W1 and a pair of side walls W2 provided on both sides of the bottom wall W1. The feeder 12 may have an upper wall W3 arranged to close an upper opening. The feeder 12 flows the molten glass MG along the Y-axis direction in the drawing.

[0022] The feeder 12 is made of a refractory wall. Examples of refractories that make up the refractory wall include electroformed bricks and dense fired bricks. Examples of electroformed bricks include zirconia-based electroformed bricks, alumina-based electroformed bricks, alumina-zirconia-based electroformed bricks, and alumina-zirconia-silica-based electroformed bricks. Examples of dense fired bricks include dense zircon bricks and dense chrome bricks.

[0023] The bottom wall W1 of the feeder 12 is provided with an outflow portion 15 for causing the molten glass MG to flow downward. The outflow portion 15 has a fire-resistant wall 16 and a flow path 17 surrounded by the fire-resistant wall 16.

[0024] As shown in Figure 4, the fire-resistant wall 16 of the outlet section 15 is composed of multiple frame sections F1. The peripheral edge of each frame section F1 includes a straight line section in plan view. In this embodiment, the fire-resistant wall 16 of the outlet section 15 is rectangular and has four frame sections F1.

[0025] The fire-resistant wall 16 of the outflow section 15 has dividing portions 16a that divide the fire-resistant wall 16 into a plurality of fire-resistant members B in a plan view. In this embodiment, the fire-resistant wall 16 of the outflow section 15 has four frame portions F1 each having one or more dividing portions 16a. More specifically, each of a pair of frame portions F1 extending along the X-axis direction has one dividing portion 16a. Each of a pair of frame portions F1 extending along the Y-axis direction has three dividing portions 16a.

[0026] The fire-resistant members B of the fire-resistant wall 16 in the outflow section 15 include a pair of first fire-resistant members B1 and two second fire-resistant members B2 arranged between the pair of first fire-resistant members B1. As shown in Figures 4 and 5, a pair of frame portions F1 extending along the Y-axis direction each have two second fire-resistant members B2.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 4, the two second refractory members B2 are disposed between a pair of adjacent divisions 16a so that they approach each other as they move inward in plan view. It is preferable that the shape of each pair of divisions 16a in plan view is a linear shape. In plan view, it is preferable that the angle θ1 formed by the linearly extending divisions 16a is within a range of 5° to 90°. The shape of the pair of divisions 16a in plan view may be a curved or stepped shape. The divisions 16a between two adjacent second refractory members B2 extend parallel to the X-axis.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 5, the two second refractory members B2 are disposed between a pair of adjacent divisions 16a so that they approach each other downwards in a side view. It is preferable that the shape of each of the pair of divisions 16a in a side view extends linearly. It is preferable that the angle θ2 formed by the pair of linearly extending divisions 16a in a side view is within a range of 5° to 90°. The shape of the pair of divisions 16a in a side view may be curved or stepped. The divisions 16a between two adjacent second refractory members B2 extend parallel to the Z axis.

[0029] The first refractory member B1 of the outlet portion 15 of the feeder 12 is supported by a structure ST at the installation location of the glass fiber manufacturing apparatus 11. The second refractory member B2 is supported by a pair of the first refractory members B1. The flow path 17 of the outlet portion 15 causes the molten glass MG to flow down along the Z-axis direction in the drawing.

[0030] Examples of the molten glass MG supplied to the feeder 12 include E-glass (glass with an alkali content of 2% or less), D-glass (low dielectric constant glass), AR-glass (alkali-resistant glass), C-glass (acid-resistant glass), M-glass (high elastic modulus glass), S-glass (high strength, high elastic modulus glass), T-glass (high strength, high elastic modulus glass), H-glass (high dielectric constant glass), and NE-glass (low dielectric constant glass). The density of the glass is, for example, 2.0 to 3.0 g / cm. 3 is.

[0031] <Bushing 13> 1 to 3, a bushing 13 of a glass fiber manufacturing apparatus 11 has a plurality of nozzles N through which molten glass MG flows. Each nozzle N of the bushing 13 can form a glass filament GF.

[0032] The bushing 13 includes a bushing body 13a to which the molten glass MG is supplied, and a base plate 13b provided at the bottom of the bushing body 13a. The upper part of the bushing body 13a has a supply port through which the molten glass MG is supplied from the feeder 12. As shown in Fig. 3, the bushing 13 is supported by a support member S on a structure ST at the installation location of the glass fiber manufacturing apparatus 11. Note that the support member S is omitted in Fig. 1.

[0033] The bushing body 13a may have a screen for preventing foreign matter from accumulating on the base plate 13b, a terminal for electrical conduction, and the like. 1 to 3, a plurality of nozzles N are provided in the base plate 13b. The number of nozzle holes in the bushing 13 is preferably within a range of 100 to 10,000. The shape of the nozzle hole in each nozzle N in the bushing 13 may be, for example, a circle or a flat shape having a major axis and a minor axis.

[0034] Examples of materials for the bushing body 13a, the base plate 13b, and the nozzle N include precious metals and precious metal alloys. Precious metals include gold, silver, platinum, palladium, rhodium, iridium, ruthenium, and osmium. From the viewpoint of enhancing durability, the materials for the bushing body 13a, the base plate 13b, and the nozzle N are preferably platinum or a platinum alloy. Examples of platinum alloys include a platinum-rhodium alloy.

[0035] <Downstream flow path section 14> As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the downstream flow path section 14 of the glass fiber production apparatus 11 has a downstream fire-resistant wall 18 and a downstream flow path 19 surrounded by the downstream fire-resistant wall 18.

[0036] The downstream fire wall 18 has downstream dividing portions 18a that divide the downstream fire wall 18 into a plurality of downstream fire-resistant members C in a plan view. The downstream fire wall 18 can be made of a refractory material. Examples of the refractory material that constitutes the downstream fire wall 18 include the refractories exemplified in the description of the feeder 12 above.

[0037] As shown in Fig. 6, the downstream fire-resistant wall 18 of the downstream flow path section 14 is composed of multiple frame sections F2. The peripheral edge of each frame section F2 includes a straight line section in plan view. In this embodiment, the downstream fire-resistant wall 18 of the downstream flow path section 14 is rectangular and has four frame sections F2. Each of a pair of frame sections F2 extending along the Y-axis direction has one downstream dividing section 18a.

[0038] The downstream flow path 19 of the downstream flow path section 14 is connected to the flow path 17 of the outlet section 15. The downstream flow path 19 of the downstream flow path section 14 supplies the molten glass MG to the bushing 13 by causing the molten glass MG to flow down along the Z-axis direction in the drawing. Note that the dimensions of the flow path 17 of the outlet section 15 in a plan view are preferably the same as the dimensions of the downstream flow path 19 of the downstream flow path section 14 in a plan view.

[0039] <Configurations other than those listed above> The glass fiber manufacturing apparatus 11 includes an applicator and a gathering shoe, both of which are not shown. The applicator applies a liquid sizing agent to the numerous glass filaments GF drawn out from the bushing 13. The gathering shoe focuses the numerous glass filaments GF to which the sizing agent has been applied. A glass strand is obtained by focusing the numerous glass filaments GF by the gathering shoe. The glass strand is wound by a winding device, and a cake of wound glass strands is obtained.

[0040] <Glass fiber manufacturing method> Next, a method for producing glass fiber will be described together with the main functions of the glass fiber production apparatus 11.

[0041] The glass fiber manufacturing method includes a forming step of forming a glass filament GF using a glass fiber manufacturing apparatus 11. In the forming step, molten glass MG is supplied from a feeder 12 to a bushing 13. A flow path for the molten glass MG from the feeder 12 to the bushing 13 and the inside of a bushing body 13a of the bushing 13 are filled with the molten glass MG. In the forming step, the molten glass MG supplied to the bushing 13 is made to flow out of a nozzle N of the bushing 13, thereby forming a glass filament GF.

[0042] The bottom wall W1 of the feeder 12 in the glass fiber manufacturing apparatus 11 is provided with an outflow section 15 that allows the molten glass MG to flow downward. The outflow section 15 has a fireproof wall 16 and a flow path 17 surrounded by the fireproof wall 16, and the fireproof wall 16 has dividing sections 16a that divide the fireproof wall 16 into a plurality of fireproof members B in a plan view. With this configuration, when the fireproof wall 16 of the outflow section 15 thermally expands, the thermal stress of the fireproof wall 16 of the outflow section 15 can be released by the relative movement of the plurality of fireproof members B that make up the outflow section 15. This makes it possible to suppress the occurrence of cracks in the fireproof wall 16 of the outflow section 15.

[0043] For example, as shown in Fig. 4, in the outlet section 15 of the feeder 12 of this embodiment, at least one of the frame members F1 has a pair of adjacent partitions 16a that are closer to each other as they extend inward in a plan view. In this case, when the fire-resistant wall 16 of the outlet section 15 thermally expands, the second refractory member B2 between the pair of partitions 16a can be prevented from moving relatively inward of the outlet section 15. This makes it possible to prevent, for example, the second refractory member B2 between the pair of partitions 16a from narrowing the flow path 17 of the outlet section 15. In the outlet section 15 of this embodiment, the side surface of the second refractory member B2 located between the pair of first refractory members B1 may protrude laterally beyond the side surfaces of the pair of first refractory members B1.

[0044] For example, as shown in Fig. 5, in the outlet section 15 of the feeder 12 of this embodiment, at least one of the frame members F1 has a pair of adjacent segments 16a that are closer to each other as they extend downward in a side view. In this case, when the fire-resistant wall 16 of the outlet section 15 thermally expands, the second refractory member B2 between the pair of segments 16a can be prevented from moving downward relative to the outlet section 15. This makes it possible to easily prevent the second refractory member B2 from falling off between the pair of segments 16a. In the outlet section 15 of this embodiment, the upper surface of the second refractory member B2 located between the pair of first refractory members B1 may protrude above the upper surfaces of the pair of first refractory members B1.

[0045] The glass filaments GF obtained in the above-mentioned forming process are bundled to obtain glass strands. The glass strands can be used, for example, as chopped strands cut to a predetermined length. The glass strands can also be used as milled fibers, rovings, yarns, mats, cloths, tapes, braided fabrics, or the like. Applications of the glass strands include, for example, vehicle applications, electronic material applications, building material applications, civil engineering applications, aircraft-related applications, shipbuilding applications, logistics applications, industrial machinery applications, and daily necessities applications.

[0046] <Action and effect> Next, the operation and effects of the embodiment will be described. (1) A glass fiber manufacturing apparatus 11 includes a feeder 12 for circulating molten glass MG, and a bushing 13 disposed below the feeder 12 and having a plurality of nozzles N from which the molten glass MG flows. The feeder 12 of the glass fiber manufacturing apparatus 11 has a bottom wall W1 and a pair of side walls W2 provided on both sides of the bottom wall W1. The bottom wall W1 of the feeder 12 includes an outlet portion 15 for causing the molten glass MG to flow downward. The outlet portion 15 of the feeder 12 includes a fire-resistant wall 16 and a flow path 17 surrounded by the fire-resistant wall 16. The fire-resistant wall 16 of the outlet portion 15 includes dividing portions 16a that divide the fire-resistant wall 16 into a plurality of fire-resistant members B in a plan view.

[0047] According to this configuration, when the fire-resistant wall 16 of the outflow portion 15 thermally expands, the thermal stress of the fire-resistant wall 16 of the outflow portion 15 can be released by the relative movement of the plurality of fire-resistant members B constituting the outflow portion 15. This makes it possible to suppress the occurrence of cracks in the fire-resistant wall 16 of the outflow portion 15. Therefore, it becomes possible to stably form the glass filament GF.

[0048] (2) The peripheral edge of the fire-resistant wall 16 of the outflow section 15 in the glass fiber manufacturing apparatus 11 is composed of a plurality of frame sections F1 including linear sections in a plan view. In this case, for example, the fire-resistant wall 16 can be composed of frame sections F1 with a simple shape.

[0049] (3) The two frame portions F1 of the fire-resistant wall 16 in the outflow section 15 of the glass fiber manufacturing apparatus 11 have a pair of adjacent divided portions 16a that are closer to each other inward in a plan view. In this case, as described above, for example, it is possible to prevent the flow path 17 of the outflow section 15 from becoming narrow due to the second fire-resistant member B2 between the pair of divided portions 16a.

[0050] (4) In the glass fiber manufacturing apparatus 11, two of the frame portions F1 of the fire-resistant wall 16 in the outlet portion 15 have a pair of adjacent divided portions 16a that are closer to each other as they go downward in a side view. In this case, as described above, it is possible to easily prevent the second fire-resistant member B2 from falling off between the pair of divided portions 16a. Therefore, for example, it is possible to omit a support portion that supports the second fire-resistant member B2 between the pair of divided portions 16a, which makes it possible to further simplify the structure of the feeder 12.

[0051] (5) In the glass fiber manufacturing apparatus 11, the pair of dividing portions 16a preferably have linearly extending shapes, and the angles θ1 and θ2 formed by the pair of dividing portions 16a are preferably within a range of 5° or more and 90° or less. When the angle θ1 formed by the pair of dividing portions 16a in a plan view of the fire-resistant wall 16 is 5° or more, the second refractory member B2 can be more effectively prevented from moving relatively inwardly into the outflow section 15. When the angle θ2 formed by the pair of dividing portions 16a in a side view of the fire-resistant wall 16 is 5° or more, the second refractory member B2 can be more effectively prevented from moving relatively downward. When the angles θ1 and θ2 formed by the pair of dividing portions 16a in a plan view and a side view of the fire-resistant wall 16 are 90° or less, processing of the refractory material for forming the fire-resistant wall 16 becomes easier.

[0052] (6) The fire-resistant wall 16 of the outflow section 15 in the glass fiber manufacturing apparatus 11 has one or more divisions 16a in each of the four frame sections F1. In this case, the thermal stress generated in the four frame sections F1 can be released in a balanced manner. This makes it possible to further suppress the occurrence of cracks in the fire-resistant wall 16 of the outflow section 15. Therefore, it becomes possible to more stably mold the glass filament GF.

[0053] (7) The refractory member B of the refractory wall 16 in the glass fiber manufacturing apparatus 11 includes a pair of first refractory members B1 and a second refractory member B2 disposed between the pair of first refractory members B1. In this case, the thermal stress generated in the refractory wall 16 can be easily released. This makes it possible to further suppress the occurrence of cracks in the refractory wall 16 in the outflow section 15. Therefore, it becomes possible to more stably form the glass filament GF.

[0054] (8) The upper surface of the second refractory member B2 of the glass fiber manufacturing apparatus 11 protrudes upward beyond the upper surfaces of the pair of first refractory members B1. In this manner, for example, the second refractory member B2 moves upward relative to the pair of first refractory members B1, thereby releasing the thermal stress of the refractory wall 16.

[0055] (9) The glass fiber manufacturing apparatus 11 further includes a downstream flow path section 14 that supplies molten glass MG from the feeder 12 to the bushing 13. The downstream flow path section 14 includes a downstream refractory wall 18 and a downstream flow path 19 surrounded by the downstream refractory wall 18. The downstream refractory wall 18 includes downstream dividing sections 18a that divide the downstream refractory wall 18 into multiple downstream refractory members C in a plan view. In this case, when the downstream refractory wall 18 of the downstream flow path section 14 thermally expands, the thermal stress of the downstream refractory wall 18 of the downstream flow path section 14 can be released by the relative movement of the multiple downstream refractory members C that constitute the downstream flow path section 14. This makes it possible to suppress the occurrence of cracks in the downstream refractory wall 18. Therefore, the glass filament GF can be formed more stably.

[0056] (Example of change) The above embodiment can be modified as follows: The above embodiment and the following modifications can be combined with each other within the scope of technical compatibility.

[0057] At the outlet portion 15 of the glass fiber manufacturing apparatus 11, the thickness of the second refractory member B2 may be the same as or different from the thickness of the pair of first refractory members B1. For example, the thickness of the second refractory member B2 may be smaller than the thickness of the pair of first refractory members B1. In this case, the upper surfaces of the pair of first refractory members B1 may protrude above the upper surfaces of the second refractory members B2, or may be located on the same plane as the upper surface of the second refractory members B2.

[0058] In the glass fiber manufacturing apparatus 11, the number of refractory members B constituting the fireproof wall 16 of the outflow section 15 may be nine or more, or seven or less. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, the fireproof wall 16 of the outflow section 15 may be composed of two refractory members B.

[0059] For example, as shown in FIG. 7, one of the frame portions F1 of the fire-resistant wall 16 of the outflow portion 15 may be modified to have a dividing portion 16a. The frame F1 of the fire-resistant wall 16 of the outflow section 15 has a pair of adjacent segments 16a that are closer to each other in a plan view and a pair of adjacent segments 16a that are closer to each other downwards in a side view. The direction in which each pair of adjacent segments 16a extends can be changed as needed. For example, the frame F1 of the fire-resistant wall 16 of the outflow section 15 may have a pair of segments that extend parallel to each other in a plan view or a side view.

[0060] The fire-resistant wall 16 of the outflow section 15 may not be made up of the plurality of frame sections F1, but may be made up of, for example, a cylindrical section. The number of frame portions F1 in the fire-resistant wall 16 of the outflow section 15 may be, for example, three or five or more. Even in such a fire-resistant wall 16, it is preferable that each of the frame portions F1 has one or more dividing portions 16a. This allows the effects and advantages described in section (6) above to be obtained.

[0061] The downstream fire-resistant wall 18 of the glass fiber manufacturing apparatus 11 can be modified in the same manner as the fire-resistant wall 16 of the outlet section 15 described above. For example, the downstream fire-resistant wall 18 is divided into two downstream fire-resistant members C, but it may be divided into three or more downstream fire-resistant members C. In this case, like the fire-resistant wall 16 of the outlet section 15, each of the multiple frame sections F2 may have one or more downstream divided sections 18a.

[0062] The glass fiber manufacturing apparatus 11 may have a structure in which a plurality of downstream flow passage sections 14 are stacked. The downstream flow path section 14 of the glass fiber production apparatus 11 may be omitted. For example, a bushing 13 may be connected to the outlet section 15 of the feeder 12 of the glass fiber production apparatus 11. Furthermore, the outlet section 15 of the feeder 12 of the glass fiber production apparatus 11 and the bushing 13 may be connected by a flow path member other than the downstream flow path section 14.

[0063] In the glass fiber manufacturing apparatus 11 of the above embodiment, the outflow section 15 of the feeder 12 is arranged in a plan view so that the longitudinal direction of the outflow section 15 is aligned with the flow direction of the molten glass MG in the feeder 12 (the Y-axis direction in the drawing), but is not limited to this. For example, as shown in Fig. 8, the outflow section 15 of the feeder 12 can also be arranged in a plan view so that the longitudinal direction of the outflow section 15 is aligned with the direction perpendicular to the flow direction of the molten glass MG in the feeder 12 (the X-axis direction in the drawing). The directions in which the bushing 13 and the downstream flow path section 14 are arranged can be changed in accordance with the arrangement of the outflow section 15. [Explanation of symbols]

[0064] 11...Glass fiber manufacturing equipment 12...Feeder 13...Bushing 14...Downstream flow path section 15...Outlet 16…Fireproof wall 16a...Divided part 17...Flow path 18…Downstream fireproof wall 18a...Downstream division part 19...Downstream flow path B…Fireproof material B1...First fire-resistant member B2…Second fireproof member C: Downstream fireproof member F1,F2…Frame part GF: Glass filament MG: Molten glass N...Nozzle W1…Bottom wall W2: Side wall θ1, θ2…Angle

Claims

1. a feeder for distributing molten glass; a bushing disposed below the feeder and having a plurality of nozzles through which the molten glass flows, The feeder has a bottom wall and a pair of side walls provided on both sides of the bottom wall, the bottom wall of the feeder is provided with an outflow portion through which the molten glass flows downward; The outflow portion has a fire-resistant wall and a flow path surrounded by the fire-resistant wall, The fire-resistant wall has a dividing portion that divides the fire-resistant wall into a plurality of fire-resistant members in a plan view, The refractory members of the refractory wall include a pair of first refractory members; a second refractory member disposed between the pair of first refractory members, The second refractory member is disposed between a pair of adjacent divided portions so as to become closer to each other downwards in a side view.

2. 2. The glass fiber manufacturing device according to claim 1, wherein the refractory wall has a peripheral edge formed of a plurality of frame portions including linear portions in a plan view.

3. The glass fiber manufacturing device according to claim 2 , wherein at least one of the plurality of frame portions has a pair of adjacent divided portions that are closer to each other as they extend inward in a plan view.

4. 4. The glass fiber manufacturing device according to claim 2, wherein at least one of the plurality of frame portions has a pair of adjacent dividing portions that are closer to each other downward in a side view.

5. The pair of divided portions each have a shape extending linearly, 5. The glass fiber manufacturing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the angle formed by the pair of dividing portions is within a range of 5 degrees or more and 90 degrees or less.

6. The glass fiber manufacturing device according to claim 2 , wherein each of the plurality of frame portions has one or more dividing portions.

7. 7. The glass fiber manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an upper surface of the second refractory member protrudes higher than upper surfaces of the pair of first refractory members.

8. a downstream flow path portion for supplying the molten glass from the feeder to the bushing, the downstream flow path portion includes a downstream fire-resistant wall and a downstream flow path surrounded by the downstream fire-resistant wall, 8. The glass fiber manufacturing device according to claim 1, wherein the downstream refractory wall has a downstream dividing portion that divides the downstream refractory wall into a plurality of downstream refractory members in a plan view.

9. A glass fiber manufacturing method including a molding step of molding a plurality of glass filaments using a glass fiber manufacturing apparatus, The glass fiber manufacturing apparatus includes: a feeder for circulating molten glass; a bushing disposed below the feeder and having a plurality of nozzles through which the molten glass flows; The feeder has a bottom wall and a pair of side walls provided on both sides of the bottom wall, the bottom wall of the feeder is provided with an outflow portion through which the molten glass flows downward; The outflow portion has a fire-resistant wall and a flow path surrounded by the fire-resistant wall, The fire-resistant wall has a dividing portion that divides the fire-resistant wall into a plurality of fire-resistant members in a plan view, The refractory members of the refractory wall include a pair of first refractory members; a second refractory member disposed between the pair of first refractory members, The second refractory member is disposed between a pair of adjacent divided portions so as to become closer to each other downwards in a side view.

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