Method for manufacturing glass panel unit, and clip

Abstract

Provided is a method for manufacturing a glass panel unit, the method making it possible to suppress problems such as positional deviation of a clip with respect to an assembly or falling of a clip from the assembly when the clip is installed on the assembly, which is an intermediate product. According to the manufacturing method, an assembly 100 is prepared. The outer peripheral edge of the assembly 100 is clipped by a plurality of clips 1, whereby the clips 1 are installed. The assembly 100 in the installed state where the clips 1 are installed is conveyed by a conveying machine 3. A first glass plate 200 and a second glass plate 300 are joined by means of a peripheral wall 410. In the installed state, a first member 4A of the clips 1 is in contact with a first outer surface 2A of the first glass plate 200, and a second member 4B thereof is in contact with a second outer surface 2B of the second glass plate 300. The second member 4B has a contact part 6B, a base part 7B, and a connection part 8B. In the installed state, the connection part 8B is not positioned lower than the contact part 6B, and a downward-facing surface 71B of the base part 7B is positioned higher than the second outer surface 2B.

Description

Glass panel unit manufacturing method and clip

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a method for manufacturing a glass panel unit and a clip. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to a method for manufacturing a glass panel unit including two glass panels and a peripheral wall interposed between the glass panels, and a clip that can be applied to the method.

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a method for manufacturing a glass panel unit, which includes the following assembly process, setting process, distinguishing process, and installation process. The assembly process is a process for preparing an assembly. The setting process is a process for setting a plurality of holder installation areas along the outer peripheral edge of the peripheral wall. The distinguishing process is a process for distinguishing between a first area where the slit and the peripheral wall are not adjacent and a second area where the slit and the peripheral wall are adjacent. The installation process is a process for installing a holder in the first area, without installing a holder in the second area. Clips are disclosed as the holders.

[0003] International Publication No. 2019 / 239846

[0004] When manufacturing glass panel units, if clips are attached to an intermediate assembly product and the assembly is then transported, the clips may collide with the transport machine, causing the clips to shift or come off, resulting in insufficient pressure on the glass panel and causing minor vacuum leaks or other problems.

[0005] The object of the present disclosure is to provide a method for manufacturing a glass panel unit that can suppress defects such as clip misalignment relative to the assembly or clip falling off from the assembly, and a clip that can be preferably applied to this manufacturing method.

[0006] A method for manufacturing a glass panel unit according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes preparing an assembly including a first glass plate, a second glass plate facing the first glass plate, and a peripheral wall formed of a sealing material arranged in a frame shape between the first glass plate and the second glass plate, the first glass plate having a first outer surface opposite to the second glass plate, and the second glass plate having a second outer surface opposite to the first glass plate. The manufacturing method also includes installing a plurality of clips on an outer periphery of the assembly so that each of the clips clamps the assembly. The manufacturing method also includes transporting the assembly with a conveyor in an installed state in which each of the clips is installed on the assembly. The manufacturing method also includes joining the first glass plate and the second glass plate at the peripheral wall. The conveyor transports the assembly along the second outer surface with the assembly placed on the conveyor so that the second outer surface of the assembly faces downward. Each of the clips includes a first member, a second member, and an elastic mechanism. In the installed state, the assembly is sandwiched between the first member and the second member with the first member contacting the first outer surface and the second member contacting the second outer surface. The elastic mechanism applies an elastic force to the first member and the second member to sandwich the assembly. The second member has a contact portion, at least a portion of which contacts the second outer surface in the installed state, a base connected to the elastic mechanism, and a connecting portion interposed between the contact portion and the base to connect the contact portion and the base. In the installed state, when the second outer surface is horizontal and facing downward, the connecting portion is not located below the contact portion, and the downward-facing surface of the base is located above the second outer surface.

[0007] A clip according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a clip that is installed on an object by clamping the object. The clip includes a first member, a second member, and an elastic mechanism. In an installed state where the clip is installed on the object, the object is clamped between the first member and the second member. The elastic mechanism applies an elastic force to the first member and the second member to clamp the object. The second member has a contact portion, at least a portion of which contacts the object in the installed state, a base portion connected to the elastic mechanism, and a connecting portion interposed between the contact portion and the base and connecting the contact portion to the base. When a contact surface of the contact portion that contacts the object in the installed state is horizontal and faces upward, the connecting portion is not located below the contact portion, and the downward-facing surface of the base is located above the contact surface of the contact portion.

[0008] FIG. 1 is a plan view of a first member of a clip according to one embodiment. FIG. 2 is a side view of the first member of the clip according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a plan view of a second member of the clip according to the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a side view of the second member of the clip according to the embodiment. FIG. 5 is a side view of an attached state of the clip according to the embodiment. FIG. 6 is a plan view of an assembled glass panel unit according to the embodiment. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A in FIG. 6. FIG. 8 is a plan view of a glass panel unit in progress according to the embodiment. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B in FIG. 8. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of an assembly process in a manufacturing method of a glass panel unit according to the embodiment. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of a setting process and a distinguishing process in the manufacturing method. FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram of an attachment process and a conveying process in the manufacturing method. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of a removal process in the manufacturing method. FIG. 14 is a side view of a clip according to a modified example. FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a clip according to a modified example.

[0009] The following embodiments and modifications will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the following embodiments and modifications are merely a portion of various embodiments of the present disclosure. Furthermore, the following embodiments and modifications can be modified in various ways depending on the design, etc., as long as the object of the present disclosure can be achieved. Furthermore, the configurations of the modifications can be combined as appropriate.

[0010] The drawings referred to below are all schematic drawings, and the dimensional ratios of the components in the drawings do not necessarily reflect the actual dimensional ratios.

[0011] 1. Embodiment A manufacturing method (hereinafter simply referred to as a manufacturing method) for a glass panel unit 10 according to an embodiment includes preparing an assembly 100 (hereinafter also referred to as an assembly process). The assembly 100 includes a first glass plate 200, a second glass plate 300 facing the first glass plate 200, and a peripheral wall 410 formed of a sealing material arranged in a frame shape between the first glass plate 200 and the second glass plate 300. The first glass plate 200 has a first outer surface 2A opposite to the second glass plate 300 side, and the second glass plate 300 has a second outer surface 2B opposite to the first glass plate 200.

[0012] The manufacturing method of the embodiment also includes placing a plurality of clips 1 on the outer periphery of the assembly 100 so that each clip 1 clamps the assembly 100 (hereinafter also referred to as the placing process) (see Figure 12).

[0013] The manufacturing method of the embodiment also includes transporting the assembly 100 with a transport machine 3 in an installed state in which each clip 1 is installed on the assembly 100 (hereinafter also referred to as the transport process) (see Figure 12).

[0014] The manufacturing method of the glass panel unit 10 also includes joining the first glass plate 200 and the second glass plate 300 at the peripheral wall 410 (hereinafter also referred to as a joining step).

[0015] In the conveying process, the conveying machine 3 conveys the assembly 100 along the second outer surface 2B with the assembly 100 placed on the conveying machine 3 so that the second outer surface 2B of the assembly 100 faces downward.

[0016] Each clip 1 includes a first member 4A, a second member 4B, and an elastic mechanism 5. In the installed state, the first member 4A contacts the first outer surface 2A, and the second member 4B contacts the second outer surface 2B, and the assembly 100 is sandwiched between the first member 4A and the second member 4B. The elastic mechanism 5 applies an elastic force to the first member 4A and the second member 4B to sandwich the assembly 100. The second member 4B has a contact portion 6B, at least a portion of which contacts the second outer surface 2B in the installed state, a base portion 7B connected to the elastic mechanism 5, and a connecting portion 8B interposed between the contact portion 6B and the base 7B and connecting the contact portion 6B and the base 7B. In the installed state, when the second outer surface 2B is horizontal and faces downward, the connecting portion 8B is not positioned lower than the contact portion 6B, and the downward-facing surface of the base portion 7B is positioned higher than the second outer surface 2B.

[0017] According to the manufacturing method of the embodiment, by installing clip 1 on assembly 100, the relative positional relationship between first glass plate 200, second glass plate 300, and peripheral wall 410 is easily maintained, and therefore, misalignment is less likely to occur in the relative positional relationship between the components that make up glass panel unit 10. Furthermore, when assembly 100 is placed on conveyor 3 for transport with clip 1 installed on assembly 100, clip 1 is less likely to protrude toward conveyor 3, so that assembly 100 can be stably placed on conveyor 3 and is less likely to receive impact from conveyor 3. Therefore, problems such as misalignment of clip 1 with respect to assembly 100 or detachment of clip 1 from assembly 100 can be suppressed.

[0018] If the clip 1 becomes misaligned with respect to the assembly 100 or falls off from the assembly 100, this may cause defects in the glass panel unit 10. For example, there is a possibility that the relative positions of the first glass plate 200, the second glass plate 300, and the peripheral wall 410 may be misaligned, which may result in an uneven distribution of force applied by the clip 1 to the first glass plate 200 and the second glass plate 300. This may result in a deterioration in the positional accuracy of the first glass plate 200, the second glass plate 300, and the peripheral wall 410 in the glass panel unit 10. Furthermore, if the peripheral wall 410 melts and then solidifies without sufficient adhesion between the first glass plate 200 or the second glass plate 300, the peripheral wall 410 may not sufficiently seal the space between the first glass plate 200 and the second glass plate 300, and the internal space 500, described below, may not be maintained at a vacuum or reduced pressure.

[0019] However, in the manufacturing method of the embodiment, defects such as misalignment of the clip 1 relative to the assembly 100 or detachment of the clip 1 from the assembly 100 can be suppressed, and therefore, defects in the glass panel unit 10 can be suppressed.

[0020] The manufacturing method of the embodiment will be described in more detail.

[0021] First, the structure of the clip 1 will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 5. The clip 1 is a member that clamps an object 120, and the object 120 in this embodiment is an assembly 100.

[0022] As described above, the clip 1 comprises a first member 4A, a second member 4B, and an elastic mechanism 5, and when the clip 1 is installed on the object 120, the object 120 is sandwiched between the first member 4A and the second member 4B.

[0023] In the following description of the clip 1, the side of the first member 4A relative to the second member 4B is defined as the top, and the side of the second member 4B relative to the first member 4A is defined as the bottom. Furthermore, in the installed state, the side of the object 120 relative to the position of the elastic mechanism 5 is defined as the front, and the side of the elastic mechanism 5 relative to the position of the object 120 is defined as the rear. Furthermore, the left and right as seen by the observer when it is assumed that the up and down, front and back, and top and bottom in the description of the clip 1 coincide with the up and down, front and back, and bottom in the description of the clip 1 above are defined as the left and right in the description of the clip 1. Note that these definitions of up and down, front and back, left and right are merely for convenience and do not define the posture, etc., of the clip 1 when it is used.

[0024] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the first member 4A has a base portion 7A connected to the elastic mechanism 5 and an action portion 9A located in front of the base portion 7A.

[0025] The base portion 7A is in the form of a flat plate having a thickness in the vertical direction.

[0026] The first member 4A also has two connection portions 21A extending downward from the left and right edges of the base portion 7A. The base portion 7A is connected to the elastic mechanism 5 via the connection portions 21A. Each of the connection portions 21A has a support hole 22A penetrating in the left-right direction. The two connection portions 21A face each other in the left-right direction, and the two support holes 22A also face each other in the left-right direction. As will be described later, the support holes 22A support the elastic mechanism 5.

[0027] The base 7A has an operating portion 72A behind the position of the support hole 22A, that is, on the opposite side of the acting portion 9A with respect to the position of the elastic mechanism 5.

[0028] The action portion 9A has a first portion 91A extending forward from the front end of the base portion 7A, a second portion 92A extending from the front end of the first portion 91A diagonally downward and forward relative to the first portion 91A, and a third portion 93A extending from the front end of the second portion 92A diagonally upward and forward relative to the second portion 92A. Each of the first portion 91A, the second portion 92A, and the third portion 93A is flat. An angular portion connecting the second portion 92A and the third portion 93A is referred to as a contact portion 6A.

[0029] When viewed from above the first member 4A, the action portion 9A includes a central piece 94A and two side pieces 95A connected to the left and right side edges of the front end portion of the central piece 94A. The side piece 95A connected to the left edge of the central piece 94A extends leftward from the central piece 94A, while the side piece 95A connected to the right edge of the central piece 94A extends rightward from the central piece 94A. Each side piece 95A includes a portion of the second portion 92A, a portion of the third portion 93A, and a portion of the contact portion 6A and has a V-shaped bent shape. Each side piece 95A has a through-hole 96A in a portion that forms part of the third portion 93A.

[0030] 3 and 4 , the second member 4B has a base 7B connected to the elastic mechanism 5 and an action portion 9B located forward of the base 7B. The second member 4B is rotatable relative to the first member 4A. However, the structure of the second member 4B will be described below based on the assumption that the base 7A of the first member 4A and the base 7B of the second member 4B are arranged parallel to each other and that the contact portion 6A of the first member 4A is spaced apart from the contact portion 6B of the second member 4B. When no external force is applied to the first member 4A and the second member 4B, the base 7B of the second member 4B is inclined downward toward the front end, and the contact portion 6B of the second member 4B is in contact with or close to the contact portion 6A of the first member 4A.

[0031] The base portion 7B is in the form of a flat plate having a thickness in the vertical direction.

[0032] The second member 4B also has two connection portions 21B extending upward from the left and right edges of the base portion 7B. The base portion 7B is connected to the elastic mechanism 5 via the connection portions 21B. Each of the connection portions 21B has a support hole 22B penetrating in the left-right direction. The two connection portions 21B face each other in the left-right direction, and the two support holes 22B also face each other in the left-right direction. As will be described later, the support holes 22B support the elastic mechanism 5.

[0033] The base 7B has an operating portion 72B behind the position of the support hole 22B, that is, on the opposite side of the acting portion 9B with respect to the position of the elastic mechanism 5.

[0034] The action portion 9B has a contact portion 6B and a connecting portion 8B that is interposed between the rear end of the contact portion 6B and the front end of the base portion 7B and connects the rear end of the contact portion 6B and the front end of the base portion 7B.

[0035] The contact portion 6B is flat and has a thickness in the vertical direction. The upward-facing surface of the contact portion 6B (the surface facing the target 120 in the installed state) includes a flat contact surface 62B and a recessed surface 63B located on the connecting portion 8B side of the contact surface 62B. The recessed surface 63B is recessed more than the contact surface 62B, forming a recessed portion that opens upward in the contact portion 6B. The recessed surface 63B extends from the left end to the right end of the action portion 9B. As described below, the recessed surface 63B can prevent contact between the outer peripheral edge of the target 120 (assembly 100) and the first member 4A in the installed state. The depth of the recessed portion formed by the recessed surface 63B is preferably 0.2 mm or more, and more preferably 0.3 mm or more. The depth of the recessed portion is, for example, less than half the thickness of the contact portion 6B.

[0036] The thickness of the contact portion 6B is preferably as thin as possible within a range that maintains the strength of the contact portion 6B. For example, the thickness S2 of the contact portion 6B is 1 mm or more and 3 mm or less. This thickness is more preferably 1.3 mm or more. This thickness is more preferably 2 mm or less, and even more preferably 1.5 mm or less.

[0037] It is preferable that the downward-facing surface 64B of the contact portion 6B (the surface facing away from the target object 120 in the installed state) is flat all over.

[0038] When contact surface 62B of contact portion 6B (i.e., the surface that comes into contact with object 120 in the installed state) is horizontal and faces upward, connecting portion 8B is not located below contact portion 6B, and downward-facing surface 71B of base portion 7B is located above contact surface 62B of contact portion 6B. Specifically, when contact surface 62B is horizontal and faces upward, base 7B is located above contact portion 6B, and surface 71B of base portion 7B is located above contact surface 62B of contact portion 6B. Because connecting portion 8B has a shape that points upward from the rear end of contact portion 6B to the front end of base 7B, connecting portion 8B connects contact portion 6B and base portion 7B, which are located at different positions in the up-down direction, and connecting portion 8B is not located below contact portion 6B.

[0039] The positional relationship between the contact portion 6B, the connecting portion 8B, and the base portion 7B as described above makes it difficult for the clip 1 to receive an impact when the object 120 (assembly 100) is transported, as will be described later. The vertical dimension S1 between the contact surface 62B of the contact portion 6B and the downward-facing surface 71B of the base portion 7B is greater than 0 mm, preferably 1 mm or greater, and more preferably 2 mm or greater. Furthermore, this vertical dimension is, for example, equal to or less than the thickness of the object 120.

[0040] The outer peripheral edge of the surface of the contact portion 6B that faces the object 120 in the installed state is preferably chamfered. That is, the edge preferably has a flat surface with chamfered corners called a C-surface or a rounded surface with chamfered corners called an R-surface. The surface that faces the object 120 in the installed state is, for example, the contact surface 62B of the contact portion 6B, or the contact surface 62B and the recessed surface 63B.

[0041] The outer peripheral edge of the surface of the contact portion 6B opposite to the surface facing the target object 120 in the installed state is preferably chamfered. That is, the edge preferably has a flat surface with chamfered corners called a C-surface or a rounded surface with chamfered corners called an R-surface. The surface opposite to the surface facing the target object 120 in the installed state is, for example, the surface opposite to the contact surface 62B of the contact portion 6B, or the surface opposite to the surface opposite to the contact surface 62B and the recessed surface 63B.

[0042] Each of the first member 4A and the second member 4B is fabricated by processing a metal plate material, for example.

[0043] The first member 4A and the second member 4B are combined so that the acting portion 9A of the first member 4A and the acting portion 9B of the second member 4B face each other vertically, the right-side connecting portion 21A of the first member 4A overlaps with the right-side connecting portion 21B of the second member 4B, and the left-side connecting portion 21A of the first member 4A overlaps with the left-side connecting portion 21B of the second member 4B.

[0044] As shown in FIG. 5 , the elastic mechanism 5 includes a shaft center 51 and a torsion coil spring wound around the shaft center 51. The shaft center 51 is cylindrical and has a length in the left-right direction. The left end of the shaft center 51 passes through the support holes 22A of the left connecting portion 21B of the first member 4A and the support holes 22B of the left connecting portion 21B of the second member 4B, while the right end of the shaft center 51 passes through the support holes 22A of the right connecting portion 21A of the first member 4A and the support holes 22B of the right connecting portion 21B of the second member 4B. This allows the first member 4A to rotate around the shaft center 51 relative to the second member 4B. The torsion coil spring applies an elastic force to the first member 4A and the second member 4B to clamp the assembly 100. That is, the torsion coil spring applies an elastic force to the first member 4A and the second member 4B so that the first member 4A rotates relative to the second member 4B and the action portion 9A of the first member 4A and the action portion 9B of the second member 4B move closer to each other.

[0045] When the clip 1 is not in an installed state and no external force is being applied to the clip 1, the elastic mechanism 5 applies an elastic force to the first member 4A and the second member 4B, causing the contact portion 6A of the first member 4A and the contact portion 6B of the second member 4B to come into contact with or come close to each other.

[0046] When using the clip 1, a user pinches the two operating portions 72A, 72B of the clip 1 with their fingers, for example, and applies force to move the two operating portions 72A, 72B toward each other. This force causes the first member 4A to rotate relative to the second member 4B against the elastic force applied by the elastic mechanism 5, causing the action portion 9A of the first member 4A to move away from the action portion 9B of the second member 4B, creating a gap between the contact portion 6A of the first member 4A and the contact portion 6B of the second member 4B. In this state, the outer periphery of the object 120 (assembly 100) is positioned between the action portion 9A of the first member 4A and the action portion 9B of the second member 4B. When the user releases the force applied to the operating portions 72A, 72B in this state, the first member 4A rotates relative to the second member 4B due to the elastic force applied by the elastic mechanism 5, causing the action portion 9A of the first member 4A to move toward the action portion 9B of the second member 4B. As a result, the contact portion 6A of the first member 4A and the contact portion 6B of the second member 4B come into contact with the object 120 (assembly 100), and the object 120 (assembly 100) is sandwiched between the contact portion 6A of the first member 4A and the contact portion 6B of the second member 4B. This places the clip 1 on the object 120, i.e., the installation state is realized (see FIG. 5).

[0047] In the installed state, the contact portion 6A of the first member 4A is preferably positioned forward of the edge of the outer periphery of the object 120 (assembly 100). That is, the edge of the object 120 (assembly 100) and the contact portion 6A are spaced apart in the front-to-rear direction. This leaves a gap in the vertical direction between the portion of the action portion 9A of the first member 4A that is rearward of the contact portion 6A (i.e., the second portion 92A and the first portion 91A) and the object 120 (assembly 100), and the first member 4A does not contact the edge.

[0048] In addition, in the installed state, the contact surface 62B of the contact portion 6B of the second member 4B is preferably positioned forward of the edge of the outer periphery of the object 120 (assembly 100) and is in contact with the object 120 (assembly 100). In other words, the edge of the object 120 (assembly 100) and the contact surface 62B are spaced apart in the front-to-rear direction. The recessed surface 63B of the contact portion 6B faces the edge. This prevents the second member 4B from contacting the edge.

[0049] In the installed state, the base 7B of the second member 4B is positioned above the downward-facing surface of the object 120 (assembly 100). Therefore, the base 7B does not protrude downward from the object 120 (assembly 100), and therefore, when the object 120 (assembly 100) is placed on the conveyor 3 as described below, the base 7B is unlikely to come into contact with the conveyor 3. Furthermore, since the connecting portion 8B does not protrude downward from the contact portion 6B, the connecting portion 8B is unlikely to come into contact with the conveyor 3 when the object 120 (assembly 100) is placed on the conveyor 3. Therefore, the object 120 (assembly 100) is likely to be stably placed on the conveyor 3, and the conveyor 3 is unlikely to apply an impact to the base 7B and the connecting portion 8B. This can prevent problems such as misalignment of the clip 1 with respect to the object 120 (assembly 100) and detachment of the clip 1 from the object 120 (assembly 100).

[0050] Furthermore, the downward-facing surface of the contact portion 6B of the second member 4B, i.e., the surface facing away from the target object 120 (assembly 100), is a flat surface that conforms to the downward-facing surface of the target object 120 (assembly 100). This makes it easier for the target object 120 (assembly 100) to be more stably placed on the conveyor 3, and also makes it less likely for the conveyor 3 to apply an impact to the contact portion 6B. This further reduces problems such as misalignment and detachment of the clip 1.

[0051] Furthermore, in the installed state as described above, if the first member 4A does not contact the edge and the second member 4B does not contact the edge, the clip 1 can be prevented from contacting the edge of the outer periphery of the object 120 (assembly 100). In this case, the transmission of impact from the clip 1 to the easily breakable edge of the object 120 (assembly 100) is suppressed, and damage to the object 120 (assembly 100) can be suppressed.

[0052] Furthermore, if the outer peripheral edge of the surface of the contact portion 6B of the second member 4B that faces the object 120 in the installed state is chamfered, damage to the object 120 by the edge of the contact portion 6B can be prevented, for example, if an impact is applied to the clip 1 in the installed state.

[0053] As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 5, the clip 1 may include a buffer material 23 covering the contact portion 6A of the first member 4A. The buffer material 23 is, for example, a ring-shaped resin sheet. The buffer material 23 is attached to each of two side pieces 95A of the action portion 9A of the first member 4A. The buffer material 23 is attached to each side piece 95A so as to surround the side piece 95A, thereby covering the contact portion 6A with the buffer material 23. Attaching a fastener 97, such as a screw, to the side piece 95A so that the fastener 97 passes through the buffer material 23 and the through-hole 96A of the side piece 95A can prevent the buffer material 23 from falling off the side piece 95A.

[0054] Because the contact portion 6A of the first member 4A is angular, the pressure that the contact portion 6A of the first member 4A applies to the object 120 (assembly 100) may be greater than the pressure that the contact portion 6B of the second member 4B applies to the object 120 (assembly 100). However, when the contact portion 6A of the first member 4A is covered with a buffer material 23, the contact portion 6A comes into contact with the object 120 (assembly 100) via the buffer material 23. Therefore, damage to the object 120 (assembly 100) caused by the pressure that the contact portion 6A of the first member 4A applies to the object 120 (assembly 100) can be suppressed.

[0055] An example of a method for manufacturing the glass panel unit 10 using the clip 1 will now be described.

[0056] 6 and 7 show an assembly 100 of this embodiment. The assembly 100 is used to manufacture one or more glass panel units 10 (in this embodiment, glass panel units 10A to 10F shown in FIG. 14).

[0057] The assembly 100 includes a first glass plate 200, a second glass plate 300, a peripheral wall 410, an internal space 500, partitions 420 (partitions 420a to 420j), an exhaust port 700, and an air passage 600. The second glass plate 300 faces the first glass plate 200. The peripheral wall 410 is located between the first glass plate 200 and the second glass plate 300. The peripheral wall 410 is frame-shaped. The internal space 500 is surrounded by the first glass plate 200, the second glass plate 300, and the peripheral wall 410. The partition 420 divides the internal space 500 into a first space 510 (first spaces 510a to 510f) and a second space 520 (second spaces 520a and 520b). The exhaust port 700 connects the second space 520 with the external space. The ventilation path 600 is for exhausting air from the first space 510 through the exhaust port 700. The ventilation path 600 has a slit 610. The slit 610 is in contact with the inner peripheral edge of the peripheral wall 410 and is located between the peripheral wall 410 and the partition 420.

[0058] In this assembly 100, the second space 520b can be used as part of the exhaust path when exhausting the first space 510c through the exhaust port 700. Therefore, exhaust can be performed efficiently.

[0059] The assembly 100 according to this embodiment will be described in detail below. The assembly 100 is used to manufacture a plurality of glass panel units 10. For example, the assembly 100 is used to manufacture six glass panel units 10A to 10F as shown in FIG. 14 .

[0060] The glass panel units 10 (10A-10F) are vacuum insulated glass units. A vacuum insulated glass unit is a type of multi-glazing panel that includes at least one pair of glass panels, with a vacuum space between the pair of glass panels. As shown in FIG. 14 , each of the glass panel units 10A-10F includes a pair of glass panels (first and second glass panels) 20, 30 and a frame 40. Each of the glass panel units 10A-10F also includes a space (vacuum space) 50 (50a-50f (see FIG. 8)) surrounded by the first glass panel 20, the second glass panel 30, and the frame 40. Furthermore, each of the glass panel units 10A-10F includes a gas adsorbent 60 and a plurality of pillars (spacers) 70 within the vacuum space 50. As is clear from FIG. 14 , the glass panel units 10A-10F are all rectangular in plan view, but their sizes and shapes are not necessarily the same.

[0061] The first glass panel 20 has the same shape as the second glass panel 30. Both the first glass panel 20 and the second glass panel 30 are rectangular flat plates. The first and second glass panels 20, 30 may be made of, for example, soda-lime glass, high-strain-point glass, chemically strengthened glass, alkali-free glass, quartz glass, Neoceram, or physically strengthened glass. A coating may be provided on the surface of at least one of the first and second glass panels 20, 30. An example of the coating is a transparent infrared-reflecting film. The coating is not limited to an infrared-reflecting film and may be a film having desired physical properties.

[0062] The frame body 40 is located between the first glass panel 20 and the second glass panel 30 and airtightly bonds the first glass panel 20 and the second glass panel 30 together. This forms a space surrounded by the first glass panel 20, the second glass panel 30, and the frame body 40. The space surrounded by the first glass panel 20, the second glass panel 30, and the frame body 40 serves as a vacuum space 50. The frame body 40 is formed of a thermal adhesive (sealing material). In other words, the frame body 40 is a hardened thermal adhesive. The thermal adhesive is, for example, glass frit. Examples of glass frit include low-melting-point glass frit. Examples of low-melting-point glass frit include bismuth-based glass frit, lead-based glass frit, and vanadium-based glass frit. The frame body 40 has a polygonal (quadrilateral in this embodiment) frame shape similar to the first and second glass panels 20, 30. The frame 40 is formed along the outer periphery of the first and second glass panels 20, 30. The thermal adhesive is not limited to glass frit, and may be, for example, a low-melting-point metal or a hot-melt adhesive.

[0063] The gas adsorbent 60 is disposed within the vacuum space 50. Specifically, the gas adsorbent 60 is a long, flat plate disposed on the second glass panel 30. The gas adsorbent 60 is used to adsorb unwanted gases (residual gases, etc.). The unwanted gases are, for example, gases released from the thermal adhesive forming the frame 40 when the thermal adhesive is heated. The gas adsorbent 60 includes a getter. The getter is a material that has the property of adsorbing molecules smaller than a predetermined size. The getter is, for example, an evaporative getter. The evaporative getter has the property of releasing adsorbed molecules when heated to a predetermined temperature (activation temperature) or higher. Therefore, even if the adsorption capacity of the evaporative getter decreases, the adsorption capacity of the evaporative getter can be restored by heating the evaporative getter to a temperature above the activation temperature. The evaporative getter is, for example, zeolite or ion-exchanged zeolite (e.g., copper ion-exchanged zeolite). The gas adsorbent 60 includes powder of this getter. Specifically, the gas adsorbent 60 is formed by applying and solidifying a liquid containing getter powder (for example, a dispersion obtained by dispersing getter powder in a liquid, or a solution obtained by dissolving getter powder in a liquid). In this case, the gas adsorbent 60 can be made small. Therefore, the gas adsorbent 60 can be placed even if the vacuum space 50 is narrow.

[0064] A plurality of pillars (spacers) 70 are disposed within the vacuum space 50. The plurality of pillars 70 are used to maintain a predetermined distance between the first glass panel 20 and the second glass panel 30. That is, the plurality of pillars 70 are used to maintain a desired distance between the first glass panel 20 and the second glass panel 30. The size of the pillars 70, the number of pillars 70, the spacing between the pillars 70, and the arrangement pattern of the pillars 70 can be selected as appropriate. Each pillar 70 is cylindrical and has a height approximately equal to the predetermined spacing. For example, the pillar 70 has a diameter of 1 mm and a height of 100 μm. Each pillar 70 may have any desired shape, such as a rectangular pillar or a sphere.

[0065] 6 and 7 , the assembly 100 includes a first glass plate 200, a second glass plate 300, a peripheral wall 410, an internal space 500, partitions 420 (420a to 420j), a plurality of ventilation paths 600, and an exhaust port 700. The assembly 100 also includes a plurality of gas adsorbents 60 and a plurality of pillars 70.

[0066] The first glass plate 200 (first glass substrate) is a base member of the first glass panel 20 and is made of the same material as the first glass panel 20. The second glass plate 300 (second glass substrate) is a base member of the second glass panel 30 and is made of the same material as the second glass panel 30. The first and second glass plates 200, 300 have the same shape. Both the first and second glass plates 200, 300 are polygonal (rectangular in this embodiment). In this embodiment, the first glass plate 200 has a size that allows the first glass panel 20 of the glass panel units 10A to 10F to be formed, and the second glass plate 300 has a size that allows the second glass panel 30 of the glass panel units 10A to 10F to be formed.

[0067] The peripheral wall 410 is interposed between the first glass plate 200 and the second glass plate 300. The peripheral wall 410 is a member that becomes the frame body 40 that bonds the first glass panel 20 and the second glass panel 30 in the glass panel units 10A to 10F. In the assembly 100, the peripheral wall 410 does not function to bond the first glass plate 200 and the second glass plate 300. The peripheral wall 410 is formed of a sealing material (first sealing material). The first sealing material includes, for example, a thermal adhesive. The thermal adhesive is, for example, glass frit. The glass frit is, for example, a low-melting-point glass frit. Examples of low-melting-point glass frit include bismuth-based glass frit, lead-based glass frit, and vanadium-based glass frit. The first sealing material also includes a core material. The core material is used to define the height of the frame body 40. The core material is, for example, spherical glass beads. The diameter of the glass beads is selected depending on the height of the frame 40. Such core material is dispersed in the thermal adhesive at a predetermined ratio. For example, glass beads with a diameter of 50 to 300 μm are contained in the thermal adhesive at 0.01 to 1 wt % (0.03 to 3% by volume).

[0068] The peripheral wall 410 is located between the first glass plate 200 and the second glass plate 300. As shown in FIG. 6 , the peripheral wall 410 is frame-shaped. In particular, the peripheral wall 410 is rectangular. The peripheral wall 410 is formed along the outer peripheries of the first and second glass plates 200, 300. The peripheral wall 410 has first to fourth sides 410a, 410b, 410c, and 410d. The first and second sides 410a, 410b extend along the width direction (vertical direction in FIG. 6 ) of the first and second glass plates 200, 300. The third and fourth sides 410c, 410d extend along the length direction (horizontal direction in FIG. 6 ) of the first and second glass plates 200, 300. The peripheral wall 410 serves to hermetically bond the first glass plate 200 and the second glass plate 300 together. As a result, in the assembly 100, an internal space 500 is formed that is surrounded by the peripheral wall 410, the first glass plate 200, and the second glass plate 300.

[0069] The partitions 420a to 420j are all formed of a sealing material (second sealing material). The second sealing material includes, for example, a thermal adhesive. The thermal adhesive is, for example, glass frit. The glass frit is, for example, a low-melting-point glass frit. Examples of low-melting-point glass frit include bismuth-based glass frit, lead-based glass frit, and vanadium-based glass frit. In this embodiment, the thermal adhesive for the partitions 420a to 420j is the same thermal adhesive as that for the peripheral wall 410. Therefore, the partitions 420a to 420j and the peripheral wall 410 have the same softening point. The second sealing material also includes the same core material as the first sealing material. In the second sealing material, the core material is also dispersed in the thermal adhesive at a predetermined ratio. As an example, glass beads with a diameter of 50 to 300 μm are contained in the thermal adhesive at 0.01 to 1 wt % (0.03 to 3% by volume).

[0070] The internal space 500 is a space surrounded by the first glass plate 200 , the second glass plate 300 , and the peripheral wall 410 .

[0071] The partitions 420a to 420j divide the internal space 500 into first spaces 510a to 510f and second spaces 520a and 520b. In the assembly 100, the first spaces 510a to 510f are spaces that will be evacuated later (exhaust spaces), and the second spaces 520a and 520b are spaces that will be used to evacuate the first space 510.

[0072] As shown in FIG. 6 , the partitions 420a to 420j are located within an area surrounded by the peripheral wall 410. The partitions 420a to 420j are all lower than the peripheral wall 410. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 7 , the peripheral wall 410 comes into contact with both the first and second glass plates 200, 300 before the partitions 420a to 420j do. In the example shown in FIG. 7 , the partitions 420a to 420j are formed on the second glass plate 300 and are therefore separated from the first glass plate 200. Therefore, even if at least one of the first and second glass plates 200, 300 is warped and the gap between the first glass plate 200 and the second glass plate 300 is narrower at the center than at the periphery, the partitions 420a to 420j are unlikely to come into contact with both the first and second glass plates 200, 300. This reduces the possibility that the partitions 420a to 420j will prevent the peripheral wall 410 from contacting both the first and second glass plates 200, 300. This reduces the occurrence of poor bonding between the first and second glass plates 200, 300. This, in turn, improves yield.

[0073] More specifically, the partitions 420b, 420c are elongated and extend along the width direction (vertical direction in FIG. 6 ) of the first and second glass plates 200, 300, and are aligned in a row at intervals along the width direction. The partitions 420b, 420c are located on the first end side (right side in FIG. 6 ) of the first and second glass plates 200, 300 in the length direction (horizontal direction in FIG. 6 ), and are spaced apart from the first side 410a of the peripheral wall 410.

[0074] The partitions 420e, 420f are elongated and extend along the width direction of the first and second glass plates 200, 300, and are aligned in a row at intervals along the width direction. The partitions 420e, 420f are located closer to the second ends of the first and second glass plates 200, 300 in the length direction (the left side in FIG. 6 ) than the partitions 420b, 420c. The partitions 420e, 420f face the partitions 420b, 420c in the length direction of the first and second glass plates 200, 300, respectively.

[0075] The partitions 420h, 420i are elongated and extend along the width direction of the first and second glass plates 200, 300, and are aligned in a row at intervals along the width direction. The partitions 420h, 420i are located closer to the second ends of the first and second glass plates 200, 300 in the length direction (the left side in FIG. 6 ) than the partitions 420e, 420f. The partitions 420h, 420i face the partitions 420e, 420f, respectively, in the length direction of the first and second glass plates 200, 300.

[0076] The partitions 420a, 420d, 420g, and 420j are elongated and extend along the length of the first and second glass plates 200 and 300, and are aligned in a row at intervals along the length. The first end (left end in FIG. 6 ) of the partition 420a is located between the partitions 420b and 420c, and the second end (left end in FIG. 6 ) of the partition 420a is adjacent to the first side 410a of the peripheral wall 410 across the air passage 600. The first end (right end in FIG. 6 ) of the partition 420d is located between the partitions 420b and 420c, and the second end (left end in FIG. 6 ) of the partition 420d is located between the partitions 420e and 420f. The partition 420g has a first end (the right end in FIG. 6) between the partitions 420e and 420f and a second end (the left end in FIG. 6) between the partitions 420h and 420i. The partition 420j has a first end (the right end in FIG. 6) between the partitions 420h and 420i and a second end (the left end in FIG. 6) adjacent to the second side 410b of the peripheral wall 410 with the air passage 600 interposed therebetween.

[0077] In the assembly 100, the first space 510a is a space surrounded by the second and third sides 410b, 410c of the peripheral wall 410 and the partitions 420h, 420i, and 420j. The first space 510b is a space surrounded by the third side 410c of the peripheral wall 410 and the partitions 420e, 420g, and 420h. The first space 510c is a space surrounded by the third side 410c of the peripheral wall 410 and the partitions 420b, 420d, and 420e. The first space 510d is a space surrounded by the second and fourth sides 410b, 410d of the peripheral wall 410 and the partitions 420i and 420j. The first space 510e is a space surrounded by the fourth side 410d of the peripheral wall 410 and the partitions 420f, 420e, and 420i. The first space 510f is a space surrounded by the fourth side 410d of the peripheral wall 410 and the partitions 420c, 420d, and 420f. The second space 520a is a space surrounded by the first and fourth sides 410a and 410d of the peripheral wall 410 and the partitions 420a and 420c. The second space 520b is a space surrounded by the first and third sides 410a and 410c of the peripheral wall 410 and the partitions 420a and 420b.

[0078] 6, the gas adsorbent 60 is disposed in each of the first spaces 510a to 510f, while the pillars 70 are disposed throughout the entire internal space 500 (each of the first spaces 510a to 510f and the second spaces 520a and 520b).

[0079] The multiple ventilation paths 600 are used to exhaust air from the first spaces (exhaust spaces) 510a-510f via the exhaust ports 700. The first spaces 510a-510f are connected (directly or indirectly) to the second spaces 520a and 520b via the multiple ventilation paths 600. In this embodiment, the partitions 420a-420j are arranged so as not to contact one another. Each gap between the partitions 420a-420j constitutes an ventilation path 600. Each ventilation path 600 is closed by melting and deforming the partitions 420a-420j. This airtightly separates at least the first spaces 510a-510f from one another and airtightly separates the first spaces 510a-510f from the second spaces 520a and 520b (see FIG. 8 ).

[0080] The exhaust port 700 connects the second spaces 520a and 520b with the external space. In particular, the exhaust port 700 is a hole connecting the second space 520a with the external space. The exhaust port 700 is used to exhaust the first spaces 510a to 510f using the second spaces 520a and 520b and the ventilation path 600. Therefore, the ventilation path 600, the second spaces 520a and 520b, and the exhaust port 700 form an exhaust path for exhausting the first spaces 510a to 510f. The exhaust port 700 is formed in the second glass plate 300 so as to connect the second space 520a with the external space. Specifically, the exhaust port 700 is located at a corner of the second glass plate 300.

[0081] In this embodiment, the second space 520a is a ventilation space directly connected to the exhaust port 700. The second space 520b is not directly connected to the exhaust port 700, but forms a connecting space connecting the first space 510c and the second space 520a.

[0082] The multiple ventilation paths 600 have multiple slits 610. The multiple slits 610 contact the inner peripheral edge of the peripheral wall 410 and are interposed between the peripheral wall 410 and the partitions 420a to 420j. The multiple slits 610 include multiple (two in this embodiment) first slits 610a connecting the first spaces 510c and 510f and the second spaces 520a and 520b. The multiple slits 610 also include second slits 610b connecting the second spaces 520a and 520b. Here, the width of the second slits 610b is greater than that of each of the first slits 610a. This allows the second spaces 520b to be used as part of the exhaust path when exhausting the first spaces 510a to 510f through the exhaust port 700. This allows for efficient exhaust. In particular, when the partitions 420a to 420j are deformed to close the ventilation passage 600 in the second melting step (partition forming step) described later, the possibility that the second slits 610b will close before the first slits 610a are all closed can be reduced. This reduces the possibility that the first space 510c will be separated from the second space 520a before the first space 510c is fully evacuated. This therefore improves the yield.

[0083] Next, a method for manufacturing the glass panel unit 10 (10A to 10F) using the assembly 100 will be described with reference to Figures 8 to 13. The method for manufacturing the glass panel unit 10 includes a preparation step and a removal step.

[0084] The preparation step is a step of preparing a work-in-progress (hereinafter also simply referred to as a "work-in-progress") 110 of the glass panel unit 10 shown in Figures 8 and 9. The work-in-progress 110 is formed from the assembly 100.

[0085] 8 and 9, the work-in-progress 110 includes a pair of glass plates (first and second glass plates) 200, 300, a peripheral wall 41, and partition walls 42a to 42d. The work-in-progress 110 also includes vacuum spaces 50a to 50f and second spaces 520a and 520b. Furthermore, the work-in-progress 110 includes a gas adsorbent 60 and a plurality of pillars (spacers) 70 within each of the vacuum spaces 50a to 50f. Furthermore, the work-in-progress 110 includes an exhaust port 700.

[0086] The peripheral wall 41 is located between the first and second glass plates 200, 300 and hermetically bonds the first and second glass plates 200, 300 together. The peripheral wall 41 is formed by melting the peripheral wall 410 of the assembly 100 and then solidifying it again. The peripheral wall 41 of the work-in-progress 110 is frame-shaped, similar to the peripheral wall 410 of the assembly 100. In particular, the peripheral wall 41 has first to fourth sides 41a, 41b, 41c, and 41d. The first and second sides 41a, 41b extend along the width direction of the first and second glass plates 200, 300 (the vertical direction in FIG. 8 ). The third and fourth sides 41c, 41d extend along the length direction of the first and second glass plates 200, 300 (the horizontal direction in FIG. 8 ).

[0087] The partition walls 42a to 42d spatially separate the vacuum spaces 50a to 50f and the second spaces 520a, 520b from each other. The partition walls 42a to 42d are formed from dividers 420a to 420j. More specifically, the partition wall 42a is linear and extends in the width direction of the first and second glass plates 200, 300, and integrally connects the third and fourth sides 41c, 41d of the peripheral wall 41. The partition wall 42b is linear and extends in the width direction of the first and second glass plates 200, 300, and integrally connects the third and fourth sides 41c, 41d of the peripheral wall 41. The partition wall 42b faces the partition wall 42a in the length direction of the first and second glass plates 200, 300. The partition wall 42c is linear and extends in the width direction of the first and second glass plates 200, 300, and integrally connects the third and fourth sides 41c, 41d of the peripheral wall 41. The partition wall 42c faces the partition wall 42b in the length direction of the first and second glass plates 200, 300. The partition wall 42d is linear and extends in the length direction of the first and second glass plates 200, 300, and integrally connects the first and second sides 41a, 41b of the peripheral wall 41. The partition wall 42d intersects with the partition walls 42a to 42c.

[0088] The partition wall 42a is formed by deforming the partitions 420a, 420b, 420c, and 420d. The partition wall 42b is formed by deforming the partitions 420d, 420e, 420f, and 420g. The partition wall 42c is formed by deforming the partitions 420g, 420h, 420i, and 420j. The partition wall 42d is formed by deforming the partitions 420a to 420j.

[0089] The vacuum spaces 50a-50f are formed by evacuating the first spaces 510a-510f through the second spaces 520a, 520b and the exhaust port 700. In other words, the vacuum spaces 50a-50f are the first spaces 510a-510f in which the degree of vacuum is equal to or less than a predetermined value. The predetermined value is, for example, 0.1 Pa. The vacuum spaces 50a-50f are completely sealed by the first glass plate 200, the second glass plate 300, the peripheral wall 41, and the partition walls 42a-42d, and are therefore separated from the second spaces 520a, 520b and the exhaust port 700.

[0090] In the work-in-progress 110, the vacuum space 50a (first space 510a) is a space surrounded by the second and third sides 41b, 41c of the peripheral wall 41 and the partition walls 42c, 42d. The vacuum space 50b (first space 510b) is a space surrounded by the third side 41c of the peripheral wall 41 and the partition walls 42b, 42c, 42d. The vacuum space 50c (first space 510c) is a space surrounded by the third side 41c of the peripheral wall 41 and the partition walls 42a, 42b, 42d. The vacuum space 50d (first space 510d) is a space surrounded by the second and fourth sides 41b, 41d of the peripheral wall 41 and the partition walls 42c, 42d. The vacuum space 50e (first space 510e) is a space surrounded by the fourth side 41d of the peripheral wall 41 and the partition walls 42b, 42c, and 42d. The vacuum space 50f (first space 510f) is a space surrounded by the fourth side 41d of the peripheral wall 410 and the partition walls 42a, 42b, and 42d.

[0091] In this manner, the peripheral wall 41 and the partition walls 42a to 42d integrally include a plurality of frame bodies 40 that respectively surround the vacuum spaces 50a to 50f (see, for example, FIG. 14). In other words, the portions of the peripheral wall 41 and the partition walls 42a to 42d that surround each of the vacuum spaces 50a to 50f constitute the frame bodies 40.

[0092] The preparation process is a process for preparing the work-in-progress 110 described above, and includes an assembly process, a setting process, a distinction process, an installation process, a first melting process (joining process), an exhaust process, and a second melting process (partition forming process).

[0093] As described above, the assembly process is a process for preparing the assembly 100. That is, in the assembly process, for example, as shown in Fig. 10 , the peripheral wall 410, partitions 420a to 420j, internal space 500, ventilation channel 600, exhaust port 700, a plurality of gas adsorbents 60, and a plurality of pillars 70 are formed on the second glass plate 300. Thereafter, the first glass plate 200 is placed so as to face the second glass plate 300, and the first glass plate 200 is brought into contact with the peripheral wall 410. In this way, the assembly 100 shown in Fig. 6 is formed.

[0094] The peripheral wall 410 is formed by applying the material (first sealing material) to one of the first and second glass plates 200, 300 using an arbitrary application device such as a dispenser.

[0095] Each of the partitions 420a to 420j is formed by applying the material (second sealing material) to one of the first and second glass plates 200, 300 using an arbitrary application device such as a dispenser.

[0096] During the assembly process, a step of forming the exhaust port 700 (exhaust port forming step) may be performed. The exhaust port 700 is formed, for example, in the first glass plate 200. After the exhaust port forming step, the first and second glass plates 200, 300 are cleaned as necessary. The exhaust port forming step may also be performed before the peripheral wall 410 and the partitions 420a to 420j are formed.

[0097] In the assembly process, the plurality of pillars 70 are prepared in advance. Then, the plurality of pillars 70 are placed in predetermined positions on the second glass plate 300 using a chip mounter or the like. Here, the pillars 70 are set lower than the partitions 420a to 420j. The plurality of pillars 70 may be formed using photolithography and etching techniques. In this case, the plurality of pillars 70 are formed using a photocurable material or the like. Alternatively, the plurality of pillars 70 may be formed using a well-known thin film formation technique.

[0098] The gas adsorbent 60 is formed by applying a solution in which getter powder is dispersed to a predetermined position on the second glass plate 300 using a dispenser or the like, and then drying the solution.

[0099] The assembly process described above results in the assembly 100. After the assembly process, a setting process, a separating process, an installation process, a first melting process (joining process), an exhaust process, and a second melting process (partition forming process) are performed.

[0100] The setting process is a process of setting a plurality of clip 1 installation areas 61 along the outer peripheral edge of the peripheral wall 410. In the example of FIG. 11 , the clip 1 installation areas 61 are set in 22 locations. The clip 1 installation areas 61 are areas that are set before the setting process, regardless of the slits 610. As shown in FIG. 11 , the clip 1 installation areas 61 are spaced at equal intervals along one side of the peripheral wall 410. In this case, the positions of the clip 1 installation areas 61 can be set efficiently. The plurality of clip 1 installation areas 61 are set on the outer surface of one of the first and second glass plates 200, 300 using a jig or the like that determines the position of each clip 1 installation area 61.

[0101] More specifically, on the first side 410a, the plurality of clip 1 installation areas 61 are set at equal intervals (first predetermined intervals) d1. On the second side 410b, the plurality of clip 1 installation areas 61 are set at equal intervals (second predetermined intervals) d2. On the third side 410c, the plurality of clip 1 installation areas 61 are set at equal intervals (third predetermined intervals) d3. On the fourth side 410d, the plurality of clip 1 installation areas 61 are set at equal intervals (fourth predetermined intervals) d4. In this case, as long as the plurality of clip 1 installation areas 61 are set at equal intervals on each of the first side 410a to the fourth side 410d, the first predetermined intervals d1 to d4 may be the same or different.

[0102] After the setting step, a distinguishing step is performed.

[0103] The distinguishing step is a step of distinguishing the multiple clip 1 installation regions 61 into first regions 611 and second regions 612 (see FIGS. 11 and 12 ). The second regions 612 are regions where the slits 610 and the partitions 420 are adjacent to each other. The first regions 611 are regions where the slits 610 and the partitions 420 are not adjacent to each other. There are multiple such first regions 611 (16 in the example of FIG. 11 ) along the outer periphery of the peripheral wall 410. More specifically, the first regions 611 are regions where the pillars 70 or the gas adsorbent 60 are adjacent to the peripheral wall 410. In this case, the region where the pillars 70 or the gas adsorbent 60 are adjacent to the peripheral wall 410 and where the peripheral wall 410 and the slits 610 are adjacent to each other is referred to as the second region 612. After the distinguishing step, the installation step is performed.

[0104] In this embodiment, in the installation step, the clip 162 is installed in the first region 611, not in the second region 612. By not installing the holder 62 in the second region 612, it is possible to make it difficult for the slit 610 to become smaller during the installation step or in a subsequent step. Therefore, exhaust can be performed efficiently during the exhaust step.

[0105] When the clips 162 are installed in the first regions 611, the clips 162 may be installed in the entire first regions 611. Furthermore, the first regions 611 may include first regions where the clips 162 are installed and first regions where the clips 162 are not installed.

[0106] The method of installing the clip 1 on the assembly 100 is as described above for installing the clip 1 on the object 120 and as shown in FIG. 5 . When installing the clip 1 on the assembly 100, as shown in FIG. 12 , the assembly 100 is sandwiched between the first member 4A and the second member 4B so that the first member 4A of the clip 1 contacts the first outer surface 2A of the first glass plate 200 and the second member 4B of the clip 1 contacts the second outer surface 2B of the second glass plate 300. In the installed state, when the second outer surface 2B is horizontal and facing downward, the connecting portion 8B is not located below the contact portion 6B of the second member 4B, and the downward-facing surface of the base 7B of the second member 4B is located above the second outer surface 2B. Furthermore, the surface of the contact portion 6B of the second member 4B facing away from the assembly 100 in the installed state is a flat surface along the second outer surface 2B.

[0107] In addition, in the installed state, the contact portion 6A of the first member 4A is angular, so that the first member 4A does not come into contact with the outer peripheral edge of the first glass plate 200. In addition, the recessed surface 63B of the contact portion 6B of the second member 4B is positioned below the outer peripheral edge of the second glass plate 300, so that the second member 4B does not come into contact with the outer peripheral edge of the second glass plate 300. In other words, the clip 1 does not come into contact with the outer peripheral edge of the assembly 100.

[0108] In this embodiment, a transport step is performed to transport the assembly 100 to perform the step following the installation step (first melting step (joining step)). That is, the transport step is performed after the installation step and before the joining step.

[0109] In the conveying step, the assembly 100 in the installed state is conveyed by the conveying machine 3. The conveying machine 3 conveys the assembly 100 along the second outer surface 2B, with the assembly 100 placed on the conveying machine 3 so that the second outer surface 2B of the assembly 100 faces downward.

[0110] The conveyor 3 is, for example, a roller conveyor 31. The roller conveyor 31 includes multiple rollers 32 that rotate in the same direction, and the multiple rollers 32 are arranged at intervals in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axes of the rollers 32. When the installed assembly 100 is placed on the roller conveyor 31 with the second outer surface 2B facing downward, the second member 4B is positioned above and facing the rollers 32 as the assembly 100 moves on the roller conveyor 31. However, in this embodiment, as described above, the connecting portion 8B of the second member 4B is not positioned below the contact portion 6B of the second member 4B, and the downward-facing surface 71B of the base portion 7B of the second member 4B is positioned above the second outer surface 2B. Therefore, when the assembly 100 is conveyed, the rollers 32 are less likely to come into contact with the base portion 7B and the connecting portion 8B, and therefore the base portion 7B and the connecting portion 8B are less likely to be subjected to impact. Furthermore, because the surface of the contact portion 6B of the second member 4B that faces away from the assembly 100 in the installed state is a flat surface along the second outer surface 2B, even when the roller 32 comes into contact with the contact portion 6B, the roller 32 is less likely to apply an impact to the contact portion 6B. Therefore, the roller 32 is less likely to apply an impact to the clip 1. This prevents problems such as misalignment of the clip 1 with respect to the assembly 100 and detachment of the clip 1 from the assembly 100. Therefore, the clip 1 maintains the relative positional relationship between the first glass plate 200, the second glass plate 300, and the peripheral wall 410 in the assembly 100, and the elastic force applied by the clip 1 to the first glass plate 200 and the second glass plate 300 allows the first glass plate 200 and the second glass plate 300 to apply an appropriate compressive force to the peripheral wall 410.

[0111] Furthermore, if the outer peripheral edge of the surface of the contact portion 6B of the first member 4A opposite to the surface facing the target object 120 (assembly 100) in the installed state is chamfered, the contact portion 6B is less likely to get caught on the conveyor 3 (roller conveyor 31) when being conveyed by the conveyor 3. This can further reduce the impact applied to the clip 1 from the conveyor 3.

[0112] Furthermore, even if an impact is applied to clip 1, it does not come into contact with the outer peripheral edge of assembly 100, thereby preventing the impact from being transmitted to the edge, which is prone to breakage. This can prevent damage to assembly 100. Furthermore, if the outer peripheral edge of the surface of contact portion 6B of second member 4B that faces object 120 in the installed state is chamfered, even if an impact is applied to clip 1, damage to object 120 (second glass plate 300 in assembly 100) by the edge of contact portion 6B can be prevented.

[0113] In this embodiment, after the installation step, a first melting step (joining step), an exhaust step, and a second melting step (partition forming step) are performed. These steps are performed in a state where the clip 1 is installed on the assembly 100.

[0114] The first melting step (joining step) is a step of hermetically joining the first and second glass sheets 200, 300 together by melting the peripheral wall 410. Specifically, the first glass sheet 200 and the second glass sheet 300 are placed in a melting furnace and heated at a first melting temperature for a predetermined time (first melting time). The first melting temperature and the first melting time are set so that the first glass sheet 200 and the second glass sheet 300 are hermetically joined by the peripheral wall 410 but the partitions 420a to 420j do not block the air passage 600. In other words, the lower limit of the first melting temperature is the softening point of the peripheral wall 410, but the upper limit of the first melting temperature is set so that the partitions 420a to 420j do not block the air passage 600. For example, if the softening points of the peripheral wall 410 and the partitions 420a to 420j are 434°C, the first melting temperature is set to 440°C. The first melting time is, for example, 10 minutes. In the first melting step (joining step), the peripheral wall 410 softens, so that the peripheral wall 410 itself no longer supports the first glass plate 200, and the first glass plate 200 is supported by the partitions 420a to 420j.

[0115] As described above, in this embodiment, defects such as the clip 1 falling off from the assembly 100 during the transport process are suppressed, and thus the relative positional relationship between the first glass plate 200, the second glass plate 300, and the peripheral wall 410 in the assembly 100 is maintained. This can improve the positional accuracy of the members constituting the glass panel unit 10. Furthermore, the elastic force applied to the first glass plate 200 and the second glass plate 300 by the clip 1 can cause the first glass plate 200 and the second glass plate 300 to apply an appropriate compressive force to the peripheral wall 410. This can maintain airtightness between the first glass plate 200 and the second glass plate 300 when the first glass plate 200 and the second glass plate 300 are joined together by the peripheral wall 410.

[0116] The exhaust process is a process of evacuating the first spaces 510a-510f via the ventilation path 600, the second spaces 520a, 520b, and the exhaust port 700 to turn the first spaces 510a-510f into vacuum spaces 50 (50a-50f). In other words, the vacuum spaces 50a-50f are the first spaces 510a-510f that are in a vacuum state, respectively. The exhaust process is performed using, for example, a vacuum pump. The vacuum pump is connected to the assembly 100 by an exhaust pipe 830 and a seal head 840. The exhaust pipe 830 is joined to the second glass plate 300, for example, so that the interior of the exhaust pipe 830 communicates with the exhaust port 700. Then, a seal head 840 is attached to the exhaust pipe 830, thereby connecting the intake port of the vacuum pump to the exhaust port 700. The first melting step (bonding step), the exhaust step, and the second melting step (partition forming step) are performed while the assembly 100 remains in the melting furnace. Therefore, the exhaust pipe 830 is bonded to the second glass plate 300 at least before the first melting step (bonding step).

[0117] In the exhaust process, before the start of the second melting process (partition forming process), the first spaces 510a-510f are evacuated via the ventilation path 600, the second spaces 520a and 520b, and the exhaust port 700 at a temperature equal to or higher than the exhaust temperature for a predetermined time (exhaust time). The exhaust temperature is set to be higher than the activation temperature of the getter in the gas adsorbent 60 (e.g., 350°C) and lower than the softening point of the partitions 420a-420j (e.g., 434°C). For example, the exhaust temperature is 390°C. In this manner, the partitions 420a-420j do not deform. Furthermore, the getter in the gas adsorbent 60 is activated, and molecules (gas) adsorbed by the getter are released from the getter. The molecules (i.e., gas) released from the getter are then exhausted via the first spaces 510a-510f, the ventilation path 600, the second spaces 520a and 520b, and the exhaust port 700. Therefore, the exhaust process recovers the adsorption capacity of the gas adsorbent 60. The exhaust time is set so that the vacuum spaces 50a to 50f have a desired degree of vacuum (e.g., a vacuum of 0.1 Pa or less). For example, the exhaust time is set to 120 minutes.

[0118] The second melting step (partition forming step) is a step in which the partitions 420a to 420j are deformed to block the air passage 600, thereby forming the partitions 42a to 42d and obtaining the work-in-progress 110. In addition, in the second melting step (partition forming step), the air passage 600 is blocked, thereby forming a plurality of frames 40 that respectively surround the vacuum spaces 50a to 50f. As a result, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the partitions 42a to 42d are formed that airtightly separate the internal space 500 into the first spaces 510a to 510f (vacuum spaces 50a to 50f) and the second spaces 520a and 520b. In other words, the second melting step (partition forming step) is a step of deforming the partitions 420a to 420j to close the air passage 600 and form the partition walls 42a to 42d that airtightly separate the internal space 500 into the first spaces 510a to 510f and the second spaces 520a, 520b. Note that in the second melting step (partition forming step), the partitions 420a to 420j soften, so that the partitions 420a to 420j themselves no longer support the first glass plate 200, and the first glass plate 200 is supported by the pillars 70.

[0119] More specifically, the partitions 420a-420j are deformed by melting them at a predetermined temperature (second melting temperature) equal to or higher than the softening point of the partitions 420a-420j. Specifically, the first glass sheet 200 and the second glass sheet 300 are heated in a melting furnace at the second melting temperature for a predetermined time (second melting time). The second melting temperature and second melting time are set so that the partitions 420a-420j soften and close the air passage 600. The lower limit of the second melting temperature is the softening point of the partitions 420a-420j (e.g., 434°C). For example, the second melting temperature is set to 460°C. The second melting time is, for example, 30 minutes.

[0120] The evacuation of the internal space 500 continues during the second melting process (partition forming process). That is, during the second melting process (partition forming process), the partitions 420a-420j are deformed to form the partition walls 42a-42d that block the air passage 600 while the first spaces 510a-510f are evacuated through the air passage 600, the second spaces 520a, 520b, and the exhaust port 700 at the second melting temperature. This further prevents the vacuum level of the vacuum spaces 50a-50f from deteriorating during the second melting process (partition forming process). However, the evacuation of the internal space 500 does not necessarily need to continue during the second melting process (partition forming process). Furthermore, the second melting process (partition forming process) may be a process in which the partitions 420a-420j are deformed to block at least the air passages 600 other than the second slit 610b among the multiple air passages 600. That is, the second slit 610b does not necessarily have to be blocked, but the second slit 610b may be blocked along with the other air passages 600.

[0121] After the air passage 600 is blocked in the second melting step (partition forming step), the melting furnace is cooled, solidifying the partitions 420a-420j and the peripheral wall 410 to form the partitions 42a-42d and the peripheral wall 41. Next, the user of the clip 1 pinches the two operating portions 72A, 72B with their fingers, for example, to widen the gap between the contact portion 6A of the first member 4A and the contact portion 6B of the second member 4B, and removes the clip 1 from the work-in-progress 110.

[0122] The above-described preparation process results in the work-in-progress 110 shown in Figures 8 and 9. In the work-in-progress 110, the peripheral wall 410 and the partitions 420a to 420j are melted once in the first melting process (joining process) and the second melting process (partition forming process). Therefore, the gap between the first and second glass sheets 200, 300 is determined by the pillars 70, not by the peripheral wall 410. In other words, the peripheral wall 410 is compressed between the first and second glass sheets 200, 300 during melting, forming a peripheral wall 41 that is lower and wider than the peripheral wall 410. In other words, the peripheral wall 41 is the peripheral wall 410 that has been deformed in the second melting process (partition forming process). Each side 41a to 41d of the peripheral wall 41 is lower than each side 410a to 410d of the peripheral wall 410, and each side 41a to 41d of the peripheral wall 41 is wider than each side 410a to 410d of the peripheral wall 410. Similarly, the partitions 420a to 420j are compressed between the first and second glass plates 200, 300 during melting, thereby forming the partitions 42a to 42d. That is, the partitions 42 (42a to 42d) are the partitions 420 (420a to 420j) deformed by the second melting step (partition forming step). The partitions 42a to 42d are lower than the partitions 420a to 420j, and each partition 42a to 42d is wider than the partitions 420a to 420j. The partitions 420a to 420j are formed so that the width of the partitions 42a to 42d is greater than that of the peripheral wall 410 (i.e., the peripheral wall 41) after the sealing process. Although the partitions 420a to 420j and the peripheral wall 410 have different heights, the same core material is dispersed in the first sealing material and the second sealing material. Therefore, the peripheral wall 41 formed by the partitions 420a to 420j and the peripheral wall 410 and the partitions 42a to 42d have the same height. This allows a frame 40 of uniform height to be obtained.

[0123] The removal process is performed after the preparation process. The removal process is a process for obtaining glass panel units 10A-10F from work-in-progress 110. The removal process is a process for obtaining glass panel units 10A-10F, which are portions having first spaces 510a-510f (vacuum spaces 50a-50f), by removing portion 11A having second space 520a and portion 11B having second space 520b. That is, in the removal process, work-in-progress 110 is cut to separate it into glass panel units 10A-10F. In work-in-progress 110, glass panel units 10A-10F are integrally formed, so by cutting work-in-progress 110, glass panel units 10A-10F are separated from one another.

[0124] As an example, as shown in FIG. 8 , the work-in-process 110 (particularly the first and second glass plates 200, 300) is cut along cutting lines 910, 920, 930, and 940 that run along the partition walls 42a to 42d, respectively. The cutting lines 910, 920, 930, and 940 pass through the center lines of the partition walls 42a to 42d. That is, each of the partition walls 42a to 42d is divided into two in the width direction. The partition walls 42a to 42d are formed by dividers 420a to 420j, and the dividers 420a to 420j are wider than the sides 410a to 410d of the peripheral wall 410. Therefore, the partition walls 42a to 42d are also wider than the sides 410a to 410d of the peripheral wall 410. This facilitates the work of cutting the work-in-progress 110 along the partition walls 42a-42d. In particular, this reduces the possibility that the partition walls 42a-42d may be damaged when cutting them, causing the vacuum spaces 50a-50f to connect to the external space and resulting in a deterioration in the degree of vacuum. This improves yield. Furthermore, the width of the partition walls 42a-42d is twice the width of each side 41a-41d of the peripheral wall 41. Therefore, even if the frame 40 includes a portion of the peripheral wall 41, the width of each side of the frame 40 is the same. This improves the strength of the frame 40 as a whole.

[0125] Furthermore, in this embodiment, a plurality of spacers 70 are arranged throughout the interior space 500 (in each of the first spaces 510a to 510f and the second spaces 520a and 520b). Therefore, the stress applied to the first and second glass plates 200, 300 when cutting the work-in-progress 110 can be dispersed and made uniform by the plurality of spacers, thereby reducing the occurrence of breakage of the first and second glass plates 200, 300 and cutting defects.

[0126] 13, glass panel units 10A to 10F are obtained from work-in-progress 110. At this time, portions 11 (11A, 11B) including second spaces 520a, 520b are obtained, but these portions are not used.

[0127] 2. Modifications The clip 1 of the embodiment is configured by combining a first member 4A and a second member 4B, which are separate members, and is provided with an elastic mechanism 5 including a torsion coil spring. However, the first member 4A and the second member 4B may be integrated into a single member. Furthermore, the elastic mechanism 5 is not limited to including a torsion coil spring as long as it can apply an elastic force between the first member 4A and the second member 4B to clamp the object 120 (assembly 100).

[0128] 14 and 15 show a modified clip 1. In the description of the modified clip 1, the side of the first member 4A relative to the second member 4B is defined as the top, and the side of the second member 4B relative to the first member 4A is defined as the bottom. Furthermore, in the installed state, the side of the object 120 relative to the position of the elastic mechanism 5 is defined as the front, and the side of the elastic mechanism 5 relative to the position of the object 120 is defined as the rear. Furthermore, the left and right of the observer are defined as the left and right of the observer when the up, down, front, and back of the observer are considered to be the same as the up, down, front, and back in the description of the clip 1. These definitions of up, down, front, back, left, and right are merely for convenience and do not define the posture of the clip 1 when it is in use. The structure of the clip 1 when no external force is applied to the clip 1 will be described below.

[0129] In the clip 1 of the modified example, the first member 4A, the second member 4B, and the elastic mechanism 5 form a single member that cannot be separated without being destroyed.

[0130] The first member 4A has a base portion 7A connected to the elastic mechanism 5 and an action portion 9A located in front of the base portion 7A.

[0131] The base portion 7A is in the form of a flat plate that is inclined downwards towards the front end.

[0132] The action portion 9A has a first portion 91A extending obliquely upward and frontward from the front end of the base portion 7A, a second portion 92A extending obliquely downward and frontward from the front end of the first portion 91A relative to the first portion 91A, and a third portion 93A extending obliquely upward and frontward from the front end of the second portion 92A. Each of the first portion 91A, the second portion 92A, and the third portion 93A is flat. The angular portion connecting the second portion 92A and the third portion 93A is referred to as a contact portion 6A.

[0133] The second member 4B in the clip 1 of the modified example does not have the connecting portion 21B, but otherwise has the same configuration as the second member 4B in the clip 1 of the example. That is, the second member 4B has a contact portion 6B having a contact surface 62B and a recessed surface 63B, and an action portion 9B having a connecting portion 8B, which are the same configuration as in the embodiment. The second member 4B also has a base portion 7B, which is the same configuration as in the embodiment, except that it does not have the connecting portion 21B.

[0134] The elastic mechanism 5 is a flat plate having a thickness in the front-to-rear direction. The upper end of the elastic mechanism 5 is connected to the rear end of the base 7A of the first member 4A, and the lower end of the elastic mechanism 5 is connected to the rear end of the base 7B of the second member 4B. The base 7A of the first member 4A, the elastic mechanism 5, and the base 7B of the second member 4B are made by processing, for example, a single metal plate.

[0135] When using the modified clip 1, a user applies force to the first member 4A and the second member 4B of the clip 1 so as to separate the action portion 9A of the first member 4A from the action portion 9B of the second member 4B. This force deforms the clip 1, separating the action portion 9A of the first member 4A from the action portion 9B of the second member 4B, and creating a gap between the contact portion 6A of the first member 4A and the contact portion 6B of the second member 4B. An elastic force generated by the deformation of the clip 1 is applied from the elastic mechanism 5 to the first member 4A and the second member 4B. In this state, the outer periphery of the object 120 (assembly 100) is positioned between the action portion 9A of the first member 4A and the action portion 9B of the second member 4B. When the user releases the force applied to the first member 4A and the second member 4B, the elastic force applied from the elastic mechanism 5 brings the action portion 9A of the first member 4A and the action portion 9B of the second member 4B closer together. As a result, the contact portion 6A of the first member 4A and the contact portion 6B of the second member 4B come into contact with the object 120 (assembly 100), and the object 120 (assembly 100) is sandwiched between the contact portion 6A of the first member 4A and the contact portion 6B of the second member 4B. As a result, the clip 1 is installed on the object 120, i.e., the installed state is realized.

[0136] In the above embodiment, the glass panel unit 10 is rectangular, but the glass panel unit 10 may have any desired shape, such as a circular or polygonal shape. That is, the first glass panel 20, the second glass panel 30, and the frame 40 may have any desired shape, such as a circular or polygonal shape, instead of a rectangular shape. The shapes of the first glass plate 200, the second glass plate 300, the peripheral wall 410, and the partition 420 are not limited to those in the above embodiment, and may be any shape that allows a glass panel unit 10 of a desired shape to be obtained. The shape and size of the glass panel unit 10 are determined depending on the application of the glass panel unit 10.

[0137] The first and second glass panels 20, 30 do not have to have the same planar shape and planar size, or the same thickness, and the first and second glass panels 20, 30 do not have to be made of the same material. These points also apply to the first and second glass plates 200, 300.

[0138] The frame 40 does not have to have the same planar shape as the first and second glass panels 20, 30. Similarly, the peripheral walls 41, 410 do not have to have the same planar shape as the first and second glass panels 200, 300.

[0139] The first sealing material of the peripheral wall 410 (peripheral wall 41) and the second sealing material of the partitions 420a to 420j (partition walls 42a to 42d) do not necessarily have to contain the same core material, but may contain different core materials. Furthermore, the first sealing material may contain only a thermal adhesive, and the second sealing material may also contain only a thermal adhesive.

[0140] The divider 420 does not necessarily have to be a plurality of dividers 420a-420j, ie, the assembly 100 may include one or more dividers 420.

[0141] The partitions 420a to 420j do not necessarily have to be lower than the peripheral wall 410. The height of the partitions 420a to 420j may be equal to or greater than the height of the peripheral wall 410 (the height of the first side 410a to the fourth side 410d), or may be equal to or less than that.

[0142] The partitions 420a to 420j do not necessarily have to be wider than the peripheral wall 410. Furthermore, the widths of the partitions 420a to 420j may be greater than or equal to the width of the peripheral wall 410 (the widths of the first side 410a to the fourth side 410d). Furthermore, the partitions 42a to 42d do not necessarily have to be wider than the peripheral wall 41. Furthermore, the widths of the partitions 42a to 42d may be greater than or equal to the width of the peripheral wall 41 (the widths of the first side 41a to the fourth side 41d).

[0143] Furthermore, in the assembly 100, the peripheral wall 410 is merely located between the first and second glass plates 200, 300 and does not join them together. However, the peripheral wall 410 may join the first and second glass plates 200, 300 together at the stage of the assembly 100. In short, in the assembly 100, it is sufficient that the peripheral wall 410 is located between the first and second glass plates 200, 300, and it is not essential that the peripheral wall 410 joins them together.

[0144] It is also possible to form the assembled product 100 or the work-in-progress product 110 using only the frame body 40 without providing the partition 420. In this case, instead of the second melting step (partition forming step), the exhaust port 700 is sealed with a hole sealing material to obtain the glass panel unit 10.

[0145] In the above embodiment, the internal space 500 is partitioned into a plurality of first spaces 510a to 510f and a plurality of second spaces 520a, 520b. However, the internal space 500 may be partitioned into one or more first spaces and one or more second spaces by a partition.

[0146] In the above embodiment, a melting furnace is used to heat the peripheral wall 410, the gas adsorbent 60, and the partitions 420a to 420j. However, heating can be performed using any suitable heating means, such as a laser or a heat transfer plate connected to a heat source.

[0147] In the above embodiment, the assembly 100 has a plurality of air vent paths 600, but the number of air vent paths 600 may be one or more. When the number of air vent paths 600 is one, the air vent path 600 is a slit 610 (610a).

[0148] In the above embodiment, the exhaust port 700 is formed in the second glass plate 300. However, the exhaust port 700 may be formed in the first glass plate 200 or in the peripheral wall 410 (peripheral wall 41). In short, it is sufficient that the exhaust port 700 is formed so as to connect the second spaces 520a, 520b with the external space.

[0149] In the above embodiment, the first space 510 is evacuated by connecting the intake port of the vacuum pump to the exhaust port 700. However, the entire assembly 100 may be placed in a decompression chamber and the entire assembly 100 may be evacuated.

[0150] In the above embodiment, the getter of the gas adsorbent 60 is an evaporative getter, but the getter may be a non-evaporative getter.

[0151] In the above embodiment, the gas adsorbent 60 is in the shape of a long, flat plate, but may have other shapes. Furthermore, the gas adsorbent 60 does not necessarily have to be located at the end of the vacuum space 50. Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the gas adsorbent 60 is formed by applying a liquid containing getter powder (for example, a dispersion obtained by dispersing getter powder in a liquid, or a solution obtained by dissolving getter powder in a liquid). However, the gas adsorbent 60 may also include a substrate and a getter adhered to the substrate. Such a gas adsorbent 60 can be obtained by immersing a substrate in a liquid containing getter powder and drying it. The substrate may have any desired shape, such as a long, rectangular shape. Alternatively, the gas adsorbent 60 may be a film formed entirely or partially on the surface of the second glass plate 300. Such a gas adsorbent 60 can be obtained by coating the surface of the second glass plate 300 with a liquid containing getter powder. Alternatively, the gas adsorbent 60 may be included in a pillar 70. For example, if the pillar 70 is formed from a material containing a getter, it is possible to obtain the pillar 70 containing the gas adsorbent 60. Alternatively, the gas adsorbent 60 may be a solid material formed from a getter.

[0152] In the above embodiment, a plurality of spacers 70 are arranged throughout the interior space 500 (in each of the first spaces 510a to 510f and the second spaces 520a and 520b), but it is not essential to arrange pillars 70 in the second spaces 520a and 520b. Also, although the glass panel unit 10 includes a plurality of pillars 70, the glass panel unit 10 may include a single pillar 70. Alternatively, the glass panel unit 10 may not include a pillar 70.

[0153] In the above embodiment, the clip 1 installation areas 61 are spaced at equal intervals along one side of the peripheral wall 410, but the clip 1 installation areas 61 do not have to be spaced at equal intervals. That is, the intervals between adjacent clip 1 installation areas 61 do not have to be constant. Furthermore, the positions and number of the clip 1 installation areas 61 can be changed as desired depending on the shape and size of the assembly 100.

[0154] In the above embodiment, the distinguishing step is performed after the setting step, but the distinguishing step may be performed during the setting step.

[0155] In the above embodiment, the first spaces (510a to 510f) are vacuum spaces (50a to 50f), but they may be reduced-pressure spaces instead. The reduced-pressure spaces are the first spaces (510a to 510f) in a reduced-pressure state. The reduced-pressure state may be any state in which the pressure is lower than atmospheric pressure.

[0156] In the manufacturing method of the glass panel unit 10 according to the embodiment, the assembly 100 includes a partition 420 that divides the internal space 500 into a first space 510 and a second space 520, and after the internal space 500 is depressurized, the partition and the peripheral wall 410 are melted and solidified. However, the assembly 100 does not necessarily include the partition 420, the first space 510, and the second space 520. In addition, the details of the joining step are not limited to those of the embodiment, as long as the first glass plate 200 and the second glass plate 300 are joined together by the peripheral wall 410.

[0157] If the assembly 100 is not divided into the first space 510 and the second space 520, at least one of the first glass plate 200 and the second glass plate 300 may have a through hole formed therein, and after the joining process, the internal space 500 may be evacuated through the through hole to reduce the pressure in the internal space 500, and then the through hole may be sealed.

[0158] Furthermore, if the assembly 100 is not divided into the first space 510 and the second space 520, in the joining process, the assembly 100 may be placed in a reduced pressure space to put the internal space 500 into a reduced pressure state, and in this state the peripheral wall 410 may be melted and then solidified, thereby joining the first glass plate 200 and the second glass plate 300 together at the peripheral wall 410.

[0159] In the embodiment, the bonding step is performed after the transporting step, but the transporting step may be performed at any time as long as the assembled product 100 in an installed state is transported. By performing the transporting step and the bonding step simultaneously, the first glass plate 200 and the second glass plate 300 may be bonded together at the peripheral wall 410 while the assembled product 100 is being transported.

[0160] In the embodiment, the conveyor 3 is a roller conveyor 31, but a belt conveyor, a walking beam system, a support pin system, a robot arm, or the like may also be used as long as it is capable of conveying the assembly 100 loaded thereon.

[0161] In the embodiment, the object 120 on which the clip 1 is installed is the assembly 100, but the clip 1 may be installed on an object 120 other than the assembly 100. When the object 120 is plate-shaped and the clip 1 is installed on the outer periphery of the object 120, the advantages of the present disclosure can be effectively obtained.

[0162] 3. Configuration A method for manufacturing a glass panel unit (10) of a first aspect includes preparing an assembly (100) including a first glass plate (200), a second glass plate (300) facing the first glass plate (200), and a peripheral wall (410) formed of a sealing material arranged in a frame shape between the first glass plate (200) and the second glass plate (300), wherein the first glass plate (200) has a first outer surface (2A) opposite to the second glass plate (300) side, and the second glass plate (300) has a second outer surface (2B) opposite to the first glass plate (200). The manufacturing method also includes installing a plurality of clips (1) around the outer periphery of the assembly (100) so that each clip (1) clamps the assembly (100). The manufacturing method also includes transporting the assembly (100) with a conveyor (3) in an installed state in which each clip (1) is installed on the assembly (100). The manufacturing method also includes joining the first glass plate (200) and the second glass plate (300) at the peripheral wall (410). The conveyor (3) transports the assembly (100) along the second outer surface (2B) with the assembly (100) placed on the conveyor (3) so that the second outer surface (2B) of the assembly (100) faces downward. Each clip (1) includes a first member (4A), a second member (4B), and an elastic mechanism (5). In the installed state, the first member (4A) contacts the first outer surface (2A), and the second member (4B) contacts the second outer surface (2B), and the assembly (100) is sandwiched between the first member (4A) and the second member (4B). The elastic mechanism (5) applies an elastic force to the first member (4A) and the second member (4B) to sandwich the assembly (100). The second member (4B) has a contact portion (6B), at least a portion of which contacts the second outer surface (2B) in the installed state, a base portion (7B) connected to the elastic mechanism (5), and a connecting portion (8B) interposed between the contact portion (6B) and the base portion (7B) to connect the contact portion (6B) and the base portion (7B). In the installed state, when the second outer surface (2B) is horizontal and faces downward, the connecting portion (8B) is not located lower than the contact portion (6B), and the downward-facing surface (71B) of the base portion (7B) is located higher than the second outer surface (2B).

[0163] According to this aspect, when manufacturing a glass panel unit (10), if the intermediate product, an assembly (100), is transported with a clip (1) attached to it, problems such as the clip (1) being misaligned relative to the assembly (100) or the clip (1) falling off from the assembly (100) can be suppressed.

[0164] In the second aspect, in the first aspect, the surface (64B) of the contact portion (6B) facing away from the assembly (100) in the installed state is a flat surface along the second outer surface (2B).

[0165] According to this aspect, problems such as the clip (1) being displaced relative to the assembly (100) or the clip (1) falling off from the assembly (100) can be further suppressed.

[0166] In the third aspect, in the first or second aspect, when the contact surface (62B) of the contact portion (6B) that contacts the second outer surface (2B) in the installed state is horizontal and faces upward, the connecting portion (8B) is not located below the contact portion (6B), and the downward-facing surface (71B) of the base (7B) is located above the contact surface (62B) of the contact portion (6B).

[0167] According to this aspect, problems such as the clip (1) being displaced relative to the assembly (100) or the clip (1) falling off from the assembly (100) can be further suppressed.

[0168] In a fourth aspect, in any one of the first to third aspects, when the clip (1) is installed in the assembly (100), the first member (4A) does not contact the edge of the outer periphery of the first glass plate (200), and the second member (4B) does not contact the edge of the outer periphery of the second glass plate (300).

[0169] According to this aspect, damage to the assembly (100) due to the force applied from the clip (1) can be suppressed.

[0170] The clip (1) of the fifth aspect is a clip (1) that is installed on an object (120) by clamping the object (120). The clip (1) includes a first member (4A), a second member (4B), and an elastic mechanism (5). In an installed state where the clip (1) is installed on the object (120), the object (120) is clamped between the first member (4A) and the second member (4B). The elastic mechanism (5) applies an elastic force to the first member (4A) and the second member (4B) to clamp the object (120). The second member (4B) has a contact portion (6B), at least a portion of which contacts the object (120) in the installed state, a base portion (7B) connected to the elastic mechanism (5), and a connecting portion (8B) interposed between the contact portion (6B) and the base portion (7B) to connect the contact portion (6B) to the base portion (7B). When a contact surface (62B) of the contact portion (6B), which contacts the object (120) in the installed state, faces horizontally and upward, the connecting portion (8B) is not located below the contact portion (6B), and a downward-facing surface (71B) of the base portion (7B) is located above the contact surface (62B) of the contact portion (6B).

[0171] According to this aspect, when an object (120) on which a clip (1) is installed is transported, problems such as the clip (1) being displaced relative to the object (120) or the clip (1) falling off from the object (120) can be suppressed.

[0172] In a sixth aspect, the object (120) is an assembly (100) according to the fifth aspect, which comprises a first glass plate (200), a second glass plate (300) facing the first glass plate (200), and a peripheral wall (410) formed from a sealing material arranged in a frame shape between the first glass plate (200) and the second glass plate (300), wherein the first glass plate (200) has a first outer surface (2A) opposite the second glass plate (300) side, and the second glass plate (300) has a second outer surface (2B) opposite the first glass plate (200).

[0173] According to this aspect, when an object (120) on which a clip (1) is installed is transported, problems such as the clip (1) shifting position relative to the object (120) or the clip (1) falling off from the object (120) can be further suppressed.

[0174] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Clip 2A First outer surface 2B Second outer surface 3 Conveyor 4A First member 4B Second member 5 Elastic mechanism 6A Contact portion 6B Contact portion 62B Contact surface 64B Surface 7A Base 7B Base 71B Surface 8B Joint portion 10 Glass panel unit 100 Assembly 120 Object 200 First glass plate 300 Second glass plate 410 Peripheral wall

Claims

1. A method for manufacturing a glass assembly comprising: preparing an assembly comprising a first glass plate, a second glass plate facing the first glass plate, and a peripheral wall formed of a sealing material arranged in a frame shape between the first glass plate and the second glass plate, the first glass plate having a first outer surface opposite to the second glass plate, and the second glass plate having a second outer surface opposite to the first glass plate; installing a plurality of clips on an outer periphery of the assembly such that each of the clips sandwiches the assembly; transporting the assembly with a transport device in an installed state in which each of the clips is installed on the assembly; and bonding the first glass plate and the second glass plate with the peripheral wall; wherein the transport device transports the assembly along the second outer surface with the assembly placed on the transport device such that the second outer surface of the assembly faces downward; each of the clips comprises a first member, a second member, and an elastic mechanism; a first member and a second member arranged to contact the first outer surface and the second member arranged to contact the second outer surface, respectively; and the elastic mechanism applies an elastic force to the first member and the second member to sandwich the assembly. The second member has: a contact portion, at least a portion of which contacts the second outer surface in the installed state; a base connected to the elastic mechanism; and a connecting portion interposed between the contact portion and the base and connecting the contact portion and the base. In the installed state, when the second outer surface is horizontal and facing downward, the connecting portion is not located below the contact portion, and the downward-facing surface of the base is located above the second outer surface.

2. The method for manufacturing a glass panel unit according to claim 1, wherein a surface of the contact portion that faces away from the assembly in the installed state is a flat surface that follows the second outer surface.

3. A method for manufacturing a glass panel unit as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein when the contact surface of the contact portion that contacts the second outer surface in the installed state is horizontal and faces upward, the connecting portion is not positioned below the contact portion, and the downward facing surface of the base is positioned above the contact surface of the contact portion.

4. A method for manufacturing a glass panel unit as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein when the clip is installed on the assembly, the first member does not contact the edge of the outer periphery of the first glass plate, and the second member does not contact the edge of the outer periphery of the second glass plate.

5. A clip that is installed on an object by clamping the object, the clip comprising a first member, a second member, and an elastic mechanism, wherein in an installed state in which the clip is installed on the object, the object is clamped between the first member and the second member, the elastic mechanism applies an elastic force to the first member and the second member for clamping the object, the second member having: a contact portion, at least a portion of which contacts the object in the installed state, a base connected to the elastic mechanism, and a connecting portion interposed between the contact portion and the base and connecting the contact portion and the base, wherein when a contact surface of the contact portion that contacts the object in the installed state faces horizontally and upward, the connecting portion is not located below the contact portion, and the downward-facing surface of the base is located above the contact surface of the contact portion.

6. The clip according to claim 5, wherein the object is an assembly comprising a first glass plate, a second glass plate facing the first glass plate, and a heat-melting sealing material disposed in a frame shape between the first glass plate and the second glass plate, the first glass plate having a first outer surface opposite to the second glass plate, and the second glass plate having a second outer surface opposite to the first glass plate.

Images