Foreign matter removal device and panel processing device

Abstract

Provided are a foreign matter removal device capable of removing foreign matter with a simple configuration and a panel processing device. A foreign matter removal device 40 comprises: a hopper part 42 into which fragments are introduced; an introduction amount adjustment part 45 disposed below the hopper part 42; a chute part 50 disposed below the introduction amount adjustment part 45; and a sieving part 55 disposed below the chute part 50 for separating the fragments into glass pieces and foreign matter by sieving. The sieving part 55 has a belt part 64 having a plurality of protruding portions 66 protruding therefrom and is inclined obliquely upward. The glass pieces pass between the protruding portions 66 and descend along the inclination, whereas the foreign matter is caught by the protruding portions 66 and ascends along the inclination.

Description

Foreign matter removal device and panel processing device

[0001] This disclosure relates to a foreign matter removal device and a panel processing device used to remove foreign matter from fragments containing a glass layer separated from a plate-shaped member.

[0002] Traditionally, the glass layer contained in solar panels, liquid crystal panels, etc. (hereinafter referred to as "solar panels, etc.") is subject to recycling and is therefore peeled off when solar panels, etc. are discarded. In a solar panel, the glass layer is bonded to a backsheet on which battery cells are stacked via a sealing material, and the four sides are reinforced with frame material. Connectors to which power transmission cables are connected are attached to the back surface of the solar panel. Therefore, when a solar panel is dismantled, the frame material and connectors are removed first, and then the glass layer is peeled off from the backsheet.

[0003] In order to recover only glass from the glass layer, it is necessary to remove foreign objects such as electric wires. For example, according to the invention described in Patent Document 1 below (hereinafter referred to as the prior art invention 1), the process involves a sieving process, an air separation process, and an air table separation process.

[0004] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2023-89446

[0005] However, as mentioned above, the specific configuration of the sieving process is not clear in the first known invention, and since it goes through a wind separation process and an air table separation process, the first known invention cannot easily remove foreign matter.

[0006] This disclosure is proposed in view of the above circumstances and aims to provide a foreign matter removal device and a panel processing device that can remove foreign matter with a simple configuration.

[0007] To achieve the above objective, the foreign matter removal device according to the present disclosure is characterized by comprising: a hopper section into which fragments generated when the glass layer is crushed and separated from a plate-shaped member having a glass layer and a layer to which the glass layer is attached are fed; an input amount adjustment section located downstream of the hopper section to adjust the amount of fragments transported downstream; a chute section located downstream of the input amount adjustment section; and a sieving section located downstream of the chute section to separate the fragments into glass fragments and foreign matter other than the glass fragments.

[0008] The foreign matter removal device according to this disclosure is characterized in that the sieving portion has a belt portion wound around a pair of rollers and a plurality of protrusions protruding from the surface of the belt portion.

[0009] The foreign matter removal device according to this disclosure is characterized in that the sieving section has a vibrating section that vibrates the belt section.

[0010] The foreign matter removal device according to this disclosure is characterized in that the sieving portion is inclined because a pair of rollers are arranged at different positions in the vertical direction, the belt portion moves from the lower roller toward the higher roller, the glass fragments among the fragments that rest on the belt portion descend against the movement of the belt portion, and the foreign matter is conveyed toward the direction of movement of the belt portion.

[0011] The panel processing apparatus according to the present disclosure is provided with the above-described foreign matter removal apparatus downstream of a glass separation apparatus that crushes and separates the glass layer from the plate-shaped member, the glass separation apparatus having a transport section for transporting the plate-shaped member, and a rotating striking section positioned downstream of the transport section and facing the end of the plate-shaped member in the transport direction, which rotates downward from the upper surface of the glass layer to separate the glass layer from the plate-shaped member, the rotating striking section having a striking member with an articulated portion on its outer surface, a support base section provided downstream of the transport section for supporting the plate-shaped member in a bent state toward downward, and the rotating striking section rotates so that the plate-shaped member on the support base section aligns with the extension line of the striking member with the articulated portion extended, at which point the striking member strikes the bent portion of the plate-shaped member, thereby separating the glass layer on the side of the bent plate-shaped member that is bent toward the transport section from the bent portion, and the fragments are transported to the foreign matter removal apparatus.

[0012] The foreign matter removal device according to this disclosure includes a hopper section into which fragments generated when the glass layer is crushed and separated from a plate-shaped member having a glass layer and a layer to which the glass layer is attached are fed; an input amount adjustment section located downstream of the hopper section to adjust the amount of fragments transported downstream; a chute section located downstream of the input amount adjustment section; and a sieving section located downstream of the chute section to separate the fragments into glass fragments and foreign matter other than glass fragments. The amount of fragments fed into the hopper section is adjusted by the input amount adjustment section to be transported to the chute section, where they are leveled. In other words, fragments are not transported in large quantities to the sieving section, nor do they pile up in the sieving section. The fragments contain a mixture of glass fragments and foreign matter, and the sieving section appropriately sieves the glass fragments from the foreign matter. Therefore, foreign matter can be removed with a simple configuration, and only glass fragments can be extracted.

[0013] Figure 1 is a plan view of the glass separation device of the panel processing apparatus according to the first embodiment of this disclosure. Figure 2 is a side view of the glass separation device of the panel processing apparatus according to the first embodiment of this disclosure. Figure 3 is an enlarged plan view of the main part of the glass separation device of the panel processing apparatus according to the first embodiment of this disclosure. Figure 4 is an enlarged side view of the main part of the glass separation device of the panel processing apparatus according to the first embodiment of this disclosure. Figure 5 is a side view of the foreign matter removal device of the panel processing apparatus according to the first embodiment of this disclosure. Figure 6 is a front view of the foreign matter removal device of the panel processing apparatus according to the first embodiment of this disclosure. Figure 7 is a plan view of the glass separation device and panel inversion device of the panel processing apparatus according to the second embodiment of this disclosure. Figure 8 is a plan view of the panel inversion device of the panel processing apparatus according to the second embodiment of this disclosure. Figure 9 is a side view of the panel inversion device of the panel processing apparatus according to the second embodiment of this disclosure. Figure 10 is a front view of the panel inversion device of the panel processing apparatus according to the second embodiment of this disclosure. Figure 11 is an enlarged view of the main part of the panel inversion device of the panel processing apparatus according to the second embodiment of this disclosure. Figure 12 is a first process operation explanatory diagram showing the first process of operation of the panel inversion device of the panel processing apparatus according to the second embodiment of this disclosure. Figure 13 is a diagram illustrating the second process of operation of the panel inversion device of the panel processing apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0014] The foreign matter removal device according to this disclosure has a sieving section which includes a belt section wound around a pair of rollers and a plurality of protrusions protruding from the surface of the belt section. Of the fragments conveyed to the sieving section, relatively small glass fragments pass through the gaps between the protrusions, while relatively large foreign matter gets caught on the protrusions. Therefore, foreign matter can be removed with a simple configuration, and only glass fragments can be extracted.

[0015] The foreign matter removal device according to this disclosure has a sieving section that includes a vibrating section that vibrates the belt section. The vibration of the belt section by the vibrating section promotes sieving. Therefore, foreign matter can be removed with a simple configuration, and only glass fragments can be extracted.

[0016] In the foreign matter removal device according to this disclosure, a pair of rollers are positioned at different locations in the vertical direction, causing the sieving section to be inclined. The belt section moves from the lower roller towards the higher roller, and among the fragments that land on the belt section, glass fragments descend against the movement of the belt section, while foreign matter is conveyed in the direction of the belt section's movement. Among the fragments conveyed to the sieving section, relatively small glass fragments pass between the protrusions and descend the inclined section. On the other hand, relatively large foreign matter gets caught on the protrusions and is conveyed by the belt section and moves upward. Therefore, foreign matter can be removed with a simple configuration, and only glass fragments can be extracted.

[0017] The panel processing apparatus according to this disclosure is provided with the above-mentioned foreign matter removal device downstream of a glass separation device that crushes and separates the glass layer from a plate-shaped member. The glass separation device has a transport section that transports the plate-shaped member and a rotating striking section positioned downstream of the transport section and facing the end of the plate-shaped member in the transport direction, which rotates downward from the upper surface of the glass layer to separate the glass layer from the plate-shaped member. The rotating striking section is provided with a striking member having an articulated portion on its outer surface. A support base is provided downstream of the transport section to support the plate-shaped member in a bent state. When the rotating striking section rotates and the plate-shaped member on the support base is aligned with the extension of the striking member with its articulated portion extended, the striking member strikes the bent portion of the plate-shaped member, thereby separating the glass layer on the side of the bent plate-shaped member that is bent relative to the transport section, and the fragments are transported to the foreign matter removal device. Therefore, the glass layer can be reliably separated from the plate-shaped member, and only glass fragments can be extracted from the fragments.

[0018] The following is a description of a foreign matter removal device and a panel processing device according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. Figures 1 and 2 show the glass separation device 10 of the panel processing device 100 according to the first embodiment, and Figures 3 and 4 show an enlarged view of the main part of the glass separation device 10 and the processing operation. In the description of the glass separation device 10, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the upstream side or downstream side is defined as the direction in which the plate-shaped member 1 is conveyed, and the thickness direction of the plate-shaped member 1 is defined as the upper or lower side. In addition, the direction parallel to the plate-shaped member 1 and perpendicular to the conveying direction is defined as the rotation axis direction of the rotating striking unit 26, and is defined as the left and right sides.

[0019] In Figure 1, the panel processing device 100 dismantles the solar panel as a plate-shaped member 1, and includes at least a glass separation device 10 and a foreign matter removal device 40 located downstream of the glass separation device 10, with each device 10 and 40 arranged on the same line. Therefore, in the panel processing device 100, the plate-shaped member 1 is processed sequentially through the glass separation device 10 and the foreign matter removal device 40.

[0020] The plate-shaped member 1 has a glass layer and a layer to which the glass layer is attached (details are not shown). The layer to which the glass layer is attached has a back sheet bonded to the back surface of the battery layer with a sealing material, and the glass layer is bonded to the front surface with a sealing material. A connector is attached to the back surface of the back sheet. The laminate of the glass layer and the layer to which the glass layer is attached is surrounded on all four sides by a frame. The frame and connector are separated from the plate-shaped member 1 in advance by a frame dismantling device (not shown).

[0021] The plate-shaped member 1, from which the frame and connectors have been removed, is transported from the frame dismantling device to the panel inversion device (details described later) with the glass layer facing downwards, and in the panel inversion device, it is positioned with the glass layer facing upwards. Next, the plate-shaped member 1 is transported to the glass separation device 10.

[0022] The glass separation device 10 is for crushing and separating the glass layer from the plate-like member 1, and is arranged on the downstream side of the panel inversion device. While conveying the plate-like member 1, the glass separation device 10 shatters and strips off the glass layer 2 with the rotary impact portion 26.

[0023] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the glass separation device 10 has a conveying portion 11 for conveying the plate-like member 1 (see FIG. 4) and a glass separation portion 15 arranged on the downstream side of the conveying portion 11. The conveying portion 11 has a conveying-side base frame portion 12, a rail portion 13 placed on the conveying-side base frame portion 12, and a heating portion 14 arranged downstream of the rail portion 13 and above the rail portion 13. The heating portion 14 is, for example, an infrared heater and faces the rail portion 13 with a gap therebetween.

[0024] The glass separation portion 15 has a separation-side base frame portion 16, a conveying support portion 17 and a rotary impact portion 26 placed on the separation-side base frame portion 16, a collection portion 37 attached to the lower portion of the separation-side base frame portion 16 between the conveying support portion 17 and the rotary impact portion 26, a first drive portion 38 for operating the conveying support portion 17, and a second drive portion 39 for operating the rotary impact portion 26. Each of the drive portions 38, 39 is, for example, a motor.

[0025] The conveying support unit 17 is disposed ahead of the downstream end of the conveying unit 11. The conveying support unit 17 includes upper and lower two-stage support rollers 18, a first pulley 21 connected to the right end of the support roller 18, and a support base unit 25 disposed downstream of the support roller 18. The support roller 18 has a plurality of rollers coaxially arranged in the left and right lateral directions, and the upper-stage roller 19 and the lower-stage roller 20 face each other with a space therebetween vertically. The first pulley 21 is coaxially connected to the right end of the upper-stage roller 19. The first pulley 21 is interlocked with the first drive unit 38 via the first belt 23. The support base unit 25 is in the shape of a flat plate elongated in the left and right lateral directions and is fixed in a substantially horizontal state. The rotary striking unit 26 is disposed on the downstream side of the conveying support unit 17. The rotary striking unit 26 is elongated in the left and right lateral directions, and a second pulley 22 is connected to the left end thereof. The second pulley 22 is interlocked with the second drive unit 39 via the second belt 24. The recovery unit 37 is a box with an open top.

[0026] Here, the conveying support unit 17 and the rotary striking unit 26 will be described in detail based on the drawings.

[0027] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the rotary striking unit 26 includes a rotary shaft portion 27 that is a rotary shaft, a plurality of support body portions 28 attached to the rotary shaft portion 27 and arranged in the rotary shaft direction, and a plurality of striking members 31 connected to the outer surface of the support body portion 28. The support body portion 28 has the rotary shaft portion 27 passing through the center thereof, and three locations on the outer periphery project outward. In other words, a valley portion 30 is formed between the respective projecting portions 29. The three projecting portions 29 are arranged at equal intervals on the outer periphery of the support body portion 28, and the striking members 31 are respectively connected thereto.

[0028] The striking member 31 includes a connecting portion 34 connected to the projecting portion 29 of the support body portion 28 via a first joint portion 32, and a striking body portion 35 connected to the connecting portion 34 via a second joint portion 33. With this configuration, the striking member 31 can be bent freely like a chain at the respective joint portions 32 and 33. The connecting portion 34 is a pair of flat plate-shaped links. The striking body portion 35 has a head portion 36 formed with a tip projecting in the left and right lateral directions.

[0029] Multiple adjacent support body sections 28 are fixed to the rotating shaft section 27 with an alternating offset from each other. More specifically, each support body section 28 is positioned with a rotational offset of approximately 60 degrees, for example, such that the protruding section 29 of an adjacent support body section 28 is positioned at the valley section 30 of the support body section 28. Therefore, in each support body section 28, multiple striking members 31 adjacent to each other in the direction of the rotating shaft are positioned with an offset in the direction of rotation, and the left and right ends of the heads 36 of the striking members 31 overlap when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the direction of the rotating shaft (see Figure 3).

[0030] The rotating striking unit 26 is positioned with a gap X between it and the downstream end of the support base 25 in the transport support unit 17. More specifically, when the rotating striking unit 26 is rotating, a gap X is created between the tip of the head 36 of the striking body 35 and the tip of the support base 25. The gap X is approximately the same as the thickness of the plate-like member 1 and is adjusted according to the type of plate-like member 1. Below the gap X, the recovery unit 37 is positioned (see Figure 2).

[0031] In the glass separation apparatus 10 configured as described above, the plate-shaped member 1 is placed on the rail section 13 of the transport section 11 with the glass layer 2 facing upwards. The plate-shaped member 1, transported by the transport section 11, has its glass layer 2 heated by the heating section 14 as needed. Whether or not heating is performed and the degree of heating vary depending on the plate-shaped member 1. The plate-shaped member 1 is transported while being held from above and below by the support rollers 18 and placed on the support base section 25. The downstream end of the plate-shaped member 1 placed on the support base section 25 faces the outer circumferential surface of the rotating striking section 26.

[0032] The rotating striking part 26 rotates downward from the upper surface of the glass layer 2 of the plate-shaped member 1 (counterclockwise in Figure 4). When the rotating striking part 26 is not rotating, the striking member 31 is bent at each joint 32, 33 due to its own weight. However, when the rotating striking part 26 rotates, the joints 32, 33 of the striking member 31 extend due to centrifugal force, and the striking member 31 becomes taut outward from the axis of rotation.

[0033] As the plate-shaped member 1 is further transported, it is positioned in the gap X between the support base 25 and the rotating striking unit 26. When the plate-shaped member 1 on the support base 25 aligns with the extension of the striking unit 31, where each joint 32, 33 extends, the striking body 35 of the striking unit 31 strikes the downstream end of the plate-shaped member 1, causing the plate-shaped member 1 to bend downwards at approximately 90 degrees and be supported by the support base 25. Simultaneously, the glass layer 2 is shattered, and a crack is formed in the glass layer 2 at the point where the plate-shaped member 1 is bent. The bending point of the plate-shaped member 1 (the crack in the glass layer 2) is struck by the striking unit 31, and the glass layer 2 on the bent side relative to the transport unit 11 is peeled away from the battery layer 4, with the bending point as the boundary. At this time, the impact on the glass layer 2 causes the joints 32, 33 of the striking unit 31 to bend and flex. As the flexible striking member 31 is struck down on the upper end of the glass layer 2 on the bent side at the crack in the glass layer 2 at the bent point, the glass layer 2 is peeled away from the battery layer 4 and falls as glass fragments 3. As this action is repeated, the plate-shaped member 1 is transported while the glass layer 2 is shattered, and the glass fragments 3 are accumulated in the collection unit 37.

[0034] As described above, the glass separation device 10 operates. Next, the effects of the glass separation device 10 will be explained.

[0035] The glass separation device 10 has a support base 25 at the downstream end of the transport unit 11, which supports the plate-shaped member 1 in a state where it is bent downwards at approximately a 90-degree angle, and where the striking member 31 strikes the bent portion. That is, the plate-shaped member 1 placed on the support base 25 bends at the tip of the support base 25, and the downstream side is lower than the tip of the support base 25. At the same time, the glass layer 2 is shattered, and a crack is formed in the glass layer 2 at the bent portion. When the striking member 31 strikes the bent portion (the crack in the glass layer 2) of the glass layer 2, the glass layer 2 on the bent side is peeled off from the battery layer 4 with the bent portion as the boundary, relative to the transport unit 11 side. Therefore, the crushing and separation of the glass layer 2 can be performed simultaneously, and the glass layer 2 can be smoothly peeled off from the battery layer 4.

[0036] Furthermore, since the glass layer 2 is peeled off in the direction that the plate-shaped member 1 is discharged downwards, the glass layer 2 can be peeled off smoothly without applying excessive load.

[0037] The striking member 31 of the glass separation device 10 has a connecting portion 34 connected to the overhang portion 29 of the support body portion 28 via a first joint portion 32, and a striking body portion 35 connected to the connecting portion 34 via a second joint portion 33. With this configuration, the striking member 31 can bend freely like a chain at each joint portion 32, 33. As the rotating striking portion 26 rotates, the striking member 31 stretches at each joint portion 32, 33 due to centrifugal force, becoming taut outward from the axis of rotation. In this state, when the striking body portion 35 of the striking member 31 strikes the downstream end of the plate-shaped member 1, the impact causes the striking member 31 to bend and flex at each joint portion 32, 33. The glass layer 2 is peeled off from the battery layer 4 by the flexing striking member 31 and falls as glass fragments 3. Therefore, the glass layer 2 can be reliably peeled off from the battery layer 4.

[0038] In the glass separation device 10, multiple adjacent support body parts 28 are fixed to the rotation shaft part 27 with each part offset from the other in the direction of rotation. Therefore, in each support body part 28, multiple striking members 31 adjacent to each other in the direction of rotation are arranged offset from each other in the rotation direction, and the left and right ends of the heads 36 of the striking members 31 overlap when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the direction of rotation (see Figure 3). That is, for example when viewed from above, the left and right ends of the heads 36 overlap without any gaps, so that the glass layer 2 can be peeled off from the battery layer 4 evenly in the direction of rotation.

[0039] In the glass separation device 10, the heating unit 14 that heats the glass layer 2 faces the rail unit 13 of the transport unit 11 (see Figure 2). Heating the glass layer 2 by the heating unit 14 makes it easier to peel the glass layer 2 from the plate-shaped member 1.

[0040] Next, the foreign matter removal device 40 will be described based on the drawings. Figures 5 and 6 show the foreign matter removal device 40 according to the first embodiment.

[0041] The recovery section 37 of the glass separation device 10 contains not only glass fragments 3 but also foreign matter (not shown) such as electric wires, which are generated when the glass layer 2 is crushed and separated from the plate-shaped member 1. Therefore, the fragments are sucked up by a vacuum or the like (not shown in the figures) and transported to the foreign matter removal device 40, where they are sieved. In the description of the foreign matter removal device 40, as shown in Figures 5 and 6, the vertical direction is defined as upward or downward, the direction of movement of the belt section 64 is defined as forward, the direction opposite to the direction of movement of the belt section 64 is defined as backward, and the direction of rotation axis of the rollers that operate the belt section 64 is defined as left or right. In addition, the positions in the fragment transport path are defined as the upstream side and the downstream side.

[0042] As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the foreign matter removal device 40 consists of a hopper section 42, an input amount adjustment section 45, a chute section 50, and a sieving section 55, mounted in order from top to bottom between a pair of removal-side base frame sections 41 facing each other. Fragments are fed into the hopper section 42 and sieved through the input amount adjustment section 45, the chute section 50, and the sieving section 55 in that order. The hopper section 42 is mounted on the upper part of the removal-side base frame section 41. The input amount adjustment section 45 is connected to the lower part of the hopper section 42, and is therefore positioned downstream of the hopper section 42 in the transport path. The chute section 50 is positioned below the input amount adjustment section 45, and is therefore positioned downstream of the input amount adjustment section 45 in the transport path. The sieving section 55 is positioned below the chute section 50, and is therefore positioned downstream of the sieving section 55 in the transport path.

[0043] The hopper section 42 is funnel-shaped, with an inlet 43 at the upper end that is wide in the front-to-back direction and a discharge port 44 at the lower end that is narrower than the inlet 43 in the front-to-back direction. The hopper section 42 is wide from left to right. An input volume adjustment section 45 is located directly below the discharge port 44. The input volume adjustment section 45 has multiple protruding wall portions 47 formed on the outer circumferential surface of a cylindrical adjustment rotating member 46. The protruding wall portions 47 project outward from the outer circumferential surface of the adjustment rotating member 46 and extend to the left and right. The protruding wall portions 47 are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the adjustment rotating member 46. Therefore, groove portions 48 extending to the left and right are formed between the protruding wall portions 47. The number, length, and spacing of the protruding wall portions 47 are arbitrary. A motor is connected to the adjustment rotating member 46 as an adjustment drive unit 49.

[0044] The chute section 50 is a member in which side wall sections 52 are connected to both the left and right ends of a thin plate-shaped chute body section 51. The side wall sections 52 extend upward. A chute vibrator section 53 is attached to the lower surface of the chute body section 51. The chute vibrator section 53 is positioned in the center of the chute body section 51. The chute section 50 is inclined diagonally downward from rear to front. The front end of the chute section 50 is the discharge end section 54.

[0045] The sieving section 55 comprises a box-shaped frame 56, a sieving body 57 positioned inside the box-shaped frame 56, and a sieving vibration section 58 positioned below the sieving body 57. The box-shaped frame 56 has an open upper end and two open locations at the front and rear of its lower end. The upper opening, the receiving port 59, is wider than the discharge end 54 of the chute section 50. The lower openings, the rear sieving port 60 and the front sieving port 61, extend downward and narrow, and are narrower than the width of the box-shaped frame 56.

[0046] The sieving body 57 has a pair of front and rear rollers, a rear belt roller 62 and a front belt roller 63, and a belt portion 64 wound around the rear belt roller 62 and the front belt roller 63. The rear belt roller 62 and the front belt roller 63 are positioned at different locations in the vertical direction. Therefore, the sieving body 55 as a whole is inclined diagonally upward from the rear to the front. A motor is connected to the rotation axis of the front belt roller 63 as a sieving drive unit 65. Multiple protrusions 66 are formed on the surface of the belt portion 64. The protrusions 66 project outward from the surface of the belt portion 64. The protrusions 66 are, for example, rod-shaped like nails and are formed across the entire surface of the belt portion 64. The thickness, length, spacing, and number of the protrusions 66 are arbitrary. The spacing between the protrusions 66 is such that a piece of glass can pass through.

[0047] The sieve vibration unit 58 is positioned inside the box-shaped frame 56 and is attached to the box-shaped frame 56. The sieve vibration unit 58 is positioned below and in the center of the sieve body 57. That is, the position of the sieve vibration unit 58 is between the rear belt roller 62 and the front belt roller 63, and in the center of the belt portion 64 that is wound around the rear belt roller 62 and the front belt roller 63.

[0048] The foreign matter removal device 40 is configured as described above. Next, the operation and effects of the foreign matter removal device 40 will be explained.

[0049] When the adjustment drive unit 49 of the input amount adjustment unit 45 is activated, the adjustment rotating member 46 rotates. When fragments are fed into the hopper unit 42, the fragments enter the groove 48 of the adjustment rotating member 46 from the discharge port 44, are transported in small amounts, and sent to the chute unit 50. Thus, the amount of fragments transported to the chute unit 50 is adjusted. Here, the direction of rotation of the adjustment rotating member 46 is the direction in which the fragments that enter the groove 48 fall towards the rear end of the chute unit 50 (counterclockwise in Figure 5, arrow A). １ Therefore, in the chute section 50, the fragments slide a long distance from the rear end towards the discharge end 54 at the front end, spreading and leveling them across the entire surface of the chute body piece 51.

[0050] The fragments discharged from the discharge end 54 pass through the receiving opening 59 of the box-shaped frame 56 of the sieving section 55 and fall onto the belt section 64 of the sieving main body 57. When the sieving drive unit 65 is activated, the front belt roller 63 rotates (clockwise in Figure 5, arrow A). ２ The belt section 64 moves forward from the rear belt roller 62 toward the front belt roller 63, and the rear belt roller 62 moves in conjunction with the front belt roller 63. Relatively small glass fragments pass between the protrusions 66 and are transported backward down the slope against the movement of the belt section 64 (arrow A in Figure 5). ３ ). On the other hand, relatively large foreign objects get caught on the projection 66 and are transported by the belt 64, moving upward towards the front (arrow A in Figure 5). ４ When the sieving vibration unit 58 is in operation, the vibration is transmitted to the entire belt unit 64 via the box-shaped frame 56, the rear belt roller 62, and the front belt roller 63, thereby accelerating the sieving process.

[0051] The glass fragments are discharged from the rear sieving opening 60 of the sieving section 55 (arrow A in Figure 5). ５ On the other hand, foreign matter is discharged from the front sieving opening 61 of the sieving section 55 (arrow A in Figure 5). ６ In this way, glass fragments and foreign matter are properly separated. Therefore, foreign matter can be removed with a simple configuration, and only glass fragments can be extracted.

[0052] The following is a description of a panel processing apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 7 shows a panel processing apparatus 200 according to the second embodiment, and Figures 8 to 13 show a panel inversion device 207 included in the panel processing apparatus 200.

[0053] In Figure 7, the panel processing apparatus 200 includes at least a panel inversion device 207 and a glass separation device 10 located downstream of the panel inversion device 207, with each device 10 and 207 arranged on the same line. Furthermore, a frame dismantling device is located upstream of the panel inversion device 207 in the panel processing apparatus 200. Therefore, in the panel processing apparatus 200, the plate-shaped member 1 is processed sequentially through the frame dismantling device, the panel inversion device 207, the glass separation device 10, and the foreign matter removal device 40.

[0054] The plate-shaped member 1, from which the frame and connectors have been removed by the frame dismantling device, is then inverted by the panel inversion device 207. That is, the plate-shaped member 1 is transported from the frame dismantling device to the panel inversion device 207 with the glass layer facing downwards, and in the panel inversion device 207, it is positioned with the glass layer facing upwards (details will be described later). Next, the plate-shaped member 1 is transported to the glass separation device 10. The configuration of the glass separation device 10 is as described in the first embodiment.

[0055] Next, the panel inversion device 207 will be described based on the drawings. Figures 8 to 10 show the panel inversion device 207. Figure 11 shows the operation of the suction unit 216. In the description of the panel inversion device 207, as shown in Figure 8, the transport direction of the plate-shaped member 1 is forward or backward, and the inversion direction is to the left or to the right.

[0056] As shown in Figures 8 to 10, the panel inversion device 207 has a stage section 208 on which the glass layer is placed with the glass layer facing downwards, and an inversion section 210 installed adjacent to the right side of the stage section 208. The stage section 208 is formed of a metal frame and has a flat mounting base 209 on its upper surface. The inversion section 210 is generally plate-shaped and is positioned above a base section 211 formed of a metal frame. The inversion section 210 is located to the right of the stage section 208 and is connected to an inversion rotating shaft 217 which is connected to the base section 211. The axis of the inversion rotating shaft 217 is oriented in the front-rear direction. An inversion drive unit 218, such as a motor, is connected to the inversion rotating shaft 217 via a chain belt or the like, and the inversion drive unit 218 is driven by a control signal from a control unit (not shown) to rotate the inversion rotating shaft 217, thereby changing the orientation of the inversion section 210. More specifically, the reversing unit 210 is located above the base unit 211 (hereinafter referred to as "transport preparation position P"). １ From this position, facing the mounting base 209 of the stage section 208 (hereinafter referred to as "suction preparation position P"), see Figure 10. ２ It is written as follows: Rotate between these points (see Figure 10).

[0057] The reversing unit 210 includes a support frame 212 connected to a reversing rotation shaft 217, a pair of transport units 214 connected to the support frame 212, a movable frame 213 connected to the support frame 212 and displaceable relative to the support frame 212, a suction unit 216 connected to the movable frame 213, and a longitudinal guide unit 215 fixed to the end of the transport unit 214. The guide unit 215 is fixed to the end of the transport unit 214 on the side of the reversing rotation shaft 217 and protrudes from the plane of the transport unit 214.

[0058] The conveying unit 214 is a flat belt that is longitudinally long in the front-rear direction. The belt is wound around rollers (not shown), and when the rollers rotate, the belt is sent forward. The suction unit 216 and the movable frame 213 are located at the center of the reversing unit 210 and are arranged between the conveying units 214. The suction unit 216 is, for example, a plurality of vacuums made of rubber or silicon and are arranged in the front-rear direction. By displacing the movable frame 213 with a cylinder or the like according to a control signal from the control unit, the degree of protrusion of the suction unit 216 with respect to the conveying unit 214 changes. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 11, the suction unit 216 is on the same plane as the plane of the conveying unit 214 or at a position recessed from the plane of the conveying unit 214 (hereinafter referred to as the "standby position P ３ ").) to a position protruding from the plane of the conveying unit 214 (hereinafter referred to as the "suction position P ４ ").) and moves between them.

[0059] As described above, the panel reversing device 207 is configured. Next, the operation and effects of the panel reversing device 207 will be described based on the drawings. FIGS. 12 and 13 show the process of the operation of the panel reversing device 207 according to the present embodiment. In the figures, only the main parts are schematically shown, and other parts are omitted.

[0060] In FIG. 12, the plate-like member 1 is placed on the mounting table 209 of the panel reversing device 207 with the glass layer facing downward. Initially, the reversing unit 210 is in the conveying preparation position P １ , and the suction unit 216 is in the standby position P ３ . The plate-like member 1 has the frame and connectors removed in advance by the frame disassembling device.

[0061] When the reversing unit 210 of the panel reversing device 207 rotates together with the reversing rotation shaft 217 (rotates counterclockwise in the figure) and reaches the suction preparation position P ２ , the suction unit 216 moves from the standby position P ３ to the suction position P ４ . The reversing unit 210 in the suction preparation position P ２ faces the adhered layer of the plate-like member 1 on the mounting table 209 (hereinafter referred to as the "facing posture P ５The suction part 216 comes into contact with and is pressed against the layer to be attached, and the plate-shaped member 1 is adsorbed by suction of the layer to be attached. Facing position P ５ So, suction position P ４ Since the suction portion 216 located there protrudes more from the transport portion 214 toward the plate-shaped member 1, the suction portion 216 reliably contacts the layer to be attached to the plate-shaped member 1 and adsorbs the plate-shaped member 1.

[0062] Even if the glass layer were to crack, since the glass is attached to the layer to be bonded and facing downwards, when the plate-shaped member 1 is attracted upwards, the glass layer remains attached to the layer to be bonded and hardly shifts or loses its orientation. Therefore, the orientation of the glass layer of the plate-shaped member 1 can be easily reversed while maintaining its flat position.

[0063] As shown in Figure 13, face-to-face posture P ５ In this case, the suction unit 216 that has attracted the plate-shaped member 1 is at the suction position P ４ From waiting position P ３ As it moves, the layer to be attached to the plate-shaped member 1 comes into contact with the plane of the transport unit 214. The plate-shaped member 1 is supported by the transport unit 214 as the transport unit 214 comes into contact with the layer to be attached. In this state, the inversion unit 210 rotates, so the plate-shaped member 1 is inverted without collapsing.

[0064] The reversing unit 210 rotates together with the reversing rotation shaft 217 (rotating clockwise in the figure), and the reversing unit 210 moves to the suction preparation position P. ２ From transport preparation position P １ During the period before moving to the position P, when the glass layer of the plate-shaped member 1 is facing upwards, the suction unit 216 opens the plate-shaped member 1. More specifically, the reversal unit 210 is at least at the suction preparation position P ２When the plate-shaped member 1 is at an angle of 90 degrees or more from the left, the suction unit 216 stops suction. The plate-shaped member 1 slides along the reversing unit 210 toward the end on the reversing rotation shaft 217 side due to its own weight (see arrow D in the figure), and hits the guide unit 215 where it slides down. The plate-shaped member 1 that hits the guide unit 215 is adjusted to a position along the guide unit 215. In other words, the position of the plate-shaped member 1 is automatically corrected to an appropriate position. Therefore, the plate-shaped member 1 is in an appropriate position for processing in the glass separation device 10 in the next process, and the effort of correcting its position is eliminated, thus contributing to labor savings.

[0065] Here, in this embodiment, "the orientation in which the glass layer of the plate-shaped member 1 is facing upwards" means an orientation in which the glass layer is visible in a plan view. Therefore, it is not limited to the orientation in which the glass layer is horizontal.

[0066] Preparation position P for transport １ The inversion section 210 located there supports the plate-shaped member 1 in a position where the glass layer is facing upwards (hereinafter referred to as "support position P"). ６ )] Support posture P ６ Since the conveying unit 214 is in contact with the layer to be attached, the conveying unit 214 operates and the belt is fed out, thereby conveying the plate-shaped member 1. Because the belt is a single leaf, glass fragments do not get caught during conveyance. Also, the support posture P ６ So, waiting position P ３ The suction section 216 located there does not protrude beyond the plane of the transport section 214, and therefore does not obstruct transport.

[0067] As described above, the reversing unit 210 uses the suction unit 216 to suck in the plate-shaped member 1 and rotates to face-to-face position P. ５ and support posture P ６ By changing to this state, the plate-shaped member 1 is inverted. Therefore, the orientation of the glass layer of the plate-shaped member 1 can be easily reversed.

[0068] <Note> The panel inversion device comprises: a stage portion on which a plate-shaped member having a glass layer and a layer to which the glass layer is attached is placed with the glass layer facing downwards; and an inversion unit which inverts the plate-shaped member by rotating an inversion rotation shaft located to the side of the stage portion, thereby changing the orientation from a facing orientation facing the layer to which the layer to be attached on the stage portion, to a support orientation supporting the plate-shaped member with the glass layer facing upwards; and the inversion unit comprises: a suction unit that, in the facing orientation, sucks the layer to be attached to attract the plate-shaped member; and a transport unit that, in the support orientation, transports the plate-shaped member.

[0069] The panel inversion device is characterized in that, in the facing position, the suction portion protrudes toward the plate-shaped member more than the transport portion and contacts the layer to be attached.

[0070] The panel inversion device is characterized in that, in the facing orientation, the suction portion, which is in contact with the layer to be attached, moves from a position protruding from the transport portion to a position where it does not protrude, so that in the facing orientation, the transport portion comes into contact with the layer to be attached to the plate-shaped member that has been adsorbed by the suction portion.

[0071] The panel reversing device is characterized in that the reversing part has a guide part that adjusts the orientation of the plate-shaped member by contacting the end of the plate-shaped member.

[0072] The panel inversion device is characterized in that, during the transition from the facing position to the support position, the suction portion releases the plate-shaped member in a position where the glass layer is facing upward, and the plate-shaped member slides down the inversion portion and strikes the guide portion.

[0073] The panel inversion device is characterized in that the conveying section is a belt that is fed out in the axial direction of the inversion rotating shaft.

[0074] In other embodiments of this disclosure, the sieving section does not have a sieving vibration section. In yet another embodiment, the chute section does not have a chute vibration section.

[0075] While embodiments of this disclosure have been described in detail above, this disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above. Furthermore, various design modifications are possible as long as they do not deviate from the matters described in the claims.

[0076] 1 Plate-shaped member 2 Glass layer 3 Glass fragment 4 Battery layer 10 Glass separation device 11 Conveying unit 12 Conveying side base frame unit 13 Rail unit 14 Heating unit 15 Glass separation unit 16 Separation side base frame unit 17 Conveying support unit 18 Support roller 19 Upper roller 20 Lower roller 21 First pulley 22 Second pulley 23 First belt 24 Second belt 25 Support base unit 26 Rotating striking unit 27 Rotating shaft unit 28 Support body unit 29 Overhanging unit 30 Valley unit 31 Striking member 32 First joint unit 33 Second joint unit 34 Connecting unit 35 Striking body unit 36 ​​Head unit 37 Recovery unit 38 First drive unit 39 Second drive unit 40 Foreign matter removal device 41 Removal side base frame unit 42 Hopper section 43 Inlet 44 Outlet 45 Inlet amount adjustment section 46 Adjustable rotating member 47 Protruding wall section 48 Groove section 49 Adjustable drive section 50 Chute section 51 Chute body section 52 Side wall section 53 Chute vibrating section 54 Outlet end 55 Sieving section 56 Box-shaped frame 57 Sieving body section 58 Sieving vibrating section 59 Receiving opening 60 Rear sieving opening 61 Front sieving opening 62 Rear belt roller 63 Front belt roller 64 Belt section 65 Sieving drive section 66 Protrusion A １ Arrow A ２ Arrow A ３ Arrow A ４ Arrow A ５ Arrow A ６Arrow X Gap 100, 200 Panel processing device 207 Panel inversion device 208 Stage section 209 Mounting platform 210 Inversion section 211 Base section 212 Support frame 213 Movable frame 214 Transport section 215 Guide section 216 Suction section 217 Rotating shaft for inversion 218 Inversion drive section P １ Preparation position for transport P ２ Suction preparation position P ３ Standby position P ４ Suction position P ５ Face-to-face posture P ６ Support posture

Claims

1. A foreign matter removal device characterized by comprising: a hopper section into which fragments generated when the glass layer is crushed and separated from a plate-shaped member having a glass layer and a layer to which the glass layer is attached are fed; an input amount adjustment section located downstream of the hopper section for adjusting the amount of fragments transported downstream; a chute section located downstream of the input amount adjustment section; and a sieving section located downstream of the chute section for separating the fragments into glass fragments and foreign matter other than the glass fragments.

2. The foreign matter removal device according to claim 1, characterized in that the sieving portion has a belt portion wound around a pair of rollers and a plurality of protrusions protruding from the surface of the belt portion.

3. The foreign matter removal device according to claim 2, characterized in that the sieving section has a vibrating section that vibrates the belt section.

4. The foreign matter removal device according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the pair of rollers are positioned at different positions in the vertical direction, the sieving portion is inclined, the belt portion moves from the lower roller toward the higher roller, the glass fragments among the fragments that rest on the belt portion descend against the movement of the belt portion, and the foreign matter is conveyed toward the direction of movement of the belt portion.

5. A foreign matter removal device according to claim 4 is provided downstream of the glass separation device that crushes and separates the glass layer from the plate-shaped member, wherein the glass separation device comprises: a transport section for transporting the plate-shaped member; a rotating striking section positioned downstream of the transport section and facing the end of the plate-shaped member in the transport direction, and rotating downward from the upper surface of the glass layer to separate the glass layer from the plate-shaped member; a striking member having an articulated portion is provided on the outer surface of the rotating striking section; a support base is provided downstream of the transport section for supporting the plate-shaped member in a bent state toward downward; when the rotating striking section rotates and the plate-shaped member on the support base is aligned with the extension line of the striking member with the articulated portion extended, the striking member strikes the bent portion of the plate-shaped member, thereby separating the glass layer on the side of the bent plate-shaped member that is bent toward the transport section from the bent portion; and the fragments are transported to the foreign matter removal device. A panel processing apparatus characterized by the following:

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