Grinding system

Abstract

[Problem] To provide a grinding system capable of quickly grinding first and second side edge portions and front and rear end edge portions of a glass plate body without the need to take time grinding the first and second side edge portions and the front and rear end edge portions of the glass plate body. [Solution] A grinding system 10 including: a first rotation means for causing a glass conveying / rotating first shuttle to rotate glass plate bodies by 90°; a first placement means for causing the glass conveying / rotating first shuttle to place the glass plate bodies rotated by 90° by the first rotation means on glass grinding first receiving bases; a first grinding means for grinding, by first and second grinding devices, first and second side edge portions of the glass plate bodies placed on the glass grinding first receiving bases; a second rotation means for causing a glass conveying / rotating second shuttle to rotate, by 90°, the glass plate bodies in which the first and second side edge portions have been ground by the first grinding means; a second placement means for causing the glass conveying / rotating second shuttle to place the glass plate bodies rotated by 90° by the second rotation means on glass grinding second receiving bases; and a second grinding means for grinding, by third and fourth grinding devices, front and rear end edge portions of the glass plate bodies placed on the glass grinding second receiving bases.

Description

Grinding system

[0001] The present invention relates to a grinding system for grinding both first edge portions and both second edge portions of a glass plate body after splitting processing, such as a glass plate for automobile windows and a glass plate for liquid crystals.

[0002] Disclosed is a glass plate processing system formed by: a carry-in conveyor for carrying glass plates; a scoring processing area located forward of the carry-in conveyor; a splitting processing area located forward of the scoring processing area; a grinding processing area located forward of the splitting processing area; a carry-out conveyor located forward of the grinding processing area; and a conveyance mechanism for conveying glass plates from the carry-in conveyor to each processing area (see Patent Document 1).

[0003] The grinding processing area of this glass plate processing system comprises: a grinding table having a second moving mechanism that moves in the width direction in a state where the split glass plate body, from which the outer peripheral edge portion of the glass plate extending outward of a scribe line (outer contour cutting line) has been split off in the splitting processing area, is placed; and a grinding device movable in the front-rear direction. A plurality of suction cups (suction pads) each having a predetermined area for sucking and holding the lower surface of the glass plate body are installed on the grinding table. In the grinding processing area, the glass plate body is placed and fixed on the grinding table by the suction cups, after the grinding wheel of the grinding device moves rearward in the front-rear direction toward the outside in the width direction of the edge portion of the glass plate body placed on the grinding table, the grinding table is moved in the width direction toward the grinding device by the second moving mechanism, and both side edge portions and both end edge portions of the glass plate body placed on the grinding table are ground using the grinding wheel of the grinding device.

[0004] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2020-040877

[0005] In the grinding process of the glass plate processing system disclosed in Patent Document 1, the grinding wheel of the grinding device located outside the first corner of the glass plate body moves from outside the first corner of the glass plate body toward one side edge of the glass plate body, and after the grinding wheel performs grinding on one side edge of the glass plate body by contour control movement controlled by NC, the grinding wheel is located outside the second corner of the glass plate body. Next, the grinding wheel of the grinding device moves from outside the second corner of the glass plate body toward one end edge of the glass plate body, and after the grinding wheel performs grinding on one end edge of the glass plate body by contour control movement controlled by NC, the grinding wheel is located outside the third corner of the glass plate body. Furthermore, the grinding wheel of the grinding device moves from outside the third corner of the glass plate body toward the other side edge of the glass plate body, and after the grinding wheel performs grinding on the other side edge of the glass plate body by contour control movement controlled by NC, the grinding wheel is located outside the fourth corner of the glass plate body. Next, the grinding wheel of the grinding device moves from the outside of the fourth corner of the glass plate body toward the other edge of the glass plate body, and the grinding wheel performs grinding on the other edge of the glass plate body using contour control motion controlled by NC. In this way, the grinding wheel of the grinding device moves from each corner of the glass plate body toward each side edge and each end edge, grinding all four sides of the glass plate body (both side edges and both end edges). Therefore, even if the grinding wheel of the grinding device is moved at high speed, the grinding process takes time, and there was a limit to how much the grinding time could be shortened.

[0006] The object of the present invention is to provide a grinding system that does not require any time (non-processing time) from the start to the end of grinding of the glass plate body, and that can shorten the grinding time of both first and both second edges of the glass plate body. Another object of the present invention is to provide a grinding system that can grind both first and both second edges of at least two glass plate bodies at high speed and efficiently, and can finish the glass plate body to a predetermined shape with both first and both second edges ground according to the design.

[0007] The premise of the present invention for solving the aforementioned problems is a grinding system that uses a grinding mechanism to grind both first and second edges of a glass plate body whose outer edge has been folded by a predetermined folding process.

[0008] The features of the grinding system of the present invention, as described above, are that the grinding system comprises: a first glass transport and rotation shuttle that raises and lowers the glass plate bodies and rotates them by 90°; at least two first glass grinding support units connected in the transport direction for supporting each glass plate body when grinding both first edges of at least two glass plate bodies; a second glass transport and rotation shuttle located in front of the first glass transport and rotation shuttle in the transport direction, which takes each glass plate body from the first glass grinding support units and raises and lowers them and rotates them by 90°; and at least two second glass grinding support units located in front of the first glass grinding support units in the transport direction, which are connected in the transport direction for supporting each glass plate body when grinding both second edges of at least two glass plate bodies, and the center line extending in the width direction divides the dimensions of the glass plate bodies in the transport direction in half. A first rotating means that rotates each glass plate body by 90° with the glass transport and rotation first shuttle perpendicular to it; a first placing means that the glass transport and rotation first shuttle places the glass plate bodies rotated by 90° by the first rotating means onto the glass grinding first support base; a first grinding means that grinds both first edges of each glass plate body placed on the glass grinding first support base with a grinding mechanism; and the glass plates whose both first edges have been ground by the first grinding means The system includes a second rotating means that rotates each glass plate body by 90° using a second glass transport / rotating shuttle so that the center line extending in the transport direction of the plate body is perpendicular to the transport direction; a second placing means that places the glass plate bodies rotated by 90° by the second rotating means onto the second glass grinding support base using the second glass transport / rotating shuttle; and a second grinding means that grinds both second edges of each glass plate body placed on the second glass grinding support base using a grinding mechanism.

[0009] An example of the grinding system of the present invention is a grinding mechanism comprising: a first grinding device positioned widthwise outward from one side edge of the first glass grinding support base and grinding one first edge of the glass plate body; a second grinding device positioned widthwise outward from the other side edge of the first glass grinding support base and grinding the other first edge of the glass plate body; a third grinding device positioned widthwise outward from one side edge of the second glass grinding support base and grinding one second edge of the glass plate body; and a third grinding device positioned widthwise outward from the other side edge of the second glass grinding support base and grinding the glass plate body The system is formed from a first grinding means and a fourth grinding device for grinding the second edge of the other side of the body. The first grinding means consists of the first and second grinding devices which travel forward or backward in the transport direction to grind one first edge and the other first edge of each glass plate body placed on the first glass grinding support, passing them in the transport direction. The second grinding means consists of the third and fourth grinding devices which travel forward or backward in the transport direction to grind one second edge and the other second edge of each glass plate body placed on the second glass grinding support, passing them in the transport direction.

[0010] Another example of the grinding system of the present invention is a first grinding means in which a first grinding device travels either forward or backward in the conveying direction to grind one first edge of each glass plate body as it passes in the conveying direction, a second grinding device travels either forward or backward in the conveying direction to grind the other first edge of each glass plate body as it passes in the conveying direction, a third grinding device travels either forward or backward in the conveying direction to grind one second edge of each glass plate body as it passes in the conveying direction, and a fourth grinding device travels either forward or backward in the conveying direction to grind the other second edge of each glass plate body as it passes in the conveying direction.

[0011] Another example of the grinding system of the present invention is a first glass grinding support base comprising: a first support plate extending in the width direction from one side edge extending in the transport direction toward the other side edge; a second support plate located in front of the first support plate in the transport direction and extending in the width direction from one side edge extending in the transport direction toward the other side edge; a plurality of first mounting plates whose base ends located in the rear in the transport direction are connected to the first support plate and are arranged at predetermined intervals in the width direction, and which extend forward in the transport direction toward the second support plate from the first support plate; and a base end located in front in the transport direction A plurality of second mounting plates are connected to a second support plate and arranged at predetermined intervals in the width direction, extending rearward in the transport direction from the second support plate toward the first support plate; a third support plate is located in front of the third support plate in the transport direction, and extends in the width direction from the other side edge extending toward one side edge in the transport direction; a fourth support plate is located in front of the third support plate in the transport direction, and extends in the width direction from the other side edge extending toward one side edge in the transport direction; and a base end located at the rear in the transport direction is connected to the third support plate and arranged at predetermined intervals in the width direction, extending from the third support plate toward the fourth support plate The glass transport and rotation first shuttle has a plurality of third mounting plates extending forward in the transport direction toward the shuttle, a plurality of fourth mounting plates whose base ends located forward in the transport direction are connected to a fourth support plate and are arranged at predetermined intervals in the width direction, and which extend backward in the transport direction toward the third support plate from the fourth support plate, and a central first support plate located on the transport centerline extending in the transport direction and extending in the transport direction, a plurality of fifth mounting plates extending from the central first support plate in one direction in the width direction and arranged at predetermined intervals in the transport direction, and extending from the central first support plate in the other direction in the width direction The first mounting means has a plurality of sixth mounting plates that are separated by a predetermined distance in the transport direction, and after the glass transport / rotation first shuttle rotates the glass plate bodies by 90°, one of the fifth mounting plate and the sixth mounting plate of the glass transport / rotation first shuttle passes vertically downward through the gap between the first mounting plates and the gap between the second mounting plates, and the other of the fifth mounting plate and the sixth mounting plate of the glass transport / rotation first shuttle passes vertically downward through the gap between the third mounting plates and the gap between the fourth mounting plates,Each glass plate is transferred from the fifth and sixth mounting plates to the first to fourth mounting plates, and each glass plate is then placed on the first glass grinding support.

[0012] Another example of the grinding system of the present invention is a grinding system comprising a glass loading platform located behind the glass grinding first platform in the transport direction and on which at least two glass plate bodies after the folding process are placed, and a glass transport and rotation first shuttle transports each glass plate body from the glass loading platform forward in the transport direction toward the glass grinding first platform.

[0013] Another example of the grinding system of the present invention is a glass loading platform having a plurality of seventh mounting plates that extend in the width direction from one side edge extending in the transport direction toward the other side edge and are arranged at predetermined intervals in the transport direction, and a plurality of eighth mounting plates that extend in the width direction from the other side edge extending in the transport direction toward the one side edge and are arranged at predetermined intervals in the transport direction, and in the first glass transport means, after each glass plate body after the folding process is placed on the seventh and eighth mounting plates of the glass loading platform, the first glass transport and rotation means located below the seventh mounting plates of the glass loading platform The fifth mounting plates of the shuttle pass vertically upward through the gap between each of the seventh mounting plates, and the sixth mounting plates of the glass transport / rotation first shuttle, located below the eighth mounting plates of the glass loading support, pass vertically upward through the gap between the eighth mounting plates, the glass plate body after folding is transferred from the seventh and eighth mounting plates to the fifth and sixth mounting plates, the glass plate body rises above the glass loading support, and the glass transport / rotation first shuttle moves forward in the transport direction to transport the glass plate body from the glass loading support to the glass grinding first support.

[0014] Another example of the grinding system of the present invention is that in the glass loading platform, the leading edges of the seventh mounting plates and the leading edges of the eighth mounting plates are separated by a predetermined distance in the width direction, and a first passage space extending in the transport direction is formed between the leading edges of the seventh mounting plates and the leading edges of the eighth mounting plates. In the first glass transport means, the central first support plate of the first glass transport / rotating shuttle passes through the first passage space vertically upward, causing each glass plate body placed on the glass loading platform to rise above the glass loading platform.

[0015] As another example of the grinding system of the present invention, in the first rotating means, after the first glass transport / rotating shuttle raises the glass plate bodies above the glass loading support, each glass plate body is rotated by 90° above the glass loading support, or after the first glass transport / rotating shuttle transports the glass plate bodies above the first glass grinding support, each glass plate body is rotated by 90° above the first glass grinding support. By rotating each glass plate body by 90°, the central first support plate of the first glass transport / rotating shuttle extends in the width direction, and the fifth and sixth mounting plates extend in the transport direction.

[0016] As another example of the grinding system of the present invention, in the first glass grinding support, the front end of the first mounting plate located in the forward direction of transport and the rear end of the second mounting plate located in the rear direction of transport are positioned opposite each other at a predetermined distance apart in the transport direction, and a second passage space extending in the width direction is formed between the front end of the first mounting plate and the front end of the second mounting plate. The front end of the third mounting plate located in the forward direction of transport and the rear end of the fourth mounting plate located in the transport direction are positioned opposite each other at a predetermined distance apart in the transport direction, and a third passage space extending in the width direction is formed between the front end of the third mounting plate and the front end of the fourth mounting plate. In the first mounting means, the central first support plate and the fifth and sixth mounting plates of the first glass transport / rotating shuttle pass through the second and third passage spaces downward in the vertical direction, thereby placing each glass plate body on the first glass grinding support.

[0017] Another example of the grinding system of the present invention is a glass grinding second support base having a plurality of ninth mounting plates that extend in the width direction from one side edge extending in the transport direction toward the other side edge and are arranged at predetermined intervals in the transport direction, and a plurality of tenth mounting plates that extend in the width direction from the other side edge extending in the transport direction toward the one side edge and are arranged at predetermined intervals in the transport direction, and a glass transport and rotation second shuttle having a central second support plate that is located on the center line of the transport direction and extends in the transport direction, and extending from the central second support plate in one direction in the width direction and arranged at predetermined intervals in the transport direction, and the gap between the first and second mounting plates of the glass grinding first support base and The grinding system includes a plurality of 11th mounting plates that can pass vertically through either the gap between the third and fourth mounting plates or the gap between the third and fourth mounting plates, and a plurality of 12th mounting plates that extend from the central second support plate in the other direction in the width direction and are arranged at predetermined intervals in the transport direction, and can pass vertically through either the gap between the first and second mounting plates of the first glass grinding support or the gap between the third and fourth mounting plates or the gap between the first and second mounting plates of the first glass grinding support, and the grinding system includes a second glass transport means that transports each glass plate body, whose both first edges have been ground, forward in the transport direction from the first glass grinding support toward the second glass grinding support by a second glass transport / rotation shuttle.

[0018] Another example of the grinding system of the present invention is that in the second glass transport means, after both first edges of each glass plate body are ground by the first grinding means, the central second support plate of the second glass transport / rotating shuttle located below the first glass grinding support base passes vertically upward through the first passage space, and the 11th mounting plates of the second glass transport / rotating shuttle located below the first glass grinding support base pass vertically upward through either the gap between the first and second mounting plates of the first glass grinding support base or the gap between the third and fourth mounting plates, and The 12th mounting plate of the glass transport / rotation second shuttle, located below the glass grinding first support, passes vertically upward through the gap between the 1st and 2nd mounting plates of the glass grinding first support and the gap between the 3rd and 4th mounting plates, respectively. Each glass plate body is then transferred from the 1st to 4th mounting plates to the 11th and 12th mounting plates, causing the glass plate bodies to rise above the glass grinding first support. The glass transport / rotation second shuttle then moves forward in the transport direction, transporting the glass plate bodies from the glass grinding first support to the glass grinding second support.

[0019] As another example of the grinding system of the present invention, in the first glass grinding support base, the first and second mounting plates located furthest inward in the width direction and the third and fourth mounting plates located furthest inward in the width direction are positioned opposite each other at a predetermined distance apart in the width direction, and a fourth passage space extending in the transport direction is formed between the first and second mounting plates located furthest inward in the width direction and the third and fourth mounting plates located furthest inward in the width direction, and in the first mounting means, the central first support plate of the first glass transport and rotation shuttle and the fifth and The sixth mounting plate passes through the fourth passage space in a downward direction, and each glass plate body is placed on the first glass grinding support. In the second glass transport means, the central second support plate and the eleventh and twelfth mounting plates of the second glass transport / rotating shuttle pass through the fourth passage space in an upward direction, causing the glass plate body to rise above the first glass grinding support. The second glass transport / rotating shuttle then moves forward in the transport direction to transport the glass plate body from the first glass grinding support to the second glass grinding support.

[0020] As another example of the grinding system of the present invention, in the second rotating means, after the second glass transport / rotating shuttle raises the glass plate bodies above the first glass grinding support, each glass plate body is rotated by 90° above the first glass grinding support, or after the second glass transport / rotating shuttle transports the glass plate bodies above the second glass grinding support, each glass plate body is rotated by 90° above the second glass grinding support, and by rotating each glass plate body by 90°, the central second support plate of the second glass transport / rotating shuttle extends in the transport direction and the 11th and 12th mounting plates extend in the width direction.

[0021] As another example of the grinding system of the present invention, in the second mounting means, after the glass conveying and rotating second shuttle rotates the glass plate bodies, whose first edges have been ground, by 90°, one of the 11th mounting plate and the 12th mounting plate of the glass conveying and rotating second shuttle passes downward in the vertical direction through the gap between the 9th mounting plate, and the other of the 11th mounting plate and the 12th mounting plate of the glass conveying and rotating second shuttle passes downward in the vertical direction through the gap between the 10th mounting plate, thereby transferring each glass plate body from the 11th and 12th mounting plates to the 9th and 10th mounting plates, and each glass plate body is placed on the glass grinding second support.

[0022] As another example of the grinding system of the present invention, in the second glass grinding support, the leading edges of the ninth and tenth mounting plates are separated by a predetermined distance in the width direction and face each other, and a fifth passage space extending in the transport direction is formed between the leading edges of the ninth and tenth mounting plates. In the second mounting means, the central second support plate of the second glass transport / rotating shuttle passes through the fifth passage space downward in the vertical direction, thereby placing each glass plate body on the second glass grinding support.

[0023] Another example of the grinding system of the present invention includes a first glass grinding support base which is located outside the width direction of the first and second mounting plates and is spaced a predetermined distance apart in the width direction, with one end located at the rear in the transport direction connected to the first support plate and the other end located at the front in the transport direction connected to the second support plate, extending in the transport direction between the first and second support plates, and a 15th mounting plate located outside the width direction of the third and fourth mounting plates and is spaced a predetermined distance apart in the width direction, with one end located at the rear in the transport direction connected to the third support plate and the other end located at the front in the transport direction connected to the fourth support plate, extending in the transport direction between the third and fourth support plates.

[0024] According to the grinding system of the present invention, a first glass conveying and rotating shuttle rotates each glass plate body by 90° so that the center line extending in the width direction is perpendicular to the width direction by dividing the dimension of the glass plate body in the conveying direction in two; a first placing means for the first glass conveying and rotating shuttle to place the rotated glass plate bodies onto the first glass grinding support; a first grinding means for grinding both first edges of each glass plate body placed on the first glass grinding support by a grinding mechanism; and a second glass conveying and rotating shuttle rotates each glass plate body by 90° so that the center line extending in the conveying direction of the glass plate body whose both first edges have been ground is perpendicular to the conveying direction. The system includes a rotating mechanism, a second placement mechanism for a second glass transport / rotating shuttle to place the 90° rotated glass plate bodies onto the second glass grinding support, and a second grinding mechanism for grinding both second edges of each glass plate body placed on the second glass grinding support. As a result, both first edges of each glass plate body placed on at least two first glass grinding support, as well as both second edges of each glass plate body placed on the second glass grinding support, can be ground at once. This eliminates the need for time (non-processing time) from the start to the end of the grinding process, thus shortening the grinding time for both first and second edges of the glass plate body. The grinding system can efficiently grind both first and second edges of at least two glass plate bodies at high speed, and can finish the glass plate bodies to a predetermined shape with both first and second edges ground according to the design.

[0025] In the grinding system, the first grinding means has first and second grinding devices that travel forward or backward in the transport direction to grind one first edge and the other first edge of each glass plate body placed on the first glass grinding support, passing them in the transport direction, and the second grinding means has third and fourth grinding devices that travel forward or backward in the transport direction to grind one second edge and the other second edge of each glass plate body placed on the second glass grinding support, passing them in the transport direction, The first and second grinding devices can grind both first edges of each glass plate body simply by passing them in the transport direction, either forward or backward in the transport direction. The third and fourth grinding devices can grind both second edges of each glass plate body simply by passing them in the transport direction, either forward or backward in the transport direction. Thus, both first and second edges of at least two glass plate bodies can be quickly and efficiently ground using the first to fourth grinding devices.

[0026] The grinding system includes a first grinding device that travels either forward or backward in the transport direction to grind one first edge of each glass plate body while passing it in the transport direction, a second grinding device that travels either forward or backward in the transport direction to grind the other first edge of each glass plate body while passing it in the transport direction, a third grinding device that travels either forward or backward in the transport direction to grind one second edge of each glass plate body while passing it in the transport direction, and a fourth grinding device that travels either forward or backward in the transport direction to grind the other second edge of each glass plate body. Since the edge is passed in the conveying direction while the other second edge is being ground, when grinding the corner where one first edge and the other first edge of each glass plate body intersect, the first grinding device and the second grinding device travel in opposite directions, for example, to grind those corners, and when grinding the corner where one second edge and the other second edge of each glass plate body intersect, the third grinding device and the fourth grinding device travel in opposite directions, for example, to grind those corners, thereby shortening the grinding cycle time for both first and second edges, and by evenly distributing the grinding process of the corners of each glass plate body to both first and second edges, the grinding time for both first and second edges of the glass plate body can be shortened.

[0027] In the grinding system, after the first glass transport / rotation shuttle rotates the glass plate bodies by 90° in the first rotating means, one of the fifth and sixth mounting plates of the first glass transport / rotation shuttle passes vertically downward through the gap between the first mounting plates and the gap between the second mounting plates, and the other of the fifth and sixth mounting plates of the first glass transport / rotation shuttle passes vertically downward through the gap between the third mounting plates and the gap between the fourth mounting plates, thereby allowing each glass plate body to be mounted on the fifth and sixth mounting plates. Since the glass plates are transferred from the placement plate to the first to fourth placement plates and then placed on the first glass grinding support, the glass plates after the folding process can be reliably transferred from the first glass transport / rotation shuttle to the first glass grinding support, and both first edges of each glass plate rotated by 90° can be ground by the first and second grinding devices moving in the transport direction, so that grinding of both first edges of the glass plate does not take time and both first edges of each glass plate can be quickly ground on the first glass grinding support.

[0028] The grinding system has a first glass transport means in which a first glass transport / rotation shuttle transports each glass plate body from the glass receiving table toward the first glass grinding table in the transport direction. As such, the first glass transport / rotation shuttle can reliably transport each glass plate body after the folding process from the glass receiving table toward the first glass grinding table, and the first edges of each glass plate body rotated by 90° can be ground by the first and second grinding devices that move in the transport direction. Grinding the first edges of both glass plate bodies does not take time, and the first edges of each glass plate body can be quickly ground on the first glass grinding table.

[0029] In the grinding system, after the glass plates have been folded and cut, the 5th mounting plates of the glass transport / rotating first shuttle, located below the 7th mounting plates of the glass transport / rotating first shuttle, pass through the gap between the 7th mounting plates in an upward vertical direction, and the 6th mounting plates of the glass transport / rotating first shuttle, located below the 8th mounting plates of the glass transport / rotating first shuttle, pass through the gap between the 8th mounting plates in an upward vertical direction, and the cutting process is performed. The processed glass plate body is transferred from the 7th and 8th mounting plates to the 5th and 6th mounting plates, causing the glass plate body to rise above the glass loading support, and the glass transport / rotation first shuttle moves forward in the transport direction to transport the glass plate body from the glass loading support to the glass grinding first support. Thus, the glass transport / rotation first shuttle can reliably transport each glass plate body after the folding process from the glass loading support to the glass grinding first support, and both first edges of each glass plate body can be quickly ground on the glass grinding first support.

[0030] In the grinding system, the central first support plate of the first glass transport / rotating shuttle passes through the first passage space vertically upward in the first passage space, causing each glass plate placed on the glass loading platform to rise above the glass loading platform. With each glass plate raised above the glass loading platform, the glass plates can be transported forward in the transport direction from the glass loading platform towards the first glass grinding platform. Thus, the glass transport / rotating shuttle can reliably transport each glass plate after the folding process from the glass loading platform to the first glass grinding platform.

[0031] In the grinding system, the first glass transport and rotation shuttle lifts the glass plates above the glass loading support, and then rotates each glass plate 90° above the glass loading support, or the first glass transport and rotation shuttle transports the glass plates above the first glass grinding support, and then rotates each glass plate 90° above the first glass grinding support. This ensures that each glass plate is rotated by 90°, and both first edges of each glass plate, which has been rotated by 90°, can be ground by the first and second grinding devices that move in the transport direction, allowing for rapid grinding of both first edges of each glass plate on the first glass grinding support.

[0032] In the grinding system, the central first support plate and fifth and sixth mounting plates of the first glass transport / rotating shuttle pass vertically downward through the second and third passage spaces in the first placement means, so that each glass plate body is placed on the first glass grinding support. This ensures that each glass plate body after folding can be reliably transferred from the first glass transport / rotating shuttle to the first glass grinding support, and both first edges of each glass plate body rotated by 90° can be ground by the first and second grinding devices that move in the transport direction. Grinding both first edges of the glass plate body does not take time, and both first edges of each glass plate body can be quickly ground on the first glass grinding support.

[0033] The grinding system has a second glass transport means in which a second glass transport / rotating shuttle transports each glass plate body, whose both first edges have been ground, from the first glass grinding support to the second glass grinding support in the transport direction. As such, the second glass transport / rotating shuttle can reliably transport each glass plate body, whose both first edges have been ground, from the first glass grinding support to the second glass grinding support, and the second edges of each glass plate body, which has been rotated 90°, can be ground by the third and fourth grinding devices that move in the transport direction. Grinding the second edges of the glass plate body does not take time, and the second edges of each glass plate body can be quickly ground on the second glass grinding support.

[0034] In the grinding system, after both first edges of each glass plate body are ground by the second grinding means, the central second support plate of the glass transport / rotating second shuttle, located below the first glass grinding support, passes vertically upward through the first passage space, the 11th mounting plates of the glass transport / rotating second shuttle, located below the first glass grinding support, pass vertically upward through either the gap between the first and second mounting plates of the first glass grinding support or the gap between the third and fourth mounting plates, and the 12th mounting plate of the glass transport / rotating second shuttle, located below the first glass grinding support, passes vertically upward through the gap between the first and second mounting plates of the first glass grinding support. The glass plate body passes through the gap between the first and fourth mounting plates and the other gap in the vertical direction, and each glass plate body is transferred from the first to fourth mounting plates to the eleventh and twelfth mounting plates, causing the glass plate body to rise above the first glass grinding support, and the second glass transport / rotation shuttle moves forward in the transport direction to transport the glass plate body from the first glass grinding support to the second glass grinding support. Thus, each glass plate body with both first edges ground can be reliably transported from the first glass grinding support to the second glass grinding support by the second glass transport / rotation shuttle, and both second edges of each glass plate body can be quickly ground on the second glass grinding support.

[0035] In the grinding system, the central first support plate and fifth and sixth mounting plates of the first glass transport / rotating shuttle pass through the fourth passage space downward in the vertical direction in the first mounting means, and each glass plate body is placed on the first glass grinding support base, so that each glass plate body after folding can be reliably placed on the first glass grinding support base by the first glass transport / rotating shuttle. In the grinding system, the central second support plate and eleventh and twelfth mounting plates of the second glass transport / rotating shuttle pass through the fourth passage space upward in the vertical direction in the second mounting means, and the glass plate body rises above the first glass grinding support base, and the second glass transport / rotating shuttle moves forward in the transport direction to transport the glass plate body from the first glass grinding support base to the second glass grinding support base, so that each glass plate body with its first edge ground can be reliably transported from the glass loading support base to the first glass grinding support base by the second glass transport / rotating shuttle.

[0036] In the grinding system, the second glass transport and rotation shuttle lifts the glass plates above the first glass grinding support in the second rotating means, and then rotates each glass plate above the first glass grinding support by 90°, or the second glass transport and rotation shuttle transports the glass plates above the second glass grinding support, and then rotates each glass plate above the second glass grinding support by 90°, thereby ensuring that each glass plate is rotated by 90°, and both second edges of each glass plate that has been rotated by 90° can be ground by the third and fourth grinding devices that move in the transport direction, and both second edges of each glass plate can be quickly ground on the second glass grinding support.

[0037] In the grinding system, after the glass transport / rotation second shuttle rotates the glass plate bodies by 90° in the second rotating means, one of the 11th and 12th mounting plates of the glass transport / rotation second shuttle passes vertically downward through the gap between the 9th mounting plates, and the other of the 11th and 12th mounting plates of the glass transport / rotation second shuttle passes vertically downward through the gap between the 10th mounting plates, thereby moving each glass plate body from the 11th and 12th mounting plates to the 9th and 10th mounting plates. Since the glass plates are transferred to a plate and placed on the second glass grinding support, the glass plates with their first edges ground can be reliably transferred from the second glass transport / rotation shuttle to the second glass grinding support, and the second edges of each glass plate, which has been rotated 90°, can be ground by the third and fourth grinding devices that move in the transport direction. Grinding the second edges of the glass plates does not take time, and the second edges of each glass plate can be quickly ground on the second glass grinding support.

[0038] In the grinding system, the central second support plate of the glass transport / rotating second shuttle passes vertically downward through the fifth passage space in the second placement means, so that each glass plate body is placed on the glass grinding second support base. This ensures that each glass plate body, with both first edges ground, is reliably transferred from the glass transport / rotating second shuttle to the glass grinding second support base, and both second edges of each glass plate body, which has been rotated 90°, can be ground by the third and fourth grinding devices that move in the transport direction. This eliminates the need for time to grind both second edges of the glass plate body, and allows for rapid grinding of both second edges of each glass plate body on the glass grinding second support base.

[0039] The grinding system includes a 15th mounting plate that extends in the transport direction between the first and second plates, with one end of the first glass grinding support unit located at the rear in the transport direction connected to a first support plate and the other end located at the front in the transport direction connected to a second support plate, and a 16th mounting plate that extends in the transport direction between the third and fourth plates, with one end located at the rear in the transport direction connected to a third support plate and the other end located at the front in the transport direction connected to a fourth support plate. As such, each glass plate body rotated 90° after folding can be reliably supported by the first to fourth mounting plates and the 15th and 16th mounting plates of the first glass grinding support unit, and both first edges of each glass plate body supported by the mounting plates of the first glass grinding support unit can be reliably ground by the first and second grinding devices that move in the transport direction.

[0040] A side view of a grinding system as an example. A top view of the grinding system. A top view showing an example of a glass plate body to be ground by the grinding system. A side view of the first glass transport / rotation shuttle and the second glass transport / rotation shuttle. A top view of the first glass transport / rotation shuttle and the second glass transport / rotation shuttle. A top view of the first glass transport shuttle. A side view of the first to fourth grinding devices. An enlarged top view of the first and second grinding devices. An enlarged top view of the third and fourth grinding devices. A front view of the first glass transport / rotation shuttle and the first and second grinding devices to explain the first grinding means. A front view of the first glass transport / rotation shuttle and the first and second grinding devices to explain the first grinding means, continuing from Figure 10. A front view of the second glass transport / rotation shuttle and the third and fourth grinding devices to explain the second grinding means. A front view of the second glass transport / rotation shuttle and the third and fourth grinding devices to explain the second grinding means, continuing from Figure 12.

[0041] Referring to the attached drawings, the details of the grinding system 10 according to the present invention will be described as follows. Figure 1 is a side view of the grinding system 10 as an example, and Figure 2 is a top view of the grinding system 10. Figure 3 is a top view showing an example of a glass plate body 11 to be ground by the grinding system 10. In Figure 3, the glass plate body 11 is shown positioned in the loading area 19. In Figures 1 to 3, the transport direction (X-axis direction) is indicated by arrow X, the width direction (Y-axis direction) by arrow Y, and the up-down direction (Z-axis direction) by arrow Z.

[0042] In the grinding system 10, the glass plate body 11 to be ground (the glass plate body 11 after folding) has its outer edges (both side edges and both end edges) folded by the folding process. As shown in Figure 3, the glass plate body 11 has a predetermined upper surface 12 and a predetermined lower surface 13, as well as a predetermined thickness, and its planar shape is formed into a rectangle (quadrilateral) that is long in the width direction. The glass plate body 11 to be folded has a first side edge 14 (one first edge) and a second side edge 15 (the other first edge) (both first edges) that are spaced apart in the width direction and extend in the front-rear direction, a front end edge 16 (one second edge) and a rear end edge 17 (the other first edge) (both second edges) that are spaced apart in the front-rear direction and extend in the width direction, and first to fourth corners 18a to 18d. In addition, the outer edge of the glass plate body 11 to be folded may be formed to form a curved shape.

[0043] One example of a glass cutting system is one which uses first and second cutting cutter wheels to form first and second scribe lines on a glass plate (flat glass) to be cut, and first and second cutting bars (pressing members) to press downwards on both side edges and both end edges of the glass plate. In the cutting process, first and second scribe lines are formed on both side edges and both end edges of the glass plate to be cut by the cutting cutter wheels, and then the side edges and both end edges of the glass plate on which the scribe lines have been formed are pressed by the first and second cutting bars to cut the side edges and both end edges.

[0044] The grinding processing system 10 is controlled by a controller (not shown). The controller is a computer that includes a central processing unit (CPU or MPU) and a memory (main memory and cache memory), operates under an independent operating system, and incorporates a large-capacity hard disk (large-capacity storage area). Input devices (not shown) such as a keyboard and a numeric keypad unit, and output devices (not shown) such as a monitor, a display and a touch panel are connected to the controller.

[0045] In the large-capacity hard disk (large-capacity storage area) of the controller, a plurality of coordinate data of the glass plate bodies 11 (the coordinates of the first and second side edge portions 14, 15 of the glass plate body 11, the coordinates of the front and rear end edge portions 16, 17, the coordinates of the first to fourth corner portions 18a to 18d, the coordinates of the center of the glass plate body 11, etc.) of the glass plate bodies 11 that vary depending on the name and product number of each glass plate body 11 to be processed, and the size (area) and shape of each glass plate body 11 to be processed, as well as image data (planar image (six-surface image) and stereoscopic image (3D image)) of the glass plate body 11 are stored (accommodated) in a state associated with glass plate specification information (glass plate specification identifier) that specifies the glass plate body 11. For the glass plate specification information, in addition to using the manufacturing number, serial number or the like of the glass plate body 11, the controller may generate a unique identifier for specifying the glass plate body 11, and use the generated identifier as the glass plate specification information.

[0046] In grinding processing, the controller performs NC control on first to fourth grinding devices 29a to 29d (grinding mechanisms) described later by using the coordinate data of the glass plate body 11 stored in the large-capacity hard disk. In the NC control, the controller digitizes the position at which coordinate processing (XY plane coordinate) starts and the position at which the processing direction is changed based on coordinates, and digitizes the movement direction, distance and speed of the two axes including the X axis (front-rear direction) and the Y axis (width direction). A signal obtained by digitizing the coordinates and the axes is transmitted (input) to the grinding device. In NC control, the shape to be ground can be accurately expressed by repeating "coordinate → axis → command".

[0047] A grinding processing system 10 includes: a carry-in area 19 into which a glass plate main body 11 after breaking processing is charged; a grinding processing area 20 that is located forward (on the downstream side) of the carry-in area 19 in the conveyance direction and performs grinding processing on the glass plate main body 11; and a carry-out area 21 that is located forward (on the downstream side) of the grinding processing area 20 in the conveyance direction and carries out the glass plate main body 11 after grinding processing. The grinding processing system 10 includes a first glass conveyance / rotation shuttle 22 (see FIGS. 4 and 5) that reciprocates forward in the conveyance direction and backward in the conveyance direction, a second glass conveyance / rotation shuttle 23 (see FIGS. 4 and 5) that reciprocates forward in the conveyance direction and backward in the conveyance direction, and a glass conveyance shuttle 103 that reciprocates forward in the conveyance direction and backward in the conveyance direction.

[0048] Conveyance of the glass plate main body 11 from the carry-in area 19 to the grinding processing area 20 and conveyance of the glass plate main body 11 in the grinding processing area 20 are performed by the first glass conveyance / rotation shuttle 22 and the second glass conveyance / rotation shuttle 23, and conveyance of the glass plate main body 11 from the grinding processing area 20 to the carry-out area 21 is performed by the glass conveyance shuttle 103. The grinding processing system 10 grinds a first side edge portion 14 (one first edge portion) and a second side edge portion 15 (the other first edge portion) of the glass plate main body 11 after breaking processing, and also grinds a front end edge portion 16 (one second edge portion) and a rear end edge portion 17 (the other first edge portion) of the glass plate main body 11.

[0049] The carry-in area 19, the grinding processing area 20, and the carry-out area 21 are formed on a machine base molded into a rectangular shape elongated in the conveyance direction. In the carry-in area 19, a glass carry-in receiving stand 24 and a positioning device 25 are installed. The glass carry-in receiving stand 24 has a length and an area that allow two glass plate main bodies 11 after breaking processing to be placed thereon. In the carry-out area 21, a glass carry-out receiving stand 26 is installed. The glass carry-out receiving stand 26 has a length and an area that allow two glass plate main bodies 11 after grinding processing to be placed thereon.

[0050] The grinding area 20 is equipped with two glass grinding support stands 1-1 27a and 1-2 27b (first glass grinding support stands), two glass grinding support stands 2-1 28a and 2-2 28b (second glass grinding support stands), a first grinding device 29a and a second grinding device 29b (grinding mechanism), and a third grinding device 29c and a fourth grinding device 29d (grinding mechanism).

[0051] Glass grinding support 1-1 27a and glass grinding support 1-2 27b are arranged adjacent to each other in the transport direction, with glass grinding support 1-2 27b positioned in front of glass grinding support 1-1 27a in the transport direction (downstream). Glass grinding support 2-1 28a and glass grinding support 2-2 28b are arranged adjacent to each other in the transport direction, with glass grinding support 2-2 28b positioned in front of glass grinding support 2-1 28a in the transport direction (downstream). In addition, three or more glass grinding support 1-1 to 1-n and three or more glass grinding support 2-1 to 2-n arranged in the transport direction may be installed in the grinding area.

[0052] The glass loading platform 24 has a first side edge 30 (one side edge) extending in the transport direction and a second side edge 31 (the other side edge) located on the opposite side of the width direction from the first side edge 30 and extending in the transport direction. The glass loading platform 24 is equipped with roller brushes (conveyor type) arranged at equal intervals in the width direction. The roller brushes prevent damage to the glass plate body 11 when it is placed on the glass loading platform 24. The glass loading platform 24 has a plurality of plate-shaped seventh mounting plates 32 extending in the width direction from the first side edge 30 toward the second side edge 31, and a plurality of plate-shaped eighth mounting plates 33 extending in the width direction from the second side edge 31 toward the first side edge 30.

[0053] These seventh mounting plates 32 are arranged parallel to each other and spaced equally apart (predetermined spacing) in the transport direction. Each seventh mounting plate 32 has a base end fixed to the first side edge 30 of the glass loading support 24 and a tip end located inward in the width direction from the base end. Between each seventh mounting plate 32, a plurality of seventh gaps 34 are formed, arranged parallel to each other and spaced equally apart (predetermined spacing) in the transport direction. These seventh gaps 34 extend inward in the width direction from the first side edge 30.

[0054] These eighth mounting plates 33 are arranged parallel to each other and spaced equally apart (predetermined spacing) in the transport direction. Each eighth mounting plate 33 has a base end fixed to the second side edge 31 of the glass loading support 24 and a tip end located inward in the width direction from the base end. Between each eighth mounting plate 33, a plurality of eighth gaps 35 are formed, arranged parallel to each other and spaced equally apart (predetermined spacing) in the transport direction. These eighth gaps 35 extend inward in the width direction from the second side edge 31. Roller brushes (conveyor type) are installed on the seventh and eighth mounting plates 32 and 33, spaced equally apart in the width direction. The bristle brushes prevent the glass plate body 11 from being scratched when it is placed on the seventh and eighth mounting plates 32 and 33.

[0055] The seventh mounting plate 32 and the eighth mounting plate 33 are arranged symmetrically to each other while facing each other in the width direction. The seventh gap 34 and the eighth gap 35 are arranged symmetrically to each other while facing each other in the width direction. The leading edge of the seventh mounting plate 32 and the leading edge of the eighth mounting plate 33 are spaced a predetermined distance apart in the width direction, and a first passage space 36 extending in the transport direction is formed between the leading edge of the seventh mounting plate 32 and the leading edge of the eighth mounting plate 33.

[0056] The positioning device 25 is installed on the upper part of the glass loading support 24, on the first and second side edges 30 and 31. The positioning device 25 positions the glass plate body 11 placed on the glass loading support 26. The positioning device 25 has a frame 37 located on the first side edge 30 of the glass loading support 26 and extending in the transport direction, a frame located on the second side edge 31 of the glass loading support 26 and extending in the transport direction, a transport direction stopper 39 installed at the front end of the frame 37 in the transport direction, a transport direction pusher 38 installed at the rear end of the frame 37 in the transport direction, a width direction pusher 40 installed on the frame 37 located between the front end and rear end of the frame 37 in the transport direction, and a width direction stopper installed on the frame on the side of the second side edge 31, located between the front end and rear end of the frame 37 in the transport direction.

[0057] The positioning device 25 includes a moving mechanism (not shown) and a lifting mechanism (not shown). The moving mechanism is driven by a moving mechanism servo motor, and the lifting mechanism is driven by an air cylinder. The transport direction pusher 38 reciprocates along the frame 37 in the forward and backward directions of the transport direction by the moving mechanism, and also moves up and down in the vertical direction of the frame 37 by the lifting mechanism. The transport direction stopper 39 moves up and down in the vertical direction of the frame 37 by the lifting mechanism. The width direction pusher 40 reciprocates inward and outward in the width direction of the frame 37 by the moving mechanism. The width direction stopper reciprocates outward in the width direction of the frame 37 by the moving mechanism.

[0058] The moving mechanism consists of a moving servo motor and a ball screw (not shown) connected to the rotation axis of the moving servo motor. A control unit that controls the starting and stopping of the moving servo motor is connected to the controller via a signal line. In the moving mechanism, the rotational motion of the driven moving servo motor is converted into linear motion by the ball screw, causing the transport direction pusher 38 to reciprocate in the transport direction, the width direction pusher 40 to reciprocate in the width direction, and the width direction stopper to reciprocate in the width direction. A control unit that controls the starting and stopping of the air cylinder of the lifting mechanism is connected to the controller via a signal line. In the lifting mechanism, the transport direction stopper 39 and the transport direction pusher 38 move up and down by driving the air cylinder.

[0059] Figure 4 is a side view of the first glass conveying and rotating shuttle 22 and the second glass conveying and rotating shuttle 23, and Figure 5 is a top view of the first glass conveying and rotating shuttle 22 and the second glass conveying and rotating shuttle 23. Figure 6 is a top view of the first glass conveying shuttle 103, and Figure 7 is a side view of the first to fourth grinding devices 29a to 29d. Figure 8 is an enlarged top view of the first and second grinding devices 29a and 29b, and Figure 9 is an enlarged top view of the third and fourth grinding devices 29c and 29d.

[0060] The glass transport and rotation first shuttle 22 consists of two units arranged in series in the transport direction, connected by a predetermined coupling means. The glass transport and rotation second shuttle 23 is located in front of the glass transport and rotation first shuttle 22 in the transport direction. The glass transport and rotation second shuttle 23 consists of two units arranged in series in the transport direction, connected by a predetermined coupling means. The glass transport shuttle 103 is located in front of the glass transport and rotation second shuttle 23 in the transport direction. The glass transport shuttle 103 consists of two units arranged in series in the transport direction, connected by a predetermined coupling means.

[0061] The first glass transport and rotation shuttle 22, the second glass transport and rotation shuttle 23, and the glass transport shuttle 103 each have a shuttle frame 41, a lifting and rotation mechanism 42 installed on the top of the shuttle frame 41 (however, the glass transport shuttle 103 has only a lifting mechanism and no rotation mechanism), a cable carrier 43 installed on the shuttle frame 41, and a linear guide mechanism 44 that causes the first glass transport and rotation shuttle 22, the second glass transport and rotation shuttle 23, and the glass transport shuttle 103 to reciprocate in the transport direction. The first glass transport and rotation shuttle 22, the second glass transport and rotation shuttle 23, and the glass transport shuttle 103 move linearly forward and backward in the transport direction by the linear guide mechanism 44.

[0062] The shuttle frame 41 is molded into a roughly rectangular tubular shape that is long in the transport direction and is fixed on a machine base. The lifting and rotating mechanism 42 of the first and second glass transport and rotating shuttles 22 and 23 is formed from a lifting servo motor 45a and a rotating servo motor 45b that serve as a drive source, a rack and pinion mechanism (not shown) equipped with a travel pinion 46, a lifting and rotating shaft that moves up and down in accordance with the linear motion of the rack and pinion mechanism and rotates in clockwise and counterclockwise directions, and a reduction gear 47. The lifting mechanism of the glass transport shuttle 103 is formed from a lifting servo motor that serves as a drive source, a rack and pinion mechanism, a lifting shaft that moves up and down in accordance with the linear motion of the rack and pinion mechanism, and a reduction gear.

[0063] The control unit that controls the starting and stopping of the lifting servo motor 45a and the rotating servo motor 45b that operate the lifting and rotating mechanisms of the first glass transport and rotating shuttle 22 and the second glass transport and rotating shuttle 23 is connected to the controller via a signal line. The control unit that controls the starting and stopping of the lifting servo motor that operates the lifting mechanism of the glass transport shuttle 103 is also connected to the controller via a signal line. The lifting and rotating shaft and the lifting shaft are installed inside the shaft bracket 48, connected to the shuttle frame 41 via the shaft bracket 48, and are located in the center of the transport direction of the shuttle frame 41, extending in the vertical direction.

[0064] A central first support plate 49, which is long in the transport direction and positioned on the transport direction centerline and extends in the transport direction, is attached to the upper end of the lifting and rotating shaft of the first glass transport and rotating shuttle 22. Multiple fifth mounting plates 50 and multiple sixth mounting plates 51 are attached to the central first support plate 49. A pair of first and second support receiving members 52a and 52b, which support the central first support plate 49, are attached to the front and rear ends of the shuttle frame 41.

[0065] The central first support plate 49 of the glass transport and rotation first shuttle 22 is molded into a roughly rectangular shape with a planar shape that is longer in the transport direction. The widthwise length of the central first support plate 49 is smaller than the widthwise length of the first passage space 36 between the front end of the seventh mounting plate 32 and the front end of the eighth mounting plate 33 of the glass loading receiving table 24, and is also smaller than the widthwise length of the fourth passage space 88 between the first and second mounting plates 76, 77 located furthest in the widthwise direction and the third and fourth mounting plates 78, 79 located furthest in the widthwise direction of the first-first glass grinding receiving table 27a and the first-second glass grinding receiving table 27b. The central first support plate 49 can pass through the first passage space 36 and the fourth passage space 88 in the vertical direction.

[0066] Multiple suction pads are installed on the central first support plate 49 to hold the glass plate body 11 by suction. These suction pads are arranged at equal intervals in the transport direction. The suction pads are connected to a vacuum mechanism (air suction device) (not shown) equipped with an air vacuum pump. A control unit that controls the starting and stopping of the vacuum mechanism is connected to a controller via a signal line (the same applies to the vacuum mechanism described below).

[0067] The fifth mounting plates 50 extend from the central first support plate 49 in one direction in the width direction and are arranged parallel to each other at equal intervals (predetermined intervals) in the transport direction. Each of the fifth mounting plates 50 has a base end fixed to the central first support plate 49 and a tip end located in one direction (outward) in the width direction from the base end. Between each of the fifth mounting plates 50, a plurality of fifth gaps 53 are formed, arranged parallel to each other at equal intervals (predetermined intervals) in the transport direction. These fifth gaps 53 extend from the transport direction centerline of the central first support plate 49 in one direction (outward) in the width direction.

[0068] The sixth mounting plates 51 extend from the central first support plate 49 in the other direction in the width direction and are arranged parallel to each other at equal intervals (predetermined intervals) in the transport direction. Each of the sixth mounting plates 51 has a base end fixed to the central first support plate 49 and a tip end located in the other direction (outward) in the width direction from the base end. Between each of the sixth mounting plates 51, a plurality of sixth gaps 54 are formed, arranged parallel to each other at equal intervals (predetermined intervals) in the transport direction. These sixth gaps 54 extend from the transport direction centerline of the central first support plate 49 in the other direction (outward) in the width direction. The fifth mounting plate 50 and the sixth mounting plates 51 are arranged symmetrically with respect to the central first support plate 49. The fifth gap 53 and the sixth gap 54 are arranged symmetrically with respect to the central first support plate 49.

[0069] The fifth and sixth mounting plates 50 and 51 are fitted with bristle brushes arranged at equal intervals in the width direction. The bristle brushes prevent the glass plate body 11 from being scratched when it is placed on the fifth and sixth mounting plates 50 and 51. Suction pads are fitted to the front ends of the fifth and sixth mounting plates 50 and 51. The suction pads are connected to a vacuum mechanism equipped with an air vacuum pump and suction hold the glass plate body 11 to the fifth and sixth mounting plates 50 and 51 when it is placed on them.

[0070] A central second support plate 55, which is long in the transport direction and positioned on the transport direction centerline and extends in the transport direction, is attached to the upper end of the lifting shaft of the second glass transport / rotating shuttle 23. Multiple 11th mounting plates 56 and multiple 12th mounting plates 57 are attached to the central second support plate 55. A pair of first and second support receiving members 58a and 58b, which support the central second support plate 55, are attached to the front and rear ends of the shuttle frame 41.

[0071] The central second support plate 55 of the glass transport / rotation second shuttle 23 is molded into a roughly rectangular shape with a planar shape that is longer in the transport direction. The widthwise length of the central second support plate 55 is smaller than the widthwise length of the fourth passage space 88 between the first and second mounting plates 76, 77 and the third and fourth mounting plates 78, 79, which are located furthest in the widthwise direction on the glass grinding first-first support base 27a and the glass grinding first-second support base 27b, and smaller than the widthwise length of the fifth passage space 95 between the tip of the ninth mounting plate 91 and the tip of the tenth mounting plate 92 on the glass grinding second-first support base 28a and the glass grinding second-second support base 28b. The central second support plate 55 is able to pass through the fourth passage space 88 and the fifth passage space 95 in the vertical direction.

[0072] Multiple suction pads are installed on the central second support plate 55 to hold the glass plate body 1 by suction. These suction pads are arranged at equal intervals in the direction of transport. The suction pads are connected to a vacuum mechanism (air suction device) (not shown) equipped with an air vacuum pump.

[0073] The 11th mounting plates 56 extend from the central second support plate 55 in one direction in the width direction and are arranged parallel to each other at equal intervals (predetermined intervals) in the transport direction. Each of the 11th mounting plates 56 has a base end fixed to the central second support plate 55 and a tip end located in one direction (outward) in the width direction from the base end. Between each of the 11th mounting plates 56, a plurality of 11th gaps 59 are formed, arranged parallel to each other at equal intervals (predetermined intervals) in the transport direction. These 11th gaps 59 extend from the transport direction centerline of the central second support plate 55 in one direction (outward) in the width direction.

[0074] The 12th mounting plates 57 extend from the central second support plate 55 in the other direction in the width direction and are arranged parallel to each other at equal intervals (predetermined intervals) in the transport direction. Each of the 12th mounting plates 57 has a base end fixed to the central second support plate 55 and a tip end located in the other direction (outward) in the width direction from the base end. Between each of the 12th mounting plates 57, a plurality of 12th gaps 60 are formed, arranged parallel to each other at equal intervals (predetermined intervals) in the transport direction. These 12th gaps 60 extend from the transport direction centerline of the central second support plate 55 in the other direction (outward) in the width direction. The 11th mounting plate 56 and the 12th mounting plate 57 are arranged symmetrically with respect to the central second support plate 55. The 11th gap 59 and the 12th gap 60 are arranged symmetrically with respect to the central second support plate 55.

[0075] The 11th and 12th mounting plates 56 and 57 are fitted with bristle brushes arranged at equal intervals in the width direction. The bristle brushes prevent the glass plate body 11 from being scratched when it is placed on the 11th and 12th mounting plates 56 and 57. Suction pads are fitted to the front ends of the 11th and 12th mounting plates 56 and 57. The suction pads are connected to a vacuum mechanism equipped with an air vacuum pump, and when the glass plate body 11 is placed on the 11th and 12th mounting plates 56 and 57, the suction pads hold the glass plate body 11 to the 11th and 12th mounting plates 56 and 57 by suction.

[0076] A central third support plate 61, which is long in the direction of transport and positioned on the transport centerline, is attached to the upper end of the lifting shaft of the glass transport shuttle 103. Multiple 13th mounting plates 62 and multiple 14th mounting plates 63 are attached to the central third support plate 61. A pair of first and second support receiving members that support the central third support plate 61 are attached to the front and rear ends of the shuttle frame.

[0077] The central third support plate 61 of the glass transport shuttle 103 is molded into a roughly rectangular shape with a planar shape that is longer in the transport direction. The widthwise length of the central third support plate 61 is smaller than the widthwise length of the fifth passage space 95 between the tip of the ninth mounting plate 91 and the tip of the tenth mounting plate 92 of the glass grinding second-first support base 28a and the glass grinding second-second support base 28b, and is also smaller than the widthwise length of the sixth passage space 102 between the tip of the seventeenth mounting plate 98 and the tip of the eighteenth mounting plate 99 of the glass discharge support base 26. The central third support plate 61 can pass through the fifth passage space 95 and the sixth passage space 102 in the vertical direction.

[0078] Multiple suction pads are installed on the central third support plate 61 to hold the glass plate body 11 by suction. These suction pads are arranged at equal intervals in the direction of transport. The suction pads are connected to a vacuum mechanism (air suction device) (not shown) equipped with an air vacuum pump.

[0079] The 13th mounting plates 62 extend from the central 3rd support plate 61 in one direction in the width direction and are arranged parallel to each other at equal intervals (predetermined intervals) in the transport direction. Each of the 13th mounting plates 62 has a base end fixed to the central 3rd support plate 61 and a tip end located in one direction (outward) from the base end in the width direction. Between each of the 13th mounting plates 62, a plurality of 13th gaps 64 are formed, arranged parallel to each other at equal intervals (predetermined intervals) in the transport direction. These 13th gaps 64 extend from the transport direction centerline of the central 3rd support plate 61 in one direction (outward) in the width direction.

[0080] The 14th mounting plates 63 extend from the central 3rd support plate 61 in the other direction in the width direction and are arranged parallel to each other at equal intervals (predetermined intervals) in the transport direction. Each of the 14th mounting plates 63 has a base end fixed to the central 3rd support plate 61 and a tip end located in the other direction (outward) in the width direction from the base end. Between each of the 14th mounting plates 63, a plurality of 14th gaps 65 are formed, arranged parallel to each other at equal intervals (predetermined intervals) in the transport direction. These 14th gaps 65 extend from the transport direction centerline of the central 3rd support plate 63 in the other direction (outward) in the width direction. The 13th mounting plates 62 and the 14th mounting plates 63 are arranged symmetrically with respect to the central 3rd support plate 61. The 13th gaps 64 and the 14th gaps 65 are arranged symmetrically with respect to the central 3rd support plate 61.

[0081] The 13th and 14th mounting plates 62 and 63 are fitted with bristle brushes arranged at equal intervals in the width direction. The bristle brushes prevent the glass plate body 11 from being scratched when it is placed on the 13th and 14th mounting plates 62 and 63. Suction pads are fitted to the front ends of the 13th and 14th mounting plates 62 and 63. The suction pads are connected to a vacuum mechanism equipped with an air vacuum pump and suction hold the glass plate body 11 to the 13th and 14th mounting plates 62 and 63 when it is placed on them.

[0082] The rack and pinion mechanisms of the lifting and rotating mechanisms 42 of the first and second glass transport and rotating shuttles 22 and 23, and the lifting mechanism of the glass transport shuttle 103, are formed from a rack with linearly arranged trochoidal teeth and a traveling pinion 46 equipped with curvedly arranged high-performance rings and roller pins that provide rolling contact between the tooth surfaces. The traveling pinion 46 is attached to the rotating shaft of the lifting servo motor 45a.

[0083] In the lifting and rotating mechanism 42 of the first and second glass transport and rotating shuttles 22 and 23, the rotational motion of the driven lifting servo motor 45a is converted into linear motion by a rack and pinion mechanism. The linear motion of the rack and pinion mechanism raises and lowers the lifting and rotating shaft, while the rotation of the rotating servo motor 45b in clockwise and counterclockwise directions rotates the lifting and rotating shaft. When the lifting and rotating shaft moves up and down, the central first support plate 49 and the central second support plate 55 move up and down, as do the fifth and sixth mounting plates 50 and 51 attached to the central first support plate 49 and the eleventh and twelfth mounting plates 56 and 57 attached to the central second support plate 55. When the lifting and rotating shaft rotates, the central first support plate 49 and the central second support plate 55 rotate, as do the fifth and sixth mounting plates 50 and 51 and the eleventh and twelfth mounting plates 56 and 57.

[0084] In the lifting mechanism of the glass transport shuttle 103, the rotational motion of the driven lifting servo motor is converted into linear motion by a rack and pinion mechanism, and the lifting shaft is raised and lowered by the linear motion of the rack and pinion mechanism. When the lifting shaft is raised and lowered, the central third support plate 61 is raised and lowered, and the 13th and 14th mounting plates 62 and 63 attached to the central third support plate 61 are raised and lowered.

[0085] The cable carriers 43 for the first and second glass transport / rotation shuttles 22, 23 and the glass transport shuttle 103 are located on the sides of the shuttle frame 41. The cable carriers 43 support and guide power cables, vacuum mechanisms, tubes, etc., which move in accordance with the transport direction movement of the first and second glass transport / rotation shuttles 22, 23 and the glass transport shuttle 103, and protect the power cables, vacuum mechanisms, tubes, etc., from wear and tear while the glass transport / rotation shuttles 22, 23 and the glass transport shuttle 103 are in motion.

[0086] The first support members 52a and 58a are located at the front end edge of the shuttle frame 41, and the second support members 52b and 58b are located at the rear end edge of the shuttle frame 41. The first support members 52a and 58a are formed from a first support portion 66a attached to the front end edge of the shuttle frame 41 and extending vertically, a second support portion 66b attached to the lower surface of the central support plates 49, 55, and 61 and extending vertically, and an LM guide. The lower end portion of the first support portion 66a of the first support members 52a and 58a is fixed to the front end edge of the shuttle frame 41. The upper end portion of the second support portion 66b of the first support members 52a and 58a is fixed to the lower surface of the central support plates 49, 55, and 61.

[0087] In the first support members 52a and 58a, the rails of the LM guide are installed on the side of the first support portion 66a and extend in the vertical direction. The carriage of the LM guide is installed in the second support portion 66b. In the first support members 52a and 58a, the carriage slides vertically relative to the rail, allowing the second support portion 66b to move up and down relative to the first support portion 66a.

[0088] The second support members 52b and 58b are formed from a first support portion 67a attached to the rear end edge of the shuttle frame 41 and extending vertically, a second support portion 67b attached to the lower surface of the central support plates 49, 55, and 61 and extending vertically, and an LM guide. The lower end portion of the first support portion 67a of the second support members 52b and 58b is fixed to the rear end edge of the shuttle frame 41. The upper end portion of the second support portion 67b of the second support members 52b and 58b is fixed to the lower surface of the central support plates 49, 55, and 61.

[0089] In the second support members 52b and 58bb, the rails of the LM guide are installed on the side of the first support portion 67a and extend in the vertical direction. The carriage of the LM guide is installed in the second support portion 67b. In the second support members 52b and 58b, the carriage slides vertically relative to the rail, allowing the second support portion 67b to move up and down relative to the first support portion 67a.

[0090] The linear guide mechanism 44 reciprocates the first and second glass transport / rotation shuttles 22 and 23 and the glass transport shuttle 103 in the transport direction. The linear guide mechanism 44 is formed from an LM guide, a guide servo motor 68, and a rack and pinion mechanism equipped with a trochoid cam gear (TCG). The LM guide of the linear guide mechanism 44 has a pair of rails 69 extending in the transport direction and a plurality of carriages. These rails 69 are laid on a machine base, spaced apart in the width direction and facing each other, extending parallel to each other in the transport direction. These rails 69 are installed in a series in the loading area 19, the folding and cutting area 20, and the unloading area 21. These carriages are attached to the bottom of the shuttle frame 41. As these carriages slide relative to the rails 69 in the transport direction, the shuttle frame 41 (glass transport / rotation first and second shuttles 22 and 23, glass transport shuttle 103) can move in the transport direction.

[0091] The guide servo motor 68 is installed at the front edge of the shuttle frame 41. The control unit that controls the starting and stopping of the guide servo motor 68 is connected to the controller via a signal line. The pinion of the rack and pinion mechanism is attached to the rotation axis of the guide servo motor 68. In the linear guide mechanism 44, the rotational motion of the driven guide servo motor 68 is converted into linear motion by the rack and pinion mechanism, and the linear motion of the rack and pinion mechanism moves the glass transport and rotation first and second shuttles 22 and 23 and the glass transport shuttle 103 (shuttle frame 41) forward and backward in the transport direction.

[0092] The glass grinding support base 1-1 27a and the glass grinding support base 1-2 27b have a first side edge portion 70 (one side edge portion) extending in the transport direction and a second side edge portion 71 (the other side edge portion) located on the opposite side of the width direction of the first side edge portion 70 and extending in the transport direction. The glass grinding support stand 1-1 27a and the glass grinding support stand 1-2 27b each have a plate-shaped first support plate 72 extending in the width direction from the first side edge 70 toward the second side edge 71, a plate-shaped second support plate 73 located in front of the first support plate 72 in the transport direction and extending in the width direction from the first side edge 70 toward the second side edge 71, a plate-shaped third support plate 74 extending in the width direction from the second side edge 71 toward the first side edge 70, and a plate-shaped fourth support plate 75 located in front of the third support plate 74 in the transport direction and extending in the width direction from the second side edge 71 toward the first side edge 70.

[0093] The glass grinding support stand 1-1 27a and the glass grinding support stand 1-2 27b have a plurality of plate-shaped first mounting plates 76 extending forward in the transport direction from the first support plate 72 toward the second support plate 73, a plurality of plate-shaped second mounting plates 77 extending backward in the transport direction from the second support plate 73 toward the first support plate 72, a plurality of plate-shaped third mounting plates 78 extending forward in the transport direction from the third support plate 74 toward the fourth support plate 75, and a plurality of plate-shaped fourth mounting plates 79 extending backward in the transport direction from the fourth support plate 75 toward the third support plate 74. Furthermore, it includes a 15th mounting plate 80 located outward in the width direction of the first and second mounting plates 76, 77 and extending in the transport direction between the first and second support plates 72, 73, and a 16th mounting plate 81 located outward in the width direction of the third and fourth mounting plates 78, 79 and extending in the transport direction between the third and fourth support plates 74, 75.

[0094] The first support plate 72 has a base end located in front of the first mounting plate 76 in the transport direction and fixed to the first side edge 70 of the glass grinding first-1 and first-2 support bases 27a and 27b, and a tip end located inward in the width direction from the base end. The second support plate 73 has a base end located behind the second mounting plate 77 in the transport direction and behind the base end of the first support plate 72 in the transport direction and fixed to the first side edge 70 of the glass grinding first-1 and first-2 support bases 27a and 27b, and a tip end located inward in the width direction from the base end.

[0095] The third support plate 74 has a base end located in front of the third mounting plate 78 in the transport direction and fixed to the second side edge 71 of the glass grinding first-1 and first-2 support bases 27a and 27b, and a tip end located inward in the width direction from the base end. The fourth support plate 75 has a base end located behind the fourth mounting plate 79 in the transport direction and behind the base end of the third support plate 74 in the transport direction and fixed to the second side edge 71 of the glass grinding first-1 and first-2 support bases 27a and 27b, and a tip end located inward in the width direction from the base end.

[0096] These first mounting plates 76 are arranged parallel to each other and spaced equally apart (predetermined spacing) in the width direction. Each first mounting plate 76 has a base end located at the rear in the transport direction and connected to the first support plate 72, and a tip end located in front of the base end in the transport direction. Between each first mounting plate 76, a plurality of first gaps 82 are formed, arranged parallel to each other and spaced equally apart (predetermined spacing) in the width direction. These first gaps 82 extend forward from the first support plate 72 in the transport direction.

[0097] The second mounting plates 77 are arranged parallel to each other and spaced equally apart (predetermined spacing) in the width direction. Each second mounting plate 77 has a base end located in front of the transport direction and connected to the second support plate 73, and a tip end located behind the base end in the transport direction. Between each second mounting plate 77, a plurality of second gaps 83 are formed, arranged parallel to each other and spaced equally apart (predetermined spacing) in the width direction. These second gaps 83 extend from the second support plate 73 to the rear in the transport direction. The first mounting plates 76 and the second mounting plates 77 are arranged symmetrically to each other while facing each other in the width direction. The first gaps 82 and the second gaps 83 are arranged symmetrically to each other while facing each other in the width direction.

[0098] These third mounting plates 78 are arranged parallel to each other and spaced equally apart (predetermined spacing) in the width direction. Each third mounting plate 78 has a base end located at the rear in the transport direction and connected to the third support plate 74, and a tip end located in front of the base end in the transport direction. Between each third mounting plate 78, a plurality of third gaps 84 are formed, arranged parallel to each other and spaced equally apart (predetermined spacing) in the width direction. These third gaps 84 extend forward in the transport direction from the third support plate 74.

[0099] The fourth mounting plates 79 are arranged parallel to each other and spaced equally apart (predetermined spacing) in the width direction. Each of the fourth mounting plates 79 has a base end located in front of the transport direction and connected to the fourth support plate 75, and a tip end located behind the base end in the transport direction. Between each of the fourth mounting plates 79, a plurality of fourth gaps 85 are formed, arranged parallel to each other and spaced equally apart (predetermined spacing) in the width direction. These fourth gaps 85 extend from the fourth support plate 75 to the rear in the transport direction. The third mounting plates 78 and the fourth mounting plates 79 are arranged symmetrically to each other while facing each other in the width direction. The third gaps 84 and the fourth gaps 85 are arranged symmetrically to each other while facing each other in the width direction.

[0100] The 15th mounting plate 80 is positioned between the first and second mounting plates 76, 77, which are located furthest outward in the width direction, and the first side edge 70, with both ends connected and fixed to the first and second mounting plates 76, 77. The 16th mounting plate 81 is positioned between the third and fourth mounting plates 78, 79, which are located furthest outward in the width direction, and the second side edge 71, with both ends connected and fixed to the third and fourth mounting plates 78, 79.

[0101] The first to fourth mounting plates 76 to 79 and the fifteenth and sixteenth mounting plates 80 and 81 are equipped with bristle brushes arranged at equal intervals in the direction of transport. The bristle brushes prevent the glass plate body 11 from being scratched when it is placed on the first to fourth mounting plates 76 to 79 and the fifteenth and sixteenth mounting plates 80 and 81. Suction pads are installed on the tips of the first to fourth mounting plates 76 to 79 and on the fifteenth and sixteenth mounting plates 80 and 81. The suction pads are connected to a vacuum mechanism (air suction device) equipped with an air vacuum pump. The suction pads hold the glass plate body 11 to the first to fourth mounting plates 76 to 79 and the 15th and 16th mounting plates 80 and 81 by suction when the glass plate body 11 is placed on the first to fourth mounting plates 76 to 79 and the 15th and 16th mounting plates 80 and 81.

[0102] In the glass grinding support stand 1-1 27a and the glass grinding support stand 1-2 27b, the leading edge of the first mounting plate 76 located in the forward direction of transport and the leading edge of the second mounting plate 77 located in the rear direction of transport are positioned opposite each other at a predetermined distance apart in the transport direction, and a second passage space 86 extending in the width direction is formed between the leading edge of the first mounting plate 76 and the leading edge of the second mounting plate 77. In the glass grinding support stand 1-1 27a and the glass grinding support stand 1-2 27b, the leading edge of the third mounting plate 78 located in the forward direction of transport and the leading edge of the fourth mounting plate 79 located in the rear direction of transport are positioned opposite each other at a predetermined distance apart in the transport direction, and a third passage space 87 extending in the width direction is formed between the leading edge of the third mounting plate 78 and the leading edge of the fourth mounting plate 79.

[0103] In the glass grinding support stand 1-1 27a and the glass grinding support stand 1-2 27b, the first and second mounting plates 76, 77 located furthest inward in the width direction and the third and fourth mounting plates 78, 79 located furthest inward in the width direction are positioned opposite each other at a predetermined distance apart in the width direction, and a fourth passage space 88 extending in the transport direction is formed between the first and second mounting plates 76, 77 located furthest inward in the width direction and the third and fourth mounting plates 78, 79 located furthest inward in the width direction.

[0104] The widthwise length of the central first support plate 49 of the glass transport / rotation first shuttle 22 and the central second support plate 55 of the glass transport / rotation second shuttle 23 is smaller than the transport-direction length of the second passage space 86 between the tip of the first mounting plate 76 and the tip of the second mounting plate 77 of the glass grinding first-first support base 27a and the glass grinding first-second support base 27b, and the third passage space 87 between the tip of the third mounting plate 87 and the tip of the fourth mounting plate 79. The central first support plate 49 and the central second support plate 55 can pass through the second passage space 86 and the third passage space 87 in the vertical direction. The central first support plate 49 and the fifth and sixth mounting plates 80 and 81 of the glass transport / rotation first shuttle 22 can pass through the fourth passage space 88 in the vertical direction. The central second support plate 55 and the 11th and 12th mounting plates 56 and 57 of the glass transport and rotating second shuttle 23 can pass through the fourth passage space 88 in the vertical direction.

[0105] The glass grinding support base 2-1 28a and the glass grinding support base 2-2 28b have a first side edge portion 89 (one side edge portion) extending in the transport direction and a second side edge portion 90 (the other side edge portion) located on the opposite side of the width direction from the first side edge portion 89 and extending in the transport direction. The glass grinding support base 2-1 28a and the glass grinding support base 2-2 28b have a plurality of plate-shaped ninth mounting plates 91 extending in the width direction from the first side edge portion 89 toward the second side edge portion 90, and a plurality of plate-shaped tenth mounting plates 92 extending in the width direction from the second side edge portion 90 toward the first side edge portion 89.

[0106] These ninth mounting plates 91 are arranged parallel to each other and spaced equally apart (predetermined spacing) in the transport direction. Each ninth mounting plate 91 has a base end fixed to the first side edge 89 of the glass grinding second-first and second-second support bases 28a and 28b, and a tip end located inward in the width direction from the base end. Between each ninth mounting plate 91, a plurality of ninth gaps 93 are formed, arranged parallel to each other and spaced equally apart (predetermined spacing) in the transport direction. These ninth gaps 93 extend inward in the width direction from the first side edge 89.

[0107] These tenth mounting plates 92 are arranged parallel to each other and spaced equally apart (predetermined spacing) in the transport direction. Each tenth mounting plate 92 has a base end fixed to the second side edge 90 of the glass grinding second-first and second-second support bases 28a and 28b, and a tip end located inward in the width direction from the base end. Between each tenth mounting plate 92, a plurality of tenth gaps 94 are formed, arranged parallel to each other and spaced equally apart (predetermined spacing) in the transport direction. These tenth gaps 94 extend inward in the width direction from the second side edge 90.

[0108] The ninth and tenth mounting plates 91 and 92 are equipped with bristle brushes arranged at equal intervals in the direction of transport. The bristle brushes prevent the glass plate body 11 from being scratched when it is placed on the ninth and tenth mounting plates 91 and 92. Suction pads are installed at the front ends of the ninth and tenth mounting plates 91 and 92. The suction pads are connected to a vacuum mechanism (air suction device) equipped with an air vacuum pump. The suction pads hold the glass plate body 11 to the ninth and tenth mounting plates 91 and 92 when it is placed on them.

[0109] The ninth mounting plate 91 and the tenth mounting plate 92 are arranged symmetrically to each other while facing each other in the width direction. The ninth gap 93 and the tenth gap 94 are arranged symmetrically to each other while facing each other in the width direction. The tip of the ninth mounting plate 91 and the tip of the tenth mounting plate 92 are spaced a predetermined distance apart in the width direction, and a fifth passage space 95 extending in the transport direction is formed between the tip of the ninth mounting plate 91 and the tip of the tenth mounting plate 92.

[0110] The widthwise length of the central second support plate 55 of the glass transport / rotating second shuttle 23 and the central third support plate 61 of the glass transport shuttle 103 is smaller than the widthwise length of the fifth passage space 95 between the tip of the ninth mounting plate 91 and the tip of the tenth mounting plate 92 of the glass grinding second-first support base 28a and the glass grinding second-second support base 28b. The central second support plate 55 and the central third support plate 62 can pass through the fifth passage space 95 in the vertical direction.

[0111] The glass unloading support 26 has a first side edge 96 (one side edge) extending in the transport direction and a second side edge 97 (the other side edge) located on the opposite side of the width direction from the first side edge 96 and extending in the transport direction. The glass unloading support 26 has a plurality of plate-shaped 17th mounting plates 98 extending in the width direction from the first side edge 96 toward the second side edge 97 and a plurality of plate-shaped 18th mounting plates 99 extending in the width direction from the second side edge 97 toward the first side edge 96.

[0112] These 17th mounting plates 98 are arranged parallel to each other and spaced equally apart (predetermined spacing) in the transport direction. Each 17th mounting plate 98 has a base end fixed to the first side edge 96 of the glass unloading support 26, and a tip end located inward in the width direction from the base end. Between each 17th mounting plate 98, a plurality of 17th gaps 100 are formed, arranged parallel to each other and spaced equally apart (predetermined spacing) in the transport direction. These 17th gaps 100 extend inward in the width direction from the first side edge 96.

[0113] These 18th mounting plates 99 are arranged parallel to each other and spaced equally apart (predetermined spacing) in the transport direction. Each 18th mounting plate 99 has a base end fixed to the second side edge 97 of the glass unloading support 26, and a tip end located inward in the width direction from the base end. Between each 18th mounting plate 99, 18th gaps 101 of predetermined dimensions are formed, arranged parallel to each other and spaced equally apart (predetermined spacing) in the transport direction. These 18th gaps 101 extend inward in the width direction from the second side edge 97.

[0114] The 17th mounting plate 98 and the 18th mounting plate 99 are arranged symmetrically, facing each other and spaced apart in the width direction. The 17th gap 100 and the 18th gap 101 are arranged symmetrically, facing each other and spaced apart in the width direction. Bristle brushes are installed on the 17th and 18th mounting plates 98 and 99, spaced equally apart in the width direction. The bristle brushes prevent the glass plate body 11 from being scratched when it is placed on the 17th and 18th mounting plates 98 and 99.

[0115] The leading edge of the 17th mounting plate 98 and the leading edge of the 18th mounting plate 99 are spaced a predetermined distance apart in the width direction, and a sixth passage space 102 extending in the transport direction is formed between the leading edge of the 17th mounting plate 98 and the leading edge of the 18th mounting plate 99. The widthwise length of the central third support plate 61 of the glass transport shuttle 103 is smaller than the widthwise length of the sixth passage space 102 between the leading edge of the 17th mounting plate 98 and the leading edge of the 18th mounting plate 99 of the glass discharge receiving base 26, allowing the central third support plate 61 to pass through the sixth passage space 102 in the vertical direction.

[0116] The first grinding device 29a and the second grinding device 29b are located on the outer side in the width direction of the glass grinding support base 1-1 27a and the glass grinding support base 1-2 27b, and are spaced apart and facing each other in the width direction. The third grinding device 29c and the fourth grinding device 29d are located on the outer side in the width direction of the glass grinding support base 2-1 28a and the glass grinding support base 2-2 28b, and are spaced apart and facing each other in the width direction.

[0117] The first grinding device 29a and the third grinding device 29c are aligned in the transport direction, with the third grinding device 29c positioned in front of the first grinding device 29a in the transport direction (downstream). The second grinding device 29b and the fourth grinding device 29d are aligned in the transport direction, with the fourth grinding device 29d positioned in front of the second grinding device 29b in the transport direction (downstream). In addition, three or more first to nth grinding devices may be installed in the grinding area 20, spaced apart in the width direction and facing each other in the transport direction.

[0118] The first to fourth grinding devices 29a to 29d (grinding mechanisms) comprise the first to fourth grinding jigs 104a to 104d, the first to fourth traveling frames 105a to 105d and the first to fourth traveling mechanisms 106a to 106d, and the first to fourth width dimension adjustment mechanisms 107a to 107d and the first to fourth height adjustment mechanisms 108a to 108d. The first to fourth grinding jigs 104a to 104d are formed from a grinding wheel, a grinding holder, a spindle motor 109, and a housing 110 having a predetermined storage space.

[0119] The first grinding jig 104a is mounted on the first traveling frame 105a so as to be movable in the transport direction, and the second grinding jig 104b is mounted on the second traveling frame 105b so as to be movable in the transport direction. The third grinding jig 104c is mounted on the third traveling frame 105c so as to be movable in the transport direction, and the fourth grinding jig 104d is mounted on the fourth traveling frame 105d so as to be movable in the transport direction.

[0120] The grinding wheels are formed into disc shapes with a predetermined diameter, and four of them are arranged at predetermined distances apart in the conveying direction. These grinding wheels are installed and housed in the housing space of the housing 110. The outer circumferential surfaces of the grinding wheels of the first grinding jig 104a face the first side edges 70 of the glass grinding support base 1-1 27a and the glass grinding support base 1-2 27b, and the outer circumferential surfaces of the grinding wheels of the second grinding jig 104b face the second side edges 71 of the glass grinding support base 1-1 27a and the glass grinding support base 1-2 27b.

[0121] The outer circumferential surfaces of the grinding wheels of the third grinding jig 104c face the first side edges 89 of the glass grinding second-first support 28a and the glass grinding second-second support 28b, and the outer circumferential surfaces of the grinding wheels of the fourth grinding jig 104d face the second side edges 90 of the glass grinding second-first support 28a and the glass grinding second-second support 28b. The grinding wheels of the first and second grinding jigs 104a and 104b grind the first and second side edges 14 and 15 (both first edges) of the glass plate body 11 with their outer circumferential surfaces, and the grinding wheels of the third and fourth grinding jigs 104c and 104d grind the front and rear end edges 16 and 17 (both second edges) of the glass plate body 11 with their outer circumferential surfaces.

[0122] The grinding holder rotatably supports the grinding wheels. The grinding holder is installed and housed in the housing space of the housing 110. The housing 110 has a slit that extends in the transport direction. The first and second side edges 14, 15 and the front and rear end edges 16, 17 of the glass plate body 11 are inserted into the slit in a removable manner. The spindle motors 109 are located to the side of the grinding wheels (grinding holders), and four of them are installed and housed in the housing space of the housing 110.

[0123] The spindle motors 109 have their shafts connected to the center of the grinding wheels. The rotation of the shafts of the spindle motors 109 causes the grinding wheels to rotate clockwise or counterclockwise. A control unit that controls the starting, stopping, rotational speed, and rotational velocity of the spindle motors 109 is connected to a controller via an interface (wired or wireless) (not shown). When the control unit of the spindle motors 109 receives a drive signal from the controller, it drives the spindle motors 109 at predetermined rotational speeds and rotational velocities.

[0124] The first traveling frame 105a is installed on the first side edge 70 of the glass grinding support bases 27a and 27b and extends in the transport direction. The second traveling frame 105b is installed on the second side edge 71 of the glass grinding support bases 27a and 27b and extends in the transport direction. The third traveling frame 105c is installed on the first side edge 89 of the glass grinding support bases 28a and 28b and extends in the transport direction. The fourth traveling frame 105d is installed on the second side edge 90 of the glass grinding support bases 28a and 28b and extends in the transport direction.

[0125] The first traveling mechanism 106a is installed on the first traveling frame 105a and reciprocates the first grinding jig 104a forward and backward in the transport direction. The second traveling mechanism 106b is installed on the second traveling frame 105b and reciprocates the second grinding jig 104b forward and backward in the transport direction. The third traveling mechanism 106c is installed on the third traveling frame 105c and reciprocates the third grinding jig 104c forward and backward in the transport direction. The fourth traveling mechanism 106d is installed on the fourth traveling frame 105d and reciprocates the fourth grinding jig 104d forward and backward in the transport direction.

[0126] The first to fourth travel mechanisms 106a to 106d are formed from an LM guide, an X-axis servo motor (transport direction servo motor), and a rack and pinion mechanism equipped with a trochoid cam gear (TCG). The LM guide of the first to fourth travel mechanisms 106a to 106d has a pair of rails extending in the transport direction and a plurality of carriages. These rails are laid on the first to fourth travel frames 105a to 105d, spaced apart in the width direction and facing each other, extending parallel to each other in the transport direction. These carriages are attached to the bottom of the housings of the first to fourth grinding jigs 104a to 104d. As these carriages slide against the rails in the transport direction, the first to fourth grinding jigs 104a to 104d reciprocate in the transport direction.

[0127] Travel servo motors are installed at the front and rear of the housing 110 in the transport direction. A control unit that controls the starting and stopping of the travel servo motors is connected to a controller via a signal line. The pinion of the rack and pinion mechanism is attached to the rotating shaft of the travel servo motor. In the first to fourth travel mechanisms 106a to 106d, the rack and pinion mechanism converts the rotational motion of the driven travel servo motor into linear motion, and the linear motion of the rack and pinion mechanism moves the first to fourth grinding jigs 104a to 104d from the rear in the transport direction to the front in the transport direction of the first to fourth travel frames 105a to 105d, and also moves them from the front in the transport direction to the rear in the transport direction.

[0128] The first to fourth width adjustment mechanisms 107a to 107d are formed from a width adjustment servo motor (Y-axis servo motor) and a ball screw (not shown) connected to the rotation axis of the width adjustment servo motor. The width adjustment servo motor is installed and housed in the housing space of the housing 110. A control unit that controls the starting and stopping of the width adjustment servo motor is connected to the controller via a signal line.

[0129] In the first to fourth width dimension adjustment mechanisms 107a to 107d, a ball screw converts the rotational motion of the driven width dimension adjustment servo motor into linear motion, thereby moving the grinding holders (the grinding wheels) inward and outward in the width direction. As the first to fourth width dimension adjustment mechanisms 107a to 107d move the grinding holders (the grinding wheels) of the first to fourth grinding jigs 104a to 104d inward and outward in the width direction, the width direction position of the grinding wheels on the glass grinding first-first and first-second support bases 27a and 27b and the glass grinding second-first and second-second support bases 28a and 28b is adjusted. By adjusting the widthwise position of these grinding wheels, the outer surfaces of these grinding wheels can be brought into contact with the first and second side edges 14, 15 (both first edges) and the front and rear end edges 16, 17 (both second edges) of the glass plate body 11 with a predetermined pressing force.

[0130] The first to fourth height adjustment mechanisms 108a to 108d are formed from a height adjustment servo motor (Z-axis servo motor) and a ball screw (not shown) connected to the rotation axis of the height adjustment servo motor. The height adjustment servo motor is installed and housed in the housing space of the housing 110. A control unit that controls the starting and stopping of the height adjustment servo motor is connected to the controller via a signal line.

[0131] In the first to fourth height adjustment mechanisms 108a to 108d, a ball screw converts the rotational motion of the driven height adjustment servo motor into linear motion, thereby moving the grinding holders (the grinding wheels) vertically. The first to fourth height adjustment mechanisms 108a to 108d move the grinding holders (the grinding wheels) of the first to fourth grinding jigs 104a to 104d vertically, thereby adjusting the height of the outer circumferential surface of the grinding wheels. By adjusting the height of the outer circumferential surface of the grinding wheels, the height of the outer circumferential surface of the grinding wheels can be made to match the height of the first and second side edges 14, 15 and the front and rear end edges 16, 17 of the glass plate body 11, and the outer circumferential surface of the grinding wheels can be made to accurately contact the first and second side edges 14, 15 and the front and rear end edges 16, 17 of the glass plate body 11.

[0132] Figure 10 is a front view of the glass conveying and rotating first shuttle 22 and the first and second grinding devices 29a and 29b for illustrating the first grinding means, and Figure 11 is a front view of the glass conveying and rotating first shuttle 22 and the first and second grinding devices 29a and 29b for illustrating the first grinding means, continuing from Figure 10. Figure 12 is a front view of the glass conveying and rotating second shuttle 23 and the third and fourth grinding devices 29c and 29d for illustrating the second grinding means, and Figure 13 is a front view of the glass conveying and rotating second shuttle 23 and the third and fourth grinding devices 29c and 29d for illustrating the second grinding means, continuing from Figure 12.

[0133] An example of grinding using the grinding system 10 is described below. At the start of grinding, the first glass transport / rotation shuttle 22 is waiting in the loading area 19, and the second glass transport / rotation shuttle 23 and the glass transport shuttle are waiting in the grinding area 20. The first glass transport / rotation shuttle 22, waiting in the loading area 19, has its central first support plate 49 and fifth and sixth mounting plates 50 and 51 lowered by a lifting mechanism, so that the central first support plate 49 and fifth and sixth mounting plates 50 and 51 are located below the seventh and eighth mounting plates 32 and 33 of the glass loading receiving base 24.

[0134] The glass transport and rotation second shuttle 23, waiting in the grinding area 20, has its central second support plate 55 and the 11th and 12th mounting plates 56 and 57 lowered by a lifting mechanism, so that the central second support plate 55 and the 11th and 12th mounting plates 56 and 57 are located below the 1st to 4th support plates 72 to 75 and the 1st to 4th mounting plates 76 to 79 of the glass grinding first-127a and first-2 receiving base 27b. The glass transport shuttle, also waiting in the grinding area 20, has its central third support plate 61 and the 13th and 14th mounting plates 62 and 63 lowered by a lifting mechanism, so that the third support plate 61 and the 13th and 14th mounting plates 62 and 63 are located below the 9th and 10th mounting plates 91 and 92 of the glass grinding second-1 and second-2 receiving base 28a and 28b.

[0135] The first grinding jig 104a moves to the rear in the transport direction of the first traveling frame 105a, and the first grinding jig 104a is waiting at the rear in the transport direction of the glass grinding first-first support 27a. The second grinding jig 104b moves to the front in the transport direction of the second traveling frame 105b, and the second grinding jig 104b is waiting at the front in the transport direction of the glass grinding first-second support 27b. The third grinding jig 104c moves to the rear in the transport direction of the third traveling frame 105c, and the third grinding jig 104c is waiting at the rear in the transport direction of the glass grinding second-first support 28a. The fourth grinding jig 104d moves to the front in the transport direction of the fourth traveling frame 105d, and the fourth grinding jig 104d is waiting at the front in the transport direction of the glass grinding second-second support 28b.

[0136] The width dimensions of the glass grinding first-first and first-second support bases 27a and 27b of the first grinding jig 104a are adjusted by the first width dimension adjustment mechanism 107a so that the circumferential surface of the grinding wheel of the first grinding jig 104a contacts the first side edge 14 of the glass plate body 11 to be ground with a predetermined pressing force. The width dimensions of the glass grinding first-first and first-second support bases 27a and 27b of the second grinding jig 104b are adjusted by the second width dimension adjustment mechanism 107b so that the circumferential surface of the grinding wheel of the second grinding jig 104b contacts the second side edge 15 of the glass plate body 11 to be ground with a predetermined pressing force. The width dimensions of the glass grinding 2-1 and 2-2 support bases 28a and 28b of the third grinding jig 104c are adjusted by the third width dimension adjustment mechanism 107c so that the circumferential surface of the grinding wheel of the third grinding jig contacts the front edge 16 of the glass plate body 11 to be ground with a predetermined pressing force. The width dimensions of the glass grinding 2-1 and 2-2 support bases 28a and 28b of the fourth grinding jig 104d are adjusted by the fourth width dimension adjustment mechanism 107d so that the circumferential surface of the grinding wheel of the fourth grinding jig 104d contacts the rear edge 17 of the glass plate body 11 to be ground with a predetermined pressing force.

[0137] The first height adjustment mechanism 108a adjusts the vertical height of the first traveling frame 105a of the first grinding jig 104a so that the height of the circumferential surface of the grinding wheel of the first grinding jig 104a matches the height of the first side edge 14 of the glass plate body 11 to be ground. The second height adjustment mechanism 108b adjusts the vertical height of the second traveling frame 105b of the second grinding jig 104b so that the height of the circumferential surface of the grinding wheel of the second grinding jig 104b matches the height of the second side edge 15 of the glass plate body 11 to be ground.

[0138] The third height adjustment mechanism 108c adjusts the vertical height of the third traveling frame 105c of the third grinding jig 104c so that the height of the circumferential surface of the grinding wheel of the third grinding jig 104c matches the height of the front edge 16 of the glass plate body 11 to be ground. The fourth height adjustment mechanism 108d adjusts the vertical height of the fourth traveling frame 105d of the fourth grinding jig 104d so that the height of the circumferential surface of the grinding wheel of the fourth grinding jig 104d matches the height of the rear edge 17 of the glass plate body 11 to be ground.

[0139] Furthermore, the transport direction pusher 38 and transport direction stopper 39 of the positioning device 25 are raised by a lifting mechanism to a standby position above the frame 37 (the 7th and 8th mounting plates 32 and 33 of the glass loading support 24), and the width direction pusher 40 and width direction stopper of the positioning device 25 are moved by a moving mechanism to a standby position outside the width direction of the frame 37 (the 7th and 8th mounting plates 32 and 33 of the glass loading support 24).

[0140] Multiple images of glass plates are displayed (output) on a display (output device) connected to the controller. From the multiple images of glass plates displayed on the display, the user clicks (tap) (selects) a specific glass plate body 11 to be processed. Once a specific glass plate body 11 is selected, the controller selects an NC control program for the grinding process to be performed on that glass plate body 11. The controller outputs (displays) a grinding start button on the display. When the grinding start button is clicked (tap), the grinding process of the glass plate body 11 begins.

[0141] Although not shown in the diagram, two glass plate bodies 11 selected by the display for grinding (after folding) are brought into the glass loading area 19 by a predetermined glass loading means (not shown), and these glass plate bodies 11 are placed on the seventh and eighth mounting plates 32 and 33 of the glass loading support 24. After the glass plate bodies 11 after folding are placed on the seventh and eighth mounting plates 32 and 33, a positioning means is performed on the glass loading support 24.

[0142] In the positioning mechanism, the controller transmits a positioning signal (operation signal) to the moving mechanism and the lifting mechanism of the positioning device 25. Upon receiving the positioning signal, the control unit of the moving servo motor of the moving mechanism activates the moving servo motor, and upon receiving the positioning signal, the control unit of the lifting servo motor of the lifting mechanism activates the lifting servo motor.

[0143] When the moving servo motor and the lifting servo motor are activated, the transport direction pusher 38 and transport direction stopper 39 of the positioning device 25 descend from their standby positions toward the 7th and 8th mounting plates 32 and 33 of the glass loading receiving table 24, so that the transport direction pusher 38 and transport direction stopper 39 are positioned at the positioning start point, and the width direction pusher 40 and width direction stopper of the positioning device 25 move inward in the width direction, so that the width direction pusher 40 and width direction stopper are positioned at the positioning start point.

[0144] After the transport direction pusher 38, transport direction stopper 39, width direction pusher 40, and width direction stopper are positioned at the positioning start point, the transport direction pusher 38 moves backward in the transport direction and contacts the front end edge 16 of the glass plate body 11, causing the transport direction pusher 38 to move the glass plate body 11 backward in the transport direction, while the width direction pusher 40 moves inward in the width direction and contacts the first side edge 14 of the glass plate body 11, causing the width direction pusher 40 to move the glass plate body 11 in the width direction.

[0145] The rear edge 17 of the glass plate body 11 moves backward in the transport direction by the transport direction pusher 38 and comes into contact with the transport direction stopper 39, stopping the backward movement of the glass plate body 11 in the transport direction, and completing the positioning of each glass plate body 11 in the transport direction (positioning means). The second side edge 15 of the glass plate body 11 moves inward in the width direction by the width direction pusher 40 and comes into contact with the width direction stopper, stopping the inward movement of the glass plate body 11 in the width direction, and completing the positioning of each glass plate body 11 in the width direction (positioning means). The transport direction pusher 38 and the width direction pusher 40 move simultaneously, so that the positioning of the glass plate body 11 in the transport direction and width direction is performed simultaneously.

[0146] After the glass plate bodies 11 have been positioned in the transport direction and width direction, the transport direction pusher 38 moves forward in the transport direction, the width direction pusher 40 moves outward in the width direction, and after the transport direction pusher 38 and width direction pusher 40 return to the starting position, the transport direction pusher 38 and transport direction stopper 39 rise from the starting position and return to the standby position, and the width direction pusher 40 and width direction stopper move outward in the width direction from the starting position to the standby position.

[0147] After the transport direction pusher 38, transport direction stopper 39, width direction pusher 40, and width direction stopper return to their standby positions, the controller transmits a standby signal (stop signal) to the moving mechanism and lifting mechanism of the positioning device 25, and also transmits (outputs) a first transport signal to the glass transport / rotation first shuttle 22 and the linear guide mechanism 44. Upon receiving the standby signal, the control unit of the moving servo motor of the moving mechanism of the positioning device 25 stops the moving servo motor, and upon receiving the standby transmission signal, the control unit of the lifting servo motor of the lifting mechanism of the positioning device 25 stops the lifting servo motor.

[0148] Upon receiving the first transport signal, the control unit of the lifting servo motor 45a of the lifting and rotating mechanism of the glass transport and rotating first shuttle 22 activates the lifting servo motor 45a. When the lifting servo motor 45a is driven and rotates in either a clockwise or counterclockwise direction, the linear motion of the rack and pinion mechanism extends the lifting and rotating shaft, causing the central first support plate 49 and the fifth and sixth mounting plates 50 and 51 of the glass transport and rotating first shuttle 22, which are located below the seventh and eighth mounting plates 32 and 33 of the glass loading support base 24, to rise.

[0149] The central first support plate 49 of the glass transport / rotating first shuttle 22 passes upward through the first passage space 36 between the leading edge of the seventh mounting plate 32 and the leading edge of the eighth mounting plate 33 of the glass loading receiving base 24, the fifth mounting plates 50 of the glass transport / rotating first shuttle 22 rising from below the seventh mounting plate 32 pass from below through the seventh gap 34 between each of the seventh mounting plates 32, and the sixth mounting plates 51 of the glass transport / rotating first shuttle 22 rising from below the eighth mounting plate 33 pass from below through the eighth gap 35 between each of the eighth mounting plates 33.

[0150] As a result, the glass plates 11 placed on the 7th and 8th mounting plates 32 and 33 of the glass loading support 24 are transferred from the 7th and 8th mounting plates 32 and 33 to the central 1st support plate 49 and the 5th and 6th mounting plates 50 and 51 of the glass transport and rotation 1st shuttle 22. The 7th mounting plate 32 of the glass loading support 24 passes through the 5th gap 53 between the 5th mounting plate 50 of the glass transport and rotation 1st shuttle 22, and the 8th mounting plate 33 of the glass loading support 24 passes through the 6th gap 54 between the 6th mounting plate 51 of the glass transport and rotation 1st shuttle 33.

[0151] As each glass plate body 11 is transferred from the 7th and 8th mounting plates 32 and 33 of the glass loading receiving table 24 to the central 1st support plate 49 and the 5th and 6th mounting plates 50 and 51 of the glass transport and rotation 1st shuttle 22, the air vacuum pump of the vacuum mechanism of the glass transport and rotation 1st shuttle 22 is activated by switching the solenoid valve, and the lower surface of the glass plate body 11 is attracted to the suction pads of the central 1st support plate 49 and the suction pads of the 5th and 6th mounting plates 50 and 51, and each positioned glass plate body 11 is held in place by suction to the central 1st support plate 49 and the 5th and 6th mounting plates 50 and 51.

[0152] With the glass plate bodies 11 placed on the central first support plate 49 and the fifth and sixth mounting plates 50 and 51, the lifting and rotating shaft extends further, and each glass plate body 11 rises above the glass loading platform 24 together with the central first support plate 49 and the fifth and sixth mounting plates 50 and 51. After the glass plate bodies 11 have risen to a predetermined height above the glass loading platform 24, the control unit of the lifting servo motor 45a of the lifting mechanism of the glass transport and rotating first shuttle 22 stops the lifting servo motor 45a, and the rising of the central first support plate 49 and the fifth and sixth mounting plates 50 and 51 stops.

[0153] Furthermore, as the central first support plate 49 and the fifth and sixth mounting plates 50 and 51 of the first glass transport and rotation shuttle 22 rise, the lifting and rotating shaft of the second glass transport and rotation shuttle 23 extends, causing the central second support plate 55 and the eleventh and twelfth mounting plates 56 and 57 of the second glass transport and rotation shuttle 23 to rise, while the lifting shaft of the glass transport shuttle extends, causing the central third support plate 61 and the thirteenth and fourteenth mounting plates 62 and 63 of the glass transport shuttle to rise.

[0154] After the glass plate bodies 11 rise above the glass loading platform 24, the control unit of the guide servo motor 68 of the linear guide mechanism 44 starts the guide servo motor 68. When the guide servo motor 68 is driven, the rack and pinion mechanism converts the rotational motion of the guide servo motor 68 into linear motion, and the linear motion of the rack and pinion mechanism moves the glass transport and rotation first shuttle 33 forward in the transport direction from the glass loading platform 24 toward the glass grinding first-1 and first-2 loading platforms 27a and 27b (glass first transport means). When the glass transport and rotation first shuttle 22 moves forward in the transport direction, the glass plate bodies 11, along with the central first support plate 49 and the fifth and sixth mounting plates 50 and 51, are in a state where they have risen above the glass loading platform 24.

[0155] In the grinding system 10, the glass transport and rotation first shuttle 22 transports each glass plate body 11 from the glass loading receiving table 24 towards the glass grinding 1-1 and 1-2 receiving tables 27a and 27b (glass grinding 1 receiving table) in the forward direction of transport. Therefore, the glass transport and rotation first shuttle 22 can quickly and reliably transport each glass plate body 11 after the folding process from the glass loading receiving table 24 to the glass grinding 1-1 and 1-2 receiving tables 27a and 27b.

[0156] Simultaneously with the forward movement of the first glass transport / rotation shuttle 22 in the transport direction, the rack and pinion mechanism converts the rotational motion of the guide servo motor 68 of the second glass transport / rotation shuttle 23 into linear motion, and the linear motion of the rack and pinion mechanism causes the second glass transport / rotation shuttle 23 to move forward in the transport direction from the first and second glass grinding support bases 27a and 27b toward the second and second glass grinding support bases 28a and 28b. Furthermore, the rack and pinion mechanism converts the rotational motion of the guide servo motor of the glass transport shuttle into linear motion, and the linear motion of the rack and pinion mechanism causes the glass transport shuttle to move forward in the transport direction from the second and second glass grinding support bases 28a and 28b toward the glass discharge support base 26.

[0157] When the glass transport and rotation first shuttle 22 moves to the glass grinding first-first and first-second support tables 27a and 27b in the grinding area 20, the control unit of the guide servo motor 68 of the linear guide mechanism 44 stops the guide servo motor 68, and the glass transport and rotation first shuttle 22 stops below the glass grinding first-first and first-second support tables 27a and 27b. The central first support plate 49, fifth and sixth mounting plates 50, 51 on which the glass body 11 of the shuttle 22 located in the forward direction of the transport of the first glass transport and rotation shuttle 22 is placed are located above the first to fourth support plates 72 to 75, the first to fourth mounting plates 76 to 79, and the fifteenth and sixteenth mounting plates 80, 81 of the first-first glass grinding support base 27a. The central first support plate 49, fifth and sixth mounting plates 50, 51 on which the glass body 11 of the shuttle 22 located in the rear direction of the transport of the first glass transport and rotation shuttle 22 is placed are located above the first to fourth support plates 72 to 75, the first to fourth mounting plates 76 to 79, and the fifteenth and sixteenth mounting plates 80, 81 of the first-second glass grinding support base 27b.

[0158] As the glass transport and rotation first shuttle 22 moves, the glass transport and rotation second shuttle 23 moves to the glass grinding second-first and second-second support bases 28a and 28b. At the same time, the control unit of the guide servo motor 68 of the linear guide mechanism 44 stops the guide servo motor 68, and the glass transport and rotation second shuttle 23 stops below the glass grinding second-first and second-second support bases 28a and 28b. The central second support plate 55 and the 11th and 12th mounting plates 56 and 57 of the glass transport and rotation second shuttle 22 are positioned above the 9th and 10th mounting plates 91 and 92 of the glass grinding second-first and second-second support bases 28a and 28b.

[0159] Furthermore, as the glass transport shuttle moves to the glass discharge receiving platform 26 at the same time as the glass transport / rotation first shuttle 22 moves, the control unit of the guide servo motor of the linear guide mechanism stops the guide servo motor, and the glass transport shuttle stops below the glass discharge receiving platform 26. The central third support plate 61, and the thirteenth and fourteenth mounting plates 62 and 63 of the glass transport shuttle are located above the seventeenth and eighteenth mounting plates 98 and 99 of the glass discharge receiving platform 26.

[0160] After the glass plate bodies 11 are positioned on the glass grinding 1-1 and 1-2 support bases 27a and 27b, the control unit of the rotation servo motor 45b of the lifting and rotating mechanism 42 of the glass transport and rotating first shuttle 22 starts the rotation servo motor 45b. When the rotation servo motor 45b is driven, the lifting and rotating axis rotates 90° in either a clockwise or counterclockwise direction, causing the central first support plate 49 and the fifth and sixth mounting plates 50 and 51 to rotate 90° in either a clockwise or counterclockwise direction so that they extend in the transport direction, and the glass plate body 11 rotates 90° so that the center line dividing the dimension of the glass plate body 11 in the transport direction is perpendicular to the width direction (first rotation means).

[0161] Furthermore, after each glass plate body 11 rises to a predetermined height above the glass loading platform 24 together with the central first support plate 49 and the fifth and sixth mounting plates 50 and 51, the rotation servo motor 45b of the glass transport / rotation first shuttle 22 may be driven to rotate the lifting / rotation axis 90° in either a clockwise or counterclockwise direction (first rotation means). In this case, each glass plate body 11 rotates 90° above the glass loading platform 24. After each glass plate body 11 rotates 90° above the glass loading platform 24, the glass transport / rotation first shuttle 22 moves forward in the transport direction from the glass loading platform 24 towards the glass grinding first-1 and first-2 receiving platforms 27a and 27b (first glass transport means).

[0162] The grinding system 10 can quickly and reliably rotate each glass plate body 11 by 90° either by having the first glass transport / rotation shuttle 22 raise the glass plate bodies 11 above the glass loading support 24, or by having the first glass transport / rotation shuttle 22 transport the glass plate bodies 11 above the first glass grinding support 27a, 27b (first glass grinding support), and then rotating each glass plate body 11 by 90° above the first glass grinding support 27a, 27b.

[0163] After each glass plate body 11 has been folded and cut, it is rotated 90°. Then, the control unit of the rotation servo motor 45b of the lifting and rotating mechanism 42 of the glass transport and rotating first shuttle 22 stops the rotation servo motor 45b, maintaining the 90° rotated state of the glass plate body 11 and maintaining the state in which the center line of the glass plate body 11 is perpendicular to the width direction. Next, the controller transmits (outputs) a first placement signal to the lifting and rotating mechanism 42 of the glass transport and rotating first shuttle 22. Upon receiving the first placement signal, the control unit of the lifting servo motor 45a of the lifting and rotating mechanism 42 of the glass transport and rotating first shuttle 22 activates the lifting servo motor 45a. When the lifting servo motor 45a is driven and rotates in either a clockwise or counterclockwise direction, the linear motion of the rack and pinion mechanism causes the lifting and rotating shaft to contract, and the central first support plate 49 and the fifth and sixth mounting plates 50 and 51 of the glass transport and rotating first shuttle 22, which are located above the first to fourth support plates 72 to 75, the first to fourth mounting plates 76 to 79, and the fifteenth and sixteenth mounting plates 80 and 81 of the glass grinding first-first and first-second support bases 27a and 27b, descend.

[0164] The central first support plate 49 of the glass transport and rotation first shuttle 22 passes from above to below through the second passage space 86 between the tip of the first mounting plate 76 and the tip of the second mounting plate 77 of the glass grinding first-1 and first-2 support bases 27a and 27b, the central first support plate 49 passes from above to below through the third passage space 84 between the tip of the third mounting plate 78 and the tip of the fourth mounting plate 79 of the glass grinding first-1 and first-2 support bases 27a and 27b, and passes from above to below through the fourth passage space 85 between the first and second mounting plates 76 and 77, which are located furthest inward in the width direction, and the third and fourth mounting plates 78 and 79, which are located furthest inward in the width direction.

[0165] Furthermore, the fifth and sixth mounting plates 50 and 51 of the glass transport and rotation first shuttle 22 pass from above through the first gap 82 between the first mounting plates 76, the second gap 83 between the second mounting plates 77, the third gap 84 between the third mounting plates 78, and the fourth gap 85 between the fourth mounting plate 79. As a result, the glass plate bodies 11 placed on the central first support plate 49 and the fifth and sixth mounting plates 50 and 51 of the glass transport and rotation first shuttle 22 are transferred from the central first support plate 49 and the fifth and sixth mounting plates 50 and 51 to the first to fourth mounting plates 76 to 79 and the 15th and 16th mounting plates 80 and 81 of the glass grinding first-1 and first-2 receiving bases 27a and 27b (first mounting means).

[0166] In the grinding system 10, after the glass transport / rotation first shuttle 22 rotates the glass plate bodies 11 by 90°, one of the fifth mounting plate 50 and the sixth mounting plate 51 of the glass transport / rotation first shuttle 22 passes vertically downward through the first gap 82 between the first mounting plates 76 and the second gap 83 between the second mounting plates 77, and the other of the fifth mounting plate 50 and the sixth mounting plate 51 of the glass transport / rotation first shuttle 22 passes vertically downward through the third gap 84 between the third mounting plates 78 and the fourth mounting plate As the glass plate body 11 passes vertically downward through the fourth gap 85 between the rates 79, it is transferred from the fifth and sixth mounting plates 50 and 51 to the first to fourth mounting plates 76 to 79, and each glass plate body 11 is placed on the glass grinding first-first and first-second receiving bases 27a and 27b (glass grinding first receiving base). Thus, each glass plate body 11 after the folding process can be reliably and quickly transferred from the glass transport and rotation first shuttle 22 to the glass grinding first-first and first-second receiving bases 27a and 27b.

[0167] As each glass plate body 11 is transferred from the central first support plate 49, fifth and sixth mounting plates 50, 51 of the glass transport and rotation first shuttle 22 to the first to fourth mounting plates 76-79 and the fifteenth and sixteenth mounting plates 80, 81 of the glass grinding first-1 and first-2 support bases 27a, 27b, the air vacuum pump of the vacuum mechanism of the glass transport and rotation first shuttle 22 is stopped by the switching of the solenoid valve, and glass grinding first-1 and first- The air vacuum pump of the vacuum mechanism between the first to fourth mounting plates 76 to 79 and the 15th and 16th mounting plates 80 and 81 of the two support bases 27a and 27b is activated, and the lower surface 13 of the glass plate body 11 is attracted to the suction pads of the first to fourth mounting plates 76 to 79 and the 15th and 16th mounting plates 80 and 81, and each positioned glass plate body 11 is held in place by suction on the first to fourth mounting plates 76 to 79 and the 15th and 16th mounting plates 80 and 81. The glass plate bodies 11, placed on the glass grinding supports 1-1 and 1-2 27a and 27b, have their first side edge 14 located on the first side edge 70 of the glass grinding supports 1-1 and 1-2 27a and 27b, and their second side edge 15 located on the second side edge 71 of the glass grinding supports 1-1 and 1-2 27a and 27b.

[0168] After the fifth mounting plate 50 of the glass transport / rotation first shuttle 22 descends below the first to fourth mounting plates 76 to 79 of the glass grinding first-1 and first-2 support bases 27a and 27b, and the sixth mounting plate 51 of the glass transport / rotation first shuttle 22 descends below the first to fourth mounting plates 76 to 79 of the glass grinding first-1 and first-2 support bases 27a and 27b, the control unit of the lifting servo motor 45a of the lifting / rotation mechanism 42 of the glass transport / rotation first shuttle 22 stops the lifting servo motor 45a.

[0169] The controller transmits grinding signals (operation signals) to the control units of the first and second traveling mechanisms 106a and 106b of the first and second grinding devices 29a and 29b (grinding mechanisms). Upon receiving the grinding signals, the control units of the first and second traveling mechanisms 106a and 106b activate the X-axis servo motors (transport direction servo motors). The spindle motor 109 is activated, and the grinding wheel rotates as a result of the activation of the spindle motor 109.

[0170] When the X-axis servo motor is activated, the first grinding jig 104a, located at the rear in the transport direction of the first travel frame 105a, moves toward the front in the transport direction of the first travel frame 105a, and the grinding wheel of the first grinding jig 104a contacts the first corner 18a or the third corner 18c of the glass plate body 11 placed on the glass grinding 1-1 and 1-2 support bases 27a and 27b with a predetermined pressing force, while the first The first grinding means grinds the corner portion 18a or the third corner portion 18c, with the grinding wheel contacting the first side edge portion 14 of the glass plate body 11 with a predetermined pressing force while grinding the first side edge portion 14, and grinding two diagonal corner portions of the first to fourth corner portions 18a to 18d of the glass plate body 11 (for example, the first corner portion 18a and the third corner portion 18d or the fourth corner portion 18d and the second corner portion 18b).

[0171] When the X-axis servo motor is activated, the second grinding jig 104b, which is located in front of the second travel frame 105b in the transport direction, moves toward the rear of the second travel frame 105b in the transport direction, and the grinding wheel of the second grinding jig 104b contacts the second corner 18b or the fourth corner 18d of the glass plate body 11 placed on the glass grinding 1-1 and 1-2 support bases 27a and 27b with a predetermined pressing force, while the second The first grinding means grinds the corner portion 18b or the fourth corner portion 18d, with the grinding wheel contacting the second side edge portion 15 of the glass plate body 11 with a predetermined pressing force while grinding the second side edge portion 15, and grinding two diagonal corner portions of the first to fourth corner portions 18a to 18d of the glass plate body 11 (for example, the first corner portion 18a and the third corner portion 18d or the fourth corner portion 18d and the second corner portion 18b).

[0172] In the first grinding means, the first and second grinding devices 29a and 29b travel forward or backward in the transport direction, grinding the first and second side edges 14 (one first edge) and second side edges 15 (the other first edge) of each glass plate body 11 placed on the glass grinding first-1 and first-2 support bases 27a and 27b as they pass in the transport direction. The first and second side edges 14 and 15 (both first edges) of each glass plate body 11 can be ground simply by the operation of 9a and 29b passing over them in the transport direction, either forward or backward in the transport direction. Thus, the first and second side edges 14 and 15 of two glass plate bodies 11 aligned in the transport direction can be quickly and efficiently ground using the first and second grinding devices 29a and 29b.

[0173] In the grinding system 10, the first grinding device 29a travels either forward or backward in the transport direction to grind the first side edge 14 (one first edge) of each glass plate body 11 as it passes in the transport direction, and the second grinding device 29b travels either forward or backward in the transport direction to grind the second side edge 15 (the other first edge) of each glass plate body 11 as it passes in the transport direction. As a result, the cycle time for grinding the first side edge 14 and the second side edge 15 can be shortened, and the grinding process of the corners of each glass plate body 11 can be evenly distributed between the first and second side edges 14 and 15 (both first edges), thereby shortening the grinding time for the first and second side edges 14 and 15 (both first edges) of the glass plate body 11. The grinding system 10 can finish each glass plate body 11 to a predetermined shape, with its corners 18a to 18d ground according to the design.

[0174] After the first and second grinding jigs 29a and 29b travel along the first and second travel frames 105a and 105b in the transport direction and grind the first and second side edges 14 and 15 and two diagonal corners 1 to 4 corners 18a to 18d of the glass plate bodies 11 placed on the glass grinding bases 1-1 and 1-2 27a and 27b, the controller transmits a stop signal to the control units of the first and second travel mechanisms 106a and 106b. Upon receiving the stop signal, the control units of the first and second travel mechanisms 106a and 106b stop the X-axis servo motor (transport direction servo motor) and the spindle motor 109.

[0175] The controller transmits (outputs) a standby signal to the linear guide mechanism 44 and the glass transport / rotation first shuttle 22. Upon receiving the standby signal, the control unit of the guide servo motor 68 of the linear guide mechanism 44 activates the guide servo motor 68. When the guide servo motor 68 is driven, the rack and pinion mechanism converts the rotational motion of the guide servo motor 68 into linear motion, and the linear motion of the rack and pinion mechanism causes the glass transport / rotation first shuttle 22 to move backward in the transport direction from the glass grinding first-1 and first-2 receiving tables 27a and 27b toward the glass loading receiving table 24. The control unit of the rotation servo motor 45b of the lifting / rotating mechanism 42 of the glass transport / rotation first shuttle 22 activates the rotation servo motor 45b.

[0176] When the rotary servo motor 45b is driven, the lifting and rotating shaft rotates 90° in either a clockwise or counterclockwise direction, causing the central first support plate 49 and the fifth and sixth mounting plates 50 and 51 to rotate 90° in either a clockwise or counterclockwise direction so that they extend in the width direction. The glass transport and rotating first shuttle 22 waits below the glass loading platform 24 with the fifth and sixth mounting plates 50 and 51, which extend in the width direction of the glass transport and rotating first shuttle 22, lowered below the seventh and eighth mounting plates 32 and 33 of the glass loading platform 24.

[0177] Simultaneously with the movement of the first glass transport / rotation shuttle 22 backward in the transport direction, the rack and pinion mechanism converts the rotational motion of the guide servo motor 68 of the second glass transport / rotation shuttle 23 into linear motion. The linear motion of the rack and pinion mechanism causes the second glass transport / rotation shuttle 22 to move backward in the transport direction from the glass grinding 2-1 and 2-2 support bases 28a and 28b towards the glass grinding 1-1 and 1-2 support bases 27a and 27b, while the second glass transport / rotation shuttle 23 waits below the glass grinding 1-1 and 1-2 support bases 27a and 27b. Furthermore, the rack and pinion mechanism converts the rotational motion of the guide servo motor for the glass transport shuttle into linear motion. This linear motion causes the glass transport shuttle to move backward in the transport direction from the glass discharge support 26 towards the glass grinding 2-1 and 2-2 support 28a and 28b, and the glass transport shuttle waits below the glass grinding 2-1 and 2-2 support 28a and 28b.

[0178] The first and second side edges 14 and 15 of the glass plate body 11 are ground by the first and second grinding devices 29a and 29b, and the glass transport / rotation first shuttle 22, glass transport / rotation second shuttle 23, and glass transport shuttle are moved backward in the transport direction simultaneously. However, the glass transport / rotation first shuttle 22, glass transport / rotation second shuttle 23, and glass transport shuttle may be moved backward in the transport direction after the grinding of the first and second side edges 14 and 15 of the glass plate body 11.

[0179] After the first and second side edges 14 and 15 of the glass plate body 11 have been ground and the shuttles 27a, 27b, 28a, and 28b have returned to the rear in the transport direction, the controller transmits (outputs) a first transport signal and a second transport signal to the first glass transport / rotation shuttle 22, the second glass transport / rotation shuttle 23, and the linear guide mechanism 44. The next glass plate bodies 11 to be ground are placed on the seventh and eighth mounting plates 32 and 33 of the glass loading support 24, and the positioning of these glass plate bodies 11 is performed by the positioning device 25 according to the procedure described above. Upon receiving the first transport signal, the first glass transport / rotation shuttle 22 and the linear guide mechanism 44 transport the glass plate bodies 11 after the folding process from the glass loading support 24 to the first and second glass grinding support 27a and 27b according to the procedure described above.

[0180] Upon receiving the second transport signal, the control unit of the lifting servo motor 45a of the lifting and rotating mechanism 42 of the glass transport and rotating second shuttle 23 activates the lifting servo motor 45a. When the lifting servo motor 45a is driven and rotates in either a clockwise or counterclockwise direction, the linear motion of the rack and pinion mechanism extends the lifting and rotating shaft, causing the central second support plate 55 and the 11th and 12th mounting plates 56 and 57 of the glass transport and rotating second shuttle 23, which are located below the first to fourth support plates 72 to 75, the first to fourth mounting plates 76 to 79, and the 15th and 16th mounting plates 80 and 81 of the glass grinding first-first and first-second support bases 27a and 27b, to rise.

[0181] The central second support plate 55 of the glass transport / rotating second shuttle 23 passes from below to above through the second passage space 86 between the tip of the first mounting plate 76 and the tip of the second mounting plate 77 of the glass grinding first-first and first-second support bases 27a and 27b, the central second support plate 55 passes from below to above through the third passage space 87 between the tip of the third mounting plate 78 and the tip of the fourth mounting plate 79 of the glass grinding first-first and first-second support bases 27a and 27b, and passes from below to above through the fourth passage space 88 between the first and second mounting plates 76 and 77, which are located furthest inward in the width direction, and the third and fourth mounting plates 78 and 79, which are located furthest inward in the width direction. Furthermore, the 11th and 12th mounting plates 56 and 57 of the glass transport and rotating second shuttle 23 pass from below to above through the first gap 82 between the first mounting plates 76, the second gap 83 between the second mounting plates 77, the third gap 84 between the third mounting plates 78, and the fourth gap 85 between the fourth mounting plates 79.

[0182] As a result, the glass plate bodies 11 (glass plate bodies 11 with their first and second side edges 14 and 15 ground) placed on the first to fourth support plates 72 to 75, the first to fourth mounting plates 76 to 79, and the 15th and 16th mounting plates 80 and 81 of the glass grinding first-first and first-second support bases 27a and 27b are transferred from the first to fourth support plates 72 to 75, the first to fourth mounting plates 76 to 79, and the 15th and 16th mounting plates 80 and 81 to the central second support plate 55 and the 11th and 12th mounting plates 56 and 57 of the glass transport and rotation second shuttle 23. Furthermore, the first to fourth mounting plates 76 to 79 of the glass grinding first-1 and first-2 support bases 27a and 27b pass through the 11th gap 59 between the 11th mounting plate 56 of the glass transport / rotation second shuttle 23, and also pass through the 12th gap 60 between the 12th mounting plate 57 of the glass transport / rotation second shuttle 23.

[0183] As each glass plate body 11 is transferred from the first to fourth support plates 72-75, the first to fourth mounting plates 76-79, and the 15th and 16th mounting plates 80, 81 of the glass grinding first-first and first-second support bases 27a and 27b to the central second support plate 55 and the 11th and 12th mounting plates 56, 57 of the glass transport and rotation second shuttle 23, the vacuum machine of the glass grinding first-first and first-second support bases 27a and 27b is switched by the solenoid valve. The air vacuum pump of the structure stops, and the air vacuum pump of the vacuum mechanism of the glass transport / rotating second shuttle 23 starts up. The lower surface 13 of the glass plate body 11 is attracted to the suction pads of the central second support plate 55 and the suction pads of the 11th and 12th mounting plates 56 and 57, and the glass plate body 11, with its first and second side edges 14 and 15 ground, is held in place by suction on the central second support plate 55 and the 11th and 12th mounting plates 56 and 57.

[0184] With the glass plate bodies 11 placed on the central second support plate 55 and the 11th and 12th mounting plates 56 and 57, the lifting and rotating shaft extends further, and each glass plate body 11 rises above the glass grinding 1-1 and 1-2 support bases 27a and 27b together with the central second support plate 55 and the 11th and 12th mounting plates 56 and 57. After the glass plate bodies 11 have risen to a predetermined height above the glass grinding 1-1 and 1-2 support bases 27a and 27b, the control unit of the lifting servo motor 45a of the lifting and rotating mechanism 42 of the glass transport and rotating second shuttle 23 stops the lifting servo motor 45a, and the rise of the central second support plate 55 and the 11th and 12th mounting plates 56 and 57 stops.

[0185] Furthermore, as the central second support plate 55 and the 11th and 12th mounting plates 56 and 57 of the glass transport and rotation second shuttle 23 rise, the lifting and rotating shaft of the glass transport and rotation first shuttle 22 extends, causing the central first support plate 49 and the 5th and 6th mounting plates 50 and 51 of the glass transport and rotation first shuttle 22 to rise, while the lifting shaft of the glass transport shuttle extends, causing the central third support plate 61 and the 13th and 14th mounting plates 62 and 63 of the glass transport shuttle to rise.

[0186] After the glass plate bodies 11 rise above the glass grinding 1-1 and 1-2 support bases 27a and 27b, the control unit of the guide servo motor 68 of the linear guide mechanism 44 starts the guide servo motor 68. When the guide servo motor 68 is driven, the rack and pinion mechanism converts the rotational motion of the guide servo motor 68 into linear motion, and the linear motion of the rack and pinion mechanism moves the glass transport and rotation second shuttle 23 forward in the transport direction from the glass grinding 1-1 and 1-2 support bases 27a and 27b towards the glass grinding 2-1 and 2-2 support bases 28a and 28b (glass second transport means). When the glass transport and rotation second shuttle 23 moves forward in the transport direction, the glass plate bodies 11, along with the central second support plate 55 and the 11th and 12th mounting plates 56 and 57, are in a state where they have risen above the glass grinding 1-1 and 1-2 support bases 27a and 27b.

[0187] In the grinding system 10, after the first and second side edges 14, 15 (both first edges) of each glass plate body 11 are ground by the first grinding means, the central second support plate 55 of the glass transport / rotating second shuttle 23 located below the glass grinding 1-1 and 1-2 support bases 27a, 27b (glass grinding first support base) passes through the first passage space 36 in an upward direction, and the 11th mounting plates 56 of the glass transport / rotating second shuttle 23 located below the glass grinding 1-1 and 1-2 support bases 27a, 27b (glass grinding first support base) are glass grinding. The first and second gaps 82, 83 between the first and second mounting plates 76, 77 of the first-first and first-second support bases 27a, 27b and the third and fourth gaps 84, 85 between the third and fourth mounting plates 78, 79 pass through either of these gaps in the vertical direction upward, and the twelfth mounting plate 57 of the glass transport / rotation second shuttle 23 located below the glass grinding first-first and first-second support bases 27a, 27b passes through either the first and second gaps 82, 83 between the first and second mounting plates 76, 77 of the glass grinding first-first and first-second support bases 27a, 27b The glass plate body 11 passes vertically upward through either the second gap 82, 83 or the third and fourth gap 84, 85 between them and the third and fourth mounting plates 78, 79, and each glass plate body 11 is transferred from the first to fourth mounting plates 76 to 79 to the 11th and 12th mounting plates 56, 57, and the glass plate body 11 rises above the glass grinding first-first and first-second support bases 27a, 27b, and the glass transport and rotation second shuttle 23 moves forward in the transport direction, moving the glass plate body 11 away from the glass grinding first-first and first-second support bases 27a, 27b Since the glass plates are transported to the 2-1 and 2-2 support stands 28a and 28b (2nd glass grinding support stands), each glass plate body 11 with its first and second side edges 14 and 15 ground can be reliably and quickly transported from the 1-1 and 1-2 glass grinding support stands 27a and 27b to the 2-1 and 2-2 glass grinding support stands 28a and 28b by the glass transport and rotation second shuttle 23, and the front and rear ends 16 and 17 (both second edges) of each glass plate body 11 can be quickly ground on the 2-1 and 2-2 glass grinding support stands 28a and 28b.

[0188] Simultaneously with the forward movement of the second glass transport / rotation shuttle 23 in the transport direction, the rack and pinion mechanism converts the rotational motion of the guide servo motor 68 of the first glass transport / rotation shuttle 22 into linear motion, and the linear motion of the rack and pinion mechanism causes the first glass transport / rotation shuttle 22 to move forward in the transport direction from the glass loading receiving table 24 towards the first and second glass grinding receiving tables 27a and 27b. Furthermore, the rack and pinion mechanism converts the rotational motion of the guide servo motor of the glass transport shuttle into linear motion, and the linear motion of the rack and pinion mechanism causes the glass transport shuttle to move forward in the transport direction from the second and second glass grinding receiving tables 28a and 28b towards the glass unloading receiving table 26.

[0189] When the glass transport and rotation second shuttle 23 moves to the glass grinding second-first and second-second support bases 28a and 28b in the grinding area 20, the control unit of the guide servo motor 68 of the linear guide mechanism 44 stops the guide servo motor 68, and the glass transport and rotation second shuttle 23 stops below the glass grinding second-first and second-second support bases 28a and 28b. The central second support plate 55 and the 11th and 12th mounting plates 56 and 57 on which the glass body 11 of the shuttle 23 located at the rear in the transport direction of the glass transport and rotation second shuttle 23 are located above the 9th and 10th mounting plates 91 and 92 of the glass grinding second-1 support base 28a, and the central second support plate 55 and the 11th and 12th mounting plates 56 and 57 on which the glass body 11 of the shuttle 23 located at the front in the transport direction of the glass transport and rotation second shuttle 23 are located above the 9th and 10th mounting plates 91 and 92 of the glass grinding second-2 support base 28b.

[0190] As the glass transport / rotation second shuttle 23 moves, the glass transport / rotation first shuttle 22 moves to the glass grinding first-first and first-second support bases 27a and 27b. At the same time, the control unit of the guide servo motor 68 of the linear guide mechanism 44 stops the guide servo motor 68, and the glass transport / rotation first shuttle 22 stops below the glass grinding first-first and first-second support bases 27a and 27b. The central first support plate 49, fifth and sixth mounting plates 50 and 51 of the glass transport / rotation first shuttle 22 are located above the first to fourth support plates 72 to 75, the first to fourth mounting plates 76 to 79, and the fifteenth and sixteenth mounting plates 80 and 81 of the glass grinding first-first and first-second support bases 27a and 27b.

[0191] Furthermore, as the glass transport shuttle moves to the glass discharge receiving platform 26 at the same time as the glass transport / rotation second shuttle 23 moves, the control unit of the guide servo motor of the linear guide mechanism stops the guide servo motor, and the glass transport shuttle stops below the glass discharge receiving platform 24. The central third support plate 61, and the thirteenth and fourteenth mounting plates 62 and 63 of the glass transport shuttle are located above the seventeenth and eighteenth mounting plates 98 and 99 of the glass discharge receiving platform 24.

[0192] After the glass plate bodies 11 are positioned above the glass grinding 2-1 and 2-2 support bases 28a and 28b, the control unit of the rotation servo motor 45b of the lifting and rotating mechanism 42 of the glass transport and rotating 2nd shuttle 23 starts the rotation servo motor 45b. When the rotation servo motor 45b is driven, the lifting and rotating axis rotates 90° in either a clockwise or counterclockwise direction, causing the central second support plate 55 and the 11th and 12th mounting plates 56 and 57 to rotate 90° in either a clockwise or counterclockwise direction so that they extend in the width transport direction, and the glass plate body 11 rotates 90° so that the center line dividing the dimension of the glass plate body 11 in the transport direction is perpendicular to the transport direction (second rotation means).

[0193] Furthermore, after each glass plate body 11 has risen to a predetermined height above the glass grinding 1-1 and 1-2 support bases 27a and 27b together with the central second support plate 55 and the 11th and 12th mounting plates 56 and 57, the rotation servo motor 45b of the glass transport / rotation second shuttle 23 may be driven to rotate the lifting / rotation axis 90° in either a clockwise or counterclockwise direction (second rotation means). In this case, each glass plate body 11 rotates 90° above the glass grinding 1-1 and 1-2 support bases 27a and 27b. After each glass plate body 11 has rotated 90° above the glass grinding 1-1 and 1-2 support bases 27a and 27b, the glass transport and rotation second shuttle 23 moves forward in the transport direction from the glass grinding 1-1 and 1-2 support bases 27a and 27b toward the glass grinding 2-1 and 2-2 support bases 28a and 28b (glass first transport means).

[0194] The grinding system 10 can reliably and quickly rotate each glass plate body 11 by either having the second glass transport / rotation shuttle 23 raise the glass plate bodies 11 above the first and second glass grinding support bases 27a, 27b (first glass grinding support base) in the second rotating means, and then rotating each glass plate body 11 90° above the first and second glass grinding support bases 27a, 27b, or having the second glass transport / rotation shuttle 23 transport the glass plate bodies 11 above the second and second glass grinding support bases 28a, 28b (second glass grinding support base), and then rotating each glass plate body 11 90° above the second and second glass grinding support bases 28a, 28b.

[0195] After grinding the first and second side edges 14 and 15 of each glass plate body 11, the control unit of the rotation servo motor 45b of the lifting and rotating mechanism of the second glass transport and rotating shuttle 23 stops the rotation servo motor 45b, maintaining the 90° rotated state of the glass plate body 11 and maintaining the state in which the center line of the glass plate body 11 is perpendicular to the transport direction. Next, the controller transmits (outputs) a second placement signal to the lifting and rotating mechanism 42 of the second glass transport and rotating shuttle 23. Upon receiving the second placement signal, the control unit of the lifting servo motor 45a of the lifting and rotating mechanism 42 of the second glass transport and rotating shuttle 23 activates the lifting servo motor 45a. When the lifting servo motor 45a is driven and rotates in either a clockwise or counterclockwise direction, the linear motion of the rack and pinion mechanism causes the lifting and rotating shaft to contract, and the central second support plate 55 and the 11th and 12th mounting plates 56 and 57 of the glass transport and rotating second shuttle 23, which are located above the 9th and 10th mounting plates 91 and 92 of the glass grinding second-first and second-second support bases 28a and 28b, descend.

[0196] The central second support plate 55 of the glass transport / rotating second shuttle 23 passes from above to below through the fifth passage space 95 between the tip of the ninth mounting plate 91 and the tip of the tenth mounting plate 92 of the glass grinding second-first and second-second support bases 28a and 28b, the eleventh mounting plate 56 passes from above to below through the ninth gap 93 between the ninth mounting plates 91, and the twelfth mounting plate 57 passes from above to below through the tenth gap 94 between the tenth mounting plates 92. As a result, the glass plate bodies 11 placed on the central second support plate 55 and the 11th and 12th mounting plates 56 and 57 of the glass transport and rotation second shuttle 23 are transferred from the central second support plate 55 and the 11th and 12th mounting plates 56 and 57 to the 9th and 10th mounting plates 91 and 92 of the glass grinding second-1 and second-2 receiving bases 28a and 28b (second mounting means). The 9th mounting plate 91 passes through the 11th gap 59 between the 11th mounting plates 56, and the 10th mounting plate 92 passes through the 12th gap 60 between the 12th mounting plates 57.

[0197] In the grinding system 10, after the glass transport / rotation second shuttle 23 rotates the glass plate bodies 11 by 90° in the second rotating means, one of the 11th mounting plate 56 and the 12th mounting plate 57 of the glass transport / rotation second shuttle 23 passes vertically downward through the 9th gap 93 between the 9th mounting plates 91, and the other of the 11th mounting plate 56 and the 12th mounting plate 57 of the glass transport / rotation second shuttle 23 passes vertically downward through the 10th gap 94 between the 10th mounting plates 92. As a result, each glass plate body 11 is transferred from the 11th and 12th mounting plates 56 and 57 to the 9th and 10th mounting plates 91 and 92, and each glass plate body 11 is placed on the glass grinding 2-1 and 2-2 receiving bases 28a and 28 (glass grinding 2nd receiving bases). Thus, each glass plate body 11, whose first and second side edges 14 and 15 (both first edges) have been ground, can be reliably and quickly transferred from the glass transport and rotation 2nd shuttle 23 to the glass grinding 2-1 and 2-2 receiving bases 28a and 28b.

[0198] As each glass plate body 11 is transferred from the central second support plate 55, 11th and 12th mounting plates 56, 57 of the glass transport and rotation second shuttle 23 to the 9th and 10th mounting plates 91, 92 of the glass grinding 2-1 and 2-2 support bases 28a, 28b, the air vacuum pump of the vacuum mechanism of the glass transport and rotation second shuttle 23 is stopped by the switching of the solenoid valve, and the air vacuum pump of the vacuum mechanism of the 9th and 10th mounting plates 91, 92 of the glass grinding 2-1 and 2-2 support bases 28a, 28b is started, the lower surface 13 of the glass plate body 11 is attracted to the suction pads of the 9th and 10th mounting plates 91, 92, and each glass plate body 11, after the grinding of the first and second side edges 14, 15, is held in place by suction on the 9th and 10th mounting plates 91, 92. The glass plate bodies 11, placed on the glass grinding support bases 2-1 and 2-2 28a and 28b, have their front edge 16 positioned at the first side edge 89 of the glass grinding support bases 2-1 and 2-2 28a and 28b, and their rear edge 17 positioned at the second side edge 90 of the glass grinding support bases 2-1 and 2-2 28a and 28b.

[0199] After the 11th mounting plate 56 of the glass transport / rotating second shuttle 23 descends below the 9th mounting plate 91 of the glass grinding second-1 and second-2 support bases 28a and 28b, and the 12th mounting plate 57 of the glass transport / rotating second shuttle 23 descends below the 10th mounting plate 92 of the glass grinding second-1 and second-2 support bases 28a and 28b, the control unit of the lifting servo motor 45a of the lifting / rotating mechanism 42 of the glass transport / rotating second shuttle 23 stops the lifting servo motor 45a.

[0200] The controller transmits grinding signals (operation signals) to the control units of the third and fourth traveling mechanisms 106c and 106d of the third and fourth grinding devices 29c and 29d (grinding mechanisms). Upon receiving the grinding signals, the control units 106c and 106d of the third and fourth traveling mechanisms activate the X-axis servo motor (transport direction servo motor) and the spindle motor 109. The activation of the spindle motor 109 causes the grinding wheel to rotate.

[0201] When the X-axis servo motor is activated, the third grinding jig 104c, located behind the third travel frame in the transport direction, moves forward in the transport direction of the third travel frame 105c, and the grinding wheel of the third grinding jig 104c grinds the front edge portion 16 of the glass plate body 11, which is placed on the glass grinding 2-1 and 2-2 support bases 28a and 28b, with a predetermined pressing force, while the grinding wheel grinds two diagonal corners of the first to fourth corner portions 18a to 18d of the glass plate body 11 (for example, the fourth corner portion 18d and the second corner portion 18b or the first corner portion 18a and the third corner portion 18d) (second grinding means).

[0202] When the X-axis servo motor is activated, the fourth grinding jig 104d, located in front of the fourth travel frame 105d in the transport direction, travels toward the rear of the fourth travel frame 105d in the transport direction, and the grinding wheel of the fourth grinding jig 104d grinds the rear edge portion 17 of the glass plate body 11 placed on the glass grinding 2-1 and 2-2 support bases 28a and 28b with a predetermined pressing force, and the grinding wheel grinds two diagonal corners of the first to fourth corner portions 18a to 18d of the glass plate body 11 (for example, the first corner portion 18a and the third corner portion 18d or the fourth corner portion 18d and the second corner portion 18b) (second grinding means).

[0203] In the grinding system 10, the third and fourth grinding devices 29c and 29d travel forward or backward in the transport direction in the second grinding means, passing the front edge 16 (one second edge) and rear edge 17 (the other second edge) of each glass plate body 11 placed on the glass grinding second-first and second-second support bases 28a and 28b in the transport direction, thereby grinding the front and rear edges 16 and 17 of each glass plate body 11. As a result, the front and rear edges 16 and 17 of each glass plate body 11 can be ground simply by the third and fourth grinding devices 29c and 29d passing the front and rear edges 16 and 17 (both second edges) of each glass plate body 11 in the transport direction in either the forward or backward direction of transport, and the front and rear edges 16 and 17 of two glass plate bodies 11 aligned in the transport direction can be ground quickly and efficiently using the third and fourth grinding devices 29c and 29d.

[0204] In the grinding system 10, the third grinding device 29c travels either forward or backward in the transport direction to grind the front edge 16 (one of the second edges) of each glass plate body 11 as it passes in the transport direction, and the fourth grinding device 29d travels either forward or backward in the transport direction to grind the rear edge 17 (the other of the second edges) of each glass plate body 11 as it passes in the transport direction. As a result, the first and second side edges 14, 15 and the front and rear edge portions 16, 17 of each glass plate body 11 intersect. When grinding the first corner 18a or the third corner 18c, or the second corner 18b or the fourth corner 18d, the third grinding device 29c and the fourth grinding device 29d travel in opposite directions to grind those corners 18a to 18d. This cancels out the forces acting on each corner 18a to 18d of each glass plate body 11 during grinding by the third and fourth grinding devices 29c and 29d. As a result, each glass plate body 11 does not shift from its positioned location, and each glass plate body 11 can be finished to a predetermined shape with its corners 18a to 18d ground according to the design.

[0205] After the third and fourth grinding jigs 104c and 104d travel along the third and fourth travel frames 105c and 105d in the transport direction to grind the front and rear edges 16 and 17 and the first to fourth corners 18a to 18d of the glass plate bodies 11 placed on the glass grinding second-first and second-second support bases 28a and 28b, the controller transmits a stop signal to the control units of the third and fourth travel mechanisms 106c and 106d. Upon receiving the stop signal, the control units of the third and fourth travel mechanisms 106c and 106d stop the X-axis servo motor (transport direction servo motor) and the spindle motor 109.

[0206] The controller transmits (outputs) a standby signal to the linear guide mechanism 44 and the glass transport / rotation second shuttle 23. Upon receiving the standby signal, the control unit of the guide servo motor 45b of the linear guide mechanism 44 activates the guide servo motor 45b. When the guide servo motor 45b is driven, the rack and pinion mechanism converts the rotational motion of the guide servo motor 45b into linear motion, and the linear motion of the rack and pinion mechanism causes the glass transport / rotation second shuttle 23 to move backward in the transport direction from the glass grinding second-first and second-second support bases 28a and 28b toward the glass grinding first-first and first-second support bases 27a and 27b. The control unit of the rotation servo motor 45b of the lifting / rotating mechanism 42 of the glass transport / rotation second shuttle 23 activates the rotation servo motor 45b.

[0207] When the rotary servo motor 45b is driven, the lifting and rotating shaft rotates 90° in either a clockwise or counterclockwise direction, causing the central second support plate 55 and the 11th and 12th mounting plates 56 and 57 to rotate 90° in either a clockwise or counterclockwise direction so that they extend in the transport direction. The glass transport and rotating second shuttle 23 waits below the glass grinding first-1 and first-2 support bases 27a and 27b with the 11th and 12th mounting plates 56 and 57, which extend in the transport direction of the glass transport and rotating second shuttle 23, lowered below the first to fourth mounting plates 76 to 79.

[0208] Simultaneously with the movement of the second glass transport / rotation shuttle 23 backward in the transport direction, the rack and pinion mechanism converts the rotational motion of the guide servo motor 68 of the first glass transport / rotation shuttle 22 into linear motion. This linear motion causes the first glass transport / rotation shuttle 22 to move backward in the transport direction from the glass grinding 1-1 and 1-2 receiving tables 27a and 27b towards the glass loading receiving table 24, and the first glass transport / rotation shuttle 22 waits below the glass loading receiving table 24. Furthermore, the rack and pinion mechanism converts the rotational motion of the guide servo motor of the glass transport shuttle into linear motion. This linear motion causes the glass transport shuttle to move backward in the transport direction from the glass unloading receiving table 26 towards the glass grinding 2-1 and 2-2 receiving tables 28a and 28b, and the glass transport shuttle waits below the glass grinding 2-1 and 2-2 receiving tables 28a and 28b.

[0209] The grinding of the front and rear edges 16 and 17 of the glass plate body 11 by the third and fourth grinding devices 29c and 29d and the movement of the first glass transport / rotation shuttle 22, the second glass transport / rotation shuttle 23, and the glass transport shuttle toward the rear in the transport direction are performed simultaneously. However, the movement of the first glass transport / rotation shuttle 22, the second glass transport / rotation shuttle 23, and the glass transport shuttle toward the rear in the transport direction may be performed after the grinding of the front and rear edges 16 and 17 of the glass plate body 11.

[0210] After grinding the first and second side edges 14, 15 and the front and rear end edges 16, 17 of the glass plate body 11, and after the shuttles 22, 23 have returned to the rear in the transport direction, the controller transmits (outputs) the first transport signal, the second transport signal, and the third transport signal to the first glass transport / rotation shuttle 22, the second glass transport / rotation shuttle 23, the glass transport shuttle, and the linear guide mechanism 44. The next glass plate bodies 11 to be ground are placed on the seventh and eighth mounting plates 32, 33 of the glass transport receiving table 24, and the positioning of these glass plate bodies 11 is performed by the positioning device 25 according to the procedure described above. Furthermore, the glass plate bodies 11 whose first and second side edges 14, 15 have been ground are placed on the first-1 and first-2 glass grinding receiving tables 27a, 27b. Upon receiving the first transport signal, the glass transport / rotation first shuttle 22 and the linear guide mechanism 44 transport the glass plate body 11 after the folding process from the glass loading receiving table 24 to the glass grinding first-1 and first-2 receiving tables 27a and 27b according to the procedure described above. Upon receiving the second transport signal, the glass transport / rotation second shuttle 23 and the linear guide mechanism 22 transport the glass plate body 11 after the grinding of the first and second side edges 17, 17 from the glass grinding first-1 and first-2 receiving tables 27a and 27b to the glass grinding second-1 and second-2 receiving tables 28a and 28b according to the procedure described above.

[0211] Upon receiving the third transport signal, the control unit of the lifting servo motor of the lifting and rotating mechanism of the glass transport shuttle activates the lifting servo motor. When the lifting servo motor is driven and rotates in either a clockwise or counterclockwise direction, the linear motion of the rack and pinion mechanism extends the lifting and rotating axis, causing the central third support plate 61 and the thirteenth and fourteenth mounting plates 62, 62 of the glass transport shuttle, which are located below the ninth and tenth mounting plates 91, 92 of the glass grinding support bases 2-1 and 2-2 28b, to rise.

[0212] The central third support plate 61 of the glass transport shuttle passes from below to above through the fifth passage space 95 between the tip of the ninth mounting plate 91 and the tip of the tenth mounting plate 92 of the glass grinding second-first and second-second support bases 28a and 28b, the thirteenth plate 62 of the glass transport shuttle passes from below to above through the ninth gap 93 between the ninth mounting plate 91 of the glass grinding second-first and second-second support bases 28a and 28b, and the fourteenth plate 63 of the glass transport shuttle passes from below to above through the tenth gap 94 between the tenth mounting plate 92 of the glass grinding second-first and second-second support bases 28a and 28b.

[0213] As a result, the glass plate bodies 11 (glass plate bodies 11 with their first and second side edges 14, 15 and front and rear end edges 16, 17 ground) placed on the ninth and tenth mounting plates 91, 92 of the glass grinding support bases 2-1 and 2-2 28a, 28b are transferred from the ninth and tenth mounting plates 91, 92 to the central third support plate 61 and the thirteenth and fourteenth mounting plates 62, 63 of the glass transport shuttle. Furthermore, the ninth and tenth mounting plates 91, 92 of the glass grinding support bases 2-1 and 2-2 28a, 28b pass through the thirteenth gap 64 between the thirteenth mounting plate 62 of the glass transport shuttle and also pass through the fourteenth gap 65 between the fourteenth mounting plate 63 of the glass transport shuttle.

[0214] As each glass plate body 11 is transferred from the 9th and 10th mounting plates 91 and 92 of the glass grinding 2-1 and 2-2 support bases 28a and 28b to the central 3rd support plate 61 and the 13th and 14th mounting plates 62 and 63 of the glass transport shuttle, the air vacuum pump of the vacuum mechanism of the glass grinding 2-1 and 2-2 support bases 28a and 28b is stopped by switching of the solenoid valve, and the air vacuum pump of the vacuum mechanism of the glass transport shuttle is started, causing the lower surface 13 of the glass plate body 11 to be attracted to the suction pads of the central 3rd support plate 61 and the suction pads of the 13th and 14th mounting plates 62 and 63, and the glass plate body 11, with its first and second side edges 14 and 15 and front and rear end edges 16 and 17 having been ground, is held in place by suction on the central 3rd support plate 61 and the 13th and 14th mounting plates 62 and 63.

[0215] With the glass plate bodies 11 placed on the central third support plate 61 and the 13th and 14th mounting plates 62 and 63, the lifting and rotating shafts extend further, and each glass plate body 11 rises above the glass grinding 2-1 and 2-2 support bases 28a and 28b together with the central third support plate 61 and the 13th and 14th mounting plates 62 and 63. After the glass plate bodies 11 have risen to a predetermined height above the glass grinding 2-1 and 2-2 support bases 28a and 28b, the control unit of the lifting servo motor of the glass transport shuttle's lifting mechanism stops the lifting servo motor, and the rise of the central third support plate 61 and the 13th and 14th mounting plates 62 and 63 stops.

[0216] Furthermore, as the central third support plate 61 and the thirteenth and fourteenth mounting plates 62 and 63 of the glass transport shuttle rise, the lifting and rotating shaft of the first glass transport / rotating shuttle 22 extends, causing the central first support plate 49 and the fifth and sixth mounting plates 50 and 51 of the first glass transport / rotating shuttle 22 to rise, while the lifting shaft of the second glass transport / rotating shuttle 23 extends, causing the central second support plate 55 and the eleventh and twelfth mounting plates 56 and 57 of the second glass transport / rotating shuttle 23 to rise.

[0217] After the glass plate bodies 11 rise above the glass grinding 2-1 and 2-2 support bases 28a and 28b, the control unit of the guide servo motor 68 of the linear guide mechanism 44 starts the guide servo motor 68. When the guide servo motor 68 is driven, the rack and pinion mechanism converts the rotational motion of the guide servo motor 68 into linear motion, and the linear motion of the rack and pinion mechanism moves the glass transport shuttle forward in the transport direction from the glass grinding 2-1 and 2-2 support bases 28a and 28b towards the glass transport support base 26 (third glass transport means). When the glass transport shuttle moves forward in the transport direction, the glass plate bodies 11, along with the central third support plate 61 and the 13th and 14th mounting plates 62 and 63, are in a state where they have risen above the glass grinding 2-1 and 2-2 support bases 28a and 28b.

[0218] Simultaneously with the forward movement of the glass transport shuttle in the transport direction, the rack and pinion mechanism converts the rotational motion of the guide servo motor 68 of the first glass transport / rotation shuttle 22 into linear motion, and the linear motion of the rack and pinion mechanism causes the first glass transport / rotation shuttle 22 to move forward in the transport direction from the glass loading receiving table 24 toward the first and second glass grinding receiving tables 28a and 28b. Furthermore, the rack and pinion mechanism converts the rotational motion of the guide servo motor 68 of the second glass transport / rotation shuttle 23 into linear motion, and the linear motion of the rack and pinion mechanism causes the second glass transport / rotation shuttle 23 to move forward in the transport direction from the first and second glass grinding receiving tables 27a and 27b toward the second and second glass grinding receiving tables 28a and 28b.

[0219] When the glass transport shuttle moves to the glass transport platform 26 in the transport area 21, the control unit of the guide servo motor of the linear guide mechanism stops the guide servo motor, and the glass transport shuttle stops below the glass transport platform 26. The central third support plate 61, the thirteenth and fourteenth mounting plates 62 and 63 on which the glass body 11 of the glass transport shuttle is placed are positioned above the seventeenth and eighteenth mounting plates 98 and 99 of the glass transport platform 26.

[0220] Simultaneously with the movement of the glass transport shuttle, when the first glass transport / rotation shuttle 22 moves to the glass grinding 1-1 and 1-2 support bases 27a and 27b, the control unit of the guide servo motor 68 of the linear guide mechanism 44 stops the guide servo motor 68, and the first glass transport / rotation shuttle 22 stops below the glass grinding 1-1 and 1-2 support bases 27a and 27b. The central first support plate 49, fifth and sixth mounting plates 50 and 51 of the first glass transport / rotation shuttle 22 are located above the first to fourth support plates 72 to 75, the first to fourth mounting plates 76 to 79, and the fifteenth and sixteenth mounting plates 80 and 81 of the glass grinding 1-1 and 1-2 support bases 27a and 27b.

[0221] Furthermore, as the glass transport shuttle moves, and the second glass transport / rotating shuttle 23 moves to the second-first and second-second glass grinding support bases 28a and 28b, the control unit of the guide servo motor 68 of the linear guide mechanism 44 stops the guide servo motor 68, causing the second glass transport / rotating shuttle 23 to stop below the second-first and second-second glass grinding support bases 28a and 28b. The central second support plate 55 and the 11th and 12th mounting plates 56 and 57 of the second glass transport / rotating shuttle 23 are located above the 9th and 10th mounting plates 91 and 92 of the second-first and second-second glass grinding support bases 28a and 28b.

[0222] The controller transmits (outputs) a third placement signal to the lifting and rotating mechanism of the glass transport shuttle. Upon receiving the third placement signal, the control unit of the lifting servo motor of the glass transport shuttle's lifting mechanism activates the lifting servo motor. When the lifting servo motor is driven and rotates clockwise or counterclockwise, the linear motion of the rack and pinion mechanism causes the lifting shaft to contract, and the central third support plate 61 and the thirteenth and fourteenth mounting plates 62 and 63 of the glass transport shuttle, which are located above the seventeenth and eighteenth mounting plates 98 and 99 of the glass unloading support base 26, descend.

[0223] The central third support plate 61 of the glass transport shuttle passes through the sixth passage space 102 between the leading edge of the 17th mounting plate 98 and the leading edge of the 18th mounting plate 99 of the glass unloading receiving table 26 from top to bottom, the 13th mounting plate 62 passes through the 17th gap 100 between the 17th mounting plates 98 from top to bottom, and the 14th mounting plate 63 passes through the 18th gap 101 between the 18th mounting plates 99 from top to bottom. As a result, the glass plate bodies 11 placed on the central third support plate 61, the 13th and 14th mounting plates 62 and 63 of the glass transport shuttle are transferred from the central third support plate 61, the 13th and 14th mounting plates 62 and 63 to the 17th and 18th mounting plates 98 and 99 of the glass unloading receiving table 26 (third mounting means). Furthermore, the 17th mounting plate 98 passes through the 13th gap 64 between the 13th mounting plates 62, and the 18th mounting plate 99 passes through the 14th gap 65 between the 14th mounting plates 63. The two glass plate bodies 11, after grinding, which are placed on the glass unloading support 26 in the unloading area 21, are unloaded from the glass unloading support 26 to the glass storage yard by a predetermined glass unloading means (not shown).

[0224] The controller transmits (outputs) a standby signal to the linear guide mechanism and the glass transport shuttle. Upon receiving the standby signal, the control unit of the guide servo motor of the linear guide mechanism activates the guide servo motor. When the guide servo motor is driven, the rack and pinion mechanism converts the rotational motion of the guide servo motor into linear motion, and the linear motion of the rack and pinion mechanism moves the glass transport shuttle backward in the transport direction from the glass discharge support 26 toward the glass grinding 2-1 and 2-2 support 28a and 28b. The glass transport shuttle waits below the glass grinding 2-1 and 2-2 support 28a and 28b with the 13th and 14th mounting plates 62 and 63, which extend in the width direction of the glass transport shuttle, lowered below the 9th and 10th mounting plates 91 and 92.

[0225] Simultaneously with the rearward movement of the glass transport shuttle in the transport direction, the rack and pinion mechanism converts the rotational motion of the guide servo motor 68 of the second glass transport / rotating shuttle 23 into linear motion. The linear motion of the rack and pinion mechanism causes the second glass transport / rotating shuttle 23 to move rearward in the transport direction from the glass grinding 2nd-1 and 2nd-2 support bases 28a and 28b towards the glass grinding 1st-1 and 1st-2 support bases 27a and 27b, and the second glass transport / rotating shuttle 23 waits below the glass grinding 1st-1 and 1st-2 support bases 27a and 27b. Furthermore, the rack and pinion mechanism converts the rotational motion of the guide servo motor 68 of the glass transport and rotation first shuttle 22 into linear motion. The linear motion of the rack and pinion mechanism causes the glass transport and rotation first shuttle 22 to move backward in the transport direction from the glass grinding first-1 and first-2 receiving tables 27a and 27b toward the glass loading receiving table 24, and the glass transport and rotation first shuttle 22 waits below the glass loading receiving table 24.

[0226] In the grinding system 10, the first glass transport / rotation shuttle 22, the second glass transport / rotation shuttle 23, the glass transport shuttle, and the grinding mechanism (first to fourth grinding devices 29a to 29d) are linked, and the first transport means, first rotation means, and first placement means by the first glass transport / rotation shuttle 22, the second transport means, second rotation means, and second placement means by the second glass transport / rotation shuttle 23, the second transport means by the glass transport shuttle, the second placement means, and the first and second grinding means by the grinding mechanism are performed in sync.

[0227] The grinding system 10 includes a first rotating means in which the glass transport / rotating first shuttle 22 rotates each glass plate 11 by 90° so that the center line extending in the width direction is perpendicular to the width direction by dividing the dimension of the glass plate body 11 in the transport direction, and a first placing means in which the glass transport / rotating first shuttle 22 places the glass plate body 11 that has been rotated by 90° onto the glass grinding first-1 and first-2 support bases 27a and 27b (glass grinding first support base), and the glass grinding first-1 and first-2 support bases A first grinding means grinds the first and second side edges 14 and 15 (both first edges) of each glass plate body 11 placed on 27a and 27b using a grinding mechanism (first and second grinding devices 29a and 29b), a second rotating means rotates each glass plate body 11 by 90° using a glass transport / rotation second shuttle 23 so that the centerlines extending in the transport direction of the glass plate bodies 11 whose first and second side edges 14 and 15 have been ground are perpendicular to the transport direction, and the glass transport / rotation second shuttle 23 then moves the glass plate bodies 11 that have been rotated by 90°. The rotating second shuttle 23 has a second placement means for placing it on the glass grinding second-first and second-second support bases 28a and 28b (glass grinding second support base), and a second grinding means for grinding the front and rear edges 16 and 17 (both second edges) of each glass plate body 11 placed on the glass grinding second-first and second-second support bases 28a and 28b using a grinding mechanism (third and fourth grinding devices 29c and 29d). The first and second side edges 14 and 15 can be ground at the same time, and the front and rear end edges 16 and 17 of each glass plate body 11 placed on the glass grinding 2-1 and 2-2 support bases 28a and 28b can be ground at the same time, eliminating the time (non-processing time) required from the start to the end of grinding each glass plate body 11, and shortening the grinding time for the first and second side edges 14 and 15 (both first edges) and the front and rear end edges 16 and 17 (both second edges) of each glass plate body 11.

[0228] The grinding system 10 can efficiently grind the first and second side edges 14, 15 (both first edges) and the front and rear edge portions 16, 17 (both second edges) of at least two glass plate bodies 11, and can finish the glass plate body 11 to a predetermined shape with the first and second side edges 14, 15 and the front and rear edge portions 16, 17 ground according to the design.

[0229] 10 Grinding system 11 Glass plate body 12 Top surface 13 Bottom surface 14 First side edge (one first edge) 15 Second side edge (the other first edge) 16 Front edge (one second edge) 17 Rear edge (the other first edge) 18a-18d First to fourth corners 19 Loading area 20 Grinding area 21 Unloading area 22 First glass transport / rotation shuttle 23 Second glass transport / rotation shuttle 24 Glass loading support 25 First and second positioning devices 26 Glass unloading support 27a First-1 glass grinding support (first glass grinding support) 27b First-2 glass grinding support (first glass grinding support) 28a Second-1 glass grinding support 28a (second glass grinding support) 28b Glass grinding support stand 28b (Glass grinding support stand 2) 29a-d 1st to 4th grinding devices (grinding mechanism) 30 1st side edge (one side edge) 31 2nd side edge (the other side edge) 32 7th mounting plate 33 8th mounting plate 34 7th gap 35 8th gap 36 1st passage space 37 Frame 38 Conveying direction stopper 39 Conveying direction pusher 40 Width direction pusher 41 Shuttle frame 42 Lifting and rotating mechanism 43 Cable carrier 44 Linear guide mechanism 45a Lifting servo motor 45b Rotating servo motor 46 Travel pinion 47 Reducer 48 Axle bracket 49 Central 1st support plate 50 5th mounting plate 51 6th mounting plate 52a 1st support receiving member 52b Second support member 53 Fifth gap 54 Sixth gap 55 Central second support plate 56 Eleventh mounting plate 57 Twelfth mounting plate 58a First support member 58b Second support member 59 Eleventh gap 60 Twelfth gap 61 Central third support plate 62 Thirteenth mounting plate 63 Fourteenth mounting plate 64 Thirteenth gap 65 Fourteenth gap 66a First support part66b Second support receiving part 67a First support receiving part 67b Second support receiving part 68 Guide servo motor 69 Rail 70 First side edge (one side edge) 71 Second side edge (the other side edge) 72 First support plate 73 Second support plate 74 Third support plate 75 Fourth support plate 76 First mounting plate 77 Second mounting plate 78 Third mounting plate 79 Fourth mounting plate 80 Fifteenth mounting plate 81 Sixteenth mounting plate 82 First gap 83 Second gap 84 Third gap 85 Fourth gap 86 Second passage space 87 Third passage space 88 Fourth passage space 89 First side edge (one side edge) 90 Second side edge (the other side edge) 91 Ninth mounting plate 92 Tenth mounting plate 93 Ninth gap 94 Tenth gap 95 Fifth passage space 96 First side edge (one side edge) 97 Second side edge (the other side edge) 98 Seventeenth mounting plate 99 Eighteenth mounting plate 100 Seventeenth gap 101 Eighteenth gap 102 Sixth passage space 103 Glass transport shuttle 104a-d First to fourth grinding jigs (grinding jigs) 105a-d First to fourth grinding frames (grinding frames) 106a-d First to fourth travel mechanisms (travel mechanisms) 107a-d First to fourth width adjustment mechanisms (width adjustment machines) 108a-d First to fourth height adjustment mechanisms (height adjustment machines) 109 Spindle motor 110 Housing

Claims

1. A grinding system for grinding both first and second edges of a glass plate body whose outer edge has been folded by a predetermined folding process, wherein the grinding system comprises: a first glass transport and rotation shuttle that raises and lowers the glass plate bodies and rotates them by 90°; at least two first glass grinding support units connected in the transport direction for which each glass plate body is placed when grinding both first edges of at least two glass plate bodies; a second glass transport and rotation shuttle located in front of the first glass transport and rotation shuttle in the transport direction, which takes each glass plate body from the first glass grinding support units, raises and lowers the glass plate bodies, and rotates them by 90°; and at least two second glass grinding support units located in front of the first glass grinding support units in the transport direction, which are connected in the transport direction for which each glass plate body is placed when grinding both second edges of at least two glass plate bodies. The glass transport and rotation first shuttle rotates each glass plate body by 90° so that the center line extending in the width direction is perpendicular to the width direction by dividing the dimension of the glass plate body in the transport direction in half; the glass transport and rotation first shuttle places the glass plate bodies rotated by 90° by the first rotation means onto the glass grinding first support base; the first grinding means grinds both first edges of each glass plate body placed on the glass grinding first support base using the grinding mechanism; and the first grinding means grinds both first edges A grinding system characterized by comprising: a second rotating means for the glass transport / rotating second shuttle to rotate each glass plate body by 90° such that the center line extending in the transport direction of the ground glass plate body is perpendicular to the transport direction; a second placing means for the glass transport / rotating second shuttle to place the glass plate bodies rotated by 90° by the second rotating means onto the glass grinding second support base; and a second grinding means for grinding both second edges of each glass plate body placed on the glass grinding second support base using the grinding mechanism.

2. The grinding mechanism comprises a first grinding device positioned outward in the width direction from one side edge of the first glass grinding support and grinding one first edge of the glass plate body; a second grinding device positioned outward in the width direction from the other side edge of the first glass grinding support and grinding the other first edge of the glass plate body; a third grinding device positioned outward in the width direction from one side edge of the second glass grinding support and grinding one second edge of the glass plate body; and a fourth grinding device positioned outward in the width direction from the other side edge of the second glass grinding support and grinding the other second edge of the glass plate body. A grinding system according to claim 1, wherein the first grinding means travels forward or backward in the transport direction to grind one first edge and the other first edge of each glass plate body placed on the first glass grinding support, passing them in the transport direction, and the second grinding means travels forward or backward in the transport direction to grind one second edge and the other second edge of each glass plate body placed on the second glass grinding support, passing them in the transport direction, and the third and fourth grinding means travels forward or backward in the transport direction to grind one second edge and the other second edge of each glass plate body placed on the second glass grinding support, passing them in the transport direction, and the grinding system according to claim 1.

3. The grinding system according to claim 3, wherein the first grinding means travels either forward or backward in the conveying direction to grind one first edge of each glass plate body as it passes in the conveying direction, the second grinding means travels either forward or backward in the conveying direction to grind the other first edge of each glass plate body as it passes in the conveying direction, the third grinding means travels either forward or backward in the conveying direction to grind one second edge of each glass plate body as it passes in the conveying direction, and the fourth grinding means travels either forward or backward in the conveying direction to grind the other second edge of each glass plate body as it passes in the conveying direction.

4. The first glass grinding support base comprises a first support plate extending in the width direction from one side edge extending in the transport direction toward the other side edge, a second support plate located in front of the first support plate in the transport direction and extending in the width direction from one side edge extending in the transport direction toward the other side edge, a plurality of first mounting plates whose base ends located in the rear of the transport direction are connected to the first support plate and are arranged at predetermined intervals in the width direction, and which extend forward in the transport direction toward the second support plate from the first support plate, and located in front of the transport direction A plurality of second mounting plates, the base ends of which are placed are connected to the second support plate and are arranged at predetermined intervals in the width direction, extending rearward in the transport direction from the second support plate toward the first support plate; a third support plate, the width direction extending from the other side edge extending toward the one side edge in the transport direction; a fourth support plate, located in front of the third support plate in the transport direction, the width direction extending from the other side edge extending toward the one side edge in the transport direction; and a base end located rearward in the transport direction, connected to the third support plate. The glass transport and rotation first shuttle has a central first support plate that is located on the transport centerline extending in the transport direction and extends in the transport direction, and the central first support The first mounting means comprises a plurality of fifth mounting plates extending from the plate in one width direction and arranged at predetermined intervals in the transport direction, and a plurality of sixth mounting plates extending from the central first support plate in the other width direction and arranged at predetermined intervals in the transport direction, wherein in the first mounting means, after the glass transport / rotation first shuttle rotates the glass plate bodies by 90°, one of the fifth mounting plates and the sixth mounting plate of the glass transport / rotation first shuttle passes downward in the vertical direction through the gap between the first mounting plates and the gap between the second mounting plates,The grinding system according to claim 1, wherein the other of the fifth and sixth mounting plates of the glass transport and rotation first shuttle passes vertically downward through the gap between the third and fourth mounting plates and the gap between the fourth and fifth mounting plates, thereby transferring each glass plate body from the fifth and sixth mounting plates to the first to fourth mounting plates, and placing each glass plate body on the first glass grinding support.

5. The grinding system according to claim 1, wherein the grinding system comprises a glass loading platform located behind the glass grinding first platform in the transport direction and on which at least two glass plate bodies after the folding process are placed, and a first glass transport means for transporting each glass plate body from the glass loading platform to the glass grinding first platform forward in the transport direction by the glass transport and rotation first shuttle.

6. The glass loading platform has a plurality of seventh mounting plates that extend in the width direction from one side edge extending in the transport direction toward the other side edge and are arranged at predetermined intervals in the transport direction, and a plurality of eighth mounting plates that extend in the width direction from the other side edge extending in the transport direction toward the one side edge and are arranged at predetermined intervals in the transport direction, and in the glass first transport means, after the glass plates after the folding process are placed on the seventh and eighth mounting plates of the glass loading platform, the fifth mounting plates of the glass transport / rotating first shuttle located below the seventh mounting plates of the glass loading platform are placed on the seventh mounting plates. The grinding system according to claim 5, wherein the sixth mounting plates of the glass transport and rotation first shuttle, which is located below the eighth mounting plates of the glass transport receiving base, pass through the gap between the plates in an upward vertical direction, the glass plate body after folding is transferred from the seventh and eighth mounting plates to the fifth and sixth mounting plates, the glass plate body rises above the glass transport receiving base, and the glass transport and rotation first shuttle moves forward in the transport direction to transport the glass plate body from the glass transport receiving base to the glass grinding first receiving base.

7. In the glass loading and receiving platform, the front ends of the seventh mounting plates and the front ends of the eighth mounting plates are separated by a predetermined distance in the width direction and a first passage space extending in the transport direction is formed between the front ends of the seventh mounting plates and the front ends of the eighth mounting plates, and in the glass first transport means, the central first support plate of the glass transport / rotating first shuttle passes through the first passage space upward in the vertical direction, thereby causing each glass plate body placed on the glass loading and receiving platform to rise above the glass loading and receiving platform, as described in claim 6.

8. The grinding system according to claim 1, wherein the first rotating means raises the glass plate bodies above the glass loading receiving table and then rotates each glass plate body by 90° above the glass loading receiving table, or, after the first glass transport / rotating shuttle transports the glass plate bodies above the first glass grinding receiving table, rotates each glass plate body by 90° above the first glass grinding receiving table and rotates each glass plate body by 90°, thereby causing the central first support plate of the first glass transport / rotating shuttle to extend in the width direction and the fifth and sixth mounting plates to extend in the transport direction.

9. The glass grinding system according to claim 9, wherein in the first glass grinding support base, the front end of the first mounting plate located in the forward direction of transport and the rear end of the second mounting plate located in the rear direction of transport are separated by a predetermined distance in the transport direction, and a second passage space extending in the width direction is formed between the front end of the first mounting plate and the front end of the second mounting plate, the front end of the third mounting plate located in the forward direction of transport and the rear end of the fourth mounting plate located in the transport direction are separated by a predetermined distance in the transport direction, and a third passage space extending in the width direction is formed between the front end of the third mounting plate and the front end of the fourth mounting plate, and in the first mounting means, the central first support plate and the fifth and sixth mounting plates of the first glass transport / rotation shuttle pass through the second and third passage spaces downward in the vertical direction, thereby placing each glass plate body on the first glass grinding support base.

10. The second glass grinding support has a plurality of ninth mounting plates that extend in the width direction from one side edge extending in the transport direction toward the other side edge and are arranged at predetermined intervals in the transport direction, and a plurality of tenth mounting plates that extend in the width direction from the other side edge extending in the transport direction toward the one side edge and are arranged at predetermined intervals in the transport direction, and the second glass transport and rotation shuttle has a central second support plate that is located on the center line of the transport direction and extends in the transport direction, and a gap between the first and second mounting plates of the first glass grinding support and a gap between the third and fourth mounting plates that extend in one direction in the width direction from the central second support plate and are arranged at predetermined intervals in the transport direction, and The grinding system according to claim 1, comprising: a plurality of 11th mounting plates that can pass vertically through either one of the gaps; and a plurality of 12th mounting plates that extend from the central second support plate in the other width direction and are arranged at predetermined intervals in the transport direction, and that can pass vertically through either the gap between the first and second mounting plates of the first glass grinding support and the gap between the third and fourth mounting plates, wherein the grinding system comprises a second glass transport means for transporting each glass plate body whose both first edges have been ground forward in the transport direction from the first glass grinding support toward the second glass grinding support by the second glass transport / rotation shuttle.

11. In the glass second transport means, after both first edges of each glass plate body are ground by the first grinding means, the central second support plate of the glass transport / rotating second shuttle, located below the glass grinding first support base, passes through the first passage space upward in the vertical direction, and the 11th mounting plates of the glass transport / rotating second shuttle, located below the glass grinding first support base, pass through either the gap between the first and second mounting plates of the glass grinding first support base or the gap between the third and fourth mounting plates, and also located below the glass grinding first support base The grinding system according to claim 10, wherein the 12th mounting plates of the glass transport / rotating second shuttle pass vertically upward through the gap between the 1st and 2nd mounting plates of the glass grinding first support and the gap between the 3rd and 4th mounting plates, the glass plate bodies are transferred from the 1st to 4th mounting plates to the 11th and 12th mounting plates, the glass plate bodies rise above the glass grinding first support, and the glass transport / rotating second shuttle moves forward in the transport direction to transport the glass plate bodies from the glass grinding first support to the glass grinding second support.

12. In the first glass grinding support, the first and second mounting plates located furthest inward in the width direction and the third and fourth mounting plates located furthest inward in the width direction are positioned opposite each other at a predetermined distance apart in the width direction, and a fourth passage space extending in the transport direction is formed between the first and second mounting plates located furthest inward in the width direction and the third and fourth mounting plates located furthest inward in the width direction, and in the first mounting means, the central first support plate and the fifth and sixth mounting plates of the first glass transport / rotation shuttle are positioned vertically within the fourth passage space The grinding system according to claim 11, wherein the glass plates pass downward and are placed on the first glass grinding support, and in the second glass transport means, the central second support plate and the 11th and 12th mounting plates of the second glass transport / rotating shuttle pass upward in the vertical direction through the fourth passage space, the glass plates rise above the first glass grinding support, and the second glass transport / rotating shuttle moves forward in the transport direction to transport the glass plates from the first glass grinding support to the second glass grinding support.

13. The grinding system according to claim 12, wherein the second rotating means raises the glass plate bodies above the first glass grinding support and then rotates each glass plate body by 90° above the first glass grinding support, or, after the second glass transport / rotating shuttle transports the glass plate bodies above the second glass grinding support and then rotates each glass plate body by 90° above the second glass grinding support, so that the central second support plate of the second glass transport / rotating shuttle extends in the transport direction and the 11th and 12th mounting plates extend in the width direction.

14. In the second mounting means, after the glass transport / rotating second shuttle rotates the glass plate bodies, whose both first edges have been ground, by 90°, one of the 11th mounting plate and the 12th mounting plate of the glass transport / rotating second shuttle passes vertically downward through the gap between the 9th mounting plate, and the other of the 11th mounting plate and the 12th mounting plate of the glass transport / rotating second shuttle passes vertically downward through the gap between the 10th mounting plate, thereby transferring each glass plate body from the 11th and 12th mounting plates to the 9th and 10th mounting plates, and placing each glass plate body on the glass grinding second support base, as described in claim 13.

15. The grinding system according to claim 14, wherein in the second glass grinding support base, the front ends of the ninth mounting plate and the front ends of the tenth mounting plate are separated by a predetermined distance in the width direction, a fifth passage space extending in the transport direction is formed between the front end of the ninth mounting plate and the front end of the tenth mounting plate, and in the second mounting means, the central second support plate of the second glass transport / rotating shuttle passes through the fifth passage space downward in the vertical direction, thereby placing each glass plate body on the second glass grinding support base.

16. The first glass grinding support base comprises a 15th mounting plate located outside the width direction of the first and second mounting plates, spaced apart at a predetermined distance in the width direction, with one end located at the rear in the transport direction connected to the first support plate and the other end located at the front in the transport direction connected to the second support plate, extending between the first and second support plates in the transport direction; and a 16th mounting plate located outside the width direction of the third and fourth mounting plates, spaced apart at a predetermined distance in the width direction, with one end located at the rear in the transport direction connected to the third support plate and the other end located at the front in the transport direction connected to the fourth support plate, extending between the third and fourth support plates in the transport direction.

Images