JP5003990B2 - Glass plate processing method and apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a method for processing a glass plate and an apparatus therefor, and more specifically, while transporting a glass plate with at least a pair of endless transport bands, at the edge of the glass plate (straight edge or corners at the front and rear ends thereof). The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for performing grinding and corner cutting.

  As is well known, glass plates for flat displays such as plasma displays, liquid crystal displays, electroluminescence displays, and field emission displays, furniture glass plates, and glass plates for construction, etc., are used at the end of the manufacturing process. After being cut into a shape and a predetermined size, a predetermined grinding process (including a polishing process) or a corner cutting process is performed on the edge portion. As a means for performing this type of processing, a glass plate is conveyed by a grinding tool disposed on the side of the conveyance path while conveying the glass plate by an endless conveyance band in order to improve productivity and increase the speed associated therewith. Means for processing the edges of the steel at high speed have been widely adopted.

  Specifically, according to the following Patent Document 1, a pair of endless belts that convey a glass plate sandwiched in a vertical posture are vertically moved as a glass plate conveyance device that conveys the peripheral edge of the glass plate. Disclosed is an apparatus that is arranged so as to be opposed to a single location in the direction, wound around and driven by a pair of individual electric motors, and that adjusts the rotational speed of at least one of the electric motors. Yes. However, this device can only equalize the traveling speed of a pair of endless belts holding the same portion of the glass plate from both the front and back sides and suppress slippage between the endless belt and the glass plate. As a matter of course, there is a problem that the glass plate cannot be properly conveyed when the glass plate is enlarged as represented by a recent flat display or the like.

  Therefore, for example, according to Patent Documents 2 and 3 below, both edges of a horizontally oriented glass plate are conveyed while being sandwiched between a pair of endless belts, and both edges of the conveyed glass plate are processed by a processing head. An apparatus for processing a glass plate is disclosed in which two pairs of endless belts on both edges of the glass plate are run in synchronization with each other while grinding. Therefore, according to this apparatus, even if the glass plate is large, theoretically, the endless belt that sandwiches one edge of the glass plate and the endless belt that sandwiches the other edge are synchronized. Since it travels, it can be expected that the glass plate is conveyed with appropriate straightness.

JP-A-6-134659 JP 2001-114524 A JP 2002-331449 A

  However, at the electrical or mechanical design stage, as described above, the endless belts are tensioned at the time of travel even if each pair of endless belts sandwiching both edges of the glass plate can be driven synchronously. In addition, it is possible that one edge and the other edge of the glass plate are always transported at the same speed because the tension varies due to repeated relaxation and the like, or the amount of elongation is not uniform. Absent. Such a phenomenon is a fact that cannot be denied, no matter how high the production and assembly accuracy of the driving means for driving the endless belt is increased.

  Therefore, if such a situation was left unattended, the straightness when the glass plate is conveyed is unduly impaired, and the glass plate is bent and the like is bent. As a result, the linearity is deteriorated, and an arcuate curved edge portion is formed at an edge that should be a straight edge, or a corner cutting process becomes defective.

  The above-mentioned problems are not limited to the case where both edges of the glass plate are sandwiched and transported by a pair of endless transport bands, for example, both edges of the glass plate are respectively above the endless transport band. This can also occur in the same manner when the endless transport band for clamping is not present above the glass plate.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and each endless holding one edge and the other edge of the glass sheet in the process of conveying the glass sheet by the endless conveying belt in a horizontal posture. It is a technical problem to correct as much as possible a deviation in conveyance caused by a variation in tension of the belt-shaped conveyance belt and a difference in elongation, and to convey the glass plate with good straightness.

The method according to the present invention, which was created to solve the above technical problem, is such that at least a pair of endless transport belts arranged in parallel to transport a glass plate in a horizontal position independently from the drive wheel. In the processing method of the glass plate, which is wound around a moving wheel and is processed on the edge of the glass plate while both edges of the glass plate are placed on the pair of endless transfer belts and transferred. When conveying the glass plate, a back tension is applied to each of the pair of endless conveyance bands independently , and the conveyance speed is equal on one side and the other side of the pair of endless conveyance bands. It is characterized by independently adjusting the magnitude of the back tension.

According to such a configuration, in the process in which both edges of the glass plate are respectively placed (held) on a pair of endless transport belts arranged in parallel and the glass plate is transported, a pair of endless shapes Back tension is independently applied to the transport belt. In this way, by adding back tension to each endless transport band, for example, compared with the case where the endless transport band travels with the driven wheel idling, the tension of each endless transport band during traveling is increased. Fluctuations, i.e., periodic unevenness of tension and changes in elongation, are suppressed, and each endless transport belt can be stably driven without unevenness. In addition, the magnitude of the back tension applied to each of the pair of endless transport bands is independently adjusted so that the transport speed is equal on one side and the other side of the pair of endless transport bands. Therefore, one endless conveyance belt on which one edge of the glass plate is placed and the other endless conveyance belt on which the other edge of the glass plate is placed are appropriately synchronized and traveled. It becomes possible to make it. In other words, the difference in tension and the difference in elongation can be reduced as much as possible between one endless transport band and the other endless transport band. As a result, the pair of endless transport belts can be transported with good straightness without disturbing the attitude of the glass plate, and the edge of the glass plate is ground as an accurate straight edge without causing bending or the like. Or high-quality corner cutting. In this case, it is preferable to provide speed detection means for individually detecting the transport speed of each endless transport belt. In addition to the pair of endless transport bands on which both edges of the glass plate are placed, if one or more endless transport bands parallel to these are arranged, the endless Similarly, back tension may be applied to the transport band.

In addition, the method according to the present invention, which was created to solve the above technical problem, is characterized in that at least a pair of endless transport belts arranged in parallel to transport a glass plate in a horizontal position are independently driven wheels. In the processing method of the glass plate, the edge of the glass plate is processed while the both edges of the glass plate are placed on the pair of endless transfer belts and conveyed. When the glass plate is transported, a back tension is independently applied to the pair of endless transport belts, and tensions in the vicinity of the drive wheels are applied to one side and the other side of the pair of endless transport belts. It is characterized by independently adjusting the magnitudes of these back tensions so that they are equivalent.

Even with such a configuration, the same effects as those described above can be obtained. In this case, it is preferable to provide a tension detecting means for individually detecting the tension in the vicinity of the drive wheel of each endless transport belt.

In the above method, as a method of independently applying a back tension to each of the pair of endless transport bands, a reverse rotational force is individually applied to each driven wheel on one side and the other side of the pair of endless transport bands. You may make it provide.

In this way, since the back tension is applied using the existing driven wheel, the back tension is appropriately applied while avoiding a significant increase in the number of parts and the associated complexity of the device. It becomes possible to add. As a specific method for applying the reverse rotational force to the driven wheel, it is preferable that the reverse rotational force is transmitted from the output shaft of the electric motor such as a torque motor or a servo motor to the driven wheel. . In addition to these, as a method of adding back tension to the endless transport belt, the driven wheel may be rotatably held via a braking means such as a powder clutch or a slip clutch, or the endless transport belt For example, resistance applying means for applying a resistance such as a sliding resistance or a frictional resistance in contact with the wheel may be provided near the driven wheel.

  Furthermore, an auxiliary endless transport belt that is independently wound around an auxiliary drive wheel and an auxiliary driven wheel is disposed above the pair of endless transport belts, respectively. A glass plate can be sandwiched and conveyed between the sheet-like conveyance bands.

  That is, as a method of transporting a glass plate with a pair of endless transport bands, a number of through holes for negative pressure suction are formed in each endless transport band, and the glass placed on these endless transport bands It is also possible to transport the plate while adsorbing and holding it with negative pressure, but if grinding is performed if the glass plate is sandwiched and transported between the endless transport band and the auxiliary endless transport band as described above In addition, the glass plate is securely held. Note that back tension may be applied independently to each of the pair of auxiliary endless transport bands, and further, the magnitudes of these back tensions may be independently adjusted. .

  In this case, it is preferable that the auxiliary endless transport belt travels with a smaller driving force than the endless transport belt.

  In this way, straightness when the glass plate is transported is mainly left to the transport operation of the pair of endless transport belts, and the auxiliary endless transport belt mainly converts the glass plates into endless transport belts. It will play the role of pressing. For this reason, the presence of the auxiliary endless conveyance band does not adversely affect the straight conveyance of the glass plate, and the endless conveyance band is applied even when processing pressure due to grinding or the like acts on the edge of the glass plate. The straight movement of the glass plate is reliably maintained by sandwiching the auxiliary endless transfer belt.

  Furthermore, the auxiliary endless transport belt can be disposed in a region excluding the upstream portion of the endless transport belt, and the glass plate can be positioned at the upstream portion of the endless transport belt.

  In this way, the glass plate positioned (centered) in the upstream portion of the endless transport belt is quickly sandwiched between the endless transport belt and the auxiliary endless transport belt as it is, and is ground. Thus, the work efficiency can be improved.

  In the above configuration, the endless transport belt is preferably a timing belt (toothed belt). Therefore, in this case, both the driving wheel and the driven wheel are timing pulleys (toothed pulleys).

  In this case, the auxiliary endless transport belt is also preferably a timing belt, and in this case, both the auxiliary driving wheel and the auxiliary driven wheel are timing pulleys. And, when both the endless transport band and the auxiliary endless transport band are timing belts, the outer peripheral surface of both is formed of rubber, and the rubber hardness of the outer peripheral surface of the endless transport band is It is preferable that the rubber hardness of the outer peripheral surface of the auxiliary endless transport belt is higher. In this way, the auxiliary endless transport band plays a role of sufficiently buffering the glass plate, and the endless transport band plays a role of reliably supporting and transporting the glass plate. it can.

On the other hand, an apparatus according to the present invention, which was created to solve the above technical problem, has at least a pair of endless conveying belts arranged in parallel to convey a glass plate in a horizontal posture, each independently driving wheel. The glass plate is configured to be processed around the edge of the glass plate while the both edge portions of the glass plate are mounted on the pair of endless transfer belts and conveyed. In this processing apparatus, the back-tension applying means for independently applying a back tension to the pair of endless transport bands and the one side and the other side of the pair of endless transport bands have the same transport speed. in, or, as the tension is equivalent in each of the drive wheels around at the one side and the other side of the pair of endless conveyor belt, it is attached to each endless conveyor belt by these back tension adding means Characterized in that a back tension adjusting means for adjusting the back tension size each independently.

According to such a configuration, in the process in which both edges of the glass plate are respectively placed (held) on a pair of endless conveying belts arranged in parallel and the glass plate is conveyed, the back tension applying means A back tension is independently applied to each of the pair of endless transport bands, and the size of the back tension applied to each of the pair of endless transport bands is determined by one side and the other side of the pair of endless transport bands. And the back tension adjusting means so that the transport speeds are equal to each other, or the tension in the vicinity of each drive wheel is equal on one side and the other side of the pair of endless transport belts. Adjusted. The operational effects of this apparatus are the same as those of the above-described method having the corresponding constituent elements, so that the description thereof is omitted for convenience.

  As described above, according to the present invention, since the back tension is independently applied to each of the pair of endless transport belts, the fluctuation of the tension and the extension amount of each endless transport belt during traveling are suppressed. In addition, it is possible to stably travel each endless conveyance belt without unevenness. In addition, since the magnitude of the back tension applied to each of the pair of endless transport belts is adjusted independently, one endless transport belt and the other endless transport belt are properly synchronized. It becomes possible to run, and the difference in tension and the difference in elongation between the two endless transport bands can be reduced as much as possible. As a result, the pair of endless transport belts can be transported with good straightness without disturbing the attitude of the glass plate, and the edge of the glass plate is ground as an accurate straight edge without causing bending or the like. Or high-quality corner cutting.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic side view showing a glass plate processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of the processing apparatus, and FIG. 3 is an endless transport band which is a component of the processing apparatus. (Timing belt) main part longitudinal front view, FIG. 4 is a main part vertical side view of the endless transport band, and FIG. 5 is a main part enlarged vertical front view of the endless transport band.

  As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the processing apparatus 1 for plate glass is arranged in parallel at a predetermined distance so that both edges of the glass plate 2 in a horizontal posture are placed and the glass plate 2 is conveyed in the direction of arrow A. The pair of endless transport bands 3 are wound around the drive wheel 4 and the driven wheel 5 independently of each other. In this embodiment, the endless conveyance belt (hereinafter referred to as a main belt) 3 includes a timing belt that is a toothed belt, and includes a driving wheel (hereinafter referred to as a driving pulley) 4 and a driven wheel (hereinafter referred to as a driven pulley) 5. Are both timing pulleys that are toothed pulleys. In addition, an endless transport belt composed of a round belt 6 that travels in the same direction as the main belt 3 with the central portion in the width direction of the glass plate 2 placed thereon is arranged at the center between the pair of main belts 3.

  A pair of drive pulleys 4 around which a pair of main belts 3 are wound are connected to an output shaft of a drive motor 7 composed of an electric motor such as a servo motor via a speed reducer. Then, when a rotational force (rotational torque) is transmitted from the output shaft of the drive motor 7 to the drive pulley 4, the drive pulley 4 rotates in the direction of arrow a, and accordingly, the main belt 3 moves the glass plate 2 through the arrow. It is comprised so that it may drive | work to convey to A direction.

  On the other hand, a pair of driven pulleys 5 around which a pair of main belts 3 are wound are connected to an output shaft of a braking motor 8 including an electric motor such as a servo motor or a torque motor via a speed reducer. Then, the reverse rotation force (reverse torque) indicated by the dotted arrow b is transmitted from the output shaft of the braking motor 8 to the driven pulley 5, so that the main belt 3 traveling to convey the glass plate 2 in the arrow A direction. Back tension is added to the.

In this case, back tension is independently applied to the pair of main belts 3 by the brake motors 8, and the magnitudes of these back tensions are equal to the conveying speeds of the pair of main belts 3. In other words, each of the pair of main belts 3 is configured to be independently adjusted so that the tensions in the vicinity of the drive pulleys 4 of the pair of main belts 3 are equal to each other. In this embodiment, the current value detection means 9 for individually detecting the current values of the pair of drive motors 7 and the current values of the pair of braking motors 8 are independently determined based on signals from the current value detection means 9. Control means 10 for variable control is provided. In this control , based on the current value of one drive motor 7 and the current value of the other drive motor 7, the current value of the corresponding one and the other brake motor 8, that is, the magnitude of the back tension is individually adjusted. To do. Therefore, in this embodiment, the braking motor 8 constitutes a back tension applying means, and the control means 10 constitutes a back tension adjusting means.

  Further, below the tension side portions (upper side portions) 3 a of the pair of main belts 3, support members 11 that extend in a straight line are disposed over substantially the entire length of the tension side portion 3 a. The upper surface is in contact with the inner surface (tooth surface) of the tension side portion 3a. A plurality of rollers 12 are respectively arranged along the longitudinal direction below the slack side portions (lower side portions) 3b of the pair of main belts 3, and the peripheral surfaces of these rollers 12 are the slack side portions. It is in contact with the outer surface of 3b. The supporting member 11 and the plurality of rollers 12 are configured to prevent the pulling side portion 3a and the slack side portion 3b of the main belt 3 from hanging down during traveling.

  Furthermore, a positioning region 13 for positioning (centering) the glass plate 2 is provided in the region straddling the upper surface of the pair of main belts 3 on the upstream side of the tension side portion 3a. In the upper space of these main belts 3, the glass plate 2 is sandwiched and conveyed between the main belts 3 in an area excluding the positioning area 13, specifically in an area adjacent to the downstream side of the positioning area 13. A pair of auxiliary endless transport bands 14 are arranged in parallel. The pair of auxiliary endless transport bands 14 are wound around the auxiliary driving wheel 15 and the auxiliary driven wheel 16 independently of each other. In this embodiment, the auxiliary endless transport belt (hereinafter referred to as an auxiliary belt) 14 includes a timing belt that is a toothed belt, and includes an auxiliary driving wheel (hereinafter referred to as an auxiliary driving pulley) 15 and an auxiliary driven wheel (hereinafter referred to as an auxiliary belt). The driven pulley 16 is a timing pulley that is a toothed pulley.

In this case, the pair of auxiliary drive pulleys 15 is connected to the output shaft of the auxiliary drive motor 17, which is an electric motor such as a servo motor, via a speed reducer, and the rotational force (rotational torque) is output from the output shaft of the auxiliary drive motor 17. Is transmitted to the auxiliary drive pulley 15 so that the auxiliary drive pulley 15 rotates in the direction of the arrow c, and accordingly, the auxiliary belt 14 travels to convey the glass plate 2 in the direction of the arrow A. Yes. The pair of auxiliary driven pulleys 16 are connected to an output shaft of an auxiliary braking motor 18 composed of an electric motor such as a servo motor or a torque motor via a speed reducer, and are indicated by a dotted arrow d from the output shaft of the auxiliary braking motor 18. By transmitting the reverse rotational force (reverse torque) to the auxiliary driven pulley 16, back tension is applied to the auxiliary belt 14 that travels so as to convey the glass plate 2 in the direction of arrow A. In this embodiment, the rotational drive force of the auxiliary drive motor 17 is set to be smaller than the rotational drive force of the drive motor 7 described above, so that the auxiliary belt 14 travels with a drive force smaller than that of the main belt 3. It is configured. Further, due to this, the back tension applied to the auxiliary belt 14 inevitably is set to be smaller than the back tension applied to the main belt 3. Although not shown, the auxiliary belt 14 also has a corresponding one and the other auxiliary braking motor 18 so that the current value of one auxiliary driving motor 17 and the current value of the other auxiliary driving motor 17 are equal. The current value, that is, the back tension, may be adjusted individually.

  Further, a holding member 20 (for example, made of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene) urged downward by an elastic body 19 such as a leaf spring is provided above the tension side portion (lower side portion) 14a of the pair of auxiliary belts 14. A plurality of the tension-side portions 14a are arranged over substantially the entire length, and the lower surfaces of these pressing members 20 are in contact with the inner surfaces (tooth surfaces) of the tension-side portions 14a. Thereby, each auxiliary belt 14 is configured to travel while the pulling side portion 14 a is pressed downward by the pressing member 20. A plurality of rollers 21 are arranged along the longitudinal direction below the slack side portion 14b (upper side portion) of the pair of auxiliary belts 14, and the peripheral surfaces of these rollers 21 are the slack side portion 14b. It is in contact with the inner surface (tooth surface). Thereby, it is set as the structure which prevents the sagging side part 14b of the auxiliary belt 14 at the time of driving | running | working from hanging down.

  And on both sides of the conveyance path of the glass plate 2 where the main belt 3 and the auxiliary belt 14 overlap, that is, on both sides of the conveyance path of the glass plate 2 that is sandwiched between the main belt 3 and the auxiliary belt 14 A grinding tool 22 made of a rotating grindstone or the like for performing grinding or corner cutting on both edges of the glass plate 2 is provided. In this case, the grinding pressure is mainly applied to the edge of the glass plate 2 from the grinding tool 22 in a direction perpendicular to or oblique to the conveying direction.

  In this case, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the main belt 3 (same as the auxiliary belt 14) has teeth 3x (14x) engraved and a core metal (for example, stainless steel) 3y (14y) embedded therein. An outer surface band 3d (14d) made of rubber such as CR rubber (chloroprene rubber) is integrally fixed to the outer peripheral side of the transport band main body 3c (14c). The rubber hardness of the outer belt 3d of the main belt 3 is higher than the rubber hardness of the outer belt 14d of the auxiliary belt 14.

  According to the glass plate processing apparatus 1 having such a configuration, the glass plate 2 centered at an accurate position and posture in the positioning region 13 on the upstream side of the main belt 3 is firstly paired with a pair of running main plates. After being inserted between the belt 3 and the pair of auxiliary belts 14, both edges are ground and corner cut by the grinding tool 22 while being conveyed while being sandwiched between the belts 3 and 14. In that case, the pair of main belts 3 that particularly affect the conveyance state by sandwiching the glass plate 2 are individually applied with back tension by the action of the brake motors 8 when the drive motors 7 are running. Therefore, periodic fluctuations in tension and elongation are less likely to occur than when no back tension is applied, such as when the driven pulley 5 is idle. In addition, in this embodiment, the current value detection means 9 individually detects the current values of the respective drive motors 7, and the control means 10 controls the corresponding brake motors 8 so that the two current values are equal. Since the back tension is individually adjusted by variably controlling the current value, the pair of main belts 3 feeds both edge portions of the glass plate 2 under the same conditions. As a result, the glass plate 2 is transported with excellent straightness, so that both edges of the glass plate 2 are accurately processed into a straight line by the grinding tool 22 without bending or the like, and there is no error. A corner cut is made.

  Further, as in the case of the main belt 3 described above, since the back tension is individually applied to the pair of auxiliary belts 14, not only the transportability of the glass plate 2 is further improved, but also the back tension thereof. By individually adjusting, the glass plate 2 can be transported with better straightness.

  In this embodiment, the current value of the drive motor 7 that travels the pair of main belts 3 is detected by the current value detection means 9, and the control means 10 is based on each signal from the current value detection means 9. The current values of the pair of braking motors 8 are variably controlled. For example, the current values of the pair of drive motors 7 are displayed on a display unit such as a monitor, and the operator can visually recognize the display unit while viewing the display unit. The current value of the braking motor 8 may be individually adjusted (the auxiliary belt 14 is also similar if necessary).

  In this embodiment, the individual current values of the drive motors 7 are used as the determination reference values when adjusting the back tension of the pair of main belts 3. Instead, the individual current values of the main belts 3 are used instead. May be used, or individual rotational torque values of the output shafts of the drive motors 7 or individual tension values of the main belts 3 (the auxiliary belt 14 is also the same if necessary).

  Further, in this embodiment, the main belt 3 to which the back tension is applied and the auxiliary belt 14 accompanying the main belt 3 are arranged in two rows in plan view. However, the belts 3 and 14 having the same configuration are seen in plan view. May be arranged in three or more rows.

In addition to the above-described configuration, the following configuration is added to the main belt 3 (auxiliary belt 14 as necessary) in order to satisfactorily position and transport the glass plate 2. That is, a plurality of grooves 23 (preferably grooves continuous over the entire length of the main belt 3) 23 extending in the longitudinal direction are formed on the outer surface of the main belt 3. The arrangement pitch P in the width direction of these grooves 23 is 5 to 20 mm , preferably about 10 mm. Further, as shown in FIG. 5, these grooves 23 have an arc-shaped cross section, and the groove depth S is about 0.2 to 1.0 mm , preferably about 0.5 mm, and the groove width T thereof. Is 0.5 to 2.0 mm , preferably 1.0 mm. Then, on the condition that it is within such a numerical range, the relationship between the groove width T and the groove depth S of these grooves 23 is S <T <S × 3 . When the plurality of grooves 23 are formed in the main belt 3 in this way, water is supplied onto the main belt 3 in the positioning region 13 using a water supply unit including a nozzle or the like.

  With such a configuration, positioning with respect to the glass plate 2 in the positioning region 13 is performed more smoothly and appropriately than in the past, and when performing grinding or the like while transporting the glass plate 2 after this positioning, than in the past. Excellent straightness of the glass plate 2 can be obtained. That is, since a groove is not formed on the outer surface of the belt that conveys the conventional glass plate, when moving the glass plate to position the glass plate in a horizontal position on the belt, The sliding resistance or frictional resistance between the outer surface and the glass plate is large, which not only hinders the positioning movement of the glass plate, but also causes scratches on the contact surface of the glass plate with the belt. May be attached. In addition, when the edge of the glass plate is cut or corner cut while being transported by placing the glass plate on a belt and holding or holding the negative pressure, the direction perpendicular to the conveying direction or oblique direction is applied to the glass plate. However, if the groove is not formed on the outer surface of the belt in that case, there is a high probability that the glass plate slides on the belt, and the posture may be out of order or the straight conveyance may be hindered. .

  On the other hand, as described above, when a plurality of grooves 23 are formed on the outer surface of the main belt 3, water is placed between the glass plate 2 and the outer surface of the main belt 3 in the positioning region 13. If supplied, water is filled in the groove 23 of the main belt 3 and a film of water is generated between them, so that the frictional resistance is lowered and the glass plate 2 slides easily by the action of external force. Therefore, the glass plate 2 is quickly and easily positioned at a required position and posture in response to the force from the positioning mechanism, and the glass plate 2 is not damaged during the movement accompanying the positioning. Further, after the positioning is completed, when the glass plate 2 is pressed against the outer surface of the main belt 3, the water that forms a film between the glass plate 2 and the main belt 3 is discharged through the groove 23. The glass plate 2 adheres to the outer surface of the main belt 3. Therefore, while the glass plate 2 is nipped and conveyed by the main belt 3 and the auxiliary belt 14, the glass plate 2 is in close contact with the outer surface of the main belt 3 and the groove 23 extends in the longitudinal direction. And the effect which suppresses the slip especially with respect to the width direction of the glass plate 2 becomes large. For this reason, even if the processing pressure of the width direction acts on the glass plate 2 from the grinding tool 22, the glass plate 2 is appropriately conveyed straightly without causing a slip. Taking the above matters into consideration, the formation of the groove 23 in the main belt 3 (auxiliary belt 14 if necessary) can be applied even when no back tension is applied to the belt 3 (14). Can be applied even when the glass plate 2 is conveyed by a single-row belt instead of a plurality of rows in a plan view. However, when the back tension is applied and when the belt is arranged in a plurality of rows in a plan view, the above effect can be further improved.

  In this case, if the cross-sectional area (channel area) of the groove 23 is too large, a large amount of water is discharged through the groove 23 before the positioning of the glass plate 2 is completed. In the meantime, a sufficient water film is not generated, which is disadvantageous for smooth positioning. On the other hand, if the cross-sectional area of the groove 23 is too small, water will not be sufficiently discharged through the groove 23, so that the glass plate 2 and the main belt 3 will not be in close contact with each other, and the glass plate will be used during grinding. 2 tends to slip. And in order to avoid such a malfunction, when making the cross-sectional area of the groove | channel 23 appropriate, the groove width T and the groove depth S become an important factor. Therefore, if the groove width T, the groove depth S, and the relationship between the two are within the above numerical range, it is advantageous to avoid such a problem. Further, if the arrangement pitch P of the grooves 23 is too small, the number of the grooves 23 per unit width is unduly increased, and a large amount of water is discharged through the grooves 23 before the positioning of the glass plate 2 is completed. As in the case where the cross-sectional area of the groove 23 described above is too large, it is disadvantageous for smooth positioning. On the other hand, if the arrangement pitch P of the grooves 23 is too large, when the glass plate 2 is pressed against the main belt 3, water remains between the adjacent grooves 23, and the grooves described above. Similarly to the case where the cross-sectional area of 23 is too small, the glass plate 2 is likely to slip during grinding. Therefore, if the arrangement pitch P of the grooves 23 is within the above numerical range, it is advantageous to avoid such a problem.

It is a schematic side view which shows the processing apparatus of the glass plate which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic plan view which shows the processing apparatus of the said glass plate. It is a principal part vertical front view which shows the endless conveyance belt (timing belt) which is a component of the processing apparatus of the said glass plate. It is a principal part vertical side view which shows the said endless conveyance belt. It is a principal part expansion vertical front view which shows the said endless conveyance belt.

Explanation of symbols

1 Glass plate processing device 2 Glass plate 3 Endless transport belt (main belt)
4 Drive wheels (drive pulley)
5 driven wheel (driven pulley)
7 Drive motor 8 Back tension applying means (braking motor)
10 Back tension adjustment means (control means)
13 Positioning area 14 Auxiliary endless belt (auxiliary belt)
15 Auxiliary drive wheel (auxiliary drive pulley)
16 Auxiliary driven wheel (auxiliary driven pulley)

Claims (9)

At least a pair of endless transport belts arranged in parallel to transport a glass plate in a horizontal posture are wound around a driving wheel and a driven wheel, respectively, and both edges of the glass plates are the pair of the pair. In the processing method of the glass plate for processing the edge of the glass plate while being placed and transported on the endless transport belt,
At the time of transporting the glass plate, a back tension is independently applied to the pair of endless transport belts, and the transport speed is equal on one side and the other side of the pair of endless transport bands. A method of processing a glass plate, wherein the sizes of these back tensions are independently adjusted. At least a pair of endless transport belts arranged in parallel to transport a glass plate in a horizontal posture are wound around a driving wheel and a driven wheel, respectively, and both edges of the glass plates are the pair of the pair. In the processing method of the glass plate for processing the edge of the glass plate while being placed and transported on the endless transport belt,
When the glass plate is transported, back tension is independently applied to the pair of endless transport belts, and tensions in the vicinity of the drive wheels are equal on one side and the other side of the pair of endless transport belts. The glass plate processing method is characterized by independently adjusting the sizes of these back tensions. Back tension is independently applied to each of the endless transport belts by individually applying reverse rotational force to the driven wheels on one side and the other side of the pair of endless transport belts. The processing method of the glass plate of Claim 1 or 2 . Above the pair of endless transport bands, auxiliary endless transport bands that are independently wound around auxiliary drive wheels and auxiliary driven wheels are arranged, respectively, and these auxiliary endless transport bands and the endless transport The method for processing a glass plate according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , wherein the glass plate is sandwiched between the belt and conveyed. The method for processing a glass plate according to claim 4 , wherein the auxiliary endless transport belt is caused to travel with a driving force smaller than that of the endless transport belt. It said auxiliary endless conveyor belt is, the are arranged in the region except the upstream portion of the endless conveyor belt, according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that for positioning the glass plate at the upstream side portion of the endless conveyor belt The processing method of the glass plate of description. The said endless conveyance belt is a timing belt, The processing method of the glass plate in any one of Claims 1-6 characterized by the above-mentioned. At least a pair of endless transport belts arranged in parallel to transport a glass plate in a horizontal posture are wound around a driving wheel and a driven wheel, respectively, and both edges of the glass plates are the pair of the pair. In the processing device of the glass plate configured to process the edge of the glass plate while being placed and transported on the endless transport belt,
The back tension applying means for independently applying a back tension to the pair of endless transport belts, and the back tension application means so that the transport speed is equal on one side and the other side of the pair of endless transport belts. An apparatus for processing a glass plate, comprising: a back tension adjusting means that independently adjusts the magnitude of the back tension applied to each endless transport belt by the tension applying means. At least a pair of endless transport belts arranged in parallel to transport a glass plate in a horizontal posture are wound around a driving wheel and a driven wheel, respectively, and both edges of the glass plates are the pair of the pair. In the processing device of the glass plate configured to process the edge of the glass plate while being placed and transported on the endless transport belt,
The back tension applying means for independently applying a back tension to the pair of endless transport belts, and the tension in the vicinity of each drive wheel on the one side and the other side of the pair of endless transport belts are made equal. And a back tension adjusting means for independently adjusting the size of the back tension applied to each endless transport belt by the back tension applying means.

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