阅读说明：本技术 强化玻璃制造设备及使用其的强化玻璃制造方法 (Tempered glass manufacturing apparatus and tempered glass manufacturing method using same ) 是由 李会官 于 2021-06-17 设计创作，主要内容包括：提供了强化玻璃制造设备及强化玻璃制造方法。强化玻璃制造设备包括：强化室,包括具有第一空间的第一室；预热室,包括具有第二空间的第二室,第二空间不同于第一空间；以及第一感应线圈,在预热室处。(Provided are a tempered glass manufacturing apparatus and a tempered glass manufacturing method. The tempered glass manufacturing apparatus includes: a reinforcement chamber including a first chamber having a first space; a preheating chamber including a second chamber having a second space, the second space being different from the first space; and a first induction coil at the preheating chamber.)

1. A strengthened glass manufacturing apparatus, comprising:

a reinforcement chamber including a first chamber having a first space;

a preheating chamber comprising a second chamber having a second space, the second space being different from the first space; and

a first induction coil at the preheat chamber.

2. The strengthened glass manufacturing apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a cassette for containing a target object to be processed,

wherein the cartridge is induction-heated in the second space of the second chamber by the first induction coil and loaded into the first space of the first chamber, and

wherein the cartridge comprises a metallic material and the first induction coil is to generate eddy currents in the cartridge to heat the cartridge.

3. The strengthened glass manufacturing apparatus of claim 2, wherein the target object comprises glass and the strengthening chamber contains molten salt to strengthen the glass.

4. The strengthened glass manufacturing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the molten salt has a temperature equal to or higher than 340 ℃ and equal to or lower than 390 ℃, and the cassette is preheated to a temperature equal to or higher than 330 ℃ and equal to or lower than 340 ℃.

5. The strengthened glass manufacturing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first induction coil is in an upper portion of the preheating chamber.

6. The strengthened glass manufacturing apparatus of claim 5, further comprising:

a sliding plate between the intensification chamber and the preheating chamber;

a second induction coil at the sliding plate to inductively heat a cassette accommodating a target object to be processed; and

a guide portion extending from the reinforcement chamber in a horizontal direction,

wherein each of the preheating chamber and the sliding plate is configured to be slidable along the guide in the horizontal direction.

7. The strengthened glass manufacturing apparatus of claim 6, wherein the sliding plate is configured to be placed below the preheating chamber such that the first and second induction coils face each other, and

wherein the preheating chamber is configured to slide along the guide such that a lower portion of the preheating chamber faces an upper portion of the strengthening chamber.

8. The strengthened glass manufacturing apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an induction coil moving section configured to move the first induction coil from the pre-heating chamber to the strengthening chamber,

wherein the first induction coil surrounds an outer surface of the preheating chamber,

wherein the induction coil moving part is configured to move the first induction coil up and down to cause the first induction coil to selectively surround the outer surface of the preheating chamber and/or the outer surface of the strengthening chamber, and

wherein at least one of the pre-heating chamber and the intensification chamber comprises a heating element.

9. The strengthened glass manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a cassette transfer section for moving a cassette containing a target object to be processed from the preheating chamber to the strengthening chamber, and

wherein the strengthening chamber has a first opening at an upper portion thereof, and the preheating chamber has a second opening above and at a lower portion thereof.

10. A method of manufacturing strengthened glass, comprising:

increasing a temperature of a target object to a first temperature range by induction heating a cassette accommodating the target object; and

chemically strengthening the target object whose temperature has been increased in a second temperature range higher than the first temperature range.

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to a tempered glass manufacturing apparatus and a tempered glass manufacturing method using the same.

Background

Glass articles are widely used in electronic devices or building materials including display devices. For example, the glass article is applied to a substrate of a flat panel display device such as a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD), an Organic Light Emitting Display (OLED), and an electrophoretic display (EPD), or a cover window for protecting it.

In recent years, foldable display devices have been studied for the convenience of users. Preferably, the glass article of the foldable display device has a thin thickness to relieve bending stress caused by folding the foldable display device and strength against external impact. Therefore, attempts have been made to improve the strength of thin glass articles by thermal or chemical strengthening.

Disclosure of Invention

Aspects of the present disclosure relate to a strengthened glass manufacturing apparatus capable of minimizing or reducing solidification of salt when chemically strengthening a glass article, and a strengthened glass manufacturing method using the same.

Aspects of the present disclosure relate to a strengthened glass manufacturing apparatus capable of reducing a process time, and a strengthened glass manufacturing method using the same.

However, aspects of the present disclosure are not limited to those set forth herein. The foregoing and other aspects of the present disclosure will become more readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present disclosure pertains by reference to the detailed description of the present disclosure given below.

In one or more embodiments, a strengthened glass manufacturing apparatus includes: a reinforcement chamber including a first chamber having a first space; a preheating chamber including a second chamber having a second space, the second space being different from the first space; and a first induction coil at the preheating chamber.

In one or more embodiments, the strengthened glass manufacturing apparatus further comprises a cassette for containing a target object to be processed. The cartridge is induction-heated in the second space of the second chamber by the first induction coil and loaded into the first space of the first chamber.

In one or more embodiments, the cartridge comprises a metallic material and the first induction coil is for generating eddy currents in the cartridge to heat the cartridge.

In one or more embodiments, the metallic material comprises stainless steel.

In one or more embodiments, the target object includes glass, and the strengthening chamber contains molten salt to strengthen the glass.

In one or more embodiments, the molten salt has a temperature equal to or higher than 340 ℃ and equal to or lower than 390 ℃, and the cartridge is preheated to a temperature equal to or higher than 330 ℃ and equal to or lower than 340 ℃.

In one or more embodiments, the first induction coil is in an upper portion of the preheat chamber.

In one or more embodiments, the strengthened glass manufacturing apparatus further includes a sliding plate between the strengthening chamber and the preheating chamber, and a second induction coil at the sliding plate to inductively heat a cassette accommodating a target object to be processed.

In one or more embodiments, the strengthened glass manufacturing apparatus further includes a guide extending from the strengthening chamber in a horizontal direction. Each of the preheating chamber and the sliding plate is configured to be substantially slidable along the guide in a horizontal direction.

In one or more embodiments, the sliding plate is configured to be placed under the preheating compartment such that the first induction coil and the second induction coil face each other.

In one or more embodiments, the preheating chamber is configured to slide along the guide such that a lower portion of the preheating chamber faces an upper portion of the strengthening chamber.

In one or more embodiments, the strengthened glass manufacturing apparatus further comprises an induction coil moving section configured to move the first induction coil from the pre-heating chamber to the strengthening chamber. The first induction coil surrounds the outer surface of the preheating chamber.

In one or more embodiments, the induction coil moving part is configured to move the first induction coil up and down to cause the first induction coil to selectively surround the outer surface of the preheating chamber and/or the outer surface of the strengthening chamber.

In one or more embodiments, at least one of the pre-heating chamber and the strengthening chamber comprises a heating element.

In one or more embodiments, the strengthened glass manufacturing apparatus further comprises a third induction coil in a lower portion of the strengthening chamber.

In one or more embodiments, the strengthening chamber has a first opening at an upper portion thereof, and the preheating chamber has a second opening above and at a lower portion thereof.

In one or more embodiments, the strengthened glass manufacturing apparatus further includes a cassette transfer portion for moving a cassette accommodating a target object to be processed from the preheating chamber to the strengthening chamber.

In one or more embodiments, a strengthened glass manufacturing method includes: increasing the temperature of the target object to a first temperature range by induction heating of a cassette accommodating the target object; and chemically strengthening the target object whose temperature has been increased in a second temperature range higher than the first temperature range.

In one or more embodiments, increasing the temperature of the target object to the first temperature range includes placing a first induction coil on a first side of the cassette and placing a second induction coil on a second side of the cassette.

In one or more embodiments, the strengthened glass manufacturing method further comprises moving at least one induction coil in response to increasing the temperature of the target object to the first temperature range.

The tempered glass manufacturing apparatus and the tempered glass manufacturing method according to various embodiments can prevent or reduce solidification of salt.

The strengthened glass manufacturing apparatus and the strengthened glass manufacturing method according to various embodiments can perform the strengthening process in a reduced time.

The effects of the present disclosure are not limited to the above-described effects, and various other effects are included in the present specification.

Drawings

The above and other aspects and features of the present disclosure will become more apparent by describing in detail exemplary embodiments thereof with reference to the attached drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a glass article associated with a strengthened glass manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment;

fig. 2 is a sectional illustration showing a display device in which the glass article of fig. 1 is applied as a cover window of the display device;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the flat glass article of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a graph illustrating a stress distribution of the glass article of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating an ion exchange process for strengthening a glass article, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a strengthened glass manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the strengthened glass manufacturing apparatus of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the reinforcement compartment, slide plate and preheat compartment of FIG. 6;

FIGS. 9 through 12 are cross-sectional views illustrating operation of the strengthened glass manufacturing apparatus of FIG. 6;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a strengthened glass manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment;

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the strengthened glass manufacturing apparatus of FIG. 13;

FIGS. 15 through 17 are cross-sectional views illustrating operation of the strengthened glass manufacturing apparatus of FIG. 13; and

FIG. 18 is a flow diagram of a method of manufacturing strengthened glass according to an embodiment.

Detailed Description

The present disclosure now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodiments of the disclosure are shown. This disclosure may, however, be embodied in different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the disclosure to those skilled in the art. Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the specification. In the drawings, the thickness of layers and regions may be exaggerated for clarity.

As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

It will be further understood that the terms "comprises," "comprising," "includes" and/or "including," when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, actions, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, actions, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

As used herein, expressions such as "at least one of …", "one of …", and "selected from …" modify the entire list of elements when followed by the list of elements, rather than modifying individual elements in the list.

As used herein, the term "and/or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

Further, when describing embodiments of the present disclosure, the use of "may" mean "one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

It will also be understood that when a layer is referred to as being "on" another layer or substrate, it can be directly on the other layer or substrate, or intervening layers may also be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being "directly on" another element, there are no intervening elements present.

In the drawings, the relative sizes of elements, layers, and regions may be exaggerated and/or simplified for clarity. Spatially relative terms, such as "below," "lower," "above," "upper," "bottom," "top," and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as "below" or "beneath" other elements or features would then be oriented "above" or "over" the other elements or features. Thus, the term "below" can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.

As used herein, the terms "substantially," "about," and the like are used as approximate terms and not as terms of degree, and are intended to leave a margin for the inherent deviation of a measured or calculated value that would be recognized by one of ordinary skill in the art.

Any numerical range recited herein is intended to include all sub-ranges subsumed within the recited range with the same numerical precision. For example, a range of "1.0 to 10.0" is intended to include all sub-ranges between (and including) the recited minimum value of 1.0 and the recited maximum value of 10.0, i.e., having a minimum value equal to or greater than 1.0 and a maximum value equal to or less than 10.0, such as, for example, 2.4 to 7.6. Any maximum numerical limitation recited herein is intended to include all lower numerical limitations subsumed therein, and any minimum numerical limitation recited herein is intended to include all higher numerical limitations subsumed therein. Accordingly, applicants reserve the right to modify the specification, including the claims, to expressly recite any sub-ranges subsumed within the ranges explicitly recited herein.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs. Terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a glass article associated with a strengthened glass manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment. Fig. 2 is a sectional illustration showing a display device in which the glass article of fig. 1 is applied as a cover window of the display device. Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the flat glass article of fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a graph illustrating a stress distribution of the glass article of fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating an ion exchange process for strengthening a glass article, according to an embodiment.

The glass article G can be used as a window for protecting a display, a substrate for a display panel, a substrate for a touch panel, an optical member (such as a light guide plate, or the like) in an electronic device including a display, such as exemplified by a tablet Personal Computer (PC), a notebook PC, a smartphone, an electronic book, a television, and a PC monitor, and a refrigerator and a cleaner including a display screen. The glass may also be used as a cover glass for instrument panels of vehicles, a cover glass for solar cells, an interior material for building materials, windows for buildings and houses, and the like.

The glass article G is expected to have strong strength. For example, when the glass is used as a window, it is desired to have a small (low) thickness to satisfy the requirements of high transmittance and light weight (low weight), and also to have sufficient strength so that the glass article G is not easily broken by external impact. Strengthened glass can be produced by, for example, chemical strengthening or thermal strengthening. An example of strengthened glass is shown in fig. 1. Referring to fig. 1, the glass article G may have various suitable shapes. For example, the glass article G may include a glass article 100 having a flat sheet shape, a glass article 101 having curved edges, a curved glass article 102 having curved sides or curved surfaces, a folded glass article 103 foldable about an axis, and the like.

The planar shape of the glass article G may be a rectangle, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The glass article G may have various suitable shapes, such as rectangular, square, circular, and/or oval with rounded corners.

The glass article G includes a first surface US and a second surface RS opposite the first surface US. The first surface US may be an upper surface of the glass article G, and the second surface RS may be a lower surface of the glass article G. The glass article G may further include a side surface SS between the first surface US and the second surface RS. In one or more of the following embodiments, a flat plate having a rectangular shape in a plan view is described as an example of the glass article G for convenience of description, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, the glass article G may have any suitable shape.

Referring to fig. 2, the glass article G of fig. 1 may be applied as the cover window CW of the display device DD.

In one or more embodiments, the cover window CW is disposed on the display panel PN of the display device DD. The cover window CW may be bonded to the display panel PN via an optically transparent adhesive layer AD. The cover window CW is used to protect the display panel PN. As a main body of the cover window CW, a strengthened glass article G can be applied.

Examples of the display panel PN may include not only a self-luminous display panel such as an Organic Light Emitting Display (OLED) panel, an inorganic Electroluminescence (EL) display panel, a quantum dot light display (QED) panel, a micro LED display panel, a nano LED display panel, a Plasma Display Panel (PDP), a Field Emission Display (FED) panel, and/or a Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) display panel, but also a light receiving display panel such as a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) panel and/or an electrophoresis display (EPD) panel. The display panel PN may further include a touch panel embedded therein. A plurality of pixels PX may be disposed in the display panel PN.

The display device DD may be a foldable display device. In order to withstand the stress caused by the repeated folding or unfolding operations, it is desirable that the glass article G applied to the cover window CW is a strengthened glass article G having a thin thickness and improved durability.

Referring to fig. 3 to 5, the durability of the glass article G may be improved by an ion exchange process.

In more detail, as shown in fig. 3 and 4, the glass article G includes a first compression region CSR1 extending from the first surface US to a first depth (first compression depth DOL1), and a second compression region CSR2 extending from the second surface RS to a second depth (second compression depth DOL 2). The stretch region CTR is disposed between the first compression region CSR1 and the second compression region CSR 2. In one or more embodiments, the compressive region and the tensile region may be disposed between opposing side surfaces SS of the glass article G in a similar manner.

First compression region CSR1 and second compression region CSR2 are resistant to external impacts to mitigate the occurrence of cracking or breaking of glass article G. It is understood that the strength of the glass article G is greater as the maximum compressive stresses CS1 and CS2 of the first compression region CSR1 and the second compression region CSR2 are greater. In other words, increasing the maximum compressive stresses CS1 and CS2 of first compression region CSR1 and second compression region CSR2 increases the strength of glass article G. Since external impacts are typically transmitted through the surfaces US, RS, and SS of the glass article G, it is advantageous for durability to have maximum compressive stresses CS1 and CS2 at the surfaces US, RS, and SS of the glass article G. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

In one or more embodiments, the maximum compressive stresses CS1 and CS2 of first compression region CSR1 and second compression region CSR2 may be about 700Mpa or greater (e.g., 700Mpa or greater). As another example, the maximum compressive stresses CS1 and CS2 of first compression region CSR1 and second compression region CSR2 may be in a range of about 800MPa to about 1050MPa (e.g., 800MPa to 1050 MPa). As yet another example, maximum compressive stresses CS1 and CS2 of first compression region CSR1 and second compression region CSR2 may be in a range of about 850MPa to about 1000MPa (e.g., 850MPa to 1000 MPa).

The first depth of compression DOL1 and the second depth of compression DOL2 inhibit cracks or grooves formed in the first surface US and the second surface RS from propagating to the tensile region CTR inside the glass article G. As the first compression depth DOL1 and the second compression depth DOL2 are larger, the propagation of cracks and the like can be more effectively prevented or reduced. In other words, increasing the first depth of compression DOL1 and the second depth of compression DOL2 improves the suppression of the propagation of the crack or groove formed in the first surface US and the second surface RS to the tensile region CTR inside the glass article G.

For example, first depth of compression DOL1 and second depth of compression DOL2 may be in a range of about 20 μm to about 150 μm (e.g., 20 μm to 150 μm). As another example, first depth of compression DOL1 and second depth of compression DOL2 may be in a range of about 50 μm to about 100 μm (e.g., 50 μm to 100 μm). As yet another example, first depth of compression DOL1 and second depth of compression DOL2 may be in a range of about 70 μm to about 85 μm (e.g., 70 μm to 85 μm).

The first depth of compression DOL1 and the second depth of compression DOL2 may satisfy the following relationship with respect to the thickness t of the glass article G:

mathematical expression 1

DOL1、DOL2≥0.1×t

Glass article G has a neutral stress with a stress value of substantially 0 at first depth of compression DOL1 and second depth of compression DOL2, and a tensile stress in a more inward region. The tensile stress may remain the same or increase toward the center of the glass article G.

In the stress distribution, the absolute value of the slope of the compressive stress may be larger than the absolute value of the slope of the tensile stress. The interior region of glass article G may include a wide segment exhibiting tensile stress and having an average slope of substantially 0. The segment having an average slope of 0 in the tensile region CTR may have a width greater than the first and second compression depths DOL1 and DOL2 (i.e., have a width greater than the first and second compression depths DOL1 and DOL2 in the thickness direction of the glass article G), but the disclosure is not limited thereto.

The tensile stress of tensile region CTR may be balanced with the compressive stress of first compressive region CSR1 and second compressive region CSR 2. That is, the total compressive stress of glass article G may be the same as the total tensile stress of glass article G. When the stress distribution of the glass article G is expressed as the function f (x), the following relationship can be established.

Mathematical expression 2

In the case of a glass article G having the same maximum compressive stresses CS1 and CS2 and the same depth of compression DOL1 and DOL2 in the first compression region CSR1 and the second compression region CSR2, the distribution thereof is approximately triangular in shape, and the distribution of the tensile region CTR is approximately substantially rectangular in shape, the following relational expression can be established.

Mathematical expression 3

CT1＝(CS1×DOL1)/(t-2×DOL1)

In mathematical expression 3, CT1 represents the maximum tensile stress in the tensile region CTR, and CS1 represents the maximum compressive stress in the first compressive region CSR 1.

The larger the magnitude of the tensile stress in the glass article G, the more likely the fragments are violently released when the glass article G is broken, and the more likely the glass article G is broken from the inside. The maximum tensile stress that meets the criterion of frangibility for glass article G may satisfy the following relationship.

Mathematical expression 4

CT1≤-37.6×ln(t)+48.7

In mathematical expression 4, CT1 is indicated in MPa, thickness t is indicated in mm, and ln (t) is the natural logarithm of thickness t.

When the maximum tensile stress CT1 falls within the range defined in the following mathematical expression 5, the maximum tensile stress CT1 of the glass article G may satisfy the condition of mathematical expression 4.

Mathematical expression 5

-37.6×ln(t)+10≤CT1≤-37.6×ln(t)+48

The stress distribution shown in fig. 4 can be achieved by an ion exchange process.

To increase the strength of the glass article G, the maximum compressive stresses CS1 and CS2 and the compressive depths DOL1 and DOL2 may be increased. However, when the total compression stress increases, the tensile stress also increases according to mathematical expression 2 or mathematical expression 3. To meet the criterion of friability and obtain improved strength, the stress distribution is adjusted to increase the maximum compressive stresses CS1 and CS2 and the depths of compression DOL1 and DOL2 and to reduce the total compressive stress (e.g., the area of the compressive region of fig. 4). Adjusting the stress profile of the glass article G may be controlled by ion exchange processes, heat treatment processes, post-treatment processes, and the like.

The ion exchange process is a process of exchanging ions in the glass article G with other ions. By performing an ion exchange process, ions at or near the surface US, RS, SS of the glass article G may be replaced or exchanged by larger ions having the same valence or oxidation state. For example, when the glass article G contains a material such as Li⁺、Na⁺、K⁺And Rb⁺With monovalent alkali metals, monovalent cations on the surface US, RS, SS may be replaced by Na having a larger ionic radius⁺、K⁺、Rb⁺Or Cs⁺And (4) ion replacement.

Referring to fig. 5, when the glass is dipped, for example, into a bath containing potassium nitrate (KNO)₃) When the glass containing sodium ions is exposed to potassium ions in the molten salt bath of (1), the sodium ions in the glass are discharged to the outside and the potassium ions can replace them. The exchanged potassium ions create a compressive stress because they have a larger ionic radius than the sodium ions. The greater the amount of exchanged potassium ions, the greater the compressive stress. Since ion exchange occurs through the surface of the glass, the amount (i.e., density) of potassium ions on the surface of the glass is maximized. Although some of the exchanged potassium ions may diffuse into the glass to increase the depth of compression, their amount (density) may generally decrease as they are farther from the surface (i.e., as the distance from the surface of the glass into the glass increases). Thus, the glass may have a stress distribution with a maximum compressive stress on the surface and a compressive stress decreasing toward the inside of the glass. However, the present disclosure is not limited to the above examples. The stress distribution may vary depending on the temperature, time, number of times of the ion exchange process, presence or absence of heat treatment, etc.

The ion exchange process described above may be performed by the strengthened glass manufacturing apparatus 1, which will be described in more detail below. Hereinafter, the tempered glass manufacturing apparatus 1 according to the embodiment will be described in more detail.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a strengthened glass manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the strengthened glass manufacturing apparatus of FIG. 6. Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the reinforcement compartment, the slide plate, and the preheating compartment of fig. 6.

The first direction DR1, the second direction DR2 and the third direction DR3 intersect each other in different directions. The first direction DR1 may be a horizontal direction, the second direction DR2 may be a vertical direction, and the third direction DR3 may be a height direction (thickness direction). The third direction DR3 may include an upward direction toward the upper side or top of fig. 6 and a downward direction toward the lower side or bottom of fig. 6. However, these directions are examples, and the present disclosure is not limited to those mentioned above.

The following tempered glass manufacturing apparatus 1 includes a device for chemically tempering glass. The glass article manufactured by the strengthened glass manufacturing apparatus 1 may be the glass article G shown in fig. 1, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

Referring to fig. 6 to 8, the tempered glass manufacturing apparatus 1 includes a tempering chamber 10, a preheating chamber 20, and a first induction coil IH 1. The tempered glass manufacturing apparatus 1 may further include a sliding plate 30, a guide 40, a cassette 50, a cassette transfer section 60, a second induction coil IH2, a third induction coil IH3, and a heating element RH.

The reinforcement chamber 10 includes a first chamber having a space S1. The space S1 of the first chamber may be recessed downward by a set depth (e.g., a predetermined depth) and may communicate with the outside. In other words, the intensification chamber 10 may define an internal volume (or space S1) that is accessible from the outside. The intensification chamber 10 may include: an upper portion 10_1 which is at least partially opened to form a first opening OP1 through which the cassette 50 is loaded/unloaded through the first opening OP 1; a lower portion 10_3, which is flat and faces the upper portion 10_ 1; and at least one sidewall 10_2 connected to an edge of the lower portion 10_3 and extending upward (e.g., upward to the upper portion 10_ 1). The first opening OP1 may be formed to open (e.g., completely open) the upper portion 10_1 of the reinforcement chamber 10. The molten salt for reinforcing glass may be contained in the space S1 of the first chamber. The molten salt may comprise potassium nitrate. The molten salt may be in a first temperature range. The first temperature range may be between about 340 ℃ and about 390 ℃ (e.g., between 340 ℃ and 390 ℃). The intensification chamber 10 may include a water tank for containing molten salt. The reinforcement chamber 10 may include a cartridge mounting portion 10_ CM disposed at a set height (e.g., a predetermined height) from the bottom of the space S1 of the first chamber to mount the cartridge 50.

The preheating compartment 20 is provided on or at one side of the strengthening compartment 10. The one side of the strengthening chamber 10 may be an upper side of the strengthening chamber 10. In one or more embodiments, the preheating compartment 20 may be disposed above the strengthening compartment 10, and the preheating compartment 20 may be movable in a first direction DR1 along a guide 40 (which will be described in more detail below). The preheating compartment 20 includes a second compartment having a space S2 communicating with the outside. The space S2 of the second chamber may be recessed upward by a set depth (e.g., a predetermined depth), and may communicate with the outside. In other words, the preheating compartment 20 may define an internal volume (or space S2) accessible from the outside. The preheating chamber 20 may include: a lower portion 20_3 which is at least partially opened to form a second opening OP2 through which the cassette 50 is loaded/unloaded through the second opening OP 2; an upper portion 20_1, which is flat and faces the lower portion 20_ 3; and at least one sidewall 20_2 connected to an edge of the upper portion 20_1 and extending downward (e.g., downward to the lower portion 20_ 3). The second opening OP2 may be formed to completely open the lower portion 20_3 of the preheating compartment 20. As the preheating chamber 20 moves, the lower portion 20_3 of the preheating chamber 20 may be disposed to face the upper portion 10_1 of the strengthening chamber 10, or may be disposed to be displaced (e.g., offset) from the upper portion 10_1 thereof. Accordingly, the first opening OP1 and the second opening OP2 may be disposed to face each other, or may be disposed to be displaced (e.g., offset) from each other. For example, the preheating chamber 20 may be moved between a first configuration in which the first opening OP1 and the second opening OP2 overlap in the third direction DR3 and a second configuration in which the first opening OP1 and the second opening OP2 do not overlap in the third direction DR 3. The preheating chamber 20 may provide a space for preheating the cartridge 50, the hook HK, and a target object (which will be described in more detail below) accommodated in the cartridge 50. The preheating chamber 20 may include one or more sliding members 20_ S disposed at an edge of the open lower portion 20_3 and slidably coupled to a guide portion 40 (which will be described in more detail below).

In one or more embodiments, the intensification chamber 10 and the preheating chamber 20 exemplarily have a rectangular shape, but the shapes of the intensification chamber 10 and the preheating chamber 20 are not limited thereto. For example, the intensification chamber 10 and the preheat chamber 20 may be any suitable shape that defines an interior volume for the loading/unloading cassette 50. In one or more embodiments, the strengthening chamber 10 and/or the preheating chamber 20 may have the shape of a polygonal prism or a cylinder.

The cassette 50 accommodates a target object to be processed. The target object may include glass. In one or more embodiments, the cartridge 50 may include at least one frame having a plurality of spaces for mounting the target object. For example, each of the plurality of spaces may accommodate a target object mounted on a portion of at least one frame. In one or more embodiments, the cartridge 50 may be transferred from the outside into the preheat chamber 20, preheated in the preheat chamber 20, and then loaded into the intensification chamber 10 (e.g., loaded from the preheat chamber 20 into the intensification chamber 10). The preheating may be performed by induction heating and/or resistance heating. The cassette 50 may include a conductor, such as a metal, which is a material suitable for induction heating. In one or more embodiments, the cartridge 50 may include stainless steel, and may be preheated in the preheating chamber 20 to have a temperature within the second temperature range. The second temperature range may be lower than the first temperature range or may at least partially overlap the first temperature range. The difference between the first temperature range and the second temperature range may be about 5 ℃ to about 30 ℃ (e.g., 5 ℃ to 30 ℃). The second temperature range may be between about 325 ℃ and about 340 ℃ (e.g., between 325 ℃ and 340 ℃), or between about 330 ℃ and about 335 ℃ (e.g., between 330 ℃ and 335 ℃). In the preheating chamber 20, the hook HK of the cartridge transfer portion 60, which will be described in more detail below, may also be preheated together with the cartridge 50 to have a temperature within the second temperature range.

The cartridge transfer section 60 moves the cartridge 50 in at least one direction. For example, the cartridge transfer section 60 may transfer the cartridge 50 mounted on the external tray into the space S2 in the second compartment of the preheating compartment 20, and may load the cartridge 50 preheated in the preheating compartment 20 into the space S1 in the first compartment of the strengthening compartment 10. In one or more embodiments, the cassette transfer part 60 may be disposed to pass through a cable through hole 20H formed in the upper portion 20_1 of the preheating compartment 20. The cartridge transfer section 60 may be integrally connected to the preheating chamber 20 to move together with the preheating chamber 20 when the preheating chamber 20 moves. The cartridge transfer part 60 may include a hook HK for hanging the cartridge 50. The hook HK may include a conductor such as a metal. In one or more embodiments, the hook HK may comprise stainless steel. However, the present disclosure is not so limited, and any suitable material may be used for the hook HK.

The guide portion 40 may extend from the reinforcement chamber 10 in the first direction DR 1. The first direction DR1 may be a horizontal direction. In one or more embodiments, the guide part 40 may include a rail frame 40_1 extending in a horizontal direction and having one end fixed to the reinforcement chamber 10, and a support frame 40_2 connected to the other end of the rail frame 40_1 and extending in a vertical direction. The guide rail frame 40_1 may include one or more rails for guiding the movement of the preheating compartment 20 and/or the sliding plate 30 in the first direction DR 1. In one or more embodiments, the rail of the rail frame 40_1 may be adjacent to the strengthened compartment 10 and extend along an end of the strengthened compartment 10 in the first direction DR1 to a position below the preheating compartment 20 and/or the sliding plate 30.

The slide plate 30 slides along the guide part 40 in the first direction DR 1. The sliding plate 30 may open/close the first opening OP1 of the reinforcement chamber 10. In one or more embodiments, the sliding plate 30 may have a rectangular shape in a plan view. The sliding plate 30 may have a size larger than that of the reinforcement compartment 10 in a plan view. The sliding plate 30 may include a roller 30_ R for sliding on a side thereof adjacent to the preheating compartment 20.

The first induction coil IH1 may be disposed at the preheating compartment 20 or in the vicinity of the preheating compartment 20. The first induction coil IH1 directly heats the cartridge 50 and/or the hook HK using induction heating. Induction heating is a method of generating eddy currents in a target object to be heated by electromagnetic induction, and heating the target object by joule heat caused by the generated eddy currents and resistance and hysteresis loss of the target object. In one or more embodiments, as shown in fig. 7 and 8 (a), the first induction coil IH1 may be disposed in the upper portion 20_1 of the preheating chamber 20. Specifically, the first induction coil IH1 may be buried in the upper portion 20_1 of the preheating chamber 20 in the shape of a disk-shaped coil spirally wound on a plane parallel to the first direction DR1 and the second direction DR 2. In some embodiments, the first induction coil IH1 may be disposed inside and/or outside the preheating chamber 20.

A second induction coil IH2 is provided at the slide plate 30 to inductively heat the cartridge 50 and/or the hook HK. For example, a second induction coil IH2 is provided in or on a surface of the slide plate 30 to inductively heat the cartridge 50 and/or the hook HK. The second induction coil IH2 may be disposed parallel to the first induction coil IH 1. In one or more embodiments, as shown in fig. 7 and 8 (b), the second induction coil IH2 may be buried in the sliding plate 30. Specifically, the second induction coil IH2 may be provided inside the sliding plate 30 in the shape of a disk-shaped coil spirally wound on a plane parallel to the first direction DR1 and the second direction DR 2.

The third induction coil IH3 may be disposed at the intensification chamber 10 or in the vicinity of the intensification chamber 10. The third induction coil IH3 directly heats the cartridge 50 and/or the hook HK using induction heating. In one or more embodiments, as shown in fig. 7 and 8 (c), a third induction coil IH3 may be disposed in the lower portion 10_3 of the reinforcement chamber 10. Specifically, the third induction coil IH3 may be buried in the lower part 10_3 of the intensification chamber 10 in the shape of a disk-shaped coil spirally wound on a plane parallel to the first direction DR1 and the second direction DR 2. In some embodiments, the third induction coil IH3 may be disposed inside and/or outside the reinforcement chamber 10.

The first induction coil IH1, the second induction coil IH2, and/or the third induction coil IH3 may be disposed parallel to each other. That is, the cartridge 50 and/or the hook HK may be disposed between the first induction coil IH1 and the second induction coil IH2 or between the second induction coil IH2 and the third induction coil IH3, and may be heated by transverse flux induction heating. At this time, the first induction coil IH1, the second induction coil IH2, and/or the third induction coil IH3 may be driven, so that an alternating magnetic field may be applied to the cartridge 50 and/or the hook HK, and directions of the alternating magnetic field applied to the cartridge 50 and/or the hook HK may coincide with each other.

In one or more embodiments, the disc-shaped coils are exemplified by the first induction coil IH1, the second induction coil IH2, and the third induction coil IH3, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The first, second, and third induction coils IH1, IH2, and IH3 may be arranged in various suitable shapes such as a circular shape, a rectangular shape, and a spiral/helical shape.

The first induction coil IH1, the second induction coil IH2, and the third induction coil IH3 may include at least one of copper, nickel, brass, cobalt, aluminum, iron, silver, carbon fiber, platinum, tungsten, graphite, silicon, and alloys thereof.

The driving frequencies of the first induction coil IH1, the second induction coil IH2, and the third induction coil IH3 may include a low frequency ranging from about 50Hz to about 60Hz (e.g., 50Hz to 60Hz), a medium frequency ranging from about 100Hz to about 10kHz (e.g., 100Hz to 10kHz), a high frequency ranging from about 10kHz to about 500kHz (e.g., 10kHz to 500kHz), and a radio frequency ranging from about 100kHz to about 500kHz (e.g., 100kHz to 500 kHz).

The heating element RH may be disposed in the strengthening chamber 10 and/or the preheating chamber 20. The heating element RH may use resistive heating to indirectly heat the cassette 50, the glass contained in the cassette 50, and/or the hooks HK. Unlike induction heating, which directly heats a target object, resistance heating represents a method of indirectly heating the target object via convection or heat radiation using joule heat generated in the heating element RH itself by applying a current to the heating element RH. Accordingly, the first, second, and third induction coils IH1, IH2, and IH3 directly and selectively heat only the cassette 50 and the coil including the conductor, and the heating element RH integrally heats the inside of the strengthening chamber 10 and the inside of the preheating chamber 20, thereby indirectly heating the cassette 50, the glass accommodated in the cassette 50, and the hooks HK. The heating element RH may comprise a metallic heating element RH such as iron, chromium, aluminum, nickel, tungsten, tantalum, molybdenum or platinum. Further, the heating element RH may include a non-metallic heating element RH such as silicon carbide, molybdenum dioxide, lanthanum chloride, or carbon graphite. Further, the heating element RH may include an electric heating cable, a ceramic heater, and a sheath heater including a metal heating wire and an inorganic insulating material. In one or more embodiments, the heating element RH may be formed of a coiled heating wire, and may be disposed on inner sidewalls forming or defining the spaces S1 and S2 in the first and second chambers of the strengthening chamber 10 and the preheating chamber 20, respectively. Hereinafter, for convenience of description, the heating element RH disposed in the space S2 in the second chamber of the preheating chamber 20 is referred to as a first heating element RH1, and the heating element RH disposed in the space S1 in the first chamber of the tempering chamber 10 is referred to as a second heating element RH 2.

Fig. 9 to 12 are sectional views illustrating the operation of the strengthened glass manufacturing apparatus of fig. 6.

Fig. 9 shows the movement of the cartridge into the space in the second compartment of the preheating compartment. Fig. 10 shows the movement of the preheating chamber onto the upper part of the strengthening chamber. Figure 11 shows the immersion of the cartridge in molten salt in the strengthening chamber. Fig. 12 shows moving the sliding plate.

Referring to fig. 9, glass before or before strengthening may be contained in a cassette 50. The glass contained in the cassette 50 may be, for example, one of the glass articles G shown in fig. 1. The glass article may not have been strengthened. The cartridge 50 may be transferred from another location by a tray and positioned in an appropriate or suitable location to be lifted by the cartridge transfer section 60.

When the cartridge 50 is placed under the preheating compartment 20, the cartridge transfer section 60 may lift the cartridge 50 upward and load it into the space S2 in the second compartment of the preheating compartment 20. Specifically, one side of the cartridge 50 may be hung on a hook HK of the cartridge transfer portion 60, and the cartridge transfer portion 60 may transfer the cartridge 50 to an appropriate or proper position in the preheating chamber 20 by winding or unwinding a cable connected to the hook HK to perform preheating. In order to expose the second opening OP2 to the outside to receive the cartridge 50 from the outside, the preheating compartment 20 may be disposed not to overlap the reinforcement compartment 10 in the third direction DR3, and the sliding plate 30 may be disposed on the reinforcement compartment 10 to cover the first opening OP 1.

Referring to fig. 10, after the cartridge 50 is received in the preheating chamber 20, the preheating chamber 20 may be moved along the guide portion 40 in the first direction DR1 such that the second opening OP2 may face the first opening OP1 of the strengthening chamber 10. For example, the preheating chamber 20 may move toward the right side of fig. 10 (as indicated by an arrow in fig. 10). Accordingly, the preheating compartment 20, the sliding plate 30, and the reinforcement compartment 10 may be disposed to overlap in the third direction DR 3.

When the preheating compartment 20 is disposed on the sliding plate 30, the first induction coil IH1 and the second induction coil IH2 may be disposed to face each other with the cartridge 50 and the hook HK interposed therebetween. After the preheating chamber 20 moves, AC power may be applied to the first induction coil IH1 and the second induction coil IH 2. Accordingly, the first and second induction coils IH1 and IH2 may generate eddy currents in the cartridge 50 and/or the hook HK to inductively heat the cartridge 50 and/or the hook HK. The first induction coil IH1 and the second induction coil IH2 are driven so that the directions of the magnetic fields applied to the cartridge 50 and/or the hook HK may coincide. Therefore, the preheating efficiency of the cartridge 50 and/or the hook HK can be increased. At this time, the first heating element RH1 may also be driven together (e.g., simultaneously) with the first induction coil IH1 and the second induction coil IH2, thereby indirectly heating the cassette 50 and the glass contained in the cassette 50. In one or more embodiments, the cartridge 50 and/or the hook HK may be preheated to a temperature of about 330 ℃ to about 340 ℃ (e.g., 330 ℃ to 340 ℃) by the first and second induction coils IH1 and IH2 and the first heating element RH1 disposed in the preheating chamber 20. That is, the tempered glass manufacturing apparatus 1 according to the embodiment not only indirectly heats the cartridge 50 and/or the hook HK through the first heating element RH1, but also directly heats the cartridge 50 and/or the hook HK through the first induction coil IH1 and the second induction coil IH2, so that the preheating time can be reduced (e.g., greatly reduced). Further, in molten salts comprising potassium nitrate, the salt is typically produced at a temperature of about 330 ℃ (e.g., 330 ℃). Since the tempered glass manufacturing apparatus 1 according to the embodiment preheats the cassette 50 and/or the hooks HK to have a sufficient temperature (for example, a temperature greater than 330 ℃), it is possible to prevent or reduce the generation of salt due to the temperature difference between the cassette 50 and the molten salt in the tempering chamber 10.

Referring to fig. 11, after the cartridge 50 and/or the hooks HK are sufficiently warmed up, the sliding plate 30 may be moved along the guide portions 40 in the first direction DR1 such that the first opening OP1 of the intensification chamber 10 may be opened. For example, the sliding plate 30 may be moved toward the left side of fig. 11. At this time, the space S2 in the second chamber of the preheating chamber 20 may communicate with the space S1 in the first chamber of the strengthening chamber 10 in the vertical direction. After the sliding plate 30 moves, the cassette transfer section 60 may transfer the cassette 50 from the preheating compartment 20 to the reinforcement compartment 10. Specifically, the cable of the cassette transfer part 60 may be unwound, and thus the cassette 50 hung on the hook HK of the cassette transfer part 60 may be moved downward, so that at least a portion of the cassette 50 may be immersed in the molten salt contained in the space S1 in the first chamber of the strengthening chamber 10. In one or more embodiments, the cartridge 50 may be mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 10_ CM provided in the space S1 in the first chamber of the reinforcement chamber 10. Therefore, even after being separated from the hooks HK of the cartridge transfer portion 60, the cartridge 50 can be fixed in a proper or proper position in the strengthening chamber 10.

Referring to fig. 12, after transferring the cartridge 50 into the space S1 in the first compartment of the reinforcement compartment 10, the sliding plate 30 may be moved along the guide 40 again in the first direction DR1 to close the first opening OP1 of the reinforcement compartment 10. For example, the sliding plate 30 may be moved toward the right side of fig. 12. When the sliding plate 30 is disposed on the reinforcement chamber 10, the second induction coil IH2 and the third induction coil IH3 may be disposed to face each other with the cartridge 50 interposed therebetween. After the sliding plate 30 is moved, AC power may be applied to the second induction coil IH2 and the third induction coil IH 3. Accordingly, the second induction coil IH2 and the third induction coil IH3 may generate eddy currents in the cartridge 50 to inductively heat the cartridge 50. The second induction coil IH2 and the third induction coil IH3 are driven so that the directions of the magnetic fields applied to the cartridge 50 may coincide. Therefore, the preheating efficiency of the cartridge 50 can be increased. At the same time, the second heating element RH2 may also be driven together (e.g., simultaneously) with the second induction coil IH2 and the third induction coil IH3 to indirectly heat the cassette 50 and the glass contained in the cassette 50. Accordingly, the tempered glass manufacturing apparatus 1 according to the embodiment may appropriately or suitably maintain the temperatures of the cassette 50, the hook HK, and the molten salt, thereby stably performing the glass tempering process without the generation of the salt, wherein the glass tempering process is performed at a relatively low temperature in the range of about 340 ℃ to about 390 ℃ (e.g., 340 ℃ to 390 ℃).

When a set amount (e.g., a predetermined amount) of time (e.g., about 10 minutes to about 30 minutes) has elapsed after the cartridge 50 is immersed in the molten salt of the simply-sealed cell 10, the slide plate 30 may be moved along the guide portion 40 again to open the upper portion 10_1 of the simply-sealed cell 10. Then, the cartridge transfer section 60 may lift up the cartridge 50 to take out the cartridge 50 from the strengthening chamber 10.

Fig. 13 is a perspective view of a strengthened glass manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment. FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the strengthened glass manufacturing apparatus of FIG. 13.

The embodiment of fig. 13 differs from the embodiment of fig. 6 in the shape and arrangement of the strengthening chamber 10, the preheating chamber 20 and the induction coil.

Referring to fig. 13 and 14, the tempered glass manufacturing apparatus 1a may include a tempering chamber 10, a preheating chamber 20, a cassette 50, a cassette transfer part 60, a fourth induction coil IH4, an induction coil moving part 31, an induction coil guide part 41, and a guide frame 70.

The intensification chamber 10 includes a first chamber having a space S1 containing molten salt and communicating with the outside. An upper portion of the intensification chamber 10 is at least partially opened to form a first opening OP 1.

The preheating compartment 20 includes a second compartment having a space S2 for preheating. A lower portion of the preheating chamber 20 may be at least partially opened to form the second opening OP2, and an upper portion of the preheating chamber 20 may be at least partially opened to form the third opening OP 3. That is, the space S2 of the second chamber may include a cavity opened upward and downward to communicate with the outside. For example, the preheating chamber 20 may be a tube having a passage extending through the preheating chamber 20 in the third direction DR 3.

Unlike the embodiment of fig. 6, the preheating compartment 20 may be fixed above the strengthening compartment 10 such that at least a portion of the preheating compartment 20 overlaps the strengthening compartment 10 in the third direction DR 3. In some embodiments, the strengthening chamber 10 may completely overlap with the preheating chamber 20 in a plan view. The intensification chamber 10 and the preheating chamber 20 may be aligned in the third direction DR3 such that the cavity or passage of the preheating chamber 20 may communicate with the space S1 in the first chamber of the intensification chamber 10. The preheating chamber 20 may be disposed to be spaced apart from the strengthening chamber 10 (from the strengthening chamber 10) in the vertical direction. Alternatively, the preheating chamber 20 may be disposed in close contact with the upper portion of the strengthening chamber 10.

The strengthening chamber 10 and the preheating chamber 20 may have the same shape and/or the same size in a plan view. Specifically, the intensification chamber 10 and the preheating chamber 20 may have a cylindrical shape, and the outer diameter of the intensification chamber 10 may be the same as that of the preheating chamber 20. In some embodiments, the preheating chamber 20 may have an outer diameter greater than the strengthening chamber 10. Fig. 13 illustrates the strengthening chamber 10 and the preheating chamber 20 having a cylindrical shape, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

The strengthening chamber 10 and the preheating chamber 20 may be selectively inserted into a fourth induction coil IH4 (which will be described in more detail below). The size (e.g., outer diameter) of the strengthening chamber 10 and the preheating chamber 20 may be smaller than the inner diameter of the fourth induction coil IH4 (which will be described in more detail below) in a plan view.

The fourth induction coil IH4 may inductively heat the cartridge 50 and/or the hook HK. The fourth induction coil IH4 may be arranged to be movable from the preheat chamber 20 to the intensification chamber 10 and/or movable from the intensification chamber 10 to the preheat chamber 20. The fourth induction coil IH4 may be disposed to surround (e.g., surround or surround) the outer side surface of the strengthening chamber 10 and/or the preheating chamber 20 having a cylindrical shape. The fourth induction coil IH4 may inductively heat the cartridge 50 and/or the hook HK by longitudinal flux induction heating. Specifically, the fourth induction coil IH4 may be formed of a spiral coil having an inner diameter larger than the outer diameters of the strengthening chamber 10 and the preheating chamber 20. The fourth induction coil IH4 may move up and down by the induction coil moving part 31 to selectively surround the strengthening chamber 10 and the preheating chamber 20. That is, in the embodiment of fig. 13, unlike the embodiment of fig. 6, one fourth induction coil IH4 for induction heating is arranged to be movable from the preheating chamber 20 to the strengthening chamber 10, and to be movable from the strengthening chamber 10 to the preheating chamber 20.

The induction coil moving part 31 is coupled to one side of the fourth induction coil IH4 and vertically moves the fourth induction coil IH 4. Specifically, the induction coil moving part 31 may move the fourth induction coil IH4 upward from the strengthening chamber 10 so that the fourth induction coil IH4 may surround the outer side surface of the preheating chamber 20. In addition, the induction coil moving part 31 may move the fourth induction coil IH4 downward from the preheating chamber 20 so that the fourth induction coil IH4 may surround the outer side surface of the strengthening chamber 10.

The induction coil guide part 41 is coupled to the induction coil moving part 31 and guides a moving direction of the fourth induction coil IH 4. The induction coil guide 41 may include a rod-shaped frame extending in a vertical direction and penetrating or extending through the induction coil moving part 31, but is not limited thereto.

The cartridge transfer section 60 may move the cartridge 50 in at least one direction. For example, the cartridge transfer section 60 may transfer the cartridge 50 from the outside into the space S2 in the second compartment of the preheating compartment 20 and load the cartridge 50 preheated in the preheating compartment 20 into the space S1 in the first compartment of the strengthening compartment 10. The cartridge transfer section 60 may be arranged to be movable along a portion of a guide frame 70 (to be described in more detail below) extending in the first direction DR 1. The cartridge transfer part 60 may include a hook HK.

The guide frame 70 may include a horizontal portion extending in the first direction DR1 (e.g., extending in the first direction DR1 to a position above the preheating compartment 20 and the strengthening compartment 10) to guide the movement of the cassette transfer part 60, and a vertical portion extending downward from one end of the horizontal portion.

The heating element RH may be disposed in the preheating chamber 20 and/or the strengthening chamber 10. The heating element RH may indirectly heat the cassette 50, the glass contained in the cassette 50, and/or the hooks HK through resistance heating. The heating element RH may include a first heating element RH1 disposed in the preheating chamber 20 and a second heating element RH2 disposed in the strengthening chamber 10.

Since the embodiment of fig. 13 is the same as or similar to the embodiment of fig. 6 except for the shape and arrangement of the strengthening chamber 10, the preheating chamber 20, and the induction coil, redundant description will not be repeated below.

Hereinafter, the operation of the tempered glass manufacturing apparatus 1a will be described in more detail with reference to fig. 15 to 17.

Fig. 15 to 17 are sectional views illustrating the operation of the strengthened glass manufacturing apparatus of fig. 13.

Fig. 15 shows a lifting cassette. Fig. 16 shows the transfer of the cartridge into the preheat chamber. Figure 17 shows the immersion of the cartridge in molten salt in the strengthening chamber.

Referring to fig. 15, the hook HK of the cassette transfer part 60 may be coupled to one side of the cassette 50 mounted on the external tray, and the cable of the cassette transfer part 60 may be wound to lift the cassette 50 upward.

Referring to fig. 16, the cassette transfer part 60 moves the cassette 50 along the guide frame 70 in the first direction DR1, and the wire is unwound from the upper side of the preheating compartment 20 to position the cassette 50 in the space S2 in the second compartment of the preheating compartment 20.

After the cartridge 50 is accommodated in the space S2 in the second chamber of the preheating chamber 20, AC power may be applied to the fourth induction coil IH 4. Accordingly, the fourth induction coil IH4 may generate eddy currents in the cartridge 50 and/or the hook HK to inductively heat the cartridge 50 and/or the hook HK. The fourth induction coil IH4 may be initially disposed at the preheating compartment 20 or may be moved from the strengthening compartment 10 to the preheating compartment 20. At this time, the first heating element RH1 may be driven together with (e.g., simultaneously with) the fourth induction coil IH4 to facilitate preheating of the cartridge 50 and/or the hook HK.

Referring to fig. 17, after the cartridge 50 and/or the hook HK are sufficiently warmed up, the cartridge transfer portion 60 may move the cartridge 50 downward to dip the cartridge 50 into the molten salt of the strengthening chamber 10. At this time, the induction coil moving part 31 moves the fourth induction coil IH4 downward according to the movement of the cartridge 50 so that the fourth induction coil IH4 can surround the reinforcement chamber 10. The fourth induction coil IH4 may continue to inductively heat the cartridge 50 and/or the hook HK while the cartridge 50 remains in the reinforcement chamber 10. The second heating element RH2 is driven together with (e.g., simultaneously with) the fourth induction coil IH4 to appropriately maintain the temperatures of the cartridge 50, the hook HK and the molten salt, so that the chemical reaction can be stably performed in the strengthening chamber 10.

When a set amount (e.g., a predetermined amount) of time has elapsed after the cartridge 50 is loaded into the reinforcement chamber 10, the cartridge transfer section 60 may lift the cartridge 50 upward to take out the cartridge 50 from the reinforcement chamber 10.

FIG. 18 is a flow diagram of a method of manufacturing strengthened glass according to an embodiment.

The strengthened glass manufacturing method can be performed by the strengthened glass manufacturing apparatus 1 of fig. 6 or the strengthened glass manufacturing apparatus 1a of fig. 13.

Referring to fig. 18, the strengthened glass manufacturing method includes: raising the temperature of the target object to be processed to fall within (or be within) the first temperature range by induction heating the cassette 50 accommodating the target object (action S101); and chemically strengthening the target object whose temperature has been increased in a second temperature range higher than the first temperature range (act S102). The first temperature range and the second temperature range may be the second temperature range and the first temperature range of fig. 6 to 8, respectively.

The strengthened glass manufacturing method can further include at least one of resistively heating the cassette 50 using the at least one heating element RH and inductively heating the hook HK suspending the cassette 50.

Referring to fig. 6 to 12, the act S101 of raising the temperature of the target object to fall within the first temperature range may include an act of inductively heating the cartridge 50 using the first induction coil IH1 disposed on one side of the cartridge 50 and the second induction coil IH2 disposed on the other side of the cartridge 50. In this case, the first and second induction coils IH1 and IH2 may apply magnetic fields in the same direction to the cartridge 50.

The act S102 of chemically strengthening the target object, the temperature of which has been increased, in a second temperature range higher than the first temperature range may further include an act of inductively heating the cartridge 50 using a second induction coil IH2 disposed on one side of the cartridge 50 and a third induction coil IH3 disposed on the other side of the cartridge 50. In this case, the second induction coil IH2 and the third induction coil IH3 may apply magnetic fields in the same direction to the cartridge 50.

Referring to fig. 13 to 17, the strengthened glass manufacturing method may further include an act of moving the at least one induction coil after raising the temperature of the target object to fall within the first temperature range.

The strengthened glass manufacturing method can omit at least one of the acts described above, or can also include one or more other acts with reference to fig. 1-17.

At the end of the detailed description, those skilled in the art will appreciate that many variations and modifications may be made to the preferred embodiments without substantially departing from the principles of the present disclosure. Accordingly, the disclosed preferred embodiments of the present disclosure have been used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.

While the present disclosure has been particularly shown and described with reference to certain exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as set forth in the following claims and their equivalents.