JP7764722B2 - Glass fiber manufacturing apparatus and glass fiber manufacturing method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a glass fiber manufacturing apparatus and a glass fiber manufacturing method.

As described in Patent Document 1, glass fiber production uses a manufacturing device that includes a feeder for circulating molten glass and a bushing that is positioned below the feeder and has multiple nozzles through which the molten glass flows. With this type of glass fiber manufacturing device, multiple glass filaments can be formed by causing molten glass to flow from each nozzle of the bushing.

JP 2012-091954 A

The feeder of the above-mentioned conventional glass fiber manufacturing apparatus has a bottom wall and a pair of side walls located on either side of the bottom wall. The bottom wall of the feeder is equipped with an outlet section that allows molten glass to flow downward. The outlet section has a refractory wall and a flow path surrounded by the refractory wall. When the refractory wall of this outlet section is heated by the molten glass, it may crack due to thermal expansion. Relatively small fragments generated by cracking of the refractory wall of the outlet section may flow into the bushing, causing instability in the formation of glass filaments.

The object of the present invention is to provide a glass fiber manufacturing apparatus and a glass fiber manufacturing method that enable stable molding of glass filaments.

A glass fiber manufacturing apparatus that solves the above problem includes a feeder for circulating molten glass and a bushing disposed below the feeder and having multiple nozzles from which the molten glass flows. The feeder has a bottom wall and a pair of side walls disposed on either side of the bottom wall. The bottom wall of the feeder has an outlet portion for allowing the molten glass to flow downward. The outlet portion has a fireproof wall and a flow path surrounded by the fireproof wall. The fireproof wall has dividing portions that divide the fireproof wall into multiple fireproof members in a plan view. With this configuration, when the fireproof wall of the outlet portion thermally expands, the thermal stress of the fireproof wall of the outlet portion can be released by the relative movement of the multiple fireproof members that make up the outlet portion. This makes it possible to prevent cracks from occurring in the fireproof wall of the outlet portion.

In the above-described glass fiber manufacturing apparatus, the peripheral edge of the fire-resistant wall may be composed of multiple frame portions including straight portions in a plan view. With this configuration, for example, the fire-resistant wall can be composed of frame portions with a simple shape.

In the above-described glass fiber manufacturing apparatus, at least one of the plurality of frame sections may have a pair of adjacent partitions that are closer to each other as they extend inward in a plan view. With this configuration, when the fire-resistant wall of the outflow section thermally expands, the fire-resistant member between the pair of partitions can be prevented from moving relative to the inward direction of the outflow section. This makes it possible to prevent, for example, the flow path of the outflow section from narrowing due to the relative movement of the fire-resistant member between the pair of partitions.

In the above-mentioned glass fiber manufacturing device, at least one of the plurality of frame sections may have a pair of adjacent segments that are closer to each other as they extend downward in a side view. With this configuration, when the fire-resistant wall of the outflow section thermally expands, the fire-resistant member between the pair of segments can be prevented from moving relative to the outflow section below. This makes it easy to prevent the fire-resistant member between the pair of segments from falling off.

In the above-mentioned glass fiber manufacturing apparatus, the pair of dividing sections may each have a linear shape, and the angle formed by the pair of dividing sections may be within a range of 5° or more and 90° or less. When the angle formed by the pair of dividing sections in a plan view of the fire-resistant wall is 5° or more, the fire-resistant member can be more effectively prevented from moving relatively inwardly from the outflow section. When the angle formed by the pair of dividing sections in a side view of the fire-resistant wall is 5° or more, the fire-resistant member can be more effectively prevented from moving relatively downward. When the angle formed by the pair of dividing sections in a plan view and a side view of the fire-resistant wall is 90° or less, for example, it becomes easier to process the refractory material to form the fire-resistant wall.

In the above-mentioned glass fiber manufacturing device, each of the multiple frame sections may have one or more dividing sections. With this configuration, thermal stress generated in the multiple frame sections can be released in a balanced manner. This makes it possible to further prevent cracks from occurring in the fire-resistant wall of the outflow section.

In the above-described glass fiber manufacturing apparatus, the refractory members of the refractory wall may include a pair of first refractory members and a second refractory member disposed between the pair of first refractory members. This configuration makes it possible to easily release thermal stress generated in the refractory wall. This makes it possible to further reduce the occurrence of cracks in the refractory wall at the outflow section.

In the above-described glass fiber manufacturing apparatus, the upper surface of the second refractory member may protrude higher than the upper surfaces of the pair of first refractory members. In this manner, for example, by moving the second refractory member upward relative to the pair of first refractory members, thermal stress in the refractory wall can be released.

The above-described glass fiber manufacturing apparatus may further include a downstream flow path section that supplies the molten glass from the feeder to the bushing, the downstream flow path section having a downstream refractory wall and a downstream flow path surrounded by the downstream refractory wall, and the downstream refractory wall may have a downstream dividing section that divides the downstream refractory wall into multiple downstream refractory members in a plan view. With this configuration, when the downstream refractory wall of the downstream flow path section thermally expands, the thermal stress of the downstream refractory wall of the downstream flow path section can be released by the relative movement of the multiple downstream refractory members that make up the downstream flow path section. This makes it possible to suppress cracking of the downstream refractory wall.

A glass fiber manufacturing method includes a molding step of molding multiple glass filaments using a glass fiber manufacturing apparatus. The glass fiber manufacturing apparatus includes a feeder for circulating molten glass and a bushing disposed below the feeder and having multiple nozzles from which the molten glass flows. The feeder has a bottom wall and a pair of side walls disposed on either side of the bottom wall. The bottom wall of the feeder includes an outlet portion for allowing the molten glass to flow downward. The outlet portion includes a fireproof wall and a flow path surrounded by the fireproof wall. The fireproof wall has a dividing portion that divides the fireproof wall into multiple fireproof members in a plan view.

The present invention makes it possible to stably mold glass filaments.

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a glass fiber manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a glass fiber manufacturing apparatus. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a glass fiber manufacturing apparatus. FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the outlet portion of the feeder. FIG. 2 is a side view showing the outlet portion of the feeder. FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a downstream flow path section. FIG. 10 is a plan view showing the outlet portion of a feeder according to a modified example. FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view showing a modified example of a glass fiber manufacturing apparatus.

An embodiment of a glass fiber manufacturing apparatus and a glass fiber manufacturing method will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that for ease of explanation, some components may be shown exaggerated or simplified in the drawings. Furthermore, the dimensional proportions of each part may differ from the actual proportions.

As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the glass fiber manufacturing apparatus 11 includes a feeder 12 that circulates molten glass MG and a bushing 13 that is positioned below the feeder 12. The glass fiber manufacturing apparatus 11 of this embodiment further includes a downstream flow path section 14 that supplies molten glass MG from the feeder 12 to the bushing 13.

<Feeder 12>
Molten glass MG obtained in a glass melting furnace (not shown) is supplied to a feeder 12 of the glass fiber manufacturing apparatus 11 .

The feeder 12 has a bottom wall W1 and a pair of side walls W2 provided on both sides of the bottom wall W1. The feeder 12 may also have an upper wall W3 arranged to close the upper opening. The feeder 12 circulates the molten glass MG along the Y-axis direction in the drawing.

Feeder 12 is composed of a refractory wall. Refractories that make up the refractory wall include, for example, electrocast bricks and dense fired bricks. Electrocast bricks include, for example, zirconia-based electrocast bricks, alumina-based electrocast bricks, alumina-zirconia-based electrocast bricks, and alumina-zirconia-silica-based electrocast bricks. Dense fired bricks include, for example, dense zircon bricks and dense chrome bricks.

The bottom wall W1 of the feeder 12 is provided with an outlet section 15 through which the molten glass MG flows downward. The outlet section 15 has a fire-resistant wall 16 and a flow path 17 surrounded by the fire-resistant wall 16.

As shown in FIG. 4, the fire-resistant wall 16 of the outflow section 15 is composed of multiple frame sections F1. The peripheral edge of each frame section F1 includes a straight section in plan view. In this embodiment, the fire-resistant wall 16 of the outflow section 15 is rectangular and has four frame sections F1.

The fire-resistant wall 16 of the outflow section 15 has dividing portions 16a that divide the fire-resistant wall 16 into multiple fire-resistant members B in a plan view. In this embodiment, the fire-resistant wall 16 of the outflow section 15 has one or more dividing portions 16a in each of the four frame portions F1. More specifically, each of a pair of frame portions F1 extending along the X-axis direction has one dividing portion 16a. Each of a pair of frame portions F1 extending along the Y-axis direction has three dividing portions 16a.

The fire-resistant members B of the fire-resistant wall 16 in the outflow section 15 include a pair of first fire-resistant members B1 and two second fire-resistant members B2 arranged between the pair of first fire-resistant members B1. As shown in Figures 4 and 5, each of the pair of frame portions F1 extending along the Y-axis direction has two second fire-resistant members B2.

As shown in FIG. 4, the two second refractory members B2 are arranged between a pair of adjacent dividing portions 16a so that they approach each other as they move inward in a planar view. It is preferable that the shape of each of the pair of dividing portions 16a in a planar view extends linearly. It is preferable that the angle θ1 formed by the linearly extending dividing portions 16a in a planar view is within the range of 5° to 90°. The shape of the pair of dividing portions 16a in a planar view may also be curved or stepped. The dividing portion 16a between two adjacent second refractory members B2 extends parallel to the X-axis.

As shown in FIG. 5, the two second refractory members B2 are arranged between a pair of adjacent divisions 16a so that they approach each other downwards in side view. It is preferable that the shape of each of the pair of divisions 16a in side view extends linearly. It is preferable that the angle θ2 formed by the pair of linearly extending divisions 16a in side view is within the range of 5° to 90°. The shape of the pair of divisions 16a in side view may also be curved or stepped. The divisions 16a between two adjacent second refractory members B2 extend parallel to the Z axis.

The first refractory member B1 of the outlet portion 15 of the feeder 12 is supported by a structure ST at the installation location of the glass fiber manufacturing apparatus 11. The second refractory member B2 is supported by a pair of first refractory members B1. The flow path 17 of the outlet portion 15 allows the molten glass MG to flow downward along the Z-axis direction in the drawing.

Examples of the molten glass MG supplied to the feeder 12 include E-glass (glass with an alkali content of 2% or less), D-glass (low dielectric constant glass), AR-glass (alkali-resistant glass), C-glass (acid-resistant glass), M-glass (high elastic modulus glass), S-glass (high strength, high elastic modulus glass), T-glass (high strength, high elastic modulus glass), H-glass (high dielectric constant glass), and NE-glass (low dielectric constant glass). The density of the glass is, for example, 2.0 to 3.0 g/cm ³ .

<Bushing 13>
1 to 3, a bushing 13 of a glass fiber manufacturing apparatus 11 has a plurality of nozzles N from which molten glass MG flows. Each nozzle N of the bushing 13 can form a glass filament GF.

The bushing 13 comprises a bushing body 13a to which molten glass MG is supplied, and a base plate 13b provided at the bottom of the bushing body 13a. The upper part of the bushing body 13a has a supply port through which molten glass MG is supplied from the feeder 12. As shown in Figure 3, the bushing 13 is supported by a support member S on a structure ST at the installation location of the glass fiber manufacturing apparatus 11. Note that the support member S is omitted from Figure 1.

The bushing body 13a may have a screen for preventing foreign matter from accumulating on the base plate 13b, a terminal for electrical conduction, and the like.
1 to 3, the base plate 13b is provided with a plurality of nozzles N. The number of nozzle holes in the bushing 13 is preferably within a range of 100 to 10,000. The shape of the nozzle hole in each nozzle N in the bushing 13 may be, for example, a circle or a flat shape having a major axis and a minor axis.

The bushing body 13a, base plate 13b, and nozzle N may be made of, for example, a precious metal or a precious metal alloy. Precious metals include gold, silver, platinum, palladium, rhodium, iridium, ruthenium, and osmium. From the perspective of enhancing durability, the bushing body 13a, base plate 13b, and nozzle N are preferably made of platinum or a platinum alloy. An example of a platinum alloy is a platinum-rhodium alloy.

<Downstream flow path section 14>
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the downstream flow path portion 14 of the glass fiber manufacturing apparatus 11 has a downstream refractory wall 18 and a downstream flow path 19 surrounded by the downstream refractory wall 18 .

The downstream fire wall 18 has a downstream dividing portion 18a that divides the downstream fire wall 18 into multiple downstream fire-resistant members C in a plan view. The downstream fire wall 18 can be made of a refractory material. Examples of refractories that can be used to make the downstream fire wall 18 include the refractories exemplified in the description of the feeder 12 above.

As shown in FIG. 6, the downstream fire-resistant wall 18 of the downstream flow path section 14 is composed of multiple frame sections F2. The peripheral edge of each frame section F2 includes a straight section in a plan view. In this embodiment, the downstream fire-resistant wall 18 of the downstream flow path section 14 is rectangular and has four frame sections F2. Each of a pair of frame sections F2 extending along the Y-axis direction has one downstream dividing section 18a.

The downstream flow path 19 of the downstream flow path section 14 is connected to the flow path 17 of the outlet section 15. The downstream flow path 19 of the downstream flow path section 14 supplies the molten glass MG to the bushing 13 by causing the molten glass MG to flow down along the Z-axis direction in the drawing. It is preferable that the dimensions of the flow path 17 of the outlet section 15 in a plan view are the same as the dimensions of the downstream flow path 19 of the downstream flow path section 14 in a plan view.

<Configuration other than the above>
The glass fiber manufacturing apparatus 11 includes an applicator and a gathering shoe (not shown). The applicator applies a liquid sizing agent to the numerous glass filaments GF drawn out from the bushing 13. The gathering shoe focuses the numerous glass filaments GF to which the sizing agent has been applied. A glass strand is obtained by focusing the numerous glass filaments GF by the gathering shoe. The glass strand is wound by a winding device, and a cake of wound glass strands is obtained.

<Glass fiber manufacturing method>
Next, a method for producing glass fibers will be described together with the main functions of the glass fiber production apparatus 11.

The glass fiber manufacturing method includes a molding process in which glass filaments GF are formed using a glass fiber manufacturing apparatus 11. In the molding process, molten glass MG is supplied from a feeder 12 to a bushing 13. The flow path for the molten glass MG from the feeder 12 to the bushing 13 and the inside of the bushing body 13a of the bushing 13 are filled with molten glass MG. In the molding process, the molten glass MG supplied to the bushing 13 flows out of a nozzle N of the bushing 13, thereby forming glass filaments GF.

The bottom wall W1 of the feeder 12 in the glass fiber manufacturing apparatus 11 is equipped with an outlet section 15 that allows molten glass MG to flow downward. The outlet section 15 has a fire-resistant wall 16 and a flow path 17 surrounded by the fire-resistant wall 16, and the fire-resistant wall 16 has dividing sections 16a that divide the fire-resistant wall 16 into multiple fire-resistant members B in a plan view. With this configuration, when the fire-resistant wall 16 of the outlet section 15 thermally expands, the thermal stress of the fire-resistant wall 16 of the outlet section 15 can be released by the relative movement of the multiple fire-resistant members B that make up the outlet section 15. This makes it possible to prevent cracks from occurring in the fire-resistant wall 16 of the outlet section 15.

For example, as shown in FIG. 4, in the outlet section 15 of the feeder 12 of this embodiment, at least one of the frame sections F1 has a pair of adjacent partitions 16a that are closer to each other as they extend inward in a plan view. In this case, when the fire-resistant wall 16 of the outlet section 15 thermally expands, the second refractory member B2 between the pair of partitions 16a can be prevented from moving relatively inward of the outlet section 15. This makes it possible to prevent, for example, the second refractory member B2 between the pair of partitions 16a from narrowing the flow path 17 of the outlet section 15. In the outlet section 15 of this embodiment, the side surface of the second refractory member B2 located between the pair of first refractory members B1 may protrude laterally beyond the side surfaces of the pair of first refractory members B1.

For example, as shown in FIG. 5, in the outlet section 15 of the feeder 12 in this embodiment, at least one of the frame sections F1 has a pair of adjacent segments 16a that are closer to each other as they extend downward in a side view. In this case, when the fire-resistant wall 16 of the outlet section 15 thermally expands, the second fire-resistant member B2 between the pair of segments 16a can be prevented from moving downward relative to the outlet section 15. This makes it easy to prevent the second fire-resistant member B2 from falling off between the pair of segments 16a. In the outlet section 15 of this embodiment, the upper surface of the second fire-resistant member B2 located between the pair of first fire-resistant members B1 may protrude above the upper surfaces of the pair of first fire-resistant members B1.

The glass filaments GF obtained in the above molding process are bundled to obtain glass strands. Glass strands can be used, for example, as chopped strands cut to a predetermined length. Glass strands can also be used as milled fiber, roving, yarn, mat, cloth, tape, or braided fabric. Applications for glass strands include, for example, vehicles, electronic materials, building materials, civil engineering, aircraft-related applications, shipbuilding, logistics, industrial machinery, and everyday items.

<Action and effect>
Next, the operation and effects of the embodiment will be described.
(1) A glass fiber manufacturing apparatus 11 includes a feeder 12 for circulating molten glass MG, and a bushing 13 disposed below the feeder 12 and having a plurality of nozzles N through which the molten glass MG flows. The feeder 12 of the glass fiber manufacturing apparatus 11 includes a bottom wall W1 and a pair of side walls W2 provided on both sides of the bottom wall W1. The bottom wall W1 of the feeder 12 includes an outlet portion 15 for allowing the molten glass MG to flow downward. The outlet portion 15 of the feeder 12 includes a fire-resistant wall 16 and a flow path 17 surrounded by the fire-resistant wall 16. The fire-resistant wall 16 of the outlet portion 15 includes dividing portions 16a that divide the fire-resistant wall 16 into a plurality of fire-resistant members B in a plan view.

With this configuration, when the fire-resistant wall 16 of the outflow section 15 thermally expands, the thermal stress in the fire-resistant wall 16 of the outflow section 15 can be released by the relative movement of the multiple fire-resistant members B that make up the outflow section 15. This makes it possible to prevent cracks from occurring in the fire-resistant wall 16 of the outflow section 15. Therefore, it is possible to stably form the glass filament GF.

(2) The fire-resistant wall 16 of the outflow section 15 in the glass fiber manufacturing apparatus 11 has a peripheral portion that is composed of multiple frame sections F1, including straight sections in a plan view. In this case, for example, the fire-resistant wall 16 can be composed of frame sections F1 with a simple shape.

(3) The two frame portions F1 of the fire-resistant wall 16 in the outlet portion 15 of the glass fiber manufacturing apparatus 11 have a pair of adjacent partitions 16a that are closer to each other as they extend inward in a plan view. In this case, as described above, it is possible to prevent the flow path 17 of the outlet portion 15 from narrowing due to, for example, the second fire-resistant member B2 between the pair of partitions 16a.

(4) In the glass fiber manufacturing apparatus 11, the two frame portions F1 of the fire-resistant wall 16 in the outlet section 15 have a pair of adjacent partitions 16a that are closer to each other as they extend downward in a side view. In this case, as described above, it is possible to easily prevent the second fire-resistant member B2 from falling off between the pair of partitions 16a. Therefore, for example, it is possible to omit the support portion that supports the second fire-resistant member B2 between the pair of partitions 16a, thereby further simplifying the structure of the feeder 12.

(5) In the glass fiber manufacturing apparatus 11, the pair of dividing portions 16a preferably have linearly extending shapes, and the angles θ1 and θ2 formed by the pair of dividing portions 16a are preferably within the range of 5° or more and 90° or less. When the angle θ1 formed by the pair of dividing portions 16a in a plan view of the fire-resistant wall 16 is 5° or more, the second refractory member B2 can be more effectively prevented from moving relatively inward into the outflow portion 15. When the angle θ2 formed by the pair of dividing portions 16a in a side view of the fire-resistant wall 16 is 5° or more, the second refractory member B2 can be more effectively prevented from moving relatively downward. When the angles θ1 and θ2 formed by the pair of dividing portions 16a in a plan view and a side view of the fire-resistant wall 16 are 90° or less, the refractory material for forming the fire-resistant wall 16 can be easily processed.

(6) The fire-resistant wall 16 of the outflow section 15 in the glass fiber manufacturing apparatus 11 has one or more divisions 16a in each of the four frame sections F1. In this case, the thermal stress generated in the four frame sections F1 can be released in a balanced manner. This makes it possible to further prevent cracks from occurring in the fire-resistant wall 16 of the outflow section 15. Therefore, it becomes possible to more stably mold the glass filament GF.

(7) The refractory member B of the refractory wall 16 in the glass fiber manufacturing apparatus 11 includes a pair of first refractory members B1 and a second refractory member B2 disposed between the pair of first refractory members B1. In this case, thermal stress generated in the refractory wall 16 can be easily released. This makes it possible to further suppress the occurrence of cracks in the refractory wall 16 in the outflow section 15. Therefore, it becomes possible to more stably mold the glass filament GF.

(8) The upper surface of the second refractory member B2 of the glass fiber manufacturing apparatus 11 protrudes upward relative to the upper surfaces of the pair of first refractory members B1. In this way, for example, by moving the second refractory member B2 upward relative to the pair of first refractory members B1, the thermal stress of the refractory wall 16 can be released.

(9) The glass fiber manufacturing apparatus 11 further includes a downstream flow path section 14 that supplies molten glass MG from the feeder 12 to the bushing 13. The downstream flow path section 14 includes a downstream refractory wall 18 and a downstream flow path 19 surrounded by the downstream refractory wall 18. The downstream refractory wall 18 includes downstream dividing sections 18a that divide the downstream refractory wall 18 into multiple downstream refractory members C in a plan view. In this case, when the downstream refractory wall 18 of the downstream flow path section 14 thermally expands, the thermal stress of the downstream refractory wall 18 of the downstream flow path section 14 can be released by the relative movement of the multiple downstream refractory members C that make up the downstream flow path section 14. This makes it possible to suppress cracking of the downstream refractory wall 18. Therefore, glass filaments GF can be formed more stably.

(Example of change)
The above embodiment can be modified as follows: The above embodiment and the following modifications can be combined with each other within the scope of technical compatibility.

- At the outlet section 15 of the glass fiber manufacturing apparatus 11, the thickness dimension of the second refractory member B2 may be the same as or different from the thickness dimension of the pair of first refractory members B1. For example, the thickness dimension of the second refractory member B2 may be smaller than the thickness dimension of the pair of first refractory members B1. In this case, the upper surfaces of the pair of first refractory members B1 may protrude above the upper surfaces of the second refractory members B2, or may be positioned on the same plane as the upper surfaces of the second refractory members B2.

- In the glass fiber manufacturing apparatus 11, the number of fire-resistant members B constituting the fire-resistant wall 16 of the outflow section 15 may be nine or more, or seven or less. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, the fire-resistant wall 16 of the outflow section 15 may be composed of two fire-resistant members B.

For example, as shown in FIG. 7, one of the frame portions F1 of the fire-resistant wall 16 of the outflow portion 15 may be modified to have a dividing portion 16a.
The frame F1 of the fire-resistant wall 16 of the outflow section 15 has a pair of adjacent divisions 16a that are closer to each other inward in plan view and a pair of adjacent divisions 16a that are closer to each other downward in side view. The extending direction of each pair of adjacent divisions 16a can be changed as appropriate. For example, the frame F1 of the fire-resistant wall 16 of the outflow section 15 may have a pair of divisions that extend parallel to each other in plan view or side view.

The fire-resistant wall 16 of the outflow section 15 may not be made up of the plurality of frame sections F1, but may be made up of, for example, a cylindrical section.
The number of frame portions F1 in the fire-resistant wall 16 of the outflow section 15 may be, for example, three or five or more. Even in such a fire-resistant wall 16, it is preferable that each of the frame portions F1 has one or more dividing portions 16a. This allows the effects and advantages described in section (6) above to be obtained.

- The downstream refractory wall 18 of the glass fiber manufacturing apparatus 11 can be modified in the same manner as the refractory wall 16 of the outlet section 15 described above. For example, the downstream refractory wall 18 is divided into two downstream refractory members C, but it may also be divided into three or more downstream refractory members C. In this case, like the refractory wall 16 of the outlet section 15, each of the multiple frame sections F2 may have one or more downstream division sections 18a.

The glass fiber manufacturing apparatus 11 may have a structure in which a plurality of downstream flow passage sections 14 are stacked.
The downstream flow path section 14 of the glass fiber manufacturing apparatus 11 may be omitted. For example, a bushing 13 may be connected to the outlet section 15 of the feeder 12 of the glass fiber manufacturing apparatus 11. Furthermore, the outlet section 15 of the feeder 12 of the glass fiber manufacturing apparatus 11 and the bushing 13 may be connected by a flow path member other than the downstream flow path section 14.

- In the glass fiber manufacturing apparatus 11 of the above embodiment, the outflow section 15 of the feeder 12 is arranged in a plan view so that the longitudinal direction of the outflow section 15 is aligned with the direction in which the molten glass MG flows in the feeder 12 (the Y-axis direction in the drawing), but this is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 8, the outflow section 15 of the feeder 12 can also be arranged in a plan view so that the longitudinal direction of the outflow section 15 is aligned with the direction perpendicular to the direction in which the molten glass MG flows in the feeder 12 (the X-axis direction in the drawing). The directions in which the bushing 13 and downstream flow path section 14 are arranged can be changed to match the arrangement of the outflow section 15.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11...Glass fiber manufacturing apparatus 12...Feeder 13...Bushing 14...Downstream flow path section 15...Outlet section 16...Fireproof wall 16a...Dividing section 17...Flow path 18...Downstream fireproof wall 18a...Downstream dividing section 19...Downstream flow path B...Fireproof member B1...First fireproof member B2...Second fireproof member C...Downstream fireproof member F1, F2...Frame section GF...Glass filament MG...Molten glass N...Nozzle W1...Bottom wall W2...Side wall θ1, θ2...Angles

Claims (9)

a feeder for distributing molten glass;
a bushing disposed below the feeder and having a plurality of nozzles through which the molten glass flows,
The feeder has a bottom wall and a pair of side walls provided on both sides of the bottom wall,
the bottom wall of the feeder is provided with an outflow portion through which the molten glass flows downward;
The outflow portion has a fire-resistant wall and a flow path surrounded by the fire-resistant wall,
The fire-resistant wall has a dividing portion that divides the fire-resistant wall into a plurality of fire-resistant members in a plan view,
The refractory members of the refractory wall include a pair of first refractory members;
a second refractory member disposed between the pair of first refractory members,
The second refractory member is disposed between a pair of adjacent divided portions so as to become closer to each other downwards in a side view . The glass fiber manufacturing device of claim 1, wherein the peripheral edge of the fire-resistant wall is composed of multiple frame portions including straight portions in a plan view. The glass fiber manufacturing device described in claim 2, wherein at least one of the plurality of frame portions has a pair of adjacent dividing portions that are closer together inward in a plan view. A glass fiber manufacturing device as described in claim 2 or 3, wherein at least one of the plurality of frame portions has a pair of adjacent dividing portions that are closer together downward in side view. The pair of divided portions each have a shape extending linearly,
5. The glass fiber manufacturing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the angle formed by the pair of dividing portions is within a range of 5 degrees or more and 90 degrees or less. The glass fiber manufacturing device described in any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein each of the plurality of frame portions has one or more dividing portions. 7. The glass fiber manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein an upper surface of the second refractory member protrudes higher than upper surfaces of the pair of first refractory members. a downstream flow path portion for supplying the molten glass from the feeder to the bushing,
the downstream flow path portion includes a downstream fire-resistant wall and a downstream flow path surrounded by the downstream fire-resistant wall,
8. The glass fiber manufacturing device according to claim 1 , wherein the downstream refractory wall has a downstream dividing portion that divides the downstream refractory wall into a plurality of downstream refractory members in a plan view. A glass fiber manufacturing method including a molding step of molding a plurality of glass filaments using a glass fiber manufacturing apparatus,
The glass fiber manufacturing apparatus includes: a feeder for circulating molten glass;
a bushing disposed below the feeder and having a plurality of nozzles through which the molten glass flows;
The feeder has a bottom wall and a pair of side walls provided on both sides of the bottom wall,
the bottom wall of the feeder is provided with an outflow portion through which the molten glass flows downward;
The outflow portion has a fire-resistant wall and a flow path surrounded by the fire-resistant wall,
The fire-resistant wall has a dividing portion that divides the fire-resistant wall into a plurality of fire-resistant members in a plan view,
The refractory members of the refractory wall include a pair of first refractory members;
a second refractory member disposed between the pair of first refractory members,
The second refractory member is disposed between a pair of adjacent divided portions so as to become closer to each other downwards in a side view .