Device for positioning a glass sheet, glazing manufacturing plant comprising such a device, and method for automatically controlling the positioning of a glass sheet in such a plant

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (200) for positioning glass sheets, so-called glasses (10), intended to equip a glazing manufacturing plant (100) in particular for motor vehicles, said device (200) comprising a lateral abutment (20) having a rotating ring (22) which occupies a fixed position and with which each glass (10) in contact is bent at an angle of entry (β) before the glass is shaped by a bending and thermal tempering machine (140). E The present invention also relates to a glass window manufacturing device (100) comprising such a positioning device (200) and a method for automatically controlling the positioning of glass (10) in such a device (100).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a device for positioning a sheet of glass, so-called glass, intended to equip a glazing manufacturing plant, in particular for motor vehicles, and also to a glazing manufacturing plant comprising such a positioning device, and to a method for automatically controlling the positioning of a sheet of glass in such a plant. Background Art

[0002] In the prior art, various methods are known for producing glazings for motor vehicles.

[0003] The choice of method for manufacturing the glazing is determined in particular on the basis of the type of glazing (eg windshield, roof, rear window or even side windows).

[0004] The characteristics of the glazing (monolithic or laminated) therefore determine the choice of bending tools that are provided during the manufacturing method in order to shape the glass and in particular to obtain the desired curvature.

[0005] In the case of side windows for motor vehicles, the bending of the glass is carried out in particular in our plants according to a manufacturing method generally referred to as “BT”, an acronym for “Bombage Transverse”.

[0006] This production method, which is further characterized by a high productivity, is therefore implemented more particularly for producing side windows of motor vehicles.

[0007] The side windows are therefore manufactured according to the "sheet-by-sheet" method, ie the glass sheets are bent individually one after the other and not simultaneously in a superimposed state.

[0008] Figure 1 An exemplary embodiment of a glazing manufacturing plant 100 is schematically shown in which such a "BT" manufacturing method is implemented to illustrate the prior art.

[0009] The apparatus 100 further comprises a conveying system 110 to ensure continuous movement of the glass sheet 10 through the furnace 120 where it is heated above a softening temperature (ie, typically about 650° C. depending on the composition of the glass).

[0010] The system 110 for flatly conveying the glass sheet 10 comprises at least one bed of cylindrical rollers 112 which are arranged in the furnace 120 and together define a horizontal plane for conveying the glass sheet 10 .

[0011] For example, the length of such a furnace 120 is between 18 m and 30 m, which is why in Figure 1The furnace 120 is not shown to scale. Figure 1 1 , the shell of the furnace 120 is partially peeled off at the entrance and exit to make visible the glass sheets 10 conveyed into the furnace 120 by the rollers 112 of the conveying system 110 along the longitudinal orientation Y of the axis system (X, Y, Z).

[0012] During operation of the device 100, a row consisting of a number N of glass sheets 10 is thus continuously conveyed by the roller bed 112 into the furnace 120, the number N of glasses conveyed between the entrance and the exit of the furnace 120 varying in particular according to its length and the distance between two consecutive glass sheets 10.

[0013] The glass sheets 10 are introduced into the device 100 , for example by means of a loading station 130 arranged upstream of the entrance to the furnace 120 , and then, after having passed through the furnace 120 , they are introduced into a bending and thermal tempering machine 140 .

[0014] For the purpose of simplification, the bending and thermal tempering machine 140 will be referred to as “bending machine 140 ” in the following description, which, however, should by no means be interpreted restrictively as meaning in particular that there is no thermal tempering of the glass sheet 10 .

[0015] In the bending machine 140, the glass sheet 10 coming from the furnace 120 is then formed by a bending tool 142, which includes an upper roller 144 associated with a lower roller 146, the lower and upper rollers are complementary in shape and the glass sheet 10 is clamped between them (the gap between the upper and lower rollers corresponds to the thickness of the glass sheet to be formed).

[0016] like Figure 1 As shown in FIG. 1 , the bending tool 142 of the bending machine 140 as a whole has a curved profile along the traveling direction of the glass and an upwardly facing concave surface, in other words, has a generally ascending slope shape.

[0017] In this “BT” manufacturing method, simultaneously with the shaping of the glass sheet 10 , thermal tempering of the glass is advantageously carried out using a thermal tempering device 148 , which is why the machine 140 is herein referred to as a bending and thermal tempering machine.

[0018] Thermal tempering is performed by a blast device 148 such as a tempering box including, for example, a set of nozzles (upper nozzle 147 and lower nozzle 149) arranged on either side of the upper roller 144 and the lower roller 146, respectively.

[0019] The upper nozzle 147 or the lower nozzle 149 includes an air outlet opening, which is configured, for example, to be accommodated between the upper roller 144 or the lower roller 146 of the bending tool 142 so as to blow a large amount of air at room temperature onto the main upper and lower surfaces of each glass sheet 10 between two consecutive rollers during bending so as to generate stress therein.

[0020] For more information on the "BT" manufacturing method and on the equipment, reference is made for example to the following documents FR2204992; FR2642419, FR2549465 and FR2862056, which describe this manufacturing method and more particularly the tool for bending glass sheets, especially the rollers forming this tool.

[0021] However, particularly to the advantage of its high productivity, the “BT” manufacturing method makes it possible to shape only glazing units having a toric shape (ie an axially symmetrical shape resulting from the rotation of a circle along an arc of another circle).

[0022] Figure 2 Schematically illustrated is a side window of a motor vehicle obtained according to this “BT” method from an initially flat sheet of glass 10 , having a simple torus shape characterized by a large radius R1 and a small radius R2 , the arcs of which are contained in planes perpendicular to each other.

[0023] The side window 10 comprises: a front edge 12 and a rear edge 13, which are opposite to each other along the longitudinal orientation Y of the axis system (X, Y, Z); a left edge 14 and a right edge 15, which are opposite to each other along the transverse orientation X of the axis system; and a lower surface 16 (or inner surface) and an upper surface 18 (or outer surface).

[0024] In the remainder of the description, the reference numerals just given will be used for the edges of the glass sheet 10 as long as the glass does not differ from a glazing (here a side window) in that the glazing after manufacture obviously has a toroidal shape and is no longer planar.

[0025] Figure 1 The large radius R1 shown in corresponds to the bending profile of the bending machine 140, corresponding to the average radius of the bending tool 142 formed by the upper roller 144 and the lower roller 146. Therefore, the large radius R1 cannot be varied, it is between 1 m and infinity (theoretically: in the case of a flat profile), more generally between 1 m and 5 m, and is therefore determined by the configuration of each bending and heat tempering machine 140.

[0026] In contrast, the small radius R2 can be varied on the same bending and heat tempering machine 140 , said small radius R2 itself being determined by the characteristics of the bending tool 142 , by the complementary upper 144 and lower 146 rollers (two types of upper and lower rollers being distinguished in particular).

[0027] According to a first type, the rollers 144 and 146 have generatrixes in the shape of circular arcs, the lower roller bed 146 being composed of "diabolo" rollers (whose revolving surface is saddle-shaped) and the upper roller bed 144 being composed of "cylinder" rollers (whose revolving surface is convex).

[0028] Thus, the "diabolo / cylinder" rollers associated in pairs have generatrixes that are parallel and spaced apart by the thickness of the glass to be formed. Figure 2 An example of such a "diabolo / cylinder" roller pair according to this first type is illustrated.

[0029] According to a second type, the rollers 144 and 146 are cylindrical rollers which are kept with a uniform curvature over their entire length by means of mechanical devices located at their ends. The associated upper and lower rollers of a pair have parallel generatrixes separated by the thickness of the glass to be shaped. Figure 3 An example of a cylindrical roller according to this second type is illustrated.

[0030] The small radius R2 is for example between 9 m and infinity for the first type of "diabolo / cylinder" roller and between 13 m and infinity for the second type of cylindrical roller (ie the small radius R2 is more typically between 10 m and 25 m).

[0031] As previously indicated, the “BT” manufacturing method simply makes it possible to produce a glazing having a toroidal shape from a flat glass sheet 10 (previously cut into the desired shape) which is heated to its softening temperature in a furnace 120 and then bent between the two beds of an upper roller 144 and a lower roller 146 of a tool 142 while undergoing thermal tempering.

[0032] After the bending and heat tempering machine 140, the obtained bent and tempered glass 10 also typically has a temperature of about 450°C, which glass 10 then also preferably undergoes controlled cooling in the cooling tunnel 150 until reaching a temperature less than 100°C, preferably close to room temperature.

[0033] Glass windows (e.g. according to Figure 2 The geometric consistency of the side windows can be measured off-line by checking the template.

[0034] On this template (standardized by the customer for the nominal shape of the glazing desired by the customer), the glazing is checked around its entire edge and surface using a probe, according to specific inspection points (for example 15 points distributed around the edge and 4 points distributed on the surface). To this end, the glazing is positioned in a reference position on the template by means of mechanical abutments, which generally comprise lateral abutments on the one hand and abutments against the inner surface of the glazing on the other hand.

[0035] When the inspection using the template leads to the discovery that the geometry of the glazing is inconsistent with the nominal shape and tolerances, in addition to scrapping the manufactured glazing(s), an analysis is performed so that at least one operator intervenes in the device 100 in order to correct the manufacturing parameters.

[0036] Manufacturing parameters that can be corrected are, for example, the heating temperature of the glass in the furnace 120 or the pressure in the upper and lower tempering boxes, or even (especially) the entry angle of the glass into the bending machine 140 .

[0037] Indeed, the entry angle of the glass into the bender 140 is an important parameter for obtaining a consistent glazing, ie, in particular, having a desired geometry further characterized by a major radius R1 and a minor radius R2.

[0038] Thus, for example, corrections are made manually by an operator at the loading station 130 in order to change the lateral position of the glass sheet 10 and / or its entry angle into the furnace 120 , which in turn determines the entry angle into the bender 140 and thus ultimately the torus shape of the glazing.

[0039] However, one of the sensitive points of the “BT” manufacturing method is the drift phenomenon (also known as “reverse rotation”), which corresponds to the glass drift that occurs during the glass conveying in the furnace 120 by the conveying system 110, and the glass drift just affects the entry angle of the glass 10 into the bending machine 140.

[0040] Reverse rotation of the glass may occur particularly when the glass is heated in the furnace 120 due to geometric imperfections and thermal non-uniformities exhibited by the rollers 112 of the conveyor system 110 .

[0041] Figure 3 The change in position of the glass sheet 10 during its passage through the furnace 120 is shown to illustrate this counter-rotation phenomenon, which can be represented as a combination of rotational and translational motion.

[0042] Figure 3 The glass 10 is more particularly shown in dashed lines in a reference position corresponding to the position initially occupied when entering the oven 120 , and in solid lines in a real position (random) that the glass may occupy when leaving the oven 120 .

[0043] Since the center of mass of the glass is denoted as G, it is clear that the glass 10 has undergone an angular rotation α and a vector translation (ΔX T , ΔY T ).

[0044] exist Figure 3 In the coordinate system (X, Y) shown in , due to the reverse rotation, the initial coordinates (X k , Y k ) k (here for example on the longitudinal axis of the glass at the entrance to the furnace) will be found at the exit of the furnace at a position with coordinates (X k′ , Y k′ ) position.

[0045] Constraint point M k The corresponding initial coordinates (X k , Y k ) and the final coordinates (X k′ , Y k′ ) is:

[0046] [Mathematical formula 1]

[0047]

[0048] As previously explained, in the “BT” manufacturing method, the bender 140 produces a glazing having a torus shape determined in particular by the tool 142 formed by the upper roller 144 and the lower roller 146 .

[0049] Therefore, the final geometry of the glass window produced from the glass 10 does not depend on its lateral position at the entrance of the bending machine 140, because the small radius R2 determined by the rollers 144 and 146 is constant; the final geometry of the glass window produced from the glass 10 also does not depend on its longitudinal position, because the bending machine 140 has an axisymmetric geometry along the transverse axis and the glass 10 is formed on the production line.

[0050] Therefore, the geometry of the glazing obtained (and therefore its conformity to the nominal desired shape) depends primarily on the angle of entry of the glass 10 into the bender 140, generally referred to as (β E ).

[0051] This is why the angle (β E ) is one of the important parameters of the "BT" type method for manufacturing glazing.

[0052] Therefore, positioning devices have been developed to try to correct the reverse rotation effect and in particular to ensure that the glass enters the Figure 1The bending angle (β) of the bending and heat tempering machine 140 of the device 100 for implementing the so-called "BT" manufacturing method E ).

[0053] Document FR2644777 discloses a device and method for positioning a glass sheet traveling on a conveyor, which comprises inserting a stopper in the path of the glass sheet (one end of the leading edge of the glass sheet abuts against the stopper), and the stopper remains in contact with the glass for a sufficient time so that the glass is repositioned (or reoriented) under the action of the conveyor that continues to drive the glass sheet.

[0054] According to this document, in fact, throughout the entire positioning time, the stopper is driven by a translation movement parallel to the travel of the glass, in the same direction as the travel of the glass, but at a speed less than that of the conveyor.

[0055] The positioning device essentially comprises a stopper comprising two front abutments movably mounted by means of a drivable carriage so as to perform a longitudinal reciprocating movement so as to position itself successively in front of each glass sheet leaving the furnace so as to ensure its positioning.

[0056] Figure 4 A positioning device 160 according to the teaching of this document is shown in detail in order to illustrate its main operating phase, during which each glass sheet is never stopped but only slowed down.

[0057] Despite Figure 1 1, but such a device 160 is intended to be incorporated into the apparatus 100 associated with the intermediate conveyor 114, the assembly being arranged between the outlet of the furnace 120 and the inlet of the bending machine 140, as shown in FIG. Figure 4 shown.

[0058] The positioning device 160 is used according to Figure 1 In our equipment, the angle (β E ), the entry angle (β E ) is particularly affected by the reverse rotation phenomenon during the "BT" manufacturing method.

[0059] As explained previously, the consistency of the glazing measured on the inspection template after its manufacture depends primarily on the angle of entry of the glass 10 into the bender 140 and not on the lateral position of the glass, although both are affected by reverse rotation (see Figure 2 ).

[0060] The principle of this positioning device 160 is therefore to use two front abutments 162 carried by a trolley 164, moving in the same direction as the glass, but at a lower speed than the glass, which is why this device 160 is still called a "mobile repositioning device".

[0061] The operating sequence of the device 160 thus begins with positioning the trolley 164 carrying the two abutments 162 at the exit of the furnace 120 (see Figure 4 4 ), waiting in an upstream position (Pos. 1 ), where the two abutments 162 in the low position (only one is visible here) are able to intercept the leading edge 12 of the glass 10 on the conveyor 114 .

[0062] The activation of the downstream trolley 164 is controlled in advance (for example by an electrical synchronization signal delivered by an optical sensor arranged in the furnace) in order to anticipate the arrival of glass 10 from the furnace 120 on the conveyor 114 .

[0063] Due to their speed difference, the glass 10 catches up with the pulley 164 (see Figure 4 1), the front edge 12 of the glass 10 comes into contact with the first movable abutment 162, thereby causing sliding between the lower surface of the glass 10 and the rollers of the conveyor 114, until the front edge 12 comes into contact with the second movable abutment 162, the trolley 164 thus occupies a downstream position (Pos. 2), in which the glass 10 is correctly oriented (see Figure 4 ”2” in the figure).

[0064] In practice, the final position of the glass 10 is determined by a straight line passing through the two front abutments 162 and corresponding to the desired position of the front edge 12 for which the glass 10 has a desired entry angle (β) relative to the bending and thermal tempering machine 140. E ).

[0065] Then, the two movable abutment portions 162 are retracted upward ( Figure 4 2), leaving their low position to allow the glass 10 to continue to move forward and enter the bending machine 140, through the return of the pulley 164 (see Figure 4 The sequence of events is completed by driving the pulley 164 upstream at a high speed (indicated by the double arrow) to occupy the upstream position (Pos. 1) again, and the abutment portion 162 returns to the low position ( Figure 4 "4" in the figure) so that a new continuous event can be started and the next glass 10 can be repositioned (or reoriented).

[0066] The main advantage of the positioning device 160 (or movable repositioning device) just described is that it facilitates high-speed manufacturing, because the glass 10 never stops (zero speed) during its conveyance but is only slowed down. The device can handle glass that is separated by a distance of 500 mm or less and conveyed at a speed of up to 200 mm / s (such as future side windows).

[0067] However, there is still and always a search to increase the speed of manufacturing glazings, without, of course, sacrificing the consistency of their geometry, all in compliance with the tolerances required by customers, which are constantly decreasing, requiring glazing manufacturers to achieve ever higher capabilities.

[0068] In this industrial context, positioning devices (or movable repositioning devices) are no longer able to achieve all goals, in particular to increase the manufacturing speed.

[0069] In fact, the manufacturing speed of the positioning device 160 can be increased by increasing the conveying speed of the glass, ie by increasing the rotational drive speed of the roller conveyor 114 , on the one hand, and by minimizing the distance between two consecutive glass sheets 10 , on the other hand.

[0070] However, these two actions are completely contradictory for the trolley 164 of the movable repositioning device, which constantly reciprocates between an upstream position (Pos. 1) and a downstream position (Pos. 2) to allow it to continuously reposition each glass 10 without stopping the glass on the conveyor 114.

[0071] Therefore, the increase in the displacement speed of the pulley 164 causes the appearance of vibration phenomena, in particular since the pulley 164 carrying the abutment 162 is subsequently subjected to severe acceleration and deceleration, the vibrations generated affecting the movement of the abutment 162 itself, in particular during their low position at the beginning of the succession event, or even during their upward retraction.

[0072] Vibrations in the positioning device 160 are converted into inconsistent and rapid movements of the abutment 162, which may inadvertently abut against the front edge 12 of the glass 10 and then paradoxically cause its gap to widen relative to a determined reference position corresponding to the desired entry angle into the bender 140.

[0073] Furthermore, an increase in the displacement speed of the trolley 164 also results in a reduction in the contact time between the glass and the first abutment, so that beyond a certain speed the movable repositioning device simply no longer manages to correctly reposition the glass within the allowed time.

[0074] Tests have shown that starting from a conveying speed greater than 200 mm / s, for example 250 mm / s, the movable repositioning device eventually causes a greater disturbance in the positioning of the glass when it enters the bending machine than when it leaves the furnace due to the reverse rotation.

[0075] Furthermore, it should be noted that once the shape of the mechanical structure and the density of the materials used are optimized, the solution consisting of stiffening the device 160 to limit vibrations quickly reaches its own limits. In practice, it is necessary to increase the weight of the trolley 164, which further translates into running at higher accelerations.

[0076] One of the objects of the present invention is therefore to propose a new solution with a glass sheet positioning device which makes it possible to correct the reverse rotation of the glass after the furnace and before the glass enters the bending machine, in particular at higher speeds, in particular in the case of glass conveying speeds exceeding 200 mm / s, while advantageously having a simple, reliable and economically effective positioning device.

[0077] Furthermore, current demands from automotive customers are to manufacture glazing, especially side windows, with ever tighter tolerances (C>1.33) in their geometry and high capacity, which is defined as the ratio between tolerance and measurement uncertainty, usually denoted as “C”.

[0078] These requirements therefore make it necessary to further and even more precisely manage manufacturing parameters, such as those of the “BT” manufacturing method.

[0079] In fact, those skilled in the art also know that hot glass products will slowly drift, which will have a negative impact on the stability and manufacturability of the glazing, so the reverse rotation phenomenon is just one of the problems that must be solved during the manufacturing process.

[0080] As examples of changing conditions that may affect the manufacture of glazings, mention may in particular be made of:

[0081] - Start of production and preheating of the furnace;

[0082] - the acceleration of the bending machine, as the hot glass is continuously shaped, which causes expansion and functional clearance changes, as well as an increase in the temperature of the various parts in contact with the hot glass;

[0083] - An increase in the room temperature, which in turn changes the heat transfer coefficient and thus the degree of tempering and the final geometry of the produced glazing.

[0084] It is therefore known to subject manufactured glazings to periodic consistency checks (for example using a check template), in particular to detect the presence of slow drifts in the manufacturing process.

[0085] However, the correction of the manufacturing parameters, depending on the results of such checks, is done by the operators and therefore relies mainly on their expertise.

[0086] This is one of the reasons why we have been looking for solutions that more particularly aim to obtain automatic regulation of the operation of such glazing equipment, and in particular automatic correction of at least certain parameters in the event of drifts, in order to improve stability and glazing capabilities.

[0087] Another object of the present invention is to incorporate a positioning device into a manufacturing device which functions according to a comprehensive automatic adjustment solution and which also aims to automatically correct the positioning of the glass with the help of a servo system and by incorporating an automatic control device for the glass window, thereby significantly making it possible to obtain better geometric stability and improved performance of the produced glass window. Summary of the invention

[0088] The invention proposes a device for positioning a sheet of glass, so-called glazing, intended to equip an apparatus for manufacturing glazing units, in particular for motor vehicles, characterized in that the positioning device comprises an abutment comprising a ring mounted so as to be able to rotate freely about a vertical axis so as to be able to rotate freely when occupying a fixed position in which the abutment is arranged laterally with respect to the glass conveyed by the roller conveyor of the apparatus, the glass cooperating with the ring in rolling contact by means of a lateral edge in order to reposition the glass at a determined angle, for example the angle of entry into a bending machine of the apparatus.

[0089] According to the invention, the positioning device comprises a lateral abutment comprising a rotating ring which is configured to cooperate in a fixed position with the side edge of the glass being conveyed so as to reposition said glass at a determined angle, in particular at a determined entry angle of the glass into a bending machine of a glazing manufacturing plant.

[0090] The glass sheet positioning device according to the invention, a so-called fixed repositioning device, is designed to be arranged at the exit of a furnace of a glazing manufacturing plant.

[0091] According to a first feature, the positioning device according to the invention comprises only a single abutment, in particular compared to movable repositioning devices according to the prior art comprising two movable front abutments.

[0092] According to the second feature, the abutment is arranged laterally relative to the glass (rather than forwardly), so the contact between the abutment and the glass is a side contact, and the rotating ring of the abutment contacts a side edge of the glass (rather than the front edge).

[0093] According to a third characteristic, the lateral abutments of the device occupy a fixed position relative to the glass continuously travelling on the roller conveyor, which is why the positioning device according to the invention is also called a "fixed repositioning device" (in contrast to a movable repositioning device in which the two front abutments are movable).

[0094] However, the term "fixed" should not be interpreted in this application as meaning that the abutment can only occupy one and the same position. In fact, the fixed position of the lateral abutment can be selectively varied at least laterally and longitudinally, in particular based on the application of the glazing to be manufactured.

[0095] Advantageously, changing the fixed position of the abutment by controlling its actuating means makes it possible to quickly and remotely change the fixed position of the abutment, whether this is an initial adjustment at the start-up stage or an adjustment of the fixed position performed automatically at the manufacturing stage.

[0096] According to the invention, the abutment comprises a rotating ring, by means of which a dynamic repositioning is obtained without any stopping of the glass being transported longitudinally (at a transport speed determined by the drive speed of the transport rollers), thus further determining the production rate.

[0097] Advantageously, during repositioning, only the side edge of the glass in contact with the rotating ring of the abutment is slightly decelerated, in fact, the glass being transported at said transport speed will cause a rotation of the glass about the centre of mass.

[0098] Compared to movable repositioning devices according to the prior art, the lateral abutment with a rotating ring according to the invention makes it possible to achieve higher glazing production rates, in particular glass delivery speeds exceeding 200 mm / s, advantageously 250 mm / s or more.

[0099] According to the invention, the cooperation of the side edge of the glass with the contact surface of the ring is carried out in rolling contact. The fixed position of the abutment according to the invention is determined so that the edge of the glass is "flush" with the rotating ring, with sufficient contact to reposition the glass.

[0100] Advantageously, the contact between the side edge of the glass and the rotating ring is made without collision with the rotating ring, thereby not leaving marks on the glass, it being conceivable that the glass is hot when it leaves the furnace of the device when it is repositioned by the abutment, the glass generally having a temperature above the softening temperature (for example about 650° C.).

[0101] Preferably, said determined angle assumed by the glass after it has been repositioned by the abutment corresponds to an entry angle of the glass into a bending and thermal tempering machine of a glazing manufacturing plant, the value of which is determined in particular on the basis of the geometry of the glazing to be manufactured.

[0102] Other features of the positioning device according to the present invention:

[0103] - the positioning device comprises detection means capable of determining the contact time between the pane and the rotating ring of the lateral abutment during repositioning;

[0104] - the detection means comprise at least one sensor associated with the lateral abutment, capable of detecting at least: * an initial moment, the so-called contact moment, corresponding to the moment when the lateral edge of the glass comes into contact with the rotating ring of the abutment, and

[0105] * the final moment, the so-called release moment, which corresponds to the moment when the side edge of the glass ceases to be in contact with the rotating ring of the abutment,

[0106] to determine said contact time between the glass and the rotating ring of the lateral abutment during repositioning;

[0107] the sensor is an accelerometer, for example a piezoelectric accelerometer, which is further capable of detecting the vibrations caused by the lateral edge of the glass coming into contact with the rotating ring of the abutment and ceasing contact with said ring of the abutment, respectively;

[0108] the sensor is a pressure sensor, for example an air pressure sensor, capable of detecting the pressure changes caused by the lateral edge of the glass coming into contact with the rotating ring of the abutment and ceasing contact with said ring of the abutment, respectively;

[0109] - the positioning means comprise actuation means of the abutment which can be selectively controlled so as to vary the fixing position of the abutment according to at least the transverse orientation and / or the longitudinal orientation;

[0110] - the abutment is mounted at the free end of one arm, the other end of the arm being movably connected to the actuating device by means of a connecting device;

[0111] - the actuation means of the abutment can be controlled by a control unit intended to automatically manipulate the positioning of the glass sheet in a glazing manufacturing plant;

[0112] - the actuating means of the abutment comprise at least one first servomotor for moving the abutment transversely and a second servomotor for moving the abutment longitudinally;

[0113] - the actuation means of the abutment comprise at least one third servomotor to move the abutment from a fixed position to at least one retracted position, the so-called non-service position, in particular in order to enable adjustment without the intervention of the positioning means at the manufacturing start-up phase of the device;

[0114] the abutment is movably connected to the first and second servomotors by means of said connection means, said connection means being configured such that the fixing position of the abutment can be selectively varied, i.e. independently of one another, depending on the transverse orientation and / or the longitudinal orientation;

[0115] - the connection device comprises at least a first plate movably mounted to translate in a transverse orientation and a second plate movably mounted to translate in a longitudinal orientation, the plates being slidably mounted, for example, respectively, by means of sliding mechanisms;

[0116] - the abutment circumferentially comprises a gap between the ring and the shaft, the gap being configured to allow the rotating ring to move freely radially relative to said shaft;

[0117] The rotating ring is radially movable relative to the axis between at least one inactive position, occupied when there is no contact between the glass and the ring of lateral abutments, and an active position, occupied when the glass is in contact with the ring of lateral abutments.

[0118] According to an exemplary embodiment of a so-called "air-sensitive abutment", the abutment circumferentially comprises a gap between the rotating ring and the shaft, which gap is configured to form an annular chamber into which an air flow is injected via an air supply circuit comprising at least one duct passing through the shaft and leading to the annular chamber via at least one injection hole for the air flow.

[0119] When the side edge of the glass comes into contact with the contact surface of the ring, the radial movement of the ring from the inactive position to the active position causes a pressure change in the air supply circuit which is designed to be detected by the air pressure sensor.

[0120] The invention also proposes a device for manufacturing glass windows from glass sheets, so-called glasses, wherein the glass travels in an oven on rollers of a conveying system in order to be heated above the softening temperature before entering a bending and thermal tempering machine, characterised in that the device comprises at least one device for positioning the glass arranged between the oven and the bending machine, the device comprising an abutment with a rotating ring arranged laterally with respect to the roller conveyor so as to reposition each glass conveyed at an angle corresponding to the entry angle of the glass entering the bending and thermal tempering machine.

[0121] The positioning device or "fixed repositioning device" according to the invention advantageously performs two different functions in such a glazing manufacturing plant.

[0122] The first function of the positioning device according to the invention is to correct the phenomenon of reverse rotation of the glass which randomly affects the positioning of the glass leaving the furnace, thus affecting the angle of entry of the glass into the bending and thermal tempering machine and therefore affecting the consistency of the geometry of the manufactured glazing.

[0123] In other words, by effectively correcting the random and short-term variations caused by the reverse rotation, the fixed repositioning device makes it possible to stabilize the manufacturing, advantageously halving the standard deviation relative to an apparatus without any repositioning device, in particular as with the movable repositioning device according to the prior art that it is intended to replace, but at even higher production rates, in particular at glass conveying speeds greater than 200 mm / s, preferably 250 mm / s or more.

[0124] Advantageously, the positioning device according to the invention not only makes it possible to exceed the rate limits hitherto achieved with mobile repositioning devices, but also constitutes a cheaper solution which is also simpler to implement.

[0125] In fact, in particular by comparison, a fixed repositioning device does not require associated drive means to continuously perform the reciprocating movement of the trolley carrying the two front abutments, which would lead to maintenance costs, in particular due to wear of certain components.

[0126] A second function of the positioning device according to the invention is that, based on an integrated solution, by incorporating the positioning device into a servo loop at the device, it is possible to particularly improve the correction of slow and reproducible inter-glass drifts during manufacturing, thereby making it possible to automatically control the positioning of the glass with the aid of a control unit based on control measures for the manufactured glass window (automatically executed on the control device).

[0127] This second correction function for slow drift is obtained by means of the coordinated operation of three elements, namely: an automatic control device for the glass window, a fixed repositioning device (the fixed repositioning device includes a lateral abutment with a rotating ring, the position of which is adjustable), and a glass positioning system associated with the loading platform before entering the furnace.

[0128] According to other characteristics related to the glazing manufacturing plant according to the invention:

[0129] - the abutment occupies a fixed position determined so that the glass conveyed by said roller conveyor cooperates laterally with said rotating ring during a given contact time in order to reposition said glass at an angle corresponding to said angle of entry into the bending machine;

[0130] - the device comprises a central control unit capable of automatically controlling the positioning of the glass in the device;

[0131] - the central control unit is capable of controlling the actuation means of the abutment, in particular adjusting the fixing position of the abutment;

[0132] the device comprises an automatic control device for the glazing unit manufactured, which is able to provide measurement values ​​related to the geometry of the glazing unit being inspected and in particular to determine whether there is a drift in the method for manufacturing the glazing unit carried out by the device;

[0133] - the control device is an automatic template or an optical control device;

[0134] - the control device is connected to a central control unit via at least one computer, which comprises a database containing measurement records in order to be able to comparatively analyze the measured values ​​provided by the control device;

[0135] - the device comprises a glass positioning system associated with a loading platform arranged in front of the furnace, comprising a front stop abutment and guide means, the guide means comprising at least a left lateral guide and a right lateral guide, which together define a reference position of the glass with an entry angle into the furnace, wherein the front stop abutment is connected to an actuation device, and the left lateral guide and the right lateral guide are connected to the actuation device, the actuation devices being respectively configured to be able to change their position at least along a transverse orientation;

[0136] - the actuation means of the front stop abutment and of the guide means for the positioning system can be selectively controlled by a central control unit in order to correct the position of the glass, in particular the angle of entry into the furnace, based in particular on the contact time between the glass and the abutment determined by detection means associated with the abutment;

[0137] The actuating means of the guide means of the positioning system and of the front stop abutment are servomotors which can in particular be selectively controlled by a central control unit.

[0138] The invention finally relates to a method for automatically controlling the positioning of glass sheets, so-called glazings, in a glazing manufacturing plant, in particular for motor vehicles, wherein a loading station is associated with a positioning system in order to position each glass at its entry angle into a furnace, wherein the glass conveyed on rollers of a conveyor system is heated above the softening temperature in the furnace, and at the exit of the furnace a positioning device is arranged, the positioning device comprising a lateral abutment configured to reposition each glass conveyed by the roller conveyor at its entry angle into a bending and thermal tempering machine, the plant also comprising at least one central control unit to implement the automatic control method, the method comprising at least:

[0139] - a first control step of controlling the geometry of the glazing produced from glass by said device;

[0140] - a second analysis step of analyzing the measurements provided by the first control step in order to determine if there is a drift during the manufacturing process; - a third regulation step consisting in selectively controlling the positioning means in order to correct said angle of entry into the bending and thermal tempering machine in the event of a drift;

[0141] a fourth verification step consisting in checking whether the subsequent contact time between the pane and the lateral abutment is within a range of given values ​​around a target value corresponding to the position of the pane based on the entry angle;

[0142] - a fifth correction step consisting in changing the angle of entry of the glass into the furnace by controlling said positioning system if the contact time is outside the range of values ​​around the target value.

[0143] Advantageously, the method according to the invention for automatically controlling the positioning of sheets of glass of a glazing manufacturing plant comprising positioning means or fixed repositioning means makes it possible to increase stability and obtain better performances.

[0144] The method according to the invention constitutes a comprehensive servo solution for positioning glass in such an installation allowing automatic adjustment.

[0145] Advantageously, the positioning device according to the invention can be servo-controlled, selectively manipulated by a central control unit and is incorporated into such a solution so that it further contributes to the improvement, in particular by providing an option for correcting the positioning of the glass leaving the furnace, an option that does not exist at all in the movable repositioning devices according to the prior art.

[0146] In fact, when the handling method entails the implementation of a step for adjusting the fixed position of the abutment (especially compared to the position correction that has hitherto been carried out only at the loading station before entering the furnace), there is a direct impact on the glass leaving the furnace, which favors greater reactivity and shorter waiting times.

[0147] Advantageously, during calibration, rejection of the glass is avoided during the heating process, ie the number N of glasses is increased, for example between 20 and 30, depending on the length of the furnace.

[0148] In this way, the responsiveness is improved with respect to correcting the angular positioning of the glass fed into the device.

[0149] The contact time between the side edge of the glass and the rotating ring of the abutment is advantageously measured by means of detection means associated with the abutment, in order to compare the measured time with a target value.

[0150] Advantageously, when a slow drift is detected (ie a significant and reproducible deviation from one glass to the next in a batch of glass), the laterally adjacent fixed positions of the positioning device are adjusted to correct the entry angle of the glass into the bending machine.

[0151] When correction cannot be made using the positioning device (or fixed repositioning device), the position of the glass at the loading station is corrected in order to change the angle of entry of the glass into the furnace. This is still done automatically by selectively controlling the positioning system with the aid of a central control unit, which advantageously operates all devices.

[0152] This will be the case in particular if the main correction is caused by a sudden deviation caused by, for example, a problem in the furnace (on the heating device, on the conveying system, etc.) or any other problem.

[0153] After this correction of the angle of entry of the glass into the furnace, the positioning device is also modified to ensure that the abutment of the fixed repositioning device can continue to fully perform its main function, namely to correct the reverse rotation.

[0154] Therefore, in addition to cases of sudden deviations, for example after successive different adjustments of the fixing position of the lateral abutments of the positioning device (or fixed repositioning device), it also proves necessary to correct the entry angle of the glass into the furnace by the positioning system in order to reset the assembly.

[0155] In practice, the correction of the angle of entry of the glass into the furnace must then be such as to obtain a contact time with the lateral abutment of the fixed repositioning device that is, on the one hand, long enough to ensure that all the glasses will be effectively corrected (even if one glass is farther from the abutment than the others), and, on the other hand, short enough to limit the risk of leaving marks on the lower surface of the hot glass, a risk caused by excessive relative displacement between the rollers of the conveyor and the glass during the repositioning of the glass.

[0156] Advantageously, a sudden change in the contact time of the glass with the abutment constitutes a warning corresponding to a problem arising during manufacture (in particular, returning to the previous example, a problem in the furnace), so that the positioning device according to the invention is additionally able to participate in the automatic monitoring of the manufacture of glazing units in an installation.

[0157] Other features of the method according to the invention:

[0158] - a first control step is carried out on a control device, for example an automatic inspection template or an optical control system, each capable of providing geometrical measurements of said glazing;

[0159] - a second analysis step also consists in comparing the measured values ​​provided by the control device with a database containing measurement records in order to determine whether there is a drift, ie a slow and repetitive drift as opposed to a one-time and non-repetitive drift;

[0160] - a third adjustment step consists in selectively controlling the actuator means of the positioning means to adjust the fixing position of the lateral abutment;

[0161] - the third adjustment step is automatically controlled by a central control unit, by means of which said actuating means of the lateral abutment are controlled;

[0162] - a target value for the contact time between the side edge of the glass and the abutment is determined by learning, the target value corresponding to the desired entry angle of the glass into the bending machine;

[0163] - A fifth correction step consists in changing the position of at least the guide means of the positioning system, said guide means comprising a left lateral guide and a right lateral guide, so that:

[0164] * If the contact time is less than the lower limit value of the range, the left guide and the right guide are laterally separated from each other so as to approach the target value by increasing the contact time,

[0165] * If the contact time is above the upper limit of the range, the left and right guides converge laterally toward each other so as to approach the target value by reducing the contact time;

[0166] - the lower and upper values ​​of the range correspond to the target value with a margin equal to plus or minus 20%, preferably plus or minus 15%, even more preferably plus or minus 10%, respectively;

[0167] - a fifth calibration step consisting in selectively changing the position of the front stop abutment on the basis of the calibration carried out to change the position of said guide means of the glass positioning system;

[0168] - The fifth correction step is automatically performed by the central control unit, by which the actuation means of the guide means and of the front stop abutment are controlled respectively. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0169] Further features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description, for understanding of which reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0170] - Figure 1is a side view schematically illustrating a glazing manufacturing plant according to the prior art implementing a “BT” type method and more particularly illustrating a bending and thermal tempering machine arranged downstream of a heating furnace supplied with glass via a loading station;

[0171] - Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the Figure 1 A side window having a toroidal shape manufactured by a device of the present invention, and further showing a large radius R1 and a small radius R2 of such a glass window example;

[0172] - Figure 3 is a top view showing a glass sheet which is intended to be shaped in order to obtain, for example, Figure 2 and showing the result of the reverse rotation experienced by the glass sheet during conveyance into the furnace, which reverse rotation affects the entry angle of the glass sheet into the bending machine;

[0173] - Figure 4 is a side view, which partially shows the Figure 1 A similar device in which positioning means according to the prior art (so-called mobile repositioning means) are provided in order to correct the reverse rotation occurring in the furnace and which shows successive operating phases corresponding to the successive events of positioning the glass by means of two front abutments carried by the mobile carriage of said device;

[0174] - Figure 5 is a schematic top view showing Figure 1 a device similar to that of , in which the positioning device according to the invention and the central control unit are arranged and which illustrates the repositioning of a glass whose side edge cooperates with a rotating ring of an abutment whose fixed position can be selectively adjusted by controlling the actuating means;

[0175] - Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view showing an exemplary embodiment of an abutment of a positioning device according to the present invention, the abutment comprising an air pressure sensor to determine the contact time of the glass with the abutment, and showing the abutment in a passive occupying position without the glass;

[0176] - Figure 7 It shows that according to Figure 6 and showing the abutment, more specifically the rotating ring, in an effective position when the glass is in lateral contact with the abutment;

[0177] - Figure 8is a perspective view showing an exemplary embodiment of an actuating device of an abutment, the actuating device being configured to adjust its fixing position, and also showing an arm at the free end of which the abutment is mounted and to the other end of which the actuating device is connected, the actuating device being formed here by a servomotor in order to selectively vary the fixing position of the abutment according to the longitudinal and transverse orientations;

[0178] - Fig. 9 is a plan view showing in detail the positions that the glass occupies successively between the exit of the furnace and the entrance of the bending and thermal tempering machine of the apparatus, and showing the rotation of the glass which occurs during repositioning due to the contact between the glass and the lateral abutments in the fixed position;

[0179] - Fig.10 is a schematic diagram further illustrating points and a geometric coordinate system, respectively, for mathematically studying the glass repositioning by the positioning device according to the present invention;

[0180] - Fig.11 is based on Fig.10 a geometrical schematic diagram of the elements of , which shows the glass in the so-called contact position, which corresponds to the position occupied by the glass when it is in contact with the rotating ring of the abutment;

[0181] - Fig.12 is based on Fig.10 Schematic diagram of the geometry of the elements of , which shows the glass in the so-called release position, which corresponds to the position occupied by the glass when it stops being in contact with the rotating ring of the abutment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0182] In this description, transverse, longitudinal and vertical orientations will be used without limitation with reference to the axis system (X, Y, Z) shown in the figures.

[0183] By convention, the longitudinal orientation corresponds to the direction of movement of the glass sheet from upstream to downstream in the manufacturing equipment.

[0184] The terms "front" and "rear" or "upstream" and "downstream" will also be used without limitation when referring to the longitudinal orientation, as well as "upper" and "lower" or "top" and "bottom" when referring to the vertical orientation, and finally "left" and "right" when referring to the transverse orientation.

[0185] Therefore, in the following description, the same reference numerals refer to the same or similar devices.

[0186] Figure 5 Schematically showing a glazing manufacturing apparatus 100 viewed from above, the apparatus 100 being partly similar to that previously described with reference to Figure 1The described device, however, also comprises a positioning device 200 according to the invention, a so-called fixed repositioning device.

[0187] according to Figure 5 , an apparatus 100 for manufacturing a glazing from a glass sheet 10 (so-called glass) is therefore an apparatus 100 in which the glass 10 travels on rollers 112 of a conveying system 110 in a furnace 120 in order to be heated above the softening temperature and then enters a bending and heat tempering machine 140 one by one.

[0188] The installation 100 comprises at least one device 200 for positioning the glass sheet 10 , which is arranged between the furnace 120 and the bending and thermal tempering machine 140 .

[0189] The positioning device 200 is designed to advantageously replace the positioning device according to the previous specific reference Figure 4 The described prior art movable repositioning device, and likewise the positioning device 200, is designed to be associated with an intermediate conveyor 114, here preferably with rollers.

[0190] In contrast to a movable repositioning device, the positioning device 200 according to the invention comprises a single abutment 20 which is arranged laterally with respect to the glass 10 transported by the roller conveyor 114 and occupies a fixed position with respect to the transported glass 10 .

[0191] Similar to the movable repositioning device according to the prior art, the positioning device 200 according to the present invention also has the following functions: correcting the influence of the reverse rotation phenomenon on the position of the glass 10, so that each glass 10 is positioned at a corresponding angle (such as Figure 5 As shown, the angle of entry (β E ))Relocation.

[0192] As specifically referenced above Figure 1 and 2 As explained above, the entrance angle (β E ) is first determined based on the glazing to be manufactured, the geometry of the glazing subsequently determining the selection of the bending and heat tempering machine 140 based on the large radius R1, and the selection of the bending tool 142 based on the small radius R2.

[0193] according to Figure 5 The apparatus 100 will be described below by conveying the glass 10 through the apparatus 100 from upstream to downstream along a longitudinal orientation (Y) of an axis system (X, Y, Z), and the positioning device 200 according to the present invention will be described in more detail below.

[0194] To prevent Figure 5The rollers of the conveying system 110 for the glass 10 in the furnace 120 or even the rollers of the intermediate conveyor 114 (such as the rollers of the loading station 130) are not shown separately, such roller conveying devices are well known and are similar to those already described. Figure 1 or Figure 4 The same roller conveyor device is shown in FIG.

[0195] First, the glass positioning system 170 will be described, which is arranged at the loading station 130 and is intended to initially position each glass 10 before each glass 10 enters the furnace 120, that is, on the one hand, to position each glass 10 laterally along the X orientation of the axis system (X, Y, Z), and on the other hand, to position each glass 10 angularly at an entry angle β0.

[0196] Positioning system 170 is arranged upstream of furnace 120 so that glass 10 positioned by furnace 120 is at room temperature. It should be noted that glass 10 is then less sensitive to the risk of scratches due to friction with conveyor rollers, in particular compared to hot glass 10 leaving furnace 120.

[0197] The positioning system 170 comprises at least two lateral guides, respectively a left lateral guide 172 and a right lateral guide 174 , defining between them a passage for the glass 10 (here the future side window).

[0198] Preferably, the positioning system 170 comprises other lateral guides (not shown) arranged upstream of the lateral guides 172 and 174, advantageously with a large gap between them, so as to gradually bring each glass 10 into the position as shown in FIG. Figure 5 In the determined reference position shown.

[0199] Two lateral guides 172 and 174 are arranged above rollers (not shown) and laterally on either side of the rollers, which rotate to transport the glasses 10 one by one to the entrance of the furnace 120 and then continue to be transported in the furnace 120 with the help of rollers 112 of the conveying system 110.

[0200] The positioning system 170 comprises at least one stop abutment (or stopper) 176 which cooperates with two lateral guides 172 and 174 on each pane 10 .

[0201] The front stop abutment 176 is arranged to cooperate with the glass 10 at the front, here with the front edge 12 of the glass 10. Figure 5 The front stop abutment portion 176 is, for example, arranged near the right side guide 174 .

[0202] The operation of positioning the glass 10 by the positioning system 170 is as follows: the glass 10 conveyed by the rollers is inserted between the two lateral guides 172 and 174 until it is blocked by the front stop abutment 176 occupying the active blocking position, immobilizing it.

[0203] The active blocking position corresponds to a position in which the front stop abutment 176 extending above the roller blocks the glass 10 from continuing to move downstream.

[0204] The glass 10 is then blocked by the front stop abutment 176, but is still driven by the rollers so that it will slide until it also cooperates with the two lateral guides 172 and 174 and, in doing so, is fixed in place. Figure 5 The reference position of the glass 10 determines in particular the entry angle β0 of the glass 10 into the furnace 120 of the device.

[0205] Advantageously, during the manufacturing process, the glass 10 is secured by the front stop abutment 176 for less than one second (1 s).

[0206] The front stop abutment 176 is then retracted into an inactive position below the roller, for example by controlling an actuator (e.g., a cylinder associated with the abutment), so that the released and roller-driven glass 10 continues to be transported downstream to enter the furnace 120 so as to be heated therein above its softening temperature.

[0207] The two lateral guides 172 and 174 and the front stop abutment 176 together make it possible, in a combined manner, to position the glass 10 in a reference position, which is defined in particular transversely along X relative to the furnace 120 and the bender 140 situated downstream and is defined by the angle β0 of entry of the glass 10 into the furnace 120 (at Figure 5 , shown at the left edge 14 of the glass 10 ).

[0208] Advantageously, in particular in order to correct for the slow and repeated reverse rotations that occur during the manufacturing process, the reference position occupied by the glass 10 can be automatically changed to correct for it.

[0209] The positioning device 170 notably offers two adjustment options which enable an initial adjustment by means of a servo mechanism and an automatic correction of the position of the glass 10 before it enters the furnace 120 .

[0210] A first adjustment consists in moving together the two lateral guides 172 , 174 and the front stop abutment 176 along the orientation X of the axis system (X, Y, Z) so as to modify the position of the glass 10 laterally, in particular relative to the furnace 120 .

[0211] The second adjustment consists in simultaneously moving the assembly of the two lateral guides 172 and 174 and the stop abutment 176 apart or together to change the entry angle β0 of the glass 10 into the furnace 120. The more the distance between the two lateral guides 172 and 174 decreases, the sharper the entry angle β0 of the glass 10 becomes.

[0212] Advantageously, positioning system 170 comprises actuation means 177 and 178 respectively connected to lateral guides 172 and 174 , and actuation means 179 of abutment 176 in order to selectively control its movement so as to automatically correct the position of pane 10 .

[0213] The actuating means 177 and 178 of the lateral guides 172 and 174 and the actuating means 179 of the abutment 176 are advantageously servomotors.

[0214] The device 100 comprises a central control unit (ECU) to automatically control the positioning of the glass 10 in the device 100 , so as to implement the method according to the invention, which will be described later.

[0215] Therefore, the positioning system 170 associated with the loading station 130 is advantageously controlled by a central control unit (ECU).

[0216] The central control unit (ECU) is in particular capable of selectively controlling said actuation means 177 and 178 of the lateral guides 172 and 174 and the actuation means 179 of the abutment 176, for example to selectively vary the entry angle β0 of the glass 10 into the furnace 120 when a slow drift is detected.

[0217] The central control unit (ECU) controls the positioning system 170 on the basis of the data sent to it and the results of the measurements carried out by the control means 180 on the glazing produced by the device 100 .

[0218] The control device 180 for the manufactured glazing is also able to provide measurements related to the geometry of the glazing being inspected, in particular in order to be able to determine whether there is a drift in the glazing manufacturing method.

[0219] The control means 180 can communicate directly or indirectly with a central control unit (ECU) intended to automatically manipulate the positioning of the window pane 10 in the device 100 .

[0220] Preferably, the control device 180 is connected to a central control unit (ECU) via at least one computer 185 , which is intended to include a database with measurement records in order to be able to comparatively analyze the measured values ​​provided by said control device 180 .

[0221] As a variant, the computer 185 is deleted and the measurements performed by the control device 180 are directly sent and processed by the central control unit (ECU).

[0222] Preferably, the control means 180 is an automatic template (not shown) capable of controlling at least part of the glazing produced according to a given sampling.

[0223] Thus, the control means 180 connected to the computer 185 are able to provide the central control unit (ECU) with data relating to any corrections applied to the positioning system 170 in order to modify the reference position initially occupied by the glass 10 .

[0224] The control device 180 is the first element of a comprehensive automatic adjustment solution, which is intended to enable automatic correction of the positioning of the glass 10 in the manufacturing device 100 , in particular by means of a servo loop.

[0225] An automatic template is just one possible example of a control device 180 that may be used.

[0226] As a variant, control device 180 is of optical type capable of controlling the geometry of the glazing obtained from glass 10 .

[0227] Such an optical control device for the window pane advantageously makes it possible to carry out a contactless inspection, in particular by means of a measuring device, for example at least one chromatic confocal sensor.

[0228] As non-limiting examples, reference may be made to documents WO-2020 / 120294 and WO-2020 / 178776, which further describe optical control devices for such glazings.

[0229] Advantageously, the computer 185 uses algorithms to process the measurements sent by the control device 180 in order to provide the central control unit (ECU) with the data required to operate the various servo-assisted drives, some of which will be connected to the positioning device 200 described in detail later.

[0230] In fact, a direct relationship has been established between the entry angle presented by the glass 10 entering the bending machine 140 and the geometric values ​​of the glazing measured by the glazing control device 180 (for example an automatic template).

[0231] Patent application PCT / CN2020 / 117404 (unpublished) on behalf of the present applicant claims priority to application CN201910918569.9 filed on September 22, 2019, which also relates to a method and system for bending glass, which is based on an algorithm based on this direct relationship, so that reference can be made to its more details, in particular the mathematical justification of this relationship.

[0232] However, an overview of the present application will be given below, which enables the use of a control device 180 (more specifically an automatic inspection template) to advantageously implement a comprehensive solution for automatically correcting (especially without human intervention) one of multiple manufacturing parameters (and more specifically the positioning of the glass 10 in the device 100).

[0233] As previously referenced Figure 3 As explained (see in particular the relationship of Mathematical Formula 1), point M of the glass 10 k' Relative to point M k The shift of is caused by the counter-rotation effect occurring in the furnace 120 and corresponds to a combination of an angular rotation (α) and a vector translation motion (ΔXT, ΔYT) about the glass mass center G.

[0234] Furthermore, it is recalled that only the entry angle (β E ) (and not its lateral position) is the relevant parameter for the conformity of the glazing obtained with respect to the nominal shape.

[0235] Because point M k Not in its theoretical position, but in its actual position M k' When the glass window obtained from the glass 10 is positioned on the automatic template 180, the glass window is repositioned laterally, and point M k′ The projection onto the control surface of the template is actually positioned exactly at the theoretical point M k in the position.

[0236] Therefore, due to the position deviation of the glass 10 in the bending and heat tempering machine 140, it is actually point Mk′ (repositioned as M on the template) k ) changes in dimensional measurements relative to its theoretical position (optimal position).

[0237] The demonstration by calculating the direct relationship above is based on the following assumptions:

[0238] - The rollers 144, 146 of the bending tool 142 impose a torus shape defined by the surface, ie Z = S(X' k , Y′ k), the Z height of the glass at this point is equal only to the height imposed by the bending and thermal tempering machine 140 on the glass 10 that has undergone reverse rotation;

[0239] - For measurements on the automatic template 180, the entire glazing is repositioned in its reference position;

[0240] If the glass 10 enters the bending machine 140 without undergoing any reverse rotation in the furnace 120, that is, if the glass 10 is already formed in the optimal position, the actual surface S(X′) k , Y′ k ) and the surface S(X k , Y k ) is compared. This calculation thus quantifies the deviation S(X′) at various measurement points k , Y′ k )-S(X k , Y k ), the deviation is small enough to be described by a first-order expansion.

[0241] Therefore, point M of the glass window k The measured value of can be defined according to the following equation:

[0242] [Mathematical formula 2]

[0243] However, all the terms in this equation are known or can be calculated:

[0244] -Coordinate(X k and Y k ) are known and correspond to the coordinates of the geometric control points of the glazing as defined by the motor vehicle glazing manufacturer;

[0245] - Knowing that the surface Z = S (X k , Y k ) is defined by the geometry of the bender 140, mainly depending on the large radius R1 and the small radius R2;

[0246] - The coefficients a, b and c define a reference plane, the surface Z = S (X k , Y k ) are positioned relative to the reference plane. For example, when the glass window is located on the automatic inspection template 180, these coefficients depend on the support points on the inner surface of the glass window. These points, referred to as "studs, positions" in the previous equations, are known for the glass window and are usually defined by the vehicle manufacturer;

[0247] -Position(X k′ and Y k′) is unknown, but can be determined based on the coordinates (X k , Y k ) and the angular orientation difference (α), which is the angular orientation difference between the glass 10 entering the bending and thermal tempering machine 140 after undergoing reverse rotation (and optionally the corrective action of a positioning device such as a movable repositioning device) and the glass re-entering in its theoretical position (i.e., without reverse rotation).

[0248] Therefore, the angle (α) and the measured value M can be converted into k Direct contact:

[0249] [Mathematical formula 3]

[0250]

[0251] All the coefficients depend only on the coordinates of the support points of the glazing (here a side glazing) on ​​the automatic template 180, and on the major radius R1 and the minor radius R2 defined by the bending machine 140. Their calculation therefore assumes knowledge of the two-dimensional geometrical information of the glazing to be manufactured and of the geometrical information about the bending and thermal tempering machine 140.

[0252] It will therefore be agreed that the preceding reasoning can therefore be reversed, taking as starting point the following three elements: the geometry of the bending and thermal tempering machine 140; knowledge of the nominal shape or target geometry of the glass window to be produced; knowledge of the inspection conditions, i.e. the position of the control points and of the support points of the glass on the automatic template 180.

[0253] During the manufacturing process, the geometry of a produced glazing, the so-called "glazing N", is measured on an automated control template 180 in order to quantify the geometric deviation of glazing N from the nominal shape of the desired glazing. Thus, the geometric corrections required when bending the glazing are determined so that the next glazing produced ("glazing N+1") is closest to the nominal shape.

[0254] Based on the geometric deviation between glazing N and the “target glazing”, it is possible to define the angular change Δα that must be given to the “glazing N+1” entering the bending machine 140 so that its actual geometry at the exit is closest to the nominal shape.

[0255] Advantageously, and in accordance with the teachings of the aforementioned patent applications, this angular correction is performed on the glass 10 before it enters the furnace 120 (ie, on the loading station 130), the reverse rotation remaining substantially the same.

[0256] To this end, the central control unit (ECU) selectively controls the actuators 177, 178 and 179 (e.g., servo motors) of the positioning system 170 associated with the loading station 130 so as to correct the position on the lateral guides 172 and 174 and / or the stop abutment 176, thereby changing the entry angle of the glass.

[0257] With the aid of a servo loop of the type just described, in particular slow drifts during the manufacturing process can be automatically corrected and the stability of the manufacturing method and the tolerances of the glazing, and thus the performance, can be advantageously improved.

[0258] Therefore, the glass 10 is placed at an entry angle (β0) given by the positioning system 170 on the loading platform 130 (eg Figure 5 As shown, at the left edge 14 of the glass entering the furnace 120, the positioning system 170 is subordinate to the central control unit (ECU) in order to advantageously automatically correct the value of the entry angle β0, in particular in the event of drift.

[0259] As explained previously and as Figure 3 As shown, during the process of glass 10 being transported into furnace 120 by rollers 112 , glass 10 undergoes a reverse rotation phenomenon, which causes the initial position determined by positioning system 170 to change, especially the entry angle (β0) into furnace 120 to change.

[0260] This is one of the reasons why the device 100 comprises positioning means 200 according to the invention, comprising lateral abutments 20 that occupy a fixed position during repositioning.

[0261] As previously explained, the term "fixed" used to define the position of the abutment 20 (or even more generally the positioning device 200 referred to as a "fixed repositioning device") simply means that the abutment 20 is immovable relative to the glass 10 moving on the roller conveyor 114 toward the bender 140, which moves along the longitudinal orientation Y (X, Y, Z) of the axis system.

[0262] The term "fixed" is therefore used further in contrast to a movable repositioning device, the two front abutments of which move together with the glass, and must therefore not be interpreted as meaning that the abutment 20 can only occupy one position.

[0263] In practice, the fixing position of the abutment 20 may be adjusted depending on the glazing to be manufactured and may particularly advantageously be adjusted automatically by a central control unit (ECU).

[0264] At the exit of the furnace 120 (which is Figure 5The positioning device 200 or the “fixed repositioning device” including the abutment 20 makes it possible to correct the entry angle (β) of the glass 10 into the bending machine 140. E )'s reverse rotation effect.

[0265] The abutment portion 20 of the positioning device 200 comprises at least one ring 22 which is loosely mounted so as to be freely rotatable, a so-called swivel ring.

[0266] In practice, the ring 22 is configured to be able to rotate freely when occupying a fixed position in which the abutment 20 is arranged laterally relative to the glass 10 conveyed by the roller conveyor 114 of the device 100, the glass 10 cooperating in rolling contact with the ring 22 via the side edge 14 so as to reposition the glass 10 at a determined angle.

[0267] To explain the operation of the abutment portion 20, Figure 5 The profile of the glass 10 is shown, which is in contact with the rotating ring 22 of the abutment 20 and forms an angle with the longitudinal axis of the furnace 120, which corresponds to the entry angle β0 into the furnace 120 (this is to simplify the theoretical situation of the glass, that is, the glass does not undergo any reverse rotation, translational movement or rotation in the furnace).

[0268] During contact with the rotating ring 22 of the abutment 20 and its side edge 14, the glass 10 rotates about its center of mass G, while this point G is moving at a conveying speed V determined by the rollers of the conveyor 114. C Continue its movement downstream.

[0269] When the glass 10 is released from the rotating ring 22 of the lateral abutment 20 (ie when its side edge 14 stops being in contact with the ring 22), the angular position of the glass 10 corresponds to the entry angle β into the bending machine 140. E , the angle β E Here, the angle β0 is more acute than the angle at which the glass 10 initially enters the furnace 120 .

[0270] Advantageously, the positioning device 200 comprises detection means 24 associated with the abutment portion 20, which are able to detect the initial moment (t c ), the so-called contact moment, which corresponds to the moment when the side edge 14 of the glass 10 begins to contact the rotating ring 22 of the abutment portion 20; and the final moment (t e ), the so-called release moment, which corresponds to the moment when the side edge 14 of the glass 10 stops contacting with the rotating ring 22 of the abutment portion 20.

[0271] By means of the detection device 24, the position actually occupied at the exit of the furnace 120 due to the reverse rotation is measured until the angle of entry β corresponding to the entry into the bending machine 140 is reached.E The position of the glass 10 is determined, and the contact time of the glass 10 with the abutment portion 20 during the positioning or repositioning of the glass 10 is calculated.

[0272] The following will describe in more detail Figure 6 and Figure 7 An exemplary embodiment of a detection device 24 associated with an abutment 20 is shown.

[0273] Advantageously, the detection means 24 comprise at least one sensor 26 capable of detecting said initial moment of contact (t c ) and the final moment (t e ).

[0274] Preferably, the sensor 26 is a pressure sensor capable of detecting a pressure change caused by the side edge 14 of the glass 10 coming into contact or ceasing to come into contact with the rotating ring 22 of the abutment portion 20 .

[0275] The ring 22 of the abutment 20 is mounted so as to be freely rotatable about a vertical axis 28 so as to be able to rotate freely relative to said axis 28 when the lateral edge 14 of the glass 10 cooperates in rolling contact with the lateral surface 30 of said ring 22 during positioning.

[0276] The lateral surface 30 of the ring 22 advantageously forms a strip against which the lateral edge 14 of the glass 10 will run during contact, the ring 22 rotating counterclockwise about its vertical axis 28 from the moment of contact with the glass 10 and the moment of releasing it.

[0277] Advantageously, the abutment 20 according to the invention comprises circumferentially a radial gap 32 between the rotating ring 22 and the shaft 28 , so that said ring 22 is free to move radially relative to said shaft 28 .

[0278] Advantageously, radial play 32 makes it possible to reduce friction between ring 22 and shaft 28. Furthermore, radial play 32 is determined so as to take into account the thermal expansion of the material which occurs during operation and which is caused in particular by the high temperature of the glass 10 leaving furnace 120 and coming into contact with ring 22 of abutment 20, and by the high temperature of the air in the apparatus, which is approximately 100° C. to 120° C.

[0279] Advantageously, the ring 22 is made of a metallic material, such as stainless steel or ceramic.

[0280] The material of the ring 22 is chosen so as to ensure a "gentle" contact with the hot glass 10 leaving the furnace 120. Preferably, the ring 22 of the abutment 20 is made of a ceramic of the yttria-zirconia type.

[0281] according to Figure 6 and Figure 7 In the embodiment shown, the abutment 20 is an air flow sensitive abutment. According to this example, the sensor of the detection device 24 is an air pressure sensor.

[0282] The abutment 20 comprises a radial gap 32 between the ring 22 and the shaft 28, which is configured to form an annular space into which the air flow is injected, the circulation of the air flow being controlled by Figure 6 and Figure 7 The arrow in shows.

[0283] The air is supplied by means of an air supply circuit 34, which includes at least one conduit 36 ​​communicating with the annular space 32. More specifically, the conduit 36 ​​of the air supply circuit 34 includes, for example, at least one first portion and a second portion, the first portion vertically passing through the shaft 28 from its upper end, the second portion being connected to the first portion by an elbow and then radially outwardly leading to the annular space 32 through at least one air flow injection opening 38.

[0284] The second portion of the duct 36 of the air supply circuit 34 extends transversely along the X orientation of the axis system (X, Y, Z) so that the at least one opening 38 opens into the annular space 32 situated on the inside of the abutment 20 intended to come into contact with the glass 10 .

[0285] Figure 6 and Figure 7 The airflow indicated by the arrows in FIG. 1 is free to escape from the spaces 32 at the upper and lower ends of the rotating ring 22 .

[0286] Advantageously, the air contained in space 32 helps to reduce the friction between ring 22 and shaft 28 and helps to inhibit contact of glass 10 with ring 22 of abutment 20 .

[0287] During operation, the ring 22 of the abutment 20 is at least 1 / 200 mm in relation to the shaft 28. Figure 6 The invalid position and Figure 7 Radially move between the active positions shown.

[0288] The inactive position corresponds to the position occupied by the ring 22 when there is no contact between the glass 10 and the abutment 20 .

[0289] In the inactive position, the ring 22 and the vertical axis 28 are coaxial and separated from one another in the circumferential direction by an annular space 32 in which an air flow supplied by a duct 36 circulates.

[0290] The active position corresponds to the position occupied by the ring 22 when the glass 10 is in contact with the surface 30 of the ring 22 of the abutment 20. In the active position, the ring 22 is no longer coaxial with the vertical axis 28 and it completely or partially blocks the opening 38.

[0291] Thus, the radial movement of the ring 22 from the inactive position to the active position caused by the contact of the glass 10 with the abutment 20 causes a pressure variation in the duct 36 of the air supply circuit 34 which is then detected by the pressure sensor 26 of the detection device 24 .

[0292] like Figure 6 and Figure 7 As shown, the air pressure sensor 26 is connected to a conduit 36 ​​outside the abutment 20, for example. In addition, the sudden pressure changes that occur in the presence of the glass 10 are already Figure 6 and Figure 7 This is schematically shown in the form of a pressure gauge using arrows.

[0293] However, referring to Figure 6 and Figure 7 The disclosed pressure sensor 26 constitutes only one possible embodiment of the detection device 24 .

[0294] As a variant, sensor 26 is an accelerometer, for example a piezoelectric accelerometer, capable of detecting the vibrations caused by the coming into contact or the cessation of contact of lateral edge 14 of glass 10 with ring 22 of abutment 20 .

[0295] If the abutment 20 occupies a fixed position relative to the glass 10 moving on the rollers of the intermediate conveyor 114 and its side edge 14 is intended to come into contact with the ring 22, the fixed position of the abutment 20 can be automatically adjusted at least along the longitudinal orientation Y and the transverse orientation X of the axis system (X, Y, Z).

[0296] Advantageously, the positioning device 200 (so-called fixed repositioning device) comprises an actuation device 40 connected to the abutment 20 and capable of varying the position of the abutment 20 at least along said longitudinal Y and transverse X orientations.

[0297] Figure 8 An exemplary embodiment of an actuation device 40 is shown which makes it possible to selectively vary at least the longitudinal and / or transverse position of the abutment 20 .

[0298] Preferably, the abutment 20 is integral with the free end of a rigid arm 42 , the other end of which is connected to said actuating means 40 .

[0299] Preferably, the actuator 40 includes at least a first servo motor 44 and a second servo motor 46, so that the actuator 40 can be driven along the Figure 8 The transverse orientation X and the longitudinal orientation Y of the axis system (X, Y, Z) shown selectively adjust the fixing position of the abutment 20 .

[0300] The arm 42 is movably connected to a plate 47 movably mounted for longitudinal translation in Y, said plate 47 being movably mounted to another plate 45 movably mounted for transverse translation in X. The plates 45 and 47 are each slidably mounted, for example, by means of a pair of sliding mechanisms.

[0301] The first servo motor 44 is controlled to selectively drive the plate 45 in the X direction, while the second servo motor 46 is controlled to selectively drive the plate 47 in the Y direction.

[0302] Preferably, the height of the ring 22 of the abutment 20 is configured to cover in height a large thickness range of the glass 10 , so that no actuation means are required to change the position of the abutment 20 along the vertical orientation Z.

[0303] As a variant, the actuation device 40 can also vary the height of the abutment 20 relative to the horizontal conveying plane of the glass 10 defined by the rollers of the conveyor 114 .

[0304] Advantageously, the abutment 20 can be retracted relative to the conveying surface by means of the third servomotor 48 , in particular (particularly at the start of production) in order to retract the abutment 20 when adjusting the positioning system 170 of the loading station 130 .

[0305] Preferably, as a variant of the vertical rotation, the abutment 20 is retracted horizontally by means of the third servomotor 48 .

[0306] Advantageously, for safe operation, positioning device 200 also comprises an emergency system capable of vertically retracting arm 42 carrying abutment 20, for example in the event of a problem in conveying glass 10. This safety function is advantageously obtained by third servomotor 48.

[0307] The following describes the positioning stage of the glass 10. The glass 10 is positioned by the positioning device 200. Fig. 9 The abutment 20 shown with the rotating ring 22 is repositioned, Fig. 9 The positions successively occupied by the glass 10 are shown.

[0308] At the exit of the furnace 120, the glass 10 is on the rollers of the conveyor 114 ( Fig. 9 0), in which the glass 10 has an angle indicated at the side edge 14, which corresponds to the entry angle β0 given to the glass 10 by the positioning system 170 equipped with the loading platform 130 before the glass 10 enters the furnace 120 and corresponds to the random reverse rotation effect.

[0309] Between these two positions (Pos.0) and (Pos.1) corresponding to the time t0 and t1 respectively, the movement of the glass 10 being transported longitudinally is linear and uniform.C Moving, the conveying speed V C Determined by the conveyor rollers.

[0310] The position of the glass 10 (Pos.1) is inferred from the position (Pos.0) and corresponds to the vector translation, namely:

[0311] [Formula 4]

[0312]

[0313] The angle between the left-hand edge 14 of the glass 10 and the longitudinal orientation Y followed by the moving glass 10 (in Fig. 9 The dashed line above keeps the value constant.

[0314] The position (Pos.1) corresponds to the time t=t1, when the glass 10 contacts the abutment portion 20 occupying a fixed position, and Figure 6 and Figure 7 The exemplary embodiment of the present invention contacts the surface 30 of the rotating ring 22 .

[0315] Between positions (Pos. 1 ) and (Pos. 3 ) corresponding to times t1 and t3 , respectively, the left edge 14 of the glass 10 is always in contact with the abutment 20 , which causes an angular change in the position of the glass 10 , ie, the glass 10 is repositioned.

[0316] During the phase of contact with the abutment 20, the center of mass G of the glass 10 continues the rectilinear and uniform movement from the start time t0 in the longitudinal direction Y. However, the movement of the left edge 14 of the glass 10 in contact with the abutment 20 slows down, and conversely, the right edge 15 of the glass 10 accelerates.

[0317] like Fig. 9 As shown, the glass 10 then slides relative to the rollers of the conveyor 114, which sliding corresponds to a series of rotations around G and longitudinal movements, which at any moment satisfy the following conditions: on the one hand, the movement of G is linear and uniform starting from the initial moment t0, and on the other hand, the left edge 14 of the glass 10 remains in contact with the abutment 20.

[0318] Thus, position (Pos. 2 ) corresponds to an intermediate position of the glass 10 between the extreme positions (Pos. 1 ) and (Pos. 3 ) corresponding to the first and last contact between the glass 10 and the abutment 20 , respectively.

[0319] The position (Pos. 3) therefore corresponds to the instant t3, when the glass 10 releases the abutment 20, ie ceases to be in contact.

[0320] At time t1 (or even t c ) and t3 (or even te The contact time of the glass 10 between the glass 10 and the ring 22 of the abutment 20 is advantageously measured by a detection device 24 associated with the abutment 20, the detection device 24 being for example based on the above reference Figure 6 and Figure 7 An exemplary embodiment of the air pressure sensor 26 is described.

[0321] Between positions (Pos.3) and (Pos.4), the situation is similar to that described above and occurs between positions (Pos.0) and (Pos.1).

[0322] Therefore, the movement of the glass 10 is linear and uniform, again at a conveying speed V C Make the move.

[0323] The position of the glass 10 (Pos. 4) is inferred from the position (Pos. 3) and corresponds to the vector translation, namely:

[0324] [Formula 5]

[0325]

[0326] The angle between the left edge 14 of the glass 10 and the longitudinal direction Y followed by the moving glass 10 (as in Fig. 9 The dotted line on the top of the graph shows a constant value, which corresponds to the entry angle β E .

[0327] The following will refer to Figures 10 to 12 A more precise description of the kinematic study between the extreme positions (Pos. 1) and (Pos. 3) corresponding respectively to the first and last contact between the lateral edge 14 of the glass 10 and the rotating ring 22 of the abutment 20 is provided in order to explain the relationship between the contact time between the glass 10 and the abutment 20 and the position assumed by the glass 10 after repositioning by the positioning device 200 according to the invention (i.e. the entry angle β into the bending machine 140). E ) between them.

[0328] exist Fig.10 , the coordinate system is centered on the centroid G of the glass 10. Point H is obtained by construction and corresponds to the intersection between the line segment of the glass side edge 14 that will be in contact with the ring 22 of the abutment 20 during repositioning and the perpendicular to the straight line merged with this line segment, passing through the centroid G. The lengths l1, l2 and l3 depend on the geometry of the glass and connect the centroid G, the tip in contact with the abutment 20 (point A) and the previously constructed point H.

[0329] Coordinate system The point Ω is fixed and corresponds to the fixed position of the abutment portion 20. Fig. 9 As described, at any time t≥t0, the center of mass G of the glass 10 moves in a straight line and uniformly.

[0330] The length l0 is defined as the length along The length that separates G from the abutment 20. The length Δ is the distance along the glass tip corresponding to the position of point A relative to the abutment 20 located at Ω. The length exceeded.

[0331] Advantageously, the length Δ is actually adjusted at the positioning device 200 (the so-called fixed repositioning device), in particular by means of the actuating device 40 , in order to have a sufficiently long contact time with the abutment 20 to reliably achieve a repositioning of the glass 10 .

[0332] Vector as a function of time and Calculation

[0333] like Fig. 9 As shown, all data are time (t) dependent, so that, for example, the parameters at the initial time t0 are marked with a subscript or a superscript "0".

[0334] In the coordinate system In the example, the unit vector With coordinates (u X (t),u Y (t)), and thus rotates the vector by the angle β(t) Rot(β(t)-0) from To deduce

[0335] In matrix form, So written as:

[0336] [Mathematical formula 6]

[0337]

[0338] To express Used Fig.10 The symbol in corresponds to the reference position of the glass 10. Therefore, Fig.11 The vector shown in is rotated from Fig.10 The vector shown in The derivation is:

[0339] [Formula 7]

[0340] Similarly, for The following are the examples:

[0341] [Mathematical formula 8]

[0342]

[0343] Likewise, for any time, and are defined by the following first equation (1):

[0344] [Mathematical formula 9]

[0345]

[0346] exist Fig. 9 The individual continuous-time calculations shown in Fig.10 The linear equation (AH) shown in

[0347] This line (AH) is parallel to the vector Therefore (AH) is defined at any time by the second equation (2):

[0348] [Formula 10]

[0349]

[0350] To set the intercept b(t), we use the fact that H∈(AH). And, by vector composition, we have

[0351]

[0352] Right now:

[0353] [Mathematical formula 11]

[0354]

[0355] Assume that the conveying speed of the glass 10 on the roller of the conveyor is V C , by replacing the H coordinate in the second equation (2) and by considering b(t) alone, the following result is obtained:

[0356] [Mathematical formula 12]

[0357]

[0358] Therefore, for the linear equation (AH):

[0359] [Mathematical formula 13]

[0360]

[0361] It is simplified according to the third equation (3), which is applicable to any t≥t0, that is:

[0362] [Formula 14]

[0363]

[0364] For t∈[t0,t1] the linear equation (AH)

[0365] In such Fig. 9 Between the positions (Pos. 0 ) and (Pos. 1 ) shown, the angle β(t) of the glass 10 is β0 , which is determined by the positioning system 170 of the loading station 130 .

[0366] Therefore, for any t∈[t0,t1] (or even t∈[t0,t C ], where t C Corresponding to the contact moment), the following fourth equation n°4 is obtained:

[0367] [Mathematical formula 15]

[0368]

[0369] For t∈[t1,t3] the linear equation (AH)

[0370] (or t∈[t C , t E ], where t C Corresponding to the contact moment, t E Corresponding to the release moment)

[0371] Between the positions (Pos. 1) and (Pos. 3) corresponding respectively to the first and last contact between the side edge 14 of the glass 10 and the rotating ring 22 of the abutment 20, the angle β(t) varies as a function of time and the equation of the straight line (AH) is governed by the third equation (3).

[0372] At time t C and t E The calculation of β(t) between β(t) and β(t) first requires expressing β(t) as a function of the known position of the glass center of mass G, and then extracting the quantity cos(β(t)) from it.

[0373] The relationship between β(t) and the vertical coordinate of G

[0374] For any t∈[t C , t E ], the third equation (3) is applicable, and its intercept is zero because the glass 10 is always in contact with the abutment 20.

[0375] Therefore, we have b(t) = 0, that is, the fifth equation (5) below is true for any t∈[t C , t E ] are both valid:

[0376] [Formula 16]

[0377]

[0378] Calculate β(t) as a function of the ordinate of G

[0379] Therefore, the fifth equation (5) allows the vertical coordinate G of the center of mass G to be Y (t) Extract cos(β(t)) and then extract the angle β(t) as a function of time.

[0380] By multiplying both sides of the fifth equation (5) by sin(β(t), we obtain:

[0381] [Mathematical formula 17]

[0382] G Y(t) ·sin(β(t))=l1-l0·cos(β(t)).

[0383] However, for t∈[t C ;t E ], we have: Where β(t)≤β0≤0.

[0384] By substituting and then squaring each end, we obtain a quadratic equation that can be solved in the traditional way. That is:

[0385] [Mathematical formula 18]

[0386] G Y 2(t) ·(1-cos 2 β(t))=l1 2 +l0 2 ·cos 2 (β(t))-2·l0·l1·cos(β(t)).

[0387] Therefore, the sixth equation (6) is as follows:

[0388] [Mathematical formula 19]

[0389] (G Y 2 (t)+l0 2 )·cos 2 β(t)-2·l0·l1·cos(β(t))+l1 2 -G Y 2 (t).

[0390] After simplifying by eliminating the l0·l1 term, the discriminant Δ is written as:

[0391] [Mathematical formula 20]

[0392] Δ=4·G Y 2 (t)·[G Y 2 (t)+l0 2 -l1 2 ].

[0393] Therefore, the seventh equation (7) is as follows:

[0394] [Mathematical formula 21]

[0395]

[0396] The “-” (minus sign) in front of Arccos comes from the fact that for t∈[t C ;t E ], we have β(t)≤β0≤0. Therefore, Two solutions are possible, we used the following Solution which gives the increasing value in the argument of the Arccos function as a function of (t).

[0397] Calculate the contact time t with the abutment portion 20 of the fixed repositioning device C and release time t E

[0398] Contact time t C is calculated by assuming that at time t C Verifying the fourth equation (4) at time point Ω(0,0), we obtain the following equation:

[0399] [Mathematical formula 22]

[0400]

[0401] It can be seen that the contact time t C This naturally depends on the angle β0 of the line segment of the left edge 14 of the glass 10 before it contacts the rotating ring 22 of the abutment 20. In addition, The smaller (negative value is optional), t C The bigger it is.

[0402] Release time t E Calculation

[0403] By using the E The fact that point A merges with the origin Ω(0,0) gives us the application of the Pythagorean theorem to the (A,G,H) right triangle (with H as a right angle):

[0404] [Mathematical formula 23]

[0405]

[0406] Therefore, the following results are finally obtained:

[0407] [Mathematical formula 24]

[0408]

[0409] The following will refer to Fig.12 Describes the calculation of the glass angle at the exit of the positioning device 200, which is the entry angle (β) of the glass 10 into the bending machine 140. E ).

[0410] Fig.12 The position of glass 10 is shown at the moment of release, ie when glass 10 ceases to be in contact with rotating ring 22 of abutment 20 corresponding to point Ω.

[0411] In the corresponding Fig. 9 At the time t=t3 (or even t=t E ), the point Ω corresponding to the abutment portion 20 merges with the point A of the glass 10.

[0412] exist Fig.12 and, compared with the notation used previously, has been shown to be Angle θ is defined and depends only on the geometry of glass 10 .

[0413] according to Fig.12 , we can obtain the following equation:

[0414] [Mathematical formula 25]

[0415] l3·sin(β E +θ)=-l0.

[0416] For the angle (β E )

[0417] [Mathematical formula 26]

[0418]

[0419] It is clear from the above that, during the manufacturing process of the glass window, the main parameters that make it possible to automatically control the positioning of the glass 10 have been determined or can be determined.

[0420] The angle (β) at which the glass 10 enters the bending machine 140 of the glass window manufacturing apparatus 100 E) is determined by calculation based on the nominal shape of the glazing to be manufactured and the characteristics of the bending machine 140 (large radius R1) and the bending tool 142 (small radius R2).

[0421] Advantageously, according to the teaching of the aforementioned application PCT / CN2020 / 117404, the entry angle (β) can be corrected based on measurements made on at least one manufactured glazing, in particular using an algorithm. E ) value.

[0422] According to the previous equation, the release time t E can be determined by calculation using data corresponding to the nominal shape of the glazing in the same manner as the contact moment t C The same, however, contact time t C It depends on the entry angle (β0) of the glass 10 into the furnace 120 .

[0423] Therefore, for a given value of the entry angle (β0) of the glass 10 into the furnace 120 and the contact time with the abutment 20 during repositioning corresponding to a target value, it is known how to obtain said entry angle (β0) of the glass 10 into the bending machine 140. E ).

[0424] Advantageously, the value of the angle (β0) at which the glass 10 enters the furnace 120 is particularly large relative to the angle (β E ) is determined so that the contact time is between 0.1s and 0.5s, for example approximately 0.3s.

[0425] In fact, despite the random variations that may affect the entry angle (β0) of the glass 10 into the furnace 120 due to the reverse rotation, the act of targeting a specific contact time value (the so-called target value) with the abutment 20 makes it possible to ensure that the glass 10 enters the furnace 120 at the desired entry angle (β E ) effectively relocates.

[0426] If the positioning device 200 according to the invention (or a fixed repositioning device) is capable of achieving very high speeds, advantageously greater than the speeds of movable repositioning devices according to the prior art, there is still an important feature that distinguishes them during operation.

[0427] In fact, the positioning device 200 does not allow the glass to be repositioned at an angle independently of the lateral positioning of the glass 10 at the exit of the oven 120 , before the glass comes into contact with the abutment 20 of the device.

[0428] The use of a single abutment 20 arranged laterally makes the positioning device 200 sensitive to the lateral positioning of the glass 10 , compared to two front abutments of a movable repositioning device defining a line.

[0429] This can be illustrated, for example, by considering the extreme case of a glass 10 that is laterally displaced (here to the right, opposite the abutment 20) will continue its conveyance longitudinally without coming into contact with the abutment 20 and, in doing so, will therefore not present the desired entry angle (β) into the bender 140. E ).

[0430] This is why, when a correction of the lateral change in the position of the glass 10 is performed at the loading station 130 (i.e. before entering the furnace 120) using the positioning system 170, the fixed position of the abutment 20 must be changed accordingly in order to ensure a contact time that corresponds to the repositioning of the glass 10 according to the desired entry angle into the bender 140.

[0431] The use of a positioning device 200 according to the invention, a so-called fixed repositioning device, will now be described in a glazing manufacturing plant 100 .

[0432] According to one of the purposes of the present invention, positioning device 200 is arranged in apparatus 100, replacing the movable repositioning device according to the above-mentioned prior art. Advantageously, positioning device 200 also makes it possible to increase production speed and reduce costs.

[0433] However, with respect to the preferred embodiments to be described below, it must be understood that these advantages can be achieved in accordance with Figure 1 This is obtained in the prior art glazing manufacturing plant 100 shown in (that is to say in the plant 100 where, as in the past, the corrections are performed by an operator), without the comprehensive solution that will be described below.

[0434] According to another purpose pursued by the invention, the positioning device 200 can be incorporated into an integrated solution aimed at obtaining automatic adjustment or automatic actuation of the positioning of the glass 10 in such a glazing manufacturing device 100 (particularly but not exclusively by means of servo control).

[0435] Advantageously, the positioning device 200 or the fixed repositioning device can not only be incorporated into this solution, but can also improve it (in particular by allowing greater responsiveness in correcting the position of the glass 10, reducing waiting times).

[0436] In fact, the fixed repositioning device makes it possible to act directly on the glass 10 leaving the furnace 120, thereby, among other things, reducing scrap and increasing production capacity.

[0437] With regard to the glazing manufacturing plant 100 , two operating phases can be distinguished during manufacturing, namely the so-called start-up phase and the so-called production phase.

[0438] The startup phase includes the adjustment of various production parameters before the start-up, batch production or production phase. Therefore, the startup phase precedes the production phase.

[0439] During the start-up phase for producing glazings in the apparatus 100 , the positioning device 200 is not intentionally used.

[0440] Advantageously, the abutment 20 moves from the fixed position to a retracted position, the so-called non-service state, in which, by definition, the abutment 20 cannot come into contact with any glass 10 conveyed by the roller conveyor 114 .

[0441] according to Figure 8 In the exemplary embodiment shown in and previously described, the abutment 20 is driven from the fixed position to the retracted position, for example, by a third servomotor 48 of the actuating device 40 .

[0442] In previous reference Figure 8 The described actuation device 40 of the abutment 20 and more particularly the second servomotor 46 make it possible to adjust the longitudinal position of the abutment 20 along Y relative to the inlet of the bending machine 140 and according to the size of the glass 10 which varies from manufacturer to manufacturer.

[0443] First, the positioning system 170 disposed at the loading stage 130 is adjusted so as to position the glass 10 at an entry angle (β0) of the glass 10 into the furnace 120, the entry angle (β0) corresponding to a theoretical value obtained by calculation.

[0444] In particular, the theoretical value of the entry angle (β0) is determined based on a nominal shape or a desired geometry of the glazing, for example given here by the vehicle manufacturer, and based on the bending machine 140 , or even corresponds to a value resulting from a previous production cycle.

[0445] In particular, when there is no reverse rotation in the furnace 120, the entry angle (β0) of the glass 10 into the furnace 120 is theoretically equal to the entry angle (β E ).

[0446] Such a start-up phase is particularly necessary since the reality is very different from the numerous uncontrollable conditions that affect production, in order to adjust the entry angle (β0) based on the current conditions, which are usually different from the conditions of previous production.

[0447] Advantageously, the positioning system 170 is adjusted by selectively controlling the actuating means 177 and 178 of the guide means 172 and 174 and, where applicable, the actuating means 179 of the front stop abutment 176 by means of a central control unit (ECU).

[0448] Advantageously, the start-up phase is performed in a time-saving manner compared to the prior art due to the automation performed to achieve a comprehensive automatic adjustment solution in the device 100, in particular in the positioning system 170 with the actuators 177, 178 and 179 and the positioning device 200 with the actuator 40.

[0449] During the start-up phase, at least a small batch of glass 10 is introduced into the apparatus 100 at the loading station 130 at an entry angle (β0) determined by the settings of the positioning system 170 .

[0450] The glasses 10 are heated one by one in the furnace 120 by being conveyed by the conveyor system 110, then conveyed by the conveyor 114 from their exit from the furnace (without any contact with the abutment 20 in the retracted position), and in this way until entering the bending and thermal tempering machine 140, in which each glass 10 is then shaped so as to obtain a glass window (for example a side window) after cooling.

[0451] After passing through the cooling tunnel 150, at least one glazing unit in the batch is checked on a control device 180, here an automated template, to identify any deviations associated with the manufactured glazing unit from the nominal shape or desired geometry of the glazing unit.

[0452] Based on the measurements of the first glass window(s) provided by the control device 180, correction is performed on the loading station 130 by changing the entry angle (β0) of the glass 10 into the furnace 120 with the aid of the positioning system 170, wherein the left-side guide 172 and the right-side guide 174 of the positioning system 170 are in particular brought together or apart laterally relative to each other.

[0453] In order to verify using the control device 180 whether the correction made to the entrance angle (β0) into the furnace 120 has produced the desired results on the geometry of the glazing, the previous operation may or may not be repeated for one or more batches.

[0454] Preferably, once the entry angle (β0) into the furnace 120 has been set, the abutment 20 of the positioning device 200 is directly placed in the effective position without the need to repeat the operation for more than one batch of glass 10.

[0455] Advantageously, the third servomotor 48 is controlled to move the abutment 20 from the retracted position previously occupied to a fixed position in which the rotating ring 22 of the abutment 20 is intended to come into contact laterally with each glass 10 so as to be brought into the bending machine 140 at said angle of entry (β E )Reposition the glass 10.

[0456] As explained previously, during contact, the abutment 20 causes the glass 10 to rotate on the surface of the roller (eg, Fig. 9 As shown), and this is also the case when the glass 10 is moved at a speed V determined by the conveyor 114. C During the transportation process.

[0457] Due to the rotation of the glass 10, the contact between the abutment portion 20 and the glass 10 thus causes the glass to enter the bending machine 140 at an angle (β E ) changes. To compensate for this, the algorithm recalculates the value of the entry angle (β0) into the furnace 120 so that the desired entry angle (β0) of the glass 10 into the bending machine 140 can be obtained after contacting the abutment 20. E ).

[0458] It is recalled that the contact time corresponds to the moment t of contact between the glass 10 and the abutment 20 C and the release time t when the contact stops E The time that has passed between .

[0459] Therefore, the selection of the contact time target value makes it possible to calculate the contact moment t of the glass 10 C The value of C The value is equal to the release time t E The contact time target value is subtracted from the value of

[0460] In fact, the release time t E The previously given relationship [Equation 24] can be advantageously used to calculate, since all parameters are known, and the contact moment t defined by the relationship [Equation 22] C On the contrary, the contact moment t C It depends in particular on the angle of entry (β0).

[0461] As arranged above, the contact time t has been determined by calculation. C The value of can then be calculated from the value corresponding to the contact moment t C The relationship [Equation 22] determines the new value of the entry angle (β0) into the furnace 120.

[0462] Thus, the entry angle (β0) of the glass 10 into the furnace 120 can be corrected to use a new value obtained by calculation after the positioning device 200 is put into operation, and advantageously in the same way as initially adopted to start the startup phase, namely by selectively controlling the actuators 177, 178 and 179 of the positioning system 170 located upstream of the furnace 120 with the aid of a central control unit (ECU).

[0463] After adjusting the entry angle (β0) of the glass 10 into the furnace 120, the contact time of each glass 10 with the abutment 20 at the fixed position is then measured to determine whether the contact time matches the target value.

[0464] Advantageously, it is indeed sought to obtain a contact time between 0.1 s and 0.5 s, for example equal to a target value of 0.3 s. As previously explained, too short a contact time of the glass 10 with the abutment 20 would make it impossible to obtain a reliable repositioning of the glass 10 .

[0465] Likewise, too long a contact time between the glass 10 and the abutment 20 is no longer desirable, in particular in order to limit the amplitude of the rotation made by the glass 10 relative to the rollers, since the glass 10 leaving the oven 120 is hot and therefore sensitive to scratches.

[0466] Advantageously, the range of values ​​is therefore defined around said target value, for example plus or minus 20%, preferably plus or minus 15%, even more preferably plus or minus 10% of the target value.

[0467] Thus, using one or more batches of glass, the value of the contact time obtained is advantageously verified at the abutment 20 .

[0468] Then, if necessary, the fixed position of the abutment 20 is adjusted until a contact time corresponding to a target value for the glass 10 is obtained, for example 0.3 s in this case.

[0469] When the target value of the contact time at the abutment 20 is obtained, an inspection of the glazing unit or windows obtained is then advantageously carried out on the control device 180 in order to check the conformity of their geometry with respect to the desired nominal shape.

[0470] When a first consistent glazing (also referred to as a "first correct glazing") is obtained, the startup phase ends and the production phase of the manufacturing facility 100 can then begin mass production of glazings.

[0471] Advantageously, the invention also proposes a method for automatically manipulating the positioning of a sheet of glass 10 (the so-called glass) in a glazing manufacturing plant 100 during the production phase (ie after the start-up phase just described).

[0472] During the production phase, the method according to the invention advantageously makes it possible to automatically carry out the necessary corrections when a drift (i.e. a slow and repetitive drift) is detected, by acting preferentially on the positioning device 200, or by acting on the positioning system 170, the fixed position of the abutment of which is then adjusted, so as to selectively change the angle of entry (β) of the glass into the bending and thermal tempering machine 140 of the device 100. E ).

[0473] A method will be described below for automatically controlling the positioning of a sheet of glass 10 , so-called glass, in a manufacturing plant 100 , in particular for glazings for motor vehicles, as described above.

[0474] Thus, the manufacturing apparatus 100 includes a loading station 130 associated with a positioning system 170 for positioning each glass 10 at an entry angle (β0) into the furnace 120 .

[0475] In practice, the manufacturing plant 100 comprises a furnace 120 in which the glass 10 continuously conveyed on rollers 112 of a conveying system 110 is heated above a softening temperature.

[0476] At the exit of the furnace 120, at least one positioning device 200 is arranged, which comprises a lateral abutment 20 configured to be inserted at an entry angle (β) into the bending and thermal tempering machine 140. E ) Reposition each glass 10 conveyed by the roller conveyor 114.

[0477] As explained previously, the positioning device 200, a so-called fixed repositioning device, comprises a lateral abutment 20 having a rotating ring 22 configured to position each glass 10 leaving the furnace 120 and conveyed by the roller conveyor 114 at an entry angle (β) determined in particular on the basis of the glass window to be manufactured. E )position.

[0478] The device 100 comprises at least one central control unit (ECU) for implementing a method for automatically controlling the positioning of the window pane 10 .

[0479] The automation of the positioning of the glass 10 in the glazing manufacturing plant 100 is mainly performed by a central control unit (ECU) to which the various devices involved in the implementation of the method are connected and in particular controlled.

[0480] The manipulation method comprises at least a first control step ( E1 ) of controlling the geometry of at least one glazing produced from glass 10 by device 100 .

[0481] This control step (E1) is performed by at least one control device 180 capable of automatically providing geometrical measurements of the glazing. The control device 180 of the glazing manufactured by the device 100 can communicate directly or indirectly with a central control unit (ECU) to make use of said measurements.

[0482] Advantageously, said control step (E1) is performed on an automatic template 180 as a variant of being performed on an optical control device.

[0483] The control method comprises a second analysis step ( E2 ) of analyzing the measured values ​​provided by the control step ( E1 ), or provided by said control means 180 , in order to further determine whether there is a drift in the method for manufacturing a glazing unit by the device 100 .

[0484] To this end, a second analysis step ( E2 ) consists in comparing said measured values ​​provided by the control device 180 with a database comprising measurement records in order in particular to determine whether there is a drift, ie a slow and repetitive drift as opposed to a one-off and non-repetitive drift.

[0485] Preferably, the control device 180 is connected to a computer 185 which comprises such a database with measurement records in order to be able to comparatively analyse the measured values ​​provided by said control device 180 and then transmit the data to a central control unit (ECU).

[0486] If no drift is detected, the method stops at this second analysis step ( E2 ), the inspected glazing is consistent, and the method is performed again from the first step ( E1 ) during the next inspection.

[0487] If a drift is detected during the second analysis step ( E2 ), the corrective action automatically performed will depend on the size of the angular correction to be made to the positioning of the glass 10 .

[0488] If a correction of the positioning of the glass 10 is to be made that exceeds a certain value, it is preferably made at the positioning system 170 directly upstream of the furnace 120 in order to change the entry angle (β0) of the glass 10 into the furnace 120 .

[0489] When calibration is carried out with the positioning system 170, the fixed position of the lateral abutment 20 of the positioning device 200 is then laterally modified for the reasons given above. In fact, its operation depends on the lateral position of the glass 10 to ensure contact with the abutment 20 at a fixed time (contrary to the movable repositioning devices according to the prior art with two front abutments).

[0490] A significant correction is therefore understood to mean an angular correction of a value corresponding to a contact time with the abutment 20 that will be outside the range of values ​​around the target value of the contact time.

[0491] In the case of a major correction, the positioning device 200 can also be used for correction, but it should be understood that the positioning system 170 needs to be changed due to the interaction between the positioning system 170 and the positioning system 170. This is also the reason why when the correction is made at the positioning system 170, the fixed position of the abutment 20 of the positioning device 200 is also changed.

[0492] Typically, the correction of the positioning of the glass 10 can be carried out on a positioning device 200 located downstream of the furnace 120. In fact, the method according to the invention makes it possible to automatically detect the presence of a drift and to react quickly when doing so.

[0493] The manipulation method thus comprises a third adjustment step (E3) consisting in adjusting the fixed position of the lateral abutment 20 of the positioning device 200 so as to change the entry angle (β) of the glass 10 into the bending and thermal tempering machine 140. E ).

[0494] The third adjustment step ( E3 ) consists in selectively controlling the actuation means 40 of the abutment 20 so as to adjust the fixing position of the lateral abutment 20 along the transverse orientation.

[0495] Advantageously, the third adjustment step ( E3 ) is automatically controlled by a central control unit (ECU) by which said actuation means 40 of the lateral abutment 20 are controlled.

[0496] Thanks to this adjustment step ( E3 ) of directly adjusting the position of the glass 10 at the exit of the furnace 120 by the abutment 20 of the positioning device 200 , the correction is carried out more quickly, in particular compared to the correction carried out only at the entry by the positioning system 170 arranged at the loading station 130 .

[0497] Therefore, the use of the positioning device 200 makes it possible to correct the position of the glass 10 with a lower waiting time compared to the correction carried out at the loading station 130, which means that the number of glasses N (for example 20 to 30 glasses) depends on the length of the furnace 120 of the device 100, and advantageously, these glasses will not be scrapped.

[0498] The manipulation method then comprises a fourth verification step (E4) consisting in checking, after adjusting the fixed position of the lateral abutment 20, whether the subsequent contact time between the glass 10 and the lateral abutment 20 is still within a range of given values ​​around a target value corresponding to a position of the glass 10 having said entry angle (β) into the bending machine 140. E ).

[0499] In fact, the function of the abutment 20 of the fixed repositioning device according to the invention still ensures that the bending machine 140 is provided with said entry angle (β) by further correcting the effects of the reverse rotation. E ) Position each glass 10.

[0500] Advantageously, the contact time is between 0.1 s and 0.5 s, with a target value equal to 0.3 s for example.

[0501] Preferably, the target value of the contact time between the side edge 14 of the glass 10 and the abutment 20 (which corresponds to the desired entry angle (β) of the glass 10 into the bending machine 140) is E ))Determined by studying each type of glazing.

[0502] The manipulation method includes a fifth correction step (E5), which includes selectively changing the position of the guiding devices 172, 174 and, if necessary, selectively changing the position of the front stop abutment 176 of the positioning system 170 of the glass 10 if the contact time is outside the range of values ​​near the target value.

[0503] As explained previously and Figure 5 As shown, a positioning system 170 associated with the loading station 130 is arranged upstream of the furnace 120 of the apparatus 100 .

[0504] Therefore, the correction step (E5) consists in further changing the position of the guide means 172, 174 (including the left lateral guide 172 and the right lateral guide 174) in the following manner:

[0505] - if the contact time is less than the lower limit value of the range, the left lateral guide 172 and the right lateral guide 174 are laterally separated from each other so as to tend toward the target value by increasing the contact time,

[0506] If the contact time is greater than the upper limit of the range, the left lateral guide 172 and the right lateral guide 174 converge laterally toward each other so as to approach the target value by reducing the contact time.

[0507] The lower and upper values ​​of the range correspond to the target value with a margin equal to plus or minus 20%, preferably plus or minus 15%, even more preferably plus or minus 10%, respectively.

[0508] The fifth correction step ( E5 ) also consists in selectively changing the position of the front stop abutment 176 based on the correction carried out to change the position of the guide means 172 , 174 of the positioning system 170 for positioning the glass 10 .

[0509] The fifth correction step ( E5 ) is automatically performed by the central control unit (ECU) by which the actuating means 178 , 179 of the guide means 172 , 174 and the actuating means 179 of the front stop abutment 176 are controlled respectively.

Claims

1. A positioning device (200) for positioning a glass sheet, the glass sheet being glass (10), the positioning device being intended to be equipped with a device (100) for manufacturing a glass window, characterized in that: The positioning device (200) comprises a lateral abutment (20), which comprises a rotating ring (22), which is mounted so as to be able to rotate freely about a vertical axis (28) so as to be able to rotate freely when occupying a fixed position, in which the lateral abutment (20) is arranged laterally relative to the glass (10) conveyed by the roller conveyor (114) of the device (100), and the glass (10) cooperates with the rotating ring (22) in a rolling contact manner via a side edge (14) so ​​as to reposition the glass (10) at a determined angle, wherein the lateral abutment occupies a fixed position.

2. The positioning device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The positioning device (200) comprises a detection device (24) capable of determining the contact time between the glass (10) and the rotating ring (22) of the lateral abutment (20) during repositioning.

3. The positioning device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The detection device (24) comprises at least one sensor (26) associated with the lateral abutment (20), the sensor being capable of detecting at least: - Initial time (t C ), i.e. the contact moment, which corresponds to the moment when the side edge (14) of the glass (10) comes into contact with the rotating ring (22) of the lateral abutment (20), and - Final moment (t E ), i.e., the release moment, which corresponds to the moment when the side edge (14) of the glass (10) stops contacting with the rotating ring (22) of the lateral abutment portion (20), To determine the contact time between the glass (10) and the rotating ring (22) of the lateral abutment (20) during repositioning.

4. The positioning device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The sensor (26) is an accelerometer capable of detecting vibrations caused by the lateral edge (14) of the glass (10) coming into contact and ceasing contact with the rotating ring (22) of the lateral abutment (20), respectively.

5. The positioning device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The sensor (26) is a pressure sensor capable of detecting pressure changes caused by the side edge (14) of the glass (10) starting to contact and stopping contact with the rotating ring (22) of the lateral abutment (20), respectively.

6. The positioning device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The positioning device (200) comprises an actuating device (40) of the lateral abutment (20), which can be controlled so as to change the fixed position of the lateral abutment (20) at least along a transverse orientation (X) and / or a longitudinal orientation (Y).

7. The positioning device according to claim 6, characterized in that: The lateral abutment (20) is mounted at the free end of an arm (42), the other end of the arm (42) being movably connected to the actuating device (40) by means of connecting means (45, 47).

8. The positioning device according to claim 6, characterized in that: The actuation means (40) of the lateral abutment (20) can be controlled by a control unit (ECU) intended to automatically manipulate the positioning of the glass sheet in a glazing manufacturing plant (100).

9. The positioning device according to claim 6, characterized in that: The actuating device (40) of the lateral abutment (20) comprises at least one first servomotor (44) for moving the lateral abutment (20) in a transverse direction (X), and a second servomotor (46) for moving the lateral abutment (20) in a longitudinal direction (Y).

10. The positioning device according to claim 6, characterized in that: The actuation means (40) of the lateral abutment (20) comprise at least one third servomotor (48) to move the lateral abutment (20) from the fixed position to at least one retracted position, ie a non-service position.

11. The positioning device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The lateral abutment (20) circumferentially includes a gap (32) between the rotating ring (22) and the shaft (28), the gap being configured to allow the rotating ring (22) to freely move radially relative to the shaft (28).

12. The positioning device according to claim 11, characterized in that: The rotating ring (22) is radially movable relative to the shaft (28) between at least one inactive position and an active position, wherein the inactive position is occupied when there is no contact between the glass (10) and the rotating ring (22) of the lateral abutment (20), and the active position is occupied when the glass (10) is in contact with the rotating ring (22) of the lateral abutment (20).

13. The positioning device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The angle is the entry angle (β) of the bending machine (140) entering the device (100). E ).

14. The positioning device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The positioning device is intended to equip a plant (100) for manufacturing glazing units for motor vehicles.

15. The positioning device according to claim 4, characterized in that: The sensor (26) is a piezoelectric accelerometer.

16. The positioning device according to claim 5, characterized in that: The sensor (26) is an air pressure sensor.

17. An apparatus (100) for producing a glazing from a sheet of glass, namely glass (10), wherein: The glass (10) travels on rollers (112) of a conveying system (110) in a furnace (120) before entering a bending machine (140) so as to be heated above a softening temperature, characterized in that the device (100) comprises at least one device (200) for positioning the glass (10), the device (200) being arranged between the furnace (120) and the bending machine (140), the device (200) comprising a lateral abutment (20) having a rotating ring (22), the lateral abutment (20) being arranged laterally with respect to the roller conveyor (114) so ​​as to reposition each glass (10) being conveyed at an angle corresponding to the entry angle (β) of the glass (10) entering the bending machine (140). E ), wherein the lateral abutment occupies a fixed position.

18. The device according to claim 17, characterized in that The fixed position is determined so that the glass (10) conveyed by the roller conveyor (114) cooperates laterally with the rotating ring (22) within a given contact time so as to reposition the glass (10) at an angle corresponding to the entry angle (β) into the bending machine (140). E ).

19. The device according to claim 17 or 18, characterized in that The device (100) comprises a central control unit (ECU) capable of automatically manipulating the positioning of the glass (10) in the device (100).

20. The device according to claim 19, characterized in that The central control unit (ECU) is capable of controlling the actuation device (40) of the lateral abutment (20).

21. The device according to claim 17 or 18, characterized in that The device (100) comprises an automatic control device (180) for the manufactured glazing, which is capable of providing measurement values ​​related to the geometry of the glazing being inspected.

22. The device according to claim 21, characterized in that The device (100) comprises a central control unit (ECU) which is capable of automatically manipulating the positioning of the glass (10) in the device (100), the control device (180) being connected to the central control unit (ECU) via at least one computer (185), the computer comprising a database containing measurement records so as to be able to comparatively analyze the measurement values ​​provided by the control device (180).

23. The device according to claim 17 or 18, characterized in that The device (100) comprises a positioning system (170) for glass (10), the positioning system (170) associated with a loading station (130) arranged upstream of the furnace (120) comprising a front stop abutment (176) and a guiding device, the guiding device comprising at least a left lateral guide (172) and a right lateral guide (174), the left lateral guide and the right lateral guide together defining a reference position of the glass (10) having an entry angle (β0) into the furnace (120), wherein the front stop abutment (176) is connected to an actuating device (179), and the left lateral guide (172) and the right lateral guide (174) are connected to actuating devices (177, 178), the actuating devices (177, 178) being respectively configured to be able to change the position of the left lateral guide (172) and the right lateral guide (174) at least along a transverse orientation.

24. The device according to claim 23, characterized in that The actuating means (177, 178) of the guide means and the actuating means (179) of the front stop abutment (176) of the positioning system (170) are servomotors.

25. The device according to claim 24, characterized in that The actuating means (177, 178) of the guide means and the actuating means (179) of the front stop abutment (176) of the positioning system (170) can be controlled by a central control unit (ECU).

26. The device according to claim 17 or 18, characterized in that The device (100) comprises an automatic control device (180) for the manufactured glazing unit, which is capable of providing measured values ​​related to the geometry of the inspected glazing unit in order to be able to determine whether there is a drift in the method for manufacturing the glazing unit carried out by the device.

27. The device according to claim 19, characterized in that The central control unit (ECU) is capable of adjusting the fixed position of the lateral abutment (20).

28. A method for automatically controlling the positioning of glass sheets in a glass window manufacturing plant (100), the glass sheets being glass (10), wherein a loading station (130) is associated with a positioning system (170) so that each glass (10) is positioned at an entry angle (β0) into a furnace (120), the glass (10) conveyed on rollers (112) of a conveying system (110) being heated above a softening temperature in the furnace (120), and a positioning device (200) is arranged at the exit of the furnace (120), the positioning device (200) comprising a lateral abutment (20) configured to position each glass (10) conveyed by a roller conveyor (114) at an entry angle (β0) into a bending machine (140). E ) relocation, where The lateral abutment portion occupies a fixed position, and the device (100) further comprises at least one central control unit (ECU) for implementing an automatic control method, the method comprising at least: - a first control step (E1) of controlling the geometry of the glazing produced from the glass (10) by the device (100); - a second analysis step (E2) of analyzing the measured values ​​provided by the first control step (E1) in order to determine whether there is a drift in the manufacturing process; - a third adjustment step (E3) consisting in controlling the positioning device (200) in order to correct said angle of entry (β) into the bending machine (140) in the presence of a drift E ); - a fourth verification step (E4), which consists in checking whether the contact time between the subsequent glass (10) and the lateral abutment (20) is within a range of a given value around a target value, the target value corresponding to a time period based on the entry angle (β E ) of the glass (10); - a fifth correction step (E5) consisting in changing the angle (β0) of entry of the glass (10) into the furnace (120) by controlling the positioning system (170) if the contact time is outside the range of values ​​around the target value.

29. The method according to claim 28, characterized in that The first control step (E1) is performed on a control device (180).

30. The method according to claim 28 or 29, characterized in that The second analysis step (E2) also consists in comparing the measured values ​​provided by the control device (180) with a database containing measurement records in order to determine whether a drift is present.

31. The method according to claim 28 or 29, characterized in that The third adjustment step (E3) is to control the actuating device (40) of the lateral abutment portion to adjust the fixed position of the lateral abutment portion (20).

32. The method according to claim 31, characterized in that The third adjustment step (E3) is automatically controlled by a central control unit (ECU), and the actuating device (40) of the lateral abutment portion (20) is controlled by the central control unit.

33. The method according to claim 28 or 29, characterized in that A target value of the contact time between the side edge (14) of the glass (10) and the lateral abutment (20) is determined by learning, the target value corresponding to the desired entry angle (β) of the glass (10) into the bending machine (140). E ).

34. The method according to claim 28 or 29, characterized in that The fifth correction step (E5) consists in changing at least the position of a guide device of the positioning system (170), the guide device comprising a left lateral guide (172) and a right lateral guide (174), so that: - if the contact time is less than the lower limit of the range, the left lateral guide (172) and the right lateral guide (174) are laterally separated from each other so as to tend toward the target value by increasing the contact time, If the contact time is greater than the upper limit of the range, the left lateral guide (172) and the right lateral guide (174) converge laterally toward each other so as to approach the target value by reducing the contact time.

35. The method according to claim 34, characterized in that The lower limit value and the upper limit value of the range correspond to a target value with a margin equal to plus or minus 20%, respectively.

36. The method according to claim 28 or 29, characterized in that The fifth correction step (E5) consists in changing the position of the front stop abutment (176) of the positioning system (170) of the glass (10) based on the correction performed to change the position of the guide device of the positioning system (170).

37. The method according to claim 28 or 29, characterized in that The fifth correction step (E5) is automatically performed by a central control unit (ECU), by which the actuating device of the guide device and the actuating device (179) of the front stop abutment (176) of the positioning system are respectively controlled.

38. The method according to claim 28, characterized in that The method is used to automatically control the positioning of a glass sheet in a glazing manufacturing plant (100) for motor vehicles.

39. The method according to claim 29, characterized in that The control device (180) is an automatic inspection template or an optical control system, which can respectively provide geometric measurement values ​​of the glass window.

40. The method according to claim 35, characterized in that The lower limit value and the upper limit value of the range correspond to a target value with a margin equal to plus or minus 15%, respectively.

41. The method according to claim 35, characterized in that The lower limit value and the upper limit value of the range correspond to a target value with a margin equal to plus or minus 10%, respectively.

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