Method and device for positioning glass sheets for use in equipment for manufacturing glazing

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method and a device for positioning a glass sheet, the device being intended to equip an apparatus for manufacturing glass windows, the positioning device comprising: a stopper intended to positively cooperate with an edge of a glass transported between an oven and a bending machine of the apparatus by a conveyor having rollers so as to position the glass in a reference position determined relative to the bending machine, the stopper being movably mounted between at least an activated position and a non-activated position, characterised in that the positioning device comprises: at least one abutment forming the stopper, comprising a ring mounted to be freely rotatable about a vertical axis so as to be able to rotate freely when occupying the activated position, the edge of the glass cooperating with the ring in rolling contact so as to cause the glass to be oriented in the determined reference position; and a detection device capable of detecting when the glass reaches the reference position so as to control the movement of the at least one abutment from the activated position to the non-activated position so as to release the glass.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a method for positioning a glass sheet and a device for positioning a glass sheet for an apparatus for manufacturing glazing, in particular glazing for motor vehicles.

[0002] More particularly, the invention relates to a device for positioning a sheet of glass, referred to as glass, intended to equip a glazing manufacturing plant, said positioning device comprising a stop intended to positively cooperate with an edge of a glass transported by a roller conveyor between an oven and a bending machine of the plant in order to position said glass in a reference position determined relative to the bending machine, said stop being movably mounted between at least:

[0003] an activated position in which the stop can positively cooperate with the edge of the glass so as to cause the glass to slide relative to the rollers of the conveyor so as to orient the glass into said reference position, and

[0004] An inactive position in which the stop is able to release the glass occupying said reference position so that the glass can continue its travel into the bending machine. Background Art

[0005] Various methods are known in the state of the art for producing glazing units, in particular glazing units for motor vehicles.

[0006] The choice of method for manufacturing the glazing is further determined based on the type of glazing (eg, windshield, roof, rear window, or even side windows).

[0007] The characteristics of the glazing (monolithic or laminated) determine in particular the choice of the bending means (equipment) implemented to shape the glass, in particular to obtain the desired curve(s), and consequently the manufacturing method.

[0008] In the case of the side windows of motor vehicles, the bending of the glass is usually carried out in our plants according to a manufacturing method generally referred to as “TB”, an acronym for “Transverse Bend”.

[0009] The side windows are therefore manufactured according to this “sheet-by-sheet” method, ie the glass sheets are bent individually one after the other or in pairs next to one another.

[0010] This production method, which is further characterized by a high productivity, is particularly, but not exclusively, implemented for the production of side windows for motor vehicles.

[0011] However, the “TB” manufacturing method constitutes only one example of a manufacturing method that seeks to control the position of one or more pieces of glass relative to a bending device formed by an upper roller associated with a lower roller, the upper and lower rollers having complementary shapes.

[0012] In fact, whatever the manufacturing method, the control of the position of the glass(es) relative to the bending means implemented seems to be a determining factor for the consistency of the geometry of the glazing obtained.

[0013] In this regard, it should be noted that the tolerances requested by customers, such as vehicle manufacturers, are constantly decreasing, requiring glazing manufacturers to achieve higher and higher capabilities.

[0014] This is why plants for the manufacture of glazing units usually include one or more devices for positioning or orienting the glass sheets.

[0015] The plant for manufacturing glazing, in particular for motor vehicles, further comprises a furnace into which the glasses are transported one by one and flat in at least one row by means of roller conveyors. The furnace is intended to raise the glass above its softening temperature in order to facilitate its shaping by means of bending means, followed by its cooling.

[0016] Document FR-2,606,383 illustrates an example of a solution implemented for positioning the glass at the furnace inlet.

[0017] According to this document, the device comprises a glass positioning system associated with a loading station arranged in front of the furnace, comprising a positive stop abutment and guide means, including at least one left guide and one right guide, which together define the position of the glass, in particular characterized by the entry angle into the furnace.

[0018] However, it has been observed that the position of the glass at the furnace exit of the device does not match the position initially given by such a positioning system, and this is due to a drift phenomenon also known as "reverse rotation".

[0019] The glass drift phenomenon occurs in particular due to geometric imperfections of the rollers of the conveyor combined with the effects of thermal inhomogeneities when the glass is heated in the furnace.

[0020] As a result, other complementary solutions have been developed in order to seek to correct the effects of the drift phenomenon on the position of the glass leaving the furnace and before it is shaped by the bending means of the equipment.

[0021] An example of such a solution is disclosed in document FR-2,644,777. According to this document, positioning means are implemented between the furnace and the bending means when the glass sheet is transported on rollers of a conveyor.

[0022] The operation of the positioning device consists of inserting a movable stop in the path of the glass sheet (one end of the leading edge of the glass sheet comes into contact with this stop), which stop remains in contact with the glass long enough to allow the position of the glass to be corrected under the action of the conveyor, which continues to drive the glass sheet and reaches a reference position determined relative to the bending device.

[0023] 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 conveyor but at a speed less than that of the conveyor.

[0024] The positioning device essentially comprises a stopper comprising two positive abutments which are movably mounted by means of a trolley capable of being driven 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 before bending.

[0025] However, such positioning devices (also known as "mobile re-centering devices") are not completely satisfactory. In fact, it is still and always sought to increase the speed of manufacturing glazings, of course, without sacrificing the consistency of their geometry.

[0026] This is one of the reasons why a new solution was invented with a device for positioning the glass sheet which makes it possible to correct the reverse rotation of the glass after the furnace and before it enters the bending machine, in particular at higher rates, in particular at glass conveying speeds greater than 200 mm / s.

[0027] This device for positioning a sheet of glass, referred to as glass, is intended to equip an apparatus for the manufacture of glazing units and is characterized by the fact that it comprises an abutment including a ring mounted 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 transported by the roller conveyor of the apparatus, the glass cooperating by means of a lateral edge in rolling contact with said ring in order to re-center said glass at a determined angle corresponding to the desired angle of entry of the glass into the bending means of the apparatus.

[0028] This novel device for positioning glass sheets (also called "fixed lateral re-centering device") is the subject of a French patent application filed on March 9, 2021 in the name of SGGF (application number FR2102243) (not published), and for more details reference will be made to that patent application, in particular with regard to the functioning of the positioning device.

[0029] However, this novel positioning device (in fact, the prior art positioning device according to FR-2,644,777) makes it impossible to process all the glasses that can be used in a plant for manufacturing different types of glazing.

[0030] However, it is envisaged that the same glazing manufacturing equipment can be used on an industrial basis to manufacture a maximum number of glazings, in particular whatever their size (including the smallest size), as will be explained in more detail below.

[0031] In the automotive sector, in addition to the glazing mentioned above (which is in particular the windshield, roof, rear window or even the side windows), there are in fact glazings of smaller dimensions (depending on the model of vehicle).

[0032] This is particularly true for glass windows mounted laterally between the vehicle window and the windshield or even between the vehicle window and the rear window, these small glass windows usually have a triangular or trapezoidal shape and are most often fixedly mounted on the vehicle body.

[0033] However, these “small” glazing units (also called triangular windows) are only highly representative examples of glazing units in motor vehicles, but are not exhaustive.

[0034] Such glass windows or quarter windows are further referred to as “front quarter windows” or “rear quarter windows”, based on their position at the front or at the rear of the vehicle, respectively.

[0035] In the remainder of the description, the term "triangular window(s)" will therefore be used to refer generally to such glazings having small dimensions.

[0036] The manufacture of such small glass windows or triangular windows is therefore currently carried out in conventional plants of the type previously described, but which are dedicated and particularly adapted for their manufacture; in particular, the conveyor is therefore designed to transport glass having small dimensions while promoting its heating.

[0037] As previously stated, it is now desirable to have a multifunctional device, i.e. a device which is capable of allowing the manufacture of glazings of all sizes (including the smallest) and in doing so, instead of having different dedicated devices depending on the glazing, the benefits of such a multifunctional (or "universal") device are many and particularly of economic value.

[0038] However, one of the main problems encountered is that of conveying the glass into the furnace, since the rollers of the conveyor intended to transport glass for making, for example, side windows are not suitable for conveying glass of smaller dimensions, such as those of said triangular windows.

[0039] This is one of the reasons why the manufacture of these glazings, which have different dimensions when considering, for example, a side window relative to a triangular window, is carried out in dedicated plants and not in the same plant.

[0040] In this regard, it is important to remember that the characteristics of the roller conveyors that equip the furnace are not determined by the dimensions of the glass produced, but must first and foremost satisfy the technical specificities related to the heating performed in the furnace.

[0041] The rollers of the conveyor, of identical diameter and generally made of ceramic, are mounted inside the furnace at regular centre distances so as to present between two consecutive rollers a defined space that directly participates in heating the glass.

[0042] In fact, the furnace comprises heating means, for example consisting of resistors, arranged on either side of the rollers of the conveyor, respectively above in the furnace roof and below in the base.

[0043] The glass is therefore heated mainly by radiation emitted by the resistors and by conduction associated with the heat stored by the rollers and the varying convection levels, depending in particular on whether the furnace is equipped with air nozzles or not.

[0044] The centre distance between the rollers of the conveyor of the furnace must allow the passage of the radiation emitted by the resistors situated in the base, in order to ensure uniform heating between the upper and lower surfaces of the glass conveyed flat on the rollers of the conveyor.

[0045] As a result, a minimum value for the center distance is determined in order to enable the radiation to reach underneath the glass being transported in the furnace.

[0046] The center distance between two consecutive rollers of a conveyor in a furnace is typically between 60 mm and 80 mm, depending on the equipment, the value of the center distance also depending on the value of the roller diameter, which is between 50 mm and 60 mm.

[0047] For example, when considering a roller diameter of 60 mm and a center distance of 80 mm, the glasses arranged one after the other travel on the rollers of the conveyor along support lines which are spaced apart by the value of the center distance, ie each 80 mm apart.

[0048] In the case of glass intended for the manufacture of glazings (such as triangular windows, i.e., “front or rear triangular windows”), given the value of the centre distance and the small dimensions of the glazing, there is a significant risk that the glass may fall between the two rollers, a risk further increased by the instability of such glass during conveyance.

[0049] Furthermore, the glass may deform if its softening temperature is exceeded in the furnace, due to the lack of proper support, which increases the risk of the glass falling between the two rollers.

[0050] Therefore, those skilled in the art were not prompted to seek solutions to improve the versatility of the equipment and, for technical reasons related to the furnaces and for a long time, they chose to manufacture such glasses in dedicated equipment in which all the devices implemented were also adapted to the small dimensions of these glasses, in particular the center distances of the rollers and of the conveyors associated with the furnace.

[0051] However, and contrary to these technical prejudices regarding the feasibility of multifunctional equipment, the present invention aims to propose a novel solution to facilitate the manufacture of small windows (such as triangular windows) in the same equipment as for other glass windows of larger dimensions, in particular side windows, windshields, rear windows, etc.

[0052] In order to prevent the risk of falling and to ensure good conveying stability of glasses with small dimensions in equipment designed to manufacture glasses with larger dimensions, the invention first of all consists in a complete paradigm shift by choosing the glass position at the furnace entrance, which consists in aligning the length of the glass along the conveying direction (advantageously the maximum length presented by the glass).

[0053] This delivery position of the glass will be referred to in the remainder of the description as the so-called "longitudinal" position.

[0054] Preferably, the position of the glass is chosen so that the longest length of the glass aligned with the conveying direction is greater than or equal to twice the value of the center distance, in order to ensure that the glass rests permanently on at least two rollers.

[0055] Compared to glasses for glazings with larger dimensions, the position of these glasses at the furnace inlet is therefore no longer determined based on the bending means, but on their maximum dimension relative to the center distance of the rollers in the furnace.

[0056] The use of such a longitudinal transport position of the glass at the furnace inlet is therefore a complete departure from what has been done hitherto with regard to the glass positioning determined on the basis of the bending means.

[0057] However, one of the consequences of adopting such a longitudinal conveying position at the furnace entrance for these glasses, which are considered to be of small dimensions, is that this position does not correspond to the reference position that the glass must adopt at the entrance to the bender, or is even far from this position.

[0058] However, the positioning device according to document FR-2,644,777 (called "movable centring device") or even the novel positioning device described in the French patent application filed on March 9, 2021 (called "fixed lateral centring device") (application number FR2102243) therefore does not seem to be able to correct the position of the glass in order to orient such glass (triangular window) according to the reference position.

[0059] In practice, both positioning devices (mobile centring device or fixed lateral centring device) are designed to correct the consequences of the reverse rotation phenomenon, namely relatively small shifts in the position of the glass between the actual position at the furnace exit and the reference position for bending; typically, such shifts correspond to an angle of less than 2° (two degrees), or even to an angle of approximately 1° (one degree).

[0060] However, orientation in the reference position with the goal of bending the glass occupying the so-called "longitudinal" conveying position (corresponding to the longest length of the glass being aligned with the conveying direction) requires sliding the glass relative to the rollers, which mainly corresponds to a rotation through an angle having a greater value, typically a value greater than 5° (5 degrees) or even greater.

[0061] In this way, achieving such an angle value using the positioning devices mentioned above (movable centring devices or fixed lateral centring devices) is impossible, or at least in the most favorable case would require a significant reduction in the manufacturing speed and / or an increase in the distance traveled by the glass between the furnace outlet and the bending device.

[0062] However, neither of these options is contemplated; moreover, despite all efforts to continually improve these speeds, the first option is not economically viable, while the second option has the effect of initiating cooling of the glass before bending, which is technically unacceptable.

[0063] As a result, there is still a need to invent a novel device for positioning glass sheets so as to position such glass (triangular windows) at the entrance of a bending machine.

[0064] One of the objects of the invention is therefore to propose a novel design of a device for positioning glass sheets, which is intended to equip an apparatus for the manufacture of glazing units and further makes it possible to orient glass sheets of small dimensions for glazing units (such as triangular windows) so as to bring them from the longitudinal conveying position initially occupied (aligned with the conveying direction) to a reference position determined on the basis of a bending device. Summary of the invention

[0065] To this end, the invention proposes a device for positioning a sheet of glass, called glass, of the type previously described, characterized in that it comprises:

[0066] at least one abutment forming said stop, comprising a ring mounted to rotate freely about a vertical axis so as to be able to rotate freely when occupying said activated position, the edge of the glass cooperating with said ring in rolling contact in order to orient the glass into said determined reference position, and

[0067] - Detection means capable of detecting when the glass reaches said reference position in order to control the movement of said at least one abutment from the activated position to said inactivated position in order to release the glass.

[0068] Advantageously, a glazing manufacturing plant equipped with a device for positioning glass sheets according to the invention then becomes more versatile (or "universal"), i.e., able to process glass of all sizes, including glass for glazings such as said triangular windows, which have reduced dimensions relative to the characteristics of the diameter and the center distance of the conveyor rollers, in particular the conveyor rollers of a furnace.

[0069] In fact, the positioning device according to the invention makes it possible to increase its possible uses so as to implement the manufacture of both glass sheets for glazings such as side windows, etc. and glass of smaller dimensions for glazings such as quarter windows (or "front quarter windows or rear quarter windows"), for example in the case of motor vehicle glazings.

[0070] By virtue of the invention, since it is advantageously possible to stop manufacturing equipment dedicated to manufacturing glazings of the “triangle window” type, cost savings are achieved thanks to the elimination of the associated costs, in particular industrial costs from manufacturing to maintenance.

[0071] Advantageously, due to the versatility of manufacturing different types of glazing in a manufacturing plant equipped with at least one positioning device according to the invention, operating costs are also optimized, in particular the energy costs related to operating the furnace, which still have a significant impact on the overall carbon footprint of the glazing.

[0072] In fact, heating the furnace to reach and maintain the operating temperature requires, for example, considerable energy, which is reduced when the operation of the single plant is optimized, in particular by manufacturing the various glasses successively in the same multifunctional plant instead of still carrying out this manufacturing in two dedicated manufacturing plants, each of which includes a furnace and, as a result, doubling the energy consumption.

[0073] Advantageously, a manufacturing device equipped with a positioning device according to the invention is sized on the basis of the larger sized glass windows to be manufactured, making it possible to arrange smaller sized glass intended for triangular windows on the rollers of the conveyor along at least two parallel rows aligned with the conveying direction, thereby doubling the production capacity.

[0074] The device is therefore equipped with two positioning devices according to the invention in order to position each pane of glass of one of the two rows in a reference position.

[0075] According to a particularly advantageous feature, the positioning device according to the invention can be used in a manufacturing device according to at least two of the following: a first operating mode, in which the at least one adjacent member with the rotating ring is arranged forwardly relative to the glass; and a second operating mode, in which the at least one adjacent member with the rotating ring is arranged laterally relative to the glass.

[0076] The first operating mode of the device corresponds to the production of glazings of small dimensions (such as triangular windows), whereas the second operating mode corresponds to the production of glazings of larger dimensions (such as, in particular, side windows).

[0077] Advantageously, therefore, the positioning device according to the invention is not a positioning device used exclusively during the manufacture of glazings such as triangular windows, but proposes two operating modes so as to be able to use it independently of the glazing manufactured by the device by selectively positioning the adjacent piece forwardly or laterally depending on the size of the glass.

[0078] The positioning device according to the invention is thus multifunctional in itself, since two operating modes (or modes of use) are proposed for the same manufacturing plant, covering all manufacturing.

[0079] In the case of the second operating mode, the positioning device according to the invention is advantageously used according to the teaching of the French patent application FR 2 102 243 (not published) mentioned above.

[0080] As a variant, the manufacturing device comprises at least two different positioning devices, at least one of which is a positioning device according to the invention with at least one positive abutment and the other is a positioning device with lateral abutments according to the teachings of said French patent application FR2102243, whereby it is also possible to cover all manufacturing by selectively implementing one or the other of said positioning devices.

[0081] However, this variant requires that the manufacturing equipment be provided with two positioning devices, wherein, by comparison, a single positioning device according to the invention configured to provide two operating modes performs the same function by selectively positioning the adjacent piece forwardly or laterally depending on the size of the glass (small or large).

[0082] Advantageously, the glazing manufacturing plant comprises two devices according to the invention for positioning the glass sheets, arranged transversely on either side of the roller conveyor (one on the right and the other on the left respectively) so as to ensure the conveyance of the glass between the furnace outlet and the bending machine.

[0083] Due to this arrangement of the two positioning devices in the manufacturing apparatus, during the manufacture of a glazing of the triangular window type or in the first operating mode, it is further possible, as shown earlier, to carry out a parallel manufacture of two panes arranged along two parallel rows.

[0084] Advantageously, in the second operating mode it is then also possible to choose, depending on the production (in particular the size and shape of the glass to be oriented into the reference position), to arrange the lateral abutment preferentially on the right or on the left relative to the conveying direction.

[0085] Advantageously, the positioning device comprises adjustment means configured to be able to arrange the abutment in a forward position or in a lateral position, said adjustment means in particular making it possible to adjust the position of the roller relative to the conveyor along a longitudinal orientation corresponding to the conveying direction of the glass.

[0086] In fact, the abutment in the forward position is located at the bender entrance, longitudinally between the last roller of the conveyor and the first lower roller of the bender, while in the lateral position the abutment is located further upstream, at the furnace exit, to orient the glass travelling between the furnace and the bender.

[0087] Although the device usually comprises a single row of glass for manufacturing glazings of larger dimensions, equipping it with two positioning devices according to the invention makes it possible to arrange one lateral adjacent member on the right and the other on the left when manufacturing can be carried out along two parallel rows of glass.

[0088] Furthermore, with the positioning device according to the invention, the glass slips significantly relative to the rollers of the continuously rotating conveyor, said slip mainly corresponding to rotations of more than 5° or much more.

[0089] However, the temperature of this glass leaving the furnace is typically between 550° C. and 700° C. (for example, for soda-lime glass, the temperature depends in particular on the composition of the glass), making this “hot” glass particularly sensitive to the risk of marking, scratching, when it slides over the rollers of the conveyor to reach the reference position.

[0090] The invention therefore goes against the prejudices of a person skilled in the art, who would logically expect that such a sliding contact with the roller would cause marks and scratches on the hot glass, which is of course inconceivable in terms of manufacturing quality.

[0091] However, it was surprisingly noted that this was not the case and this may further be attributed to the small size of the glass, which resulted in a lower weight of the glass on the roller, correspondingly facilitating its sliding.

[0092] Other characteristics of the present invention:

[0093] - the detection means are capable of delivering at least one electrical signal in order to selectively control the actuation means in order to drive the movement of said at least one abutment from the activated position to said inactivated position;

[0094] - the detection means comprise at least one sensor capable of detecting that the glass has reached said reference position;

[0095] - the device comprises first adjustment means for adjusting at least the position of the abutment at least along a transverse orientation perpendicular to the conveying direction of the glass;

[0096] - the abutment is slidably mounted in a transverse orientation via said first adjustment means;

[0097] - the positioning device comprises second adjustment means for adjusting the position of the detection device independently of the position of the adjacent member at least along the transverse orientation so as to be able to laterally change the distance between the detection device and the adjacent member with the rotating ring; - the detection device is slidably mounted along the transverse orientation via the second adjustment means.

[0098] - the positioning device comprises third adjustment means for adjusting the position of the detection means along the longitudinal orientation;

[0099] - the device comprises a support for the detection device, the detection device is mounted movably longitudinally relative to the support via said third adjustment means, and the support is mounted slidably in a transverse orientation via said second adjustment means;

[0100] - said at least one abutment causes, during rolling contact between the edge of the glass and the ring of the abutment in the activated position, a rotation of the glass by an angle greater than 5°, preferably greater than 10°, even more preferably greater than 15°;

[0101] - The positioning device is constructed to locate the surface area less than 0.1m 2 , preferably less than 0.06m 2 , even more preferably less than 0.01m 2 orienting the glass into the reference position;

[0102] - the positioning device is configured to position the glass in said reference position occupying a so-called longitudinal transport position in which the largest dimension of the glass is aligned with the transport direction of the glass in the device;

[0103] - the maximum size of the glass is more than twice the value of the center distance between two rollers of the conveyor of the equipment furnace;

[0104] - the positioning device is configured to position a glass having a larger dimension, which is smaller than 400 mm and larger than 150 mm, in said reference position;

[0105] - the positioning device of the equipment manufacturing device is configured to operate according to at least two of the following: a first operating mode in which the at least one abutment with the rotating ring is arranged positively relative to the glass; and a second operating mode in which the at least one abutment with the rotating ring is arranged laterally relative to the glass;

[0106] -The positioning device comprises at least a first supporting device for the at least one adjacent member, which is movably mounted between at least: a forward configuration, in which the adjacent member is in a forward position, in particular capable of being used in a first operating mode of the positioning device; and a lateral configuration, in which the adjacent member is in a lateral position, in particular capable of being used in a second operating mode of the positioning device.

[0107] The invention further proposes a method for positioning a glass of the triangular window type in a plant for manufacturing glazings, in particular glazings for motor vehicles, in which the glass is transported between an oven and a bending machine by a roller conveyor, the plant being equipped with at least one positioning device, the at least one positioning device comprising: at least one positive abutment comprising a ring mounted so as to be freely rotatable; and detection means, the method comprising at least the following steps:

[0108] - positioning the glass in a reference position determined relative to the bending machine by causing the glass to slide relative to the rollers, this sliding being caused by the front edge of the edges of the glass cooperating with the ring of the positive abutment occupying the activated position;

[0109] - using said detection means to detect when the glass reaches said reference position in order to control the movement of said at least one abutment from the activated position to said inactivated position in order to release the glass.

[0110] Advantageously, the positioning method comprises a step consisting of positioning the glass before entering the furnace of the device in a so-called longitudinal transport position in which the largest dimension of the glass is aligned along the direction of transport of the glass in the device by the rollers of the conveyor. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0111] 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:

[0112] - Figure 1is a side view schematically showing an installation for manufacturing glazing units comprising a bending and thermal tempering machine of the “TB” type arranged downstream of a heating furnace supplied with glass via a loading station, and illustrating, in an enlarged view, the glass in the so-called “longitudinal” conveying position on the conveyor rollers of the furnace and a device for positioning a sheet of glass according to a first embodiment of the invention, arranged at the inlet of the bending machine in order to modify the position of the glass by guiding it into a reference position determined relative to the equipment of the bending machine;

[0113] - Figure 2 is a perspective view showing a triangular window (herein a "front triangular" type) and a side window, which are respectively toroidal, illustrating that the Figure 1 The glass windows are manufactured by the manufacturing equipment of Figure 1 It illustrates, on the one hand, the large radius R1 and the small radius R2 that characterize the curvature of the glazing obtained, and, on the other hand, the dimensional differences that exist between these glazings;

[0114] - Figure 3 is a top view schematically showing the Figure 1 Manufacturing plant, through which glasses (triangular windows) arranged in at least one row with small dimensions are conveyed longitudinally one after another on rollers from upstream to downstream along a conveying direction from a loading station to said bending and thermal tempering machine, and the figure more particularly illustrates the so-called "longitudinal" conveying position of the glasses, in which the largest dimension of the glasses is aligned with said conveying direction, which is occupied until the glasses are oriented into said reference position by positioning means arranged at the inlet of the bending machine;

[0115] - Figure 4 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a positioning device according to a first embodiment of the present invention, the positioning device can be equipped with Figure 1 a device comprising an abutment with a rotating ring, and a detection device, and the figure further illustrates embodiments of different means for adjusting the position of the abutment and the detection device, and an example of an embodiment of the abutment via a cross-sectional view found in the enlarged view;

[0116] - Figure 5 is a top view showing the glass (triangular window) and schematically showing the abutment with a rotating ring and the non-contact sensor, which forms a non-contact sensor according to Figure 4and illustrating the operating cycle of the positioning device in successive views (a), (b), (c), (d) and (e) showing the sliding of the hot glass at a given angle from the longitudinal transport position initially occupied by the glass until reaching said reference position determined relative to the bending machine;

[0117] - Figure 6 is a side view schematically showing the abutment element occupying an activated position in which it is positively arranged so as to position the glass transported by the rollers of the conveyor in said reference position, and illustrating the cooperation between the front edge of the glass and the ring of the abutment element in rolling contact, which cooperation occurs automatically Figure 4 View in (b);

[0118] - Figure 7 is a side view schematically showing an abutment element occupying a non-activated position in which it is driven from the activated position after detection of said reference position and illustrating the abutment element in a non-activated position according to a first embodiment of the device, the abutment element being retracted by pivoting, extending horizontally above the roller in order to release the glass so that the latter directly enters the bending machine;

[0119] - Figure 8 is a perspective view partially showing the Figure 1 manufacturing device comprising two positioning devices according to a second embodiment of the invention capable of positioning two rows of glass (triangular windows) of small size in said reference position, and illustrating each of these devices in a first operating mode in which, for each of said devices, an abutment with a rotating ring and a contactless sensor forming a detection means are arranged positively;

[0120] - Fig. 9 is a perspective view, Fig.10 As in the figure, the figure partially shows the Figure 1 manufacturing device comprising two positioning devices according to a second embodiment of the invention, but only one of these two positioning devices is used here to position a glass having a larger size (side window) in said reference position, and the figure illustrates said device used in a second operating mode in which the abutment with the rotating ring is arranged laterally and is used without the detection means formed by the contactless sensor of the first operating mode of the device;

[0121] - Fig.10is a cross-sectional view showing an embodiment of an abutment with a rotating ring of a positioning device according to a second embodiment, the positioning device further comprising an air pressure sensor capable of determining the contact time of the glass with the abutment, and illustrating said abutment with a rotating ring in an occupied position in the absence of contact with the glass;

[0122] - Fig.11 is a cross-sectional view showing the front edge of the glass and the Fig.10 and the figure illustrates the positioning of a glass with small dimensions (triangular window) in a first operating mode of the positioning device according to the second embodiment of the invention;

[0123] - Fig.12 is a cross-sectional view showing the lateral edges of the glass and the Fig.10 The figure illustrates the cooperation between the rotating rings of the laterally arranged adjacent pieces and the positioning of a glass with large dimensions (herein a side window) in a second operating mode of the positioning device according to the second embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0124] In the remainder of the description, longitudinal, transverse and vertical orientations will be used without limitation with reference to the axis systems (X, Y, Z) shown in the drawings.

[0125] The terms "front" and "rear" will also be used without limitation when referring to the longitudinal orientation X, as well as "left" and "right" when referring to the transverse orientation Y, and finally "upper" and "lower" when referring to the vertical orientation Z.

[0126] In the rest of the specification, the same reference numerals will be used to refer to elements having similar functions or the same structure.

[0127] Figure 1 There is schematically shown an embodiment of an apparatus 100 for manufacturing a glazing unit, which is intended to implement the so-called “TB” (“Transverse Bend”) manufacturing method.

[0128] The apparatus 100 further comprises a conveying system to ensure continuous movement of glass sheets (hereinafter referred to as glass) through the furnace 120 where they are heated above a softening temperature, typically between 550°C and 700°C, such as about 650°C, depending on the composition of the glass.

[0129] To do this, the furnace 120 includes heating devices 122 (such as resistors), which are arranged in the furnace roof 124 and the base 126 of the furnace, respectively, that is, above and below the glass 10 transported flat by the conveying system (or conveyor) so as to heat the top and bottom of each piece of glass 10.

[0130] The system for flattening the glass 10 comprises at least one bed of cylindrical rollers 112 , which are arranged in particular inside the furnace 120 and together define a horizontal plane for transporting the glass 10 .

[0131] The length of this furnace 120 is between 18m and 32m, which is why Figure 1 The reason why the furnace 120 is not shown to scale is that FIG.

[0132] In addition, Figure 1 , the outer shell of the furnace 120 is made transparent so that the glass 10 transported by the rollers 112 of the conveyor 110 into the interior of the furnace 120 along the transport direction (D) is visible, which corresponds to the longitudinal orientation X of the axis system (X, Y, Z), shown by the arrow.

[0133] As in Figure 1 As can be seen in the enlarged view in , the rollers 112 of the conveyor have a diameter "d" and a center distance "e" between two consecutive rollers 112 separated by a certain space, which is configured so that the glass 10 can also be heated from below.

[0134] The center distance "e" between two consecutive rollers 112 of the conveyor in the furnace 120 is for example between 60 mm and 80 mm, and the center distance value "e" is also based on the value of the diameter "d" of the roller, which is for example between 50 mm and 60 mm.

[0135] During operation of the device 100, at least one row F consisting of a number N of glasses 10 is therefore continuously conveyed by a roller bed into the interior of the furnace 120, and later downstream, the number N of glasses conveyed between the entrance and the exit of the furnace 120 varies in particular according to its length and the distance between two consecutive glasses 10.

[0136] Glasses 10 are introduced into the apparatus 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 still conveyed by the rollers 112 of the conveyor 110 until they are introduced into a bending and heat tempering machine 140, which includes the equipment characteristic of the "TB" manufacturing method.

[0137] Preferably, the apparatus 100 comprises a cooling tunnel 150 located downstream of said bending and thermal tempering machine 140 to implement a controlled cooling of the glass 10 until a temperature less than 100° C., advantageously close to room temperature, is reached.

[0138] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the device 100 includes at least one device 160 for positioning a glass sheet (referred to as a "fixed lateral re-centering device", which is manufactured according to the teachings of the French patent application (application number FR2102243) filed in the name of SGGF on March 9, 2021 (unpublished)).

[0139] A device 160 for positioning the glass sheet (referred to as a “fixed lateral re-centering device”) is arranged between the exit of the furnace 120 and the entrance of the bending and thermal tempering machine 140, preferably, the lateral adjoining members of the positioning device 160 are arranged near the exit of the furnace 120 in order to re-center the glass into a reference position.

[0140] Preferably, the loading station 130 of the furnace 120 of the apparatus 100 comprises a system 170 for positioning the glass 10, which is intended to position each glass 10 before it enters the furnace 120, as will be described later. Figure 3 The positioning system 170 is described in more detail herein.

[0141] For the purpose of simplicity, the bending and heat tempering machine 140 will be referred to as “bending machine 140 ” in the following description. However, this should not be restrictively interpreted as specifically indicating that there is no heat tempering of the glass 10 .

[0142] In the bender 140, the glass 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, which are complementary in shape and between which the glass 10 is clamped (the gap between the upper and lower rollers corresponds to the thickness of the glass sheet to be formed).

[0143] The diameters of the upper roller 144 and the lower roller 146 of the bending tool 142 are smaller than the diameter "d" of the roller 112 of the conveyor 110, for example, the diameter is between 20mm and 50mm, and the center distance is typically between 40mm and 70mm (this value is also smaller than the value of the roller 112 of the conveyor 110).

[0144] 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, a generally ascending slope shape.

[0145] In this “TB” manufacturing method, simultaneously with shaping the glass 10 , thermal tempering of the glass is advantageously carried out using thermal tempering devices 148 , which is why the machine 140 is herein referred to as a bending and thermal tempering machine.

[0146] However, such heat tempering in machine 140 is not mandatory but simply corresponds to the “TB” manufacturing method disclosed herein to illustrate an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0147] The heat tempering is performed by an air blowing device 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.

[0148] The upper nozzle 147 or the lower nozzle 149 includes air outlet openings which are 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 10 between two consecutive rollers during bending so as to generate stress therein.

[0149] For more information on the so-called "TB" manufacturing method and on equipment, reference may be made, for example, to the following documents FR2204992; FR2642419, FR2549465 and FR2862056, in which this manufacturing method is described and more particularly a tool for bending a glass sheet, in particular a roller forming such a tool.

[0150] However, particularly in favor of its high productivity, the “TB” manufacturing method makes it possible to shape glasses only with toroidal shapes (ie, axially symmetrical shapes resulting from the rotation of a circle along an arc of another circle).

[0151] Figure 2 An example of a glass window of reduced size is further shown in a perspective view, typically a quarter window (herein a window of the “front quarter” type) for a motor vehicle.

[0152] In fact, the dimensions of such a triangular window are significantly smaller than those of the side window 10 ′, which is complementary to the triangular window and is shown for comparison purposes in FIG. Figure 2 , said dimensions having an influence on their respective manufacture in the apparatus 100 for manufacturing a glazing unit, as previously explained in the introduction.

[0153] According to the invention, a glazing or glass with small or reduced dimensions is understood to be a triangular window, which is a glass with a surface area of ​​less than 0.1 m 2 or less than 0.06m 2 Or even less than 0.01m 2 Window glass or glass 10.

[0154] According to this example of glazing for a motor vehicle, the quarter window is generally intended to be fixedly mounted relative to the body of the vehicle, whereas the side window 10 ′ is movably mounted between at least one open position and a closed position to slide into the motor vehicle door.

[0155] Such a triangular window and also the side window 10 ′ can each be obtained according to the “TB” manufacturing method from an initially flat glass sheet which, after bending, ends up 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.

[0156] By convention, the rest of the description will use the same reference number "10" both for the sheet of glass referred to as glass (initially flat) and for the triangular window obtained directly at the end of the manufacturing process after bending.

[0157] In practice, such triangular windows are most often formed from a single sheet of tempered glass obtained directly at the end of the "TB" manufacturing process. However, triangular windows can also be made from laminated glass, triangular windows therefore being obtained after additional assembly operations with the aid of an interlayer, two sheets of glass (also obtained at the end of the "TB" manufacturing process after bending).

[0158] A large radius R1 and a small radius R2 characterizing said torus shape are shown, preferentially on the side window 10 ′ for better visibility; however, a triangular window has this torus shape in the same way at the end of the bending by the bender 140 .

[0159] according to Figure 2 In the example of, the triangular window includes: a front edge 12 and a rear edge 13, which are opposite to each other along the longitudinal orientation X 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 direction Y of the axis system; and a lower side 16 (or inner side) and an upper side 18 (or outer side).

[0160] In the same way, the side window 10' comprises: a front edge 12' and a rear edge 13', which are opposite to each other along the longitudinal orientation X 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 direction Y of the axis system; and a lower side 16' (or inner face) and an upper side 18' (or outer face).

[0161] Of course, terms such as "front" and "back" or "right" and "left" given for edges, respectively, are not exhaustive and will not be used if no further reference is made to such edges. Figure 2 These terms may be different in particular if the glazing 10 or 10 ′ is obtained by referring to the conveying position of the glass in the device 100 for manufacturing such a glazing.

[0162] exist Figure 2 In the diagram, the maximum dimension (length) of the triangular window corresponds to the dimension that determines the so-called "longitudinal" conveying position of the glass 10, which is indicated as "L" and further illustrated in FIG. Figure 1 (see enlarged image) and Figure 5 middle.

[0163] The lengthwise conveying position of the glass 10 is a position in which the longest length “L” of the glass is advantageously aligned with the direction D for conveying the glass through the apparatus 100 , and in particular into the furnace 120 .

[0164] Glass or triangular windows of so-called reduced size or small size generally have a longer length "L" with a value less than 400 mm and greater than 150 mm, for example about 200 mm.

[0165] Preferably, the glass or triangular window has a longer length “L”, which is more than twice the value of the center distance “e” between the two rollers 112 of the conveyor of the furnace 120 of the apparatus 100 .

[0166] In the remainder of the description, when a triangular window is distinguished from the glazing 10 only by having a toroidal shape instead of a flat shape after manufacture, the reference numerals just given for the edge of the triangular window will also be used for this glazing.

[0167] Figure 2 The large radius R1 shown in corresponds to the bending profile of the bending machine 140, 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 modified, 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.

[0168] By contrast, the small radius R2 can be modified on the same bending and thermal 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 particularly distinguished).

[0169] According to the first type, the upper roller 144 and the lower roller 146 have a generatrix in the shape of an arc, the lower roller bed is composed of "diabolo" rollers (whose revolving surface is saddle-shaped), and the upper roller bed 144 is composed of "cylinder" rollers (whose revolving surface is convex).

[0170] 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.

[0171] According to a second type, the upper 144 and lower 146 rollers are cylindrical rollers which are maintained with a uniform curvature over their entire length by means of mechanical means located at their ends.

[0172] The associated upper and lower rollers of a pair have parallel generatrixes separated by the thickness of the glass to be formed. Figure 3 An example of a circular conformal roller according to this second type is illustrated.

[0173] The minor radius R2 is for example between 9 m and infinity for the first type of "diabolo / cylinder" rollers and between 13 m and infinity for the second type of cylinder rollers (ie the minor radius R2 is more typically between 10 m and 25 m).

[0174] As previously indicated, the “TB” manufacturing method simply makes it possible to produce a glazing having a toroidal shape from a flat sheet of glass (previously cut into the desired shape) which is heated to its softening temperature in the furnace 120 and then bent between the two beds of the upper roller 144 and the lower roller 146 of the tool 142 while undergoing thermal tempering.

[0175] After the bending and heat tempering machine 140 , the glass 10 obtained also typically has a temperature of about 450° C. The bent and tempered glass 10 then also preferably undergoes controlled cooling in a cooling tunnel 150 until reaching a temperature of less than 100° C., advantageously close to room temperature.

[0176] The final geometry of the glass window produced from the glass 10 does not depend on its lateral position at the entrance of the bender 140 (because the small radius R2 determined by the upper roller 144 and the lower roller 146 is constant), or on its longitudinal position (because the bender 140 has an axisymmetric geometry along the transverse axis and the glass 10 is formed into a straight line).

[0177] As a result, the geometry of the glazing obtained and therefore its conformity with respect to the nominal desired shape depends mainly on the entry angle of the glass 10 into the bender 140 .

[0178] For this reason, the angle of entry of the glass 10 into the machine 140 is one of the important parameters of the “TB” type method for manufacturing glazings and evidences the fact that the glass 10 must occupy a determined reference position.

[0179] Therefore, positioning devices have been developed to ensure that the glass 10 occupies a position relative to the implementation of the so-called "TB" manufacturing method. Figure 1 The reference position is determined by the bending device 100 and the heat tempering machine 140.

[0180] Thus, according to the teaching of document FR-2,644,777, the device 100 may be equipped with a device for positioning a sheet of glass (called a “mobile re-centering device”) comprising a stop intended to positively cooperate with the edge of a glass 10 transported by a conveyor 110 having rollers 112 between an oven 120 and a bender 140 of the device 100, so as to position the glass 10 in a reference position determined relative to the bender 140.

[0181] To achieve this, the stopper of the positioning device is movably mounted between at least:

[0182] an activated position in which the stop can positively cooperate with the edge of the glass 10 so as to cause the glass 10 to slide relative to the rollers of the conveyor so as to orient the glass 10 into said reference position, and

[0183] An inactive position in which the stopper is able to release the glass 10 occupying said reference position so that the glass 10 can continue its travel into the bending machine 140 .

[0184] However, such devices for positioning glass sheets (movable re-centering devices) are intended to correct the drift or "reverse rotation" phenomenon so that glass sheets of at least a certain size (usually for glazing (such as, Figure 2 The glass of the side window 10 ′) shown in FIG. 1 is oriented into the reference position.

[0185] The positioning device (movable realigning device) is only able to correct relatively small displacements of the position of the glass, which typically correspond to an angle of less than 2°, or even of approximately 1°.

[0186] Therefore, this positioning device is not suitable for orienting glass 10 having reduced dimensions, such as also in Figure 2 The triangular window shown in FIG. 1 is because the glass 10 occupies the longitudinal conveying position ( Figure 3 ), then have significantly larger differences relative to the reference position, typically greater than 5°.

[0187] The same is true when the device 100 is equipped with at least one device 160 for positioning the glass sheet (called "fixed lateral re-centering device"), which is advantageously preferred over positioning devices of the "mobile re-centering device" type for all the reasons detailed in French patent application FR2102243 (not yet published) (in particular speed), to which reference is made for more details.

[0188] In order to make it possible to position a glass 10 of reduced dimensions for a glazing such as a triangular window, the invention proposes a novel positioning device 10 for a sheet of glass called a glass, which is intended to be equipped according to Figure 1 Apparatus 100 for manufacturing glass windows.

[0189] The manufacturing apparatus 100 is equipped with the positioning device 200 according to the first embodiment.

[0190] Advantageously, the positioning device 200 is configured to position glasses 10 having small dimensions (such as triangular windows) in the apparatus 100, with the result that these glasses 10 are conveyed in the longitudinal conveying position, which consists of aligning the longest length "L" of the glasses 10 with the conveying direction D determined by the conveyor 110.

[0191] As shown in the device 100 Figure 1 and Figure 3 As illustrated in FIG. 1 , the glasses 10 forming a row F are initially positioned by a positioning system 170 arranged at the loading station 130 and intended to orient each glass 10 into the longitudinal transport position before it enters the furnace 120 .

[0192] Positioning system 170 is arranged upstream of furnace 120 so that glass 10 positioned by the latter 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.

[0193] Advantageously, positioning system 170 is made according to the teaching of document FR-2,606,383.

[0194] The system 170 for positioning the glass 10 comprises guide means including at least one left guide 172 and one right guide 174 which together with a positive stop abutment 176 define said longitudinal conveying position of the glass.

[0195] The two lateral guides 172 and 174 of the positioning system 170 define therebetween a passage for the glass 10 , here a triangular window under production.

[0196] Preferably, the positioning system 170 comprises further lateral guides (not shown) arranged upstream of the lateral guides 172 and 174, advantageously with a larger gap between them in order to gradually bring each glass 10 into the longitudinal transport position, such as Figure 3 As shown in the figure.

[0197] Two lateral guides 172 and 174 are arranged above and laterally on either side of the rollers that rotate to convey the glasses 10 one after the other as far as the entrance to the furnace 120 where they are then conveyed further by means of the rollers 112 of the conveyor 110 .

[0198] The positioning system 170 comprises at least one stop abutment 176 cooperating with the set of two lateral guides 172 and 174 on each pane 10 .

[0199] The positive stop abutment 176 is arranged to positively cooperate with the glass 10 , here with the front edge 12 of the glass 10 , so as to stop the glass 10 .

[0200] The positioning operation of the glass 10 by the positioning system 170 is as follows: the glass 10 conveyed by the rollers is inserted between the two side guides 172 and 174 until it is stopped or fixed by the positive stopper abutment 176 occupying a position for stopping the glass 10 .

[0201] The blocking position corresponds to a position in which the positive stop abutment 176 extending above the roller blocks the glass 10, thereby preventing it from continuing its movement downstream.

[0202] The glass 10 is then blocked by the positive 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 said longitudinal transport position.

[0203] Advantageously, during manufacturing, the positive stop abutment 176 is secured to the glass 10 for less than one second (1 s).

[0204] The positive stop abutment 176 is then retracted, for example by controlling an actuator (such as a cylinder associated with the abutment), under the rollers in a released position so that, released and driven by the rollers, the glass 10 then continues to be conveyed downstream to enter the furnace 120 so as to be heated therein to above its softening temperature.

[0205] The glasses 10 forming a row are then conveyed through the furnace 120 in said longitudinal conveying position and until they reach the positioning device 200 according to the invention, which is arranged upstream of the bending machine 140 of the installation 100, more specifically at the entrance of the glasses 10 into said machine 140, as Figure 1 and Figure 3 As shown in the figure.

[0206] The positioning device 200 according to the invention then brings the glass 10 from the longitudinal transport position previously occupied into said reference position determined relative to the bending machine 140 .

[0207] To achieve this, the positioning device 200 includes at least one adjacent member 220, which forms the stop member, includes a ring 222 mounted to be freely rotatable about a vertical axis 224 so as to be able to rotate freely when occupying the enabled position, and the edge 12 of the glass 10 cooperates with the ring 222 in a rolling contact manner to cause the glass 10 to be oriented into the determined reference position.

[0208] The positioning device 200 further comprises detection means 240 capable of detecting when the glass 10 reaches said reference position in order to control the movement of said at least one abutment 220 from the activated position to said inactivated position in order to release the glass 10 .

[0209] By analogy with the positioning devices already described previously (ie the movable centring device and the fixed lateral centring device), the device 200 for positioning a sheet of glass according to the invention constitutes a "positive centring device".

[0210] In particular, in contrast to a "movable re-centering device" in which the two positive adjacent members of the stop member move with the glass, the adjacent member 220 is "fixed" relative to the glass 10 transported by the rollers 112 of the conveyor, i.e., the glass 10 does not move in the enabled position when cooperating with the outer surface 226 of the rotating ring 222 of the adjacent member 220.

[0211] However, the term "fixed" should not be interpreted as meaning that the adjacent member 220 can only occupy a single position, because the adjacent member 220 is movably mounted between an enabled position and a non-enabled position, for example, the non-enabled position is a pivoted, non-enabled position in this document, in which, once the glass 10 has reached a reference position and the reference position is detected, the adjacent member 220 is retracted to release the glass so as to control the position change of the adjacent member 220.

[0212] In the same manner, the term "fixed" does not imply that the position of the abutment 220 is not adjustable; quite the contrary.

[0213] Advantageously, positioning device 200 comprises different adjustment means so as to be able to adjust the position of abutment 220 and detection means 240 depending on the glass to be manufactured, the size and / or the shape of glass 10 to be positioned in the reference position.

[0214] Advantageously, the detection device 240 is capable of delivering at least one electrical signal intended to selectively control the driving of the at least one adjacent member 220 from the activated position to the non-activated position so as to synchronously release the glass 10 when the detection device 240 has detected that the glass 10 is in the reference position.

[0215] Advantageously, the detection device 240 comprises at least one sensor for detecting that the glass 10 has reached the reference position.

[0216] The positioning device 200 will be described in more detail below according to the first embodiment of the present invention, which includes at least one abutment 220 and a detection device 240. Figure 4 Shown in.

[0217] Figure 4 An enlarged cross-sectional view of an abutment 220 according to a first embodiment is shown.

[0218] The abutment 220 comprises at least one ring 222 , referred to as a swivel ring, mounted so as to be freely rotatable about a vertical axis 224 , ie mounted so as to be loose about said axis 224 .

[0219] The ring 222 is configured to be able to rotate freely when occupying an activated position in which the abutment 220 is positively arranged relative to the glass 10 transported by the roller 112 of the conveyor 110, and the glass 10 cooperates in rolling contact with the surface 226 of the ring 222 via the front edge 12 to cause the glass 10 to slide relative to the roller 112, which sliding occurs from the longitudinal conveying position to a reference position determined by the bender 140.

[0220] Advantageously, the ring 222 is made of a metallic material, such as stainless steel or a ceramic, preferably a ceramic of the yttria-stabilized zirconia type.

[0221] The material of the ring 222 is selected to ensure temperature resistance and rolling contact with the hot glass 10 leaving the furnace 120. In addition, the design of the abutment 220 takes into account the thermal expansion of the material that occurs during operation and is caused in particular by the high temperature of the glass 10 leaving the furnace 120 in contact with the ring 222 of the abutment 220 and the air temperature in the manufacturing equipment, which is generally greater than 100°C.

[0222] Advantageously, the detection means 240 comprise at least one contactless sensor 242 in order to detect when the glass 10 reaches said reference position following a sliding movement caused by the positive abutment 220 .

[0223] Preferably, the at least one contactless sensor 242 is an optical sensor, such as an optical fiber with an amplifier, a laser with a reflector, or a camera, or even an ultrasonic sensor.

[0224] In the case of a contactless sensor 242 , the glass 10 therefore comes into contact with the ring 222 of the abutment 220 only when sliding on the rollers 112 from the longitudinal transport position until reaching the reference position.

[0225] Advantageously, the contactless sensor 242 is arranged in a fixed detection position and in particular does not require any retraction compared to the abutment 220 .

[0226] Advantageously, the rolling contact with the ring 222 of the abutment 220 , such as using the contactless sensor 242 , limits the risk of marking the front edge 12 of the hot glass 10 .

[0227] Such a contactless sensor 242 is arranged relative to the abutment 220 in order to detect whether the pane 10 has reached said reference position, for example by detecting that the beam of the sensor has been interrupted by the edge 12 of the pane 10 .

[0228] In accordance with Figure 4 In the embodiment of the present invention, the abutment 220 and the detection means 240 of the device 200 are preferably arranged vertically above the rollers 112 of the conveyor 110 .

[0229] like Figure 4 As illustrated in , at least the abutment 220 of the positioning device 200 and preferentially also the detection means 240 are arranged longitudinally between the last (downstream) roller 112 of the conveyor 110 and the first lower roller 146 of the bending tool 142 of the machine 140 .

[0230] As a variant, at least the abutment 220 —or even the detection means 240 —can be arranged vertically below and thus intercept the glass 10 in the activated position by entering the space between the roller 112 of the conveyor 110 and the lower roller 146 of the bender 140 .

[0231] Advantageously, according to Figure 4 The positioning device 200 of the example illustrated in comprises various adjustment means making it possible to adjust the position of the abutment 220 and / or the position of the detection means 240 along at least one or more orientations of an axis system (X, Y, Z), preferably independently of each other.

[0232] The abutment 220 is integrally mounted with a support 230 connected by a connecting rod 234 to a shaft 232 mounted so as to be freely rotatable by means of two brackets 233 (left and right respectively) each receiving one of the ends of the shaft 232 in a hole.

[0233] The supporting bracket 233 of the shaft 232 is fixed to a transverse beam 235 of the frame of the positioning device 200 .

[0234] The support 230 of the adjacent member 220 is movably connected to one of the ends of a laterally extending rod 236, and the other end of the rod is equipped with a handle 238 for driving the support 230 laterally (i.e., along the orientation Y) and in doing so driving the adjacent member 220.

[0235] As a variant, the rod 236 is driven laterally to slide by means of an actuator (for example, through a mechanical connection to the rod 236 of the gear / worm drive type) rather than manually by means of the handle 238 .

[0236] Advantageously, the sliding of the rod 236 is guided by means of a left bracket 233 through which it passes and by a plate 237 , said sliding being facilitated by a connecting rod 234 which does not fit tightly on the shaft 232 so as to be able to slide on this shaft also when the rod 236 is actuated.

[0237] The device just described (particularly rod 236) to which the support 230 of the adjacent member 220 is connected is an example of a first device for adjusting the positioning device 200 so as to adjust at least the position of the adjacent member 220 along a lateral orientation Y of the axis system (X, Y, Z), which lateral orientation is perpendicular to the conveying direction D of the glass 10.

[0238] Preferably, the activation position of the abutment 220 is at least laterally adjustable via said first adjustment means.

[0239] As a variant, the abutment 220 is fixed to its support 230 via screw connections or the like so as to also be able to adjust its vertical position (ie along Z) relative to the rollers 112 of the conveyor and consequently to the glass 10 , in particular the ring 222 .

[0240] As a variant, the frame of the positioning device 200 (and therefore the beam 235 ) is configured to be movable longitudinally (ie in the orientation X) relative to the roller conveyor 110 , so as to also be able to move at least the abutment 220 forwards or even backwards.

[0241] The positioning device 200 comprises actuating means 250 for driving the abutment 220 between said activated position and said inactivated position.

[0242] Advantageously, the actuation means 250 are configured to operate independently of the adjustment of the lateral position of the abutment 220 by said first adjustment means comprising the rod 236 .

[0243] The actuation means 250 comprises, for example, a transverse shaft 252 which is rotationally connected without play to the support 230 of the abutment 220, here by means of splines of the shaft 252 which engage complementary splines inside an opening of the support 230 through which the shaft 252 passes.

[0244] Preferably, the drive shaft 252 of the abutment 220 also passes through the two support brackets 233 fixed to the beam 235 .

[0245] The actuation means 250 further comprises an actuator 254 to provide rotation of the splined shaft 252 , said actuator 254 being mounted here on a plate 237 through which the rod 236 passes.

[0246] Advantageously, the actuator 254 is an electric actuator that can be selectively controlled by an electric signal delivered by the detection means 240 so as to drive the abutment from the activated position to the deactivated position synchronously when the glass 10 reaches said reference position.

[0247] The positioning device 200 comprises a second adjustment device for adjusting the position of the detection device 240 along at least a transverse orientation Y, which is perpendicular to the conveying direction D of the glass 10 .

[0248] Advantageously, the second adjustment means are independent of the first adjustment means so as to be able to adjust the position of the detection means 240 independently of the position of the abutment 220 with the rotating ring, whereby it is then possible to laterally vary the distance between the detection means 240 and the abutment 220 .

[0249] The detection device 240 is mounted on a support member 244 having an "L" shape including a first horizontal portion and a second vertical portion, the first horizontal portion extending from a lower end of the second vertical portion.

[0250] Preferably, the first horizontal portion of the support member 244 includes at least one oblong hole 246, which extends longitudinally to facilitate fine-tuning of the longitudinal position of the sensor 242 (in particular relative to the adjacent member 220) so as to adapt to the geometry of the glass 10 to be positioned and more particularly to the contour of the front edge 12 of the glass 10.

[0251] The oblong hole 246 in the support 244 of the sensor 242 is only one example of a third adjustment means for adjusting the position of the detection means 240 along the longitudinal orientation X.

[0252] Preferably, the second vertical portion of the support 244 also includes at least one oblong hole 248 (two parallel holes in this article), which extends vertically to make it possible to adjust the height of the support 244 and thus adjust the position of the sensor 242 relative to the glass 10 conveyed on the roller 112.

[0253] In practice, the second vertical portion of the support 244 is fixed (herein by means of two screws passing through a hole 248) to a slide 247 (or guide pad) which is slidably mounted in a transversely extending sliding channel 249 and fixed to the beam 235 of the frame of the device 200.

[0254] The position of the detection means 240 can thus be adjusted along the transverse orientation Y by means of a support 244 fixed to a slide 247 , which support can slide transversely in a sliding channel 249 and constitutes an embodiment of said second adjustment means.

[0255] exist Figure 4 In the embodiment example of , the abutment 220 and the detection means 240 are advantageously adjustable independently of one another and in particular laterally relative to one another.

[0256] If it is considered that the abutment 220 equipped with a rotating ring 222 and the sensor 242 of the detection means 240 respectively determine the points A and B, it is possible (by means of the first and second adjustment means just described) to freely adjust the distance or gap between the points A and B. In this way, the straight line passing through the points A and B and substantially perpendicular to the conveying direction D determines the reference position of the glass 10.

[0257] According to reference Figure 4 The positioning device 200 of the embodiment example just described is intended to be equipped with Figure 1 The device 100 for manufacturing a glass window advantageously also comprises a positioning device 160 referred to as a “fixed lateral re-centering device”.

[0258] Advantageously, such a glazing manufacturing plant 100 equipped with a device 200 for positioning a sheet of glass according to the invention then becomes versatile, ie able to process all sizes of glass 10 , including glass for glazings such as said triangular windows, which have reduced dimensions.

[0259] The positioning device 200 according to the invention thus makes it possible to increase its possible uses in order to implement in the device 100 both the manufacture of glass 10 for glazings such as side windows and of glass 10 of smaller dimensions for glazings such as triangular windows.

[0260] exist Figure 1 and Figure 3 In the example illustrated in , just as the device 100 comprises only one positioning device 160 (referred to as “fixed lateral re-centering device”), the manufacturing device 100 comprises a positioning device 200 according to the invention.

[0261] As a variant, the apparatus 100 comprises two positioning devices 200 arranged laterally next to one another in order to process the glasses 10 distributed along two parallel rows, thereby thus doubling the production capacity.

[0262] Similarly, the apparatus 100 may be equipped with two positioning devices 160 (referred to as "fixed lateral re-centering devices"), respectively arranged on the right and left sides of the rollers 112 of the conveyor 110, which may be used exclusively with respect to one another, depending on whether it is sought to arrange the lateral adjacent members on the left or right side, or else may be used simultaneously in the case where the glass 10 may be distributed over two parallel rows and have large dimensions.

[0263] When the device 100 is used to manufacture glass windows such as side windows (i.e., using glass having large dimensions), the positioning device 200 is then placed in a standby state, the adjacent member 220 is maintained in a non-activated position so as not to interfere with the transport of the glass and the detection device 240 is disabled, and the positioning of the glass is then ensured by the lateral adjacent members of the positioning device 160.

[0264] In the same way, in order to manufacture glass windows such as triangular windows (i.e., using glass having small dimensions), at least one positioning device 200 is used, while the one or more positioning devices 160 are in standby mode, preferably with the (multiple) lateral adjacent members retracted so as not to interfere with the glass 10 conveyed by the rollers 112.

[0265] Now refer to Figure 5 To describe the function of the device 200 for positioning a glass sheet according to the present invention, the device 200 is, for example, a device according to the just described Figure 4 The example shown in the figure is manufactured.

[0266] Figure 5 Views (a), (b), (c), (d) and (e) are shown, which successively illustrate the sliding of the glass 10 from the so-called "longitudinal" conveying position to the reference position, and this is carried out by means of a positioning device 200 according to a first embodiment of the invention.

[0267] View (a) shows the glass 10 in said lengthwise transport position, wherein the glass 10 having reduced dimensions is initially positioned, for example, by a positioning system 170 associated with the loading station 130 of the apparatus 100 .

[0268] In this longitudinal conveying position, the longer length of the glass 10 (indicated as "L") is aligned with the conveying direction D determined by the conveyor 110 with rollers 112, which corresponds to the longitudinal orientation X of the shafting.

[0269] The glass 10 maintains the longitudinal transport position initially assigned to it during the heating of the glass 10 in the furnace 120 of the device and after leaving the furnace 120 at least until the moment when the glass 10 (which continues to be transported by the rollers 112) comes into positive contact with the adjacent member 220 of the positioning device 200 occupying its activated position.

[0270] View (b) shows more particularly the moment when the leading edge 12 of the glass 10 comes into contact with the surface 226 of the rotating ring 222 of the abutment 220 , which is arranged positively in the travel of the glass 10 following the conveying direction D (longitudinally from upstream to downstream).

[0271] As illustrated by view (b), the glass 10 then comes into contact with the abutment 220, however, the detection device 240 is enabled, the front edge 12 of the glass 10 cooperates with the ring 222 in rolling contact and the glass 10 slides relative to the roller 112, still rotating, thereby leaving the longitudinal conveying position so as to be oriented towards the reference position.

[0272] The following will describe Figure 6 The cooperation according to rolling contact between the pane 10 and the abutment 220 is also shown in a side view rather than in a top view.

[0273] View (c) shows the moment when the glass 10 reaches the reference position intended to be detected by the sensor 242 of the detection means 240 of the device 200 .

[0274] As shown in view (c), when edge 15 is considered as a reference, the glass (10) then performs a rotation corresponding to an angle (α) having a value greater than 5°, or greater than 10°, or even greater than 15°.

[0275] Recall that the other positioning devices described in the introduction are not able to orient a glass 10 of reduced dimensions initially placed in the longitudinal transport position, in particular due to the magnitude of the value of this angle (α).

[0276] View (d) shows the moment when the sensor 242 detects that the glass 10 has reached the reference position, which detection causes an electrical control signal to be sent to the actuator 254, which then rotationally drives the adjacent member 220 from the enabled position to the non-enabled position via the splined shaft 252, which passes through the support member 230 pivotally mounted on the shaft 232.

[0277] View (e) shows the abutment 220 in an inactive position (herein dashed to distinguish it from the active position), retracted by the actuation means 250 selectively controlled by a signal from the sensor 242 as just described.

[0278] As described below Figure 7 The inactive position into which the abutment 220 is then driven is shown in a side view rather than a top view.

[0279] The glass 10 occupying said reference position is then free to continue its movement downstream along the conveying direction D and, in doing so, it then enters the bending and tempering machine 140 of the installation 100 .

[0280] Compared with the longest length "L" corresponding to the longitudinal conveying position described in view (a), it should be noted that in the reference position, the glass 10 has a length (represented as "l" in view (e)) relative to the conveying direction D used as a reference, which is less than the initial length "L".

[0281] Figure 6 The side view in the transverse orientation Y shows the abutment 220 in the activated position with the rotating ring 222 cooperating with the front edge 12 of the glass 10 in rolling contact, i.e. in the manner just described. Figure 4 This is what happens in view (b) of .

[0282] Figure 7 The side view along the transverse orientation Y shows the abutment 220 occupying the inactive position, as shown in FIG. Figure 4 The view (e) just described, in the non-activated position, after the sensor 242 detects that the glass 10 has reached the activated position, the adjacent member 220 is moved from the aforementioned Figure 6 The enabled position shown in FIG.

[0283] exist Figure 4 In the first embodiment of the positioning device 200 shown in FIG. 1 , the abutment 220 is rotatably mounted so that by following Figure 7 The abutment 220 is retracted into the inactive position by pivoting upward counterclockwise as indicated by the arrow in FIG.

[0284] Advantageously, the retraction of the abutment 220 by pivoting is performed along the conveying direction D of the glass 10 , so that it accompanies the release of the glass 10 , which is still driven by the roller 112 and then resumes its longitudinal downstream movement.

[0285] Preferably, the abutment 220 in the inactive position extends horizontally above the roller 112 in order to release the glass 10 , which then directly enters the bender 140 of the apparatus 100 .

[0286] However, as a variant, the retraction of the abutment 220 from the activated position to the inactivated position may be obtained according to other kinematics than pivoting.

[0287] For example, retraction of the adjacent member 220 from the activated position to the non-activated position can be performed by a double synchronous translation (a first horizontal translation downstream combined with a second vertical translation upward or downward or above or below the roller 112) so as to interrupt the contact between the ring 222 of the adjacent member 220 and the edge 12 of the glass 10.

[0288] In addition, in reference Figure 4 In the embodiment example of the positioning device 200 just described, the at least one sensor 242 forming the detection means 240 is preferentially a contactless sensor.

[0289] However and as a variant, the detection means 240 may be formed by at least one so-called “contact” sensor, in particular an electrical sensor (such as a piezoelectric sensor) or even a pressure sensor.

[0290] In this variant, when intercepted by the positioning device 200, the glass 10 first contacts the rotating ring 222 of the adjacent member 220, and then when reaching the reference position, the glass 10 physically contacts the detection device 240 through one of its edges 12, and this contact with the glass 10 then causes a change in a physical quantity that can be detected, such as a change in current (electrical sensor) or a change in pressure at the sensor.

[0291] As with a contactless sensor, this current or pressure variation detected by the sensor (contact sensor) can then be used to obtain an electrical signal intended to control the retraction of the abutment 220 to the inactive position in synchronism with the reaching of the reference position.

[0292] By contrast to a contactless sensor that occupies a fixed detection position without "physical interaction" with the glass 10, the contactless sensor according to this variant is also mounted movably. Thus, the arrival of the glass 10 in the reference position triggers the driving of the contactless sensor and the abutment 220 from the activated position to the inactivated position in which they are respectively retracted, for example by pivoting, so as to release the correctly positioned glass 10 for bending.

[0293] As an example of an embodiment of the detection device 240 with a pressure sensor, reference will be made to the description of the abutment, which is located at Figure 6 and Figure 7 It is shown in the French patent application (application number FR2102243) filed on March 9, 2021 in the name of SGGF (not published).

[0294] Such an abutment mounted on the support 244 as a contact sensor 242 makes it possible to detect that the glass 10 has reached the reference position.

[0295] In fact, the contact of the edge 12 of the glass 10 with the rotating ring of such an abutment causes a detected change in air pressure which can advantageously be converted into an electrical signal capable of controlling the driving of the abutment 220 from the activated position to the deactivated position.

[0296] According to this example of alternative embodiment, the stop comprises a first abutment 220 with a rotating ring for orienting the glass 10, and a second abutment with or without a rotating ring for detecting a reference position. In this example, the first abutment 220 and the second abutment are thus arranged relative to each other so that the glass 10 occupies the reference position when the edge 12 of the glass 10 is in contact with each of the first abutment and the second abutment.

[0297] However, if Figure 4 The detection device 240 including the non-contact type sensor 242 shown in FIG. 2 is a preferred example of an embodiment of the positioning device 200 .

[0298] In fact, as described in the above-mentioned French patent application FR2102243 (unpublished) Figure 6 and Figure 7 The use of an adjacent member with a rotating ring having a pressure sensor as described and illustrated in the drawings will be more particularly advantageous in a second embodiment to be described below, and in which such an adjacent member with a rotating ring (having a pressure sensor) is used instead of the adjacent member 220 and it is not used as a detection device 240.

[0299] A second embodiment of the device 300 for positioning a glass sheet will be described below. Figures 8 to 12 It is schematically shown in FIG.

[0300] Compared to the first embodiment, the positioning device 300 according to the second embodiment is further characterized in that it can ensure that the glass 10 is positioned in a reference position determined relative to the bending machine 140 regardless of its size (whether large or small).

[0301] In practice, the positioning device 300 is configured to position at least one abutment 320 including a rotating ring 322 either forwardly (when the glass has small dimensions, for example, for manufacturing glass windows such as triangular windows) or laterally (when the glass has larger dimensions, typically for manufacturing glass windows such as side windows 10'). Figure 2 Medium picture.

[0302] Thus, the positioning device 300 is able to provide the technical functions of the positioning device 160 according to French patent application FR2102243 (not yet published) and the positioning device 160 according to Figure 4The technical functions of the positioning device 200 of the first embodiment are particularly shown in FIG.

[0303] Advantageously, such a positioning device 300 is therefore multifunctional as it provides "two in one".

[0304] The apparatus 300 for positioning a glass sheet is configured to operate according to at least the following two aspects:

[0305] a first operating mode in which the at least one abutment 320 with the rotating ring 322 is arranged positively relative to the glass 10 ; and

[0306] A second operating mode in which the at least one abutment 320 with the rotating ring 322 is arranged laterally relative to the glass 10 .

[0307] Advantageously, the positioning device 300 which thus provides two operating modes, while being able to adapt to the size of the glass, contributes as before to improving the versatility of the manufacturing plant 100 equipped with it and further reducing costs, in particular as it enables the two positioning devices 160 and 200 to be replaced.

[0308] Figure 8 and Fig. 9 An embodiment of a positioning device 300 according to a second embodiment is schematically shown in order to illustrate a first operating mode and a second operating mode of the device, respectively.

[0309] In this second embodiment, the manufacturing plant 100 is advantageously equipped with two positioning devices 300 arranged one on the right and the other on the left, ie laterally on either side of the rollers 112 of the conveyor 110 .

[0310] exist Figure 8 and Fig. 9 In the embodiment, except for the two positioning devices 300, the glass window manufacturing apparatus 100 is similar to the previously described reference Figure 1 and Figure 3 The disclosed apparatus for manufacturing glazing is similar, which is why the entire apparatus 100 is not shown here but only the portion between the exit of the oven 120 and the entrance of the bending machine 140 .

[0311] As previously mentioned and as Figure 8 As shown in , equipping the apparatus 100 with two positioning devices 300 makes it possible to work on two parallel rows F1 and F2 of glass 10 , which are conveyed together by the rollers 112 of the conveyor 110 along the conveying direction D indicated by the arrow.

[0312] Advantageously, the production capacity of the manufacturing plant 100 is doubled in this way, which is particularly economically advantageous for glazings 10 of reduced size, such as triangular windows, especially in view of their low price.

[0313] Of course, the positioning system 170 at the loading station 130 is then therefore adapted (duplicated) to initially position the glasses 10 of each of the two rows F1 and F2 in the longitudinal transport position before the two rows F1 and F2 enter the furnace 120 .

[0314] Advantageously, the upper roller 144 and the lower roller 146 of the bending machine 140 have a width transversely that makes it possible to bend the glasses 10 of the two rows F1 and F2 .

[0315] like Figure 8 As can be seen in FIG1 , there is a symmetry along a vertical longitudinal orientation plane between the two rows F1 and F2 of glass 10. In fact, the triangular window obtained from the two rows F1 and F2 of glass 10 is generally intended to be mounted symmetrically on a motor vehicle, respectively on the right and on the left, and either at the front (“front triangular”) or even at the rear (“rear triangular”).

[0316] exist Figure 8 In the example illustrated in , two positioning devices 300 are therefore used simultaneously to position the panes 10 of each of the rows F1 and F2 in said determined reference position.

[0317] An example of an embodiment of a positioning device 300 according to the second embodiment will be described in more detail below, the positioning device being configured to provide the two operating modes mentioned above, Figure 8 and Fig. 9 The two positioning devices 300 illustrated in are otherwise identical, so that a description given for one positioning device also applies to the other positioning device.

[0318] According to the invention, the positioning device 300 comprises at least one abutment element 320 with a rotating ring 322 , and detection means 340 .

[0319] Advantageously, the detection means 340 of the positioning device 300 are similar to the detection means previously described with reference numeral 240 for the first embodiment.

[0320] The detection means 340 therefore comprises at least one sensor 342 , preferably a contactless sensor, in particular an optical sensor.

[0321] Advantageously, the positioning device 300 comprises first means for adjusting the position of the abutment 320 along at least the transverse orientation Y of the axis system (X, Y, Z), these first means being formed by telescopic arms 312, at the free ends of which the abutment 320 is mounted.

[0322] Advantageously, the telescopic arm 312 is mounted on a frame formed by a trolley 315 which is movably mounted along at least the longitudinal direction X, for example by means of rails on the ground, so that the trolley 315 can be moved between the furnace 120 and the bender 140 relative to the rollers 112 of the conveyor 110 .

[0323] As a variation, the telescopic arm 312 is rotatably mounted relative to the frame (e.g., pivoted about a vertical axis fixed to the frame) so that the position of the adjacent member 320 can be advantageously adjusted along (X,Y) relative to the transport surface defined by the rollers 112 of the conveyor 110 and therefore relative to the glass 10 in combination with the sliding of the telescopic arm 312.

[0324] Advantageously, the abutment 320 is rotatably mounted between an activated position and a non-activated position, movable by actuation means (not shown) selectively controlled by electrical signals delivered by the detection means 340 .

[0325] Preferably, the actuation means comprise, for example, at least one actuator capable of rotating the telescopic arm 312 (carrying the abutment 320 at its free end) itself or even rotating the abutment 320 directly independently of the arm 312 .

[0326] The positioning device 300 comprises second means for adjusting the position of a detection means 340 (ie, a sensor 342 herein) along at least a transverse orientation Y of an axis system (X, Y, Z), these second means being formed by telescopic arms 314, at the free ends of which the sensor 342 is mounted.

[0327] The telescopic arm 314 carrying the sensor 342 is different from the telescopic arm 312 carrying the adjacent element 320, whereby it is possible to adjust the position of the detection device 340 independently of the position of the adjacent element 320 at least along the transverse orientation Y to change the distance between the detection device 340 and the adjacent element 320.

[0328] Preferably, the positioning device 300 therefore comprises a telescopic arm 312 forming a first arm and a telescopic arm 314 forming a second arm.

[0329] Advantageously, the telescopic arm 314 is also mounted on a frame of the positioning device 300 formed by a trolley 315, which is movably mounted at least along the longitudinal direction X, for example by means of guide rails on the ground, so that the trolley 315 can be moved between the furnace 120 and the bending machine 140 relative to the rollers 112 of the conveyor 110.

[0330] As a variation, the telescopic arm 314 is rotatably mounted relative to the frame (e.g., pivoted about a vertical axis integral with the frame) so as to advantageously be able to adjust the position of the sensor 342 along (X,Y) relative to the transport surface defined by the rollers 112 of the conveyor 110 and, therefore, relative to the glass 10 in conjunction with the sliding of the telescopic arm 314.

[0331] Preferably, the sensor 342 is mounted at the free end of the telescopic arm 314 by means of a support 344 which advantageously comprises third adjustment means for adjusting the position of the detection means 340 along the longitudinal orientation X.

[0332] As in the examples of embodiments previously described for the first embodiment, the third adjustment device of the positioning device 300 according to the second embodiment is formed by an oblong hole, which is configured to make it possible to move the sensor 342 longitudinally, thereby making it possible to fine-tune the position of the sensor 342 relative to the adjacent member 320 along the longitudinal orientation X.

[0333] Figure 8 The positioning device 300 is illustrated in a first “forward” configuration corresponding to a first mode of operation for positioning a glass 10 having reduced dimensions, such as a triangular window.

[0334] The functionality of the positioning device 300 just described is similar to the functionality previously described for the operating device 200 according to the first embodiment.

[0335] Therefore, the positioning of the glass 10 in the first row F1 is similar to Figure 5 As described and illustrated in the figure, the edge 12 of the glass 10 cooperates with the outer surface of the ring 322 of the positively arranged adjacent member 320 in a rolling contact manner, which then causes the glass 10 to slide relative to the roller 112 of the conveyor 110 at an angle (α) and in this article in a clockwise direction until it reaches the reference position.

[0336] The reference position is then detected by the sensor 342 of the detection device 340, which in particular triggers the control of the actuating devices (not shown) via an electrical signal, which actuating devices are configured to drive the movement of the adjacent member 320 from the activated position to the non-activated position, and the adjacent member 320 retracts by pivoting upwards to release the glass 10.

[0337] The positioning of the glasses 10 in the second row F2 , initially occupying the longitudinal conveying position, in the reference position is identical to that just described for the first row F1 , except for the fact that the sliding angle (α) of the glasses 10 is performed in the opposite direction, counterclockwise.

[0338] According to the second embodiment and as in Figure 8 Like in Fig. 9 Two positioning devices 300 are illustrated, this time in a second “lateral” configuration corresponding to a second operating mode for positioning a glass 10 ′ having larger dimensions, such as a side window in this case.

[0339] The shift from the first operating mode to the second operating mode (or, in other words, from the first forward configuration to the second lateral configuration of the adjacent member 320) particularly includes a step of longitudinally moving upstream at least one trolley 315 of the positioning device 300 or even two trolleys 315 as illustrated herein.

[0340] and Figure 8 Compared to the first operating mode illustrated in the figure (in which at least the adjacent member 320 or even the sensor 342 is arranged longitudinally between the last roller 112 of the conveyor 110 and the first lower roller 146 of the bending tool 142), in this second operating mode of the positioning device 300, the adjacent member 320 must be arranged further upstream longitudinally, advantageously near the outlet of the furnace 120 of the apparatus 100.

[0341] exist Fig. 9 In the example shown in FIG. 1 with the glass 10 ′ described below, only one of the positioning devices 300 is used so that the other device 300 can stay where the glass 10 ′ was previously located. Figure 8 In the position occupied by .

[0342] When a positioning device 300 is not in use, it is advantageously placed in a standby mode in which the two telescopic arms 312 and 314 are additionally folded to free the conveying surface defined by the rollers 112 of the conveyor 110 in order to prevent any interference with the glass 10 ′.

[0343] As a variant, it is possible to envisage retracting the abutment 320 simply by keeping it in the inactive position.

[0344] In this second operating mode, only the abutment 320 arranged laterally in position is used, in particular by means of adjustment means such as at least the telescopic arm 312 forming the first adjustment means in the transverse orientation Y.

[0345] Thus, the telescopic arm 314 carrying the sensor 342 of the detection means 340 forming the device 300 is, for its part, preferentially folded towards the trolley 315 so as to no longer extend above the conveying surface.

[0346] Positioning device 300 is then used to position glass 10 ′ in said reference position by means of abutment 320 with rotating ring 322 , arranged laterally, causing glass 10 ′ to slide in order to correct positional displacements due to the drift or “counter-rotation” phenomenon as explained in the introduction.

[0347] In the second operating mode, the positioning device 300 is used as a "fixed lateral re-centering device", which is advantageously manufactured according to the teachings of the French patent application (application number FR2102243) filed on March 9, 2021 in the name of SGGF (not published).

[0348] However, to do this, the abutment 320 must preferably include detection means 324 capable of determining the contact time between the glass 10 ′ and the rotating ring 322 of the abutment 320 when realigning the glass 10 ′ in said determined reference position.

[0349] Advantageously, the detection means 324 comprise at least one sensor 326 associated with the lateral abutment 320 and capable of detecting at least one initial so-called contact moment (eg Fig. 9 , which corresponds to the contact of the lateral edge 15' of the glass 10' with the rotating ring 322 of the adjacent member 320) and the final so-called escape moment (which corresponds to the cessation of contact of this lateral edge 15' of the glass 10' with the rotating ring 322 of the adjacent member 320) in order to determine the contact time between the glass 10' and the rotating ring 322 of the lateral adjacent member 320 during such re-centering.

[0350] Therefore, the following will refer to Fig.10 Given a description of an embodiment of such an abutment 320 , this abutment may particularly, but not exclusively, be used as a lateral abutment in the positioning device 300 , according to the description already given in said French patent application FR 2 102 243 (not yet published).

[0351] according to Fig.10 The abutment 320 is able to form said stop for the positioning device 300 equipping the glazing manufacturing apparatus 100 .

[0352] As shown, the adjacent member 320 includes a detection device 324. Fig.10 In the example in, these detection means consist of at least one pressure sensor 326 capable of detecting pressure changes, in particular when the adjacent member 320 is used as a lateral adjacent member, the sensor 326 being capable of detecting pressure changes caused by the glass coming into contact with or ceasing to come into contact with the rotating ring 322 of the adjacent member 320.

[0353] The ring 322 of the abutment 320 is mounted freely rotatable about a vertical axis 328 so as to be able to rotate freely when the edges 12, 14 of the glasses 10, 10' cooperate in rolling contact with the outer surface 330 of the ring 322 so as to cause the glasses 10, 10' to be oriented in said determined reference position.

[0354] The outer surface 330 of the ring 322 forms a strip against which the edges 12, 14 of the glass 10, 10' will roll during contact, and the ring 322 rotates clockwise or counterclockwise about its vertical axis 28 depending on the arrangement of the abutment 320 relative to the glass 10, 10'.

[0355] The abutment 320 circumferentially comprises a radial gap between the rotating ring 322 and the axis 328 , so that said ring 322 is free to move radially relative to said axis 328 .

[0356] Advantageously, the radial clearance makes it possible to reduce the friction between the ring 322 and the axis 328. Furthermore, the radial clearance is determined so as to take into account the thermal expansion of the material that occurs during operation and is caused in particular by the high temperatures of the glasses 10, 10' leaving the furnace 120 in contact with the ring 322 of the abutment 320 and by the air temperatures in the manufacturing plant 100, which are generally greater than 100°C.

[0357] Advantageously, the ring 322 is made of a metallic material, such as stainless steel or a ceramic, preferably of the yttria-stabilized zirconia type.

[0358] As for the basis Figure 4 The material of the ring 322 of the abutment 220 of the positioning device 200 of the first embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3 is selected so as to ensure temperature resistance and rolling contact with the hot glass 10 , 10 ′ leaving the furnace 120 .

[0359] according to Figures 10 to 12 In the embodiment illustrated in , the abutment 320 is therefore an airflow-sensitive abutment and the sensor 326 is more specifically an air pressure sensor.

[0360] The radial gap of the abutment 320 between the ring 322 and the axis 328 is configured to form an annular space into which a gas flow is injected, the circulation of which is controlled by Fig.10 The arrow icon in .

[0361] Air is supplied by means of an air supply circuit 334, which includes at least one pipe 336 communicating with the annular space 332. More specifically, the pipe 336 of the air supply circuit 334 includes, for example: at least one section vertically passing through the axis 328 (herein from its upper end); and a second section connected to the first section through an elbow and then radially passing into the annular space 332 through at least one airflow injection opening 338.

[0362] Preferably, the second section of the duct 336 of the air supply circuit 334 extends radially so that the at least one opening 338 opens into the annular space 332 on the side of the abutment 320 intended to come into contact with the pane 10 , 10 ′.

[0363] Depend on Fig.10 The airflow indicated by the arrows in FIG. 3 freely escapes from the space 332 at the upper and lower ends of the rotating ring 322 of the adjacent member 320 .

[0364] Advantageously, the air in the space 332 contributes to reducing the friction between the ring 322 and the axis 328 and to facilitating the contact of the damping glazing 10 , 10 ′ with the surface 330 of the ring 322 of the abutment 320 .

[0365] The following describes the positioning device 300 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Fig.10 The operation of the adjacent member 320 is respectively referred to Fig.11 and reference Fig.12 To describe, Fig.11 A first mode of the positioning device 300 is illustrated (wherein the abutment 320 is positively arranged), and Fig.12 A second mode of the positioning device 300 is illustrated (wherein the abutment 320 is arranged laterally).

[0366] Fig.11 is a cross-sectional view showing that the positive abutment 320 occupies an activated position to cause the positioning device 300 to be operated in accordance with a first mode of operation for a glass 10 having small dimensions (typically as Figure 8 The positioning of the triangular window in the figure.

[0367] When the abutment 320 is arranged positively relative to the glass 10 transported by the rollers 112 along the transport direction D (with the longitudinal orientation X of the axis system (X, Y, Z)), Fig.11 It more particularly illustrates the cooperation between the front edge 12 of the glass 10 and the surface 330 of the rotating ring 322 of the abutment 320 when the glass 10 is in contact with the abutment 320 so as to be positioned in said reference position determined by the bender 140 of the device 100 .

[0368] If through Fig.10 and Fig.11 As shown in the comparison between the two, when the front edge 12 of the glass 10 contacts the ring 322, the ring 322 of the abutment 320 moves radially relative to the axis 328, and the ring then leaves Fig.10 The passive position shown in Fig.11 The enabled position shown in .

[0369] Preferably, the detection means 324 comprising the air pressure sensor 326 associated with the abutment 320 are not used in this first operating mode of the positioning device 300 , which is why they are shown in dashed lines.

[0370] Advantageously, the detection means 324 are therefore put into an armed state, for example by closing a sealing means (not shown), such as a valve, arranged between the sensor 326 and the duct 336 of the air circuit 334 .

[0371] In this first operating mode of the positioning device 300, the abutment 320 with the rotating ring 322 and the detection means 340 are used to match the previously referenced Figure 5 The orientation of the glass 10 initially occupying the longitudinal transport position in said reference position is obtained in the same way as described for the first embodiment with the positioning device 200 , so that reference will advantageously be made to the description already made previously.

[0372] Fig.12 is a cross-sectional view showing the lateral abutment 320 occupying an activated position (rather than being in a Fig.10 In the passive position in the activation position, the abutment 320 can cause the second operating mode of the positioning device 300 to be adjusted according to the second operating mode of the positioning device 300 for a glass 10 'having a larger size (for example, Fig. 9 Positioning of the side windows in the vehicle.

[0373] When the abutment 320 is thus arranged laterally with respect to said glass 10 ′ conveyed by the rollers 112 in a conveying direction D (with a longitudinal orientation X of the axis system (X, Y, Z)), Fig.12 The cooperation between the lateral edge 15 ′ of the glass 10 and the surface 330 of the rotating ring 322 of the abutment 320 is then illustrated when the glass 10 ′ is in contact with the abutment 320 so as to be positioned in said reference position determined by the bender 140 of the device 100 .

[0374] During operation, the ring 322 of the abutment 320 moves relative to the axis 328 at least between: Fig.10 the passive position illustrated, which corresponds to the position occupied by the ring 322 in the absence of contact between the glass 10 ′ and the abutment 320 ; and Fig.12 The enabled position is shown in the figure.

[0375] In the passive position, the ring 322 and the vertical axis 328 are coaxial, circumferentially separated from each other by an annular space 332 inside which circulates a gas flow supplied by a duct 336 .

[0376] The activated position corresponds to the position occupied by the ring 322 when the glass 10 ′ is in contact with the surface 330 of the ring 322 of the abutment 320 . In the activated position, the ring 322 is no longer coaxial with the vertical axis 328 and the ring 322 completely or partially blocks the opening 338 .

[0377] Thus, the radial movement of the ring 322 from the passive position to the active position (caused by the contact of the glass 10 ′ with the abutment 320 ) causes a pressure variation in the duct 336 of the air supply circuit 334 , which is then detected by the pressure sensor 326 of the detection means 324 .

[0378] like Fig.12 As shown in FIG. 3 , the air pressure sensor 326 is connected, for example, to a pipe 336 outside the abutment 320. In addition, the sudden change in pressure that occurs when in contact with the glass 10 'is indicated by the arrow in the manner of a manometer. Fig.10 and Fig.12 It is schematically shown in FIG.

[0379] However, reference Fig.10 and Fig.12 The disclosed pressure sensor 326 constitutes only one of the possible embodiments of the detection device 324 .

[0380] As a variant, the sensor 326 is an accelerometer, such as a piezoelectric accelerometer, capable of detecting the vibrations caused by the coming into contact or the cessation of contact of the lateral edge 15 ′ of the glass 10 ′ with the ring 322 of the abutment 320 .

[0381] For further details about the operation of the positioning device 300 used together with the lateral adjacent member 320 according to this second operating mode (i.e. as a "fixed lateral re-centering device"), reference will advantageously be made to the French patent application (application number FR2102243) filed on March 9, 2021 in the name of SGGF (not published).

[0382] The invention thus relates to the use of at least one positioning device 300 in a glazing manufacturing apparatus 100, said at least one positioning device being configured to operate according to at least the following two aspects:

[0383] a first operating mode in which the at least one abutment 320 with the rotating ring 322 is arranged positively relative to the glass 10 ; and

[0384] A second operating mode, in which the at least one abutment 320 with the rotating ring 322 is arranged laterally relative to the glass 10 ′.

Claims

1. A device for positioning a sheet of glass, said sheet of glass being called glass, said device being intended to equip an apparatus for manufacturing glazing, said device comprising: a stop intended to positively cooperate with the edge of the glass transported by a conveyor with rollers between an oven and a bending machine of the installation in order to position the glass in a reference position determined relative to the bending machine, the stop being movably mounted between at least: an activated position in which the stop can positively cooperate with the edge of the glass so as to cause the glass to slide relative to the rollers of the conveyor, thereby orienting the glass into the reference position, and a non-activated position in which the stop is able to release the glass occupying the reference position so that it can continue its travel into the bending machine, Characterized in that the device comprises: at least one abutment forming said stop, said at least one abutment comprising a ring mounted so as to be freely rotatable about a vertical axis so as to be able to rotate freely when occupying said activated position, said edge of said glass cooperating with said ring in rolling contact so as to cause said glass to be oriented into said determined reference position, and - detection means capable of detecting when said glass has reached said reference position in order to control the movement of said at least one abutment from said activated position to said inactivated position in order to release said glass.

2. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that The detection means is capable of delivering at least one electrical signal in order to selectively control the actuation means in order to drive the movement of the at least one abutment from the activated position to the deactivated position.

3. The device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The detection means comprises at least one sensor capable of detecting that the glass has reached the reference position.

4. The device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The device comprises first adjustment means for adjusting at least the position of the abutment at least along a transverse orientation perpendicular to the conveying direction of the glass.

5. The device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The device comprises second adjustment means for adjusting the position of the detection means independently of the position of the abutment at least along a transverse orientation perpendicular to the conveying direction of the glass so as to be able to laterally vary the distance between the detection means and the abutment with the ring.

6. The device according to claim 4, characterized in that The device comprises third adjustment means for adjusting the position of the detection means along the longitudinal orientation.

7. The device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The at least one abutment causes, during rolling contact between the edge of the glass and the ring of the abutment in the activated position, a rotation angle of the glass, the angle being greater than 5°.

8. The device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The device is configured to convert a surface area less than 0.1 m 2 The glass is oriented into the reference position.

9. The device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The device is configured to position a glass in the reference position occupying a so-called longitudinal transport position in which the largest dimension of the glass is aligned with the transport direction of the glass in the device.

10. The device according to claim 9, characterized in that The maximum dimension of the glass is more than twice the value of the center distance between two rollers of the conveyor of the furnace of the apparatus.

11. The device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The device is configured to position glass having a larger dimension in the reference position, the larger dimension being less than 400 mm and greater than 150 mm.

12. The device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The apparatus of the equipment manufacturing facility is configured to operate according to at least the following two aspects: - a first operating mode, in which said at least one abutment with said ring is arranged positively relative to said glass; as well as - a second operating mode, in which said at least one abutment with said ring is arranged laterally relative to said glass.

13. The device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The device comprises at least a first adjustment means of the at least one abutment, the at least first adjustment means being movably mounted between at least: a forward configuration in which the abutment is in a forward position, and A lateral configuration in which the abutment is in a lateral position.

14. The device according to claim 7, characterized in that The angle is greater than 10°.

15. The device according to claim 7, characterized in that The angle is greater than 15°.

16. The device according to claim 8, characterized in that The device is configured to convert a surface area less than 0.06 m 2 The glass is oriented into the reference position.

17. The device according to claim 8, characterized in that The device is configured to convert a surface area less than 0.01 m 2 The glass is oriented into the reference position.

18. The device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The glazing is a glazing for a motor vehicle.

19. The device according to claim 13, characterized in that The forward configuration can be used in a first operating mode of the device.

20. The device according to claim 13, characterized in that The sideways configuration can be used in a second operating mode of the device.

21. A method for positioning a triangular window type of glass in a glazing manufacturing apparatus, wherein: The glass is transported between the furnace and the bending machine by a conveyor with rollers, the device is equipped with at least one positioning device, the at least one positioning device comprising: at least one abutment including a ring mounted to rotate freely; and detection means, the method comprising at least the following steps: - positioning the glass in a reference position determined relative to the bending machine by causing the glass to slide relative to the roller, the sliding being caused by the front edge of the edge of the glass cooperating with the ring of the abutment occupying the activated position; - using said detection means to detect when said glass reaches said reference position in order to control the movement of said at least one abutment from said activated position to a deactivated position in order to release said glass.

22. The method according to claim 21, characterized in that The method comprises the steps consisting of positioning the glass, before entering the furnace of the apparatus, in a so-called longitudinal transport position in which the largest dimension of the glass is aligned with the direction in which the glass is transported in the apparatus by the rollers of the conveyor.

23. The method according to claim 21 or 22, characterized in that The glazing is in particular a glazing for a motor vehicle.

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