A glass plate fragment forming device and method

Abstract

This invention discloses a glass plate fragment forming device and method, comprising an overflow forming device and a cooling and temperature control module. A temperature measuring tube is used to measure the temperature of the molten glass as it flows through the overflow port of the overflow forming device, accurately obtaining the precise temperature of the glass material at the overflow port. Based on the overflow temperature of the glass plate, a cooling tube is then used to precisely cool the edges of the glass plate. This application utilizes the cooling tube for precise cooling, combined with the precise temperature measurement of the temperature measuring tube, to differentially absorb heat from different areas of the glass plate according to the mass distribution along the width of the glass plate, precisely controlling the temperature of the glass edge to the glass softening point, thereby regulating the mass distribution along the width of the glass plate. This effectively avoids the situation where, with a large amount of glass cooling, the relative viscosity of the glass increases, resulting in a thicker glass plate; conversely, with a small amount of glass cooling, the relative viscosity decreases, resulting in a thinner glass plate.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of glass substrate manufacturing and relates to a glass plate fragment forming device and method. Background Technology

[0002] With the development of intelligent technology, glass panels are being used more and more in display devices. The substrate glass in the glass panel is one of the most important components of a flat panel display. The flatness of the substrate glass plays a decisive role in the quality of the flat panel display. Generally, the surface flatness of the flat panel glass is required to be within 45 micrometers to ensure the quality of the flat panel display.

[0003] If the thickness of the glass substrate in an LCD panel is inconsistent, it will cause a large change in the spacing between transistors and pixels, which will directly affect the electric field and pixels of the display. This will further cause uneven grayscale and color in the display, thus affecting the display effect of the LCD panel. It can be seen that the flatness of the glass substrate has a huge impact on display devices.

[0004] Currently, in the glass sheet production process, the forming equipment for glass substrates mainly relies on overflow troughs for overflow, traction rollers for pulling, and cutting equipment for cutting after reaching the set size. When molten glass flows into the overflow trough through the feed pipe, it fills the trough and flows out from both sides, fusing at the tip to form a glass sheet. The glass sheet is then pulled down by traction rollers to form a stretched glass sheet, which is then cut into individual glass sheets after reaching the cutting length. Currently, the glass sheet structure is mainly formed by overflow from the overflow trough. However, the width of the glass sheet is easily affected by the overflow speed and external factors, resulting in large differences in glass sheet thickness. Existing methods use a through-type cooling pipe structure on one side of the forming equipment to cool the stretched parts on both sides of the glass sheet with coolant, thus achieving uniform thickness during the cooling and stretching process. However, this method, due to localized cooling, results in uneven heating of the glass sheet across the same width cross-section, easily causing internal stress within the glass and failing to effectively guarantee uniform thickness, thereby reducing glass quality. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to provide a glass plate fragment forming device and method to overcome the problems of uneven thickness and low glass quality that are easily caused in the existing glass plate fragment forming process.

[0006] A glass plate fragment forming device includes an overflow forming device and a cooling and temperature control module;

[0007] The cooling and temperature control module includes a cooling pipe and a temperature measuring pipe. Both the cooling pipe and the temperature measuring pipe are located on one side of the glass plate forming section of the overflow forming equipment. The overflow forming equipment has openings that are symmetrically arranged along the glass forming moving direction. The cooling pipe and the temperature measuring pipe are inserted into different openings respectively, with the temperature measuring pipe located at the front end of the cooling pipe.

[0008] The overflow forming equipment is equipped with a traction roller for driving the glass plate to move, and the cooling pipe and temperature measuring pipe are located between the traction roller and the overflow port of the overflow forming equipment.

[0009] Preferably, one side of the overflow forming equipment is provided with multiple sets of cooling pipes of different depths.

[0010] Preferably, multiple sets of cooling pipes with different depths are spaced apart, with a maximum spacing of no more than 3cm.

[0011] Preferably, the outer end of the cooling pipe is provided with a quick-connect port, and the quick-connect port on the cooling pipe is connected to the cooling source through a cooling connecting pipe.

[0012] Preferably, a regulating valve is provided on the cooling manifold to which the cooling pipe is connected.

[0013] Preferably, multiple temperature sensors are installed inside the temperature measuring tube along the depth direction of the temperature measuring tube.

[0014] Preferably, the maximum cooling depth of the cooling pipe is less than or equal to the depth of the glass plate held by the traction roller.

[0015] Preferably, the cooling pipe adopts an elongated hole in the horizontal direction.

[0016] Preferably, the cooling pipe adopts a circulation pipe structure or a closed hollow pipe.

[0017] A method for forming glass plate fragments includes the following steps:

[0018] The temperature of the overflowing glass plate is collected in real time. Based on the temperature of the glass, a cooling pipe is selected at the corresponding location. Coolant is flowed into the cooling pipe so that the cooling pipe can cool the thinner edge of the glass plate. The cooled edge of the glass plate is stretched to form a glass plate of uniform thickness, and then cut into glass plate fragments.

[0019] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial technical effects:

[0020] This invention discloses a glass plate fragment forming device, comprising an overflow forming device and a cooling and temperature control module. A temperature measuring tube is used to measure the temperature of the molten glass as it flows through the overflow port of the overflow forming device, accurately obtaining the precise temperature of the glass material at the overflow port. Based on the overflow temperature of the glass plate, a cooling tube is then used to precisely cool the edges of the glass plate. This application utilizes the cooling tube for precise cooling, combined with the precise temperature measurement of the temperature measuring tube, to differentially absorb heat from different areas of the glass plate according to the mass distribution along the width of the glass plate, precisely controlling the temperature of the glass edge to the glass softening point, thereby regulating the mass distribution along the width of the glass plate. This effectively avoids the situation where, with a large amount of cooling, the relative viscosity of the glass increases, resulting in a thicker glass plate; conversely, with a small amount of cooling, the relative viscosity decreases, resulting in a thinner glass plate.

[0021] Preferably, cooling pipes of different diameters are used at different depths. Cooling pipes of different diameters can achieve a rapid cooling response, and the corresponding glass plate thickness becomes more significant. Attached Figure Description

[0022] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the glass plate fragment forming device in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 2 This is a comparative schematic diagram of the adjusted glass plate structure in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] In the diagram, 1. Cooling pipe; 2. Temperature measuring pipe; 3. Traction roller; 4. Cutting equipment; 5. Glass plate; 6. Quick-connect connector; 7. Cooling connecting pipe; 8. Overflow forming equipment; 9. Gap between cooling pipes; 10. Place where the traction roller clamps the glass plate; 11. Adjusted glass structure. Detailed Implementation

[0025] To enable those skilled in the art to better understand the present invention, the technical solutions of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort should fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0026] It should be noted that the terms "first," "second," etc., in the specification, claims, and accompanying drawings of this invention are used to distinguish similar objects and are not necessarily used to describe a specific order or sequence. It should be understood that such data can be interchanged where appropriate so that the embodiments of the invention described herein can be implemented in orders other than those illustrated or described herein. Furthermore, the terms "comprising" and "having," and any variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion; for example, a process, method, system, product, or apparatus that comprises a series of steps or units is not necessarily limited to those steps or units explicitly listed, but may include other steps or units not explicitly listed or inherent to such processes, methods, products, or apparatus.

[0027] like Figure 1 As shown, this invention provides a glass plate fragment forming device based on an overflow forming device 8, including a cooling and temperature control module. The cooling and temperature control module includes a cooling pipe 1 and a temperature measuring pipe 2, both located on one side of the glass plate forming section of the overflow forming device. The cooling pipe 1 and temperature measuring pipe 2 are inserted into different openings symmetrically arranged along the glass forming direction on the overflow forming device. The temperature measuring pipe 2 is located at the front end of the cooling pipe 1, i.e., it is closest to the overflow port of the overflow forming device. After the molten glass flows down from the overflow port of the overflow forming device and forms, it flows sequentially through the temperature measuring pipe 2 and the cooling pipe 1 before reaching the cutting area. A traction roller 3 is provided on the overflow forming device to drive the glass plate movement. Both the cooling pipe 1 and the temperature measuring pipe 2 are located between the traction roller 3 and the overflow port of the overflow forming device. The maximum cooling depth of the cooling pipe 1 is less than or equal to the depth of the glass plate through the traction clamping part of the traction roller 3. The distance from the part of the glass plate held by the guide roller 3 to the end of the glass plate measured by the traction roller is greater than or equal to the maximum cooling depth of the cooling pipe 1. This application uses the temperature measuring pipe 2 to measure the temperature when the molten glass flows down through the overflow port of the overflow forming equipment, accurately obtaining the precise temperature of the glass material at the glass overflow port. Based on the overflow temperature of the glass plate, the cooling pipe 1 is then used to precisely cool the edge of the glass plate. This application uses the cooling pipe for precise cooling, and at the same time, cooperates with the precise temperature measurement of the temperature measuring pipe 2. According to the mass distribution in the width direction of the glass plate, the heat in the glass plate area is absorbed differently, and the temperature of the glass edge is precisely reduced to the glass softening point, thereby adjusting the mass distribution in the width direction of the glass plate. This can effectively avoid the situation where the relative viscosity of the glass increases when the glass cooling amount is large, and the glass plate becomes thicker; and when the glass cooling amount is small, the relative viscosity of the glass decreases, and the glass plate is stretched and thinned.

[0028] In one embodiment of this application, since the glass plate is affected by external factors during the overflow forming process, multiple sets of cooling pipes 1 with different depths are arranged on one side of the overflow forming equipment. The multiple sets of cooling pipes 1 with different depths are spaced apart, with a maximum spacing of no more than 3cm. Since the glass temperature may vary during the overflow forming process, the temperature measuring tube 2 can accurately detect the current temperature of the glass plate flowing through it. When the local temperature is too high or the temperature depth needs to be adjusted, the depth of the cooling pipe 1 needs to be adjusted. If the machine is stopped for adjustment, it will affect the production efficiency. If the local temperature is too high, the depth of the cooling pipe cannot be adjusted manually. Therefore, the structure of cooling pipes 1 with different cooling depths is prefabricated to adjust the cooling position and the required cooling temperature according to the current temperature situation, so that the glass plate can reach the glass softening point in time. When the thinner area of ​​the glass plate is not continuous, a short-distance cooling pipe structure can be used, which can better absorb the heat near the thinner area of ​​the glass plate, thereby adjusting the uniformity of the glass plate thickness distribution.

[0029] A cutting device 4 is installed on one side of the traction roller 3 on the overflow forming equipment to cut the formed glass plate into glass plate 5 according to the set size.

[0030] Cooling pipe 1 adopts a circulating pipe structure; or it adopts a closed hollow pipe. In the case of a closed hollow pipe, the end of cooling pipe 1 is connected to a coolant outlet pipe, and a coolant sleeve is installed inside. The end of the coolant sleeve is fixed to the end of cooling pipe 1; the front end of the coolant sleeve is spatially connected to the front end of cooling pipe 1; cooling pipe 1 can be inserted into and mates with an opening on the overflow forming equipment. High-efficiency circulating coolant is used in cooling pipe 1.

[0031] The outer end of the cooling pipe 1 is provided with a quick-connect port 6. The quick-connect port 6 on the cooling pipe 1 is connected to the cooling source through a cooling pipe 7, and the cooling pipe 7 is used to transport coolant.

[0032] A regulating valve is installed on the cooling manifold 7 connected to the cooling pipe 1. The flow rate of the coolant is adjusted by the regulating valve, thereby achieving precise adjustment.

[0033] Cooling tubes 1 at different depths employ cooling tubes of different diameters. The outer wall of the cooling tube fits snugly against the openings on the overflow forming equipment. The only difference between the cooling tubes of different diameters is the larger diameter of the resulting cylinder. The larger diameter allows them to be closer to the glass plate, resulting in a larger coolant volume and heat exchange area. Therefore, compared to a cooling tube structure with a fixed diameter, cooling tubes 1 of different diameters can achieve a faster cooling response, and the corresponding thickness of the glass plate becomes significantly greater.

[0034] This application utilizes a temperature sensing tube 2 for precise temperature measurement. Multiple temperature sensors are installed within the temperature sensing tube 2 along its depth, enabling accurate measurement of the temperature distribution at the edge of the glass plate. Then, cooling tubes of different diameters and installation depths are used to cool the glass, controlling the temperature at the glass edge near its softening point (950℃). When the cooling amount is large, the relative viscosity of the glass increases, resulting in a thicker glass plate; conversely, when the cooling amount is small, the relative viscosity decreases, causing the glass plate to stretch and thin. This application effectively regulates the mass distribution across the width of the glass plate by selectively absorbing heat from different areas of the glass plate according to its mass distribution along its width.

[0035] Cooling pipe 1 uses an elongated hole along the horizontal direction, which is beneficial for uniform cooling.

[0036] The process of adjusting the uniformity of glass plate mass distribution using the glass plate fragment forming device of this application is as follows: During the glass forming process, the temperature of the glass is monitored in real time using a temperature measuring tube. Based on the glass temperature, a cooling tube at a corresponding location is selected, and flowing coolant is introduced into the cooling tube to cool the thinner edges of the glass plate. Simultaneously, multiple cooling tube structures of different depths are set up to ensure the stability of cooling during the overflow sound field process. If one cooling tube becomes blocked or experiences a cooling failure, another cooling tube can be activated promptly to prevent the overflow production from being interrupted due to cooling issues.

[0037] In another embodiment of this application

[0038] When using cooling pipes to adjust glass thickness, the relationship between cooling pipes and glass thickness is as follows: The cooling pipe used in this application is a circular rod with a cooling section of uniform diameter. The depth of the cooling pipe is less than or equal to the depth of the glass plate being pulled and clamped by the traction roller. The cooling pipes are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the overflow forming equipment 8, and cooling pipe structures of different depths are also provided.

[0039] During overflow molding, cooling liquid flows through the cooling pipes, absorbing heat released from the glass plate through the surface of the rod. The cooling liquid also carries away heat from the glass plate area within the molding equipment. As the glass plate thickness varies with the width of the windshield, as... Figure 2As shown, the glass plate is thinner on both sides and thicker in the middle. Symmetrically arranged cooling pipes (with strong cooling capacity) are located near the traction roller clamping the glass plate at point 10. The gap 9 between the two cooling pipes is located near the thicker part of the glass plate. This differential cooling matches the uneven mass distribution on the glass plate: in areas with a larger mass (thicker middle), the glass plate absorbs less heat because it is not cooled by the cooling pipes, resulting in a higher glass temperature than the edges and a relatively lower viscosity, causing the glass to be stretched and thinner in this area. Conversely, in thinner areas, the glass plate absorbs more heat due to cooling by the cooling pipes, resulting in a lower glass temperature than the middle and a relatively higher viscosity, causing the glass plate to become thicker. The thicker glass plate at the edges can resist greater clamping force and the pressure from hard impurities on the traction roller surface, thus effectively preventing glass breakage. The adjusted glass structure 11 is as follows: Figure 2 As shown.

[0040] This invention provides a method for adjusting the temperature of different areas along the width of a glass plate by using cooling pipes to extract different amounts of heat from the glass plate during the manufacturing of a glass plate in a glass manufacturing system. This adjusts the mass distribution along the width of the glass plate, increases the thickness of the area where the glass plate is held by the traction rollers at the edge, and reduces glass breakage.

[0041] During the forming, cooling, and setting process (around the glass softening point of 950℃), the glass is in a viscoelastic state, and the glass molecules can still move. At this time, due to the cohesive force (surface tension), the glass molecules at the edges tend to concentrate towards the center, resulting in a reduction in the amount of glass material at the edges. The area where the traction rollers in the annealing furnace hold the glass sheet is precisely at the edge (the middle part of the glass is the effective surface, requiring a smooth surface, and the traction rollers must not touch it). When the weight of the glass at the edges decreases to a certain extent (when the thickness of the edge-holding area of ​​a 0.5mm thick glass sheet is ≤0.4mm), the traction rollers are prone to crushing the edge of the glass sheet, causing it to break and making production impossible.

[0042] This invention provides a glass plate fragment forming device that can effectively improve the problem of glass plates being easily crushed and broken. When the glass is gradually cooled to near its softening point temperature (950°C), the edges of the effective surface of the glass plate are cooled, while the middle area is not cooled. Since the molecules of glass are still active and mobile near the softening point temperature, the glass material that gathers towards the center due to the cohesive force of the glass will move to both sides as the temperature rises. This results in a decrease in the mass of the middle of the glass plate and an increase in the mass of the glass material on both sides, thereby increasing the thickness of the glass in the clamping area of ​​the traction roller. This reduces the possibility of the glass plate breaking due to its thinness and thus improves the product yield.

[0043] Although embodiments of the invention have been described and illustrated, it should be understood that modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, the number and diameter of cooling sections, the type of cooling liquid or gas, and the material of the cooling pipes may be modified. Furthermore, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to the described embodiments, and various reorganizations, improvements, and substitutions of the above embodiments can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the claims.

Claims

1. A glass plate fragment forming device, characterized in that, Includes an overflow forming device (8) and a cooling temperature control module; The cooling temperature control module includes a cooling pipe (1) and a temperature measuring pipe (2). Both the cooling pipe (1) and the temperature measuring pipe (2) are located on one side of the glass plate forming section of the overflow forming equipment. The overflow forming equipment has openings symmetrically arranged along the glass forming direction. The cooling pipe (1) and the temperature measuring pipe (2) are respectively inserted into different openings. The temperature measuring pipe (2) is located at the front end of the cooling pipe (1). After the glass liquid flows down from the overflow port of the overflow forming equipment and is formed, it flows through the temperature measuring pipe (2) and the cooling pipe (1) in sequence and then reaches the cutting area. The overflow forming equipment is equipped with a traction roller (3) for driving the glass plate to move. The cooling pipe (1) and the temperature measuring pipe (2) are located between the traction roller (3) and the overflow port of the overflow forming equipment. Multiple sets of cooling pipes (1) with different depths are provided on one side of the overflow forming equipment. The multiple sets of cooling pipes (1) with different depths are spaced apart, with a maximum spacing of no more than 3cm. The outer end of the cooling pipe (1) is provided with a quick-connect port (6). The quick-connect port (6) on the cooling pipe (1) is connected to the cooling source through a cooling connecting pipe (7). The distance from the part of the traction roller (3) that holds the glass plate to the end of the glass plate on the side where the traction roller is located is greater than or equal to the maximum cooling depth of the cooling pipe (1).

2. The glass plate fragment forming device according to claim 1, characterized in that, A regulating valve is installed on the cooling manifold (7) connected to the cooling pipe (1).

3. The glass plate fragment forming device according to claim 1, characterized in that, Multiple temperature sensors are installed inside the temperature measuring tube (2) along the depth direction of the temperature measuring tube.

4. The glass plate fragment forming device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The cooling pipe (1) adopts a circulating pipe structure or a closed hollow pipe.

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