A tempering process and apparatus for reducing the warpage of flexible glass

Abstract

The present application relates to a kind of toughening process and equipment for reducing the warping rate of flexible glass, belong to flexible glass technical field.It includes toughening furnace and toughening basket, and the toughening basket includes the main frame that can permeate into toughening liquid, a group of installation guide rail is arranged in the main frame, the group of installation guide rail is arranged in pairs horizontally and parallel, and is distributed in parallel along vertical direction, and the protection frame can be inserted between each pair of installation guide rail, so that the protection frame is in horizontal state;Protection frame includes a pair of sheet-shaped frame body that can be magnetically attracted to adhere, sheet-shaped frame body has the openwork mesh structure, two sheet-shaped frame bodies can horizontally clamp and fix flexible glass and adhere to the upper and lower surfaces of flexible glass, and meanwhile, toughening liquid can contact flexible glass through sheet-shaped frame body;Limiting device is detachably connected to the end of at least one of the installation guide rail of each pair of installation guide rail.The present application ensures that sample always maintains flatness during the toughening process, can better achieve the consistency of test environment, and effectively reduces the warping rate of flexible glass.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of flexible glass technology, and more specifically to a tempering process and equipment for reducing the warpage of flexible glass. Background Technology

[0002] With the development of emerging fields such as non-flat panel displays and flexible displays, market interest in foldable electronic devices and flexible displays is growing stronger. Meanwhile, the application of flexible glass is making information display devices increasingly thinner and lighter, especially in the field of foldable screens. Chemical strengthening of flexible glass can improve its strength, bending capacity, and abrasion resistance, compensating for the shortcomings of flexible displays, but it also brings problems such as warping and deformation.

[0003] The main reasons for glass warping are as follows: First, the air and tin surfaces of flat glass produced by the float glass process have certain differences in chemical composition and structure. This difference causes inconsistencies in the efficiency and rate of ion exchange between the two surfaces, resulting in inconsistencies in the surface compressive stress (CS) and stress layer depth (DOL) after strengthening. Uneven stress on both sides leads to significant warping after strengthening. Second, the unevenness of the glass surface due to its composition and tempering process causes uneven stress distribution, which exacerbates warping. Third, during the process of removing the glass from the molten salt after strengthening, the difference in thermal properties from top to bottom creates stress centers, ultimately leading to excessive warping.

[0004] Currently, the tempering process for flexible glass primarily involves placing samples horizontally or vertically on a support. However, due to its unique flexibility, flexible glass will deform under its own weight regardless of its placement on the support, increasing sample warpage during tempering. For example, a UTG product tempering device (CN220132084U) and a glass plate placement device (CN 216233912U) both incorporate flexible glass placement mechanisms to mitigate the possibility of sample collisions during tempering. However, they essentially maintain the traditional vertical or horizontal placement structure, meaning the sample will still deform under its own weight during tempering, increasing warpage. Summary of the Invention

[0005] To address the problem of excessive warpage during the tempering of flexible glass in existing technologies, this invention employs a protective frame structure to fix the glass sample. This not only ensures the sample remains flat and intact throughout the tempering process, but also guarantees full contact between the flexible glass surface and the tempering liquid by using a high-temperature resistant combustion-supporting material. Furthermore, the use of a zoned tempering furnace can better achieve consistency in the testing environment, greatly assisting in laboratory tempering condition testing.

[0006] It adopts the following technical solution:

[0007] A tempering device for reducing the warpage of flexible glass includes a tempering furnace and a tempering basket. The tempering basket includes a main frame into which tempering liquid can be absorbed. A set of mounting rails is provided within the main frame. These mounting rails are arranged in pairs, horizontally and parallel to each other, and distributed parallel to each other in the vertical direction. A protective frame can be inserted between each pair of mounting rails to keep the protective frame horizontal. The protective frame includes a pair of magnetically attachable sheet-shaped frames with a perforated mesh structure. The two sheet-shaped frames can horizontally clamp and fix the flexible glass and adhere it to both the top and bottom surfaces of the flexible glass. Simultaneously, the tempering liquid can contact the flexible glass through the sheet-shaped frames. A limiter for restricting the movement of the protective frame is detachably connected to the end of at least one of the mounting rails in each pair.

[0008] Furthermore, the limiter includes a limit seat that can be elastically engaged with the mounting rail, and the limit seat is provided with an elastic body that can elastically press against the end of the protective frame.

[0009] Furthermore, the limiting seat has a groove-shaped cross-section with an opening on one side, and limiting protrusions are provided on the two inner sides of the limiting seat that are opposite to each other. A spring fixing seat is provided on the vertical surface that is connected to the upper and lower sides. The elastic body is a spring, one end of which is fixed on the spring fixing seat, and the other end is a free end that can elastically press against the end of the protective frame.

[0010] The mounting guide rail has two parallel outer surfaces, and the outer surfaces are provided with limiting recesses that match the limiting protrusions.

[0011] Furthermore, the sheet-shaped frame includes a sheet-shaped frame, a mesh is connected to the hollow area of ​​the sheet-shaped frame, the mating side of the mesh is flush with the same side surface of the sheet-shaped frame, and a set of magnets are connected to the sheet-shaped frame to magnetically connect the two sheet-shaped frames.

[0012] Furthermore, the main frame includes a rectangular frame made of stainless steel, with stainless steel mesh on the top, bottom, and back sides, and stainless steel plates on the left and right sides; the top of the rectangular frame is provided with a pair of handles and the bottom is provided with a set of support legs.

[0013] Furthermore, the tempering furnace has a set of tempering zones, each of which has an independent heating system and temperature control system. Each tempering zone can be set with different tempering liquid composition and controlled with different tempering temperatures as needed.

[0014] This invention also provides a tempering process for reducing the warpage of flexible glass, using the aforementioned tempering equipment for reducing the warpage of flexible glass, comprising the following steps:

[0015] S1. After cleaning the surface of the flexible glass to be tempered, install it in the protective frame, and place the protective frame horizontally in the main frame through the installation guide rail. Fix the limiter and put the tempering basket into the high temperature furnace for preheating at a temperature of 360℃-430℃ for 15-20 seconds.

[0016] S2, quickly remove the tempering basket from the preheating furnace and place it in a tempering furnace containing tempering liquid for chemical tempering at a temperature of 380℃-420℃ for 5-30 minutes. Then remove the tempering basket and cool it in the air.

[0017] S3. Remove the flexible glass from the protective frame of the tempered basket and immerse it in warm water in the water tank to wash away surface impurities and obtain flexible glass with low warpage.

[0018] Furthermore, the tempering fluid is a chemically strengthened molten salt with added additives.

[0019] Furthermore, the chemically fortified molten salt is one or more of KNO3, NaNO3, and LiNO3.

[0020] The advantages of this invention compared to the prior art are as follows:

[0021] The protective frame designed in this invention effectively limits the amount of deformation of glass caused by its own gravity during the tempering process, thereby effectively reducing the warping value of flexible glass during the tempering process.

[0022] The tempering basket designed in this invention keeps the samples level throughout the tempering process, preventing scratches caused by collisions during tempering. The horizontal placement also effectively avoids differences in the degree of tempering caused by the temperature difference of the tempering liquid when the sample is placed vertically, due to the rapid heat dissipation from the surface of the tempering liquid, thus improving the warpage of flexible glass.

[0023] The tempering furnace designed in this invention effectively ensures that, apart from differences in tempering temperature and time, all other external environments are completely consistent. This achieves absolute uniformity in laboratory tempering test conditions. Attached Figure Description

[0024] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a tempering basket in a tempering device for reducing the warpage of flexible glass according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the tempering furnace in a tempering equipment for reducing the warpage of flexible glass according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the sheet-shaped frame structure in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 4This is a schematic diagram of the limiter structure in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram showing the position of the limiting recess in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached drawings: 100, tempering furnace; 101, tempering area; 102, heating system; 103, temperature control system; 200, tempering basket; 210, main frame; 211, rectangular frame; 212, handle; 213, support leg; 220, mounting rail; 221, slide groove; 222, limiting recess; 230, protective frame; 231, sheet-shaped frame; 231a, sheet-like frame; 231b, mesh; 231c, magnet; 240, limiter; 241, limiting seat; 242, elastic body; 243, spring fixing seat; 244, limiting protrusion. Detailed Implementation

[0030] To make the present invention clearer, the tempering process and equipment for reducing the warpage of flexible glass according to the present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The specific embodiments described herein are only for explaining the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention.

[0031] like Figure 1 , Figure 2 As shown, a tempering device for reducing the warpage of flexible glass includes a tempering furnace 100 and a tempering basket 200. The tempering furnace 100 serves as a heating and control device for the tempering liquid of flexible glass, and has a set of tempering zones 101. Each tempering zone 101 has an independent heating system 102 and a temperature control system 103. The heating system 102 and the temperature control system 103 are electrically connected to the tempering furnace controller. In this way, each tempering zone 101 can be set with different tempering liquid compositions and controlled with different tempering temperatures as needed.

[0032] The tempering basket 200 includes a main frame 210 that can be permeated with tempering liquid. The main frame 210 includes a three-dimensional rectangular frame 211 made of stainless steel. The rectangular frame 211 serves as the main load-bearing structure during the tempering process of flexible glass and has sufficient rigidity, strength, and heat resistance. The upper, lower, and rear sides of the rectangular frame 211 are made of stainless steel mesh, and the mesh openings of the stainless steel mesh allow the tempering liquid to flow in and out. The left and right sides of the rectangular frame 211 are made of stainless steel plates. A pair of handles 212 are provided at the top of the rectangular frame 211 for easy handling, and a set of support legs 213 are provided at the bottom for overall support and stability. When the tempering basket 200 is placed in the tempering furnace 100, the bottom surface of the support legs 213 contacts and fits against the bottom surface of the tempering furnace 100 to prevent the tempering basket from shaking during the tempering process. Preferably, the positioning support height is about 30-40mm to ensure that the tempering liquid is in full contact with the flexible glass.

[0033] A set of mounting rails 220 is fixedly installed on the inner walls of the stainless steel plates on both sides of the rectangular frame 211. These mounting rails 220 are arranged in pairs, horizontally parallel and vertically parallel, meaning each pair of mounting rails 220 is parallel at the same height, and the vertical projections of each pair of vertically distributed mounting rails 220 overlap. In this embodiment, the mounting rails 220 are rectangular strip structures with through grooves 221 along their length, and the openings of the grooves 221 all face the inner side of the rectangular frame 211. Here, the vertical spacing between each pair of mounting rails 220 is 30mm, which ensures both sufficient operating space and the independence of the flexible tempered glass.

[0034] A protective frame 230 can be inserted between each pair of mounting rails 220. The two sides of the protective frame 230 are fitted with the groove cross-sectional shape of the mounting rail 220 to form a sliding clearance fit. Since the same pair of mounting rails 220 are at the same height, their grooves are at the same horizontal position. When the groove is correctly inserted into the protective frame 230, the protective frame 230 is also horizontal. A limiter 240 is detachably connected to the end of at least one of the mounting rails 220 in each pair. The limiter 240 is used to restrict the movement of the protective frame 230, thereby fixing the protective frame 230.

[0035] Combination Figure 3 As shown, the protective frame 230 includes a pair of magnetically attachable sheet-shaped frame bodies 231. Each sheet-shaped frame body 231 has a perforated mesh structure. The two sheet-shaped frame bodies 231 can horizontally clamp and fix the flexible glass and adhere it to both the upper and lower surfaces of the flexible glass. Simultaneously, tempering liquid can contact the flexible glass through the sheet-shaped frame bodies 231. Specifically, each sheet-shaped frame body 231 includes a sheet-shaped frame 231a. A mesh 231b is connected to the hollow area of ​​the sheet-shaped frame 231a. The mesh 231b has mesh holes, and the adhering side of the mesh 231b is flush with the same side surface of the sheet-shaped frame 231a. A set of magnets 231c is also connected to the sheet-shaped frame 231b. Thus, the two sheet-shaped frames 231a are magnetically connected by the magnets 231c, and the two mesh 231b can completely adhere to both the upper and lower surfaces of the flexible glass, providing support and load-bearing function. Furthermore, the protective frame 230 is entirely composed of high-temperature resistant materials, ensuring it remains undamaged at 450°C in the tempering liquid while maintaining complete contact between the tempering liquid and the flexible glass sample. Preferably, the mesh 231b can be made of high-temperature materials such as platinum wire or flame-retardant fabric.

[0036] Combined Figure 4As shown in the figure, the limiter 240 includes a limit seat 241 that can be elastically clamped on the installation guide rail 220. An elastic body 242 is provided on the limit seat 241, and the elastic body 242 can elastically press against the end of the protection frame 230 in contact. Specifically, the limit seat 241 has a groove-shaped cross-section with an open side, and the overall shape is "匸"-shaped. It is made of stainless steel plate and has a certain elastic deformation ability. Limit convex points 244 are provided on the two inner side surfaces of the limit seat 241 that are opposite to each other up and down, and a spring fixing seat 243 is provided on the vertical surface that is jointly connected to the upper and lower side surfaces. The elastic body 242 is a spring. One end of the spring is fixed on the spring fixing seat 243, and the other end is a free end that can elastically press against the end of the protection frame 230 in contact. Correspondingly, limit concave points 222 adapted to the limit convex points 244 are provided on the two outer surfaces of the installation guide rail 220 that are parallel to each other up and down and connected to the limiter 240. When the two are matched, the self-elastic action of the limit seat 241 enables the limit convex points 244 to be stably located in the limit concave points 222, so as to firmly press against the protection frame 230 through the elastic body 242. During the tempering process and the process of taking and placing, it is ensured that the flexible glass does not shake and displace.

[0037] The present invention also provides a tempering process for reducing the warpage curvature of flexible glass. Using the above-mentioned tempering equipment for reducing the warpage curvature of flexible glass, it includes the following steps:

[0038] S1. After cleaning the surface of the flexible glass to be tempered, install it in the protection frame 230, and place the protection frame 230 horizontally in the main frame 210 through the installation guide rail 220, and fix the limiter 240. Put the tempering basket 200 into the high-temperature furnace for preheating, the temperature is 360°C - 430°C, and the time is 15 - 20s;

[0039] S2. Quickly take out the tempering basket 200 from the preheating furnace and place it in the tempering furnace 100 containing the tempering liquid for chemical tempering. The tempering process can be divided into primary tempering and secondary tempering. The temperature is 380°C - 420°C, and the time is 5 - 30min. Then take out the tempering basket 200 and rapidly cool it in the air;

[0040] S3. Take out the flexible glass from the protection frame 230 of the tempering basket 200 and put it into the water tank for warm water cleaning to remove surface impurities, and obtain flexible glass with low warpage.

[0041] Here, the tempering liquid is a chemically strengthened molten salt added with additives. Preferably, the chemically strengthened molten salt is one or more of KNO3, NaNO3, and LiNO3.

[0042] The above method is used to conduct experimental groups and control group experiments. Among them, the original sheet before tempering is flexible glass with the same composition and a thickness of 50um. The warpage of the flexible glass after strengthening is measured by a warpage meter. The test conditions and results are as follows:

[0043] Table 1. Chemical strengthening process and properties of flexible glass in Examples 1-6:

[0044]

[0045] Table 2 Comparison of chemical strengthening processes and properties of flexible glass in groups 1-6:

[0046]

[0047] Comparing Tables 1 and 2, it can be seen that the warpage of the samples tempered using the tempering device of the present invention is low regardless of the tempering temperature and tempering time. Comparisons 1-6 show that, without using any tempering basket, horizontal placement is better than vertical placement of the samples, and using a tempering basket also significantly improves the warpage.

[0048] The above embodiments of the present invention are merely examples for clearly illustrating the present invention and are not intended to limit the implementation of the present invention. Those skilled in the art will recognize that other variations or modifications can be made based on the above description. It is neither necessary nor possible to exhaustively list all possible implementations. However, these obvious variations or modifications derived from the essential spirit of the present invention still fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A tempering device for reducing the warpage of flexible glass, comprising a tempering furnace (100) and a tempering basket (200), characterized in that: The tempered glass basket (200) includes a main frame (210) into which tempering liquid can be absorbed. A set of mounting rails (220) is provided inside the main frame (210). The mounting rails (220) are arranged in pairs horizontally and parallel, and are distributed in parallel along the vertical direction. A protective frame (230) can be inserted between each pair of mounting rails (220) to make the protective frame (230) horizontal. The protective frame (230) includes a pair of magnetically attached sheet-shaped frame bodies (231). The sheet-shaped frame bodies (231) have a hollow mesh structure. The two sheet-shaped frame bodies (231) horizontally clamp and fix the flexible glass and are attached to the upper and lower surfaces of the flexible glass. At the same time, the tempering liquid comes into contact with the flexible glass through the sheet-shaped frame bodies (231). A limiter (240) for restricting the movement of the protective frame (230) is detachably connected to the end of at least one of the mounting rails (220) of each pair of mounting rails (220). The limiter (240) includes a limit seat (241) that is elastically snapped onto the mounting guide rail (220), and an elastic body (242) is provided on the limit seat (241). The elastic body (242) is in elastic abutment contact with the end of the protective frame (230). The limiting seat (241) has a groove-shaped cross section with an opening on one side. Limiting protrusions (244) are provided on the two inner sides of the limiting seat (241) that are opposite to each other. A spring fixing seat (243) is provided on the vertical surface that is connected to the upper and lower sides. The elastic body (242) is a spring. One end of the spring is fixed on the spring fixing seat (243), and the other end is a free end that elastically abuts against the end of the protective frame (230). The mounting guide rail (220) has two parallel outer surfaces. Limiting recesses (222) that are adapted to the limiting protrusions (244) are provided on the outer surfaces.

2. The tempering equipment for reducing the warpage of flexible glass according to claim 1, characterized in that: The sheet frame (231) includes a sheet frame (231a), a mesh (231b) is connected to the hollow area of ​​the sheet frame (231a), the mating side of the mesh (231b) is flush with the same side surface of the sheet frame (231a), and a set of magnets (231c) is connected to the sheet frame (231a), so that the two sheet frames (231a) are magnetically connected by the magnets (231c).

3. The tempering equipment for reducing the warpage of flexible glass according to claim 2, characterized in that: The main frame (210) includes a rectangular frame (211) made of stainless steel. The upper, lower and rear sides of the rectangular frame (211) are stainless steel mesh, and the left and right sides are stainless steel plates. The top of the rectangular frame (211) is provided with a pair of handles (212) and the bottom is provided with a set of support legs (213).

4. The tempering equipment for reducing the warpage of flexible glass according to claim 3, characterized in that: The tempering furnace (100) has a set of tempering zones (101), each tempering zone (101) has an independent heating system (102) and temperature control system (103), and each tempering zone (101) is set with different tempering liquid composition and controlled with different tempering temperature according to requirements.

5. A tempering process for reducing the warpage of flexible glass, using the tempering equipment for reducing the warpage of flexible glass as described in claim 1, characterized in that, Includes the following steps: S1, after cleaning the surface of the flexible glass to be tempered, install it in the protective frame (230), and place the protective frame (230) horizontally in the main frame (210) through the mounting rail (220), and fix the limiter (240). Put the tempering basket (200) into the high temperature furnace for preheating at a temperature of 360℃-430℃ for 15-20s. S2, the tempering basket (200) is quickly removed from the preheating furnace and placed in the tempering furnace (100) containing tempering liquid for chemical tempering at a temperature of 380℃-420℃ for 5-30 minutes. Then the tempering basket (200) is removed and rapidly cooled in the air. S3, the flexible glass is taken out from the protective frame (230) of the tempered basket (200) and immersed in warm water in the water tank to wash away surface impurities and obtain flexible glass with low warpage.

6. The tempering process for reducing the warpage of flexible glass according to claim 5, characterized in that: The tempering fluid is a chemically strengthened molten salt with added additives.

7. The tempering process for reducing the warpage of flexible glass according to claim 6, characterized in that: The chemically fortified molten salt is one or more of KNO3, NaNO3, and LiNO3.

Images