A tempering system for curved glass and its tempering method

Abstract

This invention relates to the field of glass tempering technology, and discloses a curved glass tempering system and its tempering method. The lifting mechanism includes a first lifting assembly, a second lifting assembly, and a third lifting assembly respectively mounted on a frame; the conveying mechanism also includes a first conveying assembly, a second conveying assembly, and multiple flexible shaft drive rollers; both the lower air outlet assembly and the upper air outlet assembly include multiple air outlet boxes and multiple air grating strips; the four corners of the upper curved mechanism are respectively connected to the output end of the first lifting assembly; the two ends of the lower curved mechanism at the input end are respectively connected to the output end of the third lifting assembly; the two ends of the lower curved mechanism at the output end are respectively connected to the output end of the second lifting assembly via cables; the second lifting assembly is used to lift the lower curved mechanism at the output end in stages; the top surface of the first conveying assembly, the top surface of the multiple flexible shaft drive rollers, and the plane containing the top surface of the second conveying assembly are sequentially connected; the multiple air outlet boxes are respectively connected to the corresponding air grating strips and output cooling air.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of glass tempering technology, and more particularly to a curved glass tempering system and tempering method thereof. Background Technology

[0002] Curved tempered glass not only possesses the same safety and strength as tempered glass, but its curved surface is also aesthetically pleasing and smooth, meeting the higher aesthetic requirements of modern architecture. Therefore, curved tempered glass is widely used in glass curtain walls, skylights, panoramic elevators, interior decoration, and furniture.

[0003] Existing curved glass bending equipment uses a fixed template to fix the curvature of the output end of the glass to be tempered when forming the two ends of a long glass in stages. The forming and quenching of the glass are completed in different chambers, which makes the equipment complex and occupies a lot of space. This not only increases the cost of using the equipment, but also reduces its versatility. Summary of the Invention

[0004] To address the aforementioned shortcomings, the primary objective of this invention is to propose a curved glass tempering system that solves the problems of complex structure and low versatility in existing glass bending and tempering equipment.

[0005] The second objective of this invention is to provide a method for step-by-step bending and forming using the above-mentioned curved glass tempering system, so as to complete the bending and tempering of glass with a large length.

[0006] To achieve this objective, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:

[0007] A curved glass tempering system includes an upper plate stage, a heating furnace, a curved air duct and an lower plate stage mounted on a frame, arranged sequentially along the X direction, and a lifting mechanism; the curved air duct includes an upper curved air duct and a lower curved air duct; the upper curved air duct includes an upper air outlet assembly and an upper curved arc mechanism; the lower curved air duct includes a conveying mechanism, a lower air outlet assembly, and a lower curved arc mechanism.

[0008] The lifting mechanism includes a first lifting assembly, a second lifting assembly, and a third lifting assembly respectively mounted on the frame; the conveying mechanism further includes a first conveying assembly, a second conveying assembly, and multiple flexible shaft drive rollers; both the lower air outlet assembly and the upper air outlet assembly include multiple air outlet boxes and multiple air gratings.

[0009] The four corners of the upper bending arc mechanism are respectively connected to the output end of the first lifting component via cables; the two ends of the lower bending arc mechanism at the input end are respectively connected to the output end of the third lifting component via cables; the two ends of the lower bending arc mechanism at the output end are respectively connected to the output end of the second lifting component via cables; the second lifting component is used to lift the two ends of the lower bending arc mechanism at the output end to the target arc in stages, so as to form the segmented glass to be tempered;

[0010] The first conveying component is installed on the downward bending arc mechanism at the input end; the second conveying component is installed on the downward bending arc mechanism at the output end; a plurality of flexible shaft drive rollers extend along the Y direction and are mounted on the top surface of a plurality of air grid strips of the downward bending air grid; the plane containing the top surface of the first conveying component, the plane containing the top surface of the plurality of flexible shaft drive rollers, and the plane containing the top surface of the second conveying component are sequentially connected to form a conveying surface for the glass to be tempered; a plurality of air outlet boxes are arranged at intervals along the Y-axis direction, and the plurality of air outlet boxes are respectively connected to the corresponding air grid strips; the plurality of air outlet boxes that are vertically opposite each other output cooling air to the conveying surface to quench and temper the glass to be tempered.

[0011] Furthermore, the transmission mechanism includes a drive device and a transmission gear; the drive device includes a motor reducer, a coupling assembly, a linkage rod, a first universal joint, a first connecting shaft, and a linkage assembly;

[0012] The motor reducer and the linkage rod are respectively mounted on the outer side of the air grille; the motor reducer is connected to the outer peripheral surface of the linkage rod through the coupling assembly, and the plurality of flexible shaft transmission rollers are connected to the outer peripheral surface of the linkage rod through the linkage assembly; the first transmission assembly and the second transmission assembly are respectively connected to the corresponding transmission gears.

[0013] One end of each of the two first connecting shafts is inserted into one of the two transmission gears, and the other ends of the two first connecting shafts extend relative to each other; both ends of the linkage rod are connected to one end of each of the two first universal joints, and the other ends of the two first universal joints are connected to the other ends of the two first connecting shafts.

[0014] Furthermore, this also includes the air supply mechanism;

[0015] The air supply mechanism includes an upper air distribution box and a lower air distribution box;

[0016] The upper and lower air distribution boxes are respectively installed above and below the frame;

[0017] Multiple air grates located on the upper air outlet assembly are connected to the upper air distribution box via pipes; multiple air grates located on the lower air outlet assembly are connected to the lower air distribution box via pipes.

[0018] Preferably, both ends of the air outlet box are exposed on both sides of the air grille;

[0019] Both end faces of the air outlet box located on the upper curved air grille are inclined; the side of the inclined surface closer to the air grille bar is a straight side, and the other side of the inclined surface away from the air grille bar is an arc-shaped side;

[0020] The distance between two straight sides of the same air outlet box is less than the distance between two curved sides;

[0021] Along the central axis of the air grating, multiple air outlet boxes are staggered.

[0022] Furthermore, the downward-curved wind grille also includes a support base, which includes a connecting base, a spherical bearing, and two lateral hinged bases;

[0023] The flexible shaft drive roller includes a flexible shaft and a conveyor wheel;

[0024] The plurality of flexible shafts extend along the Y direction and are arranged in parallel along the X direction, and the outer circumferential surface of the flexible shafts is fitted with the plurality of conveying wheels;

[0025] The connecting seat has a rotating cavity in the middle; both ends of the connecting seat extend in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the rotating cavity; the top of the lateral hinge seat has a rotating cavity; both ends of the connecting seat are rotatably inserted into the two rotating cavities; the spherical bearing is rotatably mounted in the rotating cavity; the bottom of the lateral hinge seat is fixed to the top surface of the corresponding air grille.

[0026] Each of the flexible shafts passes sequentially through a plurality of spherical bearings located above different of the air grating bars; at least one of the conveyor wheels is distributed between two adjacent rotating cavities;

[0027] The Z-axis wheel surfaces of the plurality of conveying wheels form a second conveying surface that supports and conveys the glass to be tempered.

[0028] Furthermore, the transmission mechanism also includes two support tubes, multiple transmission bearings, multiple second connecting shafts, and multiple second universal joints;

[0029] The support tube extends along the X direction, and the two support tubes are respectively arranged from the outside close to the two outermost wind grating strips;

[0030] The multiple transmission bearings are divided into two groups, and the multiple transmission bearings in the same group are arranged at intervals along the X direction on the top surface of the support tube;

[0031] One end of the second connecting shaft is fitted with the transmission wheel, and the other end of the second connecting shaft passes through the transmission bearing and is connected to one end of the second universal joint. The two ends of the flexible shaft are respectively connected to the other ends of the two second universal joints.

[0032] Furthermore, the support also includes two bushings;

[0033] The two bushings are respectively fitted onto both ends of the connecting seat;

[0034] The two ends of the connecting seat are rotatably fitted into the two rotating cavities via corresponding bushings;

[0035] The bushing is equipped with a limiting ring;

[0036] The limiting ring surrounds the circumferential edge of the side of the bushing closest to the rotating cavity, and the limiting ring is used to abut against the edge of the corresponding rotating cavity.

[0037] Furthermore, this invention proposes a method for tempering curved glass, using the curved glass tempering system described above, comprising the following steps:

[0038] S1) When the glass to be tempered is in the heating furnace and is being heated, the four corners of the upper bending air grille are lifted to the target curvature by the first lifting component and the upper bending arc mechanism.

[0039] S2) The top surface of the heated tempered glass, which is horizontal, passes over the bottom bending arc mechanism of the input end. The second lifting component lifts the bottom bending arc mechanism of the output end to the first curvature.

[0040] S3) As the first end of the glass to be tempered passes over the top surface of the lower bending arc mechanism at the input end, the second lifting component gradually rises and lifts the lower bending arc mechanism at the output end to the target curvature.

[0041] S4) When the tail end of the glass to be tempered passes the top surface of the lower bending arc mechanism at the input end, the third lifting component lifts the lower bending arc mechanism at the input end to the target curvature, thus completing the bending and forming of the glass to be tempered.

[0042] S5) Cooling air is output to the upper and lower sides of the curved glass through the upper equalization box, the lower equalization box and multiple air outlet boxes respectively, so as to quench and temper the glass, and then the tempered glass is output to the lower plate stage through the second conveying component.

[0043] Specifically, when the target curvature is greater than the threshold, the step-bending glass forming method includes steps S1), S2), S3), S4), and S5), where the first curvature is equal to the threshold.

[0044] When the target curvature is less than or equal to the threshold, the first curvature is equal to the target curvature; the step-by-step bending glass forming method includes steps S1), S2), S4), and S5), and step S3) removal.

[0045] The beneficial effects of the technical solution of the present invention are as follows: The curved glass tempering system has a transmission connection structure between the two ends of the linkage rod and the two first cross universal couplings, which enables the transmission mechanism to drive the first transmission component, the second transmission component and multiple flexible shaft transmission rollers to operate independently. Through the step-by-step raising of the two ends of the downward bending arc mechanism at the output end, the glass to be tempered is bent and formed in steps above multiple air grid strips, and the quenching and tempering of the glass can be completed in the in-situ during the forming process. The structure is simple, the cost is low and the versatility is good.

[0046] Furthermore, this invention proposes a step-by-step glass forming method, which can control the second lifting component to raise the curvature and height of the lower bending arc mechanism at the output end of the glass to be tempered, thereby improving the bending forming quality of curved glass. In addition, in-situ quenching and tempering are performed after the bending forming is completed, which can effectively improve the utilization rate and versatility of the equipment. Attached Figure Description

[0047] Figure 1 This is a top view of the curved glass tempering system of the present invention;

[0048] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the installation structure of the upper curved air grille of the curved glass tempering system of the present invention in the Y-direction.

[0049] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the installation structure of the curved glass tempering system of the present invention in the X-direction view when the upper curved air grille is in a horizontal state.

[0050] Figure 4 for Figure 2 An enlarged view of part A;

[0051] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the input end portion of the upward-curved air grille of the present invention;

[0052] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the output end portion of the upward-curved air grille of the present invention;

[0053] Figure 7 for Figure 5 An enlarged view of part B;

[0054] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the installation structure of the second cross universal joint of the present invention;

[0055] Figure 9 for Figure 8 An enlarged view of part C;

[0056] Figure 10 This is a structural schematic diagram of the support base;

[0057] Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram of the installation structure of the support base and bushing;

[0058] Figure 12 This is a schematic diagram of the installation structure of the air grille bar and the air outlet box located in the upper curved air grille;

[0059] Figure 13 This is a schematic diagram of the installation structure of the air grille bars and the air outlet box located in the lower bend air grille;

[0060] The components include: frame 1; upper curved air grille 2; lower curved air grille 3; air supply mechanism 4; lifting mechanism 5; heating furnace 6; loading table 7; unloading table 8;

[0061] Support base 32; Conveying mechanism 33; Lower air outlet assembly 34; Lower bending arc mechanism 37; Transmission bearing 339; Upper equalizing air box 41; Lower equalizing air box 42; First lifting assembly 51; Second lifting assembly 52; Third lifting assembly 53; First conveying surface 301; Second conveying surface 302; Third conveying surface 303; Lateral hinge seat 321; Connecting seat 322; Joint bearing 323; Bushing 324; First conveying assembly 330; Flexible shaft transmission roller 331; Second conveying assembly 332; Second universal joint 333; Support tube 334; Transmission gear 3 35; Second connecting shaft 336; Connecting plate 337; Drive device 338; Transmission bearing 339; Air outlet box 341; Air grille 342; Flexible shaft 3311; Conveying wheel 3312; Rotating cavity 3210; Rotating cavity 3221; Limiting ring 3241; Motor reducer 3381; Coupling assembly 3382; Linkage rod 3384; Transmission wheel 3385; First universal joint 3386; First connecting shaft 3387; Inclined surface 3412; Coupling gear 33821; Driven wheel 33822; Arc edge 34121; Straight edge 34122. Detailed Implementation

[0062] The following is in conjunction with the appendix Figure 1-13 The technical solution of the present invention will be further illustrated through specific embodiments.

[0063] The accompanying drawings are for illustrative purposes only and should not be construed as limiting the scope of this patent. To better illustrate this embodiment, some components in the drawings may be omitted, enlarged, or reduced, and do not represent the actual dimensions of the product. It is understandable to those skilled in the art that some well-known structures and their descriptions may be omitted in the drawings.

[0064] In the description of this invention, it should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation" and "connection" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can also refer to the internal communication between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention based on the specific circumstances.

[0065] A curved glass tempering system includes an upper plate stage 7, a heating furnace 6, a curved air grid and a lower plate stage 8 mounted on a frame 1 arranged sequentially along the X direction, and a lifting mechanism 5; the curved air grid includes an upper curved air grid 2 and a lower curved air grid 3; the upper curved air grid 2 includes an upper air outlet assembly 21 and an upper curved arc mechanism 22; the lower curved air grid 3 includes a conveying mechanism 33, a lower air outlet assembly 34 and a lower curved arc mechanism 37;

[0066] The lifting mechanism 5 includes a first lifting component 51, a second lifting component 52, and a third lifting component 53 respectively installed on the frame 1; the conveying mechanism 33 also includes a first conveying component 330, a second conveying component 332, and a plurality of flexible shaft drive rollers 331; the lower air outlet component 34 and the upper air outlet component 21 each include a plurality of air outlet boxes 341 and a plurality of air grating strips 342.

[0067] The four corners of the upper bending arc mechanism 22 are respectively connected to the output end of the first lifting component 51 via cables; the two ends of the lower bending arc mechanism 37 at the input end are respectively connected to the output end of the third lifting component 53 via cables; the two ends of the lower bending arc mechanism 37 at the output end are respectively connected to the output end of the second lifting component 52 via cables; the second lifting component 52 is used to lift the two ends of the lower bending arc mechanism 37 at the output end to the target arc in stages, so as to form the segmented glass to be tempered;

[0068] The first conveying component 330 is installed on the downward bending arc mechanism 37 at the input end; the second conveying component 332 is installed on the downward bending arc mechanism 37 at the output end; a plurality of flexible shaft drive rollers 331 extend along the Y direction and are mounted on the top surface of a plurality of air grid strips 342 of the downward bending air grid 3; the plane containing the top surface of the first conveying component 330, the plane containing the top surface of the plurality of flexible shaft drive rollers 331, and the plane containing the top surface of the second conveying component 332 are sequentially connected to form a conveying surface for the glass to be tempered; a plurality of air outlet boxes 341 are arranged at intervals along the Y-axis direction, and the plurality of air outlet boxes 341 are respectively connected to the corresponding air grid strips 342; the plurality of air outlet boxes 341 facing each other above and below output cooling air to the conveying surface to quench and temper the glass to be tempered.

[0069] like Figure 1-4The step-bending curved glass tempering system of the present invention shown has an upper curved air grille 2 and a lower curved air grille 3 mounted on the frame 1 with their upper and lower sides facing each other.

[0070] like Figure 5 , Figure 6 , Figure 10 and Figure 11 As shown, multiple air grating strips 342 extend along the X direction and are arranged in parallel. The two ends of the air grating strips 342 are respectively spherically hinged to two downward bending arc mechanisms 37. Multiple air outlet boxes 341 are installed between two flexible shaft drive rollers 331. The air outlet boxes 341 extend along the Y-axis direction, and the air outlet boxes 341 between the two flexible shaft drive rollers 331 are spaced apart along the Y-axis direction.

[0071] The top surfaces of the two downward-curving mechanisms 37 are respectively equipped with a first conveying assembly 330 and a second conveying assembly 332 for conveying glass. The top surfaces of multiple first conveying assemblies 330 form a first conveying surface 301, the top surfaces of multiple flexible shaft drive rollers 331 form a second conveying surface 302, and the top surfaces of multiple second conveying assemblies 332 form a third conveying surface 303. The three conveying surfaces are connected in sequence to form a conveying surface for continuously conveying tempered glass.

[0072] When the glass, heated and softened by the furnace 6, is conveyed by the first conveying assembly 330 above the lower bending mechanism 37 at the input end into the space above the multiple air gratings 342, the four corners of the upper bending air grating 2 are lifted and bent into the target arc shape. The two corners of the lower bending mechanism 37, connected to the output end of the upper bending air grating 2 (i.e., the end furthest from the furnace 6), are lifted and bent into the initial arc shape. The lower bending mechanism 37, connected to the input end of the air gratings 342, remains horizontal until the entire piece of glass is completely output from the furnace. During this period, the center of the horizontally positioned glass can be continuously input via the first conveying assembly 330. The glass is raised above multiple air grates 342, and simultaneously the two ends of the lower bending arc mechanism 37 at the output end are raised in stages to the target curvature, thereby bending the output end and middle part of the glass in stages. When the whole piece of glass is completely output from the heating furnace 6 and enters above multiple air grates 342, the lower bending arc mechanism 37 at the input end is bent to the target curvature, and the input end of the glass abuts against the corresponding upper bending arc mechanism to form a shape, thereby forming the target curved surface of the whole piece of glass. Finally, cooling air is output to the face of the glass to be tempered through multiple air outlet boxes 341 to quench and temper the formed glass.

[0073] The glass to be tempered can not only be formed in stages on the top surface of multiple flexible shaft drive rollers 331, but also be quenched and tempered through multiple air outlet boxes 341 distributed above and below, which has good space utilization.

[0074] Furthermore, the transmission mechanism 33 includes a drive device 338 and a transmission gear 335; the drive device 338 includes a motor reducer 3381, a coupling assembly 3382, a linkage rod 3384, a first universal joint 3386, a first connecting shaft 3387, and a linkage assembly;

[0075] The motor reducer 3381 and the linkage rod 3384 are respectively mounted on the outer side of the air grille 342; the motor reducer 3381 is connected to the outer peripheral surface of the linkage rod 3384 via the coupling assembly 3382, and the plurality of flexible shaft transmission rollers 331 are connected to the outer peripheral surface of the linkage rod 3384 via the linkage assembly; the first transmission assembly 330 and the second transmission assembly 332 are respectively connected to the corresponding transmission gears 335.

[0076] One end of each of the two first connecting shafts 3387 is inserted into one of the two transmission gears 335, and the other ends of the two first connecting shafts 3387 extend relative to each other; the two ends of the linkage rod 384 are respectively connected to one end of each of the two first universal joints 3386, and the other ends of the two first universal joints 3386 are respectively connected to the other ends of the two first connecting shafts 3387.

[0077] like Figure 4-6 As shown, during the glass forming process, curved slopes are formed on both sides of the downward-curved air grille 3. The two ends of the linkage rod 384 are respectively connected to the two first connecting shafts 3387 through the transmission structure of the two first cross universal couplings 3386. This allows the motor reducer 3381 to drive the first transmission component 330, the second transmission component 332 and multiple flexible shaft transmission rollers 331 to rotate synchronously through the linkage rod 3384. This allows the linkage rod 3384 and the two downward-curved arc mechanisms 37 located at both ends of the downward-curved air grille 3 to operate independently, without being affected by the bending of the downward air outlet component 34 or the tilt of the linkage rod 3384. This improves the operational stability of the transmission mechanism 33 and the two downward-curved arc mechanisms 37.

[0078] like Figure 6 In the preferred embodiment shown, the linkage assembly includes multiple drive belts, multiple linkage pulleys 3383, and multiple drive pulleys 3385; the drive pulleys 3385 are fitted onto one end of the flexible shaft drive roller 331; the multiple linkage pulleys 3383 are fitted onto the outer circumferential surface of the linkage rod 3384, and the linkage pulleys 3383 and drive pulleys 3385 correspond one-to-one and are connected by drive belts; the motor reducer 3381 drives the linkage rod 3384, the multiple linkage pulleys 3383, and the multiple drive pulleys 3385 to rotate synchronously through the cooperation of the coupling 3821 and the driven pulley 33822.

[0079] Furthermore, it also includes the air supply mechanism 4;

[0080] The air supply mechanism 4 includes an upper air distribution box 41 and a lower air distribution box 42;

[0081] The upper air distribution box 41 and the lower air distribution box 42 are respectively installed above and below the frame 1;

[0082] Multiple air gratings 342 located in the upper air outlet assembly 21 are connected to the upper air distribution box 41 through pipes; multiple air gratings 3421 located in the lower air outlet assembly 34 are connected to the lower air distribution box 42 through pipes.

[0083] like Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the cooling air output from the corresponding multiple air outlet boxes 341 to the formed glass can be evenly distributed through the upper air distribution box 41 and the lower air distribution box 42, thereby improving the quality and efficiency of glass quenching and tempering.

[0084] Furthermore, both ends of the air outlet box 341 are exposed on both sides of the air grille 342;

[0085] Both ends of the air outlet box 341 located in the upper curved air grille 2 are inclined surfaces 3412; the side of the inclined surface 3412 closest to the air grille strip 342 is a straight side 34122, and the other side of the inclined surface 3412 away from the air grille strip 342 is an arc-shaped side 34121.

[0086] The distance between the two straight sides 34122 located in the same air outlet box 341 is less than the distance between the two arc sides 34121;

[0087] Along the central axis of the air grating 342, a plurality of air outlet boxes 341 are staggered.

[0088] like Figure 9 As shown, during operation, the upper bending mechanism 37 drives multiple upper air grating strips 342 to form a curved surface protruding towards the glass to be tempered, bringing the two ends of the two opposing air outlet boxes 341 on two adjacent air grating strips 342 closer together. Both ends of the air outlet box 341 are set with inclined surfaces 3412, and the distance between the two straight sides 34122 of the same air outlet box 341 is less than the distance between the two curved sides 34121. This can prevent the sides of two adjacent air outlet boxes 341 that are away from the glass to be tempered from abutting each other and interfering with each other along the length direction, and can avoid the phenomenon that the curved surface formed by the two air outlet boxes 341 does not reach the required radial depth due to interference.

[0089] The staggered arrangement of multiple air outlet boxes 341 relative to the central axis of the air grille 342 results in a staggered gap between two adjacent and close air outlet boxes 341. This ensures that one end face of the multiple air outlet boxes 341 exposed on the same air grille 342 is not in the same plane parallel to the central axis of the air grille 342. This avoids the phenomenon that the corresponding part of the glass is not cooled by air during the tempering process, thus preventing the tempering quality of the glass from being affected.

[0090] Furthermore, the downward-curved air grille 3 also includes a support base 32, which includes a connecting base 322, a spherical bearing 323, and two lateral hinged bases 321.

[0091] The flexible shaft drive roller 331 includes a flexible shaft 3311 and a conveyor wheel 3312;

[0092] Multiple flexible shafts 3311 extend along the Y direction and are arranged in parallel along the X direction, and multiple conveying wheels 3312 are fitted on the outer peripheral surface of the flexible shafts 3311;

[0093] The connecting seat 322 has a rotating cavity 3221 in the middle; both ends of the connecting seat 322 extend along a direction perpendicular to the axis of the rotating cavity 3221; the top of the lateral hinge seat 321 has a rotating cavity 3210; both ends of the connecting seat 322 are rotatably inserted into the two rotating cavities 3210; the spherical bearing 323 is rotatably mounted in the rotating cavity 3221; the bottom of the lateral hinge seat 321 is fixed to the top surface of the corresponding air grille 342;

[0094] Each of the flexible shafts 3311 passes sequentially through a plurality of spherical bearings 323 located above different air grating bars 342; at least one conveyor wheel 3312 is distributed between two adjacent rotating cavities 3221;

[0095] The Z-direction wheel surfaces of the plurality of conveying wheels 3312 form the second conveying surface 302 for supporting and conveying the glass to be tempered.

[0096] Figure 5-11 As shown, the flexible shaft 3311 can rotate in multiple support seats 32 through the joint bearing 323, so that the flexible shaft 3311 will not jam and fail to rotate during the bending process.

[0097] At least one conveying wheel 3312 is provided between two adjacent support seats 32. The Z-direction wheel surfaces of the multiple conveying wheels 3312 located on multiple flexible shafts 3311 form the second conveying surface 302 for supporting and conveying the glass to be tempered, so that the multiple flexible shafts 3311 can drive the multiple conveying wheels 3312 to rotate synchronously and convey the glass to be tempered along the running direction.

[0098] The two ends of the connecting seat 322 are rotatably fitted into the rotating cavity 3210 on the top of the two lateral hinge seats 321, so that the two ends of the connecting seat 322 can rotate with the bending of the flexible shaft 3311, which can prevent the flexible shaft 3311 from being obstructed during the bending process.

[0099] Furthermore, the transmission mechanism 33 also includes two support tubes 334, multiple transmission bearings 339, multiple second connecting shafts 336, and multiple second universal joints 333;

[0100] The support tube 334 extends along the X direction, and the two support tubes 334 are respectively arranged from the outside close to the two outermost wind grating strips 342;

[0101] The multiple transmission bearings 339 are divided into two groups, and the multiple transmission bearings 339 in the same group are arranged at intervals along the X direction on the top surface of the support tube 334;

[0102] One end of the second connecting shaft 336 is fitted with a transmission wheel 385, and the other end of the second connecting shaft 336 passes through the transmission bearing 339 and is connected to one end of the second universal joint 333. The two ends of the flexible shaft 3311 are respectively connected to the other ends of the two second universal joints 333.

[0103] like Figure 5-7 As shown, the motor reducer 3381 and the linkage rod 3384 are installed on the Y-direction side of the support tube 334, and the flexible shaft transmission roller 331 equipped with the transmission bearing 339 is driven to rotate through the transmission wheel 3385, which can improve the running stability and service life of the flexible shaft transmission roller 331.

[0104] like Figure 8 and Figure 9 As shown, when the curvature of the glass to be prepared is greater than the bendability of the flexible shaft 3311, the lower bending mechanism 37 drives multiple air grating strips 342 to bend and continuously increase the curvature to achieve the required curvature. Since the bendability of the flexible shaft 3311 is limited, if the second universal joint 333 is not used, and a rigid connection is made between the two ends of the flexible shaft 3311 and the other ends of the two second connecting shafts 36, or if the two ends of the flexible shaft 3311 are inserted into the two transmission wheels 385, the flexible shaft 3311 will be unable to bend due to insufficient bendability. This will cause the lower bending mechanism 37 to become stuck as it drives the multiple air grating strips 342 to continuously increase the curvature, thus hindering the bending operation of the bending mechanism 37.

[0105] Therefore, the two ends of the flexible shaft 3311 are connected to the two second connecting shafts 336 inserted into the two transmission wheels 385 through two second universal joints 333 respectively. This allows the bending operation of the lower bending mechanism 37 to drive the multiple air grille strips 342 to bend without being limited by the bendability of the flexible shaft 3311, thus avoiding the phenomenon of jamming of the lower bending mechanism 37.

[0106] In a preferred embodiment, the conveying mechanism 33 further includes a connecting plate 337;

[0107] One end of the support tube 334 is connected to one end of the nearby air grating strip 342 via the connecting plate 337;

[0108] A plurality of air outlet boxes 341 are installed between two adjacent flexible shafts 3311;

[0109] The air outlet box 341 extends along the Y-axis direction, and a plurality of air outlet boxes 341 located between two adjacent flexible shafts 3311 are arranged at intervals along the X-axis direction.

[0110] like Figure 8 and Figure 9 As shown, one end of the support tube 334 is connected to one end of the nearby air grille 342 by the connecting plate 337, so that the support tube 334 can bend and move together with the nearby air grille 342.

[0111] like Figure 4-7 As shown, cooling air can be blown onto the bent and shaped glass through the air outlet box 341 to quench and temper the glass.

[0112] Furthermore, the support base 32 also includes two bushings 324;

[0113] The two bushings 324 are respectively fitted onto both ends of the connecting seat 322;

[0114] The two ends of the connecting seat 322 are rotatably fitted into the two rotating cavities 3210 via corresponding bushings 324;

[0115] The bushing 324 is provided with a limiting ring 3241;

[0116] The limiting ring 3241 surrounds the circumferential edge of the side of the bushing 324 near the rotating cavity 3221, and the limiting ring 3241 is used to abut against the edge of the corresponding rotating cavity 3210.

[0117] like Figure 10 and Figure 11 As shown, bushing 324 can reduce the rigid contact and friction between the two ends of connecting seat 322 and rotating cavity 3210, and improve the rotational flexibility and service life of the two ends of connecting seat 322.

[0118] like Figure 11 As shown, the limiting ring 3241 can improve the installation stability of the bushing 324 and prevent the bushing 324 from loosening by passing through the rotating cavity 3210 during operation.

[0119] In a preferred embodiment, the connecting seat 322 includes two mirror-symmetrical halves, and the rotating cavity 3221 is formed by two semi-circular grooves that are symmetrically distributed vertically.

[0120] like Figure 10 and Figure 11 As shown, dividing the connecting seat 322 into two mirror-symmetrical halves makes it easier to process and shape, and also improves the ease of installation of the spherical bearing 323.

[0121] Furthermore, this invention proposes a method for tempering curved glass, using the curved glass tempering system described above, comprising the following steps:

[0122] S1) When the glass to be tempered is in the heating furnace 6 and is being heated, the four corners of the upper bending air grille 2 are lifted to the target curvature by the first lifting component 51 and the upper bending arc mechanism 22.

[0123] S2) The top surface of the heated tempered glass, which is horizontal, passes over the lower bending arc mechanism 37 at the input end. The second lifting component 52 lifts the lower bending arc mechanism 37 at the output end to the first curvature.

[0124] S3) As the middle part of the glass to be tempered follows the first end of the glass to be tempered past the top surface of the lower bending arc mechanism 37 at the input end, the second lifting component 52 gradually rises and lifts the lower bending arc mechanism 37 at the output end to the target curvature.

[0125] S4) When the tail end of the glass to be tempered passes the top surface of the lower bending arc mechanism 37 at the input end, the third lifting component 53 lifts the lower bending arc mechanism 37 at the input end to the target curvature, thus completing the bending and forming of the glass to be tempered.

[0126] S5) Cooling air is output to the upper and lower surfaces of the bent glass through the upper air distribution box 41, the lower air distribution box 42 and multiple air outlet boxes 341 respectively, so that the glass is quenched and tempered, and then the tempered glass is output to the lower plate stage 8 through the second conveying assembly 3012.

[0127] The tempering method for curved glass of the present invention can follow the output control of the second lifting component 52 to raise the curvature and height of the lower bending arc mechanism 37 at the output end of the glass to be tempered, so as to improve the bending and forming quality of the curved glass, and perform in-situ quenching and tempering after the bending and forming is completed, which can effectively improve the utilization rate and versatility of the equipment.

[0128] Specifically, when the target curvature is greater than a threshold, the tempering method of the curved glass includes steps S1), S2), S3), S4), and S5), where the first curvature is equal to the threshold.

[0129] When the target curvature is less than or equal to the threshold, the first curvature is equal to the target curvature; the tempering method of the curved glass includes steps S1), S2), S4), and S5), and step S3) removal.

[0130] The above threshold can be adjusted according to the thickness and material of the glass. For example, for blue glass with a thickness of 5mm, the threshold can be set to 40mm / m.

[0131] Taking a 5mm thick blue glass as an example, when the target curvature of the glass to be bent is greater than 40mm / m (that is, the chord height per meter of the curved surface of the final formed glass exceeds 40mm / m), if the curvature of the glass is too large and exceeds 40mm / m, it is easy to cause stress to be generated inside the glass during the bending process and cracks to appear. The glass is also prone to shattering when it is quenched and tempered.

[0132] At this point, with a curvature of 40 mm / m as the threshold, the output end of the glass is bent to the target curvature step by step according to steps S1) to S3), which can prevent stress from being generated inside the glass during the bending process, thereby avoiding the glass from cracking during quenching and tempering.

[0133] In summary, such as Figure 1-13 The embodiment of the present invention shown in the figure has a curved glass tempering system in which the two ends of the linkage rod 3384 are connected to the two first cross universal couplings 3386 for transmission. This allows the conveying mechanism 33 to drive the first conveying component 330, the second conveying component 332, and multiple flexible shaft transmission rollers 331 to operate independently. By step-by-step raising of the two ends of the downward bending arc mechanism 37 at the output end, the glass to be tempered is bent and formed in stages above multiple air grating strips 342. The glass can be quenched and tempered in situ during the forming process. The system has a simple structure, low cost, and good versatility.

[0134] Furthermore, the present invention proposes a step-by-step bending glass forming method. Based on the position of the first end of the glass to be tempered above the downward bending air grille 37, the height and curvature of the downward bending arc mechanism 37 at the output end of the second lifting component 52 are controlled step by step to avoid excessive curvature of the glass due to a single bending, which would cause stress inside the glass and thus prevent the glass from cracking or shattering.

[0135] The technical principles of the present invention have been described above with reference to specific embodiments. These descriptions are merely for explaining the principles of the invention and should not be construed as limiting the scope of protection of the invention in any way. Based on this explanation, those skilled in the art can readily conceive of other specific embodiments of the invention without inventive effort, and these embodiments will all fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A curved glass tempering system, comprising an upper plate stage, a heating furnace, a curved air duct and an lower plate stage mounted on a frame, arranged sequentially along the X direction, and a lifting mechanism; the curved air duct includes an upper curved air duct and a lower curved air duct; the upper curved air duct includes an upper air outlet assembly and an upper bending arc mechanism; the lower curved air duct includes a conveying mechanism, a lower air outlet assembly and a lower bending arc mechanism, characterized in that: The lifting mechanism includes a first lifting assembly, a second lifting assembly, and a third lifting assembly respectively mounted on the frame; the conveying mechanism further includes a first conveying assembly, a second conveying assembly, and multiple flexible shaft drive rollers; both the lower air outlet assembly and the upper air outlet assembly include multiple air outlet boxes and multiple air gratings. The four corners of the upper bending arc mechanism are respectively connected to the output end of the first lifting component via cables; the two ends of the lower bending arc mechanism at the input end are respectively connected to the output end of the third lifting component via cables; the two ends of the lower bending arc mechanism at the output end are respectively connected to the output end of the second lifting component via cables; the second lifting component is used to lift the two ends of the lower bending arc mechanism at the output end to the target arc in stages, so as to form the segmented glass to be tempered; The first conveying component is installed on the downward bending arc mechanism at the input end; the second conveying component is installed on the downward bending arc mechanism at the output end; a plurality of flexible shaft drive rollers extend along the Y direction and are mounted on the top surface of a plurality of air grid strips of the downward bending air grid; the plane containing the top surface of the first conveying component, the plane containing the top surface of the plurality of flexible shaft drive rollers, and the plane containing the top surface of the second conveying component are sequentially connected to form a conveying surface for the glass to be tempered; a plurality of air outlet boxes are arranged at intervals along the Y-axis direction, and the plurality of air outlet boxes are respectively connected to the corresponding air grid strips; the plurality of air outlet boxes that are vertically opposite each other output cooling air to the conveying surface to quench and temper the glass to be tempered; The downward-curved wind grille also includes a support base, which includes a connecting base, a spherical bearing, and two lateral hinged bases. The flexible shaft drive roller includes a flexible shaft and a conveyor wheel; The plurality of flexible shafts extend along the Y direction and are arranged in parallel along the X direction, and the outer circumferential surface of the flexible shafts is fitted with the plurality of conveying wheels; The connecting seat has a rotating cavity in the middle; both ends of the connecting seat extend in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the rotating cavity; the top of the lateral hinge seat has a rotating cavity; both ends of the connecting seat are rotatably inserted into the two rotating cavities; the spherical bearing is rotatably mounted in the rotating cavity; the bottom of the lateral hinge seat is fixed to the top surface of the corresponding air grille. Each of the flexible shafts passes sequentially through a plurality of spherical bearings located above different of the air grating bars; at least one of the conveyor wheels is distributed between two adjacent rotating cavities; The Z-axis wheel surfaces of the plurality of conveying wheels form a second conveying surface that supports and conveys the glass to be tempered.

2. The curved glass tempering system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The transmission mechanism includes a drive unit and a transmission gear; the drive unit includes a motor reducer, a coupling assembly, a linkage rod, a first universal joint, a first connecting shaft, and a linkage assembly; The motor reducer and the linkage rod are respectively mounted on the outer side of the air grille; the motor reducer is connected to the outer peripheral surface of the linkage rod through the coupling assembly, and the plurality of flexible shaft transmission rollers are connected to the outer peripheral surface of the linkage rod through the linkage assembly; the first transmission assembly and the second transmission assembly are respectively connected to the corresponding transmission gears. One end of each of the two first connecting shafts is inserted into one of the two transmission gears, and the other ends of the two first connecting shafts extend relative to each other; both ends of the linkage rod are connected to one end of each of the two first universal joints, and the other ends of the two first universal joints are connected to the other ends of the two first connecting shafts.

3. The curved glass tempering system according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes the air supply mechanism; The air supply mechanism includes an upper air distribution box and a lower air distribution box; The upper and lower air distribution boxes are respectively installed above and below the frame; Multiple air grates located on the upper air outlet assembly are connected to the upper air distribution box via pipes; multiple air grates located on the lower air outlet assembly are connected to the lower air distribution box via pipes.

4. The curved glass tempering system according to claim 1, characterized in that, Both ends of the air outlet box are exposed on both sides of the air grille; multiple air outlet boxes are staggered along the central axis of the air grille. Both end faces of the air outlet box located in the upper curved air grille are inclined surfaces; the side of the inclined surface closer to the air grille strip is a straight side, and the other side of the inclined surface away from the air grille strip is an arc-shaped side; the distance between the two straight sides of the same air outlet box is less than the distance between the two arc-shaped sides.

5. The curved glass tempering system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The transmission mechanism also includes two support tubes, multiple transmission bearings, multiple second connecting shafts, and multiple second universal joints; The two ends of the flexible shaft are respectively connected to the other ends of the two second cross universal couplings; The support tube extends along the X direction, and the two support tubes are respectively arranged from the outside close to the two outermost wind grating strips; The multiple transmission bearings are divided into two groups, and the multiple transmission bearings in the same group are arranged at intervals along the X direction on the top surface of the support tube; One end of the second connecting shaft is fitted with a drive wheel, and the other end of the second connecting shaft passes through the drive bearing and is connected to one end of the second universal joint.

6. The curved glass tempering system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The support also includes two bushings; The two bushings are respectively fitted onto both ends of the connecting seat; The two ends of the connecting seat are rotatably fitted into the two rotating cavities via corresponding bushings; The bushing is equipped with a limiting ring; The limiting ring surrounds the circumferential edge of the side of the bushing closest to the rotating cavity, and the limiting ring is used to abut against the edge of the corresponding rotating cavity.

7. A method for tempering curved glass, characterized in that, Using the curved glass tempering system according to any one of claims 3-6, the steps include: S1) When the glass to be tempered is in the heating furnace and is being heated, the four corners of the upper bending air grille are lifted to the target curvature by the first lifting component and the upper bending arc mechanism. S2) The top surface of the heated tempered glass, which is horizontal, passes over the bottom bending arc mechanism of the input end. The second lifting component lifts the bottom bending arc mechanism of the output end to the first curvature. When the target curvature is less than or equal to the threshold, the first curvature equals the target curvature, and the process proceeds directly to step S4). When the target curvature is greater than the threshold, the first curvature is equal to the threshold, and the process proceeds to steps S3) and S4). S3) As the first end of the glass to be tempered passes over the top surface of the lower bending arc mechanism at the input end, the second lifting component gradually rises and lifts the lower bending arc mechanism at the output end to the target curvature. S4) When the tail end of the glass to be tempered passes the top surface of the lower bending arc mechanism at the input end, the third lifting component lifts the lower bending arc mechanism at the input end to the target curvature, thus completing the bending and forming of the glass to be tempered. S5) Cooling air is output to the upper and lower surfaces of the curved glass through the upper and lower equalizing air box and multiple air outlet boxes to quench and temper the glass, and then the tempered glass is output to the lower plate stage through the second conveying component.

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