Sheet position detection unit and method and sheet processing apparatus including position detection unit

Abstract

A position detection unit (10) for a sheet (200) having a peripheral edge (212) comprises a slider (11) and a detection device (13) provided with a detection member (14).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a unit and a method for detecting the position of a pre-cut glass sheet to be subsequently processed.

[0002] The invention also relates to a device for processing a glass sheet, the device comprising the position detection unit.

[0003] The equipment is used to produce glass sheets in the residential and commercial construction fields, such as but not limited to: insulating glass sheets, glass curtain walls and railings; for the furniture industry, such as components for furniture, shower cubicles, etc.; for the transportation industry, such as windows or front windshields for cars, buses, trucks and trains, etc.; and for the naval industry, such as railings, etc. Background Art

[0004] Apparatuses are known for processing glass sheets which may first be pre-cut and then further processed (usually with removal of material) to obtain finished or semi-finished products.

[0005] As we all know, if a glass sheet consists of a single glass panel, it can be "monolithic"; if it consists of two monolithic glass panels overlapping, it can be "laminated"; finally, if the number of overlapping glass panels is greater than 2 and a plastic material film is sandwiched between them, it can be "tempered".

[0006] These sheets are obtained by cutting larger unprocessed glass sheets, so those skilled in the art call them "large" or "extra large", ie having a rectangular shape of 6m×3.21m or 9m×3.21m, or even up to 18m×3.5m.

[0007] The process of cutting the raw sheet to obtain a plurality of smaller sheets depends on the type of glass, but in any case, but above all for monolithic and laminated glass, involves making a single cutting line using a special cutting tool; in the case of monolithic sheets, one cutting line is made on each surface of the sheet; or in the case of laminated sheets, an irregular crack is created therein, which defines the peripheral edge of the new sheet. Due to the particular mechanical properties of the glass, and according to the typical path of fracture mechanics, this peripheral edge has a first section orthogonal to the surface forming the cutting line, and at least one second section inclined relative to the surface of the sheet. Those skilled in the art generally refer to this formation process as "shoeing".

[0008] Known equipment for processing glass sheets generally comprises: one or more units for moving the glass sheet; at least one processing unit equipped with one or more tools capable of performing peripheral grinding, drilling, milling or other operations; and a unit for detecting the position of the sheet, configured to recognize references on the peripheral edge of the sheet and subsequently used to locate the position of the sheet itself relative to the processing tools.

[0009] Documents US10702966B2 and EP1491510A2 describe examples of known devices for processing glass sheets in the name of the present applicant. In particular, US10702966B2 shows a position detection unit comprising a slider selectively movable in the advancing direction of the sheet and a support arm associated with the slider, the support arm having a significant extension in its own development axis. The support arm is provided with a fixed detection device at the end, which extends laterally from the support arm to interfere with the peripheral edge of the sheet and thus detect its position.

[0010] One of the disadvantages of known position detection units is that they may not correctly detect orthogonal segments of the peripheral edge of the sheet and / or general shape defects present on the peripheral edge of the sheet, and thus they may not correctly identify cutting lines or generally correct contours.

[0011] These position detection units are in fact equipped with mechanical, inductive, capacitive or optical sensors which use the edge of the glass sheet as a reference and identify the most significant point in the thickness of the sheet edge, which is located at the same level as the sensor and not a point on the cutting line. As a result, the position of the glass sheet for subsequent processing may be subject to errors.

[0012] Correct detection of any shape defects present at the cutting line and at the peripheral edge of the sheet also depends on the position at which the sheet stops for the detection operation. This position depends on the sensitivity of the proximity sensors and the response of one or more units moving the sheet to these sensor signals, which responses may appear with different reaction times due to their dependence on variations (such as jitter) of one or more characteristics (in particular, phase) of the input signal of the device control unit.

[0013] Furthermore, in the case of laminated glass sheets, another obstacle to the correct detection of the cutting line may be that a portion of the plastic material film extends along the perimeter between the two glass sheets.

[0014] Inaccurate positioning of the sheet relative to the processing tool is a particularly serious problem, especially in the case of edge grinding operations, where it is necessary to remove more material in order to take into account the detection errors of the peripheral edge. The result is an increase in the energy required for processing, a decrease in the surface yield of the sheet and an associated increase in processing waste (glass dust), which also means a proportional increase in the costs associated with it, as it is discharged through the water filtration system.

[0015] Document IT BS20110171A1 describes a device for measuring the longitudinal extension of a moving part, such as a glass sheet.

[0016] Document WO 2020 / 213452A1 describes a device for producing glass sheets, which has a position detection device for detecting the position of the glass sheets.

[0017] Document JP2014087879A describes a method for processing a glass sheet, which method provides a step of acquiring information about the position of the glass sheet before processing the peripheral edge of the glass sheet.

[0018] Therefore, there is a need to perfect a unit and a method for detecting the position of a glass sheet, and an apparatus for processing a glass sheet comprising said position detection unit, which can overcome at least one disadvantage of the state-of-the-art technology.

[0019] One object of the present invention is to prevent the position detection unit from interacting with the peripheral edge conformation of the glass sheet caused by a single macroscopic local defect.

[0020] Another object of the invention, corresponding to the technical problem to be solved, is to provide a position detection unit for a glass sheet, which unit is also able to detect in a particularly precise manner the cutting line used to pre-cut the sheet, without taking into account the irregularities characterizing the edges of the sheet, the thickness of the sheet and any errors that may have occurred in the pre-positioning of the sheet relative to the position detection unit.

[0021] Another object of the invention is to provide a particularly simple, rapid and accurate method for detecting the position of a glass sheet.

[0022] The Applicant has devised, tested and embodied the present invention to overcome the shortcomings of the state of the art and to obtain these and other purposes and advantages. Summary of the invention

[0023] The invention is set forth and characterized in the independent claims. The dependent claims describe other characteristics of the invention or variants to the main inventive idea.

[0024] In accordance with the above objectives, a position detection unit for sheets with peripheral edges is described according to the invention. The unit comprises a fixed or sliding slide and a detection device provided with a detection member.

[0025] According to the invention, the unit comprises an angular positioning actuator and a rotating table operatively connected to the angular positioning actuator and on which the detection member is mounted, the detection member being selectively angularly positionable in a first position in contact with the peripheral edge and in a second position.

[0026] The first location and the second location of contact are located at different processing heights along the peripheral edge of the sheet.

[0027] Each processing height is effectively defined along a positioning axis transverse to the thickness of the sheet.

[0028] Alternatively, also according to the invention, the unit comprises a linear positioning actuator connected to the detection means, the detection member being selectively linearly positionable along a positioning axis in one of a plurality of contact positions at said peripheral edge.

[0029] The contact point is located at the processing height along a positioning axis transverse to the thickness of the sheet.

[0030] The positioning axis is parallel to the direction in which the sheet extends in height.

[0031] According to another aspect of the invention, the detection device or detection member is selectively movable along an adjustment axis which is transverse to the advancing direction of the sheet material.

[0032] According to another aspect of the invention, the unit comprises a guide rail attached to the slide and a corresponding sliding block attached to the detection device, which are parallel to the adjustment axis.

[0033] According to another aspect of the invention, the unit further comprises detection means located upstream of the detection device or substantially corresponding to the detection device, the detection means being configured to detect the arrival of the sheet and to detect the distance between the peripheral edge and the detection member.

[0034] According to another aspect of the invention, the unit comprises a control unit configured to control the movement of the detection member according to the thickness of the sheet, the position of at least one side of the sheet and the detection signal generated by the detection device.

[0035] According to another aspect of the invention, the angular positioning actuator is configured to determine a correction angular reversal of the detection member according to a correction signal generated by the control unit.

[0036] According to another aspect of the invention, the unit comprises an image acquisition device operatively connected to the control unit and configured to acquire an image facing the peripheral edge of the inspection member and send it to the control unit. The control unit, in turn, is configured to process the image, identify any irregularities or defects, and command the inspection member to move to the correct position, i.e. to the correct processing height.

[0037] Certain embodiments of the present invention also relate to a sheet material processing apparatus comprising a moving device configured to move at least one sheet material at a time in a forward direction, a processing unit having a processing tool configured to perform processing on the sheet material, and the above-mentioned position detection unit.

[0038] Some embodiments of the present invention also relate to a method for detecting a position of a sheet having a peripheral edge, comprising:

[0039] - a moving step in which the sheet is advanced in a direction in which the position detection unit is advanced, or vice versa;

[0040] - a detection step in which the detection member is brought into temporary interference with the peripheral edge of the sheet.

[0041] According to the invention, before or during the detection step, the detection member is selectively angularly positioned in a first position or a second position in contact with the peripheral edge, the first contact position or the second contact position being located at a desired processing height transverse to the thickness of the glass sheet. In particular, the first position and the second position in contact with the peripheral edge are located at different processing heights along a positioning axis transverse to the thickness of the sheet.

[0042] The detection member is mounted on a rotating table, which is connected to an angle positioning actuator.

[0043] Alternatively, also according to the invention, before or during the detection step, the detection member is selectively positioned linearly in contact with the peripheral edge at a desired processing height transverse to the thickness of the glass sheet.

[0044] The desired processing height is the processing height along the locating axis perpendicular to the thickness of the sheet.

[0045] According to another aspect of the invention, the method comprises an adjustment step before the detection step, in which the position of the detection member is adjusted along an adjustment axis transverse to the advancing direction according to the thickness of the sheet and the position of at least one side of the sheet. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0046] These and other aspects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the description of certain embodiments thereof given by way of non-limiting example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0047] -Figure 1 According to the present invention, a sheet material processing apparatus includes a sheet material position detection unit;

[0048] - Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A three-dimensional view of an embodiment of the position detection unit shown;

[0049] - Figure 3-Figure 4 yes Figure 1 A three-dimensional view of another embodiment of a position detection unit is shown;

[0050] - Figure 5 yes Figure 1 A front view of another embodiment of the position detection unit shown;

[0051] - Figure 6 yes Figure 1 A three-dimensional view of another embodiment of a position detection unit is shown;

[0052] - Figure 7-8 Yes means Figure 6 Schematic diagram of the detection component of the position detection unit shown, the detection component and the whole ( Figure 7 ) and lamination ( Figure 8 ) sheets produce interference.

[0053] We must expressly point out that the words and terms used in this specification, as well as the illustrations described in the accompanying drawings, have the sole purpose of better illustrating and explaining the present invention and their function is to provide a non-limiting example of the present invention, as the scope of protection is defined by the claims.

[0054] To facilitate understanding, where possible, the same reference numerals have been used to designate the same elements common to the figures. It should be understood that elements and features of one embodiment may be conveniently combined or incorporated into other embodiments without further clarification. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0055] refer to Figure 1 , shows an apparatus 100 according to the invention, which is configured to grind, drill or mill sheets 200 made, for example (but not limited to) glass. More generally, these sheets 200 may be made of a brittle material with glass-like properties.

[0056] Each sheet 200 has a first side or front surface 210 , an opposing second side or rear surface 211 , and a peripheral edge 212 having a thickness T.

[0057] The side surfaces 210, 211 are substantially flat and may be rectangular, circular, elliptical, trapezoidal, polygonal triangular or a combination thereof. At least in the case of a triangular sheet, the peripheral edge 212 is defined by a front side 212A, an opposite rear side 212B, a lower side 212C and an opposite upper side 212D.

[0058] Before the grinding process, the peripheral edge 212 of each sheet 200, in particular its front side 212A, may be irregular and have at least a first section or orthogonal section 213 substantially orthogonal to one of the sides 210, 211, and at least a second section or inclined section 214 inclined relative to said sides 210, 211. The edge separating the orthogonal section 213 relative to the sides 210, 211 defines a cutting line L, which is the cutting line that triggers the cutting, for example, in order to obtain the sheet 200 from a sheet of larger size or simply to shape it.

[0059] The cutting line L is a reference necessary for the device 100 to ensure that the machining (in particular grinding, milling or drilling) is performed correctly.

[0060] However, the peripheral edge 212 may contain local shape defects, ie defects that modify the theoretical shape, which for example cause the relative path between the peripheral edge 212 of the sheet 200 and the processing tool 125 to deviate, the extent of which depends on the extent of these shape defects.

[0061] In addition, each sheet 200 can also be integral, that is, made of a single integral glass panel, or can also be laminated, that is, if it is composed of two integral glass panels, a layer of film 215 (for example, a film made of plastic material) is sandwiched in between. In this case, the thickness T of the integral sheet 200 can be between about 3 mm and about 20 mm; the total thickness T of the laminated sheet 200 can be between about 6 mm and about 30 mm.

[0062] According to some embodiments, the device 100 includes a feeding section A, at which one or more sheets 200 to be processed are provided to the device 100 manually or through other devices arranged upstream; and a discharging section B, at which the processed sheets 200 are discharged from the device 100 to other devices arranged downstream.

[0063] The device 100 comprises a first moving unit 111 configured to move one or more of the above-mentioned sheets 200 along an advancing direction F on a processing plane P, supporting and dragging them downward, i.e. relative to the lower side 212C of the peripheral edge 212. Figure 1 In the embodiment, the forward direction F extends from the feed section A to the discharge section B.

[0064] In the example given here, the machining plane P is substantially vertical, in particular slightly inclined at an angle, for example about 6 degrees, relative to a generally vertical plane. The machining plane P is delimited by a support wall 114 consisting of a plurality of rows of idle wheels 115 extending from the infeed section A to the outfeed section B, and against which the sheet 200 rests, for example, with its rear side 211. According to a variant, the machining plane P can be horizontal or have any inclination relative to the support plane.

[0065] The device 100 also comprises a second moving unit configured to move the sheet 200 on the processing plane P along the advancement direction F, ie to drag it laterally relative to its first side 210 (ie the front surface) or more advantageously relative to its second side 211 (ie the rear surface).

[0066] Both the first moving unit 111 and the second moving unit 112 extend from the feed section A to the discharge section B. Furthermore, the first moving unit 111 and the second moving unit 112 may be activated simultaneously to coordinate the movement of the same sheet 200, or they may be activated independently.

[0067] The device 100 further comprises a processing unit 113, which corresponds to the middle section C between the feeding section A and the discharging section B. The processing unit 113 has a vertical or inclined structure and is substantially parallel to the processing plane P.

[0068] The device 100 comprises a position detection unit 10 configured to detect an orthogonal segment 213 of a peripheral edge 212 of the sheet 100, and therefore to detect the cutting line L, so as to obtain a reference for the correct positioning of the sheet 100 relative to the processing unit 113, as will be described in more detail below. Correctly detecting the position of the orthogonal segment 213, and therefore the position of the cutting line L, makes it possible to use a reference for the cutting line L for subsequent processing, thereby preventing the removal of excessive material or the use of an incorrect reference for processing, which often occurs in the prior art.

[0069] Alternatively, the position detection unit 10 can interact with the peripheral edge 212 of the sheet 200 at the transverse position of the thickness T where it is most prominent.

[0070] The position detection unit 10 allows detection to be performed efficiently even if there is a local shape defect on the peripheral edge 212 .

[0071] The apparatus 100 comprises a central control unit 116, which is configured to manage at least the first moving unit 111, the second moving unit 112, the processing unit 113 and the position detection unit 10 to ensure that an optimized processing is performed on the sheet 100. The central control unit 116 comprises a central processing unit (or CPU, 116a) and at least one storage unit 116b connected thereto.

[0072] According to some embodiments, the first moving unit 111 includes an in-feed conveyor 117 extending from the in-feed section A to the middle section C; and an out-feed conveyor 118 extending from the middle section C to the out-feed section B.

[0073] Each conveyor 117, 118 is provided with a plurality of rollers 119, 120 driven by respective first motors M1 and second motors M2. The rollers 119, 120 form a support surface at the upper portion for supporting the sheet 200 placed thereon at the lower side 212C. As an alternative to the rollers 119, 120, the conveyors 117, 118 may include belts, tapes, mats or similar or assimilated moving devices.

[0074] The second moving unit 112 extends continuously from the feeding section A to the discharging section B, and includes one or more sliders 121 , which are driven by a third motor M3 and slide on a transverse guide rail 126 .

[0075] Each slide 121 is provided with suction cups 122 connected to a pneumatic circuit commanded to generate vacuum to hold the sheet 200 and pressure to release the sheet 200. The suction cups 122 are configured to hold the sheet 200 relative to the sides 210, 211, advantageously relative to the rear side 211.

[0076] The contact surface of the suction cup 122 can be equipped with suitable sensors, which are configured to detect the position of the sides 210, 211 of the sheet 200 and send a reference signal to the central control unit 116, which contains the position of the sides 210, 211, based on which the thickness T of the sheet 200 will be taken into account for subsequent measurement and processing.

[0077] According to some embodiments, the movement of the sheet 200 may occur in a coordinated and synchronized manner by the first moving unit 111 and the second moving unit 112, or may occur independently by one or the other of the moving units 111, 112. For example, the first moving unit 111 may be used to transfer the sheet 200 from the feed section A to the discharge section B, while the second moving unit 112 may be used to advance the sheet 200 during processing.

[0078] The machining unit 113 comprises a machining head 123 and a guide rail 124 which is formed along a machining axis Y and along which the machining head 123 can slide. The guide rail 124 ends below the support plane defined by the rollers 119, 120 so that the machining head 123 can also reach the underside 212C of the peripheral edge 212 of the sheet 200. The machining axis Y extends parallel to the height of the sheet 200.

[0079] The movement of the machining head 123 along the machining axis Y is controlled by a fourth motor M4 .

[0080] The machining head 123 has at least one machining tool 125 that moves along a positioning axis transverse to the working axis Y so as to operate along the entire thickness T of the sheet 200, and a pair of jaws 127 configured to hold and guide the portion of the sheet 200 being machined to limit vibrations.

[0081] According to some embodiments, the processing tool 125 can be configured to perform one of grinding the peripheral edge 212 of the sheet 200, drilling the sheet 200, or milling the sheet 200, both of which can also affect the overall thickness T of the sheet 200. By way of example only, Figure 1 The machining tool 125 shown is a grinding wheel.

[0082] The machining head 123 , or the machining tool 125 together with the jaws 127 , can also be rotated about a directional axis orthogonal to the machining plane P so as to orient the jaws 127 and enable machining of the entire peripheral edge 212 of the sheet 200 .

[0083] The apparatus 100 includes a measuring device 129 corresponding to the feed section A, which is configured to measure the thickness T of the sheet 200 and send a corresponding measurement signal to the control unit 116 so that data related to the measured thickness T can be stored in the storage unit 116b.

[0084] The device 100 includes: one or more proximity sensors 130 immediately upstream of the middle section C, which are configured to detect whether the sheet 200 has arrived and send a corresponding proximity signal to the control unit 116, which in turn generates a command signal and sends it to the motors M1-M3 to cause the movement of the sheet 200 to slow down or be interrupted.

[0085] According to some embodiments, the position detection unit 10 comprises a slide 11 which is selectively movable in both senses in the advancement direction F, in particular both towards the infeed section A and towards the outfeed section B of the device 100 .

[0086] The slide block 11 may be provided with an idler wheel 36 , which functions similarly to the idler wheel 115 , so as to allow the sheet 200 to slide.

[0087] The slider 11 of the position detection unit 10 may be mounted on the same transverse rail 126 on which the slider 121 of the second moving unit 112 is mounted, or on its own independent rail different and separate from the transverse rail 126 .

[0088] Special References Figure 6 , the position detection unit 10 comprises a pinion-rack movement mechanism driven by a motor 25, which allows the slider 11 to move on the lateral guide 126 or on another guide different from the lateral guide 126 of the device 100. However, other types of movement mechanisms known to those skilled in the art are not excluded.

[0089] According to a variant, the slider 11 may be arranged in a fixed position on the device 100 .

[0090] The position detection unit 10 includes a detection device 13 configured to temporarily interfere with the peripheral edge 212 of the sheet 200 .

[0091] Specifically, the detection device 13 comprises a support body 19 and a detection member 14 associated with the support body 19, the detection member 14 being configured to contact the peripheral edge 212 of the sheet 200. As described below, the support body 19 may also be composed of components such as actuators.

[0092] According to some embodiments, the detection member 14 may be or include a wheel ( Figure 2-5 and Figure 8 ), block( Figure 7 ) or other similar or equivalent components.

[0093] The detection device 13 can be selectively moved along an adjustment axis R transverse to the advancing direction F, for example Figure 2-8 The adjustment axis R is substantially orthogonal to the advancing direction F of the sheet 200 and the processing plane P.

[0094] The purpose of moving the detection device 13 along the adjustment axis R is to adjust the detection member 14 to a position relative to the thickness T and at least one side surface 210 , 211 (advantageously, the front surface 210 ) of the sheet 200 , so as to correctly detect the position of the peripheral edge 222 of the sheet 200 .

[0095] Alternatively, the detection member 14 itself can be selectively moved along the adjustment axis R relative to the support body 19, see Figure 6-8 .

[0096] The position detection unit 10 further comprises a lateral positioning actuator 18, which is operatively connected to the detection device 13 and is configured to move the latter or the detection member 14 along the adjustment axis R, such as Figure 2-5 and Figure 7 and Figure 8 shown.

[0097] according to Figure 2-4 In the illustrated embodiment, the position detection unit 10 is provided with guide rails 26 , 27 attached to the slider 11 and corresponding slide blocks 28 , 29 attached to the support body 19 to allow the slide thereof, thereby allowing the detection device 13 to move along the adjustment axis R.

[0098] according to Figure 7 and Figure 8 In the embodiment shown, the detection member 14 is supported by a rod 17 moved by a transverse positioning actuator 18 .

[0099] The detection device 13 also comprises a sensor member 15 operatively associated with the detection member 14 and activated by the latter to send a position reference signal to a central control unit 116 of the apparatus 100 .

[0100] According to some embodiments, the position detection unit 10 may optionally include its own control unit 16, which is configured at least to control the movement of the detection device 13 or the detection member 14 and to receive the reference signal sent by the sensor member 15. The control unit 16 may be configured to interact with the central control unit 116 of the device 100 in order to receive at least information about the thickness T of the sheet 100 previously measured by the measuring device 129 and stored in the storage unit 116b or already contained in the storage unit 116b, since the central control unit 116 comes from a management information system in which data about the sheet 200 to be processed can be recorded, as well as information about the position of at least one of the two sides 210, 211 of the sheet 100, which information comes from the measurements made by the sensors present on the suction cups 122 of the second mobile unit 112.

[0101] The transverse positioning actuator 18 is driven by the control unit 16 or the central control unit 116 based at least on the measurement of the thickness T and the position references relative to the sides 210, 211, so as to position the detection member 14 in a position corresponding to the orthogonal section 213 of the peripheral edge 212 of the sheet 200. By being positioned in this way, the detection member 14 is able to accurately measure the position of the cutting line L.

[0102] The detection device 13, in particular the support body 19, can be selectively moved in order to position the detection member 14 at different working heights along the peripheral edge 212 of the sheet 200, for example in the case where the peripheral edge 212 contains shape defects. The working height is defined in the direction of the height extension of the sheet 200.

[0103] According to a variant, the detection member 14 itself is selectively movable relative to the supporting body 19 so as to move to different processing heights along the peripheral edge 212 of the sheet 200 .

[0104] With both solutions, the cutting line L (or in general the peripheral edge 212) can be detected at a position without shape defects, ie at a position where the contour trend can be correctly described.

[0105] According to some embodiments, the position detection unit 10 comprises an angular positioning actuator 30 associated with the detection member 14 .

[0106] exist Figure 2-4 In the example shown, the angular positioning actuator 30 acts as the support body 19 .

[0107] The detection member 14 is mounted in an eccentric position on a rotating table 31 which is part of the angular positioning actuator 30 or a rotating part attached to the latter.

[0108] The rotary table 31 can be rotated about a rotation axis which coincides with the adjustment axis R or is parallel to the rotation axis R if present.

[0109] The controlled rotation of the rotating table 31 allows the detection member 14 to be positioned at the first ( Figure 3 ) position or the second ( Figure 4 If there is a defect or flaw D at the first contact position, the position of the sheet 200 cannot be measured correctly, and then the rotating table 31 is rotated to position the detection member 14 at the second contact position.

[0110] according to Figure 5 In another embodiment shown, the detection device 13 (particularly the support body 19), or the detection member 14, is capable of selectively linearly moving along the positioning axis R' at multiple contact positions of the detection member 14 with the peripheral edge 212 of the sheet 200. In this case, the detection member 14 moves to more than two possible contact positions in a continuous displacement mode, providing a continuous and wider area away from the portion of the peripheral edge 212 modified by the local defect D.

[0111] The detection member 14 is always oriented toward the sheet 200 and changes in position relative to the latter occur linearly. The positioning axis R′ is orthogonal to the adjustment axis R and is oriented substantially vertically relative to a correctly and properly mounted position detection unit 10. The positioning axis R′ is transverse relative to the thickness T of the sheet 200 and can therefore be said to extend in the height direction of the sheet 200.

[0112] The position detection unit 10 further comprises a linear positioning actuator 32 which is operatively connected to the detection device 13 and is configured to move the latter along the adjustment axis R'. Figure 5 In the example shown, the detection device 13 is mounted on a plate 34 which slides on guides 35 parallel to the positioning axis R′.

[0113] The position detection unit 10 also includes a detection device, which in the present case is one or more proximity sensors 23, which are configured to detect whether the sheet 200 has arrived and send a corresponding proximity signal to the control unit 16 or directly to the central control unit 116, which in turn generates a command signal and sends it to the motors M1-M3 so that the latter provide deceleration and then interrupt the movement of the sheet 200.

[0114] One or more proximity sensors 23 are arranged upstream of the detection device 13 or at most corresponding to the detection device 13 with respect to the advancing direction F in which the sheet 200 arrives.

[0115] According to some embodiments, the angular positioning actuator 30 , based on a correction signal generated by the control unit 16 or directly by the central control unit 116 , can allow the detection member 14 to perform a correction angle oscillation based on the proximity signal of the proximity sensor 23 to correct the positioning inaccuracy of the glass sheet 200 .

[0116] According to some embodiments, the position detection unit 10 may include an image acquisition device 33, which is located at a processing height of the detection member 14 (for example, at upper and lower processing heights corresponding to the contact position of the detection member 14, or covering the entire travel range of the detection member 14), and is capable of identifying whether the peripheral edge 212 of the sheet 200 is regular or affected by a shape defect.

[0117] Likewise, the operator can manually input information about the presence of a shape defect and the need to switch or replace the detection member 14 through an operator interface connected to the central control unit 116 , which then operates the command for the angular positioning actuator 30 .

[0118] Alternatively, the commands for angular positioning of the actuator 30 may be managed in an automatic manner by the central control unit 116 based on the images detected by the image acquisition device 33 .

[0119] The position detection unit 10 may also include at least one suction cup 20, which is configured to hold the sheet 200 when detecting the orthogonal segment 213 or the peripheral edge 212, and / or the slider 11 of the position detection unit 10 is configured to hold the sheet 200 after possibly detecting the orthogonal segment 213 or the peripheral edge 212, and the slider 11 is used to position the processing tool 125 relative to the sheet 200.

[0120] At least one suction cup 20 is arranged upstream of the detection device 13 with respect to the advancing direction F in which the sheet 200 arrives.

[0121] The suction cup 20 can be moved from a clamping position close to the sheet 200 to a retracted position in which it is placed away from the sheet 200. The movement of the suction cup 20 can be performed along a clamping axis W parallel to the adjustment axis R.

[0122] according to Figure 2-5 In the embodiment shown, detection means 13 , one or more proximity sensors 23 and suction cup 20 , if present, are associated with slider 11 .

[0123] according to Figure 6 In the embodiment shown, the position detection unit 10 comprises a support arm 12 associated with the slide 11 and having a significant extension along its own shaping axis S, which is substantially parallel to the advancement direction F.

[0124] A detection device 13 is provided at the end of the support arm 12 , and the detection device extends laterally from the support arm 12 .

[0125] The support arm 12 is rotationally associated with the slider 11 via the pin 22. In particular, the support arm 12 is pivotally connected to the slider 11 so as to switch from an interference position, in which at least the detection member 14 is in a position capable of interfering with the sheet 200, to a non-interference position, in which the support arm 12 is positioned to allow the sheet 200 to pass through the position detection unit 10 in the advancing direction F without hindrance.

[0126] The support arm 12 comprises a first end portion on which, in addition to the detection device 13, at least one suction cup 20 is mounted.

[0127] One or more proximity sensors 23 may also be mounted on the first end portion of the support arm 12 .

[0128] The support arm 12 comprises a second end portion opposite to the first end portion, on which a pneumatic actuator 21 is mounted, one part of which is attached to the support arm 12 and the other part of which is attached to the slider 11, so as to activate the rotation of the support arm 12 as required. The pneumatic actuator 21 can be controlled by the control unit 16 of the position detection unit 10 or the central control unit 116 of the device 100.

[0129] The operation of the position detection unit 10 corresponding to the method according to the present invention comprises the following steps:

[0130] - a moving step in which the sheet 200 is advanced in the direction F in which the position detection unit 10 is advanced, or vice versa;

[0131] A detection step in which the detection member 14 is brought into temporary interference with the peripheral edge 212 of the sheet 200 .

[0132] When the position detection unit 10 is mounted on the device 100, the preferred solution is to move the sheet 200 by the first moving unit 111 through the proximity sensor 130 until it stops or slows down at a position close to the processing unit 113. Then, the second moving unit 112 continues to move the sheet 200 through the suction cup 122 until the front side 212A of the peripheral edge 212 of the sheet 200, and particularly the orthogonal section 213 of the peripheral edge 212, is located near the position detection unit 10, and the orthogonal section 213 has an unfolded structure orthogonal to the side surfaces 210, 211, and the unfolded structure marks the cutting line L of the cut glass sheet.

[0133] Preferably, the sheet 200 is located on the processing plane P (except for the redundant case of laminated glass sheets) with respect to the side faces 210 , 211 not containing the cutting line L. In other words, the cutting line L for the position detection unit 10 is located on the free front surface 210 .

[0134] By moving the sheet together with the suction cup 122 and the second moving unit 112 , parameters related to the position of the rear surface 211 can be obtained, which are transmitted to the control unit 16 of the position detection unit 10 to command the detection member 14 to adjust along the adjustment axis R.

[0135] Before the sheet 200 reaches the proximity sensors 130 and 23, the following three steps are performed, and the first two steps are not necessarily performed in order.

[0136] Step 1: The lateral positioning brake 18 is driven, by the sliding of the sliders 28 , 29 on the guide rails 26 , 27 , thereby operating the lateral displacement of the detection member 14 along the adjustment axis R so as to be able to subsequently interfere with the peripheral edge 212 of the sheet 200 .

[0137] Step 2: Regarding the selection of the contact position of the detection component 14, the first contact position or the second contact position is selected according to the presence or absence of a defect, and the angle positioning actuator 30 obtains the desired position under the action of the pressure value p1 by controlling the command of the solenoid valve that pressurizes the corresponding chamber.

[0138] Step 3: Then, the pressure of the chamber is switched from the pressure value p1 to a pressure value p2 which is lower than the pressure value p1. The pressure values ​​are selected in order of magnitude to avoid damaging the peripheral edge 212 of the sheet 200 while ensuring mutual contact.

[0139] Subsequently, the sheet 200 moves in the advancing direction F, and after the deceleration and stopping steps determined by the distance sensors 130 and 23, respectively, the peripheral edge 212 of the sheet 200 causes a slight movement of the detection member 14, the position of which is recognized by the sensor member 15 that sends a reference signal to the control unit 16 or directly to the central control unit 116. The central control unit 116 is thus able to control the displacement of the sheet 200 in the advancing direction (also in a forward and backward mode) relative to the processing tool 125. The sheet 200 can be positioned relative to the processing tool 125 by moving it in the advancing direction F towards the tool 125 by means of the second moving unit 112 or by means of the suction cup 20 and the slider 11 of the position detection unit 10.

[0140] Once its function is finished, the position detection unit 10 can be advanced to the outfeed section B of the device 100 in order to leave the transverse guide 126 (if it is shared with the slide 121), whereby the latter can slide freely or remain in this position.

[0141] It is obvious that modifications and / or additions may be made to the unit 10 and the method for detecting the position of a sheet 200 and the device 100 for processing a sheet 200 comprising said position detection unit 10 described above, without departing from the field and scope of the present invention, as defined by the appended claims.

[0142] It is also obvious that although the invention has been described with reference to certain specific examples, a person skilled in the art will be able to implement a position detection unit 10 having the features as described in the claims, as well as other equivalent forms of the corresponding position detection method and the device 100 for processing the sheet 200, all of which therefore fall within the scope of protection defined by the claims.

[0143] In the following claims, references in parentheses are only used for reading convenience and should not be considered as limiting factors in determining the scope of protection.

Claims

1. A position detection unit (10) for a sheet (200) having a peripheral edge (212), comprising: A slider (11) and a detection device (13) provided with a detection member (14), characterized in that the position detection unit (10) comprises: an angle positioning actuator (30) and a rotating table (31) operably connected to the angle positioning actuator (30), the detection member (14) being mounted on the rotating table (31), and the detection member (14) being capable of being selectively angularly positioned at a first position and a second position in contact with the peripheral edge (212) at different processing heights along a positioning axis transverse to the thickness (T) of the sheet (200).

2. A position detection unit (10) for a sheet (200) having a peripheral edge (212), comprising: A slider (11) and a detection device (13) provided with a detection member (14), characterized in that the position detection unit comprises: a linear positioning actuator (31) connected to the detection device (13), and the detection member (14) can be selectively linearly positioned at a position in contact with the peripheral edge (212) at a processing height along a positioning axis (R') transverse to the thickness (T) of the sheet (200).

3. The position detection unit (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The detection device (13) or the detection member (14) is selectively movable along an adjustment axis (R) transverse to the advancing direction (F) of the sheet (200).

4. The position detection unit (10) according to claim 3, characterized in that: It comprises guide rails (26, 27) attached to the slider (11) and corresponding sliding blocks (28, 29) attached to the detection device (13), wherein the guide rails (26, 27) and the sliding blocks (28, 29) are parallel to the adjustment axis (R).

5. The position detection unit (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that It also comprises a detection device (23) which is arranged upstream of the detection device (13) and is configured to detect whether the sheet (200) has arrived and to detect the distance between the peripheral edge (212) and the detection member (14).

6. The position detection unit (10) according to any one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that: It comprises a control unit (16), which is configured to control the movement of the detection member (14) according to the thickness (T) of the sheet (200), according to the position of at least one side (210, 211) of the sheet (200), and optionally also according to the detection signal generated by the detection device (23).

7. The position detection unit (10) according to claim 6 as dependent on claim 1, characterized in that The angular positioning actuator (30) is configured to determine a correction angular reversal of the detection member (14) based on a correction signal generated by the control unit (16).

8. The position detection unit (10) according to claim 6, characterized in that: It comprises an image acquisition device (33) operatively connected to the control unit (16) and configured to acquire an image of the peripheral edge (212) facing the detection member (14) and transmit it to the control unit (16), which in turn is configured to process the image, identify any irregularities or defects and command the detection member (14) to move to the correct position.

9. An apparatus (100) for processing a sheet (200) having a peripheral edge (212), comprising: - moving means (111, 112) configured to move at least one sheet (200) at a time in a forward direction (F); and a processing unit (113) provided with a processing tool (125) configured to perform processing on the sheet (200), Characterized in that the device further comprises a position detection unit (10) for detecting the position of the sheet (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. A method for detecting a position of a sheet of material (200) having a peripheral edge (212), comprising: - a moving step, in which the sheet (200) is advanced in the advancing direction (F) of the position detection unit (10) according to claim 1, or vice versa; - a detection step, in which a detection member (14) which is part of a detection device (13) is caused to temporarily interfere with said peripheral edge (212) of said sheet (200), It is characterized in that before or during the detection step, the detection member (14) can be selectively angularly positioned at a first position or a second position in contact with the peripheral edge (212) at different processing heights along a positioning axis transverse to the thickness (T) of the sheet (200).

11. A method for detecting the position of a sheet of material (200) having a peripheral edge (212), comprising: - a moving step, in which the sheet (200) is advanced toward the advancing direction (F) of the position detection unit (10), or vice versa; - a detection step, in which a detection member (14) which is part of a detection device (13) is caused to temporarily interfere with said peripheral edge (212) of said sheet (200), Characterized in that, before or during the detection step, the detection member (14) can be selectively linearly positioned at a processing height along a positioning axis (R') transverse to the thickness (T) of the sheet (200) in a position in contact with the peripheral edge (212).

12. The method according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that: Prior to the detection step, the method comprises an adjustment step, in which the position of the detection member (14) is adjusted along an adjustment axis (R) transverse to the advancing direction (F) according to the thickness (T) of the sheet (200) and the position of at least one side (210, 211) of the sheet (200).

Images