Glass hemisphere forming equipment and method

Abstract

The invention discloses glass hemisphere forming equipment and method, and relates to the technical field of glass forming, the glass hemisphere forming equipment comprises a forming furnace, a forming mold and a jacking device, and a sliding groove is formed in the forming furnace; the forming mold is used for bearing a glass plate, the forming mold is arranged on the upper side of the base, the base is matched with the sliding groove, and the base is connected with a rotary driving mechanism; the glass plate is heated to a set temperature in the forming furnace and deforms into a formed hemisphere due to self weight; the jacking device is matched with the base, the jacking device is installed on the movable frame, and the movable frame can drive the jacking device, the base and the forming mold to move along the sliding groove. The characteristic that glass is heated to the position near the softening point and deforms under the dead weight is combined with the mold to form the hemisphere, the glass state can be adjusted, automatic demolding can be achieved, and the glass forming efficiency and quality are improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of glass forming, and in particular to a glass hemisphere forming device and method. Background Art

[0002] The methods for forming a glass hemisphere are divided into manual forming and mechanical forming. Manual forming includes blowing, drawing, pressing and free forming, etc.; mechanical forming is to complete the glass forming process through mechanical equipment. For example: CN 113880409A discloses a method for hot bending of super large glass, in which a flat glass is placed on a concave arc mold so that the flat glass is inclined at a certain angle to the horizontal plane, a positioning baffle is set on the lower side of the flat glass, and the electric heating wire in the hot bending furnace is set to be level with the flat glass; start heating, hot bending and forming, and cool down naturally. Although the above method can realize glass bending and deformation, the state of the glass cannot be adjusted during the forming process, and the problem of the glass not fitting the concave arc mold is prone to occur; and automatic demolding cannot be achieved. Summary of the invention

[0003] In view of the shortcomings of the prior art, the purpose of the present invention is to provide a glass hemisphere forming device and method, which utilizes the characteristics of glass deforming under its own weight when heated to near the softening point and combines it with a mold to form a hemisphere, and is able to adjust the glass state and automatically demold, thereby improving the efficiency and quality of glass forming.

[0004] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is implemented through the following technical solutions:

[0005] The present invention provides a glass hemisphere forming device, comprising:

[0006] A forming furnace, wherein a chute is provided inside the furnace;

[0007] The forming mold is used to carry the glass plate. The forming mold is arranged on the upper side of the base. The base cooperates with the slide groove, and the base is connected to the rotation drive mechanism. The glass plate is heated to a set temperature in the forming furnace and deformed into a forming hemisphere due to its own weight.

[0008] The jacking device cooperates with the base, and the jacking device is installed on a moving frame, and the moving frame can drive the jacking device, the base and the forming mold to move along the slide groove.

[0009] Furthermore, the lifting device includes a push rod, one end of which passes through the base and is installed with a plug through a heat-resistant bearing. The push rod is used to lift the glass plate under lifting or pressing action.

[0010] Furthermore, the bottom of the base is connected to a sleeve, and the push rod passes through the sleeve; the sleeve is connected to a rotation drive mechanism.

[0011] Furthermore, the push rod is lifted by a pushing mechanism, which includes a cylinder and a wedge block connected to the cylinder. A pulley is installed at the bottom end of the push rod, and the pulley is in contact with the wedge block.

[0012] Furthermore, the lifting device also includes a magnetic limit protection device, which includes a permanent magnet and a magnetic switch. The permanent magnet is installed on the push rod, and the magnetic switch is installed on the sleeve. When the push rod reaches the set lifting amount, the permanent magnet and the magnetic switch generate attraction.

[0013] Furthermore, the movable frame cooperates with a track, and the track is arranged below the molding furnace;

[0014] The furnace door of the molding furnace is provided with an observation window.

[0015] Furthermore, a limit switch is provided at the set position of the track, and the limit switch and the lifting device are both connected to a control system;

[0016] The movable frame moves to the limit switch, and the lifting device lifts the formed hemisphere to the maximum height.

[0017] Furthermore, it also includes a grabbing mechanism, which is used to grab the formed hemisphere after being lifted up;

[0018] The gripping mechanism comprises two symmetrically arranged arc-shaped claws, a flexible clamping plate is arranged inside the arc-shaped claws, and a spring is connected between the flexible clamping plate and the arc-shaped claws.

[0019] The present invention also provides a method for forming a glass hemisphere, using the above-mentioned forming device, comprising the following steps:

[0020] Cut the flat glass into round glass plates according to the set requirements;

[0021] Put the round glass plate into the forming mold; push the forming mold together with the base into the forming furnace for heating; the heating temperature in the forming furnace is 400-1000℃;

[0022] During the heating process, the base rotates at a set speed to heat the glass plate evenly; the rotation rate of the forming mold is 5 to 100 revolutions per minute;

[0023] After the glass is completely fitted to the molding mold, the furnace door is opened and the glass is removed from the molding furnace under the action of the moving rack;

[0024] The formed glass hemisphere is lifted up by the ejector pin, taken out and placed in the annealing furnace.

[0025] Furthermore, the positions of the center of the glass plate and the center of the forming mold are observed, and the position of the glass in the forming mold is adjusted by a lifting device so that the center of the glass and the mold coincide in the vertical direction.

[0026] The beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows:

[0027] (1) The molding mold of the present invention can be moved into and out of the furnace together with the base to achieve rapid transfer of glass; during the molding process, the ejector pin can lift the glass to adjust the state of the glass so that it can effectively fit the molding mold; and during the molding process, the base rotates to evenly heat the glass, resulting in a better molding effect.

[0028] (2) The push rod of the present invention can automatically move to a set position, thereby improving the demoulding efficiency of the glass hemisphere; and a gripping mechanism is provided to stably clamp the glass hemisphere to prevent it from falling off.

[0029] (3) The heating temperature in the molding furnace of the present invention is 400-1000° C., which can ensure that the glass is deformed under its own weight when heated to near the softening point; the base rotation rate is 5-100 rpm, so that the glass can be heated evenly and fully. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] The accompanying drawings in the specification, which constitute a part of the present invention, are used to provide a further understanding of the present invention. The exemplary embodiments of the present invention and their descriptions are used to explain the present invention and do not constitute improper limitations on the present invention.

[0031] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a furnace door closed state device according to one or more embodiments of the present invention;

[0032] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a furnace door open state device according to one or more embodiments of the present invention;

[0033] Figure 3 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of an apparatus according to one or more embodiments of the present invention;

[0034] Figure 4 is a schematic structural diagram of a jacking device according to one or more embodiments of the present invention;

[0035] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a pushing mechanism according to one or more embodiments of the present invention;

[0036] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a gripping mechanism according to one or more embodiments of the present invention;

[0037] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of a molded glass ball according to one or more embodiments of the present invention.

[0038] Among them, 1. furnace door; 2. observation window; 3. glass plate; 4. molding furnace; 5. molding mold; 6. base; 7. driving motor; 8. lifting device; 9. track; 10. slide; 11. moving frame; 12. plug; 13. ejector rod; 14. operating lever, 15. cylinder; 16. wedge block; 17. arc-shaped claw, 18. flexible splint, 19. spring. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0039] It should be noted that the following detailed descriptions are illustrative and intended to provide further explanation of the present invention. Unless otherwise specified, all technical and scientific terms used in the present invention have the same meanings as those commonly understood by those skilled in the art to which the present invention belongs.

[0040] Embodiment 1:

[0041] This embodiment provides a glass hemisphere forming device for manufacturing a glass hemisphere, which realizes automatic deformation of a glass plate 3 into a hemisphere shape at high temperature by precisely controlling the steps of heating, forming and lifting; Figure 1-Figure 3 As shown, it includes a molding furnace 4, a molding mold 5, a base 6, a lifting device 8, a moving frame 11, a gripping mechanism and a control system.

[0042] Specifically, the forming furnace 4, as the main body of the equipment, adopts high temperature heating technology to heat the glass plate 3 to a set temperature, which is near the softening point, so that it can be deformed into a hemispherical shape due to its own weight. The forming furnace 4 is supported on the ground by a bracket, and a furnace door 1 is installed on one side of the forming furnace 4, and an observation window is set on the furnace door 1 to facilitate observation of the situation inside the furnace; a chute 10 is provided inside the forming furnace 4, and the chute 10 extends inward from the furnace mouth (where the furnace door 1 is installed) to a certain length. In this embodiment, the heating position of the glass plate 3 is located in the middle of the furnace, so the chute 10 can extend to the center of the forming furnace 4.

[0043] The base 6 is used to support the forming mold 5, and the shape of the base 6 is adapted to the shape of the bottom of the forming mold 5. The bottom of the base 6 is connected to a sleeve, which can move along the slide 10; the sleeve can ensure that the jacking device 8 and the rotary drive mechanism are installed at the same time. The rotary drive mechanism of this embodiment includes a driving motor 7, a driving gear and a driven gear. The driving gear is installed on the motor shaft, and the driven gear is meshed with the driving gear and fixed to the sleeve. The base 6 rotates under the action of the driving motor 7 and the gear set.

[0044] Of course, in other embodiments, the rotation drive mechanism may also adopt a sprocket chain mechanism driven by a motor.

[0045] The forming mold 5 is used to support the glass plate 3 to ensure that it remains stable during the heating and forming process. The forming mold 5 is arranged on the upper side of the base 6 and closely cooperates with the base 6 to form a forming unit. A hole with a radius of 30 to 100 mm is provided at the bottom of the forming mold 5, and the cut portion can be used as a plug 12.

[0046] The lifting device 8 is installed on the moving frame 11, and the lifting device 8, the base 6 and the forming mold 5 are moved into or out of the furnace through the moving frame 11. Figure 4 As shown, the lifting device 8 includes a push rod 13 and a plug 12. The push rod 13 passes through the sleeve of the base 6. The plug 12 is installed on one end of the push rod 13 through a high temperature resistant bearing. The other end of the push rod 13 is used as a force application end. A variety of methods can be used to lift the push rod 13. When the base 6 rotates, the push rod 13 is not driven by its rotation.

[0047] In this embodiment, the other end of the push rod 13 is connected to the operating rod 14. The fulcrum of the operating rod 14 is provided on the moving frame 11. The push rod 13 is lifted by pressing down the operating rod 14, that is, the lever principle is adopted.

[0048] It can be understood that in other embodiments, an automatic lifting method is adopted, and the lifting device 8 also includes a pushing mechanism, such as Figure 5 As shown, the pushing mechanism is installed on the mobile frame 11, and the pushing mechanism includes a cylinder 15 and a wedge block 16 connected to the cylinder 15. A pulley is installed at the bottom end of the push rod, and the pulley contacts the inclined surface of the wedge block 16. Under the pushing action of the cylinder 15, the wedge block 16 moves horizontally, causing the pulley to move along the wedge block 16, thereby realizing the lifting or lowering of the push rod.

[0049] The lifting device 8 also includes a magnetic limit protection device, which includes a permanent magnet and a magnetic switch (for example, an intrinsically safe magnetic switch). The permanent magnet is fixed to the top rod 13, and when the molding mold 5 enters the molding furnace 4, the permanent magnet is below the molding furnace 4; the magnetic switch is fixed to the outside of the sleeve connected to the base 6; when the displacement of the top rod 13 exceeds a certain value, the permanent magnet and the magnetic switch generate a gravitational effect, so that the magnetic switch is activated, and the top rod 13 stops lifting immediately, so that the lifting displacement is precisely controlled. The maximum displacement of the top rod 13 is limited by the magnetic limit protection device, and it is convenient to clamp the glass hemisphere after molding under this displacement, and the problem of the glass hemisphere being difficult to demold will not occur.

[0050] The movement of the mobile frame 11 is controlled by the control system to achieve precise positioning. The mobile frame 11 cooperates with the track 9 through rollers. The track 9 is provided with a limit switch at a distance from the molding furnace 4. The limit switch is connected to the control system. When the mobile frame 11 moves to the limit switch, the control system controls the lifting device 8 to lift the molding hemisphere to the maximum height, and then takes out the molding hemisphere.

[0051] In order to facilitate the removal of the formed hemisphere, a grabbing mechanism is provided, such as Figure 6 As shown, the gripping mechanism includes two symmetrically arranged arc-shaped claws 17, and the two arc-shaped claws 17 are automatically opened and closed by a driving mechanism (such as a gear mechanism driven by a motor). Since the existing molded hemisphere is generally clamped by manually operated clamping claws, there are problems of unstable clamping and easy falling off. In this embodiment, a flexible clamping plate 18 is provided inside the arc-shaped claw 17, and a spring 19 is connected between the flexible clamping plate 18 and the arc-shaped claw 17. When the arc-shaped claw 17 opens and contacts the molded hemisphere, the molded hemisphere gradually enters the arc-shaped claw 17 to squeeze the flexible clamping plate 18. Due to the elastic force of the spring 19, pressure is generated on the molded hemisphere, making it difficult for the molded hemisphere to fall off, thereby achieving stable clamping of the molded hemisphere.

[0052] In this embodiment, the flexible clamping plate 18 is connected to the clamping end of the arc-shaped claw portion 17 , and the flexible clamping plate 18 can be made of rubber material.

[0053] In this embodiment, flat glass is softened and deformed by heating, and the glass plate is bonded to the forming mold 5 under the action of gravity to form a hemisphere; when the movable frame 11 arrives at a specified position along the track 9 after coming out of the furnace, it touches the limit switch to start the lifting device 8, and the lifting device 8 lifts the formed glass hemisphere to the maximum height, at which height the gripping mechanism is triggered to start, and the glass hemisphere is clamped to the annealing device for annealing, thereby improving the forming efficiency of the glass hemisphere.

[0054] Embodiment 2:

[0055] This embodiment provides a method for forming a glass hemisphere, using the forming device described in Embodiment 1, and comprising the following steps:

[0056] Step 1: Calculate the size of the required glass plate 3 according to the hemisphere radius R, and cut the flat glass into a circular glass plate 3. The diameter of the circular glass plate 3 is calculated by the hemisphere radius R, which is 3.14R+5mm. The 5mm here is a margin reserved for cutting errors, thermal expansion and contraction, etc.

[0057] Step 2: Place the cut circular glass plate 3 in the forming mold 5, which is supported by the base 6 and pushed into the forming furnace 4 along the track 9 for heating. The temperature in the forming furnace 4 is set to 400-1000° C. This temperature range is to make the glass reach the softening point so that it can be shaped.

[0058] Step 3: While the temperature in the forming furnace 4 is rising, the base 6 is driven by the rotary drive mechanism to rotate, and the base 6 supports and drives the forming mold 5 and the glass plate 3 to rotate together, and the mold rotation rate is 5 to 100 revolutions per minute; the glass plate 3 is heated evenly to avoid stress concentration and cracks caused by local overheating or overcooling, and rotate to heat.

[0059] Step 4: During the molding process, as the temperature rises, the glass plate 3 softens and the center of the glass begins to concave under the action of gravity; the center of the glass plate 3 and the center of the mold are observed through the observation window 2, and the plug 12 is driven by the lifting device 8 to adjust the position of the glass in the mold so that the center of the glass and the mold coincide in the vertical direction.

[0060] Step 5: After the glass and the molding mold 5 are completely attached, they are removed from the molding furnace 4, and the top rod 13 lifts the plug 12 to lift the molded glass hemisphere, and then put it into the annealing furnace; the annealing temperature is 300-800℃, and the annealing time is 30-300min. Annealing is to eliminate the stress generated during the molding process and improve the strength and stability of the glass.

[0061] The state of the glass ball after forming is as follows Figure 7 shown.

[0062] Embodiment 3:

[0063] In this embodiment, a 14 mm high borosilicate glass plate is used to make a glass hemisphere with an outer radius of 216 mm. The diameter of the cutting circle of the glass plate is 216*3.14+5=683.2 mm. The main components of the high borosilicate glass plate are shown in Table 1 (mass ratio). The glass softening point is 820-825 degrees, the furnace temperature during molding is 800 degrees, the mold rotation rate is 20 rpm, the annealing temperature is 575 degrees, and the annealing time is 280 minutes.

[0064] Table 1

[0065] SiO2 Na2O+K2O Al2O3 B2O3 MgO+CaO 79～81 3～5 1～2.5 12～14 0.1～0.5

[0066] Embodiment 4:

[0067] In this embodiment, a 15mm soda-lime-silica glass plate is used to make a glass hemisphere with an outer radius of 198mm. The cutting circle diameter of the glass plate is 198*3.14+5=626.7mm. The glass softening point of the soda-lime-silica glass plate is 700-715 degrees. The furnace temperature during molding is 680 degrees, the mold rotation rate is 30 rpm, the annealing temperature is 550 degrees, and the annealing time is 200 minutes.

[0068] The above description is only the preferred embodiment of the present application and is not intended to limit the present application. For those skilled in the art, the present application may have various modifications and variations. Any modification, equivalent replacement, improvement, etc. made within the spirit and principle of the present application shall be included in the protection scope of the present application.

Claims

1. A glass hemisphere forming device, characterized in that: include: A forming furnace having a chute provided therein; The forming mold is used to carry the glass plate. The forming mold is arranged on the upper side of the base. The base cooperates with the slide groove, and the base is connected to the rotation drive mechanism. The glass plate is heated to a set temperature in the forming furnace and deformed into a forming hemisphere due to its own weight. The jacking device cooperates with the base, and the jacking device is installed on a moving frame, and the moving frame can drive the jacking device, the base and the forming mold to move along the slide groove.

2. A glass hemisphere forming device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The lifting device comprises a push rod, one end of which passes through the base and is provided with a plug through a heat-resistant bearing. The push rod is used to lift the glass plate under lifting or pressing action.

3. The glass hemisphere forming device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The bottom of the base is connected to a sleeve, and the top rod passes through the sleeve; the sleeve is connected to a rotation driving mechanism.

4. A glass hemisphere forming device according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that: The push rod is lifted by a pushing mechanism, which includes a cylinder and a wedge block connected to the cylinder. A pulley is installed at the bottom end of the push rod, and the pulley is in contact with the wedge block.

5. A glass hemisphere forming device according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that: The lifting device also includes a magnetic limit protection device, which includes a permanent magnet and a magnetic switch. The permanent magnet is installed on the push rod, and the magnetic switch is installed on the sleeve. When the push rod reaches the set lifting amount, the permanent magnet and the magnetic switch generate attraction.

6. The glass hemisphere forming device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The movable frame cooperates with the track, and the track is arranged below the forming furnace; The furnace door of the molding furnace is provided with an observation window.

7. The glass hemisphere forming device according to claim 6, characterized in that: A limit switch is arranged at the track setting position, and the limit switch and the jacking device are both connected to the control system; The movable frame moves to the limit switch, and the lifting device lifts the formed hemisphere to the maximum height.

8. A glass hemisphere forming device according to claim 1 or 7, characterized in that: It also includes a grabbing mechanism, which is used to grab the formed hemisphere after being lifted up; The gripping mechanism comprises two symmetrically arranged arc-shaped claws, a flexible clamping plate is arranged inside the arc-shaped claws, and a spring is connected between the flexible clamping plate and the arc-shaped claws.

9. A method for forming a glass hemisphere, characterized in that: The molding device according to any one of claims 1 to 8 is used, comprising the following steps: Cut the flat glass into round glass plates according to the set requirements; Put the round glass plate into the forming mold; push the forming mold together with the base into the forming furnace for heating; the heating temperature in the forming furnace is 400-1000℃; During the heating process, the base rotates at a set speed to heat the glass plate evenly; the rotation rate of the forming mold is 5 to 100 revolutions per minute; After the glass is completely fitted to the molding mold, the furnace door is opened and the glass is removed from the molding furnace under the action of the moving rack; The formed glass hemisphere is lifted up by the ejector pin, taken out and placed in the annealing furnace.

10. A method for forming a glass hemisphere according to claim 9, characterized in that: Observe the positions of the center of the glass plate and the center of the forming mold, and adjust the position of the glass in the forming mold through the lifting device so that the center of the glass and the mold coincide in the vertical direction.

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