Optical glass hot bending forming equipment

Abstract

The invention relates to the technical field of glass forming, in particular to optical glass hot bending forming equipment which comprises a softening furnace and a heat source furnace located above the softening furnace, a high-pressure air inlet is formed in the top end of the heat source furnace, a nozzle is formed in the lower end of the lower portion of the heat source furnace, and the nozzle is in an inverted cone shape. A section of vertical outlet channel extends from the bottom end of the softening furnace, a cover plate matched with an opening of the softening furnace is arranged on the outer wall of the outlet channel, and a forming mold for fitting and forming softened glass is arranged in the softening furnace; according to the structural design of the heat source furnace, a heat flow field large in coverage range and highly uniform in temperature and speed is generated in the furnace body, meanwhile, heat can be intensively and directionally applied to the glass surface through the single-nozzle type design, heat dissipation loss of the furnace body is reduced, the heat utilization rate is high, and in addition, the heat source furnace is simple in structure, low in manufacturing cost and maintenance cost and suitable for popularization and application. The problems of high energy consumption, uneven heating and low production efficiency in the prior art are solved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of glass forming technology, and more specifically to an optical glass hot bending forming equipment. Background Technology

[0002] HUD (Head-Up Display) technology originated in the aviation field and was later applied to civil aircraft and automobiles. With continuous technological advancements, HUD technology has evolved from C-HUD (Combined Head-Up Display System) to W-HUD (Windshield Head-Up Display System) and AR-HUD (Augmented Reality Head-Up Display System). These HUD systems all require specialized glass to display information, driving the development of optical HUD glass hot bending forming technology. Currently, there are three main types of glass hot bending forming equipment:

[0003] 1. Downward-pressure hot bending forming equipment: Uneven downward pressure, due to the characteristics of free-form surfaces, leads to uneven glass thickness during hot bending, thus causing uneven downward pressure and affecting curvature, resulting in image distortion.

[0004] 2. Negative pressure adsorption hot bending forming equipment: The negative pressure adsorption holes exert a greater downward force on the glass, while the adsorption force is lower at other locations. This results in uneven force during the glass hot bending process, leading to abnormal curvature. Furthermore, the negative pressure adsorption holes are mostly located at the edges, and the abnormal curvature of these parts of the glass makes imaging impossible, necessitating their removal. This removal process is extensive and extremely wasteful of glass raw materials.

[0005] 3. The integral heating furnace places the entire mold and glass workpiece in the furnace cavity for overall heating. This traditional method has many inherent defects: high energy consumption, requiring the entire large metal mold and a large space to be heated from room temperature to 800°C, uneven heating field, and thermal gradient within the furnace cavity, resulting in uneven heating of different areas of the glass workpiece, high internal stress after molding, and easy to produce warping, ripples or optical distortion.

[0006] Therefore, there is a need for a new type of hot bending forming equipment that can combine high efficiency, high flexibility, and relatively simple structure with low cost. Summary of the Invention

[0007] The purpose of this invention is to provide a device with a simple structure that can efficiently heat-bend optical glass.

[0008] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following technical solution:

[0009] This invention proposes an optical glass hot bending forming device, including a softening furnace and a heat source furnace located above the softening furnace. The top of the heat source furnace has a high-pressure air inlet, and the lower end of the lower part of the heat source furnace has a nozzle. The nozzle is inverted conical in shape, and the bottom end extends into a vertical outlet channel. The outer wall of the outlet channel has a cover plate that matches the opening of the softening furnace. The softening furnace is equipped with a forming mold for bonding the softened glass into shape.

[0010] The lower part of the heat source furnace is provided with a honeycomb unit, which includes multiple honeycomb ceramics stacked longitudinally in the lower part of the heat source furnace. The through holes on the multiple honeycomb ceramics correspond to each other to form several honeycomb channels, and heating devices are provided in the honeycomb channels.

[0011] Furthermore, a cavity is formed in the middle and lower part of the cellular unit.

[0012] Furthermore, the heating device extends through the honeycomb channel.

[0013] Furthermore, the lower inner wall of the heat source furnace is provided with a high-temperature resistant and oxidation-resistant metal layer, and the metal layer at the connection between the honeycomb unit and the nozzle has an annular protrusion for placing the honeycomb unit.

[0014] Furthermore, an insulation layer is provided between the metal layer and the inner wall of the heat source furnace.

[0015] Furthermore, the heating device is U-shaped with the opening facing upwards, and two honeycomb channels pass through the two walls of the heating device respectively.

[0016] Furthermore, the heating device is constrained on the honeycomb cell by a limiting member.

[0017] Furthermore, both the nozzle and the outlet channel are equipped with temperature sensors.

[0018] Furthermore, the upper part of the heat source furnace is conical, while the middle and lower parts are cylindrical.

[0019] Compared with existing technologies, this invention overturns the traditional overall heating mode. The structural design of the heat source furnace in this invention enables the generation of a heat flow field with a large coverage area and highly uniform temperature and velocity within the furnace body. At the same time, the single-nozzle design allows heat to be concentrated and directed onto the glass surface, reducing heat loss from the furnace body and achieving high heat utilization. Compared with traditional multi-heat source furnaces, it can save 20%-40% of energy. In addition, this invention has a simple structure, low manufacturing and maintenance costs, and solves the problems of high energy consumption, uneven heating, and low production efficiency in existing technologies, achieving precise, efficient, and energy-saving glass hot bending. Attached Figure Description

[0020] Figure 1This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the present invention (for ease of illustration, only two cellular channels are shown in this figure, but there are actually multiple cellular channels).

[0021] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the enlarged structure of A.

[0022] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the enlarged structure of B.

[0023] Figure 4 This is a top view of the honeycomb ceramic.

[0024] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram showing the location of the through holes on the honeycomb ceramic.

[0025] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram showing the positions of the through holes and limiting components on the honeycomb ceramic.

[0026] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the actual application of the present invention.

[0027] Figure 8 A PV image of the surface shape of a glass formed by hot bending using the present invention.

[0028] Figure 9 A PV image of the surface shape of a glass formed by hot bending using the present invention.

[0029] Figure 10 A PV image of a glass surface formed by hot bending using the present invention.

[0030] Figure 11 To describe Figure 10 The distribution diagram of PV variation in glass surface type, i.e., the slope error diagram.

[0031] Figure 12 This is a glass-surface PV image produced using existing negative pressure adsorption thermal bending forming technology.

[0032] Figure 13 To describe Figure 12 The distribution diagram of PV variation in glass surface type, i.e., the slope error diagram.

[0033] In the diagram, 00-Mobile platform; 01-Glass; 1-Softening furnace; 2-Heat source furnace; 21-High-pressure air inlet; 22-Nozzle; 23-Outlet channel; 24-Upper part; 25-Middle part; 26-Lower part; 3-Cover plate; 4-Forming mold; 5-Honeycomb unit; 51-Honeycomb ceramic; 511-Through hole; 52-Honeycomb channel; 53-Cavity; 6-Heating device; 7-Metal layer; 71-Annular protrusion; 8-Insulation layer; 9-Limiting component; 10-Temperature sensor. Detailed Implementation

[0034] The technical solution of the present invention will be further described below with reference to specific embodiments. It should be understood that the following embodiments are merely illustrative and explanatory of the present invention and should not be construed as limiting the scope of protection of the present invention. All technologies implemented based on the above content of the present invention are covered within the scope of protection intended by the present invention.

[0035] See Figure 1 In one embodiment of the present invention, an optical glass hot bending forming device includes a softening furnace 1 and a heat source furnace 2 located above the softening furnace 1. The top of the heat source furnace 2 has a high-pressure air inlet 21, and the lower end of the lower part of the heat source furnace 2 has a nozzle 22. The nozzle 22 is inverted cone shape, and the bottom end extends a vertical outlet channel 23. The outer wall of the outlet channel 23 has a cover plate 3 that matches the opening of the softening furnace 1. The softening furnace 1 is provided with a forming mold 4 for bonding the softened glass into shape.

[0036] The lower part of the heat source furnace 2 is provided with a honeycomb unit 5. The honeycomb unit 5 includes a plurality of honeycomb ceramics 51 stacked longitudinally in the lower part of the heat source furnace 2. The through holes 511 on the plurality of honeycomb ceramics 51 correspond to each other to form a plurality of honeycomb channels 52. A heating device 6 is provided in the honeycomb channel 52.

[0037] After the high-pressure gas enters the furnace body through the high-pressure inlet 21, it first passes through the upper and middle parts to achieve preliminary pressure equalization. Then, it passes through the lower honeycomb unit to further disperse and mix the airflow, ensuring that the airflow exiting the nozzle has a highly uniform velocity field and temperature field in the cross-section. Then, it is ejected from the outlet channel 23 to concentrate and directionally apply heat to the surface of glass 01.

[0038] See Figure 4 In the above embodiment, the honeycomb ceramic 51 has a plurality of through holes 511, each through hole having a size of Φ15*40mm.

[0039] See Figure 5 In one embodiment of the present invention, the through holes 511 are arranged in a circular array with the center of the honeycomb ceramic 51 as the center; to ensure uniform heating.

[0040] See Figure 1 and Figure 2 In one embodiment of the present invention, a cavity 53 is provided in the middle and lower part of the cellular unit 5 for current collection.

[0041] See Figure 1 In the above embodiment, the cavity at the bottom of the honeycomb unit 5 is larger than the cavity in the middle; the flow is collected to ensure that a sufficient amount of airflow can be ejected from the outlet channel 23.

[0042] See Figure 2In one embodiment of the present invention, the heating device 6 extends through the honeycomb channel 52; this facilitates the connection of the end of the heating device 6 to the power transmission line in practical applications.

[0043] See Figure 1 and Figure 3 In one embodiment of the present invention, the lower inner wall of the heat source furnace 2 is provided with a high-temperature resistant and oxidation-resistant metal layer 7, and the metal layer 7 at the connection between the honeycomb unit 5 and the nozzle 22 has an annular protrusion 71 for placing the honeycomb unit 5; the metal layer is resistant to high temperature and oxidation; if an insulation layer is subsequently provided, the metal layer has the function of preventing the insulation material from shedding fine dust.

[0044] Please continue reading. Figure 1 and Figure 3 In the above embodiment, a heat insulation layer 8 is also provided between the metal layer 7 and the inner wall of the heat source furnace 2 for heat insulation.

[0045] See Figure 1 In one embodiment of the present invention, the heating device 6 is U-shaped with the opening facing upwards, and the two walls of the heating device 9 are respectively penetrated by two honeycomb channels 52; so as to facilitate the subsequent confinement of the heating device 6 on the honeycomb cell 5.

[0046] See Figure 2 and Figure 6 In the above embodiment, the heating device 6 is limited on the honeycomb cell 5 by a limiting member 9; by passing the limiting member 9 through the upper part of the heating device 6 and locking the limiting member 9 to the heating device 6 with screws, the heating device 6 is limited on the honeycomb cell 5.

[0047] In practical applications, the two ends of the heating device 6 are connected to the power transmission line to supply power to the heater 6.

[0048] See Figure 1 In one embodiment of the present invention, both the nozzle 22 and the outlet channel 23 are provided with temperature sensors for detecting temperature.

[0049] See Figure 1 In one embodiment of the present invention, the upper part 24 of the heat source furnace 2 is conical, and the middle part 25 and the lower part 26 are cylindrical. After the high-pressure gas enters the heat source furnace 2 from the air inlet 21, the high-temperature gas kinetic energy is first converted into static pressure through the upper part 24 and the middle part 25 to achieve preliminary pressure equalization. Then, the airflow is further dispersed and mixed through the honeycomb unit 5 set in the lower part to ensure that the airflow flowing out of the nozzle 22 has a highly uniform velocity field and temperature field in the cross section.

[0050] In practical applications, the heat source furnace 2 is fixed on an external fixed frame, and the softening furnace 1 is fixed on an external movable platform 00 that can rotate, move, and be raised and lowered. The glass 01 that needs to be hot-bent is placed on the forming mold 4. The movable platform 00 is used to raise the softening furnace 1 to a distance of 5mm from the upper cover plate 3. Then, the hot flow sprayed from the outlet channel 23 is used to soften the glass 01. At the same time, the movable platform 00 is used to move horizontally and rotate to ensure that a uniform planar hot jet is achieved during the moving process. When the glass is heated to the glass softening point, it naturally hangs down under its own gravity and perfectly fits the forming mold 4 below to complete the bending and forming. Then, heating is stopped, and the annealing and cooling stage is entered, with the temperature dropping to 280°. After the glass forming is stable, the movable platform 00 stops moving horizontally and rotating. The movable platform 00 is used to lower the softening furnace 1 and take out the hot-bent glass.

[0051] In the above technology, the temperature inside the cavity is adjusted according to the properties of different glass materials, the required finished product shape, and the size of the glass, so that the glass softens to the best effect at this temperature. The glass softening temperature is usually between 640℃ and 720℃, and needs to be adjusted according to the actual situation.

[0052] It's worth noting that softening does not change the original thickness of the glass.

[0053] Under the same temperature and shape design, such as Figure 8-13 As shown, the glass produced by hot bending of this invention fits the mold better than the glass produced by negative pressure adsorption hot bending, has a smaller error in surface shape compared with the design drawing, a more uniform thickness, and a better glass imaging effect.

[0054] While specific embodiments of the present invention have been described above, those skilled in the art should understand that the specific embodiments described are merely illustrative and not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Modifications and variations made by those skilled in the art in accordance with the spirit of the invention should be covered within the scope of protection of the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. An optical glass hot bending forming equipment, characterized in that: The device comprises a softening furnace and a heat source furnace above the softening furnace, the top end of the heat source furnace is provided with a high-pressure air inlet, the lower end of the lower part of the heat source furnace is provided with a spray port, the spray port is inverted conical, and the bottom end extends a vertical outlet channel, the outer wall of the outlet channel is provided with a cover plate matched with the opening of the softening furnace, and a forming mold for fitting and forming the softened glass is arranged in the softening furnace. The lower part of the heat source furnace is provided with a honeycomb unit, the honeycomb unit comprises a plurality of honeycomb ceramics arranged in longitudinal layers in the lower part of the heat source furnace, the through holes on the plurality of honeycomb ceramics correspond to each other to form a plurality of honeycomb channels, and a heating device is arranged in the honeycomb channels.

2. The optical glass hot forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: The middle part and the lower part of the honeycomb unit are both provided with a cavity.

3. The optical glass hot forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: The heating device penetrates the honeycomb channels.

4. The optical glass hot forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: The inner wall of the lower part of the heat source furnace is provided with a high-temperature-resistant and oxidation-resistant metal layer, and the metal layer at the connection between the honeycomb unit and the spray port has an annular convex part for placing the honeycomb unit.

5. An optical glass hot forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein: A heat preservation layer is further arranged between the metal layer and the inner wall of the heat source furnace.

6. The optical glass hot forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: The heating device is in U shape with the opening facing upward, and the two walls of the heating device penetrate two honeycomb channels respectively.

7. An optical glass hot forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein: The heating device is limited on the honeycomb unit by a limiting piece.

8. The optical glass hot forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: The spray port and the outlet channel are both provided with temperature sensors.

9. The optical glass hot forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: The upper part of the heat source furnace is conical, and the middle part and the lower part are cylindrical.

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