Forming device for forming thin glass and method

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a forming device for forming a thin glass, a thin glass product and a method for forming a thin glass.

[0002] Forming devices for forming thin glass are generally known. Such forming devices are used to form low-thickness glass blanks to create a predefined geometry. Thin glasses formed in this way can be used, for example, as screen covers for smartphones, control panels in automotive interiors, or as encapsulation glasses in medical sensors.

[0003] For a wide variety of applications, it may be necessary for the thin glass to be produced to be perforated. Perforated thin glass has through-holes. Perforations in thin glass, for example, mean that vacuum-assisted deep drawing is not possible or only possible to a limited extent, as a cavity-side vacuum is often not sufficiently adjustable due to the perforation. Furthermore, vacuum-assisted deep drawing can lead to a reduction in the thickness of the thin glass, which impairs quality, as the thin glass is clamped in a clamping frame and slips through sections during forming, causing the thin glass to move relative to the clamping frame. Perforated thin glass can also be formed using a bending or countersinking process.

[0004] Furthermore, the production of components made of thin glass with complex edge geometries is not possible or only possible to a limited extent, as an airtight seal on the mold is generally not possible. Furthermore, different curvature radii of various forming axes mean that a cavity suitable for vacuum cannot be created. This is also the case when only one forming axis is provided. Furthermore, the known pressing processes are generally not applicable, as they lead to such surface degeneration that the components to be produced cannot be used for requirements requiring high surface qualities or require extensive and uneconomical post-processing.

[0005] Gravity-based forming processes are generally only suitable for producing large bending radii and low dimensional accuracy. While this limitation can be at least partially overcome by using high forming temperatures, the high forming temperatures increase wear on the forming tools used. Furthermore, high requirements can often only be achieved with isothermal processes, and the long process times negatively impact cost-effectiveness.

[0006] CA2994359A1 describes a method for forming a glass plate that is placed between a cavity and a membrane, allowing the heated glass plate to be molded into the cavity by means of the membrane. The deformation of the membrane is enabled by a pressurized and temperature-controlled fluid. A disadvantage of this method is that the resulting quality of the formed glass plate does not meet high standards. In particular, streaks are created on the surface, necessitating post-processing.

[0007] DE69732277T2 and DE4104086C1 each describe glass forming processes using an elastic forming element, but these processes also lead to surface degeneration, in particular streaks, which require post-processing of the manufactured glass components.

[0008] EP 0 838 438 A1 discloses an apparatus for bending a glass sheet that has been heated into a formable state, comprising a fixed molding surface and a pressing unit for pressing the heated sheet. EP 2 321 112 A1 discloses a method for manufacturing glass frames obtained from boards made of plastic or composite material. US 3473909 A discloses a method for forming plastic articles.

[0009] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a forming device for forming thin glass, a thin glass product, and a method for forming thin glass that reduce or eliminate one or more of the aforementioned disadvantages. In particular, it is an object of the invention to provide a solution that enables the production of a formed thin glass without post-processing.

[0010] According to a first aspect, this object is achieved by a forming device for forming, in particular for non-isothermal forming, a thin glass, comprising a forming unit with a cavity for forming the thin glass, a membrane unit with a deformable membrane having a first membrane side facing the cavity and a second membrane side facing away from the cavity, a fluid adjustment device for adjusting at least one fluid property of a fluid to be provided to the membrane unit, wherein the thin glass can be arranged between the first membrane side and the cavity, and wherein the membrane unit is arranged and designed to apply pressure to the second membrane side of the membrane by means of the fluid, so that the thin glass can be formed into the cavity by means of the membrane, characterized by a control device which is configured to control and / or regulate the fluid adjustment device in such a way thatthat a pressure curve of the pressure with a pressure build-up section, a forming pressure section, a holding pressure section and a pressure reduction section in this order is to be controlled and / or regulated successively in time, wherein the fluid property is a pressure curve of the pressure, and / or characterized in that the fluid property is a temperature curve of the temperature.,

[0011] The invention was based, among other things, on the finding that economical production of components made of thin glass is possible, in particular using non-isothermal processes. A non-isothermal process is characterized in particular by the fact that the forming tool and the thin glass to be formed have different temperatures, whereby the thin glass and the forming unit generally each have temperature gradients that vary over time. The time required to form thin glass using a non-isothermal process can, for example, require less than 60 seconds. In order to also produce high-precision thin glass products, the forming device can also be used for isothermal forming. This can be particularly preferred if a peak-to-valley shape error of less than 1 µm is required.

[0012] Forming thin glass using a non-isothermal process requires, in particular, precise adjustment of the process parameters. The inventors have discovered that, in particular, the adjustment of at least one fluid property of the fluid for applying pressure to the second membrane side influences the quality of the forming process. Only with defined fluid properties of the fluid is it possible to form the thin glass in such a way that no surface degeneration occurs and thus no post-processing, for example, by means of a polishing process, is required.

[0013] Thin glass is also referred to as a glass plate. The thin glass can be characterized by a plane and / or flat configuration or by a defined semi-finished product geometry. The thin glass can be, for example, profiled glass, flat glass, and / or a semi-finished glass. The thickness of a thin glass is usually many times smaller than the dimensions that are aligned orthogonal to the thickness. The thin glass can, for example, have a thickness between 200 µm and 5 mm, in particular between 500 µm and 3 mm. The forming device is also designed in particular for forming perforated thin glass. Perforated thin glass has at least one through-opening. Deformable thin glass is usually characterized by a high temperature, which depends on the glass material. Thin glass heated to a forming temperature is deformable. The formed and solidified thin glass is preferably referred to as a thin glass product.

[0014] The forming device is particularly designed for non-isothermal forming of the deformable thin glass. The forming unit and the membrane unit are preferably movable relative to one another, wherein, for example, a vertical spacing of the forming unit from the membrane unit is variable, so that the thin glass can be inserted and preferably heated. The membrane is preferably arranged and designed to apply pressure to a glass side of the thin glass facing away from the cavity.

[0015] In a preferred embodiment of the forming device, the membrane comprises or consists of a glass contact material. The glass contact material can be, for example, platinum, molybdenum, iridium and / or optionally gold, or can comprise one or more of these materials. The membrane can, for example, have a thickness of 10 µm to 1 mm, in particular between 50 µm and 500 µm. Furthermore, it is preferred that the membrane is elastic. It is particularly preferred that the membrane unit, the forming unit and / or the membrane are designed such that no plastic deformation of the membrane occurs during the forming of the deformable thin glass.

[0016] In a further preferred embodiment, the membrane comprises a first membrane layer facing the cavity and a second membrane layer facing away from the cavity, wherein the first membrane layer comprises or consists of a glass contact material and / or wherein the second membrane layer comprises or consists of an elastomer material. Such a multilayer membrane has the advantage that the different membrane properties of the membrane layers can be utilized. For example, the first membrane layer can comprise a material designed for contact with glass, so that the surface created on the thin glass meets defined requirements.

[0017] Furthermore, the second membrane layer facing away from the thin glass can be designed in particular for elastic membrane properties and / or for heat-conducting membrane properties. It is also preferred that an insulating layer, in particular a thermally insulating layer, is arranged between the first membrane layer and the second membrane layer. The insulating layer is preferably arranged and designed to thermally insulate the second membrane layer from the first membrane layer and / or from the deformable thin glass, wherein the second membrane layer is protected in particular from thermal damage. The insulating layer can, for example, consist of ceramic or comprise ceramic. Furthermore, the insulating layer can comprise a high-temperature-resistant fabric, for example made of or with glass fibers. In addition, the membrane can also have four or more membrane layers.

[0018] The first and second membrane layers and, if applicable, the insulating layer can be arranged essentially loosely against one another. Alternatively, or partially additionally, these layers can also be bonded to one another. For example, the second membrane layer can be coated with the glass contact material.

[0019] The invention was further based on the finding that particularly high qualities of the formed thin glass or the thin glass product can be achieved with a defined pressure profile. In particular, it is preferred that the pressure profile exhibits essentially no quasi-instantaneous pressure changes. In particular, it is preferred that the quasi-instantaneous pressure changes are less than 100 mbar, in particular less than 50 mbar. No quasi-instantaneous pressure changes occur, in particular, when the pressure profile is essentially free of discontinuities.

[0020] Furthermore, it is preferred that the pressure curve has a pressure build-up section, a forming pressure section, a holding pressure section and / or a pressure reduction section, which preferably follow one another in this order. In the pressure build-up section, the pressure is built up linearly and / or exponentially up to a forming pressure. The forming pressure section is characterized in that the pressure is essentially constant and corresponds to the forming pressure or the pressure oscillates around the forming pressure. After the thin glass has been formed, the pressure is preferably reduced to a holding pressure, wherein the pressure in the holding pressure section preferably constantly corresponds to the holding pressure. The reduction to the holding pressure preferably takes place linearly and / or exponentially. With the holding pressure, which is in particular lower than the forming pressure and higher than ambient pressure, shrinkage of the formed thin glass is avoided or reduced.In the pressure reduction section, the pressure is reduced linearly and / or elastically, in particular substantially to ambient pressure. It is preferred that the control device explained below be configured to control and / or regulate a pressure profile using one, two, or more of the features described above, in particular by controlling and / or regulating the fluid adjustment device. Furthermore, the invention was based on the finding that rapid temperature changes of the fluid may be necessary to improve process and product quality.

[0021] A further preferred embodiment of the forming device is characterized in that the membrane unit has a pressure chamber which is essentially fluid-tightly sealed by the membrane on a side facing the cavity. A pressure chamber sealed by the membrane has the advantage that the fluid properties within the pressure chamber can be adjusted, and thus a defined pressure can be exerted on the membrane, wherein a defined temperature can also be adjusted. Furthermore, it is preferred that a fluid inlet is fluidically coupled to the pressure chamber such that a fluid can be introduced into the pressure chamber. Furthermore, it is preferred that the fluid adjustment device is fluidically coupled to the pressure chamber, in particular by means of the fluid inlet.

[0022] A further preferred embodiment of the forming device is characterized in that the fluid adjustment device has a pressure adjustment valve configured to adjust a predetermined pressure in the pressure chamber. The pressure adjustment valve is preferably coupled to a fluid outlet, so that the pressure in the pressure chamber can be adjusted via the escape of fluid from the pressure chamber. This has the advantage that the fluid supply does not need to be controlled and the reaction time for adjusting the pressure in the pressure chamber is short, thus enabling a short delay from the time the pressure adjustment valve is activated. The predetermined pressure can, for example, be predetermined, determined, controlled, and / or regulated by a control device explained below.

[0023] It is further preferred that the pressure adjustment valve be designed as a proportional valve for setting a predefined pressure profile, in particular a pressure change rate. It has been found that high component quality is enabled, in particular, with a defined pressure change rate. Sudden pressure changes, in particular, lead to poorer surface quality. Furthermore, sudden pressure changes can lead to a crack in the diaphragm. In particular, valves that have only two positions, namely open or closed, should be avoided.

[0024] In a further preferred embodiment of the forming device, the membrane unit comprises a membrane holder arranged and configured to position the membrane, in particular a membrane edge region, in a predetermined position and preferably to form a fluid-tight closure of the pressure chamber. The positioning of the membrane in a predetermined position by means of the membrane holder is achieved in particular by clamping the membrane edge region of the membrane.

[0025] The membrane holder is, in particular, arranged and configured such that the membrane is clamped with a material different from the membrane. In particular, it is preferred that the membrane holder be metal-free, so that no metal pairing is formed between the membrane and the membrane holder. It is particularly preferred that the membrane is clamped with a material from the mica group. Materials from the mica group are, in particular, phyllosilicates.

[0026] It is further preferred that the forming unit has vent openings so that a fluid, in particular air, enclosed between the thin glass and a surface of the cavity can escape from the cavity. Furthermore, vent openings enable hybrid forming using the membrane and a negative pressure. The negative pressure between the thin glass and the cavity can, for example, be used to pre-form the thin glass, which is then molded into the cavity with the membrane. Preferably, the forming device is configured to first generate a negative pressure between the thin glass and the cavity and then to mold the thin glass with the membrane into the cavity.

[0027] A further preferred embodiment of the forming device is characterized in that the fluid adjustment device has a compression unit for compressing the fluid and / or a first temperature control unit for generating a first fluid with a first temperature.

[0028] It is particularly preferred that the first temperature control unit is arranged downstream of the compression unit. The fluid preferably first reaches the compression unit and is compressed there. The fluid then preferably reaches the first temperature control unit downstream and is tempered there to a first temperature. The first fluid can, in particular, have a predefined pressure and / or a predefined first temperature. The first temperature can, for example, be 200°C to 2,000°C, in particular 400°C to 900°C.

[0029] In a further preferred embodiment of the forming device, the fluid adjustment device comprises a second temperature control unit for generating a second fluid with a second temperature that is lower than the first temperature. The second temperature control unit is preferably arranged downstream of the compression unit. It is further preferred that the second temperature control unit is connected in parallel to the first temperature control unit. The fluid supplied to the second temperature control unit is preferably tapped downstream of the compression unit and upstream of the first temperature control unit.

[0030] It is further preferred that the fluid adjustment device comprises a mixing unit for mixing the first fluid and the second fluid. The first fluid tempered by the first tempering unit can also be referred to as the primary fluid. This fluid enters the mixing unit. Using the second fluid, a fluid having defined fluid properties based on the first fluid and the second fluid can be mixed within the mixing unit.

[0031] For example, the temperature of the fluid in the mixing unit can be reduced by the second fluid. It is preferred that the mixer be isobaric. The second fluid preferably has the same pressure as the first fluid. A fluid adjustment device designed in this way makes it possible to adjust the temperature of the fluid in a short period of time.

[0032] In a further preferred embodiment of the forming device, it is provided that it comprises a control device which is configured to control the fluid adjustment device such that the fluid fed into the pressure chamber has a predetermined pressure and / or a predetermined temperature. Furthermore, the control device can be configured to regulate the fluid adjustment device such that the fluid fed into the pressure chamber has a predetermined pressure and / or a predetermined temperature. It is particularly preferred that the control device controls and / or regulates the pressure with a pressure curve which has the pressure build-up section, the forming pressure section, the holding pressure section and / or the pressure reduction section, wherein these preferably follow one another in this order.

[0033] It is further preferred that the temperature of the cavity be detected, in particular by means of a cavity temperature sensor. Based on the detected temperature of the cavity, contact of the cavity with a deformable, in particular hot, thin glass can be detected. This detected contact can be used, for example, to control and / or regulate the pressure profile, wherein, in particular, the detected contact can define a transition from the forming pressure section to the holding pressure section.

[0034] Furthermore, the forming device can have a volume flow sensor for determining a volume flow of the fluid flowing into and / or out of the pressure chamber. The control device is particularly configured to regulate the volume flow based on a volume flow value provided by the volume flow sensor, so that a predetermined pressure and / or pressure profile can be set.

[0035] It is particularly preferred that the temperature of the fluid is high during forming and low after forming, thus supporting solidification of the thin glass. The control device is preferably signal-coupled to the first temperature control unit, to the second temperature control unit, to the compression unit, to the pressure adjustment valve, and / or to the mixing unit. The control device is particularly configured to adjust the first temperature and / or the second temperature of the first fluid or the second fluid, respectively, by means of the first temperature control unit and / or by means of the second temperature control unit.

[0036] Furthermore, the control device is preferably configured to control the compression unit to set a predefined pressure of the fluid. Furthermore, the control device can be configured to control the mixing unit such that a volume flow of the first fluid and a volume flow of the second fluid into the mixing unit occur such that the fluid formed in the mixing unit from the first fluid and the second fluid has a predetermined temperature.

[0037] Furthermore, in an advantageous development, the forming device can be designed such that the control device is configured to determine a temperature difference between an actual temperature of the fluid and a target temperature of the fluid and to adjust the actual temperature of the fluid by tempering, in particular to increase or reduce it if the temperature difference exceeds a predetermined temperature difference, in particular by controlling the first tempering unit, the second tempering unit and / or the mixing unit. The actual temperature is preferably determined downstream of the mixing unit and / or in the pressure chamber, in particular by means of a temperature sensor in the mixing unit, in the fluid inlet and / or in the pressure chamber.

[0038] In a further preferred embodiment, the forming device comprises a testing device, which is preferably arranged separately from the forming unit. The testing device is preferably configured to determine glass properties of the formed thin glass or the thin glass product. The glass property can be, for example, a dimensional accuracy, a specific volume, and / or one, two, or more refractive indices.

[0039] The testing device and the forming unit are preferably arranged such that the formed thin glass or the thin glass product can be moved from the forming device to the testing device.

[0040] It is further preferred that the testing device is signal-coupled to the control device for transmitting data, wherein the control device is configured to control the fluid supply device based on a glass property value characterizing a glass property such that this glass property is influenced in a thin glass to be subsequently formed. It is further preferred that the control device considers two or more glass property values ​​for controlling the fluid supply device.

[0041] Furthermore, it is preferred that the control device uses one, two, or more glass property values ​​for statistical process monitoring. Furthermore, the forming device can be configured to assign the determined glass property(ies) to the corresponding formed thin glass or thin glass product. Furthermore, the testing device can have a marking unit for marking the thin glass product. The marking device is preferably arranged and configured to depict the glass property(ies) on the thin glass product by means of a marking and / or to apply an identification marking. Additionally or alternatively, the marking can be stored on packaging and / or electronically on an electronic storage unit.

[0042] Furthermore, the control device can be configured to determine a pressure difference between an actual pressure of the fluid and a desired pressure of the fluid and to adjust the actual pressure of the fluid by changing the pressure, in particular by controlling the pressure adjustment valve and / or the compression unit, in particular to increase or reduce it if the pressure difference exceeds a predetermined pressure difference.

[0043] The control device is further preferably configured to control the pressure adjustment valve and / or the compression unit in such a way that a pressure profile, in particular a pressure change rate, is adjusted in such a way that essentially no sudden pressure change occurs.

[0044] Furthermore, the converting device can comprise a temperature sensor configured to determine the actual temperature of the fluid in and / or downstream of the mixing unit, wherein the control device is preferably configured to determine a temperature difference between the actual temperature and a predefined target temperature and, if a predefined temperature difference is exceeded, to control the fluid adjustment device such that, by reducing the actual temperature, the temperature difference is set to be lower than the predefined temperature difference. It is further preferred that the control device is configured to control the second temperature control unit in order to vary the second temperature and / or to control the mixing unit in order to control a volume flow of the second fluid into the mixing unit.

[0045] In addition, the forming device can comprise a pressure sensor which is configured to determine an actual pressure of the fluid in and / or downstream of the mixing unit, wherein the control device is preferably configured to determine a pressure difference between the actual pressure and a predefined target pressure and, when a predefined pressure difference is exceeded, to control the fluid adjustment device such that the pressure difference is less than the predefined pressure difference, wherein the control device preferably controls the pressure adjustment valve and / or the compression unit.

[0046] In a further preferred development of the forming device, the forming unit is arranged to be replaceable. Due to its design, the forming device can be equipped with a replaceable forming unit.

[0047] Another preferred embodiment of the forming device is characterized by two or more cavities. The membrane is preferably arranged and configured to mold a thin glass that can be molded into the two or more cavities and / or two or more thin glasses that can be molded into the cavities. It may also be preferred that the two or more cavities and / or the two or more thin glasses have different geometries.

[0048] According to a further aspect, the object mentioned at the outset is achieved by a method for forming a thin glass, in particular with a forming device according to one of the embodiments described above, comprising the steps of: arranging a deformable thin glass between a forming unit with a cavity and a deformable membrane, such that a first membrane side faces the thin glass and a second membrane side faces away from the thin glass, applying pressure to the second membrane side by means of a fluid, such that the thin glass is formed into the cavity by means of the membrane, and adjusting at least one fluid property of the fluid, characterized in that the fluid property is a pressure profile of the pressure and the fluid adjustment device is controlled and / or regulated in such a way that a pressure profile of the pressure is provided with a pressure build-up section, a forming pressure section,a holding pressure section and a pressure reduction section are controlled and / or regulated in this order in chronological succession and / or that the fluid property is a temperature profile of the temperature..,

[0049] The adjustment of at least one fluid property of the fluid can occur at any time during the process. The adjustment can, in particular, include or be a control and / or regulation of the fluid property of the fluid.

[0050] A preferred embodiment of the method is characterized in that the fluid property is or includes a pressure, a pressure profile of the pressure, a temperature and / or a temperature profile of the temperature of the fluid.

[0051] In a further preferred embodiment of the method, it is provided that it comprises the steps of determining a temperature difference between an actual temperature of the fluid and a target temperature of the fluid, and adjusting, in particular increasing or reducing, the actual temperature of the fluid by means of temperature control if the temperature difference exceeds a predetermined temperature difference. Determining the temperature difference preferably comprises detecting the actual temperature and comparing this actual temperature with the target temperature.

[0052] A further preferred development of the method is characterized in that it comprises the steps of: determining a pressure difference between an actual pressure of the fluid and a desired pressure of the fluid, and adjusting, in particular increasing or reducing, the actual pressure of the fluid if the pressure difference exceeds a predetermined pressure difference, wherein preferably a pressure curve, in particular a pressure change rate, is adjusted such that essentially no sudden pressure difference occurs. A sudden pressure difference is characterized in particular by the fact that the curve has a jump point and thus, mathematically speaking, a point of discontinuity. Determining the pressure difference preferably comprises the step of: detecting an actual pressure of the fluid.

[0053] The thin glass product can, for example, be or be a part of a screen cover for a smartphone, a control panel in an automotive interior, or an encapsulation glass in medical sensors.

[0054] The thin glass product manufactured using this process is characterized by the fact that it shows no evidence of post-processing, such as surface polishing. The introduction of perforations after forming is also usually detectable, for example, through thermal effects at the edge zones of the laser-cut recesses. A thin glass product manufactured in this way is thus characterized in particular by no impairments due to polishing or subsequent influences from laser ablation.

[0055] The method and its possible developments have features or process steps that make them particularly suitable for use with a forming device and its developments. For further advantages, design variants, and design details of the other aspects and their possible developments, reference is also made to the above description of the corresponding features and developments of the forming device.

[0056] Preferred embodiments are explained using the accompanying figures. They show: Figure 1: a schematic, two-dimensional sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of a forming device; Figure 2: a schematic, three-dimensional view of another exemplary embodiment of a forming device; Figure 3: the forming device from Figure 2 in a closed state; Figure 4: the forming device from Figure 2with pressurized membrane; and Figure 5: a schematic process.

[0057] In the figures, identical or essentially functionally identical or similar elements are designated by the same reference numerals.

[0058] Figure 1 shows a forming device 100 for forming a deformable thin glass 1. The thin glass 1 has perforations 2. The thin glass 1 has a glass side 4 facing the cavity and a glass side 6 facing away from the cavity. The thin glass 1 is arranged between a cavity 104 of a forming unit 102 and a membrane 108.

[0059] The forming device 100 further comprises a membrane unit 106, which has the membrane 108. The membrane 108 has a first membrane side 110 facing the cavity and a second membrane side 112 facing away from the cavity. The membrane 108 is deformable such that it can be pressed into the cavity 104. The membrane is positioned by means of a membrane holder 124.

[0060] The forming device 100 further comprises a fluid adjustment device 126 for adjusting at least one fluid property, in this case a temperature and a pressure, of a fluid to be provided to the membrane unit 106. The fluid adjustment device 126 comprises a compression unit 128 for compressing the fluid. Downstream of the compression unit 128, a first temperature control unit 130 is arranged for generating a first fluid with a first temperature.

[0061] The fluid adjustment device 126 further comprises a second temperature control unit 132 for generating a second fluid at a second temperature. The second temperature control unit 132 is arranged downstream of the compression unit 128 and parallel to the first temperature control unit 130. Furthermore, the fluid adjustment device 126 comprises a mixing unit 134 in which the first fluid of the first temperature control unit 130 and the second fluid of the second temperature control unit 132 are mixed. The mixing unit 134 is fluidically coupled to a fluid inlet 114 of a pressure chamber 118. Furthermore, the fluid inlet 114 has a temperature sensor 116 for determining the temperature of the fluid.

[0062] The fluid enters the pressure chamber 118 of the membrane unit 106 through the fluid inlet 114. The pressure chamber 118 is delimited by the membrane 108 on a side of the pressure chamber 118 facing the cavity 104. By introducing a pressurized fluid into the pressure chamber 118, the second membrane side 112 is subjected to pressure. As a result of the pressure, the membrane 108 is elastically expanded toward the cavity 104. With a correspondingly strong deflection of the membrane 108, it grasps the thin glass 1 and forms it into the cavity 104.

[0063] In order to further adjust the pressure of the fluid in the pressure chamber 118, the fluid adjustment device 126 comprises a pressure adjustment valve 122 at a fluid outlet 120. With the pressure adjustment valve 122, which is preferably designed as a proportional valve, the pressure in the pressure chamber 118 can be advantageously controlled and / or regulated.

[0064] In addition, the forming device 100 comprises a control device 136. The control device 136 is designed to control the fluid adjustment device 126, in particular to control and / or regulate the temperature, a temperature profile of the temperature, the pressure and / or a pressure profile of the pressure of the fluid.

[0065] Figure 2 shows a three-dimensional representation of a portion of the forming device 100. The membrane unit 106 is arranged vertically above the forming unit 102. The membrane 108 is arranged on the membrane unit 106. Furthermore, the fluid inlet 114 of the membrane unit 106 is shown. A thin glass 1 with perforations 2 is arranged between the forming unit 102 with the cavity 104 and the membrane 108. The thin glass 1 is in a hot, deformable state.

[0066] In Figure 3The forming device 100 is closed by reducing the spacing between the membrane unit 106 and the forming unit 102 substantially to zero. In this state, a fluid is introduced through the fluid inlet 114 into the pressure chamber 118 (not shown).

[0067] As a result, the membrane 108 is molded into the cavity 104 as shown in the Figure 4 is shown. Since the thin glass 1 is located between the cavity 104 and the membrane 108, the thin glass 1 is also formed into the cavity 104 and thus reshaped.

[0068] Figure 5shows a schematic process. In step 200, the thin glass 1 already inserted in the forming unit is heated with heating elements represented here as dots. In step 202, the forming device is closed by moving the membrane unit 106 toward the forming unit 102. Furthermore, a fluid is admitted into the pressure chamber 118 through the fluid inlet 114 so that, as shown in step 204, the membrane 108 is formed into the cavity 104 and thus the thin glass 1 located between the cavity 104 and the membrane 108 is also formed.

[0069] With the method described above and the use of the forming device 100 described above, a thin glass 1, in particular a perforated thin glass, is formed in such a way that post-processing steps can be eliminated. In particular, the described method enables a high surface quality of the formed thin glass 1, so that no subsequent polishing of the surface is necessary. By eliminating further process steps, the forming of the glass is made possible with high cost-effectiveness. In particular, the possibility of using the forming device 100 in a non-isothermal process further increases cost-effectiveness. REFERENCE SYMBOL

[0070] 1Thin glass 2Perforation 4Glass side facing the cavity 6Glass side facing away from the cavity 100Forming device 102Forming unit 104Cavity 106Membrane unit 108Membrane 110First membrane side 112Second membrane side 114Fluid inlet 116Temperature sensor 118Pressure chamber 120Fluid outlet 122Pressure adjustment valve 124Membrane holder 126Fluid adjustment device 128Compression unit 130First temperature control unit 132Second temperature control unit 134Mixing unit 136Control device

Claims

1. Forming apparatus (100) for forming a deformable thin glass (1), comprising - a forming unit (102) with a cavity (104) for forming the thin glass (1), - a membrane unit (106) with a deformable membrane (108), which has a first membrane side (110) facing the cavity (104) and a second membrane side (112) facing away from the cavity (104), - a fluid adjusting device (126) for adjusting at least one fluid property of a fluid to be provided to the membrane unit (106), - wherein the thin glass (1) can be arranged between the first membrane side (110) and the cavity (104), - wherein the membrane unit (106) is arranged and configured to apply a pressure to the second membrane side (112) of the membrane (108) by means of the fluid, so that the thin glass (1) can be molded into the cavity (104) by means of the membrane (108), - characterized by a control device which is adapted to control and / or loop-control the fluid adjustment device such that a pressure curve of the pressure with a pressure build-up section, a forming pressure section, a holding pressure section and a pressure reduction section is controlled and / or loop-controlled in this order in succession in time, the fluid property being a pressure curve of the pressure, and / or - characterized in that the fluid property is a temperature profile of the temperature.

2. Forming apparatus (100) according to the preceding claim 1, wherein - the membrane (108) has a glass contact material or consists of a glass contact material, and / or - the membrane (108) is configured to be elastic, and / or - the membrane (108) has a first membrane layer facing the cavity (104) and a second membrane layer facing away from the cavity (104), wherein the first membrane layer comprises or consists of a glass contact material and / or wherein the second membrane layer comprises or consists of an elastomeric material.

3. Forming apparatus (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the diaphragm unit (106) has a pressure chamber (118) which is closed off in a substantially fluid-tight manner by the diaphragm (108) on a side facing the cavity (104) and wherein preferably a fluid inlet (114) is fluidically coupled to the pressure chamber (118) in such a way that a fluid can be introduced into the pressure chamber (118).

4. Forming apparatus (100) according to the preceding claim 3, wherein - the fluid adjusting device (126) has a pressure adjusting valve adapted to adjust a predetermined pressure in the pressure chamber (118), and - preferably the pressure setting valve (122) is configured as a proportional valve for setting a predefined pressure curve, in particular a pressure change rate.

5. Forming apparatus (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the membrane unit (106) has a membrane holder (124) which is arranged and configured to position the membrane (108) in a predetermined position and preferably to form a fluid-tight closure of the pressure chamber (118).

6. Forming apparatus (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fluid setting device (126) has a compression unit (128) for compressing the fluid and / or a first temperature control unit (130) for generating a first fluid having a first temperature.

7. Forming apparatus (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein - the fluid adjusting device (126) has a second temperature control unit (132) for generating a second fluid having a second temperature lower than the first temperature, and / or - the fluid adjusting device (126) has a mixing unit (134) for mixing the first fluid and the second fluid.

8. Forming apparatus (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a control device (136) adapted to control the fluid adjustment device (126) such that the fluid directed into the pressure chamber (118) has a predetermined pressure and / or a predetermined temperature.

9. Forming apparatus (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the control device (136) is adapted, - to determine a temperature difference between an actual temperature of the fluid and a target temperature of the fluid and to adjust the actual temperature of the fluid by means of temperature control, in particular to increase or reduce it if the temperature difference exceeds a predetermined temperature difference, and / or - to determine a pressure difference between an actual pressure of the fluid and a desired pressure of the fluid and to adjust the actual pressure of the fluid by changing the pressure, in particular by actuating the pressure adjustment valve (122) and / or the compression unit (128), in particular to increase or reduce it if the pressure difference exceeds a predetermined pressure difference.

10. Forming apparatus (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a temperature sensor (116) which is adapted to determine an actual temperature of the fluid in and / or downstream of the mixing unit (134), the control device (136) preferably being adapted to determine a temperature difference between the actual temperature and a predefined target temperature and, if a predefined temperature difference is exceeded, to actuate the fluid setting device (126) in such a way that the temperature difference is set lower than the predefined temperature difference by reducing the actual temperature, the control device (136) preferably being adapted to control the second temperature control unit (132) in order to vary the second temperature and / or to control the mixing unit (134) in order to control a volume flow of the second fluid into the mixing unit (134).

11. Forming apparatus (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the forming unit (102) is interchangeably arranged.

12. Method for forming a thin glass (1), in particular with a forming apparatus (100) according to any one of the preceding claims 1-11, comprising the steps of: - Arrangement of a deformable thin glass (1) between a forming unit (102) with a cavity (104) and a deformable membrane (108), so that a first membrane side (110) faces the thin glass (1) and a second membrane side (112) faces away from the thin glass (1), - applying a pressure to the second membrane side (112) by means of a fluid, so that the thin glass (1) is molded into the cavity (104) by means of the membrane (108), and - Adjustment of at least one fluid property of the fluid, - characterized in that the fluid property is a pressure curve of the pressure and the fluid adjustment device is actuated and / or loop-controlled in such a way that a pressure curve of the pressure with a pressure build-up section, a forming pressure section, a holding pressure section and a pressure reduction section is controlled and / or loop-controlled in this sequence in succession and / or in that the fluid property is a temperature curve of the temperature.

13. Method according to any one of the preceding claims 12, wherein the fluid property is or comprises a pressure, a pressure profile of the pressure, a temperature and / or a temperature profile of the temperature of the fluid.

14. Method according to any one of the preceding claims 12-13, comprising the steps of: - Determining a temperature difference between an actual temperature of the fluid and a target temperature of the fluid, and - Adjusting, in particular increasing or reducing, the actual temperature of the fluid by means of temperature control if the temperature difference exceeds a predetermined temperature difference.

15. Method according to any one of the preceding claims 12-14, comprising the steps of: - Determining a pressure difference between an actual pressure of the fluid and a target pressure of the fluid, and - Adjusting, in particular increasing or reducing, the actual pressure of the fluid when the pressure difference exceeds a predetermined pressure difference, - whereby preferably a pressure curve, in particular a pressure change rate, is set such that there is essentially no sudden pressure difference.