Apparatus for forming curved glass

Abstract

The present invention discloses a forming apparatus for curved glass for forming plate glass into curved glass. The forming apparatus of the present invention comprises a frame, a chamber casing, a conveyor, a heating device, and a press. The chamber casing is mounted on the upper part of the frame and has an inlet, an outlet, and a chamber formed therein to transport a molding apparatus having a lower mold and an upper mold, wherein a plate glass having a frit formed on the lower edge is placed therein. The conveyor is mounted on the lower part of the chamber to transport the molding apparatus. The heating device heats the molding apparatus placed inside the chamber. The press applies pressure to the molding apparatus to form the plate glass into curved glass. The molding apparatus includes a lower mold having a main convex core protruding from the upper surface, and an upper mold having a concave cavity formed on the lower surface to close above the lower mold and to form the plate glass into curved glass. A sub-convex core protrudes from the upper surface of the main convex core, and the sub-convex core is provided with a frit sheet formed at a distance inward from the edge of the main convex core. The frit sheet is configured such that the frit of the plate glass is placed thereon and integrally formed on the lower edge of the curved glass. According to the present invention, curved glass can be efficiently manufactured through the preheating, softening, forming, and slow cooling of the plate glass, and productivity can be improved by continuously forming large-area curved glass.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a curved glass manufacturing technology, and more specifically, to a curved glass forming apparatus for forming plate glass into curved glass. Background Technology

[0002] Curved or bent glass is formed by heating plate glass to approximately 620–650°C and shaping it into a three-dimensional form with a curved or other bent shape; it is also referred to as three-dimensional (3D) glass. Plate glass is manufactured through a forming or molding process in which molten glass melted in a glass melting furnace is formed into a flat plate, and a cutting process in which the flat plate is cut to meet primary specifications. Curved glass is commonly used in vehicle glass, curved facades of buildings, concave mirrors, convex mirrors, and the like.

[0003] The gravity forming method is known as a method for forming curved glass. The gravity forming method is a method of manufacturing curved glass by mounting a glass plate in a curved mold, heating it to a high temperature to soften it, and then allowing the glass plate to adhere to the curved surface of the mold by gravity. In addition, the glass plate is mounted in a lower mold and heated to a high temperature to soften it, and then bent into a desired shape by forming a curve by gravity while simultaneously applying pressure with an upper mold.

[0004] An example of curved glass manufacturing technology is disclosed in Korean Registered Patent No. 10-1618844, "Plate Glass Forming Device." This patent describes a method of locally heating and softening the portion of plate glass to be formed, and then placing the locally heated and softened plate glass into a cavity formed by the mold closing of a lower mold and an upper mold to locally form only the portion to be formed. High-temperature gas is injected into the cavity containing the plate glass to form a gas layer between the mold and the cavity surface, thereby preventing direct contact between the cavity surface and the plate glass when forming the plate glass by mold closing. A flame emitting device for locally heating the plate glass is equipped with a plurality of flame emitting holes arranged along the shape to be formed.

[0005] Another example of curved glass manufacturing technology is disclosed in Korean Published Patent No. 10-2016-0081119, "Method and Apparatus for Forming Plate Glass." This patent describes a method in which plate glass is softened by locally heating it with a flame, and then formed into a three-dimensional shape using a forming mold. A preheating furnace preheats the plate glass while continuously loading it. A flame emitting device heats the part of the preheated plate glass to be formed by locally spraying a flame above the softening temperature through a plurality of flame emitting holes. A mold set consists of a lower mold for mounting the plate glass and an upper mold that forms a cavity by closing the mold with the lower mold to form the plate glass into curved glass. A plate glass loading / unloading device is configured to adsorb and eject the curved glass formed by the mold set. An annealing furnace unloads the curved glass while slowly cooling it. The contents disclosed in the above patent documents are incorporated herein by reference. The problem to be solved

[0006] The curved glass manufacturing technology described above has a problem in that it is insufficient for manufacturing large-area curved glass because it heats the glass plate locally by flames emitted through flame radiating holes. In particular, since the flame radiating holes are formed along the shape to be molded of the large-area glass plate, the size of the flame radiating device must also be made large to match the size of the glass plate, which causes an increase in the equipment cost of the flame radiating device. In addition, because the mold is manufactured from porous ceramic or a metal porous body to inject high-temperature gas into the mold cavity, the rigidity of the mold is weak, which leads to a problem of shortened mold life.

[0007] Meanwhile, frit is formed on the edges of vehicle windshields to maintain adhesion. However, forming frit on the edges of curved glass is not only difficult, but the low productivity of frit-curved glass also results in high costs. Therefore, there is a need for a technology that allows frit to be formed on flat glass and then molded into curved glass.

[0008] The present invention aims to solve various problems of the curved glass manufacturing technology described above. The objective of the present invention is to provide a new curved glass forming apparatus capable of mass-producing three-dimensional curved glass. Additionally, another objective of the present invention is to provide a curved glass forming apparatus that can be used in a curved glass forming system. means of solving the problem

[0009] According to one aspect of the present invention, a molding apparatus for curved glass is provided. The molding apparatus for curved glass according to the present invention comprises: a frame; a chamber casing mounted on the upper part of the frame and having an inlet, an outlet, and a chamber formed therein to transport a molding apparatus having a lower mold and an upper mold on which a plate glass having a frit formed on the lower edge is placed; a conveyor mounted on the lower part of the chamber to transport the molding apparatus; a heating device for heating the molding apparatus disposed inside the chamber; and a press for pressurizing the molding apparatus to form the plate glass into curved glass.

[0010] In addition, in the molding apparatus for curved glass according to the present invention, the molding apparatus comprises a lower mold having a main convex core protruding from the upper surface, and an upper mold having a concave cavity formed on the lower surface to be closed above the lower mold so as to be able to mold plate glass into curved glass. A sub-convex core protrudes from the upper surface of the main convex core, and the sub-convex core is provided with a frit sheet formed with a gap inward from the edge of the main convex core. The frit sheet is configured so that the frit of the plate glass is placed thereon and integrally molded to the lower edge of the curved glass. Therefore, since the frit can be formed integrally to the edge of the curved glass in the process of forming the plate glass into curved glass after the frit is formed on the edge of the plate glass in advance, it can be usefully adopted for manufacturing automobile windshields, etc. Furthermore, productivity can be improved compared to the conventional technology of forming the frit on the edge of the curved glass after forming the curved glass.

[0011] In the molding apparatus for curved glass according to the present invention, the molding apparatus further includes an intermediate mold mounted above the lower mold. The intermediate mold guides the closing of the lower and upper molds, thereby improving the precision of the curved glass formed by the closing of the lower and upper molds. Effects of the invention

[0012] The curved glass forming device according to the present invention can efficiently manufacture curved glass through the preheating, softening, forming, and slow cooling of plate glass, and has the effect of improving productivity by continuously forming large-area curved glass. The mold device for manufacturing curved glass that can be used in the curved glass forming device according to the present invention has the effect of manufacturing curved glass with a frit formed in advance on the edge of the plate glass. Therefore, it has the effect of improving the productivity of curved glass with a frit formed thereon. In addition, the press for manufacturing curved glass that can be used in the curved glass forming device has the effect of improving the productivity of curved glass by heating a plurality of mold devices to soften the plate glass and then gradually pressing the upper mold of a plurality of mold devices by the operation of a plurality of vertical actuators. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0013] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a molding system for curved glass according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view exemplarily showing a curved glass formed by a molding system according to the present invention. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a mold device of a molding system according to the present invention. Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV of Figure 3. Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line V-V of Figure 3. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the mold device of the molding system according to the present invention separated. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing the mold device of the molding system according to the present invention separated. FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a loading device of a molding system according to the present invention. FIG. 9 is a front view showing a loading device of a molding system according to the present invention. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a loading load lock device of a molding system according to the present invention, viewed from the left. FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a loading load lock device of a molding system according to the present invention, viewed from the right. FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing the outer casing separated from the loading load lock device of the molding system according to the present invention. FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view showing a loading load lock device of a molding system according to the present invention. FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the preheating furnace of the molding system according to the present invention, viewed from the left. FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the preheating furnace of the molding system according to the present invention, viewed from the right. FIG. 16 is a perspective view showing one side separated from the preheating furnace of FIG. 10. FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a press device of a molding system according to the present invention, viewed from the left. FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a press device of a molding system according to the present invention, viewed from the left. FIG. 19 is a perspective view showing one side separated from the press device of FIG. 18. FIG. 20 is a perspective view showing a conveyor in a press device of a molding system according to the present invention. FIG. 21 is a front view showing a conveyor in a press device of a molding system according to the present invention. FIG. 22 is a front view showing a press in a press device of a molding system according to the present invention. FIG. 23 is a perspective view of the slow cooling furnace of the molding system according to the present invention, viewed from the right. FIG. 24 is a perspective view showing one side separated from the slow cooling furnace of FIG. 23. FIG. 25 is a perspective view of an unloading load lock device of a molding system according to the present invention, viewed from the right. FIG. 26 is a perspective view showing the outer casing separated from the unloading load lock device of the molding system according to the present invention. FIG. 27 is a perspective view showing an unloading device of a molding system according to the present invention. FIG. 28 is a front view showing an unloading device of a molding system according to the present invention. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0014] Other objects, specific advantages, and novel features of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description and preferred embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In describing the present invention, the size or shape of components depicted in the drawings may be exaggerated or simplified for clarity and convenience of explanation. Furthermore, terms specifically defined in consideration of the configuration and operation of the present invention may vary according to the intent or convention of the user or operator. These terms should be interpreted in a meaning and concept consistent with the technical spirit of the present invention based on the content throughout this specification.

[0015] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of a molding system for curved glass according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

[0016] First, referring to FIG. 1, the forming system (10) of a curved glass according to the present invention has an X-axis direction, a Y-axis direction horizontally orthogonal to the X-axis direction, and a Z-axis direction perpendicularly orthogonal to the X-axis and Y-axis directions. The forming system (10) of a curved glass according to the present invention has a loading station (S1), a loading load-lock station (S2), a preheat station (S3), a working station (S4), an annealing station (S5), an unloading load-lock station (S6), and an unloading station (S7) arranged continuously along the X-axis direction.

[0017] As illustrated in FIG. 2, the molding system (10) for curved glass according to the present invention molds a plate glass (20) or a glass substrate into a curved glass (30). A frit (21) is further formed on the lower edge of the plate glass (20). The frit (21) is formed on the lower edge of the plate glass (20) in advance to form the frit (31) of the curved glass (30) when the curved glass (30) is molded.

[0018] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the loading station (S1) is configured to load a mold device (40) on which a plate glass (20) is placed. Multiple mold devices (40) are loaded by being mounted on a tray (Tray: 80) or a pallet. The loading load lock station (S2) is arranged to be continuous with the loading station (S1) and protects the vacuum atmosphere from being exposed to the atmosphere. The preheat station (S3) is arranged to be continuous with the loading load lock station (S2) and is configured to receive the mold device (40) from the loading load lock station (S2) and preheat it. The working station (S4) or forming station is arranged to be continuous with the preheat station (S3) and is configured to receive the mold device (40) from the preheat station (S3) and form a curved glass (30). The annealing station (S5) is arranged to be continuous with the working station (S4) and is configured to receive the mold device (40) from the working station (S4) and slow cool it. The unloading load lock station (S6) is arranged to be continuous with the annealing station (S5) and protects the vacuum atmosphere from being exposed to the atmosphere. The unloading station (S7) is arranged to be continuous with the unloading load lock station (S6) and is configured to receive the mold device (40) from the unloading load lock station (S6) and unload it.

[0019] Referring to FIGS. 1, 3 to 7, the molding system (10) for curved glass according to the present invention comprises a mold device (40) for molding a plate glass (20) into curved glass (30). The plate glass (20) is placed in the mold device (40) and intermittently fed to a working station (S4) along a loading station (S1), a loading load lock station (S2), and a preheat station (S3), and is molded into curved glass (30) at the working station (S4). The mold device (40) on which the curved glass (30) is molded is intermittently fed from the working station (S4) along an annealing station (S5), an unloading load lock station (S6), and an unloading station (S7), and is unloaded through the unloading station (S7).

[0020] The mold device (40) is composed of a lower mold (50) and an upper mold (60). The lower mold (50) has a main convex core (51) protruding from the upper surface to form a plate glass (20) into a curved glass (30). A sub-convex core (52) protrudes further from the upper surface of the main convex core (51). The sub-convex core (52) has a frit seat (53) formed at a distance inward from the edge of the main convex core (51) so that the frits (21, 31) of the plate glass (20) and the curved glass (30), respectively, can be placed between the main convex core (31). The upper mold (60) has a convex cavity (61) formed on the lower surface so that the main convex core (51) of the lower mold (50) can be closed for molding the curved glass (30). A guide groove (62) is further formed on the lower edge of the upper mold (60).

[0021] The mold device (40) further comprises a middle mold (70). The middle mold (80) is positioned above the lower mold (50) to guide the closing of the lower mold (50) and the upper mold (60). A guide rim (71) is formed on the upper surface of the middle mold (80). The guide rim (71) forms an opening (72) into which the main convex core (51) of the lower mold (50) is inserted. The guide rim (71) is inserted into and guided by the guide groove (62) to guide the closing of the lower mold (50) and the upper mold (60). The opening (72) is formed in a square shape. Four undercut holes (73) are each formed at the corners of the opening (72) to prevent interference between the main convex core (51) and the opening (72). A projection (74) or step is formed on the inner surface of the open hole (72) so that the edge of the concave cavity (6) can be caught.

[0022] Referring to FIGS. 1, 8, and 9, the molding system (10) for curved glass according to the present invention comprises a loading apparatus (100) installed at a loading station (S1) for loading a mold device (40) on which a plate glass (20) is placed. A plurality of mold devices (40) are loaded by being mounted on a tray (80). A mold fixture (81) is mounted on the upper surface of the tray (80) so as to fix the mold device (40). A pair of locking grooves (82) are formed on both sides of the tray (80). The loading apparatus (100) is composed of a frame (110) and a conveyor (120). The conveyor (120) is composed of a roller conveyor placed on the frame (110).

[0023] The loading device (100) further comprises a lifting device (130) capable of raising and lowering the conveyor (120). The lifting device (130) is composed of a vertical linear actuator (131) capable of raising and lowering the conveyor (120) up and down the frame (110). The vertical linear actuator (131) may be composed of a lead screw linear actuator having a servo motor (132), a lead screw (133), a nut block (134), a carriage (136) or a slider, and a linear motion guide (137). The servo motor (132) is mounted on the underside of the frame (210). The lead screw (133) is connected vertically to the servo motor (132) so that it can rotate by the drive of the servo motor (132). The nut convex (134) is coupled to the lead screw (133) so that it can perform screw motion along the lead screw (133). The carriage (136) is coupled to the nut convex (134). The frame (210) of the conveyor (120) is coupled to the carriage (136) so that it can be raised and lowered. The linear motion guide (137) is configured to guide the translation motion of the carriage (136) along the vertical direction.In some embodiments, the vertical linear actuator (131) may be composed of a belt-driven linear actuator, a rack and pinion actuator, a hydraulic cylinder, a pneumatic cylinder, a pneumatic rodless linear actuator, etc., capable of raising and lowering the carriage (136).

[0024] Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 10 to FIG. 13, the molding system (10) of a curved glass according to the present invention comprises a loading load-lock apparatus (200) installed at a loading load-lock station (S2). The loading load-lock apparatus (200) is composed of a frame (210), an outer casing (220), an inner casing (230), a door gate (240), a gate valve (250), a conveyor (260), and a gas supply line (270).

[0025] The frame (210) is positioned downstream of the loading device (100). The outer casing (220) is mounted on the upper side of the frame (210). The outer casing (220) has an inlet (221), an outlet (222), and a chamber (223) formed for transporting the tray (80) on which the mold device (40) is mounted. The inner casing (230) is mounted inside the chamber (223) of the outer casing (220). The inner casing (230) has a chamber (231) that is open at the bottom. The chamber (231) of the inner casing (230) is partitioned from the chamber (223) of the outer casing (220) to protect the mold device (40).

[0026] A door gate (240) is mounted on the upstream side of the outer casing (220) to open and close the entrance (221). The door gate (240) consists of a door (241) and a vertical linear actuator (242) that raises and lowers the door (241). The vertical linear actuator (242) may be composed of a hydraulic cylinder. A gate valve (250) is mounted on the downstream side of the outer casing (220) to open and close the exit (222). In some embodiments, the door gate (240) may be composed of a gate valve (250).

[0027] The conveyor (260) consists of a roller conveyor mounted on the underside of the chamber (231) to receive the tray (80) from the conveyor (120) of the loading device (100) and transport it from the inlet (221) to the outlet (222). A gas supply line (270) is connected to the chamber (231) to supply an atmosphere gas, for example, nitrogen gas (N2 gas), into the chamber (231). The gas supply line (270) may consist of a tank for storing nitrogen gas, a pipeline connecting the chamber (231) and the tank, and a vacuum pump or air pump that generates the supply power of nitrogen gas. Nitrogen gas prevents contamination and static electricity of the plate glass (20) and prevents oxidation of the mold device (40).

[0028] Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 14 to 16, the molding system (10) according to the present invention is equipped with a preheating furnace (300) installed in a preheat station (S3) so as to be loaded while preheating a plate glass (20). The preheating furnace (300) is equipped with a plurality of furnace modules (301; 301-1, 301-2, …, 301-n) capable of continuously transporting a mold device (40). The furnace modules (301) are composed of a continuous furnace or a tunnel kiln capable of continuously transporting the mold device (40). Although FIG. 1 shows six furnace modules (301) arranged in a continuous manner, this is exemplary and the number of furnace modules (301) can be increased or decreased as needed. The preheating furnace (300) preheats the mold device (40) in stages to a temperature of 20 to 700°C. The preheating furnace (300) is composed of a frame (310), a chamber casing (320), a conveyor (330), and a heating device (340).

[0029] The frame (310) is positioned downstream of the loading load lock device (200). A chamber casing (320) is mounted on the upper side of the frame (310). The chamber casing (320) has an inlet (321), an outlet (322), and a chamber (323) formed for transporting a tray (80) on which a mold device (40) is mounted. The inlet (321) is connected to a gate valve (250). The conveyor (330) is composed of a roller conveyor mounted inside the chamber (323) to receive the tray (80) from the conveyor (270) of the loading load lock device (220) and transport it from the inlet (321) to the outlet (322). The heating device (340) is composed of a gas burner (341) capable of preheating the mold device (40) placed inside the chamber (323). In some embodiments, the heating device (340) may be composed of an electric heater.

[0030] The preheating furnace (300) is further equipped with an XZ stage (350) capable of moving the chamber casing (320) along the transfer direction of the mold device (40), i.e., the X-axis direction, and also moving the chamber casing (320) up and down along the height direction (Z-axis direction) of the preheating furnace (300). The XZ stage (350) is composed of an X-axis linear actuator (351) and a Z-axis linear actuator (352). The X-axis linear actuator (351) is mounted on the upper part of the frame (310) to move the chamber casing (320) along the X-axis direction. The Z-axis linear actuator (352) is mounted on the X-axis linear actuator (351) and is connected to the chamber casing (320) by a plurality of joint bars (353). The Z-axis linear actuator (352) raises and lowers the chamber casing (320) along the Z-axis direction. Each of the X-axis and Z-axis linear actuators (351, 352) is composed of a lead screw linear actuator.

[0031] The chamber casing (320) of the preheating furnace (300) requires maintenance during long-term operation. To maintain the chamber casing (320), the chamber casing (320) must be separated from the frame (310). After separating the furnace module (301) for maintenance from the preheat station (S3) among the furnace modules (301) constituting the preheating furnace (300), the chamber casing (320) is separated from the frame (310) by transporting it along the X-axis direction by the operation of the X-axis linear actuator (351). When maintenance of the chamber casing (320) is completed, the chamber casing (320) is transported along the X-axis direction by the operation of the X-axis linear actuator (351) and placed on the frame (310), and then the chamber casing (320) is raised along the Z-axis direction by the operation of the Z-axis linear actuator (352) so that the conveyor (270) of the loading load lock device (200) and the chamber (323) of the preheating furnace (300) can be accurately aligned. Thus, maintenance of the preheating furnace (300) can be performed easily and accurately.

[0032] Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 17 to 21, the molding system (10) according to the present invention is equipped with a press apparatus (400) installed at a working station (S4) to mold a plate glass (20) into a curved glass (30). The press apparatus (400) or press equipment is composed of a frame (410), a chamber casing (420), a conveyor (430), a heating device (440), and a press (450).

[0033] The frame (410) is installed downstream of the preheating furnace (300). The chamber casing (420) is mounted on the upper side of the frame (410). The chamber casing (420) has an open bottom and has an inlet (421), an outlet (422), and a chamber (423) formed for transporting a tray (80) on which a mold device (40) is mounted. The conveyor (430) is composed of a roller conveyor mounted on the lower side of the chamber (423) to receive the tray (80) from the conveyor (330) of the preheating furnace (300) and transport it from the inlet (421) to the outlet (422). The heating device (440) is composed of an electric heater (441) capable of heating the mold device (40) placed inside the chamber (423) to soften the plate glass (20) for forming the curved glass (30). In some embodiments, the heating device (440) may be composed of a gas burner.

[0034] As illustrated in FIG. 22, the press (450) is composed of a plurality of press beds (460) and a plurality of press rams (470) capable of forming plate glass (20) into curved glass (30) by gradually pressing the upper mold (60) of the mold device (40) placed inside the chamber (423). The press beds (460) are mounted below the conveyor (430) to support the tray (80). The press beds (460) are composed of a bed (461) that supports the tray (80) and a vertical linear actuator (462) that raises and lowers the bed (461). The vertical linear actuator (462) may be composed of a hydraulic cylinder or a pneumatic cylinder. Press rams (470) are mounted on the upper part of the conveyor (430) so as to press the upper mold (60). The press ram (470) consists of a ram (471) that presses the upper mold (60) and a vertical linear actuator (472) that raises and lowers the ram (471). The vertical linear actuator (472) may be composed of a hydraulic cylinder or a pneumatic cylinder.

[0035] As illustrated in FIGS. 20 and 21, the press device (400) further comprises a plurality of pairs of stopping devices (480) capable of restraining the tray (80) in a pressing position of a press (450) capable of pressing the upper mold (60). The stopping devices (480) are mounted on both sides of the conveyor (430) so as to restrain the tray (80) in both sides of the width direction (Y-axis direction) which is orthogonal to the transport direction (X-axis direction) of the tray (80). The stopping devices (480) are composed of a Y-axis linear actuator (481) and a stopper (482).

[0036] Y-axis linear actuators (481) are mounted on both sides of the conveyor (430). A stopper (482) is connected to the Y-axis linear actuator (481) so that it can move forward and backward by the operation of the Y-axis linear actuator (481) to restrain the tray (80). The stopper (482) has a locking projection (483) formed to be able to lock into the locking groove (81) of the tray (80). Among the stopping devices (480), the stopper (482) of the stopping device (480) positioned on the downstream side of the conveyor (430) has a stopping projection (484) formed to be able to catch and restrain the leading edge of the tray (80) in the conveying direction.

[0037] As illustrated in FIGS. 19 and 21, the press device (400) further comprises a plurality of pairs of clamping devices (490) for clamping the chamber casing (420). The clamping devices (490) are mounted on both sides of the conveyor (430) so as to restrain the chamber casing (420) on both sides in the width direction (Y-axis direction) orthogonal to the transfer direction (X-axis direction) of the mold device (40). The clamping devices (490) consist of a Y-axis linear actuator (491) and a clamp (492). The Y-axis linear actuator (491) is mounted on both sides of the conveyor (430). The clamp (492) is connected to the Y-axis linear actuator (491) so that it can move forward and backward by the operation of the Y-axis linear actuator (491) to restrain the chamber casing (420).

[0038] When the clamp (492) is advanced by the operation of the Y-axis linear actuator (491) to clamp the chamber casing (420), the conveyor (430) can be aligned to the center of the chamber (423). Thus, the mold device (40) being transported by the operation of the conveyor (430) can be accurately aligned to the pressing position of the press (450). When the clamp (492) is retracted from both sides of the chamber casing (420) by the operation of the Y-axis linear actuator (491), the chamber casing (420) can be unclamped and separated into the frame (410). Thus, maintenance of the chamber casing (420) can be easily performed.

[0039] Referring to FIGS. 1, 23, and 24, the molding system (10) according to the present invention comprises an annealing furnace (500) installed in an annealing station (S5). The annealing furnace (500) comprises a plurality of furnace modules (501; 501-1, 501-2, …, 501-n) capable of continuously transporting a mold device (40), similar to a preheating furnace (300). The furnace modules (501) are composed of a continuous furnace or a tunnel furnace capable of continuously transporting the mold device (40). Although FIG. 1 shows five furnace modules (501) arranged in a continuous manner, this is exemplary, and the number of furnace modules (501) can be increased or decreased as needed. The annealing furnace (500) slow-cools the mold device (40), on which the curved glass (30) is placed, to approximately 40°C.

[0040] The slow cooling furnace (500) is equipped with a frame (510), a chamber casing (520), a conveyor (530), a heating device (540), and an XZ stage (550). The frame (510), chamber casing (520), conveyor (530), heating device (540), and XZ stage (550) of the slow cooling furnace (500) have the same or similar basic configuration and operation as the frame (310), chamber casing (320), conveyor (330), heating device (340), and XZ stage (350) of the preheating furnace (300). Therefore, a detailed description of the configuration and operation of the slow cooling furnace (500) is omitted, with reference to the description of the configuration and operation of the preheating furnace (300). It is positioned downstream of the frame (510). The chamber casing (520) is connected to the chamber (423) of the press device (400).

[0041] Referring to FIGS. 1, 25 and 26, the molding system (10) of a curved glass according to the present invention is equipped with an unloading load-lock apparatus (600) installed at an unloading load-lock station (S6). The unloading load-lock apparatus (600) is equipped with a frame (610), an outer casing (620), an inner casing (630), a door gate (640), a gate valve (650), a conveyor (660), and a gas supply line (670) to maintain a vacuum atmosphere. The frame (610), outer casing (620), inner casing (630), door gate (640), gate valve (650), conveyor (660), and gas supply line (670) of the unloading load lock device (600) have the same or similar basic configuration and operation as the frame (210), outer casing (220), inner casing (230), door gate (240), gate valve (250), conveyor (260), and gas supply line (270) of the loading load lock device (200). Therefore, a detailed description of the configuration and operation of the unloading load lock device (600) is omitted, and it is assumed that the description of the configuration and operation of the loading load lock device (200) will be referenced. The frame (610) is positioned downstream of the slow cooling furnace (500). The chamber casing (520) is connected to the chamber (423) of the press device (400). The chamber casing (520) has an inlet (521), an outlet (522), and a chamber (523) formed for transporting the tray (80) on which the mold device (40) is mounted.

[0042] Referring to FIGS. 1, 27, and 28, the molding system (10) for curved glass according to the present invention is equipped with an unloading apparatus (700) installed at an unloading station (S7) for unloading a mold device (40) on which a curved glass (30) is placed. The unloading apparatus (700) is equipped with a frame (710), a conveyor (720), and a lifting device (730). The frame (710), conveyor (720), and lifting device (730) of the unloading apparatus (700) have the same or similar basic configuration and operation as the frame (210), conveyor (220), and lifting device (230) of the loading apparatus (200). Therefore, a detailed description of the configuration and operation of the unloading apparatus (700) is omitted and is to be referenced to the description of the configuration and operation of the loading apparatus (200).

[0043] From now on, the operation of the molding system for curved glass according to the present invention having such a configuration will be explained.

[0044] Referring to FIGS. 1, 7 to 9, a plate glass (20) is placed on the subcore convex (52) of the lower mold (50), and then the upper mold (60) is closed over the lower mold (50). When the lower mold (50) and the upper mold (60) are closed, a guide rim (71) is fitted into the guide groove (62) to accurately guide the closing of the lower mold (50) and the upper mold (60). The mold device (40) on which the plate glass (20) is placed is mounted on a tray (80). The tray (80) is intermittently transferred from the loading station (S1) to the loading load lock station (S2) by the operation of the conveyor (120). When placing the tray (80) onto the conveyor (120), if the conveyor (120) is lowered by the operation of the lifting device (130), the tray (80) can be easily placed onto the conveyor (120) at a low position.

[0045] Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 10 to FIG. 13, a tray (80) on which a mold device (40) is mounted is transferred from the conveyor (120) of the loading device (100) to the conveyor (270) of the loading load lock device (200) through the inlet (221). The tray (80) is transferred into the chamber (231) of the inner casing (230) by the operation of the conveyor (270). When the mold device (40) is placed inside the chamber (222), the door (241) closes the inlet (221). With the gate valve (250) closed, nitrogen gas is supplied into the chamber (231) by the operation of the gas supply line (280) to prevent oxidation of the mold device (40) and to prevent contamination and static electricity of the plate glass (20).

[0046] Referring to FIGS. 1, 13 to 16, when the gate valve (250) opens, the tray (80) is transferred from the conveyor (270) of the loading load lock device (200) to the conveyor (330) of the preheating furnace (300) through the outlet (222) of the outer casing (220) and the inlet (321) of the chamber casing (320). The tray (80) is transported and placed inside the chamber (323) of the chamber casing (320) by the operation of the conveyor (330). As the temperature inside the chamber (323) rises due to heating by the heating device (340), the mold device (40) is preheated to soften the plate glass (20). As the plate glass (20) softens, the upper mold (60) descends due to its own weight and presses the plate glass (20). At this time, the upper mold (60) is accurately closed with the lower mold (50) by the guidance of the guide rim (71) fitted into the guide groove (62).

[0047] Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 16 to 22, a tray (80) on which a mold device (40) is mounted is transferred from the conveyor (330) of the preheating furnace (300) to the conveyor (430) through the exit (322) and the inlet (421) of the press device (400). The tray (80) enters the chamber (423) by the operation of the conveyor (430). A heating device (440) is operated to heat the mold device (40) placed inside the chamber (423) to soften the plate glass (20).

[0048] As illustrated in FIGS. 20 and 21, the Y-axis linear actuator (481) of the stopping devices (480) is actuated to advance the stopper (482). The leading edge of the tray (80) in the transport direction, which is transported by the operation of the conveyor (430), is caught by the stopping projection (484) of the stopper (482) of the stopping device (480) positioned downstream of the conveyor (430), and is stopped at the pressing position of the press (450). Additionally, the locking projection (483) of the stopper (482) is locked into the locking groove (82) of the tray (80), thereby restraining the tray (80). When the leading edge of the tray (80) in the transport direction is caught by the stopping projection (484), the conveyor (430) is stopped.

[0049] Meanwhile, when the molding of the curved glass (30) is completed, the Y-axis linear actuator (481) of the stopping devices (480) is actuated to retract the stopper (482) from the tray (80). As the retracting stopper (482) is retracted from both sides of the tray (80), the restraint of the tray (80) is released. The tray (80) is transported to the exit (422) by the operation of the conveyor (430).

[0050] As illustrated in FIG. 22, when the tray (80) stops in the pressing position, the vertical linear actuator (462) of the press bed (460) is actuated to raise the bed (461). The raised bed (461) supports the lower surface of the tray (80). The vertical linear actuator (472) of the press ram (470) is actuated to lower the ram (471). The lowered ram (471) gradually presses the upper mold (60) to form the plate glass (20) placed inside the lower mold (50) and the upper mold (60) into curved glass (30).

[0051] Referring to FIGS. 1, 22 to 24, the tray (80) is transferred from the conveyor (430) of the press device (400) to the conveyor (530) through the exit (422) and the inlet (521) of the slow cooling furnace (500). The conveyor (530) intermittently transports the mold device (40) along the chamber (523) of the slow cooling furnace (500). The mold device (40) is slow cooled to approximately 40°C inside the chamber (523) of the slow cooling furnace (500) by the operation of the heating device (540).

[0052] Referring to FIGS. 1 and FIGS. 24 to 26, when the door gate (640) is opened, the tray (80) is transferred to the conveyor (670) through the exit (522) of the slow cooling furnace (500) and the inlet (621) of the unloading load lock device (600) by the operation of the conveyor (530). When the gate valve (650) is opened, the tray (80) is transferred to the exit (622) of the unloading load lock device (600) by the operation of the conveyor (670).

[0053] Referring to FIGS. 1 and FIGS. 26 to 28, the tray (80) is transferred from the conveyor (670) of the unloading load lock device (600) to the conveyor (720) of the loading device (700) through the exit (622). The tray (80) is unloaded by the operation of the conveyor (720). After cooling the mold device (40), the upper mold (60) is opened and the curved glass (30) is removed.

[0054] The embodiments described above are merely illustrative of preferred embodiments of the present invention, and the scope of the present invention is not limited to the described embodiments. Various changes, modifications, or substitutions may be made by those skilled in the art within the technical spirit and scope of the claims of the present invention, and such embodiments should be understood as falling within the scope of the present invention. Explanation of the symbols

[0055] 10: Curved glass forming system 20: Plate glass 30: Curved glass 40: Mold device 50: Lower mold 60: Upper mold 70: Middle mold 80: Tray 100: Loading device 200: Loading load lock device 300: Preheating furnace 400: Press device 450: Press 460: Press bed 470: Press Ram 480: Stopping Device 500: Slow cooling furnace 600: Unloading load lock device 700: Unloading device S1~S7: Stations

Claims

Claim 1 A molding device for curved glass comprising: a frame; a chamber casing having an inlet, an outlet, and a chamber formed therein to transport a molding device mounted on the upper part of the frame, wherein a plate glass having a frit formed on the lower edge is placed thereon; a conveyor mounted on the lower part of the chamber to transport the molding device; a heating device for heating the molding device disposed inside the chamber; and a press for pressurizing the molding device to form the plate glass into curved glass, wherein the molding device comprises a main convex core protruding from the upper surface and a sub-convex core protruding from the upper surface of the main convex core and having a frit sheet formed thereon spaced inward from the edge of the main convex core, and wherein the frit sheet is configured to be integrally formed on the lower edge of the curved glass on which the frit of the plate glass is placed; and an upper mold having a concave cavity formed on the lower surface to form the plate glass into the curved glass, which is closed above the lower mold. Claim 2 delete Claim 3 A molding device for curved glass according to claim 1, wherein the mold device further comprises an intermediate mold mounted on the upper side of the lower mold, the intermediate mold has a guide rim forming an open hole into which the main convex core is fitted, and a guide groove into which the guide rim is fitted is further formed on the lower surface of the upper mold to guide the closing of the lower mold and the upper mold. Claim 4 delete Claim 5 A forming device for curved glass according to claim 1 or 3, wherein the press device further comprises a plurality of pairs of stopping devices that restrain a tray transported by the operation of the conveyor by mounting the mold device, and the stopping devices each have a Y-axis linear actuator mounted on both sides of the conveyor so as to be positioned on both sides in the width direction perpendicular to the transport direction of the tray; and a stopper connected to the Y-axis linear actuator so as to be able to move forward and backward by the operation of the Y-axis linear actuator to restrain the tray. Claim 6 In claim 5, the molding device for curved glass, wherein the stopper has a locking projection formed to be lockable into a locking groove formed on both sides of the tray. Claim 7 In claim 6, the stopper is a stopper of the stopping device positioned downstream of the conveyor among the plurality of pairs of stopping devices, and is a forming device for curved glass having a stopping projection formed so that the leading edge of the tray in the conveying direction can be caught and restrained.

Images