Automated Glass Assembly Production With Pressure-Controlled Shaping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional production of glass assemblies, such as those used in potentiometric pH sensors, is labor-intensive and complex, requiring manual labor and solenoid valves or mass flow controllers that are not airtight, leading to inefficiencies and high complexity.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus with a turning machine, gas burners or lasers, a pressure module, and a control unit for automated production, allowing precise control of pressure and geometry, and using a camera for image data processing to ensure consistent quality and throughput.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If manual labor by experienced glassblowers is used, then quality of glass assemblies can be maintained, but productivity is low and the process is highly complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical operations by glassblowers with an automated system comprising a turning machine with spindles, gas burners or lasers for heating, and a pressure module with pump device. The control unit coordinates these components to automatically form glass assemblies, eliminating the need for skilled manual labor while maintaining production quality and increasing throughput.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes controlled changes in physical parameters including temperature (via gas burners or lasers), pressure (via the pressure module with pump device), and rotational speed (via the turning machine spindles) to automatically form and shape glass assemblies. These parameter changes enable automated processing that replicates and standardizes the quality previously achieved only by skilled craftsmen.
2Extent of automation
If solenoid valves or mass flow controllers are used for air supply, then automation is partially achieved, but the systems are not airtight and cannot control pressure, leading to complexity and inefficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and replaces the inadequate air supply control components (solenoid valves and mass flow controllers) with a dedicated pressure module comprising a pump device. This new component specifically addresses the deficiencies by providing both airtight sealing and active pressure control capabilities, simplifying the overall system architecture while improving functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a pressure module with a pump device that utilizes pneumatic or hydraulic principles to achieve precise pressure control within the glass assembly during processing. This approach provides airtight sealing and dynamic pressure adjustment, overcoming the limitations of electrical valve-based systems while maintaining automation.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional production methods are used, then process simplicity is maintained, but manual labor requirements are high and throughput is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual production methods with an automated turning machine system that includes spindles for holding and rotating workpieces, gas burners or lasers for heating, and a pressure module for controlled pressure application. The control unit coordinates these components to automatically produce glass assemblies, eliminating manual labor while maintaining process simplicity through integrated automation.
Solution Approach 2:
The automated system is designed to perform all production operations autonomously under control unit coordination. The turning machine spindles automatically position and rotate workpieces, the gas burners or lasers provide controlled heating, and the pressure module adjusts pressure as needed, with the control unit managing the entire sequence without human intervention, thereby achieving high throughput with minimal operational complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables efficient, automated production of glass assemblies with reduced variance in dimensions and improved quality, reducing manual labor and complexity while maintaining high throughput.
Implementation Method 1
one or more gas burners or lasers fixed on a first tool carriage which is movable in parallel and/or perpendicularly to the axis of rotation of the spindles
Implementation Method 2
a pressure module comprising a pump device for applying a pressure to the inner tube and/or to a space between the inner tube and the outer tube
Implementation Method 3
The production method comprises rotationally symmetric heating and/or applying of a pressure with subsequent or simultaneous cooling
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for the automated production of glass assemblies includes: a turning machine with at least two spindles, which are rotatable about a common axis of rotation and which each have a workpiece holder, wherein the workpiece holders are arranged opposite one another; one or more gas burners or lasers fixed on a first tool carriage which is movable in parallel and/or perpendicularly to the axis of rotation; one or more drives for driving a rotational movement of the spindles and a movement of the first tool carriage; a pressure module including a pump device at least one working cylinder for applying a pressure to an inner tube and/or to a space between the inner tube and an outer tube; and a control unit configured to control the burners or lasers, one or more drives, the first tool carriage and the pressure module.