Edge Defect Gauge for Glass Sheet Quality Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge is to effectively measure and assess edge defects in glass sheets after edge strip separation, which can lead to yield losses and warpage issues during stacking due to defects like cantilever chips and dog ear defects, necessitating a precise method to determine whether the glass sheets are suitable for downstream processes.
Innovation Solution
An edge defect gauge is used to measure the size of edge defects, featuring a body with a dog ear measuring projection or a cantilever measuring recess, allowing for the alignment and determination of defect dimensions, thereby identifying whether the glass sheets are scrap or suitable for further processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If automated apparatuses are used for edge strip separation, then productivity is improved, but device complexity increases and cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs handheld sheet edge strip separation devices that enable operators to perform edge strip separation manually without requiring complex automated apparatuses. The device includes a body with a scoring element and a breaking element that work together to separate edge strips through a simple scoring-and-breaking action, allowing the operator to complete the task independently without sophisticated automation systems.
2Device complexity
If handheld sheet edge strip separation devices are used, then device complexity is reduced, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to larger force requirements over smaller areas
Solution Approach 1:
The separation device is divided into distinct functional elements: a scoring element that creates a controlled fracture line and a breaking element that applies force to separate the edge strip. This segmentation allows the scoring element to define the separation path with high precision while the breaking element handles the mechanical separation, distributing the force requirement across multiple specialized components rather than requiring a single complex mechanism.
3Reliability
If edge strips are separated to remove low-quality peripheral portions, then glass sheet quality is improved, but yield losses increase due to edge chips and dog ear defects
Solution Approach 1:
The device performs preliminary scoring of the glass sheet along the desired separation line before the actual breaking action. This scoring creates a controlled weakness that guides the fracture path, ensuring that the edge strip separates cleanly along the intended line and minimizing the formation of unwanted defects such as dog ear defects and edge chips that would otherwise require larger margin reductions.
4Measurement precision
If traditional measurement methods are used for edge defects, then measurement precision is insufficient, but measurement time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The gauge extracts the specific measurement function from complex inspection systems by providing dedicated measurement elements for each defect type. The device includes a dog ear defect measurement element with reference dimensions that directly compare against dog ear defects, and a cantilever chip measurement element with corresponding reference features. This extraction of specific measurement functions into simple, dedicated elements enables rapid visual comparison without requiring sophisticated imaging or analysis systems.
Data Source
AI summary
An edge defect gauge that measures a size of edge defects of glass sheets, the edge defect gauge comprising: a body including opposite end edges and opposite side edges that extend between the end edges forming a body, the body having opposite flat faces; and at least one of (i) a dog ear measuring projection extending outward from one of the end edges at one of the side edges, the dog ear measuring projection having a predetermined height and a predetermined length or (ii) a cantilever measuring recess extending inward from the other end edge at the one of the side edges, the cantilever measuring recess having a predetermined height and a predetermined length.