Glass Sheet Shaping With Fluid Support and Precise Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing glass sheet shaping processes face issues with alignment accuracy and optical distortion due to inadequate positioning and contact with rollers before bending, leading to suboptimal quality and defects.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a glass shaping line that uses a fluid pad assembly to support the glass sheet above a bending tool, combined with a centering device for precise positioning, and controlled fluid flow to minimize contact and distortion, ensuring accurate alignment and reduced marks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the glass sheet is supported on rollers immediately before bending, then the glass sheet can be conveyed to the bending tool, but contact with the rollers causes marks on the glass sheet that result in optical distortion
Solution Approach 1:
A fluid pad assembly is introduced as an intermediary between the rollers and the glass sheet. The fluid pad delivers a flow of fluid (such as air) to support the glass sheet above the bending tool, eliminating direct contact between the rollers and glass sheet surface, thereby preventing marks and optical distortion while maintaining conveying functionality
2Device complexity
If positioning is performed only on rollers before entry into furnace, then the process is simple, but alignment of the glass sheet before bending is not ideal
Solution Approach 1:
Positioning devices are positioned ahead of the bending tool in the conveyance path, allowing alignment to be performed before the glass sheet enters the bending zone. This preliminary positioning action ensures proper alignment is established prior to bending while maintaining relatively simple device architecture
Solution Approach 2:
The fluid pad assembly serves as an intermediary platform that enables positioning adjustments to be made before the glass sheet contacts the bending tool. By supporting the glass sheet in a controlled manner, the fluid pad allows for precise alignment operations without requiring complex mechanical positioning structures in direct contact with the glass
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
Enhances alignment precision, reduces optical distortion, and improves the quality of shaped glass sheets by minimizing contact with rollers, thereby improving the overall shaping process.
Implementation Method 1
supporting at least a portion of the glass sheet above the first bending tool by delivering a flow of fluid to a major surface of the glass sheet
Data Source
AI summary
A method of shaping a glass sheet includes providing a glass sheet. Also, a bending station is provided. The bending station includes a first bending tool. The first bending tool has a shaping surface for receiving the glass sheet. The glass sheet is conveyed on a plurality of rollers to a location above the first bending tool. At least a portion of the glass sheet is supported above the first bending tool by delivering a flow of fluid to a major surface of the glass sheet. The glass sheet is deposited on the shaping surface of the first bending tool.