Glass Sheet Press Bending With Local Cooling for Uniform Lamination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for shaping glass sheets for laminated glazing often result in non-uniform lamination gaps and increased lamination stresses when different bending processes are used for the inner and outer plies, leading to undesirable properties in the final laminated glazing.
Innovation Solution
A method involving deliberate cooling of a portion of the glass sheet during shaping, using jets of fluid, preferably air, to increase compressive surface stress and enhance uniformity, which is followed by annealing or cooling to achieve desired stress levels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If different bending processes are used for inner and outer plies, then individual stress characteristics can be optimized, but lamination gaps become non-uniform and lamination stresses increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by selectively cooling specific regions of the glass sheet during the bending process. By directing cooling fluid to particular areas, the glass develops localized stress patterns that can be optimized for both individual ply performance and uniform lamination gaps when the plies are joined.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes physical parameters during the bending process by controlling the temperature distribution through selective cooling. By adjusting cooling rates and patterns, the glass transitions through different thermal states that result in desired stress characteristics and dimensional stability for uniform lamination.
2Manufacturing precision
If selective cooling is applied during shaping, then compressive surface stress is increased and lamination uniformity improves, but process complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses pneumatic or hydraulic cooling systems to deliver cooling fluid to the glass sheet during shaping. This approach provides controlled, selective cooling through fluid delivery mechanisms that can be directed to specific regions, achieving uniform lamination results without requiring complex mechanical cooling apparatus.
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
The method increases compressive surface stress in the cooled portion of the glass sheet, improving lamination uniformity and reducing lamination stresses, resulting in a laminated glazing with enhanced properties.
Implementation Method 1
A method involving deliberate cooling of a portion of the glass sheet during shaping, using jets of fluid, preferably air
Implementation Method 2
a heating step for heating the glass sheet to a temperature suitable for shaping
Implementation Method 3
which is followed by annealing or cooling to achieve desired stress levels
Data Source
AI summary
A method of shaping a glass sheet includes heating the glass sheet to a temperature for shaping, positioning the glass sheet on a shaping support, and shaping the glass sheet on the shaping support, wherein during the shaping of the glass sheet at least one portion of the glass sheet is deliberately cooled. The shaping of the glass sheet involves press bending a heat softened glass sheet between a lower shaping support and an upper shaping member, wherein during the shaping of the glass sheet on the shaping support only a portion of the major surface of the glass sheet facing the lower shaping support is cooled by directing one or more jets of air onto said portion.