Glass Bending Device with Nested Molds and Suction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing glass bending methods are inefficient and prone to counterbending, especially in corners, and require multiple bending supports, which complicates the process and increases the risk of glass marking.
Innovation Solution
A compact device utilizing a combination of a blank mold and a pressing mold, where the glass is pre-bent on the blank mold and then pressed against an upper bending mold using a pressing mold with a wide contact track and suction system to achieve nearly instantaneous transfer and minimize marking risks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If multiple bending supports are used in a train, then the glass can be bent progressively, but the device complexity and process complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the blank mold and pressing mold into a single integrated bending support unit. The pressing mold is positioned within the contour of the blank mold, allowing both functions to be performed by one device rather than requiring multiple separate bending supports in a train. This merging reduces device complexity while maintaining the progressive bending capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressing mold is nested within the contour of the blank mold, with the pressing mold's contact track having a smaller width than the blank mold's contact track. This nested configuration allows the pressing mold to be contained within the spatial envelope of the blank mold, enabling the integrated design that reduces the number of separate components needed.
2Device complexity
If the contact track width is reduced, then the device complexity is reduced, but the risk of glass marking increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different contact track widths to different parts of the bending process. The blank mold has a wider contact track (3-90 mm) to distribute weight and reduce marking risk during the initial bending phase, while the pressing mold has a narrower contact track for precise shaping. This local differentiation of contact track widths optimizes both protection and functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The blank mold with its wider contact track performs preliminary bending action first, distributing the glass weight over a larger surface area before the pressing mold engages. This preliminary action reduces the risk of marking by the subsequent pressing operation, as the glass is already partially formed and the pressing mold can use a narrower, more precise contact track.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the glass is held firmly on the blank mold, then the glass position is preserved during lateral displacements, but the risk of glass marking increases
Solution Approach 1:
The wider contact track of the blank mold performs the preliminary function of distributing the glass weight and providing stable positioning during lateral displacements. By handling the heavy lifting of position stabilization first, the blank mold allows the pressing mold to use a narrower contact track that poses less marking risk, as the glass is already securely positioned.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the contact track width parameter between the two molds. The blank mold uses a wider contact track (3-90 mm) to maximize holding stability during lateral movements, while the pressing mold uses a narrower contact track. This parameter change allows optimal performance for each function without compromising the other.
4Device complexity
If the pressing mold has a narrow contact track, then the device complexity is reduced, but the holding force during high accelerations decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The blank mold with its wider contact track performs the preliminary action of providing strong holding force during lateral displacements and high accelerations. By the time the pressing mold engages, the glass is already securely positioned, allowing the pressing mold to use a narrower contact track without sacrificing overall holding force.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the holding function between two molds: the blank mold handles the primary holding and positioning function with its wider contact track during lateral movements, while the pressing mold handles the final shaping function with its narrower contact track. This segmentation of functions allows each mold to be optimized for its specific role.
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
This method allows for rapid and efficient bending of glass sheets with reduced risk of marking and counterbending, enabling the production of complex glass shapes with better optical quality by distributing the glass's weight over a larger surface and using suction to secure the glass during high accelerations.
Implementation Method 1
The contact track with the glass is then provided with orifices through which suction is exerted
Implementation Method 2
equipping said blank mold with the fibrous material coming into contact with the glass in order to soften the contact of the blank mold with the glass and to thermally insulate the glass from the mold
Implementation Method 3
a wide contact track, for example 25 mm or more, in particular a width in the range from 25 to 90 mm and preferably in the range from 50 to 90 mm, is preferred because this makes it possible to distribute the weight of the sheet of glass over a larger surface and therefore reduce the risk of marking the glass
Implementation Method 4
The pressing mold is intended to press a sheet of glass against an upper bending mold
Implementation Method 5
bending by pressing to exert a bending by gravity
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The invention concerns a device for bending glass sheets comprising an upper bending shape and a bending support, said upper bending shape and/or said bending support being laterally movable relative to each other, said bending support comprising a blank mould for bending a glass sheet by gravity and a pressing mould configured to press the glass sheet against said upper shape, one of said two moulds of the bending support being surrounded by the other, when viewed from above, at least one of said two moulds of the bending support being movable in a vertical direction relative to the other. The invention further relates to a bending method using said device.