Automotive Glass Edge Scanning for Wear-Free Center Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automotive glass mounting systems face inaccuracies in aligning vehicle glass with the setting base due to dimensional variations and wear of alignment members, leading to incorrect positioning and increased friction.
Innovation Solution
An automotive glass setting apparatus with a scanning unit and moving mechanisms that adjust alignment units based on edge scans to accurately align the glass center with the setting base, minimizing contact and wear through the use of touch probes and fluid-driven alignment rods.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If alignment members repeatedly contact the edges of the vehicle glass to adjust position, then the glass can be aligned with the setting base, but friction causes severe wear of the alignment members leading to alignment failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical alignment mechanism with a vision-based alignment system. A camera captures images of the vehicle glass and setting base, and a controller calculates alignment based on image processing, eliminating the need for physical contact between alignment members and glass edges. This substitution of mechanical contact with optical measurement resolves the contradiction by maintaining alignment accuracy without causing wear to mechanical components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a visual copy (image) of the vehicle glass and setting base using a camera, then performs alignment calculations based on this copy rather than direct mechanical measurement. The alignment members are positioned based on image data without repeatedly contacting the glass, thus preserving both alignment precision and component longevity.
2Manufacturing precision
If alignment members move while contacting the vehicle glass to adjust position, then the glass center can be aligned with the setting base center, but dimensional variations of the glass cause misalignment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback-based alignment system where a camera continuously captures the position of the vehicle glass and setting base, the controller processes this visual information to calculate alignment deviations, and then adjusts the alignment members accordingly. This closed-loop feedback mechanism enables the system to adapt to dimensional variations in real-time, maintaining high positioning accuracy regardless of glass manufacturing tolerances.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamic alignment adjustment where the alignment members can move in multiple directions (horizontal and vertical) based on real-time image feedback. The system adapts its adjustment strategy according to the actual position and dimensional characteristics of each glass piece, rather than relying on fixed mechanical guides, thereby accommodating dimensional variations effectively.
3Manufacturing precision
If multiple alignment members are used to adjust glass position in horizontal and vertical directions, then accurate alignment is achieved, but the complexity of the alignment mechanism increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs alignment members that can perform multiple functions: they serve as both positioning elements and image reference features. The same alignment members that adjust glass position also provide visual markers for the camera to detect, eliminating the need for separate measurement fixtures and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining high alignment precision.
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
Ensures precise alignment of the glass center with the setting base, reducing wear and maintaining accuracy even with dimensional variations, allowing for accurate robotic mounting of the glass in vehicle bodies.
Implementation Method 1
a fluid supply line supplying fluid to the housing, and a fluid return line returning the fluid from the housing. As the fluid is supplied and returned to the housing, the alignment rod may move between an extended position in which the alignment rod protrudes from the housing and a retracted position in which the alignment rod is received in the housing
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is an automotive glass setting apparatus. The apparatus includes a setting base supporting a glass having a plurality of edges, and a plurality of alignment units allowing the glass to be aligned with the setting base. The apparatus further includes a scanning unit scanning the edges of the glass, and a plurality of moving mechanisms moving the plurality of alignment units. Additionally, the apparatus includes a controller controlling the moving mechanisms based on data scanned by the scanning unit to align a center of the glass with a center of the setting base.