Glass Sheet Edge Holding With Rotatable Contact Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing apparatuses struggle to hold and work on glass sheets with non-rectangular shapes, particularly at sharp or rounded vertices, leading to poor quality finished products, dimensional inaccuracies, surface damage, and breakage.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that utilize first and second gripping members to hold the sheet in sliding contact with lateral surfaces, with the work head and stabilizing device angularly oriented to maintain contact zones on the bisector of the angle between adjacent sides, allowing coordinated movement of the sheet and work head to ensure continuous contact and reduced vibrations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the stabilizing device uses a pair of jaws with idle wheels to hold the sheet, then the sheet can be stabilized during working, but the wheels lose contact with the sheet at corners of non-rectangular shapes, causing poor quality finished products
Solution Approach 1:
The stabilizing device is made rotatable about the work axis, allowing it to dynamically adjust its orientation. The device rotates to maintain contact with the sheet surface at varying angles, particularly at corners and edges of non-rectangular sheets, ensuring continuous stable holding throughout the working process
Solution Approach 2:
The stabilizing device is divided into multiple contact elements (first and second contact elements) that can be independently positioned. These segmented contact points allow the device to adapt to different sheet geometries and maintain contact at critical locations such as corners and edges
2Device complexity
If the work head is stationary during corner working, then the structure is simple, but the wheels cannot maintain contact with the sheet at sharp or rounded vertices, leading to breakage and surface damage
Solution Approach 1:
The work head is made rotatable about the work axis, transforming it from a stationary to a dynamic component. This rotation enables the stabilizing device to continuously track and maintain contact with the sheet surface at corners and edges, preventing sheet breakage and surface damage while adding minimal structural complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The stabilizing device is positioned and oriented in advance before the working operation begins. The device is pre-adjusted to the appropriate angle and contact pressure to ensure immediate and continuous contact with the sheet at critical locations during the working process
3Device complexity
If the gripping members contact the sheet at fixed positions, then the holding mechanism is simple, but contact is lost at corners requiring new insertion, causing interruptions and poor surface finish
Solution Approach 1:
The stabilizing device with multiple contact elements is made rotatable, allowing it to dynamically reposition itself during the working process. This rotation enables continuous contact with the sheet at corners and edges without requiring interruption for new insertion, maintaining working continuity and productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The rotatable stabilizing device with multiple contact elements serves multiple functions: it can contact the sheet at various positions, adapt to different sheet geometries, and maintain holding throughout the entire working cycle. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate mechanisms for different working scenarios
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 and stable working of non-rectangular glass sheets, minimizing mechanical stress and maintaining consistent contact, resulting in high-quality finished products without interruptions or discontinuities.
Implementation Method 1
first and second gripping members of a stabilizing device associated with a work head hold the sheet in a sliding manner contacting it in at least two respective contact zones which lie on the first and second lateral surface
Data Source
AI summary
Method for holding and performing work on a sheet is provided. Sheet has a first lateral surface, an opposing second lateral surface and a perimeter edge. The method includes: a step of holding the sheet, a step of working the perimeter edge and also a coordinated step of moving the sheet and/or a step of moving the work head.