Glass Plate Grinding Worktable Alternation

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing glass-plate working apparatuses experience interruptions in grinding due to the need to move the grinding head away from the worktable after each glass plate is processed, leading to reduced productivity.

Innovation Solution

A glass-plate working apparatus with two independently moving and angularly controlled grinding worktables that alternate positions with the grinding head, allowing continuous grinding operations while one worktable processes a glass plate and the other retrieves or delivers a new plate, ensuring the grinding head remains active without interruption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the grinding head moves away from the worktable after each glass plate is processed to allow plate delivery, then the glass plate can be delivered and received, but the grinding operation is interrupted and productivity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveglass plate delivery and receivingVSAvoidgrinding operation continuity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system is divided into two independent worktables (first and second worktables) that can operate independently. While one worktable is being used for grinding, the other worktable can simultaneously perform plate delivery and receiving operations, eliminating the need to interrupt grinding for plate handling.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The grinding head can continuously grind glass plates on one worktable without interruption because the other worktable handles plate delivery and receiving. This ensures continuous useful action (grinding) while plate handling occurs in parallel on the alternate worktable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

2Device complexity

If a single worktable is used for both grinding and plate delivery/receiving, then the device structure is simple, but grinding operations must be interrupted for plate handling

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveworktable configurationVSAvoidgrinding operation efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The single worktable is segmented into two separate worktables (first worktable and second worktable). Each worktable can independently hold and process glass plates, allowing one to be dedicated to grinding while the other handles plate delivery and receiving, thus eliminating operational interruptions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Two worktables are combined into a single integrated system sharing a common grinding head and control mechanism. This merging allows simultaneous grinding on one worktable while the other performs plate handling, achieving continuous operation without significantly increasing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Device complexity

If the grinding head remains fixed during plate delivery, then the device structure is simplified, but the grinding head cannot continue grinding during plate transfer

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegrinding head movement mechanismVSAvoidgrinding interruption time
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses two separate worktables that are independently positionable. While the grinding head grinds on one worktable, the other worktable can move to deliver and receive plates without requiring the grinding head to move, thus eliminating grinding interruptions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The next glass plate is pre-positioned on the second worktable before grinding is completed on the first worktable. This preliminary preparation allows immediate transition to grinding the next plate without interruption, as the plate is already in position when the current grinding cycle completes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3366418B1Glass plate machining apparatus
Publication Date: 2022.04.06 BANDO KIKO CO LTD
  • EP3366418B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3366418B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3366418B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A glass-plate working apparatus 1 includes a feeding section 7, a scribing and bend-breaking section 8, a grinding section 9, and a discharging section 10. The feeding section 7, the scribing and bend-breaking section 8, the grinding section 9, and the discharging section 10 are provided by being arranged from a right end R side toward a left end L side, and the scribing and bend-breaking section 8 is adapted to effect the formation of a scribe line on a glass plate 2 and the bend-breaking and separation of the glass plate 2 along the scribe line in a state in which the glass plate 2 is fixed as it is at the same position.