Glass Plate Shape Prediction Using Universal Inspection Stand

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current shape inspection methods for glass plates, particularly for automotive windows, require simulation calculations for predicting shape data on actual inspection stands from universal inspection stands, which are time-consuming and resource-intensive, and often necessitate multiple inspection stands for different supporting points, leading to productivity and storage challenges.

Innovation Solution

A quality inspection method that calculates shape data using a computer program, allowing prediction of glass plate shapes on four-point supporting type actual measurement inspection stands from three-point supporting type universal inspection stands without simulation, employing weight patterns applied to all or specific supporting points, enabling efficient shape quality assessment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If simulation calculation is performed to predict shape data on actual inspection stands from universal inspection stands, then measurement precision is improved, but inspection time increases and productivity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveshape data prediction accuracyVSAvoidinspection throughput
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent pre-calculates and stores the relationship between universal inspection stand measurements and actual inspection stand measurements in a conversion table before inspection. This preliminary action eliminates the need for time-consuming simulation calculations during actual inspection, thereby maintaining measurement precision while significantly improving productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a conversion table that copies the complex simulation calculation results into a simplified lookup format. Instead of performing full simulation calculations during inspection, the system copies pre-computed conversion relationships that can be quickly applied to predict shape data on actual inspection stands from universal inspection stand measurements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

2Measurement precision

If multiple inspection stands with different supporting points are prepared for different product models, then measurement precision for various glass shapes is improved, but device complexity and storage space requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveshape inspection accuracy for different modelsVSAvoidnumber of inspection stands
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the universal inspection stand multi-functional by developing a conversion table that enables it to accurately inspect various glass plate shapes and models. Instead of requiring separate dedicated inspection stands for each product model, the universal stand with pre-stored conversion relationships can adapt to different inspection requirements, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the operational parameters of the universal inspection stand by storing multiple conversion relationships corresponding to different glass plate shapes and supporting point configurations. This allows the same physical inspection stand to function as multiple different inspection stands by changing which conversion relationship is applied, thereby reducing the need for multiple physical devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Manufacturing precision

If a gauge is used for shape inspection, then manufacturing precision is ensured, but the need for multiple gauges for different models increases storage space requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveglass plate shape accuracyVSAvoidstorage space for gauges
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal conversion table that can serve as a virtual gauge for multiple glass plate models and shapes. Instead of requiring physical storage of multiple large-scale gauges, the conversion table stored in computer memory provides the same manufacturing precision control function for all models, dramatically reducing storage space requirements while maintaining gauge functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP2400262B1Method for inspecting quality of a glass plate, method for measuring the shape of a glass plate and process for producing a glass plate
Publication Date: 2019.04.03 AGC INC
  • EP2400262B1 patent drawingFigure 1(a)~1(d)
  • EP2400262B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2400262B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention provides a quality inspection method of a glass plate, which can predict the shape of the glass plate on a four-point supporting type actual measurement inspection stand from the shape of the glass plate on a three-point supporting type universal actual measurement inspection stand. In the present invention, based on three types of design shape data C1, C2 and C3 of a glass plate in a state that it is placed on a three-point supporting type actual measurement inspection stand and an actual measurement shape data Y1 of the glass plate in a state that it is placed on the actual measurement inspection stand, virtual errors ΔC2=C2-C1, ΔC3=C3-C1 and ΔY1=Y1-C1 at four supporting points of the glass plate are calculated; the degree of agreement of signs between the vector ΔY1 and ΔC2 or ΔC3 is evaluated to judge which of the pattern of C2 and the pattern of C3 is close to Y1; the degree of movement of weight distribution is obtained from the ratio between ΔY1 and ΔC2 or ΔC3 to obtain the average of the ratios at the virtual four supporting points; according to the degree of movement of weight distribution, a correction amount R=r(C3-C1) of a weight distribution close to the pattern of C3 or a correction amount R=r(C2-C1) of a weight pattern close to the pattern of C2, is obtained; the correction amount R=r(C3-C1) or the correction amount R=r(C2-C1) is subtracted from Y1-C1 to calculate a value corresponding to a difference Y2-A between a shape data Y2 of the glass on a desired actual measurement inspection stand and a design data A on the desired actual measurement inspection stand; and from the value corresponding to a difference Y2-A and a quality standard, the quality of the glass plate is judged.