Glass Processing Installation with Sensor-Based Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing glass processing installations are not fully optimized due to complexity, requiring human assessment for quality control and lacking automated feedback for process adjustments, leading to suboptimal production efficiency and quality.

Innovation Solution

An installation with integrated sensors and a control device that uses measured variables from different processing steps to adjust and optimize cutting, breaking, and grinding operations, allowing for continuous quality control and process optimization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If human assessment and measurement are used for quality control, then quality can be determined after processing, but the installation cannot be optimized in real-time and production efficiency is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveglass qualityVSAvoidproduction efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements automated feedback systems using sensors (optical, acoustic, force) that continuously monitor processing parameters and provide real-time feedback to the control device. This enables the installation to automatically adjust cutting, breaking, and grinding parameters during production, eliminating the need for post-processing human quality assessment and enabling real-time optimization without reducing production speed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual human assessment and measurement with automated sensor systems and control algorithms. Optical sensors, acoustic sensors, and force sensors automatically detect and evaluate glass quality parameters during processing, substituting the mechanical human inspection process with electronic measurement and control systems that operate continuously at full production speed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If multiple sensors and control systems are integrated, then real-time optimization is enabled, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction efficiencyVSAvoidinstallation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a centralized control device that integrates multiple sensor inputs (optical, acoustic, force) and controls various processing functions (cutting, breaking, grinding) through a single unified system. This multi-functional control architecture reduces overall system complexity by consolidating what would otherwise be separate control systems into one integrated platform that manages all sensing and actuation functions.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines multiple measurement functions (optical detection, acoustic monitoring, force measurement) and control functions into a single integrated installation. The control device merges data from various sensors and coordinates multiple processing steps (cutting, breaking, grinding) in one unified system, reducing the complexity that would arise from having separate independent systems for each function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If automated measurement and control are implemented, then real-time process adjustment is possible, but initial device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvequality controlVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements closed-loop feedback control where sensors continuously measure processing parameters and quality characteristics, and the control device automatically adjusts processing parameters based on this feedback. This automated feedback mechanism ensures consistent quality control and reliable process adjustment without requiring complex manual intervention systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The installation performs self-monitoring and self-adjustment through integrated sensors and control algorithms. The system automatically detects deviations in processing parameters or quality characteristics and corrects them without external intervention, enabling reliable quality control while keeping the control system architecture relatively simple through autonomous operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP4355699B1Installation for producing at least one useful part from a glass pane
Publication Date: 2025.10.29 GLASTON SWITZERLAND AG
  • EP4355699B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4355699B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4355699B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The installation for producing at least one useful part (N) from a glass pane (G) by means of processing steps, which include cutting, breaking and grinding, comprises a cutting device having at least one cutting tool, a breaking device having at least one breaking tool, a grinding device having at least one grinding tool, a measuring device for generating measurement signals that comprise a first measured variable and at least one of a second, third, fourth and fifth measured variable, and a control device (100-103) with which the measurement signals can be received in order to form measurement data from the measured variables. The respective measured variable can be detected during the execution of one of the processing steps or specifies a process parameter of at least one component of the device or defines a state parameter of at least part of the glass pane. The control device is configured to form correction signals based on the measurement data, with which correction signals at least one of the devices can be controlled in an adapted manner during processing of the glass pane and/or the useful part and/or during processing of a subsequent glass pane and/or useful part.