Shape Stabilization Roller Configuration for Glass Ribbon Curvature Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing glass ribbon manufacturing apparatuses face challenges in stabilizing the direction of curvature without causing cracks, especially when the glass ribbon curves in an opposite direction to the expected one, due to the load applied by rollers with inclined axes.
Innovation Solution
A glass ribbon manufacturing apparatus with shape stabilization rollers, where at least one roller is positioned on one surface side and another on the opposite side, with inner support portions of the first roller positioned outside the outer support portions of the second roller, reducing the load on the glass ribbon and allowing it to be supported in a curved shape without nipping the glass ribbon between the rollers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If rollers with inclined axes are used to stabilize the glass ribbon shape, then the shape stability is improved, but the risk of generating cracks increases when the glass ribbon curves in the opposite direction
Solution Approach 1:
The support rollers are designed with adjustable inclination angles, allowing the system to adapt dynamically to different curvature directions of the glass ribbon. When the ribbon curves convex to the front side, the rollers incline in one direction; when it curves convex to the rear side, the inclination angle is adjusted accordingly. This dynamic adjustment prevents excessive load concentration that would cause cracks while maintaining shape stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The inclination angle parameter of the support rollers is changed based on the actual curvature state of the glass ribbon. By varying this parameter, the system optimizes the distribution of support forces to match the ribbon's curvature direction, thereby stabilizing the shape without applying excessive localized loads that could generate cracks.
2Ease of manufacture
If rollers with fixed inclined axes are used, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the glass ribbon cannot adapt to opposite curvature directions without cracking
Solution Approach 1:
Rather than using complex multi-axis adjustable rollers, the invention employs a simpler mechanism where the inclination angle of the rollers can be adjusted along a single axis. This maintains manufacturing simplicity while providing the necessary adaptability to handle both front-side and rear-side convex curvatures of the glass ribbon.
Solution Approach 2:
The support rollers are designed to perform multiple functions: they provide shape stabilization for both front-side and rear-side convex curvatures, and they can be adjusted to accommodate different curvature magnitudes. This universal design eliminates the need for separate roller sets for different curvature directions, maintaining manufacturing simplicity while achieving versatility.
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
This configuration effectively stabilizes the direction of curvature without generating cracks, even when the glass ribbon curves in an unexpected direction, ensuring the glass ribbon is annealed with a desired temperature distribution and reduced deformation.
Implementation Method 1
an annealing region for annealing the formed glass ribbon to remove an internal strain thereof
Implementation Method 2
a cooling region for cooling the glass ribbon being annealed to a vicinity of a room temperature
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a glass ribbon manufacturing apparatus in which at least one of support rollers configured to support both sides of a glass ribbon (G) in a width direction in an annealing region and a cooling region is a shape stabilization roller configured to stabilize a shape of the glass ribbon (G) curved in the width direction. The shape stabilization roller includes a first roller (11) arranged on one surface side of the glass ribbon (G) and a second roller (12) arranged on another surface side of the glass ribbon (G). Inner end portions (11c) of rollers (11a) of the first roller (11) are all positioned on an outer side, in the width direction, of outer end portions (12c) of rollers (12a) of the corresponding second roller (12) in the width direction.