Vertical Glass Sheet Conveyance Stabilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conveying glass sheets in a vertical posture with direction changes is hindered by swinging due to air resistance and inertial forces, leading to slowed conveyance and increased risk of breakage, affecting manufacturing efficiency across various glass sheet production methods.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that support the lower part of the glass sheet from the forward side during direction changes, using a rotatable roller and shock-absorbing mechanism to stabilize the glass sheet, allowing immediate continuation of conveyance in the new direction, and guiding it through elongated slit openings with narrowing guide gaps to reduce contact and shock.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the glass sheet is conveyed in a vertical posture with direction change, then the glass sheet can be transported through the manufacturing process, but the lower part swings due to air resistance and inertial force, causing conveyance to slow down and increasing breakage risk
Solution Approach 1:
A support portion is introduced as an intermediary element between the glass sheet and the conveying system. This support portion temporarily supports the lower part of the glass sheet during direction change, acting as a mediator that prevents swinging caused by air resistance and inertial force, thereby maintaining conveyance speed without increasing breakage risk
2Ease of operation
If the glass sheet is conveyed in a vertical posture with direction change, then the glass sheet can be transported through the manufacturing process, but the lower part swings due to air resistance and inertial force, increasing the risk of breakage
Solution Approach 1:
The support portion serves as a protective intermediary that prevents direct exposure of the glass sheet to destabilizing forces during direction change. By supporting the lower part from the forward side, it eliminates the swinging motion that would otherwise lead to breakage, thereby improving reliability without compromising conveyance capability
3Reliability
If waiting is required at a direction changing position until the posture of the glass sheet is stabilized, then breakage can be prevented, but it takes time to restart conveyance, making it difficult to increase conveyance speed
Solution Approach 1:
The support portion is positioned in advance at the direction changing location to provide immediate support when the glass sheet arrives. This preliminary positioning eliminates the need for waiting and stabilization periods, allowing continuous conveyance at high speed while still preventing breakage through the pre-positioned support mechanism
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 approach enhances the conveyance speed of glass sheets in a vertical posture by stabilizing the glass sheet during direction changes, reducing the risk of breakage and warpage, particularly for thin sheets, while maintaining a stable posture and preventing dust entry between chambers.
Implementation Method 1
a lower part of the glass sheet, which is conveyed along the direction perpendicular to the main surface, easily swings like a pendulum due to an influence of air resistance, inertial force, or the like
Implementation Method 2
a lower part of the glass sheet, which is conveyed along the direction perpendicular to the main surface, easily swings like a pendulum due to an influence of air resistance, inertial force, or the like
Implementation Method 3
a contact portion of the support portion to be brought into contact with the glass sheet comprise a roller that is rotatable so as to feed the glass sheet in the second direction
Implementation Method 4
the support portion comprise a shock absorbing mechanism. With this, contact shock generated when the support portion comes into contact with the glass sheet is absorbed
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a method of manufacturing a glass sheet, which comprises a conveying step of conveying a glass sheet (G3) by holding an upper part of the glass sheet (G3) in a vertical posture. The conveying step comprises a first conveying step of conveying the glass sheet (G3) in a first direction along a direction perpendicular to a main surface of the glass sheet (G3), and a second conveying step of conveying the glass sheet (G3) in a second direction along a direction parallel to the main surface after the first conveying step. When a conveying direction of the glass sheet is changed from the first direction to the second direction, a lower part of the main surface (G3y) is supported by a roller (41) of a support portion (4) from a forward side in the conveying direction of the glass sheet (G3) conveyed in the first direction.