Glass Sheet Orientation Detection Using Contact Stops

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

In industrial glass bending processes, existing methods struggle to accurately detect and correct the positioning and orientation of glass sheets, leading to increased scrap rates and glass breakage due to inadequate positioning control and misinterpretation of positioning errors.

Innovation Solution

A device with two stops that come into contact with the glass sheet, generating electrical signals to determine the orientation and position, allowing for automatic correction of the sheet's orientation as it is conveyed, ensuring optimal positioning for subsequent processing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Difficulty of detecting and measuring

If visual inspection is used to detect glass sheet positioning, then the detection method is simple, but the detection precision is insufficient leading to misinterpretation of positioning errors

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection simplicityVSAvoidpositioning detection precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Difficulty of detecting and measuringVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces visual inspection (mechanical/optical system) with an electrical sensing system comprising contact stops and electrical contacts. The stops make physical contact with the glass sheet edges to generate electrical signals, providing precise electronic detection of glass sheet position and orientation instead of relying on human visual judgment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Manufacturing precision

If frequent manual positioning corrections are made to improve glass sheet alignment, then the positioning precision may improve, but the glass breakage rate increases due to repeated handling

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveglass sheet positioning precisionVSAvoidglass breakage

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback control system where electrical contacts detect the actual position and orientation of each glass sheet, generate signals, and trigger automatic corrective actions by the conveying system. This closed-loop feedback eliminates the need for frequent manual interventions, thereby reducing glass breakage while maintaining positioning precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The conveying system is equipped with automatic positioning correction capabilities that self-regulate glass sheet alignment based on detection signals. The system automatically adjusts the orientation and position of glass sheets during conveyance without requiring external manual intervention, thereby preventing breakage from repeated handling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Measurement precision

If permanent continuous control is implemented to detect positioning drifts, then the measurement precision improves, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning detection precisionVSAvoidcontrol system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the detection function into discrete segments: multiple independent contact stops positioned at different locations, each with its own electrical contact. This segmentation allows the system to detect various positioning parameters (edge position, orientation, flatness) using simple, modular components rather than a single complex continuous sensing system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 solution enables precise and reliable detection and correction of glass sheet positioning, reducing scrap rates and glass breakage by ensuring accurate alignment with the bending tool, thereby improving the geometric conformity and stability of the glass sheets during the bending process.

Implementation Method 1

A device for detecting the position of a sheet of glass conveyed by a conveying means has now been developed comprising a stop to come into contact with the edge of the sheet of glass, said device delivering an electric signal when the sheet of glass is in contact with said abutment.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhysical contact detection:

Data Source

PatentEP3313793B1Device for conveying glass sheets and associated process

Publication Date: 2020.05.06 SAINT GOBAIN VITRAGE SA

Figure 1~2c
Figure 3
Figure 4

AI summary

The invention relates to a device for conveying glass sheets following one after another comprising a means for conveying the glass sheets in the longitudinal direction and a device for detecting the orientation of a glass sheet comprising two stops both intended to make contact with the edge face of the glass sheet, said detecting device delivering an electrical signal relating to each contact with each stop, said electrical signals being coupled to an acquiring system allowing the time between the contacts of the glass sheet with each stop to be established. The invention also relates to a device and method for curving glass sheets comprising the conveying device.