Laser-Supported Glass Bending for Complex Shapes and Optical Quality
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing glass bending processes struggle to achieve complex pane geometries with high optical quality, particularly in continuous operations, due to limited control over temperature profiles and contact methods.
Innovation Solution
A method involving uniform pre-heating of glass sheets to softening temperature using conventional heating elements, followed by localized laser heating of specific areas to enhance malleability, combined with contact elements to shape the glass into desired geometries.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If glass is heated to bending temperature and held in the bending position, then the glass can be bent to the desired shape, but the glass may sag due to gravity and lose dimensional accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
A support member is introduced as an intermediary element between the glass and the bending fixture. This support member extends along the bottom surface of the glass at the bend location, providing mechanical support that counteracts gravitational sagging while allowing the glass to be heated and bent to the desired curvature without dimensional inaccuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The support member is designed with specific dimensional parameters (length, width, height) that are optimized to provide adequate support at the bend location. The support member's dimensions are selected to match the glass dimensions and bend requirements, ensuring proper support while maintaining the ability to achieve the target bend radius and shape
2Manufacturing precision
If a support member is added to prevent glass sagging, then bending dimension accuracy is maintained, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support member is designed to perform multiple functions: it provides mechanical support to prevent sagging, serves as a reference for positioning the glass during bending, and can be integrated with the heating and bending mechanisms. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The support member is positioned within and integrated with the existing bending device structure, nesting its function within the overall system. The support member works in conjunction with the heating element and bending fixture, with all components coordinated to achieve the bending operation in a integrated manner that minimizes overall device complexity
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
Enables the production of complex glass shapes with improved optical quality and reduced cycle times, suitable for industrial mass production, by enhancing malleability through localized laser heating and controlled shaping.
Implementation Method 1
A laser is used to heat glass to a bending temperature
Data Source
Figure 1(a)~1(c)
Figure 2(a)~2(c)
Figure 3~5
AI summary
The invention relates to a device for bending a glass pane (I), comprising - heating means (4) suitable for warming a glass pane (I) substantially uniformly at least to its softening temperature, - at least one contact means for shaping the glass pane (I), which means is suitable for influencing the shape of the warmed glass pane (I), - at least one laser (10) suitable for further increasing the temperature of a portion (B) of the glass pane (I), after warming the glass pane (I) with the heating means (4), before the shape of the glass pane (I) is influenced by the bending mould (5).