Lift Device Inner Jet Sequencing for Glass Forming
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing glass processing systems face challenges in efficiently lifting and bending glass sheets to achieve tight shape tolerances and improved optics, as current methods often result in gas flow between the glass and the mold, inhibiting precise forming.
Innovation Solution
A lift device with a gas lift jet array featuring peripheral and inner lift jet outlets, where the inner outlets are operated before the peripheral outlets to lift the glass sheet, preventing gas flow between the glass and the mold, and the lift jet outlets are angled to facilitate precise lifting and bending.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If gas lift jet array is used to lift glass sheet, then lifting efficiency is improved, but gas flows between glass and mold inhibiting precise forming
Solution Approach 1:
The gas lift jet array is segmented into multiple zones (first plurality and second plurality) with different outlet configurations. The first zone has outlets angled toward the mold to prevent gas leakage, while the second zone has outlets angled away to lift glass edges. This segmentation allows simultaneous achievement of precise forming and lifting efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the gas lift jet array have different outlet angles tailored to local requirements. The first plurality of outlets (local region near mold contact area) are angled toward the mold to seal and prevent gas leakage, while the second plurality of outlets (local region at glass edges) are angled away to provide lifting force. This local quality differentiation resolves the contradiction between lifting efficiency and forming precision.
2Ease of operation
If peripheral lift jet outlets are operated first, then glass sheet lifting is facilitated, but gas flows between glass and mold preventing tight shape tolerances
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by first operating the first plurality of outlets to create a gas seal between the glass and mold, preventing gas leakage. Only after this sealing action is established does the system operate the second plurality of outlets to lift the glass edges. This preliminary sealing action ensures that subsequent lifting does not cause gas interference, maintaining tight shape tolerances while facilitating ease of operation.
3Manufacturing precision
If inner lift jet outlets are operated before peripheral outlets, then gas flow control is improved, but lifting sequence complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system implements preliminary action by activating the first plurality of outlets (inner outlets near the mold) before the second plurality of outlets (peripheral outlets). This sequencing ensures that the gas seal is established first, providing precise gas flow control. While this introduces sequential control complexity, the automated control system manages this complexity efficiently, and the benefit of improved gas flow control and shape tolerance precision outweighs the control sequence 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
The solution enables efficient and precise lifting and bending of glass sheets, ensuring tight shape tolerances and improved optics by controlling gas flow to prevent interference between the glass and the mold, thereby enhancing the glass processing system's performance.
Implementation Method 1
each lift jet outlet is operable to allow gas to flow toward the glass sheet
Data Source
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AI summary
A lift device for lifting a glass sheet in a glass processing system includes a lift jet array having peripheral lift jet outlets and inner lift jet outlets disposed inwardly of the peripheral lift jet outlets. Furthermore, each lift jet outlet is operable to allow gas to flow toward the glass sheet. The lift device also includes a control unit for controlling operation of the lift jet outlets, and the control unit is configured to commence operation of at least one of the inner lift jet outlets prior to commencing operation of at least one of the peripheral lift jet outlets.