Movable Pin Glass Handling Device for Curved Pane Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

The challenge lies in precisely positioning thin glass panes with different curvatures and projection areas onto pre-bent thicker glass panes, which is difficult due to their susceptibility to breakage and differing compositions, making conventional bending methods energy-intensive and imprecise.

Innovation Solution

A device with movable picking up pins equipped with suction cups, adaptable to replicate the intended shape of the glass pane, allowing for independent movement and alignment to match the curvature of a pre-bent thicker glass pane, enabling precise alignment and shaping of thin glass panes before placement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Weight of moving object

If thin glass panes are used to reduce weight, then weight reduction is achieved, but susceptibility to breakage and handling difficulties increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveweight of glazingVSAvoidsusceptibility to breakage

Core Design Contradiction:

Weight of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical state and handling parameters of the thin glass pane by heating it to softening temperature, transforming it from a fragile solid state to a more pliable state that is easier to handle and shape without breaking

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The glass pane is pre-heated to softening temperature before the lamination process, preparing it in advance for easier handling and shaping operations, thereby reducing breakage risk during subsequent steps

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of manufacture

If thin glass panes with high softening temperatures are used, then chemical tempering suitability is improved, but bending energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvechemical tempering suitabilityVSAvoidbending energy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the heating process for softening the glass with the heating process for chemical tempering into a single thermal treatment step, thereby achieving both objectives without additional energy consumption for separate heating operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of manufacture

If thin and thick glass panes with different compositions are laminated, then cost and suitability for chemical tempering are improved, but bending in pairs becomes difficult or impossible

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecost and chemical tempering suitabilityVSAvoidbending compatibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the bending operation from the lamination process by pre-shaping the thin glass pane independently before lamination, thereby eliminating the need for simultaneous bending of dissimilar glass panes with different compositions and softening temperatures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Stability of the object's composition

If pre-bending of thicker glass pane is performed, then dimensional stability is improved, but projection area reduction causes positioning accuracy deterioration

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedimensional stabilityVSAvoidpositioning accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs optical sensors to detect the actual position and shape of the pre-bent thick glass pane, using this feedback information to dynamically adjust the positioning and shaping of the thin glass pane, thereby compensating for the projection area mismatch and achieving precise alignment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces mechanical positioning aids with optical sensing and control systems, allowing for non-contact, high-precision measurement and adjustment of glass pane positions, thereby overcoming the limitations imposed by different projection areas

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 method ensures precise alignment and improved edge flushness of composite glass panes by adapting the thin glass pane's geometry to match the thicker pane's curvature, reducing manufacturing tolerances and handling difficulties.

Implementation Method 1

whose end directed at the glass pane is equipped with a suction cup

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSuction: Suction

Implementation Method 2

the picking up pins are movable along their direction of extension independent of one another in order to adapt the arrangement of the suction cups to an intended shape of the glass pane

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS11572299B2Device and method for picking up, shaping, and placing a thin glass pane

Publication Date: 2023.02.07 SAINT GOBAIN SEKURIT FRANCE

AI summary

A device for picking up, shaping, and placing a thin glass pane, includes a frame with an upper side and a lower side, which is suitable to be directed at a glass pane with a thickness of less than 1 mm, and which is provided with a plurality of picking up pins that are arranged substantially parallel to one another and whose end directed at the glass pane is equipped with a suction cup, wherein the picking up pins are movable along their direction of extension independent of one another in order to adapt the arrangement of the suction cups to an intended shape of the glass pane.