Rod-Shaped Glass Preform Support with Punctiform Contact
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for supporting glass preforms suffer from large contact areas that lead to uneven heating, high manufacturing complexity and cost, and limited adaptability to different shapes and sizes, resulting in undesirable temperature gradients and warping during thermal treatment.
Innovation Solution
A device with rod-shaped and inverted U-shaped support elements featuring punctiform upper ends, minimizing contact surface area and allowing for adjustable and customizable support configurations to ensure homogeneous thermal treatment and secure positioning of glass preforms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a ring-shaped or semi-ring-shaped support surface is used to support the glass preform, then the glass preform can be securely held and supported, but the contact area becomes very large which shields the gob during thermal treatment and causes uneven temperature distribution
Solution Approach 1:
The support surface is divided into multiple discrete contact points (at least three separate contact points) instead of a continuous ring-shaped surface. This segmentation reduces the shaded area during thermal treatment while maintaining stable support of the glass preform through distributed contact points.
Solution Approach 2:
The support structure transitions from a two-dimensional ring-shaped surface to a three-dimensional arrangement of discrete contact points. This dimensional change allows the support function to be maintained while significantly reducing the contact area that shields the glass preform during thermal treatment.
2Reliability
If a ring-shaped or semi-ring-shaped support surface is used, then the glass preform can be supported, but the device requires very precise manufacturing and highly temperature-stable materials to prevent warping, increasing manufacturing complexity and cost
Solution Approach 1:
The support function is achieved through discrete contact points rather than a continuous ring-shaped surface. This segmentation reduces the requirements for manufacturing precision and temperature stability, as each individual contact point can be simpler in structure and easier to manufacture while collectively providing stable support.
3Reliability
If a ring-shaped or semi-ring-shaped contact surface is used, then the glass preform can be supported, but the geometry is designed only for a specific type and size of glass preform, making it impossible to adapt to other shapes and sizes
Solution Approach 1:
The support device uses a universal arrangement of discrete contact points that can accommodate various shapes and sizes of glass preforms. The at least three separate contact points can be positioned to support different geometries, making the device adaptable to multiple types of glass preforms rather than being designed for a single specific type.
Solution Approach 2:
The support structure allows for adjustable positioning of the contact points, enabling the device to adapt dynamically to different shapes and sizes of glass preforms. This flexibility in arranging the discrete contact points provides versatility across various application types.
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 device significantly reduces shading and pressure on the glass preform, enabling more uniform heating and cooling, simplifying production, and accommodating various glass preform geometries, thus improving the quality of the finished glass objects.
Implementation Method 1
heat transfer from the glass to the rod is said to be negligible, thereby preventing 'local contractions' of the glass and thus any potential risk of breakage
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a device (10) for supportingly holding, and optionally moving, a glass preform (20), such as a gob, wherein the device (10) has a carrier device (30), at least one rod-shaped support element (40), which during operation is substantially vertically aligned, wherein, at its upper end, the rod-shaped support element (40) opens into at least one point-shaped upwardly directed support surface (50); and/or the device has at least one support element which during operation is substantially vertically aligned, has a substantially inverted U-shape, and has a support surface which is upwardly directed and connects the substantially vertically extending vertical portions of the support element.