Shimming Elements for Glass Plane Centering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Manual installation of glass in voids, such as in walls or cars, is time-consuming and often results in inaccurate centering.
Innovation Solution
A device with a frame having suction devices and positioning components, along with shimming elements, is used to automatically center and shift the glass plate within an opening, ensuring precise alignment and installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If manual centering process is used, then installation can be performed with simple tools, but installation time increases and accuracy decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a frame device with shimming elements as an intermediary tool between the installer and the glass panel. The shimming elements automatically adjust and center the glass in the void, eliminating the need for time-consuming manual adjustments while achieving precise centering accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The shimming elements are designed to automatically self-adjust and self-center the glass panel within the void. The mechanism allows the glass to be automatically positioned and centered without requiring continuous manual intervention, thereby reducing installation time while maintaining high precision.
2Productivity
If manual installation method is used, then device complexity remains low, but installation accuracy and efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The frame device is segmented into multiple independent components including first and second parts of the frame, multiple suction devices, positioning components, and shimming elements. This segmentation allows each component to perform a specific function independently, improving overall installation efficiency while keeping individual components relatively simple and manageable.
3Measurement precision
If shimming elements are introduced to improve positioning accuracy, then glass centering precision improves, but device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The shimming elements are integrated and merged with the frame structure, where the first and second parts of the frame work together with the shimming elements as a unified system. This merging approach achieves precise glass positioning while avoiding the need for separate, complex positioning mechanisms, thereby limiting the increase in 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
The solution significantly reduces installation time and improves accuracy by using suction devices and shimming elements to position and level the glass plate, preventing issues like gasket pinching and ensuring proper alignment with the vehicle roof surface.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of first suction devices connected to the first part of the frame, the first suction devices positioned so as to contact a glass plane. Also included in the device is a plurality of second suction devices connected to the second part of the frame, the second suction devices positioned so as to contact a body having an opening
Data Source
AI summary
A device that includes a frame having a first part and a second part and a plurality of first suction devices connected to the first part of the frame, the first suction devices positioned so as to contact a glass plane. Also included in the device is a plurality of second suction devices connected to the second part of the frame, the second suction devices positioned so as to contact a body having an opening to receive the glass plane. A plurality of positioning components that position the frame with respect to the opening in the body, the positioning components connected to the first part of the frame and a plurality of shimming elements that move down between the glass plane and the opening and shift the glass plane forward, the shimming elements connected to the first part of the frame are as included in the device.