Tilting Device for Laminated Glass Cropping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for cropping laminated glass, such as bending or traction, are either inefficient or require complex and expensive machinery, leading to prolonged working times and high costs.

Innovation Solution

A tilting device with two rows of suckers supported by pivoted frames and a lifting/lowering mechanism using a fluid-operated cylinder and U-shaped members, allowing for simultaneous and effective bending of the glass sheet around the cut region.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If bending of the sheet is done by means of two series of suckers with downward bending cycles, then the intermediate layer of plastic material can be broken, but the bending is often insufficient to achieve immediate separation of the two parts, requiring ancillary activities that lengthen working times

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebreakage of intermediate layerVSAvoidworking time
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The invention introduces a tilting mechanism that dynamically changes the orientation of the suckers from vertical to inclined positions. This dynamic adjustment allows the suckers to apply bending force at an angle, enabling more effective bending cycles that achieve complete separation without requiring additional ancillary operations, thus reducing working time while maintaining breakage precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Manufacturing precision

If traction of the two parts of the cut sheet is achieved with gripping means and moving means, then effective separation is obtained, but the machine becomes relatively complex and expensive

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseparation of sheet partsVSAvoidmachine complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the complex traction and moving means from the system and replaces them with a simplified tilting mechanism. By removing the unnecessary gripping and moving components, the device achieves effective separation through a much simpler structure, thereby reducing machine complexity and cost while maintaining separation effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces the complex mechanical traction system with a hydraulic tilting mechanism. This substitution uses hydraulic pressure to control the tilting motion of the suckers, eliminating the need for complex gripping means and moving mechanisms, thus reducing device complexity while maintaining effective separation capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Device complexity

If a single actuator is used for all movements in the tilting device, then cost and complexity are reduced, but the mechanism must be designed to achieve simultaneous tilting of both frames

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of actuatorsVSAvoidmechanism design
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention designs a single actuator that performs multiple functions: it controls the tilting of both frames simultaneously and handles all movements required for the cropping process. This multi-functional design reduces the number of actuators to one while maintaining ease of manufacture through symmetric frame structures that respond equally to the single actuator's movements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 achieves efficient bending of laminated glass sheets with reduced complexity and cost, using a single actuator for all movements, and is structurally simple and easy to use, thereby improving cropping efficiency and reducing production costs.

Implementation Method 1

two series of suckers, which are designed to adhere to the inner face of the sheet in proximity to the cutting line

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSuction: Suction

Implementation Method 2

The bars 15 and 16 both rest on same means 23 for the alternating lifting and lowering of such bars

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydraulic actuation: Hydraulic Press

Data Source

PatentEP2493823B1Tilting device for cropping a sheet of laminated glass
Publication Date: 2018.05.16 2M SRL
  • EP2493823B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2493823B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2493823B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

A tilting device (10) for cropping a sheet of laminated glass, comprising two side-by-side rows (11, 12) of suckers (13, 14), each supported by a bar (15, 16) of a frame (18, 19) which is pivoted, on the opposite side with respect to the suckers, to a supporting structure (20), the bars (15, 16) both resting on the same means (23) for the alternating lifting and lowering of the bars (15, 16), which are adapted to produce the simultaneous alternating tilting of both of the frames (18, 19) and of the corresponding rows (11, 12) of suckers.