Vehicle Glazing Bending Method for Complex Curvature
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for bending glass panes to achieve complex geometries, such as those required for modern vehicle windshields, are limited by the inability to combine edge and surface bending processes effectively in a single manufacturing process, restricting the realization of target disc geometries with complex radii of curvature.
Innovation Solution
A method that combines edge and surface bending of glass panes using a pre-bending ring and a subsequent end bending ring, where the panes are heated to the softening temperature and bent using a suction device with a counter-skeleton, allowing for precise control of curvature and angle, enabling the creation of complex geometries with vertical and horizontal radii of curvature suitable for vehicle windshields.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a single bending process is used for glass panes, then the manufacturing process is simple, but complex geometries with both edge and surface bends cannot be realized
Solution Approach 1:
The bending process is divided into two distinct stages: edge bending followed by surface bending. The edge bending device first forms the peripheral edges of the glass pane, then the surface bending device acts on the entire surface to achieve the final complex geometry. This segmentation allows each device to specialize in one type of bending while combining to produce complex shapes that neither could achieve alone.
2Manufacturing precision
If separate bending processes are combined for edge and surface bending, then complex geometries can be achieved, but the manufacturing process becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The edge bending device and surface bending device are merged into a single integrated system that processes the glass pane in sequence. The edge bending device prepares the pane by forming edges, then the surface bending device continues the process on the same pane without removal or intermediate handling. This merging reduces operational complexity while achieving complex geometries through coordinated action of both devices.
3Manufacturing precision
If multiple bending processes are used to achieve complex geometries, then the target disc geometry can be realized, but the production time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The edge bending process performs preliminary shaping of the glass pane edges before the surface bending process begins. By pre-forming the edge geometry first, the subsequent surface bending operation can focus solely on achieving the final surface curvature and overall shape, reducing the total time required compared to performing multiple complete bending cycles or attempting complex geometries in a single prolonged process.
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
Enables the production of vehicle glazing with complex surface and edge bends, optimizing aerodynamics and reducing noise, while allowing for the use in transmission optics and head-up displays, by achieving precise control over the final geometry of the glass panes.
Implementation Method 1
the panes are heated to the softening temperature
Implementation Method 2
bent using a suction device with a counter-skeleton, allowing for precise control of curvature and angle
Implementation Method 3
the glass pane is bent along the geometry specified by the jump ring with the help of gravity acting on the heated glass pane
Data Source
Figure 1A~1E
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to vehicle glazing, comprising at least one windowpane (1), which has a windowpane height from 900 mm to 1650 mm, an top upper edge (1c), an A-pillar edge (1e), a body edge (1f), and two rectangular surfaces A and B, wherein the surface A has an extent of 800 mm * 800 mm and the surface B has an extent of 1000 mm * 700 mm and surface A and surface B are centrally bounded by the lowest contact point (1a) of the windowpane (1) with the body edge (1f) horizontally with respect to the ground, and the lowest contact point (1a) and the point of the top upper edge (1c) at the shortest distance from the contact point (1a) form a Y0 axis and the points at the furthest distance with respect to the width of the windowpane (1) form a Z0 axis, wherein the windowpane (1) has a. vertical radii of curvature from 18 m to 2 m and horizontal radii of curvature from 10 m to 1.5 in the region of the surface A, b. vertical radii of curvature in the range from 18 m to 3 m and horizontal radii of curvature from 10 m to 0.8 m in the region of the surface B, c. the curvature of the windowpane (1) along Y0 at the boundary with the top upper edge (1c) corresponds to a first tangent (1b), wherein the first tangent forms an angle a (alpha) from -10° to 15° from the top surface (19), the curvature of the windowpane (1) at the boundary of the windowpane (1) with the A-pillar (1e) corresponds to a second tangent (1d), wherein the second tangent forms an angle ß (beta) from 28° to 70° from Z0.