Vertical Glass Plate Processing Line with Fluid Support

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional glass substrate processing methods face challenges with larger and thinner glass plates, which are prone to breakage due to weight deflection and reactive forces, requiring increased installation space and costs, and making it difficult to quickly change processing lines.

Innovation Solution

A modular vertical processing line with conveyance devices that support glass plates in an upright position using fluid guides, allowing for non-contact support and enabling scribing, venting, washing, and chamfering without compromising quality, while reducing installation space and facilitating line changes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If glass plates are processed in horizontal position using conventional belt conveyors, then processing can be performed, but larger and thinner glass plates break due to deflection from their own weight and reactive forces from structural members

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveglass plate integrityVSAvoiddeflection and reactive forces

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional horizontal processing approach by processing glass plates in a vertical position. This inversion eliminates the deflection problems caused by gravity acting on large, thin plates and removes reactive forces from horizontal structural members. The vertical orientation allows plates to be supported from below without surface contact, preventing the harmful forces that cause breakage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical belt conveyor system with a fluid-based support system. Instead of mechanical contact through belts and structural members, the glass plates are supported by an upward fluid flow (air or water) that counteracts gravity. This substitution eliminates reactive forces from mechanical structural members while maintaining reliable plate support and transport.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of manufacture

If glass plates are processed in horizontal position, then processing can be performed, but installation area and apparatus size increase, resulting in increased cost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing capabilityVSAvoidinstallation area

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from horizontal (2D plane) processing to vertical (3D space) processing. By utilizing the vertical dimension, the apparatus achieves compact footprint with reduced installation area. The vertical arrangement allows processing operations to be stacked vertically rather than spread horizontally, significantly reducing the ground space required while maintaining full processing capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Reliability

If processing units are fixedly mounted, then stable processing can be performed, but it is difficult to change the line quickly depending on how the plate material is processed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing stabilityVSAvoidline reconfigurability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a dynamic, modular processing line where processing units can be easily repositioned and reconfigured. Instead of fixed mounting, the system uses movable platforms and adjustable positioning mechanisms that allow rapid reconfiguration for different plate sizes and processing requirements while maintaining stable processing through controlled positioning and support.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 modular vertical processing line effectively processes large and thin glass substrates without quality deterioration, saving installation space and enabling efficient line reconfiguration, thus improving productivity and reducing costs.

Implementation Method 1

a fluid guide that is mounted on the platform and is configured to apply a fluid pressure to a surface of the plate material to support the plate material in the substantially upright position and in a non-contact state

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid pressure: Pressure Increase

Data Source

PatentUS7891066B2Plate material vertical processing line

Publication Date: 2011.02.22 KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KK

AI summary

A plate material vertical processing line that is capable of subjecting large-sized and thinned glass plates to scribing, venting, etc without degrading their quality, comprises a plurality of processing devices each having a modular structure; wherein each of the processing devices includes a platform; a belt conveyor that is mounted on the platform and is configured to convey a glass plate placed in a substantially upright position while supporting a lower end of the glass plate; and a fluid guide that is mounted on the platform and is configured to apply a fluid pressure to a surface of the glass plate to support the glass plate in the substantially upright position and in a non-contact state; and wherein the processing devices include a combination of at least two processing devices selected from a scribing device, a venting device, a chamfering device, a cleaning agent washing device, a water washing device, a high-pressure water spray device, and a glass plate turn device.