FI120037B - Curved support structure for bending and / or tempering glass sheets - Google Patents

Description

Curved support structure in the bending and / or tempering section of glass sheets

The invention relates to a curved support structure in a bending 5 and / or tempering section of glass sheets, which support structure includes a plurality of articulated bodies fastened to each other by articulated shafts, and steering link mechanisms between the articulated bodies that direct the support structure to bend at a constant radius.

Such a support structure is known from the applicant's patent publication EP-1 385 795. This support structure has proven to be very useful. It is an object of the invention to further develop this support structure so that even long support structures can be precisely bent to a constant radius arc by simple and inexpensive actuators, without the joints becoming a nuisance or even being used to make very small intentional cuts.

This object is achieved by the invention on the basis of the features set forth in claim 1. Preferred embodiments of the invention are disclosed in the dependent claims 20.

In the following, the invention will be illustrated by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a side view of the support structure according to the invention and its bending apparatus;

Figure 2 is a side elevational view of a portion of the support structure; and FIG. 3 shows the support structure of FIG. 2, straightened.

2

Fig. 1 shows the support structure 4 of the bending conveyor on the left side of the vertical line 6 and the support structure 5 of the hardening conveyor on the right side. The support structures 4, 5 are interconnected without mechanical coupling at the joint 6a, whereupon the support structures 4 and 5 can be detached. The pivot point 6a between the support structures 5 and 4 is held in place so that by raising and lowering the initial end of the support structure 4 and the end of the support structure 5, the support structure is brought to the desired curve and straight. The support structures 4 and 5 support the conveyor rolls of the bending conveyor and the tempering conveyor. The support structures 4 and 5 include articulated bodies 9 on both sides of the conveyors, i.e. at both ends of the rolls, to which the bearings of the conveyor rollers are attached. The articulated bodies 9, in turn, are interconnected by the articulation mechanism shown in Figures 2 and 3, which forces the articulated bodies to pivot relative to one another when the support structure 4, 5 is curved. Each articulation mechanism associated with the articulated body 9 comprises three articulated arms 1, 2, 3, each of which engages three ni-15 articulated bodies 9 so that the articulated bodies 9 are forced to pivot with one another, thereby bending the entire support structure to a constant radius. The arrangement of the pivot points of the articulated arms 1, 2, 3 is described in more detail in EP-A-1 385 795 (B1) and is not further described herein.

20

Fig. 1 shows a servo motor 10 which, via a coupling, drives a ball screw 10a, which in turn pushes and / or pivots a lever arm 11 on which the support structure formed by the articulated bodies 9 rests. The radius of curvature R1 of the support structure 4 is adjustable by the servomotor 10.

25

The bending mechanism of the quenching conveyor support structure 5 includes a servo motor SM1 and a ball screw 12a driven by it which, through the arms 12b, curves the bridge formed by the articulated bodies 9 and at the same time the conveyor supported by the support structure 5. The arms 12b engage a short distance from the ends of the field 5 of the support 30. The second servomotor SM2 drives the ball screws 17 at the angular gear 16 which engage the opposite outer ends of the support structure 5. The functions of the SM1 and SM2 servo motors are synchronized with an electric gearbox 3 so that they bend the support structure 5 to the same radius of curvature. When the different servomotors SM1 and SM2 curve at different sections of the support structure 5, the advantage is obtained that the inaccuracies in the curvature of the support structure 5 and its carrier 5 caused by the wear of the joints are eliminated. In particular, the curvature of the middle region and the ends can be maintained.

In the preferred embodiment shown, the first partial length of the support structure 5 to be bent is in the middle region of the support structure and the second part length in the end regions of the support structure 10. Preferably, said support structure 5 is a tempering conveyor support structure which is typically longer than a bending conveyor support structure 4. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the tempering conveyor support structure 5 is preceded by a bending conveyor support structure 4 having its own separate servo drive 10; When the end of the support structure 4 remains stationary and the end end is raised by the servo 10, the play of the articulation mechanisms can also be controlled so that the support structure 4 is always bent with the desired radius of curvature.

Claims (4)

1. A support structure (5) to be bent in a bend, in a bending and / or curing section for glass sheets, said support structure having a plurality of 5 hinge members (9) attached to each other by hinge shafts (9a), and between the hinge members (9) provided guide control mechanisms (1, 2, 3) which guide the support structure (5) to bend in a constant radius bead, characterized in that the first pitch of the support structure (5) is arranged to bend with a first servomotor (SM1) and the second division with a second servomotor (SM2), and the first division of the support structure (5) to be bent lies within the middle portion of the support structure and the second division within the end portion of the support structure. 2. The support structure according to claim 1, characterized in that the functions of the first and second servomotors (SMI, SM2) are synchronized with an electric transmission so that they bend the support structure (5) to the same radius of curvature. 3. The support structure according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the support structure (5) is the support structure of a curing conveyor. 4. The support structure according to claim 3, characterized in that the support structure (5) of the curing conveyor is preceded by the support structure (4) of a bending conveyor, which has its own separate servo drive (10, 10a, 11) for bending the supporting structure (4) in a bend. constant radius (R1).