TWI624437B - Glass sheet scoring machine and method for removing beads from a glass sheet - Google Patents

Abstract

A glass sheet scorer comprising a scoring device, a planarization device including a planarization device, and a score bar linkage, the score bar linkage being functionally coupled to the scoring device and the planarization device. The planarizing device can contact the glass sheet on or near the portion of the glass sheet to be scored before the scoring apparatus scores the glass sheet. A method of separating beads of a glass sheet from a glass sheet, comprising the steps of planarizing the glass sheet with a planarizing device, and the step of scoring the glass sheet with a scoring device.

Description

Glass sheet indenter and method for removing beads from a glass sheet [related application]

The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 61/734,623, filed on Dec.

This description relates generally to methods and apparatus for planarizing glass sheets and, more particularly, to apparatus for planarizing thin glass sheets in the vicinity of a score head assembly.

The continuous glass ribbon can be formed by a process such as a fusion draw process or other similar draw down process. The continuous glass ribbon produced by the fusion drawing process has better flatness and smoothness than the glass ribbon produced by other methods. The individual glass sheets cut by the fusion draw process to form a continuous glass ribbon can be used in a variety of devices including flat panel displays, touch sensors, optoelectronic devices, and other electronic applications.

Whether it is a continuous glass ribbon formed by fusion drawing or other methods, often due to temperature gradients on the glass (such as glass sheet beads and glass) The temperature gradient between the central regions of the sheet is warped or curved in the lateral direction as the glass cools. When the glass sheet is thin (for example, 1 mm or less), the deformation of the glass sheet may be deteriorated as the thin central region may be cooled more rapidly than the bead portion. After the glass ribbon is drawn, and when the glass sheet is separated from the glass ribbon, the glass sheet is supported by the suction device as the glass sheet is scored and the beads are separated along the score line. Can be cut from the glass sheet. The suction device establishes a mechanical stress field (such as "bull eye") due to localized sheet deformation. This stress field may be located near the score line, and thus the score line may be pulled away from the center crack through the score, causing the sheet to rupture. Contact between the scoring device and the curved glass sheet can also direct movement in the glass sheet and propagate upstream of the scoring device and cause undesirable stress and distortion of the sheet. The target is when the glass sheet is scored to remove the beads while creating a uniform central air vent at the location of the vertical bead indenter inlet and the supporting glass sheet (e.g., by suction). On a flat sheet, the central crack depth can be easily controlled by applying a stable force to the score wheel. However, when scoring on a deformed glass, the pore depth cannot be controlled using a stable force. Since the length of the sheet and the edge of the clamp need to resist sheet movement, the effect of the clamp on the flattened score line is limited.

Therefore, there is a need for an alternative method of stabilizing glass sheets when scoring beads.

In accordance with one embodiment, a glass sheet scorer includes a scoring device, a planarization device including a planarization device, and a score bar linkage that functionally connects the scoring device to the planarization device. In the scoring equipment on the glass Prior to the scoring of the glass sheet, the planarizing device can contact the glass sheet on or near the portion of the glass sheet to be scored. One distance between the planarizing device and the scoring device is greater than or equal to about 10 mm.

In another embodiment, a method for scoring a glass sheet is provided. A planarization device comprising a planarization device and a scoring device can be positioned on or near one end of the glass sheet. Next, the planarizing device can extend toward the glass sheet while the planarizing device is movably contacted with the glass sheet. The portion of the glass sheet can be planarized by moving the planarizing device along the length of the glass sheet to the opposite end of the glass sheet and can be moved to the glass sheet by the length of the glass sheet along the length of the glass sheet. The opposite end is scored. After the movement is completed, the planarization device can be retracted so that the planarization device is no longer in contact with the glass sheet. The planarizing device and the scoring device can then be repositioned on or near one end of the glass sheet. According to an embodiment of the method, the planarizing device planarizes the portion of the glass sheet prior to scoring the portion of the glass sheet.

Additional features and advantages will be set forth in the Detailed Description which follows, and in part will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Confirmed by the examples described herein.

The various embodiments are described in the foregoing general description, and the claims The drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the various embodiments, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate the various embodiments described herein and, together with the specification,

15‧‧‧Continuous glass ribbon

17‧‧‧ center line

19a‧‧‧ edge

19b‧‧‧ edge

21a‧‧‧Bead Department

21b‧‧‧Bead Department

23a‧‧‧ line

23b‧‧‧ line

25a‧‧‧ line

25b‧‧‧ line

27‧‧‧Edge roll

29‧‧‧ Puller

31‧‧‧ glass transition temperature zone

37‧‧‧Formed structure

39‧‧‧ Cavity

41‧‧‧ Root

300‧‧‧Vertical Bead Scaling Machine (VBS)

310‧‧‧Flating equipment

311‧‧‧Support frame

312‧‧‧ flattening wheel

313‧‧‧Actuator

314‧‧‧Sliding mechanism

320‧‧‧Scotch equipment

321‧‧‧ Engraved head

322‧‧‧Scarred Wheel Tower

323‧‧‧Scarred wheel

324‧‧‧ pivot

330‧‧‧Incision rod connecting rod set

340‧‧‧glass sheet

345‧‧‧Front

410‧‧‧Piston

414‧‧‧Sliding mechanism

420‧‧‧ bracket

430‧‧‧Axis

450‧‧‧Support structure

510‧‧‧ flattening wheel

511‧‧‧Support beam

610‧‧‧O-ring

700‧‧‧Glass manufacturing system

710‧‧‧fusion vessel

712‧‧‧ arrow

715‧‧‧Clarification container

720‧‧‧Mixed container

722‧‧‧Connecting tube

725‧‧‧Transport container

726‧‧‧Solid glass

727‧‧‧Connecting tube

730‧‧‧ Down catheter

732‧‧‧ entrance

735‧‧‧Molding container

736‧‧‧ openings

737‧‧‧ slot

738a‧‧‧ side

738b‧‧‧ side

739‧‧‧ Root

740‧‧‧ Roller assembly

741‧‧‧Fuse drawing machine (FDM)

761‧‧‧Sheet separation equipment

1 is a schematic view of a glass manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment; FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a glass ribbon formed by a drawing process according to an embodiment; and FIG. 3 is a vertical bead scoring machine according to an embodiment. FIG. 4 is a schematic view of a planarization apparatus according to an embodiment; FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a planarization apparatus including a tracking flattening wheel according to an embodiment; FIGS. 6A to 6C are diagrams according to an embodiment A schematic view of a flattening wheel; and Figure 7 is a schematic illustration of a glass manufacturing system according to an embodiment using a vertical bead scoring machine to separate the glass beads of the glass sheet from the glass sheet.

Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments embodiments embodiments Wherever possible, the same reference numerals will be used to refer to the

Fig. 1 illustrates a fusion process according to an embodiment in which a forming structure 37 for receiving molten glass (not shown) in a cavity 39 is employed. The forming structure 37 can include a root 41 in which molten glass is joined together from the two meeting sides of the forming structure to form a continuous glass ribbon 15. However, it should be understood that other forming techniques can also be used. After leaving the root, the strip passes through the edge roller 27 and then through the pulling roller 29. As the strip moves down, the glass passes through the glass to transfer the temperature The area (GTTR) (illustrated schematically as 31 in Fig. 1). At temperatures above GTTR, the glass is essentially like a viscous liquid. At temperatures below GTTR, the glass is essentially like an elastic solid. As the glass cools from high temperatures, the GTTR does not show a sudden transition from viscous to elastic. On the contrary, the viscosity of the glass gradually increases and passes through the viscous elastic system, in which the viscous and elastic reactions are obvious, and finally the elastic solid.

Although the GTTR may vary with the particular composition of the treated glass, the upper end of the GTTR may be less than or equal to about 850 ° C, and the lower end of the GTTR may be greater than or equal to about 650 ° C as a representative value. In an embodiment, the lower end of the GTTR can be greater than or equal to about 700 °C.

As shown in Fig. 1, the edge roller 27 can contact the continuous glass ribbon 15 at a position above the GTTR, while the tension roller 29 can be located within the GTTR. The pull roller can also be located below the GTTR if needed. The temperature of the edge roller can be lower than the temperature of the glass. In an embodiment, the edge roller can be water or air cooled. Due to this lower temperature, the edge rolls can locally lower the temperature of the glass. This cooling type reduces the thinning of the strip. The pull roll 29 can also generally be cooler than the contact glass, but because the pull roll 29 can be positioned for further pull down, the temperature difference can be less than the edge roll 27.

Figure 2 illustrates a continuous glass ribbon 15 in accordance with an embodiment. As illustrated in Fig. 2, the strip may include outer edges 19a and 19b, a centerline 17, and bead portions 21a and 21b which may extend inwardly from the edges 19a and 19b to the centerline . The thickest portion of the bead portion can be presented along line 23a (line 23b), while the inner extension of the bead portion can be presented along line 25a (line 25b), with the final thickness of the strip first rising above 1.05. *t _center , where t _center is the final thickness of the strip along the centerline. The thickness of 1.05* t _center can be considered to be of quality or close to quality. Thereafter, as the glass cools according to the coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) of the glass, the thickness may decrease slightly. Although the bead portions 21a and 21b are illustrated as being symmetrical in Fig. 2, in the embodiment, the bead portions 21a and 21b may have different widths, and the positions of the thickest portions of the bead portions 21a and 21b. It can be different due to two beads. For example, the thickest portion of the embodiment need not be at the center of the bead portion.

In an embodiment, the thickness distribution of the transverse draw of the continuous glass ribbon 15 is non-uniform, wherein the bead portion of the glass can be thicker than the center. In an embodiment, the bead portion of the glass may be 2 or more times thicker than the center. This may result in a temperature distribution containing a local maximum of the bead portion and most of the strip length, the beads being hotter relative to the centerline. The high temperatures in the bead portions can cause undesirable stresses and undesirable shapes in both the strip and the final glass product. These stresses can cause distortion of the strip shape, which can adversely affect the scoring process during bead removal. The apparatus and method disclosed below provides a stable shape in the bead portion when the bead portion is scored to be removed from the strip.

Referring now to FIG. 3, one embodiment of a vertical bead indenter (VBS) 300 having a flattening device 310 and a scoring device 320 is schematically depicted from the side. The VBS 300 having the planarization device 310 and the scoring device 320 can be used with one or more embodiments of the bead portions described herein and illustrated for separating glass sheets. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, the VBS 300 also includes a score bar linkage 330 that connects the planarization device 310 to the scoring device 320. The VBS can also include a flange 345 that is positioned to establish a glass transport path and support the glass sheet during the scoring process. Example In other words, the flange can be positioned such that the glass sheet 340 can be inserted into the glass transport path formed between the flange 345 and the planarization device 310 and between the flange 345 and the scoring device 320. When the glass sheet is presented in the glass transport path, the scoring device 320 or the planarizing device 310 can apply a force to the glass sheet such that the glass sheet impacts between the flattening device 310 and the flange, thereby Flatten and support the glass sheet during planarization and/or scoring. In an embodiment, the glass transport path can be oriented vertically. However, it should be understood that in an alternate embodiment, the VBS 300 may be constructed using different scored linkage sets as shown in FIG. 3, or even without a scored linkage set, such as when the planarization apparatus 310 and the scoring apparatus 320 are When it is a separate device.

Still referring to FIG. 3, the planarization apparatus 310 generally includes a support frame 311, a flattening wheel 312, an actuator 313, and a sliding mechanism 314. As shown in Fig. 3, the rotational axis of the flattening wheel 312 is horizontally oriented. However, it should be understood that other configurations of the planarization device are possible.

Support frame 311 can be formed from any suitable rigid or semi-rigid material. In an embodiment, the support frame 311 may be made of metal such as steel or aluminum. In other embodiments, the support frame 311 can be made of plastic or polymer. The support frame 311 can support the bracket of the at least one actuator 313 and/or the sliding mechanism 314. As shown in the embodiment of FIG. 3, the support frame 311 can be attached to the score bar linkage 330, such as by bolts or rivets, allowing the support frame 311 and the scoring apparatus 320 to be in a vertical orientation (ie, at ± Move in the y direction). However, it should be understood that the support frame 311 and the scoring apparatus 320 can be simultaneously moved in the vertical direction by other mechanisms without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

The planarization device 310 can include an actuator 313, the actuator 313 The flattening wheel 312 is moved in the lateral direction (ie, the ±x direction). In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 3, the illustrated actuator 313 is a low friction cylinder. However, in an embodiment, the actuator may comprise a hydraulic cylinder, a pneumatic cylinder, a motor driven linear actuator or a similar linear actuator for moving the flattening wheel 312 in a lateral direction.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4, the actuator 313 is shown as a low friction cylinder, and the low friction cylinder may have a piston 410 mechanically coupled to the shaft 430. The shaft 430 can be extended or retracted by controlling the amount of air or the compressed fluid supplied to the low friction cylinder 313. In one embodiment, the actuator 313 is an Airpel-type low friction cylinder manufactured by Airpot Corporation having a stroke length of 1 inch and an inner diameter of 16 mm. However, it should be understood that a similar low friction cylinder can also be used to actively planarize the glass sheet. The bracket 420 can connect the low friction cylinder 313 to the score bar linkage 330. The first end of the low friction cylinder 313 is fixedly attached to the base of the support frame 311. A second end (eg, a shaft end) of the low friction cylinder 313 can be attached to a flattening wheel 312 that is movably attached to the support frame 311. In an embodiment, the flattening wheel mechanism can include a support structure 450 that connects the flattening wheel 312 to the low friction cylinder 313. The support structure 450 can include a sliding mechanism 414, and the flattening wheel 312 can be placed in any position relative to the scoring device 320, the flange 345, and the desired location of the glass transport path. As shown in FIG. 4, the sliding mechanism 414 is slidably attached to the support frame 311 and is connectable to the flattening wheel 312. In an embodiment, when the actuator 313 is extended or retracted, the sliding mechanism 414 is moved in the lateral direction (ie, the ±x direction of FIG. 3), thereby moving the flattening wheel 312 to the glass transmission path. Location (shown in Figure 3). For example, the support frame 311 The protrusions can be included, and the sliding mechanism 414 can include a recess configured to receive the protrusion of the support frame 311. When the sliding mechanism moves in the lateral direction, the sliding mechanism can be supported and/or guided by the convex portion of the support frame.

Referring again to FIG. 3, the flattening wheel 312 can be moved in the direction of the flange 345 by the axis 430 of the actuator 313 extending in the positive x direction (ie, the positive x direction of the coordinate axis shown in FIG. 3). ). The flattening wheel 312 can also be moved in the negative x direction by the actuator 313 moving in the negative x direction.

As shown in FIG. 3, the scoring apparatus 320 can include a score head 321. The score wheel tower 322 can be positioned at the end of the score head 321 and includes a score wheel 323 that can be positioned in the glass transport path and can be positioned adjacent to the bead portion of the glass sheet. The glass sheet 340 is scored. As shown in Fig. 3, the axis of rotation of the score wheel 323 can be oriented horizontally. The score wheel tower 322 can include a plurality of score wheels 323 (illustrated as five in FIG. 3) and a pivot 324 that rotates about the pivot 324. The score wheel tower 322 can be configured such that the predetermined rotation of the score wheel tower 322 about the pivot 324 allows the different score wheels 323 to be positioned to the glass transmission path. However, other embodiments need not include the score wheel tower 322, such as when the score device includes a single score wheel. Accordingly, it should be understood that other configurations of the scoring apparatus are possible and contemplated.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 3, the scoring apparatus 320 includes mechanical scoring means, such as score wheels or score points. Additionally, the scoring device 320 can include a laser scoring device. The scoring device 320 can be coupled to an actuator (not shown) and operable to pass the scoring device 320 in the ±y direction. The scoring device can also be coupled to an actuator (not shown), and as the scoring device 320 is passed in the ±y direction, it facilitates positioning of the scoring device in the ±x direction. As shown in Figure 3, The scoring device 320 can be positioned in the x-direction such that the scoring device (particularly the scoring wheel 323) is directly opposite the flange 345 and is positioned in the glass transport path. Accordingly, it should be understood that the scoring apparatus 320 can be used to score the glass sheet 340 as the flange 345 supports the glass sheet, thereby guiding the score line on the surface of the glass sheet opposite the flange.

The flattening wheel can have any geometry suitable for the flattening of the sheet of glass sheet 340 prior to scoring the sheet of glass sheet 340. In an embodiment, the flattening wheel 312 can be cylindrical and can have a diameter of from about 0.50 inches to about 1.50 inches. In some embodiments, the flattening wheel 312 can have a diameter from about 0.75 inches to about 1.25 inches, or even 1.00 inches. The flattening wheel 312 can have a width of from about 0.25 inches to about 1.00 inches. In other embodiments, the flattening wheel can have a width from about 0.33 inches to about 0.75 inches, or even 0.50 inches. In some embodiments, the flattening wheel can have a 90 Shore A hardness. However, it should be understood that the flattening wheel can also be used with other Shore A hardnesses. In general, the hardness of the wheel can vary based on the thickness of the glass sheet.

Additionally, as shown in the embodiments of Figures 6A-6C, the planarization wheel can include one or more O-rings 610. The number of O-rings 312 included on the flattening wheel is not particularly limited, and in an embodiment, the flattening wheel may include an O-ring 610 as shown in FIG. 6A, as shown in FIG. 6B. Ring 610, or three O-rings 610 as shown in Figure 6C. A flattening wheel having a single O-ring can flatten the score line of the glass sheet by positioning the O-ring at the location of the score line. A flattening wheel having two O-rings can be flattened by a score line positioned between two O-rings to flatten the score line The area on the side. A flattening wheel having three O-rings can flatten the area on both sides of the score line and the score line by positioning a score line in the middle of the three O-rings. The O-ring can have any suitable geometry. For example, the O-rings can be circular or square in various embodiments. The circular O-ring provides minimal contact and thus minimal friction with the glass sheet 340. The square O-ring provides maximum contact and therefore maximum friction with the glass sheet 340. Accordingly, the geometry of the O-ring can be selected based on the desired friction between the flattening wheel 312 and the glass sheet 340. As noted above, the hardness of the O-ring can be selected depending on the thickness of the glass sheet that the O-ring contacts, relative to the flattening wheel.

The VBS 300 shown in Figure 3 is an embodiment of a VBS suitable for use with a method of separating beads of a glass sheet from a glass sheet and will be described in greater detail herein. However, it should be understood that other embodiments of the VBS can also be used. For example, a VBS having two flattening wheels as in Fig. 5 can be used.

As shown in FIG. 5, the planarization apparatus can include a tracking flattening wheel 510. The tracking flattening wheel can be linearly positioned to the score wheel 323 and the flattening wheel 312. The support beam 511 can be connected to the tracking flattening wheel 510 and the flattening wheel 312. The distance between the tracking flattening wheel 510 and the flattening wheel 312 can be greater than or equal to about 10 mm. For example, in some embodiments, the distance between the tracking flattening wheel 510 and the flattening wheel 312 can be greater than or equal to about 10 mm and less than or equal to 100 mm. The distance between the tracking flattening wheel 510 and the flattening wheel 312 can be adjusted depending on the thickness of the glass sheet being manipulated. The tracking flattening wheel 510 can move in unison with the flattening wheel 312 in the x-direction and the y-direction. The tracking flattening wheel 510 is positioned on the opposite side of the scoring device 320 and is further away from the planarization device 310. because Thus, after the glass sheet has been scored, the tracking flattening wheel 510 maintains the flatness of the glass sheet 340. As will be discussed further below, the configuration of the tracking flattening wheel can be varied to prevent surface tension of the score line before applying bending moments to separate the beads from the glass sheet. For example, the tracking flattening wheel can be positioned on either or both sides of the score line to establish a local tension of the intermediate crack that develops due to the score. However, it should be understood that other rollers may also be selected. For example, in the case of very thin glass, a flattening wheel and a tracking flattening wheel can also be used to create compressive stress on the glass surface to prevent or delay uncontrolled crack propagation. In either case, the tension or compression imparted to the glass surface is controlled by the interaction between the flattening wheel and the flattening wheel and tracking the geometry and stiffness of the flattening wheel and the backup flange material.

The bending moment of separating the glass beads from the glass sheet can be applied by any suitable mechanism. In an embodiment, a clamping rod (not shown) may be mounted as part of the VBS. Referring back to Figure 2, the clamping rod can be positioned to contact the glass sheet at some point of the glass bead, such as between 19a and 19b, and between 25a and 25b, respectively, without contacting the thin center of the glass sheet. section. The clamping rod covers the entire length or any part of the glass sheet. Once the clamping rod is positioned on the glass sheet, the clamping rod can be moved to provide a bending moment to separate the glass beads from the glass sheet. In some embodiments, the clamping rod can be used for a thin glass sheet, such as a 0.3 t glass sheet. The clamping rod clamps the entire edge of the glass sheet from top to bottom such that the surface of the glass sheet is in a single plane. When the clamping rod is used for a highly twisted glass sheet, small areas of non-uniformity (i.e., distortion or deformation) may maintain localized scoring problems in the non-uniformity region resulting in breakage. The use of a flattening roller counteracts this problem.

Referring now to Figure 7, one embodiment of an exemplary glass manufacturing system 700 is schematically depicted. The glass manufacturing system utilizes the VBS 300 as shown in Figure 3. The glass manufacturing system 700 includes a melting vessel 710, a clarification vessel 715, a mixing vessel 720, a conveying vessel 725, a fusion draw machine (FDM) 741, a sheet separating apparatus 761, and a VBS 300. The glass batch material is introduced into the molten vessel 710 as indicated by arrow 712. The batch material is melted to form molten glass 726. The clarification vessel 715 has a high temperature treatment zone that receives molten glass 726 from the molten vessel 710, and wherein bubbles are removed from the molten glass 726. The clarification vessel 715 is fluidly coupled to the mixing vessel 720 by a connecting tube 722. Next, the mixing vessel 720 is fluidly coupled to the delivery vessel 725 by a connecting tube 727.

The delivery container 725 supplies the molten glass 726 to the FDM 741 through the downcomer 730. The FDM 741 includes an inlet 732, a forming vessel 735, and a draw roll assembly 740. As shown in FIG. 7, the molten glass 726 flows from the downcomer 730 into the inlet 732 and leads to the molding vessel 735. The forming vessel 735 includes an opening 736 that receives the molten glass 726 into the tank 737, then overflows and fuses together at the root 739 and flows down the two sides 738a and 738b. The root 739 is where the two sides 738a and 738b are brought together, wherein the two overflow walls of the molten glass 726 are recombined (ie, refused) to form a continuous glass before being pulled down by the pull roll assembly 740. With 15.

As the continuous glass ribbon 15 exits the pull roll assembly 740, the molten glass solidifies. Due to the difference in thickness of the molten glass at the edge and center of the continuous glass ribbon 15, the temperature at the center of the continuous glass ribbon is cooled and solidified more rapidly than the edge of the continuous glass ribbon, establishing a temperature from the edge of the continuous glass ribbon 15 to the center. gradient. As the molten glass cools, the temperature gradient causes the stress in the glass to develop, and then Causes the glass to warp or bend in the lateral direction (ie, from one edge of the glass to the other edges). Accordingly, it should be understood that the continuous glass ribbon 15 has a radius of curvature in the lateral direction.

Referring now to the glass manufacturing system 700 schematically depicted in Figure 7, in the figure, the pull roller assembly 740 delivers a drawn continuous glass ribbon 15 (having a curved/warped shape at this point during the manufacturing process) to the sheet. Separation device 761. The continuous glass ribbon 15 is conveyed to a sheet separating apparatus 761 to separate the glass sheets from the strip. The structure of the sheet separating apparatus is not particularly limited. An exemplary embodiment of a sheet separating apparatus is disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 8,146,385, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

The carriage then transfers the glass sheet to the VBS to remove the glass beads from the glass sheet. In an embodiment, a VBS as shown in Figure 3 can be used to remove glass beads from a glass sheet. The glass sheet entering the VBS can be cooled and can have a temperature from room temperature to about 450 ° C, or even from about 100 ° C to about 400 ° C. In some embodiments, the glass sheet can have a temperature of from about 150 °C to about 350 °C, or even from 200 °C to about 300 °C, when entering the VBS. The method of separating the beads of the glass sheet from the glass sheet 340 using the VBS 300 will now be described in more detail with reference to FIG.

The glass sheet 340 can be pulled through the VBS 300 by any acceptable mechanism, such as a pull roll (not shown) or a top pliers conveyor (not shown). Once in the VBS 300, the surface of the glass sheet 340 facing away from the scoring apparatus 320 and the planarizing apparatus 310 (i.e., the b-surface) can be supported by the flange 345. As shown in FIG. 3, the flattening wheel 312 may initially be located at or near the top of the glass sheet 340 in the y-direction. The low friction cylinder 313 and the low friction sliding mechanism 314 are collapsible Back so that the flattening wheel 312 does not initially contact the glass sheet. As shown in FIG. 3, the scoring apparatus 320 can be positioned over the top of the glass sheet 340 in the y-direction. After the glass sheet is positioned at the VBS 300, the axis of the planarization device is extended, thereby causing the sliding mechanism 314 to move in the positive x-direction. For example, in an embodiment, the actuator 313 is a low friction cylinder 313 that extends air by supplying air pressure to the low friction cylinder. The low friction cylinder can extend to approximately the middle of the stroke. The extension of the low friction cylinder causes the flattening wheel 312 to be movably engaged with the glass sheet 340. The pressure applied to the glass sheet 340 by the flattening wheel 312 may depend on the composition and thickness of the glass, the curvature or shape of the shape to be removed, the geometry of the wheel, the hardness of the wheel, the stiffness of the sheet, and the desired nick. The type (ie, stretching or compression) changes. In embodiments, the pressure applied by the flattening wheel can range from about 10 psi to about 30 psi, or even from about 15 psi to about 25 psi. In some embodiments, the pressure applied to the glass sheet 340 by the flattening wheel 312 can be about 20 psi.

After the low friction cylinder 313 extends and the flattening wheel is movably adhered to the glass sheet, the VBS can move in the negative y direction, thereby causing the flattening wheel 312 to engrave the glass sheet 340 by the score wheel 323 The portion of the glass sheet 340 is adhered to the mark. As described above, in an embodiment, the scoring device 320 and the flattening device 310 can be coupled by the score bar linkage 330. Thus, the scoring device 320 and the planarizing device 310 travel along the glass sheet at the same speed and fixed relative position. The flattening of the glass sheet occurs prior to the score contact and remains activated during the scoring process until the score wheel 323 is removed from the glass sheet, thereby providing a flattened area of the glass sheet during the scoring operation . Allowing the flattening wheel 312 to flatten the glass sheet or the nearby glass bead on the score wheel 323 The glass sheet is contacted prior to any curvature of the object, while the score wheel is allowed to maintain a uniform air vent on the glass sheet. Although not limited thereto, the vent may be defined as an indentation line formed on the surface of the sheet, and the surface is opened to a certain depth. In an embodiment, the vent line may extend to the pore depth on the surface of the glass sheet, the pore depth being equal to the depth of the surface compression layer, but less than the depth that would cause the glass sheet to rupture. In an embodiment, the air vents may extend from one end of the glass sheet to the other end of the glass sheet in a vertical direction.

After the flattening wheel 312 and the score wheel 323 have passed through the entire height of the glass sheet (ie, to the bottom of the glass sheet in the y direction), the low friction air cylinder 313 is retracted, thus causing the sliding mechanism 314 and the flattening wheel 312 moves in the negative x direction such that the flattening wheel 312 is no longer in contact with the glass sheet 340. Similarly, the score wheel 323 can be retracted so that the score wheel 323 no longer contacts the glass sheet. The scoring device 320 and the planarizing device 310 can then be moved in the positive y-direction to the original position at or near the top of the glass sheet 340 without contacting the glass sheet. The glass sheet can then be removed from the VBS and the new glass sheet can enter the VBS.

The VBS 300 can be moved in the y direction by any suitable mechanism. In an embodiment, the planarization device 310 and the scoring device 320 can be moved in the y direction by a motor actuator, a pneumatic cylinder, a hydraulic cylinder, or an electric motor. Alternatively, the VBS 300 can be positioned with a robotic device such as a robotic arm. It will be appreciated that in an embodiment, the movement of the planarizing device 310 and the scoring device 320 in the y-direction and the extension and retraction of the low-friction cylinder may be synchronized with the separation of the discontinuous glass sheets from the continuous glass ribbon, such as when The VBS and glass separation equipment are controlled by a common controller or a separate controller that is synchronized with each other.

The method for separating the beads of the glass sheet from the glass sheet can be used with glass sheets having a thickness of less than about 1.00 mm, or even less than about 0.75 mm. In some embodiments, the thickness of the glass sheet can be less than about 0.50 mm, or even less than about 0.30 mm. Although the VBS 300 and method described in the examples can be used with glass sheets of any thickness, the VBS and method used with thin glass sheets can provide high yields (i.e., low incidence of glass breakage). For example, when using thin glass (such as 0.3t glass), a typical yield can be about 30%. The yield of the VBS and method described herein is about 80% or higher, even up to 90%. However, it should also be understood that the techniques described herein are also applicable to use with glass sheets having a thickness greater than 1.00 mm.

The methods described herein can be used to separate beads of a glass sheet from a glass sheet, such as a glass sheet produced by a fusion draw process or a similar pull-down process. It will be appreciated that as described herein, the force, deformation and potential damage of the glass sheet during scoring can be substantially alleviated or eliminated by adhering the flattening wheel to the glass sheet prior to scoring the glass sheet. Accordingly, it should be understood that the methods described herein can be used to reduce the occurrence of glass sheet damage, thereby reducing waste and improving the yield of the glass manufacturing system. It is apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and changes can be made to the embodiments described herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the claimed invention. Therefore, the present invention is intended to cover the modifications and variations of the embodiments described herein, and the modifications and variations are within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims (23)

A glass sheet scoring device comprising: a scoring device for scoring a glass sheet; a flattening device, the flattening device comprising a flattening device; a scored rod set connecting the scoring apparatus and the planarizing apparatus; and a support flange, wherein the support flange is located opposite the flattening apparatus and the scoring apparatus The glass transport path passes through the glass sheet scoring device by a glass transport path spaced from the scoring apparatus and the planarizing apparatus region; wherein the planarizing device includes an actuator that is movable Is coupled to the planarization device; wherein the planarization device does not appear on the glass transmission path when the actuator is in a retracted position, and the planarization device when the actuator is in an extended position Appears on the glass transmission path. The glass sheet scorer of claim 1, wherein the planarizing device and the scoring apparatus are linearly oriented in a vertical direction. The glass sheet scorer of claim 1, wherein a distance between the planarizing device and the scoring device is greater than or equal to 10 mm. A glass sheet scorer according to claim 1, wherein the actuator is a low friction cylinder. The glass sheet scorer of claim 4, wherein the low friction cylinder comprises a stroke and the low friction cylinder is at one half of the stroke when in the extended position. The glass sheet scorer of claim 1, wherein the actuator is movably coupled to the planarizing device via a sliding mechanism. The glass sheet scorer of claim 1, wherein the planarizing device is a flattening wheel. The glass sheet scorer of claim 7, wherein the glass transmission path is oriented in a vertical direction and one of the planarization wheels is oriented in a horizontal direction. The glass sheet scorer of claim 7, wherein the flattening wheel has a diameter of from 0.5 inches to 1.5 inches. The glass sheet scorer of claim 7, wherein the flattening wheel has a width of from 0.25 inches to 1.00 inches. The glass sheet scorer of claim 7, wherein the flattening wheel comprises from one to three O-rings at a periphery of the flattening wheel. The glass sheet indenter of claim 11, wherein the at least one O-ring is a circle. The glass sheet indenter of claim 11, wherein the at least one O-ring is a square. The glass sheet scorer of claim 1 further comprising a tracking planarization device, wherein the tracking planarization device is linearly positioned to the scoring apparatus and the planarization device. The glass sheet scorer of claim 14, wherein a distance between the tracking planarization device and the planarization device is greater than or equal to 10 mm. A method for removing beads from a glass sheet, the method comprising the steps of: positioning the glass sheet on a planarization apparatus, the planarization apparatus comprising a planarization device, and when the glass sheet When located on a scoring apparatus, the scoring apparatus is located at or near one end of the glass sheet; extending the flattening device toward the glass sheet to move the planarizing device Contacting the glass sheet, the glass sheet striking between the planarizing device and a support flange; moving the planarizing device to one of the glass sheets along a length of the glass sheet Flattening a portion of the glass sheet at the opposite end; Moving the scoring device to the opposite end of the glass sheet along a length of one of the glass sheets, scoring the portion of the glass sheet; wherein the portion of the glass sheet is scored Previously, the planarizing device planarized the portion of the glass sheet. The method of claim 16, the method further comprising the steps of retracting the planarization device such that the planarization device is no longer in contact with the glass sheet; and repositioning the planarization device with the scoring device On or near the end of the glass sheet. The method of claim 16 wherein the planarizing device extends by moving the planarizing device toward a surface of the glass sheet by actuating a low friction cylinder. The method of claim 17, wherein the extending, scoring, retracting, and relocating steps are controlled by time series logic. The method of claim 16, wherein the pressure applied to the glass sheet by the planarizing device is from 10 psi to 30 psi when the planarizing device is extended. The method of claim 16, wherein the temperature of one of the glass sheets is from room temperature to 450 °C. The method of claim 16, wherein the glass sheet has a thickness of 1.00 mm or less. The method of claim 16, wherein the flattening device and the scoring device are operatively coupled by a score bar linkage, the score bar linkage extending from the planarization device to the scoring device .