TWI655056B - Glass processing equipment and method - Google Patents

Abstract

The glass processing apparatuses each include a first sheet guiding device and a second sheet guiding device, which have gaps configured to receive glass sheets. In one example, the adjustment member may move the first sheet guiding device relative to the second sheet guiding device so that the gap is tapered with respect to the glass traveling direction. In another example, the glass processing member may process the edge of the glass sheet. In other examples, the methods of processing glass sheets each include the steps of: providing a gap between the first sheet guiding device and the second sheet guiding device, passing the edge portion of the glass sheet through the gap, and processing the glass The edge of the sheet simultaneously passes the edge portion of the glass sheet through the gap.

Description

Glass processing equipment and method Cross-reference of related applications

This application claims the priority right of the US provisional application serial number 61 / 945,156 filed on February 27, 2014 under the Patent Law. The content of this provisional application is the basis of this article and is incorporated by reference in its entirety in.

The present disclosure relates generally to glass processing equipment and methods, and more particularly to glass processing equipment and methods for supporting the edge portion of a glass sheet while processing the edge of the glass sheet.

Glass manufacturing equipment is commonly used to form glass ribbons that can be separated into glass sheets, which can be used in displays and other applications. After separation, it is known to use processing members to process the edges of the glass sheet, for example by grinding, polishing, cleaning, finishing, or otherwise processing the edges.

The following presents a simplified summary of the disclosure in order to provide a basic understanding of some exemplary aspects described in the embodiments.

In the first aspect of the disclosure, the glass processing equipment includes A sheet guiding device and a second sheet guiding device. The first sheet guiding device is movably coupled with respect to the second sheet guiding device. The gap configured to receive the glass sheet is defined between the first sheet guiding device and the second sheet guiding device. The adjustment member is configured to move the first sheet guiding device relative to the second sheet guiding device so that the gap is tapered with respect to the glass traveling direction.

In an example of the first aspect, at least one of the first sheet guiding device and the second sheet guiding device includes a roller.

In another example of the first aspect, at least one of the first sheet guiding device and the second sheet guiding device includes an endless belt.

In yet another example of the first aspect, the adjustment member is located off-center of the first sheet guide device.

The first aspect may be provided alone or in combination with one or any combination of the examples of the first aspect discussed above.

In the second aspect of the present disclosure, the glass processing apparatus includes a first sheet guiding device and a second sheet guiding device. The first sheet guiding device is movably coupled with respect to the second sheet guiding device. The gap configured to receive the glass sheet is defined between the first sheet guiding device and the second sheet guiding device, and the glass processing member is configured to process the edge of the glass sheet.

In an example of the second aspect, at least one of the first sheet guiding device and the second sheet guiding device includes a roller.

In another example of the second aspect, at least one of the first sheet guiding device and the second sheet guiding device includes an endless belt.

In still another example of the second aspect, the glass processing apparatus further includes an adjustment member configured to oppose the first sheet guide device The second sheet guiding device moves so that the gap is tapered relative to the glass traveling direction. In one example, the adjustment member is at the eccentricity of the first sheet guide.

In yet another example of the second aspect, the first sheet guiding device and the first The two-sheet guiding device is attached to the glass processing member. In one example, the first sheet guiding device and the second sheet guiding device are adjustably mounted relative to the glass processing member to allow for selective positioning of the gap relative to the glass processing member. In another example, the glass processing member includes a glass processing wheel including an outer peripheral processing surface circumscribing the rotating shaft of the glass processing wheel, wherein the outer peripheral processing surface includes an axial width extending in the axial direction of the rotating shaft . In a particular example, the first sheet guiding device and the second sheet guiding device are adjustably mounted relative to the glass processing wheel to allow for the selective positioning of the gap relative to the preselected axial position along the axial width of the glass processing wheel. In yet another example, the glass processing apparatus further includes a glass processing shield defining the glass processing area, wherein the glass processing member is at least partially received in the glass processing area of the glass processing shield, and wherein the first sheet guiding device and the first The two-sheet guide is installed relative to the glass processing shield. In a particular example, the first sheet guiding device and the second sheet guiding device are adjustably mounted relative to the glass processing member to allow a selected positioning of the gap relative to the slot defined by the glass processing shield. In another specific example, the glass processing member includes a glass processing wheel including an outer peripheral processing surface circumscribing the rotation axis of the glass processing wheel. The outer peripheral processing surface includes an axial width extending along the axial direction of the rotation axis of the glass processing wheel. The first sheet guiding device and the second sheet guiding device are adjustably installed relative to the glass processing wheel to allow the gap to be added along the glass The selected width of the axial width of the work wheel relative to the pre-selected axial position.

The second aspect may be provided alone or in combination with one or any combination of the examples of the second aspect discussed above.

In the third aspect of the present disclosure, the method for processing glass sheets includes the step (I) of providing a gap between the first sheet guiding device and the second sheet guiding device, and positioning the edge portion of the glass sheet at The step (II) of passing the gap in the glass traveling direction, wherein the edge portion within the gap is supported by at least one of the first sheet guiding device and the second sheet guiding device. The method further includes the step (III) of processing the edge of the glass sheet while passing the edge portion of the glass sheet through the gap.

In an example of the third aspect, the gap is tapered with respect to the glass travel direction.

In another example of the third aspect, step (II) further includes the step of: providing a lubricant between the first sheet guiding device and the second sheet guiding device while allowing the edge portion of the glass sheet to travel on the glass The direction passes through the gap, wherein the edge portion is supported by the lubricant using at least one of the first sheet guiding device and the second sheet guiding device.

In still another example of the third aspect, the first sheet guiding device and the second sheet guiding device are mounted relative to the glass processing member.

The third aspect may be provided alone or in combination with one or any combination of the examples of the third aspect discussed above.

101‧‧‧Glass processing equipment

111‧‧‧Glass

113‧‧‧Peripheral edge

115‧‧‧ Edge

117‧‧‧The first main surface

119‧‧‧Second surface / Second main surface

120‧‧‧Edge

201‧‧‧First sheet guiding device

301‧‧‧Second sheet guiding device / sheet guiding device

303‧‧‧ Sheet guide member

305‧‧‧Sheet guide bracket

307‧‧‧Sliding connector

309‧‧‧Elastic sheet guiding member

310‧‧‧ Sheet guide surface

311‧‧‧groove and / or channel / longitudinal groove and / or channel

312‧‧‧groove and / or channel / transverse groove and / or channel

315‧‧‧Chamfer corner

401‧‧‧Adjustment component

402‧‧‧Adjustment knob

403‧‧‧Adjustment lever

405‧‧‧Elastic adjustment member

407‧‧‧Adjustment guide

450‧‧‧Main support

455‧‧‧Main support connecting member

500‧‧‧ gap

501‧‧‧ tapered gap / gap

505‧‧‧Growing direction of glass

600‧‧‧Auxiliary support

601‧‧‧Adjustment member of auxiliary support

602‧‧‧Supporting fastener

604‧‧‧Sub-support bracket

606‧‧‧Auxiliary support connecting member

607‧‧‧Auxiliary support connecting member

608‧‧‧Auxiliary support connecting member

700‧‧‧Roller

702‧‧‧Endless belt

704‧‧‧Tension adjuster

800‧‧‧Lubricant

1000‧‧‧Glass processing components

1001‧‧‧glass processing wheel

1003‧‧‧Outer peripheral machining surface

1005‧‧‧glass processing shield

1007‧‧‧slot

1010‧‧‧Glass processing area

1100‧‧‧rotation axis

1101‧‧‧Axial width

1102‧‧‧Axial direction

1200‧‧‧Rotation direction

T‧‧‧thickness

These and other aspects can be better understood when reading the following embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. Figure 1 illustrates a front perspective view of an exemplary glass processing apparatus; Figure 2 illustrates a rear perspective view of the exemplary glass processing apparatus of Figure 1; Figure 3 illustrates a front view of the exemplary glass processing apparatus of Figure 1; FIG. 4 illustrates a front view of the exemplary glass processing apparatus of FIG. 3, wherein the gap is defined between the first sheet guiding device and the second sheet guiding device; FIG. 5 illustrates the exemplary glass processing apparatus of FIG. 1 Front perspective view of the sheet guiding device; FIG. 6 illustrates a front perspective view of the exemplary glass processing apparatus of FIG. 1, wherein the first sheet guiding device and the second sheet guiding device are relative to the glass processing member of the glass processing apparatus To install; and FIG. 7 illustrates a front perspective view of another exemplary glass processing apparatus.

Examples will now be described more fully below with reference to the accompanying drawings showing exemplary embodiments. Wherever possible, the same symbol will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or similar parts. However, the various aspects can be embodied in many different forms and should not be interpreted as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein.

Referring to FIG. 1, an exemplary glass processing apparatus 191 has various exemplary features that can be used alone or in combination to support and / or guide the glass sheet 111. In one example, the glass processing apparatus 101 can support and / or guide the glass sheet 111 to minimize the bevel edge asymmetry. For the purposes of further discussion, the following will be presented and described as applicable to liquid crystal displays The manufactured glass sheet and especially the glass sheet. However, it should be noted that the present disclosure has applicability in supporting or guiding edge portions of other types of glass sheets.

The glass sheet may be considered as a sheet separated from a glass ribbon formed by using a glass ribbon manufacturing process such as the following techniques: pull-down, pull-up, float, melt, roll, or slot draw, or Other technologies. For example, the glass ribbon may be periodically separated into sheets, and may even be further subdivided into smaller sheets. In these examples, the glass processing apparatus of the present disclosure can be used to process one or more edges of a separate glass sheet. In other examples, the glass sheet may be considered as a glass ribbon. For example, the glass sheet may include a glass ribbon before being divided into individual sheets. In this example, after the glass ribbon is formed, the outer edge of the glass ribbon may be removed, and then the remaining edges of the glass ribbon may be processed using the glass processing apparatus of the present disclosure.

In one example, the glass sheet 111 may include a piece of glass that can be incorporated into a liquid crystal display, where it is desired to process the edge 115 of the glass sheet 111 to improve the quality and increase the strength of the edge 115 of the glass sheet 111. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the edge 115 may include the outer peripheral edge 113 of the glass sheet 111, which is between the thickness “T” of the glass sheet 111. The thickness “T” is from the surface of the glass sheet 111 facing The first main surface 117 in one direction (for example, facing upward as shown in FIG. 4) to the second surface 119 facing in the second direction (for example, facing downward as shown in FIG. 4). Additionally or alternatively, the edge 115 may include a portion of the first major surface 117 and / or a portion of the second major surface 119 of the glass sheet 111, which may or may not include the outer peripheral edge 113 of the glass sheet 111. In other examples, the edge 115 may include a portion of the outer peripheral edge 113 of the glass sheet 111 together with the first major surface 117 And / or part of the second major surface 119. In another example, the glass sheet 111 may include an edge portion 120 of the glass sheet. The edge portion 120 of the glass sheet may include, for example, a major surface portion of the glass sheet adjacent to the edge 115 as described above, and in some examples, may include part or all of the edge 115.

Although not required, as shown in Figure 1, the glass processing equipment 101 The illustrated example is shown as processing a glass sheet 111 in a substantially horizontal orientation, where the glass sheet 111 extends substantially along the illustrated X-Y plane, and gravity acts in the Z direction. In this example, the second major surface 119 faces the direction of gravity, while the first major surface 117 faces the opposite direction away from gravity. Although not shown, in other examples, the glass sheet may be oriented with a slope relative to the X-Y orientation, and in some examples, may be oriented along the X-Z plane and / or the Y-Z plane. Regardless of the orientation, the glass processing apparatus 101 may be used to support and / or guide the glass sheet 111.

As shown in Figures 1-4, the first aspect of the disclosure may include glass The glass processing apparatus 101 may include a first sheet guiding device 201 and a second sheet guiding device 301, wherein the first sheet guiding device 201 may be movably coupled with respect to the second sheet guiding device 301, and wherein The gap 500 (see FIG. 4) configured to receive the glass sheet 111 may be defined between the first sheet guiding device 201 and the second sheet guiding device 301. The glass processing apparatus 101 may also include an adjustment member 401 configured to move the first sheet guiding device 201 relative to the second sheet guiding device 301 so that the gap 500 may be a tapered gap 501 relative to the glass traveling direction 505.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the first sheet guiding device 201 can For example, it is coupled to the main support 450 by a removable or fixed connection. In addition, the second sheet guiding device 301 can also be coupled to the main unit by a removable or fixed connection, for example Support 450. The coupling of the first sheet guiding device 201 and / or the second sheet guiding device 301 and the main support can be achieved by a wide range of coupling features such as threaded connection, threaded bushing connection or Other coupling features. Although the first sheet guiding device 201 and the second sheet guiding device 301 are exemplified as being coupled to the same main support 450, in other examples, the sheet guiding device may be coupled to different supports. For example, the main support 450 may include two supports, which may independently support the first sheet guide device and the second sheet guide device, respectively.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2, in one example, the first sheet The guide device 201 may be coupled to the main support 450 via the main support connection member 455. As shown, the main support connection member 455 may be coupled to the adjustment member 401. In one example, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the adjustment member 401 may be configured to move the first sheet guiding device 201 relative to the second sheet guiding device 301. For example, the adjustment member 401 may be coupled to the main support connection member 455 and / or the first sheet guide 201 by a removable or fixed connection. For example, coupling can be achieved by various alternative features, such as threaded connections, threaded bushing connections, or other snap features. In yet another example, the adjustment member 401 may be coupled to the main support connecting member 455 at one end, and to the first sheet guide 201 at the other end.

As shown in Figure 3, in one example, the first sheet guiding device 201 may be configured to contact the second sheet guide device 301. In another example, as shown in FIG. 4, the first sheet guiding device 201 may be configured to be substantially separated from the second sheet guiding device 301 to define a gap 500 defined by the first sheet guiding device 201 With the second sheet guide 301. In one instance In this case, the adjustment member 401 is configured to move the first sheet guiding device 201 relative to the second sheet guiding device 301 to form the gap 500. Although not required, the gap 500 formed may be a tapered gap 501 relative to the glass travel direction 505 of the glass sheet 111.

As shown in FIG. 4, the adjustment member 401 may include an adjustment knob 402, The adjustment lever 403, the elastic adjustment member 405, and the adjustment guide 407. In one example, the adjustment knob 402 is configured to control the adjustment of the adjustment member 401. For example, the adjustment knob 402 may be configured such that by turning the adjustment knob 402, the adjustment lever 403 rotates similarly, and the first sheet guide 201 moves relative to the second sheet guide 301. In another example, the adjustment rod 403 may be a threaded rod, which may threadably engage the first sheet guide 201 and the main support connecting member 455. In yet another example, the adjustment member 401 may be configured to offset the first sheet guide 201 relative to the main support 450. For example, the elastic adjustment member 405 may be configured to offset the first sheet guide 201 relative to the main support 450. In another example, the adjustment guide 407 may be configured to guide the movement of the first sheet guiding device 201 relative to the main support 450.

In yet another example of the first aspect shown in Figures 3 and 4, The adjustment member 401 may be at an eccentric position of the first sheet guide 201. As noted, the adjustment member 401 may be configured to offset the first sheet guiding device relative to the second sheet guiding device so that the gap 500 may be a tapered gap 501 relative to the glass travel direction 505. For example, the adjustment knob 402 may be configured to move the adjustment lever 403, which in turn moves the first sheet guide 201 relative to the second sheet guide 301. In another example, the adjustment member 401 may be at an eccentric position of the first sheet guiding device 201, and when the first sheet guiding device 201 When moving relative to the second sheet guiding device 301, the first sheet guiding device can pivot so that the gap 500 defined between the first sheet guiding device 201 and the second sheet guiding device 301 can be gradually Shrink gap 501. The first sheet guiding device 201 can pivot accordingly, for example, the adjustment member 401 can be configured to provide eccentric support of the first sheet guiding device 201 so that the first sheet guiding device 201 can be guided relative to the second sheet The device 301 moves in a non-parallel manner. Such non-parallel movement of the first sheet guiding device 201 may occur, for example, due to gravity acting uniformly on the first sheet guiding device 201, where the adjustment member 401 may be located at an eccentric position of the first sheet guiding device 201.

Referring to FIG. 5, an exemplary sheet guiding device is provided. Although illustrated The second sheet guiding device 301, but it should be understood that the first sheet guiding device 201 may include all or some of the features described with respect to the second sheet guiding device 301. Therefore, for simplicity, when describing the following exemplary features of the first sheet guiding device 201 and / or the second sheet guiding device 301, words such as first and second are not included. As shown in the figure, the sheet guide device 301 may include a sheet guide member 303 and a sheet guide bracket 305. The sheet guide member 303 may include a sheet guide surface 310 configured to support and / or guide the glass sheet 111. In addition, the sheet guide member 303 may be movably coupled with one or more elastic sheet guide members 309 relative to the sheet guide bracket 305, for example. The one or more elastic sheet guide members 309 may be configured to elastically offset the sheet guide member 303 relative to the sheet guide bracket 305, for example, to allow translation of the sheet guide member 303 relative to the sheet guide bracket 305 And / or rotation. Such translation and / or rotation of the sheet guiding member may, for example, vary the gaps 500, 501 defined between the first sheet guiding device 201 and the second sheet guiding device 301.

In an alternative example, as shown in FIG. 7, the first sheet guiding device At least one of 201 and the second sheet guiding device 301 may include a roller 700. Additionally or alternatively, at least one of the first sheet guiding device 201 and the second sheet guiding device 301 includes an endless belt 702. Embodiments including the endless belt 702 may include a tension adjuster 704 configured to adjust the tension of the endless belt 702. In the illustrated example, each of the first sheet guiding device and the second sheet guiding device includes a plurality of rollers circumscribed by the endless belt 702. The endless belt 702 may be configured to substantially contact the glass sheet 111 to guide and / or support the glass sheet 111. Although not shown, in other examples that do not have an endless belt, the drum 700 may be configured to substantially contact the glass sheet 111 to guide and / or support the glass sheet 111.

Variations in gaps 500, 501 can be configured, for example, to allow glass processing equipment The device 101 receives glass sheets 111 of different thicknesses and / or sizes. In another example, the variation of the gaps 500, 501 may be configured to allow the damping of the vibration motion of the glass sheet 111 to be increased when, for example, the glass sheet 111 is being guided or supported by the sheet guiding surface 310 of the sheet guiding member 303. For example, when the glass sheet 111 is received between the first sheet guiding device 201 and the second sheet guiding device 301, it may undergo movement or movement. In one example, the glass sheet 111 may be subjected to motions such as translational movement when passing through the gaps 500, 501, vibratory movement when processing the edge 115 of the glass sheet 111 and the edge portion 120 of the glass sheet 111 through the gap, or any other Translation, rotation, or other motion applied to the glass sheet 111 by any event that causes the glass sheet 111 to move. In addition, the variation of the gaps 500, 501 can be configured to allow the glass processing apparatus 101 to receive the glass sheet 111 with varying flatness, and to support and / or guide the glass sheet with varying flatness. For example, the first sheet guiding device 201 and the second sheet guiding device 301 may be configured to accommodate Accept another planar glass sheet 111, wherein the glass sheet contains defects or abnormalities, which makes all or part of the glass sheet non-planar. For example, as noted, one or more elastic sheet guide members 309 may be configured to elastically bias the sheet guide member 303 relative to the sheet guide bracket 305. Therefore, in the inactive state, the biasing force may exist in one or more elastic sheet guide members 309. This biasing force may act substantially in the direction from the sheet guide bracket 305 to the sheet guide member 303 along the one or more elastic sheet guide members 309. In the active state, when, for example, a glass sheet is received between the first sheet guiding device and the second sheet guiding device, the sheet guiding member 303 can move in a direction toward the sheet guiding bracket, and thus the elastic sheet A force is generated in one or more of the material guide members 309, and the force acts in a direction substantially opposite to the direction in which the biasing force acts in the acting state. Therefore, the force present in the one or more elastic sheet guide members 309 displaces the sheet guide member 303 relative to the sheet guide bracket 305 regardless of whether it is in an active state or an inactive state, so that the first sheet guide At least one of the device 201 and the second sheet guiding device 301 can support and / or guide the glass sheet 111 received between the first sheet guiding device 201 and the second sheet guiding device 301.

The sheet guiding device may include one or more sliding connectors as needed 307. The slide connector 307 may couple the sheet guide member 303 relative to the sheet guide bracket 305 and may be configured to allow translational and / or rotational movement of the sheet guide member 303 relative to the sheet guide bracket 305. The sliding connector 307 may be attached to the sheet guide bracket 305 by a removable or fixed connection, for example. In addition, the sliding connector 307 may pass through an aperture formed in the sheet guide member 303 to facilitate movement of the sheet guide member 303 relative to the sheet guide bracket 305. form The aperture in the sheet guide member 303 passing through the sliding connector 307 may be formed as an elongated aperture, and the sliding connector 307 may slide along the elongated aperture. The sliding connector 307 may also include an end having a size larger than the orifice size, so that the sliding connector 307 can substantially restrict the sheet guide member 303 from being detached from the sheet guide bracket 305. The sheet guide member 303 can thus slide with respect to the sheet guide bracket 305 and with respect to the slide connector 307 using the elongated aperture formed therein. The sheet guide member 303 may thus be configured to undergo translational and / or rotational movement relative to the sheet guide bracket 305.

In another example, as shown in FIG. 5, the sheet guide member 303 It may include grooves and / or channels 311, 312 formed substantially on the sheet guiding surface 310. In one example, the longitudinal grooves and / or channels 311 may extend substantially parallel to the longitudinal length of the sheet guide member 303. In another example, the lateral grooves and / or channels 312 may extend transverse to the longitudinal length of the sheet guide member 303, such as substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal length of the sheet guide member 303 or relative to the sheet guide member 303 The angle of the longitudinal length extends. The grooves and / or channels 311, 312 may be configured to help provide a lubricant 800 between at least the first sheet guide 201 and the second sheet guide 301 (schematically shown in FIG. 4 Flow in the space between the sheet guiding device 201 and the second sheet guiding device 301). The lubricant can reduce and / or substantially eliminate the coefficient of friction that exists between the guide surface 310 of the sheet guiding device and the glass sheet 111 when the glass sheet 111 is received in the gaps 500, 501. In one example, the lubricant 800 may include water or other liquid lubricants. Thus, in some examples, the lubricant 800 may form a layer that substantially separates the glass sheet 111 from contacting the sheet guiding surface 310 of one or both of the sheet guiding devices. in In other cases, as noted, the lubricant 800 may reduce the coefficient of friction between the sheet guiding surface 310 and the glass sheet 111. In other cases, the glass sheet 111 contacts a position on the sheet guiding surface 310 that does not have any lubricant 800 provided between the sheet guiding surface 310 and the glass sheet 111. Therefore, there may be a case where there is substantially complete, substantially partial or substantially no contact between all or part of the glass sheet 111 and all or part of the sheet guiding surface 310, and all or part of the lubricant 800 It can be equally applied with respect to the support and / or guiding characteristics of the first sheet guiding device 201 and the second sheet guiding device 301. Thus, the use of the words supporting, substantially supporting, and / or guiding glass sheets is intended to be understood to cover all variations and embodiments described herein.

As further shown in FIG. 5, the sheet guide member 303 may include The corner 315 can be configured to allow the glass processing apparatus 101 to receive the glass sheet 111. For example, the chamfered corner 315 may be configured to eliminate sharp points or edges on the sheet guide member 303, which may otherwise have a tendency to scratch or break the glass sheet 111. In addition, the chamfered corner 315 can be configured to increase the opening size of the gaps 500, 501 defined between the first sheet guiding device 201 and the second sheet guiding device 301, so that the glass sheet 111 can be initially received in a larger Between the opening sizes, and then guided through the gaps 500, 501 to the sheet guiding surface 310 where it can be supported and / or guided.

The second aspect of the present disclosure may include glass processing equipment 101, It may include: a first sheet guiding device 201; a second sheet guiding device 301, wherein the first sheet guiding device 201 may be movably coupled with respect to the second sheet guiding device 301, and wherein it is configured to receive glass The gap of sheet 111 can be 500 Defined between the first sheet guiding device 201 and the second sheet guiding device 301; and the glass processing member 1000 (for example, see FIG. 6), which is configured to process the edge 115 of the glass sheet 111.

For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the glass processing member 1000 can be designed to The edge 115 of the glass sheet 111 is processed. In one example, the glass processing member 1000 may process the edge 115 of the glass sheet 111 to provide a beveled or rounded transition between the first surface 117 and / or the second surface 119 and the peripheral edge 113. Processing the edge 115 of the glass sheet 111 in this manner can reduce the probability of stress crack formation and propagation to the inner portion of the glass sheet, and can additionally improve the quality of the glass sheet 111.

In yet another example of the second aspect shown in FIG. 6, the first sheet The guide device 201 and the second sheet guide device 301 can be attached to the glass processing member 1000. For example, the first sheet guiding device 201 and the second sheet guiding device 301 may be adjustably mounted relative to the glass processing member 1000 to allow the selected positioning of the gaps 500, 501 relative to the glass processing member 1000.

In another example, the glass processing member 1000 includes a glass processing wheel 1001. The glass processing wheel may include an outer peripheral processing surface 1003 that circumscribes the rotating shaft 1100 of the glass processing wheel 1001, wherein the outer peripheral processing surface 1003 includes an axial width 1101 extending along the axial direction 1102 of the rotating shaft 1100. For example, the first sheet guiding device 201 and the second sheet guiding device 301 can be adjustably installed relative to the glass processing wheel 1001 to allow the gaps 500, 501 to be along the axial width 1101 of the glass processing wheel 1001 relative to the preselected axial direction The selected positioning of position 1103. The glass processing wheel 1001 can rotate around the rotation axis 1100 in the rotation direction 1200 so that the outer peripheral processing surface 1003 of the glass processing wheel 1001 The edge 115 of the glass sheet 111, such as the peripheral edge 113, can be processed.

In yet another example, the glass processing apparatus 101 may further include The glass processing shield 1005 of the glass processing area 1010 is fixed, wherein the glass processing member 1000 can be at least partially received in the glass processing area 1010 of the glass processing shield 1005. In these examples, the first sheet guiding device 201 and the second sheet guiding device 301 may be installed relative to the glass processing shield 1005. For example, the first sheet guiding device 201 and the second sheet guiding device 301 can be adjustably installed relative to the glass processing member 1000 to allow the gaps 500, 501 relative to the slots 1007 defined in the glass processing shield 1005 Selected targeting. In one example, the outer peripheral processing surface 1003 circumscribes the rotating shaft 1100 of the glass processing wheel 1001 so that the outer peripheral processing surface 1003 includes an axial width 1101 extending in the axial direction 1102 of the rotating shaft 1100. In these examples, the first sheet guiding device 201 and the second sheet guiding device 301 can be adjustably mounted relative to the glass processing wheel 1001 to allow the gaps 500, 501 to be opposed along the axial width 1101 of the glass processing wheel 1001 The selected position at the preselected axial position 1103.

The glass processing shield 1005 can be designed to shield the surface of the glass sheet 111 117, 119 are free from particles and / or other contaminants associated with the processing process. As shown in FIG. 6, the glass processing shield 1005 may have a slot 1007 configured to receive the edge 115 of the glass sheet 111. In addition, the glass processing shield 1005 can be installed relative to the glass processing wheel 1001 so that the central axis of the glass processing shield 1005 coincides with the rotation axis 1100 of the glass processing wheel 1001.

The method of processing the glass sheet 111 may include cleaning or mechanical processing (e.g. For example, beveling) the edge 115 of the glass sheet 111, such as the peripheral edge 113. E.g, As shown in FIG. 6, the glass processing wheel 1001 can rotate around the rotation axis 1100 in the rotation direction 1200 so that the outer peripheral processing surface 1003 processes the edge 115 of the glass sheet 111. In one example, the glass sheet 111 may move relative to the glass processing wheel 1001 along the glass travel direction 505 while the glass processing wheel 1001 rotates about the rotation axis 1100 in the rotation direction 1200. Thus, the outer peripheral processing surface 1003 including the preselected axial position 1103 along the axial width 1101 of the glass processing wheel 1001 can travel in the direction of rotation 1200 while the glass sheet 111 can move relative to the glass processing wheel 1001. The relative movement between the glass sheet 111 and the glass processing member 1000 may be provided by moving the glass processing member 1000 relative to the glass sheet 111 and / or moving the glass sheet 111 relative to the glass processing member 1000. The glass processing wheel 1001 may include a grinding wheel with diamond particles or other material sufficient to process (such as grinding, polishing, cleaning, or otherwise finishing) the edge of the glass sheet 111.

In another example shown in FIG. 2, the glass processing apparatus 101 may Include sub-support 600. The secondary support 600 may include secondary support connection members 606, 607, 608, which may be configured to engage the primary support 450. For example, the auxiliary support connecting members 606, 607, 608 may be configured to rotatably engage the main support 450 so that the main support 450 can rotate relative to the auxiliary support 600. In one example, the secondary support 600 may include a recess 615 (see FIG. 3) configured to receive a portion of the main support 450 in the recess. In another example shown in FIG. 6, the sub-support 600 may be configured to engage the glass processing shield 1005 (if provided) or the glass processing member 1000. As shown in FIG. 2, the secondary support 600 may include a secondary support fastener 602 that may be configured to removably or fixedly couple the secondary support 600 to the glass processing structure Piece 1000 and / or glass processing shield 1005. In yet another example, the secondary support 600 may include a secondary support bracket 604 that may be configured to removably or fixedly couple the secondary support 600 to the glass processing member 1000 and / or Glass processing shield 1005. As shown in FIG. 3, the sub-support 600 may include a sub-support adjustment member 601. In one example, the sub-support adjustment member 601 may be configured to adjust the positions of the first sheet guide 201 and the second sheet guide 301 relative to the sub-support 600. The secondary support adjustment member 601 may include features that are substantially the same as or similar to those described with respect to the adjustment member 401.

The third aspect of the present disclosure may include the method of processing the glass sheet 111 The method may include the following steps: (I) providing a gap 500 between the first sheet guiding device 201 and the second sheet guiding device 301; (II) making the edge portion 120 of the glass sheet 111 in the glass traveling direction 505 Through the gap 500, the edge portion 120 within the gap 500 can be supported by at least one of the first sheet guiding device 201 and the second sheet guiding device 301; and (III) processing the edge 115 of the glass sheet 111 at the same time The edge portion 120 of the glass sheet 111 passes through the gap 500.

In an example of the third aspect, as shown in FIG. 4, the gap 500 may be a tapered gap 501 relative to the glass travel direction 505.

In another example of the third aspect, step (II) may further include the step of: providing a lubricant 800 between the first sheet guiding device 201 and the second sheet guiding device 301, while allowing the glass sheet 111 to The edge portion 120 passes through the gap 500 in the glass traveling direction 505, wherein the edge portion 120 is supported by the lubricant 800 using at least one of the first sheet guide 201 and the second sheet guide 301.

In yet another example of the third aspect, the first sheet guiding device 201 And the second sheet guiding device 301 can be mounted on the glass processing member 1000.

Those familiar with this technology will understand that it is possible to Under the spirit and scope of this article, various modifications and changes have been made to this disclosure.

Claims (18)

A glass processing apparatus includes: a first sheet guiding device; a second sheet guiding device, wherein the first sheet guiding device is movably coupled with respect to the second sheet guiding device, and wherein A gap receiving a glass sheet is defined between the first sheet guiding device and the second sheet guiding device; and an adjustment member configured to guide the first sheet guiding device relative to the second sheet The device moves so that the gap is tapered relative to a glass travel direction. The glass processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the first sheet guiding device and the second sheet guiding device includes a roller. The glass processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the first sheet guiding device and the second sheet guiding device includes an endless belt. A glass processing apparatus includes: a first sheet guiding device; a second sheet guiding device, wherein the first sheet guiding device is movably coupled with respect to the second sheet guiding device, and wherein A gap receiving a glass sheet is defined between the first sheet guiding device and the second sheet guiding device; a glass processing member configured to process an edge of the glass sheet; and an adjustment member configured to place The first sheet guiding device moves relative to the second sheet guiding device so that the gap is tapered with respect to a glass traveling direction. The glass processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein at least one of the first sheet guiding device and the second sheet guiding device includes a roller. The glass processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein at least one of the first sheet guiding device and the second sheet guiding device includes an endless belt. The glass processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the adjustment member is located at an eccentricity of the first sheet guide device. The glass processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the first sheet guiding device and the second sheet guiding device are installed relative to the glass processing member. The glass processing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the first sheet guiding device and the second sheet guiding device are adjustably installed relative to the glass processing member to allow selection of the gap relative to the glass processing member Positioning. The glass processing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the glass processing member includes a glass processing wheel including an outer peripheral processing surface circumscribing a rotation axis of the glass processing wheel, wherein the outer peripheral processing surface includes An axial width extending along an axial direction of the rotating shaft. The glass processing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the first sheet guiding device and the second sheet guiding device are adjustably installed relative to the glass processing wheel to allow the gap to be along the axial direction of the glass processing wheel Selected positioning of the width relative to a pre-selected axial position. The glass processing apparatus of claim 8, further comprising a glass processing shield defining a glass processing area, wherein the glass processing member is at least partially received in the glass processing area of the glass processing shield, and wherein The first sheet guiding device and the second sheet guiding device are mounted relative to the glass processing shield. The glass processing apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the first sheet guiding device and the second sheet guiding device are adjustably installed relative to the glass processing member to allow the gap relative to the glass processing shield Defines the selected positioning of a slot. The glass processing apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the glass processing member includes a glass processing wheel including an outer peripheral processing surface circumscribing a rotation axis of the glass processing wheel, wherein the outer peripheral processing surface includes An axial width extending along an axial direction of the rotation axis of the glass processing wheel, and wherein the first sheet guiding device and the second sheet guiding device are adjustably installed relative to the glass processing wheel to allow The gap is positioned along the axial width of the glass processing wheel relative to a preselected axial position. A method for processing a glass sheet, including the following steps: (I) providing a gap between a first sheet guiding device and a second sheet guiding device, wherein the gap is tapered relative to a glass traveling direction; II) An edge portion of the glass sheet passes through the gap in the glass traveling direction, wherein the edge portion in the gap is passed through at least one of the first sheet guiding device and the second sheet guiding device Supporting; and (III) processing an edge of the glass sheet while passing the edge portion of the glass sheet through the gap. The method according to claim 15, wherein step (II) further includes the step of: providing a lubricant between the first sheet guiding device and the second sheet guiding device, while allowing the edge of the glass sheet A portion passes through the gap in the glass traveling direction, wherein the edge portion is supported by the lubricant using at least one of the first sheet guiding device and the second sheet guiding device. The method according to claim 15, wherein the first sheet guiding device and the second sheet guiding device are mounted relative to a glass processing member. A glass processing apparatus includes: a first sheet guiding device; a second sheet guiding device, wherein the first sheet guiding device is movably coupled with respect to the second sheet guiding device, and wherein A gap receiving a glass sheet is defined between the first sheet guiding device and the second sheet guiding device; and an adjustment member configured to guide the first sheet guiding device relative to the second sheet The device moves so that the gap is tapered with respect to a glass travel direction, wherein the adjustment member is at an eccentricity of the first sheet guiding device.