WO2020104082A1

WO2020104082A1 - Tool and method for producing a glass pane, in particular a vehicle window, glass pane and vehicle having a glass pane

Info

Publication number: WO2020104082A1
Application number: PCT/EP2019/074473
Authority: WO
Inventors: Peter Schillings; Harald STUFFER; Lutz GEHNEN
Original assignee: Saint-Gobain Glass France
Priority date: 2018-11-22
Filing date: 2019-09-13
Publication date: 2020-05-28
Also published as: CN111465584A

Abstract

The invention relates to a tool for processing a glass pane (1), in particular a vehicle window (1), comprising a support frame (10) for holding and positioning the glass pane (1) during a cooling process. The support frame (10) has at least one independent flow obstruction element (20), which can be positioned relative to the glass pane (1) to be produced in such a way that the flow obstruction element has no contact with the glass pane (1) and can at least partially deflect a cooling fluid flow (40) directed at an edge region of an opening (2) in the glass pane (1).

Description

Tool and method for producing a glass pane, in particular a vehicle pane, glass pane and vehicle with a glass pane

The invention relates to a tool for processing a glass pane, in particular a vehicle pane or a glass pane to be manufactured, in particular a vehicle pane to be manufactured. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for producing a glass pane, a glass pane and a vehicle with at least one glass pane.

The thermal hardening of glass panes has been known for a long time. It is often referred to as thermal tempering or tempering. By way of example only, reference is made to the patent documents DE 710690 A, DE 808880 B, DE 1056333 A from the 1940s and 1950s. A glass pane heated to just below the softening temperature is subjected to an air stream, which leads to rapid cooling (quenching) of the glass pane. This creates a characteristic stress profile in the glass pane, with compressive stresses on the surfaces and tensile stresses prevailing in the core of the glass pane. This affects the mechanical properties of the glass pane in two ways. First, the fracture stability of the disc is increased and it can withstand higher loads than an uncured disc. Secondly, a glass breakage after penetration of the central tension zone (e.g. through damage by a pointed stone or by deliberate destruction with a pointed emergency hammer) does not occur in the form of large sharp-edged fragments, but in the form of small, blunt fragments, which significantly reduces the risk of injury. Due to the properties described above, thermally toughened glass panes are used as so-called single-pane safety glass in the vehicle area, in particular as rear panes and side panes. Furthermore, thermally toughened glass panes of this type are used in a variety of ways in the construction, architecture and furniture sectors.

So-called blow boxes (quench box, quench head) are used for pre-tensioning, to which an air stream is fed by strong fans. In the blow box, the air flow is divided into different channels, each of which is closed with a nozzle bar. The nozzle strips have a side surface with a row of blowing openings or nozzle openings which are directed towards the glass pane and act on the latter with the air flow distributed by means of the blowing box. The glass sheet is typically sandwiched between an upper and a lower blow box driven, the blow boxes then approximated each other and the disc surfaces for pretensioning. The entire device with the two blow boxes is often referred to as a pretensioning station.

During tempering, the glass panes are stored and transported on so-called tempering frames. The pretensioning frame is adapted to the respective disc geometry and is usually exchangeably suspended in a transport frame. A tempering frame typically comprises a support frame which is fastened to the transport frame and a support frame on which the glass pane is placed. Carrier frame and support frame are connected to each other via a large number of adjusting screws in order to be able to adapt the exact shape of the support frame to the respective curvature of the pane. For this purpose, the set screws are distributed over the entire circumference of the frame with a certain distance, so that the height of each area of the support frame assigned to a set screw can be set exactly.

Inhomogeneous cooling effects occur along the outer edges and along the edges of cutouts or material cutouts in the glass pane, so that undesirable material stresses occur in these edge areas. As a result, the quality of the glass pane along the edge regions suffers from such inhomogeneous temperature changes. In addition to optical disturbances in the glass pane, material cracks and thus a breakage of the glass pane during manufacture or later use can also result.

The document DE 195 47 935 C1 discloses a method for bending and / or tempering glass panes and a support frame which fixes the glass pane for tempering and has a shaped ring for additionally supporting the glass pane at the edges of an opening provided there.

The invention is based on the object of providing a tool, in particular for processing a glass pane or a glass pane to be produced, which ensures simplified and improved handling of the glass pane during the production or machining process, is simple and inexpensive to provide, and is simple in existing work processes can be integrated and ensures an improved quality of the glass pane to be manufactured or processed. In addition, the invention is the Object of the object to provide an improved method for producing a glass sheet, a glass sheet and a vehicle with a glass sheet.

This object is achieved with a view to the tool by the subject matter of independent claim 1, with a view to the method by claim 1 1, with a view to the glass pane by claim 1 3 and with a view to the vehicle by claim 14.

According to the present invention, a tool for processing a glass pane is provided with a support frame for receiving and positioning the glass pane during a cooling process. The support frame has at least one independent flow obstacle element which can be positioned in relation to the vehicle window to be produced in such a way that a fluid flow which is directed towards an edge region of an opening in the glass window to be produced can be at least partially deflected. Openings in the sense of the invention are openings which are in particular completely surrounded by the glass pane, for example bores, but also recesses which extend into the glass pane from the side edge and are therefore only partially surrounded by the glass pane.

The fluid flow is advantageously a cooling fluid flow and in particular an air flow.

The glass pane is preferably a vehicle window, a construction or

Architectural glass pane for indoor or outdoor use like one

Facade glazing, in particular a window, a glass door or a

Room separating disc, or a furniture disc, for example for a cupboard, a display case, a worktop, a desk, a refrigerator, a freezer or the like. The openings are then, for example, bushings for fasteners, hinges, door handles or the like. In the field of

The vehicle glazing can be used, for example, as a passage for a windshield wiper mechanism, in particular in a rear window, or as part of a latching mechanism for a window lifting mechanism, in particular in a side window.

The invention is based on the basic idea that a cooling fluid flow, which is directed towards an inner edge region of the glass pane, can be deflected in such a way that a preferably homogeneous cooling effect over the surroundings of the opening in the Glass pane is achievable. In this way, undesirable internal stress patterns in the glass pane due to uneven cooling along the edge regions of the opening can be avoided and the quality of the glass pane can be optimized. This is particularly important for vehicle windows.

In particular, the support frame has a so-called “quench ring” in order to receive the glass pane at the end of the shaping process, to transfer it to a tempering or tempering process step and to hold it expediently during tempering or cooling or during quenching.

An independent flow obstacle element is to be understood in the sense of the invention as a structure specially designed for influencing the flow, which can be arranged or formed within the support frame or close to it. In this sense, this element can be shaped aerodynamically in such a way that the cooling fluid flow is appropriately deflected and distributed.

The flow obstacle element is accordingly provided as an obstacle to the fluid flow or cooling fluid flow on the way towards the glass pane. In particular, part of the fluid flow reaches the flow obstacle element and is deflected from its original flow direction, while a remaining part of the fluid flow can reach a surface of the glass pane in the intended, direct way.

The flow obstacle element is advantageously fastened directly or via a connecting section to the support frame. Alternatively, the flow element (20) can be attached to the support frame directly or via a connecting section. The support frame is attached to the support frame via its own connecting sections.

The flow obstacle element is made in one piece or in several parts, and thus can be connected to the support frame. In this sense, the flow obstacle element can be exchangeable along the support frame.

It is envisaged that the flow obstacle element has no contact with the glass pane. In this sense, the or each flow obstacle element of the tool differs from the rest of the support frame, which is designed to appropriately receive the glass pane. The distance between Flow obstacle element and glass pane is advantageously from 0.5 mm to 50 mm and in particular from 0.5 mm to 20 mm.

In this way, inhomogeneous cooling or tempering compared to the other flat areas of the glass pane can be avoided, in particular along the edge region of the glass pane around the opening. A more homogeneous cooling of the glass pane is achieved.

Alternatively, the flow obstacle element can touch the glass pane and in particular the glass pane can rest on the flow obstacle element at least in sections. Then the flow obstacle element supports the glass pane in the respective area.

According to one embodiment, the flow obstacle element has a shape adapted to the shape of the opening in the glass pane. In this sense, the flow obstacle element can have an angular cross section, in particular a triangular, four, five, six or octagonal cross section, a circular cross section, an oval cross section or the like.

In practically significant versions, the flow obstacle element has the basic shape of a circular disk, a circular ring, a circular cone or a hemisphere or a spherical segment. Such designs are particularly useful in connection with a glass plate which has a circular opening, and then it is further preferred that the diameter of the circular plate or the circular ring or the diameter of the base of the circular cone or the spherical segment is larger than that of the opening.

According to one embodiment, the flow obstacle element has a constant cross section. However, it can also be provided that the flow obstacle element changes its cross-section along its extent in order to provide a suitable deflection of the cooling fluid flow and to achieve a homogenization of the tempering process along the glass pane.

In a further embodiment it is provided that the flow obstacle element can be positioned under the glass pane in alignment with the opening, in particular concentrically with a circular opening. The flow obstacle element can be arranged upstream of the support frame in the direction of the intended cooling fluid flow to be applied, that is, further away from the glass pane than a support structure of the support frame.

According to a preferred embodiment, the flow obstacle element is covered or coated with a fabric or a grid, in particular a metal mesh or a metal grid. Furthermore, the use of other temperature-resistant materials to form the tissue or the grid is conceivable. In the event of contact between the flow obstacle element and the glass pane, the contact area can be reduced in this way and a so-called thermal or temperature shock, which can lead to the glass pane breaking, can be avoided.

In one embodiment, the flow obstacle element is made of a metal, in particular a temperature-resistant metal, preferably the same metal as the support frame. In a further embodiment, the flow obstacle element is made from a perforated plate or a grid plate or from a solid material. Through the choice of the hole size, the flow of cooling fluid through the flow obstacle element can be set in a targeted and controlled manner and thus a more targeted cooling capacity can be directed to the edge area of the opening. The aforementioned statements are also referred to collectively as flow obstacle elements with an essentially closed surface in order to differentiate them from ring-shaped or frame-shaped structures.

In a further embodiment, the tool can have at least one further flow obstacle element that is arranged on the side of the glass pane facing away from the first flow obstacle element. This serves to deflect and influence a second cooling fluid stream, which usually comes from above. Such a further flow obstacle element can, for example, be arranged movably on the prestressing frame and in particular on the support frame or on the support frame and can then be moved over the opening of the glass pane after the glass pane has been placed on it.

According to a secondary aspect of the invention, a method for producing a glass pane or a vehicle with a glass pane using a tool according to one of the preceding claims is proposed, which comprises the following steps: Bringing the glass pane into contact with a support frame, the at least one flow obstacle element being aligned with respect to the glass pane to be produced in such a way that the edge region of an opening in the glass pane is covered with respect to a flow of cooling fluid; - Application of a cooling fluid flow to an essentially homogeneous one

Cooling of the glass pane to be produced.

In one embodiment of the method, the cooling fluid flow is oriented essentially perpendicular to the plane of the glass pane and the support frame that supports it. According to a further secondary aspect of the invention, a glass pane, and in particular a vehicle pane, is proposed which is produced using the manufacturing method according to the invention. Furthermore, a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, preferably a passenger or truck, bus, train or ship, with at least one glass pane according to the invention is proposed.

Furthermore, the invention is explained in more detail using an exemplary embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Show it :

Figure 1 is a plan view of a glass sheet with a hole using the example of a

Vehicle window,

Figure 2 is a plan view of a support frame with an overlying

Glass pane according to FIG. 1,

3 shows an enlarged illustration of section Z from FIG. 2 of an exemplary embodiment according to the invention, FIG. 4a shows a cross section through an arrangement for the thermal tempering of glass panes along the section line A-A 'from FIG. 3,

FIG. 4b shows a cross section through an embodiment example according to the invention of an arrangement for the thermal tempering of glass panes along the section line AA 'from FIG. 3, Figure 4c shows a cross section through a further inventive

Design example of an arrangement for the thermal tempering of glass panes along the section line A-A 'from FIG. 3,

Figure 4d shows a cross section through a further inventive

1 shows a plan view of a glass pane 1 using the example of a vehicle pane with an exemplary recess in the lower, central region of the glass pane 1 in the form of a hole 2. The glass pane 1 is, for example, a single glass pane made of soda-lime glass with a thickness of, for example, 3 , 5 mm. By means of thermal tempering, such a curved single glass pane becomes single pane safety glass and can be used, for example, as a rear pane in a motor vehicle. Through the hole 2, for example, the axis of rotation of a wiper can be passed and attached to the glass sheet 1. In further design examples (not shown here), such holes are used in side windows made of toughened safety glass for fixing window lifters in the motor vehicle sector.

FIG. 2 shows a top view of a simplified illustration of a support frame 10. The support frame 10 is part of a pretensioning frame. The biasing frame comprises a support frame 10 and a support frame, not shown in this figure. The glass pane 1 is arranged in a plan view completely on the inner edge 10 ″ of the support frame 10 and lies thereon.

In the case of thermal tempering, a glass pane 1 is placed on the support frame 10 in a manner known per se, heated and transported between two blow boxes by means of a transport frame mounted, for example, on rollers. There, the glass pane 1 is acted upon by a cooling fluid flow (usually an air flow) from above and from below and is thereby rapidly cooled on the surfaces, as a result of which a prestress is created in comparison to the slower cooling core of the glass pane 1.

The glass pane 1 is self-supporting in the interior of the support frame 10, so that the air flow can be directed onto the almost complete glass pane 1 during the thermal tempering process. As a result, the voltage profile described at the outset is generated in the glass pane 1. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the inner edge 10 ′ of the support frame 10 runs between the side edge of the glass pane 1 and the perforated hole 2, so that the perforated hole 2 is arranged freely in the interior of the support frame 10.

If the air flow in a prestressing frame according to the prior art is directed directly onto and through the perforated hole 2 in the glass pane 1, an inhomogeneous prestressing occurs in the edge or edge region of the glass pane 1 around the perforated hole 2. This leads to frequent glass breakage and undesirable optical disturbances.

As the inventors surprisingly found, this can be avoided by a suitable deflection of the air flow by a flow obstacle element.

FIG. 3 shows an enlarged illustration of section Z from FIG. 2 with a flow obstacle element 20 according to the invention.

The support frame 10 is connected to a support frame 30 via a plurality of connecting sections 10 ″. Each connecting section 10 ″ is connected to the carrier frame 30 via an adjusting screw 30 ′. The height of the support frame 10 relative to the support frame 30 can be varied by means of the set screws 30 'and can thus be easily and flexibly adapted to the respective geometry of the glass pane 1. For this purpose, the support frame 10 is made sufficiently thin and flexible. FIG. 4a shows a cross section through an arrangement for thermal prestressing along the section line A-A 'from FIG. 3.

The flow obstacle element 20 according to the invention is arranged below the hole 2 in the glass pane 1. In the exemplary embodiment in FIG. 4a, the flow obstacle element 20 is designed as a circular plate made of a solid material, for example made of a metal such as stainless steel. The flow obstacle element 20 has a diameter that is larger than the diameter of the hole 2 and thereby completely covers it. The flow obstacle element 20 is connected to the support frame 30 via a connecting section 20 ′ and is fixed to it in an adjustable manner by means of set screws 20 ″. In the example in FIG. 4a, the glass pane 1 lies directly on the flow obstacle element 20 in the edge region around the hole 2. As a result, the flow of an air stream 40 through the hole 2 is completely prevented.

It goes without saying that the flow obstacle element 20 can also be at a distance from the glass pane 1, as a result of which a controlled air flow 40 also takes place through the hole 2.

As a rule, a second air flow takes place from above at the same time, which is not shown in the exemplary embodiment for reasons of better clarity.

FIG. 4b shows an exemplary embodiment according to the invention, the flow obstacle element 20 being at a distance of 0.5 mm to 50 mm and, for example, 5 mm from the glass pane 1. Here there is no direct mechanical contact between the glass pane 1 and the flow obstacle element 20. The distance between the flow obstacle element 20 and the glass pane 1 prevents uneven heat dissipation through the flow obstacle element 20 and achieves greater homogeneity in the prestress distribution.

Suitable shapes and dimensions of the flow obstacle element 20 can be determined and optimized by the person skilled in the art in the context of simple experiments.

It goes without saying that the flow obstacle element 20 can also be produced from a hollow material, a perforated grid or a network. It is important that the cold air flow 40 be appropriately directed in the thermal tempering process. A portion of the air flow 40 can also be directed through channels in the flow obstacle element 20 and the cooling of the glass pane 1 in the edge region of the opening 2 can thereby be set and controlled even more specifically.

Furthermore, the flow obstacle element 20 can also have a three-dimensional shape and specifically deflect the air flow 40 to the side or to the rear.

FIG. 4c shows a cross section through a further exemplary embodiment according to the invention of an arrangement for the thermal tempering of a glass pane 1 along the section line AA 'from FIG. 3. The flow obstacle element points here 20 a conical shape (conical shape), the base of which is arranged parallel to the hole 2 and immediately in front of the hole 2. The air flow 40 is deliberately divided by the conical flow obstacle element 20 and deflected to the sides as a divided air flow 40 ′. FIG. 4d shows a cross section through a further exemplary embodiment according to the invention of an arrangement for thermal prestressing

Glass pane along the section line AA 'from FIG. Here, too, the air flow 40 is deflected in a targeted manner and guided to the sides as a divided air flow 40 ′.

Reference number list:

1 glass pane

2 holes in the glass pane 1

10 support frames

10 'inner edge of the support frame 10

10 "connecting section of the support frame 10

20 flow obstacle element

20 ′ connecting section of the flow obstacle element 20

20 “adjusting screw between flow obstacle element 20 and support frame 30 30 support frame

30 ‘adjusting screw between connecting section 10” and support frame 30 40 fluid flow, cooling fluid flow, air flow

40 'shared airflow

A-A 'cut line

Z neckline

Claims

1. Tool for processing a glass sheet (1), in particular one

Vehicle window, with a support frame (10) for receiving and

Positioning the glass pane (1) during a cooling process,

d a d u rc h g e k e n n z e i c h n et, d a s s

the support frame (10) is at least an independent one

Has flow obstacle element (20) which can be positioned in relation to the glass pane (1) to be produced in such a way that it has no contact with the glass pane (1) and a cooling fluid flow (40) which points to one

Edge area of an opening (2) in the glass pane (1) is directed, is at least partially deflectable.

2. Tool according to claim 1,

d a d u rc h g e k e n n z e i c h n et, d a s s

the flow obstacle element (20) has a substantially closed surface and is attached to the support frame (10) in such a way that, in use, it prevents direct passage of cooling fluid (40) aligned perpendicular to the plane of the glass pane (1) through the opening (2).

3. Tool according to claim 1 or 2,

d a d u rc h g e ke n n ze i c h n et, d a s s

the flow obstacle element (20) has a shape adapted to the shape of the opening (2).

4. Tool according to one of the preceding claims,

d a d u rc h g e k e n n z e i c h n et, d a s s

the flow obstacle element (20) is designed as a circular disc, circular ring, circular cone or hemisphere.

5. Tool according to claim 4,

d a d u rc h g e k e n n z e i c h n et, d a s s

the diameter of the circular disc, the circular ring, the circular cone or the hemisphere has a larger diameter than the diameter of a circular opening (2).

6. Tool according to one of the preceding claims,

dad u rch marked, d ass

the flow obstacle element (20) has a constant cross section.

7. Tool according to one of the preceding claims,

dad u rch marked, d ass

the flow obstacle element (20) is aligned with the opening,

in particular concentrically with a circular opening (2) under which

Glass pane (1) can be positioned.

8. Tool according to one of the preceding claims,

dad u rch marked, d ass

the flow obstacle element (20) is covered with a fabric or a mesh, in particular a metal mesh or a metal mesh.

9. Tool according to one of the preceding claims,

dad u rch marked, d ass

the flow obstacle element (20) is made at least in sections and preferably completely from a perforated plate or a solid material.

10. Tool according to one of the preceding claims,

dad u rch marked, d ass

the flow obstacle element (20) directly or via a

Connection section (20 ') on the support frame (10) or on a

Carrier frame (30) is attached.

11. A method for producing a glass sheet (1), in particular one

Vehicle window, using a tool according to one of the preceding claims, comprising the following steps:

Bringing the glass pane (1) into contact with a support frame (10), the at least one flow obstacle element (20) being aligned with respect to the glass pane (1) to be produced such that at least one edge region of an opening (2) in the glass pane (1 ) is concealed from a cooling fluid flow (40);

- Application of a cooling fluid flow (40) to an essentially

homogeneous cooling of the glass pane (1).

12. The method according to claim 11,

d a d u rc h g e k e n n z e i c h n et, d a s s

the cooling fluid flow (40) is substantially perpendicular to the plane of the

Glass pane (1) and the bearing frame (10) carrying this is aligned.

13. Glass pane (1), produced according to a method according to claim 11 or 12.

14. Vehicle, in particular motor vehicle, preferably passenger or

Truck, bus, train or ship, with at least one glass pane (1) according to claim 13.