GLASS TEMPERING MACHINE AND PROCESS
Field of Invention
[001] The present invention relates to glass tempering. More particularly, the present
subject matter relates to an automotive glass tempering machine and process that enables consuming quenching power proportional to the glass size being processed using a single machinery module with innovative mechanism to alter the useful quenching width.
Background and Prior Art
[002] The following background discussion includes information that may be useful
in understanding the present invention. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed invention, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.
[003] Glass tempering is fairly common and expensive process that involves use of
high pressure air generated by a centrifugal blower. Power capacity may vary depending on the maximum size of the product and thickness of the glass being processed. It may vary from a couple of hundreds to a thousand kilowatt. Power is generally altered with respect to the glass thickness being processed but no such provision is historically evident to alter it for different area of the glass being processed. Conclusively a 900 square centimeter glass and a 10,000 square centimeter of same thickness will absorb same quenching power if processed out of machinery capable of producing 10,000 square centimeter glass at a time. One of the solution can be changing the tool itself but it adds to the job change time and adding to the loss of time yield apart from initial investment for every single size.
[004] With ever growing bifurcation in the automotive market segment, there exists
big range of sizes of car and hence automotive glasses. Processing equipment's is expensive and often installed with a multiple size capability. Accordingly, there is a need to be able to reduce the processing cost of smaller size glasses with a solution to restrict its power consumption.
[005] United States Patent Publication US20160194234A1 discloses tempering
section of a flat glass tempering machine saves energy and reduces peak power by shutting an area of tempering section in the areas where there is no glass. The tempering section is multipurpose so that the first part can be used as a high pressure section for

tempering thin glasses, latter section being after the cooling section. Further, the high pressure section can use air produced by a blower and/or compressor. The tempering section includes rollers transporting glass, upper and lower pressure chambers, nozzle boxes attached to them, nozzle covers with nozzles and necessary shutting devices and internal walls.
[006] United States Patent Publication US6279350B1 provides a method and
equipment for adjusting the cooling air of a glass tempering machine. Cooling air is led by at least one fan to a tempering area for cooling the glass exiting a tempering furnace. By means of a closing device the tempering area can be reduced such that a tempering zone with a pressure that can be raised sufficiently high for tempering thin glass can be formed out of the reduced tempering area. In this manner the tempering result becomes very even, and no separate tempering zone is needed even for thin glass.
[007] United States Patent Publication US20040055337A1 discloses air-cooling and
tempering a glass sheet is performed while the glass sheet is continuously conveyed without adversely affecting the quality of the glass sheet. It is provided with a conveying means installed to be operable from a forming zone to a cooling area, a plurality of upper blowing members, a plurality of lower blowing members, a plurality of air-supply boxes for controlling blow/stop operations of cooling air from each of the blowing members and an air-supply source connected to these air-supply boxes. Each of the air-supply boxes has a cylindrical damper, casings and a slide bearing provided in a space between the damper and the casing, wherein the cool-air supplied from the air-supply source can be supplied to the upper and lower blowing members through the air channels by adjusting the rotational positions of the dampers.
Object of the present invention
[008] It is an object of the present invention to overcome the drawbacks of the prior
art.
[009] It is another object of the present invention to reduce processing cost of
automotive glasses tempering process. [0010] It is another object of the present invention to provide a single module capable
of processing different sizes of glass at comparable efficiency in terms of power
absorbed by each glass size. [0011] It is another object of the present invention to provide a unique rotation
mechanism that consumes a very reasonable space and with automated motion.

[0012] It is another object of the present invention to reduce the cost of producing small size glass in equipment with higher installed capacity in terms of size, thus providing technical advantage in terms of processing cost and manufacturing flexibility.
Brief Description of Accompanying Drawings
[0013] The foregoing detailed description of preferred embodiments, are better
understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of
illustrating the invention, there is shown in the drawings exemplary constructions of
the invention; however, the invention is not limited to the specific methods and system
disclosed. In the drawings: [0014] Figure 1 illustrates an existing air box of a conventional glass tempering
machine. [0015] Figure 2 illustrates a tempering air box for a glass tempering machine in
accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. [0016] Figure 3 illustrates a cross sectional view of the tempering air box in operation
in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. [0017] Figure 4 illustrates another cross sectional view of the tempering air box in
operation in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. [0018] Figure 5 illustrates velocity distribution plot of the tempering air box in
accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
Description of the Present invention
[0019] Some embodiments of this invention, illustrating all its features, will now be discussed in detail.
[0020] The words "comprising," "having," "containing," and "including," and other forms thereof, are intended to be equivalent in meaning and be open ended in that an item or items following any one of these words is not meant to be an exhaustive listing of such item or items, or meant to be limited to only the listed item or items.
[0021] It must also be noted that as used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Although any systems and methods similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of embodiments of the present invention, the preferred, systems and methods are now described.
[0022] The disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms.

[0023] The elements illustrated in the Figures inter-operate as explained in more detail below. Before setting forth the detailed explanation, however, it is noted that all of the discussion below, regardless of the particular implementation being described, is exemplary in nature, rather than limiting. [0024] The present invention relates to glass tempering. More particularly, the present subject matter relates to an automotive glass tempering machine and process that enables consuming quenching power proportional to the glass size being processed using a single machinery module with innovative mechanism to alter the useful quenching width. [0025] In an embodiment, the glass tempering machine (100) comprises: a tempering air box (102) configured to supply air to a glass; and a rotational assembly (104) operatively coupled with the tempering air box (104), wherein an operation of the rotational assembly (104) selectively control air flow from the tempering air box (102) corresponding to a tempering area of the glass. [0026] In an embodiment, the single module is capable of processing different sizes of
glass. [0027] In an embodiment, the glass comprises windshield, side door glass, quarter
glass, and back/rear door glass. [0028] In an embodiment, the tempering air box (102) includes a plurality of nozzles (106), the nozzles (106) are configured to convey the air flow from the tempering air box (102) towards the tempering area of the glass. [0029] In an embodiment, the air flow from the plurality of nozzles (106) is selectively
controlled through the rotational assembly (104). [0030] In an embodiment, the rotational assembly (104) controls the air flow across
multiple rows of the plurality of nozzles (106). [0031] In an embodiment, the rotational assembly (104) comprises: a rotatable knob (108);
a block (110) extending from the knob (108), wherein a rotation of the knob (108) rotates the block (110); and
a control unit (Manual / Automatic / servo driven) for operation of the knob (108). [0032] In an embodiment, the block (110) includes a plurality of integrated nozzle patterns (112) corresponding to at least one of the plurality of nozzles (106).

[0033] In an embodiment, rotating the knob (108) of the rotational assembly (104) rotates the block (110) and a unique set of the integrated nozzle patterns (112) engages or disengages with corresponding plurality of nozzles (106) and leads to respectively closing or opening of the nozzles (106).
[0034] In an embodiment, the engagement or disengagement of the integrated nozzle patterns (112) with the corresponding plurality of nozzles (106) respectively reduces or increases overall exit area and hence total air flow rate out of the tempering air box (102).
[0035] In an embodiment, the Invention provides a glass tempering machine (100) having a tempering air box (102) configured to supply air to a glass; a rotational assembly (104) operatively coupled with the tempering air box (104), wherein an operation of the rotational assembly (104) selectively control air flow from the tempering air box (102) corresponding to a tempering area of the glass.
[0036] In an embodiment, the glass tempering machine is a single module capable of processing different sizes of glass.
[0037] In an embodiment, the glass is one of side door glass, quarter glass, and back/rear door glass.
[0038] In an embodiment, the tempering air box (102) includes a plurality of nozzles (106), the nozzles (106) are configured to convey the air flow from the tempering air box (102) towards the tempering area of the glass.
[0039] In an embodiment, the air flow from the plurality of nozzles (106) is selectively controlled through the rotational assembly (104). The rotational assembly (104) controls the air flow across multiple rows of the plurality of nozzles (106).
[0040] In an embodiment, the rotational assembly (104) includes a rotatable knob (108); multiple blocks (110) extending from the knob (108), wherein a rotation of the knob (108) rotates the blocks (110); and a control unit (Manual / Automatic / servo driven) for operation of the knob (108). Rotating the knob (108) of the rotational assembly (104) at varying angles rotates the blocks (110) and a unique set of the integrated nozzle patterns (112) engages or disengages with corresponding plurality of nozzles (106) and leads to respectively closing or opening of the nozzles (106).
[0041] In an embodiment, the blocks (110) includes a plurality of integrated nozzle patterns (112) corresponding to at least one of the plurality of nozzles (106).

[0042] In an embodiment, the engagement or disengagement of the integrated nozzle patterns (112) with the corresponding plurality of nozzles (106) respectively reduces or increases overall exit area and hence total air flow rate out of the tempering air box (102).
[0043] Figure 1 illustrates an existing air box of a conventional glass tempering machine. Existing manufacturing process consists of using a same machine for multiple glass size, thus making the process expensive for a small size product as rest of the energy is wasted. Power efficiency for a small size product is low while that for a size matching the installed bed size is very high. This is a common issue faced in the automotive industry and mostly solutions such as individual machine for individual size, combining products with less range of size difference and produce them in the most appropriate size of equipment are adopted because of unavailability of any such multipurpose module.
[0044] Figure 2 illustrates a tempering air box (102) for a glass tempering machine (100) in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The tempering air box (102) configured to supply air to a glass. In an example, the glass is one of side door glass, quarter glass, and back/rear door glass. In an embodiment, the glass tempering machine (100) is a single module capable of processing different sizes of glass.
[0045] In an embodiment, the glass tempering machine (100) further includes a rotational assembly (104) operatively coupled with the tempering air box (104), wherein an operation of the rotational assembly (104) selectively control air flow from the tempering air box (102) corresponding to a tempering area of the glass.
[0046] In an embodiment, the tempering air box (102) includes a plurality of nozzles (106), the plurality of nozzles (106) are configured to convey the air flow from the tempering air box (102) towards the tempering area of the glass. In an embodiment, the air flow from the plurality of nozzles (106) is selectively controlled through the rotational assembly (104). In an embodiment, the rotational assembly (104) controls the air flow across multiple rows of the plurality of nozzles (106).
[0047] In an embodiment, the rotational assembly (104) includes a rotatable knob (108); multiple blocks (110) extending from the knob (108), wherein a rotation of the knob (108) rotates the blocks (110); and a control unit for operation of the knob (108). In an example, the control unit may be one of Manual or Automatic or servo driven. In

a servo driven control unit motion of multiple rotation assemblies (104) are integrated using a precise servo driven timing belts based transmission system.
[0048] Figure 3 illustrates a cross sectional view of the tempering air box (102) in operation in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. In this example, tempering of a glass having width 1250 mm is achieved through the glass tempering machine (100). All the blocks (110) are in open condition and air flows out through the overall width.
[0049] Figure 4 illustrates another cross sectional view of the tempering air box (102) in operation in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. In this example, tempering of a glass having width 900 mm is achieved through the glass tempering machine (100). Some blocks (110) are in closed position so as the air flows out in the desired width and rest of the area is blocked.
[0050] In operation, rotating the knob (108) of the rotational assembly (104) rotates the blocks (110) and a unique set of the integrated nozzle patterns (112) engages or disengages with corresponding plurality of nozzles (106) and leads to respectively closing or opening of the nozzles (106). Further in an embodiment, in operation the engagement or disengagement of the integrated nozzle patterns (112) with the corresponding plurality of nozzles (106) respectively reduces or increases overall exit area and hence total air flow rate out of the tempering air box (102). In industrial practice, unique combination of blocks (110) may be actuated at a unique angle to alter the overall number of nozzles (106) in use. Thus, the glass tempering machine (100) can be utilized for tempering of different glass sizes by varying overall exit area through operation of the tempering air box (102) as explained above.
[0051] Figure 5 illustrates velocity distribution plot of the tempering air box in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. Shaped glass quenching is a complex process with the measurable parameter being glass strength in terms of the internal stresses developed apart from the dimensional accuracy and visual characteristic requirements. Achieving uniformly distributed stress pattern calls for all the background study of air flow pattern through individual air nozzle. This study was done using CFD analysis software to simulate the flow characteristics of the air box for each configuration of the mechanism with a target to achieve a uniformly distributed flow pattern throughout the open nozzle area and the overall efficiency was monitored while changing the nozzle shape and size to iterate the parameters and hence maximized. An estimate on power saving was also created using this analysis.

Applications / Advantages of the invention
[0052] The present disclosure provides an advanced automotive glass tempering machine that enables consuming quenching power proportional to the glass size being processed using a single machinery module with innovative mechanism to alter the useful quenching width. [0053] The present disclosure provides a single module capable of processing different sizes of glass at comparable efficiency in terms of power absorbed by each glass size. [0054] The present disclosure provides a unique rotation mechanism that consumes a very reasonable space and with automated motion, it's easy and quick to operate. The present disclosure lead to reducing the cost of producing small size glass in equipment with higher installed capacity in terms of size, thus providing technical advantage in terms of processing cost.

We Claim:
1. A glass tempering machine (100), based on single module, for processing different
size/s of glass, comprises following components:
a tempering air box (102) configured to supply air to a glass; and
a rotational assembly (104) operatively coupled with the tempering air box
(104), wherein an operation of the rotational assembly (104) selectively controls air
flow from the tempering air box (102) corresponding to a tempering area of the glass.
2. The glass tempering machine (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the glass comprises
windshield, side door glass, quarter glass, and back/rear door glass.
3. The glass tempering machine (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tempering air
box (102) includes a plurality of nozzles (106), the nozzles (106) are configured to
convey the air flow from the tempering air box (102) towards the tempering area of the
glass.
4. The glass tempering machine (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the air flow from
the plurality of nozzles (106) is selectively controlled through the rotational assembly
(104).
5. The glass tempering machine (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the rotational
assembly (104) controls the air flow across multiple rows of the plurality of nozzles
(106).
6. The glass tempering machine (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the rotational
assembly (104) includes:
a rotatable knob (108);
a block (110) extending from the knob (108), wherein a rotation of the knob
(108) rotates the block (110); and
a control unit (Manual / Automatic / servo driven) for operation of the knob
(108).
7. The glass tempering machine (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the block (110)
includes a plurality of integrated nozzle patterns (112) corresponding to at least one of
the plurality of nozzles (106).
8. The glass tempering machine (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein rotating the knob
(108) of the rotational assembly (104) rotates the block (110) and a unique set of the
integrated nozzle patterns (112) engages or disengages with corresponding plurality of
nozzles (106) and leads to respectively closing or opening of the nozzles (106).9. The glass tempering machine (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the engagement or
disengagement of the integrated nozzle patterns (112) with the corresponding plurality
of nozzles (106) respectively reduces or increases overall exit area and hence total air
flow rate out of the tempering air box (102).
10. A method of operation of the glass tempering machine (100) as claimed in claim 1,
comprising the steps of:
a) rotating the knob (108) of the rotational assembly (104) to rotate the blocks (110) and
a unique set of the integrated nozzle patterns (112) that engages or disengages with
corresponding plurality of nozzles (106) and leads to respectively closing or opening of
the nozzles (106);
b) engaging or disengaging the integrated nozzle patterns (112) with the corresponding
plurality of nozzles (106) respectively to reduce or increase overall exit area and hence
total air flow rate out of the tempering air box (102).