Title of Invention	TOOL HOLDER DEVICE FOR COLLABORATING WITH GLASS
Abstract	A tool holder device (1) supporting at least one tool (20, 21) intended to collaborate with optional contact with at least one substrate (50, 60) with the substrate positioned on edge, the device (1) being able to make the tool move translationally and rotationally relative to the substrate, it being possible for said substrate to be moved translationally relative to the tool as the tool is operating, wherein the tool or tools (20, 21) consist of means of applying and bonding an interlayer (72) to all or part of the periphery and to the edge faces (55, 61) of at least two substrates (50, 60) facing each other.

Title of Invention

TOOL HOLDER DEVICE FOR COLLABORATING WITH GLASS

Abstract

A tool holder device (1) supporting at least one tool (20, 21) intended to collaborate with optional contact with at least one substrate (50, 60) with the substrate positioned on edge, the device (1) being able to make the tool move translationally and rotationally relative to the substrate, it being possible for said substrate to be moved translationally relative to the tool as the tool is operating, wherein the tool or tools (20, 21) consist of means of applying and bonding an interlayer (72) to all or part of the periphery and to the edge faces (55, 61) of at least two substrates (50, 60) facing each other.

Full Text	Tool holder device for collaborating with glass The invention relates to a tool holder device supporting at least one tool intended to collaborate, with or without contact, with at least one glass substrate. The issue here is that of being able, by- virtue of this device, to collaborate with at least one glass substrate in order for example to take measurements, detect faults, shape, machine, treat, etc. By way of example, the device of the invention will be described in its use relating to the manufacture of insulating glazing comprising at least two glass substrates and at least one interlayer secured to the edge faces of the substrates. Such insulating glazing is, for example, disclosed in patent application FR 2 807 783. Arranging the interlayer on the edge face of the glazing has the advantage in particular of improving the visibility through the glazing by comparison with glazing in which the interlayer is arranged against the internal faces of the sheets of glass. This same patent application FR 2 807 783 describes a method for assembling substrates, or sheets of glass, encircled around their edge face with the interlayer. Only the step of assembling the sheets of glass and the interlayer is described, that is to say the step when the sheets of glass are in a separated position facing one another in order to take the interlayer. The sheets of glass are kept separated on their edge by means of suction cups for example, while the interlayer is bonded and pressed against the edge face of the glazing using press rollers the two of which together run along the entire periphery of the glazing. Nonetheless, ahead of this assembly step, it is necessary to prepare the positioning of the sheets of glass and to make sure of the optical and dimensional qualities of the glass, and to envision, and possibly perform, prior to assembly, the scrapping of sheets of glass that do not meet the quality criteria. Furthermore, the assembly step envisioned in that application may not necessarily be suitable for long glazing perimeters because the interlayer, which starts out wound, is first of all paid out and then laid out flat in a length that corresponds to the perimeter of the glazing. Now, this laying of the interlayer out flat before it is applied against the edge face of the glazing may require a great deal of space to accommodate it, and this cannot always be provided in a production plant where it is always desirable to minimize such a space requirement. Hence, the invention proposes a device which allows a tool, supposed to collaborate with at least part of the periphery of the substrate, to run around said substrate quickly and without requiring a great deal of accommodating space. It may for example be used in the manufacture of glazing, particularly in the steps of preparation for assembly and of assembly, thus making it possible to optimize the manufacturing time and the accommodating space required on the manufacturing line. Document EP 0 222 349-B1 discloses a tool holder device supporting at least one tool intended to collaborate with at least one substrate with the substrate positioned on edge, the device being able to make the tool move translationally and rotationally relative to the substrate, it being possible for said substrate to be moved translationally relative to the tool as the tool is operating. Nonetheless, this device is specifically designed to collaborate with one of the faces of the substrate in order for example to apply a bonding material to it and thus associate another substrate with the face of this substrate. This device cannot, however, for example be used for assembling two substrates via their edge face. It is therefore another object of the invention to provide a device that can perform such assembly. According to the invention, the device is characterized in that the collaboration between the tool and the substrate or substrates occurs with or without contact relative to the edge face of the substrate or substrates. According to one feature, the device is controlled via a control loop to ensure precise positioning of the tool relative to the substrate. Hence, the device comprises means for compensating for the position of the substrate or substrates and at least one position sensor, which means and sensor are intended to be associated with the tool. The tool or tools consist of means for measuring, machining, shaping or treating the glass substrate or substrates. For example, the tool or tools consist of means of applying and bonding an interlayer to all or part of the periphery and to the edge faces of at least two substrates facing each other. The applying and bonding means consist of at least two press rollers each one designed to press against one of the edge faces of the two substrates, the two rollers being control-loop controlled independently. In addition, means for compensating for the position of each substrate and a position sensor are associated with each of the press rollers respectively. This compensation makes it possible, on the one hand, to absorb small dimensional variations of each substrate and, on the other hand, to provide a constant pressing force on the interlayer already coated with adhesive, these two features having necessarily to be taken into consideration for thin bonding to the edge face of a substrate. According to another feature, the tool holder device comprises a rotary support on which the tool is fixed and a linear guidance element with which said rotary support collaborates, the support being prevented from rotating when moved translationally by means of the guidance element. Advantageously, the tool holder device comprises a vertical beam provided with the rotary support and with the linear guidance element extending at least partially over the height of the beam. As a preference, the tool holder device comprises a first tool able to move translationally and/or rotationally, and a second tool which is arranged fixedly and is able to operate while the substrate or substrates are moving translationally. The rotational and translational movements of the tool or tools and the control loop control of the device are advantageously controlled by numerical control means. The invention also relates to an installation comprising a tool holder device of the invention and at least one module for holding and positioning the substrate or substrates in the three directions of space (X, Y, Z) facing the tool holder device. According to one feature, the holding and positioning module consists of a fixed chassis which comprises a roughly vertical stand, means for holding and positioning a substrate against the stand in the X and Y directions, and means for holding and positioning the substrate in the Z-direction. Advantageously, the means for holding and positioning the substrate are controlled through a control loop so as always to position the substrate appropriately relative to the device. The means for holding and positioning a substrate comprise particularly conveyor belts and suction means able to hold the substrate tightly against said belts. In another embodiment, the holding and positioning module consists of a fixed chassis and a moving chassis, these chassis collaborating with one another in such a way as each to support at least one substrate, the substrates being placed facing each other and positioned relative to one another with a given separation. As a preference, the fixed chassis and the moving chassis are open in their upper part so as to support substrates of any dimensions, and particularly of dimensions greater than those of the stand part of the chassis. Advantageously, the moving chassis comprises means for positioning, in the Z-direction, the substrate resting on the moving chassis so as to obtain the desired separation between the two substrates. Furthermore, in this last embodiment, the moving chassis comprises means for holding and positioning, in the X-direction, the two substrates resting on the fixed and moving chassis, these holding and positioning means being able to be moved in the Z-direction independently of the moving chassis. Finally, the holding and positioning module comprises means for transferring a substrate supported by the fixed chassis so as to transfer it to the moving chassis. According to another feature, the means for holding and positioning a substrate comprise conveyor belts and suction means able to hold the substrate tightly against said belts. Advantageously, an additional high- performance suction device is also provided, so as to guarantee, for as long as possible, a tangential holding force holding the substrate at the end of the module. According to yet another feature, a holding system using suction cups may be associated with the holding and positioning module, for routing, from the module to an adjacent support element, a substrate which, in the X-direction, has a dimension roughly equivalent to or smaller than the space separating the holding and positioning module from the support element adjacent to said module. As a preference, the installation will comprise several modules for progressing, holding and positioning substrates, which may or may not be electronically coupled depending on the lengths of the substrates in order to optimize manufacturing rates. By way of example, the progressing, holding and positioning module constitutes a module for preassembling and/or assembling insulating glazing comprising at least two glass substrates and an interlayer secured to all or part of the periphery of the substrates. Other details and advantages of the invention will now be described with reference to the attached/drawings in^ J which: figure 1 shows an elevation of the device of the invention; figure 2 shows a sectioned view of a module for holding and positioning at least one glass substrate, comprising a support chassis; figure 3 is a variant of figure 2 comprising two support chassis for supporting the glass; figure 4a is a view from above and in section of the substrate suction means for holding it on the support chassis; figure 4b is an elevation of the substrate suction means; figure 5 depicts the device of figure 1 with which a module for holding and positioning a glass substrate is associated; figure 6 schematically illustrates the steps of moving around a sheet of glass using the device of the invention; figure 7 shows a sectioned part view of insulating glazing; figure 8 illustrates an elevation of the device of the invention, bearing a tool for collaborating with the edge faces of two substrates. Figure 1 illustrates a tool holder device 1 according to the invention which comprises a vertical oblong beam 10, a rotary support 11 on which a moving tool 20 is fixed, and a linear guidance element 12 extending over the height of the beam and with which the rotary support collaborates, the support 11 being prevented from rotating when it is intended to be moved translationally by means of the guidance element 12. The rotation and translational movement of the support 11, which allow the translational and rotational movements of the tool as it operates, are controlled by numerical control means, not illustrated. The device 1 is intended to collaborate with the glass consisting of one or more substrates. The device can also support another fixed tool 21. The tool or tools 2 0 and 21 are any kinds of tool supposed to collaborate with the glass in order to perform contact operations with a view, for example, to shaping, machining, grinding, performing surface treatment of the glass, or contactless operations such as operations of measuring characteristics of the glass. The device of the invention is intended to be used in an installation in which the glass substrate or substrates are arranged on edge to collaborate with the tool or tools. For this, the installation comprises at least one module 3 for holding and positioning the substrate or substrates in the three directions of space X, Y, Z with respect to the tool holder device. The X-direction consists of the horizontal direction in which the substrate is routed and progressed, the Y-direction perpendicular to the X-direction is situated in a vertical plane and the Z-direction perpendicular to the X and Y directions is situated in the horizontal plane of the X direction. The holding and positioning module 3 illustrated in figure 2 and, as a variant, in figure 3 comprises at least a fixed chassis 30. The variant in figure 3 comprises a fixed chassis 3 0 identical to that of figure 2 and a moving chassis 40 designed to collaborate with the fixed chassis. The fixed chassis 30, the only one in figure 2, is for example used to support a single glass substrate 50 or an assembled product equipped with at least one glass substrate with which the tool or tools of the tool holder device collaborate, while the setup in figure 3, with the fixed chassis 3 0 and the moving chassis 40, is intended to support at least two substrates 50 and 60, at least one on the fixed chassis and at least one on the moving chassis, in order for example to assemble these in order to form insulating glazing. The fixed chassis 3 0 has a base 31, a roughly vertical stand 32, preferably inclined by about 6° to provide the substrate with stability and open at its upper part to support substrates of large dimensions greater than the height of the stand, two endless belts 33, 34 arranged in a plane parallel to that of the stand and separated from one another by a distance corresponding roughly to the height of a sheet of glass, suction means 35 and 36 associated with the belts, and press rollers 37 for the edge of the glass, these rollers being placed along the lower part of the stand and able to turn to form a path CI for progressing the glass substrate 50 in the X-direction. The suction means 35 or 36 illustrated in figures 4a and 4b consist of a box structure, around which the belt 33 or 34 is arranged, the belts projecting appreciably from the box structure so that the sheet of glass 50 rests on the belts. The belts are made of a non-slip material having a high coefficient of friction, of the rubber type. They are driven in the same direction and synchronously by a motor system, not depicted. The box structure 35 or 36 consists of a hollow profile section equipped on its face facing the sheet of glass with a multitude of holes 35c through which air can pass. The box structure 35 or 36 is connected to a vacuum duct 35a or 36a, respectively, so as to create a vacuum to suck the sheet of glass firmly against the belts 33 and 34. Thus, a sheet of glass 50 rests on edge on the press rollers 37 and is pressed firmly by its lower and upper parts respectively against the pairs of belts 33 and 34 by the suction exerted by the box structures 35 and 36. As a result, the belts 33, 34 and the rotary press rollers 37 constitute means for holding and positioning the substrate 50 against the stand in the X, Y and Z directions, and means for progressing the substrate in the X-direction. Advantageously, the combination of the belt 34 and of the box structure 3 6 associated with the upper part of the sheet of glass 50 is able to be moved heightwise by virtue of a vertical guidance rail 3 8 provided over the height of the stand 32 so as to tailor the separation of the belts to the height of the sheet of glass. On leaving the module 3, the substrate is, for example, transferred to another module and the remainder of the surface of the substrate still resting there needs to be held pressed as firmly as possible against the stand. Hence, an additional high-performance suction device comprising one or more suction nozzles 35c (figure 4b) independent of the vacuum duct 3 5a or 3 6a is provided, arranged at the end of the box structure. It makes it possible to create an even stronger vacuum than the duct 3 5a in conjunction with the holes 35b so as to make up for the leakage flow through these holes which are no longer in contact with the substrate. Hence, the device makes it possible to guarantee, for as long as possible, that there is a tangential holding force holding the substrate and to compensate for the pressing force exerted by the tool, for example as a strip precoated with adhesive is applied to the edges of the substrates. When the substrate 50 is in place on the module 3 comprising only the fixed chassis 30, the substrate is able to progress along the chassis in the X-direction (figure 5) and in the direction of the arrow F from the upstream to the downstream end and be stopped between two positions A and B to collaborate with at least one tool belonging to the device 1. A tool is, for example, an optical sensor of known type, without contact, intended to supply a roughness value and to measure the thickness of the substrate over its entire periphery. Indeed, according to the use made of the sheets of glass, it sometimes proves essential to check the surface finish of the edge faces of the glass. When the float glass is broken into sheets of glass of given dimensions, defects resembling burrs are caused, often near the corners. Too many defects mean that the sheet of glass cannot be used and it is then removed from the installation. The device 1 of the invention allows the substrate or sheet of glass to be moved around by rotating the sensor in order to position it appropriately facing the sheet of glass and by translationally moving the sensor with respect to the sheet of glass in order to take the measurements. Hence, with reference to figure 6, in a first step (1) , with the sheet of glass 50 immobilized between the positions A and B, the tool, in this instance the sensor 20, translationally via the guidance rail 12, follows the vertical side 51 of the sheet of glass downstream of the module to position B, then in a second step (2) , and after it has been rotated at the top corner 51a, it is held in a fixed position while the sheet of glass is moved translationally along its length parallel to the drive path in the direction of the arrow F from the upstream position A to the downstream position B, so that the sensor is aimed at the entirety of the horizontal top side 52. To save measurement time, a second, fixed, optical sensor 21 is provided, arranged at position B, and this then, in a similar way to the sensor 20, is aimed at all of the lower horizontal side 54 as the sheet of glass moves. Finally, in a last step (3), when the vertical upstream side 53 of the sheet of glass arrives at position B, the sensor 2 0 rotates about the upstream top corner 53a and, dropping down parallel, runs along the side 53 of the sheet of glass as far as the bottom corner 54a. The sensors 20 and 21 remain fixed while the horizontal sides 52 and 54 are being measured because these are straight; the sensors could be mobile in a direction perpendicular to the horizontal sides of the glass if these sides had a non-rectilinear geometry, in order to maintain a constant distance between the sensor and the edge face of the glass so as to guarantee a uniform measurement. The sensor 20 is therefore positioned and moved by means of the device 1 so as to assist with moving around the sheet of glass. The guidance element 12 of the device allows the sensor to move translationally up and down to aim at the respective vertical sides 51 and 53 of a sheet of glass. The rotating of the support 11 allows the sensor to be arranged in an aiming position facing, on the one hand, the horizontal top side 52 after measuring the downstream vertical side 51 and, on the other hand, the upstream vertical side 53 having measured the horizontal top side 52. The support 11 is thus able to rotate through 180° so as to perform a first rotation through 90° at the top corner 51a of the sheet of glass then a second rotation through 90° at the top corner 53a. The module 3 for holding and positioning the glass also comprises, in the variant of figure 3, a moving chassis 40. The module 3 may then for example constitute a station for preassembling and/or assembling glazing such as in an installation for the manufacture of insulating glazing. Insulating glazing of the type illustrated in figure 7 comprises at least two substrates or sheets of glass 50 and 60 spaced apart by a layer of gas 70, an interlayer 72 which serves to space the two sheets of glass apart and whose function is to hold them mechanically, the interlayer also acting as a sealing means to seal the glazing against liquid water, solvent and water vapor. The interlayer 72 is in the form of a more or less flat profile strip about 1 mm thick and of roughly parallelepipedal cross section. In the manner of a ribbon, it surrounds at least one side of the glazing, being fixed to the edge faces 55 and 61 of the sheets of glass by securing means 73. For further details about this insulating glazing reference can be made to patent application FR 01/13 354. A conventional glazing manufacturing line comprises several workstations butting up against each other in the same direction. The workstations can be separated so as to tailor the arrangement of the line to the requirement, in order for example to add certain workstations according to the type of glazing being manufactured or alternatively to increase the number of workstations because a greater amount of glazing is to be produced and/or because the glazing elements differ in size. Hence, it is generally possible to discern, from the upstream end downstream, a glass sheet loading station, a glass sheet washing station, a station for checking the surface finish of the sheets of glass and the dimensions of the sheets of glass, a station for preparing for the assembly of the two sheets of glass, a station for assembling the sheets of glass, here using the interlayer, and stations for packaging and respectively for removing the assembled glazing. The station for checking the surface finish of the sheets of glass and the dimensions will advantageously consist of the module 3 with just the fixed chassis described hereinabove, while the preassembly station will consist of the module 3 with the fixed chassis and the moving chassis which we shall now describe, and the assembly station will be identical to the latter module or may form a single station with the preassembly module according to the rate to be achieved on the manufacturing line. Hence, the holding and positioning module 3 may be designed in a modular form with one, two or three identical modules that may or may not be electronically coupled depending on the length of the substrates. This flexibility makes it possible for example with two modules to preassemble substrates of a length close to that of the first module while at the same time the cycle of moving around the two previous substrates finishes on the second module; this allows the cycle time to be reduced by performing certain tasks in parallel. For large-dimension glass, the two modules are then coupled synchronously by real-time control loop control. The module 3 with moving chassis (figure 3) therefore comprises the fixed chassis 3 0 and the moving chassis 40, which are arranged facing one another. The moving chassis in a similar way to the fixed chassis comprises a base 41, a vertical stand 42 inclined by about 6° in a plane parallel to the plane of the stand 32 of the fixed chassis and open at its upper part, two endless belts 43, 44 arranged in a plane parallel to that of the stand 42 and separated from one another by a distance corresponding roughly to the height of a sheet of glass, suction means 45 and 46 associated with the belts, and press rollers 47 for the edge of the sheet of glass, these being placed along the lower part of the stand 42 and able to turn to form a path C2 for progressing the sheet of glass. As we shall explain later on, in this module, the path CI formed by the rollers 37 is not secured to the fixed chassis 30 as it was in figure 2 but is secured to the moving chassis 40. These two paths CI and C2 are able to be moved along in synchronism relative to the moving chassis by guidance means 48. The endless belts 43, 44 and the suction means 45, 46 are respectively similar to the belts 33, 34 and to the suction means 35, 3 6 described above in respect of the fixed chassis 30. The chassis 40 is able to move translationally in the Z-direction perpendicular to the X-direction in which the sheets of glass are driven by guidance rails 49 in which the stand 42 can slide. The chassis 30 serves first of all to support a first sheet of glass, such as the sheet 50 routed in from a previous station, to be transferred onto the moving chassis 40 able to be moved and then, in a second stage, another sheet 60 is routed onto the fixed chassis 3 0 to be brought perfectly to face the first sheet 50 supported by the moving chassis. The issue is thus, with a view to assembling them, one of positioning the two sheets of glass 50 and 60 correctly at the two stop positions facing each other on the paths CI and C2 and at a chosen separation in the Z- direction. The stop positions of the sheets of glass 50 and 60 are checked by the driving of the conveyor belts 33, 34, 43 and 44 against which the sheets of glass rest and by the driving of the press rollers 37 and 47. Position sensors are also provided, to provide perfect control and monitoring. The press rollers 37 and the rollers 47 which respectively constitute two parallel paths CI and C2 along which the sheets of glass are driven can be moved translationally in a Z-direction perpendicular to the X-direction in which the sheets of glass are driven with a view to not sliding the sheet of glass 50 from one roller path to the other when transferring it onto the moving chassis so as to avoid any knocking of the sheet of glass. Thus, the sheet of glass 50 is received against the fixed chassis 3 0 and on the path 31 made up of the rollers 37 which at that time corresponds to the reference path for the routing of the glass. The path CI is then moved in the Z-direction and away from the fixed chassis at the time of the transfer of the sheet of glass 50 from the fixed chassis 3 0 to the moving chassis 40, transfer occurring by reversing the pressures supplied to the respective box structures of the chassis so that the sheet of glass 50 which was stuck by suction against the belts 33, 34 is unstuck and then becomes stuck against the belts 43, 44 of the moving chassis. The belts 33, 34, 43 and 44 constitute the means for transferring the sheet 50 from the fixed chassis to the moving chassis. The moving chassis 4 0 is then moved via the guidance rails 49 as far as the desired position of separation between the sheet of glass 50 and the sheet of glass 60 which will be routed in, the separation corresponding for example to the desired width of the insulating glazing to be manufactured. The sheet of glass 60 is received by the fixed chassis 3 0 and rests on the path C2 of rollers 47 now corresponding to the reference path for the routing of the glass following the movement of the path CI. The sheet of glass 60 is positioned in the X-direction at the desired point so that it faces the sheet of glass 50. To avoid any drive, a magnetic stud comprising two mutually- collaborating elements is associated with the guidance means 48 and, respectively, with the base 41 of the moving chassis so that the movement of the paths CI and C2 accompanies the movement of the moving chassis. In a similar way to the module 3 with a fixed chassis described above for, for example, moving around the sheets of glass, the interlayer will be positioned and bonded by moving around the edge faces of the sheets of glass 50 and 60 using another device 1 for collaborating and assisting with moving around that is identical to the one already described and carries the tools 2 0 and 21 intended to collaborate with the edge faces of the sheets of glass, said tools consisting of systems for delivering the interlayer and coating it with adhesive, in place of the sensors used earlier. Prior to the fixing of the interlayer, depending on the surface finish established using the sensors and as described above, the device 1 may support tools 2 0 and 21 of the shaping tool type that allow the edge faces of the glass to be polished at the sites of defects of the burr type when these do not exceed 1 mm in thickness and do not extend over lengths any longer than 50 mm. Advantageously, such shaping tools are also used to machine a rounded portion at the corners of the sheets of glass, this in particular facilitating the subsequent placement of the interlayer. The interlayer, for example between 0.3 and 0.6 mm thick and delivered with adhesive by a suitable system, is fed in from a reel placed in a magazine which advantageously contains several reels each of which has a different width of interlayer in order readily to adapt to the desired width of insulated glazing (not illustrated). The collaboration between the delivery and adhesive- coating systems and the sheets of glass occurs in the same way as the way described in the steps illustrated in figure 6. It is absolutely essential that the forces of applying the interlayer be constant regardless of the position and dimension of the sheet of glass so as to ensure that the interlayer is perfectly secured to the edge faces of the sheets of glass. For this reason, according to the invention, on the one hand the tool holder device 1 is a device with control loop control to ensure correct positioning of the tool relative to the glass and, on the other hand, the means for holding and positioning the sheets of glass are also controlled with control loop control to oppose the forces exerted by the movement of the glass as it collaborates with the tool. For the control loop control of the tool holder device to yield these results, the tool, in this instance a delivery and adhesive-coating system 20 is, advantageously according to the invention, made up of two press rollers 20a and 20b supporting the interlayer already coated with adhesive and each designed to press against one of the edge faces 55 and 61 of the sheets of glass (figure 8) . The two rollers have control loop control independent of one another in the direction of the force normal to the edge face of the sheets of glass using means for compensating for the position of the substrates with respect to the tool la and using position sensors lb. The force exerted by each of the rollers is of the order of 5 to 10 kg. The means compensating for the position of the substrates may, for example, be pneumatic. The position sensors lb make it possible to check the position of the sheets of glass. Position is adjusted by repositioning the sheet of glass, an operation which is controlled by the control loop control of the means for holding and positioning the sheets of glass and/or by repositioning the tool relative to the edge face or edge faces of the sheets of glass, which is an operation controlled by the control loop control of the tool holder device. When the operation using the device 1 has been performed on the entirety of the two substrates, the two substrates, for example assembled, are routed to the next station by driving the rollers 37 and 47. The module 3 is then free to receive other sheets of glass. The path CI has then to be brought back into the continuation of the reference path, a pneumatic ram pushing the magnetic element associated with the guidance means 48 and with the base 41 of the moving chassis. It must be noted that the translational and rotational movements of all the elements described (tools, belts, routing and drive paths, moving chassis, etc.) are controlled by numerical control means, not illustrated. The module 3 associated with a tool holder device 1 cannot be butted up directly against the next station because the device 1 occupies the space separating the module 3 from the next station. In order for small-dimension glass to pass from the module 3 to the next station without the risk of dropping into the intermediate space, a holding system involving suction cups 80, visible schematically in figure 5, is provided at the module 3 to take hold of the substrate as the module 3 moves to the next station or the next support element. Thus, the device 1 of the invention makes it possible to move around the periphery of the glazing optimizing, on the one hand, the time of the operation of collaborating with the glass and, on the other hand, the space occupied by the means in order to achieve this operation. The tool holder device 1 assists the tool with moving around the sheet of glass by rotating the tool so as to position it appropriately facing the sheet of glass and causing the tool to move translationally with respect to the sheet of glass for the operation for which the tool is intended. Because the device 1 is fixed, it is anticipated, still with a view to optimizing the time of the operation, that a translational movement of the sheet of glass be performed with respect to the tool when the latter is in a fixed position and that a second tool be provided which rests on a fixed support of the beam, in this instance positioned below the horizontal bottom side of a sheet of glass and which is active during this same translational movement of the sheet of glass so that the two tools simultaneously perform their operation on two parallel sides of the sheet, in this instance the horizontal sides of a sheet of glass which are parallel to the routing path. The translational speed of the sheet of glass from position A to position B and the speed of travel of the tool is dependent on the speed at which the tool is to operate, that is to say on the data acquisition frequency of the sensor for example, on the speed at which the interlayer is delivered to the adhesive- coating system. An installation may therefore comprise one or more modules 3, these are managed in sequential synchronism so as to provide a step by step stream of substrates without any jerkiness and without creating a buffer region. In an installation thus comprising at least one tool holder device 1 and at least one module 3, the width of a substrate in the X-direction is of no importance because all that is required, in order to adapt to dimensional increases in the substrate, is for several modules 3 to be butted together. Finally, such an installation is advantageously- compatible with dimensional changes in the height of the substrates because the modules 3 are structures that are open at the top. We Claim: 1. A tool holder device (1) supporting at least one tool (20, 21) intended to collaborate with optional contact with at least one substrate (50, 60) with the substrate positioned on edge, the device (1) being able to make the tool move translationally and rotationally relative to the substrate, it being possible for said substrate to be moved translationally relative to the tool as the tool is operating, wherein the tool or tools (20, 21) consist of means of applying and bonding an interlayer (72) to all or part of the periphery and to the edge faces (55, 61) of at least two substrates (50, 60) facing each other. 2. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the device (1) is controlled via a control loop to ensure precise positioning of the tool (20, 21) relative to the substrate. 3. The device as claimed in claim 2, wherein it comprises means (1a) for compensating for the position of the substrate or substrates and at least one position sensor (lb), which means and sensor are intended to be associated with the tool (20, 21). 4. The device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the tool or tools (20, 21) consist of means for measuring, machining, shaping or treating the glass substrate or substrates (50, 60). 5. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the applying and bonding means consist of at least two press rollers (20a, 20b) each one designed to press against one of the edge faces (55, 61) of the two substrates, the two rollers being control-loop controlled independently. 6. The device as claimed in claims 3 and 1, wherein means (la) for compensating for the position of a substrate and a position sensor (lb) are associated with each of the press rollers respectively. 7. The device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein it comprises a rotary support (11) on which the tool (20) is fixed and a linear guidance element (12) with which said rotary support (11) collaborates, the support (11) being prevented from rotating when moved translationally by means of the guidance element (12). 8. The device as claimed in claim 7, wherein it comprises a vertical beam (10) provided with the rotary support (11) and with the linear guidance element (12) extending at least partially over the height ofthebeam(lO). 9. The device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein it comprises a first tool (20) able to move translationally and/or rotationally, and a second tool (21) which is arranged fixedly and is able to operate while the substrate or substrates (50, 60) are moving translationally. 10. The device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the rotational and translational movements of the tool or tools (20, 21) and the control loop control of the device are controlled by numerical control means. 11. An installation comprising a tool holder device (1) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims and at least one module (3) for progressing, holding and positioning the substrate or substrates (50, 60) in the three directions of space (X, Y, Z) facing the tool holder device (1). 12. The installation as claimed in claim 11, wherein the progressing, holding and positioning module (3) consists of a fixed chassis (30) which comprises a roughly vertical stand (31), means (33, 34, 35, 36, 37) for holding and positioning a substrate (50, 60) against the stand in the X and Y directions, and means (37) for holding and positioning the substrate in the Z-direction. 13. The installation as claimed in claim 12, wherein the holding and positioning means (33, 34, 35, 36, 37) are controlled through a control loop. 14. The installation as claimed in claim 11, wherein the holding and positioning module (3) consists of a fixed chassis (30) and a moving chassis (40), these chassis collaborating with one another in such a way as each to support at least one substrate (50, 60), the substrates being placed facing each other and positioned relative to one another with a given separation. 15. The installation as claimed in claim 12 or 14, wherein the fixed chassis (30) and the moving chassis (40) are open in their upper part so as to support substrates of any dimensions. 16. The installation as claimed in claim 10, wherein the moving chassis (40) comprises means (49) for positioning, in the Z- direction, the substrate (50) resting on the moving chassis so as to obtain the desired separation between the two substrates (50, 60). 17. The installation as claimed in claim 11, wherein the moving chassis (40) comprises means (37, 47) for holding and positioning, in the X-direction, the two substrates resting on the fixed and moving chassis, these holding and positioning means (37, 47) being able to be moved in the Z-direction independently of the moving chassis. 18. The installation as claimed in one of claims 10 to 13, wherein the module (3) comprises means (33, 34, 35, 36, 43, 44, 45, 46) for transferring a substrate supported by the fixed chassis (30) so as to transfer it to the moving chassis (40). 19. The installation as claimed in one of claims 10 to 17, wherein the means for holding and positioning a substrate comprise conveyor belts (33, 34) and suction means (35, 36) able to hold the substrate tightly against said belts. 20. The installation as claimed in claim 19, wherein it comprises an additional high-performance suction device (35c) so as to guarantee, for as long as possible, a tangential holding force holding the substrate at the end of the module (3). 21. The installation as claimed in one of claims 8 to 20, wherein a holding system using suction cups (80) is provided, associated with the module (3), for routing, from the module to an adjacent support element, a substrate which, in the X-direction, has a dimension roughly equivalent to or smaller than the space separating the module (3) from the support element adjacent to said module (3). 22. The installation as claimed in any one of claims 8-21, wherein it comprises several modules for progressing, holding and positioning substrates, which may or may not be electronically coupled depending on the lengths of the substrates. 23. The installation as claimed in one of claims 8 to 22, wherein the holding and positioning module (3) constitutes a module for preassembling and/or assembling insulating glazing comprising at least two glass substrates (50, 60) and an interlayer (72) secured to all or part of the periphery of the substrates. A tool holder device (1) supporting at least one tool (20, 21) intended to collaborate with optional contact with at least one substrate (50, 60) with the substrate positioned on edge, the device (1) being able to make the tool move translationally and rotationally relative to the substrate, it being possible for said substrate to be moved translationally relative to the tool as the tool is operating, wherein the tool or tools (20, 21) consist of means of applying and bonding an interlayer (72) to all or part of the periphery and to the edge faces (55, 61) of at least two substrates (50, 60) facing each other.

Full Text

Tool holder device for collaborating with glass
The invention relates to a tool holder device
supporting at least one tool intended to collaborate,
with or without contact, with at least one glass
substrate. The issue here is that of being able, by-
virtue of this device, to collaborate with at least one
glass substrate in order for example to take
measurements, detect faults, shape, machine, treat,
etc.
By way of example, the device of the invention will be
described in its use relating to the manufacture of
insulating glazing comprising at least two glass
substrates and at least one interlayer secured to the
edge faces of the substrates.
Such insulating glazing is, for example, disclosed in
patent application FR 2 807 783. Arranging the
interlayer on the edge face of the glazing has the
advantage in particular of improving the visibility
through the glazing by comparison with glazing in which
the interlayer is arranged against the internal faces
of the sheets of glass.
This same patent application FR 2 807 783 describes a
method for assembling substrates, or sheets of glass,
encircled around their edge face with the interlayer.
Only the step of assembling the sheets of glass and the
interlayer is described, that is to say the step when
the sheets of glass are in a separated position facing
one another in order to take the interlayer. The sheets
of glass are kept separated on their edge by means of
suction cups for example, while the interlayer is
bonded and pressed against the edge face of the glazing
using press rollers the two of which together run along
the entire periphery of the glazing.
Nonetheless, ahead of this assembly step, it is
necessary to prepare the positioning of the sheets of
glass and to make sure of the optical and dimensional
qualities of the glass, and to envision, and possibly
perform, prior to assembly, the scrapping of sheets of
glass that do not meet the quality criteria.
Furthermore, the assembly step envisioned in that
application may not necessarily be suitable for long
glazing perimeters because the interlayer, which starts
out wound, is first of all paid out and then laid out
flat in a length that corresponds to the perimeter of
the glazing. Now, this laying of the interlayer out
flat before it is applied against the edge face of the
glazing may require a great deal of space to
accommodate it, and this cannot always be provided in a
production plant where it is always desirable to
minimize such a space requirement.
Hence, the invention proposes a device which allows a
tool, supposed to collaborate with at least part of the
periphery of the substrate, to run around said
substrate quickly and without requiring a great deal of
accommodating space. It may for example be used in the
manufacture of glazing, particularly in the steps of
preparation for assembly and of assembly, thus making
it possible to optimize the manufacturing time and the
accommodating space required on the manufacturing line.
Document EP 0 222 349-B1 discloses a tool holder device
supporting at least one tool intended to collaborate
with at least one substrate with the substrate
positioned on edge, the device being able to make the
tool move translationally and rotationally relative to
the substrate, it being possible for said substrate to
be moved translationally relative to the tool as the
tool is operating. Nonetheless, this device is
specifically designed to collaborate with one of the
faces of the substrate in order for example to apply a
bonding material to it and thus associate another
substrate with the face of this substrate.
This device cannot, however, for example be used for
assembling two substrates via their edge face.
It is therefore another object of the invention to
provide a device that can perform such assembly.
According to the invention, the device is characterized
in that the collaboration between the tool and the
substrate or substrates occurs with or without contact
relative to the edge face of the substrate or
substrates.
According to one feature, the device is controlled via
a control loop to ensure precise positioning of the
tool relative to the substrate.
Hence, the device comprises means for compensating for
the position of the substrate or substrates and at
least one position sensor, which means and sensor are
intended to be associated with the tool.
The tool or tools consist of means for measuring,
machining, shaping or treating the glass substrate or
substrates. For example, the tool or tools consist of
means of applying and bonding an interlayer to all or
part of the periphery and to the edge faces of at least
two substrates facing each other.
The applying and bonding means consist of at least two
press rollers each one designed to press against one of
the edge faces of the two substrates, the two rollers
being control-loop controlled independently. In
addition, means for compensating for the position of
each substrate and a position sensor are associated
with each of the press rollers respectively.
This compensation makes it possible, on the one hand,
to absorb small dimensional variations of each
substrate and, on the other hand, to provide a constant
pressing force on the interlayer already coated with
adhesive, these two features having necessarily to be
taken into consideration for thin bonding to the edge
face of a substrate.
According to another feature, the tool holder device
comprises a rotary support on which the tool is fixed
and a linear guidance element with which said rotary
support collaborates, the support being prevented from
rotating when moved translationally by means of the
guidance element.
Advantageously, the tool holder device comprises a
vertical beam provided with the rotary support and with
the linear guidance element extending at least
partially over the height of the beam.
As a preference, the tool holder device comprises a
first tool able to move translationally and/or
rotationally, and a second tool which is arranged
fixedly and is able to operate while the substrate or
substrates are moving translationally.
The rotational and translational movements of the tool
or tools and the control loop control of the device are
advantageously controlled by numerical control means.
The invention also relates to an installation
comprising a tool holder device of the invention and at
least one module for holding and positioning the
substrate or substrates in the three directions of
space (X, Y, Z) facing the tool holder device.
According to one feature, the holding and positioning
module consists of a fixed chassis which comprises a
roughly vertical stand, means for holding and
positioning a substrate against the stand in the X and
Y directions, and means for holding and positioning the
substrate in the Z-direction.
Advantageously, the means for holding and positioning
the substrate are controlled through a control loop so
as always to position the substrate appropriately
relative to the device.
The means for holding and positioning a substrate
comprise particularly conveyor belts and suction means
able to hold the substrate tightly against said belts.
In another embodiment, the holding and positioning
module consists of a fixed chassis and a moving
chassis, these chassis collaborating with one another
in such a way as each to support at least one
substrate, the substrates being placed facing each
other and positioned relative to one another with a
given separation.
As a preference, the fixed chassis and the moving
chassis are open in their upper part so as to support
substrates of any dimensions, and particularly of
dimensions greater than those of the stand part of the
chassis.
Advantageously, the moving chassis comprises means for
positioning, in the Z-direction, the substrate resting
on the moving chassis so as to obtain the desired
separation between the two substrates.
Furthermore, in this last embodiment, the moving
chassis comprises means for holding and positioning, in
the X-direction, the two substrates resting on the
fixed and moving chassis, these holding and positioning
means being able to be moved in the Z-direction
independently of the moving chassis.
Finally, the holding and positioning module comprises
means for transferring a substrate supported by the
fixed chassis so as to transfer it to the moving
chassis.
According to another feature, the means for holding and
positioning a substrate comprise conveyor belts and
suction means able to hold the substrate tightly
against said belts. Advantageously, an additional high-
performance suction device is also provided, so as to
guarantee, for as long as possible, a tangential
holding force holding the substrate at the end of the
module.
According to yet another feature, a holding system
using suction cups may be associated with the holding
and positioning module, for routing, from the module to
an adjacent support element, a substrate which, in the
X-direction, has a dimension roughly equivalent to or
smaller than the space separating the holding and
positioning module from the support element adjacent to
said module.
As a preference, the installation will comprise several
modules for progressing, holding and positioning
substrates, which may or may not be electronically
coupled depending on the lengths of the substrates in
order to optimize manufacturing rates.
By way of example, the progressing, holding and
positioning module constitutes a module for
preassembling and/or assembling insulating glazing
comprising at least two glass substrates and an
interlayer secured to all or part of the periphery of
the substrates.
Other details and advantages of the invention will now
be described with reference to the attached/drawings in^ J
which:
figure 1 shows an elevation of the device of the
invention;
figure 2 shows a sectioned view of a module for
holding and positioning at least one glass
substrate, comprising a support chassis;
figure 3 is a variant of figure 2 comprising two
support chassis for supporting the glass;
figure 4a is a view from above and in section of the
substrate suction means for holding it on the
support chassis;
figure 4b is an elevation of the substrate suction
means;
figure 5 depicts the device of figure 1 with which a
module for holding and positioning a glass substrate
is associated;
figure 6 schematically illustrates the steps of
moving around a sheet of glass using the device of
the invention;
figure 7 shows a sectioned part view of insulating
glazing;
figure 8 illustrates an elevation of the device of
the invention, bearing a tool for collaborating with
the edge faces of two substrates.
Figure 1 illustrates a tool holder device 1 according
to the invention which comprises a vertical oblong beam
10, a rotary support 11 on which a moving tool 20 is
fixed, and a linear guidance element 12 extending over
the height of the beam and with which the rotary
support collaborates, the support 11 being prevented
from rotating when it is intended to be moved
translationally by means of the guidance element 12.
The rotation and translational movement of the support
11, which allow the translational and rotational
movements of the tool as it operates, are controlled by
numerical control means, not illustrated.
The device 1 is intended to collaborate with the glass
consisting of one or more substrates. The device can
also support another fixed tool 21.
The tool or tools 2 0 and 21 are any kinds of tool
supposed to collaborate with the glass in order to
perform contact operations with a view, for example, to
shaping, machining, grinding, performing surface
treatment of the glass, or contactless operations such
as operations of measuring characteristics of the
glass.
The device of the invention is intended to be used in
an installation in which the glass substrate or
substrates are arranged on edge to collaborate with the
tool or tools. For this, the installation comprises at
least one module 3 for holding and positioning the
substrate or substrates in the three directions of
space X, Y, Z with respect to the tool holder device.
The X-direction consists of the horizontal direction in
which the substrate is routed and progressed, the
Y-direction perpendicular to the X-direction is
situated in a vertical plane and the Z-direction
perpendicular to the X and Y directions is situated in
the horizontal plane of the X direction.
The holding and positioning module 3 illustrated in
figure 2 and, as a variant, in figure 3 comprises at
least a fixed chassis 30. The variant in figure 3
comprises a fixed chassis 3 0 identical to that of
figure 2 and a moving chassis 40 designed to
collaborate with the fixed chassis.
The fixed chassis 30, the only one in figure 2, is for
example used to support a single glass substrate 50 or
an assembled product equipped with at least one glass
substrate with which the tool or tools of the tool
holder device collaborate, while the setup in figure 3,
with the fixed chassis 3 0 and the moving chassis 40, is
intended to support at least two substrates 50 and 60,
at least one on the fixed chassis and at least one on
the moving chassis, in order for example to assemble
these in order to form insulating glazing.
The fixed chassis 3 0 has a base 31, a roughly vertical
stand 32, preferably inclined by about 6° to provide
the substrate with stability and open at its upper part
to support substrates of large dimensions greater than
the height of the stand, two endless belts 33, 34
arranged in a plane parallel to that of the stand and
separated from one another by a distance corresponding
roughly to the height of a sheet of glass, suction
means 35 and 36 associated with the belts, and press
rollers 37 for the edge of the glass, these rollers
being placed along the lower part of the stand and able
to turn to form a path CI for progressing the glass
substrate 50 in the X-direction.
The suction means 35 or 36 illustrated in figures 4a
and 4b consist of a box structure, around which the
belt 33 or 34 is arranged, the belts projecting
appreciably from the box structure so that the sheet of
glass 50 rests on the belts.
The belts are made of a non-slip material having a high
coefficient of friction, of the rubber type. They are
driven in the same direction and synchronously by a
motor system, not depicted.
The box structure 35 or 36 consists of a hollow profile
section equipped on its face facing the sheet of glass
with a multitude of holes 35c through which air can
pass. The box structure 35 or 36 is connected to a
vacuum duct 35a or 36a, respectively, so as to create a
vacuum to suck the sheet of glass firmly against the
belts 33 and 34.
Thus, a sheet of glass 50 rests on edge on the press
rollers 37 and is pressed firmly by its lower and upper
parts respectively against the pairs of belts 33 and 34
by the suction exerted by the box structures 35 and 36.
As a result, the belts 33, 34 and the rotary press
rollers 37 constitute means for holding and positioning
the substrate 50 against the stand in the X, Y and Z
directions, and means for progressing the substrate in
the X-direction.
Advantageously, the combination of the belt 34 and of
the box structure 3 6 associated with the upper part of
the sheet of glass 50 is able to be moved heightwise by
virtue of a vertical guidance rail 3 8 provided over the
height of the stand 32 so as to tailor the separation
of the belts to the height of the sheet of glass.
On leaving the module 3, the substrate is, for example,
transferred to another module and the remainder of the
surface of the substrate still resting there needs to
be held pressed as firmly as possible against the
stand. Hence, an additional high-performance suction
device comprising one or more suction nozzles 35c
(figure 4b) independent of the vacuum duct 3 5a or 3 6a
is provided, arranged at the end of the box structure.
It makes it possible to create an even stronger vacuum
than the duct 3 5a in conjunction with the holes 35b so
as to make up for the leakage flow through these holes
which are no longer in contact with the substrate.
Hence, the device makes it possible to guarantee, for
as long as possible, that there is a tangential holding
force holding the substrate and to compensate for the
pressing force exerted by the tool, for example as a
strip precoated with adhesive is applied to the edges
of the substrates.
When the substrate 50 is in place on the module 3
comprising only the fixed chassis 30, the substrate is
able to progress along the chassis in the X-direction
(figure 5) and in the direction of the arrow F from the
upstream to the downstream end and be stopped between
two positions A and B to collaborate with at least one
tool belonging to the device 1.
A tool is, for example, an optical sensor of known
type, without contact, intended to supply a roughness
value and to measure the thickness of the substrate
over its entire periphery. Indeed, according to the use
made of the sheets of glass, it sometimes proves
essential to check the surface finish of the edge faces
of the glass. When the float glass is broken into
sheets of glass of given dimensions, defects resembling
burrs are caused, often near the corners. Too many
defects mean that the sheet of glass cannot be used and
it is then removed from the installation.
The device 1 of the invention allows the substrate or
sheet of glass to be moved around by rotating the
sensor in order to position it appropriately facing the
sheet of glass and by translationally moving the sensor
with respect to the sheet of glass in order to take the
measurements.
Hence, with reference to figure 6, in a first step (1) ,
with the sheet of glass 50 immobilized between the
positions A and B, the tool, in this instance the
sensor 20, translationally via the guidance rail 12,
follows the vertical side 51 of the sheet of glass
downstream of the module to position B, then in a
second step (2) , and after it has been rotated at the
top corner 51a, it is held in a fixed position while
the sheet of glass is moved translationally along its
length parallel to the drive path in the direction of
the arrow F from the upstream position A to the
downstream position B, so that the sensor is aimed at
the entirety of the horizontal top side 52. To save
measurement time, a second, fixed, optical sensor 21 is
provided, arranged at position B, and this then, in a
similar way to the sensor 20, is aimed at all of the
lower horizontal side 54 as the sheet of glass moves.
Finally, in a last step (3), when the vertical upstream
side 53 of the sheet of glass arrives at position B,
the sensor 2 0 rotates about the upstream top corner 53a
and, dropping down parallel, runs along the side 53 of
the sheet of glass as far as the bottom corner 54a.
The sensors 20 and 21 remain fixed while the horizontal
sides 52 and 54 are being measured because these are
straight; the sensors could be mobile in a direction
perpendicular to the horizontal sides of the glass if
these sides had a non-rectilinear geometry, in order to
maintain a constant distance between the sensor and the
edge face of the glass so as to guarantee a uniform
measurement.
The sensor 20 is therefore positioned and moved by
means of the device 1 so as to assist with moving
around the sheet of glass.
The guidance element 12 of the device allows the sensor
to move translationally up and down to aim at the
respective vertical sides 51 and 53 of a sheet of
glass. The rotating of the support 11 allows the sensor
to be arranged in an aiming position facing, on the one
hand, the horizontal top side 52 after measuring the
downstream vertical side 51 and, on the other hand, the
upstream vertical side 53 having measured the
horizontal top side 52.
The support 11 is thus able to rotate through 180° so
as to perform a first rotation through 90° at the top
corner 51a of the sheet of glass then a second rotation
through 90° at the top corner 53a.
The module 3 for holding and positioning the glass also
comprises, in the variant of figure 3, a moving chassis
40. The module 3 may then for example constitute a
station for preassembling and/or assembling glazing
such as in an installation for the manufacture of
insulating glazing.
Insulating glazing of the type illustrated in figure 7
comprises at least two substrates or sheets of glass 50
and 60 spaced apart by a layer of gas 70, an interlayer
72 which serves to space the two sheets of glass apart
and whose function is to hold them mechanically, the
interlayer also acting as a sealing means to seal the
glazing against liquid water, solvent and water vapor.
The interlayer 72 is in the form of a more or less flat
profile strip about 1 mm thick and of roughly
parallelepipedal cross section. In the manner of a
ribbon, it surrounds at least one side of the glazing,
being fixed to the edge faces 55 and 61 of the sheets
of glass by securing means 73.
For further details about this insulating glazing
reference can be made to patent application
FR 01/13 354.
A conventional glazing manufacturing line comprises
several workstations butting up against each other in
the same direction. The workstations can be separated
so as to tailor the arrangement of the line to the
requirement, in order for example to add certain
workstations according to the type of glazing being
manufactured or alternatively to increase the number of
workstations because a greater amount of glazing is to
be produced and/or because the glazing elements differ
in size.
Hence, it is generally possible to discern, from the
upstream end downstream, a glass sheet loading station,
a glass sheet washing station, a station for checking
the surface finish of the sheets of glass and the
dimensions of the sheets of glass, a station for
preparing for the assembly of the two sheets of glass,
a station for assembling the sheets of glass, here
using the interlayer, and stations for packaging and
respectively for removing the assembled glazing.
The station for checking the surface finish of the
sheets of glass and the dimensions will advantageously
consist of the module 3 with just the fixed chassis
described hereinabove, while the preassembly station
will consist of the module 3 with the fixed chassis and
the moving chassis which we shall now describe, and the
assembly station will be identical to the latter module
or may form a single station with the preassembly
module according to the rate to be achieved on the
manufacturing line.
Hence, the holding and positioning module 3 may be
designed in a modular form with one, two or three
identical modules that may or may not be electronically
coupled depending on the length of the substrates. This
flexibility makes it possible for example with two
modules to preassemble substrates of a length close to
that of the first module while at the same time the
cycle of moving around the two previous substrates
finishes on the second module; this allows the cycle
time to be reduced by performing certain tasks in
parallel.
For large-dimension glass, the two modules are then
coupled synchronously by real-time control loop
control.
The module 3 with moving chassis (figure 3) therefore
comprises the fixed chassis 3 0 and the moving chassis
40, which are arranged facing one another. The moving
chassis in a similar way to the fixed chassis comprises
a base 41, a vertical stand 42 inclined by about 6° in
a plane parallel to the plane of the stand 32 of the
fixed chassis and open at its upper part, two endless
belts 43, 44 arranged in a plane parallel to that of
the stand 42 and separated from one another by a
distance corresponding roughly to the height of a sheet
of glass, suction means 45 and 46 associated with the
belts, and press rollers 47 for the edge of the sheet
of glass, these being placed along the lower part of
the stand 42 and able to turn to form a path C2 for
progressing the sheet of glass. As we shall explain
later on, in this module, the path CI formed by the
rollers 37 is not secured to the fixed chassis 30 as it
was in figure 2 but is secured to the moving chassis
40. These two paths CI and C2 are able to be moved
along in synchronism relative to the moving chassis by
guidance means 48.
The endless belts 43, 44 and the suction means 45, 46
are respectively similar to the belts 33, 34 and to the
suction means 35, 3 6 described above in respect of the
fixed chassis 30.
The chassis 40 is able to move translationally in the
Z-direction perpendicular to the X-direction in which
the sheets of glass are driven by guidance rails 49 in
which the stand 42 can slide.
The chassis 30 serves first of all to support a first
sheet of glass, such as the sheet 50 routed in from a
previous station, to be transferred onto the moving
chassis 40 able to be moved and then, in a second
stage, another sheet 60 is routed onto the fixed
chassis 3 0 to be brought perfectly to face the first
sheet 50 supported by the moving chassis. The issue is
thus, with a view to assembling them, one of
positioning the two sheets of glass 50 and 60 correctly
at the two stop positions facing each other on the
paths CI and C2 and at a chosen separation in the Z-
direction.
The stop positions of the sheets of glass 50 and 60 are
checked by the driving of the conveyor belts 33, 34, 43
and 44 against which the sheets of glass rest and by
the driving of the press rollers 37 and 47. Position
sensors are also provided, to provide perfect control
and monitoring.
The press rollers 37 and the rollers 47 which
respectively constitute two parallel paths CI and C2
along which the sheets of glass are driven can be moved
translationally in a Z-direction perpendicular to the
X-direction in which the sheets of glass are driven
with a view to not sliding the sheet of glass 50 from
one roller path to the other when transferring it onto
the moving chassis so as to avoid any knocking of the
sheet of glass. Thus, the sheet of glass 50 is received
against the fixed chassis 3 0 and on the path 31 made up
of the rollers 37 which at that time corresponds to the
reference path for the routing of the glass. The path
CI is then moved in the Z-direction and away from the
fixed chassis at the time of the transfer of the sheet
of glass 50 from the fixed chassis 3 0 to the moving
chassis 40, transfer occurring by reversing the
pressures supplied to the respective box structures of
the chassis so that the sheet of glass 50 which was
stuck by suction against the belts 33, 34 is unstuck
and then becomes stuck against the belts 43, 44 of the
moving chassis. The belts 33, 34, 43 and 44 constitute
the means for transferring the sheet 50 from the fixed
chassis to the moving chassis.
The moving chassis 4 0 is then moved via the guidance
rails 49 as far as the desired position of separation
between the sheet of glass 50 and the sheet of glass 60
which will be routed in, the separation corresponding
for example to the desired width of the insulating
glazing to be manufactured. The sheet of glass 60 is
received by the fixed chassis 3 0 and rests on the path
C2 of rollers 47 now corresponding to the reference
path for the routing of the glass following the
movement of the path CI. The sheet of glass 60 is
positioned in the X-direction at the desired point so
that it faces the sheet of glass 50. To avoid any
drive, a magnetic stud comprising two mutually-
collaborating elements is associated with the guidance
means 48 and, respectively, with the base 41 of the
moving chassis so that the movement of the paths CI and
C2 accompanies the movement of the moving chassis.
In a similar way to the module 3 with a fixed chassis
described above for, for example, moving around the
sheets of glass, the interlayer will be positioned and
bonded by moving around the edge faces of the sheets of
glass 50 and 60 using another device 1 for
collaborating and assisting with moving around that is
identical to the one already described and carries the
tools 2 0 and 21 intended to collaborate with the edge
faces of the sheets of glass, said tools consisting of
systems for delivering the interlayer and coating it
with adhesive, in place of the sensors used earlier.
Prior to the fixing of the interlayer, depending on the
surface finish established using the sensors and as
described above, the device 1 may support tools 2 0 and
21 of the shaping tool type that allow the edge faces
of the glass to be polished at the sites of defects of
the burr type when these do not exceed 1 mm in
thickness and do not extend over lengths any longer
than 50 mm. Advantageously, such shaping tools are also
used to machine a rounded portion at the corners of the
sheets of glass, this in particular facilitating the
subsequent placement of the interlayer.
The interlayer, for example between 0.3 and 0.6 mm
thick and delivered with adhesive by a suitable system,
is fed in from a reel placed in a magazine which
advantageously contains several reels each of which has
a different width of interlayer in order readily to
adapt to the desired width of insulated glazing (not
illustrated).
The collaboration between the delivery and adhesive-
coating systems and the sheets of glass occurs in the
same way as the way described in the steps illustrated
in figure 6.
It is absolutely essential that the forces of applying
the interlayer be constant regardless of the position
and dimension of the sheet of glass so as to ensure
that the interlayer is perfectly secured to the edge
faces of the sheets of glass. For this reason,
according to the invention, on the one hand the tool
holder device 1 is a device with control loop control
to ensure correct positioning of the tool relative to
the glass and, on the other hand, the means for holding
and positioning the sheets of glass are also controlled
with control loop control to oppose the forces exerted
by the movement of the glass as it collaborates with
the tool.
For the control loop control of the tool holder device
to yield these results, the tool, in this instance a
delivery and adhesive-coating system 20 is,
advantageously according to the invention, made up of
two press rollers 20a and 20b supporting the interlayer
already coated with adhesive and each designed to press
against one of the edge faces 55 and 61 of the sheets
of glass (figure 8) . The two rollers have control loop
control independent of one another in the direction of
the force normal to the edge face of the sheets of
glass using means for compensating for the position of
the substrates with respect to the tool la and using
position sensors lb. The force exerted by each of the
rollers is of the order of 5 to 10 kg. The means
compensating for the position of the substrates may,
for example, be pneumatic.
The position sensors lb make it possible to check the
position of the sheets of glass. Position is adjusted
by repositioning the sheet of glass, an operation which
is controlled by the control loop control of the means
for holding and positioning the sheets of glass and/or
by repositioning the tool relative to the edge face or
edge faces of the sheets of glass, which is an
operation controlled by the control loop control of the
tool holder device.
When the operation using the device 1 has been
performed on the entirety of the two substrates, the
two substrates, for example assembled, are routed to
the next station by driving the rollers 37 and 47. The
module 3 is then free to receive other sheets of glass.
The path CI has then to be brought back into the
continuation of the reference path, a pneumatic ram
pushing the magnetic element associated with the
guidance means 48 and with the base 41 of the moving
chassis.
It must be noted that the translational and rotational
movements of all the elements described (tools, belts,
routing and drive paths, moving chassis, etc.) are
controlled by numerical control means, not illustrated.
The module 3 associated with a tool holder device 1
cannot be butted up directly against the next station
because the device 1 occupies the space separating the
module 3 from the next station. In order for
small-dimension glass to pass from the module 3 to the
next station without the risk of dropping into the
intermediate space, a holding system involving suction
cups 80, visible schematically in figure 5, is provided
at the module 3 to take hold of the substrate as the
module 3 moves to the next station or the next support
element.
Thus, the device 1 of the invention makes it possible
to move around the periphery of the glazing optimizing,
on the one hand, the time of the operation of
collaborating with the glass and, on the other hand,
the space occupied by the means in order to achieve
this operation. The tool holder device 1 assists the
tool with moving around the sheet of glass by rotating
the tool so as to position it appropriately facing the
sheet of glass and causing the tool to move
translationally with respect to the sheet of glass for
the operation for which the tool is intended.
Because the device 1 is fixed, it is anticipated, still
with a view to optimizing the time of the operation,
that a translational movement of the sheet of glass be
performed with respect to the tool when the latter is
in a fixed position and that a second tool be provided
which rests on a fixed support of the beam, in this
instance positioned below the horizontal bottom side of
a sheet of glass and which is active during this same
translational movement of the sheet of glass so that
the two tools simultaneously perform their operation on
two parallel sides of the sheet, in this instance the
horizontal sides of a sheet of glass which are parallel
to the routing path.
The translational speed of the sheet of glass from
position A to position B and the speed of travel of the
tool is dependent on the speed at which the tool is to
operate, that is to say on the data acquisition
frequency of the sensor for example, on the speed at
which the interlayer is delivered to the adhesive-
coating system.
An installation may therefore comprise one or more
modules 3, these are managed in sequential synchronism
so as to provide a step by step stream of substrates
without any jerkiness and without creating a buffer
region.
In an installation thus comprising at least one tool
holder device 1 and at least one module 3, the width of
a substrate in the X-direction is of no importance
because all that is required, in order to adapt to
dimensional increases in the substrate, is for several
modules 3 to be butted together.
Finally, such an installation is advantageously-
compatible with dimensional changes in the height of
the substrates because the modules 3 are structures
that are open at the top.

We Claim:
1. A tool holder device (1) supporting at least one tool (20, 21)
intended to collaborate with optional contact with at least one
substrate (50, 60) with the substrate positioned on edge, the device
(1) being able to make the tool move translationally and
rotationally relative to the substrate, it being possible for said
substrate to be moved translationally relative to the tool as the tool
is operating, wherein the tool or tools (20, 21) consist of means of
applying and bonding an interlayer (72) to all or part of the
periphery and to the edge faces (55, 61) of at least two substrates
(50, 60) facing each other.
2. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the device (1) is
controlled via a control loop to ensure precise positioning of the
tool (20, 21) relative to the substrate.
3. The device as claimed in claim 2, wherein it comprises means (1a)
for compensating for the position of the substrate or substrates and
at least one position sensor (lb), which means and sensor are
intended to be associated with the tool (20, 21).
4. The device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein
the tool or tools (20, 21) consist of means for measuring,
machining, shaping or treating the glass substrate or substrates (50,
60).
5. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the applying and
bonding means consist of at least two press rollers (20a, 20b) each
one designed to press against one of the edge faces (55, 61) of the
two substrates, the two rollers being control-loop controlled
independently.
6. The device as claimed in claims 3 and 1, wherein means (la) for
compensating for the position of a substrate and a position sensor
(lb) are associated with each of the press rollers respectively.
7. The device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein
it comprises a rotary support (11) on which the tool (20) is fixed
and a linear guidance element (12) with which said rotary support
(11) collaborates, the support (11) being prevented from rotating
when moved translationally by means of the guidance element
(12).
8. The device as claimed in claim 7, wherein it comprises a vertical
beam (10) provided with the rotary support (11) and with the linear
guidance element (12) extending at least partially over the height
ofthebeam(lO).
9. The device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein
it comprises a first tool (20) able to move translationally and/or
rotationally, and a second tool (21) which is arranged fixedly and
is able to operate while the substrate or substrates (50, 60) are
moving translationally.
10. The device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein
the rotational and translational movements of the tool or tools (20,
21) and the control loop control of the device are controlled by
numerical control means.
11. An installation comprising a tool holder device (1) as claimed in
any one of the preceding claims and at least one module (3) for
progressing, holding and positioning the substrate or substrates
(50, 60) in the three directions of space (X, Y, Z) facing the tool
holder device (1).
12. The installation as claimed in claim 11, wherein the progressing,
holding and positioning module (3) consists of a fixed chassis (30)
which comprises a roughly vertical stand (31), means (33, 34, 35,
36, 37) for holding and positioning a substrate (50, 60) against the
stand in the X and Y directions, and means (37) for holding and
positioning the substrate in the Z-direction.
13. The installation as claimed in claim 12, wherein the holding and
positioning means (33, 34, 35, 36, 37) are controlled through a
control loop.
14. The installation as claimed in claim 11, wherein the holding and
positioning module (3) consists of a fixed chassis (30) and a
moving chassis (40), these chassis collaborating with one another
in such a way as each to support at least one substrate (50, 60), the
substrates being placed facing each other and positioned relative to
one another with a given separation.
15. The installation as claimed in claim 12 or 14, wherein the fixed
chassis (30) and the moving chassis (40) are open in their upper
part so as to support substrates of any dimensions.
16. The installation as claimed in claim 10, wherein the moving
chassis (40) comprises means (49) for positioning, in the Z-
direction, the substrate (50) resting on the moving chassis so as to
obtain the desired separation between the two substrates (50, 60).
17. The installation as claimed in claim 11, wherein the moving
chassis (40) comprises means (37, 47) for holding and positioning,
in the X-direction, the two substrates resting on the fixed and
moving chassis, these holding and positioning means (37, 47)
being able to be moved in the Z-direction independently of the
moving chassis.
18. The installation as claimed in one of claims 10 to 13, wherein the
module (3) comprises means (33, 34, 35, 36, 43, 44, 45, 46) for
transferring a substrate supported by the fixed chassis (30) so as to
transfer it to the moving chassis (40).
19. The installation as claimed in one of claims 10 to 17, wherein the
means for holding and positioning a substrate comprise conveyor
belts (33, 34) and suction means (35, 36) able to hold the substrate
tightly against said belts.
20. The installation as claimed in claim 19, wherein it comprises an
additional high-performance suction device (35c) so as to
guarantee, for as long as possible, a tangential holding force
holding the substrate at the end of the module (3).
21. The installation as claimed in one of claims 8 to 20, wherein a
holding system using suction cups (80) is provided, associated with
the module (3), for routing, from the module to an adjacent support
element, a substrate which, in the X-direction, has a dimension
roughly equivalent to or smaller than the space separating the
module (3) from the support element adjacent to said module (3).
22. The installation as claimed in any one of claims 8-21, wherein it
comprises several modules for progressing, holding and
positioning substrates, which may or may not be electronically
coupled depending on the lengths of the substrates.
23. The installation as claimed in one of claims 8 to 22, wherein the
holding and positioning module (3) constitutes a module for
preassembling and/or assembling insulating glazing comprising at
least two glass substrates (50, 60) and an interlayer (72) secured to
all or part of the periphery of the substrates.

A tool holder device (1) supporting at least one tool (20, 21) intended to
collaborate with optional contact with at least one substrate (50, 60) with the
substrate positioned on edge, the device (1) being able to make the tool
move translationally and rotationally relative to the substrate, it being
possible for said substrate to be moved translationally relative to the tool as
the tool is operating, wherein the tool or tools (20, 21) consist of means of
applying and bonding an interlayer (72) to all or part of the periphery and to
the edge faces (55, 61) of at least two substrates (50, 60) facing each other.

Documents:

01349-kolnp-2005-abstract.pdf

01349-kolnp-2005-claims.pdf

01349-kolnp-2005-description complete.pdf

01349-kolnp-2005-drawings.pdf

01349-kolnp-2005-form 1.pdf

01349-kolnp-2005-form 2.pdf

01349-kolnp-2005-form 3.pdf

01349-kolnp-2005-form 5.pdf

01349-kolnp-2005-international publication.pdf

1349-KOLNP-2005-FORM 27.pdf

1349-KOLNP-2005-FORM-27.pdf

1349-kolnp-2005-granted-abstract.pdf

1349-kolnp-2005-granted-claims.pdf

1349-kolnp-2005-granted-correspondence.pdf

1349-kolnp-2005-granted-description (complete).pdf

1349-kolnp-2005-granted-drawings.pdf

1349-kolnp-2005-granted-examination report.pdf

1349-kolnp-2005-granted-form 1.pdf

1349-kolnp-2005-granted-form 18.pdf

1349-kolnp-2005-granted-form 2.pdf

1349-kolnp-2005-granted-form 26.pdf

1349-kolnp-2005-granted-form 3.pdf

1349-kolnp-2005-granted-form 5.pdf

1349-kolnp-2005-granted-reply to examination report.pdf

1349-kolnp-2005-granted-specification.pdf

1349-kolnp-2005-granted-translated copy of priority document.pdf

abstract-01349-kolnp-2005.jpg

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Patent Number

239168

Indian Patent Application Number

1349/KOLNP/2005

PG Journal Number

11/2010

Publication Date

12-Mar-2010

Grant Date

09-Mar-2010

Date of Filing

13-Jul-2005

Name of Patentee

SAINT-GOBAIN GLASS FRANCE

Applicant Address

"LES MIROIRS", 18, AVENUE D' ALSSCE, F-92400 COURBEVOIE

Inventors:

#	Inventor's Name	Inventor's Address
1	DEMARS, YVES	237, RUE DE 1'EMPIRE, GICOURT, F-60600 AGNETZ
2	DOUCHE, JEAN-PIERRE	10, IMPASS DES PINS, F-60150 LE PLESSIS BRION, FRANCE

PCT International Classification Number

E06B 3/673

PCT International Application Number

PCT/FR2004/000054

PCT International Filing date

2004-01-14

PCT Conventions:

#	PCT Application Number	Date of Convention	Priority Country
1	03/00378	2003-01-15	France