Glass slit cutter

Abstract

In one embodiment or aspect of the present disclosure, a glass slit cutter may include a body, a cutting wheel extending from the body and configured to cut a slit in a glass sheet, and a reference wheel extending from the body and configured to guide the cutting wheel along the glass sheet. The cutting wheel and the reference wheel rotate within the body about a common axis.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims priority to U.S. Patent Application No. 18 / 380,037, filed on October 13, 2023, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 416,209, filed on October 14, 2022, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Technical Field

[0003] The present invention relates to a glass slit cutter for cutting glass and a method for cutting glass using the glass slit cutter. Background Art

[0004] As the glass ribbon moves along the cutting rollers, a slit cutter is typically used to cut and trim the glass ribbon. The glass is cut and trimmed to industry glass cutting specifications by controlling multiple variables of the slit cutter. For example, the speed at which the cutter cuts the glass and the movement of the wheel cutter in space can be controlled to cut and trim the glass to achieve the desired industry glass cutting specifications. However, known slit cutters have various problems, including mechanical tolerance and component clearance issues. Therefore, it is desirable to provide an improved slit cutter that overcomes these shortcomings while still being able to achieve industry glass cutting specifications. Summary of the invention

[0005] In one embodiment or aspect of the present disclosure, a glass slit cutter may include a body, a cutting wheel extending from the body and configured to cut a slit in a glass sheet, and a reference wheel extending from the body and configured to guide the cutting wheel along the glass sheet. The cutting wheel and the reference wheel rotate within the body around a common axis.

[0006] The ball bearing shaft may extend through the body. The cutting wheel and the reference wheel may rotate around the ball bearing shaft. The body may include a first portion and a second portion, an operating channel is defined between the first portion and the second portion, and the cutting wheel may extend from the first portion and extend from the body in the operating channel. The ball bearing shaft may extend through the first portion of the body, the operating channel, and the second portion of the body. The slit cutter may also include a solenoid located near the second portion of the body, and the solenoid may be configured to provide power to the cutting wheel. The ball bearing shaft may extend through at least a portion of the solenoid so that the solenoid rotates around the ball bearing shaft.

[0007] The slit cutter may also include a force applicator configured to apply force to the cutting wheel via power received from the solenoid. The force applicator may be an air spring. The slit cutter may also include a bracket, a first end of which may be connected to the cutting wheel, and a second end of the bracket may be connected to a reference wheel so that the rotation of the cutting wheel is synchronized with the rotation of the reference wheel. The slit cutter may also include a cutting wheel cantilever. The first end of the cutting wheel cantilever may be mounted to a ball bearing shaft. The cutting wheel may extend near the second end of the cutting wheel cantilever. The cutting wheel cantilever and the cutting wheel may rotate around the ball bearing shaft. The slit cutter may also include a force applicator configured to apply force to the cutting wheel, and the force applicator may be mounted to the cutting wheel cantilever on a side opposite to the cutting wheel.

[0008] The glass slit cutter may also include a reference wheel cantilever. The first end of the reference wheel cantilever may be mounted to the ball bearing shaft. The reference wheel may be mounted to the second end of the reference wheel cantilever. The reference wheel cantilever and the reference wheel may be rotatable around the ball bearing shaft. The glass slit cutter may also include an arm extending from the body, the arm being mounted to the second end of the reference wheel cantilever so that the arm may be retracted within the body in order to rotate the reference wheel cantilever around the ball bearing shaft. The arm may include a cylinder for retracting and extending the arm within the body.

[0009] In another embodiment or aspect of the present disclosure, a glass slit cutter may include: a main body having a first part and a second part, an operating channel defined between the first part and the second part; a reference wheel mounted to the first part of the main body, the reference wheel being retractable into the first part of the main body; a cutting wheel mounted to the main body, extending at least partially through the operating channel, and retractable into the operating channel; and a ball bearing shaft extending through the main body so that the reference wheel and the cutting wheel can rotate around the ball bearing shaft.

[0010] The glass slit cutter may also include a bracket having a first end mounted to the reference wheel and a second end mounted to the cutting wheel so that the rotation of the cutting wheel is synchronized with the rotation of the reference wheel. The glass slit cutter may also include a force applicator configured to provide a cutting force to the cutting wheel. The glass slit cutter may also include a solenoid to provide power to the force applicator. The solenoid may be connected to the ball bearing shaft. The solenoid may be mounted to the second portion of the body. The glass slit cutter may also include a cutting wheel cantilever having a second end and a first end mounted to the ball bearing shaft. The cutting wheel may be mounted to the cutting wheel cantilever adjacent to the second end, and the force applicator is mounted to the cutting wheel cantilever adjacent to the second end on a side opposite to the cutting wheel.

[0011] In certain embodiments or aspects, the present disclosure may be represented by the following clauses:

[0012] Item 1. A glass slit cutter comprising: a body; a cutting wheel extending from the body and configured to cut a slit in a glass sheet; a reference wheel extending from the body and configured to guide the cutting wheel along the glass sheet, wherein the cutting wheel and the reference wheel rotate within the body about a common axis.

[0013] Clause 2. The glass slit cutter of Clause 1, further comprising a ball bearing shaft extending through the body, wherein the cutting wheel and the reference wheel rotate about the ball bearing shaft.

[0014] Clause 3. A glass slit cutter according to Clause 2, wherein the body includes a first portion and a second portion, the first portion and the second portion defining an operating channel therebetween, and wherein the cutting wheel extends from the first portion and the cutting wheel extends from the body within the operating channel.

[0015] Clause 4. The glass slit cutter of Clause 3, wherein the ball bearing shaft extends through the first portion of the body, the operating channel, and the second portion of the body.

[0016] Item 5. A glass slit cutter according to Item 3 or 4, wherein the glass slit cutter also includes a solenoid located near the second portion of the body, the solenoid being configured to provide power to the cutting wheel, wherein the ball bearing shaft extends through at least a portion of the solenoid so that the solenoid rotates around the ball bearing shaft.

[0017] Clause 6. The glass slit cutter of Clause 5, further comprising a force applicator configured to apply a force to the cutting wheel via power received from the solenoid.

[0018] Clause 7. The glass slit cutter of Clause 6, wherein the force applicator is an air spring.

[0019] Clause 8. A glass slit cutter according to any one of clauses 2 to 7, further comprising a bracket, wherein a first end of the bracket is connected to the cutting wheel and a second end of the bracket is connected to the reference wheel, so that the rotation of the cutting wheel is synchronized with the rotation of the reference wheel.

[0020] Clause 9. A glass slit cutter according to any one of clauses 2 to 8, wherein the glass slit cutter also includes a cutting wheel cantilever, wherein a first end of the cutting wheel cantilever is mounted to the ball bearing shaft, wherein the cutting wheel extends to near a second end of the cutting wheel cantilever, and wherein the cutting wheel cantilever and the cutting wheel can rotate around the ball bearing shaft.

[0021] Clause 10. The glass slit cutter of Clause 9, further comprising a force applicator configured to apply a force to the cutting wheel, wherein the force applicator is mounted to the cutting wheel cantilever on a side opposite the cutting wheel.

[0022] Clause 11. A glass slit cutter according to any one of clauses 2 to 10, wherein the glass slit cutter also includes a reference wheel cantilever, wherein a first end of the reference wheel cantilever is mounted to the ball bearing shaft, wherein the reference wheel is mounted to a second end of the reference wheel cantilever, and wherein the reference wheel cantilever and the reference wheel can rotate around the ball bearing shaft.

[0023] Clause 12. A glass slit cutter according to clause 11, further comprising an arm extending from the body, the arm being mounted to the second end of the reference wheel cantilever so that the arm can be retracted into the body to allow the reference wheel cantilever to rotate about the ball bearing axis.

[0024] Clause 13. The glass slit cutter of Clause 12, wherein the arm comprises a cylinder for retracting and extending the arm within the body.

[0025] Item 14. A glass slit cutter, comprising: a main body, the main body comprising a first part and a second part, an operating channel defined between the first part and the second part; a reference wheel, the reference wheel is mounted to the first part of the main body, and the reference wheel can be retracted into the first part of the main body; a cutting wheel, the cutting wheel is mounted to the main body, at least partially extends through the operating channel, and can be retracted into the operating channel; and a ball bearing shaft, the ball bearing shaft extends through the main body so that the reference wheel and the cutting wheel can rotate around the ball bearing shaft.

[0026] Clause 15. The glass slit cutter of Clause 14, further comprising a bracket having a first end mounted to the reference wheel and a second end mounted to the cutting wheel such that rotation of the cutting wheel is synchronized with rotation of the reference wheel.

[0027] Clause 16. The glass slit cutter according to Clause 14 or 15, further comprising a force applicator configured to provide a cutting force to the cutting wheel.

[0028] Clause 17. The glass slit cutter of Clause 16, further comprising a solenoid to provide power to the force applicator.

[0029] Clause 18. The glass slit cutter of Clause 17, wherein the solenoid is connected to the ball bearing shaft.

[0030] Clause 19. The glass slot cutter of Clause 18, wherein the solenoid is mounted to the second portion of the body.

[0031] Clause 20. A glass slit cutter according to any one of clauses 16 to 19, further comprising a cutting wheel cantilever having a second end and a first end mounted to the ball bearing shaft, wherein the cutting wheel is mounted on the cutting wheel cantilever adjacent to the second end, and the force applicator is mounted to the cutting wheel cantilever adjacent to the second end on a side opposite to the cutting wheel. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032] Figure 1 is a front perspective view of a main body and a reference wheel of a slit cutter according to one embodiment or aspect of the present disclosure;

[0033] Figure 2 is a front perspective view of a glass slit cutter and a reference wheel according to one embodiment or aspect of the present invention;

[0034] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 a side view of the cutting wheel shown;

[0035] Figure 4 It is shown Figure 2 A side view showing the movement of the cutting wheel within the body of the slot cutter;

[0036] Figure 5 yes Figure 1 A side view of a reference wheel of a glass slit cutter is shown;

[0037] Figure 6 It is shown Figure 1 A side view showing the movement of the reference wheel within the body of the slot cutter; and

[0038] Figure 7 is a side view of a solenoid of a slit cutter according to one embodiment or aspect of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0039] For the purposes of the following description, the terms "upper", "lower", "right", "left", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "lateral", "longitudinal" and their derivatives shall relate to the orientation of the invention in the accompanying drawings. However, it should be understood that the present invention may take alternative variations and step sequences unless otherwise expressly provided. It should also be understood that the specific devices and processes shown in the drawings and described in the specification are merely exemplary embodiments of the present invention. Therefore, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics related to the embodiments disclosed herein should not be considered limiting.

[0040] In addition, it should be understood that any numerical range described herein is intended to include all sub-ranges contained therein. For example, a range of "1 to 10" is intended to include all sub-ranges between the minimum value 1 and the maximum value 10 (including the end values), that is, having a minimum value greater than or equal to 1 and a maximum value less than or equal to 10.

[0041] In this application, unless otherwise expressly stated, the use of the singular includes the plural and the plural encompasses the singular. In addition, in this application, unless otherwise expressly stated, the use of "or" means "and / or", even though "and / or" may have been expressly used in some cases.

[0042] The present disclosure relates to a glass slit cutter 10 . Figure 1 and Figure 2 A slit cutter 10 is shown, which includes a body 12, a reference wheel 14 and a cutting wheel 16 (eg, Figure 2 1). The body 12 houses various elements for operating the slit cutter 10. The reference wheel 14 guides the slit cutter 10 to move along the plate of glass G. The cutting wheel 16 cuts the glass G according to the desired specifications. The reference wheel 14 and the cutting wheel 16 share a common axis A so that they can rotate synchronously relative to the body 12. This allows for smaller tolerances between the two features during operation, thereby achieving a more precise cutting operation. In one embodiment, the reference wheel 14 and the cutting wheel 16 can be mounted on a ball bearing shaft 18 extending through the body 12. The arrangement and rotation of the reference wheel 14 and the cutting wheel 16 around the ball bearing shaft 18 will be described in more detail.

[0043] like Figure 1 and Figure 2As shown, the body 12 includes a first portion 20 and a second portion 22, both of which extend toward the glass G. The reference wheel 14 extends from the first portion 20, wherein some features associated with the operation of the reference wheel are retained in the first portion 20. An operating channel 24 is defined between the first portion 20 and the second portion 22. The cutting wheel 16 extends and operates in the operating channel 24. The ball bearing shaft 18 extends through the body generally perpendicular to the direction in which the reference wheel 14 and the cutting wheel 16 extend. The first end of the ball bearing shaft 18 is mounted to the side wall 13 of the body near the first portion 20, and the second end of the ball bearing shaft 18 is mounted to the side wall 15 of the body 12 near the second portion 22. The ball bearing shaft 18 can also extend through the operating channel 24. This arrangement enables the ends of the reference wheel 14 and the ends of the cutting wheel 16 to be mounted to the ball bearing shaft 18, so that both the reference wheel 14 and the cutting wheel rotate around the ball bearing shaft 18. Figure 4 and Figure 6 This rotation is shown. By being rotatable around the ball bearing axis 18 in this way, the tolerances of both the reference wheel 14 and the cutting wheel 16 can be minimized to achieve more accurate cutting. The rotation of the reference wheel 14 and the cutting wheel 16 can also be synchronized around the ball bearing axis 18.

[0044] It has been found that the previously described slot cutter 10 arrangement provides improved mechanical tolerances and desired clearances of each component during operation through the rotational movement of the reference wheel 14 and the cutting wheel 16. For example, the ball bearing shaft 18 has been found to provide tight mechanical tolerances and reduce clearance issues of the reference wheel 14 and the cutting wheel 16 during operation by providing rotational movement of the reference wheel 14 and the cutting wheel 16. The slot cutter 10 can also provide various system functions. For example, in some examples, the slot cutter 10 can provide: automotive size specifications of +1 / 4"-1 / 16"; appliance-grade size specifications of ±1 / 32" (e.g., GEMTRON specifications within each container are ±1 / 64"); and / or 8-2 slot size capabilities (e.g., Cpk of 1.1 at ±1 / 32"; Cpk of 0.5 at ±1 / 64").

[0045] The second portion 22 of the body 12 houses an electric solenoid 26, which ultimately provides power to the cutting wheel 16 so that the cutting wheel can act on the glass G. The electric solenoid 26 can provide power to a force applicator 28, which in turn acts on the cutting wheel 16, which provides the force required to cut a slit on the glass G. In some cases, the force applicator 28 can be an air spring. The solenoid 26 can also be mounted to or otherwise connected to the ball bearing shaft 18 in the second portion 22 of the body 12. It is also conceivable that the power from the solenoid 26 can cause the reference wheel 14 and the cutting wheel 16 to rotate. In order to help promote the synchronous rotation of these two elements, a bracket 30 can be used to connect the reference wheel 14 and the cutting wheel 16. The first end 32 of the bracket 30 is mounted to the reference wheel 14, and the second end 34 of the bracket 30 is mounted to the cutting wheel 16. A portion of the bracket 30 can extend along the boundary of the operating channel 24.

[0046] refer to Figure 3 and Figure 4 , a cutting wheel cantilever 36 is shown. The cutting wheel cantilever 36 connects the cutting wheel 16 to the ball bearing shaft 18. The first end 38 of the cutting wheel cantilever 36 is mounted around the ball bearing shaft 18. The cutting wheel 16 is mounted near the second end 40 of the cantilever 36. The cutting wheel cantilever 36 extends downward at a certain angle from the first end 38 in a direction toward the glass G, and then extends substantially parallel to the glass G until it terminates at the second end 40. The force applicator 28 is also mounted to the cutting wheel cantilever 36 adjacent to the second end 40 on the side opposite to the cutting wheel 16, so that the force applicator 28 can apply a downward force to the cutting wheel 16 in order to cut the glass G. In Figure 4 The rotation of the cutting wheel cantilever 36, the cutting wheel 16, and the force applicator 28 about the ball bearing shaft 18 is shown in phantom in FIG.

[0047] refer to Figure 5 and Figure 6 , features associated with the reference wheel 14 are shown. The reference wheel cantilever 42 connects the reference wheel 14 to the ball bearing shaft 18. The first end 44 of the reference wheel cantilever 42 is mounted to the ball bearing shaft 18. The reference wheel 14 is mounted near the second end 46 of the reference wheel cantilever 42. The reference wheel cantilever 42 extends from the ball bearing shaft 18 in a direction substantially parallel to the glass G, wherein the reference wheel 14 and its mounting features extend vertically downward until the wheel 18 contacts the glass G. An arm 48 is also mounted near the second end 46 of the reference wheel cantilever 42. The arm 48 is mounted on the side of the cantilever 42 opposite the reference wheel 14. The cylinder 50 is part of the arm 48, and the cylinder 50 operates to pull the reference wheel 14 upward within the first portion 20 of the body 12 and extend the wheel 14 downward to contact the glass G. The mounting features of the arm 48 are located near the top of the body 12, as shown in FIG. Figure 2 shown.

[0048] Figure 7 The solenoid 26 and its associated features are shown relative to the ball bearing support 18. The solenoid 26 includes a base 52 for connection to the ball bearing shaft 18.

[0049] It is understood that the slit cutter 10 may include additional components, such as a motor, a mounting wheel, an air line, etc. The slit cutter 10 may also include a controller, and one or more computer-readable storage media in operable communication with the controller. The computer-readable storage medium may contain programming instructions that, when executed, cause the controller to perform a number of tasks, such as causing the slit cutter 10 to cut glass.

[0050] While specific embodiments of the present invention have been described above for purposes of illustration, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications may be made to the details of the invention without departing from the invention defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A glass slit cutter, the glass slit cutter include: main body; a cutting wheel extending from the body and configured to cut a slit in the glass sheet; a reference wheel extending from the body and configured to guide the cutting wheel along the glass sheet, Wherein, the cutting wheel and the reference wheel rotate within the body about a common axis.

2. The glass slit cutter of claim 1 , further comprising a ball bearing shaft extending through the body, It is characterized in that The cutting wheel and the reference wheel rotate about the ball bearing axis.

3. The glass slit cutter according to claim 2, It is characterized in that The body includes a first portion and a second portion defining an operating channel therebetween, and wherein the cutting wheel extends from the first portion and the cutting wheel extends from the body within the operating channel.

4. The glass slit cutter according to claim 3, It is characterized in that The ball bearing shaft extends through the first portion of the body, the operating channel, and the second portion of the body.

5. The glass slit cutter of claim 4, further comprising a solenoid located adjacent the second portion of the body, the solenoid configured to provide power to the cutting wheel, It is characterized in that The ball bearing shaft extends through at least a portion of the solenoid such that the solenoid rotates about the ball bearing shaft. 6 . The glass slit cutter of claim 5 , further comprising a force applicator configured to apply a force to the cutting wheel via power received from the solenoid.

7. The glass slit cutter according to claim 6, It is characterized in that The force applicator is an air spring.

8. The glass slit cutter according to claim 2, further comprising a bracket, It is characterized in that The first end of the bracket is connected to the cutting wheel and the second end of the bracket is connected to the reference wheel, so that the rotation of the cutting wheel is synchronized with the rotation of the reference wheel.

9. The glass slit cutter according to claim 2, further comprising a cutting wheel cantilever, It is characterized in that The first end of the cutting wheel cantilever is mounted on a ball bearing shaft, wherein the cutting wheel extends adjacent to the second end of the cutting wheel cantilever, and Wherein, the cutting wheel cantilever and the cutting wheel are rotatable around the ball bearing axis.

10. The glass slit cutter according to claim 9, further comprising a force applicator configured to apply a force to the cutting wheel, It is characterized in that The force applicator is mounted to the cutting wheel cantilever on a side opposite the cutting wheel.

11. The glass slit cutter according to claim 2, further comprising a reference wheel cantilever, It is characterized in that The first end of the reference wheel cantilever is mounted to the ball bearing shaft, wherein the reference wheel is mounted to the second end of the reference wheel cantilever, and Wherein, the reference wheel cantilever and the reference wheel are rotatable around the ball bearing axis.

12. The glass slit cutter of claim 11 further comprising an arm extending from the body, the arm being mounted to the second end of the reference wheel cantilever such that the arm can be retracted within the body to allow the reference wheel cantilever to rotate about the ball bearing axis.

13. The glass slit cutter according to claim 12, It is characterized in that The arm includes a cylinder for retracting and extending the arm within the body.

14. A glass slit cutter, the glass slit cutter include: A main body, the main body comprising a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion and the second portion define an operation channel therebetween; a reference wheel mounted to the first portion of the body, the reference wheel being retractable within the first portion of the body; a cutting wheel mounted to the body, extending at least partially through the operating channel, and retractable into the operating channel; as well as A ball bearing shaft extends through the body such that the reference wheel and the cutting wheel are rotatable about the ball bearing shaft.

15. The glass slit cutter of claim 14, further comprising a bracket having a first end mounted to the reference wheel and a second end mounted to the cutting wheel such that rotation of the cutting wheel is synchronized with rotation of the reference wheel. 16 . The glass slit cutter of claim 14 , further comprising a force applicator configured to provide a cutting force to the cutting wheel. 17 . The glass slit cutter according to claim 16 , further comprising a solenoid to provide power to the force applicator.

18. The glass slit cutter according to claim 17, It is characterized in that The solenoid is connected to the ball bearing shaft.

19. The glass slit cutter according to claim 18, It is characterized in that The solenoid is mounted to the second portion of the body.

20. The glass slit cutter of claim 16, further comprising a cutting wheel cantilever having a second end and a first end mounted to the ball bearing shaft, It is characterized in that The cutting wheel is mounted to the cutting wheel cantilever adjacent the second end, and the force applicator is mounted to the cutting wheel cantilever adjacent the second end on a side opposite the cutting wheel.

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