Apparatus and related method for removing a portion of a window coating.

Abstract

The present invention discloses a defilm removal device (1) designed to remove a portion of a coating system present on the surface of a window, the defilm removal device (1) being housed within a rectangular parallelepiped having a length measured on the X axis, a width measured on the Y axis, and a height measured on the Z axis. The defilm removal device (1) comprises a main body (4), an articulated arm (3) attached to the main body (4), a laser device (5) comprising an optical laser unit for generating a laser beam, the laser device (5) being attached to the end of the articulated arm (3) designed to move and direct the laser beam so that it is substantially perpendicular to the surface of the window, and a moving means (7) designed to move the defilm removal device (1) on the floor. The main body (3) comprises a computing unit for calculating and controlling the movement of the articulated arm (3), a generator unit for generating laser light and controlling the laser device (5), and a management unit for managing the computing unit and the generator unit. When the articulated arm (3) is positioned in compact mode, the width of the rectangular prism is 40 cm or less, and the length of the rectangular prism is 100 cm or less. The present invention also relates to a method for removing film.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a film removal device, which is designed to remove a part of a coating system present on the surface of a window and fits into a rectangular parallelepiped having a length measured on the X-axis, a width measured on the Y-axis, and a height measured on the Z-axis.

[0002] The present invention further relates to a film removal method for removing a part of a coating system present on the surface of a window.

[0003] Therefore, the present invention relates to a plurality of regions that need to at least partially remove the film from the window (which means removing a part of the coating system) in order to improve electromagnetic permeability.

Background Art

[0004] Standard single-layer windows have poor thermal performance. Therefore, most current windows are constructed using two or more glass panels separated by gas and / or polymer-based intermediate layers. This type of window is called a multi-layer glass window.

[0005] Glass panels have a low reflectivity to high-frequency radiation. A low reflectivity to high-frequency radiation means that high-frequency radiation substantially penetrates the material, while a high reflectivity to high-frequency radiation means that high-frequency radiation is substantially reflected on the surface of the material and / or absorbed by the material, and the attenuation reaches a level of 20 decibels (dB) or more. A low reflectivity means that the attenuation is at a level of 10 decibels (dB) or less.

[0006] The coating system is usually applied on the interface of one or more glass panels of a multi-layer glass window to further improve the characteristics of the multi-layer glass window.

[0007] This coating system can improve the thermal insulation of double-glazed windows, reduce the amount of infrared and / or ultraviolet rays entering double-glazed windows, and / or prevent solar heat from entering the space in which such double-glazed window insulation is used.

[0008] However, since this type of coating system is generally metal-based, it functions as a Faraday cage, preventing electromagnetic waves such as radio waves from entering or leaving space. As a result, it has high reflectivity to high-frequency radiation. High reflectivity of a coating system means low transmittance to high-frequency radiation. Low transmittance means transmission with attenuation at a level of 20 decibels (dB) or more. Dielectric substrates are understood to have low reflectivity, meaning that the attenuation is at a level of 10 decibels (dB) or less.

[0009] Typically, when windows are installed in place, that is, when they are installed on a stationary object, such as a building, or on a moving object, such as a vehicle, a high-speed transport system, such as a train or tram, to close an opening in the stationary or moving object, the windows are removed from the opening for surface treatment.

[0010] The process may involve laser scribing or, more preferably, the removal of a coating.

[0011] To improve the transmittance of double-glazed windows that include a coating system, at least a portion of the coating system can be removed using a laser coating removal system. The total surface area to be removed is typically 1-3% of the total surface area of ​​the coating system. This improves the transmittance of radio waves passing through the double-glazed window without impairing the properties of the coating system.

[0012] To improve the transmittance of radio waves through the window, the decoupling system removes segments from the coating system, and it is desirable that the sum of the longest sub-segments of each segment equals nλ / 2, where n is a positive integer greater than 0 and lambda (λ) is the wavelength of the radio wave. To ensure the transmission of waves of different frequencies (typically between 2 GHz and 100 GHz) through the multilayer glass window, it is necessary to have a broadband frequency-selective surface. For example, the decoupling system can be configured to remove segments longer than 400 mm and with a width of 10 to 100 μm.

[0013] For certain applications such as Wi-Fi, toll communication systems, and 4G and / or 5G receivers and transmitters, smaller areas of decoupling are preferable to larger areas. For example, small areas of decoupling are typically less than 400 mm in length.

[0014] A simple way to solve this high-frequency energy reflection problem is to remove part of the coating system. However, this method reduces the sunlight control effect provided by the double-glazed window. Furthermore, in the case of double-glazed windows installed inside buildings, vehicles, or automobiles, the area of ​​coating removal may become unacceptably large. In addition, the transition between the removed portion and the coating itself is visible to the naked eye and is usually unacceptable to users.

[0015] Another solution involves creating a frequency-selective surface by making linear cuts in the coating system. This surface exhibits relatively high reflectivity / absorptivity for solar energy but relatively low reflectivity / absorptivity in the high-frequency region of the electromagnetic spectrum. These cuts can be made by laser ablation, and the spacing of the slits is selected to provide selectivity at the desired frequency.

[0016] To improve the transmittance of the multilayer glass window, International Publication No. 2015 / 050762 describes an apparatus comprising a laser light source and a lens array configured to focus the laser light source on the coating system of the multilayer glass window. The apparatus is attached to a suction pad for fixation to the multilayer glass window. The apparatus also comprises at least two motors configured to move the laser along rails along the X and Y axes. The laser is capable of imprinting a grid pattern on the coating system to improve the electromagnetic transmittance of the multilayer glass window.

[0017] However, the laser is always focused at a single point and lacks adaptability. In fact, this device is designed to have a focal position only on a specific surface, and therefore such a device is made for a single type of double-glazed window where two glass panels separated by a spacer and filled with gas create a space, and the coating system is positioned at the inner interface of the window. Therefore, this device cannot be used for windows with different glass thicknesses or other types of windows where the coating system is applied to different interfaces.

[0018] Furthermore, such systems require the entire laser device to be moved. This movement is complex and dangerous, implicitly suggesting the presence of heavy components such as motors.

[0019] In another field, U.S. Patent No. 6,559,411 describes an apparatus for laser scribing a tin oxide layer coated on a glass panel substrate.

[0020] The predetermined scribing is performed on the tin oxide layer by focusing the laser on the tin oxide layer and by moving the glass panel substrate along the X or Y axis on a conveyor. Furthermore, during laser scribing, the position of the laser is adjusted in the Z direction to maintain focus on the tin oxide layer.

[0021] However, this focusing requires a precise and complete understanding of the glass panel substrate, including the thickness of each layer and the position of the tin oxide layer, as well as knowledge of the exact distance between the conveyor and the laser.

[0022] Conventional laser beams are always positioned and fixed perpendicular to the surface to be defilmed. To form a defilmed surface, the defilm removal device must be moved along the surface using a motor and a complex drive system.

[0023] Furthermore, the systems described in the prior art are difficult to install on double-glazed windows due to the presence of moving elements (such as rails) and motors. The movement of the device results in inadequate precision and quality for small areas of film removal. In particular, for small areas of film removal, many minute movements are required over short distances, which increases the film removal time due to the movement of the laser light source.

[0024] Therefore, this device can only be used on glass panels immediately after manufacturing in the factory. Consequently, this device cannot be used on multilayer glass windows whose structure (number of glass panels, number of layers, number of spacers, number of coating systems, properties and location, etc.) is unknown, or on multilayer glass windows already installed on objects, such as buildings or vehicles.

[0025] Furthermore, numerous windows are already installed and known to prevent the transmission of electromagnetic waves. These windows cannot be replaced or removed without incurring significant costs. It is impossible to retrieve the double-glazed windows from the object, send them to a factory to remove part of the coating, and then send them back to be reassembled. In such situations, if the multi-layered windows are installed in the object, it is necessary to perform the decoupling process on-site. In most cases, the structure of these multi-layered windows and the exact location of the coating system are completely unknown. Therefore, it is impossible for such equipment to properly focus a laser over the coating system.

[0026] Furthermore, when attaching a prior art device to a multi-layer glass window, variations occur in the distance between the coating surface and the film removal device due to manufacturing tolerances and variations in the mounting system. This variation suggests that the focus of the laser beam does not coincide on the coating surface. Film removal by such prior art devices is not efficient as the laser beam is not focused at the appropriate position.

[0027] Therefore, the current technical problem is to obtain a film removal device and process that can be used for multiple types of multi-layer glass windows, where the position and thickness of the glass panel, as well as the position of at least one coating system, are unknown, and it is also possible to operate even when the multi-layer glass window is already attached to an object and access is restricted.

Summary of the Invention

[0028] In a first aspect, the present invention relates to a film removal device. The film removal device fits within a rectangular parallelepiped having a length measured along the X-axis, a width measured along the Y-axis, and a height measured along the Z-axis. The film removal device is designed to remove a part of the coating system present on the surface of the window. The film removal device includes a main body, an articulated arm attached to the main body, and a laser device. The laser device includes an optical laser unit that generates a laser beam and is attached to the end of the articulated arm designed to move and direct the laser device. The film removal device also includes moving means designed to move the film removal device on the floor surface. Preferably, the frequency of the laser beam is substantially 20 kHz or more.

[0029] The solution defined in the first aspect of the present invention is based on the main body comprising a calculation unit that calculates and controls the movement of the articulated arm, a generator unit that generates laser light and controls the laser device, and a management unit that manages the calculation unit and the generator unit.

[0030] The solution defined in the first aspect of the present invention is also based on the fact that when the articulated arm is positioned in the compact mode, the width of the cuboid is 40 cm or less and the length of the cuboid is 100 cm or less.

[0031] The present invention also relates to a film removal method in a second aspect, which removes a part of a coating system present on the surface of a window using the film removal device according to the first aspect of the present invention. The film removal method includes the following steps: A1. A step of moving the film removal device to a first working position by moving means; A2. A step of removing the frequency selective surface on the part.

[0032] The present invention also relates to a multi-window film removal method in a third aspect, which removes a part of a coating system present on the surface of each of at least a first window and a second window, which are attached to a stationary object, such as a building, or a moving object, such as a vehicle or a train. This method includes the following steps: B1. A step of moving the film removal device to a first working position using moving means and / or moving the laser device to the first working position; B2. A step of removing the frequency selective surface on the part of the first window; B3. A step of moving the film removal device to a second working position using moving means and / or the laser device and / or moving the laser device to the second working position; B4. A step of removing the frequency selective surface on the part of the second window.

[0033] The present invention also relates to using the film removal device according to the first aspect to remove films from a plurality of windows already installed in a high-speed transportation system such as a train or a tram.

[0034] This invention enables the defilming of a wide range of windows, including curved windows, windows with significantly different shapes and dimensions within the same row, and windows with significantly different surface shapes and dimensions, while also allowing for on-site defilming at the location where the object containing the aforementioned windows to be processed is positioned. In the case of moving objects, this invention also enables defilming at any location without moving the moving object to a specific work area, thereby reducing costs, shortening downtime, and simplifying handling and logistics.

[0035] The present invention further enables easy removal of film from windows even when direct access to the window is not possible; that is, even when access to the window itself is severely limited due to the presence of elements that obstruct access or elements that prevent access to the surface itself, the present invention enables removal of such windows. In fact, the film removal device can perform film removal without being fixed or attached to the window or its surroundings. The film removal device can move along the floor and perform film removal from a position at a certain distance from the window.

[0036] Furthermore, this invention makes it possible to remove the film from windows on-site without having to remove them from the object in the factory, thereby reducing the burden of handling, damage risk, and logistics.

[0037] It should be noted that the present invention relates to any possible combination of the features described in the claims or embodiments.

[0038] Although the following description relates to applications in high-speed transport systems, it should be understood that the present invention may also be applicable to other fields such as automotive or construction applications. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0039] Next, this and other aspects of the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The drawings show various exemplary embodiments provided for illustrative purposes and not limiting. The drawings are schematic representations and are not to scale. The drawings do not limit the invention in any way. Further advantages will be illustrated by example.

[0040] [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram of the defilm removal device according to the present invention.

[0041] [Figure 2] A defilm removal device according to one embodiment is shown from a different perspective. [Figure 3-4] A defilm removal device according to one embodiment is shown from a different perspective. [Figure 5-6] A defilm removal device according to one embodiment is shown from a different perspective.

[0042] [Figure 7] This is a schematic 3D diagram of the articulated arm of the deburring device according to the present invention.

[0043] [Figure 8] This is a schematic diagram of a laser apparatus, particularly a film removal apparatus, according to the present invention, attached to a multilayer glass window during step A of the above method.

[0044] [Figure 9] This shows a high-speed transport system with multiple windows.

[0045] [Figure 10] This shows a defilm removal device according to the present invention, positioned to remove film from windows already installed in a high-speed transport system, from the outside of the high-speed transport system.

[0046] [Figure 11] This shows a defilm removal device according to the present invention, positioned to remove film from windows already installed in a high-speed transport system, from inside the high-speed transport system.

[0047] [Figure 12] This shows a window containing multiple sections, each section having a specific radius of curvature. [Figure 13] This shows a window containing multiple sections, each section having a specific radius of curvature.

[0048] [Figure 14] This shows the laser beam during film removal in the curved section of a window.

[0049] [Figure 15] This shows a patchwork of defilmed partial frequency-selective surfaces.

[0050] [Figure 16] The present invention provides a method for removing film.

[0051] [Figure 17] The present invention illustrates a method for removing film from multiple windows. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0052] The object of the present invention is to alleviate the above-mentioned problems and to remove the film from windows in a manner that reduces handling work and enables film removal in many locations and environments, especially when windows are already installed.

[0053] This document describes a specific embodiment, but includes various modifications, equivalents, and / or substitutions to the corresponding embodiment. Throughout the drawings, the same reference numerals are used to refer to the same or similar parts.

[0054] In this specification, spatial or directional terms such as “inside,” “outside,” “top,” “bottom,” “summit,” and “bottom” relate to the present invention as shown in the depicted figures. However, it should be understood that the present invention can take on various alternative orientations, and therefore these terms should not be interpreted restrictively. Furthermore, all numerical values ​​used in the specification and claims to represent dimensions, physical properties, processing parameters, amounts of components, reaction conditions, etc., should always be understood modified by the term “approximately.” Therefore, unless otherwise specified, the numerical values ​​described in the following specification and claims are approximations that may vary depending on the desired properties to be obtained by the present invention. In the following description, unless otherwise specified, the expression “substantially” means within 10%, preferably within 5%.

[0055] Furthermore, all ranges disclosed herein are understood to include the starting and ending values ​​and encompass all subranges incorporated therein. For example, a range described as “1 to 10” is considered to include all subranges between the minimum value of 1 and the maximum value of 10 (including both ends), i.e., all subranges starting with a minimum value of 1 or greater (e.g., 1 to 6.1) and ending with a maximum value of 10 or less (e.g., 5.5 to 10). Furthermore, as used herein, the terms “deposited on” or “provided on” mean deposited or provided in a state of surface contact, but not necessarily in a state of surface contact. For example, a coating “deposited on” a substrate does not exclude the presence of one or more other coating films of the same or different composition located between the deposited coating and the substrate.

[0056] Where the term “comprising” is used in this specification and claims, it does not exclude other elements and steps. Where an indefinite or definite article (e.g., “a” or “an”, “the”) is used when referring to a singular noun, unless otherwise stated, it includes the plural form of that noun. In this text, the expression “configured to be (or set to be)” can be used interchangeably in hardware and software, depending on the context, with, for example, “suitable for,” “capable to,” “modified to be,” “made to be,” “capable to be,” or “designed to be.” In any case, the expression “device configured to be” may mean that the device “can be” used in conjunction with another device or component.

[0057] Furthermore, the terms 1, 2 and similar in this description and claims are used to distinguish similar elements and are not necessarily used to describe order in time, space, ranking, or any other way. The terms used in this manner are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances, and it should be understood that embodiments of the invention described herein may operate in an order other than that described or illustrated. Where a component (e.g., a first component) is described as being "combined (functionally or communicatively)" or "connected" to another component (e.g., a second component), it should be understood that this component may be directly connected to this other component or connected to this other component via another component (e.g., a third component).

[0058] In the following statements, unless otherwise specified, the expression "substantially" means within 10%, preferably within 5%.

[0059] The following description relates to a decoupling device, but it should be understood that the present invention is applicable to any laser device for in-situ treatment of the surface of an installed window. Preferably, the laser device is a decoupling device, and the laser device is designed to at least partially remove a portion of the coating system present on the surface of the window.

[0060] In particular, Figure 1 shows a defilm removal device 1 comprising a main body 4, an articulated arm 3, and a laser device 5. The defilm removal device is housed within a rectangular parallelepiped 10 having a length L measured on the X-axis, a width W measured on the Y-axis, and a height H measured on the Z-axis.

[0061] The dimensions of the rectangular prism 10 depend on the extension range of the articulated arm.

[0062] While being autonomous, meaning all necessary components are located within the device, the smallest rectangular prism 10 is positioned in compact mode with the articulated arm. Compact mode is the position in which the articulated arm is folded above the main body and does not protrude laterally. The width W of the smallest rectangular prism is 40 cm or less (W ≤ 40 cm). The length L of the smallest rectangular prism is 100 cm or less (L ≤ 100 cm).

[0063] In some preferred embodiments, the minimum height of the rectangular prism is 65 cm or less (H ≤ 65 cm).

[0064] Being autonomous means that the deburring device can operate solely on electricity and does not need to be connected to any other devices.

[0065] According to the present invention, the main body comprises a computing unit that calculates and controls the movement of an articulated arm, a generator unit that generates laser light and controls a laser device, and a management unit that manages the computing unit and the generator unit.

[0066] In some embodiments, the defilm removal apparatus may further include a control unit that interacts with an articulated arm and a laser device, and can move the laser device in space while the laser beam is defilming. The control unit can drive a generator unit to adapt the output and frequency of the laser light. The control unit can also drive a computing unit to articulate the articulated arm, moving and directing the laser device to a desired position. The control unit can also drive an optical laser unit to focus the laser beam and / or adapt the scanning plane of the laser beam.

[0067] Figure 2 shows a film removal device according to the present invention.

[0068] The defilm removal device comprises a main body 4.

[0069] <Main body> The main body has a general rectangular parallelepiped shape. In some embodiments, the rectangular parallelepiped can be cut to add features and / or reduce weight.

[0070] In some embodiments, the body may be provided with at least one handle 45 to facilitate handling. As shown in Figure 2, the body may be provided with multiple handles distributed across multiple surfaces.

[0071] The main body has an upper surface 41 to which an articulated arm can be attached, as shown in Figures 2 to 6. It is understood that the articulated arm can also be attached to other surfaces of the main body.

[0072] The main body has a top surface and a bottom surface on the opposite side.

[0073] <Means of transportation> The defilm removal device includes a moving means 7 designed to move the defilm removal device on the floor surface 11.

[0074] In some embodiments, the means of transport may include rotating elements such as wheels or tracks.

[0075] Preferably, the means of transport may be equipped with swivel wheels so that it can move and turn even in narrow spaces.

[0076] In some preferred embodiments, the moving means comprises four wheels, at least two of which are swivel wheels, and more preferably all of which are swivel wheels. In these embodiments, the wheels are fixed to the bottom surface to reduce the width of the defilm removal device, and each wheel is positioned substantially and symmetrically near different corners of the bottom surface.

[0077] According to some embodiments, the deburring device may further include a stabilizing means 8 attached to the main body, designed to stabilize the deburring device while the articulated arm is moving. Preferably, the stabilizing means is attached to the bottom surface of the main body, which is the surface opposite to the top surface.

[0078] In some preferred embodiments, the stabilization means comprises at least one foot portion 8, more preferably at least two feet, and even more preferably at least three feet.

[0079] In a preferred embodiment, the stabilizing means comprises at least four feet symmetrically distributed on the bottom surface.

[0080] Preferably, the stabilization means may include an actuator such as a pedal to easily operate and stop the stabilization of the deburring device.

[0081] In embodiments in which the articulated arm is mounted on the upper surface, preferably the articulated arm is positioned along the Z-axis substantially at the center of the surface determined by the stabilizing means in order to enhance stability during the defilm removal step.

[0082] In some preferred embodiments, the means of transport comprises four wheels and the means of stabilization comprises four feet, the feet correspond to the wheels, and each foot is fixed to the bottom surface at a position closer to the center than the position of the wheels. In other words, the surface area of ​​the floor formed by the contact of the wheels is larger than the surface area of ​​the floor formed by the feet.

[0083] According to the present invention, the defilm removal device may further include a stabilizing arm attached to the main body and designed to stabilize the defilm removal device as the articulated arm moves. Preferably, this stabilizing means is fixed to the side of the main body in front of the window to be defilmed.

[0084] The main unit may be equipped with ventilation means 46 such as a ventilation grid, a fan, or the like to prevent internal overheating.

[0085] The main unit may be equipped with a door 47 for performing maintenance work on the inside of the main unit, particularly on the computing unit, generator unit, and management unit.

[0086] In some embodiments, one surface of the body may be provided with a plug or any means for electrical connection.

[0087] In some preferred embodiments, the defilm removal device further includes at least a battery and an inverter to avoid turning off and restarting the device during movement between two windows.

[0088] The main unit can also be equipped with a power source to utilize electricity from the power grid.

[0089] <Articulated Arm> The articulated arm is designed to move and direct the laser device while avoiding the need to fix any part of the defilm removal device to windows, frames, walls, etc., thereby avoiding the risk of it falling due to improper mounting or damaging surfaces.

[0090] The articulated arm separates the laser device from the main body of the defilm removal device.

[0091] The articulated arm has at least one joint for moving the laser device in space.

[0092] As shown in Figure 7, in some embodiments, the articulated arm may comprise a plurality of rotating components 331, 332, 333, 335, 337, 338 that function as joints such as the wrist, elbow, and shoulder. Each of the rotating components can be fixed directly to the other rotating components, or it can be fixed using rigid bars 334, 336. The rigid bars may have different lengths depending on the desired application.

[0093] In some preferred embodiments, each of the rotating components is driven and controlled by a computing unit.

[0094] According to the present invention, the articulated arm is designed as a type of mechanical arm used to precisely position a laser device according to the shape and geometric shape of a window and the surface to be defilmed. This arm may be an entire mechanism that enables rotational or translational movement of the laser device. These movements are usually programmed, but can be performed by remotely controlling the articulated arm (e.g., remotely, or via a computer or tablet), or by operating the articulated arm through the control panel of the device, or by manually moving the laser device along the desired movement to allow the control unit of the articulated arm to learn the movement, and then repeating it.

[0095] In some preferred embodiments, the articulated arm can allow the laser device to move along three axes (orthogonal coordinates: X, Y, Z: one vertical axis and two horizontal axes orthogonal to each other) or to rotate about these three axes, enabling a total of six degrees of movement, including all possible translations and rotations within or around each direction. Therefore, the number of joints in the articulated arm must be sufficient to enable such movement. The number of joints is preferably greater than 2, and more preferably about 6.

[0096] <Laser devices> According to the present invention, the film removal apparatus includes a laser device 5.

[0097] The laser device is attached to the end of an articulated arm opposite the end fixed to the main body. The articulated arm allows the laser device to be moved and directed in space to properly remove the coating system to be removed.

[0098] In some embodiments, a laser device length of approximately 180 mm can facilitate the positioning and movement of the laser device by an articulated arm.

[0099] According to some embodiments, a laser device width of approximately 180 mm facilitates the positioning and movement of the laser device by an articulated arm.

[0100] According to some embodiments, a laser device height of approximately 180 mm can facilitate the positioning and movement of the laser device by an articulated arm.

[0101] In some other embodiments, the dimensions of the laser device may vary, such as 100 × 100 × 100 mm, depending on the internal elements of the laser device and the desired application.

[0102] In some other embodiments, the dimensions of the laser device may vary, such as 200 × 200 × 200 mm, depending on the internal elements of the laser device and the desired application.

[0103] The weight of the laser device is preferably about 5 kg or less in order to limit vibration of the articulated arm, avoid excessive sizing of the articulated arm, and limit the risk of instability and jerky movement.

[0104] <Optical Laser Unit> The laser device 5 includes an optical laser unit that generates a laser beam 51 from laser light generated by a generator unit. The laser light is transmitted from the generator unit located inside the main body to the optical laser unit of the laser device via a cable 405.

[0105] The laser beam is focused at a focal position on the coating system to remove the coating when the decoating device is ready for decoating. The laser beam has a specific direction. Preferably, the decoating device may include a lens array configured to focus the laser beam at a certain focal length.

[0106] The articulated arm makes it possible to position the laser beam substantially perpendicular to the window surface, at least during the defilm removal step.

[0107] In this invention, the term “perpendicular to the surface” is measured when the laser beam is at the zero position 590. The zero position is in front of the laser beam when the laser beam is not oriented. When the laser beam can be oriented by the oriented means, the zero position is the (0,0) point of the scanning region. The scanning region 59 is defined by positive and negative values ​​centered on the zero position, as shown in Figure 14. The articulated arm can move and orient the laser device so that this particular orientation of the laser beam can be maintained. The laser head can be oriented along the Xl, Yl, and Zl axes, and in particular the laser beam is substantially perpendicular to the surface of the window at the zero position 590.

[0108] In some preferred embodiments, to avoid fixed orientation of the laser beam, the laser device may further include directional means configured to control the direction of the laser beam 51. In this manner, the directional means scans the area to be decoated by the laser beam. In such embodiments, the combination of the directional means and the articulated arm enables rapid decoating of large areas of the coating system. Preferably, the directional means may include at least a rotatable mirror or a mirror with a motor based on a galvanometer to enable lightweight and high-speed directional of the laser beam and to control and manage such directional movement.

[0109] In some preferred embodiments, a laser beam generated by a laser generator travels from the main body to a laser device via an optical fiber. The laser beam is converted by the laser device and directed towards the surface to be decoupled. The conversion of the laser beam is based on reflection by at least one (or more) mirrors and is guided to a Control Unit Adapter (CUA), from which a laser beam of appropriate size and shape, angle and thickness can be emitted toward the glass panel to remove the coating according to a predetermined pattern.

[0110] The present invention makes it possible to remove large portions of a coating system at very high speed, for example, to improve the electromagnetic transmittance of a window.

[0111] To avoid having to adjust the focal position of the laser beam within the grid to be defilmed, the laser device is equipped with an Fθ lens, which flattens the focal position on the surface.

[0112] Preferably, the laser device is a pulsed laser device, and the frequency of the laser beam is substantially 20 kHz or higher.

[0113] In some embodiments, to maintain a focal position on the coating system, the laser device may include a focusing device designed to measure the distance between the coating system and the laser device. The measurement is transmitted to a control unit, which can drive the laser device and / or a computing unit and / or a control unit to adapt the focal position on the coating system.

[0114] Preferably, the laser device may include a housing for concealing and protecting its components. The housing includes an opening through which the laser beam can exit the laser device.

[0115] In some embodiments, the laser device may further include a mirror or group of mirrors for directing and reorienting the laser beam in the correct direction.

[0116] In some embodiments, the laser device may further include an inclinometer for directing the laser device and the laser beam in the correct direction.

[0117] In some embodiments, the laser device may further include a camera for controlling the film removal pattern and a light source that provides good brightness to the camera.

[0118] In some embodiments, the defilm removal device may further include a protective panel to protect people from lasers reflected from the glass.

[0119] The present invention enables the removal of coatings from various types of windows and coating systems. The dimensions, shape, composition (such as borosilicate glass, soda-lime glass, aluminosilicate glass, etc.), window structure (such as single-layer glass sheets, double-layer glass sheets, laminated glass, vacuum glass, etc.), and the number of existing coating systems can all be controlled by the coating removal device of the present invention.

[0120] The present invention also relates to a film removal method 200 for removing a portion of the coating system present on the surface of a window using a film removal device according to the present invention.

[0121] In the present invention, "film removal" means changing the continuity of the coating system by means of removal or dissolution, for example. Film removal may be partial film removal.

[0122] Coating system 23 generally uses a metal-based layer, and this type of layer strongly refracts infrared rays. Such coating systems are typically used to realize low-energy double-glazed windows.

[0123] In some embodiments, the coating system may be a heatable coating applied to double-glazed windows, for example, to add defrosting and / or anti-fogging functions, and / or to reduce heat buildup inside buildings or vehicles, or to retain heat inside during cold weather. The coating system is thin and mostly transparent to the eye.

[0124] Typically, the coating system covers most of the surface of the double-glazed window 2.

[0125] The coating system consists of layers of different materials, at least one of which is conductive. In some embodiments, for example in an automobile windshield, the coating system may be conductive over most of the main surface of the double-glazed window. In this case, if the area to be removed is not properly designed, problems such as heating points may arise.

[0126] A suitable coating system is, for example, a conductive film. Suitable conductive films include, for example, laminated films obtained by sequentially laminating a transparent dielectric, a metal film, and a transparent dielectric, ITO, fluorinated tin oxide (FTO), etc. A suitable metal film may be, for example, a film mainly composed of at least one selected from the group consisting of Ag, Au, Cu, and Al.

[0127] The coating system may include a metal-based low-emissivity coating system. Such a coating system is typically a thin-layer system comprising one or more, e.g., two, three, or four functional layers based on an infrared-reflective material, and at least two dielectric coatings, each functional layer surrounded by a dielectric coating. The coating system of the present invention may, in particular, have an emissivity of at least 0.010. The functional layers are generally layers of silver with a thickness of several nanometers, mainly about 5–20 nm. The dielectric layers are generally transparent and are made of one or more layers of metal oxides and / or nitrides. These different layers are deposited by vacuum deposition techniques, such as magnetic field-assisted cathode sputtering (more commonly called "magnetron sputtering"). In addition to the dielectric layers, each functional layer can be protected by a barrier layer, or improved by deposition on a wetted layer.

[0128] As shown in Figure 16, the defilm removal method 400 includes step A1 (410) of moving the defilm removal device to a first working position using a moving means.

[0129] In this invention, the term "working position" means a position where the decoating device can decoupage the relevant portion of the coating system, while the laser device is substantially perpendicular to the tangent at the focal point of the coating system to be decoupled. This means that only the laser device is moved to a new position while the decoupling device maintains its position.

[0130] This means that the defilm removal device is positioned in the correct position by a moving means, and the laser device is moved so that it is properly positioned. For this purpose, the laser device may be provided with a contact element 52 positioned between the laser device and the window, extending from the laser device and oriented toward the window. The contact element makes it possible to ensure parallelism between the surface of the laser device and the window, at least prior to the defilm removal step.

[0131] As shown in Figure 14, the laser device can be oriented by the articulation of an articulated arm to maintain parallelism even when removing film from a bent section.

[0132] As shown in Figures 12 and 13, a window may contain multiple sections with different radii of curvature. The radius of curvature is measured on the surface of the glass panel where the coating system is applied. The flat section has an infinite radius of curvature.

[0133] The defilm removal apparatus according to the present invention can use this defilm removal method to defilm a window having different bending sections at once, or to perform the defilm removal step for each section.

[0134] Once the defilm removal device is positioned at a first working position, the defilm removal method further includes step A2 of defilming a frequency-selective surface on the portion (420).

[0135] The decoated frequency-selective surface includes decoated segments that form zones where the coating system still exists. The decoated segments may have a width between 15 μm and 150 μm, preferably between 30 μm and 70 μm, more preferably substantially 50 μm, and may form specific designs such as lines, polygons, hashtags, grids, etc.

[0136] The decoated design may depend, for example, on the desired visual appearance and / or desired wavelength transmittance.

[0137] Preferably, at least one coating system is present on one interface, i.e., one surface, of the window 2. Preferably, the coating system is present on one of the inner surfaces of the window, i.e., one surface that does not face outwards.

[0138] Furthermore, if the window has two coating systems applied to two different interfaces, the first coating must be removed before the second coating. For example, the decoating device removes a portion of the nearest coating system, and then removes the second coating. The focal position is adapted so that it lies on the appropriate coating system. Preferably, the decoating device removes a portion of the furthest coating system, and then removes the nearest coating, so as not to alter the decoating state of the nearest coating. The force required to remove the furthest coating is greater than the force required to remove the nearest coating, and if the nearest coating is removed before the furthest coating, there is a risk of damaging the decoated shape of that portion on the nearest coating.

[0139] The dimensions and shape of the area to be defilmed or the defilmed area vary depending on the desired application. With the defilm removal device of the present invention, the device does not need to be adapted to the dimensions of the area to be defilmed, and the same defilm removal device can be used in a variety of windows and environments.

[0140] The location of the decoating portion 25 on the multilayer glass window varies depending on the application. Preferably, the portion of the coating system to be decoated occupies at least 50% of the surface of the coating system, more preferably, the portion of the coating system to be decoated occupies at least 70% of the surface of the coating system, and even more preferably, the portion of the coating system to be decoated occupies at least 80% of the surface of the coating system. It is understood that the portion of the coating system to be decoated and the decoating portion represent the surface of the coating system, and not the decoating itself. The present invention makes it possible to improve the radio wave transmittance of most or part of the coating by decoating a small amount of coating (less than 3%).

[0141] In some preferred embodiments, to accelerate the defilming time over a large surface, the frequency-selective surface FSS1 may consist of a patchwork of at least partial frequency-selective surfaces FSS11, FSS12, FSS13, FSS14, FSS21, FSS22, FSS23, FSS24, FSS31, FSS32, FSS33, and FSS34, as shown in Figure 15. Thus, when laser processing is performed over an area larger than that which can be processed in a single process, multiple patterns of a predetermined size that can be processed in a single process are formed and arranged continuously. As a result, a continuous pattern can be formed over the entire desired area by connecting the defilmed tile-like portions, like a so-called patchwork.

[0142] In other words, the defilm removal step 420 may include multiple defilm removal substeps 421, 422, 423, and 424.

[0143] Each of the defilm removal substeps can be carried out by scanning a zone, for example, by optical or ultrasonic means, and defining an appropriate shape with sufficient precision on the surface to be defilmed, in which case the laser beam is directed within the zone to perform defilm removal, and the direction of the laser beam is adapted within the zone. Preferably, the laser device moves with an articulated arm while the laser beam is scanning to improve the defilm removal speed.

[0144] In some embodiments, the laser device may include a confocal element or any other element designed to scan the surface in front of the position from which the laser beam is irradiated and adjust the position of the laser beam accordingly.

[0145] Preferably, the frequency-selective surface is a grid made from defilmed segments to form a defilmed grid. The grid can be made from a patchwork of subgrids, each of which is connected to the other at its edges.

[0146] In fact, decoating grids arranged in a patchwork pattern and connected at their edges can form a larger frequency-selective surface, especially when created by a decoating apparatus that uses a galvo head to direct a laser designed to decoat coating systems.

[0147] The dimensions Lm1, Lm2, Lm3, Lm4, W3n, W2n, and W1n of the partially frequency-selective surfaces may depend on the maximum surface size that the defilm removal device can remove at once, as well as on the radius of curvature around the focal point, the scanning area, Lmax, and laser parameters such as zone Rayleigh and Za.

[0148] As shown in Figure 8, during the decoupling step, the laser beam is focused to a focal position 25 on the coating system 23.

[0149] During the decoupling step, the laser device moves, and the laser beam is focused over the coating system to remove the coating.

[0150] To properly remove a coating, the laser beam must be precisely focused on the target coating. Therefore, the position of the coating must be known with an accuracy at least three times smaller than the depth of field of the decoupling device. Depth of field is the distance around the focal point of a focused laser beam at which the laser beam diameter is considered constant. This distance depends heavily on the characteristics of the laser beam and the optical system used to focus the laser beam. Typically, the depth of field is about 0.5 mm, which means that the focal position accuracy of the decoupling device should be about 0.1 to 0.2 mm.

[0151] To determine the position of the coating system, a confocal unit designed to calculate the position of the coating system can be added to the laser device.

[0152] According to the present invention, the film removal method is carried out in the factory, that is, before the treated windows are installed.

[0153] Preferably, the defilm removal method is performed on-site using a defilm removal device.

[0154] As shown in Figure 9, the high-speed transport system 100 has multiple windows 201, 202, 203, and 204 in the same row.

[0155] According to some embodiments, the defilm removal method according to the present invention allows the defilm removal method to be performed from inside a stationary or moving object, as shown in Figure 10. In such embodiments, the defilm removal device is positioned on a floor or platform for precise positioning. After the defilm removal device is positioned on the platform, the platform can perform the moving step.

[0156] In some embodiments, the defilm removal method according to the present invention allows the defilm removal method to be performed from inside a stationary or moving object, as shown in Figure 11. The defilm removal device is moved inside a high-speed transport system and positioned near the window of the object to be processed.

[0157] In this invention, the term "nearby" means that the defilm removal device is not fixed to the window, the window frame, or the main body of the object to which the window is fixed.

[0158] In some embodiments, the main body is positioned about 70 cm away from the window to be defilmed, preferably positioned substantially perpendicular to the window, and the articulated arms are aligned substantially along the main length of the main body or parallel to the window, where the articulated arms are aligned substantially perpendicular to the length of the main body.

[0159] Preferably, the center of the articulated arm corresponding to the first joint between the main body and the articulated arm is aligned with the center of the window (the center along the vertical axis and the length axis of the window).

[0160] Positioning the main unit vertically from the window can be achieved by lifting the unit using a lifting device, such as a lift platform, scissor lift platform, or "cherry picker."

[0161] During the defilm removal step, the articulated arm moves and directs the laser device along a portion of its structure, keeping the laser beam nearly perpendicular to the surface or scanning zone.

[0162] The present invention also relates to a method for removing coatings from multiple windows, for the purpose of removing a portion of a coating system present on the surface of at least a first window and a second window attached to the respective surfaces of a stationary object, such as a building, or a moving object, such as a vehicle or a high-speed transport system.

[0163] As shown in Figure 17, the method for removing the film from these multiple windows includes step B1 of moving the film removal device to a first working position using a moving means and / or moving the laser device to a first working position, and step B2 of removing the frequency-selective surface on the portion of the first window, i.e., performing a film removal step 400 on the first window.

[0164] A method for defilming multiple windows further includes step B3 of moving a defilming device to a second working position using a moving means and / or moving a laser device to a second working position, and step B4 of defilming a frequency-selective surface on the portion of the second window, i.e., performing a defilming step 400 on the second window.

[0165] A method for removing film from multiple windows may include step 401, before step B1, of assembling a film removal device or providing it inside an object.

[0166] A method for removing film from multiple windows may include step 404 of disassembling the film removal device or recovering it from the object after all film removal steps have been completed.

[0167] The present invention also relates to the use of a defilm removal device for removing film from the inside of multiple windows in a high-speed transport system using a method for removing film from multiple windows.

[0168] Therefore, the deglazing device of the present invention can be used to improve the electromagnetic properties of double-glazed windows already installed on stationary objects, such as buildings, or moving objects, such as vehicles and trains, without depending on the configuration of the object.

[0169] The present invention allows for window decoupling without operator intervention, although some standard operations such as power on / off and initial positioning are likely exceptions. In particular, the focal position of the laser device and laser beam can be moved along the profile / shape of the coating system, regardless of whether the window is linear, curved, or inclined.

Claims

1. A defilm removal device (1) designed to remove a portion of a coating system (23) present on the surface of a window (2), wherein the defilm removal device (1) is housed within a rectangular parallelepiped (10) having a length (L) measured on the X axis, a width (W) measured on the Y axis, and a height (H) measured on the Z axis, and the defilm removal device comprises a main body (4), an articulated arm (3) attached to the main body, a laser device (5) comprising an optical laser unit that generates a laser beam (51), a laser device (5) attached to the end of the articulated arm designed to move and direct the laser device, particularly the laser beam, so that it is substantially perpendicular to the surface of the window, and a moving means (7) designed to move the defilm removal device on the floor surface (11), The main body comprises a computing unit for calculating and controlling the movement of the articulated arm, a generator unit for generating laser light and controlling the laser device, and a management unit for managing the computing unit and the generator unit. Furthermore, when the articulated arm is positioned in compact mode, the width of the rectangular prism is 40 cm or less, and the length of the rectangular prism is 100 cm or less. A defilm removal device (1) characterized by the following.

2. The defilm removal device according to claim 1, further comprising a stabilizing means attached to the main body and designed to stabilize the defilm removal device when the articulated arm moves.

3. The defilm removal device according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a stabilizing arm attached to the main body and designed to stabilize the defilm removal device when the articulated arm moves.

4. The defilm removal apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a control unit that interacts with the articulated arm and the laser device.

5. The defilm removal device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the defilm removal device further comprises at least a battery and an inverter.

6. The defilm removal device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the means of movement comprises a rotating element such as wheels or caterpillar tracks.

7. The defilm removal device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the articulated arm is attached to the upper surface of the main body.

8. The defilm removal device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the defilm removal device further comprises a handle for operating the defilm removal device.

9. The defilm removal apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the laser device comprises an Fθ lens.

10. The defilm removal apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the laser device comprises a directioning means designed to direct the laser beam.

11. A film removal method 400 for removing a portion of the coating system present on the surface of a window using a film removal device described in any one of claims 1 to 10, comprising the following steps: A1. A step (410) of moving the film removal device to the first working position using the moving means. A2. A step of removing the frequency-selective surface on a portion of the above (420), A film removal method 400, including the above.

12. The film removal method according to claim 11, wherein the film removal method is carried out in a factory.

13. The film removal method according to claim 11, wherein the film removal method is performed on-site.

14. A method for removing a portion of a coating system present on the surface of at least a first window and a second window of a stationary object, such as one attached to a building, or a moving object, such as a vehicle, high-speed transport system, or train, comprising the following steps: B1. A step of moving the defilm removal device to a first working position and / or moving the laser device to a first working position using a means of transport, B2. A step of removing the frequency-selective surface on a portion of the first window, B3. A step of moving the defilm removal device to a second working position and / or the laser device to a second working position using the moving means. B4. A step of removing the frequency-selective surface on a portion of the second window, A method for removing film from multiple windows, including the method described above.

15. The method for removing film from multiple windows according to claim 14, wherein the moving step and the film removal step are performed from the inside of a stationary or moving object (100).

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