Brittle Plate Peeling via Sequential Zipping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Brittle materials such as thin glass or ceramic plates are prone to breakage when handled or released from support arrangements due to their fragility, especially in applications like adaptive optics and lithography where high forces are required, leading to damage or breakage during handling and reattachment.

Innovation Solution

A method involving a peeling arrangement that applies a controlled pulling force to lift the plate from the support at specific areas, allowing it to deform elastically until failure, thereby preventing breakage by distributing the force over a larger area and maintaining contact at adjacent points, allowing the plate to be 'zipped' off without damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Force

If a high force is applied to release the plate from the support arrangement, then the plate can be released, but the plate breaks due to excessive force

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverelease forceVSAvoidplate integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The support arrangement uses multiple discrete support points (e.g., 12,000 magnets) distributed across the plate surface. The peeling arrangement applies force sequentially at different locations rather than simultaneously across the entire plate, segmenting the release process into manageable steps that prevent excessive stress concentration

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The peeling arrangement dynamically moves along the plate surface, progressively releasing different areas in sequence. This dynamic approach allows the plate to gradually transition from a supported to an unsupported state, with the peeling arrangement continuously adjusting its position to maintain optimal force distribution

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Length of moving object

If the plate is made thinner to achieve the desired surface-to-thickness ratio, then the optical performance is improved, but the plate becomes more fragile and prone to breakage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveplate thicknessVSAvoidplate durability

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The peeling arrangement is designed to apply controlled, gradual force that cushions the plate during the release process. By progressing slowly and maintaining contact with adjacent areas, the arrangement prevents sudden stress spikes that could cause breakage of thin plates

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the physical state of the plate during peeling by allowing controlled elastic deformation. The plate transitions from a fully supported state to a progressively released state, with the peeling arrangement managing the deformation parameters to stay within safe limits

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If the entire plate is lifted at once, then the release process is faster, but the plate breaks due to excessive stress

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverelease speedVSAvoidplate integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The peeling process uses periodic action by moving the peeling arrangement in systematic steps across the plate surface. Rather than a single continuous motion, the arrangement progresses through multiple discrete positions, releasing small areas in sequence while maintaining overall process efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables the safe and efficient release and reattachment of brittle plates by minimizing the risk of breakage and damage, utilizing elastic deformation to manage the forces applied, thus reducing the risk of breakage and maintaining the integrity of the plates.

Implementation Method 1

a first area of the plate is lifted from a support arrangement over a small distance... small enough to prevent damage, for example by breakage of the plate or cracks in the plate

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP2235594B1Method of releasing a plate made of brittle material, assembly of a support and peeling arrangement

Publication Date: 2017.10.25 NEDERLANDSE ORG VOOR TOEGEPAST NATUURWETENSCHAPPELIJK ONDERZOEK TNO

AI summary

Method of releasing a plate (3) made of brittle material from a support arrangement (4), wherein the plate has a small thickness as compared to its surface dimensions, and is supported by the support arrangement substantially along its surface (5), wherein a first area (Pl) of the plate is moved in a direction away from the support arrangement, while a second area (P2) of the plate adjacent the first area abuts the support arrangement, subsequently the second area is moved in a direction away from the support arrangement, while a third area (P3) of the plate adjacent the second area abuts the support arrangement, and in the same manner sequentially further areas are moved in a direction away from the support arrangement, while respective adjacent areas abut the support arrangement, wherein said areas are sequentially moved in a direction away from the support arrangement in at least one travelling direction such that the plate is peeled from the support arrangement in said at least one travelling direction.