Edge Director Cleaning Apparatus for Devit Removal

The patent applies parameter changes by precisely controlling the temperature parameters of the heating elements and the chemical parameters of the cleaning solution. The heating elements are controlled to maintain temperatures that melt devit without exceeding the damage threshold of the edge director material, while the cleaning solution composition is optimized to chemically react with devit at controlled rates, thereby achieving effective devit removal while preventing equipment damage.

The patent replaces mechanical scraping or abrasive cleaning methods with a thermal-chemical cleaning system. Instead of using mechanical force that could damage the edge director, the system uses controlled heating to melt devit and chemical solutions to dissolve residues, allowing devit removal through phase change and chemical reaction rather than mechanical action, thus improving equipment safety while maintaining cleaning efficiency.

The patent implements a self-service cleaning system where the cleaning apparatus is integrated into the edge director assembly, allowing cleaning operations to be performed automatically during or between production cycles without requiring separate manual intervention or equipment shutdown. The system includes self-positioning mechanisms and automatic cleaning sequence control, enabling the edge director to clean itself, thereby maintaining glass quality while minimizing downtime.

The patent enables continuous cleaning action by designing the cleaning system to operate during brief intervals between glass batches or during transition periods without requiring complete production shutdown. The heating elements and cleaning solution delivery system are designed to activate continuously at low intensity during production, then intensify during cleaning intervals, maintaining glass quality while minimizing interruption to overall production flow.