Glass Sheet Breaking via Localized Support and Crack Propagation Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current glass breaking techniques struggle with cutting complex shapes, particularly those with small concave radii, due to difficulties in applying consistent bending stress and controlling crack propagation, leading to scrap generation and limited achievable geometries.
Innovation Solution
A method involving tracing a complex cutting line on the glass surface, using a cutting tool, and applying a local support force on the opposite face with controlled deformation zones to manage crack propagation, utilizing a flat support surface or suction elements to maintain precise stress control and prevent shear stresses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If pressure is applied to the offcut to break complex shapes, then the breaking operation can be performed, but bending stress cannot be created at every point along the cut line, leading to spalling and reduced cutting quality
Solution Approach 1:
The support means is divided into multiple localized support points distributed along the cutting line, allowing independent stress application at each segment. This segmentation enables precise control of bending stress at every point along the complex cut line, preventing spalling while maintaining ease of breaking operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The support means provides localized support specifically at points along the cutting line where stress is needed, rather than uniform support across the entire offcut. This local quality approach creates bending stress precisely where required at each segment of the cut line, eliminating spalling while maintaining manufacturing efficiency.
2Adaptability or versatility
If support points are adjusted to break concave shapes with small radii, then breaking can be achieved, but the process becomes lengthy and delicate, generating significant scrap
Solution Approach 1:
The support means is designed to be movable and adjustable, allowing dynamic adaptation to different concave geometries and radii. This dynamic capability enables the system to handle various concave shapes efficiently without lengthy manual adjustment, maintaining high productivity while achieving versatile breaking of complex geometries with reduced scrap.
Solution Approach 2:
The position and force parameters of the support means can be dynamically changed to match different concave shape requirements. By automatically adjusting these parameters, the system adapts to various geometries quickly, maintaining high productivity while achieving versatile breaking capability with minimal scrap generation.
3Manufacturing precision
If additional cuts are placed around the periphery of the shape, then clean break of the primitive can be achieved, but sacrificial glass surface area is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The support means is positioned in advance along the cutting line to provide localized support during the breaking operation. This preliminary positioning eliminates the need for additional peripheral cuts, as the localized support ensures clean break directly along the desired cutting line, maintaining manufacturing precision while avoiding loss of sacrificial glass surface area.
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
This approach enhances cutting quality by controlling crack propagation and reducing scrap generation, allowing for more precise breaking of complex shapes with improved control over deformation and stress distribution.
Implementation Method 1
tracing one or more superficial cracks on the surface of the glass using, for example, a glass cutter
Implementation Method 2
tracing one or more superficial cracks on the surface of the glass using, for example, a glass cutter or a laser
Implementation Method 3
an operation of propagating the initial superficial crack through the thickness of the glass sheet
Implementation Method 4
The breaking can be done on a soft mat. A force is applied to the fall by pressing down until it breaks and separates
Implementation Method 5
a step of setting up planar support means arranged to generate a pressure force on or around the cutting line and the area to be broken
Implementation Method 6
The planar support means include a pair of suction cups or bells
Data Source
Figure 1a~4
Figure 5~7
Figure 8~9
AI summary
The method comprises - a step of tracing a score line (2) on the surface of the glass, using a scoring tool (6); - a step of positioning flat bearing means (20) arranged to generate a pressing force on the score line; and - a step of breaking, using a local bearing means (10) applied to the opposite face (4B) and facing the score line (2), the local bearing means (10) being moved and pressed along the score line (2), on said opposite face (4B). Figure 2