Glass Cutting Head with Security Wheel

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current cutting technologies for glass panels require significant manual intervention, leading to increased production time, reduced accuracy, and safety risks due to flying glass splinters, with existing solutions failing to provide adequate safety and efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A cutting device equipped with rotatable security wheels that provide support and containment during cutting, allowing for simultaneous movement with the cutting member, reducing downtime and enhancing safety by preventing splinter dispersal, and featuring multiple cutting heads for automatic selection based on panel thickness.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If manual operations are performed before and after cutting, then cutting precision can be maintained, but production time increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecutting precisionVSAvoidproduction time

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The security wheel automatically performs the support function during cutting without requiring manual intervention. The wheel is self-actuating through the cutting motion itself, eliminating the need for operators to manually position support tools before and after cutting, thus maintaining precision while reducing production time

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The security wheel is pre-positioned adjacent to the cutting member before the cutting operation begins. This preliminary positioning ensures that support is immediately available when the cutting member contacts the glass panel, eliminating the need for manual setup steps while maintaining cutting precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If cutting operations are performed without security measures, then production speed is maintained, but safety of users is compromised due to flying glass splinters

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduction speedVSAvoidflying glass splinters

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The security wheel acts as an intermediary element between the cutting member and the glass panel. It provides a physical barrier that contains glass splinters while allowing the cutting operation to proceed uninterrupted, thus maintaining production speed while protecting users from flying debris

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The security wheel converts the potentially harmful flying glass splinters into a controlled situation by containing them within the cutting area. The wheel's presence transforms a safety hazard into a manageable condition that does not interrupt production flow

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Ease of operation

If cutting member is allowed to move freely during cutting, then operational flexibility is maintained, but accuracy of cut is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational flexibilityVSAvoidaccuracy of cut

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The security wheel provides a counterbalancing support force that opposes the instability of the freely moving cutting member. This counter-support ensures that the cutting member maintains accurate positioning throughout the cutting stroke, preserving cut accuracy while allowing operational flexibility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

4Manufacturing precision

If cutting member descends too far during operation, then cutting depth is achieved, but risk of hitting table surface and breaking glass increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecutting depthVSAvoidrisk of breaking glass

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The security wheel provides a cushioning effect by making contact with the glass panel before the cutting member can descend too far. This preliminary contact prevents the cutting member from hitting the table surface, thereby eliminating the risk of glass breakage while still achieving the required cutting depth

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

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

The solution minimizes cutting time, ensures high accuracy and safety, and simplifies the separation of glass panels by providing stable support and containment, reducing manual intervention and operational errors.

Implementation Method 1

the security wheel moves over the top surface, such as by rolling, in the cutting direction

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRolling: Roller

Data Source

PatentEP2990388B1Cutting device for a cutting table

Publication Date: 2019.01.30 TUROMAS SL

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AI summary

The invention relates to a cutting head for use in a cutting device of a cutting table for cutting a glass panel, the cutting table comprising a support for supporting the glass panel extending in a horizontal plane. The cutting device comprises a positioning system and actuating means for moving the cutting head to and from the top surface of the panel along an actuation axis perpendicular to the top surface. The cutting head comprises cutting means having a rotatable cutting member, wherein a security wheel is rotatably connected to the cutting means, wherein the lower ends of the security wheel and the cutting member can simultaneously contact the top surface upon movement of the cutting means to the top surface, wherein, when creating the cut in the cutting direction, the security wheel moves over the top surface, by rolling in the cutting direction.