Glass Panel Unit Cutting Sequence for Precise Multi-Panel Assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for manufacturing glass panel units face challenges in productivity and quality, particularly during the cutting process of glass substrates bonded via a seal member.

Innovation Solution

A method involving an arrangement step, bonding step, and cutting step, where glass substrates are bonded via a seal member along multiple lines, allowing simultaneous cutting of multiple glass panel units while maintaining an integral product until the final cut, reducing the need for repositioning and in-process inventory.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the first glass substrate and the second glass substrate are cut off simultaneously along multiple lines from one side, then the manufacturing process is simplified, but the positioning accuracy and quality deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecutting process complexityVSAvoidcutting position accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The cutting process is divided into two sequential stages: first cutting one glass substrate along multiple lines, then cutting the other glass substrate along the same lines. This segmentation allows each cutting operation to be performed with higher precision while maintaining overall process simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

One glass substrate is cut off completely before cutting the other substrate. This preliminary action establishes a reference state where only one substrate needs positioning during the second cutting operation, improving positioning accuracy without requiring both substrates to be positioned simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If multiple glass panel units are manufactured simultaneously, then productivity is improved, but the in-process inventory and complexity of managing multiple units increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing throughputVSAvoidprocess management complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple glass panel units are manufactured by cutting multiple substrates simultaneously in a single bonding and cutting sequence. The method merges the manufacturing of multiple units into one integrated process flow, improving productivity while avoiding the need to manage separate in-process inventories for different units.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS20250340039A1Method for manufacturing glass panel unit, and glass panel unit assembly

Publication Date: 2025.11.06 PANASONIC HOUSING SOLUTIONS CO LTD

AI summary

An arrangement step includes arranging a first glass substrate and a second glass substrate to make the first and second glass substrates face each other with a seal member interposed along multiple lines between themselves. A bonding step includes bonding the first and second glass substrates via the seal member. A cutting step includes cutting off the first and second glass substrates along an identical line as viewed in a direction in which the first and second glass substrates face each other and along the seal member. The cutting step also includes forming multiple sets of the first and second glass substrates divided by cutting off the first and second glass substrates along multiple lines where the seal member remains along respective sides of cross sections of the first and second glass substrates.