Laser-Formed Glass Separation Lines to Prevent Pre-Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Glass plates often undergo unintended pre-separation before the intended separation process, leading to complications in handling and degradation of glass articles due to scratches or cracks on their end faces.
Innovation Solution
A glass plate design featuring specific laser-formed separation lines, including product lines with in-plane void arrays and release lines with internal void arrays, where the length of the internal void arrays for the product line is equal or greater than those for the release line, reducing the likelihood of pre-separation by ensuring controlled separation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If separation lines are formed by irradiating glass plates with laser light, then glass articles can be separated from the glass plates, but pre-separation may occur before the predetermined separation step
Solution Approach 1:
The separation line is segmented into two distinct types: product lines (which define the outline of glass articles) and release lines (which facilitate separation). This segmentation allows different functional requirements to be met by different line types, preventing pre-separation while enabling efficient separation when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the separation line structure are given different properties: product lines have internal void arrays extending from the first main surface toward the second main surface, while release lines have internal void arrays arranged along lines connecting the main surfaces. This local differentiation in void array configuration prevents pre-separation at product lines while allowing controlled separation at release lines.
2Ease of operation
If pre-separation occurs, then handling of the glass plate becomes complicated, but the separation process itself is necessary to obtain glass articles
Solution Approach 1:
The separation line structure is divided into product lines and release lines with distinct functions. Product lines maintain structural integrity during handling, while release lines are designed to facilitate separation. This functional segmentation simplifies handling by preventing unwanted pre-separation while maintaining the necessary separation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The internal void arrays are formed in advance during the laser irradiation process, creating predetermined separation pathways. The void arrays are configured with specific length relationships (L1max=L2max and L1min>L2min, or L1max>L2max) that prepare the structure for controlled separation while maintaining stability during handling.
3Manufacturing precision
If pre-separation occurs, then quality of glass articles is degraded due to scratches or cracks, but separation is necessary to obtain individual glass articles
Solution Approach 1:
The internal void arrays in product lines are configured to extend deeper into the glass plate (L1min>L2min) compared to release lines, creating localized structural reinforcement at the product line regions. This local quality differentiation protects the glass article boundaries from scratches and cracks during handling while maintaining separation capability through the release lines.
Solution Approach 2:
By separating the functional roles of product lines and release lines, the invention ensures that product lines maintain structural integrity for quality preservation, while release lines provide the separation function. This segmentation prevents the compromise of glass article quality that would occur with uniform separation line structures.
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 glass plate design significantly reduces the occurrence of pre-separation, ensuring that glass articles are separated as intended, maintaining the quality of the glass articles by minimizing scratches and cracks during handling and chemical tempering processes.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of separation lines being formed in the glass plate and on the first main surface by irradiating the glass plate with laser light
Data Source
AI summary
Separation lines are formed in a glass plate having first and second main surfaces by irradiating with laser light. The separation lines are configured of a product line corresponding to an outline of a glass article to be separated; and a release line. The product line includes a first in-plane void array configured of in-plane voids arranged on the first main surface; and internal void arrays for product line, each having an in-plane void. The release line includes internal void arrays for release line. A maximum length of the internal void array for product line L1max is equal to a maximum length of the internal void array for release line L2max, and a minimum length of the internal void array for product line L1min is greater than a minimum length of the internal void array for release line L2min; or the length L1max is greater than the length L2max.