Glass Substrate Dry Ice Cleaning for Edge Strength
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current glass cleaning methods, particularly during glass processing, fail to effectively remove particles from the glass edges without compromising the glass strength, leading to issues when films are deposited on display glasses.
Innovation Solution
A dry-cleaning method using a cleaning agent with a sublimation point between −90° C. and −70° C., dispersed in a gas carrier, such as dry ice, is applied to the glass substrate to remove particles and debris, enhancing edge strength by freezing and removing particles without using liquid solvents.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional wet cleaning methods are used to remove particles from glass edges, then cleaning efficiency is improved, but glass surface strength deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention utilizes the phase transition of carbon dioxide from solid (dry ice particles) to gas (sublimation) as the cleaning mechanism. The dry ice particles impact the glass surface, freeze particles through extreme cold, and then sublimate into gas, removing contaminants without leaving residual moisture or chemicals that would compromise glass strength. This phase change process achieves effective cleaning while preserving glass surface integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces traditional mechanical wet cleaning systems (liquids, solvents, mechanical abrasion) with a gas-based cleaning system using dry ice particles. This substitution eliminates the need for liquid solvents and mechanical contact that cause surface damage, while maintaining cleaning effectiveness through the unique properties of sublimating particles.
2Productivity
If traditional wet cleaning methods are used to remove particles from glass edges, then cleaning efficiency is improved, but chemical waste is generated
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning agent (carbon dioxide) undergoes a phase transition from solid to gas during the cleaning process, completely sublimating without leaving behind any liquid residue or chemical waste. This eliminates the need for chemical disposal and environmental management associated with traditional wet cleaning methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The dry ice particles are consumed during the cleaning process, transforming from solid to gas and disappearing without trace. This disposable nature of the cleaning agent eliminates waste accumulation and simplifies the cleaning system, requiring no complex waste management infrastructure.
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 method achieves better than 80% cleaning efficiency and improves glass surface strength by 17% compared to traditional wet cleaning methods, while eliminating secondary chemical waste and reducing flaw generation.
Implementation Method 1
enhancing edge strength by freezing and removing particles without using liquid solvents
Implementation Method 2
The cleaning agent includes a substance having a sublimation point in a range of from about −90° C. to about −70° C.
Data Source
AI summary
Various aspects of the present disclosure relate to a method of cleaning a glass substrate. The method includes contacting the glass substrate with a cleaning agent for a predetermined amount of time. The cleaning agent includes a substance having a sublimation point in a range of from about −90° C. to about −70° C. and the cleaning agent is dispersed in a gas carrier.