Glazing Panel Decoating Frame With Suction-Stabilized Positioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing apparatus for modifying glazing panel coatings lack stability and precision due to weight and motor movement, leading to inadequate electromagnetic transmission and interference with RF signals, particularly in buildings and vehicles where RF devices rely on clear signal penetration.

Innovation Solution

A detachable apparatus with a fixing frame, suction means, and rigid pushing means, along with a decoating device that uses motors to move a functional device parallel to the glazing panel, allowing precise modification of the coating system to improve electromagnetic transmission while maintaining structural stability and avoiding damage to the panel.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If motors are used to move the functional device along rails, then the apparatus can modify coating systems, but the apparatus becomes unstable due to its own weight and motor movement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoating modification capabilityVSAvoidapparatus stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs suction means (suction cups) to adhere the apparatus to the glazing panel, creating a counterbalancing force against the apparatus weight and motor movement forces. This adhesion mechanism stabilizes the apparatus during operation, allowing the motors to move the functional device along rails without compromising overall stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

Solution Approach 2:

The apparatus divides the functional device into multiple independent units that can operate separately on different glazing panels. This segmentation allows each motorized unit to be smaller and lighter, reducing the stability issues caused by weight and motor movement while maintaining the overall capability to modify coating systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If the apparatus is mounted on suction pads, then it can be fixed on the glazing panel, but the precision of modification is insufficient due to instability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemounting capabilityVSAvoidinterface modification precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The suction means provide a stabilizing counterbalancing force that counteracts the apparatus weight and motor movement forces, creating a stable mounting platform. This stability ensures that the functional device can precisely modify coating interfaces while the apparatus remains firmly attached to the glazing panel.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

Solution Approach 2:

The apparatus incorporates sensors that detect the position and status of the functional device during operation. This feedback mechanism allows real-time adjustments to maintain precision during coating modification, compensating for any minor instabilities caused by motor movement or apparatus weight.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Productivity

If the laser is moved along rails to scribe the coating system, then electromagnetic transmission is improved, but dynamic shocks reduce precision

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoating modification efficiencyVSAvoidscribe precision
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The motors move the laser along rails in a controlled periodic manner, with acceleration and deceleration phases designed to minimize dynamic shocks. This periodic motion pattern allows the laser to efficiently scribe the coating system while maintaining precision by reducing impact forces during start and stop cycles.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The apparatus incorporates damping elements and shock-absorbing mechanisms in the rail system that cushion the laser movement before dynamic shocks occur. This prior cushioning reduces the impact of acceleration and deceleration forces, maintaining scribe precision while allowing efficient coating modification.

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 apparatus enhances electromagnetic transmission through glazing panels by precisely removing portions of the coating system, ensuring effective RF signal penetration and stability during operation, addressing the limitations of previous technologies in precision and stability.

Implementation Method 1

at least N suction means, wherein N is a positive integer (N > 0), comprising a suction end, detachably fixed to said glazing panel

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSuction: Suction

Data Source

PatentEP4106943B1Apparatus to be detachably fixed on a mounted glazing panel and associated method
Publication Date: 2024.07.24 AGC GLASS EUROPE SA
  • EP4106943B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4106943B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4106943B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention discloses an improved apparatus (100) configured to be detachably fixed on a glazing panel (11) mounted on a stationary object (10) or on a mobile object (10), the apparatus comprising a fixing frame (101) having a fixing frame plane, FFplane, defined by a longitudinal axis X and a transversal axis Y, a functional device (102), at least a first motor (103) configured to move said functional device in a first direction essentially parallel to FFplane, at least a second motor (104) configured to move said functional device in a second direction that is orthogonal to said first direction and essentially parallel to FFplane. Said apparatus comprises at least N suction means (300), wherein N is a positive integer (N > 0), comprising a suction end (301), detachably fixed to said glazing panel, defining a resting distance, Drest, between the FFplane and the suction end, measured in the direction normal to FFPIane, when said apparatus is not fixed to said glazing panel and defining a working distance, Dwork, between the FFplane and the suction end, measured in the direction normal to FFPIane, when said apparatus is detachably fixed to said glazing panel, and at least M rigid pushing means (200), wherein M is a positive integer (M > 0), comprising a pushing end (201) defining a pushing distance, Dpush, between the FFplane and the pushing end, measured in the direction normal to FFPIane, wherein the sum of the positive integers M and N is equal to or greater than 3 ( M + N ≥ 3 ) and wherein Dpush is equal to or greater than Dwork (Dpush ≥ Dwork).