Laser Line Heating for Fast Laminated Safety Glass Separation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for separating laminated safety glass panels along a dividing line are inefficient due to long heating times required for plastic deformation and cutting, which delays the overall process.

Innovation Solution

A device using a laser device with multiple laser radiation sources and a beam shaping arrangement to generate individual intensity profiles or laser lines that heat the composite film along the dividing line, allowing for targeted and rapid heating of the film for separation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If traditional heating methods are used to heat the composite film for plastic deformation and cutting, then the film can be separated, but the heating time is very long which delays the overall separation process

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseparation speedVSAvoidheating time
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical or conventional thermal heating systems with a laser heating system. The laser provides concentrated optical energy that directly heats the composite film along the division line, enabling rapid localized heating without the long heating times associated with traditional methods. This substitution of heating mechanism is the core solution to reducing heating time while maintaining separation quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a new dimension of energy delivery by using laser radiation (optical energy) instead of conventional thermal conduction or convection methods. This dimensional change in energy transfer mode allows for precise, rapid, and localized heating of the composite film along the division line, dramatically reducing the heating time required for plastic deformation and subsequent cutting.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Reliability

If the composite film is heated for extended periods to ensure complete separation, then separation can be achieved, but the risk of irreversible damage to the film increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseparation completenessVSAvoidirreversible damage to composite film
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by concentrating laser heating precisely along the division line where separation is needed, rather than heating the entire composite film uniformly. This localized heating approach ensures complete separation at the division line while minimizing thermal exposure to the rest of the film, thereby preventing irreversible damage to areas that do not require separation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The laser heating system provides continuous, controlled energy delivery along the division line, ensuring consistent plastic deformation and complete separation. The continuous action of the laser along the entire division line guarantees reliable separation while the controlled nature of the heating prevents excessive thermal damage to the composite film structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Stability of the object's composition

If conventional heating methods are used, then the composite film can be heated uniformly, but the heating process is slow and affects areas beyond the division line

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuniform heatingVSAvoidseparation efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The laser heating system applies local quality by concentrating energy precisely at the division line, creating a localized heating zone that does not affect surrounding areas. This approach achieves the necessary thermal conditions for separation exactly where needed while maintaining the integrity and uniformity of the composite film in non-heated regions, thereby improving separation efficiency without compromising film stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the heating process by isolating the thermal action to only the division line area, rather than heating the entire composite film. This segmentation allows for rapid, efficient heating at the separation line while preserving the uniform composition and properties of the rest of the film, thus improving productivity without affecting overall film stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 approach significantly reduces cycle times for separating laminated safety glass panels by up to 70% compared to traditional methods, ensuring efficient separation without irreversible damage to the composite film or unwanted delamination.

Implementation Method 1

the laser device can generate a plurality of adjacent individual intensity profiles for heating the laminated film, at least along a section of the division line

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLaser heating: Laser

Implementation Method 2

heating of the laminated film along the division line, in particular with a heating medium

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight absorption and conversion to thermal energy: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentEP3814139B1Apparatus and method for separating a composite safety glass panel
Publication Date: 2021.12.08 HEGLA GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3814139B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3814139B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3814139B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to an apparatus (1) for separating a composite safety glass panel (2) along at least one predefinable dividing line (3), wherein the composite safety glass panel (2) has at least one composite film (4) and at least two glass panels (5), wherein the composite film (4) is arranged between the glass panels (5) and connects the glass panels (5) to each other, the apparatus (1) having at least one separating means for separating the glass panels (5) along the at least one dividing line (3) and at least one heating means (6) for heating the composite film (4) at least along the dividing line (3). The invention further relates to a method for separating a composite safety glass panel. A method and an apparatus for separating a composite safety glass panel (2), wherein the cycle times for separating are shortened, are realized in that the heating means (6) has at least one laser device (7) having at least one plurality of laser radiation sources (8) arranged adjacent to each other, and wherein a plurality of adjacently arranged individual intensity profiles (11) for heating the composite film (4) at least along a portion of the dividing line (3) can be produced by means of the laser device (7).