Mobile Laser Structuring of Coated Glass for EM Wave Transmission
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mobile laser devices for processing glass panels, particularly those installed in vehicles like trains, lack flexibility and ensure high processing quality, especially when dealing with electromagnetic interference issues caused by metallic coatings.
Innovation Solution
A mobile laser device with a transport and positioning frame, laser portal, control device, and safety features, capable of performing various processing methods such as laser ablation, modification, transfer printing, and engraving, while ensuring high precision and quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a metallic functional coating is applied to glass panels for heat insulation, then heat insulation performance is improved, but electromagnetic wave reception is impaired due to Faraday cage effect
Solution Approach 1:
The continuous metallic coating is segmented by laser-etching a periodic structure, creating isolated metallic regions separated by non-conductive gaps. This segmentation disrupts the Faraday cage effect while preserving local heat insulation properties, allowing electromagnetic waves to pass through the gaps in the coating structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The coating structure is modified locally by creating a periodic pattern with specific duty cycles (ratio of metallic material to total period). Different regions of the coating maintain different properties: metallic regions provide heat insulation, while the gaps between them allow electromagnetic wave transmission. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between thermal and electromagnetic performance.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If laser ablation is used to remove coating material to improve electromagnetic wave reception, then electromagnetic transparency is improved, but processing precision and quality may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of random or continuous material removal, the laser ablation process creates a periodic structure with regular spacing and consistent geometry. This periodic patterning ensures uniform electromagnetic wave transmission characteristics while maintaining precise control over the ablation depth and width, thereby preserving coating processing quality through systematic rather than chaotic material removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The laser processing parameters (power, speed, pulse duration, wavelength) are precisely optimized to achieve the desired ablation depth that penetrates through the metallic coating layer without damaging the underlying glass substrate. By controlling the energy density and exposure time, the process achieves clean separation between coating removal and substrate preservation, maintaining manufacturing precision.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a mobile laser device is used for processing installed glass panels, then accessibility to installed panels is improved, but device complexity and handling requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The laser device is designed as a mobile, self-contained unit that can process glass panels in multiple locations (factory and installed positions) without requiring fixed installation infrastructure. The device integrates laser generation, positioning, control, and safety systems into a single portable platform that adapts to different processing scenarios, eliminating the need for separate fixed laser systems at each processing location.
Solution Approach 2:
A portable control unit serves as an intermediary between the operator and the laser processing system, providing centralized control over laser parameters, movement, and safety functions. This control unit mediates the complex interactions between multiple subsystems (laser source, positioning motors, safety interlocks), simplifying the operator interface while maintaining precise coordination of all device components during processing.
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 device provides flexible and high-quality processing of glass panels, including laminated and single-pane glass, with the ability to adjust laser focus and beam shape, ensuring minimal interference and effective application of functional coatings.
Implementation Method 1
At least part of a functional coating (23) is removed from a glass pane surface (6a;b) by means of a laser beam (31)
Implementation Method 2
the functional coating is structured by means of laser radiation in such a way that the electronic structure is generated. The laser structuring is carried out by modifying or ablating the functional coating
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The present invention relates to a mobile laser device (1) for processing glass panels (6) installed in an object, preferably a vehicle, preferably a train, or a structure, preferably a building, and to the use of the laser device (1) and a method for processing a glass panel (6).