Oscillating Knife Spacer Separation for Insulating Glass
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for dismantling insulating glass units often result in glass breakage, damage to the interior surfaces, and laborious manual separation, making it difficult to reuse the glass panes efficiently.
Innovation Solution
A method using an oscillating knife that penetrates the spacer along its longitudinal extent and transversely to it, allowing for precise separation of the spacer from the glass pane without leaving residues or causing glass breakage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual separation methods are used with sharp knives and considerable force, then the spacer can be separated from the glass pane, but the interior surfaces of the glass panes are scratched and the glass may break
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical separation with an automated oscillating knife system. The oscillating knife uses high-frequency vibrations to cut through the spacer material, substituting the need for manual force and sharp knives. This mechanical substitution eliminates the harmful effects of manual scraping and forcing that cause glass surface scratches and breakage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs an oscillating knife that vibrates at high frequency to perform the separation. The vibration allows the knife to cut through the spacer with minimal contact pressure, preventing damage to the glass panes. The oscillating motion enables precise cutting without the need for excessive force that would otherwise be required in manual separation.
2Ease of operation
If conventional manual separation methods are used, then separation can be achieved, but the process is very laborious and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The oscillating knife system is designed to perform the separation automatically without requiring skilled manual operation. The system self-regulates the cutting process through its oscillating mechanism, eliminating the need for operators to apply force or skillful manipulation. This automation transforms a laborious manual task into an efficient automated process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses periodic oscillating motion of the knife to achieve continuous cutting through the spacer. This periodic action allows the knife to efficiently sever the spacer along its entire length without requiring repeated manual interventions, significantly increasing separation productivity compared to conventional methods.
3Ease of operation
If aged insulating glass elements are separated manually, then the spacer can be removed, but the process becomes extremely laborious and prone to breakage
Solution Approach 1:
The automated oscillating knife system replaces manual separation methods that become increasingly difficult and risky with aged elements. The consistent oscillating motion provides reliable cutting action regardless of the age or bonding strength of the spacer, maintaining high glass integrity throughout the separation process.
4Adaptability or versatility
If recyling insulating glass elements is pursued to reduce CO2 emissions, then glass panes can be reused, but the separation process must avoid damage to enable reuse
Solution Approach 1:
The automated oscillating knife system provides a controlled cutting mechanism that separates the spacer without the uncontrolled forces and surface contact that occur in manual separation. This substitution enables glass panes to be recovered in pristine condition, suitable for reuse in new insulating glass elements, thereby supporting the recyclability goal.
Solution Approach 2:
The high-frequency vibration of the oscillating knife allows for precise cutting with minimal contact time and pressure on the glass surfaces. This vibration-based cutting mechanism ensures that the glass interior surfaces remain undamaged, preserving the glass panes for reuse and achieving the environmental benefit of reduced CO2 emissions through recycling.
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 method enables efficient, residue-free, and damage-free separation of spacers from glass panes, facilitating the reuse of glass in new products and reducing CO2 emissions by minimizing the need for remelting.
Implementation Method 1
an oscillating knife penetrating into the spacer along a longitudinal extent of the spacer and transversely to the longitudinal extent
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
A method for separating a glass pane (1) of an insulating glass element from a spacer (2) arranged laterally on an inner surface (5) of the glass pane (1), wherein the spacer (2) is glued to the inner surface (5) of the glass pane (1), comprising: • a separating step in which the spacer (2) is severed at least partially, preferably entirely, by an oscillating knife (8) penetrating the spacer (2) along a longitudinal extent (L) of the spacer (2) and transversely to the longitudinal extent (L), while the oscillating knife (8) moves in the cutting direction (S) of the knife (8) along the longitudinal extent (L) of the spacer (2) relative to the glass pane (1), • positioning the knife (1) before penetrating the spacer (2), wherein the knife (8) is positioned outside the spacer (2) and at a distance from the inner surface (5). or• and moving the oscillating knife (8) penetrating into the spacer (2) with its knife blade (13) in the direction of the inner surface (5) until a predefined distance of the knife blade (13) to the inner surface (5) is reached.