Solar Panel Glass Crushing Control for Efficient Module Separation

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current solar panel recycling methods consume excessive thermal energy and cause environmental pollution, as they fail to efficiently manage the crushing process based on the varying thickness of the glass, often resulting in incomplete separation of the glass from the solar cell module.

Innovation Solution

A solar panel recycling system that dynamically regulates the conveyor belt speed of a crushing machine based on the thickness of the glass, using a sensing unit and control unit to adjust the crushing time, and includes a separating unit to effectively separate the glass and solar cell module for further recycling, reducing energy consumption and pollution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If thermal energy is used to reduce adhesion between glass and solar cell module, then separation is achieved, but energy consumption increases and environmental pollution occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseparation effectivenessVSAvoidthermal energy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the thermal energy-based separation method with a mechanical crushing system. The solar panel is conveyed through a crushing chamber where mechanical force breaks the adhesion between glass and solar cell module, achieving separation without thermal energy input. This substitution eliminates the environmental pollution and high energy consumption associated with thermal methods.

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

2Reliability

If crushing time is increased to ensure complete glass crushing, then separation quality improves, but processing efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveglass crushing completenessVSAvoidprocessing efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic speed regulation of the conveyor belt based on real-time glass thickness measurements. When thick glass is detected, the conveyor speed is reduced to extend crushing time and ensure complete fragmentation. When thin glass is detected, the conveyor speed is increased to maintain high processing efficiency. This dynamic adjustment optimizes the balance between crushing completeness and processing throughput.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates a feedback mechanism where the sensing unit continuously measures glass thickness and provides real-time information to the control unit. The control unit adjusts the conveyor belt speed accordingly, creating a closed-loop control system that automatically optimizes crushing time based on actual material properties, ensuring both complete crushing and efficient processing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Manufacturing precision

If conveyor speed is reduced to increase crushing time, then glass separation quality improves, but overall system productivity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveglass separation qualityVSAvoidsystem throughput
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The conveyor belt speed is dynamically adjusted based on measured glass thickness rather than operating at a constant reduced speed. This allows the system to maintain high throughput for thin glass while providing extended crushing time only when thick glass is detected, thereby improving separation quality without significantly compromising overall system productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the operational parameter (conveyor speed) based on the measured property (glass thickness). By varying the speed parameter in response to material characteristics, the system optimizes separation quality for each specific piece of glass while maintaining high average throughput across diverse material inputs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Device complexity

If glass thickness is not measured and default conveying speed is used, then system complexity is reduced, but crushing effectiveness varies and energy is wasted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem simplicityVSAvoidcrushing energy efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system incorporates a sensing unit that provides real-time feedback on glass thickness, enabling the control unit to adjust conveyor speed appropriately. This feedback mechanism ensures that crushing energy is used efficiently by matching the conveying speed to the actual material requirements, avoiding energy waste that would occur with a fixed default speed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses the measured glass thickness information to automatically regulate its own operating parameters without external intervention. The sensing unit and control unit work together to self-adjust the conveyor speed based on material properties, optimizing crushing effectiveness and energy efficiency autonomously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP4461425A1Solar panel recycling system and the recycling method thereof
Publication Date: 2024.11.13 JIIN YEEH DING ENTERPRISE
  • EP4461425A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4461425A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4461425A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention provides a solar panel recycling system includes: a frame dismantling machine for disassembling the outer frame of a solar panel; a crushing machine for placing the solar panel without the outer frame on the conveyor belt of the crushing machine, wherein the crushing machine includes a sensing unit for sensing the thickness of the glass on the solar panel; and a control unit for controlling the speed of the conveyor belt based on the thickness of the glass and simultaneously controlling the crushing unit to crush the glass on the solar panel, so as to achieve the effect of the separation between the glass and the solar cell module.