Windshield Removal Apparatus with Swiveling Working Head

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing car windshield removal methods are inefficient, dangerous, and costly due to the need for extensive thread lengths, inadequate anchorage points, and insufficient motor power, leading to time-consuming and economically unviable procedures.

Innovation Solution

A car windshield removal apparatus featuring an eccentric over 360 degrees swiveling rotatable unit mounted on a suction plate with a winch up wheel and stepping motor, operated by a remote control with a dead man's button, using a cutting thread with an elongated strip for efficient sawing through the adhesive bead, and optionally guided around a roller for enhanced cutting.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the apparatus is placed on the inside of the windshield in all four corners, then the cutting thread can reach all adhesive bead areas, but the thread becomes very long and dangerous for the mechanic

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecutting thread accessibilityVSAvoidmechanic safety
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the anchorage function from the interior of the vehicle and relocates it to the exterior through the windshield. The suction plate remains inside for stability, but the anchorage point is moved outside, eliminating the need for long interior threads and removing the safety hazard for mechanics working inside the vehicle.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces the windshield itself as an intermediary element that passes the cutting thread from the interior working area to the exterior anchorage point. This mediator allows the thread to be short inside the vehicle while still reaching the adhesive bead effectively, solving both accessibility and safety concerns.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If a battery drilling machine is used to drive the apparatus, then the device is portable and easy to operate, but the motor is not strong enough to rotate the winch up axle

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveapparatus portabilityVSAvoidwinch up axle rotation power
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The invention replaces the battery drilling machine's direct mechanical drive with an electric motor that provides sufficient power for the winch up axle. This substitution maintains portability and ease of operation while solving the power insufficiency problem of battery drilling machines.

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

3Ease of operation

If the cutting procedure uses multiple guide roller replacements, then the thread can be guided around the windshield, but the procedure becomes time consuming and dangerous

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethread guidanceVSAvoidcutting procedure time
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary action by pre-positioning the anchorage point on the exterior of the windshield before the cutting operation begins. This eliminates the need for multiple guide roller replacements during the cutting procedure, as the thread path is already established and stable throughout the operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

4Reliability

If an extra fixed anchorage point is added on the outside of the windshield, then the cutting thread can be secured, but the apparatus complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecutting thread anchorageVSAvoidapparatus structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention makes the suction plate multi-functional by giving it both the original function of providing suction attachment to the windshield and the additional function of housing the anchorage point mechanism. This universality allows the anchorage function to be added without requiring separate additional components, thus increasing reliability while minimizing complexity increase.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 enables a fast, safe, and energy-efficient windshield removal process, reducing mechanical effort and minimizing car damage, while ensuring precise control and safety during operation.

Implementation Method 1

a suction plate and placed on the inner - or outer side of the windshield

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSuction: Suction

Data Source

PatentEP3708315B1Car windshield removal apparatus and method
Publication Date: 2024.09.18 CARPE DIEM BV
  • EP3708315B1 patent drawingFigure 1~4
  • EP3708315B1 patent drawingFigure 5A~5B
  • EP3708315B1 patent drawingFigure 5C~5D

AI summary

A very effective and safe in use car windshield (5,15) removal apparatus (1) is presented by constructing a 360 degrees rotating and swivelling working head (30), which draws a thread (31,25) sawing and cutting through the adhesive bead (4,14) between windshield and car frame. Furthermore a time sparing and economical method with the apparatus (1) is obtained. Also this apparatus (1) is very useful in saving operations by removing windshields and minimize car or truck damage.