Glass Separating and Cutting System for Electronic Mobile Device Repair

Abstract

A system for separating the front and back outer glass layer from the casing/body of electronic mobile devices and for cutting mobile device screen protector sheets by way of laser burning and cutting comprises a housing, such housing containing a laser; a mirror galvanometer; a safety chamber enclosure; a metal plate with internal glass sheet; a chamber with opening and closing lid, lid button and lid sensor; a control printed circuit board with processor; a power inlet; a power supply; and an on/off switch.

Claims

1. A system for separating a front and/or back outer glass layer from a casing/body of an electronic mobile device and for cutting a mobile device screen protector sheet by way of laser burning and cutting, comprising: a housing, said housing containing: a laser, for generating a laser beam; a mirror galvanometer, for directing the laser beam produced by the laser; a safety chamber enclosure through which the laser beam produced by the laser and directed by the mirror galvanometer are channeled for safety purposes; a metal plate with internal glass sheet for closing off the safety chamber enclosure and for allowing the laser beam to pass through the glass sheet; a chamber with opening and closing lid fitted on top of the metal plate with internal glass sheet in which the electronic mobile device or part thereof or the mobile device screen protector sheet is placed; a button for opening the lid; a control printed circuit board with processor capable of controlling operation of the laser and the mirror galvanometer; a power inlet utilized to provide power to the control printed circuit board and to an internal power supply of the laser; the internal power supply for providing power to the laser; and an on/off switch for powering the system on and off and also for operating the system.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a LCD/OLED display panel for displaying information regarding operation of the system and for operating the system.

3. The system of claim 1, further comprising an Ethernet input port, a Wi-Fi aerial, a WPS switch and a communications printed circuit board with processor and operating system software for connecting the system via two-way data Internet connection to a central computer server so that the system can be operated via the central computer server.

4. The system of claim 3, further comprising a central computer server hosting and operating a web-centric and/or mobile app software application for allowing a user of the system to remotely operate the system via the Internet, to remotely update the system software and settings via the Internet and also to obtain real time and historical system operation data.

5. The system of claim 1, further comprising a heat sink with air fans for laser cooling purposes.

6. The system of claim 1, further comprising a height adjustable base within the chamber for adjusting a focal point of the laser beam.

7. The system of claim 1, further comprising a communications port installed on the housing for on-site system software upgrading and system diagnosis.

8. The system of claim 1, further comprising a central laser machine button installed on the housing for performing various defined machine functions.

9. The system of claim 1, further comprising laser molds which house the electronic mobile device being repaired and/or the mobile device screen protector sheet to be cut and which expose only parts of the electronic mobile device and/or the mobile device screen protector sheet to the laser beam generated by the laser and directed by the mirror galvanometer.

10. The system of claim 1, further comprising a sensor mounted on a base of the lid which ensures that the laser cannot operate unless the lid is closed.

11. The system of claim 10, further comprising a LCD/OLED display panel for displaying information regarding operation of the system and for operating the system.

12. The system of claim 11, further comprising an Ethernet input port, a Wi-Fi aerial, a WPS switch and a communications printed circuit board with processor and operating system software for connecting the system via two-way data Internet connection to a central computer server so that the system can be operated via the central computer server.

13. The system of claim 12, further comprising a central computer server hosting and operating a web-centric and/or mobile app software application for allowing a user of the system to remotely operate the system via the Internet, to remotely update the system software and settings via the Internet and also to obtain real time and historical system operation data.

14. The system of claim 13, further comprising a heat sink with air fans for laser cooling purposes.

15. The system of claim 14, further comprising a height adjustable base within the chamber for adjusting a focal point of the laser beam.

16. The system of claim 15, further comprising a communications port installed on the housing for on-site system software upgrading and system diagnosis.

17. The system of claim 16, further comprising a central laser machine button installed on the housing for performing various defined machine functions.

18. The system of claim 17, further comprising laser molds which house the electronic mobile device being repaired and/or the mobile device screen protector sheet to be cut and which expose only parts of the electronic mobile device and/or the mobile device screen protector sheet to the laser beam generated by the laser and directed by the mirror galvanometer.

19. A laser mold, used to house an electronic mobile device and/or an electronic mobile device part and/or a mobile device screen protector sheet and to expose only part of such electronic mobile device and/or an electronic mobile device part and/or the mobile device screen protector sheet to a laser beam directed towards a bottom end of the mold, comprising: a metal base with cut outs on a bottom of the metal base in order to allow a laser beam to pass through the cut outs; a chamber with indentation matching a design and dimensions of an electronic mobile device and/or an electronic mobile device part and/or the mobile device screen protector sheet so that the electronic mobile device and/or an electronic mobile device part and/or the mobile device screen protector sheet can fit in the chamber; a glass sheet configured to seal a bottom end of the metal base and to allow a laser beam to pass through the glass sheet and burn the exposed part of the electronic mobile device and/or an electronic mobile device part and/or the mobile device screen protector sheet housed within the mold; and a top sliding or magnetic cover configured to seal off the indentation chamber to trap toxic fumes created when the laser beam burns contents of the mold to allow the toxic fumes to settle.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] FIG. 1A is a view of the system with one or more aspects of the technology.

[0024] FIG. 1B is a side view of the central laser machine showing specifically the laser, the laser power supply, the mirror galvanometer, the safety chamber enclosure, the metal perimeter steel plate, the central laser machine button, the bottom housing panel, the base, the front housing panel, the back housing panel and the direction and location of the laser beams emanated from the laser and directed by the mirror galvanometer.

[0025] FIG. 1C is a front view of the central laser machine specifically showing the front housing panel, left housing panel, right housing panel, the top housing panel, the opening closing lid in a closed position, the central laser machine button and the screen display.

[0026] FIG. 1D is a front view of the central laser machine specifically showing how the lid opens and closes.

[0027] FIG. 1E is a side view of the central laser machine specifically showing the front housing panel, the central laser machine button, the screen display, the bottom housing panel, the back housing panel, the mirror galvanometer, the base, the laser, the safety chamber enclosure, the metal perimeter steel plate and the opening closing lid.

[0028] FIG. 1F is a bottom side view of the central laser machine specifically showing the bottom housing panel, the front housing panel, the back housing panel, the Wi-Fi antennae, the mirror galvanometer, the base, the laser, the safety chamber enclosure, the internal fitted glass sheet, the metal perimeter steel plate, the laser power supply and the opening closing lid.

[0029] FIG. 1G is a side view of the central laser machine specifically showing the bottom housing panel, the front housing panel, the back housing panel, the Wi-Fi antennae, the mirror galvanometer, the base, the laser, the safety chamber enclosure, the metal perimeter steel plate, the top housing panel, the laser power supply and the opening closing lid in a closed position.

[0030] FIG. 1H is a side view of the central laser machine specifically showing the control printed circuit board with processor and operating system software, the communications printed circuit board with processor, the bottom housing panel, the top housing panel, the opening closing lid, the front panel housing, the screen display, the central laser machine button, the back housing panel, the on/off switch, the Wi-Fi antennae, the WPS switch, the Ethernet inlet port, the USB inlet port and the power inlet port.

[0031] FIG. 1I is a side view of the central laser machine specifically showing the control printed circuit board with processor and operating system software, the communications printed circuit board with processor, the bottom housing panel, the top housing panel, the opening closing lid, the front panel housing, the screen display, the back housing panel, the on/off switch and the Wi-Fi antennae.

[0032] FIG. 2A is a top view of the central laser machine specifically showing the top housing panel, the opening closing lid, the internal fitted glass sheet, the metal perimeter steel plate, the adjustable perimeter base with 4 height adjustment screws, the Wi-Fi antennae, the on/off switch, the WPS button, the front housing panel, the back housing panel, the left housing panel and the right housing panel.

[0033] FIG. 2B is a side view specifically showing the metal perimeter steel plate, the adjustable base on top of the internal glass sheet attached to the metal perimeter plate via 4 screws with springs which keep an upward force to the adjustable base and the laser mold placed on the adjustable base.

[0034] FIG. 2C is a top view specifically showing the metal perimeter steel plate, the internal glass sheet, the adjustable base attached to the metal perimeter steel plate via 4 screws and springs which keep an upward force to the adjustable base.

[0035] FIG. 2D is a top view specifically showing the metal perimeter steel plate, the adjustable base attached to the metal perimeter steel plate via 4 screws and springs which keep an upward force to the adjustable base and the laser mold placed on top of the adjustable base.

[0036] FIG. 2E is a side view specifically showing the metal perimeter steel plate, the adjustable base on top of the internal glass sheet and how the height of the adjustable base is increased or decreased by turning the screws which connect the adjustable base to the metal perimeter steel plate.

[0037] FIG. 3A is a side view of the laser mold showing the central base unit, the indentation chamber, the top slide cover as well as an electronic mobile device which fits into the indentation chamber.

[0038] FIG. 3B is a top view of the mold showing the central base unit, the indentation chamber, the top slide cover, the bottom side of the central base unit with specific design with specific openings, the glass layer on the bottom side of the central base unit as well as an electronic mobile device which fits into the indentation chamber.

[0039] FIG. 3C is a side view of the laser mold showing the central base unit, the indentation chamber, the top slide cover, the bottom side of the central base unit with specific design with specific openings and the glass layer on the bottom side of the central base unit.

[0040] FIG. 3D is a top side view of the laser mold showing the central base unit, the indentation chamber, the top slide cover which has been slid into the central base unit, as well as an electronic mobile device which fits into the indentation chamber.

[0041] FIG. 3E is a top side view of the laser mold showing the central base unit, the top slide cover which has been slid all the way into the central base unit so as to create an airtight enclosure containing an electronic mobile device.

[0042] FIG. 3F is an underside view of the laser mold showing the central base unit, the underside of the indentation chamber, the bottom side of the central base unit with specific design with specific openings, the glass layer on the bottom side of the central base unit as well as an electronic mobile device which fits flush into the indentation chamber.

[0043] FIG. 4A is a graphical depiction showing the connection of the central laser machine and the central computer server via the Internet.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0044] The technology may be best understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying representations. Turning now to FIGS. 1A through 1I, various views of the central laser machine 17 in accordance with one or more aspects of the present technology are shown. A back housing panel 4, a front housing panel 11, a bottom housing panel 13, a left side panel 5, a right side panel 12 and a top housing panel 16 are shown. The four corners of the top housing panel 16 are screwed onto the top end of four steel columns 15, whilst the bottom end of the 4 steel columns 15 is screwed onto the four corners of the bottom housing panel 13. The front housing panel 11, the back housing panel 4, the side left panel 5, the side right panel 12 are clipped or screwed onto the four steel columns 15 resulting in the formation of the housing of the central laser machine.

[0045] Within the housing of the central laser machine 17, a base 6 is also shown which is screwed to the bottom housing panel 13 and is utilized as a base mounting for the laser 7. Attached upside down to the bottom end of the safety chamber enclosure 8, a mirror galvanometer 14 is also shown. The mirror galvanometer 14 is connected to the laser 7 by fiber optic cable and is used to direct the laser beam produced by the laser 7. The exit point of the mirror galvanometer 14 is connected at the bottom end of the safety chamber enclosure 8, so that the laser beams produced and emanated by the laser 7 and directed by the mirror galvanometer 14 are directed in an upwards direction as shown in FIG. 1B and are contained within the safety chamber enclosure 8 for safety purposes.

[0046] A metal perimeter steel plate 3 with internal fitted glass sheet 10 is also shown. The metal perimeter steel plate 3 with internal fitted quartz glass sheet 10 is attached on the top end of the safety chamber enclosure 8 and serves the purpose of enclosing the safety chamber enclosure 8 so that no dust or items fall into the safety chamber enclosure 8 and onto the laser components. Furthermore the internal fitted glass sheet 10 serves the purpose of maintaining the safety chamber enclosure 8 sealed whilst still allowing the laser beams produced and emanated from the laser 7 and directed by the mirror galvanometer 14 to pass within the safety chamber enclosure 8 through the internal fitted glass sheet 10 and onto the mold housing an electronic mobile device 33 or mobile device screen protector (or any other item) or electronic mobile device part placed above the internal fitted glass sheet 10 or onto whatever item has been placed above the internal fitted glass sheet 10.

[0047] An adjustable perimeter base 18 is also shown. The adjustable perimeter base 18 is attached to the metal perimeter steel plate 3 via four screws 19 which when turned result in the increase or decrease of the height of the adjustable perimeter base 18 and serves the purpose of adjusting the focal point of the laser which is beamed from the laser 7 and directed by the mirror galvanometer 14 through the safety chamber enclosure 8 and through the internal fitted glass sheet 10.

[0048] An opening and closing lid 1 is also shown. The lid 1 is located on the top housing panel 16 and forms a chamber on top of the internal fitted glass sheet 10 so that the laser mold 29 which houses the electronic mobile device 33 being repaired or the mobile device screen protector to be cut can be placed on the adjustable perimeter base 18 and the lid 1 is then closed thus ensuring safe laser operation and keeping the laser beams strictly within the aforesaid chamber and focused on burning and/or cutting the electronic mobile device 33 or the mobile device screen protector sheet or any other item placed within the laser mold 29 or on the adjustable perimeter base 18. A sensor mounted on the base of the lid 20 is also shown. The sensor ensures that the laser cannot operate unless the lid 1 is closed. An open button 2 is also shown. The open button 2 is pressed so that the lid 1 is released and is able to open in an upward motion. A power supply 28 is also shown. The power supply 28 is connected to the power inlet port 22 and provides power to the laser 7.

[0049] A control PCT (printed circuit board) 21 (with built in processor and operating system software not shown) is shown. The control PCB 21 is connected via electronic copper cable to the LCD screen 9, the mirror galvanometer 14, the laser 7, the lid sensor 20, the power supply inlet 22, the USB inlet 23 and the central laser machine button 24 and is used for controlling the operation and functions of these components and the overall functionality and operations of the central laser machine 17.

[0050] A communications printed circuit board 26 (with built in processor and operating system software not shown) is also shown. The communications printed circuit board 26 has a built in processor and operating system software and is used as a bridge to provide an Internet two-way data and command communication between the control PCB 21 and the central computer server 25 which hosts and operates a web-centric and/or a mobile app software application which remotely operates the central laser machine 17 via the Internet, sends real time laser burning, cutting, dimensions, time and operating instructions to the central laser machine 17 specific to the mobile device model being repaired or the mobile device screen protector being cut, remotely updates the central laser machine 17 software and settings via the Internet, provides real time and historical central laser machine 17 operating data to the user of the system and also empowers the owner of one or multiple central laser machines 17 to remotely update one or more central laser machine 17 software and settings and/or remotely control the operation of one or more central laser machines 17 and/or remotely activate and de-activate one or more central laser machines 17 and/or have immediate remote access to real time or historical statistical information related to the repairs done by such machines, repairs per electronic mobile device model, repairs per technician, repairs per time period, repairs per location, repairs per grouped electronic mobile device models, technicians, time periods and locations, repair success rates, repair times, electronic mobile device models repaired, technician identity, defects of the central laser machine 17, wrong central laser machine 17 settings, user identified central laser machine 17 defects, consumables and parts required and being able to order such consumables and parts immediately via the web-centric and/or a mobile app software application.

[0051] A Wi-Fi antennae 27 with WPS button 30, an on/off power switch 36, an Ethernet inlet port 40, a USB inlet port 23 and a power supply inlet port 22 is shown. The Wi-Fi antenna 27 with WPS button 30 is used for connecting the communications printed circuit board 26 with a wireless Internet network, the on/off power switch 36 is used to power on and power off the machine unit 17, the Ethernet inlet port 40 is used for connecting the communications printed circuit board 26 with a wired Internet network, the USB inlet port 23 is used for providing access to the operating software system of the control printed circuit board 21 from an external computer and also for updating the software on the control printed circuit board 21, the power inlet port 22 is used for connecting power to the control printed circuit board 21 and the power supply 28.

[0052] Turning now to FIG. 2A the metal perimeter steel plate 3, the internal fitted glass sheet 10, the adjustable perimeter base 18 and lid 1 shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B, 1D, 1E, and IF are also shown. FIG. 2A specifically shows a top view of how the internal fitted glass sheet 10 is placed within the perimeter of the metal perimeter steel plate 3, the location of the lid 19 which opens in an upward direction and how the adjustable perimeter base 18 sits above the internal fitted glass sheet 10.

[0053] Turning now to FIG. 2B-2E the metal perimeter steel plate 3, the internal fitted glass sheet 10, the adjustable perimeter base 18, the screws 19 and the base springs 41 shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B, 1D, 1E, and 1F are also shown. The screws 19 serve the purpose of attaching the adjustable perimeter base 18 on to the metal perimeter base steel plate 3 as well as for increasing or decreasing the height of the adjustable perimeter base so as to change the focal point of the laser beams produced by the laser 7 and directed by the mirror galvanometer 14. The base springs 41 are used to provide an upwards force to the adjustable perimeter base 18.

[0054] Turning now to FIG. 2D the metal perimeter steel plate 3, the internal fitted glass sheet 10, the adjustable perimeter base 18, the screws 19 and the base springs 41 shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B, 1D, 1E, and 1F are shown. The laser mold 29 is also shown. The adjustable perimeter base 18 is used as a base in which the mold 29 is placed so that the laser beams emanating from the laser 7 and directed by the mirror galvanometer 14 pass through the safety chamber enclosure 8, through the internal fitted glass sheet 10 and onto the bottom end of the mold 29.

[0055] Turning now to FIGS. 3A through 3F various views of a laser mold 29 in accordance with one or more aspects of the present technology are shown. The mold 29 is designed to conform with the dimensions of various models of electronic mobile devices and/or mobile device screen protector sheets. The mold central base unit 32 and the indentation chamber 31 are shown. The indentation chamber 31 is used for the placement of an electronic mobile device 33 or mobile device screen protector sheet (glass or plastic) inside the indentation chamber 31 as shown in FIGS. 3D and 3F. People having skill in the art will realize that the indentation chamber 31 dimensions may vary depending on the electronic mobile device 33 and/or mobile device screen protector sheet that the mold 29 is designed for, however the mold central base unit 32 external dimensions does not change. The bottom side of the mold central base unit 32 has a specific design with specific openings as shown in FIG. 3F whereby the laser beam emanating from the laser 7 and directed by the mirror galvanometer 14 passing through the safety chamber enclosure 8, through the internal fitted glass sheet 10 and onto the bottom end of the mold 29 can only burn and/or cut the surface of the item housed within the laser mold (29) which is exposed to the laser beam (electronic mobile device 33 or mobile device screen protector sheet or any other item that the user of the central laser machine 17 wishes to burn or cut). People having skill in the art will realize that the design and specific openings of the bottom side of the mold central base unit 32 may vary. Furthermore people having skill in the art will realize that both the front glass, adhesive, back glass and underlying casing of the electronic mobile device 33 can be burnt and/or cut by the laser depending on which side of the electronic mobile device 33 is placed in the mold 29 facing the laser beams. A glass layer 34 is also shown. The glass layer 34 is used to seal and encapsulate the bottom end of the mold 29 but also to allow the laser beams emanating from the laser 7 and directed by the mirror galvanometer 14 to pass through the glass layer 34 and burn the exposed areas of the item housed within the laser mold 29. A top sliding cover 35 is also shown. The top sliding cover 35 is used to seal off the indentation chamber 31 thus ensuring that toxic fumes which are created when the laser beam burns the outer glass, adhesive and underlying casing of the electronic mobile device 33 housed in the mold 29 are trapped and allowed to settle into dust prior to the electronic mobile device 33 being removed from the indentation chamber 31 thus preventing the toxic fume poisoning of people who are located nearby. People having skill in the art will realize that the top sliding cover 35 can also be a magnetic top cover or a cover with a hinge or any other mechanism allowing the cover to seal the indentation chamber 31.

[0056] Turning now to FIG. 4A a view of the connection and communication between the central laser machine 17, the central computer server 25 which hosts a web-centric and/or mobile app based software application, and the central laser machine users computer 38 in accordance with one or more aspects of the present technology are shown. The central computer server 25 is shown. The central computer server 25 connects to the control PCB 21 via the communications PCB 26 using a two-way data Internet connection. The central computer server 25 communicates via two way Internet data communication with the control PCB 21 and utilizing a user friendly web-centric and/or mobile app software application 37 hosted on the central computer server 25 and operated by the technician/owner on the central laser machine users computer 38 is used to control all functions of the central laser machine 17. A web-centric and/or mobile app software application 37 is also shown. The web-centric and/or mobile app software application 37 is hosted on the central computer server 25 and is operated by the technician/owner on the central laser machine user's computer 38 and is used to generate real time function and operation commands for the central laser machine 17 specific to the mobile device model being repaired and/or to the mobile device screen protector sheet being cut. The web-centric and/or mobile app software application 37 also sends real time laser burning, cutting, dimensions, time and operating instructions to the central laser machine 17 specific to the mobile device model being repaired or the mobile device screen protector being cut, remotely updates the central laser machine 17 software and settings via the Internet, provides real time and historical central laser machine 17 operating data to the user of the system and also empowers the owner of one or multiple central laser machines 17 to remotely update one or more central laser machine 17 software and settings and/or remotely control the operation of one or more central laser machines 17 and/or remotely activate and de-activate one or more central laser machines 17 and/or have immediate remote access to real time or historical statistical information related to the repairs done by such machines, repairs per electronic mobile device model, repairs per technician, repairs per time period, repairs per location, repairs per grouped electronic mobile device models, technicians, time periods and locations, repair success rates, repair times, electronic mobile device models repaired, technician identity, defects of the central laser machine 17, wrong central laser machine 17 settings, user identified central laser machine 17 defects, consumables and parts required and being able to order such consumables and parts immediately on line via the web-centric and/or a mobile app software application.

[0057] Reference has been made to the examples illustrated in the drawings and specific language was used herein to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the technology is thereby intended. Alterations and further modifications of the features illustrated herein and additional applications of the examples as illustrated herein are to be considered within the scope of the description.

[0058] Furthermore, the described features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more examples. In the preceding description, numerous specific details were provided, such as examples of various configurations to provide a thorough understanding of examples of the described technology. It will be recognized, however, that the technology may be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components, devices, etc. In other instances, well-known structures or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the technology.

[0059] Although the subject matter has been described in language specific to structural features and/or operations, it is to be understood that the subject matter defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features and operations described above. Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed as example forms of implementing the claims. Numerous modifications and alternative arrangements may be devised without departing from the spirit and scope of the described technology.