Method of manufacture of a chromogenic panel
First Claim
1. A method of manufacturing a chromogenic panel (10), the method comprising the steps of:
- a. securing at least one chromogenic matrix layer (20) between a first electrically conductive surface (14) of a first substrate (12) and a second electrically conductive surface (18) of a second substrate (16) to form a chromogenic film (23);
b. applying a partial vacuum through a plurality of throughbores (28) within a flat cutting surface (24) to secure the chromogenic film (23) to the flat cutting surface (24);
c. applying a laser beam (40) to the chromogenic (23) film to form the chromogenic panel (10) wherein the laser beam (40) is applied to the chromogenic film (23) at a rate of speed across the film (23) sufficient to prevent accumulation of heat within the film (23) adequate to melt the substrates (12, 16) or chromogenic matrix (20).
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Accused Products
Abstract
An improved method of manufacture of a chromogenic panel (10) includes the steps of securing a chromogenic matrix (20) between conductive surfaces (14, 18) of first and second substrates (12, 16) to form a chromogenic film (23); applying a partial vacuum through a plurality of throughbores (28) in a flat cutting surface (24) to secure the film (23) to the cutting surface (24); and using a laser beam (40) to cut a perimeter edge (22), bus-bar cut-outs (54, 62), or an image field line (75) within the substrates (12, 16) to form and manufacture the chromogenic panel (10). The partial vacuum applied through the flat cutting surface (24) provides for an exceptionally flat cutting surface of the panel (10) to facilitate precise focus and cutting by the laser beam (40).
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Citations
14 Claims
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1. A method of manufacturing a chromogenic panel (10), the method comprising the steps of:
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a. securing at least one chromogenic matrix layer (20) between a first electrically conductive surface (14) of a first substrate (12) and a second electrically conductive surface (18) of a second substrate (16) to form a chromogenic film (23);
b. applying a partial vacuum through a plurality of throughbores (28) within a flat cutting surface (24) to secure the chromogenic film (23) to the flat cutting surface (24);
c. applying a laser beam (40) to the chromogenic (23) film to form the chromogenic panel (10) wherein the laser beam (40) is applied to the chromogenic film (23) at a rate of speed across the film (23) sufficient to prevent accumulation of heat within the film (23) adequate to melt the substrates (12, 16) or chromogenic matrix (20). - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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- 11. A flat cutting surface (24) and laser (26) apparatus for manufacturing a chromogenic panel (10), the apparatus comprising a flat cutting surface (24) defining a plurality of throughbores (28) in fluid communication with a vacuum pump (36) applying means for applying a vacuum through the throughbores (28) for securing the chromogenic panel (10) to the flat cutting surface (24) by application of a partial vacuum through the throughbores (28), the laser (26) being disposed so that the chromogenic panel (10) is secured between the flat cutting surface (24) and the laser (26) so that the laser (26) may project a laser beam (40) to the chromogenic panel (10) to cut through the chromogenic panel (10).
Specification