CA3258552C - Laser transfer printing device and its use and method for coating a glass panel by laser transfer printing - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a laser transfer printing device for coating an object surface, preferably a glass surface, or a ceramic surface, or a metal sur-face, preferably a glass panel surface, by means of laser transfer printing, as well as its use and a method for coating a glass panel by means of laser trans-fer printing. (Fig. 3)

Description

Hegla boraident GmbH &Co. KG P45446PC00/I/aka October 27, 2024 1 Laser transfer printing device and its use and method for coating a glass panel by laser transfer printing The present invention relates to a laser transfer printing device for coating an object surface, preferably a glass surface, or a ceramic surface, or a metal sur- 5 face, preferably a glass panel surface, by means of laser transfer printing, as well as its use and a method for coating a glass panel by means of laser transfer printing.

Preferably, the laser transfer printing device serves for creating a structure on the object surface by means of laser transfer printing. 10 In laser transfer printing, the coating is applied by transferring coating material from a dispenser medium to the object surface to be coated by means of laser radiation.

Flat glass is any glass in the form of panes or sheets, regardless of the manufacturing process used. 15 Glass panels can consist of a single pane of glass or glass plate (single-pane glass) or they can be laminated glass.

The term laminated glass panel generally refers to a glass panel consisting of two or more glass panes or glass plates with the same or different thicknesses, whereby the glass panes are joined together by an intermediate layer of plastic. 20 In order to provide flat glass panels with filter, mirror, heating or other functions, a wide variety of single or multi-layer functional coatings are applied to the glass panes.

The functions can be thermal insulation, solar control or heating, for example.

With Low-E glass (Low-E = low emissivity = low heat radiation), one or more metal layers reduce the emissivity of the glass panes and serve as a ther- 25 mal and/or solar protection layer.

Generally, the performance coating or functional coating is a single functional layer or a layer structure with several functional layers with a total thickness ofHegla boraident GmbH &Co. KG P45446PC00/I/aka October 27, 2024 2 < 2 µm.

The layer structure is usually obtained by deposition processes, preferably sputtering.

The individual functional layers are therefore generally metallic and/or ceramic layers.

For example, these are metallic low-emission layers or electrical heating 5 layers.

One or more dielectric (functional) layers, e.g. made of an oxide such as aluminum oxide, can be arranged between the individual metallic functional layers of a functional coating.

In addition, a bonding layer of tin oxide is usually present between the functional coating and the glass surface.

It is known in the field to coat glass panels with a superficial structure using laser 10 transfer printing.

The superficial structure is, for example, a marking or an electronic structure or a bird protection structure.

According to DE 10 2005 026 038 A1, for example, a glass-like layer with metal nanoparticles is applied to the surface of the glass panel using a laser.

For this purpose, a coated dispenser or carrier medium is brought into contact with the 15 glass panel surface to be marked and a marking is created on the glass panel surface by laser beam-induced processes.

In particular, a laser beam is directed onto the coating of the carrier medium and material is transferred from the coating to the object surface to be marked as a result of the laser beam irradiation.

According to DE 10 2011 085 714 A1, in a similar process, an electrical contact 20 on the surface of an object is produced.

And DE 10 2018 217 970 A1 discloses a method and a device for producing an electronic structure on a glass pane which has a functional coating with at least one electrically conductive functional layer on at least one of its two glass pane surfaces, wherein the functional coating is structured by means of laser radiation 25 in such a way that the electronic structure is produced.

The laser structuring is carried out by modifying or ablating the functional coating. A further electronic structure can be applied by laser transfer printing.Hegla boraident GmbH &Co. KG P45446PC00/I/aka October 27, 2024 3 Furthermore, DE 10 2014 002 644 A1 discloses the creation of a bird protection structure on a glass panel surface by means of laser transfer printing.

The subsequently published DE 10 2021 215 023 discloses a mobile laser device for processing glass panels having at least one glass pane installed in an 5 object, preferably a vehicle, more preferably a train, or a structure work, preferably a building, by means of laser radiation at different locations of use, having a laser gantry with a gantry base frame, a laser unit which can be moved back and forth on the gantry base frame in an x, y and z directions of the laser gantry relative to the gantry base frame, with a laser head with a, preferably inter- 10 changeable, laser radiation source for providing a laser beam, preferably a laser protection hood covering the laser unit to protect the environment from laser radiation, and fastening means for fixed but detachable fastening of the laser gantry to the object.

The laser unit also comprises a distance measuring device for measuring the glass panel to be processed in the z-direction and the laser 15 head comprises an optical z-focus adjustment device for the, preferably automated, displacement of a laser focus of the laser beam of an optical z-axis of the laser head, in particular during processing of the glass panel.

The laser device can also comprise a laser transfer printing device for coating glass panels, in particular a glass panel surface, by means of laser transfer 20 printing.

EP 3 954 538 A1 discloses an attachment for a device head of a laser marking device with a coupling device which is designed to fasten the attachment to the device head of the laser marking device, an unwinding spool from which a coated strip-shaped carrier can be unwound, and a winding spool onto which 25 the carrier can be wound, an attachment head which comprises a guide element by means of which the carrier can be guided between the unwinding spool and the winding spool.

The attachment head can also be placed on a surface of a workpiece to be marked so that a section of the carrier is positioned adjacent to the surface when the attachment head is attached, the attachment being deHegla boraident GmbH &Co. KG P45446PC00/I/aka October 27, 2024 4 signed in such a way that a laser beam runs from the device head to the attachment head so that it strikes the section of the carrier.

The object of the present invention is to provide a, preferably mobile, laser transfer printing device for coating an object surface, preferably a glass panel surface 5 or a ceramic surface or a metal surface, by means of laser transfer printing, which ensures high processing quality and high working safety and efficient coating.

In addition, the use of the laser transfer printing device and a coating process that ensures high processing quality and high working safety and efficient coat- 10 ing are to be provided.

This problem is solved by a laser transfer printing device with the features of claim 1 or 2 as well as a use with the features of claim 25 and a method with the features of claim 27.

Advantageous further embodiments of the invention are characterized in the following subclaims. 15 The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to a drawing.

It shows: Figur 1: A perspective view of the laser transfer printing device according to a first embodiment of the invention Figur 2: A perspective view of a laser hand-held device with hand-held device 20 housing Figur 3: A perspective view of the laser hand-held device without the handheld device housing Figur 4: A top view of the laser hand-held device without the hand-held device housing 25 Figur 5: An enlarged, perspective view of a pressure device of the laser handheld deviceHegla boraident GmbH &Co. KG P45446PC00/I/aka October 27, 2024 Figur 6: An enlarged, perspective view of a pressure element of the pressure device without sealing plate Figur 7: An enlarged, perspective view of the pressure element with sealing plate 5 Figur 8: Schematically a side view of a laminated glass panel According to a first embodiment of the invention, the laser transfer printing device 1 (Fig. 1) comprises a laser radiation source 2, a laser handheld device 3, a manipulator 4 and a control cabinet or switch cabinet 5.

Preferably, the laser radiation source 2 is a UV laser or an IR laser or a VIS 10 laser, depending on the process to be carried out.

Furthermore, it can be a continuous wave laser or a pulsed laser.

Preferably, it is a pulsed laser in which the pulse duration and/or the repetition rate can be set within certain limits.

Preferably, in addition, the laser radiation source 2 is a laser in which the laser 15 power can be adjusted.

Preferably, the laser power can be adjusted in the range from 5 to 1000 W, preferably 5 to 200 W, particularly preferably 20 to 200 W.

In a preferred embodiment, a pulsed ns fiber laser with a laser power of 100 W and a wavelength of 1 µm is used.

The laser radiation source 2 is also preferably a fiber laser 6.

The fiber laser 6 20 comprises at least one laser diode (not shown) and a laser fiber 7 in a manner known per se.

The at least one laser diode is preferably arranged in the control cabinet 5.

In addition, laser transfer printing device 1 preferably comprises a control device 8, which is also preferably arranged in the control cabinet 5. 25 Preferably, further electrical components of the laser transfer printing device 1 are also arranged in the control cabinet 5.

As a result, the laser transfer printingHegla boraident GmbH &Co. KG P45446PC00/I/aka October 27, 2024 6 device 1 preferably also comprises an electrical cable that connects the laser hand-held device 3 to the control cabinet 5.

The hand-held laser device 3 is attached to the manipulator 4, in particular in a suspended manner. A handheld device is known to be a hand-guided device. 5 The hand-held laser device 3 (Figures 1-7) comprises a hand-held device housing 9 and preferably a handle 19 and, arranged at least partially in the handheld device housing 9, a dispenser tape supply device 10 with a dispenser tape pressure device 11 and a laser beam manipulation device 12 for manipulating a laser beam. 10 The dispenser tape supply device 10 comprises a storage roller 13, a pick-up roller or take-up roller 14, two dispenser tapes or carrier tapes 15 (only shown schematically in part) wound onto the storage roller 13 and the pick-up roller 14, and a drive motor 16 for driving the pick-up roller 14.

In particular, the pick-up roller 14 is driven in such a way that the two dispenser tapes 15 are each un- 15 wound from the storage roller 13 and wound onto the pick-up roller 14.

The storage roller 13 and the pick-up roller 14 are each mounted in the handheld device housing 9 so as to rotate about a roller rotation axis 13a;14a.

In addition, the pick-up roller 14 is connected to the drive motor 16 so that it can be driven to rotate about its pick-up roller axis 14a.

Preferably, the dispenser 20 tape supply device 10 also comprises a braking device (not shown) for braking the storage roller 13 in order to ensure continuous tensioning of the dispenser tapes 15.

The two dispenser tapes 15 are arranged parallel to each other and spaced apart from each other in a direction parallel to the roller axes 13a;14a. 25 The dispenser tapes 15 are preferably each a coated plastic film tape, preferably made of PET.

Furthermore, a dispenser tape 15 respectively comprises a superficial dispenser tape coating made of coating material.

The dispenser tape coating preferablyHegla boraident GmbH &Co. KG P45446PC00/I/aka October 27, 2024 7 comprises at least one metallic layer and/or at least one ceramic layer, preferably a ceramic layer.

The dispenser tape coating is preferably a single layer.

It is particularly preferable that it consists of a ceramic material. 5 Furthermore, the dispenser tape coating preferably comprises a thickness of < 5 µm.

Furthermore, the dispenser tapes 15 are preferably interchangeable.

This means that different dispenser tapes 15 with different dispenser tape coatings can be used depending on the application. 10 The dispenser tape supply device 10 also comprises several deflection rollers 17 for deflecting and guiding the two dispenser tapes 15.

Furthermore, the dispenser tape supply device 10 preferably comprises a tape counter 18 for measuring and determining the feed speed of the dispenser tapes 15.

Preferably, the tape counter 18 is an incremental encoder. 15 The laser beam manipulation device 12 (Figs. 3-5) comprises a laser collimator 20, a laser shutter 21 as well as a laser scan head 22 with an objective 25.

It is used to direct or focus the laser radiation or laser beam provided or generated by the laser radiation source 2 onto the dispenser tapes 15, preferably onto the dispenser tape coating. 20 The laser collimator 20 is used in a known manner to generate laser radiation with an approximately parallel beam path.

It is arranged downstream of the laser fiber 7.

The laser collimator 20 is therefore used to convert the divergent laser radiation provided by the laser fiber 7 into laser radiation with an approximately parallel beam path.

For this purpose, the laser fiber 7 is connected to the laser 25 collimator 20 at its end opposite the laser diode.

The laser shutter 21 serves in a manner known per se to block the laser beam emerging from the laser collimator 20.

For this purpose, in a manner known perHegla boraident GmbH &Co. KG P45446PC00/I/aka October 27, 2024 8 se, it has a blocking element, in particular a blocking plate, which can be brought into the beam path of the laser beam, in particular pivoted into it, and can be brought out of the beam path of the laser beam, in particular pivoted out of it.

The laser shutter 21 is controlled by means of the control device 8, which is 5 described in more detail below.

The laser scan head 22 is arranged downstream of the laser shutter 21.

The laser scan head 22 is used to move the laser beam in a scan field.

The laser beam can be moved in the y-direction and in the x-direction by means of the laser scan head 22.

The x- and y-directions are perpendicular to each other 10 and perpendicular to an optical z-axis 24.

For this purpose, the laser scan head 22 has scan optics in a manner known per se.

Preferably, the scan optics are at least two adjustable mirrors.

The scan field is, for example, 100 mm x 100 mm.

In a manner known per se, the laser beam can be moved in the y-direction and in the x-direction in such a way that it remains parallel to the optical z-axis 24 or 15 is deflected in relation to it.

As already explained, the laser scan head 22 also comprises the objective 25.

The objective 25 is preferably short focal length.

It preferably comprises a focal length of 20 to 400 mm, preferably 80 to 160 mm.

This achieves a strong focusing and a small extension of the laser focus into the depth or in the direction 20 of the optical z-axis 24.

In particular, the laser focus is constant in the range of approx. +/- 1 mm in depth.

Preferably, in addition, the objective 25 is interchangeable so that, among other things, the working distance can be varied and adjusted.

Preferably, the objective 25 can be unscrewed. 25 As already explained, the dispenser tape supply device 10 also comprises the dispenser tape pressure device 11 for pressing the dispenser tapes 15 against the surface to be coated.Hegla boraident GmbH &Co. KG P45446PC00/I/aka October 27, 2024 9 The object surface to be coated is preferably a glass surface or a ceramic surface or a metal surface, preferably a glass panel surface 26a of a glass panel 26.

The glass panel 26 to be coated (Fig. 8) can consist of a single glass pane or 5 glass plate 27 (single-pane glass).

Or it can be a laminated glass panel 28. A laminated glass panel 28 is understood to be a glass panel 26 formed from two or more glass panes or glass plates 27 of the same or different thicknesses, the glass panes 27 being joined together by an intermediate layer of plastic or a plastic film 29.

The glass panel 26 thus comprises one or more glass panes 27. 10 The glass panel 26 also comprises two opposing, external glass panel surfaces 26a;b.

The glass panel surfaces 26a;b are parallel to the glass panel plane and, during processing, preferably perpendicular to the optical z-axis 24.

Furthermore, the glass panel 26 has a circumferential glass panel edge 26c, which in particular connects the two glass panel surfaces 26a;b to one another. 15 A glass pane 27 also comprises two opposing glass pane surfaces 27a;b and a circumferential glass pane edge 26c.

The glass pane surfaces 27a;b are also parallel to the glass panel plane and, during processing, preferably perpendicular to the optical z-axis 24.

If the glass panel 26 is designed as a single-pane glass panel, the two glass 20 pane surfaces 27a;b of the single glass pane 27 also form the glass panel surfaces 26a;b of the glass panel 26.

If the glass panel 26 is designed as a laminated glass panel 28, the external glass pane surfaces 27a form the glass panel surfaces 26a;b of the glass panel 6 and the other glass pane surfaces 27b are internal.

The laminated glass panel 25 28 thus has more than two, in particular four, glass pane surfaces 27a;b.

The glass panel 26 is preferably planar.

However, it can also be curved or domed.

For example, it can be in the form of a cylinder jacket.

The glass panel 26 is thus a flat glass element.Hegla boraident GmbH &Co. KG P45446PC00/I/aka October 27, 2024 In addition, the glass panel 26 to be processed can be part of an insulating glazing.

The insulating glazing comprises, in a manner known per se, at least two glass panels arranged parallel to and spaced apart from one another and a spacer frame arranged between the glass panels, which connects the two glass 5 panels 26 to one another in the glass panel edge area, a primary seal and an edge seal (secondary seal).

An inner pane space is defined by the glass panels 26 and the spacer frame.

The primary seal is present in a known manner between the spacer frame and the respective glass panel 26 and bonds them together.

The glass panels 26 of the insulating glazing can each be a single-pane 10 glass panel 27 or a laminated glass panel 28.

The dispenser tape pressure device 11 is used to press the dispenser tapes 15 against the surface to be coated, in particular the glass panel surface 26a.

For this purpose, the dispenser tape pressure device 11 comprises a pressure element 30 with a preferably flat pressure surface 30a. 15 In particular, the pressure element 30 comprises a pressure element base body 35, which is preferably rectangular in shape and comprises the pressure surface 30a.

The pressure element base body 35 can be made in one or more parts.

Preferably, the pressure element base body 35 is made of metal or plastic.

Opposite the pressure surface 30a, the pressure element 30, in particular the 20 pressure element base body 35, also preferably comprises a pressure element rear surface 30b.

In addition, the pressure element 30 preferably comprises two bearing plates 31 as well as two deflection rollers 32 and two positioning rollers or alignment rollers 33. 25 The two dispenser tapes 15 are guided around the two deflection rollers 32 and the two alignment rollers 33 and along the pressure surface 30a.

The pressure surface 30a is preferably perpendicular to the optical z-axis 24.Hegla boraident GmbH &Co. KG P45446PC00/I/aka October 27, 2024 11 In addition, the pressure element 30 comprises four laser apertures 36 which extend through the pressure element 30, that means in particular through the pressure element base body 35.

The laser apertures 36 are open towards the object surface to be coated.

Or the laser apertures 36 are open at the pressure 5 surface 30a.

At their end facing away from the object surface to be coated, the laser apertures 36 are also sealed gas-tight.

In particular, the dispenser tape pressure device 11 comprises a sealing plate 37 for this purpose, which lies against the rear surface of the pressure element 30b and is connected to it in a gas-tight manner, in particular is bonded to it. 10 The sealing plate 37 consists of a material that is permeable to laser radiation or of a material that does not absorb the wavelength of the laser radiation, preferably quartz.

The laser apertures 36 also preferably comprise a square or circular cross-section. 15 In addition, the laser apertures 36 each comprise a laser aperture central axis 36a, which is preferably parallel to the optical z-axis 24, but are offset from it, i.e. not coaxial with it.

Furthermore, the laser apertures 36 are preferably each tapered in the direction of the laser aperture central axes 36a and taper towards the contact pressure 20 surface 30a.

As already explained, both dispenser tapes 15 are guided around the two deflection rollers 32 and the two alignment rollers 33 and along the pressure surface 30a.

The coated side of the dispenser tapes 15 faces away from the pressure surface 30a.

Or the uncoated side of the dispenser tapes 15 faces towards 25 the pressure surface 30a.

In addition, one dispenser tape 15 covers two laser apertures 36.

Or, in each case, a dispenser tape 15 is arranged in alignment in the z-direction with two laser apertures 36 adjacent to one another in the xdirection.Hegla boraident GmbH &Co. KG P45446PC00/I/aka October 27, 2024 12 The two bearing plates 31 serve for supporting the two deflection rollers 31 and the alignment rollers 33 as well as for the resilient mounting of the pressure element 30 on a bearing frame 38.

The two bearing plates 31 are spaced apart in a direction perpendicular to the 5 z-direction and each have a front, free bearing plate edge 31a facing the object surface and a rear bearing plate edge 31b opposite it, as well as two bearing plate side edges 31c.

In addition, the two bearing plates 31 each have two front bearing plate corner edges 39a and two rear bearing plate corner edges 39b.

In the area of each of the two front bearing plate corner edges 39a, the front bear- 10 ing plate edge 31a merges into one of the two bearing plate side edges 31c.

And in the area of each of the two rear bearing plate corner edges 39a, the rear bearing plate edge 31b merges into one of the two bearing plate side edges 31c.

The bearing plates 31 also comprise an inner bearing plate surface 40a facing the other bearing plate and an outer bearing plate surface 40b facing 15 away from the other bearing plate.

The pressure element base body 35 is arranged in the area of the front bearing plate edge 31a and is arranged between the two bearing plates 31 and firmly connected to them, in particular integrally formed with them.

The two deflection rollers 32 and the two alignment rollers 33 are also arranged 20 between the two bearing plates 31 and are firmly connected to them, in particular bolted to them.

However, the two deflection rollers 32 and/or the two alignment rollers 33 can also be connected to the two bearing plates 31 so that they can rotate about their deflection roller axis.

In addition, the two deflection rollers 32 are preferably each arranged in the area 25 of one of the two front bearing plate corner edges 39a.

And the two alignment rollers 33 are preferably each arranged in the region of one of the two rear bearing plate corner edges 39b.

In addition, the two alignment rollers 33 have two spaced-apart guide groovesHegla boraident GmbH &Co. KG P45446PC00/I/aka October 27, 2024 13 41 for positively receiving one of the two dispenser tapes 15 each.

The two dispenser tapes 15 are positioned in relation to each other by being positively engaged in the two guide grooves 41.

In other words, this sets or defines the distance between the two dispenser tapes 15. 5 The two bearing plates 31 also each comprise a bearing web 42 in the area of their rear bearing plate edge 31b, which protrudes from the respective outer bearing plate surface 40b.

By means of the two bearing webs 42, the pressure element 30 is mounted on the bearing frame 38 so that it can be moved back and forth in the z-direction.

For this purpose, the bearing webs 42 each have 10 two continuous bearing openings, through each of which a screw shaft or screw bolt 43a of a bearing screw 43 is passed.

With the end of the bearing screw 43 facing away from the screw head 43b, the bearing screw 43 is screwed into the bearing frame 38.

In addition, a coil spring 44 is arranged around each of the screw bolts 43a.

The coil springs 44 press the bearing plates 31 and thus the 15 pressure element 30 away from the bearing frame 38 and thus towards the object surface to be coated.

The dispenser tape pressure device 11 also comprises a compressed air charging device 45 for charging the laser apertures 36 with compressed air.

The laser apertures 36, which are closed on one side, thus form pressure chambers 46 20 according to the invention.

Preferably, the pressure chambers 46 comprise a volume of 125 mm3 to 72,000 mm3, preferably 900 to 20,000 mm3.

The compressed air charging device 45 has a compressed air source (not shown) and at least one, preferably several, compressed air lines connected to 25 the compressed air source, which are connected to the pressure element 30.

As an example, two compressed air connections 47 are provided for this purpose.

The compressed air chambers 46 are fluidically connected to each other and to the compressed air connections 47, for which purpose the pressure eleHegla boraident GmbH &Co. KG P45446PC00/I/aka October 27, 2024 14 ment 30, preferably the pressure element base body 35, preferably has channels.

The compressed air charging device 45 also comprises at least one pressure chamber pressure sensor 50 for measuring the pressure prevailing in the pres- 5 sure chambers 46.

The pressure chamber pressure sensor 50 is preferably arranged outside the pressure chambers 46 and is fluidically connected to the pressure chambers 46.

Preferably, the compressed air charging device 45 also comprises at least one ambient pressure sensor 51 for measuring the ambient pressure.

This is used to determine the differential pressure between the ambi- 10 ent pressure and the pressure prevailing in the pressure chambers 46.

The differential pressure is preferably determined by means of the control device 8.

The pressure sensors 50;51 are therefore in signal-transmitting connection with the control device 8.

The hand-held device housing 9 surrounds individual parts or components of 15 the hand-held laser device 3.

It has an opening in the area of the pressure element 30 so that the pressure element 30 can be pressed against the object surface.

The laser transfer printing device 1 according to the invention may also comprise a laser protection device 34 (indicated in simplified form in Figure 2) for arrange- 20 ment on the side of the object to be coated opposite the laser handheld device 3 to protect the surroundings from laser radiation.

In particular, the laser protection device 34 is an absorber plate which absorbs the laser radiation.

The laser protection device 34 is necessary if the object to be coated is permeable to the laser radiation. 25 Preferably, the laser transfer printing device 1 also comprises means for sensory monitoring of whether the laser protection device 34 is properly positioned or not.

This is also a condition for whether the laser beam is released by the laser shutter 21 or not.

For example, appropriate sensors are placed on the object for this purpose, which are connected to the control device 8.Hegla boraident GmbH &Co. KG P45446PC00/I/aka October 27, 2024 In the following, the laser transfer printing method using the laser transfer printing device 1 according to the invention is now explained.

At first, the handheld laser device 3 is positioned by an operator.

To do this, the pressure element 30 is pressed against the object surface in the area where 5 coating is to take place.

The coated side of the dispenser tapes 15 is pressed against the object surface via the pressure element 30 and rests against it.

This presses the dispenser tape coating against the object surface.

The blocking element, in particular the blocking plate, of the laser shutter 21 is initially located in the beam path of the laser beam, so that no laser radiation is 10 transmitted to the laser scan head 22.

The pressure chambers 46 are continuously pressurized with compressed air and the pressure in the pressure chambers 46 and the environment is measured with the pressure sensors 50;51.

As soon as a predetermined target differential pressure between the ambient pressure and the pressure in the pressure cham- 15 bers 46 is reached (= minimum target differential pressure), this means that the contact pressure is sufficiently high.

The dispenser tapes 15 are pressed against the object surface with sufficient contact pressure and fixed to it.

This also prevents laser radiation from escaping.

As soon as the target differential pressure is reached, the laser shutter 21 is 20 activated by the control device 8 in such a way that the blocking element, preferably the blocking plate, is swiveled out of the beam path of the laser beam.

As a result, the laser beam is no longer blocked and is forwarded to the laser scan head 22.

If the laser protection device 34 is present, the laser beam is only released if the 25 correct positioning of the laser protection device 34 is also detected by sensors.

The laser beam is now deflected by means of the laser scan head 22 such that it irradiates through one of the laser apertures 36 or the pressure chambers 46.

In addition, the laser beam is directed, in particular focused, by means of theHegla boraident GmbH &Co. KG P45446PC00/I/aka October 27, 2024 16 laser scan head 22 onto the respective dispenser tape coating of the dispenser tape 15, which covers the respective laser aperture 36.

The coating material is then transferred from the dispenser tape coating to the object surface and fixed to it using the laser beam focused on the dispenser 5 tape coating.

As the laser beam is absorbed by the coating material, it is released from the dispenser tape 15 and transferred to the object surface to be coated.

In doing so the laser beam is moved relative to the dispenser tape 15 in the x and/or y direction by means of the scanning device and thus scans the surface 10 of the coating material that is to be transferred.

And after that the laser beam is then deflected by the laser scan head 22 such that it irradiates through the next laser aperture 36 or the next pressure chamber 46.

This continues until all laser apertures 36 have been passed through.

The hand-held laser device 3 is then removed from the object by the operator. 15 This automatically causes the pressure in the pressure chambers 46 to drop and the differential pressure decreases.

As soon as this is detected by the control device 8, the laser shutter 21 is activated by the control device 8 in such a way that the blocking element, preferably the blocking plate, is swiveled back into the beam path of the laser beam.

As a result, the laser beam is blocked 20 again and no longer forwarded to the laser scan head 22.

The two dispenser tapes 15 are also moved further by the drive of the pick-up roller 14 until fresh, coated material is once again aligned with the laser apertures 36.

The next coating process can now take place.

Via the laser transfer printing, in particular, a coating in the form of a bird pro- 25 tection structure can be produced.

Preferably, a bird protection structure according to DE 10 2014 002 644 A1 is produced.

The bird protection structure consists, for example, of several dots arranged next to each other.

In particular, it is a grid of dots arranged regularly next to each other and on top of each other.Hegla boraident GmbH &Co. KG P45446PC00/I/aka October 27, 2024 17 A flat geometric element, e.g. a circular surface, is generated for each laser aperture 36.

A coating in the form of an electronic structure, e.g. an alarm loop or a switch or an electronic structure of a heating glass, can also be produced.

In particular, 5 conductive tracks can be applied.

Furthermore, a marking, preferably a machine-readable marking, preferably a machine-readable code, preferably a data matrix code (DCM) or a barcode or a QR code, can of course also be applied.

Decorative elements and frames can also be applied. 10 In addition, a biocidal glass panel surface 26a;b according to DE 10 2016 125 544 A1 can also be produced.

According to a further embodiment of the invention (Fig. 2), the laser transfer printing device 1 does not comprise a manipulator 4, but a mounting strip 49 with a strip longitudinal direction 49a (shown in a highly simplified form in Fig. 15 2).

The mounting strip 49 is used for attachment to the object to be coated.

The hand-held laser device 3 also comprises fastening means with which the handheld laser device 3 can be fastened to the mounting strip 49 so that it can be moved back and forth parallel to the strip longitudinal direction 49a.

The mounting strip 49 preferably comprises an integrated spirit level.

After mounting the 20 mounting strip 49, the hand-held laser device 3 can thus be moved in a horizontal direction along the mounting strip 49, in particular by the operator, so that adjacent coatings can be positioned very precisely relative to one another.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the laser transfer printing device 1 comprises neither the manipulator 4 nor the mounting bar 49.

The laser 25 hand-held device 3 is then freely guided.

The advantage of the laser transfer printing device 1 according to the invention is that the pressure chambers 46 comprise a very small volume.

As a result, the target pressure builds up very quickly and the laser beam is released veryHegla boraident GmbH &Co. KG P45446PC00/I/aka October 27, 2024 18 quickly.

This speeds up the entire process enormously.

In addition, the dispenser tapes 15 are pressed against the object surface by the pressure acting on them in the area of the pressure chambers 46 and are therefore positioned very precisely. 5 The entire construction is also very simple, no additional sealing lips are required, rather the dispenser tapes 15 themselves serve to seal the pressure chambers 46 at their end facing the object surface.

Another advantage of the mobile laser transfer printing device 3 with the handheld laser device 3 is that it can be used to retrofit facades or windows, in 10 particular with a bird protection structure.

However, it is also within the scope of the invention to provide the dispenser tape supply device 10 according to the invention in a stationary laser transfer printing device 1.

It can also be present in a mobile laser device according to DE 10 2021 215 15 023.

Furthermore, it is within the scope of the invention that the respective pressure chamber 46 does not extend through the entire laser aperture 36.

For example, the laser aperture 36 can also have a sealing disk (not shown) in the middle.

It is only important that the pressure chamber 46 is open at the pressure surface 20 30a or opens to the environment.

In this case, the laser aperture 36 also comprises the pressure chamber 46 or a part of the laser aperture 36 forms the pressure chamber 46.

Moreover, it is within the scope of the invention that the pressure element only comprises a single laser aperture 36.

Preferably, however, it comprises several, 25 preferably two to six, particularly preferably two to four, laser apertures 36.

Furthermore, it is within the scope of the invention that another laser beam blocking device is present instead of the laser shutter 21.

Or there is no laserHegla boraident GmbH &Co. KG P45446PC00/I/aka October 27, 2024 19 beam blocking device at all and the laser beam source 2 is switched on and off depending on whether the laser beam is to irradiate the at least one dispenser tape 15 or not.

This is then also controlled by the control device 8.

It is only important that the laser transfer printing device 1 comprises means with 5 which it can be controlled whether the laser beam irradiates the at least one dispenser tape 15 or not.

In other words, the laser transfer printing device 1 comprises means which can be controlled by the control device 8 and which can be controlled in such a way that the laser beam irradiates the at least one dispenser tape 15 or not. 10 It is also within the scope of the invention that not the target differential pressure is used for control, but only a target pressure in the pressure chambers 46, without the ambient pressure being measured.

As soon as the target pressure (= minimum target pressure) is reached, the laser beam is released or the laser radiation source 2 is activated. 15 It is also within the scope of the invention to use another gas instead of compressed air.

Unless otherwise stated, the term "compressed air" in the context of the invention is therefore synonymous with any "gas".

Preferably, however, it is compressed air, as this is the most cost-effective.

Claims

Hegla boraident GmbH &Co. KG P45446PC00/I/aka October 27, 2024 Claims 1. Laser transfer printing device (1) for coating an object surface, preferably a glass surface or a ceramic surface, or a metal surface, preferably a glass panel surface (26a;b), by means of laser transfer printing, compris- 5 ing a) a dispenser tape supply device (10) for supplying at least one dispenser tape (15) having a dispenser tape coating with a dispenser tape pressure device (11), wherein the dispenser tape pressure device (11) comprises a pressure element (30) comprising a pressure surface 10 (30a) for pressing the at least one dispenser tape (15) against the object surface, wherein the pressure element (30) comprises at least one laser aperture (36) for guiding the laser radiation through the pressure element (30), wherein the laser aperture (36) comprises a pressure chamber (46) open at the pressure surface (30a), 15 b) a laser radiation source (2), c) a laser beam manipulating device (12) for manipulating the laser beam provided by the laser beam source (2), and d) a control device (8), characterized in that 20 the laser transfer printing device (1) comprises a compressed air charging device (45) for charging the pressure chamber (46) with compressed air, wherein the compressed air charging device (45) comprises at least one pressure chamber pressure sensor (50), which is connected to the control device (8), for measuring the pressure prevailing in the pressure chamber 25 (46), and the compressed air charging device (45) comprises at least one ambient pressure sensor (51) connected to the control device (8) for measuring the ambient pressure, and the laser transfer printing device (1) is set up such that the laser beam 30 only irradiates the at least one dispenser tape (15) when a predeterminedHegla boraident GmbH &Co. KG P45446PC00/I/aka October 27, 2024 target differential pressure between the ambient pressure and the pressure in the at least one pressure chamber (46) is detected by the control device (8). 5 2. Laser transfer printing device (1) for coating an object surface, preferably a glass surface or a ceramic surface, or a metal surface, preferably a glass panel surface (26a;b), by means of laser transfer printing, comprising a) a dispenser tape supply device (10) for supplying at least one dis- 10 penser tape (15) having a dispenser tape coating with a dispenser tape pressure device (11), wherein the dispenser tape pressure device (11) comprises a pressure element (30) having a pressure surface (30a) for pressing the at least one dispenser tape (15) against the object surface, wherein the pressure element (30) comprises at least one la- 15 ser aperture (36) for guiding the laser radiation through the pressure element (30), wherein the laser aperture (36) comprises a pressure chamber (46) open at the pressure surface (30a), b) a laser radiation source (2), c) a laser beam manipulating device (12) for manipulating the laser beam 20 provided by the laser beam source (2), and d) a control device (8), characterized in that the laser transfer printing device (1) comprises a compressed air charging device (45) for charging the pressure chamber (46) with compressed air, 25 wherein the compressed air charging device (45) comprises at least one pressure chamber pressure sensor (50), which is connected to the control device (8), for measuring the pressure prevailing in the pressure chamber (46), and the laser transfer printing device (1) is set up such that the laser beam 30 only irradiates the at least one dispenser tape (15) when a predetermined target pressure in the at least one pressure chamber (46) is detected byHegla boraident GmbH &Co. KG P45446PC00/I/aka October 27, 2024 the control device (8). 3. Laser transfer printing device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that 5 the at least one laser aperture (36) is sealed in a gas-tight manner at its end facing away from the object surface to be coated. 4. Laser transfer printing device (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that 10 the dispenser tape pressure device (11) comprises a sealing plate (37) which bears against a pressure element surface (30b) opposite the pressure surface (30a) and is connected, in particular bonded, thereto in a gas-tight manner, wherein the sealing plate (37) consists of a material which is permeable to laser radiation or which does not absorb the wave- 15 length of the laser radiation, preferably of quartz glass. 5. Laser transfer printing device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pressure element (30) comprises several, preferably two to six, pref- 20 erably two to four, laser apertures (36), and the pressure chambers (46) of the laser apertures (36) are fluidically connected to one another. 6. Laser transfer printing device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that 25 the laser apertures (36) respectively comprise a laser aperture central axis (36a), which is preferably parallel to an optical z-axis (24) of the laser scan head (22), wherein at least one of the laser aperture central axes (36a) is offset with respect to the optical z-axis (24). 30 7. Laser transfer printing device (1) according to claim 6, characterized in thatHegla boraident GmbH &Co. KG P45446PC00/I/aka October 27, 2024 the laser apertures (36) are each conical in the direction of the laser aperture central axes (36a) and taper towards the pressure surface (30a). 8. Laser transfer printing device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, 5 characterized in that the pressure chamber pressure sensor (50) is arranged outside the at least one pressure chamber (46) and is fluidically connected to the at least one pressure chamber (46). 10 9. Laser transfer printing device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one dispenser tape (15) is guided along the pressure surface (30a), wherein the coated side of the dispenser tape (15) faces away from the pressure surface (30a) and the dispenser tape (15) covers at least 15 one, preferably several, laser apertures (36). 10. Laser transfer printing device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pressure element (30) is mounted so as to be displaceable back and 20 forth in a z-direction and preferably resiliently on a bearing frame (38) of the laser hand-held device (3). 11. Laser transfer printing device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that 25 the at least one pressure chamber (46) comprises a volume of 125 mm3 to 72,000 mm3, preferably 900 to 20,000 mm3. 12. Laser transfer printing device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that 30 the at least one laser aperture (36) comprises a quadrangular or circular cross-section.Hegla boraident GmbH &Co. KG P45446PC00/I/aka October 27, 2024 13. Laser transfer printing device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the laser beam manipulating device (12) comprises a laser beam blocking 5 device, preferably a laser shutter (21), for blocking the laser beam, and preferably a) the laser transfer printing device (1) is set up such that the laser shutter (21) only releases the laser beam if the predetermined target differential pressure between the ambient pressure and the pressure in the at 10 least one pressure chamber (46) is detected by means of the pressure sensors (50;51), or b) the laser transfer printing device (1) is set up such that the laser shutter (21) only releases the laser beam if the predetermined target pressure 15 in the at least one pressure chamber (46) is detected by means of the at least one pressure chamber pressure sensor (50). 14. Laser transfer printing device (1) according to claim 13, characterized in that 20 the laser shutter (21) comprises a blocking element, in particular a blocking plate, which can be brought into the beam path of the laser beam, in particular can be swiveled in, and can be brought out of the beam path of the laser beam, in particular can be swiveled out. 25 15. Laser transfer printing device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that a) the laser transfer printing device (1) is set up in such a way that the laser radiation source (2) can only be started and/or operated if if the predetermined target differential pressure between ambient pressure 30 and pressure in the at least one pressure chamber (46) is detected by means of the pressure sensors (50;51),Hegla boraident GmbH &Co. KG P45446PC00/I/aka October 27, 2024 or b) the laser transfer printing device (1) is set up in such a way that the laser radiation source (2) can only be started and/or operated if the predetermined target pressure in the at least one pressure chamber 5 (46) is detected by means of the at least one pressure chamber pressure sensor (50). 16. Laser transfer printing device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that 10 the laser beam manipulator (12) comprises a laser scan head (22) having a scanning device for moving the laser beam in a scan field in an x and y direction, wherein the scanning device preferably comprises scan optics for moving the laser beam in the scan field. 15 17. Laser transfer printing device (1) according to claim 16, characterized in that the laser scan head (22) comprises an objective (25) following the scanning device. 20 18. Laser transfer printing device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the dispenser tape coating comprises at least one metallic and/or at least one ceramic layer, preferably a ceramic layer. 25 19. Laser transfer printing device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the dispenser tape pressure device (11) comprises two alignment rollers (33), each of which comprises two spaced-apart guide grooves (41) for respectively positively receiving a dispenser tape (15). 20. Laser transfer printing device (1) according to one of the preceding claims,Hegla boraident GmbH &Co. KG P45446PC00/I/aka October 27, 2024 characterized in that the dispenser tape supply device (10) comprises several, preferably two, dispenser tapes (15) arranged parallel to and spaced apart from one another. 21. Laser transfer printing device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the dispenser tape supply device (10) comprises a storage roller (13) and a pick-up roller (14), on which the at least one dispenser tape (15) is 10 wound, and a drive motor (16) for driving the pick-up roller (14). 22. Laser transfer printing device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the laser transfer printing device (1) is mobile or stationary. 23. Laser transfer printing device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the laser transfer printing device (1) comprises a laser hand-held device (3), wherein the laser hand-held device (3) comprises the dispenser tape 20 supply device (10) and the laser beam manipulating device (12). 24. Laser transfer printing device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the laser transfer printing device (1) comprises a laser protection device 25 (34) for absorbing laser radiation which penetrates the object to be coated, wherein preferably the laser transfer printing device (1) is set up such that the laser beam only irradiates the at least one dispenser tape (15) if the correct positioning of the laser protection device (34) is detected by the control device (8). 30Hegla boraident GmbH &Co. KG P45446PC00/I/aka October 27, 2024 25. Use of a laser transfer printing device (1) according to one of the preceding claims for coating an object surface, preferably a glass surface or a ceramic surface, or a metal surface, preferably a glass panel surface (26a;b), by means of laser transfer printing. 26. Use according to claim 25, characterized in that the laser transfer printing device (1) is used to produce a bird protection structure or to produce an electronic structure, e.g. an alarm loop or a 10 switch or an electronic structure of a heating glass, or to produce conductive tracks or to produce a marking, preferably a machine-readable marking, preferably a machine-readable code, preferably a data matrix code (DCM) or a barcode or a QR code, or to produce a biocidal glass panel surface (26a;b). 27. Method for coating an object surface, preferably a glass surface, or a ceramic surface, or a metal surface, preferably a glass panel surface (26a;b), by means of laser transfer printing, characterized in that 20 coating is carried out by means of a laser transfer printing device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 24.