Double-Layer Glass Spacer Shape for Low-Contact Thermal Insulation

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing spacers for double-layer glass increase contact areas with glass substrates, leading to reduced thermal insulation and potential deformation of the glass substrates due to increased contact surfaces.

Innovation Solution

A spacer with a center portion and end portions having specific shapes, such as spherical caps or truncated cones, is used to minimize contact areas with the glass substrates, enhancing thermal insulation and preventing deformation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a spacer with a cylindrical or spherical shape is used, then the spacer can maintain the gap between glass substrates, but the contact area with the glass substrates increases, reducing thermal insulation performance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegap maintenanceVSAvoidthermal insulation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The spacer employs a spherical cap shape at its ends instead of a full cylinder or sphere. This curved surface design allows the spacer to contact the glass substrates at minimal points while maintaining structural stability, thereby preserving thermal insulation performance while effectively holding the gap between substrates

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

2Stability of the object's composition

If a spacer with a larger contact area is used, then the spacer provides better stability, but the glass substrates may deform due to increased contact surfaces

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespacer stabilityVSAvoidglass substrate deformation

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The spacer features a center portion with different geometric properties than its end portions. The center portion has a larger radius to provide stability and structural support, while the end portions have spherical caps with smaller contact radii to minimize interaction with glass substrates, preventing deformation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Loss of energy

If a spacer with a complex shape is used, then the thermal insulation is improved, but the manufacturing difficulty increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethermal insulationVSAvoidspacer fabrication

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The spacer is designed as a composite structure with distinct segments: a center portion and multiple end portions. Each segment serves a specific function and can be manufactured separately using standard techniques, then assembled together. This segmentation simplifies the overall manufacturing process while achieving the desired thermal insulation performance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS12546162B2Spacer for double-layer glass and double-layer glass

Publication Date: 2026.02.10 KYOCERA CORP

AI summary

A spacer is interposed between a pair of glass substrates facing each other. The spacer is disposed in contact with the pair of glass substrates. The spacer includes a center portion having a plate shape or a columnar shape, and both end portions protruding from both end surfaces of the center portion. At least one of the both end portions has a spherical cap shape, or a spherical zone shape or a truncated conical shape. A radius A of a base portion at each of the both end portions is equal to a radius B of the center portion, or is smaller than the radius B.