Float Glass Support Body Fusing for Vacuum Insulating Glass
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Solution Overview
Problem
The production of glass panes for vacuum insulating glass is complex and cost-intensive due to the need for support bodies to withstand external atmospheric pressure, especially for large-area panes, as conventional methods require separate attachment which increases expenses.
Innovation Solution
Integrating the application of glass support bodies into the float glass process by applying them before the glass pane cools below the glass transition temperature, allowing them to partially fuse with the glass, thus eliminating the need for additional attachment methods like gluing and reducing costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If support bodies are applied to large glass panes using conventional methods (gluing), then the panes can withstand external atmospheric pressure, but the production process becomes complex and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the support body application process with the float glass manufacturing process by applying support bodies to the glass while it is still in the float bath at high temperature. This merging eliminates the need for separate attachment steps like gluing, thereby reducing production complexity while maintaining the structural strength needed to withstand atmospheric pressure.
Solution Approach 2:
The support bodies are applied to the glass pane before the glass cools and solidifies completely. By performing the attachment action preliminarily while the glass is still in a plastic state at high temperature, the glass naturally bonds to the support bodies without requiring additional bonding agents or processes, simplifying the overall production.
2Manufacturing precision
If support bodies are applied using conventional attachment methods, then the gap between panes is maintained, but additional bonding agents and processes are required
Solution Approach 1:
The hot glass pane itself serves as the bonding medium by naturally adhering to the support bodies through its viscous state. The glass performs the bonding function autonomously without requiring external bonding agents or additional attachment processes, thereby maintaining precise gap control while reducing manufacturing effort.
3Ease of manufacture
If support bodies are applied after glass cooling, then attachment is possible, but the glass is too cold for natural bonding
Solution Approach 1:
The support bodies are applied to the glass pane before the glass cools below its softening point. By performing the attachment action preliminarily while the glass is still hot and in a plastic state, natural bonding occurs without requiring additional heating or bonding processes. This preliminary timing resolves the temperature contradiction by ensuring attachment happens when the glass temperature is suitable for bonding.
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
This method enables efficient and cost-effective application of support bodies as spacers between glass panes, maintaining a predetermined space despite external pressure, and results in a cost-effective production process for vacuum insulating glass with reduced visibility of the support bodies in the finished product.
Implementation Method 1
the support elements are applied to an area of the glass pane that has a temperature above the glass transition temperature Tg and partially fuse with the glass pane
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for producing a glass sheet (1) for vacuum insulating glass (10), wherein a plurality of support bodies (3) or spacers are applied to the glass pane (1), the application of the support bodies (3) being carried out in a float glass process during the production of the glass pane (1), and the support bodies (3) are applied while the glass pane (1) has a temperature above the glass transition temperature Tg, so that the support bodies (3) partially fuse onto the glass pane (1). The support bodies may be glass spheres.