Flush Glass Joining with Local Metallic Heating for Hermetic Seals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional glass joining methods, such as melting and soldering, often damage integrated components due to high temperatures and mechanical stresses, and are not suitable for miniaturization, while achieving hermetic seals remains challenging.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the introduction of metallic material into the joining area of glass elements, where it is heated using electromagnetic waves or current to form a metallic structure that locally melts the glass, allowing for cohesive bonding without auxiliary materials and minimizing heat transfer to internal components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional melting processes are used to join glass elements, then hermetic sealing is achieved, but high temperatures damage integrated components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces metallic material only in the joining area of the glass element, not throughout the entire component. This localized metallic structure enables targeted heating during the joining process, confining high temperatures to only the bonding zone while keeping the rest of the glass element and integrated components at safe temperatures.
Solution Approach 2:
The metallic material acts as an intermediary that absorbs electromagnetic radiation and converts it to heat locally. This mediator enables hermetic sealing through localized melting of the glass in the joining area, while the heat does not propagate to damage sensitive integrated components within the glass element.
2Length of moving object
If glass solders are applied locally, then miniaturization is enabled, but large contact area is required
Solution Approach 1:
The metallic material is introduced only in the specific joining area where bonding is needed, creating a localized functional zone. This allows the joining process to occur at a precise point without requiring extensive contact areas, enabling miniaturization of the overall component while maintaining effective bonding.
3Strength
If metallic soldering techniques are used, then strong bonding is achieved, but high mechanical stresses occur due to thermal expansion differences
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the temperature parameters by using localized heating through the metallic material. The heating is confined to the joining area, preventing widespread thermal expansion that would create high mechanical stresses. This maintains strong bonding while minimizing stress.
4Reliability
If anodic bonding is used, then hermetic sealing is achieved, but high voltages and temperatures destroy sensors
Solution Approach 1:
The metallic material is introduced only in the joining area, enabling localized heating that achieves hermetic sealing without subjecting the entire glass element and integrated sensors to high temperatures or high voltages.
5Length of moving object
If laser welding is used, then localized heating is achieved, but high temperature gradients cause breakage
Solution Approach 1:
The metallic material serves as an intermediary that absorbs electromagnetic radiation and converts it to heat. This intermediary enables more uniform heat distribution in the joining area compared to direct laser heating of glass, reducing temperature gradients and preventing thermal shock breakage while still achieving localized heating for hermetic sealing.
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
Enables hermetic bonding of glass elements at low temperatures, reducing the risk of damaging internal components and allowing for miniaturization by controlling the heating process, resulting in a gas-tight, sealed interior space.
Implementation Method 1
the metallic material or structures can be used to locally absorb electromagnetic waves
Implementation Method 2
The metallic material in the joining area of the first glass element, preferably the introduced metallic material, is heated
Implementation Method 3
The metallic material in the joining area of the first glass element is heated in such a way that the glass element in the joining area of the first glass element melts at least partially
Implementation Method 4
electromagnetic waves are introduced into the first glass element by means of a light source, preferably a laser
Data Source
Figure 1(a)~2(d)
AI summary
The present application relates to a method for the metallurgical joining of glass elements, a glass component, a housing, and a vacuum insulating glass unit. The method comprises the following steps: - providing a first and a second glass element, each of which has at least one joining area with an outer edge to be joined; - introducing a metallic material into the first glass element in the area of the joining area of the first glass element; - placing the first and second glass elements on top of each other such that the first and second glass elements touch at least one outer edge to be joined of the respective joining area; - heating the metallic material in the first glass element so that the glass element at least partially melts in the area of the joining area of the first glass element, thus creating a metallurgical bond between the first and the second glass element.