Flush Butt Joint Glazing Security Reinforcement

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing flush butt joint glazing systems lack sufficient security features to resist attacks, bullets, and explosions, as they are vulnerable at the weaker joints between adjacent panes, which are not fully enclosed by frame profiles, making them architecturally unattractive and insufficiently secure.

Innovation Solution

A security panel system for frameless, flush butt joint glazing with free butt edges, featuring transparent safety panels and a reinforcement profile that allows for easy insertion of an insert element without friction, providing continuous resistance and preventing selective anchoring points, while maintaining a visually appealing design.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Shape

If flush butt joint glazing is used without frame profiles around individual panes, then architectural appeal and visual cleanliness are improved, but security resistance against attacks, bullets, and explosions deteriorates due to vulnerable joints between panes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevisual appearanceVSAvoidsecurity resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A receiving profile is introduced as an intermediary element between adjacent security panels at the butt joint. This profile contains an insert element that provides mechanical reinforcement and continuous resistance across the joint, while remaining visually concealed within the profile recess, thus maintaining the flush appearance without compromising security

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The insert element is nested within the receiving profile, which itself is integrated into the edge area of the security panels. This nested structure allows the security reinforcement to be hidden within the profile, preserving the visual cleanliness of the flush glazing while providing the necessary mechanical strength at the vulnerable joints

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Reliability

If four-sided frame profiles are used to provide burglar-resistant support, then security resistance is improved, but architectural appeal deteriorates due to protruding and clumsy frame structures

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveburglar resistanceVSAvoidarchitectural appeal
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of applying frame profiles uniformly around all edges of each security panel, the receiving profile is applied locally only at the butt joint areas where security reinforcement is needed. This localized approach provides burglar resistance at critical points while maintaining the aesthetic quality of the overall glazing system

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The receiving profile acts as a mediator that provides the necessary mechanical support and security reinforcement at the joints without requiring protruding four-sided frames. It bridges the gap between adjacent panels and distributes loads continuously, eliminating the need for bulky individual panel frames

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If free butt edges are used for double-sided flush glazing, then architectural appeal and ease of installation are improved, but security resistance deteriorates as perpetrators can quickly access tools through the glass edges

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of installationVSAvoidsecurity resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The receiving profile with insert element serves as a mediator at the butt joint, providing continuous mechanical resistance that prevents tool insertion and prying attacks. This allows the glazing to maintain free butt edges for ease of installation while the profile reinforces the joint against security threats

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Strength

If insert elements are tightly fitted in receiving profiles, then connection strength is improved, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to friction and difficulty in insertion

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection strengthVSAvoidinsertion accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The receiving profile is designed with a geometric connection that provides sufficient mechanical strength through its structural form rather than relying on tight frictional fits. This allows for easy insertion and alignment during manufacturing while still achieving the necessary connection strength through the profile's geometry and the insert element's positioning

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentEP3440297A1Butt joint glazing
Publication Date: 2019.02.13 SAINT GOBAIN VITRAGE SA

AI summary

The invention relates to a transparent safety panel 1 for producing a resistant flush butt joint glazing 2 having at least two panes 44 and a profiled receiving section 11. The two panes 44 are arranged at a distance (D) to each other and substantially parallel to each other. The safety panel 1 has a joint end face 15 and a mounting end face 16 which extends perpendicularly from the joint end face 15 of the safety panel 1. The mounting end face 16 can be mounted in the frame and allows the safety panel 1 to be fixed in the frame. The profiled receiving section 11 is arranged between the mutually spaced panes 44 and in the process in an edge region in the vicinity of the joint end face 15. The profiled receiving section 11 forms an open groove up to the joint end face 15. The joint end face 15 of the safety panel together with the groove can also be called the connection face or the butt joint face. An additional safety panel can be connected to the safety panel 1 without additional frames in a flush manner via the connection face. The connection can be produced via an insert element 10 which is arranged in the grooves of adjacent flush safety panels 1, thus forming a resistant butt joint glazing 2.