Glass-Covered Wood Panels With Full-Surface Adhesion and Flush Edges
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for making glass-covered panels, such as doors and windows, are costly due to the use of tempered glass, heavy, aesthetically undesirable, and prone to cracks and moisture infiltration, with specialized personnel required for precise chamfering.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a framing step with edging elements, an intermediate covering step with a glass sheet, and a finishing step to ensure crack-free alignment, using non-tempered glass and full-surface adhesive for better adhesion, and simultaneous chamfering of glass and panel edges for aesthetic and functional continuity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If tempered glass is used to increase mechanical resistance and prevent separation, then the glass gains greater strength and durability, but the production costs increase considerably and the panel becomes heavy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical-chemical parameters of ordinary glass through ion exchange treatment, where smaller sodium ions are replaced by larger potassium ions from a molten salt bath. This parameter change increases the density and mechanical strength of the glass surface layer without requiring thermal tempering, thus achieving high strength with lighter weight glass
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces expensive tempered glass with ordinary glass that undergoes a chemical treatment process. The ordinary glass is cheaper and lighter, and through ion exchange it achieves the necessary mechanical properties, effectively substituting an expensive material with a cheaper alternative that is enhanced through processing
2Ease of manufacture
If chamfering is performed on glass edges to enable attachment, then the glass can be properly attached to the panel, but specialized personnel or high precision machines are required and angular tolerances must be minimum
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary chamfering of the glass edges before attachment to the panel. By pre-preparing the edges with appropriate chamfers, the glass pieces can be easily attached without requiring high precision during the attachment process itself, reducing the need for specialized personnel and equipment
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediate adhesive layer between the chamfered glass edges and the panel surface. This adhesive mediator compensates for minor angular deviations and tolerance variations, allowing attachment even when perfect precision is not achieved, thus reducing the stringency of angular tolerance requirements
3Ease of manufacture
If chamfering is performed on glass edges, then attachment is enabled, but optical discontinuity is created at the peripheral contact area which is aesthetically undesirable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different chamfer angles and depths to different regions of the glass edges. By carefully controlling the local geometry of the chamfers and matching them with the panel edge profiles, the optical discontinuity is minimized in visible areas while maintaining attachment capability in functional areas
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replicates the panel edge profile onto the glass edge through matching chamfer geometries. By copying the shape and angle of the panel edges onto the glass surfaces, visual continuity is achieved at the joints, making the transitions imperceptible while maintaining the necessary attachment surfaces
4Ease of manufacture
If chamfering is performed on glass edges, then attachment is enabled, but cracks are created that allow dirt and damp infiltration, risking swelling of the chipboard panel
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies protective sealing materials to the chamfered edges before attachment, creating a preliminary barrier against moisture and dirt. This pre-protection prevents harmful factors from penetrating through potential crack paths during and after the attachment process
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses adhesive sealants as intermediary materials between the glass edges and panel surfaces. These sealants fill and seal the chamfered joints, creating a protective barrier that prevents moisture and dirt infiltration while still enabling mechanical attachment, thus eliminating the harmful effects of open cracks
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 reduces production costs and weight, enhances aesthetic appeal, prevents cracks, and simplifies the process by allowing non-tempered glass use, while ensuring better adhesion and structural integrity.
Implementation Method 1
glue the glass sheet to the base panel by means of an adhesive which is laid over the whole surface of the base panel and/or the glass sheet
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~6
AI summary
A method is used to make a glass-covered panel (10), comprising a base panel (11) made of wood or wood substitute material, with or without compartments, and at least a glass sheet (15), associated with at least one face (13) of the base panel (11). The method comprises at least a preliminary step of preparing the base panel (11) with a desired shape and size. The method also comprises at least a first framing step, in which edging elements (14) are associated with one or more sides of the base panel (11), an intermediate covering step, in which the glass sheet (15) is applied to the said (13), and a final finishing step in which material is removed from at least part of one or more edges of the glass sheet (15).