Glass Disc Assembly for Fire-Resistant Ribbon Windows

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Solution Overview

Problem

Fire protection regulations for yachts and ships require special fire-resistant glazing, which restricts exterior design aesthetics, particularly preventing the use of ribbon windows that are popular among designers and customers.

Innovation Solution

A combined glass pane arrangement featuring exterior glazing without fire protection and interior fire-resistant glazing, where the exterior glazing is designed to meet aesthetic demands while the interior glazing meets fire protection standards, with the two panes connected by flame-retardant interlayers, allowing for a visually uniform and aesthetically pleasing design that also provides wind and water protection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If fire-resistant glazing with frames is used to meet fire protection regulations, then fire safety is improved, but exterior design aesthetics deteriorate due to visible frames that prevent ribbon windows

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefire safetyVSAvoidexterior design aesthetics
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The glazing system is divided into two separate panes: an outer pane for aesthetic purposes and an inner pane for fire protection. This segmentation allows each pane to fulfill its specific function independently, with the outer pane providing the desired ribbon window appearance and the inner pane ensuring fire safety compliance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The fire-resistant glazing pane is positioned behind the outer aesthetic pane, creating a nested structure where the inner fire protection pane is embedded within the overall glazing assembly. This nesting allows the fire-resistant frame to be hidden from external view while maintaining its protective function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Device complexity

If a single glazing pane is used, then exterior design is simplified, but fire protection requirements cannot be met

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveglazing structureVSAvoidfire protection
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The glazing system is divided into two separate panes: an outer pane for aesthetic purposes and an inner pane for fire protection. This segmentation allows each pane to fulfill its specific function independently, with the outer pane providing the desired ribbon window appearance and the inner pane ensuring fire safety compliance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If fire-resistant frames are installed to meet regulations, then fire protection is improved, but the visible frames restrict design flexibility and prevent continuous glass fronts

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefire protectionVSAvoiddesign flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The fire-resistant glazing pane is positioned behind the outer aesthetic pane, creating a nested structure where the inner fire protection pane is embedded within the overall glazing assembly. This nesting allows the fire-resistant frame to be hidden from external view while maintaining its protective function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

Different parts of the glazing system have different properties: the outer pane is optimized for aesthetics and transparency, while the inner pane is optimized for fire resistance. This local differentiation allows each component to perform its specific function at the highest level without compromising the other.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP3095686B1Glass disc assembly in an aquatic vehicle
Publication Date: 2019.02.27 TILSE IND & SCHIFFSTECHN
  • EP3095686B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3095686B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3095686B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

In order to create a glass pane arrangement (100) that on the one hand meets a fire protection standard and on the other hand meets the designer and customer requirements, a glass pane arrangement (100) is proposed in a watercraft, such as a ship, a cruiser, a yacht, a boat or the like, with a first glazing (10) which is arranged as outer glazing and is designed as glazing in particular without fulfilling fire protection requirements, and with a second glazing (11) which is designed as inner glazing and as fire protection glazing, but which does fulfill fire protection requirements, so that a combined double glazing is present.