Full-Glass Door Assembly With Capillary Sealing Surfaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional all-glass door systems require separate sealing elements, which are aesthetically unpleasing, have limited lifespan, and incur high maintenance costs, especially in humid environments like saunas or steam showers where they discolor and deteriorate quickly.
Innovation Solution
The door system employs laminated safety glass with a first glass layer connected to a second glass layer via a connecting layer, where the second glass layer projects beyond the first, creating a capillary seal without additional components or processing, and optionally uses a glass stop strip for enhanced sealing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate sealing elements (rubber, silicone) are used to seal the door element to the frame element, then a seal is achieved, but the optical appearance is impaired and service life is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing function is merged with the glass door element itself by creating an integrated L-shaped glass structure. The first glass layer forms the main door surface while the second glass layer extends along the side edge to contact the frame element, combining the door structure and sealing function into a single integrated glass assembly without separate sealing components
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing function is extracted from traditional soft sealing materials (rubber, silicone) and transferred to the rigid glass structure itself. By removing the need for separate sealing elements and using the glass layers' own geometry and contact, the solution eliminates the drawbacks of additional components while maintaining sealing effectiveness
2Reliability
If separate sealing elements are used, then sealing is achieved, but maintenance costs increase due to limited lifespan
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces expensive, short-lived sealing elements (rubber, silicone) with a permanent, maintenance-free glass structure. The L-shaped glass configuration is designed to last the lifetime of the door system, eliminating the need for periodic replacement of deteriorating sealing materials and reducing long-term maintenance costs
3Reliability
If separate sealing elements are used, then sealing is achieved, but aesthetic appearance deteriorates due to discoloration
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing structure uses the same material (glass) as the rest of the door element, creating visual homogeneity. The L-shaped glass configuration maintains a uniform appearance without introducing foreign materials like rubber or silicone that would create visual discontinuities and aesthetic defects
4Device complexity
If glass surfaces are used to create a seal through capillary action, then a sleek appearance is maintained and maintenance is reduced, but the door element requires precise dimensional accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the dimensional parameters of the glass layers to ensure proper sealing. The second glass layer is specifically dimensioned to extend beyond the first glass layer by a precise amount (e.g., 2-5mm) to create the L-shaped profile that contacts the frame element, and the gap between contacting surfaces is controlled to enable capillary sealing action
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 solution provides a reliable, low-maintenance seal through the capillary action of glass surfaces, eliminating the need for separate seals and reducing maintenance costs while maintaining a sleek appearance.
Implementation Method 1
a film of condensate forms between the two contact surfaces during operation, which results in a completely adequate seal. The accuracy of the door element and frame element in the area of the contact surfaces only has to be so great that a capillary effect occurs between the contact surfaces.
Data Source
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AI summary
The assembly has a door element (2) rotatably arranged in an opening of a frame element (1). An outer edge of the door element rests against an inner edge of the frame element in a closed condition, where the edges are made of glass. An outer contact surface is formed at the outer edge, and an inner contact surface is formed at the inner edge. The outer contact surface rests against the inner contact surface in the closed condition, where the outer and inner contact surfaces are made of glass. A door closing unit is arranged for prestressing the door element in the closed condition.