Glass Panel Getter Material for Low-Temperature Gas Adsorption

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing glass panel units face challenges in achieving sufficient gas adsorption performance at lower manufacturing temperatures, particularly for nitrogen adsorption, due to the limitations of zeolite-based gas adsorbents when activated at low temperatures.

Innovation Solution

The use of copper ion-exchanged zeolite particles with a larger size and specific solvent treatment to enhance gas adsorption capability, allowing activation at lower temperatures and maintaining effective adsorption performance in low-pressure environments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If zeolite-based gas adsorbent is used in conventional glass panel units, then gas adsorption capability is improved, but manufacturing temperature must be maintained at high levels to achieve sufficient activation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegas adsorption capabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing temperature
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the particle size parameter of zeolite from conventional small particles to larger particles with specific surface area of 0.5-2.0 m²/g and average particle diameter of 3-10 μm. This parameter change enables the zeolite to achieve sufficient gas adsorption capability at lower manufacturing temperatures (200-400°C) while maintaining reliable nitrogen adsorption performance in the evacuated space

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite structure by combining zeolite particles with a binder material to form a gas adsorbent composition. This composite approach allows the zeolite to maintain its adsorption functionality while being processed at lower temperatures, resolving the contradiction between adsorption capability and manufacturing temperature requirements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Quantity of substance

If smaller zeolite particles are used to increase surface area, then adsorption sites increase, but activation temperature requirements remain high and manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadsorption sites quantityVSAvoidmanufacturing process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the particle size parameter to find the optimal balance point where sufficient adsorption sites are achieved without requiring excessively high surface area. The specified range of average particle diameter 3-10 μm provides adequate adsorption capacity while enabling low-temperature activation and simplifying the manufacturing process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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

The solution enables glass panel units to achieve thermal insulation by effectively adsorbing residual gases, including nitrogen, even at lower manufacturing temperatures, thereby reducing production costs and simplifying the manufacturing process.

Implementation Method 1

a gas adsorbent containing a plurality of particles of a zeolite crystal... effectively adsorbing residual gases, including nitrogen

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Implementation Method 2

allowing activation at lower temperatures and maintaining effective adsorption performance

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Data Source

PatentEP4148027B1Glass panel unit, getter material and getter material composition
Publication Date: 2025.09.10 PANASONIC HOUSING SOLUTIONS CO LTD
  • EP4148027B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP4148027B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4148027B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The problem to be overcome by the present disclosure is to provide a glass panel unit having a getter material that achieves a sufficient adsorption performance in a low-pressure range and also provide such a getter material. A glass panel unit 10 includes: a first glass pane 20; a second glass pane 30 facing the first glass pane 20; a frame member 40; an evacuated space 50; and a gas adsorbent 60. The frame member 40 hermetically bonds the first glass pane 20 and the second glass pane 30. The evacuated space 50 is surrounded with the first glass pane 20, the second glass pane 30, and the frame member 40. The gas adsorbent 60 is placed in the evacuated space 50. The gas adsorbent 60 contains a getter material. The getter material contains a plurality of particles of a zeolite crystal. At least one particle accounting for a half or more of a total weight of the plurality of particles has a particle size equal to or greater than 200 nm. An activable temperature of the at least one particle is equal to or lower than 400°C.