Glass Panel Vacuum Getter Paste for Nitrogen and Methane Adsorption
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing glass panel units face challenges in maintaining thermal insulation due to residual gases in the vacuum space, particularly nitrogen and methane, which are difficult to adsorb using conventional gas adsorbents, especially at low pressures.
Innovation Solution
A composite getter material comprising a mixture of zeolite and cerium compound particles is used, with the cerium compound adsorbing carbon dioxide and the zeolite adsorbing nitrogen and methane, reducing residual gases by desorbing gases at lower temperatures and maintaining adsorption sites for effective gas removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional gas adsorbent is used in the vacuum space, then the adsorption of common gases may be achieved, but nitrogen and methane gases remain difficult to adsorb especially at low pressures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite getter material comprising both zeolite particles and cerium compound particles. The zeolite component adsorbs nitrogen and methane gases, while the cerium compound adsorbs other gases and releases oxygen at elevated temperatures that the zeolite can then adsorb. This composite structure overcomes the limitation of conventional single-material adsorbents that cannot effectively adsorb nitrogen and methane at low pressures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes temperature-dependent adsorption characteristics of different materials. The cerium compound releases oxygen at elevated temperatures (above the softening point of the glass frit), and the zeolite adsorbs this released oxygen along with nitrogen and methane. This parameter change (temperature) enables the system to handle different gas types at different stages of the manufacturing process.
2Ease of manufacture
If the binder is removed by heating to create a vacuum space, then the bonding structure is formed, but gases derived from the binder or organic solvent and gases from air bubbles remain in the vacuum space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful residual gases from binder decomposition into a beneficial process by using the cerium compound's oxygen release property. The cerium compound releases oxygen at elevated temperatures, and this released oxygen is subsequently adsorbed by the zeolite. This approach transforms the harmful effect of heating (which releases gases) into a controlled process where gases are managed by the composite getter material.
Solution Approach 2:
The composite getter material is pre-installed in the vacuum space before the final sealing process. This preliminary placement allows the getter material to be ready to adsorb gases as soon as they are released during heating and bonding operations, preventing gas accumulation before evacuation can occur.
3Loss of energy
If the vacuum space is created by exhausting gases, then thermal insulation is improved, but gases emitted from organic contaminants adhered to the glass panes remain
Solution Approach 1:
The composite getter material serves itself by using the cerium compound's temperature-dependent oxygen release property combined with the zeolite's broad gas adsorption capability. The system automatically manages different types of gases (including those from organic contaminants) without external intervention, maintaining vacuum quality and thermal insulation performance throughout the product lifecycle.
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 composite getter material effectively reduces residual gases in the vacuum space, enhancing thermal insulation properties of the glass panel unit by adsorbing nitrogen and methane, even at low pressures, thus improving manufacturing efficiency and reducing costs.
Implementation Method 1
the zeolite adsorbing nitrogen and methane
Implementation Method 2
the cerium compound adsorbing carbon dioxide
Implementation Method 3
desorbing gases at lower temperatures and maintaining adsorption sites for effective gas removal
Data Source
AI summary
A method for manufacturing a glass panel unit includes a working step, an assembling step, a bonding step, and a gas exhausting step. The working step includes a getter material making step including obtaining a getter material containing a zeolite and a cerium compound. The assembling step includes preparing an assembly. The bonding step includes melting a peripheral wall to hermetically bond a first glass pane and a second glass pane. The gas exhausting step includes exhausting a gas from an internal space through an exhaust port to turn the internal space into a vacuum space.