Glass Panel Getter Placement for Vacuum Insulation Aesthetics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing thermally insulating glass panel units with getters are not designed to minimize the visibility of the getter from the outside, which can affect aesthetic and functional integration in building components.
Innovation Solution
A glass panel unit with a getter arranged in a frame region along the sealing portion between two glass panels, where the frame region is covered by a building component frame, maintaining reduced pressure and enhancing thermal insulation while minimizing the getter's visibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the getter is placed in the inner space between glass panels, then the vacuum degree is maintained for a long period, but the getter becomes visible from the outside affecting aesthetics
Solution Approach 1:
The getter is extracted from the central viewing area and relocated to the frame region along the periphery of the glass panel unit. This extraction places the getter in a location that is less visible from the outside when the building component is installed, thereby maintaining aesthetic appearance while preserving the vacuum maintenance function.
Solution Approach 2:
The getter is specifically positioned in the frame region which has different aesthetic requirements compared to the central area. The frame region serves as a transition zone where functional components like the getter can be placed without compromising the overall aesthetic appearance of the glass panel unit.
2Shape
If the getter is positioned away from the periphery, then the aesthetic appearance is improved, but the vacuum maintenance effectiveness is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The getter arrangement transitions from a two-dimensional central placement to a one-dimensional linear arrangement along the frame region. This dimensional change allows the getter to maintain effectiveness by being positioned along the periphery where it can still access the vacuum space while being less visually prominent.
3Shape
If the getter is arranged in the frame region, then the getter is less visible from outside, but the space utilization in inner space is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The getter is arranged only in the frame region rather than utilizing the entire inner space. This partial placement is sufficient to maintain vacuum effectiveness while achieving the aesthetic goal of reduced visibility, without unnecessarily consuming additional inner space.
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 effectively maintains a degree of vacuum for a long period, providing excellent thermal insulation and ensuring the getter is less visible from the outside when integrated into building components.
Implementation Method 1
a getter (6) to adsorb a gas
Implementation Method 2
an inner space which is hermetically sealed at a reduced pressure between the first glass panel and the second glass panel
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3
AI summary
A glass panel unit, in which a getter is arranged in an inner space so as to be much less easily visible from the outside, and a building component including the glass panel unit are provided. A glass panel unit includes a first glass panel (1), a second glass panel (2), a sealing portion (4) in a frame shape, and a getter (6). The sealing portion (4) hermetically bonds together respective peripheral portions of the first glass panel (1) and the second glass panel (2). An inner space (81) is formed at a reduced pressure between the first glass panel (1) and the second glass panel (2). The getter (6) is arranged in the inner space (81). The getter (6) is arranged in a frame region (810) extending along the sealing portion (4) and located within a predetermined distance (D) from each peripheral edge of the glass panel unit, so as to be covered with a building component frame.