Glass Panel Unit Spacer Height Design for Impact Resistance
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing glass panel units with evacuated spaces lack sufficient resistance to external impact, which compromises their structural integrity and thermal insulating properties.
Innovation Solution
A glass panel unit design featuring spacers with heights smaller than the seal height, creating a compressed bond between glass panels that enhances resistance to external impact and maintains a stable evacuated space, thereby improving the unit's strength and thermal insulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If spacers are placed between glass panels to maintain evacuated space thickness, then the thermal insulating properties are improved, but the resistance to external impact deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating different structural zones within the glass panel unit. The sealed edge region has a compressed bond structure with the seal protruding beyond the spacer outer surfaces, providing high strength and impact resistance. The central evacuated space maintains the insulating function with spacers holding the glass panels at appropriate distance. This local differentiation allows the unit to simultaneously achieve thermal insulation and impact resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite material principles by combining multiple components with different functions: spacers (for spacing and insulation), seal (for hermetic sealing and impact resistance), and glass panels (for structural integrity and insulation). The composite structure where the seal extends beyond the spacer surfaces creates a hybrid bonding system that leverages the strengths of each material to achieve both thermal performance and mechanical strength.
2Loss of energy
If spacers are placed to maintain evacuated space, then thermal insulation is improved, but structural integrity under impact deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The seal is designed to protrude beyond the outer surfaces of the spacers, creating a local reinforced zone at the perimeter of the glass panel unit. This local quality enhancement provides superior structural integrity and reliability at the edges where impact forces are most likely to concentrate, while the central region maintains its thermal insulation function through the evacuated space.
Solution Approach 2:
The compressed bond structure created by the seal protruding beyond the spacers acts as a pre-established protective mechanism. This structure anticipates and cushions against potential impact forces by providing a reinforced bonding zone that absorbs and distributes stress before it can compromise the overall structural integrity of the glass panel unit.
3Stress or pressure
If the distance between outermost spacers and glass plate end is shortened to suppress internal stress, then internal stress is reduced, but resistance to external impact deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by applying local quality differentiation. The seal creates a localized reinforced zone at the perimeter that extends beyond the spacer surfaces, providing the necessary strength and impact resistance at the edges. The central region maintains appropriate spacer positioning to control internal stress. This spatial differentiation allows simultaneous optimization of both internal stress management and external impact resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention addresses the contradiction by transitioning from a two-dimensional spacer arrangement to a three-dimensional seal structure that protrudes beyond the spacer surfaces. This dimensional enhancement creates an additional protective layer at the perimeter, providing impact resistance without compromising the internal stress management achieved through spacer positioning.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
The glass panel unit 10 includes a first glass panel 20, a second glass panel 30, a seal 40, an evacuated space 50, and at least one spacer 70. The second glass panel 30 is placed opposite the first glass panel 20. The seal 40 with a frame shape hermetically bonds the first glass panel 20 and the second glass panel 30 to each other. The evacuated space 50 is enclosed by the first glass panel 20, the second glass panel 30, and the seal 40. The at least one spacer 70 is placed between the first glass panel 20 and the second glass panel 30. The at least one spacer 70 has a height H1 smaller than a height H2 of the seal 40 between the first glass panel 20 and the second glass panel 30.