Glass Plate Seal Application With Flexible Pressure Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for applying seals to large glass plates, such as vehicle windshields or roofs, are prone to breakage during the sealing process, leading to inefficiencies and waste in the automotive industry.
Innovation Solution
A method using a tool with a solid support element and a flexible support element, comprising a fixed and mobile part, that applies pressure to the glass plate to ensure a secure and impermeable seal without causing breakage, utilizing a flexible material with a Shore A hardness of less than 90 to adapt to the plate's shape and maintain contact without pressure from solid tools.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a solid support element is used to apply pressure to the glass plate during sealing, then the sealing pressure is sufficient to ensure an impermeable seal, but the glass plate is prone to breakage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the solid support element with a flexible support element made of elastomeric material having a Shore A hardness of less than 90. This flexible element can be compressed between the sealing tool and the glass plate to apply sealing pressure without the rigid contact that causes breakage. The flexibility allows the material to conform to the glass surface while distributing pressure evenly, eliminating the harmful concentrated forces from solid contacts.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameter of the support element from rigid (solid) to compliant (flexible with Shore A hardness < 90). This parameter change transforms the support element into a material that can deform under compression, allowing it to apply sealing pressure while accommodating surface irregularities and preventing stress concentration that leads to glass breakage.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a flexible material with Shore A hardness less than 90 is used, then the breakage risk is reduced and handling is easier, but the pressure application capability may be insufficient for secure sealing
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible support element acts as an intermediary between the sealing tool and the glass plate. It transmits the sealing force from the tool to the plate while its compliant nature prevents direct rigid contact that would cause breakage. The elastomeric material mediates the force transmission, converting rigid tool motion into compliant pressure application suitable for fragile glass surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible support element is pre-compressed between the sealing tool and the glass plate before the actual sealing operation. This preliminary compression establishes the necessary contact pressure and conformality, ensuring that when sealing forces are applied, the flexible element maintains adequate pressure distribution without causing breakage during the sealing process.
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 method effectively reduces breakage risks and ensures a continuous, impermeable seal along the edge of large glass plates, meeting safety and sealing requirements while allowing for easier handling and cost-effective production.
Implementation Method 1
a flexible support element made of an elastomeric material having a Shore A hardness of less than 90, wherein the flexible support element is compressible between the sealing tool and the glass plate
Data Source
AI summary
A method for applying a seal onto a plate, including, providing a tool containing at least one support element made of solid material including a recess, a support element made of flexible material including a first part and a second part where said support element made of flexible material is arranged at least partially in said recess, and a means for exerting a pressure in a compensation chamber of said recess, where said compensation chamber is delimited at least partially by said second part of said support element made of flexible material.