Glass Plate Terminal Structure for Impact-Resistant Connector Bonding

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conductive layers, such as defoggers, on glass plates are prone to detachment from adhesive materials due to external forces during conveyance, posing a risk of damage to the adhesive material.

Innovation Solution

A glass plate module with a deformable portion and protrusion design that absorbs external forces, preventing detachment and damage by redirecting contact away from the installation portions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If multiple separate functional elements (edge light guide, mounting clips, spacers) are used in prior art, then lighting functionality is achieved, but assembly complexity and potential misalignment increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly simplicityVSAvoidnumber of separate components
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple separate functional elements (edge light guide, mounting clips, and spacers) into a single integrated edge light guide body. The mounting clips and spacers are formed as integral parts of the light guide body through injection molding, eliminating the need for separate components and simplifying assembly to a single-piece installation process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated edge light guide body performs multiple functions simultaneously: it guides light along the edge, provides mounting attachment points through integrated clips, maintains precise spacing from the back surface through integrated spacers, and structurally supports the display assembly. This multi-functional design reduces component count while maintaining all necessary functions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Manufacturing precision

If mounting clips are separate from the light guide in prior art, then attachment is possible, but alignment precision and gap consistency deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvealignment precisionVSAvoidcomponent integration level
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting clips are formed as integral parts of the light guide body through injection molding, ensuring perfect alignment between the light guide and mounting features. This eliminates alignment errors that would occur with separate components and ensures consistent positioning during assembly

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Loss of time

If spacers are separate components in prior art, then spacing is maintained, but assembly time and potential positioning errors increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly timeVSAvoidnumber of separate parts
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The spacers are formed as integral protrusions from the light guide body, eliminating the need for separate spacer components. This reduces assembly time by eliminating separate spacer installation steps and ensures precise spacing is built-in during light guide manufacturing rather than during final assembly

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Ease of operation

If a rigid support structure is used to maintain spacing, then structural stability is achieved, but flexibility and ease of assembly deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly flexibilityVSAvoidstructural rigidity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The light guide body is made from a flexible or semi-flexible transparent material that allows the assembly to be bent or flexed during installation without breaking rigid structural connections. The integrated mounting clips and spacers maintain their spacing function while allowing the overall assembly to be flexible enough for easy installation in various configurations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Data Source

PatentEP3312937B1Glass plate module
Publication Date: 2026.04.22 NIPPON SHEET GLASS CO LTD
  • EP3312937B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3312937B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3312937B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A glass plate module (10) according to the present invention includes a glass plate (1), a conductive layer (2) laminated on the glass plate (1), at least one connection terminal (3) fixed to the conductive layer (2), and made of a conductive material, and an adhesive material (4) for fixing the connection terminal (3) to the conductive layer (2). The connection terminal (3) includes a connector connection portion (37) that is to be electrically connected to an external connector, one or more installation portions (31, 32) that are installed on the conductive layer (2), and electrically connect the connector connection portion (37) and the conductive layer (2), at least one easily deformable portion (34) that is provided between one of the installation portions (31, 32) and the connector connection portion (37), and is deformable due to an external force, and at least one protrusion (35) provided anywhere between the connector connection portion (37) and the easily deformable portion (34), and protruding in a direction in which the conductive layer (2) extends and that intersects a direction in which the connector connection portion (37) extends.