Glazing Unit Peripheral Sealing with Overlapping Clamped Seals
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing manufacturing method for glazing units requires specific molds for each size and thickness, leading to high production costs and complexity in replacing seals due to gluing issues, which complicates modifications and maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A glazing unit design featuring two separate seals that overlap on the edge face, allowing for easy association and separation, independent manufacturing, and adaptation to various thicknesses without requiring specific molds, using flexible materials like silicone or EPDM for secure sealing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single continuous seal is used to seal the peripheral edge face, then sealing reliability is improved, but the seal cannot be easily replaced when damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The single continuous seal is divided into multiple separate seals (first seal and second seal) that can be independently installed and removed. Each seal is secured by its own clamping element, allowing individual replacement without affecting the other seal, thus maintaining sealing reliability while enabling easy repair.
2Manufacturing precision
If specific molds are designed for each glazing unit size and thickness, then manufacturing precision is improved, but manufacturing cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping element is designed with adjustable characteristics that allow it to accommodate different glazing unit thicknesses and dimensions. The clamping element can be adjusted along the seal and has variable clamping force capabilities, enabling a single universal clamping element to replace multiple specific molds for different glazing unit specifications.
3Manufacturing precision
If specific molds are designed for each glazing unit thickness, then sealing quality is improved, but production cost and lead time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping element incorporates dynamic adjustment capabilities including adjustable positioning along the seal length and variable clamping force. This dynamic system allows the same clamping element to adapt to different glazing unit thicknesses without requiring separate molds, thereby maintaining sealing quality while improving manufacturing efficiency and reducing lead times.
4Reliability
If the seal is glued to the substrate, then sealing reliability is improved, but separation and replacement operations become complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The gluing operation is extracted and replaced with a mechanical clamping system. The clamping element applies direct mechanical pressure to secure the seal to the substrate without adhesives. This extraction of the gluing function allows the seal to be easily removed and replaced by simply releasing the clamping element, while still providing reliable sealing through the mechanical connection.
Data Source
AI summary
A glazing unit includes a substrate having two opposing external faces and a peripheral edge face linking the two faces, as well as a peripheral sealing arrangement added at the border of the substrate against its edge face and its two external faces, wherein the sealing arrangement includes at least two seals cooperating respectively with the two external faces of the substrate, and with the edge face of the substrate, the two seals forming a zone of overlap over one another on the edge face of the glazing unit.