Insulating Glass Element with Self-Centering Insert Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing insulating glass elements face challenges in manufacturing efficiency due to the lack of effective alignment and positioning methods for inserts relative to glass panes, leading to increased effort and suboptimal thermal insulation.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of a centering element that interacts with a recess of a glass pane for precise positioning of the insert relative to the glass panes, ensuring alignment with an angular offset of less than 10° and a distance deviation of less than 10% of the cross-sectional area, facilitating easier assembly and improved thermal insulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If standard alignment methods are used for inserts and glass panes, then manufacturing complexity is reduced, but manufacturing precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The insert performs self-alignment through its geometric features (protrusions fitting into recesses, tapered surfaces) without requiring external alignment tools or complex positioning mechanisms, achieving precise alignment automatically during assembly
Solution Approach 2:
The insert is pre-positioned or pre-aligned using integrated alignment features (such as tapered surfaces or guide protrusions) before final assembly, ensuring that the bores are coaxial with the glass pane bores before the sealing elements are installed
2Manufacturing precision
If complex alignment mechanisms are added, then manufacturing precision improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment function is merged into the insert structure itself through integrated geometric features (protrusions, recesses, tapered surfaces) rather than being a separate mechanism, achieving precise positioning without additional components
Solution Approach 2:
Geometric intermediary features (such as tapered surfaces or guide protrusions) mediate the alignment between the insert and glass panes, enabling precise positioning through simple geometric interaction rather than complex mechanisms
3Productivity
If manual alignment methods are used, then manufacturing effort increases, but manufacturing precision can be maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The insert automatically achieves precise alignment through its self-aligning geometric features during assembly, eliminating the need for manual alignment operations and significantly improving manufacturing efficiency without sacrificing precision
Data Source
AI summary
The insulating glass element is constructed for doors, windows and fixed glass fronts. The insulating glass element includes a first glass pane and a second glass pane that is spaced from the first glass pane by a circumferential spacer element in an edge region. The glass panes each have a continuous recess; a first circumferential sealing element in the edge region of the glass panes, which seals the volume enclosed between the glass panes and the spacer element in the area of the spacer element in a gas-tight manner against the surroundings; and an insert introduced between the glass panes. The insert has a recess and is provided with a centering element that interacts with a recess of a glass pane for positioning the insert relative to the glass panes.