Insulating Glass Spacer Bonding for Faster Automated Drying

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for manufacturing insulating glass face challenges in automating the process due to insufficient reduction in drying time after spacer adhesion, leading to prolonged waiting times between processes.

Innovation Solution

A method involving the use of a thermoplastic resin spacer made of butyl type rubber and a urethane-based adhesive agent, including polyacrylic polyol and non-yellowing isocyanate, applied at temperatures between 50°C and 160°C, with adhesive thickness ranging from 0.1 µm to 50 µm, to facilitate rapid adhesion and drying.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of time

If the thickness of the adhesive layer is reduced to 0.5 mm or less, then moisture permeation is suppressed and drying time is reduced, but the drying time is still insufficient for automated manufacturing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedrying timeVSAvoidautomation capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the chemical composition parameters of the adhesive agent from conventional types to a specific urethane-based formulation containing polyacrylic polyol and non-yellowing isocyanate. This parameter change in material composition enables the adhesive to achieve sufficient drying within 20 minutes at elevated temperatures (50-160°C), making automated manufacturing feasible while maintaining thin adhesive layer thickness (0.1 µm to 50 µm) for moisture resistance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Object-affected harmful factors

If conventional adhesive agents are used with thin adhesive layers, then moisture resistance is improved, but drying time remains too long for automation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemoisture resistanceVSAvoiddrying time
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The invention modifies the chemical parameters of the adhesive agent by using a urethane-based formulation with polyacrylic polyol and non-yellowing isocyanate, which dries rapidly at elevated temperatures while maintaining the thin layer thickness (0.1 µm to 50 µm) necessary for moisture resistance. This resolves the contradiction between moisture resistance and drying speed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention employs periodic heating at temperatures of 50°C to 160°C during the drying process to accelerate evaporation and curing of the urethane-based adhesive agent. This thermal periodic action reduces drying time to 20 minutes or less while preserving the moisture-resistant properties of the thin adhesive layer.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

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

This approach significantly reduces production time and enhances productivity by allowing for automated manufacturing of insulating glass with improved adhesion and moisture resistance.

Implementation Method 1

the spacer and the glass sheets are bonded by an adhesive agent

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Implementation Method 2

moisture can be quickly removed from the spacer and the adhesive agent

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Implementation Method 3

moisture permeation inside the adhesive agent can be suppressed

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPermeation resistance: Permeation

Data Source

PatentEP4234653B1Method for manufacturing insulating glass and insulating glass
Publication Date: 2026.01.21 AGC INC
  • EP4234653B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4234653B1 patent drawingFigure 3(a)~3(c)
  • EP4234653B1 patent drawingFigure 4(a)~4(b)

AI summary

A method of manufacturing an insulating glass including glass sheets arranged to face each other with a spacer interposed between the glass sheets to form an air space layer between the glass sheets, the method including a step of applying an adhesive agent to at least one glass sheet of the glass sheets, and a step of adhering the spacer at a temperature of 50 degrees Celsius or more and 160 degrees Celsius or less to the at least one glass sheet, wherein the spacer is formed of a thermoplastic resin material including butyl type rubber, wherein the adhesive agent is a urethane-based adhesive agent, and wherein the urethane-based adhesive agent includes a polyacrylic polyol and at least one of a non-yellowing isocyanate and a derivative of the non-yellowing isocyanate.