Insulating glazing unit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Insulating glazing units face challenges in achieving lightweight, transparent designs with improved heat-insulation performance while minimizing the risk of thermal breakage due to temperature differences, particularly in applications like refrigerators and freezers where weight and thermal stability are critical.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a thinner intermediate glass pane with a different composition, such as boro-aluminosilicate glass, between two thicker soda-lime glass panes, with spacers and a holder to reduce weight and thermal stress, and enhance solar transmittance and edge strength without the need for heat-strengthening processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the number of glass panes is increased to improve heat-insulation performance, then heat-insulation performance is improved, but weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different glass types with different properties to different positions in the glazing unit. The intermediate glass pane uses low-iron glass with high solar transmittance and low density, while the outer panes use standard glass. This local differentiation optimizes both thermal insulation and weight characteristics of the overall system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple glass materials with different compositions and properties in a single glazing unit. By using low-iron glass for the intermediate pane and standard glass for outer panes, the system achieves composite material benefits that improve heat insulation while controlling weight through strategic material selection.
2Strength
If the thickness of glass panes is increased to improve strength and thermal stability, then strength is improved, but weight increases and transparency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical and chemical parameters of the intermediate glass pane by using low-iron glass with specific composition characteristics. This material has different density, thermal expansion, and mechanical properties compared to standard glass, allowing optimization of thermal stability and transparency without proportionally increasing weight.
3Weight of stationary object
If the thickness of the intermediate glass pane is reduced to decrease weight, then weight is reduced, but thermal breakage risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent addresses the thermal breakage risk by applying a specific glass type (low-iron glass) with favorable thermal properties to the intermediate pane. This material has lower solar absorptance and different thermal expansion characteristics that reduce thermal stress, allowing thin construction without compromising reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
By selecting low-iron glass with specific compositional parameters, the patent changes the thermal and mechanical properties of the intermediate pane. This material exhibits lower solar absorptance and appropriate thermal expansion characteristics that enable thin glass construction while maintaining resistance to thermal breakage.
4Ease of manufacture
If standard glass is used for all panes to simplify manufacturing, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but solar transmittance and transparency decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies low-iron glass specifically to the intermediate pane where high solar transmittance is most beneficial for overall system performance. This localized application of specialized material optimizes transparency and solar transmission without requiring all panes to be made from the same expensive material, balancing performance and manufacturing considerations.
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 configuration results in a lightweight, transparent insulating glazing unit with reduced thermal breakage risk and improved heat-insulation performance, maintaining transparency and efficiency even when exposed to sunlight.
Implementation Method 1
A coefficient of thermal expansion of the intermediate glass pane may be less than a coefficient of thermal expansion of the first glass pane and a coefficient of thermal expansion of the second glass pane
Implementation Method 2
Solar absorptance of the intermediate glass pane may be less than solar absorptance of the first glass pane and solar absorptance of the second glass pane
Data Source
AI summary
An insulating glazing unit is provided, including: a first glass pane and a second glass pane; an intermediate glass pane; a first spacer and a second spacer; and a holder holding together the first glass pane, the second glass pane, the intermediate glass pane, the first spacer, and the second spacer. In the insulating glazing unit, a thickness of the intermediate glass pane is less than the first glass pane and the second glass pane, too and a composition of the intermediate glass pane is different from the first glass pane the second glass pane.