Integrated Gas Adsorbent for Vacuum Glass Panel Units
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Solution Overview
Problem
Glass panel units with metallic gas adsorbents struggle to maintain a high degree of vacuum in hermetically sealed spaces due to the inability to effectively adsorb gases with large molecular weights, such as hydrocarbons and ammonia, leading to unintentional decreases in vacuum levels.
Innovation Solution
A glass panel unit manufacturing method that incorporates an integrated gas adsorbent structure combining non-metallic and metallic getter materials, where the non-metallic getter material adsorbs hydrocarbon-based and ammonia gases and desorbs them upon heating, while the metallic getter material adsorbs and diffuses gases like H2O, N2, O2, and CO2, maintaining the vacuum.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a metallic gas adsorbent is used in the hermetically sealed space, then gases like H2O, N2, O2, and CO2 can be effectively adsorbed, but gases with large molecular weights such as hydrocarbon-based gases and ammonia gas cannot be adsorbed, leading to vacuum degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines a metallic gas adsorbent (getter) and a non-metallic gas adsorbent (desiccant) into a single integrated gas adsorbent unit. The metallic component adsorbs gases like H2O, N2, O2, and CO2 through chemisorption, while the non-metallic component adsorbs hydrocarbon-based gases and ammonia gas through physisorption. This merging of two different adsorbent types resolves the contradiction by providing both specialized gas adsorption capabilities and broad gas coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The gas adsorbent is constructed as a composite material system comprising both metallic and non-metallic components. The metallic getter material (e.g., zirconium-based alloy) provides chemisorption capabilities for reactive gases, while the non-metallic desiccant material (e.g., molecular sieve or activated carbon) provides physisorption capabilities for large molecular weight gases. This composite structure enables the gas adsorbent to handle a wide range of gas types simultaneously.
2Loss of energy
If the hermetically sealed space is evacuated to create a vacuum, then thermal insulation properties are improved, but the vacuum degree decreases unintentionally over time due to gas production from resin portions
Solution Approach 1:
The gas adsorbent is installed in the hermetically sealed space before final evacuation and sealing. During the evacuation process and subsequent sealing, the gas adsorbent begins adsorbing residual gases and any gases that may be outgassed from resin portions or other materials. This preliminary action ensures that the vacuum is maintained at the desired level without degradation over time.
Solution Approach 2:
The gas adsorbent continuously monitors and responds to gas pressure changes in the hermetically sealed space. As gases are produced from resin portions or other materials over time, the gas adsorbent dynamically adsorbs these gases to maintain the vacuum level. This feedback mechanism ensures long-term vacuum stability and sustained thermal insulation performance.
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
The integrated gas adsorbent structure effectively adsorbs various gases, reducing the likelihood of vacuum degradation in the hermetically sealed space and maintaining optimal thermal insulation properties.
Implementation Method 1
a non-metallic getter material having a porous structure with the ability to adsorb gas molecules
Implementation Method 2
A metallic gas adsorbent of this type is able to chemically adsorb a gas such as H 2 O, N 2 , O 2 , H 2 , or CO 2 into its metallic surface
Implementation Method 3
heating, inside the hermetically sealed space, both of the non-metallic getter material and the metallic getter material
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided is a glass panel unit with the ability to effectively reduce the chances of the degree of vacuum decreasing unintentionally in its hermetically sealed space. A glass panel unit includes a first panel (1), a second panel (2), a sealing portion (41) in a frame shape, a plurality of pillars (43), and a gas adsorbent (44). The sealing portion (41) in the frame shape hermetically bonds respective peripheral edges of the first panel (1) and the second panel (2) together so as to create an evacuated, hermetically sealed space (51) between the first panel (1) and the second panel (2). The plurality of pillars (43) and the gas adsorbent (44) are arranged in the hermetically sealed space (51). The gas adsorbent (44) contains: a non-metallic getter material having a porous structure with the ability to adsorb gas molecules; and a metallic getter material having a metallic surface with the ability to adsorb gas molecules.