Vehicle Interior Glass Bonding Without Chemical Primers
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Solution Overview
Problem
The use of chemical primers in manufacturing vehicle interior components with curved glass sheets is hindered by environmental regulations and increased costs, necessitating a method to attach glass to frames without chemical primers.
Innovation Solution
A method involving plasma treatment to increase the surface free energy of the glass article's attaching surface to at least 35 mN/m, allowing for direct adhesive bonding without chemical primers, thereby simplifying the manufacturing process and reducing environmental concerns.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If chemical primers are used to attach glass sheets to frames, then bonding strength is improved, but environmental compliance deteriorates and manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the surface free energy parameter of the glass article from its natural state to a treated state with at least 35 mN/m surface free energy through plasma treatment or chemical etching. This parameter change enables strong adhesive bonding without requiring chemical primers, thereby maintaining bonding strength while eliminating environmental compliance issues associated with primer chemicals
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the chemical system (chemical primers) with a physical surface treatment system (plasma treatment or chemical etching that modifies surface free energy). This substitution eliminates the need for hazardous chemical primers while achieving equivalent or superior bonding performance through physical or controlled chemical surface modification
2Strength
If chemical primers are used to attach glass sheets to frames, then bonding strength is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
By changing the surface free energy parameter of the glass article to at least 35 mN/m through plasma treatment or chemical etching, the patent eliminates the need for expensive chemical primers and associated disposal costs. The surface treatment process is more cost-effective while maintaining strong adhesive bonding
3Strength
If chemical primers are used in the manufacturing process, then adhesive bonding is improved, but process complexity increases due to environmental restrictions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the chemical primer step from the manufacturing process by directly treating the glass article surface to achieve the required surface free energy. This extraction simplifies the process by removing the primer application, curing, and disposal steps while maintaining adhesive bonding performance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary surface treatment (plasma treatment or chemical etching) on the glass article before adhesive application. This preliminary action modifies the surface free energy to ensure optimal adhesive bonding without requiring subsequent primer application, thereby simplifying the overall manufacturing process
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 enables cost-effective and efficient attachment of glass components to frames, maintaining strong adhesive bonds and avoiding the environmental and logistical issues associated with chemical primers, while ensuring compliance with environmental regulations.
Implementation Method 1
A method involving plasma treatment to increase the surface free energy of the glass article's attaching surface to at least 35 mN/m
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a method of forming a vehicle interior component. In the method, a glass article is arranged on a forming surface of a forming surface. The glass article has a first major surface and a second major surface. The first major surface faces the forming surface, and the second major surface is opposite to the first major surface. The second major surface includes a region having a surface free energy of at least 35 mN/m. An adhesive is applied to the region of the second major surface of the glass article. The adhesive is contacted with a frame to attach the frame to the glass article.