Lightweight Glass Laminates with Ionomeric Interlayers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing glass laminates require thick glass sheets for sufficient strength, leading to high weight and limited suitability for weight-conscious applications like automobiles and building structures, where both strength and weight reduction are necessary, and there is a desire for frameless mounting systems with superior moisture resistance and weatherability.

Innovation Solution

The use of thin glass sheets with ionomeric interlayer sheets, where the ionomeric interlayer comprises an ionic neutralized derivative of a precursor acid copolymer, allowing for reduced glass sheet thickness (0.1 to 0.8 mm) while maintaining mechanical strength and incorporating integral mounting devices for frameless applications.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If thick glass sheets are used to provide sufficient strength, then mechanical strength is improved, but weight increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical strengthVSAvoidweight of glass laminate
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a composite structure combining thin glass sheets with a polymeric interlayer to achieve the required mechanical strength without using thick glass. The interlayer provides structural support and bonding, allowing the glass sheets to be much thinner (0.1-0.8 mm) while maintaining overall laminate strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs thin glass sheets (0.1-0.8 mm thickness) instead of thick glass panels. The thin glass is supported by the polymeric interlayer, which acts as a flexible structural element that maintains the integrity of the thin glass sheets while enabling weight reduction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Weight of moving object

If thin glass sheets are used to reduce weight, then weight is reduced, but mechanical strength decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveweight of glass laminateVSAvoidmechanical strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Weight of moving objectVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a composite laminate structure where thin glass sheets are bonded together with a polymeric interlayer. The interlayer compensates for the reduced strength of thin glass by providing structural support, crack bridging, and load distribution, thereby maintaining mechanical strength while enabling weight reduction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The polymeric interlayer acts as an intermediary between thin glass sheets, providing the necessary mechanical support and bonding. It transfers and distributes loads across the laminate, preventing stress concentration in the thin glass and maintaining overall structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Weight of moving object

If frameless mounting systems are used to reduce weight, then weight is reduced, but moisture resistance and weatherability requirements become more critical

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveweight of mounting systemVSAvoidmoisture resistance and weatherability
Core Design Contradiction:
Weight of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a composite laminate structure with polymeric interlayer that provides inherent moisture resistance and weatherability. The interlayer acts as a barrier to moisture ingress and protects the glass edges, which is particularly important in frameless applications where the laminate itself serves as the mounting surface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent specifies particular properties for the polymeric interlayer including its composition, thickness, and material characteristics to ensure adequate moisture resistance and weatherability. By controlling these parameters, the laminate achieves the required reliability for frameless mounting applications.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP2408988B1Light weight glass laminates
Publication Date: 2019.04.24 PERFORMANCE MATERIALS NA INC
  • EP2408988B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~2
  • EP2408988B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

Provided herein are light weight glass laminates having ionomeric interlayers and at least one glass layer. In particular, the weight of the glass laminates is reduced by reducing the thickness of the at least one glass layer to about 2.0 mm or less, or to about 1.5 mm or less. The light weight laminates retain favorable performance properties such as have good Pummel adhesion levels, good moisture resistance, and low stress. Further provided are lightweight glass laminates equipped with integral mounting devices.