Multi-Pane Glass Assembly With Spacers for Thin-Pane Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing multi-pane glass manufacturing methods face challenges in efficiently attaching glass panes while ensuring insulation, soundproofing, and dew condensation prevention, particularly with thinner glass panes that are vulnerable to damage and handling difficulties.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for manufacturing multi-pane glass units involving a conveyor system with movable plates and spacers that align and attach glass panes with offset circumferences, using different thickness and composition glass panes to enhance durability and light transmittance, and incorporating spacers to protect thinner internal panes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If thinner glass panes are used to reduce weight and improve light transmittance, then light transmittance and weight reduction are improved, but handling difficulty and vulnerability to damage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs multiple glass panes nested together in a multi-pane configuration, where thinner glass panes are protected by being sandwiched between thicker external panes. This nesting structure allows the thin panes to provide light transmittance while the thicker outer panes provide mechanical protection, resolving the contradiction between light transmittance and damage vulnerability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses spacer elements positioned between glass panes to provide protective spacing and cushioning before damage can occur. These spacers maintain proper spacing and prevent direct contact between panes, reducing the risk of damage during handling and installation while enabling the use of thinner, more transparent glass.
2Weight of moving object
If thinner glass panes are used to reduce weight, then weight reduction is achieved, but handling difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The multi-pane nested structure provides inherent mechanical support to thinner glass panes during handling. The thicker external panes act as protective frames that make the overall assembly easier to handle while allowing the internal panes to remain thin for weight reduction.
Solution Approach 2:
Spacer elements are pre-positioned between glass panes to provide structural support and protection during handling operations. These spacers prevent the thin glass panes from bending or breaking during transport and installation, making the lightweight assembly as easy to handle as traditional thicker glass.
3Reliability
If multiple glass panes are attached together to improve insulation and soundproofing, then insulation and soundproofing are improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the glass unit into separate modular panes with spacers between them, allowing each component to be manufactured and prepared independently before final assembly. This segmentation simplifies the manufacturing process by enabling parallel production of individual panes and spacers, reducing overall manufacturing complexity while maintaining insulation performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses spacer elements as intermediary components between glass panes, which simplifies the attachment process. These spacers provide built-in spacing and attachment points, eliminating the need for complex sealing and alignment procedures, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity while ensuring proper insulation gaps between panes.
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 method improves the durability and light transmittance of multi-pane glass units by reducing weight and vulnerability of thinner panes, while maintaining insulation and soundproofing properties.
Implementation Method 1
a first adhesive may be disposed between the first glass pane and the first plate, and a second adhesive may be disposed between the second glass pane and the second plate
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 1C
AI summary
Provided is an apparatus for manufacturing a multi-pane glass unit. The apparatus includes: a first plate configured to hold a first glass pane; a second plate configured to hold a second glass pane such that the second glass pane faces the first glass pane; and a conveyer including a first portion configured to convey the first glass pane onto the first plate and a second portion configured to convey the second glass pane onto the second plate.