Multi-pane insulating glass and method for producing multi-pane insulating glass

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Solution Overview

Problem

In refrigerated cabinets with multi-pane insulating glass doors, the protruding handle device often gets damaged due to collisions with shopping carts or forklifts, leading to frequent repair needs.

Innovation Solution

A recess is formed in the outer pane of the multi-pane insulating glass, allowing the handle device to be partially or fully positioned between the panes, minimizing protrusion and incorporating seals to prevent gas leakage, with the handle device designed as a recessed handle to reduce collision risks and simplify cleaning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If the handle device is adhesively bonded to the outer side of the outer pane, then the handle device is easy to install, but the handle device protrudes and is vulnerable to damage from collisions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of installationVSAvoiddamage resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The handle device is relocated from the outer surface (2D plane) to the intermediate space between panes (3D volume), moving it to another dimension where it is protected from external collisions while maintaining operational accessibility

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Reliability

If the handle device is positioned in the intermediate space between panes, then the handle device is protected from collisions, but the sealing complexity increases to prevent gas leakage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedamage resistanceVSAvoidsealing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing function is merged with the handle device structure itself. The handle device incorporates integrated sealing elements that combine the handling function with the gas-tight sealing function, eliminating the need for separate sealing components and reducing overall complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

A seal is introduced as an intermediary element between the handle device and the outer pane, mediating the connection while ensuring gas-tight sealing. This seal acts as a buffer that maintains the vacuum integrity while allowing the handle device to be positioned in the intermediate space

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Shape

If a recess is formed in the outer pane for the handle device, then the handle device protrusion is minimized, but the manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotrusion minimizationVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The recess is formed in the outer pane during the initial glass manufacturing process rather than as a post-processing modification. This preliminary action integrates the recess creation with the base manufacturing workflow, minimizing additional complexity while achieving the desired shape modification

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 recessed handle design reduces the risk of damage from collisions and simplifies cleaning, while maintaining the insulation effect by ensuring the handle does not protrude significantly, thereby minimizing repair operations.

Implementation Method 1

an edge seal spaced adjacent panes from one another, so that a space between the panes is formed between adjacent panes. The at least one edge seal is arranged circumferentially around the panes, so that the space between the panes is preferably sealed in a gas-tight manner

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhysical containment: Physical Containment

Implementation Method 2

the space between the panes is preferably sealed in a gas-tight manner. In order to prevent any gas potentially trapped in the space between the panes from escaping, the handle device is suitably sealed from the outer pane

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGas sealing: Physical Containment

Data Source

PatentEP4467910A1Multi-pane insulating glass and method for producing multi-pane insulating glass
Publication Date: 2024.11.27 SANIKU
  • EP4467910A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4467910A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4467910A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Method for manufacturing a multiple-pane insulating glass unit and a multiple-pane insulating glass unit comprising at least two panes (1.1, 1.2), one of which is an outer pane, an edge seal, wherein the edge seal spaced adjacent panes (1.1, 1.2) apart from each other, so that a space between the panes (2) is formed between adjacent panes (1.1, 1.2), and at least one handle device (3), wherein a recess (4) is formed in the outer pane (1.1) and the handle device (3) is arranged at least partially in the space between the panes (2).