Sprayed-On Sealing Device for Insulating Glass Assembly Parts

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing assembly parts in the insulating glass industry lack sufficient tightness, leading to undesirable escape of inert gases, which is a cost issue.

Innovation Solution

The use of a sealing device made from sprayed-on materials like 1K PU, 2K PU, TPU, or other elastic materials, forming a bead with a cross-section that can be box-shaped, trapezoidal, semi-circular, or polygonal, arranged to interact with counterparts for a tight seal, and optionally supported by a stabilizing device to ensure effective sealing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional assembly parts are used without sealing devices, then the structure is simple and cost is low, but tightness is insufficient and inert gas escapes

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovetightnessVSAvoidstructure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing device is pre-applied to the assembly part before assembly, forming a ready-to-use seal that ensures tightness from the moment of installation. The sprayed-on material is applied in advance to create a continuous sealing layer that prevents inert gas escape without requiring additional sealing steps during assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The sealing material undergoes parameter changes from a sprayable state to a cured elastic state. The material is applied as a spray and then cures to form a durable, elastic sealing layer with appropriate hardness and flexibility to ensure tightness while maintaining structural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If sprayed-on sealing material is used, then tightness is improved and inert gas is retained, but manufacturing process becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovetightnessVSAvoidmanufacturing process
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The traditional mechanical sealing methods (such as pre-formed gaskets or O-rings) are replaced with a sprayed-on sealing material application process. This substitution allows for continuous sealing coverage and eliminates the need for precise mechanical fitting, simplifying the overall manufacturing process despite the addition of the spraying step.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The sealing material is applied in a sprayable state and then cures to form the final sealing layer. This parameter change from liquid spray to solid cured material enables easy application followed by stable performance, improving ease of manufacture while ensuring reliable tightness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If elastic sealing material is used, then seal quality is improved, but material selection and application complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseal qualityVSAvoidmaterial selection
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing material is selected and applied in specific physical states (sprayable) and then undergoes parameter changes during curing to achieve the desired elastic properties. This controlled parameter change simplifies material selection by focusing on the application state characteristics rather than the final cured state characteristics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 solution provides a reliable and cost-effective seal, preventing inert gas escape and allowing for efficient production of insulating glass panes by using non-sticky, elastic sealing materials that can be easily applied and adapted to various assembly parts.

Implementation Method 1

The foamed material nestles particularly well both on the mounting part and on that part in which the mounting part is inserted, and thus ensures a particularly good seal.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Implementation Method 2

the sealing device is formed by a sealing, preferably soft and elastic or partially elastic material

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 3

the sealing device is formed by a foamed material with elastic or partially elastic properties

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFoaming: Foam

Data Source

PatentEP3553267A1Fitting
Publication Date: 2019.10.16 CERA GMBH
  • EP3553267A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3553267A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3553267A1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

Assembly part, in particular plugs, sleeves, connectors, spacer hollow profiles, mullion end pieces, screws, nails, sealing washers for the insulating glass industry, wherein the assembly part (1) has a sealing device (13) made of an injection-molded material.