Tempered Glass Vacuum Panel Assembly for Low-Temperature Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vacuum insulated glass panels cannot use tempered glass due to the high temperatures required in their manufacturing process, which removes the tempering and compromises durability and safety.
Innovation Solution
A display case door assembly with a vacuum panel comprising two tempered glass panes separated by a thin evacuated gap, where the perimeter seal has a melting temperature below the glass transition temperature, allowing for bonding without detempering the glass, and using ultrasonic welding for a hermetic seal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional high-temperature manufacturing process is used to create vacuum insulated glass panels, then the edge seal can be properly bonded, but the tempered glass loses its temper and durability is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the temperature parameter of the sealing process by using a low-temperature sealing material (melting point 400-700°F) instead of conventional high-temperature glass solder. This allows the sealing process to occur at temperatures below the glass transition temperature of tempered glass (700-900°F), thereby retaining the glass temper while achieving proper edge seal bonding.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a consumable low-temperature sealing material that is disposed of after forming the seal. This sealing material serves its purpose during manufacturing and is then discarded, allowing the tempered glass to maintain its properties without being exposed to damaging high temperatures.
2Reliability
If non-tempered glass is used in vacuum insulated panels, then the manufacturing process can proceed without detempering, but the durability and safety are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the temperature parameter of the manufacturing process by introducing low-temperature sealing materials and alternative sealing methods that operate below the glass transition temperature. This enables the use of tempered glass (which requires lower processing temperatures to maintain temper) while still achieving effective edge seal bonding in vacuum insulated panels.
3Ease of manufacture
If high temperatures are applied to bond the edge seal, then proper sealing is achieved, but the glass temper is removed and the glass becomes more fragile
Solution Approach 1:
The patent fundamentally changes the temperature parameter of the edge seal formation process by using sealing materials with melting points 400-700°F, which is below the glass transition temperature of tempered glass. This allows edge seal formation to occur at temperatures that do not compromise glass strength, maintaining the tempered glass's enhanced durability and safety properties.
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
Enables the use of tempered glass in vacuum insulated panels, enhancing durability and safety by maintaining the temper of the glass throughout the manufacturing process, while providing effective thermal insulation.
Implementation Method 1
The evacuated gap has a predetermined thickness within which a vacuum is drawn, thereby providing a thermal insulation effect for the vacuum panel
Implementation Method 2
Reducing the pressure of the air or gas between the panes would cause atmospheric pressure to apply a large force (e.g., thousands of pounds of force) to the surface of the panel
Data Source
AI summary
A display case door assembly for a temperature-controlled storage device includes an opening into the temperature-controlled storage device and a vacuum panel mounted within the opening. The vacuum panel includes a first vacuum pane of tempered glass, a second vacuum pane of tempered glass, and an evacuated gap between the first and second vacuum panes. The evacuated gap has a predetermined thickness within which a vacuum is drawn, thereby providing a thermal insulation effect for the vacuum panel. The vacuum panel further includes a plurality of spacers disposed within the evacuated gap and configured to maintain the predetermined thickness of the evacuated gap when the vacuum is drawn therein.