Thermo-responsive Spacer Sealing for Insulating Glass
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional insulating translucent panel assemblies face issues with thermal conductivity leading to misting or fogging in extreme weather, and require secondary sealants for effective sealing, complicating the manufacturing process.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a spacer with a barrier and thermo-responsive sealing material, where heat and compression are applied using a heated compression device to soften and spread the sealing material between translucent panels, forming a sealed space, and optionally using a desiccant-filled foam material with a moisture barrier for enhanced dryness and sealing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional spacers with desiccant-filled hollow metal bars are used, then the sealed space can be kept dry, but thermal conductivity between panels causes misting or fogging in extreme weather conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The spacer is constructed as a composite structure combining desiccant-filled foam material with a separate moisture barrier layer. The foam material provides structural support and dryness through desiccant absorption, while the moisture barrier layer blocks water vapor transmission, together addressing both dryness maintenance and misting prevention
Solution Approach 2:
A flexible moisture barrier film or coating is applied over the desiccant-filled foam material. This thin film acts as an impermeable layer to water vapor, preventing condensation and misting while allowing the desiccant underneath to continue absorbing moisture, thus solving the thermal conduction issue without compromising dryness
2Object-affected harmful factors
If spacers combining desiccant foam material with moisture barrier are used, then thermal conduction between panels is substantially removed, but secondary sealant must be applied to the periphery for effective sealing
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing function is integrated directly into the spacer structure by applying thermo-responsive sealing material to the outer peripheral surface of the spacer. This combines the moisture barrier, structural support, and sealing functions into a single component, eliminating the need for separate secondary sealant application and simplifying the manufacturing process
3Ease of manufacture
If simple desiccant-filled butyl material spacers are used, then manufacturing is simplified without secondary sealant, but only one level of seal is provided between the sealed space and outside atmosphere
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing system is divided into multiple functional layers: the desiccant-filled foam material provides structural support and internal dryness, the moisture barrier layer blocks external moisture ingress, and the thermo-responsive sealing material creates the final seal between the spacer and glass panels. This segmentation provides multiple levels of protection while maintaining ease of manufacture
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 method effectively seals the space between translucent panels, reducing thermal conduction and misting issues while simplifying the manufacturing process by eliminating the need for secondary sealants and providing a robust moisture barrier.
Implementation Method 1
Heat and compression forces are delivered to the spacer using a heated compression device to soften the thermo-responsive sealing material
Implementation Method 2
Heat and compression forces are delivered to the spacer using a heated compression device to soften the thermo-responsive sealing material
Implementation Method 3
Early spacers were formed from hollow metal bars filled with a desiccant material that would keep the sealed space within the insulating translucent barrier dry
Data Source
AI summary
A method of making an insulating translucent panel assembly such as a window or door lite is provided. In the method, a spacer between two translucent panels of glass or plastic includes a thermo-responsive sealing material. When heat and compression are applied to the spacer, the thermo-responsive sealing material softens and fully seals the spacer to the two translucent panels. A spacer designed to be used in this method is also provided.