Thermoplastic Spacer Depression for Insulating Glass Pressure Equalization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for producing insulating glass with thermoplastic spacers face challenges in effectively forming pressure equalization openings, leading to excess pressure and leaky joints due to complex procedures and incomplete pressure equalization.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that form a depression in the spacer with a reduced width by pressing the overlapping ends of the thermoplastic material strand, using jaws and a stamp to create a trough-shaped indentation, allowing for pressure equalization during the assembly of insulating glass blanks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stress or pressure
If the strand of thermoplastic material is applied in sections with reduced width to allow pressure equalization, then overpressure inside the insulating glass blank is avoided, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex and joint leakage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The method creates a recess in the spacer strand before the pressing process begins. This preliminary action prepares the pressure equalization pathway in advance, eliminating the need for complex section-by-section width reduction during manufacturing. The recess is formed by deforming the spacer material to create a cavity that will later allow pressure equalization during pressing.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a localized recess structure at specific positions along the spacer strand, creating different structural qualities in different regions. The recess areas provide pressure equalization functionality while the rest of the spacer maintains its normal sealed structure, thus avoiding the need to reduce width along the entire strand length.
2Stress or pressure
If the strand of thermoplastic material is applied in sections with reduced width to allow pressure equalization, then overpressure inside the insulating glass blank is avoided, but joint leakage increases due to ineffective grouting
Solution Approach 1:
The recess is formed in advance during spacer application, creating a pre-defined pressure equalization pathway. This preliminary structure ensures that when pressure equalization is needed during pressing, gas can escape through the pre-formed recess without compromising the integrity of the joint seals, thus maintaining joint reliability while enabling pressure relief.
Solution Approach 2:
The spacer strand is divided into different functional zones: sealed sections that maintain joint integrity and recess sections that provide pressure equalization. This segmentation allows the spacer to simultaneously perform both sealing and pressure relief functions, preventing joint leakage while avoiding overpressure.
3Manufacturing precision
If the insulating glass blank is pressed to achieve the intended outer thickness, then the correct dimensions are achieved, but overpressure builds up inside the insulating glass blank
Solution Approach 1:
The recess structure is prepared in advance on the spacer before pressing begins. During the pressing operation, as the insulating glass blank is compressed to achieve the target outer thickness, the recess areas serve as pressure relief valves, allowing internal pressure to equalize with external pressure. This enables precise thickness control without overpressure buildup.
Solution Approach 2:
The recess acts as an intermediary structure between the internal sealed cavity and the external environment. It provides a controlled pathway for pressure equalization during pressing, mediating between the need for sealed containment and the need for pressure relief, thus enabling precise dimensional control without overpressure.
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 approach simplifies the formation of pressure equalization openings, preventing undesirable spacer deformations and ensuring effective pressure release, thereby reducing excess pressure and improving joint integrity.
Implementation Method 1
The beginning and end of the strand forming the spacer are pressed together using jaws heated to a temperature suitable for processing the thermoplastic material from which the strand is made
Implementation Method 2
a pressure die which can be advanced between the jaws to create a depression, i.e. an area with reduced width, in the strand forming the spacer
Implementation Method 3
In the area of the depression thus created in the spacer, gas or air can escape from the interior of the insulating glass blank when it is pressed, so that pressure equalization can occur
Data Source
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AI summary
When producing insulating glass comprising at least two panes of glass (1) and at least one spacer of thermoplastic material arranged between said panes of glass, to seal the beginning (4) and the end (5) of the strand (2) of thermoplastic material the thermoplastic material is compressed with the aid of jaws (20, 21) placed against the side faces of the strand (2). In the region of the joint thus formed between the beginning (4) and the end (5) of the strand (2) forming the spacer, the width of the strand (2) is reduced with the aid of a compression die (22) with a convexly curved active face such that a depression is created. This depression has the effect that, after the assembly of an insulating glass blank, placing a second pane of glass onto the free edges of the strand (2) produces an opening that allows a pressure equalization during the subsequent compression of the insulating glass blank.