Thin-Glass Insulating Glass Assembly Using Flexible Spacer Strands
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Solution Overview
Problem
The assembly of triple-glazed insulating glass units with thin glass panes (2 mm or less) is challenging due to their instability, which leads to high production effort and risk of deformation when using rigid spacer frames, and existing methods are inefficient and require complex processing.
Innovation Solution
A method involving flexible spacer strands applied to outer glass panes, forming frame-shaped spacers, which are then joined with thin glass panes to form insulating glass units, using a series of stations with controlled conveyor and press systems to minimize stress and deformation, allowing for quick and stable assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If rigid spacer frames are used to assemble thin glass panes (2mm or less), then the glass panes can be held at a predefined distance, but the production effort becomes very high and the thin glass is prone to deformation and breakage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces rigid spacer frames with flexible spacer strands that can be applied to the glass panes. These flexible strands adapt to the glass surface and provide the necessary spacing without the complexity and fragility of rigid frames, thereby reducing production effort while maintaining manufacturing precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical state and properties of the spacer material from rigid to flexible. This parameter change allows the spacer to conform to the thin glass pane dimensions and provides easier handling and assembly, reducing the production effort required while maintaining the predefined distance between panes.
2Strength
If rigid spacer frames are used for thin glass panes, then structural support is provided, but the thin glass undergoes excessive deformation and stress
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible spacer strands conform to the glass surface and distribute stress evenly, preventing the localized stress concentrations that occur with rigid frames. This flexibility allows the thin glass to maintain its stability and composition without excessive deformation while still receiving the necessary structural support.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible spacer strands can dynamically adapt to the glass pane dimensions and surface characteristics, providing continuous support that moves with the glass during handling and assembly. This dynamic adaptation prevents rigid stress points and reduces deformation of the thin glass.
3Reliability
If thin glass panes (2mm or less) are used in insulating glass units, then better insulation properties are achieved, but the glass becomes unstable and breaks easily
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible spacer strands provide continuous support along the edges of the thin glass panes, stabilizing them during handling and assembly without requiring the glass to be thicker. This allows the use of thin glass for better insulation while maintaining adequate stability through the flexible support system.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible spacer strands act as an intermediary between the thin glass panes and the assembly process, providing the necessary support and spacing without directly stressing the fragile glass. This mediator protects the thin glass from breakage while enabling the use of thinner panels for improved insulation.
4Manufacturing precision
If complex assembly methods are used for triple-glazed units with thin glass, then proper assembly is achieved, but production time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible spacer strands can be quickly applied to the glass panes and automatically conform to the required dimensions, eliminating the need for complex measurement and assembly procedures. This simplifies the assembly process and reduces production time while maintaining manufacturing precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible spacer strands are self-adapting and can be applied without complex positioning equipment or multiple adjustment steps. They automatically conform to the glass edges and provide the necessary spacing, allowing workers to complete assembly quickly while maintaining accuracy.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~9
AI summary
A method for assembling an insulating glass unit (10; 11) containing two outer panes (S1, S2) and at least one intermediate thin pane (T; T1, T2) is described, comprising the following steps: a first flexible spacer strand (14) is applied to a first outer pane (S1) in an application station (4) to form a first frame-shaped spacer; after the application of the first spacer strand (14), the first outer pane (S1) is joined with a thin pane (T; T1) in a first pressing station (5) to form a glass assembly (U; U1); after the assembly of the glass assembly (U; U1), a second flexible spacer strand (15) is applied to the thin pane (T; T1) of the glass assembly (U; U1) to form a frame-shaped spacer; after the application of the second spacer strand (15), the glass assembly (U;U1) in a second pressing station (8) is completed with at least a second outer glass (S2) to form a triple or quadruple insulating glass unit (10; 11).;