Thin-Pane Insulated Glass Unit for Low-Mass Refrigerated Display Doors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional triple pane insulated glass units for refrigerated display coolers fail to meet design constraints such as minimized mass, maximized visibility, minimized door thickness, robust mechanical design, and minimized manufacturing cost, while maintaining thermal insulation performance.
Innovation Solution
The use of an insulated glass unit with at least two glass panes, optionally a third and fourth glass pane, where the glass panes have varying thicknesses, with thin glass panes providing reduced mass and enhanced visibility, and gap spaces filled with inert gases for improved thermal efficiency, along with low emissivity coatings for enhanced thermal performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the number of glass panes is increased from two to three to improve thermal performance, then thermal insulation is improved, but weight and visibility are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different glass thicknesses to different panes (e.g., 3mm, 2mm, and 1.5mm or thinner) rather than using uniform thickness throughout. This local differentiation allows the outer panes to provide structural strength while the inner pane can be thinner for improved insulation, resolving the contradiction between thermal performance and weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the thickness parameter of glass panes, using at least one pane with thickness of 1.5mm or less ( alternatively 0.7mm or less). This parameter modification reduces the overall mass and improves visibility while maintaining adequate thermal insulation through optimized pane configuration and spacing.
2Loss of energy
If conventional triple pane IGUs are used to improve thermal performance, then insulation is improved, but visibility and mass are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses varying glass thicknesses across different panes, with at least one pane being 1.5mm or less (alternatively 0.7mm or less). This local quality differentiation allows thinner glass in critical viewing areas to maximize visible transmittance while maintaining overall thermal performance through the multi-pane configuration.
3Loss of energy
If thicker insulation is added to the refrigerated compartment, then thermal performance is improved, but storage space is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional thick solid insulation with a multi-pane insulated glass unit that achieves superior thermal performance through the air/gas spaces between panes. This substitution provides high insulation values (U-factor ≤ 0.30 BTU/hr·ft²·°F) with minimal thickness, preserving storage space while improving energy efficiency.
4Loss of energy
If the display cooler door is made more insulative using IGU, then thermal performance is improved, but door thickness increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the spacing parameter between glass panes (e.g., 1/4 inch to 1 inch gaps) and uses varying pane thicknesses to achieve high thermal performance within a constrained total thickness. This allows the IGU to provide superior insulation while maintaining a thin profile that fits within existing door assemblies.
5Weight of moving object
If thin glass panes are used to reduce mass and enhance visibility, then weight and visibility are improved, but mechanical robustness is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite IGU structure combining multiple glass panes of different thicknesses (e.g., 3mm outer pane with 1.5mm or thinner inner pane) separated by spacers and sealed edges. This composite configuration allows thin panes to provide weight reduction and visibility while the multi-layer structure collectively provides mechanical strength and robustness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the IGU into multiple functional layers with different thicknesses optimized for different purposes: outer panes for structural strength, inner panes for insulation and visibility. This segmentation allows each layer to be optimized independently, with thin panes (1.5mm or less, alternatively 0.7mm or less) providing weight reduction without compromising overall reliability.
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 configuration achieves improved thermal insulation, reduced glass mass, enhanced visibility, and robust mechanical design, while maintaining a constrained thickness, leading to energy efficiency and cost-effective solutions for refrigerated display coolers.
Implementation Method 1
The sheets of glass are spaced apart, and the space between each sheet of glass, once sealed, can be filled with an inert gas, such as argon or krypton. In doing so, the insulative or thermal performance of the display cooler door can be improved.
Implementation Method 2
low emissivity coatings for enhanced thermal performance
Data Source
AI summary
An insulated glass unit (20) is described and includes at least first and second glass pane (22, 32) and an optional third glass pane (42). Any one or more of the glass panes (22, 32, 42) may have a thickness of less than or equal to about 0.7 mm. In some instances, any one or more of the glass panes may form part of an electronic display. The insulated glass unit (20) has a lower mass and an improved thermal performance compared to a conventional triple pane insulated glass unit, and is particularly suited for use in a display cooler door.