Train Side Glazing Recessed Lamination for Emergency Breakage

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing multiple glazing systems for transport, such as trains, with openable windows lack safety features, as they do not easily break to facilitate emergency evacuation without compromising the integrity of the glazing structure and window.

Innovation Solution

A glazing system with a reinforcing lamination of glass and plastic sheets positioned under the window, not in contact with the glazing frame, allowing for easy breakage under the window to enable emergency evacuation while preserving the window and surrounding glazing integrity, with the lamination set back by 2-5 mm from the frame to maintain structural integrity and visibility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a reinforcing laminate is added to the glazing substrate to improve safety and impact resistance, then the glazing becomes more impact-resistant and safer, but the glazing structure becomes more complex and the laminate contacts the peripheral frame structure which may hinder emergency evacuation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimpact resistanceVSAvoidglazing structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The glazing is divided into two distinct zones: a first zone containing the operable window with full peripheral support, and a second zone below the window with a recessed laminate that does not contact the frame. This segmentation allows different parts of the glazing to have different safety and evacuation characteristics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The reinforcing laminate is positioned differently in different regions: in the first zone it provides full reinforcement, while in the second zone it is recessed from the peripheral structure to allow easy breakage for evacuation. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between overall safety and emergency evacuation capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If the reinforcing laminate extends all around the window structure to maximize safety, then the glazing is more impact-resistant throughout, but the structure below the window becomes too strong to break easily for emergency evacuation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimpact resistanceVSAvoidemergency evacuation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The glazing is divided into two distinct zones: a first zone containing the operable window with full peripheral support, and a second zone below the window with a recessed laminate that does not contact the frame. This segmentation allows different parts of the glazing to have different safety and evacuation characteristics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The reinforcing laminate is positioned differently in different regions: in the first zone it provides full reinforcement, while in the second zone it is recessed from the peripheral structure to allow easy breakage for evacuation. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between overall safety and emergency evacuation capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Ease of operation

If the laminate is recessed from the peripheral frame structure to facilitate breakage and evacuation, then emergency evacuation is enabled, but the overall structural integrity and thermal insulation capacity of the glazing is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveemergency evacuationVSAvoidstructural integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The glazing is divided into two distinct zones: a first zone containing the operable window with full peripheral support, and a second zone below the window with a recessed laminate that does not contact the frame. This segmentation allows different parts of the glazing to have different safety and evacuation characteristics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The reinforcing laminate is positioned differently in different regions: in the first zone it provides full reinforcement, while in the second zone it is recessed from the peripheral structure to allow easy breakage for evacuation. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between overall safety and emergency evacuation capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

4Strength

If the laminate contacts the glazing frame structure to maintain structural integrity, then the glazing remains strong and stable, but the window structure and frame obstruct the evacuation path in case of emergency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidevacuation accessibility
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The glazing is divided into two distinct zones: a first zone containing the operable window with full peripheral support, and a second zone below the window with a recessed laminate that does not contact the frame. This segmentation allows different parts of the glazing to have different safety and evacuation characteristics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The reinforcing laminate is positioned differently in different regions: in the first zone it provides full reinforcement, while in the second zone it is recessed from the peripheral structure to allow easy breakage for evacuation. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between overall safety and emergency evacuation capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP3194233B1Side glazing of a transport means having an openable window
Publication Date: 2020.02.19 SAINT GOBAIN VITRAGE SA
  • EP3194233B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3194233B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3194233B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The invention relates to a side glazing (1) of a transport means, in particular glazing for a train, said glazing being a fixed multiple glazing, having an openable window (2), said glazing comprising at least one intermediate substrate face (12, 22) that comprises, in a part of the glazing located under said window, a main glass sheet (15), and a main sheet of plastic material (16) that is located in contact between the intermediate face (12, 22) and the main glass sheet (15), without the main glass sheet and the main sheet of plastic material being in contact with said glazing frame structure (3).