Train Side Window Laminated Glazing with Setback Outer Pane

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Solution Overview

Problem

High-speed trains face challenges with glazing integrity when passing through infrastructure, as broken outer glass panes can be expelled due to dynamic pressure, posing a risk of injury from shards or fragments.

Innovation Solution

A laminated glazing design where the outer glass sheet is set back from the inner glass sheet and plastic interlayer, with the glazing frame structure not directly contacting the outer glass, allowing the plastic interlayer to retain shards and prevent expulsion, while maintaining structural integrity and allowing for emergency evacuation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If the outer pane of glass is directly held by the glazing frame structure, then the structural support and installation ease are improved, but the risk of complete expulsion under dynamic pressure increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural supportVSAvoidexpulsion risk
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary retaining structure (such as a retaining bead or intermediate frame element) positioned between the glazing frame structure and the outer pane of glass. This intermediary component provides additional retention force to prevent complete expulsion of the outer pane under dynamic pressure, while still allowing the glazing frame to provide structural support. The intermediary acts as a mediator that distributes and manages the forces acting on the outer pane during pressure events.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the outer pane is set back from the inner pane, then the expulsion prevention is improved, but the manufacturing complexity and assembly difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveexpulsion preventionVSAvoidassembly difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary action by pre-configuring the setback position of the outer pane relative to the inner pane during the glazing assembly design phase. The retaining structure is pre-positioned to engage with the outer pane at its setback location, creating a mechanical interlock that prevents expulsion. This preliminary positioning eliminates the need for complex real-time adjustments during assembly, as the setback geometry and retaining features are designed to work together automatically upon installation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Strength

If the glazing frame structure contacts both inner and outer panes, then the mechanical support is improved, but the shard retention capability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical supportVSAvoidshard retention
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the support and retention functions into separate components: the glazing frame structure provides mechanical support by contacting the inner pane, while a dedicated retaining structure (such as a retaining bead or separate retention mechanism) provides shard retention by engaging with the outer pane. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function without compromise, improving both mechanical support and shard retention reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3802116B1Side window of the means of transport that can be used as an emergency exit, comprising an external pane of glass that is set back
Publication Date: 2022.07.06 SAINT GOBAIN VITRAGE SA
  • EP3802116B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3802116B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3802116B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a side window (1) of a means of transport, particularly a train window, said window comprising: – an a laminated external window (2) comprising at least one external pane of glass (3), an internal pane of glass (5) and a sheet of plastic (4) situated between the said external pane of glass (3) and the said internal pane of glass (5), each sheet or pane (3, 4, 5) of the said external window (2) having a peripheral edge face (30, 40, 50), – an internal window (6), – a window frame structure (7) which is situated at the periphery of the said external window (2) and at the periphery of the said internal window (6), characterized in that the edge face (30) of the said external pane of glass (3) is set back by a distance (r) from the edge face (50) of the said internal windowpane (5) over at least part of the length of the edge face (30) of the said external sheet of glass (3) and preferably over the entirety of the length of the edge face (30) of the said external pane of glass (3), and in that the said window frame structure (7) is not in contact with the said external pane of glass (3).