Triple Glazing Manufacturing via Simultaneous Gas Injection
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing method for manufacturing triple glazing is time-consuming as it involves manufacturing a double glazing first and then modifying it to include a third sheet of glass, resulting in a process that takes twice as long as manufacturing a double glazing.
Innovation Solution
A method that involves pre-assembling three sheets of glass with spacers at an initial workstation, filling the cavities between them with gas simultaneously at a second workstation, and then pressing the sheets together to seal the triple glazing at a third workstation, allowing for simultaneous processing and significant time savings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the traditional two-stage manufacturing method is used (first making double glazing, then adding third sheet), then the manufacturing process is simple and follows existing procedures, but the production time doubles compared to double glazing manufacturing
Solution Approach 1:
The manufacturing process is divided into three independent workstations (pre-assembly, filling, pressing) that operate simultaneously on three separate glass sheets, allowing parallel processing rather than sequential assembly of double-glazed units
Solution Approach 2:
Three glass sheets are pre-positioned in the final configuration with cavities formed between them before gas filling, eliminating the need to first complete double glazing assembly and then modify it for triple glazing
2Productivity
If three sheets of glass are positioned inclined by an angle between 0° and 10° with respect to adjacent sheets, then the cavities can be filled with gas simultaneously, but the positioning and alignment complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The glass sheets are positioned at a slight inclination (0°-10°) rather than perfectly parallel, creating a dynamic configuration that allows gas to flow into cavities from the bottom while maintaining structural stability during the filling process
Solution Approach 2:
The inclined positioning creates an intermediate state where cavities are accessible for gas injection without requiring complex sealing or closing mechanisms during the filling operation
3Reliability
If heavy gas is injected into the cavities, then thermal insulation performance improves, but the gas injection system requires higher pressure and more robust equipment
Solution Approach 1:
Heavy gas (such as argon or krypton) is injected into the cavities to provide superior thermal insulation performance, utilizing the density and thermal properties of these gases to reduce heat transfer through the glazing unit
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 enables the manufacturing of triple glazing at a speed comparable to double glazing production, with improved efficiency and reduced stress on the glass sheets, resulting in a more gastight and thermally insulated product.
Implementation Method 1
a step of filling the two cavities by injecting gas into the two cavities at the same time using nozzles
Implementation Method 2
a step of pressing the sheets of glass against one another in order to seal the triple glazing
Implementation Method 3
the sheets of glass adjacent to the sheet of glass situated between the other two are held in position by suction cups
Implementation Method 4
the sheet of glass situated between the other two is held in position by grippers which clamp either the two faces of the sheet of glass near its edge, or the edge face of the sheet of glass at various points thereon
Implementation Method 5
the filling step comprises a prior step during which a vacuum is created in the cavities before the gas is injected
Data Source
AI summary
A method of manufacturing a gas-filled triple glazing, including: a pre-assembly during which three sheets of glass are positioned beside one another, at least one of the sheets of glass including a spacer, each sheet of glass being positioned inclined by an angle between 0° and 10° with respect to an adjacent sheet of glass, to form two cavities, each of the cavities being between two adjacent sheets of glass; filling the two cavities by injecting gas into the two cavities at a same time using nozzles; pressing the sheets of glass against one another to seal the triple glazing. The method allows triple glazing to be manufactured quickly.