Vacuum Insulated Display Door With Tempered Glass Edge Sealing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vacuum insulated glass panels cannot utilize tempered glass due to the high temperatures required in their manufacturing process, which removes the tempering and compromises safety and durability.
Innovation Solution
The development of a display case door assembly with a vacuum panel featuring two overlapped tempered glass panes separated by an evacuated gap, sealed with a lead-free perimeter seal that maintains the temper of the glass during the bonding process, allowing for improved durability and safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional vacuum insulated glass panels are manufactured using high temperature processes to form edge seals, then proper bonding is achieved, but the tempering of the glass is removed, compromising safety and durability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the temperature parameter of the sealing process by using a low-temperature sealant (adhesive or solder) that cures or bonds at temperatures below the glass transition temperature, thereby preserving the tempering of the glass while still achieving proper bonding between panes
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary sealing material (low-temperature sealant) that bonds the glass panes together without requiring high temperatures. This sealant acts as a mediator that enables bonding while protecting the glass tempering from thermal damage
2Ease of manufacture
If non-tempered glass is used in vacuum insulated panels, then the manufacturing process is simpler and flatness is improved, but durability and safety are compromised due to fragility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the temperature parameter of the sealing process to enable the use of tempered glass by using low-temperature bonding methods, thereby improving durability and safety while maintaining ease of manufacture through standardized low-temperature bonding procedures
3Loss of energy
If the gap between vacuum panes is evacuated to provide thermal insulation, then thermal performance is improved, but the pressure differential creates large forces that can bend or break thin panels
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses spacers positioned between the glass panes to provide structural support and distribute the atmospheric pressure forces, preventing the thin glass panels from bending or breaking while maintaining the evacuated gap for thermal insulation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates spacers during the assembly process to pre-position support elements that will distribute pressure forces before the vacuum is applied, preventing panel deformation when the evacuated gap is created
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
The solution provides enhanced thermal insulation and safety by using tempered glass in vacuum insulated panels, maintaining their temper during the manufacturing process, thus preventing the issues associated with non-tempered glass panels.
Implementation Method 1
The evacuated gap provides thermal insulation for the vacuum panel
Data Source
AI summary
A display case door assembly for a temperature-controlled storage device includes a vacuum panel, a hinge rail, and a lighting element. The vacuum panel includes a first vacuum pane, a second vacuum pane, and an evacuated gap between the first and second vacuum panes. The evacuated gap provides thermal insulation for the vacuum panel. The hinge rail is coupled to an edge of the vacuum panel and configured to rotate along with the vacuum panel between an open position and a closed position. The lighting element is coupled to at least one of the edge rail and the vacuum panel and configured to emit light toward an interior of the temperature-controlled storage device when the hinge rail and vacuum panel are in at least the closed position.