Vacuum Glass Panel Mounting Structure for Vehicle Thermal Insulation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing glass panel units for vehicles lack excellent thermal insulation properties and easy mounting solutions.

Innovation Solution

A glass panel unit comprising a first and second substrate with a frame-shaped sealing portion, creating an evacuated space between them, and a mounting portion for easy vehicle mounting.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If an interlayer with thermal insulation properties is sandwiched between glass panes, then thermal insulation properties are improved, but the structure becomes more complex and mounting becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethermal insulation propertiesVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the interlayer material from between the glass panes and replaces it with an evacuated space. By removing the insulating material and creating a vacuum, the patent achieves thermal insulation without the complexity of sandwiching multiple layers together, thus resolving the contradiction between improved insulation and reduced structural complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates an evacuated space (vacuum) between the glass panes to provide thermal insulation. The vacuum acts as an inert environment that prevents heat transfer through conduction and convection, achieving excellent thermal insulation properties while maintaining a simple two-pane glass structure that is easier to mount

Inventive Principle:
Principle #39Inert atmosphere (Inert environment)

2Adaptability or versatility

If glass panes are curved to fit vehicle contours, then adaptability to vehicle shape is improved, but manufacturing precision becomes more difficult to maintain

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to vehicle shapeVSAvoidcurving precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies curvature to both glass panes before assembly in advance. By pre-curving the glass panes to match the desired vehicle contour, the patent ensures that when the panes are assembled with the evacuated space, they already fit the required shape. This preliminary action maintains manufacturing precision while achieving the necessary adaptability to vehicle contours

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates asymmetric curvature between the first and second glass panes, where each pane is curved to a different degree or in a different direction. This asymmetric design allows both panes to work together to achieve the complex three-dimensional contour required for vehicle integration, while each individual pane can be manufactured with standard curving precision

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

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 achieves excellent thermal insulation properties and facilitates easy and reliable mounting of the glass panel unit onto a vehicle.

Implementation Method 1

an interlayer with thermal insulation properties is sandwiched between a pair of glass panes

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Data Source

PatentUS12209454B2Glass panel unit and method for manufacturing the glass panel unit
Publication Date: 2025.01.28 PANASONIC HOUSING SOLUTIONS CO LTD
  • US12209454B2 patent drawing
  • US12209454B2 patent drawing
  • US12209454B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A glass panel unit includes: a first substrate including a first glass panel; a second substrate including a second glass panel; and a frame-shaped sealing portion that is hermetically bonded to the first substrate and the second substrate. The sealing portion creates an evacuated space between the first substrate and the second substrate. When viewed from a region where the second substrate is positioned with respect to the first substrate, the first substrate includes a part arranged to stick out of an edge of the second substrate. The part includes a mounting portion used to mount the glass panel unit onto a vehicle.