Vacuum Glass Lamination via Segmented Thermal Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional methods fail to produce laminated safety glass using vacuum glass panes due to their poor heat conduction and fragile structure, leading to defects during the lamination process, especially under high pressures in autoclaves.

Innovation Solution

A device with a temperature control unit for consistent temperature control of glass panes, combined with controlled negative and overpressure systems, allows for the stress-free lamination of vacuum glass panes with other glass panes, ensuring defect-free production by maintaining temperature uniformity during the process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If vacuum glass panes are used for lamination, then insulating properties are improved, but the lamination process fails due to poor heat conduction and fragile structure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethermal insulationVSAvoidlamination process reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention separates the heating process into two independent stages: first heating the vacuum glass pane individually to a lower temperature range (50-100°C), then heating the entire assembly to the final lamination temperature. This segmentation allows the vacuum glass to be pre-acclimatized without thermal shock, preventing structure failure while achieving the required insulating properties in the final product.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The vacuum glass pane is pre-heated to a reduced temperature range (50-100°C) before the main lamination heating process. This preliminary action reduces the thermal gradient and prevents thermal shock that would cause the fragile vacuum glass structure to fail during subsequent high-temperature autoclaving, thereby enabling reliable lamination while maintaining the insulating vacuum structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Strength

If high pressure is applied during lamination, then bonding strength is improved, but vacuum glass structure fails due to pressure sensitivity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebonding strengthVSAvoidvacuum glass structure stability
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The vacuum glass pane is pre-heated to a reduced temperature range (50-100°C) before the main lamination heating process. This preliminary action reduces the thermal gradient and prevents thermal shock that would cause the fragile vacuum glass structure to fail during subsequent high-temperature autoclaving, thereby enabling reliable lamination while maintaining the insulating vacuum structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention modifies the temperature parameters of the lamination process by implementing a two-stage heating approach with different temperature ranges. The first stage uses reduced temperature (50-100°C) to prepare the vacuum glass, while the second stage achieves the required bonding temperature. This parameter change allows high pressure to be applied without causing vacuum glass structure failure, as the glass is already acclimatized to the thermal conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of manufacture

If uniform heating is applied to all glass panes, then processing simplicity is maintained, but temperature differences cause defects in vacuum glass lamination

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocessing simplicityVSAvoidtemperature uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The heating process is segmented into two distinct phases with different temperature targets and heating rates. The first phase heats only the vacuum glass pane to 50-100°C at a controlled rate, while the second phase heats the complete assembly to the final lamination temperature. This segmentation enables precise temperature control that prevents thermal shock and ensures uniform temperature distribution throughout the multi-layer structure, eliminating manufacturing defects.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention applies different heating conditions to different components at different times: the vacuum glass pane receives reduced and controlled heating in the first stage, while other glass panes and the adhesive layer are heated to full temperature in the second stage. This localized quality approach ensures that each material experiences appropriate thermal treatment, preventing temperature-related defects while maintaining overall process effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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

Enables the reliable production of laminated safety glass with improved insulating properties, eliminating the need for thick or complex glazing, and allowing for the use of vacuum glass panes in construction and automotive sectors.

Implementation Method 1

the temperature control unit is designed for individual, in particular consistent temperature control of the glass panes to be connected... it is possible to heat the at least two glass panes in a consistent manner to the process temperature required for the connection

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

means for producing a negative pressure in a cavity between a wrapping material covering the glass panes in the operating position and the base plate, means for generating an overpressure in the working space formed in the operating position between the cover plate and the covering material arranged on the glass panes

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure differential: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentEP4249238A1Method and device for producing composite safety glass
Publication Date: 2023.09.27 LAMIPRESS GMBH
  • EP4249238A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4249238A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4249238A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a method and a device for producing laminated safety glass from at least one vacuum glass pane and another glass pane with an adhesive layer arranged between the glass panes, comprising a base plate and a cover plate which are adjustable relative to each other between an operating position and a removal position, a sealing frame arranged pressure-tight on the base plate and the cover plate in the operating position, means for creating a negative pressure in a cavity between a covering material covering the glass panes in the operating position and the base plate, means for generating a positive pressure in the working space formed in the operating position between the cover plate and the covering material arranged on the glass panes, and a temperature control unit for heating the glass panes to be bonded.In order to provide a device and a method which enables the production of laminated safety glass from at least one vacuum glass pane and another glass pane, e.g. a flat glass pane, it is provided that in the device for producing laminated safety glass the tempering unit is designed for individual, in particular uniform, tempering of the glass panes to be bonded.