Vacuum Insulated Glazing Evacuation Tube Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for manufacturing vacuum insulated glazing (VIG) units face challenges in ensuring the durability of the evacuation hole, as the diameter of the evacuation hole is often smaller than the thickness of the tempered glass pane, leading to increased risk of crack formation and reduced insulating effectiveness due to less precise positioning of the evacuation tube, which can compromise the vacuum seal and tempering of the glass.
Innovation Solution
A supporting structure is provided between the glass pane and the evacuation tube to ensure precise positioning and maintain the mutual positions during the sealing process, allowing for a smaller evacuation tube diameter and preventing heat damage to the tube seal, while maintaining the structural integrity and insulating properties of the VIG unit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the evacuation hole diameter is increased to match the glass pane thickness for durability, then crack resistance improves, but the evacuation tube positioning precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
A supporting structure with a recess is introduced as an intermediary element between the evacuation hole and the evacuation tube. The recess receives and positions the evacuation tube, ensuring precise alignment while allowing the evacuation hole to maintain a larger diameter for durability. This mediator resolves the conflict between hole size and positioning accuracy.
2Reliability
If the evacuation tube diameter is reduced for better sealing, then vacuum seal quality improves, but the tube positioning stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The supporting structure with its recess acts as a stabilizing intermediary that mechanically anchors the thin-walled evacuation tube. The recess provides lateral support and positional stability to the small-diameter tube, preventing displacement during the sealing process while allowing the tube to maintain its reduced diameter for optimal vacuum sealing.
3Reliability
If the heating temperature is increased to seal the tube effectively, then sealing effectiveness improves, but heat damage to the glass pane increases
Solution Approach 1:
The supporting structure serves as a thermal intermediary that absorbs and dissipates excess heat during the tube sealing process. By positioning the tube within its recess, the supporting structure acts as a heat sink and thermal barrier, protecting the glass pane from direct high-temperature exposure while still allowing sufficient heat to seal the tube effectively.
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 solution enhances the durability of the VIG unit by ensuring a precise and secure evacuation tube positioning, reducing the risk of cracks and maintaining the vacuum seal, thus preserving the insulating effect and the tempering of the glass pane.
Implementation Method 1
heating the tube soldering material to a condition where it will flow
Implementation Method 2
cooling the tube soldering material to a solid condition
Implementation Method 3
heating a distal tip of the evacuation tube so as to seal it off
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a method of producing a vacuum insulated glazing (VIG) unit, a VIG unit produced by means of the method and a bonded assembly for providing to an evacuation hole in a glass pane of a VIG unit, where an evacuation tube (9) has an outer diameter (Dtube) which is less that the smallest internal diameter (dl) of the evacuation hole (5). The method includes providing a support a supporting structure (8) over an evacuation hole in a glass pane of the VIG unit, and a proximal end (11) of the evacuation tube (9) rests on the supporting structure (8) so that the position of the evacuation tube (9) in the direction perpendicular to the outer surface (6) of the first pane (2) is defined by the supporting structure (8), and so that the proximal opening (12) of the evacuation tube (9) is in correspondence with the evacuation hole (5).