WO2014063897A1

WO2014063897A1 - Method for producing vacuum insulation glass

Info

Publication number: WO2014063897A1
Application number: PCT/EP2013/070062
Authority: WO
Inventors: Gabriele USLENGHI
Original assignee: Uslenghi Gabriele
Priority date: 2012-10-23
Filing date: 2013-09-26
Publication date: 2014-05-01
Also published as: DE102012110083B4; DE102012110083A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for producing a component made of vacuum insulation glass, said method having the following steps: providing a first and a second glass pane (1, 3) which are supported on one another via spacers (7), wherein an inter-glass space is formed between the first and second glass pane (1, 3), and producing a gas-tight edge composite (5) that encloses the first and second glass pane (1, 3) in the edge areas. The method further comprises the following steps: providing a predetermined quantity of binder for binding water and hydrogen molecules (13) in the volume or on the surfaces of the inter-glass space; introducing a predetermined amount of oxyhydrogen gas or HHO into the inter-glass space, until the inter-glass space is substantially completely saturated with oxyhydrogen gas and any air present has been displaced by the oxyhydrogen gas; sealing the edge composite (5); and igniting the oxyhydrogen gas in the inter-glass space, whereby an oxyhydrogen gas reaction is induced.

Description

Process for the production of vacuum insulating glass

The present invention relates to a method for producing vacuum insulating glass, in particular for producing a window or door glazing according to the preamble of claim 1. Such a method is known from DE 102 42 895 A1.

Vacuum insulation glazings are known per se and already commercially available. The vacuum insulating glass differs from conventional insulating glass in that the glass space is evacuated, while in normal insulating glass, the glass space is usually filled with a noble gas. In addition, the glass gap in the vacuum insulating glass is considerably thinner than in normal insulating glass, namely only about 1 mm or even less, because in vacuum insulating glass because of the vacuum, no convection between the individual disks takes place. So that the outer air pressure can not compress the two individual disks, these are supported by lattice-like over the glass surface distributed spacers or supports together, and they are peripherally connected at their edges by a gas-tight edge bond.

Up to now, vacuum insulating glass panes have been produced by placing spacers on a first individual glass pane in the anticipated grid or grid arrangement and fixing them by gluing, and then laying the second individual glass pane on top of them. The applied glass has a hole in its edge region with an attached or glued suction, to which a suction hose of a vacuum pump can be connected. The glass sheets are welded along their edges, for example by means of glass solder. Alternatively, the edge bond may be formed by L-shaped stainless steel profiles, which are glued gas-tight with the end faces of the glass sheets or connected in any other way and in each case verschwei ßen be.

Subsequently, a vacuum pump is connected to the suction and activated. After establishing the vacuum in the glass space, which can take a considerable amount of time, the hole is closed. Producing the vacuum in this way has the disadvantage that it takes a particularly long time and the mechanical requirements for the hole in the one glass pane and the valve for the vacuum pump are very high. A further disadvantage is that the hole in the glass pane is permanently visible in the finished window product and therefore disturbs the appearance of the product. An alternative form of vacuum manufacturing is the production of the vacuum insulating glass directly in an evacuated room. However, this is very expensive because it places high demands on the vacuum manufacturing space.

A known method for producing a vacuum insulating glass window unit by means of evacuation by a vacuum pump is described, for example, in WO 2001/023700 A1. In order to reduce the duration of the evacuation, it is proposed in DE 102 42 895 A1 to additionally introduce a gas plasma into the room and to ignite it there during the evacuation. The plasma binds to the inner surfaces of the glass space, and the ignition of the plasma has the effect of effectively cleaning the inner surfaces.

A disadvantage of this approach is that in addition to the complex evacuation process further, also elaborate steps for introducing and igniting the plasma are required, which somewhat shortens the evacuation process, but complicates and more expensive.

Starting from DE 102 42 895 A1, it is the object of the present invention to provide a method for the production of vacuum insulating glass, which is relatively simple in structure, can be effectively carried out with a small number of technical devices and with a sufficient vacuum permanently can be achieved. As a result, the costs of the entire production chain of a vacuum insulating glass product can be reduced.

This object is achieved by the subject matter with the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims.

According to the invention, a method for producing a component from vacuum insulating glass has the following steps: provision of a first and a second glass pane, which are supported on one another via spacers, wherein a gap is formed between the first and second glass pane, and producing a gas-tight edge bond, which encloses the first and second glass in the edge regions, wherein the Method additionally comprises the steps of providing a predetermined amount of binder for binding water and hydrogen molecules in the volume or surfaces of the glass space, introducing a predetermined amount of oxyhydrogen or HHO into the glass space until the glass space is substantially completely saturated with oxyhydrogen gas is and the possibly existing air is displaced by the oxyhydrogen gas, sealing the edge bond, and igniting the detonating gas in the glass space, whereby a detonating gas reaction is brought about. With this method, it is possible to create a (pre-) vacuum in the glass space, without the need for complex additional equipment. Oxyhydrogen is relatively cheap available and industrially easy to process. The oxyhydrogen reaction that takes place in the glass gap is sufficiently controllable in a relatively simple manner, so that the material used is not damaged. For use, an inductive ignition device, a piezoelectric ignition device or other suitable, simply constructed ignition devices can be used. An elaborate pumping of the glass space is unnecessary by the method according to the invention. In addition, it can be carried out under normal environmental conditions, ie without special vacuum requirements for the environment.

Since oxyhydrogen gas is lighter than air, with the appropriate arrangement of the glass panes and the inlet and outlet openings, the air present in the glass gap is completely displaced. An advantage of the oxyhydrogen gas reaction is that with a corresponding ratio of hydrogen gas to oxygen gas, namely preferably 2: 1, only water and / or water vapor remain as reaction residues. This assumes that all components have been thoroughly cleaned beforehand and, for example, have no fingerprints or the like. However, these requirements for the cleanliness of the components essentially also apply to the previously used vacuum pumping methods. Other mixing ratios of hydrogen gas to oxygen gas may also be selected. It should be noted that arise in the case more reaction end products, namely, for example, hydrogen peroxide (H ₂ 0 ₂ ) and H ₂ and 0 ₂ .

With particular advantage, the oxyhydrogen gas reaction leads to the formation of water and / or water vapor, which optionally together with residual amounts of hydrogen and oxygen, which have not reacted, are bound by the binder such that in the glass gap a negative pressure of about 2/3 to 1 / 3 of the ambient air pressure or less. This means that solely due to the oxyhydrogen reaction and the binding the reaction residues to the binder at normal temperature already a (pre-) vacuum can be generated.

The step of providing a predetermined amount of binder advantageously comprises applying chemical catcher or getter material to the surface of the spacers and / or to the surface of the first and / or second glass sheet and / or to the surface of the glass facing the glass interspace edge seal. Such chemical Fangstoffmaterialien, also called getter materials, are already used today to obtain a vacuum, for example in electron tubes. The incorporation of such materials on all surfaces of the glass interspace maximizes the area for the capture of the remaining water and gas molecules or other residual molecules. Suitable getter materials are z. As barium, aluminum, magnesium and calcium, sodium, cesium, strontium, sodium and phosphorus and their alloys.

In addition, the incorporation of silica gel or silica gel as a binder in the glass space can enhance and accelerate the uptake of the reaction residues.

With further advantage, the binder forms a sealing layer on the surface of the edge composite facing the glass intermediate space. This increases the capture surface for the residue molecules and thus the effectiveness of the process.

It is particularly preferred if the binder is activated by heating to a predetermined temperature, after the ignition of the detonating gas. Certain getter materials or alloys do not have their full effect until they are brought to a certain reaction temperature, for example various barium alloys such as BaAl ₄ , to which further substances can be added. However, there are also known ter alloys, which already act at room temperature. The reaction of the getter material with the water molecules leads to a local underpressure around the reaction area, whereby further residual (water) molecules are drawn there and react again with the getter material. In this way, a whole chain of capture reactions can result until almost no free residual molecules are left in the glass space. For example, a mass of 10 mg of getter material can permanently bind a mass of 1 mg of water in the long term. Thus, after the heating step, a fine vacuum of the order of about 10 Pa, preferably about 1 Pa, and most preferably about 0.1 Pa, can be achieved. Such orders of magnitude are sufficient for vacuum insulation glazings in order to provide permanently good insulation values.

As a material, the spacers can advantageously metal, Fangstoff- or Getterle- government, glass, glass solder, glass fiber or ceramic have. The presence of getter material on the outer surface of the spacers increases the catch area for the reaction residues.

The invention will now be described in detail with reference to embodiments shown in the drawings. 1 shows a schematic representation of a vacuum insulating glazing in an initial state of a preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention;

FIG. 2 shows a schematic illustration of a vacuum insulating glazing from FIG. 1 in a second state; FIG.

3 shows a schematic illustration of a vacuum insulation glazing from FIG. 1 in a third state; 4 shows a schematic illustration of a vacuum insulating glazing from FIG. 1 in a fourth state;

5 shows a schematic illustration of a vacuum insulating glazing from FIG. 1 in a fifth state;

Fig. 6 is a schematic illustration of a vacuum insulating glazing of Fig. 1 in a sixth condition;

FIG. 7 shows a schematic illustration of a vacuum insulating glazing from FIG. 1 in a seventh state; FIG. and Fig. 8 is a schematic representation of a vacuum insulation glazing of Fig. 1 in a final state. The method according to the invention is explained by way of example with reference to FIGS. 1 to 8 by means of a preferred embodiment. The figures each show a rectangular vacuum insulation glazing with two glass panes 1, 3, which are arranged in parallel over one another in the drawing plane, so that they form a window or door glazing with the edge seal 5, which can be used, for example, in corresponding frame profiles. The illustrated vacuum insulation glazing is shown standing, so that one recognizes an upper and a lower side as well as a right and a left side. The edge seal 5 has, for example, two L-shaped stainless steel profiles, the gas-tight welded together at two corners and thus completely cover the glass sheets 1, 3. Other materials such as aluminum or glass as a material for the edge seal 5 are possible, with a gas-tight seal of the glass gap must be guaranteed.

On the inner surface of the vacuum insulation glazing spacers 7, also called pins are arranged in the glass space between the two glass panes 1, 3 in a regular grid arrangement, which hold the glass sheets at a constant distance from each other or support. The distance of the glass panes 1, 3, which for example have a thickness of about 4 mm, is in the example shown about 0.7 mm, but may also be up to 0.5 mm below or above. The spacers 7 are arranged vertically and horizontally approximately in a grid of about 2 to 3 cm, wherein the distance values may differ depending on the material of the spacers 7 as well as the shape, size and material of the glass panes 1, 3.

The edge seal 5, in the illustrated preferred embodiment, on the inner surfaces towards the glass gap towards a sealing layer 9 of binder material, which is characterized in the figures with hatching. The corners of the edge seal 5 are rounded on the inside facing the glass space to avoid air pockets.

On the underside of the vacuum insulation glazing, a first opening 11 and a second opening 12 are respectively formed in the vicinity of the corners, the function of which will be explained in more detail below. 1 shows the vacuum insulation glazing in a first state, which marks the initial state of the method according to the invention. As described above, the two glass panes 1, 3 are surrounded by the edge composite 5, wherein spacers 7 are arranged in a regular grid between the two glass panes 1, 3. In the glass space between the two glass panes is air, which is characterized in Fig. 1 by the wavy hatching. On the inside of the edge composite 5, the sealing layer 9 is disposed of binder, wherein parts of this sealing layer in the preferred embodiment shown here getter getter material and silica gel. It is important for the inventive method that all components are clean at the start of the process, ie on the glass sheets 1, 3 and spacers 7, for example, no fingerprints or other contaminants should be present, because these have an unfavorable effect on the vacuum to be reached. FIG. 2 now shows the next state of the preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, in which blast gas (HHO) is introduced into the glass interspace from below through the second opening 12. In Fig. 2, this is indicated by white arrows. Since oxyhydrogen is lighter than air, the existing air is displaced from top to bottom and leaves through the first opening 1 1 the glass gap. This is indicated by the black arrows in the region of the first opening 1 1. This process step is carried out until no more air is present in the glass interspace.

This condition is shown in FIG. There is still bubbled gas through the second opening 12 introduced into the glass space, and at the first opening 1 1 occurs from the saturation and oxyhydrogen gas down from the glass space. By means of a (not shown) sensor, the outflow rate of the detonating gas from the first opening 1 1 measure, and as soon as a predetermined value is reached, this corresponds to the saturation state for the detonating gas in the glass space. This can be used to determine how much and how long oxyhydrogen gas is to be introduced into the glass gap.

FIG. 4 now shows the next method step, in which the glass gap saturated with oxyhydrogen gas is sealed gas-tight from below, for example by gluing or welding. The first opening 1 1 and the second opening 12 in the edge seal 5 are advantageously circular and conically tapering in cross-section upwards formed so that after closing and sealing a negative pressure in the glass space or the externa ßere air pressure for both openings additionally acts occlusive.

It should be noted that instead of a first and a second opening, only a single opening or even more than two openings may be present. In the case of a single opening, for example, the oxyhydrogen gas flows in a thin inner conduit into the glass space and the displaced air flows out of the opening around this inner conduit. With more than two openings, a plurality of openings for the inlet and a corresponding suitable plurality of openings for the outlet can be provided. Combinations of the above-mentioned openings for inlet and outlet are possible.

FIG. 5 schematically shows the next method step in the sequence in which the oxyhydrogen gas is ignited within the glass interspace by means of a suitable ignition device. The ignition of the detonating gas in the glass gap can be done for example via induction by appropriate coils, or by electrical conductors which are gas-tight through the edge assembly 5 and isolated from the sealing layer 9 are mounted so that a spark between the ends of the conductor can jump, for example, by a piezoelectric pulse. The ignition device is not shown in the figures. Other igniters may also be used, such as an electromagnetic radiation by laser.

By the ignition of the detonating gas, a so-called oxyhydrogen reaction takes place in the glass interspace, whereby energy is released and, as a reaction residue, in the ideal case, as described above, water and / or water vapor remains in the glass interspace. The two glass panes 1, 3 are dimensioned and suitable from the material ago that they survive the explosive gas reaction without damage. The same applies to the edge seal 5, the spacers 7 and the sealing layer 9. With an ideal mixing ratio of hydrogen gas to oxygen gas in the blast furnace gas of 2: 1, the stoichiometric ideal case is that the hydrogen and oxygen molecules completely to water and / or water vapor connect the bang-gas reaction. However, it is possible for hydrogen molecules (H ₂ ), oxygen molecules (0 ₂ ) or even hydrogen peroxide (H ₂ O ₂ ) to be present as residues in the glass gap directly after the oxyhydrogen gas reaction. Fig. 6 shows the next state of the vacuum insulation glazing after the oxyhydrogen gas reaction. The water vapor formed by the reaction condenses partly on the inner surfaces of the glass panes 1, 3 and on the spacers 7 and on the sealing layer 9 of the edge composite 5, shown in FIG. 6 as water molecules 13. In this state, the binder of the sealing layer 9 acts now consisting of a getter alloy and in the preferred embodiment of silica gel. The silica gel binds the water molecules 13. Already at room temperature, the residual water or water vapor molecules 13 react with the getter alloy and are permanently bound in the sealing layer 9. Examples of suitable getter alloys are described in EP 0 509 971 A1.

In Fig. 7 it can be seen how the water molecules 13, which have accumulated as reaction residues on the spacers 7 and on the inner surfaces of the glass panes 1, 3, to the sealing layer 9 with the getter material or the binder such as silica gel out to the outside wander and be tied tightly there. The reaction of a water molecule 13 with the getter material locally creates a negative pressure which ensures that further water molecules 13 or hydrogen and oxygen molecules move from the middle of the glass gap towards the sealing layer 9 to the edge composite 5 and are bound there.

The step of bonding the residue molecules 13 to the getter material may be assisted by heating, the maximum heating temperature depending on the getter materials used. Meanwhile, getter materials are available that can be activated at just under 100 ° C, so that they unfold their maximum binding effect there.

In the illustrated embodiment, silica gel is used as part of the sealing layer 9. Silica gel binds water and hydrogen very effectively. However, a negative pressure is created by the resulting vacuum in the glass space, which ensures that partially water molecules 13 are pulled out of the silica gel and migrate into the glass space. By activating the getter material, however, these gas molecules are bound again. The getter material thus ensures that all reaction residues migrate from the glass interspace to the edges towards the sealing layer 9 and permanently integrate into the structure of the getter material. Fig. 8 shows the final state of the process according to the invention in the illustrated, preferred embodiment. In the glass space between the glass sheets 1, 3, a vacuum has formed, which ranges in the order of a fine vacuum up to 0, 1 Pa. Due to the vacuum and the shape of the openings 1 1, 12, the edge seal 5 is closed gas-tight and provides a permanently evacuated glass gap. In this state, the illustrated vacuum insulation glazing can be further processed.

With the subject invention, a process for producing vacuum insulating glass has been provided, which is relatively simple in structure, can be effectively carried out with a small number of technical equipment, and can permanently achieve a sufficient vacuum.

Claims

claims

Method for producing a component of vacuum insulating glass, comprising the following steps:

Providing a first and a second glass pane (1, 3), which are supported on each other via spacers (7), wherein between the first and second glass pane (1, 3) forms a gap, and

Producing a gas-tight edge bond (5) which encloses the first and second glass panes (1, 3) in the edge regions, characterized in that it additionally comprises the following steps:

Providing a predetermined amount of binder for binding water and hydrogen molecules (13) in the volume or surfaces of the glass space,

Introducing a predetermined amount of oxyhydrogen or HHO into the glass space until the glass space is substantially completely saturated with oxyhydrogen gas and the possibly present air is displaced by the oxyhydrogen gas,

Sealing the edge bond (5), and

Igniting the detonating gas in the glass space, whereby a detonating gas reaction is brought about.

A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the ratio of hydrogen gas to oxygen gas within the blasting gas is 2: 1.

Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the oxyhydrogen gas reaction leads to the formation of water and / or water vapor, which optionally together with residual amounts of hydrogen and oxygen, which have not reacted, are bound by the binder in such a way that in the glass Space forms a negative pressure of about 2/3 to 1/3 of the ambient air pressure or less.

4. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the step of providing a predetermined amount of binder the

Application of chemical Fangstoff- or getter material on the surface of the spacers (7) and / or on the surface of the first and / or second glass sheet (1, 3) and / or on the glass gap facing surface of the edge composite (5).

5. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the step of providing a predetermined amount of binder comprises the introduction of silica gel or silica gel in the glass gap. 6. The method according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the binder on the glass gap facing surface of the edge seal (5) forms a sealing layer (9).

7. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the binder is activated by heating to a predetermined temperature.

8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that the heating of the binder takes place after the ignition of the detonating gas.

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that after the step of heating a fine vacuum in the order of about 10 Pa, preferably about 1 Pa, and most preferably of about 0.1 Pa is achieved. 10. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the spacers (7) metal, Fangstoff- or Getterlegierung, glass, glass solder, glass fiber or ceramic.

1 1. Vacuum insulation glass component comprising two glass panes (1, 3), an edge seal (5) and in the glass space between the glass panes (1, 3). ordered spacer (7), characterized in that it is produced by a method according to one of the preceding claims.

12. The component of Vakuumisolierglas according to claim 1 1, characterized in that it is designed as a window, door, facade element or separating element.

13. The element of vacuum insulating glass according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that on the surface of the spacer (7) and / or on the surface of the first and / or second glass sheet (1, 3) and / or on the Glass intermediate space facing surface of the edge bond (5) a binder for binding water and hydrogen molecules (13) is formed.

14. Vacuum insulation glass component according to claim 13, characterized in that on the inwardly facing side of the edge composite (5), at least in sections, a sealing layer (9) of binder is formed.

15. Vacuum insulating glass component according to one of claims 13 to 14, characterized in that the binder has chemical catcher or getter material.