Method for the Flush Joining of Glass Elements, Glass Component and Housing and Vacuum Insulation Glass Pane Comprising the Glass Component

Simple SummaryContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

This invention is a method for joining two glass elements together in a flush, seamless manner using a metallic material (such as silver) introduced into one or both glass elements at the joining edge. The metal is locally heated (e.g., with a laser, electromagnetic waves, or microwave), causing the surrounding glass to melt and forming a hermetic, material bond between the two glass pieces. This process is particularly well-suited for creating precise, airtight enclosures (like vacuum chambers) without causing thermal damage to sensitive interior components and enables the fabrication of miniaturized glass assemblies.

Use CasesContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Manufacturing vacuum-insulated glass panels or windows for buildings, appliances, or scientific instruments
• Producing hermetically sealed glass packages for sensors, actuators, batteries, MEMS devices, or optical components
• Creating miniaturized or high-precision glass enclosures for advanced technologies such as quantum devices or image sensors
• Fabricating wafer-level and panel-level packages or caps for microelectronics
• Making durable and airtight glass housings for industrial or laboratory equipment

BenefitsContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Enables airtight, hermetic, and durable junctions between glass elements without adhesives or bulky mechanical seals
• Allows precise, local bonding to minimize thermal stress and prevent damage to sensitive components inside the sealed chamber
• Supports the miniaturization of glass devices and assemblies, extending applications to compact and advanced technologies
• Improves production efficiency and quality with tightly controlled, repeatable processes (e.g., using lasers or electromagnetic heating)
• Reduces contamination and enhances the longevity of sensitive electronic or optical components by providing robust sealing
• Facilitates electrical contacts or feedthroughs through integrated metallic structures within the glass

Technical Classifications (CPCs)

Inventors & Applicants

Patent Abstract

The present invention relates to a method of joining glass elements with material continuity, to a glass component, to a housing, and to a vacuum insulating panel. The method comprises the following stepsproviding first and second glass elements, with each of the glass elements having at least one joining region having an outer edge to be joined,introducing a metallic material into the first glass element in the region of the joining region of the first glass element,placing the first and second glass elements onto one another such that the first and second glass elements contact one another at least at one outer edge of the respective joining region; andheating the metallic material in the first glass element so that the glass element at least partially melts in the region of the joining region of the first glass element so that a connection with material continuity is produced between the first and second glass elements.