U.S. patent application number 12/486080 was filed with the patent office on 2010-01-21 for insulating glass unit.
Invention is credited to Bruno KASSNEL-HENNEBERG, Emil ROHRER, Gerhard SEELE.
Application Number | 20100011703 12/486080 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40886411 |
Filed Date | 2010-01-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100011703 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
SEELE; Gerhard ; et
al. |
January 21, 2010 |
INSULATING GLASS UNIT
Abstract
The invention relates to an insulating glass unit composed of at
least two outer panes and of an edge connector which comprises a
spacer profile. With the aim of reducing a relative displacement
between the two outer panes under loading, it is proposed according
to the invention that the spacer profile has two opposed contact
faces which are connected in a shear-resistant manner to the outer
panes via an adhesive layer, wherein the spacer profile
additionally has at least one articulated region which is designed
in such a way that the two contact faces can be rotated at least
partially in order thereby to reduce stresses in the adhesive
layer.
Inventors: |
SEELE; Gerhard; (Neusass,
DE) ; KASSNEL-HENNEBERG; Bruno; (Diedorf/Anhausen,
DE) ; ROHRER; Emil; (Konigsbrunn, DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
OSTROLENK FABER GERB & SOFFEN
1180 AVENUE OF THE AMERICAS
NEW YORK
NY
100368403
US
|
Family ID: |
40886411 |
Appl. No.: |
12/486080 |
Filed: |
June 17, 2009 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
52/786.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E06B 3/66366 20130101;
E06B 3/663 20130101; E06B 2003/66385 20130101; E06B 3/66328
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
52/786.1 |
International
Class: |
E04C 2/54 20060101
E04C002/54 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jul 15, 2008 |
DE |
10 2008 033 249.6 |
Claims
1. Insulating glass unit composed of at least two outer panes and
of an edge connection which comprises a spacer profile, wherein the
spacer profile has two opposed contact faces which are connected in
a shear-resistant manner to the outer panes via an adhesive layer,
wherein the spacer profile additionally has at least one
articulated region which is designed in such a way that the two
contact faces can be rotated at least partially in order thereby to
reduce stresses in the adhesive layer.
2. Insulating glass unit according to claim 1, wherein the spacer
profile has a first region and a second region which can be
connected or are connected to one another in a shear-resistant
manner.
3. Insulating glass unit according to claim 2, wherein the first
region and the second region are adhesively bonded to one another
with a high-strength adhesive via an adhesive bond.
4. Insulating glass unit according to claim 2, wherein the first
region and the second region are connected to one another with the
aid of at least one mechanical connecting part, and are in
particular connected to one another in a positive-locking
manner.
5. Insulating glass unit according to claim 4, wherein the at least
one mechanical connecting part comprises a screw, a pin and/or a
clamping strip.
6. Insulating glass unit according to claim 2, wherein the first
region and the second region are each designed as profiled spacer
elements having an L-shaped cross-sectional geometry, wherein each
of the profiled spacer elements has two legs.
7. Insulating glass unit according to claim 6, wherein an
articulated region is in each case formed in a region of connection
of the two legs of each profiled spacer element.
8. Insulating glass unit according to claim 7, wherein a first leg
of each region extends parallel to one of the two outer panes and
is connected in a shear-resistant manner to the outer pane.
9. Insulating glass unit according to claim 6, wherein a second leg
of one region extends parallel to a second leg of the other region
and is connected thereto at least in certain regions.
10. Insulating glass unit according to claim 1, wherein at least
one further pane or a sheet is arranged in a gap defined by the two
outer panes in order to form a first and second pane gap.
11. Insulating glass unit according to claim 10, wherein the
further pane or sheet is designed to be flexible at least in
certain regions.
12. Insulating glass unit according to claim 10, wherein a
pressure-equalizing means is provided for at least one of the two
pane gaps.
13. Insulating glass unit according to claim 12, wherein there is
provided at least one pressure-equalizing tube, in particular
capillary tube, which, for the purpose of pressure equalization,
connects a pane gap to the external atmosphere.
14. Insulating glass unit according to claim 12, wherein at least
one membrane, in particular an air-permeable but water-impermeable
membrane, is provided in a duct which, for the purpose of pressure
equalization, connects a pane gap to the external atmosphere.
15. Insulating glass unit according to claim 1, wherein the contact
faces of the spacer profile are adhesively bonded to the outer
panes with a shear-resistant two-component adhesive.
16. Insulating glass unit according to claim 1, wherein the contact
faces of the spacer profile are adhesively bonded to the outer
panes with a shear-resistant ionoplast polymer.
17. Insulating glass unit according to claim 1, wherein the spacer
profile is constructed from a high-strength glass-fibre-reinforced
plastic.
18. Insulating glass unit according to claim 1, wherein the axis of
rotation of the articulated region extends parallel to the
longitudinal axis of the spacer profile.
19. Insulating glass unit according to claim 1, wherein there is
additionally provided a desiccant which is arranged in a cavity
inside the spacer profile or adjacent to the spacer profile.
20. Insulating glass unit according to claim 1, wherein an
additional profile constituting an interlayer between the contact
faces of the spacer profile and the outer panes is fastened to at
least one of the two outer panes using a transparent adhesive or a
transparent film.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to an insulating glass unit
composed of at least two outer panes and of an edge connection
which comprises a spacer profile.
[0002] Such an insulating glass unit is generally known in
principle from the prior art. It comprises the two outer panes, a
first outer pane generally being arranged on the inside of a room,
a house, a warehouse or a building in general, and a second outer
pane being arranged on the outside of the building. A thermally
insulating gap is arranged within the two outer panes. The
advantage provided by this gap is particularly that of relatively
high thermal and sound protection. The insulating glass unit
therefore forms the customary manner of glazing nowadays. The edge
connection normally consists of a metal or plastic hollow profile
in which there is accommodated a desiccant for the function of
drying the air enclosed within the gap of the insulating glass
unit. Towards the outside there is also applied an additional
silicone or polysulphide seal. In general, the edge connection does
not perform a static function. Under loading, the insulating glass
unit behaves statically more or less like two outer panes. The
spacers used to date, and also the sealing materials used to date,
are not capable of connecting the two outer panes to one another in
a shear-resistant manner to the extent that the two outer panes can
be supported without visible supporting profiles.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Based on this problem, the object of the present invention
is to develop an insulating glass unit of the type mentioned at the
outset to the effect that the insulating glass unit has a
self-supporting structure, with the result that visible supporting
profiles intended for supporting the insulating glass unit can be
dispensed with or at least significantly reduced.
[0004] To achieve this object, it is proposed according to the
invention that, in the case of an insulating glass unit of the type
mentioned at the outset, the spacer profile has two opposed contact
faces which are connected in a shear-resistant manner to the outer
panes via an adhesive layer, wherein the spacer profile
additionally has at least one articulated region which is designed
in such a way that the two contact faces can be rotated at least
partially in order thereby to reduce stresses in the adhesive
layer.
[0005] The advantages which can be obtained with the solution
according to the invention are obvious. The spacer profile is made
of a high-strength plastic material, in particular a
glass-fibre-reinforced plastic. As a result, use is advantageously
made of a material which has a relatively low thermal conductivity
yet possesses high strength. A further advantage lies in the
coefficient of thermal expansion; this is very similar between
glass and glass-fibre-reinforced plastic. This is important since
only small additional forces, if any, then occur here as a result
of different longitudinal elongations.
[0006] The spacer profile can be attached either by means of
correspondingly high-strength adhesives or by means of
high-strength composite films. The high-strength adhesive or the
high-strength composite film can consist, for example, of a
polymer, e.g. polyvinylbutyral, ionoplast (polymer), a partially
crystalline thermoplastic or some other material which has the
required adhesive strength, durability and thermal stability. The
ionoplast polymer in particular offers particularly high strength
values here. The connection of the spacer profile to the outer
panes makes it possible here to achieve a virtually monolithic
load-bearing behaviour of the edge region. Although a few
high-strength adhesives are already available for the facade
region, adhesive bonding in the edge region is only possible if the
profiles used there are tailored to these specific
requirements.
[0007] In the edge region of the panes there occur large angular
changes at the contact faces particularly as a result of climatic
loads. Depending on the stiffness of the adhesives and of the
spacer profile, this leads to a greater or lesser degree of
clamping, and hence to high tensile stresses at the edges of the
adhesive bonds that can lead to the adhesive bonding being
overloaded.
[0008] In one possible embodiment of the inventive solution, use is
made of a tough elastic epoxy resin-based two-component adhesive.
Such adhesives have, in relation to the adhesive surfaces, a
tensile shear strength of at least 10 N/mm.sup.2 and their modulus
of elasticity under short-term loading is greater than 1000
N/mm.sup.2. It goes without saying, however, that other adhesives
or adhesive types are also suitable.
[0009] In order to reduce the tensile stresses to a reasonable
level here, it is necessary for the spacer profile to be designed
in such a way that it operates as an articulation which is rigid in
shear. In this respect, the spacer profile has two opposed contact
faces which are designed with a relatively uniform thickness so as
to produce there as uniform as possible a stress characteristic in
the adhesive layer. Furthermore, the spacer profile has at least
one articulated region which is designed in such a way that the two
contact faces can be rotated at least partially relative to one
another. The axis of rotation of the articulation here preferably
corresponds to the longitudinal axis of the profile. The
articulated design makes it possible for the outer panes to be able
to rotate with respect to one another as a consequence, for
example, of climatic loads without high stresses thereby resulting
in the spacer profile and in the adhesive layer. Experience has
shown that the highest stresses then arise in the region of the
articulation. The proposed material of the spacer profile can
absorb these stresses without problem. This arrangement ensures
that the stresses decrease in the region of the contact faces and
the loading on the adhesive is thereby reduced.
[0010] The spacer profile can have a one-piece or multi-part
design. In the case of a two-part spacer profile, composed of a
first region and a second region, these regions are adhesively
bonded to one another with a high-strength adhesive via an adhesive
bond. Alternatively or in addition, the first region and the second
region can be connected to one another by means of at least one
mechanical connecting part. Here, the at least one mechanical
connecting part may comprise a screw, a pin and/or a clamping
strip. The spacer profile may be designed as an articulation so as
to be able to rotate about an axis or a point or as a taper, with
the result that the contact faces can be rotated at least partially
relative to one another.
[0011] In a preferred embodiment, the first region and the second
region are each designed as a profiled spacer element having an
L-shaped cross-sectional geometry. Each of the profile spacer
elements has a first leg and a second leg. The two first legs of
the profile spacer element extend parallel to one of the two outer
panes and are connected in a shear-resistant manner to the outer
pane. The second leg of the first profile spacer element extends
parallel to the second leg of the second profile spacer element,
and the two second legs are connected at least in certain regions.
An articulated region is in each case formed in the region of
connection of the two legs of each profiled spacer element.
[0012] The spacer profile can also be configured in such a way that
one or more desiccants are integrated in one or more cavities of
the profile. In a further embodiment, each of the desiccants can
also be accommodated in an additional desiccant profile. However,
standard commercial spacer profiles containing desiccant can also
be incorporated.
[0013] Preferably, an additional profile constituting an interlayer
between the contact faces of the spacer profile and the outer panes
is fastened to at least one of the two outer panes using a
transparent adhesive or a transparent film.
[0014] To obtain increased thermal insulation, at least one further
pane or a sheet can be arranged in the gap between the two outer
panes in order to form a first and second pane gap.
[0015] Furthermore, it is conceivable for a pressure-equalizing
means to be provided in the case of an insulating glass unit which
comprises two outer panes and a further pane or sheet. Here, the
further pane or sheet is designed to be flexible at least in
certain regions. In one possible embodiment of the
pressure-equalizing means, there is provided at least one capillary
tube which, for the purpose of pressure equalization, connects a
pane gap to the external atmosphere. Alternatively or in addition
to this, it is conceivable for at least one membrane, in particular
an air-permeable but water-impermeable membrane, to be provided in
a duct which, for the purpose of pressure equalization, connects a
pane gap to the external atmosphere.
[0016] The invention will be explained in more detail below by way
of exemplary embodiments with reference to the appended drawings,
in which:
BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] FIG. 1 shows a cross-sectional view of the edge region of an
insulating glass unit according to one embodiment of the invention,
where the pressure in the gap between the two outer panes is
substantially identical to the external pressure;
[0018] FIG. 2 shows the embodiment represented in FIG. 1 when the
pane gap is subjected to climatic loading;
[0019] FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional view of an edge region of an
insulating glass unit according to a further embodiment of the
invention;
[0020] FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of the edge region of an
insulating glass unit according to a further embodiment of the
invention;
[0021] FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional view of the edge region of an
insulating glass unit according to a further embodiment of the
invention; and
[0022] FIG. 6 shows a cross-sectional view of the edge region of an
insulating glass unit according to a further embodiment of the
invention.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0023] The insulating glass unit 1 according to the invention is
composed of at least two outer panes 2, 3 and of an edge connection
4 which comprises a spacer profile 5. The spacer profile 5 is made
of a high-strength plastic and has two opposed contact faces 12.
The spacer profile additionally comprises at least one depression
14. The two contact faces 12 are connected in a shear-resistant
manner to the respective inner sides of the two outer panes 2, 3.
For this purpose, it is conceivable to provide an adhesive layer 11
which brings about this shear-resistant connection between the
spacer profile 5 and the outer panes 2, 3.
[0024] If the pressure in the gap between the outer panes 2, 3
increases, for example as a result of heating through solar
radiation, then--as can be seen in particular from the
representation in FIG. 2--the two contact faces 12 of the spacer
profile 5, arranged parallel to one another beforehand, rotate with
respect to one another. This is possible since, with the solution
according to the invention, the spacer profile 5 has at least one
articulated region 13 which is designed in such a way that, when
subjected to the climatic loads, the two contact faces 12 can be
rotated at least partially relative to one another, with the axis
of rotation corresponding to the longitudinal axis of the spacer
profile 5. In the embodiment of the insulating glass unit 1
represented in FIGS. 1 and 2, two articulated regions 13 are
provided.
[0025] In the embodiment represented in FIGS. 3 and 4, use is
made--by contrast with the embodiment represented in FIGS. 1 and
2--of a spacer profile 5 which is composed of a first region 5a and
a second region 5b. In the assembled state, the two regions 5a, 5b
are connected to one another in a shear-resistant manner.
[0026] This takes place, for example, via an adhesive bond 15
obtained with a high-strength adhesive. In the embodiment
represented in FIGS. 3 and 4, it is possible for the individual
regions 5a, 5b to be adhesively bonded first of all to the outer
panes 2, 3, after which the regions 5a, 5b are connected to one
another. This has the advantage that when the regions 5a, 5b are
being adhesively bonded first of all to the inner faces of the
outer panes 2, 3, they are accessible from all sides and
consequently any escaping adhesive residues can still be
removed.
[0027] As has already been indicated, it is conceivable in the case
of the embodiment represented in FIGS. 3 and 4 for the two regions
5a, 5b to be connected to one another with a high-strength adhesive
via an adhesive bond 15. However, the regions 5a, 5b can also be
connected mechanically to one another with the aid of screws, pins
and/or clamping strips. The shear strength of the regions 5a, 5b is
achieved either through the adhesive bond 15 alone, but can also be
obtained through additional mechanical connecting parts 16. The
depressions 14 present in the regions 5a, 5b can also be used for
the fastening of retaining elements.
[0028] In the case of a normal insulating glass unit, it is known
practice for the pane gap to be hermetically sealed. The air or the
gas in the pane gap is kept as dry as possible by means of a
specific desiccant 10. This is necessary to ensure that, when there
is a change in temperature, in particular if the outer pane cools
towards the outside, no condensation occurs on the inside. The
spacer profile 5 can also be configured such that one or more
desiccants 10 are integrated in one or more cavities of the spacer
profile 5. In a further embodiment, each of the desiccants 10 can
also be accommodated in an additional desiccant profile 9.
[0029] The desiccant 10 can be held in the desiccant profile 9 via
adhesive spots 21. However, it is also possible for standard
commercial spacer profiles containing desiccant 10 to be
incorporated. In a further refinement (FIG. 4), yet additional
profiles 19 can be inserted for visual reasons between the regions
5a, 5b and the glass panes 2, 3. This is the case if transparent
adhesives are employed and the outer panes 2, 3 do not have an
imprint in the region of the edge connection 4. Here, the spacer
profile 5 or the regions 5a, 5b are then visible through the outer
panes 2, 3.
[0030] However, it would be desirable for various applications if
the visible region of the edge connection 4 could also be embodied
in different colours or structures. This is implemented as
follows:
[0031] Between the spacer profile 5, or the regions 5a, 5b, and the
outer panes 2, 3, an additional flat profile 19 is adhesively
bonded by means of a transparent adhesive 20. The profile 19 may be
embodied with one or more folded-over portions. This makes it
possible to improve the appearance and the handling of the profile
19. The profile 19 can be produced from various materials, or it
can be embodied in all conceivable colours. By virtue of the
transparent adhesive 20, the material or its colour is visible
through the outer panes 2, 3. The transparent adhesive 20 of the
additional profile 19 on the outer panes 2, 3 can be embodied as a
transparent UV-curable or two-component adhesive. The thickness of
the additional profile 19 is selected as a function of the material
used such that the stresses which occur as a result of different
thermal expansions are as small as possible and can be absorbed by
the adhesive bonding.
[0032] A further embodiment is shown in FIG. 5. Here, an insulating
glass unit la is embodied with a total of two outer panes 2, 3 and
one single pane 22 which is arranged between the outer panes 2, 3.
The thicker glass structure which now results means that the
stiffness of the insulating glass unit is significantly increased
again. Furthermore, such a glass structure having two gaps also has
heat-related advantages besides. In further refinements, the
regions 5a, 5b can additionally be embodied with additional webs
which not only increase the stiffness of the insulating glass unit
but can also be used as a structural element. A further embodiment
is shown in FIG. 6. An insulating glass unit 1b comprises two outer
panes 2, 3, with at least one further pane or a sheet 22, 32 being
arranged in a gap defined by the two outer panes 2, 3 for the
purpose of forming a first and second pane gap 30, 31. The further
pane or sheet 22, 32 is designed to be flexible at least in certain
regions. A spacer profile 5, which is arranged between the two
outer panes 2, 3, has a first region 26 and a second region 27
which can be connected or are connected to one another in a
shear-resistant manner in certain regions. The first region 26 and
the second region 27 of the spacer profile 5 are each designed as
profiled spacer elements having an L-shaped cross-sectional
geometry. Each of the profiled spacer elements has two legs 26a,
26b; 27a, 27b. An articulated region 13 is formed in each case in
the region of connection of the two legs 26a, 26b; 27a, 27b of each
profiled spacer element. A first leg 26a, 27a of each region 26, 27
extends parallel to one of the two outer panes 2, 3 and is
connected in a shear-resistant manner to the outer pane 2, 3. A
second leg 26b of one region 26 extends parallel to a second leg
27b of the other region 27 and is connected thereto at least in a
region 28. A pressure-equalizing means is provided at least for one
of the two pane gaps 30, 31, with at least one pressure-equalizing
tube 29, in particular capillary tube, being provided, and/or with
at least one membrane, in particular an air-permeable but
water-impermeable membrane, being provided in a duct 29, which
means, for the purpose of pressure equalization, connects a pane
gap to the external atmosphere. Furthermore, one or more desiccants
10 can be integrated in one or more cavities in the pane gaps 30,
31 and be retained via adhesive spots 25. In addition, the
desiccant 10 can also be held in a desiccant profile 9.
[0033] The invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments
and can be embodied in further configurations. Furthermore, it
should be pointed out that the pressure-equalizing means can also
be used in the embodiment of FIG. 5 or in an insulating glass unit
which comprises two outer panes 2, 3 and at least one pane or
sheet.
* * * * *