Patent Application
20180252021
The invention relates to a corner connector for connecting two hollow-profile strips, an insulating glazing unit, a method for production thereof, and use thereof.
Insulating glazing units usually contain at least two panes made of glass or polymeric materials. The panes are separated from one another via a gas or vacuum space defined by the spacer. The thermal insulation capacity of insulating glass is significantly greater than that of single-pane glass and can be even further increased and improved in triple glazing units or with special coatings. Thus, for example, silver-containing coatings enable reduced transmittance of infrared radiation and thus reduce the cooling of a building in the winter.
In addition to the nature and the structure of the glass, the other components of an insulating glazing unit are also of great significance. The seal and especially the spacer have a great influence on the quality of the insulating glazing unit. Especially the contact points between the spacer and the glass pane are very susceptible to temperature and climate fluctuations. The connection between pane and spacer is produced via an adhesive bond of an organic polymer, for example, polyisobutylene. Besides the direct effects on the physical properties of the adhesive bond, the glass itself in particular has an impact on the adhesive bond. Due to the changes in temperature, for example, from sunlight, the glass expands or contracts again upon cooling. At the same time, this mechanical movement expands or compresses the adhesive bond, which can compensate these movements only to a limited extent through its own elasticity. During the course of the service life of the insulating glazing unit, the mechanical stress described can entail a partial or complete areal detachment of the adhesive bond. This detachment of the adhesive bond can subsequently enable penetration of atmospheric moisture inside the insulating glazing unit. These climatic loads can lead to condensation in the region of the panes and a decrease in the insulating effect.
The interpane spaces are tightly sealed to reduce the atmospheric moisture in the interpane space to a minimum. This is necessary to prevent the development of condensation since moisture could result, in particular, in oxidation of vapor-deposited metal-containing coatings on the panes. Due to the leak-tight design of the interpane space, pressure equalization with the surroundings is, however, not possible. With a change in ambient conditions, such as pressure and temperature, the pressure difference between the surroundings and the inner interpane space results in inward or outward bulging of the glass panes. Among other things, this has as a consequence an increased loading of the edge seal. Moreover, jamming of built-in movable components, such as blinds, can occur due to inward bulging of the panes. To reduce these problems, a connection can be made between an inner interpane space and the surroundings, which enables pressure equalization. The connection must be implemented such that accumulation of water vapor in the interpane space is prevented and, at the same time, penetration of dirt and dust is precluded.
CH 687 937 A5 discloses an insulating glazing unit with a desiccant-filled hollow-profile spacer frame, which has nonperforated sections and sections perforated into the interpane space. A capillary tube that opens into a nonperforated section of the spacer frame is provided for pressure equalization between the pane interior and the external surroundings. The actual capillary tube is arranged in the outer interpane space and is surrounded there by a secondary sealant. An opening of the capillary tube points toward the external surroundings. A disadvantage of this solution is the complicated production of the finished insulating glazing unit. First, a circumferential hollow-profile spacer frame must be produced. An opening of the delicate capillary must then be introduced into the spacer through a bored hole. The capillary itself lies substantially exposed in the outer interpane space until subsequent sealing. The integration of the capillary must, accordingly, be done very carefully and takes a great deal of time.
DE 10 2005 002 285 A1 discloses a complicated insulated glazing pressure equalization system with a capillary and a membrane, provided for use in the interpane space of thermal insulating glazings. The pressure equalization system can also be integrated into an enlarged spacer. Disadvantageous, here again, is the complicated integration of the pressure equalization system that is fastened into bored holes of the spacer via stainless steel clamps.
DE 11 2006 001 274 T5 discloses a tube for neutralizing pressure in a double glazed window. The tube can be provided on one or both ends with a seating for passage of the tube. The seating can be mounted in the region of the frame, but also in the region of the panes. There is no data as to precisely how the seating is mounted. The capillary must be routed through the seating, which is very complicated in the case of lengths of more than half a meter.
The object of the invention is to provide a corner connector for connecting two hollow-profile spacers that enables simple production of an insulating glazing unit with pressure equalization, also to provide an improved insulating glazing unit and an improved method for producing such an insulating glazing unit.
The object of the present invention is accomplished by a corner connector in accordance with independent claim 1. Preferred embodiments are apparent from the subclaims.
An insulating glazing unit according to the invention, a method for producing the insulating glazing unit according to the invention, and use thereof according to the invention are apparent from additional independent claims.
The corner connector according to the invention is suitable for connecting two hollow-profile strips in insulating glazing units. These hollow-profile strips are used as spacers in insulating glazing units. The corner connector comprises at least a first plug-in leg and a second plug-in leg, and, solidly integrated into the corner connector, a capillary tube with a first opening and a second opening. The corner region connects the first plug-in leg to the second plug-in leg. The two plug-in legs form an angle α, where 45°<α≤180°. The two plug-in legs are provided to be plugged, in each case, into a hollow-profile strip and, thus, to connect two hollow-profile strips. The corner region is the region, in which the two plug-in legs are connected. The first plug-in leg, the second plug-in leg, and the corner region are injection molded. Since the plug-in legs and the corner region are injection molded, the capillary is already integrated during the injection molding process and thus fixed particularly solidly and stably in the corner connector. In the context of the invention, “solidly integrated” means that the capillary tube is solidly embedded in the corner connector or molded-in and is not introduced later. The openings of the capillary tube are open and positioned outside the plug-in legs and the corner region. Since the capillary is solidly integrated in the corner connector, drilling into a hollow-profile strip and subsequent introduction of a capillary tube, as described in the prior art, are no longer required. The capillary tube is suitable for establishing a connection, in the finished insulating glazing unit, between the surroundings and the inner interpane space of an insulating glazing unit. The corner connector according to the invention is incorporated during the course of assembly of the spacer frame and, thus, no longer has to be incorporated in a separate step. The corner connector connects two hollow-profile strips that are assembled to form a spacer frame. The two plug-in legs are located in the hollow space of the hollow-profile strips and are completely hidden. The corner connector according to the invention thus provides a simple capability for integrating a capillary tube into an insulating glazing unit with hollow profile spacers.
A spacer frame can be formed by a continuous hollow-profile strip that is bent to form a frame, and whose two ends are connected by a corner connector according to the invention.
A spacer frame can also be assembled from a hollow-profile strip broken into individual sections, wherein two sections of the hollow-profile strip are connected by a corner connector according to the invention and the remaining sections are connected using prior art corner connectors.
In a preferred embodiment of the corner connector according to the invention, the capillary tube is curved or wound at least in a subregion. The capillary tube can, for example, be curved to form a wave shape or wound to form a cylindrical spiral. Through bending or winding of the capillary tube, the length to be installed of the capillary tube is shortened compared to a linear shape of the capillary tube. The length to be installed b of the capillary tube in a curved or spiral shape is shorter than the length to be installed s of the capillary tube in a linear shape. Consequently, a relatively long capillary tube, which would have a length of, for example, 80 cm in a linear form, can be arranged even in relatively small glazing units with edge lengths down to half a meter. Suitable capillaries are typically more than half a meter long in the linear form and, consequently, can be processed only with difficulty. The space-saving arrangement of the capillary additionally has the advantage that the corner angle is easier to store and to assemble. Previously, the use of wound capillaries was possible only with difficulty since prior art capillary tubes were introduced into a spacer only after the fact through a bored hole, which is very difficult for curved capillaries. Since the corner angle according to the invention is injection molded, the capillary can be integrated into the corner angle with no problem even in a curved shape and subsequently easily incorporated into the insulating glazing unit. Preferably, for the relationship of the length to be installed b of the capillary tube in a curved or spiral shape to the length to be installed s of the capillary tube in linear form, the following applies: 0.05≤b/s≤0.55, particularly preferably 0.1≤b/s≤0.35. In this range, particularly good results are obtained.
In another preferred embodiment of the corner connector according to the invention, the capillary tube protrudes from the corner connector on an end face of the first plug-in leg, is arranged inside at least the first plug-in leg, and protrudes from the corner region of the corner connector. The first opening of the capillary tube is situated on the end of the capillary tube protruding from the corner region and the second opening is situated on the end protruding from the first end face. In this arrangement, the capillary tube can, in the finished insulating glazing unit, connect the hollow space of the hollow-profile strip to the atmosphere. Since the hollow-profile strip is usually gas-permeable toward the inner interpane space, pressure equalization between the surroundings and the inner interpane space is enabled in the finished insulating glazing unit. In addition, in this arrangement, the capillary tube is well protected against damage, for example, during transport or assembly of the insulating glazing unit. Since the capillary tube is integrated in the corner region of the corner connector, arranged inside the first plug-in leg, and ends in a section of a hollow-profile strip, it remains hidden to the observer of the finished insulating glass window.
The end face of a plug-in leg is the surface that, on insertion of the corner connector into a hollow-profile strip, faces its hollow space. The end face thus does not rest against an inner side of the hollow-profile strip. After connection of the plug-in legs to a hollow-profile strip, the side faces of the corner region and the corner surface of the corner region are exposed. The side faces of the corner region are the surfaces that, in the finished insulating glazing unit, face toward the outer panes and are arranged parallel to the outer panes of the insulating glazing unit. The side faces of the corner region can also be connected to the outer panes. The corner face is the surface that, in the finished insulating glazing unit, faces the surroundings or at least partially makes contact with the secondary sealant.
In a preferred embodiment of the corner connector according to the invention, the first insertion angle and the second insertion angle form a right angle. This shape is particularly stable and suitable for producing conventional rectangular insulating glass windows.
In another preferred embodiment of the corner connector according to the invention, the first opening of the capillary tube open on both ends is reversibly closed on the end protruding from the corner region, for example, by a rubber cap. The closure serves to protect the first opening against the penetration of dirt or of secondary sealant that is used during the sealing of the insulating glazing unit.
The capillary tube is preferably made of a metal, particularly preferably of stainless steel, aluminum, or an aluminum-containing alloy. With these materials, the penetration of water vapor into the inner interpane space is particularly effectively avoided, as was demonstrated in tests. Particularly preferably, the capillary tube made of metal is surrounded by a protective sheathing made of a plastic. Thus, the delicate capillary tube is protected against damage during transport and installation. The capillary tube can, in another preferred embodiment, also be made of a plastic. The capillary tube then has a metal-containing coating on the inside.
The capillary tube preferably has an inside diameter of 0.4 mm to 0.8 mm, particularly preferably of 0.5 mm to 0.7 mm. The wall thickness of the capillary tube is preferably 0.1 mm to 0.3 mm, particularly preferably 0.2 mm. The length of the capillary tube depends on the dimensions of the insulating glazing unit. It should, in a straightened form, have a minimum length of approx. 60 cm such that the pressure equalization can be realized without water vapor penetrating into the inner interpane space.
The corner connector is preferably implemented rigid. This means that after the production of the corner connector with an integrated capillary, it is no longer bendable in the corner region. The angle α can then no longer be changed substantially, in other words, can be changed by at most 5°, preferably by at most 1°. This design improves the stability of the corner connector and prevents damage of the capillary tube im corner region.
The plug-in legs and the corner region are preferably made of a polymer and particularly preferably contain polyethylene (PE), polycarbonate (PC), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene, polybutadiene, polynitriles, polyesters, polyurethanes, polymethylmethacrylates, polyacrylates, polyamides, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), preferably acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), acrylonitrile styrene acrylester (ASA), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene/polycarbonate (ABS/PC), styrene acrylonitrile (SAN), PET/PC, PBT/PC, and/or copolymers or mixtures thereof.
In a possible embodiment, the plug-in legs and the corner region are fiber-reinforced. The corner connector preferably has a fiber content of 5% to 60%, particularly preferably of 20% to 50%. The fiber content in the corner connector according to the invention improves strength and stability. Through the selection of the fiber content, the coefficient of thermal expansion of the corner connector can be varied and adapted to the hollow-profile spacer. Preferably, natural fibers or glass fibers, particularly preferably glass fibers, are used for reinforcing the corner connector.
In an alternative embodiment, the corner connector can also be made of metal.
In a preferred embodiment of the connector according to the invention, at least the outer face of the corner region is provided with a water-vapor-tight barrier. This barrier is preferably a metal layer that is applied directly on the outer face of the corner region. This metallization contains aluminum, aluminum oxides, and/or silicon oxides and is preferably applied via a PVD method (physical vapor deposition). The coating containing aluminum, aluminum oxides, and/or silicon oxides delivers particularly good results in terms of leak-tightness. Alternatively, a film coated with metal can also be used. In particular, in the case of connectors made of polymeric materials that have high permeability to water vapor, such an additional barrier is advantageous for improving the leak-tightness of the edge seal.
A method for producing a corner connector according to the invention first includes providing a capillary that is already bent into the desired shape. Next, the capillary is inserted into an injection mold in which the corner connector, comprising the first and second plug-in legs and the corner region, is then molded. After the curing of the material, the finished corner connector can be removed from the injection mold.
The invention further includes an insulating glazing unit having a corner connector with an integrated capillary tube, in particular a corner connector according to the invention. The insulating glazing unit according to the invention comprises at least one first pane, a second pane arranged parallel thereto, and a spacer frame arranged between the first pane and the second pane. The first pane, the second pane, and the spacer frame delimit an inner interpane space. The spacer frame comprises at least one hollow-profile strip and a corner connector, which comprises at least one first plug-in leg, a second plug-in leg, a corner region, and a capillary tube integrated at least in the corner region. The first plug-in leg is connected to the second plug-in leg in the corner region. The first plug-in leg, the second plug-in leg, and the corner region are injection molded. The first plug-in leg and the second plug-in leg are in each case plugged into one end of the hollow-profile strip. Thus, the corner connector connects the hollow-profile strip to form a complete spacer frame. The capillary tube integrated in the corner connector is arranged such that it establishes a connection between the inner interpane space and the atmosphere and thus enables pressure equalization. In this manner, pressure equalization at the time of changes in ambient conditions is ensured in the insulating glazing unit according to the invention with a capillary tube integrated in the corner connector. Since the capillary tube is integrated according to the invention in the corner connector, the insulating glazing unit can be produced particularly simply.
The hollow-profile strip can comprise a plurality of discontinuous sections, which are in each case combined in the corners of the insulating glazing unit to form a complete frame. The sections can be welded together, glued together, or plugged together via connectors. The hollow-profile strip can also be produced continuously and bent in the corners. Preferably, the spacer frame is implemented rectangular. Most insulating glazing units are made in this shape.
The spacer frame is preferably attached between the first pane and the second pane via a primary sealant. Thus, good sealing of the inner interpane space against the external surroundings is obtained. The penetration of moisture and the loss of a gas filling that is possibly present is thus prevented. The primary sealant preferably contains a polyisobutylene. The polyisobutylene can be a cross-linking or a non-cross-linking polyisobutylene.
A known prior art hollow-profile strip can be used as hollow-profile strip regardless of its material composition. Polymeric or metallic hollow-profile strips are mentioned here by way of example.
In a preferred embodiment of the insulating glazing unit according to the invention, the hollow-profile strip comprises at least one first side wall, a second side wall arranged parallel thereto, a glazing interior wall arranged perpendicular to the side walls, and an outer wall. The glazing interior wall connects the side walls to one another. The outer wall is arranged substantially parallel to the interior wall and connects the side walls to one another. The first side wall, the glazing interior wall, the second side wall, and the outer wall enclose a hollow space. The hollow space improves the thermal conductivity of the hollow-profile strip compared to a solid profile strip and can, for example, accommodate a desiccant. The glazing interior wall contains at least one gas-permeable section such that a connection between the hollow space and the interpane space is present. In the permeable section, the exchange of gas and moisture between the inner interpane space and the hollow space is possible. The hollow space contains, at least in the permeable section, a desiccant that absorbs any moisture present in the inner interpane space and thus prevents fogging of the panes. The permeability of the glazing interior wall can be obtained by the use of a porous material and/or by at least one perforation in the glazing interior wall. Preferably, the glazing interior wall contains perforations in the permeable section. The total number of perforations depends on the size of the insulating glazing unit. The perforations connect the hollow space to the inner interpane space, by which means a gas exchange therebetween is possible. The perforations are preferably implemented as slots, particularly preferably as slots with a width of 0.2 mm and a length of 2 mm. The slots ensure an optimum exchange of air without the desiccant being able to penetrate out of the hollow space into the inner interpane space.
The first side wall and the second side wall of the hollow-profile strip are provided for the first pane and the second pane to be attached there. Preferably, the first pane and the second pane are attached to the first side wall or to the second side wall via a primary sealant. The inner interpane space is delimited by the first pane, the second pane, and the glazing interior wall of the hollow-profile strip. The outer wall of the hollow-profile strip and the first and second pane delimit an outer interpane space. The outer interpane space is preferably filled with a secondary sealant. The secondary sealant contributes to the mechanical stability of the insulating glazing unit and absorbs part of the climatic loads that act on the edge seal.
Preferably, the secondary sealant contains polymers or silane-modified polymers, particularly preferably organic polysulfides, silicones, room-temperature vulcanizing (RTV) silicone rubber, peroxide vulcanizing silicone rubber, and/or addition vulcanizing silicone rubber, polyurethanes, and/or butyl rubber. These sealants have a particularly good stabilizing effect.
The hollow space preferably contains a desiccant, preferably silica gels, molecular sieves, CaCl2, Na2SO4, activated carbon, silicates, bentonites, zeolites, and/or mixtures thereof.
In another preferred embodiment of the insulating glazing unit according to the invention, the capillary tube has a first opening, which is open to the atmosphere, and a second opening, which is arranged in the hollow space of the hollow-profile strip. The capillary tube runs at least inside the first plug-in leg and in the corner region. Since the capillary tube opens into the hollow space of the hollow-profile strip and establishes a connection to the atmosphere, pressure equalization between an inner interpane space and the atmosphere can occur. In the permeable section of the glazing interior surface, a connection is made between the hollow space and an inner interpane space. The permeable section is connected to the section of the hollow-profile strip into which the capillary opens, or it is itself a permeable section. Thus, an insulating glazing unit with pressure equalization can be easily produced, by establishing a connection between the hollow space and the atmosphere. Since the capillary tube is integrated into the corner connector, it is optimally protected against bending out of shape during installation and also during the service life of the insulating glazing unit.
In a preferred embodiment of the insulating glazing unit according to the invention, only 40% to 0.5%, preferably 25% to 1%, particularly preferably 15% to 1% of the length s (based on a straightened form) of the capillary tube is arranged outside the spacer frame. The term “outside the spacer frame” means in the outer interpane space and in the surroundings of the insulating glazing unit. In this arrangement, most of the capillary tube is arranged inside the hollow space of the hollow-profile strip. Compared to arrangements in which more than 50% of the length of the capillary tube runs outside the spacer frame, the capillary tube inside the spacer frame is optimally protected against external influences, such as mechanical loading.
Thus, fewer instances of damage to the capillary tube occur during assembly of the insulating glazing unit. The sealing of the insulating glazing unit with a secondary sealant can then be automated since most of the delicate capillary tube is situated inside the hollow-profile strip and thus does not interfere with the filling of the outer interpane space.
In a preferred embodiment of the insulating glazing unit according to the invention, the second opening of the capillary tube is arranged in a section of the hollow-profile strip having an impermeable glazing interior wall, wherein this impermeable section is connected to a permeable section. Thus, the ambient air flowing in through the capillary tube does not arrive directly in the inner interpane space but arrives first in the impermeable section. Preferably, the impermeable section is at least partially filled with a desiccant such that the air flowing in can first be pre-dried before it arrives in the connected gas-permeable section in the inner interpane space. Particularly preferably, the gas flow is interrupted by the spacer frame or the hollow profile sections in the region of the corner connector. This interruption can, for example, be introduced by a corner connector according to the invention, which enables no gas exchange between the connected ends of the hollow-profile strip. Alternatively, a partition or a gas-permeable rubber stopper can be introduced into the hollow profile strip. By means of the interruption of the gas flow, it is ensured that the ambient air flowing in through the capillary tube flows in only one direction and thus always first through the same section, preferably filled with desiccant. Thus, the efficiency of the drying can be further increased.
The length d of the impermeable section, measured along the circumferential spacer frame, is preferably at least 0.2 U, where U is the circumference of the spacer frame along the glazing interior wall. Preferably the following applies: d≥0.3 U, particularly preferably d≥0.5 U. Thus, the drying path of the stream of air is increased in the gas impermeable region, such that the long-term stability, insulating action, and service life of the glazing are further optimized.
Preferably, all sections of the hollow-profile strip are filled with a desiccant such that maximum drying of the inflowing ambient air and of the inner interpane space are ensured.
In an alternative preferred embodiment, at least the section of the hollow-profile strip in which the second opening of the capillary tube is arranged is free of desiccant. Thus, clogging of the capillary tube with desiccant is prevented and damaging of the capillary tube during filling with desiccant is precluded. The filling of approx. 25% of the hollow-profile strip with desiccant is sufficient to ensure dehumidification of the inner interpane space. Preferably, at least 30%, particularly preferably at least 50% of the hollow-profile strip is filled with desiccant in order to increase the drying capacity.
In a preferred embodiment of the insulating glazing unit, the insulating glazing unit includes a corner connector according to the invention, as described above.
The first and second pane of the insulating glazing unit preferably contain glass and/or polymers, preferably flat glass, float glass, quartz glass, borosilicate glass, soda lime glass, polymethylmethacrylate, and/or mixtures thereof. In an alternative embodiment, the first pane and/or the second pane can be implemented as composite glass panes.
The insulating glazing unit can also include more than two panes.
The invention further includes a method for producing an insulating glazing unit according to the invention, wherein, first, a hollow-profile strip is prepared and this is connected to at least one corner connector to form a complete spacer frame. In the case of a discontinuous hollow-profile strip, the individual sections can be connected with prior art corner connectors without an integrated capillary. Next, at least one section of the hollow-profile strip is filled with a desiccant. A first section, into which the capillary tube opens, is not filled with desiccant. Next, the first and second pane are installed on the spacer frame via a primary sealant, creating an inner interpane space and an outer interpane space. In the last step, a secondary sealant is installed in the outer interpane space, and the pane arrangement is pressed. The method according to the invention for producing an insulating glazing unit with pressure equalization is significantly simplified compared to prior art methods for integration of capillary tubes. No separate step is necessary for installation of the capillary tube. Also, no bored holes have to be made, since the installation of the capillary tube is done with the corner connector.
The invention further includes the use of the insulating glazing unit according to the invention as a building interior glazing unit, a building exterior glazing unit, and/or a façade glazing unit.
The invention is explained in detail in the following with reference to figures. The figures are purely schematic representations and not true to scale. They in no way restrict the invention. They depict:
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15189556.2 | Oct 2015 | EP | regional |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/EP2016/074537 | 10/13/2016 | WO | 00 |
