Abstract
A corner connector for connecting two hollow profile spacers of insulating glazing units, includes a first leg and a second leg, which are connected to one another via a corner region, and a first electrical supply line, wherein the first leg and the second leg enclose an angle α, where 45°<α<120°, the first leg, the second leg, and the corner region are formed in one piece, at least the corner region surrounds the first electrical supply line, and the first electrical supply line protrudes out of the corner region.
Claims
1. A double corner connector comprising two corner connectors, each corner connector being configured for connecting two hollow profile spacers of insulating glazing units, each corner connector comprising a first leg and a second leg, which are connected to one another via a corner region, and a first electrical supply line, wherein the double corner connector includes a polymeric main body, wherein the first electrical supply line is integrated within a material of the polymeric main body, and wherein the first leg and the second leg enclose an angle α, where 45°<α<120°, the first leg, the second leg, and the corner region are formed in one piece, at least the corner region comprises the first electrical supply line, and the first electrical supply line protrudes out of the corner region from an external surface of the corner region that is outside a portion of the corner region enclosed by said angle α, wherein the two corner connectors are connected to each other in the corner region via a web, with the web being implemented such that a groove for receiving a pane is formed between the two corner connectors and the web forming a bottom surface of the groove, and wherein the two corner connectors and the web are formed in one piece, and wherein (a) the polymeric main body is extruded around the first electrical supply line to integrate the first electrical supply line within said material or (b) the first electrical supply line is integrated within the material of the polymeric main body during injection molding of the double corner connector.
2. The double corner connector according to claim 1, wherein, in each corner connector, at least the corner region and the first leg comprise the first electrical supply line, and the first electrical supply line protrudes out of the first leg.
3. The double corner connector according to claim 1, wherein, in each corner connector, the first electrical supply line protrudes only out of the first leg and out of the corner region.
4. The double corner connector according to claim 1, wherein, in each corner connector, the first electrical supply line protrudes out of the first leg and the second leg.
5. The double corner connector according to claim 1, wherein each corner connector comprises one second electrical supply line.
6. The double corner connector according to claim 1, wherein, in each corner connector, the first electrical supply line enters the groove through an exit opening.
7. A method comprising utilizing a double corner connector according to claim 1 in an insulating glazing unit including an electrically switchable functional element.
8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the insulating glazing unit includes an SPD, a PDLC, an electrochromic, or an electroluminescent functional element.
9. The double corner connector according to claim 1, wherein the first electrical supply line integrated within a material of the polymeric main body is devoid of sheathing.
10. An insulating glazing unit comprising a first pane, a second pane, and a third pane, a circumferentially arranged spacer frame between the first pane and the second pane, comprising a double spacer having a groove, and a double corner connector according to claim 1, wherein the first pane and the second pane are connected in a leakproof manner to the spacer frame via a primary sealant, a secondary sealant is arranged in an outer interpane space between the first pane, the second pane, and the spacer frame, the groove of the double spacer and the groove of the double corner connector form a circumferential groove, into which the third pane is inserted, the third pane includes an electrically switchable functional element and the first electrical supply line makes electrically conductive contact with the electrically switchable functional element, and the first electrical supply line protrudes exclusively through the secondary sealant.
11. The insulating glazing unit according to claim 10, wherein the first electrical supply line makes electrically conductive contact in the groove with the electrically switchable functional element.
12. A double corner connector consisting of two corner connectors that are connected to each other in a corner region via a web, each corner connector being configured for connecting two hollow profile spacers of insulating glazing units, each corner connector comprising a first leg and a second leg, which are connected to one another via the corner region, and a first electrical supply line, wherein the double corner connector has a polymeric main body that forms the two corner connectors, wherein the first electrical supply line is integrated within a material of the polymeric main body, and wherein the first leg and the second leg enclose an angle α, where 45°<α<120°, the first leg, the second leg, and the corner region are formed in one piece, at least the corner region comprises the first electrical supply line, and the first electrical supply line protrudes out of the corner region, and wherein the web is implemented such that a groove for receiving a pane is formed between the two corner connectors and the web forming a bottom surface of the groove, and wherein the two corner connectors and the web are formed in one piece, and wherein (a) the polymeric main body is extruded around the first electrical supply line to integrate the first electrical supply line within said material or (b) the first electrical supply line is integrated within the material of the polymeric main body during injection molding of the double corner connector.
Description
(1) The invention is explained in detail in the following with reference to drawings. The drawings are purely schematic representations and not to scale. They in no way restrict the invention. They depict:
(2) FIG. 1a a schematic representation of a corner connector according to the invention in plan view,
(3) FIG. 1b a schematic representation of a corner connector according to the invention in cross-section,
(4) FIG. 1c a schematic representation of a corner connector according to the invention in plan view,
(5) FIGS. 2a, 2b and 2c, in each case, a schematic representation of a corner connector according to the invention in cross-section,
(6) FIGS. 3a and 3b, in each case, a schematic representation of a double corner connector according to the invention in plan view,
(7) FIG. 4 a schematic representation of a part of a double corner connector according to the invention in plan view,
(8) FIG. 5 a schematic representation of an insulating glazing unit according to the invention in cross-section,
(9) FIG. 6 a schematic representation of a hollow profile spacer for use in an insulating glazing unit according to the invention, and
(10) FIG. 7 a schematic representation of an insulating glazing unit according to the invention in the edge region in cross-section.
(11) FIGS. 1a and 1b depict the same corner connector according to the invention in different views. The representation is greatly simplified. Slats or retaining elements, as they are used in the prior art to fix the corner connectors in a hollow profile strip, are, for example, not shown. These can be added by the person skilled in the art as needed. The corner connector I has a first leg 2.1 and a second leg 2.2, joined to one another via a corner region 3. The first leg 2.1 and the second leg 2.2 enclose an angle α von 90°. The two legs 2.1 and 2.2 and the corner region 3 form the main body 6 and are produced in one piece from a polyamide in an injection molding process. A first electrical supply line 4.1 is integrated in the corner region 3 and in the first leg 2.1. This had already been integrated there during production of the corner connector. Since the main body 6 is made of an electrically insulating polymer, there is no need to provide the electrical supply line 4.1 with sheathing. In the example, this is a simple copper conductor. The first electrical supply line 4.1 protrudes out of the corner region 3. The first electrical supply line 4.1 enters the corner connector in the corner region 3 of the corner connector I, runs along the first leg 2.1, is angled in the corner region 3, and exits again at the end face 5.1 of the first leg 2.1. The first electrical supply line 4.1 enters in the region of the corner region 3 that points toward the outer interpane space in the finished insulating glazing unit such that the first electrical supply line 4.1 makes contact there with the secondary sealant, but does not come into contact with the primary sealant. The dimensions of the corner connector I depend on the hollow profile spacer 1 used. In the example, the length L of a leg is 3.0 cm, and the length E of the corner region is approx. 0.7 cm. The two legs 2.1 and 2.2 are the same length. The corner region 3 protrudes compared to the legs 2.1 and 2.2 such that a hollow profile spacer 1 that is pushed onto one leg 2.1 or 2.2 and rests against the corner region 3 ends flush with the corner region 3.
(12) FIG. 1c depicts another corner connector I according to the invention, essentially constructed like that previously depicted. It differs in the structure of the corner region 3, which has a length E of 2.3 cm with a length L of the legs of 1.5 cm. An advantage of this enlarged corner region 3 is that the regions for the entry opening on the side facing the outer interpane space and for a possible exit opening on the side facing the glazing interior (not shown here) are larger. Thus, for example, an exit opening with the possibility of contact can also be arranged in such an enlarged corner region.
(13) FIG. 2a depicts another corner connector according to the invention in cross-section. The structure is essentially the same as in FIG. 1a,b. It differs by the routing of the first electrical supply line 4.1. In this case, the first electrical supply line 4.1 is a conductor with multiple wires. The first electrical supply line 4.1 enters the corner region 3 in an entry opening and then branches into the corner region 3 and runs through the first leg 2.1 and exits again there in an end face 5.1. The first electrical supply line also runs through the second leg 2.2 and exits again there in an end face 5.2. Since it is a conductor with multiple wires, branching in the corner region 3 is possible. The individual wires are insulated from one another and surrounded by sheathing. With the help of the corner connector I, electrically switchable functional elements can make contact at two different points of the insulating glazing unit, while requiring only a single electrical supply line that is already integrated into a prefabricated corner connector.
(14) FIG. 2b depicts another corner connector I according to the invention. The corner connector has a polymeric main body 6 made of polyamide. The corner connector I contains a first electrical supply line 4.1 that runs as described for FIG. 1a. In addition, the corner connector contains a second electrical supply line 4.2, which protrudes out of the corner region in each case in the direction of the glazing interior and in the direction of the outer interpane space. Thus, with the help of the corner connector I according to the invention, contact can be made via the second electrical supply line 4.2 of an electrically switchable functional element in the region of the corner of the insulating glazing unit. Moreover, another electrical functional element or the same electrical functional element can be contacted at a more distant location using the first electrical supply line 4.1.
(15) FIG. 2c depicts another corner connector according to the invention, constructed essentially like that depicted in FIG. 1a,b. The corner connector contains a first electrical supply line 4.1, that protrudes out of the first leg 5.1, is angled in the corner region 3, and also protrudes out of the second leg 5.2. The corner connector according to the invention thus enables routing an electrical supply line around the corner, and thus prevents having to first route a conductor around the corner and then having to again route it into the glazing interior through the sealing of the edge seal.
(16) FIG. 3a depicts a double corner connector III according to the invention, which comprises two single corner connectors I according to the invention that are joined to one another in the corner region 3 via a web 7. The web forms a groove 8 for receiving a pane. Such a corner connector is suitable for connecting two double spacers, having two hollow chambers in each case, into which the legs 2.1 and 2.2 of the double corner connector III are pushed. The two first legs 2.1 and the two second leg 2.2 contain in each case a flat conductor as a first electrical supply line 4.1. The flat conductors protrude out of the legs 2.1 and 2.2, in other words, they are freely accessible on the outside of the legs such that upon insertion into a suitable hollow profile spacer, which is, for example, also equipped with a flat conductor, they can establish an electrically conductive connection with this flat conductor. Using the corner connector III depicted, an electrical supply line can be routed around the corner of an insulating glazing unit without having to subsequently route complex cabling through the outer interpane space. A particular advantage of the double corner connector with two first electrical supply lines that lead into separated hollow chambers is that different electrically switchable functional elements can be contacted in different glazing interiors or different polarities can be routed separately from one another into the hollow chambers of a double spacer.
(17) FIG. 3b depicts another double corner connector III according to the invention, which comprises two individual corner connectors according to the invention, joined to one another via a web 7, wherein the web is implemented such that it forms a groove 8. The two first legs 2.1 include in each case a first supply line 4.1 and a second supply line 4.2, which are in each case incorporated into the main body of the double corner connector during its production by a metal conductor in the form of a copper wire. The supply lines protrude out of the legs and extend beyond the main body of the double corner connector by approx. 1 to 2 cm (not shown here) in order to implement a connection with an electrical element in the hollow chambers of a double spacer.
(18) FIGS. 3a and 3b depict in each case symmetrical embodiments of the double corner connector. This is just one selection. Two different corner connectors I according to the invention can also be joined to form a double corner connector according to the invention. Alternatively, the connection of a corner connector I according to the invention with a prior art corner connector without an electrical supply line to form a double corner connector is also possible.
(19) FIG. 4 depicts a part of another embodiment of a double corner connector III according to the invention. In contrast to the one-piece embodiments of legs 2.1, 2.2 and the corner region 3, depicted in FIGS. 1 to 3, here, a two-piece embodiment is provided. In the corner region illustrated, longitudinal connectors are inserted in each case into the hollow chambers such that the legs 2.1 and 2.2 (not shown) are part of a second component. The corner regions 3 of the individual corner connectors are connected via a web 7, which forms a groove 8. In a side plank of the groove 8, a recess 9 is arranged, through which an electrical supply line can be guided from a hollow chamber of the corner region into the groove 8. The electrical supply line can enter the hollow chamber via an entry opening into the wall of the hollow chamber that faces in the direction of the outer interpane space. Alternatively, it is possible to route an electrical supply line directly over the bottom surface of the groove, i.e., through the web 7 into the groove 8. The routing of the electrical supply line in the groove 8 has the advantage that direct contact can be made with an electrically switchable functional element in the groove 8.
(20) FIG. 5 depicts an overall view of an insulating glazing unit I according to the invention. The insulating glazing unit II comprises a spacer frame 14 that comprises two hollow profile spacers 1 and two corner connectors I according to the invention. A first hollow profile spacer 1 is bent twice and runs along three sides the insulating glazing unit. A second hollow profile spacer 1 runs along the fourth side of the insulating glazing unit. The two hollow profile spacers are joined at two corners of the insulating glazing unit II via corner connectors. The spacer frame 14 is arranged between a first pane 11 and a second pane 12. An electrically switchable functional element 19 that is provided with two busbars 21.1 and 21.2 is arranged in the glazing interior 18. The first busbar 21.1 is connected to a first electrical supply line that is arranged in a corner connector I according to the invention. The first electrical supply line 4.1 exits the corner connector and enters the glazing interior. There, it makes electrically conductive contact with the first busbar 21.1. The first electrical supply line 4.1 protrudes out of the first leg 2.1 of the corner connector and enters a hollow chamber of the hollow profile spacer 1. There, the first electrical supply line makes contact with an electrical conductor 26 within the hollow chamber of the hollow profile spacer 1. The electrical conductor 26 runs along the entire fourth hollow profile spacer all the way to a second corner connector I according to the invention, and makes contact there with a second electrical supply line 4.2. The second electrical supply line 4.2 protrudes out of the second leg 2.2 of the corner connector and is connected to a voltage source 20, which is arranged outside the insulating glazing unit. The second electrical supply line 4.2 runs through the secondary sealant 16 in the outer interpane space 17 and enters the corner region in the corner connector I. The second busbar 21.2 is contacted by a first electrical supply line 4.1, which is likewise connected to the voltage source 20 and which enters the corner region in the corner connector and, in the corner region, also exits the corner connector into the glazing interior. There, the first electrical supply line makes contact with the second busbar 21.2. Here, the voltage source is a DC voltage source for operating an electrochromic functional element. The supply lines 4.1 and 4.2 are connected to different poles of the voltage source such that a potential difference is created between the two opposing busbars 21.1 and 21.2. The voltage applied to the busbars 21.1 and 21.2 causes ion migration within the active layer of the electrochromic functional element, influencing its transmittance.
(21) FIG. 6 depicts a schematic representation in cross-section of a hollow profile spacer 1 suitable for an insulating glazing unit according to the invention. The hollow profile spacer 1 includes a polymeric main body 25 and an electrical element 26 in the form of a ribbon conductor on the main body 25. The polymeric main body 25 is a hollow body profile comprising two pane contact surfaces 27.1 and 27.2, a glazing interior surface 28, an outer surface 29, and a hollow chamber 30. The polymeric main body 25 contains styrene acrylonitrile (SAN) and approx. 35 wt.-% glass fiber. The hollow body 30 is usually filled with a desiccant (not shown). The glazing interior surface 28 of the spacer 1 has openings 32, made at regular intervals circumferentially along the glazing interior surface 28 to enable gas exchange between the interior of the insulating glazing unit and the hollow chamber 30. Thus, any atmospheric moisture present in the interior is absorbed by the desiccant. A barrier film (not shown) that reduces the penetration of moisture through the polymeric main body 25 into the glazing interior is applied on the outer surface 29 of the spacer 1. The barrier film usually comprises a film made of polymeric and metallic layers. The polymeric main body 25 is non-conductive for electrical current such that the ribbon conductor 26 does not necessarily have electrical insulation. Preferably, however, the ribbon cable 26 is surrounded by an insulating sheathing or covered by a barrier film with polymeric layers. The ribbon conductor protrudes out of the main body 25 of the spacer at the open cross-sections. There are various possibilities for making an electrically conductive connection to a corner connector I according to the invention. With the variants depicted in FIG. 1, which have a first electrical supply line in each case, which protrudes out of and beyond one leg, the electrical supply line 4.1 has to be brought into contact with the ribbon cable 26 in the form of a cable. For this, the ribbon cable 26 preferably has a part, for example, 1 cm long, placed around the outside wall 29 such that it is routed there for this part in the hollow chamber 30 of the spacer. When the ribbon cable 26 is situated within the hollow chamber, it is obviously not necessary to fold the ribbon cable over. Any insulating sheathing of the first electrical supply line 4.1 and of the ribbon cable 26 should be removed. Then, contact can be established between an electrical element 26 and a first electrical supply line 4.1 by simple insertion of the corner connector I according to the invention into the hollow chamber 30 of the spacer 1. FIG. 3a depicts, in the design of a double corner connector Ill, a corner connector with a flat conductor 4.1, which can be electrically conductively connected, by simple insertion into a spacer 1 shown, to a flat conductor 26 folded at the end of the hollow profile spacer in the hollow chamber 30 of the hollow profile.
(22) FIG. 7 depicts a cross-section through an insulating glazing unit II according to the invention with a hollow profile spacer 1 per FIG. 6 with an additional barrier film 24. A spacer frame 14 comprising the hollow profile spacer 1 is mounted circumferentially between a first pane 11 and a second pane 12 via a primary sealant 15. The primary sealant 15 connects the pane contact surfaces 27.1 and 27.2 of the hollow profile spacer 1 to the panes 11 and 12. The glazing interior 18 adjacent the glazing interior surface 28 of the spacer 1 is defined as the space delimited by the panes 11, 12 and the spacer I. The outer interpane space 17 adjacent the outer surface 29 of the spacer 1 is a strip-shaped circumferential section of the glazing that is delimited on one side each by the two panes 11, 12 and on another side by the spacer frame 14 and whose fourth side is open. The glazing interior 18 is, for example, filled with argon. Between a pane contact surface 27.1 or 27.2 and the adjacent pane 11 or 12, respectively, a primary sealant 15 that seals the gap between pane 11, 12 and spacer 1 is introduced. The primary sealant 15 is polyisobutylene. A secondary sealant 16 that serves to bond the first pane 11 and the second pane 12 is applied in the outer interpane space 17 on the outer surface 29. The secondary sealant 16 is made of silicone. The secondary sealant 16 ends flush with the pane edges of the first pane 11 and the second pane 12. On the pane surface directed toward the glazing interior 18, the second pane 12 has an electrically switchable functional element 19 that is equipped with a first first busbar 21.1 for electrically contacting the functional element 19. The electrically switchable functional element 19 is an electrochromic layer.
LIST OF REFERENCE CHARACTERS
(23) I corner connector II insulating glazing unit III double corner connector 1 hollow profile spacer 2.1 first leg; first insertion leg 2.2 second leg; first insertion leg 3 corner region 4.1 first electrical supply line 4.2 second electrical supply line 5.1 end face of the first leg 5.2 end face of the second leg 6 main body of the corner connector 7 web 8 groove 9 exit opening 11 first pane 12 second pane 13 third pane 14 spacer frame 15 primary sealant 16 secondary sealant 17 outer interpane space 18 glazing interior 19 electrically switchable functional element 20 external power source, voltage source 21.1 first conductor surface/busbar 21.2 second conductor surface/busbar 25 main body of the hollow profile spacer 26 electrical element in/on the hollow profile spacer 27.1, 27.2 pane contact surfaces of the hollow profile spacer 28 glazing interior surface of the spacer 29 outer surface of the spacer 30 hollow chamber of the spacer 32 openings in the glazing interior surface of the spacer L length of a leg E height/length of the corner region
