Abstract
A connector for connecting two hollow-profile strips of an insulating glazing unit is presented. The connector includes two plug-in legs suitable for insertion into the hollow-profile strips, and a connection region where the two plug-in legs are connected. The connection region includes an outer surface, two pane contact surfaces, and an inner surface. According to one aspect, the connector includes a cavity to establish a passage from the inner interpane space to corresponding surroundings of the insulating glazing unit. According to another aspect, the cavity has a first opening in the outer surface of the connection region that is sealed with a gas-permeable and water-vapor-tight membrane.
Claims
1.-15. (canceled)
16. A connector, comprising: two plug-in legs adapted for insertion into a hollow-profile strip; and a connection region connecting the two plug-in legs, the connection region including i) an outer surface; ii) two pane contact surfaces; and iii) an inner surface, wherein the connector is adapted to connect two hollow-profile strips of an insulating glazing unit, the connector comprises a cavity adapted for establishing a passage from an inner interpane space to corresponding surroundings, the cavity comprises a first opening in the outer surface of the connection region, and the first opening is sealed with a gas-permeable and water-vapor-tight membrane.
17. The connector according to claim 16, wherein the gas-permeable and water-vapor-tight membrane comprises polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE).
18. The connector according to claim 17, wherein the polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) is an expanded microporous polytetrafluoroethylene.
19. The connector according to claim 16, wherein the connector is a corner connector or a longitudinal connector.
20. The connector according to claim 16, wherein the cavity comprises a second opening in the inner surface of the connection region.
21. The connector according to claim 16, wherein: the cavity is arranged along a plug-in leg of the two plug-in legs, and a second opening of the cavity is arranged in an end face of said plug-in leg.
22. The connector according to claim 16, wherein: the cavity is arranged along both plug-in legs, and a second opening and a third opening of the cavity are arranged in respective end faces of the two plug-in legs.
23. The connector according to claim 16, wherein at least the outer surface of the connection region is provided with a water-vapor-tight barrier.
24. The connector according to claim 23, wherein the outer surface of the connection region is coated with a metal layer.
25. An insulating glazing unit, comprising: I) a first pane; II) a second pane; III) a peripheral spacer frame arranged between the first and second panes, the peripheral spacer frame comprising at least one hollow-profile strip and at least one connector; and IV) an inner interpane space delimited by the peripheral spacer frame and the first and second panes, wherein the connector comprises: a) two plug-in legs inserted into ends of the at least one hollow-profile strip; b) a connection region connecting the two plug-in legs, wherein the connection region comprises: b1) an outer surface pointed toward surroundings of the inner interpane space; b2) two pane contact surfaces; and b3) an inner surface pointed toward the inner interpane space; and c) a cavity adapted for establishing a passage from the inner interpane space to the surroundings, wherein the cavity comprises a first opening in the outer surface of the connection region, and wherein the first opening is sealed with a gas-permeable and water-vapor-tight membrane.
26. The insulating glazing unit according to claim 25, wherein the cavity comprises a second opening in the inner surface.
27. The insulating glazing unit according to claim 26, wherein the at least one hollow-profile strip comprises: a first side wall; a second side wall arranged parallel to the first side wall; a glazing interior wall arranged perpendicular to the first and second side walls, the glazing interior wall connecting the first side wall to the second side wall; an outer wall arranged substantially parallel to the glazing interior wall, the outer wall connecting the first side wall to the second side wall; and a hollow space that is surrounded by the side walls, the glazing interior wall, and the outer wall, wherein the glazing interior wall comprises at least one permeable section adapted to provide gas exchange and moisture exchange between the inner interpane space and the hollow space, and the hollow space comprises a desiccant in the at least one permeable section.
28. The insulating glazing unit according to claim 27, wherein: the cavity is arranged along a plug-in leg of the two plug-in legs, a second opening of the cavity is arranged in an end face of said plug-in leg, and the second opening is arranged in a section of the hollow-profile strip whose hollow space is one of: a) connected to the permeable section, and b) is a permeable section.
29. The insulating glazing unit according to claim 28, wherein: the second opening is arranged in an impermeable section of the hollow-profile strip having an impermeable glazing interior wall, and the impermeable section is connected to a permeable section.
30. A method for producing an insulating glazing unit, the method comprising the steps of: I) preparing at least one hollow-profile strip; II) connecting ends of the at least one hollow-profile strip to form a complete spacer frame using at least one connector; Ill) filling the hollow-profile strip with a desiccant; IV) installing a first pane and a second pane on the spacer frame via a primary sealant, thereby creating an inner interpane space and an outer interpane space; V) installing a secondary sealant in the outer interpane space; and VI) pressing the pane arrangement, wherein the at least one connector comprises: a) two plug-in legs adapted for insertion into the hollow-profile strip, b) a connection region connecting the two plug-in legs, wherein the connection region comprises b1) an outer surface, b2) two pane contact surfaces, and b3) an inner surface, c) a cavity adapted for establishing a passage from an inner interpane space to corresponding surroundings, wherein the cavity comprises a first opening in the outer surface of the connection region, and wherein the first opening is sealed with a gas-permeable and water-vapor-tight membrane.
31. A method, comprising using of the insulating glazing unit according to claim 16 as one or more of: a) a building interior glazing unit, b) a building exterior glazing unit, and c) a faade glazing unit.
Description
[0052] 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:
[0053] FIG. 1a schematic, perspective cross-section of an embodiment of a corner connector according to the invention,
[0054] FIG. 2 a schematic, perspective cross-section another embodiment of a corner connector according to the invention,
[0055] FIG. 3 a schematic outside view of the embodiment of a corner connector according to the invention depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2,
[0056] FIG. 4 a schematic cross-section of another embodiment of a corner connector according to the invention,
[0057] FIG. 5A a schematic outside view of an embodiment of a longitudinal connector according to the invention,
[0058] FIG. 5B, respectively, a schematic cross-section along the line B.sup.I-B.sup.II of the longitudinal connector depicted in FIG. 5A,
[0059] FIG. 6 a cross-section of a spacer frame with the corner connector according to the invention depicted in FIG. 1,
[0060] FIG. 7 the corner region of an insulating glazing unit according to the invention in cross-section,
[0061] FIG. 8A a schematic cross-section of another embodiment of a corner connector according to the invention,
[0062] FIG. 8B a cross-section of a spacer frame with the corner connector according to the invention depicted in FIG. 8A,
[0063] FIG. 9 a schematic cross-section of a hollow profile usable in an insulating glazing unit according to the invention,
[0064] FIG. 10 a cross-section along the line A.sup.I-A.sup.II depicted in FIG. 7 of an insulating glazing unit according to the invention.
[0065] FIG. 1 depicts a connector according to the invention in the form of a corner connector. The representation is greatly simplified. Fins or retaining elements, as they are used according to 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 connector I comprises two plug-in legs 31, which are connected to one another in the connection region 34. The two plug-in legs 31 form an angle (alpha) of 90. The connection region 34 has an outer surface 39 that points, in the finished insulating glazing unit II, toward the surroundings and an inner surface 41 that points, in the finished insulating glazing unit, toward the inner interpane space 12. A cavity 33 is integrated in the connection region 34. The cavity 33 has a first opening 36, which is made in the region of the outer surface 39. The first opening 36 is closed with a gas-permeable and water-vapor-tight membrane 32. The second opening 37 is arranged in the inner surface 41 such that, in the finished insulating glazing unit II, a direct passage from the inner interpane space 12 to the outer surroundings is created. Thus, pressure equalization is enabled in the inner interpane space 12 directly by aeration. The water-vapor-tight membrane 32 prevents penetration of moisture into the inner interpane space 12. The plug-in legs 31 and the connection region 34 are produced from a polyamide in one piece in an injection molding process. The membrane 32 made of expanded PTFE is already integrated during the injection molding process and is thus stably affixed. The connection region 34 protrudes relative to the plug-in legs 31. The distance of protrusion U of the outer surface 39 beyond the outer side 44 of the plug-in legs 31 is 3.5 mm. The connection region 34 also protrudes somewhat relative to the side faces of the plug-in legs (not discernible in the figure). The size of this distance of protrusion depends on the hollow-profile strip 1 to be used. Preferably, in the insulating glazing unit, the hollow-profile strip 1 ends flush with the pane contact surfaces 40 of the connection region 34. The membrane 32 is mounted in the connection region 34 in a recess such that it is protected against mechanical damage (see also FIG. 3). The protruding connection region 34 has, additionally, the advantage that by this means, reinforcement of the connection region 34 is achieved, which contributes to an increase in the stability of the connector I. The connection region 34 is implemented rigid, in other words, the angle (alpha) cannot be substantially changed. The membrane 32 is thus additionally stabilized since movements in the region of the membrane 32 are avoided. The precise dimensions of the corner connector depend on the hollow-profile strips 1 used. The length L of a plug-in leg is, in the example, 3.2 cm, and the length E of the connection region approx. 1.2 cm.
[0066] FIG. 2 depicts another connector I according to the invention in the form of a corner connector. The connector I differs from that depicted in FIG. 1 in the design of the cavity 33. The cavity 33 has three openings 36, 37, and 38. The first opening 36 is arranged, as described with regard to FIG. 1, in the outer surface 39 and is closed with a membrane 32. The second opening 37 and the third opening 38 are situated in the end faces 35 of the two plug-in legs 31. This embodiment enables simultaneous aeration in two sections of a hollow-profile strip 1 such that particularly efficient pressure equalization can be achieved.
[0067] FIG. 3 depicts an outside view toward the connectors depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2. Here, the membrane 32 has a rectangular shape. The membrane can have any shape adapted to the respective first opening 36 of the cavity 33. The membrane 32 is mounted in a recess in the connection region 34 and is thus well protected against damage during assembly of the glazing unit. The connection region 34 also has two pane contact surfaces 40. The pane contact surfaces 40 are the surfaces of the connection region 34 that point, in the finished insulating glazing unit II, toward the outer panes, run parallel to the outer panes of the insulating glazing unit and are, optionally, connected thereto. The pane contact surfaces 40 protrude somewhat such that after insertion of the hollow-profile strips 1, an end flush with the side walls of the hollow-profile strip is possible. This simplifies the assembly of the insulating glazing unit II.
[0068] FIG. 4 depicts a cross-section of another embodiment of a connector I according to the invention. The connector I differs from the connector shown in FIG. 2 in the type of attachment of the membrane 32 in the cavity 33. Here, the membrane 32 is arranged in a sleeve 42 and attached via a seal 43 in the first opening 36 of the cavity 33. The sleeve 42 is made of aluminum and is sealingly mounted via a butyl sealant in the cavity 33. The air flowing in can thus arrive in the inner interpane space in the finished insulating glazing unit only via the membrane 32. An advantage of the after-the-fact insulation of the membrane 32 using a sleeve 42 is the increased flexibility of the design. The injection molded connector I can be provided, as needed, with a pressure equalization membrane or, alternatively, even with a pressure equalization valve that is adapted to the respective insulating glazing unit and the pressure equalization required.
[0069] FIG. 5A depicts a schematic outside view of an embodiment of a connector I iaccording to the invention in the form of a longitudinal connector. FIG. 5B depicts a cross-section of the longitudinal connector along the line B.sup.I-B.sup.II. The viewing direction is indicated by an arrow in FIG. 5A. The representation of the connector is greatly simplified. Fins or retaining elements, as are used according to the prior art, to fix the longitudinal connector in a hollow-profile strip, are, for example, not shown. These can be added by the person skilled in the art as needed. The longitudinal connector I comprises two plug-in legs 31, which are connected via a connection region 34. The plug-in legs 31 form an angle (alpha) of 180. The connection region 34 protrudes relative to the plug-in legs 31. The distance of protrusion U of the outer surface 39 of the connection region 34 beyond the outer side 44 of the plug-in legs 31 is 4 mm. The enlargement of the connection region 34, in particular in the direction of the outer surface 39, has the advantage that the membrane 32 can be installed in a recess of the connection region 34. Thus, the membrane 32 is better protected against damage. The gas-and water-vapor-tight membrane 32 closes the first opening 36 of the cavity 33. The second opening 37 of the cavity 33 is arranged in the inner surface 41 of the connection region. Thus, in the finished insulating glazing unit II, pressure equalization is enabled directly between the inner interpane space 12 and the surroundings.
[0070] FIG. 6 depicts a cross-section through a spacer frame 8 with a connector I according to the invention. The spacer frame 8 comprises four hollow-profile strips 1, which are in each case connected in the corners by corner connectors to form a complete spacer frame 8. The individual strips along the longer sides of the spacer are 200 cm long, while the strips along the shorter sides are, in each case, 100 cm long. The four strips are connected via three prior art corner connectors and one corner connector I according to the invention and form a rectangular spacer frame 8. The corner connector I according to the invention is described precisely in FIG. 1. The two plug-in legs 31 of the corner connector I according to the invention are inserted into two hollow-profile strips 1 and connected via via a connection region 34. The connection region 34 is exposed and is not plugged into the hollow-profile strip 1. The end faces 35 of the plug-in legs 31 point toward the hollow space 5 and do not rest against an inner side of the hollow-profile strip 1. The structure of a hollow-profile strip 1 is shown, by way of example, in FIG. 9. The hollow-profile strip 1 contains a hollow space 5. The hollow space 5 is filled with a desiccant 11, for example, with molecular sieve. The glazing interior wall 3 is implemented permeable along all hollow-profile strips 1. The hollow space 5 makes connection, in the finished insulating glazing unit, via perforations 7 in the glazing interior wall 3 of the hollow-profile strip 1 with the inner interpane space 12. The desiccant 11 can thus absorb moisture out of the inner interpane space 12 and can prevent fogging of the panes. Since all hollow-profile strips 1 are filled with molecular sieve, the absorption capacity for moisture is maximal, ensuring adequate drying of the inner interpane space 12 over the entire service life of the insulating glazing unit. The corner connector I according to the invention includes a cavity 33, which has a first opening 36 in the outer surface 39 of the connection region 34 and a second opening 37 in the inner surface 41. In the finished insulating glazing unit I, the second opening 37 is open toward the inner interpane space 12 and the first opening 36 is open toward the surroundings (see FIG. 7).
[0071] FIG. 7 depicts a corner region of an insulating glazing unit II according to the invention in cross-section. The connector I is the connector according to the invention depicted in FIG. 1. The two plug-in legs 31 are , in each case, arranged in a hollow space 5 of a hollow-profile strip 1. The cavity 33 connects the inner interpane space 12 with the surroundings. The cavity 33 has a first opening 36 in the outer surface 39 of the connection region and a second opening in the inner surface 41, which points toward the inner interpane space. A gas-permeable and water-vapor-tight membrane 32 over the first opening 36 prevents the penetration of moisture into the inner interpane space 12. The glazing interior wall 3 of the hollow-profile strip 1 is implemented gas-permeable, for example, made from a porous plastic, such that a gas exchange can occur between an inner interpane space 12 and hollow space 5. Thus, moisture can be absorbed out of the inner interpane space 12 by the molecular sieve 11 contained in the hollow space 5. When a gas-permeable material is used for the hollow-profile strip 1, the outer wall 4 is provided with a barrier film 6, which seals the edge seal. The barrier film 6 is a multilayer film. Adjacent the outer wall 4 and the corner connector I, a secondary sealant 16, for example, an organic polysulfide, is arranged in the outer interpane space 24, which improves the mechanical stability of the insulating glazing unit II. The material of the secondary sealant 16 ends flush with the outer surface 39 of the connection region 34. Thus, during the production of the insulating glazing unit II, contamination of the membrane 32 by secondary sealant 16 is prevented.
[0072] FIG. 8A depicts a cross-section of a connector according to the invention in the form of a corner connector I. It differs from that depicted in FIG. 2 in that the cavity 33 is arranged only along one of the two plug-in legs 31. Accordingly, the cavity 33 has only a first opening 36 in the outer surface 39 and a second opening 37 in the end face 35 of a plug-in leg 31. Thus, aeration can be done selectively in a specific section of the spacer frame 8.
[0073] FIG. 8B depicts a cross-section of a spacer frame 8 according to the invention with the corner connector I described in FIG. 8A. The spacer frame 8 comprises a hollow-profile strip 1 and a corner connector I according to the invention. The hollow-profile strip 1 is bent to form a rectangular frame. The two ends of the hollow-profile strip 1 are connected via the corner connector I according to the invention. The hollow-profile strip 1 has a glazing interior wall 3, which, in the finished insulating glazing unit, points toward the inner interpane space 12. The glazing interior wall 3 comprises permeable sections 1a and one impermeable section 1b. In the permeable section 1a, perforations 7 are made in the glazing interior wall 3 such that, in the finished insulating glazing unit, a gas exchange can occur between the inner interpane space 12 and the hollow space 5 of the hollow-profile strip 1. The plug-in leg 31 of the connector I according to the invention with the second opening 37 engages in the impermeable section 1b, and the other plug-in leg 31 engages in a permeable section 1a. The hollow space 5 of the hollow profile 1 is filled along the entire perimeter of the spacer frame 8 with a desiccant. The connection region 34 of the corner connector I according to the invention is, with the exception of the cavity 33, implemented solid, in other words, it separates the sections 1a and 1b connected by the corner connector I from one another and prevents a gas exchange between these two sections. In the finished insulating glazing unit, the ambient air flows out of the second opening 37 into the hollow space 5 of the impermeable section 1b and is pre-dried there through contact with the desiccant 11. The air cannot enter the inner interpane space 12 via the perforations 7 in the glazing interior wall 3 until it reaches the region of the the following section 1a, which is connected to the impermeable section 1b. Thus, efficient drying of the ambient air is achieved.
[0074] FIG. 9 depicts a perspective cross-section of a hollow-profile strip 1. The hollow-profile strip 1 comprises two parallel side walls 2.1 and 2.2, which establish the contact with the panes 13 and 14 of an insulating glazing unit II. The side walls 2.1 and 2.2 are connected via an outer wall 4 and a glazing interior wall 3. The outer wall 4 runs substantially parallel to the glazing interior wall 3. The hollow-profile strip 1 is made of a polymer and, additionally, glass-fiber-reinforced and contains, for example, styrene acrylonitrile (SAN) and approx. 35 wt.-% glass-fiber. The hollow-profile strip 1 has a hollow space 5 and the wall thickness of the polymeric hollow-profile 1 is, for example, 1 mm. A barrier film 6, which comprises at least one metal-containing barrier layer and one polymeric layer, is mounted on the outer wall 4. The entire hollow-profile strip has thermal conductivity less than 10 W/(m K) and gas permeation less than 0.001 g/(m.sup.2 h).
[0075] FIG. 10 depicts a cross-section of a detail of an insulating glazing unit according to the invention along the line A.sup.I-A.sup.II in FIG. 7 (viewing direction is indicated in FIG. 7). The insulating glazing unit II includes the hollow-profile strip 1 described in FIG. 9. The glass-fiber-reinforced polymeric hollow-profile strip 1 with the barrier film 6 attached thereon is arranged between a first pane 13 and a second pane 14. The barrier film 6 is arranged on the outer wall 4 and on a portion of the side walls 2.1 and 2.2. The first pane 13, the second pane 14, and the barrier film 6 delimit the outer interpane space 24 of the insulating glazing unit. The secondary sealant 16, which contains, for example, polysulfide, is arranged in the outer interpane space 24. The barrier film 6 insulates, along with the secondary sealant 16, the inner interpane space 12 and reduces the thermal transfer from the glass-fiber-reinforced polymeric hollow-profile strip 1 into the inner interpane space 12. The barrier film 6 can, for example, be attached on the hollow-profile strip 1 with a polyurethane (PUR) hotmelt adhesive. A primary sealant 10 is preferably arranged between the side walls 2.1, 2.2 and the panes 13, 14. This contains, for example, a butyl. The primary sealant 10 overlaps the barrier film 6 in order to prevent possible interfacial diffusion. The first pane 13 and the second pane 14 preferably have the same dimensions and thicknesses. The panes preferably have optical transparency of >85%. The panes 13,14 contain, for example, quartz glass. Inside the hollow-profile strip 1, a desiccant 11, for example, molecular sieve, is arranged inside the hollow space 5. This desiccant 11 can be filled into the hollow space 5 of the hollow-profile strip 1 before the assembly of the insulating glazing unit. The glazing interior wall 3 includes relatively small perforations 7 or pores, which enable a gas exchange with the inner interpane space 12.
LIST OF REFERENCE CHARACTERS
[0076] I connector [0077] II insulating glazing unit [0078] 1 hollow-profile strip [0079] 2.1 first side wall [0080] 2.2 second side wall [0081] 3 glazing interior wall [0082] 4 outer wall [0083] 5 hollow space [0084] 6 barrier film [0085] 7 perforations in the glazing interior surface [0086] 8 spacer frame [0087] 10 primary sealant [0088] 11 desiccant [0089] 12 inner interpane space [0090] 13 first pane [0091] 14 second pane [0092] 16 secondary sealant [0093] 24 outer interpane space [0094] 31 plug-in leg [0095] 32 membrane [0096] 33 cavity [0097] 34 connection region [0098] 35 end face of a plug-in leg [0099] 36 first opening of the cavity [0100] 37 second opening of the cavity [0101] 38 third opening of the cavity [0102] 39 outer surface of the connection region [0103] 40 pane contact surface of the connection region [0104] 41 inner surface of the connection region [0105] 42 sleeve [0106] 43 seal [0107] 44 outer side of a plug-in leg [0108] 45 side surface of a plug-in leg [0109] L length of a plug-in leg [0110] E length of the connection region [0111] U distance of protrusion of the outer surface of the connection region beyond the outer side of a plug-in leg
