EP1346177A1

EP1346177A1 - Window element

Info

Publication number: EP1346177A1
Application number: EP01272034A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Thomas Emde; Heinrich Robert Pohl
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2000-12-22
Filing date: 2001-12-20
Publication date: 2003-09-24
Also published as: WO2002052191A1; JP2004526077A; KR20030081357A

Abstract

The invention relates to a window element comprising a frame structure (110) that has at least two glass panels(100, 101) spaced from one another, wherein an intermediate space (103) is defined by the separation between both glass panels, wherein a lighting device with at least one lighting means (102) is provided, said device being arranged in the area of the frame structure and irradiating light essentially from the front surface thereof. Said light is at least partly deflected approximately perpendicular to said direction of irradiation so that said light falls outward and/or inward through one of the glass panels of the window element, wherein at least one of the glass panels acts as a light diffuser. To this end, said panel is printed, sand-radiated, etched, coated, engraved or stuck at least on one side or has a malstructure inside, wherein the light means is arranged at least partly in front of the front surface of one of the glass panels and irradiates light on the front surface at least in said glass panel, said light being irradiated outward at least partly over the surface of said glass panel.

Description

"Window element"

The present invention relates to a window element comprising a frame construction which surrounds at least two spaced-apart 5 glass panes, the distance between the two

An intermediate space is defined between the glass panes, an illumination device having at least one illuminant being provided, which is arranged in the region of the frame construction and radiates light essentially from the end face, wherein

L0 this light is at least partially approximately perpendicular to it

The direction of radiation is deflected so that it falls through one of the glass panes of the window element inwards and / or outwards, at least one of the glass panes having a light-scattering effect and being printed, sandblasted, etched at least on one side,

L5 is coated, engraved or glued or one inside

Malfunction.

A window element of the aforementioned type is described in the unpublished DE 200 22 332.1. With this

20 window element is basically a kind

Insulating glass window with at least two spaced-apart panes of glass or plastic glass, in which the illuminant or lamps is arranged in the space between two panes, so that the light enters the front from these

25 space is emitted into it. Extensive tests have shown that window elements of this type can in principle be used as windows that can be illuminated when required. The light emitted on the end face into the intermediate space is at least one of the panes by the light-scattering surface

30 also deflected in the desired manner and essentially over the

Surface of the disc radiated to one side or the other. However, it was found that the light yield and thus the efficiency of window elements of this type is not yet optimal. The object of the present invention is a

To provide window element of the type mentioned, which is basically based on a similar lighting technology

The principle is based, but enables a higher luminous efficiency.

The solution to this problem is provided by an inventive window element of the type mentioned at the outset with the characterizing features of the main claim. In the context of experiments in connection with the present invention, it was found that a higher luminous efficacy is possible if the light is radiated directly into one of the (glass) panes on the face side and not into the intermediate space. Since, within the scope of the present invention, the basic structural design of an insulating glass window should be maintained, in which at least two (glass) panes spaced apart from one another by a

If the frame structure is encircled in the edge area, the question arises as to where the illuminants are to be accommodated in order to allow frontal irradiation into at least one of the glass panes when using a common frame structure for both glass panes (there may be two or more glass panes). According to a first possible alternative variant of the invention, this problem is preferably solved in such a way that at least one glass pane into which the illuminant or illuminants shine has a shortened length and / or width dimension compared to at least one other

Forms glass pane of the window element. The lamp is then preferably placed in the space between the end face of the shortened glass pane and the frame construction. It can thereby be achieved that the dimension in the area of the shortened glass pane plus the dimensions of the illuminant overall corresponds approximately to the dimension of the not shortened glass pane. This allows you to bring the lamp directly to the front of the shortened glass pane and still a common one use a simply constructed, enclosing frame construction for the glass panes, which has a straight end, so that the frame construction can be accommodated, for example, in an ordinary groove in a window frame.

An approximately U-shaped frame profile is preferably used for such a frame construction. Such a frame profile preferably has two legs each enclosing at least one glass pane and a web which runs approximately perpendicular to these two legs and connects them.

The lamp or lamps can then be arranged on the web of the frame profile. In this case, the lamp or lamps are placed either on the transverse side or on the longitudinal end side of at least one of the glass panes. In principle, it would of course be possible to arrange lamps on the front side both on the longitudinal and on the transverse side.

In this first variant of the invention is used as the light emitting means preferably ^LED's of various designs, for. B. LED-SMD ^'s , or the like, since these lamps exist in a very small design and consume little electricity. These lamps can, for example, be arranged in a number along a row and can be accommodated in a space-saving manner in the frame construction of such a window element.

In addition, it is of course possible within the scope of the invention to use light sources, which are preferably arranged in rows, to radiate light into the end face of a plurality of glass panes of the window element. In this case, there are many lighting options. For example, you can use the bulbs in one of the

Activate glass panels to light so that they emit essentially white light and to control the illuminants that emit light into another glass panel so that they emit essential colored light. In this case, white light can be emitted from the window element over its surface essentially to one side of the window element and colored light can be emitted to the other side, for example white light inwards and colored light outwards (or vice versa) if it is is a window element which is built into an outer wall of a building in accordance with a conventional window. In this case, the window element simultaneously serves on its inner surface facing the room for room lighting or to support the room lighting, and colored light is emitted to the outside, so that the window appears colored and a decorative effect results. Further possibilities result from the fact that the light color of the illuminants used can be varied as desired using suitable control elements. LED's of various designs are used as illuminants, e.g. B. LED SMD's, or similar lamps that allow appropriate control. In addition, these illuminants have the advantage that they can be accommodated in a relatively small space available between the end face of one of the glass panes and the frame construction. Furthermore, these lamps have the advantage that they have only a low energy consumption compared to conventional lamps such as fluorescent lamps, incandescent lamps or the like, as well as a very long life. In addition, these lamps are almost maintenance-free.

If glass panes are mentioned in the context of the present invention, then this should be understood to mean that the panes consist either of real glass, preferably white glass, or of plastic glass. Suitable plastics are, for example, polyacrylic, polymethacrylic or plastics with similar properties, which are suitable as light guides and should have low light absorption. According to the invention, preference is given to using control devices for the illuminants in order not only to change their color, but also to control them, for example, depending on the incident daylight (dimmer function) and / or depending on a person present or approaching in the room (via motion detectors or the like) or after any given

Program (e.g. depending on the time of day).

In order to produce the desired light-scattering effect over the surface of the glass panes and the light deflection, a dot grid, line grid or similar grid applied at least on one side to at least one of the glass panes, which can be printed on, glued on or by etching, sandblasting, coating or engraving, is preferably used can be achieved. As an alternative to achieving the light-scattering effect in the area of one of the surfaces of one of the glass panes, a defective structure can also be generated in defined areas in the interior of the glass panes, for example by appropriately focused laser radiation. This also results in the emission of scattered light over the surface of the glass pane.

According to a second possible alternative variant of the invention, it is provided that the illuminants are poured into a type of strip or circuit board. Again, LEDs of the most varied designs, e.g. B. LED SMD ^'s or similar

LEDs are used, which can be poured into a transparent plastic, for example. Such a strip-like strip containing the illuminants can have a flat, compact, cuboid block shape and likewise enables the illuminants to be accommodated in a very space-saving manner. She has the other one

Advantage that the lamps are waterproof and protected against weather and mechanical influences. In addition, such a light bar Defects can be replaced quickly, if necessary, so that installation costs are saved. Access to the light bar can be made from the frame construction by z. B. decreases or opens a frame profile.

Such a light bar (LED bar) can be wider than the face of one of the glass panes. For example, it can extend over at least two end faces of two glass panes and the intermediate space that defines the distance between them. In such a constructive solution, it is then not necessary, unlike in the variant described above, to design one of the glass panes with a shortened length or width dimension, but the light bar can be under the end face of the glass panes, i. that is, be placed between these glass sheets and the frame structure. It is not necessary to light both

Radiate glass panes. Rather, you can either insert the light sources into the light bar only on one side, so that they only shine into the front of a glass pane. Or you can place lamps in the bar under the respective end faces of both glass panes and switch them on if necessary, so that you can feed light into only one of the glass panes or into both glass panes on the face side as required.

The above-mentioned lighting means is preferably a strip with ^LED's of various designs, or similar light-emitting diodes mounted board, in which the luminous means in a transparent material cast and are protected thereby. In this variant of the invention, too, the light bar and in each case the ends of at least two glass panes are preferably surrounded by a frame construction, which generally comprises a frame profile. This frame profile can be approximately U-shaped in cross-section and a web forming the end face of the frame construction and two enclosing the ends of the glass panes Embrace thighs. The LED insert molding ^'s can also be made directly into the frame profile into it. This enables more accurate

Positioning and good fixation of the illuminant and facilitating a possible exchange. The glass panes can turn out

Real glass or plastic glass. The space between the two or more glass panes is preferably defined by a spacer element, which is arranged between them, so that the light bar is usually under the

End faces of the glass panes and under the spacer.

The features mentioned in the subclaims relate to preferred developments of the task solution according to the invention. Further advantages of the invention result from the following detailed description.

The present invention is described in more detail below on the basis of exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. Show

Fig. 1 shows a schematically simplified partial section in

Longitudinal direction through a window element according to a first variant according to the invention;

2 shows a similar schematically simplified longitudinal section through a window element according to a second variant of the invention;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of an inventive

Lamp bar.

Reference is first made to FIG. 1. The drawing shows schematically simplified a partial section in the longitudinal direction through a window element according to the invention. It can be seen that this has in principle two panes 100, 101 made of glass or plastic glass, which are arranged at a defined distance from one another, so that there is a space 103 between the two panes, as in an insulating glass window. There may also be three or more panes (such as triple glazing). In the interspace 103 there may be air under normal pressure or a gas with good soundproofing properties, e.g. B.

Argon. A spacer structure 105 in the edge region of the two panes 100, 101 serves as a spacer, which generally has additional sealing functions, or a separate sealing compound is provided.

As can be seen from the drawing, in this exemplary embodiment the one of the glass panes 100, 101 is in at least one direction of expansion (longitudinal or transverse direction). shortened compared to the other glass pane 101.

This results in a distance 1 12 between the end face 108 of this glass pane 100 and the frame construction 11 0. The illuminant (s) 102 is accommodated in the area of this distance 1 12. As a rule, it is a series of LEDs or the like, which are arranged on a strip-shaped arrangement next to one another or one behind the other (in the depth of the drawing plane). These illuminants 102 radiate their light directly through the front face 108 into the glass pane 100, within which the light is guided and then at least partially in the right one

Angle is deflected. This light-deflecting light-scattering effect is achieved in that the glass pane 100 in this case on its outer surface with a e.g. point-shaped grid 107 or other structures for deflection is printed, so that the light is emitted as scattered light over the surface of the glass pane, as indicated by the arrows in FIG. 1.

An approximately U-shaped frame profile with a web 11 and two legs 106, 109 which are approximately perpendicular to it and which bear against the outside of the glass panes serve as the frame construction 110 for enclosing the two glass panes 100, 101.

A further variant of a window element according to the invention is described below with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3. Figure 2 shows a schematically simplified

Partial section in the longitudinal direction through an inventive window element in the lower region. There are two glass panes 12, 13, which can consist of real glass or plastic glass. A space 103 between the two glass panes 12, 13 is defined by a spacer element 18. The spacer

18 has, for example, an elongated cuboid shape and thus a rectangular cross section. As can be seen, a frame structure 14 is again provided, the lower Edges ends of the two glass panes 12, 13 and a rectangular light bar 10 with a flat cross section. The frame profile

14 has approximately a U-shape with two legs 17, 15, each of which bear against the outside of one of the glass panes 12, 13 and surround it and with a web 16 connecting the two legs 17, 15, which is parallel and at a distance from the two end faces 1 1 of the two

Glass panes 12, 13 runs. The light bar 10 is arranged between the end faces 11 of the two glass panes and the web 16. In the present embodiment, the light-emitting center strip 16 is formed so that LED's are arranged only on one side of the end face 1 1 of the two glass panes 12 ^', so that these lamps its light frontally in the glass sheet 12 exits. The fact that one of the surfaces of the glass sheet 12 z. B. is printed in a dot matrix, the light is on the surface of the glass sheet 12 to the outside in the direction of the arrow in

Figure 2 delivered. The ^LEDs 102 are cast in the existing transparent material light bar 10, and thereby protected from the weather. There could be arranged also LED ^'s, where the second glass pane is the end face 1 1 13, so that it were possible, if required there are also end face light irradiate. The lamps could be controlled so that either only one or the other row of lamps is switched on, or if necessary, the lamps could be controlled in such a way that either white light or colored light in possibly different or changing ones

Colors is emitted. This makes it possible to emit colored effect lighting and to vary the light color of the light emitted from the window element inwards or outwards. Likewise, the brightness can be varied by appropriately controlling the lamps.

Figure 3 shows an example of an enlarged perspective view of an LED bar 10, as in the embodiment for the Window element according to Figure 2 can be used. It can be seen that the light bar (LED bar) 10 is relatively flat and has an elongated cuboid shape. As a result, the overall height is very low.

The illuminant bar 10 consists of a transparent plastic material into which the illuminant 102 and necessary

Feed lines 20 are cast. The illuminants 102 are located on a type of board 21 and are usually printed

Circuits with conductor tracks 22 are present, leading to the individual

Lead lamps 102 (light emitting diodes). The illuminants 102 can be arranged in rows which, as can be seen in FIG

Groups can be combined. Each lamp can usually be controlled electronically. The entire circuit board 21 is cast into a transparent plastic block, from which the cables 20 for the main feed line can emerge at the end. The connection and, if necessary, the exchange of such a light bar according to FIG. 3 in a window element according to FIG. 2 is therefore very simple and quick.

Claims

claims:

1 . Window element comprising a frame construction which encloses at least two glass panes spaced apart from one another, the spacing between the two glass panes

The space between them is defined, wherein an illumination device is provided with at least one illuminant, which is arranged in the area of the frame construction and radiates light essentially from the front side, this light being deflected at least partially approximately perpendicular to this direction of irradiation, so that it passes through one of the glass panes of the window element falls inwards and / or outwards, with at least one of the glass panes having a light-scattering effect and being printed, sandblasted, etched, coated, engraved or pasted on at least one side or having a faulty structure on the inside, characterized in that the Illuminant is arranged at least partially in front of one of the glass panes and at least radiates light on the front side into this glass pane, which is at least partially emitted to the outside via the surface of this glass pane.

2. Window element according to claim 1, characterized in that LED s, LED SMD ^'s , other light-emitting diodes or the like are provided as the illuminant, which are on the end face of the

Frame construction are arranged.

3. Window element according to claim 2, characterized in that the glass pane (100) into which the illuminant (102) shines has a shortened length and / or width dimension compared to at least one further glass pane (101) of the window element.

4. Window element according to claim 1 to 3, characterized in that the lighting means (102) in the free space (1 12) between the end face (108) of the shortened glass pane (1 00) and the frame structure (1 10) is arranged.

5. Window element according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the frame structure (1 10) is a substantially U-shaped frame profile in cross section.

6. Window element according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the frame structure (1 10) has a frame profile with two at least one glass pane (100 or 101) enclosing legs (109, 106) and one to these two legs vertical web connecting these (1 1 1).

7. Window element according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the or the illuminant (102) on the web (1 1 1) of the frame profile are arranged.

8. Window element according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that one of the glass panes (101) extends substantially up to the web (1 1 1) of the frame profile (1 10), while at least one further glass pane (100) with Distance in front of this web (1 1 1) ends.

9. Window element according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that (10) is used in the LED as the light source a LED bar (PCB) ^'s or ^LED-SMD' s are potted.

10. Window element according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the LED bar (10) is wider than the end face (1 1) of one of the glass panes (12).

1 1. Window element according to one of claims 1 or 10, characterized in that the LED bar (10) is so wide that the at least two end faces of two glass panes (12, 13) covers, and that the light on the end face in at least one of the

Glass panes or in two glass panes (13) by means of an LED bar (10) is irradiated simultaneously.

That the light bar (10) comprises a populated with ^LED's board 12. Window element according to one of claims 1 to 1 1, characterized in that is embedded in a transparent material.

13. Window element according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the LED bar and in each case the ends of at least two glass panes (12, 13) are surrounded by a frame structure (14) comprising a frame construction.

14. Window element according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the frame profile (14) is approximately U-shaped in cross section and one web (16) forming the end face of the frame structure and two the ends of the glass panes (12, 13) enclosing legs (15, 17).

15. Window element according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the LED bar (10) between the frame profile (14) and the end faces (11) of at least two glass panes (12, 13) is arranged.

16. Window element according to one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that between at least two glass panes (100, 101) at least one spacer element (105) defining the ^' intermediate space (103) is arranged.

17. Window element according to one ^'of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that one or more of the glass sheets (100,

101) consist of real glass or plastic glass.

18. Window element according to one of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that control devices for the lighting means (102) are provided in order to control them in such a way that the

If necessary, emit white or colored light.

19. Window element according to one of claims 1 to 18, characterized in that a first number of illuminants (102) is provided which emits colored or white light and at least a number of second or further illuminants is provided which is opposite the first number of illuminants (102 ) emit different colored light.

20. Window element according to one of claims 1 to 19, characterized in that control devices and / or sensors are provided which control the lighting means (102) depending on the incident daylight, depending on a person present or approaching in the room or according to a person effect any given program.

21. Window element according to one of Claims 1 to 20, characterized in that at least one of the glass panes is printed, sandblasted, etched, coated, engraved or pasted on at least one side in a dot screen, line screen or similar screen in order to achieve the light-scattering effect.

2. Window element according to one of claims 1 to 21, characterized in that at least one glass pane (100) inside has a defect structure generated by means of laser radiation in defined areas to produce a light-scattering effect with emission of scattered light over the surface of the glass pane.