EP3803017B1 - Corner joint for insulating glass with electric line - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a corner connector with an integrated electrical supply line, insulating glazing comprising such a corner connector and its use. Insulating glazing has become indispensable in building construction, especially in the course of ever stricter environmental protection regulations. These are made from at least two panes, which are connected to one another via at least one circumferential spacer frame. The spacer frame usually consists of a spacer profile that is connected at least in one place. The connection can be made, for example, by welding or using connectors. Depending on the embodiment, the space between the two panes, referred to as the glazing interior, is filled with air or gas, but in any case is free of moisture. Excessive moisture content in the space between the glazing leads to water droplets condensing in the space between the panes, especially when the outside temperature is cold. This must be avoided at all costs. Hollow body spacers filled with a desiccant can be used, for example, to absorb the residual moisture remaining in the system after assembly. However, since the absorption capacity of the desiccant is limited, the sealing of the system is also of enormous importance in this case in order to prevent further moisture from penetrating.

In addition to their basic function, insulating glazing can also contain other elements in the form of built-in components or panes with controllable additional functions. One type of modern, active glazing is glazing with switchable or controllable optical properties. With such glazing, for example, the transmission of light can be actively influenced as a function of an applied electrical voltage. For example, the user can switch the glazing from a transparent to an opaque state in order to prevent a view into a room from the outside. With other types of glazing, the transmission can be infinitely adjusted, for example to regulate the entry of solar energy into a room. This avoids unwanted heating of buildings or vehicle interiors and reduces the energy consumption and CO ₂ emissions caused by air conditioning systems. Active glazing is therefore not only used for the visually appealing design of facades and a pleasant lighting design in interior rooms, but is also advantageous from an energetic and ecological point of view.

Active glazing contains a functional element, which typically contains an active layer between two surface electrodes. The optical properties of the active layer can be changed by applying a voltage to the surface electrodes. An example of this are electrochromic functional elements, for example from US20120026573A1 and WO 2012007334 A1 are known. Another example are SPD (suspended particle device) functional elements, which consist of e.g EP 0876608 B1 and WO 2011033313 A1 are known. The applied voltage can be used to control the transmission of visible light through electrochromic or SPD functional elements. Voltage is supplied via so-called bus bars, which are usually applied to the surface electrodes and are connected to a voltage source via suitable connecting cables.

If active glazing is integrated into insulating glazing, the power supply to the active glazing must be designed to be gas and watertight in order to ensure adequate quality and durability of the insulating glazing. In WO 2017/106458 A1 the electrical supply line itself is designed in shape and size in such a way that it has a higher tolerance against relative movements with different thermal expansion of the components involved. However, the supply itself takes place between the spacer and the adjacent pane through the primary sealant used for bonding and sealing. Such a cable duct through the edge bond of the insulating glazing always represents a potential defect.

In addition, in practice it is often necessary to make electrical contacts at several points on the insulating glazing. According to the prior art, the connecting cable is routed around the spacer frame in the outer space between the panes. The spacer is bonded to the panes of the insulating glazing using a so-called primary sealant, while a secondary sealant is inserted in the outer space between the panes, which fills it and surrounds any electrical connection cables that may be present. However, the automated filling of the outer space between the panes in the presence of electrical connection cables has proven to be problematic, since these can spatially obstruct a robot arm with an extrusion nozzle, for example. Furthermore, no air bubbles may remain in the outer space between the panes, for example between the connection cable and the spacer. The volume of trapped air varies with changing climatic conditions and permanently leads to leaks in the insulating glazing in the area of the trapped air.

In the WO2013184321A2 discloses a way of routing a cable into the glazing interior without passing the cable through the primary sealant must be passed through. Here, cables are routed through an insulating element, for example in the form of straight connectors, into the interior of the glazing. However, this approach does not solve the problem that connection cables have to be routed around the insulating glazing in the outer space between the panes, so that different points in the insulating glazing can be contacted. The routing around is particularly critical in corner areas, since automatic sealing is particularly difficult there and the cables are particularly susceptible to mechanical damage.

document US4691486 discloses a glass assembly for heated refrigerator doors in which corner connectors are disclosed which contain an electrical lead, thereby avoiding the need to pass cables through the primary seal. Triple glazing with two individual spacer profiles is also disclosed, in which contact is made with the heatable coating in the visible area of the insulating glazing.

document US3760157 discloses an electrically heatable window having a corner piece in the electrical lead for powering a conductive layer. It is double glazing with a single spacer profile.

WO2016/098837A1 discloses a double corner connector for connecting two double spacers of triple insulating glazing.

The object of the present invention is to provide a double corner connector for triple insulating glazing which enables the production of improved insulating glazing and to provide improved insulating glazing with such a double corner connector.

The object of the present invention is achieved according to the invention by a double corner connector according to independent claim 1 and the further independent claims for insulating glazing with a spacer and the use. Preferred embodiments of the invention emerge from the dependent claims.

The double corner connector according to the invention comprises two corner connectors described below, which are connected to one another in the corner area via a web. Such a double corner connector is suitable for connecting a double spacer, which consists of two hollow profile strips that are connected to one another via a web. Such double spacers are suitable for the production of triple glazing with two separate glazing interiors. A double corner connector offers the possibility of supplying both or alternatively only one glazing interior with an electrical supply line.

The web of the double corner connector is designed in such a way that a groove is formed to accommodate a third pane. A disk with an electrically switchable functional element can be inserted into this groove, for example. The dimensions of this groove must match those of the double spacer used, so that the third pane is positioned all the way around the spacer frame.

In a preferred embodiment, the first electrical supply line enters the groove through an outlet opening. This means that the first electrical lead protrudes from the groove on the side of the double corner joint, which in the finished insulating glazing points towards the interior of the glazing. In this way, an electrically switchable functional element, which is arranged on the disk inserted in the groove, can be contacted via the electrical supply line.

The double corner connector according to the invention comprises two corner connectors described below, which are connected to one another in the corner area via a web and which are each designed as follows: The corner connector for connecting two hollow profile spacers of insulating glazing comprises at least a first leg and a second leg, which are connected via a Corner area are connected. The first leg, the second leg and the corner area are made in one piece, that is to say they are in one piece and are not connected to one another via reversible plug-in connections. This version is particularly stable. The first leg and the second leg enclose an angle α, with 45°<α<120°. The corner area includes at least one first electrical supply line, ie the first electrical supply line is integrated into the corner area. The first electrical supply line protrudes from the corner area. This means that the first electrical supply line protrudes from the area of the corner connector that points in the direction of the interior of the glazing in the finished insulating glazing and/or protrudes from the area that points in the direction of the outer space between the panes. An introduction of the electrical supply line into the glazing interior is thus made much easier and at the same time it is also possible to lead it out. In a preferred embodiment, a first electrical supply line is arranged at least in the first leg and in the corner area, which protrudes from the first leg. The electrical supply line is preferably arranged in such a way that it protrudes only from the first leg and from the corner area. According to the invention, the leg is the area of the corner connector which is inserted into a cavity of a hollow profile spacer in the finished insulating glazing. This enables the electrical supply line to be passed on, in particular into the interior of a hollow profile spacer. From there, this can then have openings in the Hollow profile spacers are continued in the glazing interior or in the outer space between the panes. Alternatively, an electrical element that is arranged inside the hollow profile spacer can be contacted.

The corner connector thus offers the possibility of simply integrating an electrical supply line into insulating glazing, without damaging the seal of the edge seal in the area of the primary sealant. In the prior art, electrical leads have been routed into the interior of the glazing within the primary sealant that bonds the spacer frame to the outer panes. Any cable penetration represents a potential leak, since cavities can remain in the vicinity of the cable, which can lead to a leak due to thermal expansion of the air contained. The integration in the corner area is particularly advantageous, since the electrical supply line is protected in the corner connector and does not have to be routed around the corner in the outer space between the panes. In addition, no shims are installed between the insulating glass unit and the window frame in the corner area of a window. Direct contacting of an electrical functional element via the first electrical supply line in the corner area is just as possible as contacting an electrical element, such as an electrical conductor, inside a hollow profile spacer and/or contacting an external voltage source. A significant advantage of the invention lies in the high degree of prefabrication of the corner connector with an integrated electrical supply line. The lines are already integrated into the corner connector during the manufacturing process, so that manual installation of the supply lines is no longer necessary during the manufacture of the insulating glazing. When producing the insulating glazing, the supply lines already present in the base body of the corner connector only have to be connected to the intended electrical consumers or a voltage source.

The double corner connector according to the invention comprises two corner connectors which are connected to one another in the corner area via a web and which are each designed as follows in preferred embodiments:
In a preferred embodiment, the first electrical supply line enters the corner area via an entry opening from the side of the corner connector that faces the outer space between the panes in the finished insulating glazing and exits again via an exit opening in the corner area in the direction of the interior of the glazing. In this way, an electrical supply line can be introduced directly into the interior of the glazing, whereby the production of the hollow profile spacer can take place as usual. The integration and sealing of the electrical supply in the base body of the corner connector can be done separately. In addition, no additional sealing points are necessary in the spacer frame.

In a further preferred embodiment, the first electrical supply line protrudes from the first leg and from the corner area. The first electrical supply line preferably enters the corner region through an entry opening and exits again in the direction of the hollow space of the hollow profile spacer via an exit opening. It is thus very easy to establish contact between an electrical element in the cavity of the hollow profile spacer and an external voltage source. Alternatively or additionally preferably, the first electrical supply line exits through an exit opening from the corner region into the glazing interior and through an exit opening from the first leg in the direction of the hollow profile spacer. Thus, an electrically switchable functional element in the glazing interior can easily be contacted with an electrical element in the cavity of the hollow profile spacer.

In a further preferred embodiment, the first electrical supply line protrudes from the first leg and the second leg. In this case, the electrical supply line can be routed within the corner connector, so that the electrical supply line does not have to be arranged in the outer intermediate space. This is particularly advantageous if several remote contact points of a functional element have to be contacted, for example on different sides of insulating glazing, and a cable routing around the corner is required. Thanks to the corner connector, the electrical supply line is protected and damage during the automatic filling of the outer space between the panes is prevented. In a further possible embodiment, the first electrical supply line protrudes only from the first leg and the second leg. This only allows a cable to be routed around the corner.

In a further preferred embodiment, the corner connector comprises at least one second electrical supply line. For example, different polarities can be introduced at different points in the insulating glazing or several electrically switchable functional elements can be contacted. Corner connectors with two, three or four electrical supply lines are particularly preferred.

In a further preferred embodiment of the corner connector, it comprises a polymer base body. This is advantageous because the thermal conductivity of plastics is significantly lower than the thermal conductivity of metals. Furthermore, the plastic of the polymer base body has a specific resistance of at least 10 ⁸ Ω cm and is therefore non-conductive for electricity. This is particularly advantageous since the electrical supply line does not require any further insulation in this case and the polymer base body sufficiently insulates the electrical supply line from other components. In the case of insulating glazing with metal spacers, the polymer base body also acts as an insulator between the metal, electrically conductive sections of the spacer.

Optionally, the polymer base body can have an electrical supply line with an insulating sheath surrounding the supply line. This is advantageous, for example, in order to insulate several supply lines of different polarities running in the hollow chamber from one another.

The polymeric base body preferably contains or consists of polyethylene (PE), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polycarbonate (PC), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene, polybutadiene, polynitriles, polyesters, polyurethanes, polymethylmetacrylates, polyacrylates, polyamides, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), preferably acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), acryl ester styrene acrylonitrile (ASA), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene/polycarbonate (ABS/PC), styrene acrylonitrile (SAN), PET/PC, PBT/PC and/or mixtures thereof. Particularly good results are achieved with these materials.

In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the base body is a metallic base body. The metal body is preferably made of aluminum or stainless steel. In the case of metal base bodies, the electrical supply line is surrounded by an insulating sheathing that prevents a short circuit between the electrical supply line and the electrically conductive metal base body.

The insulating sheath has a resistivity greater than or equal to 10 ⁸ Ω cm and preferably comprises polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene, rubber and/or polyurethane.

In an alternative embodiment of the corner connector, at least one leg of the corner connector is connected to the rest of the corner connector via a reversible plug connection. The corner connector is therefore designed in at least two parts. This type of embodiment is particularly flexible and can be combined with all other preferred variants. The corner connector is particularly preferably designed in three parts. In that case are Both legs of the corner connector are connected to the corner area via a reversible plug-in connection. The corner area is then preferably in the form of a bent piece of a hollow profile spacer, which is then provided with two longitudinal connectors. A longitudinal connector comprises two insertion legs, of which the first insertion leg is inserted into the corner area and the second insertion leg forms one leg of the corner connector.

The electrical supply line is an electrical conductor, preferably containing copper. Other electrically conductive materials can also be used. Examples are aluminum, gold, silver or tin and alloys thereof. The electrical supply line can be designed both as a flat conductor and as a round conductor, and in both cases as a single-wire or multi-wire conductor (stranded).

The electrical supply line preferably has a line cross-section of 0.08 mm ² to 2.5 mm ² .

Foil conductors can also be used as a supply line. Examples of foil conductors are given in DE 42 35 063 A1 , DE 20 2004 019 286 U1 and DE 93 13 394 U1 described.

Flexible foil conductors, sometimes also called flat conductors or ribbon conductors, preferably consist of a tinned copper strip with a thickness of 0.03 mm to 0.1 mm and a width of 2 mm to 16 mm. Copper has proven itself for such conductor tracks because it has good electrical conductivity and good processing properties to form foils. At the same time, the material costs are low.

In a preferred embodiment, the corner connector comprises a polymer base body, into which the electrical supply line is already introduced during the extrusion of the corner connector. The base body is extruded around the electrical supply line. This is particularly advantageous with regard to simple and inexpensive production of the corner connector and automated integration of the supply line into the base body. Alternatively, the corner connector is preferably produced using the injection molding process, in which case the electrical supply line can also be introduced into the injection mold during the process.

In a further preferred embodiment, the base body of the corner connector is provided with at least one opening, for example with a drilled hole, through which the supply lines are drawn into the corner connector. Since the manual installation of the supply lines in the production of the insulating glass is omitted, the degree of automation of the insulating glass production can be further increased.

According to the invention, the first electrical supply line protrudes from the corner area. This means that the electrical supply line at the point of entry or exit overhangs the main body of the corner connector to such an extent that an electrically conductive contact or connection of an electrical element, an electrically switchable functional element or a voltage source is possible. In the context of the invention, electrically conductively contacted means, in particular, connected capacitively or preferably galvanically conductively. When using a flat conductor, it is sufficient for the flat conductor to lie freely on the surface of the corner connector. An electrically conductive connection can be established by plugging into a cavity of a hollow profile spacer, which has a corresponding electrical element, such as a flat conductor, for example. When using a cable as the electrical supply line, the length of the cable is preferably dimensioned such that the cable is longer than the part that is integrated into the corner connector.

The electrical supply line is suitable for being connected to a power supply at one end and for contacting an electrical consumer at the other end. After the corner connector has been installed in insulating glazing, the power supply is preferably outside the interior of the glazing and the electrical consumer is inside the interior of the glazing. Alternatively, the voltage source is preferably located in the interior of the glazing and the electrical consumer is located outside of the interior of the glazing. This embodiment can be realized, for example, with a photovoltaic element integrated in the insulating glass as a voltage source.

The electrical supply line can be connected to a consumer or a power supply in various ways known to those skilled in the art. Contacting is possible using detachable electrical connections such as spring contacts, plug connectors, luster terminals, conditionally detachable electrical connections such as soldering or non-detachable electrical connections such as crimped connections, welding, gluing, crimping. The electrical supply line is particularly preferably equipped at least at one end with a plug part for establishing a plug connection. This enables easy connection of an electrical consumer or a power supply equipped with the corresponding counterpart. Magnetic plugs are particularly preferred, since they enable a particularly simple connection.

An electrical element within the meaning of the invention refers to an electrical element which is arranged in the finished insulating glazing inside the hollow profile spacer and which can be electrically conductively connected to the electrical supply line of the corner connector. This can be another electrical conductor in the form of a cable or foil conductor or, for example, part of a connector.

A structure of insulating glazing not according to the invention comprising a corner connector is described below. The insulating glazing comprises at least a first pane, a second pane and a spacer frame arranged between the panes. The spacer frame comprises at least one hollow profile spacer and at least one corner connector. The first pane and the second pane are sealed to the spacer frame with a primary sealant to form a sealed glazing interior. Between the first pane, second pane and spacer frame, on the side of the spacer frame that faces the outside environment, there is an outer space between the panes, in which space a secondary sealant is arranged. The secondary sealant contributes to the mechanical stability of the insulating glazing. The corner connector includes a first electrical lead that enters the glazing interior through an exit opening in the spacer frame. The first electrical supply line preferably makes electrically conductive contact with an electrically switchable functional element in the interior of the glazing, with the first electrical supply line only protruding through the secondary sealing means. That is, the first electrical lead does not pass through the primary sealant. This means that an electrical connection of an electrically switchable functional element to an external energy source can be provided in this way without the tightness of the edge bond being impaired by the first electrical supply line.

In a preferred embodiment of the insulating glazing, the exit opening is located in the corner area of the corner connector. Thus, no opening has to be made in a hollow profile spacer and sealed with difficulty, but the electrical supply line can be introduced into the insulating glazing via the prefabricated corner connector without great manufacturing effort.

In an alternative preferred embodiment, the outlet opening is located in a section of the hollow profile spacer. In this case, the first electrical lead to a be brought to any location on an electrically switchable functional element. This is particularly advantageous for larger insulating glazing.

In a preferred embodiment, the first electrical supply line enters the corner connector in the corner area of the corner connector and protrudes through the secondary sealing means only in the area of the corner connector. The electrical supply line preferably does not run over long sections along the spacer in the outer space between the panes, but is routed directly out of the corner connector over the shortest possible route through the secondary sealant from the insulating glazing. This avoids the electrical supply line being located in the outer space between the panes over longer sections and having to be protected when filling with secondary sealant.

In a further preferred embodiment, the first electrical supply line protrudes from the first leg and enters a hollow chamber of the hollow profile spacer. The first electrical supply line can thus be routed through the hollow chamber of the hollow profile spacer to a location at which an electrically switchable functional element is to be contacted without having to be routed through the secondary sealant over long distances.

In a further preferred embodiment of the insulating glazing, the electrically switchable functional element comprises a first conductor surface and a separate second conductor surface separate therefrom. The first conductor surface is connected to the first electrical lead and the second conductor surface is connected to the second electrical lead. The first electrical supply line protrudes from the first leg and enters a hollow chamber of the hollow profile spacer. The second supply line protrudes from the second leg and also enters a hollow chamber of the hollow profile spacer. Both electrical supply lines preferably enter in the corner area from the same corner connector. This means that it is only necessary to introduce an electrical supply line at one point on the insulating glazing and contact surfaces are made at two different points. In a further preferred embodiment, the first electrical supply line contains a plurality of wires. A first wire is connected to the first conductor surface and a second wire is connected to the second conductor surface. The first electrical supply line preferably enters in the corner area of the corner connector, branches out there and the first wire protrudes from the first leg and the second wire protrudes from the second leg.

Another aspect of the invention is insulating glazing with a double corner connector according to the invention. The insulating glazing comprises at least a first pane, a second pane and a third pane. A spacer frame is arranged circumferentially between the first pane and the second pane and comprises at least one double spacer and a double corner connector according to the invention. The first pane and the second pane are each connected to the spacer frame via a primary sealant, as a result of which a closed glazing interior is formed. The spacer frame has a circumferential groove into which the third pane is inserted. The third pane divides the closed glazing interior into a first glazing interior between the first and third panes and a second glazing interior between the third and second panes. The circumferential groove of the spacer frame is formed by the groove in the double spacer and the groove in the double corner connector. The third pane includes an electrically switchable functional element that is electrically conductively contacted via the electrical supply line. Contacting preferably takes place within the groove. This improves the visual appearance of the insulating glazing, since the contact is not visible from the outside. The first electrical supply line preferably protrudes exclusively through the secondary sealing means. That is, the first electrical lead does not pass through the primary sealant. This means that an electrical connection of an electrically switchable functional element to an external energy source can be provided in this way without the tightness of the edge bond being impaired by the first electrical supply line.

The options described above for routing the electrical supply line through an outlet opening into the interior of the glazing or into the corner connector apply analogously to the design of the insulating glazing with a double corner connector.

In the case of a spacer frame with a double spacer and a double corner connector, there is an additional possibility for positioning an outlet opening for the electrical supply line. The outlet opening can be inside the groove. The outlet opening, through which the first electrical supply line enters the interior of the glazing, is preferably located in the groove of the double corner connector.

A double spacer that can be used for the insulating glazing according to the invention is, for example, in WO 2014198431 A1 disclosed. The double spacer comprises a base body with a first pane contact surface and a second pane contact surface running parallel thereto, a glazing interior surface and an outer surface. the The glazing interior surface is divided into two parts by the groove. A first hollow chamber and a second hollow chamber, which are separated from one another by the groove, are introduced into the base body. The first cavity abuts a first portion of the interior glazing surface while the second cavity abuts a second portion of the interior glazing surface, the interior glazing surface being above the cavities and the outer surface being below the cavities. In this context, above is defined as facing the pane interior of insulating glazing with a spacer and below as facing away from the pane interior. Since the groove runs between the first interior glazing surface and the second interior glazing surface, it delimits them laterally and separates the first cavity and the second cavity from one another. The side flanks of the groove are formed by the walls of the first hollow chamber and the second hollow chamber. The groove forms a depression that is suitable for receiving the middle pane (third pane) of insulating glazing. This fixes the position of the third disk over two side flanks of the groove and the bottom surface of the groove. A first and second disc can be attached to the first and second disc contacting surfaces of the spacer.

A double corner connector with two first legs and two second legs is also advantageous with regard to the fact that electrical leads with different voltage potentials can be routed separately from one another in one of the first or second legs and from there can be routed into two hollow chambers of a double spacer. Alternatively, several electrical feed lines of different polarities, which are surrounded by an insulating sheath, can also be routed in a hollow chamber.

A further aspect of the invention is a triple corner connector comprising three corner connectors according to the invention, as described above, which are connected to one another in the corner area via two webs, which preferably each form a groove for accommodating middle panes. Such a corner connector is suitable for connecting a triple spacer, which consists of three hollow profile strips that are connected to one another via two webs. Such triple spacers are suitable for the production of quadruple glazing with three separate glazing interiors. A triple corner connector offers the possibility of supplying three, two or alternatively only one glazing interior with an electrical supply line. The individual described Embodiments for the single and double corner connector also apply analogously to a triple or quadruple version of a corner connector.

The following statements relate to insulating glazing according to the invention with a single or double corner connector.

The primary sealant preferably contains butyl rubber, polyisobutylene, polyethylene vinyl alcohol, ethylene vinyl acetate, polyolefin rubber, polypropylene, polyethylene, copolymers and/or mixtures thereof.

The primary sealant is preferably introduced into the gap between the spacer frame and panes with a thickness of 0.1 mm to 0.8 mm, particularly preferably 0.2 mm to 0.4 mm.

The outer space between the panes of the insulating glazing is preferably filled with a secondary sealant. This secondary sealant is primarily used to bond the two panes and thus the mechanical stability of the insulating glazing.

The secondary sealant preferably contains polysulfides, silicones, silicone rubber, polyurethanes, polyacrylates, copolymers and/or mixtures thereof. Such substances have very good adhesion to glass, so that the secondary sealant ensures that the panes are securely bonded. The thickness of the secondary sealant is preferably 2 mm to 30 mm, more preferably 5 mm to 10 mm.

Insulating glazing can contain a number of electrical supply lines which run through the spacer frame parallel to one another or also in different sections of the spacer frame. All electrical supply lines are preferably introduced at the same point from the outer space between the panes through a corner connector into a hollow chamber of the spacer frame. This is advantageous because there is only one entry opening and the risk of leaks in the edge seal is minimized as a result.

Depending on the configuration of the electrically switchable functional element, there can be a plurality of electrical supply lines of different polarity, which are contacted with the electrically switchable functional element at different positions of the latter.

The actual functional element with electrically switchable optical properties is formed by at least two electrically conductive layers and one active layer. The electrically conductive layers form surface electrodes. The optical properties of the active layer, in particular the transmission and/or the scattering of visible light, can be influenced by applying a voltage to the surface electrodes or by changing the voltage present at the surface electrodes.

The electrically conductive layers are preferably transparent. The electrically conductive layers preferably contain at least one metal, one metal alloy or one transparent conductive oxide ( transparent conducting oxide, TCO). The electrically conductive layers preferably contain at least one transparent conductive oxide.

The electrically conductive layers preferably have a thickness of 10 nm to 2 μm, particularly preferably from 20 nm to 1 μm, very particularly preferably from 30 nm to 500 nm and in particular from 50 nm to 200 nm active layer reached.

The electrically conductive layers are intended to be electrically conductively connected to at least one external voltage source in order to serve as surface electrodes of the switchable functional element.

In principle, the actual switchable functional element can be any functional element with electrically switchable optical properties that is known per se to a person skilled in the art. The design of the active layer depends on the type of functional element.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, an electrochromic functional element is contained in the interior of the glazing. The active layer of the multilayer film is an electrochemically active layer. The transmission of visible light depends on the degree of incorporation of ions in the active layer, with the ions being provided, for example, by an ion storage layer between the active layer and a surface electrode. The transmission can be influenced by the voltage applied to the surface electrodes, which causes the ions to migrate. Suitable active layers contain, for example, at least tungsten oxide or vanadium oxide. Electrochromic functional elements are, for example, from WO 2012007334 A1 , US20120026573A1 , WO 2010147494 A1 and EP 1862849 A1 known.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, a PDLC functional element (polymer dispersed liquid crystal) is fitted in the interior of the glazing. The active layer liquid crystals, which are embedded in a polymer matrix, for example. If no voltage is applied to the surface electrodes, the liquid crystals are aligned in a disorderly manner, which leads to strong scattering of the light passing through the active layer. If a voltage is applied to the surface electrodes, the liquid crystals align in a common direction and the transmission of light through the active layer is increased. Such a functional element is, for example, from DE 102008026339 A1 known.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the insulating glazing comprises an electroluminescent functional element in the inner space between the panes. The active layer contains electroluminescent materials, which can be inorganic or organic (OLED). The luminescence of the active layer is excited by applying a voltage to the surface electrodes. Such functional elements are, for example, from US2004227462A1 and WO 2010112789 A2 known.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the electrically switchable functional element is an SPD (suspended particle device) functional element. The active layer contains suspended particles, which are preferably embedded in a viscous matrix. The absorption of light by the active layer can be changed by applying a voltage to the surface electrodes, which leads to a change in the orientation of the suspended particles. Such functional elements are, for example, from EP 0876608 B1 and WO 2011033313 A1 known.

In addition to the active layer and the electrically conductive layers, the electrically switchable functional element can of course have other layers known per se, for example barrier layers, blocker layers, antireflection or reflection layers, protective layers and/or smoothing layers.

Alternatively, the electrically switchable functional element can also include an electrically heatable coating, a photovoltaic coating integrated in the insulating glazing and/or a thin-film transistor-based liquid crystal display (TFT-based LCD).

The electrically switchable functional element can be arranged anywhere within the interior of the glazing. The electrically switchable functional element is preferably located on one of the surfaces of the panes of the insulating glazing located in the interior of the glazing.

In the case of double insulating glazing which is not according to the invention, the electrically switchable functional element is preferably attached to the surface of the first pane and/or the second pane which faces towards the interior of the glazing.

The insulating glazing according to the invention is triple or multiple insulating glazing. In this case, the electrically switchable functional element is preferably applied to the third pane or further panes that go beyond it and are arranged between the first pane and the second pane.

The electrical connection of the supply line and the electrically conductive layers of the functional element is preferably carried out via so-called busbars, for example strips of an electrically conductive material or electrically conductive imprints, with which the electrically conductive layers are connected. The bus bars, also known as bus bars, are used to transmit electrical power and enable homogeneous voltage distribution. The busbars are advantageously produced by printing a conductive paste. The conductive paste preferably contains silver particles and glass frits. The layer thickness of the conductive paste is preferably from 5 μm to 20 μm.

In an alternative embodiment, thin and narrow metal foil strips or metal wires are used as busbars, which preferably contain copper and/or aluminum; in particular, copper foil strips with a thickness of, for example, approximately 50 μm are used. The width of the copper foil strips is preferably 1 mm to 10 mm. The electrical contact between an electrically conductive layer of the functional element serving as a surface electrode and the busbar can be produced, for example, by soldering or gluing with an electrically conductive adhesive.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, a third pane with an electrically switchable functional element is inserted into the groove of a spacer frame with double spacer and double corner connector, with a busbar being printed along the pane edge of the third pane. The bus bar is dimensioned in such a way that it is completely covered by the groove after the pane has been inserted into the groove of the spacer frame. Accordingly, the height of the bus bar, measured perpendicularly to the nearest edge of the pane, results from the height of the groove in the spacer frame minus the distance between the bus bar and the nearest edge of the pane. The groove preferably has a height of 3 mm to 10 mm, particularly preferably 3 mm to 6 mm, for example 5 mm, and the height of the bus bar is 2 mm to 9 mm, preferably 2 mm to 5 mm. The distance from the bus bar to the nearest pane edge is 1 mm, for example.

Contacting within the groove that is invisible to the observer is thus also possible when using busbars. Alternatively, the busbar can still be in the visible area of the pane and be as far away from the nearest pane edge as you like. Optionally, the busbar can be covered by decorative elements, such as a screen print.

The electrical contacting between the electrical supply line and the busbar can take place both indirectly via contact elements and directly. Contact elements are used to achieve the best possible connection to the bus bar in terms of mechanical stability of the connection and minimization of an undesirable voltage drop. Those skilled in the art are familiar with suitable means for fixing the contact element in an electrically conductive manner on the busbar, for example by soldering or gluing using a conductive adhesive.

The contact element is preferably designed as a spring contact. This is particularly advantageous because in this way there is a reversible connection between the contact element and the busbar and the electrical contact between the contact element and the busbar is established directly by inserting the disk carrying the busbar into the groove of the spacer frame.

The first pane, the second pane and/or the third pane of the insulating glazing preferably contain glass, particularly preferably quartz glass, borosilicate glass, soda-lime glass and/or mixtures thereof. The first and/or second pane of the insulating glazing can also comprise thermoplastic polymeric panes. Thermoplastic polymeric discs preferably comprise polycarbonate, polymethyl methacrylate and/or copolymers and/or mixtures thereof. Additional panes of the insulating glazing can have the same composition as mentioned for the first, second and third pane.

The first pane and the second pane have a thickness of 2 mm to 50 mm, preferably 2 mm to 10 mm, particularly preferably 4 mm to 6 mm, with the two panes also being able to have different thicknesses.

The first pane, the second pane and other panes can be made of toughened safety glass, thermally or chemically toughened glass, float glass, extra-clear low-iron float glass, colored glass, or laminated safety glass containing one or more of these components.

The panes can have any other components or coatings, for example low-E layers or other sun protection coatings.

The outer space between the panes, delimited by the first pane, the second pane and the outer surface of the spacer frame, is at least partially, preferably completely, filled with a secondary sealant. This achieves very good mechanical stabilization of the edge seal.

The insulating glazing is optionally filled with a protective gas, preferably with an inert gas, preferably argon or krypton, which reduces the heat transfer value in the interior of the glazing.

In principle, the most diverse geometries of the insulating glazing are possible, for example rectangular, trapezoidal and rounded shapes.

1. a) Bereitstellung eines Eckverbinders mit integrierter elektrischer Zuleitung,
2. b) Zusammensetzen eines Abstandhalterrahmens aus Hohlprofilabstandhalter und Eckverbinder,
3. c) Anbringen des Abstandhalterrahmens zwischen einer ersten Scheibe und einer zweiten Scheibe mittels eines primären Dichtmittels und Einbringen eines elektrisch schaltbaren Funktionselements in den Verglasungsinnenraum,
4. d) Verpressen der Scheibenanordnung,
5. e) Einbringen eines sekundären Dichtmittels in den äußeren Scheibenzwischenraum.

The invention also includes a method for producing insulating glazing according to the invention, comprising the steps:

1. a) Provision of a corner connector with an integrated electrical supply line,
2. b) assembly of a spacer frame from hollow profile spacer and corner connector,
3. c) attaching the spacer frame between a first pane and a second pane by means of a primary sealant and introducing an electrically switchable functional element into the interior of the glazing,
4. d) pressing the disk assembly,
5. e) introducing a secondary sealant into the outer space between the panes.

In step c), the electrical supply line is electrically conductively contacted with the electrically switchable functional element. For this purpose, a section of the electrical supply line is led out of the corner connector or the hollow profile spacer via an outlet opening. Depending on its positioning, the outlet opening can be produced during step b) or before step b). If the opening is arranged in the hollow profile spacer, it is preferably made in the form of a bore in the base body of the spacer. The outlet opening is preferably located in the corner connector according to the invention and is already integrated into it during its manufacture.

The electrically switchable functional element is introduced into the interior of the glazing simultaneously with the attachment of the panes in step c), since this is generally attached to one of the surfaces of the panes lying in the interior of the insulating glazing after assembly.

The panes can be bonded according to step c) in any order. Optionally, the two panes can also be glued together at the pane contact surfaces at the same time.

In step e), the outer space between the panes is at least partially, preferably completely, filled with a secondary sealant. The secondary sealant is preferably extruded directly into the outer space between the panes, for example in the form of a plastic sealant.

The glazing interior between the panes is preferably filled with an inert gas before the arrangement is pressed (step d)).

Before step c), a desiccant is preferably filled into the hollow chamber via the open cross section of the spacer.

If the glazing to be produced is multiple glazing with a double spacer comprising at least one groove, then at least a third pane is inserted into the groove of the spacer frame before step c).

The invention also includes the use of a double corner connector according to the invention in insulating glazing comprising electrically switchable functional elements, particularly preferably in triple insulating glazing, in particular in triple insulating glazing comprising an SPD, a PDLC, an electrochromic, an electroluminescent functional element. In all of these glazings with electrically switchable components, a power supply is required in the glazing interior, so that an electrical supply line must be routed from the outer space between the panes into the glazing interior, which is significantly improved by using the double corner connector according to the invention. Furthermore, the invention includes the use of a double corner connector according to the invention with a photovoltaic element. The power supply is provided by the photovoltaic element provided and an electrical load is contacted outside the glazing interior via an electrical supply line.

• Figur 1a eine schematische Darstellung eines Eckverbinders in der Draufsicht,
• Figur 1b eine schematische Darstellung eines Eckverbinders im Querschnitt,
• Figur 1c eine schematische Darstellung eines Eckverbinders in der Draufsicht,
• Figuren 2a, 2b und 2c jeweils eine schematische Darstellung eines Eckverbinders im Querschnitt,
• Figuren 3a, 3b und 3c jeweils eine schematische Darstellung eines doppelten Eckverbinders in der Draufsicht, wobei der doppelte Eckverbinder der Figuren 3a und 3b in den Patentansprüchen nicht beansprucht ist,
• Figur 4 eine schematische Darstellung eines Teils eines doppelten Eckverbinders in der Draufsicht, der in den Patentansprüchen nicht beansprucht ist,
• Figur 5 eine schematische Darstellung einer Isolierverglasung im Querschnitt,
• Figur 6 eine schematische Darstellung eines Hohlprofilabstandhalters zur Verwendung in einer nicht erfindungsgemäßen Isolierverglasung und
• Figur 7 eine schematische Darstellung einer nicht erfindungsgemäßen Isolierverglasung im Randbereich im Querschnitt.

The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to drawings. The drawings are purely schematic representations and are not true to scale. They do not restrict the invention in any way. Show it:

• Figure 1a a schematic representation of a corner connector in plan view,
• Figure 1b a schematic representation of a corner connector in cross section,
• Figure 1c a schematic representation of a corner connector in plan view,
• Figures 2a, 2b and 2c each a schematic representation of a corner connector in cross section,
• Figures 3a, 3b and 3c each a schematic representation of a double corner connector in plan view, wherein the double corner connector of Figures 3a and 3b is not claimed in the patent claims,
• figure 4 a schematic representation of a part of a double corner connector in plan view, which is not claimed in the patent claims,
• figure 5 a schematic representation of an insulating glazing in cross section,
• figure 6 a schematic representation of a hollow profile spacer for use in insulating glazing not according to the invention and
• figure 7 a schematic representation of a non-inventive insulating glazing in the edge region in cross section.

Figure 1a and 1b show the same corner connector in different views. The representation is greatly simplified. Slats or retaining elements, such as are used in the prior art to fix the corner connector in a hollow profile bar, are not shown, for example. These can be added by a professional as needed. The corner connector I has a first leg 2.1 and a second leg 2.2, which are connected to one another via a corner region 3. The first leg 2.1 and the second leg 2.2 enclose an angle α of 90°. The two legs 2.1 and 2.2 and the corner area 3 form the base body 6 and are made in one piece from a polyamide in an injection molding process. A first electrical supply line 4.1 is integrated in the corner area 3 and in the first leg 2.1. This has already been integrated there during the production of the corner connector I. Since the base body 6 consists of an electrically insulating polymer, there is no need to provide the electrical feed line 4.1 with a sheath. In the example, it is a simple copper conductor. The first electrical supply line 4.1 protrudes from the corner area 3. The first electrical supply line 4.1 occurs in the corner area 3 of the Corner connector I enters the corner connector, runs along the first leg 2.1, is angled in the corner area 3 and exits again at the end face 5.1 of the first leg 2.1. The first electrical supply line 4.1 enters the area of the corner region 3, which points in the direction of the outer space between the panes in the finished insulating glazing, so that the first electrical supply line 4.1 is in contact with the secondary sealant there, but does not come into contact with the primary sealant . The dimensions of the corner connector I depend on the hollow profile spacers 1 used. The length L of a leg is 3.0 cm in the example, and the length E of the corner area is approximately 0.7 cm. Both legs 2.1 and 2.2 are of equal length. The corner area 3 protrudes in comparison to the legs 2.1 and 2.2, so that a hollow profile spacer 1, which is pushed onto a leg 2.1 or 2.2 and rests against the corner area 3, ends flush with the corner area 3.

Figure 1c shows another corner connector I, which is constructed essentially like the one shown above. It differs in the structure of the corner area 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 area 3 is that the area for the entry opening on the side facing the outer space between the panes and a possible exit opening on the side facing the glazing interior (not shown here) are larger. For example, an outlet opening with the possibility of making contact can also be arranged in such an enlarged corner area.

Figure 2a shows another corner connector in cross section. The structure is essentially the same as in Figure 1a , b. It differs in the way the first electrical supply line 4.1 is routed. In this case, the first electrical supply line 4.1 is a conductor with a plurality of wires. The first electrical supply line 4.1 enters an inlet opening in the corner area 3 and then branches out in the corner area 3 and runs through the first leg 2.1, where it emerges again in an end face 5.1. The first electrical supply line also runs through the second leg 2.2 and emerges there again in an end face 5.2. Since it is a conductor with several wires, branching in the corner area 3 is possible. The individual wires are insulated from each other and surrounded by a sheath. With the help of the corner connector I, electrically switchable functional elements can be contacted at two different points on the insulating glazing, whereby only a single electrical supply line is required, which is already integrated in a prefabricated corner connector.

Figure 2b shows another corner connector I. The corner connector has a polymer base body 6 made of polyamide. The corner connector I contains a first electrical supply line 4.1, the like for Figure 1a described. In addition, the corner connector contains a second electrical supply line 4.2, which protrudes from the corner area in the direction of the interior of the glazing and in the direction of the outer space between the panes. Thus, with the help of the corner connector I, contact can be made via the second electrical supply line 4.2 of an electrically switchable functional element in the area of the corner of the insulating glazing. In addition, a further electrical functional element or the same electrical functional element can be contacted at a more remote location using the first electrical supply line 4.1.

Figure 2c shows another corner connector, which is constructed essentially sc, like the one in Figure 1a,b shown. The corner connector contains a first electrical supply line 4.1, which protrudes from the first leg 5.1, is angled in the corner region 3 and also protrudes from the second leg 5.2. The corner connector thus enables an electrical supply line to be routed around a corner, thus avoiding a conductor having to first be routed around the corner and then having to be routed back into the interior of the glazing through the sealing of the edge seal.

Figure 3a shows a double corner connector III, which comprises two simple corner connectors I, which are connected 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, each of which has two hollow chambers into which the legs 2.1 and 2.2 of the double corner connector III are inserted. The two first legs 2.1 and the two second legs 2.2 each contain a flat conductor as the first electrical supply line 4.1. The flat conductors protrude from the legs 2.1 and 2.2, i.e. they are freely accessible on the outside of the legs, so that when they are pushed into a suitable hollow profile spacer, which is also equipped with a flat conductor, for example, they create an electrically conductive connection to this flat conductor be able. With the help of the corner connector III shown, an electrical supply line can be routed around the corner of insulating glazing without having to subsequently route complex cabling through the outer space between the panes. A particular advantage of the double corner connector with two first electrical leads that open into separate 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.

Figure 3b Figure 13 shows another double corner connector III comprising two single corner connectors connected to each other by a web 7, the web being designed to form a groove 8. The two first legs 2.1 each comprise a first supply line 4.1 and a second supply line 4.2, which are each incorporated by a metallic conductor in the form of a copper wire into the base body of the double corner connector during production. The supply lines protrude from the legs and protrude about 1 to 2 cm over the base body of the double corner connector (not shown here) in order to realize a connection with an electrical element in the hollow chambers of a double spacer.

In the Figures 3a and 3b symmetrical versions of a double corner connector are shown in each case. This is just a selection. Two different corner connectors I can also be joined to form a double corner connector. Alternatively, it is also possible to connect a corner connector I with a conventional corner connector without an electrical supply line to form a double corner connector.

figure 4 shows part of a further embodiment of a double corner connector III. In contrast to those in the Figures 1 to 3 shown one-piece designs of legs 2.1, 2.2 and corner area 3, a two-part embodiment is provided here. In the corner area shown, longitudinal connectors are inserted into the hollow chambers, so that the legs 2.1 and 2.2 (not shown) are part of a second component. The corner areas 3 of the individual corner connectors are connected via a web 7 which forms a groove 8 . A recess 9 is arranged in a side flank of the groove 8 , through which an electrical supply line can be routed from a hollow chamber of the corner area into the groove 8 . The electrical supply line can enter the hollow chamber via an entry opening in the wall of the hollow chamber, which points in the direction of the outer space between the panes. Alternatively, it is possible to run an electrical supply line directly over the bottom surface of the groove, ie through the web 7 into the groove 8 . The routing of the electrical supply line in the groove 8 has the advantage that direct contacting of an electrically switchable functional element in the groove 8 is possible.

figure 5 shows an overall view of an insulating glazing II. The insulating glazing II comprises a spacer frame 14 comprising two hollow profile spacers 1 and two corner connectors I. A first hollow profile spacer 1 is bent twice and runs along three sides of the insulating glazing. A second hollow profile spacer 1 runs along the fourth side of the insulating glazing. The two hollow profile spacers are connected at two corners of the insulating glazing II using corner connectors. The spacer frame 14 is between a first disk 11 and a second disk 12 are arranged. An electrically switchable functional element 19, which 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, which is arranged in a corner connector I. The first electrical supply line 4.1 emerges from the corner connector and enters the interior of the glazing. There it is electrically conductively contacted with the first busbar 21.1. The first electrical supply line 4.1 protrudes from 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 contacts 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 to a second corner connector I, and makes contact there with a second electrical supply line 4.2. The second electrical supply line 4.2 protrudes from the second leg 2.2 of the corner connector and is connected to a voltage source 20 which is arranged outside the insulating glazing. The second electrical supply line 4.2 runs through the secondary sealant 16 in the outer space 17 between the panes and enters the corner connector I in the corner area. The second busbar 21.2 is contacted by a first electrical supply line 4.1, which is also connected to the voltage source 20 and which enters the corner connector in the corner area and also exits the corner connector in the corner area into the interior of the glazing. There, the first electrical supply line makes contact with the second busbar 21.2. The voltage source here 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, so that a potential difference arises between the two opposing busbars 21.1 and 21.2. The voltage applied to the busbars 21.1 and 21.2 causes ions to migrate within the active layer of the electrochromic functional element, as a result of which its transmission is influenced.

figure 6 shows a schematic representation of a hollow profile spacer 1 suitable for double insulating glazing in cross section. The hollow profile spacer 1 comprises a polymer base body 25 and an electrical element 26 in the form of a ribbon conductor on the base body 25. The polymer base 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 polymer base body 25 contains styrene acrylic nitrile (SAN) and about 35% by weight 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 which are mounted at regular intervals circumferentially along the glazing interior surface 28 to allow gas exchange between the To allow interior of the insulating glazing and the hollow chamber 30. Any humidity that may be present in the interior is thus absorbed by the desiccant. A barrier film (not shown) is applied to the outer surface 29 of the spacer 1, which reduces the ingress of moisture through the polymer base body 25 into the interior of the glazing. The barrier film usually comprises a film of polymeric and metallic layers. The polymer base body 25 is non-conductive for the electric current, so that the ribbon conductor 26 does not necessarily have electrical insulation. However, the ribbon conductor 26 is preferably surrounded by an insulating sheathing or covered by a barrier film with polymer layers. The ribbon conductor protrudes from the base body 25 of the spacer at the open cross sections. There are a number of ways of making an electrically conductive connection with a corner connector I. At the in figure 1 In the variants shown, each of which has a first electrical supply line that protrudes and protrudes from one leg, the electrical supply line 4.1 in the form of a cable must be brought into contact with the ribbon conductor 26. For this purpose, the ribbon conductor 26 is preferably laid around the outer wall 29 for a piece, for example 1 cm long, so that it is guided there for this piece in the hollow chamber 30 of the spacer. If the ribbon conductor 26 is located within the hollow chamber, it is obviously not necessary to bend the ribbon conductor. Any insulating sheathing that may be present on the first electrical supply line 4.1 and the ribbon conductor 26 should be removed. Then, by simply inserting the corner connector I into the hollow chamber 30 of the spacer 1, contact can be established between the electrical element 26 and the first electrical supply line 4.1. In Figure 3a a corner connector with a flat conductor 4.1 is shown in the design of a double corner connector III, which can be electrically connected to a flat conductor 26 folded into the hollow chamber 30 of the hollow profile at the end of the hollow profile spacer by simply inserting it into a spacer 1 shown.

figure 7 shows a cross section through double insulating glazing II with a hollow profile spacer 1 according to FIG figure 6 with an additional barrier film 24. Between a first pane 11 and a second pane 12, a spacer frame 14 comprising the hollow profile spacer 1 is attached circumferentially 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 with the panes 11 and 12. The glazing interior 18 adjoining the glazing interior surface 28 of the spacer 1 is defined as the space bounded by the panes 11, 12 and the spacer 1. The outer surface adjacent to the outer surface 29 of the spacer 1 Intermediate space 17 is a strip-shaped peripheral section of the glazing, which is delimited on one side by the two panes 11, 12 and on another side by the spacer frame 14 and the fourth side of which is open. The glazing interior 18 is filled with argon, for example. A primary sealant 15 is introduced between a respective pane contact surface 27.1 or 27.2 and the adjacent pane 11 or 12, which seals the gap between pane 11, 12 and spacer 1. The primary sealant 15 is polyisobutylene. A secondary sealant 16 is applied to the outer surface 29 in the outer space 17 between the panes, which serves to bond the first pane 11 and the second pane 12 . 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 . The second pane 12 has an electrically switchable functional element 19 on the pane surface facing the glazing interior 18, which is equipped with a first bus bar 21.1 for electrically contacting the functional element 19. The electrically switchable functional element 19 is an electrochromic layer.

Reference List

I

corner connector

II

double glazing

III

Double corner connector

1

hollow section spacer

2.1

first leg; first insertion leg

2.2

second leg; first insertion leg

3

corner area

4.1

first electrical supply

4.2

second electrical supply line

5.1

Face of the first leg

5.2

Face of the second leg

6

Basic body of the corner connector

7

web

8th

groove

9

exit port

11

first slice

12

second disc

13

third disc

14

spacer frame

15

primary sealant

16

secondary sealant

17

outer space between the panes

18

glazing interior

19

electrically switchable functional element

20

external energy source, voltage source

21.1

first conductor surface / busbar / busbar

21.2

second conductor surface / busbar / busbar

25

Basic 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

Spacer glazing interior surface

29

outer surface of the spacer

30

cavity of the spacer

32

Openings in the glazing interior surface of the spacer

L

length of a leg

E

Height/Length of the corner area

Claims (10)

1. Double corner connector (III) for connecting two double spacers of triple insulating glazing units, comprising

   - two corner connectors (I) each comprising at least a first leg (2.1) and a second leg (2.2), which are connected to one another via a corner region (3), and a first electrical supply line (4.1), wherein

   - in each case, the first leg (2.1) and the second leg (2.2) enclose an angle a, where 45°<α<120°,

   - in each case, the first leg (2.1), the second leg (2.2), and the corner region (3) are formed in one piece,

   - in each case, at least the corner region (3) comprises the first electrical supply line (4.1), and

   - in each case, the first electrical supply line (4.1) protrudes out of the corner region (3), the two corner connectors (I) being connected in the corner region (3) via a web (7), the web (7) being designed in such a way that a groove (8) for receiving a pane is formed.
2. Double corner connector (III) according to claim 1, wherein, in the case of the two corner connectors (I), in each case

   - at least the corner region (3) and the first leg (2.1) comprise the first electrical supply line (4.1), and

   - the first electrical supply line (4.1) protrudes out of the first leg (2.1).
3. Double corner connector (III) according to one of claims 1 or 2, wherein, in the case of the two corner connectors (I), in each case, the first electrical supply line (4.1) protrudes only out of the first leg (2.1) and out of the corner region (3).
4. Double corner connector (III) according to one of claims 1 through 3, wherein, in the case of the two corner connectors (I), the first electrical supply line (4.1) protrudes out of the first leg (2.1) and the second leg (2.2).
5. Duble corner connector (III) according to one of claims 1 through 4, wherein both corner connectors (I) comprise at least one second electrical supply line (4.2).
6. Double corner connector (III) according to one of claims 1 through 5, including a polymeric main body (6).
7. Double corner connector (III) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the first electrical supply line (4.1) enters the groove (8) through an exit opening (9).
8. Insulating glazing unit (II) at least comprising a first pane (11), a second pane (12) and a third pane (13), a circumferentially arranged spacer frame (14) between the first pane (11) and the second pane (12), at least comprising a double spacer having a groove, and a double corner connector (III) according to one of claims 1 through 7, wherein

   - the first pane (11) and the second pane (12) are connected in a leakproof manner to the spacer frame (14) via a primary sealant (15),

   - a secondary sealant (16) is arranged in the outer interpane space (17) between the first pane (11), the second pane (12), and the spacer frame (14),

   - the groove of the double spacer and the groove (8) of the double corner connector (III) form a circumferential groove, into which the third pane (13) is inserted,

   - the third pane (13) includes an electrically switchable functional element (19) and the first electrical supply line (4.1) makes electrically conductive contact with the electrically switchable functional element (19), and

   - the first electrical supply line (4.1) protrudes exclusively through the secondary sealant (16).
9. The insulating glazing unit according to claim 8, wherein the first electrical supply line (4.1) makes electrically conductive contact in the groove with the electrically switchable functional element.
10. Use of a double corner connector (III) according to one of claims 1 through 7 in insulating glazing units (II) including electrically switchable functional elements (19), preferably in insulating glazing units including an SPD, a PDLC, an electrochromic, or an electroluminescent functional element.

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