EP4332337A1 - Improved spacer for multiple glazing panel - Google Patents

Abstract

In the glass transformation sector, the water permeability of double glazing is often at the center of discussions. The invention described in this file is based on the dynamic optimization of an existing product, the “warm Edge” type flexible spacer. By varying the shape and sealing technique, butyl works less and therefore deteriorates less. The goal here is to provide a better, more durable and more reliable product. Modifying the shape of the spacer so as to incorporate composite fibers, short and long, in its horizontal part allows for better distribution of displacements also acting on the butyl . On the other hand, a groove of a few millimeters longitudinally located on the spacer provides greater flexibility and therefore will put less stress on the butyl. The theoretical results demonstrate a water penetration up to 10 times lower compared to those of a classic spacer. The results are such that the limit is at the level of the permeability of the vapor barrier. But this can be easily modified since the thermal insulation of the interlayer is greatly improved by the invention. To conclude, having worked for several years on large glass projects. The index I (permeance level) is a recurring problem both technically and ecologically. and sometimes economically. By optimizing it as explained above, it will better meet the technical needs of the market.

Description

The request consists of an improvement of an existing system in order to increase its performance over time, in particular its water vapor permeance and its thermal insulation.

The basis of this improvement is the creation of a model for calculating the permeance of double glazing based on its assembly parameters and constituents.

The calculation model was validated according to these parameters and confirmed by water vapor permeance results according to EN 1279 and tests lasting 168 cycles described in EN 1279 continuously.

Parameters of the calculation model used :

• Divider section
• Butyl section
• Bonding section
• Implementation parameters.
• System dynamics

The quantity of water vapor entering the double glazing depends on the constituents in terms of permeability and mechanical properties, their sections and their level of deformation.

Description : Figure 1 Organic spacer :

For example, a silicone “foam” containing zeolite grains, a moisture absorber.

Its role is to maintain the distance between the 2 glazings and to absorb humidity in order to maintain a dry double glazing room atmosphere.

Vapor barrier :

Waterproof film, aluminum or aluminized polyester.

• 1°- limiter la transmission de vapeur d'eau vers l'espaceur.
• 2° garantir un collage du mastic de scellement sur 3 plans.

Its roles are:

• 1°- limit the transmission of water vapor towards the spacer.
• 2° guarantee bonding of the sealant on 3 planes.

Butyl .

Flexible and waterproof material. Its permeability is of the order of 0.15 g/m2.24 h.cm Hg.

Sealing putty

Silicone or other materials, polysulfide or polyurethane for example.

Permeability of around 7 to 1 g of water/m2.24h. cm Hg, it works in concert with butyl.

Its role is to mechanically maintain the two glazings and to limit the deformation of the butyl by its bonding, in this description, on 3 sides and long fibers.

Explanations of test results and modeling.

Some permeance results, when aging cycles are repeated, are much higher than the theoretical normal.

To a large extent, the explanation lies, thanks to our unique modeling, in the excessive deformation of the butyl barrier which has a theoretical permeability 30 times lower than the sealing putty (0.15 g of water/24 hours /mm/cm of Hg, compared to 1 to 7 g for sealing putty). This excessive deformation causes it to irreversibly lose its cohesion.

The sealant, usually works at a rate of 15-20% elongation during its lifespan, it has been modeled that the butyl, the waterproof part, when it works at a much higher level, reaches its limit of cohesion quite easily.

In fact, even if it adheres to the walls, its excessive deformation, at high temperature, causes the entry of humid air, which passes through the more permeable sealing mastic, into the mass of the butyl, which when cooling the chamber of the double glazing and its compression causes a “scalloping” of the butyl, which loses its cohesion and “foams”

In diagram 1, the bonding section of the sealant and butyl has their own interface and bonding, working in traction, are different. For example 2 mm of butyl (1 at the top and 1 at the bottom) and 16 mm of sealing. Or a ratio of a little more than 1/8 depending on the tolerances and the acrylic adhesive.

The spacer is relatively flexible, but it cannot deform because it is linked to the glasses by materials, butyl and acrylic adhesive, not polymerized which fluent at high temperatures (50-60°C).

• 1° le scellement est plus rigide, grâce aux fibres courte créées. L'espaceur est solidarisé au verre par un matériaux de scellement et non plus via des thermoplastiques. Le collage du pare vapeur sur l'espaceur est sollicité en traction sur les fibres courtes, ce qui est plus favorable et rigide que les sollicitations en cisaillement comme sur la figure 1
• 2° la déformation du butyl est réduite, et sa section est similaire à la section du scellement à leur interface.
• 3° l'ouverture au centre de l'intercalaire, permet une meilleure déformation de celui-ci et ainsi limiter la déformation du butyl. Cette souplesse engendrée réduit considérablement les efforts de tractions entre le pare vapeur et l espaceur aux endroits des fibres courtes.
• 4° l'ouverture de l'intercalaire, réduit également sa transmission thermique.

If the spacer and sealant/butyl sections are changed, see Figure 2 :

• 1° the sealing is more rigid, thanks to the short fibers created. The spacer is secured to the glass by a sealing material and no longer via thermoplastics. The bonding of the vapor barrier to the spacer is stressed in tension on the short fibers, which is more favorable and rigid than the stresses in shear as on the figure 1
• 2° the deformation of the butyl is reduced, and its section is similar to the section of the seal at their interface.
• 3° the opening in the center of the interlayer allows better deformation of it and thus limits the deformation of the butyl. This flexibility generated considerably reduces the tensile forces between the vapor barrier and the spacer at the locations of the short fibers.
• 4° opening the interlayer also reduces its thermal transmission.

Manufacturing of insulating glazing:

When assembling the double glazing, the spacer with its extruded butyl are applied to a glass.

The second glass is placed on top or in parallel if the assembly is done vertically.

The system is pressed to compress the butyl and acrylic. This phase is important because it manages the butyl section and its adhesion to the glass.

During this compression phase, the spacer is slightly compressed and returns to its normal position almost instantly, when the pressing stops thanks to the air in the chamber and its elastic reaction, before the application of the seal.

It is important that this opening is not too wide, or the spacer will give way and the butyl will not be compressed sufficiently, ideally the worst part of the crack should be around 1-2mm

A controlled opening and its limited deformation maintains resistance to compression and offers flexibility to depression.

The same principle can be improved following the following diagram: see Figure 3 .

During the press procedure, the spacer deforms until it closes the crack. Butyl deforms more easily thanks to the inclined plane and is pushed backwards.

The passage of water vapor between the end of the vapor barrier film and the glass is reduced. The thickness of the short fibers and the butyl at their border is identical, which gives a sealing/butyl ratio of 1.

The short fibers monitor the deformation of the spacer by adhesion to one side, free to move thanks to the crack.

The zone of the butyl in contact with the seal, of ratio 1, limits the absolute deformation of the butyl.

The water vapor transmitted by permeance on a less stressed butyl is reduced, the passage of this water vapor into the double glazing chamber is reduced because the vapor barrier is closer to the surface of the glass.

The Reduced Zone is located on the zone made flexible by the central opening, its relative deformation is therefore strongly limited.

The lifespan of glazing assembled using this invention is multiplied by a minimum factor of 2.

Claims (5)

use of an organic spacer with 1 or more cracks or interruption with a section of less than 5 mm in width at its narrowest point, in the mass of the spacer in order to provide flexibility to said spacer. Parallel or conical cracks or any other shapes. the use of a spacer with one or more cracks or insertion creating a thermal break in said spacer. connection of the vapor barrier opposite the glass with a sealing mastic which also allows mobility of the walls of the spacer thanks to a tensile force. Thickness of butyl at the sealant/butyl interface similar by the use of an inclined side or a staircase on the sides of the interlayer. the use of a spacer with 1 or more cracks for all insulating glazing applications, particularly where the glass components are stiff and/or rigid, such as cylindrical or double-curved insulating glazing, thick and/or shaped glass components , insulating glazing of small dimensions and/or shape

Images