EP0124397B1 - Double glazing and manufacturing process - Google Patents

Abstract

A glazing consisting of two panes located opposite one another and retained by a rigid frame provided with leakproofing means and consisting of sections which bear on the inner faces of the panes and which are fastened to these by means of an anchor preventing the panes from moving apart, this frame being provided with at least one deformable and leakproof member for equalizing pressure between the outside and inside of the glazing, this member being independent of the said leakproofing means and being located on the inside of the glazing in relation to the said sections, and the said sections having, towards the outside of the glazing, a shape which allows direct attachment of accessories enabling the glazing to interact with a fixed surround. This glazing provides a considerable increase in the internal volume and therefore the possibilities of heat and sound insulation, as a result of the fitting of interpolated elements. Furthermore, it can be produced completely at the factory, ready to be installed in its surround.

Description

The present invention relates to glazing, in particular for windows and French windows, of the type consisting of two panes arranged facing each other and maintained by a rigid frame provided with sealing means.

More specifically, the invention relates to a glazing of the type indicated and which is provided with a deformable and sealed member for balancing pressure between the exterior and the interior, this word designating here the space comprised between the two windows.

The pressure variations between the outside and the inside of a double glazing can be due to meteorological phenomena or to a heating of the gas contained inside under the effect of the sun. To prevent them from causing damage, it is usual to give the panes a sufficient thickness and to embed them securely in the frame. It should be noted that the larger the glazing, the more the frame is used: if we double the dimensions of a square glazing, the forces due to pressure differences are quadrupled, while the length of the frame is only doubled.

It has been proposed (US-A-2 207 745) to equalize the pressures by means of holes, possibly provided with filters, but this solution is not completely effective in eliminating the condensation of humidity inside the glazing.

It has also been proposed (DE-A-2 730119) to place between the panes and the frame an element made of deformable material such as rubber. This element constitutes the sealed means of sealing the panes on the frame and, between the panes, it forms a flexible membrane, one side of which is in contact with the outside air and the other side of which is in contact with the inside of the glazing. and which deforms under the effect of relative pressure variations. This solution has the disadvantage of causing efforts on the part of the element which forms the sealed means with risks of fatigue or displacement.

Document US-A-4 065 894 describes a glazing whose frame, preferably made of wood, contains in its thickness a housing which is in communication with the outside by a conduit.

Inside this housing is placed a bladder or container made of flexible material, the interior of which is connected to the interior of the glazing by a tube. This tube passes through a seal made of elastomeric material which serves both to provide sealing between the frame and the interior of the glazing and to prevent the glass panes from coming together. The frame has a groove in which are housed the edges of the panes and the seal made of elastomeric material, the edges of this groove prevent the panes from moving apart.

This device makes it possible to obtain an effective balancing of pressures inside and outside, but it requires the provision of a large frame. On the one hand, the frame must be large enough to contain the cavity where the bladder is placed, and this cavity must allow variations in the volume of the bladder; these volume variations increase if the difference between the panes is increased. On the other hand, as the panes are held by a groove, the frame necessarily has a width greater than the distance between the external faces of the panes. For these two reasons, it is necessary to limit the difference between the panes, which reduces the thermal insulation qualities of the glazing.

Provisions have also been proposed in which the panes of a glazing unit are glued to a "spacer" section arranged between them (FR-A-1 433252), the glazing unit being devoid of any pressure balancing member. It seems possible, using this technique, to reduce the stresses on the frame due to an internal overpressure, and therefore to reduce its thickness, but it has never been proposed to place such glazing other than inside grooves provided in the frame. This system would therefore theoretically increase the spacing of the panes for a given thickness of the frame, but the latter, however, always has a thickness greater than the distance between the outer faces of the panes. On the other hand, this system brings little simplification to the process of obtaining and installing the glazing.

Furthermore, it is common technique to attach various accessories to the frames for the cooperation of the glazing with a fixed frame, for example hinges, bearings, sealing means, locksmith parts. This has been done since very ancient times with wooden frames and simple panes, and the technique has simply been modernized with multi paned panes and metal or other profiles having a conformation allowing the attachment of various accessories.

This ultimately results in costly construction, as it involves multiple stages, some performed in the factory, others on the job site.

Document DE-B-1 226 767 relates to double glazing, the frame of which is formed by profiles 1 which come to bear on the interior faces of two panes constituting the double glazing and are fixed to them by a seal which prevents the windows from coming apart.

The object of the invention is to provide a glazing which, at the same time, is of higher quality than that of the prior art, as regards its thermal insulation properties, thanks to an increased spacing of the panes, and d 'simplified obtaining and reduced cost, as well as a simple method of obtaining such glazing.

The glazing of the invention consists of two panes arranged opposite and maintained by a rigid frame provided with sealing means, this frame being provided with at least one deformable and sealed balancing member. pressure between the outside and the inside of the glazing, this member being independent of said sealing means, while the frame is constituted by profiles comprising wings, which come to bear on the inner faces of panes and are fixed on them by a seal which prevents the panes from spreading, this glazing being characterized in that the pressure balancing member is placed inside the glazing with respect to said sections between the two wings and, that the sections present towards the outside of the glazing a conformation allowing the direct attachment of accessories for the cooperation of the glazing with a fixed frame.

By sealing, is meant here a non-mechanical means which ensures a final fixing of the glass on the profile, for example by gluing, as well as possibly a sealing function, but it may be advantageous to provide an additional sealing means. , for example in a material having a great seal against water vapor.

• le fait que les profilés constituant l'encadrement sont scellés sur la face intérieure des vitres permet d'écarter les vitres jusqu'à ce que leurs faces extérieures soient dans les plans qui définissent les limites de l'encombrement du vitrage, autrement dit, l'écartement des vitres est le maximum possible pour une épaisseur totale du vitrage qui est fixée par ailleurs.
• Il en résulte un accroissement considérable du volume de l'espace intérieur, et donc des possibilités d'isolation thermique et acoustique du vitrage, moyennant pose d'éléments intercalaires ;
• le fait que l'organe d'équilibrage de pression est placé à l'intérieur du vitrage permet de prévoir sa mise en place en usine tout en évitant les problèmes de protection mécanique de cet organe lors du transport et lors de la fixation de divers accessoires. Il permet, en outre, d'alléger et de simplifier le profilé ;
• le fait que le même profilé combine les fonctions d'« écarteur avec celle de support des accessoires aboutit à une simplification importante de la construction et à un abaissement du coût. Il est en effet possible de réaliser directement en usine le vitrage « auto-porteur avec ses accessoires, le travail sur le chantier se bornant à le mettre en place dans son huisserie.

The combination of the elements just mentioned provides the following advantages:

• the fact that the profiles constituting the frame are sealed on the inner face of the panes makes it possible to separate the panes until their outer faces are in the planes which define the limits of the overall dimensions of the glazing, in other words, the The spacing of the windows is the maximum possible for a total thickness of the glazing which is fixed elsewhere.
• This results in a considerable increase in the volume of the interior space, and therefore in the possibilities of thermal and acoustic insulation of the glazing, by fitting intermediate elements;
• the fact that the pressure balancing member is placed inside the glazing makes it possible to provide for its installation in the factory while avoiding the problems of mechanical protection of this member during transport and when attaching various accessories . It also makes it possible to lighten and simplify the profile;
• the fact that the same profile combines the functions of "spacer with that of supporting the accessories results in a significant simplification of construction and a lowering of the cost. It is indeed possible to carry out directly in the factory the “self-supporting glazing with its accessories, the work on the site being limited to putting it in place in its frame.

This result can only be achieved, as we have seen, by the cooperation of the various elements of the invention.

According to a preferred embodiment, the profiles constituting the frame are entirely contained in the interval defined by the planes of the external faces of the panes.

Preferably, means are provided for protecting the pressure balancing member against radiation penetrating through the panes, this protective means dividing the interior space of the glazing into two communicating chambers and subjected to the same pressure and one of which is peripheral and contains said balancing member. This protective means delimits the periphery of the glazing and the part of the latter which is transparent to light. Its main purpose is to extend the life of the pressure balancing device. This member is constantly stressed mechanically during the existence of the glazing, and it is necessary to avoid that the action of the solar radiation decreases its flexibility and its tightness. The protective means is also of aesthetic interest, since it hides the protective member from view.

Advantageously, said protective means consists of at least one auxiliary profile, supported with play by two wings of a framing profile, and which optionally carries additional devices placed inside the glazing.

According to another very advantageous method, the peripheral chamber contains, in addition to the balancing member, a charge of desiccant substance and there is provided in a profile, near said charge of desiccant substance, at least one orifice provided with a sealing means which can be removed to renew said charge.

The same protective profile therefore ensures, in addition to the protection of the pressure balancing member, the concealment of the desiccant load and possibly its maintenance. It is obvious that this load must be placed so as not to hinder the functioning of the balancing member. Note in this regard that the amount of water vapor entering a double glazing depends essentially on the length of the joints and not on the volume between panes. As a result, when the gap between panes increases, the amount of desiccant does not change. The load can therefore be placed so as to obscure a smaller part of the glass surface.

On the other hand, as the renewal of the load is operated by a means independent of the pressure balancing member, the latter is not likely to be damaged during the operation.

An advantage of the arrangement described resides in the fact that .can be provided that rolling housings or other accessories for the cooperation of the glazing with a fixed frame, carried by a profile, penetrate into said chamber without, however, affecting its sealing against the outside.

This modality is made possible both by the greater spacing of the windows, which becomes greater than the thickness of a bearing housing and by the fact that the framing profiles combine the functions of "spacer and support of the accessories. It will be noted that, in order to ensure good sealing, the bearing housings and similar accessories will advantageously be fitted in the factory.

The invention also provides a method of manufacturing a glazing as has just been defined.

This method is of the type according to which the profiles are assembled by gluing together and with the two panes, forming a sealed assembly, and it has the following particularities: that the profiles of the pressure balancing member or members are provided beforehand, and after bonding, a pressure difference is created between the two faces of the balancing member or members, using '' a closable orifice provided in a profile and communicating with the interior of the glazing, this pressure difference being calculated and the said member or said balancing members are brought into a conformation substantially the same as their average conformation during use and the communication between the interior of the glazing and the exterior is closed at least until the glazing is used.

The simplest way, but not the only one, to implement the process is as follows: after the gluing and the placement of the desiccant charge, a shutter, for example that intended for the renewal of this charge, is removed, or is not implemented. The interior of the glazing is then connected to the surrounding atmosphere, which is advantageously a dry gas such as nitrogen. The interior of the balancing member is then brought to a different pressure, calculated as mentioned above. For this, the conduit intended to ensure the connection of the balancing member with the atmosphere during its operation is connected to a suitable pressure source, for example a gas cylinder, by means of a conduit provided with a provisional filling means. This closure means is then closed, as well as the shutter mentioned above. The two faces of the balancing member are thus made independent of the atmosphere. Upon installation at the site of use, for example in the mountains, it suffices to open or remove the temporary closure means.

• Figure 1 est une coupe transversale d'un bord d'un vitrage selon l'invention, montrant l'organe d'équilibrage lors d'une surpression intérieure,
• Figure 2 est une coupe analogue à celle de la fig. 1, mais dans le cas d'une surpression extérieure ;
• Figure 3 est une coupe analogue à celle de la fig. 1 mais faite au niveau de la masse déshydratante ;
• Figure 4 est une coupe verticale du bord inférieur d'un vitrage muni d'accessoires pour l'utilisation en panneau coulissant et d'un écran ;
• Figure 5 est une coupe verticale du haut d'un vitrage montrant un écran replié ;
• Figure 6 est une coupe horizontale du bord d'un vitrage muni d'accessoires pour l'utilisation en fenêtre battante ;
• Figure 7 est une coupe du bord d'un autre mode d'exécution du vitrage selon l'invention.

The invention will now be described in more detail using practical examples given without limitation and illustrated in the drawings, among which:

• FIG. 1 is a cross section of an edge of a glazing according to the invention, showing the balancing member during an internal overpressure,
• Figure 2 is a section similar to that of FIG. 1, but in the case of an external overpressure;
• Figure 3 is a section similar to that of FIG. 1 but made at the level of the desiccant mass;
• Figure 4 is a vertical section of the lower edge of a glazing provided with accessories for use as a sliding panel and a screen;
• Figure 5 is a vertical section from the top of a window showing a folded screen;
• Figure 6 is a horizontal section of the edge of a glazing provided with accessories for use in a casement window;
• Figure 7 is a section of the edge of another embodiment of the glazing according to the invention.

In all the figures, the same references designate similar objects. The glazing object of fig. 1 is formed by two identical and rectangular panes 1, which are connected on their edges by framing profiles 2 which all have substantially the same structure.

Each frame profile 2 is composed of two identical aluminum profiles 3, arranged symmetrically and connected by a central core 4 of resin with low thermal and sonic conductivity, this structure avoiding the appearance of thermal bridge. By "aluminum" is understood of course means an appropriate aluminum alloy, the composition of which may vary depending on the circumstances of use. Other metals are obviously usable. It would obviously be possible to design the framing profile 2 in one piece, in a material having both the mechanical properties and suitable thermal and sonic insulation.

Each aluminum section 3 has a dovetail groove 5 for anchoring the core 4, this core is put in place by casting.

In the vicinity of the core 4, the aluminum profiles 3 comprise, in a direction opposite to the panes 1 and in a direction opposite to the core 4, grooves 6, 7 which are intended for the attachment of accessories in front cooperate for example with a fixed joinery such as a window or door frame.

The total width of the framing profile 2 is substantially equal to the distance between the exterior faces 8 of the panes 1.

The aluminum profiles 3 each have a wing 9, which advances between the panes 1 and gives the section of the framing profile 2 a general U-shape. The panes 1 are fixed by their edge to the framing profile at by means of a seal 10 made of extruded silicone, which provides a flexible seal and a first water vapor barrier. In addition, a blade 11, made of hot extruded butyl, is interposed and clamped between each wing 9 and the inner face of the corresponding window 1, to form a second barrier against water vapor.

The end of each wing has a groove 12 on its side facing inward. In each of these grooves penetrates a projection 13 of an auxiliary profile 14 of polyvinyl chloride. It is important to note that the projections 13 penetrate into each groove 12 with appreciable play, both in the parallel direction and in the direction perpendicular to the direction of the panes. This auxiliary profile is never perfectly flat, due to the temperature differences between its faces. In addition, its length is slightly shorter than that of profile 2 to take account of the difference in the expansion coefficients. For these reasons, the connection between the framing profile 2 and the auxiliary profile 14 is never waterproof.

The auxiliary profile 14 divides the interior space defined by the panes 1 and the profiles 2 into a peripheral chamber 15 and a central chamber-16 (fig. 2). These two rooms are always in communication for the reasons just explained.

The auxiliary profile 14 carries, on its face opposite to the framing profile 2, two wings 17 with a right angle section, the ends of which are thinner and closer to each other. In FIG. 1, these two wings 17 hold between them a stretched anti-convection film 18 made of transparent, clear or tinted material. In FIG. 2, the two wings 17 are unused, in FIG. 3, they maintain a third window 19.

The core 4 of the profile is pierced with a hole 20 in which is sealed, a pocket 21 in the form of a bellows, butyl 0.3 to 1.5 mm thick, shown in fig.1 substantially in its position of least volume and in FIG. 2, in its position of greatest volume, this pocket constitutes the pressure balance member. The inside of the pocket 21 communicates with the outside atmosphere through the hole 20, while its outside face is subjected to the pressure which reigns in the chambers 15 and 16, that is to say the pressure at the interior of the glazing.

The situation in FIG. 1 therefore corresponds to an internal overpressure, or more exactly, to conditions which would lead to an overpressure in the absence of a pressure balancing member. As shown in the figures, the framing profile 2 and the auxiliary profile delimit the space in which this body can operate, and at the same time, they are opposed to the fact that solar or other rays which have passed through the windows can reach pocket 21.

FIG. 3 shows the chamber 15 occupied not by the pocket 21 as in FIGS. 1 and 2, but by a mass 22 of dehydrating material constituted here by a molecular sieve in the form of granules.

Appropriate transverse partitions, not shown, obviously prevent this desiccant material from coming to lodge against the pocket 21 and preventing its free operation. A hole 23 passes through the core 4 of the profile. This hole is threaded and closed by a plug 24, tight and screwed. The removal of the plug 24 and the extraction of the mass 22 by suction or withdrawal normally take place only when the latter is exhausted and must be changed, that is to say after a time which, here is around 10 years.

Figure 4 shows the position of accessories for the use of the glazing according to the invention as sliding glazing. Only the core 4 of the framing profile is modified compared to the previous figures. This core 4, in fact, comprises elongated notches 25 in which are mounted boxes 26 provided with bearings 27. Each box 26 is closed and sealed except on the side facing outwards, by which the bearings 27 protrude to roll on a raceway 28 which is part of a fixed frame 29. The housing 26 has wings 30 which come to bear on the ends of the framing profile 2. The bottom 31 of the housing comes close to the auxiliary profile 14, if although practically the entire extent of the peripheral chamber 15, towards the center of the glazing, is used. The connection between the housing 26 and the core 4 of the framing profile, at the level of the notch 25 is sealed. In a variant, it can be provided that the housing 26, which carries the bearings, is removable and that it is surrounded, in the peripheral chamber 15 by a second housing 32, which is sealed and tightly bonded to the core 4. The second housing 32 is shown in dashes in FIG. 4. It can be thinner than the housing 26, because it does not support mechanical forces. This variant is a little more complicated but it allows easy replacement and adjustment of the bearings.

It should be noted that one or the other of the arrangements is made possible without difficulty by the large spacing of the panes. The transparent surface of the glazing thus extends practically to the top of the housing 26.

In FIG. 4, sealing brushes 33 are also shown mounted in the grooves 7 of the framing profile 2. These brushes are the only elements which protrude from the plane of the external faces 8 of the panes 1. They ensure the sealing to air currents, as is well known, and protect the windows 1 from contact with the fixed frame 29.

In the same Figure 4, there is shown the lower part of a foldable screen 34, sun visor and preferably reflective. The large spacing between panes makes it possible to give the screen 34 a structure which, in section, in the deployed state, shows a series of superimposed honeycombs.

The screen 34 is stretched downwards by a profile 35 which, in FIG. 4, rests on the wings 17 of the profile 14. The vertical edges of the screen 34 are guided by the wings 17 of the profile 14 located on the sides glazing.

FIG. 5 shows the upper edge of a glazing unit fitted with the same screen 34, which is this time shown in the folded state. The peripheral chamber 15 is this time used for housing a pulley 36 for driving the cables for raising and lowering the screen.

The core 4 is notched to leave the space necessary for the pulley 36, but the notch is not through, in order to preserve the seal. To reduce the size of the screen 34 in the folded state, the auxiliary section 14 is turned over, its wings 17 being inside the peripheral chamber 15. These wings are notched at the pulley 36 to leave the make way for this one. The auxiliary profile 14 also carries the attachment means 37 of the screen 34.

The shaft 38 of the pulley 36 is supported by the aluminum profiles 9 of the framing profile, without breaking the seal.

In the version shown in FIG. 5, the shaft 38 passes through one of the sections 9 to be connected to external drive means (not shown) by means of a tight seal formed by an enlargement of the silicone seal 10. In another version (not shown) more expensive, but safer from the point of view of tightness, we take advantage of the large width of the chamber 15 to accommodate a micro-drive motor, including the power cables pass through the framing profile 2 by a tight seal.

Figure 6 shows the use of grooves 6, 7 of the framing profile 2 for holding accessories for using the glazing as a hinged door. On one side, a flexible outer seal 39 is anchored directly in the grooves 6 and 7 and comes to bear on the fixed frame 40. On the other side, an additional profile or flapping profile 41 is fixed in a groove 6, it carries a mounting joint, or key joint 42 which bears on the edge of the corresponding window 1, and an internal sealing joint 43, which comes to bear on the fixed frame 40.

The hinge 44 has been shown in broken lines which is screwed at 45 onto the additional profile and is blocked at 46 on the groove 7 of the framing profile 2.

FIG. 6 also shows how the wings 17 of the auxiliary profile 14 serve to guide the screen 34 when it is deployed. It is obvious that the accessories shown in this figure could have been shown at the same time as an anti-convection screen as shown in Figure 1 or an additional window as shown in Figure 3. Note that the chamber 15 , which is shown empty in Figure 6 may contain a pressure balancing member or a desiccant mass or other fixed accessories on the core 4, in fact the latter remains accessible without disassembly or possibly with disassembly of the sole seal 39, which is relatively easy.

Figure 7 shows another embodiment of the glazing according to the invention. The thickness of the glazing is here notably greater than in the previous figures, thanks to a slightly different conformation of the aluminum profiles 3 and of the auxiliary profile 14, the other elements remaining the same. This made it possible to house a larger pressure balancing member and to provide several additional panes 19a, 19b, 19c. One can also provide several anti-convection screens such as the screen 18. The means, such as holes (not shown) in the profile 14 are provided to equalize the pressures in the compartments delimited by the additional panes or the additional screens. It is also possible to provide several foldable screens such as the screen 34, or else to combine several of these elements. The pressure balancing member 21 is of increased dimensions and of suitable shape.

The glazing in FIG. 7 is shown in direct association with elements 47, 48 of the main structure of the building, by means of a fixing part 49, which cooperates with a groove 6, and seals 50, bearing on the panes 1 .

Claims (7)

1. Glazing consisting of two panes (1) arranged opposite one another and held by a rigid frame (2, 3) equipped with sealing means, this frame being equipped with at least one deformable and leakproof member (21) for pressure balancing between the outside and inside of the glazing, this member being independent of the said sealing means, whilst the frame (2, 3) consists of sections (2, 3) having wings (9) which come up against the inner faces of the panes (1) and which are fastened to them by means of an anchoring preventing the said panes from moving apart from one another, this glazing being characterized in that :

the pressure balancing member (21) is arranged inside the glazing relative to the said sections, between the two wings (9),

the sections (2, 3) have, towards the outside of the glazing, a shaping (25) allowing the direct attachment of accessories (26, 27) for the interaction of the glazing with a fixed casing (40).

2. Glazing according to claim 1, characterized in that the sections (2, 3) forming the frame are contained completely in the gap defined by the planes of the outer faces of the panes (1).

3. Glazing according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that there is a means (14) of protecting the pressure balancing member (21) against radiation penetrating through the panes, this means of protection (14) dividing the inner space of the glazing into two communicating chambers (15, 16) which are subjected to the same pressure and of which one (15) is peripheral and contains the said balancing member.

4. Glazing according to claim 3, characterized in that the said means of protection consists of at least one auxiliary section (14) which is supported with play by two wings (17) of a frame section (2) and which, if appropriate, carries additional devices (26, 27) arranged inside the glazing.

5. Glazing according to one of claims 3 or 4, characterized in that the said peripheral chamber (15) contains, in addition to the balancing member (21), a filling of desiccant substance (22), and in that there is in a section, near the said filling of desiccant substance, at least one orifice (23) equipped with a sealing plug means (24) which can be removed in order to renew the said filling.

6. Glazing according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that boxes (26) for bearings (27) or other accessories for the interaction of the glazing (1) with a fixed casing (40), which are carried by a section (2), penetrate into the said chamber (15), but without impairing its sealing relative to the outside.

7. Process for producing a glazing according to one of claims 1 to 6, in which the sections (3) are joined to one another and to the two panes (1) by adhesive bonding to form a sealed assembly, characterized in that the sections (2) are equipped beforehand with the pressure balancing member of pressure balancing members (21), and in that, after adhesive bonding, a pressure difference is produced between the two faces of the pressure balancing member or pressure balancing members (21) by means of a pluggable orifice (23) provided in a section and communicating with the inside of the glazing, this pressure difference being calculated so that, during use, the mean shaping of the said balancing member or balancing members (21) is intermediate between its extreme shapings, and communication between the inside of the glazing and the outside is broken by a sealing plug means (24), at least up to the moment when the glazing is used.

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