Easily accessible cavity behind an inner glazing.

Abstract

The invention relates to fixing an inner pane (20) behind an outer glazing (10) between jamb openings to create an easily accessible cavity (9) on the interior side of the glass facade. The innovation is characterized by the fact that the inner pane (20) rests on the bottom and a U-shaped, elongated profile (19) or U-shaped individual elements are vertically slidably fitted over its upper end edge, serving as a glass holder. A hook profile contour (18) with a downward opening is located on the U-shaped profile contours. Within the cavity (9) is another, stationary hook profile contour (17) with upward openings. By lowering the glass holder, the downwardly open hook profile (18) engages with the upwardly open hook profile (17). This engagement fixes the inner pane (20) in a vertical position and prevents it from tilting. The hook profile (18) fitted over the end edge also ensures easy access to the cavity by lifting and unhooking.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to fixing an inner pane behind an outer glazing between reveals to produce a largely closed, but easily openable cavity on the interior side of the facade.

[0002] The current state of the art involves installing an inner secondary pane in a glazing frame behind the outer glazing and then attaching this frame, along with the pane, to the inside of a window or fixed glazing unit and a blind. However, this frame must be manufactured with precision and requires special fastening and retaining devices to prevent it from falling out of the facade. Typically, the frames are anchored to the reveals or window sash frames with screws, and the joints between the frame and reveal are sealed with silicone. This makes the enclosed cavity difficult to access, for example, for maintenance work on a blind installed within it. Furthermore, the surrounding frames obstruct the view through the facade and detract from the slim aesthetic of the facade mullions.

[0003] It is also known to integrate blinds into insulated glazing. The disadvantage of this technique is the impossibility of servicing the blind, as it is installed within the hermetically sealed cavity of the insulating glass. In the event of repairs, the building facade must be opened by removing the insulating glass pane and replacing it with a new pane containing the integrated blind. However, the advantage of insulated glass is its condensation-free installation.

[0004] The innovation aims to create a largely insulated cavity that allows for the installation of a blind while maintaining easy access for maintenance and repairs. This accessibility—without sealing the surrounding joints—leads to air exchange, as the trapped air expands when heated by solar radiation and is forced out of the cavity. Upon cooling, the contraction of this air inevitably draws warm, humid indoor air back in, resulting in increasing condensation within the cavity on the inside of the cold outer pane during winter. Therefore, the innovation's extended objective is to develop technical and structural measures to reduce or even prevent communication between the cavity and the indoor air, and thus condensation, despite the cavity's easy accessibility and the absence of silicone sealing of the surrounding joints.

[0005] The innovation also aims to eliminate the need for a conspicuous, continuous glazing frame, thus minimizing disruption to the original aesthetics of the glass facade when viewed from the inside by a second glazing frame during facade renovations. The additional construction is intended to reduce the window's U-value and overall energy gain.

[0006] The solution to these problems is achieved according to claim 1 by opening the cavity through the disc located towards the interior, which sits firmly at the bottom due to its own weight, at the top by means of an easily releasable anchoring in order to secure access for the blind.

[0007] The idea is to hold the inner pane vertically by means of a U-profile that fits over the upper edge and hooks onto, for example, the headrail of a blind. If the blind needs repair, the U-profile can be easily lifted and unhooked from a fixed hook rail without having to lift the inner pane. The sliding hook lock secures the inner pane, which sits at the bottom, against tilting at the top and also allows for easy release and removal. Simultaneously, the resulting cavity is protected from airflow at both the top and bottom. This creates a static, heat- or cold-insulating air cushion, as desired.

[0008] As an additional thermal insulation measure and to protect against condensation, another pane can be installed on the inside of the outer glazing. This second pane is bonded to the outer pane via spacers, similar to insulated glazing, and is vapor-tight. Since this second, doubled-up pane, facing the interior, is warmer than the outer pane, the risk of condensation on it is reduced. Further details are shown in the cross-sectional drawings. Fig. 1 to 7 in detail: Fig. 1. A cross-sectional perspective through the facade as seen from the outside Fig. 2 A cross-sectional perspective through the facade seen from the inside Fig. 3 a vertical section through the facade Fig. 4 Vertical section through the hook profiles Fig. 5 the tilted inner pane Fig. 6 Inner pane as stepped insulating glass Fig. Figure 7 shows a facade section with a cooling pipe Fig. 8 a perspective of a post-and-beam construction

[0009] In the Fig. Figures 1 to 3 show a post-and-beam construction 12 with external glazing 10. This is held by means of a retaining profile 11, which is attached to the beam 12 from the outside.

[0010] Regardless of whether the exterior glazing 10 is single-pane or multi-pane, a blind head profile 26 is attached to the mullion 12 or a load-bearing substructure. This is, for example, attached to a U-shaped profile 16 screwed to the mounting base or to a profile 16. The mechanical components for the raising / lowering movement of the blind 27, such as motors, winding shafts, etc., are housed in this blind head profile 26.

[0011] The special feature of the blind head profile 26 is an angled hook profile 17 into which a second hook profile 18 engages from above. The engaging profile part 18 is firmly connected to a downwardly open U-profile 19, which is attached to an inner disc 20.

[0012] The innovation is not limited to an upwardly open hook profile 17 that is rigidly connected to a blind head profile 26. Independently of a blind, a hook profile 17, or even individual hook profiles 17, can be attached to the ceiling or suspended from the bar and serve to hold the inner pane 20.

[0013] If, for maintenance reasons, it is necessary to remove the inner pane 20 to gain access to the blind, only the U-profile 18 / 19 is used, as is particularly evident in Fig. 4 can be seen, lifted and released from the locking mechanism in the retaining profile 17. The disc can then be removed as shown in Fig. 5 can be seen, tilted out of the facade plane and moved aside, thus ensuring access to the blind 27. The U-profile 19 has been in Fig. 5 placed back onto the front edge of the inner disc 20.

[0014] The core idea, the accessibility of the blind behind the inner pane 20, lies in the easy removal of the pane and the hook fixing of the inner pane, e.g., to the blind head profile 26 of the blind 27, by means of the interlocking hook profiles, without the need for screws in separate retaining frame profiles and without having to lift the heavy, large inner pane to remove it from its installed position. The U-profile 19, as an attachment to the upper edge of the inner pane 20, simultaneously serves as a cover 22 to conceal the upper gap 28 between the blind head profile 26 and the first blind slat. It is therefore a multifunctional profile.

[0015] The inner pane 20, which rests on the bottom, has a U-profile 37 made of a soft plastic, e.g., EPDM or silicone, at its lower edge, thus preventing convective air exchange. Likewise, the upper locking mechanism on the blind head profile 26 prevents convective air exchange. This results in a largely insulating air cushion.

[0016] The easy accessibility of the cavity or the blind is based on the innovative idea of ​​loosely fitting an upper U-profile 19 over the inner pane 20 without forming a fixed connection with it. According to the invention, the U-profile 19 simply slides over the front edge of the inner pane 20. The advantage of this sliding bearing is that the pane does not need to be lifted to release it. Only the U-profile itself is lifted to first tilt the heavy pane 20 and then remove it. This significantly simplifies installation, as the pane, with its considerable weight, initially remains upright at the bottom before being removed from the facade plane in a second step. The sliding bearing of the profile 18, 19 also allows the construction to adapt to building tolerances – a major advantage during the measurement and manufacturing of the components, particularly in the renovation of high-rise facades.Tolerances are accommodated during construction by the sliding bearings of all U-profiles.

[0017] Due to the sliding fit of the U-profile 19 on the upper front edge of the inner pane 20, the blind head profile 26 and its anchoring to the ceiling are not subjected to the weight of the inner pane! The pane 20 is only secured against tilting by means of the interlocking mechanism. The anchoring 16 of the blind head profile 26 can easily absorb the horizontal load that may occur as a result of a horizontal impact load on the pane 20.

[0018] The further inventive concept is the concealed locking mechanism 17, 18 on the headrail 26 of the blind itself. The blind headrail profile 26 has a receiving hook 17, which is advantageously part of the profile contour 26. The locking mechanism is not visible. This results in a clean aesthetic from the inside with an upper shadow gap 30.

[0019] The disc 20 is secured in its position at the bottom by its own weight. To protect the edge, the disc sits in a rubber U-profile 37, which, due to the weight of the disc, creates frictional resistance against the floor, thus eliminating the need for any additional support or screws.

[0020] In a further development of the inventive concept, a rubber-like U-profile 37, e.g., made of EPDM or silicone, is also attached to the vertical edges of the inner pane. Here, too, the advantage of the U-shaped, easily movable plug connection applies: The seal can be pushed up to a reveal wall, so that a largely airtight seal is achieved even in the vertical joints.

[0021] The principle of the invention, which provides a sliding fit to the U-shaped edge profiles of the pane – whether at the upper end edge of the glazing bead for static securing of the panes against tilting or at the lateral vertical seal – has the significant advantage that the panes 20 can expand when heated without being subjected to mechanical clamping. This is facilitated by providing the lateral, U-shaped edge protection seals with an easily removable adhesive effect at their contact point with the frame / reveal, so that the U-shaped profile seal 37 adheres to the window frame or reveal and the joint remains reliably closed even under temperature fluctuations, allowing the pane to expand / contract.

[0022] This applies particularly to plastic glazing, which has a high coefficient of thermal expansion. Depending on the nature of the reveal, the adhesive effect can be achieved through adhesion or by means of an adhesive, such as a double-sided adhesive film. The U-profile 37 itself can also be coated with an adhesive at the contact edge, which only adheres after a protective film has been removed following installation of the glazing. Another option is to integrate a magnetic strip into the U-profile 37, which then adheres to steel.

[0023] The airtightness at ground level and along the vertical edges has the following structural physics implications: When the sun shines, the cavity between the inner pane 20 and the outer glazing 10 heats up. Trapped moisture is absorbed by the warming air and, due to expansion, is preferably expelled from the cavity through leaks above the inner pane. When the cavity cools down after sunset, dehumidified, cooler air remains trapped at the bottom of the cavity. A pool of cold air forms. If the structure were open at the bottom, the cooling air would flow into the interior, and warmer interior air would be drawn in from above, constantly introducing more moisture into the cavity and producing condensation. The innovative seals and the innovative design prevent this undesirable siphon effect.Dry air can also be introduced into the cavity from below via an air supply nozzle; this air is cooled in summer and heated in winter, so that condensation does not occur even with single-pane glazing of the outer facade.

[0024] The extended inventive concept thus comprises a combined solution consisting of the static securing of the disc 20 by means of a hook lock and an associated possibility of creating a sealing system through the horizontal and vertical U-shaped edge profiles or of avoiding or reducing condensation formation through controlled ventilation only in the upper area.

[0025] The use of plastic glass, e.g., made of PMMA, PC, or PS, is particularly advantageous for the inner pane 20, as plastic is a poorer conductor of heat than glass and retains heat better. This also allows for a reduction in the weight of the inner pane. To protect against scratches, the plastic pane should be laminated with a layer of glass on both sides.

[0026] Laminating plastic panes with glass has the disadvantage that, if the panes deflect or bulge when clamped using frame profiles according to the state of the art, the glass layers can develop micro-fractures, leading to opacity. The innovative design prevents this by ensuring that the cavity between the inner pane 20 and the outer glazing 10 always remains relaxed. No pressure build-up occurs in the cavity that could cause the panes to bulge.

[0027] However, it is also possible to use the inner pane 20 - as in Fig.6 shown - to be designed as insulating glass consisting of 2 or 3 panes, wherein the U-shaped profile 19 either extends over the entire pane assembly or at least the upper edge of the pane is formed as a step, so that the U-profile 19 extends over only a single pane.

[0028] The cavity heats up due to absorption effects when exposed to sunlight. The inner pane 20 is also heated by the thermal radiation from the outer glazing 10. This, in turn, leads to undesirable heat radiation from the inner pane into the cooler interior.

[0029] To counteract these undesirable effects, a spacer 31 is arranged between the blind headrail 26 and the glass holder 19 with the hook profiles 17, 18. This spacer also serves to support the motor cables 33, the coupling plugs, and, in particular, the cooling pipes 32. The spacer 31 is recessed and forms, among other things, a condensate collection channel. This condensate collection channel enables high cooling efficiency: The refrigerant in the cooling pipe can be cooled sufficiently for condensate to form on the pipe jacket, thereby increasing the heat transfer coefficient α of the refrigerant-carrying pipe 32. Heat is also dissipated from the inner glazing 20 via the glass retaining lock. At the same time, the blind headrail and the motor 38 in the headrail 26 are cooled. A convection cycle is created within the cavity, whereby the warm air 34 rises only on the inside of the outer glazing 10.The cold air drop 36 at the inner glazing 20 can be intensified by perforating the spacer bar 31 and allowing cold air to sink into the cavity.

[0030] Since the aluminum construction 12 also heats up and becomes a radiator in the summer, the innovation provides for the installation of an insulator 35 on the inside, whereby the inner pane 20 or the edge protection profile abuts the insulator 35, so that the g-value of the entire facade can be reduced.

[0031] For example, an air-conducting nozzle can protrude into cavity 9 from below, which draws in dry air and creates a pool of cold air that cools the panes, thus suppressing secondary heat radiation to the interior.

[0032] The blown-in cold air warms up, rises, and, due to the tight, vertical joints, can only escape upwards into the interior. If the temperature in the cavity is lower than the interior temperature, the escaping, cooler air sinks on the interior side of the inner pane and continues to contribute to the cooling of the facade. Alternatively, the rising warm air can be extracted from the top by means of a suction nozzle extending into the cavity from above.

[0033] In winter, blowing in dried warm air can prevent condensation from forming on the inner pane of the outer glazing. This is particularly advantageous for single-pane glazed exterior facades.

[0034] The innovative idea of ​​tempering the facade cavity to relieve the interior of external heat load or prevent cooling through the facade represents a highly economical climate control concept for new buildings and renovations. This is because it eliminates the need to cool or heat the interior air through air exchange, requiring only the minimal air volume of the facade cavity. This saves on ductwork capacity and the energy required for air exchange.

[0035] The concept of cooling buildings via the facade requires highly efficient solar shading that reflects incoming solar radiation back into the exterior space using reflective mirrors, so that the cavity heats up only through minimal absorption by the mirrors. Depending on the supply air temperature, negative g-values ​​can be achieved, meaning that more energy is dissipated than is radiated in from the outside. The inner pane then becomes a cooling surface for the interior.

Claims

[1] Fixing an inner pane (20) behind an outer glazing (10) between reveals to create an easily accessible cavity (9) on the interior side of the glass facade, characterized by , that - the inner pane (20) sits firmly on the bottom and an elongated profile (19) shaped in a U-contour or U-shaped individual elements (19) are vertically displaceable over the upper front edge and that the profile (19) or the individual elements (19) serve as a glass holder for the inner pane, wherein - on the elongated profile (19) shaped in a U-contour or on the U-shaped individual elements (19) there is a hook profile contour (18) with an opening to the bottom and - within the cavity (9) a hook profile contour (17) with upward openings is arranged in a fixed position such that - by lowering the elongated profile (19) shaped in a U-contour or the U-shaped individual elements (19) which are placed over the upper front edge of the inner disc (20), an interlocking of the hook profile contours (17, 18) takes place, and that - the inner disc (20) can be fixed in a vertical position by means of the interlock and secured against tilting and that - easy access to the cavity is ensured by lifting and unhooking the elongated profile (19) shaped in a U-contour or U-shaped individual elements (19) from the interlocking (17, 18). [2] Fixing an inner disk (20) according to claim 1 characterized by , that the upwardly open hook profile (17) within the cavity (9) is an integral part of a blind head profile (26) and is arranged on the side of the blind head profile (26) oriented towards the interior (6) such that a hook profile contour (18) engages from above. [3] Fixing an inner disk (20) according to claim 1 characterized by , that a U-profile (37) is fitted over at least the lower front edge of the inner pane, which is preferably made of rubber or a rubber-like material in the form of an edge protection profile and in which the inner pane (20) is supported, so that the inner pane can be fixed to the floor by means of the edge protection profile by friction and / or bonding and at the same time the lower joint can be sealed against airflow. [4] Fixing an inner disk (20) according to claim 1 characterized by, that glass edge protection profiles (37) with a U-shaped contour are placed over the lateral, vertical end faces of the inner pane (20), wherein these preferably consist of rubber or rubber-like material and, in the installed state, are movable or slidable against the reveals in such a way that the joints between the inner pane (20) and the reveal can be closed by pressing the U-profiles against the reveal. [5] Fixing an inner disk (20) according to claim 4 characterized by, that at least the vertical, overlaid U-shaped glass edge protection profiles (37) are provided with an adhesive effect on their contact surfaces with the reveal, so that the joints remain closed even when the inner pane (20) undergoes thermal dimensional changes due to temperature fluctuations, wherein the dimensional changes are accommodated slidably within the overlaid vertical glass edge profiles (37), and that the inner pane (20) is sealed at least in the lower window area by means of circumferential overlaid glass edge protection profiles (37), and that communication with the interior air only takes place in the upper window area, preferably above the upper front edge of the inner pane (20), so that a cooler air stratification can form in the lower part of the cavity (9). [6] Fixing an inner disk (20) according to one or more of the preceding claims characterized by, that the inner pane (20) consists of insulating glazing made up of two or more panes and that the U-shaped profile (19) extends over one or more panes. [7] Fixing an inner disk (20) according to one or more of the preceding claims characterized by , that the inner pane (20) is a laminated pane made of glass layers with a plastic core. [8] Fixing an inner disk (20) according to one or more of the preceding claims characterized by , that the cavity (9) is actively flushed with dry and cooled or heated air, wherein at least one supply air nozzle protrudes into the cavity (9) and incoming air either escapes diffusely from the cavity via joints by means of overpressure and / or can be extracted via an extraction nozzle. [9] Fixing an inner disk (20) according to one or more of the preceding claims characterized by, that a spacer (31) is installed between the blind head rail (26) and the glass retaining profile (19) and the hook profiles (17, 18), wherein the spacer (31) is recessed so that at least one U-shaped channel is formed and that at least one U-shaped channel serves as a support for motor cables (33), connectors and / or in particular cooling pipes (32) and that the U-shaped channel can be used as a condensate collection channel if necessary. [10] Fixing an inner disk (20) according to one or more of the preceding claims characterized by , that openings are provided in the spacer web (31) through which cooled air can sink into the cavity (19).

Images