Decorative insulating glass with improved acoustics

Abstract

The present invention relates to glazing comprising two sheets of glass joined together by a joining means, characterized in that the moment of inertia and / or the mass of the two sheets of glass differ, this difference in moment of inertia and / or mass of the two sheets of glass being obtained by decoupling means comprising at least one decorative element bonded to one of the sheets of glass. Fig 2

Description

Title of the invention: Decorative insulating glazing with improved acoustics Scope of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a decorative insulating glazing with improved acoustics State of the art

[0002] It is known that insulating glass units, also called double glazing, are used in building applications. These double glazing units consist of two panes of glass separated by a layer of still air, known as an "air gap." These panes are assembled with a gasket or profile called a spacer, which ensures the presence of the air gap and its airtightness.

[0003] The sound insulation behavior of a DGU, characterized by the STL, follows the double-sheet insulation theory.

[0004] At low frequencies, around 160-350 Hz, the sound transmission loss (STL) decreases. This phenomenon, classically called the "mass / spring / mass effect," is caused by low-frequency coupling between the two panes of glass and the air cavity. The "mass / spring / mass frequency" fmsm is defined as follows:

[0005]

[0006] Where: • pO is the density of air [kg / m3] • cO is the speed of sound in the cavity [m / s] • d is the air space between the lenses [m] • ms 1,2 is the mass per unit area of ​​windows 1 and 2 [kg / m2].

[0007] At high frequencies, between 3-4 kHz, the sound transmission loss (STL) also decreases. This phenomenon, classically called the coincident frequency fc, corresponds to the frequency at which the phase velocity in the glass sheet matches the phase velocity in the surrounding acoustic field. It is given by

[0008] Where:

[0009] - pp is the density of glass [kg / m3]

[0010] - E is the Young's modulus of the glass [Pa]

[0011] - h is the thickness of the glass [m]

[0012] Improving the acoustics in the low-frequency range around the mass-spring-mass frequency could improve the acoustic index RA,tr and Rw. Currently, the proposed solutions for improving the acoustic performance of IGUs are based on increasing the IGU cavity or the thickness (mass) of the glass panes.

[0013] The current trend is towards lightweight solutions for environmental reasons. These solutions consist of reducing the size of the glass panes or the width of the air gap, which leads to a modification of the thermal performance of the glazing. Description of the invention

[0014] An object of the invention is to provide an alternative solution to improve acoustic performance without reducing the size of the glass sheets or the width of the air gap.

[0015] This goal is achieved, at least partially, within the framework of the present invention by means of a glazing comprising two sheets of glass joined together by a joining means, characterized in that the moment of inertia and / or the mass of the two sheets of glass differ, this differentiation moment of inertia and / or the mass of the two sheets of glass being obtained by decoupling means comprising at least one decorative element glued onto one of the sheets of glass.

[0016] According to one example, each sheet of glass includes at least one decorative element.

[0017] According to one example, the differentiation of the moment of inertia and / or the mass of the two glass sheets is obtained by a differentiation of mass and / or position and / or shape of at least one decorative element of one glass sheet with that of at least one decorative element of the other glass sheet.

[0018] According to one example, the differentiation of the moment of inertia and / or the mass of the two glass sheets is obtained by differentiating the position of at least one decorative element of one glass sheet with that of at least one decorative element of the other sheet of glass, the position of at least one decorative element of one sheet of glass and the position of at least one decorative element of the other sheet of glass being complementary to form a unique aesthetic element.

[0019] According to one example, the differentiation of the moment of inertia and / or the mass of the two sheets of glass is obtained a differentiation of shape and position of at least one decorative element of one sheet of glass with the at least one decorative element of the other sheet of glass, the position of the at least one decorative element of one sheet of glass and the position of the at least one decorative element of the other sheet of glass being complementary to form a unique aesthetic element.

[0020] According to one example, said decorative element includes at least one bar.

[0021] According to an example, said at least one bar is straight or curved.

[0022] According to one example, said decorative element is an assembly of at least two bars. Description of the figures

[0023] Other features, objectives and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description, which is purely illustrative and not limiting, and which should be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings on which:

[0024] - [Fig.1] schematically illustrates double glazing;

[0025] - Figures 2 to 7 schematically illustrate double glazing with one or more decorative elements;

[0026] - [Fig.8] illustrates a graph of sound performance;

[0027] Throughout the figures, similar elements bear identical references. Detailed description of the invention

[0028] With reference to [Fig. 1], a double glazing unit 1 is shown. Such a double glazing unit comprises at least two panes of glass 2, 3 spaced apart to form an air gap. The two panes of glass are separated by a joining means 4, such as a gasket or spacer, which ensures the airtightness of the air gap and the physical integrity of the glazing unit.

[0029] According to the invention, the double glazing includes decoupling means 50.

[0030] These decoupling means 50 are designed to disturb and constrain at least one pane of glass when the glazing enters its mass / spring / mass frequency or its coincident frequency. Indeed, at these frequencies, called the breathing frequency and the coincident frequency, the two panes of glass in the double glazing vibrate in opposite phase, reproducing a breathing motion.

[0031] The decoupling means 50 are used to break the breathing of the two glass sheets.

[0032] The decoupling means 50 are used to modify the behavior of the glass sheet on which said decoupling means are arranged. This The modification of behavior is intended to modify the vibrational behavior of said glass sheet. To achieve this, decoupling means are arranged to provide additional mass and / or rigidity to the glass sheet. This mass and / or rigidity modifies the behavior of at least one glass sheet on which said decoupling means are arranged. These decoupling means differ in the decorations visible in [Fig. 2], which tend to be identical, so that the behavior of the two sheets remains the same.

[0033] To this end, the decoupling means 50 comprise at least one decorative element 51. This decorative element 51 comprises at least one decorative bar bonded to one of the two glass panes of the glazing, as shown in [Fig. 3]. The decorative element 51 thus comprises one or two bars arranged to form a cross or crossbars, or a number of upper bars. This bar or these bars may be straight or curved. Said at least one decorative element is bonded to the glass pane.

[0034] The decorative element 51 is glued to a sheet of glass and is arranged so that there is no contact between the two sheets of glass. This lack of contact ensures that there is no physical coupling between the two sheets of glass.

[0035] In a first embodiment, the decoupling means 50 comprise a decorative element 51. This decorative element is arranged on a sheet of glass. This decorative element is arranged on the face of the sheet at the cavity or on the outer face.

[0036] In a second embodiment, the decoupling means 50 comprise at least two decorative elements 51. For this embodiment, several executions are possible.

[0037] In a first embodiment, the at least two decorative elements 51 are arranged on the same sheet of glass.

[0038] In a second embodiment, each glass sheet comprises at least one decorative element 51 as shown in [Fig. 4]. In this second embodiment, the configurations of the decorative elements 51 of the glass sheets must be different. Configuration is understood to mean the shape, and / or the mass, and / or the positioning of the decorative elements. For example, each glass sheet may comprise one decorative element 51, the two decorative elements being identical in shape and mass but with a different position. In another example, the decorative elements may be arranged with the same position and shape but with a different mass.

[0039] This difference in configurations makes it possible to modify the vibrational behavior of the two glass sheets in different ways. Indeed, the vibrational behavior The vibration behavior of glass sheets 2, 3 depends on their mass but also on their moment of inertia, so that two glass sheets with the same mass have different vibrational behavior if their moment of inertia is different.

[0040] The variation in mass can be obtained, with an identical shape, by using a different material or a different density: solid part and hollow part.

[0041] Of course, all variations allowing modification of the mass and / or rigidity are conceivable.

[0042] In these embodiments, the aesthetic aspect is taken into account in the configuration of the decorative elements due to the very nature of the building glazing. It is understood that the decorative element(s) are arranged to allow the glazing to have an aesthetic harmony. Such harmony is achieved through a symmetrical, regular appearance of the decorative elements.

[0043] In an example of a single decorative element, it is understood that this must present a harmony, that is to say, be centered and / or extend, preferably, over the entire height of the glazing as seen in [Fig.3].

[0044] In an example with at least two decorative elements, each on a sheet of glass, it is understood that the positioning of the decorative elements is such that it allows a single decorative set to be formed.

[0045] In the case of the first embodiment, the at least two decorative elements are arranged on the same sheet of glass to form said decorative set.

[0046] In the second embodiment, the at least two decorative elements 51 are arranged on different sheets of glass in such a way that, when viewed from a transverse direction, the at least two decorative elements are complementary and form a single unit, as shown in Figures 5 to 7. This single unit exhibits greater harmony when the at least two decorative elements are arranged within the cavity. In this case, the depth effect between the decorative elements is reduced.

[0047] For example, for decorative elements 51 in the form of muntins, the glazing 1 comprises one muntin arranged on a first sheet of glass and another muntin arranged on a second sheet of glass. The muntin arranged on the first sheet of glass extends over one half, upper or lower, of the glass sheet, while the muntin arranged on the second sheet of glass is arranged over the half, lower or upper, of the second glass sheet.

[0048] In another example, the decorative elements 51 are in the form of straight bars. The glazing is then configured so that the first pane of glass comprises at least one bar arranged vertically or horizontally. If the first pane comprises several bars, these are all oriented from the In the same way. In this case, the bars of the second sheet are arranged at a 90° angle to the bars of the first sheet. Furthermore, the positions of the bars of the two glass sheets are such that they overlap to form a crossbar.

[0049] Figure 8 shows a graph representing the sound transmission loss as a function of frequency. In both cases, the glazing consists of two 4mm panes of glass with a 16mm gap between them. In one case, the glazing is plain, while in the second case, the glazing includes a decorative element.

[0050] In one embodiment, the decorative elements are fixed using acoustic adhesive. This acoustic adhesive dampens sound vibrations and thus improves the performance of the glazing. At low frequencies, around 160-350 Hz, and at high frequencies, between 3-4 kHz, the presence of the decoupling means provides a gain of between 3 and 5 dB.

[0051] Of course, the present invention is not limited to the illustrated example but is susceptible to various variants and modifications which will become apparent to those skilled in the art.

Claims

Demands

1. Glazing (1) comprising two sheets of glass (2, 3) joined together by a joining means (4), characterized in that the moment of inertia and / or the mass of the two sheets of glass differ, this differentiation of moment of inertia and / or the mass of the two sheets of glass being obtained by decoupling means (50) comprising at least one decorative element (51) glued onto one of the sheets of glass.

2. Glazing according to the preceding claim, wherein each sheet of glass comprises at least one decorative element.

3. Glazing according to the preceding claim, wherein the differentiation of the moment of inertia and / or the mass of the two glass sheets is obtained by a differentiation of mass and / or position and / or shape of at least one decorative element of one glass sheet with at least one decorative element of the other glass sheet.

4. Glazing according to the preceding claim, wherein the differentiation of the moment of inertia and / or the mass of the two glass sheets is obtained by a differentiation of position of at least one decorative element of one glass sheet with the at least one decorative element of the other glass sheet, the position of the at least one decorative element of one glass sheet and the position of the at least one decorative element of the other glass sheet being complementary to form a single aesthetic element.

5. Glazing according to claim 3, wherein the differentiation of the moment of inertia and / or the mass of the two glass sheets is achieved a differentiation of shape and position of at least one decorative element of one glass sheet with the at least one decorative element of the other glass sheet, the position of the at least one decorative element of one glass sheet and the position of the at least one decorative element of the other glass sheet being complementary to form a unique aesthetic element.

6. Glazing according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said decorative element comprises at least one bar.

7. Glazing according to the preceding claim, wherein said at least one bar is straight or curved.

8. Glazing according to any one of claims 6 and 7, wherein said decorative element is an assembly of at least two bars.

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