Insulating glazing with acoustic decoration

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 4

Description

Title of the invention: Insulating glazing with acoustic decoration 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] 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].

[0006] 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

[0007] Where:

[0008] - pp is the density of glass [kg / m3]

[0009] - E is the Young's modulus of the glass [Pa]

[0010] - h is the thickness of the glass [m]

[0011] 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.

[0012] 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

[0013] An object of the invention is to provide an alternative solution for improving acoustic performance without reducing the size of the glass panes or the width of the air gap. This object is achieved, at least partially, within the scope of the present invention by means of glazing comprising two glass panes joined together by a joining means, characterized in that the glazing includes sound attenuation means, said sound attenuation means comprising at least one decorative element bonded to a glass pane, characterized in that said decorative element is at least partially made of an acoustic material.

[0014] According to one example, said decorative element is made entirely of an acoustic material.

[0015] According to one example, said decorative element comprising at least one housing allowing at least one insert of acoustic material to be inserted into it.

[0016] According to one example, the acoustic material is chosen from the list including cork, chain, acoustic foams (melamine, PU, ​​silicone), acoustic felts, acoustic wools.

[0017] According to one example, said decorative element is arranged to be in contact only with the sheet of glass on which it is glued.

[0018] According to one example, said decorative element includes at least one opening.

[0019] According to one example, said opening takes the form of a hole or a slot.

[0020] According to one example, said decorative element comprises a housing in which several inserts are placed or several housings, each housing an insert.

[0021] According to one example, said decorative element comprises at least one bar.

[0022] According to an example, said at least one bar is straight or curved.

[0023] According to one example, said decorative element is an assembly of at least two bars.

[0024] According to one example, each sheet of glass includes at least one decorative element.

[0025] According to one example, the decorative elements of the two glass sheets are arranged on the different glass sheets in such a way that, when the glazing is viewed in a direction transverse to said glazing, the at least two decorative elements are complementary and form a single whole. Description of the figures

[0026] 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:

[0027] [Fig-1] - [Fig.1] schematically illustrates a glazing;

[0028] [Fig.2] [Fig.3] - Figures 2 to 3 schematically illustrate a glazing unit equipped with a decorative element acting as a means of sound attenuation according to the invention;

[0029] [Fig.4] - [Fig.4] schematically illustrates a glazing comprising two decorative elements, each decorative element being pierced;

[0030] [Fig.6] [Fig.7] - Figures 6 and 7 schematically illustrate examples of glazing fitted with decorative elements acting as sound attenuation means according to the invention;

[0031] [Fig.8] - [Fig.8] schematically illustrates a sound transmission loss curve.

[0032] Throughout the figures, similar elements bear identical references. Detailed description of the invention

[0033] 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 4. The two panes of glass are separated by a joining means 5 such as a gasket or a spacer which ensures the airtightness of the air gap and the physical integrity of the glazing unit.

[0034] According to the invention, the double glazing includes sound attenuation means 10 as seen in [Fig.2].

[0035] These sound attenuation means 10 have the function of attenuating the acoustic energy propagating in the glazing.

[0036] To this end, the sound attenuation means include at least one acoustic decorative element 11. This acoustic decorative element 11 includes at least one bar, as seen in [Fig. 4], or decorative crossbar bonded to one of the two panes of glass in the glazing. This bar or crossbar is made of glass, plastic, or wood. The decorative element thus comprises one or two bars arranged to form a cross or crossbars, or a number of bars. This bar or these bars may be straight or curved. Said at least one decorative element is bonded to the pane of glass.

[0037] The decorative element 11 is preferably bonded 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. Indeed, with a decorative element in contact with both sheets, the vibrations of one propagate to the other, which reduces the acoustic performance of the glazing.

[0038] According to the invention, the decorative element is at least partially hollow, as can be seen in [Fig. 3]. It is understood that said decorative element comprises at least one cavity 112 or housing. This cavity extends partially or extends so that said decorative element is tubular.

[0039] According to the invention, at least one insert 114 is inserted into said at least one cavity of the decorative element.

[0040] This insert 114 is made of an acoustically absorbent material. This acoustically absorbent material is in the form of a foam, a fiber mat, or a block. The material is, for example, a fiberglass-based material or a polyurethane-type plastic. This insert is used to improve acoustic performance. Indeed, sound waves have the particularity of propagating through glazing. This at least one decorative element then acts as a sound damper. Its presence captures the propagating sound waves, thus reducing their impact.

[0041] Thus, each decorative element may comprise a single cavity into which several inserts are inserted or several cavities in each of which one or more inserts may be arranged.

[0042] Alternatively, the decorative element comprising at least one decorative bar or crossbar is solid, i.e., made entirely of acoustically absorbent material. Such a material is chosen from the list comprising

[0043] In a first embodiment, the sound attenuation means comprise a decorative element. This decorative element is arranged on a sheet of glass. This decorative element is arranged on the face of the sheet at the cavity level or on the outer face.

[0044] In a second embodiment, the sound attenuation means comprise at least two decorative elements. Several configurations are possible for this embodiment.

[0045] In a first embodiment, the at least two decorative elements are arranged on the same sheet of glass.

[0046] In a second embodiment, each glass sheet comprises at least one decorative element. In this second embodiment, the configurations of the decorative elements on the glass sheets must be different. Configuration refers to the shape, mass, and / or positioning of the decorative elements. For example, each glass sheet may comprise one decorative element, with the two decorative elements being identical in shape and mass but in different positions. In another example, the decorative elements may be arranged in the same position and shape but with different masses.

[0047] In this second embodiment, at least one decorative element includes an insert made of an acoustically absorbing material.

[0048] 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.

[0049] In an example of a single decorative element, it is understood that it must present a harmony, that is to say, be centered and / or extend, preferably, over the entire height of the glazing.

[0050] 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 as seen in [Fig.6].

[0051] 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.

[0052] In the second embodiment, the at least two decorative elements 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 [Fig. 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.

[0053] For example, for decorative elements in the form of muntins, the glazing comprises a muntin arranged on a first sheet of glass and another muntin arranged on a second sheet of glass. The crossbar arranged on the first sheet of glass extends over one half, top or bottom, of the sheet of glass while the crossbar arranged on the second sheet of glass is arranged over the half, bottom or top, of the second sheet of glass.

[0054] In another example, the decorative elements are in the form of straight bars. The glazing is then configured so that the first pane of glass includes at least one bar arranged vertically or horizontally. If the first pane includes several bars, they are all oriented in the same direction. In this case, the bars of the second pane are arranged at a 90° angle to the bars of the first pane. Furthermore, the positions of the bars of the two panes of glass are such that they overlap to form a crossbar.

[0055] 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. This acoustic adhesive is applied in a strip or by dots.

[0056] In one embodiment, the decorative element comprising an insert is provided with at least one opening 115 as shown in [Fig. 5]. The function of this opening is to facilitate the transmission of sound waves to the acoustic absorbing material insert. Indeed, depending on the material used for the decorative element, it is more or less permeable to sound waves. In order to maximize the performance of the acoustic absorbing material insert, said at least one opening allows for maximizing the performance of said insert.

[0057] This opening may be a hole or a slot. This hole may be circular or oval. The decorative element may include several holes or slots. In the case of a slot, the decorative element may include a single slot extending over more than 50% of the length of said decorative element.

[0058] According to one embodiment, the glazing comprises two panes of glass. It also includes decorative elements. These decorative elements are crossbars measuring 0.59 m wide, 15 mm thick, and 17 mm high. They were affixed using 5 mm thick 3M VHB 4905 double-sided adhesive tape to the inner face of the glass panel of a 4(20)4 DGU PVC window and positioned at two locations (upper and lower parts) of the glass panel, as shown in the diagram below. Four perforations were added to one side of the crossbars to allow acoustic insulation to enter the cavity.

[0059] The loss of sound transmission of the tested configuration is illustrated in [Fig.8].

[0060] The sound transmission loss curves show an acoustic improvement over the entire frequency range. The crossbar concept allows

[0061] - An improvement of +2 dB compared to the RW value is obtained thanks to the bars perforated crossbars.

[0062] - An improvement of up to +4 dB in the 315 Hz - 31500 Hz range thanks to the presence of glass wool inside the cavity of the crossbars.

[0063] - An improvement of +3 dB around the coincidence frequency thanks to the ribbon cushioned adhesive used to glue acoustic crossbars into the glass.

[0064] 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 glazing comprises sound attenuation means (10), said sound attenuation means comprising at least one decorative element (11) glued onto a sheet of glass characterized in that said decorative element is at least partially made of an acoustic material.

2. Glazing according to claim 1, wherein said decorative element is made entirely of an acoustic material.

3. Glazing according to claim 1, wherein said decorative element includes at least one cavity (112) allowing at least one insert (114) of acoustic material to be inserted therein.

4. Glazing according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the acoustic material is selected from the list including cork, chain, acoustic foams (melamine, PU, ​​silicone), acoustic felts, acoustic wools.

5. Glazing according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said decorative element is arranged to be in contact only with the sheet of glass to which it is glued.

6. Glazing according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein said decorative element comprises at least one opening.

7. Glazing according to the preceding claim, wherein said opening takes the form of a hole or a slit.

8. Glazing according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said decorative element comprises a housing in which several inserts are placed or several housings, each housing an insert.

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

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

11. Glazing according to any one of claims 9 and 10, wherein said decorative element is an assembly of at least two bars.

12. Glazing according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each sheet of glass comprises at least one decorative element.

13. Glazing according to the preceding claim, wherein the decorative elements of the two glass sheets are arranged on the different sheets of glass with positions such that, when viewed from a transverse direction to said glazing, the at least two decorative elements are complementary and form a single whole.

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