Power supply structure for heated glass doors and connector unit for power supply and receiving of heated glass doors

Abstract

To solve the problem that a structure configured to automatically carry out energization / de-energization every time a glass door is frequently opened / closed makes an energization structure complicated and prone to failure, making it difficult to achieve a power supply structure that maintains a normally constant function.SOLUTION: A power-receiving connector is provided in an outermost vertical frame when a door is closed, in two thermic glass doors configured to open / close in a left-right direction by a sliding door function. A power supply connector is provided in a receiving frame at an opening / closing slide terminal end of the thermic glass door. The structure is configured such that a power receiving / supply action between the connectors is carried out by a fitting and releasing action of an irregular joint body in each connector, in accordance with an opening / closing action of the thermic glass door. In the thermic glass, a Peltier element, formed of a semiconductor element configured to change cooling / heating / temperature control by a direct current, is interposed between two glasses as a thermic element. The thermic glass is obtained through heat generation of the thermic element caused by electrification from outside the glass door.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a power supply structure capable of automatically supplying power to and cutting off power from a heating heater simultaneously in response to the opening and closing operation of a heated glass door.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a glass door (heated glass door) provided with a heating element that generates heat by being energized has been considered. The heated glass door is expected to be effective in warming the room and preventing dew condensation on the window glass by imparting a heating effect to the glass door.

[0003] Therefore, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, a window provided with a heating conductor that generates heat by applying a voltage between two transparent substrates such as glass is disclosed. According to Patent Document 1, the heating conductor is composed of an aggregate of a plurality of conductive fine wires connected between a pair of bus bars, and a configuration in which power is supplied from an externally provided power source to the heating conductor via a wiring portion is described.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, although the heated glass door of Patent Document 1 describes the configuration of the glass door itself using a transparent substrate and a heating conductor, it does not specifically suggest a power supply structure for applying a voltage, and the switching of the ON / OFF of the heating function is not specified.

[0006] Incidentally, since the primary purpose of the heating function of the glass door is to warm the interior, it is considered that the heating function is unnecessary when the glass door is open, and it is desirable to energize the glass door only when it is closed.

[0007] However, configuring the power supply to automatically perform on / off / electrical cutoff operations every time the glass door is frequently opened and closed would make the power supply structure complicated and prone to failure, and the power supply and power cutoff functions would vary due to changes in temperature and humidity, making it difficult to achieve a reliable power supply / power cutoff function that maintains a constant function at all times.

[0008] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and aims to provide a power supply structure that can simply energize and cut off power to the glass door in accordance with the opening and closing of the heated glass door, despite having a simple switch structure.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0009] A power receiving connector is provided on the outermost vertical frame of the two heated glass doors configured to be openable and closable left and right by a sliding door function when the doors are closed, and a power supply connector is provided on the receiving frame at the end of the opening and closing sliding movement of the heated glass door. The power receiving and supplying action between the connectors is configured to be performed by the fitting and detachment action of the concave-convex joint body of each connector in accordance with the opening and closing operation of the heated glass door. The heated glass is composed of a Peltier element, which is a semiconductor element configured to be able to convert cooling, heating, and temperature control directly by an electric current between two glass bodies, and is interposed between the two glasses as a heating element. When the power is supplied from outside the glass door, heat is generated by the heating element to form the heated glass.

[0010] Also, the fitting surfaces of the joint bodies of each connector are tapered with respect to each other, which is also a characteristic.

Effects of the Invention

[0011] According to the present invention, a power receiving connector is provided on the outermost vertical frame at the time of closing the door in two thermo-glass doors configured to be openable and closable left and right by a sliding door function, and a power supply connector is provided on the receiving frame at the end of the opening and closing sliding of the thermo-glass door. The power receiving and supplying action between the connectors is configured to be performed by the fitting and disengaging action of the concave-convex joint body in each connector according to the opening and closing operation of the thermo-glass door. The thermo-glass is composed of a Peltier element made of a semiconductor element configured to be able to convert cooling, heating, and temperature control directly by current between two glass bodies. The Peltier element is interposed between the two glasses as a thermo-element, and when energized from outside the glass door, the thermo-element generates heat to form a thermo-glass. As a result, power supply and power cut-off to the thermo-glass can be automatically performed along with the opening and closing operation of the two thermo-glass doors, avoiding the trouble of checking the power supply and power cut-off status every time the thermo-glass is opened and closed, and ensuring that the power supply and power cut-off operations can be reliably performed, which can arouse the demand for thermo-glass doors in ordinary households and provide comfort in daily life.

[0012] Further, since the fitting surfaces of the joint bodies of each connector are tapered with respect to each other, the joint between the power receiving connector and the power supply connector can be surely performed, and the trouble of confirming the joint operation can be eliminated.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0013]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0014] The gist of this invention is to provide a power receiving connector on the outermost vertical frame at the time of closing the door in two thermo-glass doors configured to be openable and closable left and right by a sliding door function, and to provide a power supply connector on the receiving frame at the end of the opening and closing sliding of the thermo-glass door. According to the opening and closing operation of the thermo-glass door, a power receiving and supplying action between the connectors is configured to be performed by the fitting and detachment action of the concave and convex joint bodies in each connector. The thermo-glass is characterized in that a Peltier element composed of semiconductor elements configured to be able to convert cooling, heating, and temperature control by direct current between two glass bodies is interposed between the two glasses as a thermo-element, and the thermo-glass is formed by the heat generation of the thermo-element due to energization from outside the glass door.

[0015] Also, the fitting surfaces of the joint bodies of each connector are characterized in that they are tapered with respect to each other.

[0016] Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings, the power supply structure M in the thermo-glass door according to the present invention will be described. The following embodiments are an example of embodying the present invention and do not limit the technical scope of the present invention.

[0017] FIG. 1 is an overall explanatory diagram of a thermo-glass door in the present invention, FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a main part representing the gist thereof. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram representing the gist of a thermo-glass door according to another embodiment, FIG. 4(a) is an overall explanatory diagram of the thermo-glass door, and FIG. 4(b) is a diagram for explaining the electrode arrangement of a connector. FIG. 5(a) is an explanatory diagram representing the gist of a thermo-glass door equipped with an LED light source according to another embodiment, and FIG. 5(b) is a diagram for explaining the electrode arrangement of a connector.

[0018] As shown in Fig. 1, the power supply structure M in the thermo glass door according to the embodiment includes two thermo glass doors 2 that can be opened and closed left and right as a sliding door function in a door frame 1. Moreover, the thermo glass door 2 is configured by fitting a thermo glass 22 in which a thermo element 22a is embedded inside a glass body 22b and the thermo element 22a is heated by energization into a glass frame 21.

[0019] Furthermore, a power receiving connector 3 is provided on the outermost vertical frame at the time of closing the door when the thermo glass door 2 is opened and closed, that is, on the leading edge vertical frame 21a of the thermo glass door 2. At the same time, a power supply connector 4 is provided on the receiving frame 11 (the vertical frame portion of the door frame 1 that abuts and receives the glass frame 21 when the thermo glass door 2 is closed) at the leading edge of the glass frame 21 of the thermo glass door 2.

[0020] The thermo glass 22 is composed of a Peltier element in which a semiconductor element configured to be able to convert cooling, heating, and temperature control by direct current is interposed between two glass bodies 22b as the thermo element 22a. The thermo element 22a generates heat when energized from outside the glass door, and the thermo glass 22 is formed. The thermo element 22a is not limited to a Peltier element as long as it generates heat when energized through connectors 3 and 4 described later, and may be, for example, a heating element provided with electrodes.

[0021] The thermo glass door 2 is configured to be energizable from the outside and is configured such that energization and power-off operations are automatically performed on the thermo element 22a of the thermo glass door 2 under certain conditions, for example, according to the opening and closing of the glass door. That is, an electric wire 22c is electrically connected to the thermo element 22a of the thermo glass door 2, and the electric wire 22c is electrically connected to a power supply 5. When energized, the thermo element 22a of the thermo glass door 2 is activated, and the thermo glass door 2 is brought into a heated state.

[0022] Such a thermo glass door 2 slides with respect to the door frame 1 to open and close. When the door is closed, the power receiving connector 3 and the power supply connector 4 are energized and conduct, and the heater functions. When the door is opened, the energization is cut off and it returns to the original state.

[0023] As described above, such a heated glass door 2 and a door frame 1 are provided with a power receiving connector 3 and a power supply connector 4.

[0024] That is, a power receiving connector 3 is provided on the outermost vertical frame of the heated glass door 2 at the time of closing the door during the opening and closing operation of the slidable heated glass door 2, that is, on the leading edge vertical frame 21a of the heated glass door 2, and a power supply connector 4 is provided on the receiving frame 11 at the leading edge of the glass frame 21 of the heated glass door 2.

[0025] The connectors 3 and 4 form a power receiving electrode portion 32 with a convex portion that allows electrical conduction in the power receiving connector 3 and a power supply electrode portion 42 with a concave portion that allows electrical conduction in the power supply connector 4 in their respective joint bodies 31 and 41.

[0026] Such connectors 3 and 4 are configured to be energizable by fitting the power receiving electrode portion 32 and the power supply electrode portion 42 respectively. Therefore, when the slidable heated glass door 2 is opened and closed, the power supply connector 4 of the receiving frame 11 is joined to the power receiving connector 3 of the leading edge vertical frame 21a of the heated glass door 2 to be in an energized state.

[0027] When joining the power supply connector 4 of the receiving frame 11 to the power receiving connector 3 formed on the leading edge vertical frame 21a of the heated glass door 2, the power receiving connector 3 and the power supply connector 4 having such a configuration that can be energized or de-energized corresponding to the left and right sliding operations of the heated glass door 2 are made into a unit and simply mounted on the conventional heated glass door 2, so that energization and power cut-off can be performed according to the opening and closing of the glass door.

[0028] The power receiving connector 3 has a connector structure with a concave shape for the joint body 31 forming the outer shape, and the inner peripheral surface of the concave portion is tapered. The power supply connector 4 has a connector structure with a convex shape for the joint body 41 forming the outer shape, and the outer peripheral surface is tapered.

[0029] Moreover, the joint bodies 31 and 41 of each concavo-convex shape are easily and freely fitted due to the concave and convex tapered shapes, configured to enable easy connection operation and reliable connection operation. In this embodiment, the joint body 31 of the power receiving connector 3 is concave, and the joint body 41 of the power feeding connector 4 is convex. However, the joint body 31 of the power receiving connector 3 may be convex, and the joint body 41 of the power feeding connector 4 may be formed concave.

[0030] Thus, a power receiving connector 3 is provided on the outermost tip edge vertical frame frame 21a of the two thermo-glass doors 2 configured to be openable and closable left and right by the sliding door function when the doors are closed, and a power feeding connector 4 is provided on the receiving frame frame 11 at the end of the opening and closing sliding of the thermo-glass door 2. According to the opening and closing operation of the thermo-glass door 2, the joining of the power receiving electrode portion 32 and the power feeding electrode portion 42 is performed by the fitting and separating action of the concave and convex joint bodies 31 and 41 of each connector, and the power receiving and feeding action between the connectors 3 and 4 is configured to be performed. The gist of the present invention lies in that the joint bodies 31 and 41 that are the fitting surfaces of the connectors 3 and 4 are tapered with respect to each other.

[0031] If necessary, the power receiving connector 3 and the power feeding connector 4 are configured as a unit, so that an external code is conducted to each of the connectors 3 and 4, and when each of the connectors 3 and 4 is attached to a predetermined power receiving and feeding function portion, power is received and fed from the external code.

[0032] As another embodiment of the present invention, it is also conceivable that the thermo-glass 22 used for the thermo-glass door 2 has a pair glass structure in which a spacer 22d is provided between two glass bodies 22b to provide a certain space.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 3, details of the thermo-glass 22 according to another embodiment are such that a spacer 22d is interposed between two glass bodies 22b, and the peripheral portions of the two glass bodies 22b are adhered by an adhesive 22e such as caulking. That is, a certain space formed between the two glass bodies 22b exists as an air layer 22f, and the heat insulation effect can be further enhanced.

[0034] In addition, the heatable glass 22 may be a so-called Low-E multi-layer glass in which a thin film of a metal such as silver having a solar heat insulation function or a heat insulation function is coated on the surface of the glass body, and krypton gas or argon gas is enclosed in the air layer 22f between the two glass bodies 22b. By using the heatable glass 22 as a Low-E multi-layer glass, the heat insulation effect can be enhanced, contributing to the improvement of the heat insulation performance indoors.

[0035] The heating element 22a of the heatable glass 22 according to another embodiment is attached to the glass body 22b in which a heating element made of an energizable material such as a copper plate is arranged on the indoor side, and is connected to the power receiving connector 3 by an electric wire (not shown) in the same manner as in the previous embodiment. Note that the heating element 22a may use a Peltier element instead of a heating element. In that case, the Peltier element is attached in close contact with the glass body 22b arranged on the indoor side of the two glass bodies 22b, and an air layer 22f is formed between the Peltier element and the glass body 22b arranged on the outdoor side.

[0036] In addition, as shown in FIG. 3, it is also conceivable to provide a thermometer 22g for measuring the surface temperature of the glass body 22b in the heatable glass 22 according to another embodiment. This thermometer 22g measures the surface temperature of the glass body 22b increased by the heating element 22a that generates heat by energization, and performs control to prevent excessive temperature rise.

[0037] Specifically, the surface portion of the glass body 22b within the frame of the glass frame 21 is a place where people can touch. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the risk of burns or the like due to excessive heating. In addition, when the surface temperature of the glass body 22b is high, it can be expected that the air layer 22f is also high at the same time. Therefore, it is possible to prevent malfunctions or defects of appliances or glass caused by excessive temperature rise of the air layer 22f.

[0038] In addition, when a thermometer 22g is provided on the heatable glass 22, the number of power receiving electrode portions 32 and power supply electrode portions 42 of each of the connectors 3 and 4 increases. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4, each of the connectors 3 and 4 is arranged such that the electrode portions 32 and 42 are aligned vertically with respect to the receiving frame 11 and the glass frame 21, respectively.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 4(b), the power receiving electrode portion 32 of the power receiving connector 3 has a positive electrode and a negative electrode arranged vertically, and a power supply electrode 32a for turning on / off the heating function is arranged in the center. Specifically, from top to bottom, there are arranged a positive electrode of the heating electrode 32b, a positive electrode of the thermometer electrode 32c, the power supply electrode 32a, a negative electrode of the thermometer electrode 32c, and a negative electrode of the heating electrode 32b in this order.

[0040] By arranging the power receiving electrode portion 32 of the power receiving connector 3 in alignment vertically as described above, it becomes possible to install it at a location with a relatively small thickness such as the glass frame 21. Also, the electrodes of the power supply connector 4 are arranged to be aligned vertically so as to correspond to the electrodes of the power receiving connector 3.

[0041] Incidentally, although a configuration has been described in which the power supply is turned on / off by the contact between the power receiving electrode portion 32 and the power supply electrode portion 42, if the configuration is such that the power supply simply turns on when the power receiving electrode portion 32 and the power supply electrode portion 42 come into contact, there is a risk of discharge when they are not in contact but close to each other. Therefore, in this embodiment, the power supply electrode 32a (42a) is provided. By adopting such a configuration, it is possible to configure it such that power is not supplied unless the power supply electrode 32a on the power receiving electrode portion 32 side and the power supply electrode 42a on the power supply electrode portion 42 side come into contact, and the power supply can be safely and surely turned on / off by the opening / closing operation of the door.

[0042] In addition, for the heated glass 22, there are cases where a liquid crystal film that can make the surface of the glass body 22b look like ground glass by energization is provided, or as shown in Fig. 5, there is also a case where an LED light source 22h is provided so that the heated glass door 2 emits light.

[0043] As shown in Fig. 5(a), the LED light source 22h is attached to the spacer 22d that forms the air layer 22f. The LED light source 22h is connected to the power receiving connector 3 by an electric wire (not shown). With such a configuration, the LED light source 22h, like the heating element 22a and the thermometer 22g, can be switched between ON / OFF by the opening / closing operation of the door.

[0044] In addition, when the LED light source 22h is provided, the power receiving electrode portion 32 is preferably arranged in the order of the plus electrode of the heating electrode 32b, the plus electrode of the thermometer electrode 32c, the plus electrode of the light source electrode 32d, the power supply electrode 32a, the minus electrode of the light source electrode 32d, the minus electrode of the thermometer electrode 32c, and the minus electrode of the heating electrode 32b from above as shown in Fig. 5(b).

[0045] Each electrode of the power supply electrode portion 42 has the same arrangement. The LED light source 22h can be energized and emit light when the contact between the light source electrode 32d of the power receiving electrode portion 32 and the light source electrode 42d of the power supply electrode portion 42 and the contact between the power supply electrode 32a of the power receiving electrode portion 32 and the power supply electrode 42a of the power supply electrode portion 42 are made. However, when light emission is not required, a switch for performing ON / OFF switching may be separately provided so as not to supply power to the LED light source 22h.

[0046] When attaching the liquid crystal film to the heated glass 22, it is preferable that the configurations of the power receiving electrode portion 32 and the power supply electrode portion 42 be the same as that of the LED light source 22h. By attaching the liquid crystal film to the heated glass 22 and energizing it, the surface of the glass body 22b can be made to look like ground glass, and it is possible to prevent the interior from being visible from the outside. Also, it is conceivable to provide both the liquid crystal film and the LED light source 22h, rather than only one of them. By doing so, when the amount of sunlight from the outside decreases due to the effect of the liquid crystal film, it becomes possible to supplement it with light from the LED light source 22h.

[0047] Also, the structure of the heated glass 22 according to the present invention is mainly adopted for the window portion provided on the outer wall of the building, but is not necessarily limited thereto. For example, it can also be suitably used for window portions provided on partition walls inside the building, window portions in bathrooms, wall portions of glass-lined bathrooms, and the like.

[0048] Furthermore, since the heated glass 22 generates heat when energized, it is also optimal for an aquarium for raising tropical fish. More specifically, when raising tropical fish, it is necessary to install a heater for warming the water for temperature control. Therefore, by using the heated glass 22 according to the present invention for the wall surface or bottom surface of the aquarium, it is possible to obtain a water temperature suitable for raising tropical fish due to the heat generation of the heated glass 22. By using the heated glass 22 for the aquarium, it becomes unnecessary to install a heater that was likely to damage the landscape inside the aquarium, and it is possible to provide a more aesthetically pleasing aquarium.

[0049] The description of the power supply structure M in the above-described heated glass window is an example of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment. Therefore, even outside the above-described embodiment, various modifications can be made according to the design and the like as long as they do not depart from the technical idea of the present invention. Also, the above-described various effects are merely a list of preferable effects resulting from the present invention, and the effects of the present invention are not limited to those described in this embodiment. [[ID=1�]]

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0050] Power supply structure in a warm glass window 1 Door frame 11 Receiving frame 2 Warm glass window 21 Glass frame 21a Tip edge vertical frame 22 Warm glass 22a Heating element 22b Glass body 22c Electric wire 22d Spacer 22e Adhesive 22f Air layer 22g Thermometer 22h LED light source 3 Power receiving connector 31 Bonding body 32 Power receiving electrode part 32a Electrode for power supply 32b Electrode for heating 32c Electrode for thermometer 32d Electrode for light source 4 Power supply connector 41 Bonding body 42 Power supply electrode part 42a Electrode for power supply 42b Electrode for heating 42c Electrode for thermometer 42d Electrode for light source 5 Power supply

Claims

1. A power supply structure for a heated glass door, characterized in that a power receiving connector is provided on the outermost vertical frame when the door is closed, and a power supply connector is provided on the receiving frame at the end of the opening and closing sliding of the heated glass door, and power is supplied between the connectors by the fitting and unfitting action of the interlocking bodies of the connectors in accordance with the opening and closing operation of the heated glass door, and a heating element is provided inside the heated glass that constitutes the heated glass door, and the heating element generates heat when an electric current is passed through it.

2. The power supply structure for a heated glass door according to claim 1, characterized in that the mating surfaces of the connecting bodies of each connector are tapered relative to each other.

3. The power supply structure for a heated glass door according to Claim 1, characterized in that it has a light source that emits light when power is supplied through a power receiving connector and a power supply connector inside the heated glass.

4. A power supply structure for a heated glass door according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it has a liquid crystal film attached to the heated glass that receives power via a power receiving connector and a power supply connector.

5. A power receiving connector provided on the outermost vertical frame when the door is closed in a heat-insulating glass door that is configured to be openable and closable, A power supply connector is provided on the receiving frame at the end of the opening and closing sliding movement of the heated glass door, A connector unit for power supply and reception of heated glass doors, configured to perform power supply and reception between connectors through the mating and unmatting action of the interlocking bodies of the connectors in response to the opening and closing operation of the heated glass doors, and characterized in that it generates heat by passing an electric current through a heating element provided inside the heated glass that constitutes the heated glass door.

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