An interactive glazing assembly suitable for retrofitting

Abstract

The present invention relates to an interactive assembly for a glass module (100), comprising a control unit connected to a display means, characterized in that the display means comprises a film paired with at least one light means, and characterized in that the film is arranged for attachment to a glass plate.

Description

Interactive glazing assembly for aftermarket use

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of displaying data on windows, particularly for buildings. Prior art

[0002] Openings such as windows or glass doors are known to be equipped to be interactive. This interactivity is manifested by information that is displayed on the window panes. For this, the windows are equipped with a set comprising light-emitting means. These light-emitting means are controlled to emit a light beam with a diffusing element such as a structure in the glass. This diffusing element has a shape that allows information to be displayed.

[0003] The light-emitting means are connected to a computing unit and power supply means. The computing unit is further connected to one or more sensors so that, depending on the measurements of the sensor(s), said computing unit sends signals to the light-emitting means to illuminate said diffusing element and thus display the desired information.

[0004] However, these openings are manufactured in such a way that they are interactive when they leave the factory. Consequently, these openings are installed during building construction or during replacement.

[0005] There is therefore a need for a system that can be installed as a retrofit.

[0006] The present invention therefore proposes to resolve these drawbacks by providing a solution for equipping existing glass modules, already mounted with interactive systems.

[0007] To this end, the invention relates to an interactive assembly for a glass module comprising a control unit connected to a display means, characterized in that said display means comprises a film associated with at least one luminous means, characterized in that said film is arranged to be fixed to a glass plate of the glass module.

[0008] According to one example, the light means comprises at least one LED type light source integrated into said film.

[0009] According to one example, the light means comprises at least one LED type light source associated with said film in the direction of its edge, said film comprises at least one marking.

[0010] According to one example, said control unit comprises power supply means.

[0011] According to one example, the control unit further comprises or communicates at least one sensor.

[0012] According to one example, the control unit further comprises a transmitter / receiver unit.

[0013] According to one example, said film is covered with a layer of adhesive and a protective film.

[0014] The invention further relates to a glass module comprising a frame carrying at least one glass plate, characterized in that said glass module further comprises at least one interactive assembly according to the invention, and in that at least the film is arranged on the glass plate.

[0015] The invention further relates to a method of installing an interactive assembly according to the invention, wherein said method comprises the following steps:

[0016] - equip yourself with a glass module comprising a frame carrying glazing;

[0017] - obtain the interactive set;

[0018] - fix the film on one side of the glazing and the control unit on the frame.

[0019] The invention further relates to an installation method which comprises the following steps:

[0020] - provide a glass module comprising a frame carrying glazing, said glazing comprising two glass plates separated by an air gap;

[0021] - obtain the interactive set;

[0022] - remove one of the glass plates;

[0023] - fix the film on one side of the glazing and the control unit on the frame;

[0024] - reassemble the previously removed glass plate.

[0025] According to one example, the film is placed on the face of the glass opposite the air blade and said control unit is placed between the two glass plates.

[0026] According to one example, the step of providing a glass module consists of dismantling said glass module from the supporting structure on which said glass module is mounted. DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

[0027] Other features and advantages will become clear from the description given below, for information purposes only and in no way limiting, with reference to the attached drawings, in which:

[0028] -is a schematic representation of a room;

[0029] - figures 2 and 3 are representations of a glass module;

[0030] - figures 4 to 6 are representations of an interactive display kit according to the invention;

[0031] - figures 7 and 8 are representations of an interactive display kit and in particular of the control unit according to the invention;

[0032] - figures 9 and 10 are representations of an interactive display kit installed in a glass module according to the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0033] At, a room is shown. This room 1 may be, in a non-limiting manner, of the veranda type. This room 1 may also be a room in a dwelling, a dwelling or a building. The room 1 comprises at least one glass module 100. The glass module may be in the form of a window or a glazed door or a roof door or window. The glass module then comprises a frame 101 carrying a glazing 103 comprising one or more glass plates 105 as visible in figures 2 and 3. The glass module is mounted fixed or pivoting or sliding on a supporting structure. The supporting structure may be fixed to a wall or a partition of the room 1 or be directly a wall or a partition of said room.

[0034] In the, an interactive display kit is shown. The display kit or interactive assembly 200 comprises a display means 210 connected to a control unit or computing unit 220. The display means comprises a film 212 associated with light means 214.

[0035] In a first configuration visible at, the lighting means comprise at least one light source of the LED 2140 type integrated directly into the film. This light source of the LED 2140 type is electrically connected to the control unit 220. This light source can have a specific shape according to the wishes. It is also possible for the lighting means to comprise several light sources, all controlled by the control unit 220. This control unit 220 thus independently controls each light source to display the desired information.

[0036] According to a second configuration visible in the, the light means 214 comprise at least one light source 2141, remote from the film, and at least one marking 2142. The marking 2142 is produced in the film while the light source 2141 is directed towards the edge of the film. The light source 2141 and the marking 2142 are then arranged so that said source illuminates the marking, the latter making it possible to display information. In a variant, the means comprise a multitude of light sources and a multitude of markings, each marking being associated with a light source.

[0037] The control unit 220 is integrated into a control module. The control unit 220 is electrically connected to the display means 210 and in particular to the light means 214 of the display means. The control module further comprises power supply means 223. These power supply means 223 comprise, according to a first example, a power source of the battery type integrated directly into the control module and supplying the kit. According to a second example, the power supply means 223, visible in the, comprise an induction receiver capable of cooperating with an induction transmitter allowing the wireless power supply of the control module. The induction transmitter is connected to the electrical sector.

[0038] In a variant visible in the, the control unit 220 comprises or is connected to at least one sensor 222. This sensor is connected to the control unit 220 and is used to control the display means 210. The sensor 222 is chosen from a non-exhaustive list of sensors, including temperature, brightness, humidity, CO or CO2 type gas or total VOC sensors, etc. These sensors make it possible to measure the following elements: Brightness, Glare, Colors, Level, Position, Pressure (for example: differential pressure of a room to 'perform diagnostic tests on the air conditioning systems of an apartment / house, building) in order to ensure that the air circulates uniformly and does not accumulate in the same place), Sound, Temperature, Angle, Magnetic field, Flow rate, Displacement, Distance, Force, Inertial, Constraint, Current, Allergenic particles, pollen.This sensor 222 then provides an electrical signal representative of a quantity, this signal being used and processed by the control unit.

[0039] In another variant, the control unit 220 comprises or is connected to a transmitter-receiver unit 224 for communicating with one or more sensors as seen in the figure. These sensors are arranged in the room in which the glass module is installed. This variant is compatible with the variant in which the control module comprises or is connected to a sensor. Indeed, it is possible to have a control unit 220 which comprises or is connected to a sensor and which can also communicate wirelessly with other sensors.

[0040] According to the invention, the interactive display kit 200 is mounted on a glass module 100.

[0041] According to a first embodiment, the assembly of the interactive display kit is carried out on a mounted glass module 100, that is to say a glass module 100 in place. It is then understood that the assembly of the kit is carried out on a window or a French window or a roof window mounted on the supporting structure. The assembly of the kit then consists of mounting the control unit 220 and the display means 210.

[0042] The display means 210 is mounted by fixing the film 212 of the display means 210 to the surface of a glass plate of the glass module as seen in the figure.

[0043] As the glass module 100 is mounted in its supporting structure, the display means is fixed on a glass plate 105 accessible to the operator. In the case of single glazing, the glass plate has two accessible faces, one on the inside and the other on the outside. The inside face will be preferred. In the case of double glazing, that is to say provided with two glass plates separated by an air gap, only a limited number of surfaces are available. Indeed, a double glazing 103 comprises an inner glass plate and an outer glass plate. Each glass plate 105 comprises two faces, one face facing the outside environment and one face facing the air gap and the other glass plate. Only the faces facing outwards are usable.

[0044] The display means 210, in particular the film, is fixed by gluing. For this purpose, said film 212 may, for example, be covered on its fixing face with an adhesive protected by a protective film / film. The protective film is removed before installation.

[0045] The control unit 220 is also fixed to the glass module 100 as seen in the figure. This control unit 220 is mounted on one of the glass plates or on the frame or structure supporting the glass plates. This fixing is done by gluing or by screwing. For screwing, the control unit 220 includes tabs provided with holes for the passage of screws.

[0046] According to a second embodiment, the interactive display kit is mounted on a glass module 100 undergoing renovation. This renovation generally consists of changing the glazing. Such a change consists, for example, of moving from single glazing to double glazing while keeping the same frame or supporting structure for the glass plate(s).

[0047] This operation firstly includes a step of removing the glass module from the glazing bead. In fact, a glass module 100 is generally equipped with glazing beads, i.e. strips which allow the glass plate(s) to be held in position in the supporting structure or frame.

[0048] In a second step, the existing glass plate(s) are removed.

[0049] In a third step, when the new glazing is installed, the interactive display kit is installed. More specifically, the display means 210 is, in the case of single glazing, arranged on the inner face. In the case of double glazing, the faces of the glass plates facing outwards are used. For the control unit 220, its installation can be carried out according to different options.

[0050] A first option is to integrate the control unit 220 into the space between the two glass plates as seen in the.

[0051] A second option is to integrate the control unit 220 into the chassis. For this, the chassis, in the event of renovation, can be modified or changed. It is then understood that the chassis can be modified to have a recess or housing in which said control unit 220 is placed. This second option also makes it possible to hide the lighting means 214 when they are offset. This solution also makes it possible to position the film as low as possible.

[0052] In a third option, the control unit 220 is glued to the chassis.

[0053] In a fourth option, the control unit 220 is bonded to one of the glass sheets, the inner sheet or the outer glass sheet. The inner side will be preferred.

[0054] During its operation, the control unit 220 retrieves data from the sensors. This data is processed so that the control unit 220 can generate a signal. This signal is electrical and allows the display means 210 to be activated or not.

[0055] In one variant, the glass module 100 is removed from its supporting structure. This preliminary step advantageously allows the glazing to be placed on a work surface, allowing for easier handling. Furthermore, this step simplifies the installation of the display means 210, or even the control unit in the case of double glazing.

[0056] Of course, the present invention is not limited to the illustrated example but is susceptible to various variants and modifications which will appear to those skilled in the art.

Claims

Interactive assembly for glass module (100) comprising a control unit (220) connected to a display means (210), characterized in that said display means comprises a film (212) associated with at least one luminous means (214), characterized in that said film is arranged to be fixed to a glass plate of the glass module. Assembly according to claim 1, wherein the light means comprises at least one LED type light source (2140) integrated into said film. Assembly according to claim 1, in which the light means comprises at least one LED type light source (2141) associated with said film in the direction of its edge, said film comprises at least one marking. Assembly according to one of the preceding claims, in which said control unit comprises power supply means (223). An assembly according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the control unit comprises or communicates with at least one sensor (222). An assembly according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the control unit further comprises a transmitter / receiver unit (224). An assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein said film is covered with a layer of adhesive and a protective film. Glass module (100) comprising a frame (101) carrying at least one glass plate (105), characterized in that said glass module further comprises at least one interactive assembly according to one of the preceding claims, and in that at least the film (212) is arranged on the glass plate (105). Method for installing an interactive assembly according to one of claims 1 to 7, in which said method comprises the following steps: - providing a glass module comprising a frame carrying a glazing; - providing the interactive assembly; - fixing the film on one face of the glazing and the control unit on the frame. Method for installing an interactive assembly according to one of claims 1 to 7, in which said method comprises the following steps: - providing a glass module comprising a frame carrying a glazing, said glazing comprising two glass plates separated by an air gap; - providing the interactive assembly; - dismantling one of the glass plates; - fixing the film on one face of the glazing and the control unit on the frame; - reassembling the glass plate previously dismantled. Installation method according to the preceding claim, in which the film is placed on the face of the glass opposite the air gap and in that said control unit is placed between the two glass plates. Installation method according to one of claims 9 to 11, in which the step of providing a glass module consists of dismantling said glass module from the supporting structure on which said glass module is mounted.

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