Insulating glazing unit with acoustic decoration

Abstract

The present invention relates to a glazing unit comprising two sheets of glass assembled together by a joining means, characterized in that the moment of inertia and / or the mass of the two sheets of glass is different, this difference in the moment of inertia and / or the mass of the two sheets of glass being achieved by decoupling means comprising at least one decorative element bonded to one of the sheets of glass.

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] Title of the invention: Insulating glazing with acoustic decoration

[0003] Scope of the invention

[0004] The present invention relates to a decorative insulating glazing with improved acoustics.

[0005] State of the art

[0006] It is well known that insulating glass units, also called double glazing, are used in building applications. These double-glazed units consist of two panes of glass separated by a layer of still air, known as an "air gap." These panes are joined with a gasket or profile called a spacer, which ensures the presence of the air gap and its airtightness.

[0007] The sound insulation behavior of a DGU, characterized by the STL, follows the double-sheet insulation theory.

[0008] 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:

[0009] 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 glasses [m]

[0010] • ms1,2 is the mass per unit area of ​​panes 1 and 2 [kg / m²] 2 ].

[0011] 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

[0012] Or :

[0013] - pp is the density of glass [kg / m3]

[0014] - E is the Young's modulus of the glass [Pa]

[0015] - h is the thickness of the glass [m]

[0016] Improving acoustics in the low-frequency range around the mass-spring-mass frequency could improve the acoustic index RA,tr and Rw. Currently, proposed solutions for improving the acoustic performance of IGUs are based on increasing the IGU cavity or the thickness (mass) of the glass panes.

[0017] The current trend is towards lightweight solutions for environmental reasons. These solutions involve reducing the size of the glass panes or the width of the air gap, which leads to a change in the thermal performance of the glazing.

[0018] Description of the invention

[0019] One 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.

[0020] According to one example, the said decorative element is made entirely of an acoustic material.

[0021] According to one example, said decorative element comprising at least one housing allowing at least one insert made of acoustic material to be inserted into it.

[0022] According to one example, the acoustic material is chosen from the list including cork, chain, acoustic foams (melamine, PU, ​​silicone), acoustic felts, acoustic wools, and acoustic fibers.

[0023] According to one example, the decorative element is arranged so that it is only in contact with the sheet of glass to which it is glued.

[0024] According to one example, the said decorative element includes at least one opening.

[0025] According to one example, said opening takes the form of a hole or a slit.

[0026] According to one example, the said decorative element includes a housing in which several inserts are placed or several housings, each housing an insert.

[0027] According to one example, the said decorative element includes at least one bar.

[0028] According to an example, said at least one bar is straight or curved.

[0029] According to one example, the said decorative element is an assembly of at least two bars.

[0030] In one example, each sheet of glass includes at least one decorative element. In another example, the decorative elements of the two sheets of glass are arranged on the 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 whole.

[0031] Description of the figures

[0032] Other features, purposes 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:

[0033] [Fig.1] - Figure 1 schematically illustrates a glazing;

[0034] [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;

[0035] [Fig.4] - Figure 4 schematically illustrates a glazing comprising two decorative elements, each decorative element being pierced;

[0036] [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;

[0037] [Fig.8] - Figure 8 schematically illustrates a sound transmission loss curve.

[0038] Across all figures, similar elements bear identical references.

[0039] Detailed description of the invention

[0040] With reference to Figure 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 spacer, which ensures the airtightness of the air gap and the physical integrity of the glazing. According to the invention, the double glazing unit includes sound-dampening means 10, as shown in Figure 2.

[0041] These sound attenuation means 10 are designed to attenuate the acoustic energy propagating through the glazing.

[0042] For this purpose, the sound attenuation means include at least one acoustic decorative element 11. This acoustic decorative element 11 includes at least one bar as shown in Figure 4 or a decorative crossbar affixed 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 affixed to the pane of glass.

[0043] The decorative element 11 is preferably bonded to a sheet of glass and is positioned 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, thus reducing the acoustic performance of the glazing.

[0044] According to the invention, the decorative element is at least partially hollow, as shown in Figure 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.

[0045] According to the invention, at least one insert 114 is inserted into said at least one cavity of the decorative element.

[0046] This insert 114 is made of an acoustically absorbent material. This acoustically absorbent material comes in the form of 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 decorative element then acts as a sound absorber. Its presence captures the propagating sound waves, thus reducing their impact.

[0047] Thus, each decorative element can include a single cavity into which several inserts are inserted or several cavities in each of which one or more inserts can be arranged.

[0048] Alternatively, the decorative element, comprising at least one decorative bar or crossbar, is solid, that is, made entirely of acoustically absorbent material. Such a material is chosen from the list including

[0049] In a first embodiment, the sound attenuation means include 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.

[0050] In a second embodiment, the sound attenuation means include at least two decorative elements. Several executions are possible for this embodiment.

[0051] In the first version, at least two decorative elements are arranged on the same sheet of glass.

[0052] In a second embodiment, each glass panel includes at least one decorative element. In this second embodiment, the configurations of the decorative elements on the glass panels must be different. Configuration refers to the shape, mass, and / or positioning of the decorative elements. For example, each glass panel may include one decorative element, with both decorative elements being identical in shape and mass but positioned differently. In another example, the decorative elements may be arranged in the same position and shape but with different masses. In this second embodiment, at least one decorative element includes an insert made of an acoustically absorbent material.

[0053] In these designs, aesthetics are taken into account in the configuration of decorative elements, given the very nature of building glazing. It is understood that the decorative element(s) are arranged to ensure aesthetic harmony with the glazing. Such harmony is achieved through a symmetrical and regular arrangement of decorative elements.

[0054] 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.

[0055] 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 to form a single decorative ensemble as seen in figure 6.

[0056] In the case of the first execution, the at least two decorative elements are arranged on the same sheet of glass to form said decorative ensemble.

[0057] In the second version, the at least two decorative elements are arranged on different sheets of glass in such a way that, when viewed transversely, the glazing appears complementary and forms a single unit, as shown in Figure 7. This single unit exhibits greater harmony when the at least two decorative elements are arranged within the cavity. In this case, the effect of depth between the decorative elements is reduced.

[0058] For example, for decorative elements in the form of muntins, the glazing comprises one muntin arranged on a first pane of glass and another muntin arranged on a second pane of glass. The muntin arranged on the first pane of glass extends over one half, either the top or the bottom, of the pane of glass, while the muntin arranged on the second pane of glass is arranged over the other half, either the top or the bottom, of the second pane of glass.

[0059] In another example, the decorative elements take 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 has multiple 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 on both panes of glass are such that they overlap to form a grid.

[0060] In one variation, the decorative elements are attached using acoustic adhesive. This acoustic adhesive dampens sound vibrations and thus improves the performance of the glazing. It is applied in a strip or in dots.

[0061] In one variant, the decorative element comprising an insert is provided with at least one opening 115, as shown in Figure 5. This opening facilitates the transmission of sound waves to the acoustically absorbent insert. Indeed, depending on the material used for the decorative element, it is more or less permeable to sound waves. To maximize the performance of the acoustically absorbent insert, this at least one opening allows for the maximum performance of the insert.

[0062] This opening can be a hole or a slot. This hole can 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 its length.

[0063] In one example, the glazing comprises two panes of glass. It also includes decorative elements. These decorative elements are mullions measuring 0.59 m wide, 15 mm thick, and 17 mm high. They were attached using 5 mm thick 3M VHB 4905 double-sided tape to the inner face of the glass panel of a 4(20)4 DGU PVC window and positioned at two locations (top and bottom) of the glass panel, as shown in the diagram below.

[0064] Four perforations were added to one side of the crossbars to allow the acoustic wave to penetrate inside the cavity.

[0065] The loss of sound transmission of the tested configuration is illustrated in Figure 8.

[0066] The sound transmission loss curves show acoustic improvement across the entire frequency range. The crossbar design allows

[0067] - An improvement of +2 dB compared to the RW value is achieved thanks to the perforated crossbars.

[0068] - 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.

[0069] - An improvement of +3 dB around the coincidence frequency thanks to the damped adhesive tape used to stick the acoustic crossbars in the glass.

[0070] 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 includes 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, in which 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, and acoustic fibers. 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. 1 0 Glazing according to the preceding claim, wherein said at least one bar is straight or curved. 1.1 Glazing according to any one of claims 9 and 10, wherein the decorative element is an assembly of at least two bars. 1.2 Glazing according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each pane of glass comprises at least one decorative element. 1 3 Glazing according to the preceding claim, wherein the decorative elements of the two glass sheets are arranged on the different glass sheets with positions such that, when viewed from a transverse direction to said glazing, the at least two decorative elements are then complementary and form a single whole.

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