Edge Bond Bracket for Insulating Glass Thermal Bridge Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional insulating glass units with edge bonds suffer from significant thermal losses due to the use of secondary sealing materials, which also complicate the insertion process and require support blocks to prevent glass chipping.
Innovation Solution
An edge bond bracket with a U-shaped profile made of low thermal conductivity materials, integrated with a gas diffusion barrier, allowing for reduced layer thickness and omission of secondary sealing, enabling deeper insertion and improved thermal insulation without the need for support blocks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If secondary sealing materials are used to obtain mechanical strength, then the edge bond provides structural support, but thermal losses increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the secondary sealing layer from the edge bond structure. The edge bond bracket is designed to provide mechanical strength independently without requiring an additional secondary sealing layer, thereby eliminating the thermal bridge created by the sealing material while maintaining structural integrity through the bracket's rigid construction and direct connection to the frame.
Solution Approach 2:
The edge bond bracket is constructed from composite materials with low thermal conductivity, combining rigid plastic or polymer matrix materials that provide both mechanical strength and thermal insulation properties. This allows the single component to fulfill both structural support and thermal insulation functions simultaneously.
2Reliability
If secondary sealing is used to ensure gas tightness, then the edge bond provides sealing function, but the profile dimensioning increases and thermal insulation worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the separate secondary sealing layer and integrates the gas diffusion barrier function directly into the edge bond bracket. The bracket includes a integrated gas diffusion barrier that provides gas tightness without requiring an additional sealing layer, thereby reducing the overall profile dimensions and minimizing thermal bridges.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the gas diffusion barrier function with the edge bond bracket structure itself. The bracket is designed with an integrated gas diffusion barrier that combines the structural support function and the gas sealing function into a single component, eliminating the need for separate sealing layers and reducing thermal losses.
3Strength
If conventional edge bonds are used, then the structure provides mechanical support, but support blocks are required to prevent glass chipping during insertion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the requirement for separate support blocks by designing the edge bond bracket with integrated edge protection features. The bracket's construction includes protective elements that prevent glass chipping during insertion and handling, eliminating the need for additional support blocks and simplifying the overall assembly process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the edge protection function with the edge bond bracket structure. The bracket is designed to provide both mechanical support for the glass edges and protective features that prevent chipping during insertion, combining multiple functions into a single component and reducing device complexity.
4Loss of energy
If deeper frame insertion is achieved with smaller profile, then thermal insulation improves, but mechanical strength may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The edge bond bracket is constructed from composite materials with low thermal conductivity and high mechanical strength. The rigid plastic or polymer matrix provides both thermal insulation and structural strength, allowing the profile to be dimensioned smaller for better thermal insulation while maintaining the mechanical strength required for deeper frame insertion and structural support.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The edge bond bracket significantly reduces thermal losses through the pane edges, enhances mechanical strength, and allows for deeper frame insertion while maintaining gas tightness and edge protection, thus improving overall heat insulating characteristics.
Implementation Method 1
an edge bond bracket body (30) made of a heat insulating material with a specific thermal conductivity of ≦0.3 W/(mK)
Implementation Method 2
a gas diffusion barrier (11, 12, 13, 14) is integrated into the edge bond bracket (3)
Data Source
AI summary
An edge bond bracket for an insulating glass unit extends in a longitudinal direction with a constant cross-section and includes an at least substantially U-shaped bracket body made of a material having a specific thermal conductivity less than or equal to 0.3 W/(mK). The bracket body includes at least one base, a first side wall and a second side wall. At least two troughs are defined in the base between the first side wall and the second side wall for accommodating adhesive and a pane. A gas impermeable diffusion barrier layer is formed integrally on and/or in the bracket body, extends continuously between two troughs starting from an inner wall of one of the two troughs and ending on an inner wall of the other of the two troughs, and extends either along an outer side of the U-shape of the bracket body or through the bracket body.