Frameless Glazing in Precast Panels Without Thermal Bridge Frames
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional glazing units in building assemblies require frames and mechanical fixings, which create thermal bridges, transmit sound energy, and necessitate on-site assembly, compromising thermal efficiency, acoustics, and aesthetics.
Innovation Solution
A frameless glazing unit is integrated into a precast component using a continuous adhesive sealant, eliminating the need for frames and mechanical fixings, and is secured within a window opening by mechanical keys and adhesive seals, allowing off-site manufacturing and installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional frames and mechanical fixings are used to secure glazing units, then structural reliability is improved, but thermal efficiency deteriorates due to thermal bridges
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and removes the traditional frame and mechanical fixings from the glazing assembly, replacing them with a frameless design where the glazing unit is directly bonded to the precast component using adhesive sealant. This eliminates the thermal bridge pathways that frames create, thereby improving thermal efficiency while maintaining structural reliability through the adhesive bonding system.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the mechanical fixing system (frames, clips, and mechanical fasteners) with a chemical bonding system using adhesive sealants. The adhesive creates a continuous bond between the glazing unit and the precast component, substituting mechanical connection with chemical adhesion, which eliminates thermal bridges and improves thermal performance while maintaining structural integrity.
2Reliability
If frames are used to secure glazing units, then structural stability is improved, but acoustics deteriorate due to sound transmission through frames
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the frame structure that acts as a sound transmission pathway, creating a frameless glazing assembly. By eliminating the frame, the primary conduit for sound energy transmission from the exterior to the interior is removed, thereby improving acoustic performance while maintaining structural stability through direct adhesive bonding to the precast component.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the mechanical frame structure with an adhesive bonding system that creates a more continuous and acoustically superior connection. The adhesive sealant provides a compliant bonding interface that reduces sound transmission compared to rigid mechanical frames, while still delivering the required structural stability.
3Ease of operation
If frames and mechanical fixings are used, then ease of installation is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the frame and mechanical fixings from the assembly, reducing the total component count. This simplification reduces device complexity while the adhesive bonding process maintains ease of installation by providing a straightforward bonding operation that secures the glazing unit directly to the precast component without requiring separate frame assembly and mechanical fastening steps.
4Loss of energy
If frameless glazing units are used, then thermal efficiency is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the mechanical frame system with an adhesive bonding system that requires precise positioning and bonding control. The adhesive sealant creates a continuous bond that demands higher manufacturing precision in terms of gap control, surface preparation, and bonding application, but this precision enables the frameless design that eliminates thermal bridges and improves thermal efficiency.
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 solution provides a secure, thermally efficient, and acoustically superior glazing system with improved manufacturing efficiency and aesthetic appeal, reducing on-site labor and material use.
Implementation Method 1
the continuous seal comprises an adhesive sealant within a gap between opposing surfaces of the frameless glazing unit and of the precast component
Data Source
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AI summary
Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a building assembly. The assembly comprises a precast component, the precast component comprising solidified cementitious material, the solidified cementitious material comprising a window opening. The assembly further comprises a frameless glazing unit positioned within the window opening. A central area of the frameless glazing unit is surrounded by a continuous seal, wherein the continuous seal supports the frameless glazing unit within the window opening. The continuous seal comprises an adhesive sealant within a gap between opposing surfaces of the frameless glazing unit and of the precast component.