Glass Facade Edge Bonding With Transparent Silicone Joints
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Large-scale glass facades face challenges in maintaining a reliable and visually seamless seal between insulating glass units due to large forces acting on the seals, leading to issues like thermally induced bending, barometric effects, and internal condensation, which compromise the aesthetic and functional integrity of the facade.
Innovation Solution
The use of transparent two-component silicone adhesive to connect glass units at their abutment regions, eliminating the need for visible spacers and allowing for a bubble-free, transparent joint that maintains a monolithic appearance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If traditional spacers and sealants are used to connect glass units in large-scale facades, then structural connection is achieved, but sealing reliability deteriorates due to large forces acting on the seals
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state of the adhesive from solid (traditional sealants) to liquid (viscoelastic adhesive), allowing it to flow into the abutment region and then cure to form a reliable seal that can accommodate structural forces without failing
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a composite approach by combining the rigidity of glass units with the flexibility of the viscoelastic adhesive material, creating a joint that provides both structural connection and sealing reliability under large forces
2Stability of the object's composition
If visible spacers are used to connect glass units, then structural integrity is maintained, but aesthetic appearance deteriorates due to visible joints
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the traditional visible spacer component and replaces it with a liquid adhesive that is applied in the abutment region between glass units. The adhesive is applied in a controlled width that can be matched to the abutment region, making the joint invisible from the exterior while maintaining structural integrity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs adhesive materials that are color-matched to the glass units or the abutment region, allowing the adhesive to blend visually with the surrounding elements and create an invisible joint appearance
3Adaptability or versatility
If large-scale glass units are used in facades, then architectural design flexibility is improved, but sealing problems worsen due to thermally induced bending and barometric effects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a viscoelastic adhesive that exhibits dynamic properties, allowing it to deform and flow in response to thermal expansion, contraction, and barometric pressure changes, thereby maintaining a reliable seal under varying environmental conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The viscoelastic adhesive acts as a cushioning element that anticipates and absorbs the effects of thermal and barometric variations before they can cause sealing failures, protecting the joint from the harmful effects of environmental stress
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
Enables large-scale, transparent, and visually seamless facade elements with improved thermal insulation and resistance to structural deformations, while preventing internal condensation and maintaining aesthetic integrity.
Implementation Method 1
the two glass units are connected together by their edges which adjoin each other in an abutment region, preferably solely by means of an adhesive connection, wherein the adhesive connection is in particular formed by a preferably transparent two-component silicone material
Implementation Method 2
A hermetically sealed cavity is formed between the panes and delimited by the spacer. This cavity is filled with a dry gas such as dry air. It is important for the gas confined within the space between the panes to be kept in a dry state in order to avoid any water condensation inside the double glazing during temperature changes
Implementation Method 3
In order to meet the requirements relative to building insulation and thus also keep heating and air conditioning system costs within limits, the insulating glass units consist of multiple glass panes. For better thermal insulation, the space between the panes; i.e. the interior space between the surface elements, can be filled with a gas of low thermal conductivity
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a facade element having a first glass unit, in particular insulating glass unit, and at least one second glass unit, in particular insulating glass unit, arranged adjacently thereto, wherein the two glass units are connected to one another via their edges adjoining one another in an abutment region, preferably exclusively with the aid of an, in particular transparent, adhesive connection, wherein the adhesive connection is preferably formed by a two-component silicone material. The invention further relates to a corresponding production method.