Glazed Panel Inserts for Curtain Wall Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
The production of curtain wall glazed panels is time-consuming and the tightness of these panels is not guaranteed due to infiltration and stagnation of water in the external silicone sealing joint, with existing methods being complex and prone to errors.
Innovation Solution
A glazed panel design featuring inserts in the outer sealing joint to receive fixing elements, with these inserts positioned parallel to the glazing and spaced to prevent water contact, ensuring high sealing and reducing the risk of water contamination, along with a method of applying the outer sealing joint first and then inserting the inserts, simplifying the assembly process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a U-shaped rail is incorporated in the outer sealing joint to facilitate fixing element attachment, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases and the manufacturing process becomes more time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The fixing element attachment function is extracted from the outer sealing joint structure. Instead of incorporating a U-shaped rail within the sealing joint, the invention uses separate fixing elements that attach to the glass panel edges independently of the sealing joint, thereby simplifying the overall structure while maintaining ease of operation
Solution Approach 2:
The fixing system is segmented into separate components: the glass panel, the outer sealing joint, and the fixing elements. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, reducing device complexity while maintaining operational ease
2Ease of manufacture
If adhesive tape is used to attach the track to the glass panel edge, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the reliability of watertightness deteriorates due to water infiltration risk
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the reusable but unreliable adhesive tape with a disposable or single-use positioning method. The track is positioned using temporary support means during manufacturing, which are removed after the permanent fixation is established, ensuring both ease of manufacture and watertightness reliability
Solution Approach 2:
Temporary support means act as an intermediary during the manufacturing process to position the track accurately. These intermediaries are removed after serving their purpose, leaving no permanent harmful elements in the sealing joint that could compromise watertightness
3Manufacturing precision
If the manufacturing process involves multiple steps including pre-assembly, track attachment, and sealant injection, then the manufacturing precision can be maintained, but the productivity decreases due to time-consuming processes
Solution Approach 1:
The track is pre-positioned on the glass panel using temporary support means before the sealant injection step. This preliminary positioning action ensures manufacturing precision is maintained while streamlining the overall process by eliminating the need for complex positioning tooling during production
Solution Approach 2:
The positioning and fixation functions are merged into a single streamlined process. The temporary support means enable both accurate positioning and stable fixation during sealant application, reducing the number of separate manufacturing steps and improving productivity
4Object-affected harmful factors
If water stagnation occurs in the silicone outer sealing gasket, then the harmlessness of the sealing joint is compromised, but this issue is not addressed by conventional sealing designs
Solution Approach 1:
The potential water stagnation problem is extracted and addressed by modifying the sealing joint geometry. The invention incorporates drainage channels or hydrophobic elements that prevent water accumulation, removing the harmful stagnation effect while maintaining the sealing function
Solution Approach 2:
The invention converts the potential harm of water contact into a beneficial drainage function. By designing the sealing joint to actively channel water away rather than allow stagnation, the system transforms a harmful factor into a protective mechanism that enhances long-term reliability
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3a~3b
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The invention relates to a glazed panel (100), particularly for a curtain wall façade, comprising: - two glazing units (10, 20) arranged opposite each other, - a spacer (30) placed between the two glazing units and extending peripherally, away from the edges of the glazed panel, - an external sealing gasket (40) filling a space between the spacer (30) and the edges of the glazed panel. The glazed panel includes a plurality of inserts (50) arranged in the external sealing gasket (30) and each intended to receive a fastener for assembling the glazed panel onto a support structure. Each insert is in the form of a hollow, longitudinal body with a longitudinal opening (55) flush with an edge of the glazed panel.