Insulating Glazing Connector Assembly for Cable-Free Electrical Connections
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Solution Overview
Problem
Insulating glazing with electrical connections faces challenges during transportation and storage due to hanging cables, which can be damaged, leading to replacement of the entire unit and compromising gas tightness.
Innovation Solution
The integration of a circumferential spacer with a desiccant, such as silica gel, and a connector assembly that includes an inner, middle, and outer plug connection, allowing for secure and gas-tight electrical connections within the glazing, eliminating the need for external cables and enhancing mechanical stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If external cables are used for electrical connections in insulating glazing, then electrical functionality is achieved, but the cables can be damaged during transportation and storage, compromising reliability and gas tightness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the electrical connection functionality from external cables and relocates it inside the insulating glazing unit. The connector assembly with contact elements is integrated within the sealed cavity, eliminating the need for external cables that extend outside the unit. This internal integration removes the vulnerable external cable portions that are prone to damage during transportation and storage.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector assembly is nested within the insulating glazing structure itself. The contact elements are positioned inside the sealed cavity between the panes, with the connector assembly being partially integrated in the spacer. This nesting approach allows the electrical connection system to be contained within the protective envelope of the insulating glazing unit.
2Use of energy by moving object
If external cables are used for electrical connections, then power supply is enabled, but cable connectors reduce long-term gas tightness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the electrical connection points from the external perimeter of the insulating glazing and relocates them to the internal cavity. By positioning the contact elements and connector assembly inside the sealed space, the system eliminates the need for penetrations or connections at the external seal interfaces, thereby preserving the integrity of the gas tight sealing system.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrical connection system is nested within the sealed cavity of the insulating glazing unit. The connector assembly with its contact elements is contained inside the gas-filled space, allowing power supply functionality while maintaining the external seal integrity. The internal positioning ensures that the gas tightness is not compromised by external cable connections.
3Ease of operation
If cables hang out from the insulating glazing, then electrical connection is possible, but the production and storage process becomes more complex and error-prone
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the vulnerable cable management issue from the system by eliminating external cables entirely. The electrical connection functionality is achieved through internal contact elements that connect to external contacts on the outer surface of the insulating glazing, removing the need for hanging cables that complicate production and storage handling.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector assembly is pre-integrated into the insulating glazing unit during manufacturing, with contact elements positioned and secured within the sealed cavity before the unit is completed. This preliminary integration ensures that no additional cable management steps are needed during transportation, storage, or installation, simplifying the overall process chain.
Data Source
Figure 1a
Figure 1b
Figure 2
AI summary
Insulating glazing with an electrical connection element, comprising: a. a first pane (1), a second pane (2), b. a peripheral spacer (3) between the first pane (1) and the second pane (2), c. an inner insulation (4) between the spacer (3) and the first pane (1) and between the spacer (3) and the second pane (2), d. an outer insulation (5) in an outer edge space (6) between the first pane (1), the spacer (3) and the second pane (2), e. a connected plug connection arrangement (7), wherein the plug connection arrangement (7) comprises an inner plug connection (8) between the first pane (1) and the second pane (2), a central plug connection (9) in the spacer (3) and an outer plug connection (10), wherein the central plug connection (9) comprises a left-hand latching means (9a), a central part (9b) with an electrically continuous contact element (12) and a right-hand latching means (9c) and the contact element (12) produces an electrical connection to the inner plug connection (8) and outer plug connection (10), and an LED strip (24) is arranged between the first pane (1) and the second pane (2), and the LED strip (24) is electrically connected to the inner plug connection (8).