Glazing Framing Members With Integrated Wire Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vertical and sloped glazing systems face challenges in routing electrical wiring for electrically producing or consumptive materials like solar PV panels and electrochromic glass without compromising the airtight and watertight structural barrier, while also ensuring easy maintenance access and aesthetic appeal.
Innovation Solution
The glazing system incorporates vertical and horizontal framing members with gutters and enclosed cavities, allowing electrical wire routing between them through an aperture, with removable back surfaces for access and sealing to prevent water infiltration and improve acoustical performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If electrical wire is routed through drilling holes into the framing element directly behind the glazing, then electrical wiring is achieved, but water infiltration and maintenance access problems occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary routing path through the gutter structure and cavity space, allowing wires to pass through the framing element without drilling holes directly behind the glazing. The gutter and cavity serve as intermediary channels that protect the wiring while maintaining the water tight seal.
Solution Approach 2:
The framing element is segmented into functional zones: the gutter for wire routing, the cavity for wire protection, and the glazing support for structural integrity. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function without compromising the others, particularly preventing water infiltration while enabling wiring.
2Ease of manufacture
If electrical wire is routed through surface mounted objects, then electrical wiring is achieved, but aesthetic appearance is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical wiring is nested within the gutter and cavity structure of the framing element, hiding the wires within the existing architectural features. This nesting approach allows wiring to be achieved without surface-mounted objects, maintaining the clean aesthetic appearance of the glazing system.
3Ease of repair
If the framing member back surface is made removable for wire access, then maintenance access is improved, but structural integrity may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The framing member is segmented with a removable back surface that can be detached to access wires within the cavity. This segmentation allows maintenance access while the remaining structure maintains its structural integrity through proper connection details and load-bearing design.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a vertical or a sloped glazing system that facilitates wire routing from electrically producing or consumptive glazing materials such as solar PV panels or electrochromic glass. The glazing system includes vertical and horizontal framing members, each with enclosed cavities and outward facing gutters. The vertical framing member gutter is deeper than the horizontal framing member gutter, creating an offset between the enclosed cavities such that a portion of the vertical wall of the vertical framing member gutter aligns with the enclosed cavity of the horizontal framing member. Electrical wire can be routed from the vertical framing member gutter into the horizontal framing member enclosed cavity through a wire-receiving aperture in the vertical frame member gutter wall portion that is aligned with the horizontal framing member enclosed cavity. This arrangement allows wiring between the outside and inside building environment while minimizing the possibility of water infiltration.