Glazing Panel Spacer Opening for Flexible Electrical Connections
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing glazing panels face challenges in maintaining thermal insulation while allowing for flexible and adaptable electrical connections, as conventional connectors are often specific to certain dimensions and limited in placement freedom, requiring custom designs for various panel sizes and configurations.
Innovation Solution
Creating an opening in the spacer frame of the glazing panel to insert conductive elements, using thermoplastic elastomer materials for sealing, which allows for adaptable and flexible electrical connections without the need for custom-designed connectors, preserving thermal insulation properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional connectors are used for electrical connections in glazing panels, then electrical connectivity is achieved, but the connectors are specific to certain dimensions and limited in placement freedom, requiring custom designs for various panel sizes and configurations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by using a standardized connector design that can be used across different panel sizes and configurations. Instead of creating custom connectors for each panel dimension, the invention uses a universal connector that adapts to various applications, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the electrical connection system into modular components that can be independently configured. This segmentation allows the same basic connector design to be adapted to different panel sizes by simply adjusting the arrangement and number of connectors rather than redesigning the entire connector system.
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional connectors are used for electrical connections in glazing panels, then electrical connectivity is achieved, but custom designs are required for various panel sizes and configurations, increasing manufacturing complexity and costs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves ease of manufacture by employing a universal connector design that can be mass-produced and then applied to various panel configurations. This eliminates the need for custom manufacturing for each panel size, thereby improving ease of manufacture while maintaining versatility through standardized modular deployment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamics by allowing the standardized connector system to be flexibly configured and positioned according to different panel requirements. The connectors can be dynamically arranged in various patterns and locations to suit different panel sizes and applications, providing versatility without requiring custom designs.
3Adaptability or versatility
If openings are created in the spacer frame for electrical connections, then placement freedom is increased, but thermal insulation may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the spacer frame as an intermediary element that accommodates electrical connectors while maintaining thermal insulation. The spacer frame acts as a mediator between the requirement for electrical connections and the need for thermal performance, allowing connectors to be integrated into the spacer structure without creating direct thermal bridges through the glass panes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by concentrating thermal insulation measures at specific locations around the electrical connectors in the spacer frame. Rather than compromising overall insulation, the design provides enhanced local insulation around connector penetration points, thereby maintaining thermal performance while enabling positioning freedom.
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 electrical connections to be made in any type of glazing panel with considerable freedom of positioning, maintaining good thermal insulation and simplifying the manufacturing process while reducing costs.
Implementation Method 1
a first plug of thermoplastic elastomer material sealing around the electrically conductive element in the opening
Implementation Method 2
at least one internal space comprising a blade of an insulating gas closed by the spacer frame disposed around said internal space
Data Source
Figure 1~2
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AI summary
The invention relates to a glazing panel (100), particularly an insulated glazing panel, comprising at least a first (10) and a second (11) sheet of glass which are joined together by an intercalated surround (12) which holds them a certain distance apart, and between said at least two sheets of glass at least one internal space (15) closed by the intercalated surround positioned around said internal space. According to the invention, the intercalated surround (12) comprises an opening (122) causing the internal space (15) to communicate with the outside of the panel, the panel comprises at least one electrically conducting element (14) inserted into the opening, a first end (141) of the conducting element being situated inside the internal space and a second end (142) of the conducting element being situated outside the internal space, and the panel also comprises a first plug (17) of thermoplastic elastomer material closing the opening (122) around the electric conducting element.