Insulating Glazing Pressure Equalization Element

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Solution Overview

Problem

Insulating glazing systems face challenges with deformation and reduced sealing effectiveness due to temperature and pressure fluctuations, leading to moisture penetration and reduced insulating performance, especially in high-rise buildings with large glass facades, and existing pressure equalization systems are complex, costly, and inefficient.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a pressure equalization system with a hollow base body and a semi-permeable membrane integrated into the spacer, allowing for gas exchange while preventing water penetration, and using a desiccant to absorb moisture, ensuring long-term stability and improved insulating performance without mechanical valves or moving parts.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a pressure equalization valve with moving parts is used, then pressure equalization can be achieved, but the system becomes complex, costly, and susceptible to failure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepressure equalization reliabilityVSAvoidvalve mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the moving parts and mechanical valve mechanism from the pressure equalization system, retaining only the essential function of pressure equalization through a simplified static structure with a hole and seal element

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces the mechanical valve system with moving parts with a static system using a hole and seal element that responds to pressure differential automatically, eliminating mechanical complexity while maintaining pressure equalization function

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If multiple pressure equalization valves are used for large panes, then adequate pressure equalization volume is achieved, but production costs and system complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepressure equalization effectivenessVSAvoidnumber of valves required
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The simplified pressure equalization element serves as a universal component that can be used in insulating glass units of any size, eliminating the need to scale up by adding multiple valves while maintaining adequate pressure equalization volume

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the adhesive bond between spacer and glass pane is subjected to temperature fluctuations, then the insulating glass adapts to environmental changes, but the adhesive bond deteriorates and delamination occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature adaptationVSAvoidadhesive bond stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The pressure equalization element compensates for pressure differential caused by temperature fluctuations before they can cause excessive stress on the adhesive bond, cushioning the effect of environmental changes on the seal integrity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The pressure equalization element changes the pressure parameter inside the insulating glass unit to match external pressure conditions, reducing the stress differential that causes adhesive bond deterioration during temperature cycles

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Reliability

If pressure differential due to temperature fluctuations is not compensated, then the insulating glass structure remains simple, but deformation and seal failure occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseal integrityVSAvoidpressure equalization system
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts only the essential pressure equalization function from complex valve systems, using a simple hole and seal element configuration that prevents seal failure without adding mechanical complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The seal element acts as a flexible component that automatically responds to pressure differential, opening to allow pressure equalization when needed and closing to maintain seal integrity, providing reliable protection without mechanical complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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

This solution provides a durable, cost-effective, and efficient pressure equalization system that maintains the insulating effect and prevents moisture ingress, meeting industry standards for dew point reduction within 24 hours, thus extending the service life and maintaining optical quality of the glazing.

Implementation Method 1

a hollow pressure equalization element (7) with a gas-permeable and semipermeable membrane (8) attached to it

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSemipermeable membrane: Semipermeable Membrane

Implementation Method 2

using a desiccant to absorb moisture

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Data Source

PatentEP2935748B1Insulating glazing with pressure equalisation element, method of producing it and use
Publication Date: 2019.07.31 SAINT GOBAIN VITRAGE SA
  • EP2935748B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2935748B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2935748B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to insulating glazing having a pressure-equalizing body, comprising at least a. a first disk (1) and a second disk (2), b. a circumferential spacer (3) between the first disk (1) and the second disk (2), wherein the spacer (3) comprises a hollow main body (5), which has at least two parallel disk contact walls (5a, 5b) and an outer wall (5c) and a glazing interior wall (5d) and a bore opening (6) through the outer wall (5c), and c. a hollow pressure-equalizing body (7), which comprises a surrounding outer wall (16a) and a gas-permeable and vapor-diffusion-tight membrane (8) fastened inside the pressure-equalizing body (7), wherein the pressure-equalizing body (7) and a sealing mass (9) are arranged in an outer disk intermediate space (12) between the first disk (1) and the second disk (2), wherein d. the pressure-equalizing body (7) is connected to the spacer (3) through the bore opening and a sealing means (11) is arranged between the bore opening (6) and the outer wall (16a) of the pressure-equalizing body (7), e. the hollow main body contains a desiccant, and f. the hollow main body (5) has at least one partition wall (17).