Acute-Angle Grid Keeper for Insulating Glass Units
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing internal grid keepers for insulating glass units lack sufficient rigidity, often becoming displaced or detached, which compromises the seal integrity and allows moisture or gas to penetrate, and may outgas over time.
Innovation Solution
The design of internal grid keepers with an elongate body and a shoulder portion bent at an acute angle, featuring stamped or punched elements for engagement with the spacer system, providing enhanced rigidity and reducing interference with the primary seal, and incorporating features that prevent direct metal-to-glass contact and facilitate a thermal break.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If traditional keepers are used to hold the internal grid system, then the grid can be positioned between glass substrates, but the keepers lack sufficient rigidity causing displacement or detachment
Solution Approach 1:
The keeper is divided into distinct functional segments: an elongate body portion for insertion into the grid cavity, a generally upright member for positioning near the spacer, and a shoulder portion for hooking to the spacer blade. This segmentation allows each part to be optimized for its specific function, with the shoulder portion providing the rigid anchoring mechanism needed to prevent displacement.
Solution Approach 2:
The keeper transitions from a simple linear clip to a three-dimensional structure with multiple extending members. The upright member extends perpendicular to the body portion, and the shoulder portion extends at an acute angle, creating a multi-dimensional configuration that provides structural rigidity and prevents rotation or displacement in multiple directions.
2Reliability
If keepers are attached to the spacer system to hold the grid, then the grid position is maintained, but the keepers may become detached during transport or installation
Solution Approach 1:
The keeper design incorporates a dynamic hooking mechanism where the shoulder portion can flex during installation to engage with the spacer blade, then maintains a stable locked position during transport and installation. The acute angle configuration allows the keeper to adapt to slight variations in spacer blade position while maintaining secure attachment.
3Reliability
If keepers are positioned near the spacer to hold the grid, then the grid is secured, but the keepers may undermine the seal quality allowing moisture or oxygen penetration
Solution Approach 1:
The keeper design applies local quality by concentrating the anchoring function at the shoulder portion that hooks to the spacer blade, while the elongate body portion that extends into the grid cavity is designed to minimize interference with the seal. The stamped or punched features are localized to specific areas that engage with the spacer and grid without compromising the seal region.
4Strength
If keepers are made of metal to provide rigidity, then structural strength is improved, but the keeper material may outgas over time
Solution Approach 1:
The keeper may be constructed from composite materials or coated metals that combine the structural rigidity of metal with materials that have low outgassing properties. The stamped or punched features can be formed from composite materials that provide both mechanical strength and resistance to outgassing over time.
Data Source
AI summary
Certain example embodiments of this invention relate to internal grid keepers for insulating glass units, and/or insulating glass units incorporating the same. The grid keepers of certain example embodiments may include a shoulder bent into an acute angle and may include one or more stamped features on or proximate to the shoulder for engaging with a punched, hollowed, or otherwise formed feature in an edge seal, along with one or more stamped features on an elongate portion extending from the shoulder for engaging with a grid or muntin. In certain example embodiments, the keeper may be on level with or slightly lower than a primary seal so as to reduce the likelihood of the keeper interfering with the seal.