Insulating Glazing Spacer with Integrated Cable Duct

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Solution Overview

Problem

Insulating glazing with integrated electrical supply lines faces challenges in maintaining gas and water tightness, particularly due to the routing of electrical connections which can obstruct sealing processes and lead to leaks, especially with thermal expansion.

Innovation Solution

A spacer with an integrated electrical supply line where the supply line runs within a hollow chamber of the spacer, allowing for automated filling and reduced need for external cable routing, enhancing the sealing integrity and eliminating the need for multiple cable entries.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If electrical supply lines are routed through the primary sealant between spacer and pane, then electrical connection is achieved, but sealing integrity deteriorates due to potential defects and thermal expansion tolerance issues

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical connectionVSAvoidsealing integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The electrical supply line is extracted from the sealant routing and instead routed through a dedicated cable duct integrated into the spacer structure. This separates the electrical connection function from the sealing function, allowing the primary sealant to maintain continuous contact between spacer and pane without interruptions from cable penetrations, thereby preserving sealing integrity while achieving electrical connection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The cable duct is nested within the spacer structure, creating a protected pathway for the electrical supply line. The duct is integrated into the spacer's cross-section, with the electrical line nested inside the duct which itself is nested within the spacer body, providing multiple levels of protection and maintaining structural continuity for sealing purposes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Adaptability or versatility

If connecting cables are routed around the spacer frame in the outer space, then electrical contacts can be made at multiple points, but automated filling becomes problematic due to spatial obstruction

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical contact pointsVSAvoidautomated filling

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSExtent of automation

Solution Approach 1:

The cable ducts are pre-integrated into the spacer structure during spacer manufacturing, before the insulating glazing assembly process. This preliminary action creates ready-made pathways for electrical cables, eliminating the need for robots to maneuver around loose cables during the automated filling process with secondary sealant, while still allowing electrical contacts at multiple points along the spacer frame.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If secondary sealant fills the outer space around electrical connection cables, then sealing is improved, but air bubbles become trapped leading to permanent leaks

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesealingVSAvoidtrapped air bubbles

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The electrical supply lines are extracted from the outer space between panes and relocated to run through dedicated cable ducts within the spacer structure. This removes the cables from the filling zone, allowing secondary sealant to be applied continuously without obstruction, preventing air bubble entrapment while maintaining sealing integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Adaptability or versatility

If multiple cable entries are provided for electrical connections, then electrical adaptability is improved, but tightness deteriorates due to increased penetration points

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical connectionsVSAvoidtightness

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The spacer structure is designed with integrated cable ducts that serve multiple functions: providing electrical connection pathways, maintaining structural integrity, and preserving sealing continuity. The ducts are positioned and configured to accommodate electrical connections at multiple points while their integrated design ensures they do not compromise the tightness of the overall structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3743583B1Spacer for insulated glazing units with electrical wire integrated in hollow chamber

Publication Date: 2022.01.26 SAINT GOBAIN VITRAGE SA

Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2a
Figure 2b

AI summary

The invention relates to a spacer (I) with an integrated electric feed line (14) for insulating glazings, at least comprising: - a main part (5) which comprises two pane contact surfaces (7.1, 7.2), - a glazing interior surface (8), - an outer surface (9), - a hollow chamber (10), and - an electric feed line (14) within the hollow chamber (10), wherein the electric feed line (14) enters the hollow chamber (10), runs along the hollow chamber (10) in a substantially parallel manner to the pane contact surfaces (7.1, 7.2) in at least one section, and exits via at least one outlet opening (16) in the wall of the main part (5).