Integrated Secondary Glazing With Hermetic and Non-Hermetic Cavities
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing glazings struggle to efficiently integrate functional elements, such as electrical and biological components, while maintaining insulating and aesthetic performance, particularly when using connectors that are not compatible with hermetic seals.
Innovation Solution
A glazing design with a hermetically sealed first cavity and a non-hermetically sealed second cavity, allowing for the integration of functional elements, using electrical connectors that are not hermetic, and incorporating spacer frames and electrical connectors that are insulated or adapted for non-hermetic seals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a hermetic seal is used in the cavity, then insulating performance and moisture protection are improved, but flexibility to integrate non-hermetic functional elements is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The glazing is divided into two distinct cavities with different sealing characteristics. The first cavity maintains a hermetic seal for optimal insulating performance, while the second cavity uses a non-hermetic seal to accommodate functional elements like plants, electrical components, or decorative items that require access or have specific integration requirements. This segmentation allows each cavity to be optimized for its specific function without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
Different sealing qualities are applied to different regions of the glazing. The first cavity employs hermetic sealing to maximize thermal and acoustic insulation, while the second cavity deliberately uses non-hermetic sealing to enable flexibility and adaptability for integrating functional elements. This local differentiation of seal quality allows the glazing to simultaneously achieve both high insulation performance and functional versatility.
2Ease of manufacture
If non-hermetic connectors are used, then ease of manufacturing and functional integration is improved, but moisture protection and seal reliability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The glazing structure is segmented into two cavities, allowing non-hermetic connectors to be used in the second cavity where moisture protection is less critical, while the first cavity maintains hermetic sealing for applications requiring robust moisture protection. This segmentation isolates the trade-off between ease of manufacturing and reliability to specific regions.
Solution Approach 2:
The glazing structure itself acts as an intermediary system that accommodates both hermetic and non-hermetic sealing approaches. By designing the glazing with multiple cavities and selective sealing, it mediates between the requirements for ease of manufacturing with non-hermetic connectors and the need for reliable moisture protection in critical areas.
3Adaptability or versatility
If functional elements are integrated into the glazing, then versatility and occupant comfort are improved, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The glazing is segmented into standardized cavities that can independently accommodate functional elements. This modular segmentation allows functional elements to be integrated without requiring complete redesign of the entire glazing system, thereby reducing overall manufacturing complexity while maintaining versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The glazing design incorporates universal cavity structures that can accommodate multiple types of functional elements (plants, electrical components, decorative items) within the second cavity. This multi-functionality approach allows a single glazing design to serve multiple purposes, reducing the need for custom manufacturing for different functional requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
A glazing includes an integrated secondary glazing pane and a functional element. The advantage of such an arrangement is that a building aperture may be provided with a variety of functional elements which are not normally compatible with an insulated glazing unit, while still offering the ease of use and efficient manufacturing system of an insulated glazing unit. A method of manufacturing such a glazing is also provided.