Plug Connector With Elastic Stop Seal for Insulating Glass
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connectors for spacer hollow profiles in insulating glass panes face challenges with gas-tightness due to contamination and handling issues with butyl sealing compounds, which hinder easy assembly and plug-in functionality.
Innovation Solution
A connector with a longitudinally displaceable stop seal, optionally wedge-shaped and featuring a sealing lip, is designed to ensure gas-tightness without butyl compounds, allowing for easy insertion and secure sealing without the need for cover strips or direct application of butyl, utilizing elastic materials like rubber for enhanced sealing and incorporating holding and compensating elements for manufacturing tolerance adaptation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If butyl sealing compounds are used to create gas-tightness, then sealing effectiveness is improved, but handling becomes difficult and contamination occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful butyl sealing compound is extracted and removed from the connector system. Instead of applying butyl to the connector, the patent uses a separate sealing device made of elastic material that can be applied without contamination risks, thereby maintaining gas-tightness while eliminating handling difficulties and contamination issues.
Solution Approach 2:
A separate elastic sealing device acts as an intermediary between the connector and the spacer hollow profile. This sealing device can be made of materials like rubber or EPDM that provide effective sealing without the contamination and handling problems associated with butyl compounds, while still achieving the required gas-tightness.
2Reliability
If butyl sealing compounds are applied directly to the connector, then gas-tightness is achieved, but processing time increases due to application requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing device is pre-applied to the connector in a controlled manufacturing environment, allowing for efficient assembly later. The sealing device can be pre-positioned on the connector body or integrated into the connector structure, eliminating the need for time-consuming application steps during processing and significantly reducing overall processing time.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If cover strips are provided to protect butyl compound, then sealing is protected from contamination, but plug-in functionality is prevented
Solution Approach 1:
The cover strip and butyl compound combination is replaced by a self-contained elastic sealing device that provides both protection and functionality. The sealing device can be made of materials resistant to contamination while maintaining the necessary elasticity and compliance for proper plug-in operation, eliminating the need for separate protective cover strips.
4Reliability
If sealing device is made rigid to ensure seal, then sealing effectiveness improves, but adaptability to manufacturing tolerances decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing device is made from elastic materials that can change their physical parameters (such as compression set, elongation, and hardness) to adapt to manufacturing tolerances. Materials like rubber or EPDM allow the sealing device to deform and conform to slight variations in the connector or spacer hollow profile dimensions, maintaining effective sealing across a range of tolerances.
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
The solution provides reliable gas-tight seals that are insensitive to partial insertion, easy to handle, and eliminate the need for butyl compounds, reducing processing time and effort while ensuring unimpeded desiccant flow and secure mechanical connections.
Implementation Method 1
the sealing device is made from an elastic material, in particular from a rubber or rubber-like material
Implementation Method 2
The sealing effect is created at the essential points by simply hitting the hollow profile
Implementation Method 3
there are protruding holding and compensating elements which can stand at least approximately perpendicularly on the floor
Data Source
AI summary
The connector (1) comprises a base portion (2) and two longitudinal side edges, which are designed as side pieces (3,4) upwardly projecting from the base portion. The base portion together with the longitudinal side edges forms the body of the connector. Elastically deformable lamellae (5) are arranged on the longitudinal side edges projecting outwards for each insertion section. A sealing device (10) is provided for sealing against the spacer hollow profile in its contact area for the spacer hollow profile, in its middle area of its longitudinal extension.