Plug-connector for Insulating Glass Spacer Profiles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connectors for spacer hollow profiles in insulating glass panes face challenges in securely holding the profiles, ensuring desiccant flow, and preventing deformation due to tolerances and pressure issues, especially with modern, thin-walled profiles.
Innovation Solution
The connector design features elevations that nestle against the profile's inside, beveled ends for easy insertion, and a stabilizing device with deflectors and sealing ribs to ensure a secure fit and desiccant flow, while maintaining flexibility and preventing deformation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional connectors are used with thin-walled hollow spacer profiles, then the connector structure is simple, but the secure hold of the connector in the hollow spacer profile cannot be guaranteed due to significant tolerances on the inner surface
Solution Approach 1:
The connector incorporates elastically deformable lamellae that can dynamically adapt to tolerances in the hollow spacer profile. These lamellae are designed to be inclined or curved with the inclination or bend directed to the rear in the insertion direction, allowing them to flex and conform to variations in the profile's inner surface while maintaining secure engagement.
Solution Approach 2:
The lamellae are designed with specific geometric parameters (inclination angle, curvature, thickness) that allow them to change their effective engagement characteristics. By optimizing these parameters, the connector can accommodate a range of tolerance variations while maintaining reliable holding force.
2Reliability
If the connector exerts pressure on the hollow spacer profile to ensure secure hold, then the connector grip is improved, but the hollow spacer profile may deform
Solution Approach 1:
The connector uses thin, flexible lamellae made of elastically deformable material. These lamellae can bend and conform to the hollow spacer profile's inner surface without exerting excessive localized pressure that would cause deformation. The flexibility allows the connector to achieve secure grip through elastic deformation of the lamellae themselves rather than through high contact pressure on the profile.
Solution Approach 2:
The lamellae are designed to deform elastically during insertion and engagement, dynamically adjusting their shape to match the profile's inner surface. This dynamic adaptation allows the connector to achieve secure holding force through the elastic recovery of the lamellae rather than through rigid pressure application that would deform the thin-walled profile.
3Reliability
If conventional connectors are used with narrow hollow spacer profiles, then the connector structure is simple, but the flow of desiccant cannot be reliably guaranteed
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is segmented into a base part and multiple longitudinal side webs with lamellae. This segmentation creates multiple pathways and open structures that allow desiccant to flow through the connector. The lamellae are arranged to create gaps and channels that facilitate desiccant movement while maintaining structural integrity for secure engagement.
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 connector provides a reliable hold, allows desiccant flow, and prevents deformation by distributing forces effectively and sealing the joint, ensuring the integrity of the spacer hollow profile and the insulating gas space.
Implementation Method 1
outwardly projecting, preferably elastically deformable lamellae are arranged on at least part of the longitudinal sides
Implementation Method 2
the ends of which can be beveled. This design allows the connector to slide very easily into the respective hollow profile end
Implementation Method 3
sealing ribs are provided on the outside in the area of the transition between the base and the leg, whereby these can be adapted to the contour of a spacer hollow profile
Implementation Method 4
a deflector is provided at least at one longitudinal end of the supporting and/or stabilizing device
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
Connectors (1) with a U- or box-shaped cross-section, configured as straight, angled, corner, or cross connectors, for spacer hollow profiles for insulating glass units, comprising a base part (2) and two longitudinal side edges, which may be configured as legs (3, 4) extending from the base (2), wherein the base part (2) together with the longitudinal side edges forms the body of the connector (1), wherein outwardly projecting, preferably elastically deformable lamellae (5) may be arranged for each insertion section on at least a portion of the longitudinal sides, which may be inclined or bent, wherein the inclination or bend may be directed rearward in the insertion direction, wherein protrusions (9) are provided in the region of the ends of the legs (3, 4) pointing away from the base, and wherein in the region of the free ends of the legs (3, 4), preferably in the region of the midpoint of the longitudinal extension of the connector (1) between the two legs (3,4) a supporting and/or stabilizing device (11) is provided.