Insulating Glazing Spacer with Segmented Moisture-Absorbing Structure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional insulating glazing spacers with moisture-absorbing products have high thermal conductivity, limiting the thermal performance of insulating glazing units due to the thermal conductivity of the filling materials.
Innovation Solution
A spacer design with a self-supporting, compact moisture-absorbing structure that includes absorbent units attached to the fixing parts, ensuring they do not contact the transverse parts, thereby avoiding thermal bridging and improving thermal performance. The absorbent units are preferably cohesive cores or powdery materials encapsulated in a permeable envelope, ensuring effective moisture absorption without influencing thermal conductivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the spacer is filled with a moisture-absorbing product in powder form, then moisture absorption is effective, but thermal conductivity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The moisture-absorbing structure is segmented into discrete absorbing units rather than using continuous powder filling. These units are positioned at specific locations (fixing parts) rather than distributed throughout the entire spacer volume, creating spatial segmentation that reduces thermal pathways while maintaining moisture absorption capability at critical locations.
Solution Approach 2:
The moisture-absorbing function is extracted from the bulk interior space and concentrated at the fixing parts where moisture condensation is most likely to occur. This extraction removes the harmful thermal conductivity associated with powder filling the entire spacer while preserving the essential moisture absorption function where it is most needed.
2Reliability
If the moisture-absorbing product fills the interior space, then moisture absorption capacity is maximized, but thermal performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The moisture-absorbing units are placed locally at the fixing parts rather than uniformly distributed throughout the spacer. This local quality approach concentrates the moisture absorption function at the most critical locations (where glass panes are attached and moisture is most likely to condense) while leaving the majority of the spacer interior space empty to maintain thermal insulation performance.
3Reliability
If powder is introduced through holes drilled in the frame, then moisture absorption is achieved, but thermal bridges are created
Solution Approach 1:
The moisture-absorbing units are pre-positioned at the fixing parts before the spacer is assembled with the glass panes. This preliminary action eliminates the need for subsequent drilling and powder filling operations, thereby preventing the creation of thermal bridges through drill holes while ensuring the moisture-absorbing units are already in their optimal positions.
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 enhances the thermal performance of insulating glazing by minimizing thermal conductivity and preventing material escape into the cavity, while maintaining effective moisture absorption.
Implementation Method 1
the spacer comprising, in the interior space, a moisture-absorbing structure formed of at least one absorbing unit
Implementation Method 2
the absorbent unit is fixed by means of adhesive, for example a hot melt adhesive
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5A~5C
AI summary
A spacer (10) for insulating glazing (1) extending in a longitudinal direction (X) comprises a first and a second fastening part (12, 14) spaced from one another in a lateral direction (Y) and intended to be each secured to a sheet of glass (2a, 2b) of the insulating glazing (1) by adhesive-fastening means (5a, 5b), and at least one transverse part (20, 22) connecting said first (12) and second (14) fastening parts and delimiting with them an interior space (30). The spacer (10) additionally comprises, in the interior space (30), a moisture-absorbing structure (40) formed by at least one absorbing unit (41) fastened to the one among the first and the second fastening parts (12, 14), the other among the first and the second fastening parts (12, 14) not being in contact with the absorbing unit (41).