Window Spacer Sidewalls Thermal Break
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional window spacers face challenges in maintaining optimal spacing between glass sheets while providing thermal insulation and moisture management, often leading to issues with heat transfer and structural stability.
Innovation Solution
A window assembly featuring elongate strips with continuous sidewalls or a plurality of sidewalls, which form a closed loop around the perimeter, incorporating a filler material for structural support and desiccant properties to manage moisture and reduce heat transfer, and connected to the glass sheets using sealants for enhanced adhesion and gas barrier properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If conventional window spacers are used to maintain spacing between glass sheets, then the structural stability is provided, but heat transfer through the spacer increases thermal loss
Solution Approach 1:
The spacer is constructed from multiple materials including an aluminum extrusion providing structural strength and attached thermal breaks (such as rubber or plastic components) that reduce thermal conductivity. This composite structure allows the spacer to maintain both structural stability for spacing and thermal insulation properties to reduce heat transfer between glass sheets.
2Loss of energy
If the air space between glass sheets is increased to improve thermal insulation, then energy efficiency is improved, but the structural stability and spacing maintenance becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The spacer is designed as a segmented structure with multiple components including extruded aluminum sections and attached thermal break elements. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function - the rigid aluminum sections provide spacing maintenance and structural support, while the flexible thermal break sections provide insulation and accommodate dimensional changes, thereby maintaining reliability in larger air spaces.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If moisture management features are added to the spacer, then moisture control is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Moisture management functionality is merged into the existing spacer structure by integrating desiccant materials within the thermal break components or by incorporating drainage channels and hydrophobic coatings into the extrusion design. This integration allows moisture control to be achieved without adding separate, complex moisture management systems, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.
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 effectively maintains spacing between glass sheets, reduces heat transfer, and enhances structural stability, while also managing moisture, thereby improving the energy efficiency and durability of the window assembly.
Implementation Method 1
incorporating a filler material for structural support and desiccant properties to manage moisture
Implementation Method 2
The air space reduces heat transfer through the window to insulate the interior of a building
Data Source
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AI summary
In general terms, this disclosure is directed to a window assembly and a window spacer. In one possible configuration and by non-limiting example, the window assembly includes a first sheet, a second sheet, and a spacer arranged between the first sheet and the second sheet. The spacer includes a first elongate strip, a second elongate strip, and continuous sidewalls or a plurality of sidewalls. In some embodiments the sidewalls include a first portion having a first fastening mechanism and a second portion have a second fastening mechanism. The first fastening mechanism is arranged and configured to securely engage with the second fastening mechanism to connect the first portion with the second portion.