FR3075853A1 - SPACER WITH ABSORBENT MOISTURE STRUCTURE AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING THE SAME - Google Patents

Abstract

An insulating glazing spacer (10) (1) extending in a longitudinal direction (X) comprises first and second fastening portions (12, 14) spaced from one another in a lateral direction (Y). ) and intended to be each secured to a glass sheet (2a, 2b) of the insulating glazing unit (1) by adhesive bonding means (5a, 5b), and at least a transverse part (20, 22) connecting said first (12) and second (14) fixing portions and defining with them an interior space (30). The spacer (10) further comprises, in the interior space (30), a moisture absorbing structure (40) formed of at least one absorbent unit (41) attached to one of the first and second fixing part (12, 14), the other one of the first and the second fixing part (12, 14) not being in contact with the absorbing unit (41).

Description

SPACER WITH MOISTURE ABSORBING STRUCTURE AND MANUFACTURING METHOD THEREOF

The present disclosure relates to a spacer for insulating glazing and a method of manufacturing a spacer for insulating glazing.

In known manner, insulating glazing can be obtained by securing a rigid spacer frame at the periphery of two sheets of glass.

The spacer frame is conventionally manufactured either by successive folding of a straight spacer, or by angular assembly at their ends of straight spacers, so as to obtain for example a rectangular frame.

The spacer frame delimits an internal cavity between the glass sheets, said cavity forming an insulating plate of air or a gas less conductive of heat than air, for example argon, which makes it possible to limit losses. due to conduction or convection.

Usually, the spacer frame contains a moisture-absorbing product, also called a desiccant, intended to absorb the moisture present inside the glazing, in particular just after mounting the glazing.

In closed-frame hollow spacers, of the type described for example in patent application WO2016 / 046081, this moisture-absorbing product is typically in the form of powder, filling the interior space of the spacer. The pulverulent product is introduced into the spacer through holes drilled for this purpose in the framework and then plugged in, generally using butyl. The disadvantage of such spacers is that they have a high thermal conductivity linked to the thermal conductivity of the moisture-absorbing product which fills the interior space. The thermal performance of insulating glazing incorporating these spacers is therefore limited.

Application EP 1 860 270 describes a different type of spacer obtained by extrusion. The spacer here forms a bead intended to be fixed by gluing to the glass sheets of the glazing and comprising a moisture absorbing core, coextruded with a silicone envelope at least partially permeable to moisture. However, this type of spacer also does not make it possible to obtain insulating glazing units exhibiting good thermal performance.

The present description aims to provide insulating glazing and a method of manufacturing such a spacer, making it possible to remedy the aforementioned problems.

The present disclosure thus relates to an insulating glazing spacer extending in a longitudinal direction and comprising first and second fixing parts spaced from one another in a lateral direction and intended to be secured each to a sheet of glass of the insulating glazing by means of fixing by gluing, and at least one transverse part connecting said first and second fixing parts and delimiting with them an interior space, the spacer comprising, in the interior space, an absorbent structure d moisture formed from at least one absorbent unit attached to one of the first and second attachment portions, the other of the first and second attachment portions not being in contact with the absorbent unit.

By structure is understood an element or set of elements "self-supported" that is to say that it exists as such, independently of any support or substrate, unlike a coating or a layer deposited on a substrate.

The moisture absorbing structure according to the invention forms an element or a set of compact elements with finite dimensions.

The risk of material escaping into the internal cavity of the glazing is thus avoided.

Furthermore, each absorbent unit of the moisture absorbing structure remaining at a distance from at least one of the fixing parts, the structure does not influence the thermal conductivity of the spacer. The thermal performance of the spacer is thus improved compared to that of spacers of the prior art.

According to one example, the absorbent unit is fixed by adhesive means, for example a hot-melt adhesive.

The moisture absorbing structure may include a plurality of absorbent units spaced in the longitudinal direction by interrupted areas.

Alternatively, the moisture absorbing structure may include an absorbent unit extending continuously in the longitudinal direction.

According to one example, the absorbent unit forms a profile extending in the longitudinal direction. By profile is meant an elongated element, typically of constant or substantially constant section, for example rectangular.

In general, the absorbent structure extends over at least 50%, preferably at least 80%, of the total length of the spacer, measured in its longitudinal direction.

According to one example, the section of the absorbent unit, measured in a plane orthogonal to the longitudinal direction, is between 30 and 300 mm2

According to an example, the width of the absorbent unit, measured in the lateral direction, is between 0.6 and 0.99 times the total width of the spacer.

As will be described in more detail below, the moisture absorbing unit can be formed either of a cohesive core, possibly but not necessarily protected by a closed envelope permeable to water vapor, or of a core pulverulent, brittle, liquid, or pasty necessarily packaged in a closed envelope permeable to water vapor.

In general, the absorbent unit comprises at least one moisture-absorbing material. By moisture-absorbing material is meant either porous materials, also called molecular sieves, physically acting on water vapor, trapping it in its pores (the pores of this type of material are generally very small, of the order of 3 to 4 Angstroms), for example a zeolite, a silica gel, a clay (in particular montmorillonite), activated carbon, or porous materials which act chemically, reacting with water vapor, for example calcium sulphate, calcium chloride. The absorbent unit can also comprise a combination of several absorbent materials chosen from one or both of the above categories.

According to one example, the absorbent unit comprises a cohesive core formed from particles of at least one moisture-absorbing material, linked by a binder.

The binder can be any plastic material permeable to water vapor. The binder preferably contains no volatile material.

The binder can thus include polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polymethylacrylate (PMMA), polycarbonate (PC), polyamide (PA), polyvinylchloride (PVC), polystyrene ( PS) and / or other styrenic polymers, copolymers (for example ABS, SAN, ASA, etc.) or any suitable combination of the above elements.

According to an advantageous arrangement, the cohesive core of the absorbent unit is surrounded by a closed envelope permeable to water vapor. The envelope prevents particles from coming off and polluting the internal cavity of the glazing. It is usually made of plastic.

According to another exemplary embodiment, the absorbent unit comprises a pulverulent, friable, liquid, or pasty moisture-absorbing core, for example a powder or a silica gel, surrounded by a closed envelope permeable to water vapor. . In this case also, the envelope is generally made of plastic.

The present disclosure also relates to a method of manufacturing a spacer for insulating glazing extending in a longitudinal direction and comprising first and second fixing parts spaced from one another in a lateral direction and intended to be secured each to a glass sheet of insulating glazing by means of fixing by gluing, and at least one transverse part connecting said first and second fixing parts and delimiting with them an interior space, the method comprising the fixing of at least one unit absorbent forming a moisture absorbing structure, one of the first and the second fixing part, the other one of the first and the second fixing part not being in contact with the absorbent unit.

According to an example of implementation, the absorbent unit is preextruded, then fixed on the first or the second fixing part.

According to an advantageous arrangement, the preextruded absorbent unit is surrounded by a closed envelope permeable to water vapor before being fixed on the first or second fixing part. The absorbent unit can for example be fixed by gluing, for example by means of a hot-melt adhesive.

According to another example of implementation, the absorbent unit is extruded directly on the first or the second fixing part.

According to one example, the absorbent unit is fixed to the first or the second fixing part after the first and second fixing parts are joined together. In other words, the first and second fixing parts are connected to the transverse part, so as to form the interior space, then the absorbent unit is fixed to one of the fixing parts of the spacer.

According to another example, the absorbent unit is fixed to the first or the second fixing part before the first and second fixing parts are joined together. In this case, for example, the absorbent unit is fixed to the first fixing part, then this part is connected to the second fixing part via the transverse part.

The present presentation finally relates to a method of manufacturing a spacer frame for insulating glazing comprising at least one spacer as defined above or manufactured according to the method defined above.

In one example, the spacer is folded to form at least two adjacent sides of the frame. It is understood that the folding is carried out around an axis extending in the lateral direction of the spacer.

According to one example, the spacer comprises at least two absorbent units separated, in the longitudinal direction, by an interruption zone, and the spacer is folded at the level of said at least one interruption zone.

According to an example, the moisture-absorbing structure comprises an absorbent unit extending continuously in the longitudinal direction of the spacer, at least a portion of said absorbent unit is removed prior to the folding step, so as to forming an interruption zone, and the spacer is folded at the level of said at least one interruption zone.

According to one example, at least two rectilinear spacers are assembled by mechanical assembly means, for example a connector inserted at a respective end of each spacer, so as to form two adjacent sides of the frame. Note also that the at least one absorbent unit forming a moisture absorbing structure can be fixed to the first or the second fixing part before or after forming the frame.

Several embodiments or examples of embodiment are described in the present description. Unless otherwise specified, the characteristics described in relation to any mode or example of embodiment can be applied to another mode or example of embodiment. The invention in its details will be better understood on reading the following description of several embodiments. In the context of the present invention, other embodiments are of course possible, the following description being provided solely by way of illustration and should not be considered as limiting in any of its described aspects.

Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of a spacer according to one embodiment, mounted between two sheets of glass of insulating glazing;

FIG. 2 illustrates a first example of a moisture absorbing structure which can be used according to the invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates another example of a moisture absorbing structure which can be used according to the invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates another example of a moisture absorbing structure which can be used according to the invention;

FIGS. 5A to 5C illustrate the successive stages in the manufacture of a spacer according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 6A to 6C illustrate the successive stages in the manufacture of a spacer according to another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 7 schematically shows the formation of a spacer frame from a plurality of spacers according to the invention, assembled mechanically;

FIG. 8 is a view in longitudinal section of a spacer according to the invention, before folding,

FIG. 9 shows the formation of a spacer frame by folding the spacer of FIG. 8.

Figure 1 shows a section of the periphery of an insulating glazing 1, here a double glazing, comprising an outer glass sheet 2a, intended for example to be turned towards the outside of a building, an inner glass sheet 2b , parallel to the outer glass sheet 2a, and a spacer frame 3 extending continuously along the edge of the first and second glass sheet 2a, 2b, a sealed internal cavity 4 being delimited by the spacer frame between the two glass sheets 2a, 2b.

The spacer frame 3 can be manufactured by successive folding of a straight spacer, or by angular assembly at their ends of straight spacers, so as to obtain a typically rectangular frame. The spacer extends, at least in pieces, in a longitudinal direction parallel to an edge of the glazing. In FIG. 1, the longitudinal direction is represented by the axis X. The spacer 10 in FIG. 1 comprises a first and a second fixing part 12, 14 facing each other in a direction Y called lateral direction of the spacer 10. These fixing parts 12, 14 are typically made of metal, in particular aluminum or more preferably steel.

The first fixing part 12, here in U-shaped section, defines a first main fixing face 16a intended to be secured to the outer glass sheet 2a, and two returns extending laterally inward 16b, 16c, and the other of the first main fixing face 16a.

The second main fixing part 14, also of U-shaped section, defines a first main fixing face 18a intended to be fixed to the external glass sheet 2a, and two returns extending laterally inwards 18b, 18c, on either side of the second main fixing face 18a.

The attachment to the glass sheets 2a, 2b takes place, in a manner known per se, by at least one sealing bead respectively 5a, 5b forming a bonding means, for example based on butyl.

For the whole of the present application, a transverse direction Z of the spacer is defined as a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal X and lateral Y directions mentioned above. The transverse direction Z is generally parallel to the main fixing faces 14a, 14b of the spacer 10.

As explained above and unless otherwise indicated, the upper and lower adjectives used in the following are defined with respect to this transverse direction Z. The upper elements are those oriented towards or closer to the internal cavity 4 of the glazing, in the mounted position of the spacer 10. The lower elements are further from the internal cavity 4 of the glazing, in the mounted position of the spacer 10.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the first and second fixing parts 12, 14 are structurally linked together by a lower transverse part 20 and an upper transverse part 22 extending in the lateral direction Y and respectively forming the lower wall and the upper wall of the spacer 10.

Mainly made of plastic, they play an insulating role, limiting the heat exchanges between the outer glass sheet 2a and the inner glass sheet 2b.

In the example, each transverse part 20, 22 is glued to each of its lateral ends at a return 16b, 18b, respectively 16b, 18c from one of the fixing parts 12, 14.

The transverse parts 20, 22 define, with the first and second fixing parts 11, 12, an interior space 30 of the spacer 10.

According to the invention, the interior space 30 houses a moisture absorbing structure 40, by definition self-supporting, formed of one or more absorbent units, each of finite dimensions.

It is understood that the upper transverse part 22 of the spacer 10 is therefore not necessary as it could be the case in spacers of the prior art incorporating absorbent powders filling the interior space. The function of the upper transverse part 22 here is not to retain the absorbent structure 40. It is essentially aesthetic.

In the example of FIGS. 1 and 2, the structure 40 comprises an absorbent unit 41 in the form of a profile of constant rectangular section, extending in the longitudinal direction X of the spacer 10.

Preferably, the absorbent unit 41 extends over at least 50%, preferably 80%, of the total length of the spacer, measured in its longitudinal direction X.

The section of the absorbent unit 41, measured in a plane orthogonal to the longitudinal direction X, is between 30 and 300 mm2

Its width 11, measured in the lateral direction Y, is between 0.6 and 0.99 times the total width 1 of the spacer.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the structure 40 is not in contact with the second fixing part 14.

The absorbent structure 40 therefore does not form a thermal bridge between the two fixing parts 12, 14 of the spacer 10. On the other hand, the structure 40 being free over a large majority of its periphery, it has a significant capacity. absorption.

In the example, the absorbent unit 41 is formed of a cohesive, moisture-absorbing core 42, which is entirely solid.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, it is here formed of particles 44 of a moisture-absorbing material, in particular silica gel, linked by a hardened binder 46, in particular a plastic permeable to water vapor. The absorbent unit 41 is for example obtained by preextrusion of the mixture of particles and binder forming the core 42.

Once hardened, the core 42 is fixed, by one of its sides (here a small side), to the first fixing part 12. This fixing can be carried out by means of an adhesive 50, for example an adhesive hot melt, as shown in Figure 1.

According to another example of implementation, a cohesive core 42 as defined above can be extruded directly onto one of the fixing parts 12, 14, to which it then adheres directly. The example of Figures 1 and 2 is not, however, limiting: The spacer can thus have a different framework: For example, the first and second fixing parts can be formed in one piece with the lower transverse part, the spacer then having a main frame in one piece, U or C, plastic or metal, closed or not by an upper transverse portion forming a cover.

The absorbent structure 40 can also be presented in different forms:

FIG. 3 thus illustrates another embodiment of a moisture absorbing structure 140 in which, to avoid the release of particles 144 coming from the structure 140 in the internal space 4 of the glazing 1, the cohesive core 142 is surrounded an envelope 170, generally made of plastic, of thickness for example between 0.01 and 0.5 mm, permeable to water vapor. In this case, the envelope is preferably entirely closed, and covers the entire periphery as well as the longitudinal ends of the core 42.

FIG. 4 illustrates yet another exemplary embodiment of a moisture absorbing structure 240 having a pulverulent, friable, liquid or pasty core 242, surrounded by a closed envelope, of thickness ranging for example between 0.01 and 0.5 mm, permeable to water vapor, and generally made of plastic 270.

In these two cases (Figures 3 and 4), it is the casing 170, 270 which is fixed to the fixing part 12, 14 of the spacer 10, by gluing.

The structure can be formed of a single absorbent unit of the type described above, extending for example over substantially the entire length of the spacer in its longitudinal direction X. As a variant, however, the structure can be formed of a plurality absorbent units spaced in the longitudinal direction X by interruption zones.

Whether it includes one or more cohesive core (s) surrounded or not by a permeable envelope, or one or more non-cohesive core (s) surrounded by a permeable envelope, the structure can be fixed to the fixing part 12, 14 either before or after the first and second fixing parts 12, 14 of the spacer 10 are joined together.

FIGS. 5A to 5C thus illustrate a first embodiment of the method for manufacturing a spacer according to the invention, in which the moisture absorbing structure comprises at least one absorbing unit formed by a cohesive core, deposited by extrusion on a fixing part of the spacer.

In this example, the cohesive core 42 of an absorbent unit 41 is extruded on the first free fixing part 12, that is to say not yet linked to the second fixing part 14 (FIGS. 5A and 5B).

In a second step, the first and second fixing parts 12, 14 are connected by means of the upper and lower transverse parts 20, 22, the core 42 being trapped in the interior space 30.

FIGS. 6A to 6C illustrate a second mode of implementation of the method of manufacturing a spacer according to the invention.

In FIG. 6A, the first and second fixing parts 12, 14 are joined together by means of the lower transverse part 20, with which they delimit the interior space 30. The interior space 30 is open at its upper end , the upper transverse part 22 not yet being added.

The cohesive core 42 of an absorbent unit 41 is then extruded directly on the internal face of the first fixing part 12, through the upper opening of the internal space 30.

Finally, the upper transverse part 22 is fixed to the returns 16b, 18b of the first and second fixing parts 12, 14, closing the interior space 30 housing the core 42 (FIG. 6C).

As explained above, the spacer frame 3 can be manufactured by successive folding of a straight spacer, or by angular assembly at their ends of straight spacers, so as to obtain a typically rectangular frame.

In the case of an angular assembly of straight spacers 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d as illustrated in FIG. 7, a structure 40 generally extends continuously over substantially the entire length of each spacer 10. The spacers (typically four) 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d are then assembled by mechanical assembly means, for example four connectors 11 each inserted into two spacers intended to form two adjacent sides of the frame 3.

In the case of folding at a right angle a spacer intended to form at least two sides of the spacer frame 3, it may be advantageous for the absorbent structure to comprise at least two absorbent units spaced from each other by an intermediate zone coinciding with the folding area of the spacer.

As illustrated in FIG. 8, the spacer 10 is generally provided, at each folding zone, with at least one through notch 60, with a constant V-shaped profile, the two opposite edges of which form an angle of 90 °.

For the manufacture of rectangular glazing, and as illustrated in the figure, the spacer advantageously comprises three notches, each intended to form a corner of the spacer frame. In this case, the absorbent structure 40 advantageously comprises a plurality of absorbent units 41a, 41b, 41c, 41d spaced in the longitudinal direction X of the spacer 10 by interruption zones 43 coinciding with the notches 60. Such an arrangement , which emerges from FIG. 8, is particularly easy to obtain when the core 42 is extruded directly on the fixing part 12.

During assembly, as illustrated in FIG. 9, the spacer is bent at a right angle at each notch, and the two longitudinal ends of the spacer are joined, at the fourth corner, by a connector 11 of known type. Weld lines are finally made, at the junction of the edges of each notch, to restore the tightness of the first and second main fixing parts.

According to another example of implementation, the spacer can also be manufactured with a single absorbent unit extending continuously over the entire length or substantially the entire length of the spacer, and at least a portion of said absorbent unit can be removed prior to the folding step, so as to form the interruption zone or zones. Note that, in this case, the notches 60 can possibly be cut at the same time as the absorbent unit.

Claims (23)

1. Spacer (10) of insulating glazing (1) extending in a longitudinal direction (X) and comprising first and second fixing parts (12, 14) spaced from each other in a lateral direction ( Y) and each intended to be secured to a sheet of glass (2a, 2b) of the insulating glazing (1) by means of fixing by gluing (5a, 5b), and at least one transverse part (20, 22) connecting the said first (12) and second (14) fixing parts and delimiting with them an interior space (30), the spacer (10) comprising, in the interior space (30), a moisture absorbing structure (40, 140 , 240) formed of at least one absorbent unit (41, 41a, 4lb, 41c, 41d 141 241) fixed to one of the first and the second fixing part (12, 14), the other of the first and the second fixing part (12, 14) not being in contact with the absorbent unit (41, 41a, 41b, 41c, 41d; 141; 241). 2. A spacer (10) according to claim 1, in which the absorbent unit (41) is fixed by adhesive means (50), for example a hot-melt adhesive. 3. A spacer (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the absorbent unit (41, 41a, 41b, 41c, 41d, - 141; 241) forms a profile, in particular of rectangular section, extending in the direction longitudinal (X). 4. A spacer (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, in which the section of the absorbent unit (41, 41a, 41b, 41c, 41d; 141; 241), measured in a plane orthogonal to the direction longitudinal (X), is between 30 and 300 mm2 5. A spacer (105 according to any one of claims 1 to 4, in which the width (11) of the absorbent unit (41, 41a, 41b, 41c, 41d; 141; 241), measured in the lateral direction ( Y), is between 0.6 and 0.93 times the total width (1) of the spacer (10). 6. A spacer (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the absorbent unit (41, 41a, 41b, 41c, 41d; 141) comprises a cohesive core (42, 142) moisture absorber. 7. A spacer (10) according to claim 6, in which the cohesive core (42, 142) is formed of particles (44, 144) of at least one moisture-absorbing material, for example silica, linked by a binder (46). 8. A spacer (10) according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the cohesive core (142) is surrounded by a closed envelope (170) permeable to water vapor, for example made of a plastic material. 9. A spacer (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, in which the absorbent unit (241) comprises a pulverulent, brittle, liquid, or pasty moisture-absorbing core (242), surrounded by an envelope. (270) closed permeable to water vapor. 10. A spacer (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, in which the moisture absorbing structure (40) comprises a plurality of absorbent units (41a, 41b, 41c, 41d) spaced apart in the longitudinal direction by interruption zones. 11. A spacer (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the moisture absorbing structure (40) comprises an absorbent unit (41; 141; 241) extending continuously in the longitudinal direction. 12. Method for manufacturing a spacer (10) for insulating glazing (1) extending in a longitudinal direction (X) and comprising first and second fixing parts (12, 14) spaced apart from one other in a lateral direction (Y) and each intended to be secured to a glass sheet (2a, 2b) of the insulating glazing (1) by means of fixing by gluing (5a, 5b), and at least one transverse part ( 20, 22) connecting said first and second fixing parts (12, 14) and delimiting with them an interior space (30), the method comprising fixing at least one absorbent unit (41, 41a, 41b, 41c, 41d , - 141; 241) forming a moisture absorbing structure (40, 140, 240) at one of the first and the second fixing part (12, 14), the other among the first and the second part of fixing (12, 14) not being in contact with said absorbent unit (41, 41a, 41b, 41c, 41d; 141; 241). 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the absorbent unit (41, 141) is pre-extruded, and then fixed on the first or second fixing part (12, 14). 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the preextruded absorbent unit (141) is surrounded by a closed envelope permeable to water vapor before being fixed on the first or second fixing part. 15. Method according to any one of claims 12 to 14, wherein the absorbent unit (41, 141, 241) is fixed by gluing, for example by means of a hot-melt adhesive (50). 16. The method of claim 12, wherein the absorbent unit (41) is extruded directly on the first or second fixing portion (12, 14). 17. Method according to any one of claims 12 to 16, in which the absorbent unit (41, 41a, 41b, 41c, 41d; 141; 241) is fixed to the first or the second fixing part (12, 14 ) after joining the first and second fixing parts (12, 14) together. 18. Method according to any one of claims 12 to 16, in which the absorbent unit (41, 41a, 41b, 41c, 41d; 141; 241) is fixed to the first or the second fixing part (12, 14 ) before the first and second fixing parts (12, 14) are joined together. 19. A method of manufacturing a spacer frame (3) for insulating glazing comprising at least one spacer (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 11. 20. The method of claim 19, wherein the spacer (10) is folded to form at least two adjacent sides of the frame. 21. The method of claim 20, wherein the spacer (10) comprises at least two absorbent units (41a, 41b, 41c, 41d) separated, in the longitudinal direction (X), by an interruption zone, and l the spacer (10) is folded at the level of said at least one interruption zone. 22. The method of claim 20, wherein the moisture absorbing structure <40) comprises an absorbent unit (41) extending continuously in the longitudinal direction of the spacer, at least a portion of said absorbent unit is removed prior to the folding step, so as to form an interruption zone, and the spacer (10) is folded at the level of said at least one interruption zone. 23. The method of claim 19, wherein at least two rectilinear spacers (10) are assembled by mechanical assembly means, for example a connector (11) inserted at a respective end of each spacer, so as to form two sides adjacent to the frame.