EP0497703B1 - Multiple glazing with dynamic insulation - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a window or a french window comprising a joinery frame surrounding two parallel end glass panes (4, 6) which are at a distance from each other and delimit an internal space divided into at least two intermediate spaces (10, 12) by at least one intermediate glass pane (6) arranged parallel to the end glass panes, air circulating in the successive intermediate spaces (10, 12) between a first orifice provided in the part of the joinery frame surrounding one of the end glass panes and a second orifice provided in the part of the joinery frame surrounding the other end glass pane. According to the invention, the joinery frame consists of a single frame (2), the intermediate glass pane (6) being immobile with respect to this frame, and in that the frame (2) comprises one or more access orifices (24A, 24B) to the intermediate spaces (10, 12) to permit cleaning of the faces of the window pane(s) delimiting the intermediate spaces. <IMAGE>

Description

The present invention relates to windows, insulating patio doors, designated hereafter by the single term of windows, comprising at least three parallel glazings delimiting at least two intermediate spaces, in which a flow of air circulates between the interior or the interior. exterior of the building (or vice versa) fitted with such a window.

Such a window is commonly called "dynamic insulation" as opposed to multiple glazed windows whose intermediate spaces are sealed and commonly called "static insulation".

It has indeed been found that, compared to static insulation, dynamic insulation windows offer better thermal and acoustic insulation and increased comfort.

It should be noted that one of the difficulties encountered in producing such a window is due to the fact that the circulation of air causes dust, particles or other solid matter in the intermediate spaces, this dust being deposited for example on the glazing faces. It is therefore necessary to provide for the possibility of cleaning the intermediate spaces and in particular the faces of the glazing.

In the case of a window with three panes, patent EP-A-0 027 581 solves the problem by providing a dynamically insulated window whose joinery consists of three parallel frames each supporting a glazing blocked in the frame at the using glazing beads. Air passages are provided in the frames to guide the air circulation in the intermediate spaces. Two adjacent frames are joined on a vertical side by hinges so as to be able to pivot relative to each other in order to have access to the different faces of the glazing.

In EP-A-0 027 581, when the window has four panes, it can be seen that the space between the intermediate panes is sealed and therefore constitutes an air gap with static insulation, which limits the result obtained compared with a four-pane window with air circulation in all three successive intermediate spaces.

Document EP-A-0 317 425 describes a dynamically insulated window with three or four panes, that is to say comprising at least two air spaces which are all ventilated.

The carpentry is composed of two frames hinged together using hinges and the intermediate glazing (s) are blocked between the frames on part of their periphery using cleats for example.

The intermediate glazings are articulated on the frame supporting the nearest extreme glazing, along a vertical side so as to be able to access, by pivoting the intermediate glazing, to each of its faces in order to be able to clean them. All the windows described above comprising at least two ventilated air spaces use the same principle, that is to say at least two frames hinged one on the other and intermediate panes hinged on the frames to allow cleaning their faces.

Such embodiments are difficult to implement, expensive and fragile in use.

In addition, the various embodiments of this type, to have sufficient rigidity, include a carpentry whose each side of the frames has a relatively large width, causing a significant heat exchange between the outside and the inside of the building through the joinery.

Furthermore, document US-A-3,034,416 describes a fixed glazed wall comprising a joinery made up of a single frame surrounding two parallel extreme glazings delimiting an interior space divided into two intermediate spaces by an intermediate glazing, air which can circulating in the intermediate spaces between a first and a second orifice provided with a filter element.

The rigid structure of this device does not allow access to the intermediate spaces to allow cleaning of the faces of the glazing (s) delimiting the intermediate spaces.

To overcome these drawbacks, the object of the present invention is to provide a dynamically insulated window comprising at least two ventilated air spaces, separated by fixed glazing whose faces are easily accessible for cleaning.

Another object of the invention is to produce frames reducing the heat exchange between the interior and the exterior of the building through the joinery.

To this end, the subject of the invention is a window or French window comprising a carpentry surrounding two extreme parallel and spaced glazings delimiting an interior space divided into at least two intermediate spaces by at least one intermediate glazing arranged parallel to the extreme glazing, of the air circulating in the successive intermediate spaces between a first orifice provided in the part of the joinery surrounding one of the extreme glazings and a second orifice provided in the part of the joinery surrounding the other extreme glazing, the joinery being made up of a single frame and the intermediate glazing being fixed relative to this frame, characterized in that the frame comprises one or more orifices access to the intermediate spaces to allow the cleaning of the faces of the glazing (s) delimiting the intermediate spaces.

• le montant horizontal inférieur du cadre comporte un orifice d'évacuation des produits de nettoyage;
• l'orifice d'évacuation est prolongé par un tuyau d'évacuation muni à son extrémité libre dudit obturateur amovible pour guider les produits évacués lors du nettoyage jusqu'à la feuillure du dormant ;
• les vitrages extrêmes sont fixés par collage sur les montants du cadre unique;
• les montants du cadre ont des surfaces verticales parallèles aux vitrages de dimensions réduites;
• le vitrage extrême situé à l'intérieur du bâtiment est un vitrage chauffant électriquement;
• des accessoires tels que stores, films opaques, éléments d'éclairage ou autres sont agencés dans les espaces intermédiaires;
• lorsque le passage entre deux espaces intermédiaires adjacents est constitué par un espace entre la vitre intermédiaire et le cadre, la fenêtre comporte un dispositif de mise en mouvement et d'orientation du flux d'air dans les espaces intermédiaires;
• le dispositif de mise en mouvement et d'orientation du flux d'air comporte une tuyauterie s'étendant dans ledit espace le long du montant du cadre associé, la tuyauterie comportant des orifices formant buses alignés parallèlement au plan des vitrages et régulièrement répartis, la tuyauterie étant montée pivotante entre une première position dans laquelle les buses débouchent dans un des espaces intermédiaires adjacents et une deuxième position dans laquelle les buses débouchent dans l'autre espace intermédiaire adjacent, la tuyauterie étant alimentée en air à grande vitesse, des moyens de mise en rotation de la tuyauterie étant agencés à travers la menuiserie.

According to other characteristics:

• the lower horizontal upright of the frame has a hole for discharging cleaning products;
• the discharge orifice is extended by a discharge pipe provided at its free end with said removable shutter to guide the products discharged during cleaning up to the rebate of the frame;
• the extreme glazings are fixed by gluing to the uprights of the single frame;
• the uprights of the frame have vertical surfaces parallel to the glazing of reduced dimensions;
• the extreme glazing located inside the building is electrically heated glazing;
• accessories such as blinds, blackout films, lighting elements or the like are arranged in the intermediate spaces;
• when the passage between two adjacent intermediate spaces is constituted by a space between the intermediate window and the frame, the window includes a device for setting in motion and orienting the air flow in the intermediate spaces;
• the device for setting in motion and orienting the air flow comprises a pipe extending in said space along the upright of the associated frame, the pipe comprising orifices forming nozzles aligned parallel to the plane of the glazing and regularly distributed, the piping being pivotally mounted between a first position in which the nozzles open into one of the adjacent intermediate spaces and a second position in which the nozzles open into the other adjacent intermediate space, the piping being supplied with air at high speed, setting means in rotation of the piping being arranged through the joinery.

• la Figure 1 est une vue schématique en perspective avec arrachement partiel, d'une fenêtre selon l'invention;
• la Figure 2 est une vue partielle en coupe selon la ligne 2-2 de la fenêtre représentée à la Figure 1;
• la Figure 3 est une vue schématique, en coupe d'un autre mode de réalisation d'une fenêtre selon l'invention;
• la Figure 4 est une vue partielle en coupe horizontale de la fenêtre repésentée sur la Figure 3, montrant la fixation de l'ouvrant sur le dormant;
• la Figure 5 est une vue partielle en coupe de la partie supérieure de la fenêtre, montrant un premier mode de réalisation des orifices d'entrée et de sortie d'air;
• la Figure 6 est une vue partielle en coupe verticale de la partie basse de la fenêtre représentée sur la Figure 3;
• la Figure 7 est une vue partielle, en perspective d'un détail de la Figure 6;
• la Figure 8 est une vue en coupe verticale de la fenêtre représentée sur la Figure 3, montrant l'agencement d'un dispositif de mise en mouvement et d'orientation de l'écoulement de l'air dans les lames intermédiaires;
• les Figures 9 à 11 illustrent un module de vitrages pré-assemblé et son agencement dans un cadre de fenêtre.

The invention will be better understood on reading the detailed description which follows, given by way of example, with reference to the appended drawings in which:

• Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view with partial cutaway, of a window according to the invention;
• Figure 2 is a partial sectional view along line 2-2 of the window shown in Figure 1;
• Figure 3 is a schematic sectional view of another embodiment of a window according to the invention;
• Figure 4 is a partial view in horizontal section of the window shown in Figure 3, showing the fixing of the opening on the frame;
• Figure 5 is a partial sectional view of the upper part of the window, showing a first embodiment of the air inlet and outlet ports;
• Figure 6 is a partial view in vertical section of the lower part of the window shown in Figure 3;
• Figure 7 is a partial perspective view of a detail of Figure 6;
• Figure 8 is a vertical sectional view of the window shown in Figure 3, showing the arrangement of a device for setting in motion and orienting the flow of air in the intermediate blades;
• Figures 9 to 11 illustrate a pre-assembled glazing module and its arrangement in a window frame.

In Figure 1, there is schematically shown a window opening having a single frame 2, that is to say composed of four uprights in one piece surrounding three glazing 4, 6, 8 respectively delimiting an interior space divided into two intermediate spaces 10, 12.

The frame 2 comprises two horizontal uprights 14, 16 and two vertical uprights 18 and 20.

For example, in the lower horizontal upright 14 of the frame 2, there is provided an air inlet orifice 22 communicating with the intermediate space 10 so that an air flow flows upwardly (arrow A) between the glazing 4 and 6 then downwards (arrow B) between the glazing 6 and 8 to an outlet orifice (not shown) opening onto the face of the upright 14 opposite to the orifice d 'inlet 16. The inlet orifices can of course be provided in the upper horizontal upright.

To this end, passages (not shown) which will be described later are provided in the upper horizontal upright 16 of the frame 2.

It should be noted that the passages can be constituted by a space between the upright 16 and the glazing 6 which in this case is fixed in the frame, in a sealed manner, only on three sides.

The vertical upright 18 is crossed by two holes 24A and 24B of rectangular section extending longitudinally in the direction of the length of the vertical upright 18. The holes 24A and 24B extend transversely on either side of the median plane of the glazing 6 for communicating the outside of the window with each of the intermediate spaces 10 and 12. The holes 24A and 24B are each closed with sealingly by a removable plug 26 of which only one is shown in the open position.

By removing the plug 26 from the associated hole 24A or 24B, it is possible to spray cleaning product on the faces of the glazing which are inaccessible when the plug 26 is in position, then to introduce a device into the interior spaces 10 and 12 for cleaning the faces of the glazing, shown in FIG. 1 in the form of a squeegee 28 having two edges 30 bearing on the glazing 4 and 6, then actuating the squeegee 28 using a protruding handle 32 outside the window.

It should be noted that any cleaning assembly may be used insofar as its dimensions allow it to penetrate, through the holes, into an intermediate space and to be actuated there.

To allow the evacuation of the cleaning liquid used, an evacuation orifice 64 is provided (see FIG. 6) opening inside each of the intermediate spaces and passing through the upright 14. In the embodiment shown, this orifice is sealed by a removable shutter 66.

As a variant, such an orifice can, for example, be extended by a flexible evacuation pipe provided with said removable shutter. When the window is open and the shutter is retracted, the open end of the pipe can be positioned in the rebate of the window frame so as to evacuate the product outside the building.

It should be noted that the longitudinal and transverse dimensions of the holes, as well as the number of holes can be easily determined by man of art depending on the dimensions of the frame and of the cleaning device or devices envisaged.

Although the holes 24A and 24B, in Figure 1, extend through the vertical upright 18, it is obvious that the holes necessary for cleaning can be drilled through any of the uprights or through several uprights depending on the access possibilities of the corresponding face of the upright (s) when the window is open.

Indeed, in certain cases, in order to ensure sufficient rigidity of the uprights of the frame, it may be necessary to distribute the holes over two uprights.

It is also possible to arrange the holes in such a way that each of them opens into a single intermediate space. In this case, it is obvious that the number and the arrangement of the holes must be such that each intermediate space can be cleaned.

In Figure 2, there is shown a window according to the invention whose carpentry is metallic or plastic.

The carpentry includes a frame and an opening constituted by a single frame as previously indicated, that is to say each of which is made in one piece.

In Figure 2, there is shown in section the amount 18 of the window shown in Figure 1.

The panes 4, 6 and 8 are fixed in the upright 18 using glazing beads, some of which are not shown, the section being taken along line 2-2 of Figure 1, that is to say through hole 24B.

In the hole 24B is inserted the plug 26 the outer walls of which are in sealed contact with the wall of the hole 24B.

The plug 26 has a hollow parallelepiped shape, and it is made of a relatively flexible material, for example plastic or rubber.

The plug 26 has an end wall 42 which has a groove 44 in which a seal 46 is installed.

When the plug 26 is inserted into the hole 24B, the seal 46 comes into contact with the vertical edge of the window 6 and seals between the plug and the window 6.

Such an arrangement ensures the continuity of the seal along the edge of the glazing 6, so as to prevent the passage of air between said edge and the frame.

In Figure 3, there is shown schematically in section a window according to the invention, in which the glazing 4 and 8 are glued to the frame 2. The intermediate glazing 6 can be glued or held in position by a peripheral retaining seal.

For this purpose, each upright of the frame, for example the uprights 18 and 20 shown in FIG. 3, have two parts projecting towards the inside of the window 48 and 50 on which the extreme panes 4 and 8 are supported.

The panes 4, 6 and 8 are glued to the frame using beads of glue 52.

In such an embodiment, using two glued glazing, the glazing contributes significantly to the rigidity of the assembly.

Consequently, such an embodiment makes it possible to reduce the dimension of the vertical faces 24 by each post while ensuring sufficient rigidity.

The reduction in the dimensions of the faces 54, that is to say the width of the uprights, makes it possible to reduce the heat exchange between the interior and the exterior of the building through the uprights.

In Figure 4, there is shown in vertical section an embodiment of the window shown in Figure 3, the carpentry is made of wood. Note that the amount 18 is articulated on the frame 40 using hinges 56 which, given the small transverse dimension of the amount 18, are bolted through the latter.

In Figure 5, there is shown an example of window whose carpentry is made of wood and in which the air intake orifices in the intermediate blades are arranged in the upper horizontal upright 16 of the frame.

To this end, the upright 16 has a first passage 58 connecting the interior of the building with the intermediate space 10 delimited by the glazing 4 and 6, and a second passage 60 putting the intermediate space 12 communicated by the glazing 6 and 8 with the exterior of the building.

Note that in this case, the intermediate glazing 6 (see Figure 6) has a horizontal lower edge 62 parallel to the upright 14 of the frame and spaced relative to the latter, to constitute a passage between the intermediate space 10 and the intermediate space 12.

In FIG. 6, it can also be seen that the intermediate spaces 10 and 12 communicate with a discharge hole 64 passing through the upright 14 and provided with a removable shutter 66 constituted in the example represented by a plug sealingly closing the hole 64.

During cleaning, after having released the removable shutter 66, the end of the flexible pipe which is permanently, or must be positioned, in the rebate of the frame 40 so that the products to be evacuated from the intermediate spaces 10 and 12 are evacuated outside the building through an evacuation channel 68 provided in the usual manner in the frame 40.

In FIG. 7, an embodiment of the passage 58 or 60 is shown made through the upright 16.

In this embodiment, the upright 16 has, near its end located inside the building, teeth 80 projecting downward and spaced apart from one another.

The glazing 4 is bonded to the teeth 80, leaving a space between the face of the upright 16 from which the teeth 80 protrude.

In this arrangement, the air passes between the space left free between the window 4 and said face of the upright 16 and passes between the teeth 80.

It should be noted that if it is not desired that there is an air passage between the window 4 and the upright 16, it is sufficient for the bead of glue to completely fill the space between the window 4 and the upright 16.

In Figure 8, there is shown in vertical section a window according to the invention, the carpentry is made of wood, and supports in the intermediate spaces various accessories such as a blind 82, or a night shading device.

Note that in the embodiment shown, the intermediate window 6 is glued to the frame in such a way that it leaves a space between the upright 14 and the lower edge of the glazing 6.

The window shown in FIG. 8 also includes a device for setting the orientation of the air flow which comprises a pipe 86 extending in said free space along the upright 14 of the frame under the lower edge of the glazing 6.

The piping 84 has orifices forming nozzles 88 aligned parallel to the plane of the glazing 6 and regularly distributed over the length of the piping 86.

The piping 86 is pivotally mounted on the frame between a first position in which the nozzles open into the intermediate space 12 as shown in FIG. 8, and a second position (not shown) in which the nozzles 88 open into the intermediate space 10.

The orientation device includes means (not shown) for rotating the piping between these two positions. These means for rotating can be pull tabs or can be controlled electrically.

The device for orienting the air flow also comprises means for supplying the piping 86 with air at high speed to improve ventilation in the intermediate spaces 10 and 12.

Thus in the example shown in Figure 8, the high speed air exiting through the nozzles 88 will force ventilation in the intermediate spaces 10 and 12 so that air will be taken through the passage 90 of the amount 16, goes circulate in the intermediate space 10 then in the intermediate space 12 to exit through the passage 92 provided in the upright 16 towards the interior of the building.

In the case where the air flow must circulate in the intermediate spaces in the opposite direction, it will suffice to cause the piping 86 to pivot so that the nozzles 88 open into the space 10.

In the window shown in Figure 8, the interior glazing, that is to say located towards the interior of the building, has an incorporated electrical resistance making, when energized, the glazing 8 heating.

This resistance may be inside a low-emissivity layer linked to the glazing or integrated into the glazing.

Such an arrangement further reduces the discomfort due to the entry of air colder than the ambient temperature, as well as the effect of cold walls of the window. Although already greatly reduced in a classic dynamic window, the cold wall effect of the window disappears completely and the proximity of the window becomes a very comfortable place.

There is shown in Figure 9 a sub-assembly or module 98 of glazing particularly suitable for the implementation of the window structure according to the teachings of the invention.

The glazing module here consists of three glazing 4, 6 and 8 which are arranged relative to each other in their relative positions which they occupy after mounting the module in the frame. This arrangement is provided by a pre-assembly frame 100 of the type used for double glazing. with static insulation, but it is not necessary that the seal provided by the surround 100 be of such good quality.

At the locations corresponding to the passages 58 and 60 of the upright 16 and to the holes 24A and 24B of the upright 18, the surround 100 of the glazing module has openings or cutouts, respectively 102, 104, 106 and 108, of corresponding dimensions which allow d on the one hand, the circulation of air between the glazing units and, on the other hand, access to the intermediate spaces through the holes 24A and 24B.

To guide the air through the frame from inside or outside the building in the cutouts 102 and 104 of the pre-assembled glazing module, an arrangement can be used as shown schematically in the Figure 10.

Next to the cutouts 102 and 104, the frame is drilled and cut over its entire thickness to allow passage to two conduits 110 which are bonded to the glazing module by cords 112 which ensure the seal. The frame is also pierced transversely to allow passage to two other small conduits 112 which open out and bear against two lateral openings 116 of the conduits 110. The conduits 114 are glued to the conduits 110 by beads of glue 118. The upper ends of the conduits 114 are closed by plugs 120 glued or screwed. Hoods 122 arranged inside the frame are linked to the lateral faces of the frame and to the ends of the conduits 114 by gluing and / or screwing.

The ducts and covers are illustrated schematically in perspective in Figure 11.

Claims (11)

1. Window or French window comprising a woodwork structure surrounding two parallel outer glass panes (4, 6) spaced so as to define an inner space divided into at least two intermediate spaces (10, 12) by at least one intermediate glass pane (6) arranged parallel to the outer glass panes, air circulating in the successive intermediate spaces (10, 12) between a first orifice provided in that part of the woodwork structure surrounding one of the outer glass panes and a second orifice provided in that part of the woodwork structure surrounding the other outer glass pane, the woodwork structure consisting of a single frame (2) and the intermediate glass pane (6) being fixed relative to said frame, characterised in that the frame (2) has one or more openings (24A, 24B) giving access to the intermediate spaces (10, 12) to allow cleaning of the surfaces of the glass pane or panes defining the intermediate spaces, the access openings being located opposite part of an edge of an intermediate glass pane and each being sealed in leaktight manner by a removable stopper (26) which, when in position, ensures that there is a seal along said edge portion of the intermediate glass.
2. Window according to claim 1, characterised in that the lower horizontal bar (14) of the frame has a drainage orifice (64) for the cleaning products.
3. Window according to claim 2, characterised in that the drainage orifice (64) is extended by a drainage tube provided at its free end with a removable stopper (66) for guiding the products which are evacuated during cleaning as far as the rebate of the frame (40).
4. Window according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that at least the outer panes (4, 8) are fixed by glueing to the bars of the single frame (2).
5. Window according to claim 4, characterised in that the bars of the frame have vertical surfaces parallel to the glass panes which are of reduced dimensions.
6. Window according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the outer glass pane located facing the inside of the building is an electrically heated glass pane.
7. Window according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that accessories such as blinds, opaque films or the like are arranged in the intermediate spaces (10, 12).
8. Window according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that, when a passage between two intermediate spaces consists of a space between the intermediate glass and the frame, the window has a device for directing the air flow in the intermediate spaces (10, 12).
9. Window according to claim 8, characterised in that the device for directing the air flow comprises a tube (86) extending within said space along the bar of the associated frame, the tube (86) comprising openings which form nozzles (88) aligned parallel to the plane of the glass panes and uniformly distributed, and being rotatably mounted between a first position in which the nozzles open into one of the adjacent intermediate spaces and a second position in which the nozzles open into the other adjacent intermediate space, the tube being supplied with air at high speed, the directing means comprising means for rotating the tube between these two positions.
10. Window according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the glass panes are arranged in the form of a pre-assembled subassembly or unit.
11. Window according to claim 10, characterised in that the glazing unit (98) has a surround (100) in which cutouts (101-108) are formed.

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