EP0389372A1 - Heating window - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention concerns a heating window using the parietal-dynamic effect. <??>The opening frame of a conventional window (22) is fitted with an inner heating over-glazing (9, 10). Air (24, 25) circulates between the glazing of the opening frame and the over-glazing. It penetrates from the exterior through aperatures in the lower section of the opening frame and then emerges into the interior of the room from the upper section. <IMAGE>

Description

The invention relates to a window comprising an interior glazing and an exterior glazing between which air circulates, the interior glazing being heated.

The glass walls of a building, windows in particular are often considered as components which allow, in winter, the escape of calories, their coefficient of heat loss K is indeed, higher than that of other walls. These walls are, in general, cold walls. This characteristic has another consequence: a certain discomfort for people who stay near the bay windows. They are thus dissuaded from prolonging their stay there, it follows that the surfaces of offices or dwellings located in the vicinity of the glazing are little used, resulting in a loss of the space that can actually be used.

Traditional means are commonly used to improve things: the use of insulating glazing for the glazed parts and of thermal break profiles for their frames. However, these means have their limits and a completely different technique has been proposed, the application of a so-called "parieto-dynamic" insulation system to the glass walls. In this system the renewal air taken outside the room circulates inside the same of the glass wall before being introduced into the room which limits the losses since this air enters the room after having been preheated by its passage inside the wall.

However, it was wished to further improve this system by combining it with a heating means, this is why it has been proposed, in particular in patent application EP 165 287 to equip such a glazed wall with air circulation, heated glazing directed towards the interior of the room. The effect of the cold wall which persisted could thus be corrected in turn and it was even envisaged to remove any other heating equipment from the room concerned, this is the case in particular in US Pat. No. 4,641,466 and in the French patent document 88.14009 which proposes to improve the energy efficiency of the system by limiting the radiation exchanges between the heated glazing and the external glazed wall.

In terms of the implementation of window models have been proposed. We find for example in the French patent application FR 2 611 029 a double or triple wooden window system which incorporates the various previous functions. This document describes a frame and window system specially designed for this type of application. While being well suited to the technical problem to be solved, this type of window is necessarily very expensive. Indeed, the solutions adopted are complicated and require large section profiles, using large quantities of material. Furthermore, these windows and therefore the profiles which constitute them are specialized and reserved exclusively for this particular and relatively limited use. The series are therefore short and the price is consequently high.

The invention sets itself the task of proposing a system making it possible to transform traditional windows into heated windows with parieto-dynamic insulation.

For this, the invention proposes to equip a traditional window with a heated interior glazing. The heating is advantageously provided by an electrical resistance located on the transparent surface of the survitrage.

In a variant, it is a transparent conductive layer which constitutes the heating resistor, for example, a layer of a semiconductor metal oxide. It is also advantageously in contact with the air gap.

As for the parieto-dynamic effect, it can be obtained according to the invention by equipping the lower and upper cross members of the openings with openings which allow the outside air to enter the parietal space at the bottom to be expelled in the upper part towards the interior of the room. The depression inside the room is produced by independent systems.

A characteristic of the invention also provides that when the glazing is open, the electrical supply to its heating is cut off automatically.

The layers equipping the heated glazing are one or more of the layers belonging either to the group of layers pyrolyzed from powders and comprising the layers of tin oxide doped with fluorine and the layers of indium oxide doped with tin , or to the group of vacuum layers obtained by cathode sputtering of a conductive metal between transparent dielectric layers.

• - la figure 1, une fenêtre en plastique conforme à l'invention en coupe verticale,
• - la figure 2, un vitrage chauffant,
• - la figure 3, une autre fenêtre constituée de profilés en matière plastique également en coupe verticale
• - et la figure 4, la même fenêtre en coupe horizontale

The figures which follow will make it possible to understand the operation of the invention. They successively present:

• FIG. 1, a plastic window according to the invention in vertical section,
• FIG. 2, a heated glazing,
• - Figure 3, another window consisting of plastic profiles also in vertical section
• - and Figure 4, the same window in horizontal section

Figure 1 shows a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) window according to the invention.

It is composed of a sleeping frame made of profiles 1 fixed in the opening of the wall, not shown. The fixing techniques are the usual techniques. This sleeping frame is fitted with elastomer seals 2 on which supports the opening frame 3. This is made up of the same profiles on its four sides. It has over its entire periphery elastomer seals 4 which are supported at the periphery of the frame.

Conventionally, the opening frame is fitted with a glazing 5 placed on wedges 6, it is held in place between elastomer seals 7 using the glazing bead 8 which fits into ad hoc housings.

The windows thus formed are traditional windows and the majority of windows of this type are installed as they have been described so far. Only a small minority will be equipped to constitute windows according to the invention.

This invention comprises three means which are successively: the installation of an interior glazing, the circulation of parieto-dynamic air then, finally, the equipment of the glazing in heated glazing.

The glazing is shown in Figure 1, it consists of a profile 9, metallic or preferably of insulating material, this profile enchases a glazing 10 by means of an elastomer profile 11. The profile constitutes a welded frame, glued , or mechanically assembled in the corners. It is mounted using hinges not shown in the figure and which allow it to pivot about a vertical axis, similarly, on the upright opposite to that which supports the hinges a conventional locking system is installed. The combination of the hinges and the latches makes it possible to exert pressure on the elastomer seals 12 and to ensure a good seal between the opening of the window and the frame of the glazing.

The air circulation between the two walls 5 and 10 requires an inlet channel, an outlet channel and a pressure difference between the outside and the inside of the room. The holes are made by drilling and milling through the profiles of the window sash. This operation requires special care, in fact the section of the openings must be sufficient given on the one hand the vacuum existing in the room, the volume of the room, the desired rate of air renewal - by for example, half a volume per hour - the number of windows according to the invention that the room contains and the pressure drop in each of them to allow the appropriate renewal.

The position of the holes through the various walls of the profiles must make it possible to preserve their mechanical characteristics. In FIG. 1, the openings are shown exclusively in the crosspieces of the opening, at 13 for the passage from the outside into the profile, at 14 for the introduction into the parietal space, at 15 for the exit from this space towards the profile, at 16 for the horizontal crossing thereof and at 17 for the return towards the interior of the room. In the figure all these openings are represented in the same vertical plane. In reality, only the opening 14 must have a precise position and shape, it is a slot which occupies most of the width of the glazing. In the upper part, the positioning of the opening 15 is less rigorous because the hot air accumulates in this zone, regardless of where it exits. Similarly, the outside air inlets 13, the horizontal crossings 16 or the outlets inwards 17 may, contrary to what is shown in FIG. 1, be located anywhere on the surface of the opening frame, possibly on the uprights. , the main thing is to have sufficient sections and to keep the profiles their mechanical strength.

To circulate the air, it is obviously necessary that a pressure gradient exists between the outside and the inside of the room. We can as in the documents US 4 641 466 or FR 2 611 029, integrate the ventilation which creates the internal suppression in the window unit but it is also possible and in general cheaper to use a controlled mechanical ventilation system for the whole housing (or local whatever it is). The total section of the openings at each of the different levels for all the windows must have a surface greater than the section of the ventilation system. The practical realization of these openings does not require any particular technique, it could even - in the case of fitting out windows existing - to be carried out on site after dismantling the openings.

The last element of the system proposed by the invention is the heated glazing, it is installed at 10 as part of the glazing 9.

Figure 2 shows in detail the constitution of an example of heated glazing.

We see at 10 a plate of thermally toughened soda-lime silica glass, it is covered with a transparent conductive layer obtained for example by the process described in patent EP 125 153, it is then a layer of fluorine doped tin oxide with a surface resistance of, for example, 50 ohms per square.

On the layer, parallel to the large or to the short sides of the rectangle formed by the glazing, there were deposited current supply strips 19 made of a conductive enamel, for example based on silver deposited by screen printing before tempering.

On these current leads are conventionally soldered electrical conductors not shown. The glazing of FIG. 2 is devoid of a layer at 20, along its edges. This facilitates the problems of electrical insulation but it is not essential, it is possible to have both the layer over the entire surface of the glazing, the nature of the peripheral seal (11, FIG. 1) and the mounting precautions then guaranteeing good electrical insulation.

However, instead of the heated glazing unit in FIG. 2, any other type of glazing unit fitted with resistors placed on its surface may be suitable. One could for example arrange by screen printing of a silver paste, discrete conductors on the surface of a glass or, for another example, use a transparent continuous layer of silver deposited by cathode sputtering and protected by integration in a laminated glazing. whose interlayer is polyvinyl butyral.

The power supply to the heated glazing is done in the traditional way. In general, the electrical resistance of each heating glazing element is a given since, for cost reasons, the glazing is produced at layer in large quantities and in general by unitary elements of large area for only, in a second step, cut it, deposit the current supply strips and finally soak it. We cannot then adjust the resistance of each element: it is determined by the initial surface resistance and by the dimensions of the element. But on the other hand, it is necessary to be able to adapt the maximum electrical power to be injected into the heated glazing as required. This is fundamental, in particular if the windows according to the invention constitute the only space heating system: in the most intense cold weather, the supply of calories must meet standards and ensure comfort for the occupants. It is therefore the electrical supply voltage which will ensure this necessary nominal power. However, it can be seen that, under these conditions, it may be necessary to install a high supply voltage which is higher than those with which the human body can come into contact without danger. This is why, in this case, the glazing, if its conductive surface is visible, must be fitted with safety systems which automatically cut off the power as soon as the opening of the glazing occurs. Such a system has for example been proposed in French patent FR 2 180 433.

The glazing is also equipped with conventional regulation systems which allow its temperature to be adjusted to instantaneous needs.

Figure 3 shows the vertical section of another type of window, also made of PVC. The frame 21 is fixed in the opening of the wall (not shown) and the opening 22 is supported by the elastomer seal 23 on the frame, the glazing 9, 10 is identical to that of FIG. 1. We see also in the figure the air inlets in the lower part and the successive outlet orifices which allow the air to leave the space between the glazing units after having circulated in the wall. The arrow 24 symbolically represents the passage of cold air in the lower part and the arrow 25, the outlet of the hot air in the upper part.

As was the case in Figure 1, there is shown the openings in the walls of the profiles for the passage of air, all in the same vertical plane but in reality, with the exception of the fourth lower opening (in the order of passage of air) which must occupy the entire width of the glazing and the first high opening which will advantageously occupy at least half of the width (preferably on the outer edges) the position of the openings does not matter as long as their section, taking into account the pressure drops, is sufficient (the previous remark, valid for profiles plastic or aluminum obviously does not apply to wooden or plastic windows in masses or foams. In this case, there should be a continuity of the holes so as to constitute a channel).

In Figure 4 there is shown the opening profile 22 of a window identical to that of Figure 3 but in a horizontal section which allows to see how the glazing 9, 10 can be fixed on the opening profiles 22, we see in particular a hinge 26 and a latch 27.

The implementation of the window according to the invention can be done in three different ways depending on whether it is a new construction, the renovation of a window or the adaptation of an already installed window. In the three cases, preliminary studies will have shown, depending on the type of window and the nature of its materials, wood, aluminum, PVC, etc., the most suitable way for drilling the air inlets and outlets. These will be carried out on the openings on which the installation of the glazing will also be carried out, the connections will be prepared both on the openings - in the workshop in general - and in the room itself, on the site, as regards the window frame. The opening-frame connection is made at the last moment.

The advantages of the system according to the invention are practical and economical. In practical terms, building trades are very traditional and the uses of one region are very different from those of another. The commercial action necessary to introduce a completely new product to the market is long and expensive. This is why a system where we propose to add new functions (improvement of insulation, air renewal and heating) to an already accepted window system is very advantageous compared to the launch of a multi-system completely new functions.

The economic advantages have already been mentioned, the simplest components are used here and moreover, both the window and the glazing benefit from the costs of mass production since they are sold one and the other. 'the other, independently, each on its market: on the one hand, the market for new or renovation windows and, on the other, the market for glazing.

Claims (11)

1. Window composed of a dormant frame (1) and an opening (3) fitted with an attached interior glazing (9, 10) with circulation of the outside air in the space thus created, characterized in that the glazing is equipped with a heating resistor. 2. Window according to claim 1, characterized in that the heating resistor is located on the transparent surface of the glazing (9, 10). 3. Window according to claim 2, characterized in that the glazing (10) of the glazing is equipped with a transparent conductive layer (18). 4. Window according to claim 3, characterized in that the transparent layer (18) consists of a semiconductor metal oxide. 5. Window according to one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the surface heating resistance is in contact with the air space. 6. Window according to claim 1, characterized in that the inlets (13, 14) and the outlets (15, 16, 17) of the air flowing in the double leaf are provided in the lower cross member and in the upper cross member of the opening bearing the external glazing. 7. Window according to claim 6, characterized in that the air circulating in the wall enters from the outside in the lower part and exits towards the inside in the upper part. 8. Window according to claim 6, characterized in that the vacuum prevailing inside the room to cause the circulation of air (24, 25) is produced by means independent of the window. 9. Window according to claim 7 and claim 8, characterized in that the sections of the air passages (13, 14, 15, 16, 17) in the profiles have an area greater than that of the suction opening. causing depression inside the room. 10. Window according to claim 1, characterized in that when the glazing (9, 10) is open, its electrical supply is disconnected. 11. Window according to claim 3 in which the conductive layer (18) consists of one or more of the layers belonging to the group of layers pyrolyzed from powders and comprising tin oxide doped with fluorine or oxide of indium doped with tin or with the group of vacuum layers obtained by cathodic sputtering of a conductive metal between transparent dielectric layers.

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