Prefabricated Facade Unit

Abstract

The invention relates to a prefabricated facade unit comprising a generally rectangular plate element, e.g. a glass plate, especially a laminated glass plate or insulating glass plate, and profiled elements that are disposed in edge areas of the plate. The profiled elements are configured as pair-wise mating support semi-profiles that project on at least two opposite narrow faces of the plate element from the plate edge areas at a generally right angle to the rear face in the operating position. The semi-profiles are provided with additional profiled channels for accommodating drive means for a wiper-type facade-cleaning element.

1 : A prefabricated facade unit ( 2 ) including a generally rectangular plate part ( 16 ) and profile elements mounted in edge regions of the same, wherein said profile elements on at least two opposite narrow sides ( 17 ) of the plate part ( 16 ) are designed as carrier semi-profiles ( 18 ,  19 ;  34 ,  35 ) pairwisely fitting into each other and projecting from the plate-part edge regions in a generally rectangular manner relative to the rear side, viewed in the operating position, which include additional profile channels ( 27 ,  28 ) for accommodating drive means ( 29 ) for a wiper-like facade cleaning element ( 7 ). 
   
   
       2 . A facade unit according to  claim 1 , wherein carrier semi-profiles ( 18 ,  19 ;  34 ,  35 ) pairwisely fitting into each other are provided on all four sides of the plate part ( 16 ), with only one pair of carrier semi-profiles ( 18 ,  19 ) being formed with profile channels ( 27 ,  28 ) for accommodating drive means ( 29 ). 
   
   
       3 . A facade unit according to  claim 2 , wherein those carrier semi-profiles ( 18 ,  19 ) which are provided on the vertical sides, viewed in the operating position, are formed with profile channels ( 27 ,  28 ). 
   
   
       4 . A facade unit according to  claim 1 , wherein the carrier semi-profiles ( 18 ,  19 ;  34 ,  35 ) fitting into each other comprise profile legs ( 40 - 43 ) provided for engagement under mutual abutment, wherein at least one of the respective profile legs ( 23 ,  24 ) intended for mutual abutment carries a seal ( 25 ,  26 ) for the tight abutment on the associated profile leg ( 21 ,  22 ) of an adjacent facade unit ( 2 ). 
   
   
       5 . A facade unit according to  claim 1 , wherein two profile channels ( 27 ,  28 ) are each provided for accommodating a run ( 30 ,  31 ) of a continuous drive means ( 29 ). 
   
   
       6 . A facade unit according to  claim 5 , wherein the continuous drive means ( 29 ) is a toothed belt ( 32 ). 
   
   
       7 . A facade unit according to  claim 1 , wherein the profile channel, or one ( 27 ) of the two profile channels ( 27 ,  28 ) of the respective carrier semi-profile ( 18 ,  19 ), comprises a lateral opening ( 62 ′) for the passage of a carrier part ( 62 ) for the facade cleaning element ( 7 ). 
   
   
       8 . A facade unit according to  claim 1 , wherein the profile channel ( 27 ), or one of the two profile channels of the respective carrier semi-profile ( 18 ,  19 ), forms a guide channel ( 64 ) for at least one roller or slide element ( 63 ) of the drive means ( 29 ). 
   
   
       9 . A facade unit according to  claim 8 , wherein one of the carrier semi-profiles ( 18 ,  19 ) including the guide channel ( 64 ) comprises bridging pieces ( 89 ) inserted in the profile channel ( 27 ) and reaching into a joint ( 5 ) present in the operating position to the adjacent facade unit ( 2 ). 
   
   
       10 . A facade unit according to  claim 9 , wherein said bridging pieces ( 89 ) are made of a synthetic material. 
   
   
       11 . A facade unit according to  claim 1 , wherein one ( 19 ) of the two carrier semi-profiles ( 18 ,  19 ) comprising the additional profile channels carries a center rail ( 80 ) in the region of the profile channel(s), which center rail extends in the region of the narrow side ( 17 ) of the plate part ( 16 ). 
   
   
       12 . A facade unit according to  claim 11 , wherein the center rail ( 80 ), on one of its ends, carries a joint bridging element ( 87 ) for connection to a center rail ( 80 ′) of an adjacent facade unit. 
   
   
       13 . A facade unit according to  claim 11  wherein the ledge-shaped center rail ( 80 ), on its two longitudinal sides, carries seals ( 81 ) for abutment on the carrier parts or on cleaning element supports ( 61 ) connected with the neighboring carrier parts in the operating position. 
   
   
       14 . A facade unit according to  claim 11 , wherein the center rail ( 80 ) is T-shaped in cross section and engages with its transverse web ( 84 ) in a profile groove ( 86 ) provided in the region of the or a profile channel ( 28 ). 
   
   
       15 . A facade unit according to  claim 14 , wherein said transverse web ( 84 ) engages in the profile groove ( 86 ) via an interposed seal ( 85 ). 
   
   
       16 . A facade unit according to  claim 1 , wherein the carrier semi-profiles ( 18 ,  19 ;  34 ,  35 ) in the edge regions adjacent the narrow sides ( 17 ) of the plate part ( 16 ) are connected with the latter by an adhesive ( 33 ). 
   
   
       17 . A facade unit according to  claim 1 , wherein the carrier semi-profiles ( 18 ,  19 ), which are vertical in the operating position, are equipped with protruding connection parts ( 47 ) for the preferably adjustable fixation to building-fixed supports ( 46 ). 
   
   
       18 . A facade unit according to  claim 17 , wherein the connection parts ( 47 ) are hook-shaped. 
   
   
       19 . A facade unit according to  claim 17  wherein the connection parts ( 47 ) include adjustment screws ( 57 ) for the fine adjustment of the height of the facade unit ( 2 ) relative to the building-fixed supports ( 46 ). 
   
   
       20 . A facade unit according to  claim 1 , wherein the plate part ( 16 ) is a glass plate. 
   
   
       21 . A facade unit according to  claim 1 , wherein the plate part ( 16 ) is a laminated glass plate. 
   
   
       22 . A facade unit according to  claim 1 , wherein the plate part ( 16 ) is an insulating glass pane. 
   
   
       23 . A carrier semi-profile ( 18 ,  19 ;  34 ,  35 ) for a facade unit according to  claim 1 . 
   
   
       24 . A facade comprising facade units according to  claim 1 .