EP0760892B1 - Method and device for filling the intermediate cavity in an insulating glass unit - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention concerns a method and device for gas-filling an intermediate cavity between two glass panes (1 and 3) of a pane-shaped insulating glass unit with a spacer frame (2) placed between the panes and provided with primary seals, in a press for joining the two panes (1 and 3) with a sealed connection. The panes are mounted parallel to each other on press faces (8, 9); one of the panes is provided with the spacer frame (2), and the two panes are joined by moving the press faces together as the spacer frame (2) is inserted, the filler gas (10) being introduced before the press faces close together completely along the bottom edge of the panes (1 and 3) via a slit (11) between the spacer frame (2) and the pane (3) which faces it. The slit (11) between the spacer frame (2) and opposite pane (3) is sealed along both perpendicular pane faces by sealing means on the press side to prevent filler gas (10) from leaking.

Description

The invention relates to a method for filling a space between two glasses of a disc-shaped Insulating glass unit with one between the The primary seals are arranged in glasses Spacer frame, with filling gas in a press for sealing together of the two glasses, after the Preamble of claim 1 and a device according to the Preamble of claim 7.

There are disc-shaped insulating glass units with a low coefficient of thermal conductivity known, the Enable production of windows with good thermal insulation, around the demand for saving thermal energy to be able to do justice. The most common insulating glass units consist essentially of two opposing through a spacer frame made up of strips spaced glasses, the so produced Space is filled with a gas. To fill this the gas-tight space becomes pure, for example Argon, krypton or sulfur hexafluoride are used to make the To reduce the thermal conductivity of the insulating glass unit.

There are various methods in the prior art known that the filling of the gas-tight space for the purpose.

It has been a manufacturing process for quite some time of insulating glass units known, for example, in DE-OS 42 02 612 is shown. With this procedure are spacer frames with primary seals on both sides Mistake. At least two glasses are with the Spacer frame put together to form an insulating glass unit and pressed. After pressing the insulating glass unit becomes the air contained in the space at least partially, preferably about 90% by one Gas, e.g. a heavy gas such as sulfur hexafluoride or a Noble gas such as argon or krypton replaced. For this are in Spacer frame provided at least two small openings, by means of the space, for example Nozzles can be supplied with gas and air can be extracted.

However, this procedure can only be used to a limited extent. Since insulating glass is very brittle, there is already one Differential pressure of 100 mbar to the environment when filling of the space through the small openings in the Spacer frame through the risk that the insulating glass bursts. Furthermore, with this procedure Filling to avoid turbulence of the gas flow, because of the very small exchange cross-sections Flow velocities are required to some extent economic time the air in the gap exchange for the gas so that a complete Gas exchange of the air for a heavy gas is not possible is. Especially in the corners opposite the openings usually air remains because of the turbulence could not be suppressed. This diminishes the quality of those made with such a process disc-shaped insulating glass units considerably.

DE-GM 87 15 749 describes a device for filling an insulating glass unit with filling gas known, the To avoid disadvantage of the risk of bursting of the glasses. Therefor two press cheeks are provided, which during the Filling process with preselectable pressure against the outer surfaces the glasses can be put on.

The risk of the glasses bursting during filling due to excessive pressure differences from the environment through the pressure force dissipation via the glass surfaces to the press cheeks that absorb the pressure behind it largely banned. A satisfactory filling of the space is also with this device not possible, because otherwise they have the same disadvantages has as the prior art according to the DE-OS 42 02 612. In addition, the previously mentioned Methods and devices have the common disadvantage on that they are not in the production line for generation of finished insulating glass windows can be integrated, but be carried out outside the production line have to.

How now insulating glass units without the risk of glass bursting due to excessive filling pressures when filling with the gas Filled with gas more quickly within the production line can be shown in DE-OS 40 22 185 in the illustrated there Process for assembling insulating glass units, with a gas other than air be filled. The two glasses are on held a press cheek, which the compressive forces at Can fill with the gas. The two press cheeks are so far apart that the one glass the spacer frame, which on the other Glass is already attached, just not contacted. This creates a delimited, leaky one Space. One of the two press cheeks has one pivotable area so that the held on Glass partly from the opposite glass, which carries the spacer frame along one edge of the Press cheek can be bent away. By so between slit-shaped emerging at the upper glass edges Gap viewed from the side approximate has a wedge-shaped profile, the filling gas, as it were filling a liquid into a container by means of a probe inserted into the space from above. The air to be displaced is measured using a probe suctioned off on the wedge-shaped side of the slit-shaped gap.

Although this process is in the manufacturing line integrable, but has considerable equipment difficulties on because it takes a lot of engineering effort required for bending the glass. Doing so disadvantageously noticeable that only insulating glasses with a Thickness less than approx. 10 mm bent with a sufficient size can become without breaking. Everyone is just as little Bendable glass shapes because of a certain ratio of height the width must be observed so that the bending stresses don't get too big. In particular, for example semicircular or triangular glasses can be used this procedure cannot be processed. As a result of that the gas is supplied from above and sinking downwards must displace the air, which is inevitably the most penetrating Gas has to flow upwards so that it Edge can escape through the wedge-shaped gap this method is also unsatisfactory The gap can be filled. In particular remains Air in the two lower corners of the insulating glass unit back. In addition, the gas loss during filling is due to Leaks high and can be up to 200%, so that especially with expensive gases such as Krypton incur high loss costs.

A possible solution to avoid glass breakage and to increase the gas exchange cross section is shown in DE-GM 90 14 304. In one of them Further development to fill the space the two glasses are of insulating glass units with gas each arranged on a press cheek, which the Should absorb pressure forces when filling with gas. The Press cheeks can be used to press the insulating glass unit be brought closer to each other. Instead of swiveling part of a press cheek in the upper area the latter is now at least partially one of the press cheeks or also pivotable overall about an upper edge stored so that the press cheeks or parts thereof wedge-shaped arranged with the tip facing each other can be. One glass can hold the spacer frame, which is already attached to the other glass, touch at least at the top. At the bottom of the Glasses create an open gap between the one glass and the spacer frame attached to the other glass. The wedge-shaped open sides of the space thus formed are not sealed. In the area of the lower Two probes are arranged on the edge of the insulating glass unit. One probe is used to introduce the gas through the gap into the space and the other probe is used to extract air or air-gas mixture from the Space between the insulating glass unit.

This in turn leads to strong turbulence Gas flow, so that a satisfactory gas exchange is not possible in an acceptable time. In addition there is a risk that the one glass in the area of the upper Edge touches the spacer frame, which is on both sides carries the primary seals, so that the final Do not press an optimal seal in this area can be achieved. This leads to a reduction in quality the insulating glass unit. During filling the insulating glass unit has an unsealed on the sides wedge-shaped gap over the entire height of the Insulating glass unit on. This leads to inevitably high ones Gas losses, for example up to 500% can. This will result in extremely high manufacturing costs caused when filling with gas.

The invention is based on DE-OS 40 22 185.

The object of the present invention is a method to provide with which the speed be further increased when filling the intermediate space can accept increased gas losses without this to have to.

This problem is solved by the characteristic Features of claim 1.

By filling in the gas, which is heavier as air, from below in the disc-shaped Insulating glasses, the spacer frame and the press side Sealant formed space, that can Gas is advantageous as it is water, a separation layer forming against the existing air, this separation layer sliding upwards in front of you through the Flow the gap until all the air is displaced and is replaced by the gas.

The by the width of the gap between the Spacer frame and the opposite glass and determined by the entire length of the insulating glass unit maximum inlet cross section for the gas is so large that even with high volume flows for quick fillings of the space with the gas low flow rates can be applied so that annoying Turbulence is prevented and the gas flow remains essentially laminar.

It is also advantageous that downstream of the inlet cross section an equally large opposite Outlet cross section provided for the displaced air is, so that the displaced air with an equal size Flow rate can flow out like the gas flows into the gap so that no disadvantage Throttling effects, which also lead to turbulence would occur when the displaced air flows out.

This also has a positive effect that the flow rate and direction are constant are. Gas losses are due to the press side Sealant can be reduced to a minimum as this is the gas prevent it from escaping from the side.

Due to the gap-forming distance between the one Glass and the spacer frame is advantageously ensured that the still free primary seal on the spacer frame, the one over the other primary seal one glass is pressed, not prematurely with the opposite Glass comes into contact and thereby the sealing effect is reduced during the final pressing. Furthermore, the expected gas loss when filling assuming an optimal seal by the press side Sealant to the volume between the Glass surface and the gap between the glass and the opposite Spacer frame can be limited so that the total loss may be less than 100%.

Furthermore, all commercially available can be advantageous Insulating glasses regardless of the glass geometry and type of glass be used as there is no bending of the glasses he follows. Through the press-side sealant too a good lateral one when filling such model glasses Sealing of the space to be filled guaranteed so that there are also no major gas losses can arise.

The gap is only partially according to claim 2 filled with filling gas before the closing movement takes place, the total gas loss can continue under, for example Be reduced by 10%. To do this, the gap and that Volume, which through the glass surface and through the press side sealant sealed gap between the glass and the opposite spacer frame is defined as far as filled with gas that the volume contained amount of gas is just sufficient to not yet filled part of the gap during the approach movement the press cheeks by displacing the gas from the Completely fill volume in the space. Of the In the best case scenario, gas loss can almost be counteracted 0% are pressed.

According to claim 3, the gas inlet surface extends at least approximately over the entire lower edge length the insulating glass unit. This is advantageous the largest possible cross section for the Gas so that the flow rate to avoid of turbulence can be reduced. Is further training through this largest possible gas inlet area a homogeneous gas front favors the gas flow.

According to claim 4 is a over the entire gas inlet area largely homogeneous flow velocity generated, it is possible to find the one in between Air resting on the inflowing gas front pushing away at the top without leaving air. This will completely fill the gap reached with gas.

By using a time or quantity controlled Filling according to claim 5, the filling process simply perform and regulate quickly. The required amount of gas from known sizes such as the density of the gas, the temperature and the Pressure of the gas when filling and the volume of the space certainly. The volume of the space can over the glass surface and the thickness of the spacer frame be determined. The volume between the glass surface and the spacer frame is off, for example the position of the press cheeks and the aforementioned sizes determinable. This can be used to fill the gap the necessary amount of gas is supplied to the intermediate space, without complex sensor devices for checking of the level were necessary.

According to claim 6 can with a sensor device The degree of filling of the space can be determined. By a comparison of the flow of gas and the degree of filling possible leaks through the gas unwanted loss is quickly determined.

In terms of device technology, the invention is based on the DE-OS 40 22 185 and solves the task the characterizing features of claim 7.

The press cheeks with the glasses arranged on them, a glass of which already has the spacer frame, are so far apart that a narrow gap between the one glass and the spacer is available. Through a gas supply device, which are arranged in the area of the lower edge of the press cheeks and in the gap between the press cheeks flows, the gas, which is heavier than air, can from flow into the gap through the gap below. The Press-side sealants advantageously prevent that the gas can escape sideways.

According to claim 8, at least one of the press side Sealing devices can be moved on a press cheek arranged so that any glass format can be processed can be. thereby forms the immovable Sealing device a stop for one side edge the glasses of an insulating glass unit of any size. The then movable sealing device can then against the opposite side edge of the insulating glass unit be moved so that the space laterally is sealed and no gas escapes during filling can. In addition, it is flush with one press cheek arranged sealing device with the second press cheek, so that a relative movement of the press cheeks on each other not hindered when pressing the glasses is.

According to claim 9, the thickness of the movable Sealing device chosen so that all combinations of Glasses and spacer frames for the common different Insulating glass units processed in the device can be without pressing the glasses by a relative movement of the press cheeks on each other to lock the movement can occur. A clean sealing of the side gap against gas leakage is always guaranteed as the sealing device overlapped in alignment with the spacer frame. For one for example, one-piece movable Sealing device means that the thickness is slightly more than a glass thickness plus gap thickness between glass and Spacer frame is.

A multi-part, for example, labyrinthine movable seal according to claim 10 then at least two slightly parallel to each other Spaced sealing device elements with a Thickness that is less than the total thickness of the pressed insulating glass unit, so that also as a result their overlap to seal the gas well filling space is guaranteed.

The sealing devices extend according to claim 11 over the entire height of the press cheeks. This is with simple constructive means ensures that a lateral sealing of the space for everyone glass sizes that can be processed by the press is ensured. A complex adjustment to the height of the insulating glass unit can be omitted, which otherwise cause time losses would.

According to claim 12, the gas supply device via a cover, which is preferably band-shaped and is movable like a bellows or a blind covering the open area of the gas outlet to the respective length of the lower edge the glasses limited, so that always exactly the maximum possible Outlet cross section available for the gas stands, regardless of the size of the insulating glass unit. So all common insulating glass units processable on the device according to the invention. The greatest necessary length of the gas outlet opening is due to the largest insulating glass length to be processed certainly.

Has the gas supply device according to claim 13 over a cover, for example made of porous sintered material, so this is in front of falling glass fragments protected from glass breakage that cannot be completely ruled out. The gas outlet opening is also contaminated by possibly falling dirt particles largely also prevents such a cover Homogenization of the flow profile in the area of the gas outlet, i.e. an equalization of the flow direction and the flow velocity over the gas outlet cross section, so that eddies from the start are avoidable.

More details, features and advantages of the Invention result from the following explanation an embodiment with reference to the drawing.

Fig. 1

im Schnitt schematisch den Aufbau einer beispielhaften Ausführungsform einer erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung; und

Fig. 2

schematisch eine dreidimensionale Ansicht eines Teiles der erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung nach Fig. 1.

It shows:

Fig. 1

in section schematically the structure of an exemplary embodiment of a device according to the invention; and

Fig. 2

schematically shows a three-dimensional view of part of the device according to the invention according to FIG. 1.

The proportions of those shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 exemplary embodiment of an inventive Device does not correspond to real dimensions, in particular, the thickness of the glasses or Spacer frame enlarged for better understanding shown.

To facilitate understanding, the same Reference symbols for identical or corresponding objects used.

Fig. 1 illustrates the arrangement of the glasses in a press for pressing the glasses with the spacer frame, after the space is filled with gas has been used to manufacture insulating glass units.

The glass 1 with the spacer frame attached to it 2 is by holding devices, not shown arranged on the resting press cheek 8. The is stationary or stationary press cheek 8, for example slightly inclined from the vertical to tilt it away to avoid the glass 1. Glass 1 with that on it spacer frame 2 is usually approximately upright over a not closer suitable feed shown, for example a Roller conveyor or a conveyor belt, the stationary press cheek 8 fed and there on its lower glass edge for example supported by roll holders against the press cheek 8 inclined. Suction cups, not shown, which, for example, can be integrated into the press cheek 8 can, an immovable positioning of the Ensure glass 1 on the press cheek 8.

The glass 3 is fed to the press in a similar manner and is arranged on the movable press cheek 9. The press cheek 9 also has suitable ones Holding devices, for example, roll holders and / or Suction cups so that the glass 3 approximately parallel to Glass 1 can be arranged opposite this. The glass 1 with the spacer frame 2 is then by a Gap 11 that between the spacer frame 2 and the Glass 3 is defined, for example glass 3 in parallel spaced.

A gas supply device 6, which has a gas outlet opening 14 and a cover 15, for example made of sintered material is in the lower area Edge of the glasses arranged. Preferably touches the Gas supply device 6 with its upper peripheral edge the gas outlet opening 14 the lower edge of the glass 3 and the lower edge of the spacer frame 2 so that the gap 11 through the gas outlet opening 14 from below is covered as completely as possible. So that is ensured that there was no gas in the lower area of the glasses can escape.

A flowing in through the gas supply device 6 Gas flow 10 displaces the space between the Glass 1, the spacer frame 2, the gap 11 and the Glass 3 located air 12, which then through the gap 11th can escape upwards.

The arrow 13 describes the direction of movement of the Press cheeks towards each other when pressing the glasses with the spacer frame 2 to produce a finished Insulating glass unit after the space preferably completely filled with gas and moving away from each other, around glasses again for a next filling process to be able to record.

In Fig. 2 are two side sealing devices shown that are approximately parallel to each other are arranged vertically. A fixed side Sealing device 4 is on one of the press cheeks, for example fixedly arranged on the stationary press cheek 8 and preferably forms one at the same time Stop for the fed glasses in their feed direction. The other side sealing device 5 is slidably arranged on one of the press cheeks, for example on the movable press cheek 9 and after the glasses are fed to the press and on the press cheeks have been ordered against those of the fixed Sealing device 4 facing away from the side edge Glasses moved until they touched them sealingly. Thus a sealed space created from the glass 1, the spacer frame 2, the glass 3 of the fixed side sealing device 4, the movable side Sealing device 5 and the gas supply device 6 are formed is. The air 12 therein is by the inflowing gas 10 completely displaced and can through the only remaining opening through the Gap 11 is defined in the upper area of the glasses, escape.

The fixed lateral sealing device 4 is like this broadly trained to be on the press for everyone processing combinations of glasses and spacer frames is sufficiently thick that the largest possible Distance from the thickness of the glass 1 plus the thickness of the spacer frame 2 plus thickness of the gap 11 plus thickness of the Glass 3 can be covered sealingly. For this is the fixed lateral sealing device 4 for example arranged laterally on the fixed press cheek 8, so that there is a closing movement of the press cheeks towards each other not when pressing the insulating glass unit with special needs. You can, for example, on the movable Press cheek 9 can be arranged. The requirement to their width then also follows the considerations mentioned above.

The movable side sealing device 5 is at least so wide that in the example case the one-piece arrangement on the movable press cheek 9 the greatest possible distance from the thickness of the glass 3 plus thickness of the gap 11 plus a sufficient part of the Thickness of the spacer frame 2 covers and seals a closing movement of the press cheeks when pressing the Glasses with the spacer frame 2 are not obstructed. The Sealing device 5 can also be in one piece, for example the fixed press cheek 8 can be arranged. Then the gap 11 is preferably kept smaller than that Thickness of the glass 3 minus the sealing overlap the lateral sealing device 5, so that the approach movement the press cheeks are not hindered. For one e.g. multi-part e.g. labyrinth-shaped lateral movable or fixed seal that both on the movable as well as on the stationary press cheek can be arranged then apply to their width essentially also the considerations set out above.

The gas supply device 6 extends at least over part of the press cheeks 8 and 9, preferably over the full length of the press cheeks, thus also the largest glasses along their entire length of the bottom Glass edge can be filled with gas 10, and around the To be able to keep gas outlet opening 14 as large as possible. Through the largest possible gas outlet opening 14 the shortest possible filling time can be realized. The Gas supply device 6 or the gas outlet opening 14 can be shorter or smaller than the length if necessary the lower edge of the glass can be held, but what below Under certain circumstances the filling time is extended or the homogeneity the gas flow in the space between the insulating glass unit reduced.

The gas supply device 6 also has a sliding cover 7, for example one Venetian blind or bellows, so the length of the gas outlet 14 with constant size of the gas supply device 6 adapted to the lower edge length of the glasses can be. This ensures that the Gas outlet opening 14 only over the area of lower glass edge despite changing glass sizes.

The sliding cover 7 can for example with the movable side sealing device 5 be coupled so that both are preferably at the same time and together to the respective position of the one to be sealed lateral glass edge can move. The Cover 15 of the gas supply device 6 prevents, on the one hand, that dirt or possibly through never completely glass splinters to be excluded can penetrate into the gas supply device 6 and, on the other hand, ensures through its structure that the inflowing gas over the cross section of the gas outlet opening 14 a speed profile that is as uniform as possible with constant flow velocity and has an approximately parallel flow, so no turbulence can arise and a largely loss-free filling of the space between the insulating glass unit is further improved with gas.

The invention thus provides a method and a Device for filling a space between two glasses 1 and 3 of a disc-shaped insulating glass unit with a primary seal located between the glasses having spacer frame 2, with Filling gas in a press to seal the two glasses 1 and 3, in which the glasses are parallel to each other be arranged on press cheeks 8 and 9, wherein one of the glasses has the spacer frame 2, and in which the glasses are closed by a closing movement of the press cheeks 8 and 9 with the interposition of the spacer frame 2 are joined together, the filling gas 10 before along the complete movement of the press cheeks the lower edge of the glasses through a gap 11 between the spacer frame 2 and the opposite Glass 3 is introduced, and wherein the gap 11th between the spacer frame 2 and the opposite Glass 3 along the two upright sides of the Glasses against press side sealants 4 and 5 against an outlet of filling gas 10 is sealed.

Claims (13)

1. Method of filling a gap between two panes of a pane-shaped insulating glass unit comprising a spacer frame (2) including a primary seal and disposed between the panes, with a filler gas (10) in a press for sealingly joining said two panes, wherein said panes are disposed in parallel with each other on press jaws, with one of said panes including said spacer frame (2), and wherein said panes are joined by a mutually approaching movement of said press jaws with interposition of said spacer frame (2),
   characterised in
   that prior to the complete approach of said press jaws along the lower edge of said panes said filler gas (10) is introduced through a gap (11) between said spacer frame (2) and the opposite pane (3), and that said gap (11) between said spacer frame (2) and the opposite pane (3) is sealed against a leakage of filler gas (11) along the two upright sides of said panes by a sealant on the side of the press.
2. Method according to Claim 1, characterised in that said gap between the two panes is filled with filler gas (11) only partly before the press jaws are caused to approach each other.
3. Method according to any of the Claims 1 or 2, characterised in that the gas introduction area (14) extends at least approximately over the entire lower edge length of the glass.
4. Method according to any of the Claims 1 to 3, characterised in that for the introduction of said filler gas (10) a flow of is generated with a largely homogeneous flow rate over the entire gas introduction area (14).
5. Method according to any of the Claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the volume of the gap is determined on the basis of the position of said press jaws, the dimension of said spacer frame (2) and the area of the panes, and that the supply of filler gas (10) is terminated after the introduction of a filling quantity matched with this volume.
6. Method according to any of the Claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the filling condition of the gap is determined by means of at least one sensor means.
7. Device for filling the gap between two panes of a pane-shaped insulating glass unit comprising a spacer frame (2) including a primary seal and disposed between the panes, with a filler gas (10) in a press provided with two press jaws disposed in parallel with each other and adapted to be displaced whilst their mutual spacing is varied, including at least one lower support for the panes, with press-side holding means for holding the panes, and including means for fixing said panes at said press jaws,
   characterised in
   that a gas supply means (6) is arranged in the region of the lower edge of said press jaws, which has a gas discharge opening (14) which opens into the gap (11) between said press jaws, and that mutually spaced sealing means are provided which are disposed upright in opposition to each other for sealing the lateral edges of the panes to be joined.
8. Device according to Claim 7, characterised in that at least one of said sealing means is arranged for displacement on said press jaws, and that one of said sealing means is fixedly arranged on one of said press jaws, preferably at the outer edge of a press jaw, such that said sealing means will be flush with the other press jaw when said press jaws are moved relative to each other.
9. Device according to Claim 7 or 8, characterised in that said displaceable sealing means (5) has a thickness smaller than the width of the spacing of said press jaws in the closed condition, with an insulating glass unit compressed therebetween, and that said displaceable sealing means (5) presents a thickness greater than the difference of the width of the spacing of said press jaws in the opened condition less the thickness of said spacer frame and the thickness of a pane.
10. Device according to Claim 7 or 8, characterised in that said displaceable sealing means (5) is formed by at least two sealing means elements arranged in parallel with each other and mutually spaced by a slight distance, which sealing means elements are each disposed on a respective press jaw, with the maximum width thereof corresponding to the spacing between said press jaws in the closed condition with an insulating glass unit compressed therebetween.
11. Device according to any of the Claims 7 to 10, characterised in that said sealing means extend over the entire height of said jaws.
12. Device according to any of the Claims 7 to 11, characterised in that said gas supply means (6) is provided with a preferably strip-shaped displaceable masking cover (7) for said gas discharge opening (14), which masking cover (7) restricts the open area of said gas discharge opening (14) to the respective length of the lower edge of the panes.
13. Device according to any of the Claims 7 to 12, characterised in that said gas supply means (6) is provided with a cover (15), such as a cover of porous sintered material, which serves for protection from dropping glass splitters and/or for forming a homogeneous, largely vortex-free gas flow.

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