EP0410161A1 - Method and device for providng perforations on spacers for insulated glass panes - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide perforations on the webs (4) of spacer frames (1) formed from hollow sections (2), the said webs facing the pane interspace (5) of an insulated glazing unit, the region of perforation is first of all deep drawn in the direction of the inside of the section (2) and a hole is then punched in the deepest point of the deformation (7a) thereby obtained. This deep-drawn region is then rolled in such a way that the depth of this deep drawing is somewhat reduced and the perforation (6a) is thereby pressed to in a dust-tight manner. This can be achieved in a simple manner with a roll (9) having a circumferential groove (10), giving rise overall to a spacer frame (1) which has pressed-to openings (6) at the deepest - or highest - point of knob-shaped depressions (7) on its webs (4) facing the pane interspace (5), with the result that pulverised or crushed desiccant dust is prevented from falling out not only by the reduction in the cross-section of the openings (6) when pressed to, but also by their raised position relative to the upper horizontal web (4) of the hollow section (2). <IMAGE>

Description

The invention relates to a method for making perforations in those areas of a profile serving as a spacer for insulating glass panes, which in the position of use extends transversely to the two glass panes and faces the space between the glass panes, said holes being pressed again after the perforations have been made.

The invention further relates to a device for performing this method with a perforation tool or the like, which at the same time deforms the surface to be perforated in the direction of penetration of the tool.

The invention also relates to a spacer frame for insulating glazing, which is formed from one or more hollow profiles and contains a desiccant on the inside and is perforated on the web facing the inside of the pane.

From DE-GM 74 26 966 a frame-shaped spacer for insulating glazing is known, which is formed by a closed hollow profile and whose webs facing the space between the two glass panes have openings, so that air can circulate between the space between the glass panes and the interior of the hollow profile, in which a desiccant is located.

The openings are formed by parallel short incisions, the material web located between these two cuts being deformed and bent into the interior of the profile in order to enlarge the slots. So that these openings are not too large and remain, this middle area can be pushed back.

Nevertheless, in use there is a risk that, in particular from an upper horizontal frame leg in the use position, dust-drying agent will get through the openings into the space between the panes. Especially with such spacer frames, which are created by bending a hollow section filled with desiccant, the desiccant can be crushed and ground, especially in the bending area, so that relatively small dust particles are produced. Through the slit-shaped openings arranged directly on the lower web facing the space between the panes, this fine dust can get into the space between the panes despite vibrations of the original deformation. Such shocks can be caused by traffic, wind or by opening and closing the corresponding windows.

The object is therefore to create a method, a device and a spacer of the type mentioned at the outset, as a result of which the air exchange between the space between the panes appears in an apparently contradictory manner and desiccant contained in the interior of the spacer takes place, but nevertheless the escape of desiccant ground into dust into the space between the panes is avoided even if the insulating glazing is shaken.

To achieve this object, the method mentioned at the outset is characterized in that the perforation area is deep-drawn when punching in the direction of the interior of the profile and the deepest point of this deformation is pierced and that the deep-drawn area is then rolled such that the depth of the deep-drawing is reduced and thereby the perforation is closed in a dust-tight manner and a nub directed into the interior of the profile is formed.

The perforation or perforation area can be formed with an optically inconspicuous small "inner courtyard" by deep-drawing. At the same time, it is achieved that the perforation itself does not become too large, but the repressing can be carried out easily, permitting vapor permeability, but not permitting the passage of dust. Since deep drawing in particular reduces the thickness of the material area located at the deepest point of this deep drawing, this area can be penetrated relatively easily without making the indentation formed too large.

The main advantage, however, is that the pressed perforation is in the use position on an upper horizontal frame leg higher than the lower, facing the space between the panes of this frame leg, so that even the finest dust, which could be between the drying agent grains, on the inside of this web sinks and lies deeper than the perforation. Consequently the escape of dust is prevented not only by the pressing of a perforation, but also by its simultaneous change in position relative to the perforated web. The knobs can be deep-drawn to such an extent that, after being pierced and pressed together, they protrude at least about 0.2 mm from a web of the hollow profile that has them, that is to say with a clear protrusion. It is particularly expedient if a flat sheet metal strip is deep-drawn, punched and the perforation is closed and then the profile is roll-formed from the sheet metal strip. A perforation located at the "summit" of a deep-drawing process can be pressed particularly easily on a flat sheet metal strip.

When rolling to close the perforation, the deep-drawn area can simultaneously be formed into an essentially convex knob. This is not only relatively inconspicuous on the visible side of the spacer frame, but due to the knob shape, the edges of the perforation opening can be bent back towards one another and brought into contact with one another, so that steam and air can get through, but not dust particles.

The device for performing the above method is characterized in that a profiled roller is provided for closing the perforation perforation, which is seated on both sides of the perforated and deep-drawn area on the workpiece and has a circumferential groove in the area of the perforation, the depth of which is The height of the knob to be formed corresponds to and which is less than the first deep drawing. Thus, with such a grooved roller, the area with the deep draws and perforations lying next to one another can be rolled over, the areas of the roller located on both sides of the circumferential groove being able to run supported on a sheet metal strip, while the grooved area, the deepened areas again due to the smaller depth deformed against the deep-drawing direction and thereby the Push holes punched and the knobs finished.

It is expedient if the width or cross-sectional contour of the groove is equal to or less than that of the knobs. Above all, a somewhat small cross-sectional contour can squeeze the knobs with sufficient force and thus cause the perforation to be squeezed accordingly.

The groove cross section of the profiled roller can be rounded, channel-shaped or trapezoidal. In particular, a trapezoidal shape can ensure that the perforations are closed, because the short side of the trapezoid then acts directly on the "top" of the deep-drawing process and, due to the smaller groove depth compared to the height of the knobs, can roll the perforations to a certain extent. At the same time, the side flank of the nub can dodge and thus approach the inclined surfaces of the "trapezoid".

In all these cases it is advantageous that the roller used to press the perforation holes is guided and supported on the workpiece itself, so that a nub height defined by the groove depth is maintained in the same way for all individual perforations. In addition, the roller can simultaneously axify the respective knob area that is being machined, since it presses the workpiece against its base in this respective area.

The spacer according to the invention is characterized in that the passage and the connection between the space between the panes and the interior of the hollow profile is provided at the deepest point of a knob-shaped indentation of the hollow profile on its web facing the inside of the pane and that the knobs having the passage each enter the interior of the hollow profile protrude.

Since the knobs were originally formed by a deep-drawing process, there are only relatively small deformation areas or “yards” around the deformation on the visible side of the webs, so that these deformations remain optically inconspicuous. Nevertheless, in this way the perforation, which is again closed, is laid at a height in relation to the web facing the space between the panes, so that no drying agent crushed to dust or powder by gravity through such a perforation - especially on the upper horizontal frame leg in the use position the hollow profile can escape into the space between the panes.

It is advantageous if the protrusion of the knobs relative to the inside of the web is greater than at least about a fifth of the diameter of the desiccant grains contained in the spacer frame, e.g. is at least about two to three tenths of a millimeter. Such a "nub height" relative to the web having it is sufficient to prevent the desiccant dust settling on the web from escaping from the perforation which is actually pressed. Those desiccant grains that, even after being destroyed, still correspond in size to the height of the knobs or slightly less or are even larger, can, however, easily lie on and above the perforated area of the knobs, since they prevent the passage through the closed one Punching is too big from the start.

Overall, this results in a method, a device and ultimately a spacer in which a perforation is made so small by subsequent pressing that steam can easily pass through, but not desiccants, with an escape of desiccant not only by the pressing and thus the reduction of the perforation itself, but also its height shift compared to the actual hollow profile web is achieved. Thus, even in the bending area of such a hollow profile, where more desiccant grains can be ground to dust and crushed, no such desiccant can escape through the perforations in the space between the panes.

In some cases it may be desirable that the water vapor contained in the space between the panes due to external influences after the completion of the Islier glass pane is bound by the desiccant more quickly than is possible due to the perforations being closed. A further development of the invention can therefore consist in that individual perforations are left open at larger intervals between pressed perforations. In this way, the air and water vapor can pass through better. At the same time, however, the height shift of the actual opening compared to the perforated web, which is formed during the production of the perforations, ensures that desiccant dust lying on the web cannot get into the interior of the pane through this perforation because it then initially has the perforation which is not squeezed in this way Overcoming height, which is prevented by gravity alone.

This could be achieved in a simple manner in that, in the device according to the invention, the roller has at least one recess on its circumference with a greater depth than on its circumferential groove. If this recess is long enough in the circumferential direction, at least one deep-drawn point is overlapped by this recess in each case with each revolution of this roller and not or less because of its greater depth pressed so that in this case the perforation remains largely open and even keeps an even greater distance from the web itself.

Overall, the method, device and spacer can thus be adapted to different circumstances, e.g. Adjust panes of different sizes and thus different sized spaces between panes so that on the one hand the moisture inside the insulating glass pane during its manufacture can be absorbed by the desiccant sufficiently quickly, but this desiccant, for example, during storage of the spacer frames, does not allow too much moisture from the environment records. At the same time, the special shape of the perforation and its height in relation to the web prevent drying agent dust from escaping into the space between the panes.

The invention is described in more detail below with its details that are essential to it, using the drawing.

• Fig. 1 einen Längsschnitt durch ein Metallband im Bereich einer durch Tiefziehen und Durchstoßen gebildeten Perforation mit einer Profilwalze zum Zudrücken der Lochung,
• Fig. 2 einen gegenüber Fig. 1 um 90° gedrehten Quer­schnitt durch den tiefgezogenen Bereich eines Metallbandes während des Zudrückens mit Hilfe einer profilierten Walze, die eine im Quer­schnitt bogenförmige Umfangsnut aufweist,
• Fig. 3 eine der Fig. 2 entsprechende Darstellung, wobei die Umfangsnut der Walze zum Zudrücken der Perforation einen etwa trapezförmigen Querschnitt hat,
• Fig. 4 in stark vergrößertem Maßstab einen Schnitt durch die zugedrückte Perforationsöffnung am höchsten bzw. tiefsten Punkt der ursprünglichen, zu einer Noppe zurückverformten Einformung,
• Fig. 5 eine der Fig. 1 entsprechende Darstellung, wobei die profilierte Walze die Verformung überlaufen und dabei die Perforationsöffnung zugedrückt hat, sowie
• Fig. 6 eine teilweise aufgebrochene Ansicht eines Abstandhalterrahmens mit jeweils in das Innere des Hohlprofiles ragenden Noppen, die an ihrer höchsten bzw. tiefsten Stelle eine zugedrückte, jedoch noch dampfdurchlässige Perforations­lochung haben.

It shows in a partially schematic representation:

• 1 shows a longitudinal section through a metal strip in the area of a perforation formed by deep drawing and piercing with a profile roller for pressing the perforation,
• 2 shows a cross-section rotated by 90 ° with respect to FIG. 1 through the deep-drawn region of a metal strip during the pressing together with the aid of a profiled roller which has a circumferential groove which is arcuate in cross-section,
• 3 shows a representation corresponding to FIG. 2, the peripheral groove of the roller for pressing the perforation having an approximately trapezoidal cross section,
• 4 shows a section on a greatly enlarged scale through the closed perforation opening at the highest or lowest point of the original indentation which has been deformed back into a knob,
• Fig. 5 is a representation corresponding to Fig. 1, wherein the profiled roller overflow the deformation and has pressed the perforation opening, and
• Fig. 6 is a partially broken away view of a spacer frame, each with knobs protruding into the interior of the hollow profile, which at their highest or lowest point have a pressed perforation perforation which is still permeable to steam.

A spacer frame for insulating glazing, designated as a whole, is essentially bent from a curved hollow profile 2, in the interior of which drying agent 3 is arranged.

The web 4 of this hollow profile 2 facing the window interior is perforated in a manner to be described, so that an air exchange can take place between the interior of the hollow profile 2 and the window space 5.

6 that the passages 6, which are also shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, and which are the result of a perforation process to be described, and thus the connection between the pane space 5 and the interior of the hollow profile 2 at the deepest - or highest - point of a knob-shaped indentation 7 of the hollow profile 2 is provided on its web 4 facing the interior of the pane, the passage 6 having recesses 7, hereinafter also called knobs 7, each protrude into the interior of the hollow profile 2.

The protrusion 8 of the knobs 7, indicated above all in FIG. 5, with respect to the inside of the web 4 is larger than at least about one sixth of the diameter of the desiccant granules 3 contained in the spacer frame 1 and can e.g. about two to three tenths of a millimeter. Depending on the application, however, this protrusion can also be half a millimeter or even a whole millimeter, which also depends on the material thickness of the web 4 and the cross-sectional size of the hollow profile 2.

A device for attaching the perforations and thus the passages 6 is at least partially indicated in FIGS. 1 to 5. The tools with which are not shown. the surface of the web 4 to be perforated or perforated is simultaneously deformed or deep-drawn in the direction of penetration of this tool. However, one can see in FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 5 in each case a profiled roller 9 serving as an essential part of the device for pressing the perforation 6a which can be seen in FIG. 1 and which is formed by a piercing tool, this roller 9 according to FIGS and 3 is seated on both sides of the perforated and deep-drawn area of the web 4 and has a groove 10 running in cross-section in the area of the perforation 6a, whose depth corresponds to the height of the knob 7 to be formed, this depth of the groove 10 being less than the first deep drawing 7a according to FIG. 1. The width and cross-sectional contour of the groove 10 is equal to or smaller than that of the knobs 7. The groove cross section is channel-shaped and can be rounded according to FIG. 2 or trapezoidal according to FIG. 3. In the latter case, the short side 10a of this trapezoid of the trapezoidal groove 10 can act particularly well on the area of the first perforation 6a from above, while at the same time the inclined surfaces 10b of the trapezoidal groove 10b cause an action from the side, so that the upsetting and Squeeze the perforation 6a to the only vapor-permeable passage 6 is compressed.

According to FIG. 1, such deep-drawn deformations 7a, which are deformed into knobs 7, are arranged in a row next to one another in a row. If in some cases a greater air and vapor permeability of the hollow profile 2 is to be retained, individual ones of the molding 7a could now remain unchanged, i.e. their perforations 6a could be left out of the process of being squeezed and thus remain open in the manner shown in FIG. 1. This could be caused by the fact that the roller 9 has at least one recess with a greater depth on its circumference than on its circumferential groove 10. Those deep-drawn sections 7a which are overrun by this recessed area of the roller 9 then remain open at the perforation 6a or are only slightly compressed, so that more air can be exchanged there.

However, since in all of these cases the passage 6 or the original perforation 6a comes to lie higher than the web 4 by the protrusion 8, ground drying agent dust may well adhere to the bending of the hollow profile Remain on the inside of the web 4 and do not fall out through the openings 6 or perforations 6a. The large, desiccant granules which have not been ground, however, cannot fall out through these passages 6, especially because of their size.

In order to make perforations and penetrations 6 on hollow profiles 2 for insulating glass panes serving as spacers, the perforation area during the perforation is deep-drawn in the direction of the interior of the profile 2 and the deepest point of this deformation 7a according to FIG. 1 is pierced. Then the deep-drawn area is rolled in such a way that the depth of the deep-drawing is reduced and thereby the perforation 6a is closed in a dust-tight manner and a knob 7 directed into the interior of the profile 2 is formed. By squeezing only a vapor permeable, but not permeable to desiccant passage 6 remains, which also comes to rest on the upper horizontal leg of the spacer frame 1 at a greater height than the web 4 having this passage 6, so that any dust that may arise can remain on this web 4 below the passage 6.

It should be mentioned that when perforations are made, a flat sheet metal strip can first be deep-drawn, punched and the perforation 6a pressed, after which the sheet metal strip can then be roll-formed into the profile 2. A flat sheet metal strip can be better provided with deep-drawing deformations and perforations 6a and can also be rolled again at these perforations 6a, because the profile roller 9 then also has a good abutment for its areas located on both sides of its groove 10. It is advantageous that when the perforation 6a is rolled and closed, the deep-drawn region 7a simultaneously becomes essentially convex Stud 7 is molded. The initially gaping edges of the perforation 6a can thus be bent towards one another and can also be brought closer to one another, as is shown enlarged in FIG. 4. Any irregularities in the perforated edges can then even be interlocked as shown in FIG. 4, so that the vapor permeability is retained, but the passage of particles is made even more difficult.

In order to make perforations on the webs 4 of the spacer frames 1 formed from hollow arrows 2 facing the pane interspace 5 of insulating glazing, the perforation area is first deep-drawn in the direction of the interior of the profile 2 and the lowest position of the deformation 7a thereby created is pierced. This deep-drawn area is then rolled in such a way that the depth of this deep-drawing is somewhat reduced and the perforation 6a is thereby closed in a dust-tight manner. This can be done in a simple manner with a roller 9 having a circumferential groove 10, so that overall a spacer frame 1 is formed, which again closes passages 6 at the lowest - or highest - point of knob-shaped indentations 7 on its webs 4 facing the space 5 between the panes has, so that falling out of ground or crushed desiccant dust is prevented not only by reducing the passage cross section of the passages 6 when pressing, but also by their elevated position relative to the upper horizontal web 4 of the hollow profile 2.

Claims (12)

1.Procedure for making perforations in those areas of a hollow profile (2) for insulating glass panes which serves as a spacer and which, in the position of use, runs transversely to the two glass panes and faces the pane space (5) between the glass panes, with a perforation (6a ) it is pressed again, characterized in that the perforation area is deep-drawn during the perforation in the direction of the interior of the profile (2) and the deepest point of this deformation (7a) is pierced and that the deep-drawn area is then rolled such that the depth of the deep-drawing reduced and thereby the perforation (6a) closed in a dust-tight manner and a knob (7) directed into the interior of the profile is formed. 2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that a flat sheet metal strip is deep-drawn, punched and the perforations (6a) are pressed and then the profile (2) is roll-formed from the sheet metal strip. 3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that during the rolling for pressing the perforation (6a) the deep-drawn area (7a) is simultaneously formed into a substantially convex knob (7). 4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the knobs (7) are deep-drawn to such an extent that they protrude at least about 0.2 mm after a piercing and pressing against a web of the hollow profile (2) having them. 5. Device in particular for performing the method according to one of claims 1 to 4, with a perforation tool or the like., Which deforms when penetrating into the surface to be punched at the same time in the direction of penetration of the tool, characterized in that a profiled roller (9) for Pressing the perforation (6a) is provided, which sits on both sides of the perforated and deep-drawn area on the workpiece and in the area of the perforation (6a) has a circumferential groove (10), the depth of which corresponds to the height of the knob (7) to be formed and which is less than the first deep drawing (7a). 6. The device according to claim 5, characterized in that the width or cross-sectional contour of the groove (10) is equal to or smaller than that of the knobs (7). 7. The device according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the groove cross section is channel-shaped, rounded or trapezoidal. 8. Device according to one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that the roller (9) has on its circumference at least one recess with a greater depth than on its circumferential groove (10). 9. Spacer frame (1) for insulating glazing, which is formed from one or more hollow profiles (2) and contains a desiccant (3) inside and on the web (4) facing the space between the panes (5) is perforated, characterized in that the perforation forming the passage (6) and the connection between the space between the panes (5) and the interior of the hollow profile (2) at the deepest or highest point of a knob-shaped indentation (7) of the hollow profile (2) at the same the web (4) facing the inside of the pane is provided and that the knobs (7) having the passage (6) each protrude into the interior of the hollow profile (2). 10. Spacer frame according to claim 9, characterized in that the projection (8) or the height of the knobs (7) relative to the inside of the web (4) is greater than at least about a sixth or fifth of the diameter of the in the spacer frame (1) contained desiccant granules, e.g. is at least about two to three tenths of a millimeter. 11. Spacer frame according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the edges of the passage (6) are interlocked with one another after the perforation (6a) has been closed. 12. Spacer frame according to one of claims 9 to 11, characterized in that individual perforations or perforations (6a) are left wholly or partially open at intervals between pressed-through passages (6).

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