EP0410161B2 - 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 extends in the position of use 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 carrying out this method with a perforation tool or the like, which at the same time deforms in the penetration direction of the tool when penetrating into the surface to be punched.

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 pane interior.

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

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 again.

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 of the upper frame leg 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.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a method, a device and a spacer of the type mentioned at the outset, as a result of which, in a seemingly contradictory manner, the air exchange takes place between the scissors between the gas gap and the desiccant contained in the interior of the spacer, but nevertheless the desiccant being ground to dust into the space between the panes even if the insulating glazing is shaken.

To solve this problem, 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 in such a way that the depth of the deep-drawing is reduced and thereby the perforation is sealed 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, thereby permitting vapor permeability but not permitting the passage of dust. Since the thickness of the material area located at the deepest point of this deep drawing is simultaneously reduced in thickness, this area can be penetrated relatively easily without making the indentation formed too large.

The main advantage is, however, that the pressed perforation is in the use position on he nem upper horizontal frame leg higher than the lower, the disc space facing boundary web of this frame leg, so that even the finest dust that could be between the desiccant grains on the inside of this The web sinks and lies deeper than the perforation. Thus, 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 punctured and pressed together, they protrude at least about 0.2 mm from a web of the hollow profile that has them, ie with a clear projection. It is particularly expedient if a flat sheet metal strip is deep-drawn, punched and the perforation is printed 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 Ab

The device for carrying out the aforementioned method according to claim 4 is characterized in that the roller is profiled such that the perforated and deep-drawn area is seated on both sides of the workpiece and in the area of the perforation has a circumferential groove, the depth of which corresponds to the height of the forming pimples and which is less than the first deep drawing. and that the width or cross-sectional contour of the groove is equal to or smaller than that of the knobs. 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 can pull the deep draws again due to the smaller depth slightly deformed in the opposite direction to the deep-drawing process, thereby pressing through the perforations and shaping the knobs to the end.

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 pressed down, 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 knob 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 thereby simultaneously axize the respective knob area that is being processed, since it presses the workpiece onto its base in this respective area.

The spacer frame according to the invention according to claim 8 is characterized in that the edges of the passage are interlocked with one another after the perforation has been closed and the knobs have a convex shape.

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 unobtrusive. 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 which is deposited on the web from escaping from the perforation which is actually pressed. Those desiccant grains, which even after a disruption still correspond in their dimensions to the height of the knobs or somewhat less or are even larger, can, however, also easily lie on and above the perforated area of the knobs, since they allow 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 in that steam can easily pass through, but not the middle of the dryer, with an escape of drying agent not only by the pressing and thus the Shrinking 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 desiccant grains can increasingly 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 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 formed during the production of the perforations relative to the perforated web ensures that drying agent dust lying on the web cannot enter the inside of the pane through this perforation, because then it would first have to overcome the height present even in the case of this perforation, which has not been compressed, 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, in each case at least one deep-drawn point is overlapped by this recess with each revolution of this roller and, due to its greater depth, is not or only less pressed, so that in this case the perforation remains largely open and even maintains 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 manufacture can be absorbed by the desiccant sufficiently quickly, but this desiccant does not absorb too much moisture from the environment, for example during storage of the spacer frames . 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 which are essential to it, with reference to the drawing.

Fig. 1

einen Längsschnitt durch ein Metallband im Bereich einerdurch Tiefziehen und Durchstoßen gebildeten Perforation mit einer Profilwalze zum Zudrucken 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.

Ein im ganzen

mit 1 bezeichneter Abstandhalterrahmen für Isolierverglasungen ist im wesentlichen aus einem gebogenen Hohlprofil 2 gebogen, in dessen Innerem Trockenmittel 3 angeordnet ist.

It shows in a partially schematic representation:

Fig. 1

a longitudinal section through a metal strip in the area of a perforation formed by deep drawing and piercing with a profile roller for printing the perforation,

Fig. 2

1 through 90 ° rotated cross-section through the deep-drawn area of a metal strip during the pressing with the aid of a profiled roller which has a circumferential groove which is arcuate in cross-section,

Fig. 3

2 shows a representation corresponding to FIG. 2, the circumferential groove of the roller for pressing the perforation having an approximately trapezoidal cross section,

Fig. 4

on a greatly enlarged scale, a section 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

a representation corresponding to Fig. 1, wherein the profiled roller overflow the deformation and has pressed the perforation opening, and

Fig. 6

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 perforation perforation that is pressed down but still permeable to steam.

All in all

with 1 spacer frame for insulating glazing is essentially bent from a curved hollow profile 2, in the interior of which desiccant 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 respectively The highest point of a nub-shaped indentation 7 of the hollow profile 2 is provided on its web 4 facing the inside of the pane, the indentations 7 having the passage 6, also referred to below as nubs 7, each projecting 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 a 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 projection 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, FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 5 each show a profiled roller 9, which serves 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 FIG. 2 and 3 is seated on both sides of the perforated and deep-drawn region of the web 4 and in the region of the perforation 6a has a circumferential groove 10, the depth of which corresponds to the height of the knob 7 to be formed, whereby this depth of the groove 10 is 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 Pressing together 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. If in some cases a greater air and vapor permeability of the hollow profile 2 is to be retained, individual deformations 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 in 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 remain well on the inside of the web 4 when bending the hollow profile and not through the passages 6 or holes 6a fall out. 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 thereon Web 4 can remain 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 pressed, the deep-drawn region 7a is simultaneously formed into an essentially convex knob 7. 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 according to 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 facing the pane interspace 5 of insulating glazing of spacer frames 1 formed from hollow arrows 2, the perforation area is first deep-drawn in the direction of the interior of the profile 2 and the lowest position of the resulting deformation 7a 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 (9)

1. A method for providing perforations on those zones of a hollow spacer profile (2) for insulating glass panes, which in the position of use run transversely to the two glass panes and face the space (5) between the glass panes, wherein after a perforation (6a) has been provided the same is closed again by pressure, wherein the perforation area, when being perforated, is deep drawn in the direction of the interior of the profile (2) and the deepest point of said deformation (7a) is pierced, and wherein 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 by pressure so as to be dust-tight and a knob (7) directed into the interior of the profile is formed,
   characterized in that the closure by pressure is effected by a roll (9) provided with a groove (10) in the region of the perforation (6a), that during rolling to close the perforation (6a) the deep drawn area (7a) is simultaneously shaped to produce a substantially convex knob (7) and that the roll (9) rests against the workpiece on either side of the perforated and deep drawn area, whereby the width or cross-sectional contour of the groove (10) is equal to or smaller than that of the knobs (7).
2. A method as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that a flat sheet metal strip is deep drawn, perforated and the perforation (6a) is closed by pressure, and then the profile (2) is shaped from the sheet metal strip by rolling.
3. A method as claimed in any one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the knobs (7) are deep drawn so far that, having been pierced and closed by pressure, they project at least about 0.2 mm relative to a web featuring them of the hollow profile (2).
4. A device for carrying out the method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, including a perforation tool or the like which, as it penetrates the surface to be perforated, simultaneously deforms the same in the direction in which the tool penetrates, wherein a roll (9) is provided for closing the perforation (6a), characterized in that the roll (9) is shaped in such a way as to rest against the workpiece on either side of the perforated and deep drawn area, and in the area of the perforation (6a) has a groove (10) which is circumferential in cross section, the depth of said groove corresponding to the height of the knob (7) to be formed and being less than the first deep drawing (7a), and that the width or cross-sectional contour of the groove (10) is equal to or smaller than that of the knobs (7).
5. A device as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that the cross section of the groove is channel-like, rounded or trapezoidal.
6. A device as claimed in claim 4 or claim 5, characterized in that the roll (9) has at the circumference thereof at least one recess of greater depth than at the circumferential groove (10) of said roll.
7. A spacer frame (1) for insulating glazing units which is composed of one or more hollow profiles (2) and inside contains a drying agent (3) and is perforated on the web (4) facing the space (5) between the panes, wherein the passage(6) forming the perforation and the connection between the space (5) intermediate the panes and the interior of the hollow profile (2) is provided at the deepest point of a knob-like indentation (7) of the hollow profile (2) at the web (4) thereof facing the interior of the panes, wherein the passage (6) is closed by rolling so as to be dust-tight but vapour permeable, and wherein the knobs (7) featuring the passage (6) in each case project into the interior of the hollow profile (2), characterized in that the edges of the passage (6) are interlocked after the perforation (6a) has been closed and the knobs (7) have a convex shape.
8. A spacer frame as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that the projection (8) or height of the knobs (7) relative to the inner surface of the web (4) is greater than at least about a sixth or fifth of the diameter of the drying agent granules contained in the spacer frame (1), e.g. is at least about two to three tenths of a millimeter.
9. A spacer frame as claimed in any one of claims 7 and 8, characterized in that at intervals between closed passages (6) some perforations (6a) are left wholly or partly open.

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