EP1577031B1 - Method and apparatus for manufacturing frames - Google Patents

Abstract

To produce a window or door frame (2), a number of profiles (3-6) are placed within a corner bonding machine (1) with four corner bonding units (11-14) at the miters between neighboring profiles. The corner bonding units are moved in relation to each other on intersecting arms (7-10), until all the profiles are locked together by pressure from setting units (16-19) in a positive fit at the units.

Description

The present invention relates to a method and a device for the production of frames, in particular for windows or doors, with a plurality of corner connector units, in each of which two profiles in the miter area are abuttable, each Eckverbindereinheit comprises means for aligning and means for fixing the profiles.

From the DE 197 00 604 a Eckverbinderkaschine is known, each having a head in the miter region of two adjacent profiles, are provided at the punching and embossing means for deforming the walls of the profile, which then engage in corresponding receptacles of a corner connector for fixing. In the corner joint machine, a head is fixedly mounted while two adjacent heads are each movable only horizontally in one direction and the head fixed diagonally opposite the fixed head is movable in two horizontal directions. The orientation of the frame is with respect to the fixed mounted head, namely the other profiles are aligned to form a positive fit with the profile connected to the fixed head on one side. The problem with the method is that there inevitably be length tolerances for composite profiles that are mitred. In practice, the individual profiles of a frame have different lengths, so that in the successive positive alignment of the profiles results in the problem that in the last aligned corner usually a small gap between the profiles is present. This is because tolerance deviations when cutting the profiles at this corner add up. If the tolerance deviations between two opposing profiles exceed a certain amount, the gap formed in the corner region is so large that the frame forms rejects.

The DE 22 57 904 shows a Eckverbingungsgerät for metal hollow profile frame, in which four arms are rotatably mounted on a central stand, wherein the each diametrically opposite arms can be pivoted together, which should be made by fixing the diagonal dimension and a side length virtually any square or rectangle with the device as a frame. In this case, a central drive device is provided to clamp the frame profiles and connect.

The DE 30 21 503 shows a device for connecting profiles, in which a pressing tool is provided on a pivotable guide rail on a lockable support plate. Here, a slewing ring with slots is arranged in the middle, on which the guide rails are fixed by bolts. In this case, markings are provided on the support plate, so that alignment of the profile bars can be done in the region of the support plate. After aligning the support plates are then fixed and the profiles connected to each other.

The DE 24 29 649 shows a method and apparatus for assembling profiles, in which four Eckverbindereinheiten are provided, which are mounted on a frame. The frame includes rectangularly arranged rails that can be moved relative to each other. As a result, the square formed by the corner connector units can be adjusted by the desired amount.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for the production of frames in which deviations in the cutting of the profiles can be better compensated and the frame can be assembled with high accuracy.

This object is achieved by a method having the features of claim 1 and a device having the features of claim 6.

In the method according to the invention, the Eckverbindereinheiten be moved relative to each other after inserting the profiles in the Eckverbinderkaschine until the respective adjacent profiles fit positively against the respective Eckverbindereinheit with a certain contact pressure, the arms can be pivoted independently. Only then the respective adjacent profiles together to form a circumferential Frame set. Due to the simultaneous movement of the corner connector units is achieved that deviations are not summed in a corner of the frame, but the deviations are distributed according to the individual corners. It is almost accepted that due to deviations, the angle between the individual profiles may differ slightly, but in the miter area for a positive fit plant is present and can form any gaps. As a result, tolerance-related dimensional deviations are distributed uniformly over all corner regions of the frame and it is not attempted to align the frame profiles exactly in accordance with a desired value, despite existing dimensional deviations.

According to a preferred embodiment, the contact pressure on all corner connector units for prefixing the profiles is kept about the same size to distribute tolerance-related shifts of the profiles on all corner areas. Preferably, the Eckverbindereinheiten be pivoted to compensate for tolerances of the profiles when moving to the adjacent profiles about an axis perpendicular to the two longitudinal axes of the profiles, so that a fixation deviating from a predetermined target angle is possible. Since the deviations in practice are in any case only in a range of, for example, less than 1 °, these deviations do not appear optically.

In order to automate the process for mass production to a large extent, the corner connector units are moved from the outside substantially in the direction of the miter surface on the profiles and then created from the inside in abutment to the profiles. Then, at least one punching in the wall of a profile adjacent to the miter surface can be introduced for fixing the respectively adjacent profiles.

In the device according to the invention means for aligning the profiles are provided, by means of which each mounted on one arm corner connector unit is movable relative to the other Eckverbindereinheiten and with a certain contact pressure on two adjacent profiles can be applied. The arms are each independently pivotable. This allows the alignment of the profiles to be achieved by distributing tolerance deviations on all corners.

There is provided a common drive for aligning and tensioning the profiles. The drive has mechanical transmission means, such as a circulating cable, hydraulic transmission means or the like, have. It is also possible to provide electrical drives on each arm, in which a predetermined contact pressure is set.
In addition, each Eckverbindereinheit is rotatably mounted on the arm about an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of adjacent profiles, so that then a corresponding pivoting when aligning the profiles is possible.

In order to be able to adapt to different frame sizes, each corner connector unit is preferably mounted on a pivotable arm.

For exact prefixing, each corner connector unit has an outer receptacle for inserting two adjacent profiles in the miter area and in the inner area a relative thereto movable abutment. For the final fixing punching or stamping die for deformation and fixation of the walls of the respective profile are then provided on each corner connector unit.

Figur 1

eine Draufsicht auf ein Ausführungsbeispiel einer erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung zur Herstellung von Rahmen;

Figur 2

eine Draufsicht auf die Vorrichtung der Figur 1 mit Antrieb;

Figur 3

eine Draufsicht auf die verschwenkbaren Arme der Vorrichtung der Figur 1 ohne Profile;

Figur 4

eine vergrößerte Draufsicht auf einen Arm der Vorrichtung der Figur 1;

Figur 5

eine vergrößerte Ansicht eines Arms der Vorrichtung der Figur 5;

Figur 6

eine Detailansicht einer Eckverbindereinheit der Vorrichtung der Figur 1;

Figur 7

eine Draufsicht auf die Eckverbindereinheit der Figur 1 bei der Herstellung eines Rahmens anderer Geometrie, und

Figur 8

eine Draufsicht auf ein modifiziertes Ausführungsbeispiel einer erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung.

The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to several embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. Show it:

FIG. 1

a plan view of an embodiment of a device according to the invention for the production of frames;

FIG. 2

a plan view of the device of FIG. 1 with drive;

FIG. 3

a plan view of the pivotable arms of the device of FIG. 1 without profiles;

FIG. 4

an enlarged plan view of an arm of the device of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 5

an enlarged view of an arm of the device of FIG. 5 ;

FIG. 6

a detailed view of a corner connector unit of the device FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 7

a plan view of the corner connector unit of FIG. 1 in the production of a framework of other geometry, and

FIG. 8

a plan view of a modified embodiment of a device according to the invention.

A Eckverbinderkaschine 1 is used to produce a frame 2, which is formed from four profiles 3, 4, 5, 6, which may have an identical cross-section. The profiles 3, 4, 5, 6 are each cut miter, wherein the miter surface is disposed at an angle of 45 ° to the longitudinal axis of the profiles 3, 4, 5, 6.

The profiles 3, 4, 5, 6 are in each case in the region of the miter surfaces on corner connector units 11, 12, 13 and 14, wherein two adjacent profiles 3 and 4 on the corner connector unit 11, the profiles 4 and 5 held on the corner connector unit 12 and so on are. Each corner connector unit 11, 12, 13 and 14 is arranged to be movable on a support arm 7, 8, 9 or 10. Each support arm 7, 8, 9 and 10 is pivotable about a common axis 15, wherein the arms 7, 8, 9 and 10 can each be pivoted independently of each other.

The corner connector units 11, 12, 13 and 14 have a schematically illustrated force mechanism 16, 17, 18 and 19, by means of which two adjacent profiles 3 to 6 can be received in the area of the miter area and pressed inwards perpendicular to the miter area. Each force mechanism 16, 17, 18 and 19 brings about the same inward force in order to optimally provide the profiles in the corner areas to each other and then connect them together.

In FIG. 2 is the Eckverbinderkaschine 1 the FIG. 1 shown, wherein the force mechanism for the Eckverbindereinheiten 11, 12, 13 and 14 is shown mechanically modified. For contracting the corner connector units 11, 12, 13 and 14, a tensioning cable 20 is provided which is tensioned by a drive 21 shown schematically and guided around a first deflection roller 22. Subsequently, the rope is guided around corresponding guides on the corner connectors 12, 11, 14 and 13, before it extends to a deflection roller 23 and an end point 24. When tensioning the cable 20 by the drive 21, the Eckverbindereinheiten 11 to 14 are driven evenly inward on the corners, with the contact pressure due to the tensioning of the rope 20 evenly distributed to the individual corner areas. Once the profiles 3 to 6 are aligned and fixed by abutment, a setting of the profiles 3 to 6 can be done together.

In FIG. 3 the corner joint machine 1 is shown schematically without profiles 3 to 6. The Eckverbinderkaschine 1 comprises arms 7, 8, 9 and 10, which are pivotable about a common axis of rotation 15. Each arm 7 to 10, however, is pivoted according to the arrow 25 so that each corner of a Frame profile can be slightly offset, as shown by the dashed arms 7 ', 8', 9 'and 10'.

In FIG. 4 an arm 10 of the Eckverbinderkaschine 1 is shown enlarged. On the arm 10, a corner connector unit 14 is slidably mounted along the longitudinal axis of the arm 10 and can be pressed inwardly via a force mechanism, not shown. The corner connector unit 14 is also rotatably mounted on the arm 10, as indicated schematically by the arrow 26. In this way, the corner connector 14 can be self-emptying aligned by the two profiles, it being ensured that a substantially equal force is exerted on two adjacent profiles by pressing the corner connector unit 14.

In FIG. 5 the arm 10 is shown with the corner connector unit 14, wherein the corner connector unit 14 can be moved inwardly to the position 14 'as indicated by the arrow 27. As a result, the arm 10 and the corner connector unit 14 can be adapted to different frame sizes.

In FIG. 6 the corner connector unit 14 is shown enlarged. At the corner connector unit 14, a receptacle 31 is provided, which together with the corner connector unit 14 about an axis 32 relative to the arm 10 of the Eckverbinderkaschine 1, as in Fig. 4 is shown pivotable. The receptacle 31 is slidably mounted on the arm 10 in the longitudinal direction thereof by means of a carriage. The receptacle 31 is bolt-shaped and comprises an angular recess 38, which is formed approximately at right angles in this embodiment and can accommodate two mitred profiles at the outer area. The outer frame corner is approximately on the axis 32nd

On opposite sides two punching and embossing blades 30 are provided, which are movable substantially perpendicular to the miter plane 39. By the punching and embossing knife 30, the walls of the profiles 3 to 6 can be embossed or punched, as already in the DE 197 00 604 is shown.

Further, the corner connector unit 14 includes a repository 28, which is movable from a remote position 28 'in an abutment position 28, as indicated by the arrow 29.

At the in FIG. 7 shown Eckverbinderkaschine 1, a rectangular frame is made instead of a square frame 2. For this purpose, the arms 7, 8, 9 and 10 are arranged at a modified angle, wherein a corresponding rotation about the axis 15 has taken place. By the rotation of the corner connector units 11, 12, 13 and 14 about the respective axes of rotation is carried out an orientation such that adjacent profiles can be aligned again by the corner connector units 11, 12, 13 and 14 and fixed to each other.

At the in FIG. 8 shown embodiment profiles 3, 4, 5 and 6 are inserted in a Eckverbinderkaschine.

The arms 41 and 42 are mounted on a common holder 43, wherein the arm 41 is rotatable about the rotation axis 44 and the arm 42 about the rotation axis 45. The holder 43 is slidably mounted on a bar 40. On the opposite side of a mirror image arranged holder is provided with two arms. On each arm 41 and 42, a corner connector unit 12 and 13 or 11 and 14 are respectively arranged, as described in the previous embodiment. The corner connector 11 to 14 is associated with a drive which fixes the profiles 3 to 6 by means of a predetermined contact pressure, and then then make a connection to a frame.

The illustrated corner connector machines are used to make a frame as follows:

First, the profiles 3, 4, 5, 6 are inserted into the corner connector units 11, 12, 13 and 14, wherein the outer portions of the miter surfaces are inserted into the respective receptacles 31. Subsequently, the Eckverbindereinheiten 11 to 14 are simultaneously moved relative to the inside until the respective adjacent profiles 3 to 6 fit positively against the respective corner connector unit 11 to 14 with a certain contact pressure. Subsequently, the adjacent ones Profiles 3 to 6 fixed together to form a peripheral frame 2 by the punching and embossing blades deform the wall of the respective profiles and connect with a corner connector received in the profile.

In the embodiments shown, all Eckverbindereinheiten 11 to 14 are movably mounted on an arm 7 to 10 slidably. It is also possible to rigidly arrange a corner connector unit and then to move all the other corner connector units relative to this corner connector unit, wherein it must be ensured that the same contact pressure prevails when prefixing the profiles 3 to 6 in all corners, so that existing differences in the length of the Profiles can be balanced evenly distributed on all corners.

To process the corner connector units 11 to 14 mechanical or hydraulic transmission means are provided, which are controlled by a common drive.

It is also possible to dispense with the abutment 28 entirely, and to make an alignment only from the outside.

Claims (10)

1. Method of producing frames, in particular for windows or doors, comprising the following steps:

   - placing a plurality of profiles (3, 4, 5, 6) in a corner jointing machine (1) having a respective corner jointing unit (11, 12, 13, 14), which is mounted on an arm (7, 8, 9, 10), at a mitre region of two adjacent profiles (3 to 6);

   - simultaneously moving all of the corner jointing units (11 to 14) relative to one another, in which process the arms (7, 8, 9, 10) can each be pivoted independently of one another, until the respectively adjacent profiles (3 to 6) bear with a certain pressing force against the respective corner jointing unit (11 to 14) in a form-fitting manner, and

   - fastening the respectively adjacent profiles (3 to 6) to one another to form a peripheral frame (2).
2. Method according to Claim 1, characterized in that the pressing force at all the corner jointing units (11 to 14) for pre-fastening the profiles (3 to 6) is approximately identical.
3. Method according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, to compensate for tolerances of the profiles (3 to 6), the corner jointing units (11 to 14), when moving towards the adjacent profiles (3 to 6), are pivoted about an axis (32) perpendicular to the two longitudinal axes of the profiles (3 to 6).
4. Method according to one of Claims 1 to 3,
   characterized in that the corner jointing units (11 to 14) are moved from outside towards the profiles (3 to 6) substantially in the direction of the mitre surface and then an abutment (28) is placed from inside against the profiles (3 to 6).
5. Method according to one of Claims 1 to 4,
   characterized in that, to fasten the respectively adjacent profiles (3 to 6), at least one punched portion is punched into the wall of a profile (3 to 6) adjacent to the mitre surface.
6. Apparatus for producing frames, in particular for windows or doors, comprising a plurality of corner jointing units (11 to 14) which are each mounted on an arm (7, 8, 9, 10) and in each of which two profiles (3 to 6) can be placed against one another in the mitre region, wherein each corner jointing unit (11 to 14) comprises means (28, 31) for aligning and means (30) for fastening the profiles (3 to 6), and, to align the profiles (3 to 6), each corner jointing unit (11 to 14) can be displaced relative to the other corner jointing units (11 to 14) and be placed with a certain pressing force against two adjacent profiles (3 to 6), wherein the arms (7, 8, 9, 10) with the corner jointing units (11 to 14) can each be pivoted independently of one another, characterized in that a common drive (21) for aligning and clamping the profiles (3 to 6) is provided, and the drive (21) comprises mechanical, hydraulic or pneumatic transmission means, and each corner jointing unit (11 to 14) is mounted on an arm (7 to 10) such that it can be rotated about an axis (32) perpendicular to the longitudinal axes of adjacent profiles (3 to 6).
7. Apparatus according to Claim 6, characterized in that each corner jointing unit (11 to 14) is mounted on a pivotable arm (7 to 10).
8. Apparatus according to Claim 6 or 7, characterized in that each arm (7 to 10) is rotatably mounted about a common axis (15).
9. Apparatus according to one of Claims 6 to 8, characterized in that each corner jointing unit (11 to 14) comprises an outer receptacle (31) for inserting two adjacent profiles (3 to 6) in the mitre region, and, in the inner region, an abutment (28) which can be displaced relative to this receptacle.
10. Apparatus according to one of Claims 6 to 9, characterized in that each corner jointing unit (11 to 14) comprises punching or stamping rams (30) for deforming and fastening the walls of the respective profile (3 to 6).

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