EP1762687B1 - Process and device for filling the gap between insulating glass panes with a gas other than air - Google Patents

Abstract

The method involves filling two glass tablets (31, 32) with a different gas, in a device having two opposite plates (1, 2). The parallel plates are mutually variable in distance to each other and can be perpendicularly bent. The proximity of the lower edge of the plates along a lower edge is horizontal and movable (3) in a direction (4). Two sealing mechanisms (5, 6) are positioned at the rising edges of the two plates or near the edges or between the plates. Positioned between the horizontal movement part is the supplied gas being different to air into a chamber. An independent claim is included for a device.

Description

The invention is based on a method having the features specified in the preamble of claim 1 and of a device with the features specified in the preamble of claim 7. Such a method and such a device are known from EP 0 539 407 B1 known.

The EP 0 539 407 B1 discloses a press in which glass beads are assembled between a fixed pressure plate and a parallel, variable-length pressure plate to insulating glass panes and pressed to a predetermined thickness.

In the known press, the two press plates are not exactly vertical, but are inclined by a few degrees. In the press two glass sheets, from which an insulating glass pane is to be assembled, are positioned opposite each other. One of the glass panels is provided with a frame-shaped spacer and abuts against the backward inclined pressing plate while it stands on a horizontal conveyor. The other glass sheet is held opposite to the other, movable pressure plate, in particular by being attached to the other moving pressure plate is sucked. This glass sheet is glued by approaching the movable pressure plate to the fixed pressure plate with the adhering to the opposite glass sheet spacers and thereby closed the insulating glass.

Before the insulating glass pane is completely closed, it can be filled with a heavy gas in the press. For this purpose, a portion of the movable pressing plate, which is located on one of the upstanding edges of the pressing plate to the rear, that is, away from the opposite pressure plate, be bent. The sucked glass sheet is bent backwards. If, in this state, the movable pressure plate approximates the fixed pressure plate, then the insulating glass is closed except in the area in which the one glass sheets is bent backwards. In the largely closed insulating glass pane, heavy gas can be introduced through the gap between the bent glass sheet and the spacer, which displaces the air from the insulating glass pane. Thereafter, the insulating glass sheet is closed by reversing the bending of the press plate and the glass sheet adhered to it.

Presses in which insulating glass panes can be assembled and filled with gas often have a length of 3.5 m. However, it happens that insulating glass panes are longer than the press plates. Insulating glass panes, which are up to 5 m long, are quite possible. You can in the from the EP 0 539 407 B1 known press also be assembled and filled with a heavy gas. For this purpose, the glass sheets are positioned in the press so that they are flush with that edge of the movable press plate on which the rearwardly bendable section is provided. At the opposite end of the press plates, the glass panels are then over this. Excess glass panels can therefore be assembled in the known press and filled with heavy gas, because when approaching the movable pressure plate to the fixed pressure plate and the protruding portion of the insulating glass is closed and the heavy gas can be introduced as usual at the opposite bent edge.

In the case of particularly long-sized insulating glass panes, however, it is difficult with the heavy gas which is introduced at the bent edge of the insulating glass pane, to displace the air also from the far away area at the other end of the insulating glass pane. This disadvantage avoid presses in which the insulating glass panes are filled from the lower edge with a heavy gas. Such a press is z. B. from the EP 0 674 086 B1 and from the EP 0 674 087 B1 known. In her can be assembled to the insulating glass pane glass panels initially also parallel to each other and unconnected opposite. The heavy gas is z. B. through openings in a conveyor belt, on which the glass panels are introduced, as long as the glass panels are still completely unconnected. So that the heavy gas does not flow out of the area between the glass panels, from bottom to top, adjustable seals are provided, which are effective on the rising edges of the glass panels. In the space formed between the glass panels and the seals, heavy gas rises from the bottom up and displaces the lighter air upwards.

Alternatively, the glass panels, one of which carries a spacer, in the from the EP 0 674 086 B1 and the EP 0 674 087 B1 known press are also arranged so that the other glass panel also rests with its upper edge on the spacer, so that the glass panels diverge wedge-shaped from top to bottom. Also in this case, the space between the glass sheets is filled from below with the heavy gas, which displaces the air through a space between the seals and the rising edges of the glass sheets or between the seal and the upstanding legs of the spacer upwards.

If the heavy gas has risen to the upper edge of the glass panels, the movable pressure plate of the stationary pressure plate is approximated and thereby closed and pressed the insulating glass.

In such a press overlong insulating glass panes may indeed be assembled, but not filled with a heavy gas, because the protruding from the press section of the still unconnected glass panels would be open, so that the heavy gas would flow unhindered.

The present invention has for its object to provide a way, as in a press with two mutually parallel, vertically or inclined arranged press plates, which is adapted to fill the space between two glass panels from below with a heavy gas, even overlong with insulating glass a heavy gas can be filled.

This object is achieved by a method having the features specified in claim 1 and by a device having the features specified in claim 7. Advantageous developments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

According to the invention, to seal the projecting from the gap between the plates forming a press section of the glass panels in that the two glass panels in this section already connects to each other via the frame-shaped spacer, including the glass panel, which is initially free from the spacer from its plane out in the direction against the other glass sheet bends and possibly even approaches by parallel displacement far enough that the protruding from the gap between the plates portions of the glass sheet are glued together tightly to each other via the spacer, whereas in the space between the plates, the glass sheet, which initially free is from the spacer, still maintains a distance to the spacer, which z. B. may be 2 mm to 3 mm. This distance is ensured by the fact that the bent glass sheet is held further in the space between the two plates on that plate on which it rests with its back, in particular by the fact - as known per se - through openings in the Plate are arranged, is sucked to the plate.

In this position, heavy gas can now be introduced from below into the gap between the glass panels. A downward flow of the heavy gas prevents the horizontal conveyor, which is best designed for this purpose as a belt conveyor. At the edge of the plates, on which the glass sheets are still unconnected, the chamber to be filled with the heavy gas is closed by the first sealing device. At the opposite end of the plates is the already completed section of the insulating glass pane. Is it a question? rectangular insulating glass pane, this can be filled from the top up to its upper edge with heavy gas, without which at this end of the plates would be necessary beyond a sealing. In the case of insulating glass panes, which have a non-rectangular outline, so-called model panes, however, in most cases a supplementary sealing by a second sealing device will be required, which is preferably a top-to-bottom sliding seal, which in the region of the rising edge of the Both plates is effective where the protruding sections of the glass panels are positioned. The second sealing device is moved down to the upper edge of the glass sheet assembly, even better down to the top of the spacer to prevent higher rising heavy gas from draining off to the side. Another sealing device is recommended at a location below the second sealing device to close a gap between the horizontal conveyor and the spacer of the insulating glass, through which otherwise - despite closing the projecting beyond the plates portion of the glass panels - a subset of the heavy gas could escape.

• Die zweite Dichteinrichtung kann bereits während des Positionierens der Glastafeln, aus welchen die Isolierglasscheibe zusammengebaut werden soll, mit ihrem unteren Ende bis auf eine Höhe knapp oberhalb des oberen Randes der Glastafeln abgesenkt werden. Das ist günstig für eine kurze Taktzeit der Vorrichtung.
• Nach dem Positionieren der Glastafeln zwischen den Platten der Vorrichtung braucht die zweite Dichteinrichtung nur noch auf den oberen Rand der Glastafeln herunterbewegt zu werden. Das geht in Sekundenschnelle, da für die zweite Dichteinrichtung wenig Masse erforderlich ist, so dass sie nur eine geringe Trägheit aufweist und schnell beschleunigt und verzögert werden kann.
• Die zweite Dichteinrichtung kann bei rechteckigen Isolierglasscheiben sogar in einer unwirksamen Stellung verbleiben, weil das Schwergas nicht über den oberen Rand der Isolierglasscheibe hinaus aufsteigen muss.

The inventive device has in the region of an upstanding edge of the plates from the horizontal conveyor upwardly extending first sealing means and in the region of the opposite edge of the plates a preferably from top to bottom sliding second sealing device. It may be arranged between the plates and in this case is insertable from top to bottom along the facing surfaces of the plates into the space between the plates and reversibly compressible by reducing the mutual spacing of the plates. But it can also be placed outside the plates next to the edge, where it is useful in guides displaced.
Such a second sealing device has significant advantages when it comes to processing excessively long glass sheets:

• The second sealing device can already be lowered with its lower end to a height just above the upper edge of the glass sheets during the positioning of the glass sheets from which the insulating glass pane is to be assembled. This is favorable for a short cycle time of the device.
• After positioning the glass panels between the plates of the device, the second sealing device only needs to be moved down to the upper edge of the glass panels. This is done in seconds, since the second sealing means little mass is required so that it has only a small inertia and can be accelerated and decelerated quickly.
• The second sealing device may even remain in an inoperative position with rectangular insulating glass panes, because the heavy gas does not have to rise above the upper edge of the insulating glass pane.

The second sealing device is preferably designed so that it is bendable from a stretched in the relaxed state shape against a restoring force and recoverable by the restoring force in its extended shape. This means that the second sealing device, when pushed from top to bottom, automatically assumes and retains a stretched shape. This also means that the sealing device, if you let them hang freely from above or moves down a plate inclined backwards, strives for a straight shape and achieved as a rule. This is convenient to create well-defined conditions between the plates. Such a second sealing device is suitable for free-hanging yet straightforward and unhindered to be lowered without special guidance in the space between the two plates to the horizontal conveyor. Another advantage is that the second sealing device deflected above the plates and z. B. can be lowered down on the outside of a plate, preferably looping, or can be wound up to save space.

There are different design options for the second sealing device. One possibility is to use a cross-sectionally V-shaped or Z-shaped spring band, which rests with its one leg on one of the two plates, is compressed when reducing the mutual distance of the two plates and thereby from the level of the horizontal conveyor to upper edge of the plates causes a seal. Such V- and Z-shaped spring bands can be easily redirect and wind up.

In another embodiment, the second sealing device has a reversibly compressible strand which is connected on one side with a flat spring band, which is applied flat to one or the other plate, wherein the reversibly compressible strand is compressed in reducing the mutual distance of the plates and a seal causes.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the second sealing device on a reversibly compressible strand, which is connected at two opposite sides, each with a spring band, which invest in reducing the mutual distance of the two plates on this surface and lead to a seal.

In a further embodiment, the second sealing device has a reversibly compressible strand, in which - in particular in the center - at least one spring band is embedded. This is favorable for a deflection and bending of the sealing device.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the second sealing device on a spring band, which is connected on both sides with a reversibly compressible strand, which leaves edge strip of the spring band. Also in this embodiment, the sealing device can be easily bent. Another advantage is that the spring band can be guided and driven on its edge strips.

The reversibly compressible strand is preferably made of foam plastic or foam rubber. Such a design is inexpensive, seals effectively, is reliable and durable.

Another way to form a reversibly compressible strand is to form it from an elastomeric hollow profile, z. B. from a rectangular cross-sectional profile. Such profiles can be produced inexpensively by extrusion and are partly commercially available. They have the further advantage that they can be wound up easily, also in conjunction with a spring band. The compression of the hollow profile can thereby by longitudinal predetermined bending lines be facilitated, which are provided in the transverse to the two plates of the device walls of the hollow profile. Such Sollknicklinien facilitate a controlled compression of the hollow profile in particular when the walls in which the predetermined bending lines are provided, are folded from the outset a little inwardly.

On both sides of the reversibly compressible strand protruding spring bands facilitate driving and driving the second sealing device. At the lower end of the reversibly compressible strand is preferably on the spring bands, so that the second sealing device can be placed sealingly and gently at the same time on the edge of the glass panels or - with shorter glass panels - can hit the horizontal conveyor. The horizontal conveyor preferably has an endless, driven conveyor belt which not only conveys and carries the glass panels into the apparatus, but also closes down the chamber into which the gas other than air is introduced. Such a conveyor belt is z. B. in the EP 1 450 001 A1 disclosed. Not only can he rest on the bottom edges of the glass panel, but he can also be applied to the lower edges of the two panels.

In order to save the second sealing devices in their inoperative position to save space, a deflection device is provided at the upper edge of one of the plates, by means of which the second sealing device is deflected out of the vertical or approximately vertical direction out in another direction when from the space between is pulled out of the two plates. In the simplest case, the deflection device is a roller which has a rotation axis parallel to the conveying direction. The extracted from the space between the plates second portion of the sealing device can be suspended freely on the outside of the relevant plate. However, it is preferred to provide a special storage device for the withdrawn portion of the second sealing device, in particular a running from top to bottom shaft into which the second sealing device is inserted, or a top-bottom extending guide profile, which partially surrounds the second sealing device. Even in such a guide profile you can insert the second sealing device, so that she has a defined situation and nowhere collides. A shaft and such a guide profile can also be used in combination.

Another possibility is to set the upper end of the second sealing device at the level of the deflection roller, but at some distance from it, and let it loop between the deflection roller at the point at which the sealing device is fixed.

In another embodiment of the invention, a winding device is provided as storage device. It can also take the place of the aforementioned deflection pulley.

For driving the second sealing device are particularly pairs of drive wheels, drive rollers or drive belts which engage on opposite sides of the second sealing device, in particular on protruding edge strips of a spring band, which is preferably connected to a - as described above - reversibly compressible strand, in particular by gluing or by vulcanization.

The pairs of drive wheels, drive rollers or drive belts are expediently arranged on or in the vicinity of the deflection device or the storage device. There are also preferably arranged guide means which co-determine the arc over which the second sealing means are deflected.

In most cases, one of the two plates is fixedly arranged in a device for assembling insulating glass panes. To attach the second sealing device and its deflection on the fixed plate, requires the least effort.

There are devices for assembling insulating glass panes in which the two opposing plates can be pivoted from a position in which they are mutually V-shaped to a position in which they are both perpendicular and parallel to each other. A such device is in the EP 0 615 044 A1 disclosed. In most devices for assembling insulating glass panes, however, the plates are arranged parallel and not exactly vertical, but inclined by about 6 °, so that the glass plates can be conveyed leaning against the plate inclined backward. In such a device, a second sealing means is preferably arranged on the rearwardly inclined plate, which is that plate whose inside has obliquely upwards. Under the inside of a plate is here understood that side which faces the opposite plate. Accordingly, the outside of a plate is understood here as the side which faces away from the opposite plate.

Figur 1

zeigt eine erfindungsgemäße Vorrichtung zum Zusammenbauen von Isolierglasscheiben und zum Füllen der Isolierglasscheiben mit einem von Luft verschiedenen Gas in einer Seitenansicht mit Blickrichtung parallel zur Förderrichtung des Waagerechtförderers der Vorrichtung,

Figur 2

zeigt einen parallel zu den beiden Platten der Vorrichtung gelegten Schnitt durch die Vorrichtung gemäß Schnittlinie II-II in Figur 1 mit einem im Zwischenraum zwischen den Platten angeordneten Glastafelpaar,

Figur 3

zeigt einen Horizontalschnitt entlang der Linie III-III in Figur 2 durch die Vorrichtung in einer Stellung der Platten, in welcher die beiden Glastafeln noch völlig unverbunden sind,

Figur 4

zeigt in einer Darstellung wie in Figur 3 die Stellung der Platten nach dem Schließen des über die Vorrichtung hinausragenden Abschnittes der Isolierglasscheibe,

Figur 5

zeigt als Detail in einer Ansicht entsprechend der Figur 2 die Abdichtung des über die Vorrichtung hinausragenden Abschnittes der Isolierglasscheibe,

Figur 6

zeigt eine Abwandlung der Vorrichtung in einer Ansicht wie in Figur 2, und

Figur 7

zeigt den Schnitt VII-VII gemäß Figur 6.

If the second sealing device is arranged on that plate whose inside has obliquely upwards, then this has the advantage that it is supported and guided by this plate informally. But it is also possible to arrange the second sealing device on that plate whose inside is inclined downwards.

FIG. 1

shows a device according to the invention for assembling insulating glass panes and for filling the insulating glass panes with a gas other than air in a side view looking in parallel to the conveying direction of the horizontal conveyor of the device,

FIG. 2

shows a parallel to the two plates of the device cut through the device along section line II-II in FIG. 1 with a pair of glass sheets arranged in the space between the plates,

FIG. 3

shows a horizontal section along the line III-III in FIG. 2 by the device in a position of the plates in which the two glass sheets are still completely unconnected,

FIG. 4

shows in a representation like in FIG. 3 the position of the plates after closing the section of the insulating glass pane projecting beyond the device,

FIG. 5

shows as a detail in a view corresponding to the FIG. 2 the sealing of the section of the insulating glass pane projecting beyond the device,

FIG. 6

shows a modification of the device in a view as in FIG. 2 , and

FIG. 7

shows the section VII-VII according to FIG. 6 ,

Identical or corresponding parts are designated in the embodiments with matching reference numerals.

The FIGS. 1 to 5 show an apparatus for assembling insulating glass panes with a frame 10, on which a first flat plate 1 is fixedly arranged, in a by a few degrees, z. B. by 6 °, backward inclined position. The first plate 1 is held and stiffened at the rear by a truss-like frame 11, which stands on a horizontally extending bar 13, which is supported indirectly on the frame 10. The back of the frame 11 is additionally supported by struts 15 on frame 10.

The first plate 1 is parallel to a second plate 2 and approximately congruent, which is held and stiffened on its outside by a truss-like frame 12, at the lower edge of a horizontally extending beam 14 is mounted, which is indirectly supported on the frame 10 , The two bars 13 and 14 are parallel to each other. The frame 12 of the second plate 2 is connected by four spindles 16 to the frame 11 of the first plate 1. The spindles 16 extend at right angles to the plates 1 and 2 and are rotatably supported in bearing blocks 17 fixed to the upper edge of the frame 12 and in bearing blocks 18 fixed to the underside of the beam 14; However, they are not displaceable in the bearing blocks 17 and 18. The lower bearing blocks 18 are slidably mounted on rails 19 which are mounted at right angles to the plates 1 and 2 on the frame 10.

On the upper edge of the frame 11 of the first plate 1 are two bearing blocks 17 opposite housing 20 and on the underside of the bar 13, two housing 21 are provided, which are opposite to the bearing blocks 18 and on the one hand firmly connected to the beam 13 and on the other hand with the frame 10. The housing 20 and 21 contain spindle nuts, not shown, which are driven synchronously, whereby the second plate 2 is moved parallel to itself and their distance from the first plate 1 can be changed.

On the bar 13 below the first plate 1, a horizontal conveyor 3 is arranged parallel to the bar 13, which is divided into two successive sections 3a, 3b, see FIG. 2 , In each section 3a, 3b there is an endless conveyor belt 22, which is stretched over two rollers 23 whose axes of rotation extend at right angles to the plates 1 and 2 and of which one is driven. The two conveyor belts 22 are separated or synchronously driven by choice. Their upper run is supported by a support bar 52.

At the two upstanding edges of one of the two plates 1 and 2, a first sealing means 5 and a second sealing means 6 are arranged. In the present embodiment, they are attached to the frame 12 of the second movable plate 2. The first sealing device 5 consists of a cross-sectionally U-shaped bar 24, which has an elastomeric sealing cord 25 at its leg facing the fixed plate 1 and is connected at its other leg with at least two pneumatic piston-cylinder units 26 which on the frame 12 are attached. The strip 24 extends from the upper run of the conveyor belt 22 to the upper edge of the plates 1 and 2. In its operative position it rests with its sealing cord 25 on the inside 1a of the first plate 1, which for this purpose by a small length on the projecting edges of the second plate 2 protrudes, as in the FIGS. 3 and 4 is shown. The base of the strip 24, which connects the two mutually parallel legs of the strip 24, is located on a sealing rod 27 which is loaded by springs 28 in a groove 29 of the rising edge of the plate 2 is arranged. From the into the FIGS. 3 and 4 shown active position, the bar 24 can be withdrawn by means of the piston-cylinder unit 26 in an inoperative position in which it clears the way to promote individual glass panels 31, 32 in the space between the plates 1 and 2 or an assembled insulating glass from the To be able to extract space between them.

At the upper edge of the frame 11 of the fixed plate 1, a third sealing means 7 and a fourth sealing means 8 are mounted. The second, third and fourth sealing means 6, 7, 8 are each a flexible, reversibly compressible strand 33 with z. B. rectangular cross-section, which is unilaterally occupied by a spring band 34 which projects beyond the strand 33 on both sides. The strand 33 may, for. B. foam or made of a foam plastic. Alternatively, the strand 33 is also an elastomeric hollow profile, for. B. a box profile to be. The spring band 34 is preferably a thin spring plate, z. B. from a 0.2 mm to 0.3 mm thick spring steel on which the strand 33 is glued or vulcanized. The spring band 34 should develop in the extended position no restoring force, so that it aligns the second, third and fourth sealing means 6, 7, 8, when they hang, in a rectilinear, elongated shape.

At the upper edge of the fixed plate 1 and its frame 11 extending between the housings 20, parallel to the conveying direction 4 rail 35 is mounted, on which the third and fourth sealing means 7 and 8 and two supports 36 are displaceable, each of which Turning 37 a role and a drive device for the respective sealing device 7, 8 carries. The drive device is closer in the German patent application 10 2005 033 040.1 described.

The FIG. 2 shows the third and fourth sealing means 7, 8 in their inoperative end position in which they are located substantially outside the gap between the two plates 1, 2 and.

The second sealing device 6 has substantially the same structure as the third and fourth sealing means 7, 8, in contrast to this but not parallel to the conveying direction 4 displaceable, but mounted stationary on the left edge of the first plate 1.

The FIG. 3 1 shows the first glass sheet 31 adhered to the second sheet 2 and the second glass sheet 32 to which a frame-shaped spacer 30 adheres to both sides with adhesive is leaned against the first sheet 1. Further shows FIG. 2 the second sealing device 6 in its operative position, in which they except for the from the glass sheets 31, 32 and the spacer 30 formed arrangement is pushed down. For glass panels, which are not so long that they protrude from the space between the two plates 1 and 2, it can be pushed down to the upper run of the conveyor belt 22.

At the inlet side of the device, a fifth sealing device 9 is provided on the frame 10, which in detail in FIG. 5 is shown. In her is an angled lever 38 which is pivotable about a perpendicular to the plane of the plates 1 and 2 extending, fixed to the frame axis 39. For pivoting a pneumatic cylinder 40 is provided, which is articulated at one end to the frame 10 and with its piston rod to the lever 38. At the free end of the lever 38, a sealing element 41 is mounted, which may be formed of an elastomeric plate, a strip of soft foam or a brush with tight bristles. The arrangement is such that the sealing element 41 in its operative position, the in FIG. 5 is shown, in the gap between the upper strand of the horizontal conveyor 3 and the lower edge of the arrangement of the glass panels 31 and 32 and the spacer 30 engages, in particular in the space between the two glass panels 31 and 32 engages and to the between the glass panels 31 and 32 located spacer 30 applies. By pressing the pneumatic cylinder 40, the sealing element 41 in his in FIG. 5 shown active position pivoted or pivoted out of this operative position down in an inoperative position.

The following describes how to proceed according to the invention, when in the in the FIGS. 1 to 5 apparatus shown assembled an insulating glass panel and to be filled with a heavy gas, which has an overlap, so that it protrudes a little way from the press formed with the two plates 1 and 2.

First, all sealing devices 5 to 9 are in their inoperative position. A first glass sheet 31 is supported on the conveyor belt 22 and supported against the first plate 1 in the conveying direction 4 in the space between the two plates 1 and 2 promoted. In order for the first glass sheet 31 to more easily slide over the inside 1a of the first board 1, it is provided with numerous small openings (not shown) provided through which air can be blown by means of a blower, which generates an air cushion between the glass sheet 31 and the inner side 1 a of the plate 1. The first glass sheet 31 is conveyed to a predetermined end position close to the front in the conveying direction 4 edge of the plate 2. If the first glass panel 31 arrived there, the horizontal conveyor 3 is stopped. The second plate 2, in which suckers, not shown, are integrated, is moved by operating the spindles 16 against the first glass sheet 31, sucks them and is then removed again from the first plate 1. Then, a second glass sheet 32, to which a frame-shaped spacer 30 sticks, is moved on the horizontal conveyor 3 to a position in which it faces the first glass sheet 31 congruently. In this case, a rear portion of the glass sheets 31, 32 protrudes out of the press formed with the plates 1 and 2.

If both glass panels 31, 32 are positioned congruently opposite one another, the second sealing device 6 is pushed down from above until it meets the upper edge of the glass panels 31 and 32 and preferably also up to the top of the spacer. The z. B. made of soft, compressible foam rubber strand 30 is about the front end of the spring band 34 via. This makes it possible for the strand 30 to penetrate into the space between the two glass sheets 31, 32 to the spacer 30 and to be applied to this, which by an obliquely cut end, as in FIG. 5 indicated, can be favored. Then, the second plate 2 of the first plate 1 is approximated until between the first glass sheet 31 and the spacer 30 opposite her only a gap of predetermined width of z. B. 2 mm to 3 mm. In this case, the strand 33 of the second sealing device 6 is compressed and limits the chamber to be formed for the introduction of a heavy gas above the spacer 30 between the glass sheets 31 and 32 and above the edge of the glass sheets 31 and 32 between the two plates 1 and 2 from. In this position, the plates 1 and 2 and the front edge of the glass panels 31 and 32 adjacent first sealing means 5 is actuated and the bar 24 is advanced until it hits with its sealing cord 25 on the fixed plate 1. This state shows the FIG. 3 ,

Next, a plurality of pressure medium cylinders 42 are actuated, which are arranged on the inlet side of the device stacked on the frame 12, which supports the second plate 2. The pressure cylinder 42 have a piston rod 43 which is hinged to the back of the second plate 2. By pressing the pressure cylinder 42, the second plate 2 at its inlet-side edge slightly, z. B. by 2 mm to 3 mm, with bending the plate 2 are advanced, as it is in FIG. 4 is exaggerated. In the case of a plate 2 which is so stiff that it would be difficult to bend, it can also be divided into two sections hinged together with the axis of the hinge close to the inside of the plate 2; In this case, the one, smaller segment, z. B. the upstream side disposed segment, a little opposite to the fixed second segment are pivoted to bend the projecting portion of the first glass sheet 31 against the spacer 30.

By advancing the inlet side edge of the movable plate 2, the first glass sheet 31, which adheres to the second plate 2 by suction, also bent so that its from the space between the two plates 1 and 2 outstanding portion of the also protruding portion of Spacer 30 is applied. The result is that the portion of the glass sheet assembly protruding from the space between the two plates 1 and 2 is closed by adhering the protruding portion of the spacer 30 to both glass sheets 31 and 32, whereas in the space between the two sheets 1 and 2, the first glass sheet 31 is still at a distance from the spacer 30 because it adheres to the second plate 2, because it is sucked on this. This condition is in FIG. 4 shown with exaggerated curvature of the second plate 2 and the first glass sheet 31.

Subsequently, the fifth sealing device 9 is pivoted into its operative position, see FIG. 2 and FIG. 5 , Now, a chamber is formed between the plates 1 and 2, which below through the horizontal conveyor 3 and through the fifth sealing device 9, laterally through the plates 1 and 2 and through the first and through the second sealing device 6, outside the device through the glass panels 31st and 32 and bounded by the spacer 30 and is open at the top. The chamber extends across the gap between the two sections 3 a and 3 b of the horizontal conveyor 3. So that at this point the chamber closed down is, is provided between the two conveyor belts 22 a completion completing bridge 44.

In the chamber is preferably from below, z. B. in the way they are in the EP 1 450 001 A1 described, introduced a gas other than air, in particular a heavy gas, which rises in the chamber and thereby fills the gap between the glass sheets 31 and 32. FIG. 2 shows that the heavy gas level 45 has reached the top of the glass panels 31, 32. If a sufficient amount of the heavy gas is supplied, the heavy gas supply is adjusted and the movable plate 2 of the fixed plate 1 further approximated, wherein the pressure medium cylinder 42 are depressurized, so that the deflection of the plate 2 and the curvature of the first glass sheet 31 regress. As a result, the first glass sheet 31 strikes the spacer 30 with its remaining circumference and is glued to it. The movement of the second plate 2 against the first plate 1 ends when the distance between the two plates 1 and 2 coincides with the predetermined target thickness of the insulating glass pane.

Thereafter, the movable plate 2 is again removed from the fixed plate 1, the first sealing device 5 is retracted to its inoperative position, the second sealing device 6 is raised to an inoperative position, the fifth sealing device 9 pivoted down to its inoperative position and the assembled insulating glass pane is driven by of the horizontal conveyor 3 transported out of the device. Meanwhile, a first glass sheet for a subsequent insulating glass pane can already be conveyed into the device.

The invention is of course not only suitable for triangular insulating glass panes, but for insulating glass panes with any outline shape, in particular for rectangular insulating glass panes.

The third and fourth sealing devices 7 and 8 remain in an inoperative position during assembly and gas filling of overlong insulating glass panes. They are used in the assembly and gas filling of shorter insulating glass panes whose length is smaller or much smaller than the distance of the first sealing device 5 of the second sealing device 6 is. In this respect, the revelation in the German patent application 10 2005 033 040.1 directed.

That in the FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrated embodiment differs from that in the FIGS. 1 to 5 illustrated embodiment by an amended second sealing device 6 at the inlet side edge of the device. It consists of a moderately thin coated with a soft plastic spring strip 46, which is wound on a driven roller 47 which is mounted with a perpendicular to the plane of the plate 1 extending axis thereon. At the upstanding, inlet-side edges of the two plates 1 and 2 each have a cross-sectionally L-shaped guide rail 48 and 49 are attached, each defining a guide slot 50 and 51, which are aligned and record the edges of the spring strip 46. The guide slot 51 is deeper than the guide slot 50 to have room for the movement of the second plate 2. At the lower end of the spring strip 46 may be a series of tight bristles are attached, with which it is possible to make the second sealing means 6 both on the edge of the two glass sheets 31 and 32 and on the spacer 30. The operation of this device corresponds to that which has been described in connection with the first embodiment.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS:

1.

first plate

1a.

their inside

Second

second plate

Third

Horizontal conveyor

3a, 3b

Sections of 3

4th

conveying direction

5th

first sealing device

6th

second sealing device

7th

third sealing device

8th.

fourth sealing device

9th

fifth sealing device

10th

frame

11th

frame

12th

frame

13th

bar

14th

bar

15th

pursuit

16th

spindles

17th

bearing blocks

18th

bearing blocks

19th

rails

20th

Housing with spindle nut

21st

Housing with spindle nut

22nd

conveyor belt

23rd

role

24th

strip

25th

sealing cord

26th

Piston-cylinder unit

27th

sealing bar

28th

feather

29th

groove

30th

spacer

31st

first glass plate

32nd

second glass panel

33rd

strand

34th

spring band

34a.

edge strips

35th

rail

36th

carrier

37th

Deflection device, roll

38th

lever

39th

axis

40th

pneumatic cylinder

41st

sealing element

42nd

Pressure cylinder

43rd

piston rod

44th

bridge

45th

Heavy gas level

46th

Spring steel strips

47th

role

48th

guide rail

49th

guide rail

50th

guide slot

51st

guide slot

52nd

shore

Claims (26)

1. Method for assembling insulating glass panes from two or more than two glass sheets (31, 32), which are filled with a gas other than air, in a device
   having two plates (1, 2) facing each other, which are arranged parallel to each other vertically or inclined and their mutual distance can be changed,
   having a horizontal conveyor (3) arranged near the lower edge of the plates (1, 2) along the lower length of the plates (1, 2) and having a conveying direction ,
   having a first sealing device (5) and a second sealing device (6), which are positioned at the protruding edges of both the plates (1, 2) or near these edges or between the plates (1, 2) and can extend between the horizontal conveyor (3) and a point lying above the horizontal conveyor (3),
   and having means for feeding a gas other than air in a chamber, which is delimited on both the sides by the two plates (1, 2) and by the two sealing devices (5, 6),
   characterized in that for assembling overlong insulating glass panes, which are longer than the plates (1, 2), the glass sheets (31, 32), to one of which is attached a frame-like spacer, which is provided with an adhesive on both of its sides, are positioned opposite to each other between the plates (1, 2) in such a way that the glass sheets (31, 32) lie with their one end between the plates (1, 2) and close to the first sealing device (5) and protrude with their other end from the space between both the plates (1, 2),
   that by the first sealing device (5) the chamber is delimited upwardly from a location on the horizontal conveyor (3),
   that a first glass sheet (31), to which the spacer (30) is not yet attached, is bonded to the spacer (30) by bending and approaching to the second glass sheet (30) the section of the first glass sheet (31) protruding from the space between the two plates (1, 2) and is not bent in another section and that the section of the first glass sheet (31) which is not bent and lying at one of the two plates (1, 2) is kept at a distance from the spacer (30), and
   that thereafter from below or from a location close above the horizontal conveyor (3) the gas other than air is introduced into the chamber, after which the insulating glass pane is closed completely and is pressed between the plates (1, 2).
2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that with the second sealing device (6) the chamber is delimited coming from the top till the upper edge of the glass sheets (31, 32).
3. Method according to claim 2, characterized in that the second sealing device (6), which is brought from the top, is lowered till the spacer (30).
4. Method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that that the second plate (2) is bent or deflected in a direction to the opposite first plate (1) at its protruding edge, at which the second sealing device (6) becomes effective.
5. Method according to claim 4, characterized in that in a device, in which the second plate (2) is divided in at least two segments, the segment, at which the second sealing device (6) becomes effective, is swiveled in a direction to the opposite first plate (1) by an axis lying near the front side of the second plate (2), parallel to it and at right-angle to the direction of conveying (4).
6. Method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that at each end of the device, at which the glass panes (31, 32) protrude from the device, the gap between the horizontal conveyor (3) and the lower side piece of the spacer (30) is completely sealed when the gas other than air is introduced.
7. Device for assembling insulating glass panes from two or more than two glass sheets (31, 32), which are filled with a gas other than air,
   with two plates (1, 2) facing each other, which are arranged parallel to each other vertically or inclined and their mutual distance can be changed,
   with a horizontal conveyor (3) arranged near the lower edge of the plates (1, 2) along the lower edge of the plates (1, 2) and having a conveying direction (4),
   with a first sealing device (5) and a second sealing device (6), which can become effective at the upwardly extending edges of both the plates (1, 2) or near these edges at the plates (1, 2),
   and with means for feeding a gas other than air into a chamber, which is delimited on the down side by the horizontal conveyor (3) and on the sides by the two plates (1, 2) and by the two sealing devices (5, 6),
   characterized in that a section of one of the plates (the second plate 2) or a part of this section, which lies in the area of its edge, at which the second sealing device (6) is arranged, can be moved out of the plane of the front side of the plate (2) in the direction towards the opposite plate (the first plate 1).
8. Device according to claim 7, characterized in that the section of the plate (2) can be bent.
9. Device according to claim 7, characterized in that the section of the plate (2) can be deflected.
10. Device according to any of the claims 7 to 9, characterized in that the second sealing device (6) can be moved in its effective position with the help of a downward movement.
11. Device according to any of the claims 7 to 10, characterized in that the second sealing device (6) has a strand (3), which has a straight shape in the relaxed state and can be bent against a restoring force and can be reset again in the straight shape by the restoring force.
12. Device according to any of the claims 7 to 11, characterized In that the second sealing device (6) is a spring strip having a V-shaped or a Z-shaped cross-section.
13. Device according to any of the claims 7 to 11, characterized in that the second sealing device (6) shows a reversibly compressible strand (33), which is connected with the spring strip (34) on one side, which applies flatly to the one or the other plate (1, 2), whereby the strand (33) is compressed when the distance between the plates (1, 2) is reduced.
14. Device according to any of the claims 7 to 11, characterized in that the second sealing device (7, 8) comprises a reversibly compressible strand, which is connected to a spring strip on each of two opposite sides, which strips apply flatly to the two plates (1, 2) when the distance between them is reduced.
15. Device according to any of the claims 7 to 11, characterized in that the second sealing device (7, 8) shows a reversibly compressible strand, in which at least one spring strip is embedded.
16. Device according to any of the claims 7 to 11, characterized in that the second sealing device (7, 8) shows a spring strip, which is connected on one side or on both the sides with a reversibly compressible strand, which leaves blank the edge stripes (34a) of the spring strip (34).
17. Device according to any of the claims 14 to 16, characterized in that the strand (33) is made of a reversibly compressible foam plastic or foam rubber.
18. Device according to any of the claims 13 to 16, characterized in that the strand is made from an elastomer hollow profile.
19. Device according to claim 18, characterized In that the hollow profile has predetermined fold lines running longitudinally.
20. Device according to any of the claims 13 to 19, characterized In that the spring strip (34) or the spring strips, respectively, protrude on both the sides over the strands (33).
21. Device according to any of the claims 13 to 20, characterized in that the lower edge of the strand (33) protrudes over the lower end of the spring strip (34) or the spring strips, respectively.
22. Device according to any of the claims 7 to 21, characterized in that for the second sealing device (6) a deflection device (37) is provided at the upper edge of one of the plates (1, 2).
23. Device according to claim 22, characterized In that one of the two plates (1, 2) is arranged fixed and that the deflection devices (37) are placed at the fixed plate (1).
24. Device according to any of the claims 7 to 23, characterized in that a winding device is provided for storing the second sealing device.
25. Device according to claim 22, characterized in that the deflection device (37) has a roller with an axis of rotation parallel to the direction of conveying (4).
26. Device according to any of the claims 7 to 25, in which the plates are arranged inclined, characterized in that the second sealing device (7, 8) is arranged at that plate (1), whose inner side (1a) points inclined upward.

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