EP2024262A1

EP2024262A1 - Method for producing a glass pane

Info

Publication number: EP2024262A1
Application number: EP07725823A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Rainer Kübler; Günter KLEER; Rainer Kolloff; Martin Krappitz; Thorsten Faber
Original assignee: Fraunhofer Gesellschaft zur Forderung der Angewandten Forschung eV
Current assignee: Fraunhofer Gesellschaft zur Forderung der Angewandten Forschung eV
Priority date: 2006-06-02
Filing date: 2007-06-04
Publication date: 2009-02-18
Also published as: DE102006025912A1; CA2647189A1; US20090241317A1; WO2007140978A1; DE202006020154U1; CN101454230A

Abstract

A method is described for producing a glass pane having at least one edge section which delimits the glass pane and for the production of which the glass pane has been severed along the edge section with the aid of a severing operation which comprises an introduction of thermal energy. The invention is characterized in that, immediately after production of the at least one edge section by means of a severing operation which comprises an introduction of thermal energy, the glass pane is surrounded by a covering at least in sections, preferably along the entire edge section.

Description

Process for producing a glass pane

Technical area

The invention relates to a method for producing a glass pane having at least one edge portion delimiting the glass pane, for the production of which the glass pane has been separated along the edge section with the aid of a separation process comprising a thermal energy input. Further, a glass sheet produced by this method will be described.

State of the art

In addition to the separation of flat glasses by means of mechanical scribing with a scriber and subsequent bending fracture and the resulting, known poor edge qualities caused by local Randausplatzungen and low strength of the glass, assert themselves in the market in selected applications methods in which the glass is either by a , the glass pane by cutting, driven by thermal stress crack or a current in the glass surface, also driven by thermal stresses crack and subsequent bending fracture, are separated. The combination of both methods is conceivable. Only in a purely cursory manner is reference in this connection made to publications published on this subject: DE 199 63 939 A1, EP 1 336 591 A3, EP0633 867 B1, EP 0448 168 A1, US 6,252,197 B1, US 6,407,360 B1, US 5,984,159, US 6,112,967, US2002 / 0125232 A1, US 2003/0209528 A1.

In all of these cases, referred to below as "thermally cut edges", a substantially higher quality glass edge is obtained than with conventional mechanical scribing and breaking, for example a glass pane processed by means of thermal edge cutting has significantly higher strength and excellent optical edge quality and can also without any splintering and scalloping is produced at the edge edge as opposed to conventional scribing and fracturing The strength of the thermally cut edges is so great that machining operations such as hemming, chamfering, grinding or polishing tend to reduce edge strength and degrade edge quality, particularly as a result of errors can be introduced into the edge.

Glass sheets with thermally cut edges, for example, in the four-cutting-bending test to about 2.5 times higher strength than by mechanical scribing and breaking cut glass sheets on. More detailed investigations of fracture patterns of overstressed glass panes show that in a typical loading mode, in which both the glass pane surface and the glass pane edge are loaded in a comparable manner at the same time, the break origins in the case of panes with thermally separated edges not on the glass edge, but in the glass surface, however, in contrast with mechanically scratched and broken edges, even after the application of complex post-processing steps, lie on the glass edge. This finding clarifies the fact that is important for the practice facts of the bending or tensile loads occurring in comparison to the glass pane surface at the edge extremely low susceptibility to breakage. In addition, the degree of strength increase obtained with the thermally induced edge production does not even represent the limit of the maximum achievable edge strength, but rather is limited by the defects introduced into the glass surfaces during the production and further processing of float glass. According to prevailing view and existing specifications, the edges of glass sheets for certain manufacturing processes and applications with slightly increased strength requirements, such as prestressed discs such as toughened safety glass or partially tempered glass or laminated safety glass, beveled, ground or even elaborately polished. For even higher demands on the strength, for example in the field of architecture, the glass thickness must be increased in addition to edge processing and / or the possible construction must be adapted to what is feasible based on the achievable strength. However, it is known that glass can have a much higher strength, but this is not achievable due to the insufficient edge quality after mechanical scribing and breaking and subsequent processing of the glass edge. As a result, many applications of glass as a supporting material with the previously available glass panes are not possible.

Due to a forming sharp transition of the thermally cut edge to the glass surface, however, disadvantageously the edge is particularly impact-sensitive, so that even low mechanical loads, such as caused by settling, bumping against another glass edge, etc., as for example in the professional handling, during transport , the further processing, the installation and use of glass certainly occur, almost inevitably can lead to edge damage, from microscopic to visible to the naked eye outbreaks and damage. Smaller defects in the edges reduce the edge strength, with larger damages the edge strength suffers to the level of a mechanically scratched and broken glass pane to a degree.

The property of high edge strength and the associated advantages, such as lower material requirements with the same strength or greater strength reserves at, always compared to mechanical scribing and breaking, the same dimensioned discs can be irretrievably lost by this damage entry in the edge. The fact of the existing risk of damage explained above precludes a broad use of the high strength of the thermally cut glass.

If the outstanding property of the high strength of glass sheets with thermally cut edges is to be retained, then the edge must be undamaged after being cut over the entire processing and service life.

Presentation of the invention

It is therefore the task to look for measures by which the risk of damage of thermally cut glass is to be significantly reduced at the glass edges, so that thermally cut glass can be supplied to a broader harmless use.

The solution of the problem underlying the invention is specified in claim 1. The subject matter of claim 4 is a glass sheet produced by the method. The concept of the invention advantageously further features are the subject of the dependent claims and the further description with reference to the exemplary embodiments.

A method according to the invention for producing a glass pane with at least one edge section delimiting the glass pane, for the production of which the glass pane has been separated along the edge section with the aid of a separating process comprising a thermal energy input, is characterized in that the glass pane immediately after producing the at least one edge section is surrounded by thermal energy input at least in sections, preferably along the entire edge portion of a sheath. The method according to the solution is based on the idea immediately after the production of the glass sheet edge to protect them from external mechanical effects even before the glass is subjected to the glass pane edge loading handling steps, such as parking, storage, handling and transporting etc. The glass sheet is thus according to the solution immediately after the thermal energy input comprehensive separation process, ie sheathed without physical contact with the produced edge portion and / or without mechanical stress and / or force on the edge portion produced. The casing is made, for example, from a plastic or plastic material by means of a dipping, spraying, spraying, foaming, Aufschiebe- or Aufsteckvorganges and applied to the edge region.

Only when the glass pane finds its intended use and is carefully spent and positioned at a suitable place of use, the edge protection can be removed, if required by the conditions of use, otherwise the edge protection remains permanently on the protected edge area.

The sheathing, which is mounted after appropriate choice in terms of material, shape and size along the at least one thermally cut edge portion of the glass, serves as edge protection such that a reduction in the strength of the glass edge completely avoided or at best a lowering of the strength by a still permissible defined Amount is obtained, wherein the edge protection respectively the casing is provided so permanently around the at least one edge region, that the casing respectively matched to different steps regarding. Professional handling, transport, a corresponding processing and possibly installation or integration of the glass in a the glass pane receiving system, for example. A window frame, fulfills its protective function. Preferably, the sheath consists of a permanently elastic plastic material, which is preferably applied flush along the edge portion, wherein the sheath covers both the end face of the edge portion and edge portions of the directly adjacent to the end face glass panels. This ensures that the injury-sensitive edge features are completely surrounded by the sheath. As a particularly preferred cladding material are suitable for adhesion to glass plastics, for example. Elastomers, preferably organic elastomers, for. As polyurethane, acrylic paint, acrylates in conjunction with polyurethane, polyisocyanate, silicone, epoxy, PVC, etc. In order to increase the adhesion of the plastic-based cladding material to the glass can be used in addition corresponding primer.

It is also possible to virtually foam the edge region to be protected by means of foam-like, elastic, porous plastic materials. For this purpose, for example. PU foam, foamed polyethylenes, polypropylenes, polyisocyanates, just to name a few. Also filled plastics are preferably conceivable with different plastic material shares and elasticities.

If most of the plastics applied directly to the edge region of a glass pane to be protected have a purely adhesive bond with the glass surface, it is likewise conceivable to provide a casing for edge protection on the glass pane, which is primarily fixed by clamping or by a friction generated therefrom Touch areas is attached to the glass. In the case of, for example, an edge-mounting rail made of foam material, it is usually sufficient merely to place or slide the rail onto the edge to be protected in order to ensure sufficient adhesion or attachment of the rail to the edge region. When using harder materials than foams, it is important to define the contact surfaces between the suitably selected edge protection and the edge region of the glass and to provide by means of suitable measures for a sufficient contact pressure between the shell and the glass. For example. By means of clamping aids or by Material internal biases within the sheath. Thus, it is possible to make the sheath also from wood, ormocers or similar hybrid materials, ie inorganic / organic hybrid materials. Also and in particular combinations of elastic materials on the inside, ie the glass pane side facing and solid material, eg. Metal, plastics or fiber reinforced materials, on the outside of the edge protection forming sheath conceivable.

In principle, such plastic materials can be applied along the at least one edge region to be protected by means of a dipping process, by spraying, by foaming, by encapsulation or by sheathing. In addition to the use of pourable, flowable, or sprayable materials, however, firmly adhering inorganic materials are also conceivable for the realization of the protective sheath, which can be applied along the edge region to be protected by means of a sliding or plugging operation. Suitable materials for this purpose are metals, preferably under load plastically deformable metals such as aluminum, tin or metal alloys.

As an alternative to the use of cladding materials adhering directly to the glass and end face, claddings are also used which, although they surround the end face of the edge region, do not directly contact it, but rather over-span or span over. In this case, the casing adheres or lies against the edge regions of the two glass pane surfaces adjoining the end surface in the edge region. By means of the arrangement of the casing, which is contract-free with respect to the end face, it is possible to ensure that the properties of the end face as well as the edge courses are completely unaffected by the strength of the edge area, yet this ensures that these areas are effectively protected against external mechanical influences. Due to the inherent elasticity of each selected sheath material and by providing a cavity enclosed with the edge region is in such a O

Embodiment of the sheath created a kind of crumple zone, by which the edge region is protected from external mechanical influences.

Further details describing the shroud can be found below the description with reference to the embodiments.

It is obvious that the size and geometry choice of the sheathing protecting the respective edge region depends on the respective thickness and size of the glass pane itself. Thus, in a simple and small-sized design, the sheath may be in the form of a thin lacquer layer which surrounds the edge region locally. However, if thicker and larger glass panes are concerned, it is possible to choose casings with a thickness of a few mm down to a few cm or dm. If it is the mechanical protection of mostly made of plastic materials sheaths to further improve, so is the combination with specially selected reinforcing materials, for example, even from thermoplastic materials or metals, such as aluminum or steel, may exist and embedded in the sheath or may be applied to the respective surface of the sheath. A preferred embodiment provides, for example, an outer additional metal layer, which is usually made of elastic synthetic material and surrounds the surrounding metal layer.

In addition to the mere protection of the edge region from external mechanical influences, the sheath can combine additional functional properties depending on the design and dimensioning, such as, for example, a sealing function or fitting function for installation in the glass pane surrounding frame systems. As already mentioned, the measure according to the solution is intended to simplify the handling and integration of thermally cut glass panes, for example in structures or plant areas, without having to be overly attentive to the risk of breakage of an exposed thermally cut glass pane edge. Depending on the application and purpose, it is possible to choose the material of the sheath of transparent, colored or light-absorbing plastic material, the surface of which may be formed, if necessary, dull, smooth or textured.

However, it is not necessary to surround the entire length of the edge region with the jacket according to the solution, which is often advantageous with respect to a desired edge protection, however, the edge protection in the form of the jacket formed in accordance with the solution can only be provided at selected regions along the edge region are exposed to an expected load, provided that further technical measures ensure that the remaining edge areas remain intact.

The measure according to the solution for protecting thermally cut glass edges can basically be used for any type of glass panes, for example for laminated safety glass panes, insulating glass or single-layer glass panes, irrespective of whether they have been hardened or subjected to further tempering.

Brief description of the invention

The invention will now be described by way of example without limitation of the general inventive idea by means of embodiments with reference to the drawings. Show it:

Fig. 1 to 8 various embodiments of a sheath surrounding a thermally cut edge portion of a glass sheet, and

Fig. 9a, b, c process steps for the production of the edge protection according to the invention. Ways to carry out the invention, industrial usability

FIGS. 1a, b each show a typical cross-section through a glass pane 1 in the edge region, in which it is assumed that the edge section has been produced by means of a thermal energy input. The edge portion itself has an end face 2, which usually perpendicularly intersects the glass pane surfaces 3, 4 lying opposite one another. This assumption applies to all illustrated embodiments and can be considered largely realistic, although, production-related deviations from an exactly orthogonal orientation of the end face 2 relative to the adjacent glass pane surfaces 3, 4 may occur.

FIG. 1 a shows a jacket 5 which surrounds the end face and the edge regions of the glass panes 3, 4 and which adheres directly to the respective glass surface of the edge region. It is assumed that the sheath 5 consists of a self-hardening, pourable, flowable, sprayable or in any other suitable formable plastic material. If, in the embodiment according to FIG. 1 a, a geometrically regular U-profile in the cross-sectional shape is concerned, then it is likewise possible to design the casing 5 with an outer freeform surface according to the cross-sectional illustration in FIG. Ultimately, the shape of the casing 5 depends on the particular manufacturing process, which can be realized in the form of a dipping, spraying, spraying, foaming, sliding or Aufsteckvorganges. To ensure the most effective edge protection, especially for the high-risk edges 7 and 8, it is necessary to provide elastic materials for the sheath 5, which are as shock-absorbing as possible. Usually, the edge region to be protected extends to the respective corners at which the glass pane areas 3, 4 and the end face 2 abut together. The shape of the sheath can also be used later, e.g. as a frame or frame element for the integration in windows, etc. of importance.

For further mechanical reinforcement of the casing 5 sees the embodiment in Figures 2a and b within the casing fifth integrated reinforcing elements or materials 6 before that are completely integrated or embedded in the matrix of the sheath 5 so that they serve to protect the edge regions 7, 8. Preferred materials for such reinforcing elements 6 are, for example, thermoplastics or metals, in the form of aluminum or steel rails, which are arranged longitudinally to the respective edge regions 7, 8.

A further embodiment is shown in Figure 3a, b, in which the sheath 5 is joined exclusively to the edge regions of the glass pane surfaces 3, 4 and in the remaining area, opposite the glass pane, in particular the edge regions 7 and 8 is spaced. Thus, the sheath 5 includes an inner volume 9, which can additionally take over the function of a kind of crumple zone. Moreover, in this way, the formation of the casing ensures that the production-related surface nature, the edge region 7 and 8 is changed in any way, which ultimately also the strength properties of the edge region, in particular the end face remain unaffected. Conceivable is the design of the sheath shown in Figures 3a and b as Aufsteckoder Aufschiebeschiene that can be pushed laterally along the edge course after completion of the glass.

Another alternative form of assembly, such, the edge region of a glass protective cover, is shown in Figures 4a and b, which show a sheath 5, consisting of two segments 5a, 5b, along the edge course provide a parting line 10, on the both sheathing segments 5a, 5b can be fixed together. As a conventional joining and thus mounting mechanism is, for example, offers a kind of snap lock mechanism, as it can be seen from Figures 4a and b. As a result, the casing can be removed again from the glass pane and used again on another glass pane.

In FIG. 5a, b, an embodiment which mechanically stabilizes the sheath can be seen, in which, in addition to that of FIG made of elastic plastic material sheath 5 an external mechanical contactor and possibly support structure 11 is provided, for example. In the form of an additional metal layer. The metal layer 11, which may possibly also be made of another stable metal, in addition to its mechanically improving protective and support function also have other functional properties, such as. Abdichtfunktionen or to increase or improve thermal or chemical resistance to external agents ,

FIGS. 6 to 8 show further embodiments of sheaths 5 which, in addition to the properties already described above, provide additional support structures 12 that locally surround the sheath 5, which is in each case spaced from the end face 2 and encloses a cavity 9 with the latter support the end face 2.

FIG. 9 shows a schematic process sequence for separating a glass plate 1 and for sheathing the glass edge produced.

FIG. 9 a shows the separation of the glass pane 1 which comprises a thermal energy input. For this purpose, a thermal energy source 14, preferably in the form of a high-energy laser beam is guided along a desired separation line 13, whereby the glass material is heated locally along the parting line 13.

Basically, two main variants are available for "thermal separation".

In the first variant, a crack in the glass material guided by thermal energy input, which smells through the thickness of the glass material, separates the glass pane along the desired contour. As a result, two separate glass panes with thermally separated edges are obtained directly. A second variant consists of two steps, whereby first a thermal crack is introduced into the glass surface and then the glass sheet is conventionally broken. For this, the area of the edge need not be touched. It is sufficient if, for example, a glass pane held and then lowered defined and thereby the thermal surface crack is broken.

Economically more interesting is the second variant so thermally scratches and then break, as this process variant is in principle easier to integrate into existing systems. After the glass sheet 1 is broken along the parting line 13 and an end face 2 has formed along the edge portion 7 (see Figure 9 b), the end face 2 immediately, ie immediately before the end face 2 may be subject to mechanical external influences, with a sheath 5 surrounded (see Figure 9 c). The sheath may be a simple U-rail, preferably made of a plastic material that can be applied to the glass edge to be protected by means of a dipping, spraying, spraying, foaming, Aufschiebe- or Aufsteckvorganges.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

pane

End face, 4 glass pane surfaces

jacket

Reinforcement elements, reinforcing materials, 8 edge areas

Contained volume 0 Parting line 1 Metal layer 2 Support structure 3 Separation line Thermal energy source

Claims

claims

1. A process for producing a glass sheet having at least one edge portion delimiting the glass sheet, for the production of which the glass sheet has been separated along the edge portion by means of a separation process comprising a thermal energy input, characterized in that the glass sheet immediately after producing the at least one edge portion by means of thermal Energy input at least in sections, preferably along the entire edge portion is surrounded by a sheath.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the sheath made of a plastic or plastic material by way of a dipping, spraying, spraying, foaming, Aufschiebe- or Aufsteckvorganges and applied to the edge region.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the glass sheet immediately after the thermal energy input, i. is sheathed without bodily contact with the edge portion produced and / or without mechanical stress and / or force on the edge portion produced.

4. Glass pane with at least one glass pane bounding edge portion, for the production of which the glass sheet has been separated along the edge portion by means of a thermal energy input, characterized in that at least in sections, preferably the entire edge portion is surrounded by a sheath. I

5. Glass pane according to claim 4, characterized in that the glass pane has two opposite glass pane surfaces separated by a thickness dimension of the glass pane, that the at least one edge portion is delimited by an end face which perpendicularly intersects both glass pane surfaces, and that the casing is the end face completely and surrounds areas of the glass surfaces adjacent to the end face.

6. Glass pane according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the casing has a plastic adhering to glass.

7. Glass pane according to claim 6, characterized in that the plastic contains one of the following plastics: elastomer, organic elastomer, polyurethane, acrylic lacquer, acrylate, PU, polyisocyanate, silicone, epoxy resin, PVC, PE, PP.

8. Glass pane according to one of claims 4 to 7, characterized in that the sheath adjoins seamlessly to the end face and to the areas of the glass pane surfaces.

9. Glass pane according to one of claims 4 to 8, characterized in that the casing is spaced from the end face and is connected exclusively in the region of the glass pane surfaces with the glass pane.

10. Glass sheet according to one of claims 4 to 9, characterized in that the sheathing comprises material which is softer and more elastic than glass.

11. Glass pane according to one of claims 4 to 10, characterized in that the sheath in the way of a dipping, spraying, spraying, foaming, Aufschiebe- or Aufsteckvorganges can be produced.

12. Glass pane according to one of claims 4 to 11, characterized in that the sheathing along the edge course of sturdier material existing protective rails provides that are embedded in a surrounding the edge portion, made of a softer material, the sheath forming matrix.

13. Glass pane according to one of claims 4 to 12, characterized in that the sheath is adhesively joined to the glass pane or removably attached to the edge region.

14. Glass pane according to one of claims 4 to 13, characterized in that the sheath is constructed in the manner of a sandwich structure and at least one of the glass pane facing first softer material layer provides, which is surrounded by a second layer of material, which is harder than the glass pane facing first Material layer is.

15. Glass pane according to one of claims 12 to 14, characterized in that the more stable material or the second material layer consists of thermoplastic material or of a metallic material.

16. Glass pane according to one of claims 4 to 15, characterized in that the casing consists of at least two interconnectable segments.

17. Glass pane according to claim 16, characterized in that at least two segments along the end face of the glass pane are connected to one another.

18. Glass pane according to one of claims 4 to 16, characterized in that the sheath is a functional unit for integrating the glass pane in a glass pane receiving system.

19. Glass pane according to claim 18, characterized in that the functional unit is designed as a seal, damping and / or suspension.

20. Glass pane according to one of claims 4 to 19, characterized in that the sheath consists of a light transparent or made of a colored material.

21. Glass pane according to one of claims 4 to 20, characterized in that the sheath has a matte, smooth or a textured surface.