EP2320020B1 - Separator tube for insulation glazing and device and method for producing the separator tube and insulation glazing with a separator frame comprising such separator tubes - Google Patents

Abstract

The spacer pipe (1) comprises two glass panes with a pipe wall (2), which has a view wall (6), a base wall (7) opposite to the view wall, and two side walls (8) for connecting with the glass pane. One of the two side walls is strain-hardened for increasing the flexural rigidity of the spacer pipe. Independent claims are also included for the following: (1) a multi-disk insulating glazing comprises a gap; (2) a device for manufacturing a spacer pipe; and (3) a method for manufacturing a spacer pipe.

Description

The present invention relates to a spacer tube for the manufacture of spacer frames of insulating glazing, and to a method and an apparatus for the production thereof, and to an insulating glazing with a spacer frame composed of such spacer tubes.

A conventional insulating glazing has at least two mutually parallel and spaced-apart glass panes, between which a space between the panes of defined width is provided. In order to permanently ensure this predefined space between the panes, a circumferential spacer frame is provided between the two glass panes, which connects the two glass panes in the area of their outer edges of the pane and keeps them at a distance. The spacer frame consists of a thin-walled spacer tube with a substantially rectangular cross-section, which has been bent to form the spacer frame accordingly, or of a plurality of individual spacer tubes, which are set by means of corner joints together.

Such spacer tubes are, for example, hollow profiles of aluminum, which are produced by roll bending or roll forming from an aluminum strip and subsequent welding of the abutting longitudinal edges of the aluminum strip. These spacer tubes have a wall thickness of 0.2-0.6 mm.

Furthermore, spacer tubes made of stainless steel are known. The stainless steel spacer tubes are also made by roll bending or roll forming made of a stainless steel strip and then welding the abutting longitudinal edges of the strip and have a wall thickness of 0.15 to 0.2 mm.

A disadvantage of the aluminum and stainless steel spacer tubes is, on the one hand, that the material costs of aluminum and stainless steel, especially in recent years, have increased enormously. In addition, the handling and further processing of the spacer tubes to spacer frames is often difficult. Because the spacer tubes have before bending to the spacer frame usually a length of 5000 mm to 7000 mm. As a result, spacer tubes, due to their length, tend to deflect along the entire length of the tube so as to deflect bending axes parallel to the tube width direction and / or tube height direction. This longitudinal instability and lability is particularly disadvantageous when bending the spacer tubes, usually by 90 °, to the spacer frame, especially for larger frame.

From the DE 299 08 779 U1 a profile rail for the edge-side spacing of two glass panes of a double glazing in the form of an elongated box profile emerges. The profile rail has an outwardly facing rear side, two opposite broad sides as contact surfaces for a respective glass pane and a front side facing into the glass gap. The box section is formed from a rolled in the form and welded together at its edges outside the front sheet metal strip and has embossed in the front side, running in the profile longitudinal stabilizing beads, each spaced from the longitudinal center line and have a depth which corresponds approximately to the material thickness of the strip. The beads are introduced as depressions from the outside of the box profile in the front side. In addition, such beads may also be present on the back.

From the US 2005/0227025 A1 shows a spacer and seal assembly, which has a stretchable sealant support member having a planar Surface which is bounded by first and second edges, wherein the first and the second edge of the sealant support member are folded. In addition, the arrangement according to the US 2005/0227025 A1 a corrugated extending pad in contact with the first and second edges of the stretchable sealant support member to form a plurality of cells, wherein a fold of the stretchable sealant support member extends into one of the cells. In addition, the assembly comprises a sealant which is connected to at least the first and second edges of the stretchable sealant support member. The sealant support member may for example consist of aluminum foil.

Furthermore, there are spacer tubes made of plastic, which are produced by extrusion. Spacer tubes made of polymeric materials with low thermal conductivity have a lower heat transfer coefficient compared to spacer tubes made of stainless steel and are cheaper to produce. However, further processing, especially bending to the spacer frames, is difficult. Furthermore, plastic is not UV-resistant, tends to age and is not completely diffusion-tight. For this reason, it is known to cover the backs of the spacer tubes with a metallic foil. The foil acts as a diffusion barrier. The other disadvantages of the spacer tubes made of plastic mentioned but are not resolved.

Object of the present invention is thus to provide a spacer tube for the production of spacer frame of a multi-pane double glazing, which is simple and inexpensive to produce, as well as a good processing and good handling realized.

In addition, a multi-pane glazing with such a spacer tube to be created.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device and a manufacturing method for simple and inexpensive production of the spacer tube.

These objects are achieved by the features of claims 1, 14, 15 and 17. Advantageous developments of the invention are characterized in the respective subsequent subclaims.

Figur 1:

Eine perspektivische Querschnittsansicht des erfindungsgemäßen Abstandhalterrohres nach einer ersten Ausführungsform, ange- ordnet zwischen zwei Glasscheiben einer erfindungsgemäßen Mehrscheiben-Isolierverglasung

Figur 2:

Ein erfindungsgemäßes Abstandhalterrohr gemäß Fig. 1 in einem Längsschnitt

Figur 3:

Ein erfindungsgemäßes Abstandhatterrohr gemäß einer weiteren Ausführungsform im Längsschnitt

Figur 4:

Ein erfindungsgemäßes Abstandhalterrohr gemäß einer weiteren Ausführungsform im Längsschnitt

Figur 5:

Ein erfindungsgemäßes Abstandhalterrohr gemäß einer weiteren Ausführungsform im Längsschnitt

Figur 6:

Eine perspektivische Querschnittsansicht des erfindungsgemäßen Abstandhalterrohres nach der ersten Ausführungsform mit abge- rundeten Übergangswandungen

Figur 7:

Eine breitseitige Ansicht eines geprägten Metalllängsstreifens

Figur 8:

Eine breitseitige Ansicht eines weiteren geprägten Metalllängs- streifens

Figur 9:

Eine prägeflächenseitige Ansicht einer Prägerolle (halbgeschnit- ten) und einer Gegendruckrolle

Figur 10:

Eine perspektivische Querschnittsansicht des erfindungsgemäßen Abstandhalterrohres nach einer weiteren Ausführungsform mit ab- gerundeten Übergangswandungen

In the following the invention will be explained in more detail by way of example with reference to a drawing. Show it:

FIG. 1:

A perspective cross-sectional view of the spacer tube according to the invention according to a first embodiment, arranged between two glass panes of a multi-pane insulating glazing according to the invention

FIG. 2:

An inventive spacer tube according to Fig. 1 in a longitudinal section

FIG. 3:

An inventive Abstandhatterrohr according to another embodiment in longitudinal section

FIG. 4:

An inventive spacer tube according to another embodiment in longitudinal section

FIG. 5:

An inventive spacer tube according to another embodiment in longitudinal section

FIG. 6:

A perspective cross-sectional view of the spacer tube according to the invention according to the first embodiment with rounded transition walls

FIG. 7:

A broad-sided view of an embossed metal longitudinal stripe

FIG. 8:

A broad-sided view of another embossed metal longitudinal strip

FIG. 9:

A stamping surface side view of a stamping roller (half cut) and a counterpressure roller

FIG. 10:

A perspective cross-sectional view of the spacer tube according to the invention according to a further embodiment with rounded transition walls

The inventive thin-walled, preferably made of metal, spacer tube 1 ( Fig.1-6 . 10 ) has a tube wall 2 with a Wandungsaußenfläche 3 and a Wandungsinnenfläche 4. In particular, the spacer tube 1 is made of steel or aluminum. The tube wall 2 surrounds or surrounds a tube interior 5. Furthermore, the spacer tube 1 has a substantially rectangular cross-section, that is, it is box-shaped. The tube wall 2 also has a, preferably flat or plate-shaped, visual or top wall 6, one of these opposite and expediently parallel to this, preferably also flat or plate-shaped, bottom or Rückenwandung 7 and two, preferably straight or plate-shaped , Side or Scheibenanlagewandungen 8 on. The side walls 8 preferably extend perpendicular to the viewing wall 6 and the bottom wall 7. Expediently, a transition wall 9 is additionally provided between each of a side wall 8 and the bottom wall 7. The side walls 8 and the viewing wall 6 preferably merge directly into one another. Furthermore, the mutually adjoining walls 6, 7, 8, 9 are each arranged at an angle to each other and merge into each other via a bending edge or corner edge or bending edge 10. The two transition walls 9 are preferably formed as a kind chamfer, that is, the corner between each one side wall 8 and the bottom wall 7 is flattened by the transition walls 9. The transition walls 9 are expediently flat or plate-shaped ( Fig. 1 ). Alternatively, the transition walls 9 are rounded ( Fig. 6 . 10 ). In particular, the transition walls 9 are formed rounded such that the outer wall surface 3 is concavely curved in the region of the transition walls 9 and the Wandungsinnenfläche 4 is convexly curved.

The spacer tube 1 has a central longitudinal axis 11 and a longitudinal extension in the direction of a longitudinal direction 11 parallel to the tube longitudinal direction 12. In addition, the extension of the spacer tube 1 in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 11 tube width direction 13 is preferably greater than in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 11 and tube height direction 14. The spacer tube 1 is thus wider than higher. In this case, the viewing wall 6 and the bottom wall 7 extend parallel to the tube longitudinal direction 12 and the tube width direction 13 and the side walls 8 extend parallel to the tube longitudinal direction 12 and the tube height direction 14th

The spacer tube 1 according to the invention is expediently produced by roll deformation from a metal longitudinal strip 15 (FIG. Fig. 7,8 ), which will be discussed in more detail below. As a result, the spacer tube 1 has a longitudinal weld seam 16 extending parallel to the tube longitudinal axis 11. By means of the longitudinal weld seam 16, the regions of two longitudinal edges 17 of the metal longitudinal strip 15 adjoining one another after roll bending or roll forming are welded together. The longitudinal weld 16 is also expediently arranged in the region of the bottom wall 7 and preferably arranged centrally in relation to the extent of the bottom wall 7 in the tube width direction 13. The spacer tube 1 is thus preferably formed symmetrically to a tube center plane 18 which contains the longitudinal axis 11 and is parallel to the tube height direction 14.

Alternatively, the spacer tube 1 is longitudinally connected in another way instead of by means of the longitudinal weld seam 16.

The spacer tube 1 is used in a conventional manner for the production of spacer frame for a multi-pane insulating glazing according to the invention. An insulating glazing according to the invention has at least two mutually parallel and spaced-apart glass panes 19, between which a space between the panes 20 of defined width is present. Between the two glass panes 19, a circumferential spacer frame is provided which holds the two glass panes 19 in the area their peripheral outer edges or disc edges 21 connects together and keeps at a distance. In this case, the encircling spacer frame has, for example, a spacer tube 1 according to the invention, which has been correspondingly bent around the bending axes parallel to the tube width direction 13 in order to form the spacer frame. Alternatively, a spacer frame on a plurality of individual spacer tubes 1, which are set by means of corner joints together and optionally partially bent around the tube width direction 13 parallel bending axes. '

When installed in the multi-pane insulating glazing, a spacer frame is arranged so that the two side walls 8 of the spacer tube 1 and the spacer tubes 1 are arranged adjacent and parallel to the glass sheets 19. In addition, the two side walls 8 are connected to the glass sheets 19 moisture and airtight by means of a suitable adhesive. As a result, the two glass panes are held at their edges 21 at a distance. In addition, the spacer frame limits the space between the panes 20 formed between two glass panes 19 to the outside. Furthermore, the viewing wall 6 is always arranged facing the space between the panes 20 and the bottom wall 7 points away from the space between the panes 20 to the outside. The viewing wall 6 is therefore visible in the installed state. As a result, the longitudinal weld 16, in order not to be visible in the installed state of the spacer tube 1, expediently not arranged in the region of the viewing wall 6.

In the Sichtwandung 6 also preferably several per se known through recesses or perforation openings 22, preferably introduced in the form of continuous through the viewing wall 6 slots, in particular punched, the perforations 22 create a fluidic connection between the pipe interior 5 and the space between disc 20. The Sichtwandung 6 thus serves as a gas exchange wall. The perforation openings 22 can also be at least partially be designed as slots that extend parallel to the tube width direction 13 (not shown).

According to the invention, at least one of the two side walls 8 has an embossment. The embossing may, for example, have a plurality of individual stamping elements 23, 28, 34 which are distributed over the entire side wall 8 in a planar manner, in particular uniformly distributed (FIG. Fig.2-4 ). Or it can be an area-wide, closed embossing pattern ( Fig. 5 ).

According to a first alternative of the invention, the embossments are introduced from the inner wall surface 4 into the two side walls 8. As a result, the embossings seen from the wall inner surface 4 are formed in the respective side wall 8 as depressions ( Fig. 6 . 10 ). According to the invention, the embossings do not extend through the entire side wall 8, but only by 10% to 50%, preferably 20% to 30%, of the wall thickness, for example, so that the wall outer surface 3 in the area of the side walls 8 is preferably smooth or planar is ( Fig. 1 . 6 . 10 ).

According to a first preferred embodiment ( Fig. 1 . 2 ), the embossments on individual embossing elements in the form of first embossing crosses or X-shaped embossing elements 23, which are seen in the tube longitudinal direction 12 spaced from each other and arranged adjacent to each other. In particular, seen in the tube height direction 14 only a first X-shaped embossing element 23 is present, which is preferably arranged centrally in relation to the embedding of the respective side wall 8 in the tube height direction 14. In particular, the extent of a first X-shaped embossing element 23 in tube height direction 14 is at least 10%, preferably 20% to 70%, preferably 40% to 60% of the total extension of the respective side wall 8 in tube height direction 14. The extension of the first X-shaped embossing elements 23rd in the tube height direction 14 is preferably from 0.6 mm to 6 mm, preferably 2.5 mm to 5.5 mm. The distance of each first X-shaped Embossing elements 23 from each other in the tube longitudinal direction 12 is preferably 2 mm to 10 mm, preferably 4 mm to 5 mm.

The first X-shaped embossing elements 23 each have two legs 24, which intersect centrally with respect to their longitudinal extent. Conveniently, the two legs 24 are also arranged at right angles to each other and preferably the same length. The two legs 24 each have two opposite, preferably rounded, leg ends 25. In addition, the first X-shaped embossing elements 23 are expediently formed symmetrically to a plane 26 perpendicular to the tube longitudinal direction 12 and / or to a plane 27 perpendicular to the tube height direction 14. And the two legs 24 preferably each include an angle α, β ≠ 0, preferably α, β = 45 ° with the tube height direction 14 a.

According to a further preferred embodiment ( Fig. 3 ) have the embossments embossing elements in the form of second X-shaped embossing elements 28 which are arranged in at least two in the tube height direction 14 superimposed rows 29, wherein a row 29 a plurality of spaced apart in the tube longitudinal direction 12 and adjacent to each other arranged second X-shaped embossing elements 28 has. In particular, the extent of a second X-shaped embossing element 28 in the tube height direction 14 is at least 15%, preferably 30% to 50%, preferably 35% to 45% of the total extension of the respective side wall 8 in the tube height direction 14.

The second X-shaped embossing elements 28 are formed apart from their size analogous to the first X-shaped embossing elements 23 and also each have two legs 30, which intersect centrally with respect to their longitudinal extent. Conveniently, the two legs 30 of the second X-shaped embossing elements 28 are also arranged at right angles to each other and preferably the same length. The two legs 30 of the second X-shaped embossing elements 28 each have two opposite, preferably rounded, leg ends 31. In addition, the second X-shaped are also Embossing elements 28 expediently symmetrical to a plane perpendicular to the tube longitudinal direction 12 level 32 and / or to a direction perpendicular to the tube height direction 14 level 33 formed. And the two legs 30 preferably each include an angle γ, δ ≠ 0, preferably γ, δ = 45 ° with the tube height direction 14 a. In addition, preferably, the second X-shaped embossing elements 28 of the one row 29 offset in the tube longitudinal direction 12 to the second X-shaped embossing elements 28 of the other row 29th

According to a further preferred embodiment ( Fig. 4 ) has a side wall 8 two different types of X-shaped embossing elements 23, 34, which are seen spaced apart in the tube longitudinal direction 12 and adjacent to each other, wherein the two different X-shaped embossing elements 23; 34 are preferably arranged alternately seen in the tube longitudinal direction 12 , The two different types of X-shaped embossing elements 23, 34 are first and third X-shaped embossing elements 23, 34. With regard to the arrangement, training, etc. of the first X-shaped embossing elements 23, reference is made to the above statements.

The third X-shaped embossing elements 34 also each have two legs 35, which preferably cross in relation to the tube height at the same height as the legs 24 of the first X-shaped embossing elements 23. Conveniently, the two legs 35 of the third X-shaped embossing elements 34 are also also arranged at right angles to each other and preferably the same length. The two legs 35 of the third X-shaped embossing elements 34 each have two opposite, preferably rounded, leg ends 36.

In comparison to the legs 24 of the first X-shaped embossing elements 23, however, each of the two legs 35 of the third X-shaped embossing elements 34 is formed extended in the direction of the respective transition wall 9 and extends around the bending edge 10 into the transition wall 9. In the direction of the viewing wall 6, the legs 35 of the third X-shaped Embossing elements 34 are not extended and are thus formed analogously to the legs 24 of the first X-shaped embossing elements 23. As a result, the third X-shaped embossing elements 34 are expediently formed only symmetrically to a plane 37 perpendicular to the tube longitudinal direction 12. In addition, the two legs 35 also preferably each include an angle ε, φ ≠ 0, preferably ε, φ = 45 ° with the tube height direction 14. In particular, the first and third X-shaped embossing elements 23, 34 are constructed and arranged identically to the length of their legs 24, 35.

According to a further preferred embodiment ( Fig. 5 The honeycomb pattern 38 is designed to cover the entire surface, ie covers the respective side wall 8, in particular the inner wall surface 4 in the region of the side wall 8, completely or respectively over the entire surface, in particular in the manner of a tiling. As a result, the honeycomb pattern 38 is a closed pattern. The honeycomb pattern 38 has in each case a plurality of individual honeycombs 39 with a regular hexagonal plan which adjoin one another and are each surrounded or delimited by six webs 40. The webs 40 delimit the individual honeycombs 39 from each other and are stamped into the respective side wall 8. A web 40 preferably has a length of 0.3 mm to 1 mm, preferably 0.5 mm to 0.7 mm.

The production of the spacer tube 1 according to the invention by means of the device according to the invention will now be explained in more detail below.

As already explained above, the production of the spacer tube 1 takes place by means of roll bending or roll forming and longitudinal welding. For this purpose, first a relatively wide metal strip, in particular a stainless steel strip or an aluminum strip, cut in a metal strip cutting device into a plurality of parallel metal longitudinal strips 15, in particular long strips of stainless steel or aluminum longitudinal strips, and these preferably on a reel wound. Alternatively, the metal longitudinal strips 15 are already wound on a reel. The metal longitudinal strip 15 has the two lateral strip longitudinal edges 17 and two opposite, planar strip broad sides 41. In addition, the metal longitudinal strip 15 has a strip longitudinal direction 42, which is parallel to a horizontal conveying direction 43, and a strip transverse direction 44, which is horizontal and perpendicular to the strip longitudinal direction 42.

Subsequently, the metal longitudinal strip 15 is continuously withdrawn from the reel and supplied in a horizontal conveying direction 43 of an embossing device of the device according to the invention, by means of which the embossments of the two side walls 8 and optionally the two transitional walls 9 are introduced into the metal longitudinal strips 15. The metal longitudinal strip 15 is preferably horizontally aligned with its two broad stripe sides 41, so that one of the two stripe broad sides 41 is arranged above the other stripe broad side 41. In addition, one of the two broad stripe sides 41 in the finished spacer tube 1 forms the outer wall surface 3 and the other broad stripe side 41 forms the inner wall surface 4.

For embossing, the embossing device has an embossing roller 45 and a counter-pressure roller 46, which are arranged one above the other in the vertical direction and are spaced apart from each other (FIG. Fig. 9 ). The embossing roller 45 and the counter-pressure roller 46 are each mounted for rotation about a horizontal axis of rotation 47, 48 which is perpendicular to the conveying direction 43, wherein the two axes of rotation 47, 48 are arranged vertically in line with one another. The embossing roller 45 and the counter-pressure roller 46 are drivable in opposite directions of rotation 49, 50. Between the embossing roller 45 and the counter-pressure roller 46, a embossing slot 51 is formed, through which the metal longitudinal strip 15 is carried out for embossing.

For introducing the embossments in the metal longitudinal strips 15, the embossing roller 45 has an external, circumferential and substantially cylindrical Embossing surface 52, each having positive or convex or protruding embossing dies or stamping elements 53 has. The embossing molds 53 are formed and arranged on the embossing surface 52 such that when the metal longitudinal strip 15 is passed through the embossing slot 51, the desired embossments are introduced into the metal longitudinal strip 15. For introducing the first X-shaped embossing elements 23, the embossing surface 52, for example, embossing die rows 54, which are spaced apart in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation 47 and adjacent to each other. Between the two embossing mold rows 54 is a region without any embossing molds 53. The counter-pressure roller 46, however, preferably has a smooth circumferential surface 55.

As already explained, the metal longitudinal strip 15 is carried out in the conveying direction 43 through the embossing slot 51 and thereby continuously embossed when the embossing roller 45 rolls in the conveying direction 43 on the metal longitudinal strip 15. In this case, the metal longitudinal strip 15 faces the stamping surface 52 with the first strip broad side 41 and, with the second strip broad side 41, faces the circumferential surface 55 through the embossing slot 51. Due to the smooth circumferential surface 55, the embossments are thereby impressed by the first strip broad side 41 in the metal longitudinal strip 15, but do not go through to the second broad strip side 41. As a result, the second stripe broadside 41 remains smooth or planar and forms the laterally outer tube 3 at the later spacer tube 1. The first stripe broad side 41 thus forms the Wandungsinnenseite. 4

If the embossings described above are to be produced with the first X-shaped embossing elements 23, the first X-shaped embossing elements 23 are introduced into the metal longitudinal strips 15 in the form of two rows 56 spaced apart in the transverse direction 44 of the strip. Fig. 7 ). The individual first X-shaped embossing elements 23 of a row 56 are spaced apart in strip longitudinal direction 42 and arranged adjacent to each other. The two rows 56 are also arranged so that they after bending the metal longitudinal strip 15 are arranged to the spacer tube 1 in the region of the two side walls 8.

In the case of embossing with the first and third X-shaped embossing elements 23, 34, two rows 57 spaced apart in the strip transverse direction 44 are inserted into the metal longitudinal strip 15, wherein a row 57 of first and third X-shaped embossing elements 23; Strip longitudinal direction 42 spaced from each other and adjacent to each other and are arranged alternately. The two rows 57 are arranged so that they are arranged after bending of the metal longitudinal strip 15 to the spacer tube 1 in the region of the two side walls 8, and the extended legs 35 of the third X-shaped embossing elements 34 are arranged in the region of the transition walls 9.

After introduction of the embossings, the perforation openings 22 are expediently introduced into the metal longitudinal strip 15 in a manner known per se in a stamping device. For this purpose, the metal longitudinal strip 15 is carried out in the conveying direction 43 between two punching rollers, which are driven in opposite directions of rotation about one horizontal axis and are arranged vertically spaced from each other. The punching rollers have corresponding punching means for introducing the perforation openings 22. In particular, the teeth projecting from a stamping roller projecting from its lateral surface and the other punching roller have recesses corresponding thereto. The perforation openings 22 are introduced in the region which forms the viewing wall 6 in the later spacer tube 1.

After introduction of the perforation openings 22, the embossed and perforated metal longitudinal strip 15 is continuously deformed in a roll bending device of the device according to the invention by means of rolling deformation into a longitudinally slotted endless spacer tube whose cross-sectional shape corresponds substantially already to the cross-sectional shape of the finished spacer tube 1. In particular, the metal longitudinal strip 15 is bent so that the two longitudinal edges 17 abut one another. In particular, the metal longitudinal strip 15 is bent or bent, so that the bending edges 10 are formed. The metal longitudinal strip 15 is therefore bent around the conveying direction 43 and the strip longitudinal direction 42 and the later longitudinal axis 11 parallel axes. Furthermore, the metal longitudinal strip 15 is deformed in such a way that the embossed first strip broad side 41 is arranged inside and forms the inner wall surface 4. In addition, the metal longitudinal strip 15 is deformed such that the two longitudinal edges 17 are arranged centrally in the bottom wall 7.

The roll forming takes place in a manner known per se with corresponding roll forming tools, in particular with a plurality of forming roll pairs (not shown), which are arranged one behind the other in the conveying direction 43. In this case, the metal longitudinal strip 15 is in each case carried out between the two forming rollers of a Umformrollenpaares. The one forming roller has a concave curved peripheral surface and the other forming a convexly curved peripheral surface, wherein the peripheral surfaces are coordinated and the curvature of roller pair to roller pair increases so that gradually the metal longitudinal strip 15 is bent to the longitudinally slotted endless spacer tube.

In a subsequent to the Rollumformeinrichtung welding device of the device according to the invention, the two abutting longitudinal edges 17 by generating the longitudinal weld 16, in particular continuously, welded together. The welding is carried out by heating the tube wall 2 in the region of the two longitudinal edges 17 and pressing together the two longitudinal edges 17, e.g. by means of pressure rollers, e.g. Press on the side walls 8 on the outside. The welding is preferably carried out by means of laser welding or induction welding.

Alternatively, the longitudinal edges 17 are welded together in another way, for example by means of a flanged seam. In addition, it is also within the scope of the invention to connect the longitudinal edges 17 in a manner different from one another by means of welding in a connecting device.

The welding device is followed by a known calibration device of the device according to the invention, in which the welded endless spacer tube is calibrated to its final cross-sectional shape. The calibration device expediently has several calibration rollers in a manner known per se.

In addition, the device according to the invention also has an adjoining the calibration device means for separating the endless spacer tube in individual spacer tubes 1 of predetermined length. The separating device is, for example, a flying saw, that is to say a saw which moves in the conveying direction 43 during cutting with the endless spacer tube.

Advantage of the spacer tube 1 according to the invention is that it has an excellent longitudinal stability even at low wall thicknesses. Because due to the cold forming by embossing occurs a partial hardening of the two side walls 8, whereby the tendency to sag over the tube length is significantly reduced or the deformation resistance to bending over the tube length is increased compared to an identical spacer tube without the embossing. The spacer tubes 1 according to the invention thus have a higher bending stiffness, that is, the resistance to bending in the tube longitudinal direction 12, ie in particular with respect to a bending around the tube width direction 13 parallel bending axes is increased. In addition, the torsional stiffness is increased.

Thus, an inventive spacer tube 1 is excellent tradable and further processable. The spacer tube 1 according to the invention preferably has a length of 5000 to 7000 mm, preferably 5000 to 6000 mm.

It has been found within the scope of the invention that it is possible to significantly reduce the wall thickness of the spacer tube 1. Especially the tube wall 2 in unembossed wall sections has a wall thickness of 0.2 to 0.4 mm, preferably 0.25 to 0.35 mm. Nevertheless, the spacer tube 1 but due to the at least partially cold-worked side walls 8 even at these low wall thicknesses still excellent longitudinal stability and bending stiffness. By reducing the wall thickness considerable material costs are saved.

As already explained above, different embossings can be provided which bring about a partial hardening of the side walls 8 and thereby an increase in the bending stiffness of the spacer tube 1. In particular, cup-shaped embossing elements, so-called "dimples" may also be present as embossing elements. The dimples are expediently arranged distributed over the entire side wall 8 in a planar manner. Alternatively, each side wall 8 only have an embossing element extending in the tube longitudinal direction 12, for example a longitudinal bead 58. In this case, the stamping element extends over the entire tube length of the spacer tube 1. Also, several, in particular two to four, preferably two extending in the tube longitudinal direction 12 embossing elements, in particular longitudinal corrugations 58 may be present ( Fig. 10 ). The longitudinal beads 58 of a side wall 8 are in this case arranged in particular parallel to one another and adjacent to one another in the tube height direction 14. Furthermore, one or more longitudinal beads 58 can also be present in each of the transitional walls 9 ( Fig. 10 ). The longitudinal corrugations 58 of a transition wall 9 are likewise arranged in particular parallel to one another and adjacent to one another in the circumferential direction.

In addition, the embossing elements may also be, in particular pattern-like, elements which only cover only a part of the side wall 8 in each case. For example, it can be longitudinal corrugations, which do not extend over the entire tube length of the spacer tube 1 and are preferably arranged one behind the other in the tube longitudinal direction 12 and form a row (not shown). In addition, a plurality of such rows per side wall 8 may be present, wherein the rows in the tube height direction 14 adjacent to each other are arranged. Also, one or more such rows may be present in the transition walls 9, respectively.

According to a second alternative of the invention, the embossments of the outer wall surface 3 are introduced into the tube wall 2. However, it is preferred that the outer wall surface 3 is formed smooth, as this ensures accurate contact of the side walls 8 on the glass sheets 19. The invention causes a significant thin embossing of the tube wall 2, that is, the wall thickness in the embossed wall sections is reduced and is thus lower than in the non-embossed wall sections, which causes a particularly good work hardening.

Furthermore, it is within the scope of the invention to provide an embossing in the bottom wall 7 in order to further increase the stability. Only the viewing wall 6, since it is visible in the installed state through the glass panes 19, should not be embossed.

In addition, of course, both individual embossing elements and embossing patterns in a side wall 8 and a transition wall 9 and a bottom wall 7 may be present at the same time.

The manufacturing process as a whole or the individual process steps can take place continuously, ie in a single production line or else not continuously, in individual separate devices. In the continuous process, the individual devices are arranged downstream of each other according to the process sequence.

Claims (18)

1. Spacer tube (1) for producing spacer frames for multiple-pane insulated glazing units with at least two glass panes (19), having a tube wall (2) which has a visible wall (6), a bottom wall (7) opposite thereto and two oppositely arranged side walls (8) for connection to a respective glass pane (19), characterized in that at least one of the two side walls (8) has an impression acting as a cold reinforcement of the side wall at least in some zones and therefore increasing the flexural rigidity of the spacer tube (1), the impression, viewed from a wall inner surface (4) of the tube wall (2) or from a wall outer surface (3) of the tube wall (2), being designed in each case as a depression or depressions and extending in each case not through the entire side wall (8).
2. Spacer tube according to Claim 1, characterized in that both side walls (8) have an impression.
3. Spacer tube according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the impression, viewed from a wall inner surface (4) of the tube wall (2), is designed as a depression or depressions and a wall outer surface (3) of the tube wall (2) is planar in the region of the side wall (8), or the impression, viewed from the wall outer surface (3) of the tube wall (2), is designed as a depression or depressions and the wall inner surface (4) of the tube wall (2) is planar in the region of the side wall (8).
4. Spacer tube according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the impression has several single impression elements (23;28;34) which in each case are arranged distributed, in particular uniformly, over the entire side wall (8).
5. Spacer tube according to Claim 4, characterized in that the impression has single impression elements in the form of first X-shaped impression elements (23) which, viewed in a longitudinal direction (12) of the tube, are spaced from each other and arranged adjacent to each other, the first X-shaped impression elements (23) being arranged in a single row.
6. Spacer tube according to Claim 4, characterized in that the impression has impression elements in the form of second X-shaped impression elements (28) which are arranged in several, preferably two, rows (29) which are arranged above each other in the direction of the tube height (14), one row (29) having several second X-shaped impression elements (28) spaced from each other in the longitudinal direction (12) of the tube and arranged adjacent to each other, preferably the second X-shaped impression elements (28) of one row (29), in the longitudinal direction (12) of tube, being arranged staggered with respect to the second X-shaped impression elements (28) of the row which is adjacent in the direction of the tube height (14).
7. Spacer tube according to Claim 4, characterized in that one side wall or both side walls (8) has/have first and third X-shaped impression elements (23;24) which, viewed in the longitudinal direction (12) of the tube, are arranged spaced from each other and adjacent to each other, the first and third X-shaped impression elements (23;24), viewed in the longitudinal direction (12) of the tube, being arranged alternately, preferably the third X-shaped impression elements (34) having in each case two intersecting arms (35) which respectively have two arm ends (36), the two arms (35) of the third X-shaped impression elements (34) being prolonged in the direction of the respective joining wall (9) and extending around the angular edge (10) into the region of the joining wall (9).
8. Spacer tube according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the impression has an extensive impression pattern which preferably covers in each case the entire side wall (8), the impression pattern preferably being a honeycomb pattern (38) impressed in the respective side wall (8), the honeycomb pattern (38) preferably having several single honeycomb cells (39) with a - preferably uniform - hexagonal outline, which adjoin each other and in each case are bounded by six segments (40), the segments (40) being preferably impressed in the respective side wall (8).
9. Spacer tube according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that each side wall (8) has at least one impression element, for example a longitudinal rib (58), extending in the longitudinal direction (12) of the tube, the impression element extending preferably in each case over the entire tube length of the spacer tube (1).
10. Spacer tube according to Claim 9, characterized in that each side wall (8) has several, in particular two to four, preferably two longitudinal ribs (58), the longitudinal ribs (58) of one side wall (8) being advantageously arranged parallel to each other and preferably adjacent to each other in the direction of the tube height (14).
11. Spacer tube according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the spacer tube (1) is produced from a longitudinal metal strip (15) by means of roll-forming and, along the longitudinal sides, is connected in the region of two longitudinal edges (17), in particular is welded by means of a longitudinal welding seam (16).
12. Spacer tube according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the joining walls (9) in each case also have an impression at least in sections.
13. Spacer tube according to Claim 12, characterized in that the joining walls (9) in each case have one or more longitudinal ribs (58), the longitudinal ribs (58) of a joining wall (9) being advantageously arranged parallel to each other and in the circumferential direction of the spacer tube (1) adjacent to each other.
14. Multiple-pane insulated glazing unit having at least two glass panes (19) which are arranged spaced from each other and adjacent to each other and between which a pane interspace (20) is formed, a spacer frame being arranged between two respective glass panes (19), characterized in that the spacer frame has at least one spacer tube (1) according to one of the preceding claims.
15. Device for producing, in particular in a continuous manner, a spacer tube (1) according to one of Claims 1-13, having:

    a) an appliance for preparing a longitudinal metal strip (15) with two lateral, longitudinal, strip edges (17) and two wide strip sides (41) situated opposite each other;

    b) an impression appliance for forming at least one impression in the longitudinal metal strip (15);

    c) a roll-bending appliance with means for deforming the impressed longitudinal metal strip (15) so as to form a continuous, longitudinally slitted, spacer tube in such a way that the longitudinal edges (17) of the longitudinal metal strip (15) meet each other;

    d) a joining appliance for joining together the two longitudinal edges (17), in particular a welding appliance for producing a longitudinal welding seam (16) by welding together the two longitudinal edges (17);

    e) advantageously a calibrating appliance for calibrating the cross-sectional form of the continuous spacer tube; and

    f) a dividing appliance for dividing the continuous spacer tube into spacer tubes (1) of predetermined length.
16. Device according to Claim 15, characterized in that the impression appliance has an impression roller (45) and a counter-impression roller (46) which are arranged over each other in the vertical direction and spaced from each other so as to form an impression slit (51) for guiding through the longitudinal metal strip (15) to be impressed between the impression roller (45) and the counter-impression roller (46), the impression roller (45) preferably having an outer-lying circumferential impression surface (52) with respective positive protruding impression profiles (53) and/or the counter-impression roller (46) preferably having a smooth circumferential surface (55).
17. Method for producing, in particular in a continuous manner, a spacer tube (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 13, preferably using a device according to Claim 15 or 16 with the following method steps:

    a) preparing a longitudinal metal strip (15) with two lateral, longitudinal, strip edges (17) and two wide strip sides (41) situated opposite each other;

    b) forming at least one impression in the longitudinal metal strip (15);

    c) roll-forming the longitudinal metal strip (15) so as to produce a continuous, longitudinally slitted, spacer tube in which the two regions with the longitudinal edges (17) are arranged next to each other;

    d) joining together the two longitudinal edges (17), in particular producing a longitudinal welding seam (16) by welding together the two longitudinal edges (17);

    e) advantageously calibrating the continuous spacer tube so as to give it its final cross-sectional form;

    f) dividing the continuous spacer tube into spacer tubes (1) of defined length.
18. Method according to Claim 17, characterized in that impressions, from a first wide strip side (41), are impressed in the longitudinal metal strip (15) in such away that they do not extend as far as the second wide strip side (41) so that the second wide strip side (41) remains planar, the longitudinal metal strip (15) being preferably roll-formed in such a way that the first wide strip side (41) forms the wall inner surface (4) and the second wide strip side (41) forms the wall outer surface (3).

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