EP2397643B1 - Connection element for closing a sealing joint in façades - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a facade with a connecting element for closing of sealing joints. In particular, it is a connecting element, which spans a seal-free gap for closing the seals and is connected by overlapping areas at the ends of the abutting seals.

The publication DE 44 07 284 A1 relates to a sealing arrangement for facades, which allows for ease of manufacture and assembly safe sealing effect against environmental influences such as weather and sound. According to one embodiment, an internal sealing arrangement consists of a flat gasket which can be connected to the supporting structure and into which conventional sealing frames can be inserted. Impacts between elements of the flat gasket can be sealed by glued sealing patches over which the gasket frames are feasible. In an outer sealing arrangement, which may have the same structure, one-way valves are foreseen for the discharge of water and air, but also to prevent the introduction of environmental influences. The environmental influences exposed ends of a screw and the imported into the support structure ends of the screw are separated by a heat insulating layer between abutting elements of the screw, wherein the elements are rotatably and inextricably linked together in the axial direction.

The publication US 4,843,791 A relates to a connecting element for connecting abutting sealing elements and moreover discloses a facade according to the preamble of present claim 1. Building facades are increasingly being designed today as metal-glass constructions. Such facades have a support structure made of metal as a basic framework, in which individual flat facade elements, such as glass windows or metal or plastic elements are used. The support structures usually consist of vertically extending post elements and horizontally extending locking elements which interconnect the vertically extending post elements. In order to prevent environmental influences from penetrating the connection between the support structure and facade elements, seals are attached to the support structures of the facade.

For reasons of easier handling and mounting these seals, which extend along the mullion or locking elements, made of several parts. In other words, this means that it is not customary to provide the entire facade with a continuous sealing strip. As a result, impacts between the seals occur at the end portions of the respective sealing profiles. These shocks thus form a seal-free gap, which adversely affect the insulation properties of the facade.

From the prior art it is known to seal the above seal-free spaces using silicone or similar adhesives. In this solution, however, raises the problem of elongation or contraction of the support structure or the sealing profiles as a result of temperature change. The expansion or contraction as a result of temperature changes can be different pronounced at different points of the facade, since the temperature influence is not the same size at all points of the facade. Such temperature differences can arise, for example, by different irradiation on sunny days (shadows cast by other buildings). Furthermore, it is conceivable that the facade elements are formed of different materials, which - as indicated above - can result in tension in the facade construction. These tensions are often a reason that the bonded joints are damaged in the seal-free spaces and thus lose their sealing effect. Nevertheless, it is also very difficult, using silicone or Adhesives to achieve a watertight seal of said spaces.

Based on the above-mentioned problem, the present invention seeks to provide a facade with a connecting element for closing of sealing joints, wherein the connecting element has sufficient stability to compensate for tension in the support structure and the sealing profiles, and a wind and waterproof Providing connection possibility between the sealing profiles. Furthermore, the connecting element should be inexpensive to produce and easily attachable to common facade designs.

This object is achieved by a facade according to claim 1 and by a use according to claim 7. Accordingly, the solution according to the invention is a facade with a connecting element for closing sealing joints, the facade having seals which are attached to support structures of the facade, between individual facade elements; and to a use of such a connecting element in such a facade. The seals, as already mentioned above, are made in several parts as partial strands and form a seal-free gap at their joints. The joint for closing the sealing joint is designed to span the seal-free gap and is connected by overlapping areas with the ends of the abutting sub-strands.

Thus, in a realization of the connecting element for closing sealing joints, provision is made for the connecting element to have a fixed core and elastic regions connected thereto. The combination of a solid core and the associated elastic regions defines a connecting element which is strong enough to absorb any stresses that may occur and, at the same time, due to the elastic regions, be adaptable to the facade profile in order to achieve the greatest possible insulating properties. Such a support element also has a stabilizing effect on the facade construction, which, for example, turns out to be advantageous in terms of impact on the facade gusts. It is conceivable to form the solid core of hard PVC, wherein the associated elastic regions consist of coextruded soft PVC. Of course It is also conceivable that the two areas of the connecting element of the same material form, for example, to better adapt the connecting element to the shape of the relevant seals / support structures. The elastic regions of the connecting element are at least partially designed as anchoring areas in order to enable a fixation of the connecting element to the support structure. By implementing anchoring areas on the connecting element, it can be securely fastened to the support structure, thus guaranteeing the best possible insulation properties. Of course, these anchoring areas also facilitate the introduction and positioning of the connecting element in the seal-free space of the facade.

According to an advantageous development, the anchoring areas have a width which corresponds to the width of the seal-free intermediate space at the sealing joints of the partial strands. The width of the seal-free gap is typically about 50 mm, which is why the attachment of the connecting element is further simplified by a corresponding adjustment of the anchoring areas. It is thus possible to attach the connecting element directly to the sub-strands of the seals, without having to cut this before.

According to a further embodiment of the connecting element, the elastic regions form at least one first sealing element, wherein the first sealing element is designed to enter into a sealing connection with a first sealing strand of the carrier structure. The first sealing element is preferably adapted to the shape of the first sealing strip of the support structure. Consequently, a sealing connection between the first sealing strip of the support structure and the first sealing element, which effectively prevents the penetration of water into the interior of the support structure.

The first sealing element may, according to a further aspect of the invention, have a substantially elliptical cross section. An elliptical cross-section ensures an improved deformability of the first sealing element, whereby it is adapted to a plurality of different sealing strands is customizable and ensures a complete seal with the latter.

According to a further realization, the elastic regions form at least one second sealing element, wherein the second sealing element is designed to enter into a sealing connection with an inside profile of the carrier structure. As will be explained in more detail with reference to the figures, known support structures on the inside profiles, which are connected via so-called insulating webs with outside profiles. By the second sealing element, an airtight sealing connection between the connecting element and the inside profile of the support structure can be achieved, which accordingly leads to the improvement of the thermal properties of the support structure with the connecting element according to the invention. Likewise, the second sealing element serves to secure the connecting element according to the invention securely to the support structure.

The second sealing element may preferably consist of several layers. In particular, these layers may be thin layers of soft PVC material. The layers are advantageously designed such that the second sealing element has a corrugated surface, whereby the connecting element according to the invention can be secured against slipping on the inside profile of the support structure. In other words, the second sealing element preferably forms a plurality of barbs which are formed by the edges of the individual layers.

Fig. 1

eine Schnittdarstellung einer aus dem Stand der Technik bekannten Trägerkonstruktion mit Dichtungsprofilen;

Fig. 2a

eine perspektivische Darstellung einer Ausführungsform Verbindungselementes der erfindungsgemäßen Fassade;

Fig. 2b

eine schematische Darstellung der Verbindung des Verbindungselements nach Fig. 2a mit einer aus dem Stand der Technik bekannten Dichtung;

Fig. 3

eine perspektivische Ansicht des Verbindungselements nach Fig. 2a von unten;

Fig. 4

eine Schnittdarstellung einer in die Trägerkonstruktion aus Fig. 1 eingebauten Ausführungsform eines erfindungsgemäßen Verbindungselements; und

Fig. 5

eine Frontansicht auf die in Fig. 4 dargestellte Trägerkonstruktion mit erfindungsgemäßem Verbindungselement.

In the drawings, an embodiment of the connecting element for the inventive facade is shown. Showing:

Fig. 1

a sectional view of a known from the prior art support structure with sealing profiles;

Fig. 2a

a perspective view of an embodiment connecting element of the facade according to the invention;

Fig. 2b

a schematic representation of the connection of the connecting element according to Fig. 2a with a known from the prior art seal;

Fig. 3

a perspective view of the connecting element according to Fig. 2a from underneath;

Fig. 4

a sectional view of a in the support structure Fig. 1 built-in embodiment of a connecting element according to the invention; and

Fig. 5

a front view of the in Fig. 4 illustrated support structure with inventive connecting element.

In the following, identical or identically acting components are provided with the same reference numerals for reasons of clarity.

A known from the prior art support structure 1 for facades is in Fig. 1 shown. These support structures 1 usually consist of an outside metal profile 8, which is connected to avoid thermal bridges via insulating webs 6 with an inside metal profile 7. As can be seen, facade elements 4 are held by the profiles 7, 8 of the support structure 1. It is particularly common to connect the facade elements 4 via sealing elements 5 with the metal profiles 7, 8. In such known from the prior art support structures 1, it is also known to provide between the facade elements 4 sealing strands to protect the facade from environmental influences. The sealing strands extend in the longitudinal direction of in Fig. 1 facade construction and sealing the façade in the vertical direction against the weather. For reasons of manageability, the sealing strands are not designed as a single strand, which extends along the entire extent of the facade. Rather, the sealing strands are formed as a plurality of individual partial strands 2, 2 ', which extend in the longitudinal direction of in Fig. 1 Facade structure 1 shown, between the facade elements 4, extend. So that the individual partial strands 2, 2 'of the sealing strands can be fastened adequately to the support structure 1, these have first, second and third anchoring regions 21, 21', 22, 22 ', 23, 23'. The anchoring regions 21, 21 ', 22, 22', 23, 23 'of the sealing strands are designed to engage in recesses of the profiles 7, 8 and, accordingly, to connect the sealing strands to the support structure 1.

As it is in Fig. 5 is indicated, resulting from the division of the sealing strands in sub-strands 2, 2 'seal-free spaces 3, which occur at the sealing joints of the partial strands 2, 2'.

According to the invention, this seal-free intermediate space 3 is closed by a connecting element 100. This connecting element 100 spans the entire seal-free intermediate space 3 and has overlapping areas 101, 101 ', via which it is connected to the adjoining partial strands 2, 2' of the seal of the facade.

An embodiment of the connecting element 100 is in the FIGS. 2a and 2 B shown. The connecting element 100 has a structure which is adapted to the structure of the partial strands 2, 2 'of the seal. That is, the connecting element 100 can be easily slipped over the partial strands 2 and 2 'of the seal and thus close the seal-free gap 3.

The core 102 of the connector 100 is advantageously formed of a solid material. The material of the core 102 gives the connecting element 100 a stable structure which is sufficient to be able to absorb any stresses occurring within the support structure 1 or the partial strands 2, 2 'of the seal.

On the upper side and the lower side of the connecting element 100, further elastic regions 103, 104, 105 are provided, which are connected to the fixed core 102. This possibly airtight connection can be done for example by coextrusion, gluing or similar methods. The elastic regions 103, 104, 105 serve to connect the connecting element 100 as airtight as possible with the support structure 1. For example, the solid core 102 may be made of hard PVC while the elastic region 103 is a coextruded layer of soft PVC. However, the invention is not limited to this, but the fixed core 102 may also be somewhat elastic. It is advantageous here to form the fixed core 102 with a higher dimensional stability than is the case for the elastic regions 103, 104, 105, since the solid core 102 only has to adapt to the geometry of the support structure 1 to a small extent.

As in Fig. 2b illustrated, the connecting element 100 is slipped over the known from the prior art sub-strands of the seal (only the first sub-strand 2 is shown). In this case, the elastic region 103 adapts to the bottom side of the connecting element 100 of the structure of the partial strands 2, 2 'and thus produces an air-tight and watertight connection.

As in Fig. 3 illustrated, the elastic portions 103 are at least partially formed as anchoring areas 103a, 103b, 103c to allow a fixation of the connecting element 100 to the support structure 1 of the facade (see. Fig. 2 ). The anchoring areas 103a, 103b, 103c are inserted into the cavities of the support structure 1 in order to fasten the connecting element 100, thus guaranteeing the best possible insulating properties. Of course, the anchoring areas 103a, 103b, 103c also facilitate the insertion and the positioning of the connecting element 100 in the seal-free gap 3 of the facade.

It is also advantageous that the anchoring areas 103a, 103b, 103c have a width which corresponds to the width of the seal-free intermediate space 3 at the sealing joints of the multipart sealing strands. Typically, the seal-free gap 3 is about 50 mm, which is why, by a corresponding adjustment of the anchoring areas 103a, 103b, 103c, as in Fig. 4 shown, the attachment of the connecting element 100 is further simplified. It is thus possible to attach the connecting element 100 according to the invention directly to the partial strands 2, 2 'of the seals, without having to cut the connecting element 100 beforehand. For assembly of the connecting element 100, therefore, only a small part of the partial strands 2, 2 'in the overlapping region 101, 101' has to be cut off.

The FIGS. 2 to 4 It can also be seen that the elastic regions 103, 104, 105 form at least one first sealing element 104. The first seal member 104 is configured to seal with a first seal string 9a of the support structure. The first sealing element 105 is preferably adapted to the shape of the first sealing strand 9a of the support structure. In particular, it is advantageous to design the first sealing element 104 with a substantially elliptical cross section. Consequently, a sealing connection is created between the first sealing strip 9a of the support structure and the first sealing element 104, which effectively prevents the penetration of water into the interior of the support structure 1.

With a close look at the FIG. 2b It can be seen that for the assembly of the connecting element 100, a part of the first sealing strip 24 of the first sub-strand 2 of the seal must be removed. In particular, this is that part of the sealing strand 24 which is located in the overlapping region 101 of the connecting element 100 with the sub-strand 2. The missing part of the sealing strip 24 is replaced according to the invention by the first sealing element 104 of the connecting element 100.

It is also advantageous if the elastic regions 103, 104, 105 form at least one second sealing element 105. The second sealing element 105 is advantageously designed to enter into a sealing connection with the inside profile 7 of the support structure 1. By the second sealing element 105, an airtight sealing connection between the connecting element 100 and the inside profile 7 of the support structure 1 can be achieved, which accordingly leads to the improvement of the thermal properties of the support structure 1 with the connecting element 100 according to the invention. As it is mainly based Fig. 4 becomes clear, the second sealing member 105 is used to securely fasten the connecting element of the invention to the support structure.

In particular, the second sealing element 105 is preferably formed from a plurality of layers stacked on top of each other. These layers may be thin layers of soft PVC material. The layers are advantageously designed such that the second sealing element 105 has a corrugated surface (cf. Fig. 4 ), whereby the connecting element 100 according to the invention can be secured against slipping on the inside profile 7 of the support structure 1. In other words, the second sealing member 105 preferably forms a plurality of barbs formed by the edges of the individual layers.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

support structure

2, 2 '

Part of the seal

3

seal-free space

4

facade element

5

sealing element

6

Insulating web

7

inside profile

8th

outside profile

9a, 9b, 9c

sealing strip

21, 21 '

first anchoring area of the sub-string

22, 22 '

second anchoring area of the sub-string

23, 23 '

third anchoring area of the sub-string

24, 24 '

sealing strip

100

connecting member

101, 101 '

overlap area

102

solid core

103

elastic range

103a

first anchoring area

103b

second anchoring area

103c

third anchoring area

104

first sealing element

105

second sealing element

Claims (7)

1. A façade of a building having a supporting structure (1) and façade elements (4, 4'), wherein the façade comprises seals in the interstices of the façade elements (4, 4') which are configured as multi-part partial strands and connected by a connecting element (100), wherein the connecting element (100) is designed to close a seal-less interstice (3) in the façade between two adjacent sealing strands (2, 2'), wherein the connecting element (100) is further designed to span the seal-less interstice (3), and wherein the connecting element (100) comprises overlapping regions (101, 101') able to connect to the ends of the adjacent sealing strands (2, 2'), wherein the connecting element (100) exhibits a structure adapted to the sealing strands (2, 2') such that the connecting element can be placed over the sealing strands (2, 2'),
   characterized in that
   the connecting element (100) comprises an elastic core (102) as well as elastic regions (103, 104, 105) connected thereto, wherein the elastic regions (103, 104, 105) are at least partially designed as anchoring regions (103a, 103b, 103c) in order to enable a fixing of the connecting element (100) to the supporting structure (1) of the façade.
2. The façade according to claim 1,
   wherein the anchoring regions (103a, 103b, 103c) exhibit a width corresponding to the width of the seal-less interstice (3) at the seal joints with the partial strands.
3. The façade according to claim 1 or 2,
   wherein the elastic regions (103, 104, 105) form at least one first sealing element (104), wherein the first sealing element (104) is designed to establish a seal connection with a first sealing strand (9a) of the supporting structure (1).
4. The façade according to claim 3,
   wherein the first sealing element (104) exhibits a substantially elliptical cross section.
5. The façade according to one of claims 1 to 4,
   wherein the elastic regions (103, 104, 105) form at least one second sealing element (105), wherein the second sealing element (105) is designed to establish a seal connection with an inner profile (7) of the supporting structure (1).
6. The façade according to claim 5,
   wherein the second sealing element (105) consists of multiple layers, preferably layers of soft PVC material.
7. The use of a connecting element (100) in a façade in accordance with one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the connecting element (100) is designed to close a seal-less interstice (3) in the façade between two adjacent sealing strands (2, 2'), wherein the connecting element (100) is further designed to span the seal-less interstice (3), and wherein the connecting element (100) comprises overlapping regions (101, 101') able to connect to the ends of the adjacent sealing strands (2, 2'), wherein the connecting element (100) exhibits a structure adapted to the sealing strands (2, 2') such that the connecting element can be placed over the sealing strands (2, 2'), wherein the connecting element (100) comprises an elastic core (102) as well as elastic regions (103, 104, 105) connected thereto, and wherein the elastic regions (103, 104, 105) are at least partially designed as anchoring regions (103a, 103b, 103c) in order to enable a fixing of the connecting element (100) to the supporting structure (1) of the façade.

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