EP2402541A1 - Spacer for dimensioning joint gaps during bonding or sealing of flat elements to profile elements - Google Patents

Abstract

The spacer (1) has a support region (5) turned toward a surface area (4) of a laminar element (2) i.e. glass plate, and a stop (7) turned toward a front side (6) of the laminar element. The support region and the stop have distance elements arranged on a profile element (3) i.e. profile frame. A passage is formed between the distance elements, where the passage runs to a joint in a transverse direction (16). The distance elements are selected from a group consisting of bars (8), burls (10), ribs or recesses at the spacer. The distance elements run parallel to each other. Independent claims are also included for the following: (1) a method for clamping or sealing laminar elements at profile elements (2) a device comprising a laminar element.

Description

Technical area

The invention relates to the field of spacers, as they are used for dimensioning joints in bonding or sealing of flat elements of profile elements.

State of the art

For dimensioning of joints when bonding or sealing of sheet-like elements of profile elements spacers are often used. A typical application of such spacers is the glazing in the broadest sense, where glass panes are glued in or on profiles. In many cases, the profiles are arranged as a frame.

In the production of such constructions, for example, the profile, that is about a profile frame, provided. Subsequently, an adhesive bead is applied to the profile and finally the glass pane is inserted into the frame.

In order to improve the alignment of the glass sheet in the profile frame, this is often arranged and aligned in the frame prior to the introduction of the adhesive. In order not to have to put the glass directly on the profile frame and to achieve the most accurate centering of the glass, spacers are inserted into the frame before inserting the disc, which align the disc both horizontally, and vertically. As spacers usually blocks are used, which can be configured versatile and made of different materials.

When filling the gap formed by the spacer used with an adhesive or sealant, there is the problem that the spacers occupy the filling space of the adhesive or sealant at least partially. As a result, the filling quantity of the adhesive or sealant in the area of the spacers must be reduced so that the adhesive or sealant does not swell over the edge of the joint at these points. This is especially the case automated backfilling required a complicated measurement and regulation of the filling quantity.

Presentation of the invention

The object of the present invention is therefore to provide a spacer for dimensioning joints in the bonding or sealing of flat elements of profile elements, which makes it possible to align a planar element both horizontally and vertically on a profile element, wherein the resulting joint with a constant amount of adhesive or sealant can be filled without any adhesive or sealant swells over the edge of the joint.

This object is achieved by spacers according to the features of claim 1.

The core of the invention is therefore a spacer for dimensioning joints when gluing or sealing flat elements of profile elements, wherein the spacer has a base surface of the sheet-like element facing support area and a front side of the sheet-like element facing stop, wherein the support area and the stop spacer elements comprise, over which they rest on the profile element and these spacer elements are arranged so that between them at least one, extending in the transverse direction to the joint passage is formed.

Surprisingly, it has been found that spacers according to the present invention ensure a very stable support of the planar element on the profile element and at the same time make it possible to fill the joint formed over the entire area with a constant filling quantity of adhesive or sealant.

Further aspects of the invention are the subject of further independent claims. Particularly preferred embodiments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

Brief description of the drawings

Reference to the drawings embodiments of the invention will be explained in more detail. The same elements are provided in the various figures with the same reference numerals. Of course, the invention is not limited to the illustrated and described embodiments.

Figur 1

schematisch eine Vorrichtung bestehend aus Profilrahmen, Abstandhalter und flächigem Element im Querschnitt;

Figur 2

schematisch einen Abstandhalter;

Figur 3

schematisch einen Abstandhalter;

Figur 4

schematisch einen Abstandhalter;

Figur 5

schematisch einen Abstandhalter;

Figur 6

schematisch einen Abstandhalter;

Figur 7

schematisch einen Ausschnitt aus einer Vorrichtung bestehend aus Profilrahmen, Abstandhalter und flächigem Element;

Figur 8

schematisch einen Ausschnitt aus einer Vorrichtung bestehend aus Profilrahmen, Abstandhalter und flächigem Element;

Figur 7

schematisch einen Ausschnitt aus einer Vorrichtung bestehend aus Profilrahmen mit Begrenzungssteg, Abstandhalter und flächigem Element;

Figur 10

schematisch eine Vorrichtung bestehend aus Profilrahmen, Abstandhalter, flächigem Element und verfüllter Fuge im Querschnitt;

Figur 11

schematisch einen Solarkollektor bestehend aus Profilrahmen, Wasserlauf, Abstandhalter und flächigem Element im Querschnitt.

Show it:

FIG. 1

schematically a device consisting of profile frame, spacer and planar element in cross section;

FIG. 2

schematically a spacer;

FIG. 3

schematically a spacer;

FIG. 4

schematically a spacer;

FIG. 5

schematically a spacer;

FIG. 6

schematically a spacer;

FIG. 7

schematically a section of a device consisting of profile frame, spacer and planar element;

FIG. 8

schematically a section of a device consisting of profile frame, spacer and planar element;

FIG. 7

schematically a section of a device consisting of profile frame with boundary web, spacers and planar element;

FIG. 10

schematically a device consisting of profile frame, spacer, planar element and filled gap in cross section;

FIG. 11

schematically a solar collector consisting of profile frame, watercourse, spacers and flat element in cross section.

In the figures, only the elements essential for the immediate understanding of the invention are shown.

Ways to carry out the invention

FIG. 1 shows a spacer 1, as for the dimensioning of joints during bonding or sealing of sheet-like elements 2 to profile elements 3, wherein the spacer has a support surface 5 facing the base surface 4 of the planar element and a stop 7 facing the end face 6 of the planar element. The support region 5 and the stop 7 in this case comprise spacer elements, via which they rest on the profile element 3. These spacer elements are arranged so that between them at least one, extending in the transverse direction 16 to the joint, passage is formed.

As a transverse direction to the joint here the entire plane is called, which is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the joint. The longitudinal direction to the joint is in FIG. 7 shown.

In the FIGS. 2 to 6 different embodiments of the invention spacers are shown.

So shows FIG. 2 a spacer 1 with bearing area 5 and stop 7, which has webs 8 as spacer elements over which the spacer can rest on a profile element. The webs 8 are arranged parallel to each other in this embodiment, so that cavities 9 arise between them, which form, extending transversely to the joint passages.

FIG. 3 shows a spacer 1, wherein the support surface 5 is formed only by mutually parallel webs 8. Such an embodiment has the advantage that it comes in the region of the support surface to a gluing of the sheet-like element with the profile element.

FIG. 4 further shows a spacer 1 with support area 5 and stop 7, which has 10 as spacer elements nubs. The advantage of an embodiment, as in FIG. 4 is shown, is that the cavities which form transversely to the joint passages are also continuous in the longitudinal direction of the joint, whereby the expansion of the joint material when filling the joint is not limited in the transverse direction to the joint.

In addition to webs and nubs and ribs or recesses on the spacer can serve as spacers. Most preferably, the spacer elements are parallel to each other extending webs, which are perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the joint. Such spacers give the spacer good stability and a good footing on the profile element. Furthermore, the webs are in particular narrow webs with a width in the range of 0.5 to 2 mm. The advantage of a small width is that the adhesive or sealant flows particularly easily around the webs and thus into the cavities of the spacer. Optionally, the webs may be angled in the area against the direction of flow of the adhesive or sealant when filling the joint, so that an even lower resistance to adhesive or sealant results.

If the spacer elements are webs, their number is in particular 2 to 5 webs per spacer. The number of webs should be chosen so that on the one hand as little space between stop or support surface and profile element occupied by the webs and yet results in a stable contact of the spacer on the profile element.

FIG. 5 shows a spacer 1, the stop 7 is formed as a movable sheet 11. When creating a planar element of this sheet exerts a clamping action on the front side of the sheet-like element. As a result, the planar element can be optimally positioned and fixed in position.

FIG. 6 shows a spacer 1, the stop has a movable lip 12. The movable lip has the same effect as the one in FIG. 5 described moving bow.

The spacer may be designed and dimensioned differently depending on the embodiment. Typically, the configuration of the spacer depends on its application and is adapted to the structure of the profile element and the sheet-like element.

The inventive spacer can be made of any material. The spacer is preferably made of plastic, in particular of a thermoplastic plastic, for example a polyolefin, such as polyethylene or polypropylene, polystyrene and the like.

Preferably, the spacer consists of a plastic which is insensitive to UV radiation. This is particularly appropriate when the sheet is a sheet of glass exposed to direct sunlight.

The total length of a spacer according to the invention is preferably in the range of 2 to 5 cm, with a support surface of the width of in particular 0.5 to 2 cm. The height of the attack is in particular in the range of 0.1 to 1 cm. The distance which is generated by the spacer elements between the planar element and profile element is typically in the range of 0.1 to 1 cm.

Depending on the length of the sheet-like element which is to be attached to a profile element, a plurality of spacers are used. In particular, they are placed on the entire profile element at regular intervals, in particular about 40 to 80 cm. This ensures a stable contact of the planar element on the profile element.

1. i) Bereitstellen eines Profilelements;
2. ii) Anbringen von mehreren Abstandhaltern gemäss vorhergehender Beschreibung am Profilelement, wobei die Anzahl und der Abstand der einzelnen Abstandhalter zueinander vorzugsweise so gewählt ist, dass das flächige Element stabil auf den Abstandhaltern aufliegt;
3. iii) Anlegen des flächigen Elements an das Profilelement, wobei der Randbereich der Grundfläche des flächigen Elements im Auflagebereich der Abstandhalter aufliegt und die Stirnseite des flächigen Elements am Anschlag der Abstandhalter anliegt;
4. iv) Verfüllen der Fuge zwischen Profilelement und flächigem Element mit einem Kleb- oder Dichtstoff.

Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method for bonding or sealing a sheet-like element to a profile element, comprising the steps

1. i) providing a profile element;
2. ii) attaching a plurality of spacers according to the above description on the profile element, wherein the number and the distance of the individual spacers to each other is preferably selected so that the sheet-like element rests stably on the spacers;
3. iii) applying the planar element to the profile element, wherein the edge region of the base of the planar element in the support area of the Spacer rests and abuts the end face of the flat element on the stop of the spacer;
4. iv) filling the gap between the profile element and the flat element with an adhesive or sealant.

The planar element is typically a rectangular plate of any material, which is chosen depending on the field of application. In particular, the flat element is a glass pane.

The profile element may be made of any material, but preferably it is made of plastic, metal or wood. In particular, the profile element is made of aluminum, steel or a plastic such as a polyolefin, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and the like.

In particular, the profile element is a profile frame. Preferably, the planar element is inserted in this profile frame and then glued or sealed.

The filling of the joint with an adhesive or sealant can be made of commercially available cartridges, which are operated manually or by means of compressed air. However, the application of the adhesive or sealant preferably takes place by means of an application device, such as an application robot or an XY table applicator, the adhesive or sealant being conveyed from a drum or hobbock.

In the method described, the filling quantity of the adhesive or sealant is particularly preferably identical over the entire length of the profile element.

It is a particular advantage of the present method using spacers according to the invention that the filling quantity of adhesive or sealant can always remain constant over the entire length of the joint and yet, when filling the joint in the area of the spacers, no adhesive tape is applied. or sealant over the edge of the joint. This effect is caused by the cavities, which are formed by the contact of the spacer via spacers on the profile element.

The adhesive or sealant used in the present process is in particular an elastic adhesive or sealant. Furthermore, the adhesive or sealant may be a one- or two-component adhesive or sealant. Most preferably, the adhesive or sealant is a silicone adhesive or sealant. Silicones have a high UV stability and are therefore particularly suitable for applications in which the joint is exposed to direct sunlight.

Furthermore, the present invention comprises a device comprising a planar element which is arranged on a profile element, wherein between the planar element and the profile element at least one spacer according to the preceding description is arranged. The spacer is arranged so that it rests on the spacer elements on the profile element, said spacers are in turn arranged so that between them at least one, extending in the transverse direction to the joint passage is formed.

FIG. 7 shows a device, as described above, comprising a spacer 1, which is arranged for dimensioning the joint between a profile element 3 and a sheet-like element 2. FIG. 7 further shows the longitudinal direction 17 to the joint.

FIG. 8 also shows a device, as described above, wherein the spacer 1 is formed in this embodiment so that the webs 8, which serve as spacers, are continued in the region of the support surface, so that they surround the profile element 3 at least partially. This facilitates the positioning and fixing of the spacer on the profile element until the joint is filled with adhesive or sealant.

FIG. 9 also shows a device, as described above, wherein in this embodiment the profile element 3 has a limiting web 13, which facilitates the positioning and fixing of the spacer 1 on the profile element and at the same time serves as a boundary for the adhesive or sealant in filling the joint ,

FIG. 10 shows a device, as described above, wherein the joint is filled with an adhesive or sealant 14. The illustrated spacer 3 corresponds to a spacer, as in FIG. 2 is shown. The adhesive and sealant is filled when filling the joint from above into the joint and then flows into the joint and at least partially under the sheet element. The passages extending in the transverse direction to the joint are thereby at least partially filled with adhesive or sealant.

Spacers according to the invention are preferably used in the bonding of glass panes to profile frames, as used, for example, in window and façade construction or in the construction of solar collectors, solar thermal collectors or photovoltaic modules.

FIG. 11 shows a solar collector consisting of a profile frame 3 to which a glass sheet is attached as a sheet-like element 2. For dimensioning the joint and for optimal positioning of the planar element according to the invention spacers 1 are inserted between the profile frame and the sheet-like element. In an illustrated arrangement, the glass pane is the cover for a watercourse 15.

Devices like those in FIG. 11 are typically mounted for power generation on roofs.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

spacer

2

flat element

3

profile element

4

Floor space

5

support area

6

front

7

attack

8th

web

9

cavity

10

burl

11

moving bow

12

movable lip

13

limiting web

14

Adhesive or sealant

15

watercourse

16

Transverse direction to the joint (level)

17

Longitudinal direction to the joint

Claims (10)

Spacer (1) for dimensioning joints when gluing or sealing flat elements (2) on profile elements (3), wherein the spacer one of the base surface (4) of the sheet-like element facing support area (5) and one of the end face (6) of the flat Having elements facing stop (7),
characterized in that the support region and the stop comprise spacer elements, via which they rest on the profile element and these spacer elements are arranged so that between them at least one, in the transverse direction (16) extending to the joint passage is formed. Spacer according to claim 1, characterized in that the spacer elements are selected from the group consisting of webs (8), knobs (10), ribs or recesses on the spacer. Spacer according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the spacer elements are mutually parallel webs (8) which are perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (17) of the joint. Spacer according to claim 3, characterized in that the number of webs per spacer is 2 to 5. A method of bonding or sealing a sheet to a profile element, comprising the steps i) providing a profile element; ii) attaching a plurality of spacers according to one of claims 1 to 4 on the profile element; iii) applying the planar element to the profile element, wherein the edge region of the base surface of the planar element rests in the support region of the spacer and abuts the end face of the flat element on the stop of the spacer; iv) filling the gap between the profile element and the flat element with an adhesive or sealant. A method according to claim 5, characterized in that the filling amount of the adhesive or sealant over the entire length of the profile element is identical. Method according to one of claims 5 and 6, characterized in that the profile element is designed as a profile frame. Device comprising a planar element (2) which is arranged on a profile element (3),
wherein between the planar element and the profile element at least one spacer (1) for dimensioning a joint between the planar element and the profile element is arranged; and
the spacer having a support surface (5) facing the base surface (4) of the planar element and a stop (7) facing the front side (6) of the planar element,
characterized in that the support region and the stop comprise spacer elements, via which they rest on the profile element and these spacer elements are arranged so that between them at least one, in the transverse direction (16) extending to the joint passage is formed. Apparatus according to claim 8, characterized in that the joint is filled with an adhesive or sealant (14). Apparatus according to claim 9, characterized in that all, in the transverse direction (16) extending to the joint passages with adhesive or sealant (14) are filled.

Images