EP2791450B1 - Method and apparatus for changing spacers - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a method for changing spacers in a system having at least one applicator head for applying spacers to plate-shaped workpieces, in particular glass panes.

The invention further relates to a device for changing spacers in a system with at least one Applizierkopf for applying spacers to plate-shaped workpieces, especially glass. Spacers, which are applied to plate-shaped workpieces, find particular use in the manufacture of insulating glass use. In this case, the workpieces are glass panes. In addition to spacers, which consist of metal profiles, plastic spacers are also known, which are flexible and are applied by means of Appliziervorrichtungen on glass.

Relevant methods and devices for applying spacers are known from AT 11 889 U , of the AT 9 595 U , of the DE 10 212 359 A , of the DE 10 350 312 A , of the DE 10 2009 035 002 A , of the DE 2020 006 14 938 U , of the US 2011/154635 A and the WO 2011/047402 A known.

Of the WO 2011/047398 discloses a method of changing spacers in a plant having at least one applicator head for applying spacers to glass panes, wherein the applicator head spacers from at least two sources is staggered in time, and wherein a first spacer is severed from a first source. Of the WO 2011/047402 further shows a device for changing spacers, in a system with at least one Applizierkopf for applying spacers to glass panes, with at least two sources for spacers.

If the formats of the plate-shaped workpieces, such as the type of insulating glass, change, the problem arises that of a kind of spacer must be changed in a different way. Under a change is understood in the present quite generally the change between spacers of different types and / or from different sources. These may be, for example, spacers of the same type but with different widths, spacers of the same thickness of different types or completely identical spacers, of different (Vorrats-) coils are withdrawn act, for example, when the spacer from a (supply) coil comes to an end.

It should be avoided that spacers are applied from different sources to the same workpiece, since even with identical spacers, the joint (connection) between the spacers is a potential location for leakage, which is disadvantageous for example in insulating glass.

Previously, a change of spacers required many steps to be performed by hand, such as removing the existing spacer and "threading" the new spacer into the system. This is very personal and time consuming.

The object of the invention is to provide a method and an apparatus for changing spacers, which allow a time and cost-efficient replacement of spacers.

The object is achieved according to the invention with a method having the features of claim 1.

The invention is also achieved with a device having the features of claim 11.

Preferred and advantageous embodiments of the method and the device according to the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

An advantage of the invention is that the change of spacers can be partially or fully automated.

The Applizierkopf spacers are supplied from at least two different sources offset from each other in time. The different sources can be both different storage) coils, for example in a climatic cabinet as well as in different climatic cabinets, or the like. The Climate cabinets are used to comply with conditions particularly favorable for spacers. Their function and structure are known from the prior art.

For a change of spacers, the first or "old" spacer currently in the plant or in the applicator head, which is taken from a first source, is first severed near the first source. This creates an end of the first spacer. This can preferably be held by a holder provided for this purpose. A start of a second or "new" spacer is near the end of the first spacer. The beginning of the second spacer can also be held by a designated holder. The beginning of the second spacer and the end of the first spacer are then brought closer to each other, for example by approaching the holders, preferably until at least the beginning and end touch. Then a connection is established between the end of the spacers and the beginning of the spacers. This may preferably be done by gluing, pressing, stapling or similar methods.

When the first spacer is further conveyed, the resulting connection between the first and second spacers passes through the system until the connection has passed the applicator head. The first (old) spacer thus continues to move through the system and pulls the second (new) spacer over the connection with it through the plant. A time-consuming threading the second (new) spacer is thereby eliminated.

After the connection between the first and second spacers has passed the applicator head, the second spacer is severed in an area between the connection and the applicator head. As a result, the second (new) spacer is located in the applicator head and the area of the connection has been removed from the production or application process.

Particularly preferably, the severing of the first spacer takes place after a first removal unit, which removes the first spacer of the first source. The extraction unit includes means necessary to remove a spacer from the source. The removal unit may, for example, remove the spacer from a (supply) bobbin and prepare it for further use, for example by removing a protective film from the spacer. The removal unit may also contain other known from the prior art elements.

In a further preferred embodiment of the method, the severing of the second spacer takes place after the connection between the first and second spacers has emerged on the delivery side from the applicator head. Thus, the applicator head is again ready after cutting to apply the second (new) spacer to a workpiece. When separating the second spacer, the distance between the connection and the applicator head is particularly preferably kept as small as possible. This produces little waste.

According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the method of the invention, when different spacers are to be applied to two successive workpieces, the required length of the first spacer to be applied is based on the dimensions of the first workpiece (more than one workpiece can be considered ) and the first spacer is severed at or after the calculated end and connected to the second spacer. This avoids that an uneconomically large amount of first spacer only passes through the system to pull the second spacer through the plant. It is thus anticipated a change of the spacers made. It is so only a short piece of first and second spacers in front of and behind the connection, which can not be used.

Thus, in the invention it is possible to carry out the change of spacers at any time. However, the time is preferably chosen so that waste (and thus residues to be disposed of) incurred in the least possible extent.

Considered within the scope of the invention is the use of spacers (spacers), which are made of plastic and are flexible and in which a desiccant is embedded.

Fig. 1

eine Prinzipskizze einer Anlage zum Applizieren von Abstandhaltern mit einer erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung,

Fig. 2

eine beispielhafte Verbindung zweier unterschiedlicher Abstandhalter und

Fig. 3

ein Fließbild mit einer beispielhaften Durchführungsform des Verfahrens.

Further details and features of the invention will become apparent from the following description of a possible embodiment of the method and an embodiment of a device according to the invention with reference to the drawings. It shows:

Fig. 1

a schematic diagram of a system for applying spacers with a device according to the invention,

Fig. 2

an exemplary connection of two different spacers and

Fig. 3

a flowchart with an exemplary embodiment of the method.

In the Fig. 1 schematically illustrated plant, except for the details described below, as known from the prior art.

Fig. 1 shows a system for applying spacers with a device according to the invention. A first spacer 1 and a second spacer 2 are held ready on (supply) coils 3 and 4 in a climatic cabinet 5.

The climate chamber 5 is designed as known from the prior art and holds for the further processing of the spacers 1 and 2 favorable environmental conditions, such as For example, temperature and / or humidity, upright. The device according to the invention can have several air conditioning cabinets.

From the climatic chamber 5, the spacers 1 and 2 enter a removal device 6. The climate chamber 5 downstream removal device 6 may inter alia an arrangement for aspirating protective films of usually made of elastic plastic spacers 1 and 2, a slack control for a uniform removal the spacers 1 and 2 and means for withdrawing and conveying the spacers 1 and 2 (not shown).

In addition to the mentioned elements, the removal device 6 has removal clamping devices 7 and 8, with which the spacers 1 and 2 can be held in a defined position. Apart from the mentioned changes, the removal device 6 can be designed as known from the prior art.

In the illustrated embodiment, spacers 1 and 2 are removed via the same removal device 6. Embodiments with more than one removal device 6 are also contemplated within the scope of the invention.

On the discharge side of the removal device 6, a release agent 9 is provided, with which the spacers 1 and 2 can be severed. The illustrated embodiment shows the first spacer 1 in a severed shape. The an applicator 12 associated end 13 of the first spacer 1 is held in a change-clamping device 10. The other, located in the removal device 6 end of the first spacer 1 is held by the first removal-clamping device 7.

The end 13 of the first spacer 1 can with the change-clamping device 10 to a beginning 14 of the second spacer 2, held by the removal-clamping direction 8 is moved, as indicated by an arrow 15. After the end 13 (as indicated by dashed lines) has been brought in the vicinity of the beginning 14, the beginning 14 and end 13 are connected together with a device 16 to a compound 11. The device 16 for joining can connect beginning 14 and end 13, for example, by gluing, pressing and / or stapling.

Fig. 2 shows an exemplary embodiment of the connection 11 between the first spacer 1 and the second spacer 2 by means of a bracket 17th

After the connection 11 has been produced, the spacers 1 and 2 pass successively through a feed 18 which supplies the spacers 1 and 2 to the applicator head 12.

In the illustrated embodiment, the feeder 18 has a dancer roller 19. Such an embodiment is advantageous if the application of spacers should not be interrupted even while changing and connecting spacers 1 and 2. While the removal is interrupted for the change from spacer to spacer 2, a length of the spacer 1 and 2 is consumed in the continued application, which is stored on the dancer roller 19 in the feeder 18. Embodiments in which no dancer roller 19 or the like, such as a further slack control, are provided, are also conceivable. For example, the application can be interrupted during the change from spacer 1 to spacer 2.

From the supply 18, the spacers 1 and 2 pass successively into the applicator head 12. This is applied to the spacers 1 and 2 on the workpiece 22, 23, for example a glass sheet which is conveyed via a conveyor 24 into the applicator and back out of this. After the application, another release agent 20 separates the applied spacer 1 or 2 from the spacer 1 or 2, which is still located in Applizierkopf 12. This separation preferably takes place immediately after the application head 12.

Overall, the procedure according to the invention can be described in an exemplary procedure ( Fig. 3 ) are summarized as follows:

On a workpiece 22, 23, for example a glass pane, located in an applicator, a flexible spacer 1 or 2 (also called "spacer") is displaced inwardly along the edge of the workpiece 22, 23 with the aid of an applicator head 12 ) applied.

In each case for the completion of an application of the spacer 1 or 2 on a workpiece 22, 23 of the one and the spacers 1, which is located just at the outlet end of Applizierkopfes 12, severed, so that a new, free end of the spacer 1 and 2 for the application is ready.

The change from first spacer 1 to second spacer 2 according to the invention takes place as in steps 1 to 10 given below.

While performing these steps, the application process may be interrupted. But it is also possible in the system sufficient spacers 1 and 2 to save the time required for the change, for example via a dancer roll 19, and only the removal of spacers 1 and 2 from a supply, e.g. a supply reel 3,4, to interrupt.

This can be done in any phase of the spacer application. The point in time at which the change from the first spacer 1 to the second spacer 2 is carried out is preferably selected with the aid of predictive production planning so that as little as possible waste (spacer residue) is obtained. The time of the Change is preferably chosen so that the spacer 1 or 2, which is at this time in the spacer feeder 18 between Applizierkopf 12 and removal device 6, as completely as possible used, that can be applied to a workpiece 22, 23 to the amount to minimize accumulated waste. The spacer feeder 18 between the applicator head 12 and the removal device 6 receives a spacer strand of a length corresponding, for example, to the circumference of a workpiece or a few workpieces, such as glass panes.

In general, the length of the spacer 1 or 2 located in the spacer feeder 18 does not correspond to an integral multiple of the circumference of the workpiece 22, 23, e.g. Glass panels, plus the length of a reasonably short waste piece, so that the change takes place in most cases at a time in which just the application of spacers 1 and 2 takes place on a workpiece 22, 23 and not at a time to which the application from spacers 1 and 2 to a workpiece 22, 23 just completed and the application of spacers 1 and 2 on a subsequently machined workpiece 22, 23 has not been started. If an additional length of spacer 1 or 2 is stored in the system or feeder 18 by a dancer roller 19, this is included in calculations for length optimization.

• Schritt 1: In der Entnahmeeinrichtung 6 werden Abstandhalter 1 und 2 bereitgestellt, indem sie von Entnahme-Klemmeinrichtungen 7 und 8 in einer definierten Position gehalten werden.
• Schritt 2: Der erste Abstandhalter 1, der zum Beginn des Wechsels in Verwendung steht (alter Abstandhalter), wird am austrittseitigen Ende der Entnahmeeinrichtung 6 abgetrennt, indem das Trennmittel 9, beispielsweise eine an der Wechseleinheit vorgesehene Trennschere, betätigt wird. Die Wechsel-Klemmeinrichtung 10 hält das nach dem Durchtrennen entstehende, zuführungsseitige Ende 13 des ersten Abstandhalters 1 fest.
• Schritt 3: Die freien Enden 13 und 14 der miteinander zu verbindenden Abstandhalter 1 und 2 werden einander angenähert, indem die Wechsel-Klemmeinrichtung 10 mit dem Ende 13 des ersten Abstandhalters 1 zur zweiten Entnahme-Klemmeinrichtung 8, die den Anfang 14 des zweiten Abstandhalters 2 hält, hinbewegt wird.
• Schritt 4: Das Ende 13 des ersten Abstandhalters 1 und der Anfang 14 des zweiten Abstandhalters 2 werden aneinander gedrückt und mit Hilfe einer Verbindungseinrichtung 16, beispielsweise mit Hilfe einer Klammer 17, miteinander verbunden und so in die Verbindung 11 hergestellt.
• Schritt 5: Anschließend werden die Klemmeinrichtungen 8 und 10 gelöst.
• Schritt 6: Mit Hilfe eines Antriebes, der z.B. im Applizierkopf 12 vorgesehen ist, wird der erste Abstandhalter 1 vorwärts bewegt und nimmt dabei den nun mit ihm verbundenen, zweiten Abstandhalter 2 mit.
• Schritt 7: Der Trennvorgang im ersten Abstandhalter 1, der die Applikation des ersten Abstandhalters 1 auf das Werkstück 22, 23 (auf dieses wird der alte Abstandhalter 1 appliziert) abschließt, wird so vorgenommen, dass die Trennstelle, bezogen auf die Vorschubrichtung der Abstandhalter 1 und 2, vor der Verbindungsstelle 11 liegt.
• Schritt 8: Die Verbindung 11 zwischen erstem (altem) Abstandhalter 1 und zweitem (neuem) Abstandhalter 2 wird durch den Applizierkopf 12 gefördert.
• Schritt 9: Es wird, bezogen auf die Vorschubrichtung der Abstandhalter 1 und 2, nach der Verbindung 11 am Austrittsende des Applizierkopfes 12 ein Trennschnitt ausgeführt, sodass ein neuer, freier Anfang des zweiten (neuen) Abstandhalters 2 für das Applizieren auf ein Werkstück 22, 23, z.B. eine Glasscheibe, beispielsweise beim Herstellen von Isolierglas, bereit ist.
• Schritt 10: Das die Verbindung 11 tragende Verschnittstück, also das alten und neuen Abstandhalter 1 und 2 enthaltende Stück zwischen dem Trennschnitt nach Schritt 7 und dem Trennschnitt nach Schritt 9, wird ausgeworfen.

A change from a first spacer 1 to a second spacer 2 can take place in the following steps:

• Step 1: In the removal device 6 spacers 1 and 2 are provided by being kept in a defined position by removal clamping devices 7 and 8.
• Step 2: The first spacer 1, which is in use at the beginning of the change (old spacer), is separated at the outlet end of the removal device 6, in that the separating means 9, for example a separating shear provided on the exchange unit, is actuated. The change-clamping device 10 holds the resulting after cutting, supply-side end 13 of the first spacer 1 fixed.
• Step 3: The free ends 13 and 14 of the spacers 1 and 2 to be joined together are approximated by the change-clamping device 10 with the end 13 of the first spacer 1 to the second removal clamp 8, the beginning 14 of the second spacer. 2 stops, is moved.
• Step 4: The end 13 of the first spacer 1 and the beginning 14 of the second spacer 2 are pressed against each other and connected to each other by means of a connecting device 16, for example by means of a bracket 17 and so made in the connection 11.
• Step 5: Subsequently, the clamping devices 8 and 10 are released.
• Step 6: With the aid of a drive, which is provided, for example, in the applicator head 12, the first spacer 1 is moved forward, taking with it the second spacer 2, which is now connected to it.
• Step 7: The separation process in the first spacer 1, which completes the application of the first spacer 1 on the workpiece 22, 23 (to which the old spacer 1 is applied) is made so that the separation point, based on the feed direction of the spacer. 1 and 2, before the junction 11 is located.
• Step 8: The connection 11 between the first (old) spacer 1 and the second (new) spacer 2 is conveyed by the applicator head 12.
• Step 9: Based on the feed direction of the spacers 1 and 2, after the connection 11 at the exit end of the applicator head 12, a separating cut is carried out, so that a new, free beginning of the second (new) spacer 2 for applying to a workpiece 22, 23, for example, a glass, for example, in the manufacture of insulating glass, is ready.
• Step 10: The piece 11 carrying the compound waste, so the old and new spacers 1 and 2 containing piece between the separating cut after step 7 and the separating cut after step 9, is ejected.

In summary, an embodiment of the invention can be described as follows:

In a method and a device for, preferably automated, changing spacers 1, 2 in a system with at least one Applizierkopf 12 for applying spacers 1, 2 to plate-shaped workpieces 22, 23, in particular glass, the Applizierkopf 12 spacers 1, 2nd fed from at least two sources offset in time. A first spacer 1 from a first source is severed. The resulting end 13 of the first spacer 1 and a beginning 14 of the second decorator 2, which comes from a second source are moved with a changing device in an associated position. Then, the end 13 of the first spacer 1 is connected to the beginning 14 of the second spacer 2. A resulting connection 11 of the first spacer 1 with the second spacer 2 passes through the system until the compound 11 has passed the Applizierkopf 12. After the connection 11 has passed the applicator head 12, the second spacer 2 is severed in a region between the connection 11 and the applicator head 12.

Claims (12)

1. Method for changing spacers (1, 2) in a unit with at least one applicator head (12) for application of spacer (1, 2) to sheet-shaped workpieces (22, 23), especially panes of glass, characterized in that spacer (1, 2) from at least two sources is supplied to the applicator head (12) staggered in time to one another, in that a first spacer (1) from a first source is severed, in that a resulting end (13) of the first spacer (1) and a start (14) of the second spacer (2) from a second source are moved with a changing apparatus into a position assigned to one another, in that the end (13) of the first spacer (1) is joined to the start (14) of the second spacer (2), in that a thus resulting connection (11) of the first and second spacers (1, 2) runs through the unit until the connection (11) has passed the applicator head (12), and in that after the connection (11) has passed the applicator head (12), the second spacer (2) is severed in a region between the connection (11) and the applicator head (12).
2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the severing of the first spacer (1) is carried out after a removal device (6), which removes the first spacer (1) from the first source.
3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the spacer (1, 2) that is located in the applicator head (12) in each case is severed after application in a region between the workpiece (22, 23) and the applicator head (12).
4. Method according to claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the severing of the second spacer (2) is carried out after the connection (11) has passed the applicator head (12).
5. Method according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that when different spacers (1, 2) are to be applied to successive workpieces (22, 23), the length of the first spacer (1) that is to be applied is computed based on the dimensions of the workpiece or workpieces (22, 23) to be worked before the changing and the first spacer (1) is severed on or after the computed end and is connected to the second spacer (2).
6. Method according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the connection (11) of the spacers (1, 2) is produced by pressing, by cementing and/or by at least one mechanical joining means, in particular a clamp (17).
7. Method according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the end (13) of the spacer (1) that has been formed by severing is held in place in particular by clamping the end (13).
8. Method according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the start (14) of the second spacer (2) for joining to the end (13) of the first spacer (1) is held in place in a position assigned to the end (13) of the first spacer (1), in particular is held in place by clamping its start (14).
9. Device for changing spacers (1, 2) in a unit with at least one applicator head (12) for application of spacers (1, 2) to sheet-shaped workpieces (22, 23), especially panes of glass, characterized by at least two sources for spacers (1, 2), a first separating means (9) for spacers (1, 2) coming from the sources on one removal-clamping device (7, 8) in each case, a changing device with a changing-clamping device (10) in order to move the separated part of the spacer (1) assigned to the applicator head (12) with the changing-clamping device (10) from a removal-clamping device (7) to another removal-clamping device (8), and an apparatus (16) for joining the end (13) of the spacer (1) assigned to the applicator head to a start (14) of a second spacer (2) held in a removal-clamping device (8).
10. Device according to claim 9, characterized in that an intermediate storage unit for spacers (1, 2) is provided downstream from the changing device.
11. Device according to claim 10, characterized in that the intermediate storage unit is at least one dancer roll (19) or sag control in a feed (18) to the applicator head (12).
12. Device according to one of claims 9 to 11, characterized in that a second separating means (20) is provided in feed direction of the spacer (1, 2) downstream of the applicator head (12).

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