EP2995763A1 - Window and fabrication method for a window - Google Patents

Abstract

The application relates to a window assembly for attachment in an opening (8) provided in a wall (6) and to a method for the production thereof. The window assembly comprises an annularly closed window frame (1) defining a window frame opening (7) and having a circumferential, radially inwardly projecting projection (1a) with a first abutment surface (9a) and a groove (5) radially inwardly is open, and a glass pane holding frame (4) with a second contact surface (9b). An edge portion of the glass sheet holding frame (4) is engaged with the groove (5) so as to be fixed to the window frame (1). The first contact surface (9a) and the second contact surface (9b) are spaced apart in the axial direction and facing each other. A glass pane (3) is arranged with a circumferential edge area between the first and second contact surfaces (9a, 9b). The window assembly (10) further includes a first annular closed sealant assembly (2a) and a second sealant material assembly (2b). The first sealing material arrangement (2a) is arranged between the glass pane (3) and the first contact surface (9a) and adheres to the glass pane (3) and the first contact surface (9a) in each case in a peripheral contact region, and the second sealing material arrangement (2b). is arranged between the glass pane (3) and the second contact surface (9b) and adheres to the glass pane (3) and to the second contact surface (9b) in each case in a circumferential contact area.

Description

The present application relates to a window assembly for mounting in an opening provided in a wall with an annularly closed window frame, which surrounds and defines a window frame opening, arranged in the window frame opening glass and a glass pane support frame which is fixed to the window frame, wherein the glass pane is arranged with an edge region between a circumferential, radially inwardly projecting projection and the glass pane holding frame. It is intended and suitable in particular for pressurized applications. The present application further relates to a wall, a vehicle and a door having such a window arrangement and a method for producing such a window arrangement.

In many applications, window assemblies are subjected to pressure during use and must be pressure-tight in order to prevent the passage of certain media through the window assembly. For example, window arrangements of ships have to be resistant to the pressures occurring during wave action and reliably prevent the entry of water from the outside through the window arrangement into the interior of the ship. In other applications, such as in digester towers, overpressure can occur inside.

For example, in the case of ships from the standards ISO 1751, ISO 3903 and ISO 11336-1 window assemblies or glazed openings are known in which the pressure tightness is achieved in that a window frame of the window assembly is permanently pressure-tightly connected to the surrounding wall and a Glass pane holding frame is fixed by means of a plurality of screws to the window frame. A glass pane of the window assembly is arranged with a peripheral edge region between a radially inwardly projecting projection of the window frame and the glass pane holding frame and clamped between them. Between the glass and the protrusion and between the glass sheet and the glass sheet holding frame, a sealing ring is respectively disposed in a corresponding groove in the protrusion and in the glass sheet holding frame. The two sealing rings are compressed in the axial direction to ensure the required sealing effect and pressure resistance and thus to prevent the ingress of pressurized media, in particular water.

This embodiment has various (safety) technical and economic disadvantages. Thus, screws or glands regularly represent the weakest link of the window assembly and not only lead to failure of the window assembly when pressurized, but create a risk to life and limb, e.g. by breaking off, "flying" screw heads. In addition, improperly threaded connections can result in localized loads on the glass and are prone to permanent failure, such as corrosion, which may be due to the use of inferior screws or tampering. Furthermore, after completion of the window arrangement, screw connections can only be checked by very expensive test methods.

In addition, window assemblies in which screws are used to secure the glass and for sealing, in the manufacture of very time-consuming. In known window arrangements, threaded holes are made, for example, every 75 mm at the window circumference, into which screws have to be screwed. The holes in the window frame and in the glass pane support frame must be exactly congruent. Since the frame parts are preferably usually bent from profiles or made of cast metal, they have a relatively large tolerance in their dimensions, so that they are stacked in practice and then together must be bored. An interchangeability of the parts is then no longer given.

Finally, it often proves to be very difficult or even impossible to remove the screws due to corrosion or paint residues, if the glass pane of a window assembly must be replaced after a few years. Even if this is successful, partially new glass pane support frame must be made, and it is then - as stated above - is very difficult to achieve the matching hole pitch of the frame. Sometimes the screws are so tightly stuck in the window frame that they can only be removed from the window frame by force or by drilling. In this process, the core hole of the threaded hole is increased, whereby the functionality and strength of the thread and the screw provided by this or screw connection are impaired. Then the window assembly no longer meets the relevant safety standards, without it being readily apparent.

From the DE 34 16 334 A1 a generic window assembly is known in which the glass pane is held without screws in the window assembly. For this purpose, the window frame on its inside a circumferential undercut, in which a provided on the glass pane holding frame circumferential web inserted and the glass pane holding frame can be connected to the window frame. Otherwise, the function of the glass pane holding frame corresponds to that in the gland construction described above. Specifically, the connection between the glass sheet holding frame and the window frame is configured such that the glass sheet holding frame clamps the glass sheet between the radially inwardly projecting projection of the window frame and the glass sheet holding frame and between the glass sheet and the projection and between the glass sheet and the glass sheets -Halterahmen in a corresponding groove in the projection or in the glass pane holding frame arranged sealing rings in the axial direction permanently compressed. In other words, the fixation of the glass sheet and the pressure tightness is achieved by the glass sheet holding frame presses with great force on the seal to the glass and presses the glass pane in turn by pressing the glass pane holding frame on the seal between glass and window frame.

Due to the need to produce this pressure, the glass pane support frame must be connected to the window frame with great force and by appropriate tilting. This is therefore associated with great difficulties and regularly requires the use of a hammer. In addition, it is difficult to proceed in such a way that the sealing rings are not inadvertently displaced from their intended positions by the movement of the glass pane holding frame.

Finally, window arrangements are known which bond the glass pane directly to the window frame without the use of a glass pane holding frame. However, such a bond has the disadvantage that the glass is no longer adhered to the window assembly in a total failure of the sealing adhesive layer, such as by a fire.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a window assembly which is simple in construction and manufacture and which reliably provides pressure tightness, wherein even in the event of failure of the gasket, the glass sheet is retained on the window assembly. In addition, a simple and reliable feasible method for producing such a window assembly is to be provided.

This object is achieved by a window assembly having the features of claim 1 and a method having the features of claim 12. Preferred embodiments of the window assembly and method are the subject of the respective subclaims.

The window assembly of the present invention is provided in a conventional manner for attachment in an opening provided in a wall. When installed, it provides a glazed opening and can also be referred to as a glazed opening.

The window assembly initially has an annularly closed window frame, which encloses a window frame opening and defined and can also be referred to as a frame. The window frame is in the usual way preferably an outer frame part of the window assembly, which is for fastening the window assembly in an opening provided in a wall or wall - in particular along an outer periphery - with the wall or wall at the edges or in the vicinity of Rim of the opening is attached pressure-tight. The window frame is thus generally annular, wherein the shape may be, for example, circular, oval or rectangular with or without rounded corners. It therefore also defines an axis which extends through the window frame opening and is enclosed by the window frame, and may for example extend in a plane. Then the axis runs - like every ring axis - perpendicular to this plane.

The window frame has a circumferential, ie annularly closed, radially inwardly in the direction of the axis in the window frame opening protruding projection with a first contact surface and a - preferably circumferential, ie preferably annularly closed, but possibly also in several along provided on the circumference of the window frame spaced portions provided - groove or depression which is open radially inwardly in the direction of the axis. As will become clear, the groove and the projection are spaced apart in the axial direction.

The window assembly further includes a glass sheet holding frame having a second abutment surface. This glass pane holding frame preferably represents an inner frame part with respect to the window frame. The glass pane holding frame is in turn generally annular, wherein the shape may be, for example, circular, oval or rectangular with or without rounded corners. The glass pane holding frame is preferably closed annularly, wherein it may be integrally formed or may have a plurality of sections, which are arranged one behind the other, as seen in the circumferential direction of the glass pane holding frame, adjacent sections abutting or engaging one another to form an annularly closed structure. But it is also possible that the glass pane holding frame has a plurality of separate sections, which are arranged one behind the other as seen in the circumferential direction of the glass pane holding frame and that adjacent sections are spaced from each other. Although the glass pane holding frame is then annular, but has interruptions along its circumference. In any event, the glass sheet support frame, such as the window frame, also encloses and defines an opening which may have various cross sectional shapes, such as circular, oval or rectangular with or without rounded corners, and which, as will be apparent from the explanations below, may be smaller Dimensions or smaller diameter than the glass is. The glass pane holding frame may also extend in a plane, for example. The second contact surface is preferably closed ring-shaped, but can also several have spaced apart portion along the periphery of the glass sheet holding frame.

The glass sheet holding frame has a - preferably circulating, i. Preferably annularly closed, but possibly also provided in a plurality of spaced apart along the circumference of the window frame arranged portions - edge region which is engaged with the groove and by this engagement the glass pane holding frame in particular releasably secured to the window frame, that the first Contact surface and the second bearing surface in the axial direction from each other and spaced from each other and facing each other. In this way, a radially inwardly open annular space is formed, which is bounded in the axial direction by the two contact surfaces and in the radial direction outwardly through the window frame. An embodiment of the glass sheet support frame in multiple sections may facilitate its engagement with the groove during assembly of the window assembly.

In addition, the window arrangement has a glass pane which is arranged in the window frame opening and with a peripheral edge region between the first contact surface and the second contact surface. In other words, as already indicated above, the glass pane holding frame defines an opening with a diameter or dimensions which is less than the clear diameter defined by the protrusion or the clear dimensions defined by the protrusion the diameter or dimensions of the glass sheet is or are, whereby the movement of the glass sheet between the two contact surfaces in the axial direction and limited by the window frame in the radial direction and the glass pane is thus held in the window assembly. Finally, the window arrangement has a first annularly closed sealing material arrangement or a first sealing material ring and a second - preferably likewise annularly closed - sealing material arrangement or preferably a second sealing material ring. The first sealing material arrangement is arranged between the glass pane - or more precisely its circumferential edge region - and the first contact surface and adheres to the glass pane and to the first contact surface in each case in a peripheral contact region, preferably permanently or permanently. In a similar manner, the second sealing material arrangement is arranged between the glass pane or, more precisely, its circumferential edge region and the second contact surface and adheres to the glass pane and to the second contact surface, preferably in a peripheral contact region in the case of the preferred annularly closed configuration of the second sealing material arrangement. on, and preferably permanently or permanently. The two sealing material arrangements thus each produce a connection between the glass pane holding frame and the glass pane or between the glass pane and the window frame, and at the same time a sealing or sealing against the passage of media, in particular water.

This embodiment has the advantage that it is possible to dispense with the pressing in of seals and thus permanently compressed in the axial direction seals or sealing rings, since the required pressure tightness is generated by a combination of seal and adhesive seal. In particular, the glass pane holding frame connected to the window frame is additionally fixed by means of the sealing and permanently - preferably pressure-tight - connected to the glass pane. Similarly, the glass pane is fixed in position and permanently connected by means of sealing with the window frame and thus made the pressure tightness. Thus, since the glass sheet holding frame does not have to provide a press-fit force for seals, it can be connected to the window frame more easily and with less effort, such as, for example, by insertion into the groove. The glass sheet is reliably retained by the window frame and the glass sheet holding frame even in the case of failure of the sealing material assemblies in the window assembly, and the sealing material assemblies provide damping for the glass sheet in the axial direction.

At the same time it is possible to reliably guarantee a load capacity of at least 100,000 N / m ² window area - and if necessary also significantly more - and a pressure tightness of at least 0.2 bar and preferably 0.2 to 1 bar and more preferably 0.2 to 0.5 bar.

Such a window arrangement has the further advantages that the glass pane can be easily installed or replaced without the use of special tools and without the involvement of specialist companies, a higher compressive strength than comparable known glazed openings can be achieved, in contrast to glued glass panes no protection of the bond against UV radiation, eg black screen printing, is necessary and the simple arrangement of window frame and glass pane support frame can lead to an elegant appearance.

In a preferred embodiment, the first abutment surface is a flat, annularly closed surface which runs parallel to the surface of the edge region of the glass pane facing it, and / or the second abutment surface is a flat, preferably annularly closed surface or else in a plurality along one another Circumferentially spaced portions provided surface which is parallel to the facing surface of the edge region of the glass sheet. In a preferred embodiment, the glass pane holding frame is designed in the form of an annular disc, which can be inserted with its outer edge region fits into the groove and which can be provided in one piece or in several sections, as has been explained above. In other words, the axial dimensions of the groove and the annular disc correspond to each other. This embodiment is particularly simple. Alternatively, it is also possible that the glass sheet holding frame has a web or other protrusion that can be fitted into the groove.

It is particularly preferred if the window assembly has no screws for the purpose of retaining the window pane in the window arrangement.

In a preferred embodiment, the first sealing material arrangement and / or the second sealing material arrangement is formed from a preferably single-component adhesive. Regardless of whether an adhesive is used or not, it is preferred that the first sealant material assembly and / or the second sealant material assembly have a Shore A hardness of 50 or less, preferably from 40 to 50, and more preferably from 45 to 50, wherein the Shore A hardness, for example, according to DIN ISO 868 can be measured. Alternatively or additionally, it is preferred if the first sealing material arrangement and / or the second sealing material arrangement has an elongation at break of more than 200%, preferably from 200 to 500%, more preferably from 400 to 500% and for example from 450%, wherein the elongation at break to Example according to DIN ISO 37 can be measured. These values for the Shore A hardness and for the elongation at break are significantly lower or greater than the values of conventional sealing rings.

In a preferred embodiment, the first sealing material arrangement and / or the second sealing material arrangement is not permanently compressed in the axial direction.

The above-described window arrangement may be a window arrangement for a vehicle, in particular a watercraft or ship, or for a door. Accordingly, it may be part of a vehicle, in particular a watercraft or ship, or a door and form a window or a glazed opening of the vehicle or the door. As already stated above, it can be fixed in a wall or wall with an opening. But it is also possible that it is intended for other walls or walls or forms part of another wall or wall. For this purpose, the window frame is preferably permanently attached to the wall or wall.

The window arrangement described above can advantageously be produced by a simple and reliable method in which initially an annularly closed window frame of the embodiment already described in detail above is provided. This encloses and therefore defines in particular a window frame opening and has a circumferential, radially inwardly projecting into the window frame opening projection with a first contact surface and a preferably circumferential groove or depression, which is open radially inwardly. Furthermore, a glass pane holding frame, which is preferably closed in an annular manner, of the configuration already described in detail above is provided. This therefore has, in particular, a second contact surface and a preferably peripheral edge region. In addition, a glass sheet is provided and the glass sheet is disposed in the window frame opening in the axial direction between the first abutment surface and the groove.

The glass sheet holding frame is fixed in the manner already described in detail by engaging the edge portion of the glass sheet holding frame with the groove on the window frame, so that the first abutment surface and the second abutment surface in the axial direction spaced from each other and facing each other and the glass a peripheral edge region between the first contact surface and the second contact surface is arranged. Further, a sealing material is introduced between the glass sheet and the first abutment surface to form a first annular closed sealing material assembly, and e.g. injected, which adheres to the glass sheet and to the first contact surface in each case in a peripheral contact region and which is of the above-described embodiment in detail. Similarly, a sealing material is interposed between the glass sheet and the second abutment surface to form a second, preferably annularly closed, sealing material assembly, e.g. injected, which adheres to the glass pane and on the second contact surface - preferably in each case in a peripheral contact area - and which is of the above-described embodiment in detail.

In a preferred embodiment, the sealing material for forming the first sealing material assembly is identical to the sealing material for forming the second sealing material assembly.

In a preferred embodiment, the method further comprises the step of curing the sealant material after insertion to form the first sealant material assembly and / or curing the sealant material after insertion to form the second sealant assembly, eg, by exposure to light, heat or moisture.

In the following the invention will be explained in more detail by means of a preferred embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a cross-sectional view of a window assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The in the FIG. 1 shown window assembly 10 has an annularly closed outer window frame 1, which surrounds a window frame opening 7 and defines. Along its outer circumference, the window frame 1 is circumferentially permanently pressure-tightly connected to a wall 6 and is arranged in an opening 8 in the wall 6.

At its inner circumference, the window frame 1 integrally has a circumferential or annularly closed projection 1a, which is designed as a web or annular disc-shaped and projects radially inwardly into the window frame opening 7. The projection 1a defines an area of reduced clear diameter of the window frame opening 7. The projection 1a has at its in FIG. 1 upper surface of a contact surface 9a.

The window frame 1 has at its inner periphery further, in the FIG. 1 Upwardly spaced from the contact surface 9a, a circumferential or annularly closed groove 5, which is aligned in the radial direction and opens in the radial direction inwardly. A disk-shaped or annular disk-shaped glass retaining frame 4, which may be provided integrally or in a plurality of directly adjacent sections is suitably inserted into the groove 5 with a peripheral outer edge region corresponding in its dimensions to the dimensions of the groove 5, so that the glass sheet holding frame 4 attached to the window frame 1 is. The glass pane holding frame 4 has at its in FIG. 1 lower surface of a contact surface 9b. The abutment surfaces 9a and 9b face each other, face each other and are spaced from each other.

In the window frame opening 7, a glass sheet 3 is arranged in such a way that its peripheral edge region is in the radially inwardly open annular space, which is radially outwardly through the window frame 1 and up and down, i. in the axial direction, is limited by the contact surfaces 9a and 9b. Therefore, the glass sheet 3 can not be removed from the window assembly 1 without removal of the glass sheet holding frame 4.

Between the glass sheet 3 and the abutment surface 9a is circumferentially arranged in a ring-shaped arrangement a sealing material 2a, which adheres both to the glass sheet 3 and to the abutment surface 9a or is in an adhesive connection with this. Similarly, between the glass sheet 3 and the abutment surface 9b, a sealing material 2b is disposed in an annular arrangement, which adheres to both the glass sheet 3 and the abutment surface 9b or is in adhesive bonding therewith. By the sealing material arrangements 9a and 9b, the movement of the glass sheet 3 in the axial direction is further limited or attenuated and at the same time achieved a seal against the passage of water or other media.

In the preferred case of use in watercraft or ships, ie when the wall 6 is the wall of a vessel or a part of a door of a vessel, the sealing material arrangements are designed or the sealing material is chosen such that a seal or sealing against the Passage of water is provided. In this case, the window assembly 10 is arranged so that the interior 11 of the vessel in the FIG. 1 is located at the top and the exterior 12 at the bottom, ie the glass pane holding frame 4 faces the interior 11, so that in use a pressurization by wave impact on the glass pane holding frame 4 applied surface of the glass sheet 3 takes place.

Claims (15)

Window arrangement for fastening in an opening (8) provided in a wall (6), the window arrangement (10) comprising: - An annularly closed window frame (1) which encloses and defines a window frame opening (7) and the - A circumferential, radially inwardly into the window frame opening (7) projecting projection (1 a) with a first contact surface (9 a) and a groove (5) which is opened radially inwards, a glass sheet holding frame (4) having a second abutment surface (9b), wherein an edge portion of the glass sheet holding frame (4) is engaged with the groove (5), and the glass sheet holding frame (4) is thereby fixed to the window frame (1 ) is fixed, that the first abutment surface (9 a) and the second abutment surface (9 b) in the axial direction spaced from each other and facing each other, and a glass pane (3) which is arranged in the window frame opening (7) and with a peripheral edge region between the first contact surface (9a) and the second contact surface (9b), characterized in that the window assembly (10) further comprises a first annularly closed sealing material assembly (2a) and a second sealing material assembly (2b), the first sealing material assembly (2a) being disposed between the glass sheet (3) and the first abutment surface (9a) and adheres to the glass pane (3) and to the first contact surface (9a) in each case in a peripheral contact region and the second sealing material arrangement (2b) between the glass pane (3) and the second contact surface (9b) and adheres to the glass sheet (3) and to the second abutment surface (9b). A window assembly according to claim 1, wherein the first abutment surface (9a) and / or the second abutment surface (9b) is a flat, annularly closed surface which is parallel to its facing surface of the edge region of the glass sheet (3). A window assembly according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the glass sheet holding frame (4) is in the form of an annular disk which can be inserted into the groove (5) with its outer edge portion fitting. A window assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the glass sheet holding frame (4) is annularly closed, wherein the glass sheet holding frame (4) is formed integrally or from a plurality of separate portions, and / or wherein the second sealing material assembly (2b) is annular is formed closed. A window assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the windowpane is retained in the window assembly (10) without screws. A window assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first sealing material assembly (2a) and / or the second sealing material assembly (2b) is formed of an adhesive. A window assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first sealing material assembly (2a) and / or the second sealing material assembly (2b) has a Shore A hardness of 50 or less. A window assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first sealing material assembly (2a) and / or the second sealing material assembly (2b) has an elongation at break of greater than 200%. A window assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first sealing material assembly (2a) and / or the second sealing material assembly (2b) are not compressed in the axial direction. Wall (6) having an opening (8) in which a window assembly (10) is arranged according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the window frame (1) on the wall (6) is fixed. Vehicle having a window arrangement (10) according to one of Claims 1 to 9 or a wall (6) according to Claim 10. Door with a window arrangement (10) according to one of claims 1 to 9 or a wall (6) according to claim 10. Method for producing a window arrangement (10) according to one of Claims 1 to 9, comprising the following steps: Providing an annularly closed window frame (1) which encloses and defines a window frame opening (7) and a peripheral projection (1a) projecting radially inwards into the window frame opening (7), having a first contact surface (9a) and a groove (9) 5) which is open radially inwardly, - Providing a glass pane holding frame (4) with a second contact surface (9b) and an edge region - Providing a glass sheet (3) and arranging the glass sheet (3) in the window frame opening (7) in axial direction between the first abutment surface (9a) and the groove (5), - Fixing the glass pane holding frame (4) on the window frame (1) by engaging the edge region of the glass pane holding frame (4) with the groove (5), so that the first abutment surface (9a) and the second abutment surface (9b) in axial Direction spaced from each other and facing each other and the glass sheet (3) is arranged with a peripheral edge region between the first bearing surface (9a) and the second bearing surface (9b), - introducing a sealing material (2a) between the glass sheet (3) and the first abutment surface (9a) for forming a first annular closed sealing material arrangement (2a) on the glass sheet (3) and on the first abutment surface (9a) each in a circumferential Contact area clings, and - Introducing a sealing material (2b) between the glass sheet (3) and the second abutment surface (9b) for forming a second sealing material assembly (2b) which adheres to the glass sheet (3) and the second abutment surface (9b) in each case in a peripheral contact area , A method according to claim 13, wherein the sealing material (2a) for forming the first sealing material assembly (2a) is identical to the sealing material (2b) for forming the second sealing material assembly (2b). The method of claim 13 or claim 14, further comprising the step of curing the sealant material after insertion to form the first sealant material assembly (2a) and / or the sealant material after being introduced to form the second sealant material assembly (2b).

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