EP3394377A1

EP3394377A1 - Spacer for insulating glass panes

Info

Publication number: EP3394377A1
Application number: EP16790401.0A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Peter Runze; Marc REHLING; Juliane GRUBER; Bernhard KÖNIGSBERGER; Rolf WOLLENBERG; Rainhard LOMMER; Heinz RAUNEST
Original assignee: Ensinger GmbH
Current assignee: Ensinger GmbH
Priority date: 2015-12-23
Filing date: 2016-11-04
Publication date: 2018-10-31
Also published as: US10550628B2; CN108291422A; WO2017108241A9; US20180298674A1; RU2018121061A; RU2018121061A3; WO2017108241A1; DE102015122714A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a spacer for insulating glass panes, comprising a profiled body which has a substantially rectangular cross-section and which is designed as a closed profiled hollow section. The profiled body has a first and a second lateral wall which are arranged parallel to each other and at a distance from each other, an inner wall which extends between the first and the second lateral wall, and an outer wall which extends from the first to the second lateral wall and which is arranged at a distance from the inner wall. The outer wall comprises a first wall section, which is oriented substantially parallel to the inner wall, and second and third wall sections arranged on both sides of the first wall section, wherein the second and third wall sections are arranged at an obtuse angle relative to the first wall section and to the respective adjacent lateral wall when seen perpendicularly to the axial direction of the profiled body in the cross-section, and the second and third wall sections adjoin the respective adjacent lateral wall. At least the inner wall, the first and the second lateral wall, and the second and the third wall section of the outer wall are made of a first plastic material. The spacer further comprises a single-piece primary reinforcement element which extends from the first lateral wall to the second lateral wall over the outer wall and which is designed as a steam diffusion barrier. The aim of the invention is to improve the spacer such that the spacer can be deformed in particular in a cold bending method using conventional systems, offers a heat transmission resistance which is as high as possible, and furthermore can be produced in an economical manner. This is achieved in that the profiled body has a reduced wall thickness in order to form joint locations in the wall regions in which the second and the third wall section of the outer wall adjoin the first and the second lateral wall, respectively.

Description

Spacers for insulating glass panes

The invention relates to a spacer for insulating glass panes, as they are widely used in the manufacture of windows, doors, facade elements, etc.

The spacer typically comprises a profile body which is substantially rectangular in cross-section and formed as a closed hollow profile, the profile body comprising a first and a second side wall arranged parallel to one another and spaced apart, an inner wall extending between the first and second side walls and one extending from the first to the second having second side wall extending outer wall. The outer wall is spaced from the inner wall and has a first wall section oriented substantially parallel to the inner wall and second and third wall sections arranged on both sides of the first wall section, which in an oblong angle to the first wall section and the respectively adjacent one, viewed in cross section perpendicular to the axial direction of the profile body Sidewall are aligned and connect to these. At least the inner wall, the first and the second side wall and the second and third wall portion of the outer wall are made of a first plastic material. The spacer further includes a one-piece primary reinforcing member extending from the first sidewall over the outer wall to the second sidewall, which is formed as a vapor diffusion barrier.

Spacers for insulating glass panes of this type are known in the prior art, for example from US Pat. No. 4,719,728, WO 2014/005950 A1 and also DE 10 2010 049806 A1. Often there is a requirement to be able to form the spacers for insulating glass panes into a frame in a cold bending process, wherein the outer geometry, in particular in the region of the side walls, should remain as far as possible unchanged in the then formed corner regions of the frame, so that a precise concern of the spacers can be ensured with the side walls of the glass panes of the insulating glass panes.

Furthermore, it is important to design the profile body in such a way that the space between the panes existing in the insulating glass panes can be kept substantially free of water vapor and thus condensation effects can be avoided with large differences between the inside and outside temperature. For this purpose, the spacers are filled, for example, in their hollow profile with a desiccant, for which, however, only a limited volume is available, so that the gas-tight, in particular moisture-proof, closing the disc space from the environment through the spacer is of crucial importance.

In addition, the spacers require a certain degree of mechanical stability, so that they can be easily processed using conventional cold bending methods.

The spacer according to the invention come, as known in the art, to improve the insulation of insulating glass panes of windows, doors, facade elements and the like instead of the formerly common metal spacers used to keep the two glass sheets at a distance.

The flexibility for the production of the frame on the one hand, but also the longitudinal stability of the spacers on the other hand are of great importance in the processing. Object of the present invention is to provide a spacer which can be deformed in particular in the cold bending process with conventional systems, offers the greatest possible thermal resistance and beyond can also be produced economically.

This object is achieved with the features of claim 1.

Characterized in that on the one hand the spacer according to the invention comprises a primary reinforcing element, which is integrally formed and extending from the first to the second side wall, which is also formed as a vapor diffusion barrier, as known per se in the art, are provided in combination wall portions , which form joints over which the outer wall connects to the first and second side wall, on the one hand sufficient stability of the spacer and on the other hand a good cold workability can be achieved.

In particular, due to the existing in combination with the one-piece primary reinforcing element joints in the transition from the side walls to the outer wall or the second and third sections, the cold flexibility is controlled improved, so that the mechanical stress of the profile body is reduced during bending. This allows an optimization of the wall thicknesses of the inner wall, the side walls and also the outer wall, as far as the latter is made of a plastic material.

This not only leads to a further increase in the thermal resistance, but also reduces material costs and simplifies handling, especially in the cold bending process, for example by reducing the so-called overbending angle. The second and third wall portions of the outer wall are preferably formed substantially planar, whereby an outer contour of the spacer is achieved, which provides sufficient space for the application of a sealant during assembly of the spacer between the panes of insulating glass panes.

The primary reinforcing element is preferably formed as a metal foil, in particular as a stainless steel foil. More preferably, the thickness of the metal foil is limited to about 0.1 mm or less, in particular to about

0.09 mm or less. Such thin metal foils can still perform their function as a primary reinforcing element, but at the same time reduce the heat transfer compared to thicker sized foils.

With respect to the areas of the profile body, which are made of plastic material, the inner and outer walls may be porous, in particular closed-pore, formed at least in some areas and be made for example of foamed plastic material. These embodiments allow further improvement in thermal resistance without compromising cold bendability or substantially compromising the mechanical properties of the spacer.

Also, the side walls can be formed with a porous structure, which in turn is chosen in particular closed-cell. The profile body can then, if necessary, also be made substantially completely with a porous, in particular closed-pore, structure.

Profile body with partial or even in the entire cross-section formed porous structure (foam structure) have surprisingly the further advantage that due to the foam structure of the so-called overbend angle or, in other words, the restoring behavior during bending in the cold bending process is reduced.

Furthermore, profile bodies with partial or cross-sectional foam structure have the advantage that the connection of spacer ends by means of corner joints or longitudinal connectors easier to succeed and beyond the compressibility of the foam structure an improved positive connection with the existing surface of the corner and longitudinal connectors surface structuring feasible is.

In a particular embodiment of the spacer according to the invention it is provided that the outer wall is partially formed by the primary reinforcing member, wherein preferably at least the first wall portion of the outer wall is substantially completely formed by the primary reinforcing member. This saves on the one hand not only plastic material and thus costs and weight, but also results in the same height, a larger volume in the hollow profile for receiving desiccant.

If no higher volume for receiving the desiccant needed, the overall height of the spacer can be reduced overall - with the advantage that in addition to a material savings and the weight of the profile body can be reduced. A smaller overall height of the spacer also reduces the heat transfer coefficient for the edge bond of the insulating glass, wherein the reduction in the height of the spacer are limited by the required mechanical stability of the edge bond.

Alternatively it can be provided that the first wall portion of the outer wall is made of a second plastic material, wherein the second plastic material of the first wall portion of the outer wall is preferably compatible with the first plastic material or optionally also identical.

More preferably, the first wall portion of the outer wall, if it is made of the second plastic material, integrally formed with the profile body, which in particular offers the extrusion or coextrusion.

Furthermore, it may be advantageous to connect the first wall section with the second and third wall sections via wall regions which have a smaller wall thickness and thus form hinge points. The joints between the first and the second and third wall portion of the outer wall have the additional effect of increasing the heat transfer resistance of the outer wall. This effect is to be observed, albeit to a lesser extent, even in the joints between the second and third wall sections of the outer wall and the respective associated side walls.

The reduced wall thickness for forming the joint points can also be extended to adjacent wall regions, in particular the outer wall, so that, for example, from the joint points each up to about one third of the expansion of the outer wall in the transverse direction of the spacer has a reduced wall thickness.

Preferably, the wall regions designed as hinge points are designed as grooves formed in the interior of the hollow profile of the profile body, so that when the spacer is deformed during the formation of corner regions in the course of cold forming, the least possible resistance occurs from the plastic material in the joint regions, since the regions, which otherwise would otherwise be subject to a compression, are recessed by the formation of the groove. In addition, some influence can be exerted on the deformation of the spacer on its outer side in the case of cold bending via the design of the groove, so that this region is specifically subjected to deformation.

Depending on the size, in particular width, of the spacer, it may be advantageous if a first and a second secondary reinforcing element are arranged in the inner wall of the spacer parallel to the axial direction of the spacer, wherein the first primary reinforcing element disposed in a portion of the inner wall adjacent to the first side wall and the second secondary reinforcing member in a second portion of the inner wall adjacent to the second side wall.

The secondary reinforcing elements are preferably arranged at a distance from the respective side walls in the inner wall that corresponds to about 10 to about 40%, more preferably about 30 to about 35%, of the distance between the side walls. Thus, the profile geometry can be adapted to the tools used in the bending process.

Furthermore, the secondary reinforcing elements can preferably be arranged at a distance from the side wall, which is in each case adjacent to them, of approximately 1 mm to approximately 5 mm, more preferably approximately 1 mm to approximately 3 mm, in the inner wall.

In this case, the distance between the center point (in the case of a circular cross section) of the secondary reinforcement elements relative to the respectively adjacent side wall is defined as the distance. In the case of a deviating from the circular cross-section is to be used instead of the center of its geometric center of gravity for determining the distance. The secondary reinforcing elements may in particular be wire-shaped, with flat wires also being suitable with a view to the smallest possible wall thickness of the inner wall.

The reinforcing elements, in particular in wire form, also in the form of the flat wires, preferably have structuring, in particular corrugation, or other contouring transversely to their longitudinal direction on their outer side, so that these reinforcing elements can be introduced into the surrounding plastic material in a shear-resistant manner and thus simultaneously the function can take over to limit the thermal elongation of the profile of the spacer. Alternatively or additionally, the secondary reinforcing elements can also be equipped with a primer layer. Furthermore, the secondary reinforcing elements can also be equipped with an adhesive layer, for example of a so-called hot-melt adhesive.

For receiving the secondary reinforcing elements in the inner wall, this preferably has in the cavity of the hollow profile extending thickenings or projections, which are adapted to the contour of the secondary reinforcing elements substantially. In these areas, which have a greater wall thickness than the adjacent areas of the inner wall, the secondary reinforcing elements can be securely embedded. In particular, this avoids that the reinforcing elements optionally emerge from the plastic material of the inner wall during the cold bending and thereby lose the physical contact with the inner wall. Even when cutting the spacers by sawing a secure embedding of the secondary reinforcing elements in the inner wall of advantage, so that the reinforcing elements are not torn in the cutting area. The greater wall thickness in the region of the projections is preferably oriented on the thickness of the secondary reinforcing elements, according to their orientation and measured perpendicular to the surface of the inner wall.

Further preferably, the inner wall, at least in its areas in which the first and second reinforcing elements are arranged, have a thickness which is approximately 1.5 to approximately 3.5 times, in particular approximately 1.6 times. to about 2.9 times, the extension of the cross section of the primary reinforcing elements in this direction is.

In order to improve the cold bendability of the inventive spacers having secondary reinforcing elements, and particularly those which receive the reinforcing elements in protrusions extending into the cavity of the hollow profile, it is preferably provided that the outer wall be in areas corresponding to the positions of the secondary reinforcing elements are opposite, have a recess which preferably corresponds to about a quarter to about half, more preferably about one third to about half of the thickness of the secondary reinforcing elements and / or corresponds to the contour of the projections of the inner wall.

The plastic materials from which the first, but also the second plastic material are preferably selected include polypropylene (PP), polycarbonate (PC), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), styrene-acrylonitrile copolymers (SAN), polyesters, in particular polyethylene terephthalate (PET), Polyamide (PA) and acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymers (ABS) individually or in admixture with each other.

Polycarbonate (PC), polypropylene (PP) and polyesters, in particular polyethylene terephthalate (PET), can also be used partially or in their entirety for the first and second plastic materials in the form of recycled material. This lowers the material costs while meeting the requirements of the mechanical Strength values of the spacer profiles according to the invention can still be met.

Likewise, biodegradable or bio-based polymers, for example low molecular weight polyamide (PA), polyesters, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT), polybutylene succinate (PBS), polycaprolactose (PCL) and polyglycolide (PGA) or starch, sucrose , Polylactide (PLA), polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB), lignin-based thermoplastics and oil-based epoxy acrylates as the first and / or second plastic material.

These recyclates and biodegradable plastic materials are preferably used together with fillers selected from natural fibers. Preferably used natural fibers are selected from coconut fibers, hemp fibers, sisal fibers, flax and wood fibers. Although the natural fibers do not lead to the same extent as the thermoplastic fibers or even the glass fibers to improve the mechanical properties, but also bring an improvement in the thermal insulation properties of the plastic materials with it.

Preferably, the weight ratio of the weight of the primary reinforcing element to the weight of the first and optionally second plastic material is selected in the range of about 1: 0.75 to about 1: 3.

In the case of the preferred spacers according to the invention, the mechanical stability and in particular also their thermal expansion behavior can be positively influenced by the incorporation of reinforcing fibers into the plastic material. This applies to both the first and the second plastic material. Preferably, the content of reinforcing fibers in view of their higher thermal conductivity compared to the plastic material about 20 wt .-% or less, in particular 10 wt .-% or less, amount.

In particular inorganic fibers such as glass fibers, basalt fibers, carbon fibers, boron fibers, ceramic fibers and silica fibers are used as reinforcing fibers. Preferred organic reinforcing fibers are aramid fibers, polyamide fibers, polyester fibers, polyolefin fibers and Plexiglas fibers used.

Also metallic fibers, in particular steel fibers are suitable as reinforcing fibers.

In an alternative embodiment of the spacer according to the invention, the first and / or the second plastic material is free of reinforcing fibers, in which case optimum thermal insulation values are achieved.

More preferably, additives are used in the first and / or second plastic materials, which are in particular selected from fillers, pigments, light stabilizers, impact modifiers, antistatic agents and / or flame retardants.

More preferred spacers may have an inner wall having a reduced thickness in areas immediately adjacent to the sidewalls as compared to the thickness of the areas extending toward the profile center. These areas of reduced wall thickness also form hinge points which facilitate the deformation of the spacer in the formation of corner regions during cold bending of the spacer into a frame and contribute to the formation of a predetermined, controlled geometry of the bent spacer. This applies in particular when first and second secondary reinforcement elements are arranged in the inner wall.

In the material selection for the primary reinforcing element and the secondary reinforcing elements, it is preferably ensured that the material of the primary reinforcing element has a greater elongation at break than the secondary reinforcing elements, which are more likely to be compressed during the cold bending process, while the primary reinforcing element, which is also in the range of Extending outer wall of the spacer, is subjected to an elongation by tensile forces during cold bending.

Here, it is particularly advantageous if the material of the primary reinforcing element has a low yield strength, as it is present in not further work-hardened materials. After annealing, such materials should only be oriented or stretch bent without appreciably increasing the tensile strength or the yield strength.

Further preferred spacers are configured such that the first and second secondary reinforcing elements are each arranged adjacent to a part of the hollow volume of the hollow profile, in which, even after a bending of the hollow profile to form a corner region about a perpendicular to the axial or longitudinal direction and parallel to the inner wall extending bending axis by 90 °, the inner wall and the outer wall are spaced from each other. This has the advantage that the first and second secondary reinforcing elements in the cold bending process, the bending process oppose no resistance that goes beyond their actual material strength.

Particularly preferred are spacers in which the hollow profile at a bend has a neutral axis or fiber perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and parallel to the inner wall, which is in the range of about 40% to about 60% of the total height of the hollow profile. Further preferred are spacers in which the profile body has an overbending angle for the production of a 90 ° bent portion in the cold bending process, which is about 20 ° or less, more preferably about 15 ° or less.

Preferred spacers have a wall thickness of the inner wall and / or the first, second and third wall portions of the outer wall, which is about 0.7 mm to about 1 mm, preferably about 0.7 mm to about 0.9 mm.

Furthermore, the wall thickness can be seen in the range of about 0.3 mm to about 0.7 mm seen in the profile cross-section, at least in one or more areas. However, the inner wall is preferably in the areas where a perforation is provided on the cavity of the hollow profile communicates with the space between the panes, have a regular wall thickness, for example of approximately 0.9 mm. In addition to a further improvement in the thermal insulation properties of the spacer according to the invention, additional material is saved with the areas of reduced wall thickness and the weight of the spacer is reduced.

The wall thickness of the side walls is less critical, since this has only a minor role with respect to the thermal insulation properties of the spacer.

These and other advantages of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to the drawings. They show in detail:

Figure 1: a first embodiment of an inventive

Spacer;

Figures 2A to 2D: a second embodiment of an inventive

Spacers in several variations; Figure 3: a third embodiment of a spacer according to the invention;

Figure 4: a fourth embodiment of an inventive

Spacer;

Figure 5: a fifth embodiment of an inventive

Spacer; and

Figure 6: a sixth embodiment of a spacer according to the invention.

Figure 1 shows a spacer 10 according to the invention according to a first embodiment with a profiled body 12 having a first and a second parallel to each other and spaced apart side wall 14, 16, between which an inner wall 18 extends.

Parallel to the inner wall 18 and spaced therefrom extends from the first to the second side wall an outer wall 20, which has a middle, parallel to the inner wall 18 arranged wall portion 22 and both sides of the first wall portion second and third wall portions 24, 26, which in a cross-section to Axial direction of the profile body seen (as shown here) are obtuse angles to the first wall portion 22 and the respective adjacent side wall 14, 16 are aligned and connect to this.

The wall region of the profile body, in which the side wall 14 and the second wall section 24 of the outer wall 20 adjoin one another, is designed with a smaller wall thickness to form a joint 28. The second side wall 16 is connected to the third wall section 26 of the outer wall 20 also connected via a wall portion with reduced wall thickness to form a hinge point 30.

On the outer surface of the spacer 10 is in the range of the side wall 14 on the outer wall 20 to the side wall 16 reaching a one-piece primary reinforcing member 32 is provided, which simultaneously performs the function of a vapor diffusion barrier.

In the case of the present embodiment of the spacer 10, the primary reinforcing element 32 is designed as a stainless steel foil with a thickness of about 0.09 mm, the mechanical properties of which are sufficient to reinforce the spacer 10 so that it can be cold-bent with conventional cold bending equipment Education of corner areas of a spacer frame.

Optionally, the embodiment of a spacer 10 according to the invention embedded in the inner wall 18 still on a first and a second secondary reinforcement element 34, 36, which are preferably formed as metal wires with a ribbing or thread structure applied to the outer surface. The reinforcing elements, which are embedded so shear-resistant in the plastic material of the inner wall 18, stabilize these against deformation when exposed to heat, since typical values for the thermal expansion in steel in the range of about 15.7 to about 17 * 10 ^"6 1 / K are while, for example, unreinforced polypropylene (PP) has a thermal expansion in the

Range of about 130 to about 180 * 10 ^"6 1 / K has.

The first and the second plastic material may in this embodiment be selected from a polypropylene copolymer which may also be foamed in the entire cross section of the spacer. The inner wall 18, the side walls 14, 16 and the outer wall 20 are preferably extruded as a unit. The profile body 12 encloses a cavity 38, which is formed only through through holes or perforations 40 which are arranged at regular intervals in the middle of the inner wall 18, with a disc space formed by a spacer frame 10 formed from the spacer 10 and two glass sheets in the assembled state , communicates and thus optionally receives there existing or penetrating water vapor fractions, which are then bound by a desiccant, which is accommodated in the cavity 38 (not shown).

The inner wall 18 is formed in the areas in which the optional secondary reinforcing elements 34, 36 are arranged with a greater thickness than in the remaining wall areas (projections 42, 44), however, the thickness of the inner wall 18 directly adjacent to the side walls 14th and 16 again decreases, so that there also find wall sections with a smaller wall thickness than joints 46, 48.

Optionally, the inner wall may have one or more regions 49 in its cross-section (dot-dashed contour), which have a reduced wall thickness compared to other regions, for example from about 0.3 mm to about 0.4 mm. In the region in which the passage openings or perforations 40 are formed, the wall thickness is preferably not reduced and is for example approximately 0.9 mm.

Figure 2 shows a spacer 50 according to the invention according to a second embodiment with a profile body 52 having a first and a second parallel to each other and spaced side wall 54, 56, between which an inner wall 58 extends.

Parallel to the inner wall 58 extends from the first to the second side wall 54, 56, an outer wall 60, which has a central, parallel to the inner wall 58 arranged first wall portion 62 and both sides of the first Wall portion 62 second and third wall portions 64, 66 which seen in a cross-section to the axial direction of the body 52 (as shown here) obtuse angle to the first wall portion 62 and the respective adjacent side wall 54 and 56 are aligned and connect to this.

The wall region in which the first side wall 54 and the second wall section 64 of the outer wall 60 adjoin one another is designed with a smaller wall thickness to form a joint 68. The second side wall 56 is also connected to the third wall portion 66 of the outer wall 60 via a wall portion of reduced wall thickness to form a hinge point 70.

Optionally, in each case the second and third wall sections 64, 66 can be connected to the first wall section 62 of the outer wall 60 via a wall region 71 with reduced wall thickness to form additional hinge points (in FIG. 2, for example, only at the bottom right at the transition of the third to the first wall section 66 or 62 shown).

On the outer surface of the spacer 50 is in the range of the side wall 54 on the outer wall 60 to the side wall 56 reaching a one-piece primary reinforcing member 72 is provided, which simultaneously performs the function of a vapor diffusion barrier.

In the case of the present second embodiment of a spacer 50, the primary reinforcing element 72 is designed as a stainless steel foil with a thickness of approximately 0.09 mm, the mechanical properties of which are sufficient to reinforce the spacer so that it can be used with conventional cold bending equipment for forming Corner areas for spacer frame is cold bendable. Optionally, the embodiment of a spacer 50 according to the invention embedded in the inner wall 58 still on a first and a second secondary reinforcing element 74, 76, which are preferably formed as metal wires with an applied on the outer surface corrugation or thread structure. The distance t of the center of gravity of the cross section of the secondary reinforcing elements 74, 76 to the respective adjacent side wall 54, 56 is preferably about 1 mm to about 5 mm, more preferably about 1 mm to about 3 mm.

The profile body 52 encloses a cavity 78, which only through through openings 80, which are arranged at regular intervals in the middle of the inner wall 58, with the environment, i. in the assembled state of a insulating glass pane unit with the disk space formed thereby is in communication.

Through these passage openings or perforations 80, the cavity 78 of the profile body 52 with a space between the panes in the assembled state of the spacer 50 so possibly there existing or penetrating water vapor components record, which is then bound by a desiccant, which is housed in the cavity 78 (not shown) become.

The inner wall 58 is formed in this embodiment double-layered, wherein a cavity 78 adjacent to the layer 58 a is integrally formed with the side walls 54, 56 and the outer wall 60, for example of polypropylene copolymer, while the outer layer 58 b of a preferably on Customized colored polypropylene homopolymer manufactured, in particular with the inner layer 58a is coextruded. The secondary reinforcing elements 74, 76 are, if present, each about half in the outer and the inner layer 58b and 58a. In the case where the profile body 52 is formed with a porous structure, the layer 58a adjoining the cavity 78 can also be made porous, for example foamed, while the outer layer 58b is preferably made compact and not foamed.

The inner wall 58 is in turn formed in the areas in which the secondary reinforcing elements 74, 76 are arranged with a greater thickness than in the remaining wall regions (projections 82, 84), however, the thickness of the inner wall 58 directly adjacent to the side walls 54 and 56 again decreases, so that there also find wall sections with a smaller wall thickness than joints 86, 88. In the central region in which the perforations 80 are provided, the wall thickness will preferably be approximately 0.9 mm.

FIG. 3 shows a spacer 100 according to the invention according to a third exemplary embodiment with a profile body 102 which has a first and a second side wall 104, 106 arranged parallel to one another and spaced apart, between which an inner wall 108 extends.

Parallel to the inner wall 108 extends from the first to the second side wall 104, 106, an outer wall 110, which has a middle, parallel to the inner wall 108 disposed first wall portion 112 and both sides of the first wall portion second and third wall portions 114, 116, which in a cross-section seen to the axial direction of the profile body 102 (as shown here) are aligned obtuse angles to the first wall portion 112 and the respective adjacent side wall 104 and 106 and connect to this.

The wall area in which the side wall 104 and the second wall portion 114 of the outer wall 110 adjoin one another is designed with a smaller wall thickness to form a hinge point 118. The second page Wall 106 is also connected to the third wall portion 116 of the outer wall 110 via a wall portion of reduced wall thickness to form a hinge 120.

On the outer surface of the spacer 100, in a region extending from the side wall 104 over the outer wall 110 to the side wall 106, there again is provided a one-piece primary reinforcing element 122 which simultaneously performs the function of a vapor diffusion barrier.

Optionally, the spacer 100 according to the invention embedded in the inner wall 108 still on a first and a second secondary reinforcement element 124, 126, which are formed here as flat wires made of metal with a ribbing applied to the outer surface for shear-resistant anchoring in the surrounding plastic material.

The profile body 102 encloses a cavity 128, which communicates with the environment only via passage openings or perforations 130 which are arranged at regular intervals in the middle of the inner wall 108.

Via these through-openings 130, the cavity 128 of the profile body 102 can communicate with a space between the panes in the assembled state of the spacer 100 and thus absorb water vapor possibly occurring there, which are then bound by a desiccant, which is accommodated in the cavity 128 (not shown).

The inner wall 108 is formed in the areas in which the secondary reinforcing elements 124, 126 are arranged with a greater thickness than in the remaining wall areas (protrusions 132, 134), however, the inner wall 108 adjacent to the side walls 104 and 106 as shown. which is formed with a smaller wall thickness, as well as in the central region of the inner wall in which the perforations 130 are provided.

Further, the first wall portion 112 of the outer wall 110 opposite to the positions of arranged in the inner wall 108 secondary reinforcing members 124, 126 wall portions 136, 138 with a reduced wall thickness, the contour of which corresponds substantially to the contour of the projections 132, 134. Preferably, the projections 132, 134 are dimensioned so that the wall thickness of the inner wall 108 in these areas is selected to be larger by approximately 50% of the thickness of the secondary reinforcing elements 124, 126. Accordingly, the wall thickness of the outer wall 110 is reduced in relation to the recesses 136, 138. This facilitates the formation of corner areas during cold bending of the spacer, in which parts of the inner wall 108 come into contact with parts of the outer wall 110.

FIG. 4 shows a further spacer 150 according to the invention according to a fourth exemplary embodiment with a profile body 152 which has a first and a second side wall 154, 156 arranged parallel to one another and spaced apart, between which an inner wall 158 extends.

Parallel to the inner wall 158 extends from the first to the second side wall, an outer wall 160, which, unlike the previously described embodiments of the spacer according to the invention has no middle, parallel to the inner wall 158 arranged made of plastic material first wall portion. However, as before, second and third wall sections 164, 166 formed of plastic material are present, which are aligned in an oblong angle to the respective adjacent side wall 154, 156 in a cross-section to the axial direction of the profile body 152 (as shown here) and adjoin them. The wall region in which the side wall 154 and the second wall section 164 of the outer wall 160 adjoin one another is designed with a smaller wall thickness to form a hinge point 168. The second side wall 156 is also connected to the third wall portion 166 of the outer wall 160 via a wall portion of reduced wall thickness to form a hinge 170.

On the outer surface of the spacer 150, in a region extending from the side wall 154 via the second and third wall portions 164, 166 of the outer wall 160 to the side wall 156, there is provided a one-piece primary reinforcing member 172 which, in addition to the function of a vapor diffusion barrier the distance between the second and third wall portions 164, 166 of the outer wall 160 bridged and thus additionally assumes the function of a first wall portion 162.

Even in the case of the present fourth exemplary embodiment of a spacer 150, the primary reinforcing element can be designed as a stainless steel foil with a thickness of approximately 0.09 mm despite its additional function as a first wall section 162, and its mechanical properties are sufficient to accommodate this type of spacer according to the invention 150 to strengthen so that it is cold bendable with conventional cold bending equipment for the formation of corner areas. Again, a material savings and a lower weight of the profile body can be realized without the mechanical properties of the spacer 150 would be affected.

Optionally, this embodiment of a spacer 150 according to the invention embedded in the inner wall 158 still have a first and a second secondary reinforcing element 174, 176, which are preferably formed as metal wires (here in the form of a flat wire) with a ribbing applied to the outer surface. The profile body 152 encloses a cavity 178, which communicates with the environment only via passage openings 180 which are arranged at regular intervals in the middle of the inner wall 158.

The inner wall 158 is formed in the areas in which the secondary reinforcing elements 174, 176 are arranged with a greater thickness than in the remaining wall areas (projections 182, 184), however, the thickness of the inner wall 158 directly adjacent to the side walls 154 and 156 again decreases, so that there also find wall sections with a smaller wall thickness than joints 168, 170. Since the outer wall 160 in the region of the first wall section 162 is formed solely by the first reinforcing element 172, due to the smaller wall thickness, the formation of recesses for receiving the projections 182, 184 is unnecessary.

If required, the inner wall 158 can also be designed in two layers, as indicated in FIG. 4 by the dividing line 186. The secondary reinforcing elements can then be completely integrated in the outer layer, as shown here.

Due to the assumption of the function of the first wall portion 162 of the outer wall 160 through the first reinforcing member 172 is achieved in addition to the advantages already mentioned a gain in space 178, so that with the same size of this inventive spacer 150, compared with the spacer 100 of Figure 3, absorb a larger amount of desiccant and so can provide an increased drying capacity.

FIG. 5 shows a further spacer 200 according to the invention according to a fifth exemplary embodiment with a profile body 202, which has a first and a second arranged parallel to one another and spaced apart from one another Side wall 204, 206, between which an inner wall 208 extends.

Parallel to the inner wall 208 extends from the first to the second side wall, an outer wall 210 which has a middle, parallel to the inner wall 208 disposed wall portion 212 and both sides of the first wall portion second and third wall portions 214, 216, which in a cross-section to the axial direction of Profile body seen (as shown here) are aligned at an obtuse angle to the first wall portion 212 and the respective adjacent side wall 204, 206 and connect to this.

The wall portion in which the side wall 204 and the second wall portion 214 of the outer wall 210 adjoin each other is designed with a smaller wall thickness to form a hinge point 218. The second side wall 206 is also connected to the third wall portion 216 of the outer wall 210 via a wall portion of reduced wall thickness to form a hinge 220.

On the outer surface of the spacer 200, in a region extending from the sidewall 204 via the outer wall 210 to the sidewall 206, there is provided a one-piece primary reinforcing element 222 which simultaneously performs the function of a vapor diffusion barrier.

Optionally, the embodiment of a spacer 200 according to the invention embedded in the inner wall 208 still has a first and a second secondary reinforcement element 224, 226, which are preferably formed as metal wires with a circular cross-section and with a corrugation or thread structure applied to the outer surface. The profile body 202 encloses a cavity 228, which communicates with the environment only via passage openings 230 which are arranged at regular intervals in the middle of the inner wall 208. The cavity 228 serves to receive desiccant.

The inner wall 208 is formed in the areas in which the secondary reinforcing elements 224, 226 are arranged with a greater thickness than in the remaining wall regions (projections 232, 234), however, the thickness of the inner wall 208 directly adjacent to the side walls 204 and 206 again decreases, so that there also find wall sections with a smaller wall thickness than joints 236, 238.

In addition, the wall regions which form the transition between the second and the first wall section 214, 212 and between the third and the first wall section 216, 212 of the outer wall 210 are reduced in their wall thickness and thus form further hinge points 240, 242 which extend beyond also cause an improvement in the heat transfer resistance.

To further improve the heat transfer resistance, provision may be made for additional regions 244, 246 of the first wall section 212 of the outer wall 210 to have reduced wall thicknesses, for example in the range of approximately 0.3 mm to 0.4 mm, pointing to the cavity 228 Side are formed as recesses.

The regions of reduced wall thickness additionally provide a somewhat increased volume of the cavity 228, this also applies to the hinge points 218, 220, 236, 238, 240, 242, which optionally compensate for the volume fraction of the cavity 228 reduced by the projections 232 and 234 or even overcompensate. This applies not only in connection with this embodiment, but in general for all embodiments in which joints and / or wall areas with reduced wall thickness in the form of cavity-side recesses formed are available.

Finally, FIG. 6 shows a spacer 250 according to the invention according to a sixth exemplary embodiment with a profile body 252 which has a first and a second side wall 254, 256 arranged parallel to one another and spaced apart, between which an inner wall 258 extends.

Extending parallel to the inner wall 258 from the first to the second side wall 254, 256 is an outer wall 260 which has a first (middle) wall section arranged parallel to the inner wall 258 and second and third wall sections 264, 266 on both sides of the first wall section Cross-section seen to the axial direction of the profile body 252 (as shown here) are aligned at an obtuse angle to the first wall portion 262 and the respective adjacent side wall 254, 256 and connect to this.

On the outer surface of the spacer 250, in a region extending from the side wall 254 via the outer wall 260 to the side wall 256, there is provided a one-piece primary reinforcing member 272 which simultaneously performs the function of a vapor diffusion barrier.

In the case of the present sixth embodiment of a spacer 250, the primary reinforcing element is designed as a stainless steel foil with a thickness of approximately 0.09 mm, the mechanical properties of which are sufficient to reinforce the spacer so that it can be cold-bent with conventional cold bending systems for forming of corner areas. Optionally, the embodiment of a spacer 250 according to the invention embedded in the inner wall 258 and the outer wall 260 still rovings 274, 276, 278, 280, which are formed, for example non-woven like glass fibers.

Such rovings can also be incorporated in the outer wall 260, in particular in their first wall section 262, as indicated by the reference symbols 282, 284, 286, 288 in FIG.

The profile body 252 encloses a cavity 290, which communicates with the environment only via passage openings 292 which are arranged at regular intervals in the center of the inner wall 258.

Via these passage openings 292, the cavity 290 of the profile body 252 can communicate with a space between the panes in the assembled state of the spacer 250 and thus absorb water vapor possibly occurring there, which are then bound by a desiccant, which is accommodated in the cavity 290 (not shown).

While in the embodiments of the inventive spacers 10, 50, 100, 150 and 200 of Figures 1 to 5, the primary reinforcing elements 32, 72, 122, 172 and 222 are flush integrated in the respective profile body, the primary reinforcing element 272 of the spacer 250 is the Figure 6 placed on the surface of the profile body 252.

The transitions of the sidewalls 254, 256 to the second and third wall portions 264, 266 of the outer wall 260 may optionally be formed with greater wall thicknesses, as shown in this embodiment, to match the cross-section of the cavity 290 to existing corner connectors used if so the spacers are not cold bent be bent to frame, but tailored to the frame dimensions and connected in the corner areas via a plug connection.

The clamping connection of the spacers with respect to the corner connectors can be further improved if, as shown in this exemplary embodiment, one or two ribs 294, 296 are provided on the side walls 254, 256, which protrude into the cavity 290 from the side walls 254, 256. Optionally, further, in the cavity 290 projecting ribs (not shown) may also be provided on the first wall portion 262 of the outer wall.

Claims

claims

Abstandh age for insulating glass panes, comprising

a profile body which is essentially rectangular in cross-section and designed as a closed hollow profile,

wherein the profile body has a first and a second side wall arranged parallel to one another and spaced apart from one another, an inner wall extending between the first and the second side wall, and an outer wall extending from the first to the second side wall and spaced from the inner wall,

wherein the outer wall has a first wall section oriented essentially parallel to the inner wall and second and third wall sections arranged on both sides of the first wall section, the latter being aligned in an oblong angle to the first wall section and the respectively adjacent side wall, viewed in cross section perpendicular to the axial direction of the profile body, and to these connect,

wherein at least the inner wall, the first and the second side wall and the second and the third wall portion of the outer wall are made using a first plastic material,

and wherein the spacer comprises a one-piece primary reinforcement element extending from the first side wall over the outer wall to the second side wall, which is formed as a vapor diffusion barrier,

characterized in that the profile body in the wall regions, in which connect the second and the third wall portion of the outer wall to the first and the second side wall, has a reduced wall thickness for the formation of hinge points.

Spacer according to claim 1, characterized in that the second and third wall sections are planar.

3. Abstandh age according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the primary reinforcing element is formed as a metal foil, in particular as a stainless steel foil, which preferably has a thickness of about 0.1 mm or less, in particular about 0.09 mm or less ,

4. Spacer according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the profile body is porous, in particular closed-pore, at least in partial regions of the inner and outer walls.

5. Spacer according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the outer wall is partially formed by the primary reinforcing member, wherein preferably at least the first wall portion of the outer wall is substantially completely formed by the primary reinforcing member.

6. Spacer according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the first wall portion of the outer wall is made of a second plastic material, wherein the second plastic material of the first wall portion of the outer wall is preferably compatible or identical to the first plastic material, more preferably the first wall portion of the outer wall is integrally formed with the profile body, in particular extruded, and wherein optionally the profile body in the wall regions, in which the first wall portion of the outer wall adjoins the second and the third wall portion is formed with a reduced wall thickness to form hinge points.

7. Spacer according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the hinge areas designed as wall portions are formed on the inside of the hollow profile or on the profile body outside as grooves.

8. Spacer according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that in the inner wall, a first and a second secondary reinforcing member is arranged parallel to the axial direction of the spacer profile, wherein the first secondary reinforcing member disposed in a first portion of the inner wall adjacent to the first side wall and wherein the second secondary reinforcing member is disposed in a second portion of the inner wall adjacent to the second side wall.

9. Spacer according to claim 8, characterized in that the area ratio of the cross-sectional area of the first to the sum of the cross-sectional areas of the secondary reinforcing elements is about 1: 1 to about 4: 1.

10. Spacer according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the secondary reinforcing elements have a distance from the respective side walls, which corresponds to about 10 to about 40%, preferably about 30 to about 35% of the distance between the side walls.

11. Spacer according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that secondary reinforcing elements are arranged at a distance of about 1 mm to about 5 mm, preferably from about 1 mm to about 3 mm from the respective adjacent side wall in the inner wall ,

12. Spacer according to one of claims 8 to 11, characterized in that the secondary reinforcing elements are wire-shaped.

13. Spacer according to one of claims 8 to 12, characterized in that the inner wall in the region of the secondary reinforcing elements extending into the cavity of the hollow profile projections which have a greater wall thickness than the adjacent regions of the inner wall, wherein the larger wall thickness is preferably approximately equal to the sum of the thickness of the secondary reinforcement elements, measured perpendicular to the surface of the inner wall and the thickness of the adjacent regions of the inner wall.

14. Spacer according to one of claims 8 to 13, characterized in that the outer wall in the areas opposite to the secondary reinforcing elements receiving portions of the inner wall, having a recess which is formed in particular complementary to the thickening of the areas of the inner wall, and preferably has a depth which corresponds to about half the thickness of the secondary reinforcing elements.

15. Spacer according to one of claims 8 to 14, characterized in that the surface of the secondary reinforcing elements is structured, in particular knurled, corrugated or provided with a thread structure, and / or is equipped with a primer layer.

16. Spacer according to one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that the first plastic material on polyolefin, in particular polypropylene (PP), polycarbonate (PC), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), styrene-acrylonitrile copolymer (SAN), polyphenylene ether (PPE) , Polyester, especially polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyamide (PA) or acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer (ABS) or blends of two or more of these materials.

17. Spacer according to one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that the weight ratio of the weight of the primary Strengthening element to the weight of the plastic material is about 1: 0.75 to about 1: 3.

18. Spacer according to one of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that the first plastic material and optionally the second plastic material has a content of reinforcing fibers, the about 5 wt .-% or more and about 20 wt .-% or less, in particular about 10% by weight or less.

19. Spacer according to one of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that the first and optionally the second plastic material is free of reinforcing fibers.

20. Spacer according to one of claims 1 to 19, characterized in that the first and / or the second plastic material comprises additives, in particular selected from fillers, pigments, light stabilizers, Schlagzähmodifiern, antistatic agents and / or flame retardants.

21. Spacer according to one of claims 8 to 20, characterized in that the thickness of the inner wall is reduced directly adjacent to the side walls relative to the adjoining in the direction of the profile center region of the inner wall, preferably wherein the first and second secondary reinforcing elements with its cross section are completely arranged in the region of the inner wall.

22. Spacer according to one of claims 8 to 21, characterized in that the primary reinforcing element, which is arranged in the region of the outer wall or forms part thereof, has a greater elongation at break than the arranged in the region of the inner wall secondary reinforcing elements.

23. Abstandh age according to one of claims 8 to 22, characterized in that the first and second secondary reinforcing elements are each disposed adjacent to a portion of the hollow volume of the hollow profile, in which after a bending of the hollow profile about a perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and parallel to the inner wall extending bending axis by 90 °, the inner wall and the outer wall are spaced from each other.

24. Spacer according to one of claims 1 to 23, characterized in that the hollow profile at a bend has a neutral axis perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and parallel to the inner wall, which is in the range of about 40% to about 60% of the total height of the hollow profile ,

25. Spacer according to one of claims 1 to 24, characterized in that the profile body has an overbending angle for the production of a bent portion through 90 °, which is about 20 ° or less, preferably about 15 ° or less.

26. Spacer according to one of claims 1 to 25, characterized in that the inner wall and / or the first, and / or second and third wall portion of the outer wall at least in one or more regions of the profile cross-section formed from the first and / or second plastic material Wall thickness in the range of about 0.3 mm to about 0.7 mm.