WO2007009642A2

WO2007009642A2 - Device for assembling insulating glass panes that are filled with gas that is different from air

Info

Publication number: WO2007009642A2
Application number: PCT/EP2006/006797
Authority: WO
Inventors: Uwe BÖGNER; Peter Schuler; Wolfgang Hauser
Original assignee: Lenhardt Maschinenbau Gmbh
Priority date: 2005-07-15
Filing date: 2006-07-12
Publication date: 2007-01-25
Also published as: EP1907661B1; CN101223330A; WO2007009642A3; DE102005033040B3; ATE412102T1; DE502006001903D1; EP1907661A2; CN101223330B

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for assembling insulating glass panes that are filled with gas that is different from air, comprising: two plates (1, 2), which are opposite one another, placed parallel, perpendicular or slanted with regard to one another and whose distance from one another can be altered; a horizontal conveyor (3), which is situated along the lower edge of the plates (1, 2) while being near this lower edge of the plates (1, 2) and which has a conveying device (4); at least one first sealing device (5, 6) and at least one second sealing device (7, 8), which extend from the horizontal conveyor (3) up to a position located above the horizontal conveyor (3), and their distance from one another can be altered in the direction of conveyance (4), at least the at least one second sealing device (7, 8) being able to be placed between both plates (1, 2), and; means for supplying the gas that is different from air into a chamber that is laterally delimited by both plates (1, 2) and two of the sealing devices (5, 6, 7, 8). The invention provides that the at least one second sealing device (7, 8), which can be placed between the plates (1, 2), has an extrudate (33), which can be inserted from the top downward into the space between the plates (1, 2) and which can be reversibly pressed together by shortening the distance between the plates (1, 2).

Description

Apparatus for assembling insulating glass panes filled with a gas other than air

description

The invention relates to a device having the features specified in the preamble of claim 1. Such a device is known from EP 1 450 001 A1. The known device has as "first" sealing means on the two vertical edges of the plates of the assembly device closure members, for. B. pivoting flaps, which are articulated on the edge of one of the plates and can be pivoted against the opposite edge of the other plate. As a "second" sealing device, the known device has a seal consisting of a strip-shaped body, which is covered with a strip of resilient foam. The seal is located in a downwardly extending recess of one of the two plates and may be advanced to an operative position transverse to the plane of the plate between an inoperative position in which the seal is retracted behind the surface of the plate. The two plates, the hinged hinged flaps hinged at their vertical edges and the "second" sealing device arranged between them form two chambers, in which an insulating glass pane is filled with a gas other than air and fed to it. can be assembled. For this purpose, the chamber z. B. filled from below with the gas other than air at least up to the level of glass panes standing in the chamber. In this case, the excess space between the vertical edges of the glass sheets and their opposite sealing devices is useless filled with the gas other than air; the excess gas is lost when the sealing devices are moved to their inoperative position and the assembled insulating glass sheet is fed out of the device.

Another device for assembling insulating glass panes filled with a gas other than air is known from EP 0 674 086 A1. In this known apparatus, a first glass sheet and a second glass sheet provided with a spacer are supported on a horizontal conveyor having a belt as a conveying member, and conveyed into the space between two press plates which are variable in their distance. Between the press plates, they are positioned parallel to one another and congruently opposite one another, so that an open gap remains circumferentially between the spacer and the glass panel opposite it. In addition to the vertical edges of the glass sheets thus arranged, gaskets are arranged which are effective between the press plates and extend down to the upper run of the belt which closes down the space between the two glass sheets which stand on top of it. From below a heavy gas is introduced into the chamber, which is bounded by the belt, the glass sheets, the two pressing plates and the vertical seals acting between them. The heavy gas rises in this chamber and its supply is stopped when a certain degree of filling is reached. Then, one of the press plates is approximated to the other press plate to close the insulating glass pane and press it to a predetermined thickness.

The heavy gas is supplied in the device disclosed in EP 0 674 086 A1, either through openings in the vertical seals or through the conveyor belt. Of the two vertically arranged seals, one at a predetermined position near the front edge of the press plates is arranged with respect to the conveying direction and is either tightly applied to the outer edge of the press plates from the outside or becomes pivoted from a provided in the vicinity of the front edge in one of the two press plates slot against the front edge of the glass sheets or fed at right angles to the conveying direction of the slot and thereby brought to the tight contact with the front edge of the two glass sheets. The other seal can be introduced from the - with respect to the conveying direction - the rear ends of the press plates forth in the space between the press plates and moved to rest against the rear edges of the two glass sheets. In this way, a chamber is formed, which is bounded by the two glass sheets, by the two seals and by the belt of the horizontal conveyor and open towards the top. Heavy gas introduced through the belt or through one of the seals rises in the chamber and displaces the air upwardly from the chamber. The disadvantage is that the movement of the horizontally movable seal which seals the rear edge of the glass panels, requires considerable equipment and design effort to reciprocate the seal and to adapt to different distances of the glass panels can. In addition, the reciprocation of the seal requires some time, which undesirably increases the cycle time of the device. Within a production line for the production of insulating glass panes, the device in which individual panes of glass are assembled into insulating glass panes, filled with a gas other than air and then compressed, generally forms the slowest station and determines the cycle time of the entire production line. A further disadvantage is that the sealing concept known from EP 0 674 086 A1, insofar as it relates to a vertical seal which can be moved out of a slot in one of the press plates, can not be transferred to devices in which the seals do not act directly on the seals Rims of the glass panels, but on the facing front sides of the press plates are effective.

The object of the present invention is to provide, on the basis of the introductory state of the art, an apparatus for assembling insulating glass panes which enables both short cycle times and lower losses of the gas other than air than in the case of EP 1 450 001 A1 , This object is achieved by a device having the features specified in claim 1. Advantageous developments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

The device according to the invention has at least two sealing devices which extend upwards from the horizontal conveyor and which have a variable distance from one another. At least one sealing device, referred to herein as a "second" sealing device, which can be disposed between the plates is insertable from top to bottom along the facing surfaces of the plates into the space between the plates and by reducing the mutual spacing of the plates reversible compressible. This has significant advantages:

The sealing device acting in the conveying direction in front of the glass sheets of the insulating glass pane can be brought into its operative position before or while the glass sheets from which the insulating glass pane is assembled are positioned between the plates of the device. The positioning of the coming into effect in the conveying direction before the glass panels sealing effect is therefore not at the expense of a short cycle time of the device. • The sealing device, which is to be effective in the conveying direction of the horizontal conveyor of the device at or near the rear edges of the glass panels, can already be placed at the optimum distance from the front sealing device, before or while the two glass panels from which the insulating glass is to be assembled, positioned between the plates of the device. Namely, the positioning of the rear sealing device at the optimum distance from the front sealing device can be done without the rear seal being lowered to the horizontal conveyor, but already while the rear seal is still in a raised, inoperative position. The positioning of the rear sealing device at the optimal distance from the front sealing device is therefore not at the expense of the cycle time of the device.

• The rear sealing device can already with its. During the positioning of the glass panels, from which the insulating glass pane is to be assembled lowered to a height just above the top of the glass panels. Even that is not at the expense of the cycle time of the device.

• After positioning the glass panels between the panels of the device, a second sealing device to be arranged at the rear edge of the glass panels must, if necessary, be moved down to the level of the horizontal conveyor from the height of the upper edge of the glass panels from which the insulating glass pane is to be assembled. This is done in seconds, since the second sealing means little mass is required so that it has only a small inertia and can be accelerated and decelerated quickly. If the second sealing device is arranged on the movable plate of the device, it can even be brought into its operative position during the positioning of the respective second glass sheet of a glass sheet pair, so that the positioning of the second sealing device does not contribute to the cycle time of the device.

• It is also possible to gain cycle time by initially positioning the seal for the rear edge of the glass panels not directly above the position at which the glass panels are positioned with their rear edge, but at a greater distance from the front "first" sealing device. For then the second sealing device for the rear edge of the glass sheets can be simultaneously moved downwards and approximated to the front sealing device, as soon as the last glass sheet with its rear edge has moved under the sealing device for the rear edge, so that the second sealing device behind the rear edge of the glass panel can drive to its effective position.

• Thus, the invention simultaneously achieves low cycle times and a minimum, adapted to the length of the respective glass panel chamber volume for the introduction of the gas other than air.

• It is not necessary to interrupt either of the two plates to arrange and activate the "second" sealing device.

The "second" sealing device is preferably designed so that it can be bent from a stretched in the relaxed state shape against a restoring force and returned to its stretched shape by the restoring force. This means that the second sealing device, when introduced from above into the space between the two plates, automatically assumes and retains a stretched shape. This also means that the sealing device when you look at it can hang freely from above or moves downwards over a plate inclined to the rear, strives for a straight shape and, as a rule, also achieves this. This is convenient to create well-defined conditions between the plates. Such a sealing device is suitable for being suspended in a free-hanging yet straightforward manner and without hindrance, without a special guide, into the intermediate space between the two plates, down to the horizontal conveyor. As a further advantage comes for this embodiment of the invention added that the second sealing device deflected above the plates and z. B. can be lowered down on the outside of a plate, preferably looping, or can be wound up to save space.

There are different design options for the second sealing device. One possibility is to use a cross-sectionally V-shaped or Z-shaped spring band, which rests with its one leg on one of the two plates, is compressed when reducing the mutual distance of the two plates and thereby from the level of the horizontal conveyor to upper edge of the plates causes a seal. Such V- and Z-shaped spring bands can be easily redirect and wind up.

In another embodiment, the at least one second sealing device has a reversibly compressible strand, which is connected on one side with a flat spring band, which rests flat against one or the other plate, wherein the reversibly compressible strand is compressed in reducing the mutual distance of the plates and causes a seal.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the at least one second sealing device has a reversibly compressible strand, which is connected at two opposite sides each with a spring band, which lie flat against the mutual distance of the two plates to this sese and to a Seal.

In a further embodiment, the at least one second sealing device has a reversibly compressible strand, in which - in particular in the center - at least one spring band is embedded. This is favorable for a deflection and bending of the sealing device.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the sealing device has a spring band, which is connected on both sides with a reversibly compressible strand, which eliminates edge strips of the spring band. Also in this embodiment, the sealing device can be easily bent. Another advantage is that the spring band can be guided and driven on its edge strips.

The reversibly compressible strand is preferably made of foam plastic or foam rubber. Such a design is inexpensive, seals effectively, is reliable and durable.

Another way to form a reversibly compressible strand is to form it from an elastomeric hollow profile, z. B. from a rectangular cross-sectional profile. Such profiles can be produced inexpensively by extrusion and are in part commercially available. They have the further advantage that they can be wound up easily, also in conjunction with a spring band. The additional compression of the hollow profile can be facilitated by longitudinally extending bending lines which are provided in the walls of the hollow profile extending transversely to the two plates of the device. Such Sollknicklinien facilitate a controlled compression of the hollow profile in particular when the walls in which the predetermined bending lines are provided, are folded from the outset a little inwardly.

On both sides of the reversibly compressible strand projecting spring strips facilitate driving and driving the "second" sealing device. At the lower end of the reversibly compressible strand is preferably a little over the spring bands, so that the "second" sealing devices can meet the horizontal conveyor sealing and at the same time gently. The horizontal conveyor preferably has an endless, driven conveyor belt which not only conveys and carries the glass panels into the apparatus, but also closes down the chamber into which the gas other than air is introduced. Such a Conveyor belt is z. B. in the aforementioned EP 1 450 001 A1 discloses. Not only can he rest on the bottom edges of the glass panel, but he can also be applied to the lower edges of the two panels.

In order to save the "second" sealing devices in their inoperative position to save space, a deflection device is provided for each of the second sealing means at the upper edge of one of the plates, by means of which the second sealing means from the vertical or approximately vertical direction are deflected out in another direction when they are pulled out of the space between the two plates. In the simplest case, the deflection device is a roller which has a rotation axis parallel to the conveying direction. The extracted from the space between the plates second portion of the sealing device can be suspended freely on the outside of the relevant plate. However, it is preferable to provide a special storage device for the withdrawn portion of the second sealing device, in particular a top-down shaft into which the second sealing device is inserted, or a top-to-bottom guide profile partially enclosing the second sealing device embraces. The second sealing device can also be inserted in such a guide profile, so that it has a defined position and does not collide anywhere. A shaft and such a guide profile can also be used in combination.

Another possibility is to set the upper end of the "second" sealing device at the level of the deflection roller, but at some distance from it, and let it loop between the deflection roller at the point at which the sealing device is fixed.

In another embodiment of the invention, a winding device is provided as storage device. At the same time, it can take the place of the above-mentioned deflection roller. The winding device could be designed in the manner of a reel. However, preferred over a reel is an embodiment in which the take-up device is rotatable and can be driven in the manner of a spindle, so that it can wind up and unwind the second sealing device in a helical or helical manner. This makes it possible to keep the second sealing device consistent Winding curvature. This is advantageous because the force required for winding is uniform, because the load on the spring band is uniformly low and because it favors a long life of the second sealing device.

Storage of the second sealing device in helical or helical form is also achieved in another embodiment, in which the storage device has a helical or helical guide profile, into which the second sealing device can be pushed in by an output device and pulled out again. This embodiment has the advantage that the storage device requires no rotary drive, but only a linear displacement drive, which is needed anyway for positioning the second sealing device.

To drive the second sealing devices are particularly suitable pairs of drive wheels, drive rollers or drive belts which engage on opposite sides of the respective second sealing means, in particular on protruding edge strips of a spring band, which preferably connected to a - as described above - reversibly compressible strand is, in particular by gluing or by vulcanization.

The pairs of drive wheels, drive rollers or drive belts are expediently arranged on or in the vicinity of the deflection device or the storage device. There are also preferably arranged guide means which co-determine the arc over which the second sealing means are deflected.

The deflection device, whatever it may be formed in detail, is preferably movable back and forth parallel to the conveying direction and thereby takes along the respective second sealing device, whereby it can be moved into a position in the conveying direction or counter to the conveying direction of the horizontal conveyor which is optimally adapted to the length of the insulating glass pane to be produced next. If a separate storage device is added to the deflection device, it is preferably moved along with the deflection device. This allows a cheap construction and short cycle times and makes it possible simultaneously move the second sealing device parallel to the conveying direction and to move up or down.

Preferably, all diverters are mounted on the same plate. That is constructively the cheapest. In most cases, one of the two plates is fixedly arranged in a device for assembling insulating glass panes. To attach the second sealing devices and their deflection on the fixed plate, requires the least effort. Attaching them to the moving plate favors shorter cycle times.

The deflecting means are preferably movable back and forth on a rail which is arranged at the upper edge of one of the plates or a frame carrying them. The upper edge of the plate or its frame is ideal for this.

There are devices for assembling insulating glass panes in which the two opposing plates can be pivoted from a position in which they are mutually V-shaped to a position in which they are both perpendicular and parallel to each other. Such a device is disclosed in EP 0 615 044 A1. In most devices for assembling insulating glass panes, however, the plates are arranged parallel and not exactly vertical, but inclined by about 6 °, so that the glass plates can be conveyed leaning against the plate inclined backward. In such a device, the at least one second sealing device is preferably arranged on the rearwardly inclined plate, that is the plate whose inner side points obliquely upwards. Under the inside of a plate is here understood that side which faces the opposite plate. Accordingly, the outside of a plate is understood here as the side which faces away from the opposite plate.

If the second sealing device is arranged on that plate whose inside has obliquely upwards, then this has the advantage that it is supported and guided by this plate informally. But it is also possible to arrange the second sealing device on that plate whose inside is inclined downwards. In this Case, it is advantageous if on the inside of this plate suction openings are distributed, by means of which the at least one second sealing device can be sucked to the downwardly inclined inside of the plate so that it does not oscillate uncontrollably back and forth in the space between the two plates and did not collide with the glass panels. The suction effect is adjusted so that the second sealing device is held on the downwardly inclined inside of the plate, but not sucked so strong that thereby a downward sliding of the second sealing device would be prevented. Especially suitable for this purpose is a sealing device with a spring band lying on the inside of the plate and sliding.

Instead of sucking the second sealing means on the downwardly inclined inside of a plate, they can also hold magnetically on this plate by behind the downwardly inclined inside of the plate magnets are distributed and the at least one sealing device has a spring band of a magnetizable material , Another possibility for magnetic mounting of the second sealing device on the plate is that the downwardly inclined inside of a plate carries a coating in which or behind which are distributed magnetizable particles or structures, and that at least one second sealing means at least one is provided on the magnetizable particles or structures responsive magnet.

Embodiments of the invention are shown schematically in the accompanying drawings and will be described below. In the various embodiments, the same or corresponding parts are designated by corresponding reference numerals.

FIG. 1 shows a device according to the invention for assembling insulating glass panes in a side view with a viewing direction parallel to the conveying direction of the horizontal conveyor of the device,

FIG. 2 shows a section through the device according to section line H-II in FIG. 1, laid parallel to the two plates of the device, with a pair of glass sheets arranged in the space between the plates, FIG. 3 shows a section through the device as in FIG. 2, but with two pairs of glass sheets arranged in the device,

FIG. 4 shows a horizontal section along the line IV-IV in FIG. 3 through a part of the device,

FIG. 5 shows a detail in a view looking in the direction opposite to the conveying direction of a deflection device for a "second" sealing device in conjunction with a drive and with a storage device on the device shown in FIGS 1-4,

FIG. 6 shows the deflection device from FIG. 5 in a front view,

FIG. 7 shows in detail a cross section according to section line VII-VII through the storage device shown in FIG. 5,

FIG. 8 shows in detail a cross section through the "second" sealing device provided in FIG.

FIG. 9 shows a modified device for assembling insulating glass panes in a view as in FIG. 1,

FIG. 10 shows a storage device which is capable of helically receiving a "second" sealing device, in a view parallel to the conveying direction,

11 shows the memory device from FIG. 10 in a view looking in the direction of the arrow X1 in FIG. 10, FIG.

Figure 12 shows a section along the section line XII-XII by the memory device according to Figures 10 and 11, and

FIG. 13 shows a horizontal section as in FIG. 4 through a device with a modified second sealing device. Figures 1 to 4 show an apparatus for assembling insulating glass panes with a frame 10, on which a first flat plate 1 is fixedly arranged, in a by a few degrees, z. B. by 6 °, backward inclined position. The first plate 1 is held and stiffened at the rear by a truss-like frame 11, which stands on a horizontally extending bar 13, which is supported indirectly on the frame 10. The back of the frame 11 is additionally supported by struts 15 on frame 10.

The first plate 1 is parallel to a second plate 2 and approximately congruent, which is held and stiffened on its outside by a truss-like frame 12, at the lower edge of a horizontally extending beam 14 is mounted, which is indirectly supported on the frame 10 , The two bars 13 and 14 are parallel to each other. The frame 12 of the second plate 2 is connected by four spindles 16 to the frame 11 of the first plate 1. The spindles 16 extend at right angles to the plates 1 and 2 and are rotatably supported in bearing blocks 17 fixed to the upper edge of the frame 12 and in bearing blocks 18 fixed to the underside of the beam 14; However, they are not displaceable in the bearing blocks 17 and 18. The lower bearing blocks 18 are slidably mounted on rails 19 which are mounted at right angles to the plates 1 and 2 on the frame 10.

On the upper edge of the frame 11 of the first plate 1 are two bearing blocks 17 opposite housing 20 and on the underside of the bar 13, two housings 21 are provided, which are opposite to the bearing blocks 18 and on the one hand with the beam 13 and on the other hand with the frame 10th are firmly connected. The housing 20 and 21 contain spindle nuts, not shown, which are driven synchronously, whereby the second plate 2 is moved parallel to itself and their distance from the first plate 1 can be changed.

On the bar 13 below the first plate 1, a horizontal conveyor 3 is arranged parallel to the bar 13, which is divided into two successive sections 3a, 3b, see Figure 2. In each section 3a, 3b there is an endless conveyor belt 22, which over two Rolls 23 is tensioned, whose axes of rotation are at right angles to the plates 1 and 2 run and one of which is driven. The two conveyor belts 22 are separated or synchronously driven by choice.

At the two upstanding edges of one of the two plates 1 and 2 each have a first sealing means 5, 6 are arranged. In the present embodiment, they are attached to the frame 12 of the second movable plate 2. They consist of a cross-sectionally U-shaped strip 24, which has an elastomeric sealing cord 25 on its leg facing the fixed plate 1 and is connected at its other leg to at least two pneumatic piston-cylinder units 26 which are connected to the frame 12 are attached. The strip 24 extends from the upper run of the conveyor belt 22 to the upper edge of the plates 1 and 2. In its operative position it rests with its sealing cord 25 on the inside of the first plate 1, which for this purpose by a small length on the towering Rims of the second plate 2 protrudes, as shown in Figure 4. The base of the strip 24, which connects two mutually parallel legs, is located on a sealing rod 27, which is loaded by springs 28 in a groove 29 of the rising edge of the plate 2 is arranged. From the operative position shown in Figure 4, the bar 24 can be retracted by means of the piston-cylinder unit 26 in an inoperative position in which it clears the way to promote individual glass panels 30, 31 in the space between the plates 1 and 2 or to be able to convey an assembled insulating glass pane out of the intermediate space.

At the upper edge of the frame 11 of the fixed plate 1, two further sealing devices 7 and 8 are mounted, which are referred to herein as the "second" sealing devices. These are each a flexible, reversible compressible strand 33 with z. B. rectangular cross-section, which is unilaterally occupied by a spring band 34 which projects beyond the strand 33 on both sides. The strand 33 may, for. B. foam or made of a foam plastic. Alternatively, the strand 33 is also an elastomeric hollow profile, for. B. a box profile to be. The spring band 34 is preferably a thin spring plate, z. B. from a 0.2 mm to 0.3 mm thick spring steel on which the strand 33 is glued or vulcanized. The spring band 34 should develop in the extended position no restoring force, so that it aligns the second sealing device 7, 8, when it hangs, in a rectilinear, elongated shape. At the upper edge of the fixed plate 1 and its frame 11 extending between the housings 20, parallel to the conveying direction 4 rail 35 is mounted on which for each of the two second sealing means 7 and 8, two carriers 36 are displaceable, each of which Umlenkeinrichtung 37 a role, as a storage device for a second sealing device 7 and 8 a shaft 38 and a drive device for the respective second sealing device 7, 8 carries. The drive means consists of two mutually parallel drive belt pairs 39 and a synchronously driving electric stepper motor 40. Each of the two drive belt pairs 39 acts, as shown in Figures 5 and 6, on one of the edge strips 34a of the spring band 34, whereby this between the drive belt of a each drive belt pair 39 is clamped and the drive movement of the belt is transferred by friction to the edge strips 34a.

The gap between the drive belts of each drive belt pair 39 is aligned with the inner side 1a of the fixed plate 1, whereby the spring belt 34 of the fixed plate 1 is moved up and down as the stepping motor 40 operates. The second sealing device 7, 8 is guided around the deflection roller 37, wherein the spring band 34 lies on the deflection roller 37 and is guided by two half-rings of free-running rollers 41, which act on the upper side of the edge strips 34a, so that the spring band 34 smoothly the deflection roller 37 is located.

Figures 5 and 6 show the second sealing device 7 in the vicinity of its inoperative end position, in which it is located outside the gap between the two plates 1, 2 and for the most part in the shaft 38, which on the outside of the fixed plate 1 of is arranged down to the top. In this shaft 38, the second sealing device 7 is preferably performed with the edges of their spring plate in two U-shaped guide profiles 42.

FIG. 2 shows the second sealing device 7 in the vicinity of its inoperative end position and the second sealing device 8 in its operative position, in which it has been pushed down to the upper run of the conveyor belt 23. The operation of the device shown in Figures 1 to 8 will be described below with reference to Figures 2 to 4. Although FIG. 4 is directed to the situation illustrated in FIG. 3, it applies correspondingly to the situation illustrated in FIG. 2, so that FIG. 4 is used both in the explanation of FIG. 2 and in FIG. First, how to operate the apparatus when only one insulating glass sheet is assembled therein and filled with a gas other than air, as shown in FIG. 2, will be described.

First, the two first sealing means 5 and 6 and the two second sealing means 7 and 8 are in their inoperative position. A first glass sheet 31 is supported on the conveyor belt 22 and supported against the first plate 1 in the conveying direction 4 in the space between the two plates 1 and 2 promoted. In order for the first glass sheet 31 to more easily slide over the inside 1a of the first plate 1, it is provided with numerous small apertures, not shown, through which air can be blown by means of a blower which is between the glass sheet 31 and the inside 1a of the plate 1 creates an air cushion. The first glass sheet 31 is conveyed to a predetermined end position close to the front in the conveying direction 4 edge of the plate 2. If the first glass panel 31 arrived there, the horizontal conveyor 3 is stopped. The second plate 2, in which suckers not shown are integrated, is moved by actuating the spindles 16 against the first glass sheet 31, sucks them and is then removed again from the first plate 1. Then, a second glass sheet 32, which carries a frame-shaped spacer 30 adhered to the second glass sheet 32, is moved on the horizontal conveyor 3 to a position in which it is congruent to the first glass sheet 31.

During this positioning operation of the second glass sheet 32, one of the two second sealing means 7, 8 is displaced on the rail 35 to a position in which it lies close to the alignment of the rear rising edges of the glass sheets 31 and 32. If you want or you can assemble in the device in a particular case only a single insulating glass, you will position those second sealing device 7 or 8, which requires the least displacement. In the example of FIG. 2, which shows the assembling of a large-sized insulating glass pane whose length exceeds half the length of the plates 1 and 2, it is the sealing device. tion 8. If the control of the stepping motor 40, the height of the glass panels 31 and 32, the sealing device 8 can also be lowered during the running of the second glass panel 32 to a height just above the upper edge of the glass sheet 32. If both glass plates 31, 32 are positioned congruently opposite one another, the second sealing device 8 is pushed down to the conveyor belt 22 and the second plate 2 is brought closer to the first plate 1, only between the first glass plate 31 and the spacer 30 opposite it a gap of predetermined width of z. B. 2 mm to 3 mm. In this case, the strand 33 is compressed and leads to a tight seal between the two plates 1 and 2 (see Figure 4). In this position, the front edge of the glass panels 31 and 32 adjacent sealing device 5 is actuated and the bar 24 is advanced until it meets with its sealing cord 25 on the fixed plate 1. This state is shown in FIG 4. In this position, a chamber is formed between the plates 1 and 2, which bounded below by the horizontal conveyor 3 and laterally by the plate 1, 2, by the first sealing device 5 and by the second sealing device 8 and after is open at the top. In the example of FIG. 2, the chamber extends over the gap between the two sections 3 a and 3 b of the horizontal conveyor 3. So that in this case the chamber is sufficiently closed at the bottom, a completion of the bridge 43 is provided between the two conveyor belts 22. In the chamber is preferably from below, z. B. in the manner described in EP 1 450 001 A1, introduced a different gas from air, in particular a heavy gas, which rises in the chamber and thereby fills the gap between the glass sheets 31 and 32. When a sufficient amount of the heavy gas is supplied, the heavy gas supply is stopped and the movable plate 2 of the fixed plate 1 is further approximated, whereby the first glass sheet 31 meets the spacer 30 and adhered to it. The movement of the second plate 2 ends when the distance of the two plates 1 and 2 coincides with the predetermined target thickness of the insulating glass pane.

Thereafter, the movable plate 2 is again removed from the fixed plate 1, the first sealing device 5 is retracted to its inoperative position, the second sealing means 7 and 8 pulled up to its inoperative position and the assembled insulating glass pane by driving the horizontal conveyor 3 transported out of the device. Meanwhile, a first glass sheet for a subsequent insulating glass pane can already be conveyed into the device.

In the apparatus as shown in Figures 1 to 8, two insulating glass sheets can also be assembled simultaneously and filled with a heavy gas (e.g., with argon, sulfur hexafluoride, krypton, or other gases). This will be explained below with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. First, all sealing devices 5 to 8 are in their inoperative starting position. First, the first glass sheet 31 for the insulating glass sheet to be assembled on the left side in FIG. 3 is conveyed to its end position near the front edge of the second sheet 2. Then, a first glass sheet 31a for the insulating glass sheet to be assembled in the right portion of the apparatus is conveyed into the space between the two sheets 1 and 2 and positioned so that its rear upright edge is close to the rear edge of the second sheet 2. Then, these two glass sheets 31, 31 a in a similar manner as described in the example of Figure 2, sucked by the movable plate 2 and lifted from the fixed plate 1. Thereafter, the occupied with a spacer 30 second glass sheet 32 is conveyed for the assembled in the left area of the device insulating glass in the space between the plates 1 and 2 and positioned in the manner already described congruent with the first glass sheet 31. Overlapping in time, a second glass panel covered with a spacer, which is to be assembled with the glass panel 31a to form a second insulating glass panel, is conveyed into the intermediate space between the two panels 1 and 2 and positioned in the same way as the glass panel 31a. The fact that the two conveyor belts 22 are both separately and synchronously driven, this is time-saving possible.

During the positioning of the two glass plates carrying a spacer, the two second sealing devices 7 and 8 can already be displaced along the rail 35 into their position adapted to the length of the glass sheets 31 and 31a and lowered at least to just above the height of the highest glass sheet 31. As soon as the second glass panel 32 for the insulating glass panel to be assembled in the left-hand area has passed the second sealing unit 8 arranged on the right, it can already be lowered down to the horizontal conveyor 3. Has the second one Glass panel 32 of the left-to-be-assembled insulating glass pane also passes the second sealing device 7 arranged on the left, this can also be lowered down to the horizontal conveyor 3. Once the four glass sheets are positioned in pairs congruent, the movable plate 2 of the fixed plate 1 is approximated until the gap between the spacer 30 and the opposite glass panel 31 has a predetermined width of z. B. has reached 2.5 mm, wherein the strands 33 of the second sealing means 7 and 8 are compressed. Subsequently, the two first sealing devices 5 and 6 are advanced into their sealing position, in which they meet the inside of the first plate 1. Subsequently, the gas other than air is introduced into the two chambers, which are bounded below by the two conveyor belts 22 and laterally by the two plates 1 and 2 and on the one hand by the two sealing means 5 and 7 and on the other hand by the sealing means 6 and 8. If a sufficient amount of the gas is filled in each chamber, the introduction of the gas is terminated, the insulating glass panes are pressed, the sealing devices 5 to 8 are brought into their inoperative starting position, the two insulating glass panes are conveyed away and at the same time the next glass sheets are conveyed.

The positioning of the second sealing devices 7 and 8 in this case has practically no influence on the cycle time of the device. The device works extremely efficiently.

The conveying direction 4 is chosen arbitrarily in the exemplary embodiments. It can also be opposite.

The embodiment shown in Figure 9 differs from the previously described embodiment in that the second sealing means 7 and 8 are mounted not on the fixed plate 1 but on the movable plate 2. In this case, it is recommended to provide separate means to guide the second sealing means 7, 8 on the inside of the movable plate 2, for. B. by light suction or by magnetic force, as indicated in the general description part. Since the movable plate 2 is inclined obliquely downward with its inside, the second sealing means 7, 8 can slide with its outer portion on the outside of the frame 12 of the second plate; a separate storage device is not absolutely necessary for the second sealing device 7, 8. The embodiment shown in FIG. 9 has the advantage that it allows shorter cycle times, in particular when the plates 1 and 2 do not simultaneously assemble two insulating glass panes, but rather only one insulating glass pane, because the sealing devices 7, 8 can already be put into their effective position Position are placed while the second glass sheet in the space between the plates 1 and 2 is positioned. Since the second glass sheet is conveyed adjacent to the fixed plate 1, it can be moved past the second sealing means 7, 8 which abuts the movable plate 2.

Figures 10 to 12 show a memory device which is provided as a replacement for the shaft 38 shown in Figures 5 to 7 and at the same time takes over the task of a deflection. It is a drum 44, consisting of two circular discs 45, which are connected by four mutually parallel struts 46, on the inside of a guide profile 47 is fixed, which extends helically. The guide profile 47 has on its side surfaces in each case a longitudinally extending slot, which follows the helical course of the guide profile 47. Two slots in the spiral opposite each other surround the two edge strips 34a of the spring band. The drum 44 can be mounted on the carrier 36 instead of the guide roller 37 and the shaft 38 (FIG. 5), which is displaceable on the rail 35 above the fixed plate 1.

The drive of the second sealing means 7 and 8 can, as shown in Figures 5 and 6, even when using the drum 44 by means of drive belt pairs 39 done. Instead of drive belt pairs z. B. also be provided drive roller pairs. The drive belt pairs 39 pull the second sealing means 7, 8 out of the drum 44 to bring them into their effective sealing position and push them back into the drum 44 to bring them into their inoperative home position. So that the second sealing device 7, 8 despite its helical course in the drum 44 in the space between the plates 1 and 2 can be moved exactly perpendicular to the conveying direction 4, the drum 44 is arranged so that its longitudinal axis parallel to the fixed plate 1 E- bene is located, but is inclined by an angle a against the horizontal conveying direction 4, which depends on the pitch of the helix in the drum 44.

The embodiment shown in Figure 13 differs from the embodiment shown in Figure 4 in that the second sealing device 7 is not a flexible, reversibly compressible strand 33, which is unilaterally covered with a flat spring band 34. Rather, the second sealing device 7 is a spring band with a Z-shaped cross-section. A first leg 48 of the second sealing device 7 abuts the first plate 1. A second leg 49 of the second sealing device 7 bears against the second plate 2. The two legs 48 and 49 are connected by a web 50, which completes the two legs 48 and 49 to a Z-profile. The web 50 is bent at one end in such a way that it abuts a piece of the leg 48. This makes it possible to guide the leg 48 on both sides in the same way as the spring band 34 in the preceding exemplary embodiments, for example as shown in FIGS. 5 to 7.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS:

1st first plate

1a. their inside

2nd second plate

3. Horizontal conveyor

3a, 3b sections of FIG

4. Transport direction

5. first sealing device

6. first sealing device

7. second sealing device

8. second sealing device

9. -

10. Rack

11. Frame

12th frame

13. Bars

14. Bars

15. striving

16. Spindles

17. Bearing blocks

18th bearing blocks

19. Rails

20. Housing with spindle nut

21. Housing with spindle nut

22. Conveyor belt

23. Role

24th bar

25. sealing cord

26. Piston-cylinder unit

27. sealing rod

28. spring

29th groove

30. Distance holder

31. first glass plate

31a first glass panel

32nd second glass panel

33rd strand 34. spring band

34a. edge strips

35th rail

36. Carrier

37. Baffle, roll

38th shaft

39. Drive belt pairs

40th stepper motor

41. freewheeling rollers

42. Guide profiles

43. Bridge

44. drum (deflection and storage device)

45. slices

46. striving

47. Guide profile

48th first leg

49th second leg

50th bridge α angle

Claims

Claims:

A device for assembling insulating glass panes filled with a gas other than air, comprising two opposite plates (1, 2) arranged parallel to each other perpendicularly or inclined and variable in their mutual distance, with one in the vicinity of bottom conveyor (3) with a conveying direction (4), with at least one first sealing device (5, 6) and with at least one second sealing device (7 , 8), which extend from the horizontal conveyor (3) to a location above the horizontal conveyor (3) and in the conveying direction (4) have a variable distance from each other, wherein at least the at least one second sealing means (7, 8) between the two plates (1, 2) can be arranged, and with means for supplying the gas other than air in a chamber, which laterally durc h the two plates (1, 2) and two of the sealing means (5, 6, 7, 8) is limited, characterized in that the at least one second sealing means (7, 8), which between the plates (1, 2) arranged can be, a strand (33) which from top to bottom in the space between the plates (1, 2) insertable and by reducing the mutual distance of the plates (1, 2) is reversibly compressible.

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the strand (33) of a stretched in the relaxed state shape is bendable against a restoring force and by the restoring force in its stretched shape resettable bar is bar.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the at least one second sealing means (7, 8) is a cross-sectionally V-shaped or Z-shaped spring band.

4. Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the at least one second sealing means (7, 8) has a reversibly compressible strand (33) which is connected on one side with a spring band (34), which is flat to the one or the other plate (1, 2) applies, the strand (33) is compressed in reducing the mutual distance of the plates (1, 2).

5. Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the at least one second sealing means (7, 8) has a reversibly compressible strand, which is connected at two opposite sides, each with a spring band, which in reducing the mutual distance of two plates (1, 2) create this flat.

6. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the at least one second sealing device (7, 8) has a reversibly compressible one

Strand has, in which at least one spring band is embedded.

7. The device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the at least one second sealing means (7, 8) comprises a spring band, which is connected on one side or both sides with a reversibly compressible strand, which edge strips (34a) of the spring band (34) spared ,

8. Device according to one of claims 4 to 7, characterized in that the strand (33) consists of reversibly compressible foam plastic or foam rubber.

9. Device according to one of claims 4 to 7, characterized in that the strand is formed from an elastomeric hollow profile.

10.Vorrichtung according to claim 9, characterized in that the hollow profile has longitudinal predetermined bending lines.

11.Vorrichtung according to any one of claims 4 to 10, characterized in that the spring band (34) or the spring strips on both sides over the or the strands (33) protrude.

12. Device according to one of claims 4 to 11, characterized in that the lower end of the strand (33) projects beyond the lower end of the spring band (34) or the spring strips.

13. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that for each of the second sealing means (7, 8) at the upper edge of one of the plates (1, 2) a deflection device (37, 44) is provided.

14. The apparatus according to claim 13, characterized in that the deflection device (37, 44) parallel to the conveying direction (4) is movable back and forth.

15. The apparatus of claim 13 or 14, characterized in that all the deflecting means (37, 44) on the same plate (1, 2) are mounted.

16. The apparatus according to claim 15, characterized in that one of the two plates (1, 2) is arranged fixed and that the deflection means (37, 44) on the fixed plate (1) are mounted.

17. Device according to one of claims 13 to 16, characterized in that the deflection devices (37, 44) on a rail (35), which at the upper edge of the respective plate (1, 2) is arranged, is movable back and forth.

18. Device according to one of claims 13 to 17, characterized in that the deflection device (37, 44) has a carrier (36) on which a device (38, 44) for storing a from the space between the plates (1, 2) is pulled out second sealing means (7, 8) is mounted.

19. The apparatus according to claim 18, characterized in that the storage device (38, 44) is designed such that the second sealing means (7, 8) in the storage means (38, 44) can be inserted.

20. The apparatus according to claim 19, characterized in that the storage device (38) is a shaft.

2 I.Vorrichtung according to claim 19, characterized in that the storage device is a rail.

22. The apparatus according to claim 19, characterized in that the storage device (38) on the outer side of the relevant wall (1, 2) extends from top to bottom.

23. The device according to claim 18, characterized in that the storage device has a take-up device.

24. Device according to claim 23, characterized in that the winding device is rotatable in the manner of a spindle and parallel to the conveying direction (4), so that it can screw up and unwind the second sealing device (7, 8) helically.

25. Device according to one of claims 13 to 24, characterized in that the deflection device (37) has a role with the conveying direction (4) parallel axis of rotation.

26. Device according to one of claims 1 to 19, characterized in that at the upper edge of one or the other plate (1, 2) at least one storage device for a second sealing device (7, 8) is provided which a helical or helically extending Guide profile (47), in which the second sealing means (7, 8) pushed into and pulled out again.

27. The device according to claim 26, characterized in that the helical or helical guide profile (47) has an axis which is inclined at an acute angle (D) against the conveying direction (4).

28. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that for driving the second sealing means (7, 8) opposing pairs of drive wheels, drive rollers or drive belt (39) are provided, which on opposite sides of the respective second sealing means (7, 8) attack at this.

29. The apparatus of claim 11 and 28, characterized in that for driving the second sealing means (7, 8) provided for pairs of drive wheels, drive rollers or drive belt (39) engage the spring band (34), preferably on both sides of the reversible compressible strands (33). \

30. Apparatus according to claim 28 or 29 in conjunction with any one of claims 11 to 22, characterized in that the pairs of drive wheels, drive rollers or drive belt (39) at or in the vicinity of the deflection device (37, 44) or the storage device (44) are arranged.

3 I.Vorrichtung according to one of the preceding claims, in which the plates (1, 2) are arranged inclined, characterized in that the at least one second sealing means (7, 8) on the plate (1) is arranged, the inside (1a ) points diagonally upwards.

32. Device according to one of claims 1-30, in which the plates (1, 2) are arranged inclined, characterized in that the at least one second sealing means (7, 8) on that plate (2) is arranged, the inside after is inclined down.

33. Apparatus according to claim 32, characterized in that on the inside of this plate (2) suction openings are distributed, with the help of which at least a second sealing device (7, 8) can be sucked to the downwardly inclined inside of the plate (2).

34. Apparatus according to claim 32, characterized in that behind the downwardly inclined inside of the plate (2) magnets are distributed and that the spring band (34) of the at least one second sealing means (7, 8) consists of a magnetizable material.

35. Apparatus according to claim 32, characterized in that the downwardly inclined inside of the plate (2) carries a coating in which or behind which magnetizable particles or structures are distributed, and in that at least one second sealing means (7, 8) at least one responsive to the particles or structures magnet is provided.