WO2023161213A1

WO2023161213A1 - Device and method for automatically assembling a polymeric spacer for insulation glazings

Info

Publication number: WO2023161213A1
Application number: PCT/EP2023/054280
Authority: WO
Inventors: Dirk NÜSSER; Muhammed Nasuh ALTIN
Original assignee: Saint-Gobain Glass France
Priority date: 2022-02-24
Filing date: 2023-02-21
Publication date: 2023-08-31

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device and a method for automatically assembling a polymeric spacer (1) for an insulation glazing. In the process, at least one spacer portion (11) is removed, in a manner controlled by at least one control unit, from a storage unit (12) by a removal unit (13). The at least one spacer portion (11) is fed to a sawing unit (15) in which two long-side portions (2) having a first length and two narrow-side portions (3) having a second length are produced. In a pre-connection unit (20), the long-side portions (2) and the narrow-side portions (3) are each provided on one side with a corner connector (4). In a final connection apparatus, the long-side portions (2) and the narrow-side portions (3) are arranged by a positioning unit (28) in such a way that they can be connected by a final connection unit (24) via the corner connectors (4) to form a frame-like spacer (1).

Description

Apparatus and method for automated assembly of a polymer spacer for insulating glazing

The invention relates to a device and a method for the automated assembly of a polymeric spacer for insulating glazing.

Nowadays, insulating glazing is used almost exclusively in the window and façade area of buildings. Insulating glazing usually consists of two panes of glass, which are arranged at a defined distance from one another by means of a spacer. The spacer is designed like a frame, in particular rectangular, and is arranged circumferentially in the edge region of the glazing. An intermediate space is thus formed between the panes, which is usually filled with an inert gas. The heat flow between the interior space delimited by the glazing and the external environment can be significantly reduced by insulating glazing compared to simple glazing. The spacer typically has a cavity filled with a desiccant to keep the cavity free of moisture.

Conventional spacers are made of a light metal (typically aluminum). Such spacers can be produced by bending a straight section into the frame-like shape and joining the ends together.

However, polymer spacers are also known, for example from DE 27 52 542 02 or DE 19 625 845 A1. The polymer spacers have a lower thermal conductivity than spacers made of light metal, so that the thermally insulating effect of the glazing in the edge area can be significantly improved. However, polymeric spacer sections are fundamentally non-bendable. Although bendable developments are known, they make the structure of the spacer more complex, with the bendability being provided, for example, by an externally attached metallic foil, as disclosed in DE 10 2010 006 127 A1, or by an embedded metallic reinforcement strip, as in WO 2015 /043848 A1.

Inflexible polymeric spacers are conventionally made by cutting the straight side sections to size and using corner connectors to form the frame Spacers are assembled. This is typically done manually, which entails considerable manufacturing effort.

The object of the present invention is to provide a device and a method for the automated assembly of a polymeric spacer in order to reduce the manufacturing effort.

The object of the invention is achieved according to the invention by a device and a method according to the independent claims. Preferred configurations and designs emerge from the dependent claims.

The assembled spacer has a frame-like, in particular rectangular, shape. It consists of two opposite longitudinal side sections and two opposite transverse side sections. Each longitudinal side section is connected to both transverse side sections via a corner connector. Likewise, each transverse side section is connected to both longitudinal side sections via a respective corner connector. This results in the frame-like shape. In other words, the two longitudinal side sections lie opposite one another and their ends are each connected via corner connectors to a transverse side section that extends between the longitudinal side sections. The two transverse side sections also lie opposite one another and their ends are each connected via corner connectors to a longitudinal side section that extends between the transverse side sections.

The corner connectors each have two plug-in sections and a corner section which is arranged between the plug-in sections. The two male portions are inserted into the corner connector-facing ends of the longitudinal and transverse side portions which are adjacent to each other and to each other with the corner connector. The corner section is arranged between said longitudinal side section and transverse side section so that the ends of the sections face and in particular abut against it. The corner section thus forms an exposed part of the spacer. The two plug-in sections are arranged at an angle to one another and thereby define the angle between adjacent longitudinal and transverse side sections. With conventional insulating glass panes, this angle is 90°. The frame-like spacer has a length and a width. The length and the width are defined in a plan view of the basic frame-like shape of the spacer, with the length being the longer dimension and the width being the shorter dimension. The length of the spacer corresponds to the length of the longitudinal side sections plus twice the length of the corner sections of the corner connectors, which results from simple geometric considerations. The width of the spacer corresponds to the length of the transverse side sections plus twice the length of the corner sections of the corner connectors.

Spacers are typically rectangular in shape with a longer dimension (the length dimension) and a shorter dimension (the width dimension). The longitudinal side sections therefore typically have a greater length than the transverse side sections. An exceptional case is a spacer with a square shape, where the length is equal to the width and the longitudinal side sections and transverse side sections consequently have the same length - the length and width of the spacer are equal in this case.

Different spacers are required for different purposes. These differ, for example

- regarding the color of the spacer,

- with regard to the polymer base material of the spacer,

- with regard to the wall thickness of the long and short side sections,

- with regard to the length of the longitudinal side sections, which result from the length of the

spacer results in

- with regard to the length of the transverse side sections, which result from the width of the

spacer results in

- with regard to the width of the long and short side sections, which specifies the distance between the two glass panes of the insulating glazing (depth of the spacer),

- With regard to the corner connector, in particular the dimensions of the plug-in sections are dependent on the cavity of the longitudinal and transverse side sections, which in turn results from the width, height and material thickness of the longitudinal and transverse side sections; moreover, the dimensions of the corner section can be adapted to the width and height of the longitudinal and transverse side sections.

The invention is based on the approach that the basic components required for the production of a specific spacer are automatically removed from a storage facility and also automatically cut to size, provided with the corner connectors and be assembled. The work steps that previously had to be carried out individually and manually are therefore carried out automatically by the device according to the invention. The manual cutting and assembling of the spacer is therefore not necessary, which significantly reduces the manufacturing effort. This is the great advantage of the present invention.

The device according to the invention and the method according to the invention are presented together below, with explanations and preferred configurations relating equally to the device and method. If preferred features are described in connection with the method, this means that the device is also preferably designed and suitable accordingly. Conversely, if preferred features are described in connection with the device, this means that the method is also preferably carried out accordingly.

The device according to the invention comprises at least one control unit. The control unit is or includes a data processing system, in particular a computer. The parameters of the spacer to be produced in each case (length, width, depth, color, material, etc.) are fed to the control unit via an input interface. This can be done through input by a user or, for example, through electronic order management, which is processed automatically and transmits the parameters to the control unit. From the input, the control unit determines the required basic components, the length of the long and short side sections and the required corner connectors. The control unit is equipped with the means required for this, in particular a processor and memories for running a suitable computer program. The control unit is electronically connected to the other units of the device via output interfaces and is suitable for controlling them.

It is possible for the entire device to be controlled by a single control unit. It is alternatively possible that some or all units of the device have their own control units and are controlled by them. In this case, there is preferably a central control unit, to which the parameters of the spacer to be produced are fed via an input interface and which is connected to input interfaces of the subordinate control units of the individual units of the device via output interfaces. The central control unit transmits the necessary information and parameters to the subordinate control units Input signal, whereupon the downstream control units control their associated units of the device accordingly. If reference is made to the control unit in the following description, this means the entirety of all control units if there are several.

The device according to the invention also includes a storage device. The storage facility includes a storage unit and a removal unit. The storage unit is suitable and intended for the (simultaneous) storage of different types of polymeric spacer sections. Different types of spacer sections are stored (at the same time) in the storage unit. The species differ by at least one of the following parameters:

- the color

- the width

- the height

- the polymer base material,

- the wall thickness or material thickness.

Since spacers of different depths are typically required for different purposes (for insulating glazing with different pane distances), at least spacer sections of different widths are preferably stored in the storage unit.

In the context of the invention, the spacer sections are standard components from which the required side sections are then cut. They are straight sections of a spacer. Typically, all spacer sections are the same length. However, it is also possible for spacer sections of different lengths for different applications to be kept available in the storage facility. The spacer sections are typically made by extrusion.

The spacer sections are each formed from two mutually parallel side walls which are connected to one another by an inner wall and an outer wall. The side walls are intended to face and be brought into contact with the glass panes in the insulating glazing. The inner wall is intended to face the space between the glass panes in the insulating glazing. In an advantageous embodiment, the inner wall is provided with holes in order to increase the effect of a desiccant in the cavity on the intermediate space guarantee. The outer wall faces the inner wall, that is to say it faces away from said space and is intended to face the outside of the insulating glazing. The side walls, inner wall and outer wall enclose a cavity. The ends of the spacer sections are open. The walls of the finished spacer are labeled as well as the walls of the spacer sections.

In the context of the invention, the width of the spacer sections is the dimension extending between the side walls. The width is the distance between the opposite surfaces of the two side walls. In the context of the invention, the height of the spacer sections is the dimension extending between the outer wall and the inner wall. The height is the distance between the facing surfaces of the outer wall and the inner wall. The dimensions of the longitudinal and transverse side sections later produced from the spacer sections are designated analogously. The width of the long and short side sections corresponds to the depth of the spacer and determines the distance between the two panes of glass in the insulating glazing. The length of the spacer results from the length of the longitudinal side sections, taking into account the corner connectors, as described above. The width of the spacer results from the length of the transverse side sections, taking into account the corner connectors, as described above.

In a preferred embodiment, the inner wall and the side walls are each flat. The outer wall can also be flat overall. However, the outer wall is often made up of several flat sections: the middle section is arranged parallel to the inner wall, the sections adjoining the side walls enclose an angle greater than 90° with the middle section on the one hand and the associated side wall on the other hand, in particular from 120° to 150° °, ideally 135°. The angled structure of the outer wall is particularly advantageous for the application of a sealant in the edge area of the finished insulating glazing and has therefore proven particularly effective. Each wall is connected at its ends to the respective ends of the two adjacent walls.

The outer wall and optionally also the side walls of the spacer sections are preferably provided with an insulating film in order to further reduce the thermal conductivity of the spacer and/or to provide a diffusion barrier. The insulation foil arranged on the surface of the outer wall facing away from the cavity and optionally of the side walls. The insulating film typically comprises a polymeric film as the carrier film, for example made from or based on polyethylene terephthalate, for example with a thickness of 10 μm to 100 μm. At least one metallic (in particular made of or based on iron, aluminum, silver, copper, gold, chromium or alloys or mixtures thereof) and/or ceramic layer (in particular made of or based on silicon oxide and/or silicon nitride) is preferably present on the carrier film. arranged, for example with a thickness of 10 nm to 1500 nm. The insulating film may contain other polymeric layers or films. The insulating film can be applied to the spacer sections by gluing, for example, or it can also be extruded together with the spacer sections.

In addition to the storage unit, the storage facility also includes a removal unit. The removal unit is suitable and intended for removing at least one spacer section of a certain type from the storage unit. The information required for this, ie the identification of said specific type and the number required, is transmitted from the control unit (in particular the central control unit) to the storage facility (or to its own control unit, if present). The storage device is controlled by the control unit so that the type and number of spacer sections required for the specific application is removed and fed to further processing.

The number of spacer sections that are removed from the storage unit by the removal unit depends on how the length of the spacer sections relates to the length of the longitudinal and transverse side sections. The required number is determined by the control unit (in particular the central control unit) or entered into it and transmitted from the control unit to the storage facility (or to its own control unit, if present). A single spacer section is sufficient if both longitudinal side sections and both transverse side sections can be cut from this one spacer section, i.e. if the sum of the lengths of the two longitudinal side sections and the two transverse side sections is less than or equal to the length of the spacer section. Otherwise, more than one spacer section must be removed, for example two spacer sections, with each spacer section being cut into a longitudinal side section and a transverse side section (if the sum of the lengths of a Long side section and a short side section is less than or equal to the length of the spacer section). If the length of the spacer section is less than the sum of the lengths of the long side sections, but greater than or equal to twice the length of the short side sections, three spacer sections can be removed, with one long side section being cut from two spacer sections and one long side section from the third Spacer section the two short side sections. For very large spacers it may also be necessary to remove four spacer sections, with only one of the side sections being cut from each spacer section. It may also be necessary to first assemble a number of spacer sections using a longitudinal connector in order to be able to cut suitable longitudinal side sections, optionally also transverse side sections, from them.

The storage unit and the removal unit are matched to one another in terms of their design. In a first advantageous embodiment, the removal unit is designed as a push-out device, that is to say as a type of rod which can be inserted into the storage unit and pushes out at least one spacer section in the process. The storage unit can be designed as a system with several compartments, one type of spacer sections being stored in each compartment. In order to remove the correct type, the storage unit and the removal unit are positioned relative to one another in such a way that the push-out device is inserted into the corresponding compartment. This can be done by moving the storage unit with the ejection device stationary, for which purpose the compartment system is constructed in particular in a grid-like manner (compartments are arranged in the form of rows and columns) and is mounted so that it can move horizontally and vertically in order to be able to move the relevant compartment in front of the ejection device. Alternatively, it can be done by moving the push-out device with the storage unit stationary. A combination of both is also conceivable, with both the storage unit and the ejector device being moved.

In the first advantageous embodiment, the storage unit can alternatively be designed as a type of turret system, with the compartments for the different types of spacer sections being arranged in a radiating manner around a center point. By rotating the storage device, the corresponding compartment can be moved in front of the fixed ejector. In a second advantageous embodiment, the removal unit is in the form of a robot and the storage unit is in the form of a compartment or shelf system, with the robot using a gripping arm being able to grip and remove one or more spacer sections from the corresponding compartment or shelf.

The device according to the invention also includes a saw unit. The sawing unit is suitable and intended for producing, in particular sawing, two longitudinal side sections of a first length and two transverse side sections of a second length from the at least one spacer section. Typically the first length is greater than the second length. Only in the case of a square spacer does the first length equal the second length. The saw unit is controlled by the control unit. The information about the first length and second length required for the specific application is transmitted by the control unit (in particular the central control unit) to the saw unit (or to its own control unit, if present).

For this purpose, the saw unit comprises at least one saw and means for positioning the saw and the at least one spacer section in relation to one another in such a way that the saw cuts through the spacer section along a desired cutting line. During this separation, the spacer section is divided into two pieces - the desired longitudinal or lateral side section and a residual section which is either discarded or from which another side section is in turn produced by sawing or which is reserved for the manufacture of another spacer.

The device according to the invention also includes means for transporting the spacer sections removed from the storage device to the saw unit. In an advantageous embodiment, a conveyor belt is used for this, with the removal unit arranging the removed spacer sections on a starting section of the conveyor belt and the spacer sections are then transported on the conveyor belt to the sawing unit.

In a variant of this embodiment, the sawing unit comprises a stopper against which one end of the respective spacer section abuts. The stopper then provides the device with the position of said end of the spacer section as the zero point, so that the position of the required cutting line can be determined by a measuring means, the distance from the stopper corresponding to the length of the desired side section. The measuring means can be, for example, a mechanical or laser-based device for length measurement. The saw can then be positioned over the cutting line, in particular by a horizontal movement of the saw (which in this case is mounted so that it can move horizontally).

In a further variant of this embodiment, the front end of the spacer section in the transport direction is detected by a suitable means, for example a light barrier system, during transport to the saw unit. The detected position of said end provides a zero point and the spacer section is advanced by the conveyor belt until the required cutting line is under the (in this case horizontally fixed) saw.

In an alternative embodiment, the means of transport is designed as a robot. For this purpose, for example, the same robot can be used, which acts as a removal unit, removes the at least one spacer section from the storage device and then places it directly in the saw unit so that it can be measured and cut.

In the case of very large spacers, it is conceivable that the longitudinal side sections, optionally also the transverse side sections, are longer than the spacer sections from which they are to be produced. In this case, two (or more) spacer sections can be connected to form a longer combination section and the longitudinal side sections, and possibly also the transverse side sections, can be produced from such a combination section. The connection is made via a longitudinal connector, which is preferably designed as a pin-like component (connecting pin), which is inserted into the cavity of the two spacer components to be connected and thereby linearly connects them to one another to form an extended, straight combination section. Depending on the required length of the combination section, a spacer section can also be connected to form a combination section with an already sawn remnant that has remained as scrap, for example, during the production of the same or a previous spacer. If the device according to the invention is to be designed for the production of such spacers, then in an advantageous development it comprises a longitudinal connection unit. The longitudinal connection unit is intended to connect two (or more) spacer sections to one another via a longitudinal connector or one spacer section to the remainder of a already processed spacer section to connect to each other via a longitudinal connector. The spacer sections are fed to the longitudinal connection unit from the storage facility via a conveyor, where the required number of combination sections is produced (two if only the long side sections have to be made from combination sections, four if the short side sections are also made from combination sections must). The combination sections are then fed to the sawing unit via a conveyor. The longitudinal connection unit is controlled by the control unit. The connection of the spacer sections to form the combination section can take place, for example, with a robot or by a mechanism that pushes the components into one another after they have been suitably positioned. If the device is designed to be able to produce spacers with different widths and heights of the side sections, the longitudinal connection unit preferably includes a storage device for different types of longitudinal connectors. The appropriate longitudinal connector is selected by the control unit (in particular the central control unit), the information is transmitted to the longitudinal connector unit (or to its own control unit, if present) and the corresponding longitudinal connector is removed from the storage facility, for example with a robot.

Alternatively, it is also conceivable that the longitudinal connection unit is located downstream of the saw unit. The saw unit saws a section to size, which is then connected in the longitudinal connection unit with a spacer section via a longitudinal connector to form a longitudinal side section or possibly a transverse side section.

The device according to the invention also comprises a pre-connection unit. The task of the pre-connection unit is to provide each longitudinal side section and each transverse side section with a (particularly polymer) corner connector on one side. The pre-connection unit is suitable and intended for providing or connecting the longitudinal side sections and the transverse side sections each with a corner connector. For this purpose, a plug-in section of a corner connector is inserted into a first end of each of the longitudinal and transverse side sections. Four corner connectors are provided, with a first corner connector in the first end of the first longitudinal side section, a second corner connector in the first end of the second longitudinal side section, a third corner connector in the first end of the first transverse side section and a fourth corner connector in the first End of the second transverse side portion is introduced or inserted. The pre-connection unit is also controlled by the control unit.

As already described, the required corner connectors depend on the spacer to be manufactured, in particular on the width and height of the cavity of the side sections, in which the plug-in sections of the corner connectors must be inserted with an essentially precise fit in order to ensure a stable connection. If the device is designed to be able to produce spacers with different widths and heights of the side sections, then the pre-connection unit preferably includes a storage device for different types of corner connectors. The various corner connectors differ in particular in the width and height of the plug-in sections, optionally also in the length of the plug-in sections, the color, the polymer base material and/or the dimensions of the corner section. The appropriate corner connector is selected by the control unit (in particular the central control unit), the information is transmitted to the pre-connection unit (or its own control unit, if present) and the corresponding corner connector is removed from the storage system, for example with a robot.

The pre-connection unit includes an insertion device with which the corner connectors are inserted into the respective side section. The feeding of the corner connector to the inserting device is controlled by the control unit, where appropriate the information for selecting the appropriate type of corner connector is transmitted from the control unit (in particular the central control unit) to the pre-connection unit (or its own control unit, if present). The insertion device can be designed, for example, as a robot that grips the corner connector with a robot arm and inserts it into the respective side section. However, mechanical solutions are also conceivable. In this way, the respective side section and the associated corner connector can be positioned appropriately in relation to one another, so that a plug-in section of the corner connector is directed towards one end of the side section. This can be done, for example, by a treadmill system or a gripper arm. The side section and corner connector can then be pushed towards one another, with the male section being inserted into the cavity of the side section, for example with a mechanically driven and/or spring-loaded rod-like mounting arm which either pushes the corner connector onto the side section, with the opposite end of the side portion abuts a stopper, or slides the side portion onto the corner connector with the corner connector abutting a stopper.

In an advantageous embodiment, the plug-in sections of the corner connectors are provided with a sealing compound before being plugged into the side sections, in particular in an area adjoining the corner section. As a result, the connection between the corner connector and the side section is sealed on the one hand, in particular against moisture, and adhesion is improved on the other hand. A butyl sealant is preferably used as the sealant.

In a preferred embodiment, the ends of the longitudinal and transverse side sections and/or the plug-in sections of the corner connectors are heated before the corner connectors are inserted. For this purpose, the pre-connection device has a heating device which is suitable for heating, for example a radiant heater or a hot air blower. The heating device is suitable for heating each corner connector (in particular its plug-in section which is to be inserted) and/or the end of the longitudinal side section or transverse side section associated with it, before the corner connector is connected to said associated end. On the one hand, the insertion of the plug-in sections into the side sections is easier to carry out in the heated state, and on the other hand the risk of the (typically brittle) polymeric side sections breaking when the corner connectors are inserted is reduced. The heating reduces the brittleness of the polymeric material and gives it increased elasticity.

The device according to the invention also comprises means for transporting the transverse and longitudinal side sections from the sawing unit to the pre-joining unit. These can be designed, for example, in the form of a robot with a gripper arm or as a suitable treadmill system. For example, the same conveyor system that was used to transport the spacer sections from the storage facility to the saw unit can be used if this is extended to the pre-connection unit.

After the pre-connection unit, there are two longitudinal side sections and two transverse side sections, each of which is provided with a corner connector on one side, with one plug-in section of the corner connector being plugged into the respective side section, while the other plug-in section is exposed. The device according to the invention also comprises an end connection device, which in turn comprises a positioning unit and an end connection unit. The joining device is controlled by the control unit. The positioning unit is suitable and intended for positioning or arranging the longitudinal side sections and the transverse side sections in relation to one another in such a way that the end of each longitudinal side section not provided with the corner connector is directed towards the corner connector of a transverse side section and the end of each transverse side section not provided with the corner connector is respectively directed the corner connector of a longitudinal side section. More precisely, the side sections are arranged in such a way that

- the end of the first longitudinal side section not provided with the corner connector is directed towards the exposed plug-in section of the corner connector of the first transverse side section (or vice versa),

- the end of the first transverse side section that is not provided with the corner connector is directed towards the exposed plug-in section of the corner connector of the second longitudinal side section (or vice versa),

- the end of the second longitudinal side section not provided with the corner connector is directed towards the exposed plug-in section of the corner connector of the second transverse side section (or vice versa),

- The end of the second transverse side section not provided with the corner connector is directed towards the exposed plug-in section of the corner connector of the first longitudinal side section (or vice versa).

The side sections with their corner connectors are thus brought into the frame-like relative arrangement, so that they can then be pushed together to form the finished spacer. This is controlled by the control unit, the appropriate positioning of each side section being determined by the control unit (in particular the central control unit) and this information being transmitted to the positioning unit (or its own control unit, if present).

The positioning unit can be designed, for example, as a robot that grips and positions the side sections with a gripping arm. As an alternative, suitable treadmill systems are also conceivable here. The end connection unit is adapted and intended to connect the longitudinal side sections and the transverse side sections via the corner connectors into a frame-like spacer by inserting the hitherto exposed male portions of the corner connectors into those hitherto open ends of the side portions to which they are directed. For this purpose, the side sections suitably arranged by the positioning unit are pushed into one another, for example by a suitable mechanism. For this purpose, for example, mechanically driven and/or spring-loaded rod-like mounting arms can be used, which push the suitably positioned components onto one another, with stoppers being used as abutments in order to prevent the parts pushed onto one another from deflecting. The individual side sections can be assembled simultaneously or one after the other. The termination unit is in turn controlled by the control unit.

The positioning unit and the joining unit are preferably arranged at the same place, so that the side sections are arranged by the positioning unit, for example on a work table, and are then joined together directly on site by the joining unit, without having to be transported to another place. It is also possible that the positioning unit and the end connection unit are combined into a single unit. For example, robotic arms can grip the side sections, align them appropriately with one another and then plug them into one another.

The positioning and end connection of the side sections can also be staggered, with the first longitudinal side section and the first transverse side section being positioned relative to one another and then assembled to form a first sub-unit, the second longitudinal side section and the second transverse side section being positioned relative to one another and then assembled to form a second sub-unit and then the two sub-units are positioned relative to one another and assembled.

Also in the case of the end connection, the affected ends of the longitudinal and transverse side sections and/or the plug-in sections of the corner connectors are preferably preheated in order to reduce the brittleness of the polymeric material and to simplify plugging. For this purpose, the end connection unit has a heating device, for example a radiant heater or a hot air blower. The heating device is suitable for each corner connector (in particular its plug-in section that is to be plugged in) and/or the to heat its associated end of the longitudinal side section or transverse side section before the corner connector is connected to said associated end.

After assembling the spacer, the corner connectors and the adjacent areas of the side sections can be provided with a sealing tape. The end connection unit is preferably equipped with means suitable for this purpose. The adhesive tape can be applied automatically, for example, by a robot controlled by the control unit. In particular, the adhesive tape is applied to the outer surface of the spacer.

The device according to the invention preferably also comprises a conveyor device for transporting away the finished spacer. This conveyor device is preferably designed as a conveyor belt, onto which the assembled spacer is pushed, for example, by a mechanism or deposited by a robot arm. The conveying device for transporting away is also preferably controlled by the control unit.

In an advantageous development of the invention, the device also includes a filling device which is suitable and provided for filling the cavity of the spacer with desiccant. The spacer is fed to the filling device by a suitable conveyor device, for example a robot or a conveyor belt. The filling device comprises a drilling device, through which at least one hole is drilled in a wall of the spacer, a filling device, through which the desiccant is filled into the spacer via the at least one hole, and a sealing device, through which the hole is then filled with a sealing compound is closed or sealed. The sealant is preferably a butyl sealant. Silica gels, molecular sieves, CaCh, Na2SO4, activated carbon, silicates, bentonites and/or zeolites are particularly suitable as desiccants. The filling device is controlled by the control unit.

The device according to the invention can include a measuring device which is suitable and provided for measuring the finished spacer, in particular its width and length and/or the angles between adjacent longitudinal and transverse side sections. The measurement is used for quality control. The measurement can be carried out, for example, using a laser measurement system or mechanically using sensors. The measuring device is controlled by the control unit. In a development of the invention, at least one strut is used between at least two opposite side sections of the spacer, which is essentially perpendicular to said opposite side sections and runs essentially parallel to the two other side sections. Such struts are known as so-called "Georgian bars" in window frames, and if these are to be used, it is advantageous if the spacer also has corresponding struts. A strut section cut to size is inserted between said opposite side sections (typically the longitudinal side sections) and connected to the side sections, for example glued or screwed. It is also possible to use several strut sections parallel to one another. If the two remaining side sections (typically the transverse side sections) are also to be provided with at least one strut, strut sections cut to size accordingly are inserted between said side sections and the existing struts running parallel to them and connected to them, for example glued or screwed. The strut sections are cut to size by a sawing unit, either the sawing unit for producing the transverse and longitudinal side sections or a second sawing unit provided specifically for this purpose. The spacer sections are fed to the relevant sawing unit as starting material, preferably from the storage device according to the invention. The struts are inserted in an optional strut device of the device according to the invention, to which the frame-like spacer and the strut sections are fed by a suitable conveyor device. The strut sections are preferably inserted and attached by means of a robot. The need for struts is determined by the control unit and, if necessary, determines their dimensions. The control unit then controls the bracing device and the associated conveyor device.

The spacer is then arranged to produce insulating glazing. For this purpose, it is arranged in the edge region between two plane-parallel glass panes, with the side walls preferably coming into contact with the glass panes via a sealing compound. The sealant is preferably a butyl sealant. An outer space is preferably placed in the marginal space between the glass panes, which is delimited by the glass panes and the outer wall of the spacer and is open to the outside Sealing compound filled in, in particular organic from or based on polysulfides, silicones, RTV (room temperature crosslinking) silicone rubber, HTV (high temperature crosslinking) silicone rubber, peroxide-crosslinked silicone rubber and/or addition-crosslinked silicone rubber, polyurethanes, butyl rubber and/or polyacrylates. The inner space between the panes, which is delimited by the glass panes and the inner wall of the spacer, is preferably evacuated or filled with an inert gas, for example argon or krypton. The glass panes are preferably made of soda-lime glass. In principle, the thickness of the glass panes can be varied as desired; a thickness of from 1 mm to 25 mm, preferably from 3 mm to 19 mm, is particularly common. The light transmission of the glass panes is preferably greater than 85%.

The insulating glazing can be produced immediately after the spacer has been assembled. In the meantime, however, the spacers can also be stored and/or transported to another production site.

The insulating glazing can, of course, also comprise more than two panes of glass, with a spacer according to the invention preferably being arranged between each two adjacent panes of glass.

The spacer or the spacer sections preferably have a wall thickness of 0.5 mm to 2 mm, particularly preferably 0.8 mm to 1.5 mm. Wall thickness means the thickness of the walls, i.e. the side walls, the outer wall and the inner wall, it can also be referred to as material thickness. All walls and sections preferably have the same wall thickness.

The width of the spacer sections or the longitudinal and transverse side sections is preferably from 5 mm to 35 mm, particularly preferably from 5 mm to 33 mm, for example from 10 mm to 20 mm. The height of the spacer sections or the longitudinal and transverse side sections is preferably from 3 mm to 20 mm, particularly preferably from 5 mm to 10 mm and very particularly preferably from 5 mm to 8 mm.

The spacer sections or the long and short side sections are made of a polymeric material, preferably made of or based on polyethylene (PE), polycarbonate (PC), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene, polybutadiene, polynitrile, polyester, Polyurethane, polymethyl methacrylate, polyacrylate, polyamide, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), acryl ester styrene acrylonitrile (ASA), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene polycarbonate (ABS/PC), styrene -acrylonitrile (SAN), polyethylene terephthalate polycarbonate (PET/PC), polybutylene terephthalate polycarbonate (PBT/PC) or copolymers or derivatives or mixtures thereof. PP, ABS, ASA, ABS/PC, SAN, PET/PC and PBT/PC are particularly preferred. The polymeric material may contain additives such as colorants (dyes or pigments), stabilizers, hardeners or UV blockers. The polymeric material preferably contains glass fibers for reinforcement, the glass fiber content being, for example, from 20% by weight to 40% by weight.

The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to a drawing and exemplary embodiments. The drawing is a schematic representation and not to scale. The drawing does not limit the invention in any way.

Show it:

1 is a plan view of a spacer for insulating glazing and its components,

FIG. 2 shows a perspective cross section through the spacer from FIG. 1,

3 shows a cross section through insulating glazing with the spacer from FIG. 1, FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of a storage device of a device according to the invention, FIG.

6 shows an embodiment of a pre-connection unit of a device according to the invention,

7 shows an embodiment of an end connection device of a device according to the invention and

8 shows a plan view of a further development of a spacer for insulating glazing.

FIG. 1 shows a spacer 1 for insulating glazing, which is to be produced with the device according to the invention and the method according to the invention. A top view of the assembled spacer 1 is shown (FIG. 1a) and of its individual components in the form of an exploded view (FIG. 1a). The spacer 1 is designed like a frame with a rectangular basic shape. It is composed of two longitudinal side sections 2 with a first length and two transverse side sections 3 with a second length which is smaller than the first length. The two longitudinal side sections 2 are opposite one another, the two transverse side sections

3 face each other. Each longitudinal side section 2 is connected to the two transverse side sections 3 via a corner connector 4 in each case. Likewise, each transverse side section 3 is connected to both longitudinal side sections 2 via a respective corner connector

4 connected. The corner connectors 4 have a corner section and two plug-in sections extending therefrom, which are arranged at an angle of 90° to one another. The two plug-in sections are each inserted into one end of the long side section 2 and the short side section 3 , which are connected to one another via the corner connector 4 should be. The shorter dimension of the spacer 1 in plan view is referred to as its width (in this case the horizontal dimension), the longer dimension as its length (in this case the vertical dimension. The third dimension (in this case perpendicular to the plane of the drawing) is referred to as the Depth of the spacer denotes - it defines the distance between the glass panes of the insulating glazing, which are to be connected to one another via the spacer 1.

FIG. 2 shows a cross section through the spacer 1 or through one of its longitudinal side sections 2 or transverse side sections 3. The spacer 1 is made of SAN, for example, which has a glass fiber content of 35% by weight, for example. The spacer 1 is constructed from two mutually parallel side walls, an inner wall and an outer wall, with the inner wall and the outer wall running between the side walls. The side walls are shown running vertically and are intended to be brought into contact with the glass panes of the insulating glazing. The inner wall is arranged to run horizontally in the illustration above and is intended to face the inner space between the panes of the insulating glazing. The outer wall is arranged at the bottom in the illustration, so it comprises a flat central section, which is arranged parallel to the inner wall, and two flat edge sections, which are arranged at an angle of about 135° to the central section on the one hand and to the respective adjacent side section on the other. The spacer 1 surrounds a cavity which is intended to be filled with a desiccant.

The outer wall and adjacent sections of each side wall are provided with an insulating film 5, each on the surface facing away from the cavity. The insulating film 5 reduces diffusion through the spacer. As a result, the ingress of moisture into the pane interior of insulating glazing or the loss of inert gas filling of the pane interior can be reduced. The insulating film 5 also improves the thermal properties of the spacer, ie reduces the thermal conductivity. The insulation film 5 comprises, for example, the following layer sequence: a polymeric carrier film (consisting of LLDPE (linear low-density polyethylene), thickness: 24 μm)/a metallic layer (consisting of aluminum, thickness: 50 nm)/a polymeric layer (PET, 12 pm) / a metallic layer (AI, 50 nm) / a polymeric layer (PET, 12 pm). The horizontal dimension of the longitudinal side section 2 or transverse side section 3 in the section plane shown is referred to as the width of the relevant side section 2, 3 - the width dimension extends between the glass panes of the insulating glazing, the inner wall and the outer wall extend along the width dimension. The width is 15 mm, for example. The vertical dimension of the longitudinal side section 2 or transverse side section 3 in the section plane shown is referred to as the height of the relevant side section 2, 3, and is 6.5 mm, for example. The length dimension extends between the corner connectors 4. The material thickness (thickness) of the side walls, the inner wall and the outer wall is approximately the same and is 1 mm, for example.

Figure 3 shows a cross section through insulating glazing in the area of spacer 1. The insulating glazing consists of two glass panes 6, 7 made of soda-lime glass with a thickness of, for example, 3 mm, which are connected to one another via spacer 1 arranged in the edge region. The side walls of the spacer 1 are each connected to the glass panes 6 , 7 via a sealing layer 8 . The sealing layer 8 consists of butyl, for example. In the edge space of the insulating glazing between the glass panes 6, 7 and the spacer 1, an outer sealing compound 9 is arranged circumferentially. The sealing compound 9 is a silicone rubber, for example.

The cavity of the spacer 1 is filled with a desiccant 10 . The desiccant 10 is, for example, a molecular sieve. The desiccant 10 absorbs any residual moisture present between the glass panes 6, 7 and thus prevents the glass panes 6, 7 from fogging up in the space between the panes. The effect of the desiccant 10 is promoted by holes in the inner wall of the spacer 1, which are not shown.

Figure 4 shows an exemplary embodiment of a storage device of a device according to the invention with a storage unit 12 and a removal unit 13. The storage unit 12 is a compartment system with a plurality of compartments, with a plurality of spacer sections 11 of a specific type being stored in each compartment. The types of spacer portions 11 in the different compartments differ in color, height, and width, for example. Spacer sections 11 of different colors and different dimensions are thus stored in the storage unit 12, with all spacer sections 11 having the same standard length. The removal unit 13 has a rod-like, horizontally movable push-out device. The storage unit 12 is mounted so that it can be moved vertically and horizontally, as a result of which the compartment with the appropriate spacer sections 11 can be moved in front of the removal unit 13 and the push-out device can be inserted therein, whereby one or more spacer sections 11 can be removed from the storage unit on the opposite side 12 are pushed out. This spacer sections 11 get on a conveyor 14, which is designed as a roller-driven conveyor belt.

In the manufacture of a specific spacer, the required type and number of spacer sections 11 are determined by a control unit, which is not shown. The control unit then controls the storage device, so that the necessary spacer sections 11 can get from the storage unit 12 onto the conveyor device 14 and can be supplied by this for further processing.

The storage device can be seen from the side in FIG. 4a. FIG. 4b shows the storage unit 12 rotated by 90° from the front, so that the different compartments with the different types of spacer sections 11 can be seen.

FIG. 5 shows an exemplary configuration of a sawing unit 15 of a device according to the invention, to which the spacer sections 11 are fed by means of the conveyor device 14 . The saw unit 15 comprises a stopper 17 against which one end of the spacer section 11 abuts, the conveyor is then stopped (Figure 5a). Controlled by the control unit, a measuring device (not shown) measures the required cutting lines in order to saw a longitudinal side section 2 and a transverse side section 3 out of the spacer section 11 . The saw unit 15 also includes a saw 16 which is mounted so that it can move horizontally and vertically. The control unit moves the saw 16 horizontally to the determined cutting lines and lowers it there onto the spacer section 11 . After sawing, the spacer section 11 is divided into the longitudinal side section 2, the transverse side section 3 and a residual piece 18, which is discarded as scrap (FIG. 5b).

In the illustrated case, in which a longitudinal side section 2 and a transverse side section 3 are produced from a spacer section 11, it is advantageous if two spacer sections 11 are positioned simultaneously on the stopper 17 and then simultaneously separated by the saw 16. FIG. 6 shows an exemplary embodiment of a pre-connection unit 20 of a device according to the invention in a plan view from above. The pre-connection unit 20 has a work surface 23 with a stopper 21 on which a corner connector 4 is positioned. A longitudinal side section 2 is arranged on the work surface 23 in such a way that one of its ends is directed towards a plug-in section of the corner connector 4 (Figure 6a). The pre-connection unit 20 also comprises a movable mounting arm 22 which is moved horizontally towards the longitudinal side section 2 and pushes it towards the corner connector 4 . Due to the abutment effect of the stopper 21, the plug-in section of the corner connector 4 is inserted into the cavity of the longitudinal side section 2 (FIG. 6b). This process is carried out with both longitudinal side sections 2 and both transverse side sections 3, so that in the end both longitudinal side sections 2 and both transverse side sections 3 are each provided with a corner connector on one side.

The pre-connection unit 20 is again controlled by the control unit. The corner connector 4 and longitudinal side section 2 or transverse side section 3 can be positioned, for example, by means of a robot arm or a suitable moving belt system.

The plug-in section of the corner connector 4 is preferably provided with a sealing compound. The plug-in section of the corner connector 4 and/or the end of the long-side section 2 or short-side section 3 can optionally be heated by a heating device (not shown) before being plugged in.

FIG. 7 shows an exemplary embodiment of an end connection device of a device according to the invention in a plan view from above. The end connection device comprises a work surface 27, a positioning unit 28 and an end connection unit 24. The longitudinal side sections 2 and transverse side sections 3 provided with the corner connectors 4 are arranged on the work surface 27 by means of the positioning unit 28 in such a way that they are joined together by the end connection unit 24 following the spacer 1 can become. The positioning unit 28 is designed, for example, as a robot gripper arm. The longitudinal side sections 2 and transverse side sections 3 are arranged like a frame, so that the end of each longitudinal side section 2 not provided with the corner connector 4 is directed towards the corner connector 4 of a transverse side section 3 and the end of each transverse side section 3 not provided with the corner connector 4 is directed towards the corner connector 4 of a longitudinal side section 2 (Fig 7a). The end connection unit 24 comprises four movable assembly arms 26, each with an associated movable stopper 25. Each assembly arm 26 is moved to one of the corner connectors 4 already attached to a longitudinal side section 2 or transverse side section 3 and pushes this onto the end of the transverse side section 3 or longitudinal side section 2, which is on the respective corner connector 4 is directed. The associated stopper 25 acts as an abutment to prevent the lateral side section 3 or longitudinal side section 2 from deflecting. The plug-in sections of the corner connectors 4 that are still exposed are thus inserted into the cavity of the associated transverse side section 3 or longitudinal side section 2, thereby completing the production of the spacer 1 (FIG. 7b).

The joining device is also controlled by the control unit, which determines the intended position of the components, positions them accordingly with the positioning unit 28 and then directs the movement of the stops 25 and the mounting arms 26 of the joining unit 24.

Pre-connection unit 20 and end-connection device can be spatially combined so that the same work surface is used as work surface 23 and work surface 27 .

The assembly of the spacer 1 does not have to be done simultaneously, as shown in the figure. Alternatively, for example, first a longitudinal side section 2 and a transverse side section 3 can be positioned relative to one another and assembled, then the other longitudinal side section 2 and the other transverse side section 3 can be positioned relative to one another and assembled, and then the two partial products thus obtained can be positioned relative to one another and assembled.

FIG. 8 shows a top view of a spacer 1, which can be produced with a development of the device according to the invention and the method according to the invention. Between the transverse side sections 3 runs a vertical brace 29, which is also formed from a correspondingly cut piece of a spacer section 11 and screwed to the transverse side sections 3, for example. A horizontal brace runs between the longitudinal side sections 2 . The horizontal strut is formed from two horizontal strut sections 30, each of which runs from a longitudinal side section 2 to the vertical strut 29 and is screwed to the longitudinal side section 2 and the vertical strut 29, for example. A Such a spacer 1 is suitable for insulating glazing that is to be used in a frame with so-called "Georgian bars". The "Georgian bars" are corresponding struts in the window frame, which are provided in particular for aesthetic reasons and which cover the struts 29, 30 of the spacer 1.

The cutting, arranging and screwing of the vertical brace 29 and the horizontal brace sections 30 can also be automated with the device according to the invention, controlled by the control unit.

Reference list:

(1) Spacers

(2) Long side section

(3) Lateral side portion of spacer 1

(4) Spacer 1 corner connector

(5) Insulation film

(6) glass pane

(7) glass pane

(8) sealing layer

(9) outer sealant

(10) Desiccant

(11) Spacer section

(12) storage unit

(13) extraction unit

(14) conveyor

(15) Saw unit

(16) Saw unit 15 saw

(17) Saw unit stopper 15

(18) Remnant of spacer section 11

(20) Pre-connection unit

(21) Pre-connection unit stopper 20

(22) Pre-connection unit mounting arm 20

(23) Working surface of pre-connection unit 20

(24) Termination unit

(25) End connection unit stopper 24

(26) End Connection Unit 24 Mounting Arm

(27) Working surface of the joining unit 24

(28) positioning unit

(29) Vertical brace

(30) Horizontal brace section

Claims

Claims Apparatus for assembling a polymeric spacer (1) for insulating glazing, comprising:

- at least one control unit,

- A storage device with a storage unit (12) for storing different types of polymeric spacer sections (11) and a removal unit (13) which is suitable for removing at least one spacer section (11) of a specific type from the storage unit (12). ,

- a sawing unit (15) which is suitable for producing two longitudinal side sections (2) of a first length and two transverse side sections (3) of a second length from the at least one spacer section (11),

- a pre-connection unit (20) which is suitable for providing the longitudinal side sections (2) and the transverse side sections (3) with a corner connector (4) each,

- an end connection device with a positioning unit (28) which is suitable for arranging the longitudinal side sections (2) and the transverse side sections (3) in such a way that the end of each longitudinal side section (2) not provided with the corner connector (4) rests on the corner connector (4 ) of a transverse side section (3) and the end not provided with the corner connector (4) of each transverse side section (3) is directed respectively towards the corner connector (4) of a longitudinal side section (2), and an end connection unit (24) suitable to connect the longitudinal side sections (2) and to connect the transverse side sections (3) via the corner connectors (4) to form a frame-like spacer (1), the at least one control unit being suitable

- to control the storage facility, with the control unit transmitting the type and number of the required spacer sections (11) to the storage facility,

- to control the saw unit (15), the control unit transmitting the required first length and second length to the saw unit (15),

- to control the pre-connection unit (20) and

- to control the joining device, the control unit communicating the appropriate positioning of the longitudinal side portions (2) and the transverse side portions (3) to the positioning unit (28). Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the storage unit (12) is formed with a plurality of compartments, each compartment for storing one type of spacer sections (11) is provided, and wherein the removal unit (13) is designed as a rod-like push-out device, wherein the storage unit (12) and the removal unit (13) can be positioned relative to one another in such a way that the removal unit (13) can be inserted into a specific compartment in order to pushing the at least one spacer section (11) of the specific type out of the storage unit (12). Device according to claim 1, wherein the storage unit (12) is designed as a compartment or shelf system and the removal unit (13) as a robot which is suitable with a gripper arm the at least one spacer section (11) of the specific type from the storage unit ( 12) can be found. Device according to one of Claims 1 to 3, which is equipped with a conveyor belt for transporting the at least one spacer section (11) from the storage device to the saw unit (15). Apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the saw unit (15) comprises a stopper (17) against which an end of the at least one spacer portion (11) abuts, and a movably mounted saw (16) controlled by the at least one control unit in one can be positioned at a suitable distance from the stopper (17) in order to saw off the respective longitudinal side section (2) with the first length or the respective transverse side section (3) with the second length. Device according to claim 4, wherein the saw unit (15) has a saw (16) and a light barrier system which is suitable for detecting the front end of the at least one spacer section (11) in the transport direction on the conveyor belt, and wherein the at least one control unit is suitable for transporting the at least one spacer section (11) further on the conveyor belt, starting from the detected position, until the cutting line required to produce the respective longitudinal side section (2) with the first length or the respective transverse side section (3) with of the second length is under the saw (16). Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, comprising a longitudinal connection unit adapted to connect two spacer sections (11) via one to connect the connecting pin to form a combination section, from which a longitudinal side section (2) or transverse side section (3) is produced in the sawing device. Device according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the pre-connection unit (20) comprises a storage device for storing different types of corner connectors (4) and is suitable for removing corner connectors (4) of a specific type from the storage device, the at least one control unit determining the type of required corner connector (4) transmitted to the pre-connection unit (20). Device according to one of Claims 1 to 8, in which the pre-connection unit (20) and the end-connection device are equipped with a heating device which is suitable for heating each corner connector (4) and/or the end of the longitudinal side section (2) or transverse side section (3) associated therewith. to be heated before connecting the corner connector (4) to said end. Device according to one of Claims 1 to 9, in which the positioning unit (28) is designed as a robot with a gripping arm. Device according to one of Claims 1 to 10, which comprises a filling device which is suitable for drilling at least one hole in a wall of the spacer (1), filling a desiccant (10) into the spacer (1) via this hole and filling the hole then seal with sealant. Device according to one of Claims 1 to 11, which comprises a measuring device which is suitable for measuring the spacer (1), with linear dimensions and angles in particular being determined. Method for assembling a polymeric spacer for insulating glazing, wherein a) different types of polymeric spacer sections (11) are stored in a storage unit (12) of a storage facility, b) a removal unit (13) of the storage facility has at least one spacer section (11) of a removes a certain type from the storage unit (12), wherein the storage device is controlled by at least one control unit, which type and number of spacer sections (11) required are transmitted to the storage device, c) a sawing unit (15) from the at least one spacer section (11) two longitudinal side sections (2) a first length and two transverse side sections (3) of a second length, the sawing unit (15) being controlled by the at least one control unit, which transmits the required first length and second length to the sawing unit (15), d) a pre-connection unit (20) provides the long side sections (2) and the short side sections (3) with a corner connector (4) each, the pre-connection unit (20) being controlled by the at least one control unit, e) a positioning unit (28) of an end connection device, the long side sections (2) and the arranging transverse side sections (3) in such a way that the end of each longitudinal side section (2) not provided with the corner connector (3) is directed towards the corner connector (4) of a transverse side section (3) and the end of each transverse side section not provided with the corner connector (4). (3) each on the corner connector (4) of a longitudinal side section (2), f) an end connection unit (24) of the end connection device connects the longitudinal side sections (2) and the transverse side sections (3) via the corner connectors to form a frame-like spacer (1), the End connection device is controlled by the at least one control unit, which transmits the appropriate positioning of the longitudinal side sections (2) and the transverse side sections (3) to the positioning unit (28). The method of claim 13, wherein the dissimilar polymeric spacer sections (11) in the storage unit (12) differ by at least one parameter selected from color, width, height, material and wall thickness. Method according to Claim 13 or 14, in which the corner connectors (4) are provided with a sealing compound.