Method and apparatus for assembling a three-layer insulating glass plate comprising two

Abstract

A method and apparatus for assembling a three-layer insulating glass sheet comprising two outer glass sheets and a thin glass sheet therebetween, the method comprising the steps of: conveying an upright thin glass sheet into a first pressing station; applying a first flexible spaced strand to the first outer glass, and then connecting the first outer glass to the thin glass in a first pressing station to form a glass assembly; a second flexible spacer strand is applied to the second outer layer glass; the glass assembly is vertically conveyed from the first pressing station to a rotating station, and in the rotating station, the glass assembly rotates around a vertical rotating axis; after rotation, the glass assembly is vertically conveyed to the second pressing station from the rotating station; the second outer-layer glass is vertically conveyed to the second pressing station through the first pressing station and the rotating station; and in the second pressing station, the glass assembly and the second outer layer glass are combined together to form a three-layer heat insulation glass plate.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention starts with a method and a device for assembling a triple insulating glass pane. The triple insulating glass pane is mass produced on an industrial production line, wherein a first, a second and a third glass sheet are continuously fed to a device having an application station and a pressing station arranged downstream of the application station. Each station has a horizontal conveyor on which the glass sheets are conveyed one after another in an upright state. Each horizontal conveyor has a supporting wall on which the upright glass sheets are supported at an angle of several degrees backwards. The first and the third glass sheet each form the outer glass layer of the finished insulating glass panel. The second glass sheet forms the middle glass of the finished insulating glass panel. In the application station, a flexible spacer strand is applied to each of the second and third glass sheets. In the pressing station, the three glass sheet panels are assembled into a triple insulating glass panel and, if necessary, the three glass sheets are filled with a gas other than air. Background Art

[0002] Patent WO2020 / 028056A1 discloses a triple insulating glass panel, in which the middle glass is formed by thin glass. The insulating glass panel has a thin glass with a thickness of 0.5 mm between two outer layers of glass, each with a thickness of 5 mm. The thin glass is therefore unstable and can easily bend and break. Insulating glass panels with thin glass with a thickness of 2 mm or less cannot yet be produced on known industrial production lines, where the glass sheets are transported and processed upright on a monorail horizontal conveyor due to the difficulties in transporting and handling thin glass. Therefore, they are mainly produced manually using rigid prefabricated spacer frames. Therefore, the time required to assemble such insulating glass panels has been very long to date.

[0003] Furthermore, patents EP2802727B1 and DE102019123700A1 describe non-standard devices and methods for assembling insulating glass panels with a turning station and a pressing station, each of which comprises two horizontal conveyors with parallel conveyor tracks adjacent to each other. This means that two glass sheets can be positioned and transported side by side in one station. The two glass sheets are positioned in a V-shape in the station and supported by two opposing support walls, which are also V-shaped and inclined in opposite directions. Therefore, the two pressing plates in such a pressing station are also V-shaped relative to each other and must therefore pivot relative to each other during the pressing process. Such devices and processes have been described many times in the patent literature, but their application in the industrial production of insulating glass panels has not yet been found. Summary of the invention

[0004] The object of the present invention is to create a method and a device for assembling a triple insulating glass pane comprising two outer layers of glass and a thin glass located therebetween, wherein, in particular, the time for manufacturing such an insulating glass pane is reduced.

[0005] This object of the invention has been achieved by a method having the features of claim 1 and by a device having the features of claim 5. Advantageous further embodiments are the subject matter of the dependent claims.

[0006] In the method according to the invention, an upright thin glass is conveyed to a first pressing station via a first application station. Thus, the thin glass is supplied as a first glass sheet. The thin glass is conveyed to the first pressing station in a manner in which its lower edge is upright. The thin glass is conveyed through the application station uninterruptedly, i.e., when the thin glass stands at the edge of the application station, the thin glass is not stopped and is not processed by the application station. In other words, no spacer strands are applied to the thin glass. The first outer layer of glass is supplied as a second glass sheet. The first outer layer of glass is conveyed upright to the application station. In the application station, a first flexible spacer strand is applied to the first outer layer of glass, so that the first spacer strand forms a frame-shaped spacer on the first outer layer of glass. After the spacer strands are applied, the first outer layer of glass is conveyed upright from the application station to the first pressing station. The second outer layer of glass is supplied as a third glass sheet. The second outer layer of glass is conveyed upright to the application station. In the application station, the second flexible spacer strands are applied to the second outer layer of glass so that the second spacer strands form a frame-shaped spacer on the second outer layer of glass. In the first pressing station, the thin glass and the first outer layer of glass are combined to form a glass assembly. During the assembly process, the thin glass and the outer layer of glass are parallel to each other. The distance between the thin glass and the first outer layer of glass is reduced until the thin glass rests on the first spacer strands and is a predetermined distance away from the first outer layer of glass. The glass assembly is transferred upright from the first pressing station to a turning station, where the glass assembly is rotated around a vertical rotation axis. After the rotation, the glass assembly is transferred upright from the turning station to the second pressing station. The second outer layer of glass is transferred upright from the application station through the first pressing station and enters the second pressing station through the turning station. After the glass assembly has left the first pressing station, the second outer layer of glass is conveyed through the first pressing station. The second outer layer of glass is conveyed through the first pressing station without interruption and without processing. In the second pressing station, the glass assembly and the second outer layer of glass are combined to form a triple insulating glass panel. During assembly, the glass assembly and the second outer glass are parallel to each other. The distance between the glass assembly and the second outer glass is reduced until the thin glass rests on the second spacing strands and the first outer glass has a predetermined distance from the second outer glass. After bonding, the triple insulating glass panel is transported upright out of the second pressing station.

[0007] Thin glass is a sheet of glass with a thickness of 2 mm or less. Thin glass forms the middle glass or inner glass in a finished triple insulating glass panel. Outer glass is a sheet of glass with two opposing surfaces, wherein a first surface faces the thin glass in the finished insulating glass panel and a second surface faces the outside of the finished glass panel. Thus, the first surface of the outer glass forms the inside of the finished glass panel. Thus, the second surface of the outer glass forms the outside of the finished insulating glass panel. The thickness of the outer glass panel may exceed 2 mm to 15 mm. In particular, it may be in the range of 3 mm to 8 mm.

[0008] The device according to the invention for assembling a triple insulating glass panel comprising two outer layers of glass and a thin glass therebetween comprises an application station. The application station is configured to apply flexible spacer strands along the edges of the upright outer layers of glass. The triple insulating glass panel has flexible spacer strands between the thin glass and the first outer layer of glass and between the thin glass and the second outer layer of glass. A first pressing station is arranged downstream of the application station. The first pressing station has a horizontal conveyor and two parallel pressing plates. The first pressing station is configured to connect the thin glass and the first outer layer of glass provided with the flexible spacer strands to form a glass assembly. A turning station is arranged downstream of the first pressing station. The turning station has two parallel supporting walls and a horizontal conveyor. The horizontal conveyor is assigned to the two supporting walls and can be rotated together with the two supporting walls about a vertical rotation axis. The turning station is configured to turn the glass sheet located on the horizontal conveyor by 180° about the vertical rotation axis. The rotation axis is arranged centrally relative to the horizontal conveyor, viewed along the conveying direction. This means that after a rotation of 180°, the horizontal conveyor is again on the same line as before the rotation. The second pressing station is arranged downstream of the rotating station. The second pressing station has a horizontal conveyor and two parallel pressing plates. In the first pressing station and the second pressing station, the distance between the two pressing plates can be changed. When the distance between the two pressing plates of the pressing station changes, the two pressing plates remain oriented parallel to each other. The second pressing station is configured to combine the thin glass of the glass assembly with the second outer layer of glass, which is provided with flexible spacer strands. The rotating station and the two pressing stations (in particular, all stations of the device according to the present invention) can each include only one monorail horizontal conveyor. The term "monorail" refers to a horizontal conveyor having only one conveying track. The horizontal conveyor can be configured to convey upright glass sheets through the corresponding stations along a straight line. The horizontal conveyor can include several conveying rollers arranged in rows and / or horizontally running conveyor belts to convey glass sheets standing on their lower edges. All horizontal conveyors can be arranged one after another along a straight line.

[0009] Both the first pressing station and the second pressing station are designed as follows. The first of the two pressing plates forms an upright support wall for the glass sheets to be transported upright on the horizontal conveyor. The feature "upstanding" means that the support wall is not completely vertical or aligned with the plumb bob, but is tilted backward by several degrees so that the upright glass sheet leaning against the support wall does not tilt forward (i.e., away from the support wall). The support wall can have an inclination of approximately 6° to 8° relative to the vertical direction. The first pressing plate can be arranged in a fixed position. The second of the two pressing plates can be moved transversely to the first pressing plate so as to change the distance between the two pressing plates. When the second pressing plate moves, the second pressing plate remains parallel to the first pressing plate. The pressing station can have a suction device for sucking the glass sheets onto the second pressing plate. The pressing station can be configured to fill the space between the glass sheets with a gas other than air. The design and mode of operation of such a pressing station have themselves been known from decades of use in the industrial production of insulating glass panels and from patents EP 0 539 407 B1 and EP 1 769 130 B1 and therefore do not need to be described in greater detail.

[0010] In the application station, flexible spacer strands are applied along the edges of the upright glass sheets (i.e., on the first and second outer layers of glass) in a manner known per se. This means that no preassembled spacer frame is placed on the glass sheets. The spacer strands can be applied without gaps along the edges of the glass sheets. Only spacer strands applied along the entire edge of the glass sheet can form a spacer frame, so that two adjacent glass sheets are kept at a certain distance. The flexible spacer strands can be pasty and subsequently cured spacer strands made of thermoplastic material and / or reactive cross-linking material, which are applied to the glass sheets using a nozzle. Therefore, the flexible spacer strands are still hot and / or have not yet fully cured after being applied. The flexible spacer strands can also be unwound from a supply roller as a strip material and applied to the glass sheets. The application station can include an application head, which is guided along at least a portion of the edge of the outer layer of glass in order to apply the spacer strands.

[0011] The present invention has significant advantages:

[0012] The present invention makes it possible to process vertical thin glass with flexible spacer strands into triple-layer insulating glass panels on an industrial scale.

[0013] • Upright thin glass can be inserted between two outer glass sheets, with spacer strands applied only to the two outer glass sheets. It is not necessary to apply spacer strands to the thin glass.

[0014] The inventors have recognised that applying flexible spacer strands to thin glass can cause considerable problems. When the hot material of the thermoplastic spacer strands is applied to the thin glass, a large amount of heat will be introduced into the thin glass at certain points, causing severe deformation of the glass. The glass will become wavy, making further processing impossible. The present invention avoids this. The thermoplastic spacer strands applied to the outer layer of glass have already cooled sufficiently when they are combined with the thin glass in the pressing station. Furthermore, when the thin glass is placed on the finished spacer, heat is not introduced into the thin glass at specific points, but rather is introduced substantially uniformly along the entire edge. This prevents unacceptably high deformations and waviness in the thin glass, as well as unacceptably high deformations and stresses in the thin glass.

[0015] The inventors have also recognized that the flexible spacer strands drawn from a supply roll and applied to the glass sheet by machine are under prestress which would result in an unacceptably high curvature of the thin glass if it were applied directly to the thin glass.

[0016] The invention enables the flexible spacer cords to be applied exclusively to two stable outer glass sheets. Due to the inherent high stability of these glasses, these materials can fully compensate for the stresses introduced into the glass sheets during the application of the spacer cords. If the outer glass sheet to which the spacer cords are applied along the entire edge is subsequently joined to a thin glass sheet, this no longer causes any unacceptably high stresses and / or deformations in the thin glass sheet.

[0017] The invention allows the production of triple-layer insulating glass panels containing thin glass very quickly and with a short production cycle. Therefore, triple-layer insulating glass panels containing thin glass can be produced in large quantities and can be produced with the same thickness as the previous double-layer insulating glass panels. Therefore, old double-layer insulating glass can be replaced by better triple-layer insulating glass panels without changing the structure of the window frame. This can simplify the modernization of buildings.

[0018] • The use of spacers which have not been pre-assembled into a frame shape means that glass sheets of special form and / or with non-rectangular outer contours can be easily and flexibly processed into triple insulating glass panels.

[0019] • With the invention, existing monorail production lines for manufacturing insulating glass can be adapted with relatively little effort and relatively little additional space requirement to assemble triple insulating glass panels comprising thin glass.

[0020] Another advantage of the device according to the invention is that it can also be used to produce double and triple insulating glass panels without thin glass very quickly and with very short production cycles, because the insulating glass panels can be assembled in the first and second pressing stations at the same time and, if necessary, filled with gas. In this case, the turning station is not in operation. The glass sheet for the first insulating glass panel is conveyed to the second pressing station via the first pressing station and the turning station. In the first pressing station and the turning station, no processing steps are performed on the first insulating glass panel. When the first insulating glass panel is assembled in the second pressing station and, if necessary, filled with gas, the glass sheet for the second insulating glass panel can already be conveyed to the first pressing station and assembled there. Therefore, the assembly and gas filling of the second insulating glass panel in the first pressing station is carried out in parallel with the assembly and gas filling of the first insulating glass panel in the second pressing station. Then, the second insulating glass panel is conveyed through the turning station and the second pressing station without any processing steps. Since assembly and gas filling in the pressing station takes more time than processing in other stations of the production line, the productivity of the production line as a whole can be greatly increased by means of the device according to the invention.

[0021] The apparatus may include a control system connected to an application station, a turning station and two pressing stations. The control system is configured to control a station for assembling a thin glass sheet and two outer layers of glass to form a triple insulating glass panel. The apparatus may include a visual inspection station having a horizontal conveyor and a plurality of (in particular three) support beams for supporting the glass sheets standing upright on the horizontal conveyor. The support beams extend horizontally. The support beams can be moved up and down while being equidistant from each other. Thus, the distance from the support beams to the horizontal conveyor can be adjusted.

[0022] In another embodiment of the method, in the first pressing station, the thin glass supported by the first pressing plate is adsorbed onto the second pressing plate. To this end, the first pressing station may have a suction device for sucking the thin glass onto the second pressing plate. Thereafter, the second pressing plate on which the thin glass is adsorbed is moved away from the first pressing plate. This is achieved by increasing the distance between the two pressing plates. The first outer layer of glass is conveyed to the first pressing station, where it is supported by the first pressing plate. In the first pressing station, the first outer layer of glass is positioned in unison or concentrically with the thin glass adsorbed on the second pressing plate. After the thin glass has been bonded to the first outer layer of glass, the adsorption of the thin glass to the second pressing plate is terminated. The side length of the thin glass may be a few mm (e.g., 3 mm) smaller than the side length of the outer layer of glass. In this case, the thin glass may be raised in the first pressing station and / or the first outer layer of glass may be lowered until the thin glass is positioned concentrically with the first outer layer of glass. For example, before the glass sheets resting on the conveyor belt are sucked onto the corresponding pressing plates, the raising and / or lowering can be achieved by tilting the conveyor belt of the horizontal conveyor in the first pressing station at a corresponding angle. Inclining conveyor belts is known per se and is described, for example, in patent EP1769130B1. The first outer layer of glass and the smaller thin glass are positioned relative to each other so that the edge of the thin glass is completely inside the edge of the first outer layer of glass. Such a three-layer insulating glass panel is also called a "panel with steps on all four sides". The sensitive edges of the thin glass are thus better protected from damage.

[0023] In another embodiment, the thin glass supported by the first pressing plate can first be sucked onto the first pressing plate in the first pressing station. The second pressing plate is placed against the thin glass while the thin glass continues to be sucked onto the first pressing plate. Before stopping the suction of the thin glass onto the first pressing plate, the thin glass is sucked onto the second pressing plate. Thus, the thin glass is held between the two pressing plates of the first pressing station for a period of time and is sucked onto both pressing plates at the same time. This ensures particularly good flatness of the thin glass. Full-surface suction of the thin glass can reduce deformation of the thin glass when the thin glass is subsequently placed on the still warm thermoplastic spacer strands.

[0024] In another embodiment, the outer layer of glass of the glass assembly can be adsorbed onto the second pressing plate of the second pressing station. Before suction, the glass assembly is supported on the thin glass by the first pressing plate of the second pressing station. The second pressing plate on which the glass assembly is adsorbed is moved away from the first pressing plate. The second outer layer of glass is transported to the second pressing station, where it is supported by the first pressing plate. In the second pressing station, the second outer layer of glass is overlapped or concentrically positioned with the first outer layer of glass adsorbed on the second pressing plate. After the glass assembly has been bonded to the second outer layer of glass, the adsorption of the first outer layer of glass to the second pressing plate is terminated.

[0025] For both the first outer layer glass and the second outer layer glass, the spacer strands are applied to the surface of the outer layer glass, which faces the thin glass in the finished three-layer insulating glass panel (i.e., the thin glass is later located inside the finished three-layer insulating glass panel). In the application station, each upright outer layer glass is supported on its surface, which subsequently forms the exterior of the insulating glass panel. During the upright transportation to the first pressing station, the first outer layer glass is supported on the surface, which will later form the exterior of the insulating glass panel. After the thin glass is joined to the first outer layer glass in the first pressing station, the upright glass assembly is supported on the first outer layer glass. The glass assembly is supported on the first outer layer glass and is transported upright to the rotation station. The rotation station is configured to rotate the glass assembly around a vertical (especially vertical) rotation axis and to transport the rotated glass assembly to a downstream station. The rotation station is also configured to convey the outer layer glass provided with the non-rotated spacer strands to a downstream station. During the rotation of the glass assembly in the rotation station, one side of the supporting glass assembly changes. To this end, the two parallel supporting walls of the turning station can be tilted about a horizontal axis. At the end of the process in the turning station, the upright glass assembly is supported on the thin glass. The glass assembly is supported on the thin glass while being transported upright to the second pressing station. During the upright transport to the second pressing station, the second outer layer of glass is supported on its surface, which subsequently forms the outer side of the insulating glass panel. The second outer layer of glass is transported through the turning station without being rotated. In the second pressing station, in particular during the transport out of the second pressing station, the assembled three-layer insulating glass panel is supported on the second outer layer of glass.

[0026] In another embodiment, the rotating station can have a base frame fixed to the floor. The rotating frame is mounted on the base frame. The rotating frame can rotate relative to the base frame. For this purpose, a rotating joint can be arranged between the rotating frame and the base frame. The rotation axis of the rotating joint is vertical or aligned with a plumb bob. The tilting frame is mounted on the rotating frame. The tilting frame can tilt relative to the rotating frame about a horizontal tilting axis. A tilting joint is provided between the rotating frame and the tilting frame. The support wall and the horizontal conveyor are fixed to the tilting frame, in particular in a manner that is immovable relative to each other. The tilting axis extends parallel to the conveying direction of the horizontal conveyor. The tilting axis is perpendicular to the rotation axis. During the rotation with the rotating frame, the tilting joint and the tilting frame and all components fixed thereto rotate in a horizontal plane. This prevents the horizontal conveyor and / or the support wall from contacting the floor with one of their outer ends during the rotation.

[0027] In another embodiment, one of the stations may have an air cushion support wall having a flat support surface. The support wall is configured to support glass sheets transported upright on a horizontal conveyor. A plurality of air ducts may lead to the support surface. When subjected to positive pressure, the air flow flows obliquely from the air duct to the support surface. This creates an air cushion on the support surface, on which the glass sheets (especially thin glass) being transported can rest and slide without contacting the support surface. An oblique upward blowing airflow is generated on the support wall. This means that the machine operator standing in front of the station will not be blown directly. At least one air duct (especially each air duct) may include an end duct portion extending obliquely relative to the support surface. In a vertical section through the support wall, the end duct portion may extend at an angle of 45° or less (especially 30° to 45°) to the support surface. This oblique blowing airflow can create an air cushion, making it much easier to transport thin glass. In particular, the first pressing station may include such an air cushion support wall. The air cushion support wall may be formed by a first pressing plate. The intermediate station can be arranged between the application station and the first pressing station. According to the invention, the intermediate station comprises a horizontal conveyor and an air cushion support wall. The intermediate station can be used for temporary storage of glass sheets. A glass sheet that has left a station upstream of the intermediate station can wait in the intermediate station until it can be conveyed to a station downstream of the intermediate station. The apparatus according to the invention can comprise several such intermediate stations.

[0028] At least one of the pressing plates, in particular the first pressing plate of the first pressing station, can have a flat support surface to which a plurality of air ducts lead, wherein the air ducts form suction devices when subjected to negative pressure in order to suck the thin glass plane against the support surface. The air ducts in the pressing plate can be pressurized with negative or positive pressure. This allows the functions of the suction device and the air cushion support wall to be combined in the pressing plate. Thus, the pressing plate can optionally act as an air cushion support wall during transport or to hold the glass sheet in place by suction during assembly.

[0029] The support surface may have at least one recess connected to the end duct portion of the air duct. The recess may be circular (particularly with a diameter of 20 mm or less). A recess may be provided for each end duct portion. The recess may surround the end duct portion. The recess is open towards the support surface. The support surface may have at least one groove connected to the end duct portion. In particular, the groove may extend from the recess surrounding the end duct portion. The groove extends along the support surface and is open towards the support surface. The end duct portion may lead to the recess or the groove at a certain angle. All end duct portions may extend parallel to each other.

[0030] When processing thin glass with a thickness of 2 mm or less, the width of the groove is 20 mm or less. When processing thin glass with a thickness of 1.5 mm or less, the width of the groove can be 15 mm or less in particular. When processing thin glass with a thickness of 1 mm or less, the width of the groove can be 10 mm or less in particular. This ensures that the thin glass extending over the groove without support does not undergo unacceptable deformation due to the negative pressure in the air duct. As a result, the thin glass can be sucked onto the support surface in a particularly flat manner and without the generation of undesirable ripples.

[0031] The groove may include at least two groove portions extending at an angle to each other. Both groove portions extend along a straight line. Each groove portion may have a length of 60 mm or less. This can well prevent the thin glass from elastically deforming due to negative pressure and protruding into the groove. Several grooves may be arranged in the support surface, which are connected to an end conduit portion. In the planar view of the support surface, several grooves may extend radially toward an end conduit portion. For example, the grooves may be arranged around an end conduit portion like a radiation beam.

[0032] In another embodiment, the support surface may have a first support area and a second support area. The density of air ducts in the first support area of ​​the support surface may be greater than the density of air ducts in the second support area. The density of air ducts in the support area is defined as the number of air ducts leading to the support area divided by the total area of ​​the support area. The first support area may extend along the edge in the lower area of ​​the support wall. When subjected to positive pressure, more air is ejected from the first support area. This reliably prevents the lower edge of the thin glass from hitting the support surface during transportation on the horizontal conveyor. The suction area fraction sucked by the air duct in the first support area may be greater than the suction area fraction in the second support area (particularly by increasing the area subjected to negative pressure by the recess and / or groove). The suction area fraction in the support area is the area subjected to negative pressure divided by the total area of ​​the support area. Therefore, the thin glass can be sucked onto the support surface in a particularly flat manner. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0033] Further details and advantages of the invention are explained with reference to the embodiments of the invention and the accompanying drawings, wherein the same and corresponding parts have corresponding reference numerals.

[0034] Figure 1 is a schematic top view of the arrangement of the apparatus according to the invention and some intermediate steps of assembling a triple insulating glass panel;

[0035] Figure 2 Shows Figure 1 Apparatus wherein there is a further intermediate step in assembling the triple insulating glass panel;

[0036] Figure 3 is a schematic side view of a finished triple-layer insulating glass panel;

[0037] Figure 4 is a schematic front view of a visual inspection station of an apparatus according to the present invention;

[0038] Figure 5 is a schematic front view of a rotating station of the apparatus according to the present invention;

[0039] Figure 6 yes Figure 5 A schematic top view of the rotating station shown;

[0040] Figure 7 yes Figure 5 A schematic side view of the middle rotation station;

[0041] Figure 8 is a schematic front view of a support wall of an apparatus according to the invention;

[0042] Fig. 9 yes Figure 8 A magnified view of region X;

[0043] Fig.10 is an enlarged view of a vertical section through the supporting wall in region X. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0044] Figure 1 and Figure 2 A schematic diagram of an apparatus 1 for assembling a triple insulating glass panel 10 is shown, which is also commonly referred to as a production line. Figure 3 As shown. The insulating glass panel 10 includes three glass sheets 11, 12 and 13. The first glass sheet 11 is a thin glass having a thickness of 1 mm or less. The second glass sheet 12 is a first outer layer of glass having a first surface 121 facing the thin glass 11 and forming the inner surface of the insulating glass panel 10. The second surface 122 of the outer layer of glass 12 forms the outer side of the insulating glass panel 10. The third glass sheet 13 is a second outer layer of glass having a first surface 131 and a second surface 132, which respectively form the inner side and the outer side of the insulating glass panel 10. The first flexible spacer strand 14 is arranged between the outer layer of glass 12 and the thin glass 11, and forms a spacer frame known per se along the edge of the outer layer of glass 12, which keeps the two glass sheets 11 and 12 at a predetermined distance from each other. Therefore, the second flexible spacer strand 15 is arranged between the outer layer of glass 13 and the thin glass 11.

[0045] The apparatus 1 comprises a visual inspection station 2, several intermediate stations, an application station 4, a first pressing station 5, a turning station 6 and a second pressing station 8. Intermediate stations 31, 32, 33 and 34 are arranged between the other stations to serve as conveyor tracks and / or intermediate storage. An intermediate station 35 is arranged downstream of the second pressing station 8 for removing the finished insulating glass panel 10. The intermediate stations 31, 32, 33, 34 and 35 can each comprise a monorail horizontal conveyor and a support wall (not shown) in a manner known per se. See FIG. Figure 4, the visual inspection station 2 comprises a horizontal conveyor 20, which is attached to a frame 21 and is formed by a row of several drivable conveyor rollers 22. Such a horizontal conveyor 20 is known per se. A glass sheet, such as the thin glass 11 in the intermediate step shown, rests on the horizontal conveyor 20 with its lower edge 111. The visual inspection station 2 contains three support beams 23, 24, 25, which extend horizontally and are located in a plane slightly inclined to the vertical direction in order to support the upright thin glass 11. Depending on the height of the glass sheet to be inspected, the support beams 23, 24 and 25 are moved up or down. The uppermost support beam 25 is moved so that it supports the thin glass 11 as far as possible from the edge of the thin glass 11. The two support beams 23 and 24 are moved so that the distance between the horizontal conveyor 20 and the support beam 23 and the distance between the three support beams 23, 24 and 25 are equal. The thin glass 11 is thus well supported so that it does not bend to an unacceptable degree. At the same time, only a very small part of the surface of the thin glass 11 is covered by the support beams, so that any defects in the thin glass 11 can still be detected very easily. The application station 4 is arranged in a manner known per se for applying spacer strands of a pasty, then solidifying, thermoplastic material to the glass sheet and therefore does not need to be described in detail.

[0046] During the production of the triple insulating glazing 10 according to the invention, the thin glass 11 is fed as the first glass sheet to the inspection station 2 and inspected there for defects. The thin glass 11 then passes through the application station 4 to the intermediate station 32 and is transported upright through the intermediate station 31. The first outer glass 12 is fed as the second glass sheet to the inspection station 2. After being inspected for defects, the outer glass 12 is transferred to the intermediate station 31. The second outer glass 13 is then fed as the third glass sheet to the inspection station 2 and inspected there for defects, see Figure 1 The intermediate step A in .

[0047] The three glass sheets 11, 12 and 13 are conveyed forward simultaneously until the thin glass 11 reaches the first pressing station 5 and the outer glass 12 reaches the application station 4. In the application station 4, the first spacing strands 14 are applied to the outer glass 12, thereby forming a closed spacing frame along the edge of the outer glass 12 in a manner known per se. Figure 1 In the intermediate step B, the outer layer glass 13 is in a waiting position in the intermediate station 31.

[0048] The pressing station 5 has a monorail horizontal conveyor 50, a first pressing plate 51 and a second pressing plate 52. The horizontal conveyor 50 is designed in a manner known per se and is schematically indicated by a dotted line. The first pressing plate 51 is arranged in a fixed position. The upright pressing plate 51 is slightly tilted backward relative to the vertical direction and supports the thin glass 11 standing on the horizontal conveyor 50 so that the thin glass 11 does not tilt forward, that is, does not tilt to the side away from the pressing plate 51. The pressing plate 51 forms a support wall 53 with a flat support surface 54. The vertical line or plumb line is at Fig.10 The support surface 54 is at an angle of 8° to the vertical line 55 to support the glass sheet standing on the horizontal conveyor 50 and leaning against the support wall 53 and prevent the glass sheet from accidentally falling forward. The support surface 54 is formed by a rubber lining 56 on the support wall 53. The support wall 53 is designed as an air cushion support wall, which includes a plurality of air ducts 57. Figures 8 to 10 , the air duct 57 leads to the support surface 54. The first duct portion 571 of the air duct 57 is formed by a blind hole drilled into the support wall 53 from the back. The end duct portion 572 of the air duct 57 is connected to the duct portion 571 and extends at an angle W inclined relative to the support surface 54. The angle W is 30°. The end duct portion 572 has a diameter of 3mm to 6mm (particularly 4mm). When overpressure is applied to the air duct 57, the air flow therefore leaves the support surface 54 obliquely. In order not to hinder the air flow emerging from the support surface 54, the rubber lining 56 includes an elliptical hole 561, which surrounds the end duct portion 572. The air duct 57 therefore passes through the support wall 53 as a through-channel and extends to the side of the support wall 53 opposite to the support surface 54.

[0049] The second pressing plate 52 is arranged parallel to the pressing plate 51 and the supporting surface 54. The pressing plate 52 can be linearly moved transversely to the conveying direction of the horizontal conveyor 50, thereby changing the distance between the two pressing plates 51 and 52. The pressing plate 52 contains a suction device (not shown) which can suck the glass sheet supported by the pressing plate 51 onto the pressing plate 52. The pressing plate 52 with the glass sheet sucked thereon can then be removed from the pressing plate 51. The design of a pressing station having these features is known per se and will not be described in detail.

[0050] The thin glass 11 is sucked onto the pressing plate 52 and both leave the pressing plate 51 together, as will be explained in detail below. After the spacer strands 14 are applied to the outer layer of glass 12, it is conveyed to the intermediate station 32. See Figure 1 In the intermediate step C in the embodiment, the outer layer of glass 13 is conveyed into the application station 4 and the second spacer strands 15 are applied to the outer layer of glass 13 .

[0051] When the thin glass 11 adsorbed on the pressing plate 52 has left the pressing plate 51, the horizontal conveyor 50 becomes free. The outer layer glass 12 can then be conveyed by the horizontal conveyor 50 into the pressing station 5 until it is aligned with the thin glass 11. The pressing plate 52 with the thin glass 11 adsorbed thereon then moves backwards toward the pressing plate 51 until the thin glass 11 rests on the spacing strands 14 and is at a predetermined distance from the outer layer glass 12. Before the thin glass 11 completely rests on the spacing strands 14, the space between the thin glass 11 and the outer layer glass 12 can be filled with a gas other than air in a manner known per se in order to increase the thermal insulation effect. The thin glass 11 and the outer layer glass 12 are then combined together to form a glass assembly 16. The outer layer glass 13 with the applied spacing strands 15 is conveyed to the intermediate station 32, see Figure 1 The intermediate step D in .

[0052] The distance between the pressing plates 51 and 52 increases again, and the glass assembly 16 is transported to the turning station 6 via the intermediate station 33. At the same time, the outer glass 13 is transferred to the intermediate station 33 via the pressing station 5, see Figure 2 The intermediate step E in .

[0053] See also Figures 5 to 7 , the turning station 6 has a monorail horizontal conveyor 60, a first support wall 61 and a second support wall 62. The horizontal conveyor 60 is constructed in a manner known per se. In addition, the turning station 6 has a base frame 63 fixed to the floor, on which a rotating frame 64 is mounted. A rotating joint 65 with a vertical rotation axis 66 is arranged between the rotating frame 64 and the base frame 63. The rotating joint 65 is designed as a slewing ring and has a plurality of guide rollers 67 arranged along the circumference. The turning station 6 includes a rotary drive 68, by which the rotating frame 64 can be rotated about the rotation axis 66 in the direction of the arrow Y. A tilting frame 70 is mounted on the rotating frame 64. A tilting joint 71 with a horizontal tilting axis 72 is arranged between the rotating frame 64 and the tilting frame 70. The tilting axis 72 is perpendicular to the Figure 7 A tilting drive 73 in the form of pressure medium cylinders is provided in order to tilt the tilting frame 70 relative to the rotating frame 64 in the direction of the arrow Z about a tilting axis 72 .

[0054] When the glass assembly 16 is transferred upright from the pressing station 5 to the turning station 6, the glass assembly 16 is supported on the outer side 122 of the glass sheet 12. When the glass assembly 16 is conveyed to the turning station 6, the horizontal conveyors 50 and 60 are in a straight line, and the support wall 61 is in the same plane as the pressing plate 51. Then, the glass assembly 16 is rotated 180° in the direction of arrow Y by the rotation drive 68. While rotating in the direction of arrow Y, the glass assembly 16 is tilted in the direction of arrow Z by the tilting drive 73. When the horizontal conveyor 60 tilts together with the support walls 61 and 62, the glass assembly 16 also tilts away from the support wall 61 and toward the support wall 62. After the tilting process is completed, the glass assembly 16 is supported on the thin glass 11 by the support wall 62. After the rotation and tilting process is completed, the horizontal conveyor 60 is aligned with the horizontal conveyor 50 again, and the support wall 62 is in the same plane as the pressing plate 51, see Figure 2 The intermediate step F in .

[0055] After the glass assembly 16 is rotated, the glass assembly 16 and the outer glass 13 are transported forward. The upright glass assembly 16 is supported on the thin glass 11 and is transferred to the second pressing station 8. Figure 2 In the intermediate step G, the outer layer of glass 13 is conveyed upright through the turning station 6 without rotation and is supported on the outer side 132 by the supporting wall 62.

[0056] The pressing station 8 has a monorail horizontal conveyor 80, a first pressing plate 81 and a second pressing plate 82. The first pressing plate 81 is arranged in a fixed position and is slightly tilted backward relative to the vertical direction. The pressing plate 81 supports the glass assembly 16 erected on the horizontal conveyor 80 so that the glass assembly 16 does not tilt forward, that is, it does not tilt to the side away from the pressing plate 81. The pressing plate 81 forms an air cushion support wall with a flat support surface, which is arranged in a plane with the support surface 54 of the pressing plate 51. The second pressing plate 82 is arranged parallel to the pressing plate 81 and can be linearly moved transversely to the conveying direction of the horizontal conveyor 80 so that the distance between the two pressing plates 81 and 82 changes. The pressing plate 82 contains a suction device (not shown) known per se, which can suck the glass assembly 16 supported by the pressing plate 81 onto the pressing plate 82. The glass assembly 16 is adsorbed onto the pressing plate 82 at the outer glass 12. Then, the pressing plate 82 is moved away from the pressing plate 81, and the glass assembly 16 is sucked onto the pressing plate 81. The horizontal conveyor 80 becomes free and can convey the outer layer glass 13 into the pressing station 8. When the outer layer glass 13 is aligned with the outer layer glass 12, the pressing plate 82 with the glass assembly 16 sucked thereon moves backward toward the pressing plate 81. The distance between the two pressing plates 81 and 82 is reduced until the thin glass 11 rests on the spacer strands 15 and the first outer layer glass 12 is at a predetermined distance from the second outer layer glass 13, see Figure 2 Before the thin glass 11 rests completely on the spacer strands 15, the space between the thin glass 11 and the outer layer of glass 13 can be filled with a gas other than air in a manner known per se.

[0057] The outer glass 12 is stopped from being sucked onto the pressing plate 82, and the distance between the pressing plates 81 and 82 is increased again. Then, the assembled three-layer insulating glass panel 10 is transported away by the horizontal conveyor 80 and the intermediate station 35, wherein the upright insulating glass panel 10 is supported on the outer side 132.

[0058] The air ducts 57 in the pressing plate 51 can be pressurized with negative pressure or positive pressure. When pressurized with negative pressure, they form a suction device 90 to suck the flexible thin glass 11 onto the supporting surface 53 as flat as possible. Fig. 9, the suction device 90 includes an air duct 57, a circular recess 91 and a plurality of grooves 92. The recess 91 surrounds and is connected to the end duct portion 572. The recess 91 is open toward the support surface 54 and has a diameter of 20 mm or less. The groove 92 extends radially toward the end duct portion 572 and leads to the recess 91. The groove 92 may include a plurality of groove portions 921 and 922. The two groove portions 921 and 922 extend at an angle to each other. The length L of the groove portions 921 and 922 extending in a straight line is a maximum of 60 mm. The width B of the groove 92 is approximately 8 mm. The depth T of the recess 91 and the groove 92 is a maximum of 1 mm. The recess 91 may be slightly deeper than the groove 92. The support surface 54 has a first support area 93, in which the density of air ducts is greater than the density of air ducts in the second support area 94. This improves the air cushion transport of the thin glass 11. In the first support area 93, the fraction of the suction area that is subjected to negative pressure by the air duct 57 is greater than the fraction of the suction area that is subjected to negative pressure by the air duct 57 in the second support area 94. The suction device 90 comprises four grooves 92 in the support area 93 and five grooves 92 in the support area 94. The third support area 95 is arranged in the area of ​​the lower corner of the support wall 53, in which area the surface area fraction that is sucked is even greater than the surface area fraction that is sucked in the support area 93. This is achieved by some grooves 92 being connected to several air ducts 57 and intersecting each other. The support wall 53 has a hole 96 for accommodating a sensor. The suction device 90 is not in the area of ​​the hole 96.

[0059] With the suction device 90 according to the present invention, the thin glass 11 is first sucked onto the first pressing plate 51 in the first pressing station 5. The design of the suction device 90 ensures that the thin glass 11 rests on a particularly flat support surface 54 and does not form ripples. Due to the different suction effects in the support areas 93, 94 and 95, the thin glass first contacts the support surface 54 in the support area 95. Then, starting from this intersection, the thin glass 11 contacts the support surfaces 54 in the support areas 93 and 94. The suction process starts from the corners of the thin glass 11, resulting in full-surface contact (especially flat contact) of the thin glass 11 with the support surface 54. In this way, the formation of air pockets between the support surface 54 and the thin glass 11 is avoided, so as to prevent the thin glass 11 from generating ripples. While the thin glass 11 is being sucked onto the second pressing plate 52, the thin glass 11 is kept sucked onto the first pressing plate 51. Only after the thin glass 11 has been sucked onto the second pressing plate 52, the suction of the first pressing plate 51 is terminated. As a result, the thin glass 11 can be transferred to the second pressing plate 52 in a very flat manner and placed on the spacer 14 as described above. The suction device in the second pressing plate 52 can be designed in a manner known per se or can include the suction device 90 according to the invention.

[0060] Reference numerals:

[0061] 1 Equipment;

[0062] 10 Insulating glass panels;

[0063] 11 thin glass sheets;

[0064] 111 lower edge;

[0065] 12 outer glass sheet;

[0066] 121 Surface / Interior;

[0067] 122 surface / exterior;

[0068] 13 outer glass sheet;

[0069] 131 Surface / Interior;

[0070] 132 surface / exterior;

[0071] 14 spacer strands;

[0072] 15 spacer strands;

[0073] 16 Glass components;

[0074] 2 Visual inspection station;

[0075] 20 horizontal conveyors;

[0076] 21 Framework;

[0077] 22 conveyor roller;

[0078] 23 support beams;

[0079] 24 support beams;

[0080] 25 support beams;

[0081] 31 middle station;

[0082] 32 middle stations;

[0083] 33 middle station;

[0084] 34 middle station;

[0085] 35 middle station;

[0086] 4 Application station;

[0087] 5. Pressing station;

[0088] 50 horizontal conveyor;

[0089] 51 Pressed board;

[0090] 52 Pressed board;

[0091] 53 Support wall;

[0092] 54 Support surface;

[0093] 55 vertical lines;

[0094] 56 Rubber lining;

[0095] 561 oval hole;

[0096] 57 air duct;

[0097] 571 catheter section;

[0098] 572 end duct section;

[0099] 6. Rotation station;

[0100] 61 supporting wall;

[0101] 62 Support wall;

[0102] 63 base frame;

[0103] 64 Rotating frame;

[0104] 65 swivel joint;

[0105] 66 axis of rotation;

[0106] 67 guide rollers;

[0107] 68 Rotary drive;

[0108] 70 tilt frame;

[0109] 71 tilt joint;

[0110] 72 tilt axis;

[0111] 73 Tilt Drive;

[0112] 8 Pressing station;

[0113] 80 horizontal conveyor;

[0114] 81 Pressed board;

[0115] 82 Pressed Plate;

[0116] 90 suction device;

[0117] 91 recess;

[0118] 92 grooves;

[0119] 921 groove section;

[0120] 922 groove section;

[0121] 93 support area;

[0122] 94 support area;

[0123] 95 support area;

[0124] 96-well.

Claims

1. A method for assembling a triple insulating glass panel (10) comprising two outer layers of glass (12, 13) and a thin glass (11) therebetween, comprising the following steps: - the upright thin glass (11) is transported to the first pressing station (5) via the application station (4); - the first outer layer of glass (12) is transported upright into the application station (4); - in the application station (4), a first flexible spacer strand (14) is applied to the first outer layer of glass (12) so that the first flexible spacer strand (14) forms a frame-shaped spacer on the first outer layer of glass (12); - after the application of the spacer strands (14), the first outer layer of glass (12) is transported upright from the application station (4) to the first pressing station (5); - the second outer layer of glass (13) is transported upright into the application station (4); - in the application station (4), a second flexible spacer strand (15) is applied to the second outer layer of glass (13) so that the second flexible spacer strand (15) forms a frame-shaped spacer on the second outer layer of glass (13); - in the first pressing station (5), the thin glass (11) and the first outer glass (12) are joined together to form a glass assembly (16) by reducing the distance between the thin glass (11) and the first outer glass (12) until the thin glass (11) rests on the first flexible spacer strands (14) and is at a predetermined distance from the first outer glass (12); - the glass assembly (16) is transferred upright from the first pressing station (5) to a turning station (6), in which the glass assembly (16) is turned about a vertical rotation axis (66); - after rotation, the glass assembly (16) is transferred upright from the rotation station (6) to the second pressing station (8); - the second outer layer of glass (13) is conveyed upright from the application station (4) through the first pressing station (5) and through the rotation station (6) into the second pressing station (8); - in the second pressing station (8), the glass assembly (16) and the second outer glass (13) are joined together to form a triple insulating glass panel (10) by reducing the distance between the glass assembly (16) and the second outer glass (13) until the thin glass (11) rests on the second flexible spacer strands (15) and the first outer glass (12) is at a predetermined distance from the second outer glass (13); After bonding, the triple insulating glass panel (10) is transported upright out of the second pressing station (8).

2. The method according to claim 1, comprising the steps of: In the first pressing station (5), the thin glass (11) supported by the first pressing plate (51) is adsorbed onto the second pressing plate (52) of the first pressing station (5); The second pressing plate (52) on which the thin glass (11) is adsorbed is moved away from the first pressing plate (51); The first outer layer of glass (12) is conveyed to the first pressing station (5), where the first outer layer of glass (12) is supported by the first pressing plate (51); After the thin glass (11) has been bonded to the first outer layer of glass (12), the adsorption of the thin glass (11) to the second pressing plate (52) is terminated.

3. The method according to claim 2, comprising the steps of: In the first pressing station (5), the thin glass (11) supported by the first pressing plate (51) is firstly adsorbed onto the first pressing plate (51); Before terminating the adsorption of the thin glass (11) onto the first pressing plate (51), the thin glass (11) is adsorbed onto the second pressing plate (52).

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising the following steps: In the second pressing station (8), the outer glass (12) of the glass assembly (16) supported by the first pressing plate (81) is adsorbed onto the second pressing plate (82) of the second pressing station (8); The second pressing plate (82) on which the glass component (16) is adsorbed is moved away from the first pressing plate (81); The second outer layer of glass (13) is conveyed to the second pressing station (8), where the second outer layer of glass (13) is supported by the first pressing plate (81); After the glass assembly (16) has been bonded to the second outer layer of glass (13), the adsorption of the first outer layer of glass (12) to the second pressed plate (82) is terminated.

5. A device (1) for assembling a triple insulating glass panel (10) comprising two outer layers of glass (12, 13) and a thin glass (11) therebetween, comprising: an application station (5) configured to apply flexible spacer strands (14, 15) along upright outer layers of glass (12, 13); a first pressing station (5), which is arranged downstream of the application station (4) and has a horizontal conveyor (50) and two parallel pressing plates (51, 52), the distance between the two pressing plates (51, 52) being variable while maintaining the parallelism of the two pressing plates (51, 52), and wherein the first pressing plate (51) forms an upright support wall (53) for the glass sheets (11, 12, 13) to be conveyed upright on the horizontal conveyor (50); a turning station (6), which is arranged downstream of the first pressing station (5) and has two parallel support walls (61, 62) and a horizontal conveyor (60), the horizontal conveyor (60) being assigned to the two support walls (61, 62) and being rotatable together with the support walls (61, 62) about a vertical rotation axis (66), the rotation axis (66) being arranged centrally relative to the horizontal conveyor (60) as viewed in the conveying direction; A second pressing station (8), which is arranged downstream of the rotating station (6) and has a horizontal conveyor (80) and two parallel pressing plates (81, 82), the distance between the two pressing plates (81, 82) being variable while maintaining the parallelism of the two pressing plates (81, 82), and wherein the first pressing plate (81) forms an upright supporting wall (53) for the glass sheet (13) to be conveyed upright on the horizontal conveyor (80).

6. The device according to claim 5, comprising a visual inspection station (2), the visual inspection station (2) having a horizontal conveyor (20) and several, in particular three, support beams (23, 24, 25), the support beams (23, 24, 25) being used to support the glass sheets (11, 12, 13) upright on the horizontal conveyor (20), wherein: The support beams (23, 24, 25) extend horizontally and are displaceable upwards and downwards while being equidistant relative to each other.

7. The device according to claim 5, wherein: The rotating station (6) has the following characteristics: - a rotating frame (64) mounted on a base frame (63) fixed to the floor; - the rotating frame (64) can rotate relative to the base frame (63) around a vertical rotation axis (66) via a rotating joint (65); a tilting frame (70) which is mounted on the rotating frame (64) and can be tilted relative to the rotating frame (64) about a horizontal tilting axis (72) via a tilting joint (71); - The support walls (61, 62) and the horizontal conveyor (60) are fixed to the inclined frame (70).

8. The device according to claim 5, wherein: At least one of the stations (2, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 4, 5, 6, 8), in particular the first pressing station (5), has an air cushion support wall (53) with a flat support surface (54), wherein a plurality of air ducts (57) lead to the support surface (54), and wherein, when subjected to positive pressure, an air flow emerges obliquely from the air ducts (57) to the support surface (54).

9. The device according to claim 8, wherein: The support surface (54) comprises a first support area (93) and a second support area (94), wherein the air duct density in the first support area (93) is greater than the air duct density in the second support area (94), and wherein the air duct density is defined as the number of air ducts (57) per square meter of the support surface (54).

10. The apparatus according to any one of claims 5 to 9, wherein: At least one of the pressing plates (51, 52, 81, 82), in particular the first pressing plate (51) of the first pressing station (5), has a flat supporting surface (54), and a plurality of air ducts (57) lead to the supporting surface (54), wherein the air ducts (57) form suction devices (90) when subjected to negative pressure so as to suck the flat thin glass (11) onto the supporting surface (54).

11. The device according to claim 10, wherein: The support surface (54) of the pressed plate (51) has at least one recess (91) which is connected to an end duct portion (572) of the air duct (57).

12. The device according to claim 10, wherein: The support surface (54) of the pressed plate (51) has at least one groove (92), which is connected to an end duct portion (572) of the air duct (57), in particular to a recess (91) surrounding the end duct portion (572).

13. The device according to claim 12, wherein: The groove (92) includes at least two groove portions (921, 922) extending at an angle to each other.

14. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein: The support surface (54) has a first support area (93) and a second support area (94), wherein a suction area fraction in the first support area (93) is greater than a suction area fraction in the second support area (94), and wherein the suction area fraction is defined as the quotient of an area subjected to negative pressure by the air duct (57) and a total area of ​​the corresponding support areas (93, 94).

15. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein: The air duct (57) in the press plate (51) can be optionally subjected to negative pressure or positive pressure.

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