SYSTEM WITH A REINFORCED SASH PROFILE AND A GLASS PACKAGE GLUED INTO IT

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to sash profiles with a glass package, wherein the sash profile has a plastic reinforcement element that is mounted substantially under the entire support surface of the glass package, and wherein a material connection is provided between the reinforcement element and the glass package by means of an adhesive element. The present invention further relates to methods for producing such sash profiles and the use of the combination of adhesive elements and reinforcement elements to improve the flexural strength of sash profiles. State of the art

[0002] Casement profiles, especially multi-chamber hollow profiles made of extruded thermoplastics, are frequently used as window or door frame profiles. Due to the desire to improve thermal insulation properties, there has been a recent trend toward increased multi-glazing in modern window systems, with triple glazing now standard, and quadruple glazing not uncommon. This means that such windows and doors are relatively heavy and wide due to the multiple layers of glass.

[0003] However, due to the hollow profile construction, which is intended to save weight and improve the insulating effect, such profiles are susceptible to bending forces which can cause the profile to warp or become damaged.

[0004] In order to improve the bending strength of such hollow profiles without significantly impairing the thermal insulation, it was proposed in WO 2009 / 098068 A1 to provide the outer profile (i.e. the part of the profile that is connected to the facade) and inner profile (i.e. the part of the profile that is connected to the glass) with reinforcing elements that are arranged vertically (i.e. parallel to the front and back sides visible when installed) in the hollow profiles.

[0005] In the case of multiple glazing, especially triple or quadruple glazing, the weight of the glass package, which acts from above on the hollow profile and can lead to vertical deformation of the hollow profile, is particularly problematic. This problem is not solved in a completely satisfactory manner by the reinforcement elements described in WO 2009 / 098068 A1.

[0006] DE 10 2014 014 658 discloses reinforcement profiles for windows comprising a glass package and a reinforcing element mounted underneath. The reinforcing element is bonded to the glass package with an adhesive strip.

[0007] DE 35 43 524 A1 discloses sash profiles with a glass package and a glass block frame mounted underneath, which is attached to the glass package using silicone or butyl adhesives. The silicone adhesive forms the room-side seal, and the butyl adhesives the weather-side seal. Such adhesives are generally relatively soft and have elastic moduli of less than 10 MPa.

[0008] The object of the present invention was therefore to propose a sash profile for door and window systems which has improved flexural rigidity against external forces compared to known systems. Description of the invention:

[0009] According to a first aspect, the invention relates to a sash profile with a glass package comprising a plurality of glass plates, wherein the sash profile has a reinforcing element made of plastic that is attached to the sash profile essentially in the region of the entire contact surface of the glass package, wherein a material-to-material connection is provided between the reinforcing element and the glass package by means of at least two adhesive elements, and wherein the adhesive elements (4) have an E-modulus according to ISO 37 (at 23°C and 50% relative humidity) of at least 100 N / mm 2<.

[0010] In the context of the present invention, a "glass package" refers to a plurality of glass panes arranged one above the other, which may be separated from each other by spacers. In a glass package, the glass panes are generally fixed to one another in such a way that horizontal movement of one glass pane relative to another glass pane in the glass package is not possible.

[0011] In the context of the present invention, a "sash profile" refers to the part of the profile that is in contact with the glass package. The term "sash profile" encompasses not only the entire profile surrounding the glass package, but also parts of it, such as the upper or lower part, or the side parts of the profile.

[0012] In the present invention, the contact surface refers only to the area in which the glass package is in contact with the sash profile in the direction of its extension (i.e. not its thickness).

[0013] By "essentially completely" we mean in the above that the reinforcing element in the sash profile should cover at least 70%, preferably at least 80%, and even more preferably at least 90% of the contact surface of the glass package on the sash profile. The glass package can protrude on the front or rear side, so that no reinforcing element is arranged between the glass package and the sash profile in this area. However, it is also possible for the reinforcing element to be missing at the ends of the profile, or for the reinforcing element to be discontinuous, with gaps between individual sections of the reinforcing element, or for the reinforcing element to have holes that form cavities between the glass package and the sash profile.

[0014] Within the scope of the present invention, it is preferred if the reinforcing element is mounted in the region of the entire support surface of the glass package. It is further preferred if the reinforcing element has a greater extension than the support surface of the glass package, so that it forms a projection relative to the glass package.

[0015] Within the scope of the present invention, it is further preferred if the reinforcing element is angled so that one part of the reinforcing element is arranged on the front or rear side of the glass package and another part of the reinforcing element is arranged on the underside of the glass package. Further preferably, the reinforcing element is angled so that one part of the reinforcing element is arranged on the front side of the glass package and another part of the reinforcing element is arranged on the underside of the glass package. In this case, the angle is expediently approximately 90°.

[0016] The angled reinforcement element is particularly preferably L-shaped, meaning one surface of the reinforcement element is larger than the other. For this purpose, it is further preferred if the larger of the surfaces is positioned under the glass package and the smaller surface is positioned on the front or rear side, preferably on the front side, of the glass package. Such a design provides the sash element with favorable rigidity both in the longitudinal and transverse directions relative to the sash profile.

[0017] The "front side" of the glass package refers to the side of the window that is opposite a bead of the outer profile, while the "back side" of the glass package refers to the side that is opposite this bead.

[0018] In the sash profile according to the invention, at least two adhesive elements are provided between the reinforcing element and the glass package. Compared to the use of only one adhesive element, this allows for a reduction in material consumption while maintaining comparable stability.

[0019] Furthermore, it is preferred if one of the adhesive elements of the sash profile is arranged in the region of the edge of the rear side between the glass package and the reinforcing element. In this case, the adhesive element is arranged on the underside of the glass package. It is also preferred if one of the adhesive elements of the sash profile has an adhesive element that is arranged in the region of the edge of the front side between the glass package and the reinforcing element. In this case, it is particularly expedient if the adhesive element is arranged on the front side of the glass package. A sash profile that has at least two adhesive elements is most preferred, with one of these adhesive elements being arranged in the region of the edge of the rear side between the glass package and the reinforcing element and one adhesive element being arranged in the region of the edge of the front side between the glass package and the reinforcing element.

[0020] With regard to the reinforcing element, the present invention is not subject to any relevant restrictions, with the proviso that the material of the reinforcing element must have a higher flexural strength than the material from which the hollow profile of the wing profile is formed. The reinforcing element can therefore, in principle, be made from any thermoplastically processable plastic. Such thermoplastically processable plastics are known to those skilled in the art and have been described numerous times in the prior art.

[0021] In particular, thermoplastic semi-crystalline or amorphous plastics such as polyamides, especially polyamide-6 and polyamide-6.6, polyethylene and polybutylene terephthalates, polyoxymethylenes, polysulfones or polyethersulfones, as well as polyphenylene sulfides, polyethylene, polypropylenes, polyvinyl chloride, or styrene polymers and copolymers such as acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene, are suitable for producing the reinforcing element. Polyethylene terephthalates, polybutylene terephthalates, and mixtures thereof are particularly suitable.

[0022] The plastics mentioned can be used in pure form or as a mixture with conventional plastics auxiliaries known to those skilled in the art. In a preferred embodiment, thermoplastics provided with fibrous or particulate fillers are used. Suitable fillers are glass fibers, glass beads, mineral fillers, or so-called nanoparticles. In particular, the thermoplastics are glass fiber reinforced. Typically, glass fiber reinforced thermoplastics contain 10 to 60 wt. %, preferably 20 to 60 wt. %, particularly preferably 40 to 55 wt. % glass fibers, where the weight percentages are based on the total weight of the thermoplastic and the glass fibers. Particularly suitable glass fibers have a length in the range from 1 µm to 1 cm, preferably in the range from 10 µm to 600 µm, particularly preferably in the range from 30 µm to 300 µm.The average length-to-diameter ratio of preferably usable glass fibers in the component is in the range of 100:1, preferably 50:1, particularly preferably 30:1.

[0023] Preferred thermoplastics for producing the reinforcing elements have an E-modulus according to test standard ISO 527-1 / -2 at 23°C of > 3,000 N / mm 2< , preferably > 10,000 N / mm 2< , a softening temperature > 50°C, preferably > 100°C, particularly preferably > 150°C and a thermal expansion coefficient < 6 10-5 K -1< , preferably < 5 10 -5< K -1< , most preferably < 4 10 -5< K -1< measured at 23°C.

[0024] The reinforcing element is most preferably made of thermoplastic material which is polybutylene terephthalate or a mixture of polyethylene terephthalate and polybutylene terephthalate, which contains 10 to 60 wt.%, preferably 20 to 60 wt.%, particularly preferably 40 to 55 wt.% glass fibers, wherein the weight percentages relate to the total weight of the thermoplastic material and the glass fibers, and wherein the glass fibers have a length in the range of 1 µm to 1 cm, preferably in the range of 10 µm to 600 µm, particularly preferably in the range of 30 µm to 300 µm, and in the component an average length-to-diameter ratio in the range of 100:1, preferably 50:1, particularly preferably 30:1, and at 23°C an E-modulus of > 3,000 N / mm 2< , preferably > 10.000 N / mm 2< , a softening temperature > 50°C, preferably > 100°C, particularly preferably > 150°C and an expansion coefficient < 6 10 -5< K -1< , preferably < 5 10 -5< K -1< , most preferably < 4 10 -5< K -1<. A reinforcing element made of such a material can be used to ensure in a suitable manner that stresses in the glass under bending loads do not exceed a level that the glass pane can tolerate, thus preventing breakage of the glass.

[0025] The reinforcing element can be formed exclusively from the materials mentioned above, but it can also have a sheathing, for example, which is preferably made from a plastic different from the thermoplastic. PVC (polyvinyl chloride), for example, can be specified as a particularly suitable sheathing material. Furthermore, it is possible for the side of the reinforcing element that comes into contact with the adhesive element to be coated with a material that improves the adhesion between the adhesive element and the material of the reinforcing element. If the reinforcing element is formed, for example, from a material that has a high glass fiber content, the adhesion of an adhesive applied directly to such a material can be disadvantageously impaired.This disadvantage can be compensated by a material that both adheres to the reinforcing element in a desirable way and can form a good bond with the adhesive element.

[0026] Such an adhesion-promoting material can, in principle, be any material that provides favorable adhesion between the reinforcing material and the adhesive elements. An adhesion-promoting material particularly suitable for this purpose is, for example, polyvinyl chloride (PVC). The reinforcing element, and in particular a reinforcing element made of thermoplastic in the form of polybutylene terephthalate or a mixture of polyethylene terephthalate and polybutylene terephthalate with a glass fiber content of 10 to 60 wt. %, and preferably 20 to 60 wt. %, is therefore, in one embodiment, coated on the side that comes into contact with the adhesive elements with a layer of PVC, in particular with a thickness in the range of 0.2 to 2 mm and preferably 0.5 to 1 mm. Such reinforcing elements can, for example, advantageously be produced by a co-extrusion process.Alternatively, the reinforcing element may have a metallic layer as an adhesion-promoting layer, which is applied to the side of the reinforcing element that comes into contact with the adhesive elements, e.g. via a PVD or other coating process.

[0027] Within the scope of the present invention, the adhesive element can be based on any suitable adhesive material that can be used for a stable connection of the glass package to the reinforcing element and that has an E-modulus according to ISO 37 (at 23°C and 50% relative humidity) of at least 100 N / mm 2< in the cured state.

[0028] Accordingly, both single-component and multi-component adhesive compositions are suitable for the adhesive element. Particular preference in the context of the present invention is given to two-component adhesive compositions, in particular radically curable two-component (meth)acrylate adhesive compositions. Suitable adhesive compositions of this type are described, for example, in WO 02 / 70620. In particular, they are compositions based on tetrahydrofurfuryl (meth)acrylate or methyl (meth)acrylate. Such suitable adhesives are commercially available, for example, under the trade name SikaFast® from Sika Schweiz AG. Other exemplary suitable adhesives are commercially available under the trade names SikaPower® and SikaForce®.

[0029] Furthermore, materials which, in the cured state, have an E-modulus according to ISO 37 (at 23°C and 50% relative humidity) of at least 160 N / mm 2 and preferably at least 200 N / mm 2 and / or at most 2000 N / mm 2 and preferably at most 1500 N / mm 2 are preferred for the adhesive elements. Furthermore, a Shore A hardness according to DIN 53505 of at least 60 is suitable, at least 70 is preferred and at least 80 is further preferred. Due to these properties, the adhesive element(s) has(have) a favorable stiffness which, in combination with the reinforcing element, imparts extremely favorable flexural rigidity to the sash profile. On the other hand, these specifications ensure that the adhesive elements can withstand temperature fluctuations, e.g.during transport, are sufficiently flexible so that tensions arising from different expansion behavior of the adhesive and the glass are mitigated and do not lead to cracks in the glass.

[0030] Within the scope of the present invention, glass packages with a higher weight can also be used. It is therefore preferred if the glass package has at least three glass layers, and more preferably three or four glass layers.

[0031] According to the above, the reinforcing element is integrally bonded to the glass package by adhesive elements. It is preferred that the reinforcing element is directly bonded to the adhesive material in this connection and comes into contact with it, i.e., that no other material, such as the material of the hollow profile of the sash element, is present between the reinforcing element and the adhesive material. Since the adhesive element is in the form of multiple adhesive elements, a cavity can form in the area not covered by the adhesive elements.

[0032] In addition to the reinforcement element mentioned above, the sash profile can contain further reinforcement elements. For example, it is conceivable that further reinforcement elements are present, which are arranged in the area of the front or rear side of the sash profile, on the outside or in the sash profile, as shown in Fig. 5 of WO 2009 / 098068 A1. It is also possible for one or more reinforcement elements to be arranged in an outer profile into which the sash profile is inserted. In this case, it is preferred if the reinforcement element(s) run through the outer profile in the longitudinal direction, as shown in Figs. 1 to 4 of WO 2009 / 098068 A1. The additional reinforcement element(s) can be integrated into the profile vertically or at an angle.

[0033] The material from which additional reinforcing elements are formed may be the same or a different material than that from which the reinforcing element in the wing profile is formed, but it is preferred that this reinforcing element and additional reinforcing elements are formed from the same material.

[0034] A further aspect of the present invention relates to a method for producing a wing profile, and preferably a wing profile as described above, comprising the following steps: Providing a hollow profile, attaching a reinforcing element to the hollow profile, attaching a plurality of adhesive elements to the reinforcing element, wherein the adhesive elements (4) have an E-modulus according to ISO 37 (at 23°C and 50% relative humidity) of at least 100 N / mm 2<, and contacting the plurality of adhesive elements with a glass package to form a material-to-material connection between the reinforcing element and the glass package via the adhesive elements.

[0035] The order of the steps is not critical, with the exception that the glass package is joined to the reinforcement element last in the process. However, it is preferred that the reinforcement element be attached to the hollow profile at an early stage of production, as this allows the hollow profile and reinforcement element to be manufactured in a single step, for example, by co-extrusion.

[0036] Yet another aspect relates to the use of a combination of adhesive elements and a reinforcing element to improve the bending strength of a sash profile, wherein the glass package is bonded to the reinforcing element arranged on the sash profile via the adhesive elements and wherein the adhesive elements (4) have an E-modulus according to ISO 37 (at 23°C and 50% relative humidity) of at least 100 N / mm 2<.

[0037] In Figure 1 A wing profile according to the present invention is shown schematically. The wing profile 1 comprises a hollow profile with a reinforcing element 3, above which a glass package 2 with three glass plates 5. Between the glass package there are two adhesive elements 4 over which the glass package 2 with the reinforcing element 3 In the area between these adhesive elements 4is located between glass package 2 and reinforcing element 3 a small cavity. The wing profile can be connected to an outer profile that also contains reinforcement elements (not shown).

[0038] In the following, the invention is illustrated in more detail using exemplary embodiments, which, however, are not to be construed as limiting the scope of protection of the application in any way. Examples:

[0039] The flexural rigidity of various glass sashes consisting of a PVC sash, a glass package, an Ultradur reinforcement element, and various adhesives was calculated using a Finite Element Model (FEM). For a reference sash, a structure with a typical silicone adhesive with a modulus of elasticity (in the cured state) of approximately 2 MPa was used. For the sash profiles according to the invention, either a rigid adhesive with a modulus of elasticity (in the cured state) of approximately 100 MPa or an adhesive with a modulus of elasticity of 1000 MPa was used. The adhesives should be as described in Figure 1 shown attached to the glass package.

[0040] The following structure was used for the calculations: Dimensions of the discs: 2.0 x 1.0 m Thickness of the two outer panes: 4 mm each Distances of the triple glass package: 4 mm glass + 16 mm air + 4 mm glass + 16 mm air + 4 mm glass Thickness of the reinforcing element: 3mm, elastic modulus 14,000 MPa Thickness of the adhesive: 3 mm, width 4 mm

[0041] For the glass panels, the deflection under load with a force of 250 N was calculated using a simplified finite element model, with the glass panel mounted in the middle of the long and short sides. The results of these calculations are presented in Table 1 below: Table 1: Bending over the long side Adhesive modulus of elasticity [MPa] Deflection [mm] Factor to adhesive E = 2 MPa 2 12,5 100 2,1 6 1000 0,84 15 Bending over the short side Adhesive modulus of elasticity [MPa] Deflection [mm] Factor to adhesive E = 2 MPa 2 2,95 100 0,92 3 1000 0,36 8

[0042] The calculations show that, with the same structure of the composite, increasing the elastic modulus of the adhesive results in a significant reduction in the deflection at the force application point.

Claims

1. A sash profile having a glass packet (2) comprising a plurality of glass plates, wherin the sash profile has a reinforcing element (3) which is composed of polymer and is installed essentially under the entire contact area of the glass packet (2) on the sash profile, where a substance-to-substance join between the reinforcing element (3) and the glass packet (2) is provided by means of at least two adhesive elements (4) and wherein the adhesive elements (4) have an E modulus in accordance with ISO 37 (at 23°C and 50% relative atmospheric humidity) of at least 100 N / mm2.

2. The sash profile as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the reinforcing element (3) is angled so that part of the reinforcing element is arranged on the face side of the glass packet (2) and another part of the reinforcing element is arranged on the underside of the glass packet (2).

3. The sash profile as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the reinforcing element (3) is coated with an adhesion-promoting material, in particular composed of metal or PVC, on the side joined to the adhesive element.

4. The sash profile as claimed in at least one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it has an adhesive element (4) which is arranged in the region of the edge of the rear side between the glass packet (2) and the reinforcing element (3).

5. The sash profile as claimed in at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it has an adhesive element (4) which is arranged in the region of the edge of the face side between the glass packet (2) and the reinforcing element (3), preferably on the face side of the glass packet.

6. The sash profile as claimed in at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the reinforcing element (3) comprises a thermoplastic polymer, preferably a polyester and particularly preferably polybutylene terephthalate, polyethylene terephthalate and mixtures thereof.

7. The sash profile as claimed in claim 6, characterized in that the reinforcing element (3) additionally contains fibers and preferably glass fibers for reinforcement.

8. The sash profile as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that the reinforcing element (3) contains a proportion of from 10 to 60% by weight, preferably from 20 to 60% by weight and particularly preferably from 40 to 55% by weight, of fibers.

9. The sash profile as claimed in any of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that the thermoplastic polymer in the reinforcing element (3) has an envelope which is preferably made of a polymer which is different from the thermoplastic polymer, more preferably of PVC.

10. The sash profile as claimed in at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the adhesive element (4) is based on a free-radically curable two-component (meth)acrylate adhesive composition.

11. The sash profile as claimed in at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the adhesive element (4) has an E modulus in accordance with ISO 37 (at 23°C and 50% relative atmospheric humidity) of at least 160 N / mm2 and more preferably at least 200 N / mm2 and / or not more than 2000 N / mm2 and preferably not more than 1500 N / mm2.

12. The sash profile as claimed in at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the glass packet (2) has at least three glass layers (5).

13. The sash profile as claimed in at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the reinforcing element (3) is joined directly via the adhesive elements to the glass packet (2) and there is optionally a hollow space adjoining the reinforcing element (3) in the direction of the glass packet (2).

14. A process for producing a sash profile, preferably as claimed in any of claims 1 to 13, comprising the steps: - provision of a hollow profile, - installation of a reinforcing element (3) on the hollow profile, - installation of a plurality of adhesive elements (4) on the reinforcing element, where the adhesive elements (4) have an E modulus in accordance with ISO 37 (at 23°C and 50% relatively atmospheric humidity) of at least 100 N / mm2, and - contacting of the plurality of adhesive elements (4) with a glass packet (2) to form a substance-to-substance join between the reinforcing element (3) and the glass packet (2) via the adhesive element (4).

15. The use of the combination of adhesive elements (4) and a reinforcing element (3) for improving the flexural strength of a sash profile, wherein the glass packet (2) is joined by substance-to-substance bonding via the adhesive elements (4) to the reinforcing element (3) arranged on the sash profile and the adhesive elements (4) have an E modulus in accordance with ISO 37 (at 23°C and 50% relative atmospheric humidity) of at least 100 N / mm2.