Connector for connecting hollow profiles

Abstract

The invention relates to a connector (1) for connecting hollow profiles, in particular for facades, roofs, windows or doors, wherein the connector (1) has at least one connecting element (2) made of metal and at least one cooling element (3) made of a heat-binding material, wherein the at least one cooling element (3) is arranged directly adjacent to a side surface of the connecting element (2), and wherein the at least one cooling element (3) is connected to the connecting element (2) via at least one outer side surface of the connecting element (2), in particular is connected in a form-fitting and / or force-fitting manner. According to the invention, it is provided in particular that the cooling element (3) has at least one material formation which interacts in a form-fitting and / or force-fitting manner with at least one material formation of the connecting element (2) which is at least partially and / or regionally complementary to the material formation of the cooling element (3).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates generally to profile arrangements, in particular facades or skylights, in fire protection design.

[0002] A profile arrangement of this type is used, for example, in facade or window systems, preferably to join two profiles "butt-jointed". This involves the use of a so-called butt connector, which is attached to the first profile and inserted into a cavity of the second profile, where it is secured.

[0003] The butt connector is initially connected to the first profile by means of a positive-locking connection, for example, by a combination of a T-shaped profile of the butt connector and a C-shaped groove of the first profile. Essentially, the butt connector can initially still be moved within the groove, but cannot be pulled out. Finally, the butt connector is fixed in position, usually by means of a so-called self-tapping screw. The self-tapping screw has a screw head, a threaded section, and a punched pin. The punched pin is cylindrical and has a smaller diameter, usually a significantly smaller diameter, than the threaded section.

[0004] To join two mitered hollow profiles, it is known in facade construction to use a one- or multi-part corner connector. For example, such a corner connector is known from publication EP 2 154 323 A2. It can be used to form a connection between two mitered hollow profiles. The corner connector is inserted into the hollow profiles. An adhesive is applied between the corner connector and the hollow profiles to ensure a reliable bond.

[0005] To ensure that a profile arrangement, and in particular a facade or window arrangement, meets fire protection requirements, measures must be taken to reduce the ignition and spread of a fire. Weak points within a facade system, for example in a curtain wall, include undivided mullions and transoms in the area of ​​ceilings or partition walls, their connections to the building structure, and especially corner or butt connectors used to join two hollow profiles. In the event of a fire, deformations in these areas due to high temperatures must be structurally compensated for. Materials that foam and seal under heat, or evaporating materials that reduce heat spread, can be used to reduce heat propagation.

[0006] However, the use of such materials in the area of ​​a butt or corner connector is problematic, as the available installation space is relatively limited due to the design. Integrating such heat-reducing materials into a corner or butt connector inevitably means that the connector must be smaller, which ultimately reduces the load-bearing capacity of the window or facade structure.

[0007] A connector according to the preamble of independent claim 1 is known from document EP 2 199 524 A2.

[0008] Based on this problem, the invention aims to provide a connector for joining hollow profiles, in particular for facades, roofs, windows or doors, wherein the connector is designed in a fire-resistant version, while nevertheless not reducing the achievable load-bearing capacity of the connector.

[0009] This problem is solved according to the invention by the subject matter of independent claim 1.

[0010] Accordingly, the invention relates in particular to a connector for joining hollow profiles, especially for facades, roofs, windows or doors, wherein the connector has at least one connecting element made of metal, in particular light metal such as aluminium, and at least one cooling element made of a heat-absorbing material.

[0011] In this regard, it is specifically provided that the at least one cooling element is arranged directly adjacent to a side surface, in particular an inner and / or outer surface, of the connecting element. In particular, it is provided that the at least one cooling element is arranged in a gap between, in particular, the outer surface of the connecting element and an inner surface of one of the hollow profiles to be connected by the connector.

[0012] According to the invention, the at least one cooling element is connected to the connecting element via at least one outer surface of the connecting element, in particular by means of a positive and / or force-fit connection.

[0013] The advantages achievable with the invention are obvious: Because the connector has a connecting element, in particular made of aluminum, the load-bearing capacity of the connection area of ​​the hollow profiles can be increased while reducing the weight of the connector. Since the melting point of the connecting element material is lower than the temperature expected to affect the hollow profiles in the event of a fire, a cooling element is provided externally to prevent the connecting element from melting. This cooling element effectively prevents connector failure in the event of a fire for a predetermined safety period.

[0014] Because the cooling element is arranged on at least one outer surface of the connecting element or is connected to the connecting element in a form-fit and / or force-fit manner, the actual connecting element remains structurally unchanged, and the necessary load-bearing capacity of the connection area can be maintained with the connecting element.

[0015] Various designs are possible for the cooling element. For example, it is conceivable that the cooling element is designed as a plate covering at least part or all of the outer surface of the connecting element, or as a similar shaped body made of a heat-absorbing, hydrophilic adsorber with a high water content.

[0016] According to preferred embodiments of the solution according to the invention, the cooling element is provided as a shaped body made of a heat-absorbing, hydrophilic adsorber with a high water content, wherein the adsorber preferably contains alum and gypsum. Alum is a so-called metal double salt, which is capable of storing a very high degree of water of crystallization by weight.

[0017] It has proven advantageous to use potassium alum, which is chemically known as potassium aluminum sulfate dodecahydrate. This potassium alum is capable of physically binding approximately 45% water of crystallization per unit weight. The release of the water of crystallization from the potassium alum in its pure form occurs at 73°C. Due to the density of alum (1.1 g / cm³), the volume fraction of the stored water of crystallization is approximately 50%.

[0018] In this context, it is conceivable, for example, that the potassium alum is embedded in a gypsum matrix and behaves completely neutrally with regard to the hardening of the gypsum, so that the resulting molded parts possess sufficient stability for their application in fire protection. In particular, such molded parts can be easily arranged or connected, preferably by positive and / or non-positive locking, to at least one outer surface of the connecting element to be protected.

[0019] The molded parts serving as coolants, which are equipped with a hydrophilic adsorber, preferably consist of 50% modified gypsum and 50% potassium alum. Since both gypsum and alum have a density of 1.1 g / cm³, this ratio is weight- and volume-based. The energy consumption of such a molded part serving as a coolant is approximately 1,100 J / cm³. Although potassium alum alone has an effective temperature of 73°C, the effective temperature is increased to approximately 85°C in combination with the gypsum. This results from the fact that the water released in the alum is simply absorbed by the gypsum and retained at a temperature of 85°C before it evaporates. This provides a favorable effective temperature that is sufficiently low compared to the operating temperatures, which can reach 70°C under direct sunlight.

[0020] The combination of gypsum and alum has the further advantage that the water of crystallization bound in the gypsum is only released at an operating temperature of 125°C, and this multi-stage release of water of crystallization has a positive effect on the cooling process of the connecting element, which is equipped with the corresponding cooling element. Furthermore, a minor release of water bound in the gypsum occurs again at approximately 215°C, but this is of rather minor significance.

[0021] Of course, the present invention is not limited to coolants consisting of potassium alum in a gypsum matrix. Other possible water-based coolants are commercially available, for example, under the names Palstop Pax H, Roku V2, Roku V3, Roku ENEX, Kerafix 2002002 or Roku Coolfix 1000, Promaxon Type A, and Promatect L.

[0022] According to a first alternative of the present invention, the cooling element has at least one material feature that interacts in a form-fit and / or force-fit manner with at least one material feature of the connecting element that is at least partially and / or regionally complementary to the material feature of the cooling element. According to a second alternative of the present invention, which can be combined with the first alternative, the cooling element can be clipped into at least one groove of the connecting element.

[0023] In particular, it is conceivable that the cooling element is designed as a shaped body, for example in the form of a plate, which covers at least one outer surface of the connecting element at least partially or in certain areas.

[0024] The connector can, for example, be designed as a butt connector for the angled connection of hollow profiles comprising a connecting profile and a mounting profile. In this context, it is conceivable that the connecting element of the butt connector is attached or can be attached to the connecting profile, in particular by means of pins or screws, with the connecting element, including at least one cooling element, being received in the mounting profile, which is designed as a hollow profile, when the mounting profile is attached.

[0025] Alternatively, it is also conceivable that the connector is designed as a corner connector for joining two mitered hollow profiles. The connecting element can have two sections that abut each other at a corner, with the corner being located at the miter joint when the hollow profiles are joined.

[0026] Particularly when the connector is designed as a corner connector, it is advantageous for the at least one cooling element to cover at least partially and / or in certain areas and preferably completely a common outer surface of the two sections of the connecting element.

[0027] The invention further relates to an arrangement comprising a connecting profile designed as a hollow profile, a plug-in profile designed as a hollow profile and a connector designed as a butt connector of the aforementioned type according to the invention, wherein the connecting profile and the plug-in profile are connected to each other using the butt connector.

[0028] In the arrangement according to the invention, it is preferably provided that the connecting profile is designed as the inner shell of a thermally broken profile arrangement, in which the connecting profile is connected to a hollow profile designed as the outer shell via insulating webs. The at least one coolant should preferably be arranged on an outer surface of the butt connector that points away from the hollow profile designed as the outer shell.

[0029] The invention further relates to an arrangement comprising two mitered hollow profiles and a connector designed as a corner connector of the aforementioned type according to the invention, wherein the two mitered hollow profiles are connected to each other using the corner connector received within the hollow profiles.

[0030] In this embodiment, it is also advantageous that the two mitered hollow profiles each form the inner shell of a thermally broken profile arrangement, in which the inner hollow profile is connected to an outer hollow profile via insulating webs. Preferably, the at least one cooling element is arranged on an outer surface of the corner connector facing away from the outer hollow profile.

[0031] The following describes embodiments of the connector according to the invention in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0032] They show: FIG. 1A Schematic and top view of a first exemplary embodiment of the connector according to the invention, which is designed as a butt connector; FIG. 1B Schematic and sectional view of the exemplary embodiment of the connector according to the invention. FIG. 1A FIG. 2A Schematic and top view of a second exemplary embodiment of the connector according to the invention, which is designed as a butt connector; FIG. 2B Schematic and sectional view of the exemplary embodiment of the connector according to the invention. FIG. 2A FIG. 3A Schematic and in a top view a third exemplary embodiment of the connector according to the invention, which is designed as a butt connector; FIG. 3B Schematic and in a sectional view the exemplary embodiment of the connector according to the invention FIG. 3A FIG. 4A Schematic and top view of a fourth exemplary embodiment of the connector according to the invention, which is designed as a corner connector; FIG. 4B Schematic and cross-sectional view of the exemplary embodiment of the connector according to the invention. FIG. 4A FIG. 5A Schematic and top view of a fifth exemplary embodiment of the connector according to the invention; FIG. 5B Schematic and cross-sectional view of the exemplary embodiment of the connector according to the invention FIG. 5A FIG. 6A Schematic and in a top view a sixth exemplary embodiment of the connector according to the invention, which is designed as a corner connector; and FIG. 6B Schematic and in a cross-sectional view the exemplary embodiment of the connector according to the invention. FIG. 6A .

[0033] First, with reference to the representations in FIG. 1 bis FIG. 3 A first exemplary design variant of a profile arrangement in fire protection design is described.

[0034] The profile arrangement essentially comprises a first profile, designed as a connection profile 4, and a second profile, designed as a snap-on profile. The connection profile 4 is designed as the inner shell of a thermally broken profile arrangement, in which the connection profile 4 is connected to a profile designed as the outer shell via insulating webs.

[0035] The clip-on profile is also designed as an inner shell of a thermally separated profile arrangement, in which the clip-on profile is connected to a profile designed as an outer shell via insulating webs.

[0036] The profiles are preferably elongated profiles, in particular hollow profiles, preferably made of aluminum. The mounting profile is preferably perpendicular to the connecting profile 4 and has at least one hollow profile section or a hollow chamber.

[0037] The in FIG. 1 bis FIG. 3 The arrangement shown further comprises a butt connector 1 arranged between the connecting profile 4 and the clip-on profile.

[0038] The butt connector 1 is a molded part that is attached to the connecting profile 4. The butt connector 1 can be inserted into the hollow chamber of the mounting profile 5 and fastened to the mounting profile. The butt connector 1 is typically a machined, extruded connecting element made of, for example, aluminum, with a substantially rectangular cross-section.

[0039] As in FIG. 1 bis FIG. 3 As shown, the butt connector 1 further comprises a coolant 3 made of a heat-absorbing material. The coolant 3 is connected to the connecting element 2 of the butt connector 1, in particular by a form-fit and / or force-fit connection, via an outer and / or inner surface of a connecting element 2.

[0040] For example, the cooling element can be clipped into at least one groove of the connecting element 2.

[0041] Specifically, in FIG. 1A , B to FIG. 3A , B embodiments of the connector 1 according to the invention are shown, wherein in these embodiments the connector 1 is designed as a butt connector 1 for angularly connecting hollow profiles comprising a connecting profile 4 and a clip-on profile.

[0042] As can be seen in particular from the cross-sectional views according to FIG. 1B , FIG. 2B and FIG. 3B As can be seen from the attached diagram, the exemplary embodiment of the connector designed as a butt connector 1 is characterized in that the connector 1 has a connecting element 2 made of metal, in particular a light metal such as aluminum, and at least one cooling element 3 made of a heat-absorbing material. It is provided that the at least one cooling element 3 is connected to the connecting element 2, in particular by a form-fit and / or force-fit connection, via at least one outer and / or inner surface of the connecting element 2.

[0043] In the FIG. 1 bis FIG. 3 In the exemplary embodiments of the connector 1 according to the invention shown, it is provided that the cooling element 3 is designed as a shaped body, in particular in the form of a plate, which covers at least one outer surface of the connecting element 2 at least partially or in certain areas.

[0044] The heat-absorbing material of the cooling element is, in particular, a heat-absorbing, hydrophilic adsorbent material with a high water content. It is advantageous for the heat-absorbing, hydrophilic adsorbent material to contain alum, and preferably potassium alum, which may be embedded in a gypsum matrix.

[0045] As can be seen in the cross-sectional views in particular. FIG. 1B , FIG. 2B and FIG. 3B As can be seen, the connector, designed there as a butt connector 1, is provided with the aforementioned connecting element 2, the connecting element 2 being fastened to the connecting profile 4 by means of pins or screws 6. With the attached clip-on profile, the connecting element 2, together with at least one cooling element 3, is received in the clip-on profile, which is designed as a hollow profile.

[0046] At the in FIG. 1A und FIG. 1B In the illustrated embodiment of the connector 1 according to the invention, it is particularly provided that the at least one cooling element 3 covers at least partially and / or regionally, and preferably completely, a common outer surface of the two sections of the connecting element 2. However, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment.

[0047] As is the case, for example, in FIG. 2A und FIG. 2B As indicated, it is also conceivable that at least one cooling element 3 covers an inner surface of the connecting element 2.

[0048] It is also - as in FIG. 3A und FIG. 3B indicated - in principle conceivable, to provide a corresponding cooling element 3 on both the outer surface and the inner surface of the connecting element 2.

[0049] In FIG. 4 bis FIG. 6 A different design variant of the profile arrangement in fire protection design is shown schematically and in an isometric exploded view.

[0050] In this design variant, two frame profiles that meet at a mitered cut surface are used, which are placed on a corner angle designed as connector 1 and connected to it.

[0051] Even at the in FIG. 4 bis FIG. 6 In the illustrated embodiment, the two mitered hollow profiles are each designed as an inner shell of a thermally separated profile arrangement, in which the hollow profile designed as an inner shell is connected via insulating webs to a profile designed as an outer shell, in particular a hollow profile.

[0052] The connector 1, designed as a corner connector, is again provided with a cooling element 3, which is connected to the connecting element 2 via an outer and / or inner surface of the connecting element 2, in particular by means of a form-fit and / or force-fit connection.

[0053] In detail, in FIG. 4A , B, FIG. 5A , B and FIG. 6A Figure B shows an alternative embodiment of the connector 1 according to the invention for joining hollow profiles, in particular for facades, roofs, windows or doors. In this embodiment, however, the connector 1 is not designed as a butt connector, but as a corner connector for joining two hollow profiles cut at a miter.

[0054] The connector 1 has a connecting element 2 made of metal, in particular light metal such as aluminium, wherein the connecting element 2 has two sections which adjoin each other in a corner area, and wherein the corner area is arranged in the area of ​​the miter joint when connecting the hollow profiles.

[0055] As with the previous one, which referred to the representations in FIG. 1 bis FIG. 3 The illustrated embodiment of connector 1, designed as a butt connector 1, is in the FIG. 4 bis FIG. 6 In the embodiment shown, the connector 1, designed as a corner connector, is provided that the connecting element 2 of the corner connector, which is made in particular of aluminium, is additionally provided with at least one cooling element 3.

[0056] At the in FIG. 4A In the embodiment shown in B, the cooling element 3 is arranged on an outer surface of a section of the connecting element 2, whereas in the FIG. 5A In the embodiment shown in B, the cooling element 3 is arranged on an inner surface of a section of the connecting element 2.

[0057] At the in FIG. 6A In the embodiment shown in B, corresponding cooling elements are arranged on both the outer surface and the inner surface of the connecting element 2.

[0058] The invention is not limited to the embodiments shown in the drawings, but is defined by the attached claims. Bezugszeichenliste

[0059] 1 Connector 2 Connecting element 3 Cooling element 4 Connection profile 6 Pin / screw

Claims

1. A connector (1) for connecting hollow profiles, in particular for facades, roofs, windows, or doors, the connector (1) having at least one connecting element (2) made of metal, in particular light metal such as aluminum, and at least one cooling element (3) made of a heat-binding material, the at least one cooling element (3) being arranged directly adjacent to a side face of the connecting element (2), in particular an outer and / or inner side face of the connecting element (2), characterized in that the at least one cooling element (3) is connected to the connecting element (2) via at least one outer side face of the connecting element (2), in particular in a form-fitting and / or force-fitting manner, and that the cooling element (3) comprises at least one material shape which interacts in a form-fitting and / or force-fitting manner with at least one material shape of the connecting element (2), which is designed to be at least partially and / or regionally complementary to the material shape of the cooling element (3); and / or that the cooling element (3) is clipped into at least one groove of the connecting element (2).

2. The connector (1) according to claim 1, wherein the at least one cooling element (3) is arranged in a gap between the outer side face of the connecting element (2) and an inner side face of one of the hollow profiles to be connected to the connector (1).

3. The connector (1) according to one of claims 1 to 2, wherein the cooling element (3) is configured as a molded body, in particular in the form of a plate, covering at least part or some areas of the at least one outer side face of the connecting element (2).

4. The connector (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the heat-binding material of the cooling element (3) is a heat-absorbing, hydrophilic adsorber material with a high water content.

5. The connector (1) according to claim 4, wherein the heat-absorbing, hydrophilic adsorber material comprises alum and preferably potassium alum, which is in particular incorporated into a gypsum matrix.

6. The connector (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the connector (1) is designed as a butt connector for angularly connecting hollow profiles each comprising a connecting profile (4) and a slide-on profile, wherein the connecting element (2) is or can be attached to the connecting profile (4), in particular by means of pins or screws (6), and wherein, when the slide-on profile is fitted, the connecting element (2) with the at least one cooling element (3) is accommodated in the slide-on profile which is designed as a hollow profile.

7. The connector (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the connector (1) is designed as a corner connector for connecting two mitred hollow profiles, the connecting element (2) having two portions which adjoin one another in a corner region, the corner region being arranged in the region of the mitred joint when the hollow profiles are connected.

8. The connector (1) according to claim 7, wherein the at least one cooling element (3) covers, at least partially and / or in certain areas and preferably completely, an in particular common outer side face of the two portions of the connecting element (2).

9. An arrangement comprising a connecting profile (4) designed as a hollow profile, a slide-on profile designed as a hollow profile, and a connector (1) designed as a butt connector according to claim 6, wherein the connecting profile (4) and the slide-on profile are connected to one another using the butt connector.

10. The arrangement according to claim 9, wherein the connecting profile (4) is designed as the inner shell of a thermally separated profile arrangement, in which the connecting profile (4) is connected via insulating webs to a hollow profile designed as an outer shell, wherein the at least one cooling medium is preferably arranged on an outer side face of the butt connector pointing away from the hollow profile designed as the outer shell.

11. An arrangement comprising two mitred hollow profiles and a connector (1) designed as a corner connector according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the two mitred hollow profiles are connected to one another using the corner connector received within the hollow profiles.

12. The arrangement according to claim 11, wherein the two mitered hollow profiles are each designed as an inner shell of a thermally separated profile arrangement, in which the hollow profile designed as the inner shell is connected via insulating webs to a hollow profile designed as an outer shell, wherein the at least one cooling element (3) is preferably arranged on an outer side face of the corner connector pointing away from the hollow profile designed as the outer shell.

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