EP3008269B1 - Spacer for triple glazing - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a spacer for triple insulating glazings, a triple insulating glazing, a process for their preparation and their use.

The thermal conductivity of glass is about a factor of 2 to 3 lower than that of concrete or similar building materials. However, since slices are in most cases much thinner than comparable elements made of stone or concrete, buildings often lose the largest proportion of heat through the exterior glazing. This effect is particularly evident in skyscrapers with partial or complete glass facades. The additional costs for heating and air conditioning systems make a not inconsiderable part of the maintenance costs of a building. In addition, lower carbon dioxide emissions are required as part of stricter construction regulations. An important solution for this is triple-glazing, which is indispensable in building construction, especially in the context of ever faster rising raw material prices and stricter environmental protection regulations. Triple insulating glazings therefore make up an increasing part of the outwardly facing glazings.

Triple insulating glazings typically contain three panes of glass or polymeric materials separated by two individual spacers. The two outer plates are connected via a respective seal with the adjacent spacers, while the middle disc is glued to the spacers. When mounting such a triple glazing very low tolerance requirements apply because the two spacers must be mounted in exactly the same height. Thus, the installation of triple glazing compared to double glazing is much more complex because either additional system components for the installation of another disc must be provided or a time-consuming multiple pass of a classic system is necessary.

The thermal insulation capacity of triple insulating glass is significantly increased compared to single or double glazing. With special coatings, such as low-E coatings, this can be further increased and improved. So-called low-E coatings offer an effective way of shielding infrared radiation even before entering the living space while allowing natural light to pass through. Low-E coatings are heat-radiation reflective coatings that require a considerable amount of heat Part of the infrared radiation reflect, which leads in summer to a reduced warming of the living spaces. The various low-E coatings are known, for example DE 10 2009 006 062 A1 . WO 2007/101964 A1 . EP 0 912 455 B1 . DE 199 27 683 C1 . EP 1 218 307 B1 and EP 1 917 222 B1 , Such low-E coatings can not be applied to the middle pane of a prior art triple glazing because, when exposed to sunlight, the coating causes heating of the pane which results in failure of the adhesive bond between the center pane and spacers. Furthermore, adhesion of the functionalized center disk creates additional stresses. To compensate for these stresses, the center disc must be biased in the prior art.

EP 0 852 280 A1 discloses a spacer for double insulating glazings. The spacer comprises a metal foil on the bonding surface and a glass fiber content in the plastic of the base body. Such spacers are also commonly used in triple insulating glazings, with a first spacer mounted between a first outer disk and the inner disk and a second spacer mounted between a second outer disk and the inner disk. The two spacers must be mounted congruent to ensure a visually appealing appearance.

Out WO 2012 095 266 A1 For example, a triple insulating glazing with a segment for receiving leads or lighting means is known. The first pane and the second pane of the insulating glass are connected by a spacer, wherein in the space between these two panes, a third disc is arranged, which is connected via a further spacer with the first disc.

EP 2 584 135 A2 describes a triple insulating glazing comprising a first and a second glass sheet, which are separated by a spacer, wherein between these two disc, a plastic disc is arranged. The plastic disk is held by further spacers between the outer glass panes. The spacers of the plastic disc are preferably made of the same material as the plastic disc itself. Since the spacers of the plastic disc are not connected to the spacer between the first and second disc, all three spacers must be positioned independently of each other.

Also the off WO 2012 095 266 A1 and EP 2 584 135 A2 known spacer systems are expensive to install and require a very accurate tolerance assembly of the individual components.

EP 2 270 307 A2 describes a window sash with two outer discs, a middle disc, an edge termination profile and two receiving profiles. In a groove of the edge termination profile, the middle disc is inserted, so that in each case a receiving profile between one of the outer discs and the middle disc is located.

US 6,115,989 discloses a spacer according to the preamble of claim 1 and further a multi-pane insulating glazing in which a central pane is fixed by a spring profile in a U-shaped spacer. Spring profile and spacers are formed in several parts, wherein the spring profile is inserted into the spacer.

The object of the present invention is to provide a spacer for triple glazing, which allows a simplified installation of the insulating glazing and can also be used in combination with low-E coatings on the middle pane, and to provide an economical method for mounting a triple glazing with inventive spacer.

The object of the present invention is achieved according to the invention by a spacer for triple insulation, a method for their assembly and their use according to the independent claims 1, 15 and 17. Preferred embodiments of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims.

The triple insulating glazing spacer according to the invention comprises at least one polymeric base body having a first wafer contact surface and a second disk contact surface extending parallel thereto, a first glazing interior surface, a second glazing interior surface, and an outer surface. In the polymeric base body, a groove for receiving a disc is introduced, which runs parallel to the first disc contact surface and the second disc contact surface. The groove extends between the first glazing interior surface and the second glazing interior surface and separates them from each other. Above the first glazing interior surface and / or the second glazing interior surface there is at least one spring, at least one side flank of the groove comprising the at least one spring. The spring is fixed to the groove facing away from the end of the connected polymeric body, wherein the spring and the polymeric body are integrally formed. The spring is thus designed as a cantilevered spring element. The one-piece design of the spring and the polymeric body is particularly advantageous because these two elements can be made directly in one step and mounted together. An undesirable slippage of the two elements relative to each other is thus not possible.

Thus, the invention provides a one-piece double spacer ("double spacer") to which all three panes of triple glazing can be fixed. The two outer discs (first disc and second disc) are attached to the disc contact surfaces, while the middle disc (third disc) is inserted into the groove. The spring is used for simplified installation of the glazing, since the third (middle) disc can be inserted after attaching one of the outer discs (first or second disc) via the spring into the groove. This manufacturing step can be done directly on an industrial plant, a preparation of individual components is not necessary. The spacer according to the invention thus enables a much more cost-effective and yet accurate fitting of the triple glazing. When using the Doppelspacers invention further slipping two Einzelspacer, as used in the prior art, impossible. This eliminates the time-consuming adjustment of individual spacers, which is inevitable according to the prior art to ensure their congruent installation. Since the spacer according to the invention has only two disc contact surfaces, the gas loss rate of the insulating glazing relative to a glazing with two individual spacers according to the prior art can be reduced by 50%. Furthermore, error rates due to entry of water across the disc contact surfaces can also be reduced. Furthermore, the fixation according to the invention of the third disc is effected by a groove and not, as known in the prior art, by an adhesive connection. Thus, the spacer according to the invention allows the production of a triple glazing with a low-E coating on the third disc, without biasing the third disc is necessary. In the case of an adhesive bond, the heating of the pane caused by the low-E coating would promote a failure of the adhesive bond. Furthermore, a biasing of the third disc would be necessary to compensate for occurring voltages. When using the spacer according to the invention, however, eliminates the biasing process, whereby a further cost reduction can be achieved. By virtue of the tension-free fixing in a groove according to the invention, furthermore, the thickness and thus the weight of the third disk can advantageously be reduced.

In a preferred embodiment, the spring and the polymeric body are coextruded. In this case, the spring and the base body despite one-piece design also consist of different materials. This has the advantage that a material composition with greater flexibility can be selected for the spring, while the base body consists of a comparatively stiffer material. As a result, both a high mechanical stability of the body is ensured and the insertion of the third disc is simplified by the improved flexibility of the spring.

The spring travel of the spring is within a space located between the spring and the underlying glazing interior surface. The spring is elastically deformable in the direction of the glazing interior surface located below it. If the third disc is placed on the glazing interior surface with spring and displaced in the direction of the groove, the spring springs in the direction of the underlying glazing interior surface, so that the disc can be inserted via the spring in the groove. Once the third disc is engaged in the groove no force acts on the spring, which springs back into its original position. In its initial position, the spring forms a side edge of the groove and thus contributes to the fixation of the third disc in the groove.

The first disc contact surface and the second disc contact surface represent the sides of the spacer at which the installation of the spacer, the mounting of the outer discs (first disc and second disc) of a glazing is done. The first disc contact surface and the second disc contact surface are parallel to each other.

The glazing interior surfaces are defined as the surfaces of the polymeric base body facing the interior of the glazing after installation of the spacer in insulating glazing. The first glazing interior surface lies between the first and the third pane, while the second glazing interior surface is arranged between the third and the second pane. The glazing interior surfaces need not be designed as continuous surfaces, but may also be interrupted, for example by a spring mounted thereon.

The outer surface of the polymeric base body is the glazing interior surfaces opposite side, away from the interior of the glazing in the direction of a outer insulating layer has. The outer surface is preferably perpendicular to the disc contact surfaces. In one possible embodiment, the portions of the outer surface closest to the disk contact surfaces are inclined at an angle of preferably 30 ° to 60 ° to the outer surface in the direction of the disk contact surfaces. This angled geometry improves the stability of the polymer body and allows a better bonding of the spacer according to the invention with an insulating film. A planar outer surface that behaves perpendicular to the disk contact surfaces in its entire course, however, has the advantage that the sealing surface between spacers and disc contact surfaces is maximized and easier shaping facilitates the production process.

Preferably, the polymeric base body is designed as a hollow profile, on the one hand a weight reduction compared to a solid-shaped spacer is possible and on the other hand, the cavities for receiving other components, such as a desiccant, are available. In a preferred embodiment, the polymeric base body comprises a first hollow chamber and a second hollow chamber, wherein the first hollow chamber is adjacent to the first glazing interior surface and the second hollow chamber is adjacent to the second glazing interior surface. One or both hollow chambers may extend below the groove and form the bottom surface thereof. The formation of two hollow chambers is advantageous over a single hollow chamber which extends over the entire polymeric body, since the partition wall between the two hollow chambers has a positive effect on the stability of the body. If the inter-pane spaces are sealed off from each other in a gas-tight manner, damage to one of the two hollow chambers furthermore only leads to a failure of one pane interspace, while the second pane interspace remains intact.

In a preferred embodiment, a spring is mounted only above one of the glazing interior surfaces, while the other glazing interior surface has no spring. The side edges of the groove are formed on one side of the spring and on the other side of the other glazing interior surface. A fixation at three points is sufficient, so that the wall of the groove does not have to be continuous, but may also have interruptions. This is the case, for example, between the part of the side flank formed by the spring and the bottom surface of the groove, wherein a recess in the side flank is located below the spring.

The groove corresponds in width to at least the thickness of the disk to be used.

Preferably, the groove is wider than the disc mounted therein, so that in addition an insert can be inserted into the groove, which prevents slipping of the disc and a consequent noise during opening and closing of the window. The insert also compensates for the thermal expansion of the third disc when heated, so that regardless of the climatic conditions, a tension-free fixation is guaranteed. Furthermore, the use of a liner is advantageous in terms of minimizing the variety of variants of the spacer. In order to keep the variety as low as possible and still allow a variable thickness of the middle disc, a spacer can be used with different deposits. The variation of the insert is much cheaper than the variation of the spacer in terms of production costs. Alternatively, it would also be conceivable to mold the insert directly to the polymeric base body, for example, by manufacturing both components together in a two-component injection-molding process.

In another preferred embodiment, the spacer according to the invention is mounted without insert in the groove. In this case, the side edge of the spring and the side flank of a glazing interior are directly against the pane and fix them in their position stress-free. A thermal expansion of the disc inserted in the groove is particularly advantageously compensated by the high flexibility of the spring. In this embodiment, the first space between the panes and the second space between the panes are not sealed airtight from each other. This has the advantage that an air circulation can be generated, in particular if a pressure equalization system is integrated into the spacer.

The polymeric base body preferably has an overall width of 10 mm to 50 mm, particularly preferably 20 mm to 36 mm, along the glazing interior surfaces. By choosing the width of the glazing interior surfaces of the distance between the first and third disc or between the third and second disc is determined. Preferably, the widths of the first glazing interior space and the second glazing interior space are equal. Alternatively, asymmetric spacers are possible in which the two glazing interior surfaces have different widths. The exact dimension of the glazing interior surfaces depends on the dimensions of the glazing and the desired space between the panes.

The polymeric base body preferably has a height of 5 mm to 15 mm, particularly preferably 5 mm to 10 mm, along the wafer contact surfaces.

The groove preferably has a depth of 1 mm to 15 mm, particularly preferably 2 mm to 4 mm. As a result, a stable fixation of the third disc can be achieved.

The wall thickness d of the polymeric base body is 0.5 mm to 15 mm, preferably 0.5 mm to 10 mm, particularly preferably 0.7 mm to 1 mm.

The spacer preferably comprises an insulating film on the outer surface of the polymeric base body. The insulating film comprises at least one polymeric layer as well as a metallic layer or a ceramic layer. The layer thickness of the polymeric layer is between 5 .mu.m and 80 .mu.m, while metallic layers and / or ceramic layers having a thickness of 10 nm to 200 nm are used. Within the layer thicknesses mentioned a particularly good tightness of the insulating film is achieved.

Particularly preferably, the insulating film contains at least two metallic layers and / or ceramic layers, which are arranged alternately with at least one polymeric layer. In this case, the outer layers are preferably formed by the polymeric layer. The alternating layers of the insulating film can be bonded or applied to one another in a variety of methods known in the art. Methods for the deposition of metallic or ceramic layers are well known to those skilled in the art. The use of an insulating film with alternating layer sequence is particularly advantageous in terms of the tightness of the system. An error in one of the layers does not lead to a loss of function of the insulation film. By comparison, even a small defect in a single layer can lead to complete failure. Furthermore, the application of several thin layers compared to a thick layer is advantageous, since the risk of internal adhesion problems increases with increasing layer thickness. Furthermore, thicker layers have a higher conductivity, so that such a film is thermodynamically less suitable.

The polymeric layer preferably comprises polyethylene terephthalate, ethylene vinyl alcohol, polyvinylidene chloride, polyamides, polyethylene, polypropylene, silicones, acrylonitriles, polyacrylates, polymethyl acrylates and / or copolymers or mixtures thereof. The metallic layer preferably contains iron, aluminum, silver, copper, gold, chromium and / or alloys or mixtures thereof. The ceramic layer preferably contains silicon oxides and / or silicon nitrides.

The insulating film preferably has a gas permeation of less than 0.001 g / (m ² h).

The composite of polymeric base body and insulating film preferably has a PSI value less than or equal to 0.05 W / mK, particularly preferably less than or equal to 0.035 W / mK. The insulating film can be applied to the polymeric base body, for example by gluing. Alternatively, the insulating film can be coextruded with the base body.

The polymeric base body preferably contains a drying agent, preferably silica gels, molecular sieves, CaCl ₂ , Na ₂ SO ₄ , activated carbon, silicates, bentonites, zeolites and / or mixtures thereof. The desiccant is preferably incorporated in the body. Particularly preferably, the desiccant is in the first and second hollow chamber of the body.

In a preferred embodiment, the first glazing interior surface and / or the second glazing interior surface have at least one opening. Preferably, a plurality of openings are attached to both glazing interior surfaces. The total number of openings depends on the size of the glazing. The openings connect the hollow chambers with the disc spaces, whereby a gas exchange between them is possible. As a result, a recording of humidity is allowed by a desiccant located in the hollow chambers and thus prevents fogging of the discs. If an insert is inserted into the groove, the gas space below the spring is closed off by the space between the discs above the spring. Thus, in such an embodiment, the openings should not be introduced into the glazing interior surface located below the spring but into a part of the glazing interior surface adjacent to the spring. The openings are preferably designed as slots, particularly preferably as slots with a width of 0.2 mm and a length of 2 mm. The slots ensure optimum air exchange without the possibility of desiccants penetrating from the hollow chambers into the interpane spaces.

The polymeric base preferably contains polyethylene (PE), polycarbonates (PC), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene, polybutadiene, polynitriles, polyesters, polyurethanes, Polymethyl methacrylates, polyacrylates, polyamides, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS), acrylic ester-styrene-acrylonitrile (ASA), acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene / polycarbonate (ABS / PC), styrene-acrylonitrile (SAN), PET / PC, PBT / PC and / or copolymers or mixtures thereof, more preferably acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS), acrylic ester-styrene-acrylonitrile (ASA), acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene / polycarbonate (ABS / PC ), Styrene-acrylonitrile (SAN), polypropylene (PP), PET / PC, PBT / PC and / or copolymers or mixtures thereof.

Preferably, the polymeric base body is glass fiber reinforced. By choosing the glass fiber content in the body, the thermal expansion coefficient of the body can be varied and adjusted. By adjusting the coefficient of thermal expansion of the polymeric base body and the insulating film, temperature-induced stresses between the different materials and spalling of the insulating film can be avoided. The main body preferably has a glass fiber content of 20% to 50%, particularly preferably from 30% to 40%. The glass fiber content in the polymer base body simultaneously improves the strength and stability.

In one possible embodiment, the material composition of the spring corresponds to the material composition of the polymeric main body.

In another preferred embodiment, the material composition of the spring differs from the material composition of the polymer body. The selected materials can be tailored to the mechanical requirements of the components. Thus, a material composition of higher flexibility is preferred for the spring than for the polymeric base body. The spring preferably contains polyethylene (PE), polycarbonates (PC), polystyrene, polybutadiene, polynitriles, polyesters, polyurethanes, polymethylmethacrylates, polyacrylates, polyamides, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS), acrylic esters Styrene-acrylonitrile (ASA), acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene / polycarbonate (ABS / PC), styrene-acrylonitrile (SAN), polypropylene (PP), PET / PC, PBT / PC, thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), ethylene-propylene Diene rubber (EPDM) and / or copolymers or mixtures thereof, particularly preferably thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), ethylene-propylene-diene rubber (EPDM) and / or copolymers or mixtures thereof. With different material compositions of the polymeric base body and the spring, the spring preferably contains no glass fibers, whereby the flexibility of the spring is further increased in comparison to the main body.

With a different material composition of the spring and of the polymer base body, these are preferably coextruded together.

The invention further comprises an insulating glazing having at least a first pane, a second pane and a third pane and a circumferential spacer according to the invention comprising the panes. The first disc is applied to the first disc contact surface of the spacer, while the second disc rests against the second disc contact surface. The third disc is inserted into the groove of the spacer.

At the corners of the insulating glazing, the spacers are preferably linked together by corner connectors. Such corner connectors may for example be designed as a plastic molded part with seal, in which two provided with a fermentation section spacers collide. In principle, the most varied geometries of insulating glazing are possible, for example rectangular, trapezoidal and rounded shapes. For producing round geometries, the spacer according to the invention can be bent, for example, in the heated state.

The panes of the insulating glazing are connected to the spacer via a gasket. Between the first disc and the first disc contact surface and / or the second disc and the second disc contact surface, a seal is attached thereto. The seal preferably comprises a polymer or silane-modified polymer, particularly preferably organic polysulfides, silicones, room-temperature-crosslinking silicone rubber, high-temperature-crosslinking silicone rubber, peroxidically crosslinked silicone rubber and / or addition-crosslinked silicone rubber, polyurethanes, butyl rubber and / or polyacrylates.

In the edge region between the outer surface of the spacer according to the invention and the outer edges of the discs, an outer insulation is circumferentially filled. As external insulation, for example, a plastic sealing compound is used. The outer insulation preferably comprises polymers or silane-modified polymers, particularly preferably organic polysulfides, silicones, RTV silicone rubber, high-temperature cure (HTV) silicone rubber, peroxide-crosslinked silicone rubber and / or addition-crosslinked silicone rubber, polyurethanes, butyl rubber and / or polyacrylates.

The first pane, the second pane and / or the third pane of the insulating glass preferably contain glass and / or polymers, particularly preferably quartz glass, borosilicate glass, soda-lime glass, polymethyl methacrylate and / or mixtures thereof.

The first disc and the second disc have a thickness of 2 mm to 50 mm, preferably 3 mm to 16 mm, both discs can also have different thicknesses. The third disc has a thickness of 1 mm to 4 mm, preferably 1 mm to 3 mm, and particularly preferably 1.5 mm to 3 mm. The spacer according to the invention allows by the stress-free fixation an advantageous reduction of the thickness of the third disc with the same stability of the glazing. Preferably, the thickness of the third disc is less than the thicknesses of the first and second discs. In one possible embodiment, the thickness of the first disc is 3 mm, the thickness of the second disc is 4 mm and the thickness of the third disc is 2 mm. Such an asymmetrical combination of the thicknesses leads to a considerable improvement of the acoustic damping.

The insulating glazing is filled with a protective gas, preferably with a noble gas, preferably argon or krypton, which reduce the heat transfer value in the insulating glazing gap.

The third pane of the insulating glass preferably has a low-E coating.

The third pane of the insulating glass is preferably not biased.

In a further embodiment, the insulating glazing comprises more than three panes. In this case, the spacer may include a plurality of grooves that can accommodate more discs. Alternatively, several disks could be formed as a laminated glass pane.

1. a) Anbringen einer ersten Scheibe auf der ersten Scheibenkontaktfläche eines Abstandshalters oder einer zweiten Scheibe auf der zweiten Scheibenkontaktfläche des Abstandshalters,
2. b) Einschieben einer dritten Scheibe über die Feder in die Nut des Abstandshalters,
3. c) Anbringen einer ersten Scheibe auf der ersten Scheibenkontaktfläche des Abstandshalters oder einer zweiten Scheibe auf der zweiten Scheibenkontaktfläche des Abstandshalters und
4. d) Verpressen der Anordnung mindestens umfassend die erste Scheibe, die zweite Scheibe, die dritte Scheibe und den Abstandshalter.

The invention further comprises a method for producing an insulating glazing according to the invention comprising the steps:

1. a) mounting a first disk on the first disk contact surface of a spacer or a second disk on the second disk contact surface of the spacer,
2. b) inserting a third disc via the spring into the groove of the spacer,
3. c) attaching a first disc on the first disc contact surface of the spacer or a second disc on the second disc contact surface of the spacer and
4. d) pressing the assembly at least comprising the first disc, the second disc, the third disc and the spacer.

The order of assembly of the first disc and the second disc depends on the position of the spring and should be such that the spring after process step a) is still accessible. If the spring is located above the first glazing interior surface, the second pane is first attached to the second pane contact surface. If the spring is positioned above the second glazing cavity surface, in step a) the first wafer must be mounted on the first wafer contact surface. Should the spacer include springs over both interior glazing surfaces, the order of assembly does not matter.

The method according to the invention is particularly advantageous in terms of increased efficiency and cost reduction. According to the prior art, a plurality of spacers or a plurality of individual components of a spacer are required for mounting a triple glazing. The precise adjustment of these components is time-consuming and can not be done on a classic double-glazing system. Furthermore, no biasing of the third disc is necessary even when using low-E or other functional coatings on the third disc according to the inventive method, since the spacer according to the invention fixes the disc stress-free in its scope. In addition, the third disc can be inserted directly into a classic double-glazing installation known to the person skilled in the art in the spacer. A manual pre-assembly of the components, the costly installation of additional system components or a loss of time in a multi-pass a plant can thus be avoided. The spacer according to the invention therefore makes it possible to considerably simplify the production of triple glazing.

Preferably, the disc gaps between the first disc and the third disc and between the second disc and the third disc are filled with a protective gas before pressing the disc assembly.

The invention further includes the use of a spacer according to the invention in multiple glazings, preferably in insulating glazings, particularly preferably in triple insulating glazings.

• Figur 1 eine mögliche Ausführungsform des erfindungsgemäßen Abstandshalters,
• Figur 2 einen Querschnitt der erfindungsgemäßen Isolierverglasung und
• Figur 3 ein Flussdiagramm einer möglichen Ausführungsform des erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens.

In the following the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to drawings. The drawings are purely schematic representations and not to scale. They do not limit the invention in any way. Show it:

• FIG. 1 a possible embodiment of the spacer according to the invention,
• FIG. 2 a cross section of the insulating glazing invention and
• FIG. 3 a flowchart of a possible embodiment of the method according to the invention.

FIG. 1 shows a cross section of the spacer (I) according to the invention. The glass-fiber-reinforced polymer base body (1) comprises a first wheel contact surface (2.1), a second wheel contact surface (2.2) running parallel thereto, a first glazing interior surface (3.1), a second glazing interior surface (3.2) and an outer surface (4). Between the outer surface (4) and the first glazing interior surface (3.1) there is a first hollow chamber (5.1), while a second hollow chamber (5.2) is arranged between the outer surface and the second glazing interior surface (3.2). Between the first glazing interior surface (3.1) and the second glazing interior surface (3.2) runs a groove (6) which is arranged parallel to the first wheel contact surface (2.1) and the second wheel contact surface (2.2). Above the first glazing interior surface (3.1) there is a spring (18) whose spring travel lies within a free space (19) between the spring (18) and the first glazing interior surface (3.1). The two side flanks (7) of the groove are formed on the one hand by the spring (18) and on the other hand by the second glazing interior surface. The bottom surface of the groove (6) adjacent to the first hollow chamber (5.1) and the second hollow chamber (5.2). The outer surface (4) of the spacer (I) is perpendicular to the disc contact surfaces (2.1, 2.2). The polymeric base body (1) and the spring (18) contain styrene-acrylonitrile (SAN) with about 35% by weight glass fiber. Alternatively, the polymeric body (1) and spring (18) may also contain polypropylene (PP) with about 40% glass fiber. The glazing interior surfaces (3.1, 3.2) have at regular intervals openings (8), the hollow chambers (5.1, 5.2) with the above Connecting glazing interior surfaces (3.1, 3.2) lying airspace. The spacer (I) has a height of 8.5 mm and a total width of 34 mm. The groove (6) has a depth of 3 mm, while the first glazing interior surface (3.1) is 16 mm wide and the second glazing interior surface (3.2) is 16 mm wide. The total width of the spacer (I) is obtained as the sum of the widths of the glazing interior surfaces (3.1, 3.2) and the thickness of the third disc (15) with insert (9) to be inserted into the groove (6).

In a further preferred embodiment of FIG. 1 The polymeric base body (1) contains polypropylene (PP) with about 40% by weight of glass fiber, while the spring (18) comprises thermoplastic polyurethane without glass fiber. The spring (18) and the polymeric base body (1) are coextruded. The rest of the structure of the spacer corresponds to the already for FIG. 1 described.

FIG. 2 shows a cross section of the insulating glazing according to the invention with a spacer (I) according to FIG. 1 , The first disc (13) of the triple insulating glazing is connected via a seal (10) to the first disc contact surface (2.1) of the spacer (I), while the second disc (14) via a seal (10) with the second disc contact surface (2.2) connected is. The seal (10) is made of butyl rubber. In the groove (6) of the spacer, a third disc (15) via a liner (9) is inserted. The insert (9) surrounds the edge of the third disc (15) and fits flush into the groove (6). The insert (9) consists of ethylene-propylene-diene rubber. The insert (9) fixes the third disc (15) stress-free and compensates for thermal expansion of the disc. Furthermore, the insert (9) prevents noise by slipping of the third disc (15). The space between the first disk (13) and the third disk (15) is defined as the first disk space (17.1) and the space between the third disk (15) and second disk (14) as the second disk space (17.2). The first glazing interior surface (3.1) of the spacer (I) lies in the first space between the panes (17.1), while the second glazing interior space (3.2) is arranged in the second pane space (17.2). About the openings (8) in the glazing interior surfaces (3.1, 3.2), the disc spaces (17.1, 17.2) with the respective underlying hollow chamber (5.1, 5.2) are connected. In the hollow chambers is a desiccant (11), which consists of molecular sieve. Through the openings (8) takes place a gas exchange between the hollow chambers (5.1, 5.2) and the disc spaces (17.1, 17.2) instead, the desiccant (11) the humidity from the space between the panes (17.1, 17.2) withdraws. On the Outer surface (4) of the spacer (I), an insulating film (12) is applied, which reduces the heat transfer through the polymeric body (1) in the disc spaces (17). The insulating film (12) can be attached, for example with a polyurethane hot melt adhesive on the polymeric body (1). The insulating film (12) comprises four polymeric layers of polyethylene terephthalate having a thickness of 12 microns and three metallic layers of aluminum with a thickness of 50 nm. The metallic layers and the polymeric layers are each mounted alternately, wherein the two outer layers of polymeric Layers are formed. The first disc (13) and the second disc (14) protrude beyond the spacer (I), so that a peripheral edge region is created, which is filled with an outer insulation (16). This outer insulation (16) is formed by an organic polysulfide. The first disc (13) and the second disc (14) are made of soda-lime glass having a thickness of 3 mm, while the third disc (15) is made of soda-lime glass having a thickness of 2 mm.

FIG. 3 shows a flowchart of a possible embodiment of the method according to the invention. First, a rectangular spacer profile is formed from four individual spacers (I), with the corners of the spacer (I) sealed. This sealing takes place by welding, for example ultrasonic welding, or alternatively by the use of corner connectors. On the first disc contact surface (2.1) and the second disc contact surface (2.2) of the spacer (I) then a seal (10) is attached. The first disc (13) is attached to the first disc contact surface (2.1) and the third disc (15) is then inserted via the spring (18) in the groove (6). Optionally, prior to assembly of the third disc (15), an insert (9) may be attached to the edges of the third disc (15). The second disc (14) is then attached to the second disc contact surface (2.2) of the spacer (I) and the disc assembly is crimped together. Optionally, a protective gas can be introduced into the interpane spaces (17.1, 17.2) before pressing. A pre-assembly of the third disc or a multiple pass through the system is not necessary because the inventive method allows mounting of the third disc (15) directly in a classic industrial double-glazing system. Such a simplification of the production process also leads to an enormous cost savings.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

I

spacer

1

polymeric body

2

Pulley contact surfaces

2.1

first disc contact surface

2.2

second disc contact surface

3

Glazing interior surfaces

3.1

first glazed interior space

3.2

second glazed interior space

4

outer surface

5

chambers

5.1

first chamber

5.2

second chamber

6

groove

7

side flanks

8th

openings

9

inlay

10

poetry

11

desiccant

12

insulation blanket

13

first disc

14

second disc

15

third disc

16

outer insulating layer

17

Disc interspaces

17.1

first disc space

17.2

second disc space

18

feather

19

free space

Claims (17)

1. Spacer (I) for triple insulating glazing units comprising at least one polymeric main body (1) comprising a first pane contact surface (2.1) and a second pane contact surface (2.2) running parallel thereto, one first glazing interior surface (3.1), one second glazing interior surface (3.2), and one outer surface (4),
   wherein

   - a groove (6) for accommodating a pane runs parallel to the first pane contact surface (2.1) and the second pane contact surface (2.2) between the first glazing interior surface (3.1) and the second glazing interior surface (3.2),

   - at least one tongue (18) is situated above the first glazing interior surface (3.1) and/or the second glazing interior surface (3.2),

   - at least one lateral flank (7) of the groove (6) comprises the tongue (18),

   characterized in that

   - the tongue (18) and the polymeric main body (1) are formed in one piece.
2. Spacer (I) for triple insulating glazing units according to claim 1, wherein the tongue (18) and the polymeric main body (1) are coextruded.
3. Spacer (I) for triple insulating glazing units according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the spring deflection path of the tongue (18) lies inside a free space (19) between the tongue (18) and the first glazing interior surface (3.1) or the second glazing interior surface (3.2).
4. Spacer (I) for triple insulating glazing units according to one of claims 1 through 3, wherein the polymeric main body (1) includes at least one hollow chamber (5), preferably at least one first hollow chamber (5.1), which is adjacent the first glazing interior surface (3.1), and one second hollow chamber (5.2), which is adjacent the second glazing interior surface (3.2).
5. Spacer (I) for triple insulating glazing units according to one of claims 1 through 4, wherein an insulating film (12) is applied on the outer surface (4) of the polymeric main body (1), which film includes at least one polymeric layer as well as one metallic layer or a ceramic layer, preferably at least two metallic layers and/or ceramic layers, which are alternatingly arranged with at least one polymeric layer (2b).
6. Spacer (I) for triple insulating glazing units according to one of claims 1 through 5, wherein the polymeric main body (1) contains a desiccant (11), preferably silica gels, molecular sieves, CaCl₂, Na₂SO₄, activated carbon, silicates, bentonites, zeolites, and/or mixtures thereof.
7. Spacer (I) for triple insulating glazing units according to one of claims 1 through 6, wherein the first glazing interior surface (3.1) and/or the second glazing interior surface (3.2) has at least one, preferably a plurality of openings (8), which connect the hollow chamber (5) to the interpane spaces (17.1, 17.2).
8. Spacer (I) for triple insulating glazing units according to one of claims 1 through 7, wherein the polymeric main body (1) contains polyethylene (PE), polycarbonates (PC), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene, polybutadiene, polynitriles, polyesters, polyurethanes, polymethyl methacrylates, polyacrylates, polyamides, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), preferably acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), acrylonitrile styrene acrylester (ASA), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene/polycarbonate (ABS/PC), styrene acrylonitrile (SAN), PET/PC, PBT/PC, and/or copolymers or mixtures thereof.
9. Spacer (I) for triple insulating glazing units according to one of claims 1 through 8, wherein the material composition of the tongue (18) corresponds to the material composition of the polymeric main body (1).
10. Spacer (I) for triple insulating glazing units according to one of claims 1 through 8, wherein the tongue (18) contains polyethylene (PE), polycarbonates (PC), polystyrene, polybutadiene, polynitriles, polyesters, polyurethanes, polymethyl methacrylates, polyacrylates, polyamides, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), acrylonitrile styrene acrylester (ASA), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene/polycarbonate (ABS/PC), styrene acrylonitrile (SAN), polypropylene (PP), PET/PC, PBT/PC, thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), ethylene propylene diene rubber (EPDM), and/or copolymers or mixtures thereof, preferably thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), ethylene propylene diene rubber (EPDM), and/or copolymers or mixtures thereof.
11. Insulating glazing unit comprising at least one first pane (13), one second pane (14), and one third pane (15), and one peripheral spacer (I) surrounding the panes according to one of claims 1 through 10,
    wherein

    - the first pane (13) contacts the first pane contact surface (2.1),

    - the second pane (14) contacts the second pane contact surface (2.2), and

    - the third pane (15) is inserted into the groove (6) of the spacer (I).
12. Insulating glazing unit according to claim 11, wherein the third pane (15) is inserted into the groove (6) via an insert (9) and the insert (9) preferably includes an elastomer, particularly preferably ethylene propylene diene rubber.
13. Insulating glazing unit according to one of claims 11 through 12, wherein a gasket (10) is mounted between the first pane (13) and the first pane contact surface (2.1) and/or the second pane (14) and the second pane contact surface (2.2) and the gasket (10) preferably contains a polymer or silane-modified polymer, particularly preferably organic polysulfides, silicones, room temperature vulcanizing silicone rubber, high temperature vulcanizing silicone rubber, peroxide vulcanizing silicone rubber, and/or addition vulcanizing silicone rubber, polyurethanes, butyl rubber, and/or polyacrylates.
14. Insulating glazing unit according to one of claims 11 through 13, wherein the first pane (13), the second pane (14), and/or the third pane (15) preferably contain glass and/or polymers, preferably quartz glass, borosilicate glass, soda lime glass, polymethyl methacrylate, and/or mixtures thereof.
15. Method for producing an insulating glazing unit according to one of claims 11 through 14, wherein at least

    a) the first pane (13) is abutted against the first pane contact surface (2.1) of the spacer (I), or the second pane (14) is abutted against the second pane contact surface (2.2) of the spacer (I),

    b) the third pane (15) is pushed into the groove (6) of the spacer (I) via the tongue (18),

    c) the first pane (13) is abutted against the first pane contact surface (2.1) of the spacer (I), or the second pane (14) is abutted against the second pane contact surface (2.2) of the spacer (I), and

    d) the arrangement comprising at least the first pane (13), the second pane (14), the third pane (15), and the spacer (I) is pressed together.
16. Method according to claim 15, wherein the interpane spaces (17.1, 17.2) between the first pane (13) and the third pane (15) as well as between the second pane (14) and the third pane (15) are filled with a protective gas.
17. Use of a spacer (I) according to one of claims 1 through in triple insulating glazing units.

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