EP2886778B1 - Corner connector of cranked wire - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a connector for spacer profiles for insulating glass panes with a base body which has a plug-in section on opposite sides, wherein the plug-in section is adapted to the spacer hollow profile, so that it can be inserted into the spacer hollow profile in one direction (plug-in direction), and a fuse unit, which is designed to secure an inserted spacer hollow profile against pulling out. The invention further relates to a method for producing such a connector.

Connectors of the aforementioned type are well known and serve to connect so-called spacer hollow profiles together. Spacer hollow sections are required for insulating glass panes to keep the two or more glass panes at a distance and also to seal the interior space between two panes of glass to the outside.

Such spacer hollow sections, also referred to as spacers below, are connected to one another via plug connectors, such that the spacers are respectively inserted onto a longitudinal section, plug-in section, of the plug connector. In order to prevent the spacers from loosening again, securing units are provided in the plug-in sections, which usually allow the insertion, the withdrawal of a spacer - if at all - allow only with great force.

Various connectors are known metal or plastic, however, all of which have the disadvantage of either only provide a limited tolerance compensation for tolerances in the spacer profile or principle inherently have approximately the same insertion and extraction forces.

From the publication DE 10 2010 016 310 A1 For example, a connector is known, which has as a securing unit outwardly projecting, elastically deformable fins on each insertion section. These slats are designed inclined or bent, wherein the inclination or bending can be formed in the insertion direction to the rear.

A disadvantage of this connector can be seen in the fact that the insertion and extraction forces are approximately equal.

Furthermore, plastic corner joints are known, which are equipped with a straight wire. This solution has the disadvantage that they have a higher ratio of insertion to pull-out forces and do not have the ability to specifically adapt the forces of the profile and also require a much smaller tolerance field of the spacers. In addition, there is a disadvantage in that the insertion force changes with the wall thickness of the spacer profile used. The risk of breakage is increased by the damage of the side walls of the profile by strong restoring force of the inserted wire.

The object of the present invention is to provide a connector, the o.g. Overcomes disadvantages.

The object is achieved with the connector mentioned above in that the securing unit comprises a plurality of elongate metal elements, each with two opposite Längsendabschnitten provided within the Einsteckabschnitt and extending through the body, such that the two longitudinal end portions of a metal element on opposite sides of the body protrude to cooperate with the spacer hollow profile, and extend the two longitudinal end portions of the at least one metal element obliquely to the insertion and in the insertion direction.

Due to the special shape of the metal element low insertion and high pull-out forces can be realized, the shape in particular also allows the insertion and extraction forces easily and specifically adapted to the respective spacer hollow profile. The holding force of the connectors in the profiles can be easily adjusted by appropriate choice of the number of metal elements used. The pre-bent metal elements deform the profile less, because they work like a spring when plugged. Characterized in that the metal elements are formed longer (as, for example, a straight metal element), a skipping of the metal element is prevented by 180 °. Also, there is no longer the risk that the metal element pierces a profile wall. Consequently, the solution according to the invention offers a possibility to optimally adjust the insertion force, for example by the appropriate choice of the number of metal elements, without the risk of damage to the profile due to excessive restoring forces of the metal elements.

In a preferred embodiment, the plurality of metal elements per plug-in section are provided, and the individual metal elements within a Einsteckabschnitts are spaced apart in the insertion direction.

This measure has the advantage that the insertion and extraction forces are even better adapted to the respective spacer hollow profile, in particular by varying the number of metal elements used.

In a preferred development, the at least one metal element is designed as a wire, in particular with a colored cross section.

This form has been found in practice to be particularly advantageous. However, other cross sections besides a round cross section can be used. For example, ribbon elements with a rectangular cross-section can also be used as metal elements.

In a preferred embodiment, the longitudinal end portions of a metal element extend at an angle of at least 30 ° relative to the insertion direction. This angular range has the advantage that the insertion forces are low, but the extraction forces are at a sufficiently high level, so that a high level of security against loosening of the spacer is ensured by the connector.

In a preferred development, at least one groove is provided in the insertion section of the base body into which a metal element can be inserted.

This measure has the advantage that preconfigured metal elements, which have already been brought into their bent or kinked form, can be inserted. The production of such a connector is very easy.

Alternatively, however, it is also conceivable to insert the metal element as a straight element into the base body and to bend the metal element into the desired shape in a subsequent step. For this purpose, the base body is preferably provided with corresponding recesses on the edge regions and a connection of the two recesses, so that the metal element can be inserted through the connection and can then be bent within the recesses.

The connector is preferably designed as a corner connector, angle connector, linear or straight connector or cross connector. More preferably, the base body is made of plastic.

The object underlying the invention is also achieved by a method for producing a connector according to the invention, wherein - as mentioned above - the at least one metal element is either preformed introduced into the body or initially introduced into the body and then bent into the desired shape.

It is understood that the features mentioned above and those yet to be explained below can be used not only in the particular combination given, but also in other combinations or in isolation, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Fig. 1

eine perspektivische Ansicht eines Steckverbinders gemäß einer ersten Ausführungsform;

Fig. 2

eine schematische Schnittansicht eines Abschnitts des in Fig. 1 gezeigten Steckverbinders;

Fig. 3

eine perspektivische Ansicht eines Steckverbinders gemäß einer weiteren Ausführungsform;

Fig. 4

eine schematische Darstellung eines in ein Abstandhalterhohlprofil eingesteckten Steckverbinders;

Fig. 5

eine perspektivische Ansicht eines Steckverbinders mit gerader bzw. linearer Form;

Fig. 6

eine Seitenansicht eines Steckverbinders ohne Metallelemente;

Fig. 7

eine perspektivische Ansicht eines Steckverbinders gemäß einer weiteren Ausführungsform ohne Metallelemente.

Further advantages and embodiments of the invention will become apparent from the description and the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 1

a perspective view of a connector according to a first embodiment;

Fig. 2

a schematic sectional view of a portion of in Fig. 1 shown connector;

Fig. 3

a perspective view of a connector according to another embodiment;

Fig. 4

a schematic representation of a plugged into a spacer hollow profile connector;

Fig. 5

a perspective view of a connector with straight or linear shape;

Fig. 6

a side view of a connector without metal elements;

Fig. 7

a perspective view of a connector according to a further embodiment without metal elements.

In Fig. 1 a connector is shown in perspective view and generally designated by the reference numeral 10. In the present embodiment, the connector 10 is designed as a corner connector 11, which serves to connect two spacer hollow profiles at an angle of 90 ° with each other.

Since the basic structure and function of a connector 10 are known, it will not be discussed further. It is rather for example on the publication DE 10 2006 017 821 A1 referred to the applicant.

The connector 10 comprises a base body 12, which has a first insertion portion 14a and a second insertion portion 14b, wherein the two insertion portions 14a, 14b are connected to one another via a connecting element 16. The connecting element 16 is designed in the present embodiment as a corner element 17, which connects the two insertion portions 14 a, b at right angles to each other.

The two insertion sections are identical. A plug-in section 14 is rectangular in cross-section and extends from the connecting element 16 over a length L in a direction which runs counter to the insertion direction E. The two outer ends of the male portions are beveled to facilitate insertion of a spacer.

In Fig. 1 It can be seen that the connecting element 16 is formed larger in cross-section, so that stop surfaces 20 form, on which strike the spacers when reaching the end position. Preferably, the stop surfaces 20 - seen in the circumferential direction - provided only in sections, so that the end of a spacer is not completely applied to the connecting element, but leaving a gap that can be filled with butyl for caulking. A closer embodiment of this corner element is in the already mentioned document 10 2006 017 821 A1 shown.

Each of the insertion sections 14a, 14b has at least one recess 30, which extends from one longitudinal side 32 to the opposite longitudinal side 34 of an insertion section 14 of the base body 12. In Fig. 2 this recess 30 is clearly visible. This recess 30 thus establishes a connection from one longitudinal side 32 to the other longitudinal side 34.

The recess 30 is in the in Fig. 2 shown sectional view symmetrical to the longitudinal axis A and has seen in the insertion direction rear straight wall 36 which extends at right angles to the longitudinal axis A.

The recess 30 is bounded in the insertion direction E forward of a wall 38 which extends obliquely to the longitudinal axis A. In particular, the wall 38 extends inwardly toward the opposite wall 36. Thus, the length of the recess 30 decreases towards the center, as clearly in Fig. 2 can be seen.

In such a recess 30, a preferably one-piece metal element 40 is provided. This metal element 40 passes completely through the recess 30 and projects slightly on both longitudinal sides with the respective longitudinal end section 42.

The metal element 40 is provided in the embodiment shown as a wire with a circular cross-section. However, it should be noted at this point that other cross sections are also conceivable.

As can be seen from the sectional view in Fig. 2 Well, the metal element 40 has a curved shape that resembles a "V". In this case, the central portion of a metal element is located approximately at right angles to the longitudinal axis A, wherein the adjoining thereto outwardly sections in the insertion direction E, so that the outer portion of the metal member has an angle of preferably 30 ° or more. In Fig. 2 this angle is denoted by α. The longitudinal end portions 42 of a metal element thus extend obliquely in the insertion direction towards the connecting element 16.

The shape of the metal element 40 and / or the front wall 38 are selected so that a gap 44 remains between the wall 38 and the metal element 40. This is to ensure that the longitudinal end portion 42 of the metal element 40 is bendable in the insertion direction E, at least until it abuts against the wall 38.

This flexibility enables the longitudinal end portions 42 of a metal element in the insertion direction E to be pressed when a spacer is inserted, so that the extent of the metal element is reduced at right angles to the longitudinal axis.

Thus, the attachment of a spacer on the male portion with little force is possible. In an attempt to pull the spacer against the direction E and thus detach from the male portion, the longitudinal end portions 42 of a metal member 40 are entrained and thus displaced outwardly away from the longitudinal axis. As a result, the longitudinal end sections in the spacer "claw" and thus allow a withdrawal - if at all - only with very great force.

As in the Fig. 1 and 2 can be seen, a plurality of identically shaped recesses 30 are provided in each insertion section, each receiving a metal element 40. The metal elements are preferably provided evenly spaced in the longitudinal direction A. On the number of metal elements provided, the desired insertion and extraction forces can be adjusted and adapted to the spacer hollow profile. In the exemplary embodiment shown, three metal elements per insertion section are provided, but this number is to be considered purely as an example.

As already mentioned, the metal elements 40 can also have other cross sections in addition to a round cross section. In Fig. 3 For example, a connector 10 is shown, the base body 12 of the main body of the Fig. 1 equivalent. Of the The only difference between this connector 10 is that instead of a wire 41 as a metal element, a flat band 48 is used. However, the shape of this flat belt 48 corresponds to the shape of in Fig. 2 Also, the properties of the flat belt 48 are very similar, however, the insertion and extraction forces are different from a wire 41st

In Fig. 4 Now, a connector 10 is shown, which is connected to a spacer 50. For clarity, the insertion portion 14 with the recesses 30 and the metal elements 40 therein is shown in dashed lines.

It can be clearly seen that the respective longitudinal end portions 42 of a metal element 40 abut the inner wall 52 of the spacer 50. This longitudinal end portion 42, in particular an outer edge, thus interact with the inner wall 52 locking together.

In Fig. 5 the connector 10 is shown without metal elements in a side view. Here, the recesses 30 are easy to see. Each recess 30 has chamfered edge surfaces 60 in the respective opening region, which are intended to facilitate insertion of a metal element.

In Fig. 6 For example, a connector 10 configured as a linear or straight connector 62 is shown. With this connector 10, two spacers can be connected centric or straight to each other. The two plug-in sections 14a, b are consequently in line and are connected to one another via the connecting element 16. However, the recesses provided in a plug-in section 14a, b and the metal elements provided therein are the same as those with reference to FIG Fig. 1 to 5 explained so that it need not be discussed further. Exemplary are in Fig. 6 the metal elements 40, 41 formed differently in the insertion portion 14b as the metal elements 40, 48 in the insertion portion 14a. On the one hand wires 41 are used, while on the other side flat bands 48 are provided.

The metal elements 40 are preferably inserted in the embodiments described above as straight elements in the recesses 30 and only then bent by machine into the desired shape.

Alternatively, however, it is also conceivable to bring the metal elements 40 into the desired shape prior to introduction into the recesses.

In order to place such preformed metal elements in the recesses 10 grooves 70 are provided in the insertion portion 14 in a further embodiment of a connector, which connect the lying within the Einsteckabschnitts 14 recesses 30 to the outside. The grooves 70 have approximately the shape of the metal elements 40.

The metal elements 40 can thus be brought from the outside through the grooves 70 in the underlying recess 30. If the shape of the groove 70 differs somewhat from the shape of a metal element 40, the metal elements 40 can easily be prevented from falling out again after being inserted into the recess 30.

Since the connector 10 can be produced as a plastic part, and the metal elements are very easy to insert, the overall result is a very cost-effective connector that provides low insertion forces and high pull-out forces. Thus, the insertion into a spacer hollow profile with little force is possible, the inserted position is maintained with very high security. A release of the connector from the spacer hollow profile is almost impossible, especially in normal use.

Claims (12)

1. Plug connector for a spacer hollow profile for insulating glass panes having
   a main body (12) which has in each case one plug-in section (14) on opposite sides, wherein the plug-in section (14) is matched to the spacer hollow profile so that the said plug-in section can be plugged into the spacer hollow profile in one direction (E; plug-in direction), and
   a securing unit (40) which is designed to secure a plugged-in spacer hollow profile from being pulled out,
   characterized in that
   the securing unit comprises a plurality of elongate metal elements (40) with in each case two opposite longitudinal end sections (42) which are provided within the plug-in section (14) and extend through the main body (12) in such a way that the two longitudinal end sections (42) of each metal element (40) protrude from opposite sides of the main body in order to be able to interact with the spacer hollow profile; and
   the two longitudinal end sections (42) of each metal element (40) extend obliquely in relation to the plug-in direction (E) and in the plug-in direction (E).
2. Plug connector according to Claim 1, characterized in that the plurality of metal elements (40) are provided for each plug-in section, wherein the individual metal elements are arranged within a plug-in section at a distance from one another in the plug-in direction.
3. Plug connector according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that each metal element (40) is in the form of a wire, in particular with a round cross section.
4. Plug connector according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the longitudinal end sections of the plurality of metal elements run at an angle of greater than or equal to 30° in relation to the plug-in direction.
5. Plug connector according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a plurality of grooves are provided in the plug-in section of the main body, it being possible for a metal element to be inserted into each of the said grooves.
6. Plug connector according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the plug connector is in the form of a corner connector, angle connector, straight connector or cross connector.
7. Plug connector according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the main body is composed of plastic.
8. Plug connector according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one metal element is designed to have several kinks.
9. Plug connector according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that recesses which permit movement of the longitudinal end sections in the plug-in direction are provided at the outlet region of the longitudinal end sections in the main body.
10. Method for producing a plug connector according to one of Claims 1 to 9, comprising the steps of:

    - providing a main body

    - inserting the plurality of metal elements into the main body.
11. Method according to Claim 10, wherein the insertion comprises the steps of:

    - shooting the metal elements into the main body, and

    - bending the metal elements into the desired shape.
12. Method according to Claim 10, wherein the insertion comprises the steps of:

    - bending the metal element into the desired shape, and

    - inserting the bent metal element into the main body.

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