PLUG CONNECTOR

Abstract

A plug connector for connecting a first spacer and a second spacer for a triple insulating glazing unit, includes a main body and a first and a second section. The first section of the main body and/or the second section of the main body is movable around a specified axis of the main body.

Claims

1. A plug connector for connecting a first spacer and a second spacer for a triple insulating glazing unit, the plug connector comprising a main body; a first leg arranged on a first section of the main body, which first leg is insertable into a hollow chamber of the first spacer, wherein the first leg is arranged substantially perpendicular to a surface of the first section; and a second leg arranged on a second section of the main body, which second leg is insertable into a hollow chamber of the second spacer, wherein the second leg is arranged substantially perpendicular to a surface of the second section of the main body, wherein the first section of the main body and/or the second section of the main body is movable around a specified axis of the main body.

2. The plug connector according to claim 1, wherein the main body is implemented such that the first section of the main body and/or the second section of the main body is bendable or foldable around a longitudinal axis of the main body.

3. The plug connector according to claim 1, wherein the main body is arranged in a pre-assembly position of the plug connector such that the first leg arranged on the first section of the main body and the second leg arranged on the second section of the main body are arranged substantially parallel to one another, and wherein the main body is arranged in an assembly position of the plug connector such that the first leg arranged on the first section of the main body and the second leg arranged on the second section of the main body are arranged substantially perpendicular to one another.

4. The plug connector according to claim 1, further comprising a third leg arranged on the first section of the main body, which third leg is insertable into another hollow chamber of the first spacer, wherein the third leg is arranged substantially perpendicular to the surface of the first section of the main body, and a fourth leg arranged on the second section of the main body, which fourth leg is insertable into another hollow chamber of the second spacer, wherein the fourth leg is arranged substantially perpendicular to the surface of the second section.

5. The plug connector according to claim 1, wherein the main body has a first recess substantially V-shaped in a cross-section of the main body, which recess is arranged symmetric to the specified axis of the main body, wherein a first side face of the V-shaped first recess has an angle () greater than or equal to 90 relative to a second side face of the V-shaped first recess.

6. The plug connector according to claim 5, wherein the main body has, in a region substantially central in a longitudinal direction, a second recess implemented along a width of the main body, which is implemented to accommodate a pane of the insulating glazing unit, wherein a bottom section of the second recess is flat.

7. The plug connector according to claim 3, wherein the main body has a latching device, which, in the assembly position of the plug connector, is implemented to lock the first section of the main body on the second section of the main body or vice versa.

8. An insulating glazing unit with a first pane, a second pane ( ), a third pane ( ), and a plurality of circumferentially arranged spacers ( , , , ) surrounding the first pane ( ), second pane, ( ), and third pane ( ) in edge regions, wherein a first spacer is in each case arranged on a first pane edge of the first pane, of the second pane, and of the third pane; a second spacer is in each case arranged on a second pane edge of the first pane, of the second pane, and of the third pane; a third spacer is in each case arranged on a third pane edge of the first pane, of the second pane, and of the third pane; and a fourth spacer is in each case arranged on a fourth pane edge of the first pane, of the second pane, and of the third pane, and wherein, on the respective axial end sections of the spacers, a plug connector according to claim 1 for connecting adjacent spacers is arranged.

9. A method for producing an insulating glazing unit according to claim 8, comprising: providing a plurality of spacers comprising a first spacer, a second spacer, a third spacer, and a fourth spacer, which are in each case implemented to accommodate a first pane, a second pane, and a third pane of an insulating glazing unit; connecting the first spacer and the second spacer by means of a first plug connector; connecting the second spacer and the third spacer by means of a second plug connector; connecting the third spacer and the fourth spacer by means of a third plug connector; connecting the fourth spacer and the first spacer by means of a fourth plug connector; and butylating the plurality of spacers, wherein the plurality of spacers connected by means of the plug connectors are arranged in a row in a butylator along a common longitudinal axis.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein during butylation of the plurality of spacers, the plurality of spacers are transported only once through the butylator.

11. The method according to claim 9, wherein the butylated plurality of spacers are folded around the at least first pane, second pane, and third pane of the insulating glazing unit.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein during the folding of the plurality of spacers ( , , , ) around the first pane, second pane, and third pane of the insulating glazing unit, the first section of the main body of the respective plug connector and/or the second section of the main body of the respective plug connector is moved around a specified axis of the main body in order to bring the plug connector from the pre-assembly position into the assembly position.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein during the movement of the plug connector from the pre-assembly position into the assembly position, the first leg arranged on the first section of the main body and the second leg arranged on the second section of the main body are brought from a substantially parallel arrangement relative to one another into a substantially perpendicular position relative to one another.

14. The method according to claim 9, wherein the third pane is inserted into a second recess formed in the main body.

15. A method comprising utilizing a plug connector according to claim 1 in triple insulating glazing units.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0039] The accompanying drawings are intended to provide further understanding of the embodiments of the invention. They illustrate embodiments and serve in conjunction with the description to explain principles and concepts of the invention.

[0040] Other embodiments and many of the advantages mentioned emerge with reference to the drawings. The elements of the drawings presented are not necessarily depicted true to scale relative to one another.

[0041] The drawings depict:

[0042] FIG. 1 a schematic representation of a plug connector in a pre-assembly position according to one example;

[0043] FIG. 2 a schematic representation of the plug connector of FIG. 1 in an assembly position;

[0044] FIG. 3 a schematic representation of the plug connector in the pre-assembly position according to a preferred embodiment of the invention;

[0045] FIG. 4 a schematic representation of the plug connector in the assembly position according to the preferred embodiment of the invention;

[0046] FIG. 5 a schematic representation of a two-pane insulating glazing unit according to one example;

[0047] FIG. 6 a schematic representation of a three-pane insulating glazing unit according to the preferred embodiment of the invention;

[0048] FIG. 7 a schematic representation of a butylator; and

[0049] FIG. 8 a flowchart of a method for producing the insulating glazing unit according to the preferred embodiment of the invention.

[0050] In the figures, identical reference characters refer to identical or functionally identical elements, parts, or components, unless otherwise indicated.

[0051] FIG. 1 depicts a schematic representation of a plug connector in a pre-assembly position according to one example.

[0052] The plug connector 10 is designed to connect a first spacer (not shown in FIG. 1) and a second spacer (not shown in FIG. 1) for an insulating glazing unit. The plug connector 10 has a main body 16. A first leg 17 is arranged on a first section 16a of the main body 16. The first leg 17 can be inserted into a hollow chamber of the spacer (not shown in FIG. 1). The first leg 17 is arranged substantially perpendicular to a surface 16c of the first section 16a.

[0053] The first leg 17 further has a plurality of sealing lips 39. The sealing lips 39 are arranged on a first side and on a second side of the substantially cube-shaped first leg 17 and serve to seal the hollow chamber filled with molecular sieve such that in an inserted state of the first leg 17 of the plug connector 10 into the hollow chamber of the first spacer, no molecular sieve escapes from the hollow chamber.

[0054] The plug connector 10 further has a second leg 18 arranged on a second section 16b of the main body 16. The second leg 18 can be inserted into a hollow chamber of the second spacer (not shown in FIG. 1). The second leg 18 is arranged substantially perpendicular to a surface 16d of the second section 16b of the main body 16.

[0055] Furthermore, the second leg has a plurality of sealing lips 39. The sealing lips 39 are arranged on a first side and on a second side of the substantially cube-shaped second leg 18 and serve to seal the hollow chamber filled with molecular sieve such that in an inserted state of the second leg 18 of the plug connector 10 into the hollow chamber of the second spacer, no molecular sieve escapes from the hollow chamber.

[0056] The first section 16a of the main body 16 and the second section 16b of the main body 16 are bendable around a longitudinal axis L1 of the main body 16. Alternatively, the first section 16a of the main body 16 or the second section 16b of the main body 16 are bendable around the longitudinal axis L1 of the main body 16. Also alternatively, the first section 16a of the main body 16 and/or the second section 16b of the main body 16 can be foldable around the longitudinal axis L1 of the main body or movable or pivotable by another suitable device.

[0057] The main body 16 preferably has a substantially V-shaped first recess 29 in a cross-section of the main body 16. The V-shaped first recess 29 is advantageously arranged symmetric to the specified axis or longitudinal axis L1 of the main body 16. A first side face 29a of the V-shaped first recess 29 preferably has an angle a greater than or equal to 90 relative to a second side face 29b of the V-shaped first recess 29.

[0058] Furthermore, the main body 16 preferably has a latching device 33. The latching device 33 is preferably designed, in an assembly position (not shown in FIG. 1) of the plug connector, to lock the first section 16a of the main body 16 on the second section 16b of the main body. Alternatively, the latching device 33 can, for example, be designed such that the second section 16b of the main body 16 can be locked on the first section 16a of the main body 16.

[0059] The main body 16 is, in the pre-assembly position P1 of the plug connector 10 depicted in FIG. 1, preferably arranged such that the first leg 17 arranged on the first section 16a of the main body 16 and the second leg 18 arranged on the second section 16b of the main body 16 are arranged substantially parallel to one another or along a common longitudinal axis L2.

[0060] FIG. 2 depicts a schematic representation of the plug connector of FIG. 1 in an assembly position.

[0061] In the assembly position P2 of the plug connector 10, the main body 16 is preferably arranged such that the first leg 17 arranged on the first section 16a of the main body 16 and the second leg 18 arranged on the second section 16b of the main body 16 are arranged substantially perpendicular to one another.

[0062] In the schematic representation of the plug connector depicted in FIG. 2, in the assembly position P2 of the plug connector 10, a gap is formed between the first section 16a of the main body 16 and the second section 16b of the main body 16. The aforementioned gap serves only to illustrate movability of the first section 16a of the main body 16 and of the second section 16b of the main body 16 relative to one another. In the assembly position P2, this gap is preferably not present. In the representation of FIG. 2, the first leg 17 of the main body 16 is inserted into a (schematically depicted) hollow chamber 19 of the first spacer and the second leg 18 is inserted into a hollow chamber 20 of the second spacer.

[0063] FIG. 3 depicts a schematic representation of the plug connector in the pre-assembly position according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

[0064] The plug connector 110 depicted in FIG. 3 has, in contrast to the plug connector depicted in in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, in addition to the first leg and the second leg, a third leg and a fourth leg and is thus suitable to be inserted in a spacer for triple glazing units.

[0065] The plug connector 110 preferably has the third leg 125 arranged on the first section 116a of the main body 116. The third leg 125 is insertable into another hollow chamber (not depicted in FIG. 3) of the first spacer. The third leg 125 is arranged substantially perpendicular to the surface 116c of the first section 116a of the main body 116.

[0066] The plug connector 110 also has the fourth leg 126 arranged on the second section 116b of the main body 116. The fourth leg 126 is preferably insertable into another hollow chamber (not depicted in FIG. 3) of the second spacer, wherein the fourth leg 126 is arranged substantially perpendicular to the surface 116d of the second section 116b.

[0067] The main body 116 of the plug connector 110 has, preferably in a region 130 substantially central in a longitudinal direction, a second recess 131 formed along a width B of the main body 116. The second recess 131 is preferably implemented to accommodate a pane (not depicted in FIG. 3) of the insulating glazing unit. A bottom section 131a of the second recess 131 is preferably flat.

[0068] The main body 116 has a latching device 133. The latching device 133 is preferably implemented to lock, in the assembly position P2 of the plug connector 110, the first section 116a of the main body 116 on the second section 116b of the main body 116. Alternatively, the second section 116b of the main body 116 can, for example, be locked on the first section 116a of the main body 116.

[0069] FIG. 4 depicts a schematic representation of the plug connector in the assembly position according to the preferred embodiment of the invention.

[0070] In the assembly position P2 of the plug connector 110, the main body 116 is preferably arranged such that the first leg 117 and third leg 125 arranged on the first section 116a of the main body 116 as well as the second leg 118 and fourth leg 126 arranged on the second section 116b of the main body 116 are arranged substantially perpendicular to one another.

[0071] In the schematic representation of the plug connector 110 depicted in FIG. 4, in the assembly position P2 of the plug connector 110, a gap is formed between the first section 116a of the main body 116 and the second section 116b of the main body 116. The aforementioned gap serves merely to illustrate the movability of the first section 116a of the main body 116 and of the second section 116b of the main body 116 relative to one another. This gap is preferably not present in the assembly position P2. In the representation of FIG. 4, the first leg 117 and the third leg 125 of the main body 116 are inserted into (schematically depicted) hollow chambers 119, 127 of the first spacer 112; and the second leg 118 and the fourth leg 126 are inserted into a hollow chambers 120, 128 of the second spacer 114.

[0072] FIG. 5 depicts a schematic representation of a two-pane insulating glazing unit according to one example.

[0073] The insulating glazing unit preferably has a first pane 34 and a second pane 35. Furthermore, the insulating glazing unit has a plurality of circumferentially arranged spacers 12, 14, 22, 24 surrounding the first pane 34 and second pane 35 in edge regions 34r, 35r. A first spacer 12 is arranged in each case on a first pane edge 34a, 35a of the first pane 34 and of the second pane 35. A second spacer is arranged in each case on a second pane edge 34b, 35b of the first pane 34 and of the second pane 35. A third spacer 22 is in each case arranged on a third pane edge 34c, 35c of the first pane 34 and of the second pane 35. A fourth spacer 24 is in each case arranged on a fourth pane edge 34d, 35d of the first pane 34 and of the second pane 35.

[0074] A plug connector 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d for connecting adjacent spacers 12, 14, 22, 24 is preferably arranged on respective axial end sections 12a, 12b, 14a, 14b, 22a, 22b, 24a, 24b of the spacers 12, 14, 22, 24.

[0075] FIG. 6 depicts a schematic representation of a three-pane insulating glazing unit according to the preferred embodiment of the invention.

[0076] A second spacer 114 is in each case arranged on a second pane edge 134b, 135b, 136b of the first pane 134, of the second pane 135, and of the third pane 136. A third spacer 122 is in each case arranged on a third pane edge 134c, 135c, 136c of the first pane 134, of the second pane 135, and of the third pane 136. A fourth spacer is in each case arranged on a fourth pane edge 134d, 135d, 136d of the first pane 134, of the second pane 135, and of the third pane 136. A plug connector 110a, 110b, 110c, 110d for connecting the adjacent spacers 112, 114, 122, 124 is preferably arranged on respective axial end sections 112a, 112b, 114a, 114b, 122a, 122b, 124a, 124b of the spacers 112, 114, 122, 124.

[0077] FIG. 7 depicts a schematic representation of a butylator.

[0078] During butylation of the plurality of spacers 12, 14, 22, 24, which are preferably connected on respective axial end sections 12a, 12b, 14a, 14b, 22a, 22b, 24a, 24b to a respective plug connector 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d, they are transported through the butylator 37 in preferably flat alignment. An applicator 38 for applying butyl on the plurality of spacers 12, 14, 22, 24 is depicted by way of example. The applicator is preferably arranged on both sides of the spacers 12, 14, 22, 24 such that during transport through the butylator 37, they can be applied with butyl on both sides.

[0079] A corresponding butylator is also suitable for butylation of spacers 112, 114, 122, 124, which are preferably connected on respective axial end sections 112a, 112b, 114a, 114b, 122a, 122b, 124a, 124b to a respective plug connector 110a, 110b, 110c, 110d.

[0080] FIG. 8 depicts a flowchart of a method for producing the insulating glazing unit according to the preferred embodiment of the invention.

[0081] The method for producing an insulating glazing unit includes providing S1 a plurality of spacers comprising a first spacer, a second spacer, a third spacer, and a fourth spacer. The respective spacers are implemented in each case for accommodating at least a first pane, a second pane, and a third pane of an insulating glazing unit. The method also includes connecting S2 the first spacer and the second spacer by means of a first plug connector; connecting S3 the second spacer and the third spacer by means of a second plug connector; connecting S4 the third spacer and the fourth spacer by means of a third plug connector; connecting S5 the fourth spacer and the first spacer by means of a fourth plug connector; and butylating S6 the plurality of spacers.

[0082] The plurality of spacers connected by means of the plug connectors are arranged in the butylator along a common longitudinal axis. In a following step, the butylated plurality of spacers are folded around the at least first pane, second pane, and third pane of the insulating glazing unit S7. The plurality of spacers are thus implemented for accommodating a third pane of the insulating glazing unit. The third pane of the insulating glazing unit is insertable into the second recess formed in the main body.

[0083] During the folding of the plurality of spacers around the at least first pane, second pane, and third pane of the insulating glazing unit, the first section of the main body of the respective plug connector and the second section of the main body of the respective plug connector are moved around a longitudinal axis of the main body in order to bring the plug connector from the pre-assembly position into the assembly position. Alternatively, for example, only the first or the second section of the main body can be movable.

[0084] During the movement of the plug connector from the pre-assembly position into the assembly position, the first leg arranged on the first section of the main body and the second leg arranged on the second section of the main body are preferably brought from an arrangement substantially parallel to one another into an arrangement substantially perpendicular to one another.

[0085] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to preferred exemplary embodiments, it is not restricted thereto, but rather modifiable in many ways. In particular, the invention can be altered or modified without deviating from the essence of the invention.

[0086] For example, a shape, dimension, or nature of the components of the plug connector can be altered.

LIST OF REFERENCE CHARACTERS

[0087] 10, 110 plug connector [0088] 10a, 110a first plug connector [0089] 10b, 110b second plug connector [0090] 10c, 110c third plug connector [0091] 10d, 110d fourth plug connector [0092] 12, 112 first spacer [0093] 12a, 12b, 112a, 112b axial end sections of the first spacer [0094] 14, 114 second spacer [0095] 14a, 14b, 114a, 114b axial end sections of the second spacer [0096] 16, 116 main body [0097] 16a, 116a first section of the main body [0098] 16b, 116b second section of the main body [0099] 16c, 116c surface of the first section [0100] 16d, 116d surface of the second section [0101] 17, 117 first leg [0102] 18, 118 second leg [0103] 19, 119, 127 hollow chamber of the first spacer [0104] 20, 120, 128 hollow chamber of the second spacer [0105] 22, 24 spacer [0106] 22a, 22b, 122a, 122b axial end sections of the third spacer [0107] 24a, 24b, 124a, 124b axial end sections of the fourth spacer [0108] 29, 129 first recess [0109] 29a first side face of the first recess [0110] 29a second side face of the first recess [0111] 30, 130 central region [0112] 33, 133 latching device [0113] 34, 134 first pane [0114] 34r, 35r edge regions [0115] 35, 135 second pane [0116] 34a, 35a, 134a, 135a, 136a first pane edge [0117] 34b, 35b, 134b, 135b, 136b second pane edge [0118] 34c, 35c, 134c, 135c, 136c third pane edge [0119] 34d, 35d, 134d, 135d, 136d fourth pane edge [0120] 37 butylator [0121] 38 applicator [0122] 39, 139 sealing lips [0123] 122, 124 spacer [0124] 125 third leg [0125] 126 fourth leg [0126] 131 second recess [0127] 131a bottom section of the second recess [0128] 134r, 135r, 136r edge regions [0129] 136 third pane [0130] angle [0131] B width [0132] L1 longitudinal axis of the main body [0133] L2 longitudinal axis [0134] P1 pre-assembly position [0135] P2 assembly position