VEHICLE WINDOW ASSEMBLY WITH A SEALED GAP

Abstract

A vehicle window assembly comprises a first window and a second window adjacent to the first. A first seal is attached to the first window. The first seal has a hook. A second seal is attached to the second window. The second seal has at least one flange. The hook of the first seal and the at least one flange of the second seal interlock to seal any gap between the first and second windows.

Description

AREA OF TECHNOLOGY This disclosure generally concerns the sealing of a gap between the windows of a vehicle. GENERAL STATE OF THE ART Vehicles can contain various types of windows. Some vehicles include window assemblies consisting of more than one window. A glass sunroof, for example, can be a window assembly consisting of more than one window. Interface areas between windows within a window assembly are often sealed. SUMMARY In some aspects, the techniques described in this document relate to a vehicle window assembly comprising: a first window; a second window adjacent to the first window; a first seal attached to the first window, the first seal having a hook; and a second seal attached to the second window, the second seal having at least one flange; the hook of the first seal and the at least one flange of the second seal forming an interface to seal a gap between the first window and the second window. In some aspects, the techniques described in this document relate to a vehicle window assembly, where the first window and the second window are roof windows of a vehicle. In some aspects, the techniques described in this document relate to a vehicle window assembly, where the first window is a front window and the second window is a rear window. In some aspects, the techniques described in this document relate to a vehicle window assembly, where the first window is a rear window and the second window is a front window. In some aspects, the techniques described in this document relate to a vehicle window assembly, where the gap extends longitudinally in a transverse direction of the vehicle. In some aspects, the techniques described in this document relate to a vehicle window assembly, wherein the first seal is fitted to a rear edge section of the first window and the second seal is fitted to a front edge section of the second window. In some aspects, the techniques described in this document relate to a vehicle window assembly, where the hook is a downward-facing hook. In some aspects, the techniques described in this document relate to a vehicle window assembly, wherein the at least one flange includes an upper flange and a lower flange. In some aspects, the techniques described in this document relate to a vehicle window assembly where the upper flange is shorter than the lower flange. In some aspects, the techniques described in this document relate to a vehicle window assembly, wherein the at least one flange is configured to provide a seal on a top side of the hook when the first window is fitted in front of the second window, and is configured to provide a seal on a bottom side of the hook when the first window is fitted after the second window. In some aspects, the techniques described in this document relate to a vehicle window assembly, wherein the at least one flange includes an upper flange and a lower flange. In some aspects, the techniques described in this document relate to a vehicle window assembly where the upper flange is shorter than the lower flange. In some aspects, the techniques described in this document relate to a vehicle window assembly, wherein, if the first window is fitted in front of the second window, the upper flange is configured to press the lower flange against the top of the hook when the gap is below a threshold distance. In some aspects, the techniques described in this document relate to a vehicle window assembly, wherein, if the first window is fitted before the second window, the underside of the hook is configured to provide a seal at the upper flange if the gap is below a sill distance, and is configured to provide a seal at the lower flange if the gap is at or above the sill distance. In some aspects, the techniques described in this document relate to a vehicle window installation method that includes: applying a first seal to a first window, wherein the first seal has a hook; applying a second seal to a second window, wherein the second seal has at least one flange;and installing the first window and the second window in a vehicle such that the first window and the second window are adjacent to each other and a gap between the first window and the second window is sealed by contact between the first seal and the second seal, wherein, if the first window is installed in the vehicle before the second window, an upper side of the hook contacts the at least one flange to seal the gap, and wherein, if the first window is installed in the vehicle after the second window, an underside of the hook contacts the at least one flange to seal the gap. In some aspects, the techniques described in this document relate to a vehicle window installation method, where the first window is a front roof window and the second window is a rear roof window. In some aspects, the techniques described in this document relate to a vehicle window installation method, wherein the at least one flange includes an upper flange and a lower flange, wherein, if the first window is installed in the vehicle before the second window, the upper flange is configured to touch the lower flange in order to press the lower flange against the top of the hook when the gap is below a sill distance. In some aspects, the techniques described in this document relate to a vehicle window installation method, wherein the at least one flange includes an upper flange and a lower flange, wherein, when the first window is installed in the vehicle after the second window, the underside of the hook touches the upper flange to seal the gap if the gap is below a sill distance, and touches the lower flange to seal the gap if the gap is at or above the sill distance. In some aspects, the techniques described in this document relate to a vehicle window installation method in which the upper flange is shorter than the lower flange. The embodiments, examples, and alternatives described in the preceding paragraphs, the claims, or the following description and drawings, which may include any of their various aspects or individual features, can be considered independently or in any combination. Features described in connection with one embodiment are applicable to all embodiments, provided such features are not incompatible. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES The various features and advantages of the disclosed examples will become apparent to the person skilled in the art from the detailed description. The figures accompanying the detailed description can be briefly described as follows: Fig. 1 illustrates the roof of a vehicle having a window assembly with a first window and a second window. Fig. 2 illustrates the vehicle from Fig. 1 during an installation sequence, with the first window installed and the second window yet to be installed. Fig. 2A is a close-up view of an area from Fig. 2. Fig. 3 illustrates the vehicle from Fig. 1 during another installation sequence of the window assembly, with the second window installed and the first window about to be installed. Fig. 3A is a close-up view of an area from Fig. 3. Fig. 4 is a sectional view along line 4-4 from Fig. 1.Figures 5A-5C illustrate a sectional view through a sealing assembly within the window assembly of Figure 1, showing the first window installed before the second window, with varying distances between the first and second windows after installation. Figures 6A-6C illustrate sectional views through the window assembly of Figure 1, showing the second window installed in the vehicle before the first window, with varying distances between the first and second windows after installation. DETAILED DESCRIPTION This generally applies to a window assembly that comprises a multitude of individual windows forming an interface with one another. The interface between the windows of the window assembly is sealed with a sealing assembly. The order in which the windows are installed can change. For example, if a first window is normally installed before a second window, but the first window requires rework, the second window can be installed in the vehicle without the first. The first window can then be reworked and installed in the vehicle at a later time. In exemplary embodiments, the sealing assembly can provide a sealed interface for the window assembly both when the first window is installed in the vehicle before the second window and when the second window is installed in the vehicle before the first. With reference to Figures 1-4, a vehicle 10 includes a roof 14 having a window assembly 18 that provides a glass sliding roof. In the exemplary embodiment, the window assembly 18 includes a first window 22 and a second window 26 adjacent to the first window 22. The first window 22 and the second window 26 are adjacent to each other when installed within the roof 14 of the vehicle 10 and can provide a glass sliding roof for the vehicle 10. In the exemplary embodiment, the first window 22 is a front window and the second window 26 is a rear window. For the purposes of this disclosure, front and rear refer to an orientation of the vehicle 10. A gap G is located between the first window 22 and the second window 26. The gap G is located at a certain distance between the first window 22 and the second window 26 when they are installed. The gap G can vary due to manufacturing variability and component variability, among other factors. The first window 22 and the second window 26 can be laminated windows. In the exemplary embodiment, a sealing assembly 30 is used to seal the gap G. The sealing assembly 30 extends longitudinally in a transverse direction of the vehicle. In the exemplary embodiment, the sealing assembly 30 comprises a first seal 34 and a second seal 38. The first seal 34 is secured to a rear edge section 42 of the first window 22. The second seal 38 is secured to a front edge section 46 of the second window 26. A roof panel 48 can extend under the gap G and the sealing assembly 30. The first seal 34 comprises a sealing lip 50 and a sealing carrier 54. In this example, the first seal 34 is secured to the rear edge section 42 of the first window 22 using double-sided foam adhesive tape 58. In other examples, the first seal 34 could be secured to the rear edge section 42 in other ways. The sealing carrier 54 can be a relatively hard, polymer-based material compared to the material composition of the sealing lip 50. In one example, the sealing carrier 54 is made of polypropylene and the sealing lip 50 is made of Santoprene. The sealing carrier 54 and the sealing lip 50 can be formed together in a two-stage molding process. The second seal 38 comprises a sealing lip 60 and a sealing carrier 64. In this example, the second seal 38 is secured to the front edge section 46 of the second window 26 using adhesive tape 68. In other examples, the second seal 38 could be secured to the front edge section 46 in other ways. The sealing carrier 64, like the sealing carrier 54, can be formed from a relatively hard polymer-based material, such as polypropylene, and the sealing lip 60 can be made of Santoprene. The sealing carrier 64 can be formed together with the sealing lip 60 and then secured to the front edge section 46 using the adhesive tape 68. The sealing lip 50 includes a hook 70. In this example, the hook 70 is a downward-facing hook. The hook 70 has a point 72, a top 74, and a bottom 78. The sealing lip 60 of the second seal 38 includes an upper flange 80 and a lower flange 84. The upper flange 80 is shorter than the lower flange 84 in this example. The upper flange 80 is located vertically above the lower flange 84 when installed inside the vehicle 10. "Upper" refers to the ground and the general orientation of the vehicle 10 during operation. To seal the gap G, the hook 70 of the first seal 34 can directly interface with the upper flange 80 or the lower flange 84. The interface between the first seal 34 and the second seal 38 may depend on the width of the gap G and the installation sequence of the first window 22 and the second window 26. In some cases, the upper flange 80, while not directly sealing the gap G, may contribute to filling the gap and mitigating potential Helmholtz resonance problems. In the examples from Figs. 5A-5C, the installation sequence of the first window 22 and the second window 26 is the same as shown in Fig. 2. That is, the first window 22, with the first seal 34 attached to the rear edge section 42, is moved into an installed position within the roof 14 of the vehicle 10. After the installation of the first window 22 and the first seal 34, the second window 26, with the second seal 38 attached to the front edge section 46, is moved into an installed position within the roof 14 of the vehicle 10. The second window 26, with the second seal 38, can be moved vertically downwards in direction D from a position above the first window 22, the first seal 34, and the roof 14 into its installed position.When the second window 26 and the second seal 38 are moved downwards, the lower flange 84 moves into contact with the top 74 of the hook 70 to seal the gap G. In Fig. 5A, the gap G is relatively large. Thus, a distal underside section of the lower flange 84 is the only section of the lower flange 84 that presses downwards in contact with the top 74 of the hook 70 to seal the gap G. In Fig. 5B, the distance between the first window 22 and the second window 26 is reduced, and the gap G is somewhat smaller than in Fig. 5A. In Fig. 5B, the top 74 of the hook 70 is in contact with a more central section of the lower flange 84 to seal the gap G. Furthermore, when installed, the upper flange 80 can touch and press against the lower flange 84 to help hold the lower flange 84 against the top 74 of the hook 70. In Fig. 5C, the distance between the first window 22 and the second window 26 is further reduced, and the gap G is smaller than in Fig. 5B. In Fig. 5C, the lower flange 84 contacts the top 74 of the hook 70. Other sections of the lower flange 84 contact and press against sections of the sealing lip 50 that extend vertically upward from the hook 70. Furthermore, the upper flange 80 can, as shown, contact the lower flange 84 to press and hold the lower flange 84 in contact with the hook 70 and other sections of the sealing lip 50, thus sealing the gap G. Now, with reference to Figures 6A-6C, the installation sequence of the first window 22 and the second window 26 is the same as shown in Figure 3. That is, the second window 26, with the second seal 38 attached to the front edge section 46, is moved into an installed position within the roof 14 of the vehicle 10. After the installation of the second window 26 and the second seal 38, the first window 22, with the first seal 34 attached to the rear edge section 42, is moved into an installed position within the roof 14 of the vehicle 10. The first window 22, with the first seal 34, can be moved vertically downwards in direction D from a position above the second window 26, the second seal 38, and the roof 14 into its installed position.When the first window 22 and the first seal 34 are moved downwards, the hook 70 moves, depending on the size of the gap G, into contact with the upper flange 80 and / or the lower flange 84 to seal the gap G. As shown in Fig. 6A, the gap G between the first window 22 and the second window 26 is relatively large. After moving the first window 22 and the first seal 34 downwards into the installed position shown in Fig. 6A, the tip 72 of the hook 70 contacts the lower flange 84 to seal the gap G. Now, referring to Fig. 6B, the gap G is somewhat smaller than the gap G shown in Fig. 6A. In Fig. 6B, the tip 72 of the hook 70 contacts the upper flange 80 to seal the gap G, while the first window 22 and the first seal 34 are moved into their installed positions. Furthermore, the underside 78 of the hook 70 contacts the lower flange 84 to further seal the gap G. Now, referring to Fig. 6C, the gap G is smaller than the gap G shown in Fig. 6B. In Fig. 6C, the underside 78 of the hook 70 contacts both the lower flange 84 and the upper flange 80 to seal the gap G, while the first window 22 and the first seal 34 are moved into their installed positions. Additionally, the tip 72 contacts the upper flange 80 to further seal the gap. While the window assembly 18 is described in connection with the provision of a glass sunroof for the vehicle 10, the sealing assembly 30 and other exemplary embodiments of this invention could be used to seal gaps between window assemblies located in other areas of the vehicle. That is to say, the teachings of this disclosure are not limited to sealing gaps between roof windows of vehicles. Features of the disclosed embodiments include a sealing assembly that seals a gap between a first and a second window, both when the first window is installed before the second window and when the second window is installed before the first window. The sealing assembly thus provides a sealed gap regardless of the order in which the windows are assembled. Furthermore, the sealing assembly does not extend vertically from the gap to project beyond the first or second window, which could potentially lead to noise problems in some examples. The preceding description is exemplary and not limiting. Variations and modifications of the disclosed examples may be apparent to a person skilled in the art, which do not necessarily deviate from the core of this disclosure. Therefore, the scope of protection granted to the present disclosure can only be determined by reading the following patent claims.

Claims

Vehicle window assembly comprising: a first window; a second window adjacent to the first window; a first seal attached to the first window, the first seal having a hook; and a second seal attached to the second window, the second seal having at least one flange; the hook of the first seal and the at least one flange of the second seal forming an interface to seal a gap between the first window and the second window. Vehicle window assembly according to claim 1, wherein the first window and the second window are roof windows of a vehicle. Vehicle window assembly according to claim 1, wherein the first window is a front window and the second window is a rear window. Vehicle window assembly according to claim 1, wherein the first window is a rear window and the second window is a front window. Vehicle window assembly according to claim 1, wherein the gap extends longitudinally in a transverse direction of the vehicle. Vehicle window assembly according to claim 1, wherein the first seal is attached to a rear edge section of the first window and the second seal is attached to a front edge section of the second window. Vehicle window assembly according to claim 1, wherein the hook is a downward-turned hook. Vehicle window assembly according to claim 1, wherein the at least one flange includes an upper flange and a lower flange and wherein the upper flange is optionally shorter than the lower flange. Vehicle window assembly according to claim 1, wherein the at least one flange is configured to provide a seal on a top side of the hook when the first window is installed in front of the second window, and is configured to provide a seal on a bottom side of the hook when the first window is installed after the second window, and wherein the at least one flange optionally includes a top flange and a bottom flange. Vehicle window assembly according to claim 9, wherein the upper flange is shorter than the lower flange and wherein, if the first window is installed in front of the second window, the upper flange may optionally be configured to press the lower flange against the top of the hook if the gap is below a threshold distance. Vehicle window assembly according to claim 9, wherein, if the first window is installed in front of the second window, the underside of the hook is configured to provide a seal on the upper flange when the gap is below a threshold distance, and is configured to provide a seal on the lower flange when the gap is at or above the threshold distance. A vehicle window installation method comprising: attaching a first seal to a first window, the first seal having a hook; attaching a second seal to a second window, the second seal having at least one flange; and installing the first window and the second window in a vehicle such that the first window and the second window are adjacent to each other and a gap between the first window and the second window is sealed by contact between the first seal and the second seal, wherein, when the first window is installed in the vehicle before the second window, an upper side of the hook contacts the at least one flange to seal the gap, and wherein, when the first window is installed in the vehicle after the second window, an underside of the hook contacts the at least one flange to seal the gap. Vehicle window installation method according to claim 12, wherein the first window is a front roof window and the second window is a rear roof window. Vehicle window installation method according to claim 12, wherein the at least one flange comprises an upper flange and a lower flange, wherein, when the first window is installed in the vehicle prior to the second window, the upper flange is configured to touch the lower flange in order to press the lower flange against the top of the hook when the gap is below a threshold distance. Vehicle window installation method according to claim 12, wherein the at least one flange comprises an upper flange and a lower flange, wherein, when the first window is installed in the vehicle after the second window, the underside of the hook contacts the upper flange to seal the gap if the gap is below a threshold distance, and contacts the lower flange to seal the gap if the gap is at or above the threshold distance, and wherein the upper flange is optionally shorter than the lower flange.

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