Window unit consisting of an embedded glass panel and frame

Abstract

The present invention discloses a vehicle window unit, which comprises: an embedded glass panel; a frame, which has a frame profile and at least partially surrounds the outer side of the embedded glass panel, and the frame comprises a main part, which is in the form of a hard component and has an outer profile, characterized in that the main part has at least one internal contour line with at least one recess and / or the main part has at least one protrusion extending from the outer side of the embedded glass panel to the center of the vehicle window unit and comprising at least one fixing device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a window unit for a window in a motor vehicle or the like, comprising a recessed glass panel having a frame, the frame having a frame profile and surrounding the edge of the window on at least two peripheral sides, wherein the frame clamps the window or surrounds the window on at least two peripheral sides in the form of a ring (the ring itself being closed), and the frame comprises at least a major part in the form of a hard component. Background Art

[0002] One of the main disadvantages that may arise from injecting the main part around the glazing panel is the presence of a permanent force applied to the glazing panel. This force is caused by the extraction associated with the injection process of the main part on the glazing panel, especially when the main part is injected on the main part on the peripheral side of the glazing panel, and by the shrinkage of the main part during the cooling step in the process of manufacturing the window unit.

[0003] Usually, the glazing panel is not completely flat, and even has a defined curvature. The shrinkage of the main part around the edge of the window unit leads to a narrowing of the main part. The main part then peels off the glazing panel by the same phenomenon as bowing. As a result, a gap appears between the main part and the glazing panel.

[0004] One solution to reduce this gap is to add a primer material in addition to the secondary part using a 2K process. The primer material is deposited on the surface of the glazing panel where the primary part will not be present. The secondary part is deposited on the primary part and on this surface in order to fix the primary part to the glazing panel. This increases the complexity of the manufacturing process and increases the cost. Furthermore, this solution is not applicable when the window unit is made of only hard materials. Summary of the invention

[0005] An object of the present invention is to alleviate these problems and to provide a vehicle window unit which has less constraints with no or limited clearance between the main part and the glazing panel.

[0006] According to a first aspect of the invention, the invention relates to a vehicle window unit, comprising an embedded glass panel; a frame having a frame profile and at least partially surrounding the outer peripheral side of the embedded glass panel, and the frame comprising a main part, which is in the form of a hard component and has an outer profile.

[0007] The present invention also relates to a method for producing a vehicle window unit according to the first aspect of the present invention, the method comprising the step of forming at least one recess in the embedded glass panel, or the step of overmolding the at least one protrusion together with the main part on the embedded glass panel, or the step of injecting the at least one protrusion and the main part into the embedded glass panel.

[0008] The invention also relates to a mould for producing a vehicle window unit according to the first aspect of the invention, said mould comprising a portion forming at least one recess and / or at least one protrusion on said frame.

[0009] The solution as defined in the first aspect of the invention is based on the main part having at least one inner contour line with at least one notch (203) and / or the main part having at least one protrusion extending from the outer contour of the glazing panel to the center of the window unit and comprising at least one fixing device. These components locally reduce or increase the width of the main part, which then reduces the pinching effect and reduces the gap between the main part and the glazing panel, or even eliminates it.

[0010] In some embodiments, the inner contour with at least one recess is free of fixing means.The fixing means may be inserted or overmolded elsewhere with the main part.

[0011] Preferably, the recess comprises an opening on the inner profile and a cavity free of hard material, the cavity opening toward the center of the window unit via the opening. In some embodiments, the opening may be a slit on the inner profile. The cavity and the opening may have different sizes. In a preferred embodiment, the slit is thinner than the size of the cavity to maximize the rigidity of the main part and avoid the formation of a gap between the main part and the embedded glass panel.

[0012] In one embodiment, the frame comprises at least one notch and at least one protrusion.

[0013] The fixing means can fix the window unit to another element, such as a vehicle body, a trim, a door frame, ... The fixing element is fixed to the frame in the main part

[0014] In one embodiment of the invention, the frame comprises a secondary part in the form of a soft component placed at least partially on the primary part. The secondary part allows the window unit to be fastened to the structure to which it is fixed. Such a structure may be a car body, a building ...

[0015] The secondary part may be at least partially injected onto the primary part in a second step. Preferably, the secondary part is a single part. In some embodiments, the secondary part may be in partial contact with the embedded glass panel to ensure the beauty and tightness of the vehicle window unit.

[0016] Preferably, said at least one notch is on said inner contour of said frame and, more preferably, does not extend to said outer contour of said frame so as to maintain said main portion as a single piece.

[0017] A bridge that releases the constraint by at least maintaining the stiffness of the primary portion may be added to the recess. In the case of a secondary portion, the secondary portion may maintain the bridge to maintain the mechanical properties and effect of the bridge.

[0018] In a preferred embodiment, the hard component is a polypropylene-based material. Other hard materials with a Young's modulus higher than 1000 MPa, such as polyamide, styrene, etc., may also be used.

[0019] In a preferred embodiment, the soft component is a thermoplastic elastomer-based material. Styrene-based and vulcanized thermoplastic elastomers are commonly used. In another embodiment, the soft component is soft polyvinyl chloride.

[0020] In one embodiment of the present invention, the main part is in direct contact with the mosaic glass panel, which means that the main part is injected onto the mosaic glass panel. The mosaic glass panel may be partially provided with adhesive or primer material to ensure tightness and / or facilitate the encapsulation of the main part on the mosaic glass panel.

[0021] The main part may be overmoulded onto the glazing panel. To facilitate the process, the main part may be injected into a mould so as to be encapsulated onto the glazing panel. Preferably, the at least one protrusion and / or the at least one recess are formed during the injection of the main part.

[0022] Preferably, in order to optimize the process and reduce the price, the at least one protrusion is made of the same component as the main part.

[0023] In one embodiment of the present invention, the main part is in direct contact with the mosaic glass panel, which means that the main part is injected onto the mosaic glass panel. The mosaic glass panel may be partially provided with adhesive or primer material to ensure tightness and / or facilitate the encapsulation of the main part on the mosaic glass panel.

[0024] In one embodiment, the embedded glass panel is a glass panel. The glass panel includes at least one glass plate.

[0025] The glass pane may be clear glass or colored glass, which is colored with a specific glass composition or by applying, for example, a coating or a plastic layer.

[0026] In another embodiment, the fixing element has a local overthickness to strengthen the fixing and reduce the gap between the main part and the glazing panel.

[0027] In order to produce the vehicle window unit as described above, the method includes the step of forming the at least one recess on the embedded glass panel, or the step of overmolding the at least one protrusion together with the main part (102a) on the embedded glass panel (101), or the step of injecting the at least one protrusion and the main part (102a) into the embedded glass panel.

[0028] Advantageously, a specific mold is used in the process, the mold comprising a portion for forming at least one protrusion and / or at least one recess on the frame. This mold can have a portion of a cavity for forming the at least one protrusion, and / or an element for forming the recess. Another mold can have a portion in which the at least one protrusion is inserted for overmolding with the glazing panel through the main portion.

[0029] The vehicle window element of the invention can be arranged in a window frame or a door frame.

[0030] It is noted that the invention relates to all possible combinations of features recited in the claims.

[0031] The following description relates to automotive window units, but it will be appreciated that the invention may be applied to other areas, such as architectural windows, which may provide encapsulation around the edge of the window on at least two peripheral sides. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032] This and other aspects of the present invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings showing various exemplary embodiments of the present invention, which are provided by way of illustration and not limitation. These drawings are schematic and not true to scale. These drawings do not limit the present invention in any way. Further advantages will be illustrated by way of example.

[0033] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a vehicle window unit according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0034] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 Schematic diagram of a vehicle window unit, wherein the frame includes a secondary part in the form of a soft component.

[0035] Figure 3is a schematic diagram of a protrusion according to the present invention.

[0036] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of a protrusion according to the present invention.

[0037] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of a window unit having a protrusion according to the present invention.

[0038] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of a vehicle window unit having a protrusion according to the present invention.

[0039] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of a vehicle window unit according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0040] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of a vehicle window unit having a recess according to the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0041] refer to Figure 1 , a first embodiment of the present invention is described.

[0042] Figure 1 A vehicle window unit 100 is shown, which comprises: an embedded glass panel 101; a frame 102, which has a frame profile and surrounds the edge of the embedded glass panel 101 on at least two peripheral sides, and clamps the embedded glass panel 101 in the form of a ring (which itself is closed) on at least two peripheral sides or surrounds the embedded glass panel 101, and the frame 102 comprises a main part 102a, which extends from the outer profile 106 of the embedded glass panel 101 to the center of the vehicle window unit. The main part 102a of the frame 102 comprises a protrusion 103. The hard material is a polypropylene-based material.

[0043] Figure 2 Shows Figure 1 The vehicle window unit 100 described in , but wherein the frame also includes a secondary part 102b, which is in the form of a soft component and is at least partially placed on the main part. In this embodiment, the soft component is a thermoplastic elastomer-based material. The secondary part 102b has a lip to ensure the tightness of the vehicle window unit 100.

[0044] Figure 3 A protrusion 103 is shown which comprises at least one fixing means 104 in a particular embodiment of the invention. The protrusion extends from the outer contour 106 of the glazing panel 101 to the center of the window unit 100. On a portion of the main part 102a, the secondary part 102b is overmolded with a lip. The local overthickness of the protrusion 103 with respect to the main part allows reinforcing the main part and preventing gaps between the glazing panel and the main part 102a.

[0045] Figure 4 A protrusion 103 is shown which comprises at least one fixing means 104 in a particular embodiment of the invention. The protrusion extends from the outer contour 106 of the glazing panel 101 to the center of the window unit 100. On a portion of the main part 102a, the secondary part 102b is overmolded with a lip. The local overthickness of the protrusion 103 with respect to the main part allows reinforcing the main part and preventing gaps between the glazing panel and the main part 102a.

[0046] Figure 5 A cross-sectional portion of a window unit 100 is shown with protrusions 103 in a particular embodiment of the invention, these protrusions comprising at least one fixing device 104. The protrusions extend from the outer contour 106 of the glazing panel 101 to the center of the window unit 100. On a portion of the main part 102a, the secondary part 102b is overmolded with a lip. The local overthickness of the protrusion 103 with respect to the main part allows to strengthen the main part and prevent gaps between the glazing panel and the main part 102a.

[0047] The main part 102a surrounds the glazing panel 101, and the secondary part 102b is injected onto a portion of the main part 102a and directly onto the glazing panel in another portion 102b2.

[0048] Figure 6 A cross-sectional portion of a window unit 100 is shown with protrusions 103 in a particular embodiment of the invention, these protrusions comprising at least one fixing device 104. The protrusions extend from the outer contour 106 of the glazing panel 101 to the center of the window unit 100. On a portion of the main part 102a, the secondary part 102b is overmolded with a lip. The local overthickness of the protrusion 103 with respect to the main part allows to strengthen the main part and prevent gaps between the glazing panel and the main part 102a.

[0049] The main part 102a surrounds the glazing panel 101, and the secondary part 102b is injected onto a portion of the main part 102a and directly onto the glazing panel in another portion 102b2.

[0050] Figure 7 Another embodiment of the invention is shown having a window unit 200 with a frame 202 including a recess 203 . Figure 8 A detailed notch according to one embodiment of the invention is shown.

[0051] The frame 202 comprises an outer contour 206 and an inner contour 205. Some fixing means 204 are used to fix the window unit 200 to a support, such as a vehicle body. Some fixing means are placed near the inner contour 205, while others are on the main part 202a. The inner contour 205 has a notch 203. In this example, the notch does not extend on the outer contour 206.

[0052] In this embodiment, the recess 203 includes a cavity 203a and an opening 203b in the form of a slit on the inner profile 205 of the main part 202a. The width of the slit 203b is smaller than the size of the cavity 203a. Due to the cavity and the slit, the force applied to the main part 202a and the contraction of the main part caused on the embedded glass panel 201 are reduced. Therefore, the gap is reduced or even does not exist between the main part 202a and the embedded glass panel 201.

[0053] The recess is made by an element in the mould. This element prevents the hard material from being injected into this area.

Claims

1. A vehicle window unit (100, 200), comprising: A glass panel (101, 201); a frame (102, 202), the frame having a frame profile and at least partially surrounding the outer side of the glass panel (101, 201), and the frame (102, 202) comprising a main part (102a, 202a), the main part being in the form of a hard component and having an outer profile (106, 206), characterized in that the main part (102a, 202a) has at least one inner profile line (105) with at least one notch (203), The main part has at least one protrusion (103) extending from the outer contour (106) of the embedded glass panel (101) to the center of the vehicle window unit and comprising at least one fixing device (104), wherein the at least one protrusion (103) is made of the same material as the main part (102a, 202a), and the fixing device (104) has a local overthickness; the recess (203) comprises a cavity (203a) and an opening (203b) in the form of a slit on the inner contour (205) of the main part.

2. The vehicle window unit (100, 200) according to claim 1, wherein: The frame (102, 202) comprises a secondary portion (102b, 202b) in the form of a soft component, the secondary portion being at least partially placed on the primary portion (102a, 202a).

3. The vehicle window unit (100, 200) according to claim 2, wherein: The soft component is a thermoplastic elastomer-based material.

4. The vehicle window unit (100, 200) according to any one of the preceding claims 1-3, wherein: The main portion (102a, 202a) is in direct contact with the embedded glass panel (101, 201).

5. The vehicle window unit (100, 200) according to any one of the preceding claims 1-3, wherein: The embedded glass panel (101, 201) is a glass panel.

6. The vehicle window unit (100, 200) according to any one of the preceding claims 1-3, wherein: The embedded glass panel (101, 201) is a laminated glass panel.

7. The vehicle window unit (100, 200) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The hard component is a polypropylene based material.

8. A method for producing a vehicle window unit (100, 200) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, the method comprising the step of forming the at least one recess (203) on the embedded glass panel, or the step of overmolding the at least one protrusion (103) together with the main part (102a) on the embedded glass panel (101, 201), or the step of injecting the at least one protrusion (103) and the main part (102a, 202a) on the embedded glass panel (101, 201).

9. A mold for producing a vehicle window unit (100, 200) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, the mold comprising a portion forming at least one recess (203) and / or at least one protrusion (103) on the frame (102, 202).

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