Method of manufacturing a sliding glass window and such sliding glass window

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for manufacturing a vehicle glazing (1) and to a glazing (1), in which: - two pairs (7, 7') of foam strips (71, 72, 73, 74) are applied and fixed, each pair of foam strips being applied and fixed to a longitudinal edge of a fixing zone (F, F'), - a window frame (6, 6') having a U-shaped portion surrounds the edges of the glass and the two pairs (7, 7') of foam strips, - between the two foam strips of each pair (7, 7') of foam strips, a rapidly solidifying plastic material is injected inside the U-shaped portion, and - between the two pairs (7, 7'), an adhesive is injected inside the U-shaped portion.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The invention relates to a method for manufacturing a vehicle glazing, in particular a motor vehicle glazing, comprising a glass and means for making the glass mobile in vertical translation relative to a door of the vehicle.

[0002] The invention also relates to a glazing manufactured by such a method. BACKGROUND

[0003] The invention is in particular developed for a door without a glazing frame, that is to say, for a door which supports the glazing at the lower part of the glazing but does not comprise lateral uprights or an upper upright.

[0004] Many solutions have been developed which make it possible to make a glazing mobile in vertical translation relative to a door. However, to date, few solutions make it possible to control the lateral fixing tolerances, that is to say, the tolerances in the in-out direction (that is to say, in the general direction of the Y axis of the vehicle), very well.

[0005] International patent application WO2008074819 in particular proposes that two different adhesive materials can be used to fix the glass to the means for making the glass mobile in translation along a slot. The second adhesive is applied in liquid form by being contained laterally by the first adhesive.

[0006] Since the second adhesive is in liquid state, implementation of this solution is limited. It can only be implemented by vertically orienting the glazing upside down, with the bottom of the glazing facing upwards. This vertical orientation complicates the correct positioning of the glass in the frame of reference of the frame, since it is then only possible to use gravity as a reference in the Z axis of the glazing.

[0007] On the contrary, horizontal positioning of the glass would make it possible to use gravity as a reference for the Z axis and the Y axis, but this is not compatible with the liquid state of the second adhesive. SUMMARY

[0008] The invention aims to propose a manufacturing method in which, contrary to the prior art, the orientation of the glass in space is not critical during fixing of the means for making the glass mobile.

[0009] The invention aims to propose a manufacturing method by which the fixing precision of the means for making the glass mobile (in particular in the Y axis of the vehicle) is very high; with the invention, the finished glazing can have a positive or negative tolerance of 0.5 mm in the Y axis, whereas before fixing the window frame, there can be a large gap of about 1.5 to 2 mm between the window frame and the face opposite the glass.

[0010] The present invention is based on the concept that when the window frame is positioned in the appropriate position opposite the glass, the mechanical wedging of the window frame is achieved very quickly inside the U-shaped section, in a time that is the same as the time required to chemically fix the window frame to the glass using conventional adhesives.

[0011] The present invention also aims to provide a faster method for mass production of glass windows using a single adhesive material than before, specifically a method for removing glass windows from a reference frame without waiting for polymerization, drying, or complete curing, the reference frame being used to fix the means for making the glass movable.

[0012] The present invention aims to provide a glass window in which the means for making the glass movable are more precisely fixed, and in addition, the glass window is cheaper to manufacture due to its faster manufacturing speed.

[0013] The present invention also aims to propose a glass window that, surprisingly, includes a foam strip within its (or a plurality of) flexible material fixing area; initially, the use of flexible material seems incompatible with the purpose of reliable and effective fixing, but as proposed, it allows for the formation of a compensation area to compensate for the different coefficients of expansion of the various materials used for the glass window and for the means of making it active.

[0014] Therefore, the present invention relates most broadly to a method for manufacturing a vehicle window according to the present invention. The window includes glass having an outer surface, an inner surface, and peripheral side surfaces, and a fixing device that allows the glass to be vertically translatably moved relative to a vehicle door. The fixing device is located in at least one, and preferably two, fixing areas and includes a window frame having a U-shaped portion. According to the method, the fixing device is secured to the glass by performing at least the following steps:

[0015] - Position the glass onto the reference frame, and then,

[0016] - Apply and secure two pairs of foam strips, applying and securing each pair of foam strips to the secured area, preferably at the longitudinal edge of each secured area, then...

[0017] - Position the window frame with the U-shaped portion into the fixed area such that the U-shaped portion surrounds the edge of the glass and the two pairs of foam strips, then

[0018] - Between two foam strips in each pair of foam strips in the fixed region, and preferably between two foam strips in each pair of foam strips in each fixed region, a fast-curing plastic material is injected into the interior of the U-shaped portion, and

[0019] - Adhesive is injected into the interior of the U-shaped portion between the two pairs of foam strips in the fixed area, and preferably between the two pairs of foam strips in each fixed area.

[0020] Therefore, the rapidly curing plastic material mechanically weds the window frame position opposite the glass as soon as it cures. It is neither necessary nor desirable to strongly chemically adhere the rapidly curing plastic material to the lateral extension and the glass.

[0021] The rapidly curing plastic material and the adhesive are preferably injected substantially simultaneously; there is no need to wait for one injection to finish before starting another; specifically, there is no need to wait for the rapidly curing plastic material to cure before injecting the adhesive. Therefore, this method is very fast and reduces manufacturing costs.

[0022] The rapidly curing plastic material can be injected first, and the curing time of the rapidly curing plastic material determines the speed of mass production of glass windows.

[0023] The rapidly curing plastic material preferably cures within 60 seconds at the latest.

[0024] Preferably, the glass window can only be removed from the reference frame after the rapidly curing plastic material has cured, so that the wedge is secure.

[0025] The rapidly curing plastic material is preferably a thermoplastic or thermosetting material, and preferably has a hardness of at least 60 Shore A in the cured state.

[0026] Preferably, the rapidly curing plastic material is injected only between two foam strips in each pair of foam strips in the fixed area, and more preferably only between two foam strips in each pair of foam strips in each fixed area; the material will not overflow from the side. The rapidly curing plastic material is layered after injection, located between the U-shaped portions of the glass and the window frame.

[0027] The adhesive is preferably injected only into the interior of the U-shaped portion between the two pairs of foam strips in the fixing area, and preferably only into the interior of the U-shaped portion between the two pairs of foam strips in each fixing area; this adhesive preferably does not overflow from the sides. The adhesive, after injection, forms a layer between the U-shaped portions of the glass and the window frame.

[0028] The rapidly curing plastic material and the adhesive are thus separated by a foam strip, and preferably not just a single foam strip. Therefore, the rapidly curing plastic material and the adhesive do not come into contact with each other.

[0029] The foam strip is, for example, a prefabricated flexible polyurethane foam strip, the type used for perimeter sealing of building windows (e.g., the registered trademark "compriband"), and has the ability to be compressed under small forces and then return to its initial shape. Each foam strip is preferably positioned between the glass and the window frame, forming a longitudinal constraint on the seal (along the X-axis).

[0030] Alternatively, the adhesive can be injected after the rapidly curing plastic material has fully cured, but this results in a lower batch production speed for the glass.

[0031] To ensure better distribution of the injected material, at least one injection is performed, and preferably each injection is performed facing the side of the glass.

[0032] The injection of the rapid-curing plastic material and all of the adhesive is preferably performed within the reference frame: preferably, there is no need to move the glass between injections, thereby achieving a fast and reliable fixation as quickly as possible. For the manufacture of glass windows, it is therefore preferable to remove the glass from the reference frame after all of the rapid-curing plastic and all of the adhesive have been injected.

[0033] The foam strips are preferably applied such that they surround the edge of the glass while simultaneously contacting the glass.

[0034] Preferably, each pair of foam strips is applied to and fixed to the two longitudinal edges of the fixing area by providing a main injection space between the two foam strips in a pair of foam strips. The length of the main injection space is between 3.0 mm and 25.0 mm, or the volume is between 1 and 25 cm³. 3 between.

[0035] The main injection is preferably performed at the center of the main injection length.

[0036] Preferably, the paired foam strips are applied to and fixed to the two longitudinal edges of the fixed area by providing a secondary injection space between the two pairs of foam strips in the fixed area. The length of the secondary injection space is between 20.0 mm and 70.0 mm, or the volume is between 5 and 75 cm³. 3 between.

[0037] The secondary injection is preferably performed at the center of the secondary injection length.

[0038] The rapidly curing plastic material preferably contacts the outer surface, inner surface, and side surface of the glass.

[0039] The adhesive is preferably in contact with the outer surface, inner surface and side surface of the glass.

[0040] The glass can be monolithic, fully laminated, or partially laminated.

[0041] The glass is preferably partially laminated, and the laminated portion includes at least an outer glass sheet, an inner glass sheet, and an adhesive interlayer sheet located between the outer glass sheet and the inner glass sheet, wherein the fixed area, and preferably each fixed area, is non-laminated.

[0042] Preferably, the glass is a partially laminated glass, meaning that there are no gas voids or vacuum voids between the sheets constituting the glass.

[0043] Advantageously, the thickness of the outer glass sheet is between 2.85 mm and 4.85 mm.

[0044] Advantageously, the thickness of the inner glass sheet is between 0.30 mm and 2.60 mm.

[0045] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the thickness of the inner glass sheet is between 1.00 mm and 1.20 mm.

[0046] Advantageously, when the thickness of the inner glass sheet is about 1.1 mm, about 1.6 mm, and about 2.1 mm, the maximum surface stress of the inner glass sheet is 20 MPa, 30 MPa, and 40 MPa, respectively. "About" here means a value that is considered standard by those skilled in the art, even though the value may vary locally within a range of plus or minus 10%.

[0047] At least once, and preferably each injection is performed through an injection hole, passing through the window frame.

[0048] In the context of this invention, the device that enables the glass to move may include a window frame or holder, or a guide rail or slide.

[0049] Preferably, the device that enables the glass to move does not include a hole that passes through the glass partially or entirely (that is, on a portion or the entire thickness of its constituent elements, or on a portion of the thickness of the glass where multiple elements are located, or even on the entire thickness of the glass).

[0050] The present invention also relates to a vehicle window, specifically a vehicle window obtained by implementing the manufacturing method according to the invention, the window comprising glass having an outer surface, an inner surface, and peripheral side surfaces, and a fixing device for enabling the glass to vertically translate relative to the vehicle door, the fixing device being located in at least one, and preferably two, fixing areas, and including a window frame having a U-shaped portion, the window being characterized in that:

[0051] - Two pairs of foam strips are fixed, each pair of foam strips being fixed to the fixed area, and preferably at the longitudinal edge of each fixed area.

[0052] - The window frame, having a U-shaped portion, is located within the fixed area such that the U-shaped portion surrounds the edge of the glass and the two pairs of foam strips.

[0053] - Between the two foam strips in each pair of foam strips in the fixed area, and preferably between the two foam strips in each pair of foam strips in each fixed area, a rapidly curing plastic material is injected through the window frame into the interior of the U-shaped portion, and

[0054] - Between the two pairs of foam strips in the fixed area, and preferably between the pairs of foam strips in each fixed area, adhesive is injected through the window frame into the interior of the U-shaped portion.

[0055] Preferably, each window frame includes at least one, and preferably two, or even preferably three injection holes.

[0056] In this article, when explaining the U-shaped section or shape that surrounds the edge of the glass, it is important to understand that the interior of the U-shaped section or shape follows the overall shape of the two opposite faces and sides of the glass; the entire U-shaped section or shape does not make full contact with the two opposite faces and sides of the glass because there is space between them for adhesives, foam strips, or fast-curing plastic materials.

[0057] In this article, the boundaries of the scope are included within the scope.

[0058] "Side" or "boundary" refers to the narrow edge of a sheet, which is generally located laterally between the two main surfaces of the sheet.

[0059] Therefore, the method of manufacturing a glass window according to the invention is easier to implement because the glass can be held in any position (and especially in the position most suitable from the angle of gravity), and it is also faster to implement because there is no need to wait for the adhesive to polymerize or dry or fully cure before the glass can be removed from the reference frame; one only needs to wait for the rapidly curing plastic material to cure.

[0060] The present invention has been developed for use in glass windows fitted inside vehicle doors, wherein the vehicle door has no lateral pillars or an upper pillar at the glass window when the glass window is raised (closed).

[0061] Of particular advantage, the present invention can be used to manufacture glass windows using a device that enables glass to be movable, the device being fixed to the glass with very high precision (especially on the Y-axis) and with very high reliability, while being lightweight, and simultaneously allowing differential expansion (compensating for different expansion coefficients). Attached Figure Description

[0062] The invention will be better understood by reading the following detailed description and accompanying drawings of non-limiting embodiments:

[0063] Figure 1 An interior view of a single movable front window of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown, with two window frames;

[0064] Figure 2 A perspective view of a reference frame is shown at the beginning of the manufacturing method according to the invention for partially laminated glass.

[0065] Figure 3 Another perspective view of the reference frame at the start of the manufacturing method according to the present invention is shown;

[0066] Figure 4 A top view of a portion of laminated glass after the application of foam strips is shown;

[0067] Figure 5 A partial perspective view of the fixed area of ​​partially laminated glass after the application of foam strips is shown;

[0068] Figure 6 A partial bottom perspective view shows the injection of rapidly curing plastic material;

[0069] Figure 7 This shows a partial bottom perspective view of a fixed area of ​​a partially laminated glass before the injection of a rapidly curing plastic material;

[0070] Figure 8 A partial bottom view of the injected, rapidly curing plastic material is shown;

[0071] Figure 9 A partial bottom perspective view of the fixed area of ​​a partially laminated glass before the adhesive is injected is shown;

[0072] Figure 10 A partial bottom view of the injected adhesive is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0073] For ease of reading, the components shown in the accompanying figures are not strictly proportional to the figures presented in each figure.

[0074] Figure 1 The left-side glass window 1 of the vehicle is shown as viewed from inside the vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0075] Specifically, this is the side window of a vehicle door (in Figure 1 (Not visible in the center), the side window can be moved horizontally relative to the door in a generally vertical direction between an open position and a closed position, in which the window is entirely or almost entirely inside the door, and in which the window closes the door window.

[0076] Therefore, the glass window, when closed, achieves vertical separation between the interior space I inside the vehicle and the exterior space E outside the vehicle.

[0077] Therefore, "external" and "internal" in this paper are relative to the external space E and the internal space I, respectively.

[0078] As it is a side window, it extends roughly along an axis commonly referred to as the vehicle's "X-axis," which is the central longitudinal axis as the vehicle moves forward. The vehicle is equipped with a side window according to the invention on the left side of the vehicle, and this axis corresponds to […]. Figure 1 The horizontal axis within the plane where the sheet material is located.

[0079] The movement of the glass window relative to the car door is roughly vertical; in this direction, this movement occurs along the Z-axis, and may have a small component along the horizontal Y-axis. Figure 1 [Not shown in the image]

[0080] In the embodiment shown, the glass window 1 is integrally formed.

[0081] exist Figure 1 In the glass window 1, there is a single pane of glass 2': it is made of a single sheet of glass or a sheet of plastic material, preferably made of glass.

[0082] See below for details. Figures 2 to 10 The invention is chosen to be applied in the most complex glass window 1 construction: when the glass window comprises curved (i.e. uneven) and partially laminated glass 2.

[0083] Glass 2, 2' has a first lateral edge 23, a second lateral edge 24, an upper edge 25, and a lower edge 26. The first lateral edge 23 and the second lateral edge 24 are respectively disposed in the portion of the glass facing the front of the vehicle and the portion of the glass facing the rear of the vehicle. The upper edge 25 and the lower edge 26 are respectively disposed in the portion of the glass facing the roof and the portion of the glass facing the floor.

[0084] The partially laminated glass 2 includes a main laminated portion. In this laminated portion, the glass, from the outside to the inside, includes at least: an outer glass sheet 3, an adhesive interlayer sheet 4, and an inner glass sheet 5; however, at least one other sheet may be inserted between the outer glass sheet 3 and the adhesive interlayer sheet 4, or between the adhesive interlayer sheet 4 and the inner glass sheet 5. Figure 2 In the middle, the adhesive interlayer sheet 4 and the outer glass sheet 3 can be seen through the inner glass sheet 5.

[0085] In the laminated portion, the outer glass sheet 3 has an outer surface 30 facing the external space E, a middle surface 32 facing the adhesive interlayer sheet 4, and a peripheral side surface 31 located between these two surfaces. Furthermore, the outer glass sheet 3 has a first lateral edge 33, a second lateral edge 34, an upper edge 35, and a lower edge 36. The first lateral edge 33 and the second lateral edge 34 of the outer glass sheet 3 are respectively disposed in the portion of the outer glass sheet 3 facing the front of the vehicle and the portion facing the rear of the vehicle. The upper edge 35 and the lower edge 36 of the outer glass sheet 3 are respectively disposed in the portion of the outer glass sheet 3 facing the roof and the portion facing the vehicle chassis.

[0086] The inner glass sheet 5 has a middle surface 50 facing the adhesive interlayer sheet 4, an inner surface 52 facing the interior space I, and a peripheral side surface 51 located between these two surfaces. Furthermore, the inner glass sheet 5 has a first lateral edge 53, a second lateral edge 54, an upper edge 55, and a lower edge 56. The first lateral edge 53 and the second lateral edge 54 of the inner glass sheet 5 are respectively disposed in the portion of the inner glass sheet 5 facing the front of the vehicle and the portion facing the rear of the vehicle. The upper edge 55 and the lower edge 56 of the inner glass sheet 5 are respectively disposed in the portion of the inner glass sheet 5 facing the roof and the portion facing the vehicle chassis.

[0087] The adhesive interlayer sheet 4 has an outer intermediate surface 40 facing and contacting the intermediate surface 32, an inner intermediate surface 42 facing and contacting the intermediate surface 50, and a peripheral side surface 41 located between the two intermediate surfaces 40 and 42. Furthermore, the adhesive interlayer sheet 4 has a first lateral edge 43, a second lateral edge 44, an upper edge 45, and a lower edge 46. The first lateral edge 43 and the second lateral edge 44 are respectively disposed in the portion of the adhesive interlayer sheet 4 facing the front of the vehicle and the portion facing the rear of the vehicle. The upper edge 45 and the lower edge 46 are respectively disposed in the portion of the adhesive interlayer sheet 4 facing the roof and the portion facing the chassis.

[0088] The outer glass sheet 3 is a glass sheet that has undergone a hot bending operation before the manufacture of the partially laminated glass 2, and its thickness is between 2.85 and 4.85 mm, for example 3.50 mm. The outer glass sheet 3 may have a surface stress of at least 80 MPa and less than 200 MPa.

[0089] The inner glass sheet 5 can be a glass sheet that has undergone hot tempering or semi-tempering, with a thickness between 0.70 and 2.60 mm, or even between 0.70 and 2.50 mm, or even between 0.70 and 2.30 mm, or even between 0.70 and 2.10 mm, for example, 1.10 or 1.60 mm. Tempering or semi-tempering operations have the advantage of very high manufacturing speeds. In fact, on average, approximately 20 glass sheets can be produced per minute. Furthermore, tempering or semi-tempering operations generate surface stresses of approximately 20 MPa, 30 MPa, and 40 MPa on glass sheets with thicknesses of approximately 1.10 mm, approximately 1.60 mm, and approximately 2.10 mm, respectively.

[0090] As a variation, the inner glass sheet 5 can be a chemically tempered glass sheet with a thickness between 0.30 and 1.60 mm, or even between 0.50 and 1.50 mm, or even between 0.70 and 1.20 mm, for example, 1.10 mm. The chemical tempering process can generate a surface stress of at least 200 MPa.

[0091] The adhesive interlayer sheet 4 is, for example, a polyvinyl butyral (PVB) sheet with a thickness between 0.30 and 1.50 mm, for example, 0.78 mm. This adhesive interlayer sheet 4 preferably has the same dimensions as the inner glass sheet 5, i.e., length on the X-axis and height on the Z-axis.

[0092] If glass 2 includes one or more other sheets besides the three sizes mentioned above, then the outer glass sheet 3 is the outermost laminated glass sheet.

[0093] Figure 2 As shown, the glass 2 has an outer surface 20 formed by the outer surface 30 of the outer glass sheet 3, an inner surface 22 formed by the inner surface 52 of the inner glass sheet 5, and a peripheral side surface 21 located between these two surfaces. The peripheral side surface 21 corresponds to the peripheral side surface 31 of the outer glass sheet 3, the peripheral side surface 41 of the adhesive interlayer sheet 4, and the peripheral side surface 51 of the inner glass sheet 5.

[0094] exist Figure 1 and Figure 2In the diagram, the dashed line VL, referred to as the "line of sight" or "line of sight boundary," represents the top of the door frame through which the glass window 1 slides. When the glass window is viewed vertically, this line of sight VL divides the glass into a glass-covered portion HP and a glass-visible portion VP. Regardless of the position of the glass relative to the door, the glass-covered portion is located below the line of sight VL to conceal the interior of the door, while the glass-visible portion is located above the line of sight VL.

[0095] In the concealed portion of the glass window, below the straight line VL, the glass window has one, and preferably two, fixed areas F, F', each area designed to accommodate a device that allows the glass to have the mobility to move vertically relative to the vehicle door. In the finished glass window, each fixed area F, F' includes a window frame 6, 6' fixed to the glass, as will be described in more detail below.

[0096] Therefore, in addition to the glass panes 2 and 2', at least a portion of at least one lower edge 26 of the glass window sill also includes at least one window frame that can accommodate connecting components (not shown) for connecting the window frame to a moving system for raising and lowering the glass window. Some documents refer to this as an "adjuster" system.

[0097] Therefore, glass windows preferably include two window frames in their construction.

[0098] Figures 2 to 10 In the configuration shown, each fixed region F, F' is unlaminated throughout the entire region: of the three elements constituting the minimum lamination in the laminated portion, at least one is not present throughout this (or these) fixed region. However, glass 2 can of course be fully laminated and therefore also laminated within the fixed regions F, F'.

[0099] exist Figures 2 to 10 In the structure shown, only the outer glass sheet 3 exists in each non-laminated fixed region F, F'; the inner glass sheet 5 and the adhesive interlayer sheet 4 are both missing; the adhesive interlayer sheet 4 can be present, but this would result in unnecessary additional thickness.

[0100] To form the non-laminated fixed regions F and F', the lower edge 56 of the inner glass sheet 5 and the lower edge 46 of the adhesive interlayer sheet 4 are much higher than the lower edge 36 of the outer glass sheet 3. The lower edges 56 and 46 of the inner glass sheet 5 are approximately located at the midpoint of the vertical direction between the line of sight VL and the lower edge 36 of the outer glass sheet 3.

[0101] Preferably, no fixing holes are included in any fixing area F or F' of the glass window.

[0102] The two window frames 6 and 6' are not necessarily exactly the same, but each has a roughly U-shaped cross-section that surrounds the longitudinal portion of the lower edge 26, or more precisely, the longitudinal portion of the lower edge 36 of the outer glass sheet 3, and does not itself contact the adhesive interlayer sheet 4 or the inner glass sheet 5.

[0103] In the embodiment shown here, the means for giving the glass 2, 2' vertical translational mobility relative to the vehicle door includes at least one, and preferably at least two, window frames 6, 6', the window frames having a cross-section that is generally inverted h-shaped or tuning fork-shaped, i.e., U-shaped, with the tail extending relative to the two sidewalls of the U-shaped portion.

[0104] The (or each) window frame can be made of plastic materials, such as polyamide, polybutylene terephthalate, or of metal alloys, such as aluminum alloy.

[0105] Therefore, specifically as follows Figure 3 As shown, each window frame 6, 6' has:

[0106] - The first part consists of two parallel walls 63 and 64 connected at their bottom, forming a longitudinal groove, that is, forming a U-shaped cross-section, and

[0107] - The second part consists of a tail 65, which extends relative to the bottom of the walls connecting these walls and parallel walls 63, 64.

[0108] The rear end 65 is used to connect a motor drive system (not shown) so that the glass window 1 can be raised and lowered within the door. This h-shape of the window frame is particularly advantageous because it allows force to be transmitted between the window frame and the glass on a large surface corresponding to the sum of the inner surface areas of the walls 63 and 64.

[0109] The components are assembled such that the h-shaped walls 63, 64 surround the glass 2, 2' at their bottom, and the tail 65 is approximately in the extension of the glass 2, 2'.

[0110] More precisely, for the partially laminated glass 2, the U-shaped portion surrounds the lower edge 36 of the outer glass sheet 3, and only surrounds the lower edge 36; it does not surround the lower edge 56 of the inner glass sheet 5, and preferably does not surround the lower edge 46 of the adhesive interlayer sheet 4.

[0111] The window frame with single-pane glass 2' or partially laminated glass 2 is assembled onto the reference frame 10, which controls the tolerances of the window frame / glass as a whole.

[0112] Before positioning and securing the window frame, the glass is first correctly positioned (“focused”) into the mounting fixture with multiple positioning stops Y1, Y2, Y3, Y4, Z1, Z2, Z3, which represent the normal plane of the vehicle’s glass.

[0113] The stop components are roughly positioned along the Y-axis: Y1, Y2, Y3, and Y4 are located on the column, and are respectively RY1, RY2, RY3, and RY4.

[0114] The positioning stops roughly along the Z-axis are: Z1, Z2, and Z3, which are located on the column and are RZ1, RZ2, and RZ3 respectively.

[0115] Once glass 2 is correctly positioned and held in reference frame 10, as [ Figure 2 ]and[ Figure 3 As shown, the operator or the robot's articulated arm performs the second step of the method, as [ Figure 4 ]and[ Figure 5 As shown: Within each fixed region F, F', four foam strips 71, 72, 73, 74 are grasped and positioned in pairs 7, 7', thereby applying and fixing two pairs of foam strips 7, 7', fixing each pair of foam strips to the longitudinal edge of each fixed region F, F'. Therefore, for glass window 1, there are eight foam strips 71, 72, 73, 74.

[0116] Apply each foam strip 71, 72, 73, 74 to surround the edge of glass 2: apply each foam strip 71, 72, 73, 74 and adhere it to the outer surface 20, side surface 21 and inner surface 22 within the fixed area.

[0117] Each foam strip is preferably integral, as this makes it easier to position, but ideally, each foam strip can be made into several parts. It is prefabricated and, before being applied to the glass surface, may be slightly compressed to have sufficient thickness to provide a lateral seal between the glass and the window frame (along the Y-axis or along the Z-axis opposite the glass side).

[0118] The length of each foam strip (along the X-axis) is approximately 2.0 to 10.0 mm, for example, 5.0 mm in this case.

[0119] Once positioned and secured to glass 2, for example by adhesive bonding, each foam strip will remain in the finished glass window 1 (ready to be installed in or installed in a car door).

[0120] In the third step, such as [ Figure 6 As shown, each window frame is positioned within a fixed area F, F' opposite the lower edge of the glass, such that the U-shaped portion surrounds the lower edge 26 of the glass and the two pairs of foam strips 7, 7'.

[0121] In this step, the foam strip is laterally compressed (along the Y-axis) between the surfaces 20 and 22 of the glass 2 and the U-shaped walls 63 and 64, and between the side surface 21 of the glass 2 and the bottom of the U-shape.

[0122] The correct positioning of the window frame 6, 6' relative to the glass 2 is achieved using the window frame supports 11, 11'. This positioning is the desired final positioning in the finished glass window.

[0123] Each foam strip is used to form the longitudinal boundary (along the X-axis) of the seal for the subsequently injected material.

[0124] Therefore, for each fixed region, there are three injection spaces:

[0125] - Two main injection spaces Pis are formed between the two foam bars in each pair of foam bars, that is, between foam bars 71 and 72 in the pair of foam bars 7, and between foam bars 73 and 74 in the pair of foam bars 7'.

[0126] - Two secondary injection spaces Sis are formed between two pairs of foam strips 7, 7', that is, between foam strip 72 and foam strip 73.

[0127] Each injection space is U-shaped and surrounds the lower edge of the glass.

[0128] The length Pil (along the X-axis) of the (or each) main injection space is between 3.0 mm and 25.0 mm, for example, 8.0 mm; or the volume Piv is between 1 and 25 cm. 3 between.

[0129] The length Sil (along the X-axis) of the secondary injection space is between 20.0 mm and 70.0 mm, for example, 30.0 mm; or the volume Siv is between 5 and 75 cm. 3 between.

[0130] In the fourth step, such as [ Figure 7 ]and[ Figure 8 As shown, the rapidly curing plastic material 8 is injected into the interior of the U-shaped portion of the window frame, while simultaneously:

[0131] - Between the two foam strips 71, 72; 73, 74 in each pair of foam strips of 7'; and

[0132] - Between the inner surfaces of glass 2 and the U-shaped section of the window frame.

[0133] Therefore, in this step, each main injection space Pis is filled.

[0134] The rapidly curing plastic material 8 cures in 60 seconds or less. Here, it is a thermoplastic or thermosetting material, and preferably has a hardness of at least 60 Shore A in the cured state. Specifically, it can be a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), polyamide, etc., specifically the material "hotmelt Tecbond 240-12-300".

[0135] The main injection (or each main injection) is performed at the center of the main injection length Pil, ensuring that the injected material is correctly distributed into the main injection space. This main injection (or each main injection) is performed through injection holes 80, 80', passing through the window frame wall. These injection holes 80, 80' are located at the bottom of the U-shaped section, allowing injection to be performed facing the side 21 of the glass 2, thus ensuring that the injected material is correctly distributed into the main injection space.

[0136] For window frames, it is preferable to perform two main injections simultaneously, thereby shortening the total manufacturing time and distributing the force generated by the injection to each side of the window frame. For glass windows with two frames, it is preferable to perform four main injections simultaneously, thereby shortening the total manufacturing time.

[0137] In the fifth step, such as [ Figure 9 ]and[ Figure 10 As shown, between the two pairs of foam strips 7 and 7', adhesive 9 is injected into the interior of the U-shaped portion, located in the secondary injection space between foam strips 72 and 73.

[0138] The fifth step is preferably performed simultaneously with the fourth step; the adhesive 9 is injected after the plastic material 8, which does not require rapid curing, has been cured.

[0139] The secondary injection is performed at the center of the main injection length Pil, specifically at the center of the distance between foam strips 72 and 73, ensuring that the injected material is correctly distributed into the secondary injection space. This secondary injection is accomplished through injection holes 90, passing through the window frame wall. These injection holes 90 are located at the bottom of the U-shaped section, allowing injection to be performed facing the side 21 of the glass 2, thus ensuring that the injected material is correctly distributed into the secondary injection space.

[0140] Adhesive 9 is, for example, a thermosetting resin, such as a one- or two-component polyurethane-based adhesive, with or without an accelerator. The curing time of the adhesive is irrelevant and can be long because the window frame has been properly secured to the glass by the rapidly curing plastic material 8.

[0141] From step one to step five, glass 2 is held within reference frame 10 without moving. After step five, once the primary and secondary injections are complete and the rapidly curing plastic material 8 has sufficiently cured (not necessarily fully cured), glass window 1 can be immediately removed from reference frame 10; there is no need to wait for adhesive 9 to polymerize or cure.

[0142] Therefore, window frames 6 and 6' include:

[0143] - At least two injection holes: injection hole 80 for the fast-curing plastic material 8 and injection hole 90 for the adhesive 9.

[0144] - And here are three injection holes: injection holes 80 and 80' for the fast-curing plastic material 8 and injection hole 90 for the adhesive 9.

[0145] Therefore, all injection is completed through injection holes 80, 80', and 90, passing through window frames 6 and 6'. By analyzing the finished glass window 1, it can be seen that the rapidly curing plastic material 8 and adhesive 9 have been injected through window frames 6 and 6', because some injected material may remain in holes 80, 80', and 90.

[0146] Advantageously, the injected material has no upper boundary (along the Z-axis). Control over the injection and injection volume is sufficient to ensure that both the primary and secondary injection spaces are filled with the injected material.

[0147] Ideally, it could be envisioned that at least one or every injection is performed through the top opening of the U-shaped section of the window frame; however, the injection is more difficult to control because air needs to be expelled from the injection space during the injection process.

[0148] Due to geometric deviations in the fixed areas F and F' of the same series of glass panes 2 and 2', the thickness of the adhesive 9 is uneven between the individual glass panes in the same series and varies depending on the actual geometric dimensions of each glass pane within the fixed area. The fast-curing adhesive 8 can fix the window frame and glass in specific positions, which may vary depending on the time it takes for the adhesive 9 to complete the chemical bonding between the window frame and glass panes in the same series.

[0149] Considering that the shape of the glass itself on the Y-axis differs from that of other glass in the same series of glass windows, the fast-curing adhesive 8 can be fixed in position on the Y-axis with very high precision.

[0150] Therefore, physically wedging the window frame to the glass 2, 2' using the plastic material 8 is quick and reliable: chemical fixation can be achieved using the adhesive 9 without the risk of the window frame moving relative to the glass. This chemical fixation is reliable and precise; there is no need to perfect it by mechanically attaching the window frame to the glass.

[0151] In the same series of glass windows (for the same type of vehicle), the final position of the window frame depends on the actual construction of each piece of glass, and this final position is first fixed by a fast-curing plastic material 8, and then by an adhesive 9.

[0152] Although this is not desirable because it adds an extra step, it is possible to provide a window frame, specifically its tail 65, and then modify its structure as proposed in International Patent Application WO200598187.

[0153] In a variant not shown, the side 51 of the inner glass sheet 5 and the side 41 of the adhesive interlayer sheet 4 are located below the side 31 of the outer glass sheet 3, thereby forming a concave portion extending in a centripetal direction with a certain width. This concave portion is special because it is not entirely on the periphery; it does not extend along the entire periphery of the glass. In at least one masking alignment area, there is no concave portion, and the side 51 of the inner glass sheet 5 and the side 41 of the adhesive interlayer sheet 4 are both in the lateral extension of the side 31 of the outer glass sheet 3. This masking alignment area is located in the glass masking portion HP, thereby keeping it always concealed inside the door frame, regardless of the position of the glass window relative to the door (the glass window is open or closed or in an intermediate position between the two).

[0154] Therefore, in this variation, the entire portion of the glass window located below the field of view boundary VL may not include the recess: in this portion below the field of view boundary VL, when the glass window is closed, within the door frame, the side 31 of the outer glass sheet 3 may be continuous with the side 51 of the inner glass sheet 5 for one (or several) portions of its length, or even for its entire length, or may even extend further in the centrifugal direction than the side 51 of the inner glass sheet 5.

[0155] For example, the side 51 of the inner glass sheet 5 and the side 31 of the outer glass sheet 3 may be continuous only at the device that allows the glass 2 to have translational movement relative to the door.

[0156] Below the line-of-sight boundary VL, the vehicle door may have at least one pillarless portion. Therefore, the door can:

[0157] - Excluding the side forward pillars, and a portion adjacent to the body (also known in English as "pilier A" or "A-pillar") is used for window guidance, and / or

[0158] - Excluding the lateral rear pillars, and a portion of the body adjacent to the windows (also known in English as "pilier B" or "B-pillar") is used for window guidance.

[0159] The foregoing description is an exemplary description of the present invention. Note that various modifications of the invention can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the patent scope as described in, for example, the claims.

Claims

1. A method for manufacturing a vehicle window (1), the vehicle window comprising glass (2, 2') having an outer surface (20), an inner surface (22), and peripheral side surfaces (21), and a fixing device for enabling the glass (2, 2') to vertically translate relative to a door of the vehicle, the fixing device being located within at least one fixing region (F, F'), and comprising a window frame (6, 6') having a U-shaped portion, characterized in that, The fixing device is secured to the glass (2, 2') by performing at least the following steps: - Position the glass (2, 2') onto the reference frame (10), and then, - Apply and secure two pairs (7, 7') of foam strips (71, 72, 73, 74), applying and securing each pair of foam strips to the longitudinal edge of the secured area (F, F'), then - Position the window frame (6, 6') with its U-shaped portion within the fixed area (F, F') such that the U-shaped portion surrounds the edge of the glass and the two pairs (7, 7') of foam strips, then - A rapidly curing plastic material (8) is injected into the interior of the U-shaped portion between the two foam strips of each pair of foam strips in the fixed region (F, F'), and - An adhesive (9) is injected into the interior of the U-shaped portion between the two pairs (7, 7') of foam strips in the fixed area (F, F').

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the rapidly curing plastic material (8) and the adhesive (9) are injected substantially simultaneously.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the rapidly curing plastic material (8) is a thermoplastic or thermosetting material.

4. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein at least one injection is performed facing the side (21) of the glass (2, 2').

5. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the injection is performed within the reference frame (10).

6. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein each pair of foam strips (71, 72, 73, 74) is applied to and fixed to the two longitudinal edges of the fixed area (F, F') by providing a main injection space (Pis) between two of the two foam strips in a pair of foam strips, wherein the length (Pil) of the main injection space (Pis) is between 3.0 mm and 25.0 mm, or the volume (Piv) is between 1 and 25 cm. 3 between.

7. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the two pairs of foam strips are applied to and fixed to the two longitudinal edges of the fixed regions (F, F') by providing a secondary injection space (Sis) between the two pairs of foam strips in the fixed regions (F, F'), wherein the length (Sil) of the secondary injection space (Sis) is between 20.0 mm and 70.0 mm, or the volume (Siv) is between 5 and 75 mm. 3 between.

8. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the rapidly curing plastic material (8) is in contact with the outer surface (20), the inner surface (22) and the side surface (21) of the glass (2, 2').

9. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the adhesive (9) is in contact with the outer surface (20), the inner surface (22) and the side surface (21) of the glass (2, 2').

10. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the glass (2) is partially laminated, the laminated portion comprising at least an outer glass sheet (3), an inner glass sheet (5), and an adhesive sheet (4) located between the outer glass sheet (3) and the inner glass sheet (5), and the fixed region (F, F') is non-laminated.

11. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein at least one injection is performed through injection holes (80, 80', 90) and through the window frame (6, 6').

12. The method according to claim 1, wherein the fixing device is located in two fixing regions (F, F'), two pairs (7, 7') of foam strips (71, 72, 73, 74) are applied and fixed, each pair of foam strips is applied and fixed to the longitudinal edge of each fixing region (F, F'), between the two foam strips in each pair of foam strips in each fixing region (F, F'), a fast-curing plastic material (8) is injected into the interior of the U-shaped portion, and between the two pairs (7, 7') of foam strips in each fixing region (F, F'), an adhesive (9) is injected into the interior of the U-shaped portion.

13. The method according to claim 3, wherein the hardness of the rapidly curing plastic material (8) in the cured state is at least 60 Shore A.

14. The method of claim 4, wherein each injection is performed facing the side (21) of the glass (2, 2').

15. The method of claim 11, wherein each injection is performed through injection holes (80, 80', 90) passing through the window frame (6, 6').

16. A vehicle window (1), specifically a vehicle window obtained by implementing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 15, the window (1) comprising glass (2, 2') having an outer surface (20), an inner surface (22) and peripheral side surfaces (21), and a fixing device for enabling the glass (2) to vertically translate relative to a door of the vehicle, the fixing device being located within at least one fixing area (F, F'), and comprising a window frame (6, 6') having a U-shaped portion, characterized in that: - Two pairs (7, 7') of foam strips (71, 72, 73, 74) are fixed, each pair of foam strips being fixed to the longitudinal edge of the fixed area (F, F'). - The window frame (6, 6') with a U-shaped portion is located within the fixed area (F, F') such that the U-shaped portion surrounds the edge of the glass and the two pairs (7, 7') of foam strips (71, 72, 73, 74). - A rapidly curing plastic material (8) between two foam strips in each pair of foam strips in the fixed area (F, F') is injected through the window frame (6, 6') into the interior of the U-shaped portion, and - Between the two pairs of foam strips in the fixed area (F, F'), adhesive (9) is injected through the window frame (6, 6') into the interior of the U-shaped portion.

17. The vehicle window (1) according to claim 16, wherein at least one window frame (6, 6') includes at least one injection hole (80, 80', 90).

18. The vehicle window (1) according to claim 16, wherein the fixing device is located in two fixing areas (F, F'), two pairs (7, 7') of foam strips (71, 72, 73, 74) are fixed, each pair of foam strips is fixed to the longitudinal edge of each fixing area (F, F'), between the two foam strips in each pair of foam strips in each fixing area (F, F'), a fast-curing plastic material (8) is injected through the window frame (6, 6') into the interior of the U-shaped portion, and between the two pairs of foam strips in each fixing area (F, F'), an adhesive (9) is injected through the window frame (6, 6') into the interior of the U-shaped portion.

19. The vehicle window (1) according to claim 17, wherein at least one window frame (6, 6') includes two injection holes (80, 80', 90).

20. The vehicle window (1) according to claim 17, wherein at least one window frame (6, 6') includes three injection holes (80, 80', 90).

21. The vehicle window (1) according to claim 17, wherein each of the window frames (6, 6') includes at least one injection hole (80, 80', 90).

22. The vehicle window (1) according to claim 17, wherein each of the window frames (6, 6') includes two injection holes (80, 80', 90).

23. The vehicle window (1) according to claim 17, wherein each of the window frames (6, 6') includes three injection holes (80, 80', 90).

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