Glass glazing unit comprising shaped seal with cut and slot in corner, seal and method for manufacturing such glass glazing unit

Abstract

The invention relates to a glazing unit (1) comprising a glass element (2) and a profiled seal (3) having a number x > = 2 of recessed and material-removed transverse cuts (4) in a circular corner (27) and having a number y of curved slots (5), the curved slot (5) passes through the thickness of the base (30) and is positioned closer to the edge of the glass element (2) than the cut-out (4).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to the field of glazing units, in particular glazing units for vehicles and in particular glazing units for motor vehicles. The invention more precisely relates to a glazing unit comprising a glass element having an outer face, an inner face and an edge face situated between the two faces, a longitudinal edge, a lateral edge and a rounded corner, the rounded corner having at least one radius of curvature and situated between the longitudinal edge and the lateral edge.

[0002] The invention also relates to a specific profile seal for such a glazing and to a method for producing such a glazing. Background Art

[0003] It is known from the prior art (for example International Patent Application No. WO 00 / 10793) that a glazing unit of the aforementioned type further comprises along one or more edges a molded seal having a base and a lateral flange (or lateral lip), wherein the base is attached to the inner face and the flange extends further from the base in a centrifugal direction than the edge.

[0004] Since such a profiled seal with base and lateral beads (or lips) is difficult to produce in the context of rounded corners, this document proposes a specific reworking using a mobile tool (mold / counter-mold).

[0005] This solution is technically satisfactory for profiled seals produced by in situ extrusion on one face of the glazing element, but it incurs additional costs since the seal must be reworked in each corner and prolongs the time the glazing remains at the station where the profiled seal is attached to the glazing element.

[0006] This solution is difficult to apply to prefabricated molded seals that are manufactured prior to attachment to the glass element. Summary of the invention

[0007] The object of the present invention is to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art by providing a glazing unit having a profiled seal which adapts well and easily to the curvature of the corners, making installation easier and cheaper.

[0008] The present invention is therefore based on the discovery that surprisingly it is possible to provide a profiled seal having a base attached to a glass element and a lateral flange (or lip) in the context of a corner, and particularly when the profiled seal is a prefabricated seal (a technique known in the glass industry as "pre-assembled").

[0009] Thus, in its broadest sense, the invention relates to a glazing unit according to claim 1. The glazing unit comprises a glass element having an outer face, an inner face and an edge face between these two faces, a longitudinal edge, a lateral edge and a rounded corner, the rounded corner having at least one radius of curvature and being between the longitudinal edge and the lateral edge, and a profiled seal having a base and a lateral lip, the base being attached to the inner face and the lip extending further from the base than the base, the glazing unit being notable in that, in the environment of the corners, the base has a number x ≥ 2 of transverse recessed material removal cuts and a number y of curved slots which traverse the thickness of the base and are located closer to the edge of the glass element than the cuts.

[0010] The side edges may be oriented substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal edges.

[0011] The profiled seal may consist of the base and the lateral bead.

[0012] The base preferably extends to a longitudinal edge or a lateral edge of the glass element.

[0013] The flange extends from the edge of the glass element in an eccentric direction further than the edge.

[0014] In the case of a cut, material is completely removed resulting in the complete absence of molded seal material at the point of the cut; in the case of the preferred slot, preferably no material is removed but rather a cut is made through the entire thickness of the base (in the outward-inward direction).

[0015] The profiled seal is preferably attached to the glass element only by the fact that only the base is attached to the inner face and only to the inner face.

[0016] Thus, in the corner environment, the cutout allows the base to deform to adapt to the curvature of the glass element, and the slot reduces the internal stress in the plastic material of the molded seal. In this way, in the corner environment, the convex edge maintains a regular appearance (regular contour) without blistering or distortion.

[0017] Preferably, neither the cutouts nor the slots extend into the collar.

[0018] Preferably, in order to enable better deformation of the profiled seal in the environment of the corner, x is an even number and y=x / 2+1, or y=x / 2−1, wherein preferably 4≤x≤10.

[0019] Preferably, in order to enable the molded seal to deform better in the environment of the corner, at least one and preferably each cutout has a transverse plane of symmetry and is preferably V-shaped, U-shaped or Y-shaped when viewed from the front, in particular V-shaped, wherein the angle between the two wings of the V is between 45° and 90°, preferably an angle of approximately 60°.

[0020] Preferably, the or each radius of curvature is between 50mm and 230mm.

[0021] Preferably, at least one and preferably each cutout has a width of between 50% and 80% of the width of the base.

[0022] Preferably, the slot is located in a boss of the base. Preferably, the cutout is not located in the boss.

[0023] Preferably, at least one and more preferably each incision has a length, and the incisions are positioned in pairs, wherein the distance between the two incisions in a pair is between 100% and 300% of the length, and wherein the distance between the two incisions in two consecutive pairs is greater than the distance between the two incisions in a pair, and the distance between the two incisions in two consecutive pairs is between 200% and 500% of the length.

[0024] Preferably, at least one and even more preferably each cutout has a length of between 50% and 100% of the width of the base.

[0025] Preferably, the slot is located in the portion of the profiled seal located between two pairs of cutouts and has a length between 75% and 100% of the distance between the two pairs.Preferably, the slot is located centrally between the two pairs of cutouts.

[0026] Preferably, the flange has surface continuity with the outer surface of the glass element.

[0027] The concept of surface continuity or "flush" within the meaning of the present invention means that, viewed from outside space, two surfaces appear to be continuous with each other. In practice, due to manufacturing tolerances, height differences of up to 1 mm can be measured.

[0028] Advantageously, the profiled seal extends from the edge of the glazing element, in the longitudinal portion or portions and in the lateral portion or portions and in the corner or corners, having surface continuity with the outer face of the glazing element along its entire length.

[0029] Advantageously, the profiled seal extends from the edge of the glass element and has surface continuity with the outer face of the glass element along the entire periphery of the glass element.

[0030] Another object of the invention is a profile seal for a glazing unit according to the invention, said profile seal having a base and a lateral lip, said base being intended to be attached to said internal face of a glass element of a glazing and said lip extending further from said base than said base, said profile seal being notable in that said base has a number x ≥ 2 of transverse recessed material removal cuts and a number y of slots passing through the thickness of said base and intended to be positioned closer to the edge of said glass element than said cuts. Said slots are closer to said lateral lip than said cuts. Said slots are adapted, i.e. intended, to bend in the context of a corner of said glass element.

[0031] Preferably, the profiled seal is based on a polymer material, such as a thermoplastic (PVC, TPE, etc.), polyurethane or a synthetic rubber of the EPDM type. The profiled seal may be made completely of a polymer material or partly of a polymer material with a reinforcing insert, for example of a metal material. The base may comprise an insert.

[0032] Preferably, the molded seal has two regions, each region having x cuts and y grooves, for two corners of the glazing unit, in particular the two lower corners of the glazing unit, or has four regions, each region having x cuts and y grooves, for the four corners of the glazing unit.

[0033] Preferably, for a corner and in particular for a corner having a symmetry plane, the cutouts are identical (same shape, same size) and if there are several slots, they are identical (same shape, same size). Preferably, for a corner having a symmetry plane, the area comprising x cutouts and y slots has a symmetry plane coinciding with the symmetry plane of said corner.

[0034] The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing a glazing unit according to the invention, comprising a glass element having an outer face, an inner face and an edge face situated between these two faces, a longitudinal edge, a lateral edge and a rounded corner, the rounded corner having at least one radius of curvature and situated between the longitudinal edge and the lateral edge, and a profiled seal having a base and a lateral lip, the base being attached to the inner face and the lip extending further from the base than the base, the method being notable in that - making a number x≥2 of transverse recessed cuts in the base by means of material removal and a number y of slots in the base through the thickness of the base, and then - attaching the profiled seal to the glass element, wherein the cuts and slots are located in the environment of the corner, the slot is positioned closer to the edge of the glass element than the cuts, and the slot is curved in the environment of the corner. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0035] Several embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of non-limiting examples with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: - Figure 1 a front view of the exterior space showing the glass elements; - Figure 2 A view showing the lower right corner of a glazing unit according to the invention as seen from an interior space, the glazing unit comprising Figure 1 Glass elements and molded seals; - Figure 3 Shows Figure 2 a partial view of a molded seal before it is bent to match the curvature of a corner of the glass element and before it is attached to the glass element; - Figure 4 Shows Figure 3 A cross-sectional view of the molded seal along AA′ before it is bent to match the curvature of the corner of the glass element and before it is attached to the glass element; - Figure 5 A partial elevation view showing a V-shaped cross section of a profiled seal; - Figure 6 Shows Figure 5 A partial view of the cutout in a corner environment; - Figure 7 a partial elevation view showing a rectangular cross section of a molded seal; - Figure 8 Shows Figure 7 A partial view of the cutout in a corner environment; - Fig. 9 a partial elevation view showing a Y-shaped cross section of the profiled seal; and - Fig.10 Shows Fig. 9 A partial view of the cutout in a corner environment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] The invention is described by way of example in the context of the application of a fixed glass unit 1 for a vehicle. The glass unit closes an opening by providing a partition between an exterior space E outside the vehicle and an interior space I inside the vehicle. Therefore, the concepts of "exterior" and "interior" are considered relative to the exterior space and the interior space, respectively.

[0037] The present invention will be described by way of non-limiting example by way of application to a rear window glass unit for a vehicle. Figure 1 , viewing the glazing unit from the outside, it is oriented vertically, as in a vehicle. Figure 2 , a glazing unit is schematically shown in the same view as from the interior, wherein the glazing unit has not yet been installed in the vehicle body opening (it is therefore not visible).

[0038] The glazing unit 1 comprises a glass component 2. The glazing element may be monolithic, i.e. consist of a single sheet of material, or may be composite, i.e. consist of a plurality of sheets of material between which, in the case of a laminated glazing unit, at least one interlayer of adhesive material is interposed. The sheets of material may be made of a mineral material, in particular glass, e.g. annealed or tempered, or of an organic material, in particular a plastic material, such as polyvinyl butyral. The interlayer preferably comprises at least one thermoplastic plastic material, preferably polyvinyl butyral (PVB), ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) and / or polyethylene terephthalate (PET). However, the thermoplastic interlayer may also comprise, for example, polyurethane (PU), polypropylene (PP), polyacrylate, polyethylene (PE), polycarbonate (PC), polymethyl methacrylate, polyvinyl chloride, polyacetic acid resin, casting resin, acrylate, fluorinated ethylene propylene, polyvinyl fluoride and / or ethylene tetrafluoroethylene, or copolymers or mixtures thereof. The thermoplastic interlayer may be formed from one or more superimposed thermoplastic films, the thickness of the thermoplastic films preferably not exceeding 1.0 mm, in particular 0.25 mm or 0.5 mm to 1.0 mm or 0.9 mm, typically about 0.4 mm or 0.7 mm.

[0039] The glazing unit may form a windscreen, roof, side windows or rear window for a vehicle. The vehicle may be a road vehicle such as a car, truck, bus, tram or rail vehicle. The glazing may be fixed (not movable in the reference frame of the vehicle).

[0040] In the context of this document, the concepts "centripetal" and "centrifugal" are considered relative to the central longitudinal axis of forward travel of a vehicle equipped with a glazing unit according to the invention for use as a windscreen, i.e. an axis generally referred to as the "XX' axis" of the vehicle, which is perpendicular to Figure 1the centrifugal direction is perpendicular to the axis and in the direction of the axis, while the centripetal direction is perpendicular to the axis and in the opposite direction extending away from the axis.

[0041] In the exemplary embodiment shown, the glazing unit 1 comprises a curved (ie not flat) and laminated glass element 2 .

[0042] The glass element 2 has an outer face 20 oriented toward the exterior space E, an inner face 22 oriented toward the interior space I, and an edge face 21 located between these two faces.

[0043] The glass element 2 has a low longitudinal edge 23 , a left lateral edge 24 , a high longitudinal edge 25 and a right lateral edge 26 .

[0044] The glass element 2 has two lower corners 27, 27': - for the corner 27, it is located between the bottom longitudinal edge 23 and the side edge 24, and Figure 2 From the inner space I, and for the corner 27 ′, which is situated between the lower longitudinal edge 23 and the side edge 26 .

[0045] The glazing unit 1 comprises a profile seal 3 which is described in detail below.

[0046] The glass element 2 is a laminated glass element comprising an outer glass sheet, an inner glass sheet and a plastic interlayer sheet located between the two glass sheets.

[0047] However, at least one other sheet may be inserted between the outer glass sheet and the plastic interlayer sheet or between the plastic interlayer sheet 4 and the inner glass sheet.

[0048] The glass element 2 thus has an outer face 20 resulting from the outer face of the outer glass sheet, an inner face 22 resulting from the inner face of the inner glass sheet, and an edge face 21 situated between these two faces, which corresponds to the edge face of the outer glass sheet, the edge face of the plastic sheet and the edge face of the inner glass sheet, the three edge faces being in line with one another here.

[0049] In addition to the glass element 2, the glazing unit 1 comprises a profile seal 3 along at least a portion of the lower longitudinal edge and preferably along the entire lower longitudinal edge, such as Figures 2 to 4 Detailed display in.

[0050] The profiled seal 3 consists of two distinct parts: a base 30 and a lateral bead 31. The base 30 is the part of the profiled seal 3 that is attached to the inner face 22, the base 30 extending to the longitudinal or lateral edge of the glazing element. The bead 31 is the part of the profiled seal 3 that is not attached to the glazing element and that extends further from the base (i.e. from the edge 21 when installed in the glazing unit) in the centrifugal direction than the base 30 (i.e. further than the edge face 21 when installed in the glazing unit). The profiled seal is attached to the glazing element 2 by the fact that only the base 30 is attached to the inner face 22 and only to this inner face 22. In this way, the base 30 does not face the edge face 21; the bead does.

[0051] After installation, the bead 31 extends from the edge 21 , in this case in surface continuity with the outer face 20 of the glass element (the bead 31 is “flush” with the outer face 20 of the glass element).

[0052] like Figure 2 As can be seen in FIG. 2 , in the context of a corner 27 , in this case the lower left corner, the corner has four consecutive radii of curvature, starting from the side edge 24 and going down to the longitudinal edge 23 : -R0, for example, is 234 mm, -R1, for example, is 81.5 mm, - R2, for example 75 mm, and - R3, for example, is 224 mm.

[0053] In the context of a corner 27 , the corner may have one, two, three or more than four (continuous) radii of curvature.

[0054] In the environment of the corners 27 , the base 30 has a number x≧2 of transverse recessed material removal cuts 4 and a number y of curved slots 5 .

[0055] At the cutout 4, there is no profiled seal material 3 at all. At the location of the (or each) slot 5, there is profiled seal material 3; this is just a cutout, without material removal. At the slot 5, the cutout cuts through the entire thickness of the base 30. Furthermore, the slot 5 is located closer to the edge of the glass element 2 than the transverse cutout 4, i.e. further away and offset from the cutout 4 in the eccentric direction: when observing the cutout and considering a direction more eccentric than this cutout, there is no slot, because a slot at this location would risk excessively weakening the structure of the profiled seal 3.

[0056] x is an even number, preferably 4≤x≤10. Here, for the corner 27, x=10. y can be equal to x / 2, but this may cause problems with the asymmetric reaction of the seal 6 to the curvature of the corner. Preferably, y is different from x / 2; y can be equal to x / 2+1. Preferably, y=x / 2-1; this is the best configuration for a symmetrical adaptation of the profile seal 3 to the curvature of the corner. x and y are preferably the same for both corners 27, 27'.

[0057] The cross-sectional cutouts 4 are all identical. Each cutout 4 has a length L4 of 5.0 mm and a width l4 of 7.0 mm. The cutouts 4 have a length L4 between 50% and 100% of the width l30 of the base 30 .

[0058] The cutout 4 has a width 14 which is between 50% and 80% of the width 130 of the base 30. The flange 31 has no cutouts therein.

[0059] The cutouts 4 are positioned in pairs, and the distance L44 between the two cutouts of a pair is the same for each pair of cutouts and is between 100% and 300% of the length L4 of the cutout. Furthermore, the distance L45 between the two cutouts of two consecutive pairs is greater than the distance L44 between the two cutouts of a pair; this distance L45 between the two cutouts of two consecutive pairs is between 200% and 500% of the length L4.

[0060] The slot 5 is located in the boss 34 of the base 30, ie in the thickened portion of the base 30. In the flange 31 there is no slot.

[0061] Here, the slots 5 are all identical. They are parallel to each other and follow each other along the length of the profiled seal when viewed flat before attachment to the glass element, as shown in FIG. Figure 3 Each slot 5 is shown in Figure 3 The slots 5 are oriented longitudinally (along the length of the profiled seal) and have a length L5 of 20.0 mm. The width of each slot 5 (although for illustration purposes only) is Figure 4 ) is not measurable because this is not a material removal operation but rather a cut, each of which is made with a tool that separates the material on either side of the tool without removing any material.

[0062] When the profiled seal is attached to the glass element, it is possible that the slot(s) 5 are visible, that is to say appear as holes when viewed from the inside, in particular when the radius of curvature is equal to or greater than 100 mm.

[0063] When the profile seal is attached to the glass element along the entire length of the corner 27 , the slot 5 bends to follow the curvature of the corner.

[0064] Each slot 5 is located in the portion of the profiled seal 3 between two pairs of cutouts 4 (i.e., at the distance L45 between the two cutouts in two consecutive pairs), and each slot 5 is centered in this portion between the two consecutive pairs. Thus, each slot 5 has a length L5 between 75% and 100% of the distance L45 between the two cutouts in two consecutive pairs.

[0065] Here, the cutout 4 has a transverse plane of symmetry S to match the curvature of the corner. From the front, they are preferably: -V-shaped, such as Figure 5 Seen in the figure is flat and suitable for Figure 6 The corner curvature in ; - or U-shaped, such as Figure 7 Seen in the figure is flat and suitable for Figure 8 The corner curvature in - or Y, such as Fig. 9 Seen in the figure is flat and suitable for Fig.10 The corner curvature in .

[0066] Figure 6 , 8 and 10 show that the cutouts 4 allow the profiled seal 3 to deform to match the curvature of the glass element.

[0067] The V-shape is the preferred shape which disturbs the profile of the rest of the molded seal in the corner (and in particular the profile of the lip) the least; here the angle G between the two wings of the V is between 45° and 90°, preferably here the angle G is 60°.

[0068] The cutouts 4 and slots 5 are preferably provided in each corner of the glazing. There may be no cutouts 4 or slots 5 along the longitudinal edges 23, 25 or along the lateral edges 24, 26.

[0069] In order to manufacture a glazing unit according to the invention, a profiled seal can first be manufactured (i.e. prefabricated), in which the base 30 has a number of cutouts 4 and a number of slots 5, x ≥ 2, at each corner, and the profiled seal 3 is then attached to the glass element 2, i.e. the base 30 is attached to the inner face 22, for example by bonding, wherein the cutouts and slots are located in the environment of the corners 27; the slots 5 are positioned closer to the edge of the glass element 2 than the cutouts 4.

[0070] When the profiled seal 3 is prefabricated, the base 30 of the profiled seal 3 is preferably attached to the inner face 22, and preferably only to that inner face (and not to the edge faces or the outer faces), for example using double-sided tape 32 or a bead of glue.

[0071] In another variant, in order to manufacture a glass window according to the invention, the molded seal can be molded directly onto the glass element 2, in the base 30, each corner having a number of cuts 4 of x≥2 and a number of slots 5 of y, and then the molded seal 3 is attached to the glass element 2 (or "package"), that is, the base 30 is attached to the inner face 22, wherein the cuts and slots are located near the corners 27; the slots 5 are positioned closer to the edge of the glass element 2 than the cuts 4.

[0072] Thanks to the invention, along the entire length of the corner 27, the bead 31 maintains its profile and can extend from the edge face 21 with surface continuity with the outer face 20 of the glass element (the bead 31 is "flush" with the outer face 20 of the glass element).

Claims

1. A glazing unit (1) comprising a glass element (2) and a profiled seal (3), the glass element (2) having an outer face (20), an inner face (22) and an edge face (21) located between the two faces, a longitudinal edge (23), a lateral edge (24) and a rounded corner (27), the rounded corner (27) having at least one radius of curvature (R1) and being located between the longitudinal edge (23) and the lateral edge (24), the profiled seal (3) having a base (30) and a lateral lip (31), the base (30) being attached to the inner face (22) and the lip (31) extending further from the base than the base (30), characterised in that In the environment of the corner (27), the base (30) has a number x≥2 of transverse recessed material removal cuts (4) and a number y of curved slots (5) passing through the thickness of the base (30) and located closer to the edge of the glass element (2) than the cuts (4).

2. The glazing unit (1) according to claim 1, wherein x is an even number and y=x / 2+1, or y=x / 2-1, wherein preferably 4≤x≤10.

3. The glazing unit (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: At least one and preferably each cutout (4) has a transverse plane of symmetry (S) and, viewed from the front, is preferably V-shaped, U-shaped or Y-shaped, in particular V-shaped, wherein the angle (G) between the two wings of the V is between 45° and 90°, preferably the angle (G) is about 60°.

4. The glazing unit (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The or each radius of curvature (R1) is between 50 mm and 230 mm.

5. The glazing unit (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: At least one and preferably each cutout (4) has a width (l4) between 50% and 80% of the width (l30) of the base (30).

6. The glazing unit (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein: The slot (5) is located in a boss (34) of the base (30).

7. The glazing unit (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein: At least one and preferably each incision (4) has a length (L4), and the incisions (4) are positioned in pairs, wherein the distance (L44) between the two incisions in a pair is between 100% and 300% of the length (L4), and wherein the distance (L45) between the two incisions in two consecutive pairs is greater than the distance (L44) between the two incisions in a pair and is between 200% and 500% of the length (L4).

8. The glazing unit (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein: At least one and preferably each cutout (4) has a length (L4) between 50% and 100% of the width (l30) of said base (30).

9. The glazing unit (1) according to claim 7 or 8, wherein: The slot (5) is located in the portion of the profiled seal (3) between two pairs of cutouts (4) and has a length (L5) between 75% and 100% of the distance (L45) between the two pairs.

10. A profiled seal (3) for a glazing unit (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, the profiled seal (3) having a base (30) and a lateral bead (31), the base (30) being intended to be attached to the inner face (22) of the glass element (2), and the bead (31) extending further from the base than the base (30), characterised in that The base (30) has a number x≥2 of transverse recessed material removal cuts (4) and a number y of slots (5) passing through the thickness of the base (30) and intended to be positioned closer to the edge of the glass element (2) than the cuts (4).

11. A method for manufacturing a glazing unit (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, the glazing unit (1) comprising a glass element (2) and a profiled seal (3), the glass element (2) having an outer face (20), an inner face (22) and an edge face (21) situated between the two faces, a longitudinal edge (23), a lateral edge (24) and a rounded corner (27), the rounded corner (27) having at least one radius of curvature (R1) and situated between the longitudinal edge (23) and the lateral edge (24), the profiled seal (3) having a base (30) and a lateral lip (31), the base (30) being attached to the inner face (22) and the lip (31) extending further from the base than the base (30), characterised in that - making a number x≥2 of transverse recessed cuts (4) in the base (30) by means of material removal, and a number y of slots (5) in the base (30) through the thickness of the base (30), and then - attaching the profiled seal (3) to the glass element (2), wherein the cutout and the slot are located in the environment of the corner (27), the slot (5) being positioned closer to the edge of the glass element (2) than the cutout (4) and the slot being bent into the environment of the corner (27).

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