Glass window comprising interior lighting system, interior lighting system and method of manufacturing such glass window

Abstract

The invention relates to a vehicle glazing (1) comprising a curved glazing element (2) comprising a lighting system (27, 27 '), and-at least two longitudinal light modules (7, 7'), each supporting a number of adjacent point light sources and each having a longitudinal end (71) facing a longitudinal end (71 ') of the other longitudinal light module, and-at least one orientation support (8) having a base (80) positioned more centrifugally than the two longitudinal ends (71, 71 '), fastened or attached to the glazing element (2), the orientation support (8) enabling attachment of the two longitudinal ends (71, 71') and spatial orientation thereof about an axis of rotation (A, A '), the axis of rotation (A, A') being substantially parallel to the axis of rotation (A, A '). A ') is substantially parallel to the glazing element (2) and perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of vehicle glazing, in particular motor vehicle glazing, and in particular to vehicle roof glazing. More specifically, the present invention relates to a glazing comprising a curved (ie non-planar) glazing element and an interior lighting system.

[0002] The invention relates to a glazing, in particular a glazing for a motor vehicle roof, having a curved glazing element which can be illuminated from the inside.

[0003] More specifically, the present invention relates to a glass window comprising a curved glass window element, which provides a separation between an external space and an internal space and has an external face oriented towards the external space, an internal face oriented towards the internal space and an edge face located between these two faces, the glass window comprising a lighting system, which comprises a plurality of LED type point light sources and extends along at least one edge of the glass window, and preferably along two opposite edges of the glass window, positioned more inwardly than the internal face of the glass window element. Background Art

[0004] In such glazings, a prism system is usually inserted between a point light source and the glazing element or a portion of the glazing element (a recess on a portion of the thickness of the glazing element). In such glazings, it is important that the positioning of the point light source in the inner and outer directions follows the shape (curvature) of the glazing element with an acceptable tolerance (e.g. plus or minus 2.0 mm or even less) without being in direct contact with the glazing element to achieve uniform illumination through the glazing element.

[0005] However, when the glazing element is curved, this curvature is not uniform, since it consists of several radii of curvature at different locations of the glazing element and in particular along the edge housing the lighting system. It is therefore difficult to control the distance between the point light source and the glazing element, since the point light source must be arranged on a support that also precisely follows the curvature curve along the edge(s).

[0006] Furthermore, the curvature has considerable manufacturing tolerances, and the design of the curved point source support also has manufacturing tolerances; the combination of these two tolerances makes it more complicated to control the distance between the point source and the glazing element to remain within the required tolerances.

[0007] The present invention is based on the discovery that, surprisingly, a glazing having a curved glazing element and point light sources that are not all located at exactly the same distance from the glazing element (e.g., a tolerance of one tenth of a mm is applied), but are all located at an acceptable distance from the glazing element (e.g., a tolerance of plus or minus 2.0 mm is applied), can be produced using a plurality of point light source supports or light modules and providing at least one intermediate directional support that can both attach the light modules to the glazing element and modify the orientation of the ends of two adjacent light modules relative to the glazing element when attached.

[0008] Thus, it is no longer necessary to provide a specific curvature of the light module; straight light modules (i.e., not curved along their length) can be used; the directional supports will make it possible to apply a specific orientation to the light module along its length when the light module is attached to the support, which orientation will be different from the orientation of adjacent light modules attached to the same directional supports along their length so that it can follow the curvature of the glazing element.

[0009] This adjustment of the orientation of the light module relative to the glazing element is sufficient to adapt the lighting system to the curvature of the glazing element and to ensure that the point light sources of the module are all at the same distance from the inner face of the glazing element, with satisfactory tolerances. Summary of the invention

[0010] In its broadest sense, the invention therefore relates to a glazing according to claim 1 .

[0011] The glazing comprises a curved glazing element providing a division between an exterior space and an interior space and having an exterior face, an interior face and an edge face situated between these two faces, said glazing comprising a lighting system comprising a number of point light sources of the LED type and extending along at least one edge of said glazing element and preferably along two opposite edges of said glazing element, positioned more inwards than said interior face of the glazing element, said glazing being notable in that it comprises: at least two adjacent longitudinal light modules, each longitudinal light module supporting a number of point light sources, each longitudinal light module being oriented one after the other in a longitudinal direction along its length and each longitudinal light module having a longitudinal end facing a longitudinal end of another longitudinal light module, and - at least one orienting support having a base which is more eccentrically positioned than the two longitudinal ends and which is fastened or attached to the glass window element, the orienting support enabling the two longitudinal ends to be attached and spatially oriented around an axis of rotation substantially parallel to the glass window element; the axis of rotation being both substantially parallel to the glass window element and perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.

[0012] Within the meaning of the present invention, fastening is a chemical connection between at least two elements and attachment is a purely mechanical connection between at least two elements; attachment, such as clamping or screwing, can be reversed by a disassembly operation without affecting the integrity of the disassembled elements, while fastening, such as bonding, cannot be reversed without changing the integrity of the elements fastened together.

[0013] The fact that each light module is oriented in a longitudinal direction along its length means that they are each oriented in a single longitudinal direction along its length; each light module is therefore preferably straight in said longitudinal direction; in an absolute sense, the light modules may be slightly bent in said longitudinal direction.

[0014] Preferably, the orienting support enables the two longitudinal ends to be oriented about an axis of rotation or even two axes of rotation, the axis of rotation or two axes of rotation being substantially parallel to the glazing element (i.e. the axes are not perpendicular to the glazing element) in order to adapt to the curvature of the glazing element. The axis of rotation or these axes of rotation are or are substantially parallel to the glazing element and perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.

[0015] Therefore, in order to compensate for the curvature of the glazing element if necessary, the longitudinal directions of two adjacent light modules are not parallel.

[0016] The fact that each light module has one longitudinal end facing one longitudinal end of another light module means that the two ends are generally opposite each other in space, but may not be strictly opposite each other in space because the longitudinal directions of two adjacent light modules may not be parallel.

[0017] Preferably, the directional support member includes a flange extending from the base in a centripetal direction and located below the two longitudinal ends and further inward than these longitudinal ends (i.e., further in the internal space), and the longitudinal ends are attached to the flange; such a structure facilitates attaching the longitudinal ends to the directional support member.

[0018] Preferably, the flange has a longitudinal groove, which is located more inward than the flange to accommodate the decorative element; the directional support thus has the additional function of accommodating the decorative element and ensuring sufficient distance between the decorative element, the light module and the glass window element.

[0019] Preferably, the directional support has one or two male elements or one or two hollow female elements, and the longitudinal ends each have a hollow female element located around the male element of the directional support or a male element surrounded by the female element of the directional support, for attaching the optical module to the directional support and orienting the optical module; the male-female joint enables compact holding while providing a certain degree of rotational freedom.

[0020] Preferably, the hollow female element has a circular or oval internal cross-section and the male element has a circular external cross-section; the oval male-female engagement enables a compact retention while providing a degree of rotational and translational freedom.

[0021] Preferably, the male element has a cavity for receiving an attached lock; this configuration enables a very compact lock to be achieved.

[0022] In one variation, for the directional support, two adjacent light modules each comprise a hollow cylinder, the two hollow cylinders each have an axis, and the two axes are parallel.

[0023] In one variation, for another directional support, two adjacent light modules each include a hollow cylinder, the two hollow cylinders each have an axis, and the two axes are not parallel.

[0024] Preferably, the glazing comprises one and preferably only one directional support at each connection between two adjacent light modules. Thus, the directional support is located at the connection point between two light modules, or even further at one or both longitudinal ends of the lighting system along one edge of the glazing element. Preferably, in order to save material (and also to reduce weight), there is no directional support material between two directional supports of the lighting system.

[0025] The glazing preferably comprises an integer number n of light modules positioned along an edge of the glazing element and n+1 directional supports enabling the light modules to be attached and oriented along the edge; thus, each light module of the lighting system is attached at its two longitudinal ends by a single directional support.

[0026] The base of the orienting support may be fastened or attached directly to the glazing element.

[0027] Preferably, the base is indirectly fastened or attached to the glazing element via a connecting element, the orienting support is preferably made of plastic, and the connecting element is preferably made of metal or a metal alloy.

[0028] Preferably, the connecting element is fastened to a profiled seal, the profiled seal is fastened to the glazing element, or the connecting element is adhesively bonded to the glazing element.

[0029] The present invention also relates to a lighting system for a glass window according to the present invention, comprising at least two longitudinal light modules, each longitudinal light module supporting a number of point light sources, each longitudinal light module having at least one longitudinal end, and preferably having two longitudinal ends, each longitudinal light module comprising a device for attaching the two longitudinal ends to the directional support and for spatially orienting the two longitudinal ends of the two light modules relative to the directional support.

[0030] Preferably, in the lighting system according to the invention, all light modules are identical; all light modules have the same length, the same width, the same number of point light sources and the same way of attachment to the connecting element. Thus, when manufacturing the glazing, no special attention is required to select a specific light module based on its future positioning in the glazing; all light modules are identical and interchangeable.

[0031] The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing a glazing according to the invention, the glazing comprising a curved glazing element providing a separation between an exterior space and an interior space and having an exterior face, an interior face and an edge face situated between these two faces, the glazing comprising a lighting system comprising a number of point light sources of the LED type and extending along at least one edge of the glazing element and preferably along two opposite edges of the glazing element, positioned more inwardly than the interior face of the glazing element.

[0032] The method is characterized by: - the base of at least one directional support is fastened or attached to said glazing element, then - at least two longitudinal light modules are positioned adjacent to each other along their length, each longitudinal light module supports a plurality of point light sources, each longitudinal light module is oriented in a longitudinal direction along its length, and each longitudinal light module has one longitudinal end facing the longitudinal end of another longitudinal light module, positioned less eccentrically than the base, and then The two longitudinal ends are attached and spatially oriented along (about) an axis of rotation, which is substantially parallel to the glazing element and perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.

[0033] In a preferred embodiment, before fastening or attaching the base to the glazing element, a connecting element is fastened to a profiled spacer, which is preferably fastened to the glazing element by encapsulation; the base is then fastened or attached to the glazing element by means of the connecting element.

[0034] Advantageously, the invention enables the light module to be oriented more easily and more reliably attached to the glazing element. The orientation is related both to the curvature of the glazing element (distance from the inner face of the glazing element) and to the centrifugal-centripetal direction in the plane of curvature (distance from the edge face of the glazing element). This orientation of the module allows the point light source to be oriented so that the illumination is preferably in the direction of the glazing element.

[0035] Advantageously, such an attachment is particularly compact both in the medial-lateral direction, so as not to take up too much interior space, and also in the centrifugal-centripetal direction, so as not to restrict the field of view.

[0036] It is also advantageous that, in the event of a defective light module, it can be replaced without changing other light modules in the lighting system and without having to replace the glass window.

[0037] Compared to the prior art methods for producing prior art glazing units with lighting systems, the method according to the invention has the advantage of being easier to implement. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0038] 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 perspective view showing the interior space of a glazing according to the invention; - Figure 2 The central longitudinal cross section shows Figure 1 A partial view of the glass window shown in FIG. - Figure 3 A schematic cross section of the edge of a glazing is shown, and the glazing element is shown illuminated from the inside; - Figure 4 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of an edge of a glazing according to a first embodiment of the invention; and - Figure 5 A schematic cross-sectional view of the edge of a glazing according to a second embodiment of the invention is shown. - Figure 6 A partial perspective view showing an edge of a glass window according to a third embodiment of the present invention; - Figure 7 Shows Figure 6 Exploded partial perspective view; - Figure 8 Shows Figure 6 Another partially exploded perspective view of ; and - Fig. 9 A schematic cross-sectional view of the edge of a glazing according to a third embodiment of the invention is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0039] The invention is described by way of example in the context of the application of a fixed glazing unit 1 for a vehicle. The glazing 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 with respect to the exterior space and the interior space, respectively.

[0040] The invention is described by way of non-limiting example in its application to a roof glazing for a vehicle. Figure 1 , the glazing is viewed from the inside, oriented horizontally, i.e. turned inside out relative to its position as a vehicle roof glazing. In the figures of this document, the glazing has not yet been installed in the vehicle body opening (and is therefore not visible).

[0041] The glazing unit 1 comprises a glazing assembly 2. The glazing element may be monolithic, i.e. consist of a single sheet of material, or may be composite, i.e. consist of several sheets of material between which, in the case of a laminated glazing unit, at least one interlayer of adhesive material is inserted. 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.

[0042] The glazing may form a vehicle side window. 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 vehicle's reference frame).

[0043] The glass window is preferably positioned horizontally or substantially horizontally in the vehicle reference system.

[0044] In the context of this document, the concepts of "centripetal" and "centrifugal" are considered relative to the central longitudinal axis of forward travel of a vehicle equipped with the glazing according to the invention, the glazing being used as an elongated roof glazing, that is, the length of the glazing being oriented along the forward travel axis, generally referred to as the "XX' axis" of the vehicle; the centripetal direction is in the direction of this axis, while the centrifugal direction is opposite to this axis.

[0045] In the embodiment shown, the glazing 1 comprises a curved, ie non-planar, and laminated glazing element 2. However, the glazing element 2 may also be monolithic.

[0046] The glazing 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.

[0047] The glazing element 2 has a left longitudinal edge 23 , a rear transverse edge 24 , a right longitudinal edge 25 and a front transverse edge 26 .

[0048] The glazing element 2 has four corners with positioning and attachment systems 29 for positioning and attaching the glazing to the vehicle opening.

[0049] The glazing 1 may comprise a profiled seal 6 which, in this case, is peripheral and extends along all four edges of the glazing element.

[0050] The glazing element 2 is a laminated glazing element, such as Figure 2 It can be seen in a vertical cross-section of the , which comprises an outer glass sheet 3, an inner glass sheet 5 and a plastic interlayer sheet 4 located between the two glass sheets.

[0051] However, at least one other sheet may be inserted between the outer glass sheet 3 and the plastic interlayer sheet 4 or between the plastic interlayer sheet 4 and the inner glass sheet 5 .

[0052] In addition to the glazing element 2, the glazing 1 also comprises at least one lighting system 27, 27', and here preferably two lighting systems 27, 27', each lighting system comprising a number of LED-type point light sources. The lighting system 27 extends along the left longitudinal edge 23 of the glazing element 2, and the lighting system 27' extends along the right longitudinal edge 25 of the glazing element 2.

[0053] Each lighting system 27, 27' is located further inwards than the inner face 22 of the glazing element 2 and therefore constitutes an internal lighting system by being oriented towards the inner face 22 of the glazing element 2. The power supply of these modules is not described in detail here.

[0054] Figure 3An example of a prismatic system 100 is shown in FIG. It can be inserted between a point light source 110 and the outer face 20 of a glazing element 2; it can comprise a lens 110 and have a portion (prismatic film 130) that fits into a recess in a glazing element, in particular a recess in an inner glass sheet 5, or even a recess in a plastic interlayer sheet 4. Figure 3 , the direction of the light emitted by the point light source 110 is depicted by a double arrow; it is inclined along direction B because the point light source 110 itself is arranged on a support of the light module which is inclined along this direction B.

[0055] Furthermore, the light module is attached to the headliner 140 , which is a trim element.

[0056] According to the invention, for at least one lighting system, and preferably for each lighting system 27, 27', at least two light modules 7, 7', and here four light modules 7, 7', 7", 7'", all longitudinal, are arranged adjacently, each light module being oriented in the longitudinal direction along its length. Each light module 7, 7' comprises a number of point light sources 110. For example, each light module may have ten LEDs.

[0057] Each light module is straight and upright, in the shape of a right-angled block extending along its length; all light modules in the lighting system are identical here so as not to complicate installation (and so as not to have to refer to the modules with respect to their respective positions). All point light sources are preferably in a straight line within a linear light module.

[0058] like Figure 2 As shown in more detail in Figure 1, two light modules 7, 7' are arranged adjacent to each other and each light module is oriented one after the other in a longitudinal direction 70, 70' along its length and each light module has a longitudinal end 71 facing a longitudinal end 71' of the other light module. Although the longitudinal directions of the other light modules are not shown in this figure, these other light modules are also oriented one after the other in a longitudinal direction along their length and each light module has a longitudinal end facing a longitudinal end of the other light module. Thus, all light modules of the lighting system, and preferably all light modules of each lighting system, are arranged one after the other along their length to form a modular sequence; only two modules, each located at one end of the modular sequence, have free ends that do not face a longitudinal end of the other module.

[0059] According to the invention, the glazing 1 comprises at least one oriented support 8 at the connection between two adjacent light modules (here, for simplicity, light modules 7, 7'). The oriented support 8 comprises a base 80, which is located beside the two longitudinal ends 71, 71' and is more eccentric than the two longitudinal ends 71, 71', that is, closer to the edge 23 than the longitudinal ends 71, 71'; the base 80 is here indirectly fastened to the glazing element 2 by the connecting element 9, but can be fastened directly to the glazing element 2 (the oriented support 8 can be directly bonded to the glazing element 2).

[0060] Figure 2 It is shown that adjacent light modules are not positioned at the same distance from the glazing element 2 at all points: some parts of each light module are closer to the glazing element 2, and other parts of these light modules are further away from the glazing element 2 (away from the inner face 22 of the glazing element 2). Therefore, the point light sources within the light modules are not all positioned at exactly the same distance from the glazing element (e.g., using a tolerance of one tenth of a millimeter). However, the point light sources are all positioned at an acceptable distance from the glazing element, i.e., at an acceptable distance from the inner face 22 of the glazing element 2 (e.g., applying a tolerance of plus or minus 2.0 mm).

[0061] The orientation support 8 attaches the two longitudinal ends 71 ​​, 71 ′ and spatially orients the two longitudinal ends 71 ​​, 71 ′ so that the longitudinal directions 70 , 70 ′ of the two adjacent light modules 7 , 7 ′ are not parallel.

[0062] exist Figure 6 In the glass window 1, for each edge 23, 25: an integer n=4 light modules 7 , 7 ′, 7 ″, 7 ′″: four light modules positioned along edge 23 and four light modules positioned along edge 25 ; and - n+1 = 5 orienting supports 8 for attaching and orienting the light modules: five orienting supports 8 for the light modules 7 positioned along the edge 23 and five orienting supports 8 for the light modules 7 ′ positioned along the edge 25. All orienting supports 8 are preferably identical to facilitate glazing manufacturing (so that no reference to an orienting support 8 with respect to its respective position) .

[0063] Each light module 7 , 7 ′ is therefore attached and oriented at its two longitudinal ends by means of an orientation support 8 .

[0064] exist Figures 2 to 5 In a first variant shown in , the orientation support 8 spatially orients the two longitudinal ends 71 ​​, 71 ′ about a single rotation axis A extending transversely to the length of the glazing element 2 .

[0065] For later reference Figures 6 to 9 In another variant described in detail, the orientation support 8 spatially orients the two longitudinal ends 71 ​​, 71 ′ respectively about an axis of rotation A, A′ extending transversely to the length of the glazing element 2 .

[0066] It is this rotation or these rotations that make it possible to orient the longitudinal ends 71 ​​, 71 ′ so that the longitudinal directions 70 , 70 ′ of two adjacent light modules are not parallel and thus to compensate for the curvature of the glazing element, if necessary.

[0067] Whatever the variant, the orienting support 8 preferably comprises a flange 81 extending from the base 80 in the centripetal direction and situated below the two longitudinal ends 71 ​​, 71 ′, more inwards; said longitudinal ends 71 ​​, 71 ′ are therefore attached to the flange 81 .

[0068] Seen from the front, the oriented support 8 is thus T-shaped, the body of the T forming a base 80 and the remainder of the T forming a flange 81 extending towards the central longitudinal axis of the glazing element. The base 80 extends substantially from the inner face 22 towards the interior space, more centrifugal than the edge face 21. The flange 81 extends longitudinally below the inner face 22, along the edge 23, and more centrifugal than the edge face 21.

[0069] The base 80 is narrow and has a length between 10.0 and 50.0 mm, 21.0 mm in this example. This width is sufficient to hold the flange 81 securely.

[0070] Here, the flange 81 also has a longitudinal groove 83 located further inwards for clamping the trim element 15 of the roof lining.

[0071] The flange 8 has a length L81 between 30.0 and 80.0 mm, in this case 45.0 mm.

[0072] In order to attach the longitudinal ends 71, 71' to the oriented support 8 and to orient the longitudinal ends 71, 71', the oriented support 8 has one or two male elements 82, 82' or one or two hollow female elements. The longitudinal ends 71, 71' then each have a complementary shape, respectively a hollow female element 72, 72' located around the male element of the oriented support 8 or a male element surrounded by the female element of the oriented support 8.

[0073] To provide an additional degree of freedom and allow not only rotation but also translation of the longitudinal end relative to the orienting support, the hollow female element may have an elliptical internal cross-section and the male element engaging the hollow female element may have a circular external cross-section.

[0074] In order to lock the attachment of one longitudinal end to the orienting support 8 , the male element may have a cavity 83 to house a screw 10 or a clip 10 ′.

[0075] exist Figure 4 In a first embodiment of the invention shown in cross section in FIG. 1 , the oriented support 8 has a single male element 82 and the adjacent longitudinal ends 71, 71 'each comprise a hollow cylinder 73, 73', or more precisely, each comprise a half cylinder which complements each other along its length so as to correspond substantially to the length of the male element 82. The two hollow cylinders 73, 73' each have an axis A and the two axes are parallel, one after the other. This axis A is also the axis of the male element 82. The screw 10 screwed into the core of the male element 82 locks the attachment of the adjacent longitudinal ends 71, 71 ' relative to the oriented support 8.

[0076] exist Figure 5 In the second embodiment of the present invention shown in cross-section, the joint enabling adjacent longitudinal ends 71, 71' to be oriented relative to the directional support 8 is the same; the only difference is that the attachment locking of adjacent longitudinal ends 71, 71' relative to the directional support 8 is accomplished by a clip 10' located at the center of the male element 82.

[0077] exist Figures 6 to 9 In the third embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 1 , the directional support 8 has two male elements 82, which are not parallel here, but can be parallel, and two adjacent longitudinal ends 71, 71' each include a hollow cylinder 73, 73', each hollow cylinder sliding over the male element to attach each longitudinal end. Therefore, the two hollow cylinders 73, 73' each have an axis A, A', and these two axes are not parallel, but can be parallel.

[0078] In particular, Figure 6 A non-zero angle α between two adjacent faces of the two longitudinal ends 71 ​​, 71 ′ is shown; without rotation about the axis A, A′, the two adjacent faces of the two longitudinal ends 71 ​​, 71 ′ would be parallel (the angle between them being infinite or zero).

[0079] Figure 4 , Figure 5 and Fig. 9 The cross-sectional view also shows that the glazing 1 comprises a profiled seal 6 which is fastened to the edge of the inner face 22 and to the edge face 21 without being in contact with the outer face 20 ; this is a “flush” profiled seal 6 , ie flush with the outer face 20 .

[0080] The connecting element 9 has a portion which is integrated into the profiled seal 6, and a portion which protrudes out of the profiled seal 6. The protruding portion here serves for attaching the base 80, and more precisely for clamping the base 80, due to the hole 90. The connecting element 9 is thus fastened indirectly to the glazing element 2 via the profiled seal 6, which is fastened directly to the glazing element 2.

[0081] However, the connecting element 9 may be glued directly to the glazing element 2 .

[0082] The constituent material of the profiled seal 6 may be a polymer material, such as thermoplastics (PVC, TPE, etc.), polyurethane or even synthetic rubber, such as EPDM or any other suitable flexible plastic material.

[0083] The attachment of the base 80 to the connecting element 9 is practical: it enables the connection of the connecting element 9 to the glazing element 2 and then the connection of the orienting support 8 to the connecting element 9 to be managed in two separate and independent steps.

[0084] To facilitate these two integrations, the connecting element 9 is made of metal or a metal alloy. The orientation support 8 is made of plastic here in order to be as light as possible.

[0085] The profiled seal 6 can be fastened to the glazing element 2 using a prefabricated profiled seal and can be adhered to the glazing element; this adhesion can be achieved using an adhesive strip formed by a layer of glue or an adhesive tape, in particular a double-sided adhesive tape.

[0086] However, it is preferred to use an encapsulation method: it comprises a step of molding the profiled seal 6 in a molding device between two molding elements, one molding element accommodating the inner face 22 and one molding element accommodating the outer face 20, these two molding elements being closed against each other during the molding step while creating a molding cavity between them, which is filled with the material for manufacturing the profiled seal 6 during the step of molding the seal.

[0087] The profiled seal 6 is preferably arranged around the entire periphery of the glazing element 2 , but it may also be positioned only on one or more portions of the glazing element 2 .

[0088] Before fastening the profiled seal 6 to the glazing element 2 and before attaching the orienting support 8 to the connecting element 9 , the glazing element 2 is manufactured.

[0089] In this way, the lighting systems 27, 27' can be attached (indirectly, via the orienting supports 8) to the glazing 1 independently of the manufacture of the glazing element 2, which can be provided with a profiled seal 6: thus, for the same series of glazings, glazings can be provided that include one or more lighting systems and glazings that do not have any lighting system; this is very important for allowing the vehicle to optionally have at least one lighting system.

[0090] The lighting system 27, 27' according to the present invention comprises at least two longitudinal light modules 7, 7', and preferably comprises the required number of light modules for the complete edge of the glass window (here four light modules), and each light module has at least one longitudinal end 71, 71', and preferably has two longitudinal ends, and each light module comprises a device for attaching the two longitudinal ends 71, 71' to the directional support 8 and for spatially orienting the two longitudinal ends 71, 71' of two adjacent longitudinal ends 71, 71' relative to the directional support 8.

[0091] In the method for producing a glazing 1 according to the invention: Step 1 - firstly fastening or attaching the base 80 of at least one oriented support 8 to the glazing element 2 (here preferably via the connecting element 9), and preferably firstly fastening or attaching all the bases 80 of all oriented supports 8 to the glazing element 2, and then Step 2 - for each oriented support 8: two longitudinal light modules 7, 7' are each oriented along their length in a longitudinal direction 70, 70' and positioned adjacent to each other along their length, each light module having a longitudinal end 71 facing a longitudinal end 71' of the other light module while being positioned less eccentric than the base 80 of the oriented support 8, then Step 3 - for each orienting support 8 : the two longitudinal ends 71 ​​, 71 ′ are attached and spatially oriented along an axis of rotation A, A′ substantially parallel to the glazing element 2 and perpendicular to said longitudinal direction 70 , 70 ′.

[0092] For the positioning step 2 , the two longitudinal ends 71 ​​, 71 ′ are preferably positioned above the flange 81 .

[0093] As for step 3 of attachment and positioning of the longitudinal ends 71 ​​, 71 ′, the attachment can be carried out before, simultaneously with or after the spatial positioning, depending on the chosen engagement between the longitudinal ends 71 ​​, 71 ′ and the positioning support.

[0094] For each lighting system 27, 27', all steps 2 and then all steps 3 may be performed for all directional supports 8, or one or more steps 2 and then one or more steps 3 may be performed in a mixed manner.

[0095] Preferably, before step 1, the connecting element 9 is fastened to the profiled seal 6, which was previously fastened to the glass window 2, and then the base 80 is attached or fastened to the connecting element 9; alternatively, the connecting element 9 is bonded to the glass window 2 and then the base 80 is attached or fastened to the connecting element 9.

[0096] Although not shown, the light module is arranged below a black layer, such as an enamel layer, which is arranged on or in the glazing element so as not to be visible from the outside.

Claims

1. A vehicle glazing (1) comprising a curved glazing element (2) providing a separation between an exterior space (E) and an interior space (I) and having an exterior face (20), an interior face (22) and an edge face (21) situated between these two faces, the glazing (1) comprising a lighting system (27, 27') comprising a number of point light sources of the LED type and extending along at least one edge (23, 25) of the glazing element (2) and preferably along two opposite edges of the glazing element (2), being positioned more inwardly than the interior face (22) of the glazing element (2), characterised in that The glass window (1) comprises: - at least two adjacent longitudinal light modules (7, 7'), each longitudinal light module supporting a number of point light sources, each longitudinal light module being oriented one behind the other in a longitudinal direction (70, 70') along its length and each longitudinal light module having a longitudinal end (71) facing a longitudinal end (71') of another longitudinal light module, and - at least one orienting support (8) having a base (80) which is positioned more eccentrically than the two longitudinal ends (71, 71') and is fastened or attached to the glazing element (2), the orienting support (8) making it possible to attach the two longitudinal ends (71, 71') and to orient them spatially around an axis of rotation (A, A') which is substantially parallel to the glazing element (2) and perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (70, 70').

2. The glazing (1) according to claim 1, wherein: The directional support (8) includes a flange (81) extending from the base (80) in a centripetal direction and located below the two longitudinal ends (71, 71') and further inward than these longitudinal ends, so that the longitudinal ends (71, 71') are attached to the flange (81).

3. The glazing (1) according to claim 2, wherein: The flange (81) has a longitudinal groove (83) located more inwardly than the flange (81).

4. The glazing (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The directional support (8) has one or two male elements (82, 82') or one or two hollow female elements, and the longitudinal ends (71, 71') each have a hollow female element (72, 72') located around the male element of the directional support (8) or a male element surrounded by the female element of the directional support (8), which is used to attach the light module (7, 7') to the directional support (8) and orient the light module (7, 7').

5. The glazing (1) according to claim 4, wherein: The hollow female element has a circular or oval inner cross-section, and the male element has a circular outer cross-section.

6. The glazing (1) according to claim 4 or 5, wherein: The male element has a receiving cavity (83) for locking attachment.

7. The glazing (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein: Two adjacent light modules (7, 7') each comprise a hollow cylinder (73, 73'), wherein the two hollow cylinders (73, 73') each have an axis and the two axes are parallel.

8. The glazing (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein: Two adjacent light modules (7, 7') each comprise a hollow cylinder (73, 73'), the two hollow cylinders (73, 73') each having an axis, and the two axes are not parallel.

9. The glazing unit (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein: An integer number n of light modules (7, 7') are positioned along an edge (23, 25) of the glazing element (2), and n+1 orienting supports (8) enable the light modules to be attached and oriented along this edge (23, 25).

10. The glazing unit (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein: The base (80) is fastened or attached to the glazing element (2) by means of a connecting element (9), the orienting support (8) being preferably made of plastic, and the connecting element (9) being preferably made of metal or a metal alloy.

11. The glazing (1) according to claim 10, wherein: The connecting element (9) is fastened to a profiled seal (6) which is fastened to the glazing element (2).

12. A lighting system (27, 27') for a glazing (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that: It comprises at least two longitudinal light modules (7, 7'), each longitudinal light module (7, 7') supports a plurality of point light sources, each longitudinal light module (7, 7') has at least one longitudinal end (71, 71'), and preferably has two longitudinal ends, each longitudinal light module (7, 7') comprises a device for attaching the two longitudinal ends (71, 71') to the directional support (8) and for spatially orienting the two longitudinal ends (71, 71') of the two light modules (7, 7') relative to the directional support (8).

13. A method for manufacturing a vehicle glazing (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, the vehicle glazing (1) comprising a curved glazing element (2), the glazing element (2) providing a separation between an exterior space (E) and an interior space (I) and having an exterior face (20), an interior face (22) and an edge face (21) situated between these two faces, the glazing (1) comprising a lighting system (27, 27') comprising a number of point light sources of the LED type and extending along at least one edge (23, 25) of the glazing element (2), and preferably along two opposite edges of the glazing element (2), being located more inwardly than the interior face (22) of the glazing element (2), characterised in that: - the base (80) of at least one oriented support (8) is fastened or attached to the glazing element (2), then - at least two longitudinal light modules (7, 7') are positioned adjacent to each other along their length, each longitudinal light module (7, 7') supports a number of point light sources, each longitudinal light module (7, 7') is oriented in a longitudinal direction (70, 70') along its length, and each longitudinal light module (7, 7') has a longitudinal end (71) facing a longitudinal end (71') of another longitudinal light module, positioned less eccentrically than the base (80), and then The two longitudinal ends (71, 71') are attached and spatially oriented along a rotation axis (A, A') which is substantially parallel to the glazing element (2) and perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (70, 70').

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein: Before the base (80) is fastened or attached to the glazing element (2), a connecting element (9) is fastened to a profiled seal (6) which is fastened to the glazing element (2).

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