Laminated glazing unit having at least one over thick side seal portion

Abstract

The invention relates to a glazing comprising a laminated glazing element having an interlayer having a laterally non-constant thickness, each lateral portion (7a) having a base (70) comprising a first zone (7a1) having a substantially zero excess thickness over a range (l1) and at least one second zone (7a2) comprising a strip (52), the strip (52) has an excess thickness (s1) that gradually increases over a range (l2).

Description

Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a window glass unit comprising a laminated window glass element which comprises an interlayer having a thickness decreasing along the height of the window glass unit, in particular for forming a motor vehicle windshield. Such a window glass unit reduces or even eliminates stray double images. Background Art

[0002] The state of the art is known from international patent application WO 2009 / 071135 A1 which discloses a curved windshield for a vehicle which comprises an interlayer made of a thermoplastic and arranged between an outer glass sheet and an inner glass sheet. The thickness of the interlayer decreases along the height of the window glass unit. The maximum thickness is at the top of the windshield and gradually decreases to a minimum at the bottom. This specific dimensioning of the interlayer is called the wedge angle. The wedge angle is used to reduce or even eliminate double images on the curved windshield. In fact, double images usually occur during night driving, the headlight images from oncoming vehicles or other bright light sources. The double image is the result of multiple reflections on the windshield surface when a part of the incident light beam (called the secondary beam) leaves the windshield at an angle with respect to the primary beam. The angle between the primary beam and the secondary beam is called the double image angle. Since the intensity of the secondary beam is very low, the secondary beam is only visible if it can be distinguished from the dark surrounding environment (for example when night falls).

[0003] This problem can be particularly troublesome for window glass units equipped with a so-called "head-up display".

[0004] Generally, the thermoplastic used for the wedge angle is polyvinyl butyral, which is better known by its abbreviation "PVB". The curved windshield further comprises a polymer seal on its periphery. The seal is arranged on the top and on the sides of the windshield. A disadvantage of the current construction of the window glass unit is that the lateral part of the seal does not adapt to the decreasing thickness of the window glass unit from top to bottom. The result is an aesthetically unpleasant height difference visible to the naked eye. Adverse aerodynamic conditions can also generate noise. This noise is clearly unpleasant for the driver and passengers of the vehicle. Summary of the Invention

[0005] It is an object of the present invention to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art by providing a window glass unit construction which achieves a reduced height difference or even a flushness between the outer side of the window glass element and the lateral seal part adjacent to the edge surface of the window glass element.

[0006] Thus, the present invention is based on the following discovery: surprisingly, it is possible to provide a molded seal having a base attached to a window glass element and a lateral bead (or lip) for fitting the edge of the window glass element with a reduced thickness, and especially when the molded seal is a prefabricated seal (a technique known as "pre-assembly" in the glass industry). Thus, an object of the present invention is to propose a window glass unit having a molded seal that adapts well and easily to the reduction of the thickness of the window glass element for easier and cheaper installation.

[0007] To do so, the present invention thus relates to a window glass unit for a vehicle, in particular for a motor vehicle, according to claim 1. The present invention also relates to a seal according to claim 10, a vehicle according to claim 11, and a method according to claim 12.

[0008] The window glass unit includes a window glass laminated element that includes an outer glass sheet and an inner glass sheet, the glass sheets being assembled by means of an interlayer. The window glass unit has a first longitudinal edge, a second longitudinal edge, a first lateral edge, and a second lateral edge. At least the lateral edges include a seal having a first lateral seal portion disposed along the first lateral edge and a second lateral seal portion disposed along the second lateral edge. The interlayer has a laterally non-constant thickness (which varies between a maximum thickness value and a minimum thickness value), where the maximum thickness is along the first longitudinal edge and the minimum thickness is along the second longitudinal edge, and the thickness gradually decreases between the first edge and the second edge.

[0009] The window glass unit is remarkable in that each lateral seal portion has a base and a lateral bead, the base being attached to the inner face of the inner glass sheet, and the bead extending further from the base (starting from the center of the window glass element) than the base. The base includes: - a first zone having a substantially zero over-thickness in a first range starting from the first longitudinal edge, and - at least one second zone arranged adjacent to the first zone (following the lateral edge of the window glass element) and extending in a second range, the second zone being provided with a first strip having an over-thickness that gradually increases away from the first zone.

[0010] In the context of this document, the concept of "substantially zero overthickness" will be understood to mean that there is no overthickness in the first zone compared to at least a second zone having an overthickness. It is used for the sake of brevity, considering that showing the presence of an element in at least one zone (the second zone) and the absence of that element in another zone (the first zone) can be complex.

[0011] The construction proposed by the invention makes it possible to reduce or even eliminate the external height difference between the lateral seal part (bead) and the outer face of the outer glass sheet. The overthickness(es) has the advantage of compensating for the gradual variation in the thickness of the window glass unit at this (these) point(s).

[0012] The second lateral edge may be parallel to the first lateral edge. The second longitudinal edge may be parallel to the first longitudinal edge. The lateral edges may be oriented substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal edges.

[0013] Preferably, the first longitudinal edge is the upper edge (intended to be arranged in the upper part of the vehicle opening), and the second longitudinal edge is the lower edge (intended to be arranged in the lower part of the vehicle opening).

[0014] Along the first zone, the base has a non - zero thickness, and the thickness of the base is preferably constant; along the first zone, preferably there is no compensation. Thus, unexpectedly, the inventors found that the absence of compensation along the first zone can be visually acceptable and facilitates the manufacture of the window glass unit.

[0015] The lateral formed seal part, and preferably each lateral formed seal part, preferably has a single base over its entire extent and a single lateral bead over its entire extent. Preferably, the base has a constant profile over its entire extent. Preferably, the bead has a constant profile over its entire extent.

[0016] The base preferably extends to an adjacent longitudinal or lateral edge of the window glass element.

[0017] The bead extends further from the edge of the window glass element in the centrifugal direction than the edge.

[0018] The second zone is preferably arranged in contact with the first zone.

[0019] Preferably, the window glass unit includes two identical lateral seal parts: they have the same number of zones and these zones are the same.

[0020] Preferably, the first strip extends over the entire second zone.

[0021] The first strip is preferably glued or molded onto the base. The first strip or each strip is an additional element located on the base and is different from the base; even when the strip is manufactured by directly molding on the base, a careful analysis of the material over its entire thickness will show the presence of an interface between the strip and the base and thus the fact that the strip and the base are different elements.

[0022] The respective extents of the first zone and the second zone are preferably substantially equal.

[0023] Preferably, the base includes a third zone, which is arranged adjacent to the second zone and extends over a third extent. The third zone is provided with a second strip, which has an increasing over-thickness away from the second zone. Preferably, the second strip extends over the entire third zone.

[0024] Providing three zones means that the compensation for the gradually decreasing thickness of the sandwich can be effectively managed without causing significant additional costs when producing the lateral seal part. Four or five zones or even more zones are possible, but the addition of zones means higher costs for the lateral seal part.

[0025] Preferably, the second strip is glued or molded onto the base because the base provides a more precise reference. Alternatively, the second strip can be glued or molded onto the first strip.

[0026] Preferably, the first strip has a maximum over-thickness equal to half of the difference between the maximum thickness and the minimum thickness of the sandwich, and the second strip has a maximum over-thickness equal to the difference between the maximum thickness and the minimum thickness of the sandwich.

[0027] Preferably, the respective extents of the first zone, the second zone, and the third zone are substantially equal. The respective extents of the second zone and the third zone can be substantially equal but different from the extent of the first zone; in particular, the extent of the first zone can be smaller for more discreteness.

[0028] Preferably, the difference between the maximum thickness and the minimum thickness of the sandwich is between 0.50 mm and 1.0 mm.

[0029] Preferably, when observed in cross-section, the seal includes a first part and a second part. Advantageously, the first part and the second part are based on the same material, such as thermoplastic vulcanizate (TPV) or ethylene-propylene-diene monomer (EPDM), and have different hardnesses.

[0030] The first part incorporating the base can have, for example, a Shore A hardness of 80, and the second part can have a Shore A hardness of 60.

[0031] The strip or each strip is preferably made of the same material as the base.

[0032] The invention further relates to a seal for a window glass unit according to the invention, the seal having a base and a lateral bead, the base being intended to be attached to the inner face of the inner glass sheet of the window glass element, and the bead extending further from the base than the base, the base of the two lateral seal portions comprising: - a first zone having a substantially zero over-thickness over a first extent, and - at least one second zone adjacent to the first zone and extending over a second extent, the second zone being provided with a first strip having an over-thickness that increases gradually away from the first zone.

[0033] The invention further relates to a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, comprising a body, a window glass unit and an adhesive bead for joining the window glass unit to the body, the window glass unit being according to the invention.

[0034] Preferably, the adhesive bead adheres the window glass element directly to the body recess through its inner face (the adhesive bead does not directly adhere the seal to the recess).

[0035] The invention further relates to a method of manufacturing a window glass unit according to the invention, the window glass unit comprising a window glass laminate element comprising an outer glass sheet and an inner glass sheet, the glass sheets being pre-assembled by means of an interlayer, the window glass unit having a first longitudinal edge, a second longitudinal edge, a first lateral edge and a second lateral edge, the interlayer having a laterally non-constant thickness, with a maximum thickness along the first longitudinal edge and a minimum thickness along the second longitudinal edge, the thickness decreasing gradually between the first longitudinal edge and the second longitudinal edge, The method comprises the step of attaching a seal at least along the lateral edges, the seal having a first lateral seal portion provided along the first lateral edge and a second lateral seal portion provided along the second lateral edge, The method is remarkable in that the seal is prefabricated such that at least each lateral seal portion has a base and a lateral bead, the base being intended to be attached to the inner face of the inner glass sheet, and the bead extending further from the base than the base, and before attaching the seal, the base comprises: - the base has a substantially zero over-thickness over the entire extent of the lateral seal portion, and then - The first strip is arranged on the base, which is adjacent to a first zone extending over a first range. The first strip has an increasing over-thickness away from the first zone and extends over a second range.

[0036] When arranging the first strip, preferably, the first strip is adhered or molded to the base before attaching the seal.

[0037] Before attaching the seal, a second strip is preferably arranged on the base adjacent to the second zone. The second strip exhibits an increasing over-thickness away from the second zone and extends over a third range.

[0038] When arranging the second strip, preferably, the second strip is adhered or molded to the base before attaching the seal. Alternatively, the second strip is adhered or molded to the first strip.

[0039] Preferably, when the base of the seal has a non-flat outer surface, for example, when the base of the seal has a boss at the connection with the bead edge, the strip is molded; this makes it easier to fit the strip to the relevant zone. Description of the Drawings

[0040] By way of non-limiting example, embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings, in which: - Figure 1 A top view of a window glass unit (also called a windshield) according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is schematically shown, which window glass unit is intended to be located in an opening at the front of a motor vehicle; - Figure 2 A cross-sectional view taken along a Figure 1 section plane A-A' visible in the side portion of the seal of the window glass unit is schematically shown; - Figure 3 A cross-sectional view of the Figure 1 windshield is schematically shown; - Figure 4 A first cross-sectional view, a second cross-sectional view, and a third cross-sectional view of the side portion of the windshield seal taken along section planes A-A', B-B', and C-C' respectively according to Figure 1 are schematically shown, and a side view of the side portion of the seal below the cross-sectional views; and - Figures 5 to 7 A cross-sectional view taken along Figure 1First cross-sectional view, second cross-sectional view, and third cross-sectional view of cross-sectional planes A-A', B-B', and C-C' of the lateral portion of the windshield seal, further wherein an adhesive tape bonds the seal to the window glass element, and an adhesive bead bonds the window glass unit to the body notch. Detailed Description

[0041] The present invention is described by way of example in the context of its application as a fixed window glass unit 1 for a vehicle. The window glass unit closes an opening by providing a separation between an external space E outside the vehicle and an internal space I inside the vehicle. Thus, in this document, the concepts of "outer" and "inner" are considered with respect to the external space E (or oriented towards the external space) and the internal space I (or oriented towards the internal space), respectively.

[0042] Figure 1 A top view of a motor vehicle window glass unit 1 (here a windshield) according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, intended for installation in an opening (not shown).

[0043] The window glass unit 1 can form a windshield, a roof, a side window, or a rear window for a vehicle. The vehicle can be a road vehicle, such as a sedan, a truck, a bus, a tram, or a rail vehicle. The window glass unit can be fixed (immovable in the vehicle's reference system).

[0044] The window glass unit 1 includes a curved (i.e., non-planar) and laminated window glass element 2.

[0045] The window glass unit 1 extends transversely along an axis generally referred to as the "X axis" of the vehicle, especially a motor vehicle, which is the central longitudinal axis of the front part of the motor vehicle equipped with the window glass unit according to the present invention, and which corresponds to an axis perpendicular to Figure 1 the Y axis and the Z axis in. The window glass unit 1 extends along the Y axis and the Z axis, which are the transverse axis and the vertical axis of the motor vehicle, respectively.

[0046] In the context of this document, the concepts "centripetal" and "centrifugal" are considered in the plane of the sheet in Figure 1 with respect to the center of the window glass unit according to the Y axis and the Z axis; the centripetal direction is in the direction of the center, while the centrifugal direction is away from the center.

[0047] In (some) embodiments of the present invention, a window glass unit including a window glass element 10 is described. In the case of a laminated window glass unit, each window glass element may be composite, i.e., composed of several material sheets, with at least one adhesive interlayer material inserted between these material sheets. The (several) material sheets may be made of a mineral material, in particular glass, which has, for example, undergone annealing or tempering, or of an organic material, in particular a plastic material such as polyvinyl butyral. The interlayer preferably contains at least one thermoplastic material, preferably polyvinyl butyral (PVB), ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA), and / or polyethylene terephthalate (PET). However, the thermoplastic interlayer may also contain, for example, polyurethane (PU), polypropylene (PP), polyacrylate, polyethylene (PE), polycarbonate (PC), polymethyl methacrylate, polyvinyl chloride, polyacetate resin, casting resin, acrylate, fluorinated ethylene propylene, polyvinyl fluoride, and / or ethylene-tetrafluoroethylene, or their copolymers or mixtures. The thermoplastic interlayer may be formed by one or more superimposed thermoplastic films.

[0048] The window glass unit 1 has a first longitudinal edge 1s and a second longitudinal edge 1i. The first longitudinal edge 1s is intended to be arranged in the upper part (i.e., the part closest to the roof) of a motor vehicle opening, and the second longitudinal edge 1i is intended to be arranged in the lower part (i.e., the part closest to the hood) of the motor vehicle. The window glass unit 1 further has a first lateral edge 1a and a second lateral edge 1b on either side (left and right) of the first longitudinal edge 1s and the second longitudinal edge 1i.

[0049] The window glass unit 1 includes a seal 7, which here has three parts: a central part 7c arranged along the first longitudinal edge 1s of the window glass unit 1, a first lateral part 7a arranged along the first lateral edge 1a, and a second lateral part 7b arranged along the second lateral edge 1b. The seal 7 is obtained, for example, by in-situ (i.e., directly on the window glass element) extrusion or co-extrusion. The seal 7 is made of a polymer, such as polyvinyl chloride, which is known by the abbreviation PVC, or ethylene propylene diene monomer, which is known by the abbreviation EPDM. The seal may also be made of a vulcanizable thermoplastic elastomer, which is also known by the abbreviation TPV. The seal 7 may be made of a single material or two materials. Figure 1 The windshield shown does not have a central part along the second edge 1i. Such a window glass unit 1 may include, for example, a head-up display (HUD). Information is projected to assist the driver of the motor vehicle in terms of driving. For example, the speed of the motor vehicle or information from the navigation system may be displayed. The information is typically projected at the bottom of the driver's field of view. Especially at night, double images may appear from the headlight images of oncoming vehicles. The window glass unit 1 includes an interlayer (in Figure 1invisible) to attenuate or even eliminate the double image.

[0050] Reference Figure 2 , showing a cross-sectional view of the first lateral part 7a of the seal 7 along Figure 1 the cross-sectional plane A - A' visible in

[0051] The seal 7 consists of two different parts: a base 70 and a lateral bead 71. The base 70 is the part of the seal 7 that is attached to the inner face 32 of the inner glass sheet 3 and extends to the longitudinal or lateral edge of the window glass element. The bead 70' is the part of the seal 7 that is not attached to the window glass element and extends further in the centrifugal direction from the base (i.e., from the edge face 11 of the window glass element when installed in the window glass unit) than the base 70 (i.e., further than the edge face 11 when installed in the window glass unit). The formed seal is attached to the window glass element 10 only by the fact that only the base 70 is attached to the inner face 32 and is attached only to this inner face 32. In this way, the base 70 does not face the edge face 11; it is the bead that faces the edge face 11.

[0052] When installed, the bead 70' extends from the edge face 11 and in this case is continuous with the outer surface 20 of the outer glass sheet 2 (the bead 70' is "flush" with the outer surface 20 of the window glass element).

[0053] The seal 7 has an inner face 71 and an outer face 72, and the outer face 72 has a first face 72a and a second face 72b, and the second face 72b is not continuous with the first face 72a because the base 70 has a boss at the junction with the bead 70'. The seal 7 is designed to further include an adhesive layer on the first face 72a (in Figure 2 invisible). The adhesive layer is, for example, a double-sided adhesive with an acrylic-coated polyethylene backing.

[0054] Reference Figure 3 , showing a horizontal cross-sectional view of the window glass unit 1. The window glass unit 1 includes an outer glass sheet 2 with a thickness e2 and an inner glass sheet 3 with a thickness e3. An interlayer 4 with a thickness e4 is arranged to be in contact between the outer glass sheet 2 and the inner glass sheet 3. The thickness e4 of the interlayer 4 is substantially constant in the width direction of the window glass unit 1, i.e., along the orientation of the Y axis, and has a maximum thickness e4' at the first longitudinal edge 1s and a minimum thickness e4'' at the second longitudinal edge 1i. Thus, when the window glass unit 1 is installed in an opening of a motor vehicle, the thickness e4 of the interlayer 4 has a maximum value e4' at the top of the window glass unit 1 and a minimum value e4'' at the bottom of the window glass unit 1. The thickness of the window glass unit 1 decreases in the same way.

[0055] Now refer to Figure 4, showing first horizontal cross-sectional views, second horizontal cross-sectional views, and third horizontal cross-sectional views of cross-sectional planes A-A', B-B', and C-C' respectively along the first lateral part 7a of the window glass unit 1, which are visible in Figure 1 . The first lateral part 7a of the window glass unit 1 is described below, but this description also applies to the second lateral part 7b with necessary modifications. Below the cross-sectional views, a side view of the first lateral part 7a of the seal 7 is also shown. The window glass unit 1 is not visible in Figure 4 . In the embodiment shown in Figure 4 , the first lateral part 7a has a first zone 7a1 in the range l1, a second zone 7a2 in the range l2, and a third zone 7a3 in the range l3. In the embodiment shown, the distances l1, l2, l3 are substantially equal. In another embodiment, the distances l1, l2, l3 are different. In yet another embodiment, two of the ranges are substantially equal and the third is different, for example, smaller.

[0056] The first face 72a and the second face 72b do not have any overthickness in the first zone 7a1 of the lateral part 7a of the seal 7 in the range l1 starting from the first longitudinal edge 1s. At the upper end, here on the left side in Figure 4 , the interlayer 4 has a maximum thickness e4'.

[0057] In the second zone 7a2 of the lateral part 7a of the seal 7 in the range l2 starting from the end of the first zone 7a1, the first face 72a and the second face 72b include a first strip 52, and the first strip 52 creates a first overthickness s1 that gradually increases away from the first zone 7a1.

[0058] In the third zone 7a3 of the lateral part 7a of the seal 7 in the range l3 starting from the end of the second zone 7a2, the first face 72a and the second face 72b include a second strip 53, and the second strip 53 creates a second overthickness s2 that gradually increases away from the second zone 7a2. At the lower end, here on the right side in Figure 4 , the interlayer 4 has a minimum thickness e4”.

[0059] Therefore, this configuration makes it easy to compensate for the gradual decrease in the thickness e4 of the interlayer 4 and, as a result, compensate for the gradual decrease in the thickness of the window glass unit 1. Therefore, this configuration produces a window glass unit 1 with a controlled deflection between the seal 7 (lateral bead 70') and the outer glass sheet 2.

[0060] In another embodiment, the first lateral part 7a of the first seal 7 only includes the second zone 7a2. In yet another embodiment, the first lateral part 7a of the first seal 7 includes a first zone without overthickness and three or even more zones each having a progressive overthickness.

[0061] In a specific exemplary embodiment, the first lateral zone 7a has a range of approximately 1400 mm, and the outer glass sheet 2 and the inner glass sheet 3 each have a thickness e2, e3 of approximately 2.5 mm. The interlayer 4 has a maximum thickness e4' of approximately 1.50 mm and a minimum thickness e4'' of approximately 1 mm. The first over-thickness s1 is close to 0.0 at the contact with the first zone 7a1 and is approximately 0.25 mm at its maximum value, at the contact with the third zone 7a3. The second over-thickness s2 is approximately 0.25 mm at the contact with the second zone 7a2 and is approximately 0.50 mm at the lower end (here on the right side in Figure 4 . These two progressive over-thicknesses compensate for the reduction in the thickness e4 of the interlayer 4 by approximately 0.50 mm.

[0062] The lateral part 7a of the first seal 7 is manufactured according to the following method.

[0063] In a first step, the sealing profile is extruded over a predetermined range in order to obtain the seal 7 for the entire perimeter of the window glass unit, or, as here, the seal 7 for three edges (the lateral edges 1a and 1b and the first upper longitudinal edge 1s) of the perimeter of the window glass unit 1. Alternatively, the seal 7 can be made in three separate parts for these three edges.

[0064] In a second step, the resulting seal 7 is positioned in a mold, and the first strip 52 having the over-thickness s1 is overmolded for one lateral edge at a distance l2, then for the other lateral edge, and preferably for both lateral edges simultaneously in order to save time.

[0065] In a third step, the second strip 53 having the second over-thickness s2 is overmolded for one lateral edge at a distance l3, then for the other lateral edge, and preferably for both lateral edges simultaneously in order to save time.

[0066] In a fourth step, an adhesive layer is applied only to the first face 72a for the two lateral edges. The adhesive layer includes a protective film, also called a "liner", which is designed to be removed before the seal 7 is applied and bonded to the window glass element 10. In the Figure 4 embodiment shown, the adhesive layer (not shown) has a constant thickness of approximately 0.8 mm.

[0067] Preferably, the second and third zones are produced in separate processes, firstly because of their differences (the strips do not have the same thickness) and secondly because of their respective lengths. However, it is possible to create the two zones in a single operation.

[0068] InFigure 2 In the embodiment shown, the seal 7 includes a first part 73 and a second part 74, which are shown with different hatching. The first overthickness s1 and the second overthickness s2 are made of the same material as the first part 73. In another embodiment, the seal 7 is made of a single material, as are the first overthickness s1 and the second overthickness s2, such as polyvinyl chloride or ethylene-propylene-diene monomer.

[0069] Thanks to the invention, along the entire length of the lateral edges 1a, 1b, the bead 70' retains its profile and can extend from the edge face 11, being continuous with the outer surface 20 of the outer glass sheet 2 (the bead 70' is "flush" with the outer face of the window glass element).

[0070] Figures 5 to 7 respectively similar to Figure 4 the right figure (section A-A'), the middle figure (section B-B'), and the left figure (section C-C') shown, and showing the same construction, but in the state of being installed in the vehicle body.

[0071] In the installed state, the seal 7 is adhered to the inner glass sheet 3 by means of a double-sided adhesive tape 9 having an inner face, an outer face, and preferably a constant thickness. The outer face of the adhesive tape 9 contacts the inner face of the inner glass sheet 3. The inner face of the adhesive tape 9 contacts: - in Figure 5 the outer face of the seal 7, and more precisely, the outer face of the base 70; - in Figure 6 the outer face of the first strip 52; and - in Figure 7 the outer face of the second strip 53.

[0072] In this way, the adhesive tape 9 is only applied to the inner glass sheet 3 having a substantially constant thickness e3. Thus, this construction results in a windshield 1 having a controlled and constant deflection between the seal 7 and the outer glass sheet 22.

[0073] Therefore, Figures 5 to 7 shows a vehicle part, in particular a motor vehicle part, according to the invention. The vehicle includes a vehicle body (here represented by the notch F), a window glass unit 1, and an adhesive bead G that bonds the window glass unit (and more specifically, the window glass element) to the vehicle body, and more precisely to the notch F. The notch F can in particular be a metal sheet that extends around at least part of the perimeter path of the opening that the window glass unit 1 is intended to close, or even around the entire perimeter path of the opening that the window glass unit 1 is intended to close.

[0074] Along the lateral edges 1a and 1b, moving downward (i.e., here from Figures 5 to 7), the thickness of the adhesive bead edge G is increased to compensate for the fact of the inner surface.

[0075] The window glass unit 1 is a fixed window glass unit: the window glass element 10 is firmly bonded to the notch F by the adhesive bead edge G and is thus bonded to the vehicle body.

[0076] The window glass unit 1 includes a laminated window glass element 10, the laminated window glass element 10 includes an outer glass sheet 2 having an edge surface 21, an inner glass sheet 3 having an edge surface 31, the glass sheets 2, 3 are assembled by means of an interlayer 4 having an edge surface 41, the window glass unit 1 has a first longitudinal edge 1s, a second longitudinal edge 1i, a first lateral edge 1a and a second lateral edge 1b, at least the lateral edges 1a, 1b include a seal 7, the interlayer 4 has a non-laterally constant thickness e4, wherein the maximum thickness e4' is along the first longitudinal edge 1s and the minimum thickness e4" is along the second longitudinal edge 1i, and the thickness e4 gradually decreases between the first longitudinal edge 1i and the second longitudinal edge 1i.

[0077] For this vehicle, each lateral seal part 7a, 7b has a base 70 and a lateral bead 70', the base 70 is attached to the inner surface 3 of the inner glass sheet 3, and the bead 70' extends further from the base than the base 70 (starting from the center of the window glass element); the base 70 includes: - A first zone 7a1, which has a substantially zero over-thickness in a first range l1 starting from the first longitudinal edge 1s, and - At least one second zone 7a2, which is adjacent to the first zone 7a1 and extends in a second range l2, the second zone 7a2 is provided with a first strip 52, and the first strip 52 has an over-thickness s1 that gradually increases away from the first zone 7a1.

[0078] As shown, the adhesive bead edge G preferably does not contact the interlayer 4; the adhesive bead edge preferably does not contact the bead 70' of the seal 7, and even more preferably does not contact the base 70 of the seal. The base 70 of the seal preferably rests on the notch F. This support provides a constant reference; it is not affected by the fact that the thickness of the interlayer 4 gradually decreases between the first longitudinal edge 1s and the second longitudinal edge 1i.

Claims

1. A window glass unit (1) for a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, said window glass unit (1) comprising a laminated window glass element (10), said laminated window glass element (10) comprising an outer glass sheet (2) and an inner glass sheet (3), said glass sheets (2, 3) being assembled by means of an interlayer (4), said window glass unit (1) having a first longitudinal edge (1s), a second longitudinal edge (1i), a first lateral edge (1a) and a second lateral edge (1b), at least said lateral edges (1a, 1b) comprising a seal (7), said seal (7) having a first lateral seal part (7a) arranged along said first lateral edge (1a) and a second lateral seal part (7b) arranged along said second lateral edge (1b), said interlayer (4) having a laterally non-constant thickness (e4), wherein the maximum thickness (e4') is along said first longitudinal edge (1s) and the minimum thickness (e4") is along said second longitudinal edge (1i), said thickness (e4) decreasing gradually between said first edge (1s) and said second edge (1i), characterized in that, Each lateral seal part (7a, 7b) has a base (70) and a lateral bead (70'), the base (70) being attached to the inner face (32) of the inner glass sheet (3), and the bead (70') extending further from the base than the base (70), the base (70) comprising: - A first zone (7a1) having a substantially zero over-thickness over a first extent (l1) starting from the first longitudinal edge (1s), and - At least one second zone (7a2) arranged adjacent to the first zone (7a1) and extending over a second extent (l2), the second zone (7a2) being provided with a first strip (52) having an over-thickness (s1) that increases gradually away from the first zone (7a1).

2. The window glass unit (1) according to claim 1, wherein, The first strip (52) is adhered or molded onto the base (70).

3. The window glass unit (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The respective extents (l1, l2) of the first zone (7a1) and the second zone (7a2) are substantially equal.

4. The window glass unit (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, The base (70) includes a third zone (7a3) arranged adjacent to the second zone (7a2) and extending over a third extent (l3), the third zone (7a3) being provided with a second strip (53) having an over-thickness (s2) that increases gradually away from the second zone (7a2).

5. The windowpane unit (1) according to claim 4, wherein, The second strip (53) is glued or molded onto the base (70).

6. The window glass unit (1) according to claim 4 or 5, wherein, The first strip (52) has a maximum over-thickness (s1') equal to half the difference between the maximum thickness (e4') and the minimum thickness (e4”) of the interlayer (4), and the second strip (53) has a maximum over-thickness (s2') equal to the difference between the maximum thickness (e4') and the minimum thickness (e4”) of the interlayer (4).

7. The window glass unit (1) according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein, The respective extents (l1, l2, l3) of the first zone (7a1), the second zone (7a2), and the third zone (7a3) are substantially equal.

8. The window glass unit (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein, The difference between the maximum thickness (e4') and the minimum thickness (e4”) of the interlayer (4) is between 0.50 mm and 1.0 mm.

9. The window glass unit (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein, When observed in cross-section, the seal (7) includes a first part (73) and a second part (74), the first part (73) and the second part (74) being based on the same material and having different hardnesses.

10. A seal (7) for a window glass unit (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that, The seal (7) has a base (70) and a lateral bead (70'), the base (70) being intended to be attached to the inner face (32) of the inner glass sheet (3) of the window glass element (10), and the bead (70') extending further from the base than the base (70), the base (70) of the two lateral seal parts (7a, 7b) comprising: - A first zone (7a1) having a substantially zero over-thickness over a first extent (l1), and - At least one second zone (7a2), which is adjacent to the first zone (7a1) and extends over a second extent (l2), the second zone (7a2) being provided with a first strip (52) having a thickness excess (s1) that increases gradually away from the first zone (7a1).

11. A vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, comprising a body, a window glass unit (1) and a bead edge (G) for joining the window glass unit to the body, the window glass unit (1) preferably being as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9, the window glass unit (1) comprising a laminated window glass element (10), the laminated window glass element (10) comprising an outer glass sheet (2) and an inner glass sheet (3), the glass sheets (2, 3) being assembled by means of an interlayer (4), the window glass unit (1) having a first longitudinal edge (1s), a second longitudinal edge (1i), a first lateral edge (1a) and a second lateral edge (1b), at least the lateral edges (1a, 1b) comprising a seal (7), the seal (7) having a first lateral seal part (7a) arranged along the first lateral edge (1a) and a second lateral seal part (7b) arranged along the second lateral edge (7b), the interlayer (4) having a laterally non-constant thickness (e4), where the maximum thickness (e4') is along the first longitudinal edge (1s) and the minimum thickness (e4'') is along the second longitudinal edge (1i), the thickness (e4) decreasing gradually between the first edge (1s) and the second edge (1i), characterized in that, Each lateral seal part (7a, 7b) has a base (70) and a lateral bead (70'), the base (70) being attached to the inner face (32) of the inner glass sheet (3), and the bead (70') extending further from the base than the base (70), the base (70) comprising: - A first zone (7a1) having a substantially zero thickness excess over a first extent (l1) starting from the first longitudinal edge (1s), and - At least one second zone (7a2), which is arranged adjacent to the first zone (7a1) and extends over a second extent (l2), the second zone (7a2) being provided with a first strip (52) having a thickness excess (s1) that increases gradually away from the first zone (7a1).

12. A method of manufacturing a window glass unit (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, the window glass unit (1) comprising a window glass laminate (10), the window glass laminate (10) comprising an outer glass sheet (2) and an inner glass sheet (3), the glass sheets (2, 3) being pre-assembled by means of an interlayer (4), the window glass unit (1) having a first longitudinal edge (1s), a second longitudinal edge (1i), a first lateral edge (1a) and a second lateral edge (1b), the interlayer (4) having a laterally non-constant thickness (e4), where the maximum thickness (e4') is along the first longitudinal edge (1s) and the minimum thickness (e4'') is along the second longitudinal edge (1i), the thickness (e4) decreasing gradually between the first longitudinal edge (1i) and the second longitudinal edge (1i), The method comprises the step of attaching a seal (7) at least along the lateral edges (1a, 1b), the seal (7) having a first lateral seal part (7a) provided along the first lateral edge (1a) and a second lateral seal part (7b) provided along the second lateral edge (1b), It is characterized in that, The seal (7) is pre-formed such that at least each lateral seal part (7a, 7b) has a base (70) and a lateral bead (70'), the base (70) being intended to be attached to the inner face (32) of the inner glass sheet (3), and the bead (70') extending further from the base than the base (70), and before attaching the seal (7): - The base (70) has a substantially zero thickness excess over the entire extent of the lateral seal part (7a, 7b), and then - The first strip (52) is disposed adjacent to a first zone (7a1) extending over a first extent (l1) on the base (70), the first strip (52) having an over-thickness (s1) that increases gradually away from the first zone (7a1) and extending over a second extent (l2).

13. The method for manufacturing a window glass unit (1) according to claim 11, wherein, Before attaching the seal (7), the first strip (52) is adhered or molded onto the base (70).

14. A method of manufacturing a windowpane unit (1) according to claim 11 or 12, wherein, Before attaching the seal (7), a second strip (53) is disposed adjacent to the second zone (7a2) on the base (70), the second strip (53) presenting an over-thickness (s2) that increases gradually away from the second zone (7a2) and extending over a third extent (l3).

15. The method of manufacturing a window glass unit (1) according to claim 13, wherein, Before attaching the seal (7), the second strip (53) is adhered or molded onto the base (70).

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