Vehicle window panel with bracket

Abstract

The invention provides a vehicle window glass with a bracket, which can reduce the manufacturing cost of the bracket. A holder-equipped window glass for a vehicle according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is provided with a window glass for a vehicle, and a resin holder (1) for fixing an information acquisition device to the window glass for a vehicle. The stent (1) has a plurality of stent pieces (11-19). Each of the plurality of bracket pieces (11-19) is disposed on the main surface of the vehicle glass so as to be spaced apart from each other.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to vehicle window glass with a bracket. Background Technology

[0002] In recent years, the development of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) that integrate information acquisition devices such as cameras into automobiles has been underway. The information acquisition devices used in ADAS are fixed to the windshield via resin brackets. For example, the resin bracket is adhered to the windshield using adhesive components, and the information acquisition device is then fixed to the adhered bracket. The information acquisition device has a main body and a cover that covers the main body. After the main body is fixed to the bracket adhered to the windshield, the cover that covers the main body is then fixed to the bracket.

[0003] Patent documents 1 and 2 disclose technologies related to brackets for fixing information acquisition devices such as cameras to vehicle window glass.

[0004] Existing technical documents

[0005] Patent documents

[0006] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2021-91339

[0007] Patent Document 2: International Publication No. 2023 / 013365 Summary of the Invention

[0008] The technical problem that the invention aims to solve

[0009] Because these brackets are designed for each type of car model, the variety of brackets increases with the number of car models. Consequently, the variety of molds required for bracket manufacturing also increases, resulting in increased manufacturing costs.

[0010] In view of the above-mentioned technical problems, the purpose of this disclosure is to provide a bracketed vehicle window glass that can reduce the manufacturing cost of the bracket.

[0011] Technical solutions adopted to solve technical problems

[0012] One embodiment of the present disclosure provides a vehicle window glass with a bracket, comprising a vehicle window glass and a resin bracket for fixing an information acquisition device to the vehicle window glass, the bracket having a plurality of bracket pieces, each of the plurality of bracket pieces being spaced apart from each other on the main surface of the vehicle window glass.

[0013] Invention Effects

[0014] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the bracketed vehicle window glass can reduce the manufacturing cost of the bracket. Attached Figure Description

[0015] Figure 1 This is a perspective view illustrating an example of the structure of the support used to explain the implementation method.

[0016] Figure 2 This is a top view illustrating an example of the structure of the support used to explain the implementation method.

[0017] Figure 3 It is used to illustrate how to fix the cover. Figure 2 A 3D view of the state of the support shown.

[0018] Figure 4 This is a top view illustrating another configuration example of the support used to illustrate the implementation method.

[0019] Figure 5 It is used to illustrate how to fix the cover. Figure 4 A 3D view of the state of the support shown.

[0020] Figure 6 This is a three-dimensional diagram used to illustrate the existing technology of the support.

[0021] Figure 7 This is a cross-sectional view illustrating the state in which the bracket of the embodiment is installed on a vehicle window glass.

[0022] Figure 8 This is a cross-sectional view illustrating the state in which the bracket of the embodiment is installed on a vehicle window glass.

[0023] Figure 9 This is a top view showing an example of the configuration of a vehicle window glass with the bracket of the embodiment installed.

[0024] Figure 10 This is a top view illustrating the method of positioning the bracket of the embodiment on a vehicle window glass.

[0025] Figure 11 This is a top view illustrating the method of mounting the bracket of the embodiment onto a vehicle window glass.

[0026] Figure 12 This is a top view illustrating the method of mounting the bracket of the embodiment onto a vehicle window glass. Detailed Implementation

[0027] The embodiments are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0028] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the support used to illustrate the implementation method. Figure 2 This is a top view illustrating the support used in the implementation method. For example... Figure 1 and Figure 2As shown, the bracket 1 in this embodiment is a resin bracket for fixing the information acquisition device to a vehicle window glass, and it has a plurality of bracket pieces 11 to 19. Each of the plurality of bracket pieces 11 to 19 is arranged spaced apart from each other on the main surface of the vehicle window glass. Each bracket piece 11 to 19 is bonded to the vehicle window glass using an adhesive component. The information acquisition device includes a main body having an information acquisition function and a cover covering the main body.

[0029] The bracket 1 includes device fixing brackets 11, 12, and 13 for fixing the main body of the information acquisition device, and cover fixing brackets 14 to 19 for fixing the cover covering the main body of the information acquisition device. In addition, in this specification, the device fixing brackets 11, 12, and 13 and the cover fixing brackets 14 to 19 are also referred to as brackets 11 to 19.

[0030] The mounting brackets 11, 12, and 13 are brackets used to fix the main body (not shown) of the information acquisition device. Here, the information acquisition device is, for example, at least one of a camera, millimeter-wave radar, infrared sensor, communication device, rain sensor, temperature and humidity sensor, and mirror base for a rearview mirror. However, the information acquisition device in this embodiment is not limited to these; it can be any device that can be mounted on a vehicle window.

[0031] The mounting brackets 11, 12, and 13 for fixing the device are respectively provided with holes 21, 22, and 23. In this embodiment, for example, by aligning the camera lens, the light-receiving part of the rain sensor, the mirror base, and the positions of the holes 21, 22, and 23, information outside the vehicle can be appropriately acquired.

[0032] Cover fixing brackets 14-19 are brackets used to fix the cover of the information acquisition device. Each of the cover fixing brackets 14-19 has a fixing part 114-119 for fixing the cover. Furthermore, on the main surface of the vehicle window glass, the cover fixing brackets 14-19 are arranged around the device fixing brackets 11-13. Thus, as... Figure 3 As shown, a cover 25 is disposed on the cover fixing bracket pieces 14-19 to cover the information acquisition device. Preferably, 1 to 10 cover fixing bracket pieces are disposed, more preferably 2 to 8, and even more preferably 3 to 6.

[0033] The cover 25 can be fixed by fitting the protrusions (not shown) provided on the cover 25 into the fixing parts 114-119. Alternatively, the cover 25 can be fixed by fastening it to the cover fixing brackets 14-19 with screws. Figure 3 The illustrations of the support plates 11 to 13 for fixing the device are omitted.

[0034] The plurality of support sheets 11-19 in this embodiment can be made of resin material. As the resin material, polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), or a mixture of polycarbonate (PC) and acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer (ABS), etc., can be used. Furthermore, glass fiber can also be incorporated into these resins. Each support sheet 11-19 can be formed by injection molding. In other words, each support sheet 11-19 can be formed by injecting molten resin material into a mold corresponding to the shape of each support sheet 11-19 and then cooling it.

[0035] The device mounting brackets 11, 12, and 13 of this embodiment can be made of a material with higher rigidity than the cover mounting brackets 14-19. For example, the device mounting brackets 11, 12, and 13 can be made of resin containing glass fiber. Since the information acquisition device (main body) with weight is mounted on the device mounting brackets 11, 12, and 13, they bear a greater load than the cover mounting brackets 14-19. Therefore, it is preferable to make the device mounting brackets 11, 12, and 13 of a material with higher rigidity.

[0036] Figure 4 This is a top view illustrating another configuration example of the support in this embodiment. Figure 4 The bracket 2 shown is made of Figure 2 The bracket 1 shown is composed of bracket pieces 11 to 19, specifically bracket pieces 11 and 13 to 19. That is, Figure 4 The bracket 2 shown is omitted. Figure 2 The bracket 1 shown has a device fixing bracket piece 12.

[0037] Figure 5 This is used to illustrate how to fix the cover 26 to Figure 4 A three-dimensional view of the state of the support 2 shown. (See attached image.) Figure 5 As shown, the cover 26 can also be fixed by fitting the protrusions (not shown) provided on the cover 26 into the fixing portions 114-119 formed on each cover fixing bracket piece 14-19. Figure 4 The bracket shown is 2 times Figure 2 The bracket 1 shown is smaller. Therefore, as Figure 3 and Figure 5 As shown, the cover 26 fixed to the bracket 2 is smaller than the cover 25 fixed to the bracket 1.

[0038] Therefore, in this embodiment, brackets 1 and 2 are constructed using multiple bracket pieces 11 to 19, each of which is spaced apart from the others on the main surface of the vehicle window glass. In this embodiment, since brackets 1 and 2 are constructed from multiple bracket pieces 11 to 19, various types of brackets can be constructed by changing the number and arrangement of the bracket pieces 11 to 19 (see reference). Figure 2 and Figure 4 Therefore, the manufacturing cost of the brackets used to attach the information acquisition device to the vehicle window glass can be reduced.

[0039] Figure 6 This is a three-dimensional diagram used to illustrate a support structure in the prior art. For example... Figure 6 As shown, the existing bracket 101 is integrally molded from resin material. Therefore, if the type of information acquisition device to be mounted changes, the bracket must be redesigned accordingly. Furthermore, since these brackets are designed for each vehicle model, the variety of brackets increases with the number of vehicle models. This increases the variety of bracket types, leading to a greater variety of molds required for their manufacture and consequently increasing manufacturing costs.

[0040] In contrast, in this embodiment, multiple support pieces 11-19 are used to construct supports 1 and 2. Therefore, by changing the number and arrangement of the support pieces 11-19 used, various types of supports can be constructed. For example, in Figure 2 Without the information acquisition device mounted on the bracket plate 12, the bracket 1 shown can be used as follows: Figure 4 By removing bracket piece 12 as shown and changing the configuration of bracket pieces 11, 13-19, bracket 2 can be constructed. In other words, bracket pieces 11-19, which are general-purpose components, can be used to construct various types of brackets. That is, suitable bracket pieces can be selected and combined from bracket pieces 11-19. When selecting and combining suitable bracket pieces from bracket pieces 11-19, it is preferable to select one or more bracket pieces for fixing devices and one or more bracket pieces for fixing covers. As a result, the number of components for the bracket used to install the information acquisition device onto the window glass of a vehicle can be reduced, and the manufacturing cost of the bracket can be reduced.

[0041] Furthermore, in recent years, with the increasing functionality of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), the number of information acquisition devices installed on vehicle windows has also increased. Consequently, as the number of information acquisition devices increases, the area of ​​the brackets used to mount them also increases. Previously, as the bracket area increased, the restoring force (the force that tries to return to its original shape) acting on the bracket, which is attached to the curved shape of the vehicle window, also increased. Therefore, after the bracket is attached to the vehicle window, problems such as bracket detachment or warping have occurred.

[0042] In contrast, in this embodiment, brackets 1 and 2 are constructed using multiple bracket pieces 11 to 19. Therefore, even with an increased bracket area, the contact area between brackets 1 and 2 and the vehicle window glass via the adhesive components is smaller than that of conventional one-piece brackets. This suppresses the restoring force acting on the bracket adhered to the curved shape of the vehicle window glass. Consequently, it prevents the bracket from detaching or warping after being adhered to the vehicle window glass.

[0043] Figure 7 and Figure 8 This is a cross-sectional view illustrating the state in which the bracket of this embodiment is installed on a vehicle window glass. Figure 7 , Figure 8 Examples of vehicle window glass configurations with different angles α and β relative to the horizontal plane are shown. Specifically, Figure 7 The angle α of the vehicle window glass 30 relative to the horizontal plane shown is less than 30°. Figure 8 The angle β of the vehicle window glass 40 relative to the horizontal plane is shown. Additionally, in... Figure 7 and Figure 8 As an example, the image shows the mounting of bracket pieces 14 and 15 onto vehicle window glass 30 and 40, but the same applies to the mounting of other bracket pieces.

[0044] like Figure 7 As shown, each bracket piece 14, 15 is bonded to the vehicle window glass 30 using adhesive components 31, 32. Adhesive or double-sided tape, etc., can be used as adhesive components 31, 32. Figure 7 In the example shown, the straight line of the bonding surface of the connecting bracket pieces 14 and 15 is approximately parallel to the main surface of the vehicle window glass 30.

[0045] exist Figure 8 Similarly, in the illustrated configuration example, each bracket piece 14, 15 is adhered to the vehicle window glass 40 by adhesive components 41, 42. Adhesive or double-sided tape, etc., can be used as adhesive components 41, 42. Figure 8In the illustrated configuration, the straight line of the adhesive surface connecting the bracket pieces 14 and 15 is not parallel to the main surface of the vehicle window glass 40. In this embodiment, the mounting angle of the bracket piece relative to the main surface of the vehicle window glass 40, i.e., the angle of the straight line 45 of the adhesive surface connecting the bracket pieces 14 and 15, is adjusted by adjusting the thickness of the adhesive components 41 and 42 provided between each bracket piece 14 and 15 and the vehicle window glass 40. For example, double-sided tape with a specified thickness can be used as the adhesive components 41 and 42. By using double-sided tape, the thickness of the adhesive components 41 and 42 can be easily adjusted. Thus, by adjusting the thickness of the adhesive components 41 and 42, the mounting angle of the bracket pieces 14 and 15 can be adjusted, allowing multiple bracket pieces to be installed on various types of vehicle window glass. Furthermore, the mounting angle of the bracket piece relative to the main surface of the vehicle window glass 40 is β-α.

[0046] In the bracketed vehicle window glass of this embodiment, the adhesive components 41 and 42 provided between each bracket piece 14, 15 and the vehicle window glass 40 have different thicknesses, and the mounting angle of the bracket piece relative to the main surface of the vehicle window glass 40 is greater than 0° and less than 15°. By keeping the mounting angle within the above range, the increase in the number of bracket types can be suppressed, while maintaining a high bonding strength between the bracket piece and the vehicle window glass.

[0047] In this embodiment, the vehicle window glass 30 and 40 can be a single pane of glass or laminated glass. When the vehicle window glass is a windshield, laminated glass is preferred. Laminated glass is formed by bonding an inner glass panel (located on the inside of the vehicle) and an outer glass panel (located on the outside of the vehicle) together with an interlayer film. The vehicle window glass in this embodiment is not limited to windshields; it can also be automotive window glass such as rear windows, side windows, and sunroofs, or vehicle window glass used in trams, etc.

[0048] Vehicle window glass can be either inorganic or organic glass. Examples of inorganic glass include soda-lime glass, aluminosilicate glass, borosilicate glass, alkali-free glass, and quartz glass. Soda-lime glass is particularly preferred from the perspective of manufacturing cost and formability. There are no particular restrictions on the forming method for vehicle window glass. For example, in the case of inorganic glass, float glass or similar forming methods are preferred.

[0049] When the vehicle window glass is made of inorganic glass, it can be either untempered or tempered glass. Untempered glass is glass formed by molding molten glass into a sheet and then annealing it. Tempered glass is glass formed by forming a compressive stress layer on the surface of untempered glass, and can be either air-cooled tempered glass or chemically tempered glass. Furthermore, when the vehicle window glass is laminated glass, both the inner and outer glass panels can be untempered glass. When the vehicle window glass is a single pane of glass, it can be tempered glass. Additionally, glass that absorbs ultraviolet or infrared radiation can also be used as vehicle window glass. Vehicle window glass is preferably transparent, but it can also be a glass pane that is tinted to a degree that does not impair transparency.

[0050] Vehicle window glass can be a curved shape that protrudes outwards when installed on a vehicle. When the vehicle window glass is laminated glass, both the inner and outer glass panels can be curved shapes that protrude outwards.

[0051] When vehicle windows are laminated glass, known thermoplastic resin films such as those made of polyvinyl butyral (PVB) or ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA) can be used as the interlayer. The interlayer can be transparent or colored. Furthermore, the interlayer can consist of two or more layers.

[0052] Furthermore, when vehicle window glass is made of plexiglass, transparent resins such as polycarbonate or polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) can be used as materials for plexiglass.

[0053] Figure 9 This is a top view showing an example of the configuration of a vehicle window glass with the bracket of this embodiment installed. Figure 10 This is a top view illustrating the method of positioning the bracket of this embodiment on a vehicle window glass. Figure 9 The windshield 100 is shown as a window glass for a vehicle. A light-blocking area 60 is formed at the periphery of the windshield 100. Figure 10 The text is a jumbled collection of characters and phrases, seemingly from different sources and lacking coherent sentences. A direct translation wouldn't be meaningful. Figure 9 The example shown is of a bracket piece 11 installed in area 110 of a vehicle window glass 100. For example... Figure 10 As shown, a light-blocking area 60 is formed at the location of the bracket piece 11 for the vehicle window glass.

[0054] Furthermore, it is preferable that no light-blocking area is provided on the vehicle window glass at the position corresponding to the hole 21 on the bracket piece 11. An information acquisition device such as a camera is mounted on the bracket piece 11. The hole 21 is formed at the position corresponding to the lens of the camera, and the information acquisition device acquires information from outside the vehicle through the hole 21. Therefore, it is preferable that no light-blocking area is provided on the vehicle window glass at the position corresponding to the hole 21.

[0055] The light-shielding area 60 is formed, for example, by applying a ceramic color paste containing black pigment and molten glass frit to the main surface of the vehicle window glass and then firing it. By providing the light-shielding area 60, the degradation of adhesive components coated on the vehicle window glass due to ultraviolet radiation can be suppressed. Furthermore, since the support plate 11 is less visible from outside the vehicle, the appearance is improved. Additionally, Figure 10 The image shows an example where a light-shielding area 60 is formed at a position corresponding to the support piece 11, but the light-shielding area is preferably formed on the adhesive supports 1 and 2 (see reference). Figure 2 , Figure 4 The entire area.

[0056] like Figure 10 As shown, reference points 61 to 63 for positioning the support plate 11 are formed in the light-shielding area 30. Reference points 61 to 63 can be formed, for example, by not providing the light-shielding area 60 at the positions corresponding to reference points 61 to 63. Furthermore, positioning protrusions 51 to 53 are formed on the support plate 11. Specifically, a protrusion 51 is formed at the position corresponding to reference point 61, a protrusion 52 is formed at the position corresponding to reference point 62, and a protrusion 53 is formed at the position corresponding to reference point 63.

[0057] Furthermore, by arranging the reference points 61-63 formed in the light-shielding area 60 and the protrusions 51-53 formed in the bracket piece 11 at a predetermined distance, the bracket piece 11 is positioned on the main surface of the vehicle window glass. The distance between the reference points and the protrusions is preferably 1.5-20 mm, more preferably 3.0-10 mm, and even more preferably 3.0-5.0 mm.

[0058] Specifically, such as Figure 10 As shown, the vertex of the reference point 61 of the triangle in the positive x-axis direction is separated from the apex of the protrusion 51 in the positive y-axis direction by a distance d1. Furthermore, the vertex of the reference point 62 of the triangle in the negative x-axis direction is separated from the apex of the protrusion 52 in the positive y-axis direction by a distance d2. Furthermore, the vertex of the reference point 63 of the triangle in the positive y-axis direction is separated from the apex of the protrusion 53 in the negative x-axis direction by a distance d3. With this configuration, the bracket piece 11 can be positioned on the main surface of the vehicle window glass. Note that the x-axis direction refers to the vehicle width direction, and the y-axis direction refers to the vertical direction of the vehicle window glass.

[0059] For example, by adjusting distances d1 and d2, the position of the support piece 11 in the y-axis direction and its rotation angle in the xy-plane can be adjusted. Furthermore, by adjusting distance d3, the position of the support piece 11 in the x-axis direction can be adjusted.

[0060] Figure 11 and Figure 12 This is a top view illustrating a method for mounting the bracket of this embodiment onto a vehicle window. When mounting the bracket of this embodiment onto a vehicle window, the method uses... Figure 11 The adapter 70 shown. Figure 11 and Figure 12 China vs. Figure 4 The following describes how the bracket 2 is installed on the vehicle window glass.

[0061] Figure 11 The adapter 70 shown has a plurality of retaining portions 81 for retaining each of the bracket pieces 11, 13-19. The plurality of retaining portions 81 are formed on the surface of the flat portion of the adapter 70. Furthermore, the adapter 70 has regions 71, 73-79 for arranging each of the bracket pieces 11, 13-19. Before installing the bracket 2 of this embodiment onto a vehicle window glass, the bracket pieces 11, 13-19 are respectively arranged in the respective regions 71, 73-79 of the adapter 70 (see reference). Figure 12 ).

[0062] like Figure 12 As shown, adhesive components 85 are provided on the bonding surfaces of each support piece 11, 13-19. In this embodiment, because adhesive components 85 are provided on each support piece 11, 13-19, they are bonded to... Figure 6 Compared to the prior art bracket 101 shown, more adhesive components can be provided. Therefore, the bracket can be securely installed on the vehicle window glass. Furthermore, in Figure 12 The diagram shows an example where the adhesive component 85 is dot-shaped, but it can also be line-shaped. As the area of ​​the adhesive component 85 increases, the individual bracket pieces 11, 13-19 can be more securely installed on the vehicle window glass.

[0063] Then, using the adapter 70 to hold each bracket piece 11, 13-19, and positioning each bracket piece 11, 13-19 on the main surface of the vehicle window glass, the bracket pieces 11, 13-19 are then attached to the main surface of the vehicle window glass. Furthermore, since the positioning method for each bracket piece 11, 13-19 has already been described above, it will not be repeated here.

[0064] By using this method, the individual bracket pieces 11, 13-19 can be attached to the main surface of the vehicle window glass.

[0065] The bracketed vehicle window glass of this embodiment can be used in the production of new vehicles. Furthermore, it can also be used for repairs when the window glass of a user's vehicle is broken. In this case, the cover and information acquisition device previously installed on the user's vehicle can be reused.

[0066] The present invention has been described above with reference to the embodiments described above. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and includes various modifications, alterations or combinations that can be implemented by those skilled in the art within the scope of the claims of this application.

[0067] This application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-143622, filed on September 5, 2023, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0068] Symbol Explanation

[0069] 1, 2 brackets

[0070] 11, 12, 13 Support plates for fixing the device (support plates)

[0071] 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 Cover fixing bracket pieces (bracket pieces)

[0072] Holes 21, 22, and 23

[0073] 25, 26 Cover

[0074] Window glass for vehicles 30 and 40

[0075] 31, 32, 41, 42 Adhesive components

[0076] 51, 52, 53 Protrusions

[0077] 60 Shading Area

[0078] Reference points 61, 62, and 63

[0079] 70 Adapter

[0080] 81. Maintenance Department

[0081] 85. Adhesive components.

Claims

1. A vehicle window with a bracket, comprising a vehicle window and a resin bracket for fixing an information acquisition device to the vehicle window. The support has multiple support pieces. Each of the plurality of bracket pieces is spaced apart from each other on the main surface of the vehicle glass.

2. The vehicle window glass with bracket as described in claim 1, wherein, The information acquisition device has a main body and a cover that covers the main body. The bracket includes: a device fixing bracket for fixing the main body of the information acquisition device, and a cover fixing bracket for fixing a cover covering the main body of the information acquisition device.

3. The vehicle window glass with bracket as described in claim 2, wherein, On the main surface of the vehicle window glass, the cover fixing bracket is disposed around the device fixing bracket.

4. The vehicle window glass with a bracket as described in claim 2 or 3, wherein, The device fixing bracket is made of a material with higher rigidity than the cover fixing bracket.

5. The vehicle window glass with bracket as described in claim 4, wherein, The support plate for fixing the device is made of resin containing glass fiber.

6. The vehicle window glass with a bracket as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein, A light-blocking area is formed at the location where the bracket is installed on the vehicle window glass.

7. The vehicle window glass with bracket as described in claim 6, wherein, Reference points for positioning the support piece are formed in the light-shielding area. A positioning protrusion is formed at the position corresponding to the reference point on the support plate.

8. The vehicle window glass with bracket as described in claim 7, wherein, The reference point formed in the light-shielding area and the protrusion formed in the support plate are arranged at a predetermined distance apart.

9. The vehicle window glass with a bracket as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein, The thickness of the adhesive component provided between each of the bracket pieces and the vehicle window glass is different, and the mounting angle of the bracket piece relative to the main surface of the vehicle window glass is greater than 0° and less than 15°.

10. The vehicle window glass with a bracket as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein, The information acquisition device is at least one of a camera, millimeter-wave radar, infrared sensor, communication device, raindrop sensor, temperature and humidity sensor, and mirror base for a rearview mirror.

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