Disc for a motor vehicle

Abstract

Disc (3) for a motor vehicle, comprising a circumferential edge region (4), wherein weight elements (5) are arranged in the edge region, wherein the disc is a composite disc, wherein the composite disc comprises an outer disc, an inner disc and a connecting layer, wherein the outer disc and the inner disc are connected to each other via the connecting layer, characterized in that the weight elements are arranged on the inner disc.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a window for a motor vehicle according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] In a collision between a motor vehicle and a pedestrian, there is a risk that the pedestrian's head will hit the windshield. In this case, it is beneficial for the pedestrian's health if the windshield breaks quickly and undergoes little or no deformation beforehand.

[0003] For this reason, DE 20 2021 106 914 U1 and WO 2023 / 117576 A1 disclose windscreens whose mechanical stability is deliberately weakened so that they are more likely to break than other windscreens.

[0004] In contrast, the present invention is based on the object of creating a pane that is easier to manufacture and that breaks at a similar rate when an object impacts it. Furthermore, a motor vehicle with such a pane is to be created.

[0005] This object is achieved by a pane according to claim 1 and by a motor vehicle according to claim 12. Embodiments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims.

[0006] The disc comprises a circumferential edge region. In the context of this description, this is understood in particular to mean a region that encompasses the circumferential end of the disc. Typically, the disc has a much greater extent in a first and a second dimension than in its third dimension. The first dimension can be referred to as the length, the second dimension as the width, and the third dimension as the thickness. The circumferential end represents the end of the disc in the first and second dimensions. The edge region can in particular have an extent of less than 10 cm, preferably less than 5 cm, towards the center of the disc.

[0007] Weight elements are arranged in the edge area. In the context of this description, a weight element is understood to mean, in particular, a component whose primary function is its weight. It is at least possible that the primary function of this component when used as a weight element is its weight. This may mean, for example, that the component could potentially have another function when used for a different purpose. However, when used as a weight element within the meaning of this invention, this additional function is either of secondary importance or nonexistent.

[0008] The weight elements can, in particular, be concealed by an opaque paint or coating, so that they are not visible to a user when installed in the vehicle. For example, the edge area can be covered with the opaque paint or coating.

[0009] The pane is a composite pane. The composite pane comprises an outer pane, an inner pane, and a bonding layer. The outer pane and the inner pane are connected to one another via the bonding layer. The bonding layer can be based, for example, on polyvinyl butyral (PVB), ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA), or polyurethane (PU), or on mixtures or copolymers or derivatives thereof, particularly preferably on PVB. This means that the bonding layer can largely contain the said polymer (a proportion greater than 50% by weight). In addition to the polymer, the bonding layer can contain further additives, for example, plasticizers, UV absorbers, or stabilizers. The thickness of the bonding layer is preferably between 0.2 mm and 2 mm. For example, the bonding layer can comprise one or more PVB films with standard thicknesses of 0.38 mm or 0.76 mm.

[0010] The outer pane and the inner pane are preferably glass panes, particularly preferably made of soda-lime glass, as is common for window panes. However, one or both of the panes can also be made of other types of glass, such as quartz glass, borosilicate glass, or aluminosilicate glass, or of rigid, clear plastics, such as polycarbonate or polymethyl methacrylate. The thicknesses of the outer pane and the inner pane, independently of one another, are preferably between 0.5 mm and 5 mm, particularly preferably between 1 mm and 3 mm.

[0011] When used in a motor vehicle, the outer pane can be directed toward the surroundings of the motor vehicle. The inner pane can be directed toward the interior of the motor vehicle.

[0012] The weight elements are arranged, preferably directly, on the inner pane. For example, they can be glued to the inner pane. In particular, the weight elements can be arranged on the side of the inner pane facing away from the connecting layer. However, it is also possible for the weight elements to be arranged on the side facing the connecting layer.

[0013] Alternatively or additionally, it is also possible for the weight elements to be incorporated into the connecting layer. For example, the weight elements can be glued into the connecting layer.

[0014] The weight elements are advantageous because they can increase the mass of the pane and thus its moment of inertia. This means that the pane deforms less and breaks more quickly when subjected to a force, for example, due to an impact from an object (e.g., a pedestrian's head). This results in the moving object being decelerated less, and thus less force acting on it. This can reduce the risk of serious injury, especially in the case of a human head impact.

[0015] Practical tests have shown that HIC values ​​of less than 800 can be achieved with a disc according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0016] As already mentioned, in one embodiment of the invention, the weight elements can increase the moment of inertia of the disk. In particular, it is possible for the moment of inertia of the disk to be increased compared to a disk of the same design without weight elements. In the identical disk, for example, the volume of the weight elements can be filled by the connecting layer.

[0017] According to one embodiment of the invention, when a force is applied, in particular to the outer pane, the pane can break more quickly than without weight elements due to the increased moment of inertia when an object impacts the pane.

[0018] According to one embodiment of the invention, it is possible for the weight elements to be arranged exclusively in the edge area. Thus, they do not impair the visibility of the driver of the motor vehicle.

[0019] According to one embodiment of the invention, the weight elements may be free of any additional functions. This may mean, in particular, that the effect of the weight elements is limited to increasing the mass and moment of inertia of the disc.

[0020] According to one embodiment of the invention, the weight elements can be arranged in an upper section of the edge region. In the context of this description, the "upper section" refers in particular to the section that is at the top when the window is installed in the motor vehicle as intended. In particular, it is possible for the upper section to rest against a roof of the motor vehicle when the window is installed in the motor vehicle.

[0021] The arrangement of the weight elements in the upper section has proven particularly advantageous in tests in order to achieve rapid breaking of the disc upon impact of the object.

[0022] According to one embodiment of the invention, the weight elements can be arranged in a lower section of the edge region. In the context of this description, the "lower section" refers in particular to the section that is at the bottom when the window is installed in the motor vehicle as intended. In particular, it is possible for the lower section to rest against a front cover of the motor vehicle when the window is installed in the motor vehicle. The front cover can in particular be the cover of an engine compartment or a luggage compartment.

[0023] According to one embodiment of the invention, the weight elements can be arranged in lateral sections of the edge region. In the context of this description, "lateral sections" refers in particular to the sections that extend along the sides when the windshield is properly installed in the motor vehicle. When the windshield is installed, the lateral sections can extend, in particular, from the roof of the motor vehicle to a front cover. The front cover can, in particular, be the cover of an engine compartment or a luggage compartment.

[0024] By appropriately selecting the positions and masses of the weight elements, it is possible to influence the fracture behavior of the pane. In particular, this allows you to adjust the point at which the pane begins to fracture upon impact with an object.

[0025] According to one embodiment of the invention, the weight elements can have a density of more than 7.5 g / cm 3 Such a density is advantageous because the pane breaks quickly upon impact, thus reducing the forces acting on the object.

[0026] According to one embodiment of the invention, the weight elements can comprise steel and / or lead or be made of steel and / or lead. This allows a relatively large mass to be arranged in a relatively small area, which can also be advantageous for the desired fracture behavior of the disc.

[0027] According to one embodiment of the invention, the weight elements can be arranged in fewer than five zones, preferably fewer than three zones, of the edge area. The zones can each have a length of less than 50 cm. 2 , preferably less than 30 cm 2This can also be advantageous for the desired fracture behavior.

[0028] The motor vehicle according to claim 12 comprises a window according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0029] According to one embodiment of the invention, the pane can be a windshield of the motor vehicle. This is particularly advantageous since the windshield is the pane of the motor vehicle that causes serious head injuries to pedestrians more frequently than other panes.

[0030] According to one embodiment of the invention, the motor vehicle may comprise two A-pillars arranged adjacent to the lateral sections of the edge region.

[0031] Further features and advantages of the present invention will become clear from the following description of preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. The same reference numerals are used for identical or similar components and for components with identical or similar functions. Fig. 1 a schematic diagram with two graphs showing the braking effect on an object hitting a disc; and Fig. 2 a schematic plan view of a disc according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0032] In Fig. In Figure 1, time is plotted in milliseconds on the x-axis. The negative acceleration acting on an object, i.e. the braking effect, is plotted in g on the y-axis. Graph 1 shows the time-dependent negative acceleration of an object hitting a prior art pane without weight elements. Graph 2 shows the time-dependent negative acceleration of an object hitting a pane according to an embodiment of the invention with weight elements in the edge region. The panes are each a composite pane with an outer pane made of soda-lime glass and an inner pane made of soda-lime glass. The outer pane and the inner pane each have a thickness of 2.1 mm. The outer pane and the inner pane are connected to each other by a PVB bonding layer with a thickness of 0.76 mm. The measurements, the results of which are shown in graphs 1 and 2, were carried out in accordance with the ECE R-127 standard.

[0033] In both graphs 1 and 2, it can be seen that the negative acceleration initially increases sharply until the pane begins to break. For the pane with the weight elements, this occurs after a time of approximately 1 ms, meaning the negative acceleration does not reach 100 g. For the state-of-the-art pane without weight elements, however, it takes more than 2 ms until the pane begins to break. The negative acceleration therefore increases to over 170 g. The object is thus decelerated significantly less with the pane with the weight elements. If the object is the head of a pedestrian, the risk of serious injury is therefore greatly reduced.

[0034] The disc 3 in Fig. 2 comprises an edge region 4. Several weight elements 5 are arranged in the edge region 4. The weight elements 5 are arranged in lateral sections, in a lower section, and in an upper section of the edge region 4.

[0035] The weight elements 5 increase the mass of disc 3 and thus also its moment of inertia. Due to the higher moment of inertia, the disc is deformed less when a force is applied before it breaks. Therefore, when an object impacts disc 3, it breaks more quickly, so the object is decelerated less.

[0036] The weight elements 5 are arranged in a total of four zones. Each of these zones has a size of less than 50 cm. 2 . A first zone is located in the upper section, a second zone is located in the lower section and a third and a fourth zone are located in the side sections.

[0037] The weight elements 5 can preferably be made of steel or lead. For example, the weight elements 5 can each have a volume of less than 15 cm 3Preferably, the weight elements 5 have a thickness of less than 1 cm, a length of less than 5 cm, and a width of less than 3 cm. The weight elements can each have a weight of more than 100 g.

[0038] The pane 3 can be a composite pane with an outer pane, an inner pane, and a connecting layer. The outer pane and the inner pane are connected to each other via the connecting layer. In this case, the weight elements can be arranged directly on the inner pane. This is advantageous for a secure positioning of the weight elements.

[0039] The bonding layer can be based, for example, on polyvinyl butyral (PVB), ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA), or polyurethane (PU), or on mixtures or copolymers or derivatives thereof, particularly preferably on PVB. This means that the bonding layer can largely contain the said polymer (a proportion greater than 50 wt%). In addition to the polymer, the bonding layer can contain further additives, for example, plasticizers, UV absorbers, or stabilizers. The thickness of the bonding layer is preferably between 0.2 mm and 2 mm. For example, the bonding layer can comprise one or more PVB films with standard thicknesses of 0.38 mm or 0.76 mm.

[0040] The outer pane and the inner pane are preferably glass panes, particularly preferably made of soda-lime glass, as is common for window panes. However, one or both of the panes can also be made of other types of glass, such as quartz glass, borosilicate glass, or aluminosilicate glass, or of rigid, clear plastics, such as polycarbonate or polymethyl methacrylate. The thicknesses of the outer pane and the inner pane, independently of one another, are preferably between 0.5 mm and 5 mm, particularly preferably between 1 mm and 3 mm. List of reference symbols 1 graph 2 Graph 3 slices 4 Marginal area 5 Weight element QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] DE 20 2021 106 914 U1

[0003] WO 2023 / 117576 A1

[0003]

Claims

[1] A pane (3) for a motor vehicle, comprising a peripheral edge region (4), wherein weight elements (5) are arranged in the edge region, wherein the pane is a composite pane, wherein the composite pane comprises an outer pane, an inner pane and a connecting layer, wherein the outer pane and the inner pane are connected to one another via the connecting layer, characterized by that the weight elements are arranged on the inner disc. [2] Disc (3) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the weight elements (5) increase a moment of inertia of the disc (3). [3] Disc (3) according to the previous claim, characterized by that the disc (3) breaks faster when a force is applied due to the increased moment of inertia when an object impacts the disc (3) than without the weight elements (5). [4] Disc (3) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the weight elements (5) are arranged exclusively in the edge area (4). [5] Disc (3) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the weight elements are free of any further functions. [6] Disc (3) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the weight elements (5) are arranged in an upper section of the edge region (4). [7] Disc (3) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the weight elements (5) are arranged in a lower section of the edge region (4). [8] Disc (3) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the weight elements (5) are arranged in lateral sections of the edge region (4). [9] Disc (3) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the weight elements (5) have a density of more than 7.5 g / cm 3 have. [10] Disc (3) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the weight elements (5) comprise steel and / or lead or are made of steel and / or lead. [11] Disc (3) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the weight elements (5) are arranged in less than five zones, preferably less than three zones, of the edge region (4), wherein the zones each have an extension of less than 50 cm 2 , preferably less than 30 cm 2 , have. [12] Motor vehicle comprising a window (3) according to one of the preceding claims. [13] Motor vehicle according to the previous claim, characterized by that the pane (3) is a windscreen of the motor vehicle. [14] Motor vehicle according to one of the two preceding claims, characterized by that the motor vehicle comprises two A-pillars which are arranged adjacent to the lateral sections of the edge region (4).

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