ELECTRICAL CONNECTION FOR A SLIDING GLAZING UNIT OF A VEHICLE, GLAZING UNIT AND VEHICLE WITH THIS ELECTRICAL CONNECTION

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a flexible electrical connection for a vehicle window moving in translation relative to a bodywork element of said vehicle, said flexible electrical connection having an upstream connector attachable to an internal element fixed to said bodywork and a downstream connector attachable to a window of said glazing.

[0002] This is a flexible electrical connection in the sense that it moves with the glazing relative to the body, so that the electrical connection exists regardless of the glazing's position relative to the body: open, closed, or somewhere in between. US patent 2016 / 260520 describes such an electrical connection according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0003] The present invention also relates to a vehicle glazing comprising a pane of glass, means for enabling the mobility of said pane in translation relative to a bodywork element of said vehicle and at least one flexible electrical connection, as well as to a vehicle equipped with glazing comprising a pane of glass, means for enabling the mobility of said pane in translation relative to a bodywork element of said vehicle and at least one flexible electrical connection.

[0004] It is known that vehicle glazing may require an electrical supply, for example to power means of heating the glazing, such as a network of very fine wires or a layer or stack of layers, or to allow modification of the transparency of the glazing and / or its tint.

[0005] International patent applications No. WO 2020 / 114639 and WO 2020 / 01949 describe multilayer film glazing with electrically switchable optical properties. The applied voltage can be used to control the transmission of visible light through PDLC or SPD functional elements. Glazing with such functional elements can therefore be conveniently dimmed electrically.

[0006] When such glazing is movable relative to the body, and particularly when it moves by translation (or sliding), it is difficult to create an electrical power supply that will properly guide the glazing in its movement relative to the body, or relative to a body part such as a door. It is especially difficult to ensure that this guidance is reliable over time and lasts for the entire lifespan of the vehicle.

[0007] The aim of the present invention is therefore to propose a reliable and compact flexible electrical connection arrangement for a glazing of a moving vehicle in translation, a glazing arrangement of a moving vehicle in translation which includes at least one such flexible electrical connection as well as a vehicle including at least one such glazing.

[0008] The invention is based on the discovery that a particular configuration of flexible electrical connection can make it possible to achieve a reliable, yet particularly compact, electrical connection between a fixed body element and a moving glazing in translation.

[0009] The present invention, in its broadest sense, relates to a flexible electrical connection for vehicle glazing according to claim 1. This glazing is movable in translation relative to a body panel of said vehicle, and said flexible electrical connection has, along its length, an upstream connector attachable to an internal element fixed to said body panel and a downstream connector attachable to a pane of said glazing. Said flexible electrical connection is notable in that it comprises a flexible electrical ribbon having at least one conductive wire and / or at least one conductive strip and has a lateral shape curved upon itself at the junction with said upstream connector and with said downstream connector.

[0010] A flexible electrical ribbon cable is a long electrical connection element, having a width and a thickness with the width greater than the thickness and having two longitudinal ends; it is not an electrical cable in the sense that an electrical cable generally has a circular external section.

[0011] An electrical cable is flexible in the sense that its general shape can be easily modified, especially by applying forces of the same order of magnitude as the forces applied by human arms.

[0012] A connector is an element that allows the flexible electrical cable to be connected and disconnected at its longitudinal ends, upstream to an electrical system belonging to the vehicle and downstream to the window.

[0013] The curved lateral shape is a shape whose curvature is observed along the lateral direction of the flexible electrical ribbon, or transversely, that is, along its width, perpendicular to its length.

[0014] The present invention is based on the discovery that applying a particular shape, here a lateral curvature (i.e., a curvature of the entire cross-section of the flexible electrical cable, perpendicular to the length of the flexible electrical cable) to each of the two longitudinal ends of the flexible electrical cable, makes it possible to fold the flexible electrical cable lengthwise upon itself between these two longitudinal ends. This fold is relatively thin (the two folds, or portions of the flexible electrical cable, are close to each other in the environment where they are superimposed). This fold of the flexible electrical cable upon itself, or crease, is mobile: its position in the frame of reference of the glazing moving in translation changes according to the position of the glazing, i.e., according to the position of the downstream connector, assuming that the upstream connector is fixed in this frame of reference.Even though the position of the fold changes along the flexible electrical cable, between the two curved lateral shapes, its overall form remains identical. This eliminates any areas prone to premature wear and ensures very high reliability of the flexible electrical connection.

[0015] Surprisingly, this folding creates a kind of rigidity in the flexible electrical cable in the area where the curved lateral shape is present. This rigidity allows for a longitudinal fold of the flexible electrical cable back on itself in a portion located between the two curved lateral shapes, resulting in a small final thickness for this fold, meaning a small radius of curvature. This thin fold of the flexible electrical cable back on itself creates a "path" for the flexible electrical cable during the sliding of the glazing, meaning the total volume occupied by the flexible electrical connection during the glazing's movements is small. The space required for the flexible electrical connection is therefore reduced.

[0016] This compact design allows the flexible electrical cable to be positioned in a small, concealed space (such as inside a vehicle door frame or roof) and prevents premature wear of the cable. If the flexible cable comes into contact with a window edge—that is, a corner where an outer or inner surface meets an edge—it can be damaged by repeated contact. By designing the flexible cable to fold back on itself within a narrow space, contact with a window edge is prevented, thus avoiding premature wear.

[0017] To facilitate folding the flexible electrical cable back on itself, these two curves should preferably be in the same direction when the flexible electrical cable is considered flat (without a fold). To facilitate assembly, these two curves should preferably be in the same direction (i.e., at the same angle) when the flexible electrical cable is considered flat.

[0018] Preferably, the flexible electrical connection consists of said flexible electrical cable, said upstream connector attachable to an internal component fixed to said bodywork, and said downstream connector attachable to a pane of said glazing; there is no connector, or intermediate component, between the upstream and downstream connectors. The flexible electrical connection is thus very simple and very reliable. It is also very lightweight.

[0019] In use, when the said flexible electrical ribbon is observed along its length, it thus presents two curved lateral shapes (the ribbon is curved laterally on itself at each of its ends) and a fold which is located longitudinally between these two curved lateral shapes.

[0020] When the flexible electrical cable is observed folded upon itself, the two curves preferably share a plane of symmetry, like a chiral molecule. Thus, the fold always has the same shape, and the risk of creating a weak point in the flexible electrical cable is reduced.

[0021] A fold of said flexible electrical cord is a fold on itself, at 180°. It is preferably unique; in use, it is always present and does not disappear, regardless of the position of the window (open, closed, or between the two).

[0022] At the point of this longitudinal fold, the flexible electrical cable is essentially flat laterally: its cross-section has a non-curved, or flat, shape; This flat shape contributes to long-term reliability: where the flexible cable is flat and folded longitudinally, its internal stresses are oriented only along the length and there are no internal stresses along the width; if the flexible electrical cable were curved laterally at the point of the longitudinal fold, its internal stresses would be oriented both along its length and along its width, and this would generate fatigue of the material(s) constituting the flexible electrical cable; over time, this fatigue would damage the material of the flexible cable and increase the risk of breakage.

[0023] It is possible to configure the flexible electrical ribbon directly so that it presents itself, for example by a specific molding operation of the flexible electrical ribbon, with a curved lateral shape at the connection with said upstream connector and with said downstream connector.

[0024] Preferably, so that the flexible electrical ribbon has a curved lateral shape which remains identical throughout its life to the connection with said upstream connector and with said downstream connector, said upstream connector and said downstream connector each have a receiving surface which is in contact with said flexible electrical ribbon and which is laterally curved; thus, it is the receiving surface of the connectors which applies the curved lateral shape to the two ends of the flexible electrical ribbon.

[0025] Preferably, to facilitate electrical connection, the receiving surface of the upstream connector and / or the downstream connector (and preferably both) is longitudinally curved and terminates at a proximal end (near the glass or the interior element fixed to the body) with a flat section. This configuration also contributes to achieving a compact design.

[0026] Preferably, to facilitate folding said flexible electrical cord onto itself (to facilitate folding), at least one of said curved lateral shapes, and preferably each curved lateral shape, has, when viewed in cross-section, a general V-shape (with a single point of curvature, preferably located in the middle of the width of said flexible electrical cord), with an angle between two wings of the V that is between 60° and 120°, or even between 80° and 100°; preferably 90°.

[0027] The present invention also relates to a vehicle glazing comprising a window, means for enabling the mobility of said window in translation relative to a bodywork element of said vehicle and at least one flexible electrical connection according to the invention, in which said downstream connector is attached to said window.

[0028] This attachment can be achieved by clipping or by manufacturing the upstream connector in situ on the glass.

[0029] The long-term reliability of the glazing is increased because the reliability of the flexible electrical connection is increased.

[0030] Preferably, for this glazing, said flexible electrical ribbon has two curved lateral shapes (the ribbon is curved laterally on itself at each of its ends) and a fold, substantially flat, which is located longitudinally between these two curved lateral shapes.

[0031] The said window has a line of sight which, when the glazing is considered vertically, creates a separation between, on the one hand, a hidden part of the window which is located below said line of sight and which is intended to be hidden inside a body part regardless of the position of said window relative to that body part, and on the other hand, a visible part of the window which is located above said line of sight, said hidden part of the window including at least one fixing zone for fixing said window to said means to allow mobility.

[0032] The said glazing thus includes a line of sight which, although constituting a reference in relation to the use of the glazing, belongs to the glazing as such, and is distinct from the final use of the glazing in the sense that this line is a given provided from the design of the glazing; it is visible on the design and manufacturing plan of the glazing.

[0033] The "cantal" or "rivet" refers to the narrow side of a leaf, which is located approximately transversely between the two main faces of a leaf.

[0034] The attachment of the downstream connector to said glass is preferably made near an edge of the glass; preferably in a hidden part of the glass.

[0035] Preferably, said window includes electrical means, such as means for heating said window and / or means for lightening and darkening said window and / or for changing the tint of said window.

[0036] To facilitate the manufacture of the glazing, said downstream connector can be attached to the means to allow the mobility of said glazing in translation.

[0037] The said means for enabling the mobility of said glass may include, within the meaning of the present invention, one or more glass holders, one or more attachment gutters (“holder” in English), one or more rails, or slides.

[0038] Preferably, said means for enabling the mobility of said window in vertical translation relative to a door of said vehicle comprise a window holder having a U-shaped part enclosing a part of said window.

[0039] The said means for enabling the mobility of said glass may include one or more holes partially or totally passing through said glass (i.e., through part of the thickness of an element composing it in the fixing area or the entire thickness of that element in the fixing area).

[0040] The pane of glass can be completely monolithic (made of a single sheet of glass or plastic), completely multi-layered (made of several sheets of glass or plastic), or partially multi-layered in one part, such as the visible part, and partially monolithic, such as the hidden part. The term "multi-layered pane" refers specifically to laminated glass, meaning the presence of at least three layers: an outer glass layer, an inner glass layer, and an interlayer of adhesive material sandwiched between the two.

[0041] When the glass is partially or fully laminated, its laminated portion comprises, from the outside in, at least the following layers in this order: an outer glass pane, an interlayer of adhesive material, and then an inner glass pane. However, it is possible for at least one other layer to be interposed between the outer glass pane and the interlayer of adhesive material, or between the interlayer of adhesive material and the inner glass pane. Alternatively, the glass pane may consist of the outer glass pane, the interlayer of adhesive material, and the inner glass pane, without any other layer.

[0042] Advantageously, the thickness of said outer glass sheet is between 2.85 mm and 4.85 mm. Preferably, said outer glass sheet has surface stresses between 80 and 200 MPa for a thickness of said outer glass sheet between 2.85 and 4.85 mm.

[0043] Advantageously, the thickness of said inner glass sheet is between 0.30 mm and 2.60 mm. It can in particular be between 0.70 mm and 2.10 mm, or even between 1.0 mm and 1.60 mm.

[0044] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the thickness of said inner glass sheet is between 1.00 mm and 1.20 mm.

[0045] Advantageously, the outer glass sheet exhibits maximum surface stresses of 20 MPa, 30 MPa, and 40 MPa, respectively, for a thickness of said outer glass sheet of approximately 1.1 mm, approximately 1.6 mm, and approximately 2.1 mm. The term "approximately" here refers to a value considered by those skilled in the art as a standard value, even though this value may vary locally within a range of plus or minus 10%.

[0046] The interlayer adhesive sheet is, for example, a polyvinyl butyral (PVB) sheet with a thickness between 0.30 and 1.50 mm, for example 0.78 mm.

[0047] In the case where the glass has one or more other sheets in addition to the three mentioned above, the outermost sheet of glass is the sheet of laminated glass that is furthest out.

[0048] The present invention also relates to a vehicle equipped with glazing comprising a window according to the invention, means for enabling the mobility of said window in translation relative to a bodywork element of said vehicle and at least one flexible electrical connection of the invention, in which said upstream connector is attached to an internal element fixed to said bodywork and said downstream connector is attached to said window.

[0049] The vehicle's long-term reliability is increased due to the improved reliability of the flexible electrical connection. The usable interior space is increased because the flexible electrical connection's footprint is reduced.

[0050] The said flexible electrical cord preferably has, depending on its length, a fold with a radius of curvature between 0.2 and 20.0 mm, preferably between 5.0 and 15.0 mm.

[0051] In this vehicle, said window preferably includes means for heating said window and / or means for lightening and darkening said window and / or for changing the tint of said window.

[0052] In this vehicle, preferably, said flexible electrical cable, and preferably each flexible electrical cable, extends along its length in a direction parallel to an essential component of the direction of translation of said window; that is to say: If the glass translates or slides essentially vertically (completely vertically with no horizontal component or with a small horizontal component), then the flexible electrical cord extends vertically; and if the glass translates or slides essentially horizontally (completely horizontally with no vertical component or with a small vertical component), then the flexible electrical cord extends horizontally.

[0053] In this vehicle, said interior element is preferably an interior guide for said flexible electrical cable, to prevent it from going further inwards; it may belong to the glazing as supplied for integration into the vehicle.

[0054] In this vehicle, preferably, the upstream connector is fixed in the reference frame of said moving glazing in translation.

[0055] The present invention was developed for glazing incorporated into doors having side posts and a top post at the level of the glazing when the door is closed.

[0056] Advantageously, the present invention enables the creation of a reliable and compact flexible electrical connection for vehicle glazing. This connection is also lightweight and easy to manufacture. The glazing itself is also lightweight and easy to manufacture. A vehicle equipped with such a flexible electrical connection or such glazing is also lightweight and easy to manufacture; the size of the electrical connection is reduced, resulting in space savings inside the vehicle.

[0057] Advantageously, the glass pane of the glazing according to the invention is not flat; the flexible electrical connection according to the invention is particularly efficient when the sliding movement of the glass is complex (with translational components in two directions of space).

[0058] Advantageously, the glazing according to the invention is not a movable glazing that rotates relative to a body.

[0059] The present invention will be better understood upon reading the following detailed description of non-limiting embodiments and the accompanying schematic figures: [ Fig.1 ] illustrates a schematic exterior front view of a rear door (tailgate) of a motor vehicle opening by rotation about a horizontal axis, said door comprising a glazing unit that moves vertically and having two fixing zones as well as a flexible electrical connection; Fig.2 ] illustrates a transparent, perspective view of a flexible electrical connection; [ Fig.3 ] illustrates a vertical cross-sectional view of a tailgate with the glazing in the upper position (references ending in "a"), closed, and in the lower position, open (references ending in "b"); Fig.4 ] illustrates a partial cross-sectional view of the [ Fig.3 showing only the glazing in the lowered, open position; and [ Fig.5 ] illustrates a perspective view of a downstream connector.

[0060] It is specified that the proportions between the various elements represented in the figures are respected in order to facilitate reading them.

[0061] There [ Fig.1 [Illustrates a rear door 4 of a motor vehicle, seen from the front, the rear of the vehicle and from the outside. This door, or tailgate, is movable in rotation about a horizontal axis located here at the top; this mobility can be activated by operating a handle 10. This door has a glazing 1 which is movable in translation essentially along the vertical between an open position in which the glazing is located entirely or almost entirely inside the door and a closed position in which the glazing closes a section of the door.]

[0062] The situation of the glazing 1 in a rear door 4 is taken here as an example, as is the fact that it is mobile in rotation relative to a horizontal axis.

[0063] Door 4 could be a side door, or door, and the glazing would then be a vehicle side window (which is mobile between translation relative to this door essentially along the vertical between an open position in which the glazing is located entirely or almost entirely inside the door and a closed position in which the glazing closes a bay of the door).

[0064] Glazing 1 can therefore be a movable glazing relative to a part of the bodywork which is itself movable, such as a door.

[0065] Glazing 1 can also be a movable glazing relative to a fixed part of the bodywork, such as a side pillar or a roof.

[0066] Glazing 1 can therefore be: a tailgate window, or "backlite" in English, or a side door window, which opens by rotation or sliding; or a sunroof window, or "sunroof" in English.

[0067] The vehicle can therefore be equipped with several types of glazing according to the invention. The vehicle can be a car, a truck, or any other type of vehicle.

[0068] This glazing 1 thus creates, in the closed position, a vertical separation between an interior space I which is inside the vehicle and an exterior space E which is outside the vehicle.

[0069] The concepts of "exterior" and "interior" are therefore considered in this document respectively in relation to this exterior space E and this interior space I.

[0070] As the figures show a rear window, it extends essentially along the axis generally called the "Y-axis" of the vehicle, which is the transverse horizontal axis, perpendicular to the longitudinal horizontal axis of forward movement of the vehicle equipped with the window according to the invention as the rear window of the vehicle and which corresponds to the horizontal axis in the plane of the sheet in [ Fig.1 ].

[0071] In the context of this document, the concepts of "centripetal" and "centrifugal" are to be considered in the plane of the sheet in [ Fig.1 ], or in a general plane of the glazing when considered flat, expressed with respect to the center of the glazing, along the Y and Z axes; the centripetal direction is towards this center of the glazing while the centrifugal direction is away from this center of the glazing.

[0072] The mobility of the glazing 1 relative to the door 4 is essentially vertical in the sense that this mobility operates along the Z axis, with here a small component along the longitudinal horizontal axis, as visible in [ Fig. 3 And 4 ].

[0073] THE [ Fig. 1 , 3 And 4 ] show that the window 2 has an outer face 20 which is oriented towards the outer space E, an inner face 22 which is oriented towards the inner space I and a peripheral edge 21 located between these two faces.

[0074] In [ Fig. 1 , 3 And 4The dashed line called the "vision line" or "vision limit" VL marks the top of the door frame inside which the glazing 1 slides. This vision line VL, when the glazing is viewed vertically, creates a separation between, on the one hand, a hidden portion of the glazing HP located below the vision line VL, which is intended to be hidden inside the door regardless of the glazing's position relative to the door, and on the other hand, a visible portion of the glazing VP located above the vision line VL.

[0075] In the concealed portion of the glazing, below the LV line, the glazing has one, and preferably two, fixing zones F, F', each zone being designed to accommodate means for allowing the glass to move vertically relative to the vehicle door. In the finished glazing, each fixing zone F, F' includes a glass carrier 6, 6' which is fixed to the glass.

[0076] In the illustrated implementation examples, the glazing 1 includes a pane 2 which is curved (i.e., not flat), which complicates its translational movement.

[0077] The glass 2 can be completely monolithic (made of a single sheet of glass or plastic) or be completely multiple (made of several sheets of glass or plastic) or even be partially multiple in one part, such as in the visible part VP and partially monolithic, such as in the hidden part HP.

[0078] The window 2 has a first lateral edge 23, on the left, a second lateral edge 24, on the right, a top edge 25 and a bottom edge 26. The top edge 25 and the bottom edge 26 of the window are arranged respectively in the part of the window oriented towards the roof and in the part of the window oriented towards the ground on which the vehicle rests.

[0079] The glazing unit includes, in addition to the glass pane, along at least part of at least one lower edge 26, at least one glass carrier 6, 6' which is intended to accommodate an attachment element, not shown, which is designed to allow the glass carrier to be attached in a movement system for raising and lowering the glazing. Some documents refer to this as a "regulator" system.

[0080] The glazing, in its configuration of use, therefore preferably includes two glass carriers 6, 6', one in each fixing zone F, F'.

[0081] There [ Fig.3 ] illustrates window 2 in two positions: Glass 2a corresponds to the "glass closed" position, when glass 2 closes the opening provided here in the door; and glass 2b corresponds to the "glass open" position, when the opening provided here in the door is open.

[0082] There [ Fig.4 ] illustrates window 2 only in the "window open" position, when the opening provided here in the door is open.

[0083] As seen on the [ Fig. 1 , 3 And 4 ], the glazing 1 includes at least one flexible electrical connection 3, 3a, 3b, illustrated in [ Fig.2 ], to supply glazing 1 with electrical current and / or electrical signal.

[0084] The glazing 1 here has a single flexible electrical connection 3, positioned in the center of the glazing 1 and in the center of the door 4. The glazing 1 could have several flexible electrical connections, for example to supply several different areas of the glazing with electrical current and / or electrical signal.

[0085] When the glazing 1 is installed in the vehicle, this (or these) flexible electrical connection(s) 3 extend(s) only within the hidden portion of the HP window; it does not extend at all into the visible portion of the VP window, for aesthetic reasons. It is (or are) located completely below the line of sight of the VL.

[0086] This (or these) flexible electrical connection(s) 3 is (or are) preferably separate from the means for enabling the mobility of the glass in the final glazing; however, it is possible that this (or these) flexible electrical connection(s) 3 is (or are) in direct contact with the means for enabling the mobility of the glass in the final glazing or is (or are) integrated into the means for enabling the mobility of the glass in the final glazing.

[0087] As seen in [ Fig.3 ], regardless of the position of the window 2, the flexible electrical connection(s) 3 extends between the inner face 22 of the window and an adjacent bodywork element located further inwards; the flexible electrical connection(s) 3 does not extend under the edge 21 of the lower edge 26 nor further outwards than the outer face 20 of the window 2.

[0088] As seen in [ Fig. 2 And 3 The flexible electrical connection 3 has an upstream connector 30 attachable to an internal element 42 fixed to said bodywork and a downstream connector 30' attachable to the glass 2 of the glazing 1. The flexible electrical connection 3 includes a flexible electrical ribbon 31 having at least one conductive wire and / or at least one conductive strip 32, 32' and having a lateral curved shape C, C' at the connection with the upstream connector 30 and with the downstream connector 30'.

[0089] The conductive strips 32, 32' are made of copper and there are two of them here, but there could be more. They are embedded in a flexible plastic material 31 made of polyimide or polyethylene naphthalate.

[0090] The upstream connector 30 and the downstream connector 30' each have a receiving surface S, S' which is in contact with said flexible electrical cord 31 and which is laterally curved to achieve the curved lateral shape of the flexible electrical cord.

[0091] The receiving surface S, S' of the upstream connector 30 and the downstream connector 30' is longitudinally curved and terminates at a proximal end (near the glass or the interior element fixed to the body) with a flat part.

[0092] The curved lateral form C, C' has, when viewed in cross-section, a general V shape, with a single point of curvature, preferably located in the middle of the width of said flexible electrical ribbon and with an angle α between two wings of the V which is between 60° and 120°; here 90°.

[0093] As seen in [ Fig.5 A downstream connector 30' (or an upstream connector 30, not shown in detail) is a plastic part, manufactured for example by molding, that receives the downstream end of the flexible electrical cable 31 (respectively, the upstream end of the flexible electrical cable 31). The curved lateral shape C' (respectively, the curved lateral shape C) is formed by V-shaped walls 35' and 36' on the edge of the connector, with the angle of the V gradually increasing to become a flat wall 37'; it is thus a pyramidal shape. Opposite the curved lateral shape C', a flat base 38' is in contact with the window 2 when the flexible electrical connection is attached to the window 2.

[0094] In contrast to the connection with the flexible electrical ribbon cable, the front connector has two cylindrical electrical cables 33, 34 which come out of the connector.

[0095] The flexible electrical ribbon 31 here has a flat width of 20.0 mm and a thickness of 25 µm. Its length depends on the path that the downstream connector 30' must travel between the open and closed positions of the glass.

[0096] In the vehicle, the upstream connector 30 is attached to an internal element 42 fixed to the door 4, and the downstream connector 30' is attached to the window 2 to allow for the electrical connection. The upstream connector 30 is therefore fixed in the frame of reference of the window 1, which moves in translation.

[0097] The glazing 1, after its manufacture and before its installation in the vehicle, may include means intended to protect the flexible electrical connection(s) 3 so that it / they are not damaged after the manufacture of the glazing 1 and before its installation in the vehicle.

[0098] These means may be temporary elements made of plastic or cardboard, which are removed when the glazing is installed in the vehicle.

[0099] Preferably, to effectively protect the flexible electrical connection(s) 3 without using a disposable temporary element, the upstream connector 30 and the downstream connector 30' are configured to be temporarily attached to each other. Thus, after the glazing has been installed in the vehicle, the upstream connector 30 simply needs to be detached and attached to the electrical connection point provided near the interior element 42.

[0100] The flexible electrical link 3 has, along its length, a single fold P, having a radius of curvature r between 0.2 and 20.0 mm, preferably between 5.0 and 15.0 mm; here 10.0 mm.

[0101] This fold P is provided in the flexible electrical cable and changes position along this flexible electrical cable when the glazing moves relative to the bodywork.

[0102] The P fold is in position Pa, near the upstream connector 30 when the window 2 is closed (position of window 2a in [ Fig.3 ]) and is in position Pb, near the downstream connector 30' or 30'b when window 2 is open (position of window 2b in [ Fig.3 ] and position of window 2 in [ Fig.4 ]).

[0103] As seen in [ Fig.2 ], at the point of the longitudinal fold P, the conductive strip does not have a curved lateral shape: the conductive strip is substantially flat laterally.

[0104] In these two fold positions: Pa and Pb, as well as in all intermediate positions between these two extreme positions, the fold has a constant thickness equal to twice the radius of curvature r, i.e. here a fold thickness P of 20.0 mm.

[0105] In the two extreme positions of the glass: 2a closed and 2b open, as well as in all intermediate positions between these two extreme positions, the flexible electrical ribbon 31a, 31b is located further inside than the edge of the lower edge 26a, 26b; the flexible electrical ribbon 31 is never in contact with this edge, nor with the inner face 22a, 22b of the glass 2a, 2b, nor of course with the edge located between this inner face and this edge: there is therefore no risk of the flexible electrical ribbon 31 being damaged.

[0106] The inner element 42 is an internal guide for the flexible electrical cable 3; it prevents it from moving further inwards. It is a rectangular plastic plate positioned horizontally so that the flexible electrical cable 31 slides easily across its surface.

[0107] For example, a glass door in cross-section along a vertical axis has approximately a U-shaped form which fits into a longitudinal part of the lower edge 26.

[0108] A 6, 6' glass door can thus present: A U-shaped section consisting of two parallel walls joined at their base, forming a longitudinal groove, with the base of this U opposite the edge 21 of the glass. The glass holder is designed to be connected to a motorized drive system (not shown) to allow the glass to be raised and lowered in the vehicle door. The U-shaped section encloses the lower edge 26.

[0109] In [ Fig.1 ], the glass holders 6, 6' do not have a fixing hole but it is possible that one or each glass holder has a fixing hole.

[0110] The glass carrier(s) 6, 6' is (or are) glued with a bead of glue, for example polyurethane, then "fitted" onto the glass, that is to say, it is (or are) positioned so that the glass is present in the U shape, against the stop or not, by inserting between said parallel walls and the glass a plastic insert material, such as polypropylene.

[0111] In one variant, an in-situ injection of adhesive material is proposed to form the insertion material, which is made of thermoplastic hot melt resin, for example based on polyamide.

[0112] The hot melt resin used has a yield strength of approximately 5.5 N / mm² and a tensile strength of 11 N / mm², calculated according to DIN 53455. It must be used at a temperature of approximately 220 °C and has a viscosity of approximately 5000 mPa.s at this temperature, measured according to ASTM D 3236.

[0113] The glass carriers used are preferably made of plastic, such as polyamide, particularly PA 66, reinforced with glass fibers; they can also be made of aluminum alloy. For example, with a 6060 grade aluminum alloy (AGS), a vertical pressing force of 30 to 50 tons is sufficient, which, depending on the size of the glass carriers, translates to forces of approximately 150 GPa for U-shaped glass carriers with overall dimensions of approximately 40x30 mm and approximately 450 GPa for U-shaped glass carriers with overall dimensions of approximately 60x60 mm.

[0114] The present invention is described above by way of example. It is understood that a person skilled in the art is able to carry out different variations of the invention without departing from the scope of the patent as defined by the claims.

Claims

1. A flexible electrical connection (3) for a vehicle glazing (1) movable in translation relative to a bodywork element of said vehicle, said flexible electrical connection (3) having, along its length, an upstream connector (30) attachable to an inner element (42) fixed to said bodywork and a downstream connector (30') attachable to a glass pane (2) of said glazing (1), characterized in that it comprises a flexible ribbon cable (31) comprising at least one conductive wire and / or at least one conductive strip (32, 32') and having a curved lateral shape (C, C') on itself to the connection with said upstream connector (30) and with said downstream connector (30').

2. The flexible electrical connection (3) according to claim 1, wherein said upstream connector (30) and said downstream connector (30') each comprise a receiving surface (S, S') which is in contact with said flexible ribbon cable (31) and which is curved laterally.

3. The flexible electrical connection (3) according to claim 2, wherein said receiving surface (S, S') of said upstream connector (30) and / or said downstream connector (30') is curved longitudinally and terminates at a proximal end by a flat part.

4. The flexible electrical connection (3) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein at least one of said curved lateral shapes (C, C'), and preferably each curved lateral shape (C, C'), has, seen in cross section, a general V-shape, with an angle (α) between two wings of the V which is between 60° and 120°, or even between 80° and 100°, preferably 90°.

5. The vehicle glazing (1) comprising a glass pane (2), means for allowing the mobility of said glass pane in translation relative to a bodywork element of said vehicle and at least one flexible electrical connection (3) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein said downstream connector (30') is attached to said glass pane (2).

6. The glazing (1) according to claim 5, wherein said glass pane (2) comprises means for heating said glass pane (2) and / or means for lightening and darkening said glass pane (2) and / or for changing the hue of said glass pane (2).

7. A vehicle equipped with a glazing (1) comprising a glass pane (2), means for allowing the mobility of said glass pane (2) in translation relative to a bodywork element of said vehicle, and at least one flexible electrical connection (3) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein said upstream connector (30) is attached to an inner element (42) fixed to said bodywork and said downstream connector (30') is attached to said glass pane (2).

8. The vehicle according to claim 7, wherein said flexible ribbon cable (31) has, along its length, a fold (P) having a radius of curvature (r) between 0.2 and 20.0 mm, preferably between 5.0 and 15.0 mm.

9. The vehicle according to claim 7 or 8, wherein said glass pane (2) comprises means for heating said glass pane (2) and / or means for lightening and darkening said glass pane (2) and / or for changing the hue of said glass pane (2).

10. The vehicle according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein said flexible ribbon cable (31), and preferably each flexible ribbon cable (31), extends along its length in a direction parallel to an essential component of the direction of translation of said glass pane (2).

11. The vehicle according to any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein said inner element (42) is an interior guide for said flexible ribbon cable (31).