Method for manufacturing a sliding glazing unit, and sliding glazing unit

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for manufacturing a vehicle glazing unit (1) and to a glazing unit (1) in which: - two pairs (7, 7') of foam strips (71, 72, 73, 74) are applied and fastened, each to a longitudinal edge of a fastening region (F, F'), - a pane holder (6, 6') having a U-shaped part fitting over an edge of the pane and the two pairs (7, 7') of foam strips, - a rapidly curing plastics material is injected inside the U-shaped part, between the two foam strips of each pair (7, 7'), and - an adhesive is injected inside the U-shaped part, between the two pairs (7, 7'). Figure for the abstract: [Fig. 4]

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing vehicle glazing, and in particular motor vehicle glazing, comprising a window and means for enabling the mobility of said window in vertical translation relative to a door of said vehicle.

[0002] The present invention also relates to glazing manufactured by this process.

[0003] The present invention was developed in particular for a frameless door, that is to say for a door which supports the glazing in its lower part but which does not have side pillars or a top pillar.

[0004] Many solutions have been developed to allow vertical movement of glazing relative to the door. However, until now, very few solutions have allowed for very high control of the lateral fixing tolerance, that is to say, the tolerance along the outside-inside direction (i.e., the tolerance along the general direction of the vehicle's Y-axis).

[0005] International patent application No. WO2008074819 specifically teaches that it is possible to use two different adhesive materials to fix a pane of glass to a means of allowing the pane to move in a slotted translation. The second adhesive is applied in liquid form and is contained laterally by the first adhesive.

[0006] This solution is difficult to implement due to the liquid state of the second adhesive. It can only be implemented by orienting the glazing vertically, upside down, with the lower part of the curve at the top. This vertical orientation complicates the correct positioning of the glass within the reference frame's coordinate system, as gravity can then only be used for referencing along the glazing's Z-axis.

[0007] Conversely, positioning the glass horizontally would allow the use of gravity for referencing along the Z and Y axes, but this is not compatible with the liquid state of the second adhesive.

[0008] Document DE 20 2011 052377 U1 sets out a method and glazing according to the preamble of claims 1 and 12; Document JP 2009 249838 sets out another configuration.

[0009] The present invention aims to provide a manufacturing method in which, unlike the prior art, the orientation of the glass in space during the fixing of the means enabling its mobility is not important.

[0010] The present invention aims to provide a manufacturing method in which the precision of fixing the means enabling the mobility of the window is very high, in particular along the Y axis of the vehicle; A tolerance of plus or minus 0.5 mm along the Y axis can be obtained thanks to the present invention on the final glazing whereas before the fixing of the window holder there may be a significant gap, on the order of 1.5 to 2 mm between the window holder and a face opposite the window.

[0011] The present invention is based on the idea of ​​very quickly creating a mechanical hold for the glass holder inside the U-shaped part, when the glass holder is positioned in the appropriate position with respect to the glass, while the chemical fixing of the glass holder to the glass is being carried out using the usual glue.

[0012] The present invention further intends to propose a method for the mass production of glazing with a single adhesive material which is faster than previously, in particular a method for which it is not necessary to wait for the complete polymerization, drying or hardening of the adhesive to remove the glazing from the reference frame which serves to fix the means enabling the mobility of the glass.

[0013] The present invention aims to provide glazing in which the means enabling its mobility are fixed in a more precise manner and which, moreover, cost less to manufacture because it was manufactured faster.

[0014] The present invention further intends to offer a glazing which, in a surprising way, integrates in its fixing zone(s) flexible material: foam strips; at first glance, the use of a flexible material appears incompatible with the goal of a reliable and efficient fixing but, as proposed, it makes it possible to create a compensation region for the different expansion coefficients of the different materials used for the glazing and for the means allowing its mobility.

[0015] The present invention, in its broadest sense, relates to a method for manufacturing vehicle glazing according to claim 1. This glazing comprises a pane of glass having an outer face, an inner face, and a peripheral edge, as well as fastening means to allow the vertical translation of said glass relative to a door of said vehicle, said fastening means being located in at least one, and preferably two, fastening zone(s) and comprising a glass holder having a U-shaped portion. According to the method, said fastening means are fixed to said glass by carrying out at least the following steps: said glass is positioned on a reference frame, then two pairs of foam strips are applied and fixed, each to a longitudinal edge of said fixing zone, and preferably of each fixing zone, then said glass holder having a U-shaped part is positioned in said fixing area such that said U-shaped part encloses an edge of said glass and said two pairs of foam strips, then a fast-curing plastic material is injected inside said U-shaped part, between the two foam strips of each pair of foam strips of said fixing area, and preferably between the two foam strips of each pair of foam strips of each fixing area, and an adhesive is injected inside said U-shaped part, between said two pairs of foam strips of said fixing area, and preferably between said two pairs of foam strips of each fixing area.

[0016] Thus, the fast-curing plastic material, once it has hardened, mechanically secures the position of the glass holder relative to the glass. It is neither necessary nor desired for the fast-curing plastic material to adhere strongly to the lateral extension and the glass.

[0017] The fast-curing plastic and the adhesive are preferably injected at approximately the same time; it is not necessary to wait for one injection to be completed before starting the other; in particular, it is not necessary to wait for the fast-curing plastic to harden before injecting the adhesive. The process is thus very rapid and the manufacturing cost is reduced.

[0018] This fast-curing plastic material can be injected first because its curing time determines the mass production rate of glazing.

[0019] The said fast-curing plastic material preferably hardens in a maximum of 60 seconds.

[0020] Preferably, the glazing is removed from the reference frame only after the said fast-curing plastic material has hardened in order to ensure reliable shimming.

[0021] Said fast-curing plastic material is preferably a thermoplastic or thermosetting material and preferably has, in the cured state, a hardness of at least 60 Shore A.

[0022] The fast-curing plastic material is preferably injected only between the two foam strips of each pair of foam strips in the fixing zone; this material does not overflow laterally. After injection, the fast-curing plastic material is in the form of a layer located between the glass and the U-shaped portion of the glass holder.

[0023] The adhesive is preferably injected only inside the U-shaped section, between the two pairs of foam strips in the fixing zone, and preferably injected only inside the U-shaped section, between the two pairs of foam strips in each fixing zone; this adhesive preferably does not overflow laterally. After injection, the adhesive is in the form of a layer located between the glass and the U-shaped section of the glass holder.

[0024] The fast-curing plastic and the adhesive are separated by a foam strip, and preferably only by a foam strip. The fast-curing plastic and the adhesive are therefore not in contact with each other.

[0025] A foam strip is, for example, a prefabricated, flexible polyurethane foam strip, such as those used for perimeter sealing of building windows (e.g., the registered trademark "Compriband"), which has the ability to compress under even slight stress and then return to its original shape. Each foam strip is preferably placed between the glass pane and the frame, creating a watertight longitudinal boundary (along the X-axis).

[0026] Optionally, the glue can be injected second, after complete hardening of the fast-curing plastic material, but the mass production rate of glazing is then lower.

[0027] For better distribution of the injected material, at least one injection, and preferably each injection, is preferably carried out opposite the edge of said glass.

[0028] The injections (of the fast-curing plastic and all of the adhesive) are preferably carried out in the reference frame, preferably without moving the glass between injections, to allow for the fastest and most reliable bonding possible. For the manufacture of the glazing, the glass is therefore preferably removed from the reference frame after the injection of all of the fast-curing plastic and all of the adhesive.

[0029] The said foam strips are preferably applied in such a way that they enclose an edge of the said glass; being in contact with the glass.

[0030] Each pair of foam strips is preferably applied and fixed to two longitudinal edges of said fixing area, providing a primary injection space between the two strips of a pair of foam strips, said primary injection space having a length between 3.0 mm and 25.0 mm, or a volume between 1 and 25 cm³.

[0031] The primary injection is preferably carried out at the center of the primary injection length.

[0032] Said pair of foam strips is preferably applied and fixed to two longitudinal edges of said fixation area by providing a secondary injection space between the two pairs of foam strips of said fixation area, said secondary injection space having a length between 20.0 mm and 70.0 mm, or a volume between 5 and 75 cm³.

[0033] The said secondary injection is preferably performed at the center of said secondary injection length

[0034] Said fast-curing plastic material is preferably in contact with the outer face, the inner face and the edge of said glass.

[0035] The said adhesive is preferably in contact with the outer face, the inner face and the edge of the said glass.

[0036] The glass in question can be monolithic, fully laminated, or partially laminated.

[0037] Said glass is preferably partially laminated, with in a laminated part at least one outer glass sheet, one inner glass sheet, as well as a sheet of adhesive material situated between said outer glass sheet and said inner glass sheet, said fixing area, and preferably each fixing area, being non-laminated.

[0038] The glass is preferably partially laminated in the sense that there is no gaseous space or empty space between the sheets that make up the glass.

[0039] Advantageously, the thickness of said outer glass sheet is between 2.85 mm and 4.85 mm.

[0040] Advantageously, the thickness of said inner glass sheet is between 0.30 mm and 2.60 mm.

[0041] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the thickness of said inner glass sheet is between 1.00 mm and 1.20 mm.

[0042] Advantageously, the inner glass sheet exhibits maximum surface stresses of 20 MPa, 30 MPa, and 40 MPa, respectively, for thicknesses of approximately 1.1 mm, 1.6 mm, and 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%.

[0043] At least one, and preferably each, injection is preferably carried out through said glass carrier via an injection hole.

[0044] The said means for enabling the mobility of said glass may include, within the meaning of the present invention, a glass holder or attachment gutter ("holder" in English), or rails, or slides.

[0045] The said means for enabling the mobility of said glass, preferably, do not include a hole partially or totally passing through said glass (that is to say over part of the thickness of an element composing it or the entire thickness of that element or over part of the thickness of the glass comprising at that point several elements, or over the entire thickness of the glass).

[0046] The present invention also relates to vehicle glazing, in particular obtained by implementing the manufacturing process according to the invention, said glazing comprising a pane having an outer face, an inner face and a peripheral edge, as well as fixing means to allow the vertical translation of said pane relative to a door of said vehicle, said fixing means being located in at least one, and preferably two, fixing zone(s) and comprising a pane holder having a U-shaped portion, said glazing being remarkable in that: two pairs of foam strips are fixed, each to a longitudinal edge of said fixing zone, and preferably of each fixing zone, said glass holder having a U-shaped part is situated in said fixing zone such that said U-shaped part encloses an edge of said glass and said two pairs of foam strips, a fast-curing plastic material is injected through said glass holder, inside said U-shaped part, between the two foam strips of each pair of foam strips of said fixing zone, and preferably between the two foam strips of each pair of foam strips of each fixing zone, and an adhesive is injected through said glass holder, inside said U-shaped part, between the two pairs of foam strips of said fixing zone, and preferably between the pairs of foam strips of each fixing zone.

[0047] Preferably, at least one, and preferably each, glass door has at least one, preferably two, and preferably three, injection hole(s).

[0048] In this document, when it is explained that a U-shaped part or form fits into an edge of the glass, it should be understood that the inside of the U-shaped part or form follows the general shape of the two opposite faces and the edge of the glass; there is no complete contact of the entire U-shaped part or form with the two opposite faces and the edge of the glass because there is a space between them for the glue, foam strips and fast-curing plastic material.

[0049] In this document, for the beaches mentioned, the beach markers are included in the beaches.

[0050] 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.

[0051] Thus, the glazing manufacturing process according to the invention is easier to implement because the glass can be held in the reference frame in any position, and in particular in the most suitable position with respect to gravity, while being faster to implement since it is not necessary to wait for the polymerization, drying, or complete hardening of the adhesive to remove the glazing from the reference frame; it is sufficient to wait for the hardening of the fast-curing plastic material.

[0052] The present invention was developed for glazing incorporated into doors that do not have side pillars or a pillar above the level of the glazing when it is raised (closed).

[0053] Advantageously, the present invention makes it possible to produce glazing with means allowing its mobility which are fixed to the glass with very high precision, in particular along the Y axis, and very high reliability, while being light and allowing differential expansion (compensation of different expansion coefficients).

[0054] The present invention will be better understood upon reading the following detailed description of non-limiting embodiments and the accompanying figures: [ Fig. 1 ] illustrates an interior front view of a movable monolithic front window of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the invention with two window holders; [ Fig. 2 ] illustrates a schematic perspective view of a reference frame at the beginning of the manufacturing process according to the invention for a partially laminated glass pane; ; [ Fig. 3 ] illustrates another schematic perspective view of the reference frame at the beginning of the manufacturing process according to the invention; [ Fig. 4 ] illustrates a schematic top view of the partially laminated glass after the application of the foam strips; Fig. 5 ] illustrates a partial perspective view of a fixing area for partially laminated glass after the application of foam strips; Fig. 6 ] illustrates a partial perspective view from below of the injection of fast-curing plastic material; Fig. 7 ] illustrates a partial perspective view from below of a fixing area of ​​partially laminated glass before injection of a fast-curing plastic material; Fig. 8 ] illustrates a partial view from below of the injection of the fast-curing plastic material; ] Fig. 9 ] illustrates a partial perspective view from below of a fixing area of ​​partially laminated glass before injection of an adhesive; and [ Fig. 10 ] illustrates a partial view from below of the glue injection.

[0055] It is specified that the proportions between the various elements represented in the figures are respected for each figure taken independently, in order to facilitate reading.

[0056] There [ Fig. 1 ] illustrates a left-side window 1 of a vehicle, according to an embodiment of the invention, considered as seen from inside this vehicle.

[0057] This specifically concerns a side window of a motor vehicle door (not visible in [ Fig. 1 ]) which is mobile between translation relative to this door substantially 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.

[0058] This glazing 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.

[0059] 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.

[0060] As it is a side window, it extends essentially along the axis generally called the "X-axis" of the vehicle, which is the central longitudinal axis of forward movement of the vehicle equipped with the window according to the invention as a side window on the left side of the vehicle and which corresponds to the horizontal axis in the plane of the sheet in [ Fig. 1 ].

[0061] The mobility of the glazing relative to the door is essentially vertical in the direction that this mobility occurs along the Z axis, with possibly a small component along the transverse Y axis not shown in [ Fig. 1 ].

[0062] In the illustrated embodiments, the glazing 1 is a single piece.

[0063] In [ Fig. 1 ], the glazing 1 includes a pane 2' which is monolithic: it is made of a single sheet of glass or plastic material, preferably glass.

[0064] In the rest of the description, with reference to figures 2 à 10 , it is chosen to describe the application of the invention to the most complex glazing configuration 1: when the glazing includes a pane 2, which is curved (i.e. not flat) and partially laminated.

[0065] The window 2, 2' has a first lateral edge 23, a second lateral edge 24, an upper edge 25, and a lower edge 26. The first lateral edge 23 and the second lateral edge 24 of the window are located respectively in the forward and rearward portions of the window. The upper edge 25 and the lower edge 26 of the window are located respectively in the roof and ground portions of the window.

[0066] The partially laminated pane of glass 2 has a main part that is laminated. In this laminated part, the pane comprises, from the outside in, at least, in this order: an outer glass sheet 3, an interlayer sheet of adhesive material 4, and then an inner glass sheet 5; however, it is possible that at least one other sheet may be interposed between the outer glass sheet 3 and the interlayer sheet of adhesive material 4, or between the interlayer sheet of adhesive material 4 and the inner glass sheet 5. The interlayer sheet of adhesive material 4 and the outer glass sheet 3 are visible by transparency through the inner glass sheet 5. figure 2 .

[0067] In the laminated portion, the outer glass sheet 3 has an outer face 30 oriented towards the outer space E, an interlayer face 32 oriented towards the interlayer adhesive sheet 4, and a peripheral edge 31 situated between these two faces. Furthermore, the outer glass sheet 3 has a first lateral edge 33, a second lateral edge 34, a top edge 35, and a bottom edge 36. The first lateral edge 33 and the second lateral edge 34 of the outer glass sheet 3 are located respectively in the portion of the outer glass sheet 3 oriented towards the front and in the portion of the outer glass sheet 3 oriented towards the rear of the vehicle. The top edge 35 and the bottom edge 36 of the outer glass sheet 3 are located respectively in the portion of the outer glass sheet 3 oriented towards the roof and in the portion of the outer glass sheet 3 oriented towards the vehicle chassis.

[0068] The inner glass sheet 5 has an interlayer face 50 oriented towards the interlayer sheet of adhesive material 4, an inner face 52 oriented towards the inner space I, and a peripheral edge 51 situated between these two faces. Furthermore, the inner glass sheet 5 has a first lateral edge 53, a second lateral edge 54, a top edge 55, and a bottom edge 56. The first lateral edge 53 and the second lateral edge 54 of the inner glass sheet 5 are located respectively in the portion of the inner glass sheet 5 oriented towards the front and in the portion of the inner glass sheet 5 oriented towards the rear of the vehicle. The top edge 55 and the bottom edge 56 of the inner glass sheet 5 are located respectively in the portion of the inner glass sheet 5 oriented towards the roof and in the portion of the inner glass sheet 5 oriented towards the chassis of the vehicle.

[0069] The adhesive interlayer sheet 4 has an outer interlayer face 40 oriented towards the interlayer face 32 and in contact with it, an inner interlayer face 42 oriented towards the interlayer face 50 and in contact with it, and a peripheral edge 41 located between these two interlayer faces 40 and 42. Furthermore, the adhesive interlayer sheet 4 has a first lateral edge 43, a second lateral edge 44, a top edge 45, and a bottom edge 46. The first lateral edge 43 and the second lateral edge 44 of the adhesive interlayer sheet 4 are located respectively in the forward-facing and rear-facing portions of the adhesive interlayer sheet 4.The upper edge 45 and the lower edge 46 of the adhesive interlayer sheet 4 are arranged respectively in the part of the adhesive interlayer sheet 4 oriented towards the roof and in the part of the adhesive interlayer sheet 4 oriented towards the chassis of the vehicle.

[0070] The outer glass pane 3 is a glass pane that has undergone a thermal bending process before the manufacture of the partially laminated glass pane 2 and has a thickness between 2.85 and 4.85 mm, for example 3.50 mm. The outer glass pane 3 can have surface stresses of at least 80 MPa but less than 200 MPa.

[0071] The inner glass sheet 5 can be a sheet of glass that has undergone a thermal tempering or semi-tempering process, and has a thickness between 0.70 and 2.60 mm, or even between 0.70 and 2.50 mm, between 0.70 and 2.30 mm, or between 0.70 and 2.10 mm, for example, 1.10 mm or 1.60 mm. The tempering or semi-tempering processes have the advantage of being very quick to perform. In fact, on average, it is possible to produce approximately 20 sheets of glass per minute. Furthermore, the tempering or semi-tempering process allows for the introduction of surface stresses of approximately 20 MPa, 30 MPa, and 40 MPa on a glass sheet with a thickness of approximately 1.10 mm, 1.60 mm, and 2.10 mm, respectively.

[0072] Alternatively, the inner glass sheet 5 can be a chemically tempered glass sheet with a thickness of between 0.30 and 1.60 mm, or even between 0.50 and 1.50 mm, or between 0.70 and 1.20 mm, for example, 1.10 mm. A chemical tempering operation allows for the introduction of surface stresses of at least 200 MPa.

[0073] The adhesive sheet 4 is, for example, a polyvinyl butyral (PVB) sheet with a thickness between 0.30 and 1.50 mm, for example 0.78 mm. This adhesive sheet 4 preferably has the same length along the X-axis and height along the Z-axis dimensions as the inner glass sheet 5.

[0074] In the case where the pane 2 has one or more other sheet(s) in addition to the three mentioned above, the outermost sheet of glass 3 is the outermost sheet of the laminated glass.

[0075] There [ Fig. 2 ] shows that the glass 2 has an outer face 20 which is made by the outer face 30 of the outer glass sheet 3, an inner face 22 which is made by the inner face 52 of the inner glass sheet 5 and a peripheral edge 21 located between these two faces, corresponding to the peripheral edge 31 of the outer glass sheet 3, the peripheral edge 41 of the adhesive material sheet 4 and the peripheral edge 51 of the inner glass sheet 5.

[0076] In [ Fig. 1] et [Fig. 2 The 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 HP glazing 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 VP glazing located above the vision line VL.

[0077] In the concealed portion of the glazing, below the VL 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 a vehicle door. In the finished glazing, each fixing zone F, F' includes a glass carrier 6, 6' which is fixed to the glass, as explained in more detail below.

[0078] The glazing unit thus comprises, in addition to the pane 2, 2', along at least part of at least one lower edge 26, at least one pane holder which is designed to accommodate an attachment element, not shown, intended to allow the pane holder to be attached to a movement system for raising and lowering the glazing. Some documents refer to this as a "regulator" system.

[0079] The glazing, in its configuration of use, therefore preferably includes two glass holders.

[0080] In the configurations illustrated in [ Fig. 2] à [Fig. 10 Each fixing zone F, F' is not laminated throughout: at least one of the three elements that constitute the minimum lamination in the laminated portion is not present in the entirety of this (or these) fixing zone(s). However, the pane 2 could, of course, be completely laminated and thus also be laminated in the fixing zones F, F'.

[0081] In the configurations illustrated in [ Fig. 2] à [Fig. 10 ], only the outer glass sheet 3 is present in each non-laminated fixing area F, F'; the inner glass sheet 5 and the adhesive material sheet 4 are both absent; The adhesive material sheet 4 could be present but this creates an additional thickness which is not necessary.

[0082] To create a non-laminated fixing zone F, F', the lower edge 56 of the inner glass sheet 5, as well as the lower edge 46 of the adhesive sheet of adhesive material 4, are much higher than the lower edge 36 of the outer glass sheet 3. The lower edge 56 of the inner glass sheet 5 and the lower edge 46 are located approximately halfway along the vertical between the line of sight VL and the lower edge 36 of the outer glass sheet 3.

[0083] Preferably, no fixing area F, F' of the glazing has a fixing hole.

[0084] The two glass holders 6, 6' are not necessarily strictly identical but each has in cross-section substantially a U-shaped form which fits into a longitudinal part of the lower edge 26, and more precisely a longitudinal part of the lower edge 36 of the outer glass sheet 3, without itself being in contact with the adhesive material sheet 4, or the inner glass sheet 5.

[0085] In the embodiment illustrated here, the means for enabling the mobility of the window 2, 2' in translation relative to a door of the vehicle include at least one and preferably at least two window holders 6, 6' having in cross-section substantially an inverted h shape or a tuning fork shape, that is to say a U shape with a tail extending opposite the two lateral walls of the U part.

[0086] The glass holder (or each one) can be made of plastic, for example polyamide, polybutylene terephthalate, or of metal alloy, for example aluminium alloy.

[0087] Each glass door 6, 6' thus presents, as particularly visible in [ Fig. 3 ] : a first part consisting of two parallel walls 63, 64, connected at their base and forming a longitudinal groove, i.e. forming in cross section a U shape, and a second part consisting of a tail 65 extending opposite the walls 63, 64 with respect to the base connecting these walls.

[0088] The tail 65 is intended to be connected to a motorized drive system (not shown) to allow the glazing 1 to be raised and lowered in the vehicle door. This H-shaped shape of the glazing holder is particularly advantageous because it allows the forces between the glazing holder and the glazing to be transmitted over a large area corresponding to the sum of the inner areas of the walls 63, 64.

[0089] The assembly is carried out in such a way that the said walls 63, 64 of the said h-shaped frame enclose the glass 2, 2' in its lower part, the tail 65 then being substantially in the extension of the glass 2, 2'.

[0090] More specifically for the partially laminated glass 2, the U-shaped part encloses the lower edge 36 of the outer glass sheet 3, and only this lower edge 36; it does not enclose the lower edge 56 of the inner glass sheet 5 and preferably does not enclose the lower edge 46 of the adhesive material sheet 4 either.

[0091] The assembly of the glass carriers to the monolithic glass 2' or to the partially laminated glass 2 is carried out on a reference frame 10 allowing the control of tolerances on the glass carrier / glass assembly.

[0092] Before positioning and fixing the window holders, in a first step, the window is correctly positioned (“focused”) in a mounting template having a plurality of positioning stops Y1, Y2, Y3, Y4, Z1, Z2, Z3 which represent the nominal shape plane of the window on the vehicle.

[0093] The positioning stops, which are essentially along the Y axis: Y1, Y2, Y3, Y4, are located on vertical uprights, respectively RY1, RY2, RY3, RY4.

[0094] The positioning stops, which are essentially along the Z axis: Z1, Z2, Z3, are located at the edge of vertical uprights, respectively RZ1, RZ2, RZ3.

[0095] Once the glass pane 2 is correctly positioned and held in the reference frame 10, as illustrated in [ Fig. 2 ] And [ Fig. 3 ], an operator or the articulated arm of a robot carries out the second step of the process, visible in [ Fig. 4 ] And [ Fig. 5 In each fixing zone F, F', four foam strips 71, 72, 73, 74 are grasped and positioned in pairs 7, 7' such that two pairs 7, 7' of foam strips are applied and fixed, each to a longitudinal edge of each fixing zone F, F'. For glazing 1, there are therefore eight foam strips 71, 72, 73, 74.

[0096] Each foam strip 71, 72, 73, 74 is applied so that it encloses an edge of the glass 2: each foam strip 71, 72, 73, 74 is applied and glued against the outer face 20, against the edge 21 and against the inner face 22 in the fixing area.

[0097] Each foam strip is preferably a single piece as this makes positioning easier, but in practice, each foam strip can be made in several parts. It is prefabricated and, before application to the glass surface, has sufficient thickness to ensure a lateral seal (along the Y-axis or, specifically, along the Z-axis opposite the edge of the glass) between the glass and the glass holder, possibly by compressing slightly.

[0098] Each foam strip has a length (along the X axis) of approximately 2.0 to 10.0 mm, for example here 5.0 mm.

[0099] Once positioned and fixed, for example by gluing, to the window 2, each strip of foam is intended to remain and is present in the finished glazing 1 (ready to be installed in a door or installed in this door).

[0100] In a third step, illustrated in [ Fig. 6 ], each glass holder is positioned in the fixing area F, F' opposite the bottom edge of the glass so that the U-shaped part fits the bottom edge 26 of said glass and the two pairs 7, 7' of foam strips.

[0101] During this step, the foam strips are compressed laterally (along the Y axis) between the faces 20, 22 of the window 2 and the walls 63, 64 of the U-shape, and at the bottom, between the edge 21 of the window 2 and the bottom of the U-shape.

[0102] The correct positioning of the glass carrier 6, 6', vis-à-vis the glass 2 is achieved by means of a glass carrier support 11, 11'. This positioning is the desired final positioning in the final glazing.

[0103] Each foam strip is designed to create a watertight longitudinal boundary (along the X axis) for material subsequently injected.

[0104] For each fixation zone, there are three injection spaces: two primary injection spaces Pis, made between the two foam strips of each pair of foam strips, i.e. on the one hand between the foam strip 71 and the foam strip 72 of the pair of foam strips 7 and on the other hand between the foam strip 73 and the foam strip 74 of the pair of foam strips 7' a secondary injection space Sis, made between the two pairs 7, 7' of foam strip, i.e. between the foam strip 72 and the foam strip 73.

[0105] Each injection space is U-shaped and fits into the lower edge of the glass.

[0106] The primary injection space (or each space) Pis has a length Pil (along the X axis) between 3.0 mm and 25.0 mm, for example 8.0 mm; or a volume Piv between 1 and 25 cm³.

[0107] The secondary injection space Sis has a length Sil (along the X axis) between 20.0 mm and 70.0 mm, for example 30.0 mm, or a volume Siv between 5 and 75 cm3.

[0108] In a fourth step, illustrated in [ Fig. 7 ] And [ Fig. 8 ], a fast-curing plastic material 8 is injected, inside the U-shaped part of the glass holder, simultaneously: between the two foam strips 71, 72; 73, 74 of each pair, respectively 7; 7' of foam strip, and between the glass 2 and the inner face of the U-shaped part of the glass holder.

[0109] In this step, the goal is to fill each primary injection space Pis.

[0110] The fast-curing plastic material 8 can be, for example, a material that cures in 60 seconds or less. This is a thermoplastic or thermosetting material and preferably has a hardness of at least 60 Shore A in its cured state. It could be, in particular, a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), a polyamide, etc. In this case, it is specifically a "hotmelt Tecbond 240-12-300" material.

[0111] The primary injection (or each primary injection) is performed at the center of the primary injection length Pil so that the injected material is correctly distributed within the primary injection volume. This primary injection (or each primary injection) is performed through the wall of the glass carrier, via an injection hole 80, 80'. These injection holes 80, 80' are located in the base of the U-shape, to allow injections to be performed opposite the edge 21 of the glass 2 and to ensure that the injected material is then correctly distributed within the primary injection volumes.

[0112] For a single pane of glass, the two primary injections are preferably performed simultaneously to reduce the overall manufacturing time and distribute the injection stresses on both sides of the pane. For a double-pane glazing unit, the four primary injections are preferably performed simultaneously to reduce the overall manufacturing time.

[0113] In a fifth step, illustrated in [ Fig. 9] et [Fig. 10 ], an adhesive 9 is injected, inside said U-shaped part, between the two pairs 7, 7' of foam strip, in the secondary injection volume, between the foam strip 72 and the foam strip 73.

[0114] This fifth step is preferably carried out at the same time as the fourth; it is not necessary to wait for the fast-curing plastic material 8 to harden before proceeding with the injection of the glue 9.

[0115] The secondary injection is performed at the center of the primary injection length Pil, that is, at the center of the distance between the foam strip 72 and the foam strip 73, so that the injected material is correctly distributed within the secondary injection volume. This secondary injection is carried out through the wall of the glass holder, via an injection hole 90. This injection hole 90 is located in the base of the U-shaped section, in order to allow the injection to be performed opposite the edge 21 of the glass 2 and for the injected material to then be correctly distributed within the secondary injection volume.

[0116] Adhesive 9 is, for example, a thermosetting resin, such as polyurethane-based, one- or two-component, with or without an accelerator. The adhesive's curing time is not critical and can be long because the glass holder is already securely attached to the glass by the fast-curing plastic material 8.

[0117] From the first to the fifth step, the glass 2 is held in the reference frame 10 without moving. After this fifth step, once the primary and secondary injections are complete and the fast-curing plastic material 8 is sufficiently hard (not necessarily completely hard), the glass 1 can be immediately removed from the reference frame 10; it is not necessary to wait for the polymerization or hardening of the adhesive 9.

[0118] The glass carrier 6, 6' comprises the following: at least two injection holes: one 80 injection hole for the fast-curing plastic material 8 and one 90 injection hole for the glue 9; and here three injection holes: two 80, 80' injection holes for the fast-curing plastic material 8 and one 90 injection hole for the glue 9.

[0119] All injections are thus carried out through the glass carrier 6, 6' via the injection holes 80, 80', 90. By analyzing the finished glazing 1, it is possible to see that the fast-curing plastic material 8 and the glue 9 were injected through the glass carrier 6, 6' because there may be some injected material remaining in the holes 80, 80', 90.

[0120] Advantageously, there is no upper boundary (along the Z-axis) for the injected material. Controlling the injection and the injected quantity is sufficient to ensure that all primary and secondary injection spaces are filled with the injected material.

[0121] In theory, it could be imagined that at least one, or each, injection is carried out through the opening at the top of the U-shaped window holder; however, the injection is then more difficult to control because it is necessary to expel the air present in the injection spaces during the injection.

[0122] Due to the geometric deviations of the panes 2, 2' within the same series in the fixing zones F, F', the thickness of the adhesive 9 is not uniform from one pane to another within the same series and varies according to the actual geometry of each pane in the fixing zone. The fast-curing adhesive 8 allows the specific position of the pane holder and the pane to be fixed, which may differ for each pane within the same series, while the adhesive 9 achieves chemical adhesion between the pane holder and the pane.

[0123] The fast-curing adhesive material 8 allows in particular to fix the position along the Y axis with very high precision, taking into consideration that the shape of the glass itself along this Y axis varies from one glass to another for the same series of glazing.

[0124] Thus, the physical positioning of the glass holder to the glass pane 2, 2' by the plastic material 8 is achieved quickly and reliably: the chemical bonding with the adhesive 9 can be carried out without risk of the glass holder moving relative to the glass. This chemical bonding is reliable and precise; it is not necessary to supplement it with a mechanical attachment of the glass holder to the glass.

[0125] In the same series of glazing (intended for the same type of vehicle), the final position of the window holders depends on the actual configuration of each window and this final position is first fixed by the fast-hardening plastic material 8 and then by the glue 9.

[0126] Although not desired as it adds an extra step, it is possible to foresee that a glass carrier, and in particular its tail 65, may be modified later, so that its configuration is changed, as taught for example in International Patent Application No. WO200598187.

[0127] In an unillustrated variant, the edge 51 of the inner glass sheet 5 and the edge 41 of the adhesive sheet 4 are located below the edge 31 of said outer glass sheet 3 in order to form an inner recess having a width extending in a centripetal direction, and this inner recess is special because it is not completely peripheral; it does not extend along the entire periphery of the glass: in at least one hidden alignment area, there is no inner recess and the edge 51 of said inner glass sheet 5 and the edge 41 of said adhesive sheet 4 are both in the lateral extension of the edge 31 of the outer glass sheet 3;This hidden alignment zone is located in the hidden part of the HP glass in such a way that it remains permanently hidden inside the door frame, regardless of the position of the glazing relative to the door (glazing open, closed, or in an intermediate position between the two).

[0128] Thus, in this variant, the entire part of the glazing which is located below the VL vision limit may not have an internal recess: in this part below the VL vision limit, inside the door box when the glazing is closed, it is possible that the edge 31 of the outer glass sheet 3 on one (or more) part(s) of its length, or even on its entire length, is in continuity with the edge 51 of the inner glass sheet 5, or it is possible that the edge 31 of the outer glass sheet 3 on one (or more) part(s) of its length, or even on its entire length, extends further, in a centrifugal direction, than the edge 51 of the inner glass sheet 5.

[0129] It is possible, for example, that the edge 51 of the inner glass sheet 5 is in continuity with the edge 31 of the outer glass sheet 3 only where there are means to allow the mobility of the glass 2 in translation relative to a door of the vehicle.

[0130] Above the vehicle's line of sight, the vehicle door may have at least one frameless section. Therefore, it is possible that the door: does not have a front side pillar and that it is the adjacent body part, otherwise called the "A-pillar", which guides the glazing, and / or does not have a rear side pillar and that it is the adjacent body part, otherwise called the "B-pillar", which guides the glazing.

[0131] 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 method for manufacturing a vehicle glazed unit (1), including a glass pane (2, 2') having an external face (20), an internal face (22) and a peripheral edge (21), as well as attachment means for allowing the mobility of said glass pane (2, 2') in vertical translation with respect to a door of said vehicle, said attachment means being located in at least one, and preferably two, attachment zone(s) (F, F') and including a window holder (6, 6') having a U-shaped part, said process using a quick-hardening plastic material (8), characterized in that said attachment means are attached to said glass pane (2, 2') by implementing at least the following steps: - said glass pane (2, 2') is positioned on a reference housing (10), then, - two pairs (7, 7') of foam strips (71, 72, 73, 74) are applied and attached, each to a longitudinal rim of said attachment zone (F, F'), and preferably of each attachment zone (F, F'), then - said window holder (6, 6') having a U-shaped part is positioned in said attachment zone (F, F') such that said U-shaped part clasps a rim of said glass pane and said two pairs (7, 7') of foam strips, then - said quick-hardening plastic material (8) is injected into said U-shaped part, between the two foam strips of each pair (7, 7') of foam strips of said attachment zone (F, F'), and preferably between the two foam strips of each pair of foam strips of each attachment zone (F, F'), and - an adhesive (9) is injected into said U-shaped part, between said two pairs (7, 7') of foam strips of said attachment zone (F, F'), and preferably between said two pairs (7, 7') of foam strips of each attachment zone (F, F').

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein said quick-hardening plastic material (8) and said adhesive (9) are injected substantially at the same time.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said quick-hardening plastic material (8) is a thermoplastic or thermosetting material and preferably has a hardness of at least 60 Shore A in the hardened state.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein at least one injection, and preferably each injection, is carried out facing the edge (21) of said glass pane (2, 2').

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein said injections are carried out in said reference housing (10).

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein each pair (7, 7') of foam strips (71, 72, 73, 74) is applied and attached to two longitudinal rims of said attachment zone (F, F') by providing a primary injection space (Pis) between the two strips of a pair of foam strips, said primary injection space (Pis) having a length (Pil) between 3.0 mm and 25.0 mm, or a volume (Piv) comprised between 1 and 25 cm3.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein said pair of foam strips (7, 7') is applied and attached to two longitudinal rims of said attachment zone (F, F') by providing a secondary injection space (Sis) between the two pairs of foam strips of said attachment zone (F, F'), said secondary injection space (Sis) having a length (Sil) between 20.0 mm and 70.0 mm, or a volume (Siv) comprised between 5 and 75 mm3.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein said quick-hardening plastic material (8) is in contact with the external face (20), the internal face (22) and the edge (21) of said glass pane (2, 2').

9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein said adhesive (9) is in contact with the external face (20), the internal face (22) and the edge (21) of said glass pane (2, 2').

10. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein said glass pane (2) is partially laminated, with in a laminated part at least one exterior glass sheet (3), an interior glass sheet (5), as well as an adhesive material sheet (4) located between said exterior glass sheet (3) and said interior glass sheet (5), said attachment zone (F, F'), and preferably each attachment zone (F, F'), not being laminated.

11. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein at least one, and preferably each, injection is carried out through said window holder (6, 6') by an injection hole (80, 80', 90).

12. A vehicle glazed unit (1), in particular obtained by implementing the manufacturing method according to any one of claims 1 to 11, said glazed unit (1) including a glass pane (2, 2') having an external face (20), an internal face (22) and a peripheral edge (21), as well as attachment means for allowing the mobility of said glass pane (2) in vertical translation with respect to a door of said vehicle, said attachment means being located in at least one, and preferably two, attachment zone(s) (F, F') and including a window holder (6, 6') having a U-shaped part, and a quick-hardening plastic material (8), characterized in that: - two pairs (7, 7') of foam strips (71, 72, 73, 74) are attached, each to a longitudinal rim of said attachment zone (F, F'), and preferably of each attachment zone (F, F'), - said window holder (6, 6') having a U-shaped part is situated in said attachment zone (F, F') such that said U-shaped part clasps a rim of said glass pane and said two pairs (7, 7') of foam strips (71, 72, 73, 74), - said quick-hardening plastic material (8) is injected through said window holder (6, 6'), into said U-shaped part, between the two foam strips of each pair of foam strips of said attachment zone (F, F'), and preferably between the two foam strips of each pair of foam strips of each attachment zone (F, F'), and - an adhesive (9) is injected through said window holder (6, 6'), into said U-shaped part, between the two pairs of foam strips of said attachment zone (F, F'), and preferably between the pairs of foam strips of each attachment zone (F, F').

13. The vehicle glazed unit (1) according to claim 12, wherein at least one, and preferably each, window holder (6, 6') includes at least one, preferably two, and more preferably three, injection holes(s) (80, 80', 90).

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