Clamped glazing unit and glazing assembly comprising same

Abstract

The invention relates to a clamped glazing unit (100) comprising a glazing unit (102) configured to be held peripherally between an outer flange (104) and an inner flange (103), the glazing unit (102) comprising an outer layer (121), an inner structural layer (123) and at least one intermediate structural layer (122), wherein an interlayer connects two consecutive layers of the glazing unit and a peripheral seal (106) is configured to be sandwiched between the outer flange (104) and the inner flange (103), the peripheral seal (106) being overmoulded onto the inner structural layer (123), the clamped glazing unit (100) being characterised in that at least one layer of the at least one intermediate structural layer (122) is secured to the peripheral seal (106) by a clamping device (110) that has an anchoring portion (112a) rigidly attached to the peripheral seal (106) and a clamping portion (112b) clamping the at least one layer of the at least one intermediate structural layer (122) beyond its edge.

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] Title of the invention: CLAMPED GLAZING AND ASSEMBLY

[0003] GLAZING INCLUDING IT

[0004] The invention relates to lightweight clamped glazing intended for use in the aeronautical field.

[0005] The glazing used in the aeronautics field is working glazing and clamped glazing.

[0006] The clamped glazings, which are the subject of the invention, comprise folds, also called sheets in a laminated glazing, separated by interlayers: an internal structural fold, an external fold and at least one intermediate structural fold.

[0007] In order to ensure the "fail safe" function guaranteeing that the glazing is held in place in the event of breakage of one of the structural plies, the internal structural ply and at least one intermediate structural ply, generally the intermediate structural ply adjacent to the internal structural ply in the stack of plies forming the clamped glazing, are retained by a seal overmolded on the glazing, the overmolded seal being pinched between a structure and the aircraft frame, which forms an overlay on the external side of the clamped glazing.

[0008] At the same time, for aerodynamic reasons, the external ply must be flush with the aircraft frame. It must therefore be flush with the edge of the aircraft frame, in the plane or substantially in the plane thereof, and, since it is not located between the structure and the aircraft frame which pinch the overmolded seal, it cannot be retained by the overmolded seal. The space between the external ply on the one hand, and the other structural plies of the glazing located below the plane of the aircraft frame relative to the external ply on the other hand, must therefore be compensated by a greater thickness of interlayer.

[0009] The disadvantage of this embodiment according to the state of the art is that it imposes a significant thickness of interlayer under the external ply which does not provide any additional function, but which constitutes an additional mass, reducing the overall performance of the aircraft, such as range or fuel consumption.

[0010] The evolution of glazing sizes leads in parallel to an increase in the thickness of the structural elements and thus to an increase in the thickness of the glazing, contributing to an even greater mass of the whole, some glazing being able to include an interlayer thickness of more than 11 mm.

[0011] The invention proposes to overcome these disadvantages of the state of the art and to ensure the pinching of the intermediate structural ply performing the fail safe function by means of a pinching device, a part of which is secured to the overmolded seal. The intermediate structural ply pinched by the pinching device no longer has to be pinched by the overmolded seal, and can therefore be shifted in the stack of plies of the glazing closer to the external ply, thus reducing the thickness of the interlayer under the external ply. This pinching device makes it possible to guarantee the continuity between the pinched intermediate structural ply and the seal in the event of breakage of a structural ply, thus ensuring the “fail safe” function.

[0012] In this application, the term "ply" is understood to mean a sheet of laminated glazing. The term "structural ply" is used for a ply that provides mechanical strength to the glazing.

[0013] The terms "interior", "internal", respectively "exterior", "external" are to be understood in the present application as referring to the interior, respectively the exterior, of the aircraft in which the clamped glazing of the invention is intended to be installed.

[0014] The subject of the invention is a clamped glazing comprising a glazing configured to be held peripherally between an outer flange and an inner flange, the glazing comprising an outer ply, an inner structural ply and at least one intermediate structural ply, an interlayer connecting two successive plies of the glazing, a peripheral seal being configured to be sandwiched between the outer flange and the inner flange, the peripheral seal being overmolded onto the inner structural ply, characterized in that at least one ply of the at least intermediate structural ply is made integral with the peripheral seal by a pinching device having an anchoring portion secured to the peripheral seal and a pinching portion pinching the at least one ply of the at least intermediate structural ply beyond its edge.

[0015] Thus, the pinched structural ply(ies) can be offset from the space between the outer flange and the inner flange, to come substantially at the level of the outer flange, making it possible to reduce the thickness of the interlayer between the outer ply and the pinched intermediate structural ply(ies).

[0016] According to one embodiment, the glazing comprises a single intermediate structural ply.

[0017] This single intermediate structural ply is therefore pinched by the pinching device, which allows it to be brought closer to the external ply. According to one embodiment, the glazing comprises two intermediate structural plies, at least one of which is pinched by the pinching device.

[0018] According to one embodiment, the pinching device is continuous around the periphery of the glazing to pinch the at least one intermediate structural ply over its entire periphery, and thus ensure optimal retention of the glazing in the event of breakage of one of the folds of the glazing.

[0019] According to one embodiment, the pinching device is mounted in pieces on the periphery of the glazing to pinch the at least one intermediate structural ply over all or part of its periphery.

[0020] According to one embodiment, a first intermediate structural ply is pinched by a first pinching device and a second intermediate structural ply is pinched by a second pinching device, each pinching device being one of a continuous pinching device on the periphery of the glazing, for pinching the corresponding intermediate structural ply over its entire periphery, and a pinching device mounted in pieces on the periphery of the glazing, for pinching the corresponding intermediate structural ply over all or part of its periphery.

[0021] According to one embodiment, the pinching device comprises two branches made from one of a composite material and a metallic material, which can be secured to the at least one intermediate structural ply by gluing.

[0022] According to one embodiment, at the anchoring portion of the pinching device, the two branches are secured to the peripheral joint with an insert introduced between the two branches, the insert being made of one of a composite material, an organic material, a thermoplastic material and a metallic material. According to another aspect of the invention, at the anchoring portion of the pinching device, the two branches are secured to the peripheral joint by bonding together using one of an interlayer and a structural adhesive.

[0023] According to one embodiment, the clamped glazing further comprises a seal configured to extend from the outer flange onto the outer ply to form a daylight on the outer ply. The daylight is understood here as delimiting the visible portion of the outer ply.

[0024] According to one embodiment, a sealing device is arranged on the external fold, the sealing device having a branch inserted between the peripheral part of the glazing and the peripheral seal to be inserted on the pinching device.

[0025] According to one embodiment, the outer fold comprises a heating device.

[0026] Another object of the invention relates to a glazing assembly comprising an outer flange and an inner flange peripherally sandwiching a clamped glazing as previously defined.

[0027] To better illustrate the object of the present invention, particular embodiments will now be described, for informational and non-limiting purposes, in conjunction with the appended drawings.

[0028] On the drawings

[0029] [Fig. 1] is a schematic sectional view of a clamped glazing according to the state of the art.

[0030] [Fig. 2] is a schematic sectional view of a glazing according to a first embodiment.

[0031] [Fig. 3] is a schematic sectional view of a glazing unit according to a second embodiment. [Fig. 4] is a schematic sectional view of a glazing unit according to a third embodiment.

[0032] [Fig. 5] is a schematic sectional view of a glazing according to a fourth embodiment.

[0033] [Fig. 6] is a schematic sectional view of a glazing according to a fifth embodiment.

[0034] [Fig. 7] is a schematic view representing the grip of the pinching device on the pinched intermediate structural ply according to a first variant of the invention.

[0035] [Fig. 8] is a schematic view representing the grip of the pinching device on the pinched intermediate structural ply according to a first variant of the invention.

[0036] Figure 1 represents the state of the art for a clamped glazing 1, which comprises a glazing 2 sandwiched between an inner flange 3 and an outer flange 4. The glazing 2 comprises an outer ply 21, an intermediate structural ply 22 and an inner structural ply 23, with an interlayer 24 between the outer ply 21 and the intermediate structural ply 22 and an interlayer 25 between the intermediate structural ply 22 and the inner structural ply 23. Conventionally for a laminated glazing, the interlayers 24, 25 are made of plastic material, such as poly(vinyl butyral) (PVB) or polyurethane (PU) or equivalent, and secure the different plies of the glazing 2 together.

[0037] As an illustration and not a limitation for the embodiment shown, the inner flange 3 has a cross-sectional shape having a vertical portion 31, with two right-angled returns 32, 33 at each end, the two right-angled returns 32, 33 extending in opposite directions to give the inner flange 3 a shape substantially in the form of a straight Z. The outer flange 4 is in the form of a plate in cross-section, having the role of an applique attached to the inner flange 3, with a portion of the outer flange 4 resting on the right-angled return 33, the other portion of the outer flange 4 extending projecting opposite the right-angled return 32 to form a receiving space 5 between the inner flange 3 and the outer flange 4. In practice, the outer flange 4 is attached to the inner flange 3, the inner flange 3 being integral with the structure of the aircraft.

[0038] It is understood that the invention is not limited in this respect and that the inner flange 3 and the outer flange 4 can have any shape, provided that a receiving space 5 is formed between them.

[0039] A peripheral seal 6 is received in the receiving space 5, with a portion 61 of the seal overmolded onto the internal structural ply 23, the spacer 25 and the intermediate structural ply 22, and a portion 62 of the seal extending between the outer flange 4 on the one hand and the outer ply 21 and the spacer 24 on the other hand.

[0040] As can be seen in Figure 1, the spacer 24 has a greater thickness to compensate for the height between the intermediate structural ply 22, overmolded in the part 61 of the seal 6 under the outer flange 4, and the outer ply which is flush with the outer surface of the outer flange 4.

[0041] A seal 7 (also called a drop) is applied between the outer flange 4 and the outer surface of the outer ply 21, to ensure continuity from an aerodynamic point of view between these two surfaces, and thus limit the effects of drag and noise caused by aerodynamic discontinuities. The free edge of the seal 7 delimits the daylight of the outer ply 21. The seal 7 is part of the glazing, wears and is regularly repaired during the life of the glazing. Finally, an insert 8 can be formed in the part 61 of the seal 6, to give rigidity to the assembly overmolded in the part 61 of the seal 6.

[0042] Figure 2 represents a first embodiment of the invention.

[0043] In this embodiment, elements similar to the elements described in connection with Figure 1 above for the state of the art will bear the same reference number increased by 100 when they are of the same structure, and will not be described in more detail.

[0044] The clamped glazing 100 comprises a glazing 102 sandwiched between an inner flange 103 and an outer flange 104. The glazing 102 comprises an outer ply 121, an intermediate structural ply 122 and an inner structural ply 123, with an interlayer 124 between the outer ply 121 and the intermediate structural ply 122 and an interlayer 125 between the intermediate structural ply 122 and the inner structural ply 123. Conventionally for laminated glazing, the interlayers 124, 125 are made of plastic material, such as poly(vinyl butyral) (PVB) or polyurethane (PU) or equivalent, and secure the different plies of the glazing 102 together.

[0045] The internal structural ply 123 and the spacer 125 are overmolded in the portion 161 of the seal 106.

[0046] On the other hand, the intermediate structural ply 122 is no longer overmolded in the part 161 of the seal 106, but is secured to the part 161 of the seal 106 by a pinching device 110, consisting of two branches 111 and 112, which peripherally pinch the intermediate structural ply 122.

[0047] The upper branch (in Figure 2) 111 comprises a part 111a overmolded in the part 161 of the seal 106, a step-out part 111c and a part 111b extending on the edge of the glazing 122 opposite the external fold 121. The lower branch 112 comprises a part 112a overmolded in the part 161 of the seal 106 and a part 112b extending on the edge of the glazing 122 opposite the internal structural fold 123.

[0048] An insert 109 is provided between the parts 111a and 112a of the branches 111 and 112 to stiffen the pinching device 110. The insert 109 and the branches 111, 112 of the pinching device 110 are glued before overmolding the seal 106.

[0049] The other elements are otherwise identical to those described for Figure 1 and will not be described in further detail here.

[0050] The pinching device 110, by allowing the intermediate structural ply 122 to be removed from the part 161 of the seal 106, allows the intermediate structural ply 122 to be raised towards the external ply 121, in order to thus reduce the thickness of the spacer 124, which makes it possible to obtain a significant weight saving, while retaining the characteristics of the clamped glazing, namely the external ply 121 flush with the external flange 104, with height compensation between the two by the seal 107, and “fail safe” characteristic, due to the fact that the two structural glazings 122 and 123 are secured to the seal 106, the internal structural ply 123 by overmolding the seal 106 around it as in the prior art, the intermediate structural ply 122 by the pinching device 110.

[0051] Figure 3 represents a clamped glazing 200 according to a second embodiment.

[0052] Elements of the same structure as the first embodiment will bear the same reference number increased by 100, and will not be described in further detail here.

[0053] The difference between the second embodiment and the first embodiment lies in the fact that the parts 211a and 212a of the branches 211 and 212 of the pinching device 210 are secured in a layer of interlayer 213 and a structural glue 214, the assembly being overmolded in the part 261 of the joint 206.

[0054] Figure 4 represents a clamped glazing 300 according to a third embodiment.

[0055] Elements of the same structure as the second embodiment will bear the same reference number increased by 100, and will not be described in further detail here.

[0056] The difference between the third embodiment and the second embodiment lies in the difference in the number of intermediate structural folds in the glazing.

[0057] Indeed, in this third embodiment, there are two intermediate structural folds 322a and 322b, separated by an interlayer 326.

[0058] The branch 311 extends on the edge of the intermediate structural ply 322a opposite the external ply 321, while the branch 312 extends on the edge of the intermediate structural ply 322b opposite the internal structural ply 323. The pinching device 310 of this embodiment is, as for the previous embodiment, secured in the spacer 313 with a structural glue 314 around which the part 361 of the joint 306 is overmolded.

[0059] This embodiment shows that the pinching device 310 can pinch several intermediate structural plies (two in this embodiment), the invention not being limited by the number of intermediate structural plies that the pinching device 310 can pinch.

[0060] Figure 5 represents a clamped glazing 400 according to a fourth embodiment.

[0061] Elements of the same structure as the third embodiment will bear the same reference number increased by 100, and will not be described in more detail here. The difference between the fourth embodiment and the third embodiment lies in the fact that the pinching device 410 only pinches the intermediate structural ply 422b, the intermediate structural ply 422a not being secured to the joint 406.

[0062] A sealing device 415 is formed, with a horizontal branch 415a extending on the external edge of the external fold 421, a vertical branch 415b extending between the glazing 402 and the part 462 of the seal 406, and a second horizontal branch 415c extending on the anchored part of the clamping device 410, this sealing device 415 making it possible to guarantee better sealing of the clamped glazing 400. Although not shown for the other embodiments, this sealing device can be applied to the other embodiments which are not limited in this regard.

[0063] In this embodiment, the “fail safe” function is provided by the intermediate structural ply 422b.

[0064] Figure 6 represents a clamped glazing 500 according to a fifth embodiment.

[0065] Elements of the same structure as the fourth embodiment will bear the same reference number increased by 100, and will not be described in further detail here.

[0066] In this embodiment, two pinching devices, respectively 510a and 510b, are secured to the portion 561 of the joint 506, the first pinching device 510a pinching the intermediate structural ply 522b, the second pinching device 510b pinching the intermediate structural ply 522a.

[0067] The two pinching devices 510a and 510b are, as for the previous embodiment, secured to the part 561 of the joint 506 by means of the spacer 513, between each branch of the pinching devices 510a and 510b, and by means of a structural glue 514, bonding the two devices 510a and 510b in the joint 506.

[0068] Figures 7 and 8 illustrate the footprint that the pinching device can take on the intermediate structural ply(ies) that it pinches.

[0069] Figure 7 shows the intermediate structural ply 122 of Figure 2, in which the pinching device 110 is mounted piecewise on the periphery of the intermediate structural ply 122.

[0070] Figure 8 shows the intermediate structural ply 122 of Figure 2, in which the pinching device 110 is mounted continuously on the periphery of the intermediate structural ply 122.

[0071] It is understood that the piecewise or continuous nature of the pinching device 110, illustrated in Figures 7 and 8 with the first embodiment, can be applied to all embodiments of the invention. Each fold of the glazings according to the embodiments of the invention can be organic or mineral, the invention not being limited in this respect.

[0072] Likewise, the invention is not limited by the structures and shapes of the outer and inner flanges described in connection with the embodiments shown.

[0073] Finally, the invention is not limited by the number of pinching devices securing one or more intermediate structural plies to the joint within the same clamped glazing, which may for example comprise a first pinching device pinching one or more intermediate structural plies, a second pinching device pinching one or more distinct intermediate structural plies, or even more pinching devices. Conventionally for aeronautical glazing, the glazing may comprise a heating device, formed on the external ply in the form of a heating layer or heating wires, electrically powered.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. Clamped glazing (100; 200; 300; 400; 500) comprising a glazing (102; 202; 302; 402; 502) configured to be held peripherally between an outer flange (104; 204; 304; 404; 504) and an inner flange (103; 203; 303; 403; 503), the glazing (102; 202; 302; 402; 502) comprising an outer ply (121; 221; 321; 421; 521), an inner structural ply (123; 223; 323; 423; 523) and at least one intermediate structural ply (122; 222; 322a, 322b; 422a, 422b; 522a, 522b), an interlayer connecting two successive plies of the glazing, a peripheral seal (106; 206; 306; 406; 506) being configured to be sandwiched between the outer flange (104; 204; 304; 404; 504) and the inner flange (103; 203; 303; 403; 503), the peripheral seal (106; 206; 306; 406; 506) being overmolded onto the internal structural ply (123; 223; 323; 423; 523), characterized in that at least one ply of the at least one intermediate structural ply (122; 222;322a, 322b; 422a, 422b; 522a, 522b) is secured to the peripheral seal (106; 206; 306; 406; 506) by a pinching device (110; 210; 310; 410; 510a, 510b) having an anchoring portion (112a; 212a; 312a; 412a) secured to the peripheral seal (106; 206; 306; 406; 506) and a pinching portion (112b; 212b; 312b; 412b) pinching the at least one ply of the at least one intermediate structural ply (122; 222; 322a, 322b; 422a, 422b; 522a, 522b) beyond its edge, and that the pinched structural ply(s) of the at least one intermediate structural ply (122; 222; 322a, 322b; 422a, 422b; 522a, 522b) are offset from the space between the outer flange (104; 204; 304; 404; 504) and the inner flange (103; 203; 303; 403; 503).; 2. Clamped glazing (100; 200) according to claim 1, characterized in that the glazing comprises a single intermediate structural ply (122; 222).

3. Clamped glazing (300; 400; 500) according to claim 1, characterized in that the glazing comprises two intermediate structural folds (322a, 322b; 422a, 422b; 522a, 522b) of which at least one is pinched by the pinching device (310; 410; 510a, 510b).

4. Clamped glazing (100; 200; 300; 400) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the pinching device (110; 210; 310; 410) is continuous over the periphery of the glazing to pinch the at least one intermediate structural ply (122; 222; 322a, 322b; 422a, 422b) over its entire periphery.

5. Clamped glazing (100; 200; 300; 400) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the pinching device (110; 210; 310; 410) is mounted in pieces on the periphery of the glazing to pinch the at least one intermediate structural ply (122; 222; 322a, 322b; 422a, 422b) over all or part of its periphery.

6. Clamped glazing (500) according to claim 3, characterized in that a first intermediate structural ply (522b) is pinched by a first pinching device (510a) and that a second intermediate structural ply (522a) is pinched by a second pinching device (510b), each pinching device (510a, 510b) being one of a continuous pinching device on the periphery of the glazing, for pinching the corresponding intermediate structural ply over its entire periphery, and a pinching device mounted in pieces on the periphery of the glazing, to pinch the corresponding intermediate structural ply on all or part of its periphery.

7. Clamped glazing (100; 200; 300; 400) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the clamping device (110; 210; 310; 410) comprises two branches (111, 112; 211, 212; 311, 312; 411, 412) made of one of a composite material and a metallic material.

8. Clamped glazing (100; 200; 300; 400) according to claim 7, characterized in that the branches (111, 112; 211, 212; 311, 312; 411, 412) are secured to the at least one intermediate structural ply (122; 222; 322a, 322b; 422a, 422b) by gluing.

9. Clamped glazing (100) according to one of claims 7 or 8, characterized in that at the anchoring part (111a, 112a) of the pinching device (110), the two branches (111, 112) are secured to the peripheral seal (106) with an insert (109) introduced between the two branches (111, 112), the insert (109) being made of one of a composite material, an organic material, a thermoplastic material and a metallic material.

10. Clamped glazing (200; 300; 400) according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that at the anchoring part of the pinching device (210; 310; 410), the two branches are secured to the peripheral seal (206; 306; 406) by bonding together using one of an interlayer and a structural adhesive.

11. Clamped glazing (100; 200; 300; 400) according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that it further comprises a seal (107; 207; 307; 407) configured to extend from the outer flange (104; 204; 304; 404) onto the outer ply (121; 221; 321; 421) to form a daylight on the outer ply (121; 221; 321; 421).

12. Clamped glazing (400) according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that a sealing device is arranged on the external fold, the sealing device (415) having a branch which is inserted between the peripheral part of the glazing and the peripheral seal (462) to be inserted on the pinching device (410).

13. Clamped glazing according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the external fold (121; 221; 321; 421) comprises a heating device.

14. Glazing assembly comprising an outer flange (104; 204; 304; 404) and an inner flange (103; 203; 303; 403) peripherally sandwiching a clamped glazing (100; 200; 300; 400) according to one of claims 1 to

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