GLAZING COMPRISING AN INTERIOR LIGHTING SYSTEM, INTERIOR LIGHTING SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING SUCH GLAZING

Abstract

The invention relates to a vehicle glazing comprising a glazed element (2), comprising a lighting system, with two longitudinal ends of light modules (7, 7') which are attached to a profiled seal (6) by at least one reversible attachment system (100), each of said two longitudinal ends (71, 71') being mechanically linked to an intermediate zone (75, 75') which is located directly between a profiled zone (65, 65') of said profiled seal (6) and a support zone (85, 85') of an orientation support (8), said support zone (85, 85') being supported on said intermediate zone (75, 75'). The invention also relates to a lighting system for such glazing, and a method for manufacturing such glazing. Abstract figure: [Fig. 5]

Description

Title of the invention: GLAZING COMPRISING AN INTERIOR LIGHTING SYSTEM, INTERIOR LIGHTING SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING SUCH GLAZING

[0001] The invention relates to the field of vehicle glazing, in particular for motor vehicles, and relates in particular to glazing for a vehicle roof. The invention relates more specifically to glazing comprising a curved, i.e. non-flat, glazed element and an interior lighting system.

[0002] The present invention relates to glazing, in particular for a motor vehicle roof, with a curved glazed element that can be illuminated in its mass. Such mass lighting is generally redirected towards the interior space of the vehicle.

[0003] The invention relates to a glazing comprising a curved glazed element, creating a separation between an exterior space and an interior space and having an exterior face oriented towards said exterior space, an interior face oriented towards said interior space and an edge located between these two faces, said glazing comprising a lighting system comprising several point light sources, of the LED type, and extending along at least one edge of said window, and, in a particular non-limiting embodiment, along two opposite edges of said window, being located further inside the vehicle than said interior face of the glazed element.

[0004] In such glazing, a prismatic system is often interposed between the point light sources and the glazed element or a part of the glazed element (recess over a part of the thickness of the glazed element). In such glazing, it is important that the positioning in the interior-exterior direction of the point light sources follows with an acceptable tolerance (for example plus or minus 2.0 mm, or even less) the shape (the curvature) of the glazed element, without being in direct contact with this glazed element, in order to achieve uniform lighting through the glazed element.

[0005] However, when the glazed element is curved, this curvature is not uniform in the sense that it is made up of a plurality of radii of curvature, at different locations on the glazed element, and in particular along the edge(s) which accommodate(s) the lighting system(s). It is then difficult to control the distance between the point light sources and the glazed element because the point light sources would have to be arranged on a support which also precisely follows the curves of the curvature along this (or these) edge(s).

[0006] Furthermore, the bending has a fairly large manufacturing tolerance and the rea The use of a curved point light source support also presents a manufacturing tolerance; the combination of these two tolerances complicates the control of the distance between the point light sources and the glazed element to remain within the required tolerance.

[0007] The present invention is based on the discovery that, surprisingly, it is possible to produce a glazing unit with a curved glazed element and point light sources which are not all located at exactly the same distance from the glazed element (for example by applying a tolerance of one tenth of a millimeter) but which are all located at an acceptable distance from the glazed element (for example by applying a tolerance of plus or minus 2.0 mm), by using several supports, or light modules, and by providing at least one intermediate orientation support which makes it possible both to attach light modules to the glazed element and at the same time to modify the orientation of the ends of two adjacent light modules relative to the glazed element at the time of this attachment.

[0008] Thus, it is no longer necessary to provide a particular curvature of the light modules; it is possible to use rectilinear light modules (i.e. not curved along their length); the orientation support will make it possible to apply, at the time of attachment of a light module to the support, a particular orientation to the light module along its length which will be different from the orientation along its length of the adjacent light module attached to the same orientation support, in order to allow it to follow the curvature of the glazed element.

[0009] This adaptation of the orientation of the light module relative to the glazed element is sufficient to allow the lighting system to be adapted to the curvature of the glazed element and to obtain that the point light sources of the module are all at the same distance from the inner face of the glazed element, with a satisfactory tolerance.

[0010] By providing that an attachment system, unique for two longitudinal ends, allows two longitudinal ends each belonging to a light module to be attached, these light modules being adjacent, then the attachment of these modules to the glazing can be compact; there is then little space between the two module ends and the lighting can appear uniform along the length of the light modules, notwithstanding the presence of the orientation support.

[0011] The invention thus relates, in its broadest sense, to vehicle glazing, said glazing comprising a curved glazed element, providing a separation between an exterior space and an interior space and having an exterior face, an interior face on the side of which said interior space is located, and an edge connecting said exterior face and said interior face, said glazing comprising at least one lighting system comprising several point light sources and / or several light-emitting diodes (LEDs) extending along at least one edge of said glazed element and located at a distance from said inner face of the glazed element on the side of the interior space, said glazing comprising a profiled seal which is fixed to said edge of the glazed element while being closer to said edge of the glazed element than said lighting system (when the glazing is seen in cross-section relative to a mean plane of the glazed element).

[0012] According to the invention, said at least one lighting system comprises, arranged end to end one after the other and substantially aligned following the curvature of at least one said edge, at least two light modules each carrying said point light sources and / or said light-emitting diodes LED, longitudinal, adjacent, each extending in its length in a longitudinal direction and each having longitudinal ends, two of which are arranged opposite each other, said two longitudinal ends being attached to said profiled joint by at least one reversible attachment system,each of said two longitudinal ends being mechanically linked to an intermediate zone (preferably made of the same material as the longitudinal end of the light module) which is located directly (preferably without any other interposed element) between a profiled zone of said profiled joint and a support zone of an orientation support which is located more towards the interior space than said intermediate zone, said support zone being supported on said intermediate zone.

[0013] For the purposes of the present invention, a fixing is a chemical bond between at least two elements and attachment is a purely mechanical bond between at least two elements; attachment, such as clipping or screwing, can be reversed by a detachment operation and this operation does not influence the integrity of the detached elements whereas fixing, such as gluing, cannot be reversed without modifying the integrity of the elements fixed together.

[0014] The fact that the light modules are each oriented along their length in a longitudinal direction means that they are each oriented along their length in a single longitudinal direction; each light module is thus, in a particular non-limiting embodiment, rectilinear; in absolute terms, the light modules can be slightly curved.

[0015] In a particular non-limiting embodiment, said orientation support makes it possible to orient said two longitudinal ends in order to facilitate adaptation to the curvature of the glazed element. An attachment system according to the invention is thus unique for two longitudinal ends of light modules.

[0016] Thus, to compensate for a curvature of the glazed element where necessary, said longitudinal directions of the two adjacent light modules are not parallel.

[0017] The fact that each light module has a longitudinal end in vis- opposite one longitudinal end of the other means that these two ends are generally opposite each other in space but may not be strictly opposite, in space, since the longitudinal directions of the two adjacent light modules may not be parallel.

[0018] More particularly, said attachment system is arranged to allow said longitudinal ends of said light modules to be oriented in space.

[0019] Each light module is thus easily adjustable to best follow the curvature of the glazing.

[0020] Preferably, a single attachment system is arranged to orient in space two longitudinal ends each belonging to a light module.

[0021] Said orientation support could be attached to the profiled seal fixed to a said edge of said glazed element using a fixing element projecting from said profiled seal towards the interior space.

[0022] Preferably, said orientation support is reversibly attached to said profiled seal (preferably without interposition of a part of one of the light modules) by an axial fixing element having an axis oriented substantially perpendicular to said inner face of the glazed element, said axial fixing element preferably being a screw or a bolt or a clip, penetrating (directly or indirectly) into said profiled seal. This particular orientation facilitates access, if necessary, to the axial fixing element.

[0023] Three embodiments are proposed.

[0024] In a first embodiment, a said intermediate zone of a light module, and preferably each intermediate zone of a light module, comprises a shouldered needle having two ends, each cylindrical or conical, one extending towards the exterior space in a hollow profiled centering stud provided in said profiled joint and the other extending towards the interior space in a hollow support stud provided in said orientation support.

[0025] In a second embodiment, a said intermediate zone of a light module, and preferably each intermediate zone of a light module, is a ring, said orientation support comprising a support needle extending towards the outer space inside said ring and inside a hollow profiled centering stud formed in said profiled joint.

[0026] In a third embodiment, a said intermediate zone of a light module, and preferably each intermediate zone of a light module, is a ring, said profiled joint comprising a projecting profiled stud extending towards the interior space inside said ring and inside a hollow support stud provided in said orientation support.

[0027] This avoids direct contact between the orientation support and the glazed element. orientation support is fixed to the profiled seal which is fixed or is glued to said glazed element.

[0028] Said hollow profiled centering pad preferably comprises, inside the hollow, a reinforcing insert, which preferably extends inside said profiled seal.

[0029] More particularly, said at least one lighting system extends along at least two opposite edges of said glazed element.

[0030] This allows for good distribution of lighting throughout the vehicle.

[0031] More particularly, at least one said orientation support is arranged to carry a first end of a first light module and a second end of a second light module, and to allow the adjustment of orientation in space, in an adjustment position, of said second light module relative to said first light module, and to maintain said first light module and said second light module fixed in said adjustment position.

[0032] The relative adjustment of two adjacent light modules is thus facilitated.

[0033] Thus, said attachment system makes it possible to facilitate assembly, just like the disassembly.

[0034] It is thus possible to successively carry out the adjustment of the positioning of the light module in the correct orientation, and its final tightening in position.

[0035] This arrangement makes it possible, independently of the light sources, to fix other components, such as a covering and in particular a roof covering ("sky holder" in English), a concealment system, an electric cable, or other.

[0036] In a particular non-limiting embodiment, said glazing comprises one, and, in a particular non-limiting embodiment, only one, orientation support at each connection between two adjacent light modules. The orientation supports are thus located at the location of a connection between two light modules, or even further at one or both longitudinal ends of a lighting system along an edge of the glazed element. In a particular non-limiting embodiment, to save material (and also to reduce weight), there is no orientation support material between two orientation supports of a lighting system.

[0037] In a particular non-limiting embodiment, said glazing comprises an integer number n of light modules which are located along an edge of said glazed element and an integer number n+1 of orientation supports which make it possible to attach and orient these light modules along this edge; thus, each light module of a lighting system is attached at its two longitudinal ends by a single orientation support.

[0038] In a particular non-limiting embodiment, said orientation support is made of plastic.

[0039] The invention further relates to a lighting system for glazing according to the invention.

[0040] According to the invention, this lighting system comprises at least two longitudinal light modules, each supporting several point light sources and / or several adjacent longitudinal light-emitting diodes (LEDs), each extending along its length in a longitudinal direction and each having longitudinal ends, two of which are arranged opposite each other, said lighting system comprising a reversible attachment system to allow said two longitudinal ends to be attached to a profiled seal of the glazing, each of said two longitudinal ends being mechanically linked to an intermediate zone which is intended to be located directly between a profiled zone of said profiled seal and a support zone of an orientation support, said support zone bearing on said intermediate zone.

[0041] Thus the lighting system is adaptable to any form of glazing.

[0042] In a particular non-limiting embodiment, in a lighting system according to the invention all the light modules are identical; all the light modules have the same length, the same width, the same number of point light sources and the same means allowing their attachment to the connecting element. Thus, during the manufacture of the glazing, it is not necessary to pay particular attention to the selection of a particular light module according to its future positioning in the glazing; all the light modules are identical and are interchangeable with each other.

[0043] The invention further relates to a method for manufacturing vehicle glazing according to the invention, comprising a curved glazed element, providing a separation between an exterior space and an interior space and having an exterior face, an interior face on the side of which the interior of said vehicle is located, and an edge connecting said exterior face and said interior face, said glazing comprising at least one lighting system comprising several point light sources and / or several light-emitting diodes (LEDs) extending along at least one edge of said glazed element and located at a distance from said interior face of the glazed element on the side of the interior of said vehicle.

[0044] According to the invention, in a first step a base of an orientation support is reversibly attached to said profiled joint by at least one reversible attachment system, each of said two longitudinal ends being mechanically linked to an intermediate zone which is located directly between a profiled zone of said profiled joint and a support zone of an orientation support which is located more towards the interior space than said intermediate zone, said support zone being supported on said intermediate zone, then in a second step at least two said light modules are positioned adjacent to one another according to their length and each with one longitudinal end opposite one longitudinal end of the other, then in a third step two longitudinal ends are attached to said orientation support, which is preferably single, then in a fourth step said two longitudinal ends are oriented in space and are blocked.

[0045] The installer can thus safely determine the optimal service position, then consolidate the fixing of the light elements to the glazing.

[0046] More particularly, prior to said first step, said glazed element is provided with a profiled seal comprising a profiled area of ​​said profiled seal which is positioned with a part projecting from one side of said profiled seal towards the interior of said vehicle.

[0047] This provides a stable support for receiving the orientation support for the light modules.

[0048] More particularly, in said fourth step, said light modules are placed in support on said inner face of said glazed element.

[0049] The invention makes it possible to more easily orient and more reliably attach the light modules to the glazed element. This orientation is both relative to the curvature of the glazed element (distance from the inner face of the glazed element) and in the centrifugal-centripetal direction in the curvature plane (distance from the edge of the glazed element). This orientation of the modules allows the orientation of the point light sources so that the lighting is, preferably, in the direction of the glazed element, and more precisely, preferably, in the direction of the inner face of the glazed element.

[0050] Advantageously, this attachment is particularly compact both in the interior-exterior direction so as not to create too much space in the interior space and both in the centrifugal-centripetal direction relative to the center of the glazed element, so as not to limit the clear view.

[0051] Advantageously, fixing the ends of adjacent light modules with a single orientation support between two ends of light modules makes it possible to achieve a compact fixing and the lighting produced by these light modules appears uniform along the length of the light modules.

[0052] Advantageously, in the event of failure of a light module, it can be changed easily and quickly, without changing the other light modules of the lighting system, and without needing to change the glazing.

[0053] The method according to the invention has the advantage of being easier to implement than the methods for manufacturing glazing with lighting system(s) of the prior art.

[0054] Several embodiments of the present invention will be described below, by way of non-limiting examples, with reference to the appended figures in which: - [Fig.l] represents, schematically and in side view, a motor vehicle comprising glazing according to the invention; - [Fig.2] represents, in a schematic and perspective manner, the interior space of a glazing according to the invention seen from the interior space; - [Fig.3] represents, in a schematic and partial manner, a central longitudinal section of the glazing of [Fig.2]; - [Fig.4] represents a schematic view in partial section of an edge of a glazing to show a side view of a first embodiment of the invention; - [Fig.5] represents a schematic perspective view of the edge of the glazing of [Fig.4]; - [Fig.6] represents a schematic view in central longitudinal section of the attachment system for the glazing of [Fig.4]; - [Fig.7] represents, schematically and in central section, an intermediate zone comprising a shouldered needle which is interposed between a profiled zone and a support zone for the embodiment of [Fig.4]; - [Fig.8] represents, schematically and in central section, an alternative embodiment of the shouldered needle of [Fig.7]; - [Fig.9] represents, in a schematic manner, a detailed view, in perspective, of the shouldered needle of [Fig.8]; - [Fig. 10] represents, schematically and in central longitudinal section view, an attachment system according to a second embodiment; - [Fig. 11] represents, schematically and in central section, a support needle which extends into a ring of the longitudinal end of a module and into a hollow profiled centering stud formed in said profiled joint, for the embodiment of [Fig. 10]; - [Fig. 12] represents, schematically and in central longitudinal section view, an attachment system according to a third embodiment; - [Fig. 13] represents, schematically and in central section, a projecting profiled stud which extends into a ring of the longitudinal end of a module and into a hollow support stud arranged in said orientation support, for the embodiment of [Fig. 12]; and - [Fig. 14] represents, in a schematic manner, the succession of steps of a method of manufacturing vehicle glazing according to the invention.

[0055] The present invention is described by way of example in the context of an application as fixed glazing 1 of a vehicle 1000. In particular, this glazing closes a bay by creating a separation between an exterior space E, which is exterior to the vehicle, and an interior space I, which is interior to the vehicle. The notions of “exterior” and “interior” are therefore considered in relation, respectively, to the exterior space and the interior space.

[0056] The arrangements specific to the present invention are also applicable to other types of glazing, in particular and not limited to building glazing.

[0057] The present invention is described, by way of non-limiting example, by being applied to a glazing 1 of a vehicle roof 1000, as visible in [Fig.l].

[0058] With reference to [Fig.2], the glazing 1 is seen from the inside, oriented horizontally, that is to say turned over on itself relative to its position as vehicle roof glazing. In [Fig.2] to [Fig. 13] of this document, the glazing not yet being installed in a bodywork bay, this bay is therefore not visible.

[0059] The glazing 1 comprises at least one glazed element 2. This glazed element 2 may be monolithic, i.e. made up of a single sheet of material, or be composite, i.e. made up of several sheets of material between which is inserted at least one intermediate layer of adhesive material, in the case of laminated glazing. The sheet(s) of material may be mineral, in particular glass, having for example undergone annealing or tempering, or organic, in particular plastic material such as polyvinyl butyral. The intermediate layer contains, in a particular non-limiting embodiment, at least one thermoplastic plastic material, in a particular non-limiting embodiment, polyvinyl butyral (PVB), ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), and / or polyethylene terephthalate (PET).However, the thermoplastic intermediate layer may also contain, for example, polyurethane (PU), polypropylene (PP), polyacrylate, polyethylene (PE), polycarbonate (PC), polymethyl methacrylate, polyvinyl chloride, polyacetate resin, casting resins, acrylates, fluorinated ethylene propylene, polyvinyl fluoride and / or ethylene tetrafluoroethylene, or copolymers or mixtures thereof. The thermoplastic intermediate layer may be formed from one or more superimposed thermoplastic films, the thickness of a thermoplastic film not exceeding, in a particular non-limiting embodiment, 1.0 mm, in particular from 0.25 mm or 0.5 mm to 1.0 mm or 0.9 mm, typically around 0.4 mm or 0.7 mm.

[0060] The glazing may form a vehicle side window. The vehicle may be a land road vehicle, such as a car, a truck, a bus, a tram, a rail vehicle. It may also be a fixed glazing (not mobile in the vehicle's frame of reference).

[0061] Here, the glazing is, in a particular non-limiting embodiment, positioned horizontally or essentially horizontally in the frame of reference of the vehicle: the forward axis of the vehicle 1000 is generally called the “X axis” of the vehicle, the lateral axis is the Y axis and the vertical is the Z axis.

[0062] In the illustrated embodiment, the glazing 1 comprises a glazed element 2 which is curved (i.e. not flat) and laminated. In another variant, the glazed element 2 could be monolithic.

[0063] The glazed element 2 has an outer face 20 which is oriented towards the exterior E, an inner face 22 which is oriented towards the interior space I and an edge 21 located between these two faces.

[0064] In the non-limiting example illustrated, the glazed element 2 has a longitudinal edge 23, left, a lateral edge 24, rear, a longitudinal edge 25, right and a lateral edge 26, front.

[0065] The glazed element 2 advantageously has corners, in particular four corners comprising positioning and attachment systems 29, for positioning and attaching the glazing to the vehicle bay.

[0066] The glazing 1 comprises a profiled seal 6, which is here peripheral; it extends along edges, in particular four edges, of the glazed element 2. The profiled seal 6 extends over an edge of the inner face 22, in contact with this inner face 22. It can also extend along all or part of the edge 21, or even along all or part of an edge of the outer face 20.

[0067] The glazed element 2 is a laminated glazed element which comprises, as visible in the vertical sectional view of [Fig.3], an outer glass sheet 3, an inner glass sheet 5 and an interlayer sheet of plastic material 4 located between said two glass sheets 3 and 5.

[0068] In a variant, it is possible for at least one other sheet to be interposed between the outer glass sheet 3 and the interlayer sheet of plastic material 4 or between the interlayer sheet of plastic material 4 and the inner glass sheet 5.

[0069] The glazing 1 comprises, in addition to the glazed element 2, at least one lighting system 27, 27', and here, in a particular non-limiting embodiment, two lighting systems 27, 27', each comprising several point light sources of the light-emitting diode or LED type. In the non-limiting example of [Fig.2], the lighting system 27 extends along the left longitudinal edge 23 of the glazed element 2, and the lighting system 27' extends along the right longitudinal edge 25 of the glazed element 2.

[0070] Each lighting system 27, 27' is located further towards the interior space I than the interior face 22 of the glazed element 2 and therefore constitutes an interior lighting system. The electrical power supply of these modules is not detailed here.

[0071] A prismatic system, not illustrated, may be inserted between the point light sources and the glazed element; it may have a part which fits into a recess in the glazed element, in particular in a recess in the inner glass sheet 5, or even a recess in the interlayer sheet of plastic material 4. The light emitted by the point light sources of the lighting systems 27, 27' is oriented towards the inner face 22, to provide lighting in the mass of the element glazed 2 and a redirection of this lighting towards interior space I.

[0072] Thus, the invention relates to a glazing unit 1 of a vehicle 1000. This glazing unit 1 comprises at least one curved glazed element 2, providing a separation between an exterior space E and an interior space I, and having an exterior face 20, an interior face 22 on the side of which the interior space I is located, and an edge 21 connecting the exterior face 20 and the interior face 22. The glazing unit 1 comprises at least one lighting system 27, 27', comprising several point light sources and / or several light-emitting diodes LED extending along at least one edge 23, 24, 25, 26 of the glazed element 2, and located at a distance from the interior face 22 of the glazed element 2 on the side of the interior space I.

[0073] According to the invention, this at least one lighting system 27, 27', comprises, arranged end to end one after the other and substantially aligned following the curvature of at least one edge 23, 24, 25, 26, at least two light modules 7, 7', each carrying point light sources and / or light-emitting diodes LED, longitudinal, adjacent, each extending in its length in a longitudinal direction 70, 70', and each having longitudinal ends 71, 71', two of which are arranged opposite one another.

[0074] These two longitudinal ends 71, 71' are attached to the profiled seal 6, itself attached or fixed to the glazed element 2, by at least one attachment system 100 which is reversible, in the sense that this system allows the longitudinal ends 71, 71' to be attached, but also to be detached, without damaging the rest of the glazing.

[0075] These two longitudinal ends 71, 71' are each mechanically connected to an intermediate zone 75, 75' which is located directly (without any other interposed element) between, on the one hand, a profiled zone 65, 65' which has been provided in the profiled joint 6 and which is located more towards the external space E than the intermediate zone 75, 75' and, on the other hand, a support zone 85, 85' of an orientation support 8, this support zone 85, 85' being located more towards the internal space I than the intermediate zone 75, 75', the support zone 85, 85' being supported, respectively, on said intermediate zone 75, 75' (this support is therefore in the direction of the external space E.

[0076] Each light module 7, 7' is thus supported by at least one orientation support 8 having a base 80 further from the glazed element 2 than the two intermediate zones 75, 75'. This base 80 is arranged to be, directly or indirectly, fixed or attached to the glazed element 2. The orientation support 8 is arranged to attach the light modules 7, 7' to the glazed element 2 by means of the intermediate zones 75, 75' and the profiled zones 65, 65' of the profiled seal 6, and to allow the adjustment of the positioning of the two light modules 7, 7' relative to the glazed element 2.

[0077] The orientation support 8 constitutes a support for the two intermediate zones 75, 75' of the two longitudinal ends 71, 71'. More particularly, the orientation support 8 is arranged to orient in space each of the two longitudinal ends 71, 71', of two light modules 7, 7', independently of each other with respect to this orientation support 8. It preferably comprises a reinforcing edge 88.

[0078] More particularly, as seen in [Fig.6], [Fig. 10], [Fig. 12], the orientation support 8 is reversibly attached to the profiled seal 6 fixed to an edge 23, 24, 25, 26, of the glazed element 2 using an axial fixing element 101 having an axis D oriented substantially perpendicular to the inner face 22 of the glazed element 2. This axial fixing element 101 is, preferably, a screw or a bolt or a clip, penetrating (directly or indirectly) into the profiled seal 6.

[0079] More particularly, this at least one lighting system 27, 27' extends along at least two opposite edges of the glazed element 2.

[0080] More particularly, at least one said orientation support 8 is arranged to carry a first end 71 of a first light module 7 and a second end 71' of a second light module 7', and to allow the adjustment of orientation in space, in an adjustment position, of the second light module 7' relative to the first light module 7, and to keep the first light module 7 and the second light module 7' fixed in the adjustment position.

[0081] More particularly, the base 80 may comprise at least one element for carrying and holding by pinching at least one other component of the glazing 1 or of the vehicle 1000 or a roof lining.

[0082] The invention also relates to a lighting system 27, 27', for such glazing 1. This lighting system 27, 27', comprises at least two longitudinal light modules 7, 7', each supporting several point light sources and / or several light-emitting diodes LED, each having at least one longitudinal end 71, 71',

[0083] More particularly, for at least one lighting system, and, in a particular non-limiting embodiment, for each lighting system 27, 27', at least two light modules 7, 7', and here four light modules 7, 7', 7”, 7”', all longitudinal, are arranged adjacent, each oriented along their length in a longitudinal direction. There may be, for example, ten LEDs per light module.

[0084] More particularly, each light module is rectilinear, straight; it thus has the shape of a straight block elongated along its length; all the light modules of a lighting system are preferably identical, so as not to complicate the installation (so as not to have to reference the modules in relation to their positions respective). All point light sources are rectilinear inside a rectilinear light module.

[0085] As can be seen in more detail in [Fig. 3], two light modules 7, 7' are arranged adjacent and are each oriented along their length in a longitudinal direction 70, 70', following one another and each have a longitudinal end 71 opposite a longitudinal end 71' of the other. Although the longitudinal directions of the other light modules are not illustrated in this figure, these other light modules are also oriented along their length in a longitudinal direction following one another and each have a longitudinal end opposite a longitudinal end of the other.Thus, all the light modules of a lighting system, and, in a particular non-limiting embodiment, of each lighting system, are arranged one after the other along their length to form a modular series; only the two modules each located at one end of this modular series can have a free end which is not opposite a longitudinal end of another module.

[0086] Advantageously, the glazing 1 comprises at least one orientation support 8 at the connection between two adjacent light modules (here the light modules 7, 7', for simplicity). This orientation support 8 comprises a base 80 which is located next to the two longitudinal ends 71, 71', and more centrifugal than the two longitudinal ends 71, 71', that is to say closer to the edge 23 than the longitudinal ends 71, 71'.

[0087] [Fig. 3] shows that the adjacent light modules are not located at every point at the same distance from the glazed element 2: there are parts of each light module which are closer to the glazed element 2 and other parts of these light modules which are further away from the glazed element 2 (from the inner face 22 of the glazed element 2). Thus, the point light sources inside the light modules are not all located at exactly the same distance from the glazed element (for example by applying a tolerance of one tenth of a millimeter). However, the point light sources are all located at an acceptable distance from the glazed element, i.e. from the inner face 22 of the glazed element 2 (for example by applying a tolerance of plus or minus 2.0 mm).

[0088] The orientation support 8 attaches and orients in space the two longitudinal ends 71, 71', such that the longitudinal directions 70, 70', of these two adjacent light modules 7, 7', are not parallel.

[0089] Each light module 7, 7' is preferably attached and oriented at its two longitudinal ends by an orientation support 8, which ensures the overall rigidity of each lighting system 27, 27'.

[0090] The material constituting the profiled seal 6 may be a polymer material such as a thermoplastic (PVC, TPE, or similar), polyurethane or even synthetic rubber such as EPDM or any other suitable flexible plastic material.

[0091] Three embodiments of an attachment system 100 are presented below.

[0092] In a first embodiment, illustrated in [Fig.3] to [Fig.9], each intermediate zone 75, 75' of a light module 7, 7' comprises a shouldered needle 76, 76' having two ends, each cylindrical or conical, one extending towards the outer space E in a hollow profiled centering stud 62, 62' formed in each profiled zone 65, 65' of the profiled seal 6 and the other extending towards the inner space I in a hollow support stud 83, 83' formed in each support zone 85, 85' of the orientation support 8.

[0093] Each hollow profiled centering pad 62, 62' is opposite a hollow support pad 83, 83'; The hollow profiled centering pads 62, 62' thus open towards the interior space I; the hollow support pads 83, 83' thus open towards the exterior space E.

[0094] The shoulder needles 76, 76' each have a central axis.

[0095] The ends of each shoulder needle 76, 76' which extend towards the interior space I are cylindrical in shape, with a central axis and an external diameter. Each hollow profiled centering stud 62, 62' is circular in its hollow, with an internal diameter substantially identical to the external diameter of a cylindrical end of shoulder needle 76, 76' which is received inside.

[0096] The ends of each shoulder needle 76, 76' which extend towards the outer space E are conical in shape, with a central axis and an external diameter which decreases towards the outer space E. Each hollow support pad 83, 83' is circular in its hollow, with an internal diameter substantially identical to the largest external diameter of a conical end of shoulder needle 76, 76' which is received inside.

[0097] A central shouldered needle portion has an external diameter greater than the internal diameters of the hollow profiled centering studs 62, 62' and the hollow support studs 83, 83', in order to provide a shoulder. The shoulder is therefore located between a hollow profiled centering stud 62, 62' and a hollow support stud 83, 83'.

[0098] As visible in [Fig.7], it is possible to provide this shoulder with a rim 790.

[0099] As seen in [Fig.8], it is possible to provide one end of the needle with shoulder 76, 76' which extends towards the outer space E and / or a shouldered needle end 76, 76' which extends towards the inner space I, of a centering boss 79, 79'.

[0100] In a second embodiment, illustrated in [Fig. 10] and [Fig. 11], each intermediate zone 75, 75' of a light module 7, 7' is a ring 77, 77', the orientation support 8 comprising a support needle 87, 87' extending in each support zone 85, 85' of the orientation support 8 towards the external space E inside the ring 77, 77' and inside a hollow profiled centering stud 62, 62' provided in each profiled zone 65, 65' of the profiled joint 6.

[0101] Each hollow profiled centering pad 62, 62' comprises inside the hollow a reinforcing insert 63, 63', which preferably extends inside the profiled joint 6, i.e. inside each hollow profiled centering pad 62, 62', to reinforce them.

[0102] It is also possible to provide a central reinforcing insert 630, which preferably extends inside the profiled joint 6 opposite the axial fixing element 101, to reinforce this part of the profiled joint 6. This central reinforcing insert 630 is preferably made in one piece with the reinforcing inserts 63, 63', in order to facilitate manufacturing.

[0103] Each support needle 87, 87' is cylindrical in shape, with a central axis and an external diameter. Each ring 77, 77' is circular, with an internal diameter substantially identical to the external diameter of a support needle 87, 87' which is received inside the ring 77, 77'. Each hollow profiled centering stud 62, 62' is circular in its hollow, with an internal diameter substantially identical to the external diameter of a support needle 87, 87' which is received inside.

[0104] In a third embodiment, illustrated in [Fig. 12] and [Fig. 13], each intermediate zone 75, 75' of a light module 7, 7' is a ring 77, 77', the profiled joint 6 comprising a projecting profiled stud 67, 67' extending in each profiled zone 65, 65' in the direction of the interior space I inside the ring 77, 77' and inside a hollow support stud 83, 83' provided in each support zone 85, 85' of the orientation support 8.

[0105] Each hollow profiled centering pad 62, 62' accommodates, inside, a projecting profiled pad 67, 67'.

[0106] It is also possible to provide a central reinforcing insert 630, which preferably extends inside the profiled joint 6 opposite the axial fixing element 101, to reinforce this part of the profiled joint 6. This central reinforcing insert 630 is preferably made in one piece with the projecting profiled studs 67, 67', in order to facilitate manufacturing.

[0107] Each protruding profiled stud 67, 67' is cylindrical in shape, with a central axis and an external diameter. Each ring 77, 77' is circular, with an internal diameter substantially identical to the external diameter of a protruding profiled stud 67, 67' which is received inside the ring 77, 77'. Each hollow support stud 83, 83' is circular in its hollow, with an internal diameter substantially identical to the external diameter of a protruding profiled stud 67, 67' which is received inside.

[0108] Each protruding profiled stud 67, 67' may end, at its end which is in direction of the exterior space by a centering boss 670, 670'.

[0109]

[0110] The lighting modules 7, 7' are thus fixed by means of a shouldered needle 76, 76' or a ring 77, 77', which is mechanically linked to a longitudinal end 71, 71' by a tab 72, 72' and is pinched (or sandwiched) between the profiled zone 65, 65' of the joint 6 and the support zone 85, 85' of the base 80 of the orientation support 8.

[0111] The attachment of the base 80 to the profiled joint 6 is practical: this makes it possible to manage in a single step both the connection of the orientation support 8 to the profiled joint 6 and the connection of the two longitudinal ends to the profiled joint 6.

[0112] To fix the profiled seal 6 to the glazed element 2, it is possible to use a prefabricated profiled seal and to make this profiled seal adhere to the glazed element; this adhesion can be achieved using an adhesion strip formed by a layer of glue or an adhesive tape and in particular a double-sided adhesive tape.

[0113] However, it is preferable to use an encapsulation method: it comprises a step of molding the profiled seal 6 in a molding device, between two molding elements, a molding element receiving the inner face 22 and a molding element receiving the outer face 20, these two molding elements being closed on each other during the molding step while creating between them a molding cavity which is filled with the material constituting the profiled seal 6 during the molding step of this seal.

[0114] The profiled seal 6 is, in a particular non-limiting embodiment, arranged over the entire periphery of the glazed element 2. This profiled seal 6 could also, in a variant, be positioned only on one or more part(s) of the glazed element 2.

[0115] The glazed element 2 is manufactured before the profiled seal 6 is fixed to the glazed element 2 and before the orientation support 8 is attached to the profiled seal 6.

[0116] Thus, the lighting system 27, 27', can be attached (indirectly, by means of the orientation support(s) 8) to the glazing 1 independently of the manufacture of the glazed element 2, possibly provided with a profiled seal 6: it is therefore possible to provide, for the same series of glazings, glazings comprising one or more lighting system(s) and glazings without any lighting system; this is important to allow the presence of at least one lighting system to be optional for the vehicle.

[0117] Such a lighting system 27, 27' according to the invention advantageously comprises at least two longitudinal light modules 7, 7', and, in a particular non-limiting embodiment, the number of light modules necessary for a complete edge of the glazing (here four light modules) and each light module has at least one longitudinal end 71, 71', and, in a particular non-limiting embodiment, two longitudinal ends, each comprising means for attaching the two longitudinal ends 71, 71' to the orientation support 8 and for orienting in space the two longitudinal ends 71, 71', of two longitudinal ends 71, 71', adjacent relative to the orientation support 8.

[0118] The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing such a glazing 1 for a vehicle 1000, illustrated in [Fig. 14], this glazing 1 comprising a glazed element 2, possibly curved, providing a separation between an exterior space E and an interior space I and having an exterior face 20, an interior face 22 on the side of which the interior of the vehicle 1000 is located, and an edge 21 connecting the exterior face 20 and the interior face 22, the glazing 1 comprising at least one lighting system 27, 27', comprising several point light sources and / or several light-emitting diodes LED extending along at least one edge 23, 24, 25, 26, of the glazed element 2 and located at a distance from the interior face 22 of the glazed element 2 on the side of the interior space I.

[0119] In a prior step 200, the glazed element 2 is provided with a profiled seal 6.

[0120] According to the invention, in a first step 210 at least one support is provided orientation support 8 of which a base 80 is attached, reversibly, to the profiled joint 6 by the axial fixing element 101, then in a second step 220 at least two light modules 7, 7' are positioned adjacent to one another along their length and each with a longitudinal end 71 opposite a longitudinal end 71' of the other, then in a third step 230 two longitudinal ends 71, 71' are fixed to this at least one orientation support 8, then in a fourth step 240 the two longitudinal ends 71, 71' are oriented in space, preferably following the curve of the glazed element 2 and the two longitudinal ends 71, 71' are locked in the service position under the action of a clamping force.

[0121] More particularly, in the fourth step 240 the orientation support 8 presses on the intermediate zones 75, 75' and locks them in position and this places the light modules 7, 7' in support on the inner face 22 of the glazed element 2.

[0122] More particularly, in the preliminary step 200 the profiled joint 6 is provided with a profiled zone 65, 65'.

[0123] More particularly, in the second step 220, for each orientation support 8, two longitudinal light modules 7, 7' are each oriented along their length in a longitudinal direction 70, 70' and are positioned adjacent to one another along their length and each with a longitudinal end 71 facing a longitudinal end 71' of the other while being located less centrifugally than the base 80 of the orientation support 8.

[0124] In a variant not illustrated, the light modules are arranged under a layer black, such as a layer of enamel, which is arranged on or in the glazed element 2, so as not to be visible from the outside space.

[0125] In short, thanks to the invention, each light module can be arranged with the same relative position (angle and height) on the surface of the glazed element to guarantee diffusion of light regardless of its curve.

[0126] The invention does not require adhesive fixing of the light module to the glazed element, which makes it easy to replace it. The absence of gluing also makes it possible to avoid any risk of disruption of the light flux by a possible smear of glue.

Claims

Claims

1. Glazing (1) of a vehicle (1000), said glazing (1) comprising a curved glazed element (2), providing a separation between an exterior space (E) and an interior space (I) and having an exterior face (20), an interior face (22) on the side of which said interior space (I) is located, and an edge (21) connecting said exterior face (20) and said interior face (22), said glazing (1) comprising at least one lighting system (27, 27') comprising several point light sources and / or several light-emitting diodes LED extending along at least one edge (23, 24, 25, 26) of said glazed element (2) and located at a distance from said interior face (22) of the glazed element (2) on the side of the interior space (I), said glazing (1) comprising a profiled seal (6) which is fixed to said edge (23, 24, 25, 26) of the glazed element (2) being closer to said edge (21) of the glazed element (2) than said lighting system (27, 27'),characterized in that said at least one lighting system (27, 27') comprises, arranged end to end one after the other and substantially aligned following the curvature of at least one said edge (23, 24, 25, 26), at least two light modules (7, 7') each carrying said point light sources and / or said light-emitting diodes LED, longitudinal, adjacent, each extending in its length in a longitudinal direction (70, 70') and each having longitudinal ends (71, 71') two of which are arranged opposite each other, said two longitudinal ends (71, 71') being attached to said profiled joint (6) by at least one reversible attachment system (100), each of said two longitudinal ends (71, 71') being mechanically linked to an intermediate zone (75, 75') which is located directly between a profiled area (65, 65') of said profiled joint (6) and a support area (85,85') of an orientation support (8) which is located more towards the interior space (I) than said intermediate zone (75, 75'), said support zone (85, 85') being supported on said intermediate zone (75, 75').,

2. Glazing (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said orientation support (8) is reversibly attached to said profiled seal (6) by an axial fixing element (101) having an axis (D) oriented substantially perpendicular to said inner face (22) of the glazed element (2), said axial fixing element (101) preferably being a screw or a bolt or a clip, penetrating into said profiled seal (6).

3. Glazing (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a said intermediate zone (75, 75') of a light module (7, 7'), and preferably each intermediate zone (75, 75') of a light module (7, 7'), comprises a shouldered needle (76, 76') having two ends, each cylindrical or conical, one extending towards the outer space (E) in a hollow profiled centering stud (62, 62') formed in said profiled seal (6) and the other extending towards the inner space (I) in a hollow support stud (83, 83') formed in said orientation support (8).

4. Glazing (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a said intermediate zone (75, 75') of a light module (7, 7'), and preferably each intermediate zone (75, 75') of a light module (7, 7'), is a ring (77, 77'), said orientation support (8) comprising a support needle (87, 87') extending in the direction of the external space (E) inside said ring (77, 77') and inside a hollow profiled centering stud (62, 62') formed in said profiled seal (6).

5. Glazing (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a said intermediate zone (75, 75') of a light module (7, 7'), and preferably each intermediate zone (75, 75') of a light module (7, 7'), is a ring (77, 77'), said profiled seal (6) comprising a projecting profiled stud (67, 67') extending in the direction of the interior space (I) inside said ring (77, 77') and inside a hollow support stud (83, 83') formed in said orientation support (8).

6. Glazing (1) according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that said hollow profiled centering stud (62, 62') comprises inside the hollow a reinforcing insert (63, 63'), which preferably extends inside said profiled seal (6).

7. Glazing (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that said at least one lighting system (27, 27') extends along at least two opposite edges of said glazed element (2).

8. Lighting system (27, 27') for a glazing (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that it comprises at least two longitudinal light modules (7, 7'), each supporting several point light sources and / or several adjacent longitudinal light-emitting diodes (LED), each extending in its length in a longitudinal direction (70, 70') and each having

9. longitudinal ends (71, 71') two of which are arranged opposite each other, said lighting system (27, 27') comprising a reversible attachment system (100) to allow said two longitudinal ends (71, 71') to be attached to a profiled seal (6) of the glazing (1), each of said two longitudinal ends (71, 71') being mechanically linked to an intermediate zone (75, 75') which is intended to be located directly between a profiled zone (65, 65') of said profiled seal (6) and a support zone (85, 85') of an orientation support (8), said support zone (85, 85') bearing on said intermediate zone (75, 75'). A method of manufacturing a glazing unit (1) for a vehicle (1000) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, said glazing unit (1) comprising a curved glazed element (2) providing a separation between an exterior space (E) and an interior space (I) and having an exterior face (20), an interior face (22) on the side of which said interior space (I) is located, and an edge (21) connecting said exterior face (20) and said interior face (22), said glazing unit (1) comprising at least one lighting system (27, 27') comprising several point light sources and / or several light-emitting diodes (LED) extending along at least one edge (23, 24, 25, 26) of said glazed element (2) and located at a distance from said interior face (22) of the glazed element (2) on the side of the interior space (I), said glazed element (2) being previously provided with a seal profile (6), characterized in that,in a first step (210) a base (80) of an orientation support (8) is reversibly attached to said profiled joint (6) by at least one reversible attachment system (100), each of said two longitudinal ends (71, 71') being mechanically linked to an intermediate zone (75, 75') which is located directly between a profiled zone (65, 65') of said profiled joint (6) and a support zone (85, 85') of an orientation support (8) which is located further towards the interior space (I) than said intermediate zone (75, 75'), said support zone (85, 85') bearing on said intermediate zone (75, 75'), then in a second step (220) at least two said light modules (7, 7') are positioned adjacent to one another along their length and each with a longitudinal end (71) in opposite one longitudinal end (71') of the other, then in a third step (230) two longitudinal ends (71,71') are attached to said orientation support (8), which is preferably unique, then in a fourth, step (240) said two longitudinal ends (71,71') are oriented in space and are blocked.

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