VEHICLE GLAZING WITH MAGNETIC SUPPORT

Abstract

This vehicle glazing (1) comprises a glazed element (2), and a seal (6) which is in contact at least with one edge of an inner face (22) and a device for fixing a trim (110) comprising an orientation support (8) rigidly attached to said seal (6) and at least one magnet (9) mounted with play on this support (8). A flexible part (95) is interposed between the magnet (9) and the support (8). (Fig. 5)

Description

Title of the invention: VEHICLE GLAZING WITH MAGNETIC SUPPORT

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of vehicle glazing and the cladding of their periphery inside the passenger compartment and more particularly to the fixing of the cladding inside the passenger compartment near a vehicle glazing.

[0002] By vehicle is meant a land road vehicle, such as a car, a truck, a bus, a tram, a railway vehicle.

[0003] More particularly, the present invention relates to the manner of fixing a vehicle roof trim, that is to say one or more generally thermoformed and fabric-covered parts, covering the inner periphery of the roof of the passenger compartment of a vehicle.

[0004] Such a trim is found in particular in vehicles comprising a panoramic roof, that is to say a roof fitted with fixed glazing.

[0005] Such a trim forms, along the longitudinal sides of the glazing, a sort of channel arranged, making it possible on the one hand to obtain an aesthetically satisfactory finish, and on the other hand to mask certain functional elements such as cables or electronic elements such as light-emitting diodes (LEDs) making it possible to illuminate the roof glazing from the inside of the passenger compartment. The trim can thus be peripheral, all around the glazing in a single part, or be in several parts and close to several edges of the glazing.

[0006] It is important that the means of fixing the roof lining are as space-saving as possible, so that this lining can itself occupy a minimal volume inside the passenger compartment, thus freeing up space for movements, in particular of the heads of the passengers.

[0007] It is also important that these fixing means are robust, so that the trim has a tear resistance that complies with the specifications imposed by automobile manufacturers.

[0008] It is also important that these fixing means are stable, so as to avoid vibration phenomena of the fittings on their support or of the support system itself, during operation of the vehicle.

[0009] It is also important that these fixing means are reversible: it is necessary to be able to detach the trim, without damaging it, to access what it normally hides, then replace it.

[0010] The present invention thus has the particular objective of providing means for fixing trim, in particular for a panoramic roof of a motor vehicle, which allow us to meet these needs.

[0011] This objective is achieved, as well as other advantages which will result from the description which follows, with a vehicle glazing comprising a glazed element, providing a separation between an exterior space and an interior space and having an exterior face, an interior face and an edge situated between these two faces, said glazing comprising a seal which is in contact at least with one edge of said interior face and a device for fixing a trim comprising an orientation support rigidly attached to said seal and at least one magnet mounted with play on this support, remarkable in that it comprises a flexible part interposed between the magnet and the support. The orientation support is thus an orientation support for the orientation of at least one magnet, and is preferably an orientation support for the orientation of two magnets with a single orientation support.

[0012] Thanks to these characteristics, the possibility of movement of the magnet relative to the orientation support is obtained in a very simple manner and with minimal bulk.

[0013] This movement, permitted by the flexible part, allows the magnet to remain in contact over its entire surface with the ferromagnetic part secured to the lining, thus ensuring a clean connection that is resistant to tearing, while being able to be removed with care.

[0014] The flexible part interposed between the magnet and the support makes it possible to avoid the risks of vibration of the magnet or magnets on its or their support.

[0015] Furthermore, the combination of the game and the flexible part makes it possible to respond very simply and with minimal bulk to the needs of a robust and vibration-free connection of the trim to the roof of the vehicle.

[0016] This makes it possible to reduce the volume of this trim, and free up space for passengers in the vehicle's passenger compartment.

[0017] According to other optional characteristics of the device according to the present invention, taken alone or in combination:

[0018] - the flexible part is a thermoplastic washer: this washer, which can being for example circular or square in shape, allows the vibration absorption function of the magnet on its support to be carried out very simply;

[0019] - the magnet comprises a fixing orifice crossed by a fixing means cooperating with said support, said flexible part is arranged around said fixing means;

[0020] - said support has an annular extension and said flexible part is arranged around this extension: this arrangement allows a ball-and-socket type movement of the magnet relative to the support;

[0021] - said flexible part has annular extensions, cooperating respectively with said orifice and with a counterbore formed in said orientation support: this arrangement allows a ball-and-socket type movement of the magnet relative to the support, while allowing self-centering of this magnet relative to this support;

[0022] - said orientation support comprises an extension with beveled outer walls which penetrates partly inside said orifice, coming to bear on the entry edge of this orifice: this extension makes it possible to center the magnet in relation to the support; depending on the number and arrangement of the beveled walls of the extension, it is possible to obtain the pivoting of the magnet in relation to the support in certain predetermined planes - which eliminates certain degrees of freedom and therefore the pivot-type connection between the two parts;

[0023] - said magnet comprises a stirrup and two magnetized elements arranged inside this stirrup: such a magnet ensures a particularly robust and clear connection with the ferromagnetic element of the lining;

[0024] - said stirrup is intended to be in contact with a metal part of the lining; The magnets are preferably on either side of the fixing system in the longitudinal direction along the longitudinal edges of the glazing and in the transverse direction along the transverse edges of the glazing to ensure a tear-off force; The magnets are thus less thick than the bracket;

[0025] - said seal is produced by encapsulating the edge of the glazing and is provided with at least one fixing stud, hollow, extending towards said interior space: the fact of incorporating the fixing stud into the encapsulation seal makes it possible to produce this stud in a single operation of overmolding the periphery of the glazing; The in-situ molding of the stud at the same time as the molding of the profiled seal makes it possible to be very precise in position and to guarantee a robust fixing of said stud;

[0026] - this device comprises means for fixing at least one lighting module: This module can be hidden by the trim when it is placed on the magnets.

[0027] - the glazing comprises a plurality of magnet supports and magnets distributed along of the profiled seal: this distribution allows for optimal fixing of the gasket around the entire periphery of the glazing unit. The attachment and fixing of the gasket can be completed by other means, such as clips.

[0028] The present invention also relates to a motor vehicle, comprising a glazing assembly conforming to the above, and a trim fixed to said magnets.

[0029] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge on reading the description which follows, with reference to the appended figures, which illustrate:

[0030] [Fig-1] represents, schematically and in side view, a motor vehicle comprising glazing according to the invention;

[0031] [Fig.2]: a perspective view of a panoramic vehicle roof comprising glazing according to the invention, taken from inside the vehicle passenger compartment;

[0032] [Fig.3]: a cross-sectional and perspective view of a glazing according to an embodiment of the invention and of a roof trim mounted on this glazing,

[0033] [Fig.4]: a perspective view of another embodiment of a glazing according to the invention and its associated roof trim,

[0034] [Fig.5]: an exploded perspective view of the whole of [Fig.4],

[0035] [Fig.6]: a perspective view from another angle of the glazing of figures 4 and 5, without the associated filling,

[0036] [Fig.7]: a perspective view from yet another angle of the glazing of figures 4 to 6, without the associated trim,

[0037] [Fig.8]: a perspective view of the glazing magnet according to the invention and its associated flexible part,

[0038] [Fig.9]: a cross-sectional view of a variant of the magnet according to the invention,

[0039] [Fig. 10]: a cross-sectional view of another variant of the magnet according to the invention,

[0040] [Fig. 11]: a cross-sectional view of yet another variant of the magnet according to the invention.

[0041] For clarity, identical or similar elements are identified by identical or similar reference signs throughout the figures.

[0042] As can be seen in Figures 1 to 3, the present invention is described by way of example in the context of an application as fixed glazing 1 of a vehicle 1000.

[0043] 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.

[0044] The present invention is described, by way of non-limiting example, by being applied to a glazing 1 of a vehicle roof 1000. In [Fig. 2], the glazing is, in a particular non-limiting embodiment, positioned horizontally or essentially horizontally in the frame of reference of the vehicle. With reference to [Fig. 3], the glazing 1 is seen in vertical cross-section.

[0045] The glazing 1 comprises a glazed element 2. This glazed element 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 at least one intermediate layer of adhesive material is inserted, in the case of laminated glazing.

[0046] The sheet(s) of material may be mineral, in particular glass, having for example undergone annealing or tempering, or organic, in particular plastic such as polyvinyl butyral.

[0047] The intermediate layer preferably contains at least one thermoplastic plastic material, preferably 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.

[0048] The thermoplastic intermediate layer may be formed from one or more superimposed thermoplastic films, the thickness of a thermoplastic film preferably not exceeding 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.

[0049] 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 be a fixed glazing (not mobile in the vehicle's frame of reference).

[0050] Here, the glazing is preferably positioned horizontally or essentially horizontally in the frame of reference of the vehicle.

[0051] In the context of the present document, the notion of verticality is introduced with reference to the vertical axis Z of a vehicle; the central horizontal longitudinal axis of advance of the vehicle equipped with the glazing according to the invention as roof glazing, being the axis generally called the X axis of the vehicle, and the horizontal lateral axis being the Y axis, as visible in [Fig.l].

[0052] As can be seen in Figures 3 to 5, the window 2 has an outer face 20 intended to be oriented towards the outer space E and an inner face 22 intended to be oriented towards the inner space I. The window 2 can be curved.

[0053] The glazing 1 comprises a profiled seal 6, which is here peripheral; it extends along the four edges of the glazed element.

[0054] The glazing 1 comprises, in addition to the glazed element 2, at least one lighting system 27 each comprising several point light sources of the LED (light-emitting diode) type. The lighting system 27 extends along a longitudinal edge of the glazed element 2.

[0055] Each lighting system 27 is located further inside than the inner 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.

[0056] A prismatic system, not illustrated, may be interposed between the point light sources and the glazed element; it may have a part which fits into a recess of the glazed element. The light emitted by the point light sources of the lighting system(s) 27 is oriented towards the inner face 22, to provide lighting in the mass of the glazed element 2 and a redirection of this lighting towards the interior space I.

[0057] This lighting system 27 comprises, arranged end to end one after the other and substantially aligned following the curvature of at least one edge of the glazed element 2, 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.

[0058] 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.

[0059] 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.

[0060] 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.

[0061] 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.

[0062] More particularly, as seen in Figures 4 to 7, the orientation support 8 is reversibly attached to the profiled seal 6 fixed to an edge of the glazed element 2 using of 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.

[0063] The intermediate zone 75, 75' of the light modules 7, 7' comprises a shouldered needle 76, 76' having two ends, each cylindrical or conical, one extending in the direction of the external space E in the hollow profiled centering stud 62, 62', formed in the profiled seal 6 and the other extending in the direction of the internal space I in a hollow support stud 83, 83' formed in said orientation support 8.

[0064] For at least one lighting system, and preferably for each lighting system 27, at least two light modules 7, 7' are arranged adjacent, each oriented along their length in a longitudinal direction. There may be, for example, ten LEDs per light module.

[0065] The edge 21 as well as a part of the peripheral edge of the inner face 22 of the window 2 are encapsulated inside the profiled seal 6 formed from thermoplastic material.

[0066] This material can be, for example, polyurethane with a hardness of 90 shore A.

[0067] The encapsulation technique is known per se, and described for example in patent application WO2006 / 035180: it consists of overmolding by injection the thermoplastic material at the periphery of the glazing.

[0068] Advantageously, during this overmolding, hollow fixing studs 61 are produced, integral with the seal itself, as can be seen in Figures 5 and 6.

[0069] A single fixing stud 61 is visible in Figures 6 and 7, but it should be remembered that a plurality of fixing studs 61 are distributed regularly on the peripheral seal 6, all around the window 2.

[0070] Optionally, two hollow profiled centering studs 62, 62' may also be provided, arranged on either side of the fixing stud 61.

[0071] An orientation support 8, which may be formed from plastic or metal alloy, comprises a base 80, oriented longitudinally, which is provided in its center with an orifice 81, on either side of which are arranged, along the length, support pads 83, 83', as is more particularly visible in [Fig.6].

[0072] The orientation support 8 is fixed to the joint 6 for example by a screw 820 having a threaded body and a head, the threaded body of which passes through the central orifice 81 of the base 80 in the direction of the profiled joint 6 and the head of which is retained by a periphery of this central orifice 81. The threaded body cooperates with a corresponding thread formed in the fixing stud 61 of the joint 6.

[0073] The lighting modules 7, 7' which may comprise light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are fixed by means of tabs 72, 72' clamped between the hollow profiled centering pads 62, 62' of the seal 6 and the support pads 83, 83' of the orientation support 8.

[0074] A magnet 9 is fixed on the orientation support 8, so as to face the interior space I.

[0075] This magnet 9 may comprise a stirrup 91 made of plastic or metal material, inside which are arranged two permanently magnetized elements 92a, 92b, for example of parallelepiped shape.

[0076] As is more particularly visible in figures 8 to 11, between the two magnetized elements 92a, 92b, the stirrup 91 comprises an orifice 93 crossed by a means for fixing this magnet 9 on the orientation support 8.

[0077] This fixing means may comprise a screw 94 cooperating with a thread formed in the orientation support 8.

[0078] This fixing means may also comprise a protuberance made of the same material as the orientation support 8, and passing through the orifice 93 formed in the stirrup 91 of the magnet, a clip-type fixing washer then being placed on this protuberance to hold the magnet 9.

[0079] A clearance is preferably provided in the fixing of the magnet 9 on the support 8, this clearance allowing limited rotations of the magnet 9 at least in the XY and XZ planes.

[0080] As can be seen in particular in figures 8 to 11, between the magnet 9 and the orientation support 8, and around the means 94 for fixing this magnet 9 on this support 8, a flexible part 95 in the form of a washer formed from a flexible material is placed.

[0081] This flexible part 95 in the form of a washer, which may for example be circular or square in shape, may be formed from a relatively flexible plastic material, such as polyurethane with a hardness of 60 shore A.

[0082] In the variant shown in [Fig.9], the orientation support 8 comprises an annular extension 84 which penetrates partly inside the orifice 93 of the magnet 9. This annular extension 84 also makes it possible to facilitate the penetration of the screw, and thus to reduce its length.

[0083] This annular extension 84 has a diameter smaller than that of the orifice 93 of the magnet 9, and the flexible part 95 in the form of a washer is arranged around the extension 84, allowing a ball-and-socket type movement of the magnet 9 relative to the support 8.

[0084] In the variant shown in [Fig. 10], the washer 95 itself has annular extensions 96a, 96b, cooperating respectively with the orifice 93 of the magnet 9 and with a counterbore 840 formed in the support 8 at the entrance to the orifice 81 of this support: this flexible part 95 in the form of a washer thus shaped allows a ball-and-socket type movement of the magnet 9 relative to the support 8, while allowing the self-centering of this magnet relative to this support.

[0085] In the variant shown in [Fig.l 1], the orientation support 8 comprises an extension 84' with beveled external walls which penetrates partly inside the orifice 93 of the magnet 9, coming to bear on the entry edge of this orifice.

[0086] The extension 84' makes it possible to center the magnet 9 relative to the support 8.

[0087] Depending on the number and arrangement of the beveled walls of the extension 84', it is possible to obtain the pivoting of the magnet 9 relative to the support 8 in certain predetermined planes - which eliminates certain degrees of freedom and therefore the pivot-type connection between the two parts.

[0088] Once all of the aforementioned parts have been assembled as can be seen in Figures 3, 6 and 7, a fixing device is obtained which is ready to accommodate a trim 110 extending to the periphery of the roof glazing 1, inside the passenger compartment of the vehicle, as can be seen in Figures 3 and 4.

[0089] This lining 110 can be formed from a single or a plurality of thermoformed and fabric-covered chutes, inside which there are ferromagnetic parts 111 arranged so as to come opposite the magnets 9.

[0090] The fixing of the trim 110 under the periphery of the roof glazing 1 is carried out by pairing ferromagnetic elements 111 of this trim with the magnets 9 distributed around the periphery of this glazing 1.

[0091] Once in place, this trim completely hides the profiled seal 6, the orientation supports 8 distributed along the profiled seal 6, the magnets 9, as well as any additional elements such as the modules 7, 7' of light-emitting diodes making it possible to illuminate the roof glazing 1 from the interior space I of the passenger compartment of the vehicle.

[0092] The method of fixing the magnets 9 on the orientation supports 8, with controlled play and the presence of flexible parts 95 interposed between the magnets 9 and these orientation supports 8, makes it possible, in a very simple manner and with minimal bulk, to ensure clear contact of these magnets 9 with the associated ferromagnetic elements 111 of the lining 110, and to prevent any risk of vibration of this lining 110.

[0093] Thanks to the small size, the trim 110 can in particular be sized so that the space for passengers inside the passenger compartment is optimized.

[0094]

[0095] Naturally, the invention is described in the above by way of example. It is understood that a person skilled in the art is able to carry out different variant embodiments of the invention without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0096] The present invention could be applied to the fixing of fittings on other parts of the passenger compartment of a vehicle, such as for example on the uprights of the side windows of a vehicle.

Claims

Claims

1. Vehicle glazing (1) comprising a 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) and an edge (21) located between these two faces, said glazing (1) comprising a seal (6) which is in contact at least with one edge of said interior face (22) and a device for fixing a trim (110) comprising an orientation support (8) rigidly attached to said seal (6) and at least one magnet (9) mounted with play on this support (8), characterized in that it comprises a flexible part (95) interposed between the magnet (9) and the support (8).

2. Glazing (1) according to claim 1, in which the flexible part (95) is a washer made of thermoplastic material.

3. Glazing (1) according to one of claims 1 or 2, in which the magnet (9) comprises a fixing orifice (93) crossed by a fixing means (94) cooperating with said support (8), said flexible part (95) is arranged around said fixing means (94).

4. Glazing (1) according to claim 3, in which said support (8) has an annular extension (84) and said flexible part (95) is arranged around this extension (84).

5. Glazing (1) according to claim 3, in which said flexible part (95) has annular extensions (96a, 96b), cooperating respectively with said orifice (93) and with a counterbore (840) formed in said orientation support (8).

6. Glazing (1) according to claim 3, in which said orientation support (8) comprises an extension (84') with beveled outer walls which penetrates partly inside said orifice (93), coming to bear on the entry edge of this orifice (93).

7. Glazing (1) according to any one of claims 3 to 6, wherein said magnet (9) comprises a stirrup (91) and two magnetized elements (92a, 92b) arranged inside said stirrup (91).

8. Glazing (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which said seal (6) is produced by encapsulating the edge of this glazing and is provided with at least one hollow fixing stud (61) extending towards said interior space (I).

9. Glazing (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising means for fixing at least one lighting module (7.7').

10. Glazing (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a plurality of magnet supports (8) and magnets (9) distributed over said seal (6).

11. Motor vehicle, comprising a glazing assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, and a trim (110) fixed on said magnets (9).

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