Vehicle window glass for automobiles, method for manufacturing vehicle window glass, and automobile equipped with such vehicle window glass

Abstract

The present invention relates to a vehicle window glass for separating a passenger compartment of a motor vehicle from the vehicle's surrounding environment (16). The vehicle window glass (10) has a first partial region (22) with a lower light transmittance than clear glass. The first partial region (22) occupies a majority of the total area of ​​the vehicle window glass (10). The vehicle window glass (10) has a through opening (24) in the first partial region (22). The vehicle window glass (10) has a second partial region (26) arranged in the through opening (24), and the vehicle window glass (10) has a higher light transmittance in the second partial region than in the first partial region (22). The second partial region (26) is held in the through opening (24) by a connecting element (28) extending around the periphery of the second partial region (26), which connecting element fills the annular space formed between the first partial region (22) and the second partial region (26), and by means of the connecting element (28) a mounting device (36) is provided by means of which the camera (20) can be fixed to the vehicle window glass (10) in the region of the through opening (24). Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for manufacturing such a vehicle window glass (10).

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle glazing for separating a passenger compartment of a motor vehicle from the surrounding environment of the motor vehicle according to the preamble of claim 1. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method for producing such a vehicle glazing according to claim 9 and to a motor vehicle according to claim 10. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent document 1 discloses a double-glazing pane with mounting holes. The double-glazing pane can be designed as a vehicle window glass that separates the vehicle interior from the external surroundings. The first glass pane, the second glass pane, or the interlayer of the double-glazing pane can be tinted. If the double-glazing pane is designed as a side window glass, the mounting holes are used to connect to a sliding mechanism for moving the side window glass. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] DE2017084767A1 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle window pane of the type mentioned at the outset, in which extended functions are provided in a particularly simple manner, and to suggest a corresponding method for producing such a vehicle window pane. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] This problem is solved by a vehicle window glass having the features of claim 1 and by a method having the features of claim 9. Advantageous embodiments, including expedient developments of the invention, are set out in the dependent claims and the following description. A vehicle window glass for separating a passenger compartment of a motor vehicle from the vehicle's surroundings according to the present invention has a first partial region with a lower light transmittance than clear glass. The first partial region occupies a large proportion of the total area of ​​the vehicle window glass. The vehicle window glass has a through-opening in the first partial region. The vehicle window glass further comprises a second partial region disposed in the through-opening. The vehicle window glass has a higher light transmittance in the second partial region than in the first partial region. The second partial region is held in the through-opening by a connecting element extending around the periphery of the second partial region. The connecting element fills an annular space formed between the first partial region and the second partial region.

[0006] Visible light can pass through the second partial region of the vehicle window glass more easily than through the first partial region of the vehicle window glass. This is because the first partial region has a lower light transmittance than transparent or clear glass. Furthermore, since the connecting element fills the annular space formed between the first partial region and the second partial region, the connecting element provides a particularly secure fixation of the second partial region in the through-opening. Accordingly, the through-opening formed in the first partial region is closed by the connecting element and the second partial region, which results in a consistently environmentally closed design of the vehicle window glass.

[0007] It is further provided according to the invention that the connecting element provides a mounting device by means of which the camera can be fixed to the vehicle window glass in the area of ​​the through-opening, thereby making the fixing of the camera on the vehicle window glass very simple, reliable and effortless.

[0008] In an advantageous embodiment of the vehicle window glass, it is provided that the mounting device can be used to fix the camera to the vehicle window glass in the area of ​​the through-opening so that the optical axis of the camera is aligned with the second partial area, thus ensuring in a simple manner that the camera can detect the surrounding environment of the motor vehicle well through the second partial area of ​​the vehicle window glass.

[0009] Preferably, the mounting device comprises at least one fixing element designed to fix the camera to the vehicle window glass, wherein the at least one fixing element is embedded in the base of the connecting element, In this way, the camera can be very firmly fixed to the vehicle window glass in the area of ​​the through-opening, for example by screwing and / or clipping, or by latching and / or gluing the camera to the at least one fixing element.

[0010] In particular, at least one fixing element can be designed as a threaded bush made of plastic and / or metal, for example an aluminum alloy, which is embedded in the base body of the connecting element, into which a threaded bolt can be inserted, resulting in a strong and precise fixing of the camera on the vehicle window glass.

[0011] According to current regulations in the Federal Republic of Germany, window glass, which is important for the driver's visibility, must be transparent and light-transmitting, among other things. Therefore, the use of vehicle window glass with low light transmittance, for example in the form of so-called privacy glass, is essentially only permitted behind the B-pillars of motor vehicles. Therefore, in this area of ​​the motor vehicle, the use of tinted or darkened vehicle window glass, i.e., vehicle window glass with a lower light transmittance than clear glass, is permitted.

[0012] However, this is disadvantageous when detecting the vehicle's surroundings through tinted or darkened vehicle windows by a camera located in this area of ​​the vehicle, The use of such a camera in the area of ​​the rear window of a vehicle may be of value, for example, when aiming at at least highly automated driving of the vehicle, with images of the vehicle's surroundings, particularly the rear side, detected by the camera.

[0013] In this case, the second partial area of ​​the vehicle window glass arranged in the through opening advantageously enables the use of a camera in the passenger compartment of the motor vehicle, in which case the vehicle window glass is used to separate the passenger compartment from the surrounding environment of the motor vehicle. The second partial area allows the camera to detect the surrounding environment of the motor vehicle through the second partial area. Thus, the vehicle window glass with the connecting element provides extended functionality in a particularly simple manner.

[0014] Furthermore, it becomes particularly simple to first provide a through-opening in a first partial region of the vehicle window pane and then hold the second partial region in the through-opening by the connecting element, thus bringing about a closure of the through-opening.

[0015] Preferably, at least a first partial region of the vehicle window glass is made from single-glazed safety glass (ESG), which has a lower light transmittance compared to clear glass, which results in a particularly cost-effective production of the vehicle window glass.

[0016] The use of single-glazed safety glass, preferably for at least a first partial region of the vehicle window, is based on the realization that it is basically possible to enable a camera to detect the vehicle's surroundings through the double-glazed safety glass if the vehicle window is made of double-glazed safety glass (VSG), in which a tear-resistant film is arranged between two glass panes that bond the two panes together.

[0017] To reduce the light transmittance of vehicle windows made from such double-glazed safety glass, the film can be tinted, for example. In this case, a gap can be provided in the viewing area of ​​the film to allow a camera to detect the vehicle's surroundings through the double-glazed safety glass. Additionally or alternatively, only one of the two glass panes can be tinted or colored, thus leaving a viewing area for the camera in this glass pane with a lower light transmittance.

[0018] However, the use of double-glazed safety glass to provide a vehicle window glass involves much more effort than the use of single-glazed safety glass. Furthermore, the cost of double-glazed safety glass is many times higher than the cost of single-glazed safety glass, for example six to eight times higher. Therefore, from a cost point of view, it is advantageous to use single-glazed safety glass at least in the first partial region of the vehicle window glass, which has a low light transmittance.

[0019] Furthermore, the use of single-pane safety glass in some variants of automobiles and double-pane safety glass in other variants is associated with a great deal of effort, since double-pane safety glass is usually thicker than single-pane safety glass. When installing a vehicle window glass, the vehicle window glass can be bonded to the vehicle body structure in particular by placing the vehicle window glass on a spacer located on the body structure of the automobile. In this case, contact of the vehicle window glass with an adhesive bead applied to the body structure and providing retention of the vehicle window glass in the body structure is simultaneously created.

[0020] If the outer surface of the vehicle window glass has a specific target position relative to the body structure, different spacers must be used for different thicknesses of the vehicle window glass in different variants of the automobile. Furthermore, to ensure that the outer surface of the vehicle window glass always has a specified target position relative to the body structure, different amounts of adhesive must be provided to ensure adhesion between thicker or thinner vehicle window glass and the automobile body structure. This is because when the distance between the (thinner) vehicle window glass and the body structure is large, the adhesive bead must be thicker to achieve contact between the vehicle window glass and the respective adhesive bead than when the distance between the (thicker) vehicle window glass and the body structure is small.

[0021] Therefore, in various motor vehicle variants, it is inconvenient to use single-pane safety glass on the one hand and double-pane safety glass on the other hand for vehicle window glass. If at least a first partial region of the vehicle window glass is made from single-pane safety glass, the effort involved can be advantageously avoided.

[0022] This is because the same thickness of vehicle window glass can then be used in both vehicle variants with privacy glass, and therefore with single-pane safety glass with at least a first partial region tinted or darkened, and in vehicle variants without privacy glass, which is advantageous in terms of effortless vehicle production.

[0023] In particular, if the vehicle glazing is designed as a rear window of an automobile, it may be envisaged to attach a rear window heater and / or antenna structure to the vehicle glazing, for example by printing corresponding strips on the vehicle glazing, which, if such components are provided on a vehicle glazing made of double-glazed safety glass, entails an increased effort in the development and production of the vehicle glazing.

[0024] In particular, if at least a first partial region of the vehicle window glass is made from single-pane safety glass, this effort can also be largely avoided, since there is no need to develop and manufacture different VSG variants of the vehicle window glass with different antenna structure designs. Overall, it is therefore advantageous to forgo the use of (usually cost-intensive) double-pane safety glass in vehicle window glass.

[0025] Furthermore, through-openings can be produced particularly easily in single-pane safety glass, for example by drilling and / or laser cutting, which lends itself to a simple production of vehicle window panes.

[0026] Preferably, the first partial region of the vehicle window glass has a light transmittance of less than 40%, in particular less than 30%. Such a vehicle window glass with a relatively dark first partial region can particularly effectively and simultaneously prevent viewing from outside the vehicle into the passenger compartment area equipped with the vehicle window glass. Furthermore, advantageously, heating of the passenger compartment by incident sunlight is reduced and dazzling of vehicle occupants by incident sunlight and / or headlights, for example, is reduced.

[0027] For this reason too, the first partial region of the vehicle window glass has a reduced light transmittance which may in particular be in the range of about 18% to about 25%, which means that only about 18% to about 25% of the incident visible light can pass through the first partial region of the vehicle window glass.

[0028] Preferably, the second partial area of ​​the vehicle window glass is made of transparent glass, which makes it possible to ensure that the surrounding environment of the vehicle can be easily detected by the camera through the second partial area when the vehicle is equipped with the vehicle window glass.

[0029] The second partial area can be designed as single-pane safety glass, which makes its provision particularly simple and low-effort.

[0030] Preferably, the second part region is materially connected to the first part region by means of a connecting element, which results in a particularly tight connection of the two part regions.

[0031] The connecting element can be provided by an injection-molded material. For example, a plastic in the form of a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) and / or polyvinyl chloride (PVC) can be used as the injection-molded material. Such an injection-molded material can be particularly easily processed by injection molding. Thus, the connecting element can be manufactured by an injection molding process, and the second partial region is held in the through-opening by the connecting element. Injection molding allows the connecting element to be provided simply, with minimal effort, and accurately.

[0032] Additionally or alternatively, the connecting element can be provided by a casting resin, which can be particularly easily introduced into the annular space while still in a liquid state. After the liquid casting resin has hardened or crosslinked, it provides a very reliable and low-effort retention of the second partial region in the through-opening previously formed in the first partial region. This is advantageous.

[0033] In particular, a transparent casting resin can be used to provide the connecting element, i.e. a casting resin whose light transmittance substantially corresponds to that of clear glass or clear glass, which makes the integration of the second partial region into the through-opening formed in the first partial region of the vehicle window glass particularly inconspicuous.

[0034] Preferably, the outer surface of the connecting element and / or the outer surface of the second partial region is arranged flush with the outer surface of the first partial region. In this case, the outer surface faces the surroundings of the motor vehicle in the assembled state of the vehicle window glass. In this way, a smooth outer surface of the vehicle window glass can be achieved. This makes it easier to clean and / or remove water or cleaning liquid from the outer surface of the vehicle window glass, in particular using wiper blades of a motor vehicle window wiper system.

[0035] Preferably, the vehicle window glass is designed as a rear window glass of a motor vehicle. It is advantageous if the surroundings of the motor vehicle can be detected by the camera through the second partial area, in particular in the area of ​​the tinted rear window glass.

[0036] In a method for manufacturing a vehicle window glass according to the present invention, the vehicle window glass is designed to separate a passenger compartment of a motor vehicle from the surrounding environment of the vehicle, and a first partial region of the vehicle window glass is designed with a lower light transmittance than clear glass. The first partial region occupies a majority of the total area of ​​the vehicle window glass. A through-opening is provided in the first partial region of the vehicle window glass. A second partial region of the vehicle window glass is arranged in the through-opening. The vehicle window glass is designed with a higher light transmittance in the second partial region than in the first partial region. The second partial region is fixed to the through-opening by a connecting element extending around the periphery of the second partial region. In this case, the connecting element fills an annular space formed between the first partial region and the second partial region.

[0037] The simple and low-effort production of the vehicle window glass provides an extended function, in particular that when the vehicle window glass is installed in a motor vehicle, it can be made possible for the camera to detect the surroundings of the motor vehicle through the second partial area.

[0038] The advantages and preferred embodiments described for the vehicle glazing according to the invention also apply to the method according to the invention and the motor vehicle according to the invention, and vice versa.

[0039] Further advantages, features and details of the invention will become more apparent from the preferred exemplary embodiments and on the basis of the drawings. The features and combinations of features mentioned in the above description and mentioned below in the description of the figures and / or shown only in the figures can be used not only in the respective combinations described, but also in other combinations or alone without departing from the scope of the invention. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0040] [Figure 1] 1 is a highly schematic partial cross-sectional view of a vehicle window glass of a motor vehicle, in which a through-opening is formed in a dark-tinted first partial region of the vehicle window glass, and a second partial region of the vehicle window glass is held in the through-opening by a connecting element, the second partial region being designed to be more light-transmitting, in particular more transparent, than the first partial region. [Figure 2] 2 is a highly schematic diagram of a motor vehicle in which the vehicle glazing of FIG. 1 may be used. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0041] In the figures, the same elements or elements with the same functions are each provided with the same reference numerals.

[0042] 1 shows a highly schematic partial view of a vehicle window glass 10 that can be used to separate a passenger compartment 12 (see FIG. 2) of a motor vehicle 14 from the surrounding environment 16 of the motor vehicle 14. The vehicle window glass 10 provides the motor vehicle 14 with so-called privacy glass. Thus, when the vehicle window glass 10 is installed in the motor vehicle 14, it is impossible, or almost impossible, to see into the passenger compartment 12 of the motor vehicle 14 through the vehicle window glass 10 from the outside. For example, the vehicle window glass 10 can be designed as a rear window glass 18 or a rear side window glass of the motor vehicle 14.

[0043] If the vehicle 14 is designed for highly automated or nearly autonomous driving, for example, the surrounding environment 16 behind the vehicle 14 may be detected by the camera 20 through the rear window glass 18. If the rear window glass 18 is designed to be consistently dark-tinted and therefore has a lower light transmittance than clear glass, as is common with privacy glass, it may be difficult for the camera 20 to detect the surrounding environment 16 of the vehicle 14 through the rear window glass 18.

[0044] However, if the rear windshield 18 is designed like the vehicle windshield 10 partially shown in Figure 1, the camera 20 can easily detect the surrounding environment 16 of the vehicle 14 despite the privacy features of the vehicle 14. This will be explained with reference to Figure 1.

[0045] 1, the vehicle glazing 10 comprises a first partial region 22 having a lower light transmittance than clear glass. In this case, the first partial region 22 is made of single-pane safety glass with a dark or tinted design. For example, the first partial region 22 of the vehicle glazing 10 may have a light transmittance in the range of about 18% to about 25%.

[0046] The first partial region 22 occupies a major portion of the total area of ​​the vehicle glazing 10. In particular, the entire vehicle glazing 10 is formed by the first partial region 22, with the exception of a through-opening 24 or a void formed in the vehicle glazing 10. A second partial region 26 of the vehicle glazing 10 is arranged in the region of the through-opening 24, which may be formed as a void, such as a hole, in the single-pane safety glass of the first partial region 22.

[0047] The vehicle glazing 10 has a higher light transmittance in the second partial region 26 than in the first partial region 22. In particular, the first partial region 26 can be made of clear glass or transparent glass.

[0048] Single-glazed safety glass, for example, can be used as the brighter, light-transmitting glass of the second partial area 26. Since the second partial area 26 is very small in size compared to the first partial area 22, it is also possible to provide the second partial area 26 using simpler non-toughened glass or light-transmitting plastic.

[0049] In this case, the second partial region 26 is held in the through opening 24 by a connecting element 28 that extends around the periphery of the second partial region 26. The connecting element 28 fills the annular space formed between the first partial region 22 and the second partial region 26.

[0050] During production of the vehicle window glass 10, a second partial region 26, which preferably has a smaller diameter than the through-opening 24, can be inserted into the through-opening 24 formed in the dark-tinted partial region 22 of the vehicle window glass 10. The second partial region 26 can be designed like a monocle. The connecting element 28 can be formed or provided, for example, by overmolding, i.e. by injection molding or resin casting techniques.

[0051] Thermoplastic elastomers (TPE) or polyvinyl chloride (PVC), for example, can be used as injection molding materials for providing the connecting element 28 in an injection molding process. In particular, injection molding materials can be used that are designed to be dark, in particular black, like the first partial region 22. The connecting element 28 is thereby integrated into the vehicle glazing 10 in an inconspicuous manner for an observer looking at the vehicle glazing 10 from the surrounding environment 16.

[0052] In contrast, if a casting resin is used to provide the connecting element 28, the connecting element 28 can be designed with particularly good light transmission. In particular, a casting resin designed to be substantially as transparent as glass can be used to provide the connecting element 28. In that case, the connecting element 28 is advantageously at least largely adapted in appearance to the second partial region 26 and is therefore particularly unobtrusive.

[0053] 1 it can be seen that the outer surface 30 of the connecting element 28 and the outer surface 32 of the second partial region 26 are preferably arranged to terminate flush with the outer surface 34 of the first partial region 22. In this case, the outer surfaces 30, 32, 34 face the surrounding environment 16 of the motor vehicle 14 in the assembled state of the vehicle glazing 10 (see FIG. 2).

[0054] In this way, it is particularly easy to ensure that the vehicle window glass 10 in the area of ​​the camera 20 can be wiped unhindered by the wiper arms of the window glass wiper system of the vehicle 14, which is provided on the rear window glass 18 of the vehicle 14 and is not shown in the figures.

[0055] 1 further shows that the connecting element 28 can incorporate a mounting device 36 by means of which the camera 20 can be fixed to the vehicle glazing 10 in the area of ​​the through-opening 24. The corresponding mounting or fixing of the camera 20 on the vehicle glazing 10 by means of the mounting device 36 can take place, for example, by screwing and / or clipping and / or gluing. If the mounting device 36 is provided by the connecting element 28, fixing the camera 20 on the vehicle glazing 10 is particularly simple and low-effort.

[0056] In this case, it is shown by way of example that a fixing element 40, for example in the form of a threaded bushing, can be embedded in the base body 38 of the connecting element 28. According to Figure 1, a threaded bolt 42 which is screwed into the threaded bushing can provide a secure and precise holding of the camera 20 on the inside of the vehicle glazing 10.

[0057] According to FIG. 1, preferably the optical axis 44 of the camera 20 is aligned with the second partial area 26, in particular with the center of the second partial area 26.

[0058] It is advantageous if the annular space formed between the first and second partial regions 22, 26 is large enough to allow material for providing the connecting element 28 to be introduced into the annular space during the manufacture of the vehicle window glass 10. Nevertheless, it is advantageous to design the annular space or annular gap to be relatively narrow, since this ensures that the vehicle window glass 10 is formed over its entire area or extent, in particular almost exclusively from the material of the first and second partial regions 22, 26. This allows the vehicle window glass 10 to have an approximately uniform material composition over substantially its entire area, which is advantageous.

[0059] In order to provide a good connection between the material of the connecting element 28 and the first and second partial regions 22, 26, during the manufacture of the vehicle window glass 10, in particular at least one of the partial regions 22, 26 may be or may be intended to be pre-treated, for example with an activator and / or a cleaning liquid.

Claims

1. A vehicle window glass (10) for separating a passenger compartment (12) of a motor vehicle (14) from an environment (16) surrounding the motor vehicle (14), the vehicle window glass (10) having a lower light transmittance than clear glass in a first partial region (22), the first partial region (22) occupying a majority of the total area of ​​the vehicle window glass (10), the vehicle window glass (10) having a through opening (24) in the first partial region (22), the vehicle window glass (10) comprises a second partial region (26) arranged in the through opening (24), the vehicle window glass (10) having a higher light transmittance in the second partial region (26) than in the first partial region (22), the second partial region (26) being held in the through opening (24) by a connecting element (28) extending around the second partial region (26), the connecting element filling an annular space formed between the first partial region (22) and the second partial region (26), and the connecting element (28) providing a mounting device (36) by means of which a camera (20) can be fixed to the vehicle window glass (10) in the area of ​​the through opening (24).

2. 2. The vehicle window glass according to claim 1, wherein at least the first partial region (22) of the vehicle window glass (10) is made from single-layer safety glass having a low light transmittance compared to clear glass, in particular a light transmittance of less than 40%.

3. 3. Vehicle window glass according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the second partial region (26) of the vehicle window glass (10) is made of clear glass, in particular designed as single-pane safety glass.

4. 4. The vehicle window glass according to claim 1, wherein the second partial region (26) is materially connected to the first partial region (22) by the connecting element (28).

5. Vehicle glazing according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the connecting element (28) is provided by injection molding material and / or in particular by transparent casting resin.

6. 6. The vehicle glazing according to claim 1, wherein an outer surface (30) of the connecting element (28) and / or an outer surface (32) of the second partial region (26) is arranged flush with an outer surface (34) of the first partial region (22), the outer surfaces (30, 32, 34) facing the ambient environment (16) of the motor vehicle (14) in the assembled state of the vehicle glazing (10).

7. 2. The vehicle window glass according to claim 1, wherein the mounting device (36) comprises at least one fixing element (40) designed to fix the camera (20) to the vehicle window glass (10), the fixing element being embedded in a base (38) of the connecting element (28).

8. Vehicle glazing (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the vehicle glazing (10) is designed as a rear window glazing (18) of the motor vehicle (14).

9. 10. A method for manufacturing a vehicle window glass (10), in particular according to any one of claims 1 to 8, the vehicle window glass (10) being designed to separate a passenger compartment (12) of a motor vehicle (14) from an ambient environment (16) of the motor vehicle (14), the vehicle window glass (10) being designed with a lower light transmittance compared to clear glass in a first partial region (22), the first partial region (22) occupying a major portion of the total area of ​​the vehicle window glass (10), the vehicle window glass (10) being provided with a through-opening (24) in the first partial region (22), the method is characterized in that a second partial region (26) of the vehicle window glass (10) is arranged in the through opening (24), the vehicle window glass (10) is designed with a higher light transmittance in the second partial region (26) than in the first partial region (22), the second partial region (26) is fixed to the through opening (24) by a connecting element (28) extending around the second partial region (26), and an annular space formed between the first partial region (22) and the second partial region (26) is filled by the connecting element (28).

10. 10. A motor vehicle comprising a vehicle glazing (10) manufactured by the method of claim 9, or alternatively a vehicle glazing (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

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