Vehicle Glazing Assembly With Encapsulated Seamless Finisher Joint
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing glazing assemblies for vehicles have visible joints and discontinuities between glazing panels and finisher components, which can be aesthetically unpleasing and prone to water ingress.
Innovation Solution
A glazing assembly where a finisher component is connected to a glazing element using an encapsulation material that forms a continuous outer surface, eliminating visible joints and providing a water-tight seal, with the option for the encapsulation material to be resiliently deformable to allow for relative movement between components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If separate components are used for glazing panel and finisher component, then manufacturing and installation flexibility is improved, but visible joints and discontinuities are created affecting aesthetics and water tightness
Solution Approach 1:
The encapsulation material merges the glazing panel and finisher component into a unified assembly, creating a continuous outer surface that eliminates visible joints while maintaining the functional benefits of separate components
2Strength
If mechanical fasteners are used to connect finisher component, then connection strength is improved, but visible fasteners and steps are created affecting aesthetics
Solution Approach 1:
The encapsulation material acts as an intermediary between the glazing panel and finisher component, providing mechanical connection strength while maintaining a seamless appearance by replacing visible fasteners with a bonded joint
3Reliability
If traditional adhesive bonding is used for glazing panel, then water tightness is improved, but visible joint lines are created affecting aesthetics
Solution Approach 1:
The encapsulation material combines the functions of adhesive bonding for water tightness with aesthetic finishing, creating a continuous surface that eliminates visible joint lines while maintaining reliable water sealing
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution results in a seamless, continuous exterior surface that is less visible and more watertight, enhancing both aesthetics and durability by fixing the glazing and finisher components as a single, pre-assembled unit.
Implementation Method 1
The encapsulation material bonds to the first encapsulation area and to the second encapsulation area, thereby fixedly connecting the glazing element and the finisher component
Implementation Method 2
At least in certain embodiments, the connector forms a water-tight seal between the glazing element and the finisher component
Implementation Method 3
with the option for the encapsulation material to be resiliently deformable to allow for relative movement between components
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects of the present invention relate to a glazing assembly (1) for a vehicle (2). The glazing assembly (1) includes a glazing element (10), a finisher component (11) and a connector (14). The glazing element (10) has an inner surface (10A) and an outer surface (10B); the finisher component (11) has an inner surface (12A) and an outer surface (12B). A portion of the glazing element inner surface (10A) forms a first encapsulation area (A1); and a portion of the finisher component inner surface (12A) forms a second encapsulation area (A2). The finisher component (11) is connected to the glazing element (10) by the connector (14) which is composed of an encapsulation material which encapsulates the first encapsulation area (A1) and the second encapsulation area (A2). The resulting glazing assembly (1) has a substantially continuous outer surface. The present invention also relates to an encapsulated assembly (1) for an exterior of a vehicle (2). Furthermore, the present invention relates to methods of forming a glazing assembly (1); and an encapsulated assembly (1).