Laminated Glazed Unit With Adaptive Seal for Wedge Interlayers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing laminated glazed units with wedge-shaped interlayers suffer from aesthetically unpleasant height differences and noise due to non-adaptive seals and interlayer thickness variations, particularly in vehicle windshields with Head Up Displays.
Innovation Solution
A laminated glazed unit design featuring a profiled seal with a base attached to the exterior glass sheet and a lateral bead, allowing the seal to adapt to varying interlayer thickness, eliminating external height differences and reducing noise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a wedge-shaped interlayer is used to reduce double images, then optical quality is improved, but height differences and aesthetic appearance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The seal is designed with non-uniform geometry, featuring a first section with greater height than a second section. This local variation in seal dimensions allows different parts of the seal to accommodate different interlayer thicknesses at various locations of the glazed unit, thereby resolving the height difference issue while preserving the wedge-shaped interlayer's optical benefits
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of modifying the interlayer to maintain uniform thickness (which would compromise optical quality), the invention inverts the approach by making the seal adaptive to the varying interlayer thickness. The seal's geometry is reversed from a uniform structure to a non-uniform one that compensates for the interlayer thickness variation
2Ease of manufacture
If a conventional seal is used with wedge-shaped interlayer, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but aerodynamic noise increases
Solution Approach 1:
The seal incorporates a specific geometric configuration with different height sections that creates a flush external surface. This local geometric optimization at the seal-exterior glass sheet interface eliminates aerodynamic noise while maintaining ease of manufacture through a standardized sealing process
3Shape
If the seal adapts to interlayer thickness reduction, then aesthetic appearance is improved, but seal complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The seal is segmented into distinct sections with different geometric characteristics. The first section has greater height to accommodate maximum interlayer thickness, while the second section has reduced height for minimum thickness areas. This segmentation allows the seal to adapt to varying interlayer thickness without requiring complex overall geometry
Data Source
AI summary
A glazed unit includes a glazed element laminated with an interlayer having a laterally non-constant thickness and an exterior glass sheet having an overhang forming a transverse offset oriented centrifugally with respect to the interior glass sheet, a base of a seal being attached to an inner face of the exterior glass sheet.