Laminated Vehicle Window Edge Seal for Moisture Barrier and Flatness
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Solution Overview
Problem
Laminate windows with multiple substrates face issues with water and oxygen ingress, leading to lamination integrity degradation and potential bulging or tapering during assembly, which can affect the flatness and durability of electro-optic elements.
Innovation Solution
A laminate window construction with a seal having internal and external portions, where the external portion deflects against the window edge to prevent water and oxygen ingress, and a coupling agent laminates the substrates together, enhancing adhesion and flatness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If cured adhesive materials are used to laminate substrates, then the substrates are bonded together, but water and oxygen can seep between substrates deteriorating lamination integrity
Solution Approach 1:
The seal is divided into two distinct portions: an internal portion positioned within the space between substrates to provide primary sealing, and an external portion extending outward to deflect against the window opening edge. This segmentation allows each portion to perform its specific function optimally, with the internal portion blocking water-oxygen pathways at the substrate interface and the external portion providing secondary protection at the window frame interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal acts as an intermediary element between the substrate assembly and the window opening, creating additional barrier layers that prevent water and oxygen from reaching the vulnerable cured adhesive materials. The seal material itself serves as a mediator that blocks the harmful substances while maintaining the structural integrity of the lamination.
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional laminate window construction is used, then substrates are assembled together, but bulging or tapering occurs reducing window flatness
Solution Approach 1:
The external portion of the seal is designed with flexible characteristics that allow it to conform to the window opening edge while maintaining uniform thickness. This flexibility compensates for minor variations in substrate thickness and assembly tolerances, preventing bulging and tapering effects that would otherwise reduce window flatness.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal extends into a third dimension by projecting outward from the substrate assembly to deflect against the window opening edge. This dimensional extension creates a mechanical stop that maintains uniform spacing and prevents substrate deformation, thereby preserving window flatness without compromising assembly ease.
3Device complexity
If no edge protection is provided, then the window assembly is simpler, but water and oxygen ingress deteriorates electro-optic elements
Solution Approach 1:
The external portion of the seal is positioned in advance to deflect against the window opening edge before water or oxygen can penetrate to the substrate interface. This preliminary protective action blocks the harmful substances at the outer boundary, preventing them from reaching and deteriorating the electro-optic elements and cured adhesive materials.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal provides a cushioning barrier that absorbs and redirects water and oxygen flow away from the vulnerable internal components. By positioning the external portion to contact the window opening edge, the system creates a protective buffer zone that prevents harmful substances from directly attacking the electro-optic elements and lamination interface.
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 seal effectively inhibits water and oxygen entry, maintaining lamination integrity, improving flatness, and protecting the window edges, while allowing for the use of electro-optic elements.
Implementation Method 1
The seal substantially inhibits at least one of water and oxygen exterior the space from entering the space
Implementation Method 2
A coupling agent is disposed between the first and second substrates, laminates the first and second substrates together, and adheres the seal thereto
Implementation Method 3
The external portion has a substantially flexible construction and substantially extends outward from the first and second substrates. When the vehicle window assembly is disposed in a window opening, the external portion of the seal deflects against an edge of the opening
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle window assembly includes first and second substrates substantially transparent to visible light and a seal with internal and external portions. The second substrate is disposed in a spaced apart relationship relative to the first substrate and defines a space therebetween. The internal portion is disposed in the space between the first and second substrates along at least part of peripheries thereof. The external portion is disposed external relative to space between the first and second substrates, has a substantially flexible construction, and substantially extends outward from the first and second substrates. The seal substantially inhibits at least one of water and oxygen from entering the space. A coupling agent is disposed between the first and second substrates, laminates the substrates together, and adheres the seal thereto. When disposed in a window opening, the external portion of the seal deflects against an edge of the opening.