KR100478637B1 - Laminated glazing equipped with a detector and manfacturing method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention includes at least one rigid glass plate (1, 2), at least one layer of plastic (3), and a detector (4) for detecting the presence of foreign matter on the outside of the pane, the detection surface being an outer glass plate. In close contact with the inner side of (1), the detector 4 is accommodated in a space formed in the glass plate 2 or layer 3 of the pane rather than the outer glass plate 1, which is desired by the detector 4 A laminated glazing that is hermetically sealed by a cap (5) and / or a cover (6) exerted by force, and also relates to a method of manufacturing such laminated glazing, a curved laminated glazing with a detector, It relates to a detector that can be used for the manufacture of such panes.

Description

Laminated glazing with detectors, method for manufacturing the same, and laminated glazing with detectors and bents used in the manufacture of glazing {LAMINATED GLAZING EQUIPPED WITH A DETECTOR AND MANFACTURING METHOD THEREOF}

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to glazing, in particular blue glass for use in vehicles on land, at sea or in the air, in which a foreign matter such as a detection system, in particular water, mounted on the pane itself, on the outer surface of the pane. It is equipped with a detection system to detect. More specifically, the present invention relates to laminated glazing with a detection system capable of transmitting a signal capable of operating a device, such as a wiper device of a front pane. The invention also relates, in particular, to laminated glazing in which such a detection system can be easily mounted.

Window panes with water or moisture detection systems are already described, for example, in patent publications WO 94/00319, EP-A-0,512,653 and EP-A-0,626,593. These detection systems include a transducer for emitting at least one ultrasonic signal propagating through the thickness of the pane and for receiving a reflected signal indicative of the presence of debris, which transducer is provided on the inner surface of the pane, i. It is fixed on the glazing surface facing the cabin. The reflected signal received by the transducer is converted into an electrical signal and compared with a reference level. Depending on the result of the comparison, the windshield wiper is turned on or off.

To ensure reliable detection systems, the reflected signal needs to be free from uncontrollable disturbances.

However, as described in the above-mentioned patent publications, by placing the detection system in a conventional manner on the laminated glazing, ie the glazing surface facing the cabin of the vehicle, the incident and reflected signals inevitably pass and generally plasticize. An interlayer made of plastic, which is hydrated polyvinyl butyral (PVB), is the main source of interference for the signal. Changes in the characteristics of the PVB related to the final thickness of the layer (typically approximately 0.76 mm) as a function of temperature, in particular, result in damping variations in the reflected signal, so that these variations are simple electronic devices (i.e. devices that are not very expensive for the applications encountered). ) Can not be analyzed and processed.

This problem was solved by removing the disk from the plastic layer facing the detector, between the inner and outer sides of the pane. In particular, patent publication EP-A-0,641,696 discloses attaching a detector directly to the inner side of an outer glass plate. In the first embodiment, holes are formed in the plastic intermediate layer and the inner glass plate, and the openings thus formed are closed by plugs. According to the second embodiment, holes are formed only in the intermediate layer, and the space thus formed for the detector is closed by the inner glass plate.

In both cases, only permanent installation of the detector on the pane was considered. This permanent mounting is disadvantageous when the detector is in perfect condition and the detector is faulty or has stopped working, or conversely when the window is broken and the detector is in good working condition and is to be restored to a satisfactory condition without damage. Becomes The reason is that the cost of the detector is generally not negligible compared to the cost of the pane and is about the same.

Furthermore, patent publication WO 95/25651 describes a detector fixed to a removable inner surface of the pane. However, this is an optical detector, the complexity and especially the size of which is incomparably greater than the detector according to the invention.

Therefore, there is a need for the use of windowpanes with detectors that are reliable, lightweight, compact and removable.

As a result, a laminated glazing, in particular for vehicles, comprising at least one rigid glass plate, at least one layer of plastic, and a detector mounted on the glazing for detecting the presence of an object or foreign object on the outside of the glazing via a signal. The configured first aspect of the present invention provides a space in which the surface of a detector that properly performs a detection function remains firmly connected to the inner surface of the outer glass plate, and the detector is formed in the glass plate and / or layer of the pane other than the outer glass plate. And the space is removably closed by a cap and / or cover exerting a desired force on the detector, which force is again applied to the inner side of the glass plate by the detector.

According to another feature according to the invention,

The pane comprises a first glass plate, a plastic layer, and a second glass plate (from outside to inside),

* The detector is an ultrasonic transducer, which uses a coupling fluid sealed between the face of the transducer performing the detection function and the inner face of the outer glass plate,

* This coupling liquid is pre-positioned on the face of the transducer performing the detection function and is protected by a hermetic lid that is torn off before fitting the detector to the windowpane,

The cap and / or cover exert the desired force on the detector through an elastic system such as a spring.

Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description of the drawings.

Referring to FIG. 1, the pane consists of an outer glass plate 1, an inner glass plate 2, and an intermediate layer 3 of polyvinyl butyral, hereafter referred to as PVB.

The glass plate 2 and the layer 3 are each perpendicular to the thickness direction and have holes facing each other. The ultrasonic transducer 4 is inserted into the space thus formed so that the emitting and receiving surfaces are in contact with the inner surface of the outer glass plate 1. The cap (5) is located in the inner space and exerts a force on the transducer (4) via a spring (7) in a closed position, which reliably actuates the transducer so that the transducer is in close contact with the inner face of the glass plate (1). This is to allow permanent contact. This force can be approximately 1-5 daN.

A seal 10 mounted around the cap 5 provides a sealing cover of space for the transducer 4.

The cap 5 is formed at the end of the component in the form of an arm that pivots at the base 8, for example at the base of the rearview mirror inside the vehicle. The base 8 can be fixed to the inner face of the pane or to a body element, preferably a frame for the pane.

The means 9 for locking the cap 5 to the closed position are located in the base 8 and can be constituted by snap fastening means.

According to the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the base 8 of the rearview mirror (not shown) comprises an extension 11 which forms an assembly integrally connected with the pane. Passing vertically through the thickness of the extension 11 is a hole (the end facing outward of the pane), in particular in the protruding guide element 12 that matches the shape of the space for the detector 4. The other end of the hole can be blocked in a closed manner by the cover 6. Although the assembly consisting of the base 8 and the extension 11 is shown to adhere with the inner face of the pane only within the region of the base 8 itself, it extends around the opening created by the space for the detector 4. It can be made to adhere only within the region of the portion 11.

According to a particularly advantageous feature of the invention, the corresponding shape of the space for the detector 4 and of each of the protruding guide elements 12 allows them to be joined to each other only in one relative position. For example, this form having no axis of symmetry or having only one axis of symmetry is suitable for this purpose. This allows the rearview mirror to easily point in the desired direction.

Moreover, according to the two embodiments described above, the cap 5 or the cover 6 is provided with the base 8 by a sufficient distance so that it can be easily opened or closed without the inconvenience that may occur when the operation portion occupies too much space. Is moved from. Moreover, this makes it possible to overcome the problem that the operation of the ultrasonic transducer due to the vibration of the rearview mirror is disturbed.

Referring to FIG. 3, the detector 4 is not directly received in the space formed by the holes of the PVB interlayer 3 and the inner glass plate 2, but is received through the support component 13. The portion of the support component 13 contained in the PVB layer 3 has a larger cross-sectional area than the portion located in the thickness region of the glass plate 2. This feature allows the support component 13 to be secured into the composite structure in the final state of the pane. This fixing is finally completed by creep the PVB during the autoclaving operation.

However, by mounting the periphery of the support component 13 using lugs snapping to the outer side of the inner glass plate 2, the same result can be obtained. Furthermore, as indicated above, assuming that one or more of the cross-sections described above or two cross-sections of the support component 13 have, for example, at most one axis of symmetry, during the manufacture of the pane, in particular when laminating the components, It is advantageous to use the support component 13 so that 2) and layer 3 are easily inserted into the desired position with each other.

With respect to the inner face of the pane, the support component 13 has a protrusion on which the cap 5 can be fixed by screwing or snap fastening, and the spring 7 and the closure 10 are used as described above. .

Of course, the detector 4 is connected to the power source in various configurations by those skilled in the art.

The subject of this invention is also the manufacturing method of the window glass which has an outer glass plate, a PVB intermediate | middle layer, and an inner glass plate,

a) drilling a hole in the glass plate forming the inner glass plate at a given point for subsequent mounting of the detector,

b) combining this inner glass plate with another glass plate forming an outer glass plate,

c) subjecting the bonded glass plate to a bending process;

a) removing the disk from the PVB plate at the point provided for subsequent mounting of the detector,

e) assembling two sheets of glass after inserting the PVB plate and its supporting components in the appropriate place;

f) optionally inserting the coupling liquid, then fitting the detector and securing the detector in firm contact with the inner face of the outer pane;

g) fitting the sealed and removable cap and / or cover, which can be inserted before step d), if the supporting component is not inserted in step e).

According to this method, the assembly itself is preferably achieved by continuously inserting the guide element or the supporting component into the hole formed in the inner glass plate and then in the PVB plate. This allows the elements to be perfectly aligned on the stack.

Moreover, the gist of the present invention is also a curved laminated pane comprising an outer glass plate, an inner glass plate and at least one intermediate layer, wherein at least one formed prior to the heat treatment to bend the glass plate so that the detector can be mounted as previously described. The hole of is provided in the inner glass plate.

In order to improve the mechanical properties of the pane, the perimeter of the hole in the inner glass plate is advantageously subjected to compressive stress. Such stresses, which can be, for example, several millimeters or more, can be obtained by thermal curing operations localized around the hole. Such stress can be approximately 5-40 mega Pascals. To this end, compressed air is blown around the hole of the inner glass plate, which is generally located on top of the stack formed of two sheets of glass, cooling, in particular following a bending process in which bending occurs on one frame under gravity.

It is advantageous to be able to deposit an opaque layer, such as an enamel layer, on the inner side of the outer glass plate 1 during the manufacture of the glazing in order to hide or conceal the detector from the outside of the windshield. This deposition takes place in a known manner, in particular by depositing an enamel composition by screen printing, followed by a baking operation simultaneously with the bending operation.

If such deposition takes place on the inner side of the outer glass plate 1, such deposition may be provided subsequent to the enamel frame which is generally provided for the pane to be joined.

It can hide defects that can occur when combining PVBs near the holes in the pane. The enamel layer can thus be replaced with another opaque layer (black primer or the like).

The final subject of the invention is a detector which can be used for the manufacture of the above-mentioned glazing, wherein the detector comprises a coupling liquid on one side of the detector, the coupling liquid being previously placed on one side of the detector. It is protected by a sealed cover that is torn off before it is inserted into the windowpane.

1, 2 and 3 are schematic one side cross-sectional views each showing three different embodiments of the present invention.

<Explanation of symbols for main parts of drawing>

1: outer glass plate (first glass plate) 2: inner glass plate (second glass plate)

3: interlayer of polyvinyl butyral 4: detector

5: cap 6: cover

7: spring 8: base

Claims (19)

A rigid glass plate (1, 2), a plastic layer (3), and a detector (4) mounted on the glazing to detect the presence of an object or foreign object on the outside of the window via a signal. Laminated glazing for use in transportation and transportation, The face of the detector 4 which properly performs the detection function maintains a firm connection with the inner face of the outer glass plate (first glass plate) 1, The detector 4 is housed in a space formed in the window glass plate (second glass plate) 2 and the layer 3 other than the outer glass plate (first glass plate) 1, and the space is provided in the detector 4. Laminated pane, characterized in that it is removably sealed by a cap (5) or cover (6) that exerts a desired force on it. The laminated glazing as claimed in claim 1, comprising a first glass plate (1), a plastic layer (3), and a second glass plate (2) from the outside to the inside. 3. The detector (4) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the detector (4) is provided with a coupling liquid sealingly inserted between the face of the transducer performing the detection function and the inner face of the outer glass plate (first glass plate) (1). A laminated glazing, characterized in that it is an ultrasonic transducer using a coupling liquid). 4. The laminated glazing of claim 3, wherein the coupling liquid is pre-positioned on the transducer face that performs the detection function and protected by an airtight lid device that is torn off before fitting the detector to the glazing. . 3. Laminated pane according to claim 1, wherein the cap (5) or cover (6) exerts a desired force on the detector (4) via an elastic system such as a spring (7). 4. The laminated glazing as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the cap (5) pivots about the base (8) of the inner rearview mirror. The base (8) according to claim 6, wherein said base (8) is fixed to the inner face or body element of said windowpane, and means for securing said cap (5) to a position to close said space for fitting said detector (4). 9), characterized in that a seal (10) is provided around the cap (5) facing the space. 2. The cover (6) according to claim 1, wherein the cover (6) can close the space for fitting the detector (4) by closing the through hole formed in the extension of the inner rearview mirror base (8), and the base ( 8) is fixed to the inner side of the window pane, The through hole is formed in a protruding guide element 12 that fits the shape of the space for the detector 4, with the end of the hole facing the housing 6. Laminated glazing. 10. Laminated window pane according to claim 8, characterized in that the base of the rearview mirror and its extension (11) are fixed to the inner side of the pane by gluing only in the region of the base (8) itself. 9. The base mirror (8) of the rearview mirror and the extension (11) of the rearview mirror are formed by bonding only the area of the extension (11) around the opening of the space for the detector (4). Laminated pane, characterized in that fixed to the inner side. The rearview mirror according to claim 8, wherein the space for fixing the detector 4 is shaped to receive the protruding guide element 12 in only one position. Laminated pane, characterized in that it is easily directed to the desired position. 11. The cap 5 or the cover 6 of claim 6, wherein it is easy to open and close easily, and vibration of the rearview mirror is such that the detector 4 is operating. Laminated pane, characterized in that it is moved a sufficient distance from the base (8) of the rearview mirror to prevent it from interfering with the detector. 11. The detector (4) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the detector (4) is not directly received in a space formed in the plastic layer (3) and the second glass plate (2). Housed in a support component 13, The form of the support component 13 corresponding to the hole formed in the plastic layer 3 and the second glass plate 2 includes the support component 13 constituting the window glass and the two glass plates 1, 2) and the layered pane, characterized in that the layer 3 can easily come to the desired position with each other, and in the final state of the pane, the support component 13 can be fixed so as not to be moved in the desired position. . As a manufacturing method of the window glass of Claim 2, a) drilling a hole in the glass plate forming the inner glass plate at a given point for subsequent mounting of the detector, b) combining the inner glass plate with another glass plate forming an outer glass plate, c) subjecting the bonded glass plate to a bending (bending) process; d) removing the disk from the PVB plate at the point provided for subsequent mounting of the detector, e) assembling the two glass plates after inserting the PVB plate and the supporting components in the appropriate places; f) inserting a coupling liquid, then fitting the detector and securing the detector to make firm contact with the inner face of the outer pane; g) if the supporting component is not inserted in step e), fitting a closed and removable cap or cover which can be inserted before step d) Window manufacturing method, characterized in that it comprises. The method of claim 14, Inserting a guide element or support component into a hole formed in the inner glass plate, Thereafter, inserting into a hole formed in the PVB plate, so that the elements in the stack can be perfectly aligned. A method of manufacturing a window pane, characterized in that it comprises continuously. A curved laminated glazing comprising an outer glass plate, an inner glass plate and an intermediate layer, A bent laminated window glass, wherein a hole formed before heat treatment for bending the glass plate is provided in the inner glass plate so as to mount the detector according to claim 1. The curved laminated pane of claim 16, wherein the perimeter of the hole has a compressive stress. 18. The inner surface of the outer glass plate (1) according to claim 16 or 17, in which an opaque layer, such as an enamel layer or a black primer layer, is sufficiently concealed so that the detector is not visible from the outside of the windowpane. Curved laminated pane, characterized in that deposited on the part. A detector that can be used to manufacture a pane as claimed in claim 1 or 2 or 6 to 10. And a coupling liquid which is previously laid on one of the sides of the detector and protected by a sealed closure device that is torn apart before fitting the detector to the windowpane.

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