DE102022119912A1 - Vehicle window with window body arrangement and connection arrangement for electrical functional device - Google Patents

Abstract

Vehicle window, comprising a window body arrangement (13), an edge coating (20) of the window body arrangement (13), an electrical functional device and a connection arrangement (21) for the electrical functional device. The connection arrangement (21) comprises a plug connector (24), which comprises electrical contact elements (28) and a plastic encapsulation of the electrical contact elements (28) and which is an insert part of the edge encapsulation (20).

Description

The invention relates to a vehicle window with the features of the preamble of patent claim 1.

Such a vehicle window is known from practice and is designed, for example, as a roof element that is adjustable or fixed relative to a vehicle body. The vehicle window has a window body arrangement which, when designed as a composite window, comprises an inner window body and an outer window body. The outer window body forms an outer visible surface of the vehicle window, and the inner window body forms a visible surface of the window body facing the vehicle interior. A liquid crystal arrangement can be arranged between the outer window body and the inner window body, which can be switched to control the entry of light through the vehicle window into the vehicle interior between a blocking state, in which the liquid crystal arrangement acts in the manner of a diffuser, and a transmission state, in which light passes through essentially unscattered the vehicle window can enter the vehicle interior. The liquid crystal arrangement, which can in particular be designed as a so-called PDLC arrangement (Polymer Dispersed Liquid Crystal), is connected to an electrical control via a cable designed, for example, as a ribbon cable. The ribbon cable is led from the space between the outer window body and the inner window body to the underside of the vehicle window and is connected there via soldering or welding points to a wiring harness leading to the control. The connection point between the wiring harness and the ribbon cable is accommodated by an edge encapsulation of the vehicle window, which forms a plastic frame and can in particular be formed from a polyurethane foam. This means that the connection points are electrically insulated and mechanically protected. However, connecting the ribbon cable to the cable harness and overmolding the connection points with the polyurethane foam material involves many production steps. Furthermore, the wiring harness must already be connected to the ribbon cable when the edge encapsulation is molded onto the pane body assembly. This poses a risk that the wiring harness will be damaged during the production process. Even when the vehicle window is subsequently transported, the wiring harness must always be protected from damage.

The invention is based on the object of creating a vehicle window designed according to the type mentioned in the introduction, in which a reliable electrical connection of an electrical functional device and a later simple connection to a wiring harness leading to an electrical control is possible.

This object is achieved according to the invention by the vehicle window with the features of patent claim 1.

According to the invention, a vehicle window is therefore proposed which comprises a window body arrangement, an edge encapsulation of the window body arrangement, an electrical functional device and a connection arrangement for the electrical functional device. The connection arrangement in turn comprises electrical contact elements which are encapsulated by a plastic component which forms a plug connector which is an insert part of the edge encapsulation.

In the vehicle window according to the invention, a plug connector is integrated in the edge molding, to which a plug connector counterpart of a connection cable, in particular a cable harness, can be connected in a simple manner, which leads to an electrical control for the electrical functional device. This means that it is not necessary for the connecting cable or wiring harness to be connected to the electrical functional device during production of the vehicle window or to be part of the connection arrangement for the electrical functional device. Rather, the connection cable or the cable harness can be subsequently connected to the electrical functional device via the plug connector after the vehicle window has been manufactured and transported, directly during assembly of the vehicle in question.

The number of electrical contact elements of the connection arrangement, which are encapsulated by the first plastic component, depends on the number of conductors of the cable which is connected to the electrical functional device. The electrical contact elements can be welded, soldered or crimped to the conductors of this cable. After the electrical contact elements have been connected, the electrical contact elements are encapsulated with the first plastic component in a corresponding injection molding tool. This means that the connection point between the electrical contact elements and the cable leading to the electrical functional device is protected and insulated by the first plastic component. In this injection molding process, the geometry of a connector is formed, which is connected to a connector counterpart of a connecting cable or the The same can be connected, which leads to an electrical control for the electrical functional device. Subsequently, the edge overmolding is formed in a further molding tool, with the plastic component or the plug connector being firmly connected to the pane body arrangement by the edge overmolding, so that the plug connector is positioned in particular on the underside of the pane body arrangement. The edge coating is, for example, edge foaming made of a polyurethane foam material. The contact surfaces of the contact elements, which are part of the plug connector formed by the first plastic component, remain accessible from the outside. The result is a finished vehicle window with an integrated plug connection, without a connection cable. The latter can be connected via the connector at a given time when installing the vehicle window. Damage to the connection cable during the production of the vehicle window or during its transport is essentially impossible.

So that the connector can be connected to the disc body arrangement in a defined manner when the edge encapsulation is formed, in a preferred embodiment it has a base surface which is aligned plane-parallel to a large area of the disc body arrangement and can also rest on the disc body arrangement.

In a preferred embodiment of the vehicle window according to the invention, the connector has a stepped peripheral surface. This then also serves as an anchor surface that holds the connector securely in the edge molding. This makes it possible for the edge encapsulation to at least partially overlap the connector and for the connector to be captively received by the edge encapsulation.

In order to provide a harmonious appearance, the connector in an advantageous embodiment of the vehicle window according to the invention has an end face which is arranged essentially flush with an adjacent surface of the edge encapsulation.

In order to ensure a secure connection of a plug connector counterpart of a connection cable, it is advantageous if the plug connector, which is formed by the plastic component, has a locking geometry that can be brought into engagement with a locking counter geometry of a plug connector counterpart.

In order to be able to integrate the connection arrangement of the vehicle window according to the invention particularly harmoniously into the edge coating, it preferably has a ribbon cable which is connected to the electrical functional device and whose electrical conductors are each connected to one of the contact elements.

In order to keep the handling of the electrical contact elements as simple as possible during the production of the plug connector, the electrical contact elements together preferably form a contact strip which is encapsulated by the first plastic component.

The electrical functional device comprises, for example, a liquid crystal arrangement which forms a switchable shading arrangement for the vehicle window. The liquid crystal arrangement can be a PDLC (Polymer Dispersed Liquid Crystal) arrangement, which therefore comprises a polymer matrix in which liquid crystal droplets are embedded in a dispersed manner. The liquid crystal layer formed in this way is provided on both sides with a film made of PET (polyethylene terephthalate), PC (polycarbonate) or the like, which carries an electrode layer on its side facing the liquid crystal layer. The electrode layer can be designed to be segmented, so that a segmented liquid crystal arrangement is present. The individual segments can each be connected to a conductor of the cable, which is each assigned to one of the contact elements of the plug connector.

In an alternative embodiment of the vehicle window according to the invention, the electrical functional device forms a window heater. In particular, the window heating can be a window heating of a rear window, for example a rear window of a convertible top.

Furthermore, the electrical functional device can be a solar cell arrangement or a lighting device, which is designed in particular as a so-called ambient light lighting device.

Further advantages and advantageous refinements of the subject matter of the invention can be found in the description, the drawing and the patent claims.

• 1 eine Draufsicht auf ein Fahrzeugdach mit einer Fahrzeugscheibe nach der Erfindung;
• 2 einen Schnitt durch einen Randbereich der Fahrzeugscheibe entlang der Linie II-II in 1;
• 3 eine perspektivische Unteransicht eines Randabschnitts der Fahrzeugscheibe zusammen mit einem Kabelbaum;
• 4 eine 3 entsprechende Ansicht, jedoch ohne Kabelbaum;
• 5 eine PDLC-Folie zusammen mit einem Flachbandkabel und einer Kontaktleiste;
• 6 eine 5 entsprechende Ansicht, jedoch nach Anformen einer Kunststoffkomponente an die Kontaktleiste zur Ausbildung eines Steckverbinders;
• 7 die Anordnung des Steckverbinders und der PDLC-Folie an einer Scheibenkörperanordnung vor Ausbildung einer Randumspritzung;
• 8 einen 2 entsprechenden Schnitt durch eine alternative Ausführungsform einer Fahrzeugscheibe nach der Erfindung; und
• 9 einen 2 entsprechenden Schnitt durch eine weitere Ausführungsform einer Fahrzeugscheibe nach der Erfindung.

Exemplary embodiments of a vehicle window according to the invention are shown schematically in simplified form in the drawing and are explained in more detail in the following description. It shows:

• 1 a top view of a vehicle roof with a vehicle window according to the invention;
• 2 a section through an edge area of the vehicle window along line II-II in 1 ;
• 3 a bottom perspective view of an edge portion of the vehicle window together with a wiring harness;
• 4 one 3 corresponding view, but without wiring harness;
• 5 a PDLC film together with a ribbon cable and a contact strip;
• 6 one 5 Corresponding view, but after molding a plastic component onto the contact strip to form a plug connector;
• 7 the arrangement of the connector and the PDLC film on a wafer body assembly before the formation of an edge overmolding;
• 8th a 2 corresponding section through an alternative embodiment of a vehicle window according to the invention; and
• 9 a 2 corresponding section through a further embodiment of a vehicle window according to the invention.

The drawing shows a vehicle roof 10 of a motor vehicle that is not otherwise shown in detail. The vehicle roof 10 is a panoramic roof that has a fixed roof element 12, which is rigidly, that is, immovably, connected to the vehicle body. The fixed roof element 12 forms a vehicle window and comprises a composite structure based on 2 is shown in more detail.

The composite structure of the fixed roof element 12 comprises a pane body arrangement 13 with an outer pane body 14 and an inner pane body 16, each of which is made of soda-lime clear glass. The outer window body 14 faces the vehicle surroundings and forms an outer visible surface of the respective vehicle window, whereas the inner window body 16 faces the vehicle interior and forms an inner visible surface of the respective vehicle window. If necessary, the outer pane body 14 and the inner pane body 16 can also be made of tinted glass.

Between the outer window body 14 and the inner window body 16 there is a PDLC arrangement 18, which is an electrical functional device and forms a shading arrangement for the vehicle window in question. The PDLC arrangement 18 comprises a PDLC layer (layer of polymer-dispersed liquid crystals), which forms the actual shading element and comprises a solid polymer matrix in which liquid crystals are integrated in droplet form. The PDLC layer is delimited on both sides by a plastic film, which is made of a material such as PET, PC or the like and carries an electrode layer on its surface facing the PDLC layer, which can be made of ITO (indium tin oxide). Using the electrode layers, a voltage can be applied to the PDLC layer so that the transmission behavior of the PDLC layer can be changed. This makes it possible to adjust the PDLC layer or the PDLC arrangement 18 between a blocking state, in which the PDLC layer is essentially opaque, and a transmission state, in which direct light enters the vehicle interior through the vehicle window can occur.

Furthermore, the fixed roof element 12 is provided with a frame-like edge coating 20, in particular made of a polyurethane foam material, which covers the edges of the outer pane body 14 and the inner pane body 16 and a lower edge surface of the pane inner body 16.

For the electrical connection of the particularly segmented electrode layers of the PLDC arrangement 18, a connection arrangement 21 is provided, which comprises a ribbon cable 22, the conductors 30 of which are each electrically connected to a segment of the electrode layers. The ribbon cable 22 encompasses an edge of the inner pane body 16 and, embedded in the edge encapsulation 20, leads to a plug connector 24, which is received as an insert in the edge encapsulation 20 and is also part of the integrated connection arrangement 21.

The connector 24 includes one in particular 5 to be removed contact strip 26, which has a plurality of contact elements 28, each of which is connected to one of the conductors 30 of the ribbon cable 22. The contact strip 26 is surrounded or encapsulated by a connector housing 32, which is made of a plastic material and into which, like that 6 and 7 can be seen, the ribbon cable 22 opens with its end facing away from the PDLC arrangement 18.

The plug housing 32 of the plug connector 24, which therefore forms a plastic encapsulation of the contact strip 26, has a base surface 33 which is aligned plane-parallel to the underside of the inner disc body 16, and a stepped peripheral surface 34, which is received by the plastic encapsulation and an anchor surface for the plug connector 24 in the edge encapsulation 20 forms. An end face 36 of the plug connector 24 or the plug housing 32 merges flush with a lower visible surface 38 of the edge encapsulation 20.

To form a latching geometry, the plug housing 32 of the plug connector 24 has an undercut groove 40 surrounding the contact strip 26. Furthermore, the latching geometry can include lugs, openings and/or the like.

The plug connector 24 accommodated in the edge molding 20 as a so-called insert part can be coupled to a plug connector counterpart 42, which is part of a cable harness 44 forming a connecting cable, which leads to an electrical control device (not shown) for the PDLC arrangement 18. The connector counterpart 42 has contact pins 46 on its contact side, which engage in the contact elements 28 of the contact strip 26 of the connector 24, and a locking counter geometry 48, which is designed to correspond to the groove 40, so that the connector counterpart 42 can be securely locked with the connector 24.

The connection arrangement 21 is integrated into the pane structure as follows during the production of the fixed roof element 12.

In a first step, the ribbon cable 22, which is connected to at least one of the electrode layers of the PDLC arrangement 18, is connected to the contact elements 28 of the contact strip 26 at its end facing away from the PDLC arrangement 18 using a soldering, welding or crimping process connected, in such a way that the axes of the contact elements 28 have an orientation of approximately 90 ° relative to the respective conductors 30 of the ribbon cable 22 (cf. 5 ).

In a further manufacturing step, the contact strip 26 and the connection points between the ribbon cable 22 and the contact strip 26 are encapsulated with plastic in a corresponding injection molding process to form the plug housing 32, the geometry described above with the base surface 33, the peripheral surface 34, the end surface 36 and the locking geometry is formed (cf. 6 ).

The PDLC arrangement 18 with the connection arrangement 21 formed in this way, which includes the ribbon cable 22 and the plug connector 24, is then integrated into the composite structure, which includes the outer pane body 14 and the inner pane body 16 (cf. 7 ). The composite structure is then introduced into a corresponding foaming tool to form the edge encapsulation 20. The plug connector 24 is held in such a way that the base surface 33 is aligned plane-parallel to the underside of the inner pane body 16, which forms a large area, or rests against it. The polyurethane foam material is then introduced into the cavity of the foaming tool so that the edge encapsulation 20 is formed. The plug connector 24 is thus integrated as an insert into the edge molding 20 (cf. 4 ). The contact elements 28 of the contact strip 26 remain free, so that the plug connector counterpart 42 can be electrically and mechanically connected to the plug connector 24 (cf. 2 and 3 ).

In 8th a vehicle window 12 'is shown, which is largely the same as that shown 1 until 7 corresponds and also forms a fixed roof element. The vehicle window 12 'differs from the vehicle window described above in that the plug connector 24, which is received by the edge molding 20, is shaped in such a way that the plug connector counterpart 42 can be plugged on obliquely from below in relation to the plane of the window body arrangement 13; That is, a longitudinal center plane of the connector counterpart 42 forms an angle of approximately 40° with the plane of the disk body assembly 13. The cable routing in the connector housing 32 is adapted to this angle. The end face 36 of the connector 24 is also inclined relative to the plane of the disk body assembly 13. Otherwise, the vehicle window 12 'corresponds to the one according to the 1 until 7 , which is why reference is made to the relevant description to avoid repetition.

In 9 A vehicle window 12" is shown, which is largely the same as that shown 8th corresponds to, but differs from this in that the plug connector 24, which is received by the edge encapsulation 20, is shaped in such a way that its end face 36 is arranged at least approximately perpendicular to the plane of the disk body arrangement 13. The connector counterpart 42 can therefore be plugged in parallel to the plane of the disk body arrangement 13; that is, the longitudinal center plane of the connector counterpart 42 is aligned at least approximately parallel to this plane. Otherwise, the vehicle window 12" corresponds to the one shown 8th , which is why reference is made to the relevant description.

The orientation of the connector 24 in the edge molding 20 and its geometry can therefore fundamentally vary over a wide range.

Reference symbol list

10

Vehicle roof

12, 12', 12"

Fixed roof element, vehicle window

13

Disc body assembly

14

Disc outer body

16

Disc inner body

18

PDLC arrangement

20

Edge overmolding

21

Connection arrangement

22

Ribbon cable

24

Connectors

26

Contact strip

28

Contact elements

30

Director

32

Connector housing

33

base area

34

Perimeter area

36

face

38

Visible surface

40

Nut

42

Connector counterpart

44

Wiring harness

46

Contact pin

48

Locking counter geometry

Claims (12)

Vehicle window, comprising a window body arrangement (13), an edge coating (20) of the window body arrangement (13), an electrical functional device and a connection arrangement (21) for the electrical functional device, characterized in that the connection arrangement (21) comprises a plug connector (24), which comprises electrical contact elements (28) and a plastic encapsulation of the electrical contact elements (28) and which is an insert part of the edge encapsulation (20). vehicle window Claim 1 , characterized in that the plug connector (24) has a base surface (33) which is arranged plane-parallel to a large surface of the disk body arrangement (13). vehicle window Claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that the connector (24) has a stepped peripheral surface (34). Vehicle window according to one of the Claims 1 until 3 , characterized in that the plug connector (24) has an end face (36) which is arranged essentially flush with an adjacent surface of the edge encapsulation (20). Vehicle window according to one of the Claims 1 until 4 , characterized in that the plug connector (24) comprises a locking geometry which can be brought into engagement with a locking counter geometry (48) of a plug connector counterpart (42). Vehicle window according to one of the Claims 1 until 5 , characterized in that the connection arrangement (21) comprises a ribbon cable which is connected to the electrical functional device and whose electrical conductors (30) are each connected to one of the contact elements (28). Vehicle window according to one of the Claims 1 until 6 , characterized in that the electrical contact elements (28) form a contact strip (26) which is encapsulated by the plastic coating. Vehicle window according to one of the Claims 1 until 7 , characterized in that the electrical functional device comprises a liquid crystal arrangement which forms part of a switchable shading arrangement of the vehicle window and which is in particular a PDLC arrangement (18). Vehicle window according to one of the Claims 1 until 8th , characterized in that the electrical functional device comprises a window heater. Vehicle window according to one of the Claims 1 until 9 , characterized in that the disk body arrangement (13) comprises an outer disk body (14) and an inner disk body (16) and the electrical functional device is arranged between the disk outer body (14) and the disk inner body (16). Vehicle window according to one of the Claims 1 until 10 , characterized in that it is a roof panel of a vehicle roof. Vehicle window according to one of the Claims 1 until 10 , characterized in that it is a rear window, in particular a rear window of a convertible top.

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