EP0671864B1 - Seal for an electrical connection to a window panel - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a glazing unit requiring signal supply electric. The invention also relates to the use of such glazing, specially on vehicles.

Glazing according to the preamble of claim is described in EP-A-0 217 703.

In an automobile, several types of glazing require a connection electric. These are heated, de-icing glazing with optical properties remote-controlled or glazing units with an element requiring this connection like, for example, an antenna, sensors ...

The electrical connection usually consists of a collecting strip in electrical contact with the elements requiring this supply. She is connected at the edge of the glazing with a cable connected to a power source, as described by example in patent DE-36 04 437.

The electrical source or the control unit is generally located in an area protected from external stresses as well, in the case of glazing heated, the switch that controls the defrost is inside the passenger compartment, the same applies in the case of a brake light installed on the glazing. In a manner symmetrical, if, for example, the electrical source is a screen-printed antenna on the glazing, on its internal face, it is also in the area protected from external stresses.

Conversely, the device which exploits energy or electrical signals is also found in a protected area, inside the vehicle. This is the case of heating network screen printed with a defrosting window, this is the case of the integrated brake light glazing but also, symmetrically, this is the case with the radio receiver in the passenger compartment.

Thus in the field of the invention, that where on the one hand the device current consumer, or one who processes electrical signals or, else share, the electrical source, are installed on a glazing, inside the vehicle, the electrical connection leads from inside the vehicle to inside the vehicle. A problem arises when, between its two ends, the connection must transit outside the area protected from external stresses. More specifically, the invention relates to the case where one of these two transitions, interior-exterior, is located near the glazing, the problem is particularly sensitive when the glazing is opening glazing such as a tailgate.

The task of the invention is to provide a glazing whose electrical supply will be provided by electrical connections located both outside and within the area delimited by a seal, called seal area.

The invention must allow the transition of the electrical connection between inside and outside is carried out without permitting water penetration. It is necessary also that this transition does not hamper the functioning of the means usual sealing (seals).

The invention is defined in claims 1 and 5.

The invention proposes a glazing comprising on its surface a conductor in which an additional element covers part of the conductor and imparts an absolute seal to said part of the conductor covered by this element, preferably the part of the electrical conductor is chosen from the following elements, taken alone or in combination: layer conductive, for example deposited by screen printing, foil, flexible plate conductive, conductive filaments in the form of wires or braids, connection electric welding type.

The preferred mode for producing the element conferring an absolute seal is the overmolding of the glazing. The electrical connections are temporarily maintained in position for the time necessary for overmolding by any suitable means: glue, jumpers, rivets, adhesive layer, etc ...

The complementary element with the characteristics which have just been thus provides a sealed outlet "of the glazing. She is usable, all other things being equal, such as the waterproof cable outlet of any electrical device in contact with water, such as for example a submersible pump.

In a variant of the glazing of the invention, provision is made for the element conferring an absolute seal is achieved by the association of a base on which is grafted a cover.

The glazing of the invention is particularly suitable for the automobile. The invention provides for its use on a motor vehicle, a seal being in contact with said glazing, at least when the latter is in the closed position, and then the seal covers, at least partially, the electrical conductor and the complementary element conferring an absolute seal. In this case, preferably, said part of the electrical conductor is connected, on the one hand, to a cable connected to a source of current or electrical signals and, secondly, to a cable connected to a device using current or signals such as defrost, brake light, radio, the two cables running on either side of the location of the seal.

In a variant, it is provided that one of the cables, placed outside the vehicle, or incorporated into a profile glued to the edge of glazing.

Mounted on the glazing of an automobile, in particular on an opening glazing which is pressed on a seal linked to the body and consisting of a elastomer, the complementary element of the invention allows, thanks to the shape adapted by the skilled person, to keep the same seals as when he there are no electrical conductors passing through the joint while keeping excellent sealing.

• la figure 1 représente différentes trajectoires de liaisons électriques selon l'invention,
• la figure 2 représente une vue plus en détail du passage de la zone d'étanchéité à la zone hors étanchéité,
• la figure 3 représente des variantes de l'élément complémentaire en coupe,
• la figure 4 représente des pièces profilées selon l'invention, les conducteurs étant supportés par des embases, elles-mêmes recouvertes d'un couvercle,
• la figure 5 représente deux vues de face d'une connexion selon l'invention,
• la figure 6 représente une coupe d'une variante de l'invention,
• la figure 7 représente une vue de face d'un vitrage de l'invention.

Other advantages and characteristics will appear in the following description with reference to the appended figures in which:

• FIG. 1 represents different trajectories of electrical connections according to the invention,
• FIG. 2 represents a more detailed view of the passage from the sealing zone to the non-sealing zone,
• FIG. 3 represents variants of the complementary element in section,
• FIG. 4 represents profiled parts according to the invention, the conductors being supported by bases, themselves covered with a cover,
• FIG. 5 represents two front views of a connection according to the invention,
• FIG. 6 represents a section of a variant of the invention,
• FIG. 7 represents a front view of a glazing unit of the invention.

Figure 1 illustrates different trajectories that drivers can follow electrical 1, on a glazing 2 of the invention. Of course, these trajectories are data without limitation. The driver can consist of the following elements, taken independently or in combination: a metallic foil, a layer conductive, at least one conductive filament, a conductive plate, a copper strip or solder type electrical connection, etc ...

The diagram la represents a glazing 2 whose electrical conductors 1 pass outside the area delimited by a seal 3. This seal located, either on the bodywork or on the glazing itself is in contact with it (at less when the glazing is closed if the seal is placed on the body) on an area of a certain width shown in the figure. Diagram 1a represents, by example, the supply of electrical signals to an element 4 by a source power supply shown in 5. This element can be a brake light, a sensor, a wiper motor, etc ...

Diagram 1b illustrates a heated windshield. The heating network is made up thin wires of electrical heating resistance 6. Each heating wire is connected electrically with two header strips 7 and 8. The header strips are, for example, consisting of strips of copper foil covered with solder low melting tin. According to this diagram, the collector strips are located in the sealing area. Connections 9 seal the passage of the zone sealing to the non-sealing area. These connections 9 constitute the conductors electrical 1 of the heating network which connect it to a power source electric, not shown.

Diagrams 1c and 1d illustrate the passage of the electrical connections of the zone sealing to the non-sealing area.

Diagram 1c represents the supply of an element 10 located in the area sealing to a power source 11, also located in the sealing zone. For reasons of space, the electrical conductor 1 is located in major part outside the sealing zone while ensuring the passage from one zone to another. Element 10 can be a signaling light, such as a brake light, an antenna, a sensor, and the "power source" of electrical signals, for example, a battery chemical lithium or a radio signal preamplifier.

Diagram 1d illustrates, for its part, a heated rear window consisting of conductors made of screen-printed silver paste 12 electrically connected to two header strips. Cables 15 and 16 constitute the electrical conductors 1 between the heating network and an external power source, not shown. According to this diagram, the collecting strips consist of a silver paste 12, deposited by screen printing, and the electrical connection provided by conductive filaments in the form of flat braids or wires 15, 16 respectively.

In this FIG. 1, the complementary element parts according to the invention do not are not shown.

Figure 2 shows, in more detail, the passage from the sealing zone to the non-sealing area delimited by the sealing area 3. A profiled part 17, which constitutes the complementary element of the invention, seals this passage. The profiled part 17 is advantageously obtained by molding or, from preferably by overmolding.

In the figure, we see at 18 the representation of a profiled sheath which is located in the non-sealing area and where the electrical conductors are housed. This sheath profile 18 is connected to profile part 17 but, parts 17 and 18 can constitute a single piece, as shown.

Figure 3 illustrates different profiled parts that constitute elements complementary according to the invention; here they are hat-shaped, not limiting. This “soft” shape that gradually connects to the surface of the glazing allows easy sealing between, on the one hand, the glazing and the room and a elastic seal on the other.

The profiled part 19 can cover a rectangular, elliptical or have lips 20 as illustrated in diagrams 3a, 3b, 3c and 3d respectively. The parts of the conductors are here represented in the form of wires 40 (diagrams 3a, 3b and 3c) or flat conductors 21 (diagrams 3g, 3h). Here the conductors 40, 21 are embedded in the material of the profiled part 19 and, in the since it is electrically insulating, it is not necessary that, in this area, the conductors are provided with a sheath. Such an absence of sheath avoids that the (minimal) space between the sheath and the metallic core of the conductor does is a path for moisture. According to these diagrams, the profiled parts are overmolded. We can also use prefabricated parts with housings in which the electrical conductors are located, as shown in the 3d, 3e, 3f, 3i and 3d diagrams. In this case, it is essential that the accommodation where finds the conductor closed at its ends, so as to prevent water from passes through the channel of the accommodation.

Instead of being made of wires, electrical connections can also be conductive layers 21, as illustrated in diagrams 3g, 3h, 3i and 3j. These layers can be a silver paste deposited by screen printing or a coating. driver. According to diagrams 3i and 3j, the conductive layers 21 are housed in housing prefabricated rooms glued to the glazing.

In addition to the wires, sheathed or not, and layered conductors deposited on the surface of the glazing, braids 41 can also be used (diagram 3b).

In FIG. 4, the profiled parts 19 which constitute the element complementary to the invention are in two parts, a base 22 and a cover 42. The base may include lugs 23 intended to cooperate with the shapes 24 of the cover 42. The base is fixed here by gluing to the glazing thanks to the adhesive film 25.

The part of electrical conductor 40 included in the profiled part 19 must be here also isolated from interior and exterior spaces (or at least one of the two), this is why at the ends (or at one of them), the space where the conductor is located is closed.

The fact that the part 19 is in two parts makes it possible to separate the functions, the base holds in place the part of electrical conductor which passes through it, the cover with a suitable external shape, allows connection with the seal peripheral of the elastomer glazing which is perfectly sealed.

FIG. 5 represents, in more detail, a type of electrical connection at the level the passage from the sealing zone to the non-sealing zone.

When the electrical connections are conductive cables, the latter do not not suitable for moving from one zone to another. Indeed, they have in generally a relatively large thickness. Furthermore, their contact surface relatively narrow with the glazing leads to a risk of incorrect positioning can in particular affect the tightness of the passage from one zone to another.

This is why, it is preferable that the connection at the level of said passage is of thin. It is, for example, a conductive layer, a foil, a copper strip or a plate of conductive material.

Diagram 5a represents part of the electrical conductor 26 constituted of a silver-based paste deposited, for example, by screen printing. The cables 27 are, for example, connected by solder to silver paste.

Diagram 5b represents a part of electrical conductor 28 consisting of a silver-based paste onto which metallic foils 29 are welded, the cables 27 being electrically connected to this assembly. This device allows, in particular, to increase the electrical power at the link ensuring the passage from one zone to another.

FIG. 6 represents an advantageous variant of the invention. We see in 30 an elastomer seal which is fixed to the periphery of the glazing. He has a lip 31 which can have multiple functions. One of them is to plug the gap between the glazing 2 and the body 32. Advantageously, this seal is an elastomer profile self-adhesive which is designed to incorporate conductive cables 43. The fixing the profile to the glazing is done on the edge and one and / or the other face in edge of the glazing, spaces being provided inside this profile for the housing these links. The cables 43 are connected to the conductor part 35 consisting of a plate of flexible conductive material via a electrical connector 34. The electrical wires connected to the user element of the link, as a source (antenna for example) or as a current consumer (brake light for example) are not shown in the figure, they are welded to the plate of flexible conductive material 35. This plate is electrically insulated and the whole is sealed thanks to the localized part 37 of the joint, this part profiled is advantageously obtained using an organized material leak plastic constituting the profile 30.

In FIG. 6, we see at 44 a laying putty which is glued both to the joint made of elastomer 30 and to the bodywork 32. It seals between the exterior and inside the vehicle. This tightness is maintained at the connection electric, thanks to the technique of the invention.

FIG. 7 represents another variant of the invention according to which the electrical conductor 1 consists only of a collecting strip based on silver paste deposited by screen printing. This strip provides the power supply of element 38 by connecting it to a power source not shown. The band collector is located both outside and inside the sealing area delimited by joint 3, while ensuring the passage of electricity from an area to the other. A profiled part 39 provides part of the sealing of this strip. She preferably has a means to facilitate mounting of the glazing in the bay bodywork, in particular a lip 31, as shown in FIG. 5. The collecting strip can be completely protected from external stresses by the room 39. It can also, as shown, extend beyond the room. The part that overflows can then be covered with a coating ensuring its tightness. It is a essentially organic coating, based on a polymer or copolymer based a resin of the polyurethane, acrylic or cationic type. This coating is, for example, that described in patent application FR 93/09595 not yet published.

The glazing which has just been described has many advantages. The technique to achieve it is very industrial, it allows both to fix the cables at the level of the connection and ensuring that it is perfectly sealed and this, that the glazing-bodywork sealing is obtained by gluing (Figure 6) or using a elastomer gasket plated on the glazing or on the body while it is glued on the other.

Claims (7)

1. Glazing pane (2) comprising on its surface an electrical conductor (1, 27, 40, 41, 21, 26, 28, 29, 35) partly covered by a complementary element (17, 19), characterised in that the latter confers absolute impermeability on the said part of the conductor covered with this element and allows the at least partial covering of the electrical conductor (1, 27, 40, 41, 21, 26, 28, 29, 35), the complementary element (17, 19) and part of the surface of the glazing pane (2) itself by the sealing joint (3) in contact with the glazing pane (2), at least when the latter is in the closed position.
2. Glazing pane according to Claim 1, characterised in that the part of the electrical conductor is chosen from amongst the following elements, taken alone or in combination: conductive layer (21, 26, 28), for example deposited by screen printing, metal foil (29), flexible conductive plate (35), conductive filaments in the form of wires (40) or braids (41), or an electrical connection of the solder type.
3. Glazing pane according to one of Claims 1 or 2, characterised in that the element conferring absolute impermeability is produced by moulding onto the glazing pane.
4. Glazing pane according to one of Claims 1 or 2, characterised in that the element conferring absolute impermeability is produced by the association of a base (22) on which a "cover" (42) is grafted.
5. Use of a glazing pane according to one of Claims 1 to 4 on a motor vehicle, the sealing joint being in contact with the said glazing pane, at least when the latter is in the closed position, characterised in that the sealing joint at least partially covers the electrical conductor (1, 27, 40, 41, 21, 26, 28, 29, 35) and the complementary element (17, 19) conferring absolute impermeability.
6. Use of a glazing pane according to Claim 5, characterised in that the said part of the electrical conductor is connected on the one hand to a cable connected to a source of current or electrical signals and on the other hand to a cable connected to a device using the current or the signals such as de-icing, stop light or radio set, the two cables passing on each side of the location of the sealing joint.
7. Use of a glazing pane according to Claim 6, characterised in that one of the cables is placed outside the vehicle and in that this cable (43) is incorporated in a profiled section (30) adhesively bonded to the edge of the glazing pane.

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