EP1119071B1 - Coupling device on a window pane with electrical fonctions - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a device for connecting a window, in particular a window for a motor vehicle window, with electrical functions having the characteristics of claim 1.

We know from the document DE-C1 195 36 131 a diversity glass antenna with connecting elements, which is preferably used for vehicles. The antenna elements, respectively the antenna conductor structures, are deposited on the surface of a window by screen printing and are baked during the heating of the window before tempering thereof. In each case, several antennas are provided on the same pane, in order to be able to use different directions of reception of the incident transmitters and to automatically select each time the transmitter having the optimum field strength.

In the configuration known from this document, the connecting faces of the individual antennas are locally grouped at a location located in the area of the edge of the window. In this place is placed a multiple contact element, in the form of a section of special flat cable, which has for each connection face a counter-contact in addition to the corresponding conductor. The electrical signals from the antennas are transmitted by these conductors to the respective amplifiers arranged at a distance from the window.

Simple AM / FM antennas have been produced for several years on windshields, side windows or rear windows either by placing metal wires in laminated safety glass windshields or by means of conductive structures screen printed on glass. of Single pane safety for side or rear windows. Preferred embodiments also use the rear window heater range to make an antenna. For connection to the following assemblies (receivers), plug connectors or spring contacts are also frequently used. The document US5867128 describes a multiple contact device for antennas arranged on a window.

It is also known (DE-GM 75 27 621) to glue on the window pane a case containing the amplifier, with a view to the direct connection of an antenna amplifier with antenna conductors placed on a pane. window. Two antenna conductors in conductive connection with each other inside the amplifier housing are connected directly to the input terminals of the amplifier and on the other hand also glued to the window pane. On the output side, the amplifier is connected by a flat multipolar cable to the on-board network (supply voltage) and to the receiving device.

By document DE-C2-43 04 788 , there is known a multi-layered conductive structure for connecting electrical functional elements arranged on a car window, such as window antennas, for example, which can be connected to the on-board network of the vehicle with a connection element of the type of a push button, which is soldered to an opaque edge area of the glass.

The future development of the information needs of the vehicle driver with the growth in traffic density leads to the networking of different information systems, with the objective of intelligently managing the flow of vehicles, in such a way that by example the exact position determination possible with the Aglobal Positioning System @ (GPS) in combination with automatic route planning and stationary traffic flow measurement systems allow optimal tracking of the goal. In addition, we are now studying the automatic transmission of accident and theft analysis messages, video games on board the passenger seats to an Internet connection in the vehicle. The future role of the driver of the vehicle as an active and passive participant in a large wireless information and communication network involves the development of corresponding on-board reception systems, which activate the information systems in the vehicle. These receiving systems include the integrated antenna systems for individual communication services including the necessary electronics of amplifiers, respectively impedance adapters.

The information systems currently used in vehicles are AM and FM radio transmitters, UHF video, GSM telephones as well as GPS navigation. So far, these have been linked with the individual arrays partly by separate stick, sphere or crescent antennas.

For the future we can imagine, in addition to networking systems, a development in which bulletins giving weather and road conditions, DAB (digital radio), Internet connection, network control in the form of accident analysis, theft or remote monitoring, etc., also communicate wirelessly with the occupants respectively with the vehicle equipment.

Such a multitude of installed systems leads to a corresponding multitude of antennas. Installing these externally on the vehicle is undesirable both from an aesthetic point of view and because of possible breakdowns due to damage. The development trend is therefore moving towards an invisible installation of antenna systems on electrically insulating areas of the bodywork such as, for example, glass or plastic parts. The integration of even complicated antenna structures on vehicle window panes is necessary because of the large extent of glass or plastic surfaces and ideal dielectric properties of glass or suitable plastics.

For vehicles with the engine at the front, a position of the antenna systems on the rear window or the rear window is optimal for reasons of electromagnetic compatibility, while they should preferably be installed in the windscreen. breeze in vehicles with the rear mid-engine and also with variable bodies.

All systems must meet the requirement of as undisturbed panoramic reception as possible. However, with two-dimensional antenna structures, this is only allowed by the fact that, in each position of the vehicle, the optimum position of the antenna with the strongest signal is selected using a controller. diversity by several antennas located in different positions on the window (diversity system) and be introduced into the information systems on board. The number of individual diversity systems required depends on the geometrical configuration, the specific electromagnetic compatibility of the vehicle and the possibility of obtaining high signal strengths by mixing signals (phase-amplitude sum).

The integration of numerous antenna systems on an automobile glass, if necessary in combination with heating elements, requires suitable connections between the receiving systems and the communication assemblies which follow. Conventional flat connection systems cannot be used as they are, because many automobile windows have a form of high complexity, in which in particular the edges of the windows can be bent in a sphere and with relatively small radii. In addition, the connection systems to be used must comply with the stringent requirements of the automotive industry in terms of weather and temperature stability as well as resistance to vibrations. etc.

The conventional representation of the technique of electrical connection by screen printing on the glass cannot be applied in all cases because of the porosity of the conductive structures thus produced, which can lead to the absorption of moisture from the environment of the glass. vehicle and thus to electro-corrosion or even short circuits.

According to another requirement, the antenna amplifier and impedance adapter should be positioned as close as possible to the individual antenna bases, to ensure as good reception as possible with a large margin of protection. In such complicated systems, said antenna bases must be arranged at relatively large distances from each other on the face of the glass, because, especially in diversity systems, there is a strong dependence between the field strength detectable on a glass antenna and the direction of radiation of the transmitter concerned.

A glass antenna system is also known ( DE-A1 39 11 178 ), in which electrical components are laid directly on, in or near a vehicle window and all of the antenna signals and supply voltages are provided by a single wire harness composed of high conductors frequency and power lines. It is necessary to imagine a glass antenna, which can be installed as a complete unit in the body of the vehicle and which is electrically connected to the body, respectively to the network linked to the body, only by a single multiple connection in the form of a wire harness. The antenna amplifiers (Aquadripoles @) of this system are however fixed directly on the glass and soldered with the input and output lines produced on it by screen printing.

The object of the invention is to provide a device for connection, which allows in a simplified manner the connection of electrical functions arranged on a window with several connection faces arranged in a decentralized manner, in particular antenna elements, with the following assemblies.

According to the invention, this objective is achieved by the features of claim 1. The features of the secondary claims indicate advantageous variants of this subject.

As a result, on the one hand the connection faces of the electrical functional elements are distributed along the edge of the window, in particular in its corner areas. Thus, longer connecting conductors disappear from the window itself compared to the state of the art. In addition, the contact element receives a surface shape adapted to the outline of the edge of the pane, so that it can easily follow the path of radii of curvature of the fixed pane. Its counter-contacts can each time be applied, in the assembly position, to the position of the connection faces linked to the window. Finally, there is provided on the contact element, in the immediate vicinity of the counter-contacts, circuit elements mounted electrically after the latter, such as for example electronic modules, in particular amplifiers. The matrix of the contact element thus serves not only as a sheath or insulation for the conductive tracks or lines conducted through it, but also as a support for the circuit elements. By matrix, we do not necessarily mean a bead of homogeneous material, but it can also be constructed in several layers from several sheets.

In the use on automobile window panes, the dimensions of the contact element on the face of the pane and in particular on the area of the edge thereof are limited, because the free vision through the window. glass must not be damaged. The total length of the contact element is dimensioned as required. We can use not only strip-shaped contact elements extending along one of the upper and / or lower edges of the pane, but also along one or both side edges, possibly also only along 'part of these edges, finally also L or U-shaped models. Their outer dimensions are essentially predetermined by the number, arrangement and reciprocal distances of the connection or contact faces for functional elements in the area of the edge of the glass.

Corner pieces in the layout of the contact element can be formed one piece evenly in the matrix thereof and in the conductor passing there, or be made by separate corner connectors , which subdivide the contact element into several sections. Such corner connectors can be combined with the necessary connection points between the conductors of the contact element and the functional elements on the glass.

Preferably, the application and connection zones provided in the matrix of the contact element for the circuit elements (housing, electronic modules) are reinforced, in order to allow, if necessary, manufacture by robots. Such reinforcements can be produced by local extra thicknesses of material, by locally limited rigid inserts in the otherwise flexible matrix or by the upper or lower installation of additional rigid parts.

For the assembly of the contact element with the pane, a layer of adhesive is preferably used. This may be a single layer, which has been deposited on one side only on the underside of the contact element, which must be applied to the pane, respectively to the strip of the edge thereof. In another form of implementation, the adhesive layer may be a double-sided adhesive tape, one side of which is glued to the underside of the element. contact and the other side of which is glued to the edge strip. For the glue, one can use an isoprene or acrylate glue.

Likewise, the individual counter-contacts intended for the respective connection face on the glass (for example the antenna bases) are preferably provided beforehand with solder or with conductive adhesive, in order to simplify the making of the respective connections. If these are to be made by brazing, then the carrier material for the contact element, respectively the conductive foil itself, will consist of a heat resistant material, for example polyimide plastic. If the electrical contacts to the glass can be made by gluing, then there is less limitation in the choice of materials for the backing sheet with respect to temperature sensitivity.

Appropriate positioning accessories can also be provided on the contact element, which clearly define beforehand in particular its orientation and its positioning on the edge of the window as well as its distance from this edge and which therefore help and facilitate the mounting. These can for example be stops to be placed on the front edge of the window. They can first be firmly assembled, if necessary in one piece, to the matrix of the contact element. When the front edges of the pane must be free all around in the mounted state, these mounting accessories can be assembled with the contact element, respectively with the matrix thereof, for example by means of ribs provided with zones of least resistance. These can be quickly and easily detached after the final placement of the contact element on the glass, in order to remove the stops which are no longer required.

The respective electrical contacts can also be made by means of mechanical junction assemblies, for example of the push-button type, which are also already known for this type of use. They can also be used on the one hand also as positioning accessories in the sense already mentioned and on the other hand do not exclude an additional combined assembly by brazing or gluing.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of a transparent pane, the equipped flexible contact element is glued to a zone of the edge of the pane covered by an opaque screen printing in the form of a frame. Such decorative frames are customary in all window panes provided for direct bonding in bodywork, to prevent the sight of the adhesive as well as its degradation by UV radiation. In the mounted state of such a window, this opaque edge is covered by interior trim towards the interior of the vehicle, over a width such that the contact element is also not visible from the interior. A preferred form of implementation relates to a rear window, which has in the upper region a screen-printed strip more than 20 mm wide, which is suitable for receiving the pre-fitted flexible conductive sheet.

In total, in the opaque printed area of the edge of the glass, one can have a flexible structure fully integrated electrically of conductive paths or comb of cables, including all electronic modules, which is completely covered by the interior trim to be fitted later. From the edge of the window, this structure maintains a distance of> 6 mm, which is predetermined by the deposit of the bead of adhesive for bonding the window to the bodywork, including a possibly pre-assembled frame.

Besides its function of supporting circuit element, modules and conductive paths, the printed circuit board can also, in special embodiments, constitute itself a support for other antenna structures. Antenna structures on the face of the glass could thus be greatly reduced or even disappear. completely, depending on the vehicle equipment. The conductive path structure could for example be made on two planes of the flexible printed circuit board, so that the antenna structures are provided and provided with through contacts on one plane and the connecting conductors are provided on at least another plan, including the assembly of the circuit elements, respectively of the modules.

Such a technology would greatly increase the flexibility of working for customer specific solutions, because changes in the layout of such a conductive sheet will be less costly than altogether expensive measures for example to modify a screen printing stencil.

One can also imagine that, in the wake of a standardization of types of glass, FM, AM and UHF antenna structures are integrated on the glass by screen printing technology and that GHz antenna systems for GSM and GPS are integrated directly into or on the printed circuit board.

Another form of implementation may additionally include electronic sensors on the printed circuit board, such as for example a dew detector in the form of a printed sinuous structure or a rupture detector, for example in the form of a printed circuit board. a conductive loop, which can be supplied with a standby current which is interrupted in the event of a break.

In the plane of the conductors of the contact element could also be integrated the current busbars for the field of heating conductors for the rear glasses made of single-pane safety glass, which can again be connected directly to the signal processing. AM, FM.

The contact element will have output lines for the connection to the assemblies and to the functional elements provided on the bodywork, in particular a diversity operating circuit. These lines are preferably joined together at one interface, so that a multiple connector can be used for the subsequent link. If necessary, for example to avoid the reciprocal influence of different signal or current flows, it is however also possible to provide several interfaces of this type. In particular, it is also possible to use an electro-optical or optical coupling instead of a purely electrical coupling, the interface then having to be equipped with corresponding light waveguides and the contact element possibly having to be equipped with electro converters. -optics.

The contact element thus formed can now be considered as a flexible printed circuit board or sheet in the manner of a pre-assembled cable comb for the window, which can integrate to a large extent, corresponding to the respective configuration of the electrical and / or electronic circuit elements, functions like amplification, operation, tuning, signal conversion, voltage distribution, etc., as well as all internal conductor connections for signals d antenna and control as well as the supply voltages if necessary.

There may also be provided, for example, common conductors for the control signals as well as conductive bars for the voltage distribution and ground terminals and possibly shielding. In addition, there may also be provided, instead of or in addition to the electrical conductors, light waveguides for optical transmission of signals, electro-optical converters then being optionally provided as further circuit elements connected to the element. of contact.

Consequently, by fitting, fixing and bringing into electrical contact the contact element already fitted with prefabricated electronic components, a multitude of or even all of the connection faces are brought into contact all at once on the glass and this, although they should not be closely brought together as in the prior art discussed in the introduction.

Other details and advantages of the subject of the invention will become apparent from the drawing of an exemplary implementation and from its detailed description which follows.

Fig. 1

montre une vitre avec plusieurs éléments fonctionnels électriques et un élément de contact disposé le long du bord supérieur de la vitre; la

Fig. 2

représente en détail l'angle supérieur gauche de la vitre de la Figure 1; et la

Fig. 3

est une représentation en coupe du détail de la Figure 2.

In these schematic drawings, the

Fig. 1

shows a window with several electrical functional elements and a contact element disposed along the upper edge of the window; the

Fig. 2

shows in detail the upper left corner of the window of the Figure 1 ; and the

Fig. 3

is a sectional representation of the detail of the Figure 2 .

Following the Fig. 1 , a fixed transparent pane 1 made of glass or plastic is equipped with a peripheral opaque edge strip 2 as well as antenna elements 3, 4. On the same pane, a conventional heating range 5 is also provided. The antenna elements 3, 4, their connection sections 6 as well as the heating pad 5 and its common conductors 7 can be produced on the surface of a glass pane by the conventional screen printing process from a slip conductive and fired when heating the glass for tempering. This surface is, in the assembled state, turned towards the interior side of a passenger compartment, where the greater part of the opaque edge strip is covered by interior trim. The necessary electrical connections of the heating area 5, respectively of the two common conductors 7, are not further described here. They can be made with conventional individual fittings.

The mentioned connection sections 6 extend over the face of the pane up to the opaque edge strip 2. Along the upper edge of the pane 1 is also disposed, on the opaque edge strip, a strip-shaped contact element 8, which covers the ends of the sections of connection 6. It serves on the one hand as a flat cable for the electrical connection and the connection of the electrical functional elements arranged on the window, on the other hand also as a support for circuit elements 9 such as electronic modules, for example amplifiers , which are shown here only schematically in the form of housings. Approximately in the middle of the contact element 8 is indicated an output line 8 ', which may in a manner known per se include all the necessary external connections of the window with its electrical functional elements. The exterior fittings can, depending on the requirements, operate with electrical, electro-optical or optical transmission of signals. In particular, the output line 8 'can be represented as a common conductor, which connects at least one signal converter / decoder arranged on the contact element with the on-board network.

The Fig. 2 shows in detail the upper left corner of the pane 1. We again recognize the opaque edge strip 2 and one of the connecting sections 6, which is led out of the face of the pane onto the edge strip 2 and ends here by a contact face 10. The contact element 8 covers the contact face 10. One of the circuit elements 9 is located on the contact element 8 in the immediate vicinity of the contact face 10, a conductive path 14 being indicated in broken lines between the contact face 10 and the circuit element 9. This conductive path passes inside the contact element 8, as will be further discussed, and it ends with the contact face 10.

As an alternative to the strip form of the contact element 8 in the Fig. 1 it is also possible to use L-shaped or U-shaped models, as already mentioned. In the Fig. 2 it has also been indicated, by way of illustration in phantom lines, an extension of the contact element 8 beyond the angle of the fixed window along its left side edge as well as an electrical conductor embedded in the contact element, which can be led inside this extension. Of course, there could also be provided here several parallel conductors inside the contact element 8, just as indicated in Fig. 2 to the right of the circuit element 9. This may be, for example, signaling and control conductors as well as distribution conductors for active antenna amplifiers or for the heating range 5, respectively for the conductors Common 7. In this way, the contact element 8 forms a wire harness for all the electrical functional elements, which are provided on the glass 1. With proper design, it can even replace the conventional individual fittings for the connection. heating range 5.

In the section view following the Fig. 3 , we can recognize the vertical structure of the device in the detail area of the Fig. 2 . The base is the pane 1, on the edge area of which the opaque edge strip 2 is deposited. One of the connecting sections 6 emerges from the face of the glass on the edge strip 2 and ends here with the contact face 10. A layer of adhesive 11 assembles the contact element 8 completely with the edge strip. It extends over the lower face of the contact element, also over the area of the connection section 6, it is however provided with a recess above the contact face 10.

In a manner known per se, the contact element 8 consists of the matrix formed from several thin strips of non-conductive plastic 12, 13. The strip 12 forming the underside is provided with the adhesive layer 11. Between the strips are embedded conductive paths 14 made of electrically conductive metal strips with cross sections suitable for the respective application, respectively for electric power (also known per se as a multilayer conductor). As an alternative to the representation, one can naturally also Embed in the matrix of the contact element optical light waveguides in addition to the appropriate adapters and connection terminals.

In the region of the contact face 10, there is provided in the lower plastic strip 12 of the contact element 8 a recess, which releases one of the conductive paths 14 at this location. It can also end here. At this point, a brazed assembly 15 can be made between the conductive path 14 and the contact face 10. Preferably, the conductive path 14 is, for this purpose, provided at this location, where appropriate also the contact face 10. itself, pre-tinning. At least the plastic strip 13 of the upper face consists of a material such as polyimide, which can withstand without damage the heat input required for the through-soldering of the soldered assembly. There has also been indicated an electrical connecting conductor 16, which leads from the conductive path 14 in the module 9. A reinforcing insert 17 embedded in the upper plastic strip 13 of the contact element 8 below has also been indicated. circuit element housing 9.

If the corner area is made with a separate corner connector, as an alternative to the simplified representation of the Fig. 2 , then the conductive path 14 will end therein and its electrical contact with the contact face 10 is made in the area covered by the corner connector. For this purpose, an assembly with mechanical junction by plug or push button can be used.

In the case of the application of an active window antenna, the contact face 10 forms the socket of the antenna concerned and the soldered assembly 15, the conductive path 14 and the connecting conductor 16 form a short ohmic coupling of the antenna to the circuit element 9 forming an amplifier.

It should be noted that the contact element shown schematically here is a simple form of implementation. If necessary, several track plans can be provided or conductive strips one above the other, in a manner known per se.

Claims (16)

1. Device for connecting several functional electric elements (3, 4) configured to be arranged on a transparent window (1), said device comprising :

   - conductors (14) isolated from each other,

   - a single contact element (8), made up of a flexible matrix formed of plastic in which the conductors (14) are arranged, and equipped with an output lead (8'),

   - connecting conductors (16),

   - contact faces (10), configured to be arranged on the face of the window (1) near the edge of the window (1), and covered by the contact element (8),

   - circuit elements (9),

   said connecting device being configured to connect each functional element (3, 4) to communication assemblies, which follow outside the window (1) beyond the output lead (8'), via at least one of the contact faces (10), the contact faces being configured to be connected to the conductors (14) by connection faces of the conductors,
   characterized in that
   contact faces (10) are configured to be distributed along the edge of the window (1); in that the contact element (8) has a shape tailored to the edge of the window; and in that
   the matrix of the contact element (8) is also designed to be a support for circuit elements (9) arranged in close proximity to the contact faces (10) and electrically connected thereto by conductors (14) and connecting conductors (16).
2. Connecting device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the contact element (8) is configured to extend along at least one side of the window (1) parallel to the edge thereof.
3. Connecting device according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the contact element (8) is configured to extend along several sides of the window (1) parallel to the edges thereof.
4. Connecting device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the matrix (12, 13) of the contact element (8) is mechanically strengthened in the region of the points of attachment for circuit elements (9).
5. Connecting device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the contact element (8) is equipped with an output lead (8') so that it can be connected to sets or networks which follow.
6. Connecting device according to Claim 5, characterized in that the output lead (8') is a common conductor associated with at least one signal matcher/decoder arranged on the contact element (8).
7. Connecting device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it further comprises a layer of adhesive (11), particularly a piece of double-sided sticky tape, and in that the contact element (8) is configured to have, on the side facing towards the window (1), a flat side which is coated with the adhesive layer (11) so that it can be bonded permanently to the window (1).
8. Connecting device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises further a conductor assembly agent, particularly a soldering agent or an adhesive, connecting faces of the conductors (14) of the contact element (8) being precoated with said conductor assembly agent.
9. Connecting device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it further comprises mechanically joined means of assembly, connecting faces of the conductor (14) of the contact element (8) are configured to be able to be brought into electrical contact with the contact faces (10) of the window (1) by mechanically joined means of assembly.
10. Connecting device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the contact element (8) is equipped with positioning accessories configured to assist with mounting it in the correct position on the window (1).
11. Connecting device according to Claim 10, characterized in that the positioning accessories are produced in the form of stops assembled with the contact element (8), and configured to be applied to the front edge face of the window (1).
12. Connecting device according to Claim 11, characterized in that the stops are connected to the contact element (8) by areas of lesser strength.
13. Connecting device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the contact element (8) is itself a support for antenna structures, particularly antenna structures suitable for the GHz range of frequencies.
14. Window (1) for car, with functional electric elements (3, 4) and with a device for connecting these functional elements according to any one of the preceding claims.
15. Window (1) according to Claim 14, characterized in that the connecting device is fixed to a face of the window (1) facing towards the interior space at a predetermined distance away from the edge of this window.
16. Window (1) according to Claim 14 or 15, characterized in that it further comprises an opaque colored band (2) extending along its border, and in that the contact element (8) is, in addition to its connections to the functional elements (3, 4) on the window (1), arranged on the face of said opaque coloured band (2).

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