EP1907660A1

EP1907660A1 - Window device and motor vehicle comprising a window device

Info

Publication number: EP1907660A1
Application number: EP06748067A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Jan SÖDERLUND
Original assignee: Scania CV AB
Current assignee: Scania CV AB
Priority date: 2005-07-01
Filing date: 2006-06-29
Publication date: 2008-04-09
Also published as: SE0501548L; BRPI0613100A2; EP1907660A4; WO2007004976A1; SE528873C2

Abstract

The invention relates to a window device for a window aperture of a motor vehicle, and to a motor vehicle. The window device comprises a windowpane (10) which is made of a transparent material and which has an edge (10') which extends round the windowpane. A fastening means (20) extends along at least part of the edge and is firmly connected to the windowpane. The fastening means comprises a flange element (21) with a first flange (22) which extends approximately in a direction from the edge towards a centre of the pane. The first flange is situated at a distance (d) from the windowpane.

Description

Window device and motor vehicle comprising a window device

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION, AND STATE OF THE ART

The present invention relates to a window device for a motor vehicle, particularly for heavy vehicles such as trucks and buses. The window device is suitable for all windowpanes which are fitted permanently in the motor vehicle. Motor vehicles of the type on which the present invention is applicable comprise a vehicle flange which extends in the plane of the windowpane and defines the window aperture through the vehicle body. This vehicle flange is used for fastening the window in the vehicle.

More specifically, the present invention relates to a window device for the window aperture in a motor vehicle according to the preamble of claim 1. The invention also relates to a motor vehicle according to the preamble of claim 11.

A previously known practice is to use a rubber strip for fastening a windowpane in a motor vehicle. Such a rubber strip has two substantially parallel grooves round the rubber strip, whereby a first groove is open inwards and the second groove is open outwards. The rubber strip is applied to the edge of the windowpane so that the windowpane extends into the first groove. Thereafter the windowpane is fastened to the vehicle flange via the applied rubber strip. This previously known solution has the disadvantage that it is laborious and difficult to fasten the rubber strip to the motor vehicle, i.e. to introduce the vehicle flange into the second groove.

Another known practice is to bond windowpanels to the vehicle flange. In that case a line of adhesive is applied to the vehicle flange or the windowpane and the windowpane is thereafter pressed to the vehicle flange. This technique has the disadvantage that the adhesive takes a relatively long time to harden, which makes assembly expensive. Such is particularly the case upon windowpane replacement, when a long hardening time is undesirable because the vehicle cannot be used during it. The line of adhesive is about 7 mm thick and at least some of it has to be removed from the vehicle flange when the windowpane is replaced. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention is to eliminate the above mentioned disadvantages and to provide an improved window device. A particular aspiration is a window device which can be fitted easily and quickly in the motor vehicle's window aperture.

This object is achieved with the windowpane indicated in the introduction which is characterised in that the fastening means comprises a flange element with a first flange which extends approximately in a direction from the edge towards a centre of the windowpane and which is situated at a distance from the windowpane.

Such a fastening means results in a flange which readily allows fastening of the window device in the vehicle's window aperture. The fastening means and the flange element are thus fitted permanently to the windowpane and constitute with the windowpane a unit which is ready for fitting to a motor vehicle. With advantage, the flange is adapted to abutting against a vehicle flange which extends round the motor vehicle's window aperture, whereby the window device comprises at least one retaining means adapted to holding the first flange against the vehicle flange. With the configuration of the first flange according to the invention, the first flange and the vehicle flange will run substantially parallel with one another and can therefore be placed against one another so that a side surface of the first flange and a side surface of the vehicle flange abut closely against one another. A retaining means in a large number of conceivable versions can be used for fastening the first flange and the vehicle flange easily and safely to one another.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the retaining means is designed to grip round the first flange and the vehicle flange and to press them towards one another.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the retaining means comprises a clamping strip which has a U-shaped cross-section and which is adapted to being pushed onto the first flange and the vehicle flange in a direction which extends approximately from the centre of the windowpane. Such a clamping strip can very easily be applied to the first flange and the vehicle flange. Complete fitting of the window device to the vehicle is thus facilitated.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the retaining means is designed to extend round substantially the whole window aperture. In this case a clamping strip may for example take the form of an elongate element which is applied to the two flanges during assembly and which during assembly can easily be pulled away from the flanges. Such easy removal of the retaining means is particularly advantageous in situations where rapid evacuation of the vehicle's interior is necessary.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the first flange is substantially parallel with the windowpane. In cases where the windowpane is substantially planar the first flange is therefore substantially parallel with the whole windowpane. In cases where the windowpane is curved, the first flange is locally parallel with the windowpane, i.e. in each local region of the first flange the first flange and the nearest local region of the windowpane are parallel with one another.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the first flange has an inner edge which is situated nearest to the centre of the windowpane and comprises a protrusion which is situated in the vicinity of the inner edge and extends towards the windowpane. With such a protrusion, the position of the retaining means on the first flange and the vehicle flange is assured and it is possible effectively to prevent the retaining means from becoming detached from the flanges.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the fastening means comprises a strip of a polymer material which extends along the flange element between the flange element and the windowpane and is adapted to connecting the flange element to the windowpane. In this case the fastening means can be fastened to the windowpane by a moulding process whereby the fastening means and the windowpane are placed in a mould into which the polymer material, e.g. polyurethane, is injected. The polymer material is adapted to adhering to the fastening means and the windowpane. With advantage, the polymer material grips round the edge of the windowpane and round at least part of the flange element.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the flange element comprises a second flange which extends in a direction forming an angle with the first flange and which is situated outside the edge of the windowpane. Such a second flange affords the advantage that the fastening means has greater rigidity and at the same time the adhesion of the fastening means to the windowpane can be improved and made more reliable. With advantage, the polymer material may substantially totally enclose the second flange.

Moreover, the edge of the windowpane may take the form of an edge side whereby the second flange is substantially parallel with the edge side.

The object is also achieved with the motor vehicle indicated in the introduction which is characterised in that the fastening means comprises a flange element with a first flange which extends approximately in a direction from the edge to a centre of the windowpane and which is situated at a distance from the windowpane.

It should of course be noted that the window device in the motor vehicle may also comprise all the features of the various embodiments indicated above.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be explained in more detail on the basis of embodiments described by way of examples with reference to the attached drawings.

Fig. 1 depicts a sideview of a motor vehicle.

Fig. 2 depicts a view from the rear of a window device with a clamping strip according to a first version.

Fig. 3 depicts a view from the rear of a window device with a clamping strip according to a second version. Fig. 4 depicts a sectional view through part of the window device with a fastening means according to a first version. Fig. 5 depicts a sectional view through part of the window device with a fastening means according to a second version.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Fig. 1 depicts a motor vehicle 1 of the heavy vehicle type and more specifically a truck. The invention is applicable to all types of vehicles but is particularly preferred for heavy vehicles of the truck and bus type composed of a framework and a body mounted thereon. The body comprises a plurality of window apertures with fixed windows, i.e. windows which cannot be opened. The window device according to this invention can be used for such windows which are not intended to be opened. On the vehicle 1 depicted in Fig. 1, two windows 2 and 3 may comprise the window device according to the invention. The window 2 is a side window of the motor vehicle 1 and the window 3 is a windscreen of the motor vehicle 1.

A first embodiment of the invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to Figs. 2 and 4. The window aperture of the motor vehicle 1 is defined by a vehicle flange 5 which extends round the window aperture and which is situated approximately in a plane which is parallel with the window. The vehicle flange 5 takes the form of a first body sheet 6 which faces outwards and which comprises a section which extends substantially inwards and a flange section extending substantially perpendicular from the inner section, and of a second body sheet 7 which faces inwards and which comprises a vertical flange section and, connected to the latter, a section which runs further into the vehicle. Such a vehicle flange 5 may be regarded as constituting a conventional vehicle part used for window assembly.

The window device according to the invention comprises a windowpane 10 made of a transparent material of a conventional kind. The windowpane 10 has an outer edge 10' and an inner edge 10" which extend round the windowpane 10 and constitute an edge side 11 of the windowpane 10. The windowpane 10 also has an outside 12 and an inside 13, both of which border on the edge side 11 at the respective edges 10' and 10". The windowpane 10 propagates parallel with a main propagation plane p which extends through the windowpane 10 in the embodiment depicted in Fig. 4 where the windowpane 10 is substantially planar. The windowpane 10 may nevertheless also be somewhat curved.

The window device also comprises a fastening means 20 extending along at least part of the edge 10' of the windowpane 10. The fastening means 20 may extend round the edges 10' and 10" of the whole windowpane 10 or round a number of sections of the edges 10' and 10", i.e. along sections of the periphery of the windowpane 10. The fastening means 20 is connected firmly to the windowpane 10, as will be explained in more detail below.

The fastening means 20 comprises a flange element 21 with a first flange 22 and a second flange 23. The first flange 22 extends approximately in a direction from the edge 10' towards a centre of the windowpane 10 and is situated at a distance d from the windowpane 10. In the embodiment depicted in Fig. 4, the first flange 22 extends substantially parallel with the propagation plane p. In other words, the first flange 22 is substantially parallel with the windowpane 10. This applies to the whole windowpane 10 if the latter is planar. In cases where the windowpane 10 is somewhat curved, the first flange 22 is at least locally parallel with the windowpane 10, i.e. in each local region of the first flange 22 the first flange 22 and the nearest local region of the windowpane 10 are parallel with one another.

When the window device is to be fitted in the motor vehicle 1, the window device 10 is applied in such a way that the first flange 22 abuts against the vehicle flange 5. These two flanges 22 and 5 are then substantially parallel with one another wherever they abut against one another. The window device also comprises a retaining means 25 which, in the assembly situation described, is adapted to holding the first flange 22 against the vehicle flange 5. The retaining means 25 may take many different forms and may with advantage be adapted to gripping round the first flange 22 and the vehicle flange 5 and to pressing these flanges 22 and 5 against one another. In the embodiment depicted in Fig. 2 and 4, the retaining means 25 comprises a plurality of clamping strips 26 which have a U-shaped cross-section and are adapted to being pushed onto the first flange 22 and the vehicle flange 5 in a direction extending outwards approximately from the centre of the windowpane 10. Fig. 2 depicts more specifically six clamping strips 26 which act as retaining means 25 for holding the window device firmly in the window aperture. It should be noted that more or fewer such clamping strips 26 may be arranged, depending on various circumstances such as the size of the windowpane 10.

The first flange 22 has an inner edge 22' situated adjacent to the centre of the windowpane 10. The first flange 22 also has a protrusion 28 situated in the vicinity of the inner edge 22' and extending towards the windowpane 10. The clamping strip 26 has two limbs whereby a first limb 26' is preshaped in such a way that the first limb 26' has at its lower end a deflection 29 extending inwards towards the second limb 26". Accordingly, when the clamping strip 26 is pushed onto the flanges 22 and 5 the first limb 26' of the clamping strip 26 will initially be bent outwards by the protrusion 28 and will thereafter snap in so that the deflection 29 abuts against a surface of the first flange 22, which surface is situated below the protrusion 28 and faces towards the windowpane 10. Such a solution ensures that the clamping strip 26 is held securely and reliably on the flanges 22 and 5 and that the clamping strip 26 cannot become detached from the flanges 22 and 5.

The second flange 23 of the flange element 21 extends in a direction which forms an angle with the first flange 22. In the embodiment depicted, the second flange 23 extends substantially at right angles to the first flange 22, although other angles are also possible. The second flange 23 is situated outside the inner edge 10" of the windowpane 10 and extends substantially parallel with the edge side 11 of the windowpane 10.

The fastening means 20 also comprises a strip 30 of a polymer material, preferably polyurethane. The strip 30 extends along the flange element 21 between the flange element 21 and the windowpane 10 and is adapted to connecting the flange element 21 permanently to the windowpane 10. The strip 30 is injected onto the windowpane 10 and the flange element 21 during the manufacture of the window device. This may for example be achieved by the flange element 21 and the windowpane 10 being placed in a mould into which the polymer material is injected. Strong adhesion between the polymer material and the flange element 21 and the windowpane 10 respectively can thus be achieved. In the embodiment depicted in Fig. 4, the strip 30 is shaped in such a way that the polymer material extends between a lower portion of the first flange 22 and the inside 13 of the windowpane 10, between the second flange 23 and the edge side 11 and against the outside 12 and against the outside of the second flange 23. In this embodiment the polymer material is entirely continuous. At the time of assembly of the window device, the portion of the strip 30 which is situated outside the outside of the second flange 23 will abut against the abovementioned inward section of the body sheet 6 and thus secure the window device's position in the window aperture. This is particularly advantageous when assembling the window device.

Fig. 5 depicts a second embodiment which only differs from the first embodiment in Fig. 4 in that the strip 30 is divided into two sections 30' and 30". The first section 30' is situated between the inside 13 of the windowpane 10 and a lower portion of the first flange 22 and an inner portion of the second flange 23. The second section 30" of the strip is situated on the outside of the second flange 23 and serves as support relative to the inward sheet section in the window aperture as mentioned above.

Fig. 3 depicts a further embodiment of the invention which relates to a variant of the retaining means 25. In this case, the retaining means 25 takes the form of a continuous element extending round substantially the whole window aperture. The retaining means 25 here comprises a plurality of local clamping strips 26 connected to one another by intermediate sections 27. With such a configuration, the retaining means 25 can for example be supplied on a reel or the like and, during the assembly operation, be unwound and applied to the two flanges 22, 5 in a manner comparable with the embodiment depicted in Fig. 2. The retaining means 25 according to Fig. 3 also comprises a handle 40 which connects the two ends of the retaining means 25. By means of this handle 40 the retaining means 25 can easily be removed from the flanges 22 and 5, e.g. when the vehicle interior is to be evacuated.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments referred to above but may be varied and modified within the scopes of the claims set out below. It should in particular be noted that the flange element 21 may be formed and fastened to the windowpane 10 in many different ways. The strip 30 may also be formed in many different ways.

Claims

1. A window device for a window aperture of a motor vehicle (1) comprising a windowpane (10) which is made of a transparent material and which has an edge (10', 10") which extends round the windowpane ( 10), a fastening means (20), which extends along at least part of the edges (10', 10") and is firmly connected to the windowpane (10), characterised in that the fastening means (20) comprises a flange element (21) with a first flange (22) which extends approximately in a direction from the edges (10', 10") towards a centre of the windowpane (10) and which is situated at a distance (d) from the windowpane (10).

2. A window device according to claim 1, characterised in that the first flange is adapted to abutting against a vehicle flange (5) which extends round the window aperture of the motor vehicle (1), whereby the window device comprises at least one retaining means (25) which is adapted to holding the first flange (22) against the vehicle flange (5).

3. A window device according to claim 2, characterised in that the retaining means 25 is designed to grip round the first flange and the vehicle flange and to press them towards one another.

4. A window device according to claim 3, characterised in that the retaining means 25 comprises a clamping strip (26) which has a U-shaped cross-section and which is adapted to being pushed onto the first flange (22) and the vehicle flange (5) in a direction which extends approximately from the centre of the windowpane (10).

5. A window device according to any one of the foregoing claims, characterised in that the retaining means is designed to extend round substantially the whole window aperture.

6. A window device according to any one of the foregoing claims, characterised in that the first flange (22) is substantially parallel with the windowpane (10).

7. A window device according to any one of the foregoing claims, characterised in that the first flange (22) has an inner edge (22') which is situated nearest to the centre of the windowpane (10) and comprises a protrusion (28) situated in the vicinity of the inner edge (22') and extending towards the windowpane (10).

8. A window device according to any one of the foregoing claims, characterised in that the fastening means (20) comprises a strip (30) of a polymer material which extends along the flange element (21) between the flange element (21) and the windowpane (10) and is adapted to connecting the flange element (21) to the windowpane (10).

9. A window device according to claim 8, characterised in that the polymer material grips round the edges (10', 10") of the windowpane (10) and round at least part of the flange element (21).

10. A window device according to any one of the foregoing claims, characterised in that the flange element (21) comprises a second flange (23) which extends in a direction forming an angle with the first flange (22) and which is situated outside the edge 10' of the windowpane (10).

11. A window device according to claims 9 and 10, characterised in that the polymer material substantially totally encloses the second flange (23).

12. A window device according to either of claims 10 and 11 , characterised in that the edges (10', 10") of the windowpane (10) take the form of an edge side (11), whereby the second flange (23) is substantially parallel with the edge side (11).

13. A motor vehicle comprising a window aperture and a window device which is fitted in the window aperture, whereby the window device comprises a windowpane (10) which is made of a transparent material and which has an edge

(10', 10") which extends round the windowpane (10), a fastening means (20) which extends along at least part of the edges (10', 10") and is firmly connected to the windowpane (10), characterised in that the fastening means (20) comprises a flange element (21) with a first flange (22) which extends approximately in a direction from the edges (10', 10") towards a centre of the windowpane (10) and which is situated at a distance (d) from the windowpane (10).