FR2990649A1 - Glazing element for forming e.g. rear window of car, has transparent panels comprising shoulders placed in thickness direction, where shoulders rest against one of panels, and panels are formed of two different transparent materials - Google Patents

Abstract

The element (1) has a first transparent panel (2) and a second transparent panel (3) fixed at one another. The transparent panels comprise shoulders (6, 7) placed in a thickness direction, where the shoulders rest against the second panel. The panels are formed of two different transparent materials. The material of the second panel is a transparent polymeric material i.e. polycarbonate, which has less dense than glass. The first panel is formed by laminated glass including a glass leaf (8) and a guide sheet layer (9) and made of thermoplastic polyurethane.

Description

The present invention relates to the general field of glazing of vehicles, including motor vehicles, such as windshields, rear windows, or windows. . Various glazing arrangements for vehicles are known, and in particular, by the document FR-2,879,511, panoramic glazings which comprise several separate glazed panels, and more particularly a laminated glass windshield which is extended by a panoramic polycarbonate roof. enchased in a frame adjacent to said windshield. If such glazings have undeniable advantages, in particular by providing a wide field of vision and a good contribution of light which contributes to the driver's visual comfort and to the approval of the passengers, as well as to the safety of driving, they However, they may suffer from certain disadvantages. In the first place, the presence of the amounts and frames, sometimes unattractive, but necessary for the maintenance of the glazed panels, tends, in spite of the importance of the glass surface, to limit the visual field of the driver. In addition, the multiplication of glass surfaces and associated frames tends to complicate the arrangement of the chassis of the vehicle, to cause additional manufacturing and assembly operations, and therefore to increase the time and cost of production. said vehicle. Moreover, such glazings can have a particularly high weight, because of the use of large laminated glass front panels, this material is indeed preferred to meet certain standards for safety in case of impact. Lastly, the shaping of laminated glass can be complex, delicate, and expensive, for example when seeking to produce curved panels having lateral returns. Moreover, the diversity of forms actually achievable laminated glass is precisely quite limited because of the difficulties of implementation of this material. The objects assigned to the invention therefore aim at overcoming the aforementioned drawbacks and at proposing a new vehicle glazing element which has a structure that is both simple and robust, easy and quick to manufacture, and in particular having optical qualities. and improved aesthetics. The objects assigned to the invention are achieved by means of a vehicle glazing element comprising at least a first transparent panel and a second transparent panel attached to each other, said glazing element being characterized in that that the first transparent panel and / or the second transparent panel has a shoulder formed in its thickness, shoulder against which rests the other panel.

Advantageously, the invention makes it possible to produce a glazing element integrally, or almost completely, from transparent materials, which guarantees a perfect visibility through said glazing element, at every point of the latter and whatever the angle according to which the gaze is worn, from the inside of the passenger compartment of the vehicle to the outside.

Indeed, the junction of two panels both transparent, ensures the continuity of the transparent glass surface, including at the joint between adjacent panels, so that no opaque obstacle of the upright kind or intermediate insert, does not reduce the visual field.

In addition, the assembly of the panels by shoulder makes it possible to achieve an interlocking type connection, precise, reproducible, stable and solid, even in the case of a simple end grip. As such, the one or more shoulders may advantageously provide a plurality of secant bearing surfaces, which form abutments in at least two directions distinct from the space, such stops advantageously facilitating the centering and fixing of the panels. compared to each other. In addition, the multiplication of the adhesion surfaces in a restricted volume makes it possible to ensure good fixation, despite the compactness of the seal. Advantageously, the invention also makes it possible to produce a modular glazing element, which, although forming a coherent subassembly of clothing that can be handled and inserted in one piece on the vehicle, which notably allows productivity gains to be achieved. , results from the assembly of different pieces (transparent panels) which can be preformed separately according to a large variety of individual shapes, then grouped and arranged very freely relative to each other, potentially according to many configurations, so that the The invention allows in practice a great freedom of design of the glazed element, both in its overall shape and extent as in the choice of its constituent material (s). Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will appear in more detail on reading the description which follows, as well as with the aid of the appended drawings, provided for purely illustrative and non-limiting purposes, among which: Figure 1 illustrates, in an external perspective view from the front, a first embodiment of glazing element according to the invention, windshield type. FIG. 2 illustrates, in an inner perspective view of the back, the glazing element of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 illustrates, in a sectional view transverse to the edge of the glazing element, the detail of FIG. one of the shouldered junctions of the glazing element of Figures 1 and 2. Figure 4 illustrates, in an exploded perspective view, a second embodiment of glazing element according to the invention. FIG. 5 illustrates, in a sectional view transverse to the edge of the glazing element, the detail of one of the shouldered junctions of the glazing element of FIG. 4. FIG. exploded perspective view, a third embodiment of glazing element according to the invention. FIGS. 7 and 8 show, in cross-sectional views to the edge of the glazing element, the detail of two possible variants of shouldered junctions that can be implemented in particular on the glazing element of FIG. respectively a flush junction and a projecting junction with gutter. The present invention relates to a glazing element 1 for a vehicle (not shown), and more particularly to a glazing element forming a panoramic windshield or a rear window, as shown in particular in FIG. also a vehicle, including a motor vehicle equipped with at least one or more glazing element (s) according to the invention. According to the invention, the glazing element 1 comprises at least a first transparent panel 2 and a second transparent panel 3, 4, 5 fixed to each other.

Said panels 2, 3, 4, 5 are advantageously intended to form transparent partitions, glass type, separating the passenger from the outside of the vehicle. Of course, the invention is in no way limited to a particular variant embodiment, the second panel 3, 4, 5 being able, as the case may be, to form or comprise a reinforcing element that is superposed, according to its thickness, on the thickness of the first panel 2 so as to completely cover said first panel by projecting beyond the edges of the latter, as shown in FIG. 6, and / or to form or comprise a side glazing panel 10 folded down 3, 4 , Fenestron type, as illustrated in particular in Figures 1 to 8, or to form or include a pan roof glazed 5 panoramic roof extension type intended to dress all or part of the roof of the vehicle As is illustrated in dotted lines in FIG. 1. Particularly preferably, the glazing element 1 will form a panoramic shell comprising at least a first transparent front panel 2, advantageously intended for be disposed transversely to the running direction of the vehicle, and a second transparent panel 3 and a third transparent panel 4 forming side panels folded on each side of said first panel, of the kind fenestrons, and / or a fourth panel 5 forming roof panel folded at the top of said first panel 2 front. Preferably, the fenestrons 3, 4 may have a substantially triangular or trapezoidal shape, having a common side with one of the edges of the first front panel 2, said common side forming an edge of the shell, which preferably marks a rounded fold . The said windows may each cover, as an indication, glass surfaces substantially between 0.03 m2 and 0.50 m2. Furthermore, the glazing element 1, and more particularly the windows 3, 4 preferably have a substantially symmetrical arrangement with respect to the sagittal plane Ps of the vehicle. Of course, even if, by convention and for convenience of description, the description of the first panel 2 / second panel 3 pairing is preferred, the characteristics of the "third" and "fourth" panels 4, 35 as well as their arrangement and / or their interaction with the first panel 2 can be deduced mutatis mutandis from the characteristics of the "second" panel 3. According to the invention, the first transparent panel 2 and / or the second transparent panel 3, 4, 5 has a shoulder 6, 7, 7 'formed in its thickness, shoulder 6, 7, 7' against which rests the other panel 3, 4, 5, 2, as shown in particular in Figures 3, 5, 7 and 8. Advantageously, a such shoulder allows an adjustment of the first panel 2 against the second panel 3 which is accurate, reproducible, stable, and potentially compact and discrete. In addition, it is thus possible to make a direct connection of the two panels 2, 3, devoid of opaque element, and in particular of amount or metal insert, likely to obscure the visual field of the occupants of the vehicle, and therefore, in finally, forming a glazing element 1 continuously transparent, although having several folded sides and / or complex shapes, in particular curved and in particular bulged outwards. Furthermore, the first panel 2 and the second panel 3 are preferably made respectively of a first transparent material and a second transparent material distinct from the first material. The invention therefore advantageously makes it possible to produce a hybrid or hybrid glazing unit by assembling rigid transparent panels of different nature to each other. Such a modular structure makes it possible not only to simplify the production of the individual panels 2, 3, 4, 5 as well as their assembly within the glazing element, then the manipulation and integration of said glazing element on the body of the glazing unit. vehicle, but also to combine the optical properties and / or mechanical respective different constituent materials of said panels. As such, the second transparent panel 3 is preferably made in one piece in a less dense transparent polymer material 30 than glass, preferably polycarbonate. Advantageously, such a choice makes it possible first of all to significantly lighten the total weight of the glazing element 1, for example of the order of 30% to 40% compared with an embodiment in integral glass, without sacrificing to the mechanical strength, in particular impact resistance, of said glazing element 35 1.

Then, the use as a second material of a polymer, preferably thermoplastic, easier to work than the mineral glass, allows easy formatting of the second panel 3, for example by injection molding or by thermoforming, under conditions relatively little severe, and whatever the variety or complexity of the shapes of said second panel 3. The first transparent panel 2 is in turn preferably made of laminated glass. As such, said first panel 2 preferably comprises at least a first glass sheet 8, preferably forming a first apparent outer layer, and at least one interlayer lamination sheet 9, preferably made of thermoplastic polyurethane, forming against the first layer of glass 8 an undercoat that adheres to the latter. Advantageously, the use of laminated glass, preferably on at least a portion of the apparent outer surface 1E of the glazing element, makes it possible to reinforce the resistance of said glazing element not only to shocks, but also to scratches, thanks to the high hardness of the glass. By combining one or more lightweight panels 3, 4, 5 made of a polymer material, preferably an organic material, of a density lower than that of the laminated glass, with on the other hand at least one laminated glass panel, the mixed structure, or " hybrid ", according to the invention advantageously allow to group, on a glazing element 1 in one piece and completely transparent, on the one hand or reinforced window (s) (s) comprising laminated glass, and on the other hand one or lighter window (s) without laminated glass. Preferably, the reinforced windows may advantageously correspond to the wiping areas (intended to be scanned by the wipers) and / or homologation, the most exposed to shocks or scratches and / or the most critical in terms of quality visibility or impact resistance, such as, for example, the first front panel 2 front windshield, while lightened windows may correspond to the side flaps 3, 4 or roof 5. Of course, many variants of arrangement are therefore conceivable.

In particular, as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the first panel 2 may be formed by a "conventional" laminated glass panel, advantageously distinct from the second panel 3, which comprises at least, and preferably exactly, three layers, including a first glass layer 8, a second layer 10 of transparent rigid material, preferably formed by a second glass sheet, and a third interlayer laminating layer 9 interposed between said glass layers 8, 10 and formed by a polymeric sheet, for example polypropylene. According to such a variant, the first and the second glass layer 8, 10 may have a thickness of the order of 2 mm each, and the intermediate layer 9 a thickness of about 1 mm.

According to another variant, as shown in FIG. 5, the first panel 2 may comprise a first and a second glass sheet 8, 10, one of which is interrupted before the other, so as to form a first shoulder 6, preferably of shape and dimensions combined with that of a second shoulder 7 dug in the second panel 3, and thus allow a nesting according to a particularly robust L-junction. According to yet another variant, as illustrated in FIGS. 6, 7 and 8, the first panel 2 may comprise a single layer of glass 8, preferably formed by a single sheet of glass in one piece, which forms a directly applied insert, via an intermediate sheet 9 forming both a layer of lamination and adhesion, preferably formed by a sheet of thermoplastic polyurethane, against an underlying infrastructure 11 made in one piece of polymeric material, preferably polycarbonate, formed in a manner with one and / or the other of the second, third and fourth panels 3, 4, 5, and which has a larger area than that of the first panel 2, so as to completely cover the hidden face 81 of the glass sheet 8 of the latter. Such an arrangement advantageously makes it possible to significantly lighten the glazing element 1, by using a single thinned glass sheet 8, the thickness of which may be less than 2 mm, less than or equal to 1.5 mm, and preferably close 1 mm, and which rests on a bridge 23 of polycarbonate connecting, for example, the fenestrons 3, 4 to one another. Advantageously, the shoulder 7, 7 ', which holds said glass sheet 8, and more generally the first panel 2, by its edges, can run in opposite two or even three sides of the first panel 2 (for example 35 on the side edges and / or the lower edge) so as to form the lip carrying a U-shaped housing allowing a kind of rebate engagement of the glass insert constituted by said first panel 2. The relative pre-positioning windows 3, 4 integrated in the infrastructure 11, which may for example be molded in one piece, and 5 the guidance offered by such a U-shaped housing facilitate of course the establishment and assembly of the insert Moreover, whatever the variant envisaged, the glass sheet (s) 8, 10 constituting the first panel (2) will preferably extend in one piece over the majority or almost all of them. the width of the vehicle, and 10 more generally u first front panel, which may, as an indication, be greater than or equal to 1.00 m and reach 1.40 m or even 1.60 m. In addition, whatever the embodiment variant envisaged, the layers 8, 9, 10 making up the first panel 2, and more particularly the glass sheets 8, 10, will preferably have a substantially constant thickness over their entire area. Of course, all or part of the transparent materials constituting the panels 2, 3, 4, 5, and in particular the glass sheet or sheets 8, 10 of the first panel, may optionally be tinted or smoked. Furthermore, as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 8, it is possible, whatever the nature of the panels, that only the second panel 3 (respectively the third and / or the fourth panel) is provided with a shoulder 7, the first panel 2 then having in turn a substantially constant thickness and being able to lie flat in said shoulder 7. Such a simplified arrangement is of course particularly suitable for the use of a second panel It is easier to shape and / or in which it is easier, if necessary, to machine a shoulder 7 than in the glass. It also makes it possible to reserve the shoulder (s) 7, 7 'to or to the peripheral panels 3, 4, 5 having complex shapes and / or marked curvatures, and for example angle references marking a deviation n greater than or equal to at 30 degrees, 45 degrees, 60 degrees, or even 90 degrees with respect to the first panel 2. It is possible in particular to obtain on this basis a simple structure 35 to manufacture and assemble, which comprises on the one hand a second panel 3, and if necessary a third and / or a fourth panel 4, 5 shouldered, possibly grouped in one piece according to the same infrastructure 11 polymer, and which are easy to shape, and secondly a first panel 2 in laminated glass, substantially forming a plate devoid of curvature too pronounced, which may include a (Figure 8) or two (Figure 3) glass sheets 8, 10 and which lands flat in said or said shoulders 7, 7 ' . Whatever the panel or panels in which or the shoulders 6, 7 are arranged, each shoulder advantageously provides a support plate 12, 13, preferably substantially parallel to the opposite free surface of the panel in which is hollowed said shoulder, and a shoulder flange 14, 15, erected in the thickness of the panel, secant to said bearing plate 12, 13, and preferably substantially perpendicular to the apparent surface of the panel in which said shoulder is dug and / or substantially perpendicular to said support plate 12, 13. A connection fillet, of radius strictly less than the depth of the shoulder, may optionally soften the transition between the support plate and the shoulder flange which originates at the end of the latter. If necessary, the end of the panel that fits into it may be chamfered accordingly. Whatever the nature and the respective shape of the transparent panels, they can be joined to each other by a shoulder 7, 7 'simple, as is illustrated in Figures 3, 7 and 8, which can be arranged in the first panel 2 or, preferably in the second panel 3. Conversely, the junction between the panels can be operated using a multiple shoulder stepped in steps, and in particular by a double shoulder 5, more particularly, the first transparent panel 2 and the second transparent panel 3 may each have, facing each other, shaped edges substantially of shape. conjugate, staggered according to the thickness of said panels 2, 3 so as to have an extremal edge 16, 17 forming a first step, a shoulder flange 14, 15 set back from said extremal edge and forming a second step, and a plateau 35 of support 12, 13, secant at the end edge and at the shoulder flange, which joins said end edge to said shoulder flange. The first panel 2 and the second panel 3 can then be fixed to one another, preferably at the end, by interlocking, the support plate 12 of the first panel 2 being held in abeyance. screw of the support plate 13 of the second panel 3, and the end edge 16 of the first panel 2 being held facing the shoulder flange 15 of the shoulder 7 of the second panel 3, and conversely, the extremal edge 17 of the second panel 3 being held opposite the shoulder flange 14 of the shoulder 6 of the first panel 2. Advantageously, such a double shoulder facilitates alignment and adjustment of the panels, and makes it possible to reinforce the junction, even if the latter operates at the end, over a small extent, the adjoining panels 2, 3 being placed substantially in the extension of one another. As mentioned above, the profiled edge of the first transparent panel may be formed, regardless of its constituent material (s), by an offset of the cutting edge of the second constituent layer 10 of said panel, corresponding preferably to a second sheet of glass, with respect to the cutting edge of the first layer 8, preferably corresponding to a first sheet of glass glued to the second by the lamination interlayer 9, the edge of the first layer 8 forming the edge 20 extremal 16, the edge of the second layer 10 forming the shoulder flange 14, and the support plate 12 corresponding to the extension of the surface of the first layer facing the second layer and not covered by the latter. Preferably, irrespective of the embodiment variant considered, the first panel 2 is assembled directly against the second panel 3, by at most one transparent adhesion layer 20. Such an arrangement advantageously makes it possible to obtain a particularly compact, light-weighted connection. , and continuously transparent, and further guarantees the simplicity and speed of assembly of the two panels 2, 3.

Where appropriate, said adhesion layer 20 is preferably made of thermoplastic polyurethane. According to one embodiment, said adhesion layer 20 may be reported separately, in addition to the constituent layers of the first panel 2, and in particular be inserted as an additional layer between the underside of the second sheet 10 and the upper face of the support plate 13 of the second panel 3, as shown in FIG. 3. However, according to a preferred embodiment, common to the variants of FIGS. For example, the adhesive layer 20 will be formed directly by the interlayer lamination sheet 9 itself, the latter, preferably polyurethane, thus sharing the functions of a lamination layer, which prevents bursting of the glass layer or layers 8, 10 in the event of a sufficiently violent impact to break the first panel, and secondly of adhesion layer ensuring the fixing of said first panel 2 to the second panel 3 In particular, as illustrated in FIG. 5, the spacer sheet 9 may advantageously be extended on the hidden face of the first glass sheet 8 not covered by the second glass sheet 10 and forming the support plate 12 In addition, the adhesion layer 20, sandwiched between the panels 2, 3 assembled, may advantageously cover both or the support plates 12, 13 of said panels and the shoulder or edges 14, 15 of these, and in particular fill the interstices between the end edges 16, 17 and shoulder flanges 15, 14 so as to form a solid seal, advantageously sealed, flush and smooth. For this purpose, the intermediate sheet 9 may for example be folded into L, preferably square, at its end so as to form a return inserted between the end edge 16 of the first panel and the shoulder flange 15 of the second panel 3 As has been mentioned above, but regardless of the nature of the first panel 2, and in particular the number and composition of its layers, it is possible for the second panel 3 to be superimposed in thickness on the entire panel. first panel 2 and extends beyond the edges of the latter, said second panel 3 thus forming a carrier infrastructure, preferably several panes glazed, on or in which said first panel 2, preferably glass laminated, which can thus locally define, on said infrastructure, one or more reinforced windows. However, according to a preferred feature which can constitute an invention as such, the overlap of the first panel 2 and the second panel 3 at their shouldered junction is preferably partial, the area of the coverage area, underlying at the apparent surface of the glazing element, and wherein the first panel is superimposed in thickness to the second panel, being strictly smaller than the area of the first panel and that of the second panel.

In other words, the panels 2, 3, 4, 5 reported, initially separated and then fixed to each other, preferably each form at least one apparent surface of the glazing element 1 of their own, thus covering each individually at least a portion of the effective area of said glazing element 1, distinct from the portions specifically covered by the other panel or panels. Advantageously, it is thus possible to produce a modular glazing element of the "patchwork" type by assembling several panels side by side. In particular, by making the panels 3, 4 and / or roof 5 separately, the latter can be given relatively modest dimensions, and thus easily manufactured by injection molding with the aid of simple tools. small, and therefore inexpensive. Such an arrangement also makes it possible to save raw material, and in particular polycarbonate. It also makes it possible to replace the metal uprights of the windshield by the transparent windows, and more particularly by the ridges, possibly reinforced by an increased thickness, of the second and third panels 3, 4. Preferably, the recovery ratio of the first panel by the second panel, i.e. the area of the mutual coverage area, which preferably coincides with the extent of the support plate 13 of said second panel and / or with the extent of the tray. 12 of the first panel 2, relative to the total area of the first panel 2, and more particularly of the first glass sheet 8, may for example be substantially greater than or equal to 1% and less than or equal to 5% or even 10%. %. For this purpose, the width W of the covering strip, common to the first panel 2 and the second panel 3, which preferably corresponds to the width of the support plate 12, 13 of the panel considered, which may be constant or variable along the joining edge, will preferably be greater than or equal to 20 mm, and less than or equal to 70 mm, at least in the majority, if not in the entire length of said cover strip, considered according to the edge common joining said panels, and more particularly along the rising edge 22 of the windshield. Preferably, the overlaps will thus be limited to the edges of the panels alone, in particular releasing the central portion 2 of the first front panel. As an indication, the edge 22 may extend over at least 40 cm and reach 80 cm or more. According to a preferred feature which can constitute a complete invention, the first panel 2 and the second panel 3 are fixed edge to edge so that the outer surface surface 2E of the first panel is flush with the external apparent surface 3E of the second panel, according to a smooth and transparent junction, as is particularly illustrated in Figures 5 and 7. For this purpose, the depth of the shoulder 7 will advantageously 15 adapted so that the free surface of the panel 2 that comes there The housing is flush with the corresponding free surface of the panel 3 in which said shoulder is hollowed out. Of course, it is possible to arrange the same flush junction of the inner side of the glazing, vis-à-vis the passenger compartment. Advantageously, such a smoothing of the junction between the first and the second panel makes it possible to obtain an excellent, polished type finish, without asperities, which not only contributes to improving the aesthetic appearance of the glazing element, and therefore the vehicle, but also limits the risk of fouling and facilitates the cleaning of the latter. In addition, said smoothing improves the aerodynamic properties of the glazing element 1, by more suitably profiling the air flow surfaces along said glazing element and the vehicle body, and in particular by softening or even eliminating the salient obstacles causing disturbances in said air flow. The invention is therefore likely to reduce aerodynamic noise and the fuel consumption of the vehicle. On the other hand, and according to an alternative characteristic which may also constitute an invention in its own right, it is possible to provide, as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 8, a projecting flange 21, preferably made of material with one of the panels, and in particular with the second panel 3, so as to form along the junction a gutter capable of collecting and discharging the water flowing on the glazing element, for example in case of rain. Said pipe flange 21 may advantageously be formed by an extension of the shoulder flange 15 of the second panel, where appropriate in a bead forming a local extra thickness of said second panel. Preferably, the second panel 3 has in one piece a first branch 3A carrying a shoulder 7 receiving the first panel 2 and a second branch 3B secant to the first branch, which forms, with respect to the first panel 2, a pan window folded. Advantageously, the second panel 3, preferably of easily formable polymer, can thus be substantially in the form of an angle, which carries, at the junction between the first and the second branch 3A, 3B, the edge 22, of preferably rounded and optionally thickened, of the glazing element, which can advantageously form a true transparent upright integrated in said glazing element, while the first panel 2, preferably glass, can keep a relatively simple shape and little curved, whose limit is preferably set back from said edge 22, closer to the sagittal plane Ps of the vehicle. According to a particularly preferred embodiment variant, the glazing element 1 forms a panoramic windshield or rear window shell which comprises a first laminated glass panel 2 forming a front main glazing panel and at least one second panel 3 and a third panel 4 made of a less dense polymer material than glass, preferably polycarbonate, forming side glazing panels folded type fenestrons. As has been indicated above, it is not excluded to produce in one piece several polymer panels of said shell, and more particularly to mold in one piece the two windows 3, 4 and the bridge 30. 23 that connects them and supports the first panel 1 ,. However, the second panel 3 and the third panel 4 will preferably be separate (and in particular manufactured separately from each other, in the manner of two spare parts), and, once assembled, completely separate one from the other by the first front panel 2, to which said second and third panels are preferably each fixed laterally end by overlapping partially overlapping on a shoulder 7, 7 'respectively. Thus, it is possible to separately manufacture the first, second and third panels before assembling them, after their manufacture, in order to provide, in particular, a first laminated glass front panel 2 with side extensions 3, 4 and / or upper 5 folded, type "wings", polycarbonate. Whatever the arrangement chosen, it becomes possible to cover in one piece, without interruption, using a single glazing element 1, advantageously free of uprights or opaque seals and / or projections, several glazed surfaces hitherto made in panels separated by uprights. The invention makes it possible to obtain a glazing element 1 multipans, advantageously light, rigid, self-supporting and completely transparent.

Of course, those skilled in the art will be able to isolate or combine together all or part of the characteristics described above, in particular according to the shape, the silhouette, the optical and mechanical properties, or even the functions that it wishes to confer on the glazing element 1. In view of the foregoing, it will be understood that the invention also makes it possible to propose a new method of manufacturing vehicle glazing elements which is particularly simple, fast and economical to implement, and which has a good ability to adapt to a wide variety of shapes and sizes of glazing elements. Said method will of course comprise at least one assembly step during which a first transparent panel 2 and a second transparent panel 3 are joined by engaging them one in the other, preferably by abutting at their side edges. , in support overlapping in at least one shoulder 6, 7 previously formed in one of said panels 2, 3. 35

Claims (10)

REVENDICATIONS1. A glazing unit (1) for a vehicle comprising at least a first transparent panel (2) and a second transparent panel (3, 4, 5) fixed to each other, said glazing element (1) being characterized in that the first transparent panel (2) and / or the second transparent panel (3, 4, 5) has a shoulder (6, 7, 7 ') formed in its thickness, the shoulder against which the other panel (3, 4 , 5, 2). 2. Glazing element according to claim 1 characterized in that the first panel (2) and the second panel (3) are made respectively of a first transparent material and a second transparent material distinct from the first material. 3. Glazing element according to claim 1 or 2 characterized in that the second transparent panel (3) is made in one piece in a transparent polymer material less dense than glass, preferably polycarbonate. 4. Glazing element according to one of claims 1 to 3 characterized in that the first panel (2) is made of laminated glass comprising at least a first glass sheet (8) and at least one interlayer foil laminating sheet ( 9), preferably of thermoplastic polyurethane. 5. Glazing element according to one of the preceding claims characterized in that the first panel (2) is assembled directly against the second panel (3), by at most a transparent adhesion layer (20), if appropriate preferentially in thermoplastic polyurethane. 25 6. glazing element according to one of the preceding claims characterized in that the overlap of the first panel (2) and the second panel (3) at their shouldered junction is partial, the area of the coverage area, sub- adjacent to the apparent surface (1E) of the glazing element, and wherein the first panel (2) is superimposed in thickness to the second panel (3), being strictly smaller than the area of the first panel and that of the second sign. 7. Glazing element according to one of the preceding claims characterized in that the first panel (2) and the second panel (3) are fixed edge to edge so that the outer surface surface (2E) of the first panel is flush level with the external apparent surface (3E) of the second panel, according to a smooth and transparent junction. 8. Glazing element according to one of the preceding claims characterized in that the second panel (3) has in one piece a first leg (3A) carrying a shoulder (7) receiving the first panel (2) and a second branch (3B) secant to the first branch, which forms, with respect to the first panel (2), a folded glass pan. 9. Glazing element according to one of the preceding claims characterized in that it forms a panoramic windshield or rear window shell which comprises a first panel (2) made of laminated glass forming a main glazing panel frontal as well as at least a second panel (3) and a third panel (4) separate polymer material less dense than glass, preferably polycarbonate, forming side windows folded type fenestrons completely separated from each other by the first front panel (2) to which said second and third panels are each laterally fixed at the end by interlocking partially overlapping on a respective shoulder (7, 7 '). 10. Vehicle equipped with a glazing element (1) according to one of the preceding claims, preferably forming a panoramic windshield or a rear window.