FR2997647A1 - Method for producing light glazing of motor vehicle, involves assembling superimposed glass sheets, placing lamination interlayer between sheets, and inserting balls in interlayer by pressing tool before assembling glass sheets - Google Patents

Abstract

The method involves assembling superimposed glass sheets (11, 13), and placing a lamination interlayer (1) between the sheets, where the layer is made of plastic material e.g. PVB. Balls (5), made of glass or transparent material, are inserted in the interlayer by a pressing tool that exerts sufficient pressure on the balls to penetrate the force in the interlayer before assembling the glass sheets, where the ball has a diameter lower than or equal to half of thickness of the interlayer. Independent claims are also included for the following: (1) a pressing tool implements a method for producing a laminated glazing (2) a template.

Description

The invention is in the field of glazing, for example of motor vehicles. The invention relates to light glazings and vehicles having such glazings. The invention is particularly directed to manufacturing processes for such glazings. The laminated glazings are composed of at least two sheets of glass assembled using at least one lamination interlayer. The different glass sheets used may have identical or different compositions. For example, one of the sheets may consist of one mineral glass and the other of an organic glass. The lamination interlayer is conventionally a sheet of polymeric material comprising polyvinyl butyral (PVB) or an ethylene / vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA). The lamination interlayer may also be a resin.

Laminated glazings are used in automotive applications such as safety glass for windshields, rear windows or panoramic roofs, for example for CIELOs, because when a laminated glazing receives a shock, the various pieces of glass remain in place, held by the plastic interlayer.

During the manufacture of a laminated glazing the different glass sheets are cut, shaped and washed. At the forming platform, the interlayer sheet or sheets, for example PVB, are placed between the different glass sheets according to the desired composition. The assembly is placed in an oven during an assembly operation which consists of permanently bonding the glass, bringing the assembly, for example, to a pressure of 12 bars and a temperature of 135 ° C. to 145 ° C. . This operation sufficiently soften the PVB so that it can perfectly marry the surface of the glass.

Numerous innovation projects propose the use of light emitting diodes (LEDs) or light animations in panoramic glass roofs (CIELO). Thus, by integrating a multitude of LEDs in the laminated glazing one gets, when they are lit, an impression of being under a starry sky.

For a star-studded CIELO with LEDs, each LED must be electrically powered. The problem is that often the feeding is done by means of son who remain visible. On the other hand this technology is very expensive. It will be noted that document FR2853045 discloses a lighting or signaling device comprising a light source, for example LEDs arranged at the periphery of a transparent block so as to inject light thereinto. At least one diffusion nucleus is embedded in the transparent block. The light is propagated by reflecting on its walls until it meets the nucleus or nuclei of diffusion from which it is diffused in all directions. For an outside observer, the emerging rays seem to come from scattering nuclei as if they themselves were light sources. US6890089 discloses a lighting device comprising a transparent block, for example Plexiglas®, associated with a light source capable of injecting light. The block incorporates light scattering structures and thus forms a luminous ceiling.

One of the problems encountered in structures comprising diffusion elements embedded in a transparent block is the lack of adaptability they present in the production lines. If it is desired to modify the shape or the positioning of the diffusion elements, or if it is desired to be able to make both devices with blocks having diffusion nuclei or not presenting them, it is necessary that they be produced, controlled and stored the different types of transparent blocks that we may wish to implement. This multiplies the references within the chains of production and complicates the management of the stocks. The object of the invention is to propose a new method of manufacturing a laminated glazing that satisfies at least one of the drawbacks encountered in the prior art.

To this end, the subject of the invention is a method for producing a laminated glazing unit, the glazing comprising a step of assembling two superimposed sheets of glass between which at least one lamination interlayer is placed, which is remarkable in that before said assembly step, at least one ball is pressed into said interlayer. According to particular embodiments, the assembly may comprise one or more of the following characteristics, taken separately or in any technically possible combination: The glazing is a luminous glazing unit. The glazing comprises means for injecting light rays into the edge of the lamination interlayer, for example by means of an LED bar. - Depression of the ball or balls in the spacer is performed by means of a pressing tool exerted on the ball or balls sufficient pressure to force them into said spacer. - Said interlayer is plastic material, preferably it is PVB. - The balls have a diameter less than or equal to the thickness of the interlayer. - The diameter of the beads is less than or equal to half the thickness of the lamination interlayer. - The diameter of the balls is between 0.30 and 0.35 mm. - The balls are made of glass or a hard transparent material with a refractive index different from that of the interlayer. According to a first variant of the method, the pressing tool has a pressure pad with a flat surface and the balls are randomly dispersed on the lamination interlayer. According to a second variant of the method, the step of driving at least one ball into the interlayer further comprises the following operations: a template is placed on the lamination interlayer, the jig being made of a compressible material and pierced with at least one through hole of diameter at least equal to the diameter of the balls used; a ball is placed in at least one hole of the template, preferably a ball is placed in each hole of the template; pressing a pressing tool against the template with sufficient pressure to compress the template and push the balls into the spacer. According to a third variant of the method, the step of driving at least one ball into the interlayer further comprises the following operations: supplying a template preloaded with balls which are placed on the interlayer, the template comprising on one of its faces openings of smaller diameter than the balls and through which the balls are visible, the face having such openings being placed against the insert, preferably the template is a compressible material; - The pressing tool is pressed against the template with sufficient pressure to penetrate the balls in the spacer. According to a fourth variant of the method, the step of driving at least one ball into the interlayer further comprises the following operations: a template is placed on the lamination interlayer, the jig being made of a non-compressible material and pierced with at least one through hole of diameter at least equal to the diameter of the balls used; a ball is placed in at least one hole of the template, preferably a ball is placed in each hole of the template; a pressing tool is placed next to which the shoe has at least one pin arranged to be placed opposite a ball; - Pressing the presser tool against the template so that the pin (s) exert on the ball or balls sufficient pressure to push them into the spacer. According to a fifth variant of the method, the step of driving at least one ball into the spacer further comprises the following operations: a pressure tool is loaded into balls, said pressing tool comprising a pressure pad with at least one a hearing with a diameter smaller than that of the balls, the orifice (s) being connected to suction means; the tool is pressed against the lamination insert with a pressure sufficient to drive the ball or balls into said interlayer. The subject of the invention is also a pressing tool for implementing the method according to the fifth variant that is remarkable in that it comprises, on its pressure pad, at least one orifice connected to suction means, the orifice (s) being of smaller diameter than the balls used. The subject of the invention is also a template that can be used in the method according to the third variant that is remarkable in that it comprises at least one through-hole opening on its two faces and containing a ball intended to be driven into the interlayer, preferably : the size of the opening (opening on one of its faces is smaller than the diameter of the ball that it contains so as to retain it, and / or the template is in a compressible material, and / or the opening opening on at least one face is closed by a film.

The invention finally relates to a laminated glazing obtained by the implementation of the method as described above. It will be understood from reading the definition that has just been given that the invention consists essentially in driving balls (or diffusion nuclei) in the laminating interlayer of a laminated glazing in order to get a bright glazing. The fact of driving balls, to embed them, to make them penetrate into the laminating interlayer rather than to drown them, makes it possible to rationalize the stock of such interleaved sheets and to be able more easily to adapt the production of glazing to the request. One of the advantages of the invention is that the same lamination interlayer can be used that one wishes to produce a conventional or luminous laminated glazing (that is to say with inlaid diffusion nuclei (or balls)). Another advantage is that the number or the positioning of the balls in the interlayer can be modified on demand.

According to a second aspect, the invention proposes tools and consumables for implementing the method. In particular the invention proposes the use of a template for controlling the positioning of the balls in the interlayer. According to an advantageous aspect, the invention proposes a template preloaded with beads facilitating the implementation of the method by reducing the time of implementation of the method. The invention will be clearly understood and other aspects and advantages will become apparent from the following description given by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: FIGS. 1a to 1c show a first implementation the process according to the invention; FIGS. 2a to 2c relate to a second implementation including the use of a compressible jig; FIGS. 3a and 3b illustrate the use of a preconditioned compressible jig with integrated balls; - Figures 4a and 4b relate to a third implementation of the invention including the use of an incompressible template; - Figures 5a and 5b relate to a fourth implementation of the invention by means of an aspirating compression tool. Reference will firstly be made to FIGS. 1a to 1a illustrating a first embodiment of the invention. The invention relates to a method of manufacturing a luminous laminated glazing which will comprise a step of embedding or incrustation of beads in a lamination interlayer sheet before being assembled with the glass sheets in order to form a glazing unit laminated. For this purpose, and as illustrated in FIG. 1a, a lamination interlayer 1 is supplied under a pressing tool 3. Beads 5 are randomly dispersed on the surface of the lamination interlayer 1 which is arranged opposite the pressure shoe 3. The tool 3 is actuated, as illustrated in Figure 1b, so as to exert pressure on the balls 5 to push them into the insert 1. The tool 3 is preferably set so as not to compress the lamination interlayer sheet 1 and thus not to stand at a distance from the support 7 on which the insert 1 is placed, which is less than the thickness of said insert. The beads 5 are advantageously made of glass or a hard transparent material. The balls 5 being intended to extract and diffuse the light injected into the lamination interlayer 1, for example by its edge, they are advantageously made of a material having a refractive index different from that of the lamination interlayer 1 in which they are depressed. Unless the glazing comprises several superposed interlayer sheets arranged between the two sheets of glass, the skilled person will take care to choose balls whose diameter is less than or equal to the thickness of the lamination interlayer 1 in which they are embedded. Preferably, in order not to weaken the lamination interlayer 1, the diameter of the balls 5 will be less than or equal to 60% of the thickness of said sheet 1, more preferably it is less than or equal to 50% of the lamination The thickness of said sheet 1. The conventional thickness of a lamination interlayer being 0.76 mm, the diameter of the beads may for example be less than 0.35 mm, preferably between 0.30 and 0.35. mm. Note that if the invention is described with spherical balls of other shapes can be envisaged such as for example cones of revolution. The tip being disposed to initiate penetration into the intermediate sheet. In Figure 1c, the pressing tool 3 is raised. The balls 5 have been driven into the lamination interlayer 1 and are now embedded in orifices 9 opening on one of the faces of the lamination interlayer 1. The lamination interlayer 1 is then brought to the platform of forming where it is placed on a first sheet of glass 11 as illustrated in Figure 1 d. The orifices 9 containing the balls 5 are oriented upwards in order to prevent the balls 5 from escaping by gravity. A second glass sheet 13 is placed on the lamination interlayer 1 as illustrated in FIG. 1a and the assembly is placed in an oven for the assembly of the laminated glazing according to a lamination process known to the person skilled in the art. job.

Once the glazing is assembled, it is advantageously provided with light injection means configured to inject light rays into the edge of the lamination interlayer. The light rays propagating in said interlayer sheet will refract on the glass beads. The beads will thus extract and diffuse the light rays giving the impression that they constitute in themselves light sources. The set will give a stellar appearance to the glazing. We see how the invention makes it possible to manufacture a laminated glazing with inlaid balls while using the standard materials for producing laminated glazing. Indeed, it is not necessary, according to the invention, to use sheets of glass or interleaved sheets different from those used to produce a "non-starred" glazing. The effect obtained, namely the obtaining of at least one, and preferably a multitude of light spots (stars) on the glazing, is achieved simply and economically without resorting to expensive methods or devices for example, the insertion of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) into the glazing. For aesthetic reasons, for example to be able to make a drawing or to be able to control the placement of the balls according to a chosen diagram, the skilled person can use a template for fixing the position of the balls before they are inserted into the intermediate sheet.

Thus, according to a variant of the method illustrated in FIGS. 2a to 2c, the lamination interlayer 1, placed on its support 7, is covered with a jig 15 comprising at least one through-hole 17 of diameter at least equal to that of a ball 5 to push in. A tool 19 for depositing the balls 5 is actuated so as to place a ball 5 in each hole, as illustrated in Figure 2a. The removal of the balls can also be done by hand or by rolling a bed of beads on the assembly consisting of the lamination interlayer and template if necessary by tilting slightly. The pressing tool 3 is then actuated as illustrated in Figure 2b. Advantageously, the jig 15 is made of a compressible material, for example foam. It will therefore crash under the action of the pressing tool 3, allowing said tool 3 to exert sufficient pressure to drive the balls 5 into the lamination interlayer 1. The pressure exerted by the pressing tool 3 will hold The minimum thickness of the compressed template 15 is conserved and will preferably not fall beyond the thickness of the laminating interlayer 1 plus the thickness of the compressed template as shown in FIG. 2c. Once the balls 5 are depressed, the pressing tool 3 is raised and the template 15 is removed. The lamination interlayer is then conveyed to the forming platform to be assembled with the glass sheets as in the previous example.

Optionally, the balls slightly protrude from the surface of the lamination interlayer by a height corresponding more or less to the thickness presented by the jig when compressed. This slight overshoot is overtaken by the pressure exerted by the second glass sheet on the beads which finishes them into the interlayer sheet then softened by the implementation of the lamination process.

Alternatively, and as illustrated in Figures 3a and 3b, the skilled person will benefit from using templates 21 of compressible material preloaded balls 5. For example, and as shown in Figure 3a, such a template preloaded 21 has at least one hole 23 opening on both sides. Advantageously, or the holes 23 have a conical shape or a slight diameter shrinkage at one of its sides 25 so as to have a diameter slightly less than the diameter of the ball 5 it receives. The balls 5 are inserted into the holes and are retained by said diameter narrowing. A film 27 closes the other side of the hole 23 to facilitate manipulations of the template 21 and prevent any unexpected exit of the balls 5. The material of the template 21 is compressible, the pressure exerted on the template and thus on the balls 5 by the pressing tool 3 will force said balls 5 to pass through the reduced-diameter opening of said template for insertion into the lamination interlayer 1, as illustrated in FIG. 3b. At the end of the driving operation, the balls 5 are wholly or almost completely contained in the lamination interlayer 1 as in the previous examples. Once the balls 5 are depressed, the pressing tool 3 is raised and the template 21, emptied of its balls 5, is removed.

It is also possible to use templates 29 of non-compressible material, as illustrated in Figures 4a and 4b showing another variant of the invention. The skilled person will then use a pressing tool 31 whose shoe is provided with pins 33 which are positioned opposite the balls 5 and arranged to apply an individual pressure on each of them with a view to their insertion. The skilled person may also consider using non-compressible templates preloaded beads according to an operating principle similar to that described above. As in the previous examples, the template 29 is removed once the balls 5 are depressed.

According to yet another variant of the invention shown in Figures 5a and 5b, the selective placement of the balls 5 for their insertion into the lamination interlayer 1 is without template. The pressing tool 35 is advantageously provided with suction means 37 connected to at least one opening 39, preferably a plurality of openings 39. The pressing tool 35 is placed above a bed of balls 5 so that , by a suction phenomenon, the balls 5 are pressed against its pad at the gills 39. Each hearing 39 is associated with a ball S. The pressing tool 35 is then placed opposite the lamination interlayer 1 and pressed against her. The suction pressure is, of course, released before the tool 35 is raised to leave the balls 5 in place in the lamination interlayer 1.20

Claims (10)

REVENDICATIONS1. A method for producing a laminated glazing unit, the glazing comprising a step of assembling two superposed glass sheets (11; 13) between which at least one laminating interlayer (1) is placed, characterized in that before said step of assembly, at least one ball (5) is depressed into said insert (1). 2. Method according to claim 1 characterized in that the depression of the ball or balls (5) in the insert (1) is effected by means of a pressing tool (3, 31, 35) exerting on the balls (5) sufficient pressure to force them into said insert (1), preferably said spacer (1) is made of plastic material, more preferably it is PVB. 3. Method according to one of claims 1 or 2 characterized in that the balls (5) have a diameter less than or equal to the thickness of the spacer (1), preferably: the diameter of the balls (5) is less than or equal to half the thickness of the lamination interlayer (1); and / or the balls (5) are made of glass or a hard transparent material with a refractive index different from that of the interlayer (1). 4. Method according to one of claims 2 or 3 characterized in that the pressing tool (3) has a pressure pad with a flat surface and in that the beads (5) are randomly dispersed on the lamination interlayer (1). 5. Method according to claim 1 to 3 characterized in that the step of depressing at least one ball (5) in the insert (1) further comprises the following operations: a template (15) is placed on the lamination interlayer (1), the jig (15) being made of a compressible material and pierced with at least one through hole (17) of diameter at least equal to the diameter of the balls (5) used; placing a ball (5) in at least one hole (17) of the template (15); pressing a pressing tool (3) against the template (15) with sufficient pressure to compress the template (15) and push the balls (5) into the spacer (1). 6. Method according to one of claims 1 to 3 characterized in that the step of depressing at least one ball (5) in the insert (1) further comprises the following operations: it supplies a template ( 21) preloaded with balls (5) which are placed on the spacer (1), the template (21) comprising on one of its faces (25) openings of smaller diameter than the balls (5) and the through which the balls are visible, the face (25) having such openings being placed against the spacer (1), preferably the template (21) is of a compressible material; the pressure tool (3) is pressed against the jig (21) with sufficient pressure to penetrate the balls (5) into the spacer (1). 7. Method according to one of claims 1 to 3 characterized in that the step of depressing at least one ball (5) in the insert (1) further comprises the following operations: a template is placed ( 29) on the lamination interlayer, the jig (29) being of a non-compressible material and pierced with at least one through hole of diameter at least equal to the diameter of the balls (5) used; placing a ball (5) in at least one hole (17) of the template (29); a pressing tool (31) is placed next to which the shoe has at least one pin (33) arranged to be placed opposite a ball (5), the pressing tool (31) is pressed against the template so as to that or the pins (33) exert on the ball or balls (5) sufficient pressure to push them into the insert (1). 8. Method according to one of claims 1 to 3 characterized in that the step of depressing at least one ball (5) in the insert (1) further comprises the following operations: a pressure tool is loaded (35) ball (5), said pressing tool (35) comprising a pressure pad with at least one hearing (39) of smaller diameter than the balls (5), the or gills being connected to means of suction (37); the tool is pressed against the lamination interlayer (1) with sufficient pressure to drive the ball or balls (5) into said insert (1). 9. presser tool (35) for carrying out the method according to claim 8 characterized in that it comprises on its pressure pad at least at least one hearing (39) connected to suction means, the or gills being of smaller diameter than the balls (5) used. 10. Template (21) that can be used in the method according to claim 6, characterized in that it comprises at least one through-hole opening on its two faces and containing a ball (5) intended to be driven into the interlayer (1). preferably: the size of the opening opening on one of its faces is smaller than the diameter of the ball that it contains so as to retain it, and / or the jig is made of a compressible material, and / or the opening opening on at least one side is closed by a film.