FR3101572A1 - method and apparatus for repairing at least one impact formed on a sheet of laminated glass - Google Patents

Abstract

The subject of the invention is a method for repairing at least one impact (1A, 1B) formed on a sheet of laminated glass (2A, 2B), such as in particular a vehicle window, by injection of resin (3) under pressure at the level of the impact (1A, 1B), characterized in that prior to the injection under pressure, the impact (1A, 1B) is placed under vacuum. The invention also relates to an apparatus for implementing such a method. Figure for the abstract: Fig. 1

Description

method and apparatus for repairing at least one impact formed on a laminated glass plate

The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for repairing, by injection under resin pressure, at least one impact formed on a sheet of laminated glass, of the vehicle window type.

There are already many solutions for repairing an impact on a glass plate, such as in particular a vehicle windshield, by injecting resin, this with the aim of making this impact invisible, but also to consolidate the windshield and prevent its cracking.

Conventionally, after some preparations for the impact, in particular a cleaning operation, or even the creation by light perforation of a hole to facilitate the infiltration of the resin, the latter is injected under manual pressure or assisted by means of a suitable injection device.

This is in the form of a tubular body, one end of which is applied in a sealed manner to the windshield, against the impact to be repaired. In this body is movably mounted a piston allowing the resin to be pushed back under pressure into the various interstices of the impact.

Different supports exist to hold this injection device in position in a sealed manner on the windshield. For example, a support called injection bridge, which takes the form of a tripod equipped with one or more suction cups for its support and stability on the glass surface, is available on the market. This injection bridge further comprises means for fixing and retaining the injection device so as to present the latter substantially perpendicular to the laminated or slightly inclined glass plate and above all so as to guarantee its tightness with respect to this last.

Another solution consists in positioning the injection device in the center of a suction cup guaranteeing, here again, its tight hold against the impact to be repaired.

The major drawback of the injection process implemented by these existing devices lies in the risk of trapping air bubbles in the interstices of the impact when injecting the resin. Indeed, in a known manner, the presence of residual air bubbles, seeking to escape but being prevented by the resin introduced, can lead to subsequent cracking of the glass plate, and consequently, to a total degradation of this one.

It was through a first inventive approach that a solution was devised to remedy this drawback.

This solution according to the invention consists, prior to the injection of resin, in subjecting an impact to a depression cycle which has the advantage of extracting all the air bubbles, but also of sucking up any impurities which may be contained in the interstices of the impact, before any injection of resin.

Furthermore, the equipment implementing an assisted pressure injection device conventionally comprises a management and control unit integrating compressed air production means which should be monopolized throughout the duration of the injection process which may take several minutes.

Also, unless you have several pieces of equipment, you can only repair one impact at a time by resin injection, which represents a significant waste of time.

It is within the framework of a second inventive step that we imagined a process and an apparatus for the joint repair of several impacts by injection of resin under pressure.

In short, in accordance with the invention, several injection devices can be positioned simultaneously against a plurality of impacts to be repaired, distributed over one and the same sheet of laminated glass or over several separate glass sheets, these injection devices being managed by a single and same suitable management unit, whether during the depression cycle and/or the injection cycle under pressure, or even the purge cycle or even the drying cycle under UV, this through a maximum of pooled technical resources.

The advantages resulting from the present invention consist of an optimization of the use of the material and a considerable saving of time, insofar as several impacts can be repaired simultaneously by injection under pressure of resin.

Thus, the invention relates to a process for repairing at least one impact formed on a sheet of laminated glass, such as in particular a vehicle window, by injection of resin under pressure at the level of the impact, characterized in that beforehand at pressurized injection, the impact is placed under vacuum.

This method can be implemented for the simultaneous repair of several impacts on one or more sheets of laminated glass, such as in particular one or more vehicle windows, by means of impact repair equipment comprising at least one pump device /compressor and inversion control means for supplying air under pressure or suction by depression through at least two connectors designed capable of being connected, each, to a resin injection device, characterized in that :

the impacts are simultaneously or almost simultaneously subjected to a depression cycle, and

resin is injected under pressure simultaneously or almost simultaneously into each of the impacts.

The invention also relates to an impact repair device comprising at least one pump/compressor device, characterized in that said pump/compressor device is connected through at least one pressure reversal control valve / depression to at least two connectors designed suitable for each being connected to a resin injection device.

A distribution manifold can also be provided, comprising said connectors and an additional connector to which said valve can be connected.

On the other hand, the apparatus further comprises a unit for managing and operating the pump/compressor device and the pressure/depression reversal control valve.

The control unit comprises means for selecting at least one depression cycle and at least one pressurized injection cycle, and/or at least one repair cycle, ensuring at least one setting step in depression of the impact(s), followed by at least one step of injecting resin at this or these impacts.

In accordance with an additional characteristic, the management and control unit comprises means for storing at least one program for controlling the depression and resin injection cycles respectively applied to each of the impacts and/or at least a repair cycle respectively applied to each of the impacts.

It may also comprise means for adjusting the duration of the depression and resin injection cycles respectively applied to each of the impacts and/or of at least one repair cycle respectively applied to each of the impacts through an action on the pump/compressor device and/or the valve.

Advantageously, the apparatus according to the invention is also preferably provided with at least one UV lamp making it possible to ensure the solidification of the resin.

On the other hand, drilling means allowing the realization, if necessary, of a pilot hole intended to facilitate the injection of the resin can supplement the equipment.

On the other hand, the apparatus according to the invention can be provided with means for supplying autonomous electrical energy, such as in particular a rechargeable battery, making it possible to avoid having to resort to a wired electrical supply.

The advantages resulting from the present invention will become apparent on reading the following description relating to an embodiment illustrated in the attached drawings in which:

schematically illustrates the repair of two impacts on two separate laminated glass plates by means of an apparatus according to the invention, and

illustrates, in an enlarged manner, a distribution manifold that comprises the apparatus according to the invention.

As shown in Figure 1, the present invention addresses the problem of repairing impacts 1A, 1B formed on one or more laminated glass plates 2A, 2B, such as vehicle windshields, by injection under resin pressure 3, by means of repair equipment 17.

Such impacts 1A, 1B are generally caused by a projection of stone each time creating an impact point 4, behind which is formed, as the case may be, a subsidence 5 of cone-shaped material and/or breaks or cracks 6.

After, if necessary, a prior perforation operation aimed at creating a small hole at the point of impact 4, or even a cleaning operation, for example using acetone, the injection of resin 3 is conventionally operated under pressure, by means of an injection device 7.

By injecting resin through the impact point 4, to fill the impact 1A, 1B in the form of a cone 5 and/or cracks 6, the laminated glass plate 2A, 2B is consolidated while avoiding any subsequent widening of the impact and possible propagation of cracks.

With reference to FIG. 1, in the variant embodiment illustrated, the repair apparatus 17 according to the invention comprises a control and management unit 19 to which two identical injection devices 7 have been connected, intended for the repair respectively of the impact 1A formed on the laminated glass plate 2A and of the impact 1B formed on the laminated glass plate 2B.

In accordance with the invention, the two injection devices 7 are implemented jointly, by means of the management and control unit 19, which advantageously makes it possible to repair the two impacts 1A, 1B simultaneously or almost simultaneously.

It should be noted that in the variant embodiment illustrated, the repair apparatus 17 is designed capable of repairing three impacts together. Of course, the present application also extends to an apparatus adapted to authorize the joint repair of a lower or higher number of impacts. Furthermore, it goes without saying that although comprising all the technical means allowing the simultaneous or quasi-simultaneous repair of a plurality of impacts, the apparatus according to the invention is also suitable for the possible repair of a single impact.

As illustrated in Figure 1, each injection device 7 comprises a hollow body 8, cylindrical in appearance, one injection end 9 of which is designed capable of being positioned, in a sealed manner, above the point of impact 4 of an impact 1A, 1B, against a laminated glass plate 2A, 2B.

In the example illustrated, each injection device 7 is applied against a laminated glass plate 2A, 2B by means of a bridge 11, provided with means for fixing and retaining the injection device 7, and comprising a suction cup 27, making it possible to adjust its position relative to the impact 1A, 1B.

Of course, any other equivalent securing means can be used. Thus, the holding and stability on a laminated glass plate 2A, 2B of an injection device 7 can still be ensured by placing the latter in the center of a larger suction cup capable of holding it in a sealed manner, and preferably slightly inclined, against an impact 1A, 1B.

Furthermore, the hollow body 8 of an injection device 7 internally delimits an injection chamber 10, and comprises a spout 14 fitted with a cap 30 allowing manual or automated introduction of resin 3 into said chamber 10. This the latter communicates on the one hand with the injection end 9 and on the other hand with a conduit 13, capable of being connected by a tube 15 to the management and control unit 19.

In accordance with the repair method according to the invention, prior to the injection of resin 3, provision is made to put an impact 1A, 1B under vacuum, in order to extract any air bubbles which would be trapped there and which would prevent the resin to penetrate and fill it properly.

Such a depression also favors the evacuation of any impurities or debris contained at the level of the interstices of the impact 1A, 1B.

As indicated above, the method according to the invention is capable of being implemented for the repair of several impacts 1A, 1B, whether at the level of the same laminated glass plate 2A, 2B or of laminated glass plates 2A, 2B distinct, this jointly by means of a single repair apparatus 17.

This process, applied for the repair of several impacts includes the following steps:

the impacts 1A, 1B are subjected simultaneously or almost simultaneously to a depression cycle;

and resin 3 is injected under pressure simultaneously or almost simultaneously into each of the impacts 1A, 1B.

To this end, in the variant embodiment illustrated, the apparatus 17 for repairing impacts 1A, 1B comprises at least one pump/compressor device 12, integrated into the control and management unit 19, presented under the form of a casing made of rigid material, and in which are also housed two valves 16, 18 for the pressure/depression reversal control making it possible to connect the pump/compressor device 12 to the conduit 13 of each injection device 7 of resin 3.

The pump/compressor device 12 is defined capable, through an injection device 7, of subjecting the impacts 1A, 1B to a depression cycle and an injection cycle under resin pressure 3, in accordance with the method of the invention.

Through the ducts 13, these depression and injection cycles can be carried out by means of this single pump/compressor device 12 for the repair jointly, preferably simultaneously, of the two impacts 1A, 1B.

As for the pressure/depression reversal valves 16, 18, they make it possible to pass from the state of putting the impacts under depression 1A, 1B to the state of resin injection 3, and vice versa. In particular, the reversing valves 16, 18 are electrically controlled. They will be referred to interchangeably as inversion valves or solenoid valves in the remainder of the description.

The management and control unit 19 also houses an electronic card 28 connected to selection means 20 through which it is possible to select at least one depression cycle and at least one pressurized injection cycle and/or at least a repair cycle ensuring at least one step of putting the impacts 1A, 1B under vacuum followed by at least one step of injecting resin 3. Furthermore, the electronic card 28 includes means for storing at least one program for controlling the depression and resin injection cycles respectively applied to each of the impacts and/or at least one repair cycle respectively applied to each of the impacts. In short, the management and control unit 19 is equipped with a program making it possible to adapt the duration of suction by depression and the duration of injection of resin according to the nature and severity of the impact 1A, 1B to fix.

As part of such a repair cycle, there is provided a step for purging the injection devices 7, or even a step for cleaning the injection chambers 10 using a suitable cleaning product. However, the quantity of resin 3 introduced into the injection chambers 10 will preferably be judiciously chosen so as to correspond as closely as possible to that necessary to repair the impacts 1A, 1B. Thus, after the repair of the impacts 1A, 1B, said chambers 10 will be almost emptied of any resin 3, so that the few remaining drops can simply be recovered on a cloth, after having however taken the precaution of putting back each injection chamber 10 at atmospheric pressure, before removing the injection devices 17 from each glass plate 2A, 2B, to avoid any accidental projection of resin 3.

The selection means 20 can moreover be designed capable of offering the user a choice between different cycles of depression and injection of resin 3 or even between several repair cycles which can be distinguished at the level of the duration of each of these cycles, or even pressures implemented, so as to adapt them to the type of impact 1A, 1B to be repaired and/or resin 3 implemented.

This unit 19 can also be equipped with means 21 for adjusting, in particular the time of the depression and resin injection cycles and/or injection pressure, by manual action, through said management and control unit 19 , on the pump/compressor device 12 and/or solenoid valves 16,18.

The repair apparatus 17 can also be provided with at least one UV lamp 22, making it possible to ensure perfect solidification of the resin 3 introduced into an impact 1A, 1B. Such a UV lamp 22 may consist of a module independent of the control and management unit 19, which can be temporarily connected to a cigarette lighter socket 29 with which the latter is equipped. Alternatively, the injection device 7 can be pre-equipped with a UV lamp, making it possible to proceed with the solidification of the resin 3 in the immediate continuity of its injection.

Here again, the management and control unit 19 can manage the operating time of this or these UV lamps, for example according to a selected injection or repair cycle.

Incidentally, the repair device 17 can also receive drilling means 23, preferably designed to be able to be connected to the cigarette lighter socket 29, and intended to make, if necessary, a pilot hole to facilitate the injection of resin 3 into an impact 1A, 1B.

In addition, the apparatus 17 may comprise means for supplying autonomous electrical energy, such as a rechargeable battery 25, and/or means for connection to an electrical power supply network, integrated in the management unit 19 and command.

In accordance with a characteristic of the invention, the repair apparatus 17 also comprises a distribution manifold 24, also mounted on the management and control unit 19, comprising three connectors 31 to which one or more can be individually connected conduits 13, as well as a connector 32 connected to a main supply conduit 26 also connected to the pump/compressor device 12, through solenoid valves 16, 18, themselves controlled by the electronic card 28.

In fact, in the variant embodiment illustrated, the distribution manifold 24 potentially allows the connection of three conduits 13, that is to say three injection devices 17. Such a structure makes it possible to envisage, if necessary, the simultaneous repair of three different impacts, but also of a single impact, or of two impacts 1A, 1B at the same time, as illustrated.

In fact, the connection of the conduits 13 to the distribution manifold 24 is ensured by means of quick connectors, which not only facilitate the addition or removal of a conduit 13, but, in addition, ensure leaktight closure at the level of the unused connections. Such quick connectors are of course known to those skilled in the art.

The advantages deriving from the present invention consist in an optimization of the use of the material used for the repair of impact on a sheet of laminated glass, but also, in an essential way, a considerable saving of time through the possibility of repairing several impacts simultaneously.

In addition, through a prior depression cycle, the solution according to the invention not only guarantees a better quality of this repair, thanks to a reduced risk of trapping, through the injected resin, an air bubble likely to cause cracking of the glass, or possible impurities.

Claims (10)

Method for repairing at least one impact (1A, 1B) formed on a sheet of laminated glass (2A, 2B), such as in particular a vehicle window, by injecting resin (3) under pressure at the level of the impact (1A, 1B), characterized in that prior to injection under pressure, the impact (1A, 1B) is placed under depression. Method according to claim 1, for the simultaneous repair of several impacts (1A, 1B) on one or more sheets of laminated glass (2A, 2B) in particular one or more vehicle windows, by means of a repair device (17) impact device comprising at least one pump/compressor device (12) and inversion control means (16, 18) for supplying pressurized air or vacuum suction through at least two connectors ( 31) designed suitable for being connected, each, to a device (7) for injecting resin (3), characterized in that:

• the impacts (1A, 1B) are subjected simultaneously or almost simultaneously to a depression cycle;
• and resin (3) is injected under pressure simultaneously or almost simultaneously into each of the impacts (1A, 1B).

Impact repair apparatus (17) for carrying out the method according to Claim 2, comprising at least one pump/compressor device (12), characterized in that the said pump/compressor device (12) is connected through at least one pressure/depression reversal control valve (16, 18) to at least two connectors (31) designed to be each able to be connected to a resin injection device (7). Impact repair device (17) according to Claim 3, characterized in that it is equipped with a distribution manifold (24), comprising the said connectors (31) as well as an additional connector (32) on which being connected to said valve (16, 18). Impact repair device (17) according to one of Claims 3 or 4, characterized in that it also comprises a unit (19) for managing and controlling the operation of the pump/compressor device (12) and the pressure/depression reversal control valve (16, 18). Impact repair apparatus (17) according to Claim 5, characterized in that the management and control unit (19) comprises means (20) for selecting at least one depression cycle and at least a pressurized injection cycle and/or at least one repair cycle, ensuring at least one step of placing the impact(s) (1A, 1B) under vacuum, followed by at least one resin injection step at this or these impacts (1A, 1B). Impact repair device (17) according to one of Claims 5 or 6, characterized in that the management and control unit (19) comprises means for storing at least one program for controlling the cycles of depression and resin injection respectively applied to each of the impacts and/or at least one repair cycle respectively applied to each of the impacts. Impact repair device (17) according to one of Claims 3 to 7, characterized in that it is provided with at least one UV lamp (22) making it possible to ensure the solidification of the resin (3). Impact repair device (17) according to one of Claims 3 to 8, characterized in that it comprises drilling means (23), allowing the production, if necessary, of the pilot hole intended to facilitate the injection of the resin (3). Impact repair device (17) according to one of Claims 3 to 9, characterized in that it includes independent electric power supply means (25).