WO2016019827A1

WO2016019827A1 - Encapsulation assembly and vehicle window

Info

Publication number: WO2016019827A1
Application number: PCT/CN2015/085657
Authority: WO
Inventors: Xiaofeng Guo; Yang Sun
Original assignee: Saint-Gobain Glass France
Priority date: 2014-08-07
Filing date: 2015-07-31
Publication date: 2016-02-11
Also published as: CN105398313A

Abstract

An encapsulation assembly (70) and a vehicle window. The encapsulation assembly (70) includes: an encapsulation structure (100) having a main body (102) and a plurality of elastic components (101) protruding from the main body (102); and a bright trim (200) adapted for being mounted on the encapsulation structure (100), wherein the plurality of elastic components (101), which are integral with the main body (102), are located on a surface of the main body (102) which faces the bright trim (200). The vehicle window includes a piece of glass (50) and an encapsulation assembly (70) as described above mounted on the piece of glass (50). The encapsulation assembly (70) may have benefits of depressing or eliminating the noise caused by pressing the bright trim (200).

Description

ENCAPSULATION ASSEMBLY AND VEHICLE WINDOW

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority to Chinese patent application No. 201410386805.4, filed on August 7, 2014, and entitled “ENCAPSULATION ASSEMBLY AND VEHICLE WINDOW” , and the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure generally relates to vehicle technology, and more particularly, to an encapsulation assembly and a vehicle window.

BACKGROUND

Vehicle windows are normally mounted with encapsulation structures around their edge portions, through which the vehicle windows can be mounted into vehicle bodyworks. Nowadays, consumers have more requirements for vehicles in various aspects. Therefore, some vehicle window encapsulation structures are configured with bright trims for better appearance. Bright trims are normally made of metal or plastic materials.

However, an encapsulation structure having a bright trim may have greater wind noise. Besides, annoying noise may occur when the bright trim is pressed. The noise appears because there is a gap between the bright trim and the encapsulation structure. During a manufacturing process, errors are inevitable for both the bright trim and the encapsulation structure, which means it is not easy to make the bright trim completely matched with the encapsulation structure. As a result, there is a high possibility that a gap is generated between the encapsulation structure and the bright trim, and thus noise may occur when the bright trim is pressed.

In existing techniques, some solutions are based on sticking the encapsulation structure with the bright trim by using adhesive tapes or glues. However, durability of such solutions is not ideal. The adhesive tapes and glues may age after some time, so the bright trim is very likely to peel off from the encapsulation structure. As a result, noise appears again.

SUMMARY

An encapsulation assembly and a vehicle window are required, to depress or eliminate the noise caused by pressing a bright trim.

In one aspect, an encapsulation assembly is provided. The encapsulation assembly includes: an encapsulation structure which includes a main body and a plurality of elastic components protruding from the main body； and a bright trim adapted for being mounted on the encapsulation structure, wherein the plurality of elastic components, which are integral with the main body, are located on a surface of the main body which faces the bright trim

A basic idea is that by configuring a plurality of elastic components protruding from the surface of the main body facing the bright trim, these elastic components can function as cushions for the bright trim when it is pressed. Therefore, noise caused by pressing the bright trim may be depressed or eliminated.

In some embodiments, the bright trim is mounted on the encapsulation structure, and further, at least one of the elastic components abuts the surface of the bright trim which faces towards the surface of the main body and deforms. That is to say, at least one of the elastic components is disposed between the encapsulation structure and the bright trim in an interference fit mode. The at least one deformed elastic component tends to return to its original shape and therefore abuts against the bright trim. As such, if the bright trim is pressed, noise is less likely to appear.

In some embodiments, the plurality of elastic components is made of a material softer than that of the main body, which is beneficial in improving the cushion effect and can further depress the noise caused by pressing the bright trim.

According to another aspect, a vehicle window is provided, which includes the encapsulation assembly as described above, and further includes a glass.

A basic idea is that the vehicle window having such an encapsulation assembly is less likely to generate noise when it is pressed, which means wind noise may also be depressed to some extent during the usage of the vehicle window.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGs. 1 to 4 schematically illustrate diagrams of an encapsulation structure according to one embodiment；

FIG. 5 schematically illustrates a diagram of an encapsulation structure according to one embodiment；

FIG. 6 schematically illustrates a diagram of an encapsulation structure according to one embodiment；

FIG. 7 schematically illustrates a diagram of an encapsulation structure according to one embodiment； and

FIG. 8 schematically illustrates a diagram of a vehicle window according to one embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In order to clarify the objects, features and advantages of the present disclosure, detail embodiments will be illustrated hereinafter with reference to accompanying drawings.

To solve the technical problems described in the background, the present disclosure provides an encapsulation assembly. FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a diagram of an encapsulation assembly according to one embodiment. FIG. 2 schematically illustrates a cross section of the encapsulation assembly along A-Adirection as shown in FIG. 1. Referring to FIGs. 1 and 2, the encapsulation assembly includes:

an encapsulation structure 100, including a main body 102 and a plurality of elastic components 101 protruding from the main body 102；

a bright trim 200, adapted for being mounted on the encapsulation structure 100；

wherein the plurality of elastic components 101 are integral with the main body 102, and the plurality of elastic components 101 extend toward a surface of the bright trim 200.

By configuring the elastic components 101 to protrude from the surface of the main body 102 facing the bright trim 200, these elastic components 101 can function as cushions for the bright trim 200 when it is pressed. Therefore, noise caused by pressing the bright trim 200 may be depressed or eliminated.

FIG. 3 schematically illustrates a cross section of the encapsulation assembly along B-B direction as shown in FIG. 1. Referring to the FIG. 3, in some embodiments, when the bright trim 200 is mounted on the encapsulation structure 100, at least part of the plurality of elastic components 101 (in FIG. 3, the elastic component labeled “101a” ) abuts the surface of the bright trim 200 which faces the main body 102, and thus deforms. That is to say, at least one of the elastic components 101, e.g., the elastic component 101a, is disposed between the main body 102 and the bright trim 200 in an interference fit mode. FIG. 4 schematically illustrates a state of the encapsulation assembly when the bright trim is pressed. The deformed elastic component 101a tends to return to its original shape and therefore abuts the bright trim 200. As such, the elastic component 101a can provide a better cushion effect, and noise is less likely to appear when a corresponding part of the bright trim 200 is pressed.

Referring still to FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, in some embodiments, at least part of the plurality of elastic components may be arranged in an inclined way, i.e., one or more of the elastic components may be formed on and not perpendicular to the surface of the main body 102. Such inclined components are more like to yield when they are subject to a pressure. When the bright trim 200 is being pressed, these inclined elastic components can provide better cushion effect, and thus noise is further depressed. Besides, due to the inclined configuration, when the bright trim 200 is pressed downwardly and thus gets into touch with the elastic components 101, the contact region between the bright trim 200 and the elastic components 101 may be larger, which means the noise is less likely to appear. Furthermore, by using the inclined configuration, even if all the elastic components 101 are disposed between the main body 102 and the bright trim 200 in an interference fit mode, it may not be too hard to mount the bright trim 200 onto the encapsulation structure 100, because the inclined elastic components 101 are more likely to yield.

In some embodiments, the plurality of elastic components 101 may be all vertically disposed on the main body 102. The elastic components 101 are inherently elastic and thus are suitable to serve as cushions when the bright trim 200 is pressed. Therefore, the elastic components are not necessarily inclined.

In some embodiments, the plurality of elastic components 101 are distributed in a region on the surface of the main body 102 towards the bright trim 200, and the region partially covers the surface of the main body 102. It should be noted that noise will only occur when specific portions of the bright trim 200 are pressed. Therefore, it would have a good enough effect of noise depression by distributing the elastic components on positions just corresponding to these specific portions of the bright trim 200, and with an additional benefit of saving material and reducing production cost.

It should be noted that, embodiments of the present disclosure aim to depress or eliminate noise generated when the bright trim 200 is pressed, by disposing the elastic components. The specific arrangements, e.g., positions, coverage area, etc., of the elastic components 101 on the main body are not limited to the embodiments, and can have variations based on practical requirements.

Besides, it is not necessary that the elastic components 101 cover only part of the surface of the main body 102. In some embodiments, the elastic components 101 may be distributed all over the surface of the main body 102, such that the noise generated by pressing the bright trim 200 may be fully depressed as much as possible.

In some embodiments, the elastic components have a cross section of a parallelogram shape.

In some embodiments, the elastic components 101 are configured as elastic ribs (referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2) extending along a width direction of the main body 102. Such arrangement can enlarge the contact area between the elastic components and the bright trim 200, which may further improve the cushion effect to the bright trim 200 and reduce or eliminate the noise generated by pressing the bright trim 200.

However, the specific arrangements, e.g., direction, position, etc., of the elastic components 101 are not limited to the embodiments. In some embodiments, the elastic components 100 may extend along a length direction of the main body 102.

In some embodiments, the encapsulation structure 100 includes plastic material, and the plurality of elastic components 101 and the main body 102 are formed using the same material. As such, the main body 102 and the plurality of elastic components 101 can be formed in an injection process. Using the same material to form these components will simplify the manufacturing process. To form the elastic components 101, it is just required for adjusting the shape of an existing mould to have structures corresponding to the elastic components 101.

However, the present disclosure is not limited by the material. In some embodiments, the main body 102 and the elastic components 101 of the encapsulation structure 100 may be formed using different materials. For example, in some embodiments, the plurality of elastic components 101 may be formed using a material softer than that of the main body 102. Since the elastic components 101 are softer, they are more likely to yield. As such, even if all the elastic components 101 are disposed between the main body 102 and the bright trim 200 in an interference fit mode, it may not be very difficult to mount the bright trim 200 onto the encapsulation structure 100. Besides, as more than one of the elastic components 101 at the mounting position may be pressed and thereby deform, the contact area between them and the bright trim 200 may be relatively large, which may enhance the cushion effect of the elastic components 101 to the bright trim 200. During the formation of the encapsulation assembly, the main body 102 and the elastic components 101 may be formed in two injection processes, respectively. For example, when the encapsulation structure 100 is formed to match with a piece of glass, the main body 102 of the encapsulation structure 100 may be formed by injecting in a first mould a relatively rigid material (for example, PVC with Shore hardness of 55) around the edge portion of the glass. Thereafter, the glass together with the main body 102 of the encapsulation structure 100 may be taken out of the first mould and put into a second mould, in which the elastic components 101 may be formed by injecting a relatively soft material (for example, TPE with Shore hardness of 35) into the second mould.

In some embodiments, the elastic components 101 may be formed using polyvinyl chloride. However, the present disclosure is not limited by the material. In some embodiments, thermoplastic polyamide, polycarbamate or other materials may be used for forming the elastic components 101.

FIG. 5 schematically illustrates a cross section of an encapsulation assembly according to one embodiment. The encapsulation assembly also includes a main body 112, a plurality of elastic components 111 formed on the main body 112 and a bright trim 210 adapted for being mounted on the main body 112. Compared with embodiments described above, the encapsulation assembly illustrated in FIG. 5 includes elastic components 111 which are all abutting the bright trim 210. That is to say, even when the bright trim 210 is not pressed downwardly, each of the elastic components 111 is in contact with the bright trim 210 and thus deforms. Therefore, the elastic components 111 can provide enhanced cushion effect.

Besides, the differences also include: all the elastic components being vertical to the surface of the main body 112.

As described above, because the elastic components 111 are inherently elastic, they are suitable to serve as cushions when the bright trim 210 is pressed. Therefore, noise caused by pressing the bright trim 210 may be depressed or eliminated. The elastic components 111 being vertically arranged on the surface of the main body 112 would not impact the cushion effect of the elastic component 111 when the bright trim 210 is pressed.

The differences also include: the elastic components 111 have a cross section of a rectangle shape. However, the specific shape of the elastic components 111 is not limited thereto.

As described above, because the elastic components 111 are inherently elastic, they are able to serve as cushions when the bright trim 210 is pressed to contact with them. Therefore, noise caused by pressing the bright trim 210 may be depressed or eliminated. The elastic components 111 can also provide the cushion effect even if none of them is configured to abut the bright trim 210.

FIG. 6 schematically illustrates a cross section of an encapsulation assembly according to one embodiment. The encapsulation assembly also includes a main body, a plurality of elastic components 121 formed on the main body and a bright trim 220 adapted for being mounted on the main body. Compared with embodiments described above, the encapsulation assembly illustrated in FIG. 6 includes elastic components 121 with a cross section having a triangle shape.

Besides, the differences also include: none of the elastic components 121 configured to abut the bright trim 220. In other words, before the bright trim 220 is pressed downwardly, none of the elastic components 121 is in contact with the bright trim 220. Because the elastic components 121 are inherently elastic, they are able to serve as cushions when the bright trim 220 is pressed to contact with them. Therefore, noise caused by pressing the bright trim 220 may be depressed or eliminated. Therefore, the elastic components are not necessarily configured to abut the bright trim before the bright trim is pressed to the elastic components.

FIG. 7 schematically illustrates a cross section of an encapsulation assembly according to one embodiment. The encapsulation assembly also includes a main body, a plurality of elastic components 131 formed on the main body and a bright trim 230 adapted for being mounted on the main body. Compared with embodiments described above, the encapsulation assembly illustrated in FIG. 7 includes elastic components 131 with a cross section having an arc (for example, semicircular) shape. In such configuration, the elastic components 131 can also provide the cushion effect. Therefore, the shape of the elastic components is not intended to be limiting.

The present disclosure also provides a vehicle window. FIG. 8 schematically illustrates a vehicle window according to one embodiment. The vehicle window includes a glass 50 and an encapsulation assembly 70 according to any embodiment described above. When a bright trim of the encapsulation assembly 70 in the vehicle window is pressed, less noise will be generated. Furthermore, wind noise generated during the usage of the vehicle window may be reduced to some extent.

Although the present disclosure has been disclosed above with reference to preferred embodiments thereof, it should be understood that the disclosure is presented by way of example only, and not limitation. Those skilled in the art can modify and vary the embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Therefore, the protection scope of the present disclosure is subject to the scope defined by the claims.

Claims

An encapsulation assembly, comprising:

an encapsulation structure, comprising a main body and a plurality of elastic components protruding from the main body； and

a bright trim, adapted for being mounted on the encapsulation structure,

wherein the plurality of elastic components, being integral with the main body, are located on a surface of the main body which faces the bright trim.
The encapsulation assembly according to claim 1, wherein when the bright trim is mounted on the encapsulation structure, at least part of the plurality of elastic components is in contact with and pressed by a surface of the bright trim which faces the main body and thereby has deformation.
The encapsulation assembly according to claim 1, wherein at least part of the plurality of elastic components are configured to be inclined.
The encapsulation assembly according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of elastic components are distributed on a whole or a part of the surface of the main body which faces the bright trim.
The encapsulation assembly according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of elastic components are elastic ribs which extend along a width direction of the main body.
The encapsulation assembly according to claim 5, wherein the elastic ribs have cross-sections of parallelogram, triangle or arc shape.
The encapsulation assembly according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of elastic components have a same material as the main body.
The encapsulation assembly according to claim 7, wherein the plurality of elastic components and the main body are formed in one injection molding process.
The encapsulation assembly according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of elastic components have a material softer than that of the main body.
The encapsulation assembly according to claim 9, wherein the plurality of elastic components and the main body are formed in two injection molding processes, respectively.
The encapsulation assembly according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of elastic components comprise polyvinyl chloride, thermoplastic polyamide or polycarbamate.
A vehicle window, comprising: a piece of glass, and the encapsulation assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 11.