WO2022254119A1

WO2022254119A1 - Glass panel comprising a profiled seal having a tactile control region and method for manufacturing such a glass panel

Info

Publication number: WO2022254119A1
Application number: PCT/FR2022/050950
Authority: WO
Inventors: Emmanuel Depierre; Justine SEELEY
Original assignee: Saint-Gobain Glass France
Priority date: 2021-05-31
Filing date: 2022-05-18
Publication date: 2022-12-08
Also published as: CN115698921A; FR3123470A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a glass panel (1) comprising a glazed element (2) having a first face, a second face (22) and a profiled seal (3) made of plastic material and arranged on at least one portion of the periphery of said second face (22), characterised in that said glass panel (1) further comprises a capacitive film (4) arranged between said second face (22) and said profiled seal (3), said capacitive film (4) being electrically connected to a connector (5) intended to be connected to a detection circuit.

Description

GLAZING COMPRISING A PROFILE GASKET HAVING A TOUCH CONTROL ZONE AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING SUCH GLAZING

The invention relates to the field of glazing, in particular for motor vehicles, comprising a capacitive touch device. It also relates to a method for manufacturing such glazing.

It is known from the prior art glazing incorporating a touch-sensitive capacitive device for controlling equipment. Some of these glazings may even comprise several of these devices so as to control several organs. Such a touch-sensitive capacitive device comprises two electrodes coupled together and arranged on the same layer or on different layers. The capacitance between the two electrodes is modified when a user approaches one of his fingers. The capacitance variation is measured by an electronic circuit and when a threshold value is exceeded, a switching signal is triggered. International patent application No. WO 2018/002723 describes an example of glazing comprising a touch-sensitive capacitive device. There is illustrated a glazing 100, and more particularly a glazed automobile roof, comprising a first transparent glazing 1, an electrically conductive layer 2 and a touch-sensitive device 3 comprising a touch-sensitive surface 30 formed in the electrically conductive layer 2 The electrically conductive layer 2 is applied to a support layer 9 arranged inside the glazing 100. The document also discloses that the glazing 100 can be, for example, a windshield or a side glazing. As can be seen in the figures of this document, the touch-sensitive capacitive device 3 occupies a relatively large surface of the glazing 100. Consequently, such a solution has, in particular, the disadvantage of reducing the quantity of light passing through the glazing. The interior of the motor vehicle is thus darkened due to the presence of the touch-sensitive capacitive device 3. The device and its environment can occupy a large area when it is integrated into a small-sized glazing. This drawback is obvious, for example, for a side glazing such as a quarter panel. Document WO 2019/150038 describes the integration of elements inside a glazed element, between internal faces of this glazed element and in the window clear of this glazed element. There is no profile seal. The object of the invention is to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art by proposing a glazing comprising a capacitive device sensitive to touch making it possible to obtain a quantity of light passing through it comparable to a glazing not comprising such a device, it that is, without reducing the glass clear. The present invention is thus based on the discovery that, surprisingly, it is possible to hide a touch-sensitive capacitive device in a seal located on an edge of a glazing, and in particular a seal manufactured by injection molding ( technology called "encapsulation" in the glass industry).

To do this, the invention thus relates, in its broadest sense, to a glazing according to claim 1. This glazing comprises a glazed element having a first face, a second face and a capacitive film having at least one zone of detection, said glazing being noteworthy in that it includes a profiled joint made of plastic material placed on at least part of a circumference of said outer face and in that, seen in cross section, said detection zone is located between said second face and said profiled gasket.

The glazing according to the invention has the advantage of having a command in the form of a touch-sensitive capacitive device while allowing the glazing to be traversed by a quantity of light equivalent to a glazing not comprising such a device. The glazing according to the invention thus does not include any element of said capacitive film which would be in the sight glass, or window light, of said glazing. Advantageously, said detection zone is located in contact with said second face and with said profiled joint.

Preferably, seen in cross section, said detection zone extends over a width of between 10% and 90%, preferably between 20 and 80%, of the width of said profiled joint which faces said second face, so that said detection zone is correctly maintained by said profiled joint throughout the life of the vehicle.

Preferably, said second face is an external or internal face of said glazing, that is to say a face in contact respectively with an external space or an internal space; in this case, said second face is not an intermediate face. Thus, the capacitive film works correctly through said profiled joint.

Preferably, said capacitive film comprises a detection zone arranged on said second face connected by means of an electrical connection to one end of said connector.

It is thus possible to locate relatively precisely on the profiled seal the location of a touch-sensitive button for controlling equipment.

Advantageously, said glazed element has an edge disposed between said first face and said second face and said capacitive film includes an electrical connection which is in contact with said edge.

In this way, the electrical connection between the detection zone and the connector is integrated into the profiled seal, improving the aesthetics of the glazing.

Preferably, said capacitive film includes a connector located outside of said profiled joint. Thus, the manufacture of said profiled joint is simpler because it is not necessary to manage the presence of said connector in the profiled joint.

Preferably, said profiled joint comprises an insert.

Preferably, said insert comprises a plastic material and is preferably made of plastic material. This plastic material may for example be polypropylene or polyamide.

Preferably, said profiled joint comprises a cavity comprising said insert and said detection zone.

Preferably, said capacitive film is located, in contact, between said second face and said insert and more preferably, said detection zone is located, in contact, between said second face and said insert. The invention also relates to a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, comprising a glazing according to the invention.

The invention further relates to a method for manufacturing a glazing according to the invention comprising a glazed element having a first face, a second face and a capacitive film presenting at least one detection zone, said glazed element, said capacitive film , and optionally an insert, being positioned in an injection mold in order to form a profiled seal of plastic material on at least a part of a circumference of said second face.

Said method may thus comprise, successively:

- a step of fixing said capacitive film on said glazed element;

- a step of inserting said glazed element into an encapsulation mould;

- a step of injecting a plastic material into said encapsulation mold in order to form said profiled seal.

Surprisingly, it is thus possible to inject gasket plastic material in contact with a capacitive film.

The method according to the invention has the advantage of being easier to implement than the methods of manufacturing glazing comprising a capacitive device of the prior art.

Advantageously, the following step is carried out before the injection step: a step of placing an insert on said capacitive film in said encapsulation mold.

Several embodiments of the present invention will be described below, by way of non-limiting examples, with reference to the appended figures in which:

- [Fig.1] schematically illustrates a glazing in top view according to a first embodiment of the invention;

- [Fig.2] schematically represents a sectional view along a plane A-A' visible in [Fig. 1];

- [Fig.3] schematically represents a glazing in top view according to a second embodiment of the invention;

- [Fig.4] schematically illustrates a sectional view along a plane B-B' visible in [Fig. 3]; and - [Fig.5] illustrates in the form of a flowchart the steps of a method of manufacturing a glazing according to the present invention,

The present invention is described by way of example in the context of an application as vehicle glazing 1, 100. This glazing closes a bay by creating a separation between an exterior space E, which is exterior to the vehicle, and an interior space I, which is interior to the vehicle. The notions of “exterior” and “interior” are therefore considered with respect, respectively, to the exterior space E and the interior space I. The present invention is described, by way of nonlimiting example, by being applied to a rear side glazing. Thus, in the illustrative figures, the glazing is represented schematically, in particular in cross-sectional views, installed in a body bay (not visible).

In the embodiments of the invention, the implementation of panes or sheets of glass is described. Each pane can be monolithic, that is to say made up of a single sheet of material, or be composite, that is to say made up of several sheets of material between which is inserted at least one intermediate layer of material. adherent, in the case of laminated glazing. The sheet(s) of material may (or may) be mineral(s), in particular glass, having for example undergone annealing or tempering, or organic(s), in particular plastic material such as polyvinyl butyral . The intermediate layer preferably contains at least one thermoplastic plastic material, preferably polyvinyl butyral (PVB), ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), and/or polyethylene terephthalate (PET). However, the thermoplastic interlayer may also contain, for example, polyurethane (PU), polypropylene (PP), polyacrylate, polyethylene (PE), polycarbonate (PC), polymethyl methacrylate, polyvinyl chloride, polyacetate resin, casting resins, acrylates, fluorinated ethylene-propylene, polyvinyl fluoride and/or ethylene-tetrafluoroethylene, or copolymers or mixtures thereof. The thermoplastic intermediate layer may be formed of one or more superimposed thermoplastic films, the thickness of a thermoplastic film preferably not exceeding 1.0 mm, in particular 0.25 mm or 0.5 mm to 1.0 mm or 0.9 mm, typically around 0.4 mm or 0.7 mm.

The glazing can form a windshield, a roof, a vehicle side window, a window or even a building partition. The vehicle may be a land road vehicle, such as a car, a truck, a bus, a tram, a railway vehicle, a water transport vehicle, such as a boat, or a transport vehicle by airway, such as an airplane. it is implemented, in the present invention, a capacitive film. The capacitive film comprises a transparent substrate in the form of a transparent flexible support, or of a sheet, made of polyethylene terephthalate, better known by the acronym PET, of polyamide, of polyester, of polyethylene naphthalate or any other polymer having insulating properties. These materials are particularly advantageous with respect to substrate stability and workability. It preferably has a thickness of between 10 μm and 1 mm, and more particularly between 30 μm and 200 μm. The flexible support can be selected from the AKAFLEX ® product range (notably PCL FW) from KREMPEL. It may in particular be a PET film with a thickness of 50 μm with connections in the form of a silver-based conductive layer on one of its faces. The conductive layer is treated with a laser beam to produce a capacitive, i.e. insulated, structure between two nearby but unconnected conductive areas.

The substrate can take various shapes such as the shape of a disk or a rectangle. The substrate comprises at least one metallic electrode made of copper, aluminum or any other electrically conductive metallic material. For example, the substrate comprises three electrodes connected to a layer of electric wires intended to be connected to an electronic detection circuit. The capacitive film is configured to withstand the pressure and temperature implemented during the encapsulation step.

In the context of the present description, the second face 22 is an external or internal face of the glazing 1, and preferably an external face, oriented in the direction of the external space E.

Alternatively, although this is not illustrated, the capacitive film may also be of the type described in the international patent application No. WO 2018/002723. In this case, the second face 22 is not an external or internal face of the glazing 1 but an intermediate face, in contact with another sheet of the glazed element 2. With reference to [Fig. 1], there is schematically illustrated, in a first embodiment of the invention, a motor vehicle rear side window 1, commonly referred to as quarter panel. The glazing 1 comprises a glazed element 2 comprising a single sheet of glass, for example a mineral glass In an alternative, the glazed element 2 is composite, that is to say made up of several sheets of material between which is inserted at the least one layer of adherent material, in the case of laminated glazing. The sheet(s) of material may (or may) be mineral(s), in particular glass, or organic(s), in particular plastic. The glazing 1 further comprises a profiled seal 3 arranged around the periphery of the glazed element 2. Alternatively, the profiled seal 3 is arranged only on a part of the periphery of the glazed element 2, such as for example only second face. The constituent material of the profiled seal 3 can be a polymer material such as a thermoplastic (PVC, TPE,

a polyurethane or even a synthetic rubber of the EPDM type or any other suitable flexible plastic material. The profiled seal 3 is manufactured by implementing a manufacturing process called "encapsulation" because it comprises a step of molding the profiled seal 3 in a molding device, between two molding elements, a molding element receiving the face interior of the glazing and a molding element receiving the exterior face of the glazing, these two molding elements being closed on one another during the molding step. In [Fig. 1], the profiled seal 3 is arranged over the entire periphery of the glazing 1 but this profiled seal 3 could very well be positioned only on a part of the periphery of the glazing or on any part of the glazing. The face of the glazing which is visible in [Fig. 1] is the exterior face 22 of the glazing 1. The interior face 21 of the glazing 1 is visible in [Fig. 2]. The glazing 1 also comprises a capacitive film 4 arranged between the profiled gasket 3 and the glazed element 2. The capacitive film 4 forms a capacitor whose capacitance varies with the proximity or the contact of an object which triggers it, preferably a human finger or a object whose permittivity is close to that of a human finger. Of course, touching can be done with one or even several fingers or another part of the human body. In the context of the present invention, by “touch” is meant any interaction with the zone sensitive to touch which results in a measurable change in the measurement signal, that is to say, in this case, in the capacitance. Capacitance can be measured by external capacitance detection electronics. The variation of the capacitance is for example measured by a detection circuit or electronics and when a threshold value is exceeded, a switching signal is triggered. Circuits for capacitive switches are known, for example, from DE 20 2006 006 192 U 1 , EP 0 899 882 A1, US 6,452,514 B1 , and EP 1 515 211 A1 . The detection electronics is preferably a capacitive detection electronics. The transmitted switching signal can be of any type and adapted to the requirements of the respective use. Thus, the switching signal can correspond to a positive voltage, for example 12 V, the absence of a switching signal can correspond, for example, to 0 V, and another switching signal can correspond, for example, to ÷ 6 V. The switching signal can also correspond to the usual CAN_High and CAN_Low voltages of a CAN-Bus and vary by a voltage value between them. The switching signal can also be pulsed and/or digitally encoded. The profiled seal 3 has a contact zone 6, or zone sensitive to touch, allowing interaction with the capacitive film 4. The contact zone 6 has substantially the shape of a disc. The interaction can take place by directly touching the profiled joint 3 or by approaching sufficiently to the latter, but without touching it. The capacitive film 4 comprises a connector 45 intended to be connected, for example, to an electronic detection circuit as described above. The connector 45 can take the form of a layer of electric wires. The electric wires have a thickness less than or equal to 0.25 mm, preferably between 0.02 mm and 0.15 mm. The electric wires are preferably metallic, notably comprising copper, tungsten, gold, silver or aluminum or an alloy comprising at least two metals among these metals. Alloys may also contain molybdenum, rhenium, osmium, iridium, palladium or platinum. The electrical wires are insulated from each other others by a plastic coating. The capacitive film 4 is arranged in the lower right corner of the glazing 1 so as to be easily accessible by a user.

When the glazing 1 is seen in cross section, the detection zone 41 of the capacitive film is located between the second face 22 and the profiled joint 3 made of plastic material arranged on at least part of the periphery of the second face 22.

Referring now to [Fig. 2], there is shown schematically a view in partial section, along a plane A-A′, of the glazing 1 illustrated in [Fig. 1]. The glazed element 2 has an edge 23 located between the outer face 22 and the inner face 21. The capacitive film 4 comprises a detection zone 41 connected to the connector 45 by means of an electrical connection 42. The detection zone 41 is present in the form of a disc. Alternatively, the detection zone 41 takes the form of a rectangle, a square, an ellipse, a triangle or any other shape allowing it to be covered by the profiled seal 3. The zone detection 41, the electrical connection 42 and the connector 45 are arranged on the glazed element 2 before the encapsulation operation so as to be in contact with the profiled seal 3 on the glazing 1 completed. Thus, the capacitive film 4 is not visible to a person located outside the vehicle, thus making it possible to improve the aesthetics of the glazing 1. The profiled seal 3 has a first internal face 31 in contact with the external face 22 of the glazed element 2 and the detection zone 41 and a second internal face 32 in contact with the internal face 21 of the glazed element 2 and the electrical connection 42. The profiled seal 3 also has a recess 33 in contact with part of the electrical connection 42.

When the glazing 1 is seen in cross section, the detection zone 41 extends over a width 14 of between 10% and 90% of the width 13 of the profiled seal 3 which is opposite said second face 22 at this location (that is to say that the width is 13 is considered from the edge which is between the edge 23 and the face 22, and in the direction of the center of the glazing) and preferably the width 14 is between 20% and 80% of the width 13 of the profiled seal 3. Thus, close to the detection zone 4, there remains profiled seal material 3 which adheres to the face 22 and the detection zone is thus firmly held in place by the profiled seal 3.

The glazing 1 has a contact zone 6 intended to be touched, or approached, by the finger of a user so as to obtain a variation in capacity and cause the triggering of a switching signal. This switching signal is processed by the detection circuit to then order an action such as the raising or lowering of a door window, the opening or closing of a door or the display of an indicator. Preferably, the profiled joint 3 comprises, on the contact zone 6, the symbolization of the desired action, in engraving or in relief. The symbolization can be, for example, an arrow oriented towards the upper part of the vehicle, or towards the lower part, when the desired action is respectively the raising or lowering of a door window. Thanks to the invention, the glazing 1 comprises a capacitive film acting as a control button without reducing the quantity of light passing through the glazing 1. The capacitive film 4 is covered by the profiled seal 3 and consequently U does not encroach not on the part of the glazed element 2 intended to be traversed by the light coming from outside the vehicle. From this point of view, the glazing 1 is substantially identical to a glazing not comprising such a capacitive film 4. Alternatively, the glazing 1 comprises several capacitive films 4 distributed at various locations of the profiled joint 3, each device having a function different. For example, a first capacitive film is dedicated to the raising and lowering of a door window, a second capacitive film to the opening and closing of this same door and a third to the opening of the fuel flap.

Although this is not illustrated, it is possible for the glazing to comprise a capacitive film presenting several detection zones or several capacitive films presenting a detection zone, or even several capacitive films presenting several detection zones. In particular, it is possible for a first detection zone to be located between the second face 22, for example the outer face, and the profiled seal and for a second detection zone to be located between the first face 21, for example the inside face, and the profiled seal. Referring now to [Fig. 3], there is schematically illustrated, in a second embodiment of the invention, a motor vehicle rear side window 100, also called quarter panel. The glazing 100 comprising a glazed element 102 comprising a single sheet of glass, for example a mineral glass. Alternatively, the glazed element 102 is composite, that is to say made up of several sheets of material between which is inserted at least one layer of adherent material, in the case of laminated glazing, the sheet(s) (s) of material may (or may) be mineral(s), in particular glass, or organic(s), in particular plastic. The glazing 100 further comprises a profiled seal 103 arranged around the periphery of the glazed element 102. Alternatively, the profiled seal 103 is arranged only on a part of the periphery of the glazed element 102. The material constituting the profiled seal 103 can be a material as described in the first embodiment of the invention. The profiled joint 103 has been manufactured by implementing a manufacturing method as described in the first embodiment.

In [Fig. 3], the profiled seal 103 is arranged over the entire periphery of the glazing 100 but this profiled seal 103 could also be positioned only on a part of the periphery of the glazing or on any part of the glazing. The profiled seal 103 further comprises an insert 131, visible in dotted lines in [Fig. 3], housed in a cavity 132. The face of the glazing 100 visible in [Fig. 3] is the outer face 122. The inner face 121 of the glazing 100 is visible in [Fig. 4], The glazing 100 also comprises a capacitive film 104 arranged between the profiled seal 103 and the glazed element 102 as described in the first embodiment. The profiled seal 103 has a contact zone 106, or zone sensitive to touch, allowing interaction with the capacitive film 4. The contact zone 106 has substantially the shape of a disk. The interaction with the contact zone 106 can take place by directly touching the profiled joint 103 or by approaching sufficiently to the latter, but without touching it. The capacitive film 104 includes a connector 145 intended to be connected, for example, to an electronic detection circuit as described previously. The connector 145 can take the form of a layer of electric wires. Electrical wires have a thickness less than or equal to 0.25 mm, preferably between 0.02 mm and 0.15 mm. The electric wires are preferably metallic, notably comprising copper, tungsten, gold, silver or aluminum or an alloy comprising at least two metals among these metals. Alloys may also contain molybdenum, rhenium, osmium, iridium, palladium or platinum. The electrical wires are insulated from each other by a plastic coating. The capacitive film 104 is arranged in the lower right corner of the glazing 1 so as to be easily accessible by a user, here from the outside. With reference to [Fig. 4], there is shown schematically a view in partial section, along a plane B-B', of the glazing 100 illustrated in [Fig. 3], the glazed element 102 has an edge 123 located between the outer face 122 and the inner face 121. The capacitive film 104 includes a detection zone 141 connected to the connector 145 by means of an electrical connection 142. The detection zone detection 141 is in the form of a disk. Alternatively, the detection zone 141 takes the form of a rectangle, a square, an ellipse, a triangle or any other shape allowing it to be covered by the profiled seal 103.

Preferably, the detection zone 141 and the electrical connection 142 are arranged on the glazed element 102 before the encapsulation operation so as to be in contact with the profiled seal 103 on the finished glazing 100. The insert 131, made of a plastic material such as polypropylene or polyamide, is housed in the cavity 132. In order to obtain this arrangement, there is placed in the injection mold, before the injection step of the material of the profiled gasket 103, the insert 131. In other words, the profiled gasket 103 presented in the second embodiment is thicker than the profiled gasket 3 exposed in the first embodiment. The insert 131 has an inner face 131a, in contact with the outer face 122 of the glazed element 102 and the detection zone 141, and an outer face 131b in contact with the bottom 132a of the cavity 132. The profiled seal 103 also has a recess 133 in contact with part of the electrical connection 142 and an inner face 103a in contact with the inner face 121 of the glazed element 102 and the end 151 of the connector 105. Referring now to [Fig. 5], there is illustrated, in the form of a flowchart, the steps of a method of manufacturing the glazing according to the present invention. In a step 501, the capacitive film 4 is fixed on the glazed element 2, for example by means of an adhesive or by gluing. Then, in a step 502, the glazed element 2, comprising the capacitive film 4, is inserted into an encapsulation mold. In a step 503, a plastic material is injected into the encapsulation mold so as to form the profiled gasket 3.

Alternatively, in a step 504, an insert 131 is placed on the capacitive film 104 which is on the glazed element 2, before the insertion of this glazed element into the encapsulation mould. In this way, the volume of material injected around the insert 131 is reduced. The material thus spreads correctly around the periphery of the insert 131. profile without insert.

The manufacturing method can also be implemented for a glazing comprising several capacitive films arranged at various locations of the profiled joint. Step 501 is then modified by fixing each capacitive film. Regarding step 504, it is modified by placing each insert on a capacitive film (or insert on several capacitive films), before inserting the glazed element into the encapsulation mould.

Alternatively, it is possible to first insert the glazed element into the encapsulation mold and then position the capacitive film(s) on the glazed element, then possibly position the ( or the) inserts.

Claims

1. Glazing (1, 100) comprising a glazed element (2, 102) having a first face (21, 121), a second face (22, 122) and a capacitive film (4, 104) having at least one zone of detection (41, 141), characterized in that it comprises a profiled gasket (3, 103) made of plastic material arranged on at least part of a circumference of the said outer face (22, 122) and in that, seen in cross section, said detection zone (41, 141) is located between said outer face (22, 122) and said profiled seal (3, 103).

2. Glazing (1, 100) according to claim 1 wherein, seen in cross section, said detection zone (41, 141) extends over a width (14) of between 10% and 90%, preferably between 20 and 80% of the width (13) of said profiled joint (3, 103) which faces said second face (22, 122).

3. Glazing (1, 100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said second face (22, 122) is an outer or inner face of said glazing.

4. Glazing (1, 100) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein said glazed element (2, 102) has an edge (23, 123) disposed between said first face (21, 121) and said second face (22, 122) and said capacitive film (4, 104) has an electrical connection (42, 142) which is in contact with said edge (23, 123),

5, Glazing (1, 100) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein said capacitive film (4, 104) comprises a connector (45, 145) located outside of said profiled joint (3, 103).

6. Glazing (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein said profiled seal (103) comprises an insert (131), said insert (131) preferably comprising a plastic material and preferably being made of plastic material.

7. Glazing (100) according to claim 6 characterized in that said capacitive film (104) is located, in contact, between said second face (22, 122) and said insert (131),

8. Vehicle, in particular automobile, comprising a glazing (1, 100) according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. A method of manufacturing a glazing (1, 100) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, said glazing (1, 100) comprising a glazed element (2, 102) having a first face (21, 121), a second face (22, 122) and a capacitive film (4, 104) having at least one detection zone (41, 141), characterized in that the said glazed element ( 2, 102), said capacitive film (4, 104), and optionally an insert (131), are positioned in an injection mold in order to form a profiled seal (3, 103) of plastic material on at least a part of a perimeter of said second face (22, 122).