GLAZING FOR A VEHICLE COMPRISING A PLATE WITH CATCHES FOR FIXING AN ACCESSORY, AND PLATE

Abstract

A glazing for a vehicle includes a glass pane and a plate for reversibly attaching an optoelectronic accessory, the plate includes, in the lower part, a lower inner catch receiving a lower projecting cylindrical part linked to the accessory, and, in the upper part, an upper inner catch receiving an upper projecting cylindrical part linked to the accessory, the inner catches being oriented in the same direction and oriented toward the top of the plate and the plate further including a bracket extending inwardly substantially at a right angle from the inner face of the plate and pressing, in a direction substantially parallel to the inner face of the plate, and downwardly, one of the projecting cylindrical parts against the adjacent inner catch.

Claims

1. A glazing for a vehicle comprising a glass pane and at least one plate for reversibly attaching at least one optoelectronic accessory to said glass pane, said at least one plate having a hole facing said at least one optoelectronic accessory, an outer face that is fixed facing an inner face of said glass pane and an inner face oriented on an opposite side regarding said outer face of said at least one plate, said inner face of said at least one plate comprising an attachment system configured to reversibly attach said at least one optoelectronic accessory, wherein said at least one plate comprises, in a lower part, at least one lower inner catch receiving a lower projecting cylindrical part linked to said at least one optoelectronic accessory, and, in an upper part, at least one upper inner catch receiving an upper projecting cylindrical part linked to said at least one optoelectronic accessory, said lower and upper inner catches being oriented in a same direction and said at least one plate further comprising at least one bracket extending inwardly substantially at a right angle from the inner face of said at least one plate and pressing, in a direction substantially parallel to the inner face of said at least one plate one of said projecting cylindrical parts against the adjacent inner catch.

2. The glazing as claimed in claim 1, wherein said attachment system configured to reversibly attach said at least one optoelectronic accessory is entirely integrally formed with said at least one plate.

3. The glazing as claimed in claim 1, wherein said at least one plate comprises, in the lower part, two lateral inner catches located to the right and to the left of the hole of said at least one plate, and wherein said at least one plate comprises, in the upper part, two lateral inner catches located to the right and to the left of the hole of said plate.

4. The glazing as claimed in claim 1, wherein said at least one plate comprises, in the lower part, at least one outer catch receiving said lower projecting cylindrical part, and, in the upper part, at least one outer catch receiving said upper projecting cylindrical part, said outer catches being oriented in a same direction.

5. The glazing as claimed in claim 4, wherein said at least one bracket exerts a pressure, in a direction substantially parallel to the inner face of said at least one plate, on one of said projecting cylindrical parts both below one of said adjacent inner catches and above one of said adjacent outer catches.

6. The glazing as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one vertical stop vertically blocks a projecting cylindrical part.

7. The glazing as claimed in claim 6, wherein said at least one vertical stop comprises a horizontal appendage.

8. The glazing as claimed in claim 1, wherein a width of at least one inner catch is between 0.5 and 3.0 mm.

9. The glazing as claimed in claim 1, wherein said attachment system configured to reversibly attach said accessory is symmetrically disposed relative to a central vertical plane.

10. The glazing as claimed in claim 1, comprising at least one optoelectronic accessory selected from a list comprising: a rain sensor, a luminosity sensor, a photographic sensor, an infrared sensor, a camera, a display screen support.

11. A part for fixing an optoelectronic accessory to the glazing as claimed in claim 1, said part comprising at least one plate that is intended to be fixed facing an inner face of said glass pane, said at least one plate comprising in the lower part, at least one lower inner catch for receiving a lower projecting cylindrical part linked to said at least one optoelectronic accessory, and in the upper part, at least one upper inner catch for receiving an upper projecting cylindrical part linked to said at least one optoelectronic accessory, said lower and upper inner catches being oriented in the same direction and said at least one plate further comprising at least one bracket extending inwardly substantially at a right angle from the inner face of said at least one plate and being able to press, in a direction substantially parallel to the inner face of said at least one plate, one of said projecting cylindrical parts against the adjacent inner catch.

12. The glazing as claimed in claim 1, wherein in the lower part, the at least one lower inner catch includes at least two lower inner catches, and, in the upper part, the at least one upper inner catch includes at least two upper inner catches.

13. The glazing as claimed in claim 1, wherein said lower and upper inner catches are oriented toward the top of said plate.

14. The glazing as claimed in claim 1, wherein said at least one plate further comprises at least two brackets extending inwardly substantially at a right angle from the inner face of said at least one plate.

15. The glazing as claimed in claim 1, said at least one bracket presses downwardly one of said projecting cylindrical parts against the adjacent inner catch.

16. The glazing as claimed in claim 4, wherein, in the lower part, said at least one outer catch includes at least two outer catches, and, in the upper part, said at least one outer catch includes at least two outer catches.

17. The glazing as claimed in claim 4, wherein said outer catches are oriented toward the top of said plate.

18. The glazing as claimed in claim 5, wherein said at least one bracket exerts a pressure downwardly.

19. The glazing as claimed in claim 6, wherein the at least one vertical stop includes at least two vertical stops positioned respectively to the right and to the left of said hole.

20. The glazing as claimed in claim 8, wherein the width of each inner catch is between 0.5 and 3.0 mm.

Description

[0057] Several embodiments are described hereafter, by way of non-limiting examples, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0058] FIG. 1 is a partial perspective view of the top of a glazing according to the invention, mainly showing the inner face of a glass pane of this glazing, said glass pane comprising, on the inner face, a plate according to the invention for attaching a plurality of accessories, including an optoelectronic accessory, to this glass pane;

[0059] FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of the attachment of the optoelectronic accessory to the plate of FIG. 1;

[0060] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a variation of a plate according to the invention for attaching a single optoelectronic accessory; and

[0061] FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view of the plate of FIG. 3 showing the attachment of the accessory to the plate.

[0062] Throughout these figures, the proportions between the various elements are respected on each figure, but the background elements are generally not shown, in order to make them easier to read.

[0063] In FIG. 1, the top of the plate is at the top of the drawing and the bottom of the plate is at the bottom of the drawing; in FIG. 2, the top is to the right and the bottom is to the left, and in FIGS. 3 and 4, the bottom of the plate is at the top of the drawing and the top of the plate is at the bottom of the drawing.

[0064] The present invention relates to a glazing 1, and particularly to a glazing for a vehicle, such as that shown in FIG. 1 as a partial view from the interior of the vehicle, said glazing 1 comprising a glass pane 2 and at least one plate 3, fixed to the glass pane, for reversibly attaching an optoelectronic accessory 4 to the plate 3 and therefore to the glass pane 2.

[0065] The glazing 1 is intended to close an opening forming a mainly vertical separation between a space inside the vehicle and a space outside the vehicle. The glass pane 2 thus has an outer face 21 intended to be rotated toward the outer space, an inner face 22 intended to be rotated toward the inner space, as well as a peripheral edging.

[0066] Thus, when the concepts of inner and outer are referred to in the present document, it is always with reference to this consideration. Furthermore, when the concept of vertical and horizontal is referred to, it is also with reference to this consideration of the use of the glazing for a vehicle. Finally, the concepts of left and right also refer to this consideration, when the glass pane is viewed from the inside, as in FIG. 1, and relative to a vertical central axis A.

[0067] The glass pane can be monolithic, i.e. formed by a single sheet of material, or can be composite, i.e. formed by several sheets of material, between which at least one layer of adhesive material is inserted, in the case of composite/laminated glass panes. The one or more sheet(s) of material can be mineral(s), particularly glass, or can be organic(s), particularly plastic material.

[0068] In the case of a glazing for a vehicle, the glazing generally has, at least partially on its periphery, all around the edge of the inner face 22, a decorative strip 23. This decorative strip generally results from depositing enamel, which is implemented on the inner face of the glass pane when it is monolithic or on an interposed face of the glazing for laminated glass panes, but it also can result from partial and/or peripheral coloring of a sheet of material that is used, particularly a sheet made of organic material.

[0069] When the glass pane is made of organic material, it has been manufactured prior to the implementation of the invention by molding the constituent material of the glass pane in a molding device comprising a mold comprising at least one fixed mold part and one movable mold part, which can move relative to the fixed mold part, with said mold parts cooperating in the closed state of the mold, during the molding step, to form a molding cavity having a section that is the sectional shape of the glass pane. In many cases, the glass pane made of organic material is not flat but is curved.

[0070] When the glass pane is made of mineral material, it has been manufactured prior to the implementation of the invention by melting mineral material into a flat sheet, then by cutting this sheet and optionally curving and/or dip-coating this sheet.

[0071] When the glass pane is a composite glass pane, it has been manufactured using the well known technique for manufacturing laminated, and optionally curved, glass panes.

[0072] In FIG. 1, the glass pane 2 is a curved, laminated glass pane. In this case, it is a windshield of a motor vehicle.

[0073] The plate 3, which can be seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, comprises, on the one hand, an outer face 31 intended to be rotated toward the outer space and which is intended to be indirectly fixed to the inner face 22 of the glass pane facing this inner face of the glass pane and, on the other hand, an inner face 32 intended to be rotated toward the inner space, as well as a peripheral edging.

[0074] This plate 3 has a receptacle for receiving the accessory 4, which receptacle comprises means for reversibly attaching this accessory, as well as a hole 30. Part of the accessory 4 is intended to be positioned f acing this hole 30 so that the accessory is able to sense in front of the plate 3 and consequently in front of the glass pane 2.

[0075] The plate 3 shown in FIG. 1 further comprises at least one base 7 for reversibly attaching another accessory to the plate 3. The base 7 has a hole intended to be positioned facing this other accessory; the plate shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 is simpler since it allows a single optoelectronic accessory to be attached that is identical to that of FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0076] The outer face 31 of the plate that is shown in FIG. 2 is intended to be fixed to the inner face 22 of the glass pane by an adhesive material, not shown. This material can be a double-sided adhesive tape or a glue.

[0077] Of course, this adhesive material is disposed against the outer face of the plate so that the hole 30 that is used to operate the accessory 4 lacks any adhesive material.

[0078] The receptacle for the accessory is located in the inner face 32 of the plate. Thus, the inner face 32 comprises means 5, 6 for reversibly attaching the accessory 4.

[0079] By using the center of the accessory as a reference when it is attached to the plate, the means for reversibly attaching the accessory can be divided into: [0080] lower means 5, for attaching the accessory at the bottom of the receptacle; and [0081] upper means 6, for attaching the accessory at the top of the receptacle.

[0082] These means are the same throughout all the figures of the present document.

[0083] As shown in the figures, the lower means 5 comprise two lower inner catches 50, 50 each respectively receiving a lower projecting cylindrical part 45, 45, each of which is linked to said accessory 4, and the upper means 6 comprise two upper inner catches 60, 60 each respectively receiving an upper projecting cylindrical part 46, 46, each of which is linked to said accessory 4.

[0084] The lower projecting cylindrical parts 45, 45 of the accessory 4 project relative to the body of the accessory, respectively to the right and to the left; the cylinder thereof has the same radius and the axes of the cylinder thereof coincide in the space along a lower cylindrical axis Ab.

[0085] The upper projecting cylindrical parts 46, 46 of the accessory 4 project relative to the body of the accessory, respectively to the right and to the left; the cylinder thereof has the same radius and the axes of the cylinder thereof coincide in the space along a lower cylindrical axis Ah.

[0086] The upper and lower inner catches are preferably present in pairs, for each pair one is to the left and the other is to the right of the hole 30 in order to allow a symmetrical pressure to be exerted.

[0087] Even though it is not shown, it is possible for provision to be made for the lower means to comprise only one lower inner catch receiving a lower projecting cylindrical part linked to said accessory. In this case, the lower inner catch is preferably laterally centered relative to the accessory and the lower projecting cylindrical part is also then laterally centered relative to the accessory.

[0088] Even though it is not shown, it is also possible for provision to be made for the upper means to comprise only one upper inner catch receiving an upper projecting cylindrical part linked to said accessory. In this case, the upper inner catch is preferably laterally centered relative to the accessory and the upper projecting cylindrical part is also then laterally centered relative to the accessory.

[0089] All the inner catches 50, 50, 60, 60 are oriented in the same direction and in this case they are oriented toward the top of the plate 3, in order to implement retention that resists gravity.

[0090] The upper means 6 for attaching the accessory to the top of the receptacle further comprise two brackets 68, 68 extending inwardly substantially at a right angle from the inner face 32 of the plate 3 and pressing, shown by the double arrow F, in a direction substantially parallel to the inner face 32 of the plate 3, each of the upper projecting cylindrical parts 46, 46 against the adjacent upper inner catch 60, 60. In this case, this pressure is substantially downward, in the direction of gravity in order to increase the available pressure force.

[0091] The lower means 5 for attaching the accessory to the bottom of the receptacle further comprise two outer catches 53, 53 respectively receiving said lower projecting cylindrical part 45, 45 by exerting an external pressure, and the upper means 6 for attaching the accessory to the top of the receptacle comprise two outer catches 63, 63 respectively receiving said upper projecting cylindrical part 46, 46 by exerting an external pressure.

[0092] All the outer catches 53, 53, 63, 63 are oriented in the same direction and in this case they are oriented toward the top of the plate 3, in order to implement retention that resists gravity.

[0093] The upper and lower outer catches are preferably present in pairs, for each pair one is to the left and the other is to the right of the hole 30 in order to allow a symmetrical pressure to be exerted.

[0094] Even though it is not shown, it is possible for provision to be made for the lower means to comprise only one lower outer catch receiving a lower projecting cylindrical part linked to said accessory. In this case, the lower outer catch is preferably laterally centered relative to the accessory and the lower projecting cylindrical part is also then laterally centered relative to the accessory.

[0095] Even though it is not shown, it is also possible for provision to be made for the upper means to comprise only one upper outer catch receiving an upper projecting cylindrical part linked to said accessory. In this case, the upper inner catch is preferably laterally centered relative to the accessory and the upper projecting cylindrical part is also then laterally centered relative to the accessory.

[0096] Each catch 50, 50, 60, 60, 53, 53, 63, 63 is in the form of a hammer and is formed by a shank that is linked to the inner face 32 of the plate and extends inwardly, as well as by a head extending transversely from an inner end of the shank.

[0097] As is more specifically shown in FIG. 2, the inner catches 50, 50 are each formed by an upper shank 51, 51 and a long head 52, 52. The shanks 51, 51 are called upper shanks since the height of each one, starting from the inner surface 32, is at least twice the diameter of the lower projecting cylindrical part 45, 45, in this case approximately 2.2 times the diameter of the lower projecting cylindrical part 45, 45. The heads 52, 52 are called long heads since the length of each one, starting from the shank 51, 51, is approximately the diameter of the lower projecting cylindrical part 45, 45, in this case approximately 1 times the diameter of the lower projecting cylindrical part 45, 45.

[0098] The outer catches 53, 53 are each formed by a lower shank and by a short head. The shanks are called lower shanks since the height of each one, starting from the inner surface 32, is lower than the diameter of the lower projecting cylindrical part 45, 45, in this case approximately 0.9 times the diameter of the lower projecting cylindrical part 45, 45. The heads are called short heads since the length of each one, starting from the shank supporting them, is approximately the radius of the lower projecting cylindrical part 45, 45, in this case approximately 1 times the radius of the lower projecting cylindrical part 45, 45.

[0099] The figures also show that it is possible to duplicate an outer catch, in this case the lower outer catch 53, 53 on each side, to the left and to the right of an inner catch, in this case the lower inner catch 50, 50, in order to allow a balanced external counter-pressure to be exerted on each side of the inner pressure point. A lower outer catch 53, 53, and even each lower outer catch 53, 53, thus can be duplicated.

[0100] Even though it is not shown, it is possible to duplicate an inner catch, on each side, to the left and to the right of an outer catch, in order to allow a balanced internal counter-pressure to be exerted on each side of the outer pressure point.

[0101] As each catch comprises a head, it is preferable for a cut-out to be provided in line with this head in the thickness of the plate 3 in order to facilitate the removal of the molding of the corresponding catch.

[0102] However, by providing catch shanks that are close together, and even linked: [0103] as is the case at the bottom: with a common shank for the inner catch 50 and the dual outer catch 53; as well as a common shank for the inner catch 50 and the dual outer catch 53; [0104] as is the case at the top: with a common shank for the inner catch 60 and the outer catch 63; as well as a common shank for the inner catch 60 and the outer catch 63;

[0105] then the number of cut-outs is limited (in this case there are four, even if the only visible cut-out is that of reference sign 35) and the total surface area of cut-outs is limited.

[0106] This provides a favorable outcome compared to the prior art of allowing the surface area of the plate to be increased in face of the accessory and therefore allows the available surface area to be increased for fixing the plate to the glass pane.

[0107] FIG. 2 particularly shows that: [0108] at the bottom: the two right-hand and left-hand projecting cylindrical parts 45, 45 of the accessory are each simultaneously located immediately below and in contact with the adjacent lower inner catch 50, 50 and immediately above and in contact with the adjacent lower outer catches 53, 53; [0109] at the top: the two right-hand and left-hand projecting cylindrical parts 46, 46 of the accessory are each simultaneously located immediately below and in contact with the adjacent lower inner catch 60, 60 and immediately above and in contact with the adjacent upper outer catch 63, 63.

[0110] Thus, the brackets 68, 68 each exert a direct pressure in a direction that is substantially parallel to the inner face 32 of said plate 3, shown by the double arrow F, in this case substantially downward, on each upper projecting cylindrical part 46, 46, both below the adjacent upper inner catch 60, 60 and above the adjacent upper outer catch 63, 63.

[0111] Indirectly, by transmission through the body of the accessory, the brackets 68, 68 each exert a pressure in a direction substantially parallel to the inner face 32 of said plate 3, shown by the double arrow F, in this case substantially downward, on each lower projecting cylindrical part 45, 45, both below the adjacent lower inner catch 50, 50 and above the adjacent lower outer catch 53, 53.

[0112] The lower means 5 for attaching the accessory to the bottom of the receptacle further comprise two lateral guides 54, 54, more particularly shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, blocking the lower projecting cylindrical part 45, 45, respectively to prevent it from moving further to the left and further to the right.

[0113] The upper means 6 for attaching the accessory at the top of the receptacle further comprise two vertical and upper stops 64, 64, one to the right and the other to the left of said hole 30, each vertically, and in this case specifically downwardly, blocking an upper projecting cylindrical part 46, 46.

[0114] These upper vertical stops 64, 64 each comprise a horizontal appendage 65, 65 blocking the upper projecting cylindrical part 46, 46, respectively to prevent it from moving further to the right and further to the left.

[0115] The width l of each of the inner catches 50, 50, 60, 60 is between 0.5 and 3.0 mm: [0116] which in this case is 2.0 mm for the lower inner catches 50, 50; and [0117] which in this case is 1.0 mm for the upper inner catches 60, 60.

[0118] As is particularly shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, said lower 5 and upper 6 means for reversibly attaching the accessory 4 are symmetrically disposed relative to a central vertical plane P.

[0119] The accessory is attached in the following order: [0120] ithe accessory 4 is moved toward the plate 3 previously fixed to the inner face of the glass pane 2; [0121] iithe lower projecting cylindrical parts 45, 45 are introduced together between the lower inner catch 50, 50 and the lower outer catch 53, 53, respectively; these lower projecting cylindrical parts 45, 45 can rotate on themselves while remaining in contact, both below the lower inner catch 50, 50 and above the lower outer catch 53, 53; [0122] iiithe accessory is rotated about the axis Ab until the upper projecting cylindrical parts 46, 46 reach the upper inner catches 60, 60; this rotation is laterally guided by the lateral guides 54, 54; [0123] iva pressure (manual or by automaton) is exerted on the top of the accessory 4 and toward the outside in order to introduce the upper projecting cylindrical parts 46, 46 together, between the upper inner catch 60, 60 and the upper outer catch 63, 63, respectively, while separating the brackets 68, 68 toward the top; this introduction is guided by the horizontal appendages 65, 65; [0124] vthe brackets 68, 68 remain slightly deformed toward the top and thus each apply a downward force on the upper projecting cylindrical parts 46, 46, so as to permanently retain them against the upper vertical stops 64, 64.

[0125] In order to facilitate the passage of the upper projecting cylindrical parts 46, 46 between, on the one hand, the upper catches 60, 60, 63, 63 and the brackets 68, 68, the brackets in this case are manufactured as shanks with a rectangular section and the same length as the upper projecting cylindrical parts 46, 46. The height of each bracket, taken from the inner face 32, is greater than the overall height starting from the same reference point for the upper outer catches 63, 63, while being below the overall height starting from the same reference point for the upper inner catches 60, 60. The brackets are approximately 1 millimeter thick.

[0126] The flexibility of the brackets 68, 68 to allow this passage of the upper projecting cylindrical parts 46, 46 must be greater than the flexibility of the upper inner catches 60, 60. In other words, the pressure provided by the upper catches 60, 60, 63, 63 for the upper projecting cylindrical parts 46, 46 is relatively rigid, whereas the pressure of the brackets 68, 68 on the upper projecting cylindrical parts 46, 46 is relatively flexible. It involves a flat pressure.

[0127] All these pressures are properly centered on both sides, to the left and to the right, of a central vertical axis of the accessory so that during use none of them tends to move the accessory in its receptacle.

[0128] Detachment is carried out by performing the same operations in reverse. It is easy to implement since not much force is required for the step iv of deforming the brackets 68, 68. It is easy for the attachment and detachment to be repeated as many times as desired, for example, to check the accessory or to change the accessory if necessary, without ever causing any damage to the means for reversibly attaching the accessory to the plate.

[0129] The lower 5 and upper 6 means for reversibly attaching the accessory 4 are entirely integrally formed with the plate 3; the plate 3, with all these means, is manufactured in a single direct molding operation; no additional part or element needs to be provided against the plate or partly inside the plate, such as, for example, one or more metal leaf springs.

[0130] The material for the plate 3 can be, for example: polyamide (and particularly PA 66), ABS or polyethylene.

[0131] The whole part thus formed by the plate 3 can be manufactured by molding, for example, in a single operation and with very high precision.

[0132] Even though it is not shown, the plate 3 also allows reversible attachment of an inner cover, which obscures the plate and the accessory 4 from the interior of the vehicle.

[0133] The reversibly attachable accessories can be selected from a list comprising: a rain sensor, a luminosity sensor, a photographic sensor (device for capturing a fixed image in the visible range; analogue or digital), an infrared sensor, a camera (device for capturing a moving image in the visible range; analogue or digital). It particularly can involve accessories that must be positioned in the vehicle with extremely high precision.

[0134] The reversible attachment implemented with the invention is extremely precise. The gap between the accessory and the plate is approximately one tenth of a millimeter.

[0135] The single part forming the plate 3 is fixed to the inner face 22 of the glass pane using an automatic, semi-automatic or manual method.