Patent Grant
10427504
This application is a national stage application (under 35 USC ยง 371) of PCT/EP2015/056210, filed Mar. 24, 2015, which claims benefit of German application No. 10 2014 104 418.5, filed Mar. 28, 2014, the contents of each of which are incorporated by reference herein.
The present invention relates to electrically switchable motor vehicle glazing, for instance, a side window or rear window of a motor vehicle, and it also relates to electrically switchable motor vehicle glazing that is arranged on a catch or on a drive housing or cable drum housing of the vehicle window regulator that serves for opening and closing the vehicle glazing, for example, a side window of a motor vehicle, in which at least one optical property can be changed by feeding an electrical signal via a line that is arranged on a window pane holder of the vehicle glazing.
Electrically switchable glazing of the above-mentioned type changes its optical property, for instance, its light transmittance, through the application of an electric voltage or electric power. Depending on the design, such glazing can serve, for example, as sun protection or can assume the function of view protection. Electrically switchable glazing can be configured as electrochromic glass or as liquid crystal (LC) glass, polymer dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) glass or suspended particle device (SPD) glass.
Such electrically switchable glazing is employed, for example, in glazing for buildings for purposes of temperature control or as UV protection, but also in motor vehicles as sun protection in moon roofs, for instance, in panorama roofs. In order to control or regulate the optical properties of such electrically switchable glazing, there is a need for a separate electronic control or regulation unit. However, it is likewise a known approach for one of the control mechanisms present in the vehicle such as, for instance, a door control mechanism, to take over the task of controlling or regulating electrically switchable glazing, as a result of which there is no need for a separate control or regulation unit.
German patent application DE 103 28 929 A1 discloses a device having an electronic, sensor-controlled pinch-protection system that acts on window regulator mechanisms in motor vehicles. The device has a drive motor that moves a window regulator mechanism in response to control signals from control electronics. The window regulator mechanism has a sensor electrode that is arranged in the vicinity of the closing and opening edge of a window pane, and it also has evaluation electronics. The evaluation electronics and/or the control electronics are positioned in or on the catch.
Furthermore, international patent application WO 2003/026104 A2 discloses a drive unit for adjustment devices in motor vehicles, for example, window regulator devices, comprising an electric motor, a power supply unit that supplies the electric motor, at least one gear connected to the electric motor, and an electronic system. The electronics and the power supply unit are integrated into the housing of the electric motor and they carry out control and regulation functions of the electric motor as well as control, regulation and monitoring functions of the adjustment devices.
German patent application DE 10 2013 003 533 A1 describes a device for electrically contacting an electrically actuatable functional layer of a vehicle window pane that can be adjusted by a window pane catch. The window pane catch has at least two first contact elements for transmitting control signals to the functional layer, and these contact elements bring the functional layer into contact with the device in order to change the transparency of the functional layer by applying an electric field. The window pane catch is Y-shaped and it grips the window pane from two opposite sides, whereby a first Y-arm is rigid while a second Y-arm is movably connected to the housing by a hinge. Control electronics are arranged in a housing of the window pane catch.
German patent application DE 10 2010 056 203 A1 describes a device for adjusting the degree of transmittance of glass surfaces by applying an operating voltage. The device has at least one transmission line and at least one transformer with an integrated central unit for converting a source voltage. The central unit is integrated into the transformer in order to control the voltage and/or the frequency of an alternating voltage. The transformer and the central unit are arranged in a metal housing.
U.S. Pat. Appln. No. 2013/0050797 A1 and European patent application EP 2 567 842 A1 describe a device to control an electrically actuatable functional layer of vehicle window panes. The degree of transmittance of the functional layer is adjusted by applying an electric voltage to the functional layer. An inverter inverts a direct voltage from the vehicle battery into an alternating voltage in order to actuate the functional layer. This inverter is arranged on the lower portion of the glass pane in order to lower the center of gravity of the window pane and thus to ensure that the glass pane can be moved up and down smoothly. A mechanism to move the glass pane up and down is provided on the inverter.
German patent application DE 10 2009 037 674 A1 discloses a window regulator module for a motor vehicle comprising an adjustable window pane and at least one cable coupled to the adjustable window pane. When the window pane is adjusted, the cable is moved in such a way that the course of the cable changes. A vehicle element that cannot move along with the window pane is connected to the cable at a cable connection point. Moreover, the window regulator module has at least one flexible guide element between the window pane and the cable connection point of the vehicle element to which the cable, which is coupled to the window pane, preferably the cable of a power source and/or of regulation electronics, is connected to the unmovable vehicle element. The flexible guide element on which the cable runs prescribes at least portions of the course of the cable when the window pane is being adjusted. The guide element is coupled to the window pane by means of the connection of the guide element to a catch that is connected to the window pane.
Before this backdrop, the objective of the invention is to arrange a control or regulation unit for electrically switchable motor vehicle glazing in the vicinity of the vehicle glazing in order to minimize the fault-susceptibility of the signals that are used to control or regulate the optical properties of the vehicle glazing.
When it comes to electrically switchable motor vehicle glazing, for example, a side window or rear window of a motor vehicle in which at least one optical property can be changed by feeding an electric signal via a line arranged on a window pane holder of the vehicle glazing, a control or regulation unit for feeding the electric signal is provided in a housing that is stationary relative to the car body. The line for feeding the electric signal, for example, via a plug, is arranged on the control or regulation unit, which is located in the housing. The electric signal can be an electric voltage, an electric current, electric power or else an analog or digital signal such as, for example, a data signal. Preferably, the housing and thus also the control or regulation unit are arranged in the area or vicinity of the electrically switchable motor vehicle glazing. The length of the line is thus likewise minimized, thereby, in an advantageous manner, minimizing the fault-susceptibility of the signals on the line, for example, electric voltages, that are used to control or regulate the optical properties of the vehicle glazing.
In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the housing is arranged on the sheet metal of the car body, on fixed vehicle glazing and/or on the drive housing or cable drum housing of a vehicle window regulator that serves for opening and closing the vehicle glazing. The housing can be arranged flexibly, depending on the vehicle or vehicle model. Here, it can be arranged either on the car body or else on fixed vehicle glazing such as, for example, a rear window of a motor vehicle.
In an advantageous manner, at least one fastening tab, at least one holder and/or at least one fastening extension is arranged on the outer wall of the housing. As a result, there are various ways to fasten the housing to the control or regulation unit that is arranged therein. By means of the fastening devices that are attached to the outer wall of the housing, the housing can be fastened in a simple manner to various parts of the vehicle such as, for instance, to the car body and/or to the fixed vehicle glazing.
According to an advantageous embodiment, the at least one fastening tab has a U-shaped cutout, for example, a slot, to be inserted into at least one projection arranged on the car body and/or on the drive housing or cable drum housing of a vehicle window regulator, or else it has a through hole to receive a fastening screw or the like. As a result, the housing can be, for instance, screwed, riveted or clipped onto the car body in a simple manner. An easy-to-install fastening option for the housing is achieved by a U-shaped cutout on the fastening tab(s). In this way, the housing can then be easily fastened by means of insertion, for example, to one or more projection(s) arranged on the car body it and can be released again in case of a defect in the control or regulation unit arranged in the housing.
According to another advantageous embodiment, the at least one holder is hook-shaped, preferably U-shaped or L-shaped, so that the vehicle glazing can be inserted into the free space enclosed by the holder. The vehicle glazing is held with a positive fit by means of the at least one holder having a hook-shaped configuration. Here, the electrically switchable motor vehicle glazing is preferably glued into the free space enclosed by the hook-shaped holder, so that the housing is held onto the window pane. In addition, the housing can be fastened to the car body by means of one or more fastening tabs so that the housing forms an additional holder for the vehicle glazing. However, it is also conceivable for the hook-shaped holder to have a spring force, so that the vehicle glazing is held with a positive and non-positive fit in the free space enclosed by the hook-shaped holder.
According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the at least one fastening extension is shaped in one piece onto the housing and it engages into at least one receptacle that has an appropriate inner contour matching the fastening extension and that is shaped in one piece onto the drive housing or cable drum housing. For this purpose, the fastening extension that is shaped in one piece onto the housing can have different shapes, for example, cylindrical, rectangular, elliptical or the like. Since the cross section of the at least one fastening extension that is shaped in one piece onto the housing has an angular or elongated shape, the housing is arranged so as to be non-rotatable relative to the drive housing or cable drum housing. The arrangement of two or more fastening extensions that are shaped in one piece onto the housing would likewise prevent a rotation of the housing relative to the drive housing or cable drum housing.
In an advantageous manner, the at least one fastening extension is pressed, glued, clipped or welded onto the at least one receptacle. A practical, inexpensive and also easy-to-install fastening variant is to clip the housing in place together with the drive housing or cable drum housing. In this manner, it is easy to replace the housing together with the control or regulation unit when they are in the assembled state. The assembly or the replacement of the housing together with the control or regulation unit can thus be done manually, without having to use a tool or other auxiliary means.
According to another advantageous embodiment of the invention, the housing is shaped in one piece onto the drive housing or cable drum housing of the vehicle window regulator in order to accommodate the control or regulation unit. Consequently, there is no need for any additional fastening devices on the housing such as, for example, fastening tabs or a fastening extension or the like.
According to another independent idea of the invention, electrically switchable motor vehicle glazing that is arranged on a catch of a vehicle window regulator that serves for opening and closing the vehicle glazing, for example, a side window of a motor vehicle has a control or regulation unit for feeding the electric signal in a housing that is arranged on the catch, whereby at least one optical property can be changed by feeding an electrical signal via a line arranged on a window pane holder of the vehicle glazing. The line for feeding the electric signal, for example, via a plug, is arranged on the control or regulation unit, which is located in the housing. The electric signal can be an electric voltage, an electric current, electric power or else an analog or digital signal such as, for example, a data signal. Since the housing and thus also the control or regulation unit are arranged on the catch of the vehicle window regulator, the length of the line leading to the window pane catch, which is preferably likewise arranged on the catch, is reduced considerably. In an advantageous manner, this minimizes the fault-susceptibility of the signals on the line, for example, electric voltages that are used to control or regulate the optical properties of the vehicle glazing. According to the invention, the housing is shaped in one piece onto the catch of the vehicle window regulator in order accommodate the control or regulation unit. As a result, there is no need for additional fastening devices such as, for instance, a fastening extension or the like.
According to an advantageous embodiment, at least one fastening extension is arranged on the outer wall of the housing. The housing, together with the control or regulation unit arranged therein, can thus be very easily fastened to the catch of the vehicle window regulator.
According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the at least one fastening extension is shaped in one piece onto the housing and it engages into at least one receptacle that has an appropriate inner contour matching the fastening extension and that is shaped in one piece onto the catch. For this purpose, the fastening extension that is shaped in one piece onto the housing can have different shapes, for example, cylindrical, rectangular, elliptical or the like. Since the cross section of the at least one fastening extension that is shaped in one piece onto the housing has an angular or elongated shape, the housing is arranged so as to be non-rotatable relative to the catch. The arrangement of two or more fastening extensions that are shaped in one piece onto the housing would likewise prevent a rotation of the housing relative to the catch.
According to an advantageous embodiment, the at least one fastening extension is pressed, glued, clipped or welded onto the at least one receptacle. A practical, inexpensive and also easy-to-install fastening variant is to clip the housing in place together with the catch. In this manner, it is easy to replace the housing together with the control or regulation unit when they are in the assembled state. The assembly or the replacement of the housing together with the control or regulation unit can thus be done manually, without having to use a tool or other auxiliary means.
According to another independent idea of the invention, electrically switchable motor vehicle glazing that is arranged on a drive housing or cable drum housing of a vehicle window regulator that serves for opening and closing the vehicle glazing, for example, a side window of a motor vehicle has a control or regulation unit for feeding the electric signal in a housing that is arranged on the drive housing or cable drum housing, whereby at least one optical property can be changed by feeding an electrical signal via a line arranged on a window pane holder of the vehicle glazing. The line for feeding the electric signal, for example, via a plug, is arranged on the control or regulation unit, which is located in the housing. The electric signal can be an electric voltage, an electric current, electric power or else an analog or digital signal such as, for example, a data signal. Since the housing and thus also the control or regulation unit are arranged on the drive housing or cable drum housing of the vehicle window regulator, the length of the line leading to the window pane catch is reduced considerably. In an advantageous manner, this minimizes the fault-susceptibility of the signals on the line, for example, electric voltages that are used to control or regulate the optical properties of the vehicle glazing.
According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, at least one fastening extension is arranged on the outer wall of the housing, it is shaped in one piece onto the housing, and it engages into at least one receptacle that has an appropriate inner contour matching the fastening extension and that is shaped in one piece onto the drive housing or cable drum housing. For this purpose, the fastening extension that is shaped in one piece onto the housing can have different shapes, for example, cylindrical, rectangular, elliptical or the like. Since the cross section of the at least one fastening extension that is shaped in one piece onto the housing has an angular or elongated shape, the housing is arranged so as to be non-rotatable relative to the drive housing or cable drum housing. The arrangement of two or more fastening extensions that are shaped in one piece onto the housing would likewise prevent a rotation of the housing relative to the drive housing or cable drum housing.
According to an advantageous embodiment, the at least one fastening extension is pressed, glued, clipped or welded onto the at least one receptacle. A practical, inexpensive and also easy-to-install fastening variant is to clip the housing in place together with the drive housing or cable drum housing. In this manner, it is easy to replace the housing together with the control or regulation unit when they are in the assembled state. The assembly or the replacement of the housing together with the control or regulation unit can thus be done manually, without having to use a tool or other auxiliary means.
According to another advantageous embodiment of the invention, the housing is shaped in one piece onto the drive housing or cable drum housing of the vehicle window regulator in order to accommodate the control or regulation unit. Consequently, there is no need for any additional fastening devices such as, for example, fastening tabs or a fastening extension or the like.
In an advantageous manner, the interior of the housing has at least one guide for inserting and holding the control or regulation unit. In this way, the control or regulation unit can be easily and quickly inserted into the housing, thereby offering a secure hold. Furthermore, the control or regulation unit can be very easily replaced in case of a defect.
In an advantageous manner, the housing is sealed in the vicinity of its opening in order to protect the control or regulation unit that is arranged in the housing, and/or the control or regulation unit is cast into the housing. This prevents, for instance, penetrating moisture that could damage the control or regulation unit. In particular, this is necessary in the area of a vehicle door since this is a moist area of the vehicle, that is to say, moisture can penetrate here.
In an advantageous manner, the electrically switchable motor vehicle glazing can be heated by feeding an electric signal, preferably electric power, via the line that is arranged on the window pane holder of the vehicle glazing. Particularly the front and rear windows of a motor vehicle can be heated nowadays so as to quickly and easily rid them of ice.
The invention is explained on the basis of a number of embodiments. The following is shown:
The vehicle glazing shown in the figures serves to further illustrate the basic principle, whereby identical or functionally equivalent elements are at least provided with the same reference numerals.
Furthermore, at the top of the housing 12, there is a hook-shaped holder 25 that is shaped onto the housing 12. Here, the hook-shaped holder 25 has an L-shaped leg 26. On the side opposite from the housing opening 13, two fastening extensions 27 are shaped in one piece onto the housing 12. As shown in
In
Moreover, the side outer wall of the housing 12 has a fastening tab 21 with a U-shaped cutout 23. Such a fastening tab 21 can likewise be arranged on the other side of the housing 12. The housing 12 can be fastened, for example, to the car body by means of the lateral fastening tabs 21. Here, the housing 12 can be inserted into a projection arranged on the car body 2. However, it is also conceivable to screw or rivet the housing 12 onto the car body 2.
Additional objectives, advantages, features and application possibilities of the present invention ensue from the description of embodiments herein with reference to the drawings. In this context, all of the described and/or depicted features, either on their own or in any meaningful combination, constitute the subject matter of the present invention, also irrespective of their compilation in the claims or in the claims to which they refer back.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 2014 104 418 | Mar 2014 | DE | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/EP2015/056210 | 3/24/2015 | WO | 00 |
| Publishing Document | Publishing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| WO2015/144678 | 10/1/2015 | WO | A |
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| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20180072139 A1 | Mar 2018 | US |
