Static structures (e.g. – buildings) – Window or window sash – sill – mullion – or glazing
Reexamination Certificate
1999-06-18
2001-07-03
Stephan, Beth A. (Department: 3635)
Static structures (e.g., buildings)
Window or window sash, sill, mullion, or glazing
C052S204500, C052S746100, C296S146100
Reexamination Certificate
active
06253506
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a motor-vehicle window having a peripheral region which interacts, at least in places, with a sealing element. In this case, the motor-vehicle window can be fitted both in a fixed manner and in a moveable or sliding manner.
The sealing element must seal the window opening with respect to wind, rain and noise when the window is closed. The adhesion force between a moveable motor-vehicle window and the sealing element cannot be too high, so that the initial force needed to open and close the window is as low as possible.
However, too high an adhesion force can also cause grating and squeaking noise because of the relative movements between the motor-vehicle window and the sealing element. The noise is caused by self-excited frictional vibrations which are also known by the name “stick-slip effect” and occur when smooth surfaces, such as window panes, slide on elastic materials, such as seals. The relative movements are produced by body torsions, at high speed, by the action of suction at the motor-vehicle window or, in the case of moveable windows, by opening and closing them.
A sealing element covered with a coating which decreases the adhesion is described in document DE 3,435,469 A1. In order to manufacture it, a rubbery primer is applied to the surface of a rubber base and cured, and then a thermosetting polyurethane paint is applied to the surface of the primer.
Document DE 4,331,790 C2 describes a sealing element constructed in the form of a hollow profiled strip which is connected to an absorber or vibration damper so as to prevent the grating noise.
The manufacture of such sealing elements is relatively complex and, consequently, expensive and subject to defects.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The objective of the invention is to provide another means of avoiding excessively high adhesion forces and the production of noise by means of a simple sealing element.
This objective is achieved by the fact that the surface of the motor-vehicle window is, at least in the peripheral region of contact with the sealing element provided with a structure intended to create a large number of locally limited areas of contact between the sealing element and the motor-vehicle window.
According to the invention, the surface structure on the motor-vehicle window is preferably applied by screen printing, that is to say it is printed with a fireable ceramic paint which is then fired. It has been found that a pattern of dots is most effective as a surface structure for reducing the stiction. However, it is also possible to produce a suitable surface structure using other processes, in the form of impressions formed in the surface of the glass, for example by grinding, etching or laser machining.
Motor-vehicle windows which are printed in the peripheral region using an entirely impermeable opaque fireable ceramic paint are known in general, but the function of this printing is limited to the masking of fastening elements, to the protection of a bead of adhesive against UV radiation from the sun, or to purely decorative purposes.
The printing of a motor-vehicle window according to the invention using a structured fireable ceramic paint, preferably transparent, or the surface structure produced in the manner explained above, is not intended in this option. In the case of the structurization according to the invention of the surface of the coating or of the edge of the window, the friction between the window and the sealing element is reduced. This effect is probably due to the fact that the pressing forces acting normally flat against the entire contact area between the sealing element and the motor-vehicle window are distributed by the use according to the invention of a surface structure over a large number of locally limited contact areas, The resilient sealing element will directly follow the relative movements with respect to the glass only in some areas, namely on the said locally limited contact areas, and, firstly, will not provide resistance thereon with the rigidity of its entire volume. The creation of elastic tensile forces, the removal of which produces noise, is consequently prevented, or at least greatly reduced.
The large number of locally limited contact areas must, as above, ensure sufficient sealing of the interstice between the window pane and the seal, for example by suitable staggering over the entire sealing region.
REFERENCES:
patent: 34 35 469 (1985-04-01), None
patent: 43 31 790 (1996-02-01), None
patent: 0299672 (1988-07-01), None
Nguyen Chi
Pennie & Edmonds LLP
Saint-Gobain Vitrage
Stephan Beth A.
LandOfFree
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