Fluidically sealed enclosure for window electrical connections

• US 10,263,362 B2
• Filed: 03/29/2017
• Issued: 04/16/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 03/29/2017
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: AGC Automotive Americas Co. (AGC, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AGC Automotive Americas R&D, Inc (AGC, Inc.)
• Inventors: Imeson, Christopher A., Schuch, William C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Thompson, Timothy J
• Assistant Examiner(s): Pizzuto, Charles
• Application Number:
  US15/472,970
• Publication Number:
  US 20180287294A1
• Time in Patent Office: 748 Days
• Field of Search: 174522
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 10/70 specially adapted for windows or windscreens
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 12/63 connecting to another shape cable
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/506 assembled by snap action of the parts
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/5216 characterised by the sealing material, e.g. gels or resins
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/5845 the strain relief being achieved by molding parts around cable and connections
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 4/023 between cables or wires and terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0213 Venting apertures; Constructional details thereof
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0247 Electrical details of casings, e.g. terminals, passages for cables or wiring
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/064 sealed by potting, e.g. waterproof resin poured in a rigid casing

Abstract

According to aspects of the present disclosure, a method of environmentally sealing an electrical joint formed between an electrical connection element and an electrical conductor disposed on a transparent pane is described. The method includes adhering a mechanically protective enclosure to the transparent pane to define an internal volume therebetween and filling at least a portion of the internal volume with a sealing material that inhibits ingress of liquid into the volume and provides a fluidic environmental barrier about the electrical joint. The electrical joint is disposed within the internal volume and spaced from the enclosure.

Claims

1. A method of environmentally sealing an electrical joint formed between an electrical connection element and an electrical conductor disposed on a transparent pane, the method comprising:

adhering a mechanically protective enclosure to the transparent pane to define an internal volume therebetween, wherein the electrical joint is disposed within the internal volume and spaced from the enclosure; and

filling at least a portion of the internal volume with a sealing material that inhibits ingress of liquid into the internal volume and provides a fluidic environmental barrier about the electrical joint,

wherein the sealing material, after filling, covers the electrical joint, and

wherein the sealing material, after filling, contacts at least one wall of the enclosure.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein filling includes injecting the sealing material into the internal volume via a fill port extending through the enclosure.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising determining that the filling has been performed by identifying a presence of the sealing material within the fill port.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the transparent pane further includes a ceramic coating disposed thereon, and wherein the electrical conductor is adhered to the ceramic coating.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the electrical conductor consists essentially of silver.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the sealing material is an electrically insulating material.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the internal volume includes a second electrical connection element therein, the second electrical connection element being attached to a second wire extending outside the internal volume, and wherein the sealing material, after filling, covers a second electrical joint between the second electrical connection element and a second electrical conductor disposed on the transparent pane.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the enclosure is adhered to the transparent pane using structural bonding tape or a pressure-sensitive adhesive.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the enclosure includes a first member and a second member, wherein the first member is adhered to the transparent pane, wherein the second member is attached to the first member, wherein a wiring harness passes through an opening between the first member and the second member.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the second member is attached to the first member using a mechanical interlock.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein adhering the enclosure to the transparent pane occurs prior to filling at least the portion of the enclosure with the sealing material.

12. A window assembly comprising:

a transparent pane including glass;

an electrical conductor disposed on the transparent pane;

an electrical-connection assembly for energizing the electrical conductor, the electrical-connection assembly having a wiring harness extending therefrom;

an electrical joint between the electrical-connection assembly and the electrical conductor;

a mechanically protective enclosure adhered to the transparent pane to define an internal volume therebetween, wherein the electrical joint is disposed within the internal volume and spaced from the enclosure, the enclosure defining an opening with the wiring harness extending therethrough; and

a sealing material disposed within the internal volume to provide a fluidic barrier about the electrical joint,

wherein the sealing material covers the electrical joint, and

wherein the sealing material contacts at least one wall of the enclosure to inhibit ingress of liquid into the internal volume.

13. The window assembly of claim 12, wherein the enclosure further includes at least one fill port configured to receive the sealing material therethrough.

14. The window assembly of claim 13, wherein the opening is disposed distal to the at least one fill port, the opening configured to allow air to escape the internal volume as the sealing material is received through the at least one fill port, the sealing material configured to occupy the opening and the at least one fill port thereby inhibiting ingress of water into the internal volume.

15. The window assembly of claim 12, wherein the enclosure is an enclosure assembly including a first member adhered to the transparent pane and a second member mechanically attached to the first member, wherein the transparent pane further includes a ceramic coating disposed thereon, wherein the electrical conductor is adhered to the ceramic coating, wherein the electrical conductor consists essentially of silver, wherein the internal volume includes a second electrical connection element therein, the second electrical connection element being attached to a second wire extending outside the internal volume, wherein the sealing material, after filling, covers a second electrical joint between the second electrical connection element and a second electrical conductor disposed on the transparent pane, and wherein the enclosure is adhered to the transparent pane using structural bonding tape or a pressure-sensitive adhesive.

16. An enclosure for environmentally sealing an electrical joint disposed on a glass pane, the enclosure comprising:

a top member;

a plurality of walls extending from the top member and defining an open cavity therein, the plurality of walls defining a surface opposite the top member, the surface configured to be adhered to the glass pane, at least one of the plurality of walls defining an opening therethrough, the opening configured to receive a wiring harness therethrough; and

a sealing material within the open cavity, the sealing material contacting the at least one of the plurality of walls or another at least one of the plurality of walls, the sealing material configured to deform about an electrical connection element received therein to provide a fluidic barrier about the electrical joint, the sealing material configured to cover the electrical joint.

17. The enclosure of claim 16, further comprising a vent disposed in the top member, the vent configured to receive a displaced amount of the sealing material therethrough.

18. The enclosure of claim 16, further comprising a first member and a second member, the first member including the top member and a portion of the plurality of walls, the first member including the sealing material, the second member including a second portion of the plurality of walls, the second member configured to be coupled to the first member through a mechanical interlock the second member, wherein the transparent pane further includes a ceramic coating disposed thereon, wherein the electrical conductor is adhered to the ceramic coating, wherein the electrical conductor consists essentially of silver, wherein the internal volume includes a second electrical connection element therein, the second electrical connection element being attached to a second wire extending outside the internal volume, wherein the sealing material, after filling, covers a second electrical joint between the second electrical connection element and a second electrical conductor disposed on the transparent pane, and wherein the enclosure is adhered to the transparent pane using structural bonding tape or a pressure-sensitive adhesive.