Aerodynamic features of plastic glazing of tailgates

• US 10,597,097 B2
• Filed: 09/07/2016
• Issued: 03/24/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 09/07/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: SABIC Global Technologies BV (Government of Saudi Arabia)
• Original Assignee: SABIC Global Technologies BV (Government of Saudi Arabia)
• Inventors: Schellekens, Geert Jan, Terragni, Matteo
• Primary Examiner(s): Patel, Kiran B
• Application Number:
  US15/756,662
• Publication Number:
  US 20180312204A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,294 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 45/16 Making multilayered or multicoloured articles B29C45/0062 takes precedence; feeding colouring materials into the injection unit B29C45/1816
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2995/002 Coloured
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2995/0021 Multi-coloured
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2995/0025 Opaque
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2995/0026 Transparent
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2995/0029 Translucent
• CPC Class Codes: B29L 2031/3005 Body finishings
• CPC Class Codes: B29L 2031/747 Lightning equipment
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 1/249 using one-way valves
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 1/18 arranged at the vehicle rear optical viewing arrangements integrated in rear windows, e.g. Fresnel lenses B60R1/001
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 5/107 constructional details, e.g. about door frame, panels, materials used, reinforcements
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/268 on windscreens or windows B60Q1/302 takes precedence; lighting devices for vehicle interior on or for windows B60Q3/208
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/302 mounted in the vicinity, e.g. in the middle, of a rear window
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/44 for indicating braking action or preparation for braking, e.g. by detection of the foot approaching the brake pedal
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 29/04 predominantly of synthetic material working of plastics or substances in a plastic state B29
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 35/007 Rear spoilers B62D35/001 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 37/02 by aerodynamic means

Abstract

A plastic glazing of a tailgate of a vehicle is provided, the plastic glazing comprising: a first translucent component comprising a full panel of the plastic glazing; a second translucent component molded onto the first translucent component, wherein the second translucent component is a colored thermoplastic polymer, wherein the plastic glazing is of one-piece molded plastic construction, wherein at least one of the first translucent component and the second translucent component comprises one or more aerodynamic features, wherein the one or more aerodynamic features are each configured to reduce one or more of: a turbulence, a drag force, and a lift force.

Claims

1. A plastic glazing of a tailgate of a vehicle, the plastic glazing comprising:

a first translucent component comprising a full panel of the plastic glazing; and

a second translucent component molded onto the first translucent component, wherein the second translucent component is a colored thermoplastic polymer,

wherein the plastic glazing is of one-piece molded plastic construction,

wherein at least one of the first translucent component and the second translucent component comprises one or more aerodynamic features, and

wherein the one or more aerodynamic features are each configured to reduce one or more of;

a turbulence, a drag force, and a lift force.

2. The plastic glazing of claim 1, wherein the one or more aerodynamic features comprises a spoiler.

3. The plastic glazing of claim 1, wherein an overlapping portion of the first translucent component and the second translucent component forms a lens of a molded light assembly,

wherein the molded light assembly is formed in the spoiler.

4. The plastic glazing of claim 3, wherein the molded light assembly is a brake light.

5. The plastic glazing of claim 2, wherein the spoiler comprises:

a first section disposed horizontally along a top portion of the plastic glazing;

a second section disposed vertically along a first side portion of the plastic glazing; and

a third section disposed vertically along a second side portion of the plastic glazing,

wherein the first side portion and the second side portion are opposite to one another.

6. The plastic glazing of claim 5, wherein the first section, the second section, and the third section of the spoiler are connected to each other to form a continuous component.

7. The plastic glazing of claim 1, wherein the one or more aerodynamic features comprises a rear wing.

8. The plastic glazing of claim 1, wherein the first translucent component comprises one or more functional openings configured to provide an airflow path between an interior environment and an exterior environment of the vehicle.

9. The plastic glazing of claim 8, wherein the one or more functional openings comprises a first opening and a second opening, wherein the first opening and the second opening are different types of openings selected from a group comprising:

a first type of opening configured to provide ventilation to an interior of the vehicle;

a second type of opening configured to stabilize an interior pressure of the vehicle; and

a third type of opening configured to defog a surface of the vehicle.

10. A plastic glazing of a tailgate of a vehicle, the plastic glazing comprising:

a first translucent component comprising a full panel of the plastic glazing; and

a second translucent component molded onto the first translucent component, wherein the second translucent component is a colored thermoplastic polymer,

wherein the plastic glazing is of one-piece molded plastic construction, and

wherein at least one of the first translucent component and the second translucent component comprises one or more functional openings.

11. The plastic glazing of claim 10, further comprising one or more aerodynamic features.

12. The plastic glazing of claim 11, wherein the one or more aerodynamic features comprises a spoiler.

13. The plastic glazing of claim 12, wherein the spoiler comprises:

a first section disposed horizontally along a top portion of the plastic glazing;

a second section disposed vertically along a first side portion of the plastic glazing; and

a third section disposed vertically along a second side portion of the plastic glazing, wherein the first side portion and the second side portion are opposite to one another.

14. The plastic glazing of claim 10, wherein an overlapping portion of the first translucent component and the second translucent component forms a lens of a molded light assembly,

wherein the molded light assembly is formed in the spoiler.

15. The plastic glazing of claim 14, wherein the molded light assembly is a brake light.