Heated glass panels and methods for making electrical contact with electro-conductive films

• US 20070259137A1
• Filed: 04/05/2006
• Published: 11/08/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 02/10/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Radiant Glass Industries, LLC
• Original Assignee: Radiant Glass Industries, LLC
• Inventors: Figurelli, Gino, Busick, Steve
• Granted Patent: US 7,700,901 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 428/34
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 3/84 Heating arrangements specially adapted for transparent or reflecting areas, e.g. for demisting or de-icing windows, mirrors or vehicle windshields

Abstract

A glass panel assembly according to one embodiment of the invention may include a first glass sheet having an electro-conductive film provided thereon and a conductor positioned at a location on the electro-conductive film. A retainer engages an edge portion of the first glass sheet and the conductor so that the retainer applies a compressive pressure to the conductor. The compressive pressure enhances electrical contact between the conductor and the electro-conductive film.

Claims

1. A glass panel assembly, comprising:

a first glass sheet having an electro-conductive film provided thereon;

a conductor positioned at a location on the electro-conductive film; and

a retainer, said retainer engaging an edge portion of said first glass sheet and engaging said conductor, said retainer applying a compressive pressure to said conductor, said compressive pressure enhancing electrical contact between said conductor and the electro-conductive film provided on said first glass sheet.

2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said retainer comprises a generally U-shaped clip portion having an inside dimension about equal to a thickness of said first glass sheet.

3. The assembly of claim 2, wherein said retainer comprises a stepped portion, said stepped portion engaging said conductor, said retainer being substantially elastically deformed when said U-shaped clip portion of said retainer is engaged with the edge portion of said first glass sheet and when said stepped portion is engaged with said conductor, said substantially elastic deformation causing said retainer to apply said compressive pressure to said conductor.

4. The assembly of claim 3, wherein said stepped portion is offset from said U-shaped clip portion by a distance that is less than a thickness of said conductor.

5. The assembly of claim 1 further comprising an electrically conductive adhesive positioned between said conductor and the electro-conductive film.

6. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising:

a resilient material positioned on said retainer;

a second glass sheet positioned on said resilient material so that said first and second glass sheets are in spaced-apart relation; and

means for holding said first and second glass sheets together.

7. A heated glass panel, comprising:

a first glass sheet having an electro-conductive film provided thereon;

a first conductor positioned at a first location on the electro-conductive film;

a second conductor positioned at a second location on the electro-conductive film;

a first retainer engaging an edge portion of said first glass sheet and engaging said first conductor, said first retainer applying a compressive pressure to said first conductor to hold said first conductor against the electro-conductive film;

a second retainer engaging an edge portion of said first glass sheet and engaging said second conductor, said second retainer applying a compressive pressure to said second conductor to hold said second conductor against the electro-conductive film;

a resilient material positioned on said first and second retainers;

a second glass sheet positioned on said resilient material so that said first and second glass sheets are in spaced-apart relation; and

means for holding said first and second glass sheets together.

8. The heated glass panel of claim 7, further comprising an electrically conductive adhesive positioned between said first and second conductors and the electro-conductive film.

9. The heated glass panel of claim 7, wherein said resilient material comprises silicone foam.

10. The heated glass panel of claim 7, wherein means for holding said first and second glass sheets together comprises an adhesive adhered between said first and second glass sheets.

11. The heated glass panel of claim 10, wherein said adhesive comprises a butyl-based material.

12. The heated glass panel of claim 7, wherein means for holding said first and second glass sheets together comprises a frame positioned around at least a portion of a perimeter of said first and second glass sheets.

13. A method for making a heated glass panel, comprising:

providing a first glass sheet having an electro-conductive film provided thereon;

positioning a first conductor at a first location on the electro-conductive film;

positioning a second conductor at a second location on the electro-conductive film;

engaging a first retainer with an edge portion of said first glass sheet and said first conductor, said first retainer being substantially elastically deformed so that said first retainer applies a compressive pressure to said first conductor; and

engaging a second retainer with an edge portion of said first glass sheet and said second conductor, said second retainer being substantially elastically deformed so that said second retainer applies a compressive pressure to said second conductor.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

positioning a resilient material on at least portions of said first and second retainers;

positioning a second glass sheet on said resilient material so that said first and second glass sheets are in spaced-apart relation; and

securing said first and second glass sheets together.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein positioning said first and second conductors at respective first and second locations on the electro-conductive film further comprises placing an adhesive between said first and second conductors and the electro-conductive film.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein placing an adhesive between the electro-conductive film and said first and second conductors comprises positioning an electrically conductive tape between said first and second conductors and the electro-conductive film.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein placing an electrically conductive tape between said first and second conductors and the electro-conductive film comprises adhering a first side of the electrically conductive tape to said first and second conductors and adhering a second side of the electrically conductive tape to the electro-conductive film.