Method for making vehicular panel assembly

• US 5,804,018 A
• Filed: 11/27/1996
• Issued: 09/08/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 06/12/1992
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Donnelly Corporation (Magna International Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Donnelly Corporation (Magna International Incorporated)
• Inventors: Crank, Douglas, Fisher, Daniel J., Carter, John W., Agrawal, Raj Kumar
• Primary Examiner(s): STEMMER, DANIEL J
• Application Number:
  US08/757,375
• Time in Patent Office: 650 Days
• Field of Search: 156/245, 156/320, 156/321, 156/322, 52/208, 52/717.01, 52/717.02, 52/717.05, 296/84.1, 296/93
• US Class Current: 156/245
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 43/18 incorporating preformed parts or layers, e.g. compression moulding around inserts or for coating articles B29C43/206 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/028 making use of inherent heat, i.e. the heat for the joining comes from the moulding process of one of the parts to be joined
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/1412 Infrared [IR] radiation
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/1425 Microwave radiation
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/1435 at least passing through one of the parts to be joined, i.e. transmission welding
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/1441 making use of a reflector on the opposite side, e.g. a polished mandrel or a mirror pressing means reflective to electromagnetic radiation B29C66/81268
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/1483 coated on the article
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/1496 making use of masks B29C65/1696 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/482 Drying adhesives, e.g. solvent based adhesives
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/483 Reactive adhesives, e.g. chemically curing adhesives
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/4835 Heat curing adhesives
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/5057 positioned between the surfaces to be joined B29C65/5035 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/7847 using vacuum to hold at least one of the parts to be joined vacuum work holders in general B25B11/005
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/0242 Heating, or preheating, e.g. drying B29C66/3464 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/1122 Single lap to lap joints, i.e. overlap joints B29C66/45, B29C66/472, B29C66/52272 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/474 said single elements being substantially non-flat
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/71 characterised by the composition of the plastics material of the parts to be joined welding bar compositions B29C65/125
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/7465 Glass
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/8242 Pneumatic or hydraulic drives using fluid pressure directly acting on the parts to be joined B29C66/8266
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/82661 by means of vacuum
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/8322 : Joining or pressing tools reciprocating along one axis
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/861 : Hand-held tools
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/91212 : involving measurement means being part of the welding jaws, e.g. integrated in the welding jaws
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/91216 : enabling contactless temperature measurements, e.g. using a pyrometer
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/91221 : of the parts to be joined
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/91231 : of the joining tool
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/9131 : by measuring the heat or the thermal flux, i.e. the heat flux
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/91411 : of the parts to be joined, e.g. the joining process taking the temperature of the parts to be joined into account
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/91445 : by steps
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/91645 : by steps
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/961 : involving a feedback loop mechanism, e.g. comparison with a desired value
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2021/00 : Use of unspecified rubbers as moulding material
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2021/003 : Thermoplastic elastomers
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2023/00 : Use of polyalkenes or derivatives thereof as moulding material
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2027/06 : PVC, i.e. polyvinylchloride
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2075/00 : Use of PU, i.e. polyureas or polyurethanes or derivatives thereof, as moulding material
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2709/08 : Glass
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 10/70 : specially adapted for windows or windscreens
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/10 : Methods of surface bonding and/or assembly therefor
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/13 : Hollow or container type article [e.g., tube, vase, etc.]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/1334 : Nonself-supporting tubular film or bag [e.g., pouch, envelope, packet, etc.]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/31504 : Composite [nonstructural laminate]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/31525 : Next to glass or quartz
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/31601 : Quartz or glass
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/31641 : Next to natural rubber, gum, oil, rosin, wax, bituminous or tarry residue

Abstract

A panel assembly and method for manufacturing the panel assembly, especially adapted for use in vehicles, includes a panel of predetermined size and geometry wherein a surface of the panel to receive a gasket is primed using a material especially adapted to prepare the panel surface to bond with the gasket. The desired gasket profile is molded separately from the panel from a polymeric material. Following formation of the gasket, the panel is located thereon and pressed into intimate contact with the gasket for a prescribed period of time. The panel and attached panel are removed as an assembly. Additional or optional steps may be followed including preheating the panel and primed surface prior to bonding to shorten the cycle time and improve adhesion. Moreover, heat may be applied to the contact boundary between the panel and gasket substantially simultaneously with the application of pressure. The steps of heating and applying pressure may be repeated to insure proper adhesion. The panel assembly and the method of manufacturing the panel assembly are especially adapted for use in flush mounted panel assemblies wherein the gasket is fixed only to a single surface of the pane and allows for gradationally varying cross-sectional profiles to specifically suit a needed application.

Claims

1. A method for making a panel assembly for use in a vehicle opening comprising:

providing a glass panel in the form of a sheet of predetermined size and geometry;

priming at least a portion of said panel adapted to receive a separately formed gasket;

heating at least that portion of said panel adapted to receive the gasket to a temperature greater than 100°

F.;

molding, separate from said panel, a polymeric gasket of predetermined profile having a surface adapted to engage said portion of said panel;

locating said primed and heated panel to said newly molded gasket while said gasket retains heat generated during molding;

forcing said panel and said gasket into direct contact with each other to form a contact area therebetween; and

heating said contact area between said panel and said gasket for improving adhesion of said gasket to said panel.

2. A method as recited in claim 1, further including providing said glass panel with an opaque ceramic frit coating along said portion of said panel adapted to receive said gasket.

3. A method as recited in claim 2, wherein the step of locating includes placing said glass panel with respect to said gasket within one minute of molding said gasket.

4. A method as recited in claim 3, wherein heating said contact area includes heating said ceramic frit coating to a temperature greater than 100°

F.