Glazing with electrical terminal

• US 20030180545A1
• Filed: 10/25/2002
• Published: 09/25/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 01/25/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Pilkington Italia SPA (Pilkington PLC)
• Original Assignee: Pilkington Italia SPA (Pilkington PLC)
• Inventors: Capriotti, Luigi, Paudice, Ciro
• Granted Patent: US 6,774,342 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 428/432
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 2203/016 Heaters using particular connecting means
• 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 glazing provided with an electric circuit includes an electrically conducting substrate and a terminal for making electrical connection thereto. The terminal is attached to the glazing by an adhesive, rather than solely by solder, and the electrical connection between the terminal and the substrate is provided by means other than, or additional to, physical contact between the terminal and the substrate. For instance, the adhesive may be electrically conducting, or a soldered joint may additionally be provided if the adhesive is electrically insulating, or of insufficient conductivity for the type of circuit in question. The adhesive may be pre-applied to the terminal, and may be a tack-free adhesive activated or cured by heat. The terminal may be in two parts, with the base part of a standardised design. The glazing is suitable for use in buildings, appliances or vehicles, especially automotive vehicles.

Claims

1. A glazing (1) provided with an electric circuit (2) including an electrically conducting substrate (4) and a terminal (5, 30) for making electrical connection thereto, the glazing comprising a pane (3) of sheet glazing material which carries the electric circuit, wherein the terminal is attached to the substrate by both adhesive (8) and solder (21), such that the adhesive bears the mechanical load on the terminal and the solder provides the electrical connection between the terminal and the substrate.

2. A glazing as claimed in claim 1, wherein the terminal comprises separate base and connector parts (6,7) which are adapted to mutually engage, and the base part (6) of the terminal is attached to the substrate by adhesive.

3. A glazing as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the adhesive is one which is activated or cured by heat.

4. A glazing as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the adhesive is electrically conducting.

5. A glazing as claimed any preceding claim, wherein the adhesive and solder have melting points within 20°

C., preferably 10°

C., most preferably 5°

C. of each other.

6. A glazing as claimed in any preceding claim, characterised in that the electrically conducting substrate is made from an ink which is applied to the glazing, dried, and fired to provide a durable conducting path.

7. A method of making a glazing (1) provided with an electric circuit (2) including an electrically conducting substrate (4) and a terminal (5, 30) for making electrical connection thereto, comprising the steps of:

providing a pane (3) of sheet glazing material carrying the electric circuit and substrate, and

attaching the terminal to the substrate with both adhesive (8) and solder (21), such that the adhesive bears the mechanical load on the terminal and the solder provides the electrical connection between the terminal and the substrate.

8. A method as claimed in claim 7, wherein the adhesive is provided in the form of a tack-free tablet which is placed in contact with the terminal.

9. A method as claimed in claim 8, wherein the tablet is pre-shaped to match the part of the terminal that the tablet is in contact with.

10. A method as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the adhesive is pre-applied to the terminal.

11. A method as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein the adhesive is heated to activate or cure it.

12. A method as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 11, wherein the heat of soldering also activates or cures the adhesive.

13. A method as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 12, wherein the electrically conducting substrate is made from an ink which is applied to the glazing, dried, and fired to provide a durable conducting path.