Vehicle assembly line-side heat activation of a “ready-to-install” window fixing adhesive for attachment of a vehicle window to a vehicle

• US 6,521,083 B1
• Filed: 10/20/1999
• Issued: 02/18/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 02/17/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Donnelly Corporation (Magna International Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Donnelly Corporation (Magna International Incorporated)
• Inventors: Swanson, Douglas R., Lynam, Niall R., Nestell, David E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ball, Michael W.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Haran, John T.
• Application Number:
  US09/422,053
• Time in Patent Office: 1,217 Days
• Field of Search: 156/380.9, 156/497, 156/499, 156/539, 156/108, 156/273.3, 156/309.9, 156/320, 156/538, 392/418, 392/422, 392/423
• US Class Current: 156/380.9
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 2035/0822 using IR radiation
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/14 using wave energy , i.e. electromagnetic radiation, or particle radiation using mechanical waves B29C65/06; using ultrasonic waves B29C65/08; pressing means transparent to electromagnetic radiation B29C66/81267
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/1416 Near-infrared radiation [NIR]
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/1422 Far-infrared radiation [FIR]
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/1432 direct heating of the surfaces to be joined
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/1445 heating both sides of the joint
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/1464 making use of several radiators
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/1467 at the same time, i.e. simultaneous welding
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/1496 making use of masks B29C65/1696 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/4835 Heat curing adhesives
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/484 Moisture curing adhesives
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/80 General aspects of machine operations or constructions and parts thereof
• 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 66/91423 using joining tools having different temperature zones or using several joining tools with different temperatures
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/91431 the temperature being kept constant over time
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/91645 by steps
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/919 characterised by specific temperature, heat or thermal flux values or ranges specific electrical resistance values B29C66/81262
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/91921 in explicit relation to another temperature, e.g. to the softening temperature or softening point, to the thermal degradation temperature or to the ambient temperature
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/949 characterised by specific time values or ranges
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 10/45 Assembling sealing arrangements with vehicle parts
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 10/70 : specially adapted for windows or windscreens
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/17 : Surface bonding means and/or assemblymeans with work feeding or handling means

Abstract

A method of and apparatus for activating a ready-to-install heat activated adhesive for attaching a vehicle panel to a vehicle is disclosed which provides a “ready-to-install” panel assembly. The panel assembly includes first and second spaced apart surfaces, with the bead of heat activated adhesive provided on the second surface of the panel. The panel and bead are heated preferably by applying shortwave and longwave infrared radiation, with the shortwave infrared radiation being applied to an adhesive free side of the panel to heat the panel and, thereby, indirectly heat the bead of the heat activated adhesive. For example, where the window panel is such as a laminated windshield or side window or backlite comprising two glass sheets laminated with a polymer inner layer, such as plasticized polyvinyl butyral, or silicone or the like, it is preferable that the heat activation temperature of the adhesive be less than or equal to about 125° C., more preferably less than or equal to about 115° C., and most preferably less than or equal to about 105° C. Also, when a ready-to-install adhesive is applied on or adjacent to a gasket such as a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) molding, a urethane molding, or the like, it is preferable that the heat activation temperature of the adhesive be about less than or equal to about 125° C., more preferably less than or equal to about 115° C., and most preferably less than or equal to about 105° C. The longwave infrared radiation is applied to the adhesive side of the panel to directly heat the bead and thereby activate the adhesive. The apparatus includes a first heating component and a second heating component, with the first heating component including a source of shortwave infrared radiation, such as one or more lamps, which is adapted to heat the adhesive free side of the panel for indirectly heating the bead of adhesive. The second heating component includes a source of longwave radiation, for example a quartz emitter, which is applied the second side of the panel to directly heat the bead of adhesive.

Claims

1. An apparatus for activating a ready-to-install heat activated adhesive for attaching a vehicle panel to a vehicle, the vehicle panel comprising a curved window element having a convex side and a concave side and a bead of heat activated adhesive on the concave side, the bead having an interface portion on the concave side, a central core portion, and an outer skin portion, the bead further having a heat activation temperature and a heat degradation temperature above which the adhesive degrades, said apparats comprising:

a first heating component comprising a source of shortwave infared radiation adapted for heating the convex side of the curved window element in order to heat the interface portion of the bead on the concave side of the curved window element and thereby heat the core portion of the bead;

a second heating component comprising a source of longwave infared radiation adapted for heating the outer skin portion of the bead of adhesive in order to heat the core portion of the bead, said heating of the core portion by said first heating component and said heating of the core portion by the second heating component heating the core portion to at least the heat activation temperature of the adhesive while maintaining the temperature of the outer skin portion below the heat degradation temperature of the adhesive; and

a support adapted for supporting the curved window element, for presenting the convex side to said first heating component, for presenting the concave side to said second heating component, and for conveying the vehicle panel through a space between the first heating component and the second heating component.

2. The apparatus for activating a ready-to-install heat activated adhesive according to claim 1, wherein said support comprises a conveyor.

3. The apparatus for activating a ready-to-install heat activated adhesive according to claim 1, wherein said first heating component includes at least one lamp, said lamp emitting said shortwave radiation for heating the first side of the panel and heating the interface portion of the bead of heat activated adhesive.

4. The apparatus for activating a ready-to-install heat activated adhesive according to claim 3, wherein said lamp comprises a quartz lamp having a tungsten filament for generating said shortwave infrared radiation.

5. The apparatus for activating a ready-to-install heat activated adhesive according to claim 3, wherein said first heating component includes a plurality of said lamps.

6. The apparatus for activating a ready-to-install heat activated adhesive according to claim 5, wherein said plurality of lamps is adapted to follow a contour of the convex side of the curved panel.

7. The apparatus for activating a ready-to-install heat activated adhesive according to claim 5, wherein said lamps are arranged for directing the shortwave infrared radiation substantially perpendicular to the convex side of the panel.

8. The apparatus for activating a ready-to-install heat activated adhesive according to claim 1, wherein said second heating component includes a fused quartz emitter for emitting said longwave radiation.

9. The apparatus for activating a ready-to-install heat activated adhesive according to claim 8, wherein said fused quartz emitter includes a fused quartz substrate and an electrical element embedded in said fused quartz substrate for emitting longwave radiation.

10. The apparatus for activating a ready-to-install heat activated adhesive according to claim 1, wherein said second heating component comprises a plurality of heater sections, and said heater sections being arranged to align with the bead on the panel.

11. The apparatus for activating a ready-to-install heat activated adhesive according to claim 10, wherein said heater sections are arranged to define a perimeter heater for aligning with and for heating a bead of adhesive positioned on a perimeter portion of the panel.

12. The apparatus for activating a ready-to-install heat activated adhesive according to claim 3, wherein said first heating component emits shortwave infrared radiation having a peak emission less than about 2.5 microns.

13. The apparatus for activating a ready-to-install heat activated adhesive according to claim 3, wherein said first heating component emits shortwave infrared radiation having a peak emission in a range of about 0.6 to 2.5 microns.

14. The apparatus for activating a ready-to-install heat activated adhesive according to claim 12, wherein said first heating component emits shortwave infrared radiation having a peak emission less than about 1.0 micron.

15. The apparatus for activating a ready-to-install heat activated adhesive according to claim 1, wherein said second heating component emits longwave infrared radiation having a peak emission greater than about 2.5 microns.

16. The apparatus for activating a ready-to-install heat activated adhesive according to claim 1, wherein said second heating component emits longwave infrared radiation having a peak emission in a range of about 2.5 to 8.0 microns.

17. The apparatus for activating a ready-to-install heat activated adhesive according to claim 1, wherein said first heating component and said second heating component are adapted to heat the bead to at least an activation temperature.

18. The apparatus for activating a ready-to-install heat activated adhesive according to claim 17, said first heating component and said second heating component are adapted to heat the central core portion of the bead to a temperature in a range of about 50°

C. to 160°

C.

19. The apparatus for activating a ready-to-install heat activated adhesive according to claim 17, said first heating component and said second heating component are adapted to heat the central core portion of the bead to a temperature in a range of about 70°

C. to 120°

C.

20. The apparatus for activating a ready-to-install heat activated adhesive according to claim 17, said first heating component and said second heating component are adapted to heat the central core portion of the bead to a temperature in a range of about 80°

C. to 110°

C.

21. The apparatus for activating a ready-to-install heat activated adhesive according to claim 1, wherein said apparatus comprises a first stage heating apparatus of a multi-stage heating apparatus.

22. The apparatus for activating a ready-to-install heat activated adhesive according to claim 21, wherein said multi-stage heating apparatus includes four of said heating apparatuses, said four heating apparatuses defining said first stage heating apparatus and successive second, third, and fourth stage heating apparatuses.

23. The apparatus for activating a ready-to-install heat activated adhesive according to claim 22, wherein said first, second, third, and fourth stage heating apparatuses are aligned for heating a vehicle panel in four successive stages, and said supports of said heating apparatuses comprising a conveyor.

24. The apparatus for activating a ready-to-install heat activated adhesive according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said first heating component and second heating component includes a heat localizer interposed between the respective heating component and the panel.

25. The apparatus for activating a ready-to-install heat activated adhesive according to claim 24, wherein said heat localizer comprises a heat directer.

26. The apparatus for activating a ready-to-install heat activated adhesive according to claim 24, wherein said heat localizer comprises a shield.

27. The apparatus for activating a ready-to-install heat activated adhesive according to claim 26, wherein said shield comprises an insulated panel.

28. The apparatus for activating a ready-to-install heat activated adhesive according to claim 27, wherein said insulated panel comprises at least two panel members, said panel members including one of a gaseous gap or an insulating material inserted therebetween.

29. The apparatus for activating a ready-to-install heat activated adhesive according to claim 28, wherein said gaseous gap includes one of air and an inert gas.

30. The apparatus for activating a ready-to-install heat activated adhesive according to claim 29, wherein said inert gas comprises one of argon and nitrogen.

31. The apparatus for activating a ready-to-install heat activated adhesive according to claim 28, wherein said insulation material comprises one of a fiberglass and a xerogel.

32. The apparatus for activating a ready-to-install heat activated adhesive according to claim 24, wherein said heat localizer comprises a gradient heat shield having a gradient in its thermal transmission property.

33. The apparatus for activating a ready-to-install heat activated adhesive according to claim 1, wherein the heat activation temperature of the adhesive is less than about 160 degrees C.

34. An apparatus for activating a ready-to-install heat activated adhesive for attaching a vehicle panel to a vehicle, the vehicle panel having first and second opposed sides and a bead of heat activated adhesive on the second side, the bead having an interface portion on the second side, a central core portion, and an outer skin portion, the bead further having a heat activation temperature and a heat degradation temperature above which the adhesive degrades, said apparatus comprising:

a support for supporting the vehicle panel, said support adapted to convey the vehicle panel between a plurality of heating stages;

a first heater having a first heating component and a second heating component, said first heater being adapted to heat the panel during a first heating stage of said heating stages;

a second heater having a third heating component and a fourth heating component, said second heater being adapted to heat the panel during a second heating stage of said heating stages; and

said first heating component and said third heating component each having a source of shortwave infrared radiation and being adapted to heat the first side in order to heat the interface portion of the bead of adhesive and to thereby heat the core portion of the bead of adhesive, at least one of said second heating component and said fourth heating component comprising a source of longwave infrared radiation and being adapted to apply the longwave infrared radiation onto the outer skin portion of the bead to directly heat the bead and to thereby heat the core portion of the bead, said heating of the core portion by said first heating component and said third heating component and said heating of the core portion by said at least one of said second heating component and said fourth heating component heating the core portion to at least the heat activation temperature of the adhesive while maintaining the temperature of the outer skin portion below the heat degradation temperature of the adhesive.

35. The apparatus for activating a ready-to-install heat activated adhesive according to claim 34, wherein at least of said first heating component and said third heating component includes at least one lamp, said at least one lamp emitting said shortwave radiation for heating a portion of the first side of the panel aligned with the bead and heating the interface portion of the bead of heat activated adhesive.

36. The apparatus for activating a ready-to-install heat activated adhesive according to claim 35, wherein said at least one lamp comprises a quartz lamp having a tungsten filament for generating said shortwave infrared radiation.

37. The apparatus for activating a ready-to-install heat activated adhesive according to claim 34, wherein said at least one of said second heating component and said fourth heating component includes a fused quartz emitter emitting longwave radiation.

38. The apparatus for activating a ready-to-install heat activated adhesive according to claim 34, wherein said at least one of said second heating component and said fourth heating component comprises a perimeter heating component for directing heat to the outer skin portion of the bead of adhesive positioned on a perimeter portion of the panel.

39. The apparatus for activating a ready-to-install heat activated adhesive according to claim 34, wherein said first heater and said second heater are aligned for positioning along said support and for heating the vehicle panel while supported on said support.

40. The apparatus for activating a ready-to-install heat activated adhesive according to claim 34, wherein at least one of said first heating component and said third heating component is adapted to move from a heating position for heating the panel and the bead to a holding position.

41. The apparatus for activating a ready-to-install heat activated adhesive according to claim 34, wherein at least one of said second heating component and said fourth heating component emits hot air, said hot air being directed for directly heating the outer skin portion of the bead on the panel.

42. The apparatus for activating a ready-to-install heat activated adhesive according to claim 34, wherein each of said first heating component and said third heating component supports a heat localizer, each of said heat localizers having an opening, said openings being adapted to localize said shortwave infrared radiation onto a portion of the first side of the panel aligned with the bead for heating that portion of the panel to indirectly heat the bead of adhesive.

43. The apparatus for activating a ready-to-install heat activated adhesive according to claim 34, further comprising third and fourth heaters, said third and fourth heaters defining third and fourth heating stages, and each of said third and fourth heaters including a shortwave infrared radiation source for heating the panel and indirectly heating the bead and a longwave infrared radiation source for heating the bead.

44. The apparatus for activating a ready-to-install heat activated adhesive according to claim 34, wherein said heat activation temperature of the adhesive is less than about 160 degrees C.