Ford Motor Company Limited

Kenneth J Gajewski

John H Meyer

Robert F Tweadey, Ii

Kenneth Edward Nietering

Larry R Lyke

Ronald R Hymore

Ralph T Nichols

A glazing unit has a tempered glass pane or other frangible glazing pane carrying a glazing pane breakage detector assembly. The detector assembly includes spaced first and second electrically conductive bus pads formed of electrically conductive material on a surface of the glazing pane. An electrically resistive trace on the surface of the glazing pane is formed of electrically resistive material different from the electrically conductive material of the bus pads. The resistive trace establishes a non-short electrical interconnection between the bus pads, which can be formed of highly conductive material, such as silver-filled paint currently in widespread commercial use. Such bus pads afford a structurally sound attachment, with good electrical contact by soldering, electrically conductive epoxy or the like upon which upstanding attachment tabs are secured. Electrical leads can be attached to such upstanding tabs to connect the detector assembly to suitable security circuitry. The resistive trace is fragile, such that security circuitry can detect and respond to loss of electrical connection between the bus pads upon fracture of the glazing pane underlying the resistive trace. Security circuitry also can detect a change in the resistance of the electrical connection between the bus pads, such that security is not defeated by a jumper cable between the bus pads. The resistance value of the resistive trace between bus pads can be varied from one glazing pane to another to further enhance security.

Glazing unit security system

A pre-assembled glass breakage detector applique has a carrier substrate which carries an electrical circuit subassembly. The electrical circuit subassembly includes an electrically conductive fragile film and spaced electrical connectors. A method of making a glazing unit security system includes pre-assembling one or more such glass breakage detector appliques and then applying the electrical circuit subassembly thereof, with or without the carrier substrate, to the surface of a glazing pane, and connecting electrical needs from continuity loss detection circuitry to the electrical connectors. In a motor vehicle application, the appliques can be applied to stationary and/or moveable vehicle windows, being especially advantageous for use on a hidden surface area of moveably mounted glazing panes. The fragile film loses electrical continuity upon disruption of the underlying glazing pane, such as upon overall fracture of a tempered glass pane upon significant fracture anywhere in the pane.

Pre-assembled glass breakage detector applique

A glazing unit security system has an electrically conductive strip of polymeric material self-adhered to the surface of a tempered glass pane. Security means electrically connected to the conductive strip senses and responds to a loss of electrical continuity of the conductive strip. The conductive strip is non-self-integral, such that it would not survive with electrical continuity a fracture of the underlying glass panel. Since a fracture of the tempered glass panel will result in overall fracturing of the panel, it would cause loss of electrical continuity of the conductive strip. The security system further includes an alarm or other device responsive to a loss of electrical continuity of the conductive strip. When installed in a motor vehicle, the security system may include disabling means to prevent normal operation of the motor vehicle in response to loss of electrical continuity of a conductive strip.

A telescoping electrical connector for an automotive vehicle to provide an electrical connection between a vehicle stationary object and a vehicle moveable object includes a first connector member electrically connected to a vehicle stationary object mounted to vehicle structure and a second connector member electrically connected to a vehicle moveable object moveable relative to the vehicle stationary object, the first and second connector members telescopingly engage each other to provide an electrical connection between and allow electrical power to flow between the vehicle stationary object and the vehicle moveable object.

Telescoping electrical connector

A laminated glazing unit incorporates an electroluminescent element laminated to a transparent exterior ply. The electroluminescent element is selectively operable to generate visible light by passing current through electrodes contacting the electroluminescent material. The glazing unit can further have a solar load reduction film. One or more Fabry-Perot interference filters may serve as the electrode(s) of the electroluminescent element to provide the additional function of solar load reduction.

Solar load reduction glazing unit with electroluminescent element

A method is disclosed for producing superior optically clear laminates having a sheet of semi-rigid material encapsulated in a thermoplastic interlayer between layers of rigid material such as glass. Pre-cooled laminate elements are assembled at reduced temperature, allowing positioning of the sheet of semi-rigid material in the interlayer of the assembly with minimal wrinkling, formation of air bubbles or entrapment of moisture. Thereafter, the laminate assembly is maintained under vacuum for an extended period of time, substantially eliminating wrinkling, air bubbles and moisture from between the laminate elements as well as pre-forming the semi-rigid sheet. Bonding heat and pressure is then applied, first heating the assembly to 'tack' the laminate elements together, and next applying heat and pressure for bonding the laminate elements. Superior optically clear laminates which result from the method are disclosed wherein a semi-rigid sheet of material is encapsulated in thermoplastic laminating material within an interlayer between sheets of rigid material such as glass.

Lamination of semi-rigid material between glass

A laminated glazing unit is disclosed having controllable transparency to visible light and a solar load reduction element which preferentially excludes infrared radiation while being substantially transparent to visible light. The solar load reduction element comprises a Fabry-Perot interference filter which includes a film stack deposited on the laminated surface of the outer ply of the glazing unit. The film stack includes at least a zinc oxide film followed by a silver metal film followed by a second zinc oxide film followed by a second silver metal film followed by a dielectric film which provides good long term adhesion durability to an adjacent laminating layer of PVB or like material. The dielectric film preferably is zinc oxide with a thin overcoat of chromium oxide, SiO.sub.2 or, alternatively, is tantalum pentoxide. The electro-active means for controlling the transmission of visible light through the glazing unit comprises electrodes, separate from the SLR element, which are deposited on facing surfaces of inextensible polymeric material such as polyethylene terephthalate.

Solar load reduction panel with controllable light transparency

Electrical connectors for providing direct connection of the output of a dedicated power supply to a movable sunroof panel when the panel is within a limited distance that extends from its fully closed position. Such connections are made and broken to a sunroof panel that utilizes electrically activated light transmittance control materials or light emitting elements. A first embodiment includes a ramped conducting surface on a relatively fixed block and a spring loaded contact element carried on the rear portion of the movable sunroof. A second embodiment contains a spring loaded contact within a bore formed in an insulator block. The block and contact are mounted in a relatively fixed position aligned with a conductive probe mounted on the rear portion of the movable sunroof. A circuit provides timing protection to the dedicated power supply by ensuring that the electrical connectors are in contact before allowing the power supply to be energized.

Electrical connectors for use with a retractable sunroof containing

An electrical circuit connected to a drive motor circuit, of a movable sunroof panel containing an electrical field responsive material, for preventing the energization of a power supply prior to the panel being electrically connected to the output of the power supply.

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Woodhaven, MI, United States of America

Kenneth J Gajewski