Title of Invention

A DEVICE AND A METHOD FOR SEVERING THE BEAD OF ADHESIVE ON A MOTOR VEHICLE WINDOW PANE

Abstract A device and a method are specified for severing the bead of adhesive (34) of a motor vehicle window pane (12). A cutting wire (18) is firstly introduced into a gap (16) between the window pane (12) and the body flange (14), the cutting wire (18) then being guided around the bead of adhesive (34), one first end of said cutting wire (18) preferably being fixed outside the vehicle, preferably to the windshield wiper shaft, the second end of the cutting wire (18) being inserted through the bead of adhesive (34) and fixed to a winding device (24), and the bead of adhesive (34) being severed by means of the cutting wire (18) by reeling in the cutting wire with the aid of the winding device (24)
Full Text Device and method for severing the bead of adhesive of a motor vehicle window pane
The invention relates to a device and a method for severing the bead of adhesive of a motor vehicle window pane, in particular of a windshield.
In modern motor vehicles, the windshields are fixedly joined to a perimeter body flange by a bead of adhesive made of a polyurethane adhesive or some other suitable adhesive. The bead of adhesive consists of such a strong adhesive that, in combination with the windshield, even the mechanical stability of the vehicle is augmented. It is self-evident, therefore, that severing the adhesive is relatively complicated due to its high strength and toughness.

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Since windshields must frequently be replaced because of stone chipping or other types of damage, it is necessary to provide a suitable device and/or a suitable method for removing the glass pane of the windshield.
In many cases, a cutting knife of U-shaped cross-section, by means of which the bead of adhesive is successively severed, has been used for this purpose (see US-A-4 980 976).
Although such a device and such a method have enabled the bead of adhesive of a windshield to be severed in a satisfactory manner, the gap between the windshield and the body flange has become increasingly narrow in recent years. In many cases, it is no longer possible to use such cutting knives, which are used in combination with an oscillatory drive, in order to sever the bead of adhesive.
Numerous other methods and devices are known for severing the bead of adhesive with the aid of a cutting wire.
The bead of adhesive can be severed, for example, with the aid of a cutting wire fitted with two handles (see US-A-4,995,153 and US 2003/0217471 Al).
The specific disadvantage of such a method is that two persons are always needed to sever the bead of adhesive. One person must operate a handle inside the vehicle and one person a handle outside the vehicle. It is also obvious that such a manner of working requires a considerable amount of time and is very tiring on account of the effort involved.
A device and method for severing the bead of adhesive with the aid of a cutting wire, with only one person being needed to sever the bead, is known from US 6,591,502 Bl. A suction cup to which a cutting wire is elastically fixed with the aid of a spring is placed onto the windshield. The cutting wire is pulled to the outside using a handle in order to sever the bead bit by bit. The force applied is reduced released after each

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pull, with the result that the cutting wire is retracted under the force of the compressed spring.
This has the advantage that the severing process can be carried out by only one person. However, a considerable amount of time and energy is still required. A similar assessment can be made of the windshield removal system known from US-A-5,622,093. Here, too, a suction cup assembly is placed onto the windshield, a cutting wire being fixed to the suction cup via a spring that has a handle at its outer end. The spring is attached to a swivel head that is bidirectionally rotatable about 360° in approximately the same plane as the windshield. In this case also, the cutting wire is pulled with the aid of the handle and alternately retracted under the effect of the spring and the swivel head. This method is likewise relatively time-consuming and tiring for the worker.
The object of the present invention is therefore to specify an improved method and an improved device with which the bead of adhesive between a motor vehicle window pane and the body of the vehicle can be severed in a relatively simple manner, saving as much time and effort as possible.
This object is accomplished according to the invention by a device for severing the bead of adhesive on a motor vehicle window pane, in particular a windshield, said device comprising a cutting wire and a winding device for reeling in the cutting wire.
The technical problem of the invention is completely solved in this manner.
According to the invention, the bead of adhesive can be severed bit by bit using the winding device, obviating the need for a continuous back-and-forth cutting motion. Instead, the reeling motion can be used to sever the bead of adhesive bit by bit with the aid of the cutting wire.

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The term "cutting wire" is understood in this application to mean any wire or any cord that is essentially suitable for severing the bead of adhesive of a windshield. This means that the cutting wire must be sufficiently tear resistant and pliable, and must usually be provided with a suitable coating or suitable surface features in the form of toothed projections in order to support the cutting process. However, it is obvious that the term "cutting wire" can also refer to suitable plastic cords or threads, or the like.
The problem addressed by the invention is further solved by a method for severing a bead of adhesive of a motor vehicle window pane, in particular of a windshield, by means of which bead of adhesive the motor vehicle window pane is bonded to a body flange, said method comprising the following steps:
introducing a cutting wire into a gap between the window pane and the body flange;
guiding the cutting wire around the bead of adhesive;
fixing a first end of the cutting wire;
inserting a second end of the cutting wire through the bead of adhesive;
fixing the second end of the cutting wire to a winding device and
severing the bead of adhesive by means of the cutting wire by reeling in the cutting wire with the aid of the winding device.
In this way, the bead of adhesive can be successively severed in a simple manner with the aid of the cutting wire. The force required is applied with the aid of the winding device. The winding device can essentially be mechanically driven, but is preferably

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driven by a motor. In this way, the bead of adhesive can be successively severed with relatively little force being required.
The first end of the cutting wire is preferably fixed to the outside of the vehicle, for example to a windshield wiper shaft, whereas the winding device is deployed on the opposite side, on the inside of the vehicle.
There are sufficient places on the outside of the vehicle where the first end of the cutting wire can be fixed, whereas this would normally be more complicated on the inside of the vehicle.
The windshield wiper shaft, especially, is usually suitable for fixing one end of the cutting wire. The other end is inserted through the bead of adhesive and fixed to the winding device.
By operating the winding device, the cutting wire can be successively reeled onto the winding device, as a result of which the cutting wire is successively pulled through the bead of adhesive.
In one advantageous development of the invention, the winding device is supported on the vehicle body while reeling in the cutting wire.
To this end, the winding device advantageously has a support with which the winding device can preferably be supported on the inside of the vehicle.
By this means, the torque reaction does not need to be manually absorbed, but can be absorbed by supporting the winding device on the vehicle. This enables work to be carried out in a particularly simple, energy-saving and fast manner.
The support also serves to protect fitted parts such as airbags, the dashboard, the rooflining, interior lining, etc. against damage.

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The support is preferably fixed to the winding device, thus resulting in simple handling.
In addition, the winding device is preferably driven by a motor, thus enabling work to be carried out in an energy-saving manner.
The cutting wire is preferably wound at a speed of 1 to 20 m/min, preferably of 3 to 12 m/min.
It has been found that particularly good cutting results can be achieved with such a cutting speed, without excessive forces being produced.
According to another configuration of the invention, a control unit is provided for controlling the speed at which the cutting wire is reeled in.
In this way, the winding speed can be optimally adjusted by means of a conventional, infinitely variable speed control.
The winding device used in the invention preferably comprises a slip clutch.
This has the advantage of preventing possible risks of injury resulting from overloading due to the cutting wire jamming, for example, and of preventing tearing of the cutting wire and other problems.
It is preferable that the support is replaceably fixed to the winding device.
This means that different supports adapted to the respective interior of the vehicle can be used. In this way, it is possible for the winding device to be optimally supported on the inside of the vehicle.

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In a preferred development of the invention, a suitable fixing means is provided for fixing the cutting wire to the outside of the vehicle. This fixing means can be a clamp or clip, for example, that can be used to clamp the cutting wire preferably to the wiper driveshaft of the vehicle.
In a preferred development of the invention, the winding device has a reel for reeling in the cutting wire.
It is preferable that the reel is externally encapsulated so as to be safe to touch. This avoids any risk of injury by the cutting wire.
In addition, the winding device preferably has a guide for guiding the cutting wire to the reel.
This ensures that, during the winding operation, the cutting wire is neatly guided and that the cutting wire is neatly wound.
According to another configuration of the invention, the support can be pivoted relative to the winding device and locked in place, for example by being snapped into various angular positions.
This results in even greater variability during the severing and removal process.
It is self-evident that the features of the invention as mentioned above and to be explained below can be applied not only in the combination specified in each case, but also in other combinations or in isolation, without departing from the scope of the invention.
Additional features and advantages of the invention derive from the following description of a preferred embodiment with reference to the drawings, in which

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Fig. 1 shows a motor vehicle window pane, viewed from the outside, with a device according to the invention in deployment, and
Fig. 2 an enlarged, simplified cross-section through the motor vehicle window pane of Fig. 1, with the associated body flange, the device of the invention being shown in the working position.
In Fig. 1, a device according to the invention is labeled in its entirety with reference numeral 10.
A windshield 12 is bonded to a body flange 14 by means of a bead of adhesive 34 (Fig. 2).
In order to replace windshield 12, for example after damage by stone chippings, a cutting wire 18 is used that is guided from the outside of the vehicle 36 into gap 16 between motor vehicle window pane 12 and body flange 14, and guided completely around the entire bead of adhesive 34. One end of cutting wire 16 is fixed to the vehicle exterior 36. Any attachment point can be used for this purpose. For example, attaching it to the windshield wiper shaft 20 is particularly suitable.
A suitable fixing mechanism, for example a clamp 22 or eyelet, can be provided at the end of the cutting wire for attaching the end of the wire to the windshield wiper shaft 20.
Cutting wire 18, which is guided around the entire bead of adhesive 34, is inserted through the bead of adhesive 34 and guided to the vehicle interior 38. The end of cutting wire 18 is now attached to a winding device 24 disposed on the vehicle interior 38.
Winding device 24 has a reel 28 enclosed by a housing 28. A guide 30 is associated with reel 28, through which guide the cutting wire 18 is correctly guided onto reel 28

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during a winding operation. A rod-shaped drive 26, comprising a suitable electric motor and if necessary a transmission gear, is provided to drive winding device 24, and to which reel 28 is laterally flanged as shown in Fig. 2.
Drive 26 preferably has an electric motor that is supplied with current from the mains supply or from an accumulator. However, the drive may also be driven by compressed air.
It is preferable that a slip clutch be provided between drive 26 and the reel 28 for winding; the clutch slips when a predefined torque is exceeded, with the result that the reel 28 does not continue winding in the event of overload. In Fig. 2, the slip clutch is only schematically indicated by reference numeral 40'.
The bead of adhesive 34 can now be successively severed by operating the winding device 24. Cutting wire 18 is pulled bit by bit through the bead of adhesive 34 by winding it onto reel 28, thereby severing the bead of adhesive.
In order that the torque reaction does not have to be manually absorbed, the winding device 24 of the invention has a support 32 for supporting the device on the inside of the vehicle. Support 32 has a suitable shape and surface characteristics to enable appropriate support on the inside of the vehicle. Support 32 enables work to be carried out in an energy-saving manner, on the one hand, and support 32 serves, on the other hand, to protect fitted parts on the inside of the vehicle from being damaged, i.e. as protection for airbags, the dashboard, the rooflining, the interior linings, etc. The contact surface of support 32 can be suitably padded for this pupose, e.g. with rubber padding.
The cutting speed during window pane removal, which is predefined by the winding speed, is preferably in a range between about 3 and 12 m/min. To this end, the drive motor 26 can be fitted with an electronic, pushbutton-operated speed control, for

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example, so that the winding speed can be adjusted stepwise to the respective requirements during the window removal operation.
If, for whatever reason, cutting wire 18 is blocked during window removal, for example by becoming jammed, the slip clutch 40 is activated and prevents further winding of cutting wire 18 onto reel 28, thus preventing any overload.
Support 32 can preferably be replaced in order to allow adaptation to different vehicle interiors. If necessary, support 32 can also be configured to be pivotable by a certain amount relative to drive motor 26, whereby it is possible for it to be locked into different angular positions by means of a snap-in mechanism, for example. This enables further improvement in adapting the device to the respective geometric circumstances in a given vehicle.

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Claims
1. A device for severing the bead of adhesive (34) on a motor vehicle window
pane (12), in particular of a windshield, comprising a cutting wire (18) and a
winding device (24) for reeling in the cutting wire (18).
2. The device of claim 1, wherein the winding device (24) has a support (32) for
supporting the winding device (24) on the vehicle, preferably on the inner
side of the vehicle (38).
3. The device of claim 1 or 2, wherein the winding device (24) is driven by a
motor.
4. The device of any of the preceding claims, wherein the winding device (24)
comprises a slip clutch (40).
5. The device of any of the preceding claims, wherein the winding device (24) for
reeling in the cutting wire (18) is configured for a speed of 1 to 20 m/min,
preferably of 3 to 12 m/min.
6. The device of any of the preceding claims, comprising a control unit for
controlling the speed at which the cutting wire is wound up.
7. The device of any of claims 2 to 6, wherein the support (32) is replaceably
fixed to the winding device (24).

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8. The device of any of the preceding claims, comprising a fixing means (22) for
fixing the cutting wire (18) to the outside of the vehicle (36).
9. The device of claim 8, wherein the fixing means (22) is embodied as a clamp
or eyelet that is preferably configured for clamping to the wiper driveshaft (20)
of the vehicle.
10. The device of any of the preceding claims, wherein the winding device (24)
comprises a reel (28) for reeling in the cutting wire (18).
11. The device of claim 10, wherein the reel (28) is externally encapsulated so as
to be safe to touch.
12. The device of claim 10 or 11, wherein the winding device comprises a guide
for guiding the cutting wire to the reel.
13. The device of any of claims 2 to 12, wherein the support (32) can be pivoted
relative to the winding device (24) and locked in place.
14. A method for severing a bead of adhesive (34) of a motor vehicle window
pane (12), in particular of a windshield, by means of which bead of adhesive
the motor vehicle window pane (12) is bonded to a body flange (14), said
method comprising the following steps:
introducing a cutting wire (18) into a gap (16) between the window
pane (12) and the body flange (14);
guiding the cutting wire (18) around the bead of adhesive (34);
fixing a first end of the cutting wire (18);
inserting a second end of the cutting wire (18) through the bead of
adhesive (34);
fixing the second end of the cutting wire (18) to a winding device (24)
and

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severing the bead of adhesive (34) with the cutting wire (18) by reeling in the cutting wire (18) with the aid of the winding device (24).
15. The method of claim 14, wherein the first end of the cutting wire (18) is fixed
to the outside (36) of the vehicle, for example to a windshield wiper shaft (20).
16. The method of claim 14 or 15, wherein the winding device (24) is supported
on the vehicle body while the cutting wire (18) is being reeled in.
17. The method of claim 16, wherein the winding device (24) is supported on the
vehicle body by means of a support (32) while the cutting wire (18) is being
reeled in, said support being fixed to the winding device (24).
18. The method of any of claims 14 to 17, wherein the winding device (24) is
driven by a motor.
19. The method according to any of claims 14 to 18, wherein the cutting wire (18)
is wound at a speed of 1 to 20 m/min, preferably of 3 to 12 m/min.

A device and a method are specified for severing the bead of adhesive (34) of a motor vehicle window pane (12). A cutting wire (18) is firstly introduced into a gap (16) between the window pane (12) and the body flange (14), the cutting wire (18) then being guided around the bead of adhesive (34), one first end of said cutting wire (18) preferably being fixed outside the vehicle, preferably to the windshield wiper shaft, the second end of the cutting wire (18) being inserted through the bead of adhesive (34) and fixed to a winding device (24), and the bead of adhesive (34) being severed by means of the cutting wire (18) by reeling in the cutting wire with the aid of the winding device (24)

Documents:

00324-kol-2007 correspondence-1.1.pdf

00324-kol-2007 priority document-1.1.pdf

00324-kol-2007-correspondene-1.2.pdf

00324-kol-2007-correspondene-1.3.pdf

00324-kol-2007-correspondene-1.4.pdf

00324-kol-2007-form-18.pdf

00324-kol-2007-others document.pdf

00324-kol-2007-p.a.pdf

0324-kol-2007 abstract.pdf

0324-kol-2007 claims.pdf

0324-kol-2007 correpondence others.pdf

0324-kol-2007 description(complete).pdf

0324-kol-2007 drawings.pdf

0324-kol-2007 form-1.pdf

0324-kol-2007 form-2.pdf

0324-kol-2007 form-3.pdf

0324-kol-2007 form-5.pdf

0324-kol-2007 priority document.pdf

324-KOL-2007-ABSTRACT 1.1.pdf

324-KOL-2007-AMANDED CLAIMS.pdf

324-KOL-2007-CORRESPONDENCE 1.1.pdf

324-KOL-2007-CORRESPONDENCE 1.2.pdf

324-KOL-2007-DESCRIPTION (COMPLETE) 1.1.pdf

324-KOL-2007-DRAWINGS 1.1.pdf

324-KOL-2007-EXAMINATION REPORT.pdf

324-KOL-2007-FORM 1-1.1.pdf

324-KOL-2007-FORM 18.pdf

324-KOL-2007-FORM 2-1.1.pdf

324-KOL-2007-FORM 26.pdf

324-KOL-2007-FORM 3 1.2.pdf

324-KOL-2007-FORM 3-1.1.pdf

324-KOL-2007-FORM 5 1.2.pdf

324-KOL-2007-FORM 5-1.1.pdf

324-KOL-2007-FORM-27.pdf

324-KOL-2007-GRANTED-ABSTRACT.pdf

324-KOL-2007-GRANTED-CLAIMS.pdf

324-KOL-2007-GRANTED-DESCRIPTION (COMPLETE).pdf

324-KOL-2007-GRANTED-DRAWINGS.pdf

324-KOL-2007-GRANTED-FORM 1.pdf

324-KOL-2007-GRANTED-FORM 2.pdf

324-KOL-2007-GRANTED-LETTER PATENT.pdf

324-KOL-2007-GRANTED-SPECIFICATION.pdf

324-KOL-2007-OTHERS 1.1.pdf

324-KOL-2007-OTHERS 1.2.pdf

324-KOL-2007-PETITION UNDER RULE 137.pdf

324-KOL-2007-REPLY TO EXAMINATION REPORT 1.1.pdf

324-KOL-2007-REPLY TO EXAMINATION REPORT.pdf

abstract-00324-kol-2007.jpg


Patent Number 249650
Indian Patent Application Number 324/KOL/2007
PG Journal Number 44/2011
Publication Date 04-Nov-2011
Grant Date 01-Nov-2011
Date of Filing 07-Mar-2007
Name of Patentee C. & E. FEIN GMBH
Applicant Address HANS-FEIN-STRASSE 81 73529 SCHWAEBISCH GMUEND-BARGAU
Inventors:
# Inventor's Name Inventor's Address
1 MATTHIAS HESS TANNENWEG 14 70794 FILDERSTADT
PCT International Classification Number B60J1/08;B26B27/00
PCT International Application Number N/A
PCT International Filing date
PCT Conventions:
# PCT Application Number Date of Convention Priority Country
1 10 2006 013 417.6 2006-03-14 Germany