초록 ▼

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

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.degree. C., more preferably less than or equal to about 115.degree. C., and most preferably less than or equal to about 105.degree. 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.degree. C., more preferably less than or equal to about 115.degree. C., and most preferably less than or equal to about 105.degree. 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.

대표청구항 ▼

[ We claim:] [1.] A method of activating a ready-to-install heat activated adhesive for attaching a vehicle window panel to a vehicle body on a vehicle assembly line, said method comprising:providing the vehicle window panel having a peripheral portion and first and second opposed spaced sides;apply

[ We claim:] [1.] A method of activating a ready-to-install heat activated adhesive for attaching a vehicle window panel to a vehicle body on a vehicle assembly line, said method comprising:providing the vehicle window panel having a peripheral portion and first and second opposed spaced sides;applying a bead of the ready-to-install heat activated adhesive on the peripheral portion of the second side of the window panel at a location remote from the vehicle assembly line, the bead having a heat activation temperature above which the adhesive is activated to a state suitable to use as a window fixing adhesive for adhering the window panel to the vehicle body as the vehicle body passes along the vehicle assembly line, the bead further having a heat degradation temperature above which said adhesive degrades, the bead including an interface portion on the second side of the vehicle panel, a central core portion, and an outer skin portion;heating the first side of the vehicle window panel proximate the vehicle assembly line whereby the panel heats the interface portion of the bead to heat the central core portion of the bead;heating the second side of the vehicle window panel proximate the vehicle assembly line to heat the outer skin portion of the bead and thereby heat the central core portion of the bead;at least one of said heating of the first side and said heating of the second side including localizing heating to said peripheral portion of the window panel;wherein said heating of the first side and said heating of the second side of the vehicle window panel heats said central core portion to at least said heat activation temperature while maintaining the temperature of said outer skin portion below said heat degradation temperature.