Patents Assigned to AGC Automotive Americas R&D, Inc.
  • Publication number: 20180138575
    Abstract: Glazing panel having an electrically conductive connector. A glazing panel comprising (i) a pane of glass, (ii) an antenna, (iii) an electrically conductive connector joined to the antenna by a lead-free solder material, and (iv) a coaxial cable joined to the electrically conductive connector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2016
    Publication date: May 17, 2018
    Applicants: AGC GLASS EUROPE, ASAHI GLASS CO LTD, AGC AUTOMOTIVE AMERICAS R&D, INC
    Inventors: Remi SARKIS, Paul SCHOEBRECHTS, Peter SCHNOERCH, Shoichi TAKEUCHI, Naoki HASHIMOTO
  • Patent number: 9966673
    Abstract: A window assembly (10) includes a transparent pane (18), an electrical conductor (20) contacting the transparent pane (18), an electrical connection element (22) for energizing the electrical conductor (20), an encapsulation (26) disposed over the electrical connection element (22) and the electrical conductor (20), and an electrically conductive compressible member (28) disposed between the electrical connection element (22) and the electrical conductor (20) for providing an electrical connection between the electrical connection element (22) and the electrical conductor (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignees: AGC AUTOMOTIVE AMERICAS R&D, INC., AGC FLAT GLASS NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Daniel D. Bennett, William C. Schuch
  • Publication number: 20180119478
    Abstract: An encapsulated glass assembly includes a glass panel and a plastic frame and a clip. The frame has at least three frame sides and has a lower wall portion extending from an outer wall surface along each of the at least three frame sides. The clip has a C-shaped clip channel and is coupled to a first frame side of the frame such that a portion of the panel is retained within the C-shaped clip channel. An optional clip can be coupled to a second frame side. The plastic frame can alternatively include a C-shaped channel on the second frame side, wherein another portion of the panel is retained within the C-shaped channel. An encapsulant is bonded onto the panel, the frame, and the clip to secure the frame to the panel. The encapsulant has a Shore hardness less than the Shore hardness of the frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2017
    Publication date: May 3, 2018
    Applicants: AGC Automotive Americas R&D, Inc., AGC Flat Glass North America, Inc.
    Inventors: David W. Lahnala, Daniel Bennett, Brian Kinross
  • Publication number: 20180119479
    Abstract: An encapsulated glass assembly includes a plastic frame having at least three sides and corners, with the frame having a channel extending within its outer frame surface that includes a lower wall portion connected to a side wall portion. The outer frame surface further includes at least one upper wall portion extending from the side wall portion and extending along at least one side of the frame, each one of the at least one upper wall portions further defining a portion of the channel as a C-shaped channel. A glass panel coupled to the frame is retained within the C-shaped channel along at least one side of the frame such that the edge of the panel is adjacent to the side wall portion. An encapsulant having a Shore hardness less than the frame is bonded onto the panel and onto the frame to secure the panel to the frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2017
    Publication date: May 3, 2018
    Applicants: AGC Automotive Americas R&D, Inc., AGC Flat Glass North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Joel Jerrim, Daniel Bennett, David W. Lahnala
  • Patent number: 9960482
    Abstract: A window assembly for a vehicle includes a substrate that is substantially transparent and has a surface. A transparent layer is disposed on the surface and comprises a metal compound such that the transparent layer is electrically conductive. The transparent layer defines a first region and a second region that are spaced from one another by a section cut that is devoid of the transparent layer. The first and second regions are substantially congruent to one another and are configured to operate as diversity antenna elements. A feeding arrangement is coupled to the first and second regions to energize the first and second regions. At least one of the first and second regions defines a performance enhancing slit that is devoid of the transparent layer. The slit is configured to operate as at least one of an impedance matching element and a radiation pattern altering element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignees: AGC AUTOMOTIVE AMERICAS R&D, INC., AGC FLAT GRASS NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventor: Ledion Shkembi
  • Patent number: 9944052
    Abstract: A window assembly for a vehicle having an essentially chlorine-free modified polyolefin primer (24) disposed onto a transparent pane (12) and a two-shot encapsulant applied onto the primer is provided. The two-shot encapsulant includes a first encapsulation layer (22A) disposed on the primer (24) and a second encapsulation layer (22B) disposed on the first encapsulation layer (22A). The first encapsulation layer (22A) has a Shore D hardness of at least 39 and a Flexural modulus of at least 100 MPa, while the second encapsulation layer (22B) has a Shore A hardness of less than 90.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: AGC AUTOMOTIVE AMERICAS R&D, INC.
    Inventor: Daniel Bennett
  • Patent number: 9920566
    Abstract: An encapsulated glass assembly includes a glass panel and a plastic frame coupled to the glass panel and an encapsulant for securing the frame to the panel. The frame includes at least three sides, wherein at least two and less than all of the at least three sides of the frame have a C-shaped channel extending within an outer frame surface and wherein another one side of the at least three sides does not have a C-shaped channel. The panel is introduced onto the inner surface of the lower wall portion of the another one side and then slid within each one of the C-shaped channels on the at least two sides. An encapsulant is bonded onto the panel and frame to secure the frame to the panel. The encapsulant has a Shore hardness less than the Shore hardness of the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignees: AGC AUTOMOTIVE AMERICAS R&D, INC., AGC FLAT GLASS NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Daniel Bennett, David W. Lahnala, Joel Jerrim
  • Patent number: 9878599
    Abstract: A sliding window assembly for a vehicle includes a fixed panel and a sliding panel moveable relative to the fixed panel. A track is connected to the fixed panel. The track includes an elongated member having a base portion and first and second legs extending from the base portion to define a channel. The first leg is connected to the fixed panel and the second leg is spaced from the first leg. The sliding panel is disposed within the channel and is slidable along the track relative to the fixed panel. The first leg defines a drain hole in communication with the channel and an exterior of the vehicle for draining water from the channel to the exterior of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: AGC AUTOMOTIVE AMERICAS R&D, INC.
    Inventor: David W. Lahnala
  • Patent number: 9837707
    Abstract: A window assembly for a vehicle has a transparent layer including a metal compound such that the transparent layer is electrically conductive. The transparent layer defines an area covering the window assembly. An outer region which is electrically non-conductive surrounds the area. The window assembly includes an antenna element including wire or transparent coating which overlaps the transparent layer and overlaps the outer region. The antenna element is configured to receive linearly or circularly polarized radio frequency (RF) signals. A feeding element is coupled to the antenna element for energizing the antenna element. The antenna element is capacitively coupled to the transparent layer. The transparent layer operates as a parasitic or active antenna element with respect to the antenna element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignees: AGC AUTOMOTIVE AMERICAS R&D, INC., AGC FLAT GLASS NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Wladimiro Villarroel, Ming Lee, Yasutaka Horiki
  • Patent number: 9806398
    Abstract: A window assembly includes a substrate with an electrically conductive transparent layer that defines an area having a periphery. An outer region devoid of the transparent layer is defined adjacent to and along the periphery. An elongated antenna element is disposed in the outer region. A feeding element couples to the antenna element for energizing the antenna element. The area of the transparent layer defines at least two protrusions being spaced apart from one another and extending integrally from the area and into the outer region. The antenna element abuts and is in direct electrical contact with the at least two protrusions. The feeding element couples to the antenna element at a location between the at least two protrusions or at one of the at least two protrusions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignees: AGC AUTOMOTIVE AMERICAS R&D, INC., AGC GLASS EUROPE
    Inventors: Kenichiro Shimo, Peter Masschelein, Romain Dacquin, Fredrick M. Schaible, Jun Noda, Jesus Gedde, Tatuo Yajima
  • Patent number: 9755299
    Abstract: A window assembly for a vehicle has a transparent layer including a metal compound such that the transparent layer as is electrically conductive. The transparent layer defines an area covering the window assembly. An outer region which is electrically non-conductive surrounds the area. The window assembly includes an antenna element including wire or transparent coating disposed within and surrounded by the outer region without extending into the transparent layer. The antenna element is electrically disconnected from the transparent layer such that the antenna element operates independent of the transparent layer. A feeding element is coupled to the antenna element for energizing the antenna element. The feeding element is electrically disconnected from the transparent layer such that the feeding element energizes the antenna element independent of the transparent layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignees: AGC AUTOMOTIVE AMERICAS R&D, INC., AGC FLAT GLASS NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Ming Lee, Wladimiro Villarroel, Yasutaka Horiki, Kwan-ho Lee
  • Patent number: 9713951
    Abstract: A window trim is used with a fixed window of a vehicle. The fixed window is fixed to the vehicle and has interior and exterior surfaces and a window edge. The window trim includes a trim body having a first section having a substantially linear configuration and a second section having an at least partially arcuate configuration defining a bend such that the second section extends back toward the first section and presents a contact surface engaging the window edge. The first section extends beyond the contact surface and along the interior surface. The window trim includes a reinforcement element having first and second reinforcement portions configured to correspond to the substantially linear and at least partially arcuate configurations of the trim body, respectively. The first and second reinforcement portions continuously extend as a single unit within the first and second portions, to support the trim body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignees: AGC AUTOMOTIVE AMERICAS R&D, INC., AGC FLAT GLASS NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventor: Muhsin Al-Kahwati
  • Patent number: 9647319
    Abstract: A window assembly includes an electrically conductive transparent layer and an antenna element disposed on a substrate. The transparent layer has an area defining a periphery with a plurality of edges. An outer region devoid of the transparent layer is defined adjacent the transparent layer along the periphery. The antenna element includes a first antenna segment and a second antenna segment. The first antenna segment is elongated and disposed in the outer region and spaced from the periphery and extends solely along one edge of the periphery. The second antenna segment extends integrally from the first antenna segment towards the transparent layer such that the second antenna segment crosses a periphery of the transparent layer. A feeding element is coupled to the first antenna segment to energize the antenna element and the transparent layer such that the antenna element and the transparent layer collectively transmit and/or receive radio frequency signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignees: AGC AUTOMOTIVE AMERICAS R&D, INC, AGC FLAT GLASS NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Ming Lee, Jesus Gedde, Frederick M. Schaible, III, Yasutaka Horiki, Jun Noda
  • Publication number: 20170080789
    Abstract: A window trim is used with a fixed window of a vehicle. The fixed window is fixed to the vehicle and has interior and exterior surfaces and a window edge. The window trim includes a trim body having a first section having a substantially linear configuration and a second section having an at least partially arcuate configuration defining a bend such that the second section extends back toward the first section and presents a contact surface engaging the window edge. The first section extends beyond the contact surface and along the interior surface. The window trim includes a reinforcement element having first and second reinforcement portions configured to correspond to the substantially linear and at least partially arcuate configurations of the trim body, respectively. The first and second reinforcement portions continuously extend as a single unit within the first and second portions, to support the trim body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2015
    Publication date: March 23, 2017
    Applicants: AGC FLAT GLASS NORTH AMERICA, INC., AGC AUTOMOTIVE AMERICAS R&D, INC.
    Inventor: Muhsin Al-Kahwati
  • Publication number: 20160308268
    Abstract: A window assembly includes an electrically conductive transparent layer and an antenna element disposed on a substrate. The transparent layer has an area defining a periphery with a plurality of edges. An outer region devoid of the transparent layer is defined adjacent the transparent layer along the periphery. The antenna element includes a first antenna segment and a second antenna segment. The first antenna segment is elongated and disposed in the outer region and spaced from the periphery and extends solely along one edge of the periphery. The second antenna segment extends integrally from the first antenna segment towards the transparent layer such that the second antenna segment crosses a periphery of the transparent layer. A feeding element is coupled to the first antenna segment to energize the antenna element and the transparent layer such that the antenna element and the transparent layer collectively transmit and/or receive radio frequency signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2016
    Publication date: October 20, 2016
    Applicants: AGC AUTOMOTIVE AMERICAS R&D, INC., AGC Flat Glass North America, lnc.
    Inventors: Ming Lee, Jesus Gedde, Frederick M. Schaible, III, Yasutaka Horiki, Jun Noda
  • Patent number: D771602
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignees: AGC AUTOMOTIVE AMERICAS R&D, INC., AGC FLAT GLASS NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Ming Lee, Jesus Gedde, Frederick M. Schaible, III, Yasutaka Horiki, Jun Noda
  • Patent number: D774024
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignees: AGC AUTOMOTIVE AMERICAS R&D, INC., AGC FLAT GLASS NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Ming Lee, Jesus Gedde, Frederick M. Schaible, III, Yasutaka Horiki, Jun Noda
  • Patent number: D787475
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignees: AGC AUTOMOTIVE AMERICAS R&D, INC., AGC FLAT GLASS NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Ming Lee, Jesus Gedde, Frederick M. Schaible, III, Yasutaka Horiki, Jun Noda
  • Patent number: D787476
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignees: AGC AUTOMOTIVE AMERICAS R&D, INC., AGC FLAT GLASS NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Ming Lee, Jesus Gedde, Frederick M. Schaible, III, Yasutaka Horiki, Jun Noda
  • Patent number: D788078
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignees: AGC AUTOMOTIVE AMERICAS R&D, INC., AGC FLAT GLASS NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Ming Lee, Jesus Gedde, Frederick M. Schaible, III, Yasutaka Horiki, Jun Noda