US 12,269,127 B2
Vehicular window assembly process with temperature control of the solder joint that attaches an electrical connector
David M. King, Hudsonville, MI (US); Jeremiah S. Busscher, Dorr, MI (US); and Seth T. Hembree, Grand Rapids, MI (US)
Assigned to Magna Exteriors, Inc., Troy, MI (US)
Filed by Magna Exteriors, Inc., Troy, MI (US)
Filed on Apr. 20, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/303,712.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/363,389, filed on Apr. 22, 2022.
Prior Publication US 2023/0339034 A1, Oct. 26, 2023
Int. Cl. B23K 1/00 (2006.01); B23K 1/002 (2006.01); B23K 3/00 (2006.01); B23K 3/047 (2006.01); B23K 3/08 (2006.01); B60J 1/00 (2006.01); B60J 1/18 (2006.01); B60R 16/03 (2006.01); B23K 101/36 (2006.01)
CPC B23K 3/0478 (2013.01) [B23K 1/0008 (2013.01); B23K 1/0016 (2013.01); B23K 1/002 (2013.01); B23K 3/0475 (2013.01); B23K 3/085 (2013.01); B60J 1/002 (2013.01); B60J 1/1853 (2013.01); B60R 16/03 (2013.01); B23K 2101/36 (2018.08)] 18 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A system for assembling a vehicular window assembly, the system comprising:
a heating device that, when electrically operated, heats an electrical connector disposed at a glass panel of a vehicular window assembly to heat and melt solder disposed between the electrical connector and an electrically conductive trace established at the glass panel to form a solder joint providing electrically-conductive connection between the electrical connector and the electrically conductive trace established at the glass panel;
a temperature sensor that captures sensor data indicative of a temperature of the electrical connector and the solder;
an electronic control unit (ECU) comprising a data processor for processing captured sensor data from the temperature sensor;
wherein the system, with the heating device being electrically operated to heat the electrical connector and the solder and based on processing at the ECU of the captured sensor data, adjusts electrical operation of the heating device to adjust the temperature of the electrical connector and the solder during the soldering process that forms the solder joint;
wherein the temperature sensor comprises an infrared (IR) temperature sensor; and
wherein the IR temperature sensor also functions as a position sensor for positioning the heating device at the electrical connector.