Method and apparatus for forming a vehicle window assembly

An apparatus for forming a vehicle window assembly comprising:

• an assembly fixture having at least one vertical support member for supporting a vehicle window in a predetermined vertical orientation relative to a major support surface, wherein two or more moveable positioning members are moveable in an x-y plane and are connected to an electromechanical drive mechanism which drive mechanism is attached to the major support surface of the assembly fixture;
• one or more assembly aids proximate the major support surface, the assembly aid comprising one or more items of hardware and one or more induction heating devices for heating one or more of, the item of hardware having a predetermined amount of a solder material adhered thereto and the vehicle window, to a temperature sufficient to melt the solder material so as to bond the item of hardware to the vehicle window;
• at least one mechanism to bring the vehicle window and the item of hardware into bonding contact;
• one or more power supply units electrically connected to the one or more heating devices;
• and
• one or more controllers electrically connected to the one or more power supply units.

A method for forming a vehicle window assembly comprising:

• providing a vehicle window having an attachment surface;
• positioning the vehicle window on an assembly fixture in a predetermined orientation;
• applying a positive pressure, a negative pressure, or both a positive and negative pressure to the vehicle window to ensure that an item of hardware is in contact with the attachment surface of the vehicle window with an amount of solder therebetween;
• utilizing at least one induction heating device supported proximate the item of hardware to supply heat to or near the solder, thereby causing the solder to attain a temperature sufficient to melt the solder;
• and
• allowing the solder to cool, bonding the item of hardware to the vehicle window and forming a vehicle window assembly.

A method for forming a vehicle window assembly comprising:

• providing an assembly fixture having a major upper support surface having one or more openings through which a negative or positive pressure can be applied, the major upper support surface having one or more assembly aids proximate thereto, the assembly aids having located in them, or proximate to them, one or more induction heating devices, and one or more resilient support members affixed to the major support surface, and extending a predetermined vertical distance thereabove;
• providing at least one power supply unit electrically connected to the one or more induction heating devices;
• providing at least one electronic controller electrically connected to the at least one power supply unit;
• loading one or more items of hardware having a predetermined quantity of a solder material adhered thereto, into the assembly aids, so such items of hardware extend a predetermined distance above the major upper support surface;
• placing a vehicle window assembly into supporting contact with the one or more resilient support members;
• applying a vacuum to the vehicle window sufficient to draw a major surface thereof into contact with the one or more items of hardware in the assembly aids;
• activating the power supply via the controller so as to cause the one or more induction heating devices in or proximate to the one or more assembly aids to heat to a predetermined temperature for a predetermined period of time sufficient to melt the solder material on the items of hardware;
• allowing the item of hardware and the solder material to cool for a predetermined time so as to allow a bond to form between the item of hardware and the major surface of the vehicle window, and
• removing the vehicle window assembly from the assembly fixture.