Techniques for mounting brackets to glass substrates for automotive applications

Abstract

Certain example embodiments relate to techniques for bonding automotive brackets for sensors, rear view mirrors, and/or other components to an interior surface of the glass. The adhesive films of certain example embodiments may be film-based adhesives that may be die-cut and pre-applied to the brackets or components. They may have a good initial adhesion or green strength immediately upon contact with the glass. In certain example instances, the films may be applied and successfully bond to the glass at near ambient temperature conditions to a strength level adequate to meet operational specifications for the component in under 72 hours.

1 - 17 . (canceled) 
     
     
         18 . A method of bonding a bracket to a vehicle windshield, the bracket supporting a rear view mirror and/or one or more sensors, the method comprising:
 applying the bracket to the vehicle windshield, the bracket having a die-cut film-based adhesive pre-applied to each of a plurality of spaced apart mating surfaces thereof; and   allowing the film-based adhesive to cure so as to bond the bracket to the vehicle windshield, any curing being completed to a desired strength level within 72 hours;   the film-based adhesive on the bracket being applied to the vehicle windshield and allowed to cure at a temperature at or near ambient; and   the film-based adhesive having an immediate green strength adequate to fully locate the bracket during subsequent curing of the adhesive.   
     
     
         19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein:
 the film-based adhesive is a moisture cured urethane based film that, prior to said applying, is to be stored in a dry environment;   the moisture cured urethane based film includes a tacky surface to promote initial adhesion upon contact, and further comprising:   after said applying, exposing the moisture cured urethane based film to an elevated humidity to promote curing.   
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein:
 the film-based adhesive is a urethane adhesive film such as that typically used to laminate glass to polycarbonate;   the urethane adhesive film is activatable or bondable at temperatures only slightly above ambient; and   the film-based adhesive is cured to a strength level adequate to meet operational specifications for the component in under 72 hours.   
     
     
         22 . A system for bonding a bracket to a vehicle windshield, wherein:
 the bracket supports a rear view mirror and/or one or more sensors;   the bracket is applied to the vehicle windshield at a temperature at or near ambient via a die-cut film-based adhesive pre-applied to each of a plurality of spaced apart mating surfaces thereof;   the film-based adhesive is curable to a desired strength level at a temperature at or near ambient within 72 hours of application to the vehicle windshield; and   the film-based adhesive has an immediate green strength adequate to fully locate the bracket during subsequent curing of the adhesive.   
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 22 , wherein:
 the film-based adhesive is an epoxy-based film that, prior to said applying, is to be stored in a refrigerated condition to retard curing;   the epoxy-based film is blanked in a cold state to the bracket prior to said applying;   a cure cycle of the epoxy-based film is activatable by warming the epoxy-based film to ambient temperature; and   warming of the bracket and/or vehicle windshield to ambient temperature or a temperature slightly higher than ambient temperature prior to said applying facilitates bonding.   
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 22 , wherein:
 the film-based adhesive is a moisture cured urethane based film that, prior to said applying, is to be stored in a dry environment;   the moisture cured urethane based film includes a tacky surface to promote initial adhesion upon contact; and   exposing the moisture cured urethane based film to an elevated humidity after initial application promotes curing.   
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 22 , wherein:
 the film-based adhesive is a urethane adhesive film such as that typically used to laminate glass to polycarbonate; and   the urethane adhesive film is activatable or bondable at temperatures only slightly above ambient.   
     
     
         26 . The system of  claim 22 , wherein at least some of the mating surfaces are feet that are spaced apart by 50-150 mm. 
     
     
         27 . The system of  claim 22 , wherein the bonding occurs at a temperature of about 20-25 degrees C. 
     
     
         28 . The system of  claim 22 , further comprising an adhesion promoter layer is provided on the vehicle windshield and/or on a surface of the bracket.