CA1323899C - Heatable composite backlight panel - Google Patents
Heatable composite backlight panelInfo
- Publication number
- CA1323899C CA1323899C CA000604944A CA604944A CA1323899C CA 1323899 C CA1323899 C CA 1323899C CA 000604944 A CA000604944 A CA 000604944A CA 604944 A CA604944 A CA 604944A CA 1323899 C CA1323899 C CA 1323899C
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- laminate
- panel
- anode
- cathode
- backlight panel
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Fee Related
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- Surface Heating Bodies (AREA)
- Laminated Bodies (AREA)
Abstract
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
The invention involves an inexpensive, rugged, flexible, composite plastic backlight panel that provides an even heat distribution across the entire surface of the backlight panel for a convertible top of a vehicle. Two wires are connoted to the car battery. A series of conductive members are each in electrical engagement with each of the wires, forming a closed loop electric circuit. The conductive members Are printed onto one of the laminates, forming an interlayer theron. An inner transparent plastic laminate, and an outer transparent plastic laminate are sandwiched around one end of each of the wires, and the interlayer. The laminates including the wires and members are bonded together and the resulting panel is secured to the convertible top thereby forming the backlight panel. When the circuit is energized, the electrical energy is converted into thermal energy that is transmitted to the outer laminate.
The invention involves an inexpensive, rugged, flexible, composite plastic backlight panel that provides an even heat distribution across the entire surface of the backlight panel for a convertible top of a vehicle. Two wires are connoted to the car battery. A series of conductive members are each in electrical engagement with each of the wires, forming a closed loop electric circuit. The conductive members Are printed onto one of the laminates, forming an interlayer theron. An inner transparent plastic laminate, and an outer transparent plastic laminate are sandwiched around one end of each of the wires, and the interlayer. The laminates including the wires and members are bonded together and the resulting panel is secured to the convertible top thereby forming the backlight panel. When the circuit is energized, the electrical energy is converted into thermal energy that is transmitted to the outer laminate.
Description
:~'t~3~'~9 This invention relates generally to a heatable backlight panel, and more particularly, to a plastic composite backlight panel for convertible vehicles.
The use of heatable window assemblies for removing ice snow from the windows of aircraft and similar vehicles are well-known in the art.
U.S. Patent No. 3,020,376 discloses a laminated plastic panel for aircraft that is electrically conductive so as to be kept free of ice and fog formations. In addition to the polyvinyl butyral sheet, the panel includes a sealer layer, an adhesive layer, an electrically conductive layer, a second adhesive layer, and a protective layer. The electrically conductive layer is deposited onto the panel by thermal evaporation methods.
U.S. Patent No. 3,041,436 involves a transparent, electrically conductive window for aircraft for anti-fogging and de-icing applications. The window consists of an outer face sheet, an interlayer, and an inner ply. The inner side of the face sheet is coated with an electrically conductive coating.
U.S. Patent No. 3,180,781 relates to a composite laminated structure consisting of two sheets of rigid plastic sandwiched around an interposed layer. The composite structure is primarily used for aircraft to prevent fogging and icing. An unbroken, electrically conductive film is applied to one of the laminated sheets, and may consist of a series of layers placed 1 ~23~9 ; over each other. The interposed layer oonsists o~ a sealin~
layer, an adhe~i~e layer, a oonduoting film layer, snd a ~econd adhesive layer.
U.S. Patent 3,636,311 dlsoloses a heatinA devio~ for S defrosting or deicing sutomobile windows. The layer of - oonduoti~e material iA printed or sprayed onto the sur~aoe of v the polrester resin sheet. A self-adhesive border surrounds the sheet which is used to subsequently attaohe the sheet to a window or A windsoreen.
Removin~ ioe and snow from the flexlble plastic backli~ht panels manually with sorapers and the like, is a problem beosuse of the likelihood that the plastic will be soratohed or otherwise damaged. De~rosting the baoklight panel with blasts of hot air requires considerable time for the air to heat up in cold weather, and generall~y results in uneven heat distribution aoross the baoklight panel.
Much of this prior art teohnolo8y althou~h applicable to automobilos, was developed primarily for the aircraft industry. Hence, the laminates are made of rigid plastic panels to withstand the extreme temperature and pressure differentials - normally encountered at extre~e fli~ht altitudes.
Althou8h rigid Klass panels whioh may be heated through a plurality of electrical members ~ounted within the panel~ have been used in automobiles for many years, this technology has not ~5 bee refined for application to the thinner, flexible, plastic panels that are used in convertible tops. What i8 needed is an : inexpensive, rug~ed, ~lexible, composite plastic backlight panel that provides an even heat distribution across the entire surfa¢e of the panel. The flexibilitr of the panel is critical because when the baokli~ht panel i8 iD the raised position, the 2 ~3 ~ 9 l3 panel will assume a curved configuration so as to enable the designer to provide sleek lines and an aerodynamically efficient design, but must lie flat in the retracted position for efficient storage.
In one aspect the invention provides a heatable backlight panel for a convertible top of a vehicle, which comprises: (a) a first laminate, the first laminate made of a first nonconductive material, having an anode and a cathode disposed on a first surface thereof: ~b) a plurality of electrical members being applied onto the first surface of the first laminate by a silk screening process, the electrical members forming a plurality of electrical paths between the anode and the cathode, the anode and cathode being electrically engageable with a power source; and (c) a second laminate disposed over the first surface of the first laminate, the second laminate being made from the first nonconductive material, the first laminate being fused to the second laminate to form a composite structure.
In a further aspect the invention provides a method of forming a convertible top having a heatable backlight panel, the method comprising: (a) providing a first laminate of flexible plastic material, the first laminate being made from a first nonconductive material, an elongated anode and an elongated cathode being disposed on a first surface of the first laminate; (b) silk screening conductive inks to the first surface of the first laminate, the conductive inks providing a plurality of electrical connections between the anode and the cathode; (c) covering the first side of the first laminate with a second laminate, the second laminate being made of the first nonconductive material; (d) positioning the first laminate and the second laminate between two plates; (e) applying sufficient temperature and ,:,.
:, "
i ~ 2 ~ ~,i3 9 pressure for a sufficient period of time to fuse the first laminate to the second laminate to form a composite substantially homogeneous 8tructure: and ~f) dielectrically bonding a material about the perimeter of the substantially homogeneous structure.
In a still further aspect the invention provides a heatable backlight panel for a convertible top of a vehicle, which comprises: (a) a nonconductive portion being formed by fusing a first laminate being made from a first nonconductive material to a second laminate, the second laminate being made from the first nonconductive material; and (b) a conductive interlayer having a plurality of electrical members disposed between an anode and a cathode, the electrical members lS forming a plurality of electrical paths between the anode and the cathode, the interlayer being applied onto the first surface of the first laminate by a silk screening process, the anode and the cathode being electrically engageable with a power source.
The invention also provides a backlight panel having a first laminate formed of a nonconductive material fused to a second laminate formed of a nonconductive material, an anode and a cathode being disposed between said first and second 3a ~:7 ~` ' ~ st-3 2 ~
laminates, and a plurality of electrical paths electrically connecting said anode and cathode, said paths being disposed between said anode and cathode and being silk screened onto said first laminate.
For a more complete understanding of the composite backlight panel of the present invention, reference is made to the following presently preferred embodiment of the invention which is illustrated by way of example. It is expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for purposes of illustration and description only, and are not intended as a definition of the 3b :
limits the invention. Also, throughout the description and drawings, identical reference numbers refer to the same component throughout the several views.
Figure 1 is a perspective view of the heatable composite backlight panel in relation to a convertible automobile: and Figure 2 is an assembly view of the heatable composite backlight panel, showing the laminates, the wires, and the conductive members.
A three layer capacitor-type construction forms the heatable backlight panel 10, using a power supply 45, which can be either ac or dc. The two outside layers consist of an inner and outer flexible plastic laminate 22 and 24 respectively, sandwiched about an interlayer 28 containing multiple electrical elements electrically interengaged. Two opposed wires 40 and 42 are each electrically engaged to a plurality of equally-spaced and parallel conductive members 50.
Conductive members 50 are used to heat the laminates 22 and 24 which are each made of Ultralite TM, is a flexible polyvinyl chloride that is commercially available from Herbert Lushan Plastics Manufacturing Corp. of Newton, Mass.
One wire 40 is electrically engaged to the anode of power supply 45, and the other wire 42 is electrically engaged to the cathode. Preferably, the car battery acts as power supply 45. The other end of each wire 44 and 46 is sandwiched between laminates 22 and 24 on the extreme, opposed sides thereof. The wire lengths are preferably about 550 mm. The combination of power supply 45, two wires 40 and 42, and 1 '~ 2 ~
oonduotive members 50 form a olosed loop eleotrlo olrouit. When the oircuit is qner~ized; the eleotrioal ener~y flowinK throu~h conduotive memb~r~ 50 is oonverted into thermal energy that is transmitted into the outer laminate 24. The ao power requirements are in the ran~e o~ from 100 to 180 volts, at 0.5 to 1.0 amps, and at a frequenoY of B0 to 500 herte.
The do power rQquirements are 6.0 to 8.0 amps at 13.0 ~olt~ The available power is 96 watts ~l80.o vr~, x 0.53 amps). This pow~r dissipation will yleld a surfaoe temperature of 90F - 1200F at an amblent temperature of 60F. Based upon the si~e oonstraints of the backll~ht, the resistance of the conduotlve members may be ohan~ed by varying the amount of material, and the material oompositlon.
The conduotlve members 60 extend essentially across the entire length of the interlayer 28. The memhers 50 amy be wires or conductive tape, but are preferably conductive inks because of flexibility requirements for panel 10. Althou8h a sliver conductive ink i8 preferred, a ~raphite oonduotive lnk may also be used. The conductive lnks are oommerolally available from ao MK8, Inc. of Indianapolis, Indiana. The oonduotive lnks ~re applied by usinB a sllk-screen process onto laminate 22.
Subsequently, la~nate 24 is disposed 80 that it sandwichea the interlayer 28 forming the backlight panel 10, whlch is heat treated by applying suitable temperature and pressure as both ; 25 the laminates 22 and 24 become transparent.
The flexible heated backli~ht panel 10 is proces~ed by first cutting a 0.020 inch thick laminate 22 from a polyvin~l chloride sheet. The heated grid pattern is soreen printed onto one side of the laminate 22. The ink used i8 conductive and is resistance to the current flow, which i8 ~pecified according to 2 3 ~
~. ~
the vehiole appllontion. The ink i~ oomposed of vehiole flakes suspended in a thermoplastio oomposition.
A thin strip of oopper m8terial ~not shown) i8 applied to the interlayer 28 to provide a uniform heat flow across the backlight panel 10. A 0.030 inch thick ooppur strlp whloh 18 0.376 inohes lon~ i~ then bondod to the bu~s bars at oith~r slde of the grid psttern to sssure even heatin8 throughout the assembly. The strip 18 applled to the ink before the heat treatment. Conduotive members 60 are orlmped to ensure proper eleotrical oonneotions, and to provlde strsin relle~ durln~ the hest treatment. The printed slde of the laminate 22 is then oovered with another polyvinYl ohloride laminate 24 having similar dimensions.
These two laminates 22 and 24 are then placed between two hiKhly pollshed steel plates and pressed together at a temperature of at least 1800F and a pressure of at least 200 p~i. Initially, the laminate 22 and 24 are opaque. During compression, whioh takes about two minute~, the laminates 22 and 24 are fused together and beoome olear. The electrioal leads are preferablY conneoted to the bscklight panel 10 assembly staplinK the appropriate terminal to the laminated asRembly through the oopper buss bars deposed at both sides thereof.
The panel assembly 10 is then dieleotrioally bonded to 25 the convertible top oover or the backli~ht oarrier. Thi~
bonding material is a synthetio whioh is oapable of remaining flexible after the dielectric bonding. The bonding oaterial has butyl rubber inner ply, such as a diamond ~rain vinyl or a ~tarfast cloth. Prior to seouring the backliRht panel 10 to the fabrio convertible roof, a blaok piece of the bondin8 material, .
1'~3~23~9 which is about 5/8" thick is bond heat sealed around the panel 10. A dielectric bond is formed around the heat treated laminates 22 and 24.
.
The use of heatable window assemblies for removing ice snow from the windows of aircraft and similar vehicles are well-known in the art.
U.S. Patent No. 3,020,376 discloses a laminated plastic panel for aircraft that is electrically conductive so as to be kept free of ice and fog formations. In addition to the polyvinyl butyral sheet, the panel includes a sealer layer, an adhesive layer, an electrically conductive layer, a second adhesive layer, and a protective layer. The electrically conductive layer is deposited onto the panel by thermal evaporation methods.
U.S. Patent No. 3,041,436 involves a transparent, electrically conductive window for aircraft for anti-fogging and de-icing applications. The window consists of an outer face sheet, an interlayer, and an inner ply. The inner side of the face sheet is coated with an electrically conductive coating.
U.S. Patent No. 3,180,781 relates to a composite laminated structure consisting of two sheets of rigid plastic sandwiched around an interposed layer. The composite structure is primarily used for aircraft to prevent fogging and icing. An unbroken, electrically conductive film is applied to one of the laminated sheets, and may consist of a series of layers placed 1 ~23~9 ; over each other. The interposed layer oonsists o~ a sealin~
layer, an adhe~i~e layer, a oonduoting film layer, snd a ~econd adhesive layer.
U.S. Patent 3,636,311 dlsoloses a heatinA devio~ for S defrosting or deicing sutomobile windows. The layer of - oonduoti~e material iA printed or sprayed onto the sur~aoe of v the polrester resin sheet. A self-adhesive border surrounds the sheet which is used to subsequently attaohe the sheet to a window or A windsoreen.
Removin~ ioe and snow from the flexlble plastic backli~ht panels manually with sorapers and the like, is a problem beosuse of the likelihood that the plastic will be soratohed or otherwise damaged. De~rosting the baoklight panel with blasts of hot air requires considerable time for the air to heat up in cold weather, and generall~y results in uneven heat distribution aoross the baoklight panel.
Much of this prior art teohnolo8y althou~h applicable to automobilos, was developed primarily for the aircraft industry. Hence, the laminates are made of rigid plastic panels to withstand the extreme temperature and pressure differentials - normally encountered at extre~e fli~ht altitudes.
Althou8h rigid Klass panels whioh may be heated through a plurality of electrical members ~ounted within the panel~ have been used in automobiles for many years, this technology has not ~5 bee refined for application to the thinner, flexible, plastic panels that are used in convertible tops. What i8 needed is an : inexpensive, rug~ed, ~lexible, composite plastic backlight panel that provides an even heat distribution across the entire surfa¢e of the panel. The flexibilitr of the panel is critical because when the baokli~ht panel i8 iD the raised position, the 2 ~3 ~ 9 l3 panel will assume a curved configuration so as to enable the designer to provide sleek lines and an aerodynamically efficient design, but must lie flat in the retracted position for efficient storage.
In one aspect the invention provides a heatable backlight panel for a convertible top of a vehicle, which comprises: (a) a first laminate, the first laminate made of a first nonconductive material, having an anode and a cathode disposed on a first surface thereof: ~b) a plurality of electrical members being applied onto the first surface of the first laminate by a silk screening process, the electrical members forming a plurality of electrical paths between the anode and the cathode, the anode and cathode being electrically engageable with a power source; and (c) a second laminate disposed over the first surface of the first laminate, the second laminate being made from the first nonconductive material, the first laminate being fused to the second laminate to form a composite structure.
In a further aspect the invention provides a method of forming a convertible top having a heatable backlight panel, the method comprising: (a) providing a first laminate of flexible plastic material, the first laminate being made from a first nonconductive material, an elongated anode and an elongated cathode being disposed on a first surface of the first laminate; (b) silk screening conductive inks to the first surface of the first laminate, the conductive inks providing a plurality of electrical connections between the anode and the cathode; (c) covering the first side of the first laminate with a second laminate, the second laminate being made of the first nonconductive material; (d) positioning the first laminate and the second laminate between two plates; (e) applying sufficient temperature and ,:,.
:, "
i ~ 2 ~ ~,i3 9 pressure for a sufficient period of time to fuse the first laminate to the second laminate to form a composite substantially homogeneous 8tructure: and ~f) dielectrically bonding a material about the perimeter of the substantially homogeneous structure.
In a still further aspect the invention provides a heatable backlight panel for a convertible top of a vehicle, which comprises: (a) a nonconductive portion being formed by fusing a first laminate being made from a first nonconductive material to a second laminate, the second laminate being made from the first nonconductive material; and (b) a conductive interlayer having a plurality of electrical members disposed between an anode and a cathode, the electrical members lS forming a plurality of electrical paths between the anode and the cathode, the interlayer being applied onto the first surface of the first laminate by a silk screening process, the anode and the cathode being electrically engageable with a power source.
The invention also provides a backlight panel having a first laminate formed of a nonconductive material fused to a second laminate formed of a nonconductive material, an anode and a cathode being disposed between said first and second 3a ~:7 ~` ' ~ st-3 2 ~
laminates, and a plurality of electrical paths electrically connecting said anode and cathode, said paths being disposed between said anode and cathode and being silk screened onto said first laminate.
For a more complete understanding of the composite backlight panel of the present invention, reference is made to the following presently preferred embodiment of the invention which is illustrated by way of example. It is expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for purposes of illustration and description only, and are not intended as a definition of the 3b :
limits the invention. Also, throughout the description and drawings, identical reference numbers refer to the same component throughout the several views.
Figure 1 is a perspective view of the heatable composite backlight panel in relation to a convertible automobile: and Figure 2 is an assembly view of the heatable composite backlight panel, showing the laminates, the wires, and the conductive members.
A three layer capacitor-type construction forms the heatable backlight panel 10, using a power supply 45, which can be either ac or dc. The two outside layers consist of an inner and outer flexible plastic laminate 22 and 24 respectively, sandwiched about an interlayer 28 containing multiple electrical elements electrically interengaged. Two opposed wires 40 and 42 are each electrically engaged to a plurality of equally-spaced and parallel conductive members 50.
Conductive members 50 are used to heat the laminates 22 and 24 which are each made of Ultralite TM, is a flexible polyvinyl chloride that is commercially available from Herbert Lushan Plastics Manufacturing Corp. of Newton, Mass.
One wire 40 is electrically engaged to the anode of power supply 45, and the other wire 42 is electrically engaged to the cathode. Preferably, the car battery acts as power supply 45. The other end of each wire 44 and 46 is sandwiched between laminates 22 and 24 on the extreme, opposed sides thereof. The wire lengths are preferably about 550 mm. The combination of power supply 45, two wires 40 and 42, and 1 '~ 2 ~
oonduotive members 50 form a olosed loop eleotrlo olrouit. When the oircuit is qner~ized; the eleotrioal ener~y flowinK throu~h conduotive memb~r~ 50 is oonverted into thermal energy that is transmitted into the outer laminate 24. The ao power requirements are in the ran~e o~ from 100 to 180 volts, at 0.5 to 1.0 amps, and at a frequenoY of B0 to 500 herte.
The do power rQquirements are 6.0 to 8.0 amps at 13.0 ~olt~ The available power is 96 watts ~l80.o vr~, x 0.53 amps). This pow~r dissipation will yleld a surfaoe temperature of 90F - 1200F at an amblent temperature of 60F. Based upon the si~e oonstraints of the backll~ht, the resistance of the conduotlve members may be ohan~ed by varying the amount of material, and the material oompositlon.
The conduotlve members 60 extend essentially across the entire length of the interlayer 28. The memhers 50 amy be wires or conductive tape, but are preferably conductive inks because of flexibility requirements for panel 10. Althou8h a sliver conductive ink i8 preferred, a ~raphite oonduotive lnk may also be used. The conductive lnks are oommerolally available from ao MK8, Inc. of Indianapolis, Indiana. The oonduotive lnks ~re applied by usinB a sllk-screen process onto laminate 22.
Subsequently, la~nate 24 is disposed 80 that it sandwichea the interlayer 28 forming the backlight panel 10, whlch is heat treated by applying suitable temperature and pressure as both ; 25 the laminates 22 and 24 become transparent.
The flexible heated backli~ht panel 10 is proces~ed by first cutting a 0.020 inch thick laminate 22 from a polyvin~l chloride sheet. The heated grid pattern is soreen printed onto one side of the laminate 22. The ink used i8 conductive and is resistance to the current flow, which i8 ~pecified according to 2 3 ~
~. ~
the vehiole appllontion. The ink i~ oomposed of vehiole flakes suspended in a thermoplastio oomposition.
A thin strip of oopper m8terial ~not shown) i8 applied to the interlayer 28 to provide a uniform heat flow across the backlight panel 10. A 0.030 inch thick ooppur strlp whloh 18 0.376 inohes lon~ i~ then bondod to the bu~s bars at oith~r slde of the grid psttern to sssure even heatin8 throughout the assembly. The strip 18 applled to the ink before the heat treatment. Conduotive members 60 are orlmped to ensure proper eleotrical oonneotions, and to provlde strsin relle~ durln~ the hest treatment. The printed slde of the laminate 22 is then oovered with another polyvinYl ohloride laminate 24 having similar dimensions.
These two laminates 22 and 24 are then placed between two hiKhly pollshed steel plates and pressed together at a temperature of at least 1800F and a pressure of at least 200 p~i. Initially, the laminate 22 and 24 are opaque. During compression, whioh takes about two minute~, the laminates 22 and 24 are fused together and beoome olear. The electrioal leads are preferablY conneoted to the bscklight panel 10 assembly staplinK the appropriate terminal to the laminated asRembly through the oopper buss bars deposed at both sides thereof.
The panel assembly 10 is then dieleotrioally bonded to 25 the convertible top oover or the backli~ht oarrier. Thi~
bonding material is a synthetio whioh is oapable of remaining flexible after the dielectric bonding. The bonding oaterial has butyl rubber inner ply, such as a diamond ~rain vinyl or a ~tarfast cloth. Prior to seouring the backliRht panel 10 to the fabrio convertible roof, a blaok piece of the bondin8 material, .
1'~3~23~9 which is about 5/8" thick is bond heat sealed around the panel 10. A dielectric bond is formed around the heat treated laminates 22 and 24.
.
Claims (20)
1. A heatable backlight panel for a convertible top of a vehicle, which comprises:
(a) a first laminate, the first laminate made of a first nonconductive material, having an anode and a cathode disposed on a first surface thereof;
(b) a plurality of electrical members being applied onto the first surface of the first laminate by a silk screening process, the electrical members forming a plurality of electrical paths between the anode and the cathode, the anode and cathode being electrically engageable with a power source; and (c) a second laminate disposed over the first surface of the first laminate, the second laminate being made from the first nonconductive material, the first laminate being fused to the second laminate to form a composite structure.
(a) a first laminate, the first laminate made of a first nonconductive material, having an anode and a cathode disposed on a first surface thereof;
(b) a plurality of electrical members being applied onto the first surface of the first laminate by a silk screening process, the electrical members forming a plurality of electrical paths between the anode and the cathode, the anode and cathode being electrically engageable with a power source; and (c) a second laminate disposed over the first surface of the first laminate, the second laminate being made from the first nonconductive material, the first laminate being fused to the second laminate to form a composite structure.
2. The panel of Claim 1, wherein the laminate is fused to the second laminate at an elevated temperature and pressure.
3. The panel of Claim 1, wherein the laminates are made of a material which is opaque before the laminates are fused together.
4. The panel of Claim 3, wherein the nonconductive material is made of polyvinyl chloride.
5. The panel of Claim 1, wherein the heatable backlight panel is operable with both an ac and a dc power source.
6. The panel of Claim 1, wherein the electrical members are silver conductive inks.
7. The panel of Claim 6, wherein the silver conductive inks include flakes suspended in a thermoplastic composition.
8. The panel of Claim 7, wherein the bonding material includes a ply of butyl rubber.
9. The panel of Claim 1, wherein a material is bond heat sealed about the perimeter of the composite laminar structure.
10. The panel of Claim 1, wherein the electrical members are generally equally-spaced and parallel to each other, providing a generally uniform heat flow across the composite laminar structure.
11. A method of forming a convertible top having a heatable backlight panel, the method comprising:
(a) providing a first laminate of flexible plastic material, the first laminate being made from a first nonconductive material, an elongated anode and an elongated cathode being disposed on a first surface of the first laminate;
(b) silk screening conductive inks to the first surface of the first laminate, the conductive inks providing a plurality of electrical connections between the anode and the cathode;
(c) covering the first side of the first laminate with a second laminate, the second laminate being made of the first nonconductive material;
(d) positioning the first laminate and the second laminate between two plates:
(e) applying sufficient temperature and pressure for a sufficient period of time to fuse the first laminate to the second laminate to form a composite substantially homogeneous structure; and (f) dielectrically bonding a material about the perimeter of the substantially homogeneous structure.
(a) providing a first laminate of flexible plastic material, the first laminate being made from a first nonconductive material, an elongated anode and an elongated cathode being disposed on a first surface of the first laminate;
(b) silk screening conductive inks to the first surface of the first laminate, the conductive inks providing a plurality of electrical connections between the anode and the cathode;
(c) covering the first side of the first laminate with a second laminate, the second laminate being made of the first nonconductive material;
(d) positioning the first laminate and the second laminate between two plates:
(e) applying sufficient temperature and pressure for a sufficient period of time to fuse the first laminate to the second laminate to form a composite substantially homogeneous structure; and (f) dielectrically bonding a material about the perimeter of the substantially homogeneous structure.
12. The panel of Claim 11, wherein the bonding material includes a ply of butyl rubber.
13. The composite backlight panel of Claim 11, wherein the two plates are highly polished steel.
14. The composite backlight panel of Claim 11, wherein the fusing temperature is at least 180° F. and the fusing pressure is at least 200 psi, and the first laminate is fused to the second laminate in about two minutes.
15. A backlight panel having a first laminate fused to a second laminate, an elongated anode and an elongated cathode being disposed between the first laminate and the second laminate, electrical connections between the anode and the cathode being silk screened onto the first laminate, the composite backlight panel having a material bond heat sealed about the perimeter thereof, the composite backlight panel being formed by the process of Claim 11.
16. A heatable backlight panel for a convertible top of a vehicle, which comprises:
(a) a nonconductive portion being formed by fusing a first laminate being made from a first nonconductive material to a second laminate, the second laminate being made from the first nonconductive material: and (b) a conductive interlayer having a plurality of electrical members disposed between an anode and a cathode, the electrical members forming a plurality of electrical paths between the anode and the cathode, the interlayer being applied onto the first surface of the first laminate by a silk screening process, the anode and the cathode being electrically engageable with a power source.
(a) a nonconductive portion being formed by fusing a first laminate being made from a first nonconductive material to a second laminate, the second laminate being made from the first nonconductive material: and (b) a conductive interlayer having a plurality of electrical members disposed between an anode and a cathode, the electrical members forming a plurality of electrical paths between the anode and the cathode, the interlayer being applied onto the first surface of the first laminate by a silk screening process, the anode and the cathode being electrically engageable with a power source.
17. The panel of Claim 16, wherein the nonconductive material is opaque before the laminates are fused together.
18. The panel of Claim 17, wherein the nonconductive material is polyvinyl chloride.
19. The panel of Claim 16, wherein a material bond heat sealed about the perimeter of the composite laminar structure.
20. A backlight panel having a first laminate formed of a nonconductive material fused to a second laminate formed of a nonconductive material, an anode and a cathode being disposed between said first and second laminates, and a plurality of electrical paths electrically connecting said anode and cathode, said paths being disposed between said anode and cathode and being silk screened onto said first laminate.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US21590088A | 1988-07-07 | 1988-07-07 | |
| US215,900 | 1988-07-07 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1323899C true CA1323899C (en) | 1993-11-02 |
Family
ID=22804871
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000604944A Expired - Fee Related CA1323899C (en) | 1988-07-07 | 1989-07-06 | Heatable composite backlight panel |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1323899C (en) |
-
1989
- 1989-07-06 CA CA000604944A patent/CA1323899C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
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