CN113365814A

CN113365814A - Vehicle glazing with capacitive sensor electrodes

Info

Publication number: CN113365814A
Application number: CN202080004731.7A
Authority: CN
Inventors: F·埃尔芒热; C·博托瓦; R·哈穆德; P·韦伯
Original assignee: Saint Gobain Glass France SAS
Current assignee: Saint Gobain Glass France SAS; Compagnie de Saint Gobain SA
Priority date: 2020-01-06
Filing date: 2020-12-09
Publication date: 2021-09-07
Also published as: WO2021139951A1; DE202020005725U1

Abstract

The invention relates to a vehicle glazing unit (100) having a vehicle glazing (113), at least one sensor electrode (101), a capacitive sensor electronics (105) for electrically detecting a touch or approach of the sensor electrode (101), a connecting cable (107) electrically connecting the sensor electrode (101) and the capacitive sensor electronics (105), the connecting cable comprising at least one signal line (109) and an electrically conductive protective layer (111) for electromagnetically shielding the at least one signal line (109), wherein the connecting cable (107) is at least partially laminated into the vehicle glazing (113).

Description

Vehicle glazing with capacitive sensor electrodes

Technical Field

The invention relates to a vehicle glazing unit having at least one capacitive sensor electrode.

Background

It is known to construct the capacitive switching region by means of a sensor electrode or by two coupled sensor electrode regions, for example a first sub-region and a surrounding region. If an object approaches the sensor electrode, the capacitance of the sensor electrode with respect to ground or the capacitance of a capacitor formed by two coupled sensor electrode areas changes. Such sensor electrodes are known, for example, from US 2016/0313587 a1, US 6654070B 1, US 2010/179725 a1, WO 2015/086599 a1, WO 2016/116372 a1, US 6654070B 1 and US 2006/275599 a 1.

The capacitance change is measured via a circuit arrangement or sensor electronics, wherein the switching signal is triggered when a threshold value is exceeded. Circuit arrangements for capacitive sensors are known, for example, from DE 202006006192U 1, EP 0899882 a1, US 6,452,514B 1 and EP 1515211 a 1.

The sensor electrodes may be connected with the capacitive sensor electronics via a connection cable. In composite glass plates with laminated sensor electrodes, flat cables are currently used for this purpose. Typically, such a flat cable is led out from the intermediate space of two laminated single glass plates. However, flat cables are sensitive to interference with respect to external electromagnetic influences, for example when they touch a metal vehicle body. This may trigger an accidental switching process, or the capacitive variable may be coupled in an undesirable manner, which may lead to an incorrect evaluation. For example, in the case of a proximity sensor, the distance may change.

WO 99/05008 a1 discloses an occupant detection system consisting of electrodes in different configurations. Electrodes may be positioned near the airbag valve, wherein each electrode provides a signal corresponding to the proximity of a passenger. The electrodes comprise comparators for comparing the signals used. The electrodes may be integrally formed on the vehicle window.

US 2014/0060921 a1 discloses a flat conductor connection element for an antenna structure arranged at a glass plate (Scheibe). The connecting element comprises a flat conductor having a base layer, a printed conductor, a first dielectric layer, a shield which is arranged section by section above the first dielectric layer. A second dielectric layer is disposed over the shield. The flat conductors extend outward on the edge of the glass pane, wherein the shield is capacitively coupled to the reference ground via the metal frame.

Disclosure of Invention

In contrast, the object of the present invention is to provide an improved vehicle glazing unit with which the aforementioned disadvantages can be avoided.

This and other objects are achieved according to the invention by a vehicle glazing unit according to the independent patent claims. Advantageous embodiments of the invention emerge from the dependent claims.

The vehicle glazing unit according to the invention comprises a vehicle glazing and at least one sensor electrode, which is suitably designed to detect a change in capacitance, which is arranged on the vehicle glazing or laminated into the vehicle glazing. The vehicle glazing unit furthermore comprises capacitive sensor electronics for electrically detecting a touch or a proximity to the sensor electrode, and a connecting cable electrically connecting the sensor electrode and the capacitive sensor electronics to one another. For example, the sensor electrodes are used as touch-sensitive control buttons for switching or controlling functional elements, for example optoelectronic functional elements, integrated into the vehicle glazing.

As known to those skilled in the art, the sensor electrode may generate an electric field that is disturbed by a human body part such as a finger or a hand, so that touching or approaching the sensor electrode may be detected.

The connection cable includes at least one signal line. It is essential according to the invention that the connection cable has an electrically conductive protective layer for electromagnetically shielding the at least one signal line. The at least one signal line and the conductive protective layer are electrically insulated from each other. Electromagnetic interference effects on the connecting cable, which is at least partially laminated into the vehicle glazing, can be advantageously avoided by the electrically conductive protective layer of the vehicle glazing arrangement according to the invention, so that, for example, accidental switching processes are prevented and interference signals are generally not coupled in.

The sensor electrodes are used, for example, for switching or controlling optoelectronic functions. In this case a planar functional element with electrically adjustable optical properties. That is to say, its optical properties and in particular its transparency, its scattering properties or its luminous intensity can be controlled by means of a voltage signal. The electro-optical functional element whose transparency can be controlled by a voltage signal preferably comprises one or more SPD films (SPD = Suspended particle device), liquid crystal-containing films, for example PDLC (PDLC = Polymer dispersed liquid crystal), or electrochromic layer systems as electro-optical functional layers. The optoelectronic functional element whose luminous intensity can be controlled by a voltage signal preferably comprises one or more OLED layer systems (OLED's) or display films, particularly preferably OLED display films and very particularly preferably transparent OLED display films, as optoelectronic functional layers.

The sensor electrode according to the invention can be designed as a single part or as multiple parts and consists, for example, of a first subregion and a second subregion of the sensor electrode. The second subregion can also be understood as a surrounding region or ground region.

In an advantageous embodiment, the sensor electrodes consist of printed and calcined conductive pastes, preferably silver-containing screen-printed pastes. The printed and calcined conductive paste advantageously has a thickness of 3 to 20 μm and a surface resistance of 0.001 to 0.03 ohm/square, preferably 0.002 to 0.018 ohm/square. Such sensor electrodes can be easily integrated in an industrial manufacturing process and can be manufactured at low cost.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the sensor electrode consists of an electrically conductive film, preferably a metal film, and in particular a copper, silver, gold or aluminum film. The conductive film advantageously has a thickness of 50 μm to 1000 μm and preferably 100 μm to 600 μm. The conductive film advantageously has 1 x 10⁶S/m to 10 x 10⁷S/m and preferably 3.5 x 10⁷S/m to 6.5 x 10⁷Conductivity of S/m.

It goes without saying that such a film can also be arranged on a carrier film, for example a polymer carrier film, such as polyimide or polyethylene terephthalate (PET). Such a sensor electrode on the carrier film is particularly advantageous since the multipart sensor electrode can be produced, for example, from the first partial region and the surrounding region (ground region) of the sensor electrode from one unit and can be inserted into the vehicle glazing easily and positionally accurately during production.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the sensor electrode consists of at least one electrically conductive wire, preferably a metal wire, and in particular a tungsten, copper, silver, gold or aluminum wire. It goes without saying that such a conductor can also be arranged, for example, on the carrier film described above. The electrically conductive wires are preferably surrounded by an electrical insulation, for example by a plastic sheath. Particularly suitable wires have a thickness of 10 μm to 200 μm, preferably 20 μm to 100 μm and particularly preferably 30 μm or 70 μm.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the sensor electrode consists of an electrically conductive structure which is electrically insulated from the electrically conductive layer by an uncoated separation region, in particular an uncoated separation line, from the surrounding layer. In one advantageous embodiment, the width of the separation line is 30 μm to 200 μm and preferably 70 μm to 140 μm. Such a thin separation line allows a safe and sufficiently high electrical insulation and at the same time does not or only slightly disturb the perspective through the composite glass pane.

The conductive layer is preferably transparent. The electrically conductive layer can be arranged directly on the inner side surface or the intermediate layer of the vehicle glazing or on an additional carrier film, preferably a transparent carrier film. For example, a polymer carrier film made of, for example, polyimide or polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is preferred. Suitable electrically conductive layers are known, for example, from DE 202008017611U 1, EP 0847965B 1 or WO2012/052315 a 1. The electrically conductive layer typically comprises one or more, for example two, three or four, electrically conductive functional layers. The functional layer preferably comprises at least one metal, such as silver, gold, copper, nickel and/or chromium or a metal alloy. The functional layer particularly preferably comprises at least 90% by weight of metal, in particular at least 99.9% by weight of metal. The functional layer may consist of a metal or a metal alloy. The functional layer particularly preferably comprises silver or an alloy comprising silver. Such a functional layer has a particularly advantageous electrical conductivity at the same time as a high transmission in the visible spectral range. The thickness of the functional layer is preferably from 5nm to 50nm, particularly preferably from 8nm to 25 nm. Within this range for the thickness of the functional layer, advantageously high transmission in the visible spectral range and particularly advantageous electrical conductivity are achieved.

Typically, at least one dielectric layer is arranged between two adjacent functional layers, respectively. A further dielectric layer is preferably arranged below the first functional layer and/or above the last functional layer. The dielectric layer comprises at least one single layer made of a dielectric material, for example comprising a nitride such as silicon nitride or an oxide such as aluminum oxide. However, the dielectric layer may also comprise a plurality of monolayers, such as a monolayer of a dielectric material, a smoothing layer, an adaptation layer, a barrier layer and/or an anti-reflection layer. The thickness of the dielectric layer is, for example, 10nm to 200 nm.

This layer structure is generally obtained by a series of deposition processes carried out by vacuum methods (for example vacuum evaporation) or PVD (physical vapor deposition)) methods (for example magnetic field-assisted cathode sputtering) or CVD (chemical vapor deposition) methods.

Other suitable conductive layers preferably comprise Indium Tin Oxide (ITO), fluorine doped tin oxide (SnO)₂F) or aluminium-doped zinc oxide (ZnO: Al) or consists thereof.

The conductive layer can in principle be each coating which can be electrically contacted. If the composite glass pane according to the invention should enable a see-through as is the case, for example, with glass panes in the window area, the electrically conductive layer is preferably transparent. In one advantageous embodiment, the electrically conductive layer is a layer structure having a layer or a plurality of individual layers with a total thickness of less than or equal to 2 μm, particularly preferably less than or equal to 1 μm.

Advantageous transparent conductive layers according to the invention have a surface resistance of 0.4 to 200 ohm/square. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the electrically conductive layer according to the invention has a surface resistance of 0.5 to 20 ohms/square.

The conductive layer preferably comprises a transparent conductive coating. Transparent here means transparent to electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength of 300 nm to 1300 nm and in particular to visible light.

In an advantageous embodiment, the width t of the separating line with which the conductive layer is electrically divided₁Is 30 μm to 200 μm and preferably 70 μm to 140 μm. Such a thin separation line allows a safe and sufficiently high electrical insulation and at the same time does not or only slightly disturb the perspective through the composite glass pane.

If the conductive layer is not required to be transparent, since the sensor electrodes are arranged, for example, in the region of the vehicle glazing which prevents transmission through the cover print or the plastic housing, the conductive layer can also be made significantly thicker than in the case of a transparent conductive layer. Such thicker layers may have a significantly lower sheet resistance.

It goes without saying that sensor electrodes made of the above-described configuration means (e.g. printed paste, conductive film or wire and separate conductive layers) can be combined with one another. That is, the first sub-area may be composed of, for example, a conductive film, and the second sub-area or the surrounding area may be composed of a printing paste or the like.

In an advantageous embodiment, the sensor electrode or at least a first partial region of the sensor electrode has a length of 1cm²To 200cm²Particularly preferably 1cm²To 9cm²The area of (a). The length of the touch region is preferably 1cm to 14cm and particularly preferably 1cm to 3 cm. The maximum width of the touch region is preferably 1cm to 14cm and particularly preferably 1cm to 3 cm. The sensor electrode or at least the first subregion of the sensor electrode can in principle have every arbitrary shape. Circular, oval or drop-shaped configurations are particularly suitable. Alternatively, angular shapes are possible, such as triangles, squares, rectangles, trapezoids, or otherwise formed quadrilaterals or higher order polygons. In general, it is particularly advantageous if the possible corners are rounded. The sensor electrode may also comprise a linear element, for example a wire, which is designed in a spiral, comb or grid shape and whose outer extension increases the capacitive coupling surface of the sensor electrode.

In an advantageous embodiment, the sensor electrode is designed as a single part.

The capacitance of the sensor electrode is measured via capacitive sensor electronics. When a body (e.g., a human body) comes into the vicinity of the sensor electrode or, for example, touches an insulator layer on the sensor electrode, the capacitance of the sensor electrode changes with respect to ground. The change in capacitance is measured by the sensor electronics and triggers a switching signal when a threshold value is exceeded.

Alternatively, the sensor electrode is constructed multipart, and preferably two-part. That is, the sensor electrode has a first sub-region and a surrounding region. Not only the first sub-area but also the surrounding area can be connected to the capacitive sensor electronics.

In this arrangement, the first subregion and the surrounding region form two electrodes which are capacitively coupled to one another. When a body, for example, a human body part approaches, the capacitance of a capacitor formed of electrodes changes. The change in capacitance is measured by the sensor electronics and triggers a switching signal when a threshold value is exceeded.

It goes without saying that the touch region may be touched by a plurality of fingers or another human body part. In the context of the present invention, a touch is understood to mean all interactions with the switching region which lead to a measurable change in the measurement signal (i.e. here the capacitance).

The switching signal output can be arbitrary and can be adapted to the requirements of the respective use. Thus, the switching signal may represent a positive voltage, e.g. 12V, the switching signal cannot represent e.g. 0V, and the further switching signal may represent e.g. + 6V. The switching signals CAN also correspond to the voltages CAN _ High and CAN _ Low which are customary in the case of CAN buses and vary around the voltage value between which (um) is located. The switching signal may also be pulsed and/or digitally encoded.

The sensitivity of the sensor electronics can be determined in the scope of simple experiments depending on the size of the extended capacitive switching region and depending on the thickness of the first glass plate, the intermediate layer(s) and, if appropriate, the second glass plate.

In an advantageous development, the sensor electrodes are connected to one or more flat conductors and the flat conductors lead out of the glass plate. The integrated glazing unit CAN then be connected particularly simply in the use position to a voltage source and to a signal line, for example in a vehicle via a CAN bus, wherein the signal line evaluates the switching signal of the sensor circuit.

The vehicle glass pane is preferably a composite glass pane comprising a first glass pane and a second glass pane which are connected to one another by at least one thermoplastic interlayer. In principle all electrically insulating substrates which are thermally and chemically stable and dimensionally stable under the conditions of manufacture and use of the composite glass pane according to the invention are suitable as glass panes.

The first glass plate and/or the second glass plate preferably comprise glass, particularly preferably flat glass, completely particularly preferably float glass, for example soda-lime glass, borosilicate glass or quartz glass, or clear plastic, preferably rigid clear plastic, in particular polyethylene, polypropylene, polycarbonate, polymethyl methacrylate, polystyrene, polyamide, polyester, polyvinyl chloride and/or mixtures thereof. The first glass pane and/or the second glass pane are preferably transparent, in particular for use of the glass pane as a windshield or rear window of a vehicle or other applications where a high light transmission is desired. A glass plate having a transmission in the visible spectral range of more than 70% is understood as transparent in the sense of the present invention. But for glass panes which are not in the field of vision of the driver in connection with traffic, for example for the roof glass, the transmission can also be much lower, for example greater than 5%.

The thickness of the first glass plate and/or the second glass plate can vary widely and is therefore excellently adapted to the requirements of the individual case. A standard thickness of 1.0mm to 25mm, preferably 1.4mm to 2.5mm, is preferably used for vehicle glazing, and a standard thickness of 4mm to 25mm is preferably used for furniture, equipment and buildings, in particular for electric heaters. The size of the glass sheets can vary widely and depends on the use according to the inventionThe size of the way. The first and second glass plates have, for example, 200cm²To 20m²Of the area that is common in the field of vehicle manufacture and construction.

The composite glass sheet may have any three-dimensional shape. The three-dimensional shape preferably has no shadow zones, so that the three-dimensional shape can be coated, for example, by cathode sputtering. The glass plate is preferably planar or slightly or strongly curved in one or more directions in space. In particular, a planar substrate is used. The glass plate may be colorless or colored.

The first glass pane and the second glass pane are connected to one another by at least one intermediate layer, preferably by the first and second intermediate layers. The intermediate layer is preferably transparent. The intermediate layer preferably comprises at least one plastic, preferably polyvinyl butyral (PVB), Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (EVA) and/or polyethylene terephthalate (PET). However, the intermediate layer may also for example comprise Polyurethane (PU), polypropylene (PP), polyacrylate, Polyethylene (PE), Polycarbonate (PC), polymethyl methacrylate, polyvinyl chloride, polyacetate resins (Polyacetatharz), casting resins, acrylates, fluorinated ethylene propylene, polyvinyl fluoride and/or ethylene tetrafluoroethylene or copolymers or mixtures thereof. The intermediate layer can be formed from one or also from a plurality of films arranged one on top of the other, the thickness of the films preferably being 0.025mm to 1mm, typically 0.38mm or 0.76 mm. The interlayer may preferably be thermoplastic and, after lamination, the first glass sheet, the second glass sheet and possibly other interlayers are bonded to each other. In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the composite glass pane according to the invention, the first intermediate layer is designed as an adhesive layer made of an adhesive, with which the carrier film is bonded to the first glass pane. In this case, the first intermediate layer preferably has the dimensions of the carrier film.

The terms "first glass sheet" and "second glass sheet" are chosen in order to distinguish the two glass sheets in the case of a composite glass sheet. Statements about the geometric arrangement are not associated with these terms. If the composite glass pane is provided, for example, for separating an interior space from an exterior environment in an opening of, for example, a vehicle or a building, the first glass pane can be oriented towards the interior space or the exterior environment.

Transparent here means transparent to electromagnetic radiation, preferably electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength of 300 nm to 1300 nm, and in particular to visible light.

The electrical leads connecting the planar electrodes and/or the sensor electrodes to the external control electronics or sensor electronics are preferably designed as foil conductors or flexible foil conductors (flat conductors ). A thin-film conductor is to be understood as an electrical conductor whose width is significantly greater than its thickness. Such thin-film conductors are, for example, strips or ribbons comprising or consisting of copper, tin-plated copper, aluminum, silver, gold or alloys thereof. The thin-film conductor has, for example, a width of 2mm to 16mm and a thickness of 0.03mm to 0.1 mm. The thin-film conductor can have an insulating, preferably polymeric, jacket (e.g. based on polyimide). Thin-film conductors suitable for contacting the electrically conductive coating in the glass pane have a total thickness of, for example, only 0.3 mm. Such thin film conductors can be embedded without difficulty in the thermoplastic intermediate layer between the individual glass panes. A plurality of electrically conductive layers electrically insulated from each other may be located in the thin film conductor strip.

Alternatively, thin metal wires may also be used as electrical leads. The metal lines are in particular copper, tungsten, gold, silver or aluminum or alloys of at least two of these metals. The alloy may also comprise molybdenum, rhenium, osmium, iridium, palladium or platinum.

The electrical line connection between the connection regions of the electrically conductive layer on the carrier film and the electrical leads is preferably effected via an electrically conductive adhesive which enables a secure and durable electrical line connection between the connection regions and the leads. Alternatively, the electrical line connection can also be made by clamping, since the clamping connection is secured in a slip-proof manner by the laminating process. Alternatively, the leads can also be printed onto the connection regions, for example by means of a metal-containing, in particular silver-containing, electrically conductive printing paste.

The decoating of the individual separation lines in the electrically conductive layer is preferably carried out by means of a laser beam. Methods for structuring thin metal films are known, for example, from EP 2200097 a1 or EP 2139049 a 1. The width of the stripping layer is preferably from 10 μm to 1000 μm, particularly preferably from 30 μm to 200 μm and in particular from 70 μm to 140 μm. In this region, a particularly clean and residue-free removal of the coating takes place by the laser beam. The coating by means of a laser beam is particularly advantageous because the coated thread is very visually inconspicuous and only affects the appearance and the perspective very little. The de-coating of the lines having a width wider than that of the laser cutting is performed by abrading the lines a plurality of times with the laser beam. Thus, process duration and process cost increase as line width increases. Alternatively, the de-coating may be performed by mechanical ablation as well as by chemical or physical etching.

The connecting cable is partially laminated in the case of a vehicle glazing constructed as a composite glazing. In this case, advantageously only the connection cable section arranged outside the vehicle glazing has a conductive protective layer. Advantageously, this enables retrofitting of already existing vehicle glazing units. Furthermore, material and cost can be saved. The laminated part of the connecting cable is typically less susceptible to interference, so that already by this measure a good improvement can be achieved compared to conventional vehicle glazing units.

In an advantageous embodiment, the sensor electrode comprises a circular first subregion and an annular second subregion (surrounding region), as a result of which a touch or approach can be reliably detected. Furthermore, such a touch sensor can be constructed in a simple manner.

In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the vehicle glazing unit, the electrically conductive protective layer is connected to ground potential. This achieves the technical advantage that interference effects can be further eliminated or reduced. The second sub-region of the electrically conductive structure is preferably connected to ground potential (active shielding). However, it is also conceivable to arrange a ground plane (passive shielding) in the vicinity of the sensor electrodes.

The conductive protective layer is preferably connected to the vehicle ground or to the ground potential provided by the capacitive sensor electronics. The ground potential is particularly preferably provided by the vehicle glazing.

It is also possible that the conductive protection layer is connected to the interference-free/compensation signal provided by the capacitive sensor electronics.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the electrically conductive protective layer comprises or consists of an aluminum or copper film. This achieves technical advantages, for example, that inexpensive, well-usable materials with high electrical conductivity are used.

In a further advantageous embodiment, an electrically conductive protective layer, in particular in the form of an aluminum or copper film, is wound around the at least one signal line, as a result of which an effective shielding against external influences is achieved.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the electrically conductive protective layer is covered by an insulating material. This achieves, for example, the technical advantage of preventing short circuits through the connecting cable. Furthermore, the structure located therebelow is protected from mechanical action.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the electrically conductive protective layer is adhesively bonded to the signal line. This achieves, for example, a technical advantage that the conductive protective layer is prevented from falling off.

As already explained, in addition to the possibility of constructing the sensor electrodes as patches (film plus conductive layer), the sensor electrodes can also be incorporated into the conductive coating of the vehicle glazing, for example into the heating or antenna layer.

In an advantageous embodiment, the vehicle pane is a windshield, a rear window or a side window. This achieves, for example, the technical advantage that the vehicle glazing unit is used in a particularly suitable position.

The different configurations of the invention can be realized individually or in any combination. In particular, the features mentioned above and those yet to be explained below can be used not only in the combination indicated, but also in other combinations or alone without departing from the scope of the invention.

Drawings

The invention will be explained in more detail hereinafter on the basis of embodiments, in which reference is made to the appended drawings. In simplified, not to scale, illustration:

FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of a vehicle glazing panel installation;

FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view through a connection cable;

fig. 3 shows a cross-sectional view through the connection cable in the longitudinal direction; and

fig. 4 shows a further sectional view through the connecting cable in the longitudinal direction.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 shows a schematic view of an exemplary embodiment for a vehicle glazing unit 100 according to the invention, comprising a vehicle glazing 113, in this case a windshield, which is produced, for example, from two individual glazing by lamination. The vehicle glazing unit 100 comprises sensor electrodes, generally designated by reference numeral 101, and capacitive sensor electronics 105 for capacitively detecting a touch or proximity of a human body part, such as a hand or a finger, thereby triggering an electrical switching function, for example. The sensor electrode 101 is electrically conductively connected to the capacitive sensor electronics 105 via a connecting cable 107 (here a flat conductor). The connecting cable 107 is led out from the middle area of the two laminated single glass plates of the vehicle glass plate 113. The switching or control process is activated by changing the electromagnetic field by touching or approaching. However, the switching process may also be caused by interference, for example, when the connection cable 107 touches the metallic vehicle body.

The connection cable 107 is therefore protected by a metal shield, such as a film made of aluminum or copper, which is connected to ground potential. Thus, a connection cable 107 is arranged between the sensor electrode 101 and the capacitive sensor electronics 105, said connection cable 107 connecting the sensor electrode 101 and the capacitive sensor electronics 105 and said connection cable 107 comprising at least one signal line 109 and an electrically conductive protective layer 111 for electromagnetically shielding the signal line 109. For this purpose, the conductive protective layer 111 at least partially, in particular completely, surrounds the signal line 109.

The capacitive sensor electrode 101 reacts to a capacitance that changes when touched or approached. The touch control is activated by changing the electromagnetic field by touching or approaching a human body part in the set touch region 125.

The sensor electrodes 101 are here constructed, for example, in the form of prefabricated patches 123. In this case, a conductive layer, for example made of silver (Ag), is applied to a film, for example made of PET (polyethylene terephthalate), wherein the sensor electrodes 101 are incorporated into the conductive layer, for example by means of a laser. The patch 123 is laminated into a transparent vehicle glazing panel 113 (here a windscreen). It is also contemplated that the patch 123 may be bonded to the vehicle glazing panel. The sensor electrodes 101 may for example be used for controlling or switching a photoelectric functional element, such as a PDLC functional element(s) ((r))Polymer Dispersed Liquid CCrystal (polymer dispersed liquid crystal)) or SPD functional element(s) ((ii)Suspended Particle Device (suspended particle device)).

It would also be conceivable to introduce the sensor electrodes 101 into the conductive coating of the vehicle glazing 113 instead of the patches 123.

The sensor electrode 101 includes a circular first sub-area 115 constituting a touch area 125 for detecting touch or approach. The circular first subregion 115 is surrounded by a second subregion 127, which is typically connected to ground potential. Here, the second subregion 127 is connected to the conductive protective layer 111 of the connection cable 107. The sensor electrode 101 is connected to the capacitive sensor electronics 105 via a connection cable 107.

The connection cable 107 is here, for example, a three-core flat cable. A conductive protective layer 111 for electromagnetically shielding the signal line 109 may be arranged directly on the connection cable 107 and connected to the ground potential GND. Corresponding contacting can be achieved by a plug connector 129 having three pins. However, generally every other type of connection cable 107 may be used, wherein the signal lines 109 are shielded by a conductive protective layer 111.

The sensor electrode 101 can be protected from interference by means of a shield. In the case of a plurality of sensor electrodes 101, these can be shielded from one another by means of a shield, so that their switching functions do not interfere with or influence one another. By shielding the connection cable 107 with a conductive protective layer 111 connected to ground potential, no accidental change of switching state occurs. Therefore, accidental switching of the sensor electrodes 101, such as touch-sensitive buttons (keys), can be prevented by the vehicle glazing device 100.

Fig. 2 shows a cross-sectional view through the configuration of the connection cable 107. The connection cable 107 is protected by a conductive protective layer 111 surrounding the signal line 109 for electromagnetic shielding. The conductive protection layer 111 may be formed by a metal thin film made of aluminum or copper, which is connected to a ground potential.

An electrically insulating layer made of an insulating material 119, such as a polyethylene compound or polyamide, may be arranged around the magnetic shield 111. Another electrically insulating layer made of insulating material 119 is located between the electromagnetic shield 111 and the signal line 109 so that there is no electrical contact between the signal line 109 and the electromagnetic shield. With this configuration, the connection cable 107 is also protected from electromagnetic interference, so that unintentional switching is not triggered by the signal line 109 touching or contacting metal.

Fig. 3 shows another cross-sectional view through the configuration of the electrical connection cable 107 in the longitudinal direction.

In the case of this construction of the connection cable 107, the electrically insulating materials 119-1 and 119-2 are bonded to the signal conductors 109 by means of adhesive layers 121-1 and 121-2. Additionally, on one side, a conductive protective layer 111-1 is adhered to the insulating material 119-1 by means of an adhesive layer 121-3. Another insulating material 119-3 is adhered to the conductive protective layer 111-1 by means of an adhesive layer 121-4 so that the conductive protective layer 111-1 is insulated outward.

In a corresponding manner, on the other side, the conductive protective layer 111-2 is bonded to the insulating material 119-2 by means of an adhesive layer 121-5. Another insulating material 119-4 is adhered to the conductive protective layer 111-2 by means of an adhesive layer 121-4 so that the conductive protective layer 111-1 is insulated outward. The conductive protective layers 111-1 and 111-2 may be connected to ground potential.

In this way, a shield is formed by which the signal conductor 109 is well protected from electromagnetic interference so that no change in the electromagnetic field occurs when the connecting cable 107 is touched. This ensures that the switching function is electrically activated only when the sensor electrode 101 is touched, without triggering an accidental switching process.

Fig. 4 shows a further configuration of the connecting cable 107 in a sectional view in the longitudinal direction. In the case of this construction, the protective layers 111-1 and 111-2 are bonded to the signal conductors 109 by means of electrically insulating adhesive layers 121-1 and 121-2, respectively. The conductive protective layers 111-1 and 111-2 are electrically insulated to the outside by the layers composed of the insulating material layers 119-1 and 119-2. In this structure, the layer composed of the insulating materials 119-1 and 119-2 shown in fig. 3 does not exist.

By shielding the connection cable 107 with the conductive protective layers 111-1 and 111-2 capable of being connected to the ground potential, the electric field change due to the electromagnetic interference is prevented.

List of reference numerals

100 vehicle glazing panel arrangement

101 sensor electrode

105 capacitive sensor electronics

107 connecting cable

109 signal line

111 protective layer

113 vehicle glass panel

115 first sub-region

117 control circuit

119 insulating material

121 adhesive layer

123 paster

125 touch area

127 second sub-region

129 plug connector.

Claims

1. A vehicle glazing panel arrangement (100) comprising:

a glass plate (113) for a vehicle,

at least one sensor electrode (101) at the vehicle glass pane (113) or in the vehicle glass pane (113),

capacitive sensor electronics (105) for electrically detecting a touch to the sensor electrode (101) or a proximity to the sensor electrode (101),

a connection cable (107) electrically connecting the sensor electrode (101) and the capacitive sensor electronics (105), the connection cable comprising at least one signal line (109) and an electrically conductive protective layer (111) for electromagnetically shielding the at least one signal line (109),

wherein the connecting cable (107) is at least partially laminated into the vehicle glazing panel (113).

2. The vehicle glazing panel arrangement (100) according to claim 1, wherein only a portion of the connecting cable (107) arranged outside the vehicle glazing panel (113) has a conductive protective layer (105).

3. Vehicle glazing unit (100) according to any of the preceding claims 1 or 2, wherein the sensor electrode (101) comprises

Printed and calcined conductive pastes, especially silver-containing screen-printing pastes and/or

Conductive films, in particular metal films and in particular copper, silver, gold or aluminum films and/or

Electrically conductive lines, in particular metal lines, in particular tungsten, copper, silver, gold or aluminum lines, in particular metal lines with electrical insulation, and/or

-an electrically conductive layer arranged on the vehicle glazing panel (113) or on a carrier film,

or consist thereof.

4. The vehicle glazing panel arrangement (101) according to claim 3, wherein the sensor electrode (101) comprises a first sub-region (115) being electrically conductive and a second sub-region (127) being electrically conductive.

5. The vehicle glazing panel arrangement (101) according to claim 4, wherein the first sub-area (115) of the sensor electrode (101) has a rectangular, square, trapezoidal, triangular, circular, elliptical or drop-shaped shape or rounded corners.

6. The vehicle glazing arrangement (100) according to any of the preceding claims 1 to 5, wherein the conductive protective layer (111) is connected to a ground potential, in particular to a vehicle ground or to a ground potential provided by the capacitive sensor electronics (105).

7. The vehicle glazing unit (101) according to claim 6, wherein the ground potential is provided by the vehicle glazing (113).

8. The vehicle glazing panel arrangement (100) according to any of the preceding claims 1 to 5, wherein the conductive protective layer (111) is connected to a de-interference/compensation signal provided by the capacitive sensor electronics (105).

9. The vehicle glazing panel arrangement (100) according to any of the preceding claims 1 to 8, wherein the electrically conductive protective layer (111) is wound around the at least one signal line (105).

10. The vehicle glazing panel arrangement (100) according to any of the preceding claims 1 to 9, wherein the conductive protective layer (111) is covered by an insulating material (119).

11. The vehicle glazing panel arrangement (100) according to any of the preceding claims 1 to 10, wherein the conductive protective layer (111) is adhered onto the signal line (109).

12. The vehicle glazing panel arrangement (100) according to any of the preceding claims 1 to 11, wherein the connecting cable (107) is a flat cable.

13. The vehicle glazing panel arrangement (100) according to any of the preceding claims 1 to 12, wherein the conductive protection layer (111) comprises or consists of an aluminium or copper film.

14. The vehicle glazing panel arrangement (100) according to any of the preceding claims 1 to 13, wherein the vehicle glazing panel (113) is a windshield, a rear window or a side window.