CN114502370A

CN114502370A - Luminous glass element for a motor vehicle and motor vehicle comprising said luminous glass element

Info

Publication number: CN114502370A
Application number: CN202180003607.3A
Authority: CN
Inventors: L·迪莫捷; M·康平; F·弗拉玛里-麦斯普列
Original assignee: Saint Gobain Glass France SAS
Current assignee: Saint Gobain Glass France SAS
Priority date: 2020-07-31
Filing date: 2021-07-12
Publication date: 2022-05-13
Also published as: FR3113008B1; WO2022023638A1; FR3113008A1; DE202021004187U1

Abstract

The invention proposes a luminous glazing for a motor vehicle, comprising: -a laminated glazing having a laminate insert between first and second glass sheets; -a light source (4) coupled to the laminated glazing; -a light extraction component comprising a transparent scattering coating comprising scattering elements (51) in a transparent matrix (5).

Description

Luminous glass element for a motor vehicle and motor vehicle comprising said luminous glass element

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a luminous (or "illuminated") glazing for a motor vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle glazing having electroluminescent diodes.

Background

Electroluminescent diodes or DELs ("LEDs" in english) have for many years ensured the illumination of signaling devices (signaling lights …), turn signals or position lights of motor vehicles. The advantages of diodes are their long life span, their luminous efficacy, their reliability, their low power consumption and their compactness, making the devices in which they are employed more durable and requiring reduced maintenance.

More recently, electroluminescent diodes have been used for automotive roofs, in particular with panoramic laminated roofs illuminated with electroluminescent diodes, as described in document WO 2010049638. Light emitted by the diode is introduced via the side into the inner glass piece forming the guide, the light being extracted from the glass piece by the transparent scattering layer on the glass piece, the surface of the glass piece defining a light-emitting pattern such as a smooth frit containing dielectric scattering particles). In the off-state (closed), the scattering layer is significantly visible to the user. The luminescent glass element therefore exhibits a very hazy appearance and is often even the most opaque in the region of the scattering layer.

The present invention therefore seeks to develop an innovative luminescent glazing for motor vehicles, in particular with electroluminescent diodes, which further maintains transparency in the off state and does not even unduly adversely affect the loss of brightness of the glazing in the on state, while preferably being compatible with the industrial requirements (simplicity, convenience and speed of production, reliability, etc.).

Disclosure of Invention

The invention therefore has for this purpose a luminous glazing for a motor vehicle (preferably a roof), comprising:

a laminated glazing (preferably having an outer main face, called face F1, and an inner main face, called face F4), comprising:

a first glass sheet (convex) made of mineral glass or organic glass, the first glass sheet (transparent) comprising a first main face, a second main face and even being (convexly) quenched (bare, or already coated), in particular the first face being oriented towards the outside of the vehicle and even the outer face (generally called face F1), the first sheet being coloured as required, preferably having a thickness of at most 2.5mm, even at most 2.2mm, in particular 1.9mm, 1.8mm, 1.6mm and 1.4mm, or even at most 1.3mm or at most 1mm for automotive glazing;

-a laminate insert made of a polymeric material, preferably a thermoplastic polymeric material, the insert being in particular coloured, in particular having a sub-centimetre thickness;

-a second glass sheet (embossed) made of mineral or organic glass, in particular made of clear or ultraclear glass, in particular having a thickness of at most 2.1mm, in particular a fourth face oriented towards the interior of the vehicle, and even an interior face (referred to as face F4), the thickness preferably being smaller than that of the first glass sheet, even at most 2.2 mm-in particular 1.9mm, 1.8mm, 1.6mm and 1.4 mm-or even at most 1.3mm or at most 1mm, the total thickness of the first and second glass sheets preferably being strictly less than 4mm, even less than 3.7 mm;

the second major face and the third major face being on the laminate insert side;

at least one of the first and second sheets (and preferably both) is made of mineral glass, and preferably at least the sheet turned towards the outside or even the outer sheet;

the luminescent glazing, if necessary, comprises a third sheet (in particular convex) made of mineral glass or organic glass, having two main faces, a fifth main face and a sixth main face, in particular joined to the laminated glazing (of the first or fourth face side) by a further lamination insert (double lamination) or any other component;

(visible) light source, preferably a set of electroluminescent diodes, in particular a bar (on a first printed circuit support, such as a PCB for a "printed circuit board" in english), or also a light source comprising extraction fibers coupled with a primary light source (electroluminescent diode(s) etc.), the light source being optically coupled to a (in the visible domain transparent) light guide, the light guide being one of a first and a second glass sheet (and /) made in particular of clear or ultraclear glass or a stack insert in particular being colourless;

a light extraction means for the guided light comprising (even constituted by) a scattering layer comprising scattering elements in a matrix for forming scattering regions (emitting light in the on-state), having a width of at least 0.5mm, or a width of less than 1mm, or even a width of at least 1cm and even a width of at least 5cm (width naturally differs from thickness), being a first solid region; and/or comprising a set of discontinuous patterns (discrete, punctiform (3D), for example geometric, linear (2D), in particular different or identical, for example spaced apart by at least 0.5 mm), the scattering areas can occupy a surface preferably greater than 5cm and even greater than 10cm in length.

The scattering layer is between the first and second glass sheets, in particular in contact with the laminate insert, and the scattering layer is a transparent coating, the matrix being organic and transparent.

A solution with prior art scattering layers for maintaining vision through a glass piece-providing overall transparency-consists in a drastic reduction of the density of scattering areas, typically in the form of a grid of suitably sized and spaced points. Thus, most of the light passing through the face of the glass is less scattered, but at the expense of brightness.

The transparent coating according to the invention can also be a solid layer with a greater degree of freedom in dimensions, as can the pattern grid.

The transparent coating is inside the laminated glass piece, which is then protected from the external environment (abrasion, contamination), and the laminated glass piece maintains the perfect smooth appearance of the glass piece without scattering layers.

The transparent coating is advantageously directly on the main surface of the laminate insert or on an underlying layer of primer, in particular silane, which preferably has a thickness of at most 1 μm or even at most 200 nm. The other major face of the laminate insert (in adhering contact with the glass sheet) may be bare or coated. In particular, the transparent coating is in optical contact with the third main face, and the light guide is preferably a second sheet (in particular an inner sheet (inner face F4, even F6 in the case of double lamination with a third sheet)) or a lamination insert.

The transparent coating may occupy at least 60%, 70%, 80%, 90% of the main face of the laminated insert, and preferably may be spaced at least 20mm from the light coupling portion (side or wall of the (in particular through) hole of the light guide (in particular the second glass sheet).

It may be desirable to see the light emitting area inside the cabin (especially in the case of the roof, or for signaling information for the driver or for any other occupant) and/or externally (signaling etc.).

The light guide can in particular be a first or a second glass sheet (in particular a mineral glass sheet), in particular optically coupled through its side faces or holes (preferably through holes) in the light guide. The transparent coating may be in optical contact with the third major face and may be on the laminate insert. The through-hole preferably does not extend into the laminate insert.

The light guide may preferably be a second glass sheet having a transparent coating on the third major face side (in optical contact with the third major face) and even on the laminate insert and the fourth face as the inner face and even the first face as the outer face.

The light guide may even be a second glass sheet, in particular the fourth face being the interior face of the cabin side, in particular optically coupled to the light source (diode) through a side face or preferably a through hole in the light guide, in particular made of clear or ultra-clear mineral glass, and preferably the first face being the exterior face of the exterior side, which may be colored.

For simplicity, a comparable dual stack may be preferred over a single stack.

The glazing may comprise a plurality of light sources, in particular electroluminescent diodes. Naturally, it is possible to have a plurality of light sources (one or more series of diodes) coupled to the light guide (second glass sheet, in particular innermost) and even associated with a plurality of light guides.

There may be a (first) transparent coating on a major face FA of the laminate insert and a preferably transparent further coating opposite or offset from the first coating on a face FB opposite the FA.

The luminescent glazing may comprise a plurality of scattering areas of the transparent coating having the same or different sizes and/or shapes. The clear coating may thus cover part or all of the laminated glazing, depending on the lighting or effect sought (in the form of a strip disposed at the periphery of one of the faces to form a light-emitting frame, logo or pattern or the like).

The transparent coating may present a plurality of areas, for example each area having the same or different, continuous or intermittent pattern, and may be of any geometric shape (rectangular, square, triangular, circular, oval, etc.) and may form a drawing, a logo (arrows, letters, etc.).

The light emitting glazing may comprise a plurality of light extraction regions (scattering layers) for forming a plurality of light emitting regions on the glazing.

In particular, the luminescent glazing comprises a further transparent and scattering coating comprising scattering elements (preferably particles) in an organic matrix (preferably a resin), adjacent to said transparent coating, in particular on the lamination insert (directly or under said primer), in particular oriented towards the third main face (and the second glass sheet (in particular a mineral glass sheet) is a light guide). In particular, the glass element is a top.

The further transparent coating especially presents different illumination L and/or haze and/or light extraction, especially brightness, than the transparent coating.

In particular, the laminated glazing remains bonded even when the clear coating (alone or with additional clear coatings) occupies all or almost all of the major surface of the insert.

The thickness of the transparent coating layer may be at most 20 μm and even at most 10 μm and even at least 1 μm.

In particular transparent substrates deposited by liquid route can be made of a material chosen from polymeric binders such as paints, in particular lacquers, resins. In particular, the transparent matrix may consist essentially of a resin, in particular a PVB resin.

In particular, the transparent coating may comprise, and even consist essentially of: resins, especially PVB resins; and scattering elements, in particular scattering particles, which are in particular at least 50nm, 80nm or 100nm and preferably at most 30 μm or 10 μm or 1 μm.

The scattering element preferably comprises, and even essentially consists of, particles (dielectric particles, organic or mineral (e.g. metal oxide) particles) dispersed and connected by a (resin) matrix, the particle size being at most 30 μm or at most 10 μm. The particles being selected, for example, from TiO₂、SiO₂、CaCO₃、ZnO、Al₂O₃、ZrO₂Among the particles of (1).

The transparent scattering coating may essentially constitute said scattering elements (particles and/or pores, etc.) from the resin and in particular from the particles. The resin may be chemically compatible with the laminate insert, which may be PVB, for example. The resin may be PVB resin with a laminate insert of PVB.

The transparent scattering coating may comprise or consist essentially of a self-resin and said scattering elements as particles. Agents and/or plasticizers that modify surface tension and/or rheology may be added as additive(s). Preferably, the transparent scattering coating contains no pigment, or at least a sufficiently small amount of pigment so as not to reduce transparency and/or not to significantly increase haze.

For example, the transparent scattering coating has the following composition including even the following constituents:

-from 80% to 99% and even from 90% to 99% by weight of a resin, in particular a PVB resin;

-from 0.05% to 20% and even% from 0.05 to 10% or 5% by weight of scattering particles;

-one or more of the following additives as required:

-agents modifying surface tension and/or rheology, in particular from 0.1% to 5% by weight;

-and/or a plasticizer, in particular less than 10% or 5% by weight.

Preferably, the transparent scattering coating has:

individual particles other than having a largest dimension (and even preferably an average dimension) of at least 400 μm (and even at least 200 μm) -or at least sufficiently small in amount so as not to significantly increase the haze-and even at least 50 μm or 30 μm or 10 μm so as to be prepared in particular by screen printing;

and/or aggregates of particles other than having a maximum dimension of at least 400 μm (and even at least 200 μm) -or at least sufficiently small in amount so as not to significantly increase the haze-and even at least 50 μm or 30 μm or 10 μm so as to be conveniently prepared, in particular, by screen printing.

It is desirable that the clear coat be as invisible, discrete as possible. Our visual perception can clearly distinguish two different phenomena: scattering over a narrow angle and scattering over an extended range of angles.

The light is uniformly scattered in all directions. This causes a reduction in contrast and a blurred and dark rendered image. Standard astm d1003 defines haze or haze as the amount of light, expressed as a percentage, that deviates on average more than 2.5 ° from the incident light beam.

Light is scattered at a narrow angle at a high concentration. This effect describes quite well how very fine boundaries can be viewed through the sample. The sharpness (in english "sharpness") quality of the image should be determined at angles less than 2.5 degrees.

Haze and image clarity are preferably measured according to standard ASTDM D1003 (without compensation) or, where appropriate, according to ISO 13468 (with compensation), preferably by a Haze meter (Hazemeter), such as BYK-Gardner Haze-Gard Plus.

Preferably:

-the haze of the laminated glazing with the transparent scattering coating in the off-state is at most 30%, and better at most 20%, 15% or even 10%;

and/or better in the off-state, the image clarity of the laminated glazing with a transparent scattering coating is at least 90%, and better at least 95% or 97%;

-and/or the relative difference between the luminous transmission TL0 in the off-state of the laminated glazing without the transparent coating and the luminous transmission TL1 with the transparent coating, i.e. thus ((TL 0-TL 1)/TL 0) × 100 is at most 10% or even at most 5% or at most 2%;

the luminous transmission in the off-state of the laminated glazing with a transparent coating (if the sheet and the insert are colourless) is at least 75%, 80% and better at least 85%, as required.

Current scattering frit solutions exhibit a haze of more than 80%.

It is believed that the haze in the off-state of the laminated glazing without the scattering coating is preferably at most 5% or at most 2%.

As light guide preferably clear and even ultra-clear mineral glass sheets (for roofs, windscreens, for example lateral glass panes) with an inner main face are selected.

It is also preferred to choose a laminate insert with as little haze as possible (that is to say at most 1.5% and even at most 1%).

It is desirable that the clear coating is as invisible as possible, discrete, and preferably has clear or ultra-clear glass sheets forming the light guide, however, additional glass sheets and/or laminate inserts may be tinted.

Preferably, there is no significant difference in tint between laminated glass pieces with and without the clear coating. Preferably:

-the difference (in absolute value) between a1 (with the clear coating) and a2 (without the clear coating) is at most 8 and even at most 5, and/or a1 is also less than 5 or less than 2;

-and/or the difference (in absolute value) between b1 (with the clear coating) and b2 (without the clear coating) is at most 8 and even at most 5, and/or b1 is also less than 5 or less than 2.

The illumination L1 with the transparent coating may also preferably be at most 30 and even at most 20.

And preferably the brightness of the laminated glazing in the scattering region is at least 10cd/m²And even at least 50cd/m²Or 100cd/m²。

Preferably, the scattering layer comprises at least two transparent patterns (2D (e.g. rows) or 3D), each at least 0.5mm wide, spaced apart by at least 20cm, e.g. one of the transparent patterns is at least 10cm from the light source (or from the light coupling itself) and e.g. the other of the two transparent patterns is at least 30cm from the (same) light source (or from the light coupling itself). To ensure homogeneity, it is preferred that the (relative) difference in brightness between two transparent patterns is at most 25% and even at most 15%.

Preferably, the scattering layer comprises at least two transparent patterns (2D (e.g. rows) or 3D) which are at least 0.5mm wide, each spaced up to at least 40cm apart, e.g. one of the two transparent patterns is at least 10cm from the light source (or from the light coupling part itself) and e.g. the other of the two transparent patterns is at least 50cm from the (same) light source (or from the light coupling part itself). To ensure homogeneity, preferably the (relative) difference in brightness between the two transparent patterns is at most 35% and even at most 30% or 25%.

The laminate insert may also be coloured (and then preferably not a light guide), for example grey or green. The laminate insert (PVB) may be clear and in a colored region, such as a peripheral strip (colored PVB strip). For windshields this relates to a strip, for example, along the upper longitudinal edge. It is preferred that the light coupling portion has a side different from the side having the edge of the colored strip. For example, the lower and better driver-side longitudinal edge is chosen for the windshield.

The laminate insert may be at least one transparent plastic sheet (preferably made of PVB or PU (flexible) or thermoplastic without plasticizer (ethylene copolymer/vinyl acetate (EVA) or the like), each sheet having, for example, a thickness of between 0.2mm and 1.1mm, in particular between 0.38 and 0.76 mm.

The laminate insert may be acoustic, in particular comprising or consisting of acoustic PVB (three layers, four layers, etc.). The laminate insert may thus comprise at least one layer made of viscoelastic plastic material having vibro-acoustic damping properties, in particular based on polyvinyl butyral and a plasticizer (referred to as an interlayer), and also an insert, and also two outer layers made of standard PVB, with the interlayer between the two outer layers. It is possible to cite the coloured acoustic PVB described in patent applications WO2012/025685, WO2013/175101, in particular as in WO 2015079159.

The laminate insert may be or may comprise a poly (vinyl butyral) (PVB) -based sheet as follows: it comprises less than 15% by weight of plasticizer, preferably less than 10% by weight of plasticizer, and better less than 5% by weight of plasticizer and in particular no plasticizer and especially products having a thickness of at most 0.15mm, in particular from 25 to 100 μm, 40 to 70 μm and even 50 μm, for example Kuraray Mowital @.

The second glass sheet may be made of organic glass (preferably rigid, semi-rigid), such as Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) preferably with laminated inserts (PU), Polycarbonate (PC) preferably with PVB laminated inserts.

In particular, the following may be chosen as first glass sheet/laminate insert/second glass sheet:

mineral glass/PVB (acoustic, etc.)/mineral glass,

even mineral glass/laminate insert/polycarbonate,

or even polycarbonate (thick or thin)/laminate insert/mineral glass.

In the present application, motor vehicle means an automobile, in particular a utility vehicle (lorry, minivan, dispatch van) or a truck of less than 3.5 tonnes, or a shuttle bus, a small private or public transport vehicle. The lateral glazing may be in a sliding door. The light emitting glazing may be in a rear door.

In particular, the luminous glazing forms a windscreen, a roof or a side glazing (including a front or rear side window).

Preferably:

the laminate insert is preferably PVB (in particular acoustic), in particular clear or coloured,

the first and second glass sheets are convex and made of mineral glass, the second glass sheet is clear or ultraclear, and the first glass sheet is tinted or clear.

The fourth main face (in particular the inner face of the cabin side) may comprise an opaque layer (for example a glaze on the second mineral glass sheet on the inside or an opaque layer printed in particular on the lamination insert) in a given area (called the screening area), in particular in the outer periphery. The light source may be accommodated in a through hole of the second glass sheet in said area, which is called the screening area. Preferably, the aperture does not extend over the laminate insert and the first sheet.

The second main face (in particular the outer face of the outer side) may comprise an opaque layer (for example a frit on the outer first mineral glass sheet or an opaque layer especially printed on the laminate insert) in a given region (known as the masking region), in particular the outer periphery.

In one configuration, the light source, in particular the LED, may be optically coupled to a side of the light guide, in particular the second glass sheet (forming the inner sheet). The side, corner or edge of the face of the second glass sheet may comprise a groove, wherein the light source is placed in the groove. The second glass sheet may be cut, for example (before or after the bump).

The light source, in particular the LEDs, may even be located within a peripheral polymer encapsulation, as described in application WO2010049638, in particular in fig. 15 or 16. The encapsulation can be made of polyurethane, in particular of PU-RIM (reaction in mold in english), in which the crosslinking of the two-component PU takes place once the two components have been injected simultaneously. The encapsulation (with or without light sources) extends along the sides of the laminated glazing and at least the edges of the inner major face (in particular face F4). The encapsulation may take any form, double sided, triple sided, with or without side edges.

The first glass sheet, in particular the mineral glass sheet, may be penetrated by a through-going hole bounded by the inner side face, and the light source is accommodated in the through-going hole facing the inner side face, in particular one or more electroluminescent diodes having an emitting face facing the inner side face. The first glass sheet forms a light guide. The first glass sheet, in particular the mineral glass sheet, may be penetrated by a plurality of through-holes each bounded by an inner side face, and a light source is accommodated in each through-hole of the inner facing side face, in particular one or more electroluminescent diodes having an emitting face of the inner facing side face. The first glass sheet forms a light guide.

The second glass sheet, in particular a mineral glass sheet, may be penetrated by a through-going hole bounded by the inner side face, and the light source is accommodated in the through-going hole facing the inner side face, in particular one or more electroluminescent diodes having an emitting face facing the inner side face. The second glass sheet forms a light guide. The second glass sheet, in particular a mineral glass sheet, may be penetrated by a plurality of through-holes each bounded by an inner side face, and a light source is accommodated in each through-hole facing the inner side face, in particular one or more electroluminescent diodes having an emission face opposite to the inner side face. The second glass sheet forms a light guide.

The transparent coating may form a scattering region and even a plurality of (transparent) scattering regions disposed over the entire surface of the laminated glazing located between the various apertures. It is present in a particularly advantageous manner in the form of a centrosymmetric pattern, the center of symmetry of which preferably overlaps to the center of symmetry of the assembly formed by the various through-holes, or also in the form of an axisymmetric pattern, the axis of symmetry preferably overlapping to the axis of symmetry of the assembly formed by the various through-holes.

This overlap of the centers of symmetry is not only aesthetically very pleasing, but also contributes to a uniform luminosity.

The electrical supply of the light sources (diodes) located in the through holes in the second (mineral) glass sheet can be undertaken by a current feed integrated in the laminated glazing (e.g. wires incorporated in the laminate insert) or the wires can also be applied on the fourth main face of the second sheet (inner sheet, cabin side) and can be protected by cladding as required.

The through-hole in the second (mineral) glass sheet, in which the light source (diode) is accommodated, may advantageously be closed by a cover plate, preferably a detachable cover plate, preferably integrated with the diode module, fixed on the inner side of the through-hole by means of a reversible fixing means or (in a configuration without double lamination) on the fourth main face.

In particular, for a rectangular or square glazing (more broadly with corners), the first light source (preferably, a diode) may be housed in a first hole on the periphery of a first longitudinal side (respectively lateral) of the second glass sheet, and the second light source (also preferably, a diode) may be housed in a second hole on the periphery of a second longitudinal side (respectively lateral) of the second glass sheet. It is also possible to have three holes or four holes near the four corners of the second glass sheet.

Preferably, the light source is a module of diodes located on the part of the glazing located inside the vehicle accessory, which for this purpose has the following basic functions: the diode module is prevented from affecting the eyes of the vehicle occupants and from protecting the module from dust and external attacks.

The light source (diode, etc.) may be spaced apart from the light guide (second glass sheet, etc.) or adhered on the (inner) side of the light guide.

In order to limit heating in the cabin or to limit the use of air conditioning, one of the glass sheets (preferably the outer glass) and/or the laminated insert is coloured. And/or the laminated glazing may further comprise a layer reflecting or absorbing solar radiation, preferably on the fourth face (F4) or on the second face F2 or the third face F3 (in particular with a transparent coating on the laminated insert on the F3 side), in particular a transparent conductive oxide layer (known as TCO layer) or even a stack of thin layers comprising at least one TCO layer, or a stack of thin layers comprising (preferably on F2 or F3) at least one silver layer, the or each silver layer being disposed between the dielectric layers.

A (silver) layer may be incorporated on face F2 and/or F3 and a TCO layer on face F4.

The TCO layer (of a transparent conductive oxide) is preferably a fluorine-doped tin oxide (SnO)_2:F) A layer or a composite Indium Tin Oxide (ITO) layer.

Other layers are possible, among which are thin layers based on complex indium zinc oxide (known as "IZO"), thin layers based on gallium-doped or aluminum-doped zinc oxide, thin layers based on niobium-doped titanium oxide, thin layers based on cadmium stannate or zinc stannate or thin layers based on antimony-doped tin oxide. In the case of aluminium-doped zinc oxide, the doping ratio (that is to say the weight of aluminium oxide versus the total weight) is preferably less than 3%. In the case of gallium, the doping rate may be higher, typically in the range from 5% to 6%.

In the case of ITO, the atomic percentage of Sn is preferably in the range from 5 to 70%, especially from 10 to 60%. For layers based on fluorine-doped tin oxide, the atomic percentage of fluorine is preferably at most 5%, typically from 1 to 2%.

"emissivity" means the normal emissivity at 283K under the meaning of the standard EN 12898. The thickness of the low emissivity layer (TCO, etc.) is adjusted according to the properties of the layer in order to obtain the desired emissivity, which depends on the thermal performance sought. The emissivity of the low emissivity layer is for example less than or equal to 0.3, in particular less than or equal to 0.25, or even less than or equal to 0.2. For layers made of ITO, the thickness will generally be at least 40nm, even at least 50nm, and even at least 70nm, and usually at most 150nm or at most 200 nm. For layers made of fluorine-doped tin oxide, the thickness will generally be at least 120nm, even at least 200nm, and usually at most 500 nm.

For example, the low emissivity layer comprises the following sequence: high index underlayer/low index underlayer/TCO layer/optional dielectric skin layer.

As a preferred example of a low emissivity layer (protected during quenching), a high index underlayer (< 40 nm)/low index underlayer (< 30 nm)/ITO layer/high index surface layer (5-15 nm))/low index barrier surface layer (< 90 nm)/final layer (< 10 nm) can be chosen.

As low emissivity layers, those described in patent US2015/0146286 on plane F4, especially in examples 1 to 3, can be cited.

In a preferred implementation of the top:

-the first glass sheet is coloured and/or the lamination insert is coloured over the whole part of its thickness;

and/or one of the faces F2 or F3 or F4 of the glazed top, preferably the face F4, is coated with a low emissivity layer, in particular a stack comprising a transparent conductive oxide layer (called TCO layer), in particular a thin layer with a TCO layer or a thin layer with one or more silver layers;

and/or one of the faces F2 or F3 or F4 of the top glazed-preferably the face F3-is coated with a solar control layer, in particular a stack comprising a transparent conductive oxide layer (called TCO layer), in particular a thin layer with a TCO layer or a thin layer with one or more silver layers;

and/or a coloured additional film (polymer, such as polyethylene terephthalate PET, etc.) between faces F2 and F3 or (adhered) on face F4, even on face F1.

In particular, face F4 is coated with a transparent functional layer, in particular of low emissivity, preferably comprising a TCO layer, one region of which (electrically supplied, hence electrodes) forms a touch button (for manipulating the first light emitting surface).

The transparent film (PET or the like) bearing the functional layer on the face F2 (or as a variant, face F3) side may form a capacitive touch switch, which may involve a protective film.

In summary, the glazing according to the invention may advantageously comprise a low emissivity layer or solar control layer, in particular on the fourth major face (which is preferably the inner face), in particular a coating comprising a metal oxide layer (such as ITO) or on a plastic film (PET or the like) between the first and second glass sheets or even on the second major face, in particular a coating comprising a silver layer.

The invention also relates to a motor vehicle incorporating a luminous glazing as previously defined.

When mounted in place in a motor vehicle, in the case of a laminated roof, the fourth face is preferably the interior face of the motor vehicle, typically referred to as face F4.

The top may be openable or fixed.

Other functions can be added to the luminescent glazing with laminated glazing, in particular the roof, such as for example electrically controllable devices:

-functions for the transition from clear to dull: an optical valve device (SPD, for "suspended particle device" in english), having a transparent scattering coating on a laminated insert at the third major face side and an active layer (between the two electrodes) between the two layers of the laminated insert (PVB);

-a colouring function: an electrochromic device.

When mounted in place in a motor vehicle, in the case of a laminated windshield, the fourth face is the face on the interior side of the motor vehicle, typically referred to as face F4 (and the transparent scattering coating is on the insert in optical contact with face F3 or face F2).

When mounted in place in a motor vehicle (which is an automobile), in the case of a laminated window, the first face is the face of the exterior side of the automobile, typically referred to as face F1, and the transparent scattering coating is on the insert in optical contact with face F3 or face F2.

When mounted in place in an automotive vehicle (which is an automobile), in the case of a side glass piece, the first face is the face of the exterior side of the automobile, typically referred to as face F1, and the transparent scattering coating is on the insert in optical contact with face F3 or face F2.

The luminescent glass element may be selected from among:

-a top part with an innermost second glass sheet preferably forming the light guide and a transparent coating on the laminated insert at the third main face side, the first glass sheet being outermost, preferably coloured, and/or the laminated insert preferably being coloured;

-a windshield having an innermost second glass sheet, a clear coating on the laminate insert, the first glass sheet being outermost;

-either a side glazing or a rear door glazing or a rear window, having an innermost second glass sheet, a transparent coating on the laminated insert, the first glass sheet being the outermost.

The first glass sheet (and the second glass sheet) may preferably be convex (by a convex method known to those skilled in the art). This concerns monolithic glass, that is to say consisting of a single mineral glass sheet which can be produced by the "float" process, allowing perfectly flat and smooth sheets to be obtained, or which is produced by a drawing or rolling process.

By way of example of glass materials, float glass (or float glass) having a typical soda-lime composition, hardened or quenched by thermal or chemical means as required, aluminosilicate or sodium borosilicate or any other composition may be cited.

The first glass sheet (and the second glass sheet) is preferably convex or convex. It may be a parallelepiped, with a sheet or a main face of rectangular, square or even any other shape (circular, oval, polygonal). It may be of various sizes and in particular larger, for example of more than 0.5m²Or 1m²Of (2) is provided.

Mineral glasses have many advantages, in particular good heat resistance (which can therefore be close to radiation sources such as diodes, even if they constitute hot spots; which also meet the requirements of fire safety standards) and good mechanical resistance (which therefore has cleaning convenience and is scratch-resistant).

The glass sheet forming the light guide (e.g. the second glass sheet or even the first glass sheet) may be used (depending on the aesthetic fidelity, the desired optical effect, the use of the glazing)Etc.) is clear glass (greater than or equal to 90% light transmission T for a thickness of 4mm_L) For example Glass of standard soda-lime composition, such as Planilux from the company Saint-Gobain Glass, or ultraclean Glass (greater than or equal to 91.5% T for a thickness of 4 mm)_L) E.g. Fe III or Fe with less than 0.05%₂O₃Such as Diamant glass from Saint Goban glass or Optiwhite glass from Pilkington or B270 glass from Schottky (Schott), or another component described in WO 04/025334.

The glass of the first glass sheet may be neutral (non-tinted) or (lightly) tinted or tinted (verus or TSA glass from saint goban glass, etc.); have been subjected to chemical or thermal treatments of the hardening, annealing or quenching (in particular for better mechanical resistance) or embossing type and are generally obtained by the float process.

The light transmission was carried out using illuminant D65 according to standard ISO 9050: 2003 (which also mentions light transmission) and is total transmission (in particular integrated in the visible domain and weighted by the sensitivity curve of the human eye), while taking into account the direct transmission and, if necessary, the diffuse transmission, the measurement being carried out, for example, by means of a spectrophotometer equipped with an integrating sphere, the measurement for a given thickness then being carried out, if necessary, according to the standard ISO 9050: 2003 to a reference thickness of 4 mm.

The luminescent glass piece may have a non-zero light transmission TL in all or part of the clear zone of glass (typically surrounded by a frit or another obscuring layer), and better at least 40% or at least 50% or 70% of the clear zone of glass. For the (typically colored) top part a non-zero light transmission TL is preferred, and even at least 0.5% or at least 2% and at most 10% and even at most 8%. For the rear-side glazing (including side windows) or rear window, a non-zero light transmission TL is preferred, and even at least 10% or at least 20%, and in particular at most 80% or at most 70% (especially rear-side glazing or tinted window). For the front-side glazing (especially tinted), a non-zero light transmission TL is preferred, and even at least 50% or at least 70%. For windshields, a non-zero light transmission TL is preferred, and even at least 70%. These TL values can be in the region with the transparent scattering coating and/or adjacent to the transparent scattering coating (and in the clear region of the glass).

The second glass sheet is preferably convex and even (semi-) hot quenched. The first glass sheet may have been heat treated at a temperature of greater than or equal to 450 ℃, preferably greater than or equal to 600 ℃, in particular even quenched convex glass.

The (preferably external) first glass sheet may preferably be tinted and advantageously has a total light transmission of from 1.0% to 60.0%, in particular from 10.0% to 50.0% and especially from 20.0% to 40.0%. It may also have an optical transmission (determined in a known manner by taking the ratio of transmitted intensity to incident intensity at a given wavelength) of at least 0.5% for at least one wavelength lying in the visible domain above 420nm (and up to 780 nm) and preferably at least 0.5% for all wavelengths lying in the domain from 420nm to 780 nm.

Each side of the optical coupling may be profiled, in particular straight and polished.

One or more (same or different) light sources may be used, for example electrical and/or constituted by one or more electroluminescent devices (LEDs, etc.). The one or more light sources may be monochromatic (emitting in blue, green, red, etc.) or polychromatic or may be adapted or combined for generating e.g. white light, etc.; they may be continuous or intermittent, etc.

Advantageously (especially for size, environmental, heat generation, etc.) a quasi-point light source (e.g. a diode) is used, which is simple, economical and well-behaved.

The diode may be, for example, a simple semiconductor chip (without a package or collimating lens) with dimensions of one hundred μm or on the order of one or several mm (e.g., 1mm wide, 2.8mm long, and 1.5mm high). They may also comprise a temporary or non-temporary protective casing for protecting the chip during operation or for improving compatibility between the chip material and other materials and/or may be encapsulated (for example a small volume type "SMD" (surface mounted device) package, with a casing made for example of epoxy type resin or nylon or PMMA encapsulating the chip and having various functions: protection against oxidation and moisture, scattering action, focusing or collimation, wavelength conversion, etc.).

The total number of diodes is defined in terms of the size and position of the area to be illuminated, the desired light intensity and the required light homogeneity.

The power per diode is typically less than 1W, in particular less than 0.5W.

The diodes may be (pre-) assembled on one or more PCB supports (PCB for "Printed Circuit Board" in english) or supports with electrical supply tracks, which can be fixed to other supports (profiles, etc.). Each PCB support may extend along an edge of the glass piece and may be secured by a pinch, slip fit, clamp, screw, adhesive, double sided adhesive tape, or the like. The PCB support is generally thin, in particular having a thickness of less than or equal to 3mm, even 1mm, even 0.1 mm, or, if desired, less than the thickness of the laminate insert. Multiple PCB supports may be prepared, especially if the areas to be illuminated are relatively far apart. The PCB support may be made of a flexible material, a dielectric material or a conductive material (metal, such as aluminum, etc.), may be a composite material, a plastic material, etc. The diode may be soldered to traces that are electrically insulated from the mount and/or to a heat dissipating surface ("heat pad") on the plastic mount, or electrically and thermally insulating materials and thermally conductive materials (adhesives, tapes, double-sided adhesive tapes, thermal conductors, thermally conductive greases, etc.) may be affixed or inserted for better dissipation and light efficiency and for diode durability.

The diode may comprise even a simple semiconductor chip, preferably having a width W0, for example, of the order of one hundred μm or 1 to 5 mm. The width of each diode of the light source is preferably smaller than the thickness of the first glass sheet.

The diode may include a (temporary or non-temporary) protective housing as needed for protecting the chip during operation or for improving compatibility between the chip material and other materials.

Each diode of the light source may in particular be chosen from at least one of the following electroluminescent diodes:

edge-emitting diodes, i.e. parallel to the electrical contacts (faces), having an emitting face in a transverse direction with respect to the PCB support,

diodes whose main emission direction is perpendicular or inclined with respect to the chip emission face.

The diode preferably has a gaussian (type) spectrum.

The emission pattern of a typical lambertian diode with a half-emission angle of 60 °.

Preferably, the distance between the light source, in particular the chip (or the collimating component, if present), and the (internal) optical coupling side is less than or equal to 5mm and even less than or equal to 2 mm.

In an advantageous embodiment, one or more sensors connected to the environment and/or to the glass element can be associated with the light source and/or the supply system of said glass element. For example, photometric detectors (photodiodes, etc.), temperature sensors (external or integrated on the glass or light sources) can be used, the sensors used controlling, for example, the supply to the light sources via a computer or central unit. It is possible to define a measurement value of the sensor (for example a maximum luminosity) above which the glass stops performing one of its functions (in particular light extraction or activation of the light source). For higher values, for example, the supply of the glazing is blocked, and for lower values, the glazing or one of its functions (for example its photometric level) can be controlled via information received from one or more sensors. The function of the glass element can also be "forced" by the user by deactivating the sensor.

The sensor may be internal or external (e.g. of the vehicle). Managing the glazing according to the external environment allows, for example, to improve the durability of the light source and other components (polymers, electronic components, etc.), limiting their operation in high light and/or high temperature conditions, in particular allowing to significantly reduce (at least between 10 and 20 ℃) the maximum temperature to which the light source may be exposed during the use of the product, while maintaining the functionality of the luminescent glazing. This coupling also allows to automatically adapt the illumination intensity of the glass piece to external photometric conditions without user intervention.

For a vehicle glazing, the supply of one or more light sources may be controlled, for example, by a central computer of the vehicle, which authorizes or does not authorize its activation, depending on information received, for example, from light sensors placed in the upper part of the windscreen or on the glazing, such as the illuminated roof. At high light levels (daytime), the light level exceeds a maximum value, which does not cause the light source to turn on; in low light conditions (night), the maximum value is not reached, whereupon activation of the light source is performed. The turning on of the source may also be controlled by a temperature sensor (on the glass or light source etc.).

Drawings

The invention will be better understood and other details and advantageous features of the invention will be apparent on reading the example of a luminescent glazing for vehicles according to the invention illustrated by figure 1, figure 1 representing a schematic cross-sectional view of a luminescent glazing for motor vehicles in a first embodiment of the invention;

it will be appreciated that for clarity, various elements of the objects shown are not necessarily drawn to scale.

Fig. 1 shows a schematic cross-sectional and partial view of a luminescent glazing for a motor vehicle in a first embodiment of the invention.

Detailed Description

The lighting glazing shown in fig. 1 is a laminated glazing comprising a mineral glass sheet 1 made of clear or ultraclear glass, having: a main face 11, oriented towards the interior of the vehicle, referred to as face F4 or the fourth face; a main face 12, oriented towards the outside of the vehicle, called face F3 or a third face; and a peripheral side surface (not shown). This inner glass sheet 1 is adhered to a further coloured outer mineral glass sheet 2 via a lamination insert 5 (such as in particular coloured PVB), the outer mineral glass sheet 2 having a main face 21 referred to as face F2 or second face, a main face 22 referred to as face F1 or first face and a peripheral side face (not represented).

The through-holes 4 penetrate through the second sheet 1, creating an inner side 14 in the sheet. The through-holes in the second sheet are masked by an opaque layer 17 (e.g., a frit (e.g., dark black)) on face F2. The holes 4 are preferably in the peripheral region.

In the through-hole 4 a diode or LED 3 is accommodated, with its emitting surface 31 facing the inner side 14 forming the light coupling side. The diodes on their supports 15 are on a detachable opaque cover 9, the cover 9 being fixed to the fourth face F4 by means of an adhesive 16 or via a clamp.

The inner sheet forms the light guide. A light extraction feature 7 in the form of a transparent scattering layer is screen printed onto the face of the laminate insert oriented towards the third face F3. It relates here to transparent resins (in particular PVB resins) which are compatible with PVB-based inserts and comprise scattering particles and, as required, agents and/or plasticizers which modify the surface tension and/or rheology.

The layer 17 is also preferably prepared for preventing light from being emitted from the LED 3 directly towards the outside of the vehicle. For this reason, it may extend sufficiently beyond the through-hole 4.

Although not shown in the figure, the through hole 4, the LED module 3, the opaque cover 9 and the light extraction member 7 have circular central symmetry.

The inner glass sheet is made of ultra-clear soda-lime-silica glass (e.g. Diamond glass commercialized by saint gobain glass) with a thickness equal to, for example, 2.1 mm.

The laminate insert 2 is clear or tinted PVB having a thickness of 0.76mm, preferably having a haze of at most 1.5%.

The outer glass sheet, having the same dimensions as the inner glass sheet, has a tinted component for solar control function (VENUS VG10 or TSA 4+ glass commercialized by saint gobain glass corporation) (for example with a thickness equal to, for example, 2.1 mm) and/or is covered with a solar control coating (or tinted plastic film).

The diode is edge-emitting in this case. Each of the electroluminescent diodes comprises an emitting chip capable of emitting one or more radiations in the visible domain guided in the inner glass sheet. The diodes are of small size, typically of the order of a few mm or less, especially 2 x 2 x 1mm, without optics (lenses) and preferably not pre-packaged to minimize bulk.

The main emission direction is perpendicular to the face of the semiconductor chip, for example with a multiple quantum well active layer, using AlInGaP or other semiconductor technology. The cone of light is a Lambertian cone of +/-60.

The glazing may have a plurality of light zones, one or more light zones occupying less than 50% of the surface of at least one face, as required, in particular having a given geometric shape (rectangular, square, circular, etc.).

The scattering area is a solid, continuous layer or a 2D (row etc.) or 3D patterned grid.

The haze of the laminated glass piece with the transparent scattering coating was at most 15%.

The laminated glazing with a transparent scattering coating has a distinctness of image of at least 95%.

Luminance greater than 50cd/m²。

Diodes emitting white or colored light may be selected for ambient lighting, reading, etc. Red light may be selected for signaling, alternating with green light as desired.

The luminescent glass piece of fig. 1 may form a fixed panoramic luminescent roof, for example for a motor vehicle, such as a car, which is mounted on the car body from the outside via an adhesive.

When the diode is lit, extraction can be performed to form a light emitting pattern, such as a logo or brand.

Such a luminescent laminated glass piece may alternatively form a windshield. The transparent scattering coating forms, for example, an anti-collision signal for the driver along the lower longitudinal edge. For example, when the vehicle in front is too close, the (red) light is turned on.

Such a luminescent laminated glazing of figure 1 may alternatively form a front side window. The transparent scattering coating forms, for example, a turn indicator light repeater. A turn signal light repeater may also be formed on the rear side window.

The transparent scattering coating may also form an ambient light for any occupant on the picture (connectivity, etc.), any glass piece of the vehicle.

Claims

1. A luminescent glazing for a motor vehicle, comprising:

-a laminated glazing, preferably convex, comprising:

-a first glass sheet (2) made of mineral or organic glass, having a first main face (22) and a second main face (21), in particular the first face being oriented towards the outside and even the exterior face of the vehicle;

-a lamination insert (5) made of a polymeric material, preferably a thermoplastic polymeric material;

-a second glass sheet (1) made of mineral or organic glass, having a third main face (12) and a fourth main face (11), in particular a fourth face, oriented towards the interior and even the inner face of the vehicle,

the second major face and the third major face are on the laminate insert side,

at least one of the first sheet and the second sheet is made of mineral glass,

-a light source (3) optically coupled to a light guide, the light guide being one of the first and second glass sheets or the laminated insert,

-a light extraction member for the guided light, the light extraction member comprising a scattering layer (7) comprising scattering elements in a matrix, defining at least one first scattering area, in particular a solid first scattering area, having a width of at least 0.5mm and/or comprising a set of interrupted patterns,

characterized in that the scattering layer is between the first glass sheet and the second glass sheet, the scattering layer is a transparent coating, and the matrix is organic and transparent.

2. Luminescent glazing for motor vehicles according to claim 1, characterized in that the transparent coating (7) is directly on the main face of the laminated insert (5) or on an underlying layer of primer, in particular silane, the primer preferably having a thickness of at most 1 μm or even at most 200nm, in particular the transparent coating being in optical contact with the third main face, and in that the light guide is a second sheet, in particular an inner sheet, or the laminated insert.

3. Luminescent glazing for motor vehicles according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the transparent coating is in optical contact with the third main face and the light guide is a second sheet or a laminated insert, in particular an inner sheet.

4. Luminescent glazing for motor vehicles according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the organic matrix comprises a resin.

5. Luminescent glazing for motor vehicles according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the transparent coating (7) consists essentially of resin and scattering elements.

6. Luminescent glazing for motor vehicles according to one of the preceding claims characterized in that the scattering element comprises particles dispersed and connected by a matrix, the particles having a size of at most 30 μm or at most 10 μm.

7. Luminescent glazing for motor vehicles according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises at least one further transparent and scattering coating comprising scattering elements in an organic matrix, adjacent to said transparent coating, in particular on the lamination insert, in particular oriented towards the third main face.

8. Luminescent glazing for motor vehicles according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the laminate insert is PVB, in particular clear or coloured, acoustic as required, sub-cm thick, preferably single or composite PVB such as PVB/plastic film/PVB.

9. Luminescent glass element for motor vehicles according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the light source is a set of electroluminescent diodes or comprises an extraction fiber coupled to a primary light source.

10. The luminescent glazing for motor vehicles as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the light guide is a second glass sheet, in particular the fourth side is the interior side of the cabin side, in particular is optically coupled to a light source, preferably a set of electroluminescent diodes, through a side or preferably through-going hole in the light guide, in particular made of clear or ultra-clear mineral glass.

11. Luminescent glazing for motor vehicles according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fourth main face comprises an opaque layer in a given area, called the screening area, the light source being housed in a through hole of the second glass sheet in said area, called the screening area.

12. Luminescent glazing for motor vehicles according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second main face comprises an opaque layer (17) that masks the light source, preferably a set of electroluminescent diodes, in particular housed in a through hole of the second glass sheet.

13. Luminescent glazing for motor vehicles according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a second glass sheet, in particular a mineral glass sheet, is penetrated by a through-hole (4) delimited by an inner side face (14) and the light source is accommodated in the through-hole (4) facing the inner side face, the second glass sheet forming the light guide.

14. Luminescent glazing for motor vehicles according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a low emissivity or solar control layer, in particular on the fourth main face, in particular a coating comprising a metal oxide layer such as ITO, or on a plastic film between the first and second glass sheets, or also on the second main face, in particular a coating comprising a silver layer.

15. Luminescent glazing for motor vehicles according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is chosen from among:

-a windshield having an innermost second glass sheet, a clear coating on the laminate insert, the first glass sheet being the outermost;

16. Motor vehicle comprising a luminous glazing, in particular a motor vehicle roof, as claimed in one of the preceding claims.