CN114981078A

CN114981078A - Glazing with light source

Info

Publication number: CN114981078A
Application number: CN202180005028.2A
Authority: CN
Inventors: J·多罗萨里奥
Original assignee: Saint Gobain Glass France SAS
Current assignee: Saint Gobain Glass France SAS
Priority date: 2020-12-21
Filing date: 2021-12-16
Publication date: 2022-08-30
Also published as: WO2022136107A1; DE202021004291U1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a glazing (100) comprising: -at least one glass pane (103-2), in particular a vitreous glass pane, -at least one light source (101) arranged on the glass pane (103-2) for coupling in light into the glass pane (103-2), wherein the glass pane (103-2) has at least one light coupling-out region (105) for coupling out light that is totally reflected in the glass pane (103-2) from the glass pane (103-2), wherein the glass pane has at least one metal-based functional layer (107-1, 107-2, 107-3) and/or at least one electro-optical functional element (111) for electrically switching optical properties.

Description

Glazing with light source

The invention relates to a glazing having at least one glass pane and a light source for coupling light into the glass pane, and to a method for producing the glazing. Furthermore, the invention relates to the use of a glazing according to the invention.

Glazing in buildings and vehicles is increasingly equipped with large-area electrically conductive layers that are transparent to visible light and must fulfill specific functions. These layers are usually metal-based, i.e. have at least one layer made of a metallic material, and are usually referred to as functional layers.

For example, glazing is subject to high demands with regard to its insulating properties for reasons of energy saving and comfort. It is therefore desirable to avoid high heat input by solar radiation, which can lead to excessive heating of the interior space, which in turn leads to high energy costs for the necessary air conditioning.

The use of heat radiation reflecting layers (low-emissivity layers) is also known. The low-emissivity layer reflects a significant portion of the incident solar radiation, especially in the infrared range, which results in a reduced temperature rise in the interior space during the summer months. The low-emissivity layer also reduces the emission of long-wave thermal radiation of the heated glass sheet into the interior space when the low-emissivity layer is applied to a surface of the glass sheet facing the interior space. In winter, when the outside temperature is low, heat of the inner space is prevented from being radiated to the outside environment. Low-emissivity layers based on, for example, niobium, tantalum, nickel, chromium, zirconium or alloys thereof are well known to the person skilled in the art, for example from US 7592068B 2, US 7923131B 2 and WO2004076174 a 1.

Another application of the metal-based functional layer is to keep the view of the vehicle glazing free of ice and haze layers. Electrical heating layers are known which bring about targeted heating of a vehicle glass pane by applying a voltage (see for example WO 2010/043598 a 1).

In another application, the metal-based functional layer is used as a planar antenna in a motor vehicle. For this purpose, the metal-based functional layer is galvanically or capacitively coupled to the coupling electrode and provides the antenna signal in the edge region of the glass pane. The antenna signal coupled out of the planar antenna is fed to an antenna amplifier connected to the metal body in the motor vehicle, whereby a reference potential effective for high-frequency technology is predetermined for the antenna signal. Such planar antennas are known, for example, from DE 10106125 a1, DE 10319606 a1, EP 0720249 a2, US 2003/0112190 a1 and DE 19843338C 2.

The use of electro-optical functional elements is also known. They are planar structures with electrically adjustable optical properties of the active layer. This means that the optical properties of the active layer, in particular its transparency, scattering behavior or luminosity, can be controlled by means of a voltage. Examples of electro-optical functional elements are SPD functional elements (SPD ═ suspended particle devices), which are known, for example, from EP 0876608B 1 and WO 2011033313 a1, and PDLC functional elements (PDLC ═ polymer dispersed liquid crystals), which are known, for example, from DE 102008026339 a 1.

Electro-optical functional elements, such as SPDs or PDLC functional elements are commercially available as multilayer films, wherein an active layer is arranged between two planar electrodes for applying a voltage to control the active layer. Typically, the two planar electrodes are arranged between two carrier films, typically made of PET. Commercially available multilayer films are furthermore covered on both sides with protective films made of polypropylene or polyethylene, which serve to protect the carrier film from contamination or scratches. In particular, in the manufacture of composite glass sheets, an electro-optical functional element is cut from a multilayer film to a desired size and shape and inserted between films of an interlayer through which two vitreous glass sheets are laminated together to form a composite glass sheet. Typical applications are windshields with electrically adjustable sun visors, which are known, for example, from DE 102013001334 a1, DE 102005049081B 3, DE 102005007427 a1 and DE 102007027296 a 1.

Devices for coupling light into a glass pane are known, for example, from WO 2015/101744 a1, WO 2015/118279 a1, WO 2016/102799 a1, WO 2016/102800 a1, WO 2019/105855 a1 or CN 109606251 a.

On the contrary, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved glazing with a metal-based functional layer and/or an electro-optical functional element, wherein the visibility of the light coupled out on the inner side of the glazing should preferably be improved. In industrial mass production, the glazing should be easy and cost-effective to manufacture. Furthermore, the method for producing the glazing should be easily and cost-effectively applicable to conventional methods for producing glass sheets.

According to the proposal of the invention, these and other objects are achieved by a glazing and its manufacture according to the accompanying claims. Advantageous embodiments of the invention emerge from the dependent claims.

In accordance with the present invention, a glazing is shown. The glazing comprises at least one glass sheet, preferably a vitreous glass sheet. The glazing also has at least one light source arranged on the glass pane for coupling in light into the glass pane, wherein the glass pane has at least one light coupling-out region for coupling out light that is totally reflected in the glass pane from the glass pane. Furthermore, the glazing and preferably the glass pane have at least one metal-based functional layer and/or at least one electro-optical functional element for electrically switching the optical properties of the glass pane.

The metal-based functional layer is advantageously arranged directly on the glass pane or is joined to the glass pane by means of one or more carrier layers and/or adhesive layers, preferably of a polymer. The electro-optical functional element is advantageously joined to the glass plate directly or via one or more carrier layers and/or adhesive layers, preferably of a polymer. The adhesive layer may also comprise or consist of an optically clear adhesive (so-called OCA, optically clear adhesive).

The contrast of the outcoupled light can advantageously be improved by the at least one metal-based functional layer and/or the at least one electro-optical functional element, which electrically switches the optical properties of the glazing and preferably of the glass pane, in order thereby in particular to increase the visual recognizability of the information conveyed by the outcoupled light.

Light from the at least one light source is coupled into the glass plate, wherein the light source is arranged for this purpose in a suitable manner with respect to the glass plate. Preferably, the at least one light source is arranged at a side of the glass plate, i.e. at an edge thereof, which enables a good coupling-in of light into the glass plate. It is also preferred to arrange the at least one light source in a recess or indentation in the glass pane, which also enables a good coupling of light into the glass pane. The light coupled into the glass pane is totally reflected in the glass pane until it is coupled out of the glass pane at the at least one light coupling-out region.

The at least one light outcoupling region is configured and adapted to outcouple light that is totally reflected in the glass plate. For this purpose, the light outcoupling region preferably has a higher roughness than a region of the glass plate which is not used for outcoupling light that is totally reflected in the glass plate.

According to a preferred embodiment of the glazing according to the invention, the at least one light out-coupling area has an opaque paste printed and fired onto the surface of the glass pane. The paste is at least translucent or transparent to light totally reflected in the glass plate. The printed and fired paste increases the roughness of the glass plate so that light totally reflected in the glass plate can be efficiently coupled out.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the glazing according to the invention, the at least one light outcoupling region is configured by mechanically roughening the glass sheet surface itself, for example by means of a laser. This measure also makes it possible to efficiently couple out light that is totally reflected in the glass pane.

The light can be coupled out on one or both sides of the glass plate. Advantageously, the light is coupled out on the side of the glass pane facing the interior in the installed position.

According to a preferred embodiment of the glazing according to the invention, the at least one electro-optical functional element for electrically switching optical properties is a Polymer Dispersed Liquid Crystal (PDLC) or Suspended Particle Device (SPD) functional element, which is provided in particular in the form of a film. As already explained at the outset, such electro-optical functional elements are well known to the person skilled in the art and therefore need not be discussed here in greater detail. In practice it has been found that electro-optical functional elements for electrically switching the optical properties give the glass plate a "milky" appearance, however the contrast with respect to the light coupled out from the glass plate is advantageously improved thereby, so that the information conducted by the coupled-out light becomes better recognizable.

Another example of an electro-optical functional element is a PNLC functional element (PNLC = polymer network liquid crystal). The active layer here contains liquid crystals embedded in a polymer network, wherein the operating principle is otherwise similar to that of a PDLC functional element. Further examples are electrochromic functional elements or functional elements with liquid crystal dye cells (so-called guest-host cells).

SPD, PDLC and PNLC functional elements, electrochromic functional elements and functional elements with liquid crystal dye cells are commercially available as functional elements.

The at least one metal-based functional layer can in principle be constructed in any manner. According to a preferred embodiment of the glazing according to the invention, the at least one metal-based functional layer is configured to reflect thermal radiation at room temperature, in particular infrared radiation having a longer wavelength than the infrared part of the solar radiation (so-called low-emissivity coating (low-emissivity coating)) and/or to reflect or absorb incident infrared light, in particular the infrared part of the solar radiation. This is advantageously a conductive coating transparent to visible light.

The metal-based functional layer may consist of a single layer or a sublayer made of the same material, wherein it may also consist of a plurality of single layers or sublayers made of at least two different materials. The functional layer may thus consist of a single layer or of sublayers made of the same material. Alternatively, the functional layer may consist of a plurality of monolayers or sublayers made of at least two different materials. As explained at the outset, it is common practice to construct the metal-based functional layer in the form of a layer system made of individual layers differing from one another.

The metal-based functional layer is preferably applied to a large area of the glass plate. The metal-based functional layer is arranged on the surface of the glass pane and covers or masks the surface of the glass pane completely or partially, but preferably over a large area. The term "large area" means that at least 50%, at least 60%, at least 70%, at least 75% or preferably at least 90% of the surface of the glass sheet is covered by said metal-based functional layer. However, the metal-based functional layer may also extend over a smaller portion of the surface of the glass plate.

The metal-based functional layer is a single layer or a layer structure made of a plurality of single layers, the total thickness of which is, for example, less than or equal to 2 μm, preferably less than or equal to 1 μm. The metal-based functional layer advantageously has a thickness of 80 nm to 1000 nm, in particular 80 nm to 600 nm, preferably 140 nm to 400 nm.

In the context of the present invention, "transparent" means that the total transmission of the glass pane and in particular of the glazing complies with the legal provisions of the windscreen pane and of the front side glass pane and preferably has a transmission for visible light of more than 70%, in particular more than 75%. "transparent" for the rear side glass plate and the rear glass plate may also mean a light transmittance of 10% to 70%. Accordingly, "opaque" means a light transmission of less than 15%, preferably less than 5%, in particular 0%.

For example, the transparent conductive functional layer comprises at least one metal, such as silver, nickel, chromium, niobium, tin, titanium, copper, palladium, zinc, gold, cadmium, aluminum, silicon, tungsten or alloys thereof, and/or at least one metal oxide layer, preferably tin-doped indium oxide (ITO), aluminum-doped zinc oxide (AZO), fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO, SnO2: F) or antimony-doped tin oxide (ATO, SnO2: Sb). Such functional layers are known, for example, from DE 202008017611U 1 and EP 0847965B 1. They consist, for example, of a metal layer, for example a silver layer or a silver-containing metal alloy layer. Typical silver layers preferably have a thickness of 5 nm to 15 nm, more preferably 8 nm to 12 nm. The metal layer may be embedded between at least two layers made of dielectric material of the metal oxide type. The metal oxide preferably comprises zinc oxide, tin oxide, indium oxide, titanium oxide, silicon oxide, aluminum oxide, the like, and combinations of one or more thereof. The dielectric material may also comprise silicon nitride, silicon carbide, aluminum nitride, and combinations of one or more thereof.

The transparent electrically conductive functional layer has, for example, an area resistance of 0.1 ohm/square to 200 ohm/square, particularly preferably 1 ohm/square to 50 ohm/square, very particularly preferably 1 ohm/square to 10 ohm/square.

For example, the transparent conductive functional layer functions as an antenna layer (planar antenna).

The metal-based functional layer is preferably a functional layer having a sunscreen effect. Such a layer with a sun protection effect has reflection properties in the infrared range and thus in the solar radiation range, whereby the heating of the interior of a building or a motor vehicle due to solar radiation is advantageously reduced. The TTS value of the composite glass pane of the vehicle provided with the coating is preferably less than 50%, particularly preferably less than 45%, very particularly preferably less than 40%. The TTS value represents the total transmitted solar energy measured according to ISO 13837-which is a measure of thermal comfort. The coating may also be used as a heating coating if the coating is electrically contacted such that current flows through it and the current heats the coating. Functional layers having a sunscreen effect are well known to the person skilled in the art and generally comprise at least one metal, in particular silver or a silver-containing alloy. The layer having a sunscreen effect may comprise a sequence of a plurality of monolayers, in particular at least one metal layer and a dielectric layer, for example comprising at least one metal oxide. The metal oxide preferably comprises zinc oxide, tin oxide, indium oxide, titanium oxide, silicon oxide, aluminum oxide, the like, and combinations of one or more thereof. The dielectric material comprises, for example, silicon nitride, silicon carbide, or aluminum nitride. Layers having a sunscreen effect are known, for example, from DE 102009006062 a1, WO 2007/101964 a1, EP 0912455B 1, DE 19927683C 1, EP 1218307B 1 and EP 1917222B 1.

The thickness of the functional layer having a sunscreen effect can vary widely and is adapted to the requirements of the respective case, with layer thicknesses of from 10 nm to 5 μm, in particular from 30 nm to 1 μm, being preferred. The surface resistance of the functional layer having a sunscreen effect is preferably from 0.35 to 200 ohm/square, preferably from 0.5 to 200 ohm/square, very particularly preferably from 0.6 to 30 ohm/square, in particular from 2 to 20 ohm/square. Metal-based functional layers having a sunscreen effect have, for example, good infrared reflection properties and/or a particularly low emissivity (low radiation).

The metal-based functional layer can also be, for example, an electrically heatable layer, by means of which the glass plate is equipped with a heating function. Such heatable layers are known per se to the person skilled in the art. They typically comprise one or more, for example two, three or four, electrically conductive layers. These layers comprise or preferably consist of at least one metal, for example silver, gold, copper, nickel and/or chromium or a metal alloy, and preferably comprise at least 90% by weight of the metal, in particular at least 99.9% by weight of the metal. Such a layer has a particularly advantageous electrical conductivity and at the same time a high transmission in the visible spectral range. The thickness of the monolayer is preferably from 5 nm to 50 nm, particularly preferably from 8 nm to 25 nm. By means of this thickness, a high transmission, which is advantageous in the visible spectral range, and a particularly advantageous electrical conductivity are achieved.

The metal-based functional layer is deposited by methods known per se, for example by magnetic field-assisted cathode sputtering, which is particularly advantageous for easy, rapid, cost-effective and uniform coating of glass panes. The cathode sputtering is performed in a protective gas atmosphere made of, for example, argon gas or in a reactive gas atmosphere caused by, for example, addition of oxygen, hydrocarbon (e.g., methane), or nitrogen gas. However, the metal-based functional layer can also be applied by other methods known to the person skilled in the art, for example by evaporation or chemical vapor deposition (chemical vapor deposition, CVD), by atomic layer deposition (atomic layer deposition, ALD), by plasma-assisted vapor deposition (PECVD) or by wet-chemical methods.

In an advantageous embodiment of the method according to the invention, the at least one glass plate comprises or consists of non-prestressed, partially prestressed or prestressed glass, preferably flat glass, float glass, quartz glass, borosilicate glass, soda-lime glass. Alternatively, the glass plate comprises or consists of a clear plastic, preferably a rigid clear plastic, in particular polyethylene, polypropylene, polycarbonate, polymethyl methacrylate, polystyrene, polyamide, polyester, polyvinyl chloride and/or mixtures thereof. Suitable glasses are known, for example, from EP 0847965B 1.

The thickness of the at least one glass plate can vary widely and can be adapted to the requirements of the respective case. For example, glass plates with a standard thickness of 1.0 mm to 25 mm are used. For example, the thickness is 0.5 mm to 15 mm, particularly 1 mm to 5 mm. The size of the glass sheet can vary widely and depends on the application.

The at least one glass sheet may have any three-dimensional shape. Preferably, the glass sheet is planar or slightly or severely curved in one or more directions in space.

During the bending process, the glass sheet is bent in one or more directions in space in a heated state. The temperature at which the glass sheet is heated is preferably 500 to 700 ℃. It will be appreciated that the glass sheet may be subjected to further temperature treatment steps at a time before or after the bending process.

The glass plate may be colorless or colored.

The glazing according to the invention is preferably used to isolate an interior space from the outside environment. The glazing comprises at least one glass sheet. The glazing can in principle be of any desired design, in particular as an insulating glazing, in which at least two glass panes are arranged at a distance from one another by means of at least one spacer, or as a thermally prestressed single-layer safety glass or as a composite glass pane.

The glazing is preferably designed as a composite glass pane and comprises a first glass pane having an outer side and an inner side and a second glass pane having an inner side and an outer side, which are firmly joined to one another by at least one thermoplastic intermediate layer (adhesive layer). The first glass plate may also be referred to as an outer glass plate or an inner glass plate, and the second glass plate is correspondingly referred to as an inner glass plate or an outer glass plate. The surfaces or sides of two single glass sheets from the outside to the inside are generally referred to as the I side, the II side, the III side, and the IV side. The two inner sides of the glass sheets are firmly joined to each other by the at least one thermoplastic adhesive layer.

The thermoplastic interlayer comprises or consists of at least one thermoplastic, preferably polyvinyl butyral (PVB), Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (EVA) and/or polyethylene terephthalate (PET). However, the thermoplastic interlayer may also comprise, for example, Polyurethane (PU), polypropylene (PP), polyacrylate, Polyethylene (PE), Polycarbonate (PC), polymethyl methacrylate, polyvinyl chloride, polyacetate resins, casting resins, acrylates, fluorinated ethylene propylene, polyvinyl fluoride and/or ethylene tetrafluoroethylene or copolymers or mixtures thereof. The thermoplastic intermediate layer may be formed from one or more thermoplastic films on top of each other, wherein the thickness of the thermoplastic films is for example 0.25 mm to 1 mm.

The at least one light outcoupling region for outcoupling light totally reflected in the glass plate from the glass plate is formed on the outer side of the first glass plate and/or on the outer side of the second glass plate. The at least one light out-coupling region is preferably formed on the outer side (e.g. the second glass plate) of the glass plate facing the interior space, i.e. the inner glass plate.

The at least one electro-optical functional element is advantageously arranged between the first glass plate and the second glass plate, so that it is well protected from external influences. It is also advantageous for the at least one metal-based functional layer, which is configured for reflecting or absorbing incident infrared light, to be arranged between the first glass plate and the second glass plate, which also results in a good protection thereof from external influences. The at least one metal-based functional layer configured for reflecting thermal radiation at room temperature is advantageously arranged on the outside of the second glass pane facing the interior space. This achieves a particularly good function of the functional layer.

The invention also extends to a method of manufacturing a glazing according to the invention. The statements made above in connection with glazing apply equally to the method according to the invention.

The method comprises providing at least one glass plate and arranging at least one metal-based functional layer and/or at least one electro-optical functional element for electrically switching optical properties. The method further comprises generating at least one light out-coupling area for out-coupling light totally reflected in the glass plate from the glass plate.

According to one advantageous embodiment of the method, at least one recess or indentation for accommodating at least one light source is produced in the glass plate.

According to a further advantageous embodiment of the method, the at least one light outcoupling region is produced by removing the metal-based functional layer from the glass plate by means of a laser. This measure makes it possible not only to remove the metal-based functional layer in the region of the light outcoupling but also to roughen the surface of the glass plate at the same time.

According to a further advantageous embodiment of the method, a first glass pane with an outer side and an inner side and a second glass pane with an inner side and an outer side are firmly joined to one another by means of at least one thermoplastic interlayer, the inner sides of the two glass panes facing one another.

Thus, the method of manufacturing a glazing according to the invention is preferably used for manufacturing a composite glass pane. To produce a composite glass pane, at least two glass panes are joined (laminated) to one another by means of at least one thermoplastic adhesive layer, preferably under the action of heat, vacuum and/or pressure. Methods known per se for manufacturing composite glass sheets can be used. For example, the so-called autoclave process may be carried out at elevated pressures of about 10 to 15 bar and temperatures of 130 to 145 ℃ for about 2 hours. The vacuum bag method or vacuum ring method known per se operates, for example, at about 200 mbar and 130 ℃ to 145 ℃. The two glass sheets and the thermoplastic interlayer may also be pressed in a calender between at least one pair of rollers to form a composite glass sheet. Apparatuses of this type are known for the production of composite glass sheets and usually have at least one heating channel in front of the press. The temperature during pressing is, for example, 40 ℃ to 150 ℃. The combination of the calender process and the autoclave process has proven particularly useful in practice. Alternatively, a vacuum laminator may be used. They consist of one or more heatable and evacuable chambers, wherein the first glass plate and the second glass plate can be laminated at a reduced pressure of 0.01 mbar to 800 mbar and a temperature of 80 ℃ to 170 ℃ within, for example, about 60 minutes.

The glazing according to the invention is preferably used in buildings, in particular in the area of entrance or windows, as a component of furniture and instruments, or in land, water and air vehicles, in particular trains, ships and motor vehicles, for example as a windshield, rear glass, side glass and/or roof glass.

The various embodiments of the invention may be implemented 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 in isolation without departing from the scope of the present invention.

The invention is explained in more detail below with the aid of embodiments, in which reference is made to the appended drawings. They show in a simple and not true scale representation:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a glazing;

FIG. 2 is another schematic view of the glazing;

FIG. 3 is another schematic view of the glazing;

fig. 4 is a representation of a glass plate with light outcoupling regions.

Fig. 1 shows a schematic view of a glazing 100. Glazing 100 comprises laterally arranged light sources 101 for coupling in light into glass pane 103-2. The light source 101 may be formed, for example, by a Light Emitting Diode (LED) arranged in an area near the glass plate 103-2. Alternatively, the light source 101 may be disposed in a recess or indentation in the glass plate 103-2. The radiation from the light source 101 can be coupled into the glass pane 103-2 directly or also via the reflective element 115, so that the light source 101 can also be arranged out of the plane of the glass pane 103-2. For coupling in light, the glass plate 103-2 comprises a lateral light-coupling-in area 117 formed by the side edges of the glass plate 103-2.

Total reflection of the coupled-in light takes place in the glass plate 103-2 until the light strikes the light coupling-out region 105. In this case, light is coupled out of the glass plate 103-2 at this location and scattered outward. A visible light pattern can be generated on the glass plate 103-2 by the light out-coupling area 105. The light outcoupling region 105 is, for example, a light-diffusing coating, for example in the form of a paste applied and fired in a screen printing process, which is applied to the glass plate 103-2 in this region or integrated in the surface of this glass plate 103-2.

Glass sheet 103-2 has an exterior side 109-1 and an interior side 109-2. In addition, glazing 100 comprises another glass sheet 103-1, which also has an exterior side 109-4 and an interior side 109-3. For example, glass sheet 103-1 and glass sheet 103-2 are joined by a layer of polyvinyl butyral (PVB layer) therebetween. By joining and laminating these two glass sheets 103-1, 103-2, a composite glass sheet is formed. Typically, light out-coupling can occur on both sides of the glass plate 103-2. Between the two glass plates 103-1 and 103-2, an opaque coating layer 119 is additionally formed in the region of the light source 101. The cover layer 119 prevents light from the light source 101 from being directly radiated outward.

Glass pane 103-2 includes a metal-based functional layer 107-1 disposed on an exterior side 109-1 of glass pane 103-2. The metal-based functional layer 107-1 is, for example, a low-emissivity coating adapted to reflect heat radiation at room temperature. The low-e coating is for example a multilayer with a layer based on Indium Tin Oxide (ITO), antimony doped tin oxide (ATO) or fluorine doped tin oxide (FTO).

The thermal comfort of glazing 100 is increased by this metal-based functional layer 107-1. Mechanical visor technology may not be required within the glazing 100. This enables a simpler structure in which no complex mechanical means are required. Head space is increased in the vehicle and a higher degree of freedom is created using glass as a design element.

The two glass plates 103-1 and 103-2 may, for example, comprise non-prestressed, partially prestressed or prestressed glass, preferably flat glass, float glass, quartz glass, borosilicate glass, soda-lime glass or clear plastic, preferably rigid clear plastic, in particular polyethylene, polypropylene, polycarbonate, polymethyl methacrylate, polystyrene, polyamide, polyester, polyvinyl chloride and/or mixtures thereof, and preferably have a thickness of 0.5 mm to 15 mm, particularly preferably 1 mm to 5 mm.

Fig. 2 shows another schematic view of glazing 100. The structure of glazing 100 corresponds to that shown in fig. 1. However, glazing 100 includes a metal-based functional layer 107-2 or 107-3 on an interior side 109-2 of glass pane 103-2 or an interior side 109-3 of glass pane 103-1 for reflecting or absorbing infrared radiation (IRR-infrared reflectivity). The metal-based functional layer 107-2 or 107-3 comprises, for example, one or more metal layers, in particular silver layers. These metal-based functional layers 107-2 and 107-3 have an increased reflectivity in the visible spectrum and serve to make the coupled-out light less visible on the outer side 109-4 of the glass pane 103-1, since the coatings 107-2 and 107-3 have a higher reflectivity in the visible range than glass. The metal-based functional layer 107-1, 107-2 or 107-3 may have a thickness of 80 nm to 1000 nm, preferably 140 nm to 400 nm or preferably 700 nm to 900 nm.

Fig. 3 shows another schematic view of glazing 100. The structure of glazing 100 corresponds to that shown in fig. 1. In this embodiment, the glazing 100 comprises a functional element 111 having electrically switchable optical properties, such as a switchable film. The functional elements 111 comprise, for example, PDLC elements or SPD elements or a combination thereof.

The functional element 111 is arranged between the two glass plates 103-1 and 103-2. The functional element 111 changes the light transmission (light transmission-TL), the color in transmission (a, b) or the contrast between the coupled-out light pattern and the glazing of the glazing 100. Thereby making the light pattern more visible and therefore the contrast between the light pattern and the background higher during the day. By means of the functional element 111, the shading technique can be avoided and the light pattern is darkened towards the outside and more easily visible towards the inside.

Fig. 4 shows a representation of a glass plate 103-2 with a light out-coupling area 105. To form the light out-coupling region 105, a light-diffusing coating (light-diffusing enamel) may be used to scatter light from the glass plate 103-2 outwards.

However, a metal-based functional layer 107-1, such as a low-e coating, may also be present on the exterior side 109-1 of the glass sheet 103-2, or a metal-based functional layer 107-2, such as an IRR coating, may be present on the interior side 109-2 of the glass sheet 103-2. In these cases, a laser 113 may be used to produce the light out-coupling region 105. The light coupling-out region 105 thus produced also ensures transparency in the high-frequency range (HF — high frequency) so that the radiation of the mobile telephone can pass through the glazing 100.

In one embodiment, the low-e coating may be locally removed on the outside 109-1 of the superclean glass pane 103-2 by means of a laser 113 to create a light out-coupling area 105 for the light pattern. In this case, the glass plate 103-2 becomes transparent and permeable to the electric high-frequency vibrations at the same time. However, if an IRR coating 107-3 is additionally applied to the inner side 109-3 of the glass plate 103-1, no transmission of high-frequency radiation occurs.

In another embodiment, the interior side 109-2 of the ultraclean glass sheet 103-2 may be provided with an IRR coating 107-2. In this case, the IRR coating 107-2 is locally removed by means of the laser 113 to produce the light out-coupling area 105 for the light pattern. Here, the glass plate 103-2 is also simultaneously transparent and permeable to electrical high-frequency vibrations.

A technical advantage achieved by the glazing 100 is that the visibility of the light pattern produced by the outcoupled light in one direction (inwards) is increased. In contrast, the visibility of the light pattern toward the other direction (outward) is reduced. For example, glazing 100 may be used, for example, as a composite glass sheet in an automobile or a glass sheet in a building.

List of reference numerals

100 glazing

101 light source

103 glass plate

105 light out-coupling region

107 metal-based functional layer

109 lateral/medial side

111 electro-optical functional element

113 laser

115 reflective element

117 light incoupling region

119 covering the layer.

Claims

1. Glazing (100) comprising:

-at least one glass plate (103-2), in particular a vitreous glass plate,

at least one light source (101) arranged on the glass plate (103-2) for coupling in light into the glass plate (103-2), wherein the glass plate (103-2) has at least one light coupling-out region (105) for coupling out light that is totally reflected in the glass plate (103-2) from the glass plate (103-2),

wherein the glazing (100) and preferably the glass pane (103-2) have at least one metal-based functional layer (107-1, 107-2, 107-3) and/or at least one electro-optical functional element (111) for electrically switching the optical properties.

2. Glazing (100) according to claim 1, wherein the at least one light source (101) is arranged at a side of the glass sheet (103-2) or in a recess or indentation of the glass sheet (103-2).

3. Glazing (100) according to any of claims 1 or 2, wherein the at least one light out-coupling area (105) is constructed by printing and firing an opaque paste.

4. Glazing (100) according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the at least one light out-coupling area (105) is configured by mechanically roughening a surface of a glass sheet in the light out-coupling area (105).

5. Glazing (100) according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the at least one light out-coupling region (105) is configured on a side of the glass pane facing the interior space in the mounted position.

6. Glazing (100) according to any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the at least one electro-optical functional element (111) is a PDLC functional element, an SPD functional element, a PNLC functional element, an electrochromic functional element or a functional element with a liquid crystal dye cell.

7. Glazing (100) according to any of claims 1 to 6, wherein the at least one metal-based functional layer (107-1, 107-2, 107-3) is configured to reflect thermal radiation at room temperature and/or to reflect or absorb incident infrared light.

8. Glazing (100) according to any of claims 1 to 6, comprising a first glass pane (103-1) having an outer side and an inner side and a second glass pane (103-2) having an inner side and an outer side, wherein the inner sides of the two glass panes (103-1, 103-2) face each other and the two glass panes (103-1, 103-2) are firmly joined to each other by at least one thermoplastic interlayer, wherein in the mounted position the outer side of the first glass pane (103-1) faces the external environment and the outer side of the second glass pane (103-2) faces the internal space, wherein the at least one light out-coupling region (105) is configured for out-coupling light totally reflected in the glass pane (103-2) from the glass pane (103-2) on the outer side of the first glass pane (103-1) and/or on the outer side of the second glass pane (103-2) .

9. Glazing (100) according to claim 8, wherein the at least one electro-optical functional element (111) is arranged between the first glass plate (103-1) and the second glass plate (103-2).

10. Glazing (100) according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the at least one metal-based functional layer (107-1, 107-2, 107-3) configured to reflect or absorb incident infrared light is arranged between the first glass pane (103-1) and the second glass pane (103-2).

11. Glazing (100) according to any of claims 8 to 10, wherein the at least one metal-based functional layer (107-1, 107-2, 107-3) configured to reflect thermal radiation at room temperature is arranged on the outside of the second glass pane (103-2).

12. Method of manufacturing a glazing (100) according to any of claims 1 to 11, comprising the steps of:

-providing at least one glass plate (103-2) and arranging at least one metal-based functional layer (107-1, 107-2, 107-3) and/or at least one electro-optical functional element (111) for electrically switching optical properties,

-generating at least one light out-coupling region (105) for out-coupling light that is totally reflected in the glass plate (103-2) from the glass plate (103-2).

13. A method of manufacturing a glazing (100) according to claim 12, wherein at least one indentation or recess for accommodating at least one light source (101) is created in the glass sheet (103-2).

14. A method of manufacturing a glazing (100) according to any of the claims 12 or 13, wherein a first glass pane (103-1) having an outer side and an inner side and a second glass pane (103-2) having an inner side and an outer side are firmly joined to each other by at least one thermoplastic interlayer, wherein the inner sides of the two glass panes (103-1, 103-2) face each other.

15. Use of a glazing (100) according to any of claims 1 to 11 in buildings, in particular in the entrance area or window area, as a component of furniture and instruments, or in land, water and air vehicles, in particular in trains, ships and motor vehicles, for example as a windscreen panel, rear glass panel, side glass panel and/or roof glass panel.