DE102019112454A1 - Window glass for a vehicle, window sensor unit and vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

The glass pane according to the invention for a vehicle has at least one camera or sensor field of view (1). The camera or sensor field of view (1) can be designed for one or more cameras and / or one or more sensors. According to the invention, the glass pane is at least partially in the immediate vicinity of the passage area of the camera and / or sensor field of view (1) on two printed pages printed. According to the invention, there is at least one pane layer between the two sides on which the glass pane is printed. The pane layer can be one or more panes of glass or the connecting film in a laminated safety glass pane. It was advantageously found that by means of the inventive printing of two printed sides of a pane of glass, the camera or sensor field of view in the immediate vicinity of a certain area, the refractive index of the area can be adjusted. This creates a cost-effective way of ensuring the function of state-of-the-art multifunction cameras through a safety glass pane. The specific design of the print, such as the selection of the print pattern and its density and the distances to the penetration surface of the camera field of view, must be determined individually for each pane-camera arrangement. This is due to the fact that a large number of influencing factors influence the optical properties of a pane of glass, including the curvature of the pane and its manufacturing process.

Description

The invention relates to a glass pane for a vehicle, a window sensor unit for a vehicle and a vehicle.

Modern vehicles have a large number of assistance systems. The assistance systems evaluate a large amount of environmental data from the vehicle, for example distances to obstacles or other road users, recorded traffic signs, lane markings, the course of the road and much more. Highly developed sensors are used to record the data, for example multifunction cameras or rain and light sensors (RLFS) to control the windshield wipers depending on the intensity of precipitation or the vehicle light. For this purpose, most vehicles have a multi-function camera directed in the direction of travel and a rain and light sensor, which is arranged behind the windshield in the interior of the vehicle, mostly in the upper middle area.

In addition, data from the entire vehicle environment is required, especially for autonomous vehicles. Cameras directed through the side windows or the rear window are also used for this purpose.

The multifunction cameras place high demands on the refractive power, the red ratio, the transmission and the polarization values of the vehicle window. Since the front window of a vehicle is usually made of laminated safety glass (VSG), the requirements are particularly difficult to meet here. In the past it has also been shown that each new generation of a multifunction camera places higher demands on the lens, in particular due to an increasing resolution.

The refractive power of the front pane is strongly influenced by the manufacturing process. For example, the shaping of the disc, for example by means of gravity bending or press bending, is likely to bring about changes in the material which bring about a change in the refractive power. For the production of laminated glass panes for motor vehicles, different processes are used depending on the manufacturer, these different processes also leading to different optical properties of the panes.

In the DE 10 2010 004 443 A1 as well as in the DE 100 09 992 A1 It is proposed to adapt the transmission characteristics of a pane area assigned to an optoelectronic sensor to the requirements of the sensor by means of an IR filter film. However, this solution cannot be used for the problem at hand, since an IR film has a negative effect on the function of a multifunction camera. This fact comes into play with so-called climate comfort windows, the IR layer of which also restricts the function of the camera.

No other solutions are known from the prior art. The manufacturing process of the panes can thus be adapted in a complex manner by means of corresponding tests so that the requirements of the camera are met.

The invention is based on the object of proposing a possibility for adapting the refractive power of an area of a glass pane assigned to a multifunction camera or a sensor.

Windows made of laminated safety glass (VSG) and single-pane safety glass (ESG) are used for vehicle windows. Panes made of laminated safety glass are mostly used as windshields in order to guarantee splinter protection for the occupants in the front seats. Side and rear windows are mostly made of single-pane safety glass for cost and weight reasons, but laminated safety glass panes are also used here in high-quality vehicles.

In the case of safety glass, stresses are introduced into the glass pane through thermal treatment, with the result that the glass pane breaks into a large number of small fragments under mechanical stress. The small fragments can significantly reduce the risk of injury.

A laminated safety glass pane consists of two safety glass panes, which are glued to one another with a film placed in between. In the event of a traffic accident, for example, the fragments of the pane stick to the film after mechanical stress, thus minimizing the risk of injury for those involved in the accident.

With a laminated safety glass pane, four sides are defined which correspond to the sides of the two connected safety glass panes. In relation to the state of installation, a distinction can be made between an outer and an inner pane of the composite. The first side is defined as the outside of the laminated glass pane, that is to say the outside of the outer pane. The second side is the inside of the outer pane, i.e. the side of the outer pane facing the film. The third side is the outward-facing side of the inner pane, i.e. the side connected to the film, and the fourth side is the inside of the inner pane, i.e. the side facing the vehicle interior.

Modern vehicles mostly have a camera that looks in the direction of travel and takes pictures through the windshield. For certain systems, especially in the case of autonomous vehicles, cameras are provided for the entire vehicle environment. This means that cameras on these vehicles look through the front, rear and side windows.

Modern vehicles often have two cameras that are directed through the windshield, on the one hand a multifunction camera for the close range in front of the vehicle, the data of which is used, for example, to avoid collisions. On the other hand, there is a telecamera that focuses more distant areas in front of the vehicle and can thus be used, for example, to recognize traffic signs. Furthermore, in vehicles, further sensor systems are often arranged directed through the windshield, for example a rain sensor that determines the intensity of precipitation.

The optical requirements of multifunction cameras on the windscreen have increased continuously in recent years. If previously used models required a refractive index of less than 400 mdpt, successor models already require a refractive index of less than 60 mdpt. Another requirement of the cameras for the optical quality of the windscreen is the rate of change. This denotes the amount of the maximum difference between the refractive power values of points within the field of view of the multifunction camera / sensor in the glass pane.

The glass pane according to the invention for a vehicle has at least one camera or sensor field of view. Often this is arranged in the upper, central area of a windshield of a motor vehicle, in other versions the camera or sensor field of view is arranged centrally in the lower area of the windshield. The specific position of the camera or sensor field of view in the glass pane is not important for the invention. The camera or sensor field of view can be designed for one or more cameras and / or one or more sensors.

For clarification it is stated that the camera or sensor field of view can also be provided for only one camera or only one sensor.

A glass pane according to the invention can have several camera or sensor fields of view. The specific design depends on the circumstances of the specific vehicle and the number and type of cameras and sensors to be installed.

The description “above” and “below” the camera or sensor field of view used in the context of this application relates to the installed state of the glass pane according to the invention.

The at least one camera and / or the at least one sensor each have a camera or sensor field of view that is directed through the glass pane. In the case of windshields, a camera or sensor field of view, due to the angle of incidence of the windshield, usually has a passage area on the windshield that is largely in the form of an isosceles trapezoid.

According to the invention, the glass pane is at least partially printed on at least two printed sides in the immediate vicinity of the passage area of the camera and / or sensor field of view. According to the invention, there is at least one pane layer between the two sides on which the glass pane is printed.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the glass pane is at least partially printed on at least two print sides in the immediate vicinity of the passage area of the camera and / or sensor field of view. Printing on two sides is advantageously more cost-effective and easier to produce compared to a higher number of printing pages, the refractive index being easily adjustable even with two printing sides.

In the context of this patent application, a pane layer denotes at least one glass pane and / or a film layer of the glass pane according to the invention. The pane layer can therefore be a pane of single-pane safety glass or also a pane with or without a film layer, both panes with a film layer or just the film layer of a laminated safety glass pane.

In the context of this patent application, a printed side denotes a printed side of the glass pane according to the invention. In the case of a laminated glass pane, the four sides of a laminated glass pane described above, and in the case of a single-pane safety glass pane, the inner and outer sides of this glass pane can be pressure sides. In the context of this patent application, the outer printed side of a laminated glass pane denotes the printed side that is located further outside, i.e. more distant from the camera located in the vehicle interior, and the inner printed side denotes the printed side that is located closer to the camera located in the vehicle interior. In the case of a laminated glass pane according to the invention on the sides 2 and 4th is printed, would be the page 4th the inner print side and the side 2 the outer pressure side.

In the case of a laminated safety glass pane, the pane layer is preferably either the outer or the inner pane of the laminate with or without a film. The refractive power can advantageously be influenced more strongly by the printing according to the invention.

It was advantageously found that the inventive printing of two printed sides of a pane of glass in the immediate vicinity of a certain area enables the refractive index and other optical properties of the area to be set. This creates a cost-effective way of ensuring the function of ultra-modern multifunction cameras through a safety glass pane.

The specific design of the print, such as the selection of the print pattern and, if necessary, its density and the distances to the camera or sensor field of view must be determined individually for each pane-camera arrangement. This is due to the fact that a large number of influencing factors influence the optical properties of a pane of glass, including the curvature of the pane, its manufacturing process and, in particular, the thermal treatment.

Investigations on front panes have shown that the refractive power of the safety glass pane can be positively influenced by a pressure on the outer pressure side and the refractive power can be negatively influenced by a pressure on the inner pressure side. The effects on the refractive power also depend in particular on the curvature of the pane, the change in curvature and the viewing angle of the camera (i.e. the angle between the optical axis of the camera and the pane). The viewing angle of the camera is not of secondary importance. The refractive power increases as the viewing angle becomes smaller, with small viewing angles often being used in modern vehicles for optical and aerodynamic reasons. In this way, the optical properties of an area of a glass pane can advantageously be adjusted by means of a pressure in the immediate vicinity. These investigations on laminated safety glass panes can be transferred within limits to single-pane safety glass panes. The person skilled in the art can thus determine the refractive power of the glass pane resulting from the pressure applied by means of a few experiments.

The printing is carried out using printing paste known from the prior art for glass surfaces. Often, printing pastes to be burned in are used, which are burned into the glass after the print application by the influence of heat. Often, after printing, vehicle windows are further shaped by heat treatment anyway. Advantageously, no additional work step for burning in the printing paste is necessary. The specific selection of the printing paste is irrelevant with regard to the invention as long as the printed area is light blocking.

In a preferred embodiment, the glass pane is a laminated glass pane. Printing is preferred on the side 2 and 4th the laminated safety glass pane, in this case the pane layer is the inner pane and the laminated film of the laminated safety glass pane. Other configurations are also possible, for example on the side 1 and side 4th , Page 2 and side 4th or side 3 and side 4th . However, printing on the outside (side 1 ) unfavorable, as the print is then exposed to all environmental influences and may be damaged. It is also on page 3 Often an IR layer described below is applied to the pane, which is a preferred application on the side 2 and side 4th leads.

In an alternative embodiment, the glass pane is made of single-pane safety glass. In this design, the pressure is arranged on both sides of the disc. In this case, the pane layer is the single-pane safety glass pane itself. Here, too, the optical properties of the glass pane can advantageously be adapted simply and inexpensively to the requirements of the camera.

Certain glass panes, often referred to as climate comfort panes in motor vehicles, have an IR layer. For example, on some models, the IR layer is made of silver. In another application, this silver layer can be wired as a resistance heater. Often the IR layer is on its side 3 a laminated safety glass pane. Disadvantageously, in most cases a multifunction camera cannot work through an IR layer, which is why, according to the invention, the IR layer is removed in the area of the camera or sensor field of view.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the IR layer is removed by means of abrasive (mostly using a milling cutter) or laser removal. Both methods are advantageously simple and inexpensive to use. Alternatively, the passage area can also be covered before the application of the IR layer, so that the IR layer is applied to the cover. After removing the covering, the covered area is a recess in the IR layer.

There are also embodiments of the IR layer which have transmission properties that ensure the function of the camera. Such designs of the IR layer do not have to be removed.

In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the outer print side, that is to say the print side further away from the vehicle interior, is printed over the at least one camera or sensor field of view. The outer print side is for example when printing on the pages 2 and 4th the page 2 , as this is further away from the vehicle interior. In the case of a single pane of safety glass, it would be the outside of the glass pane. In this way, the refractive power of the glass pane in the area of the camera and sensor field of view can advantageously be set particularly well. In the case of a laminated safety glass pane, this printing is preferred on the side 2 upset.

In a further preferred embodiment, a bar is printed over the at least one camera or sensor field of view on the inner print side, that is to say the print side closer to the vehicle interior. The bar preferably has a rectangular shape or is trapezoidal. In this way, the refractive index of the glass pane can advantageously be set very well, in particular in connection with a pressure over the at least one camera or sensor field of view on the outer pressure side. In the case of laminated safety glass, this printing is preferred on the side 4th upset.

According to the invention, the transmission properties of the glass pane can be set very well by positioning the pressure areas of the two pressure sides (outer and inner pressure side) relative to one another and relative to the camera or sensor field of view.

In a preferred embodiment, the pressure via the camera or sensor field of view on the outer pressure side and the pressure via the camera or sensor field of view on the inner pressure side are brought up to a few mm from that of the camera or sensor field of view. The distance between the camera or sensor field of view is preferably less than 15 mm, more preferably less than 10 mm, more preferably less than 5 mm and particularly preferably less than 3 mm.

Furthermore, the pressure on the outer pressure side in the area of the sides of the passage area of the cone of vision of the multifunction camera is preferably at a smaller distance from the passage area of the field of view than the pressure on the inner pressure side. The distance between the pressure on the outer pressure side and the passage area of the viewing cone in the area of the sides of the passage area of the viewing cone is preferably less than 5 mm, more preferably less than 3 mm less than the distance between the pressure on the inner pressure side and the passage area of the viewing cone in the area of the sides of the passage area of the viewing cone.

In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the preferred has on side 2 applied pressure over the at least one camera or sensor field of view an edge with a print pattern. In this way, the two-sided print can be concealed and the visual impression of the camera or sensor field of view printed in the immediate vicinity can be improved.

In a further preferred embodiment, the print pattern has a density between 40% and 85%.

In a further preferred embodiment, the pressure is applied using the screen printing process. This is advantageously inexpensive and easy to implement and is very suitable for concealing certain areas.

A bar is particularly preferably printed under the camera or sensor field of view. This bar preferably extends over the entire width of the lower delimitation of the passage area of the camera field of view. More preferably, the bar has a height to width ratio between 1:20 and 1: 2, preferably between 1: 4 and 1: 8. It has been shown to be advantageous that the refractive index can be reduced by printing the opaque bar.

The bar is particularly preferably printed on the print side arranged closer to the vehicle interior. In the case of a laminated glass pane, the opaque bar is preferred on the side 4th printed on the composite uncertainty glass pane.

Furthermore, a further bar is preferably arranged in parallel above the opaque bar. This bar is also below the camera or sensor field of view and has a print pattern with a density between 20% and 80%. The influence of scattered light can thus advantageously be minimized.

In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the glass pane has a fastening area for a rearview mirror. The fastening area is often arranged under the camera or sensor field of view. The fastening area for the rearview mirror is preferably printed on the outer print side. The fastening area for the interior mirror on a laminated safety glass pane on the side is particularly preferred 2 printed.

A printed area on the inner print side is also preferred in the space between the fastening area for the rearview mirror and the camera or sensor field of view. This printed area is particularly preferably only a very small distance from the camera or sensor field of view. The distance is particularly preferably less than 10 mm, more preferably less than 5 mm and particularly preferably less than 3 mm. Furthermore, this printed area preferably extends into the fastening area for the rearview mirror, so that there is an overlap with the printed area on the outer pressure side of the fastening area of the rearview mirror.

Further preferred embodiments of the invention result from the other features mentioned in the subclaims.

The various embodiments of the invention mentioned in this application can be advantageously combined with one another, unless stated otherwise in the individual case.

• 1 die Draufsicht einer Frontscheibe im Bereich des Kamera- oder Sensorsichtfeldes,
• 2 eine Draufsicht von oben auf das Kamera- und Sensorsichtfeld einer Frontscheibe,
• 3 eine Seitenansicht einer Multifunktionskamera angeordnet an einer Frontscheibe, und
• 4 eine Draufsicht einer Multifunktionskamera angeordnet an einer Frontscheibe.

The invention is explained below in exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. Show it:

• 1 the top view of a windshield in the area of the camera or sensor field of view,
• 2 a top view of the camera and sensor field of view of a windshield,
• 3 a side view of a multifunction camera arranged on a windshield, and
• 4th a top view of a multifunction camera arranged on a front window.

1 shows a windshield 0 of a passenger car in the area of the camera and sensor field of view 1 . The camera and sensor field of view 1 is intended for a multifunction camera. The camera and sensor field of view 1 is from a print margin 4th surround. The print margin 4th is only drawn in as an edge for reasons of clarity and shows the edge of a black print area, which is without interruption from the print edge 4th extends to the outside and the camera and sensor field of view 1 surrounds.

Down is the camera and sensor field of view 1 from a beam 3 limited. The camera and sensor field of view 1 is from a screen printing area 2 surround. The screen printing area 2 has a dot matrix with a density of 85%. bar 3 , Print margin 4th and screen printing area 2 are by means of the same printing paste as part of the manufacturing process of the windshield 0 upset.

Here is the print margin 4th (and the black print that follows without interruption) on the page 2 the (laminated glass) windshield 0 upset. The screen printing area 2 and the bar 3 are on side 4th the windshield 0 imprinted. By printing on side 2 and side 4th the windshield 0 can change the power of the windshield 0 in the area of the camera and sensor field of view 1 can be reduced to 150-200 mdpt.

2 shows a top plan view of a camera and sensor area 1 a windshield 0 . In the 2 the curvature of the pane is developed for a flat representation. The windshield 0 in the 2 has two camera fields of view, namely the field of view of a multifunction camera 11 , directly adjacent to the field of view of a telecamera 12 and the field of view of a rain and light sensor 13 . Above the field of view of the multifunction camera 11 and the field of view of the telecamera 12 is an area of black print 5 with a print margin 4th on page 2 the windshield 0 upset.

In the side areas next to the field of view of the multifunction camera 11 and the field of view of the telecamera 12 closes to the print margin 4th another strip of screen printing 41 at. The strip screen printing 41 has aesthetic reasons, as this gives the optical impression when viewed from the outside of the windshield 0 can be improved. The stripe 41 can also be represented differently. Often a larger-area grid of points is applied in order to advantageously avoid dazzling the driver from the sun.

The print margin 4th has a distance of a to the fields of view of the two cameras 11 , 12 .

The print margin 4th , the black print 5 and the strip screen printing 41 are on side 2 the windshield 0 upset.

Above the fields of view of the two cameras 11 , 12 is a bar 3 arranged. The beam 3 is in the flanks of the camera fields of view 11 , 12 with a distance e from the print edge 4th spaced. In the areas in the middle above the fields of view of the two cameras 11 , 12 the bar is at a distance b from the fields of view of the two cameras 11 , 12 , whereby in these areas the distance b is less than the distance of the print margin 4th to the fields of view of the two cameras 11 , 12 .

A mirror holder is under the field of view of the multifunction camera 11 arranged and has a black print to cover the mirror bracket 6th that is on hand 2 the windshield 0 printed. The black print to cover the mirror bracket 6th has a width i and a distance f to the camera field of view of the multifunction camera 11 .

In the area between the black print to cover the mirror bracket 6th and the camera field of view of the multifunction camera 11 is a beam of the mirror mount 31 arranged. This one has a height g and a distance b from the camera field of view of the multifunction camera 11 . The beam of the mirror mount 31 overlaps the black print to cover the mirror mount 6th by a height of g- (fb).

The beam of the mirror mount 31 and the bar 3 are on the side 4th applied to the windshield.

In the middle in black print to cover the mirror bracket 6th is an unprinted, transparent area of the front screen 0 as a field of view for a rain and light sensor 13 intended.

• a = 10 mm, b = 3 mm, c = 5 mm, d = 13 mm, e = 2 mm, f = 14 mm, g = 32 mm, h = 5 mm und
• i = 64 mm.

The parameters ae shown in the figure have the following values:

• a = 10 mm, b = 3 mm, c = 5 mm, d = 13 mm, e = 2 mm, f = 14 mm, g = 32 mm, h = 5 mm and
• i = 64 mm.

Using the in 2 The arrangement shown succeeds in the refractive power of the two camera fields of view 11 , 12 to 60 mdpt and also to keep the rate of change below 100 mdpt. In this way, the requirements of the multifunctional camera and the telecamera could be met through cost-effective, targeted black printing.

3 shows a side view of a multifunction camera 7th with an optical axis 71 and a camera viewing cone 72 . The refraction of the camera viewing cone is clearly visible 72 when passing through the windshield 0 . Between the windshield 0 and the optical axis of the camera 71 a viewing angle of the camera is formed α .

4th shows the representation after 3 in a top view. Here, too, is the multifunction camera 7th with the optical axis 71 and the camera viewing cone 72 when passing through the windshield 0 evident.

List of reference symbols

0

Windshield

1

Camera and sensor field of view

11

Field of view multifunction camera

12

Telecamera field of view

13th

Field of view rain and light sensor

2

screen printing

3

bar

31

Beam mirror mount

4th

Print margin

41

Strip screen printing

5

Black print

6

Black print to cover the mirror bracket

7th

Multifunction camera

71

optical axis

72

Camera cone of view

α

Angle of view camera

QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Patent literature cited

• DE 102010004443 A1 [0006]
• DE 10009992 A1 [0006]

Claims (15)

Glass pane (0) for a vehicle having at least one camera or sensor field of view (1), the glass pane (0) being printed on at least two printed sides of the glass pane (0) in the immediate vicinity of the at least one camera and sensor field of view (1) that a disk layer is arranged between the printed sides. Glass pane (0) Claim 1 , characterized in that the glass pane (0) is a laminated safety glass pane and is printed on pages 2 and 4 or on pages 2 and 3 in the immediate vicinity of the at least one camera and sensor field of view (1). Glass pane (0) Claim 1 , characterized in that the glass pane (0) is a single-pane safety glass pane and is printed on both sides in the immediate vicinity of the at least one camera and sensor field of view (1). Glass pane (0) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the print has at least partially a print pattern. Glass pane (0) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the glass pane (0) has an IR layer, the IR layer having been removed in the area of the camera and sensor field of view (1). Glass pane (0) Claim 5 , characterized in that the IR layer was removed by milling or laser ablation. Glass pane (0) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pressure is applied using the screen printing process. Glass pane (0) Claim 7 , characterized in that the screen printing has a density of the print pattern between 40% and 85%. Glass pane (0) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the area above the at least one camera or sensor field of view (1) is printed on the inner print side. Glass pane (0), characterized in that the outer print side is printed over the at least one camera or sensor field of view (1). Glass pane (0) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the glass pane (0) has a mirror holder (6) which is arranged under the at least one camera or sensor field of view (1) and the glass pane in the area of the mirror holder (6) (0) is printed on the outer print side. Glass pane (0) Claim 11 , characterized in that the area between the at least one camera or sensor field of view (1) and the area of the mirror holder (6) is printed on the inner print side. Glass pane (0) after one of the Claims 11 or 12 , characterized in that in the area of the mirror holder (6) there is an unprinted area as a field of vision for a sensor. Pane sensor unit for a motor vehicle, comprising a pane of glass (0) according to one of the preceding claims. Motor vehicle having a glass pane (0) according to one of the Claims 1 to 13 .

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