GB2589852A

GB2589852A - Tile

Info

Publication number: GB2589852A
Application number: GB1917865.6A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Roland Day Stephen
Original assignee: Pilkington Group Ltd
Current assignee: Pilkington Group Ltd
Priority date: 2019-12-06
Filing date: 2019-12-06
Publication date: 2021-06-16
Anticipated expiration: 2039-12-06
Also published as: GB2589852B; GB201917865D0

Abstract

The tile comprises two substrates 3, 5 joined by an adhesive interlayer 7, a source of illumination 11a, 11b, 11c and a heater. The substrates are preferably transparent or translucent soda-lime or borosilicate glass which have been textured by sand blasting or etching to enhance diffusion. The light is preferably located between the substrates or in a hole passing through one of the substrates. The heat source is preferably an electrically conducting coating 13’ of graphene. Preferably, at least one of the substrates has an electrically conductive coating 9’ on at least part of its surface in electrical contact with the light. The polyvinyl butyral (PVB) interlayer 7 may comprise three layers with the illuminating light emitting diodes (LED) 11a, 11b, 11c in a recess in the middle layer. The preferred tile also includes a sensor and thermally insulating wool 15, glass aerogel, air gap or low-pressure space.

Description

TILE

The present invention relates to a tile having a heating function and a lighting function.

It is known to incorporate light emitting diodes in between the panes of a laminated glazing. For example, EP153/1513BI describes a laminated glazing panel comprising two glass plies, a plastic ply and one or more light emitting diodes which are laminated between the glass plies, wherein the one or more light emitting diodes are mounted on a circuit board.

It is also known to use a coated glass sheet as a substrate for light emitting diodes, for example as described in W001/82378A1.

The use of coated glass to provide a heating function is also known. In the automotive field optically transparent heatable coatings are applied to a windscreen to assist with demisting and/or de-icing the windscreen. However, such a system is not used to heat the interior space of the vehicle in which the windscreen is installed.

Systems are known for interior space heating.

W02016/070068A 1 describes a resistive heating assembly comprising a substrate, a conductive coating comprising graphene carbon particles applied to at least a portion of the substrate, and a source of electrical current connected to the conductive coating.

GB2556066A describes a radiant (infra-red) emitter for heating an area having a heat demand, such as a building interior or a car seat. The emitter comprises a first carrier layer and an electrically conductive layer positioned on the surface of or within the first carrier layer. The electrically conductive layer comprises at least one carbon based electrically conductive material.

In some circumstances when interior space heating is required, there may be limited locations to position both a source of illumination and a source of heating. Furthermore, having separate electrically operable heating and lighting may require additional electrical wiring to be installed.

The present invention aims to at least partially overcome the above problems.

Accordingly from a first aspect the present invention provides a tile comprising a first substrate joined to a second substrate by an interlayer structure comprising at least a first sheet of adhesive interlayer material, each of the first and second substrates having a respective first major surface and opposing second major surface, the tile being arranged such that the second major surface of the first substrate faces the first major surface of the second substrate, wherein the tile comprises at least one source of illumination and at least one source of heating.

The at least one source of heating is suitable for heating an area having a heat demand such as the interior of a building.

The at least one source of illumination has a first input tenninal and a second input terminal such that upon electrically connecting the first input terminal of the at least one source of illumination to a first output terminal of a suitable power supply and electrically connecting the second input terminal of the at least one source of illumination to a second output terminal of the suitable power supply, electrical power is provided to the at least one source of illumination and light is emitted therefrom. When light is emitted from the at least one source of illumination, the at least one source of illumination is switched "on" and is in an energised state. When no light is emitted from the at least one source of illumination, the at least one source of illumination is said to be switched "off' and is in an unenergized state.

The at least one source of heating has a first input terminal and a second input terminal such that upon electrically connecting the first input terminal of the at least one source of heating to a first output terminal of a suitable power supply and electrically connecting the second input terminal of the at least one source of heating to a second output terminal of the suitable power supply, electrical power is provided to the at least one source of heating to provide a heating function by resistive heating.

In some embodiments the at least one source of illumination is between the first and second substrates.

Preferably the second major surface of the first substrate has an electrically conductive coating on at least a first portion thereof and a first input terminal of the at least one source of illumination is in electrical communication with the electrically conductive coating on the first portion of the second major surface of the first substrate.

Preferably the second major surface of the first substrate has an electrically conductive coating on at least a first portion and a second portion thereof, wherein the first input terminal of the at least one source of illumination is in electrical communication with the electrically conductive coating on the first portion of the second major surface of die first substrate and the second input terminal of the at least one source of illumination is in electrical communication with the electrically conductive coating on the second portion of the second major surface of the first substrate.

Preferably die first major surface of the second substrate has an electrically conductive coating on at least a first portion thereof, wherein the first input terminal of the at least one source of illumination is in electrical communication with the electrically conductive coating on the first portion of the first major surface of the second substrate.

Preferably die first major surface of the second substrate has an electrically conductive coating on at least a first portion and a second portion thereof, and further wherein the first input terminal of the at least one source of illumination is in electrical communication with the electrically conductive coating on the first portion of the first major surface of the second substrate and the second input terminal of the at least one source of illumination is in electrical communication with the electrically conductive coating on the second portion of the first major surface of the second substrate.

In some embodiments the at least one source of illumination is mounted on a circuit board, the circuit board comprising a substrate having at least one electrically conductive pathway on a major surface of the substrate of the circuit board, the at least one electrically conductive pathway being in electrical communication with a first input terminal of the at least one source of illumination.

Preferably the circuit board is arranged between the first sheet of adhesive interlayer material and a second sheet of adhesive interlayer material.

Preferably the circuit board is positioned in a cut-out region in the first sheet of adhesive interlayer material.

Preferably the circuit board is positioned in a cut-out region in the first sheet of interlayer, and the first sheet of adhesive interlayer material is between a second sheet of adhesive interlayer material and a third sheet of adhesive interlayer material.

In some embodiments the first substrate has at least one hole therein extending between the first and second major surfaces of the first substrate, wherein the at least one source of illumination is arranged in the at least one hole in the first substrate and/or wherein the at least one source of illumination is arranged to emit light through the at least one hole in the first substrate.

in some embodiments the first major surface of the first substrate is an output surface such that light and/or heat is output from the first major surface of the first substrate.

Preferably the first major surface of the first substrate is arranged to diffuse light from the at least one source of illumination.

Preferably the first major surface of the first substrate is a textured surface to diffuse light from the at least one source of illumination.

Preferably the first major surface of the first substrate has at least one light diffusing region. Preferably the at least one light diffusing region of the first major surface of the first surface comprises at least one sand blasted region and/or at least one acid etched region and/or at least one textured region and/or at least one coated region.

in some embodiments the at least one source of heating is between the first and second substrates.

In some embodiments the at least one source of heating comprises an electrically conductive coating.

Preferably the electrically conductive coating is on at least a portion of the first major surface of the first substrate and/or on at least a portion of the second major surface of the first substrate and/or on at least a portion of the first major surface of the first substrate and/or on at least a portion of the second major surface of the second substrate.

Preferably the electrically conductive coating is optically opaque.

Preferably the electrically conductive coating comprises graphene carbon particles preferably having a thickness less than 100tim.

Preferably the electrically conductive coating has at least one opening therein, the at least one opening being arranged relative to the at least source of illumination such that light from the at least one source of illumination can pass through the at least one opening in the electrically conductive coating to pass through the first substrate and out through the first major surface of the first substrate.

in some embodiments the tile comprises a thermal insulation layer adjacent the second major surface of the second substrate such that the second substrate is between the first substrate and the thermal insulation layer.

Preferably the thermal insulation layer is in direct contact with the second major surface of the second substrate.

Preferably the thermal insulation layer comprises a layer of insulating wool and/or a layer of glass aerogel.

Preferably the thermal insulation layer is provided by at least an air space or a low-pressure space Other embodiments have other preferable features. Preferably the tile is a ceiling tile, a wall tile or a floor tile.

Preferably the first and/or second substrate is optically transparent.

Preferably the first and/or second substrate is translucent.

Preferably the first and/or second major surface of the second substrate is provided with an optically opaque coating on at least a portion thereof Preferably the tile comprises a sensor to monitor the temperature of at least a portion of the tile, the sensor being in communication with control means to regulate the electrical power supplied to the at least one source of illumination and/or the at least one source of heating.

Preferably the at least one source of illumination is in communication with first control means for controlling the amount of electrical power thereto.

Preferably the at least one source of heating is in communication with second control means for controlling the amount of electrical power thereto.

Preferably the first control means is in communication with the second control means.

Preferably the tile comprises a sensor to monitor the temperature of at least a portion of the tile, and the sensor is in communication with the first and/or second control means to regulate the electrical power supplied to the at least one of the source of illumination and/or the at least one source of heating.

Preferably the tile has at least three modes of operation, a first mode of operation wherein the at least one source of illumination and the at least one source of heating are switched off, a second mode of operation wherein the at least one source of illumination is switched on and the at least one source of heating is switched off, and a third mode of operation wherein the at least one source of illumination is switched off and the at least one source of heating is switchcd on.

Preferably the first and/or second substrate comprises a sheet of glass.

Preferably the first and/or second substrate comprises a sheet of soda-lime-silica glass. Soda-lime-silica glass is often referred to as -soda-lime-silicate glass". A typical soda-lime-silica glass composition is (by weight), Si& 69 -74 %; A1203 0 -3 %; Na20 10-16 %; K20 0 -5 %; MgO 0 -6 (1'.1); CaO 5 -14%; S03 0 -2 % and Fe203 0.005 -2 %. The glass composition may also contain other additives, for example, refining aids and other colourants, which would normally be present in an amount of up to 2 %. The transmitted glass colour may be measured in terms of a recognised standard such as BS EN410.

Preferably the first and/or second substrate comprises a sheet of thermally toughened glass.

Preferably the first and/or second substrate comprises a sheet of borosilicate glass. Preferably the first and/or second substrate comprises a sheet of laminated glass.

Preferably the first or second substrate is a sheet of a laminated panel, the laminated panel comprising two sheets joined by at least one sheet of adhesive interlayer material.

Preferably the first or second substrate is a sheet of an insulated glazing unit comprising two spaced apart glass sheets separated by an air space or a low-pressure space.

Preferably the tile comprises a third substrate spaced apart from the second substrate by a first space The invention will now be described with reference to the following figures (not to scale) in which, Figure 1 shows a schematic cross-sectional view through a tile in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 shows a schematic exploded representation of the tile shown in figure 1; Figure 3 shows a schematic cross-sectional view through another tile in accordance with the present invention; Figure 4 shows a schematic plan view of the tile shown in figure 3; Figure 5 shows a schematic cross-sectional view through another tile in accordance with the present 10 invention; Figure 6 shows a schematic exploded representation of the tile shown in figure 5; Figure 7 shows a schematic isometric representation of a circuit board with three light emitting diodes mounted thereon for use in a tile in accordance with the present invention; Figure 8 shows a plan view of the circuit board shown in figure 8 and Figure 9 shows a schematic isometric representation of the inside of a room in which a plurality of tiles in accordance with the present invention are installed in the ceiling.

With reference to figures 1 and 2, there is shown a tile 1 according to the present invention. The tile 1 comprises a first substrate 3 joined to a second substrate 5 by means of a sheet of adhesive interlayer material 7.

In this example, the first and second substrates are each a sheet of soda-lime-silica glass. The sheet of adhesive interlayer material 7 is a sheet of polyvinyl butyral (PVB).

The first substrate 3 has a first major surface 3a and a second opposing major surface 3b. The second substrate 5 has a first major surface 5a and a second opposing major surface 5b.

An electrically conductive coating 9 is on the second major surface 3b of the first substrate 3.

The electrically conductive coating 9 may be deposited on the second major surface 3b by a suitable deposition technique such as atmospheric chemical vapour deposition or sputtering, that the electrically conductive coating 9 is fixed to the second major surface 3b.

The electrically conductive coating 9 is sectionalised in a manner known in the art to provide at least two (a first and a second) electrically isolated regions. Also, on the second surface 3b are three light emitting diodes (LEDs) 1 la, I lb, lie. Each light emitting diode II a, 1 lb, I lc has two input terminals for connection to a suitable power supply to switch the LED "on" i.e. to switch the LED to an operable state to emit light therefrom. The first input terminal of each LED is in electrical communication with the first electrically isolated region of the electrically conductive coating 9 and the second input terminal of each LED is in electrical communication with the second electrically isolated region of the electrically conductive coating 9. This may suitably be achieved using conductive adhesive such that the LEDs I la, 1 lb, 1 lc are essentially fixed to the first substrate 3.

The first major surface 3a is a textured surface and may be provided during forming the glass sheet. Alternatively, or in addition to, the texture may be introduced after the first substrate 3 has been formed.

in this example the substrate is not translucent because the textured surface 3a is able to diffuse the light from the LEDs I la, 1 lb, 1 lc. if desired, the first substrate 3 may be translucent, instead of or as well as, having the textured first major surface 3a.

On the first major surface 5a of the second substrate 5 is an electrically conductive coating 13. The electrically conductive coating 13 is an infrared emitter to provide the tile with a heating function by resistive heating. Suitable conductive coatings are described in GB2556066A and provide a heating function through resistive heating of the coating when an electric current is passed therethrough. Suitable busbars or the like may be fixed to the coating 13 to allow electrical power to be applied thereto.

The electrically conductive coating 13 is applied to the first major surface 5a of the second substrate 5 by a printing process. The second substrate 5 with the electrically conductive coating thereon is then joined to the first substrate 3 by means of the sheet of PVB 7 using conventional lamination conditions.

The tile 1 is configured so that the LEDs 11a, 1 lb, 11c, when energised, emit light through the first substrate i.e. in the direction of arrows 11d, 11 e, 11 If Due to the textured first major surface 3a, the discrete point source nature of the LEDs I la, 1lb, 1 lc is diffused so that the light output through the first major surface 3a is homogenised.

When the tile 1 is used to emit light as discussed above, an electrical current may also be passed through the electrically conductive coating 13 to provide the tile with a heating function.

If desired, the LEDs 11a, 1 lb, 11c may each be independently switchable using suitable control means. Suitable control means may also be arranged to allow independent switching of the heating fimction and the illumination fimction. Suitable feedback control may be employed by sensing the temperature of the tile in the vicinity of the LEDs 11a, 1 lb, 1 lc to reduce the electrical current passed through the electrically conductive coating 13. This allows the LEDs to cool down thereby extending the lifetime of the LEDs.

The electrically conductive coating 13 may be applied as a continuous layer to cover a portion of the major surface 5a. The layer may have a uniform thickness.

Alternatively, the electrically conductive coating may be configured so that heating is maximised whilst localised heating of the LEDs is reduced. For example, the LEDs may be arranged in a central region of the second major surface 3b and the electrically conductive coating 13 may be arranged in a band on the first major surface 5a. This is illustrated in figure 3. Localised heating of the LEDs may be reduced because the LEDs are arranged inboard of the inner edge of the band of electrically conductive coating.

The tile 1 is shown also having a layer of insulating wool 15 on the second major surface 5b of the second substrate 5. The layer of insulating wool 15 may be releasably fixed to the laminate 10 by means of a suitable clip (not shown) or other releasable fixing means.

Figure 3 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of another tile 1' similar to the tile 1 with the same labels being used for identical parts.

With reference to figures 3 and 4, in this example the tile I' has a coating 13' is on the first major surface 5a of the second substrate 5 arranged in a band. The band has an outer peripheral edge 14a and an inner peripheral edge 14b defining the width of the band. Inboard of the inner peripheral edge the first major surface of the second substrate 5 is void of coating 13'.

On a portion of the second major surface 3b of the first substrate 3 is an electrically conductive coating 9' sectionalised as described above. Mounted on the sectionalised electrically conductive coating 9' are three LEDs I la, 11b, 11c configured to emit light in the direction of arrows lid, lie, llf respectively.

Figure 4 is a plan view of the tile l' when viewed in the direction of arrow 10'. Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view through the line X-X' of figure 4.

As seen from figure 4, there are another three LEDs [la', 1 lb' and 1 lc on the sectionalised coating 9' In this example the heating effect due to the electrically conductive coating 13' has less effect on the LEDs due to the coating 13' not being directing aligned with the LEDs.

Figures 5 and 6 illustrate another tile 31 in accordance with the present invention The tile 31 is similar to the tile 1 shown in figures 1 and 2 except that a separate substrate is provided for carrying light emitting diodes thereon.

The tile 31 comprises a first substrate 33, the first substrate 33 being a sheet of thermally toughened soda-lime-silica glass. The first substrate 33 has a first major surface 33a and an opposing second major surface (not labelled). The first major smface 33a is textured to diffuse light passing between the second and first major surfaces of the first substrate. The texture is provided before the glass has been thermally toughened.

The tile 31 also comprises a second substrate 35, the second substrate being a sheet of soda-limesilica glass. The optical quality of the second substrate 35 may be lower than that of the first substrate 33 because in use, the second substrate is typically not visible.

The second substrate 35 has a first major surface (not labelled) and an opposing second major surface 35b. On the first major surface of the second substrate 35 is an optically opaque electrically conductive layer 43a. As in the example shown in figure 1, upon passing an electrical current through the electrically conductive layer 43a, the electrically conductive layer 43a becomes hot due to resistive heating, thereby providing the tile 31 with a heating function. Although not shown, busbars may be provided on the optically opaque electrically conductive layer 43a for connection to a suitable power supply.

Between the first and second substrates 33, 35 are two sheets of polyvinyl butyral (PVB) 37a, 37b. The first sheet of PVB 37a is in contact on one side with the first substrate 33 and on the other side with a portion of the second sheet of PVB 37b. The second sheet of PVB 37b is in contact on one side with the electrically conductive coating 43a on the first major surface of the second substrate 35 and on the other side with a portion of the first sheet of PVB 37a.

Between the first and second sheets of PVB 37a, 37b is a circuit board 60 having mounted thereon three light emitting diodes (LEDs) 11a, 11b, 11c. The circuit board with LEDs mounted thereon is shown separately in figures 7 and S and described in more detail with reference to figures 7 and S. Briefly, the circuit board 60 comprises a substrate 62 with electrically conductive pathways thereon The LEDs I la, 1 lb, l lc are mounted on the substrate 62.

For additional heating the tile 31 is also provided with another electrically conductive coating 43b. The electrically conductive coating 43b extends over the entire second major surface of the first substrate 33 but has openings 12a, 12b, I 2c therein aligned with each LED I la, 1Ib, 11c such that light may be transmitted through the openings in the electrically conductive coating 43b for transmission through the first substrate 33 in the direction of arrows I Id, Ile, 1 If The electrically conductive coating 43b may also be provided with a pair of busbars to allow the connection of a suitable power supply thereto.

There is a layer of glass acrogel 45 on the second major surface 35b of the second substrate 35.

The glass aerogel is a layer of thermal insulation and may be replaced with other suitable thermally insulating material.

In an alternative tile to that shown in figures 5 and 6, there is not a second coating 43b on the second major surface of the first substrate 33. In another alternative tile to that shown in figures 5 and 6, there is not a coating 43a on the first major surface of the second substrate 35, instead there is only coating 43b on the first major surface of the first substrate 33.

Figure 7 shows a schematic isometric representation the circuit board 60 having three LEDs I la, II b, 1 lc mounted thereon. The circuit board comprises a substrate 62 which in this example is a single sheet of PET that may suitably be cut from a larger sheet of PET as required. The substrate 62 would typically be referred to as monolithic. The PET substrate is optically transparent to light emitted from the LEDs.

Mounted on the first major surface 64 of the substrate 62 are three light emitting diodes I la, 1 lb and 11c. Each light emitting diode may emit light of the same colour i.e. the same wavelengths, or two or more may emit different colour light.

Each light emitting diode I la. 1 lb, lie has a respective pair of electrical inputs (a first electrical input and a second electrical input) for providing electrical power to the respective light emitting diode.

Also, on the first major surface 64 is a pair of electrical contacts, that is, a first electrical contact 68 and a second electrical contact 69. The first electrical contact 68 and the second electrical contact 69 may be suitably screen printed using an electrically conductive ink.

The first electrical contact 68 is in electrical communication with the first electrical input of each of the light emitting diodes Ila, 1 lb and 1 le via electrically conductive tracks 70a, 70b, 70c, 70d, 70e and 70E The second electrical contact 69 is in electrical communication with the second electrical input of each of the light emitting diodes 11a, 1 lb and Ile via electrically conductive tracks 71a, 71b, 71e, 71d, 71e and 71f.

As is evident from figures 7 and 8, the three light emitting diodes I la, 1lb, 1 lc are electrically connected in parallel with the pair of electrical contacts 68, 69.

If desired, one or more of the light emitting diodes I la, 1 lb, l lc may be electrically connected in series with the pair of electrical contacts 68, 69.

The pair of electrical contacts 68, 69 are on an end portion 72 of the substrate 62. When the circuit board 45 is incorporated into a laminated glazing, for example of the type shown in figure 5, the end portion 72 may not be located between the first and second sheets of PVB 37a, 37b or the first and second substrates 33, 35 so that a suitable power supply may be electrically connected to the pair of electrical contacts 68, 69 to provide electrical power to the light emitting diodes 11a, 11b, 11c, Figure 8 is a plan view of the circuit board 45 with LEDs mounted thereon i.e when viewed in the direction of arrow 76 shown in figure 7.

As shown in figure 8, the electrically conductive pathway 70a is in electrical communication at one end with the first electrical contact 68 and at the other end with electrically conductive node 70g.

The electrically conductive pathway 70b is in electrical communication at one end with the first electrical input of the light emitting diode I la and at the other end with electrically conductive node 708.

The electrically conductive pathway 70c is in electrical communication at one end with the electrically conductive node 70g and at the other end with electrically conductive node 70h.

The electrically conductive pathway 70d is in electrical communication at one end with the first electrical input of the light emitting diode I lb and at the other end with electrically conductive node 70h.

The electrically conductive pathway 70e is in electrical communication at one end with the electrically conductive node 70h and at the other end with electrically conductive node 70i.

The electrically conductive pathway 70f is in electrical communication at one end with the first electrical input of the light emitting diode lie and at the other end with electrically conductive node 70i.

The electrically conductive pathway 71a is in electrical communication at one end with the second electrical contact 69 and at the other end with electrically conductive node 71g.

The electrically conductive pathway 71b is in electrical communication at one end with the second electrical input of the light emitting diode 1 la and at the other end with electrically conductive node 7 I g.

The electrically conductive pathway 71c is in electrical communication at one end with the electrically conductive node 71g and at the other end with electrically conductive node 71h.

The electrically conductive pathway 71d is in electrical communication at one end with the second electrical input of the light emitting diode I lb and at the other end with electrically conductive node 7 I h. The electrically conductive pathway 71e is in electrical communication at one end with the electrically conductive node 7th and at the other end with electrically conductive node 71i.

The electrically conductive pathway 7If is in electrical communication at one end with the second electrical input of the light emitting diode 1 lc and at the other end with electrically conductive node 7Ii.

The electrically conductive pathways 70a, 70b, 70c, 70d, 70e, 70f, 7th, 71b, 71c, 71d, 71e and 7If and the electrically conductive nodes 70g, 70h, 70i, 7 Ig, 71h, 71i are all in direct contact with the first major surface 64 of the substrate 62. it is also preferred that the first electrical contact 68 and the second electrical contact 69 are in direct contact with the first major surface 64 of the substrate 62.

The electrically conductive pathways 70a, 70b, 70c, 70d, 70e, 70f, 71a, 71b, 71c, 71d, 7Ie and 71f and the electrically conductive nodes 70g, 70h, 70i, 71g, 71h, 71i may all be printed in the same printing operation with the same electrically conductive ink.

The first electrical contact 68 and the second electrical contact 69 may be suitably screen printed using the same electrically conductive ink as used to screen print the electrically conductive pathways and/or electrically conductive nodes. It is also preferred that the first electrical contact 68 and the second electrical contact 69 are printed in the same printing operation used to print the electrically conductive pathways and/or electrically conductive nodes, hi an alternative to the embodiment shown in figures 7 and 8, there are no electrically conductive nodes, but the electrically conductive tracks arc still in electrical communication as described above.

It is preferred that the electrically conductive pathways have a width as small as possible to reduce the visibility thereof when included in a tile as shown in figure 5. However, the provision of a diffusing first major surface 33a of the first substrate 33 helps reduce the visibility of the electrically conductive tracks.

Figure 9 shows a schematic isometric view of the inside of a portion of a room. Mounted in the ceiling of the room are a plurality of tiles 81 according to the present invention. Only one tile 81' is labelled.

Mounted on one wall of the room is a control panel 83. The control panel 83 has a controller 85 for controlling the lighting -function of the plurality of tiles 81 and a controller 87 for controlling the heating function of the plurality of tiles 81. For example, die tile 81' has a plurality of LEDs controllable by the controller 85 a resistive heating element, which in this example is a heatable coating, controllable by the controller 87. The controller 87 may be responsive to signals from a sensor incorporated in the ceiling and/or each tile. The controllers 85, 87 may be wirelessly accessible via a wireless communication network.

Each tile may be individually accessible as required. The colour of the LEDs in each of the plurality of tiles may be changeable to provide different illumination effects as required.

The present invention provides a tile that has both an illumination function and a heating function. Such a tile may be retrofit into existing ceilings where tiles having only an illumination function are installed.

Claims

A tile comprising a first substrate joined to a second substrate by an interlaver structure comprising at least a first sheet of adhesive interlaver material, each of the first and second substrates having a respective first major surface and opposing second major surface, the tile being arranged such that the second major surface of the first substrate faces the first major surface of the second substrate, wherein the tile comprises at least one source of illumination and at least one source of heating.
A tile according to claim I wherein the at least one source of illumination is between the first and second substrates.
A tile according to claim 2, wherein the second major surface of the first substrate has an electrically conductive coating on at least a first portion thereof and a first input terminal of the at least one source of illumination is in electrical communication with the electrically conductive coating on the first portion of the second major surface of the first substrate.
A tile according to claim 2, wherein the second major surface of the first substrate has an electrically conductive coating on at least first and second portions thereof, and further wherein a first input terminal of the at least one source of illumination is in electrical communication with the electrically conductive coating on the first portion of the second major surface of the first substrate and a second input terminal of the at least one source of illumination is in electrical communication with the electrically conductive coating on the second portion of the second major surface of the first substrate A tile according to any of the claims 2 to 4, wherein the first major surface of the second substrate has an electrically conductive coating on at least a first portion thereof, and a first input terminal of the at least one source of illumination is in electrical communication with the electrically conductive coating on the first portion of the first major surface of the second substrate.
A tile according to any of the claims 2 to 5, wherein the first major surface of the second substrate has an electrically conductive coating on at least first second portions thereof, and further wherein the first input terminal of the at least one source of illumination is in electrical communication with the electrically conductive coating on the first portion of the first major surface of the second substrate and a second input terminal of the at least one source of illumination is in electrical communication with the electrically conductive coating on the second portion of the first major surface of the second substrate.
A tile according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the at least one source of illumination is mounted on a circuit board, the circuit board comprising a substrate having at least one electrically conductive pathway on a major surface of the substrate of the circuit board, the at least one electrically conductive pathway being in electrical communication with a first input terminal of the at least one source of illumination.
A tile according to claim 7, wherein the circuit board is arranged between the first sheet of adhesive interlayer material and a second sheet of adhesive interlayer material.
A tile according to claim 7 or claim 8, wherein the circuit board is positioned in a cut-out region in the first sheet of adhesive interlayer material.
I 0. A tile according to claim 7, wherein circuit board is positioned in a cut-out region in the first sheet of interlayer, and the first sheet of adhesive interlayer material is between a second sheet of adhesive interlayer material and a third sheet of adhesive interlayer material.
11. A tile according any of the preceding claims, wherein first substrate has at least one hole therein extending between the first and second major surfaces of the first substrate, wherein the at least one source of illumination is arranged in the at least one hole in the first substrate and/or wherein the at least one source of illumination is arranged to emit light through the at least one hole in the first substrate.
12. A tile according to any of the preceding claims wherein the first major surface of die first substrate is an output surface of the tile such that light and/or heat is output from said surface, preferably wherein the first major surface of the first substrate is arranged to diffuse light from the at least one source of illumination.
13. A tile according to claim 12, wherein the first major surface of the first substrate is a textured surface to diffiise light from the at least one source of illumination.
14. A tile according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the first major surface of the first substrate has at least one light diffusing region, preferably wherein the at least one light diffusing region comprises at least one sand blasted region and/or at least one acid etched region and/or at least one textured region and/or at least one coated region.
IS, A tile according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one source of heating comprises an electrically conductive coating.
16. A tile according to claim 15, wherein the electrically conductive coating is on at least a portion of the first major surface of the first substrate and/or on at least a portion of the second major surface of the first substrate and/or on at least a portion of the first major surface of the first substrate and/or on at least a portion of the second major surface of the second substrate.
17. A tile according to claim 15 or claim 16, wherein the electrically conductive coating is optically opaque and/or wherein the electrically conductive coating comprises graphene carbon particles preferably having a thickness less than I 00pm and/or wherein the electrically conductive coating has at least one opening therein, the at least one opening being arranged relative to the at least source of illumination such that light from the at least one source of illumination can pass through the at least one opening in the electrically conductive coating to pass through the first substrate and out through the first major surface of the first substrate.
18. A tile according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the first and/or second substrate is optically transparent and/or translucent.
19. A tile according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the first and/or second major surface of the second substrate is provided with an optically opaque coating on at least a portion thereof.
20. A tile according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising a thermal insulation layer adjacent the second major surface of the second substrate, preferably wherein the thermal insulation layer comprises at least one of a layer of insulating wool, a layer of glass aerogel, an air space and a low-pressure space.
21. A tile according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one source of illumination is in communication with a first control means for controlling the amount of electrical power thereto and/or wherein the at least one source of heating is in communication with a second control means for controlling the amount of electrical power thereto.
22. A tile according to any of the claims any of the preceding claims, further comprising a sensor to monitor the temperature of at least a portion of the tile, the sensor being in communication with control means to regulate the electrical power supplied to the at least one source of illumination and/or the at least one source of heating.
23. A tile according to any of the preceding claims having at least three modes of operation, a first mode of operation wherein the at least one source of illumination and the at least one source of heating are switched off, a second mode of operation wherein the at least one source of illumination is switched on and the at least one source of heating is switched off; and a third mode of operation wherein the at least one source of illumination is switched off and the at least one source of heating is switched on.
24. A tile according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the first and/or second substrate comprises a sheet of glass, preferably a sheet of soda-lime-silica glass or a sheet of borosilicate glass.
25. A tile according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the first or second substrate is a sheet of a laminated panel comprising two sheets joined by at least one sheet of adhesive interlayer material, or an insulated glazing unit comprising two spaced apart glass sheets separated by an air space or a low-pressure space.