JPH09301740A - Transparent member for optically functional vehicle and vehicle having this member - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make it possible to obtain a photocatalyst effect without impairing transparency and to improve UV absorptivity and water repellence by forming titanium dioxide thin films on at least one surfaces of transparent members. SOLUTION: At least one surfaces of the transparent members 1a, 1b are provided with the amorphous titanium dioxide thin films 2 of <=0.5μm thickness and, if necessary, metallic thin films 2a and means 3 for removing water drops sticking to the transparent members 1a, 1b by air blow. As a result, the photocatalyst effect is obtd. and UV rays harmful to the human body are absorbed without impairing the transparency. The photocatalyst effect is more effectively exhibited by the absorbed UV rays.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a transparent member for an optical functional vehicle and a vehicle including the same member.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventional transparent members such as window glass for automobiles cannot shield sunlight from summer, and the temperature rise inside the vehicle becomes unbearable. In order to shield this heat ray, a black sunscreen film, etc. is attached to the inside to protect privacy as well as to prevent the temperature rise inside the car, or it takes time and effort to attach it, making it difficult for an amateur to set. There are also problems. On the other hand, ultraviolet rays contained in sunlight have both merit and demerit functions, and recently, when exposed to a large amount of ultraviolet rays directly, social problems such as skin cancer occur. In order to effectively utilize this ultraviolet ray, attention has been paid to the photocatalytic action of metal oxides.

Titanium dioxide is known as the most effective photocatalyst among the metal oxides. A photocatalyst is exposed to ultraviolet rays from sunlight, fluorescent lamps, etc., and positively charged holes and negatively charged electrons are generated on the surface of the photocatalyst. Oxidation reaction with hydroxyl groups and water gives rise to hydroxyl radicals having strong oxidizing power. A substance that causes a redox reaction by this strong redox power and absorbs light in this way to give the light energy to the reaction product to cause a chemical reaction. That is, the holes and electrons generated on the surface of the photocatalytic substance decompose water into oxygen and hydrogen, or decompose organic substances into carbon dioxide gas and water. As a photocatalytic action, it also has functions such as deodorization, sterilization, and antifouling due to its strong oxidizing power. In order to utilize such photocatalytic action more effectively, it is preferable to form a thin film on the surface of the transparent member. Titanium dioxide photocatalyst can be thinned by T
There are a method using i-alkoxide and a method using titanium dioxide sol. In the former method, titanium tetranosopropoxide or the like is dip-coated 1 and then fired to obtain a titanium dioxide thin film, but high temperature heat treatment is required, and the glass itself, which is a transparent member, is deteriorated and cannot be made of plastic. Also, in the latter, heat treatment is necessary, though not as much as the former, and since it is an aqueous raw material,
Wetting to the transparent member was poor, and there was a problem in adhesion.

[0004]

A transparent member for a vehicle such as an automobile must first have good visibility, and must not impair this transparency. Therefore, when processing a transparent member, it is required to be extremely thin. An object of the present invention is to obtain a photocatalytic action without impairing transparency, and to absorb harmful ultraviolet rays to the human body,
The absorbed ultraviolet rays allow the photocatalytic effect to be more effectively exhibited.
Deodorizing effects such as tobacco odor and air conditioner odor, and natural sterilization,
The present invention intends to provide a vehicle such as an automobile that can exhibit functions such as antifouling and that is resistant to raindrops.

[0005]

The above problems can be solved by forming a titanium dioxide thin film on at least one side.
As a result, a photocatalytic action by absorbing ultraviolet rays and a heat ray shielding effect can be obtained.

[0006]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION A metal thin film may be further immobilized on this titanium dioxide thin film. It is preferable that the thin dioxide film is formed amorphous on both surfaces of the window glass by the ion plating method or the like.

Such a transparent member may be used for a windshield of a helmet of a vehicle such as a motorcycle.

A vehicle provided with the above-mentioned transparent member will be a very comfortable vehicle for humans, and a means for removing water droplets adhering to the outside of the transparent member may be provided.

Further immobilization of a metal thin film on the titanium dioxide thin film improves the activity of the photocatalyst and the film strength. When the titanium dioxide thin film is made amorphous, the firing temperature can be lowered, so that it can be formed on a transparent plastic member. When such a transparent member is used as a window glass for automobiles, in addition to its photocatalytic function, it is possible to prevent an increase in temperature inside the room, and the water repellency of titanium dioxide makes it difficult for raindrops to adhere.

Next, the configuration of one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to a sectional side view of a main part adopted as a vehicle transparent member in an automobile window glass. In the figure, reference numeral 1 is a window glass for an automobile, which includes a front kill window 1a, a rear fixed window 1b, front side opening / closing windows 1c, 1c and a rear side opening / closing window 1d,
It consists of 1d. As shown in the enlarged view, each of these windows 1 has an amorphous titanium dioxide thin film 2 formed on both sides by an ion plating method. This thin film has a thickness of 0.
Since it is formed to be extremely thin with a thickness of 5 μm or less, there is no risk of impairing the visibility without impairing the transparency. By doing so, the photocatalytic action of titanium dioxide is caused by ultraviolet rays such as sunlight, and functions such as deodorization, sterilization and antifouling in the room can be exerted, and the effect of blocking the ultraviolet rays on the human body and shielding heat rays can be achieved. There is. Further, the water-repellent effect of the titanium dioxide thin film adhered to the outside makes it difficult for raindrops to adhere, and even if adhered, it becomes fine particles, and the wiper is completely unnecessary in high-speed traveling. Further, as shown by imaginary lines, each of the windows may further have a metal thin film 2a of copper or the like immobilized on the surface thereof, if necessary. Since such a metal thin film is very thin, it is effective in increasing strength without impairing transparency.

[0011]

[Embodiment] In this embodiment, further, means 3 for removing such fine particles by blowing with an air blower 3
However, it is arranged inside the engine room cover 4, and is also integrated with the rear spoiler 5 in the rear part as well. With this configuration, the wiper becomes unnecessary even at low speed.

In the above-mentioned embodiment, the one used for the window glass for an automobile is shown, but it is also used for the windshield 7 of the motorcycle helmet 6 as shown in the sectional side view of the main part of FIG.
In this way, even if it is not specially made into sunglasses, it is not dazzling, and the water-repellent effect of the amorphous titanium dioxide thin film 2 makes it comfortable to use in rainy weather, and is more resistant to stains due to its antifouling function.

[0013]

The transparent member for an optical functional vehicle of the present invention is
In addition to the photocatalytic action of deodorization, sterilization and antifouling as described above, it has water repellency, so it has a function to prevent raindrops from attaching and it also shields ultraviolet rays that are harmful to the human body. When used for glass, etc., some are extremely effective and practically large.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional side view of a main part of an automobile as an example of a vehicle that employs a transparent member for an optical functional vehicle of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional side view of essential parts of a motorcycle helmet as another embodiment of the transparent member.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Automotive Window Glass 1a Front Fitting Window 1b Rear Fixed Window 1c and 1d Front and Rear Side Opening / Closing Windows 2 Amorphous Titanium Dioxide Thin Film 3 Water Drop Removing Means 4 Engine Room Cover 5 Rear Spoiler 6 Helmet 7 Windshield

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A transparent member for an optical functional vehicle, comprising a titanium dioxide thin film formed on at least one surface. 2. The transparent member for an optical functional vehicle according to claim 1, wherein a metal thin film is fixed on the titanium dioxide thin film. 3. The transparent member for an optical functional vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the titanium dioxide thin film is amorphous. 4. The transparent member is a window glass.
A transparent member for an optical functional vehicle according to item 1. 5. The transparent member for an optical functional vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the transparent member is a windshield on a front surface of a helmet. 6. A vehicle comprising the transparent member for an optical functional vehicle according to claim 1. 7. A vehicle including the transparent member for a vehicle according to claim 6, further comprising means for removing water droplets attached to the transparent member.