WO2009152871A1

WO2009152871A1 - Lmp bus bar and panel of laminated glass

Info

Publication number: WO2009152871A1
Application number: PCT/EP2008/063280
Authority: WO
Inventors: Xavier Sahyoun
Original assignee: Agc Flat Glass Europe Sa
Priority date: 2008-06-17
Filing date: 2008-10-03
Publication date: 2009-12-23
Also published as: DK2303573T3; ES2395442T3; EA201100024A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a bus bar 1 comprising a conductive strip 4, a first insulating layer 6 provided on one side of the conductive strip 4 and adapted for holding the conductive strip 4, and a second insulating layer 3 provided on the other side of the conductive strip 4 and adapted for holding the conductive strip 4 and the first insulating layer 3, wherein the first insulating layer 6 and/or the second insulating layer 3 comprises an opening 2 for providing electrical access to the conductive strip 4, and wherein at least one side of the conductive strip 4 is covered by an electrically conductive coating 5. The bus bar 1 according to the invention provides a very reliable electrical contact thanks to the conductive coating 5 provided on the conductive strip 4.

Description

LMP Bus bar and panel of laminated glass

Domain of the invention

The invention relates to bus bar structures as well as laminated glass products requiring a bus bar, e.g. a panel of laminated glass, with a first glass substrate, a conductive layer, wherein the conductive layer is provided on the first glass substrate, and a second glass substrate, wherein the two glass substrates are laminated together via a plastics inter- layer, wherein the plastics interlayer is provided on the conductive layer.

Technical background

Laminated glass is known in the form of safety glass that holds together when shuttered. In the event of breaking, it is held in place by the plastics interlayer, typically of polyvi- nylbutyral (PVB), between its two or more layers of glass substrate. The plastics interlayer keeps the layers of glass substrate bonded even when broken, and its high strength prevents the glass substrates from breaking-up into large sharp pieces.

Methods for manufacturing laminated glass are well-known in the window industry since decades. A so-called sandwich of the first glass substrate, the plastics interlayer and the second glass substrate is laminated in an automated laminating line by using the procedure of calendaring and autoclaving. Calendaring means the pre-gluing of the sandwich under the action of a pressure imposed by two rolls applied on either side of the glass substrates and the action of heat. The final gluing of the glass substrates by a vacuum/heating cycle, which combines pressure and temperatures, takes place during the step of autoclaving, which completely removes air bubbles in the plastics interlayer between the glass substrates. The result is a clear glass laminate well known from car windscreens.

In the automotive, aviation and other industries, laminated glass panels with integrated electronic components, such as light emitting diodes (LED), are known, e. g. for displaying information or for lighting purposes. For these application areas, the manufacturing of a laminated glass panel with electronic components typically comprises the steps of depositing a conductive layer on the first layer of glass substrate, realization of electronic circuits in the conductive layer and depositing of electronic components on the conductive layer, connected to the electronic circuits. The plastics interlay er is then deposited on the conductive layer. The sandwich is obtained by the application of the second layer of glass on the plastics interlayer, which is then laminated as outlined before.

EP 1 840 449 describes such a panel of laminated glass with two bus bars, wherein each bus bar is adapted to provide electrical power to a plurality of electronic circuits. The bus bars are provided on the conductive layer and each bus bar comprises a plurality of spaced insulators arranged at intervals along its length so as to provide alternately electrical connections and non-electrical connections, respectively, between a conductive strip of the bus bar and the conductive layer at selected positions. Thus, it is possible to supply in an independent way several electronic circuits realized in the conductive layer.

In order to assure a good electric contact between the bus bar and the conductive layer, it is important that most of the surface of the bus bar is in contact with the conductive layer. Nevertheless, as generally, the surface of the bus bar is not perfectly plane, the electrical contact between the bus bar and the conductive layer is not good. A classical solution in order to increase the surface of the bus bar which is in contact with the conductive layer is to place silver spray or conductive glue between the bus bar and the conductive layer. The silver spray, which is preferably applied with a brush, is provided on the conductive layer prior to placing the bus bar on the conductive layer. Applying conductive glue follows a similar method.

However, applying silver spray or conductive glue prior to depositing the bus bar on the conductive layer is very time expensive. Further, the silver spray is very costly and noxious for an operator applying the silver spray on the conductive layer.

Summary of the present invention Accordingly, it is the object of the invention to provide a bus bar that is easy to produce in mass for a low cost and provides a high reliability of the electrical contact between the conductive strip and a conductive layer during usage. It is a further object of the present invention, in at least one of its embodiment, to provide a bus bar that can be applied on a coating in a way that is not noxious. An advantage of the present invention is to provide a method for manufacturing a panel of laminated glass that provides a high reliability of the electrical contact between the bus bar and the conductive layer during usage.

This object is addressed by a bus bar comprising a conductive strip wherein at least one side of the conductive strip is at least partially covered by an electrically conductive coating. In general, the electrically conductive coating can be provided as any electrically conductive material. However, according to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the electrically conductive coating is provided as a low melting point solder. The low melting point solder can be provided for example as a composition of lead and of indium, of tin, of tin and lead, or of any other solder known from the prior art. Preferably, the melting temperature of the low melting point solder is < 140 ⁰C.

Accordingly, it is an essential idea of the invention to provide the electrically conductive coating, and preferably provided as a low melting point solder, on at least one side of the conductive strip of the bus bar for improving the electrical contact between the conductive strip of the bus bar and another contact element, such as a conductive layer. As a matter of fact, in that case, melting of the low melting point solder (for instance by heating the bus bar) assure that most of the surface of the conductive strip of the bus bar is in contact with the conductive layer even in the case where the surface of the bus bar is not plane. As a consequence, the invention provides a bus bar that is easy to produce in mass, in a non noxious way, for a low cost and provides a high reliability of the electrical contact between the conductive strip and a conductive layer during usage. - A -

The conductive strip can be realised in copper or in any other conductive material or combination of conductive materials. It can be solid or perforated, e. g. drawn, rolled, woven, extruded, knitted or graded.

It is further preferred that the bus bar comprises a first insulating layer provided on one side of the conductive strip and adapted for holding the conductive strip, and a second insulating layer provided on the other side of the conductive strip and adapted for holding the conductive strip and the first insulating layer, wherein the first insulating layer and/or the second insulating layer comprises an opening for providing electrical access to the conductive strip.

The opening can be cut or pierced by a laser beam, for example. Preferably, the opening is provided in the first insulating layer and/or in the second insulating layer prior to manufacturing the bus bar, which improves flexibility and reduces manufacturing cost. Such a bus bar according to the invention provides good long term reliability, given that the electrical contact between the conductive strip and another contact element is improved. Further, such a bus bar according to the invention is easy to manufacture.

It is further preferred that a plurality of spaced openings is provided, wherein the spaced openings are preferably arranged at intervals along the length of the conductive strip. The plurality of spaced conductive strips may be arranged in such a manner that the first insulating layer and a second insulating layer are shared, wherein electrical access is provided alternately for each conductive strip. Further, the first insulating layer and/or the second insulating layer can be provided as a plastic material and/or plastic film on which an adhesive is deposited for holding the conductive strip and for holding the second insulating layer and/or the first insulating layer, respectively. In addition, the bus bar may be laminated together for fixing the first insulating layer, the conductive strip and a second insulating layer.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the electrically conductive coating is directed towards the opening. This means that the conductive strip is prefera- bly covered by the electrically conductive coating on the side of the conductive strip, which is accessible by the opening.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the width of the electrically conductive coating is thinner than the width of the conductive strip and/or the thickness of the electrically conductive coating is thinner than the thickness of the conductive strip. In other words, it is preferred that the electrically conductive coating does not overlie the conductive strip and/or is thinner than the conductive strip. It is espe- cially preferred that the electrically conductive coating is provided with a width of 20 microns.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, all sides of the conductive strips are covered by the electrically conductive coating. This means that the conductive strip is completely covered by the electrically conductive coating.

The bus bar with the conductive strip can be used in a panel of laminated glass, having a first glass substrate, a conductive layer, wherein the conductive layer is provided on the first glass substrate, and a second glass substrate, wherein the two glass substrates are laminated together via a plastics interlayer, wherein the plastics interlayer is provided on the conductive layer.

Accordingly, the object of the invention is further addressed by a panel of laminated glass, comprising a first glass substrate, a conductive layer, wherein the conductive layer is provided on the first glass substrate, a second glass substrate, wherein the two glass substrates are laminated together via a plastics interlayer, wherein the plastics interlayer is provided on the conductive layer, and a bus bar comprising a conductive stri- p, wherein at least one side of the conductive strip is at least partially covered by an electrically conductive coating, preferably provided as a low melting point solder. In this way, the electrical contact between the conductive layer and the bus bar is improved by adding the electrically conductive coating, and preferably provided as a low melting point solder, onto the conductive strip of the bus bar. This is advantageous over the prior art as the panel of laminated glass according to the invention provides a very reliable electrical contact between the conductive strip and the conductive layer. As a matter of fact, melting of the low melting point solder (for instance by heating the panel during its production or lamination process) assure that most of the surface of the conductive strip of the bus bar is in contact with the conductive layer even in the case where the surface of the conductive strip is not plane. As a consequence, the invention provides a panel that is easy to produce in mass, in a non noxious way, for a low cost and provides a high reliability of the electrical contact between the conductive strip and a conductive layer during usage.

Further, the panel of laminated glass according to the invention provides a good resistance against external vibrations.

In a preferred embodiment, the bus bar comprises a first insulating layer provided on one side of the conductive strip and adapted for holding the conductive strip, and a sec- ond insulating layer provided on the other side of the conductive strip and adapted for holding the conductive strip and the first insulating layer, the first insulating layer and/or the second insulating layer comprises an opening for providing electrical access to the conductive strip, wherein in the opening the electrically conductive coating is in electrical contact with the conductive layer.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the panel of laminated glass further comprises an external connection for providing electrical contact to the bus bar, wherein the external connection is coupled to the bus bar via an external electrically conductive connection coating on the side of the bus bar that faces away from the con- ductive layer. The external connection allows the provision of a source of electrical signals, such as a power supply or a controller, to the bus bar. The external electrically conductive connection coating can be provided as a low melting point solder, i.e. preferably out of the same material or out of a similar material as the electrically conductive coating. In this manner, an electrically reliable external connection can be provided to the bus bar, which is preferably provided on the side of the bus bar that faces away from the conductive layer. The object of the invention is further addressed by a method for manufacturing a bus bar, comprising the steps of providing a conductive strip, adhering the conductive strip onto a first insulating layer, adhering the conductive strip and a first insulating layer with a second insulating layer, providing an electrically conductive coating, preferably provided as a low melting point solder, on at least one side of the conductive strip, and providing electrical access to the electrical conductive coating by an opening in the first insulating and/or in the second insulating layer. In this way, a very reliable electrical connection is provided between the conductive strip and the electrically conductive coating provided on at least one side of the conductive strip.

The object of the invention is further addressed by a method for manufacturing a panel of laminated glass, comprising the steps of providing a conductive layer on a first glass substrate, applying a bus bar according to the invention, a bus manufactured according to the invention, or a bus bar, which is provided on at least one side with an electrically conductive coating, preferably provided as a low melting point solder, on the conductive layer, wherein the electrical conductive coating is in electrical contact with the conductive layer, and laminating the first glass substrate and a second glass substrate via a plastics interlayer, wherein the plastics interlayer is provided on the second glass sub- strate. Such an embodiment allows a form of the bus bar which is more compact and assures a final fixation of the bus bar. As a matter of fact, in that case, melting of the low melting point solder (for instance by heating the bus bar) assure that most of the surface of the conductive strip of the bus bar is in contact with the conductive layer even in the case where the surface of the bus bar is not plane. As a consequence, the invention provides a panel that is easy to produce in mass, in a non noxious way, for a low cost and provides a high reliability of the electrical contact between the conductive strip and a conductive layer during usage. The embodiment allows for a reliable contact between the conductive layer and the bus bar via the electrically conductive coating. Generally, the lamination allows for evacuation of any air present between the conduc- tive strip of the bus bar and the conductive layer, obtaining a good electrical contact between the conductive strip of the bus bar and the conductive layer. According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the method further comprises the step of applying an external connection for providing electrical contact to the bus bar, wherein the external connection is coupled to the bus bar via an external elec- trically conductive connection coating, preferably provided as a low melting point solder, on the side of the bus bar that is facing away from the conductive layer. In other words, an external connection is provided in electrical contact to the bus bar via the external electrically conductive connection coating, which is preferably provided on the side of the bus bar that faces away from the conductive layer. Thanks to the external electrically conductive coating, a very reliable electrical connection between the external connection and the bus bar can be obtained. Such an external connection allows for a provision of external signals, such as a power supply or a controller, to the bus bar.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the method further com- prises the step of autoclaving the panel of laminated glass for melting the electrically conductive coating between the bus bar and the conductive layer and/or for melting the external electrically conductive connection coating between the external connection and the bus bar. In this way, the electrically conductive coating and/or the external electrically conductive connection coating, which are preferably provided as a low melting point solder, melt together the bus bar and the conductive layer and/or melt together the external connection and the bus bar, respectively, during the step of autoclaving of the panel of laminated glass. Preferably, during the step of autoclaving the panel of laminated glass is applied to temperatures in the order of 140 ⁰C and to pressure. In this way, a good electrical contact is obtained between the bus bar and the conductive layer, and/or between the bus bar and the external connection, respectively.

These and other aspects of the invention will be apparent from and elucidated with reference to the embodiments described hereinafter.

Brief Description of the Drawings In the drawings: Fig. 1 depicts a top view of the bus bar according to a preferred embodiment of the invention,

Fig. 2 depicts a longitudinal view of the bus bar according to the preferred embodiment of the invention,

Fig. 3 depicts a longitudinal view of a panel of laminated glass according to another preferred embodiment of the invention prior to autoclaving,

Fig. 4 depicts a longitudinal view of a panel of laminated glass according to the another preferred embodiment of the invention after autoclaving, and

Fig. 5 is a longitudinal view of panel of laminated glass according to another preferred embodiment of the invention.

Description of the illustrative embodiments

The drawings described are only schematic and are non-limiting. In the drawings, the size of some of the elements may be exaggerated and not drawn on scale for illustrative purposes. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measured cannot be used to advantage. Any reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope.

Where the term "comprising" is used in the present description and claims, it does not exclude other elements or steps. Where an indefinite or definite article is used when referring to a singular noun e.g. "a" or "an", "the", this includes a plural of that noun unless something else is specifically stated.

Furthermore, the terms first, second and the like in the description and in the claims, are used for distinguishing between similar elements and not necessarily for describing a sequence, either temporally, spatially, in ranking or in any other manner. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances and that the embodiments of the invention described herein are capable of operation in other sequences than described or illustrated herein.

Reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases "in one embodiment" or "in an embodiment" in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, but may. Furthermore, the particular features, structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner, as would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art from this disclosure, in one or more embodiments.

Similarly it should be appreciated that in the description of exemplary embodiments of the invention, various features of the invention are sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure and aiding in the understanding of one or more of the various inventive aspects. This method of disclosure, however, is not to be interpreted as reflecting an inten- tion that the claimed invention requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in less than all features of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment. Thus, the claims following the detailed description are hereby expressly incorporated into this detailed description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment of this invention.

Furthermore, while some embodiments described herein include some but not other features included in other embodiments, combinations of features of different embodiments are meant to be within the scope of the invention, and form different embodiments, as would be understood by those in the art. For example, in the following claims, any of the claimed embodiments can be used in any combination. As can be seen from Fig. 1, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, a top view of the bus bar 1 is depicted. The bus bar 1 comprises two openings 2, which are provided in the second insulating layer 3. Each opening 2 provides electrical access to the conductive strip 4, not depicted, wherein the conductive strip 4 is covered by an electrically conductive coating 5, which is directed towards the opening 2. The coating (or plating) can be carried out by manufacturing routes, e.g. dipping, electrocoating, electroless coating, sputtering, ...

As can be seen further, the opening 2 provides electrical access to the first conductive strip 4 via the electrically conductive coating 5, wherein the first opening 2 providing electrical access to the first conductive strip 4 via the electrically conductive coating 5 is offset relative to the second opening 2 providing electrical access to the second conductive strip 4 via the electrically conductive coating 5. The electrically conductive coating 5 is provided as a low melting point solder, such as a composition of lead and indium, tin, tin and lead, or other solder known from the prior art. The melting temperature of the low melting points solder is < 140 ⁰C.

Fig. 2 depicts a longitudinal view of the bus bar 1. The bus bar 1 comprises further a first insulating layer 6, the conductive strip 4 and the second insulating layer 3. The first insulating layer 6 can be realised as a plastic material on which a layer of adhesive is deposited. For example, the first insulating layer 6 can be a tape sold under the trade name 3M 390 marketed by the cooperation 3M.

In order to manufacture the bus bar 1, the conductive strip 4 is realised in copper, for example as a product marketed by the corporation Comet Metals Co. located in Walton Hills, OH. The conductive strip 4 is then covered by the electrically conductive coating 5, as depicted in Fig. 2. According to the preferred embodiment of the invention, all sides of the conductive strip 4 are covered by the electrically conductive coating 5. Alternatively, the electrically conductive coating 5 can be provided on the side of the con- ductive strip 4 that is directed towards the opening 2. Then, a second insulating layer 3 is deposited on the first insulating layer 6 and the conductive strip 4 is covered by the electrically conductive coating 5. Electrical access is provided to the conductive strip 4 via the electrically conductive coating 5 in the opening 2.

The second insulating layer 3 is for example a plastic film on which is deposited or ap- plied layer of adhesive, for example a film marketed by the cooperation 3M under the commercial reference 3M 947 IFL, in order to fix the second insulating layer 3 to the first insulating layer 6 and the conductive strip 4. The opening 2 is previously fixed into the second insulating layer 3 prior to fixing the second insulating layer 3 onto the first insulating layer 6 and onto the conductive strip 4. It is further equally conceivable that the second insulating layer 3 is also provided with a conductive adhesive on the side facing away from the conductive strip 4, to fix the bus bar 1.

Figures 3 to 5 illustrates a simplified embodiment of the invention according to which the bus bar 1 comprises only the conductive strip 4 provided with the coating 5.

Fig. 3 depicts a panel of laminated glass 7 in a longitudinal view according to another preferred embodiment prior to autoclaving. The panel of laminated glass 7 comprises a first glass substrate 8 on which a conductive layer 9 is provided. A conductive strip 4 is provided on top of the conductive layer 9, wherein the electrically conductive coating 5 is provided in between the conductive strip 4 and the conductive layer 9.

The panel of laminated glass 7 further comprises a second glass substrate 10 and a plastics interlayer 11, wherein the plastics interlayer 11 is provided in between the conductive strip 4 and the second glass substrate 10. The plastics interlayer 11 may comprise Polyvinylbutyral, for example having the reference Solucia RB41. The first glass sub- strate 8 and/or a second glass substrate 10 can be provided as the material ITO having the reference ITO CEC005P manufactured by Prazisions Glas & Optik.

Fig. 4 depicts the panel of laminated glass 7 according to the preferred embodiment of the invention after autoclaving. Thanks to applying pressure and heat during the process step of autoclaving, the panel of laminated glass 7 received a compactor form, as the electrically conductive coating 5 has melted the conductive layer 9 and the bus bar 1 together. In contrary to Fig. 3, and as depicted in Fig. 4, the spaces 12 in between the conductive layer 9 and the electrically conductive coating 5 have been removed due to the process step of autoclaving. In this way, a very reliable electrical contact is created between the conductive layer 9 and the conductive strip 4 by melting the electrically conductive coating 5 in between the conductive layer 9 and the conductive strip 4.

Fig. 5 depicts longitudinal view of a panel of laminated glass according to another preferred embodiment of the invention. As it can be seen, an external connection 13 is provided on top of the conductive strip 4. In other words, the conductive strip 4 is provided in between the conductive layer 9 and the external connection 13, wherein the electrically conductive coating 5 (not illustrated on figure 5) is provided in between the conductive layer 9 and the conductive strip 4 and an external electrically conductive connection coating 14 is provided in between a conductive strip 4 and the external connection 13.

Similar or equal to the electrically conductive coating 5, the external electrically conductive connection coating 14 is provided as a low melting point solder as well. In this way, a reliable and good electrical contact (through soldering) is provided between the bus bar 1 and the external connection during the process step of autoclaving by melting the external electrically conductive connection 14 in between the bus bar 1 (comprising the conductive strip 4 and the coating 5) and the external connection 13. Thanks to the external connection 13, the conductive strip 4 of the bus bar 1 and/or the conductive layer 9 can be connected to external power sources or external controllers.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, such illustration and description are to be considered illustrative or exemplary and not restrictive; the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments.

Other variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art in practicing the claimed invention, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measured cannot be used to advantage. Any reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope.

Claims

1. Bus bar comprising a conductive strip (4), wherein at least one side of the conductive strip (4) is at least partially covered by an electrically conductive coating (5) provided as a low melting point solder.

2. Bus bar 1) according to claim 1, wherein it comprises a first insulating layer (6) provided on one side of the conductive strip (4) and adapted for holding the conductive strip (4), and a second insulating layer (3) provided on the other side of the conductive strip (4) and adapted for holding the conductive strip (4) and the first insulating layer (3), wherein the first insulating layer (6) and/or the second insulating layer (3) comprises an opening (2) for providing electrical access to the conductive strip (4).

3. Bus bar (1) according to claim 2, wherein the electrically conductive coating (5) is directed towards the opening (2).

4. Bus bar (1) according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the width of the electrically conductive coating (5) is thinner than the width of the conductive strip (4) and/or the thickness of the electrically conductive coating (5) is thinner than the thickness of the conductive strip (4).

5. Bus bar (1) according to any of claim 1 to 4, wherein all sides of the conductive strip (4) are covered by the electrically conductive coating (5).

6. Panel of laminated glass (7), comprising a first glass substrate (8), a conductive layer (9), wherein the conductive layer (9) is provided on the first glass substrate (8), a second glass substrate (10), wherein the two glass substrates (8, 10) are laminated together via a plastics interlayer (11), wherein the plastics interlayer (11) is provided on the conductive layer (9), and a bus bar (1) comprising a conductive strip (4), wherein at least one side of the conductive strip (4) is at least partially covered by an electrically conductive coating (5) provided as a low melting point solder.

7. Panel of laminated glass (7), according to claim 6 wherein the bus bar (1) comprises a first insulating layer (6) provided on one side of the conductive strip (4) and adapted for holding the conductive strip (4), and a second insulating layer (3) provided on the other side of the conductive strip (4) and adapted for holding the conductive strip (4) and the first insulating layer (3), wherein the first insulating layer (6) and/or the second insulating layer (3) comprises an opening (2) for providing electrical access to the conductive strip (4), wherein in the opening (2) the electrically conductive coating (5) is in electrical contact with the conductive layer (9).

8. Panel of laminated glass (7) according to claim 6 or7, further comprising an external connection (13) for providing electrical contact to the bus bar (1), wherein the external connection (13) is coupled to the bus bar (1) via an external electrically conductive connection coating, provided as a low melting point solder (14), on the side of the bus bar (1) that faces away from the conductive layer (9).

9. Panel of laminated glass (7) according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the electrically conductive coating (5) is directed towards the opening (2).

10. Panel of laminated glass (7) according to any of the claims 6 to 9, wherein the width of the electrically conductive coating (5) is thinner than the width of the conductive strip (4) and/or the thickness of the electrically conductive coating (5) is thinner than the thickness of the conductive strip (4).

11. Panel of laminated glass (7) according to any of claims 6 to 10, wherein all sides of the conductive strip (4) are covered by the electrically conductive coating (5).

12. Method for manufacturing a bus bar (1), comprising the steps of: providing a conductive strip (4), adhering the conductive strip (4) onto a first insulating layer (6), adhering the conductive strip (4) and the first insulating layer (6) with a second insulating layer (3), providing an electrically conductive coating (5), provided as a low melting point solder, on at least one side of the conductive strip (4), and providing electrical access to the electrically conductive coating (5) by an opening (2) in the first insulating layer (6) and/or in the second insulating layer (3).

13. Method for manufacturing a panel of laminated glass (7), comprising the steps of: providing a conductive layer (9) on a first glass substrate (8), applying a bus bar (1) according to any of claims 1 to 5, a bus bar (1) manufactured according to claim 8 or a bus bar (1), which is provided on at least one side with an electrically conductive coating, provided as a low melting point solder, (5), on the conductive layer (11), wherein the electrically conductive coating (5) is in electrical contact with the conductive layer (11), and laminating the first glass substrate (8) and a second glass substrate (10) via a plastics interlay er (11), wherein the plastics interlay er (11) is provided on the second glass substrate (10).

14. Method for manufacturing a panel of laminated glass (7) according to claim 13, further comprising the step of applying an external connection (13) for providing electrical contact to the bus bar (1), wherein the external connection (13) is coupled to the bus bar (1) via an external electrically conductive connection coating (14) on the side of the bus bar (1) that is facing away from the conductive layer (9).

15. Method for manufacturing a panel of laminated glass (7) according to claim 13 or 14, further comprising the step of autoclaving the panel of laminated glass (7) for melting the electrically conductive coating (5) between the bus bar (1) and the conduc- tive layer (11) and/or for melting the external electrically conductive connection coating (14) between the external connection (13) and the bus bar (1).