WO2021185669A1

WO2021185669A1 - Pane assembly having a capacitive switching region

Info

Publication number: WO2021185669A1
Application number: PCT/EP2021/056184
Authority: WO
Inventors: Gabor Varga; Bastian KLAUSS; Christopher Matheisen; Richard STELZER
Original assignee: Saint-Gobain Glass France
Priority date: 2020-03-18
Filing date: 2021-03-11
Publication date: 2021-09-23
Also published as: CN113710475A; DE202021004000U1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a pane assembly (100), comprising: - a composite pane (1) having two panes (2, 3), which are connected to each other by means of at least one intermediate layer (4), - a capacitive sensor assembly (101) having at least one lamellar capacitive switching region (5), which can be connected to capacitive sensor electronics (7, 7', 7''), the capacitive sensor assembly (10) comprising: - a lamellar covering region (8) on one side of the capacitive switching region (5), which covering region at least partly covers the capacitive switching region (5) in a perpendicular view through the pane (1), and/or a lamellar frame region (9), which at least partly frames the capacitive switching region (5) in the plane of the capacitive switching region (5), wherein the covering region (8) and the frame region (9) can each be fed an electrical signal based on the capacitance of the capacitive switching region (5).

Description

Disc arrangement with capacitive switching area

The invention relates to a pane arrangement with a composite pane and a capacitive switching area, as well as the use thereof.

It is known that switching areas can be formed by a flat electrode or by an arrangement of two coupled electrodes, for example as capacitive switching areas. If an object approaches the capacitive switching area, the capacitance of the flat electrode to earth or the capacitance of the capacitor formed by the two coupled electrodes changes. Such switching areas are known, for example, from US 2010/179725 A1, US 6654070 B1, DE 102013241 249 A1 and US 2006/275599 A1.

The change in capacitance is measured via a circuit arrangement or sensor electronics and a switching signal is triggered when a threshold value is exceeded. Circuit arrangements for capacitive switches are known, for example, from DE 202006006 192 U1, EP 0899882 A1, US 6,452,514 B1, US 6,828,806 A1 and EP 1 515211 A1.

It has now been shown in practice that parasitic interference can significantly impair the capacitance of the switching area, the interference often leading to a change in capacitance which significantly exceeds the change in capacitance in the context of the intended use of the switching area.

The object of the present invention is to provide an improved disk arrangement with a capacitive switching area, by means of which this disadvantage can be avoided. A touch sensor can be formed in a simple manner with the capacitive switching area.

The object of the present invention is achieved according to the invention by a pane arrangement according to independent claim 1. Preferred configurations emerge from the subclaims.

The pane arrangement according to the invention comprises a composite pane with two panes which are firmly connected to one another by at least one intermediate layer. The disk arrangement further comprises a capacitive sensor arrangement at least one layered capacitive switching area which can be or is connected to capacitive sensor electronics. The capacitive sensor electronics can be part of the pane arrangement.

The capacitive sensor arrangement comprises on one (layer) side of the capacitive switching area (i.e. outside the plane of the capacitive switching area) a layered cover area which, in a vertical view through the pane, at least partially, advantageously completely, covers the capacitive switching area. The layered cover area is arranged, for example, parallel to the capacitive switching area. At least one layer made of a dielectric material is located between the cover area and the capacitive switching area. As an alternative or in addition, the capacitive sensor arrangement comprises a layered frame area which at least partially, advantageously completely, frames the capacitive switching area in the plane of the capacitive switching area. The frame area is spatially separated from the capacitive switching area by a coating-free dividing line and / or a dielectric material.

Both the cover area and the frame area (ie layer areas of the shielding) can each be acted upon or acted upon by an electrical signal based on the capacitance of the capacitive switching area (e.g. signal twin of the electrical test signal of the capacitive switching area). This creates an effective, electrically active shielding of the capacitive switching area from external interference, since the layered areas of the shielding and the capacitive switching area have no potential difference. To measure the capacitance of the switching area, a test signal is typically applied to the capacitive switching area, which changes depending on the (instantaneous) capacitance of the capacitive switching area. For example, the capacitive switching range is charged in the form of a ramp, the ramp charging depending on the capacitance of the switching range. It would also be possible, for example, to determine the capacitance of the switching range using an applied frequency. According to the invention, an electrical signal is applied to the layer areas of the shielding, which is based on the capacitance of the switching area and is preferably the same as the test signal which is dependent on the capacitance of the switching area (eg signal twin). According to one embodiment of the pane arrangement according to the invention, the capacitive switching area comprises a contact or approach area and a feed area, the cover area covering at least the contact or approach area, in particular the contact or approach area and the feed area, in a vertical view through the pane. The contact or approach area, in particular the contact or approach area and the supply line area, is preferably completely covered by the cover area in a vertical view through the pane.

The contact or approach area can in principle have any shape, for example circular, elliptical or teardrop-shaped. Alternatively, angular shapes are possible, for example triangles, squares, rectangles, trapezoids or other quadrangles or polygons of a higher order. In general, it is particularly advantageous if any corners are rounded. The area of contact or approach has, for example, an area of 1 cm ² to 200 cm ² , preferably 1 cm ² to 9 cm ² . The length of the contact or approach area is, for example, from 1 cm to 14 cm, the maximum width of the contact or approach area be, for example, from 1 cm to 14 cm. The length of the lead area is, for example, 1 cm to 70 cm. The width of the lead area is, for example, from 0.5 mm to 10 mm. The shape of the feed area is preferably rectangular, strip-shaped or linear.

According to a further embodiment of the pane arrangement according to the invention, the capacitive sensor arrangement on the other (layer) side of the capacitive switching area (i.e. outside the plane of the capacitive switching area) comprises a further layered cover area which, in a vertical view through the pane, at least partially, in particular completely, the supply area , covers, but not the contact or approach area. The further cover area is preferably arranged parallel to the capacitive switching area.

According to a particularly advantageous embodiment of the pane arrangement according to the invention, the capacitive sensor arrangement comprises a carrier film for at least one layered area of the shield. For example, the capacitive switching area and the frame area surrounding it are arranged on one side of the carrier film and the cover region is arranged on the other side of the carrier film. It is also possible that only the capacitive switching range and this surrounding frame area are arranged on one side of the carrier film, the cover area being absent. It is equally possible that only the capacitive switching area (no frame area) is arranged on one side of the carrier film and the cover area is arranged on the other side of the carrier film. The capacitive sensor arrangement with carrier film can advantageously be prefabricated or prefabricated and laminated into the composite pane as a prefabricated component.

Alternatively, the capacitive switching area and optionally the frame area surrounding it are arranged on one of the two panes and the cover area is arranged on the carrier film.

The carrier film is preferably transparent. It preferably contains or consists of a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) film. The thickness of the carrier film is preferably from 0.025 mm to 0.1 mm. The carrier film preferably has a relative permittivity of 2 to 4 and particularly preferably 2.7 to 3.3. Particularly good composite panes can be produced with such backing films, since such thin backing films can be integrated well and optically inconspicuous in the composite pane even if they are only arranged in sections. At the same time, good and selective switching signals can be generated.

Alternatively, no carrier film is provided for the capacitive sensor arrangement and the capacitive switching area and the frame area are arranged on one pane and the cover area is arranged on the other pane. It is also possible that in this embodiment no frame area or, alternatively, no cover area is provided.

According to a further embodiment of the pane arrangement according to the invention, the sensor arrangement comprises an electrically conductive layer in which the capacitive switching area is electrically subdivided from the frame area by a coating-free separating line and in which the frame area is electrically subdivided from a surrounding area by a coating-free separating line. It is also possible that no frame area is provided and the capacitive switching area is electrically subdivided from the surrounding area by a coating-free separating line.

According to the above embodiment, the sensor arrangement preferably comprises a further electrically conductive layer in which the cover area is surrounded by practice area is electrically divided by a coating-free dividing line. In any case, a deck area is provided if no frame area is provided.

Such an electrically conductive layer preferably contains a transparent, electrically conductive coating. Transparent here means permeable to electromagnetic radiation, preferably electromagnetic radiation with a wavelength of 300 nm to 1,300 nm and in particular for visible light.

Electrically conductive layers are known, for example, from DE 202008017611 U 1, EP 0 847965 B1 or WO2012 / 052315 A1. They typically contain one or more, for example two, three or four, electrically conductive, functional layers. The functional layers preferably contain at least one metal, for example silver, gold, copper, nickel and / or chromium, or a metal alloy. The functional layers particularly preferably contain at least 90% by weight of the metal, in particular at least 99.9% by weight of the metal. The functional layers can consist of the metal or the metal alloy. The functional layers particularly preferably contain silver or an alloy containing silver. Such functional layers have a particularly advantageous electrical conductivity with a simultaneous high transmission in the visible spectral range. The thickness of a functional layer is preferably from 5 nm to 50 nm, particularly preferably from 8 nm to 25 nm. In this range for the thickness of the functional layer, an advantageously high transmission in the visible spectral range and a particularly advantageous electrical conductivity are achieved.

At least one dielectric layer is typically arranged between two adjacent functional layers. A further dielectric layer is preferably arranged below the first and / or above the last functional layer. A dielectric layer contains at least one single layer made of a dielectric material, for example containing a nitride such as silicon nitride or an oxide such as aluminum oxide. However, the dielectric layer can also comprise a plurality of individual layers, for example individual layers made of a dielectric material, smoothing layers, adaptation layers, blocker layers and / or antireflection layers. The thickness of a dielectric layer is, for example, from 10 nm to 200 nm. This layer structure is generally obtained through a sequence of deposition processes that are carried out using a vacuum process such as magnetic field-assisted cathode sputtering.

Further suitable electrically conductive layers preferably contain indium tin oxide (ITO), fluorine-doped tin oxide (SnC> 2: F) or aluminum-doped zinc oxide (ZnO: Al).

An electrically conductive layer can in principle be any coating that can be electrically contacted. If the composite pane is intended to enable transparency, as is the case, for example, with panes in the window area, the electrically conductive layer is preferably transparent. In an advantageous embodiment, the electrically conductive layer is a layer or a layer structure of several individual layers with a total thickness of less than or equal to 2 μm, particularly preferably less than or equal to 1 μm.

A transparent electrically conductive layer advantageously has a surface resistance of 0.4 ohms / square to 200 ohms / square. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the electrically conductive layer has a sheet resistance of 0.5 ohm / square to 20 ohm / square. Coatings with such surface resistances are particularly suitable for heating vehicle windows with typical on-board voltages of 12 V to 48 volts or in electric vehicles with typical on-board voltages of up to 500 V.

An electrically conductive layer is preferably arranged on the surface of the carrier film. The electrically conductive layer can extend over the entire surface of one side of the carrier film. Alternatively, however, the electrically conductive layer can also extend only over part of the surface of the carrier film. The electrically conductive layer can have one or more uncoated zones. These zones can be transparent to electromagnetic radiation and are known, for example, as data transmission windows or communication windows.

In an advantageous embodiment, the electrically conductive layer is arranged at a width of 2 mm to 50 mm, preferably 5 mm to 20 mm, from the edge of the composite pane. The electrically conductive layer then has no contact with the atmosphere and is advantageously protected from damage and corrosion in the interior of the composite pane by the intermediate layers. In an advantageous embodiment, the width of the dividing lines for the electrical subdivision of an electrically conductive layer is from 30 μm to 200 μm and preferably from 70 μm to 140 μm. Such thin dividing lines allow safe and sufficiently high electrical insulation and at the same time do not interfere with the view through the composite pane, or only slightly.

The capacitive sensor arrangement is preferably at least partially, in particular completely, laminated in the composite pane, it being particularly advantageous if the sensor arrangement comprises a carrier film and the capacitive sensor arrangement is in the form of a prefabricated component and is at least partially laminated in the composite pane.

According to a further embodiment of the pane arrangement according to the invention, the capacitive sensor arrangement is arranged on an outside surface of the first pane or on an outside surface of the second pane.

According to a further embodiment of the pane arrangement according to the invention, the capacitive sensor arrangement on one (layer) side of the capacitive switching area comprises a further layered cover area which at least partially, in particular completely, covers the capacitive switching area in a vertical view through the pane. No potential or mass can be applied to or applied to the further cover area, with this passive shielding being able to achieve a further improvement. On the other (layer) side of the capacitive switching area, a further layered cover area can be arranged, which in a vertical view through the pane covers the supply area at least partially, in particular completely, but does not cover the contact or approach area. These additional cover areas are designed analogously to the cover areas of the electrically active shielding, i.e. the electrically active shielding and the electrically passive shielding of the contact or approach area are arranged on the same side of the contact or approach area.

The switching area is a capacitive switching area, that is, it is specially designed for capacitive touch detection. In an advantageous embodiment, the switching area forms a flat electrode. About a capacitive Sensor electronics measure the capacitance of the surface electrode. The capacitance of the surface electrode changes with respect to earth when a body (for example a human body) comes near it or, for example, touches an insulating layer above the surface electrode. The change in capacitance is measured by the sensor electronics and a switching signal is triggered when a threshold value is exceeded. The switching range is determined by the shape and size of the surface electrode.

The area of an electrically conductive layer that is arranged outside of the capacitive switching area (surrounding area) can be or can be connected to the capacitive sensor electronics via a further connection area. In such an arrangement, the capacitive switching area and the surrounding area form two electrodes which are capacitively coupled to one another. The capacitance of the capacitor formed by the electrodes changes when a body approaches, for example a human body part. The change in capacitance is measured by the sensor electronics and a switching signal is triggered when a threshold value is exceeded. The sensitive area is determined by the shape and size of the area in which the electrodes are capacitively coupled.

The output switching signals can be arbitrary and adapted to the requirements of the respective use. The switching signal can mean a positive voltage, for example 12 V, no switching signal can mean 0 V, for example, and another switching signal can mean + 6V, for example. The switching signals can also correspond to the common voltages CAN_High and CAN_Low on a CAN bus and change by a voltage value in between. The switching signal can also be pulsed and / or digitally coded.

The sensitivity of the sensor electronics can be determined in the context of simple experiments as a function of the size of the contact or approach area and as a function of the thickness of the first pane, intermediate layer and second pane.

In an advantageous embodiment of the pane arrangement according to the invention, the capacitive switching area is connected to a flat conductor and the flat conductor is led out of the pane. The integrated pane arrangement can then This can easily be connected at the point of use with a voltage source and a signal line that evaluates the switching signal of the sensor circuit, for example se in a vehicle via a CAN bus.

In principle, all electrically insulating panes which are thermally and chemically stable and dimensionally stable under the conditions of manufacture and use of the composite pane according to the invention are suitable as the first pane and second pane.

The first pane and / or the second pane preferably contain glass, particularly preferably flat glass, float glass, quartz glass, borosilicate glass, soda-lime glass, or clear plastics, preferably rigid clear plastics, in particular polyethylene, polypropylene, polycarbonate, polymethyl methacrylate, polystyrene, polyamide , Polyester, polyvinyl chloride and / or mixtures thereof. The first pane and / or the second pane are preferably transparent, in particular for the use of the composite pane as a windshield or rear pane of a vehicle or other uses in which a high level of light transmission is desired. Transparent in the context of the invention is then understood to mean a pane that has a transmission in the visible spectral range of greater than 70%. For windows that are not in the driver's field of vision relevant to traffic, for example for roof windows, the transmission can also be much lower, for example greater than 5%.

The thickness of the first disk and / or the second disk can vary widely and thus be adapted to the requirements of the individual case. Standard thicknesses from 1.0 mm to 25 mm, preferably from 1.4 mm to 2.5 mm for vehicle glass and preferably from 4 mm to 25 mm for furniture, appliances and buildings, in particular for electric radiators, are preferably used. The size of the composite pane can vary widely and depends on the size of the use according to the invention. The composite pane has an area of 200 cm ² up to 20 m ^{2, which is} customary in vehicle construction and architecture, for example.

The composite pane can have any three-dimensional shape. The three-dimensional shape preferably has no shadow zones, so that it can be coated, for example, by cathode sputtering. Is preferred Composite pane planar or slightly or strongly curved in one direction or in several directions of space. The discs can be colorless or colored.

The first pane and the second pane are firmly connected to one another by at least one intermediate layer. The intermediate layer is preferably transparent. The intermediate layer preferably contains at least one plastic, preferably polyvinyl butyral (PVB), ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) and / or polyethylene terephthalate (PET). The intermediate layer can also, for example, polyurethane (PU), polypropylene (PP), polyacrylate, polyethylene (PE), polycarbonate (PC), polymethyl methacrylate, polyvinyl chloride, polyacetate resin, casting resins, acrylates, fluorinated ethylene propylenes, polyvinyl fluoride and / or ethylene tetrafluoroethylene , or copolymers or mixtures thereof. The intermediate layer can be formed by one or also by several films arranged one above the other, the thickness of a film preferably being from 0.025 mm to 1 mm, typically 0.38 mm or 0.76 mm. The intermediate layer is preferably thermoplastic and, after lamination, bonds the first pane and the second pane to one another.

The flat conductor is preferably designed as a foil conductor or a flexible foil conductor (flat conductor, ribbon conductor). Foil conductor is understood to mean an electrical conductor whose width is significantly greater than its thickness. Such a foil conductor comprises, for example, at least one strip or band (contact track) containing or consisting of copper, tinned copper, aluminum, silver, gold or alloys thereof. The foil conductor has, for example, a width of 2 mm to 16 mm and a thickness of 0.03 mm to 0.1 mm. The film conductor can have an insulating, preferably polymeric sheathing, for example based on polyimide. Foil conductors, which are suitable for contacting electrically conductive coatings in panes, only have a total thickness of, for example, 0.3 mm. Such thin film conductors can be embedded between the individual panes in the preferably thermoplastic intermediate layer without difficulty.

Alternatively, thin metal wires can also be used as an electrical lead. The metal wires contain in particular copper, tungsten, gold, silver or aluminum or alloys of at least two of these metals. The alloys can also contain molybdenum, rhenium, osmium, iridium, palladium or platinum. The electrical line connection between the capacitive switching area and a flat conductor is preferably made using electrically conductive adhesives, which enable a secure and permanent electrical line connection. Alternatively, the electrical line connection can also be made by clamping, since the clamping connection is fixed by the lamination process so that it does not slip.

The electrically conductive layer (s) can be applied by methods known per se, preferably by magnetic field-assisted cathode sputtering. This is particularly advantageous with regard to a simple, fast, inexpensive and uniform coating. The electrically conductive layer can, however, also be applied, for example, by vapor deposition, chemical vapor deposition (CVD), plasma-assisted gas phase deposition (PECVD) or by wet-chemical processes.

The stripping of individual dividing lines in the electrically conductive layer is preferably carried out by a laser beam. Methods for structuring thin metal films are known, for example, from EP 2 200 097 A1 or EP 2 139 049 A1. The width of the stripping is preferably 10 pm to 1000 pm, particularly preferably 30 pm to 200 pm and in particular 70 pm to 140 pm. In this area, a particularly clean and residue-free stripping takes place using the laser beam. The stripping by means of a laser beam is particularly advantageous, since the stripped lines are optically very inconspicuous and only slightly impair the appearance and transparency. The stripping of a line with a width that is wider than the width of a laser cut is carried out by repeatedly tracing the line with the laser beam. The process duration and the process costs therefore increase as the line width increases. Alternatively, the stripping can be carried out by mechanical removal as well as by chemical or physical etching.

Alternatively, the layered areas (capacitive switching area, cover area (s), frame area) can be printed on, for example by means of a metal-containing and in particular silver-containing, electrically conductive printing paste.

The intermediate layer can be formed by a single or also by two or more foils which are arranged one above the other in terms of area. The first pane and the second pane are preferably connected under the action of heat, vacuum and / or pressure. Methods known per se for producing a composite pane can be used. For example, so-called autoclave processes can be carried out at an elevated pressure of about 10 bar to 15 bar and temperatures of 130 ° C. to 145 ° C. for about 2 hours. Vacuum bag or vacuum ring processes known per se work, for example, at around 200 mbar and 80 ° C to 110 ° C. The first disk, the thermoplastic intermediate layer and the second disk can also be pressed into a disk in a calender between at least one pair of rollers. Systems of this type are known for the production of panes and normally have at least one heating tunnel in front of a press shop. The temperature during the pressing process is, for example, from 40 ° C to 150 ° C. Combinations of calender and autoclave processes have proven particularly useful in practice. Alternatively, vacuum laminators can be used. These consist of one or more heatable and evacuable chambers in which the first pane and the second pane are laminated within, for example, about 60 minutes at reduced pressures of 0.01 mbar to 800 mbar and temperatures of 80 ° C to 170 ° C.

The invention further includes the use of the pane arrangement according to the invention in buildings, in particular in the access area, window area, roof area or facade area, as a built-in part in furniture and appliances, in means of transport for traffic on land, in the air or on water, especially in trains, ships and motor vehicles, for example as a windshield, rear window, side window and / or roof window.

The various configurations of the invention can be implemented individually or in any combination. In particular, the features mentioned above and to be explained below can be used not only in the specified combinations, but also in other combinations or on their own without departing from the scope of the present invention.

The invention will now be explained in more detail on the basis of exemplary embodiments, reference being made to the accompanying figures. It shows in a simplified representation, not to scale: Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view through an embodiment of the disc arrangement according to the Invention,

2-3 cross-sectional views through alternative configurations of the disk arrangement according to the invention,

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the disk assembly of FIG

Figure 3,

FIGS. 5-6 alternative configurations of the disk arrangement from FIG. 4.

Let us first consider FIG. 1, in which an embodiment of the pane arrangement 100 according to the invention is illustrated by means of a cross-sectional representation. The pane arrangement 100 comprises a composite pane 1. In the view of FIG. 1, the pane arrangement 100 is cut perpendicular to the plane of the pane.

The composite pane 1 is, for example, a vehicle window and in particular the windshield of a passenger car. The dimensions of the composite pane 1 are, for example, 0.9 m × 1.5 m. The composite pane 1 comprises a first pane 2 and a second pane 3, which are firmly connected to one another by at least one thermoplastic intermediate layer 4. The first pane 2 is provided, for example, to be arranged in the installed position on the interior side of a vehicle. The first pane 2 can accordingly be an inner pane, the second pane 3 an outer pane. In common notation, the second disk 3 has an outside surface I and an inside surface II, and the first disk 2 has an inside surface III and an outside surface IV. Here, the two inside surfaces II and III face the intermediate layer 4, the two outside surfaces I and IV face away from the intermediate layer 4.

The two panes 2, 3 are preferably made of glass, for example soda-lime glass. The thickness of the first disk 2 is, for example, 1.6 mm and the thickness of the second disk 3 is, for example, 2.1 mm. It goes without saying that the two disks 2, 3 can have any thickness and can, for example, also have the same thickness. The intermediate layer 4 is a thermoplastic intermediate layer and consists, for example, of polyvinyl butyral (PVB). She knows for example a thickness of 0.38 mm, it being understood that the intermediate layer 4 can also have a different thickness.

The pane arrangement 100 has a capacitive sensor arrangement, denoted overall by the reference number 101, which is shown in FIG. 1 only in a schematic manner. Specific configurations of the capacitive sensor arrangement 101 result from FIGS. 4 to 6. The capacitive sensor arrangement 101 can be located between the two panes 2, 3, as shown in FIG. In this case, the capacitive sensor arrangement 101 is flat so that it can be laminated between the two panes 2, 3. Equally, however, it is also possible for the capacitive sensor arrangement 101 to be located on the outside surface IV of the first pane 2 or on the outside surface I of the second pane 3.

The capacitive sensor arrangement 101 comprises at least one capacitive switching area 5, which is electrically connected to capacitive sensor electronics 7. The capacitive switching area 5 is designed as a layered area. The capacitive switching area 5 has a first side facing the first pane 2 and a second side facing the second pane 3. The capacitive switching area 5 comprises a contact or approach area 15 and a lead area 16, which electrically connects the contact or approach area 15 to the capacitive sensor electronics 7.

The capacitive sensor arrangement 101 comprises a shield, denoted overall by the reference number 102, against capacitive interference signals, which is composed of one or more layered areas, as will be explained in more detail below. The shield 102 serves to shield parasitic (interference) influences on the capacitive switching area 5. It is essential here that the shield 102 has at least one (electrically active) layered area that can be or can be acted upon by an electrical signal (e.g. potential or frequency). is applied, which is the same as the electrical test signal of the capacitive switching area 5, which changes depending on its electrical capacitance. It is preferably a signal twin of the capacitance-based electrical (test) signal of the capacitive switching area 5. According to one embodiment, the shielding 102 comprises on the side of the switching area 5 facing the first pane 2 (e.g. inner pane) (preferably in a plane parallel to the level of the capacitive switching area 5) a layered cover area 8, which in a vertical view through the composite pane 1 is the capacitive Switching range 5 at least partially, preferably completely, covered. At least the contact or approach area 15 is advantageously completely covered. The layered cover area 8 is electrically separated from the capacitive switching area 5 by an electrically insulating layer, which is not shown in FIG. The layered cover area 8 is electrically connected to the capacitive sensor electronics 7 and is acted upon by the capacitive sensor electronics 7 with a signal twin of the test signal of the capacitive switching area 5 that changes as a function of the (instantaneous) capacitance.

Optionally, the shielding 102 comprises on the side of the capacitive switching area 5 facing the second pane 3 (e.g. outer pane) (preferably in a plane parallel to the plane of the capacitive switching area 5) a further layered cover area 8 ', which in a vertical view through the composite pane 1 denotes Feed area 16 at least partially, preferably completely, covered. The layered cover area 8 'is electrically separated from the capacitive switching area 5 by an electrically insulating layer, which is not shown in FIG. The layered cover area 8 ′ does not cover the capacitive switching area 5, so that a capacitive change due to an external influence on the side of the second pane 3 can be detected (useful signal). The layered cover area 8 ′ is also electrically connected to the capacitive sensor electronics 7 and is acted upon by the capacitive sensor electronics 7 with a signal twin of the test signal from the capacitive switching area 5.

According to one embodiment, the shielding 102 comprises a layered frame area 9 in the plane of the capacitive switching area 5, which frames the capacitive switching area 5, preferably completely frames it, as far as this is possible. In the plane of the capacitive switching area, the frame area 9 is electrically separated from the capacitive switching area 5 by a coating-free separating line and / or a dielectric material. The layered frame area 9 is also electrically connected to the capacitive sensor electronics 7 and is acted upon by the capacitive sensor electronics 7 with a signal twin of the test signal of the capacitive switching area 5. The layered one advantageously covers Cover area 8, which is arranged on the side of the capacitive switching area 5 facing the first pane 2, also at least partially, in particular completely, the frame area 9 in a vertical view through the composite pane 1.

As shown in FIG. 1, the shield 102 optionally further comprises at least one (electrically passive) layer-shaped area, to which either no electrical potential or ground is applied. Thus, the shielding 102 comprises a further layered cover area 8 ″ on the side of the switching area 5 facing the first pane 2 (eg inner pane), which in a vertical view through the composite pane 1 at least partially, preferably completely, covers the capacitive switching area 5 8 ″ is electrically separated from the layered cover area 8 by an electrically insulating layer, which is not shown in FIG. As an alternative or in addition, the shielding 102 comprises, on the side of the feed area 16 facing the second pane 3 (eg outer pane), a further layered cover area 8 "'which, in a vertical view through the composite pane 1, covers the feed area 16 at least partially, preferably completely The layered cover area 8 ″ 'does not cover the capacitive switching area 5. The layered cover area 8 ″ ′ is electrically separated from the layered cover area 8 ′ by an electrically insulating layer, which is not shown in FIG.

The passive shielding can further reduce the impairment caused by parasitic capacitive (interference) influences.

Since the capacitive switching area 5 in the direction of the second pane 3 (e.g. in the direction of the outer pane) is not covered by any layered area belonging to the shield 102, a change in capacitance of the capacitive switching area 5 caused on the side of the second pane 3 can be detected (for example by Moisture on the outside surface I of the second pane 3). Alternatively, it would be equally possible that the capacitive switching area 5 in the direction of the first pane 2 (e.g. inner pane) is not covered by any layered area belonging to the shield 102, so that a change in capacitance of the capacitive switching area 5 caused on the side of the first pane 2 is detected (for example by approaching or touching the outside surface IV of the first pane 2 by a human body part, for example fingers). The (instantaneous) capacity of the capacitive switching area 5 can be determined in relation to a surrounding area, which is explained in more detail in connection with FIG. In this way, in particular, a change in the capacitance of the capacitive switching area 5 caused by external influences can be detected.

The capacitive sensor electronics 7 generally comprise a plurality of components which are used to process, in particular conditioning, an electrical signal based on the (variable) capacitance of the capacitive switching area 5, for example readout electronics, amplifiers, AD converters and the like. In FIG. 1, the sensor electronics 7 are flat and laminated between the two panes 2, 3. A digital and / or analog output signal is output via an output line 17.

As already stated, the shield 102 comprises at least one layered area 8, 8 ', 9 to which an electrical signal is applied which is based on an electrical (test) signal that depends on the (instantaneous) capacitance of the capacitive switching area 5 to detect the Capacity of the electrical switching area 5 based (e.g. signal twin of the test signal of the capacitive switching area 5). As a result, the voltage drop between the at least one layered area of the shield 102 and the capacitive switching area 5 is zero and capacitive interference signals are filtered out as a result. The shielding effect is further improved by the optional passive shielding.

FIG. 2 shows an alternative embodiment of the pane arrangement 100, which differs from the pane arrangement 100 from FIG Various electronic components 7 ', 7 "are electrically connected by a connecting line 11 (flat conductor).

The design of the pane arrangement 100 from FIG. 3 differs from the pane arrangement 100 from FIG. 1 only in that the capacitive sensor electronics 7 are arranged outside the composite pane 1. The capacitive switching area 5 is connected to the capacitive sensor electronics 7 via a flat conductor 6. Reference is now made to FIG. 4, in which an exemplary embodiment of the composite pane arrangement 100 from FIG. 3 is illustrated with the aid of a perspective exploded view.

In order to avoid unnecessary repetition, only the configuration of the capacitive sensor arrangement 101 is explained and otherwise reference is made to the above statements.

Accordingly, the capacitive sensor arrangement 101 laminated between the two panes 2, 3 comprises a carrier film 12, for example a transparent polyethylene terephthalate (PET) film with a thickness of, for example, 0.05 mm. A (first) electrically conductive layer 13 is applied to the side of the carrier film 12 facing the first pane 2, and a (second) electrically conductive layer 13 ′ is applied to the side of the carrier film 12 facing the second pane 3. The carrier film 12 is offset, for example, by a distance of, for example, approximately 8 mm from the edge of the pane into the interior of the pane. This area is hermetically sealed by gluing the intermediate layer 4 during lamination, so that the electrically conductive layers 13, 13 'are protected from moisture from the vicinity of the laminated pane 1 and thus from corrosion and damage. Alternatively, it would also be possible to leave the carrier film 12 free of coating in an edge region or to remove the electrically conductive layers 13, 13 'there. This is not shown in FIG. 4 for the sake of simplicity of the drawing.

The two electrically conductive layers 13, 13 'are each subdivided by coating-free separating lines 14 into different, electrically isolated (layered) regions, which will be explained in more detail below.

In the (first) electrically conductive layer 13, a capacitive switching area 5 is electrically divided from a frame area 9 by a dividing line 14. The capacitive switching area 5 comprises a, for example, disk-shaped contact or approach area 15, which merges into a strip-shaped supply line area 16. The feed area 16 extends up to the edge of the carrier film 12. It goes without saying that the contact or approach area 15 can have any shape and can be, for example, teardrop-shaped or square. The frame area 9 follows the outer contour of the capacitive switching area 5 and frames the capacitive switching area 5 as far as possible. The frame area 9 thus completely surrounds the capacitive switching area 5, except for the terminal section of the feed area 16, which is located on the edge of the carrier film 12. The frame area 9 is for its part electrically subdivided from a surrounding area 17 by a dividing line 14 ′.

The capacitive switching area 5 and the frame area 9 are electrically conductively connected to a (first) flat conductor 18 (e.g. foil conductor). The flat conductor 18 comprises at least two conductor tracks 19, 19 'which are accessible in a connection area 20, with a (first) conductor track 19 via a (first) electrical connection 21 to the capacitive switching area 5 and a (second) conductor track 19' via a (Second) electrical connection 21 'is electrically connected to the frame area 9. A secure electrically conductive connection is preferably achieved by an electrically conductive adhesive.

In the (second) electrically conductive layer 13 ', a cover area 8 is electrically divided from a surrounding area 17' by a dividing line 14 ". In a vertical view through the carrier film 12, the cover area 8 completely covers the capacitive switching area 5 and optionally also the frame area 9. In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the cover area 8 has a shape which corresponds to a combination of capacitive switching area 5 and frame area 9, it being understood that the cover area 8 can also have a different shape as long as it is ensured that at least the capacitive switching area 5, advantageously the capacitive switching area 5 and the frame area 9, are completely covered. The cover area 8 is electrically conductively connected to a (second) flat conductor 18 '(foil conductor) a connection area 20 'is accessible, the conductor track 19 "via an electrical surface connection 21 ″ is electrically connected to the deck area 8. A secure electrically conductive connection is preferably achieved by an electrically conductive adhesive.

The conductor tracks 19, 19 ', 19 "of the flat conductors 18, 18' consist, for example, of a 50 μm thick copper foil which is insulated outside the respective connection area 20, 20 'with a polyimide layer beyond the edge of the composite pane 1. The flat conductors 18, 18 'are each partially laminated into the two panes 2, 3. The two flat conductors 18, 18 ′ are each electrically connected to the capacitive sensor electronics 7. In particular, the surrounding area 17 of the electrically conductive layer 13 is also connected to the capacitive sensor electronics 7, which is not shown in more detail in FIG. The capacitive sensor electronics 7 are suitable for precisely measuring changes in capacitance of the capacitive switching area 5 with respect to the surrounding area 17 and for transmitting a switching signal, for example to the CAN bus of a vehicle, as a function of a threshold value. Any functions in the vehicle can be switched using the switching signal. For example, lighting in or on the laminated pane 1 can be switched on or off. If the composite pane 1 is used, for example, as a windshield in a motor vehicle, the length of the feed area 16 can be selected so that the driver of the vehicle or the passenger can comfortably reach the contact or approach area 15 of the capacitive switching area 5. For example, the structure and coordination of the capacitive sensor electronics 7 are coordinated such that when a body part such as a finger touches or approaches the outer pane surface IV of the first pane 2, a switching signal is triggered above the contact or approach area 15. For this purpose, the thicknesses and the materials of the composite pane 1 are suitably selected.

An electrical signal (ie electrical potential) is applied to the frame area 9 via the (first) flat conductor 18, which is based on the detected (instantaneous) capacitance of the capacitive switching area 5 and is similar to the (test) signal which is transmitted through the conductor track 19 becomes (twin signal). In a corresponding manner, the cover area 8 is acted upon by such a twin signal via the (second) flat conductor 18 '. The potential difference between the frame area 9 and the capacitive switching area 5 and the conductor track 19 connected to it is thus zero. Correspondingly, the potential difference between the cover area 8 and the capacitive switching area 5 and the conductor track 19 connected to it is zero. This electrically active shielding allows parasitic influences on the capacitance of the capacitive switching area 5 to be shielded, so that even small changes in capacitance can be detected as a useful signal. In the embodiment of Figure 4, in contrast to the embodiment of Figure 3, the cover area 8 is arranged on the side of the capacitive switching area 5 facing the second pane 3, so that external influences on the capacitance of the capacitive switching area 5 are detected from the first pane 2 can.

The (first) electrically conductive layer 13 and the (second) electrically conductive layer 13 ′ are electrically separated by the carrier film 12.

For reasons of a simplified drawing, the optional passive shielding explained in connection with FIGS. 1 to 3 is not shown in FIG. This can for example be designed as a coating with an electrically conductive material of the inside surface II of the second pane 3 and the inside surface III of the first pane 2, with an electrical separation to the (first) electrically conductive layer 13 and to the (second) electrically conductive layer 13 'can take place through a respective dielectric layer.

The dividing lines 14, 14 ', 14 "each preferably have a width of, for example, 100 μm and are introduced into the associated electrically conductive layer 13, 13', for example by laser structuring. Dividing lines with such a small width are optically barely perceptible and interfere with transparency due to the composite pane 1 only a little, which is particularly important for use in vehicles for driving safety and is also particularly aesthetic.

It goes without saying that it would equally be possible to produce the layered areas (capacitive switching area 5, frame area 9, surrounding area 17, cover area 8, surrounding area 17 ') in some other way, for example by printing (e.g. using the screen printing process) or gluing onto the carrier film 12.

A particular advantage of the embodiment shown in FIG. 4 can be seen in the fact that the capacitive sensor arrangement 101 can be prefabricated or assembled, and can be laminated as a prefabricated component between the panes 2, 3. The two flat conductors 18, 18 ′ are led out of the area between the two disks 2, 3. Although this is not shown in FIG. 4, it would also be possible for a further cover area (not shown) to be arranged on the opposite side of the flat conductor 18 in overlap with the supply line area 16, as is illustrated schematically in FIGS. 1 to 3.

In FIG. 5, an alternative embodiment of the disk arrangement 100 is shown, which differs from the embodiment of FIG. 4 only in the arrangement of the electrically conductive layers 13, 13 '. Accordingly, there is no carrier film

12, on which the two layers 13, 13 'are applied, but the (first) electrically conductive layer 13 is on the inside surface III of the first pane 2 and the (second) electrically conductive layer 13' is on the inside surface II the second disc 3 applied.

Another alternative embodiment is shown in FIG. 6, which again differs from the embodiment of FIG. 4 only in the arrangement of the electrically conductive layers 13, 13 '. The (first) electrically conductive layer is accordingly

13 applied to the inside surface III of the first pane 2. The (second) electrically conductive layer 13 'is applied to the surface of a carrier film 12' facing the second pane 3.

As already stated, the capacitive sensor electronics 7 are suitable for precisely measuring changes in capacitance of the capacitive switching area 5 with respect to the surrounding area 17 and for transmitting a switching signal to the CAN bus of a vehicle, for example, as a function of a threshold value. Any functions in or on the vehicle can be switched via the switching signal. For example, the composite pane 1 can have a functional layer for controlling the optical transparency, the optical transparency of which can be changed by the switching signal. Alternatively or additionally, other electrical functions such as electrical heating or electrical lighting can also be controlled.

If the composite pane 1 is used, for example, as a roof pane in a motor vehicle, the length of the feed area 16 can be selected so that the driver of the vehicle, the front passenger or passengers in the rear seats can comfortably reach the contact or approach area 15. It goes without saying that a plurality of carrier films 12, 12 ′ are also arranged in the laminated pane 1 for this purpose can be, for example, one carrier film 12, 12 'for each

Vehicle occupants.

As can be seen from the above, the invention provides a novel disk arrangement, by means of which parasitic (interference) influences on the capacitance of the capacitive switching area can be effectively filtered out. The disk arrangement can be produced easily and inexpensively in industrial series production.

List of reference symbols:

1 composite pane

2 first slice

3 second disc

4 intermediate layer

5 capacitive switching range

6 flat conductors

7, 7 ', 7 "capacitive sensor electronics

8, 8 ', 8 ", 8"' deck area

9 frame area

10 output line 11 connection line

12, 12 'carrier film

13, 13 'electrically conductive layer

14, 14 ', 14 "dividing line

15 Contact or approach area

16 Supply area

17, 17 'surrounding area

18, 18 'flat conductor

19, 19 ', 19 "track

20, 20 'connection area

21 21 ', 21 "electrical connection 100 disc arrangement 101 capacitive sensor arrangement 102 shielding

Claims

1. Pane arrangement (100), comprising: a composite pane (1) with two panes (2, 3) which are connected to one another by at least one intermediate layer (4), a capacitive sensor arrangement (101) with at least one layered capacitive switching area (5) , which is ver bindable with a capacitive sensor electronics (7, 7 ', 7 "), wherein the capacitive sensor arrangement (101) comprises: on one side of the capacitive switching area (5) a layered deck area (8), which in vertical view through the disk (1) at least partially covers the capacitive switching area (5), and / or a layered frame area (9) which at least partially frames the capacitive switching area (5) in the plane of the capacitive switching area (5), the cover area ( 8) and the frame area (9) can each be acted upon by an electrical signal based on the capacitance of the capacitive switching area (5).

2. Disc arrangement (100) according to claim 1, wherein the capacitive switching area (5) comprises a touch or approach area (15) and a feed area (16), the cover area (8) in a vertical view through the pane (1 ) at least the contact or approach area (15) at least partially, in particular completely, covered.

3. Disc arrangement (100) according to claim 2, wherein the cover area (8) completely covers the contact or approach area (15) and the supply area (16) in a vertical view through the disc (1).

4. pane arrangement (100) according to one of claims 2 to 3, in which the capacitive sensor arrangement (101) on the other side of the capacitive switching area (5) comprises a further layered cover area (8 '), which in a vertical view through the pane (1) covers the feed line area (16) at least partially, in particular completely, but not the contact or approach area (15).

5. disc arrangement (100) according to one of claims 1 to 4, in which the capacitive sensor arrangement (101) comprises a carrier film (12, 12 ') for at least one layered area (5, 9, 8).

6. disc assembly (100) according to claim 5, wherein

(i) the capacitive switching area (5) and the frame area (9) are arranged on one side of the carrier foil (12) and the cover area (8) is arranged on the other side of the carrier foil (12), or

(ii) the capacitive switching area (5) is arranged on one side of the carrier foil (12) and the cover area (8) is arranged on the other side of the carrier foil (12), with no frame area (9) being in front, or

(iii) the capacitive switching area (5) and the frame area (9) are arranged on one side of the carrier film (12), no cover area (8) being provided.

7. disc assembly (100) according to claim 5, wherein

(i) the capacitive switching area (5) and the frame area (9) are arranged on one of the two panes (2, 3) and the cover area (8) is arranged on the carrier film (12 '), or

(ii) the capacitive switching area (5) is arranged on one of the two panes (2, 3) and the cover area (8) is arranged on the carrier film (12 '), with no frame area (9) being provided.

8. disc assembly (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein

(i) the capacitive switching area (5) and the frame area (9) are arranged on one pane (2) and the cover area (8) on the other pane (3),

(ii) the capacitive switching area (5) is arranged on one pane (2) and the cover area (8) is arranged on the other pane (3),

(iii) the capacitive switching area (5) and the frame area (9) are arranged on the one disk (2), with no cover area (8) being provided.

9. pane arrangement (100) according to one of claims 1 to 8, in which the sensor arrangement (101) comprises an electrically conductive layer (13) in which the capacitive switching area (5) is separated from the frame area (9) by a separating line (14 ) is electrically subdivided and in which the frame area (9) is electrically subdivided from a surrounding area (17) by a coating-free dividing line (14 ').

10. disc arrangement (100) according to one of claims 1 to 9, in which the sensor arrangement (101) comprises an electrically conductive layer (13 ') in which the cover area is electrically divided from a surrounding area (17') by a coating-free dividing line (14 ").

11. disc arrangement (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the capacitive sensor arrangement (101) is at least partially laminated in the United composite disc (1).

12. pane arrangement (100) according to one of claims 4 to 11, in which the capacitive sensor arrangement (101) is in the form of a prefabricated construction part and is at least partially laminated in the composite pane (1).

13. Disc arrangement (100) according to one of claims 1 to 10, in which the capacitive sensor arrangement (101) is arranged on an outer surface (IV) of the first disc (2) or on an outer surface (I) of the second disc (3) is.

14. disc arrangement (100) according to any one of claims 2 to 13, wherein

(i) the capacitive sensor arrangement (101) on one side of the capacitive switching area (5) comprises a further layered cover area (8 "), which in a vertical view through the pane (1) the capacitive switching area (5) at least partially, in particular completely, covered, and / or

(ii) the capacitive sensor arrangement (101) on the other side of the capacitive switching area (5) comprises a further layered cover area (8 '"), which in a vertical view through the pane (1) at least partially, in particular, the supply area (16) completely, covered, but not the area of contact or approach (15).

15. Use of the pane arrangement (100) according to one of claims 1 to 14 in means of locomotion for traffic in the country, in the air or on water, in particular in motor vehicles, for example with a windshield, rear window, side window and / or roof window.