WO2021209391A1

WO2021209391A1 - Glazing having sensor button

Info

Publication number: WO2021209391A1
Application number: PCT/EP2021/059451
Authority: WO
Inventors: Sebastian ARENDT; Stephan GILLESSEN; Anna NEFT
Original assignee: Saint-Gobain Glass France
Priority date: 2020-04-15
Filing date: 2021-04-12
Publication date: 2021-10-21
Also published as: CN114126861A; DE202021004050U1

Abstract

The invention relates to glazing (1), comprising at least one pane (2, 3) and at least one opaque masking strip (5, 5') for masking a structure in an edge region (16) of the pane (2, 3), which structure would otherwise be visible through the pane in the installed state, wherein the masking strip (5, 5') contains an electrically conductive material and has at least one separating line (11, 11'), by means of which at least one electrical sensor button (9) is formed in the masking strip (5, 5').

Description

Glazing with sensor button

The invention relates to glazing with a sensor button, a glazing arrangement with glazing according to the invention, a method for producing the glazing according to the invention and the use thereof.

Glazing in buildings and vehicles is increasingly being provided with large, electrically conductive layers that are transparent to visible light and that have to fulfill certain functions (functional layers).

In particular, for reasons of energy saving and comfort, high demands are placed on glazing with regard to its heat-insulating properties. So it is desirable to avoid high heat input from solar radiation, which leads to excessive heating of the interior and in turn results in high energy costs for the necessary air conditioning. This can be remedied by layer systems in which the light permeability and thus the heat input due to sunlight can be controlled by applying an electrical voltage. Electrochromic layer systems are known, for example, from EP 0867752 A1, US 2007/0097481 A1 and US 2008/0169185 A1. Such layer systems are usually switched by external switches that are located in the vicinity of the glazing.

Another function of electrically conductive layers is aimed at keeping the field of vision of a vehicle window free from ice and mist. Electrical heating layers are known (see e.g. WO 2010/043598 A1) which cause the pane to be heated in a targeted manner by applying an electrical voltage. The electrical contact is made with the heating layer via bus conductors, which typically run along the upper and lower edge of the pane. The bus bars collect the current that flows through the electrical heating layer and direct it to external supply lines that are connected to a voltage source. The voltage that is applied to the electrical heating layer is usually controlled by external switches, which in vehicles are integrated in a dashboard, for example. Direct control of the heating layer on the respective glazing is desirable.

For example from DE 10106125 A1, DE 10319606 A1, EP 0720249 A2, US 2003/0112190 A1 and DE 19843338 C2 it is known to use an electrically conductive layer as a planar antenna. For this purpose, the layer is coupled galvanically or capacitively with a coupling electrode and the antenna signal is made available in the edge area of the pane. The antenna signal decoupled from the surface antenna is fed to an antenna amplifier which is connected to the metal body in motor vehicles, whereby a high-frequency reference potential for the antenna signal is given.

It is also known to form sensor buttons by a line or area electrode or by an arrangement of two coupled electrodes, for example as capacitive sensor buttons. Examples can be found in US 2007/0194216 A1. If an object approaches the sensor button, the capacitance of the surface electrode to earth or the capacitance of the capacitor formed by the two coupled electrodes changes. 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 20 2006 006 192 U1, EP 0 899 882 A1, US Pat. No. 6,452,514 B1 and EP 1515211 A1.

Flat electrodes for sensor buttons can be integrated into glazing without additional components. It is known to form the sensor button itself by separating lines in the functional layer to be controlled. For example, WO 2015/162107 discloses an electrical heating layer with an integrated sensor button for controlling it.

If a sensor button is formed in a functional layer, this generally requires an expensive stripping of the functional layer by means of a laser beam in order to introduce the structuring dividing lines. In addition, the sensor button is restricted to the configuration of the functional layer. In particular, the sensor button must necessarily be formed on the same side of the pane as the functional layer.

In general, it would be desirable to have a sensor button on the glazing, even if the glazing does not have a functional layer, in order to control a functional element that is not located on the glazing.

In contrast, the object of the present invention is to provide an improved glazing solution with a sensor button with which these disadvantages can be avoided. The glazing should be easy and inexpensive to manufacture in industrial series production. These and other objects are achieved according to the proposal of the invention by means of glazing with a sensor button in accordance with the independent patent claim. Advantageous designs of the invention emerge from the subclaims.

According to the invention, a glazing is shown which serves to separate an interior from an external environment. The glazing comprises at least one pane. The glazing can basically be designed as desired, in particular as insulating glazing in which at least two panes are arranged at a distance from one another by at least one spacer, as thermally toughened single-pane safety glass or as a laminated pane.

The glazing according to the invention is preferably designed as a composite pane and comprises a first pane with outside and inside and a second pane with inside and outside, which are firmly connected to one another by at least one thermoplastic intermediate layer (adhesive layer). The first disk can also be referred to as the outer disk and the second disk as the inner disk. The surfaces or sides of the two individual panes are usually referred to as side I, side II, side III and side IV from the outside to the inside.

The glazing according to the invention has one or more masking strips in an edge region which typically adjoins the pane edge of the pane. The at least one masking strip is a coating made up of one or more layers and is used to mask a structure that is otherwise recognizable through the pane in the installed state. In the case of glazing for a vehicle, in particular, the at least one masking strip is used to mask an adhesive bead for gluing the glazing into a vehicle body, i.e. prevents the outside of the usually irregularly applied adhesive bead, so that a harmonious overall impression of the glazing is created. On the other hand, the at least one masking strip serves as UV protection for the adhesive material used. Continuous exposure to UV light damages the adhesive material and would loosen the connection between the window and the vehicle body over time.

The present invention is based on the knowledge that an electrical sensor button can be formed in the at least one masking strip if the masking strip contains an electrically conductive material. For this purpose, the at least one masking strip contains an electrically conductive material, in contrast to conventional masking strips, which as a rule consist of an electrically non-conductive material. In addition, the at least one masking strip has at least one dividing line which at least one electrical sensor button is formed in the masking strip. The masking strip is electrically divided into the switching area and a surrounding area by the at least one dividing line.

In this way, an electrical sensor button can be provided in a simple manner and independently of the presence or absence of an electrical functional layer. In particular, it is not necessary to form the sensor button on the same side of the pane as an electrical functional layer. It is therefore not necessary for the glazing to have an electrical functional layer at all. Furthermore, the at least one dividing line does not have to be introduced into the masking strip by a laser beam, but can be formed by inexpensive mechanical or chemical removal. This is another great advantage of the invention.

The at least one masking strip comprises a colored, preferably black, colored material which can preferably be burned into the pane. According to the invention, the at least one masking strip is opaque in order to serve in particular as visual and UV protection for example for an adhesive bead. In the case of panes with an electrically controllable functional layer, the masking strip can also serve, for example, to cover busbars and / or connection elements.

The at least one masking strip is preferably applied to the pane using a printing process, in particular a screen printing process. The printing ink is printed on the pane and then dried or baked, for example, at up to 700 ° C. The printing ink is preferably permanently lightfast, solvent and abrasion resistant. The at least one masking strip can in particular merge into points of different sizes. These so-called screen printing dots are intended to dissolve the optically massive impression of the black screen printing edge.

The at least one masking strip can also be designated as a black print or a cover print. Alternatively, it can also be designed as a silver print and thus differs in the material used (essentially silver) from black print, with the same processing technology as black print. The material of the masking strip can also be applied to the pane using other common application methods such as brushing, rolling, spraying and the like, and then preferably baked.

According to the invention, it is essential that the at least one masking strip contains an electrically conductive material, so that at least one electrical sensor button can be formed by structuring the masking strip by means of at least one dividing line.

According to one embodiment of the glazing, the masking strip containing the electrically conductive material consists of a single layer of an electrically conductive material. This has the advantage of a particularly simple and inexpensive manufacture of the glazing, since only a single layer has to be formed for the masking strip. For example, the masking strip contains an electrically non-conductive material conventionally used for a masking strip to which an electrically conductive material is added, preferably at least one metal, for example silver, gold, copper, nickel and / or chromium or a metal alloy.

For example, the masking strip consists of a printed and burned-in electrically conductive paste, preferably a silver-containing screen printing paste. An advantageous printed masking strip has, for example, a thickness of 3 gm to 20 gm and / or a sheet resistance of 0.001 ohms / square to 0.03 ohms / square, preferably from 0.002 ohms / square to 0.018 ohms / square. Such masking strips are easy to integrate in the industrial manufacturing process and can be manufactured inexpensively.

According to an alternative embodiment of the glazing, the masking strip containing the electrically conductive material has several layers, in particular a layer made of an electrically non-conductive material and a preferably immediately adjacent layer made of an electrically conductive material. In particular, the masking strip can also consist of these two layers. For example, the masking strip contains a layer made of an electrically non-conductive material conventionally used for a masking strip, as well as a layer made of an electrically conductive material, which is preferably applied to the layer made of the electrically non-conductive material. The layer made of an electrically conductive material is preferably a transparent layer, so that the opacity of the masking strip and thus its external appearance can be seen through the layer an electrically non-conductive material is determined. The layer of an electrically conductive material contains or preferably consists of at least one metal, for example silver, gold, copper, nickel and / or chromium, or a metal alloy and preferably contains at least 90% by weight of the metal, in particular at least 99.9% by weight .-% of the metal. The thickness of the individual layer containing an electrically conductive material is preferably from 5 nm to 50 nm, particularly preferably from 8 nm to 25 nm. Such layers have a particularly advantageous electrical conductivity with simultaneous high transmission in the visible spectral range. The layer made of an electrically conductive material can in particular be designed like a transparent functional layer of the glazing, reference being made in this regard to the later statements on the functional layer.

The masking strip containing the electrically conductive material can in principle be applied to each side of the pane. In the case of a composite pane, this is preferably applied on the inside (side II) of the first pane or on the inside (side III) of the second pane, where it is protected from external influences. It is particularly preferably applied to the inside (side III) of the second pane, so that the sensor button can be easily switched from the inside of the composite pane.

According to a further embodiment of the glazing, at least one (further) masking strip made of an electrically non-conductive material is provided. This masking strip is located on a different side of the pane than the masking strip made of an electrically conductive material in which the sensor button is formed.

For example, the masking strip is made of an electrically non-conductive material on the inside outside, in the case of a composite pane, side IV of the second pane, is arranged and preferably mixed with ceramic particles that give the masking strip a rough and adhesive surface, which makes it easier to glue the Glazing in the vehicle body is supported.

The masking strip made of an electrically non-conductive material is preferably arranged further outside than the masking strip made of an electrically conductive material (in the case of a composite pane, the masking strip made of an electrically non-conductive material is preferably on side II, the masking strip made of an electrically conductive material material preferably on page III), so that the masking strip made of an electrically non-conductive material forms, as it were, a screen for the masking strip made of an electrically conductive material in which the sensor button is formed.

According to a further embodiment of the glazing, on one side of the masking strip containing an electrically conductive material, it has a shielding strip (i.e. layer) made of an electrically conductive material for electrically shielding the masking strip containing the electrically conductive material. In a vertical view through the glazing, the shielding strip at least partially, in particular completely, covers the masking strip containing the electrically conductive material, with the thermoplastic intermediate layer between the shielding strip and the masking strip containing the electrically conductive material in a composite pane.

The shielding strip preferably contains or consists of at least one metal, for example silver, gold, copper, nickel and / or chromium, or a metal alloy and preferably contains at least 90% by weight of the metal, in particular at least 99.9% by weight of the Metal. The sensor button can be shielded from electrical interference signals by the shielding strip. The sensor button is switched on one side, i.e. the switching side (e.g. inside of the glazing), it being understood that the shielding strip is arranged on the side of the sensor button opposite the switching side, so that the switching process is not impaired by the shielding strip. Preferably, but not necessarily, the shielding strip is connected to a ground connection.

According to the invention, a sensor button is formed in the masking strip containing an electrically conductive material by at least one dividing line. Here, the masking strip is electrically divided into a sensor button and a surrounding area. The masking strip preferably has at least one further dividing line, by means of which a surrounding area separated from the rest of the masking strip (which does not contain the sensor button) is electrically divided. The further dividing line preferably borders the sensor button at least partially and in particular completely. This measure allows the surrounding area to be designed in a targeted manner. In particular, an electrical short circuit with the rest of the masking strip can be prevented. The at least one pane contains or is preferably made of 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. Suitable glasses are known, for example, from EP 0 847 965 B1.

The thickness of the at least one disk can vary widely and if adapted to the requirements of the individual. Discs with the standard thicknesses of 1.0 mm to 25 mm and preferably of 1.4 mm to 2.1 mm are preferably used. The size of the discs can vary widely and depends on the use.

The glazing can have any three-dimensional shape. The at least one pane preferably has no shadow zones, so that it can be coated, for example, by cathodic sputtering. The at least one disk is preferably planar or slightly or strongly curved in one direction or in several directions of the space. The at least one disk can be colorless or colored.

The thermoplastic intermediate layer contains or consists of at least one thermoplastic plastic, preferably polyvinyl butyral (PVB), ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) and / or polyethylene terephthalate (PET). The thermoplastic intermediate layer can also, for example, polyurethane (PU), polypropylene (PP), polyacrylate, polyethylene (PE), polycarbonate (PC), polymethyl methacrylate, polyvinyl chloride, polyacetate resin, casting resin, acrylate, fluorinated ethylene propylene, polyvinyl fluoride and / or keep ethylene-tetrafluoroethylene, or a copolymer or mixture thereof ent. The thermoplastic intermediate layer can be formed by one or more thermoplastic films arranged one above the other, the thickness of a thermoplastic film preferably being from 0.25 mm to 1 mm, typically 0.38 mm or 0.76 mm.

According to one embodiment, the glazing according to the invention has at least one large-area, electrically conductive layer (functional layer). The functional layer is arranged on a surface of at least one pane and covers or covers the surface of the pane in part, but preferably over a large area. The term "large area" means that at least 50%, at least 60%, at least 70%, at least 75% or preferably at least 90% of the surface of the pane is covered (eg coated) by the functional layer. The functional layer can, however, also extend over smaller portions of the surface of the pane. stretch. The functional layer is preferably transparent to visible light. In an advantageous embodiment, the functional layer is an individual layer or a layer structure made up 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.

In the context of the present invention, "transparent" means that the total transmission of the glazing complies with the legal requirements for windshields and front side windows and preferably has a permeability of more than 70% and in particular more than 75% for visible light. For rear side panes and stain panes, "transparent" can also mean 10% to 70% light transmission. Correspondingly, “opaque” means a light transmission of less than 15%, preferably less than 5%, in particular 0%.

The glazing has, for example, a circumferential edge with a width of 2 mm to 50 mm, preferably 5 mm to 20 mm, which is not provided with the functional layer. The functional layer advantageously has no contact with the atmosphere and is protected against damage and corrosion, for example in the interior of a composite pane, by the thermoplastic intermediate layer.

For example, the transparent, electrically conductive functional layer contains at least one metal, preferably silver, nickel, chromium, niobium, tin, titanium, copper, palladium, zinc, gold, cadmium, aluminum, silicon, tungsten or alloys thereof, and / or at least one Metal oxide layer, preferably tin-doped indium oxide (ITO), aluminum-doped zinc oxide (AZO), fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO, Sn02: F) or antimony-doped tin oxide (ATO, Sn02: Sb). Transparent, electrically conductive layers are known, for example, from DE 20 2008 017 611 U1 and EP 0 847 965 B1. They consist, for example, of a metal layer such as a silver layer or a layer of a metal alloy containing silver. Typical silver layers preferably have thicknesses of 5 nm to 15 nm, particularly preferably 8 nm to 12 nm. The metal layer can be embedded between at least two layers of dielectric material of the metal oxide type. The metal oxide preferably contains zinc oxide, tin oxide, indium oxide, titanium oxide, silicon oxide, aluminum oxide or the like and combinations of one or more thereof. The dielectric material can also contain silicon nitride, silicon carbide, aluminum nitride, and combinations of one or more thereof. The 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 or chemical vapor deposition (CVD). On both sides of the silver layer can also be very Fine metal layers can be provided which contain in particular titanium or niobium. The lower metal layer serves as an adhesion and crystallization layer. The upper metal layer serves as a protective and getter layer to prevent the silver from changing during the further process steps.

Transparent, electrically conductive layers preferably have a sheet resistance of 0.1 ohm / square to 200 ohm / square, particularly preferably from 1 ohm / square to 50 ohm / square and very particularly preferably from 1 ohm / square to 10 ohm / square.

For example, the functional layer is a layer with a sun protection effect. Such a layer with sun protection effect has reflective properties in the infrared range and there with in the range of solar radiation, whereby heating of the interior of a Ge building or motor vehicle as a result of solar radiation is advantageously reduced. Layers with a sun protection effect are well known to the person skilled in the art and typically contain at least one metal, in particular silver or an alloy containing silver. The layer with sun protection effect can comprise a sequence of several individual layers, in particular at least one metallic layer and dielectric layers which contain, for example, at least one metal oxide. The metal oxide preferably contains zinc oxide, tin oxide, indium oxide, titanium oxide, silicon oxide, aluminum oxide or the like, as well as combinations of one or more of them. The dielectric material contains, for example, silicon nitride, silicon carbide or aluminum nitride. Layers with a sun protection effect are known, for example, from DE 10 2009 006 062 A1, WO 2007/101964 A1, EP 0 912 455 B1, DE 199 27 683 C1, EP 1 218 307 B1 and EP 1 917 222 B1.

The thickness of a layer with a sun protection effect can vary widely and be adapted to the requirements of the individual case, a layer thickness of 10 nm to 5 μm and in particular 30 nm to 1 μm being preferred. The sheet resistance of a layer with a sun protection effect is preferably from 0.35 ohm / square to 200 ohm / square, preferably 0.5 ohm / square to 200 ohm / square, very particularly preferably from 0.6 ohm / square to 30 ohm / square, and especially from 2 ohms / square to 20 ohms / square. The layer with sun protection effect has, for example, good infrared-reflecting properties and / or particularly low emissivities (Low-E).

The functional layer can, for example, also be an electrically heatable layer through which the glazing is provided with a heating function. Such heatable layers are known per se to the person skilled in the art. They typically contain one or more, for example two, three or four, electrically conductive layers. These layers contain or consist preferably of at least one metal, for example silver, gold, copper, nickel and / or chromium, or a metal alloy and preferably contain at least 90% by weight of the metal, in particular at least 99.9% by weight of the metal . Such layers have a particularly advantageous electrical conductivity with a simultaneous high transmission in the visible spectral range. The thickness of an individual layer is preferably from 5 nm to 50 nm, particularly preferably from 8 nm to 25 nm. With such a thickness, an advantageously high transmission in the visible spectral range and a particularly advantageous electrical conductivity are achieved.

The electrically heatable functional layer is electrically connected to at least two bus bars through which a current of fleece can be fed into the functional layer. The bus conductors are preferably arranged in the edge region of the electrically conductive layer along a side edge on the electrically conductive layer. The length of the busbar is typically essentially the same as the length of the side edge of the electrically conductive layer, but it can also be somewhat larger or smaller. Two bus bars are preferably arranged on the electrically conductive layer, in the edge region along two opposite side edges of the electrically conductive layer. The width of the busbar is preferably from 2 mm to 30 mm, particularly preferably from 4 mm to 20 mm. The bus bars are typically each designed in the form of a strip, the longer of its dimensions being referred to as length and the shorter of its dimensions being referred to as width.

Busbars are designed, for example, as a printed and burnt-in conductive structure. The printed busbar contains at least one metal, preferably silver. The electrical conductivity is preferably realized by means of metal particles contained in the busbar, particularly preferably by means of silver particles. The metal particles can be in an organic and / or inorganic matrix such as pastes or inks, preferably as a burnt screen printing paste with glass frits. The layer thickness of the printed busbar is preferably from 5 μm to 40 μm, particularly preferably from 8 μm to 20 μm and very particularly preferably from 10 μm to 15 μm. Printed busbars with these thicknesses are technically easy to implement and have an advantageous current-carrying capacity. Alternatively, the busbar can also be designed as a strip of an electrically conductive film. The busbar then contains, for example, at least aluminum, copper, tinned copper, gold, silver, zinc, tungsten and / or tin or alloys thereof. The strip preferably has a thickness of 10 μm to 500 μm, particularly preferably 30 μm to 300 μm. Busbar made of electrically conductive foils with these thicknesses are technically easy to implement and have an advantageous Stromtragfä ability. The strip can be connected in an electrically conductive manner to the electrically conductive structure, for example via a solder, via an electrically conductive adhesive or by direct application.

Electrically switchable or controllable functional layers are, for example, SPD (suspended particle device), PDLC (polymer dispersed liquid crystal), electrochromic or electroluminescent functional elements and are known per se to the person skilled in the art. The electrically conductive functional layer can also be a polymeric electrically conductive layer, for example containing at least one conjugated polymer or a polymer provided with conductive particles.

The functional layer or a carrier film with the functional layer can be arranged on a surface of a single pane. In the case of a composite pane made of two panes, a preferably transparent functional layer is located on an inner surface of the one and / or the other pane. Alternatively, the functional coating can be embedded between two thermoplastic intermediate layers. The functional layer is then preferably applied to a carrier film or carrier disk. The carrier film or carrier disk preferably contains a polymer, in particular polyvinyl butyral (PVB), ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), polyurethane (PU), polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or combinations thereof.

The sensor button of the masking strip containing an electrically conductive material and the functional layer can be arranged on the same side (i.e. pane surface) or on different sides of the glazing.

According to an alternative embodiment, the glazing according to the invention does not have a large-area, electrically conductive layer (functional layer).

If the glazing is designed as a composite pane, it is preferred if the sensor button and, if applicable, the surrounding area or optionally the shielding strip is contacted by a flat conductor. The flat conductor is preferably designed as a strip conductor and in particular as a coplanar strip conductor whose signal line is electrically conductively coupled to the sensor button and whose shielding (ground line) is electrically connected to the surrounding area or optionally shielding strips. Electrically coupled means here preferably galvanically connected. The signal line and the ground line can also be designed as separate flat conductors. A strip conductor is preferably designed as a film conductor, in particular a flexible film conductor (ribbon conductor). Foil conductor is understood to mean an electrical conductor whose width is significantly greater than its thickness. Such a foil conductor is, for example, a strip or tape containing or consisting of copper, tin-plated 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 suitable according to the invention only have a total thickness of, for example, 0.3 mm. Such thin film conductors can be arranged between the panes of a composite pane without difficulty.

The at least one masking strip is arranged at the edge of the glazing and has, for example, a width of less than 20 cm, preferably less than 10 cm.

Each dividing line preferably has a width of 30 μm to 200 μm and in particular 70 μm to 140 μm, so that the dividing lines are practically imperceptible.

The electrical sensor button is preferably a capacitive sensor button.

The glazing can have a marking / identification of the sensor button, preferably on the inside.

The invention also extends to a glazing arrangement which comprises glazing according to the invention and sensor electronics, in particular capacitive sensor electronics, which are electrically connected to the sensor button.

The sensor electronics preferably measure the capacitance of the sensor button of the masking strip relative to ground or the capacitance of two or more areas of the masking strip (alternatively the sensor button and shielding strip) relative to each other. If a change in capacitance is detected, the sensor electronics emit a control signal, for example to control the coloring of an electrochromic layer system by outputting a suitable control voltage to the electrochromic layer system. The voltage values are selected, for example, in such a way that the electrochromic layer system has its colorless addition at a voltage value. stand with maximum transparency for visible light and at a different voltage value the electrochromic layer system assumes its maximum color and minimum transparency.

Sensor electronics for a capacitive sensor button are known, for example, from DE 20 2005 010 379 U1. In a simple version, the capacitance of the sensor button is measured by a capacitance / voltage converter. The sensor electronics charge the sensor button to a specified voltage. The current flow required for charging is measured and converted into a voltage signal. The sensor button is then discharged and charged again to the specified voltage. A change in the capacitance of the sensor button can be measured by changing the voltage signal. The capacitance of the sensor button to earth changes when an earthed body, for example a person, comes near it or touches it. Alternatively, the sensor button can contain two areas and the capacitance between the two areas can be measured.

A change in capacitance can also be detected by a non-oscillating oscillator, which is caused to oscillate by the change in capacitance. Alternatively, a swaying oscillator can be dampened to such an extent that its oscillation stops. Sensor electronics with an oscillator are known from EP 0 899 882 A1.

The invention also extends to a method for setting glazing according to the invention. The procedure includes:

(a) in an edge region of the at least one pane, application of at least one masking strip,

(b) Introducing at least one dividing line into which the electrically conductive material contains the masking strip, as a result of which the masking strip is electrically subdivided into a sensor button and a surrounding area, in particular by mechanical or chemical removal.

The at least one masking strip containing an electrically conductive material, which is in the form of a single layer, is preferably applied to the pane using a printing process, in particular using a screen printing process, or other common application processes such as brushing, rolling, spraying and the like, and then preferably applied burned in. In the case of an embodiment of the masking strip from several layers a layer of an electrically non-conductive material is preferably first applied to the window using the printing process, especially screen printing, or other common application processes such as brushing, rolling, spraying and the like, and then preferably baked. A layer of an electrically conductive material is then applied, which can be done by methods known per se, for example by vapor deposition, chemical vapor deposition (CVD), plasma-assisted gas phase deposition (PECVD) or by wet-chemical methods. This is preferably done by magnetic field-assisted cathode sputtering, which is particularly advantageous with regard to a simple, fast, inexpensive and uniform coating.

The formation of the at least one dividing line in the masking strip containing an electrically conductive material takes place, for example, by a laser beam, by mechanical ablation or by chemical or physical etching. For this purpose, mechanical ablation or chemical or physical etching is preferably used, which can save costs in the series production of the glazing.

If the glazing has a functional layer made of an electrically conductive material, the deposition is preferably carried out by magnetic field-assisted cathode sputtering, vapor deposition, chemical vapor deposition (CVD), plasma-assisted gas phase deposition (PECVD) or by a wet chemical process.

For the production of a composite pane, at least two panes are preferably connected to one another (laminated) by means of at least one thermoplastic adhesive layer 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 130 ° C to 145 ° C. The two panes and the thermoplastic intermediate layer can also be pressed in a calender between at least one pair of rollers to form a composite pane. Systems of this type are known for the manufacture of composite panes and usually 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 in the Particularly proven in practice. Alternatively, vacuum laminators can be used. These be available from one or more heatable and evacuable chambers in which the first pane and second pane can be 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 nen.

Flat conductors for contacting the sensor button and the surrounding area (or shielding strips) can be easily laminated between the panes and made from the composite.

The invention also extends to the use of the glazing according to the invention on buildings or in means of transport for traffic in the country, in the air or on water, in particular in motor vehicles, for example as a windshield, stain glass, side windows and / or roof window. According to the invention, the use of the glazing in motor vehicles is preferred.

The various embodiments 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 alone, without leaving the scope of the present invention.

The invention is explained in more detail below on the basis of exemplary embodiments, reference being made to the accompanying figures. It shows in a simplified, not to scale representation:

1 shows a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the glazing according to the invention, which is designed in the form of a composite pane,

FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of a variant of the embodiment of FIG. 1,

3 shows a plan view of a masking strip in the area of the sensor button,

4 shows a plan view of the glazing from FIG. 1 or 2, 5 shows a flow chart to illustrate the method according to the invention.

First of all, FIGS. 1 and 4 are considered. FIG. 1 shows a cross-sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of the glazing 1 according to the invention in a simplified, schematic representation. A top view of the glazing 1 is shown in FIG. The cross-sectional view of FIG. 1 corresponds to the section line A-A in the edge region of the glazing 1, as is indicated in FIG.

The glazing 1 is designed in the form of a composite pane and comprises a first pane 2 (e.g. outer pane) and a second pane 3 (e.g. inner pane), which are firmly connected to one another by a thermoplastic intermediate layer 4. The glazing 1 can be installed in a building or a motor vehicle and separates an interior from an external environment. For example, the glazing is the windshield of a motor vehicle. As an alternative, the glazing has only a single pane, preferably in the form of thermally toughened single-pane safety glass (not shown).

The first pane 2 and the second pane 3 each consist of glass, preferably thermally toughened soda-lime glass, and are transparent to visible light. The thermoplastic intermediate layer 4 consists of a thermoplastic plastic, preferably polyvinyl butyral (PVB), ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) and / or polyethylene terephthalate (PET).

The outer surface I of the first pane 2 faces the external environment and is at the same time the outer surface of the glazing 1. The inner surface II of the first pane 2 and the outer surface III of the second pane 3 each face the intermediate layer 4. The inner surface IV of the second pane 3 faces the building or vehicle interior and is at the same time the inner surface of the glazing 1. It goes without saying that the glazing 1 can have any suitable geometric shape and / or curvature. As a windshield, the glazing 1 typically has a convex curvature.

In the edge area of the glazing 1 is located on the inside (side III) of the second pane 3, ie on the side of the intermediate layer 4 facing the second pane 3, a frame-shaped circumferential first masking strip 5. The first masking strip 5 is opaque and prevents the ver View of structures arranged on the inside of the glazing 1, for example an adhesive bead for gluing the glazing 1 into a vehicle body. The first masking strip 5 contains an electrically conductive material and is therefore electrically conductive. In the present exemplary embodiment, the first masking strip 5 consists of two layers, namely a first layer 7 made of an electrically non-conductive material and a second layer 8 made of an electrically conductive material 8, which is arranged on the first layer 7.

The first layer 7 made of an electrically non-conductive material consists of a conventionally used for masking strips, electrically non-conductive material, for example a black-colored screen printing ink that is baked. The second layer 8 is made of an electrically conductive material and is preferably transparent. The second layer 8 made of an electrically conductive material contains or consists preferably of at least one metal, for example silver, gold, copper, nickel and / or chromium, or a metal alloy and preferably contains at least 90% by weight of the metal, in particular at least 99, 9% by weight of the metal. The thickness of the second layer 8 containing an electrically conductive material is preferably from 5 nm to 50 nm, particularly preferably from 8 nm to 25 nm.

In the first masking strip 5, a sensor button 9 is formed, which is explained in more detail in connection with FIG. 3.

Furthermore, the glazing 1 has a second masking strip 6 made of an electrically non-conductive material. The second masking strip 6 has a frame-like design and completely covers the first masking strip 5 in a vertical view through the glazing 1. Like the first layer 7 made of an electrically non-conductive material of the first masking strip 5, the second masking strip 6 consists of an electrically non-conductive material conventionally used for masking strips, for example a black-colored screen printing ink that is baked.

Furthermore, the glazing 1 has a shielding strip 10 (layer) made of an electrically conductive material. The shielding strip 10 has a frame-shaped design and completely covers the first masking strip 5 in a vertical view through the glazing 1. The shielding strip 10 contains or consists of at least one metal, for example silver, gold, copper, nickel and / or chromium, or a metal alloy and preferably contains at least 90% by weight of the metal, in particular at least 99.9% by weight of the metal . The sensor button 9 is shielded from electrical interference signals by the shielding strip 10. In the variant of the glazing 1 shown in FIG. 2, which differs from the variant of FIG. 1 only in the configuration of the first masking strip 5, the first masking strip 5 ′ consists of an electrically conductive individual layer.

For example, the first masking strip 5 'contains an electrically non-conductive material conventionally used for masking strips to which an electrically conductive material is added, preferably at least one metal, for example silver, gold, copper, nickel and / or chromium or a metal alloy. For example, the first masking strip 5 'consists of a printed and stoved electrically conductive paste, preferably a silver-based screen printing paste.

As illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, the first masking strip 5, 5 'is structured by two separating lines 11, 11'. The first masking strip 5 is electrically divided into the sensor button 9 and a surrounding area 12 by a first dividing line 11. The surrounding area 12 is electrically divided by a second dividing line 11 'from the rest of the first masking strip 5, 5'. The two dividing lines 11, 11 'have, for example, a width of 100 μm and are introduced into the first masking strip 5, 5', for example, by laser structuring, but preferably by mechanical or etching removal. Separating lines 11, 11 'with such a small width are visually barely perceptible.

The sensor button 9 comprises a contact area 13, which is here for example circular and merges into a feed area 14. The width of the Berührungsbe area 13 is 40 mm, for example. The width of the lead area 14 is, for example, 1 mm. The lead area 14 is electrically conductively connected to a capacitive sensor electronics 15 via a foil conductor (not shown). The foil conductor consists, for example, of a 50 μm thick copper foil and is insulated with a polyimide layer, for example outside the feed area 14.

The sensor button 9 is a capacitive sensor button here. A capacitive sensor electronics 15 measures changes in the capacitance of the sensor button 9 with respect to “earth” and transmits 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. When a human body part, here a finger, approaches the sensor button 9 or touches it, a switching process can be triggered. As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the sensor button 9 is designed for a switching process on the inside of the glazing 1. The reference signal of the change in capacitance is tapped from the surrounding area 12, for example. As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, it could equally be tapped from the shielding strip 10.

Through the shielding strip 10, electrical interference signals which can trigger an undesirable change in capacitance on the sensor button 9 can be shielded. The shielding strip 10 can also be connected to ground potential for this purpose.

FIG. 5 illustrates the method according to the invention with the aid of a flow chart. Here, in a first step I, at least one masking strip 5, 5 'is applied in an edge region 5 of the at least one pane 2, 3. In a second step, at least one dividing line 11, 11 'is introduced into the masking strip 5, 5' containing the electrically conductive material, whereby the masking strip 5, 5 'is electrically divided into a sensor button 9 and a surrounding area 12, in particular by mechanical or chemical means shear removal. It follows from the above statements that the invention provides an improved glazing with a sensor button, it being possible to trigger the switching process on the glazing itself compared to external switches or buttons according to the prior art. A large-area functional coating of the glazing is not required. The sensor switch surface 9 can be freely positioned within the masking strip. The glazing according to the invention can be produced simply and inexpensively using known glazing methods.

Show it:

1 glazing

2 first slice

3 second disc

4 intermediate layer

5, 5 'first masking strip

6 second masking strips

7 first layer made of electrically non-conductive material

8 second layer of electrically conductive material

9 sensor button

10 shielding strips 11, 11 'dividing line

12 Surrounding area

13 Contact area

14 Supply area

15 Sensor electronics

16 border area

100 glazing arrangement

I outside of the first pane 2

11 Inside of the first pane 2

III inside of the second pane 3

IV outside of the second pane 3

A-A cutting line

Claims

1. Glazing (1), with at least one pane (2, 3) and at least one opaque masking strip (5, 5 ') for masking a structure otherwise recognizable through the pane in the installed state in an edge region (16) of the pane (2 , 3), wherein the masking strip (5, 5 ') contains an electrically conductive material and has at least one dividing line (11, 11') through which at least one electrical sensor button (9) is formed in the masking strip (5, 5 ') is.

2. Glazing (1) according to claim 1, wherein the masking strip (5 ') containing the electrically conductive material consists of a single layer of an electrically conductive material.

3. Glazing (1) according to claim 1, wherein the masking strip (5) containing the electrically conductive material has a first layer (7) made of an electrically non-conductive material and a second layer (8) made of an electrically conductive material.

4. Glazing (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, which has at least one masking strip (6) made of an electrically non-conductive material.

5. Glazing (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, which is designed in the form of a composite disk and a first disk (2) with outside (I) and inside (II) and a second disk (3) with inside (III ) and outside (IV), which are firmly connected to one another by at least one thermoplastic intermediate layer (4).

6. Glazing (1) according to claim 5, wherein the masking strips (5, 5 ') containing the electrically conductive material are on the inside (II) of the first pane (2) or on the inside (III) of the second pane (3) ) is applied.

7. Glazing (1) according to one of claims 4 to 6, in which the masking strip (5, 5 ') made of an electrically non-conductive material on the inside (II) of the first pane (2) or on the inside (III) the second disc (3) is applied.

8. Glazing (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7, which has a shielding strip on one side of the masking strip (5, 5 ') containing an electrically conductive material (10) made of an electrically conductive material, the shielding strips (10) at least partially, in particular completely, covering the masking strips (5, 5 ') containing the electrically conductive material in a vertical right view through the glazing (1).

9. Glazing (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8, in which the at least one masking strip (5, 5 ', 6) is designed in a frame-shaped circumferential manner.

10. Glazing (1) according to one of claims 1 to 9, in which the at least one electrical sensor button (9) is a capacitive sensor button.

11. Glazing (1) according to one of claims 1 to 10, in which at least one further dividing line (11 ') is formed in the masking strip (5, 5') containing the electrically conductive material, the further dividing line (11 ') being the Sensor button (9) at least partially and in particular completely bordered.

12. Glazing (1) according to one of claims 1 to 11, in which each dividing line (11, 11 ') has a width of 30 μm to 200 μm and in particular from 70 μm to 140 μm.

13. A glazing assembly (100) comprising:

- a glazing (1) according to one of claims 10 to 12,

- Sensor electronics (15), in particular capacitive sensor electronics, which are electrically connected to the sensor button (9).

14. A method for producing a glazing (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, comprising:

(a) in an edge region (16) of the at least one pane (2, 3), application of at least one masking strip (5, 5 '),

(b) Introducing at least one dividing line (11, 11 ') into the masking strip (5, 5') containing the electrically conductive material, whereby the masking strip is electrically divided into a sensor switch surface (9) and a surrounding area (12), in particular by mechanical or chemical removal.

15. Use of the glazing (1) according to one of claims 1 to 12 in buildings or in means of transport for traffic on land, in the air or on water, in particular in motor vehicles, for example, as a windshield, rear window, side window and / or roof window.