WO2022103810A1

WO2022103810A1 - Laminated glazing having a switchable film

Info

Publication number: WO2022103810A1
Application number: PCT/US2021/058742
Authority: WO
Inventors: Katharina BOGUSLAWSKI; Christina Marie Youngers
Original assignee: Carlex Glass America, Llc
Priority date: 2020-11-10
Filing date: 2021-11-10
Publication date: 2022-05-19

Abstract

A laminated glazing has a switchable film therein. The laminated glazing includes a first glass sheet, a first adhesive interlayer, the switchable film, a metallic barrier at an edge of the switchable film, a second adhesive interlayer, and a second glass sheet. The switchable film includes a first substrate, a first conductive layer, a switchable material layer, a second conductive layer, and a second substrate.

Description

LAMINATED GLAZING HAVING A SWITCHABLE FILM

Cross Reference to Related Application

[0001] This application claims priority to U. S. Provisional Application No. 63/ 112,032 filed on November 10, 2020, entitled “Laminated Glazing Having a Switchable Film,” the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

Technical Field

[0002] The present disclosure is generally related to a laminated glazing having a switchable film therein.

Background

[0003] Switchable films in glass constructions may be provided for various purposes, including architectural and vehicle windows. Switchable films may include those based on liquid crystal constructions and may be selectively changed from an opaque or dark state to a transparent or clear state by the application of an electric field to the film. The electrical connection may be formed within the glass construction to control the switchable material. When an electric field is activated, the switchable material may transfer from an opaque state to a transparent state or vice versa.

[0004] Switchable materials may include polymer dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) and polymer network liquid crystal (PNLC) constructions, PDLC materials are formed by liquid crystals dispersed throughout a liquid polymer matrix. As the polymer matrix solidifies, the liquid crystals form droplets. The random orientation of liquid crystal droplets results in the opaque, milky appearance of the PDLC in an OFF state. When an electrical current is applied to the PDLC, the liquid crystals may align parallel to the direction of the electric field. The parallel orientation allows for light to pass through, and in an ON state, PDLC is transparent relative to the OFF state. PNLC may also provide a film that may selectively switch between opaque and transparent states. PNLC films may have a higher ratio of liquid crystal to polymer and require a lower driving voltage than a PDLC. PDLC and PNLC films may also be configured to have a reverse alignment where, in a default OFF state, the PDLC or PN LC is transparent, and in an ON state with an electric voltage applied, the PDLC or PNLC is opaque.

[0005] Over time, such switchable materials may show signs of deterioration, particularly at a periphery of the material. The liquid crystal material may be affected by introduction of contaminants such as moisture or plasticizers present in a surrounding adhesive layer. Time and other elemen ts, such as heat, may impact migration of the con taminants into the swi tchable liquid crystal layer and the effect of such migration. The contamination may result in clearing of the film, which may begin in a periphery edge portion of the film. Over time, the clearing may extend further into the film and provide an area of the film that loses opacity. For example, a PDLC film that is opaque in an OFF state may have a cleared portion which appears relatively less opaque. Clearing at the edges of the film is undesirable and may affect the aesthetic quality of a glazing having such a switchable film. There is a need in the art for a suitable barrier to such contaminants.

Summary of the Disclosure

[0006] Disclosed herein is a laminated glazing having a switchable film therein, including: a first glass sheet; a first adhesive interlayer; the switchable film including: a first substrate, a first conductive layer, a switchable material layer, a second conductive layer, and a second substrate; a metallic barrier at an edge of the switchable film: a second adhesive interlayer; and a second glass sheet.

[0007] Ln some embodiments of the present disclosure, the metallic barrier includes a film having a metallic coating thereon. In some embodiments, the metallic barrier may include a metal foil. The metal foil is at least one selected from aluminum foil and copper foil. The metallic barrier may further include an adhesive layer. The adhesive layer may be a pressure sensitive adhesive.

[0008] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the metallic barrier may be wrapped around an edge of the switchable film. The metallic barrier may directly contact the first substrate and the second substrate.

[0009] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the switchable film may have at least one comer and the metallic barrier may overlap with itself at the at least one corner of the switchable film.

[0010] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the laminated glazing may further include at least one busbar at a periphery of the switchable film. The laminated glazing may further include an insulation layer between the switchable film and the metallic barrier. The insulation layer may wrap around an edge of the switchable film between the switchable film and the metallic banner. A connector may be attached to each of the at least one busbars. The connector may have an insulated portion and the metallic barrier may contact the insulated portion of the connector. The metallic barrier may not contact the connector.

[0011] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the switchable film may be a liquid crystal film. The liquid crystal film may be a polymer dispersed liquid crystal film.

[0012] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the laminated glazing may further include a third adhesive interlayer positioned between the first and second adhesive interlayers around the switchable film to compensate for a thickness change that would otherwise occur at the switchable film edge, and the first, second, and third adhesive interlayers may be combined.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0013] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated into and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate one or more example aspects of the present disclosure and, together with the detailed description, serve to explain their principles and implementations.

[0014] FIG. I illustrates a laminated glazing having a switchable film therein, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure,

[0015] FIG. 2 illustrates a cross section of a laminated glazing having a switchable film therein, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0016] TIG. 3 illustrates a cross section of a laminated glazing having a switchable film therein, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0017] FIG. 4 illustrates a cross section of a switchable film having a metallic barrier applied thereto, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0018] FIG. 5 illustrates a cross section of a switchable film having a barrier applied thereto, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0019] FIG. 6 illustrates a top view of a switchable film, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0020] FIG. 7 illustrates a top view of a switchable film, according to an exemplary embodiment, of the present disclosure.

[0021] FIG. 8 illustrates a top view of a switchable film, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0022] FIG, 9 illustrates a cross section of a switchable film, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. Detailed Description

[0023] In the following description, for purposes of explanation, specific details are set forth in order to promote a thorough understanding of one or more aspects of the disclosure. It may be evident in some or all instances, however, that any aspects described below can be practiced without adopting the specific design details described below.

[0024] This disclosure relates generally to a laminated glazing having a switchable film therein and a metallic barrier to protect a switchable material layer in the switchable film from contamination.

[0025] A laminated glazing with a switchable film may typically include a first glass sheet, a first adhesive interlayer, a switchable film, a second adhesive interlayer, and a second glass sheet. The first and second glass sheets may include any suitable glass, and may preferably include a soda- lime silicate glass, such as that described by ISO 16293-1 :2008. The glass sheets may be bent to a desired shape prior to lamination, which may include heating the glass sheets to a temperature from 560°0 to 700°C, more preferably from 600°C to 660°C. The first and second adhesive interlayers may include a polymer adhesive material, such as polyvinyl butyral ( PVB) or any other suitable laminating material, including ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) or ionomers. In die laminated glazing, first and second adhesive interlayers may be combined after the autoclaving process and the boundary thereof may be indistinguishable. As used herein, an adhesive interlayer located between the first glass sheet and the switchable film may be called the first adhesive interlayer, and an adhesive interlayer located between the second glass sheet and the switchable film may be called the second adhesive interlayer.

[0026] An adhesive interlayer may include plasticizers which enable use of the interlayer. The plasticizers may include, for example, esters, including triethylene glycol di(2~ethyl hexanoate), triethylene glycol di(2-ethyl butyrate), bis(2~ethylhexyl)phthalate, bis(2-ethylhexyl)adipate, dihexyl adipate, dioctyl adipate, diisononyl adipate, diisodecyl adipate, diisononyl phthalate, tris(2-ethylhexyl) trimellita te.

[0027] The switchable film may include a first substrate, a first conductive layer, a switchable material layer, a second conductive layer, and a second substrate. Particularly, the first and second substrates may include a polymer film, such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET), The first and second conductive layers may provide electrodes for turning the switchable material layer on and off and may include a transparent metal oxide, such as indium tin oxide or zinc oxide. The switchable material layer may preferably include a liquid crystal material, such as a polymer dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) or a polymer networked liquid crystal (PNLC), or a fine particle material, such as a suspended particle device (SPD). The switchable film may be a liquid crystal film, such as a polymer dispersed liquid crystal film.

[0028] A ccording to embodiments of the present disclosure, a metallic barrier may be further provided in a laminated glazing to protect the switchable material layer of the switchable film from contaminants, including moisture and plasticizers. The metallic barrier may be a material such that contaminants are blocked from reaching the switchable material layer. Particularly, a metallic barrier may be provided within the laminated glazing at an edge of the switchable film, as shown in FIG. I .

[0029] FIG. 1 illustrates a cross section of a laminated glazing having a switchable film therein according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0030] FIG. 1 illustrates a laminated glazing 1 having a switchable film 10. A metallic barrier 20 is disposed at an edge of the switchable film 10. The swi tchable fil m 10 may require a connecting means for providing power to the film 10. A connector 50 may be electrically connected to the switchable film 10 at each electrode, or conductive layer, to apply an electric field to a switchable material layer in the switchable film 10. Where a switchable film 10 has multiple electrically isolated segments, each segment may include a connector 50. In FIG. 1, a third adhesive interlayer 63 and an edge 41 of opaque print 40 are also illustrated, but a first glass sheet 31 , a first adhesive interlayer 61, a second adhesive interlayer 62, and a second glass sheet 32 are not illustrated. The area between an outside of the laminated glazing 1 and edge 41 may include an opaque print 40 (not shown in FIG. 1 ). The opaque print 40 may mask the metallic barrier 20 from view through a first glass sheet 31. An opaque print 40 may further be provided to mask the metallic barrier 20 from view through the second glass sheet 32.

[0031] Preferably, the switchable film 10 does not reach an edge of the laminated glazing I . The conductive layers within the switchable film may be preferably kept from a glazing edge to prevent corrosion from occurring and to prevent delamination of the materials. It may further be preferable that the switchable film 10 does not extend to the glazing edge to avoid wrinkles which may be likely to form in the switchable film 10 at a glazing edge having strong curvature. Thus, the edge of the switchable film 10 may be positioned between the first adhesi ve interlayer 61 and second adhesive interlayer 62 with the laminated glazing 1. The opaque print 40 may be provided in a periphery of the laminated glazing 1 which may hide the edge of the switchable film 10 from view, as well as the metallic barrier 20, In some embodiments, the opaque print 40 may include a black enamel frit which may be screen printed and sintered to one or more glass sheets in the laminated glazing 1. In some embodiments, there may further be a third adhesive interlayer 63 positioned between the first adhesive interlayer 61 and second adhesive interlayer 62 around the switchable film 10 to compensate for a thickness change that would otherwise occur at the edge of the switchable film 10. In the laminated glazing 1, first, second, and third adhesive interlayers may be combined after the autoclaving process and the boundary therebetween may be indistinguishable.

[0032] Where the switchable film .10 has a thickness of from about 0.25 mm to about 0.55 mm, a third adhesive interlayer 63 may have a thickness of from about 0.25 mm to about 0.55 mm, preferably from about 0.33 mm to about 0.45 mm. Where the switchable film 10 has a thickness of 0.25 mm or less, there may or may not be a third adhesive interlayer 63 around the edge of the switchable film 10. Where the edge of the switchable film 10 is exposed to the adhesive interlayers, there may be a migration pathway through which contaminants, including plasticizers in the adhesive interlayers, may reach the switchable material layer of the switchable film 10, Thus the metallic barrier 20 may preferably be provided at the edge of the switchable film 10 within the laminated glazing 1 to provide a separation of the switchable material layer 13 of the switchable film 10 and the adhesive interlayer material.

[0033] Particularly, according to embodiments of the present disclosure, the metallic barrier 20 may include a metallic material. A metallic material included in the metallic barrier 20 may be at least one selected from aluminum and copper. Further metals may be used as well. In some embodiments, the metallic barrier 20 may include a metal foil 21 , which may preferably include copper foil or aluminum foil. Further metals may be used as well. The metallic barrier 20 may also be provided as a coating layer on a carrier material, such as polyethylene terephthalate in some further embodiments. It may be understood that non-fbil metallic barriers 20 may be used in embodiments discussed herein. Preferably, the metallic barrier 20 may be a material having an atomic packing factor of 0.74. The metallic barrier layer 20 described herein for protecting the switchable material layer 13 from contaminants may additionally include dielectric materials, such as metal oxides or nitrides. For example, a metallic coating provided on a film may include metal layers and dielectric layers. The metallic barrier 20 may have a thickness from 0.001 mm to 0.1 mm, preferably from 0.03 mm to 0,1 mm. It may be preferable that the metallic barrier 20 has a small thickness in order to prevent difficulty in lamination. Changes to the thickness of materials within a glazing may create problems during lamination that may result in poor laminated products.

[0034] The metallic barrier 20 may surround the edge of the switchable film 10 such that the metallic barrier 20 is positioned between the switchable material layer 13 of the switchable film 10 and adhesive interlayers in the laminated glazing I . The metal toil 21 may at least partially come into direct contact with the substrates of the switchable film 10, such that the switchable material layer 13 is enclosed by the substrates and the metal foil 21. Preferably, the metallic barrier 20 may wrap around the edge of the switchable film 10, as shown in FIG. 2. In some further embodiments, the metal lic barrier 20 may include more than one metal lic barrier film or foil which may sandwich the switchable film edge between the metallic barrier films or foils where the barrier films or Soils meet at the edge of the switchable film 10.

[0035] FIG. 2 illustrates a cross section of a laminated glazing 1 having a switchable film 10 therein according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0036] FIG. 2 illustrates a laminated glazing 1 having a first glass sheet 31, a first adhesive interlayer 61, a third adhesive interlayer 63, a second adhesive interlayer 62. and a second glass sheet 32. A switchable film 10 may be disposed between the first adhesive interlayer 61 and the second adhesive interlayer 62. A metallic barrier 20 may be provided at an edge of the switchable film 10, and the third adhesive interlayer 63 may be provided between the first adhesive interlayer 61 and the second adhesive interlayer 62 around the switchable film 10 and the metallic barrier 20. FIG . 2 illustrates an opaque print 40 provided in a periphery of the laminated glazing 1 to hide the edge of switchable film 10 through the first glass sheet 31. An opaque print 40 may further be provided on the second glass sheet 32. In FIG .2, the metallic barrier 20 is a metal foil 21 ,

[0037] The metallic barrier 20 may include an adhesive layer 22 for maintaining the position of the metallic barrier 20 during processing, as shown in FIG, 3. The adhesive layer 22 may include a pressure sensitive adhesive, such as an acrylic, rubber, or silicone based adhesive, which may adhere to the switchable film 10, The adhesive layer 22 may not contain plasticizers. Where the adhesive layer 22 does contain plasticizers, the amount of plasticizers in the adhesive layer 22 may be less than that in the adhesive interlayers 61, 62, 63. In some embodiments, the adhesive layer 22 may insulate the switchable film conductive layers from the metallic foil 21. Some adhesives may include a metal or metal oxide, such as silver, nickel, or copper particles. Where a metalcontaining adhesive layer is used, metal particles within the layer may be spaced apart within the metallic adhesive layer to inhibit conductivity across the plane of the adhesive. Such a configuration may prevent the metal-containing adhesive layer and the metal foil 21 from creating a short circuit within the switchable film 10 and disabling the switchable film 10. Preferably, the adhesive layer 22 may cover at least 50% of a surface of the metal foil 21. The adhesive layer 22 may be provided in the middle of a surface of the metal foil 21 for contacting the switchable film 10. Where the metallic barrier 20 is wrapped around the edge of the switchable film 10, the adhesive layer 22 may be positioned on the metal foil 21 such that the adhesive layer 22 contacts both surfaces of the switchable film 10 on either side of the film edge. In some embodiments, the adhesive layer 22 may not extend to the edge of the metal foil 21 such that the width of the adhesive layer 22 is less than the width of the metal foil 21 as measured prior to posi tioning on a switchable film 10. The adhesive layer 22 may preferably have an even thickness and application with mini mal or no air bubbles in the adhesive layer 22. A uniform adhesive layer 22 may improve even positioning of the meta! foil 21 to ensure protection of the switchable material layer 13. The metal foil 21 may have a thickness from 0.001 mm to 0.1mm, preferably from 0.03 nun to 0.1 mm. The adhesive layer 22 of the metallic barrier 20 may be the same or a different thickness from the metal foil 21 . The adhesi ve layer 22 may have a thickness of from 0.001 mm to 0.1 mm, preferably from 0.03 to 0. 1 mm.

[0038] The metal foil 21 may be provided around an outer edge of the switchable material layer of the switchable film 10. Where the switchable fi lm includes at least one corner, the metal foil 21 may be layered, or overlap, with itself at a corner of the switchable film 10. Preferably, the metal foil 21 extends inward from the edge of the switchable film 10 towards a center of the switchable film 10 a distance from 0.5 mm to 8 mm, more preferably from 2 mm to 6 mm. The metal foil 21 may be continuous or not. Preferably, the metal foil 21 may extend around at least a majority of the switchable film 10.

[0039] FIG. 3 illustrates a cross section of a laminated glazing 2 having a switchable film 10 therein according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0040] FIG.3 illustrates a laminated glazing 2, In the laminated glazing 2, metallic barrier 20 includes a metal foil 21 and an adhesive layer 22. The adhesive layer 22 may also be an insulation layer between the meta! foil 21 and the switchable film 10.

[0041] The laminated glazing 1 may include at least one busbar Id at a periphery of the switchable film 10, as shown in FIG. 4. In some embodiments, an insulation layer 17 may be positioned between the busbar 16 and the metallic barrier 20. The insulation layer 17 may be provided on one or more busbars 16. The insulation layer 17 may be provided as an adhesive of (he metallic barrier 20 in some embodiments. In some embodiments, the metallic barrier 20 may contact one of the conductive layers and/or its busbar, however the metallic barrier 20 may not contact more than one of the conductive layers and/or their respective busbars. Where a conductive layer has multiple sections isolated from each other, the metallic barrier 20 may only contact one of the sections, if any. Where the busbar 16 is provided for electrical connection, it may be preferable to insulate the metallic barrier 20 from the busbar 16 and electrical connector 50. hi the area of a busbar 16, the switchable film 10 may be provided having a substrate, a conductive layer, and the switchable material layer 13 cutback from an edge of the switchable film 10 to provide for atachment of the busbar 16 to the remaining conductive layer. At least one busbar may be provided for each of the conductive layers 12, 14 in the switchable film 10. An insulation layer 17 may preferably be provided extending across the entire cutback area, including the area of the busbar 16. As shown in FIG. 4, the insulation layer 17 may wrap around an edge of the switchable film 10, contacting both of the first substrate 1 1 and second substrate 15 of the switchable film 10. The insulation layer 17 may be any suitable nonconductive material, such as a polymer film, to prevent electrical contact through the insulation layer 17. Preferably, the insulation layer 17 has a thickness of 0.01 to 0.1 mm. The insulation layer 17 may further include an adhesive, preferably a pressure sensitive adhesive, which may provide for improved handling by maintaining the position of the insulation layer 17 during production. The insulation layer 17 may not contain plasticizers. Where the insulation layer 17 contains plasticizers, the amount of plasticizers in the insulation layer 17 may be less than that in the adhesive interlayers 61, 62, 63. Further, the insulation layer 17 may be covered bv the metallic barrier 20.

[0042] FIG. 4 illustrates a cross section of a switchable film having a metallic barrier applied thereto according to an exemplary'' embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0043] FIG. 4 illustrates a switchable film 10 which includes a first substrate 11 , a first conductive layer 12, a switchable material layer 13, a second conductive layer 14, and a second substrate 15. A busbar 16 is provided on the second conductive layer 14 for electrical connection to the second conductive layer 14. Another busbar 16 may be provided elsewhere on the first conductive layer 12, not shown in FIG. 4. [0044] A metallic barrier 20 may include a metal foil 21 and an adhesive layer 22. The metallic barrier 20 may surround the edges of the switchable film 10. Particularly, the metal foil 21 may directly contact the first substrate 1 1 on the area shown XI, and the metal foil 21 may directly contact the second substrate 15 on the area shown X2. Where the metal foil 21 directly contacts with the substrates of the switchable film 10, introduction of contaminants such as moisture or plasticizers present in a surrounding adhesive interlayer may be blocked.

[0045] An insulation layer 17 may wrap around an edge of the switchable film 10, contacting both of the first substrate 11 and second substrate 15 of the switchable film 10. Further, the insulation layer 17 may be covered by the metallic barrier 20. In some embodiments, the adhesive layer 22 may be an insulation layer.

[0046] A connector 50 may be attached to the busbar 16. Where the connector 50 is attached to the busbar 16, the insulation layer 17 and the metallic barrier 20 may not wrap around the switchable film 10, such that the connector 50 may extend out from the busbar 16, as shown in FIG. 5. Where the metallic barrier 20 overlaps with the connector 50, as in FIG. 5, the connector 50 may have an insulated portion 51 where the metallic banner 20 contacts the connector. Namely, the connector 50 may have an insulated portion 51 and the metallic barrier 20 may contact the insulated portion 51 of the connector 50. The insulated portion 51 may include an insulating material positioned around a portion o f the connector. The material of the insulated portion 51 may be the same as or different from the material of the insulation layer 17. It may be understood that a nonconductive adhesive on the metallic barrier 20 may serve as an insulative layer in some embodiments.

[0047] FIG. 5 illustrates a cross section of a switchable film 10 having a metallic barrier 20 applied thereto according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0048] In FIG. 5. the insulation layer 17 and the metallic barrier 20 do not wrap around the switchable film 10 where a connector 50 extends out from a busbar 16. An insulated portion 51 is provided on the connector 50 and the metallic barrier 20 contacts the insulated portion 51 of the connector 50. The connector 50 and the metallic barrier 20 are insulated from each other by the insulated portion 51 . The metallic barrier 20 may be likewise positioned around a connector 50 on the first conductive layer 12.

[0049] Where the connector 50 does not have an insulated portion 51 to prevent electrical contact with the metallic barrier 20, it may be preferable that the metallic barrier 20 is not applied in the area of the connector 50. In some embodiments, the metallic barrier 20 may come into contact with a connector 50 of the switchable film, but may only contact a connector 50 of one conductive layer or conductive layer section.

[0050] As shown in FIG. 6, there may be a space between the metallic barrier 20 and the connector 50 spanning a distance of 0.5 to 5 mm, preferably 1 to 3 mm.

[0051] FIG. 6 illustrates a top view of a switchable film according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0052] In FIG. 6, there is a space between the metallic barrier 20 and the connector 50, shown as double-headed arrow W1. A part of first substrate 1 1 , a part of busbar 16 under the connector 50, and a part of second conductive layer 14 are shown in FIG. 6. In some further embodiments, the metallic barrier 20 may further be positioned along the edge of the first substrate 11 adjacent to the connector 50. The metallic barrier 20 may be likewise positioned around a connector 50 on the first conductive layer 12.

[0053] FIG. 7 illustrates a top view of a switchable film 10 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0054] FIG. 7 shows a further embodiment wherein the insulation layer 17 extends across the busbar 16 where a connector 50 is attached, even if there is a break in the metallic barrier 20. In FIG. 7, there is a space between the metallic barrier 20 and the connector 50, shown as doubleheaded arrow W I . The metallie barrier 20 may be likewise positioned around a connector 50 on the first conductive layer 12.

[0055] FIG. 8 illustrates a top view of a switchable film 10 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0056] In some further embodiments, as shown in FIG. 8, a metallic barrier 20 may extend over the insulation layer 17 without contacting the connector 50. The metallic barrier 20 shown in FIG. 8 may be provided in one or multiple pieces. In FIG . 8, there is a space between the metallic barrier 20 and the connector 50, shown as double-headed arrow Wl . The metallic barrier 20 may be likewise positioned around a connector 50 on the first conductive layer 12. Where the connectors 50 have an insulated portion 51 , the metallic barrier 20 may extend over an insulation layer I 7 and contact the connector insulated portion 51.

[0057] The present disclosure may include embodiments wherein the metallic barrier 20 contacts each substrate of a switchable film 10 where the substrates are on opposite sides of a switchable material layer 13. FIG. 9 i llustrates an additional embodiment wherein part of the switchable film 10 is removed and the metallic barrier 20 is not wrapped, but does contact each of the switchable film substrates such that the metallic barrier 20 is provided between the switchable material layer 13 and the adhesive interlayers 61, 62, 63 in the laminated glazing 1.

[0058] FIG. 9 illustrates a cross section of a switchable film 10 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0059] In FIG. 9, a metallic barrier 20 does not surround the whole edge of the switchable film 10. (0060] The above description of the disclosure is provided to enable a person skil led in the art to make or use the disclosure. Various modifications to the disclosure will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the common principles defined herein may be applied to other variations without departing from the spirit or scope of the disclosure. Further, the above description in connection with the drawings describes examples and does not represent the only examples that may be implemented or that are within the scope of the claims.

[0061] Furthermore, although elements of the described aspects and/or embodiments may be described or claimed in the singular, the plural is contemplated unless limitation to the singular is explicitly stated. Additionally, all or a portion of any aspect and/or embodiment may be utilized with all or a portion of any other aspect and or embodiment, unless stated otherwise. Thus, the disclosure is not to be limited to the examples and designs described herein but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

Claims

A laminated glazing having a switchable film therein, comprising: a first glass sheet; a first adhesive interlayer; the switchable film comprising: a first substrate, a first conductive laver. a switchable material layer, a second conductive layer, and a second substrate; a metallic barrier at an edge of the switchable film; a second adhesive interlayer; and a second glass sheet.

The laminated glazing according to claim 1, wherein the metallic barrier includes a film having a metallic coating thereon.

3. The laminated glazing according to claim 1, wherein the metallic barrier includes a metal foil

4. The laminated glazing according to claim 3, wherein the metal foil is at least one selected from aluminum foil and copper foil.

5. The laminated glazin g according to any of cla ims 1 to 4, wherein the met allic barrier further includes an adhesive layer.

6, The laminated glazing according to claim 5, wherein the adhesive layer is a pressure sensitive adhesive.

The laminated glazing according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the metall ic barrier is wrapped around an edge of the switchable film.

8. The laminated glazing according to claim 7, wherein the metal lic burner directly contacts the first substrate and the second substrate.

9. The laminated glazing according to any one of claims I to 8, wherein the switchable film has at least one corner and wherein the metallic barrier overlaps with itself at the at least one comer of the switchable film.

10. The laminated glazing according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein at least one busbar is at a periphery of the switchable film.

11. The laminated glazing according to any one of claims 1 to 10, further comprising an insulation layer between the switchable film and the metallic barrier.

12. The laminated glazing according to claim 1 1, wherein the insulation layer wraps around an edge of the switchable film between the switchable film and the metallic barrier.

13. The laminated glazing according to any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein a connector is attached to each of the at least one busbars.

14. The laminated glazing according to claim 13, wherein the connector has an insulated portion and wherein the metallic barrier contacts the insulated portion of the connector.

15. The laminated glazing according to claim 14, wherein the metallic barrier does not contact the connector.

16. The laminated glazing according to any one of claims 1 to 15. wherein the switchable film is a liquid crystal film.

17. The laminated glazing according to claim 16, wherein the liquid crystal film is a polymer dispersed liquid crystal film.

18. The laminated glazing according to any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein the laminated glazing further comprises a third adhesive interlayer positioned between the first and second adhesive interlayers around the switchable film to compensate for a thickness change that would otherwise occur at the switchable film edge, wherein the first, second, and third adhesive interlayers are combined.