WO2023030929A1

WO2023030929A1 - Connection assembly comprising a composite glazing and a flat cable

Info

Publication number: WO2023030929A1
Application number: PCT/EP2022/073233
Authority: WO
Inventors: Bernhard Reul; Francois HERMANGE; Hadi RASTEGAR; Benjamin Frederic SCHULTHEIS
Original assignee: Saint-Gobain Glass France
Priority date: 2021-08-31
Filing date: 2022-08-19
Publication date: 2023-03-09
Also published as: EP4397131A1; CN116076153A

Abstract

The invention relates to a connection assembly (1), comprising: - a composite glazing (2) formed by a first pane (3) and a second pane (4), which are connected surface-to-surface to one another via a thermoplastic intermediate layer (9); - an electrical functional element (10) between the two panes (3, 4); - a flat cable (11) having electrical conductor paths (12), wherein the flat cable (11) has a first connection region (6) at a first end (5) and a second connection region (8) at a second end (7), wherein the first connection region (6) is arranged between the two panes (3, 4) and the second connection region (8) is guided out of the composite glazing (2) between the two panes (3, 4), and wherein the electrical conductor paths (12) electrically contact the electrical functional element (10) in the first connection region (6); - one or more electrical connection parts (14), selected from plugs or sockets, which are securely connected to the flat cable (11) in the second connection region (8), wherein each electrical connection part (14) is provided with first electrical connection means, which are each electrically connected to an electrical conductor path (12), wherein the electrical connection parts (14) are provided with second electrical connection means for electrically contacting the first electrical connection means for the purpose of creating an electrical plug connection with an electrical counter connection part (15), selected from plugs or sockets.

Description

Connection arrangement with composite disk and ribbon cable

The invention relates to a connection arrangement with a composite pane and a ribbon cable, as well as a method for their production and their use.

Glazing in buildings and vehicles is increasingly being provided with large, electrically conductive functional layers that are transparent to visible light. In particular, high demands are placed on glazing with regard to its heat-insulating properties for reasons of energy saving and comfort. So it is desirable to avoid a 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 transmission 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 located in the vicinity of the glazing. Another function of electrical functional layers is to keep the field of vision of a vehicle window free of ice and fog. Electric heating layers are known (see e.g. WO 2010/043598 A1) which cause the pane to heat up in a targeted manner by applying an electric voltage. The voltage applied to the electrical heating layer is usually controlled by external switches that are integrated in vehicles, for example, in a dashboard. It is known, for example from DE 10106125 A1, DE 10319606 A1, EP 0720249 A2, US 2003/0112190 A1 and DE 19843338 C2, to use an electrical functional layer as a planar antenna. For this purpose, the functional layer is galvanically or capacitively coupled to a coupling electrode and the antenna signal is made available in the edge area of the pane. The antenna signal decoupled from the planar antenna is fed to an antenna amplifier, which is connected to the metal body of motor vehicles, whereby a reference potential effective for high-frequency technology is specified for the antenna signal.

Such laminated panes generally consist of at least two rigid single panes of glass which are adhesively bonded to one another over their entire surface by a thermoplastic adhesive layer. The electrical functional layer is located between the individual panes of glass and is typically electrically connected to the external environment via a flat conductor. The The reason for this is that suitable flat conductors generally have a maximum total thickness of 0.3 mm. Such thin flat conductors can be embedded between the individual panes of glass in the thermoplastic adhesive layer without difficulty. Examples of flat conductors for contacting electrical functional layers in composite panes in the vehicle sector can be found in DE 42 35 063 A1, DE 202004 019286 U1 or DE 93 13 394 U1.

The use of flat conductors in composite panes with electro-optical components is also known. These are planar structures with electrically controllable optical properties of an active layer. This means that the optical properties of the active layer and in particular its transparency, scattering behavior or luminosity can be controlled by an electrical voltage. Examples of electro-optical components are SPD elements (SPD=Suspended Particle Device), which are known for example from EP 0876608 B1 and WO 2011033313 A1, and PDLC elements (PDLC=Polymer Dispersed Liquid Crystal), which are known for example from DE 102008026339 A1 .

A laminated pane with a flexible carrier for diodes is known from US 2019/0255813 A1.

DE 602 03 022 T2 discloses a system for connecting a plurality of discrete electrical wires to the conductors of a flat circuit.

The electrical contacting of electrical functional layers and electro-optical components usually takes place on busbars, which are applied in the edge region of the functional layer or the electro-optical component and contact them in an electrically conductive manner. By connecting the bus bars to an external voltage source, typically via flat conductors attached to the bus bars, a voltage is applied and the functional layer or electro-optical component is switched.

In practice, ribbon cables are used for more complex control tasks, which are provided with a number of electrical conductor tracks. The electrical conductor tracks are very thin with thicknesses in the range from 0.03 mm to 0.1 mm, for example, and are made of copper, for example, which has proven itself because it has good electrical conductivity and good processability, and the material costs are low at the same time. As a rule, the pane manufacturer requires a composite pane with a connection area for connection to additional control electronics. Such laminated panes are often manufactured for a large number of customers and/or a large number of applications, with the connection area having to be adapted to the respective application and the specific needs of the customer. This entails a great deal of effort in the customer-specific and/or application-specific adaptation, which is resource-intensive and therefore expensive. This primarily affects the connection area for the electrical contacting of the ribbon cable on the outside of the laminated pane, which has to be designed according to the application and customer. Furthermore, it is often desirable to electrically connect the ribbon cable to another connection cable, preferably a round cable, since round cables are much cheaper than ribbon cables and their handling is easier compared to ribbon cables, with the round cable also being able to bridge longer distances without any problems. So far, the electrical connection between flat and round cables has been made in a complex manner by separate soldered connections on the conductor tracks, which have to be sheathed with electrical insulation, which is technically complex and expensive, especially because of the required individual adjustments of the electrical soldered connections to the respective applications or customer-specific requirements.

In contrast, the object of the present invention is to provide an improved connection arrangement with a composite pane and an electrical functional element of the composite pane electrically contacting ribbon cable, which allows flexible electrical contacting of the ribbon cable outside the composite pane, but is still inexpensive and easy to use.

According to the proposal of the invention, these and other objects are achieved by a connection arrangement with a composite pane and a ribbon cable according to the independent patent claim. Preferred embodiments emerge from the dependent claims. A method for producing the connection arrangement and the use emerge from the independent patent claims.

The invention relates to a connection arrangement with a composite pane and a ribbon cable. The connection arrangement comprises a composite pane made up of a first pane and a second pane, which are firmly connected to one another in terms of surface area via a thermoplastic intermediate layer. The connection arrangement also includes an electrical functional element, which is arranged between the two panes, and a ribbon cable, which is used for electrical contacting of the electrical functional element, in particular in the connection area of the composite pane for the electrical connection of the functional element to an electrical control system. The ribbon cable has a first connection area and a second connection area, with the first connection area being located at a first end and the second connection area at a second end of the ribbon cable along an extension direction of the ribbon cable. The ribbon cable is partially laminated into the composite pane, the first end with the first connection area being located between the two panes and the second end with the second connection area being led out of the composite pane between the two panes. In this case, the electrical conductor tracks in the first connection area are in electrical contact with the electrical functional element and are preferably galvanically connected to it.

The connection arrangement also comprises one or preferably several electrical connection pieces, each of which is selected from a plug or a socket and is firmly connected to the ribbon cable in the second connection area. Each electrical connection piece is provided with a plurality of first electrical connection means, which are each electrically connected to an electrical conductor track of the ribbon cable. The electrical connector is intended to be mechanically plugged into a mating connector, equally chosen from male or female, the mating connector being a male connector when the connector is a female connector, and vice versa. The mating connector is provided with a plurality of second electrical connection means which electrically contact the first electrical connection means of the connector when the plug connection is made. If the connecting piece and the connecting counterpart are plugged into one another, a positive and/or non-positive mechanical connection is formed between the connecting piece and the connecting counterpart. For such a plug-in connection, a plug-in opening is provided, for example, in the connecting piece, which in this case is a socket, into which the counterpart connecting piece designed as a plug is plugged. Conversely, it is equally possible for the connecting piece to have a plug-in opening, which in this case is a socket into which the connecting piece designed as a plug is plugged. Both socket and plug are electrical components, each having a housing. The connection arrangement according to the invention advantageously enables a flexible, inexpensive and simple electrical connection of the flat cable to an electrical device outside the laminated pane, preferably an electrical control system for controlling/regulating the electrical functional element of the laminated pane, thanks to the connecting pieces attached to the flat ribbon cable. The connecting pieces serve as an adapter for a large number of applications and customer-specific requirements, with the electrical connection of the electrical functional element being able to be implemented simply by producing a respective mechanical plug-in connection between the connecting piece and the counterpart connecting piece. In this way, a simple electrical connection of the ribbon cable to another connection cable, in particular a round cable, is possible in a particularly advantageous manner. Advantageously, there is no need for complex soldering connections for making electrical contact with the connection cable, which have to be encased for electrical insulation.

Particularly advantageous is the possibility of a simple and flexible adaptation of the two connection areas of the ribbon cable to the number of electrical conductor tracks of the ribbon cable required for a specific application, and this can be done in particular by multiplying the connecting pieces. The connection arrangement according to the invention thus advantageously makes it possible to design the electrical contacting of the ribbon cable in the second connection area in a “modular” manner, in that the number of connecting pieces is selected in accordance with the application and the customer. Two or more connecting pieces are preferably used for making electrical contact with the conductor tracks, which can each be brought into a mechanical plug-in connection with the connecting counterpart.

Conventional, commercially available electrical housing components can be used for the plug and socket used as the connecting piece and the counterpart connecting piece, with the electrical connection means being designed, for example, in the form of plug pins (pins) and sockets. During the formation of the plug connection between plug and socket, the plug pins come into electrical contact with the electrical sockets. For example, the connecting piece is the socket and has a plug-in opening for the connecting counterpart and is equipped, for example, with plug pins, each of which is electrically connected to a conductor track of the ribbon cable.

As already explained, the connecting piece and the connecting counterpart are each housing components with a housing in which the electrical connection means are located. According to an advantageous embodiment of the connection arrangement according to the invention, the connecting pieces are each surrounded by a further protective housing for their mechanical protection. It is possible here that the connecting pieces are each surrounded by an individual protective housing. However, it is also possible for the connecting pieces to be surrounded by a common protective housing, ie the connecting pieces are together surrounded by a single protective housing. Multiple protective housings can have the advantage of better handling during manufacture, whereas designing as a single protective housing can be more cost-effective. The protective housing increases the mechanical stability of the connectors, especially when manufacturing the connection arrangement, and thus reduces the number of faulty items that are rejected, which in turn means cost savings. The at least one protective housing is arranged in such a way that it comes to lie over the one or more connecting pieces and preferably replicates the outer shape of the connecting pieces. It is thus possible to achieve a positive housing of the one or more connecting pieces.

The at least one protective housing serves to mechanically protect the connecting pieces and is advantageously designed in such a way that it counteracts any deformation of the connecting pieces during production of the connection arrangement, in particular when laminating the laminated panes under vacuum and at high temperatures. The protective housing can be made of a correspondingly strong plastic, for example polyimide (PI) or PA66 in combination with glass fibers. For this purpose, the at least one protective housing is particularly advantageously made of a material that is harder than the material from which the connecting pieces are made. The material hardness is determined according to the known common methods, for example according to ISO 14577, as it was used at the time of the application or at the time of priority.

The protective housing can be produced, for example, by injection molding or 3D printing. For example, the protective housing can be glued to the one or more connectors. However, it is also possible to produce them together with the one or more connecting pieces, for example using an injection molding process.

If the connecting pieces each have a plug-in opening for plugging in the mating piece, the protective housing leaves out the plug-in opening, while good mechanical protection of the connecting pieces can still be achieved. The at least one protective housing can advantageously be used to attach the one or more connecting pieces to the ribbon cable, for example by gluing.

According to a particularly advantageous embodiment of the connection arrangement according to the invention, a plurality of connecting pieces are arranged in a row next to one another on the second connection area of the ribbon cable. On the one hand, this simplifies the production of the ribbon cable with connecting pieces and the formation of the plug-in connections with the connecting counterparts. On the other hand, the connecting pieces arranged next to one another can be encapsulated in a particularly simple manner by a common (single) protective housing.

According to one embodiment of the connection arrangement according to the invention, the connecting pieces are each designed such that a plug-in direction for forming the plug-in connection between the connecting piece and the counter-connecting piece is the same as an extension direction of the ribbon cable in the second connection area. In relation to the extension direction of the ribbon cable towards the second end, the insertion direction is in the same or opposite direction. This configuration therefore corresponds to a "straight" configuration, which can also be referred to as a T-configuration, if the connecting pieces lead to a broadening of the ribbon cable. In this case, for example, a connecting cable electrically connected to the flat ribbon cable, in particular a round cable, runs in the same direction as the flat ribbon cable, so there is no change in direction in the course of the cable due to the electrical plug connection. However, it is also possible for the connecting cable to run in the opposite direction, parallel to the ribbon cable. Here, the course of the connecting cable through the electrical plug connection is rotated by 180° compared to the course of the ribbon cable, i.e. the direction of the cable course is inverted. If the connecting pieces are each provided with a plug-in opening for plugging in the connecting counterpart, the plug-in opening thus has an orientation that is the same as the direction in which the ribbon cable extends in the second connection area (in relation to a direction towards the second end: equal or opposite).

According to an alternative embodiment of the connection arrangement according to the invention, it is also possible for a plug-in direction for forming the plug-in connection between the connecting piece and the counter-connecting piece to be different from an extension direction of the ribbon cable in the second connection area. There is advantageously an angle between the plug-in direction for forming the plug-in connection and the direction in which the ribbon cable extends. bels (eg based on a direction towards the second end) in the range between greater than 0° and less than 180° degrees and is in particular 90°. This configuration can also be referred to as an L configuration if the course of a connection cable connected to the flat cable, in particular a round cable, is rotated by 90° in relation to the course of the flat cable. If the connecting pieces are each provided with a plug-in opening for plugging in the connecting counterpart, the plug-in opening thus has an orientation that differs from the direction in which the ribbon cable extends in the second connection area or is zero in relation to the direction in which the ribbon cable extends (e.g. in relation to a direction towards the second end). has different angles in the range between greater than 0° and less than 180° degrees.

These refinements make it possible to create a large number of different configurations and thus also to increase the possible uses of the connection arrangement, in particular with regard to the spatial requirements and the course of the connection cable, in particular round cable, electrically connected to the ribbon cable.

In general, the ribbon cable is a flat body with two opposite sides, which can optionally be brought into a flat or curved shape. In the flat (i.e. non-curved) state, the flat conductor is arranged in one plane. The ribbon cable is generally elongate and has two ends along its direction of extension. The electrical conductor tracks are arranged next to one another, at least in sections. Each electrical conductor track can be electrically contacted at two contact points spaced apart from one another along the conductor track. The contact points are areas of the conductor tracks where electrical contact is possible. In the simplest configuration, these are accessible areas of the electrical conductor tracks. The first connection area has a contact point of at least one of the electrical conductor tracks. The second connection area is typically, but not necessarily, on the same side as the first connection area of the ribbon cable. The at least one second connection area has a contact point of at least one of the electrical conductor tracks. The connection areas of the ribbon cable are used for making electrical contact with the conductor tracks, for which purpose any insulating sleeve is not present or has been removed at least at the contact points, so that the conductor tracks are accessible.

According to one embodiment of the ribbon cable, the electrical conductor tracks are applied to an electrically insulating carrier substrate and are thus firmly connected to the carrier substrate. tied. For example, the carrier substrate is coated with the electrical conductor tracks, in particular using a printing process, for example a screen printing process. In addition, the electrical conductor tracks are covered by an electrically insulating cover layer. The carrier substrate and the cover layer together form an insulating sleeve that encloses the electrical conductor tracks. In this configuration, the first connection area and the second connection area preferably only have no insulation layer on the side facing away from the carrier substrate, at least at the contact points, ie the cover layer is removed there, eg provided with one or more openings (perforations). It is also possible for the electrical conductor tracks to be prefabricated, for example as strips of metal foil, and laminated between two insulating layers made from electrically insulating material, which together form an insulating sleeve which embeds the electrical conductor tracks.

The electrical conductor tracks of the ribbon cable preferably contain or consist of a metallic material, for example copper, aluminum, stainless steel, tin, gold, silver or alloys thereof. If the electrical conductor tracks are produced as strips from a metal foil, the metal can be tinned in sections or completely. This is particularly advantageous in order to achieve good solderability with simultaneous protection against corrosion. In addition, the contact with an electrically conductive adhesive is improved. According to one configuration, the electrical conductor tracks have a thickness of 10 μm to 300 μm, preferably from 30 μm to 250 μm and in particular from 50 μm to 150 μm. Such thin conductors are particularly flexible and can, for example, be easily laminated into composite panes and led out of them. According to one configuration, the electrical conductor tracks have a width of 0.1 mm to 100 mm, in particular 1 mm to 50 mm and in particular 10 mm to 30 mm. Widths of this type are particularly suitable for achieving sufficient current-carrying capacity in conjunction with the thicknesses mentioned above.

The width of the ribbon cable can be constant or vary. In particular, the ribbon cable can be widened in the first connection area and/or second connection area.

In an advantageous embodiment of the ribbon cable, this has a length of 5 cm to 150 cm, preferably 10 cm to 100 cm and in particular 50 cm to 90 cm. It is understood that the length, width and thickness of the ribbon cable can be adapted to the requirements of each individual case. The direction of the length defines the extension direction of the ribbon cable. The ribbon cable has an insulating layer on one or both sides, which is designed, for example, in the form of an insulating film. The insulation layer is firmly connected to the electrical conductor tracks and glued, for example. The insulating layer preferably contains or consists of polyimide or polyester, particularly preferably polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or polyethylene napthalate (PEN). The insulation layer can also consist of an electrically insulating lacquer, preferably a polymer lacquer. The insulation layer can also contain or consist of thermoplastics and elastomers such as polyamide, polyoxymethylene, polybutylene terephthalate or ethylene-propylene-diene rubber. Alternatively, potting materials such as acrylate or epoxy resin systems can be used as an insulating layer. The insulation layer preferably has a thickness of 10 μm to 300 μm, particularly preferably from 25 μm to 200 μm and in particular from 60 μm to 150 μm. The insulation layer is glued to the conductor tracks, for example, via an adhesive layer. The thickness of the adhesive layer is, for example, from 10 μm to 150 μm and particularly preferably from 50 μm to 75 μm. Insulation layers of this type are particularly suitable for electrically insulating and mechanically stabilizing the conductor tracks and for protecting them from mechanical damage and corrosion.

Such ribbon cables are so thin that they can be embedded between the individual panes in the thermoplastic intermediate layer of a composite pane and led out of it without difficulty. The ribbon cable is therefore particularly suitable for contacting electrical functional elements in composite panes.

It goes without saying that the connection areas can be protected from corrosion by an electrically conductive coating, such as tinning, or an electrically non-conductive layer, such as soldering lacquer. This protective layer is usually not removed, burned or otherwise penetrated until electrical contact is made in order to enable electrical contact. Insulation-free connection areas can be produced by window techniques during production or by subsequent removal, for example by laser ablation or mechanical removal. With window technology, the conductor tracks on a carrier substrate are coated with an insulating layer (cover layer) with corresponding recesses (windows) in the connection areas, for example glued or laminated. Alternatively, the conductor tracks are laminated on both sides, with an insulation layer having corresponding recesses in the connection areas. In the case of subsequent removal, corresponding recesses can be made in the connection areas in the cover layer. when the conductor tracks have been applied to a carrier substrate. In the case of laminated ribbon cables, recesses can be made in the connection areas in an insulating layer. However, it is also possible for the ribbon cable to have one or more openings in the insulation layer in the first connection area and in the second connection area. In this case, each opening extends completely onto the conductor track, ie it forms a material-free passage onto the conductor track.

The connection areas are designed according to their respective use. In an advantageous embodiment, the contact points are designed as solder contact points. The electrical line connection between the connection areas of the ribbon cable and the electrical functional element and the at least one connecting piece is preferably effected by soldering, bonding or welding. When soldering, soft soldering with a low-melting solder is preferred. Alternatively, the electrically conductive connection can be made by gluing with an electrically conductive adhesive or clamps, for example by means of a metal clamp, sleeve or plug connection. Inside the laminated pane, the electrical line connection can also be made by directly touching the electrically conductive areas, with this arrangement being firmly laminated into the laminated pane and thus being secured against slipping.

In the first connection area, the ribbon cable is advantageously provided with an electrode field which comprises a large number of individual electrodes which are electrically connected to the conductor tracks. This enables simple electrical contacting of the electrical functional element for its specific control/regulation.

The connection arrangement according to the invention comprises a laminated pane with an electrical functional element which is arranged inside the laminated pane. The electrical functional element can be any electrical structure that fulfills an electrical function and requires control/regulation by external control electronics, so that the use of a ribbon cable with a plurality of conductor tracks is technically sensible.

The electrical functional element is preferably an advantageously large-area, electrically conductive layer (electrical functional layer) that is advantageously transparent to visible light, as was described at the outset. The electrical functional layer or a carrier film with the electrical functional layer can be on one surface be arranged in a single pane. For example, the electrically functional layer is located on an inner surface of one pane and/or the other pane. Alternatively, the electrical functional layer can be embedded between two thermoplastic films of the intermediate layer. The electrically functional layer is then preferably applied to a carrier film or carrier disc. The carrier film or carrier disc preferably contains a polymer, in particular polyvinyl butyral (PVB), ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), polyurethane (PU), polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or combinations thereof.

The electrically functional layer is preferably arranged on a surface of at least one pane and covers or covers the surface of the pane partially, 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 by the functional layer. However, the functional layer can also extend over smaller portions of the surface of the pane. The functional layer is preferably transparent to visible light. In an advantageous configuration, 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.

For the purposes of the present invention, "transparent" means that the total transmission of the glazing corresponds to the legal provisions for windshields and front side windows and preferably has a transmittance of more than 70% and in particular more than 75% for visible light. For rear side windows and rear windows, "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%.

For example, the electrically 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), aluminium-doped zinc oxide (AZO), fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO, SnO2:F) or antimony-doped tin oxide (ATO, SnO2: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 from 5 nm to 15 nm, more preferably from 8 nm to 12 nm. The metal layer can be sandwiched between at least two layers of metal oxide type dielectric material. be bedded. The metal oxide preferably includes 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 may also include silicon nitride, silicon carbide, aluminum nitride, and combinations of one or more thereof. The layer structure is generally obtained by a sequence of deposition processes performed by a vacuum process such as magnetic field assisted cathode sputtering or by chemical vapor deposition (CVD). Very fine metal layers, which in particular contain titanium or niobium, can also be provided on both sides of the silver layer. 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 further processing steps.

Transparent, electrically functional layers preferably have a surface resistance of 0.1 ohms/square to 200 ohms/square, particularly preferably from 1 ohms/square to 50 ohms/square and very particularly preferably from 1 ohms/square to 10 ohms/square.

The electrically functional layer is preferably an electrically heatable layer, which provides the laminated pane with a heating function. Such heatable layers are known per se to those skilled in the art. They typically contain one or more, for example two, three or four, electrically conductive layers. These layers preferably contain or consist 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 combined with 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 electrical functional element can likewise preferably be an electro-optical component, such as an SPD element or PDLC element, as described at the outset. These are known per se to a person skilled in the art, so that they do not have to be explained in more detail. The electrically 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. Electro-optical components such as SPD or PDLC elements are commercially available as multilayer foils, with the active layer being arranged between two surface electrodes which are used to apply a voltage to control the active layer. As a rule, the two surface electrodes are arranged between two carrier foils, typically made of PET. Commercially available multilayer films are also covered on both sides with a protective film made of polypropylene or polyethylene, which serves to protect the carrier films from dirt or scratches. In the production of the laminated pane, the electro-optical component is cut out of the multilayer film in the desired size and shape and placed between the films of an intermediate layer, by means of which two glass panes are laminated together to form the laminated pane. A typical application is windshields with electrically controllable sun visors, which are known, for example, from DE 102013001334 A1, DE 102005049081 B3, DE 102005007427 A1 and

DE 102007027296 A1 are known.

In the connection arrangement according to the invention, the electrical functional element is advantageously electrically connected to at least two busbars, through which a current can be fed. The busbars are preferably arranged in the edge area of the electrical functional element. The length of the bus bar is typically essentially the same as the length of the respective side edge of the electrical functional element, but can also be somewhat larger or smaller. Two busbars are preferably arranged in the edge area along two opposite side edges of the functional element. The width of the bus bar is preferably from 2 mm to 30 mm, particularly preferably from 4 mm to 20 mm. The busbars are each typically 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. Such busbars are designed, for example, as a printed and burned-in conductive structure. The printed bus bar contains at least one metal, preferably silver. The electrical conductivity is preferably realized via metal particles contained in the busbar, particularly preferably via silver particles. The metal particles can be in an organic and/or inorganic matrix such as pastes or inks, preferably as a fired 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 bus bar can also be designed as a strip of an electrically conductive foil be. 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. Busbars made of electrically conductive foils with these thicknesses are technically easy to implement and have an advantageous current-carrying capacity. The strip can be electrically conductively connected to the electrically conductive structure, for example via a soldering compound, via an electrically conductive adhesive or by direct application.

If the electrical functional element has such busbars, the flat conductor is electrically connected to the two busbars.

The laminated pane of the connection arrangement according to the invention comprises a first pane and a second pane, which are preferably made of glass, particularly preferably of soda-lime glass, as is customary for window panes. However, the panes can also be made from other types of glass, for example quartz glass, borosilicate glass or alumino-silicate glass, or from rigid, clear plastics, for example polycarbonate or polymethyl methacrylate. The panes can be clear or tinted or tinted. If the laminated pane is used as a windshield, it should have sufficient light transmission in the central viewing area, preferably at least 70% in the main viewing area A in accordance with ECE-R43. The first pane and the second pane can also be referred to as outer and inner panes.

The first pane, the second pane and/or the intermediate layer can have other suitable coatings known per se, for example anti-reflection coatings, non-stick coatings, anti-scratch coatings, photocatalytic coatings or sun protection coatings or low-E coatings.

The thickness of the first pane and the second pane can vary widely and can thus be adapted to the requirements in the individual case. The first pane and the second pane advantageously have standard thicknesses from 0.7 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 electrical ones radiator, up. The size of the discs can vary widely and depends on the size of the use according to the invention. The first and the second pane have areas of 200 cm ² up to 20 m ² , which are common in vehicle construction and architecture, for example. A further aspect of the invention comprises a method for producing a connection arrangement according to the invention with the following steps: a) providing a ribbon cable with electrical conductor tracks, the ribbon cable having a first connection area at a first end and a second connection area at a second end, b) electrically conductive connection of the conductor tracks of the ribbon cable in the first connection area to an electrical functional element, c) electrically conductive connection of the conductor tracks of the ribbon cable in the second connection area to first connection means of one or more electrical connectors, selected from plugs or sockets, with the electrical connectors each for plug-in connection with a electrical connection counterpart, selected from a plug or socket, are provided, the connection counterparts each have second electrical connection means for electrically contacting the first elektrisc hen have connection means, d) arranging the ribbon cable between two panes in such a way that the first connection area is located between the two panes and the second connection area is led out between the two panes, e) laminating the two panes via a thermoplastic intermediate layer according to steps a) , b), c) and d).

Steps a), b), c) and d) can be performed in any order.

According to one embodiment of the method according to the invention, after the two panes have been laminated, a plug-in connection is formed between a respective connecting piece and a connecting counterpart.

The connection of the two individual panes during lamination is preferably carried out under the action of heat, vacuum and/or pressure. Methods known per se can be used to produce a laminated pane. For example, so-called autoclave processes can be carried out at an increased pressure of about 10 bar to 15 bar and temperatures of 130° C. to 145° C. for about 2 hours. Known vacuum bag or vacuum ring methods work, for example, at about 200 mbar and 80°C to 110°C. The first disc, the thermoplastic intermediate layer and the second disc can also be pressed into a disc in a calender between at least one pair of rollers. Plants of this type are known for the production of discs and normally have at least 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 chambers that can be heated and evacuated, in which the first pane and the second pane are laminated within about 60 minutes, for example, at reduced pressures of 0.01 mbar to 800 mbar and temperatures of 80°C to 170°C.

The invention also extends to the use of the connection arrangement according to the invention as building glazing or vehicle glazing, preferably as vehicle glazing, in particular as a windshield or roof pane of a motor vehicle.

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 is explained in more detail below using exemplary embodiments, reference being made to the attached figures. Elements that are the same or have the same effect are provided with the same reference symbols. They show in a simplified representation that is not true to scale:

FIG. 1a shows a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of the connection arrangement in an L configuration with two connecting pieces,

FIG. 1b shows a section of the connection arrangement from FIG. 1a in a detailed view,

FIG. 2a shows a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of the connection arrangement in a T-configuration,

FIG. 2b shows a section of the connection arrangement from FIG. 2a in a detailed view,

FIG. 3 shows a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of the connection arrangement in an L configuration with three connecting pieces in a detailed view, FIG. 4a shows a top view of an embodiment of a flat ribbon cable with protective housings,

FIG. 4b shows a plan view of the ribbon cable from FIG. 4a without a protective housing,

FIG. 5a shows a top view of a further embodiment of a flat ribbon cable with protective housings,

FIG. 5b shows a plan view of an embodiment of a round conductor,

FIG. 6 shows the ribbon cable from FIG. 5a and the round conductor from FIG. 5b in the plugged-in state,

FIG. 7 shows a flowchart to illustrate the method according to the invention.

Reference is first made to FIGS. 1a and 1b, in which a connection arrangement, designated overall by the reference number 1, is illustrated schematically on the basis of perspective views. FIG. 1a shows the connection arrangement from above, FIG. 2a in an oblique view.

The connection arrangement 10 comprises a laminated pane which is denoted overall by the reference number 2 and which is embodied here, for example, as a windshield of a motor vehicle. As indicated in a schematic inset in FIG. 1a, the composite pane 2 comprises a first pane 3, which serves as the outer pane, and a second pane 4 as the inner pane. The inner pane is the pane facing the vehicle interior, while the outer pane faces the vehicle surroundings. The two discs 3, 4 consist, for example, of soda-lime glass. The two panes 3, 4 are firmly connected to one another by a thermoplastic intermediate layer 9, for example made of polyvinyl butyral (PVB), ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) or polyurethane (PU).

The laminated pane 2 is provided with an electrical functional element 10 , which is likewise shown only schematically, and is located between the two panes 2 , 3 . The electrical functional element 10 is here, for example, a PDLC element that is used, for example, as an electrically controllable sun visor in an area above the central Viewing area B (as defined in ECE-R43) is attached. The PDLC element is formed by a commercially available PDLC multilayer film embedded in the intermediate layer 9 . For this purpose, the intermediate layer 9 comprises, for example, a total of three thermoplastic films (not shown) with a thickness of, for example, 0.38 mm made of PVB, with a first thermoplastic film being connected to the first pane 3 and a second thermoplastic film being connected to the second pane 4 is connected, and wherein an intervening thermoplastic frame film has a cutout into which the tailored functional element 10 is inserted with a precise fit. The third thermoplastic composite film thus forms, as it were, a kind of passe-partout for the functional element 10, which is thus encapsulated all around in thermoplastic material and is thereby protected. This embedding of the PDLC element in a compound pane 2 is well known to the person skilled in the art, so that a precise description is not necessary. As is also known to those skilled in the art, the PDLC element generally comprises an active layer between two surface electrodes and two carrier foils. The active layer contains a polymer matrix with liquid crystals dispersed therein, which align themselves as a function of the electrical voltage S applied to the surface electrodes, as a result of which the optical properties can be controlled. The two surface electrodes can each be connected to the on-board electrical system via busbars and a ribbon cable 11 as a connecting cable.

As illustrated in the schematic inset in FIG. The ribbon cable 11 has a first connection area 6 and a second connection area 8, with the first connection area 6 being located at a first end 5 and the second connection area 8 at a second end 7 of the ribbon cable 11 along a direction in which the ribbon cable 11 extends. The ribbon cable 11 has a large number of conductor tracks 12 which are arranged side by side and in the first connection area 6 open into an electrode field 13 with a large number of electrodes for electrical (e.g. galvanic) contacting of the functional element 10 (see also Figures 4a and 4b). The layer thickness of the ribbon cable 11 is in the one or two-digit micrometer range. The dimensions of the ribbon cable 11 perpendicular to the layer thickness are much larger, with its width typically being in the one-digit millimeter or one-digit centimeter range and its length in the direction of extension being in the one- or two-digit centimeter range. The connection arrangement also includes two sockets 14 (ie socket housing) 14 (referred to as “connecting piece” in the introduction to the description), which are firmly connected to the flat ribbon cable 11 in the second connection area 8 at the second end 7 of the flat ribbon cable 1 . The sockets 14 are provided for electrical plug-in connection with respective plugs 15 (ie plug housing) (referred to as "connecting counterpart" in the introduction to the description). The sockets 14 and the plugs 15 can be plugged into one another to form a mechanical plug connection, with the sockets 14 and the plug 15 forming a positive and/or non-positive connection. Each socket 14 is provided with electrical connection means (eg pins) and each plug 15 is provided with electrical connection means (eg receptacles) which come into electrical contact when a plug connection between socket 14 and plug 15 is formed.

As illustrated in Figure 1b, the ribbon cable 11 is formed with sockets 14 in an L-configuration, in which the ribbon cable 11 runs in a first direction and in the sockets 14 the connection direction for the respective plug 15 is rotated by 90°, so that the connecting conductors 16 connected to the plugs 15 run in a direction rotated by 90° with respect to the direction of the flat ribbon cable 11 . FIG. 1a shows the plugged-in state of the connection arrangement 1 and FIG. For this purpose, the sockets 14 have respective plug-in openings 18 , the orientation of which is rotated by 90° with respect to the direction in which the ribbon cable 11 extends in the second connection area 8 . The connecting conductors 16 are each provided with connecting conductor sockets 17 at their other end in order to bring about the electrical connection with a control electronics.

As can be seen in particular from FIG. 1b, each bushing 14 is provided with an individual protective housing 19, which serves to mechanically protect the bushing 14 during the production of the composite pane 2, in particular during the lamination of the composite pane at high pressure and high temperature. The respective protective housing 19 is applied to the socket 14 and firmly connected to it, for example, by an adhesive. The protective housing 19 can also be used to attach the socket 14 to the ribbon cable 11 . The protective housing 19 leaves out the plug-in openings 18 .

FIG. 1b also shows openings 20 in the housing, which break through both the sockets 14 and the protective housing 19. These are used in the Ten embodiments to interact with a locking means 21 such that slipping out of the plug 15 from the sockets 14 is prevented. The plug 14 can be removed from the socket 14 again by pressing the latching means 19 . In the formation of the plug connection, the insertion of the plug 15 into the socket 14 is facilitated by a guide pin 22 which interacts with a guide channel 23.

A further embodiment of the connection arrangement 1 is illustrated in FIGS. 2a and 2b. In order to avoid unnecessary repetitions, only the differences from the embodiment of FIGS. 1a and 1b will be described. Otherwise, reference is made to the statements made there. Accordingly, the ribbon cable 11 has a T orientation. Here, the direction of insertion of the plugs 15 into the sockets 14 is the same as the extension direction of the ribbon cable 11. In relation to a direction toward the second end 7 of the ribbon cable 11, the direction of insertion is opposite. The plug-in openings 18 of the sockets 14 are oriented accordingly. The course of the connecting conductors 16 is therefore the same as the direction in which the ribbon cable 11 extends.

FIG. 3 shows a variant of the L-configuration from FIGS. 1a and 1b, in which three sockets 14 are provided, which can correspondingly be brought into a plug-in connection with three plugs 15. The second connection area 8 of the ribbon conductor 11 can optionally be provided with a number of sockets 14 required for the corresponding application. This possibility of being able to design the second connection area 8 in a modular manner is a great advantage of the ribbon cable 11. The design of FIG. 3 is otherwise the same as that of FIGS. 1a and 1b.

In Figures 4a and 4b a variant of the T-configuration of Figures 2a and 2b is illustrated. The ribbon cable 11, in which a plurality of conductor tracks 12 are arranged next to one another on a carrier film 24, is clearly visible. In this case, the conductor tracks 12 merge into an electrode field 13 in the first connection area 6 , with each conductor track 12 being assigned an individual electrode 25 . In FIG. 4a, the sockets 14 are each surrounded by a protective housing 19. FIG. Fig. 4b shows the ribbon cable 11 without the protective housing 19.

Figures 5a and 5b illustrate a variant in which the plug-in openings 18 of the sockets 14 are each oriented in such a way that a common round cable 26, which is provided instead of the two connecting conductors 14, extends in the direction of extension of the ribbon cable 11 and, in relation to a direction towards second connection area, runs in the opposite direction to this. In Figure 6 is a state is shown in which the two plugs 15 have been plugged into the sockets 14 .

Figure 7 shows a flowchart of a method according to the invention for producing the connection arrangement 1 according to the invention.

The method comprises at least the following method steps: a) providing a ribbon cable with electrical conductor tracks, wherein the ribbon cable has a first connection area at a first end and a second connection area at a second end, b) electrically conductive connection of the conductor tracks of the ribbon cable in the first connection area with an electrical functional element, c) electrically conductive connection of the conductor tracks of the ribbon cable in the second connection area with first connection means of one or more electrical connection pieces, selected from a plug or socket, the electrical connection pieces each being provided for plug connection with an electrical connection counterpart, selected from a plug or socket are, wherein the connecting counterparts each have second electrical connection means for making electrical contact with the first electrical connection means, d) arranging the ribbon cable between two S disks in such a way that the first connection area is located between the two disks and the second connection area is led out between the two disks, e) laminating the two disks via a thermoplastic intermediate layer according to steps a), b), c) and d).

Steps a), b), c) and d) can be performed in any order.

It follows from the above statements that the connection arrangement according to the invention advantageously enables a flexible, inexpensive and simple electrical connection of the ribbon cable to an electrical device outside the laminated pane, such as an electrical control system for controlling/regulating the electrical functional element of the laminated pane. The simple and flexible adaptation of the two connection areas of the flat ribbon cable to the number of electrical conductor tracks of the flat ribbon cable required for a specific application is particularly advantageous, and this can be done in particular by multiplying the connecting pieces. In addition, the connection arrangement according to the invention is space-saving and easy to integrate into the technical environment. Reference List

1 connection arrangement

2 compound pane

3 first disc

4 second disc

5 first end

6 first connection area

7 second end

8 second connection area

9 intermediate layer

10 electrical functional element

11 ribbon cable

12 track

13 electrode field

14 socket

15 plugs

16 connection conductors

17 lead socket

18 plug opening

19 protective housing

20 case breakthrough

21 locking means

22 guide pin

23 guide channel

24 carrier film

25 individual electrodes

26 round cables

Claims

24 patent claims

1. Connection arrangement (1), comprising: a composite pane (2) of a first pane (3) and a second pane (4), which are connected to one another over a thermoplastic intermediate layer (9), an electrical functional element (10) between the both discs (3, 4), a ribbon cable (11) with electrical conductor tracks (12), the ribbon cable (11) having a first connection area (6) at a first end (5) and a second connection area at a second end (7). (8), wherein the first connection area (6) is arranged between the two panes (3, 4) and the second connection area (8) is led out of the composite pane (2) between the two panes (3, 4), and wherein the electrical conductor tracks (12) in the first connection area (6) electrically contact the electrical functional element (10), one or more electrical connecting pieces (14), selected from plugs or sockets, in the second connection area (8) with the ribbon cable (11) are firmly connected, with each electrical connection piece (14) being provided with first electrical connection means, which are each electrically connected to an electrical conductor track (12), the electrical connection pieces (14) for electrical plug connection with an electrical connection counterpart (15 ), selected from a plug or socket, are provided with second electrical connection means for making electrical contact with the first electrical connection means.

2. Connection arrangement (1) according to claim 1, in which the connecting pieces (14) are each surrounded by a protective housing (19).

3. Connection arrangement (1) according to claim 1, in which the connecting pieces (14) are surrounded by a common protective housing (19).

4. Connection arrangement (1) according to claim 2 or 3, in which the protective housing (19) consists of a material which is harder than the material from which the connecting pieces (14) are made.

5. Connection arrangement (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, in which the connecting pieces (14) are each designed such that a plug-in direction for forming the electrical plug-in connection is the same as a direction of extension of the ribbon cable (11) in the second connection area (8). .

6. Connection arrangement (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, in which the connecting pieces (14) are each designed such that a plug-in direction for forming the electrical plug-in connection is different from a direction of extension of the ribbon cable (11) in the second connection area (8). .

7. Connection arrangement (1) according to claim 6, in which an angle between the plug-in direction for forming the electrical plug-in connection and the extension direction of the ribbon cable (11) in the second connection area (8) is in the range between greater than 0° and less than 180° degrees and in particular is 90°.

8. Connection arrangement (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7, in which a plurality of connecting pieces (14) are arranged in a row lying side by side.

9. Connection arrangement (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8, with a ribbon cable (11), in which the connecting pieces (14) are each provided with a plug-in opening (18) for forming a plug-in connection with a connecting counterpart (15).

10. Connection arrangement (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 9, in which the connecting pieces (14) each have an electrical plug connection with a connecting counterpart (15), the first electrical connecting means of the electrical connecting piece (14) the second electrical connecting means of the electrical Contact the counterpart (15) electrically.

11 . Connection arrangement (1) according to Claim 10, in which the second electrical connection means of the connecting counterparts (15) are electrically connected to electrical wires of a common connection cable (16), in particular a round cable (26).

12. A method for producing a connection arrangement (1) according to one of claims 1 to 11, having the following steps: a) providing a ribbon cable (1) with electrical conductor tracks (12), the ribbon cable (11) being connected at a first end (5th ) has a first connection area (6) and a second connection area (8) at a second end (7), b) electrically conductive connection of the conductor tracks (12) of the ribbon cable (11) in the first connection area (6) to an electrical functional element (10 ), c) Electrically conductive connection of the conductor tracks (12) of the ribbon cable (11) in the second connection area (8) with first connection means of one or more electrical connecting pieces (14), selected from a plug or socket, the electrical connecting pieces (14) each for the electrical plug connection with an electrical connection counterpart (15), selected from a plug or socket, with second electrical connection means for electrical contact tion of the first electrical connection means are provided, d) arranging the ribbon cable (11) between two discs (3, 4) in such a way that the first connection area (6) is located between the two discs (3, 4) and the second connection area (8 ) is brought out between the two discs (3, 4), e) laminating the two discs (3, 4) via a thermoplastic intermediate layer (9) after steps a), b), c) and d).

13. The method according to claim 12, which has the following steps: after laminating the two discs (3, 4), providing a connecting piece (15) with second electrical connection means for electrically contacting the first electrical connection means and forming a plug connection between a respective connection piece (14) with a connecting counterpart (15).

14. Use of the connection arrangement (1) according to one of claims 1 to 11 as building glazing or vehicle glazing, preferably as vehicle glazing, in particular as a windshield or roof pane of a motor vehicle.