WO2023038797A1 - Windows with laminated glass layers - Google Patents
Windows with laminated glass layers Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO2023038797A1 WO2023038797A1 PCT/US2022/041245 US2022041245W WO2023038797A1 WO 2023038797 A1 WO2023038797 A1 WO 2023038797A1 US 2022041245 W US2022041245 W US 2022041245W WO 2023038797 A1 WO2023038797 A1 WO 2023038797A1
- Authority
- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- layer
- polymer
- window
- glass
- vehicle
- Prior art date
Links
- 239000005340 laminated glass Substances 0.000 title description 2
- 239000010410 layer Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 299
- 229920000642 polymer Polymers 0.000 claims abstract description 95
- 239000011521 glass Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 81
- 229920002037 poly(vinyl butyral) polymer Polymers 0.000 claims abstract description 37
- 239000000853 adhesive Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 34
- 230000001070 adhesive effect Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 34
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 24
- 230000003287 optical effect Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 22
- 229920006254 polymer film Polymers 0.000 claims abstract description 14
- 239000012790 adhesive layer Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 12
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 9
- 239000005357 flat glass Substances 0.000 claims description 18
- 239000012792 core layer Substances 0.000 claims description 10
- 230000005540 biological transmission Effects 0.000 claims description 9
- 239000011229 interlayer Substances 0.000 claims description 9
- 238000005253 cladding Methods 0.000 claims description 5
- 238000002310 reflectometry Methods 0.000 claims description 5
- 239000004973 liquid crystal related substance Substances 0.000 claims description 4
- 239000002861 polymer material Substances 0.000 claims description 4
- 239000002313 adhesive film Substances 0.000 abstract description 3
- 238000010030 laminating Methods 0.000 abstract description 3
- 238000000465 moulding Methods 0.000 description 12
- 238000003475 lamination Methods 0.000 description 6
- 230000015572 biosynthetic process Effects 0.000 description 4
- 150000001875 compounds Chemical class 0.000 description 3
- 230000010287 polarization Effects 0.000 description 3
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000007613 environmental effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000001747 exhibiting effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000005286 illumination Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000013011 mating Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000007787 solid Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000012780 transparent material Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000004986 Cholesteric liquid crystals (ChLC) Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000004593 Epoxy Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000004983 Polymer Dispersed Liquid Crystal Substances 0.000 description 1
- 206010039203 Road traffic accident Diseases 0.000 description 1
- 239000003522 acrylic cement Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000004026 adhesive bonding Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000000149 argon plasma sintering Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000000903 blocking effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000008878 coupling Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000010168 coupling process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000005859 coupling reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000000605 extraction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229920005570 flexible polymer Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000005329 float glass Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000012634 fragment Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000005484 gravity Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000005259 measurement Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000003825 pressing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000001902 propagating effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000004044 response Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000007493 shaping process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000002356 single layer Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000003860 storage Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000000007 visual effect Effects 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
- B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
- B32B17/00—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres
- B32B17/06—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material
- B32B17/10—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material of synthetic resin
- B32B17/10005—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material of synthetic resin laminated safety glass or glazing
- B32B17/1055—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material of synthetic resin laminated safety glass or glazing characterized by the resin layer, i.e. interlayer
- B32B17/10761—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material of synthetic resin laminated safety glass or glazing characterized by the resin layer, i.e. interlayer containing vinyl acetal
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
- B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
- B32B17/00—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres
- B32B17/06—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material
- B32B17/10—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material of synthetic resin
- B32B17/10005—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material of synthetic resin laminated safety glass or glazing
- B32B17/10009—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material of synthetic resin laminated safety glass or glazing characterized by the number, the constitution or treatment of glass sheets
- B32B17/10036—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material of synthetic resin laminated safety glass or glazing characterized by the number, the constitution or treatment of glass sheets comprising two outer glass sheets
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
- B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
- B32B17/00—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres
- B32B17/06—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material
- B32B17/10—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material of synthetic resin
- B32B17/10005—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material of synthetic resin laminated safety glass or glazing
- B32B17/10165—Functional features of the laminated safety glass or glazing
- B32B17/10431—Specific parts for the modulation of light incorporated into the laminated safety glass or glazing
- B32B17/10467—Variable transmission
- B32B17/10495—Variable transmission optoelectronic, i.e. optical valve
- B32B17/10504—Liquid crystal layer
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
- B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
- B32B17/00—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres
- B32B17/06—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material
- B32B17/10—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material of synthetic resin
- B32B17/10005—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material of synthetic resin laminated safety glass or glazing
- B32B17/10165—Functional features of the laminated safety glass or glazing
- B32B17/10541—Functional features of the laminated safety glass or glazing comprising a light source or a light guide
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
- B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
- B32B17/00—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres
- B32B17/06—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material
- B32B17/10—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material of synthetic resin
- B32B17/10005—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material of synthetic resin laminated safety glass or glazing
- B32B17/1055—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material of synthetic resin laminated safety glass or glazing characterized by the resin layer, i.e. interlayer
- B32B17/10559—Shape of the cross-section
- B32B17/10568—Shape of the cross-section varying in thickness
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
- B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
- B32B17/00—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres
- B32B17/06—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material
- B32B17/10—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material of synthetic resin
- B32B17/10005—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material of synthetic resin laminated safety glass or glazing
- B32B17/1055—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material of synthetic resin laminated safety glass or glazing characterized by the resin layer, i.e. interlayer
- B32B17/10697—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material of synthetic resin laminated safety glass or glazing characterized by the resin layer, i.e. interlayer being cross-linked
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
- B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
- B32B17/00—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres
- B32B17/06—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material
- B32B17/10—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material of synthetic resin
- B32B17/10005—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material of synthetic resin laminated safety glass or glazing
- B32B17/1055—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material of synthetic resin laminated safety glass or glazing characterized by the resin layer, i.e. interlayer
- B32B17/10733—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material of synthetic resin laminated safety glass or glazing characterized by the resin layer, i.e. interlayer containing epoxy
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
- B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
- B32B17/00—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres
- B32B17/06—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material
- B32B17/10—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material of synthetic resin
- B32B17/10005—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material of synthetic resin laminated safety glass or glazing
- B32B17/1055—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material of synthetic resin laminated safety glass or glazing characterized by the resin layer, i.e. interlayer
- B32B17/10743—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material of synthetic resin laminated safety glass or glazing characterized by the resin layer, i.e. interlayer containing acrylate (co)polymers or salts thereof
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
- B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
- B32B17/00—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres
- B32B17/06—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material
- B32B17/10—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material of synthetic resin
- B32B17/10005—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material of synthetic resin laminated safety glass or glazing
- B32B17/10807—Making laminated safety glass or glazing; Apparatus therefor
- B32B17/10889—Making laminated safety glass or glazing; Apparatus therefor shaping the sheets, e.g. by using a mould
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
- B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
- B32B17/00—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres
- B32B17/06—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material
- B32B17/10—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material of synthetic resin
- B32B17/10005—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material of synthetic resin laminated safety glass or glazing
- B32B17/10807—Making laminated safety glass or glazing; Apparatus therefor
- B32B17/10899—Making laminated safety glass or glazing; Apparatus therefor by introducing interlayers of synthetic resin
- B32B17/10908—Making laminated safety glass or glazing; Apparatus therefor by introducing interlayers of synthetic resin in liquid form
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
- B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
- B32B17/00—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres
- B32B17/06—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material
- B32B17/10—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material of synthetic resin
- B32B17/10005—Layered products essentially comprising sheet glass, or glass, slag, or like fibres comprising glass as the main or only constituent of a layer, next to another layer of a specific material of synthetic resin laminated safety glass or glazing
- B32B17/10807—Making laminated safety glass or glazing; Apparatus therefor
- B32B17/10899—Making laminated safety glass or glazing; Apparatus therefor by introducing interlayers of synthetic resin
- B32B17/10935—Making laminated safety glass or glazing; Apparatus therefor by introducing interlayers of synthetic resin as a preformed layer, e.g. formed by extrusion
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
- B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
- B32B7/00—Layered products characterised by the relation between layers; Layered products characterised by the relative orientation of features between layers, or by the relative values of a measurable parameter between layers, i.e. products comprising layers having different physical, chemical or physicochemical properties; Layered products characterised by the interconnection of layers
- B32B7/02—Physical, chemical or physicochemical properties
- B32B7/023—Optical properties
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
- B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
- B32B1/00—Layered products having a non-planar shape
Definitions
- This relates generally to structures that pass light, and, more particularly, to windows.
- Windows are used in buildings and vehicles. Windows may be formed from glass or other transparent material.
- a vehicle or other system may have windows.
- the windows may be formed by laminating together first and second molded glass layers using multiple layers of adhesive. In this way, manufacturing-induced thickness variations in the first and second molded glass layers may be accommodated.
- the first glass layer may be a curved inner glass layer having a convex outer surface.
- the second glass layer may be a curved outer glass layer with a concave inner surface.
- a polymer film such as a polyvinyl butyral film may be adhered to the convex outer surface (or, in some embodiments, to the concave inner surface).
- An additional polymer layer formed from a different material than the polymer film may be interposed between the polymer film and the second glass layer (or, in some embodiments, between the polymer film and the first glass layer).
- the additional polymer layer may be formed from a gap-filling liquid polymer layer.
- the gap-filling liquid polymer layer may have a first surface adhered to the polymer film and a second surface adhered to the concave inner surface.
- An optical layer may be embedded in the additional polymer layer.
- the optical layer may be an electrically adjustable optical layer such as an adjustable light modulator layer or other optical layer with an electrically adjustable optical characteristic (e.g., adjustable haze, adjustable polarization, adjustable reflectivity, adjustable color cast, etc.). If desired, the optical layer may be a light guide core layer and the additional polymer layer may serve as cladding for the light guide core layer.
- FIG. 1 is a diagram of an illustrative system with windows in accordance with an embodiment.
- FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional side view of an illustrative tool for molding a glass layer into a desired shape with a curved-cross-sectional profile in accordance with an embodiment.
- FIG. 3 is a diagram of a window during lamination with a single layer of adhesive illustrating how there is a risk of gap formation when glass layers are uneven in thickness.
- FIGS. 4, 5, and 6 are cross-sectional side views of illustrative window structures during window formation in accordance with an embodiment.
- FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional side view of an illustrative window with an embedded optical layer in accordance with an embodiment.
- a system may have one or more windows.
- the windows may have layers of molded glass that are laminated together using adhesives.
- the system in which the windows are used may be a building, a vehicle, or other suitable system. Illustrative configurations in which the system is a vehicle may sometimes be described herein as an example. This is merely illustrative. Window structures may be formed in any suitable systems.
- System 10 may be a vehicle, building, or other type of system. In an illustrative configuration, system 10 is a vehicle. As shown in the illustrative top view of system 10 in FIG. 1, system 10 may have support structures such as body 12. Body 12 may be a vehicle body that includes doors, trunk structures, a hood, side body panels, a roof, window pillars, and/or other body structures. Body 12 may be configured to surround and enclose an interior region such as interior region 20.
- System 10 may include a chassis to which wheels such as wheels 24 are mounted, may include propulsion and steering systems, and may include a vehicle automation system configured to support autonomous driving (e.g., a vehicle automation system with sensors and control circuitry configured to operate the propulsion and steering systems based on sensor data).
- autonomous driving e.g., a vehicle automation system with sensors and control circuitry configured to operate the propulsion and steering systems based on sensor data.
- This allows system 10 to be driven semi- autonomously and/or allows system 10 to be driven autonomously without a human operator. Manual driving operations may also be supported.
- Windows 14 may be mounted within openings in body 12.
- Windows 14 may, for example, be mounted on the front of body 12 (e.g., to form a front window on vehicle front F), on the rear of body 12 (e.g., to form a rear window at vehicle rear R), on the top (roof) of body 12 (e.g., to form a sun roof), and/or on sides of body 12 (e.g., to form side windows).
- Windows 14 may include windows that are fixed in place and/or may include windows that can be manually and/or automatically rolled up or down.
- one or more windows 14 may be controlled using window positioners (e.g., window motors that open and close windows 14 in response to user input or other input).
- each window 14 may be at least 0.1 m 2 , at least 0.5 m 2 , at least 1 m 2 , at least 5 m 2 , at least 10 m 2 , less than 20 m 2 , less than 10 m 2 , less than 5 m 2 , or less than 1.5 m 2 (as examples).
- Windows 14 and portions of body 12 may be used to separate interior region 20 from the exterior environment that is surrounding system 10 (exterior region 22).
- System 10 may include components 18.
- Components 18 may include seats in the interior of body 12, sensors, control circuitry, input-output devices, and/or other vehicle components.
- Control circuitry in system 10 may include one or more processors (e.g., microprocessors, microcontrollers, application-specific integrated circuits, etc.) and storage (e.g., volatile and/or non-volatile memory).
- Input-output devices in system 10 may include displays, sensors, buttons, light-emitting diodes and other light-emitting devices, haptic devices, speakers, and/or other devices for providing output and/or gathering environmental measurements and/or user input.
- the sensors may include ambient light sensors, touch sensors, force sensors, proximity sensors, optical sensors, capacitive sensors, resistive sensors, ultrasonic sensors, microphones, three-dimensional and/or two-dimensional image sensors, radio-frequency sensors, and/or other sensors.
- Output devices may be used to provide a user with haptic output, audio output, visual output (e.g., displayed content, light, etc.), and/or other suitable output.
- control circuitry in system 10 may gather information from sensors (e.g., environmental sensors) and/or other input-output devices, may gather user input such as voice commands provided to a microphone, may gather touch commands supplied to a touch sensor, may gather button input supplied to one or more buttons, etc. Control circuitry in system 10 may use this input in driving system 10 and in controlling windows and other parts of system 10.
- sensors e.g., environmental sensors
- user input such as voice commands provided to a microphone
- touch commands supplied to a touch sensor may gather button input supplied to one or more buttons, etc.
- Control circuitry in system 10 may use this input in driving system 10 and in controlling windows and other parts of system 10.
- Windows 14 may be formed from one or more glass layers. For example, two or more glass layers may be laminated together using polymer. The glass layers may be chemically or thermally tempered (e.g., to create compressive stress on the surfaces of the glass layers). The glass layers of windows 14 may sometimes referred to as structural glass layers due to the ability of such layers to provide structural support for windows 14.
- waveguide layers with light extraction features for providing in-window illumination, light modulating layers (e.g., layers exhibiting electrically adjustable amounts of light transmission), adjustable-haze layers, adjustable-reflectivity layers, and/or other electrically adjustable window layers may be incorporated into windows 14 (e.g., such layers may be laminated between outer and inner glass layers and/or other transparent window layers).
- Windows 14 may have one or more planar portions and/or one or more curved portions.
- one or more portions of window 14 may be characterized by a curved cross-sectional profile and may have convex and/or concave exterior surfaces (and corresponding concave and/or convex interior surfaces).
- the curved portions of windows 14 may include curved surfaces that can be flattened into a plane without distortion, which are sometimes referred to as developable surfaces.
- the curved portions of window 14 may also include curved surfaces with compound curvature, which cannot be flattened into a plane without distortion and which are sometimes referred to as non-developable surfaces or doubly curved surfaces.
- Glass layers for windows 14 may be formed by molding glass sheets such as planar sheets of float glass into desired shapes and subsequently laminating these molded sheets together using adhesive.
- FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional side view of an illustrative layer of glass during molding operations.
- glass molding tool 30 may include mating dies 32 and 34. Once die may have a convex surface and other die may have a corresponding concave surface. Under heat and pressure (e.g., pressure formed by moving dies 32 and 34 together), a planar sheet of glass may be molded into a desired shape (e.g., a shape with a curved cross- sectional profile having non-planar surfaces such as developable surface areas and/or areas of compound curvature).
- desired shape e.g., a shape with a curved cross- sectional profile having non-planar surfaces such as developable surface areas and/or areas of compound curvature.
- molding tool 30 may be a single-sided molding tool based on a male pressing die or a female vacuum-pull die and/or other glass molding techniques may be used (e.g., molding tool 30 may have a slumping mold, may perform gravity-based shaping operations, and/or may otherwise be used in forming molded glass layers).
- FIG. 2 shows the use of two mating dies is illustrative.
- PVB polyvinyl butyral
- FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional side view showing how glass thickness variations (e.g., thickness variations in molded glass layers with curved surfaces) can lead to a potential for undesired air gaps between glass layers when these layers are laminated to form a window (window 14’).
- the shape of inner surface 40 of outer glass layer 42 does not precisely match the shape of outer surface 44 of inner glass layer 46 due to thickness variations in layers 42 and 46.
- an undesired air gap GA can form between outer surface 50 of PVB layer 48 and inner surface 40 and/or an undesired air gap GB can form between inner surface 52 of PVB layer 48 and outer surface 44 of glass layer 46, leading to incomplete bonding between layers 42 and 46.
- a polymer adhesive film such as PVB layer 60 is attached to outer surface 66 of glass layer 64.
- glass layer 64 is an inner window layer with a curved cross-sectional profile such as an inner glass layer with a convex outer surface 66.
- Layer 64 may be molded into a desired shape using molding equipment such as molding tool 30 of FIG. 2.
- Surface 66 may have areas with developable surfaces and/or may have areas with compound curvature. If desired, glass layer 64 may have concave curvature and/or may be an outer window layer.
- FIG. 4 is illustrative.
- Release liner 62 is used as a carrier for layer 60 prior to attachment of layer 60 to layer 64.
- release liner 62 is formed from a non-stick sheet such as a sheet of flexible polymer and is used to support and dispense PVB film 60 during lamination.
- release liner 62 may be removed (e.g., liner 62 may be peeled away from layer 60), leaving outer surface 68 of PVB layer (PVB film) 60 exposed, as shown in FIG. 5.
- an additional glass layer such as layer 70 of FIG. 6 is attached to form window 14. Due to glass layer thickness variations in layer 64 and/or layer 70, it is not possible to directly adhere inner surface 72 of glass layer 70 to surface 68. Accordingly, liquid adhesive 74 is used to fill the air gap that is present between surface 68 and surface 72. As shown in FIG. 6, for example, liquid adhesive 74 may be introduced into the space between inner surface 72 of glass layer 70 and outer surface 68 of PVB layer 60. Adhesive (adhesive layer) 74 may be introduced in liquid form using a needle dispenser or other dispenser that supplies liquid adhesive while layers 64 and 70 are under vacuum to avoid air bubble formation.
- gap-filling layer of polymer formed from adhesive 74 may have multiple discrete areas (e.g., adhesive 74 may be a layer with multiple discrete patches of polymer each filling a respective area where an air is present).
- adhesive 74 may be a layer with multiple discrete patches of polymer each filling a respective area where an air is present).
- Adhesive 74 which may sometimes be referred to as optically clear adhesive, may be formed using any suitable liquid adhesive such as an acrylic adhesive, epoxy, or other adhesive compatible with the polymer material forming layer 60 (e.g., an adhesive exhibiting good adhesion with layer 60, etc.). Layers 74 and 60 may be formed using the same type of polymer material or may be formed using different polymer. In the example of FIG. 6, PVB layer 60 is between adhesive layer 74 and inner glass layer 64. If desired, adhesive layer 74 may be located between PVB layer 60 and inner glass layer 64. The thickness of layer 60 may be 0.76 mm, at least 0.3 mm, less than 3 mm, 0.2-2 mm, or other suitable thickness.
- the thickness of layer 74 may be 0.2-2mm, at least 0.1 mm, at least 0.2 mm, at least 0.4 mm, at least 0.8 mm, less than 3 mm, less than 2 mm, less than 1 mm, or less than 0.5 mm.
- window 14 in FIG. 6 has two glass layers. Window configurations with additional glass layers and/or other layers of material may be used in forming window 14, if desired. As one example, window 14 may have three or more glass layers each of which is laminated to the next with an intervening stack formed from a PVB layer and an associated gap-filling adhesive layer such as layer 74 of FIG. 6.
- the refractive indices of the layers of window 14 may be matched to each other.
- the refractive index of layer 74 and/or the refractive index of layer 60 may differ from the refractive index of layers 64 and 70 by less than 0.15, less than 0.1, less than 0.05, or less than 0.03 (as examples).
- layer 60 may be pre-formed to a desired gap-filling shape with a non-uniform thickness.
- layer 60 may be a PVB layer or other solid polymer film that, before being used to attach layers 70 and 64 together, is molded in a molding tool or otherwise shaped into the shape depicted collectively by layers 60 and 74 in FIG. 6. With this type of arrangement, layer 60 will have a non-uniform thickness configured to fill the gap between layers 64 and 70 so that no air gaps are present between these layers. As a result, liquid adhesive layer 74 may be partly or completely omitted.
- pre-formed non-uniform-thickness polymer interlayers may be used in coupling layers 64 and 70 together, if desired.
- one or more other pre-formed solid polymer films e.g., polymers other than PVB
- non-uniform thicknesses may be used in attaching layers 64 and 70.
- the refractive indices of the pre-formed non-uniform-thickness layer 60 between layers 70 and 64 may have a refractive index value that is matched to that of layers 70 and 64 (e.g., the refractive index value of the pre-formed non-uniform layer 60 may differ from the refractive index of layer 64 by less than 0.15, less than 0.1, less than 0.05, or less than 0.03 and the refractive index value of the pre-formed non-uniform layer 60 may differ from the refractive index of layer 70 by less than 0.15, less than 0.1, less than 0.05, or less than 0.03.
- one or more optical layers may be formed between inner glass layer 64 and outer glass layer 70. As shown in FIG. 7, for example, optical layer 76 may be embedded in adhesive layer 74.
- layer 76 includes a sheet of glass, polymer, or other transparent material forming a light guide core layer that is configured to guide light laterally across window 14 in accordance with the principal of total internal reflection.
- the core layer may be sandwiched between a pair of respective cladding layers and/or layer 74 may have a reduced refractive index relative to the core layer to serve as cladding for the core layer.
- a light source such as a lightemitting diode coupled to an edge of the light guide may supply light that is conveyed laterally across window 14 and subsequently scattered out of the light guide layer at one or more locations across the surface of the light guide layer (e.g., areas with embedded lightscattering structures).
- the light guide layer may serve as a source of internal illumination for interior 20.
- layer 76 includes an electrically adjustable light modulator layer.
- Layer 76 may, as an example, include a guest-host liquid crystal layer that is adjusted by the control circuitry of system 10.
- the light transmission of layer 76 may be adjusted electrically by adjusting the strength of a control signal supplied to layer 76 from the control circuitry of system 10. This allows windows 14 to be placed in a transparent state, an opaque state (e.g., for ambient light blocking and/or privacy), or an intermediate state (e.g., to reduce ambient light transmission).
- layer 76 may include a cholesteric liquid crystal layer that exhibits an electrically adjustable amount of mirror reflectivity, may be an electrically adjustable haze layer such as a polymer dispersed liquid crystal layer that exhibits an adjustable amount of haze, an electrically adjustable color cast layer such as a guest-host liquid crystal layer that exhibits an adjustable color cast, may be an electrically adjustable polarization layer that exhibits an electrically adjustable amount of light polarization, and/or may be any other suitable layer(s) characterized by an electrically adjustable optical properties.
- a vehicle in accordance with an embodiment, includes a vehicle body and a window in the vehicle body that has a curved cross-sectional profile, the vehicle body and the window separate an interior vehicle region from an exterior region and the window has first and second glass layers laminated together with a first layer of polymer and with a second layer of polymer that is of a different material than the first layer of polymer.
- the first glass layer includes an inner window glass layer having a convex surface
- the second glass layer includes an outer window glass layer having a concave surface
- the first layer of polymer includes a polyvinyl butyral film adhered to the convex surface
- the second layer of polymer includes liquid adhesive configured to fill a gap between the polyvinyl butyral film and a concave surface.
- the first layer of polymer includes a polyvinyl butyral film.
- the first layer of polymer includes a polymer film adhered to the first glass layer and the second layer of polymer includes liquid adhesive configured to fill a gap between the polymer film and the second layer of glass.
- the first layer of polymer includes polyvinyl butyral and the second layer of polymer does not include polyvinyl butyral.
- the vehicle includes an optical layer embedded in the second layer of polymer.
- the vehicle includes an electrically adjustable layer between the first and second glass layers.
- the electrically adjustable layer includes an adjustable light transmission layer.
- the electrically adjustable light transmission layer includes a guest-host liquid crystal layer.
- the electrically adjustable layer is configured to exhibit an adjustable optical property selected from the group consisting of: adjustable color cast, adjustable haze, and adjustable reflectivity.
- the optical layer includes a light guide core layer and the second layer of adhesive is configured to serve as a cladding for the light guide core layer.
- a vehicle window configured to separate a vehicle interior region from an exterior region
- the vehicle window includes an outer window glass layer having a curved cross-sectional profile, an inner window glass layer having a curved cross-sectional profile, a first polymer layer adhered to the inner window glass layer and located between the inner window glass layer and the outer window glass layer and a second polymer layer formed from a different material than the first polymer layer, the second polymer layer is adhered to the outer window glass layer and is adhered to the first polymer layer.
- the first polymer layer has a first refractive index and the second polymer layer has a second refractive index that differs from the first refractive index by less than 0.1.
- the first polymer layer includes polyvinyl butyral.
- the second polymer layer includes liquid polymer adhesive configured to fill a gap between the first polymer layer and the outer window glass layer.
- the vehicle window includes an electrically adjustable optical layer embedded in the liquid polymer adhesive.
- the electrically adjustable optical layer includes a light modulator layer configured to provide an adjustable amount of light transmission.
- a window in accordance with an embodiment, includes a first layer of glass with a convex surface, a second layer of glass with a concave surface, a first layer of polymer adhered to the convex surface and a second layer of polymer with a first surface adhered to the first layer of polymer and a second surface adhered to the concave surface.
- the first layer of polymer includes a polyvinyl butyral film.
- the second layer of polymer is formed from a different polymer material than the first layer of polymer.
- the second layer of polymer includes liquid polymer adhesive configured to fill a gap between the first layer of polymer and the concave surface.
- a window in accordance with an embodiment, includes a first layer of glass with a convex surface, a second layer of glass with a concave surface and a polymer interlayer between the convex and concave surfaces, the polymer interlayer has a non- uniform thickness.
- the polymer interlayer includes a preformed polyvinyl butyral layer of non-uniform thickness configured to accommodate mismatch in shape between the convex surface and concave surface.
- the polymer interlayer has a first surface attached to the convex surface and an opposing second surface attached to the concave surface.
- the window includes a liquid adhesive layer attached between the polyvinyl butyral layer and concave surface.
Landscapes
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Crystallography & Structural Chemistry (AREA)
- Joining Of Glass To Other Materials (AREA)
- Laminated Bodies (AREA)
Abstract
Description
Claims
Priority Applications (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
EP22769838.8A EP4373668A1 (en) | 2021-09-09 | 2022-08-23 | Windows with laminated glass layers |
CN202280060534.6A CN117957112A (en) | 2021-09-09 | 2022-08-23 | Window with laminated glass layer |
Applications Claiming Priority (4)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US202163242125P | 2021-09-09 | 2021-09-09 | |
US63/242,125 | 2021-09-09 | ||
US17/881,517 | 2022-08-04 | ||
US17/881,517 US20230075801A1 (en) | 2021-09-09 | 2022-08-04 | Windows With Laminated Glass Layers |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
WO2023038797A1 true WO2023038797A1 (en) | 2023-03-16 |
Family
ID=83319233
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/US2022/041245 WO2023038797A1 (en) | 2021-09-09 | 2022-08-23 | Windows with laminated glass layers |
Country Status (2)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP4373668A1 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2023038797A1 (en) |
Citations (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20200369007A1 (en) * | 2018-01-31 | 2020-11-26 | Saint-Gobain Glass France | Laminated glazing with an electrically controllable device and manufacture |
WO2020254991A1 (en) * | 2019-06-17 | 2020-12-24 | Agp America S.A. | Small radii complex shape laminated glazing |
-
2022
- 2022-08-23 EP EP22769838.8A patent/EP4373668A1/en active Pending
- 2022-08-23 WO PCT/US2022/041245 patent/WO2023038797A1/en active Application Filing
Patent Citations (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20200369007A1 (en) * | 2018-01-31 | 2020-11-26 | Saint-Gobain Glass France | Laminated glazing with an electrically controllable device and manufacture |
WO2020254991A1 (en) * | 2019-06-17 | 2020-12-24 | Agp America S.A. | Small radii complex shape laminated glazing |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
EP4373668A1 (en) | 2024-05-29 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
CN110869837B (en) | Vehicle window pane having a liquid crystal arrangement | |
JP7114982B2 (en) | laminated glass | |
US20210122144A1 (en) | Laminated glass | |
JP2021514923A (en) | How to make a composite pane with a polarization selective coating | |
JP2000247691A (en) | Laminated glass | |
US20240151892A1 (en) | Illuminable glazing | |
KR20190135511A (en) | Manufacturing method of thermoplastic combination film | |
JP2024514124A (en) | dynamic laminate glazing | |
CN100391731C (en) | Laminated glass sheet with a laminated film | |
US20230075801A1 (en) | Windows With Laminated Glass Layers | |
US11458707B2 (en) | Laminated glass | |
WO2023038797A1 (en) | Windows with laminated glass layers | |
CN117957112A (en) | Window with laminated glass layer | |
CN112203846A (en) | Laminated glass with stepped functional portion | |
US20230046757A1 (en) | Windows With Molded Layers of Polished Glass | |
US20240025154A1 (en) | Laminated Windows | |
US20240010054A1 (en) | Glass Windows With Matched Edges and Joined Edges | |
US20230060365A1 (en) | Windows With Uniform Thicknesses | |
WO2023018515A1 (en) | Windows with molded layers of polished glass | |
CN209836008U (en) | Light-adjusting composite glass | |
WO2023027896A1 (en) | Windows with uniform thicknesses | |
CN117858799A (en) | Window with molded layer of polished glass | |
CN216526357U (en) | Glass component, window assembly and display device | |
CN110446605B (en) | Composite glass plate with functional element and illumination | |
CN219085269U (en) | Projection film for window glass, window glass and vehicle-mounted projection system |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
121 | Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application |
Ref document number: 22769838 Country of ref document: EP Kind code of ref document: A1 |
|
WWE | Wipo information: entry into national phase |
Ref document number: 2022769838 Country of ref document: EP |
|
ENP | Entry into the national phase |
Ref document number: 2022769838 Country of ref document: EP Effective date: 20240221 |
|
WWE | Wipo information: entry into national phase |
Ref document number: 202280060534.6 Country of ref document: CN |
|
NENP | Non-entry into the national phase |
Ref country code: DE |