WO2024017225A1

WO2024017225A1 - Glass assembly with switchable and lighting functions, preparation method thereof, and window assembly comprising the same

Info

Publication number: WO2024017225A1
Application number: PCT/CN2023/107831
Authority: WO
Inventors: Siteng MA
Original assignee: Saint-Gobain Glass France
Priority date: 2022-07-20
Filing date: 2023-07-18
Publication date: 2024-01-25
Also published as: WO2024017225A9; CN116494726A

Abstract

A glass assembly with switchable and lighting functions, a preparation method thereof, and a window assembly containing the same are provided. A multilayer glass assembly, comprising: a first glass pane (1); a switchable function layer (10); a light isolation layer (11); and a lighting function layer (12), wherein the light isolation layer (11) is located between the switchable function layer (10) and the lighting function layer (12); the switchable function layer (10) is located between the first glass pane (1) and the light isolation layer (11). The glass assembly can achieve good compatibility between the switchable function and the lighting function. The glass assembly has excellent mechanical and optical properties and improved user experience and visual effect.

Description

GLASS ASSEMBLY WITH SWITCHABLE AND LIGHTING FUNCTIONS, PREPARATION METHOD THEREOF, AND WINDOW ASSEMBLY COMPRISING THE SAME

FIELD

The disclosure relates to the technical field of glass, in particular to a glass assembly with switchable and lighting functions, a preparation method thereof, and a window assembly comprising the same.

BACKGROUND

With the rapid development of automotive industry and the increasing demand for vehicle functions from consumers, a glass with switchable and lighting functions has been widely valued by vehicle manufacturers and favored by consumers.

The compatibility between the switchable function and the lighting function on glass is a matter of concern. In regions close to the light source, when the light ray goes into the functional device layers (e.g., layers containing polymer dispersion liquid crystals) , the functional devices contained therein are usually diffusion materials and therefore generate a halo effect that looks like a light leakage, resulting in a negative user experience. In the absence of light ray entering the functional device layer, such defects are not easily detectable, but when light ray does enter, the defects are lighted up, giving an adverse visual effect.

CN109823265A discloses a roof assembly, which includes a glass pane with an outer side and an inner side, and a transparent sealant fixed to the glass pane from the inside, at least one LED embedded into the sealant, and at least one wire. The sealant preferably includes polyurethane, which has a high cost-effectiveness ratio and is easy to process.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, provided is a multilayer glass assembly, comprising: a first glass pane; a switchable function layer; a light isolation layer; and a lighting function layer; wherein, the light isolation layer is located between the switchable function layer and the lighting function layer; the switchable function layer is located between the first glass pane and the light isolation layer; wherein the light isolation layer has a thickness of 0.3-0.8 mm and a light transmittance T of 18%or less.

In another aspect, provided is a multilayer glass assembly, comprising: a first glass pane; a switchable function layer; a light isolation layer; and a lighting function layer with a refractive index n₁; wherein, the light isolation layer is located between the switchable function layer and the lighting function layer; the switchable function layer is located between the first glass pane and the light isolation layer; wherein the light isolation layer comprises a first light isolation layer and a second light isolation layer; the first light isolation layer has a light transmittance T; the second light isolation layer has a refractive index n₂; n₁, n₂ and T satisfy the following relationship: 0.03 ≤ n₁-n₂ < 0.08; and the ratio of T to the difference between n₁ and n₂ (T/ (n₁-n₂) ) is less than 10.5.

In yet another aspect, further provided is a window assembly comprising the glass assembly according to the present disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other aspects of the present disclosure will be more fully understood from the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the scale of the accompanying drawings may differ for the purpose of clear illustration, but this will not affect the understanding of this disclosure.

Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a glass assembly according to the present disclosure, wherein the lighting function layer is a light extraction glass pane, which may be a glass pane with a light extraction lighting area formed on its surface or inside based on the light extraction technology, and the light extraction glass pane is a second glass pane.

Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a glass assembly according to the present disclosure, wherein the lighting function layer is a separate lighting layer, which may be a separate light extraction layer or a separate self-emitting layer.

Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a glass assembly according to the present disclosure, wherein the lighting function layer is a glass pane with a light extraction adhesion layer, wherein a light extraction lighting area formed based on light extraction technology is present on the surface of the light extraction adhesion layer, and the light extraction adhesion layer is located on the surface of the glass pane (which may also be referred to as the second glass pane) on the side facing the first glass pane, and the light extraction adhesion layer together with said glass pane form a glass pane with a light extraction adhesion layer.

Figure 4 is a simplified schematic diagram of a glass assembly according to the present disclosure.

Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of a separate lighting device adopting an electroluminescent structure according to the present disclosure.

Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of a separate lighting device adopting a transparent discrete LED matrix structure according to the present disclosure.

Figure 7 shows an assembly mode of the glass assembly containing an external light source according to the present disclosure.

Figure 8 shows an assembly mode of the glass assembly containing an external light source according to the present disclosure.

Figure 9 shows an assembly mode of the glass assembly containing an external light source according to the present disclosure.

Figure 10 shows a schematic diagram of a glass assembly according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, which is used for conducting a light isolation test to verify the isolation effect on light.

Figure 11 is a photograph of the result of the light isolation test.

Figure 12 is a photograph of the result of the light isolation test.

Markings on the accompanying drawings:

1: a first glass pane; 2: a switchable function layer; 3: a light isolation layer; 3a: a first light isolation layer; 3b: a second light isolation layer; 4a: a light extraction glass pane; 4b: a second glass pane; 4c: a glass pane with a light extraction adhesion layer; 5a: an adhesion layer; 5b: a light extraction adhesion layer; 6: a separate lighting layer; 10: a switchable function layer; 11: a light isolation layer; 12: a lighting function layer; 13: an external light source; 20a, 20b: a protective layer; 21: an Ag electric layer; 22: a dielectric layer; 23: an inorganic lighting material; 24: a transparent conductive layer; 25: a connector; 26: a protective layer; 27: LED chips; 28: an anisotropic conductive material; 30: a first glass pane; 31: an interlayer; 32: a second glass pane; 33: an external light source.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

General Definition and Terms

Unless otherwise stated, all publications, patent applications, patents and other references mentioned herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety.

Unless otherwise defined, the technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by a person skilled in the art. If there is a contradiction, the definition provided in this application shall prevail.

Unless otherwise stated, all percentages, parts, proportions or the like are on a weight basis. When an amount, concentration or other value or parameter is given as a range, a preferable range or a preferable upper limit and lower limit or a specific value, it should be understood that it corresponds to specifically revealing any range by combining any pair of upper limit of the range or preferable range value with the lower limit of any range or preferable range value, regardless of whether the range is specifically disclosed. Unless otherwise stated, the numerical ranges listed herein are intended to include the endpoints of the range and all integers and fractions within the range.

When used with a numerical variable, the term “about” or “approximate” usually refers to the value of the variable and all the values of the variable within the experimental error (for example, within an average 95%confidence interval) or within ±10%of the specified value, or a wider range.

The term “optional” or “optionally” means the event described subsequent thereto may or may not happen. This term encompasses the cases that the event may or may not happen, and that the contents are selected in an arbitrary manner.

The terms “include” , “comprise” , “have” , “contain” or “involve” and other variants thereof herein are meant to be inclusive or open-ended, which do not exclude other unlisted elements or process steps. It should be understood by those skilled in the art that the above terms such as “include” encompass the meaning of “consist of” . The expression “consist of” excludes any element, step, or ingredient not designated. The expression “substantially consist of” means that the scope is limited to the designated elements, steps or ingredients, plus elements, steps or ingredients that are optionally present which do not substantially affect the basic and new features of the claimed subject matter. It should be understood that the expression “comprise” encompasses the expressions “substantially consist of” and “consist of” .

The term “selected from” refers to one or more elements of the group listed thereafter, selected independently, and may encompass the combination of two or more elements.

The term “one or more” or “at least one” as used herein means one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine or more.

Unless otherwise stated, the terms “combination thereof” and “mixture thereof” mean multicomponent mixtures of the elements, such as two, three, four and up to the maximum possible multicomponent mixtures.

In addition, if the number of parts or components of the disclosure is not indicated before, it means that there is no limit to the number of parts or components. Therefore, it should be interpreted as including one or at least one, and the singular word form of a part or component also includes the plural, unless the numerical value clearly indicates the singular.

Herein, the terms "first" and "second" and so on are only used to identify the elements, components or steps they refer to, and are not used to limit the sequence and the number of components, unless otherwise specified. When expressions such as "first" and "second" are used to identify the elements, components, or steps they refer to, they can be the same or different.

Herein, the meanings of “plurality” and “multilayer” refer to two or more, unless otherwise specifically defined.

As used herein, the term "refractive index" has the meaning commonly understood in the art, that is, the ratio of the propagation velocity of light in vacuum to the propagation velocity of light in a medium. The refractive index can be measured by conventional methods and instruments in the art, for example, measured by a laser particle size meter or an ellipsometer.

The term "transmittance" used herein can also be referred to as light transmittance, which means the ability of light to transmit through a medium and is the percentage of the luminous flux transmitted through a transparent or translucent body to its incident luminous flux. Transmittance can be measured by conventional methods and instruments in the art, for example, measured by a spectrophotometer. For example, reference can be made to ISO 13837 for measurement.

Unless otherwise specified, the terms such as "installation" , "connection" and "attachment" as used herein should be understood broadly. For example, it can be fixed connection, detachable connection or integrated; it can be directly connected or indirectly connected through an intermediate medium, and it can be the internal communication of two elements or the interaction between two elements. For those skilled in the art, the specific meanings of the above terms herein can be understood according to the specific situation. When the window assembly describes the window glass for vehicles, "outside" and "inside" refer to the direction relative to the vehicle body, "outside" refers to the direction away from the vehicle body, and "inside" refers to the direction facing the vehicle body. It should be understood that the vehicle window glass according to the embodiment of the present disclosure includes, but is not limited to, a rear windshield, a skylight glass, a vehicle door glass or a corner window glass, which can provide different lighting effects based on different requirements.

As used herein, the term "laminated glass" refers to a composite glass product that may contain one or more interlayers on one side of the glass. Laminated glass is usually prepared by high temperature prepressing (or vacuum condition) and high temperature and pressure process.

As used herein, the term "functional module" refers to a component that contains electronic components and can provide electrical or photoelectric functions. Exemplary functional modules include, but are not limited to, polymer dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) , suspended particle device (SPD) , electrochromic display device, etc.

As used herein, the term “lamination” refers to the process of laminating the layers of a glass assembly after they have been set up, at a certain temperature and pressure, to bring the layers together.

As used herein, the term "room temperature" refers to about 20-30 ℃, such as about 25℃.

The glass assembly according to the disclosure

In one aspect, provided is a glass assembly, comprising:

a first glass pane; a switchable function layer; a light isolation layer; and a lighting function layer; wherein, the light isolation layer is located between the switchable function layer and the lighting function layer; the switchable function layer is located between the first glass pane and the light isolation layer; wherein the light isolation layer has a thickness of 0.3-0.8 mm and a light transmittance T of 18%or less, for example, about 10%, about 12%, about 14%, about 16%, about 18%, etc.

By setting the transmittance range of the light isolation layer, the glass assembly of the disclosure can prevent or sufficiently weaken the light ray from the lighting function layer from entering the switchable function layer and achieve the light isolation effect. At the same time, by setting the light isolation layer with a suitable thickness, it is possible to achieve sufficient adhesive strength with the adjacent layers, and to avoid adverse effects in vehicle applications (e.g., during an assembly process) caused by excessive or insufficient thickness.

Further provided is a glass assembly, comprising:

a first glass pane; a switchable function layer; a light isolation layer; and a lighting function layer with a refractive index n₁; wherein, the light isolation layer is located between the switchable function layer and the lighting function layer; the switchable function layer is located between the first glass pane and the light isolation layer; wherein the light isolation layer comprises a first light isolation layer and a second light isolation layer; the first light isolation layer has a light transmittance T; the second light isolation layer has a refractive index n₂; n₁, n₂ and T satisfy the following relationship: 0.03 ≤ n₁-n₂ < 0.08, for example, about 0.03, about 0.04, about 0.05, about 0.06, about 0.07, etc.; and the ratio of T to the difference between n₁ and n₂ (T/ (n₁-n₂) ) is less than 10.5, for example, about 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, etc.

The glass assembly according to the present disclosure described above can prevent or sufficiently weaken the light ray from the light-lighting functional layer from entering the switchable function layer by setting the light isolation layer (refractive index, light transmission) . The parameters of the light isolation layer can also be flexibly adjusted according to the function layer (such as the lighting function layer) contained in the glass assembly, thereby enabling the light isolation effect of the present disclosure to be realized; and at the same time, the glass assembly can also have a suitable light transmission performance for allowing external light (such as natural light) to enter the interior of the vehicle when necessary (e.g., when natural light outside the vehicle is used to realize illumination effect inside) , with the advantages of energy saving and environmental protection.

Glass pane

Herein, a glass pane is an amorphous inorganic nonmetallic material, which is generally made of a variety of inorganic minerals (e.g., quartz sand, borax, boric acid, barite, barium carbonate, limestone, feldspar, soda ash, etc. ) as the main raw materials, and a small amount of auxiliary raw materials. Its main components are silicon dioxide and other oxides. "Glass" , as used herein, may be any type of glass, for example ordinary glass, whose chemical composition comprises Na₂SiO₃, CaSiO₃, SiO₂ or Na₂O·CaO·6SiO₂, etc., such as silicate double salt, which is an amorphous solid with irregular structure. Another example is colorless glass, and it can also be colored glass into which certain metals oxides or salts are mixed to exhibit colors, or tempered glass obtained by a physical or chemical method and so forth. In addition, the "glass" herein can also be other types of glass, such as hollow glass, coated glass and so forth.

Herein, the shape of the glass pane can be arbitrary. According to actual needs, examples of glass panes are square, rectangular, round, oval, regular hexagon and so on. In addition, the glass pane can also be a frame of any shape, for example, that is, the inside of the glass pane plane is hollow, and the outside is glass pane. According to actual needs, the position, shape and size of the hollow structure can also be arbitrary. For example, the glass pane is a square frame, in which the hollow structure is square and located in the center of the glass pane plane.

Herein, according to actual needs, the surface of the glass pane may be level and flat, or may have any curvature, or may have irregular curvature.

If a glass assembly contains more than two glass panes and there are interlayers made of other materials (including but not limited to polymers) between the glass panes, such glass assembly can be referred as a laminated glass. The materials of the glass panes can be the same or different.

Switchable function layer

Herein, the switchable function layer refers to a layer containing a functional module in the glass assembly, which can provide a switchable function for the glass assembly according to the present disclosure.

In an embodiment, the switchable function layer comprises a functional module selected from a polymer dispersed liquid crystal, a suspended particle device and an electrochromic display device. In a preferable embodiment, the functional module contained in the switchable function layer is a polymer dispersed liquid crystal.

Polymer Dispersed Liquid Crystal: polymer dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) refers to liquid crystals dispersed in micron-sized microdroplets within an organic solid polymer matrix. Since the optical axis of the microdroplets composed of liquid crystal molecules is in a free orientation, their refractive index does not match the refractive index of the matrix, and when light passes through the matrix, it is strongly scattered by the droplet and appears in an opaque milky white or translucent state. By applying an electric field to the polymer dispersed liquid crystal, the optical axis orientation of the liquid crystal droplets can be adjusted, and when their refractive indices match, they appear transparent. When the electric field is removed, the liquid crystal droplets return to their original astigmatic state. Therefore, the glass containing a polymer dispersed liquid crystal can be switched between transparent mode and opaque modes.

Suspended Particle Device: suspended particle device (SPD) refer to suspended particles comprised in the liquid suspension medium contained in the polymer. Similar to the polymer dispersed liquid crystal, suspended particle device can generally be switched between a dark state (no voltage is applied) and a highly transparent state (avoltage is applied) . The relative alignment between particles in the suspended particle device is usually determined by the applied voltage, which makes the suspended particle device exhibit variable optical transmittance when a variable voltage is applied.

Electrochromic display device: electrochromism refers to a phenomenon that the optical properties (reflectivity, transmittance, absorptivity, etc. ) of a material undergo stable and reversible color changes under the action of an external electric field, which manifests as reversible changes in color and transparency in appearance. A material with electrochromic property is known as an electrochromic material, and a display devices made of an electrochromic material is an electrochromic display device.

Herein, a switchable function layer with different shapes or sizes is used according to actual needs, so that the size of the switchable function layer may be the same as or smaller than the sizes of other layers (e.g., the first glass pane, the light isolation layer, the lighting function layer, the second glass pane, etc. ) .

In an embodiment, the functional module area of the switchable function layer is smaller than that of the adjacent layer, and there is an additional continuous or discrete picture frame around the functional module to surround and accommodate the functional module. As used herein, "continuous or discrete" means that the shape of the picture frame is continuous and complete, or discrete, as long as the picture frame can surround and accommodate the functional module. The shape or size of the picture frame may be adjusted according to the shape of the functional module.

The material of the picture frame is selected from those that provide sufficient mechanical properties, including but not limited to polyvinyl butyral (PVB) , ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA) , thermoplastic polyolefin (TPO) , polyolefin elastomer (POE) , etc.

A suitable thickness of the picture frame contributes to improving the stability of the glass assembly and effectively fills the space between the edges of the functional module of the switchable function layer and the edges of the adjacent layers. When a pressure is applied to the glass pane during the preparation of the glass assembly, the picture frame can prevent possible damages to the glass pane caused by the edges of the functional module of the switchable function layer and/or the functional module of the lighting function layer (e.g., LED lighting modules or electroluminescent modules contained in a separate self-emitting layer) .

Lighting function layer

Herein, the lighting function layer is located on the side of the light isolation layer away from the switchable function layer in order to enable the glass assembly to have a lighting function, such as realizing functions such as illumination, beautification, display, etc. inside the vehicle.

The lighting function can be realized by various technologies, including but not limited to the light extraction technology, the self-emitting technology, etc.

The light extraction technology refers to that it does not have the lighting property of itself but can extract light from external light sources to achieve a lighting effect. The light extraction technology includes but is not limited to: 1. using light extraction materials (e.g., a lighting enamel or a lighting ink) , based on a pattern design, thus forming a light extraction lighting area. For example, applying a lighting enamel or a lighting ink on the surface of the layer to form a lighting pattern; 2. performing micro-engraving on the surface or to the interior of the layer based on a pattern design to create light extraction lighting areas. For example, light extraction micro-structured glass is formed by micro-engraving the surface or the interior of the glass. For another example, a light extraction microstructure film is obtained by micro-engraving the surface of a layer (e.g., a film) , In an embodiment, the lighting function layer using light extraction technology comprises a light extraction glass pane, a separate light extraction layer, a glass pane with a light extraction adhesion layer, or a combination thereof.

The self-emitting technology refers to its own lighting performance without the need to provide an external light source. The self-emitting technology includes, but is not limited to: electroluminescent lighting technology, transparent discrete LED matrix. In this case, there is no need to set an external light source to obtain an incident light, and the lighting function can be achieved by providing a power supply. In an embodiment, the lighting function layer adopting the self-emitting technology is a separate self-emitting function layer.

In an embodiment, the lighting function layer is a light extraction glass pane. The refractive index of the glass pane in the light extraction glass pane is designated as the refractive index n₁ of the lighting function layer. In this embodiment, the light extraction technology is adopted to achieve the lighting function by performing micro-engraving on the surface or to the interior of glass based on a pattern design, or applying light extraction materials (e.g., a lighting enamel or a lighting ink) on the surface of glass based on a pattern design to form a light extraction lighting area. Afterwards, when the incident light emitted from a set external light source is projected to the pattern area, due to the change of the surface structure, the light transmits through the pattern area by scattering or diffusion, thus achieving various lighting effects. Figure 1 shows a schematic diagram of a glass assembly according to the present disclosure, wherein the lighting function layer is a light extraction glass pane 4a, and the light extraction lighting area is formed by micro-engraving or the application of light extraction materials (e.g., a lighting enamel or a lighting ink) on the glass pane.

In another embodiment, the lighting function layer is a glass pane with a light extraction adhesion layer. The refractive index n₁ of the lighting function layer is the smaller one of the refractive index of the light extraction adhesion layer and the refractive index of the glass pane where the adhesion layer is located, so as to ensure a good light isolation effect. In this embodiment, the light extraction technology is adopted to realize the lighting function by printing light extraction materials (e.g., lighting ink) on the surface of the adhesion layer, thereby forming a light extraction lighting area. When the incident light emitted from an external light source is projected onto the light extraction lighting area, the light is transmitted through by scattering or diffusion, thus achieving the lighting effect. Figure 3 shows a schematic diagram of a glass assembly according to the present disclosure, wherein the lighting function layer is a glass pane with a light extraction adhesion layer 4c, the light extraction adhesion layer 5b is obtained by printing the light extraction material on the adhesion layer to form a light extraction lighting area, and the light extraction adhesion layer 5b is located on the surface of the glass pane (which can also be referred as the second glass pane) facing the first glass pane 1, and the light extraction adhesion layer together with the glass pane form the glass pane with the light extraction adhesion layer 4c.

Depending on the adopted lighting technology, the separate lighting layer may include, but not limited to, a separate self-emitting layer, a separate light extraction layer.

In an embodiment, the lighting function layer is a separate light extraction layer. The refractive index of the separate light extraction layer is designated as the refractive index n₁ of the lighting function layer. The separate light extraction layer includes, but is not limited to, a light extraction microstructure film. The light extraction microstructure film is obtained by performing micro-engraving to the surface of the film. When the incident light emitted from an external light source is projected onto the microstructure of the light extraction microstructure film, the light is transmitted through by scattering or diffusion, thereby achieving the lighting effect.

In another embodiment, the lighting function layer is a separate self-emitting layer. The self-emitting technology includes, but is not limited to, electroluminescent technology, transparent discrete LED matrix.

As an example, Figure 5 shows a separate self-emitting layer adopting the electroluminescence. Wherein, a protective layer 20a, an Ag electric layer 21, a dielectric layer 22, an inorganic lighting material 23, a transparent conductive layer 24 and a protective layer 20b are arranged in sequence, wherein the Ag electric layer and the transparent conductive layer are each connected to a connector 25, which is used for connecting to a power supply. The protective layer in the electroluminescent structure can be PET or other alternative materials. The transparent conductive layer can be indium tin oxide (ITO) , copper mesh or silver mesh. Figure 6 shows a separate self-emitting layer adopting transparent discrete LED matrix. Wherein, a protective layer 20a, an adhesion layer 26, an anisotropic conductive material layer 28 embedded with LED chips 27, a transparent conductive layer 24 and a protective layer 20b are arranged in sequence, wherein two connectors 25 is connected to the transparent conductive layer for connecting to a power supply. The protective layer in the discrete LED matrix is PET or other alternative materials. The transparent conductive layer can be indium tin oxide (ITO) , copper mesh or silver mesh. Wherein, the separated LED chips are attached to the transparent conductive layer through anisotropic conductive materials, and the LED chips are separated from each other with suitable chip packaging and pin spacing. The anisotropic conductive materials include, but are not limited to, anisotropic conductive film or anisotropic conductive paste. The adhesion layer is used to adhere the protective layer to the surface of the transparent conductive layer (LED chips are attached by anisotropic conductive materials on said surface) . Herein, the shape of the lighting function layer can be arbitrary. According to actual needs, lighting function layer may be square, rectangular, round, oval, regular hexagon and so on. In addition, according to actual needs, the lighting function layer can be, for example, a frame of any shape, that is, the interior of the plane of the lighting function layer is hollow, and the outside is an area for realizing the lighting function. According to the needs for lighting function, the position, shape and size of the hollow structure can also be arbitrary. For example, the area for realizing the lighting function is a square frame, wherein the hollow structure is square and located in the center of the lighting function layer.

The lighting function layer may be consisted of a single lighting layer or may comprise two or more lighting layers. When the lighting function layer contains two or more lighting layers, the refractive index value of the lighting layer with the lowest refractive index is designated as the refractive index n₁ of the lighting function layer, which can ensure the realization of good light isolation effect.

Herein, according to actual needs, lighting function layers with different shapes or sizes are used, so that the sizes of the lighting function layers can be the same as or smaller than other layers (e.g., the first glass pane, the light isolation layer, the switchable function layer) .

In an embodiment, the lighting function layer has a smaller area than the adjacent layer, and there are additional continuous or discrete picture frame around the lighting function layer to surround and accommodate the lighting function layer. In a specific embodiment, the lighting function layer is a separate lighting layer (e.g., a separate light extraction layer, a separate self-emitting layer) , and there are additional continuous or discrete picture frame around the separate lighting layer to surround and accommodate the separate lighting layer. As used herein, "continuous or discrete" means that the shape of the picture frame is continuous and complete, or discrete, as long as the picture frame can surround and accommodate the lighting function layer. The shape or size of the picture frame can be adjusted according to the shape of the functional module.

The material of the picture frame is selected from those that can provide sufficient mechanical properties, including but not limited to: polyvinyl butyral (PVB) , ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA) , thermoplastic polyolefin (TPO) , polyolefin elastomer (POE) , etc.

A suitable thickness of the picture frame contributes to improving the stability of the glass assembly, effectively fills the space between the edge of the lighting function layer and the edge of the adjacent layer, and prevent possible damages to the glass pane caused by the lighting function layer (e.g., the edge of the lighting function layer) when a pressure is applied to the glass pane during the preparation of the glass assembly.

Light isolation layer

Herein, the light isolation layer is located between the lighting function layer and the switchable function layer, which prevents the light ray emitted from the lighting function layer from entering the switchable function layer, thus avoiding the poor user experience caused by a halo effect (which looks similar to a light leakage) . At the same time, by setting the light isolation layer, the defects existing in the switchable function layer can be prevented from being illuminated by the entrance of excessively strong light, thereby bringing a better visual effect and user experience.

The light isolation layer is comprised in the multilayer glass assembly according to the present disclosure to reduce or block the light emitted from the lighting function layer to enter the switchable function layer, so as to realize the light isolation effect and meet the compatibility between the lighting function and the switchable function of the glass assembly.

In an embodiment, the light isolation layer has a thickness of 0.3-0.8 mm and a light transmittance T of 18%or less, such as about 10%, about 12%, about 14%, about 16%, about 18%, etc. An excessively small thickness of less than 0.3 mm or an excessively large thickness of more than 0.8 mm is both adverse to the glass assembly. For example, if the thickness is excessively small, it will easily lead to weak adhesion of glass assembly, while if the thickness is excessively large, it will easily lead to the overall thickness of glass assembly being too large, which is not conducive to practical application, such as assembly and use in vehicles. A light isolation layer with an excessively high transmittance cannot sufficiently block or weaken the light from the lighting function layer and hence effective light isolation effects cannot be achieved. Wherein, the lighting function layer can adopt the light extraction technology or the self-emitting technology, including: a light extraction glass pane, a separate light extraction layer, a glass pane with a light extraction adhesion layer and a separate self-emitting layer. The material of the lighting isolation layer includes, but is not limited to, polyvinyl butyral (PVB) , ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA) , thermoplastic polyolefin (TPO) , polyolefin elastomer (POE) , especially PVB. For example, dyeing agents can be added to materials (such as PVB) to change the transmittance thereof in order to meet the requirements for the transmittance. The dyed materials act as a lighting isolation layer, which can achieve light isolation effect, and no additional adhesion layer is needed to achieve the adhesion with adjacent layers, simplifying the process and reducing the production cost.

In another embodiment, the light isolation layer comprises a first light isolation layer and a second light isolation layer; wherein, the first light isolation layer has a light transmittance T; the second light isolation layer has a refractive index n₂; wherein n₁, n₂ and T satisfy the following relationship: 0.03 ≤ n₁-n₂ < 0.08, for example, about 0.03, about 0.04, about 0.05, about 0.06, about 0.07, etc.; and the ratio of T to the difference between n₁ and n₂, T/ (n₁-n₂) is less than 10.5, for example, about 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, etc. When the ratio of T to the difference between n₁ and n₂ (T/ (n₁-n₂) ) is greater than 10.5, the light from the lighting function layer cannot be blocked or sufficiently weakened, and thus an effective light isolation effect cannot be achieved. Wherein, the refractive index of the lighting function layer is designated as n₁, and the lighting function layer may adopt the light extraction technology and comprise: a light extraction glass pane, a separate light extraction layer, a glass pane with a light extraction adhesion layer.

When the lighting function layer is a light extraction glass pane, the refractive index of the glass pane in the light extraction glass pane is designated as the refractive index n₁ of the lighting function layer; when the lighting function layer is a separate light extraction layer, the refractive index of the separate light extraction layer is designated as the refractive index n₁ of the lighting function layer; when the lighting function layer is a glass pane with a light extraction adhesion layer, the refractive index n₁ of the lighting function layer is the smaller one of the refractive index of the light extraction adhesion layer and the refractive index of the glass pane where the adhesion layer is located.

By selecting a combination of the first light isolation layer and the second light isolation layer with appropriate optical properties (e.g., refractive index and light transmittance) to satisfy the relationship as mentioned above, the first light isolation layer and the second light isolation layer work together to achieve light isolation effects.

In the above embodiments, the material of the first light isolation layer includes, but is not limited to, one or more of the following: polyvinyl butyral (PVB) , ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA) , thermoplastic polyolefin (TPO) and polyolefin elastomer (POE) . The light transmittance T of the first light isolation layer can be changed by adjusting the material of the first light isolation layer. It is also possible to obtain a suitable transmittance of the first light isolation layer by dyeing the material of the first light isolation layer and/or adjusting the thickness of the first light isolation layer. In an embodiment, the first light isolation layer may have a light transmittance T of less than 84%, for example, about 10%, about 20%, about 28%, about 30%, about 40%, about 44%, about 50%, about 60%, about 70%, about 74%, about 80%, about 83%, etc. In an embodiment, the first light isolation layer may have a thickness of 0.3-0.8 mm. An excessively small thickness of less than 0.3 mm or an excessively large thickness of more than 0.8 mm is adverse to the glass assembly. For example, if the thickness is excessively small, it will easily lead to weak adhesion of glass assembly, while if the thickness is excessively large, it will easily lead to the overall thickness of glass assembly being too large, which is not conducive to practical application, such as assembly and use in vehicles.

The material of the second light isolation layer includes but is not limited to one or more of the following: polyvinylidene fluoride, in particular polyvinylidene fluoride with a refractive index of 1.43; coated polyethylene terephthalate; silicone; acrylic resin; pressure sensitive adhesive.

Coated polyethylene terephthalate can be used as the second light isolation layer. In a specific embodiment, the second light isolation layer is polyethylene terephthalate coated with SiO₂ with a refractive index of 1.47. In another specific embodiment, the second light isolation layer is polyethylene terephthalate coated with polysiloxane with a refractive index of 1.43.

Acrylic resin can be used as the second light isolation layer, in particular acrylic resin with a refractive index of about 1.45-1.47 or lower. Acrylic resin itself has adhesiveness, strong adhesion with adjacent layers, delamination resistance and good reliability. In a specific embodiment, the second light isolation layer is acrylic resin with a refractive index of 1.45.

Silicone, as the material of light isolation layer, the adhesiveness itself can ensure the adhesion with adjacent layers, and the corresponding products have good delamination resistance and reliability.

The material of the second light isolation layer can be pressure sensitive adhesive, in particular pressure sensitive adhesive with a refractive index of about 1.45-1.47 or lower, including but not limited to: an acrylate-based pressure sensitive adhesive, a (butyl rubber) -based pressure sensitive adhesive, a (ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer) -based pressure sensitive adhesive, a (natural rubber) -based pressure sensitive adhesive, a (polyisobutylene rubber) -based pressure sensitive adhesive, a (silicone resin) -based pressure sensitive adhesive, a fluororesin-based pressure sensitive adhesive, a (styrene-butadiene-styrene block copolymer) -based pressure sensitive adhesive, a (styrene-isoprene-styrene block copolymer) -based pressure sensitive adhesive. The adhesiveness of pressure sensitive adhesive itself can ensure good adhesion with adjacent layers, and can improve the delamination resistance and reliability of products.

It should be understood that the light isolation layer may also optionally comprise one or more additional isolation layers, which can be referred to as "third light isolation layer" , "fourth light isolation layer" and so on accordingly. The additional isolation layer (third light isolation layer, fourth light isolation layer, etc. ) may be selected from the materials of the first light isolation layer or the second light isolation layer described above.

In a specific embodiment, the effect of light isolation is achieved at least by the total reflection of light. Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of a simplified glass assembly, which shows that light is prevented from entering the switchable function layer 10 at least by the total reflection of the light isolation layer 11. Since the light in the lighting function layer 12 is totally reflected by the light isolation layer, the light intensity on the other side of the lighting function layer 12 (i.e., the side away from the light isolation layer) can be further increased, and the lighting effect, such as the illumination effect, can be enhanced.

The light isolation layer can be assembled into the glass assembly in various ways, including but not limited to thermal lamination and pressure lamination.

In an embodiment, the light isolation layer is laminated and assembled by hot pressing.

In another embodiment, the material of the light isolation layer contains a pressure sensitive adhesive, which can be assembled by pressure lamination. The preparation process can be simplified, such as curing process can be avoided, while good adhesion with adjacent layers can be ensured.

In an embodiment, the adhesive force between the light isolation layer and its adjacent layer is 2 N/mm or more. The adjacent layers of the light isolation layer refer to the layers located on either side of the light isolation layer in the glass assembly. If the adhesive force is excessively low, the adhesive strength between the light isolation layer and its adjacent layer will be not sufficient, thus leading to a risk of delamination and falling off in the glass assembly.

In an embodiment, adjacent layers of the light isolation layer are both adhesion layers. Sufficient adhesive forces between adjacent layers are provided through the adhesion layers.

In another embodiment, the light isolation layer is selected from the materials as described above having adhesiveness. At least one side of the light isolation layer does not contain any adhesion layer, and the sufficient adhesive force between adjacent layers is provided through the self-adhesiveness of the light isolation layer.

In an embodiment, the light isolation layer has an ultraviolet (UV) and/or infrared (IR) filtration function, so as to provide a more comfortable experience for users, for example, to avoid the light aging of articles inside the vehicle and the damage to the user's body caused by a large amount of ultraviolet rays entering the vehicle; to increase the heat insulation function of the vehicle in order to maintain a more suitable temperature inside the vehicle.

In an embodiment, the light isolation layer can be compatible with the process conditions of 140℃ and 13 bar for more than 2 hours, so as to avoid the problems such as decomposition and deformation of the light isolation layer that affect performance during the preparation and processing of glass assembly.

It is required for the light isolation layer to ensure the glass assembly with good clarity, so as to provide users with good visual effects. In an embodiment, the used light isolation layer ensures the glass assembly with a haze of less than 6%over 1 meter, preferably less than 1%.

In an embodiment, the light isolation layer is smoothly attached to various types of surfaces, such as curved surfaces, planes, etc., without wrinkles or other problems. In a specific embodiment, the light isolation layer is smoothly attached to the two-dimensional curved glass of the vehicle and no wrinkle occurs.

Herein, under the premise that the light isolation layer completely covers the lighting function layer to block the light from the lighting function layer, light isolation layers with different shapes or sizes can be used according to actual needs.

In an embodiment, the light isolation layer has substantially the same size as the second glass pane and/or the lighting function layer, for example, the light isolation layer has substantially the same length as the second glass pane and/or the lighting function layer. Herein, the length of the light isolation layer may be orthogonal to the thickness of the light isolation layer; the length of the second glass pane may be orthogonal to the thickness of the second glass pane; the length of the lighting function layer may be orthogonal to the thickness of the lighting function layer.

External light source

In an embodiment, the window assembly further comprises an external light source to ensure that an appropriate amount of luminous flux is provided to the lighting function layer.

The external light source can be a linear light source or a point light source. In a preferred embodiment, the external light source is a collimated light source, such as a collimated LED.

Relative to the lighting function layer, the external light source can be located at a peripheral edge of the lighting function layer or at the side of the lighting function layer away from the light isolation layer.

In an embodiment, the external light source is located at a peripheral edge of the lighting function layer, and light is injected from the peripheral edge side of the lighting function layer. The external light source may be encapsulated in an encapsulation material.

In another embodiment, the external light source is located on the side of the lighting function layer away from the light isolation layer, that is, the external light source is located beneath the lighting function layer when taking a view in the direction from the light isolation layer to the lighting function layer. In this case, the light needs to be reoriented to the lighting function layer, which can be realized by two approaches with light reorienting module (also known as light guide) : 1. guiding the light through waveguide technology; 2. guiding the light by prismatic optical reorienting module.

Regarding the assembly of the external light source, the external light source may be located at a peripheral edge of the glass assembly, or be located in an offset area defined by the first glass pane and rest parts of the glass assembly, or be embedded in an opening on the second glass pane adjacent to a peripheral edge.

In an embodiment, the external light source is located at the peripheral edge of the glass assembly, as shown in Figure 7. The external light source 33 may be installed around the edge of the glass or at a specific position. The external light source 33 may take a form of a package or sub-sections. The external light source 33 may be a direct light source or a light source through a light guide.

In another embodiment, the external light source is 33 is located in the offset area defined by the first glass pane 30 and the rest parts of the glass assembly, as shown in Figure 8.The external light source 33 may take a form of a package or sub-sections. The external light source 33 may be a direct light source or a light source through a light guide.

In an embodiment, the external light source 33 is embedded in the opening on the second glass pane 32 adjacent to the peripheral edge. For example, the external light source 33 can be arranged in a drilled hole on the second glass pane 32, as shown in Figure 9. When the light extraction glass pane or the glass pane in the glass pane with the light extraction adhesion layer is designated as the second glass pane 32, the external light source 33 is embedded in the opening provided adjacent to the peripheral edge of the light extraction glass pane or the glass pane in the glass pane with the light extraction adhesion layer. Black printed graphics can be provided above the drilled area to make the drilled area and the light source invisible from the outside of the vehicle, thus improving visual aesthetics. The cross section of the drilled hole may be round, rectangular or other shapes that match the drilling technology and process. The external light source 33 may be a direct light source or a light source through a light guide.

The glass assembly

Provided is a glass assembly, comprising: a first glass pane; a switchable function layer; a light isolation layer; and a lighting function layer; wherein, the light isolation layer is located between the switchable function layer and the lighting function layer; the switchable function layer is located between the first glass pane and the light isolation layer; wherein the light isolation layer has a thickness of 0.3-0.8 mm and a light transmittance T of 18%or less, for example, about 10%, about 12%, about 14%, about 16%, about 18%, etc. In an embodiment, the lighting function layer comprises a light extraction glass pane, a glass pane with a light extraction adhesion layer, a separate self-emitting layer, a separate light extraction layer or a combination thereof.

Further provided is a glass assembly, comprising:

a first glass pane; a switchable function layer; a light isolation layer; and a lighting function layer with a refractive index n₁; wherein the light isolation layer is located between the switchable function layer and the lighting function layer; the switchable function layer is located between the first glass pane and the light isolation layer. Wherein, the light isolation layer comprises a first light isolation layer and a second light isolation layer; the first light isolation layer has a light transmittance T; the second light isolation layer has a refractive index n₂; n₁, n₂ and T satisfy the following relationship: 0.03 ≤ n₁-n₂ < 0.08, for example, about 0.03, about 0.04, about 0.05, about 0.06, about 0.07, etc.; and the ratio of T to the difference between n₁ and n₂ (T/ (n₁-n₂) ) is less than 10.5, for example, about 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, etc. In an embodiment, the lighting function layer comprises a light extraction glass pane, a separate light extraction layer, a glass pane with a light extraction adhesion layer, or a combination thereof.

The glass assembly may comprise a second glass pane. In an embodiment, the lighting function layer comprises a glass pane part which acts as the second glass pane. In another embodiment, the lighting function layer comprises no glass pane part, thereby the second glass pane is located on the side of the lighting function layer in the glass assembly away from the first glass pane. Wherein, the lighting function layer comprising a glass pane part means that the lighting function layer has the structure of the glass pane, which can provide a certain physical support for the glass assembly.

In a preferable embodiment, a light extraction glass pane or a glass pane with a light extraction adhesion layer is present in the glass assembly, thereby the light extraction glass pane or the glass pane of the glass pane with a light extraction adhesion layer is the second glass pane. In another preferable embodiment, neither a light extraction glass pane nor a glass pane with a light extraction adhesion layer is present in the glass assembly, thereby the second glass pane contained in the glass assembly is located on the side of the lighting function layer in the glass assembly away from the first glass pane.

It should be understood by those skilled in the art that the light isolation layer or the lighting function layer (for example, a glass pane with a light extraction adhesive layer) in the glass assembly according to the present disclosure may contain a material with adhesiveness itself, so that it will have the function of an adhesion layer itself and thus there is no need to provide an additional adhesion layer. Adhesion layers act to provide adhesive function and have certain adhesive strength with adjacent layers. The layer on either side of the adhesion layer can be closely bonded to the adhesion layer through the adhesive force with the adhesion layer. At the same time, adhesion layers may also provide elasticity and cushioning effects.

Therefore, if necessary, the glass assembly may also be provided with an additional adhesion layer. In an embodiment, the glass assembly may further comprise one or more adhesion layers for achieving stable adhesion between layers. The adhesion layer provides sufficient adhesive force and can ensure other properties (e.g., mechanical properties, optical properties, etc. ) of the glass assembly. The material of the adhesion layer includes but is not limited to: polyvinyl butyral (PVB) , ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA) , thermoplastic polyolefin (TPO) , polyolefin elastomer (POE) , etc.

In a specific embodiment, an adhesion layer is comprised between the first glass pane and the switchable function layer. In another specific embodiment, an adhesion layer is comprised between the switchable function layer and the light isolation layer. In yet another specific embodiment, an adhesion layer is comprised between the light isolation layer and the lighting function layer. In yet another specific embodiment, an adhesion layer is comprised between the lighting function layer and the second glass pane.

An embodiment of the glass assembly according to the present disclosure may be shown in, for example, Figure 1, wherein a first glass pane 1, an adhesion layer 5a, a switchable function layer 2, an adhesion layer 5a, a light isolation layer 3, an adhesion layer 5a and a light extraction glass pane 4a are sequentially arranged, wherein the light extraction glass pane acts as a second glass pane.

An embodiment of the glass assembly according to the present disclosure may be shown in, for example, Figure 2, wherein a first glass pane 1, an adhesion layer 5a, a switchable function layer 3, an adhesion layer 5a, a light isolation layer 3, an adhesion layer 5a, a separate lighting layer 6, an adhesion layer 5a and a second glass pane 4b are sequentially arranged.

An embodiment of the glass assembly according to the present disclosure may be shown in, for example, Figure 3, wherein a first glass pane 1, an adhesion layer 5a, a switchable function layer 2, an adhesion layer 5a, a light isolation layer 3, and a glass pane with a light extraction adhesion layer (5b) 4c are sequentially arranged, wherein the glass pane in the glass pane with a light extraction adhesion layer 4c acts as a second glass pane.

In the above embodiments, the functional module of the switchable function layer and/or the separate lighting layer are also surrounded and accommodated by continuous or discrete picture frames. Wherein the picture frames may be the same or different. The adhesion layers may be the same or different.

Window assembly

Further provided is a window assembly comprising the glass assembly according to the present disclosure.

In an embodiment, the window assembly comprises a door, a window, a curtain wall, a vehicle window glass, an airplane glass or a ship glass.

In a specific embodiment, the window assembly is a vehicle window glass, including a rear windshield, a skylight glass, a vehicle door glass or a corner window glass, preferably a skylight glass. Wherein the side of the first glass pane away from the switchable function layer faces outside of the vehicle, and in this case, the first glass pane can also be referred as an outer glass pane, and the second glass pane opposite to the first glass pane can be referred as an inner glass pane. Wherein, when the light extraction glass pane or the glass pane of the glass pane with the light extraction adhesion layer act as the second glass pane, the light extraction glass pane or the glass pane of the glass pane with the light extraction adhesion layer is referred as the inner glass pane. The vehicle window glass arranged in this way will provide users inside the vehicle with lighting functions, such as illumination effect, decorative effect and so on, so that users can get a better experience. As the outer glass pane, the first glass pane can also effectively resist the damage of external factors (e.g., friction, corrosion, etc. ) to the glass assembly.

It should be understood here that the embodiments shown in the drawings only illustrate the optional architectures, shapes, sizes and arrangements of various optional components of the glass assembly and the window assembly according to the present disclosure; however, it is only illustrative rather than restrictive, and other shapes, sizes and arrangements can be adopted without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

BENEFICIAL EFFECTS

The disclosure realizes the switchable function and the lighting function of the glass at the same time by setting the reasonable arrangement of the light isolation layer, the lighting function layer and the switchable function layer, and endows the two functions with good compatibility. The disclosure ensures that the excellent mechanical and optical properties of glass assembly are not affected, while improving the user experience and visual effects.

The material of the second light isolation layer may include coated polyethylene terephthalate, polyvinylidene fluoride, silicone, acrylic resin or pressure sensitive adhesive. When the material of the second light isolation layer is pressure sensitive adhesive, it can be assembled by pressure lamination, which simplifies the preparation process, avoids the use of, for example, curing process, and can also ensure good adhesion with adjacent layers.

EXAMPLES

The solution of the present disclosure will be further described in detail below in conjunction with specific examples.

It should be noted that the following examples are only examples for clearly explaining the technical solution of the present disclosure and are not limitations of the present disclosure. For an ordinary technical person in the art, other changes or modifications in different forms can be made on the basis of the above description, and it is unnecessary and impossible to exhaust all the embodiments herein and the obvious changes or modifications derived therefrom are still within the protection scope of the present disclosure. Unless otherwise specified, the instruments, equipment and reagent materials used herein are all commercially available.

Preparation

According to the following specific materials, materials of each layer were stacked sequentially and subjected to a thermal lamination to prepare Examples 1-4 and Comparative Examples 1-2. The schematic diagram of the glass assemblies obtained in Examples 1-3 and Comparative Example 1 is as shown in Figure 10. In the glass assembly obtained in Example 4 and Comparative Example 2, the light isolation layer is located between the first glass pane and the second glass pane.

Example 1

The first glass pane 1: super transparent glass with a thickness of 2.1 mm, with a lighting pattern 1 on its surface.

Adhesion layer 5a: PVB with a thickness of 0.38 mm.

The second light isolation layer 3b: acrylic resin with a refractive index of 1.45 and a thickness of 0.075 mm.

The first light isolation layer 3a: dyed PVB with a thickness of 0.38 mm and a light transmittance T of 44%.

The second glass pane 4b: a super transparent glass with a thickness of 2.1 mm and a refractive index of 1.50, with a lighting pattern 2 on its surface.

Example 2

The second light isolation layer 3b: polyethylene terephthalate coated with SiO₂, with a refractive index of 1.47 and a thickness of 0.075 mm.

The first light isolation layer 3a: dyed PVB with a thickness of 0.38 mm and a light transmittance T of 28%.

Other parameters are the same as those in Example 1.

Example 3

The second light isolation layer 3b: polyethylene terephthalate coated with polysiloxane, with a refractive index of 1.43 and a thickness of 0.075 mm.

The first light isolation layer 3a: dyed PVB with a thickness of 0.38 mm and a light transmittance T of 73%.

Other parameters are the same as those in Example 1.

Comparative Example 1

Adhesion layer 5a: PVB with a thickness of 0.38 mm.

Table 1

Example 4

The first glass pane: super transparent glass with a thickness of 2.1 mm, with a lighting pattern 1 on its surface.

Light isolation layer: dyed PVB with a thickness of 0.76 mm and a light transmittance T of 10%.

The second glass pane: a super transparent glass with a thickness of 2.1 mm and a refractive index of 1.50, with a lighting pattern 2 on its surface.

Comparative Example 2

Light isolation layer: dyed PVB with a thickness of 0.76 mm and a light transmittance T of 80%.

The lighting patterns 1 and 2 were lighting enamels applied on the surfaces of the first glass pane and the second glass pane, respectively. The two patterns were different, so as to facilitate the identification of the illuminated glass pane. According to whether the lighting pattern 1 on the first glass pane produces a lighting effect, it could be determined whether the light enters the first glass pane through the light isolation layer.

The lighting pattern 1 on the first glass pane was located on the surface of side of the first glass pane away from the second glass pane. The lighting pattern 2 on the second glass pane was located on the surface of side of the second glass pane away from the first glass pane.

Light isolation experiment

In Examples 1-3, the first glass pane was arranged above the second glass pane, and the external light sources were arranged so that light was injected from the second glass pane. Whether the light entered the corresponding glass pane was verified by observing whether the lighting patterns 1 and 2 had a lighting effect.

Figure 11 showed a photograph of the experimental result of Example 1 observed along the direction from the second glass pane to the first glass pane. That is, in Figure 11, the order in Example 1 from near to away from the observer was: the external light source, the second glass pane, the first light isolation layer, the second light isolation layer, the adhesion layer and the first glass pane. It could be seen from Figure 11, the lighting pattern 2 on the second glass pane exhibited a lighting effect, while the lighting pattern 1 on the first glass pane did not.

Figure 12 showed a photograph of the experimental result observed from another perspective. Wherein, the first glass pane is the lower glass pane in Figure 12, the second glass pane is the upper glass pane in Figure 12, the external light source was located above the second glass pane, and light was injected from the second glass pane. It could be seen from Figure 12 that the lighting pattern 2 on the second glass pane exhibited a lighting effect, while the lighting pattern 1 on the first glass pane did not.

The experimental results of Examples 2-4 are the same as that of Example 1, all of which are that the lighting pattern 2 on the second glass pane exhibited a lighting effect, while the lighting pattern 1 on the first glass pane did not.

Regarding Comparative Examples 1-2, the light isolation experiment results showed that both the lighting pattern 1 on the first glass pane and the lighting pattern 2 on the second glass pane exhibited lighting effects, which showed that the light ray was not effectively blocked.

Based on the results of the light isolation experiment, the arrangement of light isolation layer in Examples 1-4 effectively blocked the light. When the light isolation layer was arranged between the lighting function layer and the switchable function layer, the light isolation layer blocked or sufficiently weakened the light from the lighting function layer, so as to prevent or weaken the light from entering the switchable function layer to avoid adverse visual effects.

Although the specific embodiments according to the present disclosure have been described above, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that this is by way of example only and the protection scope of the present disclosure is defined by the appended claims. Those skilled in the art may make various changes or modifications to these embodiments without departing from the principle and essence of the present disclosure, but these changes and modifications all fall within the protection scope of the present disclosure.

Claims

A multilayer glass assembly, comprising:

a first glass pane;

a switchable function layer;

a light isolation layer; and

a lighting function layer,

wherein,

the light isolation layer is located between the switchable function layer and the lighting function layer;

the switchable function layer is located between the first glass pane and the light isolation layer;

wherein,

the light isolation layer has a thickness of 0.3-0.8 mm and a light transmittance T of 18%or less.
The glass assembly according to claim 1, wherein,

the lighting function layer comprises a light extraction glass pane, a glass pane with a light extraction adhesion layer, a separate self-emitting layer, a separate light extraction layer or a combination thereof.
The glass assembly according to claim 1 or 2, wherein,

the material of the light isolation layer comprises polyvinyl butyral, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, thermoplastic polyolefin or polyolefin elastomer.
A multilayer glass assembly, comprising:

a first glass pane;

a switchable function layer;

a light isolation layer; and

a lighting function layer with a refractive index n₁,

wherein,

the light isolation layer is located between the switchable function layer and the lighting function layer;

the switchable function layer is located between the first glass pane and the light isolation layer;

wherein,

the light isolation layer comprises a first light isolation layer and a second light isolation layer;

the first light isolation layer has a light transmittance T; the second light isolation layer has a refractive index n₂;

n₁, n₂ and T satisfy the following relationship:

0.03≤ n₁-n₂ < 0.08; and

the ratio of T to the difference between n₁ and n₂ (T/ (n₁-n₂) ) is less than 10.5.
The glass assembly according to claim 4, wherein the lighting function layer comprises a light extraction glass pane, a separate light extraction layer, a glass pane with a light extraction adhesion layer or a combination thereof.
The glass assembly according to claim 4 or 5, wherein,

the material of the first light isolation layer comprises polyvinyl butyral, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, thermoplastic polyolefin or polyolefin elastomer; and/or

the material of the second light isolation layer comprises coated polyethylene terephthalate, polyvinylidene fluoride, silicone, acrylic resin or pressure sensitive adhesive.
The glass assembly according to claim 6, wherein,

the coated polyethylene terephthalate comprises polyethylene terephthalate coated with SiO₂ or polyethylene terephthalate coated with polysiloxane;

the pressure sensitive adhesive comprises an acrylate-based pressure sensitive adhesive, a (butyl rubber) -based pressure sensitive adhesive, a (ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer) -based pressure sensitive adhesive, a (natural rubber) -based pressure sensitive adhesive, a (polyisobutylene rubber) -based pressure sensitive adhesive, a (silicone resin) -based pressure sensitive adhesive, a fluororesin-based pressure sensitive adhesive, a (styrene-butadiene-styrene block copolymer) -based pressure sensitive adhesive or a (styrene-isoprene-styrene block copolymer) -based pressure sensitive adhesive.
The glass assembly according to any one of claims 1 -7, wherein

the glass assembly comprises a second glass pane,

when the lighting function layer comprises a glass pane part, the glass pane part in the lighting function layer is the second glass pane; or

when the lighting function layer comprises no glass pane part, the second glass pane is located on the side of the lighting function layer in the glass assembly away from the first glass pane;

preferably,

the glass assembly comprises a second glass pane,

when a light extraction glass pane or a glass pane with a light extraction adhesion layer is present, the second glass pane is the light extraction glass pane or the glass pane of the glass pane with a light extraction adhesion layer; or

when neither a light extraction glass pane nor a glass pane with a light extraction adhesion layer is present, the second glass pane is located on the side of the lighting function layer in the glass assembly away from the first glass pane.
The glass assembly according to any one of claims 1-8, wherein,

the glass assembly further comprises one or more adhesion layers located in one or more of the following positions:

between the first glass pane and the switchable function layer;

between the switchable function layer and the light isolation layer;

between the light isolation layer and the lighting function layer;

between the lighting function layer and the second glass pane.
The glass assembly according to any one of claims 1-9, wherein,

the switchable function layer comprises a functional module which comprises a polymer dispersed liquid crystal, a suspended particle device or an electrochromic display device.
The glass assembly according to any one of claims 1-10, wherein,

the glass assembly further comprises a continuous or discrete picture frame, which surrounds and accommodates the functional module of the switchable function layer and/or the lighting function layer.
The glass assembly according to any one of claims 1-11, wherein,

the glass assembly further comprises an external light source.
The glass assembly according to claim 12, wherein,

the external light source

is located at a peripheral edge of the glass assembly, or

is located in an offset area defined by the first glass pane and rest parts of the glass assembly, or

is embedded into an opening arranged adjacent to a peripheral edge on the second glass pane.
A window assembly comprising the glass assembly according to any one of claims 1-13.
The window assembly according to claim 14, wherein,

the window assembly comprises a door, a window, a curtain wall, a vehicle window glass, an airplane glass or a ship glass.
The window assembly according to claim 15, wherein,

the window assembly is a vehicle window glass, comprising a rear windshield, a skylight glass, a vehicle door glass or a corner window glass;

wherein,

the side of the first glass pane away from the switchable function layer faces outside of the vehicle.